9

Meanwhile back Salamandastorn things were back to normal. Snowfur's temper has somewhat subsided; though the hares try to not mention Redwall now. The hares weren't very happy with Snowfur's drastic solution to his problem with the fox at the Abbey. The hares longed to go back to Redwall, but not only because they had good friends at the Abbey, but the also such good food that they now couldn't eat.

Ever since that big feast as a thank you for Curieux the menu has been the same: scones, salad, soup, and the occasion fish; if they caught any, which rarely happens because they still don't understand that the best way to catch a fish lies not only in the bait but also in the golden rule of silence, and patience, two qualities that are hare to find in hares.

It was morning and the sun was going to rise soon. Everyone in Salamandastorn was still sleeping, well almost everyone. Tammo III crept slowly up to the barracks; he quietly opened the door, walked in and quietly shut it behind him. He walked to the middle of the barracks and looked to his right, then his left "Well isn't this nice?" he whispered to himself "There all sleeping so soundly, and it's almost time for the patrol." he grinned evilly "Now we can't have that now can we?"

He walked over to one of the chests in front of the bunk beds and opened the lid, and shook his head "What a mess, I remember when I was a private we were to keep our things organized. Well enough chit-chat. Time to wake these chaps up." He slammed the chest shut causing a loud booming noise. At the very same time the hares woke up, eyes wide as saucers, some hit their heads from getting up form the bottom of the bunk too quickly. Tammo III just watched the chaos that had erupted in the room, normaly he would laugh, but this was a serious issue. "What was that!?" he yelled. Everyone in the room stopped, they didn't even know that Tammo III was there. "I asked you all a question! What was that?!" he yelled again.

"Ummm s-s-s-sir I thought that we were under attack...sir." one of the privates spoke out.

Tammo III was quite furious right now "And what were you going to do after you all were finished running around, and coming too from hitting your heads on your bunk beds?" No one dared to speak.

"Well get your uniforms on now! I thought that today I could be nice to do a short patrol for training, but it seems that you need all the training that you can get wot! We are going to take a four mile patrol and then briefing on your survival training which could have been one week from now, but since you are all so..." Tammo III was breathing heavily with frustration "The survival training will be two days from now! Do I make myself clear?!" everyone nodded their heads, and Tammo's heavy breathing grew more rapid "I SAID DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!!" he yelled.

"Sir yes sir!" said everyone at simotaniously. I will be waiting outside of Salamandastorn, I expect you all to be there in ten minuets. Dismissed!" Tammo walked out of the barracks and slammed the door behind him.

When he got to the large doors of Salamandastorn he leaned them "It's going to be a long season." he said to himself.

"I remember saying the same thing about you." a voice called out. Tammo II came walking from the kitchens; some crumbs fell off his waxed handle bar moustache every time he took a step.

"Yes father I was quite the little rip as a leveret." Tammo II smiled and nodded his head

"Yes you were quite the paw full. That Curieux chap reminds me of you in your younger seasons."

Tammo III threw his head back and sighed with frustration "He hasn't been issued a weapon yet. Officially he isn't in the Long Patrol yet until he has been issued a weapon, and I can't just leave the others here until I get him one." he said as he hit the wall softly.

Tammo II patted his son's shoulder "No worries lad I'll take him to the forge to get one. You go ahead with the patrol I'll make sure that Curieux catches up with you."

Tammo III rubbed his head "Oh thank you. What would I do without you?" he asked.

Tammo III smiled and then laughed softly "I dread to think, but you would probably wouldn't have made it past the survival training to be honest."

Tammo stared at the ground for a minuet "Father?"

"Yes what is it?"

Tammo crossed his arms and lightly tapped his sword trying to find the right words "It seemed like you were always harder on me than the others. Like when we had the survival training you just had the officer take me to the designated location and then he just told me to wait for a while until I knew that he was gone. It also seemed like you gave me the hardest, and most grueling spot. Did you do thay on purpose?"

Tammo's father threw up his paws "Now now let's not go accusing chaps without solid proof...well then again I guess I did go a little harder on you that the other chaps."

Tammo nodded his head "Hmmm I thought so. But why were you harder on me?"

Tammo's father scratched is chin "Why, why? Good question. Well...you could say that I knew you could handle it." Tammo looked as if he wanted to ask more but he decided not to let his mind wander.

When the hares arrived Tammo II walked over to Curieux, tapped him on the shoulder, and whispered into his ear "Can I see you for a moment don't worry, I'll try to not hold you up too long; but it's important."

Curieux nodded his head and the two slipped off from the group. "What is this about?" Curieux asked. Tammo II chuckled "Well look at yourself and compare to the other hares. Notice something missing?"

Curieux thought for a moment but couldn't think of anything "What?" he asked.

Tammo simply patted Curieux's side. "A weapon?" Curieux asked.

Tammo tapped his nose, and smiled. "Normaly the badger lord would present you with your weapon, but seeing as how we are quite behind the jolly schedule; I guess we can skip all the formalities."

As the two ascended the stairs Curieux found the courage to ask Tammo something that he had been meaning to ask him for awhile. Curieux stopped walking and turned to on open window and watched the other hares walk out into the forest; even from here he could still faintly hear Tammo III barking out orderes. "Is there something wrong Curieux?" Tammo asked.

Curieux sighed "Sir why did you chose me to be on the Long Patrol?"

Tammo grunted in confusion "What? Well I chose you because I thought that you were ready."

Curieux shook his head "No you didn't. I'm not ready. If you chose me just because I helped Snowfur, then you might as well have picked everyone else in Salamandastorn, because they would have done exactly what I did. Now please don't tell me that you chose me because I did one little thing...tell me the truth please!"

Curieux gasped and covered his mouth "I'm sorry sir!"

Tammo patted Curieux's shoulder "No your right. I have been lying to you. But I can not tell you why; that you will have to find out for yourself. Now lets stop being all dark and gloomy wot! Today's your first day as an official Long Patrol Hare. Come on show us a smile."

Curieux forced a smile. He wanted to find out more but he decided to just drop the subject; he found out what he wanted to know...mostly.

When the two made it to the forge Tammo went to the large wooden doors and tried to open them. After a few tries he gave up "Whew! I'm not as young as I use to be wot wot!"

Curieux chuckled and came to the old hare's aid. But even with the two of them it took all their strength just to get to door open enough to slip through. "It's amazing how strong these badger chaps are" said Tammo "You know Snowfur can open this door with just one paw?"

Curieux shook his head in awe "It's amazing that fox survived..."

Tammo mumbled to himself but Curieux wasn't paying attention. "Well now lets see what we've got here." All the broken weapons, and metal shards had been cleaned up, though the air still carried the faint scent of Snowfur's blood, and heavy smoke. Tammo brought Curieux to the very center of the forge and examined him carefully. He took out piece of rope and measured Curieux's arms, legs, torso, and all the time Curieux just stood there. When Tammo was finished he walked away and started examining the short swords. He examined each one thoroughly, and sometimes he would tap his paw on the tip of the sword. When he tapped a sword that pricked his paw he took it down and handed it to Curieux. He took the sword and did a few practice swings. "It feels good, very light weight."

Tammo nodded his head but still looked very serious "Ciurieux." he called. "Curieux listen. You were right to ask why I made the choice to let you join the Long Patrol, and I am sorry that I am keeping secrets from a comrade, but I will tell you this. The road ahead of you will be very hard for you...in and out of the patrol. So if you want to leave now...just hand me back the sword and I will completely understand."

Curieux stood motionless, deep in thought. He looked at his sword, and to Tammo. He took a few steps forward but Tammo gave Curieux one last warning "Know this Curieux. The choice you make now can not be changed. If you hand me that sword you will never get another chance to join again."

Curieux stopped again, but then took a few more steps to Tammo. When he made it close to Tammo he held out his sword, Tammo was just about to take it when Curieux held up his other paw "Sir, I've made up my mind."

He said as he put his sword away "I will accept any challenges put before me, and I shall stare at them and laugh!"

Tammo smiled with satisfaction "Curieux, welcome to the Long Patrol of Salamandastorn."

Tammo smiled, and then started to laugh "Whats so funny?" Curieux asked "Well, maybe it wasn't such a jolly good idea to have some small talk. I wonder how you are going to catch up with the patrol?"

Curieux cuffed himself on the head "Oh no that's right the patrol!" Curieux said as he ran out the door, but just before he made it Tammo cleared his throat loudly. Curieux came back in and saluted, and when he was dismissed he dashed down the stairs to the main door. When he opened it he was in for a big surprise; the patrol just came back. "Curieux your late! I want to have a talk with you after everyones in."

Tammo III called out. Curieux moaned with grief "What have I gotten myself into?" he asked himself.