Nathanial was pacing back and forth on the ramparts near the main gate at the abbey waiting for Skipper's return. This was his main job for his father Tobias so they could see who was coming, without worrying if it really was a good beast or vermin.
Nathanial was worried though; Skipper had been gone for quite a long time which was very unusual for the otter. Tobias noticed his son's worried expression and decided to calm him a little.
"Don't worry son, he's probably at his Holt talking to that crazy brother of his," said Tobias.
Nathanial was still not convinced. "I don't think so Dad, a while ago I heard a cry for help, maybe I should go find Strider," said Nathanial.
"Oh that was probably a dibbun otter running from Skipper, you know how he loves them," said Tobias.
Nathanial sighed and continued to look out into Mossflower, hoping that Skipper would return soon.
Suddenly he heard rustling in the bushes a few feet away from the path. Nathanial watched intently hoping it would be Skipper. But to his surprise, it was only Hunter, and he looked exhausted.
"Dad, open the gate, it's Hunter and he looks hurt," said Nathanial.
Tobias quickly jumped up and opened the gate. Hunter ran right in and fell to the ground exhausted. Tobias quickly closed the gate and ran over to the injured otter. Tobias quickly noticed the many cuts and scratches and knew that it must have been from vermin.
"What happened?" asked Tobias.
"Skipper and I were ambushed by twenty vermin. They took my daughter and right now Skipper is trying to keep them from getting here. Where's Strider?" said Hunter.
"He should be up by now and is most likely down in the dormitory doing his morning stretches," said Tobias.
"Oh good, I'll be right back then," said Hunter who then jumped back up and ran into Redwall.
"Do you want me to go help him Dad?" asked Nathanial.
"No, you stay up there and watch for any vermin that comes near and tell me," said Tobias.
Nathanial nodded, then stared out into Mossflower waiting for the vermin and hoping that Skipper was alright.
Strider was busy doing pushups in his dormitory while Lucky was watching. Lucky was never fond of exercising and it caused him to have a slightly rounder stomach than most hares. He preferred watching and encouraging Strider who would sometimes kick him out for being too encouraging.
"So far I have counted seventy push ups, I believe that you can top that wot," said Lucky.
"I believe I could too, you know that I have done three hundred before," said Strider.
"Oh yes I remember wot, say I wonder what would happen if you had some weight on your back," said Lucky who without warning sat on Strider's back.
If Strider would have known Lucky was going to do this, he would have easily continued with the exercise. Instead he held himself up for a few seconds before falling to the ground. Strider then looked at Lucky angrily.
"Now why couldn't you say that you were jumping on my back, you nearly knocked the wind out of me," said Strider.
"Well that was my way of preparing you, just in case one of those vermin blighters suddenly jumps on your back and you have to fight them bally off," said Lucky.
"I see," said Strider who was about to start his push ups all over again when Hunter burst into the room.
"Strider, get the sword, there are vermin in Mossflower and they kidnapped my daughter," said Hunter.
"Where's Skipper, I might need his help," said Strider.
"He's actually in Mossflower right now trying to keep them from getting here, I don't think he can hold them off much longer," said Hunter.
Strider growled and quickly put on his armor before running out the door. Lucky and Hunter followed him.
Out on the ramparts Nathanial was still watching for the vermin when he soon sighted them. There was only fifteen left and he could see two holding onto Lily who was kicking and crying.
"Dad, the vermin are here," yelled Nathanial.
"Oh dear, I hope Strider comes out soon," said Tobias.
"What should I do?" asked Nathanial.
"Negotiate with them, see what they want, that's a great way to stall them until Strider gets here," said Tobias.
Nathanial nodded and waited until the vermin arrived closer to the abbey. Flint was the first to see him.
"'ello there young ripper, go tell your leader that we want this here abbey," he said.
"There is no way you are getting this abbey, it belongs to good beast's not vile vermin like you," said Nathanial.
Flint growled and then shot an arrow at him. Nathanial ducked just in time.
"Say something rude like that again and next time I won't miss," said Flint.
"Well I'm still not letting you in, how do you think you can even get in here?" asked Nathanial.
"By exchanging this lovely little female otter here for your abbey. And if you try any thing funny we will do away with her like we did to the other otter that we just finished fighting with," said Flint.
"Skipper!" said Nathanial under his breath.
"What do they want?" asked Tobias.
"They want the abbey in exchange for Lily and I think they killed Skipper," said Nathanial.
Tobias stared at him in shock, these vermin were not be messed with. "Hurry up Strider," said Tobias who then watched the main door waiting for Strider to come out soon.
"So are you going to get your leader or what?" asked Flint.
"No I would rather get our abbey warrior, he can finish you off in a second," said Nathanial.
"Oh really, and what is he a puny little mouse?" asked Deadbark.
Suddenly there was a loud roar that made the vermin's hair stand on end. Before they could even think about running Strider came out with the sword of Martin in his paws.
"It be a big badger chief," said a frightened ferret.
"I already figured that out, numskull, now run or fight. Those who have arrows, shoot him," said Flint who then took out his sword.
Strider growled and ran toward the first vermin he could get to. It was a fox who did not even have the time to take out his dagger before he was quickly slain. Some of the vermin who saw this knew that they would not win and started to run. Strider ran after them. They were not fast enough and Strider soon had them in their grasp. Strider did not need to use his sword on them; his huge paws did the job.
Suddenly he felt a sharp pain hit him in the shoulder. He turned around and saw Ash getting ready to notch another arrow into his bow. Strider growled and ran after him, but before he could a rat stopped him in this tracks and tried to stab him. Strider moved quickly beheaded the rat with his sword.
Strider turned around to look for Ash but was stopped again by three more vermin. He was able to bring them all down but not before he received some dagger wounds to his arms and side.
Suddenly he felt another sharp pain, this time in his left side from Ash. Strider roared in rage and suddenly his eyes became bloodshot, he had received the bloodwraith.
Without thinking he ran straight towards the fox, knocking over those who were in his way. Ash saw the dangerous badger coming toward him and tried to run but tripped on a log. The last thing he saw, was Strider bringing down his sword.
Flint now knew he was defeated, only four of his members were still alive but they would all be dead in a few minutes once Strider got a hold of him.
Flint thought about getting into a sword fight with the badger but knew that the badger was much bigger than him and the fight would be over in less than a minute. It was best that he ran. He did not care if he was a coward, at least he would live to fight another day.
He had hoped no one saw him until he heard an angry roar and turned around to see the badger coming straight at him. Flint should not have turned to look because he failed to see the root sticking out which he tripped from.
Flint looked up at Strider who then picked up the frightened rat.
"You were their leader, weren't you?" asked Strider.
Flint gulped. "Yes, I was," he said.
"Then you must have killed the otter as well," said Strider.
"No, yes, I mean no, after I shot him he disappeared into the forest, he might be dead but I don't know," said Flint.
"If you hurt my best friend then you hurt me, you know what I do to those kind of people?" asked Strider.
Flint was now shaking in fear. "Oh please spare me, I will never come through this place again, I promise you," he said.
"And then you will kill others in the places you are allowed to go to, I say your life ends now," said Strider who then squeezed the life out of Flint. Flint was dead in a few minutes.
Strider then threw him into a nearby ditch and walked back to the abbey were everyone was standing and watching him.
"My gracious, look at all those wounds wot," said Lucky.
Strider walked up to them and gave the Abbot, who had run out to watch, the two arrows that had been imbedded into him.
"Here keep those as a memento, of this quick battle," said Strider and then turned around to go back into the forest.
"Where are you bally going?" asked Lucky.
"To find Skipper," said Strider.
"Then I'm bally well coming with you," said Lucky.
"Me too," said Hunter.
"Can I come?" asked Lily.
Hunter turned around and gave her a quick hug. "No you have had enough trauma for one day, go to the infirmary and let Clarence and Spring check you for any injuries," said Hunter. Lily nodded and was quickly escorted by Catspaw to the infirmary.
Strider let Hunter lead the way to where he and Skipper fought with the vermin. Hunter was quite sore from the injuries he sustained, but he remained tough like Strider and tried as hard as he could to show no pain. Even though his right side was hurting badly from a deep dagger wound.
Once Hunter found the spot, they began calling to Skipper hoping that he was still nearby.
"I'm....over here," said a weak voice near a bush.
Strider ran over and found the otter lying on his side with many terrible wounds. Two of them were from arrows that had hit him in the side and in the back of his shoulder. The blood that the otter lost was staining the leaves and turning them into a bright crimson. Strider did not like what he saw and felt like crying.
"Did we win?" ask Skipper weakly.
"Yes, it was over in a few minutes," said Strider.
"Oh good.....is Lily okay?" asked Skipper.
"She's fine, now lets go we need to get you to the infirmary quickly," said Strider who then gently lifted him and carried him back Redwall. Lucky and Hunter followed him closely behind.
A/N: There's chapter seven for you. I hope you all liked it. The next chapter will not be as violent like most of the chapters have been so far which will probably be a nice change of pace in this story. I do thank the few that recently reviewed like Warriormaid 3000, alibi girl, and Lady Corinthian. If I forgot anyone please yell at me and let me know. Ummmm I think that is all so have a nice day and have fun writing, the next chapter will be up soon (