The first day of fall arrived and Swift was enjoying it. She flew the wind letting it take her where it went. It had been a hot summer at Salamandastron and Swift was quite happy when the first rains came last week to cool everything off. She had been sent by Strider to check on everything at Redwall. Once she had done that, he told her to go out and scout as far as she wanted to make sure no vermin were in the area and thinking about trying to conquer the mountain.
She found a small band of vermin but they were heading another direction and not really bothering anything. Once she was satisfied by what she saw, she took a nice dip in a nearby lake. She washed her feathers and splashed all around before she was satisfied and flew up a nearby tree.
She then dried her feathers and took a nice catnap up in the tree before she headed back to Salamandastron to report all was well.
It was a good thing she took a catnap though for only a half hour later did Tanner and his band arrived at the lake.
Tanner looked at the lake and smiled, this looked like a nice place to rest for the night, plus, they had been traveling before sunrise since it had taken them half the season to reach Mossflower because it had been so hot and hard to move on in the heat. By now though, his members were beginning to complain because their feet were sore and Tanner was tried of the complaining.
"Okay we camp here tonight, once the sun rises though, you all better be ready to move on or we leave you here to catch up," said Tanner.
"Oh Tanner can't we just rest for a day, we'll be exhausted and too tired to fight once we get to Salamandastron," said Slinger.
Swift had been awake since she heard Tanner say it was time to rest and when she heard the word Salamandastron, she listened more carefully.
"No we've already wasted half a season getting there, I want to get this battle over with," said Tanner.
"I see your point sir," said Slinger as he set up his tent.
Tanner nodded at his statement and walked over to Midnight and took Savage from her who he began to play with. Midnight just took Nightwing to the lake and bathed her and let her play in the water. Midnight was quite worried about this battle; she loved Tanner but somehow knew that something bad would happen to Tanner. She would not tell him in fear that he might argue with her and but the fear was in her eyes and he could see it, but he ignored it.
Swift meanwhile did not like what she had heard and silently flew back to Salamandastron to tell Strider the news.
Swift did not reach Salamandastron until morning and she was quite tired when she found Strider talking to a hare named Gruffy from the new group that came during the winter. They were looking at the crops and were both wondering what to plant for next year. Swift settled down on Strider's shoulder and sighed.
"Oh hey Swift, we were wondering when you would come home, so any interesting news?" asked Strider.
"Yes and it is bad news," said Swift.
Oh dear, what happened?" asked Strider.
"Vermin, I don't know how many are headed this way, they may be here in two or three days," said Swift.
"Oh no, how many were there?" asked Strider.
"At least three hundred, could be four hundred. They are lead by a wolf that everyone called Tanner," said Swift.
"Not Tanner!" said Gruffy in a shocked voice.
"You know about him?" asked Strider.
"Oh yes, he was the bally reason why we traveled north. I told you how vermin killed some of our jolly members and burned our village; well they were lead by Tanner. For many seasons he has roamed the southlands, killing those who won't obey him. You get into a bally fight with him and you may not come out alive, that is why he is called Tanner the Deadly wot," said Gruffy.
"I wonder why he is heading this way?" said Strider.
"Who knows, he may be flippin tired of traveling and wants to settle down in Salamandastron," said Gruffy.
"I better tell the Long Patrol to be prepared and start practicing with their weapons. And Swift, thank you so much for this information, at least we are prepared for this, you've earned your rest," said Strider.
"Thank you sir, I am only here to help," said Swift.
Strider nodded and ran with Gruffy into the mountain to find that most of the hares were still in the dining area. When he walked in, everyone was silent, wondering if he was going to say something. They weren't prepared though for what he would say.
"Everyone, pick a weapon and practice with it for in two or three days time, you will be in a battle with possibly four hundred vermin led by an evil wolf and I want you all to be prepared," said Strider.
Everyone began to stand up and run toward the weapons chamber, they knew battle was serious and there was no time to ask questions. Lucky, Billy, Milly, Nathanial, and Alma ran up to Strider they were all quite surprised by what they had heard.
"How did you find out about this?" asked Nathanial.
"Swift here saw them while scouting," said Strider.
"Do you need me in helping to fight this battle?" asked Alma.
"No, it is your responsibility to help the injured and if I fall in battle, do not run out and stop them. Your life is more valuable than mine," said Strider.
Alma nodded and tears began flowing out of her eyes. She had only known Strider for three seasons and already, a battle was beginning that could take his life.
"No matter what Strider, I will be by your side all the bally time. And I will be protecting my sweetheart," said Lucky who was then staring at Maggie who walked by. Maggie just sneered at him. She did not want any help; she knew how to take care of herself.
Strider then went into the practice room and watched his hares prepare, most were quite good, a few needed practice but they would probably still be able to fight well. Strider then got out the sword of Martin and began to practice with it. He hoped that this battle would be quick and short with not many lives lost.
It was not until three days later when Tanner and his band finally arrived at Salamandastron. The wolf saw the mountain standing there all alone on the beach and wondered if any thing did live there. He told his band to stay where they were and walked up to the mountain and stood far enough away out of arrow range.
"Hello, anyone living here or may I come in and rule it?" asked the wolf.
Strider, who had been in the lookout room since the day before, poked his head out and looked down at the wolf.
"Yes someone lives here, what do you want wolf?" asked Strider.
"I want your mountain so I may rule all of Mossflower and so my son may have a place to rule when I am gone," said Tanner.
"Well you are going to have to fight for it, we don't let vermin take this mountain easily," said Strider.
Tanner growled, he knew that this would not be easy and decided to negotiate.
"Fine then, tomorrow at dawn, the battle begins, if you are not out once the sun is all the way up, then we storm the mountain and kill everyone," said Tanner.
"Don't worry we will be out at dawn, we have four hundred and twenty hares, how many vermin do you have?" asked Strider.
"Four hundred and sixty-two and my clan can beat you easily so be prepared for many burials," said Tanner who then turned around and walked back to his clan. Strider watched him until the wolf could no longer be seen behind his tent.
Strider then turned to his friends who looked quite worried.
"So are you ready?" he asked.
"Ready as we will ever be," said Nathanial.
"Good now get some rest we have a long day ahead," said Strider who then walked out of the room and to his room where he sat and pondered the battle that would happen in less than twenty four hours.
A/N: Well the battle is about to begin. Get ready for a very intense battle. Sadly it will not be up for until two weeks from now since I have to focus on schoolwork and my job that I finally got. Please review. I have noticed that no one is reviewing and I like reviews. Any way have a nice day.