Well, nothin' ta say. So 'ere it goes, oh yea! Pleas mind any mistakes! We all make mistakes. One more thing. VERY IMPORTANT! As you read the first paragraph, think of a TV.

Chapter 9

…a grey wolf! He was larger than most wolves with creepy pitch black eyes. They made Arathorn feel as if the wolf was looking through him. In horrified fascination, Arathorn watched as the wolf snuck up on a band of nine creatures entering a tent silently. Stopping just outside, he let off an earsplitting howl that even Arathorn could here. Martin, Rose, and Arathorn covered their ears. Even after the scream ended, it still rang through their ears.

"That's the bad part about this mirror; you can't turn down the volume!" Martin said with a shrug. As they turned their attention back to the wolf, another mouse ran up.

"I say, Martin, whacha have to scream like that fer? You'll wake up the whole neighborhood!"

"Hey you thief! It wasn't me Gnoff, it was that." Martin pointed at the wolf in the mirror, now rushing in the tent and dealing out blows, bites, and scratches to what ever he encountered.

For the first time, the mouse, Gnoff looked at Arathorn. "Hello, matey! Ya must be new, fancy Martin didn't introduce me ta ya. I've always admired otters."

"I'm sorry Arathorn! I completely forgot about introductions. Gnoff, this is Arathorn, Arathorn this is Gnoff Prince of Thieves."

"I forgot to tell you I changed me title, it's Prince of Everything."

"Right so you did. But let me tell you one thing that'll swipe that silly grin off your whiskers and replace it with on of astonishment. They'll call you Prince of Grins soon. Arathorn is from earth."

"So he is! Everyone here is from earth."

"Let me be specific, he is not dead."

Gnoff's expression was just as predicted; astonished. "Then…but, who, how?"

"Never mind, we have business to do. Come Arathorn. Now that you have seen the Evil One, we must get to what you came here for."

The otter watched as the scene in the mirror changed from the wolf to a part of the woods in Southsward that Arathorn recognized. He saw five cannon pults strongly roped together, being pulled and pushed by about two hundred slaves. Assorted vermin cracked whips over the slave's backs, urging them onward fiercely.

"You must steal the war machines if you are to concur the five thousand vermin hoard." Martin's gaze swept over Arathorn's shocked features.

"But Martin! There are nearly three score vermin marching those pults. I cannot do it without weapons and help."

"I'll get your weapons for you, just sit tight." Martin climbed up the rope ladder and disappeared into the tree house.

At that very moment, Marion sat in Treibane's chamber fingering the sword Arathorn left behind. His shield, bow, arrows, and daggers were there too. All of a sudden, a mouse clad in armor appeared behind her. He stepped in front of her and began gathering Arathorn's items of war.

"Hey! Stop that! Those belong to a certain otter!" Marion tried to grasp the mouse but her paw went straight through him! Marion shrieked and jumped back. "Who are you?"

"I at bin 'ere, but not him. I am that is, but not him. I ate timmo, but not him. I ran mit, but not him. I am Martin, son of Luke the Warrior!"

Marion, even in the state of shock, recognized the mouse now; Martin the Warrior! He looked younger then his likeness in the tapestry, but he still had that reckless smile.

"I am so sorry, sir!"

"It's quite alright child, I need to give these to Arathorn, he'll be back soon. Oh, please tell Sathodus to send the two searchers south. The otter will need them."

With those final words, Martin disappeared; leaving a mousemaid to solve his riddle.

In a flash, Martin was back down the ladder and carrying Arathorn's weapons with him.

Rose and Arathorn hastily informed Martin, "Preytheive just sent out a cat with five hundred vermin to make sure the cannon pults arrive in two days at his camp."

"Quick, take these. I sent two searchers south, they should meet up with you when you need help the most."

A blinding flash of light caused Arathorn to close his eyes. When he opened them, he was in some bushes watching the wooden machines roll by. As quickly and as quietly as possible, he strapped on his gear and took stock of his surroundings. Martin was no where to be seen, but Arathorn knew the mouse would be watching him.

Using a technique taught to him by his father, he slowly circled the parade until he was behind the slaves pushing the long train. Careful not to be seen, he drew and arrow, notched it to the bowstring, stood up, took aim, and fired. A stoat died without a sound; an arrow pierced his windpipe. The stoat was the last vermin to the end of the line, so no other beast saw him die, only the slaves. A couple looked around fearfully but saw no one so the continued pushing.

A young brown otter slave watched as an arrow protruded from the rat that was about to beat her. Amazed, she glanced at some nearby shrubs just in time to see an otter wink at her, then dive back into cover.

Quietly she told the squirrel next to her, "Don't look 'round matey, but 'elp's on the way. I just saw a otter shoot an arra at a rat. He winked at me, an' I know 'es 'ere ta 'elp. We must not look 'round an' start talkin' or the slavers'll think something's up. Pass the word!"

The squirrel spoke quietly to the next slave as the otter told the mouse in front of her. Soon, all the slaves in the back of the convoy new freedom was close. Patiently, they waited, pushed, and watched as more slavers fell to the strange otter's shafts.

After all the vermin in control of the back pushing slaves were out of the way, Arathorn snuck out of cover. The still pushing slaves tried hard not to laugh with gladness.

"Shhhh! I'm Arathorn the Ranger, I'm 'ere to give you freedom. So please listen to what I have to say. Everyone still do what yer supposed to. I've got ta get rid of the rats and such in the front. I'll release you as soon as possible. So stop hoppin' about!"

The young otter Arathorn had winked at waved a paw in the air. "Arathorn! I'm mighty glad to be free an' all, but are y' the only one that came ta rescue us? I overheard a rat say they were getting' reinforcements soon."

"Yes, I know, that's why I need cooperation from the laugh tog y'. I'll be back shortly."

He ducked into the undergrowth and again started to pick off the back vermin one by one.

A slaver turned around to talk to the one behind him, only to find the rat lying on the floor with an arrow in his neck.

"Ambush! Everyone 'ake cover!"

There was two score of vermin left, and Arathorn ran out of arrows. He threw down his bow and drew his sword. He rushed into the vermin that were just diving for cover.

Their leader, a pine martin, drew his sword and yelled, "Charge ye fools! It's only one otter! Archers, get yer bows and fire into 'is 'eart!"

But before one vermin could move, a terrifying cry rang through the air.

"Kkeeeeeeeeerr!"

The thundering of hooves pounded the earth so hard that everyone bounced.

"No one shoots my master!"

The next instant, three beasts blasted apart the group of foxes, stoats, rats, weasels, and pine martins. One from the air, and two from the earth. Zanzibar hurtled in so fast, he trampled through the group in a straight line; separating the pack in two. Arathorn took one and Nightwing the other.

Zanzibar hurried in and took over for Arathorn, "Master, free the slaves!"

Arathorn answered between blows, "They can wait…were almost one here…see, they're fleeing already."

The fighting spirit left the hearts of the vermin and they fled: all heading one direction; east.

"We must stop them from bring word to the Evil One, Zanzibar!"

The horse was heading toward the slaves when his master called. Quickly he said, "Sorry, be back soon."

He turned and ran in the direction of the fleeing vermin, as he had done many seasons ago. As the horse thundered past, Arathorn vaulted up onto his back. He had no arrows so he used his sword instead.

Nightwing had already taken care of a couple foxes and stoats, so when the pine martin leader saw the horse and rider coming, he ordered to his in command, "Drop yer weapons!"

Arathorn saw the beast pile their swords, bows, arrows, daggers, and whips and he stopped Zanzibar and jumped off. "Nightwing! Enough! Cant you see they surrender?"

"Zorry, my lord, but dey are zo tazty!"

"Right." He looked over each beast until he was sure they had no more weapons. "Right you scurvy lot! I'm gonna give y' all mercy. Anyone know what that means?"

The defected group shook their heads. Arathorn sighed, "It means not giving you the punishment you deserve. But that does not mean I am gonna let you return to the Evil One. Follow me, and Nightwing, Zanzibar, keep an eye on them."

He led the party back to the cannon pults and slaves where upon he promptly slivered the chains binding the slaves to the carts where the cannon pults rested. Then he chopped the individual chains of each slave until they all were free. Calling for order, Arathorn said to the crowd of slaves, "I am Arathorn the Ranger, the falcon is Nightwing, and the horse is Zanzibar. We were wandering until we found an Abbey called Redwall." Many a knowing nod passed between the former slaves, Arathorn continued, "All who have families or such who would like to return to them may do so. But anyone who has no place to stay can come with me back to Redwall."

Cheers and laughter of joy erupted from the liberated slaves. Arathorn waited for silence and then went on, "There are swords, daggers, bows, arrows, and armor in a pile back where I came from,"-he pointed east-"if you want some go get it!"

He had to jump onto Zanzibar's back to avoid being crushed by the beast running to be the first to grab the weapons. The female otter Arathorn knew walked up to Zanzibar and stroked his neck.

"Y' are very 'ansome, Zanzibar. I wonder wot it's like ta ride y'." She said, "My name's Nitram, it's spelled 'Martin' backwards. My father's name was Martin, and so was 'is father an' 'is father's father. They were gonna name me Martin, but I am a girl. I'd like ta go back ta Redwall with y', Arathorn. Me parents died under the cruel lash o' the Evil One's whip. I've got no relations left an' got no place ta stay."

Arathorn was touched, but deep down inside he was more than touched. He jumped down from Zanzibar's back and offered Nitram his place. "Want ta learn 'ow ta ride, me beauty?"

"Hey, what's with the sudden change to otter language?" Zanzibar gave Arathorn the look that said there was more to his question than what he said.

"Save it fer another time, Zibar. Nitram, are you good with a weapon?"

"Aye, Arathorn, me father taught me the use of the longbow. I could split any leaf fifty yards away. But, that was before I was enslaved. Now I'm not sure if I can anymore, matey."

"I'm sure you can. Want ta ride? Me an' Zibar'll teach y'."

"Are y' sure?"

"Course matey! You can ride all the way back to Redwall where they'll have some shrimp'n'hotroot soup waiting."

He said the right thing. "Okay, but don't let me fall!"

Arathorn boosted the ottermaid up onto Zanzibar's back. "Hold on with yer knees, not with yer paws. You can grab 'old o' his mane an' hold on tight with yer knees. I'll walk along y' in case y' start ta fall. 'Ere we go now."

Zanzibar was hitched up to the front of the cannon pult train, with the vermin behind him. The slaves returned, and helped pull and push the war machines north towards Redwall.

Little did they suspect that they were pursued by five hundred vermin and a cat captain. But, the beasts were also being watched.

Ok, who wants to guess what's ganna happen next? Oh, sorry, I can't tell you bookthirsty people. winks But I'll give you a clue…

Shadow Opps watch this land,

Breaking, ending murderous bands

One day their name shall be,

Known throughout every country,

Bows, arrows, and their knives,

Slice and stab before enemies eyes,

Squirrels keep prisoners under key and lock,

Those squirrels are known as the Shadow Opp!