A/N

hey! This is commander grubswiper!- so get that stupid grin of yer face and keep those backs strait, ya blaggards. Yor' in the presence of an officer.

This is a special edition chapter for 'an ottermaid's tale'. I dont know why, but something tells me this is a rare chapter. So your in for a treat! Wot wot!

I have one more story till I reach my ten story mark. That's going to be so bally cool. I cant wait to have written ten stories!

Disclaimer: I wish I owned the world of redwall-but that is the key word, wished....

(Begin chapter four)

halden the hedgehog rose early from his bed. He was a stolid hedgehog who loved his little village. He had grown up his hole life in this settlement, and was making his early walk witch he did every morning.

He soon put on a habit and birch wood sandals. First he walked around the wooden gate in silence, admiring the vast beauty around him. Soon he had finished his mourning, for he was a strong and fit beast.

He was just about to enter the main building to have breakfast when he heard a rustle. He swirled around and his amber eyes rested on the old wicker gate. Sombeast was pushing the gate! Soon a vermin head poked through the door, a big nasty weasel. Suddenly seeing the hedgehog, he gave a ferocious roar and charged through. Behind him was a hoard of over two hundred.

Halden was already running through the village, yelling as loud as his lungs could let him.

"Vermin inside the village! Leave the village! Hide in the woods! Hurry!"

most of the inhabitants were still sleepy an had no time to react, and were cut down by vermin swords. But some were more quick on the uptake, and threw open the front gate and dashed into the woods.

Soon it was all over. The ambush was short, but deadly. Soon there were creatures tied up and gagged. They were thrown in front of Darkhide the weasel warlord.

"you are lucky I did not kill Yor' miserable lives. No, that is not painful enough. You will be slaves to me, and build me a fort beyond your dreams. You will work, toil, and die for me. The are my words, Magpaw, show them where sleep from there on."

(In mossflower woods)

halden stumbled onward, blinded by tears and rage for what he had seen, and what he had done. He would never forgive himself that helped none while his friends were captives.

He slumped down, setting his back against a old oak tree, when he heard a whisper.

"pssst, mate over hear"

Halden looked over where he heard the voice, and saw a squirrel behind a bush. He rushed over and hugged him fondly, or tried to. Hedgehogs aren't the best creatures to hug.

"Quicktail! Thank goodness there somebody else out here that wasn't killed or taken captive"

Quicktail nodded, "I know. About a score of us got away, mostly skilled in war fare. Were all grouped over to a old birch tree that fell over."

"only twenty?"

"yea."

"well we better get to this birch tree. Show me the way, please.

So they headed off in a southern direction, by the running river. Soon they came to a large giant birch tree. There were mostly squirrels, some moles and mice.

The creatures debated all night, and came to the conclusion that if they were going to save their village( of course their going save the village, what else would I do?) they needed a lot more help.

But soon they were looking for a safe spot and contact other warriors tomorrow.

A/N

well thats another chappie. I know it wasn't the longest chapter iv'e ever written, but I wanted to write something.

Grubswiper reporting put!