"Get up you piece of peasant garbage!"
He scrambled to look around but was kicked roughly in the side. He caught sight of the deliverer, and realized where exactly he was. Those blue uniforms - they are none other than the guards of the Northern Mossflower Camp. They would not be that heavily armed if not the King were here. The King?
King in... Northern Mossflower? But why? I thought he-
Another voice. The voice resounded from an apparently strong beast, due to the fact that he lifted Jaden up with great strength and haste. "Prepare yourself!"
He was assisted, or better, prepared, to the red carpet. The carpet was long and rolled underneath the giant doors. He looked up, and thought they resembled the doors to Redwall in size. Except – narrower. He wasn't sure if he would rather keep to insolent woodlanders than the King…
The doors were thrown wide open by more guards and he was thrown inside rather roughly. His best efforts to keep himself upright were short lived – he tripped over his heels and sprawled on the carpet, cold from the stone floor underneath. The rough landing ink-vined old and fresh pains through his body. He watched in slight amusement through the pain as the doors were rather quickly shut and barred by guards from the inside. The guards were impressibly strong; Jaden had tried to push the large gates of Redwall on his own and struggled with even that. These doors were smaller. He could only imagine how heavy those doors were.
Jaden lay his head back down on the ground. He coughed, which hurt his chest. His ribs felt tight and bruised, and the soft of his stomach was tight and tense. An attempt at uprighting himself ended up in pain in his abdomen - no doubt where he had been cut from the squirrel - and so he lay back down in defeat.
Ah, yes, thank-you – cough – for the wonderful greeting for your beloved cousin.
He cringed. A place where, he figured, he had been kicked or roughly handled, spasmed.
Erg! If the King is in here… I could care less right about now.
Jaden blinked clear his vision and gazed at the ceiling. The ceiling was surprisingly stark beauty. It was domed and high, with murals of an intricate depiction of the history of Mossflower painted across it. Badgers, Salamandastron; Mice, Redwall; Squirrels and other creatures, Mossflower. The mural spanned around until it came to an unfinished section. In it was depicted something rather different than the other woodlander accomplishments: A large Wildcat stood in the midst of beasts suffering; those same woodlander mice, squirrels, moles, hares, and badgers... all lay in a crumbled heap beneath his foot. Some fleshed, while others mere piles of bones. The wildcat stood proudly above the heap with a trident in his paw. The Wildcat he instantly identified as the King of the Northlands. Obviously from the picture he had much more in mind than continuing to dominate the Northlands, considering the fact that no woodlanders – outside of slaves – exists in the Northlands. Possibly in hidden crags and crevasses in the Snowy North, but who's to say that they won't be sought out?
In his few visitations with the King, he had come to know that the King desired to conquer earth. It became blatantly clear. The King didn't keep his eyes focused on one thing. He kept them ahead to his goals. That was something that sprung a tad bit of admiration in Jaden, but it didn't take away his secretive abhorrence of him. But, this desire of the King wasn't a well-known fact. Yes, hordes indeed had their rumors - the King must be thinking about conquering all of the land since he sacked the Northlands and owns Southsward through lizards. If he could indeed capture the harsh Northlands and do away with the strong, persistant otter tribes, he could do away with the measly peasant-types in Mossflower. Those Mossflowerians may have ideal, but they do not have strength. Their strength had relied on Salamandostron for guidance and support. And, curse the fools, strategic positions Jaden himselffed them. Jaden could not recall when he had added to those rumoring conversations of his horde; but if he did, it had to do with questions of the direction of the NMC. For technical purposes he was assigned with the NMC since they were the closest Hellsman division to Mossflower. Sooner or later though, he sensed, this might change one day. The King seemed to favor him more and more with each assignment. Yes – it gave himself leverage, but this leverage is meaningless. It ingrained tension every turn Jaden made. Even if he didn't visit the Abbey there was the fact that he did feed them information. And even with the Abbey – each moment he stayed there became increasingly… tensioned. Paranoid, yes: he suspected a traitor, almost, to appear from the midst of the "good" Abbey dwellers.
Jaden had been in this room of the NMC once or twice before to address the horde leader of the Northern Mossflower Camp before - probably to get an assassin assignment from direct order of the King, relayed through the darling NMC leader. Darling? He chuckled to himself. The NMC leader was a stoat, and a fat one, fattened with the wealth from his horde's pillaging. He was usually found to be doing what he does best: eating. Eating, and scoffing obnoxiously loud. Smacking and shoving down berries and pies and birds as he issued orders midst a rain of spittle. Jaden grunted as he made himself comfortable on the floor. The thought of the leader reminded him that he was laying face up in the room of the leader of the NMC. And – those guards. He quickly remembered that those were the King's personal body guards, and the King's own entourage of banners and colors. In a fit of half-curiosity and half-fear, he looked over and up towards the throne to see if anyone was there watching him.
No one was. No one was there. Or at least he hoped so. If they were - he didn't care. It felt nice to rest on the cool floor in the slight warmness of the room. He just stared up at the ceiling, enjoying the silence and rest. Didn't have to bother with renegade squirrels or woodlanders. Or waking to being tossed around like a haversack.
Ahhhh – my bow. He looked over to be sure. Took my weapons and things.
Snort. Hope they gave my stuff better care then they did me.
He tried to imagine how he had arrived here - most likely by cart as had happened before. Twice before, actually, by order of the King himself. The King only and always did that to his enemies and friends. The final judgment between friend and foe, though, rested on his initial greeting to the individual. The King was rather kindly for the reigning leader of the Northlands – but Jaden made up his mind long ago not to rest on his kindness. If slaughtering otter women and children before men's eyes was considered a kindness.
A noise - something caught his attention. Chewing. Silverware against utensils. Jaden didn't recognize it past his thoughts. Jaden, feeling quite irritated with himself for lack of awareness and the bearer of the noise, looked over, expecting the noisy and irritable leader of the NMC to be seated somewhere.
But it wasn't the leader. It was the King. He had been staring at Jaden while eating his meal with intense curiosity. Those two strong, bright blue eyes of a wildcat greeted him with a power of their own. This power seemed to persuade Jaden to close his open mouth, and force himself to his feet despite his great pains.
"King! King of the Northlands! -I am so sorry, your majesty! Forgive your servant for being so-"
The King waved a paw holding a fork. He swallowed. "Cease this boot-kissing at once. Come." He motioned to the table he sat at. A long dining table was laid out to the left of the throne in the chamber; on it was spread rich foods and ripe fruits. "Dine with me and we shall talk. Please."
Jaden, humbled by the request, quickly and silently made his way across to the opposite end of the short dining table. Though he was glad it was on the opposite end, he couldn't feel but intensely close to the King. He knew the price to pay for a traitor; hung, tortured, drawn and quartered. He had witnessed it once before and once was enough.
"Sit, servant of the... High King of the Northlands." The King regarded his title in a rather odd tone. One that was not holding to the power behind its title. "Eat and be filled. The village South of here provided this abundant meal for the King."
Jaden sat down promptly as told and scooted his chair forward. He looked up to the King. The King thus nodded in approval of the act and slipped a bite of fish into his mouth. Jaden looked down the long column of food: though the food was delightful in appearance, and even more pleasant of scent, it was ashes to him. He was a traitor. He had fed secrets that his trained eye noticed; those that the King so often hinted at; and those that he knew through commands and conversations.
The beady eyes of the smoked herring seemed to glare accusingly at him. I know!
"Jaden Rath d'Ajenhia. Son of Luke Rath d'Ajenhia and Lucia Arkelles d'Ajenhia, brother to Pelinia Rowlslath d'Ajenhia."
Jaden cleared his throat as he recited, "You are well-knowledged, my Lord."
The King laughed almost immediately, bringing Jaden to his senses. He careened forward while stifling chuckles, shaking a finger. "You are quick-witted, my servant. I am glad I have your earnest use under my paws. A great mind put to horde task is a waste, I say.
A silent, gazing pause. The King's eyes remain unblinking. "Are your choices going well? Are you satisfied with them?"
Jaden nodded once, daring one glance with eye contact to the King. It was going well. He had made quick and covered several jobs while using the time left over to visit the Abbey. A quick scout of the population of a nearby village to the North-East end of Mossflower, finding a runaway ferret slave, and checking on the mountain Sala. The mountain was in usual condition. Still contaned noisy and grungy hares, and that Badger Lord.
The King set aside his fish and carefully chose a yellow pear. He gathered its essence under his nose before taking a large bite of it. "Tell me - how is Mossflower?"
He suspects. Does he know?
"The woodlanders are still around, my Lord. I-"
"I know that," the King interrupted non-chalantly. "Go on about the Fire Mountain. I wonder if its… strength still resides."
Diversion. Ok, good…
"I approached it, but was harshly declined. They seem sharp and focused with their skills, ready to pounce on any vermin that crossed path. I caught a runner who was friendly, unlike the others. Some village was complaining of some ruckus of that ferret I was tracking. They had gotten to him before I could."
"Good, good. Rockjaw was a nuisance to my ways. And the Badgerlord? Is he still alive?"
Jaden nodded. "Yes. He approached me from the gates. Fearsome creature he is." He caught the curious sparkle in the wildcat's eyes. He added quickly, "But not as fierce and strong as my Lord, the King."
The Wildcat delicately took another bite of the pear. "Yes yes – the Badger Lord indeed has not taken the Northlands. Good, good. And eastern Mossflower?"
Jaden picked through his words, carefully avoiding any hint of nervousness. He hoped to high heaven that he didn't know. The King was most often direct about things. If he played around, that usually meant he didn't know. Seeking information, at that. Hopefully… "The woodlands are still quiet, but the occasional mouse or otter group lives-"
"No, Jaden. Redwall."
Jaden licked his lips. He glanced at the fish again. Traitor. Traitor, it said with its eyes. Jaden looked back up to the King, who had taken a curious gaze at the fish as well. "-Oh, is that not good? Here - try some salmon. It's a good year." He clapped his hands and five servants promptly emerged from behind what Jaden figured to be oddly shaped tapestries behind the throne. The servants moved with precision.
The servants exchanged the eaten foods on the table (which were many to the fox's surprise) in what seemed one fluid gesture. Jaden's herring was replaced with a salmon as if reading the King's mind – or evesdropping. For whom and why, Jaden didn't know. The servants then disappeared with plates as quickly as they had appeared. When the last ruffling of the supposed tapestry subsided, the King leaned forward slightly as if expecting something.
Oh. Yes. Redwall.
"Redwall - I passed it along the way. They're strong of spirit, sir. And willing to fight, as usual. But bland in their creative devices. No doubt they would fight the King's ways with help of Sala."
The Wildcat set his jaw. His tone shifted slightly. "Yes, such as the last time. And the time before that. I doubt though, for some strange reason… that they will not. But that's another issue for another day."
"Mmmmm. Redwall," the King toned musingly, testing the weight of the word.. "Surely they must have some secrets locked away there. Don't you think?"
Jaden nodded quickly in agreement. "Oh yes. Such as the Sword of Martin. - Er, I'm sure that's somewhere in there. Rusty probably... Some relic of a dead leader they consider sacred."
"The Sword of Martin, yes. The red-stone pommeled sword of their... warrior." His eyes were suddenly searching of Jaden's expression. Jaden took noticed of it quickly – the King was rather an expressionless type, but one who had been in the service of the King could tell the difference between curiosity and question. It was in his eyes. Searching, and looking intently. "Surely you have seen it?"
Jaden looked to the salmon. It had no head, to his relief. But the quaint relief was nothing compared to the pointed question. He knows. He knows! He looked back up, half-hoping that the inquiry in the eyes was gone. But it wasn't.
No use now. Either risk told horrors by lying, or risk untold horrors by telling the truth.
Cornered.
"Well. Yes, my Lord." He sighed and remarked further, "The King's servant has indeed seen it."
"Ah yes. I know of that." Jaden looked up oddly. He does know! But how? The only vermin to cross into that area of Mossflower, less that far south of the Northlands is that ferret. The dead ferret, the headless fish before Jaden reminded him. The Wildcat carefully selected a cherry and gently prodded it with a claw. "Ahhhh, my dear Jaden. Let us skip the formalities and this nonsensical meanderous talk. I hate beating around bushes.
"I've known that you have been visiting the Abbey. I know that you have visited for... quite some time."
An awkward silence fell on Jaden. His head nodded down in defeat. He could imagine the King's command now: the distinct two-clap of his hands for the guards, ordering for the guards to drag him to the dungeons of this woodlander-built place, to the vermin-built torture chambers. Where a sickle-wielding bafoon of some cloaked deranged hordemember awaited his doom. Probably lost his mind after countless seasons of assasinating.
Figures! It was coming to me.
The words of the Abbot suddenly rang in his head "Those who live by the sword die by the sword."
Great timing.
The Wildcat continued. "And Redwall. I know of that as well." Jaden swallowed. The verdict was no doubt bound to approach. Possibly. Hopefully, if not, another diversion to prolong his sentencing…
"Get to know them. Learn of their weaknesses. Learn of what and how their beloved Abbey is built of, any points of weakness that could be infiltrated. I have tried in seasons past to obliterate them... But they are strong in spirit and unwilling to die."
…What!
"Surely they have a weakness. You will find it out, no doubt. And you will be visited by me in due time to report of your findings. I have expected much of you, Jaden, and for this you shall be handed much more, and your zealousness for My sake shall be rewarded justly." The King's wording was almost ritualistic. "Redwall is the pinnacle of Mossflower; as a snake to its body, if Redwall is destroyed - the body will cease to exist and I will take hold of this… body. Now, as a faithful servant of the King… assist me in cutting off this head."
Jaden stared blankly at the King. What..? Why am I not dead?
His father's voice chimed in: -Yet!
But – the King. I know of the Redwallers' weaknesses already. It's blantant and obvious! Why wouldn't he go ahead and ask of me right now since he knows that I've been there before?
"My Lord – if you may allow me to say," Jaden said quickly, voice shaky. "If I have been there before –" Admittance! But, no use trying to hide anyway. "Then perhaps my King knows that I have considered their strengths and weaknesses already if… I have a mind greater than a hordebeast?"
Jaden's face flushed. He knew better than to not ask something of that, weighing the question on the good grace of the King. Perhaps the King is playing with him – perhaps.
Yes. Toying with me, as to kill me with the rest of the Redwallers when he arrives?
The King laughed aloud. Jaden tensed visibly at the laugh. "Nay, my servant, my friend –" Friend…? "-All good tactile observations must be repeated as to… check for error."
Jaden stifled a sigh. But he held his throat still – The King thinks I haven't gone there more than once or twice.
"And, my servant, your just reward shall be a throne of lesser power, but of more power than all of my leaders."
Jaden 's mind went blank. Then it reprocessed what the King had just said. "-My Lord?"
"Second in Command to the people's Majesty. You shall be made my right hand."
Jaden sat back in his chair in shock. He could never bring himself to the thought of betraying the Abbey. Despite the fact that he did get hate from a majority of the Abbeybeasts, he loved it there. And despite his reservations of it - it was the home he had never had. Peaceful in its moralistic qualities, though idealistically so. But physically abundant in food and possibility infamilial-like life. Friendship. That is what he had craved most in his early years, only to be a soft clay pot fired in the harsh heat of the horde life. He had traded genuine for exaltation, and communion for competition.
-And despite all of that part of his life, here resided the core of the counterpart to the Abbey: the King of the Northern Hellsman. King of Northlands. Soon to be, King of the Earth. Southsward would be no trouble since the Queen of Southsward died by the hands of the lizards. With her forces cut off from its head, they were forced to retreat northwards into Mossflower to offer what services they had left from the uprising, or sail away to wherever the seas took them. The lizards in themselves were a matter of simple controlling. Feed them, and they remain loyal.
Most of the woodlanders from Southsward returned to Mossflower, though. That's part of the reason why Mossflower survived. The King decided to hold back and keep the borders intact while waiting. No one knew why he waited; it had remained a mystery because of the quickness to his conquering of the Northlands. He had swept his broad arm of power across the Northlands in the matter of a season, killing off otter tribes and whatever remnants of woodlanders remained up there - and to stop suddenly? That was unusual to his manner. The King himself did agree that Salamandostron assisted the Mossflower beasts, but it was no doubt the King's armies now could overtake it.
But the King was wise, and thus feared. His minions surprisingly held their King with respect and dignity. A culture of shame upon those who disagreed with the King arose, for fear of being banded traitors. There were uprisings to overthrow the King; but to the help of assassins like Jaden they were subdued quickly.
The wildcat King rose his brow at the perplex silence of Jaden. "You shall accept this kind offer, no?"
Jaden had no choice but to accept. It was either this or be killed after hours of torture. Days, even. Jaden was tough and tested in the ways of a horde and wild, but he didn't want to test his strength that way, oh no He shuddered once at the thought and forced himself to intone, "Yes, my Lord."
The King nodded "Good. Now carry on with haste, for my legions of warriors shall depart in two weeks time."
Two weeks! Jaden flashed with a cold sweat. That's barely enough time to even prepare for a battle!
His father's voice answered back. Prepare... for a battle lost.
No. It's not over yet
"At the end of the first week you shall be visited and will report your findings." The Wildcat said as he clapped his hands. Servants appeared and began to disassemble the dinner. "Now leave, my servant. Make haste!"
Jaden pushed back his chair, about knocking it over. He nervously made his way across the hall and out the smaller door to the side of the larger doors. The small door resembled a gate.
Gates. The word rattled in his mind as he clambered out of the throne room into the antechamber, and from the small antechamber to the outside. The guards were still there with an ever watchful eye and tight grip on their battle axes. The doors exited opposite of each other on the left and right wall of the antechamber. A coach was waiting for him, and remembering that dark cherry wood vaguely, he got in. After the door was shut he instantly remembered how he had been brought here.
He remembered having the taste of herbs in his mouth when he awoke dozingly in the cart. He must have been drugged as to not disturb him. The King indeed had odd was of having his minions visit him. Possible second in command minions. Betray the Abbot altogether now with Redwall and become second in command?
The word rang familiar in his ears for some strange reason. Jaden couldn't put his thumbclaw on it; He looked out the barred window for answers as sunlight streamed in, but the forest of north-eastern Mossflower didn't have any answers.