Sorry it took so long to get this published; I've been so busy! So it's only 1 chap, when I promised two, but another will come out shortly! I don't own Redwall.

The mouse swooned into Bankley's ready arms, and Skipper and Juniper leapt downstairs to the infirmary, with the other squirrels in their wake. They pushed through the crowd gathered around the small bed and gasped at the sight. The small mouse was covered in rivulets of blood, his fur matted and mangled. Nettlebud furiously applied dressings, though at the moment she seemed too distraught to think properly. Skipper and Juniper noticed this and pushed the hedgehog aside.

"Out of the way, marm," Skipper commanded, grabbing bandages and herbs and towels. Juniper stood at the other side of the table and worked on one part of Dweemo as the otter worked on the other side. They worked stoically and calmly, hardly speaking, keeping their concentration on the Dibbun. Dannflor, Song, and Hollyhock made their way through the crowd and stood closest to the table, mesmerized at the sight. All beasts bit their claw nails and clasped paws in anticipation, all hoping the babe would make it through.

"He's breathing, Skip," Juniper muttered. All the blood had been wiped away, and the small body sluggishly moved and the large eyes opened a fraction. A giant sigh of relief swept the crowd as Dweemo's mother and father rushed to their son.

"My great thanks to you," the male mouse said. "My name is Clemm, and I am eternally grateful to you and sir Skipper."

Juniper nearly ignored the father, but she became entranced by his pair of eyes. They were humble, and ageless, great sources of wealth and knowledge, the power of a score of otters and the wisdom of a dozen badgers. Juniper clasped his paw and nodded in acknowledgement.

Dweemo's mother also shook Juniper's paw in thanks. "My name is Asha," she said in a foreign accent Juniper realized as that of the north shores. "I hope that we can repay this enormous debt to you."

Juniper set her jaw, refusing to show emotion. "I have put together less valuable creatures than your son, Asha and Clemm. It is its own honor to see him alive."

Later in the day, Juniper, Skipper, Bankley, Hollyhock, and Clemm sat at the bank of the abbey pond as they supervised the Dibbuns at play. Still aware of Juniper's warning, the Dibbuns kept out of the water, and tossed pebbles in to create ripples. Juniper was also made aware of other Abbey residents by her friends.

"I imagine that you should know of the Terrible Three," Skipper announced, nodding towards a trio of creatures.

"Oh, Skip, do be kind," Asha pleaded. "They just have growing up to do."

"And lots of it! Anyway, the mouse is Sareen, an orphan, the hog maid is Pipsey, daughter of Nettlebud and Cobba, and the hare, the leader and worst of the lot, is Hoffington, also known as Hoffy."

"His parents are Ventri and Natasha Longlegg," Hollyhock added. "Ventri is retired Long Patrol, and they have an older son, Demetri, at Salamandastron in service now. Do you know of Salamandastron, Juniper?"

"I have been there once before," her niece answered. "Nice place."

"Of course you know Foremole Prum," Clemm said, indicating the mole near the water's edge. "He's a good and industrious fellow."

"Hmm." Juniper was only half-listening to the conversation around her; she concentrated on the water, how it reflected the sunset's orange and gold illumination. She was transfixed by the waves and ripples and splashes, the intricate patterns they made. Suddenly, to Juniper the water became calm and settled, and the image of Martin formed on the surface. He pointed his great sword at Juniper, and then off to his right in the direction of Clemm, and then to the left, at a tall and brawny female otter. Martin spoke smoothly and hypnotically to Juniper.

"An unsaid secret lies between creatures three,

A wandering squirrel, father mouse, and otter of sea.

Take up my mission together, you are sent,

To retrace the path the way my sword went."

Martin's image faded, and Juniper looked about her. It was nearly dark, and all were returning to the abbey for supper.

After dining, Juniper held another council with her grandparents. She told them of Martin's message and that he had told her with whom to travel. Clemm, Asha, Skipper, Bankley, and the female otter, Erwin, were sent for. Juniper relayed her information to them, and mixed emotions filled all.

"But, what is this untold secret, Clemm?" Asha asked her husband. "Surely it is not terrible?"

"I am not sure what secret I share with Juniper and Erwin, my dear," he answered, truly confused. "I mean, there are many little things of my life I haven't told any beast, but just because I think them to be inconsequential."

"I think that we shall be the judges of that, Clemm," Abbess Song stated. She turned to the young otter. "Erwin, is there any 'untold secret' that you think could be connected to these two?"

Erwin stood still, deep in thought. All eyes were fixed on her, hoping she would provide a clue to the puzzle. Finally, she spoke.

"When I was young, quite young, actually, my family and I lived on the north coast. It was an amazing, well, not really amazing, but different place to live. There were many places to explore, and as a young'un, I loved to wander and discover. Well, one day, I came across a group of caves in the cliff sides. They seemed to be abandoned, and I wandered inside one. There wasn't particularly much to see, just a bunch of old, dusty, broken furniture and odds and ends. However, there was one area that caught me eyes. On a small rock ledge lay three pieces of--"

"--green sea glass," Clemm quietly answered. All stared at the mouse, who shook slightly at his realization. "Did you take one of the pieces, Erwin?"

"Yes," she whispered. She reached into a small pouch on her belt and produced a shining piece of sea glass of medium size.

Juniper stared at the piece, and then at Clemm. "How did you know about it?" she asked urgently.

"I was young, also," he said, "and I too, loved to explore. My clan and I had been driven from our grove by vermin, and we were searching for a new home. We ended up at the coast, and I wandered away from the rest and came across a cave. However, there were only two pieces when I arrived. I took one, and gave it Asha as a wedding present." He nodded to his wife, who drew out a cord around her neck with the stone hanging from it. It was a smaller piece, and was set in clay. She unclasped the cord and handed it to Abbess Song, who also held Erwin's stone. Now, it was Juniper's turn.

"It was soon after Father was killed," she said quietly. "I wandered to the coast, and found the cave. I took the last piece. She reached into her jerking pocket and brought forth the last stone, then handed it to her grandmother. "Quite a message, don't you think?"

"Quite," Asha agreed.

The next morning, preparations were made for the great journey. Juniper stood on the battlement as others said their good-byes with friends and family. Not much for farewells, Juniper itched, wanting to spring for the trail and take off. She was thankful that Erwin and Clemm seemed like hardy creatures, tough and strong for the road ahead.

That morning, Juniper had waxed her bowstring, replenished her arrow supply from the abbey's stores, and sharpened her belt knife. Erwin had armed herself with a sling and stone pouch, and Clemm carried a small hatchet and staff. Juniper's paws tickled at the thought of holding Martin's sword, of avenging her father, mother and scattered kin. Such a wonderful journey lay ahead! The abbey was too peaceful a place for one like Juniper, and her eyes tinged red and her mouth frothed at the thought of slaying vermin.

Finally, the gate opened, and Clemm and Erwin strode out, leaving behind waving loved ones. Juniper merely turned and nodded to her grandparents and aunt Hollyhock, and leapt from the battlements. She soared into the boughs of a nearby oak, and then skid down the trunk to the ground.

"Right," she said to her amazed companions, "onward and forward!"