Author's Notes: Okay, another update. Happy, folks? Like it? Hate it? Don't even want to read it? Have you reviewed? Yes? No? Are you getting annoyed by all these questions? Confused? Angry? Ah, nvm. Happy reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own Redwall in any way. It belongs to Brian Jacques.

Deatheye's POV

The otter just stared at me, so what else could I do but stare back?

I was tied up with a stout piece of rope, and behind bars. The otter had brought me a piece of cold bread from the kitchen and a goblet of water, and then he just stood there , staring.

I finally got bored of it. "Come on, riverdog, don't you have better stuff to do?" I asked rudely.

He grunted. "No." he replied casually.

"Mmm… well, could you at least tell me your name?"

"No." he replied, still emotionless,

"I see… Well, you're talking to Captain Deatheye, who reports directly to the great warlord Darwath! What do you say to that, eh?"

"Nothing."

Okay, that guy was officially getting on my nerves. And I was supposed to be the torturer. Ironic.

I attempted to start a conversation again. "So… this is Redwall?"

"Yes."

"Oh, ok."

Jason's POV

I was struggling to keep a straight face. The weasel, which was apparently called Deatheye, looked like he was going to break down any minute. I wanted to laugh at his attempt to strike up a conversation.

He opened his mouth again. "Uh… what are you going to do with me?"

"Nothing." I replied, feeling my lips twitch in amusement.

"Oh. And… uh…"

He fell silent. Seeing this, I left him. As soon as I had closed the door behind me, I burst in a fit of laughter. Passing Redwallers stared at me like I was crazy, but I didn't care.

Darwath's POV

What an idiot. Deatheye went away a few days ago, promising he'll be back with something of value for me, but he still wasn't back. I knew I had to replace my captain; he had been gone far too long.

I was sitting on a chair made of silver and laced with topazes and rubies. Claw stood beside me, wielding a bone spear. It was called that because the blade was made out of bone, obviously.

Claw eyed me worriedly. I smiled at my second-in-command's vigilance. He knew I was up to something from the look on my face, but he didn't know what.

I didn't want to keep Claw guessing, so I told him my plans. "Claw," I said in a harsh tone. "Let's say one of my captains died on the battlefield. Who would you promote in my place?"

I saw a reassured grin form on Claw's face; he knew I was talking about Deatheye. He cleared his throat and bowed respectively before declaring, "Exalted Darwath, the shadow of death, I would probably promote Fourfinger because he and his mate found Redwall for us. And the ferret is smarter than Stubby."

I nodded in approval. "Yes. You're right. He is a half-decent ferret." Then I turned to a weasel standing at the door. "You," I said, indicating him. "Go fetch Foufinger."

The weasel bowed, and then hastily fled in search of the ferret.

Claw then eyed me with a questioning look. "Sir, if you promote him, won't Stubby get jealous?"

"Undoubtedly." I answered, emotionless.

"But…"

I raised an eyebrow. "How does Stubby's jealousy concern you, Claw?"

He shook his head. "Never mind, your greatness. I am sincerely sorry for asking you a pointless question."

I grunted. "You should be. And make sure it doesn't happen again."

Fourfinger's POV

I was wrestling with some of my mates when an abnormally tall weasel walked towards me and said, "Master Fourfinger, the illustrious warlord would like to see you."

I paled visibly. "W-wha?" I asked, hoping I heard him wrong.

The weasel furrowed his brow. "Fine. Since your vocabulary is so low, let me put it in words you would actually understand. Go see our leader, lowly worm."

I was insulted. I might have been of little importance in Darwath's hoard, but I still had my dignity. "'Ey! What be yer problem, mate!"

The weasel shook his head. "Word of advice; if you don't report to Darwath soon, he'll probably have you beheaded." he stated.

I blinked. Then, my legs started moving on their own and before I knew what was happening, I was facing Darwath.

Claw's POV

Darwath sure wasn't called the 'heartless tyrant' for nothing.

He knew as well as I did that by promoting Fourfinger, he would break his friendship with Stubby. But he didn't care. He just wanted a new captain.

Fourfinger was trembling. But I didn't blame him; even I had trouble conserving my dignity when Darwath talked to me.

I saw the warlord open his mouth slowly and yawn. Then he declared in a monotone voice, "Fourfinger, I appoint you captain. Now get out of my sight."

The ferret's eyes grew wide and his jaw dropped in shock. I was tempted to laugh, but I knew that laughter was not appreciated by Darwath. When Bladepace had laughed in Darwath's presence, the tyrant had given him an unforgettable flogging.

Fourfinger began stuttering. Big mistake. "M-me, sir? I-I think there be some mistake made. I-I…captain!"

Darwath sat up straight in his chair, and fixed the ferret with an icy stare. I winced; I pitied the poor creature.

The tyrant creased his brow and declared, "Yes, you! I appointed you captain! What part of that don't you understand, imbecile! AND QUIT STUTTERING!"

The brown ferret turned white. For a moment I was afraid he would die of fright. So I rushed to his side and pushed him out the door, to spare him further shouting from the warlord.

Original POV

News about Fourfinger's promotion spread quickly. Tridenter helped the ferret adjust to his new, more luxurious, life.

Fourfinger was given a small group of about a dozen beasts to command. It was a very small portion of the hoard, but Darwath didn't trust him with armies just yet.

And, of course, Stubby learned about his former mate's promotion as well. And, just like Claw predicted, he became jealous. He insulted the new captain, and spread rumors about him. But that wasn't enough to make Stubby content. And jealousy can make people do a lot of things…

Author's Notes: LOL, hope you liked this chapter. So what do you think Stubby is going to do? Oh… I think that at this rate, the story is going to take a lot of chapters… ah, well. R&R!