Chapter 3:
It had been a normal summer for Keyla. He had become part of Starwort and Marigold's family. They were stationed north of Noonvale to keep an eye out for invaders.
"Anybeast coming?" Marigold asked Kelya.
"None. Like always." Keyla answered.
"Are you missing the excitement of battle?" Starwort came out to join them.
"A little. It's almost time for the celebration isn't it?"
"You should know. I mean, this is the Liberation Feast for those who were freed from Marshank all those seasons ago."
"I know. Too bad Martin isn't here. Can you image the look on his face if he found out about Rose?"
"Aye. He'd be heartbroken since she lost her memory." Marigold told him.
"But now that she remembers everything, do you think she'll remember him?"
"Last time I saw her, she was asking Boldred about him. No luck though." Starwort informed him.
"According to Rowanoak, he traveled south."
"That's Wildcat territory." Marigold informed them.
"I say, is that a ship?" Keyla asked looking northward.
The other two otters looked out in the same direction. Sure enough, they did see a ship. When it got closer, they heard a voice.
"Ahoy!" a mouse called out.
The three otters looked at each other and sailed their raft over to the bigger ship.
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"Those otters are coming." Gonff said.
"I really hope they're friendly." Trimp said.
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When Keyla, Starwort, and Marigold boarded the ship, they had a warm welcome.
"Welcome aboard the Honeysuckle." Gonff greeted them in his usual manner. "I'm Gonff. Prince of Mousetheives."
"I'm Log-a-log Furmo. These are my Guosim shrews."
"Oi be Dinny Foremole."
"I'm Trimp."
"I'm Folgrim."
"I'm Chugger. I capt'n"
"I'm Vurg. This is Dulam and Denno.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Beauclair Fethringsol Cosfortingham. Beau f'short. Did I get that right?" He introduced himself before whispering to Vurg.
"Aye." Vurg whispered back.
"We're headed home to Redwall." Gonff told them.
"Well, you lot don't seem bad. I'm Keyla. These are Starwort and Marigold. We guard Noonvale from invaders."
"Really?" Trimp asked.
"Aye. We have yet to see a vermin set foot in Noonvale." Starwort told them.
"What is Noonvale?" Gonff asked as he started to eat a scone he nicked from the galley.
"A very peaceful place. Our chieftain, Brome, is a good leader and healer. His sister, recovered from amnesia a few seasons ago." Marigold started to describe the place.
"Which reminds me." Keyla interrupted. "You guys are from the south right?"
The Honeysuckle crew nodded.
"I see what yor getting at." Starwort said realizing what Keyla was asking.
"What?" Trimp asked.
"Do you guys know a warrior mouse who is called Martin?" Keyla asked.
"Martin?" Gonff asked.
"Why?" Dinny asked.
"Do you know him?" Trimp wanted to know.
"Aye. We fought together in the Battle of Marshank." Keyla told them. "Do you know him?"
"Aye. Should we get him?" Trimp asked.
"I'll do it." Chugger volunteered as he ran down to wake up the warrior mouse.
"Wait. He's here?" Keyla asked hopefully.
"Aye. He's resting below." Vurg told the otter.
"Alright. What do you guys want? You know it's not everyday I get a chance to rest." A tired Martin said coming out being dragged by the little squirrel.
"Martin?"
"Keyla? Is that you?" Martin asked turning a bit white.
"Aye. It's been awhile."
"That it has." Martin agreed looking a little uncomfortable.
"He said that you helped in a battle." Gonff said. "Want to tell us?"
"Not really."
"That's right. Rowanoak said…nevermind. I see you kept true to your word." Keyla told him.
"Of course. If anything happened to Noonvale, I'll never forgive myself. So what's been going on?"
"I say old chap." Beau interrupted. "Do you mind if we talk about this at a dinner table of some sort. Wot wot."
"What is it with hares always being hungry?" Keyla asked. "Of course. I'll introduce you guys to the chieftain."
"Um Keyla." Martin pulled his old friend to the side. "Will I be welcomed? You know, with what happened to…" he could bring himself to say "Rose"
"Well, as I was going to tell you before Beau interrupted, Brome is the new chieftain. Urran Voh died of pneumonia about three seasons ago."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. Brome's good. His mother is helping him with the difficult parts. I think the battle helped him grow up."
"I think it helped everyone grow up."
"So? Are we going or not?" the Prince of Mousethieves asked.
"Sure." Martin gave in.
"Oh. Before I forget. You guys are just in time for the Liberation Feast." Keyla told them.
"Liberation Feast?" the crew of the Honeysuckle asked.
"It's a celebration that starts tomorrow to celebrate the death of the tyrant Badrang." Keyla explained.
"I be guessing the story will be told zurr." Dinny asked.
"Of course. It's a requirement for the celebration. However, I think it had been slightly exaggerated since the first time it was told."
"What makes you say that Keyla?" Martin asked.
TBC
