Misadventures

Timber and Root

War of the Four Banners

Redwall Bad Story.

The caravan of the two divisions moving through Mossflower had slowly but surely began to mesh, as once green and barren hills turned into dense forest. Raskar and some of the other serfs were marking roots for the soldiers to bring an axe to, but their efforts were slowed regardless. Raman watched his army move from a distance, flanked by Valtman who was watching his own division struggle to move through the forest. Valtman's grunts of disproval was quickly met by Raman's accounting.

"We've wasted too much time I am afraid, however, if we hurry, we can return to a normal schedule."

"We'd be where we need to be by now if our laborers didn't have worms in their brains." Valtman complained, his eyes looking particularly upon Sadan and Murna Brown who were struggling to move one of the wagons over one of the tree roots. Raman blanked at this, seeing as Murna was behind one of the wagons, Bluebell next to her as they tried to move the wagon forward. Raman turned his attention to Gasger, who was yelling at the Grassweaves and Zardan.

"The hell is this then, you lot really only have that much work in you? My grandmother could have moved this whole wagon forward by herself by now! Push damn you!"

The vermin did as the hare commanded, although the reality of situation became much clearer when the wagon moved forward over one branch, only to slide back. There was pained groaning from the collective group of serfs who stopped and briefly rested. Gasger marched over and began yelling "You infernal imbeciles, do I have to everything for you! Dapan, you get to the front! Rasan, with me in the back! Push!" After a conjoined effort, the wagon was over one obstacle and was once again moving.

Raman and Valtman marched side by side together as their divisions made their way through the thick forests. Raman kept up pace with Valtman who was partly faster than him, driven on by an increasing impatience, something he complained loudly about.

"Every hour we stall in this forest looks bad on the record, Raman."

"Our scouts say the land becomes more flat farther up ahead, once we get on through, things should be smooth till we border the Long Patrol's realm itself. You had any thoughts on the plans with that?"

Valtman nodded "Aye, I do. Those hares will likely do what those newts did back home, use hit and run tactics. If we can challenge them and catch them on the battlefield, we can wipe them out in one go. Problem is actually forcing them into a pitched battle, especially in a forest like this. We run the risk of losing scouts and equipment, not to them mind you, just to incompetence on the behalf of these wretched things."

Valtman turned his head to look at the Browns continuing the struggle, with Lena and Gaven pushing one of the wagons. He grunted at the sight "Been better if we just killed them all and been done with it. We came here to fight vermin, not chaperone them."

Raman sighed, about to speak in agreement when two of his soldiers came up to them. Mia and Zadan were in their paws, as the miserable looking soldiers tried to salute their commander and keep a handle on the two small weasels. "Sorry, sir. Umm, we need to ask, and–"

"I'm hungry." Mia groaned. "When's we getta eat?"

Raman exchanged looking between the soldiers and the small weasel children. The soldiers looked tired, not from carrying or looking after the youngsters, but from answering their many questions and trying to keep them calm and entertained. They would have preferred marching, and were relieved to hand off the youngsters back to their mother, but with their mother currently busy, the soldiers were practically begging their captain "Sir, they've been asking for hours. We got anything we can give them? Please?"

The youngsters looked at Raman, although their original fear of them was gone replaced by a ferocious hunger. They smiled, as if expecting something like their previous meals they had been having. Raman shook his head "You will eat when the others do." He commanded his soldiers, with some awkwardness to his voice "You two are doing fine, just walk them around near the front of the line. Or pass them off to my brother to handle. I need their mother to be pushing that wagon."

One of the soldiers, more desperate spoke up quickly "Maybe I can push the wagon, I'm much stronger and–"

"No he isn't! I am! I can push twice as much, if we can put these two back in that vermin's paws, maybe–"

"Oh don't believe him, he's–"

"Enough." Raman raised his voice and pinched his nose with frustration "Just do as I ask, now go." The two took the youngsters away as Raman returned his attention to Valtman, a little ashamed as he thought on his own words more.

"I know the frustration, Valtman. Good thing beasts like Frankfort is in charge with his wise council to think on matters beyond our paygrade. Those ferrets might be incompetents but even you can see they are quite young. Their parents abandoned them to you, and tried to run from justice. It falls to us to show them the way, one way or the other." Raman proudly said with an imperious grin. Valtman nodded, folding his paws "Aye, though I just wish it were some other beasts doing it. I miss having my serfs, my good ones, strong beasts who could have had us beyond this forest days ago. Instead, I had to rely on angry traitors and smaller beasts. Good thing Bluebell tolerates all this more than I do."

"I do hope that rabbit isn't being too soft with them."

"I was surprised that Esmert even chose him to become an overseer at all." Valtman admitted before shrugging "He gets things done at least."

"Sirs!" Valtman's officer, Sulch, rushed up to them which put the two on edge. The otter saluted Valtman before quickly explaining "Sirs. We have a problem."

They followed Sulch further up as they also noticed their caravan slowing down, and once passing by some brush and trees, they could see the problem for themselves.

A river.

Raman and Valtman looked almost confused, looking down and up the river which stretched not far off. Had they been a smaller group without a need for wagons, this wouldn't be much of a problem. However, the calm flow of the waters still intimidated Raman as he walked along the edge, seeing his brother Gulan standing at the edge of the river. Gulan noticed his brother staring, coming over and giving a loud and obnoxious sigh.

"I sent scouts up and down this thing, and nothing so far in terms of shallows. I think the west flows into a massive marshland, which isn't much better, and seasons only knows what is up the river."

Raman nodded "Hmph. Well, nothing that can't be fixed. Gather up Sulch and Olana, we'll need their expertise."

Gulan nodded and went to go find the mole engineer who was likely at the back of Valtman's army, collecting Sulch to join him. The two captains looked beyond the river, calculating on how to cross it, unaware that not far off, Zardan and Dapan were coming into view of it.

"Huh, thought dis ding would be miles ahead of us."

"Ya know dis river?"

"Had a boat on here once, but I lost in a game of cards wit a–"

"Enough out of you lot, now get into a line. We are going to need your paws to be strong for crossing this. No more incompetence." Gasger growled. Putting down the cart, Zardan tried to raise his voice "Well, I mean, ya can always ju–"

"Not another peep out of you." Gasger growled. Zardan sighed and silenced himself, not wanting to cause any trouble.

Olana and Sulch looked at the river, exchanging a look between it and a crude drawing laying on the dry grass. Olana smiled and began to point to observe her surrounding more clearly. The river was steep, with a beach which had a long slope going down into it and created a tiny grassy cliff. The other side was much the same, although the trees were much thicker. One of the otters dived deep into the water to see how deep this river was, coming back up to tell the two divisions that it was oddly shallow for a river. Olana nodded, speaking in a high and jovial tone "Ohhhh, I cun' beliuve it, cun ya Sulch? I dunk dis be dur perfuct time tu use une of me favurite projucts! We're gunna need to flout dur waguns on dur river an' get dum on dur other side."

Sulch shook his head "I know you are eager, Olana, but we can't forget that there are plenty of problems. Even if we do get the wagons on the other side, we'll need to have them lifted up and over those little grassy mounds. Which is made worse by those trees. If we are to start, I'd like to do it here." Sulch pointed across the river to the least dense set of trees.

Olana nodded and smiled "Dun dut whure we'll sturt. Huw du you wunna float dur waguns, Sulch? Gunna need to tuke plentuy of stuff out fur it to wurk."

"You leave that to me, we just need a pully system and a few strong otters on the other side, and mayb–"

There was a cough behind them, and the two suddenly turned to see an awkward looking Zardan standing behind them. He blinked, speaking in a friendly voice "Erm, yer der ones doin dat whule crossing ding, right?"

Olana raised and eyebrow, exchanging a look between him and Sulch "Aye?" Sulch didn't look happy as Zardan tried to speak up "Look, dur be an easier–"

"Zardan!" Zardan stopped and turned and seeing Gasger marching towards him. He didn't really do or say much else as he gave an awkward smile to Sulch "Apologies, this won't happen again."

"Noted." Sulch slowly nodded, he and Olana returning to their work. Zardan grabbed onto Zardan's shoulder, shoving him back towards the sitting serfs who were all collected into one place. He growled, pointing a finger in the rat's face. "Do not make me warn you again, vermin, or I'll give you three lashes for lollygagging and distraction! Do I make myself clear?"

Zardan only blinked and shrugged "I mean, just tryen to help ya folk."

"Your help will likely cause all kind of problems, as it has already." Gasger huffed "You are a serf, not a soldier nor officer. You answer only to me, and to me alone. Not to Raman, not to Gulan. Me. Now don't make me warn you again."

Zardan cringed and slowly nodded, sitting down next to Dapan and Moran who had bore witness to this exchange. Moran looked at Zardan confused and grunted "Why der heck ya tryen to help dem, long tail?"

"Cause, if we don't, dey'll get demselves hurt an' miserable and drag us down wit dem." Zardan explained "Besides, de's folk are bein all foolish an' der likes. Der is a–"

"Oh enough of dat, we ain't walken through a marsh." Dapan quickly added "Everyone knows about it, where der frogs lived. Dey likely know of it already. Besides, more time spent meandering on der river, less time pushen dis ding around." Dapan motioned towards the large and imposing wagon. Zardan tried to correct him "Dapan, tis not dat, der is a–"

"I dun' wanna hear it. Besides, dis is a perfect time to try to impress on dat otter." Dapan said, giving a michevous smile, pulling his son and Zardan closer "Listen here ya two, we wanna make dem dink were bein good at what we do, so we can get dat hare off our backs an' dat blasted Raskar doin the heavy liften. He probably hadn't worked a day in his bleeding life. We want dat otter to dink of us as valuable, an' hopefully he'll ease up on us."

Moran huffed "But what if I don't wanna?" A swift slap across his head jerked him back to attention. Dapan growled "Yer gonna do it, twerp, cause whether ya like it or not we have to regardless. If we falter, dat hare is gonna come down on all of us hard. Not doin like I want to eder. Just need to make it clear were more valuable den dat wretched cretan." Moran nodded in partial agreement, partly for revenge on the rat. Zardan frowned "I mean, sure, but der still be a–"

"I don't care if der is a shallow or an easier way around, Zardan. Dis is our time to shine."

Zardan sighed, partly out of pity for Dapan's madness and partly for his continued arrogance. He sat back, resting as he awaited for the day's hard work.

Zardan looked on with confusion and disbelief at the strange contraption being added to the wagons he had been pushing, his bafflement made his eyes tighten and his mouth slowly open, as if wanting to say something. The Grassweaves almost looked impressed, but he knew they didn't have a boatmaker's touch. However, Raskar most likely did, so he sought to see if the dubious bully had some manner of opinion on this thing. Raskar most certainly did, it would have amused Zardan had Raskar not looked so dramatic, as if half tempted to drop his tamed act. His eyes were wide open, and his claws on his snout, wanting to scream something quite loudly, but refused to for his dear life.

For beasts like Dapan, he didn't understand what the rats were being all frightened about, even as he stared at them and seeing them acting as if looking upon some charging army.

Bah, what a bunch of clowns. It'll probably work, it be woodlander design. Dapan knew nothing about boats, or rivers, currents, or really anything of note on the water. So when he looked down at the Southwarders tying some empty barrels to beneath the wagons, he thought little of it. The Southwarders got it into their heads they could easily cross a shorter part of the river by typing ropes on either side of the wagon, with two teams pulling on either side, becoming a rail for which another team would pull the wagons in a straight line one by one up and over the small grassy cliffs. The two engineers were hoping to use barrels as a buoyancy to float the carts to the other side, thus saving time on building rafts.

"Alright, there! That should do it." Sulch spoke aloud and with pride. Raskar was frowning hard, he was shocked that an otter of all beasts would be so daft. He hoped Raman would be unsure, and he quite was as he looked over the strange contraption strapped beneath the cart. "A-are you sure this will work, Sulch?"

"I sure hope it does, otherwise we'll need a lot of rafts." Sulch said less sure. Olana huffed "Uf curse it'll wurk, wutch dis!" Olana and some of the soldiers moved the cart into position and slowly dumped it into the waters. Zardan had his predictions that the whole thing would sink but was amazed when it didn't.

At least, not at first.

"Pull it back in!" Gulan shouted, and Dapan and others quickly hopped to it. Grabbing onto the rope, Sulch and Olana could only look on in horror that the weight of the wagon was pushing their buoyant barrels downward, and eventually began to sink. Dapan was turning red, trying to save the wagon from its doomed fate of floating down the river. Yet, new problems arose, as the wagon began to sink further into the waters, the current was becoming uncomfortably strong and began to push the wagon to the side. Yanking and tugging on ropes, the group was finally able to bring the drenched wagon ashore, although not without a damp set of supplies to come with it. Raman and Valtman came over to Sulch and Olana, rather casually trying to figure out what had gone wrong.

"I mean, the calculations were right, the laws of buoyancy should have worked! I mean, it was holding."

"Prubably a bit too heuvy. Muybe if we unload, and den put—"

"Let's not." Valtman quickly spoke up. Raman sighed and commanded them about "Impressive as this all is, I don't think we have the time to test every invention the engineers of Southward can come up with. We will do this the normal way. We'll use pullies and ropes, with teams on both sides."

Olana frowned and nodded in defeat, although unbeknownst to the Southwarders, Dapan was sprawled out in the sand, looking up the sky as he breathed heavily. Zardan came over, bringing him up, trying to speak in warning "Okay, I'm tellen ya weasel. Der just be an easier way, if we could just—"

"No!" Dapan yelped, although through his exhaustion he could barely speak. "I dink I had one of dem looken at me tuggen on der ropes, dis be me time to shine rat. Just like it was fer ya back der." There was a hint of jelousy in his voice, as Zardan sighed and realized a bit more of Dapan's continued resistance to his words. Zardan sighed, and mentally prepared himself for the next design.

Using ropes from both divisions, tied together to form a longer length, a team of otters led by Gulan went to the side. For otters, swimming was just natural, and for the plan to work they would need a large team of strong workers on both sides. The otters all swam to one side, with the hares and hedgehogs of the two divisions remained on the other. They formed two large lines, like a rail. The group has spent much of the afternoon under the direction of Olana building a series of three rafts, with a team led by Sulch which would be large and strong enough to hold the weight of a single wagon. Carefully put onto these rafts, each of the wagons were tied together to form a line which could be put into the water with quick succession.

Sulch was not the one carrying the rope which would pull the wagon line to one end, using one raft temporary to transport Raman's serfs to the other side. Valtman's serfs would remain on the southern side of the river, acting as a counterbalance as Dapan and a larger team pulled the wagon line to the other side. The plan had been simple, bringing the wagons three at a time to one side of the river, dropping them off in a clearing, and then bringing the next three over. Raman was disappointed by this, as even by conservative estimates from Olana, this process could very well take several days. They had a lot of wagons, and Raman floated the idea in his head to perhaps just built a bridge and see if that was faster.

Dapan held onto the rope, preparing himself for the heavy work ahead of him with his son and wife behind him. Raskar and Zardan were behind them still with the others, helped by some of the soldiers along with Sulch. The two teams beside them with their own ropes would act as tight formation, preventing the current from claiming the wagons as they were being transported.

"I dun get it." Moran asked, primarily to his father, but to others beside him. "Why don't we just make a bigger ol' raft an' have em oar it across."

"Dat would require us to actually cut down trees, ya idiot." Dapan huffed. "An dat hare ain't goin to be given us axes anytime soon."

"There is a bit more to it than that." Dapan looked down to find Sulch looking back at him, somewhat realizing whom he was answering to a bit late. Out of habit he spoke up on his learned subject "You see, vermin. Army logistics is all about speed, and while we could build a bridge or build a large series of rafts, or even plug up the river and lower it for us to cross, that takes considerable time. The smaller trees my soldiers fell will provide enough support for one of the wagons to remain on the raft for a short time for it to get to this side of the river. Raman and Valtman hate to be kept waiting, so that is why we are doing it this way."

Moran blinked, looking curiously at Sulch "Ya dink it's goin to work out better den dat whole business wit der barrels?"

"Well. Yes. I hope so, there are concerns, but this is much safer I think."

"I mean, ya folk sounded so su—" Moran gave out a sudden 'oof' when Sulch looked around with a less than pleased face but was content to see Dapan doing what he would have been, having nudged him in the gut lightly. "Ya shut yer trap, boy. No need to bother wit such questions, just be ready to pull."

There was a mumble coming from Moran's mouth, but Dapan ignored it for now. Zardan and Raskar were ready themselves, also conversing in a more friendly tone. Their comradery more out of bafflement than out of genuine interest in a growing relationship.

"Dis isn't goin to work." Raskar complained, seething and whispering to Zardan "Der current is strong an' hidden, how do otters not see it!? Hells, how'd not feel it in der water! All dis over designed foolery an' not a single brain amongst any of dem."

"I mean, dey seem confident, but I don't dink is goin to go well."

"Of course it ain't, ya flea bitten wretch."

Raskar looked miserable and frustrated, not because he was being forced to work, but Zardan could see the rat had some experience and knowledge in such affairs. Yet, what baffled Zardan was why Sulch and the others insisted on this absurd design. They were brought back to attention as Sulch yelled out.

"Alright, we are starting now! Look alive, good beasts!" The group got ready, as Dapan smirked. He had confidence now, perhaps unwarranted, that with all of them combined this would be easy work. He prepared himself, and Sulch yelled to begin.

"Alright! Pull!"

The group began to pull very hard as the rafts moved forward towards them at a decent pace, the main problem was getting the wagons into the water. A team on the otherside pushed on the rafts, and the first of them hit the water, followed closely by the second. Dapan's hope of an easy victory under his belt was suddenly dashed as he began to redden in the face. He groaned, growled, and puffed as he pulled as hard as he could. Something was wrong, he could feel.

Very wrong.

"Seasons! Was it always this heavy!?" One of the soldiers complained. Sulch looked to his left, seeing much to his horror as soldiers holding onto the rail of ropes were struggling. The first raft was only half way to them as the rafts began to suddenly shift down the river. Sulch yelled up "Keep pulling! And harder!"

The group did, but it didn't matter. The soldiers failed to keep the line in tow, as the rope loosed and the rafts began to float very quickly down the river, and one downright just flipped over and sank into the water. Yelling and angry shouts were heard of the far side of the river, but Sulch kept trying to save before he gave in and yelled out "Let go!" The others did as ordered as Moran, Martha, Raskar, and Zardan all collapsed on the ground, but Dapan held on. Rather than pulling the thing to shore, he was yelling in desperation as he tried to save all of the hard work "Help me! Ahhhh!" He feet dragged into the dirt and soon he practically flew before he let go, landing not very softly on the ground. Moran and Martha ran over to see if he was alright, followed closely by Sulch to make sure he wasn't dead.

Dapan looked up, bruised and broken, as the raft floated down towards the marshes. He put his head back into the dirt, grunting and coughing in frustration. Sulch spoke up to him "Well, get a bit rested, vermin. We need you to help drudge up our supplies and wagon from the bottom of that river." He said cautiously. Dapan groaned and slowly got up. He silently went past Sulch as he was followed by his family, cringing all the while as Dapan looked like he wanted to scream in rage at the loss of all the supplies.

Raman and Valtman looked down the river, sighing at the idea of having to march south to find where their supplies had went, as Sulch and the other otters delved into the river to collect the other things. Gulan walked up to them both, giving a report to the frowning captains who were silent and in disbelief.

"Well, my lords. Sulch is confident we can save most of the supplies. As for, uhhh, everything else. He says the raft will likely break apart and sink into the marshes by the time we start looking for it. We'll need to find it. If we had been luckier, that one would have sunk as well." Gulan tried to joke and keep up a smile, but his brother and Valtman didn't even speak to him, and instead just gave him an angry stare. Raman sighed and spoke up "Do we got any clue why this has happened? Sulch isn't wrong on these matters usually."

"He says he misjudged the stream's current, and honestly I don't blame him. There was likely too much weight."

"Bridge it is then." Valtman grumbled. Raman nodded as the one eyed dormouse went off to find his engineer. Raman looked across the river, seeing Dapan and his family getting as much as they could out of the river. Dapan looked exhausted, angrily chiding others around him while Raskar did lighter tasks nearby. A quick boot from Sulch got him to help Dapan push one of the reclaimed boxes ashore.

"Our serfs, do they fair well?" Raman asked, although Gulan knew he didn't ask because he cared for their health. He looked across the river, spying Moran who was helping a soldier pull on a rope, bringing a heavier piece of equipment. Otters were going and up from the waters and diving back down, reclaiming bits and pieces of the rubble. Raman sighed, having seen the doom of the supplies from one side and quickly had his soldiers' cut ropes to the other supply wagon which now sat on a raft. Gulan shrugged "They are healthy, Raman. I mean, Dapan is overworking himself, but outside of that, they'll live."

"I saw him go flying." Raman cringed "Nothing is broken?"

"Just his ego."

"That should have already been broken when we were leaving Palewind. Now please do tell me what is and isn't broken, without the sarcasm."

Gulan rolled his eyes "A few bruises, that is it, and thank the Bellmaker for it. Sulch rushed over thinking he was dead."

Raman nodded and commanded his brother "Gulan, go back across the river, and take Gasger with you. I want that idiot on a short leash from now on. I am not going to have one of my soldiers lugging around some fool vermin who is trying to impress upon me only to get their leg broken or worse." Gulan nodded and went off. Raman continued to look across the river, really wishing there was a better way to cross.

Gulan and Gasger stood next to each other but said and did nothing in each other's company. They were on a raft, being rowed to the other side by one of the soldiers. Gasger held his paws behind his back, looking at Dapan like a hawk, very much ready to pounce the moment he saw something he didn't like. That moment came immedaitly when he saw Dapan struggle to lift one of the boxes.

"Dapan! You put that down this bleeding instant, or I'll have your tail cropped! The captain demands you do lighter work, before you hurt yourself, you stupid imbecile!" Dapan looked in his direction, giving him a defeated expression. Taking his suggestion, he tried to sit down, but Gasger grunted and yelled out again "That doesn't mean you can rest, vermin! Get back to work! If I am over here and I do not see you working hardily, I'll have you lashed!" Dapan looked annoyed but got up and looked around. Gulan gave a mean look to Gasger "You do know these are serfs, right? They aren't slaves, or thralls, or whatever kind of prison laborer they name up here. No need for such cruelty."

Gasger shot back in a cold tone "You do know my soldiers need to be kept orderly, right Gulan? This isn't some tour of the city or a bleeding familial trip. You don't question my methods, and I won't tell you how to do your duties. Had you been trained by me, I would have so gladly taught you that."

Gulan kept silent to Gasger's threat as the two landed on the opposite side. Sulch came to greet them, looking embarrassed, as Gasger moved past him to hound Dapan and his kin. Sulch rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "So, whats the word from the captain?"

"I think they are going to build a bridge."

"Well, I guess that's safer. Though I have no clue where or how we would build it. This isn't exactly a thin tributary." Sulch frowned. "I can't believe that even happened. It was so sudden, and–"

"Don't blame yourself, Sulch. It happens."

"Ya, but to other beasts. Not me! By the Bellmaker, maybe the vermin aren't as strong as we had hoped?" Gulan frowned as Sulch tried to think of a way to put blame on the serfs, something unthinkable had they been woodlanders. Sulch thankfully shook his head to this thought, although they heard a cough to their side. They turned, seeing Zardan who was standing there awkwardly. Sulch spoke in an annoyed tone "Yes, vermin? If there is something you need, your overseer is that way."

"Sorry to bother ya, sirs. Actually, I need to cross der river."

Both of the otters paused and looked confused. Gulan could only ask "Why?"

"Well, ya see, I need to talk wit der boss, ya see. Ya folk are tryen to cross der river, aye? Well, der be an easi–"

"Zardan!" Gasger could be seen marching with gleeful anger in his direction, practically pushing down some soldiers. He came up, although Zardan didn't seem to flinch seeing Gasger pulling a whip into his paw. "What did I tell you about lollygagging, you infernal cretan!"

"Wait, Gasger." Sulch held up a paw to him, and looked to Zardan. "What were you saying?" Sulch looked mortified almost, white in the face when he heard the rat speak. "Look, dis be easier if I just show ya. Yer boss can decide to use it or not."

"Show us what?" Gulan asked.

Farther off eastward in the forest laid a decently sized wooden bridge which extended over a shorter part of the river. Being so far up from the river, the wooden bridge looked like it was built over a stream, although the river widened as it went towards the marshes where it was much shallower. Further eastward was the Inland Lake, whose legend proceeded it well. It was the home of the notorious Marlfox clan and it's minions, and southward from there were the hills and plains of southern Mossflower, which flowed into the deserts which separated Mossflower from the rest of the world. The bridge was connected by a loose stone road, although it was not obvious. The road didn't exactly lead to anywhere, at least anywhere which was currently standing.

Raman and Zardan walked up to the bridge, with Raman having said or spoken since being told about it by Zardan.

To make his point as clear as possible for any beast to understand, Zardan went ahead and walked upon the bridge, and was followed behind by Valtman, Sulch, Gasger, and Gulan who were equally speechless. Zardan explained, although not in a tone of a understanding teacher, but a chiding parent to respective students.

"So as ya see, dis bridge connects southern an' northern Mossflower. It's been here as long as I've been here at least, likely older. Should be able to get dem big ol' carts over dis ding, though it be a distance at least."

Valtman came up to the bridge, speaking angrily to Zardan "If you bleeding knew this was here the whole time, why didn't you tell us!?"

"I was tryen too, sir." Zardan shrugged. Raman looked over the bridge, trying to find some excuse as to say Zardan was wrong, but the bridge looked steady. It was not well worn, and looked almost fresh, likely kept up in maintenance by the Long Patrol. Gasger kept especially silent, as Zardan gave him a smug look of satisfaction. Valtman grumbled as he looked up and down the road. "Hells, why didn't our scouts find this."

"Because we weren't looking for it. We didn't assume there would be a bridge like this." Raman sighed. He came up to Zardan and spoke in a firm manner, trying to be calm "Zardan, I am aware you knew of this, I really do wish you took the initiative to speak so sooner."

"I will next time, if me good an' gracious overseer allows me to." Zardan shot back. Raman looked to Gasger who came up, but even though he had much to say, he remained speechless. Raman nodded "This is an embarrassment for us all, and we have an entire wagon of supplies to find. Valtman, I'll gather a team to go find it and drag it out of the marshes. I give you command of my division so we can get over this river. We, ummm–" Raman paused, cringing hard at the whole event "We don't speak of this ever again, in fact, I think we can say it never happened."

Valtman nodded and looked to Zardan "Anything else up ahead we should know of, vermin?"

"Sadly, boss, dat what I know ends. Haven't been dat far north, though I did hear a rat or two come from dat way, sayen der is a big ol' beach which runs der length all der way to the ol' badger mountain. Der is thicker forests, even though I dink der might be hills dat way. If we head towards Redwall, dat is more flatter, which come to dink of it–"

"Zardan." Raman spoke, and Zardan silenced himself "You are dismissed. You and Gasger will return and help in bringing the remaining supplies here. If anyone asks, Sulch discovered this feature. Last thing I need is such an embarrassment on my record with the soldiers."

"As ya say, boss."

"'Sir', Zardan. It isn't bleeding 'boss' or 'chief' or whatever!" Gasger collected Zardan and marched him back to the camp. Gulan came up to his brother and sounded like he was going to speak up some snarky comment. A glare from Raman silenced him immediately as he awaited by the bridge waiting for the divisions to catch up. Raman spoke to Valtman, somewhat defeated "Maybe it might be prudent if we interrogated the vermin. Zardan may not have been up here, but others may have."

"Raman, let's just forget this ever happened and move on, we'll just have the scouts be more thorough next time." Valtman didn't sound arrogant, hinting perhaps he felt the same embarrassment Raman did. The otter captain only nodded.