Author's Note: For starters, the mousemaid is not named yet for a reaosn that you'll fnd out later on in the part, when she is named.
Next, I have a lot to say to Warrior. First, I have a feeling that you may be disappointed. The mousemaid doesn't return until the last three chapters of this part, and even then, you'll find something very abnormal about her when you compare her to the heroes of the actual series. There are two other good guys re-introduced a few more chapter farther into the story, who you may or may not find interesting. They have some strange outlooks on morality, though. A "greater good" complex, if you will.
Secondly, the problem that I have always felt with Part II was the very small amount of characters. By the end of the part, I was very tired of writing for Ballantyne and his strenuous vocabulary. Luckily, this problem is rectified in Part III, where there is a large, diverse cast of personalities that keep the first four "setting up" chapters interesting.
Thirdly, the whole point of this story is that it is told through the point of view of what normally would be the antagonists. I, personally, have found all the heroes in the actual series to be rather boring. I've always read Redwall for the villains (and, more specifically, the minor villains, because you never know when they're going to die. It's also pretty interesting trying to predict the one or two that actually live in the end from the outset of the story, but, um, that's just me), thusly, my fanfiction about Redwall would correlate to that. If that isn't the kind of thing you want to read, I don't blame you for not wanting to continue reading. It's all up to you.
Anyways, filler chapter. On a lighter note, it's the last short chapter in the entire fic! Yay! After this, it's about 20 chapters of length and awesomeness! Which, by extension, means very few filler left; I can't for the life of me draw filler out very far.
XX: The March
Golding had wasted no time getting the horde ready to march. The former scout commander had been dreaming of the day when he would finally be in charge, planning out exactly what he would do in his mind. And now, here he was, in charge. Getting rid of Ballantyne and Deathblaze would have to wait until he could afford to lose a good amount of soldiers, but otherwise, everything was perfect. Just how he had envisioned it. His father would be proud of him, he knew it.
The entire horde, approximately three hundred or so assorted rats, weasels, stoats, and ferrets, with the occasional fox, were all organized into divisions and columns and rows in front of the castle. That was Ballantyne's doing; Golding cared not for organization. However, the weasel wasn't about to complain.
The horde itself looked absolutely stunning. Every creature was equipped with clean, polished armor and weapons, and all stood at attention perfectly. The thought that every single one was awaiting Golding's orders made him smile with glee. He was in command, Regner was dead, and he was about to conquer Salamandastron.
From the castle appeared Ballantyne, flanked by Deathblaze. The two slowly made their way past the horde, towards Golding. Ballantyne was dressed in a black coat and top hat, looking as if he were attending some sort of funeral. He walked with a cane that Golding knew he didn't need.
"How ya plannin' to march in those clothes?" Golding called out to him, "This iddn't no pleasure walk, I can tell ya that." Ballantyne slowly meandered his way past the horde before deciding to answer.
"As a representative of this grand army, I mustn't allow myself to appear disorderly," explained the ferret, "I must appear composed and profound, much like you, or else our foes may think us laughable. That is exactly why I made perfectly sure all armor and weapons were polished and sharpened, respectively."
Golding said nothing. It was true; he had also decided to dress himself in a way befitting of a warlord. He had even gone so far as to have raided Regner's wardrobe. The former leader had been carried off to his grave in his best armor, but he still had other pieces that Golding found fit him well.
"Ah, yes, I see you understand," Ballantyne smiled, "Now, do not worry about me. I will be perfectly able to keep up the pace with the rest of the horde. I may not be able to use a weapon of any sort, but that doesn't necessarily mean that I am deposed to a sloth-like state, not by any means."
"Yeah, I guess," Golding murmured, "Now, can we start marchin' now? I wanna leave before any Long Patrol spies see what's up."
"As do I," Ballantyne agreed, "Which is exactly the reason why Sir Deathblaze behind me here will be our scout. His tracking skills, like his battle prowess, are top-notch, as I'm sure you are aware."
Golding glanced over at the captain of the guard, but Deathblaze said nothing. "Yeah, I'll agree with that. Now, um, can we start marchin'?"
"You are in charge here; I merely give tactical advice. If you wish to march, then you can, with no qualms from me," Ballantyne said, adjusting his monocle slightly.
Then the march towards Salamandastron began.
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The marc towards Salamandastron progressed smoothly. The horde marched the entire day, with Golding leading, a long, flowing cape following him. Ballantyne, as he promised, did keep up, and Golding saw neither head nor tail of Deathblaze. They marched through forests, fields, and flatlands, up hills and down valleys. After a long, hard day of walking, the sun began to set, and Golding called for them to set up a camp for the night.
Golding sat by a fire, eating a fish that one of the soldiers had caught in a nearby stream. On the other side of the blaze was Ballantyne, delicately munching on an apple. The two said nothing to each other, and they both seemed to know that the other was plotting behind their back.
Hairmold walked up to the former scout commander and made his report. "Sir, we set up camp without no difficulty. I got the lizards in command of sentry duty. Valla an' Amora are out by that stream, fishin'. Nuttin's wrong, an' everythin's fine."
"Great," Golding replied, taking a hearty bite out of his fish. Golding loved fish; it was his favorite food. "Go an' get sumthin' to eat, ya look 'ungry."
"Aye, sir," Hairmold replied, saluting smartly. He then departed quickly. Golding resumed his meal.
"So, where's Deathblaze?" the weasel asked Ballantyne, his mouth filled with fish, "I don't like it when I don't know what he's doin'."
"As I said, he was guarding the rear of the horde, in case we were being watched. I expect him to make his report fairly soon," Ballantyne replied, making sure to swallow his bite of apple before speaking.
The two were silent again, with the only sounds being that of the other hordebeasts that were enjoying their meals as well and the crackling of the fire. Golding finished his fish, and cast the bones into the flames. Ballantyne did likewise with the core of his apple. Neither spoke another word.
Then Deathblaze returned, materializing out of the shadows right behind Ballantyne. Golding was taken aback by his sudden appearance, and slouched back. The stoat was wiping blood off of his large broadsword, adding to Golding's apprehension immensely. Deathblaze did not speak until all of the blood had been removed from his blade.
"There were eight hares," Deathblaze announced, trying to sound casual but failing, "I don't know if they saw us or not, but they were marching around. I slew them all." The large sword was shoved back into its equally large sheath with a loud, ear-piercing screech. Golding flinched. Ironically enough, Deathblaze was just as nervous as the former scout commander.
Ballantyne smiled, the light of the fire reflecting off of his monocle in all different directions. The ferret didn't even bother to turn around as he made his reply. "Quite excellent, Sir Deathblaze, if I do say so myself. Now, if you please, would you join us? I have conceived a brilliant plan to destroy the Long Patrol, and I wish you to be present to hear it."
Reluctantly, Deathblaze sat down. He desperately wanted to avoid social situations, even when there were only two other creatures there.
"So, ya got a plan, eh?" Golding said, looking nervously at Deathblaze, "Let me hear it."
"Yes, yes," Ballantyne responded, "It goes like this. Salamandastron is positioned on a large beach, no? Of course it is. At the end of this beach is a forest. The main force will wait just at the end of this forest. Then, two separate forces, one led by you and the other by me, will march to the left and right of the mountain. Deathblaze will head the main force. He will charge Salamandastron. Then, our dual forces will reinforce him, charging in from the two sides, effectively creating a pincher maneuver on the Long Patrol."
Golding listened to the plan intently. Yes… Let Deathblaze lead the charge on the Long Patrol. He would no doubt be killed. Then poor little Ballantyne will have nobeast to protect him when Golding conquered Salamandastron. Ballantyne didn't know just how much his plan fit into Golding's plans. And Golding didn't know that Ballantyne's plans weren't exactly the same as the ones the ferret had just told him.
"I like it," sneered the weasel, "Those dumb hares won't even know wot hit 'em. Heheheh!" Golding snickered his usual, annoying laugh.
Ballantyne smiled as well. Yes, those dumb hares won't know what hit them… and neither would Golding. The plan was going along just perfectly.