2

"Git up, you lot! Ye all want ter become strong, aye?" Blackfire's harsh voice rang out. "Stripheth! I need yore 'elp now. Yore to run t'rough these lazy bums an' git them into ranks!" It was time they started training. Stripheth did as he was told, and soon had all the sleepy vermin standing in ranks.

"'Ey! She ain't leader! Wot's she doin, orderin' us around?" A rat yelled from the far ranks. Ripples of agreement went through the ranks. Quick as a flash, Blackfire loosed a throwing dagger. It buried itself in the rat's chest. He fell over, dead. The ranks immediately went silent.

"Aye, I'm yer leader for a week. An' trus' me, tis gonna be th'ardest week ye ever 'ad!" was her reply to the dead rat. With a flick of her tail, she motioned Stripheth to her side. "An' this 'ere is me High Captain. Anybeast who disagrees?" She growled. The horde stayed silent. "Didn't think so. Now, rank captains, pair yore ranks up so everybeast 'as a partner. They'll work on dodging attacks. One will attack the other wit' a pole, cos we ain't gonna lose any in training. The other will dodge the attacks, or try to. Af'er an hour, make 'em switch roles. Yore doin' this the whole day, mates. Aye, until the sun sets!" The captains set about, pairing every one off.

The horde had started training. "I put yew in charge o' the 'orde now, Stripheth. I'm goin' on a likkle trip. When I comes back, this 'orde better be exhausted!" And she was off. Crow flew after her. Running swiftly, she set off in the direction of Redwall. She laughed as she thought about the task she had set the horde. That only made them sore and hate sticks. Shedding the cloak, she gave a cough. Crow landed, and let her board his back. "Stay low, we ain't goin' far." Blackfire said. Crow nodded, and took off. He expertly dodged trees as they flew low to the ground. Soon they arrived at Redwall.

Skipper was going upstairs when he heard banging on the gate. Sighing, he went to see who it was. "Open the gate!" He shouted up to the gate keeper. The old mouse nodded. The gates swung open, and Skipper looked out. Nothing. As he turned to go back in, something gripped his neck and pulled him into the shadows. Grabbing the front of his shirt was a female ferret. As his eyes adjusted, he saw her more clearly. She was… Skipper only stared in disbelief. "The rat an' stoat were right! I thought you were dead!" Skipper blurted out. Blackfire threw him onto the ground.

"Aye, they was." She growled. In her left hand was her dagger. Crow, standing behind her, saw the danger she was in. The whole of Redwall right there, and she was just going to kill Skipper. He acted quickly, knocking his beak over her head. Skipper only stared. Blackfire fell to the ground, unconscious. Skipper sighed.

"Thanks, mate." Skipper picked up Blackfire's limp form and proceeded to bring it inside. But she was already moving. Impossible! A beast is usually knocked out for half an hour, not half a minute, he thought. Skipper set her against a tree. A crowd started to gather, all the former Dibbuns now grown beasts.

Blackfire's eyes popped open. She was being pinned down by four pairs of heavy paws. They all gasped as they saw she had no pupils or whites. She started laughing, an evil, crazy laugh. "So, Skipper was stupid enuff ter bring me inside t'e Abbey!"

"Be quiet! Stop causing trouble!" A voice rang out. The Redwallers parted to let their Abbot through.

"So, Carth, still alive I see." Blackfire growled.

"Yes, I am. Now, why are you here?" The Abbot demanded.

"Ain't like yew ter demand, Carth." Blackfire pointed out.

"You will address me as-" Abbot Carth began. He was interrupted.

"I don't 'ave ter address ye wit' any title! I ain't a Redwaller no more!" She snarled. Carth only nodded. "Now, where's Skipper?" She growled.

"My, is that Blackfire? Lack a day, marm! You're a right beauty!" Rhye's voice came over the noise.

"Well, if it ain't lardbarrel!" Blackfire returned, amusement in her eyes at seeing Rhye again.

"Such foul language for one so pretty." Rhye said, shaking his head, a smile on his face. Blackfire started struggling to free herself.

It took two more hefty otters to hold her down. Her eyes burned hatred into Abbot Carth. He took a step back. Even six of the otter crew can barely keep her down, Abbot Carth thought. "By the way, we've taken your weapons." He said. At this, Blackfire laughed, causing much confusion.

"As long as me teeth are in me 'ead, and me claws are on me paw, I always 'ave a weapon!" She growled. Yet she made no move to use her teeth or claws. "Now let me go, I promise not ter 'urt anybeast!"

"I don't want to take chances." Abbot Carth said.

"Look, if t'was one thing I learned from this place, t'was t'keep tew me word!" At this, the Abbot made a sign to let her go. She rose, and dusted herself off. She spotted Crow, and ran to him. "Yew didn' 'urt 'im, did yer?" She said, concern showing in her voice.

"No, we didn't. He hasn't done a thing to us, so why us to him?" Abbot Carth said. He walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder. Blackfire ignored it.

"Take off, Crow. But roost nearby, cos I might need ya." She told her raven. He nodded, and did as bidden. She sat down on the grass, the sweet soft grass. If felt good after being on hard ground for awhile. She had a smug look on her face.

"What is it, Blackfire?" Rhye asked. "Tell us, I know that look. You have information." He prodded. "What do ya want, anythin' at all!" Blackfire put on her thoughtful face. Then her grin turned evil.

"I wan't ter battle wit' Skipper! Nay, I wish ter slay 'im!" She said. All the Redwallers gasped.

"I'm sorry, we cannot give a life for information." Abbot Carth said.
"Then how about an apology?" came a voice from the back. Skipper stepped up to Blackfire from the back of the crowd. "Blackfire, I'm sorry I said that about your father. I don't know what I was thinking." He said, his head bowed.

Blackfire seemed to have almost cried with joy. "Apology accepted, Skip. Now, I need ter tell ya that Stripheth an' 'is horde are camped aways from 'ere." She said, a smile playing on her lips. "An' right now, I'm the 'orde leader, aye." She said. She loved being a spy, even if most of the time she was a spy for herself. Nobeast ever caught her.

Back at camp, Blackfire resumed her position. All the vermin had been doing was hitting each other with sticks. It was rather funny to watch. "Alright! Enough!" Her voice rang. They all stopped gratefully. "Now, if'n yew don' feel this in the mornin', then train 'arder! Stripheth's gonna tell ya wot t'do fer the rest of the day." And she turned around and marched into her tent.

Heaving a heavy sigh, she collapsed on the bed. Listening to the faint sounds outside, Blackfire fell into a deep sleep. She was worn out by the days' events. Soon, she was staring into the white mist of dream. Out of the mist came Martin the Warrior, clad in all his armor, and wielding his mighty sword. He spoke a poem to Blackfire, one that the Redwallers needed to help her with.

Sing this as a song to them,

Let them try to see

That their true leader

Is naught you but me.

Spell it not with an e,

Rather with an I.

The beginning of right,

Now you shall see

The name I spelled

Just for thee.

Then Martin disappeared, and she woke up to find that it was midnight. The rest of the camp had gone to bed, yet she could not sleep anymore. She had to tell the Redwallers somehow, but if she disappeared again, it would seem strange to the horde. Wait, of course! Why hadn't she thought of that before? Stepping outside, she called to Crow. "Psst, Crow!" He came hopping over. "Tell them Redwallers that Martin came ter me, an' tell 'em ter shave one o' their squirrels' tails ter look like a rat!" Crow nodded, and took off for Redwall.

Crow flew fast, even though the Abbey was not far away. Though it was the middle of the night, he gave a soft caw. The cook came running out, as he could not sleep. Breathless, he saw Crow standing there. He knew there must be a reason he was here without Blackfire. "What is it, Crow?" Bob asked.

"Blackfire has sent me to tell the Abbot that Martin has come to her with a riddle. Though she doesn't remember it." He added.

Bob's face fell. "Oh, well, in the morning I'll tell Father Abbot that." He yawned. "Keep us posted, Crow. You're the only way of communicating with us without Blackfire leaving all the time."

"And she said for one o' the squirrels to shave its tail, said it would look like a rat." Bob nodded, and headed back in. Crow took off, heading back to the vermin camp.

Blackfire had fallen asleep when Crow got back. She woke up when she heard Crow's wings beating. Sleepily, she went outside into the gathering morn. "They say yis." He reported. Blackfire nodded.

"Tell Stripheth that 'e's gonna lead terday, cos I'm tired." Crow nodded, and as Blackfire went back in to sleep, he hopped over to Stripheth's tent. "Wake up, dozeychops! Blackfire says you're in command today; she was up late last night."

Stripheth nodded. "Alright, Crow. Come on, crew, up on yore hunkers! Blackfire's takin' a day off, an' so Imma lead yer agin!" The crew moaned at this news.

"We're not gonna whack each other wit' sticks no more, are we?" One rat asked, rubbing his eyes. Stripheth cuffed his ears soundly.

"Course we ain't! We're gonna go foragin', ter teach ye the importance of seein' things sharpish!" He replied. "Anybeast else got a stupid question?" None of the other horde members raised their hands. "Good. Come on, we gotta git goin'. Blackfire won' be 'appy that we left, but we're gonna be back by then. Unless any of youse 'r' stupid enuff ter lag behind?" They all formed into their ranks, ready to march on the signal. "Right then, off we go!" And Stripheth led the crew into the Mossflower woods.

Crow decided to tag along in the air, incase there were any stragglers.

Father Abbot Carth was strolling around the orchard when Friar Bob found him. "Father," he panted, "I have word from Blackfire. Crow came by last night, and said that Martin the Warrior came to her in a dream, spoke a poem, and disappeared."

Abbot Carth nodded. "Thank you. Did she tell us what to do so we can get the message?" Bob nodded his head.

"She said to shave one of the squirrel's tails, said it would look like a rat then." Abbot Carth nodded again.

"Well, lets get to work then. I have an idea of who it will be." Abbot Carth said, a twinkle in his eye.

Rain complained loudly. "Father Abbot, please don't make me do this! This isn't fair!" She whined.

"Nonsense, Rain, you said yourself you wanted to go on an adventure! Now's your chance to go." Abbot Carth reminded her. Shaving the rest of her tail, he stood back. "You look like a rat, Rain, that's what we wanted. Now, young maid, you must put the sea rat clothes on."

"And Spikedsoul was never heard from again." The old badger put down a book. He was tired, for it was late at night. Two badgers and five hare babes all moaned in protest. The badgers were actually young adults, but they loved stories. "Sorry, little 'uns, that's the end of it. Now go to bed." Grumbling, the babes went to bed. They all failed to notice a cloaked figure in the shadows.

"T'was a wonderful job thou did." A female voice came from the cloak. The maid stepped into the firelight. All that could be seen from the cloak was a white snout and the tip of a white tail.

"Miss, what happens when they discover ye?" The old badger asked, curious to know.

"Thou must telleth them I resemble him a lot." The figure said. "Thou lookest tired. Go to thine bed, t'is late." She added.

"Very well." The badger said, getting off his chair. The figure went without another word to her room. The old badger wondered why she chose Salamandastron to stay at. His head hurting, he finally went to bed.

The cloaked figure peered out her door. She stepped into the firelight and felt something tap her. She looked to see who it was and found the female badger.

"Who are you?" The maid asked the figure.

"My name beith Finn. And thou's?" Finn responded, smiling.

"My name is Mir." The badger responded. "Why do you hide your face?"

"I looketh too much like that Spikedsoul in thy story." Finn responded. "But thou wishes to seeith my face, t'is in thou's eyes." Finn added. Taking a paw, she lowered her hood.

Her hood came down to reveal a beautiful otter face. Mir knew Finn was an otter by her whiskers. Finn had piercing blue eyes that had no pupils, a black scar over her left eye, and holes in her ears. They were most likely for earrings.

"If my face is seeneth by yon vermin, they will wanteth me dead." Finn said.

"Well, Finn, the reason I came here was because my brother made freaky noises. It scared me." Mir confessed.

"Thou cane sleepeth in my bed." Finn replied, smiling at Mir's confession. The badger followed Finn into her room and climbed into her bed.

"Are you going to sleep?" Mir asked. She was surprised when the otter shook her head.

"I'll keepeth watch."

Mir nodded, and put her head on the pillow. Feeling safe, she soon fell into a dream land.

Lith Strye was in a foul mood. He had lost his quarry. She was slippery like a greased eel. He and his crew were sitting deep in the Mossflower wood. Fires were burning, low smoldering mounds. Pots and pans were being used to cook birds and fish. A river was nearby, supplying fresh water.

The pine martin leader paced around his tent. His scouts, two stoats, shifted nervously from paw to paw. When their leader was in this mood, he was murderous. They hoped neither of them would be next.

"Sorry, Sire. We wos followin' wot there wos t'follow, then they just stopped!" One of them said. He avoided his leader's hot stare.

"Aye, Sire, t'was nuthin' left!" The other one agreed.

"Get me the seer." Lith growled. The two stoats got out of there as fast as they could. Soon, an old ferret entered the tent. She was adorned with many bracelets and necklaces. She wore a shirt big in the sleeves. Her pants were the same way.

"You calleth, Sire?" She said, already getting a clamshell from inside her shirt. The seer opened the shell, and took a pawful of stones. Throwing them on the ground, she looked at them.

"So?" Lith asked eagerly. The seer held her paw up.

"Most beith blank, but here we haveth a triangle, water, sand, and fire. I must thinketh this out, Sire. In a few days' time, I will returneth to thou with thine answer." The seer responded.

With that, she gathered the stones into the clamshell and left the tent. Lith Strye was happy. His seer always figured things out, and she was always right about her predictions.

Stripheth heard a scout shout. He ran forwards, finding a fox scout.

"What is it?" He asked the scout.

"Sire," the fox said, "this tree bears a fruit. T'is round, an' I c'n fit a pawful o' them in me mouth. But it ain't wise, cos they 'ave pits." He finished. Stripheth nodded and took one of the little round fruits. He popped in into his mouth and spat a seed out.

"Wot you found is a cherry tree. Ain't that weird, I thought on'y them Redwallers 'ad cherry trees." Stripheth said, thinking out loud.

Looking around, he saw his crew all foraging. They weren't doing a bad job. Taking some bags they had brought with them, he climbed the tree and picked every ripe cherry he saw. By the time noon rolled around, he had filled two bags.

"Everybeast back ter the camp!" He yelled.

When they arrived back at camp, Blackfire was just getting up.
"Git me lunch ready!" She called out. Crow tapped on her tent flap, and waited. The big raven had something to tell her. When Blackfire stepped outside, he whispered something in her ear.

Blackfire nodded, and looked around the camp. She saw what she had been told was true. "Ne'er mind me own lunch, make a feast fer the 'orde!" She called. The cooks immediately started busying themselves.

Heave, Ho!

And unfurl the sails!

Don't let go, mates,

Use yer tail!

Let them catch,

But keep them tight,

Hold them strong

All through the night!

Don't let go, mates,

Don't let go!

The cannonballs

Are sure to blow!

Dodge them all,

Get out of range,

Don't let them board

Leave marks of strange

Heave, ho!

And unfurl the sails!

Don't let go, mates,

Use yer tails!

The lively sailing song rang out over the ocean. A crew of heft sea otters moved about the ship, singing as lustily as they could.

"Scruff, report!" One of them called. He was wearing baggy pants, a tight fitting shirt, a jacket adorned with medals, two earrings in his right ear and many bracelets. He must have been the captain.

The one called Scruff looked over the rim of the crow's nest.

"Land ho, Cap'n Rife!" Scruff called down.

"Everybeast git t'e ship ready fer land!" Rife called out. The crew did as told, excited chatter rippling through them. They hadn't seen land for a season.

Scruff again looked at the land. He looked at the chart in his paw.

"Cap'n, we came in as planned! Salamandastron ahead!" He called out. At this, the crew started talking about a feast.

Inside the mountain, there was a lot if activity going on. They had seen the ship, and the familiar flag flying above it. Finn was in charge of all the young ones, even the badger, even though she was only a few seasons older than them. Only Mir loved Finn's white fur. The others thought it was funny.

Finn tackled Emiro, the male badger, for the thousandth time. They were having fun, even though Emiro was making fun of her fur. The leverets were copying her, tackling each other. Finally, Finn sat down, breathing hard.

"Come, all, I shalt tell thy all a story about my sister." They all gathered around, as they all loved stories. Finn began describing what she though had become of her sister's life. Her sister, however, had no idea she even had a sister.