Two as One: Chapter 21

By the time PeriNickel, Ebonia and Crim had made it back to Brockhall, all three were panting heavily. The dark squirrel leapt down from the trees and held her chest while Crim collapsed in the branches, a paw running over his face to wipe away the droplets of sweat. PeriNickel leaned against the trunk and looked over at his two companions as he rasped out softly.

"Come….on mates…gotta see if…Weave's jolly….well, alright…wot phew."

The hare pushed himself up to his paws and reached out towards the entrance of Brockhall. Suddenly, the door slammed open and Fleetfoot thundered out, blood still coursing down his body. The younger hare's ears fell as he watched his general disappear within the shadows, a feeling of dread grasping his heart. Crim and Ebonia remained completely silent. Just by the hare's reaction…they could guess Weave's condition.

Quietly, PeriNickel turned and stepped down the stairs, the two squirrels followed closely behind. The room was lit by many torches, their newly acquired warriors sitting around the table and having their wounds tended. Off to the right, a curtain had been drawn over a separate room. Crim stepped up to the young long patrol hare's side as he watched SkyBreeze walk out of the side room, her paws held to her face.

Sprypaw got up from one of the chairs and gently wrapped his arms around her. PeriNickel felt his heart break and he slowly walked towards the curtain. Candlelight flickered against the red cloth, casting shadows along the ground. Lifting a trembling paw, he pushed it aside and looked into the room.

Weave lay quietly upon a bundle of cloaks and blankets that the other beasts had donated. Her head was facing away from them. From what PeriNickel could see, she looked to be in a peaceful sleep. Ballard stood over her, his head lowered and his ears drooped to the side. Slowly, he took a white blanket and draped it over the hare's body, tears falling unchecked from his face.

"At least she bally well died valiantly," he whispered.

PeriNickel stood stunned, his legs feeling weak beneath him. Slowly, he turned and stepped out of the room, just walking past the others with a vacant expression on his face. This couldn't be happening. It was just supposed to be a simple mission and now…now.

Crim and Ebonia watched him then glanced at one another quietly. The ebony squirrel closed her eyes and moved into the room. As she looked in the corner, she noticed Valena sitting with her head in her paws. The younger maiden walked to her side and sat down next to her aunt, one paw draping around her shoulders.

"I shouldn't have gotten them involved in this…they didn't deserve it."

Ebonia frowned and looked up at Ballard. The larger hare was trying hard to keep his feelings under control but from the glistening tears in his eyes, she could tell he was losing himself. The squirrel closed her eyes and felt a burning rage in her. She hadn't known Weave that long but she had grown to like the hare. The thing that truly hurt her was the fact that it had once again been Wraith who had dealt the killing blow. He had betrayed her and helped cause Bemal's death, and now Weave was gone.

Patting her aunt's shoulder once more she moved past the slain hare and out into the main section of Brockhall. Every beast was silent, each one going about their own way of mourning the loss of a Long Patrol hare. Ebonia slowly sat down against the wall and placed a paw to her face. The night would pass…no beast speaking…and no creature rejoicing in the return of the Abbey warriors.

The sun rose slowly over Mossflower woods, the birds silent and the trees seeming vacant of all life. Down in Brockhall, Ebonia, Crim, Valena and Kenyo sat together at the table. All the others were still resting in different rooms or still mourning the loss of their friend. The mouse warrior folded his arms across his chest and glanced at the other three creatures with quiet eyes. Neither of them had spoken since they sat down. However, as the silence began to weigh heavily upon their shoulders, Crim finally spoke up.

"We're all dealing with a horrible loss this morning…but we can't let that stop us from making plans to free the abbey. The longer we wait…the more creatures we are going to lose."

Kenyo nodded his head and took a sip of the cool water that had been provided for him.

"A agree with you Crim…but as it is, moral is going to be low and we can't really do much except heal and search out other creatures to join us. At the moment, I think we are going to have to be passive."

"But you know that the vermin aren't going to rest until they find us."

Ebonia interjected. Kenyo turned his head and stared at her, still disbelieving that he was actually trying to make plans with her on how to save the abbey. It seemed funny that the very creature that had caused this mess was trying to fix it. With a deep sigh, the warrior closed his paws over the cup.

"I know Ebonia…but we can't risk exposure. If they find us, Weave won't be the only one that we're putting to rest."

"I suggest ya not mention her like that…sah."

All four creatures looked up as Fleetfoot stepped out of the shadows. The hare looked worse then death. His fur was matted from the blood and his eyes were bloodshot from staying up all night, trying to keep his mind from snapping in rage. He took a chair and sat down across from them, his stern eyes gazing from one beast to the next. Valena stared at him then lowered her eyes as she spoke in a softer voice.

"We all need to stay here for now and try to let things die down. We can make plans then on what we will do next."

Ebonia shook her head.

"We can't make plans until we know what they are up to though. I wouldn't be worrying about this except Stelumos did something that I hadn't expected last night. Normally he would have sent his trackers and vermin out to capture any beast that still remained in the Abbey's proximity. Instead, he just let us go…he has something planned."

Kenyo sighed and ran a paw across his brow wearily. This was a very trying affair to deal with.

"I'd have to agree with you Ebonia…but as I said, there isn't much we can do."

The squirrel maiden curled her tail around the leg of her chair, a thought playing at the back of her mind. Crim wouldn't like it and nor would her aunt for that matter but it might be the only way that they could figure out why Stelumos was changing his plans. She caught Fleetfoot staring at her and grimaced inwardly. What if the hare wanted to go in her place? After all…he had just lost some beast close to him at the paws of a vermin. Still, she had to make the argument other wise they were sitting targets.

"Actually, there is something we can do."

Crim glanced at his sister and felt that impending doom grip his heart again. He hated it when she interceded during a meeting…it only meant more danger for her or for some other beast. Valena didn't seem all that confident either. Nether the less, she nodded for her niece to speak.

"We need to find out what's going on correct? Well…why don't I just pull a ruse like I did last time? I can sneak over the walls and see if I can hear what they're planning. The vermin are probably going to be too scared guarding the walls so it should make my job easier."

Crim immediately shook his head.

"No, Ebonia, if you go, they might capture you and then where would we be?"

The squirrel maiden grew quiet for a moment then stared at her brother.

"In the same position we are now. I may be captured…but I can work on the inside as well. I'll keep a dagger hidden on me where they won't think to check. If I'm taken, I can get myself free again and maybe a few other beasts."

"Yer bally insane you know that right?"

Though it probably wasn't the best thing to do, Ebonia gave Fleetfoot a small smile and nodded her head.

"I've always been insane…maybe that's why I'm still alive."

"Ya do know that if you jolly well do this, that we won't be able to send any dashed beast out to help if you're captured aye?"

Ebonia nodded her head.

"I'm fully aware of that…but I'm willing to do it if it means figuring out what is going to happen and if we're in any immediate danger. I know how Stelumos' mind works. He's going to try to retaliate but in what way? That's what we need to know…once we do, we can plan our defense as well as our counter attack."

Crim sighed doubtfully. This was all a big mess to him and, though he had already led these beasts into battle, he didn't feel ready to do so again. The squirrel glanced down to the ground and placed a paw upon Martin's sword, his ears pricked back as if he was in a deep concentration. Inwardly, he knew that Ebonia was right and the sooner they knew what was happening, the sooner they could get more help and defend themselves as well as the abbey. He glanced over at his aunt, her distraught face hanging heavily on his shoulders. If something happened to his sister…well, he didn't even want to think about it.

Before long, he felt Ebonia's eyes on him, burrowing into his very soul. The sun squirrel looked up and glanced at the ebony maiden as she spoke softly.

"Listen, I know you and aunt Valena are going to worry about me, but I'll be safe…I promise. But…I'll only go if you let me Crim."

The squirrel gave a start.

"What's that suppose to mean? You'll go no matter what I say."

Strangely enough, Ebonia released a soft chuckle and patted her brother's shoulder gently.

"That's not the truth. You're the leader aren't you? What you say goes so…will you allow me to do this? You know what I'm suggesting is dangerous but I'm ready to face it, despite the consequences."

Crim rolled his eyes towards the heavens and almost cursed his luck. Why did he have to become leader? He just wasn't cut out for it. His paw tightened around Martin's sword and he suddenly felt something like a pulse pass through his paw. Blinking in surprise, the squirrel suddenly glanced up at Ebonia and spoke as if the words were coming from the sword and not his own throat.

"Alright…I trust you to know what you're doing but I want you to take Webwinger with you. He can watch from above while you're out there and if something happens, he can come back and tell us. But promise me you won't do anything irrational."

Ebonia snorted gently.

"Come now Crim, I never do anything irrational."

Kenyo leaned against his paw and lifted an eyebrow imploringly.

"So says the maiden who almost took on half of the vermin when she decided what side she wanted to fight on."

Ebonia flinched at his comment, but it was Crim's response she was more concerned with. The sun squirrel gave a small nod of his head and reached out his paw to lie upon hers.

"Fine…just be careful alright? I take it you'll leave at dusk?"

"Yes, it'll be the best time to try and sneak up on them. I doubt Stelumos will expect another spy at his door tonight."

Crim nodded his head and went to say something, but Fleetfoot intervened before he had the chance.

"Aye, but you bally well didn't know that he'd call off his dashed troops either, wot. For all we know, he could have a vermin waiting to capture you."

Ebonia sighed and drummed her claws on the table. She knew he was right but, she had done it before and she was confident that she could do it again. Besides, all she had to do was slip in and out, nothing more. Slowly, the squirrel rose to her paws and looked at the hare.

"I'm aware of that…but I know I can do this. Now, I'm going to speak with Webwinger about this. If you need me, just call."

With that, she turned away from the table and headed out the door. Crim watched her go for a long moment, his mind in turmoil over what might happen to her. He never knew being a leader was so hard. By the fur, he was still a young squirrel and now he was expected to lead a brigade into battle, or something of the sort. Crim ran a paw over his head then looked down at the sword of Martin. Like a steak of lightning, a thought occurred to him.

"Kenyo…shouldn't you be wearing this blade? Technically, you are the Abbey Warrior."

Before the mouse could respond, Crim set the sword on top of the table, his paws clutching the hilt. For a moment, he felt sadness swell within him to think that he was going to be parted from the magnificent blade. True, he wasn't that much of a fighter, but he had felt such courage and such respect with it that he almost didn't want to revert back to the same old Crim. It just wouldn't feel right.

He could see the reflection of Kenyo's eyes in the keen blade, not quite realizing that the mouse was studying him. It came as a surprise when the warrior reached out and placed a paw gently on his own. When Crim looked up, he found his eyes locking with Kenyo's.

"Crim…I think that you should continue wielding it. You've done great with it so far and, well, I'm coming on in my years. I'll be there to help you but I think you deserve this more than I do right now."

Stunned, Crim looked down at the blade and closed his paw around it again. He couldn't even express the joy he was feeling. In all his years, he had never thought that he would be a warrior. Everyone, except for the abbot and Kenyo himself had put him down and thought he was merely a screw up. Now…now he could prove himself.

Kenyo smiled a little and patted the young squirrel before leaning forward.

"Now…I think it's time we decide what we're going to do."

Crim looked up, a newfound determination in his eyes. With a pure clang, he sheathed the great sword of Martin and started speaking.

Twilight settled over Mossflower, the darkening clouds lengthening over the land. A strong breeze from the west signaled the beginning of snow, much to Ebonia's displeasure. Snow might help cloak her in the darkness, or it might betray her, depending on the vermin. She sat in the trees over looking Brockhall, tail a twitch and ears flicking back and forth. Though she couldn't quite say why, she felt exceedingly worried about traveling to the Abbey again. The fact that Stelumos had not sent beasts out to find them frightened her. That just wasn't like him.

The squirrel glanced at her paws, both covered with black gloves to make her even darker. Hopefully this would work, otherwise they were going to have yet another beast captive. She wasn't about to let that happen, but she still had to look at every possibility, just in case it did.

A screech from overhead signaled Webwinger's arrival. She waved at the bat and ducked down into the trees. By the time she reached the Abbey, it would be dark enough to hide her…so long as the snow didn't start. Minutes passed, the sky turning darker and darker as Ebonia waited. It wasn't until a half hour later that she started off through the trees, Webwinger taking flight overhead. The squirrel maiden's movements were as smooth as liquid steel, her eyes staring forward and resolute. She knew what she had to do and nothing was going to dissuade her from her task.

Over, under, side and forward she went, claws digging into the bark to help her keep her balance. Part of her wanted to run back to Brockhall and send another out in her place but most of her urged her on, knowing that this was probably the only way they were going to find information. It was the only way they could hope to save the Abbey. Their numbers were miniscule as it was. They needed all the help they could get, be it through numbers or information; or even both.

Just as the first snowflakes began to fall, Ebonia landed in the tree closest to the Abbey, her eyes scanning the ramparts for sign of the vermin. Much to her surprise, there were very few on top. The squirrel's nerves broke once more and she took a step back, wondering if perhaps it was best to return and try again later. Still…Stelumos wouldn't expect them to make such a rash move so soon, right?

Biting back a sigh of agitation, Ebonia crept through the tree, traveling as high as she could. She knew Webwinger was somewhere close by, hidden by the shadows of the trees or by the darkness of the sky; she didn't know. Vermin chatted softly up above, some motioning out to the woods as if they feared that one of the woodlanders was going to come out and make his revenge. Ebonia snorted. It seemed that all vermin were superstitious. Maybe that would work in their favor in the end.

Filing the thought away, she crouched down, waiting until a ferret walked by, before flinging herself on top of the ramparts. With the agility only a squirrel possessed, she rolled over the ledge and held onto the walkway, waiting until a vermin passed before dropping on the stairs and swinging to the ground. She crouched in the shadows, watching as Tolifen swaggered by. Ebonia lifted an eyebrow. She was a bit surprised to see the stoat in one piece after failing Stelumos.

No matter.

Once the vermin had passed, Ebonia crept forward towards the Abbey itself, glancing left and right so that she wouldn't accidentally walk into some ambush. Surprisingly enough, it was easy to get to the door and slip in. That, however, made Ebonia all the more nervous. She knew she had to be careful…just in case. The squirrel pulled her cloak tighter and snuck along the wall, keeping away from the light and anything that might betray her position.

It wasn't long before she heard voices echoing down the hall, drawing her closer. One, she knew was Stelumos's but the other was foreign. The maiden frowned and crouched down far enough where they couldn't see her, but close enough where she could hear them.

"Well, wot does yer Commander think o' me proposition?" Stelumos growled bad temperedly. Ebonia glanced over towards him then found that he was talking to a rather small falcon. The bird clacked his beak and lifted a regal head towards the mink.

"Ach, she bae sayin' that iffn' yuh want tae sell the slaves tae her, she'll dae business witcha." A sick smile tugged on Stelumos's face as he quietly stepped back and forth, a paw on his chin. Ebonia growled under her breath and moved a little closer. He was going to sell the Abbey beasts already?! That didn't leave them much time. She ducked lower as Stelumos passed by her hiding place, his paws rubbing eagerly together.

"Good, good. Wot kinda beasties do she need?" The falcon stretched a wing and motioned outside.

"Mostly strong ones, aye, an' a few o' them dibbuns tae use as an example tae the Salamandastron beasts." Ebonia threw her paw to her lips as Stelumos laughed dementedly.

"We got plenty o' them. Now, wot will she gave me in return?" The bird sighed and started preening his feathers, trying to remember everything Falamia had said. He eyed Stelumos, smirking silently as the mink started pacing again, waiting expectantly. He was certainly greedy, that much the falcon could see. Once he was certain every feather was in place…and he had thoroughly annoyed Stelumos, he spoke.

"She said that she'd give yuh a few strong beasts tae help yuh forces. She also said she kin contact a slave trader tae take away some more o' yuh slaves and trade yuh better 'uns." Stelumos growled in delight and waved a paw at the bird.

"Aye, aye tell her I accept then. Ohh, I'll be one step closer ta destroyin' that little resistance out in the woodlands. Go on then, go back and tell 'er…I got work ta do."

Ebonia didn't wait to see how the falcon would respond. She already felt sick to her heart. He was going to divide the Abbey beasts and then bring in more soldiers to destroy what was left of their force? By the fur, she wasn't about to let that happen! She had gotten the Abbey beasts into this mess to begin and she'd be damned if she let them be separated because of Stelumos's cruel plans.

Without another thought, Ebonia backed up in the shadows, glancing left and right to make certain that the vermin weren't watching her hiding spot. She watched Stelumos from the corner of her eye, before springing towards the door. She had to get out; she had to tell them what was happening. Her paws fumbled a moment with the door, but it wasn't long before she shot off into the shadows, her cloak fluttering faintly behind her.

Vermin moved along the walls and around the Abbey, their weapons held up and their eyes glancing around, searching for any intruder. Ebonia bared her teeth at them silently. She'd make every last one of them pay for what they were doing and for what they were going to do. The Abbey beasts would not be separated. Even if she had to give her own life to see that it didn't happen, she would.

The squirrel maiden pulled her cloak tighter and headed for the stairs, though her mind was lingering on Stelumos's words. If the forces attacking Salamandastron joined with Redwall's own…it would only be a matter of time before both strong holds fell. They couldn't risk that. More and more vermin could overrun both places, and then what? Redwall was supposed to be the haven where innocent woodlanders could find safety, while Salamandastron was the force that was supposed to protect them all.

Ebonia felt her breath catch in her throat. If both of them fell, then what was going to happen to Mount Bat Pit? Before long, they would fall and the vermin would start ruling north, south and western lands. How long before Southsward fell? What about the other strong kingdoms that were ruled by good beasts? If the vermin gained the advantage…

The squirrel shook her head. No. It wouldn't happen. All she had to do was warn Crim and then they could decide what to do.

Ebonia looked up the steps and quickly scaled them, her dark form hiding her from the vermin. She looked away from the top of the ramparts and over towards where the wall was, contemplating what was the fastest route to get to Brockhall. So absorbed was she in her escape that she didn't notice the beast standing in front of her until it was too late. Ebonia looked up and found a pair of eyes staring at her malevolently, an evil smile drawn up on its face.

"ello wench."

That was the last thing Ebonia heard before all darkness set in.

Webwinger sighed as he flew around the vermin horde, his wings pumping as he rose higher and higher. Ebonia was certainly taking her own sweet time. She said she'd only be in there for a half hour but well over an hour, at least, had passed. Surely she would have found something out by now and at least let him know that she was safe. He knew Crim was going to be worried sick about his sister, and CloudDancer about he himself. Bloody hell, nothing was ever easy.

The bat swooped down towards the trees again and landed on a branch, just barely missing being spotted by a rat as he trotted along the ramparts. His gluttonous gut swaggered back and forth as he walked, his spear butt clanking on the rocks. Webwinger rolled his eyes. With all the commotion, he didn't even need to use his echolocation. Foolish beasts. Shaking his head, the bat was about to swoop into the air again when he heard shouts from down within the walls.

His face turned completely white in dread, his wings held out slightly and his body ridged. No…they couldn't have caught her, right? It wasn't possible! Shaking his fear away, the bat took off into the sky, swooping over the walls to look down. The first thing he noticed was the red liquid decorating the top of the steps. His heart started pounding in his chest and he flew to the spires of the Abbey, landing on one so that he had the best vantage point.

Within the murky darkness, he caught sight of a fox picking up a limp bundle that was sprawled across the ground. The moonlight flickered across the beast for a single moment, along with the blood that was strewn along the ground. The beast drew the other one's head back by the scruff of its neck, blood streaming from the side of its head.

Webwinger's heart jumped into his throat as he saw whom the vermin was holding.

Ebonia!

With fear clenching at his heart, Webwinger threw himself off the top of the Abbey and headed back towards Brockhall. He had to warn them…there were just far too many for him to fight off and free the squirrel…if she was even alive. From the amount of blood that he saw along the stairs and ground, he highly doubted it. The bat groaned inwardly and released a soft screech, ducking down into the trees once he found where they were.

By the fur and feathers, this couldn't be happening. Ebonia was the last one he wanted to lose, despite the fact that he didn't know the female well. However, she gave her brother so much hope and reassurance that he knew that this was going to shatter moral, especially if she was gone. Webwinger couldn't help but shiver at the thought. They were losing too many too quickly. Before they'd know it, they'd lose half of their forces to the vermin, and then where would they be? They had to do something!

Crim leaned against Brockhall's trunk, his eyes scanning the sky for any sign of Webwinger. They should have been back by now! What was taking them so long?! The squirrel swished his tail back and forth, his paw running over the pummel of Martin's sword. If anything happened to her, he didn't know what he would do. They had finally found one another, finally figured out that they had a family…if he lost her; well, he didn't want to think about it.

The squirrel looked at the purely white snow as it fell from the heavily laden clouds. Yes, she should have been back, especially before the storm started. She'd be spotted too easily an-

Crim suddenly gasped out as he felt a sudden pain arch through his heart, ripping his breath from his lungs and causing him to drop onto his tail. His eyes flashed for a moment and he looked off into the shadows, feeling as if he had just been stabbed through the chest with a poisoned blade. What in the world? That had never happened to him before… The squirrel touched his chest for a moment then blinked as he felt an empty feeling inside of him, as if part of his soul had been ripped away from his body.

In that trivial moment, he knew something was wrong with his sister. They were twins, despite the fact they didn't look alike. It had always been said that twins had a special connection to one another, if that was true…

With a curse, Crim scrambled to his paws and was about to head off into the woods when he caught sight of Webwinger flying above. The bat careened downward, blown off course by a strong gust of wind. He swung out his wings and caught himself an instant before running right into the red squirrel. Both collapsed back in the snow, Webwinger struggling to seek purchase and Crim, trying to keep from getting clawed in the face by the bat's strong talons. Shoving a long wing out of his face, he shouted at the bat, eyes wide in fear.

"Winger! Winger stop! What's going on?!"

The bat finally managed to disentangle himself and crawl to his paws, a screech leaving his throat and bouncing off of Crim. Realizing who it was, he went down to his wings and paws, ears flicked back.

"It's Ebonia…Bonia. The vermin…there was nothing I could do…could do. I-"

Crim panted, dreading the very words that were trying to force themselves through the bat's lips. Grabbing the Night Flyer, he shook Webwinger and then pulled him close, eyes wild.

"Winger! Where's Ebonia?!"

Wings going limp, the bat looked up and let his mouth quiver before speaking a single word.

"Gone…"

Deep in the shadows of Mossflower, another creature was listening to what the bat had to say. However, he wasn't dreading the words leaving the flyer's lips, no, he was savoring them. A cruel, demented smile touched Wraith's lips as he watched the bat and squirrel stare at one another, both seeming shocked and filled with dread and horror. How he loved it…Not only had he found Brockhall, but he had discovered where the pesky bats where staying.

Sniggering to himself, the ferret turned and headed back towards the Abbey, his paws rubbing eagerly together. He'd get a bit promotion for this.

One squirrel down…and now the rest were going to join her.