Two as One chapter 24:
Swoop…swoop…swoop
Powerful wings pumped the air, lifting a creature high and higher above the trees. Crim looked up through the branches and backed up, his paws flying to his waist for his sword. His wide eyes watched as the beast went into a dive and headed straight towards him, the beak wide own and waiting to take in the delectable squirrel. Crim cried out and tried to drag Martin's sword out of the scabbard, but it wouldn't budge. Instead, the metal sparked and the bird screeched, flying upward.
The young squirrel panted like mad then looked up and saw a mist form right in front of him. Slowly, a mouse stepped through it, his body naught but a vague shadow in the forest. Crim immediately fell to one knee and bowed his head.
"Martin…I need your help. I…feel like I'm losing myself and losing control of the situation. We've lost so many already an-"
"Seek your answers not in me
I can't help set the Abbey free."
Crim's mouth fell open and he rose to his paws quickly, his fur blazing in the sunlight. He couldn't believe what he was hearing! Martin! The great warrior couldn't help?!
"Martin! How can you abandon the Abbey?! We're all lost…we can-"
But the mouse merely held up a paw, cutting Crim off. Slowly, the warrior looked up towards the sky and whistled. Through the branches, a large hawk flew to the ground and landed with a soft thump of his talons. Martin folded his paws behind him as both he and the great winged beast looked down at Crim.
"My reign was ended long ago
Now it is you that must know
Follow what you feel is right
To win this everlasting fight
Greet the warrior in days of old
Be ye firm…and yet not bold
Seek his guidance and his might
If you wish to stop Redwall's plight."
Crim's eyes widened as the mouse started fading away into the shadows once more. With a start, the squirrel sprang forward, only to be cut off as the hawk spread his wings in front of the squirrel, his eyes blazing.
"Crim…" it whispered. "Crim…"
"Crim!"
Crim jumped with a start as Ballard shook his shoulder gently, pulling him out of his sleep. The squirrel was sitting in a chair next to Brockhall's table, his head lowered in his paws and his back arched. It took him a few moments to realize where he was. Slowly, Crim rubbed his eyes and leaned back, a deep sigh leaving his throat.
After the battle, it had taken quite some time to get Crim to come inside. He had been so horrified over how he had acted that he was almost afraid to be around the others. Still, his worry for Malya and his sister had overruled his fear and he forced himself to come inside. After all, he was still the leader.
Ebonia had refused medical treatment and instead stood and told them what she had heard while blood flowed off of her terribly wounded body. By the time that she had finished, she had passed out and was carried back towards where the other wounded beasts were being tended.
The news that Stelumos was going to sell the Abbey beasts in three days had shot morale into the dirt. Not only that, but the fact that they were close to losing some of their close friends had just shattered their last hope. The hares were out of ideas and even the warriors of the Abbey didn't know what to do. Skipper had returned with several otters, but Mirage and Fleetfoot had yet to come back. Lucky for them, Ballard had returned early…only to have to tend to the wounded. They could only hope that they might have some help…or so they prayed.
Crim was at the breaking point and it was evident in the way his face was etched in constant misery. He looked up at Ballard and slowly stood, dry blood cracking on his tunic.
"Malya?"
Ballard smiled softly and motioned to one of the rooms.
"She's going to be just fine, lad. She's bally well exhausted, but, she'll be alright in time. She and Ebonia are both bally well awake now if you'd like to see them, wot."
Crim nodded and patted the hare's shoulder before stepping towards the room. His movements were stiff and somewhat jerky, and his eyes had a far away look to them. He just couldn't get over the fact that he had felt like such a monster during the fight. A warrior wasn't supposed to be like that, especially the one carrying Martin's sword.
The squirrel curled his tail around his leg and pushed the curtain aside as he stepped into the room. A small smile tugged on his lips as Malya looked up at him, her eyes glistening softly. Beside her, Ebonia was sitting up in bed, tying back her headfur. Crim knew that his sister hurt a lot, but she wasn't going to stay down, not until this was over.
Crim crouched down at Malya's side and touched her shoulder.
"How are you feeling?"
The otter gave a shrug and patted his paw gently, careful not to jostle the wound in her chest.
"Wish I could say right as rain mate…but I feel more like I've been tossed about on the high seas." Crim smiled as she chuckled jokingly then gave his paw a squeeze. "I'll be alright, Crim. Doncha worry yer head about it. Hm…wish we could have protected this place better. Webwinger was able to warn us at the last minute at least."
Crim shook his head and ran a paw tenderly over his friend's own, then through her headfur tenderly. It pained him to see her lying here, but the knowledge that she was going to live gave him strength.
"Don't worry about it, Malya. Things happen…at least we're still here and we can still fight against Stelumos." Malya gave a faint nod and closed her eyes, her paw staying on his. As Crim watched her, he couldn't help but remember that just months ago, she had awoken him by jumping on his bed. They had been able to play and joke around in the abbey and now…now they were stuck in Brockhall and she was wounded. How many more deaths were they going to have to go through? How many more friends were going to get hurt before this was over?
"Some will fall in battle, and some blood will be shed. Some will kill the living, and some will mourn the dead…" Crim sighed as he recited the poem and sat back on his heels. How many more? How many…A tender paw to his cheek gave him a start and Crim looked up to find Malya's eyes locked on his.
"Crim…don't blame yerself for any of this. I know yer beatin' yourself up over what happened outside, but don't. Ya remember when Katal died and I had to keep throwin' my sandals at you to keep you from blaming yourself…this is another one o those situations." Crim let a small smile slip but he still tried to argue. "But Malya, I'm in control of my actions an-"
"Will you let me finish, mate?" Malya lifted his chin softly and looked into his eyes for a long moment. "I know that ya were in charge of yer actions, but…there is a warrior's heart beating inside of ya. The fact that ya listened to me, and listened to yer heart before you could deliver the killing blow shows what kind of creature you really are. I know yer upset, but sitting here and moping about it won't help. Doing something will."
The ottermaiden took in a deep breath and shook softly. Crim was about to ask her if she wanted him to get Ballard, but she grabbed his paw. Gently, she slid something in his paw and patted his shoulder.
"Remember the gifts ya've been given, both you and Ebonia. Now… I need to rest for awhile." Malya sighed and squeezed her friend's paw before he could go. "Don't give up hope…something will happen to help us…I can feel it."
Crim ran a paw through Malya's headfur as she leaned her head back and drifted off into darkness. For a long time, he sat there, contemplating her words and wondering, hoping, that there was an easier way to finish this battle. He didn't want to lose anyone else.
Shaking his head, he looked down to the scroll and tapestry piece that she had given him. He unrolled the cloth and stared at his and Ebonia's picture, along with Stelumos. He knew that the scroll contained the poem, but he wasn't interested in looking at it yet. It couldn't help him any longer. He'd found the lost one, he'd sought for help from across the sea. What else could he do?
A gentle paw on his shoulder gave him a start and he looked up as Ebonia glanced over his shoulder, staring at the tapestry piece. She rested her head on his arm and sighed deeply.
"What are we going to do?"
Crim looked up at her and took her paw, giving it a small squeeze to reassure her. He didn't even need to say how happy he was to still have her with him. She knew it. The squirrel leaned back and ran a paw over his face.
"I…don't know, Ebonia. The long patrol is out of ideas. The warriors don't know what to do. Even if we find a bunch of help in the woods, what kind of chance do we have to stand against the vermin? I mean, we'll have to use quite a few just to create a diversion and we don't have enough bats for that any longer. We need beasts that can pull the enemy force's attention away from the rest of us so that we can flank them…I just don't know."
Ebonia ran a paw over the picture of Stelumos and sighed.
"If we cut off the head of the snake, the rest of it will die. We have to destroy him and finish as many vermin as we can in the process. There's naught else we can do. We need more help."
Crim stared at the tapestry for a long time, his ears tilted back and his tail curled around his legs. It seemed like a battle they just couldn't win. Stelumos knew where they were so they were going to have to move. Not only that but…their numbers were so depleted that it just didn't seem like they even had a chance. Crim glanced at his sister and closed his eyes. The Abbey beasts were going to be gone within three days. Three days to win back the Abbey. Three days before their future was determined. It just didn't seem fair.
Running a paw through his headfur, he patted his sister's shoulder and nodded to the bed.
"Ebonia…get some rest. I think we could all use some. I doubt Stelumos will risk sending another raid out after us. Maybe some sleep will clear our minds."
Without another word, Crim stepped out into the main room, leaving Ebonia sitting on the bed with a half raised paw.
Stelumos looked out towards his vermin, his eyes narrowed to mere slits. He was not happy. Not only had he lost his captive but he didn't know where the rest of his vermin squad was. Granted, he still had plenty of vermin left, but they should have returned by now. He couldn't risk sending out another group, not until Falamia's vermin made it to the Abbey. Still, it angered him to no end that he had so many incompetent fools around him.
Turning away, the warlord stalked towards his throne in the Great Hall. There really wasn't much for him to worry about. He knew the resistance would try to make a last stand before Falamia's troops came. His vermin were getting used to guarding a fortress now and the reinforced walls, doors, not to mention the extra forces that were coming would ensure his victory.
Still, something was worrying him. Bemal's last words came back to him and he found himself shivering at the prospect of what might happen. He knew he'd be victorious, he had to be…but there was still that lingering fear that they would somehow manage to get a hold of him. Stelumos put his head in his paw and gave a deep sigh. Maybe this Abbey really was protected or cursed.
From the corner of his eye, he spotted Wraith standing with his arms folded behind his back, awaiting orders. Stelumos stared at the ferret for a long moment then sat up with narrowed eyes.
"Set up guards on the walls and tell Hensfloral, Tolifen, Deathfang, and IceEye ta work wit the slaves…I want ta hear their screams echoing through the walls."
Wraith gave a small bow and stepped out of the room without a word. Stelumos rubbed his eyes and looked forward. He would not be defeated. The Abbey…would be his.
A warm mist floated around Ebonia as she stood within a clearing near Brockhall. She gripped her daggers and looked around with wide eyes as the area grew darker and darker. Up above, she heard a screech reverberate through the air, along with the mad cackle of a deranged beast. She backed up, ready to run and warn the others when the mist suddenly swooped around her paws. Ebonia threw her paw in front of her face and growled, ready for a battle. However, all she heard was a familiar voice ringing loud and clear.
"Tell your brother that in time
In his dreams, his path he'll find
Help the good increase their might
For then you'll have done what's right"
Ebonia looked up as a dark shape came plummeting from the sky. She threw her arms in front of her face an-
Ebonia sat up with a start, sweat pouring down her face. Her heart pounded against her chest and she ran a paw through her headfur, trying to get herself to calm down. She hadn't had a dream like that since the night Crim and the others had captured her. The words echoed in her ears and she vaguely remember Martin speaking to her, guiding her to the hares.
The squirrel sighed and turned on the bed, letting her footpaws drop to the ground. The poem was confusing to her…along with the screeching that had penetrated her dreams. Martin had to be behind it, but what exactly did he want her to do? Tell your brother that in time…in his dreams, his path he'll find? What a strange verse. Ebonia just couldn't understand why Martin would tell her this but…she supposed it wouldn't hurt to question her brother about it.
Leaping out of bed, the squirrel maiden wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. She walked into the main room, glancing at Ballard, Sprypaw, SkyBreeze, Skipper, and Kenyo as they spoke quietly. Ebonia waited for a moment but then shook her head. She'd worry about what Martin had told her first. Tugging the blanket closer, she headed towards the room Crim had taken up. A solitary candle glowed from behind the thin curtain, sweeping shadows along the ground. Slowly, Ebonia pushed the curtain aside and stepped inside.
Crim was curled up on the bed, his paw held out and gripping the hilt of Martin's sword. He barely stirred as Ebonia moved to his side, her claws scraping along the ground. She tilted her head then shook his shoulder softly.
"Crim? Crim can y-"
With a yelp, Crim suddenly shot out of bed, causing Ebonia to drop back against the wall. He looked up at her with wild eyes, his sword drawn and poised to stab the squirrel maiden through the chest. Ebonia threw up her paws to protect herself, calling to him in a startled voice.
"Crim! Put the sword down! It's just me!" She watched her brother stare then blink slowly as if he couldn't quite figure out what was going on. With a clatter and a gasp, he suddenly dropped the sword and jumped backwards as if it was on fire.
"Ebonia…I…I'm sorry. I was just dreaming and…"
Ebonia was about to reassure him again when she thought on what he had just said. Dreaming? The squirrel maiden felt a shiver pass down her spine. Sometimes the dreams Martin sent her were just a little too unnerving.
Ebonia sat down beside her brother and leaned forward, her tail tapping on the bed.
"What were you dreaming about?"
Crim glanced at her with weary eyes and pressed his head into his paws. For a moment, she thought he wasn't going to say anything. Hopefully it wasn't that horrible.
"I had it earlier today. I was just dreaming that I was in the woods and this bird was trying to come after me. Martin came and said this poem…or something like that and then the bird started speaking to me. That's when you woke me up."
Ebonia sighed inwardly. It didn't seem like any sort of important dream but then again….Crim had said he heard a poem. Rubbing her chin, she nudged his shoulder.
"Do you remember what the poem was?" Oddly enough, she felt her brother stiffen beneath her touch. His back straightened and his eyes had a far away look as he whispered.
"My reign was ended long ago
Now it is you that must know
Follow what you feel is right
To win this everlasting fight
Greet the warrior in days of old
Be ye firm…and yet not bold
Seek his guidance and his might
If you wish to stop Redwall's plight."
Ebonia stared at him for a long time, the words running through her head. Greet the warrior in days of old? What was that supposed to mean? Surely Martin could have given them a better clue than that…right? The squirrel maiden almost cursed at the warrior mouse. Why couldn't he just tell them what to do? They didn't have time to keep running around and solving riddles!
She looked at Crim and was about to tell him not to worry about it when his eyes grew wide. He leapt out of his seat and slapped a paw to his face.
"Ebonia! I think I know what he means!"
The squirrelmaiden wrapped her arms around her legs and frowned. "What?"
Crim started walking back and forth through the room, his tail twitching spasmodically back and forth. If Ebonia didn't know any better, she could have sworn he had lost his mind.
"The dream itself. Alright…first Martin says that his reign at the Abbey is over and that it's up to me…up to us to figure out what to do. To fight the war though, we have to greet the warrior in days of old. Now, we really don't know who in the world that is. It's the rest of the dream that solves the riddle though. Throughout it, a hawk kept flying at me and called my name…Martin even controlled him for a moment. It has to be the hawk…he has to be the warrior."
Ebonia stared at her brother's blood shot eyes and lifted an eyebrow. "A hawk? But Crim…out of all creatures, what could a hawk do?"
Crim shook his head and sat down quickly. "I don't know…but it has to be something. Martin wouldn't have sent the dream otherwise."
Ebonia watched him skeptically and was about to argue when she thought of her own dream. Hadn't she heard screeches and saw a dark form flying towards her? Normally that would have warned her not to go anywhere near the great bird…but maybe that was the help they needed. The squirrel maiden sighed and rested her head on a paw.
"Well, even if it's true…where are we going to find a hawk?" The two exchanged long looks the jerked when they heard a bat screech in the hall. Both of their eyes widened and at the same time, they shot out of the room, crying a single name.
"CloudDancer!"
"I don't believe we're doing this. We're going to get ourselves killed." Crim rolled his eyes as he drew his cloak over his head. Both he and Ebonia were walking through the snow, away from Brockhall, and away from the Abbey. After they had established what the dreams were about, they'd talked to CloudDancer about where she had last seen the hawk; or rather, where the hawk had last attacked her. They really didn't know how they were going to convince the hawk to help them but…there had to be a way. Martin didn't send them dreams for nothing.
"Ebonia, stop worrying. Look at it this way, if we don't get killed by the vermin, we'll get killed by the hawk. We have nothing to lose really." Crim winced mockingly as Ebonia shot him a glare.
"Oh, that's realllly comforting, Crim. You know Malya would kill us if she knew we were doing this."
The sun squirrel waved a paw dismissively and looked up towards the trees, his tail swishing back and forth. "Kenyo and Ballard almost did that already when they found out where we were going. I know they want to help but I think that the dream was meant for us alone. Besides, if we get killed, at least Kenyo can lead them."
Ebonia glanced over at her brother and put her paws on her hips. "Why do I get the feeling that we're going on this little escapade just so we can die a more pleasant death?" Crim lifted an eyebrow at her and nudged her forward a bit. "If you can call getting torn in half by a ravenous bird, pleasant."
Ebonia grimaced. "Er…good point."
Crim couldn't resist giving her a small smile. Though he was worried about what might happen and the battle itself…he just felt more comfortable now that he was going on a mission for Martin. If this couldn't help them, then he didn't know what would. They'd tried about everything else and still they couldn't figure out what to do. Maybe this would give them some answers.
The squirrel rested his paw on Martin's sword, his eyes scanning the sky and waiting for the bird to come diving down and tear them apart. It wasn't a pleasant though, but he had a feeling that was what was going to happen. He had been able to sneak up on CloudDancer so he knew the bird was a good hunter.
He watched Ebonia fidget beside him and he placed a paw on her shoulder, gently trying to comfort her. Both of them were on edge but they couldn't lose it now. What was at stake was too important to mess up. The woodlands loamed around them, encasing them in a ring of white and brown. The wind blew through the trees, causing the branches to creak and making them jump in fright.
An hour passed before Crim finally came to a halt, his ears folded back and his paws shoved in his pockets. "I don't understand. We should have found him by now."
Ebonia rubbed her paws beside him, her breath coming up in white plumes. "I know, Crim, but I don't think we're going to find anything. Come on…we'd better head back. I don't want the others to think that we've been killed or something." Reluctantly, the red squirrel pulled his cloak tighter and stepped up to her side. He didn't want to leave but they still had a duty to their troops. Maybe today was the wrong day to look for the bird, he didn't know.
Sighing, he turned and took a step forward until a screech echoed behind them. Both squirrels turned as one, their eyes wide as a hawk went tearing towards them, his talons out stretched. Ebonia cried out and tried to yank her bow out but Crim knocked her to the ground to keep her out of the way of the talons. His paw flew to his sword and he started dragging it out. However, the blade refused to come out of the scabbard! The cross hilt got caught on the belt strap, causing Crim's paw to rip past the metal, nothing more.
The screech echoed again and Crim looked up as the hawk came down at them, its dangerous eyes glaring into his. The squirrel tugged again, ready to fling himself into a bush. At the last moment ,the blade tugged free and the sunlight blared off of the metal. With a cry, the hawk shook his head and took off into the air, blinded by the sudden bright light. Crim released a gasp. It was just like his dream.
Ebonia scrambled to her paws and came to her brother's side. She could see the bird sitting on one of the branches, watching them with a sneer on his face.
"Crim…I'm beginning to think this wasn't a good idea."
Crim patted her shoulder then slowly lowered the blade into his scabbard. He opened his mouth to respond when the bird suddenly shouted at them.
"Mhehehe, silly squirrels, silly squirrels, enter in my realm. Won't lose you like the batty nope mhehehe."
Ebonia lifted an eyebrow at her brother. "Martin wants us to get him to help us?" Crim was thinking along the same lines. Surely this bird wouldn't even be able to distinguish who was the enemy and who was the friend. The sun squirrel drew back and released a sigh. "Um excuse me…but-"
"Mehehe silly squirrel…mehehe."
Ebonia threw a paw to her face and touched her brother's shoulder. "Crim…he's not going to listen. He probably doesn't even understand what you're saying." The squirrel maiden jumped with a start as the bird suddenly streaked down from the tree and landed on the snow a few feet from them. His large eyes narrowed and he clacked his beak at them, feathers bristled.
"Don't mock me, squirrel." Both stared in surprise, their mouths held slightly open. Crim grabbed Ebonia's arm and threw her behind him, whispering urgently to her. "Think of the dream…Martin said to show him respect, remember?"
Ebonia swallowed and nodded her head. Normally she wouldn't have been afraid but this was a horribly large creature…and a dangerous one at that. Crim patted her arm then slowly stepped forward. The hawk clacked his beak warningly, causing the squirrel to skid to a stop. Slowly, Crim bowed his head slightly, ears tilted back.
"We mean you no disrespect. My sister was just a bit startled because of how truly dangerous you are." The hawk tilted his head to the side and took a step forward. He stood over the squirrel, his wings folded along his body. Crim knew however, that if he wanted to, the bird could rip him in half with one slash of his talons. Instead, he was surprised to find the hawk's head lowering towards his.
"What do you want? Why do you seek me out?"
Crim blinked and looked up slowly, making certain not to look threatening…not that he looked all that dangerous since he was a young squirrel. When he spoke, it was in a soft and humble tone. "I…the Abbey that I live at is under attack and I heard that you…were once a great warrior. I was seeking you out to ask for your guidance."
The hawk lifted an eyebrow and slowly stood up. Crim couldn't help but notice just how large the creature was. He heard Ebonia start to move closer to him, but the bird's glare froze her in place. Lifting one powerful leg, he stepped forward, lowering his beak again to rest right in front of the squirrel's face.
"This Abbey, I know of….squirrel…squirrel. Uh hem…powerful place it once was. Powerful place it should remain. What has attacked the Abbey?"
Crim swallowed hard and felt his knees shake slightly. Though the hawk was speaking civilly now…well mostly, he was afraid that the mighty flyer was going to lose himself again. That was the last thing he wanted.
"Vermin…um, foxes, stoats, rats, a mink…They captured our friends. We're trying to build an army to defeat them."
The hawk's response wasn't one that he expected. "Hm….yes…vermin taste good. Very tasty indeed. Hm…need a diversion then to make it easier to rescue Abbey, yes?" The red squirrel gave a nod of his head and took a step back as the bird moved forward again. "Strike up a deal then. I divert vermin attention from you…then I eat vermin."
Ebonia grimaced behind her brother but didn't say anything. That was probably one of the most vile things she had ever heard but if it was going to give them aid…then she supposed she couldn't object to it. She saw Crim's back stiffen a bit and he rubbed the back of his neck. After a moment, he bowed again then held up a paw.
"Is there anything else that you want?"
The hawk narrowed his eyes then looked up at the sky. "Rocky mountains…place to rest."
Crim smiled slowly and reached out, touching the bird on the wing. The hawk stiffened but relaxed as the squirrel spoke softly. "Then you shall have it. Might I ask you for your name then?"
The flyer nodded his head and backed up, his wings spreading. "McLear…General McLear. Lead me to place of hiding. Me see how many soldiers you have."
Crim stepped back as McLear took a few quick steps forward, allowing the wind to fill his wings and lift him up into the air. Ebonia walked to his side and watched the hawk disappear for a moment in the sky.
"Crim…are you sure about this?"
The sun squirrel sighed deeply and looked over at her. "Not really but this is the best we have, Ebonia. You saw how he reacted when I acted calmly towards him. Maybe that's all he needs. Now come on…we need to get back before something else happens."
Ebonia sighed and touched his arm with a small shake of her head.
"Don't jinx it."
Crim looked up ahead as a screech echoed through the air. They had been walking for around an hour now and he knew Brockhall was close. He figured that WebWinger was probably just reacting badly at seeing McLear flying through the trees. However, when he saw the bat come tearing towards him, he knew something wasn't right. The Night Flyer swooped down and almost slammed into the squirrel as he motioned in another direction.
"Some one is coming…coming! There is a large horde of some sort heading right towards Brockhall…Brockhall!"
"What?!" Crim pushed the bat gently out of his way and went tearing through the woods, his tunic and cloak hugging his chest. Ebonia ran after him, her eyes looking up towards where McLear was. WebWinger turned and started flying behind them, his screeches resounding off of the Mossflower trees. Crim couldn't believe this. They had just been attacked! Surely Stelumos wouldn't send another force out!
The squirrel skidded to a halt as he saw Ballard and Kenyo come out of Brockhall with blades raised. They looked off into the distance…though it wasn't towards Redwall. Crim frowned and moved to their sides, his paw clasped around Martin's sword.
"What's going on?"
Ballard narrowed his eyes and lifted a single paw, pointing into the distance. Sure enough, beasts were appearing out of the sunlight, their forms stepping lightly over the snowy land. Above them, the trees seemed to darken as if a black cloud was following them. Crim's mouth dropped. The vermin forces weren't supposed to come for another two days!
"Get the others! We need to stop them where they stand or we won't even stand a chance!"
Crim took a step forward but was stopped as a heavy paw fell on his shoulder. Ballard pulled him back then released a sharp whistle. Much to the squirrel's surprise, a second whistle reached his ears just as the creatures came into view. Crim felt his knees buckle a bit and his mouth dropped open.
This couldn't be happening…