Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Redwall.

A/N: Well here's chapter 2. It's another one of those chapters I wrote back in good old '05. Thanks to the one person who reviewed! I don't really have much to say here…

Chapter 2

Snow swirled around the dark form that was fruitlessly trying to shield itself against the icy wind. Wrapped in a thin, ragged cloak, it didn't seem that breath would live within the creature much longer, but still it plowed on. The rust-colored bushy tail that protruded from under its garment showed that the animal was a squirrel and, by its build, a female. Dark eyes shown dully from deep within the cloak's hood. They were dull, yes, but on further examination the light of determination burned in those black orbs.

Suddenly, another creature could be seen tearing across the barren landscape toward the squirrel. It stopped several paces away and drew a long, notched scimitar, yellow eyes radiating cruelty from out of the pointed face of a rat. The creature had seen better days indicated by the fact its ribs were exposed through long slashes in the green tunic that it wore.

The rodent spat and watched as the saliva froze on the snow-blanketed ground then sneered, "All righ' squirrelly, jus' give me everythin' you got an' I'll let you live!"

The squirrel calmly lowered her hood and stared the rat in the eye until he was forced to look away. The creature was too young to have such cold eyes; only fifteen or sixteen seasons at best. When she spoke it was in a hoarse yet commanding tone, "No."

The rat, clearly shocked by the hard response, snarled, "Jus' who you think you are, sayin' no to me in tha' manner?"

"I do not give my name out freely, especially to vermin." It was not spoken in a threatening tone but the rat took a step back as though hit.

"Vermin, eh? I ain't vermin, I be a creature of the great warlord Radin. Now Yer gonna see the color o' yer insides!" he snarled and took a step forward to attack.

"I would not attack if I were thou." She said drawing a rapier in the space of half a heart beat, "For I have already won the battle."

The rat stopped and scratched his head with a grimy nail in puzzlement stating in a confused tone, "Wha'? You haven't w-"

At that moment he screamed as the rapier was plunged trough his stomach. Blood ran down his tunic in a fine stream, trickling to the frozen earth where it melted a hole in the snow and pooled on the frosted ground beneath.

"Yes I have, and thou shall never deny this again, for this is the will of Kinliv."

She walked several paces away before stopping and turning to face the east where the golden sun was already staining the sky with the blood-red light of dawn, then said softly, almost chanting, "I hath taken the life of another, I shall pay for this life with the blood that gives me life." Then Kinliv drew back the sleeve that sheltered her left arm. The thing was a mass of white, shiny scars, but when one looked closer, it appeared that all the scars were the same length and all were perfectly strait, none had the jagged look of a battle scar. The reason for this became apparent when the squirrel drew a knife and slit her own shoulder, five drops of blood fell from this wound where the sizzled in the snow. She did not even flinch as the wound was inflicted; she simply stared into the rising sun.

Once the deed was complete, Kinliv turned back to the rat and spoke, almost warmly, to the slain rodent, "The sacrifice hath been made. Thy soul shall now join the realms of death with the others I have killed." And with that statement, she lowered her sleeve and strode of into the icy wind and bitter snow.

Kinliv had not been traveling half the day when dark shapes appeared in the distance. She immediately recognized the silhouetted structures as the village of Yone. Though she had never visited the town, she had heard about it from travelers and hoped that it would provide a shelter from the icy surroundings, at least for the night.

As she approached the settlement she began to realize that something was not right. The area around the village was far too quiet and empty and as she drew closer it became apparent that the was no activity inside Yone either. Long ago had feelings such as fear been driven out of this creature and she proudly continued walking toward the suspicious civilization. Soon she was taking her first few steps into the deserted place and it became clear that the reason for the inactivity was due to the fact that all the inhabitants were dead. She stared at the carnage, unblinking. She had seen worse, far worse, in her day.

As she walked through the village of death with a cool sense of ease she began to hear an odd sort of noise. At first it she simply dismissed it as the wind, but as she drew closer to the center of the town she began to distinguish words that were forming the sound. She turned a corner and found herself witnessing a very odd sight in deed: a young mouse was kneeling in the snow, face pointed toward the sky, with his paws resting on the pommel of a sword. He appeared to be saying an oath for when she approached he finished with the words 'By this sword I swear'. He stood and turned, jumping back, startled, when he saw her. Nevertheless, he pulled himself together and asked, "Who are ye, friend or foe?"

She spoke in the same monotone used when addressing the rat, "I am a foe only if thou wish to do my harm."

The mouse then saluted with the sword and presented the pommel to Kinliv as a sign of respect and to show that no harm was intended then spoke formally, "I am called Keemin Tae, son of Likeam, I am a friend and do not wish to hurt ye in any way."

Impressed by his actions, the young squirrel responded, "I am known as Kinliv. I am a warrior and a wanderer. Thou art wise in not crossing me." She too drew her blade and pointed the pommel at him. They touched each others pommel then sheathed the weapons.

There was a moment of awkward silence as the two creatures stared at one another, then Keem broke the ice, "So, what has brought ye to this neck o' the Northlands?" he asked in a friendly manner.

"I wander to wherever the desire takes me." Kinliv answered levelly.

"Ah, I see. Then maybe ye would like to wander with me for a wee bit of time. I have taken an oath to slay Radin, a crueler creature never walked on this good earth, and I would greatly enjoy the company ye have to offer."

The young squirrel thought for a moment, then shivered and pulled her cloak closer around herself as a new gust of wind blew across the icy landscape. "Aye, I shall travel with thee."

"Glad to hear o' it!" the mouse offered cheerfully and Kinliv merely nodded. "We better be off, don't ye think? Not getting anything o' value done by standin' 'round here chattin'." And with that brief statement the two creatures headed off across the barren tundra, both too young to have such tragedies taint their path, yet both with new hopes blossoming in their hearts.

More A/N: Sorry, that was kind of short. They'll get longer. Reviews make me happy…