A/N: Thank you very much for all the wonderful reviews! Please know that your comments are greatly appreciated.

All mistakes are mine. Enjoy!

Chapter 4

An unseen force galvanized Culy into action, making her completely forgot the horrible feeling she had felt only moments earlier. From her throat issued a hoarse scream as she threw herself at the intruder. Clawing had no time to react; the roaring bundle of fur was upon him in an instant. Blood rose in the young ottermaid's eyes as she bit and tore at his plummage. The bird cawed with pain as Culy's sharp claws found his skin, and her loud voice boomed in his ears. "Thief!"

She bared her teeth and snarled viciously, attempting to get at Clawing's throat. He somehow managed to throw her off him, flaring his massive wings and appearing twice as large. "You've signed your death warrant, riverdog!"

Culy suddenly lashed out with her powerful rudder, catching the raven by surprise and knocking him off balance. "How dare you steal our Warrior!"

The racket had several creatures sprinting down the spiral staircase, including Abbot Torlay and Mahdis. Semser and Emroon burst through the doors, having also been awoken by the commotion. Regaining his senses, Clawing attempted to leap up onto the table that was against the wall. Culy anticipated this move and dove in front of him, blocking access to the tapestry. Black feathers were strewn everywhere, evident of the damage Culy had inflicted. Despite this, the young ottermaid had received a few cuts herself from the raven's wicked talons and beak. Wings flared and teeth bared, the two creatures fought for the upper claw.

Semser desperately wanted to help his daughter, but one look at her reddened eyes told him it would be inviting death. He had seen it before, and he uttered a single word. "Bloodwrath."

Culy did not even see her parents or friends; all her glazed eyes took in was the raven. She lunged at him, but he nimbly dodged backward and thrust out with his powerful beak, nearly stabbing her exposed throat. The young ottermaid was totally unfazed by this and continued to charge at the bird, who kept lashing out in defence.

Emroon, on the verge of tears, stepped in. She knew how incredibly dangerous it was to interfere with a creature afflicted with the Bloodwrath, but Culy was becoming even more violent. If she wasn't stopped, they'd all be dead within minutes.

"Culy, enough!"

Emroon's booming tone shot out in the Hall. At the sound of her mother's voice, Culy's eyes and breathing slowly began to return to normal. She crumbled to the ground, totally exhausted.

In the midst of it all, Clawing cursed under his breath. Lady Mortaza would surely be furious at his failed attempt. But like all creatures the raven valued his life and knew he had no chance in stealing the tapestry now, especially while being surrounded by angry-looking Redwallers. He just barely avoided being caught by Mahdis, and as he lifted himself into the air he cawed mockingly at the woodlanders. "You may still have your precious mouse warrior, but the Hooded Clan will prevail. Soon you will all become slaves in your own Abbey!"

Without a second glance, the raven bolted off.

Mahdis - with Semser and Emroon hovering over him - checked Culy to ensure she was not seriously injured. After dabbing the wounds she had received from the raven with some water, the large yet gentle badger wrapped them in cloth to prevent any airborne viruses from entering. Semser requested that he have a moment with his daughter, and Abbot Torlay gently ushered those who had been awakened back upstairs.

Ermoon whispered to Semser, "Don't be too harsh on the young 'un. After all, she did save Martin."

The otter nodded to his wife, who kissed him and Culy on their foreheads before heading to the Gatehouse Cottage.

Semser watched her leave, then turned to Culy. She did not meet his gaze. "My daughter, the foolish 'ero."

Now she raised her eyes. "But Dad, I-"

He held a paw up. "What ye did was incredibly brave, although ye could 'ave gotten yoreself killed. When I saw ye fightin' that big raven my heart nearly stopped."

The young ottermaid looked down sheepishly, hot tears stinging her eyes. Semser placed his paw underneath her chin and gently lifted her head so she was looking at him. "The last thing I want to see is ye gettin' hurt, or worse."

"I felt something," Culy quietly explained as her father wiped away one of her tears. "I don't know exactly what it was, but it was like I was possessed. All I saw was the raven."

Semser sighed heavily. "Yes, I know. Yore eyes were shrouded with blood; ye were sufferin' from the Bloodwrath."

Culy was immediately intrigued, and she questioned her father on the meaning of this strange word. "Is that some sort of a curse?"

The older otter smiled wearily and placed a paw on her shoulder. "That's for a time when it's not durin' the night. I'm proud of ye, Culy. You fought with a brave an' noble heart; the makings o' a true warrior."

Culy's cheeks visibly turned red at this comment, but guilt radiated in her tear-stained eyes. "I'm sorry I scared you an' Mom."

Semser smiled in admiration at his daughter and kissed her paw. "Never apologize for doin' the right thing. We should head back t'the Gatehouse; a warrior like yoreself needs a lot of rest."

Mortaza lashed out angrily at Clawing, saliva foaming at the corners of her mouth. "Useless fool! How did you let a puny riverdog defeat you?"

Clawing attempted to hide from the fisher's raging glare, but it was no use. "Master, this one seems like a warrior. Her eyes were filled with blood!"

"Excuses!" Mortaza's chest heaved as she kicked him again. "Nothing but pathetic excuses! You have failed me, Clawing. I don't like it when my creatures fail me."

"Give me another chance; I promise I won't let you down."

Quick as a flash Mortaza grabbed him by the throat and held him close to her face. He winced as her rancid breath assaulted his nostrils, her emerald eyes ablaze with raw fury. "Good, because if you fail me again you'll be plucked and roasted...alive."

Kren made sure to keep a safe distance from his fuming wife, who stormed into the tent and spat on the ground. He was the more calm one of the pair, often hiding his anger before revealing it in the form of a beating or beheading. Perched on one of the chairs at a long wooden table, he studied her carefully with his magnificent blue irises.

Mortaza kicked the earth with her footpaw, causing dirt particles to scatter in all directions. Her tail flickered angrily from side to side. "A simple instruction, and the idiot nearly gets himself killed by some riverdog."

Kren poured some elderberry wine - which they had stolen from a mouse family several days ago - into a large silver goblet and offered it to her. "Perhaps it's time we make ourselves known to those woodlanders. No doubt they'll hide in fear at the sight of us."

Accepting the goblet, Mortaza swirled the crimson liquid around for a moment before taking a small drink. "I want to sleep, so you'll be in charge of weapons. Make sure all blades are sharpened and arrows ready; I don't want to give the Redwallers any time to gather defences. We attack at dawn."

"What's Bloodwrath?"

Emroon chuckled at her daughter's persistence. "Didn't your father tell you that was for another time?"

"Well yes, but I want to know. Is it bad? Should I be worried?"

A loving smile passed over Emroon's lips, and she exchanged glances with Semser who was seated on the other side of Culy's bed. The young ottermaid noticed this and sat upright, concern washing over her face.

"Culy," Emroon spoke in a soft tone as to not frighten the youngster. "I once suffered from the Bloodwrath. It's a condition that usually only affects badgers, although as you already know other creatures can suffer from it."

Semser took his daughter's paw in his and squeezed it gently. "The Bloodwrath forces the afflicted to only see their enemy, but it also causes them to inflict great amounts of damage."

Culy's heart immediately began to race, which Semser felt through her paw. "But I don't want to cause harm to anybeast. Is the Bloodwrath permanent?"

Emroon looked levelly at her daughter and offered a comforting smile "Nobeast knows. However, it is possible to control it from totally consuming you - although this takes an incredible amount of personal strength to do so."

Culy allowed the words to sink in, but fear was also seeping into her veins. The very idea of possibly suffering from this terrible-sounding Bloodwrath for a second time frightened her, and she was beginning to regret ever asking about the mysterious ailment.

Leaning in, Semser kissed the tip of her nose. "My child, there is no need to worry. Focus on the fact that you saved our tapestry from being stolen by that wicked raven. Now I think it's time we all get some sleep. It'll be morning soon."

Culy stifled a yawn and kissed her parents on their cheeks, watching them through sleepy eyes as they left her small room. She immediately fell into a deep slumber, where all her fears were vanquished and replaced with a sense of comfort and protection. Martin the Warrior appeared, still wearing his gleaming armour and wielding his magnificent sword, and his voice was soothing, like a bell tolling over a flower-clad hill.

"My friend, I thank you in rescuing me. You must continue to defend your Abbey, for there is a great evil approaching. Trust your mother and father, and rise up like the brave warrior you are. I am here always and will guide you throughout your journey. Destiny has chosen you, Culy. Remember to stay true to your heart, and that friendship is far more important than any riches or jewels."

The young ottermaid felt safe in the Warrior's presence. His image faded and she found herself floating like a leaf caught in an autumn breeze, high above the Abbey and far over the gently-lapping ocean into the great unknown.

Shortly after Kren left the tent to gather up and organize the army, Mortaza fell asleep and dreamed a terrifying dream. She was standing on the beach, waves crashing up against her footpaws. There was no need to turn to see the gigantic mountain towering over her, as its shadow cast her in darkness. A noise from behind caused her to jump, and she whirled around to face whatever - or whomever - was there.

She found herself staring at a young female otter. She was dressed in battle armour and wielded a beautiful sword in her right paw. The dangerous blade gleamed in the moonlight, and her eyes seemed to bore into Mortaza's spirit. This creature was obviously a powerful warrior.

The stranger took an advancing step forward, and for some reason Mortaza backed away. Although she badly wanted to fight the ottermaid, her heart pounded fearfully in her chest. She was fierce but clearly no match for this creature. Again the maid took another step, then another, until Mortaza was waist-deep in water.

Mortaza's voice shook as she addressed her adversary. "What do you want with me?"

The ottermaid said nothing and continued to approach, and sudden realization caused the fisher to nearly panic: she was deliberately being pushed back farther into the endless ocean. The cold water was at her shoulders now, threatening to swallow her up into its icy depths. Thoughts of Kren raced through her mind.

As the water rushed into her ears and nose and she was pulled under into a watery grave, the ottermaid uttered five words.

"Hellgates is waiting for you!"

Lady Mortaza simultaneously screamed and awoke, sitting bolt upright in her bed. Beads of perspiration clung to her fur, and her furious heartbeat pounded her eardrums. She had never experienced such a realistic nightmare; it felt as if she was still being dragged down to the ocean floor, the ottermaid's voice taunting her. The female fisher was normally a brutal creature and not easily frightened, but the look she had received from the maid was enough to make her tremble with complete and utter fear. Even worse was that she had no idea as to her identity or what she was seeking.

But one thing was horribly certain: this was only the beginning.

Dawn swept over Mossflower, bringing with it the promise of another spectacular spring day. The beauty of it all was totally ignored by the Hooded Clan as they approached Redwall Abbey, keeping to the bushes behind the North Path. To anybeast patrolling the walls the foliage didn't appear to look any different. Keeping low, Mortaza pointed to a figure on the walltop and nodded to a rat archer who was known to have impeccable aim. He notched an arrow to his bow, pulled the string back, and waited.

Culy was in her usual spot on the battlements above the main gate. Totally unaware of the hidden danger, she munched on a few ripe strawberries whilst enjoying being a witness to the arrival of a new day. She turned her head, and without hesitation the rat archer released his arrow. It buzzed up through the air like a maddened wasp, heading straight for Culy's skull.

At that exact moment a strawberry fell from the young ottermaid's webbed paw and rolled on the ancient stone before coming to a stop in front of her. She bent down to pick it up and felt a small gust of wind over her head. Instinctively she remained in her position and watched in horror as an arrow buried itself into the earth near the pond.

Culy leapt into action. Sprinting on all fours, she bolted down the stairs and towards the Bell Tower. Once there she grabbed the two ropes with both paws and pulled hard.

Boooooong! Boooooong!

The Matthias and Methuselah bells sounded out a warning that instantly awoke everybeast within Redwall. Abbot Torlay burst through the doors of Great Hall and looked up at where Culy was standing at the Bell Tower window.

She wasted no time in relaying the urgent message. "The Abbey is under attack!"