A/N: Many apologies for the extremely late update. I meant to post this earlier, but to be totally honest I just didn't have the energy. Due to that and various other factors I have decided to end this story. There will be at least one more chapter and most likely one after that, but that will be it. I thank those who read this story as well as "Rising From the Ashes."

All mistakes are mine.

Chapter 11

As time passed it became increasingly clear to the Redwallers that Gala was on their side. None had ever seen a peaceful vermin before, though there had been accounts of such an occurrence in seasons past. The Dibbuns were especially fond of the good-natured stoat, who didn't seem bothered by them climbing all over her. But despite her cheery appearance, Gala was anxious. Not all of them were still convinced she was a goodbeast. It was a challenge as she knew there was a stigma attached to vermin. Not that she blamed the Redwallers; since the beginning vermin had always been a threat to their way of life. She had heard stories of armies slaughtering entire villages and enslaving innocent creatures, leaving behind a trail of fiery destruction. When she was younger her mother would often tell her tales of warlords attempting to conquer Salamandastron, the ancient mountain that was home to the Badger Lord or Lady and the fabled Long Patrol army. Redwall Abbey was often on the list as well, though none had ever succeeded in totally conquering it.

Gazing at her surroundings, Gala dearly hoped it would stay that way.

Without bothering to check if there were any sentries on the Abbey walltop, Synno dragged a struggling Culy out into the flatlands in front of the gates. The young ottermaid was strong, but she could not escape the stoat's vice-like grip. Mortaza walked alongside her, a slight breeze ruffling the flowing purple cape that was fastened to her neck by a squirrel skull.

Sheer hatred rose in Culy's eyes, and she didn't once take her glare off Mortaza. What she said next were her words but not her voice. "My friends will rescue me, but you will die as you have lived. You cannot escape your fate, fisher!"

The chill that ran through Mortaza's spine was unexplainable, but it was gone in an instant. She kicked the captive brutally and sneered in contempt. "Shut up. Synno, you know what to do."

Holding paws, Semser and Emroon made their way to the Abbey walltop. Both otters were exhausted from a combination of lack of sleep and worry for their kidnapped daughter. They had almost reached their destination when Dasmaros smacked right into them, causing the mouse Recorder to fall backwards. His friends helped him up, but one look at his face told them something was happening.

"Alert the Abbot! The vermin are back, an' Culy is out there!"

He bolted off down the stairs, and Semser and Emroon rushed to the battlements. What their eyes fell upon nearly had them in hysterics: Culy was bound tight to a stake, which was driven into the ground. Her chest, neck, and all four paws were tied, and heaps of dried twigs and ferns were scattered all around her. A filthy gag was secured tightly around her mouth, rendering her mute. Fear was etched in her widened eyes, which stared back at her parents in a silent plea to rescue her. Mortaza and Kren stood on either side of her, both holding a lit torch and carrying evil smiles.

Semser glared at the pair, struggling to conceal the rage in his voice. "Come to finally reveal yourselves, cowards?"

Mortaza chuckled wickedly and motioned to Culy. "Brave words for a riverdog whose daughter is about to burn alive. Of course, there is one way you can save her."

"An' what, pray, would that be?"

Abbot Torlay, for it was he who posed the question, now appeared on the walltop alongside Semser and Emroon. Behind him, Mahdis towered over everybeast.

"Complete surrender, old longears."

Although he was well into his old seasons, Torlay still had keen vision. He swiftly assessed the situation before speaking again. "Even if we do, how are we to know you won't hurt the maid?"

While he was bargaining with the fishers, down on the Abbey grounds preparations were taking place. There was little time, and the Redwallers knew it. Skipper and his crew quickly gathered up all the available weapons, squirrel archers tightened their bowstrings, and the Guosim shrews ensured their rapiers were sharp and at the ready. Regardless of their small statures, the shrews were renowned warriors and experts in the art of war.

Despite the Abbot's best efforts, both Kren and Mortaza were growing increasingly impatient. The latter pointed her sword at Torlay and sneered. "I admire your attempts, old one, but you have wasted our time for far too long. You refuse to surrender and would rather watch one of your own perish? So be it. But just in case you're planning to retaliate..."

Her voice trailed off, and Kren gave the signal. Several vermin rushed up to their position, each carrying numerous spears and arrows in both paws. Semser watched in horror as they stabbed the missiles into the ground all around Culy. In a matter of seconds, the young ottermaid was totally surrounded by the weapons that were jutting out from the ground. Unless they were sliced down by another blade, there was no way anybeast could reach Culy.

Abbot Torlay had seen enough. Turning his head, he called out to the creatures down below. "Redwallers, attack!"

The words had barely left his mouth when Emroon witnessed the next horrifying event. Simultaneously the two fishers lowered their torches. The dry kindle immediately ignited, sending sparks flames devoured the twigs and ferns, and total fear gripped Culy's heart. She struggled, but the rope that bound her to the stake didn't budge. Within minutes she would be burned alive.

Redwall Abbey's front gates burst open despite their massive size, and woodlanders flooded the open land. At the same time, Kren and Mortaza ordered their army to charge. Both sides instantly met and engaged in a ferocious battle. Skipper and Log a Log held the front, throwing themselves into the melee and trying to get to Culy.

The young ottermaid was totally defenceless against the fire that was now licking at her footpaws. Thickening smoke stung her eyes, and she coughed violently as it slithered its way into her mouth and down her throat. Her vision became blurry, and as she struggled to see a large creature suddenly appeared in front of her.

It was Synno. The stoat, angered that he hadn't gotten the chance to slay her, chopped some of the spears and arrows in half and lumbered towards the maid. Blood oozed from a wound on his left arm, but this did not seem to deter him. Ridding himself of a spear that was right in front of her, Synno snarled as he raised his sword above his head with his uninjured arm, completely ignoring the raging fire. "Get to Hellgates, riverdog!"

Before he could land the death blow, somebeast tackled him from the side. A whoosh sound could be heard as the air rapidly escaped from Synno's lungs. As the attacker stood up, Culy recognized her as the stoat from the previous battle.

Gala kept her eyes on Synno as she yelled over the din of battle. "Now!"

Culy watched in relief as Semser and Emroon appeared from behind the smoke, each carrying a full bucket of water. The fire seemed to hiss angrily as it was quickly extinguished, and Emroon's familiar voice echoed in her ear. "We've got you."

Semser cut the ropes that bound Culy to the stake, and within seconds she was free. In the midst of a full-scale war the family found a few moments to reunite. Semser and Emroon hugged their daughter fiercely, tears of joy streaming down all three faces.

The joyful site was interrupted by an enraged Synno. Upon seeing his mortal enemy, blood filled his eyes and he scampered up from off the ground. Grabbing his sword, he bared his teeth at Semser. "Yore not gittin' away this time!"

The Warrior gently pushed his wife and daughter away and unsheathed Martin's sword. "Gala, take them back inside the Abbey where it's safe!"

Culy immediately began to protest. "But Dad, I want to help!"

Semser's oceanic eyes never once strayed from those of Synno. "I said go!"

Gala didn't hesitate. She could tell by the look on Semser's face that he meant every word, and she wasn't about to argue with the Abbey Warrior. "C'mon ye two, let's do wot 'e says. We need t'get ye cleaned up, young maid."

As they were whisked away, Culy continued to stare at her father and whispered softly, "I'll come back, just like you an' Mom did. I promise."

"Pity ye sent them away. I was 'opin' to kill yore daughter in front o' yore very eyes."

The great sword of Martin caught the sunlight at just the right angle, making it shine like a newborn fire. "Pity you won't get to live much longer."

Synno simply laughed in his opponent's face. "Ye failed the first time; wot makes ye think ye can finish the job?"

"Determination to rid Mossflower of you and all the other vermin here. Of course I'll be sure not to make the same mistake."

Foam sprayed from the stoat's mouth as he hissed viciously. "Fool! I am Synno, warrior of the Hooded Clan!"

His adversary was not the least bit impressed. "An' I am Semser the Warrior. If you do not wish to challenge me, lay down your sword an' I'll spare your miserable life. Although a mud-sucking coward like yourself doesn't deserve such a gift!"

Stung by the insult, Synno charged without warning. Semser sidestepped his enemy and smacked him on his injured arm with Martin's sword. The stoat yelled out as fresh pain shot through the limb, and he stumbled to the ground.

Semser sneered in contempt. "Get up you scum!"

Synno's clenched right paw shot out, releaing the dirt he had been holding. Semser was forced backwards, clawing madly at his eyes in an attempt to rid himself of the irritating particles. Through blurred vision he saw Synno charge, sword above his head. The Warrior instinctively whirled around and lashed out with his powerful rudder, catching the stoat hard across his face and making him drop his sword. Stars danced in Synno's mind, and he stood there wobbling for a brief moment.

He regained his senses rather quickly despite the heavy blow, but although Synno was large he was no match for the mighty Warrior of Redwall. With both blades locked and whiskers touching, Synno realized that he was in serious trouble. His fur glistening with sweat, the stoat pleaded with his opponent. "Mercy!"

But there was none to be seen in Semser's face as he knocked Synno's sword to one side with his footpaw. "You ask for this when only moments before you tried to slay an innocent creature who was totally defenseless? Cowards such as yourself are shown no mercy."

He pushed the tip of Martin's sword enough into the stoat's chest to pierce his heart. Synno died instantly, and he slid silently to the ground. Without a single word Semser wiped the tip of the blade on some grass before returning to battle.

Upon returning to the Abbey, Emroon requested that Culy receive immediate medical attention to ensure she was uninjured. The stubborn young maid, however, wanted to join in the battle that was raging just outside the gates. But Emroon would not hear of it, and so she assisted in bringing her daughter to the Infirmary where one of the helpers could quickly check her over, for Mahdis was currently occupied dealing fatal blows to the foebeasts.

In addition to aiding her husband in the kitchen, Ganlel was also an assistant in the Infirmary. She had much knowledge of the healing arts, though thankfully she didn't need to use any of them on Culy. Miraculously the young ottermaid was fine and received no serious wounds or smoke inhalation during her terrifying ordeal.

Ganlel did have one suggestion, though she knew Culy wouldn't approve of it. "It would be wise to stay inside until the battle is finished."

Her assumption was correct, as Culy made to get up but was held down by her mother. Although Emroon's voice was gentle, there was a hint of firmness to it. "Ganlel is right. You've just been through a traumatic experience; it's wise to rest instead of rushing into battle."

"But I promised Dad I'd return! He swore he'd save me, an' you both kept that promise. Please, let me help him."

Emroon studied her daughter. It felt like she had been born yesterday, a tiny brown bundle wrapped comfortably in their arms. Now here she was, a young maid who was still many seasons from adulthood but already possessed a brave heart. A voice in her head told her to let her daughter go. The otter warrior smiled softly and stepped aside. "Alright. But be careful."

Outside on the flatlands surrounding the Abbey, the battle was reaching its climax. Bodies from both sides were strewn everywhere, although the Hooded Clan had once again suffered more losses than the woodlanders. No matter what the vermin threw against them, it seemed like nothing could stop the Redwallers. If that wasn't bad enough, the enemy had to deal with the two birds hovering over them. Askhew and Santalo were like missiles with talons; they were everywhere, slicing down vermin left and right and depleting their numbers. Mortaza called for her archers, but it didn't seem to make any difference as the birds nimbly dodged the airborne weapons.

Then Culy arrived.

With blood-filled eyes she tore through the ranks, cutting down any vermin who dared to get in her way. Raw fury boiled in her veins, and despite her smaller statue she bullied over the enemy. Mortaza took one glance at the enraged maid and fled deeper into the ranks in an attempt to hide herself from the ottermaid who haunted her dreams. Before on the walltop she didn't appear so threatening, but this time was different. This time she was armed with a dirk and hungry for vengeance.

However, Culy was not tracking Mortaza. She had seen the fisher disappear, but her eyes were focused on Kren. Nothing and nobeast could stop her; she was plagued with the dreaded Bloodwrath.

Kren did not see the ottermaid until it was too late. He was too absorbed in what he was about to do: slay Dasmaros, whom he had trapped beneath his footpaws. He raised his sword above his head and was about to bring it down when he suddenly froze. His mouth opened, but there was no scream. The battling vermin halted and looked at Kren, who was staring dumbfounded at the dirk that was jutting out from his chest. He glanced up at the ottermaid, who stood mere feet from him. Without a word he fell backwards, slain, and Culy tugged free her mother's dirk from his carcass.

That single move ended the battle. Upon seeing one of their leaders slain, the Hooded Clan turned tail and fled straight back into Mossflower. The Redwallers set up a rousing cheer, but Skipper silenced them with a stern glare. "Stow the noise mates! We ain't won nothin' yet."

Mortaza, who had witnessed the killing, could not tear her eyes away from the sight of her dead husband. Enraged with grief, she grabbed two random vermin who were running past her and roared at them to retrieve Kren's body. The weasels hastily obeyed, working together to carry the heavy carcass back into the woodlands. Despite all the emotions running through her head, she knew she was a sitting target without the rest of her army. Pulling the hood tight around her face, the fisher slinked into Mossflower.

As soon as she had vanished, Culy collapsed from sheer exhaustion.