Redclaw

Chapter Two

Erin looked down at the Abbess and smiled, "Thank you Ma'am. I'd like that very much. But I think first I should wait for my friend. He is bringing that male's young son."

The Abbess smiled, "Then I shall wait out here with you."

This caused the otters to speak out, the largest of them stepping forwards and shouting at the others, "Oh would you stop yammering so much! The Abbess has made her decision and we're gonna abide by that."

The mouse smiled at him and said, "Thank you Skipper."

The otter bowed his head slightly, "Marm."

Then Bryony turned back to Erin, "So how did you find your friend there?"

Erin quickly told how he and the others had found Sam. That in turn told of him telling how their little group had formed.

"…And that's all there is really. Red just wanted to change the way things were, and make the world a better place."

The Abbess was about to respond when one of the otters snapped, "Unbelievable."

The otter known as Skipper crossed his arms and the Abbess said, "Do you have something you wish to contribute, Swift?"

The otter, who appeared the youngest out of the group, nodded, "Aye Marm. I think this fox here just fed you a load of tripe!"

Erin crossed his own arms and leaned back in the chair slightly. This caused his long green cloak to fall away, revealing his tattered brown pants, muddy boots, and dark red tunic. It also allowed his daggers to come into view. This caused every otter to narrow their eyes and grip their javelins a little tighter. The Fox took note of this and kept his voice calm, "You calling me a liar?"

The young otter glared at the fox and said, "Sure as the wind will fill my sails. We all know how your kind'll say anything to get what they want. You just haven't come out and demanded it yet."

Erin felt his ire rising, "Listen boy..."

The otter however, ignored him, instead letting himself grow confident with himself. He moved to position himself between the Abbess and Erin, "Marm. I really don't think it's a good idea you gettin too cozy with this varmint here. He'd probably try and sell you his own mother if ya asked", the otter scoffed , "And she'd probably try and double the price!"

The otter laughed as Erin jumped up, his boots kicking up dust as he growled, "Boy! You better watch your mouth!"

Though the fox stood a full head taller than him, the otter felt he had numbers on his side if things got violent, while unbeknownst to him, Skipper had ordered the others to stand down and wait. The young otter smirked and met the vulpine's eyes, "Ah, struck a nerve did I?"

The fox jabbed a claw into the younger male's chest, "I will not stand here and listen to you disrespect the dead like that!"

The otter crossed his arms, but kept one paw on his javelin. He scoffed and turned his back, "Probably died running, like a thief in the night."

Those words broke Erin's last nerve. As the otter strolled casually back towards his kin the fox snapped, "Stop and face me boy", as he drew his daggers.

The young otter smirked, "Why", he turned and faced the fox, javelin at the ready in front of him, "So you can run me thru? Maybe gut me like a trout?"

Erin snarled, "No", he threw his daggers down, both sticking point down in the earth. He then threw himself at Swift, "So I can whip your sorry tail!"

The young otter was so surprised that he failed to notice Erin's clenched paw come sailing right into his face, knocking him to the side. The other otters jumped towards them, but were stopped by a paw signal from Skipper, who just looked at them and shook his head.

Swift felt his weapon jerked from his paws right before he felt another blow hit him squarely in the stomach, doubling him over. Then a single paw was around his throat, lifting him from the ground. He gagged and scratched at Erin's wrist, until he was forcefully slammed to the ground, flat on his back, when he was released and gasped for air. He glared up at the fox who'd soundly beat him in front of half his clan.

Erin said, "If I hadn't been raised so well, I'd spit on you, for you truly disgust me. Only the lowest scum disrespect the dead. Oh and my mother did die running, running with me in her arms as an army of rats chased her, intent on skinning her, and Eating her."

He then turned and looked past the other otters, "Hello Lefty."

Everyone wheeled around to see the aging rat standing there with Farley. The rat chuckled and patted the young mouse on the shoulder, "And that m'boy, is why Erin is second in command."

Behind Lefty were the other three foxes and four ferrets. Erin walked calmly over and picked up his daggers, returning them to their sheaths, before walking past the stunned otters and to his friends. He knelt in front of Farley and smiled, "Your dad is going to be fine pal."

The young mouse shrieked happily and bounced into Erin's arms, throwing his own tiny arms around the fox's neck, "Tank you fer savin' my papa!"

The fox laughed back and patted him on the back, "You are very welcome", he looked to the otters and said, "Would one of you please take him to his father?"

Skipper nodded, "Sure", he then looked to Swift, "Get up boy, and take this here babe to his papa."

The younger otter gawked, "Pa! Aren't you gonna do anythin'! That fox...!"

He was interrupted by his father shouting, "That fox defended his mother's honor from a horrible young beast that I am ashamed to call my son", he turned back to Erin as Swift glumly led Farley thru the great gates, "And defended it well I might add, who taught ya ta scrap so well?"

Erin shrugged, "Lefty here taught us all the basics, but the rest just kind of came to us", he then noticed that Red wasn't there, "Hey, Where's Red?"

the ferret known as Dewclaw shrugged, "He gave the signal to fall back so we did. we didn't see him on the way back, but the camp was in an uproar."

Erin grasped the ferret by the shoulders and said, "Are you sure Dewie?"

The ferret sighed, "Yes I am. Why do you always ask?"

Erin released his comrade and rubbed his jaw, "Alright. Red gave the order to fall back, so I'll respect that . He has until morning, if he's not here then we go back after him", he turned back to the Abbess, "Ma'am. I'm horribly sorry to ask, but could we wait inside the walls? It sounds as if my friends here really stirred up a hornet's nest of trouble."

Bryony smiled and nodded, "Of course. Are any of you hungry? We were about to sit down for breakfast when you arrived , Erin."

The lead fox smiled softly and bowed his head, "That would be lovely Ma'am."

As the sun grew dark, the small band of warriors began to grow worried that their leader hadn't returned. After they had dined with the Redwallers in the great hall, they had taken to a small corner outside near the east gate, intending to take up some much needed sparring. Usually living in the wild, they usually got their practice sparingly. This would be the first time they could actually regulate it.

Several hours later the eight warriors sat lounging against the large red wall. All of them had shed their tunics and boots, the clothes neatly folded and set into individual piles near their various weapons and packs. They had gathered quite a crowd, who had cheered for their new visitors. Many of the females were either drooling over the displays of strength and technique, or badgering their husbands to exorcize a little more. Unfortunately, Erin and the others had to intervene when the young ones, called Dibbuns, began trying to mimic their moves.

Just then the Skipper came over, a pair of his otters in tow, one of which was female. The skipper had changed from the brown pants he'd worn when he and his hunters had come to protect the Abbess, into a pair of fine green ones, which stopped at his ankles. His chest and footpaws were still bare. The female wore a white dress, and again no shoes. The other male was soaking wet, having apparently just come from swimming in the pond. He was wearing a simple loincloth, but had a dark green robe draped over his shoulder which he began to pull on as Skipper introduced them, "Gentlebeasts, this is my wife Brooke", the female gave a small wave, to which the others returned, "And my eldest son Cap."

Erin smiled and said, "Hello, I am Erin Redclaw", he listed off the ferrets first, "These are Dewclaw, Blackeye, Turly, and his brother, Burly", he then gestured to the foxes, "And these are Natini", he said pointing at the only female of their group, "And these are her brothers, Willow, and Runner."

Brooke stepped up and said, "Skip tells me that you whipped my son pretty good."

Erin lost his grin and said somberly, "Yes Ma'am, I did. He insulted my family's honor."

The female surprised him by patting him on the chest, "Oh don't worry about it. He was a stubborn little brat and I'm glad that somebody finally taught him a lesson", she gave her husband a look, "I just wish somebody in his family had done it first."

Skipper sighed and rolled his eyes, "The reason I came over is 'cause I wanted to thank ya."

He stuck his paw out and Erin shook it, saying, "I wish I could say it was a pleasure, but it really wasn't."

Just then the east gate opened and in strode the largest badger any of the warriors were likely to see. Each of their jaws dropped as the massive male hauled a large cart inside, piled high with chopped wood. The cart's seat was occupied by an elderly female badger, who once inside hopped down, with the aid of a cane, and said, "That's far enough Son. I can walk from here."

As soon as she was clear every Dibbun in sight made a beeline for the cart and began piling on. The badger just laughed as they began to chant, "Ride Sunflash! Ride!"

As the badger hauled the cart of cheering children and wood lengths up towards the main abbey building Erin said, "Who is THAT?"

Skipper said, "That's Sunflash of Brocktree. Also known as Sunflash the Mace. He's the protector of the abbey right now, and an old friend of the Abbess'. She helped free him from Swartt Sixclaw."

That name caught Erin's attention, "Sixclaw you say?"

Cap nodded, "Yeah, he was that ferret warlord who passed thru here ten seasons ago."

Brooke shuddered, "He was a vile, cruel vermin", she then quickly said, "No offense intended!"

Dewclaw shook his head, "None taken", and the others nodded. He pointed to Lefty, who was resting asleep under a tree, "Old Lefty used to run in that villain's crew. And look at him now, he wouldn't hurt a fly. When I first joined up with Red and Erin Lefty would tell us how horrible it used to be. S'why he left. Just packed up and quit, he got tired of all the violence."

Erin nodded, then turned back to the otters, "I hope none of you will hold his past against him. He's not really such a bad guy, just very, blunt."

Skip shrugged, "I can't speak for everybody here, but I know my kin and clan will give him a chance."

That night at dinner Erin and his friends told stories of all their adventures to the creatures of Redwall. Though all of the young and elderly were gone to bed by the time they had done, there were still a good score of them in the great hall as the sun began to rise. They were just considering finding rooms for their guest when they heard the shout, "Help! HELP!"

Each of the warriors, save of course for Lefty, ran towards the great doors, stopping only long enough to grab their weapons, before they were bounding across the courtyard in the direction of the shouts, followed by a few otters, a squirrel, and several mice. Erin and the others literally bounded up the steps to the top of the wall and looked over. They saw a small field mouse kneeling near a crumpled heap near the side of the road, and after a moment Dewclaw shouts, "It's Redclaw!"

It was then that Sunflash came thundering outside, awakened by another mouse who had heard the shouting. In his hands was a massive club, looking to be made of mahogany or oak.

"What's happening", he shouted.

Erin turned and shouted back, "Open the gates! And somebody get a healer!"

The large badger set his mace aside and pushed the gates open as Erin and Dewclaw scrambled outside and carried their leader inside, while Willow brought Elizabeth. They took the semi-conscious Redclaw inside, under the direction of Sunflash, and carried him up to the infirmary, where an aging mouse named Sister Withe came in with a lantern.

"Alright what's happened?"

As more lanterns were lit it became clear what had happened to Red, as the large wooden shaft jutting from his back became instantly and plainly visible. everyone in the room gave a nervous glance before the mouse grasped the shaft, and Redclaw hissed and came back awake.

When his eyes met Sister Withe's he instantly pushed himself up and tried to press back against the wall, to get as far away as he could. Erin took note of this and stepped between them, "Red! It's me! just calm down, you are inside Redwall."

the ferret looked around before taking a deep breath to calm himself, before he laid back down and closed his eyes. He pulled Erin down and whispered into his ear. When he finished he patted the fox on the shoulder.

Erin nodded to his friend before turning to Sister Withe, "He asks that you be careful. It's a crossbow bolt so the tip is probably barbed."

The grey mouse nodded and again stepped past the fox. She again grasped the shaft, once again bringing a hiss from Red. The mouse patted his arm, "I'm sorry dear. I'm trying."

She twisted the shaft as gently as she could, and watched as a pair of large barbs did reveal themselves. And every time she tried to withdraw the shaft they dug into the wound. Sister Withe sighed and shook her head, "I can't get it. The barbs keep digging in."

She released the arrow and took a step over to a basin to clean the blood from her paws. As she ran the clean water over them Erin asked her, "You've never done this before have you?"

the mouse again sighed, "No. We are a peaceful group. Other than an occasional accident I've never done anything this bad...what are you doing?"

Erin had called over one of the other foxes and said, "Ready? Go!"

Both of them shot their paws onto Red's back, and apparently caused him great pain, because he shouted loudly, before blacking out again. After a few moments they turned around. Both their paws were covered in blood, then the other fox, who turned out to be Runner, held up the bolt. Erin walked over to the basin and began to wash as he explained, "With a barbed arrow, you have to pull the wound apart to get it free. it's easiest to do if you have two beasts there", he took the bolt and cleaned it before giving up the basin. Walking back over to the others he handed the bolt to Blackeye, "Another for your quiver my friend."

The ferret pulled said quiver off his back and pulled out a bolt. Holding the two next to each other he saw that they were the same length and slid them both into the leather tube. when he saw the look Sunflash and Withe were giving him he said, "Wot? Bolts are bloody hard to make. You need a certain toipe of wood and special tools to shape it."

Sunflash nodded, "Very true", when Sister Withe gave him a look the badger shrugged, "Well it is."

Withe simply rolled her eyes, "Whatever. Now everybody out! These poor beasts need rest and they can't get it with a band of noisy buffoons crowding them! Out! OUT!"

They all filed out and were led to their rooms. the wanderers all shouted excitedly, and even Left broke into a smile, they would be sleeping comfortably tonight. Before she retired to her room Sister Withe returned to the infirmary and checked on her patients. Samuel was sleeping soundly, the herbs she'd given him right before going to bed for the first time had kept him asleep.

She moved over to her other patient and studied his face while she cut his shirt away and applied a bandage to his back. Withe knew that there was no way she could know this ferret, but for some reason she could not shake the feeling she'd seen him somewhere before. As she tightened the final knot she leant close and studied his features. He had many small scars all over his face, and a large one that ran across the middle, from his left temple, across his snout, skipping slightly over his lips, and ending at his bottom right jaw. One of his ears had a large chunk missing.

She nearly jumped out of her skin when she looked back down and noticed his eyes were open, "OH! I'm sorry Mr. Redclaw. I don't mean to be rude."

The ferret propped himself up and shook his head, then whispered, "Don't worry about it", he looked over at another bed, "How's the girl?"

Sister Withe looked over at the form huddled next to Samuel and smiled, "She'll be fine, thanks to you", she turned her smile on the ferret, who'd rolled over onto his side, "That was a very brave thing you did."

Redclaw shrugged as best he could, "It was my pleasure."

He then coughed, bringing his paws up to cover his mouth. Sister Withe pointed to his gloves and said, "Do you always where those?"

Red shrugged, "Only when I'm around those I don't know. I am…disfigured."

Withe patted his paw, "Oh don't worry about that dear. Just get some rest and we'll talk in the morning. Maybe the Abbess will stop by to see you."

The ferret shook his head, "Abbess Meriam is still here? Good for her."

Sister Withe stopped in the door, "Well yes, but she's no longer Abbess, a young sister by the name of Byrony took her place several seasons ago. Wait do you know Meriam?"

But Redclaw didn't hear her. He simply muttered, "She's safe", then settled down to sleep, exhaustion and herbs overtaking him.

Withe would have said more, but Redclaw's gentle snores stopped her. So she simply doused the lanterns and went to bed…