Chapter 5
She stood in an open field. Beyond, in the far distance, was a castle. She knew that this castle was much bigger than her. ...I know this place...Her eyes narrowed. I know it well. The badgermaiden began to walk toawrds the castle, but she didn't seem to be getting anywhere. "...What..." Then she heard something behind her. She spun, only to see a mouse, wielding a sword. "...Who are you?" "Martin. Martin of Redwall. Why do you sleep, maiden?" She stared at him. "Because I fought over twenty vermin at once. Not to mention how I got here..." Martin nodded. "I came to tell you that, even though you have done much, Mossflower needs you." "Mossflower?" "Yes, all of the land around you is Mossflower, but even now, you are near the gates of the Forest." The maiden cocked her head. "Forest?" "Even now, you drift more and more closer to the Forest. Your wounds...are taking their toll on you. But you can resist the call. Awaken. Awaken, you who wields the blazing sword, awaken, and discover why you have been called." Then, Martin was gone. Just like that.
"She's waking up!" "Somebody help me hold her down!" "FREDERICK!" With a panic-filled roar, she bolted upright, panting. She only saw the face of the male badger in front of her. "Calm yourself. You are safe." Frederick reached up and put his paws on her shoulders, while looking over at a group of hares that were standing in the doorway. "...Do you need anything?" "I do not, but I imagine that she might like something." The biggest hare nods. "I'll go and get something." All but two of the hares leave the room.
About two minutes later, the badgermaiden calmed down and was able to look around the room. Off in a corner, below a window, was an anvil, one that seemd to have been used for many years. Numerous weapons hung on walls around the anvil, and there was a table with other weapons sitting on it. Two items in particular catched her eye-a battered sheild, and a sheathed one handed sword. Frederick noticed her gaze. The Badger Lord walked over to the table and picked up the sword and shield. "Are these yours?" She nodded. "Yes." Frederick smiled. "So you can talk." "I noticed. How long was I asleep for?" Frederick looked out the lone window, out towards the sea. "Many days." The badger looked towards the young badgermaiden that had laid in his bed for a week, and wondered how she even survived the ambush. He lowered his gaze to her weapon of choice, a beatiful-hand-crafted blade. The handle was covered in a strange red scaled covering, the hilt was also covered in this strange material. The crossguard was one that he has never seen before-two wings, spread apart, the ends were clawed, and were also red. but the blade itself was what drew Frederick's attention. It was also red, but it was covered in runes, ones that he had never seen before, and he had a feeling that he wouldn't find them in any of his books...
Frederick looked towards the badgermaiden and put his paw on the hilt. She nodded, and in one fluid motion, he drew the blade from its sheath. The sword hissed as it sprang from its cage, and it seemed like it was suddenly set ablaze. Frederick swung the sword, and he swore that it cut the very air as the blade sliced downwards. Satisfied, he lifted the blade upwards, and resheathed it. He then walked over to the bed and placed the sword and sheild at the maidens feet. "Whoever made your sword knew what they were doing. May I ask your name, young one?" She offered a paw to him and Frederick took it, helping her stand. He couldn't help but notice as she turned and began equipping her sword and sheild that she was well built, and that she was obivously trained to fight. As she turned back to face him, she had a light in her eyes, they appeared golden. She held up her paw, towards him, and he took her hand in the timeless gesture and they shook hands. "I go by many titles, of course, but you may call me Lauren. I understand that you have a full title..." Frederick nodded. "Lord Frederick the Feroisous. ...You say that you want a title as well?" Lauren nodded. "...Hmmm...Maple said that you might already have a title. Would Warrior siut you?" "...I'll take it. Could I perhaps eat something?" Frederick nodded. "Come along, I have lots of hares that want to meet you." As the Badger Lord lead the badgermaiden away, he thought he heard a voice, one that said Watch over her for me. He stopped in the coridorr, confused. ...Who are you? "I am Dragonus. Her Guardian Dragon. The blade she carries is named Dragon's Fire, and I am its spirit. Please care for her for me, will you? Frederick nodded. I shall do so. He sensed that the sprit was satisfied, and the two contiuned towards the Dining Hall. He would have to ask Lauren about where she came from at a later time.
