Here it is, Chapter four. Sorry about the long break; I had a bunch of Honor band stuff going on… anyways…

Disclaimer: I do not own Redwall or Juska.

Claimer: I own al1 the Characters Except Martin (of course).

Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 4:

As Amber walked into the darkness, she thought about the conversation she had just had. She began to wonder how she would feel if she were in the hedgehog's place. He had never known violence, and now his hometown was being attacked by an angry horde of rats. She shook the thought out of her mind. She would have to act cruel and pitiless in the near future. Circling around the camp, she came in near where she had left to meet with Alek. Wearing a proud expression, she swaggered into the camp to the place where she had been laying. Only a few vermin were still up, so she went to sleep; feeling content with her actions.

"Up!" a voice could be heard whispering harshly. "Get up you useless tubs of lard!" Amber arose and joined Marduk in waking everybeast up. When everyone was up, Marduk began to speak in a hushed tone. "It will be time to attach soon, and we need a plan. I have not come up with a certain way to do this, but my tracker, Brang, has scouted the area. What have you found, Brang?"

A tall, skinny rat spoke up. "The village has two main entrances. One on the south side and one on the north. The best thing to do would be to surround the village with about fifty rats, evenly spaced in hiding. After these rats are positioned, two groups should charge into the town from the main entrances. After that, it should be easy enough. The town has no protection or sentries and we should be able to take them completely by surprise." When he finished his proposal, the rat nodded and stepped back.

Marduk nodded and said "A worthy plan. We'll use it. Any suggestions on how to make it better?"

Amber raised her paw. "We should only kill the ones who object to our rule. Anyone who doesn't will be a prisoner who will be useful as a slave to enlarge the town, making room for all the troops and the future Juskabeasts."

Marduk nodded. "I agree. I think we all have gathered that the citizens of the town are not used to open warfare. This invasion should be profitable and very easy. Here is the plan. We'll do as Brang says, and surround the town. Then, we'll charge it according to plan. One group will be led by Amber, and the other by me." He indicated three different groups, then indicated the smallest of the three. "You will go surround the town. Stay well hidden and within sight of each other. When you hear my signal, head towards the middle of the village. When you are ready, signal me and we will begin the charge. Go." The group dashed off into the forest. Marduk indicated the second group. "You will go to the southern entrance with Amber. When you get the signal from the surrounding forces, charge." He indicated the last group. "You will be with me. We will do the same as Amber's group except on the north side. Are we clear?" when no one answered he nodded. "Disperse."

Amber led her group around the town and to the Southern entrance. There she signaled them to lie low until the signal from the surrounding forces. Five minutes passed. Ten. Fifteen. Finally, a shrill whistle was heard and Amber charged into the town, followed by her group.

She shouted orders as she ran. "Two of you stay back and guard the exit. The rest of you, follow me. We need to get everybeast here to the center of town. Search every house thoroughly, and leave gashes on the doors of houses that have been checked!" with that, she ran into the first house.

A family of mice sat in the main room of the house, eating their breakfast. A loud noise came from the door. It fell open, and a rat stood in the doorway.

She walked in and said "Everyone out. Now." When no one responded she said "Did you hear me or not? I said get out!"

One of the mice, an adult, stood up. "Why?" He said. "Why must we leave our homes for the sake of some rat?"

Amber darted forward and grabbed the mouse by the collar of his shirt. The Mice all gasped and stared at her, terrified. Thinking better of her decision, she let go and backed away. Pulling out her dagger, she dropped it on the ground

"Look, I don't want to fight. I am in this position for reasons unknown to me, but I do know that if you don't fight, I will do everything in my power to keep you from harm. I don't want anyone to get hurt here." Amber reasoned.

The mouse kept staring at her for a minute, then nodded saying "Nicholys told us that he was warned about this attack. We believed him, but the part he said about a good rat left us confused. I assume that you are the rat he was referring to?"

Amber nodded. "If Nicholys is the hedgehog I talked to last night, then yes, I am the same rat, but I don't know if I'd call myself 'good'."

The mouse sat back down at the table. "So did you really spare Alek? And if so, why didn't you let him come home?"

Amber scratched her ears. "Yes, I did spare him. I didn't let him come home because I was supposed to kill him, and if I let him come back, Marduk would see him, which would lead to me getting killed for insubordination. I, being a rat, admit that I am pretty selfish, so I sent him to Redwall where I intend to meet him. We need to get to the center of town now. I will not be acting very pleasant, as I am second-in-command and have to order everybeast around. Sometime in the near future I will go missing. If any of you get blamed, I want you to tell them that you heard me talking to myself about deserting. I want you to tell everyone in the village this. One more thing. I will have to escort you to the center at knifepoint, and I need you to act like I conquered you. Can you do that for me? By the way, what's your name?"

"Okay, that's pretty clear. I am still not sure if I can trust you, but I will for the time being. My name is Joben, and Alek is my son. I will do what you ask if you promise me something." Joben replied.

"What do you want me to promise?" Amber inquired

"I want you to make sure nothing happens to my son. I can understand why you told him to leave, but when you find him take care of him, will you?" Joben asked

Amber nodded "Of course I will." She looked behind herself out the window. "We need to get going." She said, retrieving her knife, she gestured at the open door. "After you."

She marched them out the door, gently pushing her knife against Joben's back. She made sure not to harm him in any way, but put on a sneer so no one would know.

When they reached the town square she gently shoved Joben and his family towards the other captives with a whispered "Good luck."

This chapter was kind of short, but meh. I purposefully made Amber kind of awkward around goodbeasts because she is not used to talking gently or seeing their relationships with each other. It makes her feel out of place. Meh there it is. I hope you enjoyed it.