6.

Travel Marches

"Columbine where did you get this?" Martin looked in shock at the token he had been given.

Emalet spoke up first. "Actually I gave it to her. I hoped it would help to convince you to return to Noonvale. I was told to give it to you when I found you."

Martin looked up at the owl. "Who gave this to you?"

"I'm sorry Martin I don't know who it was. The creature kept their hood up. I couldn't tell who it was. Why?"

Martin tucked the token into a pocket of his tunic. "Never mind, it is of no importance. Columbine please wake up Gonff and have him meet me in the gatehouse. Also send Skipper if you see him as well."

Columbine nodded and ran off into the night. Soon she, Gonff, Skipper and Emalet were seated around Martin's small table listening to all the information Emalet could provide about Rassk and his slaver crew. When Emalet finished the first lights of dawn were just beginning to color the sky. Martin had buckled his sword to his side and kept a paw on the hilt. Martin then told his friends of the reason of Emalet's visit and the short version of truth of his past. "Skipper could your crew handle the slavers when the time comes?"

"Aye matey. Don' you go worryin' your good self over that lot. Me and the crew will keep 'em busy."

"Gonff you'll be in charge of freeing the slaves when the time comes. I know you'd rather be taking on the slavers, but a good Mousethief should be able to pick the locks on the chains with few problems."

"Of course Martin. It'll be just like when we first broke out of Kotir. Now don't you worry your pretty little head my darling. Martin and I will be back before you know it." Gonff had seen a very worried look in his wife's eyes.

"Oh I'm not concerned about that. It just seems that given how many slaves this Rassk seems to have taken you might need some help in freeing them quickly." She turned to Martin. "You know as well as I that the only lockpick in this Abbey better than me is my dear husband. I'm asking to come with you Martin."

Seeing the concern on Columbine's face Martin quickly agreed. "Of course you can come with us Columbine. Maybe on this journey Gonff will be better behaved."

"Fat chance matey. I'll be stealin' and singin' the whole way there."

Martin couldn't help but smile at his friend. "Wouldn't have it any other way mate." The Warrior turned to Skipper. "Skip, get your crew together and have them meet at the main gate as soon as possible. We need to travel light and swift."

"I'll rouse up the crew up right now matey." The big otter left the gatehouse to wake his crew.

Emalet had one suggestion for Martin. "I have heard of your skill with a blade Martin. But this Rassk may be more than a match even for you. Would you please humor this bird and take that fine suit of armor."

Martin looked at the burnished steel plate armor displayed in a corner of the room. "Normally I don't wear that lot. It's light enough in battle, but it'll be a heavy burden on such a long journey. I think it will only slow us down."

Gonff though would have none of that. "Martin me mate, the owl speaks sense. They're not called wise for naught. You'll have a full otter crew of willing paws to help you carry that lot. I agree with Emalet. If this Rassk is as good a swordsbeast as you, you'll need all the help and protection you can get."

Martin took a deep breath but relented. "Very well Gonff. We'll take the armor. But that means we'll have to lighten the food packs or take none at all to travel at the speed I intend."

Columbine alleviated the worried Warrior. "Have no fear of that Martin. Even with the drought, Mossflower can provide us all the food and drink we need and since we're going to just be eating what we find we won't have to carry any extra with us. Once we get out of Mossflower, I'm sure experienced travelers like yourselves will be able to forage just fine."

In a short while Martin had his armor packed in several large haversacks and met Skipper and the otters at the main gates. Bella and Abbes Germaine were with them. Martin came forward and bowed to the ancient mouse.

"Mother Abbes, a duty from long ago calls me north. I beg your leave to assist those facing a deadly peril."

Germaine bowed her head to the Warrior. "Of course Martin. May the good fortune of all Redwallers go with you and your bold friends."

Bella had her parting words too. "Go swiftly Martin. The sword you carry was forged to protect those who can't protect themselves. Acquit yourself well and come back as soon as you are able."

Drawing his sword Martin flashed it in a Warrior's salute before turning out of the gate and up the path to the north.

Two days later the Redwallers were making excellent time. Martin had set a very fast pace. That and by using the many shortcuts Emalet knew from her scouting they had traveled twice the distance they normally would have been able to travel. That night Gonff watched as Martin held a whispered conversation with Emalet. Shortly thereafter the owl flew off to the north. Martin came back to the fire beside his friends.

"Where's our owl friend off to?" asked Gonff.

Martin pulled out some of his armor and, as he did every night inspected it for any signs of wear or damage. "She was giving me the rest of the route to Noonvale. I asked her to fly on ahead of us and let them know we're coming."

"Noonvale? Where's that?" asked an otter called Streamer.

Martin looked at the other puzzled faces of the otter crew. "Forgive me my friends. We have been on the road two days and I haven't even told you where we're going or why."

Streamer answered for the otters. "We'da followed you anywheres Martin. But we was getting' a bit curious to know where our course was set for."

Martin set down the greave he had been inspecting. "My friends, Skipper, Columbine, and Gonff already know this story as I told them the night before we set out. We are bound for a place called Noonvale. It's a place I have been to before but swore never to mention. Before I came to Mossflower I was born on the shores of the Western Sea in the far northlands." Martin went on to tell the otters the truth of his past. Martin felt surprisingly relieved at finally being able to confide his secret to more of his friends. The otter's eyes grew wide as he told them of his battle against Marshank and the reason he had left so long ago. He finished by detailing the nature of the threat against the valley.

When Martin was done with his tale the otters could scarcely take in what the mouse had told them. Streamer piped up again. "That's some tale Martin. Doesn't surprise any of us you would seek solitude after an ordeal like that. Still I reckon it'll do you a world o good to get back there."

Martin lay back and started at the sky as he answered. "If it's still there to go back to Streamer."

The next day the Redwallers rose well before dawn had broken. According to the pace Martin had set they rose well before the sun climbed over the tree tops and kept going long after the silver moon cast its shining beams into the forest. Gonff kept their spirit's up by composing marching songs as they hurried ever northwards through the dry forest.

"A Warrior, a Thief, a maid, Questing to find the glade, Otters brave and true, A loyal and stalwart crew.

The northward path they take, Hardly taking a break. No heat will ruin our mood, For handsome Gonff has stolen the food!"

At the sound of the last line Skipper and Martin went chasing off after the mischievous Mousethief.

"Oy! What's this stealing the food part matey?"

"Aye, you wouldn't want your pretty wife to go hungry on this trip now would you?

Gonff's free spirit kept them all upbeat as he kept ahead of the mouse and otter chasing him. "Ha! Catch me if you can you slow footed old frog hoppers! I'll bet you one of Columbines good apple pies I'll make it to Noonvale afore you!"

Martin and Skipper continued to chase after Gonff calling back insults at him. "You make it to Noonvale before me? I'd like to see you try you fat-bellied, old scoff swindler."

"Scoff swindler indeed me bucko. Who was it that swiped more than ten score Abbey scones hid under his shield?" Gonff called back.

Skipper had almost caught up with Gonff as he answered for Martin. "That was you matey. I know 'cause I saw you nip Martin's shield to carry them all in!" Skipper grabbed hold of Gonff and the two wrestled furiously in the forest loam as they waited for the others to catch up. The banter was playful enough, but each step brought them closer to Noonvale and the threat facing the peaceful valley.

A/N; Yea! Filler chapters are done! Self high -five. The next few are my favorite ones in this story so far. We still have a long way to go in this tale. I've got six more chapters handwritten that have been very heavily edited. There are almost more scribbles and cross-outs on those pages than actual words I'll be typing out. I'll get them up soon, since I like the rest of the story so much I can't wait to share it with you all.