Chapter Ten: The Long Patrol Marches to War
Currare and Celeriter were the two fastest gallopers in the Long Patrol. They were best friends and were currently sitting in the mess hall, and betting with some of their friends on who would be picked for the patrol.
"I bet my pastry that it'll be you Curra, you're the fastest." One young hare commented.
"C'mon chap, don't you have anything better that your measly pasty, eh? Anyhow we'll probably both go." Curra slid forward a large slice of pie as his wager.
Celeriter, or Cel as she was more commonly called, added a small bag of candied nuts to the pile. "I'll be the one going on the jolly old patrol, doncha know?"
Major Dilworth burst in to the mess hall. "H'attention, if I call your name, get your weapon and report to the kitchen for rations. Anyone not lined up in two hours, ready to march is on a fizzer."
As their names were called, hares began to gobble what was left of their breakfasts, not eager to find out what Dilworth meant by "fizzer".
The major called the next name "Celeriter."
The haremaid laughed and grabbed the pile of food "Told you so."
In a few hours, the chosen five hundred were lined up, standing to attention, outside of Salamandastron, carrying several days' worth of rations. Ghan was circling overhead. Curra spotted Cel in the front rank, and waved. She winked back at him and smiled.
Adaracor came out to address the troops. "As some of you may know, there are around three hundred vermin marching northward as we speak. You are to intercept them before they reach Redwall Abbey. Give them the opportunity to turn back in peace, but if they don't, show them that the Long Patrol does not tolerate vermin in Mossflower anymore! Eulaliaaaa!"
"Eulaliaaaaaa!" The five hundred hares of the Long Patrol marched off into the distance.