Chapter Twenty: Council of War

The atmosphere was quite gloomy at the council of war in the forge room of Salamandastron. Currare and Lieutenant Pelwold were poring over a large map of Mossflower. Colonel Lupshaw was pacing back and forth, muttering to himself. The door opened, and Lord Adaracor walked in, causing all three hares to jump to attention. The badger's eyes were red from lack of sleep, and he was carrying a scroll, yellow with age. Adaracor sat down on a chair that looked much too small to support his weight, and placed the scroll on the table with the map. "I know that when Celeriter said the ferret was carrying the Rapscallion sword, we didn't believe her. I myself though it would have rusted away to nothing long ago. Last night I searched through the records, I wasn't sure what I was looking for, it's quite possible that several of the Rapscallions escaped destruction at the Ridge of a Thousand, but the sword is a different matter. However, after reading this, I think that the sword could have survived all these seasons."

"Wow, so is that scroll really from the time of Cregga Rose Eyes?" Curra asked.

"No, actually this is even older; this goes all the way back to when Rawnblade Widestripe was Lord of Salamandastron. Here, read it."

Curra picked up the scroll and read it aloud.

Lord Rawnblade has developed a new metal, it is an alloy of steel and the unidentifiable metal we obtained from mole traders last summer. Strangely the new metal doesn't seem to corrode of rust, even in seawater. Rawnblade forged an unusual sword for Sergeant Learunner. It is straight on one side, and wavy on the other. When I asked him about this, Rawnblade said that it was because Salamandastron is where the sea and the land meet. I didn't really understand why that was important, but who wants to argue with a badger? Also today…

Adaracor interrupted him, "Stop, give me the scroll."

Currare handed it over. Adaracor opened it to a different part, and gave it back. "The stuff in between is of no importance, read this section."

Sergeant Learunner was killed today, along with his children Gorsepaw and Crocus, while out on patrol, they took several searats with them though. I have never seen Rawnblade so angry. We were able to learn, because we recognized several of the dead vermin, that they were killed by searats from the Fearwave, one of Gabool's ships, under Captain Rapsca. It appears that Rapsca also took Learunner's sword.

Adaracor interrupted again, "There isn't any more of importance until near the end."

It has been nearly two seasons since Learunner was slain, and we haven't found any trace of Captain Rapsca. Even a captured searat didn't know anything. However we have more urgent problems, not the least of which is Gabool the Wild…

Colonel Lupshaw voiced his opinion, "Very interesting, but how does this help us?"

Adaracor explained, "This ferret, to have recovered the sword, probably knows much of what we just read. This isn't just any old horde, they are well armed, trained, and are led by an extremely competent and intelligent leader. The fact that he was able to gather an army that size so quickly, and draw us into a trap, means that he probably has a plan to conquer us, and it's working."

Lieutenant Pelwold commented, "Salamandastron is quite the fortress, we could probably hold them off, despite their numbers."

"However, that would leave Redwall Abbey open to attack, and this ferret has enough troops to overrun it," Adaracor responded, "and with the supplies from Redwall, they could lay siege to us, and probably win."

Lupshaw suggested another strategy, "If we brought the garrison to Redwall, we might be able to defend it. But that would leave the bally mountain undefended."

"And if they make an alliance with the searats, we wouldn't stand a chance."

Currare stepped forward, he had been looking at the map of Mossflower, "If defending the jolly old fortress is hopeless, why try? Let's meet them head on, if we take them by surprise, and strike first, and somehow prevent their bally archers from causing too much damage, we might stand a chance."

The three others stared at him, Lupshaw spoke, "If…we attack at night…and spread our forces out…Ha, this might jolly well work, wot." He scanned the map, "Here, if they keep on their present course, we can ambush them here, this cluster of hills, a mile or so east of the Ridge of a Thousand."

"Rats, I was hoping we would fight at the bally Ridge."

"Now that would be weird."

Adaracor made his decision. "At sunset in three days time, we will attack them at those hills. We will leave the mountain at noon today. Currare, I need you to go north, find Captain Resscutt, and his pike hares, we need them back here, soon. If you don't arrive in time, try to stay hidden, and take back Mossfower, like in the time of Boar the Fighter. Leave immediately, minutes may count."

Curra saluted, and rushed off. He stopped at his quarters to grab his fencing saber, and the kitchens for some light traveling food. When he got to the main gate, he found Cel waiting.

"Aren't you supposed to be resting? You were wounded," asked Curra.

"Not really, I just ran like a bally whirlwind to get here, I was just exhausted, they've let me walk around some today. Where are you off to?"

"I've got to go find jolly old Captain Resscut, we need him."

"Well, good luck, and please, come back."

Curra smiled at her, "Don't worry, I will."

Then he was gone.