Chapter Twenty-Eight: Escape Plan
Nettleclaw had great confidence in his soldiers' ability, but he was no fool. He knew that the battle was lost. There were still a few scattered groups of vermin fighting, which would provide the distraction he needed to escape. Nettleclaw turned to flee, but found himself confronted by a trio of hares.
The one in the lead pointed his rapier at Nettleclaw, "You, sir, are coming with us."
In one swift motion, almost faster than the eye could follow, Nettleclaw drew his sword and slew the speaker. Crossing blades with the next one, he thrust her sword upward, and stabbed her with his dagger. He threw himself at the third hare's feet. He tripped, and Nettleclaw sprang upright, and plunged his sword into the hare's back.
Before Nettleclaw could retrieve his sword, Curra came running at him. As he swung his saber at Nettleclaw's head, the ferret dropped to the ground, holding his dagger up.
Curra screamed in pain, Nettleclaw pulled his sword free and fled; leaving Currare cradling his wrist, which was now without a paw.
Beechtail saw Nettleclaw running. He was going to give chase, but Adaracor stopped him.
"Let him go; we can come back and track him later. We need to get the wounded back to Redwall."
Beechtail glanced at the fleeing ferret, then reluctantly turned to go help the many injured creatures.
Nettleclaw glanced backward; no one was following him…yet. They would come after him eventually, and Nettleclaw didn't think he could evade them. He needed something to discourage pursuit permanently. Like always, he had a plan. The survivors of the battle formed a ragged procession, heading the same way he was; towards Redwall.
Night was falling when the weary army finally made it to Redwall, laden with stretchers bearing those who could not walk.
Aspen, Beechtail, and Maplefur were walking together. Beechtail was helping Curra, who was weak, and a bit dizzy from blood loss. On the long trek back to the Abbey, they had become friends. "Almost there, Curra, just little farther…"
As they passed through the gate, a small blur shot by Beechtail. It was the squirrelbabe, Zik, running from his latest misdeed. He fled north up the path.
"I'll get him," Aspen called, giving chase.
Maplefur spoke to Beechtail, "Beechtail, I wanted to tell you, I-"
Beechtail interrupted her, "Do me a favor, stay here and close the gate when Aspen get's back. Then you can tell me whatever it is you keep trying to tell me"
Maplefur nodded and walked back to the gate.
Beechtail followed everyone else up into Great Hall.
Adaracor was speaking to the Abbot, "The ferret who started all this got away. As soon as all the wounded are safe, I'm going to go back and hunt him down.
A cold voice spoke from the door to Great Hall, "Oh, I'm afraid it's much too late for that."
Beechtail spun around. It was Nettleclaw, and he was holding his sword to Maplefur's throat.