Hey guys. Its The SilverClaymore. this is kind of a peaceful and relaxing chapter, unlike the first.
I do not own this story, that honor belongs to my inspiration, Brian Jacques, RIP. All I own are only a few characters and places.
Enter my all time favorite Redwall character, Captain Rake Nightfur!
Enjoy!
Captain Rake Nightfur strode along the beach, the sun glistening in his eyes. Reaching a large rock, he sat down, a smile creeping along his face as he heard somebeast approach him. "Och mah laddie," Rake spoke in his broad Northern accent, "Wot brings ye here?" The beast he was addressing strode up to him. It was an otter, young in seasons, yet still he had dangerous glint in his eyes. "Hello Captain Nightfur," he said cheerfully, a smile plastering his lips. "I'm sent here by my father, Ruggan. My name is Crasher. My father said if I wanted to know how to use a proper claymore, like the one here," drawing a long, dark sword he showed to Rake as he continued, "He said if I wanted to learn how to use it, I should come to you." "'Och, Ah'm honored to meet and teach ye Crasher. Ah know ye father well." "You can just call me Crash, Captain." "Well, alright, then, Crash, me lad, noaw you just now said you wanted to have me teach ye? Well, then, 'ow bout you go on back to yon father of yours and tell 'im that Ah'd be 'appy to teach ye, t'as long h'as we practice 'bout this time every morn. T'alright?" "Thank you, Captain!" Crash said, "Is it alright if we have a quick duel now? If you don't mind me saying, I want to see if you're as good as they say." "'Tis fine laddo," Rake said, "But Ah can't promise Ah'll go easy-like." Crash chuckled, "I can't promise the same for myself! Yaah!" Suddenly he charged forward, swinging his claymore. Rake moved like lightning. Easily dodging Crash's wild charge, he pulled out his own claymores. Seeing he had missed his target, Crash lashed out at Rake. The dark furred captain easily deflected the blow, throwing out tips to the reckless young otter as he ducked, parried, and dodged Crash's lunges. "Och, laddie, keep your feet steady! T'alright, block, parry, thrust! Block, parry, thrust! Careful there young un'. Ah don't want ye being hurt on our first practice!" Finally, in a desperate attempt, Crash whipped out with his tail, while thrusting with his sword. Stamping the tail under paw, Rake twisted his left claymore, wrenching the young otter's sword out of his hands, while with his other hand he nipped the edges of Crash's whiskers off. "Well, laddo, well done! Jolly well done! Och, did jour pa teach you some of those wee tricks?" Crash nodded, but was at a loss for words. Never before had he seen such a swordsmanship as Captain Rake Nightfur's. Accepting his sword from the dark furred captain, he staggered off to tell his friends about his bout with the skilled hare.
Lady Violet Wildstripe strolled around her mountain fortress of Salamandastron with her friend, Major Felton Fforbes. They passed by a class taught by an hare where the leverets were obviously not trying. "Well Major," she commented, "The young leverets seem especially drowsy today!" "Ahem marm, er, My Lady," Fforbes replied, "They did have quite the night last night with the 15th celebration of the death of that foul creature, Razzid Wearat. But, ahem, that 'tis no excuse! For today we are being blessed with the arrival of Captain Nubbs Miggory, or so my Gallopers tell me, back from the South coast. 'Tis been nearly four seasons since I saw that scarred ole veteran! But, wot twixt getting rid of those Blackrat tribes, tis all for a good cause." "He really is coming back today?" Violet said. "Well, that's wonderful! I'm sure Captain Rake will be happy to see him. I do hope he rid these lands of those Blackrats. A nasty lot they are. I hear they've accumulated quite an army." "Yes, indeed," Fforbes replied. " But that's nothing to lose your, ahem, breakfast over, wot wot! Ole Miggory is one of our best, an he's on the Posy Gurdy. Now, then, my lady, should we, ahem, go for tea? I hear the cook is making those cream 'n raspberry scones again." "By all means, my friend," Lady Violet said, licking her lips. " And you leverets!" she yelled. " I expect Major Bigfloon to tell me how you strived to beat records today! That is, unless you want to be cleaning out pots' n 'pans later..." Suddenly the leverets jumped to attention and began doing their exercises three times as fast. Violet chuckled and walked towards the mess hall
Tea was delicious. A few old friends showed up, including Ruggan and Skor Axehound. The Cook had to make a triple batch of his signature cream 'n rassberry scones to match Skor's appetite. Also, Rake came in from the sea, followed by a group of young hares and otters, begging him to duel them, as well as Lieutenant Trug Bawdsley and Lancejack Sage. Shooing off his admirers, Rake walked over to where Skor, Ruggan, Lady Violet, and Major Felton were sitting. "Hello, Rake," Skor Axehound boomed. "you got quite the group of admirers there." "Och mah friend, Skor." Rake replied. "Tis all b'cause that young rip Crash challenged me to a duel." "Oh, really?" Ruggan raised an eyebrow. "Win, did he?" "Och, no mah lad," Rake chuckled. "Noaw, I won but he put up a decent joust. Didja teach 'im Ruggan?" "Indeed! Well did he ask you about the lessons?" "Och, indeed 'e did. Told 'im every morning, hour so after tha bally sun rises." "'Eh?" Ruggan snorted. "Depends on what sun ye mean. My son don't like to wake 'til bout noon." They all chuckled at the burly sea otter's joke. "Rake, I've been thinking," Lady Violet started. "'Bout wot'n particular M'lady?" The dark furred captain asked. "Well, I think I want to take a trip to Redwall, and me and Felton here would need protection, so maybe when Miggory gets back, could we take a trip there with you, Miggory, Skor, and Ruggan as protectors on the Posy Gurdy?" "Och, M'lady, t'am much obliged to accept yon invitation, and ye have mah 'eart, mah blades, and mah word that'll get ye and Major Fforbes taw Redwall completely saife, t'an I'm shore Miggory and yon ottahs t'are tha same way. Eh Skor?" "We'd be honored Violet." "Thank you, Rake, and you Skor. I really appreciate it." Lady Violet smiled. "Now, let us go. I hear that there is going to be an otter/hare boxing competition in honor of Miggory's return. Come on! Will be fun to watch!" "Eh, m'lady," Ruggan smirked. "Mah liddle son Crash 'the same one that Rake here walloped earlier today, is in this one. Practicisng hard he has. I've got four pieces of gold on him, Rake." "Eh, dream on ye wee rascal. Mah bets on mah patroller, Och, best tracker I set eyes on in Mah seasons, tha wee Buff Redspore," the dark captain snorted. "The day yon wee Crash beats 'er me own 'eart will fail mah!" "He's right bucko!" Lieutenant Trug Bawdsley sauntered up. "Yore ole son don't stand a whisker of a chance!" "Enough! Enough bickering!" Lady Violet scolded the young lieutenant. But there was no stopping them. Ruggan and Trug started debating, throwing out stats and advantages/disadvantages. Finally, Skor reached out and held both up. "That will be all out of you two! When a badger lady tells you to be quiet, you shuddup! Quiet!" The rest of the walk was quiet enough, except for the occasional rude comment by the hare or otter.
Finally, they reached the arena. They arrived just in time as the announcer said, "Let the annual hare/otter boxing competitions begin!" The friends sat down. "Och, m'lady!" Rake said, a thought dawning on him." "How d'ye figure yon Redwallers know we're a coming?" "Oh!" Violet said. "I sent a gull to Redwall Abbey two days ago. "Och, knew Ah wouldn't say no, did ye marm?" Rake pointed out. "Oh. I'm sorry, Rake. I didn't think of that." "Tis fine, m'lady. Ah'd never refuse yon." 'Well, I can still make it up to you by offering you something sweet. What do you want?" "Och, I us'ally would say no, but Ah do 'ave something in mind." "Anything! What do you want?" "Well Ah wouldn't mind one of those blackberry badger cakes reserved for you only! Not fer me, mind you, but fer the winnah of this competition. Ah figure they deserve it." "Of course. That's very generous! I'll go get one now." Violet strolled off back to the mountain, smiling. She hoped Miggory would be back soon. Little did she know, he would be there very soon, but with not good, but horrible news of evil never seen before in this land.
Kind of a cliffhanger, no? Well, I hope you guys enjoyed!
I'll probably have Chapter 3 up by Sunday.
Peace!
SilverClaymore