Short chapter but trying to improve my ability to show not tell. Please let me know what you think and what I can improve on. Enjoy!
Samuel jerked the voluminous cloak tightly around him as the wind whipped at his large ears. The cloak was one of Dane's, and it showed. The sleeves were too long and had to be bundled up under his arms if he wanted to move uninhibited. Unintentionally, Samuel had dragged the tail of the cloak through the snow all the way to the vermin camp. It was a strange fit, but Samuel dared not insult his friend's hospitality. The loose cloak flapped violently as the snow swirled about him. The only signs of life in this storm came from the light of torches. But even the bright orange flames felt like they were a day's march away in the bitter cold. Samuel wondered how beasts could live without the comfort of Redwall's warm hearth or thick stone walls. He had never spent the winter away from Redwall. Even while adventuring with Eli, Dane, and Brin they had always returned to the Abbey before the worst of the season set in. Samuel hoped the storm would disappear as quickly as it came. He didn't want to be away from his precious library any longer than he should.
As Samuel shivered, a light bounded up to him. Brin wore a mischievous grin as white flakes settled to rest on her coal-black fur. She had aided the others in Dane's ruse, launching arrows and joining in the shrew's warcry as if it were natural to her. She too was wrapped in a thick winter coat loaned to her from one of the otters. It fit her better though, as she high-stepped her way through the snow with ease.
"The vermin are gone, it's safe to come over."
Brin plunged into the swirling storm without waiting for a response. Samuel nodded to himself, clasping his paws together as he trudged through the snow after her. He assumed she was heading towards the cluster of lights a short distance from him. Most of the light milled about where the vermin must have set camp. A ring of several faded lights stood watch around the clearing and a small group of beasts appeared to be trotting back into the ring. Those that were smart took shelter under the trees. Unfortunately for Samuel, the vermin didn't think to camp under any large foliage.
The wind continued lapping at his back, flailing the oversized hood about like a fish hauled to dry land. The faint outline of Brin weaved in and out of his vision. Samuel assumed she was only a tail's length in front of him. Arrows and javelins protruded from the snow like deadly flowers. Some were still on fire while others had been extinguished by the elements. Pinpricks of light lie about the clearing which cast a soft glow on the chaotic white landscape. Dane and Eli stood aside a low stone wall with a small group of otters and shrews. At their footpaws lay what remained from the vermin's tent. It was nothing more than a pile of disjointed branches.
"They must've been desperate. It's a poor shelter by even their standards." Log-a-Log said while poking at the disheveled heap with the tip of his footpaw.
"They weren't here for very long, but they won't be coming back anytime soon. Good work Dane." Eli responded.
"Aye, but I can't think we missed some of them," Dane had been uptight upon returning to the holt. News of the vermin was an unpleasant surprise. To make things worse, the otters had already sent several parties out to forage and fish for food. Luckily, they had all managed to make it back to the holt without running into any trouble. Dane had called a counsel and explained his plan to rid themselves of the vermin threat. After a slight discussion, the otters and shrews grabbed their cloaks and weapons and were off. Samuel had to beg Eli and Dane for permission to join them. The cruelty of the storm made him regret asking.
"They won't be alive for much longer. Not in this weather," The shrew chieftain didn't have a winter coat but wore many, many layers. He looked like a cooking pot had sprouted legs and a head.
"True," Dane said his worries abated. "But now we have another story to tell Raglan." Raglan had also begged to join the war party. Dane ordered him to stay and protect the holt in case the vermin tried their luck that night.
"Skippah!" A light approached the group.
"Mori! Were ye able to hunt down our fleeing foes?"
"Naw, Skip." The burly otter appeared in front of them. He was bundled up in a similar cloak that billowed about Samuel and had a scarf covered in ice protecting his face. His waist and legs were covered in fine white powder. He held a torch and a javelin both of which happened to be on fire.
"One o' tha vermin was bleeding well from when you hit him! We followed them as far as we could, but I didn't want to risk getting lost, so I called the search off."
Dane nodded his approval. "Aye! Good work, Mori. I don't think that one'll survive out there. Let the others know it's time to head home!"
Mori nodded and vanished into the white abyss. As the otter did so, Log-a-Log called out to his warriors to prepare for the journey back to the holt. It was about time, Samuel thought to himself. There was no need to continue freezing their tails off now that the vermin were gone.
Dane stomped over to a bloodied javelin a short distance from them. Wiping the snow from it he returned to Eli, Samuel, and Brin.
"An you thought you'd miss!" Dane announced as he handed the weapon to Eli. "That's one less vermin we have tah worry about!"
"You could see them?" Samuel asked his brother. "I could barely see you two when ye were a tails length away!"
"It was a lucky shot," Eli said as he accepted the javelin. A bloody article of green and black cloth stuck to it. He ripped it off.
"There's no luck in that! It's exactly what I'd expect from Redwall's champion!" Dane said as he clapped Eli on the back, sending the smaller mouse spiraling forward.
"It's not easy scaring off a band of vermin, especially without laying eyes on them."
"What can I say," Dane said with a flash of a smile. "My acting has gotten better since I left the Abbey!"
"What d'ye think will happen to the vermin," Samuel asked as he bounced on his footpaws, eager to begin the march back to the holt.
"Don't know for certain. They'll probably freeze tonight if they're lucky! But there's no loss there. If they survive, I'm certain they'll think differently about attacking the holt!" Dane wore a broad smile.
"Dane's right, the weather will take out whatever's left of them," Eli said as he began to turn from the group.
"Now can we head home? I already lost one leg; I don't want to lose another!"