Slightly delayed but finally made it. Please let me know what you think. All feedback is greatly appreciated.
Ferris Brushtail sat snugly in a wooden rocking chair heavily ladened with cushions. The fire greedily consumed the new logs Ferris had placed on it just a moment ago and popped and hissed in pleasure. Ferris was a muscular squirrel with dark fur and a grey beard that betrayed his age. Although the fire from the hearth was warming the whole cottage, he still wore his brown winter coat, a gift from his eldest daughter. Beneath his coat, he wore a tan undershirt and trousers. Never far from his sides were his hatchets. His sons played on the rough spun rug at his feet, battling with a small wooden figurine their father had made for them. From the kitchen Ferris's mate, Briony was humming a tune from their time at Redwall Abbey as she and their eldest son Kincade helped clear the table and put away the remaining food from dinner.
Ferris carefully brushed his greying mane as he happily watched his youngest sons tumble around in front of the fire. The three boys were playing a game of pirates before they would be shortly hauled off to bed. He sighed deeply pleased with the work he was able to accomplish today. Even having been slowed by his limp he was still able to gather enough firewood before the snows came when even the simplest task became exceptionally more difficult. Ferris had to admit that Kincade had been a tremendous help and was turning into a fine young squirrel. He smiled and took a swig of October ale resting on the homemade end table next to him. He settled deeper into the cushions of his chair whilst the intoxicating drink warmed him further. Ferris hated being cold and he did everything he could to avoid the winter chills. As he slowly drifted into a warm slumber he heard a muffled cry from above him. Ferris heard his mate call from the other room. "Ferris, would you please check on the baby?"
"Yes, my dearest," Ferris responded cordially as he painfully left the comfort of his chair. He felt his joints creak and pop in disagreement but eventually was able to stagger upright. His three sons who were playing at his feet and jumped onto him begging their father to join the battle they were having.
"Yar who goes there!" Said Danelo, Ferris's middle child. "Thar be a toll to pay to get by me Daddo!" Danelo stood in front of his father clumsily jabbing an imaginary sword into his belly.
Ferris smiled and feigned fear. "My goodness a fearsome pirate! Who in the whole of Mossflower can save me now?" Danelo giggled wildly as his father bought into the act.
"Step aside father for I shall have this vermin pirate begging for 'is mummy!" Said Ricci doing his best Long Patrol impression. His pudgy paws balled up in front of his face as if he were about to knock the smirk off a vermin marauder.
"Don fo'get abowt me!" Squeaked Crispin from behind his big brother. Crispin was the smallest and yet was standing as tall as he could, happy to be allowed to play in his sibling's games.
"Don't worry, I didn't." Ferris laughed. He picked Crispin up and spun him around as he stepped past Danelo. Crispin was shrieking with laughter. Ferris put him down and put a claw to his face as a sign of quiet.
"You can play but keep it quiet. The baby is sleeping." Crispin mimicked his father, dark brown eyes filled with understanding. "Yes, Daddo."
"Good lad!" He braced Crispin on the shoulders and turned to the stairs. Ferris heard the boys squealing in delight as they continued to play while he climbed the stairs.
Ferris trudged up the steep wooden steps to the second floor. He was greeted by a musty hallway with three doors. The first was a closet used for storing heavy cloaks and garments among other various tools and items. The second was the room that Danelo, Ricci, and Crispin share. Kincade slept in a room off the kitchen on the first floor. Finally, he and his mate had their own room where the baby slept in a crib next to them. Little baby Brooke was born at the beginning of spring. Ferris had hoped it had been a daughter and had been elated when she had finally arrived. His oldest daughter had moved to live in Redwall a few seasons after their home was built. He missed her dearly but understood that she was old enough to be on her own. It wasn't like her to stick around anyway. Far too adventurous than either Ferris or Briony would have liked.
Ferris walked down the hallway to his room and opened the oak door. The room smelled of lavender and pine, something that an old squirrel maid had told his Briony would bring good fortune and health to his child. Ferris wasn't one for superstition, life was too short and harsh to worry about what a little luck might bring him. He found that honesty and hard work were often enough to get by comfortably. However, he couldn't complain about the pleasant smell, even if it was perhaps a bit strong. He looked down at the baby. She was tangled in her swaddling and her dark tail had been pulled around from her rear as she clutched it in her tiny paws. Ferris looked down warmly at Brooke, and deep in his heart, Ferris knew he was happy.
It was tough living in the woods almost a day's travel from the Abbey, but it wasn't terrible. Ferris was a father who loved his family and wanted what was best for them, even if it didn't appear to be. Ferris enjoyed the presence of the abbey beasts for a while but couldn't stand their pompous naivety. To Ferris, it was just another reason why the abbey would forever be a target. All the talk of being a peaceful haven to all yet constantly being forced to protect itself from the evil knocking on their gates wanting to be let in. The few vermin that had been taken into the Abbey had never turned out right and always ended up hurting the good beasts from within. The vermin hordes he and many other of the abbey's protectors had fought hadn't been the brightest, but they had been persistent. Persistent and bloodthirsty savages. The good beasts have won most every time but at what cost? Brothers, friends, and lovers have all been taken far before their time. Ferris's lame hip burned at the thought. All because those in the Abbey refuse to accept the reality that there is evil in the world and that they couldn't change evil. Yes, living away from the safety of the Abbey's stone walls was a risk, but it was a risk Ferris was willing to take. He hoped his children would understand when they grew older. "Bah!" Ferris told himself as he picked up Brooke from the crib. "If your mother heard me say all that she'd hang me on the laundry line!" Ferris told the baby as if she understood what he said. Briony disagreed with his views on the Abbey. Understandable considering most of her family lived within its walls. So, Ferris kept his mouth shut for the most part.
Ferris suddenly stopped stone stiff, ears perked at attention. He thought he heard a cry from the forest. No. He heard a cry. It didn't sound like the playing children downstairs, and it wasn't Brooke who was squirming in his arms. He stood in the silence of the room for a minute. The only noise he could now hear was from the baby who was struggling to move free of her father's grip. Ferris moved to open the window shutters above the baby's crib and awkwardly leaned to stick his head out of the window. The cool winter evening air greeted him as he began to search the forest. The sun's final cold rays were giving way to the darkness of night. In the impending darkness, Ferris could see the garden below and the creek which intersected the northern road that led to Redwall beyond that. He turned his head towards the woods on the north side of the house. Shadows pervaded the overgrown forest preventing him from seeing beyond the tree line. Ferris thought he saw movement from some beast just beyond the trees. He paused and held his breath. After a moment a strong wind blew into the window knocking Ferris back off his awkward perch and onto his bed behind him. The strong wind chilled both Ferris and Brooke to the point that she began to cry and struggle against her father's arms. Unsettled Ferris stepped to the window and closed it. It was probably just Danelo or Ricci. Nothing to be worried about. Ferris began to shush the baby and started to head downstairs. He believed Brooke would rather be snuggled up against him in front of the fire instead of alone in her crib.
Ferris gratefully returned to the warmth of the hearth to see that Briony had finished cleaning the kitchen. She had sat down to rest in a high-backed chair that looked like it should be in the possession of Redwall's Abbot rather than in his homey little cottage. She reached out to take the child from him. To which Ferris obliged, although he would have liked to spend more time with the baby. Ferris watched his mate croon over Brooke with the loving attention of any mother who had spent much of her time in the Redwall nursery. Ferris was happy to have met such a loving and kind-hearted beast. He had been born and raised in Mossflower woods, whereas Briony had grown up within the Abbeys walls. A few seasons before his oldest was born Ferris had joined an army of woodlanders intent on driving out a vermin horde in the south. Ferris was young and inexperienced but having lived in Mossflower woods most of his life he had experience dealing with the occasional vermin rabble and was confident it would be as easy to disperse the vermin as it was for him to climb a tree. Ferris soon realized how wrong he was. Vermin hordes were much better organized and stronger than a few arrogant stragglers. Ferris had unfortunately found that out the hard way when he was gored through his left hip by a halberd. He could feel bone, muscle, ligament, and tendon being destroyed, the pain had been the most excruciating thing he had ever felt. He had blacked out but was thankfully brought to safety and was moved back to the Abbey to heal his injured hip while the rest of the woodlanders drove the vermin horde to the gates of the dark forest. He had met Briony there while lying in the infirmary. He was smitten at first sight. He found that she always brought out the softer more caring side of him, something he didn't believe was possible after his injury. After a short while, Ferris had recovered as much as was possible from his injury and had married Briony. The two had lived in the Abbey when their oldest daughter had been born. But Ferris eventually felt the need to move his family away. He couldn't stand being stuck in the stone walls and was growing tired of the abbey beasts. Briony had initially been against it but eventually agreed after Ferris promised a better life and that they would visit at least once a season. It had been tough, especially in the beginning but they had made plenty of good friends who had been able to help them create a new life for themselves. The Brushtail home was oftentimes a stop for traveling caravans, players, and other friendly visitors so they were rarely short of company. There had been encounters with a few vermin, none of whom Ferris couldn't send away with their tails between their legs and bruises upon their heads. Even with his weakened leg, Ferris could still hold his own, and the few vermin that had tested the squirrel's patience were smart enough to avoid tasting the steel of his hatchets.
Ferris was happy but most importantly his family was happy, and they were safe. Wasn't that all he could ask for? Ferris closed his eyes basking in the warmth and sounds of the happy little life he had created.
His rest didn't last long. "There's some beast at the door." Called Kincade, there was a knock as he finished. Ferris hopped up, he wasn't expecting visitors and with winter approaching he didn't think there would be many beasts traveling the northern road. His mate and young didn't seem to notice, except for Kincade who continued staring out the window. Ferris begrudgingly moved to the large red oaken door. He twisted the brass handle and pushed it open with a grunt. The light and warmth from the living room behind him spilled out, momentarily blinding the visitors. When his eyes finally adjusted to the darkness Ferris looked up in shock at the two vermin on his doorstep.
Seabane and Crooksnout winced as their eyes adjusted to the light shining from the door of the cottage. Crooksnout had grumbled his complaints from the time Seabane had finished explaining his plan to when they knocked on the door of the cottage. Now the two vermin were standing in an anxious silence in front of a dark-furred squirrel wearing a tan-colored tunic and a brown coat. The three beasts stood in silence for just a moment, it was apparent they had surprised him.
Seabane was the first to speak. "Good evening sah." He began with a flourished bow but was quickly cut off when he noticed the squirrel reaching for the hatchet hanging from his waist. "VERMIN!" The squirrel bellowed as he pulled the hatchet free and stepped through the doorway preparing to strike. Crooksnout had followed suit drawing his short sword. But he was far too slow as the squirrel's fist found Crooksnouts nose. The weasel reeled backward barely staying upright. His paw clamped around his nose; bright red blood had already started to spill from between his fingers. Anger burned in Crooksnouts teal eyes.
Seabane knew he had to stop them before the two killed each other. So, he did what many beasts would call foolish, stepping between the weasel and squirrel.
"We don't mean ye any harm! We'd just like to have a word with ye!" Seabane put his paws in front of his face to show that was unarmed and hoped that he looked unthreatening enough to stop the squirrel. The squirrel didn't stop but instead of killing Seabane he grabbed Seabane by the collar and wrangled the rat around so that he was facing Crooksnout. The squirrel held Seabane tightly at an unnatural angle, bending backward like a bow so that the taller rat's head was level with the squirrels. The squirrel's hatchet was pressed against Seabane's neck, and he could feel the squirrel's hot laborious breath on his neck.
"Tell the weasel to drop his sword or I'll send ye both to the gates of the dark forest!" Between the squirrel's grip on him and the hatchet that was being pressed against his throat, Seabane couldn't say anything. Instead, he awkwardly gestured for Crooksnout to drop the sword.
"An why would I do that?" Spat Crooksnout a violent look on his face. There was still blood pouring from his nose. Seabane couldn't believe he had done something as stupid as bring Crooksnout along with him. He had unintentionally put his life in Crooksnouts paws which was a terrifying thought.
"If you want yer friend here to die keep talking weasel! Now drop your sword!" The squirrel tightened his grip on Seabane. The squirrel's tone was getting harder, and things were getting out of hand. The wide-eyed beast on the doorstep just a moment ago was not as vulnerable as Seabane initially thought.
Seabane tried to loosen the squirrel's grip on him just enough so he could speak, but the squirrel held down harder with an iron-like grip. "You're not going anywhere, rat!"
"Crooksnout… please." Seabane managed to choke out. "Silvertoung needs help."
With an angry look on his face Crooksnout slowly lowered his sword.
"Drop it!" The Squirrel ordered, further pressing his ax to Seabane's throat.
Crooksnouts face twisted in rage, "I don't take orders from you squirrel!"
"Drop it now or I'll kill the rat!" Seabane could feel the edge of the blade cutting into the fur on his neck. He looked desperately at Crooksnout.
With a hateful stare, Crooksnout dropped the sword. The squirrel shuffled Seabane forward forcing Crooksnout to back away from his sword. He barked over his shoulder as he did so. "Kincade! Grab the vermin's sword…swords the rat has one too." The squirrel had noticed Seabane's cutlass. After a moment's hesitation, the squirrel added. "Don't worry he's as threatening as a wee little babe!" The humor from the squirrel was lost on Crooksnout's face which was still filled with anger. The squirrel enjoyed taunting Crooksnout.
A younger dark-furred squirrel scampered around Seabane and retrieved Crooksnouts sword. By the looks of him, Seabane suspected he was his captor's son, no older than Ruddy. He threw a fearful glance at the rat as he removed Seabane's cutlass. The young squirrel hurried to stand behind his father in the doorway.
The older squirrel suddenly released his grip on Seabane and kicked his legs out from beneath him where the rat landed hard on his rear. The squirrel was standing over him his hatchet a mere whisker from his face.
"If I ever see hide or tail of either of ye anywhere near this place I'll make ye wish yer mothers were never born! You hear me vermin!" The squirrel was shouting, although he had no reason to. Seabane was frightened but he willed himself to speak.
"Kind sir." Seabane started. He never needed to talk like a woodlander before, and the other deserters called him a fool for trying to do so. But Seabane hoped that it would rub off on whoever lived in the cottage, as perhaps whoever it was could hear that the vermin were trying to be affable. "We are sorry to have frightened ye, we mean ye or yer kin no harm. We are selves are nothing but petty wanderers, deserters in truth. We wished to leave our former horde in search of a more… peaceful life, I swear to it! We are hungry, tired, and hurt. We lost our tents, blankets, and other necessities in a storm a fortnight ago and we have been without vittles for the past few days. Please we only ask that you give us a little. Some food to last us a while, an a blanket or clothes to keep the cold from chilling our bones and we promise to never bother ye again."
The squirrel looked down bewildered at what he had just heard. Seabane felt the same, he had never heard something as pathetic come from his mouth in his life. He would have been furious with himself, but he did have a blade a short distance from his skull. He supposed groveling came as naturally to vermin as breathing. Of which he must be an expert for surviving as long.
"The only good vermin are buried in the ground. With the worms and maggots and others of your kind!" The squirrel responded, regaining his angry composure. "Besides, you'd just slay us after any help is given to you! That's how your kind is!"
"If 'e wanted to kill ya we wouldn't 'ave knocked first ya stupid squirrel," Crooksnout said still furious from being disarmed. "'cides smells like ye has plenty of food for the winter, you could spare some vittles for some poor lost beasts." Crooksnout sneered at the squirrel folding his arms across his chest.
The squirrel pointed his ax at Crooksnout. "Your kind isn't welcome here weasel! Now leave or I'll kick yer ugly frog-faced arse until ye can't walk for a week!" The smirk on Crooksnouts face disappeared replaced with a snarl. The insult was enough to get a quiet chorus of laughter. Seabane looked around the older squirrel and could see the three small pairs of eyes and ears poking from the inside of the doorway. It looked like they had an audience. The father squirrel ordered the children to get inside, which they did quickly to avoid his wrath. Seabane promptly came up with another idea.
Easing himself away from the squirrel who still held his hatchet above Seabane's head. Seabane started to speak carefully, his voice was oily. "Friend, I can understand your fear of us, yes, I do. But if ye didn't want to provide the supplies to us as we were both once horde beasts, many days ago. Then could ye find it to give the vittles to the young'uns that arr with us? They're too young to be threatening and they've never done any harm to another beast. They don't deserve to starve or freeze like the rest of us." Seabane felt the bile build in his stomach. He couldn't believe he was talking like that!
The squirrel focused his attention back on Seabane. "I'm not your friend rat, and how many of ye are there? Tell me truthfully or I'll split you in two."
"There's two others and three young'uns just in the bushes." Seabane gestured to where the other deserters were hiding.
"No tricks rat! I want to see 'em!" Barked the squirrel.
Seabane got up to turn and wave the vermin out from the bushes.
"Seabane you fool!" Snapped Crooksnout. "He's not going anywhere near Silvertoung!" He hissed at Seabane. It was clear he was finished speaking with this squirrel.
Seabane ignored him and waved at the tree line where the vermin were hiding. After a tense minute, Silvertoung stepped into the clearing. Ripeye and Twinetail held tightly to their mother who limped out with Fenril held tightly to her breast. Sathe would be the last one to appear cloaked in the same dark cowl as always. Seabane hoped that their bedraggled appearance tugged on the heart of this squirrel. It might save their life. He had explicitly told the other vermin to stay out of sight unless things went wrong. Although, Seabane was surprised that Muckfur and Ruddy had stayed silent when he was held as a hostage. He was certain that they would have charged out of the forest by now.
"Yer a poor excuse for vermin if ye can't find any food in this forest. Even in the winter, there should be plenty of roots and leaves for ye to gnaw on." Seabane and Crooksnout shared a disbelieving glance before shooting a glare at Sathe who didn't notice or hear the squirrel. When Seabane turned back to the squirrel his features appeared to have softened. Seabane thought that now was his chance.
But Crooksnout was faster than Seabane, "We can't spend any time scavenging for vittles because me mates' cut her paw on a rock trying to escape and is dealing with three sick kits. The one in the cloak is deaf and dumb, so she's just like towing around a little babe." Seabane stifled a snicker, then added "Sah, if we die then they die. You can see we're no good warriors or horde beasts, for that matter. All we need is some food and warm garments for the winter and you'll never see us again." It was hard for Seabane to hear himself begging this squirrel for anything.
"Aww poor babies, they look miserable. Must be frozen to the bone." Came a kind voice from the doorway. It was the squirrel's mate. She had been watching them the whole time. "Ferris, if we give them just what they need then they'll leave. We'll still have plenty for ourselves." The squirrel maid stared at her mate with big hopeful eyes. Any other time Seabane would have thought her a naïve fool, now she looked like their saving grace.
"And if they come back?" The squirrel Ferris asked with a scornful tone. "Then we make sure that they never bother any beast again." The edge in her voice caught all of them off guard. She wasn't as naïve as she looked.
A sharp breeze blew from the north making the fur on Seabanes neck rise. There was a pause and Seabane could see the squirrel mulling over everything. It must have been as shocking to him as it was for Seabane and Crooksnout. "I … I'm assuming you want medicine or herbs for yer mate's paw." The squirrel began slowly, "And something to keep the young'uns warm too." The squirrel grumbled; his voice barely audible. The dark-furred squirrel still looked mad, though now not entirely with the vermin on his doorstep. After a long and angry deliberation with himself, the squirrel perked his ears and spoke to them as an officer scolds a subordinate. "If we give you some … vittles, and winter supplies you promise never to come back?"
"Yes, sah." The squirrel looked long and hard at Seabane searching for some sign of dishonesty or lie from the rat.
The squirrel then pointed a claw at Muckfur, "And if we give you some herbs and medicines, I get to keep yer sword." Crooksnout paused for a moment disgusted with losing his sword then thought of his mate and kits.
"Yes. It's yours if I get the medicines." He said eagerly.
The squirrel let out an angry sigh of defeat but continued. "Ye will stay right here. One step into the house and I'll kill you both and the others." Crooksnout and Seabane nodded enthusiastically. There was a relieved look on Crooksnouts face as the squirrel turned to the cottage. Seabane couldn't believe it, his plan had worked! Now they would get the food and supplies they needed to survive!
The squirrel still had the hatchet in his paw when the screaming started.