Chapter 54: Journey to the North
Jase awoke suddenly as a drop of water fell upon his head, a concerning sign for where he was sleeping. Huddled beneath the root of a tree, he raised his head to find the area around him slightly illuminated despite a black sky above him. He could see his friends Gaisen and Figgum were sleeping much more soundly, having barely stirred. He looked to where 'Bart' had decided to sleep, seeing it empty, and his eyes turned slowly to the black rat sitting on the branch of the tree. Bart was staring up, quite wide eyed for a morning beast, his bow in paw.
Jase tried to smile and be cheery to the old soul, see his frown "I think we are pretty much safe, 'Bart'."
"I doyn't feel very sayfe." 'Bart' replied bluntly. He continued to look up at the forest ceiling, or what should have been the forest ceiling. Above them, wrapped around the trees was the very visible sight of Kanazzar seemingly sleeping, his huge form sitting upon the trees. The weight of the branches kept him in place, at least that is how Jase could figure it, but the snake has truly a terrifying sight to behold as much as it was a comfort. The massive creature was like a monster out of the old tales, and yet here it was helping him along, casually and dutifully.
"I'm certain he means well." Jase tried, and failed, to be optimistic. 'Bart' was in truth quite frightened, but not by the snake. He could now at least see the creature, but the reason for why it was helping Jase made him paranoid. The rat suddenly jumped when he saw the huge snake's form stir only slightly, and then quickly it began to untangle from the branches, revealing a sky for which the clouds of last night's previous storm seemingly passed. 'Bart' hated to see it, as the massive creature's head poked out from the half height of a tree and curled around another, hissing at him.
"Awake you are, Jasssse. Returned here, where living thingssss are. You mussst continue, for we have truly little time." Kanazzar sounded a bit more forceful and Jase got the hint and lept down back beneath the tree's roots to awaken his friends. 'Bart' continued to look up at the snake whose head turned northward, squinting at something in the far distance. Gaisan and Figgum had their things packed before the group began to head north.
'Bart' really did not like this, but he didn't want to show it.
Not far from them, in any way, the massive reptile slid across the ground silently, moving between trees. Even as it snapped leaves and left a huge trail, the snake was deathly silent like the grave. It was leading them north, and that is all they knew. Jase and his friends felt a little more safe and purposeful, but also felt a bit less sure of their new found friend. Jase had thought of 'Bart's' case for Kanazzar, and it did loom over his head that at any moment, if this snake wanted to, he and all of his friends would be most certainly dead.
He wondered if this thought was what Matthias of Redwall had once thought of Asmodeus.
"Hey Jase." Gaisen asked
"Ya?"
"You think this, ummm, thing is friendly, right?" Gaisen sounded worried. It seemed Figgum was the only one amongst the group who seemed unaffected by the snake's presence.
"I mean, pa did trick it into running itself off a cliff into a cavern full of bats, if I am not mistaken. I mean, I guess I am mistaken, considering he is here, helping us."
"Sheesh, next we'll run into Kasg-" Gaisen meant it as a joke, but he frowned, looking at 'Bart' suddenly who really wasn't very shocked, but gave a poisoned look to the young mouse. He cringed and tried to be a bit more polite "Oh, sorry. I'm umm-"
"Youy can say 'sorry' by improyving your skiylls, round eayrs." 'Bart' spoke in a bored tone. Gaisen frowned and looked back to the front with embarrassment. The group suddenly stopped when they found themselves facing the head of Kanazzar who appeared in front of them and began to coil his form in a more comfortable position. The group paused in front of the snake who gave a friendly flick of his tongue, although he again seemed distracted when he squinted his eyes at something. 'Bart' finally decided to turn in the direction the snake was looking at, but could see nothing, turning back around when it began to speak.
"They track usss through me, I am afraid. You will have to go north without me, for we sssshall meet there again in due time."
"Whayt is hunyting us?" 'Bart' could guess it was Scabbem and his goons, but the snake seemed to speak in a darker tone more deserving of a stronger threat. "Ssslaves with golden collarsss."
"Oh, so they'll be easy to see, right?" Figgum tried to say positively, but the snake didn't seem to fully understand. He continued, as if in a ranting mood "They left ssseeking fodder for their dark ritualsss, foolisssh and ssstupid all of them. They are drawn here, knowing I have moved. They know now you are heading to reclaim what wasss stolen, and what ssshall be reclaimed. I mussst make my leave, pull them far from here."
"You're leaving already?" Jase said a bit frightened, getting a bit desperate "But what about my pa? He is captured, isn't he?"
Kanazzar turned his massive head to look at Jase, flicking his large tongue at him "The red court you must ssseek, in shadow it laysss with the retinue of heroesss it's prisoner. The ssshadow between my red hued home orange hued wallsss lays the ancient place, a ssshrine of darkness, where you shall find your friends and foes." Jase was going to open his mouth to speak more, but Kanazzar was already moving himself down and moving away, and with speed he suddenly picked up and began to head southwest, disappearing as quickly as he had once appeared.
The group was frozen, unsure what to make of it before Figgum spoke up.
"You got any clue what he is talking about?"
"I wish I did." Jase sighed. He turned to 'Bart', hoping his great experience was of some help, but he only seemed baffled.
Jase then spoke, concerned and with low authority in his voice. "Alright then, so let's try to hammer this all out then. We head north. That is where we will find pa."
"Ya, but where north?" Gaisen asked.
"I-I don't know."
"Well, if something is hunting us, better north than wherever that big ol' snake is going."
Jase thought and crouched in the dirt, drawing an outline of what he thought Mossflowwer would look like. He drew a line, representing the river Moss, and put two dots on it. "This is Redwall in the south here, and this Gholand which is just northish, near the coast but not on it. There is something the snake said. 'Red hued home', this shrine of darkness has to be our destination and where pa is being kept, right? So its north of Redwall which is, ummm-" Jase frown and sat down. "Well. North of the river."
'Bart' crouched down and added "Beytween a reyd hued hoyme and an oranyge wall." The rat put another dot north of the crude map and shook his head "He muyst have meaynt Jusybrag, her coloyrs are an oranyge hue, and it's a waylled city. Hoywever, that doesyn't speak muych on it, there are thouysands of playces between Reydwall and Jusybrag, Gholand incluyded."
Figgum bent down, and pursed his lips, not sure how to contribute. Yet, Gaisan stood over them and looked down. Jase had a sudden revelation and spoke up, smiling "Wait! Red hued home! He doesn't mean Redwall." Jase put a dot north of the river and bellow 'Bart's' dot which made him raise an eyebrow. Jase explained "It's what Kanazzar said. He is from the line of Asmodeus. That snake lived in the old quarry whose stone was used to build Redwall, that must be his original home. He is talking about his home, made from red stone."
'Bart' looked down and squinted, and shook his head "Theyn the snyake is a liar. I've beeyn that way, beytween the quyarry and Jusybrag is noything but hills."
Jase thought of this too and spoke up "Well, he says it lays in shadow, it could be some underground lair, right?"
'Bart' blinked and nodded, putting another dot on the map before drawing a crude line to the possible location. "At leayst now we goyt a destinyation, and we shouyld move. Whaytever that snayke is hunting, its likely not thoyse banydits." Jase nodded and stood, joining 'Bart' who took the lead. They turned their heads briefly to where Kanazzar had slithered off to, as Jase wondered what manner of creature would draw the huge snake away. What exactly is hunting us?
_
'Bart' led the group onward, although it was late in the afternoon when he realized their journey would likely be a long one. Getting down into Mossflower country was one thing, it was another going back north. Once in a decent clearing, 'Bart' felt obligated to command the youngsters around to get them into a routine. Figgum would set up his tools and use what they had to cook themselves some food, and 'Bart' would continue to help the three practice their skills.
'Bart' was not a beast who was easy to impress, but even he seemed baffled at how far both Gaisen and Jase were coming along. Jase was learning the parry much better, and Gaisen could now at least block an upward slice. After showing the two some techniques, 'Bart' stopped them and spoke in a calm manner "Alright, I think you two can now face one another."
The two blinked at him, as the two awkwardly faced each other as 'Bart' rested upon a nearby branch. Gaisen and Jase lightly played with their sticks, smacking at one another as 'Bart' encouraged them. Gaisen could tell that 'Bart' wasn't really trying to train them, he was resting, as the old black rat smoked on his pipe. Gaisen and Jase's duel was short, as Gaisen felt a little frustrated and thrusted his stick at Jase and then whacked him on the head. Jase dropped his branch and nursed his head, in which Gaisen quickly apologized "Sorry, Jase. Here, let me show ya something that Garfan once did."
'Bart' watched as Gaisen showed his friend in a slow manner how to deflect a spear's thrust, a deadly maneuver, but he didn't particularly remember whacking a head was a part of such a move. Gaisen seemed to be in a poor mood, as 'Bart' watched the mouse seem to have a sigh to his voice. Once the group had eaten, 'Bart' instructed Jase and Figgum to have a mock duel to get Figgum to understand some techniques, as 'Bart' and Gaisen continued to make due with twigs to practice with.
Then, as if all of a sudden, Gaisen became difficult.
"Speayrs are good bayttlefield weaypons, swoyrd is too biyg for you. Maybe we'll piylfer a short swoyrd an-"
"No, I'd prefer a spear if we find one." Gaisen said almost aggressively. 'Bart' raised an eyebrow to this, trying to explain.
"Swoyrds are preferable, or a haytchet. A sword can deyflect a blade, more maneuyverable in a fight in soyme forest or hiyll. Spears are cheayper weaypons, and take a bit moyre practice that I am not famiyliar with."
"Why do you want a sword all of a sudden?" Gaisen squinted. 'Bart' raised his eyebrow even higher, unshrouding his black cloak to reveal his former fox companion's curved blade. 'Bart' recognized this behavior almost straight away, a paranoia he also felt gnawing at the back of his mind when traveling in any group. It just somewhat shocked him that it was coming from a beast he was trying to save, especially some woodlander.
"Oh, right." Gaisen frowned. "I'm sorry 'Bart', it's just-" Gaisen would have tried to make an excuse to say he just wasn't thinking straight, but 'Bart' finished his sentence for him.
"Youy still doyn't truyst me." 'Bart' frowned, and kept his voice down to not distract from Jase and Figgum. Gaisen looked around as well, to make sure Jase and their strange new hedgehog friend also hadn't heard. Gaisen turned to 'Bart' and nodded. 'Bart' looked a bit annoyed and folded his paws.
"Muyst I make a blooydpact with you to geyt your truyst? Or sayve you a feyw more tiymes from soyme thugs? If I had malyicious inteynt for either of you, you'd likyely be woyrking your payws off in Ghoyland."
"I mean, yes, but that's the thing." Gaisen sighed "I thank you for that. I truly do, it's just, you're-" Gaisen frowned again, not sure how to say it "You're vermin, aren't you? It's what Garfan says. You folk are just born evil is all."
Gaisen half expected the rat to be angry or annoyed in someway about the truth he spewed, but the rat didn't even seem to care much for it. He listened, knowing full well that wasn't fully the problem. "Jase had to convince ya to not sell us into slavery, that's just not something any normal beast I know does. I mean, you are an ally 'Bart', but I don't think of ya as much of a friend. Not really. I am grateful you are helping us an' all, but-"
"Buyt you thiynk I will tuyrn on you in ayn instaynt."
Gaisen didn't say 'yes', but his silence spoke for him. 'Bart' sighed and nodded, because all too many times, even recently, this had happened. Gaisen could tell the rat couldn't really defend against such claims, considering how he was nearly killed by a greedy fox as 'Bart' came over and sat next to him, trying to be comforting and explaining to him.
"Well, youy don't hayve to worry muych longer-"
"No, I mean, I don't want ya to leave an' all-"
"I ain't leayving, noyt yet." 'Bart' quickly corrected.
'Bart' coughed a bit and spoke with a sad tone "Aye, if I weyre yer ayge an in yer shoeys, I wouyldn't trust me eiyther. I'm oyld an' likely goiyng to be deayd by the end of the seayson. I ain't heylping you out of the gooydness of my heayrt, it's becauyse I waynt to leayve this terrible playce having doyne at least soymething deycent. This is all I got left."
Gaisen understood, and with 'Bart' speaking the truth, he spoke his own "Garfan isn't my pa, although he would always say he was. Sometimes. When he got angry, he would be in a different mood. I hated him for a long time, I hated how we would always be marching on the walls or practicing with a spear in the courtyard. He enjoyed it, and I didn't. I'm pretty sure he hated me."
"Hayte? No." 'Bart' interrupted. Gaisen gave him a confused look, half expecting him to reveal he knew Garfan all along and that this was some manner of sick prank. 'Bart' took out his pipe and smoked it and looked on at the forest ahead and spoke with a softer tone.
"My pa, wooydlander, ways a crueyl creature and I belieyved that for a loyng time. He ways no different froym others I had heard of. Wheyn I misbeyhaved, he threyw me riyght out of the hoyle and leyft me feeyt tied to a roype outsiyde the door. He tauyght me hoyw to use a boyw and ayxe, thouygh he waysn't very gooyd himseylf. I remeymber moyre of him beayting me with the bluynt end of his weaypon than I do his nayme. Soyme are deygenerates like that, doiyng such things to theiyr own children ouyt of a saydistic hate, but my pa ways no such thing. He diyd it not beycause he hayted me, it ways just how he ways raised hiymself, and how I beygan to raise Kasg. As my pa tauyght me to to live hayrshly and take a hit, I was doiyng that to me oywn boy. It isn't hayte nor cruelty."
Gaisen listened, almost in disbelief. This really wasn't helping, but he did a little chuckle. This caught 'Bart' off guard as Gaisen explained "Sorry, 'Bart'. I was just thinking me own pa a vermin is all, cause that would make a lot of sense!"
Gaisen frowned when it seemed the joke fell on deaf ears, as Gaisen again apologized "Sorry." 'Bart' then smiled a bit "Hoyw about this, you shoyw me that youy can be far beytter with a speayr than a sword, and wheyn we find one, youy can have it. If youy don't, swoyrd it is."
"Deal."
The two got up and for the remainder of the day, Gaisen tried his hardest as the evening slowly turned into night. 'Bart' ate his meal in peace, looking on at the youngsters at they joked, laughed, and enjoyed themselves. Jase spoke of his father, their fantasies of him filling the night air with stories. 'Bart' however was looking at Gaisen, happy as he was, and he began to frown. For as he looked harder, all he could see was the shadow of his own flesh and blood staring back at him, from a place he could not tread. 'Bart' ate of his meal, and prepared for the first watch of the night.
_
The next few days of travel were beginning to turn the mood from adventurous and jubilant to finally having a path, to a boring and calmer journey. The routine of getting up, training and eating, traveling, and going back to sleep was working up a pain in Jase's side. Jase's progress had gone from impressing 'Bart', to now the rat trying to advance him forward, and he struggled to keep up. His arms and feet were tired, and his paws ached as he had grown to really dislike holding his pretend weapon for so long. Today was no different. It felt as if he and 'Bart' practiced in a clearing which bordered the northern forest. It would be a shorter walk towards the river, but the conversation of actually finding a means of crossing it again was put on pause.
Jase had been thinking about all manner of questions to ask Kanazzar, but the snake had not been seen since they left. They had passed by one of the villages on their way north, but only 'Bart' could enter it due to the brown flag which waved overhead. The three youngsters would learn that this meant that the Great Vermin Band had conquered the village. Under the guise as a common traveler and being a scout for the horde, 'Bart' was able to come back with rations and supplies to help them along.
Yet, of the supplies 'Bart' meant to go find, Jase was quick to note of one thing missing.
"You sure you couldn't find anything? A dagger? Or a sword?"
'Bart' passed out the supplies evenly, taking some for himself and giving most of the food to Figgum to store in his sack. 'Bart' frowned and shook his head.
"Weaypons like thayt don't just lay arouynd for someyone to pick uyp. I was looyking for a wooydaxe or even a shoyvel."
"Shovel?" Gaisen asked "I mean, where we are going, we are going to need a lot of things to fight evil with. What is a shovel going to do?"
"A loyt, as suryprising as it souynds. Even that I couyldn't very muych find, moyst of the slayves in the villayge were alreaydy using them, buiylding some maynner of fortyification arouynd it, likely buiylding a wayll."
"Slaves?" Jase asked, a bit depressed. 'Bart' shrugged as Jase thought on the matter. It was dawning on him just how far the vermin had delved deeply into the country. 'Bart' didn't fully understand what they had trouble with, it just all seemed rather natural to him. He nudged the young squirrel "Noy time to moype abouyt it, if weyre going someywhere, youy still neeyd practice."
Jase nodded as Gaisen and Figgum set up their temporary camp. 'Bart' and Jase marched into a field nearby as Jase once again had a stick in his paw and 'Bart' had his. 'Bart' and Jase began to duel but 'Bart' was finding he was sorely beating Jase much more than training him. Jase didn't try to block as much as he should have, and seemed to not take the practice seriously at all. 'Bart' grew annoyed, and hit with his stick a bit harder which made the young squirrel yelp a bit.
"Ouch!" Jase looked at where 'Bart' had struck, which was his arm. 'Bart' scoffed and spoke in an ill way "Youy were improyving, squiyrrel. Take this seriouysly at leayst while I am stiyll around."
Jase got into position again and 'Bart' hoped that lesson was learned, but once again it was the same result. 'Bart' was growing a bit more frustrated, slowing his movement and allowed Jase to practice a parry, but the squirrel huffed and didn't keep his arms up. Bart brought his stick down on Jase, but it fell from his paw and onto the ground. 'Bart' sighed in disappointment as Jase fumbled to bring it back up, and began to mumble to himself and tried again. Again and again the same result, with no seeming end to it. 'Bart' was wondering if he was getting worse somehow, and that all his progress was just a rush of anger.
'Bart's' frustration got the better of him, stopping and marching over and puppeting the squirrel's arms in a harsh manner. He was doing what he had been trying to do before, as he commanded Jase about "It's abouyt speed squiyrrel, speeyd and knoywing where youy and thoyse around youy are doing! Youy were doiyng so well, what is the maytter!?"
'Bart' stopped to look down with Jase looking back anxiously and a little teary eyed. 'Bart' softened and then deeply sighed. He let go of Jase and pinched his nose and spoke more calmly "Sorry, I shouyldn't be yelliyng."
"I'm sorry, I'm just-"
"No, youy don't need to apoylogize. Youy are likely just tiyred and need reyst. We've been drillying for days. I foryget you are noyt as old or as rouyged as vermiyn folk are. Go, geyt somethiyng to eat and reyst, we'll do someything new layter."
Jase frowned and let down his stick before quickly going back to his friends. 'Bart' stared at him as he left, taking out his pipe as his paw shook. Jase didn't know it, but 'Bart' had a sudden urge, something he didn't fully understand. He chewed on the tip of his pipe, but when he went to go light it, he found his pipe empty. He sighed, remembering he had traded for supplies with one of the vermin of the village by using his smoke leaf. 'Bart' felt a little alone for a moment, and looked on as the three bumbling friends sat amongst themselves with Jase occasionally staring back at him, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Something was gnawing at the back of 'Bart's' mind, something which urged him the moment he killed Keal by pushing him right off a cliff. He had never had true loyalties to any horde he had served, and he had served many in his many years. He remembered his first, a smaller gang in southern Mossflower. He had swore to protect his friends there, though now he couldn't even remember a single name. He could recall some of his strongest oaths he made to himself to help them in their time of need, to be with each other till the very end, but now? He traded that away almost immediately to be in a horde from the plateaus where he had gotten his bow.
For a time he was once naive like Jase was, unsure and ignorant of the world. His father trained him somewhat, but he learned all he did from some weasel out east. He served him as his soldier, his bodyguard, and then nearly became his captain. He had remembered all the things he did for him, things that if he told Jase and Gaisen, they would no doubt try to run from him in fear. The blood on his hatchet was wiped away, but the taint of foul deeds still laid on it. His mind was pulling him to the side, whispering to him a simple truth.
They are going to die out here, and you will go with them.
He looked back towards the south, and wondered to himself if he could just make for the east again. The warlord he once served was gone, but no doubt another took his place. He was beyond skilled, he had tried to find a normal life in the southern parts of Mossflower but this was stolen from him. Even his last relative was dead, Kasg laid somewhere and he wasn't even granted the opportunity to perish with him. No doubt alone, afraid, and broken as he was at times. He wanted to die surrounded by something, someone, and he wouldn't find it here. Someone out there had to appreciate his skills, shouldn't they?
He had thought of a plan, his eyes peering around the trees and beyond, he couldn't break such news to the youngsters. He had no heart for it. He sighed and looked down, kicking the dirt with his paw. He felt a tinge of embarrassment, but he didn't see much in helping Jase as much as he did. He truly wanted to help, but he was managing three imbeciles whose entire lives amounted to an easily frightened child, a broken thing, and a servile cook. How am I supposed to deal with this? Kasg was bad enough when I had Lulma by me side.
'Bart' blinked and began to stare deeply at the three, and then began to wonder.
Am I really going to go off and start over again?
He had started over many times in his life, and now his life was nearly at an end. He could feel it one way or another. He stared down at his pipe, and he wondered if he was just dizzy, or he was feeling some manner of pull by some unseen force. He looked to the friends sitting by an increasingly large campfire as Figgum cooked up some pancakes with his pan. They seemed briefly happy despite what they had all gone through.
I failed one child. Failing them, I would have done nothing with this old life of mine. There is no missus to greet me, no child to give me a song, just the memory of three small fools on a far flung quest. 'Bart' sighed and put the pipe back into his coat and walked over. He awaited for his meal patiently as Jase spoke lowly to him.
"I'm sorry, I'll be b-"
"No freyt. Let us juyst eat. We goyt a long jouyrney ahead to fiynd your pa." 'Bart' gave a rare smile which made Jase cheer up a bit. In a moment, as brief as it was, 'Bart' found a small bit of happiness since he wandered about Mossflower. He patted the young squirrel on his back "Youy will get a hayndle of it, but be patiyent with me. I'm neyw to thiys too."
Jase smiled back and nodded.
The journey was not as long as Jase remembered as it should have been, but seeing the same trees and the same roots beneath them, it was certainly a comfort to see past the vastness of Mossflower's wilderness to finally see it as a well traveled path rather than an insurmountable march into being lost. Jase partly cringed at the memory of being lost in the forests in his first few days here, and he still felt a tinge of deep regret for putting his friend through the horrors of his paralysis at the thought of perishing on his quest before it could even start.
The group was making its way up the hill, with none lagging behind as they had once been. Gaisen marched in front of Jase, and behind Jase was Figgum who shouldered his pack dutifully. In front of all of them was 'Bart' who seemed to glide across the forest as much as march. Even as Jase improved, he felt he could never come even close to the level of experience the black rat had. Yet, Jase did have to raise an eyebrow to how strange and jittery his guide was.
"Coyme now, the villyage isn't fayr off from heyre." 'Bart' persisted.
"You sure it's wise to go near one, 'Bart'?" Jase asked, but 'Bart' didn't turn to listen. His paw was shaking. "Yes, youy can stay in the bruysh, there is someything important I neeyd."
No one said it, or dared to say it really, that 'Bart' looked like a drunk looking for his next drink. The group went over several hills only to find a large bog before them. Below, in a wetland which seemed quite familiar, the group was led on a slight detour. With the wetland now in sight, it wasn't a far off guess how long it would take them to get to the River Moss.
"You sure you're okay?" Figgum asked with concern. 'Bart' turned and snapped at him. "Yes! I aym fine. I just neeyd something impoyrtan–" 'Bart' stopped and sighed, gripping his head "Sorry, it's beeyn a very loyng time since I was ouyt of my smoyke leaf. Once I hayve a deycent amount, we can heayd out towards the riyver."
The three younger beasts looked at the older beast who was increasingly looking miserable. Jase had heard from his mother about smoke leaf, or tobacco as the abbot called it. One of the monks smoked it, and Gaisen had once seen one of Garfan's friends pull out a pipe. Yet, seeing the withdrawal made them awkward and concerned for the rat, who kept bringing his paw to his pipe at his belt, knowing he had none. Jase looked north as their paws hit into the wetland, taking a route on the higher ground as they passed by marshy trees and ancient wood.
'Bart' had been keeping an eye out, but he felt woozy. He looked to the sides, keeping an eye on movement, seeing nothing. The forests only moved when wind was about, which was rarer in the deeper woods where the wind already swayed onto the vast shield of forests beyond them. 'Bart' became suddenly tired and even weirdly frustrated.
Blasted me, why did I not take the chance to grab more the last time? Maybe should have just gone to Gholand. Or Luzland. They even got merchants in Luzland? Or heck, should probably take a quick stop at–
No no no.
Hmph. Maybe in the night i'll go ahead of the group and–
No!
What? Why?
Are you really going to abandon them to grab some bleeding leaves?
I mean, no?
'Bart' continued to have small battles in his head, fighting with himself with the ideal. He barely even knew how far he had to go, all he knew was that there was a village somewhere which had smoke leaves in it. If not, the vermin in some occupied village no doubt had some to trade, or one he could steal from. He turned his head and suddenly stopped, and with him stopped the others.
"Is something wrong, rat?" This time it was Gaisen's turn, but 'Bart' did not answer. He squinted his eyes, and felt foolish for not seeing it before. In some nearby water, something stirred, and it was big. Fish perhaps? No, too shallow for a fish that size. 'Bart' refocused on going eastward, and motioned the others to follow. Gaisen, a bit annoyed, asked again "Hey. Would ya mind telling us if there is something wrong or–"
'Bart' turned to him and put a paw over his own mouth, generously demanding for Gaisen to be silent. 'Bart' pointed northward at the bog, to something which stirred in the water. Gaisen took the hint, but 'Bart' felt like he was in a hurry to avoid this potential event before it delayed him any further. The group kept their eye on it, as the movement in the water stilled and went backwards.
The group continued on as 'Bart' felt a rush of need to get to his destination. The bog was disappearing behind them and small hills replaced it. They were going upward until they were on a flatter forest floor again and moving onward, with 'Bart' picking up pace. He looked behind him to make sure the others were following suit, but he suddenly stopped again and his eyes widened.
"Oh, what now?" Giasen complained.
"Up."
"Up?"
"Up!"
'Bart' grabbed Gaisen and nearly threw him upward at a large oak. Gaisen caught the tree's girth in time, but was sliding down. Jase looked up at the tree fearfully at first, but was surprised when 'Bart' came over and did it to him next. "Go! Up, and be silent! Way up in the branches!" 'Bart' kept a low voice, his next target was to collect Figgum who was looking behind to see what got 'Bart' spooked. He saw figures moving, large and sloppy figures who were stalking nearby, and quickly ran to 'Bart' who grabbed him by the backpack he carried and was soon hurling themselves up the tree.
Gaisen was slipping, but Jase expertly handled himself as he grabbed Gaisen and helped him. Jase had to remind himself that Gaisen was not in fact a squirrel like himself, being a little frustrated to see his friend constantly slipping down and unsure how to move. The two climbed far up into the trees, hidden behind branches and were quickly joined by 'Bart' and Gaisen.
There was a moment of silence as they all looked down, and hopping out of the bushes was a huge, hulking abomination of a frog.
Jase was terrified from what he saw. Frogs weren't pretty to look at before, but seeing one like this terrified him. It had warts which looked like some manner of infestation all across his body, his armor was clad in bone, and a reddish war paint covered his eyes and face. Others like him also hopped out, looking around curiously and looking down at the ground. There was a soft ribbet from one of the frogs, which was silenced by an ear shattering croak from the big one.
"Ssshubb uppp, you foolb." It warned. The other frog retreated back. 'Bart' looked at the weapons the beasts held, cocking his head to see iron tridents in their webbed fingers, gripping them tightly. The huge creature grunted and looked down at the tracks Jase and his friends had made, looking in all directions.
'Bart' did not think a frog raider would be this far from their marshes, let alone this well packed. The beasts wore armor covered in bones, but also sticks and mud. They were clearly kidnappers of some kind, but for what reason he could only guess. The large frog gave a loud, gurgling sniff of the air, seemingly annoyed. "Snake?" One asked. The large frog shook his head, and looked around "Theyb are hereb. Searchb." It commanded. Jase and his friends had their eyes widened at the comment, with Jase looking to Gaisen who seemed haunted at the idea that their new found snake friend had failed to delay these hunters.
The frogs meandered around, trying to figure out the tracks and where the group could have possibly gone. 'Bart' was tempted to use his bow, but he was in an awkward position in the tree itself. He had no clue how well the beasts down below him could fire their tridents up at them, and he had doubts a single arrow would do it against the huge frog. The large frog was approached by a smaller one, who asked it "Gaz, theb Laby neebs to knobw."
"I knowb." It said with impatience "Finb squirrelb, killb squirrelb. Web do nobt return tillb we haveb heab."
Figgum had a bold idea, slowly reaching into his backpack and trying to pull something out heavy. In his head, he could perhaps give it to 'Bart' to throw in some direction, but in doing so he rustled and twisted one of the branches he was on. The frogs didn't seem to notice at first, till some of the leaves fell on one of the frog's heads who suddenly looked up. The frog squinted, and 'Bart' held his breath. The frog looked, but seemingly could not see the group, 'Bart' could only guess due to the lighting and that they were far up in the tree.
"Movebment! Soubth!" A small salamander came out of the bushes and up to Gaz, reporting to him. Gaz held up his webbed fingers, calling to his raiders silently as they held out their tridents and slipped into the bushes with careful movements. Jase had no idea how long the group decided to stay in the tree, but by the time they headed down, it was already late evening.
_
Not even a day had passed when the frogs had passed beneath them, but the group's comfortable marsh north turned into a zigzag all across Mossflower. 'Bart' could only guess that the group had been on their trail for some time, and were worse yet, quite experienced. The group was looking over their shoulders, as 'Bart' felt tired from being super aware of his surroundings. They slept in hidden burrows, and kept a tight pace to keep themselves far from their foe's line of sight.
Their current camp was in a tiny ravine, the training that 'Bart' had been trying to teach to the group had stopped due to the circumstances. Yet, this effect once privately cheered by Gaisen soon became quite a bane on him instead as he moped near what should have been a roaring campfire.
"Heck, why does it have to be frogs? Why are they even after you, Jase?"
Jase and Figgum were nearby, also circling a would-be campfire which they decided not to build. Jase shrugged, as Figgum felt a need to answer "I mean, those folk, they didn't have golden collars. Maybe they know you two are after the sword?"
"Ya, but how?" Jase asked. The other two went silent as Jase thought on it "No one knows what we are after except for us, and I mean, Kanazzer did say all those strange things. I suppose if he was protecting us, those evil beasts got some manner of idea. Though how? I don't know. I don't think I want to know." There was a chilling thought which entered his mind "I mean, if they got pa, maybe they broke him, mentioned me perhaps?"
"Oh don't say that." Gaisen said with a sympathetic tone "Your pa would never rat you out."
"Then how do they know about me?"
"They could have had a good guess, or spies, or something."
'Bart' was nearby, listening to the three below. He was on a ledge above the ravine, his bow in paw. He was feeling awful now, the shakes were getting worse and his mind wandered. Even when he stood completely still, his paw was on his smoke pouch. Gaisen moaned in frustration "Ugh! Why can't anything be easy! Or simple for that matter. Can't even go to one end of the forest without running into all manner of problems."
"Sorry, Gai–"
"No 'sorrys', Jase. Not your fault."
Jase wasn't sure if he agreed or not, but 'Bart' listened and took his eyes off of the forest. He came down and motioned the group to get up. "Wey make fory the noyrth, frogs arey too far froym their mayrshes, buyt we cayn rely oyn them toy be sloyw and methoydical."
"Are they though?" Figgum asked "They got away from that big ol' snake."
Huh. He has a point. 'Bart' sighed, finding out that the more tired he got, the more his mind felt drained. Frogs were of course slow and methodical creatures, but these were still raiders. They were experts in stealth for all he could tell. The four exited the ravine as Gaisen spoke lightly "You think we can lose them?"
"I've deaylt with woyrse, it's noyt like thoyse imbeciles that tooyk your eayr."
Just as 'Bart' had said that, he heard the snapping of a bowstring, and the swiftness of an arrow flying past his cheek. He had moved his head just in time for it not to imbed itself in his cheek as he quickly reached for his bow. The other three were stunned, expecting a huge host of murderous frogs to end them, only to find the familiar and cruel grin of Scabbem coming out with his knife drawn "Oh we gots a bone to pick wit ya! Get'em! I wants dem alive!"
'Bart' drew his bow, only to find himself being pushed to the ground by another rat which rushed into him and began to claw and punch him. Gaisen and Jase were cornered, with both only having sharpened sticks at best to use, and Figgum having the heavy ordinance of a frying pan. Gaisen and Jase were stunned to see Figgum bashing the leg of one poor vermin who quickly fell over in pain and cried aloud, dropping his weapon. Gaisen faced Scabbem who came close, reaching out to grab him.
"Goin to make yer face even, ya wretched workbeast!"
Gaisen took a defensive stance and stabbed upward at Scabbem who quickly flung himself back. He approached, zigzagging which confused the mouse at first. He stabbed to where he thought Scabbem would go, but the ferret lunged to the opposite side and grappled the mouse who fought and scratched at him.
Jase was frozen, unsure who to help first. However, 'Bart' got a handle on the rat wrestling him, clawing his face harsh enough to force him off of him. "Hold yerselves! Or der bush tail gets to pass to the Dark Forest!" The fighting between everyone stopped as Jase turned to see Dape coming out of the bushes and held his bow outward, an arrow notched in it and pointing at Jase. Jase thought quickly, taking his pointed stick and throwing it at Dape's feet and rolled out of the way. Dape let out a pained 'oof' and fired his bow, but the arrow hit the ground where Jase once stood. Jase felt his heart pound, even as Dape angrily broke the pointed branch and began to notch another arrow.
Yet, before Dape could hone a shot on Jase, another beast came screaming out of the woods "Boss!" Screamed Dake "Bad! Bad!" He rough and deep voice echoed as the rat nearly tripped into Dake as Scabbem turned to where he was running from. From out of the tree line, Gaz and his frogs appeared.
The frogs held out tridents, and began attacking the bandits, but were much to 'Bart's' relief not as skilled as he imagined them to be. The vermin were terrified of them and their appearance, but the frogs and their lizard allies fought brutishly. Gaz smacked at Scabbem with his trident, and looked to see in surprise to find Jase. He was distracted as the vermin bandits fought for their bitter lives against the mass of frogs surrounding them as Jase crawled over to 'Bart'.
'Bart' collected himself and then began collecting the youngsters, all of them forming up and began to bolt out of the battle. Jase ran quickly, nearly unaware he was gaining too much speed as he ran faster and farther than he had in his life. The group's path was growing more and more clearer as the forest cleared up more till an open plain was before them. Jase felt a large paw at his back, and nearly screamed when he was pulled behind. He only calmed down when he saw 'Bart' keeping his paw over his mouth, and looking ahead at some new problem.
Gaisen and Figgum stopped, seeing in the distance the River Moss, but also campfires and loud noises. Sneaking along the bushes, they came up to a series of camps and large tents, with the group watching as the orange, brown, and black banners of the Great Vermin Band flapped in the distance. The group bowed their heads into the bushes when they spotted a black clothed sentry marching by, as 'Bart' looked behind them to make sure the other major problems were far behind.
"How long do you think that bandit will last?" Gaisen asked.
"Noyt long." 'Bart' answered.
_
Gaisen and Figgum were alone, hiding behind a tree as they watched in the far off distance a rat sentry leaning against a tree, eating some cheese. Gaisen felt a tinge of disgust seeing what was beyond the camp and what the sentry was entertaining himself with, watching as a shrew struggled to help unload gear and boxes of nails onto the ground from a wagon, a rope around his neck. The shrew slowed down to wipe his brow, only for a nearby overseer to come along and slap him harshly across the back of his head, ordering him about to hurry. The rat sentry giggled and ate.
'Bart' and Jase had disappeared, exploring the camp. When they first arrived, 'Bart' followed the sentry to a place where vermin would go to take a break, bringing the group extremely close to the camp. Yet, both youngsters felt safe for the most part, being far enough to not feel the weight of a hordebeast breathing down their necks, but we're close enough to see what was going on. 'Bart' seemed to know about these things very well.
'Bart' and Jase returned, crawling through the brush, as they looked grim. 'Bart' mumbled to himself, partly standing up to get a better view of the sentry who was oblivious.
Gaisen cautiously whispered "So, what now?"
"Bad news I am afraid." Jase answered, and explained as 'Bart' continued to look ahead at the camp "This is that warlord's camp, and they got beasts all around the river. Couldn't walk half a mile without bumping into some patrol."
'Bart' nodded and sighed "Hayve the only boayts in miyles as weyll."
Gaisen sounded more annoyed than worried "Can we get past them, or steal one of their boats?"
"I cayn keep uys safe froym a seyntry, not ayn army." 'Bart' reminded Gaisen that he was certainly not a miracle worker. Gaisen frowned and looked back "Well, if we go back, either those bandits or those frogs will get us for certain. We go forward, we can say goodbye to living off the land and say hello to those rope collars going around our necks. Why the heck is that warlord here anyway? Is he chasing us too!?"
Jase froze at that thought as well. He wondered if Markem as well would be after him, meaning an entire horde would be hounding him. 'Bart' quickly ran that idea into the ground, much to his relief. "Unlikely, they likely hayd supply probleyms and soyme battles. Pooyr mood arouynd the camp, they likely are heayding westwayrd."
"Why west? Isn't Redwall south?" Jase asked
"They miyght be looyking for the otteyrs and shreyws, seen a few arouynd, recent captuyres. Badly treayted means the hoyrde had a very reycent run in wiyth theym." Jase frowned at the thought, especially of Mossflower's Holt and the Gousim bowing their heads to Markem. 'Bart' sighed and made a series of suggestions "Theyre is a shayllow very fayr off, a bit tooy far for my liking. Wey could croyss it, but it's likely guayrded as weyll, a nasty fiyght. We cayn try toy sneak throuygh the caymp, but we'll neeyd to knoyw the moveyments of most of the guayrds first, whiych will take time. One bayd look oury way will reveayl us and geyt us captuyred. We couyld wait fory the caymp to move, hide ouyt nearby, buyt that will riysk us geytting trailed and captuyred by either of thoyse murderous deygenerates."
Jase liked none of the ideas suggested, but could tell 'Bart' didn't like it either. The three heard movement behind them, and looked to see Figgum covering himself and his clothes with dirt, taking some bush leaves and crunching them up and showing himself with it. The group gave him an odd stare, before smiling and speaking up.
"I got an idea, an' all we gotta do is a little dress up."
_
Everyone was thinking it, all except for Figgum.
This isn't going to work.
Covered in dirt, mud, and leaves the three youngsters now looked like deranged orphans. The softer and combed fur once taken care of now was messy. The four figures came out of the tree line and towards the camp, each of the younger beasts grasping a piece of rope which was held by 'Bart' who led them along. Jase was nervous and wide eyed, as he and the other pretended to have their paws bound as they were led along. 'Bart' was nervous, practically sweating as he led the group along. They got past the first group of sentries with no problem, with 'Bart' pretending to be some common slaver associated with the horde and was going to Gholand.
Jase was silent as looked around at the vermin horde, looking more and more frightened as he held onto the rope firmly. Gaisen looked about him with similar fear, but yet also anger, seeing so many woodlanders working tirelessly on menial tasks, with bruises and black eyes reminding them of their place in the horde.
The group passed a sight neither wanted to see as they headed towards the shore looking for a means to cross.
"I hope yer friends are looken, ya blighted cretan! Come'ere!" Punches were thrown as the group had to stop to see a scuffle between one of the slaves and an overseer, who was punching and kicking at some shrew. The poor creature was lifted up by the rope collar at his neck and thrown into a group of fellow shrews and a few otters, newly made prisoners and slaves of the horde from a previous battle and had not been fortunate in their retreat.
"Let dat be a lesson in talken back to me, now get back to work, or I'll have ya all looken like dat! Get!" The vermin pushed and shoved, and reluctantly none of the former warriors resisted, knowing full well what consequences awaited them should they continue. 'Bart' and the group stopped to see such 'examples' which caused them to pause. As the group moved away, staked into the ground at a pole was a dead otter, his head faced down in his lap. Jase nearly panicked upon seeing him, as 'Bart' quickly hurried the group along.
"Cruel monsters." Gaisen spoke under his breath, with utter disgust at such a display. Jase could only ask "Why?" to 'Bart' in a low tone, with the rat explaining to the best of his ability as he kept up a constant tug on the two.
"Buryial is for reyspected deayd, the wayter dog likely killeyd a good amouynt before his captuyre, though he likely ways felled in bayttle. Probably playced there to reymind the oythers that they are wiynning."
"It's evil." Gaisen grunted.
"It's praygmatic, for this hoyrde at least. Moyst other hoyrdes use the threayt of a whiyp or exeycution on theiyr slavebeaysts. This oyne uses intimiydation."
Jase was certainly intimidated, but a soft pat on his back from Gaisen got him to calm down somewhat. He had seen beasts die, but it pained him to know that poor beast was not too long ago one of Dakan's otters who had entertained children at Redwall during a festival, now being used as a morbid prop. The group continued towards the shore, passing by the vermin host as Jase got a better look at them. Campfires burned between tents, and vermin laughter and merry making was being had.
However, two beasts were not being either as they approached the shore, 'Bart' stopping as he looked down to see a well armed foxess and ferret being difficult with one another.
"Oh come on Kyth! I am just borrowing it fer a few trips, no need for any dis hostility."
"Ya can't have it, I know how ya Foxtrots dink, an' I know der moment I give it in loan, yer just gonna keep it!"
"It's a bleeding rowboat, ya rot brained cretan!" Niala shouted in frustration, fuming as she was pacing side to side at the river's edge. Kyth was not budding, folding his paws and rolling his eyes as the two captains continued to bicker. 'Bart' was more aware than the youngsters of this behavior, and looked over to see the rowboat in question they were arguing over. He looked to Jase, silenting getting permission to quickly grab the rowboat and leave, and silently they did.
"It's just one bleeding trip, dat be all!"
"Ya, an yer gonna sink it putting a wolverine on top of it! Des dings aren't exactly easy to build, and now are exceedingly rare due to dem shrews burning and smashing up so many. I got it first, so it be mine. Besides, I am still bringing over a whole lot of me vermin from der other side."
"Ya, me too! Look, I'm not completely like me brother, an–"
Kyth changed his tone, looking to the side and seeing 'Bart' and his followers get onto the rowboat quite casually and begin to pull away. Niala looked as well, her eyes widening and rushing with her bow being unfurled from her back "Hey! Thieves! Don't ya steal me boat!"
"Yer boat!?" Kyth reacted angrily, rushing beside her and calling out to them. 'Bart' however didn't answer and quickly directed Jase and Gaisen to begin rowing hard and fast. Figgum was shaking the mud and dirt from himself as the group called out to him, in anger and in frustration "What der hell ya doin! Come back here!" Niala yelled. Her first instinct was to notch an arrow, thinking perhaps the creature needed her attention as she fired upon the boat as it pulled away. The arrow plopped into the side which startled Jase and the others. 'Bart' grunted and pulled out his own bow and fired back.
Kyth followed the arrow closely with his eyes, and realized quickly it was not a warning shot as Niala's was and pulled her quickly downward into the sand, the arrow landing to where she had been standing before. The two watched as 'Bart' and the others quickly rowed onto the waters, and went west down the river. Niala and Kyth breathed heavily, their moments to think of what had happened pass, but by the time they would report what had happened, 'Bart' and his group was gone.
_
Scabbem was in a very foul mood, his attention entirely at the ground which he followed as his tired and groaning vermin were behind him. The battle with the toads was close, and even though Scabbem would call it a victory, the toads had left but only after chasing him for a while and hopped away to lick their wounds. Scabbem had killed at least one frog, but his vermin suffered very serious injuries as half were limping, and the other half were just dead.
"Boss, can we talk, mate?" Dape asked, the elderly creature's head hidden by his straw hat. Scabbem growled at him, as she shrank down from him.
"Ya talk too much I dinks, ya stupid beast. Yer me scout an' we got ambushed by a bunch o' toads! Toads! Dey hop hard an' croak, an ya couldn't hear dat!?"
"Sorry, boss." Dape frowned and continued on. Dape looked at his bow, with meager repairs he had done himself. He gave a tired sigh which only annoyed Scabbem more, looking down at the tracks left by his query. "Yes? Dape? Ya know ya can help me, ya moron."
"Boss, can I ask a question?"
"No."
"Please?"
Scabbem gave Dape a dark eye and for the first time since the two met, the old rat was questioning him. "Ya know I am a former Black Clad, I followed ya cause I got nowhere to go an' no viddles to keep me by. Scabbem, sir, I wanted to ask. Why we chasen des four? We lost an' dat be okay–"
"Okay? Okay!?" Scabbem flew into a rage, grabbing Dape and pushing him down to the ground, the old one eyed rat gave a pained grunt, as Scabbem looked at his injured vermin "Ya wanna know what losing is, mates!? It's what this fool's former chief did, he lost, an now der 'great black clad army' or whatever is now der big black clad graveyard! We are goin to find dem buckoos an' I am goin to make em' pay fer every embarrassing ding dey did to me!"
The tired and injured vermin gave him an odd look, but they slowly shook their heads. Scabbem, despite all of his dark abuses, was still the strongest and most skilled of them. Dape was old and thus weak, and he stayed on the ground where he believed he belonged. Scabbem turned to him in particular, kicking him harshly "Get'up an' help me find dem, ya dumb fool! Der ain't nothing, not even a whole bleeding army dat is goin to stop me from getten der heads an' bones!"
Just as Scabbem finished, he rushed through the bushes and smacked himself straight into a field, and in that field was a very big army whose camp was in the distance. Scabbem's jaw dropped at the sheer size of the army, but he quickly began to turn when the sentries spotted him and began to sound an alarm. Soon enough, a small force had gathered and were now bearing down on Scabbem and his gang.
"I didn't mean a real army! Ahhhh!" Scabbem shouted at the karmic power of the seasons, cursing whatever spirit or concept he could as he and his horde were prodded into the Great Vermin Band's camp. The camp was seemingly on edge, as Scabbem eventually calmed as the gang marched towards the center. Most of the gang looked extremely impressed, at the food and gear the common hordebeast of this horde had. Slaves were everywhere, tending to basic needs and collecting resources, and banners as far as Jusbrag flew high and proud. Dape was the most impressed, looking on with amazement and then with concern as he saw some beasts he recognized, also all fellow black clads now sworn to a new boss.
Scabbem was nervous as he approached the largest tent, expecting some fearsome eight-foot tall rat with red eyes whose armor was full with the skulls of his enemy, a cold and ruthless monster who clearly commanded respect. Yet, he was confused as he was pushed by one of the soldiers into a otter with a dark green cloak looking down at him confused. 'Dirt' blinked, as the soldier explained "Boss said to bring any intruders to him, 'Dirt'." Scabbem took some note of the name, and then the rope around his neck, and the ropes around the necks of others.
Is this guard a bleeding slave?
"I'll let him know, sir."
"Now hold on just a bleeden moment!" Scabbem yelled up, raising up his voice and puffing out his chest. The ferret gave a big, toothy grin as he growled out "Ya ain't a slave are ya? Yer not goin to introduce me to der warlord of dis fine ol' camp, I'll do it, workbeast! Ha!"
'Dirt' blinked again, paused for thought as he ignored Scabbem and turned to go inside. Scabbem came forward, but was shocked when 'Dirt' turned around much quicker and pulled the sword from his belt, one which he did not see before. The sword rested on Scabbem's neck as 'Dirt' made it very clear to him "Back away, Markem will know you are here, sir."
Scabbem was looking down at the sword and then at 'Dirt', commenting only "Yer armed?" 'Dirt' only grunted to the comment and went inside, and moments laters two figures came out. Niala looked like an embarrassed mess, and this random looking rat in fair armor looked uninteresting. Niala looked at this rat, and sighed "I'll see what I can do, boss. It ain't much I can do on der open waters."
"Tis just a boat, Niala. We'll have more built in due time."
"Hey, were der heck is der boss of dis place, I demand he come out to meet der likes of me!" Scabbem growled at the two. The rat looked at him, curiously at first and then annoyed. He nodded to Niala who left without a word and the otter bodyguard came to his side.
"I am Markem. Brownnose if yer looken for surnames."
"I don't care what ya called, long tail. Where der boss at."
"I am der boss."
"No ya ain't." Scabbem said in utter disbelief. "Look at dis horde, ya don't command it!"
The soldier next to him harshly nudged Scabbem, and apologized on his behalf "Sorry, boss. Found dis one wandering near der camp."
"It's okay." Markem shrugged. "The fool is me fer not having dat big, stupid antlered helm on. Either way. Who are ya?"
Scabbem paused, looking blank and utterly embarrassed. This? This isn't der boss is it. Ya, no it can't be. I shouldn't be. Dis ding, really. Oh. Oh no. Scabbem's frozen face of disbelief turned to terror as he realized that this Markem was in fact the boss, and he was now growing angry for it. He growled at him "I am bleeding Scabbem, an dis here be my gang. Whatcha heck ya doin here?"
"Conquering." Markem replied bluntly. Markem looked behind Scabbem, seeing a depressing mess of vermin who were injured. "Ya been in battle recently?"
"Aye, toads, good sir." Dape answered. Scabbem growled back at him next "Shut yer mouth, Dape. I want answers! What horde be dis den? Why dat otter, or slavebeast, or whatever armed!? Why ya got Jusbrag folk crawling all over!?"
"Dis is the Great Vermin Band, dis water dog be my bodyguard an' servant 'Dirt', an Jusbrag is apart of me horde. Now ya got three answers, I get three questions, firstly I–"
"But why he be armed!? I mean, all der other slavebeasts got des stupid looken ropes around der necks, so dis beast is a slavebeast, right?"
"Y–yes." Markem said almost unsure. He and 'Dirt' exchanged looks, before Markem asked more bluntly "Look, whatcha doin here, Scabbem? Yer a gang leader I see, an' der Great Vermin Band always needs new recruits fer campaign, an' we got healers in der camp as well an–"
"I don't need no help from der likes of ya, I'm hunten fer real trouble, an' yer army be in me way!"
Markem could barely get a word in "Look, yer vermin are injured, an we had some stranger steal a boat under me nose an–"
"I'm hunting for a big ol' black rat, like Kasg, but meaner! I am hunting for some bleeding hedge pig who be stronger den der river currents, beaten on me toes wit a giant pan! I'm chasing a bunch of woodlanders, an' dey went dis a way!"
Markem cringed a bit at the description, but now things seemingly made a bit more sense. Niala did describe this group as Scabbem did, but now all he could think of all this was four desperate fools escaping a gang. Likely three young prisoners and a sympathetic bandit heading north. Markem spoke up, firmer to keep the wild ferret from speaking over him again "Yes, deys four made it across der river not too long ago, stealing one of me boats and infiltrating me camp. Dey are long gone by now, an' I am not sending folk to get'em, or spending time to ferry ya over der river to chase dem. Now, if ya want, I can offer ya to join me or be in my band's service fer reasonable fee. Whatever dey stole from ya can be returned."
"By Hell, no!" Scabbem yelled "I ain't trusting some bleeding softie who need a slavebeast water dog protecting dem. I'm a real vermin ya see! A real an' strong beast who takes what dey want! Including any of yer boats!"
"Ya tell em' boss!" Dake yelled up in a dumb manner. Markem looked almost amused, turning to Scabbem's vermin, especially a tired and depressed looking Dape who was baffled as to why Scabbem would even yell such a thing, surrounded completely by soldiers. Markem sighed and shook his head.
"I see. How about ya lads. Ya wanna place in me horde?"
"Dey be my gang, ya cretan!" Scabbem protested, but Markem shoved past Scabbem and ignored him, coming up to Dape who he looked up and down. Markem took Dape's poorly managed bow and examined it "Ya need a new bow."
"Aye, I do. Ya say ya looken fer hordebeasts, eh?" Dape quickly asked. Markem smiled and nodded "Aye."
"Den I certainly need a new bow, boss."
"Dape, ya traitor! I'll gut y–" Scabbem came forward but 'Dirt' was already in his way. Scabbem tried his luck, but a soft shove from 'Dirt' pushed him to the ground with a sudden thud. Markem greeted himself to each of Scabbem's vermin, and most except a few quickly changed sides, and formed up behind Dape. Dape smiled widely as Markem explained to them the new benefits of their decision "As yer warlord, although some call me soft for it, I promise ya not only viddles an' slaves to call yer own, but I won't punish ya wit death unless deemed necessary. We don't conscript in dis horde, nor use the lash on our slavebeasts, an if ya keep to me laws an' codes, ya will live comfortable lives once Mossflower be completely ours."
"Ya fools! Dis beast ain't gonna conquer Mossflower!" Scabbem protested. Markem turned to Scabbem, whose gang was now diminished. Markem gave a very fair warning "Ya just said yer here to steal my boats. Ya try it, you'll be picking up yer guts before ya can even scream. It was nice meeting ya, Scabbem, but now I ask ya kindly. And firmly. To leave me camp." Markem smiled, but Scabbem could tell he meant something much more nefarious if he lingered for too long.
Dape watched as Scabbem left, running back to whence they came, picking up pace after abandoning their dignity completely.
The journey down the river was a thankfully quiet one as Jase looked out over the water. His tail twitched as he eyed the northern shore again, anxious and worried as his friends got some rest behind them. 'Bart' has not stopped rowing since escaping from the clutches of the Great Vermin Band. 'Bart' only eased once he was certain they had been away and began to row closer to the northern shore. Jase kept an eye out on the eastern part of the river, always worried that he would soon see a horde of vermin coming for them.
"You think we are safe?" Jase asked, although 'Bart' only answered after giving a long pause to think it over. He nodded "Aye, we shouyld be. If we hayven't seen theiyr scouyts houynding us, this roywboat isn't that valuyable to them. Thouygh no douybt we gave theym a scayre."
"You don't think they are after us, right?" Jase already knew the answer to his repeated question, but 'Bart' answered him regardless, knowing the worried squirrel would only ask again and less calmly if he avoided it.
"No, to them, you are not that important. They are likely fighting off those Holt otters or the shrews, if they were looking for us, those sentries would have forced us to meet with higher officers."
Jase felt a bump and nearly jumped into the water before settling down, looking behind him to see the northern forests being much closer than he remembered. He had focused so much on the shores beyond him, he had not realized 'Bart' was rowing towards the northern shore. He gripped his chest, his heart pumping. Gaisen and Figgum, once fast asleep were now fully awake as the group exited the rowboat and onto the sandy shores.
'Bart' and Figgum pulled the rowboat somewhere into some bushes, marking the area with a knife upon a nearby tree just in case they would need it for later, especially considering they would need to go back across the river after reclaiming Martin's sword. Gaisen kept close to Jase, still looking worried across the river and down towards the vermin camp which was no longer in sight. Gaisen patted his back, although instead of feeling comfort, Jase jittered a bit.
"Worried, I take it?" Gaisen asked
"Yes, for a lot of things. We'll have to cross the river again, Gaisen. We'll have to go by that camp and avoid it's sentries, provided Redwall is still in good paws. I am thinking more and more about the future and what we will do after we pa."
"This is your pa we are talking about. If he can defeat Kasg, that rat won't stand a chance."
"Will he?" Jase suddenly asked. He turned to Gaisen sniffing "I mean, hes been gone for a long time, no doubt prisoner to cruel beasts. What if he is broken, or worse, dea–" Gaisen suddenly slapped Jase across the face in a light way, surprising him. Gaisen took Jase's shoulder, speaking in a firm way "Jase, listen mate, you need to stop with that. As my friend, you need to think more blessings in mind. We weren't sold as slaves to some vermin cretan, we didn't end up dead at that ferret's feat, and we got a good guide helping us out. We'll find you pa, and he'll bring the sword and go onto the next big thing. Your pa didn't instantly destroy Kasg, we gotta be patient and suffer till we win. Now stop losing hope."
Jase nodded, although didn't feel much better. Gaisen smiled and apologized "Also sorry for slapping you, Jase."
"Honestly, after all the troubles i've had and caused, I think I deserve it somewhat."
"Well, when you put it like that–" Gaisen didn't sound so sure, but he stopped talking when 'Bart' came to stand over them. He directed their attention silently to the hills and began to march down the river. Jase felt in higher spirits, thinking more of what Gaisen had said. Yet, he frowned as he spoke up to the group.
"Well, now that we are here. Ummm–"
'Bart' lifted an eyebrow to Jase as the group walked, Jase sighing "Now all we need to find is those hills."
"They ayre not fayr, buyt we'll neeyd to be thorouygh, I've beeyn throuygh those hiylls several tiymes. No froygs or snaykes as fayr as I remeymber."
The group continued onward, but stopped suddenly. As they prepared to go towards the forest, 'Bart' looked at the ground and immediately pulled the three into some bushes. The group didn't question it, and trusted 'Bart's' senses enough to know when there was trouble. 'Bart' lifted his head from the bushes, looking down to see large tracks in the sand. Jase noticed, knowing whom the large webbed prints would belong to. 'Bart' was satisfied that the frogs had left when he heard no snapping of sticks or light croaks, and exited the fauna as he bent down and looked it over.
"They weyre here noyt long aygo." 'Bart' grunted and turned his head towards the tree line. He went to follow, but Figgum protested as he caught up with 'Bart'.
"What are ya doing? You mean to follow them!?"
"Aye. Thiynk of iyt, spike bayck. The creaytures are oyn a warpayth and goyt out oyf bayttle, they likely are heayding towards theiyr home. If theyse are the sayme froygs that the snayke was fightiyng, they wiyll lead us straiyght towards theiyr homestead."
Figgum frowned, not liking the idea of following these monstrous creatures so closely. Yet, Gaisen liked the idea and perked up. "That would do us well! If we can follow them, they'll lead us straight to Jue and the sword!"
Jase agreed, but only nodded his head. 'Bart' nodded back, and led the group onward and into the forest, following their new laid out path straight to the heart of the foe.
_
It felt like an eternity, especially as the group slowed as the tracks became warmer and more pronounced, but eventually Jase and 'Bart' could see Gaz and his band slowly limping along the forest path, although it was clear they were worse for wear. Gaz had a large wound across his face, a scratch mark which tore downward at an eye which was now reddened and pulsed in pain, even though the giant monster seemed to shrug it off. Gaz used his trident to limp along with his raiders, with 'Bart' noticing the groups scouts having eased themselves and crept closer to Gaz.
'Bart' and his companions were silent as the grave, keeping a far distance as they moved between bushes, the sight of Gaz and his raiders was never far from their sight. Gaz only stopped once to briefly tend to one of his wounds, apparently sustained while fighting Scabbem. 'Bart' felt a bit more confident seeing the frogs this way, where even an expert looking warrior had taken such a beating from such a laughable foe.
Jase and Gaisen counted the remaining raiders, with five in total, although it confused them somewhat. Last time they saw them, Jase thought they had over ten, not including the scouts. Two smaller lizards scouted to the far sides of Gaz, with two frogs accompanying the frog. 'Bart' was fairly sure that these five were the only ones in Gaz's company.
"Where are the rest of them?" Figgum asked in a silent manner, but even when being silent, he was shushed by 'Bart'. He kept his eye on the toads, and could only guess why there were so few. Raiders didn't all group up at once, they divided and went various directions, meeting at one exact point. The group continued to follow, although Gaz seemed to stop more and more often, croaking softly to his companions.
"Whabt dob web tellb theb Laby?" One asked. Gaz spoke up, although in a language that 'Bart' did not understand. The other frog only nodded, and the group continued seemingly oblivious.
'Bart' then began to notice something strange about Gaz.
The frog was strangely calm, a bit too calm as he marched towards his destination without a care in the world. The careful and methodical raiders seemed to abandon their careful stalking, keeping a slow but loud pace. Gaz spoke up, as if speaking to reassure both his fellow frogs and 'Bart'.
"Web willb be back inb the lairb soonb, keep a goob paceb, or youb will be leftb behinb."
'Bart' squinted at Gaz, who kept his face forward, and had a sudden realization. He stopped suddenly, and with him the others stopped as well. Jase was confused as 'Bart' slowly brought his bow out, his eyes completely on Gaz. The frog also began to slow, rather unknowingly, and that was when 'Bart' became aware. Gaz didn't move his head, but he had nudged his head to the side, his eye scanning in their direction for only a brief moment.
'Bart' felt a twinge of fear at the back of his neck, his fut standing up as it became clear that Gaz was not being followed, they were being baited. 'Bart' looked to Jase with fear in his eyes, silently motioning him to take up their weapons. Jase and the others did so as 'Bart' calmly notched an arrow into his bow, pretending to not notice as he continued along at a normal pace. Gaz was satisfied, picking up pace at first until 'Bart' began his attack by firing an arrow into the back of one of the frogs.
Gaz croaked angrily, turning around and rushing towards the cover of the trees. The others converged on Jase and the others, as Gaisen was ambushed by a small lizard, only to be smacked away by Figgum. Jase dueled the other scout who lashed out with his fangs at him, trying to stab at him. Jase felt overwhelmed, but one quick claw to the lizard's face was all that was needed for it to cry out in pain and quickly retreat.
The last of Gaz's frogs came forward to challenge 'Bart', stabbing at him with a trident, but that battle was swiftly ended when the rat dodged out of the way, revealing a hatchet which he brought down on the frog's head and crashed into the ground. Gaz came forward, confident he could close the gap, but 'Bart' was already pulling back an arrow and fired at him. Gaz ducked down and crashed into 'Bart', the huge beastial creature overpowering him and trying to kill him with a knife he pulled from his belt. The red painted creature slashed and croaked angrily at him, as 'Bart' was able to crawl away and grab his sword, slicing at him to get him to back off.
Gaz was not amused, hopping to his trident to get his edge while 'Bart' recovered. As he was pulling the trident away, Gaz felt a sudden rush of pain as Figgum's pan smacked downward upon his webbed paw. Gaz screamed in pain, and turned to Figgum and came forward to him next. Gaisen stabbed at Gaz from the side and was knocked away with a single swipe of his paw. Gaz saw the writing on the wall, growling and quickly recovering before hopping away.
'Bart' pelted the huge frog with arrows to his back, firing at him as the raider fled northward and dodging around corners. The first arrow came just above his head and embedded itself in his upper torso, the second directly towards his back, and the last into his left leg. 'Bart' watched, partly with amazement and partly with concern as Gaz fled as if all of his arrows had missed, undeterred by what he was stuck with.
"He got away." Gaisen recovered and was pulled up by Jase and Figgum. Jase frowned "Did that evil marsh hopper know we were following him the entire time?"
"Perhayps." 'Bart' admitted "Bey on your guyard, wey are folloywing it."
"I mean, won't he know we are following him? He'll try to cut us off or lead us in circles."
"He iys bleeyding a loyt." 'Bart' bent down and looked at the blood caused by Gaz's retreat. "If he doeys lead uys in circleys, we cayn pick uyp the traiyl easier. He'll likely heayd bayck to his hoyme, gayther reinforceyments, and try to caypture us. He inteynded us to foyllow, leayding us inyto an ambush noy doubt. Now we eveyned that fieyld considerably."
Jase nodded and sighed "I hope it won't be too many more. Or willing end up in their trap."
'Bart' nodded "Keeyp close, aynd be vigilyant. If thayt beast cayn take thayt many arroyws, I feayr to think whayt it is swoyrn to." The group followed the blood into the forest, more anxious than before.
_
Gaz hopped and ran for his life, until he was at long last in the comforts of darkness. In a cave without light, in paths he had trudged many times before he limped through the corridors. The grim and bright green light illuminated his path, leading into the bowels of his mistress's unholy domain, his pained form pulsed as he crept onto rocks. He fell a few times, trying to enter the ancient domain as he appeared before dark cloaked sentries who rushed to him upon notice. The ancient toad croaked angrily at them, licking it's own face with it's long tongue to make himself be more presentable and dignified to appear before his mistress not looking like the failure he ended up becoming.
Gaz went further down into the lair, past rock formations and ancient stalagmites which were partially illuminated by green lit braziers, ancient burrows of lizards and other dark minions of his mistress laid empty and abandoned. Not long ago he and his minions scoured the caves and settled them for himself, displacing an ancient mole colony which had dug out much of the caverns.
He slavishly limped further into the caves, past decrepit gates which no longer stood and eventually into a vast homely hall full of small huts on stilts which hovered over tepid waters. Frogs and lizards came to greet Gaz, as he ignored their pitied looks and continued onward. He looked far into the cavern, seeing the vast cauldron where a foul smelling odor arose from, a base of bones beneath. Hundreds were sent to their painful end on his behalf, and on the behalf of his mistress.
All of it worthwhile to serve his god, the one true and mighty lord who ruled his thoughts, owned his soul, and would deliver onto him and his tribe power undreamed of.
That is what drove the huge and hulking frog onward, a dream of endless and ceaseless power, he had seen what on the other side thanks to the mistress, and it had once terrified him, he now could only smile at the thought of victory. His tribe would arise, the others would fall, and the King in Red would rule his rebellious subjects once again. He swam through the waters to the cauldron, looking solely for the Lady of the Woods, whom made her presence only known once he was within the grim and dark light produced by her bloodied pot.
"You failed." The Lady of the Woods hissed from above him, as Gaz looked up and immediately bowed to her. She came from a large ledge overlooking the entire frog tribe which sat upon the waters, looking on as their lead stood motionless before her presence. He looked up, confident he could excuse himself.
"Theyb comeb, my mistressb. The Warrior comesb."
"You fool, the warrior isss dead, he isss already here." The Lady of the Woods looked upon the sword, resting in stone just above the cauldron. She flicked her tongue in disgust at it, before returning her attention to Gaz. "You brought them here."
"I butb need moreb beasts, myb lady."
"We need no more beasts, ssslavering creature. The King in Red needsss only time. Hisss puppetsss are not done yet. They will come, they will die, but more will follow! You failed to bring me another sssacrifice, so your body will do inssstead."
Gaz's eyes widened, realizing his sudden betrayal, but by the time he could try to find something to defend himself with, the massive snake curled around his body and began to curl him upward. Gaz croaked in pain and in terror, calling out for help, and was silenced as his body flopped into the acidic cauldron with a splash. The Lady of the Woods looked down at her murder, making sure it Gaz's remains soaked into her dark and foreboding potion. A newt came to collect the dark stew into the bowl, pouring it over the sword, which continue to shine regardless of how much she tried to defile it.
"You." She said to herself, her head turning suddenly to the south. "You, why are you here?"
No answer came, except confused grunts and groans from her dark horde. She felt something was coming, something she had not seen before, and something more familiar.
"You fool creature. You do not know hisss power! You do not know what I have ssseen, what you yourssself have ssseen! I am Sssigzazzar no more! I am the sssorceress of light and ssshadow!" A rhythmic hum echoed across her mind, as silent as it was, causing her to have a sudden bout of regret. She shook it away, annoyed by such things. The hum was growing louder and closer in her mind, as she commanded her minions and rapterous roar which echoed across the cavern.
"The interlopersss come! To your weaponsss, thrallsss of the monarch! Defend our purpossse with your livesss! They come–"
She looked around, her voice suddenly strained "My king?"
Something had happened, she had felt it, his comforting voice was suddenly no more. What had once been so clear, she looked around in confusion, and could see nothing. It's ancient and godly presence was gone. No other beast could hear what she heard, no matter of power could divide her from his presence, but only the hum in her mind remained. You were never that powerful.
"My king? My lord?" She turned, looking for answers, her voice becoming hushed.
There was only a silence that followed, as the caverns went alight for a battle she could only believe would come.