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Flashtail
Prologue
The ferret horde was surrounding Salamandastron. His beasts would have been in panic if the ferrets were indeed smart ones. Most of them couldn't even shoot an arrow 5 feet in the air. These ferrets were more skilled with blades, if anything. All the members of Salamandastron were calm, except for one. Ragal Ruffalo Aldanick, Long Patrol General, was running around the halls panicking. He was usually the calmest of beasts at times like then, but he feared for his daughter. A few sunsets ago, she had been born, but awhile after that, his wife was slain by a poisoned arrow. The ferret that shot the arrow was the bested shooter and had been shooting shafts all his life, but he was slain by an axe blade, thrown by the Badger Lord, Lord Icepaw. Ragal couldn't face the fact that the arrow was a once in a lifetime shot for anybeast in that horde and he worried for his daughter. He looked down to see that his unnamed daughter was nowhere in site. He ran all over the mountain searching. 
The dibbun was in the kitchen, playing and siting next to the head cook, Weewo. Ragal came storming in, picked up Flashtail, and went to the lord's chamber.
All the other hares and Icepaw were shooting arrows at the ferrets. Ragal gave his daughter a long bad toned talk, or tried anyway. "Wot where ye doin'?" he shouted. "Ye could 'ave bin slain!" The dibbun interrupted "Bud dabby, I was on'y payin' in de kitken, wot, an Weewo would 'ave saved me if'n I gots inta twoubble." Ragal gave her a mighty glare "You should learn not to interrupt your elders, bad form I say, bad form. Second," he was cut off once again by the Badger Lord. A growl from Lord Icepaw told him it was time to be quiet. He was thinking of a way to escape the mountain when his daughter did a very smart thing. She jumped out the window. Ragal however, thought this was a foolish thing but infact, it was probably the best thing she could do. She landed on a ferret and sent him thudding, but as all the other ferrets looked down, she jumped out of the way and headed for Mossflower woods undetected. It was Ragal who did the foolish thing, yet if not for him, there wouldn't be any adventure. He ran out of the main entrance yelling one word. "FLASHTAIL!"
Book 1: The Runaway
Chapter 1
Ragal and Flashtail had been traveling in the woods for quite a few seasons. Flashtail was still a dibbun, but could talk better. Ever since that day Ragal ran out of the mountain yelling, the vermin had followed him and his daughter. Ragal could only think of one safe place to go. Redwall Abbey. The only problem was, not only did he not know the way, but also the path there was full of ferrets. Ragal had little Flashtail in his arms when he tripped on something and shot down to the ground. "YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEOOOOUUUUCCCCHHHHHH!" he yelled. Of course the vermin heard him, but they weren't close enough to get to him before a burley looking hedgehog pulled them into a den. The vermin didn't see the hole they disappeared into, so they left. When the vermin past, the three got to know each other. "Ye ole roight ye 'ares?" the hedgehog asked. "Oi be Diboc, finest sea cap'n fer yards around." Ragal was not the politest beast, but neither was Diboc. "That's whoi ye got dat funny accent, I'm Ragal an dis young 'un is Flashtail. 'Ey, do ya think we can stay wid ye for a while?" the Hedgehog thought about this. "Hmm, I don't know, I've got quite a family on me paws." Ragal laughed very hard at this comment. "Ye think family is a problem wid me? Troi liven wid dis liddle rogue, she'll slay yore liddle wife jus by tiring her out, right ya liddle ti... Flashtail?" Flashtail was no where in site. Soon, there was a sound of a hogmaid, screaming with delight. "Oh, wot a cute likkle beastie you are!" Ragal was in too much pain to walk, so Diboc carried him. The hedgehog was a giant one, who had little Flashtail in her arms. "Oh, Diboc dear, did you bring home this likkle 'are?" Diboc blushed "Er, yes Yelaley, dat liddle 'un be Flashtail." Ragal looked from Yelaley to Diboc. "You two are? I ne'er would 'ave guessed it?" Soon, four little hogbabes came crawling in. Yelaley looked at them. "All roight ye likkle slayers, straiten up, we've got company. Now, 'are, wot did ye say yer name was? Oh wait ye didn't. Anyway, dis big 'un be Prikkler, now is Hullie, our on'y daughter, den Firbo, an' last, Borgin. Now, where's dat new borne o' ours?" Soon a little hogbabe came crawling in. Yelaley picked him up. "Dis young 'un be Oceiton, but we call'd him Ocei for short." The little dibbun spoke the only word he could say. "Oshi, Oshi oshi osh oi!" Ragal gave the babe a weird stare. "Ocei? Wot kinda name is dat, wot? An wots da liddle monster sayin'?" Flashtail was older than all of the other dibbuns, but could still understand little Ocei. "He said dat 'ee's da stwongest beastie ever, bud 'ee woant 'urt ye if 'n ye bees noice to 'im, wot?" Ragal thought about this. "Well, you tell that babe that if'n he lays one of those dirty paws on my, oi'll make sure 'ee never does again." Oceiton and Flashtail became good friends and wandered off to the back of the den to play. Ragal noticed something about Ocei. "I say, is dat a badger tail on dat young 'un?"
Chapter 2
Deep in the woods, the ferret horde had assembled. Corfit Warskull, the horde leader, stepped onto a large tree stump and spoke to the crowd. "I indeed know dat alla yu wanna stop lokkin for yon haries, butta let me tella alla yu somthin', if'n we letta dem escape, dey go to a many many places, getta own horde, anda attacka us! Dat be a why we killa dem." A loud cheer came from the horde of ferrets. Warskull's advisor, Porat, tapped the leader on the back. Warskull jerked around, his head covered in a bandana, and used his good eye to glare at his advisor. "What you wanna, dumbie?" the warlord drew his sword. Porat shrunk in fear. "Uh, uh, sire? Two ofa the horde beasties fink dey founded de haries we bin lokkin foor." Warskull's one eye stared at him madly. "Where a, an whichy horde beasties founded um?" Porat gave the information gladly. "Hecue an Gyt didded it, sire! Dey founded da haries over bya river mossy." Warskull gave an evil smile, than set off towards River Moss.
Prikkler and his siblings were playing that they were sailors like their father. "Oky, ya yella bellyers, oi'm cap'n o' dis 'ere shipity, an youse can'ts 'ave it, yore alla me crewies. Welcome aboard da Hopeyla Granity." Soon, their father came in, his saber drawn. "Hey, Hope Grant be my boat, not yours ta take." The little dibbuns were scared out of there wits by the saber and ran to the back of the den, where Flashtail and Oceiton were making pretend weapons. Flashtail had a bow with an arrow made from a pointy rock and a stick, while Oceiton had made a little saber from a stick. The hedgehogs came running over to them, hiding behind the two. Hullie was the first to yell out. "Helpy! Dabby gonna slay usies!" Diboc came around the corner. He was about to put away his saber when Flashtail shot her arrow at him. Diboc fell back. For a minute, Flashtail thought she had really slain Diboc, when he got up. "Er, dat was quite some bow 'andling dere, yore gonna be quite a warrior when yer grow up."
Warskull had reached the area where Diboc's den was. He did not see a hole, but could hear them Hogs talking. Soon, he found the hole, but he didn't want to go in and search for them when they could just ambush him. He figured it would save creatures if he burnt them out. He had some horde beasts fill buckets with water to poor on the fire once the hogs and hares were out. He grabbed the nearest swords, and rubbed. The fire started, and the trouble began. Yelaley grabbed the four young ones, while Diboc grabbed Oceiton, and Ragal grabbed Flashtail, mainly because she was sitting on the floor next to him. Diboc and Yelaley ran out, but Ragal's hurt footpaw kept him from going far. Diboc stopped, and ran back to get Ragal. Flashtail jumped out of Ragal's arms and ran along side Diboc. She took Ocei from Diboc, and carried him in her little paws.
Yelaley had kept running. She didn't know what would happen to Diboc, but she had to worry about her dibbuns. They continued to run, but didn't know what would happen later on, hoping she'd see her husband again. Diboc had Ragal and Flashtail had Ocei, but that did not slow down either one. Diboc jumped into his boat as Flashtail followed. They sailed down the river, searching for Yelaley and the others when the ferret, Gyt, threw a dagger that cut a hole through the boat. Ocei went over to the hole and without thinking, stuck his footpaw into the hole. The four went forth, the ferrets far behind as they sailed off towards the rapids.
Chapter 3
Ocei's tail was still a bit of a mystery to Ragal. He needed to find out why the young one had a tail of a badger. He asked Diboc over and over about it but Diboc just said he was born that way and that it was a birth mark. Ragal lay back in the Hope Grant and watched the trees. "Young 'uns a flippen badger hog if 'n ye ask me." Ocei enjoyed the boat trip. He liked the water running past his feet, the currant outside of the boat, and he liked the whole scenery. Without warning, Ocei pulled his footpaw out of the hole, and started crying. Ragal took an acorn that was on an over hanging branch and stuck it in the hole before the Hope Grant went under water. There was barely any blood on Ocei's foot paw, but by the way he was screaming, you would think something had ripped it off. Flashtail was interested in what was underneath the boat so she stuck her head in the water. She then pulled it out just as quickly as she had stuck it in. There was a jagged rock where her head was. She soon saw a bunch of rocks, only they were visible above the water. Diboc had just finished bandaging up Ocei's footpaw when he ran over to steer the boat. Things were already getting out of paw when the boat reached the rapids and slammed against many rocks.
Corfit Warskull was making more plans for what to do about the hares, and about the mountain, Salamandastron. He sat next to Porat, and his new captains, Hecue and Gyt. They conversed on and on about weather or not Salamandastron had become an easier target, or a harder one. Hecue was not the best fighting beast, but he was smarter than others were. "I a ses we goa after dem haries, dey gonna get bedda beasties ta 'elp um beat uses upa real good." Gyt was more of a war beast, and had no care for two beasts. He wanted big masses of beasts to fall from his daggers and knives. "Me sah don't agree wiv yu. Dey norra gonna getta horde, dey jus gonna go to dat Redwall h'Abbey placey. We sah goa back to da great great mountain an killa alla beasties." Warskull thought both of these plans were good ones. He knew that his own species of ferrets were not only good fighters, but smart planners. That was why he only had ferrets in his horde. An idea formed in his head. "Alla right. Dis be a wot we be a doin. Me an Gyt'll take half a of da horde an a go bak to a great great mountain an a battle ova dere, while a Porat an a Hecue take de odder half an a go after da haries." The four ferrets agreed, and went off in their separate ways.
The rapids were too much for the Hope Grant now that it had so many holes in it from rocks and such. Ragal and Diboc decided that the best thing to do was abandon ship. They were on different sides of the boat at the time, but there was no time left. They jumped, but Diboc did not have long enough legs to get to the other side. As the hedgehog fell in, he tossed Ocei to the shore where he'd be safe. Ragal had wanted to run, but he knew how much Flashtail had liked Ocei, so Ragal thought of a plan to jump from rock to rock. Ragal had made it to the first rock when a blur of black and white came rushing by and grabbed Ocei. Flashtail yelled and yelled out the little hog's name, but the thing had him, and it ran away. Ragal got back to Flashtail and picked her up. She was struggling to get to the other side of the stream. Ragal looked down at her. She had a tear in her eye, but Ragal gave her a sad smile. "I know m'gel, I know." and with that, the two walked towards Redwall Abbey.
Chapter 4
Everything back at Salamandastron was very glum. It was a place nobeast wanted to be in. Things had gone crazy ever sense Ragal and Flashtail left. A new captain was appointed, but he was much more serious, and stronger than Ragal. His name was Geator; probably the strongest hare on the mountain. Geator was a hare who always wanted a challenge. Lord Icepaw had left the mountain so Geator was in charge, but he was not only a strong hare, but a hungry hare too. He had ordered the cooks to make dinner early that night, and there were four meals after that. After finishing the final meal and was heading up to bed, he saw the open window in Icepaw's room. Geator went over to shut it when a blade came hurling through it, just missing his head. He grabbed the blade and saw the noticed the note attached to it. First, he read it to himself, and then he ran around the mountain shouting, "Fire in the hole! We've got our selves a war on our paws!"
Ragal walked along side Flashtail. It took him a while to realize that his footpaw was fixed. He figured that when he jump, he popped his footpaw back into place. A sudden smile came over him as he thought about a way to make Flashtail happy. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a hedgehog doll that his wife had made for Flashtail. He presented it to Flashtail. "Your mater made dis fer ya before ye were even born." Flashtail grabbed the little object greedily and hugged it tight. Ragal smiled as Flashtail hugged the parcel. They continued along when a strange thing happened. Two little squirrel babes came rushing out of the bushes with little hats on. They were carrying sticks and stabbing each other with them. "Ungardy!" one of them shouted. "Oh ya, well take that, vermin!" The two were enjoying themselves when Ragal hopped between the two. "Alright ye two vermin, wot are ye doin', fightin' each other like dat? An where are ye from?" One of the little squirrels pointed forward. "We from da great Redwall Abbey, sir. Why de ye ask?" Ragal gained yet another smile. "Because dat, my liddle fiendish 'uns, is where we be 'eaded for!"
Chapter 5
Extract from the writings of Vyran Trumple, Mouse Recorder of Redwall Abbey in Mossflower country
Things around the abbey have been pretty quiet. I wish there were more creatures here. The Abbot isn't enough to keep everybeast happy. My son has asked about having a feast, but I don't think we have enough cooks to make food for one. He is very young so I don't think he understands about our currant situation. Sister Kopey has been really concerned about her sons. They have been wandering out of the abbey for sometime now. They act as though they don't even live here, still dreaming of becoming the strongest warriors ever. I'm sure they'll...
He stopped writing. All of the beasts were peaking over the west wall. Vyran scurried over to it and peaked over. Reelo, his son, was right next to him, peering over the wall on tip pawed. Vyran turned to his son and asked, "What's going on?" Reelo spoke in his little dibbun voice. "Widdle Elmtooth an' Pinesap 'ave come a home!"
The two squirrels that had came across Ragal and Flashtail were the same ones that had run away from Redwall. The squirrels ran into the Abbey building. Ragal picked up Flashtail and ran into the building with the squirrels. Sister Kopey hugged her two sons tight. After that, she set them down and gave them her usual yelling. "Don't you ever run off again! I should slay you two for running off like that!" She then turned to the two hares. Flashtail was scared of her angry mood, and hid in Ragal's arms. Kopey thought of this to be very rude. She looked to Ragal strait in the eyes. She didn't know that Flashtail was only afraid of the yelling. "So, trained yore young 'un to be afraid o' squirrel maids? Not right of ye ta be doin so." Vyran came running forth. He turned to Kopey. "Kopey, don't take your anger out on these hares. They don't know about what you've had to go through." He then turned to Ragal. "Sorry about that. Now, what are your names?" Ragal introduced himself and Flashtail to Vyran, while Vyran introduced Reelo to them. Flashtail didn't seem to really like Reelo though. He was kind of a showoff.
Porat's part of the ferret horde was closer to Ragal and Flashtail now. Hecue was tracking them down. In the back of the ranks, a ferret named Iso was taking her own path to reach the hares. She slipped off onto a totally different trail. Off into the distance she went, checking for any sign of any creature passing by. She slipped pass a few bushes and finally saw it, Redwall Abbey. A bit of glee came to her mind, but then, a blade came whirling down on her. She was instantly slain. Hecue jumped down from the tree he was in. "Thank a ye forra showin' Hecue how ta getta to Haries. Now you learned wot 'appens when ya double cross a me."
Chapter 6
Flashtail and Ragal were shown through the abbey. They enjoyed it, but Flashtail's favorite part was when she got to see Martin's tapestry and sword. She loved gazing at them. She wanted to be just like Martin. After they were shown to there rooms, Flashtail went to meet the other dibbuns. They all played together until they were called in for lunch. Flashtail did go in, but she didn't go to eat lunch. She walked into a room, and found a bow with a whole pouch of arrows. She grabbed both of them, and even though they were to big for her, she put them on and walked back outside undetected. She was strangling with the longbow, but she finally got the hang of it.
Hecue knew the other ferrets were waiting, but he had to kill the hares. He looked around for a way up, and he figured the only place to go was up a tree. He climbed up the nearest one and scouted out the inside of the abbey. He saw the little hare babe and attached a shaft to his bow.
Flashtail was looking for something to aim at, but nothing seemed to great. Than, she looked up and saw the ferret, and out of panic, she fired right before Hecue had the chance. The bow went through Hecue and caused his shaft to shoot off when he was falling down. Off went the arrow, shooting into the air. Just then, Sister Kopey walked out into the open. She saw Flashtail, and went into her outrage. "Wot are ye doin' out 'ere? Oh boy, are you in trouble, an' wot are ye doin' wid dat bow? Do you know that you could 'urt ye self badly using da..." That was all she could say. Flashtail saw the arrow coming down at Kopey and she pushed her out of the way just in time, but Flashtail had to pay a sacrifice. The arrow went buzzing right into her tail area. "YYYYYEEEEEEEEOOOOOOUUUUWWWWWWCCCCCCHHHHHHH!!!!!!" she screamed. Kopey had realized what had just happened and quickly took the crying dibbun to the infirmary.
Chapter 7
The young hare was rushed to the infirmary. The little dibbun was screaming like a banshee. Sister Kopey was joined by brother Dingur and together, they plucked the arrow out, and fixed the young ones tail area. Ragal burst in, happy to see his young one alive. He hugged his daughter close to him. "Wot 'appened, m'gel? Ye 'ad me scared." Flashtail looked deep into his eyes. "Why aren't ye a scared dat oi alamost got meslef swain, wot?" Ragal gave her a reassuring smile. "Oh, Flashtail, oi can't be mad at ye, now dat yer saved an abbey member and oi also see dat yer a fightin' beast noaw, but dat don't mean dat ye can go on alla dese adventures an get yeself killed." Flashtail smiled, and then made a farmilar noise that came to other beasts from the stomach, but to hares, it came from the heart. "I'm hungry," she said.
Porat waited a while before he realized that Hecue wasn't coming back. He turned to the rest of the horde. "Da brave ana mighty Hecue isn't coming bakka. We sah gotta go to yon h'abbey. I've gotta me hunch datta Hecue be derra." Porat lead all of the ferrets forward to Redwall.
Flashtail was sitting in a little bed with her Hedgehog doll in her paws. All of the dibbuns piled in, including Reelo. Vyran and Ragal were tending to the dibbuns to make sure that none would hurt her. They had many questions to ask their new hero. "How many beasties did ya fight offa?" "How many shiny bwades were der?" "Where were ya hurt?" Reelo stepped up to see Flashtail personally. "So, Flashytail, I guess you're a warrior now, huh?" Flashtail looked over at the mouse. "First of all, mouseything, I'm Flashtail, not Flashytail. Nextest of all, whoi do ya fink I'm a warrior?" Reelo made his explanation. "Well, ya see, I always wanna be a warrior. I wanna protect me fadda; an I wanna be like Martin too. I figure dat if'n you kan soot off a arrow, an you on'y a bid bigga dan me, you must be a gurt gurt beastie. I take off me hat to ya, if'n I had one." Flashtail smiled at the little mouse. "Thankie, mouseything. Maybe I kan twain ye ta be a great warrior too. I had a fwiend once who thought 'ee was da stwongest beastie ever, wot, an I weally miss 'im, but you'll make a gudd fwiend too." What little Flashtail didn't know, was that there was somebeast lurking nearby, and in that beasts paws, was none other than her not so long lost friend, Ocei.
Chapter 8
Ocei sat relaxed on the masked beast's shoulder. The creature wore a blue cape, a pair of ice cold gloves, and wore spiked blue boots. Ocei had learned a few words other than his name during the time that he was parted from Flashtail, but only a few. He looked into the creatures masked face. "Sir, kan take off mask?" he asked. The thing stopped. He set the hedgehog down and pulled off the mask covering his face. Ocei stared at the figure under it. It was a badger, larger then any other creature. He picked up the hedgehog again and trekked on. Ocei stared at the badger, and then asked another question. "Wot name, aw where we go?" The badger looked at Ocei once more. "You may call me whatever you like, and we are going to a certain mountain." Ocei's head was filled with questions. "Wot mon'ain, an kin I call ye Coldclaw, yar paws is cold afer ally." Ocei and the badger who will now be known as Coldclaw trekked on towards the unknown destination.
Flashtail was teaching Reelo the basics about being a warrior. Flashtail was not a very good teacher and Reelo was not a very good listener. They made a horrible team, but they only got the first part of the first lesson done at the end of the day. "Ok" began Flashtail "Ta beez a warrior, ye musta 'ave a weapon, now wot ist yore weapon?" Reelo held up a stick. Flashtail sighed. "No, not yore petend weapon, a weel weapon like dis!" She held up the bow that she had used to slay Hecue with. Vyran and Ragal had presented it to her but gave her no arrows so she wouldn't be shooting about with it. Reelo thought for a minute, then finally said "'Ow's 'bout oi get meselve a stavv?" Flashtail nodded. "Yes, a staff 'ill work foine." Reelo went and fetched the a fallen tree branch. Flashtail nodded approval. "Gudd, noaw oi toss an acorny, an' you gotta hit it wiv ye staff." Flashtail threw the acorn, but Reelo was not paying attention and the acorn hit him on the head. Reelo got back up and went at Flashtail with his stick. "Nobeastie hits Reelo an gits away wiv it!" Vyran and Ragal watched the two babes up on the west wall, laughing at there little warrior training process. Vyran looked out towards the west and then gasped. A badger had just run into the forest, and close by, he could see a large horde of ferrets. "Get all beasts inside at once! We're about to be attacked!"
Ocei and Coldclaw continued their little journey until Coldclaw saw the ferret horde marching forward to Redwall. They hid out of site from all of the ferrets, or most of them all. A ferret named Fleagar had sharper eyes than any ferret. He saw the two, and whispered to his friend Whiskent. "Lookey lookey ova der. Two a beasties, hiden an spyen, we killa an becom cap'ns. Getta Porat an we charge!" While Whiskent went to get Porat, Fleagar went after the pair. Coldclaw saw him coming and ran for it. Unfortunately for them, not only did Fleagar had sharp eyes, but he was also very fast. He threw one of his knives at the badger, which stuck into his back and slowed him down. Fleagar jumped upon him and cut into the badger with his sword blade. Coldclaw lay there, not moving. Ocei was fearing that his companion was dead when Fleagar glared at little Ocei. "Well, wot do we 'ave a here? A likkle likkle young a 'un, eh? Yu was norra gonna tell ee friends dat I hurt yu badger friend, is ee?" Ocei put a warriors look upon himself. "Not hurt Coldclaw! I slay vermin!" Fleagar was not impressed. He grabbed his sword from Coldclaw's back and held it above Ocei's head, waiting for the right time to bring it down when Coldclaw got up and grabbed Fleagar by the throat. He would have been able to kill Fleagar if he wasn't blinded by the sand that fell into his face when he fell. Fleagar still had his blade in his paw, so he cut it into Coldclaw's paw. The badger gave roar of pain as he let go of the ferret. On and on, Fleagar stabbed his blade into Coldclaw to make sure he was dead. He then switched his attention to the crying hedgehog babe. Ocei started to run for it, but new he couldn't leave Coldclaw behind, but as he turned around, Fleagar held his sword over Ocei's head and started to thrust it down towards earth.
Chapter 9
Ocei was staring up at the beast with the blade. Fleagar was ready to slay the hedgehog when a giant paw grabbed his throat. Coldclaw choked the beast to death, then picked up Ocei and ran off with him. Porat came with the ferret horde as soon as the two ran off. Porat decided to go after the abbey and forget about the mystery beasts.
Flashtail readied her bow and Reelo readied his staff, but Vyran held them back. "Don't start attacking, you're too young to help yet. Now hurry along to the dibbunry." Flashtail and Reelo walked off gloomily. They were so upset that they couldn't help. Ragal had whipped up a small force that seemed good enough to fight off ferrets. "Ok, now let me tell ye a few things 'bout fightin'. It's no game, tis a matter o' life an' death, wot? So ye best all be careful." The force was ready to fight. They had stuff in paw from table legs to food trays. They went out waited for the ferrets to arrive.
Porat hid with the other ferrets behind trees. As soon as the redwallers came close, they charged out, ready to slay all of them. Ocei and Coldclaw watched from a far distance, then they set off for the mountain with a new reason to get there. All Coldclaw wanted to do was get Ocei into a safe place, but he knew ferrets would be nearby, so he jumped to the nearest place he could find. A den that was well hidden and looked like not even a mouse would fit.
Flashtail was having a meeting with all the dibbuns. The badger mum was out fighting with the other Redwallers. "Ok, ye babes, oi'm gonna teach ye ta fight, wot? Now, we gots ta 'elp our maters on paters beat off dem firrits dat made me leave mah 'ome. Now, we charge!!!" All of the dibbuns roared and searched for a way out of the room to help fight off the ferrets.
Chapter 10
Flashtail was leading the dibbuns out of the abbey and onto the battlefield. Not only did Flashtail have her bow and a custom made quiver just for her, but she had the little hedgehog doll with her. She thought it might come in handy. Reelo had assigned every babe with his or her own weapon, most of them being forks. They were out of the abbey and on the front lawn, but they were stuck in due to the fact they could not get out of the front gate. Everybeast but Reelo knew the gate would not move for them. Reelo took is staff and went up to the front gate. He started whacking it. "Open uppity, open uppity!" he yelled, and right after he had done so, a rock that had been set on top the wall fell, knocking down what was holding the door with it. Reelo flexed his little muscles while the other babes charged. Flashtail pushed Reelo forward. "Com'n m'luddy, we'ves gots ta foight off a fewwet 'orde, wot?" The ferrets didn't even notice the little dibbuns. However, the abbey dwellers did. Several went storming after the little ones, but only a few were taken back inside. The others continued to slam their weapons into ferret. The forks were really good for this, but sometimes the dibbuns would mistake an abbey dweller's foot. The dibbuns were really helping their elders by stopping them momentarily for them to attack and slay their opponent. Flashtail looked around and saw her father fighting off a ferret when Porat snuck up behind Ragal and drew is sword. Thinking quickly, Flashtail took a piece of cloth from a dead ferret, grabbed a rock, tied it to her hedgehog, and hurled it infront of Porat. Flashtail's plan had worked. The doll landed stomach first (where the stone was tied), pointy quills sticking up. As Porat stepped forward, he stepped onto it's pointy quills and jumped, dropping sword. The sword came blade down at his other footpaw. Ragal heard the screams after slaying the other ferret and went for Porat, avoiding the doll. Flashtail quickly hopped onto a stump and fired at ferrets, careful of the dibbuns. The ferrets retreated into the woods, but a group of dibbuns were following, the squirrel brothers, Elmtooth and Oakpaw leading the way. The elders weren't able to grab the charging dibbuns, but they soon came back, cheering "We beat up da fuwwets!" Ragal and Vyran looked at their offspring; both had mean looks in their eyes. After they had had a long and agonizing talk, Reelo finally convinced his father to throw a feast.
Coldclaw and Ocei wandered through the den, searching for any sign of creatures or food. All that was found was ash and a few vittles. Coldclaw whipped up a meal out of a quarter of the remaining food. "Hope you don't have a big stomach, little one, not enough for even a full hare here." Ocei ate what little food he had. "Thanky mista Coldclaw, an twus me, I no eat like hare, an' I know hares eat." After dinner, the two explored the den and found a stick. Ocei picked it up to see that it looked like a saber. That had refreshed his memory. " 'Ey, knows where is, dis be ole den!" Indeed it was. Ocei was home once more. This drove Coldclaw to ask "Where's your family, and why'd you leave here in the first place?" Ocei told Coldclaw the whole story. It was hard for Ocei to tell the story and it made him cry, but Coldclaw rocked him gently until he fell asleep. No sooner had he drifted of when a large horde of ferrets came running by screaming. Coldclaw sighed, for the direction they were running in was the way they would be heading. He figured that until the ferrets had left that way, he and Ocei would live at Ocei's home and he could forage for food every so often. He thought about all of this as his eyes drooped slightly, and he joined Ocei in deep slumber.
Book 2: The Gathering of Warriors
Chapter 11
A few more seasons had gone by. Flashtail and Reelo were not only middle aged, but also good friends. Ragal was ready to set off for his old home, but he thought it would be best to leave Flashtail at the safety of Redwall Abbey. He was all ready to go when Flashtail ran up to him, carrying a sack filled with provisions. "'Ere pater, ye might need dese, always come in handy, wot?" A smile showed on Ragal's old and beaten face. "Thanks, m'gel, I'll use them as I need them. Make sure you protect all da beasts in de abbey, wot?" Reelo came over to Ragal at this point. "Don't worry sir, I'll make sure she does." As Ragal left for Salamandastron, he yelled back, "Flashtail, when this 'ere abbey is safe from all vermin, come to the mountain again'!" Flashtail thought about this for a moment. "How will I know Redwall is safe?" Ragal winked. "Trust me, you'll jus' know it, wot?" Ragal shot off into the distance, not knowing what awaited him.
Corfit Warskull had left Salamandastron. They had accomplished what they had came to do. The mountain was definitely theirs. Every hare in the mountain was serving Gyt and the other ferrets. Warskull had gone to look for his other ferrets. They had not returned. Soon, a group, no longer half a horde, of ferrets came running down the path. Corfit stopped them before him. "Wot inna name a great beasties 'appened ta ye lot?" One ferret named Yfat, strongest of what was left, confronted his leader and told him the story without wincing. Warskull nodded. "I guesses I'll need a two gudd cap'ns noaw datta me otta two er goned." He pointed to Yfat and Whiskent. "You two now me cap'ns, ye leada bunch a ferrets back to a mountain, I gotta look fer things. Gyt put you where ye should when a get inside!" As Yfat and Whiskent ran back, Corfit went forward. He intended to find Lord Icepaw. He knew that the badger was still alive and looking for a way home. "Once I finda stripedog, I slay a it."
Ocei had grown a lot since he was a dibbun. He and Coldclaw were living in his den still, but with more food, and a boat that Coldclaw had made. Ocei had learned by heart how to sail one. On the side of the vessel painted in blue letters was the name Badger Hog. Ocei had thought the name sounded good because it both fit him and Coldclaw. When Coldclaw wasn't around, it could still be about him, due to his little badger tail. Coldclaw and Ocei were sailing about that day, when the warlord came along. Coldclaw had not noticed him hiding among the trees. Badger Hog was a very swift boat and Coldclaw was a very large badger that Warskull did not want to mess with. He ran back to the mountain so he could get a group of ferrets to help him slay the badger and the hog.
Chapter 12
Flashtail and Reelo were playing a game with the dibbuns. Because there was no Badger mum, the abbey dwellers thought they were perfect for the job. All of the other mid aged beasts were out by the pond, having a contest to see who could build the best boat and race it. Reelo was feeding a squirrel babe when he saw Flashtail peeking out the window. "Flashtail, what are you doing?" The hare turned to face her friend. "Why should dem bally squirrel brothers, Elmtooth an' Oakpaw, get ta race whilst we dipper up dese dibbuns?" Not fair I tell ya." Reelo was not paying attention to Flashtail, as always. The squirrel babe stared at Reelo, giggling as he stole the last of Reelo's food. A Hedgehog babe came fourth and said to Flashtail, "We wanna heaw a stowy!" This gave Flashtail an idea. "How would you young rips like to hear da story 'bout 'ow dis 'ere abbey was saved from a horde a ferrets?" All of the dibbuns cheered. Flashtail held up a paw for silence. "Alas, I don't know da bally tale, only two beasts in da whole place knows it, wot?" The dibbuns asked in unison, "Who?" Flashtail pointed out the window. "Those two squirrels, Elmtooth and Oakpaw."
The Warlord had made it back to his mountain just in time for dinner. Whilst he ate, he discussed what had happened and what his plan was. "I gonna bring doawn a fu good ferrets ta beat uppa dat 'tupid Badger an' 'is liddle hog friend. Who wantsa cumm wivva me?" 10 ferrets raised there paws. None of the paws were that of captains. "Ok, me needa cap'n a cumm wivva me, one a you cumm. Gyt doan't 'ave a go, but me new cap'ns, or one a you 'aft ta!" Yfat stepped up. He was preparing to become the warlord's chief captain. "I'll go wivva ye sire!" Corfit gave Yfat a hearty pat on the back. "Knew one a ya was beast enough ta go a wiv me! Les' be a h'off."
Flashtail had led all of the dibbuns outside secretly, guiding them through all the secret tunnels her and Reelo had found when they were dibbuns. As soon as they were out, all the dibbuns ran over to Elmtooth and Oakpaw. "Tell usies da stowy!" they all said, and the dibbuns forced them up stairs. As they went in, they saw Flashtail waving to them with a grim smile on her face. Reelo gazed out the window at what had just happened. He knew he would have to be quick, so he hopped out the door and ran down outside unnoticed. Teeply, an otter who was judging the event, hated the squirrels. He was being the ref. of the competition. With a smile on his face, he said, "Well mates, looks like we got two other contestants." Flashtail and Reelo went strait to work.
The boat building was over. Five boats were chosen to race, one of them being Reelo's and Flashtail's vessel. The rules were that you had to circle the outside edge of the pond ten times. First one to go around ten times would win a cake. Teeply held his paw up. "Alright, once I drop me paw, you'll be off. Ready, set, go!" The boats were off. Faster and faster they went, causing a small whirlpool. Three boats were sucked into the middle of it. Flashtail and Reelo steered there vessel away from the inside. The two could barley fit on it and Reelo almost fell off. In the end, the boat in the lead crashed, causing a large wave to sweep out the other boats. Teeply figured it was best to let them all share the cake. The only boat that had not been torn up too badly and was still seaworthy was the boat Flashtail and Reelo had built. The figured it might come in handy one day, so they kept it hidden by the gatehouse (or tried to hide it anyway). How right they were.
Chapter 13
Ragal had a battle axe at is side, just in case any vermin dropped in. As he walked forward, he saw the farmilier den of the hedgehogs that had once been his friend. He thought it was of too much pain to gaze at it and he moved forward. He could just barely make out the top of a mountain, Salamandastron. As went on, he could swear that he heard ferrets. They sounded as though they were about a hour away from him, but he knew the ferrets had all been slain trying to take Redwall. As he walked on, he remembered how he and Flashtail had been lost in the area for seasons. Seeing he had been around and about the area once before, it would not be too hard for him to get back to the mountain in a days time. He wondered how the mountain had gotten along without him and his daughter. As he reflected all this, Yfat snuck up to him. Corfit had held the small patrol back so Yfat could go and spy on the Badger, but when he saw Ragal he thought he might carry some information about the badger. Quickly, he grabbed Ragal and ran off, arms keeping the hare from moving. He ran back towards Warskull. Ragal looked up to the skies and saw a swallow flying above. He was just able to move his mouth and shouted to the swallow "Fly to Redwall Abbey! Tell them Ragal sent you and there's danger!"
Flashtail was sharpening the arrows she had made. They were very dull and she knew better than to wait until they were under attack. Reelo was on the restored pond with the dibbuns, sailing along in the boat they had made. On the side was the name Bladerush. Reelo had picked out name, explaining that both him and Flashtail were warriors, and most warriors carried swords, and the ship was very swift, therefore it was best to be named Bladerush. Dinner was soon set on the table and everybeast came rushing in. Reelo quickly beached the ship and ran alongside Flashtail, or tried. Flashtail looked behind at Reelo. "Nothin' beats a hungry hare lookin' fer dinner, wot?" Once settled down, Vyran ran in, though he wasn't looking for dinner. He was looking for his son and Flashtail. They all ran into the gatehouse. Vyran had a stern look on his face. "A swallow flew by just a few minutes ago with a message. It told me of Ragal." Flashtail ran at Vyran immediately. "What did it say? Tell me sah, tell me!" Vyran gulped. "He's in trouble, but I think..." Flashtail would not stand for it. You think wot ye want, but I'm going out ta save me pater! Cum'n Reelo ole chap." Vyran held her back. "The swallow told me some other things. She believed that the ferrets would return to here and battle again! Probably because he yelled up to her for everybeast to hear." Flashtail's blood was surging, but Reelo held her back. "Thank you father, why did you call me here anyway? That was for Flashtail to know wasn't it?" Vyran nodded. That part, yes, but the next part is for the two of you." Vyran looked around the gatehouse until he found what he was looking for. He moved forward, the object in his paws barely visible. "This is for both of you. 'Tis the sword of Martin. We will soon have unwanted visitors and I figured you two might want to learn how to use a blade in battle." Reelo's paws were like magnets. He pulled the sword right over to him and tested it out, but he fell over under the swords weight. He quickly got up and held out the sword, prepared for its weight this time. When they returned, Sister Kopey presented a dirk to Flashtail. They all soon got back to eating, Flashtail wondering if her father was alright.
Chapter 14
Yfat and Ragal had reached Corfit. Corfit eyed him as he remembered the past. " 'Ey, you a be dat harry we bin chasin aff'er! You didda gudd job Yfat, me a plenny proud o' ye." Yfat gulped as he said "Er, dis un calla out to a swallow, sayin' sumthin aboutta Redwall placey." The Warlord smiled a crooked toothy grin. "Gudd, me even a more pleased wivva ye Yfat, me make a you, cap'n o' alla cap'ns!" He looked down at Ragal. "Now lukk a here, harry, you'm tella us'ns 'bout why a you call uppa ta swallow 'bout Redwall! If yu doan't talk, we slay a yu." Ragal grinned wickedly. "I say chaps, thats not the way ta convince sum beast ta give up information. Ya see, yer tellin' me that if'n I don't tell you, you'll kill me, but ole creatures such as I mite not wanna live any longer, wot? Plus, once I'm dead, ye can't find out wot I'm thinkin', can ya?" Warskull and a bunch of other ferrets nodded. Ragal went on. "Now ya see, wot you wanna do is take me back ta the abbey an trio an' take sumthin from dem in exchange fer me, an then, steal away wid me. Ya see wot I'm talkin' 'bout?" Corfit Warskull went right up to him. "How oi know dis norra trap?" Ragal sighed. "I thought ye were a smart beast. Redwallers are always honest, wot?" The Warlord gave up. "Alla righty den, we gos away to a Redwall!" What Ragal didn't know, was that while him and his ferrets went to Redwall, Yfat would be following with his throwing daggers.
Ocei and Coldclaw were having there fun with Badger Hog as they sailed about. Ocei was quite a captain. Soon, the two went back to the little den to eat. It wasn't long before the ferret patrol came. Warskull saw the den and ran right for it. Ragal figured it was stupid and because Yfat was right behind him, he stayed where he was. Ragal looked away from the den and saw a boat being loaded up a few yards away. Not knowing Yfat held his sharpest blade; he crept towards the ship. Yfat hid behind a nearby tree as Ragal pleaded "Please, take me wid you! Dem ferrets are gonna kill me!" He looked up to see the eyes of Oceiton. "Uncle Ragal?" Ocei asked. Ragal ran at him and hugged him, careful of his spikes. Coldclaw grazed his chin. "Ragal, Ragal, where have I heard that name before?" Ragal looked up at the badger. "You look a bit farmilar too ole chap. Wot might your name be?"
"Coldclaw"
"Hmm, don't know anybeast named Coldclaw, but I knew a feller named Icepaw once..."
Coldclaw was about to speak when he saw the ferrets, including Yfat coming towards them. The quickly set off down the river. Soon, Warskull stopped his small group. He whispered to Yfat "Follow dem. Ye canna kill da 'og, but I wanna see dat Badger Lord anna big mouth harry back 'ere alive."
Chapter 15
Ragal, Ocei, and Coldclaw were off. They were out of arrow range and blade range, so Ragal and Ocei hugged, Ragal careful of spikes. "Oh, good ta see ya laddie buck." Ocei laughed. Ragal looked around. "This is just like when me an ma daughter jumped off an' ya pater floated down the river." Ocei stared open eyed at Ragal. "Who's yer daughter?" Ragal couldn't believe the young hedgehog. "Can'tcha remember? Anyhow, ye'll see 'er in a bally moment once we end up at Redwall again. Ye look like ya gotten big an' strong m'lud." Ocei nodded proudly. "Yup, oi'm a better sea cap'n den me pop too." Ragal made a jumpy response. "Hope so, here come da rocks an' rapids, wot?" Ocei ran to the tiller to steer it. Ragal glared at the badger. "Aren't you gonna help? Jump aside ta land and pull the ship in!" Coldclaw shook his head. "Ocei's fine." Ragal was about to argue when Ocei began steering. Luck was on their side as Ocei cleared past rocks and flew over rapids. Badger Hog was truly a great vessel. Ragal knew that the swallow had definitely given the message to Redwall. He just hoped Flashtail hadn't gone after him yet.
Warskull had a clever plan. He had seen some crows and told them to look for a large ferret, meaning Yfat. He told them he was off to get a hare and badger, and that they'd be with a young hedgehog. His wishes were that they'd aid Yfat to bring the badger and hare to him and do what they liked with the hedgehog. In return, he would give them their own place at Salamandastron. The crow leader, Fkryo kindly accepted. He had been looking for a good place to keep his crow group for sometime, and no pine trees were good enough. As they flew off, the warlord headed towards Redwall. One of the ferrets, Aorgin, stared fearfully at Corfit. She shivered as she spoke. "Lord, we cannat take on Redwall h'Abbey, dey got young 'uns dat fight bedda den us'ns. Wadda ye want der?" Warskull had a plan figured out already to take into action. All we want is the big mouthed hares daughter, those two will die together!"
As the ferrets approached the abbey building, they didn't notice Flashtail with her bow. She quickly shot a shaft at the ferret Warlord. It would have hit, if he hadn't moved to get a piece of fruit from his pouch. The arrow did hit a ferret though. She continued shooting and ducking everytime she fired. Half of the ferrets were dead. Corfit Warskull knew he would have to get more ferrets then he had planned. He sent back a few ferrets to the mountain while Corfit went back to the place where he had met with Fkyro and waited for either to return.
The crows had sighted Yfat. They landed next to him, telling all the warlord had told them. Fkyro took his crows up above the trees to look for the creatures they had been sent for. Ocei had gotten them all past the danger and had taken a rest. He went to question Ragal. "So, yer ne'er tole me, who's yer daughter?" Ragal tried to think of any reason why he wouldn't remember Flashtail. Soon it had hit him like a speeding arrow. When Ocei met Flashtail, he hadn't known Flashtail was his daughter. Before he could explain it all, the crows came booming down at them. Everybeast was ready for the attack, except Ocei.
Chapter 16
The ferrets were the first back to Warskull. He marched them forward, hiding in the middle, as though he were a normal ferret. Flashtail was about to shoot an arrow until she saw how many ferrets there really were. She quickly ran about the abbey yelling "ATTACK! ATTACK! WE'RE UNDER A BALLY ATTACK!" Vyran and Reelo got to Flashtail. Vyran used his sling to beat off a few ferrets while Reelo grabbed a short bow and fired. Elmtooth and Oakpaw came along, no matter how much their mother denied it. They threw lots of acorns at the ferrets that they had just finished clearing from the orchard. "You dumb ferrets aren't gonna take this abbey!" Yelled Oakpaw. Soon, many other abbey dwellers came to help; throwing anything that came to paw. Warskull gave the signal and the ferrets threw their blades at the creatures on the battlements. Most of them fell short, but others made it. Luckily, none succeeded in hitting anybeast. The ferrets were dropping like flies, but Warskull had a plan. He took his trusty sword and with a bunch of other ferrets, the tried to break into the Abbey. Soon, every ferret was clanging at the door, until it finally was opened when one ferrets blade cut the board sealing the gate. They soon started climbing up the battlements and went after beasts. Reelo and Flashtail knew they had to get the ferrets out, and Flashtail thought of a way. She hopped out of the abbey. While every ferret searched for her, Reelo went about slaying them. Finally, Gyt who had left Salamandastron in the paws of the other captains spotted the hare. "Der be 'ee harey, les getta her!" The Warlord could not stop the horde before they ran out to slaughter the haremaid. Vyran grabbed a rope and tossed it down to her. As she climbed up, Sister Kopey and a few other Redwallers managed to seal up the door, and Reelo used Martin's Sword to slay any ferrets left inside. Things were safe for the moment. Flashtail started to remember what her father had told her as he left. Do not leave until the abbey is safe. She remembered that when the ferrets left the abbey all those seasons ago, the abbey was safe once more. She knew she would have to take matters into her own paws. She assembled a council, outside in the orchard, a few beasts shooting arrows from the battlements. Reelo was among those shooting arrows. Flashtail let her plan ring out for all to hear, including the ferrets. "Okey, m'lud an' gels, ye all very well know yer in a tight bit o' a situation, so 'eres wot we do. Dey 'aft ta go ta sleep, an' dats when we gerrum." Warskull knew he had to get his ferrets to rest the whole daylight and stay awake at night. He and his ferrets ran into the forest and slept the rest of the day.
When night fell, the ferrets were wide-awake, hiding and waiting to ambush the Redwallers. The moon shifted in the sky and still no Redwallers. Warskull scratched at his bandana-covered head, wondering where they were. At dawn, every ferret except Warskull was asleep. As the Warlord started to drift off, he heard a farmilar sound.
"Redwaaaaaalllllllll!"
The war cry woke every ferret, some not in time to escape the cold blades of the Redwallers. Flashtail and Reelo were leading the attack. The warlord knew it was fight or die. He of course chose fight. From a safe distance, he shot out knives. None of them hit Abbey dwellers, but most of them hit the woodlanders helping with the attack. Just about every ferret was gone. None could be seen. As everybeast headed back to the abbey, Flashtail saw a movement in the bushes. She headed over to check it out. When she peaked in, nothing was there. As she turned around, ten ferret blades, including Gyt's were up against her neck. Gyt spoke out. "You cumma wiv uses, one false move anna you deadbeats!" Flashtail decided if she were to go down, she might as well go down fighting, but as she was about to throw her dirk, Gyt's head, and many of ferret heads came flying off. As the slain ferrets fell back, Reelo stood, posing like Martin on the tapestry. The two set back to Redwall.
Flashtail held yet another council. This one about there being no danger. "I've got a message ta tell ta all of ye. I'm leaving dis 'ere Abbey ta go back ta Salamandastron an' join up wid me pater." This was of course expected, but there was two tears in the crowd of goodbeasts. Both Elmtooth and Oak paw, the squirrel twins were crying. As Flashtail neared the Abbey gates, Kopey and Vyran approached. Kopey held a sack of provisions, filled up with onion n' leek turnovers, meadowcream, and woodland triffle. Vyran presented a scroll that contained a map of Mossflower on it. In the distance was Salamandastron. Flashtail thanked the two. As she headed for the woods, she noticed Reelo was nowhere in view. She thought he was too sad to see her leave. She left whispering the words "Goodbye my friend."
Chapter 17
The crows lifted Ocei up. Ragal did all in his power to stop them, but his power was low. While up in the air, the crows were thinking of what to do with the young hedgehog.
"Let's a cook him an'eat him up!"
"Nah, too small fer that, and all those quills? I say we drop him!" Ocei was not enjoying this, but he had a plan to get out of the big mess. "Well, me hearties, if'n ya let me go, I can show yer summ real food!" The crows thought about it. They figured it was best to think in a tree with Ocei under their talons. Ocei smiled. "Hey, burd brains, ye fergot Uncle Ragal an' Col'claw me badger mate!" The crows gapped, remembering that the hare and the badger were the reasons they were there. They flew down; leaving Ocei stranded in the tree. The young Hedgehog jumped down from branch to branch until he reached the bottom. He saw that the crows were no match for his friends, but he headed in the direction they were headed for. He watched as the crows were beaten one by one. There was soon one left who took off fast like. Coldclaw and Ragal beached Badger Hog and joined with Ocei. The moment only lasted short as the remaining crow returned, but with reinforcements.
Flashtail was at the very memorable hog den. He saw the river and remembered that she had forgotten to take the ship Bladerush with her. As she looked up, she wished she had. One of the crows from above came down at her. She ran as fast as her long legs could carry her. She would have attacked, but there was not enough time for her Oak Bow and if her dirk missed it's target, she'd end up dead. She continued running until she saw that the crow had been shot with an arrow. She looked towards the stream and saw a ship, rowing against the current. She recognized the ship at once. It was Bladerush and Reelo was captaining it! Reelo hopped off the boat and pulled it ashore. "Thought you might need this." he said. Flashtail gave her small companion a noogie right between the ears. "You ole rascal, wot took ye so long?" Reelo sat on Bladerush "Never mind that, this boat will slow us down unless we find a river that travels with the current." Flashtail thought up the perfect place. "I remember when I was a young 'un a stream dat ran towards Salamandastron. It was small, but fast I'll tell ye dat, wot?" Reelo nodded his approval. Great, we'll take it tomorrow." Flashtail stared in disbelief. "Tommarrer? Whoi not taday, laddie buck? Afer all, dis is my adventure, wot?" Reelo nodded. "Yes, but it's almost dark, we'd be lost. Plus, that den looks pretty cosey." He pointed to the hedgehog den. Flashtail had a sad look on her face. "My friend once lived there..." Reelo had figured out what he had just done. "I'm sorry, mayhaps it will be better knowing what it's like now and memories are better than forgetting." Reelo was right. The two slid into Ocei's den. There were many beds inside, but a lot was torn up, no doubt the ferret horde caused it. Flashtail took Diboc's old bed, seeming that the other ones were too small, while Reelo took Yelaley's bed, seeming I was the only one he wouldn't squish; though it wasn't his size.
Coldclaw and Ragal were lifted off the ground by the crows. Coldclaw yelled down to the hog "Don't follow us, go back to your den, we'll be alright friend!" Ocei knew there was nothing else he could do. He hauled Badger Hog alongside him as he escaped the wrath of the crows.
Reelo was already asleep. Flashtail wasn't the least bit tired, she was hungry instead. She peaked in her bag of provisions and took out a lump of meadowcream. After eating it, she went outside to the river to wash it down. After drinking, she saw some beast headed for her. It was big and carrying something even bigger. Flashtail drew her bow and got ready to shoot when the voice asked, "Who's there?" Bravely, the hare responded "Flashtail Ruffalo Aldenick, Warrior Hare!" The creature dropped the thing it was carrying and lunged forward. Flashtail was slammed to the ground. She tried to push it off but was pricked by something sharp. In pain, she asked, "Who are you?" The thing, between Flashtail and Reelo's size, spoke calmly. "Maybe we should go in the light." The creature lead right to Ocei's den, but in the light, Flashtail could see clearly that the creature was indeed Oceiton! Not even careful of his spikes, she hugged her long lost friend. "Oh, yer a sight fer sore eyes Ocei, gudd ta see ya m'lud!" Reelo was soon awake. "What's all the commotion about, and who's he?" Flashtail introduced the two and beds were changed around. Flashtail still slept in Diboc's bed (the bed where Coldclaw had been sleeping) but Ocei was in Yelaley's bed. As for the annoyed Reelo, he was stuck with the first son, bed. His footpaws hung over the end of the bed and the blanket was only big enough for from his stomach. While Flashtail slept, a vision of Martin came into view. The Warrior mouse spoke to her.
Two creatures brave,
One creatures trip.
One the captain of the ship.
As you travel,
You must find,
The stream that is,
still behind.
Float in it,
Then find the Maple tree,
Do them a favor,
But do not plea.
Attack all vermin,
Defend all weak.
Don't skip any,
Or you won't reach what you seek.
Beware the ferret log,
And travel on.
Go home, go home,
To Salamandastron.
But is this place,
Really your home?
It's either end up there,
Or forever, roam.
Then, a truly horrible scene came into the dream. A sword ran through a creature with it's own great sword and the sword barer fell down a cliff. Flashtail burst up, panting for breath. It was still night, but she hoped that the spirit of Martin would stop the horrid dream. Before she fell back to sleep, she grabbed a piece of parchment and wrote down what she had been told, not wanting to remember the dream.
Chapter 18
The crows had found Corfit Warskull. They dropped Ragal and Coldclaw to the ground, where Corfit tied them up. He was the last of the ferrets that thought against the Redwallers. Warskull kept his part of the bargin. He gave them directions to get to the mountain, but what he didn't tell them was that when reinforcements came to get Flashtail, any remaining ferrets were slain by the perlious hares who weren't going to stay captives in their own mountain. He knew the hares out numbered the crows greatly, and they would no longer be a bother. As he was about to turn to the badger and hare, when Yfat, his only other part of his horde, appeared, a basket of food which once belonged to Ocei in his paws. The ferret warlord had new plans for his last horde beast. "Go finda some more verminim fer me a horde. Ferrets are stilla best, but them 'toopid abbey beasties an' haries know our ways of attackin'. We needa more verminim, now getta some, Now!" Yfat rushed off to find some vermin before Corfit did any harm to him. As he turned around to face his two enemies, they had vanished! Soon, Corfit smiled an evil smile and hissed. The rope was still attached to the tree, meaning they hadn't broke it and ran away. The ferret shot up the tree like a squirrel. He had once known an evil squirrel which taught him to climb and whom he slew later. That was before he had the horde, one eye and a visible skull. At the top of the tree, he adjusted his bandana and stared down at Colclaw and Ragal who had just gone behind the tree. He aimed is dagger right smack dab in the middle of the two. Letting it drop, he heard the shocked voice of Ragal. "Where in da blazes did dat come from!" Corfit slid back to his side of the tree and went around to his captives' side, acting like he hadn't known they were there before. "Wot did I tella yu? Stay where ye are! I should slay yu, but I'll letta ye live fer anodda day." Coldclaw wasn't paying attention. Neither was Ragal. The dagger Corfit had dropped cut the rope. The two pretended to still be tied up. Corfit explained his plan. He would take them where he pleased and wouldn't slay them until he had found Flashtail. As for getting off of the tree, the ferret would tie a new rope around their necks so they couldn't run and he would keep his sword and dagger behind the pair, just incase they tried to break free and attack him. As Corfit grabbed for a new rope, Coldclaw and Ragal ran for it. They both escaped, as Corfit came after them, Coldclaw went back to slay him and told Ragal to keep running. Ragal knew the power of badgers, so he did so. While the ferret and the badger fought, Corfit formed a plan in his head. Coldclaw grabbed for Corfit, but the warlord jumped up a tree. Then, grabbing his sword, thrust it down into Coldclaw's back. The badger roared and fell forward. Warskull pulled his sword out. He knew he hadn't slain the badger, but what he also knew was that Coldclaw didn't want to be infected by Bloodwrath. The figure of a badger punched itself and kicked. It was still a mystery as to why the badger would not jus let Bloodwrath take over, but the reason didn't matter. All that mattered was that he had caught the badger.
When Flashtail woke up, her friends were already up and about. Ocei had prepared a large breakfast, which Reelo and he had already eaten half of. What was left consisted of vegetables (not prepared in any special way), fruit, and soup. Flashtail gobbled down carrots, watercress, strawberries, apples, and a bowl of the only soup Ocei knew how o make, hotroot soup. After eating, the three gathered their things and took a look at the riddle Martin had told Flashtail. Ocei had already figured out the first part on where to go, but not about the two creatures. "See dis part 'ere? Dat means dere's a small lake an dere's a stream runnin' towards da moun'ain. We float down da stream 'till we reach a maple tree. Though, 'bout dis first part, says two beasts, not three. One o' 'um's obviously you Flashtail, but the others either me er Reelo, but it does say cap'n of the ship." Reelo nodded but still had his doubts on Ocei's threoy. "Yeah, but yer only cap'n a Badger Hog and that might not be the ship Martin spoke about." The two argued and fussed, but Flashtail had thought about it and finally, found a reasonable solution. "Stop, stop, stop all yer bally fussin'! I think I've got it, chaps! Says 'ere tow friends, den it says one an' one. How many is dat?" In unison, Ocei and Reelo answered, "Two." Flashtail shook her head in disbelief. "Have you ne'er learned anythin'? Der's da two friends an' den two others, and dat equals four, wot?" The two realized their stupidity. Ocei soon thought up a clever question. "But dere's only three a us, an' you said four!" Reelo soon answered him. "Don't you see? Either you or me is going to meet a friend and then they become involved somehow." The haremaid had had enough of this. She pulled the two creatures over to the boats. "Ok blabber mouths, since you like talkin' an' fussin' not listenin' to yer superior warriors, you get ta carry the ships a dis lake thingummy, wot?" They headed back towards Redwall Abbey and before noontide, they found the small lake and the stream. As Reelo boarded Bladerush, Ocei motioned towards a log. Flashtail tried to stop him. "I say m'lud, where d'you think yer going?" The young hedgehog explained. "Dere's a 'edgehogmaid in dat log o'er dere. Oi think she's scared a us." Flashtail figured this was the friend Martin had talked about, so she let him go. As Ocei peaked in, a young hedgehogmaid came bolting out. Before she could get away, Flashtail clamped on to her, careful of the spikes. "Alrighty, thingummy, wots yer name?" She stuttered before answering the haremaids question. "I-I-I'm Mer-Mer-Mer-Merey Po-Pointback. I saw y-you and thought y-y-you were f-f-f-ferrets!" Young Ocei addressed Merey in a gentlemen's matter, for a hedgehog anyway. "Gudd day ta ye, foine Merey. Oi be Oceiton, son o' Diboc, greatest sea cap'n in all of Mossflower." Flashtail had released her vice like grip on Merey. She moved towards Ocei with carefulness, but seemed to go pretty fast to get to him. "Hi, I heard a yer father once, an' yer mother's name 'as Yelaley, roight? I met 'er an' you when you were just born!" Ocei's eyes went long and he blushed as Merey told Reelo little embarrassing stories about him, Flashtail had already knew most of them. Sure enough, it was Reelo who popped the question. "How would you like to come with us to a place away from vermin, Merey?" Merey nodded and jumped with joy. Flashtail and Reelo rode Bladerush; Reelo captaining it, while Ocei and Merey used Badger Hog. When Merey asked about the funny name, Ocei showed her his tail and how it looked like that of a badger's. With that, the two friends, ship captain, and the questor went off in search of the maple tree.
Chapter 19
As Reelo captained Bladerush and Ocei captained Badger Hog, Flashtail and Merey were on the look out for a maple tree. It was hard to tell one tree from the next. Soon, both Reelo and Ocei beached the small vessels. They had come to a fork in the stream. Ocei looked from side to side at every possible path. "Now we can't take that un, it'll lead back to the main ri'er an' we'll be floaten in the wrong direction. That strait one might be rig... no it just leads to another stream that sails north, probably a mountain stream, meanin' we wouldn' be able ta go up it. Den there are those two oddas. They seem to lead in the same direction, do they not? Ah well, mayhaps un of us can scout up ahead an' see where they lead us den." Reelo sat down near a hollow oak tree. "How about we do that in the morrow, makes more sense, doesn't it?" All four sat in the shade with Reelo, planning what there next move might be.
Coldclaw had come awake. His muzzle was bound, along with his paws. He tried braking them, but to no avail. Corfit had gotten to know his new group a little better. One that he really admired was Wolfcross the fox. He was a sneaky one. The fox could go where he wished and then appear, no one even realizing his return until he stood right in front of them for a few seconds. He also had a grand weapon. A double axe blade with a drop of poison just visible on both sides. The warlord was even a little scared of him. To keep him out of the grip of killing him, Warskull sent Wolfcross out with a small party to find Ragal and maybe Flashtail too.
Ragal was lost. He had run so deep into the forest that he didn't even know where he had came from. As he looked around the strange part of the forest, he began to feel alone and helpless. He then heard the noisy rush of vermin behind him. Quickly, he scrimmaged around for any weaponry that might help. All he came up with was a dagger. It would not be enough to hold them off, so he set off farther into the woods. He had soon sensed the vermin going in the other direction, but he didn't stop running until he bumped into something hard, but it was not a tree. It was a creature of some sort, furry yet a little taller then him. It was a Stoat! Ragal made a motion to stab him with his dagger, but he held up to paws. Shakily, the stoat spoke. "Whoa! Watch were ye point that thing! My name is Rednose, and trust me, I'm as harmless as a butterfly in the wind!" Ragal put his dagger down, but not away. "I say, ole chap, what in the bally name a fur were you doin' stan'in' out here in the middle of a fellows path? Anyway, m' names Ragal Ruffalo Aldenick, Long Patrol Hare. Now if you'll excuse me, I've gotta run away from a very nasty vermin patrol unlike yourself." Rednose called up to him, "Hey, I could help you out, ya know. I'll be back here in a pinch, jus' let me deal with those vermin tryin' a kill you, friend!" Rednose dashed strait to Corfit Warskull, a grim smile on his face. "He bought it, chief!"
Night had fallen. Flashtail couldn't sleep. Not only was she wondering if she would ever find the Maple tree, but Martin's sword that Reelo had left out was piercing her back. She was about to drift off when she heard a thunk. Something was on the other side of the oak tree. She went to investigate. She couldn't tell what, but some creature was trying to get inside it. She watched every move it made. Then, it disappeared. Flashtail did exactly what the other beast had done. She found a door had opened which lead to a small staircase inside the hollow oak. When she got to the top, there was a door with a crack for her to look in. She could only she light. All she could do was open the door, but she thought it might be kid of rude if it were some goodbeast. Then again, if it were a vermin, she would be in big trouble. As she reached for the handle, the door swung open to reveal a Squirrel. He was startled. "How did you get in here?" he demanded. Flashtail told him of how her and her friends were camping beneath the tree and how she had heard him. After Flashtail introduced herself, it was the Squirrel's turn. "My name is Treesap Maple. My family lives in this tree. With all of the vermin running about, we had to make our home more secret. Flashtail's ears stood up. "Could you excuse me for one minute, sah?" With that, she speed out of the tree house and woke up her friends. Reelo moaned aloud. "What do you want? I thought it was Ocei's turn for lookout." She took them over to where the door was. She lead them up until they saw Treesap again. Flashtail quickly introduced them and had a private conversation with them, Treesap as curious to it. "This is the Maple tree, m'luds an' gel!" Reelo was once again puzzled. "But this is an oak tree, not a Maple one. Besides, we didn't float in any stream behind us yet." Flashtail gave them her knowledge. Oh yes we did. That stream we started on, there was more backwards, but we just went for'ard instead, so now that parts behind. Anyway, this is the Maple tree, it belongs to the Maple's, making it their tree, wot! Now, the nex' line sez we gotta do um a favor an' not plea fer anythin'. Let's ask the ole fela wot he needs done." Merey was shivering. "Oh, I d-don't wanna go up a-a-anyfurther. I'm sc-scared!" Ocei gave her a caring look. "Wot are you afraid uf?" Merey was fast on this comment. "I'm scared that we're gonna take the wrong path an' never see are friends or life agin'!" After this, she burst out into tears. Treesap could not stand it. "I hate creatures who wine!" Flashtail had a plan forming. "Um, sah, would you happen ta know the way ta Redwall Abbey?" He nodded. "Indeed I would, why?" Ocei was way ahead of Flashtail. "If'n she's ta go there, I am too." He stepped up to Treesap. "Sir, if'n ye'll take me an' Merey back a Redwall, we'd be much obliged." Reelo quickly threw in, "We'll do you a favor." Treesap was a bit curious to this. "Well, what you could do is slay a big Magpie that's been troubling my family. Then I'd be happy to take these two hedgepigs to Redwall." After he told Flashtail and Reelo where to go, they set off to find the Magpie. Ocei and Merey sat together with Treesap, making sure they didn't make him upset. Other wise, It would be all over.
Chapter 20
Corfit Warskull had collected a lot more horde members. Best of all, Yfat had come back with more food and more recruits. Coldclaw was under his power, and things were looking great. All he needed to find was the young hare Flashtail and Salamandastron again. Then he could put his plan into action. First, he would take the badger hostage and hold him that way until the hares gave up. After the mountain was his again, he would slay the two hares, daughter and father. Then, move back in, slay anybeast who seemed menacing, and make the others his slaves. He didn't want to kill Coldclaw though. He wanted him to suffer. There was one thing stopping him. Unknown to the warlord, Ragal knew about how Rednose was against him. The brave hare had been spying on the ferret and his new horde. He laughed to himself about the plan. His hare friends wouldn't surrender to save a badger, they would fight to save one. He didn't know Salamandastron was badgerless at the time, but that would fire up the hares even more. As the camp finally decided to sleep at the late hour, Ragal snuck in and robbed the camp of some rations. He thought to himself, "Heh heh, I'm goin' ta be eatin' like a king af'er this. I bet I could become the harethief, King a harethieves, though I think it's been done afore. Wait'll I find Flashtail again." He went off with the provisions to find a place to sleep for the night.
Though they were very tired, Reelo and Flashtail still trekked on to find the Magpie. If they fell asleep in it's domain, they would be picked off. Reelo had gotten more sleep then Flashtail so he carried a canteen of water to pour on her head if she fell asleep. As they neared the Magpie's nest, things got creepier, grimmer, and worst of all, more dangerous. Soon they reached the massive bird. It was sound asleep. Reelo went in with his sword and was deciding whether or not to cut it by the head or the throat when there was a sudden crack. The two turned around to see Ocei and Merey enter. Before any of them could say anything, the bird awoke. The first thing he saw was Reelo. He flew right for the mouse, but got discouraged by his sword. Then he sighted the hedgehogs. They both curled up into little balls until the Magpie passed. Then all that was left was Flashtail. Quickly, she drew her dagger and stabbed furiously at the bird. The Magpie had had enough of flying off. He decided the two hogs would be easier if he aimed in the right space. As he opened his talons to hurt the hedgehogs, they both moved to the side and waited until it had stuck it's talons deep into the ground. Then they rolled right into the Magpie. It gave a screech of pain. Reelo and Flashtail came from behind and stabbed it hard. The Magpie was done with them, but before he could fly off, Flashtail drew her bow and grabbed a shaft to fire. Bullseye. Down it went, strait onto the jagged rocks. After a rousing cheer, they went back to tell Treesap of there accomplishment. On the way, Flashtail sang a little ditty that reminded her of the occasion.
I know of some friends who left me,
To battle a nasty ole bird.
When they met him they all really quivered,
They had forgotten every word.
It screeched and crowed at them,
And away they ran for their lives.
Back to their dens and there brothers,
Not to mention their teary eyed wives.
The whole woodland turned into a bad place,
The bird had followed them back.
If it weren't for a little ole sparrow,
Then they wouldn't have stayed in tack!
Another day had begun in the life of Corfit Warskull. He had been trying to make up reasons to keep Wolfcross away from him. He was starting to really get him scared. Wolfcross only joined the horde so he could extra vittles and conquer a few things. Then he would take over the horde once all the hard stuff was done. He even knew Corfit was afraid of him, but Wolfcross didn't know what Salamandastron was like. He didn't know the best way to go about it. Until then, he did what he wanted and waited for the horde to do what Warskull ordered them to. Then after some of the horde died and conquered a place, he would kill Corfit (If he wasn't already dead) and take over. He voiced this plan to one beast that had joined the horde named Dworn, a smaller fox from the north. The only other creature who heard the plan was Ragal.
Chapter 21
Flashtail, Reelo, Ocei and Merey had camped in the woods that night. They made it back to Treesap's house by morning. He was so happy that they destroyed the Magpie he couldn't begin to tell of his joy. He even hugged the two hedgehogs, who had run off while he had been sleeping. After getting the prickles out of him, he called up his wife and two children. They too were going on the trip to Redwall. They had friends who lived there, Sister Kopey to be exact. Reelo and Flashtail were given extra supplies for there journey. It was hard to leave their two hedgehog friends, but it was for the better. Merey wouldn't do well without a nice home to live in. Tears were filled in their eyes, but they kept moving. Treesap had seen Salamandastron before and he told them which stream to take. Hopping on Bladerush, the young questors set off for the great fire mountain.
The ferret Warlord had figured that if he was to find Flashtail, he must send some vermin out to find her. Ragal was still being seen by Rednose, faking that he gave his own horde the old one two. Ragal went along with it. In the time Rednose was not with him, he was writing notes to Warskull about Wolfcross's plan. In the notes he would write little information, then tell the Warlord to leave a reward somewhere where he could easily swipe it. Then once Corfit knew everything, Wolfcross would be dead along with Dworn and everything would be much easier for him. Ragal had decided that he would let the vermin lead him to his daughter, then fight them off and join her again. The plan was almost too perfect. All was going his way, he could see his long lost friends again, and all would be a happily ever after. He had been working plans for Coldclaw, but they had all become useless as he didn't know how to rid Coldclaw of his bounds. His dagger would always work, but the fact that the badger was always bound to Corfit, it was a most dangerous part of his plans. Though most creatures would not feel a rope that was attached to them being cut in their sleep, Corfit Warskull was different. Ragal had investigated into this. Sometimes, Dworn would follow Wolfcross to talk about plans and he would step on the rope that was tied to the warlords paw. He would wake almost immeaditly. Loosening the bounds was a different story, but one never knows until it is too late.
It was a fine morning. Everything was right. Unknown to them, Flashtail and Reelo were near a hedgehog den. The two were just resting and getting water from the stream they had sailed down when a loud rustle was heard. A young hedgehog stuck his face out from the den to see what was happening. The horde beasts pointed spears at him. A weasel shouted, "We are looking for a hare, very silverish, carries a bow an' a few daggers wid 'er. If ye know where she is, tell us and ye'll be rewarded, but if'n ye doant know, we'll slay ya, all of ya!" Reelo and Flashtail jumped into action. They weren't going to let a bunch of woodlanders die just because of them. It wasn't fair. Soon, the small patrol was slain. As a Hogwife came out with the rest of her family, she thanked them gratefully. She offered them food, but Flashtail felt to guilty to except. Besides, they had enough food. The only reward they excepted was to play with the younger hedgehogs. Both Flashtail and Reelo knew they would be fighting many vermin to save innocent woodlanders, and there might be a patrol taunting some now, but they wanted to remember their two friends, Ocei and Merey in the best way they could. After an hour of playtime, they left, knowing they had to save any woodlander who got mixed up with the horde, or else they would fail Martin.
Book 3: When Paths Part
Chapter 22
It was a nice summer morning, one that would not be forgotten by anybeast who felt the homely breeze. Quite a while had passed since the journey began. Flashtail and Reelo had been protecting many creatures and receiving more and more food and a place to spend the night, along with cooked foods from the oven. The mountain was now in plain sight, but they still had to protect everycreature the horde came in contact with. Unforetuntly, they didn't know where the full horde was. One day, while Flashtail was stuffing a slice of deeper 'n ever pie that a hogwife had just let her heat into her mouth, she heard a loud noise. It was undoubtedly a few vermin, the ones she had let escape if they didn't harm anymore beasts. Then, an idea snuck into her head, but she would have to tell Reelo first. She turned around to the spot where he had been and found a large, clear, nothing. She turned around and much to her surprise, there was Reelo, right infront of her. She hopped back about ten feet. Then she marched up to him angrily. "Look, laddie buck. Those vermin we let go will most likely head back to their leader. Then we can kill the whole bally lot!" Reelo's sense of humor had lost him. "But I dug a ditch up ahead that they would fall into!" At that moment, an agonized yell was heard as the four vermin fell into the small ditch. With a sigh, Flashtail went back to her pie, knowing that when ever Reelo made a trap, he always filled it with sharp rocks for the enemy to land on and, most likely, be slain upon. "Ho, it's no use. We'll ne'er find them ole vermin types wid us two warriors bein' the warriors we are. Best think up some ole scheme afore dey take o'er the moun'ain, wot?" And off they went again, ever getting closer to the mountain. Reelo however had a feeling that they should at least get closer to the vermin, even if not meeting up with them. The pair decided to walk diagonally towards the way the vermin would always come from. That way they would get closer to the horde everyday. They would be glad they did soon.
Wolfcross had heard about all of the failing hordebeasts. In groups of five, they weren't even vermin, but he knew that as a full horde, they could beat anybeast, even a hare. He didn't want his horde to be cut down to size by a ferret. He had disappeared from the horde, and once again, everybeast forgot him. He met with Dworn and grabbed his axe. He then went back to the horde and stood right next to Warskull. The ferret didn't notice him, but before he could swing, something hit him hard. The thud was loud enough for everybeast to hear, and Corfit turned to see what might happen. Here was the perfect chance to slay his untrusty horde member. In one motion, he took up his sword and swung right down at Wolfcross, splitting him in half. Then the Warlord turned to face the rest of his horde. "How many ya wanna take o'er noaw? I am the only beast a who controls this a horde, memememememe, norra any a you! Noaw let's move on!" As they continued, Ragal chuckled secretly to himself. "Saves me much more energy now that that ole Ballard is gone. Don't 'aft ta worry 'bout any bad vermin fer awhile." And he strode off, following the horde to Salamandastron. Though he knew he had to free Coldclaw someday. It was no good just following. He had already planed some things that he thought might help. Seeing that Corfit Warskull could always feel the stretch or slack of rope, he couldn't do anything to help him with some plan where Corfit wouldn't wake. The best he could do was be fast. He would explain his plan to Coldclaw before he did it, then once the rope was cut, he and the badger would run for their lives and away from the horde, but he had to think of a good night for it. He decided it would be best to do it the following night, so that there would be time to plan exactly how to cut the rope and from what angle. But he still had to be careful of running into horde beasts, especially Dworn. So off he went, hoping to find his daughter someday soon.
Dworn had heard about Wolfcross's death, and knew he was the other strong one in the horde. It was his turn to do some slaying. He broke out of the woods and back into the horde. He was going to earn respect from Corfit, then slay him. And the best way to earn respect from a ferret that hated him greatly for befriending Wolfcross, was to bring him one of the hares. As they marched, Corfit decided to volunteer for the hare expedition, but he wasn't going to do so. Rednose hadn't come back, Corfit knew Ragal had killed him, but the only problem was he didn't know where to search. If Dworn could find Ragal and bring him back, he'd be made a king practically. Then he would make his move. But it wouldn't be as easy as he assumed. Never the less, he went on planning his evil plans to capture the hare.
Chapter 23
Dworn was sleeping with one eye open the following night. He was going to be ever alert for that night. He had a feeling the hare might show up. He waited, and waited, and waited, but no hare. His one eye wouldn't stay open much longer, and he figured if the hare hadn't come by then, he would never, especially at mid dawn. Just as Dworn drifted off, Ragal crept out to inform Coldclaw of the plan. He woke him up with a gentle tap, and spoke to him in a very quiet whisper. "Wake up, m'lud. We'll be gettin' outta here soon. I'm gonna slice yer rope, then ye'll break free of the other bounds. We'll run as fast as we can ta 'scape ole rip skull here." Coldclaw nodded and moved in a better running position, careful not to wake Warskull. Ragal moved back a bit and drew his dagger. As he ran forward to cut and run, Dworn heard Ragal step on a stick. He woke up full of alert. Ragal had just cut the line when Dworn yelled out, "Stop! It's the hare!" Corfit woke up and saw the hare and badger escape. After waking up the camp, he ran after Ragal and Coldclaw. Dworn was faster and got infront of Corfit. Ragal and Coldclaw split up, but they were more after Ragal then Coldclaw. However, the back of the horde thought the chase was for the badger and even though they didn't want to, they went after him. Soon, Ragal and Coldclaw were back together again, divided by only trees. Away they went, hoping to escape the vermin, though it didn't seem likely.
Flashtail and Reelo had heard the noise. Away they ran, right towards the battle, knowing there was some creature to help. They ran right into the middle of battle, and viciously they thought with the crowd they had run into. The mighty sword of Martin hacked away at the on coming vermin horde. As for Flashtail, her dirks were serving her well. As soon as the back was defeated, they ran up ahead to slay more vermin. They didn't know it, but the life of Flashtail's father was in there paws. Quickly they ran, slaying as many as possible, while the Bloodwrath had overcome Coldclaw. Ragal had decided to stop and fight, though it might be his last. There was no stopping the two. Soon, Dworn came up to Ragal, took his sword, and started hacking away at Ragal. One more blow would have finished him, but Corfit Warskull didn't want Ragal dead. He wanted him alive, and now another hit would kill his scheme. Warskull took his blade and chopped at Dworn. Finally, the fox was dead, and Ragal, along with Coldclaw, were lying there, not much strength left for them. Corfit left, but the others didn't have a chance as Flashtail and Reelo cut at the horde. Finally, the horde was dead, but what about Ragal and Coldclaw? Flashtail approached the beaten form of her father. Reelo was close behind, tears springing from his eyes. Then, Ragal turned
over, staring into their sobbing eyes. He had a funny look about him. Very weakly, he started talking. "I say, by the looks on yer faces, I'd guess there was somethin' real tragic goin' on, wot!" Flashtail made quick movement. "Quick, we gotta fin' a healer fer ye, then we can..." But Ragal hushed her. "I ain't goin' ta see a bally healer. I've lived quite a while an' I refuse a h'offer ta not have a bit a peace." More tears were streaming. Ragal just smiled and said, "Cumm on, m'luds an' gels. Wots life if'n ye cannot get a break bally from it? Mayhaps we'll see each other agin, but I hope it won't be fer a while noaw. I'll be fine. Dark forest or Mossflower Woods, I'll be watchin' ye, al'ays, jus' like ye mater, Flashtail. Say 'ello agin ta ye pater fer me, Reelo ole chap. G'bye." And with those last words, he died, in the paws of Reelo and Flashtail. His trip to Salamandastron was over before he had even gotten there, but it didn't matter. He was just happy that he had known his daughter was safe as he closed his eyes for one final time.
Chapter 24
The rest of the day was dull and gloomy. Flashtail had tears coursing down her face. She had felt like this whole adventure had been all been a big waste of time. She wasn't even sure if her home was safe. "Reelo, m'lud. I don't think we should a ever went on this journey in the first bally place. Me pater's dead an' Salamandastron has been under siege. I don't know if I could make it in there without gettin' m'self killed." Reelo's eyes were red from tears, but by the way his face looked now, they looked as though they were mad from anger. "Flashtail! Where is the warrior I left Redwall with? This cannot be her! When I left to go after you, I vowed I wouldn't return home until you were safe at Salamandastron, and I am going to keep that vow! If you are still a warrior, then you will continue on with me, 'cause I'm going to Salamandastron whether you are or not!" Flashtail smiled. "You are more of a warrior than I am, Reelo. Let's go to the bally moun'ain, wot?" And the respirited warriors continued on with their journey, for better or for worse.
Back at the battle scene, not a thing moved. Not even a fly lingered about to land on the corpse of a dead creature. It was complety deserted of all life... but wait, something was moving! Where the great badger Coldclaw once lay, there was nothing. He was still alive. He looked around the battle field, his blood shot eyes searching for the body of Corfit Warskull. It was not to be found. Even out of the lacerated bodies of vermin he dead not see any that had or did resemble the warlord. Then he saw Ragal. His eyes grew much redder and small, beaded tears formed in his eyes. He let out a mighty roar. He was not about to let Warskull escape for what his hordes had done to Ragal Ruffalo Aldanick, his dear friend. Grabbing a war club, he stamped off to seek the evil one. Just as he had left, Yfat, the only horde beast who had not taken part in the war, stepped in to look at all of the dead horde beasts, and the one dead hare. He had known that there were few horde beasts, but he didn't know a hare and a badger could kill them all, with the badger living. As he looked around, he searched for two main creatures: Warskull and Coldclaw. With all of the unidentified ferrets, he could only guess one was he. But he had nothing to pass as Coldclaw the badger. He would have to kill the badger if he were to ever lead a horde, and that hare, that other hare. He couldn't bare it, two creatures that Corfit Warskull had been after were alive and willing to kill any vermin he guessed. The thought of a badger after a battle scared him, but he still decided that he must do something to survive and become a horde leader. He took up his sword blade and ran back to where he had come from, cursing the badger, searching for any residential vermin who hadn't taken part in the fight. After a while of running, the ferret was hungry. He looked around until he saw a cozy woodland den with a sweetening aroma coming from it. There was thing that stopped him as he ran towards a den of a kind woodlander. A pit with spikes in the bottom, which he did not notice until lit was too late.
Chapter 25
Flashtail and Reelo had been traveling for a time that seemed like seasons, most likely because they hadn't stopped to rest yet. Up ahead, Salamandastron was getting bigger. Soon, Flashtail would be at home, and her companion could return back to Redwall. However, Corfit Warskull had been driven completely mad at the fact he had failed in all of his plans and his whole horde again, all thanks to that little hare and her even smaller friend. How could two beasts be the cause for his defeated hordes? Up in the tree tops he watched them, waiting for them to stop their fast trot so he could land is jagged into them properly without being hurt too badly in the tree fall. At this point, he wasn't concerned about dying. He only wanted the hare slain. He would be sitting happily in Salamandastron right now if it wasn't for her. He would have had a full, healthy horde of ferrets if it wasn't for her. He might have been the most feared creature in all of the land, with many creatures bowing to him to be spared, and everything he could have wanted, but because of that faithful day when she ran out of the mountain and her father went after her. He had even forgotten the reason why he had followed only two hares, but it didn't matter now. All that mattered was that the hare lay dead, just like her father, and if he had good arrow range, her mother.
Meanwhile, Coldclaw was seeking the blood of the ferret. He held the war club viciously. He had become enveloped with the blood wrath. However, had he seen Flashtail and Reelo, it might have calmed him. He hadn't remembered that they came into the fight, as the vermin was crushing him at the time. He was not far from them though. He then stopped suddenly. He had been marching fast and dangerously and had already caught a sign that Corfit had passed. A group of twigs on one tree were all broken, but he knew it hadn't been a squirrel. Not only was the area too gloomy for anybeast, there were deep claw marks and a small piece of silk from Warskull's bandana. In all of his anger, he grabbed his war club and banged at the tree.
Boom!
The tree fell to the ground, roots and all. Coldclaw had nothing left, all except for one home he had left to follow the one beast so many others had followed. Then, he found Ocei, the little hedgehog with a striped tail which he had thought belonged to a badger. He didn't know what had happened to his friend. He didn't know what happened to Flashtail. He had never met Reelo. The only two beast's he knew about were Ragal and Corfit Warskull. Knowing the hare dead, he wanted Corfit to suffer with his own life. Off he stormed, into Mossflower, after the much hated ferret.
It was time for their first break. Flashtail had heard the tree fall, but she was too overcome by the majesty of Salamandastron. They had reached a hollow and old log, which had a strange little picture on it. It looked something like a stoat, or maybe a weasel? When Flashtail had looked at the little picture, she could only think of Corfit Warskull. "I wonder where in the bally name a cakes an' carrots that blaggard is now?" Reelo was gaping at the mountain. He had seen it from afar, but never this close before. After a few seconds, he came back to reality. "What? Sorry, didn't hear what you where saying, Flashtail." Flashtail sighed, but her eyes were brought back to her home. She couldn't believe that it was her home. She couldn't even remember that she left the mountain when it was under siege, other wise, she may have never hatched the excape plan in her small, forming mind. She smiled a long, happy smile, but one soul knew it wouldn't last long. Behind them, the ferret warlord hid, blade drawn. This was the perfect chance. He had seen the mountain plenty of times to not be taken by it's beauty. A grim smile flashed upon his face. If he was quiet enough, they would both be slain and it would be over. But he had taken Coldclaw for slain, and by the looks of things, he was their only hope.
Chapter 26
The mountain ahead and the memories of her time there had kept Flashtail from hearing Corfit Warskull. Though she was usual alert, this was an exception. However, Reelo could sense something wrong with it all. His eyes turned to see what was going on behind him, and there was Warskull himself, charging strait for his friend, Flashtail. Being quick, Reelo shoved Flashtail down just as Corfit's sword cut into Reelo's back. It was not too deep, but it caused blood to gush out. Flashtail had hit her head on a rock when Reelo shoved her out of the way, and it would take her sometime before she recovered. Up Reelo got, drawing the sword of Martin. He soon found that Corfit Warskull was not only no afraid of dying, but an expert in blade handling. Lucky for the untrained mouse, Martin been with them the whole journey, no matter how far from Redwall, and he had found his way into his body, helping Reelo to control his sword. But Reelo had to do it by himself, Martin wouldn't be able to help him the whole time. All he could do was keep Corfit stalled until Flashtail awoke. Back and forth the steel clashed, both opponents drawing closer to a small ledge, that looked bottomless. Then, Corfit had noticed a slight flaw in both the ways they fought. Everytime they struck, or pulled back, the next one would do so again. Reelo had spotted this too, but he didn't know of a way to counter it. The warlord did. As Reelo went in for another stab, when Corfit Warskull should have blocked with his sword, he jumped into a tree, jumped behind Reelo, and ran him through. The warrior mouse fell with a final thump, the grand sword still clutched in his paws. The ferret smiled, but it was soon wiped of his face as a dirk cut into his stomach. Another one fell in his footpaw. Flashtail was up and ready to give the warlord pay back. She son ran out of dirks and switched to her specialty: The bow. She drew it too quickly for the injured ferret to react by going in with his sword. More and more arrows came at Corfit, causing him to back up towards the ledge. He soon realized Flashtail was purposely having the arrows miss, but sending the message that one move forward would kill him. Another one backwards would too. Then, he saw the thing that make him the victor. A tree, what luck, was right there for him to jump on and then make his charge before Flashtail had the chance to figure out what he was doing. Just as his paws reached the tree, Coldclaw's warclub came pounding into it, bringing it down. Down, down, down off the ledge the tree fell, bringing the ferret that had caused so many much grief. As he fell, no fear showed on his face, but then, an expression that he had never felt before crossed his face. It was not fear because he had been scared before, but when Flashtail and Coldclaw's bloodshot eyes stared an icy cold stare into his, he wasn't sure what was going on. Then, Flashtail ended it quickly. She shot a shaft right through Corfit Warskull's face, ridding Mossflower of evil for that moment.
Flashtail ran to where Reelo's body lay. She turned him over onto his skinned back. Reelo didn't open his eyes, but his mouth did. "Flashtail, my friend. Is Warskull dead?" Flashtail muttered fastly with a sort of panic in her voice. "Well he fell down a cliff thingummy when a tree was knocked down by this badger chap an' I shot an arrow at 'im an'..." Coughing and sputtering, Reelo weakly spoke again. "Please slow down. I am glad he's gone. Look, Flashtail, you have made it home. Now, Salamandastron is safe. As for Redwall, I know they're alright, but I don't want to leave knowing you are upset." Flashtail couldn't help but be upset. First her father, now her best friend, would it ever end? Reelo tried to think of how his life had been. It was time to go, but he wanted to know all that had happened in his life time. He knew who would though, Flashtail would. If she could remember the day she was born, she could remember the day he met her. That was the day both of their lives changed for the better, but alas, that was all he could remember. He also figured it might calm his hare friend, so he asked, "Do you remember the day we met?" Flashtail smiled and the tears stopped pouring a bit. "Indeed I do, Reelo, m'lud. I was chasin' them two squirrels back ta the Abbey. Me pater an' yers became jolly good friends. It took us until that arrow took me for us ta get ta know each other better, wot? You liked how I slew that ferret an' wanted to become a warrior yerself. And here ye are now, the bravest warrior, if I ever knew one." Reelo managed to open his eyes one final time to see his best friend, then they closed forever. The hare took up her friend in both eyes and put his body in the log where he had seen Salamandastron for the first and last time. Coldclaw didn't even know the mouse, and his eyes were wet with tears. He placed a gloved paw on Flashtail's shoulder. More memories came into her head. Only one badger had paws that cold, gloves or no gloves. "Lord Icepaw, wot in the blin... blin...*sniff*...kin name a all food are ye do... doin' out h-here?" The badger with two identities managed to get a smile on his lips, but it soon turned into a serious face. So did Flashtail's features. "Lord, I can not go to Salamandastron now. Me pater, the one who told me ta meet um 'ere is slain, an' the laddie that kept me goin' lies dead. An' he said he'd return home once I was safe at me own home." Lord Icepaw interrupted. "And Redwall?" Flashtail struggled to stop the tears. "I could ne'er return there. All of the poor Redwallers, and me empty pawed. I don't know where I'm destined ta be." She then took the sword of Martin the warrior and stuck it into the log where Reelo rested, just barely touching the limp figure. She turned to Icepaw one last time, and then set off into the cold and gloomy Mossflower Woods.
Epilogue
From the Recordings of Abbot Vyran, Exrecorder of Redwall Abbey in Mossflower Country.
The news had reached us. My son, Reelo is dead. He died fighting the ferret, Corfit Warskull. He had always been a warrior and I couldn't stop him from leaving, but now he has left forever. We got this information from an owl who had witnessed the scene and had stopped here at Redwall one season to be healed in his wing. He had been following the hare warrior, Flashtail, around Mossflower Country, seeing it had not much else to do. Before I start talking about our old warrior, Flashtail, I shall write down a few things about what has been going on while I stopped writing. Our old Abbot became too old to handle the position of Abbot. He decided to hand it over to me. Who would have thought? After I was made Abbot, two hedgehogs came up the path into our Abbey. They were named Oceiton and Merey, both very young and had claimed to know the two warriors. They have grown up a lot since they first came here. Oceiton is the Cellarhog now, his proud wife, Merey, working by him, but not mercilessly, mind you. And yet another joy has came into our Abbey. Oceiton's family came in, all grown hogs. I did like them, but I'm still glad they went back to their den in Mossflower. Though I will dearly miss Yelaley's food. A great cook, better than our Friar's, Elmtooth and Oakpaw. Those two are ok as Friar's, but they fight so much about what or how to cook up a good meal. As for that owl, he goes by the name of Stoneybeak, and you'll never guess what he was carrying in his talons. Martin's sword! We were all very relieved to have it back, though we were all very sad that neither Reelo nor Flashtail would ever be coming back. Oh, speaking of Flashtail, Stoneybeak told me she met up with a really nice woodland hare while in Mossflower. He was fighting off some vermin at the time, then she joined in, and they both became partners. I've even been told of where they have a little hollow, though I'm not sure if I'll ever go there. Flashtail might get a little jumpy and start saying how sorry she was about my son. But if you wish to find the hare maiden, here's how:
Head east from where many vermin,
And one hare lay.
Seek the many hidden houses,
Inhabited by Woodlander's throughout the day.
Reach the Four path stream,
Take the most left stricken one.
Seek out our place when in need,
But it's ok for a spot of fun.
That was what Stoneybeak told me. He said it was written on their doorstep. Though I hope Flashtail does come back to our Abbey of Redwall someday. After all, we are still in need of a warrior.