Lost in the Snow

[raedyn]

Raedyn stared open-mouthed at the swiftness of the mouse before her. He had single-handedly destroyed a troop of scouts before she had a chance to grab one of her throwing knives. With a nod, she said "Hail, traveler. I can see you are adept with a bow in your paws. I am Raedyn."

She looked down at the mousebabe in her arms. He still gazed at her with a wondering expression. She smiled warmly. "You, little one, look like you could do with a hot meal. I believe cook is making maple-oat scones and plum pudding with cream for breakfast."

She looked back over the ramparts at the rat bodies strewn across the ground. She knew that their companions would come searching for them when they didn't return to camp. She must warn the abbot quickly.

Keeping a calm pretense, she said to both of the newcomers "Let me show you to the main hall." As they descended the stairs, she asked "What are your names, friends, and where do you come from?"

[taggle]

"whassa scone?" the mousebabe asked questioningly. He had come from the far north. So far north in fact, it was very hard to grow plantlife. Particuarly vegetables and breads.

[benon]

"I am Meerak, madame, I am from a mercenary mouse tribe friendly to Redwall. The little tyke there is Dwopple, he's from the far Northlands." Meerak answered the squirrel. "This, Abbot of yours, I must speak to him, I feel that we will soon be pitched into all out war. Plans must be made quickly. Rats in uniform have not been seen in Mossflower in many an age." Meerak shuddered, as he thought of the Tyrants of old: Cluny the Scourge, Gabool the Wild, Gulo the Savage, The Rapscallions, and so on and so forth. He was, though, looking forward to a breakfast of Redwall fare.

[raedyn]

"Pleased to meet you, Meerak. And you, of course, sir Dwopple," said Raedyn. "I, too, come from a tribe who is acquainted with those of Redwall. The Skyshrouds, we're called. I am simply a traveller, like yourselves.

"Ah, and to answer your question, little one, a scone is a sweet roll, and it is probably the most gooey, delicious thing you'll ever eat." She laughed at the mousebabe's happy expression.

"I do agree with you, Meerak. This is a bad sign. Those rats made an encampment about a month ago, but they've never made an attack on the abbey until now. The Abbot will be eager to hear your story. But first, let me show you to breakfast."

Walking inside, several early risers stood from their seats to greet the newcomers. There was quite a fuss over the half-starved dibbun, and both he and Meerak were fixed with plates piled high with food.

[benon]

Meerak sat down next to a plump mouse and tucked into his food with a will. Scones, puddens, pies, crumpets, October Ale, strawberry tarts, and all manner of vegetables dissapeared under the relentless onslaught of the hungry traveler. After he had taken two platefulls of breakfast he adressed the Abbot and all assembled at the breakfast table. "Friends, I fear that a great evil will decend upon this Abbey. I slew a party of rats this morning. These were no ordinary rats, mind you, but uniformed rats. The days of peace are coming to a close, we must prepare for war. Time and time again has redwall been faced with dangers, and each time has the evil been repulsed Cluny the Scourge, Tsarmin Greeneye, Gulo the Savage, Gabool the Wild, The Rapscallions and countless other vermin gangs and bands. Each time a hero has stepped forth to lead Redwall to victory. We must call all clans to our aid, otters, squirrels, mice, bats, sparrows, hedgehogs, hares, badgers, voles, and owls anyone that can serve Redwall and protect, or any woodlander in need of aid. Redwall must be transformed from an Abbey for now and transformed into a fortress. We must wipe this scourge from the face of the earth and make Mossflower safe for dibbuns and oldones again.

[taggle]

Dwopple may have been a mousebabe, but he had the appetite of a hare! He sat among other dibbuns, enjoying foods he had never seen, much less tasted. Strawberry cordial, flans, cheeses, some salad, and even a vegetable were consumed by the dibbun with great relish. He was so absorbed in eating, he barely noticed what Meerak said.

[benon]

Meerak began issuing orders, sentries were posted, food and water carrying tasks assigned, and jobs doled out. Meerak gathered together anyone in the Abbey with a bow to teach them to use them to shoot living creatures and not archery targets.

[xylon]

Xylon strode along the woodland path, his destination within sight. Redwall. Its walls faded to a darker red in the midst of winter, Xylon admired its beauty and history. Some of it he had learned; some of it, he had witnessed.

Wondering who was Abbot now, Xylon looked up to the walls, and noticed that something wasn't right. The creatures usually strolling peacefully along the ramparts were now poised for danger and very alert. Xylon smiled and shook his head. Soft Redwallers could never be taught the proper art of war, even if they seemed to learn it. As not to alarm the gaurds, Xylon moved along the great wall, inching towards the main gate.

[benon]

Meerak, as acting commander was patrolling the ramparts with a "millitary whoopin stick" when he saw the tall grass around the walls rustle, he would lower some workers to scythe it down later. He saw dark patches of fur here and there then he saw the elongated muzzle and the pointed ears. "You there wolf, are you friend or foe?" He shouted, an arrow nocked on the bowstring.

[xylon]

Xylon cursed. The Redwallers might be soft, but they were for once doing their job. Cautiously drawing a knife from the side of his boot, his called back to the gaurd without looking up. "That depends on who's asking."

[taggle]

Taggle, finished eating, snuck around the abbey, determined to see all of it. He climbed up a set of steps, and a couple more, to find a long, deserted, dark hallway. He began to wander down it, his small pawsteps echoing eerily.

[xylon]

Xylon stayed close to the wall listening. Hearing nothing, he supposed that the guard was gone. Just in case, Xylon suddenly leapt from the wallside, aiming his knife at the ramparts and poised to throw.

[benon]

Meerak saw the wolf lunge from the wall, he was ready. He loosed the arrow and was rewarded with a satisfying thud, he looked at the damage, a rat had tried to jump the wolf, it caught the unfortunate rat in the head, right through the temple, instant kill. The wolf stood there, dumbfounded.

[xylon]

OOC:...And he thinks...What the heck just happened?

Xylon stood there a few moments, looking from the rat to the guard, and finally said "What is happening at Redwall? Why are rats abroad here?"

[benon]

"I am not sure. You are welcome into Redwall if you will stow your weapons in a footlocker in the armory, only myself and the Father Abbot have keys." Meerak stated matter-of-factly.