User blog:Abriella Laterose/Maid's Quest

K, so this is my first ever fanfic! I hope you enjoy it. It's still a work in progress so it may be changing periodically and I hope it doesn't drive any one crazy but since I am doing this in my spare time it may take a week or two before it's updated so bear with me ;) Also, I apologize in advance if their are any similarities in ideas or names other people have used... I haven't yet had the privilege of reading any one else's stories so I promise it wasn't on purpose if you see any! I would greatly appreciate any constructive feedback! If you don't like my story then let me know how I can better it!

Thanks! And I hope you enjoy :) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“The wind’s icy breath, cries o’er the land of silent death. Who goes there? None but the brave.. ‘Cross heaving depths and ominous wave Where silence rings and leviathans wait... the place that marks ships’ graves Lies a land known to some, and the castle of Itaris. A maiden was chosen from thy abbey, to embark on this treacherous quest. She alone must restore to the throne, the Silverfanged heir."

The maid who chose to walk the warrior's path, Shall not tread this place alone. Within stone walls cold as ice, The savage king she will dethrone.

*****

Prologue

A full crystalline moon hung low over the north coasts. Stars glittered like tiny slivers of ice in the sable night sky as storm clouds moved to reveal the soft light of the moon, causing the sea to take on a silver glow. The beauty was lost in the bitter cold. The northlands, a place made fierce and desolate by lack of food and arctic temperatures… eternally in the clutch of winter’s dark grasp. The frozen wind moaned and snaked through stunted pine forests and against barren cliffs. It cried fitfully to a guttering fire high up on the cliff face, hidden slightly within the entrance of a sizable cave. A large creature, the like of which had never before been seen in Mossflower country sat at the cave's entrance, his fierce eyes reflecting the pale moonlight. Nazar the wolf was deep in thought. He was an awesome sight. Nazar was taller, broader and more muscular than any of the others in his clan. He was a grey wolf of impressive size with a savage glint to his golden eyes and long, milk white fangs that showed slightly beneth his lip, even when his mouth was closed. The molted grey fur was daubed thick in blue and black war paint and markings that gave him an eerie sheen in the firelight. A black cloak fell down his back and silver armor plated his chest while a massive broadsword rested beside him, only a creature of his stature and capacity could lift it. Despite the wolf's personal strength and power he was troubled. Once his kind had numbered nearly a thousand, now, they were less than two hundred... a shadow had fallen over the north, an evil that had driven them to the brink of existance. No creature could stand against this pernicous force, his grandsire had tried, and failed... Their enemies outnumbered them two to six and fought with a ferocity that was beyond anything they had ever experianced. Not only had they been forced from their home and he denied his rightful heirship to the Itaris throne, but their huntig grounds had been cut off and were now forced to scavenge or starve. The wolves had fought feircely, being warriors at heart but they were outnumbered by overwhelming odds. Any resistance was quickly cut down, being delt with ruthless savagery and causing the clan to scatter. By sheer determination Nazar had rallied as many of the smaller clans as he could but their numbers were too few and now he alone was forced to come up with a solution. Frustrated he turned to his Seer. "What of thy visions, Prophet?" Prophet, an aged white wolf tipped with silver raised his gaze from the dancing flames of the fire. "I fear my visions have been dark of late, lord. The stone remains silent." "Mayhap your visions are growing dim because the stone has selected a new Seer." Nazar growled at the smaller wolf who had spoken "What are you inferring, Izzan?" Izzan was not a big wolf but he still held a comanding presance. His coat was as winter white as the snow outside and his black eyes were like shards of obsidian ice. He lowered his head non-chalantly "Only that the silence of the Diviners Stone may be a sign that it is seeking a new carrier... A stronger Seer who can bring to light it's true potential." The big wolf grunted "Do not pretend to know more than my Seer Izzan, you may have the blood of a Soothsayer but your voice is not the one I seek. Prophet's powers may be diminishing but his abilities as a Seer are stronger than thine!" Izzan's black eyes glinted in the firelight. Nazar turned back to his old Seer who had remained silent the whole time. The aged wolf was holding and staring into the surface of a semi transluesent stone, he swayed slightly as the flames danced across it's surface. Nazar made no move, he had seen Prophet like that before. He was in a trance. When Prophet finally spoke his voice was clear and strong, having no tremble to it as before. “Seek ye bells and a silver sword, forged from a fallen star by a badger lord. It’s blade is deadly as midwinter’s ice, the pommel is red as blood. It alone possesses the power, to destroy thy enemies and reclaim thy land, seek it now in the southern land... - ” The old Seer's voice faded. After a moment Prophet set aside the stone and shivered slightly in the bitter night wind. He looked exhausted. “Lord, I fear my visions are dark beyond this… I feel certain their is more but... it is hidden from my view” he looked strangely at past Nazar and then turned his gaze back to his chieftan. Nazar's eyes shone with an ardent light. The light of new hope. "A sword?" Izzan scoffed incredulousley, "A weapon that can defeat our enemies... ? If you are seeking help lord, you cannot expect it to come from dead prophacies." Nazar was not listening "Where do we find this weapon? Tell me!" “There is only one place where bells are found in the south. Redwall Abbey!” A black wolf in the back looked up as others began murmuring doubts amongst themselves. “Redwall Abbey? Are you sure?” “But that’s in the far south!” “No one’s ever been that far south.” “I thought such a place was only a myth?” “Does it even exist?” “Don’t look at me, I’ve certainly never heard of it.” “Why are we searching for a mythical place and a legendary sword if they’re not real?” Prophet had to raise his voice to be head, “Jaden Nightlance's grandfather, Vortigern spoke of it, he claimed such a place does exist.” Nazar rose to his feet “Then we will travel for Redwall, at first light!” Izzan shook his head dubiously, "Who's to say how far this place is? How will you recognize this weapon once you reach your destination?" Nazar's golden eyes shone as he replied "Distance and perils mean nothing to my clan, my warriors are capable of overcoming any obstacles in our path. As for the the sword, it must be of magnificante craft and easily recognizable.” The sound faded as the clan went silent and Nazar adrressed them. “Warriors of Itaris, listen! Once, we were a mighty nation; banded together under one ruler. My grandfather, the true ruler of the Itaris throne! You all know how our enemies envaded in the night, oppresing and slaughtering all in their way. My grandfather was slain fighting against overwhelming odds and we were forced to disband into clans... is this naught cause enough to fight for our own defense and freedom? Why should we be forced to scavenge and hunt where there is no food while our young ones starve? We are not helpless against over whelming odds, we’re warriors! We’ll fight! Prophet’s vision has shown a glimmer of hope and a sure chance of victory! Who will fight for his freedom and his fellow warriors? Who’s with me!” A howling cheer arose from the clan at their leaders rousing words. “We will find this sword, destroy our enemies, drive them out and slay anybeast who dare stands in our way!” The howls became deafening. No one noticed as the black wolf slipped out. Nazar smiled in satisfaction, then turning he barked out orders. “Faelan, Maccon, put out that fire! Bardalph, Ulric, Hunter! You three will scout ahead and find a good course for the others to take along the cliffs, take Jaden Nightlance and Gurn with you... Trine, I will leave two score warriors and two other healers with you to care for the wounded. Those who are too young or feeble to make the journey will remain behind as well. The rest of you make ready to travel!” Maccon a grey brown furred wolf approached Nazar, averting his eyes from the chieftain’s intense gaze “Jaden Nightlance is missing, along with the Diviner’s Stone.”

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Chapter 1

The gathering dark and oncoming storm created almost an ethereal serenity inside the silent grounds Snow was falling; floating down in thick, soft flakes through the still darkness of night. Webs of it clung like ivy to the ancient stones of Redwall Abbey. The fine powder blanketed the lawns and orchards. Beneath an impenetrable layer of ice, the pond lay frozen over within the outer walls. Drifting gently onto the windowsill of an upper dormitory room where frost had formed on the transparent rock-crystal glass of the window. Like delicate workings of lace the tiny water crystals sparkled dimly in the diminishing lamplight on the window ledge. A small island of light against the enveloping shades of storm and nightfall, a single lantern burned from within. The squirrelmaid Rosabel, sat watching the large snowflakes dance and swirl outside and sighed as she turned back to her parchment and quill. Extract taken from the Diaries of Sister Rosabel, Official Abbey Recorder in Mossflower Country: It does not feel like spring, let alone mid-spring! It feels as though we are still in the clutches of mid-winter. In our orchards the trees should be crowned in blossoms, the gardens full of flowers and tiny veggitabale starts growing, the air warm and full of joy for the renewal of life! Instead, you gaze around and all is bare... Snow is everywhere. Winter came on hard this year and refuses to relinquish its hold even now. Brother Gordale has been unable to do any planting outdoors this season; being forced to bring what seedlings we could to be planted in small containers indoors. He fears that our crops will be meager if this weather holds up. Abbess Mhere has twice had to forestall the Abbey's nameday feast (which is held at the start of each new season... being as winter seems determined not to allow spring to come.) However, the cold and dark have done little to dampen the spirits of our good creatures as there is much to be thankful for! For instance this beautiful Abbey which we are blessed to call home, were all can live in peace and harmony, surrounded by family and entrusted with the gift of true friendship! With plenty of good food and all the necessities of life provided by mother nature... What more can a creature ask for? War and bloodshed have not touched our walls in many a long season thanks to our Abbey warrior Deyna. The days have been long and prosperous for those who dwell within these walls. For this I am grateful as peace is precious, however, I am surprised to say that not all would so readily agree... My dear friend, Kya, longs for adventure. She yearns for excitement and the ways of our Abbey are not always thus, but who knows, maybe someday she will find it? I would love to go with her, traveling to far off lands, searching for treasures and fighting off evil to be mentioned with the brave! Oh it does sound exciting does it not!? But alas, it is not to be... for I am a simple Abbeymaid and a recorder, no, my place is here... at Redwall Abbey.

Rosabel's pen scratched as a loud knocking sounded on the door outside her bedchamber, setting it down she glared irately at the squiggily mark she'd just made on the page as a result of a broken consentration. The rapping sounded again followed by a voice "Rosabel, have you dozed off? What are you doing in there?" Smiling to herself, Rosabel made her way to the door "I should've guessed that was Kya, no one else can pound my door to splinters with so few knocks." Kya chuckled "You're mistaken there Rose, my dad or brother could've knocked it down in one blow!" the young recorder nodded knowingly as she opened the door "True yes, now, what brings you to my humble headcourters?" Kya smiled sheepishly as she noticed the ink on Rosabel's paws "I didn't disturb your work did I?" The squirrelmaid shook her head "No, infact I had just finished when you came to the door." "Oh good, you've been cooped up in that room so long you missed the dinnerbell!" Rosabel closed the door quickly and followed her friend down the stairs crying "Why didn't you say so! Hurry, before that hare eats everything!"