User blog:SaynaSLuke/Four Warriors Cometh



He came the night,

We fell in an hour.

There was no time to fight,

For to save dear Mossflower.

Our king and his queen,

Met a bloody end,

Their knee they would not bend.

To Verdauga the Destroyer.

You had better bend the knee,

To his majesty,

The king of mighty Kotir.

You had better bend the knee

To his majesty,

The king of our Mossflower.

Woe to the one who will not bow.

No one on earth can help us now.

We look ahead to future dawn,

That will bring warriors to these forlorn.

Two rightful king's heir, and two warriors brave,

Descended from those who escaped the grave.

From Verdauga the Destroyer.

You had better bend the knee,

To his majesty,

The king of mighty Kotir.

You had better band the knee,

To his majesty,

The king of our Mossflower.

Until these come from northern water,

We will serve Verdauga and his daughter.

He was cold and cruel,

But her evil rule,

Will be marked by famine grim.

We'll be worked to death,

But to our last breath,

Our wisdom is Corim.

You had better bend the knee,

To her majesty,

The king's cruel daughter.

But we will not,

We will plan and plot,

And we'll wait for our warriors.

All this we do,

To prove tis true,

We'll destroy the Destroyer!

- The Lament of Mossflower

Editors Note
This is the sequel to The Warrior's Beginning, and so being, is the rewriting of Mossflower.

As in 'The Warrior's Beginning' the plot and characters have undergone serious changes, so expect the unexpected! :P

This story is my pride and joy, and it is the only reason I wrote 'The Warrior's Beginning' in the first place. You can imagine how utterly thrilled I am to finally be writing this!

Please comment and give me constructive criticism! I want 'Four Warriors Cometh' to soar where 'The Warrior's Beginning' flopped, and that will take everyone's help! Thanks everybody! <3

-Sayna

Main Characters
Sayna: Formerly called Sally in 'The Warrior's Beginning'.

Martin: Uhh .. Martin! Same as in 'The Warrior's Beginning'

Timballisto: Chocolate brown mouse with gray-blue eyes and a battle-ax.

Lady Amber: Tawny colored, short-tempered squirrel queen. Mostly the same as in Mossflower, although she has undergone some personality changes.

Bella: Stern but kind badger lady of Brockhall.

Gingivere Greeneyes: Brother of Tsarmina, same as in Mossflower

Lord Ignasa: Same as in 'The Warrior's Beginning'.

Tsarmina Greeneyes: Cruel and powerful queen of the Thousand Eyes.

Lord Malimore: The direct enemy of Lord Ignasa, Malimore is a black-furred wolf. His name is contrived from the words mali (evil) and more, so therefore, Malimore means simply, 'More Evil' also holds the connotation of 'Great Evil'.

(There are a few other main characters, but giving them away now would be a total spoiler ...)

Important Characters
Lady Lepus: Former chieftain of the now-extinct Mossflowerian rabbits.

Sandingomm: Iridescent gray female wildcat, former seer of Ripfang.

Boar the Fighter: The mighty badger lord of Salamandastron.

Skipper Warthorn: The hot-headed otter chieftain.

Spring: Warthorn's sensible daughter.

Redfarl: Amber's fun-loving daughter (Redfarl is Redfarl from the Outcast of Redwall, this is just her at 13-17 seasons (No I am not messing up my timeline here, because I've changed it) :P

Whegg: Verdauga's former captain, now a traitor to his old master.

(As with the main characters, there are a few more, but to tell them now would be such a spoiler ..)

Prologue
Verdauga posed a commanding figure as he strode through the halls of his castle Kotir, his son and daughter in his wake. Trailing reluctantly after them was a vixen, and two guards armed with spears.

"Couldn't this have waited till the morning father?" The female wildcat grumbled.

Verdauga did not slow his pace. "If I can't sleep, neither shall you Tsarmina. I will know the meaning of this dream."

Tsarmina looked disgusted. "It was your dream! Why drag us into it?"

Verdauga had halted beside a old oak door with a tapestry over it. He pulled a rustic key from his tunic, inserting it in the keyhole and turning. The door opened with the ominous creak of unoiled hinges, hinting that this room was not often used. The king of Mossflower motioned for the guards to wait outside as he answered,

"Because this concerns our whole family."

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The room had a vaulted ceiling like a cathedral, but the weak glimmer of the lantern Verdauga's son, Gingivere carried did not illuminate it.

The vixen held back uncertainly, but Verdauga pushed her forward. "Don't just stand there Fortunata, call up my master!"

The fox nodded, hurrying to an altar-like structure, and bowed low, as did the three wildcats. The only sound was Fortunata's unintelligible mumbling as she worked her strange magic to fulfill Verdauga's wish.

After a few seconds there was another sound. The sound of a voice so evil, it made Verdauga shudder.

"Why have you called me, ruler of Mossflower?"

Verdauga made himself look up at the terrible visage before him. The wolf was near half again as large as the wildcat, and darkness seemed to ooze from beneath his black fur. The lantern flickered and went out, as if no light could survive in the presence of such evil.

"Lord Malimore, for three nights now I have had a disturbing dream, and I wish you to interpret it."

The black wolf's dull red eyes glittered subtly as Verdauga waited for his consent.

"Go on."

The Lord of Mossflower looked down. "I have seen the coming warriors. Two males and two maids, and all mice, as was prophesied."

Lord Malimore betrayed no emotion as he stated, "I know this, king of Mossflower. There is no cause for alarm, for I have successfully opposed Ignasa's plans. His mouse warriors have already been broken."

Verdauga did not dare meet his Lord's gaze as he asked,

"If that be so Lord Malimore, then why does this dream plague me? I see not only these mouse warriors, but great trouble ahead for me and my realm."

The dark wolf did not show anger at Verdauga's question, just swished his fluffy tail slowly.

"Sometimes dreams are nothing more then dreams, king of Mossflower. Do not read too far into the visions of your mind. But do not fear the coming ones. As I say, they are broken. They have sunk so far in self-pity and pride, they are no longer listening to Ignasa. We have the upper paw."

Chapter 1 Land Oppressed
The winter sun was watery and half-hidden by clouds, and it did little to warm the land it shone on. It was to be one of the hardest winters Mossflower had ever seen, and this was evidenced by the already deep snow drifts.

The winter-locked woods seemed dead, void of all life. The only thing that stirred in them were four travelers, two mice, and two horses. The horses coats had grown out shaggy and dull to deflect the cold, and the mice both wore hooded capes.

The mouse maid riding the gray mare looked over at her companion with a sigh. Ever since the battle with Badrang, he had been emotionless. It was like he had felt so much pain, nothing could ever touch him again. She knew how he felt.

Her name was Sayna, but it had not always been. She shut her eyes. She would not think of the past, for it could not be changed nor helped.

It did not matter what her name had been once, it was Sayna now. She was Sayna.

Her voice was flat as she asked, "Martin, where are we going?"

He did not look around as he replied, "South."

She sighed. "I know that, but I came with you because I thought we were going somewhere particular."

His answer was emotionless. "To do what? There's no place in the world where I will ever belong, no creatures that will ever need my help."

Sayna urged her horse, Ghostdancer up next to Wildfire, whom Martin was riding.

"Look, I didn't come with you so we could sit around and think about the past. I'm leaving it behind. It'll never find me. And I didn't come with you cause I like you, because I don't. I came with you because you're a creature of action, and you'll find something useful to do with the rest of your life."

This time he showed some emotion. "My life? There's nothing left of it! It's broken into so many pieces I couldn't pick them up if I tried!"

"So you'd rather not try?" Sayna asked angrily. "You're going to wander around and do nothing forever? Rose wouldn't want that!"

Martin pulled his hood over his head miserably. "Don't talk about her."

Sayna growled furiously. "She's my sister, and if she loved you enough to die for you, you might have enough nobility to use the life she saved!"

Martin's brown eyes flashed as he glared into his companion's black ones. "How dare you .."

Sayna snarled, "Because Rose was my sister, and I loved her. And I'd hate for her to die for a coward."

Wildfire interrupted. "Stop it! Why argue amongst ourselves? It will do nothing!"

Ghostdancer broke in. "Wildfire's right. Maybe it would be better if we don't discuss the past. How about if we focused on the future?"

Sayna looked at her. "What?"

Dancer sighed. "Let's get the lay of this land, and maybe find a place to spend the night. It'll be dark soon, and if we don't find shelter, we won't be around to argue with ourselves anymore."

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They followed the horse's advice, continuing on in silence, and taking in their surroundings.

As she observed the land they had entered, Sayna was sure she had never seen a more melancholy place. She told herself this was because it was caught in the grip of winter, but she got the feeling there was more to it then that.

The tree's branches bent low under the weight of snow and ice, and unlike winter in Noonvale, the snow did not glitter. This more then anything surprised Sayna, for she was accustomed to beautiful, shining snow.

Still, it was not even the looks of this land that made it so depressing, but the feeling that seemed to hang over it.

Deep down, Sayna knew what it was.

It was the feeling of evil.

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Darkness was falling over the four travelers, when they sighted a building by the roadside. It was in relatively good repair, and the glow of candlelight shone in it's windows. A tired old pinto stood tied to the hitching post out front, blanketed to ward off the cold.

Sayna was still adverse to talking to Martin, and he seemed in no hurry to start a conversation. Dancer broke the silence.

"You two had better get in there and find out where we are. See if you can find us a place to spend the night."

Sayna slid off her horse, shivering as her bare footpaws sank in the snow. Martin dismounted and headed silently toward the building, with Sayna reluctantly following.

As she got nearer the structure, she could read it's weather-beaten sign.

 'The Bloody Axes' 

Sayna frowned. That sounded like a vermin haunt, not a place goodbeasts would go.

She opened her mouth to say so, but Martin was already opening the door. With a sigh, Sayna caught up to him.

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The door creaked as the two mice entered, and the place's occupants looked up, but soon returned to their business. Sayna greatly regretted entering this tavern, for so it was. Vermin populated it, but there were a few who especially caught Sayna's eye.

At a large table beside the fireplace sat a vixen, a weasel, and two male wildcats. One was quite large, and wore a golden crown with a emerald set in it, and the other was slighter and younger looking, with a silver coronet on his head.

The younger one had a reserved, quiet look in his green eyes, but the elder had the look of a seasoned warrior, and his emerald eyes held the ruthlessness of a tyrant.

Sayna was glad of the hooded cloak she wore, for it covered her face. She snuck a glance at Martin, to see he had his hood up too. The mouse started toward the counter, where a dull brown fox sat watching them with almost familiar yellow eyes.

As he approached the counter, Martin's cape caught on the hilt of a knife embedded in the floor. The hood was jerked from his head, revealing his bright gold fur and definite mouse-like features.

All might have been fine, if the large wildcat had not noticed before Martin could pull his hood back on.

The creature started, a look of horror flashing across his face, before he yelled,

"Take that creature captive! Now!"

A long-legged rat started forward with ten other vermin in his wake, and Sayna threw off her hood and drew her sword.

The cat started again, ordering instantly, "Take that one too!"

Martin drew his sword, engaging the rat as Sayna found herself faced with a large, dumb-looking weasel with a ax-like weapon.

Martin found his opponent was skilled in the wielding of the double headed spear he carried. The mouse tried in vain to bring his sword to bear against the wooden spear shaft, but the rat never gave him the opportunity. The two creatures fought viciously, but they could not find a opening and best the other.

The weasel that faced Sayna was quickly joined by two others, a stoat and a ferret. She felled the stoat with a powerful thrust, leaving her sword extended for one second to long. The weasel brought his ax down on her blade with incredible force, shattering it into a million pieces, and leaving the hilt in Sayna's smarting paw. She drew a throwing knife, just as the rat managed to bring one of his spear blades on Martin's sword with amazing power. There was a shattering sound as the old blade broke in two, unable to stand the force brought against it.

The rat expertly bound Martin's paws, while the weasel tied Sayna with the help of the ferret.

The wildcat stood, nodding to the rat. "Whegg, take them to Kotir and hold them for questioning. I want a word with those two."

Chapter 2 The Corim
Bella was a wise female badger, and the leader of the Corim, or 'The Council of Resistance in Mossflower'.

Right at that moment, she was pacing Brockhall's great hall, shaking her striped head.

"No, no! We can not go to war! The signs are not right!"

Warthorn, the brawny Skipper of the otters slammed his rudder-like tail on the floor.

"Mossflower has been in oppression to long! We must free it, signs or no signs!"

Bella opened her mouth to argue, but Lady Amber queen of the squirrels, jumped on to a table, shouting,

"He's right! How many of us have lost a loved one to Verdauga?"

She spread her arms to the Corim, and was answered mightily.

A hedgehog yelled, "My parents!"

Warthorn shouted, "My wife and son!"

Many other voices rang out, testifying the cruelty of their oppressor.

"My family!"

"My love!"

"My only child!"

Lady Amber pointed an accusing paw at Bella. "You lost your husband and son, just as I lost my husband and daughter! Why do you do nothing?"

Bella pounded her paw on the table to regain order. She sighed.

"I too, would love to avenge these wrongs, but the time is not right! The four marked warriors must come!"

She looked down.

"My good creatures, you have all been greatly wronged by the barbarians who conquered our land, but we cannot fight them yet! We must wait for the warrior princes and princesses to come and take their place as the rightful kings and queens of Mossflower!"

Amber crossed her arms. "When will they come Bella? When?"

The badger lady sighed. "I honestly do not know."

Amber snorted and Bella raised a paw.

"But I have been having many visions and dreams, the like of which I have never had before. I am sure our warriors are close, at least some of them. I can clearly see the two gold mice, but there is one .."

She shook her head, finally murmuring, "It is hard to tell."

Amber let her arms drop.

"Alright Lady Bella. Alright. I'll wait until the end of spring. If these warriors have not come by then, me and my squirrels go to war, whether you do or not. Never forget, I'm not your subject, you cannot give me orders. Blacktail and I were your friends, nothing more. We had no written alliance with you. I alone rule the squirrels, and if I say we fight, we fight! I only want the best for my creatures, and that means to kill Verdauga. Remember, you have until summer. If your magic warriors haven't shown up by then, me and the squirrels go to war, with or without any of you!"

The squirrel queen strode out of Brockhall in high bad humor, her creatures in her wake.

Bella slowly shook her head, whispering,

"Oh foolish squirrel. If you go to war without the coming ones, it means death for us all."

Chapter 3 Questioned
Whegg drug his prisoners through Mossflower quickly, his long limbs capable of a fast gait. The two mice stumbled along behind him, unable to match his pace well. The rat could see this, and slowed down a bit, motioning to the weasel who had broken Sayna's sword.

"Cludd, go make sure there are two cells for our guests here."

The weasel hurried on ahead, and Whegg resumed his swift walk. Sayna growled at the ferret who drug her along, and he wisely stepped sideways, out of her reach.

The mouse maid looked up, to see an amazing sight. The trees had thinned out ahead, revealing an fortress of awesome proportions. This castle made Badrang's fort look like a toy.

It was constructed of weathered red sandstone, which was darkened with age. However, the castle was in good repair, it's towers majestically scratching the sky.

As she was drug across it's courtyard and into the dungeons, Sayna could tell this was not the castle of a small warlord like Badrang, but a king, and a wealthy one at that. The windows had glass, and the walls were decorated by detailed tapestries, although Sayna did not find the pictures very nice. They portrayed conquests and battles, all of which had the likeness of their captor as the centerpiece.

Whegg grabbed Sayna's bound paws, dragging her down a flight of stairs and into the dungeons. He threw her into a nearby cell, slamming the door as she hit the far wall. She heard the slam of another door, presumably the one on Martin's cell.

Sayna slowly sat up. She looked at her bound paws, wishing for her throwing knives. But those were gone, the rat called Whegg had taken them, as well her bow and arrows. The only thing she had left was her sword hilt, which she still clutched tightly in her paw. She let it fall to the floor as she leaned against the wall. What had she gotten herself into?

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The minutes ticked by slowly, for Sayna had nothing to do, and she couldn't even explore her cell easily because of her bound paws. She found herself thinking of Martin, and wondering where he was.

The warrior maid sighed. She worked on her bonds awhile, but the cell was pitch black, and the ropes were tight.

Sayna was about to give up, when she heard the tramp of paws approaching. Her cell's door creaked open, and the rat called Whegg grabbed her arm, dragging her out.

"Lord Verdauga Greeneyes wants a word with you."

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Whegg dragged Sayna into a separate room near the dungeons, throwing her next to Martin, who was already there. The green eyed wildcat paced up and down one wall, while the younger one stood in a corner quietly.

The older wildcat stopped pacing, and faced the two mice.

"Who are you, and why did you enter my domain?"

Martin neither spoke, nor looked up. Sayna was forced to answer their interrogator.

"We are wanderers sir, and we have no home. We did not know this was your realm."

The wildcat resumed pacing. "Why then, do you have such beautiful weapons?"

He picked up one of Sayna's throwing knives, remarking, "This is the knife of a king, not a poor wandering fighter."

Sayna did not look up. "If you please sir, those were made by my mentor, who no longer lives. He was skilled in the ways of metal working, and my knives were his greatest achievement."

The cat glared at his prisoners. "You are golden mice! What do you know of the prophesy?"

Sayna looked at him in bewilderment as Martin replied, "What prophesy? I know not of prophesies."

The wildcat was getting flustered. "Do not lie to me! I am Verdauga Greeneyes, King of Mossflower!"

The younger cat laid a paw on Verdauga's shoulder.

"Father, maybe they do not know of it. Maybe they are not the ones."

Verdauga glared at his son. "Don't be a fool Gingivere! They are golden mice! What more evidence do we need?" Gingivere bowed his head. "I know not father. But if you kill them now, how will we ever know?"

Verdauga looked at Sayna and Martin testily for a moment, before nodding.

"Very well. Whegg, take them back to their cells. I'll think of a way to make them talk by morning."

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Whegg drug Sayna back to her cell, throwing her in unceremoniously. She skidded across the floor, into the corner opposite the one she had previously been in. She braced herself to hit the far wall, but she did not, for she crumpled into something soft and furry.

The thing moved fractionally, and Sayna tried to jump back, but her bound paws hindered that. She pulled on the ropes, feeling them loosen a bit. Encouraged by this, Sayna pulled harder, and the bonds loosened again. The mouse maid sighed with relief as the ropes fell from her paws. She cautiously reach forward in the pitch blackness, her paws brushing against the furry thing once more.

"Hello?"

She tried, but there was no answer.

Suddenly, as if by some miracle, the cell was flooded in moonlight. There was a small grate at ground level, which allowed the light to come in. However, apparently, the moon had hid behind a cloud until that moment.

Sayna looked over at her mysterious companion, to see a young squirrel maid, quite a bit younger then herself. The creature was amber furred, with rich chocolate points and unruly headfur. She was very emaciated, and was huddled on the floor as if waiting for death.

Sayna gently picked her up, murmuring, "You look about the age of my little brother, Brome. Poor little mite, you couldn't be more then twelve seasons. And look at you."

The mouse maid pulled off her warm travelling cloak, wrapping it around the squirrel's scrawny shoulders. She took a bit of the water Whegg had left in her cell, and pored it into the little maid's mouth. The creature swallowed weakly. Sayna was delighted at the prospect of having a cellmate, even if she was seven seasons younger.

"There now, you'll be alright. I'll make sure of it."

Sayna sat rocking the squirrel maid long into the night, crooning a lullaby Groddil had taught her.

"Watch the rain,

Hear it fall,

Over treetops,

Over all,

The woodlands of Mossflower,

Little woodlander.

Hear me sing,

Hear me sing.

Hear my voice,

In the spring.

As the rain doth fall,

Over all,

Over all.

Little woodlander,

Little woodlander,

Hear my voice singing,

And return to Mossflower."

It was too much. After the exhaustion of the previous day, the magic Sayna had weaved worked against her, and she dropped off into a deep, dreamless sleep, the squirrel maid in her arms.

Chapter 4 Rift of a World
If one were to go back in time a few hours, to before the sun set on the day Martin and Sayna were captured, the same sun that had shone over Mossflower, shone over quite a different place.

This was a place of peace, at least, that is what it was thought of as. To be truthful, if one was to look past the exterior, they might find that it was not so peaceful as they believed.

This was the place of Sayna's childhood. This was everything she had ran from. This was Noonvale.

Brome sat in the picture window of his father's cottage, tears in his eyes as he tried to block out his parents arguing. He could barely remember a time when it had not been like this. And yet he could. A time when his family had been at peace, at least somewhat. A time before the Battle of Marshank.

Brome's tears slipped down his cheeks as he recalled his parting with Sally, his favorite sister.

"Sally, why? Why do you have to go? I don't have anybody but you!"

Sally had hugged him, tears in her eyes. "Oh Brome .. you know why. And please don't call me that anymore."

Brome had buried his face in her shoulder, sobbing,

"I don't care what you call yourself! You'll always be Sally to me! Always!"

His sister had hugged him tighter, whispering, "Brome .. I am dead to Noonvale. I'm never, ever going back."

Brome had managed to choke out, "Then I'll never see you again? Ever?"

She had made him meet her sparkling black gaze, which was bright with unshed tears. "Someday Brome, Someday. If Lord Ignasa wills it, we will meet again."

Brome stared up at the gray winter sky, his sorrow nearly choking him. At the time, he had taken comfort from this statement, but now he knew what Sally really meant.

She meant that the only time he would see her again was in the Silent Forest.

Brome winced as his parents argument rose into a crescendo. He slipped out of the house, determined to have some time alone.

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Once, Urran Voh had got along quite well with his wife, Aryah However those days were over. Deep down, he still loved her, but she was always one to try and pardon creatures Urran did not favor. And now she was trying to pardon that good-for-nothing warrior mouse, Martin.

Urran could have let the matter slide, and he knew it. While his daughter had been seriously injured in the Battle of Marshank, she had not been killed, and she was recovering. However, Urran was disgusted Rose had gotten mixed up in a war in the first place. Urran wasn't sure who to blame, but he felt as though he must blame someone. So his wrath fell upon Martin, the mouse that his daughter had become attached to against his will.

Instead of trying to build his family back up as he should have, Urran was determined to vent his emotions on someone, and his wife opposed him. She saw how much her daughter had loved the warrior, and so she defended him from her husband's anger. In her mind, it wasn't so much for the absent Martin, but for her little Rose, whom she had nearly lost forever.

And so it was, that the Voh household was always in tumult, and the members of it were eternally angry with each other.

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When Rose had awoke from her wounds and heard the rumor Martin was dead, she had refused to believe it. However time had eaten away her hope and confidence, and she slowly excepted this lie as truth. At first she had not wanted to live without the one she loved, but she realized dying would be selfish and ungrateful if Martin had given his life to save her, which she was sure he must have.

So she sorrowfully continued on, although there was no joy in it for her. She got into frequent and heated arguments with the father she had once loved dearly, and slowly began to completely resent his way of thinking.

She could see plainly what her sister Sally saw seasons ago. Urran did not care for his family half as much as he cared what his family looked like. Rose couldn't believe how blind she had been. Sally had been right all along.

However Sally was gone now, just like Martin, or so Rose believed. Urran Voh showed no pity for his eldest daughter, in fact, he never spoke of her.

Rose grew silent and short-tempered, especially when the creatures in her town spoke badly of Martin or Sally. As she got better, Rose spent her days away from home as much as possible, wandering the glens Sally once did. She found her sister's old bow in their clubhouse, and began to teach herself archery. The mouse maid found she had many talents she had never known. She could glide through the woods as silent as a shadow, she could shoot far better then she had ever dreamed was possible, and she was learning to ride exceptionally well through the tutelage of her new best friend, Midnightshadow, a former horse of Clogg's.

However her heart was broken, and none of these accomplishments could make her happy. If only Martin was with her! He would encourage her, and be there for her even if all the beasts of Noonvale were against her. But that could never be. The insurmountable rift of a world lay between them, and it was a cold, cruel world.

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Far, far away in Mossflower, in the cells of Kotir, Martin was thinking the very same thing. His sweet little Rose was, to his knowledge, dead. He was in a way, glad she was not with him, for he would not wish her to be in the mess he had gotten himself into. However he missed her quiet, gentle confidence and support, as well as her compassionate quick-thinking, which had saved him from doing something regrettable and rash more then once.

But he would never hear her voice again, not until he passed through the gates of the Silent Forest. Still, he would live the life she had died for, until his time came.

Yes, the rift of a world lay between them, and it was a cold, cruel world. However, sometimes the largest rifts are rifts of the mind, and all caused by a simple lie.

Chapter 5 A Death in the Family
Verdauga sat in bed, wide awake and trying to think of a good way to get the desired information from his prisoners. A sudden inspiration came to him. Tsarmina! His daughter was conniving and clever. She would come up with a good way to deal with his unwanted guests.

"Ashleg!"

In took a few minutes, but the crippled pine marten appeared in Verdauga's doorway.

"Yes my Lord?"

"Get me Tsarmina! Now!"

Ashleg bowed. "Yes my Lord."

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The old pine marten shuffled through the halls of Kotir reluctantly. He was not excited about waking the bad-tempered princess.

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Tsarmina however, was far from asleep. She was fully dressed, and laying out a scheme, something she was quite good at. The wildcat princess fingered a plain hunting knife wickedly. The weapon was not hers, it was far to ordinary. It belonged to her stupid, spineless brother, Gingivere, as did the gauntlets laying on her bed.

Tsarmina was tired of simply being the princess of Mossflower. It was time for her to be queen. Killing her father would be easy, but if something was not done about Gingivere, he would take the throne. So what could be better then to kill Verdauga, frame Gingivere, throw him into prison for the rest of his worthless life, and become queen?

Tonight was the mighty King Verdauga Greeneyes last night on earth.

Suddenly, Ashleg's voice broke through Tsarmina's thoughts.

"Milady .."

Tsarmina snarled at the pine marten through her closed door.

"What do you want Ashleg? It better be good!"

Ashleg grimaced, thankful the door was closed. "Your father, Lord Verdauga, wishes your presence Milady."

Tsarmina smiled inwardly. Her father had only quickened his demise. Still, the wildcat princess made sure to berate Ashleg, whom she loathed.

"I know who my father is varlet! Tell him I shall be there shortly, you one-pawed idiot!"

Tsarmina hid Gingivere's hunting knife in her flowing sleeve as she listened to Ashleg's receding pawsteps. The princess of Mossflower hid her brother's gauntlets in the folds of her skirt.

It was time to put her plan into action.

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Verdauga looked up as Tsarmina appeared in his doorway. "Come here daughter, I need your opinion on something."

Tsarmina flipped the knife around in her sleeve so that she was no longer holding the blade, but the hilt.

"What is your wish father?"

Verdauga returned his attention to a piece of parchment in his paw as Tsarmina came to his bedside, as if interested by what her father was reading.

Verdauga opened his mouth to say something, but his daughter did not give him a chance to speak. One second Tsarmina had been standing beside him, reading over his shoulder, and the next, the fickle cat had plunged a knife betwixt his ribs.

Tsarmina smiled wickedly as her father stared at her through diming green eyes.

"You were the king of all Mossflower and many lands beyond. But all your wealth and power could not save you from your own family. I think that's rather pathetic."

Verdauga tried to gasp out something, but Tsarmina's knife had done it's work. The King of Mossflower was dead, slain not by the woodlanders he had wronged, but by his own daughter.

><><

Tsarmina took the gauntlets from her skirt, pulling the knife from Verdauga's side. She proceeded to smear blood on Gingivere's gloves, smiling to herself.

One down, and one to go.

The wildcat princess hid the offending items in her skirt, slipped from her father's room and shutting the door. The murder would not be discovered until morning, for nobeast would dare wake the king of the thousand eyes.

Tsarmina successfully avoided all the guards, slipping into Gingivere's room and stowing the bloody knife and gauntlets in a cabinet, to give the pretense they had been purposely hidden.

She then returned to her own room, sat upon her bed, and ridded herself of all evidence of the crime she had committed.

Within a few hours, Mossflower would have a new ruler.

Chapter 6 Hail to the Queen!
Sayna slowly awoke, not exactly sure where she was at first. The events of the previous day came back in a relentless flood, washing away any positive thought's the mouse maid might have had.

She was a prisoner, awaiting her fate in a damp cell.

Sayna suddenly realized she was still holding the young squirrel maid, who had not yet awakened. The mouse looked toward her cell door, to see a crust of bread and a small bowl of water. The guards must have fed her while she was asleep. She was surprised she had not awoke, but figured the stress of the previous day must have completely exhausted her.

Sayna carefully helped her young companion drink a little, and much to her surprised, the squirrel's eyes fluttered open.

The two creatures surveyed each other in total silence for a few minutes, before the squirrel spoke, her voice filled with awe.

"You are a promised one! But .. why would you save me .. why are you here?"

Sayna was bewildered by this statement.

"I know nothing of being a promised one, and I didn't really save you at all, I just got thrown in your cell."

The squirrel frowned. "But you are a golden mouse .. You have to be the high queen!"

Sayna was beginning to wonder if this young creature was right in the head. "I'm no queen little one, just a roving warrior who's fallen on hard times. I lost my weapons, horse, and freedom in one day, and I'm certainly not of royal blood."

The squirrel maid was getting quite upset, so Sayna stroked her messy headfur, remarking,

"Now, now, don't take on so. I'm a friend, and maybe your high queen will come save us both. Why don't you tell me your name?"

The little squirrel wiped her tears away. "My name's Redfarl .. I think. Anyway, that's what my daddy called me before he died."

She blinked her expressive brown eyes. "What's your name?"

Sayna felt a little twinge of guilt at lying to this young squirrel, but she pushed it away.

"My name is Sayna. Sayna the warrior."

Redfarl snuggled against Sayna, smiling as she stated.

"See? I knew you were the high queen. The prophesy says the high queen's name is Sayna."

Sayna opened her mouth to ask Redfarl something, but she noticed the squirrel had fallen asleep again.

The warrior maid stared at the weak morning sun filtering through the grate high up in her cell's wall. The wildcat king who had captured them had spoke of a prophesy as well, and golden mice. Now this young squirrel seemed sure Sayna was a high queen, just because her fur was gold.

What was going on?

><><

Tsarmina was feigning sleep, when there was an urgent knock on her door.

"Milady!"

The wicked cat smiled to herself, but did not stir.

"Milady! Are you all right?"

Tsarmina yawned widely, making certain the guard could hear it.

"I'm fine mud brain, what else would I be?"

The weasel sighed with relief despite the insult that had been hurled at him. The princess was her usual self.

"Milady, it's your father! General Ashleg says to come right away!"

Tsarmina was itching to go put on her act, but she knew how to bide her time.

"Does Ashleg think he can give me orders? I am above him. Still, I suppose I shall grace him with my presence. What is the matter with my father?"

The guard's voice came through the door to reach Tsarmina's expectant ears.

"Milord Verdauga has been murdered!"

Tsarmina had rehearsed an act, and she went into it now. Her voice had a mixture of horror and shock laced in it.

"What? My father, murdered? Who would do such a thing? It can't be true!"

The wildcat princess appeared in her doorway, clad in her nightgown as if she had slept all night and was in to much haste to don her clothes.

She pushed past the guard, crying, "My father can't be dead!"

><><

Gingivere, Whegg, and Ashleg stood in the late Verdauga's bedchamber. Gingivere was shocked and horrified by his father's death, as were his two companions.

Whegg bowed to the wildcat prince. "Milord Gingivere, I am truly sorry, but you must be absolved of all guilt in this matter before you can be crowned king."

The rat looked at Ashleg, who nodded regretfully. "Tis so young prince. It's the law I'm afraid.

Gingivere nodded distractedly. "Do what you must Captain. I care not."

Whegg laid a paw on Gingivere's shoulder. "I know you are innocent of this atrocity Sire, and I will be proud to call you my king. However, your chamber must be searched to prove your innocence. But fear not, I shall personally check her highness's room, and thoroughly.

The wildcat turned to his captain. "Do you think my sister would bloody her paws in this manner?"

Whegg's paw instinctively flew up to the long, cruel-looking claw marks that ran across his right eye, an eternal reminder to him of Tsarmina's wrath. It was only his quick reflexes that had saved him from being completely blind in that eye, and even still, his vision had been effected. He could see nothing but light and movement on his right side, so understandably, he liked to keep creatures on his left. The rat hid a snarl as he muttered,

"I wouldn't put it past her Milord."

It was in this second Tsarmina entered the room. She had a horrified, fearful look plastered on her face, not at all the look of a murderess.

"I just heard ... Gingivere, it isn't true! It can't be! Tell me our father still lives!"

Gingivere dumbly shook his head as Ashleg addressed his sister.

"I am sorry Milady, but yes, it is true. Verdauga was murdered."

Tsarmina buried her face in her paws, sobbing, "Who would do such a thing?"

Whegg motioned that the guards in the doorway follow him as Ashleg muttered,

"Who indeed."

><><

Whegg was searching Tsarmina's chamber, and not having any luck. The rat wished he could find evidence on the princess, for he loathed her. However, he could find nothing to prove her guilt.

The rat captain had sent Cludd and Ratflank to search Gingivere's room. Cludd wasn't very smart, but he was loyal. Sometimes loyal to the point of stupidity.

Whegg gave up the search disgruntledly as Cludd and Ratflank hurried into the room.

Ratflank held forth Gingivere's bloody knife and gauntlets as Cludd bowed solemnly.

"Captain, I'm afraid to tell you this but .."

Ratflank finished for him.

"It seems we have a Queen."

><><

Whegg watched Gingivere be dragged away in disgust. Despite the evidence against the prince, the rat was certain he was not the murderer.

Whegg would have been content to serve under Gingivere, but to serve Tsarmina was another matter entirely. The rat strode purposefully out to the stables, saddled his old dun pony, and rode out of Kotir with nothing more then the uniform he wore and his trusty spear. The gate guards said nothing as he left, after all, he was their Captain, and for all they knew he was following orders.

Whegg halted his pony on the other side of the drawbridge, and stared back at Kotir one last time. Verdauga had done many things Whegg had not agreed with, but all in all, he had been a decent master. Gingivere had the makings of a good and mighty king, but the hope he would be enthroned was gone. The rat was sure that within a few hours, the wildcat prince would be dead, Tsarmina would see to that. There was nothing left to keep Whegg in Kotir.

He clucked to his pony and set his face toward the new, empty page of the future. His chapter as Captain of the Thousand Eye Army was finished forever.

He smirked as he thought of what all the others must be having to say right now.

"Hail to the Queen!"

Whegg kicked his pony into a gallop.

She wasn't his Queen!

Chapter 7 Wake of Darkness
Far away from Mossflower, on the vast expanse of the western sea, there rode a large black ship. It was Verdauga's, marked by the green eye that adorned it's sail. On it's helm stood a large gray-furred rat with an overly long fang that jutted from his jaw at an odd angle.

His name was Ripfang, and he was Verdauga's chief corsair captain. Once he had ranked below Vilu Daskar and his mighty ship the Goreleech, but ever since Vilu's mysterious disappearance, Ripfang was the master of Lord Verdauga's oceans.

He was pleased with his title and position, but the plain truth was, he could not keep them much longer. As much as the rat loathed admit it, he was growing old. In a few seasons time, he would no longer be strong enough to stand the rigors of the open sea.

This gave purpose to the mission he was on now. His master, Verdauga, had always longed for the mountain of Salamandastron to be his, and so he had commissioned Ripfang to take it. Verdauga's word rang in Ripfang's mind, as clear as if the cat was still speaking them.

"Ripfang, Salamandastron must fall! It is the only thing in my way of ruling the entire world!"

Verdauga had got a sly look in his eyes.

"And besides my friend, you will not be able to continue as the Bloodwake's captain much longer. No, do not deny it, I can see the seasons beginning to rest heavy upon you."

Ripfang had swallowed. He knew too well what Verdauga did in the way of 'retiring' beasts who were no longer useful to him.

Verdauga had smiled at his sea captain's unsettled look.

"But still, you have been faithful to me through many long seasons, and I have finally hit upon a way of rewarding you. If you will take Salamandastron for me, then you may be it's ruler, subservient only to me. Once you have succeeded in this, pick a new captain for the Bloodwake, and live out your seasons as the Lord of the mountain."

Ripfang smirked to himself. He would miss the open sea, but to rule Salamandastron .. well that was an offer he couldn't pass up. Besides, he had been in the mountain before. Many long seasons ago, when he was but a lad, a simple soldier in the ranks of Ungatt Trunn's Blue Hordes.

The mountain had been his coveted prize ever since. It would not be long before it was finally his.

><><

Ripfang strode to his cabin, stopping at a desk with an open map upon it. He smiled at the pebble that represented the Bloodwake, and the jeweled dagger stuck in the small picture of Salamandastron. I would not be long now! Two days at most!

There was a soft knock on the cabin door, and Ripfang barked,

"Who is it, and what'ya want?"

A timid voice replied, "It's only me capt'n, Stumptail."

Ripfang motioned that his first mate come in.

"Stumptail me 'earty, what's the matter?"

Stumptail fiddled with a brass ring in his ear.

"Err Capt'n, it's da oar slaves. Whiplash says 'e ain't gonna be able ta keep em goin' much longer."

Ripfang snarled. "Wull what's da matter wid dat great lot a lazy beasts?"

Stumptail shrugged. "They's worn out Capt'n. Plain washed up. Whiplash 'as ta beat em twice as hard for less work. 'E asked if you'd come down and see .."

Ripfang brushed past his first mate.

"You bet I will! You know 'ow long it'll take me ta git new slaves? I want's ta 'ave me mountain in a fortnight, not a season!"

><><

Ripfang stormed down into the galley, intent on having a talk with his slave driver, Whiplash.

Whiplash was a lean, amply scarred, black furred weasel, who was skilled in the usage of the whip. He was lashing about the slaves as Ripfang strode in. The weasel stopped his whip to bow to his master.

"Capt'n, I'm sorry ta say dis, but these here slaves is about used up. I can't get much more out of em."

Ripfang scanned the rowers, admitting Whiplash was right. They were all a sorry sight, but some were far worse then others.

Ripfang glared at his slave driver. "Is there any with anything left in em, or all they all fish bait?"

Whiplash motioned to a young, dark furred mouse who was chained to an oar on his own.

"Dis is about de only one with life left in 'im. 'E actually seems ta 'ave a will ta live. De others .. day ain't worth nothin'. It's hardly worth it for me ta whip em."

Ripfang snarled in disgust. He needed able-bodied oar slaves, not washed up old relics. If the attack at Salamandastron was a failure, he would need an avenue of speedy retreat. As much as he hated it, he would have to obtain some fresh slaves. Still, he was in a foul mood at the delay of his attack.

"Didn't we capture dat dumb tribe of mice on da north shores? Wot about them?"

Whiplash shrugged. "Capt'n, dat was near five seasons ago. The mouse I showed ya is about da last one a dem still on dis side a 'Ellgates."

Ripfang nodded sourly. "Lay off em for a day, we'll use da wind. Feed em a little more iffen you can. We'll limp up north and find some 'elpless little village, capture it, and take it's creatures captive. Dere ain't any ports round 'ere, and besides, why pay for slaves when you can git em for free?"

><><

The young mouse Whiplash had motioned to sighed with relief as the weasel walked off. He might have been a rather good-looking creature if it weren't for his seasons of slavery. Although his rich brown fur was so filthy it was impossible to discern what color it was and he was badly in need of a good meal, his eyes were expressive and full of life. They looked like the sea after a storm, like living pools of gray-blue water.

He slumped across his oar with a tired sigh. It had been five seasons since he and his companions had been captured. Five long seasons. The mouse could remember being free, but the memories were slowly fading. He had been near fifteen at the time of his capture, so he wasn't much over twenty seasons now. His name was Timballisto, although nobeast had called him that in so long he had to remind himself occasionally.

He closed his eyes wearily, hoping for a few hours of respite. It wasn't often the slaves on Ripfang's ship got to rest. Timbal intended to make the most of it.

><><

Sandingomm was a young wildcat, and a seer to Ripfang. Her fur was gray, with a strange, almost iridescent sheen to it, and her paws, muzzle, tail tip, and long head fur were raven's wing black. Her eyes were deep indigo, the color of sapphires, and they glittered constantly with a sly, yet fearful look.

At this moment, she was reading the omens for her master. Ripfang glared at her.

"Well? If I take war to a northern village, will I be successful?"

Sandingomm was a true seer. She heard voices, and she had, in more then one instance, seen the future. However she was frightened of her abilities, or rather, the one they came from. For Sandingomm had seen the work of Lord Malimore, and she feared him greatly. Still, Ripfang kept a seer for one purpose only. To have a connection with his evil master, the dark wolf.

Sandingomm was no better then a slave. She was always on the lookout for an avenue of escape, but had not had such an opportunity. Until such a door was opened, the wildcat kept herself in one piece by obeying Ripfang's wishes, and telling him his future.

She threw her bones and feathers on the table, noticing with relief, they fell favorably for Ripfang.

"Aye Capt'n. Ye'll take em. My omens say ye shall loose a few beasts, but ye shan't be harmed, and ye'll have strong new slaves from it."

Ripfang nodded. "Tis good your omens say so. Good for me, an good for ye. Which village shall we take war ta?"

Sandingomm picked up one of her pebbles, dropping it in Ripfang's paw. She motioned to the map laid out on his desk.

"Let Lord Malimore choose Capt'n. And should ye not trust me, throw the pebble yourself."

Ripfang glared at her for a moment, before he strode to the open map, throwing the pebble on it. The small rock rolled across the surface of the parchment, coming to rest on a tiny northern village nestled near a river.

Ripfang pulled the jeweled dagger from the image of Salamandastron, fingering the hilt slowly. He nodded.

"Tis on the Broadstream River. It'll take me a little longer, but who knows, maybe there's more up there then one little village."

The rat turned around abruptly, sinking his dagger into the depiction of the village.

"Huh, it's so small this map doesn't even give it's name! Well at least they ain't gonna be able ta stop us."

He grinned evilly. "Places like that is sitten ducks, just awaitin' ta be plundered."

Chapter 8 Spreading Wings
The early morning mist lay thick around Noonvale. Midnightshadow grazed quietly near Urran Voh's cottage, waiting for Rose. The black horse had found a good friend in the mouse maid, and she could be rather protective of her. Having been a slave to Clogg as long as she could remember, the horse had never had a friend until she met Rose.

There was the sound of muffled pawsteps as Rose slipped out of her house and came toward her friend.

"Good morning Midnight."

Midnight pricked her ears up. "Good morning! What are we doing today?"

Rose shrugged. "Let's go up the north ridge. I want to get in little practice."

She indicated the bow in her paw. Midnight was about to say something, but the soft clop of a hoof on stone betrayed another horse's presence.

"Who is it?" Rose asked warily, as Luna seemed to materialize from the fog.

"It's just me."

Midnight sighed with relief as Luna continued on in her abrupt, to-the-point way.

"I need to tell you something Rose. I haven't really had a chance to talk to you, ever since you got wounded."

Rose stiffened at the mention of her injuries, but she wasn't really thinking of them.

Luna sighed. "So you do not wish to relive the past. I suppose I shall not say what I planned to."

Rose held out a paw. "No .. Luna, it's ok. I just .. sort of tense up when creatures get to talking about things like that. I know you won't say anything against .. our old friends."

Luna's sightless blue eyes searched Rose's emerald ones, before she nodded.

"Very well. It may hurt you to think about the ones I must speak of."

Rose nodded slowly, but did not refuse. "Go on."

Luna swished her wispy white tail slowly. "Martin may not be dead."

><><

Rose stared at the horse in utter silence. Luna continued.

"Now I'm not saying I know he's alive, because I don't. I just never knew he was defiantly dead. I've felt bad for you ever since the battle, and I've been asking other creatures what they know. So far I haven't come up with any real evidence he died."

Rose blinked tearfully up at Luna. "You mean .."

The albino mare nodded. "He might still live."

Rose closed her eyes, tightening her grip on the bow. "Then I will find him. I have to!"

Luna stomped a hoof. "Don't be ridicules Rose! You may be healed, but you're still recovering, I can tell. Never forget, my mother was a healer, and blind or not, I can tell you're still weak."

Rose nodded slowly. She knew she was not fit to make a journey, but the thought that Martin might still be alive and she could not attempt to find him made her sick.

Luna nuzzled her softly. "Now don't start in with all that. Me and Midnight, we're your friends, and we'll do everything we can to help."

Midnight nodded. She really didn't know a thing about Martin, except that Rose loved him. However, the black horse didn't need to think about her decision.

"Of course we will. We wouldn't be true friends if we didn't."

Luna swished her tail, swiveling her delicate ears about as if listening for something.

"I have a plan, but I think there are some in Noonvale who might oppose it. We need to be very careful. Follow me."

As she followed the white horse, Rose murmured, "Luna ... what do you mean?"

Luna didn't look around. "You know what your father thinks of Martin, what do you think he would do if he learned you were trying to find him again?"

Rose frowned. "But Luna, he thinks Martin is dead! Right?"

Luna didn't answer right away. When she did, she was hesitant. "I believe so. But then, why would he be so angry about a dead beast?"

Rose and Midnight exchanged a glance as they followed Luna into a secluded thicket. The white horse shook her mane as she laid out her newest plan.

"Alright, listen. Nobody in Noonvale knows for sure if Martin is dead or otherwise. The most I could find out was that if he wasn't killed, he was badly wounded."

Rose winced, and Luna seemed to sense it. "I'm sorry Rose, but we have to face the facts, even if they hurt. We'll never know the truth if we don't."

Rose nodded. "I .. I know. Go on."

Luna smiled a little. "Right. Now if Martin was alive and hurt, there's really only one beast near Fort Marshank who could save him. My mother, Polleekin."

Rose frowned. "If they took the wounded creatures to Polleekin's, then why didn't they take me?"

Luna hung her head and Midnight nickered, "Rose, we thought you were dead. We didn't know differently until your mother told us so."

Rose sighed. "Oh. I see."

Luna nodded. "Alright, so here's what we need to do. You and Midnight stay here, rest up, and get ready. I'll journey down to my mother's, and find out if this is all for a dead beast. If it's not, she'll know which way Martin went. That way we aren't wandering aimlessly around, looking for a beast who is already in the Silent Forest."

Rose looked down. "Luna .. why .. well if Martin is still alive .. why wouldn't he have come back? Do you think he doesn't love me anymore?"

Luna sighed. "I've thought about that, quite a bit really. I think I finally hit upon the reason. Rose, Martin must think you are dead."

Rose stared at the horse. "He thinks I'm dead? But why in the world .. ohhh."

She broke off as the pieces of the puzzle began to come together.

Midnight put in her two cents. "It make perfect sense. You and Martin were both hurt badly in the battle, taken separate places, and told what everyone thought to be true. The other one was dead."

She smiled weakly. "That .. doesn't mean it was true."

Luna backed out of the thicket, remarking,

"I shall be on my way."

Midnight was surprised. "Right now? By yourself?"

Luna turned her blind blue gaze on the black horse. "I may be blind, but I'm not helpless. The sooner we find out the truth, the better."

Midnight shrugged as Luna disappeared into the woods. "So .. now what?"

Rose was staring out of the thicket, a little dazed by the strange turn this morning had taken. She slowly shook her head.

"If only I could do something."

Suddenly she sat up strait. "I can! I have an idea!"

Midnight perked her ears. "What? Please don't do something crazy."

Rose looked excited. "I know someone who can help us! It may take Luna weeks to get to Polleekin's and back, but there's someone who could go a lot farther, faster."

The mouse maid hurried out into the surrounding forest. "It's not far! I've been to this place before!"

><><

It took the two a little longer then Rose had expected, for she took a few wrong turns. However she finally reached the place she was searching for.

It didn't look like much, just an old, hollow tree. Rose's voice was excited as she called,

"Boldred? Boldred are you still here? It's me, Rose!"

Midnight suddenly understood what Rose was thinking. The horse vaguely remembered Boldred from the Battle of Marshank.

There was a sudden flurry of wings, but the owl that alighted in front of them was too small to be Boldred.

She looked about ten seasons old, with pretty brown and black plumage, and huge, curious yellow eyes.

Rose squinted at her for a moment, before recognition dawned on her.

"Emalet? Is that you? You've grown so much!"

The owl cocked her head. "I remember you! You came with those creatures who were going to fight Badrang! And yes, I am Emalet."

Rose looked about. "Well, where's Boldred? And Hortwingle?

Emalet shrugged. "My mother and father are mapmakers. Normally one of them would stay with me when they needed to make a map, but they decided I was old enough to stay home by myself this time."

Rose frowned. "When will they be back?"

Emalet sighed. "I don't know. Sometimes they're gone for a week. Other times as long as a season."

She noticed Rose's crestfallen look, and tried to change the subject.

"But I'm glad you decided to visit! I've been lonely since my parents left."

Rose sat down with a sigh as Emalet asked. "Why did you want them anyway?"

Rose sniffed. "I thought they might help me find someone."

Emalet cocked her head. "Find someone? Who?"

Midnight shook her head. "It's a long story."

The owl did an excited little hop. "A story? Oh I love stories!"

She looked hopeful. "Could you tell me? Please?"

Midnight opened her mouth to say something, intending to relive Rose of this duty, but the mouse maid surprised her.

Rose didn't look up as she murmured,

"My story isn't so different from other stories I suppose, not really. But then, I guess it is. It confuses me every time I think about it. I was just a normal, quiet little girl who grew up in a normal, quiet little village. I had hardly been out of my home town at all, when fate threw me into an amazing adventure. Then I met him .. and everything changed. It was like magic ... and all of a sudden I was in love, and I knew it. We might have been happy, but then everything went wrong. When we fought Badrang and his horde, I got badly wounded. And when I woke up .. they told me he was dead .. and everything went gray. It was like all the light went out of life. But now .."

Emalet was obviously entranced. "Now what?"

Rose seemed to notice Emalet for the first time. "Now .. now I think he might be alive. But I can't find him!"

Emalet looked upset. "Oh that's sad! If only I could do something!"

She brightened up instantly, fluttering her wings.

"I think I can! If you told me where to go, I could look for your friend! I could!"

Chapter 9 Shocking Discoveries
Sayna and Redfarl sat in their cell, sharing a meager breakfast. Redfarl seemed entranced by Sayna's tales of the outside world.

"You mean you've really fought in a battle? And you really killed vermin?"

Sayna nodded. "Yea. I guess I really have."

Redfarl took a bite of her stale crust. "That must of been so cool! I mean, all that adventure and excitement!"

"It's not like you think. War is something terrible and bloody. It's not amazing or wonderful like it is portrayed in ballads. Still, it's a necessary evil. But I wouldn't wish that you would ever have to fight in battle."

Sayna sniffed as she nearly quoted her mentor. She missed Groddil a lot, for he had been a father to her.

Redfarl frowned. "Do you think I wouldn't be brave enough?"

Sayna almost smiled as the squirrel maid asked her the very same question she had asked Groddil.

The mouse maid shook her head. "No. You'd be more then brave enough. I just wouldn't like to see a young creature like you have to bloody your paws in war. I did, and look at me."

Redfarl nodded as she took a drink of water. "I am. You're amazing, and when I grow up, I want to be just like you."

Sayna stiffened as she thought of all she had been through. Her mind brought back the unwanted image of Badrang throwing Rose against the wall, the feeling of Bloodwrath, and Gruven laying dead at her feet. Her own voice echoed in her head as she recalled the oath she had made in his honor.

"I swear upon this sword, and my honor as a warrior, I will never love again."

Had she loved him? Sayna shook her head. She didn't know. Either way, she had to do something to honor him, he had been one of her best friends. After all, it wouldn't really matter. No mouse would be fool enough to love such a untamable warrior maid, and it was better this way. The last thing Sayna wanted to do was love someone, only to kill him when she lost control of her Bloodwrath.

Redfarl's voice broke through her thoughts. "Sayna?"

Sayna looked up, a little shaky. "Sorry Redfarl. And .. trust me, you don't want to ever be like me."

Redfarl was about to ask why, but Sayna shook her head. "Please don't ask what I mean .. I really don't want to talk about it."

Redfarl shrugged. "Oh. Ok."

Sayna could see her young friend was disappointed, so she asked, "How about you? How'd you get here?"

If there was anything Redfarl like to do, it was talk. The little squirrel settled down still chewing her stale crust.

"I've been here almost all my life .. I guess. My father used to live here too .. but .. he died a few seasons ago."

A shadow passed across her usually happy face, and Sayna felt bad.

"It's ok, you don't have to tell me."

Redfarl shook her head. "I might as well tell someone. I don't really remember being free. I did jobs in the kitchen, until about a season ago when I was caught stealing food. I was hungry, and they didn't feed me much. They threw me down here, and fed me for a while, but a couple days ago they just stopped. I thought I was going to starve .. but then they threw you in here."

Sayna forced down some of her stale bread. "That makes sense. Tell me, why did you think I was a queen?"

Redfarl smiled. "It was because of the prophesy."

Sayna perked her ears up. "What prophesy? The wildcat that caught us said something about a prophesy too."

Redfarl finished her bread, taking a drink of water.

"You mean Lord Verdauga Greeneyes. He's afraid of the prophesy, because it tells of the four warriors who will reclaim his throne and set us free. My father told me it before .. he died. I'll see if I can remember."

The little squirrel thought for a few seconds, before stating,

"There's a poem, but I can't remember much, just a little."

She got a faraway look in her eyes.

"Though our freedom is no more,

The Fire hears our cry,

From the mighty northern shore,

Our deliverance draweth nigh."

She paused. "That was the first verse .. I think. I can't remember them all, only one more. And it isn't in order."

Sayna shrugged. "That's fine, go ahead."

Redfarl nodded. "Ok, here goes."

"The hawk who has forgot to fly,

And star of shining gold,

Must find the owner of a leaf,

And little flower bold."

Sayna stared at Redfarl in complete shock. That was the same verse Lightingflash had told her right before he died! But .. how in the world would Redfarl know it?

The mouse maid gulped.

"What??"

><>< Skipper Warthorn was a tough old river dog. He was an experienced campaigner, and had scars to prove it. He crouched in the cattails on the River Moss's banks, keeping watch over the fords.

Verdauga's solders hated the Moss, for Skipper and his otters had killed many of them, and they had never discovered their slayers.

Warthorn looked at his armor with a smile. The secret to the otter's invisibility was what they wore. Their armor was stained different shades of indigo, causing them to look like huge fish when they swam through the water.

Verdauga's creatures did not know they were otters, they fell for the ingenious trick and believed the killers in the Moss were fish.

Skipper twirled his double bladed harpoon slowly. The vermin didn't try and cross the River often, but occasionally their master forced them to.

The otters guarded the fords night and day, because the woods on the other side was the place the meager remnant of true Mossflower creatures hid. While Verdauga claimed ownership of it, he and his soldiers never went there. Skipper intended to keep it that way.

><><

There was a slight splash as another otter reared from the water a few feet away. She shook her long brown hair out, spraying freezing water all over Skipper.

The otter chieftain sighed. "Spring, how many times have I told ya not to do that?"

Spring giggled happily. "Oh lighten up dad. Water won't kill ya, you're standing in it!"

Warthorn couldn't help but smile at his daughter. She was the only family he had left after Verdauga's attack, and he loved her dearly. She was a near image of her mother, and Warthorn saw his poor wife every time Spring looked at him.

"Ach be of with ya girl, I'm wet enough as it is. And shouldn't ya be at your post?"

Spring shrugged. "Ol' Duckweed took over for me. I've been up all night!"

Warthorn motioned in the direction of his holt, Camp Willow. "Well get yourself some shuteye girl, I need ya on duty again tonight."

Spring nodded cheekily. "Aye, Aye Skipper!"

Warthorn rolled his eyes as his daughter dove into the Moss, silent as a shadow, only to appear seconds later.

"Father, look! A vermin!"

Warthorn wheeled around. Sure enough, a lanky rat was riding an old dun pony towards the fords.

The otter chieftain growled. "He looks like he means to cross .. Spring, get me Streamer and Bula, and join us yourself."

His daughter dove into the Moss, excitement coursing through her veins. It had been to long since she'd killed a vermin!

><><

Whegg looked at the half-frozen fords of the River Moss in total dread. He was as terrified of the Moss as the rest of Kotir's soldiery, if not more so. He had seen vermin be killed in the river, and he did not fancy crossing.

However, if he stayed on this side, Tsarmina would inevitably catch him. He shuddered. Her tortures were slow and agonizing, he knew, for he had seen the way her father punished a deserter. She would be no different, if not worse.

The rat thought of the way the things in the Moss killed a beast. At least they were quick about the job, unlike the tortures of Kotir. Whegg decided to take his chance with the river.

He clucked to his pony, but the creature hesitated, as if he did not wish to go. Whegg patted his neck kindly.

"Now Thunder ol' boy, it'll be ok. Come on, ya'll see."

Thunder started forward as Whegg tapped his sides with his spurs.

"Get going boy, I don't like dis any more den ya."

The pony took hesitant steps into the water, nervously tossing his head. He reached the middle of the ford before he balked, refusing to budge.

Whegg kicked Thunder with the spurs a little harder, telling the pony he meant business. However the animal would not move. He could tell there was something in the water, and he did not like it.

All of a sudden, Whegg saw what was frightening his pony. A indigo colored thing was headed strait toward him in the water. Whegg's mouth went dry with fear as he dug his spurs into his mount's sides in shear terror.

"Curse ya Thunder! Move! Move I said!"

Thunder reared as his riders spurs dug into his hide. Whegg was catapulted from his saddle, landing in shockingly cold water up to his neck. The rat desperately tried to take his spear off his back, but the water made it extremely difficult. He felt a terrible pull on his footpaw as something reared from the river, seizing his terrified pony's bridle. The next second, he was being dragged underwater! Whegg fought against the thing that had an iron grip on his leg, but it was far stronger then him.

He felt himself slipping, and gasped in what he assumed was his final breath before he was dragged beneath the surface. There was a sharp pain in his head, and everything went black.

><><

Warthorn soothed the rat's frightened pony as his daughter appeared from the river holding the unconscious rat by his sodden cape. Spring had a bemused look on her face.

"Whoops!"

Bula reared from the water a few feet away. "What'ya mean 'Whoops' Spring matey? Ya got him!"

Spring studied the rat she had captured. "Yea, but I was gonna drowned him! He wasn't supposed ta hit his head on a rock!"

Streamer laughed. "Isn't that just your luck mate? Catch the vermin, and then not even get the satisfaction of killin' him!"

Spring sighed. "Yea. But I'm kinda glad I didn't now."

Warthorn gave his daughter an odd look. "Why not girl?"

Spring shrugged. "Here's the thing. Why would a vermin try an' cross the Moss alone? They hate the water cause of us. I think we need ta keep this one for questioning. What if it's an ambush or something?"

Warthorn nodded at Spring's common sense. "Good thinking daughter. Take him back to Camp Willow. I'll question him when he wakes up. Once he's told us what we need ta know, we'll deal with him."

><><

Sayna stared at Redfarl. "How .. Where .. where did you here that?"

Redfarl shrugged. "My father taught it to me."

Sayna just shook her head in bewilderment as her companion asked,

"I something wrong?"

Sayna gulped. "I .. My father's old horse told me that selfsame verse right before he died .. and I don't understand .."

Redfarl cocked her head. "It's part of an ancient legend of Mossflower. I wish I could remember the rest of the poem, because that verse makes a lot more sense with the others."

Sayna nodded shakily. "I .. I wish you could too. But it's fine .. I just don't know where old Flash could have heard that verse."

"Flash?" Redfarl asked.

Sayna nodded. "Yes, my father's old horse. I guess he must have heard it somewhere, and it came into his mind as he was dying. The ramblings of a dying beast often make little sense."

Deep down, the mouse maid knew Flash had been in his right mind, and what he had told her had importance. However she did not know what, so she brushed away the painful memory of the old horse's last moments. One painful memory led to another, and Sayna was trying to forget them all.

Redfarl shrugged, and asked,

"Sayna? Do you know any good stories?"

Sayna looked at the young squirrel oddly. She had used to loved to tell stories, but hadn't done so in at least a season.

"Yes .. I suppose I do."

Redfarl leaned forward eagerly. "I haven't heard a story since my father died! Please tell me one!"

Sayna hated to disappoint her young friend, so she told her a tale Groddil had told her.

"Once upon a time, there was a mighty badger, Brocktree by name. He was a mighty warrior, and was the only one who could stand against the dread wildcat, Ungatt Trunn ..."

><><

Whegg knew he was dead.

He had to be.

Hadn't the things in the River Moss killed him yet?

He could hear the soft patter of paws, and the air smelled damp, a bit like dead fish. The rat tried to open his eyes, but they felt like they were sealed shut. It took a monumental effort, but Whegg managed to force his eyes open. His vision was blurry, and he didn't have time to let it adjust. The next second, something had dragged him onto his paws, holding him upright in a vice-like grip.

"Father, he's awake!"

A muscular battle scarred beast with silver-streaked brown fur started toward him, and Whegg tried to scramble backwards. However, his limbs would barely move as it was, and his captor's iron-like grip only tightened. As his vision cleared, Whegg realized the beast in front of him was an otter. Huge and viscous, but an otter none the less.

Whegg was almost relieved that the 'things' in the Moss were not supernatural creatures, but he was not terribly happy to find himself faced with an angry holt of otters.

The otter in front of him seized his shoulder, and the one holding him released her grip.

"Alright vermin, why were you crossing the Moss? The kitty cat sent ya ta spy on us eh?"

Whegg shook his head, his voice failing him.

The otter shoved him against the sandy wall of the cave they were in, snarling,

"Speak! Or you'll never speak again!"

Whegg's voice came out as a cross between a terrified squeak and a desperate gasp.

"No! Milord Verdauga is dead! I am only trying to escape from the new queen, Tsarmina!"

The otter squinted his eyes dangerously. "What about the prince? Gingivere?"

Whegg gulped. "Most likely dead. Tsarmina framed him for her father's murder!"

The otter dropped him, and Whegg slumped weakly to the ground. His captor growled,

"Why should I believe one word you say scum?"

Whegg did not try to move. He figured his fate was sealed, for he had not one scrap of evidence to prove what he said. Even if he had, he doubted it would have saved him. He was facing one of those he and his kind had overrun and enslaved. There would be no mercy.

The otter seized a deadly double bladed harpoon from were it lay against the wall, snarling,

"You're a dead beast rat!"

"Wait father! Don't!"

Both Whegg and his executioner looked toward the owner of the plea in surprise. The otter frowned.

"Spring, why should we believe him? He and his kind are nothing but filthy liars, and besides, it was they who slew your mother and brother!"

Spring hung her head. "I know father, but if this rat says Verdauga Greeneyes is dead, I think we should ask what else he knows. What if we lost something important, because ya killed him in rash anger?"

Her father nodded slowly. "Alright, but I doubt I can get much more out of him. We can't let him go, he's seen us, and we need his scummy friends ta think we're giant fish or monsters or whatever they believe we are. We will have to kill him, and I think he knows it."

Spring shrugged as Whegg shrank against the wall miserably. "He knows for sure now. But I think I can get him ta talk."

Whegg gulped. Maybe he would have been better off letting Tsarmina catch him. It sounded as if these otters planned to torture him after all.

Spring smiled, and Whegg was a little surprised. Her smile did not look sadistic, but kind.

"I think we should take him to Bella, and let her decide his fate. She is wise, and she will know what to do with him. She may also be able to get him to talk."

She looked expectantly at her father, who slowly nodded.

"Very well, although I still think you're wasting your time. Get Bula to help you, and take him to Lady Bella, if that is your wish."

Chapter 10 Cold Hatred
TBC~ Sa y n a   High Queen of   Mos sfl ow er  02:31, November 11, 2014 (UTC)