User blog:SaynaSLuke/The Ocean's Echoes



By Sayna

Well seasons they passed,

And finally at last,

The mad eyed one hard and the same,

Three friends did send,

Straight for their ends,

Curse the emperor's name.

One pearl for wisdom ..

One pearl for mercy ..

And one for the sovereignty ..

Of Ignasa above.

Author's Note
It's 'The Ocean's Echoes'! I am super excited about this book, it (hopefully) will be awesome. We're going to see more woodlanders, our surviving pirate crew of 'Stolen Tears', and maybe a few phantoms as well. ;)

Ghost ships, mysterious killers, a wicked emperor, best friends turned against one another .. can the spirit of the dragons survive it? I guess we'll find out, eh? >:)


 * evil Sayna chuckle*

There may well be a few PG-13 type scenes, simply for violence. *whispers* The battle on the Waveworm ..

This book is dedicated especially to Lus, Reep, and Astar. Thanks for your enthusiasm, the time we've spent discussing these stories, and your comments, cause IDK if I'd have got to 'The Ocean's Echoes' .. or even 'Tears of the Ocean' without it. :3

And of course, it goes to all my friends, all who read, and my family. Thanks everybeast! :D

Also to my friend who introduced me to Redwall. Josiah, you may not know it ... but you really started something when you handed me that copy of 'Mossflower'! XD

And here's our fitting music :)

When I hear this, I just think of Sampetra, their love of adventure, the sea, and sailing. So like a cool anthem or something ^^ Seriously this is awesome. So listen to it, like really XD (And these as well)

Chapter 13 Seven Seasons Gone
''Seven seasons have passed since that fateful day. Today is the anniversary.''

Romsca looked down at her work in the flickering light of her lantern, dipping her quill in ink and scratching down some more on the parchment before her.

''Sampetra has had relative peace, though we have to live under a wretched usurper that has the nerve to call himself emperor and commands us with a rod of iron. As for the nations he sends us against, I find pity for them. He has not yet proclaimed a quest for his pearls, but I can only imagine it's going to be a matter of time.''

''As for me, I do the best I can. The emperor's taxes are harsh, and his punishments harsher .. sometimes I wonder if the spirit of dragons is left alive on Sampetra, or if it has been totally broken. Sometimes I wonder if it's left in me. The longer you serve somebeast, the more you feel yourself a servant.''

The ferret half sighed, half yawned as she laid the parchment on the large stack beside her, picking out another. She picked up her mug of tea, pausing as she noticed it was empty.

Romsca scowled, standing up and tightening the tie on her robe as she picked up the cup and her lantern. She pushed open the door of her study, as a faint crash of thunder became audible. Romsca opened the bolted shutters of a hall window, slamming them shut again as a positive torrent of rain splashed down upon her.

Her lantern went out, leaving her in darkness that was only broken by the frequent flashes of lightning.

"Well ain't that just wonderful." Romsca grumbled, hitching her soggy nightdress and robe around her ankles and heading for her manor's kitchen. She left the lantern on a bench in the hallway, hurrying through the darkness by habit.

The ferret was crossing the dark foyer, when a loud knocking caused her to jump. She spun around, drawing the knife she continually carried. "Who's there?"

"Oh for cryin' out loud ... Romsca, lemme in! I'm drownin' out here an' I ain't even at sea!"

Romsca relaxed, suddenly smirking. She opened the door, and Xzaris hurried in, his gray fur so completely sodden it was nearly black and his messy hair covering his eyes. Romsca shut the door behind him. "So .. what went wrong this time?"

Xzaris pulled the black hair out of his blue eyes, sighing. "Now look we got her sea worthy an' everythin', she's ready ta sail. I jist ... fergot bout checkin' me cabin's windows an' the forcastle floor fer leaks ... Oh it ain't so funny!"

Romsca had a paw clamped over her muzzle. "Oh yea it is .. I ain't one ta laugh Xzaris, but ya can sure make me! Ya fergot ta make the capt'n's cabin water tight?"

The gray ferret scowled. "Look that part ain't inna water, ok? I've been slavin' away at her hull, an' so I didn't think 'bout that. Now can I pay ya another night's rent or am I gonna go sleep in yer stable?"

"Oh go get a towel. Yer ruinin' me rug here." Romsca sighed, pointing deeper into the manor. "I'll help ya with the leaks come daylight, though ya know how good I am at it."

Xzaris relaxed. "Well it's better'n nothin'."

He hurried off, his boots making squelching noises because they were so wet. Romsca padded into the kitchen, setting her mug down and reaching for the teapot as the side door burst open and a red and white vixen hopped in, hanging a sopping cloak on a peg. "I just love rain!"

Romsca had tensed, and now she relaxed, picking up the teapot. "Want some tea? It's cold, but it's better'n nothin'."

"Sure!" The fox yanked off her boots, bouncing to the cupboard. "I mean, rain's great! It's all wet, an there's lightnin' an' thunder an' ya can jump in puddles ..."

Romsca cast a glance at the boots her friend had shed, noticing how filthy they were. "I'm guessin' ya had a good night at the tavern, huh Val?"

Val grabbed the teapot, pouring some tea for herself. "Yup! There was only one fight an' Conza came while I was on break an' we had dinner tagether!"

Her face fell. "Though Conza's leavin' on a raid inna week. Wish he'd take me too sometime."

Romsca shrugged, as Xzaris walked in, holding his boots and looking slightly dryer. Val snorted into her tea, splashing it on her muzzle. "Oh look what came back ... fall inna sea an' fight a shark, huh Xzaris?"

The ferret gave her an unimpressed look, not answering as he set his boots by the side door. Val grinned. "What happen, yer boat sink ... what'd ya say .. Oh yea .. 'I'll be stayin' on me ship now, like her capt'n should be.' Looks like it failed!"

Xzaris sighed. "Look it's a minor .. adjustment I need ta make."

Val about fell over laughing, setting her tea on the counter. "Minor? Ya looks like a drowned rat an' ya say minor? When yer first mate comes ta ya an' says, "Capn't the ship's a sinkin'!" Whatda ya say? "Oh it's just a minor adjustment needs ta be made!"

The vixen fell into one of the table's chairs, nearly choking with mirth.

Xzaris rung some water from his black ponytail. "Can we ferget this happened?"

Romsca shrugged. "I doubt I'll forget, but I ain't gonna tell. I'm goin' ta bed, maybe I'll get some sleep, though it ain't likely. Ya know where the guest room is Xzaris, an' make sure ya put the rug over the porch railin'. It can't get no wetter'n it is now an' it's ruinin' the floor."

The ferret sighed, mumbling something that sounded like, "Jist when I was gettin' dry .."

Romsca paused, remembering how driving the rain was and called after him, "Oh never mind, just put it inna kitchen, it can't hurt the marble."

She headed down the hall to her rooms, closing the door behind her and locking it. The ferret hung her damp robe over a chair, crawling into bed and pulling the sheets to her chin. The flashes of lightning lit the ceiling and walls in soft bursts of light, making the shadows come alive.

Romsca turned over, staring at the wall. Shadows were the scourges of her nights, awake or asleep, and there was no escaping them.

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Early morning cast the sun's rays over the time worn stones of Redwall Abbey, drifting through the stained glass windows and casting colorful patches on the floor of Great Hall. The door from the lawns opened a crack, and a reddish ottermaid with wonderful flaxen hair slipped in.

She shut the door behind her, taking a tighter hold of a book and some brushes, and hurrying quietly through the otherwise deserted hall.

As she neared the stairs leading to Redwall's second story, a golden and white spotted mouse pushed open the doors from Cavern Hole.

The otter smiled. "Good morning Martin!"

He jumped, looking around and putting his paw to his lips. "Can you be a little quieter Grath .. don't let on that I'm here."

Grath raised an eyebrow. "Hiding from Piknim again?"

"I'm not hiding .. I just don't want her to find me." Martin crossed his arms. "There's a difference."

"I guess." Grath stated. She opened her book, showing a picture to Martin. "I was painting the sunrise from the east wall top this morning ... do you like it?"

Martin looked at the painting for a moment, smiling, "It's great! I love how your paintings almost look real."

Grath looked down. "Thanks. Where's Tansy?"

Martin shrugged. "In the kitchen. Maybe we should hide from Piknim there."

Grath followed him. "What's so bad about her? I mean, ok .. she can be .. a little irritating, but she's not a bad creature."

"I'm just not ready for all that yet, and she's completely crazy about me! It's not that I don't like her as a creature .. but why won't she leave me alone?" Martin sighed. "Sometimes I wish there were more guys around here."

He quickly added, "Not that you and Tansy aren't great friends, but .. I sort of wish there were other male beasts my own age. To bad Log-a-Log doesn't visit more often, cause hanging out with Plogg and Welko is great fun."

"Oh .. he'll be here in a few weeks. He always visits us at the beginning of summer." Grath put in.

Martin nodded. "Yea, that's true."

"What are you two doing up so early?" The question came from a middle aged mouse who was sitting at one of Great Hall's tables along with Tansy and a large breakfast.

Martin jumped. "Oh .. father abbot! We were .. just seeing about getting an early breakfast."

Tansy grinned. "Well come have some of this, there's plenty, abbot says I made too much."

The two sat down, and Abbot Durral smiled. "You made a new picture, Grath? I saw you from my window, out on the wall. Can I see it?"

Grath looked self conscious, but handed the picture over. Durral looked it over, remarking, "Your paintings are lovely .. maybe I should appoint you abbey painter. You could certainly do us justice."

Grath shrugged. "I .. don't know .. I don't really like having a title."

"Oh daughter, I was just joking." Durral smiled, pushing a bowl of oatmeal in front of her. "You do take everything so seriously."

He handed the drawing book back to Grath, adding, "But I am serious when I say this. I've been thinking, Log-a-Log is always good to us here, he brings gifts and news and joy whenever he and the Guosim visit. So here's an idea .. what if we had a feast for them, to surprise them when they come!"

Tansy looked excited. "Really? With food and dancing .."

"And music?" Martin put it.

Grath looked interested. "And contests too?"

Durral laughed. "Yes, yes all of that. And even more if I can arrange it."

There was a sudden crash, causing all four to jump. One of the iron torch holders had fallen, bringing down a wall hanging in the process. In the midst of it all sat a little red squirrel dibbun, and Tansy sighed. "Arven! What are you up to now?"

The squirrel did not seem in the least disturbed about the mess as he pounced onto the abbot's lap and began eating his oatmeal. "I was climbin' Tansy Pansy!"

Tansy rolled her eyes in a half joking manner. "I am not Tansy Pansy you little rouge, now somebeast going to have to clean that up. Where's your sister?"

There was a scurrying noise, and a thump as a red squirrel maiden dropped from one of the rafters. "Right here. I was trying to catch up with him before he got into mischief .. but .. like that ever works."

She plopped down at the table, helping herself to a scone and munching happily. "So, I came to tell you something, father abbot."

Durral looked up from where he was playing with Arven, who was enjoying every bit of attention he got. "What is that Cracklyn?"

Cracklyn stuffed the rest of the scone in her mouth, reaching for some tea. "Well I was out on the wall tops, and it happens that I looked out on the path, and guess what?"

"Umm .. Log-a-Log's early?" Martin made a guess.

"Nope!" Cracklyn was pleased with herself. "Two strangers are coming toward the abbey, and I imagine they'll be knocking about now."

Durral sat up straight again. "Well come along then, we can't leave guests outside. Tansy, go get Friar Higgle, he's a sensible beast. Hopefully they come in peace and friendship."

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The sound of bird song was the thing that awoke Romsca, since she kept her shutters closed and bolted. The ferret sat up, opening them to see a glorious dawn despite the terrible storm in the earliest hours of the morning.

She slipped out of bed, hurrying to put on her clothes, brush her hair and fur so she didn't look like she'd just got up. After all, elegance was a staple of Sampetra, and while Romsca really couldn't care less, she knew looking at least presentable was crucial.

The ferret closed her shutters, bolting them once more before heading down to the kitchen, where she could smell breakfast cooking. Val looked up, grinning, "Hey, breakkist'll be ready soon, go set the table."

Romsca obeyed, mostly because Val was nice enough to cook, something Romsca disliked to do. Xzaris came in, looking none the worse for his misadventure in the storm. Val grinned as she plopped some steaming rice into the bowls. "Ya survived I'm guessin'. Come have some breakkist, specialty a the house an' hot 'nough ta burn yer tongue so don't be eatin' ta fast see?"

She poured the tea so fast Romsca wondered how she kept from spilling it, adding honey and milk to the rice with amazing efficiency. The fox plopped down in her chair, stirring her rice as the two ferrets did the same. "So what's we doin' taday? Romsca's gonna help Xzaris sink his ship?"

Romsca gave Val an un-amused look. "I'm not a carpenter, but I'm not that stupid."

Val giggled, unfazed by Romsca's cold tone. She took a bite, when there was a knock on the door, and Romsca stiffened. Val jumped up. "Oh that'll be Conza, I asked 'im ta come!"

The vixen bolted off toward the foyer, and Romsca relaxed. Xzaris raised an eyebrow, picking up the two sticks beside his bowl and poising them between two fingers. "Yer awfully tense today. More so'n usual."

Romsca sighed, scooping up a bite of rice with the sticks she was holding. "Today is the day that Ublaz .. "

She let the rice fall back into the bowl, and Xzaris sighed. "Oh .. yea. Sorry. It's been seven seasons ain't it?"

Romsca nodded silently, and fell to eating. There were steps in the hallway as Val dashed in, ordering, "Have a seat, I'll getcha some breakkist."

The tall, broad shouldered dog fox that walked in completely dwarfed the vixen, being near two heads taller than her. He tipped his blue feathered hat to Romsca and Xzaris, sweeping his long blue sea coat out of the way as he sat down. "Good morning, I take Val forgot to tell you?"

Romsca shrugged. "Yea. But it wouldn't be the first time."

Xzaris grinned. "Hey Rasconza."

Val shoved the fox's breakfast in front of him, sitting down to her own. She took a drink of tea as Romsca asked, "You're really leaving on another raid so soon? I just got back, figured I'd give me crew the month."

Rasconza shrugged. "I want to buy another manor. It'll be small, sure, but it'd be nice to have a place on land again. After all, Sagitar's living in the one I used to have. I'm figuring two more good raids should do it."

The fox drank some tea as he asked, "So how's the ship coming along, eh Xzaris? You've been at her about three seasons, haven't you?"

Xzaris grinned. "Aye, but she's nearly done. Romsca's gonna help me fix a few leaks in the forcastle an' I've gotta replace her sail .. that's the hardest part."

Val raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Xzaris shrugged. "Yea, it costs the most. An' if I don't have the dragon on me sail I ain't legally a capt'n. So ya bet I'm gonna pay fer the sail, it's better'n loosin' me head over it."

Rasconza stretched. "I'll tell you what, Freebooter's sail's showing some wear, but it's still good. I'd sell it to you for way less than a new one .. come over and see if you want it."

Xzaris nodded. "Sounds fair 'nough, though I'll have ta cut it down ta fit Darkshroud. So, how was yer last raid? From the mood yer in, I'm guessin' it went well."

"Sure did." Rasconza ate some more, stating, "We got twice the taxes I pay on the ship, enough to pay the crew, and a tidy bit leftover. Also got some new oar slaves."

Romsca looked up, frowning. "How can you keep living creatures like that? Ever since my father .. and those poor otters were killed .. I .. can't make myself."

Rasconza sighed. "Romsca, matey, we've been through this before. You're the roughest beast I know except when it comes to prisoners. What's with that .. I mean, you raid too."

"Yea, but ya know me signature attack is swift an' silent .. I try to kill as few as possible an' I take no prisoners." Romsca scowled. "Ya couldn't understand Rasconza, ya .. just didn't see what I saw."

Rasconza rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, I guess. Now Val, how'd you like to walk to the tavern with me? It's on the way to my ship and all I need to do is chart my next course today."

Val grinned. "Great!"

Rasconza winked at her. "Besides, I thought we could stop by the market for a bit. I remember you said something about wanting new earrings?"

Val jumped up with a squeal. "Ooooh really?"

"Well I think I could spare a little. Besides, what's a few coins for me girlfriend?" Rasconza stood up, grinning at Xzaris. "And what does lover boy over here do .. ask his girl to help him fix his ship?"

Romsca rolled her eyes. "Good grief Rasconza, we've been over this before. I ain't Xzaris's girlfriend."

Xzaris looked embarrassed. "Yea .. well .. we best be off."

Rasconza laughed as Val pulled on her boots, shaking the mud off them. The vixen jumped up, rushing out onto the porch. "Isn't it the greatest day ever? Come on Conza, race ya!"

"Hey!" Rasconza leaped after her, coat tails flapping behind him.

Romsca walked past the still wet rug hanging over the railing, asking, "Hey Xzaris, walk or ride?"

Xzaris jumped down the stairs without blinking an eye. "Oh, let's walk. Give yer poor ol' horse a rest."

Romsca shrugged, buckling on the cutlass that had once been her father's. "Alright, deal."

The two walked out the courtyard gates, and Romsca locked them behind her, returning the key to it's hiding place in the neglected flowerbed outside. She hurried after Xzaris, into the street and down toward the docks.

She caught up to him, stating, "Hey Xzaris, for the record ... I know I was laughin' at ya last night but ya have done wonders ta Darkshroud."

Xzaris grinned. "Yea .. well, I know ya feel like that. Glad I made ya laugh, cause it ain't easy."

Romsca shrugged. "Normally there's no cause fer it."

They were crossing one of the busy streets, when a cry rang out. "Halt, by order of the emperor!"

The two ferrets froze, spinning around to see Sagitar pull her horse to a stop behind them, several of the ratguard with her. Romsca felt her heart skip a beat, and Xzaris bowed quickly. "General .. what kin we do fer ya?"

Sagitar dismounted easily, stating, "The emperor has requested your presence, both of you."

Xzaris looked surprised. "Milady .. Emperor Ublaz wants ta see .... me?"

The rat regarded him with an air of disinterest. "Yes. You will come with us immediately."

Romsca met Xzaris's confused eyes, knowing her own were horrified. "I have paid all the taxes from me last raid general, an' ..."

Sagitar looked irritated. "Now."

Xzaris shrugged, reaching out and laying a paw on Romsca's shoulder. "We're comin', general."

The journey to the palace was made in silence, and it was a tense silence. Romsca hadn't been escorted to the palace in this manner since the day her father had been executed, and she wondered if it was her turn.

''No .. I haven't done anything wrong, neither has Xzaris!''

As they made their way up the palace stairs, another thought came to her.

''Ublaz wants to stamp out the House of the Dragons, he has since he killed Empress Meili. The only reason he kept me and my uncle alive was because he needed ship captains.''

Panic was welling within her, and she attempted to shove it down with logic.

''Xzaris is not of the House of the Dragons, but the House of the Falcons. And if he planned to kill the Dragons, why didn't he wait until Uncle Barranca was in port and not off raiding?''

Still, the feelings of terror persisted.

He's planning something awful.

They came to the doors that led to the throne room, to see Rasconza standing there. Sagitar held out a paw. "No weapons are to be taken before Ublaz."

Romsca regretfully unbuckled her cutlass, giving it to the rat as Xzaris handed over his pike and a sizable knife. The rat general gave the weapons to one of her creatures, ordering, "You three. With us."

The red doors creaked open, showing the crimson colored hall, and the dragon throne where its grim but completely elegant occupant sat waiting for them.

The three cast a glance at each other, and Romsca tried to come up with a reason why she, Xzaris, and Rasconza would all be called before Ublaz at the same time.

Sagitar bowed. "Rasconza of the House of the Gulls, Xzaris of the House of the Falcons, and Romsca of the House of the Dragons, as you ordered sire."

The three instantly bowed, and Ublaz spoke. "Ah, nice of you to join me, my young captains."

Romsca's voice came off as fearful and blunt, and she wished she had not spoken. "What do you want?"

"To the point as ever, Captain Romsca." Ublaz smiled. "Very well, I will be upfront with you. My pearls are still out there."

He stood up, walking the length of his dias. "I need captains to find them. And since the last quest was such a disappointing failure ..."

The pine marten stopped in front of Romsca, smiling, his voice gentle. "I've decided to raise the stakes."

All three young beasts snuck glances at each other as their emperor continued. "It's amazing what a creature will do for their life, isn't it? There are three directions the pearls may be in, and there are three of you. You each will go in one of these directions, and the one who brings me my pearls keeps their life."

Xzaris slowly spoke. "An' .. the other two, sire?"

"Quite simply, they will die." Ublaz examined his pristine claws. "I could not allow Sampetra to think their emperor has weakened, now could I?"

Rasconza looked at his friends in horror, before stammering, "But ... if you kill two of us, you loose two able beasts that could serve you. And why us .. surely there are older captains."

Ublaz took a sip of wine from his chalice, sighing with pretend remorse, "Must I be so blunt with you? Yes, I expect I must. Well, it seems that you three share a .. rather remarkable bond. Best friends, wouldn't you say? And you all are captains now. I am simply taking a needed precaution my young captains, that being .. the last time there were close ties among captains .. well, it wasn't a pretty sight, was it."

The emperor did not bother asking it as a question, and Rasconza looked down.

Ublaz smiled. "No, it wasn't. And so I've come up with a .. rather ingenious plan for the three of you. You might say .. a sort of game. Fifteen of my Monitors will accompany each of you, and I expect you to leave in the week. General, whatever repairs Captain Xzaris's ship needs, do see to them."

Sagitar nodded, and Xzaris looked overwhelmed. "But .. but sire .. which ways will we be goin'?"

The pine marten emperor sat back down on his throne, clapping his paws as a ratguard hurried off. "Well that's a good question, isn't it? I rather expected you to ask it of me, so I prepared a way to do just that. After all, it wouldn't be fair if you didn't have a say in it, but we want it to be fair to everybeast, now don't we?"

Ublaz smiled at the silence that answered him. "Yes, indeed we do. You're the best of friends, you've played many a game together, I'm certain. So I thought I'd entertain you with one now."

The ratguard hurried back with a tray that had four wooden squares in it, and a dice. Ublaz picked up the items, smiling all the while. "This is quite simple, my captains. On the other side of these squares is a direction, North, South, West, and East. West does not concern us because there is no known land west of Sampetra, so should you turn that one over, you would have to go again. The idea is for you each to pick a direction, and then sail in it."

Romsca, Rasconza, and Xzaris exchanged glances ... glances that showed they were only just realizing how terrible this truly was.

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"I am Cleckstarr Montisle Folger, of the northern mountains and the kingdom of Icetor. But you can bally well call me Clecky, a chap can barely remember a handle the length a mine." The light brown hare with chocolate colored headfur to his shoulders preformed an elegant bow for Durral, where a crowd was gathering in the main gate.

He turned to his companion, completely hooded in black with only two silky black ears, a white stained, sharp toothed muzzle, and brushy white tipped tail visible. "And this is me ever faithful companion and best matey, Valska Nighthood, but ya can bally well call him Hood, since his handle's a bit of a mouthful. Whom do we have the pleasure a meeting?"

Durral bowed, giving Hood a glance. "I am Durral, father abbot of Redwall .. do tell me, what manner of beast is your friend?"

Clecky smiled, clapping his companion on the back. "Hood? Hood here's a bally fox, what else'd the chap be? Of the royal line of Icetor, if I may say. Awful noble and all that .. by trade, a dead eye assassin and the most loyal pal anybeast could want. Isn't that right Hoody old chap?"

The creature flicked one ear, and Clecky grinned. "See, conformation and all that. Hearing once is knowing, that's what our other pal says."

Martin leaned forward. "Your .. other pal?"

Clecky nodded. "That's right, he oughta be around here someplace .. I say Gerul! Gerul matey, show that blinkin' feathered famine face a yours!"

There was a moment, before the air was split by a rustle of wings, and a young barn owl landed beside the hare. "Ach, what about a famine?"

Clecky nodded. "And this is Gerul, only one of us with a name wot can be said with one breath. So now your abbotship sir, long seasons ago, there was an alliance between Icetor and your jolly old Mossflower, and we were bally well wondering if we might stop in awhile."

He looked around, whispering, "Also, I here that vittles here are prime eatin, eh wot?"

Durral nodded. "Why certainly young sirs, it would be a pleasure to have you ..."

He paused, looking at Hood again. "All of you of course. But do mind yourselves in my abbey, no fighting or disruptiveness, alright?"

Clecky grinned. "Course not your abbot-highness! Nothin' of the sort, bein' bally visitors and all that. Isn't that the ticket chaps?"

Gurel nodded in agreement. "Why, a course. As me ould mother always said, if you can't be polite, why, don't be in company."

Hood dipped his head slightly.

Clecky winked at Durral. "Well there you have it, your abbotness! All three of us have sworn ta be on our best blinkin' behavior, and if we aren't, why you can jolly well give us the old boot. By the left, do I smell something cooking?"

Durral nodded. "Gracious, where are my manners? Yes, Grath, Martin, Tansy? Do take our visitors to breakfast, would you? And if it's not too much, maybe you could show them around and tell them the rules of our home?"

Martin nodded. "Of course father abbot!"

Grath smiled shyly, as Clecky noticed the wooden spoon stuck in the cloth belt that held on Tansy's apron. "I do say .. you happen to know the fine arts of cookery lassie?"

Tansy blinked. "Why yes! I love cooking. How about you?"

Clecky grinned. "Oh I may not be a cook, but this here chap's occupation is scoffin' wot? So it's a good thing I met ya, what sorts of things you cook best?"

Tansy obliged him without question. "Well, I like to bake. Flans, cakes, pies, scones, bread ... and I like cooking things too, soups, stew, fish .. salads .."

Martin broke in, looking at Clecky, who had a completely dreamy look on his face. "Um .. Tansy? You better take him where he can eat some, I think."

Gerul spoke up. "If Ah could tag along .. after all, as me ould mother always would say, young'uns should always have a good breakfast .."

Tansy laughed. "Oh come on, there's plenty for all."

"By all means me gel, lead the way! A poor chap needs some sustainin' vittles now and then, wot wot?" Clecky hurried after her.

Martin and Grath exchanged a glance, being left with the hooded creature. Martin looked around, stating, "So .. did you travel far?"

The creature turned his head in Martin's direction, before nodding. The mouse tried again. "Must be .. pretty far to Icetor, isn't it?"

The hooded fox nodded. Grath raised an eyebrow, suddenly blurting, "Can you talk?"

Hood turned to her, before he nodded. Martin scratched an ear. "Can you prove that .. I mean .. like say something?"

The fox sighed, his ears flicking back a little. He perked them up again, and when he spoke, his voice was soft but commanded a strange sort of nobility. It was free of all slurs that vermin normally possessed, with a taint of northern accent. "Yes, I can talk."

Martin nodded. "Oh .. ok .. yea .. well, breakfast is this way. Do you .. want any?"

"I would, if it isn't any trouble." Hood placed his black paws in the wide sleeves of his black hood, falling silent again.

Grath gave him a suspicious look, and Martin shrugged. "Alright .. follow us. Um .. are you .. blind?"

Hood sighed, walking past them into Great Hall. "No."

Grath fell in step with Martin, muttering, "I don't think I trust him."

Martin nodded. "You and me both. Let's keep our eyes open."

><><

Romsca rubbed the dice between her gloved paws as she always did, before rolling it. The polished wooden cube clattered over the marble, clacking against the tray of wood squares.

Ublaz smiled, fangs gleaming softly, and Romsca cringed, reaching for a square. She picked it up, staring at the letter that stared back at her .. west.

The pine marten emperor sighed mockingly, obviously enjoying this. "Too bad ... it looks as though you'll have to go again, won't you. Captain Rasconza?"

Rasconza picked up the dice, doing as he was bid. The fox picked up one of the polished squares, turning it slowly over ... north. He took a deep breath, handing the dice to Xzaris.

The ferret shook the cube a moment, before throwing it gently. It came to a stop, and Xzaris glanced at it, reaching out and picking up a square. He paused, before laying it in front of him .. south.

Romsca looked up, as Ublaz smiled. "Well Captain Romsca, we're waiting."

She rubbed the dice between her paws again, knowing exactly which direction she would be going no matter how the lots fell. The ferret clenched her teeth together as she turned over the last square ... east.

Ublaz leaned forward. "Well, isn't this interesting. Almost ... an irony isn't it?"

Romsca didn't meet his gaze, trying not to bare her fangs due to the boiling anger in her heart. Ublaz smiled even wider, his obvious enjoyment of this cruelty sickening. "I suggest you get ready, you will be leaving within the week, in other words, the next three days. Sagitar, escort my captains out, they are busy beasts with much to attend to, and I really can't keep them any longer."

The rat general smirked a little, as the three captains stood. "This way, the three of you."

Romsca cast one glance behind her as the throne room's red doors were closed, and Ublaz was standing, watching them, smiling all the while.

Sagitar dropped her cutlass unceremoniously into her paws as others returned Xzaris's pike and Rasconza's belts of knives of every variety. Romsca buckled the sheathed weapon to her belt, her mouth a grim line.

Once at the bottom of the palace steps, Romsca slowly looked at her two friends. Rasconza met her gaze, shaking his head, his brown eyes glittering with as much fear and pain as she felt. "I .. I've got to make Freebooter ready to sail .. and talk to Val."

He looked down, before hurrying away. Romsca and Xzaris exchanged a glance, before continuing down toward the dock as they had been .. what seemed days ago now. They did not speak to one another, for there was very little to say, and Romsca felt more insecure than she had in seasons.

The two ferrets slowly made their way in and out of pedestrians, all going about their business as if this was nothing more than a normal day. But it wasn't .. Romsca knew so much better.

Xzaris slowly spoke. "I .. sure never thought .. this'd be how it ends."

Romsca didn't look up. "It ain't ended. It ain't, an' it can't ... it can't end this way!"

"Why not .. with his Monitors, there's jist nothin' we can do." Xzaris's voice was sad.

"I know .." Romsca took a shuddering breath. "I know but he can't do this! He can't .. he .. I won't let him!"

A firm paw gripped her shoulder, and she met Xzaris's blue eyes. "Ya know good an' well that's fool's talk, so don't talk it, ya here me?"

"Ya ain't me boss Xzaris." Romsca grumbled.

The ferret forced her to stop. "I know ya agree with me."

Her eyes snapped. "A course I do! But I don't want ta .. it ain't right .. what he's done and what he's doin' ... oh Xzaris .."

She clapped her paws to her face to hide the tears that wanted to spill. Two arms suddenly wrapped around her, and she blinked her eyes open in surprise.

Xzaris quickly let go of her, sighing. "I know .. I know it ain't. But I can't help rememberin' .. how yer dad was ..."

"I don't wanna think about dad." Romsca wrapped her arms around herself as they continued walking.

"But maybe we should." Her friend argued. "How he acted ta those otters ..."

Romsca glared at him, snapping, "Stop it! I don't wanna think about any a it ever again, ya hear me! It .. it hurts ta much."

Nothing was said for a moment, before Xzaris shrugged. "Ok."

"It ain't ok." Romsca grumbled under her breath.

"No it ain't." Xzaris agreed. "I meant I un'erstand."

Romsca looked up, shaking her head. "What'd I ever do without ya matey?"

The gray ferret smirked. "Looks like yer gonna find out."

Romsca looked down, and Xzaris quickly corrected himself. "I'm sorry Romsca ..."

"No, I am. I shoulda thought farther." Her voice was soft, but it was cold.

She heaved a sigh. "Aw Xzaris, I'm gonna miss ya somethin' awful."

"Let's jist .. not talk bout that right now, ok? We ain't gotta leave fer three days an' all." Xzaris tried smiling, but it failed.

Romsca shrugged. "Right, guess so."

They stopped on the old dock Darkshroud was moored on, and stared for a moment. A crew of beasts were working on the small ship, and most amazing of all was the beautiful new sail being hoisted up the mast, the woven blue dragon on it waving proudly in the breeze.

Xzaris shook his head speechlessly for awhile, before murmuring, "Lookit that ... I'd a slaved another two seasons ta make 'nough money ta buy a new sail. Now I gits one fer nothin' .. an' I can't even enjoy it."

He heaved a sigh. "Ublaz sure has a way a makin' somethin' really good seem really awful."

Chapter 14 Destiny's Whisper
Abbot Durral had decided supper should be a slightly fancier affair, with the arrival of guests. Grath had to admit, she found Clecky and Gerul's antics funny, and soon was laughing along with Martin and Tansy.

Clecky took a large bite of flan, talking with his mouth full. "I say ..."

He swallowed. "I say now, fess up! Who made that amazin' stuff?"

Tansy smiled. "I did! Do you like it?"

"Like it?" Clecky ate some more. "Ya don't just like something that good! I say Hood, have some!"

He shoved a plateful in front of the fox, who picked up his fork and took a bite that was dainty in comparison to Clecky's. Gerul had swiped the hare's plate away from him while he was looking away, and had finished it off.

Clecky was indignant. "I say, awful bad form feather bag!"

Gerul looked smug, and Grath clapped her paws to her muzzle, giggling.

"It is good to see you laugh."

Grath, Martin, and Tansy all wheeled around in their seats, and Clecky dipped his head. "Good evenin' marm. I do say, is that pudding?"

Sayna brushed her flowing black skirt out of the way, sitting beside Hood without the slightest bit of hesitation. Grath smiled. "Oh, hello Sayna. Where've you been .. I was wondering when we'd see you again."

The mouse folded her paws. "I had some trading business down south a ways. Have you kept up with archery?"

"Of course, it's one of the things I love .. and I can do." Grath shrugged.

Sayna smiled slightly. "That is good, skills like that are always needed."

She turned to Hood. "I take it you are new at Redwall?"

The fox looked down at her a moment, as if in surprise, before he nodded. Sayna pulled a plate of food in front of her, remarking, "Rumor has it you are from Icetor? Being a fox, are you related to Queen Azul, Icetor's founder?"

Hood paused, before he nodded. "I am. How do you know of the Ice Queen?"

Sayna smiled. "I fought beside her once, long ago."

Clecky looked up from where he was demolishing a bowl of salad. "Now hang on two ticks, you bally well couldn't of!"

Sayna laughed. "You must be a Folger, you look it. You come from Icetor, how do you not wonder at my ridiculously long hair?"

Gerul leaned forward. "Now .. you don't mean .."

"Oh yes I do." Sayna took a bite of a scone. "Of all beasts, I thought you might believe my wild stories."

Clecky blinked. "Flippen amzain' .. downright wondrous if I do say so myself! Quite extra-ordinary and all that. You live in this blinkin' lovely place?"

Sayna smiled drily. "No, I live in Mossflower. I happen to be a sword smith, something Durral does not exactly approve of."

"You mean his abbotness? Well the food alone's enough ta convince a chap to be peaceful, I'll say." Clecky had finished his salad and moved on to the mole favorite, deeper'n'ever turnip'n'tater'n'beetroot pie.

Cracklyn plopped down beside Grath. "So, I just convinced Arven to stay with the other dibbuns ..."

She stopped when she noticed Sayna. "Umm .."

Sayna dipped her head to the squirrel, continuing, "So, I hear Log-a-Log's on his way."

Both Martin and Grath looked excited, and the older mouse smiled. "I'm always glad to see that shrew and those two rouges of his."

Durral walked by, stopping still. Sayna smiled, almost a smirk. "Good evening Durral. It's been a while, no?"

The abbot flicked one ear. "Sayna .. to what do we owe this .. unexpected visit?"

The mouse maid took a drink of water. "Oh, I thought I'd drop in. In fact, I think I may stay a while, until Log-a-Log's visit at least."

Durral made a quick face, sighing, "Our doors are always open ... but don't be teaching the dibbuns the arts of warfare, please?"

"Durral, you know that is not what I've been doing. If we are referring to Grath's archery, if Mattimeo teaches his son the sword, why should I not help her learn something that may well save her life someday?" Sayna raised one eyebrow in a challenging manner.

The abbot muttered something, but sighed. "Why must I always fight you every time you visit us?"

Sayna shrugged. "I expect it has something to do with our philosophies."

Durral sighed. "Just abide by our rules while you stay here."

"I cannot promise that." Sayna smiled a little. "But I will take Grath outside the abbey to practice. It would probably be best anyway."

Durral rolled his eyes. "If you must, you must, I suppose."

><><

"Rafglan .. ya .. have been more'n a first mate ta me. Ya've been my right paw ever since ... I got Waveworm, an' I donno if I'd still have her without ya .."

The rat held up a paw. "Yer nervous Capt'n. I only did what yer dad woulda wanted, so ya needn't stumble on about it .. git ta the point, if ya would."

Romsca sighed. "What I mean is .. this could be me last voyage, an' .. ya don't gotta come if ya don't want ta."

There was silence a moment, and Romsca wondered if he was going to take her offer, but the rat snorted. "Capt'n. I'd sail ta the ends a the earth with ya, don't ya know that? I'll tell ya somethin' .. the night fore he died, yer daddy made me promise ta stand by ya in storm or fair winds, an' I don't break me promises."

He clapped her on the arm. "So ol' Rafglan's sailin' with ya honey .. I mean Capt'n. I don't got a lot more voyages I can make, the sea an' me years is catchin' up with me .. so I'm standin' firm beside ya. Ya have the makin'sa a great capt'n .. Imma do me best ta see ya survive this."

Romsca let a rare smile pass across her lips. "Thank ya .. an' I mean that."

Rafglan nodded. "Think nothin' a it. I'll seek out the best crew I can git ya considerin' the nature a the voyage. An' I'm sure ol' Rubby'll be comin' along."

Romsca straightened up, lifting her head once more. "Right, we'll be leaving just as soon as we have a full crew an' provisions. See ta it everybeast is prepared fer the dangers we're gonna face, an' knows full well what he's gettin' inta."

Rafglan smiled. "Aye aye Capn't, that's the spirit an' how ta give orders. The crew we're gonna have'll be rough. Remember. Ya are the one in charge, nobeast else is .. ya look down ta nobeast an' take no nonsense off anyone. Ya are capt'n."

"I've got it Rafglan ... I'm .. as ready as I'll ever be. Now let's move." Romsca tilted her chin upward the tiniest bit, and Rafglan bowed, hurrying of.

The ferret stroked her cutlass hilt, staring out to sea, past the dark form of Waveworm, anchored at one of the piers. She knew there were things to do, but there was something transfixing about the night breeze filled with the moisture and salt-smell of the sea.

"Romsca! Hey, Romsca!"

She wheeled around, to see Val come running out of the gloom. The ferret raised an eyebrow, asking, "Aren't ya supposed ta be at work?"

Val stopped in front of her, barely panting. "Yea .. but .. I heard! And Rasconza paid Kia off so I could go ta dinner with ya guys .."

"Dinner?" Romsca was confused.

"Oh yea." Val grabbed her paw, leading her off. "We're goin' ta dinner with Rasconza, I'm takin' ya, come on."

Romsca followed her. "But I ..."

Val wouldn't take no for an answer. "Romsca, yer work .. it's awful important bein' the Capt'n I'm sure. But this could be the last time we ....."

Romsca sighed, falling into step with the vixen. "Point taken."

The two made their way up from the docks, taking the main streets to avoid being found alone by a Monitor. Val stopped in front of a pretty little tavern, barely able to be called a tavern any longer due to its elegance.

Rasconza and Xzaris were standing on the steps, talking in the warm glow of paper lanterns that hung from the roof's curving eaves. The dog fox smiled when he saw them, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Ah, there you are. I was wondering how long we'd have to wait .. come on."

He offered his arm to Val and she took it, walking through the open doorway with him, Romsca and Xzaris close behind. A pretty young ratmaid showed them to their table, and Val plopped herself down next to Rasconza, grinning. "Yer gonna have ta sit with Xzaris, Romsca."

She shrugged, sitting beside the ferret. "Is that supposed ta bother me?"

Val looked innocent but cheeky at the same time, and Romsca rolled her eyes. Xzaris, who'd remained silent until now, tapped his claws on the table, a habit of his when he was thinking. "So ..."

Rasconza sighed, rubbing at his head, "I .. I really don't know, to be honest. I just thought we should have .. a little time together before we all go our separate ways."

Val didn't say anything for a moment, before blurting, "Why .. why does it .. I mean .."

She shook her head. "Do we really gotta do this?"

Romsca growled. "We shouldn't have ta."

"There's a lotta things we shouldn't have ta do, Romsca." Xzaris laid his elbow on the table, resting his head on his paw. "But we gotta do 'em. What are ya really gonna do?"

Romsca scowled, before muttering darkly, "Nothin'."

Xzaris smirked. "S'what I thought."

Romsca glared at him, and he sighed. "Look Rom, I think ya live in those made up books a yers sometimes. And this .. it just ain't like that."

"Is it wrong ta want more outa life?" Romsca growled, sinking her claws into her napkin. "I don't wanna serve some rotten ..."

She halted herself, ducking her head. "I'm sorry."

Rasconza sighed. "But she's right. This'll end in two of our executions, you do realize that. The emperor doesn't care about us, we're just pawns to him."

"I know, but .. what are we goin' ta do about it? Ublaz is unstoppable .. we're just some kids who're lucky ta be livin' an' manage ta call ourselves capt'ns. Yer the oldest Rasconza, yer twenty-two .. Ublaz .. he's .."

Xzaris paused as Val laid her head on the table, muttering, "He's Emperor."

"So we're just gonna play his game." Romsca sulked. "I can't believe I've gotta let me own best friends die ta keep me own life."

She lowered her voice, growling deep in her throat. "I hate him."

There was silence for a moment, before Xzaris sighed. "We all do. An' he loves it ... have ya seen him? Just the way he looked at me an' smiled .. like he could feel jist how much I hated him an' he was glad a it."

Val grimaced. "But .. ain't there somethin' we can do? Anythin'? Like maybe start off how he wants an' then turn round an' ..."

Rasconza laid a paw on her arm. "Val. Please. I've thought of it .. but with the Monitors, there's little we can do."

The four fell into gloomy silence, reflective, and in Romsca's case, dark. The ferret didn't look up as the ratmaid returned, setting drinks on the table and asking what they would like. Romsca wasn't hungry, but ordered something anyway, mostly because Rasconza was watching.

As the young waitress walked over to another table, the low conversation of the beasts in the booth behind them could be heard.

"You hear about the three captains?"

"Yes." The reply was soft, like a lady's. "The poor young ones."

"It ain't right what he does. But who's going to stop him? Not me, and nobeast on Sampetra would dare to defy him, not after all his displays of power."

There was a sigh, before the feminine voice spoke again. "Well, it cannot be helped. What of your standing in the ratguard?"

The first creature's voice was a grumbling sound. "General Sagitar is a hard master. She is prone to a terrible temper, she is, an' she stands for no nonsense, that one. We lost four guards last night, one dead on the wall .. shot by an arrow, the others simply missing."

"How does that happen?" The lady's voice sounded worried. "The ratguard are trained hard to defend us, how do the killers manage to escape them?"

"I don't know sweetheart. We do our best .. Sagitar sends us outside the walls to search, but there ain't a trace. And we can't get far .. anybeast outside the walls after dark is never seen again." The male creature paused. "I take stock in the legends myself. They're ghosts of somethin' we upset."

Romsca was jolted away from listening as the ratmaid came back, setting their dinners in front of them. It smelled wonderful, but Romsca didn't feel like eating, and neither did anybeast else from the way they picked at their food.

Rasconza tried to steer the train of thought off their impending separation. "So. What do you think about how the wall guards are killed? Who really does it, do you think?"

Xzaris smirked. "How about ghosts?"

"Oh come on." Rasconza rolled his eyes. "Like I believe that. There's got to be something real out there."

"Aye .." Romsca scratched her chin, looking at Rasconza and then Xzaris. "I donno. What do ya think, Val?"

The vixen swallowed the rest of her drink in one gulp, remarking, "Oh lookit that .. I'm outa water a'ready."

"Seriously Val," Xzaris pressed her. "What do ya think about it?"

"Me?" Val looked innocent. "Why I ain't the one ta ask, I ain't never been outside the walls."

Romsca sighed. "Well yea, none of us have, but ya gotta have some guess as ta what the things are."

Val blinked for a moment, before shrugging. "Nah .. I donno nothin'. But I did wanna talk ta ya all for .. yea. So I was thinkin' ... Xzaris, ya ain't gotta full crew yet?"

Xzaris looked downcast again. "No. And I don't know where I'm gonna git one ..."

Val interrupted. "Will ya take me on? I'll be yer deck scrubber or cook or whatever, I'm jist tired a workin' fer Kia an' gettin' paid hardly nothin'. I don't wanna be a barmaid anyway, I wanna be a pirate!"

Xzaris stared at her, then at Rasconza, who held up a paw. "Whoa, hold it now ... Val, you could get killed!"

The vixen grinned challengingly. "Are ya gonna take me 'stead?"

Rasconza backed up at that point. "Val, I love you and all .. don't get me wrong .. but .. I've got a full crew. And I don't know how you'd get on with them. Besides ... honey you're not .. really .."

The fox was having trouble. Val stuck her nose in the air. "Rasconza, I don't care if'n I'm small, I can still be a pirate, so there."

Xzaris smirked, winking at Romsca. "Uh-oh, she said 'is full name, he's in fer it."

Rasconza glared at the gray ferret, sighing. "Val .. I don't want to loose you, ok? Maybe you should stay here .."

"Ya ain't me boss, as Romsca says, I wanna sail, an' I'm gonna sail." Val closed her eyes airily. "I wanna be a capt'n someday, an' I'm gonna be one."

Rasconza rubbed at the side of his head, sighing, "Oh ... Val .. sometimes .."

"I can be irritatin'?" She helped him.

"Yes! Exactly. But if you're determined .."

Val grinned. "Oh I am. But here's the question .. am I sailin' with ya or with Xzaris?"

Rasconza paused, seeming to think about it a moment, before shaking his head. "I don't know how to answer that .. I just can't take you Val. You're not experienced, my crew's .. just not understanding, see?"

The fox turned to Xzaris, sighing, "If she's determined to go with you .. you look out for her, see?"

Xzaris held up his paws. "I'll do me very best, I swear on Astraria."

He paused, turning to Romsca. "Have ya got a crew yet?"

"I donno." Romsca sighed. "Rafglan's been helpin' me with pickin' crews these last seasons, but I can't get the normal sorta beast. Raf said he'd do his best an' talk it over with me in the mornin'."

"Ya be careful." Xzaris warned her. "You're the only .. well .. the only girl capt'n on Sampetra. An' that's great, but yer gonna have ta prove it ta a new crew ya ain't used ta."

Romsca cracked her knuckles, sitting up straight. "Don't worry Xzaris, ya've sailed with me before, ya oughta know I'm not a weaklin'."

Xzaris nodded. "Yea I know that, but they don't."

Romsca shrugged. Rasconza took a bite of his meal, sighing, "And that goes for you too Val, I know I've taught you fencing and you're pretty good with your saber, but ... let's practice tomorrow before you go to work."

"I ain't goin' ta work." Val leaned against the back of her seat. "I'll drop in ta give that ol' witch me resignation. I'm tired a her bossin' me 'round so I am. I'll practice with anybeast if they've got the time an' pack me stuff up."

Rasconza made a face, but sighed in resignation. "I guess it's settled then."

><><

"Up, blade up Val! Never drop yer guard ... yeek!" Romsca dodged nimbly, bringing her cutlass up as there was the resounding clash of steel.

Val jumped to the side with the speed of lightning, bringing a cut at her opponent's legs. Romsca jumped, slashing at the vixen's head, and she ducked. The two circled each other a moment, before Val thrust, and Romsca parried with a powerful bind, blasting the fox's sword from her grip.

She tapped her cutlass on Val's side. "Gotcha."

Val stuck her lip out, pouting. "Ya always win!"

Romsca nodded wordlessly, getting her breath back. Val retrieved her saber, tossing it in the air and catching it. "Oh well. Wanna go again?"

Romsca leaned against a bench in her manor's courtyard, sitting down. "Oh for Atlas's sake ... that was the eighteenth time Val, ya ain't tired yet?"

"Nope! Are ya?" Val was challenging.

"No I ain't." Romsca stood up in a swift move. "If ya wanna go again, be me guest."

Val adopted a hanging guard stance. "Ladies first!"

Fox and ferret met in a clash of steel, Romsca leaping to the side, cutlass held ready. "Ya sure know how ta be irritatin'!"

"Prouda it!" Val grinned, advancing with a flurry of cuts, backing Romsca against the stable. "Had 'nough melady?"

Romsca snorted. "Enough? I ain't started!"

She kicked Val in the legs, dropping to the paving and rolling away, leaping back onto her paws in nearly the same movement. "Ya want some more?"

Val had winced, but now seemed in good repair again. "Bring it on capt'n!"

Romsca advanced with amazing power and speed, driving Val against the stable and plowing her weapon out of her paw. "Aye aye melady. That's nineteen in my favor, care for a rematch?"

Val scurried after her saber, seizing it and holding it forward. "Anythin' fer me sis!"

The two ran at each other again, and Val slid to the side. Romsca spun with her, bringing a paw-numbing cut on the vixen's saber. However Val ducked behind her, and Romsca dropped to the ground, letting the blow cut through air. She brought a powerful cut upward, sending Val's weapon flying again.

The ferret was panting, but grinning. "Twenty fer me, what'd ya say I win?"

Val tried to scowl, before she burst out laughing. "Ok, ok, ya win. But someday I'm gonna win!"

"In yer dreams." Romsca laughed, standing up again.

Val sheathed her saber, rolling her eyes. "But was I any good at all?"

Romsca paused, before nodding, "Ya know, ya was. Yer stronger'n before .. I think ya might do better than Rasconza thinks."

Val grinned. "I'll show 'im .. he can be over protectin' sometimes. An' I love the sea .. I wanna sail it. See other places an' the like."

"Aye, sailin's wonderful." Romsca sheathed her own weapon, adding, "A course .. it can be dangerous. I always had a good, steady crew .. mostly older beasts .. an' Rafglan's always me advisor. But I donno what it's gonna be like now."

She shook her head. "Ya watch out fer yerself see? Rasconza ain't gonna be there ta do it fer ya, an' neither am I. An' look out fer Xzaris fer me, ok?"

Val saluted. "Aye aye capt'n, keep meself in one piece an' look after yer boyfriend fer ya!"

Romsca scowled. "Will ya quit that already? It ain't the truth an' it wouldn't matter even if it was, one or botha us is gonna die."

Val fell silent with a sigh, nodding. "Yea .. Guess so."

The two stopped as the courtyard doors opened slightly, and Romsca's paw fell to the hilt of her cutlass. However Rafglan walked in, asking, "Capt'n, a word?"

Romsca nodded to him. "Yea .. come up on the porch."

The rat did so, and Val went into the manor, leaving them alone. Rafglan sighed. "Wull, the good news is, we have more'n enough beasts ta make a crew willin' ta sail. But .. that's also the bad news."

"How so?" Romsca raised an eyebrow, confused. "If ya can find beasts willin' ta go on this crazy mission ..."

"Capt'n, that's just the blasted thing. Mosta our normal crew admit yer becomin' a great capt'n, but they ain't goin' ta sail. Oh Rubby is, he alwus does, ya know. No, the only beasts that'll sign up are a buncha young idiots .. really, they jist want money an' adventure an' a chance ta git their pretty capt'n ta like em." Rafglan made a face.

Romsca stared at him a moment, before she spit off the porch into the bushes beside it in disgust. "That's the dumbest thing I ever heard! I ain't gonna like any of 'em, they can go boil their rotten heads!"

Rafglan nodded. "Aye an' that's what I told the most a 'em. But there's a number I kept ... they ain't what yer used ta fer sure, but they ain't bad beasts as such go an' they'll do in a pinch. We gotta leave tomorrow capt'n."

"I know ..." Romsca scowled. "But the idiocy a some fools!"

"Just show 'em who's boss, good'n proper capt'n. Ye'll do fine, ya can deal with storms'n leaks'n battle plans, ya can deal with the lot a young idiots." Rafglan assured his captain. "They may be yer own age an' older'n ya, but it's all about who's bravest an' toughest .. an' who owns the ship. They don't. So show 'em what yer made of."

Romsca sneered. "Don't worry."

Rafglan nodded. "Good fer that capt'n, jist thought I should warn ya. Cause we're leavin' first thing inna mornin' and ya need ta look like ya know what yer doin', see?"

"Yah .. thanks fer the warnin'." Romsca narrowed her eyes. "I'll be ready, Raf."

The rat smiled crookedly, tipping his ragged hat. "See ya inna mornin' then, Capt'n."

Val stepped out of the doorway, where she'd been leaning against the frame, listening all the while. "So ya get yerself a crew a admirers?"

Romsca raised one lip in a snarl. "Ha. Like that's what I need. I'll show 'em ... losers the lot a 'em if that's all they can think bout."

><><

The afternoon sun over Mossflower lit a landscape of pure serenity and peace .. almost completely so.

Whack!

The sound of an arrow sinking into a target split the silence, and another followed it in a matter of seconds.

Grath pulled another arrow from her quiver, dropping to one knee and holding the bow flat instead of upright. She let the arrow fly, the string slipping smoothly off her fingers.

Thwack!

The sound of arrow shaft hitting arrow shaft broke the silence, and Sayna stood up. "Alright, no more. You loose more arrows that way."

Grath looked slightly nervous. "How'd I do?"

Sayna smiled. "From what I can see, quite well."

Martin slid down from the rock he'd been sitting on, tuning his lute. He raised an eyebrow. "It's not that far away."

"Neither do I see as well as I used to." Sayna shrugged. "Let's get them."

Grath followed Sayna, pausing at the target. The three arrow's shafts were nearly touching and crossing one another, they were so close. Sayna nodded. "Now that is impressive."

She yanked one out, and Grath did the others, placing all three in her quiver. "Am I getting better at it?"

"You're practically better than me." Sayna laughed. "Considering how many years I've practiced, that's saying something."

Grath smiled, a truly happy smile, and Sayna nodded to her. "Good job. And I know what Durral says and thinks .. the mouse means well. But sometimes he's so blind to danger it's infuriating."

"What .. do you mean, Sayna?" Grath asked. "Is there a real danger?"

"Oh Grath, how can there not be one? In this wicked world?" Sayna shook her head. "Mark my words, danger is constantly around us, and peace, however firm it may seem, is always shaky."

Grath fell silent, feeling her paw clenching around her bow. "Yes."

Sayna turned, pausing. Grath rubbed her left paw across her muzzle. "We never saw those pirates coming, but they came anyway."

She flattened her ears, muttering, "I'm sorry. I don't want to think about it, but ..."

"But sometimes some things cannot be forgotten." Sayna's black eyes sparkled. "And Grath, some things shouldn't be forgotten."

The mouse shrugged. "Yet sometimes we remember too long. I've found it's quite a delicate balance."

Grath watched her walk for a moment, before catching up to her. "That ... doesn't really help as such."

"It wasn't necessarily supposed to." Sayna didn't turn around. "It was simply an observation on my part."

As they came up, Martin finished testing his instrument and began playing something from memory. Grath raised an eyebrow. "I've never heard that before."

"You won't have." Martin explained. "I wrote it last night ... no, that's not the right one .."

He strummed at the strings a moment, before continuing on with his playing.

"Jolly well musically talented eh?"

Martin jumped, as Clecky borrowed his lute, remarking, "I've been known to play a bally instrument or two .. here we go, let's see ... ah yes, wot?"

Hood, standing nearby, flattened his ears. Clecky strummed away at the lute, singing in an off key voice, some ballad of Icetor. Sayna made a face and snatched the instrument back. "Leave that to Martin would you? My ears!"

Clecky pouted. "I say, bally rotten of ya marm, jolly bad form wot, ruinin' a chap's serenade!"

"Serenade my foot." Sayna wiggled a paw in one ear. "More like instant deafness!"

Hood pricked his ears forward again as Martin took his lute back, and Clecky chunnered. "You have no ear for jolly good music marm, downright rude stoppin' a chap practicin'!"

Sayna rolled her eyes, not bothering with an answer. Martin spoke instead. "So, what's going on?"

"The abbot asked us to tell you afternoon tea was ready." If it were not for his distinctive voice and the fact his muzzle moved, nobeast would have guessed Hood had spoken.

Clecky brightened up again. "I say, that's so! Let's be jolly well off, before ol' famine feather face scoffs all the lunch!"

Hood fell in step with Sayna, muttering softly, "He's one to talk."

Sayna's eyes twinkled. "Indeed."

Hood stood straight again, a small smile tugging at the corners of his muzzle.

Grath blinked at how completely at ease Sayna was with the dog fox, and wondered if her earlier suspicions were ungrounded. Martin was walking with Clecky, laughing and talking, and Grath suddenly felt left out.

She caught up to Sayna and Hood letting her own thoughts take hold of her. Could something terrible happen to the Redwallers, just like Holt Lutra? They had walls to protect them, Grath knew archery, Martin and Mattimeo could wield the sword, and of course there was Sayna. But was that really enough?

><><

The docks were quiet in the predawn light, though the screeches of gulls filled the air. Romsca had not been able to sleep whatsoever, so she stood there, watching the sun rise from the sea in a wash of yellows and blues.

Rafglan would come soon, and then they would be off .. on a quest uncertain and truly hopeless. There was a thump from behind her, and Val sighed. "Wull .. I'm off ta the Darkshroud .. golly, I donno who I want ta win this awful thing! I'm gonna miss ya somethin' awful Romsca."

Romsca turned around, nodding. "Yea .. I'm sure gonna miss ya too."

"Awesome pirate sisters ferever?" Val raised an eyebrow.

Romsca smirked. "Course, what do ya take me fer anyway? If I live."

Val rubbed a paw across her muzzle. "Ya just gotta live .. ya an' Conza, an' Xzaris too .."

Romsca gave her a look, and the fox fell silent. Rasconza walked over to them, the breeze rustling the blue feathers in his hat. Val smiled, though insincerely. Rasconza sighed. "So .. you hoisting anchor soon?"

Romsca nodded. "Just waitin' for Raf."

Rasconza scratched the back of his head. "Well ... fair winds to your sails and the best of luck to you. May Astraria give you her blessing."

"Thanks." Romsca looked down. "An' too ya as well."

The fox nodded, before turning to Val. "You sure you want to sail? You won't back down?"

"Nope." Val shook her head. "I'm doin' this Conza."

Rasconza slowly allowed a smile to cross his face. "That's what I like about you, you know."

He kissed the top of her head, stating. "That's for luck, for both of us. Don't worry about me, I won't give up easy, so neither do you."

Xzaris had joined them silently, and Rasconza clapped him of the shoulder. "The best of luck to you too matey, fair winds to your sails. And look out for my girlfriend, you see?"

The ferret shrugged. "I'll do everythin' I can, that's all I can tell ya. But good luck ta ya too, and thanks fer bein' a true mate a mine."

Rasconza smiled, tipping his hat. "Thank you, all of you. I must be going ..."

His face fell as he sighed. "I wish we could part on happier terms, but fate is a cruel beast, isn't she? I'll miss you all."

The fox turned on his heel, slowly walking back toward his own ship. Xzaris turned to Val, stating, "Well .. ya best git aboard. We're leavin' in the hour."

Val nodded, before throwing her arms around Romsca in a tight hug, sniffing, grabbing her satchel of belongings and hurrying off toward where the Darkshroud was moored.

Xzaris slowly turned to Romsca, who swiped some black hair out of her face, biting her lip. "Goodbye Xzaris .. good luck ta ya."

The gray ferret didn't do anything for a moment, before he grabbed her shoulders, staring into her eyes like he was staring into her very soul. Romsca felt frozen, unable to do anything, and Xzaris stammered, "Romsca ..."

His grip tightened a little before he suddenly let go. "I hopes ya find those pearls."

Romsca stared at him blankly, but he simply shot her a half-hearted grin, and hurried away. She watched the blue-gray ferret until he vanished from her sight, and she wanted to call him back, for some reason.

"Capt'n?" Romsca turned to face Rafglan, who made a face. "Sagitar's comin'. With the Monitors. Mosta the crew are already on board .. so should we .."

Romsca's gaze hardened, and she stood straight. "Aye, we should. Let's be off."

The ferret's paw fell to her cutlass hilt, stroking it as she strode past the rat and down the pier toward the gangplank of her ship. The blue dragon motif on Waveworm's sail rustled in the wind, as did the blue flag at the top of the mast, it's picture of the turquoise dragon telling proudly exactly which house the ship belonged to.

Romsca jumped from the gangplank to Waveworm's deck, staring challengingly at all the crewbeasts who had instantly looked up at her arrival. Rafglan joined her quickly, and Romsca stalked forward, feeling her tail twitch with disgust at the admiring glances she was getting.

The ferret stopped next to the mast, as a couple other crew beasts came out of the galley, as well as Rubby. For once, Romsca was truly glad to see him. She turned to Rafglan. "Is that all a them?"

Rafglan paused. "Where's Cheng? Anybeast?"

A scrawny young rat shrugged, as a powerful looking tawny weasel stepped on the deck from the gangplank, and something in his very stance that made Romsca's lip curl up in a snarl. The weasel met her gaze, smiling daringly .. almost challengingly, and she felt her teeth grind together.

She stalked forward a little, snarling, "Listen up, all a ya! This ain't a pleasure trip, see? We're gonna be goin' against unknown odds ta find these pearls, an' we'll have Monitors with us. So if any a ya wants to back down ... back down now if yer a coward, an' don't do it later."

Romsca glared pointedly at the insolent weasel, Cheng, who simply sneered back. The ferret showed her fangs slightly, before Sagitar walked up the gangplank, a huge Monitor behind her.

The rat smiled. "Ah, Captain Romsca .. allow me to introduce you to your escort .. Lask Frildur."

Romsca could not keep her horror from flashing in her eyes as the massive lizard crawled on the deck, and even Cheng quickly backed away. Lask smiled at Romsca, and something strange glittered in his eyes unlike that of which she had seen in any Monitor ... it could almost be called proper intelligence. His yellow eyes were just a little too bright.

His wicked looking companions filed on after him, all fifteen of them, and Sagitar bowed mockingly. "Fair winds, captain."

Chapter 15 To the Ends of the Earth
It had been five days since Waveworm had left Sampetra, and while the crew was edgy, especially Cheng, Romsca hadn't had any real trouble. Simply looking at Lask Frildur made her skin crawl, and her hackles raise .. he was truly terrible, and nearly always watching her.

She was sitting at the desk that had once been her father's, looking over the maps. The ferret tapped her claws on the depiction of Mossflower's coast. Romsca had pointedly avoided that shore, for she loathed the memories that went with it.

However now that she had been sent to find those cursed pearls, the ones that had claimed so many lives already.

"And now I'm gonna find 'em for that beast so he can claim more?" Romsca rubbed the side of her head, breathing out in a sigh.

If she didn't, it'd be her life. Romsca stirred her inkwell with the tip of her quill. "I don't wanna die, I don't want ta! Is that ... wrong?"

Nobeast answered, nobeast ever did. Romsca corked her ink, wiping her quill off and shoving her chair backward. She picked up her axe, holding it loosely in one paw as she pushed open the cabin door, striding out on deck.

Lask paused near the mast, fixing his eyes upon her again. Romsca curled her lip, and the lizard smiled, much to the ferret's discomfort.

About that second there was a crash from the galley, and Cheng came running out on deck, Rubby close behind. The rat snarled. "Ya put that back, thief! Or I'll tell the capt'n!"

The tawny weasel hadn't seen Romsca, who had already seen the bottle of wine in his paw, and ground her teeth together. Cheng wasn't concerned with Rubby's threat. "Ah, shut up ya fat fool, I ain't scared of a girl. Like she can do nothin' ta me .. I bet she's too taken with me good looks ta lift a paw against me!"

Rubby, who was facing Romsca, smirked. "Oh is that so?"

"Yea, no maid can resist me long." Cheng laughed. "Thanks fer the wine!"

Romsca's voice was a guttural sound. "I'd like ta take yer rotten head off, fool."

Cheng jumped, before smirking. "Oh capt'n. I was simply borrowin' a drink."

"Ye'll put it back now." Romsca pointed her axe at him. "An' ya will face a thief's punishment."

The weasel smirked. "Ye'll whip me? Come on honey, why'd ya wanna do somethin' like that?"

Romsca moved like lightning, belting a hard left across his jaw. "Because ya are a thief, an' I am yer capt'n, worm!"

Cheng stumbled back, dropping the wine as he clapped a paw to his face. Rubby retrieved his possession and Romsca advanced on the weasel, claws clenching around her axe shaft. "Rubby, tell Raf ta bring the chains fer this scum."

The tawny weasel glared angrily at her, yanking his spear off his back .. his voice was slightly muffled, and Romsca felt a bit of satisfaction. "Hoi, girl or not, nobeast does that ta me!"

Romsca swung her axe expertly, blasting Cheng's spear from his paws. She ducked his fist, heading for her jaw, and kicked him hard in the legs. The weasel stumbled, falling, and Romsca planted a knee between his shoulder blades, slamming his face against the deck. Her voice was a growl. "I just did."

One of the monitors, who'd been watching tensely, now hissed in Cheng's face. "You do not harm captain, captain izzz the one who will find Mazzter'zzz pearlzzz. You touch captain, and we kill you, weazzel might tazzte nizzze."

Rafglan came running, a snarl crossing his face when he saw who was responsible for the commotion. He clapped the chains on the weasel's paws, and Romsca half hoisted him to his paws. Her first mate wasted no time in shoving Cheng against the mast and securing him to it, despite his struggles.

The rat snarled, "Capt'n, lemme whip him fer ya!"

Romsca gave Rafglan a look. "An' what would that say about me? Make sure the crew's on deck, an' bring me my whip."

Rafglan paused, before a slow smirk grew on his features, and he hurried off.

Cheng looked a little nervous now that he was at the obvious mercy of his captain, but he still had a few cards to play. "Come on .. capt'n, honey, yer a real purty beast .."

Romsca's fangs glittered, and she snarled. "Is that supposed ta be flattery, thief? It ain't gonna save ya ten lashes, or three days inna brig, so shut yer mouth. An' I ain't yer honey, I'm yer capt'n, so call me such."

Rafglan ran up, thrusting the whip into her paw, and Romsca uncurled the long lash with a crack. The entire crew had gathered now, including the Monitors.

Cheng had a lot of confidence in his appearance, something he made very clear. "But I'm an' good lookin' beast capt'n .."

"Ya really drive me crazy." Romsca snapped.

The weasel smirked suddenly. "Wull a lotta girls say that ... fer a good reason ya know .."

Romsca hardly knew what she was doing, but her temper took control of her. "Enough!"

Cheng screamed as the lash ripped across the side of his face, and blood splattered to the deck. Romsca had over swung the whip, causing it to flick up and bite her arm, but she barely felt the sting or the warm wetness that followed. The ferret swung the lash again, tearing it across the weasel's back, though this time he gritted his teeth together with no more than a whimper.

Romsca brought the lash down once more, over and over, almost feeling pleasure at her rival's cries. However the rush of fury was dimming, and the seventh lash was harder to bring down.

Even if she hated a beast, Romsca didn't like to see them suffer. Because she knew how endless pain felt, at least of the soul.

''I have to do this .. the crew won't respect me if I don't, they've already proven that.''

Romsca set her face, lashing down three more times, before standing still a moment, letting her breathing even out. She turned to the quiet, rather stunned crew, and she flicked the bloody whip at them. "Right, if any other beast wants ta join him, speak up now."

Nobeast moved, though a couple were nudging each other, looking meaningfully at the bloody form of Chang, now almost hanging from his bonds. Romsca found she felt a boiling anger toward them, simply for their cruel enjoyment of the spectacle. "Why do ya mock him, scum? Yer as much the fool as he is, an' watch it, cause I ain't one bit tired!"

The two creatures fell silent, the foolish admiration in their eyes changed to new respect mingled with a little fear. Romsca forced the anger from her eyes, asking, "Does any a ya lot know healin'?"

One beast, a scrawny little rat, raised a paw. "I do, capt'n."

Romsca nodded. "Good, Rafglan will take that one ta the brig, if ya would, help him."

She wheeled around to face the crew. "I need strong crew beasts ta stand by me. I ain't here ta be none a ya's sweetheart, I'm here ta find the emperor's pearls, an so are ya. I don't care one bit about yer rotten looks, none a ya, all I care about is yer loyalty an' yer strength in battle, ya hear me? Yer either with me or against me, an' all those against me are me enemies. So where do ya stand?"

Rafglan grinned. "With ya ta the end capt'n!"

Rubby confirmed this, and one by one, so did the others. Romsca raised her axe, the blade flashing in the light. "Fer the Dragons!"

The reply came back as a sort of cheer. "Fer the Dragons!"

><><

Rasconza was studying the maps laid out on his desk, rubbing at the side of his head as he always did when thinking or depressed. The fox picked up the bottle of wine sitting nearby, taking a drink and setting it back down.

The cabin's only other occupant, a mouse maiden dusting a shelf of books and instruments used for finding the ship's position, looked up momentarily. She met Rasconza's gaze, before looking down, her messy, white-blonde hair falling back into her face.

There was a loud knocking on his cabin door, and Rasconza pulled the brim of his hat down a little. "Come in."

His first mate walked in, stopping in front of his desk. "Capt'n, with all respect. What is our course?"

Rasconza rolled his eyes. "I told you which direction to go, Slashback."

The rat crossed his arms. "Capt'n, ya know I'm faithful ta ya. But I need a course."

"Of course." Rasconza smirked. "I figure we will go to the north coast, and search the highlands. It's the best I can do, if Graylunk and Flairnose had any sense at all, they'd have gone inland in effort to escape Sampetra's reach."

He shook his head. "Romsca might be the one with the best chance to find these things, she was sent east, and that was where they were last seen."

Slashback shrugged. "Perhaps. But if they ran, they woulda run as far as they could .. in truth, you might have the best chance."

"Or Xzaris." Rasconza mused. "Beasts rarely like going to the wild highlands .. a city of wealth and longstanding like Southsward is far more appealing."

"True, but in a ship the siza his, with Sampetra's dragon on the sail, Capt'n Xzaris don't have a chance of nearin' Southsward. They'll scuttle him long before he sights land." Slashback pointed this out, and Rasconza gave him a look.

"That's my friend you're talking about Slashback, I'm well aware of the danger. I think you should go."

The rat sighed, bowing. He turned on his heel, running full into the mousemaid and knocking her down. The scrolls she was carrying scattered, and Slashback growled bad temperedly striking her across the face. "Little wench, watch where your going!"

He raised a paw to strike her yet again, but a strong, red furred paw gripped his wrist, and Rasconza effortlessly lifted him off the ground. "Enough, why don't you look where you're going? How about you pick up all my scrolls you made her drop? Temper Slashback, I warned you about the temper."

The rat dropped his gaze. "Aye aye Capt'n."

Rasconza set him down on the floor, as the mousemaid tried to struggle to her paws, but the chains about her feet tangled and she fell again. The dog fox sighed, lifting her to her paws as though she weighed nothing. "Next time, see you are more careful."

She bowed low. "Yes captain."

Slashback begrudgingly handed her the scrolls he had collected, just as there was a knocking on the door and it swung open without Rasconza having time to say a word. "Capt'n? I had a bit a trouble .."

Rasconza stared at the beast, his slave driver. The weasel was bleeding on multiple accounts, and one of his eyes was swollen shut. "Cateye, what was it this time?"

"It's that stupid rabbit capt'n .. She called me an awful name she did, an' as I was layin' about her, she grabbed me whip's lash an' set about me! I tried ta grab me whip an' she punched me in the eye .. ya gotta git ridda that rabbit capt'n, she's from Hellgates themselves!"

Rasconza pressed his lips together, not noticing how pale the mousemaid was as she set the documents on his shelf. The fox showed one fang. "How many times has she thrashed you, Cateye?"

The weasel scowled. "This is the sixth time capt'n, I'm about ready ta kill her if ya don't .."

Rasconza suddenly growled, shoving Cateye against the doorframe. "Oh no you won't, I'm the only beast on this ship that does that. In that case, you can be lookout, I'll get somebeast else to do your job."

Cateye nodded. "Aye aye capt'n, jist keep me away from that crazy rabbit wench before one'a us kills the other!"

Rasconza let him drop to the deck. "Very well, it shall be done. As for the crazy rabbit wench, as you so call her, Slashback, see she is flogged and not fed for two days. If she continues in this behavior, I'm afraid I'll have to kill her."

The mousemaid was staring at him in horror, and now at last, he noticed it. Her hazel eyes widened momentarily as she met his gaze, and quickly looked down, but her paws shook as she picked up her broom.

Rasconza said nothing, the mouse had been a good slave for several seasons, and that rabbit was one he had only recently taken. Yet they must have some sort of bond, and the fox resolved to be wary.

Likely as not it was not worth any worry, but a captain could never be too careful.

><><

"Oh yea? I am not backin' down lizard face, go boil yer head!"

"Little wench, I don't care if'n yer cook, ya go scrub the deck!"

"Capt'n didn't tell me ta do that, so ya go scrub the rotten deck! Who ya think is gonna cook breakist? An' besides, ya ain't the first mate or nothin', what are ya, cabin boy or somethin'?"

Xzaris had been up late, and it was early in the morning now, judging by the soft light filtering through his windows. The angry shouts rose to a crescendo outside, and there was the sound of steel being drawn.

The gray ferret clenched his teeth together. These last five days he'd tried his best to be patient, but the lack of sleep and constant bickering among his crew was telling on him. He grabbed his pike, jumping out of bed and heading for his cabin's door.

Xzaris shoved the door open, to see Val and a weasel swing swords at each other, and a clash split the morning air.

Val dodged to the side like a streak of lightning, scoring a shallow cut across the weasel's face. He showed his fangs in fury, snarling, "I'll send ya ta Hellgates dog!"

Val grinned, blocking his downward cut. "Oh I'm sorry yer so dumb, I ain't a dog, I'm a vixen."

"Worthless wench, I'll show ya ...."

Xzaris yanked Val back, meeting the weasel's blade and swiftly disarming him. "Enough a this, yer all fools! Ya too Val, what is this about?"

Val looked injured. "He had the nerve ta tell me ta scrub the stupid deck when I was workin' on breakist. Guess yer all eatin' burnt rice this mornin', how's that?"

Xzaris bit his tongue to keep from lashing out at somebeast. He took a breath, slinging his pike across his back and crossing his arms. "Val, see ta breakist. An' ya, who do ya think ya are ta give her orders? Aren't ya the mornin' lookout? Well how's about this ... ya scrub the deck."

The weasel glared at him. "Ya think yer special cause yer capt'n? Ya shouldn't even be capt'n .. alla Sampetra knows were ya come from .. polecat."

Xzaris felt his ears pin back of their own accord. "Yer challenin' me?"

The weasel paused, and Xzaris circled him, deliberately drawing his pike. "I know what I am, ya needn't tell me."

He swung the weapon in a swift arch, adding depth to the cut Val had bestowed upon the troublemaker. "I am yer capt'n, an' if ya are suggestin' mutiny I'll save meself the food an' water an' jist .."

He didn't get to finish, as there was a flash of green scales, and a Monitor plowed the weasel to the ground, bending close to his face. The lizard dug it's wickedly long claws into the creature's shoulders, snarling, "We will feazzzt on you. Mutiny will not get Mazzzter'zzz pearlzzz."

The weasel had time for a despairing shriek, and Xzaris didn't have time to lift a paw. The Monitor sank it's fangs into the beast's throat, breaking his neck with one swift move.

There was another flash of green, and the first Monitor was knocked backwards by the lizard Xzaris knew was called Zurgat, the leader. She roared wordlessly in his face, and he seemed to get her message, for he flattened his neck frills and backed quickly away.

Zurgat growled, lashing her tail. "We need beazzztzzz to zzail the zzzhip, leave them be!"

The first Monitor showed his fangs, letting forth an odd succession of shrieks. Zurgat flicked her tongue out, finally hissing. "I zzzee. Then you did right, we will feazzzt upon thizzz one."

Without farther ado, she sank her fangs into the deadbeast for a moment, then lifted her head, blood dripping from her muzzle. Xzaris took one step backward, stammering defensively, "I .. was gonna kill him!"

Zurgat twitched her frills. "He izzz dead."

Xzaris felt his paw clench around his pike shaft, before turning to the stunned crew. "Right, as she says. We're here ta git .. the emperor's pearls, so nobeast act otherwise. Unless ya .. wanna die."

He gave the Monitors a pointed glance, and quickly looked away, as they were devouring the dead weasel.

Val hopped out of the galley, asking, "Who wants breakist?"

She stopped still at the grisly scenario, and Xzaris made a face. "I think some a us .. already ate."

Val curled her lip. "Urrk .. uh, yea .. well I'm gonna .. make some .. sushi or somethin'. Yea. Mmmpph .. ugg!"

She vanished, and Xzaris strode pointedly toward the forecastle and the steering wheel. "Nobeast play the fool like that again. If the Monitors don't kill 'im, I will! I am capt'n, an' I ain't standin' fer mutiny."

><><

Ublaz smiled, stirring his paw over his crystal ball's surface. "I'm sure you won't, Captain Xzaris. The question is can you keep your crew's respect?"

The pine marten stood, walking to his study's window and opening the latticed shutters. From here, all of Sampetra sprawled out before him, ending at the bay that sparkled a gorgeous indigo. Ships, fishing boats, and skiffs were going about their daily business, and all manner of beasts milled through the streets.

The wealthy, the poor, merchants, carpenters, sailors, and beggers .. from the clatter of horse hooves on cobblestones to the gleaming pagoda roofs of manors, Sampetra was strangely beautiful.

And he ruled it all.

"Sire?"

Ublaz turned fluidly around, to see Sagitar standing in his doorway. He raised an eyebrow. "Yes general?"

Sagitar looked grim. "It's happened again Sire."

"How many this time?" Ublaz's voice betrayed nothing.

"Two dead on the walls, three missing. Here is one of their arrows." The rat general handed him the missile, a sleek and aerodynamic design with sharply cut green fletching.

Ublaz ran his paw along the jet black shaft, nodding, "They're getting thirstier, aren't they?"

He examined the barbed, steel arrow head, remarking, "These creatures, whatever they are, are skilled craftsbeasts to make such arrows."

The pine marten set the arrow on his desk, asking, "General, how many beasts do we loose in a month on average?"

"Four or five." Sagitar stated, shrugging. "But obviously they are getting bolder."

"Obviously." Ublaz adjusted his flowing purple cape. "General, whatever these things are, we must kill them. Lay a trap."

Sagitar nodded. "I was hoping you'd say that, Sire. And might I add, your alliance with those gulls might come in handy at this point."

Ublaz curled his whiskers around one finger, nodding. "Hmmm ... quite true, Grall has yet to really hold up his end of the deal, he can prove himself. Though gulls are not nocturnal, and these beasts are. General, prepare a score of beasts."

Sagitar nodded. "Aye sire. Could you tell me the plan?"

Ublaz smiled. "Of course, the way I see it, these killers aren't at all that great in numbers. They attack fast and vanish fast, in small groups. They key is just getting one, and obtaining the location of their hideout .. which surprisingly, Grall has had no luck in finding."

"What if the beast won't talk, Sire?" Sagitar asked.

Ublaz laughed softly. "A very good point General. But I can make the hardest beast babble secrets like a brook in spring, never fear."

Sagitar nodded. "Aye, so you can. I will see to it, when should we lay our trap?"

Ublaz smiled. "Tonight. And every night after. Stay hidden in the shadows of the walls, have archers with you. On the night of the new moon, in a week, I will join you. I have a .. feeling about it."

><><

The evening breeze blew quietly over Redwall, washing away the warm hues of the day and turning the red stones a soft gray. Grath sat atop the west wall, industriously working on a painting.

Her thoughts were awhirl with what Sayna had said, for it wasn't easy to get much that the mouse said out of one's head.

She looked down at her painting, sighing. For some reason, she just wasn't interested in painting another sunset over Redwall. She'd painted just about everything that was to be seen about the abbey, and a restless spirit was stirring within her.

''No, this is my home. It's safe here, and ... they might need me. Besides .. I don't know if I'm really brave enough to leave.''

Grath closed her eyes, suddenly opening them and dipping her brush in black paint. With quick, practiced strokes, the otter did something she'd never done before .. she was painting something that she saw in her mind, and not before her.

She'd never let herself do this before, but something had shifted. It wasn't anything around her that had changed .. it was very odd. Somehow .. she felt different.

The otter looked down at her picture, staring at it for a moment. "You were my best friend."

Grath stroked the image, whispering, "I miss you, I hope you're happy .. wherever you are, Lutran."

She suddenly clutched the book to her, hanging her head over it. "Why did it have to happen? I .. I don't understand."

The soft breeze through her hair was her only answer, and she answered herself. "They were just .. greedy, ruthless murderers. Just like all vermin are. I don't want to be the sort of beast that lives for revenge, I want to do more with my life .. but .."

She slowly looked down at her picture, muttering, "Who am I kidding, I can't be a pirate hunter."

"What about hunting pirates?" Tansy was walking along the parapet, and she paused at this point.

Grath sat up, shaking herself. "Nothing."

"That's pretty." Tansy picked up Grath's picture. "Who is it?"

"It's my .." Grath paused, sighing, "My brother. One of them. I had two .. once."

The hedgehog sat down, handing Grath the paper. "Oh .. I'm sorry."

Grath stared at her painting, murmuring, "I'm forgetting what he looked like."

Tansy didn't say anything, just stared up at the evening's first stars. Grath looked at her a moment, before doing the same.

"They're so far away and untouchable .. kind of like the future, you know?"

Grath looked at Tansy, before looking up again, and nodding. "Yea."

"Sort of like the past too. You can see them up there, but you can't change them or reach them. They're just .. up there. Like .. some sort of promise .. or reminder, or .. something." Tansy smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry, that sounds so silly when I say it."

Grath sighed. "It's not that silly .. I sort of understand what you mean."

The two smiled at each other, and Tansy rubbed a paw across her nose. "Really? Nobeast's ever said that to me. Of course .. I've never really voiced my thoughts either."

Grath looked up at the sky. "I wonder what our future is. Are we meant to be peaceful abbeybeasts our whole lives, or is there .. something more, something greater, just waiting for us?" Tansy looked oddly at her. "What could be better than living in peace and happiness all our lives with our friends?"

"Oh I don't know." Grath shook her head. "Some .. magnificent adventure to help the oppressed and free them from the clutches of evil beasts. You know what I mean?"

Tansy shrugged. "Not really. I think the kitchens might miss me if I was gone that long. Or I might miss the kitchens .. or yea. Something like that. Why would you want to leave our home, don't you love it here?"

Grath nodded. "Yes, of course .."

She stood up. "But there is a restless voice in my heart, and I know someday .. I'm going to have to follow a different path than all of you. I hope we'll always be friends, but .. there's something in me unlike the rest of Redwall."

The otter leaned over the battlements, looking across the western flatlands, now darkened by the grip of night.

"It's a warrior's spirit, isn't it?" Tansy asked.

"Yes ... I think so, anyway. I almost .. hope so." Grath turned around. "How did you know?"

Tansy looked up at her. "Abbot Durral said it about you once, when he first saw you."

><><

After the incident with the Monitors, Xzaris and his crew tread equally as carefully. It had been three days, and nobeast had dared raise a paw against their captain, though Xzaris sensed an undercurrent of tension, and figured he'd be forced to deal with it sooner or later.

There was a knocking on his cabin door, and Val burst in, shoving a plate of sushi under his nose. "I made ya sonethin' capt'n! Thought ya could use somethin' nice ta eat. Cause ya haven't been eatin' much. An' Romsca said I gotta keep an' eye on her boyfriend."

Xzaris stopped chewing on his quill, looking up. "She said what?"

"That I gotta keep an' eye on her boyfriend!" Val was cheerful.

Xzaris was dubious, raising an eyebrow in a sort of unimpressed fashion. "She .. said it sorta different though, didn't she?"

Val flicked an ear, rolling her eyes. "Weeeelll .... yea, sorta. But I know what she meant!"

"Aha .. yea." Xzaris didn't look convinced. "I can im'gine."

He turned back to his maps, but Val didn't move, just stared at him, smiling broadly. Xzaris tried to ignore her for a minute, but that was nearly impossible, so he sighed. "What do ya want Val?"

The vixen grinned. "I'm keepin' an eye on ya, what else. Aren't ya gonna eat that?"

Xzaris cast a glance at the sushi, which did look appetizing, he had to admit. The ferret popped a piece into his mouth, smiling a bit forcedly. "Yea. Good stuff."

Val grabbed one, dunking it in a dish of greenish sauce. "Aren't ya gonna try me wasabi dip with that?"

Xzaris opened his mouth to say he planned to, and Val shoved the item in. "Extra spicy!"

The ferret swallowed with difficulty, coughing and rubbing at his eyes as he dug through his desk, pulling out a bottle of wine and quickly draining a sixth of it. "Aggh ... no .. kiddin'!"

Val grinned. "I know right?"

Xzaris rolled his eyes, sighing. "Look Val, I'll eat it. It's real great. I'm jist depressed right now, an' I donno if I can really do this, ok?"

He scowled. "An' if I do git it done ... what's the reward .. me life? I don't want .. jist me life, but I'm .. jist a rotten coward an' I donno what ta do."

Val blinked, before stating, "Oh, ya ain't no coward .."

"Yes, I am." Xzaris snapped. "I jist am, see? An' I ain't gonna explain why, please .. jist leave me alone."

Val sighed. "Alright capt'n."

She paused in the doorway. "But you eat alla that see, no throwin' it out the windows or I will find out!"

The vixen turned around. "Um .. capt'n? Quick question .. been lookin' at the sky?"

Xzaris looked up. "Yes, this mornin'. Looked a bit cloudy .."

"Well it's more than a bit." Val remarked, and Xzaris joined her in the doorway. The entire western horizon was filled with dark gray, angry clouds, and the ferret captain groaned.

"Great. It's gonna blow us off course fer sure .. Darkshroud ain't big enough ta maintain a straight path in somethin' like that .. fact I doubt any ship is."

"Ye'll get us through though, ain't ya?" Val asked a bit nervously.

Xzaris pulled the door of his cabin shut. "I'll do me best."

He walked forward, yelling, "On yer feet, furl the mainsail!"

The ferret bounded up the forecastle stairs two at a time, taking hold of the wheel. He looked again to the wall of black clouds, filled with sheet lightning.

Xzaris shook his head, gripping the wheel more tightly. He'd been in storms before, on the many voyages he'd been on as a crew member. But being the captain, responsible for the outcome of whatever choices he made .. that was far harder.

><><

"Furl the mainsail, batten the hatches an' all those not on duty, get below!"

Romsca strode swiftly across the deck, running up the forecastle steps to the wheel, taking it from Rafglan. The rat cast a glance at the quickly advancing clouds, stating, "It should be a'right, so long as ya keep our back ta it. Should git us ta Mossflower faster. We gonna go .. where yer father went?"

"Yes." Romsca looked behind her once, before turning to the east again. "There might be some answers."

"Wull it should be safe 'nough. There ain't gonna be no otters." Rafglan shrugged.

Romsca took a deep breath, thinking of a long ago day, when she'd had compassion on an ottermaid her own age. "Never mind that, we're gonna be careful. Who knows what sorts a beasts might live there now."

Rafglan nodded. "Fair nough."

He paused, asking, "Yer arm better, Capt'n?

Romsca glanced at the bandage and the gash through her shirt where she'd caught herself with the whip. "It's fine."

The wind suddenly whistled through the rigging, billowing Romsca's hair about her face. Rafglan sighed. "We're in fer it."

The first sheet of rain hit Waveworm, and the sea soon became choppy, tossing the ship about like a toy. Romsca kept a tight hold on the wheel, despite the heavy pull on the rudder from the rolling waves.

"How long ya think it's gonna last?" Romsca had to yell above the wind.

Rafglan held onto the railing, shaking his head. "Donno, this one's a big'un like they is in summer .. could last as long as a week!"

Romsca scowled, gripping the wheel tightly as a wave threw spray across the deck. She kept her eyes fixed ahead, but her mind was elsewhere, on her friends.

Her teeth didn't part as she mumbled, "Oh Xzaris, Rasconza, Val ... may Atlas go with ya."

><><

"Port oars! We'll ride the storm out, come on, move it!"

The stoat cracked his whip above one of the slave's ears, a young haremaid with dull indigo eyes. She glared at him almost threateningly, and he flicked his lash out again, stinging one ear expertly. "Har, I ain't Cateye me pretty, but you'll wish I was."

He snickered, coiling the lash and hurrying out of the galley. The hare glared after him, her short claws digging into the wood of her oar.

The blonde haired mouse beside her laid a paw on her arm. "Wind ... don't do it. Just don't, please."

The hare's voice was pretty flat, tinged slightly by anger. "Why do you put up with them."

"Because if I don't, I will die, and Captain Rasconza is not a bad master." The mouse's voice was softer then her rowing partner.

"Selina, he's a pirate, an' he killed all the family I had in the world, of course I hate him. Why don't you, you should." Wind's voice was surprisingly monotone.

Selina shrugged. "I know what he is .."

"And he doesn't exactly treat us well, we row his ship for him an' get whipped for it." Wind scowled.

The mouse sighed. "You get whipped because you fight them. I don't, and you don't see me getting whipped. Just .. give up."

Wind gave Selina a look, voice flat. "The day I give up is the day I die."

Selina looked down. "That's what I'm worried about. Captain Rasconza has patience unlike any master I've ever served .. he's not a rich beast, and he needs us to row for him. But if you don't stop antagonizing him, he's going to kill you or sell you, so please don't!"

Wind curled her lip. "Are you defending him."

"Well .. in a way." Selina shrugged. "He just took you in a raid, but I've been a slave for most of my life. I was born on Terramort, but they took me when I was ten seasons or so."

She paused, adding, "Rasconza wasn't always my master, the beast who took me was a cruel captain. He worked me to death, literally, and then sold me .. I didn't have much hope but to die. However Rasconza bought me, along with some others, and he saved us. Of course .. I see his motives, we were inexpensive and all we really needed was rest. But I'm not going to hate him, Wind."

Wind opened her mouth to say something, but Selina beat her to it. "He also feeds us well, we have enough water, he switches us from one side of the ship to the other, when we're in port, he lets the obedient creatures bathe, and if you noticed, they don't actually whip you unless you disobey."

"It's only cause he wants more work out of us." Wind pointed out.

Selina nodded. "I don't doubt it, but it's a better life than most oar slaves have. So don't abuse it, when you do, you only make it harder for the rest of us."

><><

On the Darkshroud, life was pretty miserable for everybeast. Day and night became one, turned black by the violent storm the little ship was caught in.

Crew, cook, and captain alike fought the sea, the only creatures who did nothing were the Monitors, who stayed in the hold as much as possible. Xzaris barely had time to check the maps, and there was no way for him to determine their position, both the sun and the stars blotted out by wicked black clouds.

The ferret captain had ahold of the wheel at that very moment, straining against the roiling sea, completely soaked and bone weary. Val ran up the forecastle steps, flashing him a stalwart grin. "Capt'n, dinner's ready. Least I think it's dinner. Might be breakist fer all I know, haha!"

Xzaris spit some water out of his mouth, yelling above the wind. "Yea, what 'bout the bailin' crew, how much water have we taken?"

Val shrugged. "Way ta many buckits full fer me ta count 'em, but we're keepin' the sea out purty well, aye aye!"

Xzaris coughed, nodding as Val grinned. "Hey, there's one good thing 'bout alla this ... we don't gotta scrub the deck!"

The ferret gave her a look, as a giant wave lashed over the deck, soaking him even further. Val grinned. "I love bein' wet! Wull, I'll see about the bailin' an' all!"

Xzaris groaned, cursing as the wheel suddenly ripped itself from his paws, spinning madly. He grabbed it again, forcing it to still as there was a frantic shout from one of the lookouts. "Capt'n! Capt'n!"

The rest of his words were cut off by the wind, but Xzaris yelled for his first mate, helping to bail water. "Skarbod! Take the wheel, now!"

The stoat ran to do as he said, taking hold of the wheel as Xzaris added, "Keep her course straight!"

Xzaris lurched down the forecastle steps, hurrying along the rocking deck to where the lookout was. By now there was widespread panic, and the ferret grabbed the nearest beast. "Well, what is it? Speak!"

The creature struggled, stammering, "The Maelstrom Capt'n!"

Xzaris dropped him, running to the railing, just as a brilliant bolt of lightning ripped across the sky, turning night to day for one minute. The ferret stood frozen for one second, staring at the swirling mass of greenish gray water they were headed straight for.

Val skidded to a stop beside him, all cheerfulness stripped from her voice, leaving only terror. "The Green Maelstrom an' the Roarin'burn!"

"The Roaringburn .." Xzaris held up a paw, testing the wind. "That's it Val, the Roaringburn!"

The ferret ran back along the deck, shouting at the top of his lungs, "All hands ta the mainmast, prepare ta loose the sail! Now, now if ya don't wanna be knockin' on Hellgates!"

Xzaris stumbled up the forecastle stairs, gripping the wheel and growling through teeth clenched from exertion. "Help me turn her Skarbod, fer the mercy a Atlas!"

The stoat did as he was told, and between them, they managed to turn Darkshroud abreast of the swirling Maelstrom, which they were nearing by the minute. Xzaris nodded. "Now hold her, hold her fer yer life!"

Skarbod strained against the sea's will as Xzaris leaned over the forecastle railing, shouting, "Loose the sail, loose the sail now!"

For one split second, all those who heard stood still in shock. Xzaris broke them from their indecision. "Move ya lazy dogs! Move lest ya send us ta our graves!"

The crew ran forward, untying the ropes as quickly as they could. Xzaris gripped the wheel along with Skarbod, as the ship began to shudder with the increasing pull of the maelstrom. Xzaris's voice was a hoarse rasping as he yelled, "Now! 'For it's too late!"

Val suddenly pushed through the beasts around the mainmast, drawing her saber and slashing through the ropes. "He said now!"

The sail came plummeting down, catching the wind and billowing out. Val seized one of the ropes she'd cut, screaming, "Secure it!"

Crewbeasts did as she said, with no other option. Darkshroud leapt forward like a wild stallion, plunging directly past the mass of roiling green water, and continuing its mad rush.

Skarbod gripped the wheel, panting, "I never did see the like!"

There was an ominous creaking from the mast, and Xzaris ran down the forecastle stairs, yelling, "Furl the sail, quick, she can't take it!"

Already, rips were showing in the once perfect sail, and Xzaris could hear the mast cracking under the strain. "Hoist her, now!"

The ferret gripped one of the ropes, yanking with all his might. Val appeared at his side, grabbing the rope. "Right with ya Capt'n, let's do this!"

Another crew member joined them, as others took hold of the other ropes. Xzaris nodded, shouting, "All tagether, pull!"

Little by little, the sail was hoisted to it's former position, and the ropes tied back down with some difficulty due to the fact they were shorter than before. Xzaris leaned against the mast for a moment, the wind and rain lashing through his fur, hanging from him like rags.

Val yanked her saber from the mast, sheathing it as Xzaris noticed her. "Thank ya Val .. we'd be at the bottom a the sea if it weren't fer ya."

The vixen grinned again, wiping sopping red hair from her eyes. "No problem capt'n, sure I promised Romsca I'd look after her boyfriend."

Xzaris stood up straight again, sighing, "Yea. Sure."

He hurried back to the wheel, taking it from Skarbod. "Thanks fer holdin' it."

The stoat blinked at him. "I was just doin' what ya said Capt'n. An' sure was a good thing ta .. without yer quick thinkin', we'd all be dead .. none a us woulda thoughta it."

Xzaris paused, before shrugging as a clap of angry thunder rumbled through the heavens. "I only did what needed done. See about the bailin' Skarbod, we ain't outa this yet."

Chapter 16 Sojourners
Skarbod and Val had forced Xzaris to go to bed sometime in the early morning, and he'd protested, but been more than glad, deep down, to flop down in his hammock for a few hours.

However his repose was far from enough, as a rapping rang out on his cabin door. It took him a few minutes to wake up fully, his sleep was so complete.

The knocking continued, accompanied by Val's voice. "Hey capt'n, ya all right? Brought ya some breakist."

Xzaris groaned, coming awake enough to realize that he and his hammock were dripping, and the ship wasn't rocking as much. The ferret forced his eyes open, to see a shaft of welcoming sunshine streaming through his window.

Val came in, grinning as he sat up. "Oh good, ya ain't dead, I was wonderin'. Storm blew itself out early this mornin' .. Ya haven't eatin' nothing fer a couple days Capt'n, sure donno how ya do it, but here ya is."

Xzaris took what she handed him, and suddenly rice porridge sounded incredibly wonderful. He tipped the bowl up, pouring some into his mouth. Val raised an eyebrow, pulling out a spoon. "Think ya fergot this?"

He nodded, swallowing and taking the item, eating ravenously. Val shook her head. "Ya gotta eat more often. I know sailin' Darkshroud's awful important ta ya, but still, starvin' yerself ain't gettin' ya no place."

Xzaris finished the last of the porridge, wiping his mouth on his sleeve. "It's fine, I know what I'm doin'."

Val handed him a cup of water, and the ferret drank some, realizing how thirsty he was. Xzaris looked around, asking, "Do ya have any meat, I'm dyin' fer some."

The fox nodded, handing him a bowl with fish in it. "That was yer supper last night."

Xzaris dug in without another thought, asking, "How's the damage from the storm?"

"Well .. uhh ..." Val folded her paws together. "I .. donno if yer really gonna like it .. it ain't real purty."

The ferret swallowed the last of his fish, setting the bowl aside and standing up. "That don't sound promisin'."

Val grimaced. "Yea .. it ain't. The mast is cracked, the sail's ripped up .. that ain't sayin' nothin' bout the mess the riggin's in .."

Xzaris hurried past her and out of his cabin to see for himself. He groaned .. Val was right.

The sail was torn in multiple places, parts of the rigging were tangled, but worst of all, the mast was splintering about eight foot up, a crack running down it to where it met the deck.

Xzaris winced, and Val trotted to his side. “Yea .... told ya it weren’t real purty.” Skarbod joined the two. “Wull .. as ya can see, Darkshroud paid fer getting’ us outa our mess last night .. donno quite what ta do.”

Xzaris scratched the back of his neck. “I know what ta do, but it’s better done in port. It can’t be done at sea .. she needs a whole new mast.”

Val crossed her arms. “Well ... could we fix it somehow .. tie ropes ‘round it ta brace it or somethin’?”

Skarbod snorted, and Xzaris shook his head. “No rope could hold the strain a the sail .. least no rope we’ve got on board. Now .. if we could make bands outa steel or somethin’ ...”

He sighed. “Nah, that’s crazy. At least at sea .. we’d have ta be on land. An’ until we fix it, we can’t use the wind .. fact we’d best just take the sail off, we’re gonna have ta sew it back tagether anyhow.”

Skarbod made a face. “Won’erful .. least we’re in the Roarin’burn, without it we’d never reach land rowin’ on the rations we get.”

Xzaris hurried to the rail, looking out over the water .. sure enough, he could see the placid sea beyond them, and the swiftly flowing current they were caught in. The ferret turned back to his companions, nodding. “That might be a good thing, as ya say, at least we'll git somewhere."

"But where does the Roarin'burn go?" Val asked. "Not ta Southsward I hope!"

Xzaris nodded. "Wull, actually it does. But it'll take us ta a liddle deserted island first .. no ships sail round that place cause'a the dangerous currents. Still, it's our best hope, an' it's where we'll haveta go."

Skarbod shrugged. "Whatever ya say capt'n, I sup'ose. Though we might git stuck there without our sail."

"I'm hopin' I kin fix it." Xzaris looked at the cracking mast, shaking his head. "In the meantime .. git the sail down. In fact .. jist take off the yardarm. It's no good up there, an' the mast don't need anymore strain."

><><

The darkness over Sampetra was near complete, for no moon graced the heavens. In the shadow of the rearing wall, all was shrouded in dark silence .. and all was still.

Ublaz and Sagitar stood completely motionless, a number of ratguard and near a score of Monitors around them. The rat general's voice was the softest of sounds as she murmured, "Sire, Grall hasn't been able to turn anything up, and nothing has happened. Do you think that somehow, these beast anticipate our ambush?"

"They will come." Ublaz's voice was certain. "Isn't the new moon the cycle that strikes the most fear into Sampetra, when Lady Astraria hides the glory of the night's greatest light?"

Sagitar nodded. "It is so."

Ublaz smiled. "And wouldn't it be even more terrifying if many wall guard should be murdered?"

"Your thinking is truly admirable, Sire." Sagitar's voice held respect. "You seem to be able to read your enemy's thoughts."

"Indeed." Ublaz stroked the hilt of his cutlass. "But I feel that I am not the only one who is observant. Somehow, these creatures know our customs, if I am not mistaken."

The two fell silent, waiting. The night wore on endlessly, but neither emperor or general showed the least bit of weariness or impatience.

Far off in the distance, the soft sound of endless surf crashed against the shore, over and over, creating a strange music. Ublaz's stance was one of complete ease but complete awareness .. Sagitar looked slightly more stiff.

Their guards, however, were clearly afraid and trying desperately not to show it. One of the Monitors suddenly lifted its head, nostrils flaring as its frills unfolded in aggression. Ublaz laid a paw on the creature's head. "Which way, my pet?"

The creature turned its muzzle toward the forest, tongue flicking out in a silent hiss. Sagitar looked to her ratguard, and they tensed instantly, ready.

There was a sudden flicker in the shadows, and one of the guards raised his crossbow, taking careful aim. He looked to Sagitar, who nodded. The rat closed one eye, claw curling around the trigger .. when there was a swish of air, like the whistle of a finely sharpened blade.

Something shimmered dull silver in the faint starlight, and there was a shrill shriek, not unlike a terrified lady, but more wild and throaty. An answering roar came back, and Sagitar burst into action. "Attack!"

Ublaz grabbed her arm before she could lead her troops, and they rushed forward alone. "Stay, general. Let them go first."

Sagitar shrugged him off. "With all respect, Sire, I lead the army .. and not from behind."

There was a crash, and a flash of white accompanied by the thudding of heavy footfalls. Three ratguards surrounded the beast, a small horse, but the creature reared, twisting around and yanking a short handled, long bladed spear from across its shoulders.

The beast held the weapon in its mouth, slashing through the first guard's throat as it kicked the one sneaking up behind it with its powerful hind hooves. The horse reared, striking out with its forefeet, plowing a guard over and trampling them as it raced for the woods.

Ublaz snatched the crossbow from the astonished beast beside him, sighting down it and firing in nearly the same moment. The horse screamed in pain, falling to its side and thrashing its hooves in effort to rise .. vain effort. Sagitar ran forward along with some others, while Ublaz followed calmly, dropping the crossbow back into its owner's paws.

The pine marten surveyed the results of his deed coolly, without a shred of remorse. The horse lay still now, sides heaving as it fought to breathe, a crossbow bolt buried deep in its side behind the shoulder.

The creature groaned, lifting its head defiantly. Ublaz smiled ever so slightly in the darkness, catching the animal's gaze with his own. "Speak horse .. I know you can. What are your friends, and where do they hide .. come, your secrets are mine."

The silvery white horse was frozen, caught by the emperor's hypnotic stare, but his efforts to speak were useless. The creature's eyes rolled back, and his head fell to the ground, blood dripping from his mouth. Sagitar kicked him, but he didn't stir, not even to breathe.

Ublaz did not show anger, just picked up his victim's spear, turning it over and over in his paws. "Intelligent or not, no horse could craft this. There's something else out there."

><><

"No, no .... dad!"

''Somewhere in the back of her mind, Romsca knew she was dreaming. How many times had nightmares tortured her with this scene? She was frozen stiff .. no matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't move.''

''Ublaz had Conva before him, just like that day, seven seasons ago. Romsca tried to throw herself forward, but her legs would not move, and she found herself held back by shadowy paws of iron.''

''"Don't! Don't, not again!" Romsca's voice echoed oddly through her own mind, and almost at her command, the dreamscape morphed.''

''Ublaz raised his gleaming cutlass, a hideous smirk on his face as Conva changed, his dusky fur fading to iridescent blue gray. Romsca gasped as the apparition of her father turned into Xzaris, bound and on his knees before the pine marten.''

The emperor met Romsca's gaze, sneering, "Why don't you save him?"

''Romsca screamed in fury and terror, fighting against whatever was holding her back. "No! Don't kill him! Not him too! Don't, please don't!"''

''Ublaz laughed. "What a wonderful friend you are .. I guess you'll just have to watch him die."''

''Romsca fought harder, her eyes refusing to close as the emperor brought his weapon down without remorse. The ferret felt herself fall to the ground with a choking wail, and her landing was far harder than she'd expected.''

Romsca's eyes snapped open as she awoke with a sharp gasp, her gaze adjusting to the darkness of her cabin. She was laying on the floor in a heap, her hammock swinging empty above her.

The ferret groaned, rubbing her head and trying to shove the nightmare away. ''It was only a dream .. nothing but a dream ...''

But then Ublaz's cruel sneer rang through her mind mockingly. "The one who brings me my pearls keeps their life. One ... and only one."

Romsca shuddered, standing slowly .. knowing full well there would be no more sleep for her that night.

She picked her short cape off its hook, drawing it about her shoulders as she walked to the large glass windows and their well worn but still elegant seat. The night darkened waves stretched endlessly behind the ship, dancing momentarily in its wake, before returning to their former patterns.

Romsca sat down, drawing her knees to herself as she strove to erase the image of Xzaris being beheaded from her mind, but it was firmly imprinted.

''It won't happen .. I can't let it.''

But Romsca knew all to well, it might happen. And she would be powerless against it, just like she was powerless to save her father.

"Land ho! Mossflower, port side!"

Glad of something to do, Romsca grabbed her cutlass, buckling it on and hurrying onto the deck. The scrawny rat, whom she remembered as the healer, ran up. "C .. capt'n ... we've .. sighted land an' .. thought ya should know .."

Romsca raised an eyebrow, wondering at how nervous he was. "Is somethin' wrong?"

"N .. no. Course not .. C .. capt'n." The creature swallowed hard.

Romsca didn't look convinced, but she shrugged, figuring if something was amiss, she'd find out what soon enough. Besides, that little rat was a coward.

She headed up the forecastle steps, stopping beside Rafglan, holding the wheel. "Raf, where are we exactly?"

"'Bout a mile up a that otter holt, the storm didn't blow us off that much." The rat shrugged.

"Good." Romsca nodded. "That's what I'm plannin' .. we're gonna anchor half a mile up the shore an' make our way there on foot. See we stay on course."

She swung down the steps onto the main deck, calling, "Crew! I'll be takin' half a ya ta scout the shore first light a dawn! See to it yer all ready, all weapons clean an' in good repair less ya wanna answer ta me!"

A sullen voice replied. "Do we git ta eat first, capt'n?"

Romsca wheeled around to see Cheng, arms and shoulders still bandaged, but eyes defiant. She advanced on him, snarling, "If I say yes, then yes, an' if I say no, no! Yer in no place ta speak, thief. So keep yer mouth shut, I don't got one bit a tolerance fer ya."

The ferret glared at him as he slunk off, and she turned to Rubby, watching from the galley door. "See everybeast has a quick breakfast."

The old cook disappeared with a nod, and Romsca walked to her cabin to retrieve her axe, satchel, and a few writing materials. She slowly felt the shark's tooth on her necklace, flicking one ear from uncertainty.

She couldn't be sure Graylunk and Flairnose had run into Mossflower. Still .. the best place to find any clues at all would probably be the otter holt.

Romsca tried not to think about the little blonde otter maid she had spared so long ago, but something about her haunted green eyes refused to leave.

"I'll never see her again." Romsca told herself. "An' it wouldn't matter if I did. I am a pirate, I'm an enemy of all woodlanders, an' that's just the way it is."

She thought of how Conva had acted, and the mad things he had said. Of how protective he had been toward those three otters in his last days. Even of her own pain and grief when he was taken from her.

The ferret slowly turned to her reflection in the glass windows. "I .. I'm not a monster. I know what loss is .. an' I only do what needs done."

Out on deck, she could hear Rubby yelling something about breakfast, and she sighed. The ferret straightened her shoulders, lifting her chin. "It's me livin', nothin' more. I may hate Ublaz, but I'm prouda Sampetra .. it ain't perfect, but it's me country an' I wouldn't want ta live anywhere else."

Romsca turned on her heel, walking out into the gray light of early dawn. She narrowed her eyes, slinging her satchel over one shoulder. "Ublaz won't get me without a good fight."

><><

Mossflower was just as Romsca remembered, murky shores, thick stands of massive trees close upon the beaches, and golden sunlight filtering through the thick canopy of leaves. In fact it was so the same, Romsca almost expected to see Conva walk out of the forest, just as alive as he had been then.

She tried to shove such stupid thoughts from her mind, all they did was hurt. And yet this place held so much hurt .. from her stupid mistakes to their horrible consequences.

"Capt'n, this look familiar?" Rafglan was looking up at her questioningly.

Romsca brought her wandering mind back to the task at hand, admitting this place looked hauntingly familiar indeed. A blurry picture of three otters playing in a stream leaped into her memory, and she nodded. "Yea .. we're close. Everybeast, be silent. Raf, take five an' we'll go on ahead."

She pulled her axe off her back, creeping silently down the hill as her first mate did as she said. Down in the natural hollow created by the River Moss's delta, things looked less familiar, but Romsca knew she was in the heart of what had once been Holt Lutra.

Weeds and brush grew wild now, having taken possession of the abandoned fields and gardens. The uncovered mouths of caves gaped emptily, and somehow, it was truly melancholy. Rafglan looked more relaxed now. "Wull, sure looks abandoned. What are we lookin' fer?

Romsca pushed some hanging branches out of her way, shaking her head. "Almost anythin' Raf .. almost anythin'."

Lask, who'd insisted on coming with them, gave her a scornful look, but said nothing. This clearing was one that made Romsca pause, for it was littered with stones, almost set in rows. The ferret raise an eyebrow. "What was this place?"

Rafglan was inspecting some of the stones, and he looked up. "It's graves, capt'n .. an as I remember, this was where we fought 'em."

Romsca laid her paw on the largest stone, reading the plain inscription in silence.

Here lie the otters of Holt Lutra,

Murdered by sea scum,

May Ignasa avenge their blood.

The ferret slowly drew her paw back, flicking her ears back at the sinking feeling in her heart. She shoved it away, voice harder than she meant it to be. "We weren't the last ones here."

On a sudden impulse, she wheeled around, hurrying toward a place she had thought of many, many times. A little, book filled cave nestled on the bank of a tributary. She reached the spot, slowly brushing away the tattered covering as she slipped under the dark overhang of rock, clenching her axe even tighter.

Romsca slipped into the familiar room, dimly lit by a natural skylight formed from a crack in the rocks of the ceiling.

Shelves still lined the walls, though books were falling off them in places, and cobwebs were everywhere. The ferret swiped a web away, stopping before the little writing desk and tipped over chair, looking down at the half rotted quill still stuck in a bottle of dried ink. A pile of papers cascaded onto the fallen chair and then the floor, but only one thing caught Romsca's interest. The cracked and yellowed book laying open on the desk.

Open to a depiction of the six pearls.

Romsca tucked the axe under her arm, laying her gloved paws on the book as Rafglan came in, followed by one of the Monitors. The ferret turned the page, freezing at the illustration that stared nobly back at her. For this face was one she knew well .. the face of the Unknown Lord.

The words beneath it surprised her even more .. Lord Ignasa. This was the one her father had given his heart to, and the Unknown Lord of Sampetra was a woodlander's deity?

She flipped the page back to the picture of the pearls in their shell-case, before slowly closing the book and looking at the cover. Romsca murmured the title to herself. "The History of Holt Lutra. Hmm .."

The ferret carefully put the thick old book in her satchel, determined to look at it more when she got the chance.

Rafglan raised an eyebrow. "Capt'n .. where are we goin'?"

He cast a meaningful glance at the Monitor, which was sniffing around the cavern. Romsca nodded, stating, "Well .. there ain't much here. Think Graylunk and Flairnose might'a followed the river inland?"

"Sounds possible Capt'n, they'd have wanted ta go inland, an' they'd have needed fresh water." Rafglan agreed with her.

Romsca nodded. "Right .. then we'll have ta follow them. We can take two of the lifeboats an' the best of the crew .. course we'll have ta bring the Monitors."

Rafglan shrugged. "An' Waveworm?"

"I hate ta, but I'll have ta leave the resta the crew an' maybe some Monitors ta guard her." Romsca sighed. "What else can I do?"

><><

"Tansy, Cracklyn, be careful with that china .." Friar Higgle winced as the squirrel in question tripped, dropping one of the plates.

"Friar, where do you want this?" Grath and Martin were coming down the kitchen stairs, lugging a couple large sacks between them.

The hedgehog sighed. "Ah yes ... just put it in the pantry. Cracklyn, I told you to be careful!"

The squirrel's tail drooped. "I was trying! My paws just got tangled!"

"Oh .. go wash the dishes please, you can't hurt anything doing that." Higgle looked frazzled.

Durral walked in, looking around. "Everything alright?"

Higgle sighed. "Yes, we're just cleaning the kitchens, getting ready for the feast and all."

Durral picked up a broom, sweeping up the remains of the china plate. "You look like you could use some help. I had Clecky help the dibbuns and Piknim make the paper lanterns for the orchard, at least it'll keep him away from the kitchens.

"Well that's a good thing." Higgle wiped a paw across his brow. "The last thing I need is that hare .. he's bottomless, you can never feed him enough."

Durral nodded. "Isn't that the truth. Oh Grath, Martin .. can you get the fancy table cloths from Tess, I think they're in the gatehouse. We'll need to store them in the kitchens to be ready."

Always helpful, Martin nodded. "Sure, we'll get them, I know where my mother keeps them."

The two hurried up the steps, and out into the lawns, warmed by the late spring sun.

"Hey, I'll race you." Martin grinned, running ahead a little.

Grath raised an eyebrow. "You know I can't do that."

The mouse trotted back. "Sorry .. I forgot. Clecky was racing me the other day, and I didn't think about your problem with running."

Grath shook her head. "I don't understand it .. but I've always been that way, ever since I can remember. Swimming .. I have no problem, but running .. it's like I can barely breath."

Martin nodded. "Yea, I might be able to outrun you, but nobeast can outswim you, that's for sure."

They were passing the creatures making décor, and Piknim noticed Martin. "Oooh hey, do you want to help us?"

The mouse looked uncomfortable. "Uhh .. no .. well .. not right now .. we're .. that is .."

Grath helped him. "We're getting tablecloths for the abbot."

"Yea, that's right. Tablecloths. For the abbot."

Piknim looked disappointed. "Oh but he can't need them right this minute .."

Martin shook his head. "No .. uhh .. he does. For lunch."

Clecky looked up. "Golly, he's that hungry? Of all the scoff I've scoffed, tablecloths wasn't part a that, wot?"

"No .. not like that." Martin looked frustrated. "He needs them .. for .. lunch!"

Grath sighed, as Clecky shook his head. "Tut tut .. must be dreadful ta be that peckish."

Martin scowled, hurrying away, and Grath followed him, a little more slowly. The mouse cast her a sideways glance. "I always sound so stupid around girls like Piknim, I really can't stand it."

Grath shrugged in silent sympathy, and Martin straightened up again. "One thing's for sure, I don't want to marry her, even if everybeast seems to think we're made for each other or something like that."

He shook his head. "But they expect me to marry somebeast, because the abbey's got to have warriors, and ... oh .. I almost wish my dad wasn't the warrior. It's such a .. a .."

"Responsibility?" Grath asked.

"Yes." Martin nodded. "Exactly. I'm just one beast .. I don't know how dad does it. He's so wise, and then there's me .. all I can do is sound dumb."

"You aren't though .." Grath observed. "You're just a lot like me, you can't think of what to say when it needs to be said."

Her friend looked down. "I just don't want to let anybeast down, though sometimes I feel like the only thing I was born to do is fail. And I realize it might not look all that bad to you, but I'm not the brave warrior they expect me to be. I know the first time I'm tested with real danger, I'll just freeze up .. all I can do is hope I'll never be faced with it."

Martin paused at his door, smirking. "And with my luck, I'll fail while everybeast's watching."

"I think I know the feeling." Grath muttered under her breath as she followed him into the gatehouse.

><><

Out on the lawns, the squirrel dibbun Arven found opportunity to sidle up to Clecky. The hare said nothing for a moment, before he seemed to notice his young companion. "Oh I say, what can I do for you?"

Arven looked up at the hare with wide eyes. "Mr. Clecky .. what's under Mr. Hood's hood? Cause everybeast wonders, you know."

Clecky paused, before his dark eyes danced with mischief. He leaned over, lowering his voice as he whispered, "Well you know why they call Hood, hood don'tcha?"

The little squirrel shook his head, and Clecky blinked. "Why, you don't? Then I'll tell you .. they call him that cause he's a mighty warrior .. vanquished bally hundreds a vermin-type beasts, but when the fightin' was done, he was nothin' but bones!"

Arven looked both amazed and shocked. "Really?"

"Yup." Clecky looked rather proud of his tale. "And now he wears that hood all the time, to frighten his enemies and hide his unsightly appearance from the general public, wot, wot?"

"Then Mr. Hood's .. a skel'ton? Just bones and nothing more?" Arven's eyes were round with awe.

"Well .." Clecky thought for a moment, before stating, "Yea, there sure are bones under his hood."

Arven stared at the ground a moment, stammering, "Whoa .... a .. real live skel'ton!"

He looked up at Clecky. "Can you see Meadowcream flan going down?"

The hare blinked, before covering for himself. "Why .. uhm .. he always wears the hood, and you can't bally well see under it."

"But if you could. If you could, would you see Meadowcream flan going down?" Arven was persistent.

Clecky felt this might be going a bit too far. "Well .. I've never seen under the jolly old hood since his battle-type run in with those vermin."

"Golly." Arven sighed. "Golly, I'd sure like to see under it. If I ask him nicely Mr. Clecky, do you think he'd let me?"

"Oh, I don't think .."

"Just one teeny tiny peek?" Arven pressed. "I'd close one eye an promise to tell nobeast."

Clecky found large, hopeful hazel eyes gazing up at him, and sighed. "Eh .. well .. Hood's not goin' to go for that. But ... perhaps if you got his hood a tad dirty, he'd have to wash it."

Arven grinned instantly. "And he'd take it off?"

Clecky smirked, suddenly realizing what a great joke this could turn out to be. "Well of course. I'm sure a smart chap like you could come up with a way to get his hood just a tad dirty. Mind though .. not too awful much."

><><

The flickering light from a small fire was all Romsca had to see by, and she missed having a door to lock at night. The two rowboats were moored on the stream, and the ferret sat with her back to a fallen log, cutlass, knives, and axe close at paw.

The Monitors had made a ring around their camp, to see nobeast got in .. and Romsca could tell, to see nobeast got out.

She sighed, knowing that without a solid door between her and those things, she wouldn't sleep at all. Romsca leaned fully against the log, before sitting up and rubbing her side with a wince.

The ferret pulled the offender from her satchel, the book from the ruined holt of Lutra. She brushed dust off the gold filigree cover, slowly opening it. The first page was a dedication, the next a list of names and families.

Romsca flipped through a couple pages, uninterested. The handwriting was sweeping and beautiful, but in some cases, hard to read.

''I and my dear husband, Vinwyte, have done our best to live among my father's holt, but we have never completely been accepted. As princess, I know I am not they reason for the discomfort, rather he is. I find it cruel the way the mark of the outcast seems to define Vinwyte wherever he goes, and we have decided to make a new holt, a ways from Redwall, near the sea. We shall call this holt Lutra, and our mark will be the six pearls .. the two of us have discussed it much this winter. I will miss all my friends, as will he, but it is for the best. Let my sister Mayberry rule the Mossflowerian otters, and we will be otters of both sea and river, living peacefully on the west coasts. At least, this is our hope.''

Romsca yawned, flipping the pages. Apparently the author and her husband, Vinwyte, had created Holt Lutra, and hidden the pearls for safekeeping. After a while, the handwriting and writing style changed, telling of trade that was being developed with other nations.

None of it was much interest to the young ferret, and she was thinking about pulling out the story she was writing and working on it. Out of repetitive boredom, Romsca turned the page ... and froze.

Here on the double page spread before her, was a life-like representation of a sleek, double-masted vessel. Romsca knew ships, and even if the illustration had not proudly shown the dragon on the sail, the elegance alone was enough to tell her this was a Sampetrian design.

The ferret scanned the page, reading the description in stunned amazement. ''A ship of the trading nation Sampetra, masters of craftsbeastship and arts. Regular goods they bring include; silver, gold, and all things that can be made of these, food, silk, fine horses, and even finer weapons.''

Romsca turned the page, reading on almost dazedly. ''Lately, the nation Sampetra has risen to great influence as traders, fearless seabeasts, the best to ride waves. We have in fact made alliance with them, trading raw materials such as iron and silver for their beautiful jewelry and weapons. Never before has the world known such a quickly rising star .. composed mostly of vermin, nonetheless. Still, they have ties with nearly every nation and port that exists, their goods are unsurpassable, and they themselves are fair to look upon and as bold as any woodland warrior. They uphold honor and have been known to aid those in need, even killing beasts of their own kind to defend peaceful creatures. A strange and wonderful people, many say the children of Sampetra may change the way woodlanders see vermin forever.''

Romsca didn't move for several minutes, eyes riveted to the cracked pages. How could this be? Hadn't she been taught that Sampetrians had always been pirates and fought woodlanders since time began? Hadn't she been told, when she asked her father why, that this simply was what fate had chosen when the lords and ladies came up from the sea and enlightened Scound and Aisha to create a country of murderers? That woodlanders were their enemies, having always been and would forever be?

Then what was she reading .. that Sampetra had once done trade with Holt Lutra ... the very people they had wiped out!

''It has to be a lie .. a woodlander wrote this, and you can't really trust a woodlander.''

Romsca paused, shaking her head.

''But what would it benefit the author to lie? There's no reason for it.''

The ferret turned back to the picture of the ship, stroking her gloved paw across the depiction of the dragon sail. Sampetra had changed drastically from this account, and this piece of history had been lost in the archives of time by vermin and woodlander alike.

But why?

><><

On the Darkshroud, problems seemed to abound. The mast was unstable, and now it had been discovered that the hull had been damaged and they were slowly taking water.

Xzaris was on his hands and knees in dirty water, trying to repair the damage. Val was trying to help by getting some of the crew to bail, and Skarbod held the ship on course, though there was little need for it.

The ferret captain stood up at long last sighing, "That's the best I kin do, I hope she holds fer a week."

He turned to the crew, ordering, "If'n this starts again, tell me first off .. we gotta last til that island, see?"

"An' then what?" One of the creatures spoke up. "How're we gonna git home? I can't be marooned on some island, I got a farm ta pay off an a family waitin' fer me."

Xzaris rubbed some dirt off his face, succeeding in smearing it. "We ain't gonna be marooned, if I'm jist in a bay, I kin repair Darkshroud an' sail her again."

Nobeast looked completely convinced, and the young ferret growled in frustration. "I swear it on Atlas, see? Now git about yer work, an' Val, cook supper."

"Aye, aye capt'n, what'll it be, seaweed an' water stew or rice porridge?"

Xzaris gave her a look. "What about meat?"

"Eh .. wull we ain't got none left, it's those Monitors. Darkshroud ain't big 'nough ta carry 'nough food for em." Val admitted.

The crew looked uncertain, and Xzaris groaned under his breath, grabbing Val's arm and dragging her out of the hold and to her galley. "Do ya have ta say that in front a the crew? I got a hard 'nough job already, ya gotta make it harder?"

Val shrugged. "Sorry capt'n, I was jist sayin' .."

"Wull say it ta me in private!" Xzaris's voice was sharp, and he slowly drew back, letting go of the fox. "I'm sorry Val."

The vixen sighed. "Nah .. it's ok capt'n, I wasn't really thinkin' .. I'm still gettin' used ta bein' a real pirate an' everythin'. Guess I ain't real good at it yet."

"Jist ... wull .. be careful. I know ya ain't good at lyin' Val, ya've never been good at it .. so how about ya jist don't say nothin' fer now, ok?" Xzaris sighed, adding, "I've gotta keep this crew on me side, an' I always knew that was gonna be hard. An' it is."

"Right capt'n .. an' .. what's we gonna do when we git ta this island an' fix the ship, what's we doin' then?" Val raised one eyebrow.

Xzaris shook his head. "I donno, I'm takin' one day at a time. I don't dare think farther."

><><

"Everythin' is in good order capt'n, an' we've made good time. The storm threw us off course a little, but I got her back on .. we should be reachin' the lower highland ranges in about a week."

Rasconza looked up from his documents as Slashback paused, adding, "We have a good store a food an' water still, enough for several weeks."

The fox stood, slowly walking past his first mate to the door, looking out. "It's getting a bit cool, don't you think?"

Slashback nodded. "Well .. a course capt'n, we're goin' north an all."

Rasconza scratched his scruffy beard, watching the Monitors roam the decks, and noted the ones that congregated in the sun, as if slightly chilled.

"Slashback, if I am correct, the Monitors are like every other reptile, cold-blooded. So I am devising a little plan .. can I trust you with it?"

The rat dipped his head. "I'm here ta serve ya capt'n."

"Good answer." Rasconza smiled, voice soft as he shut the cabin door. "Now look. I don't intend to be murdered like my father was. If those lizards need the constant warmth of Sampetra, how would they like the high northlands, that are cold even in the summer?"

Slashback did nothing for a moment, before he slowly grinned. "Capt'n .. that's brilliant!"

Rasconza nodded. "Aye. And once we've killed them, let the emperor and his worthless pearls go to Hellgates. We will return to Sampetra to help my friends, kill Ublaz, and reclaim our country."

Chapter 17 Things Time Forgot
"When do you think they'll get here?" Cracklyn bounced around Tansy excitedly as the two and Piknim worked in the abbey flowerbed. "I mean, it's basically summer and they aren't here!"

Tansy shrugged, clipping a few roses and putting them in her basket. "As I remember, Log-a-Log always comes when we least expect it."

The squirrel sighed, flopping against a trellis and jumping back with a yelp, as it was already home to a rose bush. Cracklyn rubbed her shoulder, shooting the trellis a glare as she grumbled, "Yea, I know. I just don't like waiting!"

Piknim ran her claws through her wavy hazel hair, tossing her head, though her voice was teasing. "Yes, we can see that."

Cracklyn rolled her eyes, joking back, "Oh come on, you're just as excited as me, so stop trying to hide it under your primness."

"Primness, is it?" Piknim pretended to be shocked, but her eyes sparkled. "It's not primness, it's simply called style."

Tansy picked up the baskets of flowers, stating, "Come on you two, we should take these to Sister Cicely and Viola. They're decorating Cavern Hole, you know."

Cracklyn grinned, "Oh I like decorating! Come on Piknim, race you! Last one to Cavern Hole's a fried frog!"

Piknim chased after the squirrel, calling, "You will make me mess up my hair ... I'm not a fried frog!"

Tansy shrugged, following a little slower as she adjusted her straw hat. She walked past Arven and some of his mole dibbun friends, who were grinning and snickering amongst themselves. The hedgehog stopped, raising one eyebrow. "What are you up to now, hmm?"

Arven stuck his paws behind his back, grinning ever so cheekily. "Nothin' Tansy Pansy, we're just makin .."

He paused, as if thinking, and the little molemaid beside him spoke up. "Hurr, it do be a gurt surpriose, Tan'y."

"Oh it is, is it Diggum?" Tansy squinted one eye sternly at them. "Well that's fine, but it best not have anything to do with the kitchens, like the last time you made a surprise."

Arven giggled, stopping at the look Tansy had fixed upon him. "No, it's got to do with Mr. Hood, that's all."

The hedgehog opened her mouth to say something, when a high pitched voice rang across the abbey lawns. "Taanssyy! Where are our roses?"

Tansy made a face, hurrying toward the building. She was met by a volemaid, who grabbed two of her baskets. "How long can you take? Why the abbot thinks you're so special, I'll never know."

The hedgehog tried to ignore this comment, asking, "Do you need any help?"

"Not from you, miss goody-goody. How about you go back to the kitchens where you belong?" The vole seemed to be in a bad mood.

"Oh come off it Viola." Cracklyn grabbed Tansy's paw. "She can come help if she wants."

The vole scowled, before hurrying back into Cavern Hole. Tansy sighed. "Maybe I shouldn't."

"Nah, it's fine." Cracklyn promised. "Viola's just being .. well .. herself. She's jealous cause Abbot Durral favors you and all."

"I didn't mean for that, I can't help the abbot likes cooking and likes to teach me." Tansy let her ears droop slightly. "I wish Viola wasn't so mean about it. I don't like fighting her, and she wants to make me."

"Yea ..." Cracklyn scowled. "She sure would like that, wouldn't she? Well don't take the bait. She can't get you in trouble that way."

The two walked down the steps, where a crew of beasts were decorating the normally bare walls. Gural was hanging garlands on the walls, aided by Clecky. Cicely seemed to be everywhere at once, giving out orders. "Grath, Martin, Clecky .. you be careful with that garland. You too Gural, don't cut it with those talons of yours. Oh, Viola, give me those roses .. what? Friar Higgle said what? Oh .."

The mouse looked around, spying the nearest beast, Hood, and shoving the roses into his paws. "You hold those for a minute. Yes, I'm coming Higgle!"

Tansy giggled a little, Hood holding a pile of roses was rather funny, especially the even droller look on his muzzle than usual. Clecky grinned. "Oh I say chap, good to see you gettin' into the jolly old spirit a things!"

The fox flicked an ear in response, though he didn't look at all enthusiastic. The doors opened a little, and Sayna walked down the flight of stairs, light glinting off chain mail and blue cape flowing regally behind her. Viola, who'd been standing near the doors, gulped and hurried away.

Tansy felt the smallest twinge of satisfaction at the vole's discomfort .. Sayna might be .. well .. strange, but the hedgehog wasn't truly afraid of her.

The tall mouse walked deliberately down the steps, singling out the abbot and stopping beside him. "Durral?"

He jumped, spinning around, before sighing. "Oh. Sayna .. yes .. what is it? Might I ask also .. has there been a war?"

Sayna shrugged, folding her leather gloved paws, unconcerned with the stares she was getting. "Perhaps. I dress as I wish. I came to tell you Log-a-Log is nearly here, he'll be knocking on the gates soon. So I opened them, but you may want to great him."

Durral blinked, before nodding. "I see .. ah .. yes, thank you for telling us. I suppose you're coming to the feast?"

Sayna's mouth twitched in the faintest echo of a smile, perhaps a bit smug. "I may."

She turned away, lifting her sweeping cape a little and walking back up the steps. The mouse vanished with a slight jingle of metal, and Durral rolled his eyes in a bit of exasperation. He shook himself, stating, "Well then .. let's not leave our guests waiting."

><><

The journey into Mossflower had been uneventful. Too uneventful, at least for a week and a half of travel. Romsca didn't like it at all .. no rival bands of vermin had opposed her, and she'd been faced with not one woodlander. Perhaps they all hid, the ones that were not warriors .. at least that was all she could tell herself by way of explanation.

Still, they were spending most of the time on the river itself, and they weren't really spending any time on the bank, except to rest and fish. So perhaps that accounted for it.

Romsca had sent one of the crew on ahead to scout their course and the condition of the river ahead, and presently, he came running back. "Capt'n .. capt'n, ya better git over ta shore quick! There's a bunch a rapids an' a waterfall up ahead, a big one!"

Without a moments hesitation, Rafglan ordered they pull for shore, and Romsca turned the tiller. They beached the two boats as the scout panted, "I ran all the way back ta tell ya before it was too late .. it's not far up ahead."

Romsca nodded, asking, "How far?"

"Just 'round these next few bends."

The ferret paused, before stating, "Let's walk ta at least see it. If Graylunk and Flairnose came this way, there might be a clue."

There was an assortment of grumbling from the crew, and Romsca turned on them, noting Lask and his Monitors. "We're gonna go ta all lengths ta find those pearls, see? Do it or face me."

The noise fell silent, and the ferret nodded. "Good. Forward!"

Trekking through Mossflower wasn't easy, especially for a full crew of seabeasts, who weren't used to the woodlands. Romsca herself found it difficult, and was glad she'd decided to cut several inches off her hair before she left on this stupid mission.

As it was, clothing, fur, and tails were getting caught in branches and brush, and quite a few beasts let loose some curses. Romsca kept her teeth clenched together, trudging on doggedly.

Cheng pulled his tail out of some brambles, cursing, and glared at Romsca. "What good will it do ta look at some dumb waterfalls? Why don't we catch some woodlander an' make 'em tell?"

Romsca sneered. "A lot ya know. Fool, do ya really think two Sampetrians would let mere woodlanders know about those pearls? Keep yer mouth shut less I ask ya ta open it."

The weasel glowered for a moment, stomping off, his ears pinned. Romsca glared balefully after him, knowing that somehow, she'd have to cross blades with that beast again. Part of her truly looked forward to the day she could.

"Hoi, capt'n! There they is!"

Sure enough, the scout was right. Romsca could see the spray being flung high into the air, and hear the roar of the river. The ferret stopped on a flat rock that had a full view of the falls, watching the endless torrent of crashing water, spilling over sharp, jutting rocks and into a dark pool below.

Romsca shook her head as Rafglan stated, "If Flairnose and Graylunk went over that .. they'd 'ave been torn ta pieces."

"Aye." Romsca watched the water splashing endlessly into the deep pool. "And the pearls will have been washed away .. gone ferever."

><><

"Capt'n! Capt'n! Ya better come quick!"

Xzaris had been following the Roaringburn for near a week, and rations were short. Tempers had a way of being even shorter, and worse yet, the Monitors were hungry.

The ferret came running at Val's call, skidding to a stop on the main deck. Val had her saber out, and the crew that was there had weapons drawn as well. Zurgat and three Monitors were menacing them, advancing slowly forward.

Xzaris's paw flew up to the shaft of his pike, whipping it off his back in one swift move as he leaped between the lizards and Val. "What are ya doin'?"

Zurgat flicked her tongue out in a hiss. "The vixen will not feed uzzz, zzzo we will feed ourzzzelvezzz. You do not need all thezzze beazzztzzz to zzzail zzhip."

Xzaris drew his long knife with his left paw, snarling, "Ya will not lay a paw on any a me crew, ya hear me?"

The lizards looked at one another, before Zurgat advanced on the ferret captain. "Then perhapzzz we will feazzzt on you."

Xzaris's mind was racing, and he blurted, "What about Master's pearls? I can't git 'em fer him if'n I'm dead!"

Zurgat halted in her tracks, before hissing, "We are hungry. Give uzzz a crew beazzt, and I will let you live."

"Yu'll lemme live, will ya?" Xzaris flicked his pike in the lizard's face. "Wull I ain't givin' ya one a this crew, I'm their capt'n, an' ya really expect me ta go against me honor like that? We're all hungry Zurgat, but killin' each other ain't gonna help. An' it sure ain't gonna git Master's pearls, see?"

The Monitor didn't say anything for a few moments, before she snarled. "We have had no meat for a week, we are zzztarving. Eating one crew beazzzt will not zzztop uzz from getting Mazzzter'zz pearlzz. Zzzo give uzzz one, or we will take one."

Xzaris cast a glance behind him, catching Val's eye. He showed his fangs. "No. Ya will have ta fight me first!"

Zurgat's tail slowing swished back and forth, the sharp spikes on it scraping the wood. She seemed caught in indecision, between defying her masters wishes and satisfying her hunger. Xzaris was tense, ready to spring at any moment, and he did have to admit the lizard's ribs were beginning to show beneath their scales. Used to devouring large portions of meat every one or two days, nothing but seaweed for a week was as good as starvation.

One of the lizards jumped toward a crew member before Zurgat made her choice, and the beast scrambled back, his sword smashing uselessly on the back of the creature's heavily plated neck.

Xzaris leaped forward as the monitor tore at the creature's legs, shredding his boots and pulling him to the deck amid his vain attempts to defend himself. The creature screamed in agony as his captain threw himself at the lizard, slashing his gleaming pike at the beast's throat.

The Montior pulled away with a hissing cry, blood from a shallow wound running down its long neck. It snarled in anger, throwing itself at Xzaris with fury. The ferret leaped to the side, falling to one knee as the creature thundered forward again.

He made as if to slash at the beast's throat with his long knife, and it jerked itself back, pulling its belly slightly off the deck. Xzaris thrust his pike with all his might, and the weapon sank into the lizard's underside, slicing down it.

The creature screeched, thrashing in agony of death, and Xzaris found himself thrown backwards from the sheer power of the Monitor. The back of his head collided with the ship's railing, and he sank to the deck, vision swimming. Pain seared through his right footpaw as the lizard's thrashing claws caught it, and the burning sensation cleared his head.

Xzaris dragged himself up using the railing, not daring to put all his weight on the injury. The Monitor lay stiller now, though it fought to stand again every few seconds, hissing and snarling in agony.

The ferret retrieved his pike, curling his lip as he thrust the weapon up through the dying lizard's belly in a bit of twisted mercy. Zurgat didn't move for a moment, before she hissed, "Very well, thizzz one wazzz not needed. We will eat him inzztead."

Xzaris and all the crew stood frozen in shock as the living Monitors fell to devouring their dead companion without a shred of feeling. Val made a face, choking to keep what little dinner she'd eaten down. "Oh ... ugg! I .. think I'm gonna be terrible sick .. they're cannibals!"

Xzaris himself felt a surge of repulsion run through him, and he backed away as several of the crew dragged away the groaning rat he'd saved. The ferret looked quickly away, covering his muzzle with a paw. "Val .. see about the wounded beast."

"An' ya too capt'n." Val pointed out, steadying him as he stumbled from the pain in his footpaw.

Xzaris winced, leaning against the galley doorframe. "Him first .. I kin hang on. I'm fine."

Val led him down toward her kitchen, shaking her head. "Nah ya ain't, ya can't fool me. Ya come down here an wait fer me, ya shouldn't be walkin' on that paw anyway .. it's bad hurt."

The ferret looked down at his torn a bloody boot, and had to agree with Val, as much as he would have liked to keep going. However he knew of the horrible tales of infected wounds at sea, and decided looking after it now was better than being a peg-footed pirate.

><><

At Redwall, Log-a-Log and his shrews had been joyously welcomed, and more work was done for the feast, which Durral declared would be tomorrow night. However dinner was a miniature feast in and of itself, Higgle and Tansy had seen to that.

Much laughter and talking filled Cavern Hole as beasts came to supper, Martin insisting that Plogg and Welko sit with him and Clecky. Grath joined them with Gural, and Hood sat down at their table last, at the far end near his owl companion.

Clecky set about demolishing a salad straight away, hardly able to talk around the food in his mouth, though he made a valiant attempt. "I .. mmmpphh .. I say .. Redwall salad .. never fails to .. hhrummpph .. amaze a chap."

Hood flicked one ear, a common expression of his. "As do your table manners."

Gural stuffed a pastry in his beak, speaking as soon as he was able. "As my ould mother always would say .. don't talk with your beak full."

Grath giggled a little, because the owl's statement contradicted his actions. Plogg elbowed Martin. "So, how's the training with old Mattimeo going? As good as your music?"

Martin shrugged, grinning. "Oh, I'm pretty good at it, at least that's what dad says."

Welko laughed. "Probably not as good as I am with my bow!"

"Oh is that so?" Martin raised an eyebrow. "How about you challenge Grath, I bet she can beat you."

Welko grinned. "Nah .. she might be good, but I'm even better."

"Now how do you bally well know that chap, I've seen her shoot, wot? Jolly good if you ask me." Clecky looked up from his food.

Plogg shoved his brother. "Hey, you know when you've been challenged?"

Grath held up a paw. "Now .. wait a minute .."

Welko blinked. "Uhh .. well I don't know .."

Martin smiled encouragingly. "Hey, you can do it Grath, you're incredible with that bow. I bet you could hit a moving target sixty yards away!"

"I can not!" Grath exclaimed, a little dismayed. "Martin .. that's just impossible .. believe me, I've tried."

"Yea." Welko agreed. "That is pretty crazy."

The mouse shrugged. "Ok, so I'm not an archer."

Grath tried to make a face, but laughed instead. "No, you're not. That's for sure."

Arven suddenly scrambled onto the bench beside Clecky, looking undeniably cheerful and rather mischievous as well. The hare smiled at the squirrel dibbun, offering him a slice of flan. "Why hello chap, try some of this! Top hole scoff, if I do say so myself, wot, wot?"

The dibbun accepted to food, digging in heartily, and Clecky grinned. "That's the spirit, scoff like you mean it, eh wot?"

Arven looked up, meadowcream flecking his muzzle. He tugged on the hare's three-quarter blue cape, grinning cheekily as he whispered. "Mr. Clecky, is Mr. Hood scared of loud noises?"

Clecky blinked a bit confusedly as he whispered back, "Well I suppose if it's loud enough, eh wot? But .."

"And if he sat in flan, would that get his hood dirty enough?" Arven was persistent.

The hare narrowed his eyes. "I say now .. what are you up to laddie buck?"

The squirrel giggled softly. "Just our surprise, like we told Tansy Pansy. We're gonna see the bones, an' if Diggum's ready, he'll sit in flan!"

"Now I say .." Clecky began, but his words broke off as there was a loud crash, directly behind Hood. Everybeast at the table and at tables around it leapt to their feet .. and Hood tried his best to do the same.

However his robe-like cloak pulled back, his hood tightening about his face and practically yanking him off his paws. His arms were still stuck in the sleeves but the front of the robe was ripped back by the force of his jumping up, revealing no bones, simply normal fur.

Hood struggled to pull the front of his cloak back together, but was forced to sit down to do so because of the tension. The fox's ears shot straight up as he did this, a surprised look written all over the small part of his face that could be seen.

Arven jumped up, cry reverberating through Cavern Hole. "Mr. Clecky .. there aren't any bones at all! Not any!"

Everybeast in the vicinity looked at Clecky, including Arven, who was accusing. The hare stammered, for once at a loss for words. "Well now .. that is .. I mean .. he does have bones. You know, inside his fur, like every other beast, wot?"

"That's not how you said it!" Arven stamped a paw. "You said he was nothin but bones!"

Hood's ears rotated back grumpily as Clecky blinked. "I mean .. well now .. Arven chap, I .. that was .. well, a bit of a jolly story. You weren't .. supposed ta take it .. so serious, you know?"

Arven was upset. "Mr. Clecky, you fibbed! Fibbing is awful bad, Sis'er Cicely says so! She should make you eat her nettle broth, and that's terrible awful .. as bad as the fib!"

Cicely snagged Arven by the tunic, voice stern. "Oh is it? And what about what you did .. tipped a whole tea-trolley of dishes over and embarrassed a guest? Of to bed with you, Master Arven."

The squirrel sniffed. "I just wanted to see the bones."

Tansy came over at that moment, asking, "Sister Cicely, have you seen the big flan I made specially for the abbot? It's gone missing, and I swear I can remember where I put it."

Arven looked guilty. "I never touched it Tansy .. Pansy. Diggum was the one that put it under Mr. Hood so he'd sit in it, not me!"

Tansy's mouth dropped open. "What? You wouldn't have!"

Plogg and Welko were leaning on one another, laughing so hard they nearly fell off their seat, and Martin had his paws clamped tightly over his mouth. Grath looked like she felt bad for Tansy, but was having a hard time keeping a straight face.

Cicely was rounding up all the dibbuns, escorting them upstairs toward the dormitories. Arven's voice was forlorn as he was forced to leave. "But I just wanted to see the bones! I just wanted to see the flan going down! And we planned so much .. we even carted that great big rock in before dinner to put on his hood .. and we got the biggest flan ever .. and Mr. Clecky said .."

His voice faded away, and Hood tried to creep off, but the sizable rock on the hem of his cloak pulled him back. The fox removed it, keeping his head and ears down rather ashamedly as he quickly made for the door.

Tansy picked up the smashed remnants of her flan, looked sadly at it. "My biggest, nicest flan yet ... Oh, I'd have liked to have eaten a little bit."

Clecky shook his head. "Errr .. my humblest apologies miss, it does look .. spiffen grand .. or it would have .. hmmph. Wasting marvelous scoff like that .. "

Durral looked sternly at the hare, whose ears drooped. "Well now .. I say .. how was I to know the little chap had such a .. well .. an imagination. I mean, he's such a .. small lad .. and I thought I'd just amuse him with a bit of a tale ..."

Plogg gasped for breath, laughing, "Well you sure amused us!"

Durral sighed. "Please do not tell the dibbuns any more of your stories, they are quite imaginative. I'm afraid you'll have to clean up the mess they made. Does your .. friend need anything?"

Gerul spoke up. "He just wants to be by his ould self, he won't be glad to see anybeast at this point. He'll be right as rain in the morning, just has to cool off, so to speak."

"And take a jolly bath .." Clecky stated, pausing as a little laughter crept into his voice.

His owl companion looked at Welko and Plogg, just managing to stop laughing, and chuckled. "But it was rather funny to see Hood sit in flan, wasn't it?"

Gerul stopped as he caught Tansy's glare, quickly adding, "Of course .. not miss Tansy's flan .."

The hedgehog huffed, stomping off to the kitchens disgustedly. Clecky sighed. "I say ... I hope we haven't offended the lovely cook too awful much. Her cookin's too marvelous to have her mad at a jolly old chap .. he might blinkin' starve."

><><

The crashing of the waterfall created a soft, almost mesmerizing rhythm, but Romsca resisted its magic, refusing sleep. To occupy herself, she opened the old otter book again, flipping to the depiction of the Sampetrian ship. The illustration confused her, made her doubt .. made her wonder.

Was it right, what Sampetra did to other nations .. nations that weren't truly its enemies? Before, she would have said, ''There is no other way .. this is the way it has always been.''

But now, she knew better.

''Unless it's all made up. It might be false.''

But why? What reason was there for it to be? The author had known what they were talking about, the eloquence of the writing alone was enough to prove to her it wasn't a joke. Besides, somebeast had drawn that detailed picture .. no, they were completely serious.

Still .. how? Why had she been taught a lie?

A lie that everybeast believed.

"And the worst thing is, unless the alliance was broken, we've murdered the very beasts we was supposed to aid." Romsca stared at the book. "It's so despicable I could spit."

"What is? Cheng?" Rafglan sat on the log behind her.

Romsca snorted. "Nah, but he is too. Raf ... it's this book. It says ... that once we had alliance with Holt Lutra .. ya know, the otters me father an' uncle wiped out!"

The rat stared at her before he sneered. "What? Impossible. 'Ow could pirates 'ave alliance with woodlanders? There's alwus been war between us an' them."

Romsca shook her head. "No .. this book says that once we was a trading nation with the best ships anybeast laid eyes on. It says we traded gold an' silver .. grain! We can hardly grow enough a that fer ourselves, how could we trade it? All our gold's what we've stolen, an' we're hard pressed ta grow enough rice an' bamboo ta feed the city .. I don't unnerstand."

Rafglan took the book, reading it slowly and staring at the depiction of the ship. He finally handed it back, shaking his head. "An' neither do I .. but ya know ya kin never trust a woodlander."

"That's what I said .. but Raf, why would they lie about this? There's no plausible reason .. there just ain't. I .. I think it's true." Romsca paused, adding, "An' Raf, think about how many a us die on raids. If we was traders, those beast might not have ta die!"

The rat shook his head, looking around, before sighing, "Honey. I know how yer thinkin', yer thinkin' a yer dad. An' I know .. but it can't never be. Even if Ublaz weren't there ta boss us, how could we trade with the nations we've raided? Nah, honey we was born ta murder. Ya, me .. every one a these beasts. It's in our blood an' in our hearts .. ya just gotta unnerstand."

Romsca shut the book with a snap, glaring at the rat. "Don't ya git me wrong Raf."

Her voice was low, but earnest. "I love the sea. I love ta sail. Sometimes I even love ta fight, an' killin' me enemies don't bother me none. But ta kill those that never did me wrong, to see families broken .. a girl's father taken from her .. just like mine was .. it makes me feel as bad as Ublaz. An' I hate to mimic that monster in any way."

Rafglan sighed, voice stern. "Capt'n. I know. But that's jist the way it is. Without the grain we take in raidin', we would have mayhem on our paws. 'Sides, what about the seabeasts? Creatures would have no jobs .. beasts would be starvin' an' let's be perfectly honest. Without the beasts we loose in war, we'd soon over-populate our city. It'd destroy Sampetra, an' that's the short an' long a it."

Romsca looked away, slipping the book in her satchel. "I donno if I can do this the way it's supposed ta be done."

"Then Capt'n .." Rafglan paused, stating, "Don't take this wrong, but maybe ya ain't meant ta be a capt'n."

Romsca turned on him, snarling, "I am! I will sail me father's ship, I will be as good as a son ta him, an' I will be a worthy beast a the House a the Dragons! Being a lady of the Dragons isn't good enough, I will be a capt'n, a warrior, and I will be as good as any male, better than 'em even! Do you unnerstand that Rafglan? It's what I've trained ta be since I could talk, it's me greatest dream! It's all I can give me father, now that I brought about his death, so do not dare tell me I should not be what I am!"

The rat met her blazing green stare for a moment, before he dropped his gaze. "Then with respect Capt'n, meet the demands."

Romsca let her eyes close, before opening them, narrowly. "I will do what I must."

"Don't be afraid ta kill capt'n .. they'd kill ya if they could." Rafglan stated by way of encouragement.

His young captain's gaze was as sharp as her axe. "Only because of what I am, a murderer. But I said I will do what I must .."

Her eyes burned with a wild, intense fire as she sneered. "An' I ain't afraid ta kill."

><><

Xzaris's paws clenched in pain as he ground his teeth together to remain silent. Val looked up from where she was washing his wound, stating, "Sorry capt'n .. I bet it do hurt. An' somethin' awful, that thing got yer paw purty good."

"Course .." Val dipped her rag into the bowl of boiled sea water she was using, gently sweeping it across his foot. "Nobeasts never killed one a them before .. so I'm su'prised ya got out as good as ya did."

The ferret nodded, wincing, "Am I gonna be able ta keep me paw er not?"

Val flicked an ear, shrugging. "Wull I donno fer sure, if we kin keep it clean an it don't git infected, yea. But ya might limp forever anyhow, cause yer paw's torn up .. those thing's claws ain't nothin' ta laugh at."

"That's fer sure." Xzaris muttered, asking, "What 'bout the other beast?"

The white vixen shook her head. "I don't think he'll live that long .. not with all I know of healin'. I kin only do so much ya know."

Xzaris sighed. "Yea."

He tried to wiggle his toes, but the lance of pain that shot up his leg forbade him to do that again. Val grimaced as she began to bind the injury, stating, "Be glad ya can feel it .. shows it might heal."

She paused, adding, "An' I gotta say what ya did with that lizard was stupid. Brave an' all, but stupid. Purty tough an' darin' an' everythin', but stupid."

Xzaris rolled his eyes. "I know it was stupid. Real stupid, an' it coulda well been the end a me."

"Why'd ya do it then? I mean .. I git we don't want em eatin' us, but there's a point when ya can't do no more. That rat .. he probably wishes ya let him be eaten, cause now he'll jist die far slower." Val pointed this out sadly.

Her captain nodded bleakly. "I wish we coulda saved him, or at least that he wouldn't have ta suffer like this .. but as fer what I did .." He paused.

"I had ta." Xzaris shrugged. "I donno why but I did. Maybe ta prove somethin' to meself."

A little dry laughter returned to his voice as he snorted, "I can't believe I killed that thing an' came out with no more'n a torn paw .. I really can't. It all 'appened so fast .. what'd I do anyway?"

Val shrugged, a slow grin forming on her muzzle. "Ya gutted it capt'n, an' that must be the only way ta kill 'em, cause their unnerbellies must be softer than the scales on top .. good grief, on top they're purty much un-killable!"

She thought about this a moment, before stating, "Ya know, that must be why they alwus attack so low ta the ground."

"Could be yer right." Xzaris looked thoughtful. "I wonder .."

"Ya wonder what?" The vixen cocked one ear forward.

"Nothin'." Xzaris shook his head as he carefully slipped his boot on over the bandages. "Nothin' really. Jist a thought."

Their conversation was interrupted by a shout from on deck. "Hoi, Land ho! Dead ahead!"

Xzaris staggered up, using his pikeshaft to steady himself. "Sounds like I'm needed up there .."

He paused, looking at the unconscious creature, lying bandaged but still bloody on a makeshift pallet. "Try ta keep 'im as comfert'ble as ya can .. give him some ale if'n ya need ta. It's all we kin do."

Val nodded as her captain limped up the galley stairs, brushy black-tipped tail vanishing through the open hatch. Xzaris had to keep most of his weight on the uninjured limb, and was forced to lean heavily on his pike, as his wounded foot was barely movable.

He was met by Skarbod, who grimaced. "The island's comin' up fast cause a this currant .. there's bound ta be reefs."

"Post lookouts on the for'ard end, Ya go git me spyglass an' help me with sightin', an' I'll steer her. All hands ta the main deck!" Xzaris finished giving orders as he limped up the forcastle stairs, using the railing for support.

He slipped his pike into its sheeth, taking hold of the wheel as Skarbod ran up the steps with the spyglass. The stoat joined his captain quickly, putting the device to his eye and adjusting it.

The little ship was approaching the island rapidly indeed, for the Roaringburn was swift. Xzaris squinted, noting the whitecaps where the waves crashed upon some obstacle. The pale light of early dawn illuminated the seascape, though not as fully as would have been ideal.

Skarbod adjusted the spyglass, stating, "We've got our first reef .. on the port side, ta starboard!"

Xzaris turned the wheel, and Darkshroud obeyed him, skirting the treacherous rocks in a wide arch.

"Hard to port!" Skarbod pointed with his free paw, keeping the spyglass to his eye continually.

Xzaris struggled against the force of the Roaringburn, turning the wheel again. Skarbod made a face. "I hope this is low tide, but from the tales a this place, I bet it ain't."

Tall cliffs of the island itself towered nearer and nearer, and their speed seemed to increase. Xzaris could see the obvious bay now, the island was really a very large, half eroded atoll. However surf dotted their path on multiple accounts, reef after reef threatening to be the end of them.

Skarbod grimaced. "We're dead."

"No, wait! There!" Xzaris pointed, grabbing the spyglass from his first mate and quickly turning it. Sure enough, a little to one side of the ship, was a path of water that seemed clear.

The ferret thrust the item back into the stoat's paws and hauling on the wheel, making for that stretch of ocean. Darkshroud slipped into it, moving even faster.

"This must be the heart a the Roarin'burn .. it erodes anythin' in it's path." Xzaris kept a tight hold on the wheel as the morning breeze whipped his black hair out of his face. A sharp cliff rose above them, forming a large sea-arch where the Roaringburn had driven a hole through solid rock.

The ship swept underneath it, almost being tossed into what seemed a giant eddy. Their pace instantly slowed, and they floated slowly forward in a massive bay, the center of the ancient volcano's cinder-cone.

Skarbod blinked in amazement. "Have ya ever seen the like?"

Xzaris shook his head, for this place, while beautiful, was haunting. Skeletal wrecks sat in this deep indigo water, sheltered from sea and storm as they slowly rotted away to nothing. Some seemed younger, their broken glass windows still in them and their masts hanging from them at crazy angles, rotting sailcloth billowing in the quiet water. Others were poor, decrepit things, half rearing in the sea as if protesting their inevitable fate as they slowly became completely water-logged and slipped beneath the surface forever.

Ships of every kind, large and small, some modern designs, some obviously hundreds of years old populated this mournful graveyard. Not a soul was to be seen, living or otherwise .. just wreck after wreck, proof of the wild sea's murders.

Xzaris limped to the rail, looking down into the wonderfully clear water. Far, far below, resting on the bottom, were the vague shapes of those wrecks that had succumbed to the wiles of time.

Northern made ships, Southswardian vessels, otter crafts, fishing boats, and even sleek raiders of Sampetra all populated this place of peaceful death, either their hulls stoved in or their masts snapped in two .. all ravaged by the ruthless oceans.

The Darkshroud's crew was silent in awe and some fear, and Xzaris felt the peace of this place wrap around him .. like it was enchanted. "We're probably some'a the first livin' beasts ta see this."

Val joined him, having done all she could for the wounded beast. For once the vixen was silent, the soft breeze rustling her red hair.

Darkshroud came to a slow stop, almost as if it was sighing with relief and wished to meet a peaceful end in the sheltered bay. After all, it was nothing but an old wreck he'd restored, and with the damage that had been done, it almost looked like it belonged.

Xzaris scowled at his thoughts, shaking his head. "Skarbod, lower a boat. We'll go ashore an' look fer fresh water. Others kin fish, there's bound ta be a lot in waters as undisturbed as this." ><><

The dawn was turning Redwall's walls from nightwashed gray to their real ruddy hues as Blacksnow allowed Durral to hitch him to the abbey cart.

Mattimeo saw him from the gatehouse and came out, with Martin close behind. "Ho, Durral .. where are you off to this early?"

The mouse clipped some of the harness together, smiling, "Good morning Mattimeo, Martin. I thought I'd get some herbs to surprise Cicely, she's worked hard to prepare for this feast, you know."

Mattimeo scratched his head. "Alright .. but by yourself?"

"Why not?" Durral asked. "After all, it's been too long since I spent some time in Mossflower, just me and nature. Besides, Blacksnow can look after whatever trouble might arise .. he did fight alongside your father, after all."

The appaloosa was not paying attention, his head was down and one back hoof was cocked, a sure sign he was snoozing. Mattimeo nodded. "Hmm .. yes. And he's quite a loyal beast. But he's a bit past his fighting days, if you ask me."

Durral climbed into the driver's seat, laughing. "For that matter, I'm not young. No, it will be fine, and I'll be back before lunch. Martin? You and Grath see everything goes smoothly."

Martin nodded. "Right, we will."

The abbot tugged gently on the reigns, and Blacksnow jerked his head up. "Mmmm .. hrrrmmpph, are we ready to go? Well you might say something."

The old horse stretched forward, tossing his thinning black mane and opening his jaws in a wide yawn. He started forward at a slow walk, and Durral settled back in in seat, waving. "Tell Tansy all I want for lunch is spring salad and tea, alright? I'll be back around noon."

><><

Romsca awoke to the rushing water of the falls and the sweet sound of birdsong. She lifted her head a little blearily .. she'd been asleep?

The ferret shook herself, starting as she saw Lask watching her.

"Well what're ya lookin' at?" Romsca snapped, not in the best mood.

The Monitor actually smiled, almost patronizing. "Juzzt watching azzz you zzzlept. We would want nothing to happen to our captain, who will find Mazzter'zzz pearlzz."

Romsca rolled her eyes. "Yea. A course. Master's pearls."

She stood up, tossing her black hair over her shoulders and shaking herself. "I'm starved, where's Rubby?"

The rat cook walked up behind her, carrying a net of fish. "I'm right 'ere capt'n. I'll make somthin' that'll wake ya up proper so I will."

Romsca yawned, still awaking totally. "Uh-huh. I bet so."

The ferret checked the buckle on her satchel, vowing to not sleep again without the protection of her cabin or manor. Fool she was to give in to her weariness even once.

Rubby was stirring something over the fire, when the scout came into camp. "Capt'n?"

Romsca looked up. "Yes?"

The creature shrugged. "There's some old run-down buildin' over there a bit. Looks abandoned if ya ask me. But I thought ya might wanna know."

Romsca nodded. "Aye, I do. How far off is it?"

"Uhh .. 'bout ten minutes walk from here, not far at all."

The ferret stood up. "Right. Rubby, keep makin' breakfast, we'll scope it out. Shouldn't take long."

Lask stepped forward, hissing smugly. "Three of my Monitorzzz go with you."

Romsca bowed slightly in acknowledgment, the faintest sarcasm in her voice. "Of course, Lask Frildur. We wouldn't think of leaving them."

Rafglan joined her, and she felt a twinge of anger toward her first mate, for the things he'd said last night. She'd always leaned upon the rat and his wise council, but now she wished he'd vanish for a while as she got over the stinging blow he'd delivered to her, her honor, and her confidence.

She hurried on, not speaking to him. Lask's Monitors swept through the dense foliage with amazing efficiency; if they could not skirt around something, they plowed through it.

After a little while, the group reached the building the scout had spoken of. It was exactly what he'd said .. decrepit. Sagging, crumbling, and leaning in some cases, a half broken down metal fence ran around the front of it, forming a large yard filled with mournful old gravestones.

Romsca felt a shudder run down her spine .. if a beast was not buried at sea, Atlas could not guide them to the afterlife, therefore their spirit would be condemned to haunt their burial place forever.

The ferret shook her head, shoving such thoughts from her mind. "Come on, the sooner we take a quick look 'round, the sooner we git fed."

The Monitors showed no fear as they headed toward the structure, but Romsca felt like her fur was on end. Reaching up to rub her neck, she found the fur around her spine was indeed bristling.

Other crew beasts looked uneasy, and Romsca knew she had to put on an act for their sake as well as her own. "Come on, ghosts only haunt after dark, ya ought'a know that."

She strode purposefully to the building's doors, pushing one open with an echoing creaking. The ferret swallowed as she looked around at the cobwebs, broken banister and half crumbled stairs. Her companions came in after her, looking nervous.

Romsca tossed her head, walking across this open space, like some giant foyer, and began trying doors leading off of it. The first few yielded nothing, just crumbling old rooms, empty and forlorn. However the next opened into a hallway.

There was a faint scurrying sound from farther down it, and Romsca pulled her axe off her back as a precaution.

She crept along it, opening the nearest door, biting back a shriek as something dark scurried across her boot, running up the opposite wall. Romsca relaxed to see it was only a speckled gray and black salamander, and proceeded into the room.

The ferret stopped dead at what she saw .. this place was furnished! And not with old, rotting furnishings, though cobwebs and dust were everywhere. Limp curtains, stained and dirty, hung from the windows .. that still had glass. A cold fireplace sported dusty pots and pans on its mantel, with a fallen, cobweb-strung stool to complete the look.

Old, dusty stubs of candle and a crystal-cut lantern sat on a table, with a dirty checkered cloth beneath them and a few eating utensils nearby. In the far corner, the small bed still had it's sheets and pillows .. and they were not unoccupied.

Romsca made a face, for there was a complete, undisturbed skeleton lying in them, just as it would have in life .. obviously the owner of this place.

Her boots stirred through the dust and debris on the floor as she picked an opened journal from the table, blowing the dust from it as she read the entry.

''This sickness has taken ahold of me now, I feel it will likely be my last. If it is to be, I shall not complain, only I would that it be over, so I may meet my Lord Ignasa, who has been my comfort these long seasons since my brother died. I suppose I could go to the good beasts of Redwall for help, but do I truly wish to prolong my life or the pain of this fever? No, it is best I should die where I have lived so long, the place I love, my dear old home. That is simply the way of the world.''

Romsca scanned down the words, freezing at the next sentence.

''I do wonder if Graylunk's brethren may one day come looking for the stolen pearls, but I don't suppose I shall be here to greet them. Either way my poor friend, I hid them quite well, and if you truly came to Ignasa, I hope to see you very soon. Let pearls and war rest upon our fellow beasts who still live, for I draw nigh to death's door, and such things cannot harm the dead. I'm sorry to speak in such morbid ways, my journal, you have carried the thoughts of my old heart for many a season. But I fear the time has come we must part, perhaps, someday, you will be of use to some other beast. I can only hope so, for you have little use to me any longer.''

Fermald

"Capt'n?"

Romsca jumped a little as Rafglan stuck his head in the door. "Oh there ya is."

"Quiet." Romsca snapped, still slightly sore. "I think I've found somethin' worthwhile."

She flipped back through entries, having to go back quite a ways before finding what she was looking for.

The harvest was good this season .. no .. ''It's been one of the stormiest summers I can remember .. '' no .. Spring, winter, fall, summer ... Romsca stopped as her eyes fell upon one irregular entry.

''I know it is late at night, but I have met the strangest beast. Wandering about Saint Ninian's graveyard with a horrific head wound, sobbing about ghosts and pearls and other nonsense, he is a gray weasel of about twenty or thirty seasons. I have taken him in and attempted to care for him, but he is sore hurt, and I fear there is little I can do but make him comfortable as he dies.''

Romsca skipped on ahead, reading the next bit of writing.

''Graylunk, as I learned he was called, did indeed die, as I suspected. However he has given me the most amazing set of six rose colored pearls before he passed away, begging me most brokenly to take them to his captain, who apparently faces death without them. When I explained there was nothing I, an old squirrel, could possibly do, he begged me to hide them from his ruthless emperor, somebeast called Ublaz. This I have done .. not to brag, but I believe I'll have made quite a little puzzle for anybeast who'd be looking for them. I even made a little ditty on the subject.''

Beneath the sepulchers of stone,

These rose teardrops abide.

Here they lie though not alone,

With Icetor's Ice a guide.

So if you seek this treasure,

What's the opposite of pride?

Find value you cannot measure,

Where six echoes hide.

~ Fermald

Romsca stared vacantly at the page for a moment, before growling in frustration. What kind of crazy joke was this? Besides that, Graylunk was dead? He wasn't supposed to be dead, not after what he had done. She should have gotten to kill him.

The ferret shoved these thoughts from her mind, none of it would do any good. She looked at Rafglan, reading beside her, and snapped, "Well, there's a mess. What's yer plan fer that one?"

The rat studied the words a moment, before shrugging. "My answer is not the one you'll want ta hear, Capt'n."

"Don't patronize me Rafglan, I'm in a bad mood as it is." Romsca's voice was testy.

Rafglan shrugged. "Very well, if I was ya, I'd catch some local woodlander around here an' make 'em tell."

Romsca rolled her eyes. "The pearls were hidden. This Fermald person didn't go tellin' everybeast, I don't reckon."

"Nah, course not capt'n, but woodlanders think like other woodlanders." Rafglan pointed out.

"Well .." Romsca gave in. "I guess ya got a point. But there ain't no local woodlanders about ta catch! Do ya see a bunch a mice or somethin' pickin' daisies out there?"

Rafglan put a paw to his lips, and in the silence, Romsca could here the clopping of trotting hooves. Her first mate looked smug. "Hark, there's yer mice pickin' daisies, comin' jist when we need 'em."

Romsca looked out the window, and sure enough, a mouse driving a cart hitched to an old, swaybacked appaloosa was making his way toward the building.

The ferret winced inwardly, but she caught Rafglan's pointed look and ordered him sharply. "Tell the crew ta be silent. We'll surround him an' .. enlist his help."

Rafglan nodded, hurrying away, and Romsca watched the innocent, green-robed mouse coming ever closer .. something tugged at her heart. She exhaled the softest of all sighs, her thoughts far from the dark scowl on her face.

''I probably could have found them on my own .. why couldn't you stay away?''

><><

Xzaris would have liked to go on the search for a stream with the ones he'd sent, but Val had pulled him aside, explaining hiking would not help his injury.

He'd fished instead, and now sat by the fire with Val, roasting some of what had been caught. Zurgat and her Monitors were ravenously devouring a pile of fish and a few seagulls .. at least there was plenty for them to eat here.

The ferret was finishing the best meal he'd had in several weeks, staring out into the bay thoughtfully as Val plopped down beside him, eating hungrily. "Ya know somethin'? There's so many old ships out there .. what if we could find a mast ta replace Darkshroud's?"

"Nah .." Xzaris sighed. "I've thought'a it. But unless there's some won'erful piece a luck out there, they've all been cracked an' smashed. Still .. if we kin find enough metal, I kin forge bands ta stabilize our mast with. We'd best git ta mendin' that sail too."

Val made a face. "Oh yea .. that."

She finished her meal, asking, "Hey, kin we git on one a those wrecks an' look? There's one beached real close ta here, ya kin see it."

Xzaris looked around, noting that the Monitors and the crew were busy eating, satisfied now there was food to be had. He nodded, standing with the help of his pike. "A'right, might as wull."

Fox and ferret made their way down the strand, Xzaris limping slowly while Val dashed here and there, looking at all sorts of things. At one point she stopped, picking up a rusted metal object to examine.

"What ya got there?" Xzaris called to her and she ran back, showing him.

It was an old dagger, encrusted by rust and salt crystals. Val continued forward, and as he walked along, Xzaris examined the weapon. It would have been a fine one once, and it looked quite like his own, handle and blade nearly one, the cross-hilt being very small.

There was a design at the base of the blade, but it was obscured, and Xzaris began to chip at the grime with a claw.

"Hellooo .. ya comin' aboard or not?"

Xzaris realized he'd stopped in the shadow of the wreck, focused on revealing the design. It took a few tries, but he got aboard with Val's help. She grinned, stating, "Let's split up, I'll take the hold an' ya take the capt'n's cabin."

The vixen hurried off, and Xzaris limped to where he was supposed to go, working on the odd knife a little more. Suddenly there was a crack beneath him, and he jumped aside, wincing at the pain in his foot. Val's voice floated up to him. "Uh .. yea, the deck's got some weak spots I'll bet."

The ferret rolled his eyes, pushing open the sagging, half-broken door of the captain's cabin and stepping inside. Light shone in through the broken windows and the many cracks in the forecastle floor .. as well as a gaping hole in the wall, smashed by some terrible force. Broken wood was everywhere, as well as the remains of what might have once been a table. The faint glitter of gold drew Xzaris forward, and he stooped near a broken chest, picking up a handful of coins and letting them fall back in a tinkling shower.

He paused only a moment, before he pulled out his satchel and began stuffing gold in it. Just think of what he could do with this stuff! All the upgrades his old ship still desperately needed, he could make her just like new with this much wealth! Maybe a new set of clothes for himself as well. He could even take Romsca to dinner for once .. instead of the other way around. Or maybe buy her something. She'd always been the one to buy things, since she sometimes had money to spare .. but not anymore. Just think .. what if there were other treasures like this, he could truly be a wealthy beast, even after paying the emperor!

The emperor.

Xzaris's busy paws slowed as he let himself slip into a sitting position. The ferret looked at the gold with a sigh that seemed to come from the depths of his soul. Yes, all that could have been, if not for the emperor.

But all the gold in the world could not change his miserable fate.

No dreams he had once had could be fulfilled, he wouldn't ever get to fully restore his beloved ship or sail her as a real pirate. He wouldn't ever get to see Romsca again, let alone any hopes he might have had of being anything more than her friend.

Her friend who would be tragically murdered by Ublaz, just another thing to haunt her, just another thing she would blame herself for.

Xzaris scowled, flinging the gold out of his satchel and burying his face in his paws with a low growling sob.

Why, out of all the beasts on Sampetra, why did this fate befall him and his best friends? Even money could not aid him, all the gold he could desire, and certainly more than he'd seen in his dirt-poor existence.

He took a deep breath, straightening up again and noticing a tarnished gold object laying nearby that wasn't a coin. The ferret picked it up, turning it over in his paw. It was a ring, in the shape of a twisting dragon, with a glinting sapphire eye and tiny opals adorning the spines and claws.

"The House a the Dragons .." Xzaris wiped a paw across his muzzle, before dropping the ornate item into his satchel.

There was a soft step behind him, and Xzaris cleared his throat. "Val? Find somethin'?"

"Who are ye, stranger, an' how did ye come to be on me island?"

He spun around, barely feeling the pain in his foot thanks to his surprise. Silhouetted in the doorway was a creature taller than Val, and with considerably better speech. She stepped in the room as Xzaris got to his feet, and he stared in wonder. For this beast reminded him of another creature .. hauntingly so.

She wore a tattered mix of quite a few cultures, Sampatrian, Southswardian, and even a bone otter tail ring. Her black hair was braided in two braids, and a strip of leather adorned her brow; silky, multiply pierced reddish ears cocked forward in question.

Xzaris realized his mouth was hanging open, and he closed it. "Uhh .."

The ferret's sharp brown stare watched him closely, and he tried again. "Uhh .. I .. "

"What is the matter, Sampetrian, and of the House of the Falcons, by the flag ye fly."

Xzaris stared at her, before asking warily, "Who are ya?"

She smirked. "I should ask the same of ye. So speak."

The ferret captain cleared his throat. "I'm Xzaris, Capt'n a the Darkshroud."

He raised an eyebrow, demanding, "Now who are ya?"

"Nobody really, though I was somebody once. Many a season ago now, so many I'm not sure the number. Just a marooned pirate, once of your nation, young Xzaris of the Falcons."

"I ain't really a Falcon, I jist says I is ta have a flag as a capt'n." Xzaris blurted this darkly, before catching himself and quickly asking, "What's yer house if ya came from Sampetra as ya say?"

The ferret smiled a little smugly. "I had two."

She was standing in a shaft of light now, and Xzaris knew well her younger and brighter mirror image, complete with snarky temperament. His words were soft and amazed. "Romsca ...?"

This got a reaction; the ferret's ears shot up, and her eyes glittered. "What?"

Xzaris looked down at the old knife, still in his paw, and he knew what the symbol was now. "Yer of the Dragons! Yer .. Romsca's mother .. ain't ya?"

He shook his head quickly after saying this. "Nah, ya can't be! Or .. could ya?"

"Ye know me daughter?" The ferret surprised him, Xzaris hadn't really thought his guess was actually correct.

He blinked. "What? Yea .. I know Romsca .. but .. yer really Conva's wife? I thought there was a rumor ya were lost at sea!"

"I was." The ferret stated, "But I'm not a pirate for nothing, and I had a little help as well. Is my daughter well? Is Conva well?"

Xzaris did not really want to be the bearer of bad news, not with the hope shining in the older beast's eyes. "What's yer name, kin I ask?"

She shrugged. "Arashi. But is my family alright, and Barranca too?"

"Wull .." Xzaris began carefully, knowing she would get the truth out of him sooner or later. "Romsca's .. alive, last I knew."

"She must be .. seventeen? Eighteen?" Arashi interrupted. "She was so young last I saw her, I hardly remember quite what she looked like. Only that she was an ornery little thing, for sure."

"She's about twenty, I thinks." Xzaris corrected. "But .. Wull .. about Conva .. milady."

Arashi looked concerned. "What? He isn't .."

She paused, and Xzaris looked down. "I donno how ta tell ya this, but .. he's .. gone. Dead, an' .. I'm sorry. That's all I kin say."

The ferret didn't move for a moment, before she leaned against the doorway, staring almost wildly at the ground, but saying nothing. After a moment, she looked up, voice strained. "How?"

"Uhm .. I'm not sure ya wanna hear that." Xzaris made a face.

Arashi grabbed him by the jacket, giving him a shake that belied her smaller size. "Yes I do!"

She let go, turning away. "I am sorry. But please, tell me."

Xzaris sighed. "Wull .. it was Ublaz. Ya won't know about him .. but he usurped, killed Meili .. an' tried to kill all the House a the Dragons. Conva convinced him to spare .. yer family, if he'd git the tears a the oceans .. the six pearls? Wull .. he got 'em, then they was stolen .. an' Ublaz beheaded him."

Arashi's claws were digging into the wood of the door, and her teeth were clenched together. "Romsca an' Barranca .."

"They .. saw. But there was a rebellion, an' Ublaz had killed so many capt'ns he couldn't afford ta make more'n one example." Xzaris paused, sighing, "But he'd like ta kill every last beast a the House a the Dragons, it's jist sorta a matter a time."

"Whoever this Ublaz is .." Arashi snarled, "I'd like to gut him."

"Yea, we all would." Xzaris shook his head. "But we can't, nobeast can .. he's got magic powers, an' he made those awful lizards his pets. He made us take 'em with us, so don't say nothin' bad about him in front a them, they'll eat ya alive. An' I ain't kiddin'."

Arashi looked away. "I wanted to see Conva one more time .. just one more. I .. needed to tell him. But it's too late .. he'll never know what I do now .. and .."

Her voice was hoarse with emotion. "And I'll never see him again."

Xzaris didn't know what to say, for nothing could really be said. About that moment, Val came in, and stood blinking at the newcomer. "Uhh .. an who is this capt'n?"

He shrugged, a little dazed by all that had happened. "Romsca's mother."

"Arashi." She dully held out a paw, and Val shook it heartily.

"No kiddin'? Yer me awesome pirate sister's mother? Like seriously? Besties! I mean that's great!"

"You know me daughter?" Arashi raised an eyebrow.

Val laughed. "Know her? Yah, a course I know her, I made her my awesome pirate sister after all. We're like the bestest a besties! An' Xzaris here's like .. my brother an' Romsca's boyfriend. I got another boyfriend, cause I'm a fox after all. An' .."

Xzaris shoved her rather crossly. "Val .. ya don't have ta embarrass me in fronta everybeast I meet, do ya? Now there's a sail ta be mended, ain't there?"

"But we was lookin' fer metal stuff." Val pointed out.

"Ehh .. yea. True. Wull go do that."

She shrugged, obeying him. Xzaris met Arashi's gaze, shaking his head. The ferret shook herself. "You must take me back to Sampetra .. I must see Romsca again. Please? I could pay you well."

"Gold'll do me no good." Xzaris sighed. "I'm goin' ta me death. But yer Romsca's mother, an' ... I'll do it fer her. But you'll haveta be careful .. I gotta come up with some way ta explain this ta the Monitors."

Chapter 18 Test of Strength
Romsca watched the mouse unhitch his old, large horse, and the creature fell to grazing .. the ferret was honestly a little surprised it didn't wander off.

The mouse drew a small knife, kneeling and cutting the stems of some plants. Romsca could see Rafglan was in position, as were the others.

She felt reluctance. She had indeed raided settlements and carried off wealth, but she'd never had to capture an innocent woodlander in cold blood like this.

''I'll do my best not to kill him. Maybe tie him up once we have the pearls. His woodland friends will find him and let him go .. I hope.''

The draft-like appaloosa suddenly raised his head, sniffing the air and flicking his ears back with a snort. The mouse looked up, and Romsca knew it was now or never.

She stepped forward quickly, as did the others, forming a circle around the two woodlanders. The mouse backed up a little, holding his small knife tightly as he stammered, "Can .. I help you ... gentlebeasts?"

Romsca smirked, swinging her axe idly. "Yea, I think ya can, actually. Why don't ya drop the little toy mouse, cause ya can't use it anyway."

The creature looked down at the knife in his paw, though he didn't drop it right away. "Wh .. What do you want?"

Romsca looked unimpressed, moving like lighting and wrenching the weapon away from him. The horse suddenly did a half rear, snorting angrily, "Let him be, ferret!"

Romsca jerked her head up, mouth hanging open in amazement, before she closed it. She'd heard tales of talking horses, but had never encountered one before. The creature tried to run forward, but one of the Monitors jumped in front of him, hissing balefully.

"Raf, tie the horse up, if he talks, he can't be allowed ta git away an' tell his friends!" Romsca exclaimed.

As the others ran foreword to do this, she grabbed the mouse by his green robe, muttering darkly, "I jist need ya ta help me find six pearls. If ya can do that, I won't hurt ya, see?"

The mouse nodded quickly, clearly intimidated. "But .. I don't know of any pearls .. ma'am .."

"Call me Capt'n." Romsca ordered as her crew subdued the horse, thanks to the Monitors. Rafglan tied the creature to a leaning stone, and while he fought, he seemed secure.

"Wull Capt'n, what's we gonna do wif the mouse? Come on, make him tell!"

Romsca glared at her first mate, who looked pointedly at their prisoner. "I'm handlin' this Rafglan, lemme deal with it."

She turned to the mouse, whom she still had a grip on. "What is this place?"

He shrugged nervously. "This? It's old Saint Ninian's church."

"Right. Do ya know of any 'Sepulchers of stone' about these parts? Where do ya woodlanders bury yer dead, aside from the ground?"

The mouse looked so bewildered, Romsca felt her heart sink. He swallowed, looking at the Monitors fearfully. "Umm .. I'm not sure. Are you looking for a crypt .. or something like that? Those are normally in the foundations of buildings."

Romsca made a face .. what a horrible, creepy thing to do .. bury a creature in a basement. She nodded. "Alright, then tell me what 'Icetor's Ice' is."

"I .." The mouse looked, honestly, blank. "Well, Icetor is a northern kingdom, but it's far from here, in the northern mountains .."

Romsca rolled her eyes. "I know what Icetor is an' I know where it is. But whatever this ice is, it's gotta be cryptic. Think mouse, what else'd be called Icetor's ice?"

However, while he seemed to think a good deal, no spark of understanding came into his blueish-brown eyes. "I .. I don't know milady, I'm sorry, I really don't."

"Capt'n!" Romsca reminded him sharply, before thinking a moment. The creature that had hidden the pearls said they were old, so they couldn't have possibly gone far. She looked back at her prisoner, demanding, "Would there be any sepulchers in this buildin's basement, by any chance?"

"I .. don't know."

She sighed. "Oh come on, you've explored this place, bein' a local ta these parts, ain't ya?"

He shook his head. "No, I'm the abbot of Redwall .. we don't come here hardly at all! I've never explored in there."

Romsca glared at him, growing a little irritated with his confusion. "Well I guess yer gonna get ta, ain't ya? Come on crew, we gotta find those pearls! Fan out and search the place fer an openin' ta a basement, see? Git ta it!"

The group hurried into the old church, searching every nook and cranny for a lower level, but nothing seemed to turn up, even after several minutes.

Romsca was becoming worried her guess was wrong, when there was the crash of falling rubble, and one of the Monitors hissed, "Over here."

Keeping ahold of the mouse, Romsca hurried over, looking down the once partly debris filled doorway. "Raf, git a torch."

He did so quickly, improvising one from a stick and a lesser crewbeast's borrowed head band. The rat hurried over, holding the lit torch up, illuminating the darkness.

A set of steps ran down, turning a corner and cutting off Romsca's line of vision. Rafglan started down them. Romsca turned to the others. "Ya! Go git the others from the camp. the rest, with me."

She started down the steps after her first mate, taking the mouse with her. It was cold and silent here, in this dark and suffocating netherworld; Romsca wished to be out in the pure sunlight once more, with all honesty. The steps curved down to a sort of landing, and then down another flight into a damp, long, and musty corridor.

There were ancient torch brackets on the walls, some even occupied by unburned torches. Rafglan lit a few of these, passing them out to certain crew members as they made their way along the hallway.

They came to a vast, high ceilinged room, dismal and filled with countless box-like graves, some sticking up from the floor, some in the walls. Rafglan looked at Romsca, asking, "Which one is it, Capt'n?"

She shrugged, scowling. "Guess that's what we gotta find out, the pearls are in onea these. So open 'em, every last one if ya have ta."

The crew hesitated, not convinced this was a good idea. Romsca turned on them, snarling, "I said open 'em!"

"Why don't ya open 'em yerself?" A sneering voice replied, whom Romsca knew to be Cheng. She shoved Durral into Rafglan's paws, pulling her axe out and stocking toward the trouble-maker.

"Because I'm the Capt'n, that's why. So git ta it!"

She pretended to turn away, before whirling around and ripping the tip of her axe blade across the weasel's cheek. "An' don't talk back again, lest I loose me temper! Git goin', all a ya!"

They hurriedly did as she said, and she grabbed the mouse's shoulder, a little puzzled by the look of shock on his face. "What's the matter mouse?"

He blinked as the crew shoved the slab off the first several crypts, and moved on to the next. "You don't find any problem with robbing graves and wounding your own creatures?"

Romsca looked at him a moment, before rolling her eyes. "Shut up mouse, it's a living."

She fell to thinking of the odd riddle, after all, they weren't getting anywhere very fast. She glared at her prisoner, asking, "Yer sure ya have no clue what Icetor's Ice is?"

He shook his head quickly, before pausing. "Well .. there are stories of the magic flowers of Icetor .. all nonsense, of course. But I guess .."

"A flower?" Romsca raised an eyebrow. "That's stupid, it'll have wilted long ago."

Rafglan came back, shaking his head. "There's nothin' capt'n. We've been all through all these crypts, an' we ain't findin' no pearls."

Romsca snarled. "Well they must be here. The riddle said 'Beneath Sepulchers of Stone."

She paused instantly. "Yes .. it said beneath them! Mouse, do ya know anything about this? What would a beast mean by sayin' it was beneath a stone grave?"

"I .."

Rafglan interupted him. "An' it said, 'What's the opposite a pride?' Maybe this would be a grave fer a poor beast."

Romsca nodded. "Ya might be right .. look fer one a these crypts that might move or slide or somethin'. I don't think the old beast that wrote the poem could really dig up graves."

The crew hurried to do as she said, and the ferret walked foreward herself, leaving her prisoner with Rafglan. The box-like buiral places were varying in wealth, some richly decorated, others were plain as plain could be. Romsca stopped in one of the darker corners of the room, beside an old, tired looking stone box with half worn away writing upon it's flat lid.

She leaned against it, looking up at the ceiling in hope of inspiration. None was forthcoming, however, it wasn't really needed. As she leaned her full weight back, the old crypt slid fractionly.

Romsca wheeled around, pausing, before trying again. Now that she was pushing with intent to move it, it slid even more, and a faint blue glow began to illuminate the room as the crack was widened.

"Everybeast, over here!"

Romsca threw herself against the rock again, shoving with all her might. It scraped over the floor, and the glow increased. The crew gathered around, helping to push the rock away, reveiling a shallow grave sunk in the rock ground.

The skeleton of a weasel lay here, perhaps with the long ago remains of some other beast. It held nothing less than the shell case, and a bluish, glowing flower.

Romsca snatched the case from its resting place, holding it tightly as she undid the clasp. The ferret slowly lifted the lid, and the glow of torchlight caught on those shimmering pearls, turning them to a glimmering rose.

For a few moments, Romsca was fixated. She had seen these once, long ago, and she had felt the desire to own them then. But now it was far stronger, far more convincing. She wanted the pearls .. no .. she needed them. With all her being she needed them, the feeling was very strange.

It was almost like these pearls were the very echo of perfection, they were like the image of something everybeast desired, desired to be .. or at least desired to use for their own purposses. Romsca reached to touch one .. as a feeling of wonderful power seemed to wrap around her.

''They are not Ublaz's, they will never be Ulbaz's .. they are mine!''

However as her fingers brushed across one of the smooth surfaces, new pictures formed in her mind's eye, pictures she'd tried to forget.

Conva being beheaded, the otters being killed .. Graylunk and Flairnose escaping. And then one more arose, one that made Romsca wince. The little ottermaid, with her terrified green eyes, scratches, and flowing blonde hair.

The ferret looked down at the pearls, a snarl forming on her face.

''These things bring evil to whatever beasts dares want them, and they're not mine, they'll never be mine .. they're hers.''

She closed the shell-case with an angry snap, growling, "Nobeast is ta look at these, nobeast, under pain a death, see?"

Romsca stuffed it into her satchel, before reaching for the flower. She turned it over and over in her paws several times, before shaking her head. This was a wonder of the world, for who knew how long it had been here, and it showed not even the slightest sign of decay.

She slowly looked down at the weasel's skeleton, and she knew. It was Graylunk, who'd condemed her father to death, and then died before she could kill him. Romsca let her teeth show in an angry snarl, before she clenched her paw around her axe, throwing it down with all the strength she could muster.

There was a splintering, cracking sound, as the axe broke the creature's remains to bits, scattering pieces onto the floor of the burial chamber.

Romsca glared at Rafglan, snarling, "We've got what we want. Now let's git outa here, and I hope that filthy traitor went ta Hellates, aye, with all me heart. Come on."

She whirled around, grabbing the mouse and dragging him back down the corridor. As quickly as they could, the rest of the crew followed.

><><

The soft clopping of horse hooves mingled with the sounds of late morning bird song in a strange melody as the ghost of Mossflower rode through the woods in silence. Dressed fully for battle, and armed to the teeth, she would have worried anybeast who had chanced to see her .. but none did.

Sayna's black eyes had a strange sharpness, a strange life within them, unlike their normal, soft, dull state. The mouse sat completely relaxed, though a sort of tension seemed to exude from her .. almost what could be called anticipation.

She kicked her horse into a trot as she neared old Saint Ninian's church, her long hair bound as tightly as was possible.

The ghost of Mossflower was ready to fight, and something near excitement glimmered in her expression.

Sayna pulled her mount to a stop once in sight of the old building, tying her horse to the old fence. She slipped forward, gracefully unsheathing her elegant sword, no fear, only caution, in her countenance.

There was a sudden, hoarse whinny from around one side of the church, and Sayna ran silently forward, booted paws making only the softest sounds.

The neigh came again, and the mouse warrior sniffed the air, suddenly curling her lip in slight confusion. She took a deep breath, raising her sword and leaping around the corner .. and something flashed in the side of her vision, low to the ground and accompanied by a spine chilling hiss.

Sayna jumped to the side as the long, spiny green lizard flashed past, tail spikes swiping dangerously near her side. The creature spun around, opening it's mouth to reveal rows of razor sharp teeth in an angry snarl.

The mouse glared back at it, running straight at her opponent, sword flashing blue in the sunlight. The lizard streaked forward, jaws seeking it's enemy's legs, but Sayna was slightly faster.

She jumped up, slashing down with her glowing sword, and nearly severing the creature's head from it's body. The lizard collapsed, and Sayna paid little heed to it, running toward Blacksnow, tied and hobbled. She quickly cut through his bonds, asking, "What happened?"

The horse stretched his now-free jaws a little, stomping a hoof. "Pirates! A crew of them .. they took Durral, and were talking about pearls and making him help .. they went in Saint Ninian's!"

Sayna nodded firmly. "Right. Go get help from Redwall, I'll hold them here. Hurry!"

Blacksnow paused only a minute, before loping off into Mossflower, and Sayna made her way toward the back of the church, starting to climb toward the second story windows by way of the thick ivy vines, her now-normal sword clenched in her teeth. The mouse narrowed her eyes as one of her boots slipped, but she kept a tight hold on the vines, growling with exertion as she climbed up, black gaze snapping.

She hauled herself onto the upper window sill, taking her sword in her paw, watching the blue glow flow down the blade once again. Sayna sat still for a few minutes, letting her breathing slow as she got to her paws, shaking herself.

The mouse slipped forward, ears pricking forward as she heard the first voices from below. She stepped from the room she'd entered through, out onto the ancient balcony.

There was Durral, in the grip of a strong, but young looking ferret maiden with a drawn axe. Sayna sighed .. just like the peaceful abbot of Redwall, to give in and not fight the pirates.

She headed silently toward the still intact set of stairs, keeping an eye on the creatures gathering in the foyer. The mouse curled her lip, starting down the stairs rather deliberately as she yelled, "Hey! How about you face somebeast who can fight, not a helpless woodlander!"

><><

Romsca jerked her head up, staring at the tall golden mouse almost stalking down the stairs with the air of a hunter. One of the Monitors ran forward instantly, hissing as it bounded up the old stairs with surprising grace for it's stature.

The mouse smirked the tiniest bit, holding her sword ready to meet the advancing creature, and Romsca smirked. What was this creature thinking? She was brave, yes, but a fool, and about to be torn apart for it.

However the next occurrence made the ferret freeze, and a cold chill of pure wonder run over her. The mouse snarled, making a downward cut at the creature's head .. and blood splattered as her gleaming, blue-bladed sword slashed the lizard's neck in two, slaying it instantly.

She stepped over the body, walking fearlessly forward, and Durral tried to yank his shoulder away from Romsca and bolt. The ferret caught him, dragging him back and pressing her axe against his throat. "I wouldn't come no closer mouse!"

The golden creature paused, before sneering, "A brave thing to do, use a helpless mouse as leverage. You must be a fearless creature indeed, to hide from a fight like this."

Romsca snarled instantly. "What makes ya think I'm scareda a mousewife like ya? I'll shred ya fer that!"

"Then prove it sea scum." The mouse smirked, black, sparkling gaze mocking.

Romsca shoved her prisoner at Rafglan. "I'll fight ya sword ta sword mouse, an' ya will pay fer that!"

She drew her cutlass, the cutlass that had been her father's, and she ran at the woodlander, fury burning in her green gaze.

The mouse took one step back, letting the ferrets rush take her past, and Romsca spun around, bringing her cutlass down with fury. There was a loud clash, and Romsca was honestly surprised by the strength of this oldish-looking mousewife.

She staggered back, growling in anger at the deep nick in her once perfect blade, and jumped forward again, this time keeping her sword flat in a slicing motion. The mouse ducked, deflecting the blade expertly to the side.

Romsca regretted underestimating this mouse's mastery, she was a true warrior, the kind of woodland warrior vermin cowered before and fled from.

I will never flee!

Romsca brought her cutlass up to avoid being beheaded.

I will not be a coward!

She spun around to the side, thrusting with all her strength. She felt the wild rush of battle flowing through her, and her eyes glowed with the power she felt surging up within her.

The mouse ran forward, attacking with a quick, stunning combination, and Romsca staggered back, falling against the wall. She shoved forward, throwing all her weight into the fight, and the mouse spun to the side.

"You fight well .. for a vermin."

Romsca sneered. "So do ya .. fer a woodlander."

She slashed out, but the mouse took a two-pawed grip on her sword, and its blue glow increased with a flash. Their weapons met in a deafening clash, and Romsca's shattered into a million bits.

The ferret found herself thrown back against the wall by some amazing force, and the mouse's sword caught her in the cheek.

Romsca collapsed to the floor with the acrid scent of her own burnt fur in her nostrils, broken cutlass hilt clenched in her paw, as the last Monitor ran at the mouse, attacking with some hesitance, but almost as though it had no choice. Rafglan started forward, but Romsca snarled, stopping him in his tracks. "No! I'll fight this one, an' nobeast else!"

The mouse slashed her lizard opponent apart with three swift cuts, wheeling around to face Romsca, and the ferret paused in shock. The creature's eyes were turning from black to an insane red, and the tales of unstoppable, Bloodwrathing badger lords came to Romsca's mind. But this was just a mouse!

The golden beast ran forward as Romsca whipped out her axe and a knife, crouching and lashing out. The mouse's eyes grew even redder, and she blasted Romsca's axe to the side, taking her shallowly across the shoulder.

''No .. this is not just a mouse!''

There was a feeling like pure fire in her shoulder, and Romsca screamed, half in rage, half in terrible agony. She kicked the mouse hard in the legs, stabbing at her with her knife, and catching her opponent under the eye, ripping a gash down her cheek.

The mouse's eyes grew a little darker again, and Romsca panted, sneering, "Well ya bleed like every other beast."

She advanced swiftly, driving her enemy against the wall while she was recovering. The mouse gasped in pain as the ferret's axe smashed into her armored side, throwing her heavily to the ground, and for some reason, she seemed weaker. Her sword spun from her grasp, and she lay still for a second, her face turned away.

Caught in her fury, Romsca raised her axe, and the mouse suddenly threw herself forward, empty pawed and eyes blazing crimson. She thrust one paw forward, reaching for the ferret's axe, and in that split second, Romsca saw it.

She jumped to the side, and the mouse's rush threw her forward and to the ground, where she collapsed. Romsca was on her in a heartbeat, pinning her down.

The ferret slung her axe across her back, and Rafglan gasped. "What're ya doin'? She woulda killed ya, kill her!"

"No!" Romsca's voice was sharp. "I need ta question this one. Tie her up!"

The mouse didn't struggle as she was bound, the red was gone from her eyes, and her head hung forward. In fact, she seemed almost incoherent.

Romsca stood, feeling the sharp sting of her wounds come fully to her, and she saw the two dead Monitors again. Her eyes fell to the glowing blue sword, and she grinned .. this was her ticket out of this mess!

"This here's mine, nobeast else's!" Romsca seized the hilt, and the blue glow vanished in a flash.

The ferret's mouth dropped open. "What? What in Hellgates?"

She set the sword down again, but nothing happened. Romsca picked it up, shaking her head. "No! Why won't it work?"

She put two paws on the hilt, swinging the weapon. "Oh .. come on .. glow!"

The mouse raised her head weakly, voice a rasping growl. "Try what you will ferret, only a servant of Ignasa can wield that sword."

Romsca blinked, staring at the creature, who slumped forward again. She turned to the other mouse, who looked as stunned as the rest of her crew. "What'da ya know about this one?"

He looked unsure. "Well .. that's Sayna. She's .. well .. she's .. a warrior, unlike most of us."

"Does she live in yer red castle place?"

Sayna lifted her head, snarling, "No, I don't! And why would it bother you, ferret? Leave the abbot be, I fought you, he didn't."

Romsca sneered. "I'm concerned with both a ya at the moment."

There was the pounding of scratching claws on stone as Lask ran in, followed by the rest of his Monitors, and the remainder of the crew behind him. The Monitor froze at the sight of his dead lizards, snarling, "Who did thizzz?"

He jumped on one of the crew members, pinning him down. "Anzzwer me!"

"S .. she .. did!" The creature quickly pointed at the mouse, and Lask snarled.

Romsca spoke up quickly. "And now she is bound an' me prisoner."

The Monitor snarled. "I do not care. Zzzhe cannot kill Monitorzz and live, zzhe muzzt die!"

Romsca cast a glance at the mouse, who seemed to be recovering quickly, enough to spit in Lask's direction. The ferret felt something in her heart wrench .. she had to know more about this mouse. For as the creature had reached to grab her axe, Romsca had caught sight of the sweeping feather mark in the fur of her paw.

The ferret bolted between Lask and her prisoner, stating, "Lask, stop! The pearls, yer Master's pearls .. I found 'em!"

She whipped out the shell case, opening it for him to see. All the lizards and crewbeasts that had not been there previously stared in awe, and Lask's frills unfolded in surprise. He slowly let them fall back into place, before sneering, "Well then, you are our winner, are you not, Captain Romzzzca?"

As he said this, Romsca felt a pang jerk through her, because she knew all too well what winning meant. "An' this mouse has a magic sword only she can make work, that's how she killed yer Monitors. Don't ya think .. Master .. wants ta git her ta tell him how her magic sword works?"

Lask suddenly smiled at the mouse. "Yezzz .. I zzuppozze he might."

Sayna sneered. "Well if he's anything like you, he won't have a chance."

Lask shoved his face close to hers, flicking his tongue out. "Oh mouzze, Emperor Ublaz izz the mozzt powerful beazzt on thizz earth."

Sayna curled her lip, wrinkling her nose in disgust at his rancid breath. "On this earth maybe. But my lord is greater than all!"

Romsca wanted to kick the mouse to make her be silent, as Lask looked angry. However he looked from the pearls, to the sword, to the daring creature, and he smiled. "A likely zztory mouzze. Very well captain, we will take her to Mazzter."

He turned to the male mouse Rafglan had ahold of. "What about thizz one? Thizz one izz not uzzeful? We will eat him if not."

The mouse went pale, trying to pull away from Rafglan as he seemed to loose all the dignity he'd had left in the face of this new terror. He met Romsca's gaze, gasping, "No .. please no .. I helped you, I did what you wanted! I'm just a peaceful beast, I never harmed you, I did the opposite!"

Romsca clenched her paws together, her conscience stinging worse than the wounds the female mouse had bestowed upon her, and she could not allow the brutality of what Lask wished. "He helped us find the pearls."

"And now they are found." The lizard lashed his tail. "Zzo we do not need him anymore."

"That's not true!" Romsca desperately searched for something that would prove her right, and then she had it. "He's the leader of that red castle place, the one that's stood against vermin ferever! Don't ya think Emperor Ublaz wants the leader a that place?"

Lask paused, before scowling, and calming himself. "I zzuppozze he might, captain."

The lizard turned around, ordering, "Now, we return to Mazzzter with hizz pearlzz. Take them both, for Mazzter."

He stalked off, and Romsca caught herself to keep from sighing with relief. She turned on Rafglan, who was staring at her. The ferret snarled. "Tie him up. Get his horse an' cart an' let's get outa here!"

Some of the crew ran off to do her bidding, and Rafglan shoved the mouse into another's paws, stepping near Romsca, asking, "What're ya doin' capt'n? We talked 'bout this!"

"Aye we did." Romsca snarled. "An' I thought I made meself clear, I'll do what needs ta be done. Jist cause I'm a capt'n don't mean I gotta stoop as low as some do."

Rafglan didn't look stung, as Romsca had hoped. The argument might have been continued, if one of the crew hadn't run in. "We got the horse hitched up .. had ta untack it first, but .."

"What'da ya mean, untack it?" Romsca looked incredulous, before hurrying to the doorway. The cart was there, but the horse that stood stamping in its traces was anything but the appaloosa draft they'd captured. This was a regular chestnut, and a mare at that.

"That ain't the horse, where's the black one?"

The crewbeast looked confused. "Uhh .. capt'n, I didn't see no black un .."

Romsca ran out into the yard, and sure enough, the black draft was gone. "He got away! Quick, make fer the Moss an' the ship, we don't want those red warriors after us!"

><><

Grath, Martin, Plogg, and Welko were working on setting up tables on the lawns, while Tansy and Piknim set them for lunch.

"When do you suppose the abbot will get back?"

Martin looked at Grath, shrugging. "I don't know .. sometime soon I imagine."

Clecky came up, carrying a table with Hood, who seemed more cool then usual, after the incident the night before with Arven. The hare however, seemed in his normal self. "Oh I imagine his abbotness will be back for lunch. Fancy missing a jolly delightful lunch miss Tansy made .."

The hedgehog gave him a slight glare, and he wilted a little, walking on.

Grath paused next to Tansy. "The flan?"

"Yes." She sighed. "I won't be mad for long, but it was terribly disappointing."

"I can agree with you." Hood came walking past, voice a tad sulky. He suddenly looked up, pricking his ears toward the open gates.

Clecky paused by his side, asking, "I say, what is it matey?"

"A horse. The one who lives here, it sounds like."

Martin shrugged. "Well, I guess abbot's back. Let's hurry ..."

Hood flicked one ear. "No, I do not hear the cart. And the horse is galloping."

Martin looked bewildered, and Plogg laughed. "Maybe Blacksnow's getting geared up for the race tonight."

Welko socked his brother on the shoulder. "Haha, but he won't beat us!"

However at that moment the horse ran through the gates, slowing as he neared them, his head hanging and his coat slick from sweat. Clecky shook his head, calling, "Chap, the race isn't worth all that, it's in fun ya'know. Say, where's the cart and his abbotfulness?"

Blacksnow lifted his head, stamping one foot as he let out a distraught whinny, forgetting to speak in woodland momentarily. Grath had been standing still until now, as she hurried forward. "Something's wrong! Really wrong!"

Martin followed her, and now others were gathering. The old horse knelt down, rolling onto his side, too exhausted to stand. However he kept his head up and his ears pinned, eyes wild, as if he was afraid of all of them. Grath knelt beside him, running a paw along his forhead. "It's ok .. tell me, come on Snow, it's Grath. You can tell me!"

The horse suddenly raised his head, the whites of his eyes disappearing as he calmed himself. His voice was raspy, but sane and understandable. "Pirates .. they took Durral, and Sayna's fighting them .."

"By herself?" Grath interrupted, sitting down hard and suddenly wrapping her arms over one another and staring at seemingly nothing. Mattimeo was there then, asking questions, and Martin knelt beside Grath, laying a paw on her shoulder.

"Hey .. are you ok?"

The otter looked up with a sudden shiver. "Martin? No .. no .. I don't .. really think so."

Her friend was concerned. "Well .. will you be ok? Because I've never seen you like this."

Grath looked away, before she suddenly scrambled to her paws. "It's just like what pirates did to my family! And they can't get away with it now .. we've got to go after them!"

Everybeast was staring at her, and Grath looked down, before muttering, "I'll go .. get my bow."

Plogg poked Martin, muttering, "I didn't know she could yell that loud, did you know she could yell that loud?"

The spotted mouse shook his head. Mattimeo straightened up, taking immediate charge. "Blacksnow says they're at Saint Ninian's. Everybeast willing to fight, volunteer now!"

Clecky was chunnering. "The nerve of those rotten blighters, taking a poor defenseless abbot-type peaceful beast like his abbotship! I say I'm jolly well in!"

"Me too!" Gerul landed beside him. "As me ould mother used to say, the only good vermin's a dead one!"

Hood simply nodded as he pulled his crossbow out from its place under his cloak, agreeing with somebeast, though whether it was Gerul or Mattimeo, it was hard to tell. "Yes."

"Well we're in on it!" Plogg and Welko spoke nearly as one, then glared at each other.

Log-a-Log stepped forward. "As is the rest of the Guosim."

"Well son?" Mattimeo looked at Martin, and the younger mouse swallowed.

"Me?" He looked around at the expectant faces, and nodded a little downheartedly. "Yes .. well .. I guess I thought that was .. a given."

Log-a-Log nodded. "Right then. Arm yourselves! Be back here in five minutes, this is war, so move!"

Grath was the first one there, she was waiting even when Martin hurried up, his sword ready in its sheath. Clecky arrived soon after, with Gerul and Hood. Martin raised an eyebrow. "Where's your weapons?"

The hare grinned, pulling a seventeen or eighteen inch dirk from where it was sheathed cleverly beneath his kilt, next to his tunic. "This right here, wot?"

He sheathed it again. "An' for steel weapons, that's all I bally well need."

Grath looked confused, and Hood explained. "He's a boxing hare."

Welko strung his bow, asking, "Right, and you are ..?"

"An assassin." Hood said this without emotion, as he loaded a black-fletched bolt on his crossbow.

Mattimeo hurried up, dressed in the legendary armor of Matthias, and once the great King Martin's. He held the sword and shield of old as well, his blue eyes snapping with the fire of war.

Tess was with him, seemingly in an argument. "Mattimeo, you know good and well I can wield a sling. Let me come too!"

"No." He was equally as determined. "I am taking nearly every fighter with me, we need some here."

She grabbed his arm, closing her eyes for a moment, before nodding. "Alright. Alright. But what about the otters, Holt Willow? Skipper Cheek's going to want to help, you know."

"I know." Mattimeo nodded. "But it is summer, and have you forgotten they have already started for the coast? There won't be many fighters there, and I don't want to get them involved unless we have to."

Tess tightened her grip. "Be careful. And be careful of our son!"

Mattimeo gently pried her paw loose. "I will. And we will come back Tess, we will."

He turned to the small army, nodding. "Let's move out. Quick march, and quietly if at all possible."

Blacksnow staggered forward, just getting his breath back properly. "I am coming."

One look into the horse's flashing brown eyes, and Mattimeo nodded. "Very well."

The company hurried out into the vastness of Mossflower, soon leaving the path behind. Grath cast one glance at the abbey, and the gates were now shut. Blacksnow trotted forward, snorting, "This way!"

They followed his lead quickly, and Grath soon fell behind. Martin let himself fall in step with her, and she sighed. "You can run with the others, why don't you?"

"I don't think it's a good idea to leave you like that."

"I'd be fine, I'm not really that good on the front line of a fight, I'm an archer. But you're a swordsbeast."

Martin met her gaze a little darkly. "I want to save the abbot, of course. But I'm not excited about the fight. How skilled were the pirates that ... attacked your home?"

Grath sighed. "You saw the aftermath of it."

"Yea." Martin looked grim. "That's what I'm worried about."

><><

"Was Romsca close to her father?"

Xzaris sat at the fire onshore that Val had made, Arashi across from him. He'd convinced the Monitors she would help them fix the ship, which in turn would help Ublaz, and having had a full meal, they didn't complain.

The ferret stretched his wounded leg out, grimacing. "Yea .. she loved him. She still does."

Arashi's eyes were dull, but honest. "I'm glad to hear that, at least."

Xzaris sighed. "Conva .. I was close ta him ta, sorta like .. the father I never met, I guess."

"I'd hoped .." Arashi closed her eyes. "No, I cannot let myself think about it. Is my daughter happy?"

"Of all the things Romsca is .." Xzaris looked down. "Happy ain't one a 'em. Probably 'bout as happy as I am right now."

Arashi's sharp eyes softened. "You know her well I take it."

Xzaris stared into the fire, closing his eyes and letting memories play through his mind. "Wull .. she was the first one ta ever treat me like I was worth somethin'. She's me first friend. An' since she don't really make a lot a friends anymore, we're still close."

Val plopped down in-between them. "Fresh fried fish fer ya. Kin ya say that twenny times an' not mess up?"

Xzaris rolled his eyes. "No."

Val sighed. "Ok so it's really grilled. Ya got me. Why's everbeast so .. down?"

Xzaris gave her a long look. "Think really hard."

"Yea I know that, I'm tryin' nota thinka it, ok?" Val made a face.

"Well I can't keep from it." Xzaris's answer was short, clipped.

Val sighed. "Ok, ok. I know when I ain't wanted. Guess yer right, cheerin' up ain't gonna help this one, is it?"

She slowly stood, walking sadly away. "I know capt'n. I'm sorry capt'n."

Arashi looked confused. "What is the matter?"

Xzaris poked the flames idly, shrugging. "It's a long story. But since Rom's involved .. guess I better tell ya."

The ferret fell silent for a minute, before shrugging. "Me .. Rasconza .. Romsca, an' Val .. we're the closest a friends. Val, she don't got a ship, so she don't really gotta worry. But the rest of us do. Ublaz don't like friends among his capt'ns."

He put his head in his paws, mumbling, "So he made the three a us go three different ways ta look fer the pearls. The one that brings 'em ta him lives ...."

He fell silent, staring dully into the fire.

Arashi seemed to guess, even as she asked, "And the others?"

Xzaris shook his head, turning and looking out into the bay. "They don't."

><><

Romsca and her crew were quickly making their way through Mossflower, the two prisoners tied up in the cart, among the objects used for making camp. The ferret herself was walking beside the horse, behind the rest of the creatures, mostly due to the fact her wounds pained her.

She looked at the now-dull sword in her belt, sighing. When the mouse had used it, it had glowed and even burned, in a odd way. The wounds it had inflicted on her had barely bled .. they'd been cauterized almost the instant they'd been made.

If only she could find some way to make the sword glow again! Then she could kill the Monitors, and come up with a plan to save her friends!

But the mouse said only a servant of Ignasa could wield the sword. Ignasa was the one her father had turned to, and according to the picture in the otter's book, one and the same with the Unknown Lord of Sampetra .. Romsca felt a shiver run down her spine. Deities were cold and dangerous, they might answer, but they might kill you on the spot too.

Her father had not seemed to think so. She paused as she thought of this, and again as she thought of something else. Ublaz said he served the Unknown Lord. Did that mean he was the sort of beast that followed this Ignasa?

She cast a wary glance at the mouse in the cart. Her sword had glowed blue, just like Ublaz could kill beasts with glowing green fire.

''But father .. father couldn't have followed the same lord Ublaz does!''

Romsca winced. She knew he'd been so desperate, he might have done anything. He might not have known. She could remember, during the times her father had visited the great temple to pray, looking up at the statue of the Unknown Lord.

She'd always felt .. a sort of peace while looking at him, unlike the creeps the towering statues of the lords and ladies of the elements had given her. She'd wanted to know more about the strange lord that walked on four paws, and was great enough to guard the pearl.

But now she wasn't so sure. She felt her paw touch the hilt of the mouse's sword, and jerked it back. As soon as she could, she must wrap it up and carry it somewhere safe, but not on her. Not if she didn't want the wrath of a lord upon her.

"Capt'n."

Rafglan was back. Romsca made a face, regretting it as her cheek burned. "Yes Rafglan?"

The rat's voice low. "Capt'n, the mouse. Why didn't ya kill the mouse? She'd a killed ya, let's be honest, if she got away, she'd give it another try."

"She ain't gonna git away." Romsca's voice was cold.

Rafglan looked frustrated. "That ain't the point Capt'n, ya gotta prove yer strength."

Romsca bared her fangs. "Has it occurred ta ya I don't gotta always kill ta prove me strength, Raf?"

"She's yer enemy Capt'n. She attacked ya, remember?"

"As I remember, she told me ta let the other one go an' then I attacked her." Romsca snarled. "Put blame where blame is due."

There was silence, and Rafglan huffed. "Look, I know yer tryin' ta be all tender-hearted, but we gotta ..."

Romsca barely knew what she was doing as she grabbed the rat by his sea-vest, slamming him against a tree trunk so hard she surprised herself. Her teeth glimmered inches from his nose as she snarled, "I ain't feelin' very tender-hearted right now, rat! Do ya think I'm just sparin' her fer kindness' sake? There's a feather shape inna fur of her paw. She's marked!"

Rafglan looked unimpressed, though his feet hung a good foot off the ground. "So what?"

"I am too!" Romsca's eyes blazed as she said this, and she quickly looked around, relieved to see the rest of the company had gone on ahead.

Rafglan blinked, and Romsca shook him. "An' don't ya tell nobeast, or I'll ..."

"Or you'll what?" The rat looked cool.

Romsca suddenly grinned demonically. "Or I'll do somethin' we'll both regret later, see?"

A sudden smile passed over the rat's rugged features. "So I see. Yer growin' up, ain't ya?"

"Aye, I am, an' ..... what?" Romsca slowly set the rat back down.

He shrugged, looking smug. And then Romsca knew. She grumbled, a little flustered. "Ya .. that .. ya was testin' me?"

The two started after the others, and Rafglan rubbed his shoulder. "Yea. An' I'd say ya did a good job."

He shrugged. "Can't say I agree with yer methods, but as ya wish, capt'n. The mouse is yer problem. Deal with it honey, cause I'd say ya can."

Romsca followed him, stopping in her tracks the next second as a black fletched bolt sank into a tree a hair's breadth from her head.

The ferret ducked down, not bothering to look for the offender ... as she could really see nothing but woodland at first glance. "We're under attack! Get ta the others, now!"

><><

Hood muttered something dark under his breath, straining to reload his crossbow. Grath had been catching her second wind, but now she whipped out an arrow, loading it and starting forward. "Come on, we've got to follow them!"

"Right on it!" Welko ran past, loading his bow as he did.

Hood slid another bolt into his crossbow, stating, "I'll find a way to circle around behind them. You two stick together."

Grath raised an eyebrow, looking at Welko. "Do you trust him?"

The shrew shrugged. "Don't got much of a choice."

Grath nodded in agreement as they hurried forward, arrows on the string. Welko was taking in their surroundings quickly and easily, completely familiar with Mossflower woods. "Looks like they're following' the Moss west .. probably heading toward the shore, where they have a ship."

"So we're definitely on the right track?" Grath confirmed.

"Oh yes." Welko nodded. "They've not done a good job of coverin' their trail, as you can see."

And Grath did see, there were broken branches everywhere. The two hurried along the path, as Welko added, "I know Mattimeo and dad'll be trying to cut them off, our job is to assassinate."

Grath paused, before something rose up in her. And she saw again all the death and blood of that night, the night pirates had taken so much from her.

" .. sure you can do that?" Welko was looking at her questioningly.

Grath set her jaw. "They did it to me."

She rubbed the fletching of an arrow, feeling the feathers shift fluidly beneath her claws. "I think so."

The two had reached a hill, and set about climbing it, when there was a cracking noise to their right. Welko spun around, and was just in time to draw his bow and shoot at the terror running at him.

The arrow split from the force of hitting the lizard's scales at such a short range, and the shrew raised his left arm to protect his face as the creature plowed him over, sending him rolling down the hill.

Grath was in the act of drawing her bow back, and she fired the next second, as the lizard bounded after the shrew. The otter's arrow bounced off the creature's shoulder, as Welko threw his knife, scoring a shallow wound on the beast's lower jaw.

The lizard had paused, as if trying to decide who to attack, but now it went after the shrew with vengeance. Welko yelped, scrambling up the nearest tree as fast as he could, and the creature let out an odd, hissing roar, trying to claw its way after him.

The shrew held on for dear life as the tree shook violently, and Grath loaded another arrow, climbing up onto a nearby rock, before releasing. The missile pierced one of the lizard's frills, and it screeched, before turning on the otter.

The beast yanked the arrow out, snapping the strong beech shaft like matchwood between it's teeth, and stalked forward.

Grath was breathing quickly and shallowly, she'd antagonized the creature, and there would be no mercy now. She whipped out another arrow, drawing back as the lizard broke into a run.

Arrows cannot pierce the scales ..

Sayna's voice rang in her head, something the mouse had said many times.

''Even the strongest beast has a weakness. Find that weakness, exploit it, and you have found victory.''

A weakness ..

Grath adjusted her aim, not daring to think about how crazy this was. She let the arrow fly just as the lizard leapt forward, and it screamed, convulsing in midair and plowing into the rock she was standing on. The stone was jolted backwards, and Grath let loose a little shriek as she toppled over, landing in the leaves of the forest floor and rolling a few feet.

The lizard was thrashing and hissing, its deadly spiked tail swinging madly. Grath yelped as the long spikes sank into the loam a few inches from her head, and she scrambled back, keeping a tight hold on her bow.

Welko scrambled down, mouth hanging open as the creature went still, twitching now and then. Both shrew and otter were silent a bit, and Welko shook his head. "You know that archery contest Plogg thought we should have? I yield. I can't shoot somethin' in the eye like that."

Grath shook herself, barely able to believe the thing she'd done. For sure enough, her arrow, shattered from the beast crashing into the rock, was lodged deep in its eye. Welko nodded, retrieving his bow and his knife. "Thanks. Don't let anybeast tell you you're not a good archer. Ha! That was actually pretty cool. Come on, let's find the others."

There was a faint shout from farther out in the woods, and clashes of steel. Grath straightened her shoulders. "That's not going to be hard to do."

><><

Romsca found herself being chased by a crew of woodlanders, all who were a lot fresher than she was. The ferret gripped her axe tightly, feeling a strange mixture of emotions swirl within her. They were just angry about the mice .. who she had taken. But she couldn't let them go now, not with how she'd saved them from Lask. The Monitor expected them to be taken to Ublaz.

She had the strange and sudden urge to simply cut the traces of the cart, jump on the horse, and bolt, but she knew the consequences would be horrific. Besides .. she had to know more about the strange mousewife that could make swords glow blue and had a feather mark on her paw.

"Get them!"

The chestnut horse stopped, half rearing, as they were overtaken. Romsca drew a knife, yelling, "Form ranks! Stand an' fight!"

Lask let out a roar, bounding forward with his Monitors behind him, and Romsca found herself faced with another golden mouse, male this time.

The beast took a two pawed grip on his sword, coiling back to strike, and a soft flash of blue ran down the engraved blade. Romsca ducked, meeting the cut with her knife, and swinging her axe in the same moment.

The noise of battle filled the air, the rush slowly flowing into her, and she drew her lips back in a snarl. The mouse sheared her knife in half with his faintly, but now steadily glowing sword, and Romsca swiped at him with her axe, drawing another one.

There was a sudden screech, and Romsca ducked to avoid seeking talons from above, but they snagged her anyway, digging into her shoulders as they lifted her off the ground. The ferret struggled violently, but could not free herself, not even enough to use her axe.

"Capt'n!" Rafglan's voice rang out, and Romsca found she was looking down the shaft of an arrow the rat had on a drawn bow.

Time seemed to freeze for one second, before the arrow sped toward her with a whistle, taking the bird through the left wing. The owl let loose a cry of pain, and Romsca found herself plummeting to the ground.

She hit it as the mouse came at her once more, and she forced herself to her paws, despite the pain surging through her knees. Everybeast was fighting now, down to Rubby. The rat was next to the cart, faced with a hare. "I say old scum, jolly rotten of you. We'll just be takin' those mice now, wot!"

Rubby drew his dagger, but the hare belted it out of his paw with a quick right. "That'll teach ya, fattyguts .. mmmmph!"

The rat stabbed forward with the wooden spoon he constantly carried, plowing the hare in the stomach. As the beast doubled over, Rubby grabbed a panful of what he'd made for breakfast, and threw it in his face.

Romsca was hard pressed to defend herself, tired from her previous wounds and unable to fully move her injured shoulder. She swung her axe again, and the mouse blasted it out of her paw. The ferret ducked down, letting the cut whistle over her head, and she drew the only weapon she had in paw .. the golden mousewife's sword.

Her opponent recoiled to strike again, and Romsca did the same. The two swords met with a deafening clash, and a brilliant blue glow. Romsca felt herself be hurled backwards by an invisible paw, nearly, and as she crashed heavily against the cart, she saw the mouse had been affected in the same way.

Her paw fell to the ground, the dull sword slipping from it as she gasped in a breath. She blinked hard, shuddering as she felt the crushing power still reverberating through her. The wrath of the Unknown Lord, it must be.

Romsca struggled to her feet as one of the Monitors ran past her. "Lazzzk izz holding them off, now we run!"

The ferret threw herself forward, grabbing both the sword and her axe as crew did so, most of them wounded. Romsca didn't have the heart, or the courage left to argue. She hoisted herself into the driver's seat of the cart, slapping the reins on the already nervous horse

The animal loped off into the woods, as Rafglan pulled himself up beside Romsca, and Rubby and several others hopped onto the back.

Lask and most of the Monitors held the woodlanders, and while they were soon lost to view, the noise wasn't.

Romsca cast a glance at the forest sweeping quickly by, and sighed. She looked down into the cart, to be met with a hard black stare. The ferret sighed, wanting to cringe, but not letting herself.

She narrowed her gaze, slapping the reins on the horse's back again.

She had to do this.

><><

Late afternoon shadows were sweeping over the time worn city of Sampetra as a party of ratguards met a party of pirates back from a raid. Sagitar did not dismount as she sneered down at the stoat with the air of a master toward a slave. "Captain Barranca of the Dragons. It's been too long."

He stood tall, curling his lip ever so slightly. "Hasn't it, general?"

Sagitar's lips tightened at his veiled defiance, and she jerked her head in the direction of the palace. "With us. The emperor desires your report."

She wheeled her horse around, clapping her heels on its sides, and the procession started forward. As they made their way through the streets, Barranca couldn't help noticing the many stares he received, and how much whispering his presence seemed to arouse. But the pity in the gazes he met was what brought the feeling of fear to his heart.

What did he not know? Was Ublaz angry with him? But what, throughout the seasons since his brother's untimely death, had he not done to aid the emperor? How many raids had he gone on, almost every month or two? So many he was constantly weary and his black hair was streaked with silver, just as he was laced with the scars of many a forced, ill-planned campaign.

All to keep his own neck intact, to keep what little wealth he had left, and to help his niece, who would have lost everything her father had once owned without his efforts.

Romsca. Was that what this was about? Had something happened to Romsca?

The stoat felt the hairs on the back of his neck bristle. He caught up the Sagitar on her horse, who looked cruelly smug. "General. What has happened?"

She slowly sneered, before lifting her chin. "Simply what was destined to happen from the beginning captain. Your house lives on the line between life and death, and well you know it."

"What do you mean?" Barranca's voice was forceful, and he forgot to address the rat with her title.

She paused, before dismounting, as they were at the palace steps. "Perhaps the emperor would like to tell you himself. Come."

Barranca clenched a paw into a fist, following Sagitar in bitter silence. They entered the crimson throne room and the stoat knelt on the steps of the dias, spreading his paws forward, though the words he spoke were from required habit. "Hail, Emperor of the setting sun, of the land of dragons, great Ublaz."

The pine marten smiled, holding forth his paw and it's ruby set ring, and Barranca kissed it. "I was expecting you, Captain Barranca. What have you brought this time?"

The stoat stood, motioning to the two crew members he had brought along, and they dragged a trunk forward, opening the lid, and dropping to their knees.

Barranca was aching to know what was behind the pitying gazes he'd been beset with on the way to the palace, but he knew Ublaz would not tell him until he was completely ready, and pressing the subject would bring punishment.

He pulled a tray of gold from the chest, stating, "Three hundred sheckles of pure gold .."

More items came out, an engraved golden dagger, silver challises, jewelry, and purple cloth; Barranca having to name each thing. "As well milord, I took forty pounds of grain, half of which is yours."

"You do mean two thirds of which is mine, don't you captain?" Ublaz stroked the carved armrest of his throne as if it lived.

Barranca stared at him, stammering, "But sire, I pay your taxes on my lands and ship with what I sell ..."

Ublaz's smile was sickening. "Why then, did you not bring several hundred pounds? You really should think of these things sooner, captain."

"It's not the season for grain, it's all still growing! There was very little to take .." Barranca cut himself off, slowly bowing his head. "Yes milord. Two thirds of it is yours."

Ublaz nodded. "Good. That is all."

Sagitar walked forward to escort him out, but the stoat held up a paw. "Wait! Milord .. what has become of my niece?"

The pine marten looked interested. "Oh, you don't know? It is the talk of all Sampetra, who will win."

Something like joyful, hungry greed burned in his pale, glimmering eyes, and Barranca got the feeling he knew something he wasn't telling. The emperor continued in mock pity. "Ah, of course you would not know. You were off sailing .. for me. Yes, yes, very loyal of you."

Barranca's paw curled into an angry fist, for he knew Ublaz was toying with him. The pine marten seemed to take his anger in, almost basking in it. "You see, after the terrible rebellion Captain Kastaa led, I deemed it necessary to take .. a few simple precautions. And I figured a reward and a little sport might make it more interesting."

Barranca was not in the mood for games, and he burst out, "Just tell me what you've done to her!"

"Done to her? Me?" Ublaz laughed mockingly. "I haven't done anything to her yet, Captain. And whether or not I do is really up to her."

His eyes gleamed. "Something she's handling ... admirably well, in her own way."

Barranca took a deep breath. "Please, sire. Just tell me."

"As to the point as she is." Ublaz chuckled, though it was a sinister sound. "A true Dragon, yes. Captain, I simply declared a contest between the young captains, Rasconza, Romsca, and Xzaris. That they should each go north, south, or east to find my pearls. The one who does, lives."

A smile curled darkly across his muzzle. "The other two don't. Now Captain, you must be tired from your journey. I assume you'll be leaving again soon?"

Barranca had been frozen, before he stammered, "No."

His blue eyes snapped a little. "I will remain here to see the end of this ... contest."

Ublaz smiled again. "As you wish. Now. I think you should go home."

Sagitar stepped forward, and Barranca spun around on the heel of his boot, stalking off, his tail switching. His two crew members hurried after him, as did their escort of ratguards.

Barranca hurried down the palace steps, paws clenched so tightly his claws dug into his own flesh. The stoat followed paths he knew quite well, stopping at the bank of the river, sitting down on one of the many docks, the one adjoining his own manor.

He cast a glance at it in the waning light. Once it had been a grand estate, though an older one. However, while still quite presentable, he'd been forced to neglect aspects of it through his long absences and dwindled resources. The gardens behind him grew wild and unkempt, with sagging arbors and trellises.

Still, he could remember the long ago nights when he'd entertained his brother, his niece, and her two friends here. The times they would feast and laugh, and he and Conva would watch the children play hide-and-seek in the gardens. The times they would even join in.

In fact the laughter and joy seemed to hang dully in the air, a reminder of the time before Meili's death. Before Ublaz. He could almost see it.

The stoat clasped his paws together, folding them over his muzzle a moment, before letting them drop into his lap. "Ublaz .. you've gone too far this time."

His words were empty though, and they made way for his tears. He buried his face in his paws, and while no sound came from him, his shoulders shook as the wind keened sadly through the old garden.

><><

It was a sad and bedraggled group of pirates that sat around a small campfire as the day waned. Lask had rejoined them less than an hour after their escape, with all the remaining Monitors, except one that was mysteriously missing.

Beasts were tending to wounds, and the little rat healer had his work cut out for him. Only Rubby had escaped unscratched, and he was complaining about a stupid rabbit that had run off with his best pan.

Romsca ground her teeth together as the rat cleaned her shoulder wound, the flesh around it burned and badly damaged. While the initial wound seemed numb, the area around it stung like fire. She closed her eyes against the pain, a tiny whimper escaping her as a few tears ran down her cheeks, she could not help it.

From over where she was tied to a tree with the abbot creature, Romsca saw the golden mouse smirk dryly.

The ferret sucked in an uneven breath, letting it out slowly as the rat wound a bandage around her shoulder. "It should be ok .. capt'n .. ya .. wull yer gonna have that scar forever .. but .."

Romsca was confused at why he looked so nervous. "As if that would bother me, every pirate needs a few good scars. But will I have full movement a me arm again?"

"Yea .. I think so. Inna few weeks a course."

"Yea, I know that." Romsca shook her head. "Go see ta somebeast else."

She picked up the plate of dinner Rubby had dished up for her, foregoing the glop of unrecognizable substance and gnawing on the rock-like biscuit. Her wounded cheek refused to move properly still, so she chewed with the other side of her mouth.

Romsca washed it down with a mug of water, before standing up and yanking her axe from where it had been lodged in the fallen log beside her. The ferret stalked over to the prisoners, and the two Monitors that had been watching the mice hungrily scurried off.

The mousewife looked unimpressed. "What do you want?"

Romsca was slightly angered by her lack of natural fear. "I'm doin' the talkin' mouse, ya don't speak less I speak ta ya first."

"I'll talk if I please." The mouse's black eyes snapped, as the other one broke in.

"Oh no Sayna, please don't antagonize them!" He looked afraid. "They'll only make it worse for us."

The mouse called Sayna rolled her eyes. "Oh come Durral, do you think I'm afraid of a bunch of pirates?"

Romsca sneered. "Ya must not know who we are, mouse."

Sayna smirked. "Oh I know good and well who you are, you're a pirate captain of Sampetra. You speak with the accent and your signet ring bears the mark of a dragon. Not to mention your dress, weapons, and attitude all betray you."

Durral was staring at her. "Wha ... how do you know so much about pirates, of all beasts? Don't tell me you associate with them."

Sayna's voice was a dry monotone. "Let's just say I'm an observer of life."

Durral looked slightly disturbed, and Romsca shook herself. "Look .. whatever. Now. Mouse. Ya have a feather mark on yer paw. What's with that?"

For the first time that Romsca had seen, Sayna looked surprised and dumbfounded. After a second, she spoke. "I was born with it ferret, what else? Why do you ask?"

"Never ya mind that." Romsca snapped. "But if yer so wise an' a know it all, tell me what it means."

The mouse said nothing, before sneering. "It is not something a pirate could understand. But a mark is a call, the call of Ignasa. Through it he called me to be High Queen of Mossflower, and the defender of Redwall."

"Yer a high queen?" Romsca's mouth dropped open, and Durral craned his head around to see Sayna better.

She nodded, voice quiet. "I was once. But I've long outlived my throne."

Her black eyes were sad, truly sad and soft .. and tired. It was strange to see Sayna look sad, and Romsca rubbed the side of her head. "Yea, yea ... ya talk in riddles."

She turned on Durral. "Ya, tell me about this one, since yer such good friends."

The abbot looked uncomfortable, and shrugged. "Well .. Sayna doesn't live in my abbey. All I know is she comes and goes as she likes, she trains some of my young creatures in weapons .. and .."

Sayna rolled her eyes. "Oh, say what you want to say Durral. As if I don't know perfectly well what you all call me behind my back."

"And .." Durral paused, stating, "It's been said she's a ghost."

"And you believe it." Sayna added.

Romsca snorted. "A ghost? That's the dumbest thing I ever heard."

She pulled on the mouse's arm to prove her point. "See? She can't float outa her bonds. Me paw can't go through her. A ghost? Nah. Now if ya told me she was a witch, I might believe that."

Sayna yawned. "They say that too."

Romsca looked skeptical. "Well I donno. I guess it'll have ta be seen .. can she cast magic spells an' hex beasts?"

"I cannot hex beasts!" Sayna looked indignant. "Those are the skills of a Shadow Fighter, a servant of the wicked lord Malimore! Of whom you seem to serve quite well, ferret."

Romsca sneered. "I know no lord called Malimore, mouse. An' I don't serve yer woodland deities. As fer ya bein' a ghost, ya bleed like anybeast else, I gave ya a scar ya ain't gonna get loose a fer the rest a yer life."

She grabbed the mouse's chin, twisting her head to one side to better see the injury she'd bestowed upon her, and stared. She'd thought she could not see the wound because it was farther back on the jaw, but only the faintest scar ran down the golden cheek, and Romsca jerked her paw back, staring.

Sayna smirked, black eyes gleaming with something akin to dark amusement. "That's what you think."

Romsca twitched her lip, unable to explain the strange phenomenon in her own mind. She drew herself to her full height, sneering, "Ya is still me prisoners, an' will remain so until I deliver ya ta me emperor."

She spun around, stalking off, and making up her mind to keep a very close eye on those two.

><><

At Redwall, Cicely was busy with herbs and healing, and was keeping Viola busy too. She was cleaning Gerul's wounded wing; the arrow having caught the owl near the bone, it was proving painful.

The bird let out a sharp squawk every now and then, and Clecky sat nearby, wiping his face with a towel and chunnering. "I say blinkin' awful a them .. rotters, the whole lot! If I went around eatin' slop like that, I'd be evil too, wot!"

Hood turned his head in the hare's direction, voice a little disapproving. "Clecky, beasts have died. What the vermin threw on your head doesn't make a difference. Be glad you made it out alive, others weren't as lucky."

"Doesn't make a difference ..." Clecky began indignantly, before looking around at the many wounded, and sighing, "Oh .. I guess you're right Hood matey. You normally are."

Martin was holding a damp, bloodstained cloth on his arm, when Grath sat next to him. "What happened?"

The mouse shivered, staring blankly at nothing in particular. "I'm not cut out for this .. it was those lizards. I don't think the pirates ever really killed many of us .. it was those lizards! I got thrown back by one .. I guess I slammed into something and blacked out. But when I came to there were deadbeasts all around me .. even on top of me .. and I .."

He buried his head in his paws. "I can't! I can't do this!"

Grath didn't say anything for a moment, before sighing, "I wish I could have been there .. to help you. Like a true friend would."

Plogg walked up, shaking her paw before anything more could be said. "But you saved my brother .. I donno what I'd do without Welko. So thanks. I'd miss him somethin' terrible .. there wouldn't be nobeast to fight with."

Martin looked up, asking, "You saved Welko? How'd you save Welko?"

Grath scuffed a paw in the dirt. "Well .. anybeast would have of course .."

Plogg was more than happy to tell the tale he knew. "She shot one of those lizards, shot it clean in the eye! That's admirable ya know .. Grath's like .. the hero of the battle."

"No I'm not." Grath stood up, looking around at the growing shadows. "I killed one lizard. I didn't even make it to the battle. A hero can save everybeast .. but look how many were killed. And wounded .. Mattimeo, Log-a-Log, Gerul. A hero could have helped them, but I couldn't."

She stalked off, toward the abbey. Plogg looked at Martin, asking, "Golly, what's with her? I've never seen her act so .. depressed."

The mouse shook his head, standing. "No. But I know the feeling."

Chapter 19 The Call
Grath walked through the tinted pools of setting sun as she slipped through Great Hall and up the stairs. She entered the dormitories, looking around for anybeast, but the rooms were empty.

Satisfied, the otter flopped down on her bed, staring blankly at the wall until her vision swam.

"Lutran .. Marine .. Aqua .." She closed her eyes, muttering, "Coral, mother .. father .. Waterlily .. I've .. tried to forget you."

Grath felt a tear run down her cheek, as she whispered, "How could I?"

She curled up on her sheets, wrapping her arms about herself, and her tears would not be stopped. "How dare I leave you to memory and not care what your killers did? They will only kill more, like they did today!"

The otter slowly opened her emerald eyes, staring up at the window that cast a shaft of dying light across her bed. "But what can I do? I was always the small, weak one .. the one that couldn't run and couldn't fight. I cannot be the one to chase pirates .."

She rolled onto her side, murmuring, "Surely Ignasa will pick a better beast than me .. a stronger one."

Her golden hair suddenly slipped off the bed in a waterfall, and she closed her eyes again, rubbing her tears away. Weariness and ache was dragging at her now, dragging her down into the dark depths of sleep, and she did not fight it.

Her shaky breathing evened out as the last drops of sunlight faded from the window, and she lay still, not opening her eyes even when she heard the voices of other creatures. They would not bother her, thinking she was asleep.

And even the noises of beasts getting ready for bed faded to nothing as the darkness of rest overtook her completely.

When she came to, it was dark, with the moonlight streaming across the dormitories, illuminating the sleeping forms of the other Redwallers. Grath sat up slowly, trying to keep her bed from creaking beneath her.

As she looked out the window nearest her, facing the west, one of the stars seemed to gleam brighter then the others, and the otter stood, walking slowly to the opening. The glass panels were already ajar, and Grath pushed them silently open just far enough for her to slip out onto the balcony.

She stared out at the night sky, trying to find that one gleaming star she'd seen, but they all looked the same now. The otter tipped her head back, looking at the constellations, and smiled as she located her favorite. "Lord Ignasa, you truly made a beautiful world."

Grath let her head drop again, sighing, "If only it was not so evil."

"I wish the same, daughter."

The otter gasped, freezing in her tracks and looking around for the owner of the voice. It spoke again, fondly. "Behind you, Grath."

She spun around, staring into the glass windowpane, where she did not see her reflection, but Ignasa's .. though he did not stand beside her to cast it. Grath swallowed, bowing. "Milord."

Something made her lift her chin again, a gentle, invisible force. "Grath, I let you be taken to Redwall that you might know friendship and love as you grew. But you have grown, and others need you now."

She met his transparent blue gaze with a shiver. "You mean you wish .. me to go fight the pirates to save Durral and Sayna? Me?"

"You hold the key to the ocean my daughter. No other beast knows the way to follow them, but you." Ignasa's gaze was steady.

Grath's eyes suddenly flashed with understanding. "The ship .."

She shook her head. "But I can't sail it."

"No, not alone." Ignasa nodded. "But I have called others to aid you."

Grath was silent for a moment, before asking, "Milord .. do not be angry .. but why .."

"Speak your heart Grath, I am not angry." Ignasa's eyes shone with sorrow, as if he knew well what she would say.

"Why did you let my family be killed?"

The great cat didn't move from his reflection in the glass, but an ivisable warmth blanketed her, almost as though he had laid his head over her shoulder. "My daughter, the things you must face bring sorrow to me, just as much .. do you think it is easy for me to see what evil does?"

Grath wiped a tear away, murmuring, "Then .. why didn't you stop it?"

Ignasa closed his eyes for a moment, before sighing, "Child .. a king must uphold his own laws. If he does not, what sort of king is he? No .. some things must follow their set courses, from choices that were made."

He looked up again. "One day, you will understand my meaning. But for now, I give you the call to adventure I know you've longed for .. you must cross the western sea, to the land of the setting sun. Those with the dragon's heart have need of you, as you have need of them."

Grath opened her mouth to say something, but Ignasa continued. "Remember this daughter .. do not let anger be your guide. For Woodlanders never trust scum of the sea;

The Ocean's wild echoes feel mutually.

But common threats unite oldest of foes,

Born enemies with the deepest of woes."

"What?" Grath sounded confused. "What do you mean?"

The reflection smiled, before vanishing in a soft blue flash. "I will be with you."

Grath grabbed the window pane, staring at it. "No .. don't leave me! I need your help .. where do I start? Will anybeast believe me? How can I convince them you spoke to me .."

"I will be with you."

More in her head now than anywhere else, Ignasa's voice echoed warmly. Grath leaned against the balcony railing, running webbed claws through her hair as she tried to make sense of what had happened.

But she was tired now .. very tired .. and she almost felt the sensation of slipping ...

Wump!

Grath lifted her head, blinking hard as her eyes adjusted to the darkness. She was lying sprawled on the floor next to her bed, and moonlight was streaming through the dormitories. The otter rubbed her arms, slowly standing and walking to the window where she'd seen Ignasa. She opened it, walking out onto the balcony and rubbing her paw on the glass, whispering, "Milord ... did I really see you?"

However there was no answer, and Grath sighed. She walked over to the balcony, leaning against it. "Or maybe I'm just crazy."

"Ignasa .." She looked up at the sky, shaking her head. "Give me a sign. Anything .. just something .. out of the ordinary."

Nothing happened for a moment, before a gleaming star streaked across the night sky in a glorious arch, vanishing in the west. Grath didn't move instantly, finally hurrying back inside to grab the bow and arrows she'd left beside her bed.

She buckled her quiver on, pausing once to look around at the sleeping creatures she knew so well.

Am I really doing this?

Grath pulled her bow over one shoulder, casting a glance at Tansy's bed. It was empty and tidily made, and the otter smiled. The hedgehog was probably working all night on some wonderful new creation for breakfast, or had gone to sleep in the kitchens.

The otter made her way down the stairs to Great Hall, shaking her head. "I'm really doing this. I'm really going to chase pirates .. on my own .."

Grath closed her eyes. "No, I can't think about it. I can't. I've just got to do it."

She fastened her satchel better about her shoulder, taking a deep breath and walking out onto the abbey lawns. The otter stopped still in her tracks, for the lawns were not unoccupied. Tansy, Cracklyn, and Clecky were already there, talking and laughing, though quietly.

Cracklyn grinned, bouncing a little from excitement. "Ooh, ooh, I'm glad you're coming too Grath!"

Grath was confused. "Am I missing something?"

"Well me gel, I don't jolly well know. We all had the same dream, that we need to chase the pirates to get his abbotness and Sayna back. Didn't you?" Clecky cocked his ears forward.

"I did." Before Grath could say a word, Hood did, slipping from the shadows.

Clecky grinned. "Wot ho chap, I'm glad you'll be joining the jolly lark .. pity about Gerul, he'd have loved to come, wot."

Hood shrugged. "With the kitchens Redwall has, he'll love to stay here."

"Oh I suppose you're right chap .. for that matter, I might feel the same .." Clecky gave the abbey building a sad glance.

Grath broke in. "We all had the same dream?"

Tansy nodded. "Well, it sounds that way."

There was the soft sound of the gatehouse door clicking shut, and Martin came out, holding the legendary sword and his lute, and looking guilty.

He walked over, sighing, "You too huh?"

"Fraid so chap." Clecky confirmed, though he looked less than sorry.

"I sort of hoped it was just a dream." Martin sighed. "But I guess we're really going."

"Are you psychic? Cause that's the only explanation .. rotten of ya Welko, stealing your twin's dream."

Welko sounded indignant. "Hey, what if I dreamed it first an' you're the psychic dream-stealer? It's not always me that does it ya know."

Grath looked around, asking, "Any more to come?"

Tansy dusted her paws off. "Well if there are, we'll still need to pack supplies. That'll take long enough that whoever is going to show up will."

Clecky was in favor. "I say, a smart little lass, that one. I'm with her wot wot? Now miss Tansy, about the packing of scoff ..."

><><

Morning saw Xzaris stoking a large fire on the beach, near some flat rocks. Skarbod hurried up with a collection of various metal pieces. "Need anythin' else capt'n?"

The ferret turned an old door hinge over in his paw. "Yea, a forge hammer an' tongs. Val's cookin' tongs an' me ol' hammer is jist gonna have ta do."

He turned to Skarbod, ordering, "Have somebeast measure how big aroun' that mast is. I'm gonna haveta make ten or so braces fer that thing .. I'm gonna do twenny ta be safe."

The stoat nodded, hurrying off as Xzaris pulled the hammer out of his old silk sash, picking up the tongs and seizing the hinge in it. He placed it in the hottest part of the fire, looking over at Val, muddling over mending the sail.

She yelped suddenly, popping her fingers into her mouth and sucking on them. The vixen glared at the needle she held in her other paw, snarling something muffled. Arashi took her place beside the fox, shaking her head and taking the needle.

The ferretwife expertly sewed one of the rips up, and Xzaris couldn't help but think of how new and beautiful that sail had been when they had set out. Of course .. the mast had been intact too.

He pulled the now hot hinge from the fire, pounding on it with his hammer to flatten it, and put it back in the coals for a few minutes. There was a pile of scrap metal his crew had salvaged from various wrecks .. hinges, door handles, old hardware from trunks, even tarnished weapons and chains that had once held oar slaves.

Xzaris felt comfortable again, thanks the heat of the fire and the familiar sound of steel being beaten out. There was something relaxing about it, even when he was doing it.

While his heart called him out onto the seas for adventure, he would always feel at home in a forge, almost as much as with deck beneath his paws.

Hours passed in this manner, with beasts fishing, cooking, sewing the sail, and the constant sound of metal pounding on metal. When the noon sun shone brightly overhead, Xzaris took a break, limping over to a flat rock and sitting on it.

He stared out to where Darkshroud was anchored, sighing. Val trudged over, her left paw bandaged. She looked weary, as her normally upright ears laid flat on her neck. "Ugg .. here's some lunch fer ya capt'n .. I sure hate sewin'. Cookin' is fine, sewin' ain't."

She looked at her bandaged paw, scowling. "Ya know, Romsca's mum is way better at it then me. Good thing ya found her."

Xzaris absently poked at his food, sighing, "I .. ain't really hungry Val."

"What'da ya mean ya ain't hungry?" Val put her paws on her hips. "Ya gotta be hungry."

"I don't feel like eatin'" Xzaris snapped. "What's the point? I'm doin' all this work ta git me ship fixed up so I kin sail back ta me death. I'm sorry Val, but that ain't inspirin'!"

Val made a face. "Wull .. yer lookin' at it the wrong way. Come on Xzari ... I mean capt'n .. ya an I was alwus the .. wull, the cheerful ones. Ya know, Conza and Rom weren't really .. wull Conza was sometimes an' Romsca never was. But ... we jist gotta find someway ta look at the bright side a this."

Xzaris stared at the ground, eyes hardening. "There ain't a bright side, Val. Think about it .. if Rasconza don't find them cursed pearls, he's dyin' too."

Val drooped, plopping down on the rock opposite him and putting her paws on either side of her face. "Yea ..."

Her voice shuddered a little as she mumbled, "I know. I been tryin' not ta think 'bout it, but yea, I know .. but there's gotta be some way ta .. wull .. ta git the better a Madeyes or somethin'."

Xzaris snorted. "Nah. I've thought an' I've thought. I killed one Monitor .. but in an open fight, they'd murder us. It's no good. If'n we can't loose the Monitors, we ain't gonna be able ta escape Ublaz."

He kicked some pebbles angrily, with his good footpaw. "We're nothin' but his playthings .. ta torture, ta kill .. an' ta kill others. An' I'm startin' ta think like Conva .. I can't stand it!"

"Yea but .." Val paused, asking, "Ya ain't gonna do what he did .. is ya?"

"Stand in fronta Ublaz an' defy him?" Xzaris shook his head. "I might wish ta, but I'd probably cower, more likely. Conva went crazy .. ya know that. No beast in their right mind is bold 'nough ta do what he did."

"What did he do?"

Both creatures looked up, to see Arashi watching them. They exchanged a glance, before Xzaris looked sad. "I donno if'n ya really wanna hear that."

"Oh yes I do, an' ye will tell me." Arashi crossed her arms.

Xzaris sighed. "Fine. Wull .. Conva .. he'd alwus been a steady beast ya know. Sensible an logical an' all that .. but on our way back ta Sampetra, he went mad. Guess .. goin' ta yer death sorta .."

He stared blankly across the water of the bay, muttering, "Guess it jist does that ta ya."

Arashi raised an eyebrow. "How do ye mean, mad?"

Val shrugged. "Romsca said he started talkin' bout all sorts a weird things .. bout followin' some woodland lord an' bein' kind ta prisoners."

There was a slight tremor in the older ferret's voice as she asked, "What woodland lord? What was his name?"

Xzaris and Val exchanged a sideways glance, before he shrugged. "Wull .. I donno if'n I kin remember really .. me an' Rom was so shocked by his change we wasn't payin' much attention. Though I think it was somethin' like .. Ignasa."

"Ignasa!" Arashi's eyes shone. "Conva said he followed Ignasa?"

"Yea ..." Xzaris scratched an ear.

The ferretwife seemed far happier than he'd ever seen her as her eyes gleamed with the life that had seemed to seep from them when she'd heard of Conva's death. "Then there is hope .. I will see him again!"

Val looked pitying. "Oh no .. ya won't be doin' that. I saw what was left a him on the shore .. an' jist believe me, his head weren't on him."

Xzaris shot her a warning glance, but Arashi didn't seem effected. "No, I know I'll not see him in this world. But when I die, I will .. I feared so that he went to Hellgates, but praise Ignasa he found the truth, and I will see him once more, as I dreamed!"

The two pirates stared at her, and Xzaris stammered, "Ya .. follow him too?"

"Yes, and ye don't ..?" Arashi stopped. "Oh yes .. I've been away from Sampetra so long, I'm beginning to forget the way things are there."

Val and Xzaris said nothing, just looked dumbfounded. Arashi sighed. "And me daughter .. is she as ye?"

"She .. follows the Lords an' Ladies a the elements, if'n that's what yer askin'." Xzaris stammered. "Jist like alla us."

Arashi paused, before sighing. "I see."

She walked back to where the sail was being mended, and Val looked at Xzaris. "Capt'n .. what's we gonna tell Rom .. both her parents is crazy!"

Xzaris watched Arashi go for a moment, before shrugging dryly, almost ironically. "Guess that's up ta ya ta figger out, I'm gonna be dead."

Val blinked, before making a face. "Yea, that's real helpful."

><><

"How far do you think we've gotten, Grath?"

Tansy walked up next to the otter, sighing, "I'm not one to complain, of course, but I'm getting a little tired. And it's still dark out."

Grath knew what she meant, her paws were already aching some. But she could expect no better, she might have been a good archer, but she wasn't used to walking for hours on end .. or getting up in the middle of the night either.

Plogg, Welko, Clecky, and Hood did not seem effected, though all those from Redwall did.

"I say, does any other beast think it's time for jolly ol' breakfast .."

Hood's eyes might have been covered, but from the sound of his voice, Grath guessed he'd rolled them. "No, let's put a little distance between us and the abbey first."

Plogg and Welko were arguing amongst themselves, as they usually did, though it was a bit more heated then their normal half-joking bickering. "I'm tellin' ya Welko, this isn't the way! We're goin' the long way round an wastin' loads of time. We need ta get to where dad moored the logboats, cause ya ought'a know our Redwall friends aren't used to hiking."

"Well don't blame me, an' how are we to know your way was gonna be any better? We'll get there." Welko yawned, running a paw through his spiky headfur.

Plogg scowled. "Yea, in time for them to come after us an' stop us. Ya've got fur between your lugs if ya think they'll just let us go."

"Oh really?" Welko looked insulted. "Just say that again an' I'll lam ya a good one!"

Plogg rolled his eyes, stating clearly, "Ya've got fur between your lugs if ya think they'll just let us go!"

Welko growled, jumping on his brother, and the two rolled down the hill they'd been on top of, Welko's arrows scattering every which way.

Grath stopped walking, leaning against a nearby tree with a sigh as Cracklyn scurried up it. Martin stopped next to her, looking sideways for a moment, before asking, "Grath, are you sure we're doing the right thing? I feel awful about leaving my parents like this, and taking the sword too .."

"I know .." The otter sighed. "It does sort of feel like we're betraying somebeast .. but .. well .. what about Abbot Durral and Sayna? They .. need us. Who's going to help them otherwise .. your dad is wounded, Log-a-Log is too, and the Guosim lost quite a few. If we don't do this .. we're leaving them to the mercy of their wicked captors .. and I can't do that. It's .. wrong."

Martin didn't look excited, but he nodded in genuine agreement. "Well .. when you put it that way."

"Hey!" Cracklyn's voice came from up in the tree. "Hey, I can see my home from here!"

Martin cocked his head back, sounding confused. "But you live at the abbey."

The squirrel's voice was cheerful. "Yep, and it's a really great view from up here, now that it's getting a bit light .. I can see over the walls and into the lawns and everything."

Grath groaned, rubbing the side of her head. Plogg came back up the hill, having overheard."Ugg .. this isn't workin'. Come on, with me. I know a better way."

Tansy shrugged and followed him, and the others did too, Welko being last and busy picking up the arrows he'd lost.

After quite a bit more walking, they finally reached the Moss and the neatly moored Guosim logboats just waiting for them. Welko jumped in the nearest one, undoing the ropes that held the boat in place. "Come on .. let's take two an' be on our way."

><><

"Show me Romsca."

Ublaz stroked his crystal ball, smiling into the shimmering surface as the images emerged. The ferret's camp was just coming to life, beasts awaking and packing, readying for a full day of travel.

Romsca herself was awake, looking like she'd never even slept, or even really laid down once that night, for her drab green eyes were dull and listless. Ublaz smirked. Maybe he wouldn't have to kill her, since she insisted on killing herself.

The pine marten's eyes shone as he looked at her satchel, where he had seen her put the pearls. So she was the one that succeeded .. how interesting.

But it wouldn't save her life, nothing could. She was a Dragon, as was her uncle, and he'd been forced into sparing them through the loss of so many captains in Kastaa's ill-fated rebellion.

Since then, in the past seven seasons, many new captains had risen, and it was time to put an end to the House of the Dragons and all captains sympathetic to them. Perhaps if Rasconza or Xzaris had found the pearls, he would have spared them, but maybe all four dying was better anyway.

When Romsca got back, he'd have to arrange an execution for both her and Barranca .. they'd served their purpose.

Ublaz turned his attention back to the far away camp in Mossflower, smiling evilly at the two mice his pawn had captured. The abbot would be a useful tool in his world takeover, the key into the stronghold of Redwall. As for the Prophet mouse, he would dispose of her and keep the sword that could kill even Monitors.

And even better, Romsca had taken a Flower of Icetor! Ublaz chuckled to himself, pale eyes gleaming with greed. "Oh you don't know how to use that my dear, if only you did! But it's better you don't .. perhaps I'll thank you for making me invincible and immortal before I kill you. Yes, Emperor Ublaz will not fade away, but will live hundreds of seasons .. all I must do is conquer Icetor, and then I will reign forever!"

"Oh if only you knew." Ublaz stroked the crystal ball, sneering joyfully, "Romsca, if only you knew how powerful you'll make me. It's almost too bad you won't live to see it."

The pine marten picked up his chalice, taking a sip of wine as he tapped the glassy surface, ordering, "Show me Xzaris."

The landscape morphed, turning from lush woodlands to the rocky cliffs and beaches of a volcanic island atoll. Ublaz hadn't really checked up on the others, since Romsca had found the pearls, but now it was time to plan out their demises. It would be fun if Romsca and Xzaris both got into port at the same, for it wasn't lost on him that they shared a deeper bond than even with Rasconza.

At this time, it seemed the gray ferret and his crew were already hard at work on their scrappy little ship, trying to repair it from the damage done in the storm a few weeks earlier. Ublaz smiled cruelly. "Tsk tsk .. what a hard worker young Xzaris is. He might have made a fine captain. He just picked the wrong friends. That will be a good lesson for the rest of Sampetra to learn .. and when I am done, they will have learned it well."

The pine martin grinned at his own words, pondering what demise Xzaris would suffer, as he tapped the glass again. "Show me Rasconza."

The images in the crystal surface changed now, to the deck of the Bloodkeel, and a bleak, cheerless dawn. The sky was overcast, and the sea was choppy and gray .. drops of rain pattered to the deck in a dismal drizzle.

One of the other Monitors, not the one he was seeing through, was in view, and acting strangely. Its head was down, its yellow eyes dull as it huddled almost miserably in the overhang of the forecastle, trying to stay out of the rain.

But the lizards did not mind rain!

Ublaz stopped, gaze hardening. No, they didn't mind the warm, tropical rains of Sampetra. But cold, northern rain would be an entirely different matter.

The pine marten's nostrils flared, though he did not allow the boiling anger within him to show any more than that one gesture. That Hellgates spawn, he was going to freeze the Monitors!

His voice was a silken, but dark sound. "I should have never sent him north .. sly as a fox, and aye, that one is no disgrace to his species."

><><

Days passed, and Romsca's wounds began to heal, though the skin around them was badly scared and now furless, as the fur around the initial injuries had fallen out.

It was dusk on the fifth day since the pearls had been found, and Romsca had kept the tears of the ocean buckled tightly in her satchel with the glowing flower, refusing to open it for anybeast, even herself. But oh, how those pearls called out to her, and how she wanted them!

Like the echo of the perfection she could never attain. She wanted to be strong .. the best pirate Sampetra had ever seen. They could make her that. She could feel it .. if she just had the seventh pearl and discovered how to unlock their magic, she was sure they could make her anything she wanted to be.

The ferret stared dully into the fire, stroking the wound on her cheek ever so gently. Was she really going to give them to Ublaz?

She slowly looked over at Lask, staring out into the darkening woodlands, and she scowled. It wasn't like she really had a choice.

And then, there was the little otter maid. Whenever Romsca closed her eyes that reflection seemed to follow her, if she wasn't being tormented by images of somebeast she cared about being killed. The ferret rubbed at her forehead, feeling the weariness of sleep drag at her, but she refused to let it do its will.

The otter's face was the embodiment of all Sampetra did, all its cruelty, and all its evil.

Maybe Raf's right. Romsca stared dully at the fire. ''Maybe I'm really not a captain at all. Maybe I am just meant to be a lady of the Dragons.''

Her green eyes gleamed with fury toward her own thoughts. She was no lady. She was a pirate, and a captain in her own right, and nobeast could ever take that from her. How dare she falter in her purpose for even one second?

"I'm doin' this fer ya dad." Her voice was a low mutter. "I hope it'll sorta make up fer how I failed before."

''No, my time has run out. But yours hasn't. So don't be a murderer me girl, don't go down that path. This is all it leads to.''

Conva's voice echoed in her head, and she put her face in her paws. "There's gotta be a way ta be who I wanna be .. without bein' a murderer."

But there was no way. If she didn't sail, what would she do? Write? Nobeast would ever pay for her wild tales, they were written for her and her alone. Maybe she could draw, but she couldn't sell much of that, as she refused to draw the traditional way. Without her ship, she had no career.

"And one things fer sure, I ain't never gonna be a barmaid." She scowled at the flames. "I'd kill too many beasts outa fury. I wonder how woodlanders do it."

Almost as she thought this, there was a commotion from where the prisoners were kept, one that snapped her from her reverie.

Rafglan had the mousewife pinned down, and even though he was twisting her arms behind her, she was striving to throw him off, and coming close to succeeding. Romsca ran up as her first mate wound the ropes back around the mouse's paws, cinching them tight with angry strength.

The golden mouse lay still now, though from the sparkle in her black eyes, Romsca guessed she was calculating her next move. Something about the beast's quick and often sharp wit, her fearlessness, and her strength was admirable ... when she wasn't infuriating.

"What's goin' on? Raf, what happened?"

The rat yanked the mouse onto her paws, snarling, "I should'a known she'd find a sharp rock an try ta git her an' the other one loose. She's a trouble-maker capt'n, come on, kill her!"

Romsca glared at the rat. "Who's capt'n 'round here anyway? If I say she dies, then yea, but not a moment before that. An' I say I ain't killin' her yet!"

"Fine capt'n, yer right. I ain't in charge. But lemme just warn ya, prisoners are killed fer less .. far less, an' if she pushes it anymore, yer gonna haveta git rid a her if'n ya want the crew's respect."

Rafglan shrugged. "That's jist the way it is. An' if ya got control a things here, I'll jist be on me way ta bed."

The rat walked off, and Romsca growled, shoving the mouse against the tree the other one was tied to. "Look wench, I don't wanna haveta kill ya, but yer gonna make me!"

Sayna sneered. "Good."

Romsca stared at her. "What?"

"You'll be doing me a favor ferret." The mouse's eyes snapped. "But you won't be able to. My lord has told me I will not die until I find a successor, and guess what, I haven't! So you can't kill me, even if I might wish you could."

Romsca imagined she looked shocked. "Mouse, yer too creepy fer words!"

Sayna smirked. "I'll take that as a complement, thank you."

Romsca glared at her, snarling, "Like I said before .. ya talk in riddles! Will ya just speak like a normal beast?"

"Ferret," The mouse's eyes flashed almost mockingly. "Let's just say I am a riddle."

"Yea, I can see that." Romsca growled, tying Sayna back against the tree.

She noticed the other mouse staring at her with his wide, blue-brown eyes, and once again felt a pang of guilt for her actions. She flattened her ears, showing her teeth as she growled, "What're ya lookin' at mouse?"

He looked afraid, yes, but almost pitying, and Romsca had to wonder what he was thinking. He made it quite clear in the next second, though it would have been better if he had said nothing. "You must have had a terrible childhood .. to make you this way. You can't be much over twenty seasons."

Romsca scowled at him, though she totally agreed about having a terrible childhood. However, he didn't stop, just looked down. "The way vermin treat their own children is horrible .. making them sail ships and kill .."

Romsca's ears snapped up, and she shoved him even harder against the tree, seething, "What? How dare ya even think my father would treat me wrong? He loved me, I loved him, an' if he was still alive I might not even be a capt'n yet!"

She felt tears of pure fury growing on her lashes as the horrific scene of Conva's death played in her mind, and she growled deep in her throat. "Don't ya ever disrespect me dad or me family never again mouse, never! Or ya will pay! They mean the world ta me, an' they never treated me wrong, how would ya know nothin', keep yer rotten woodland mouth shut!"

She wheeled around, storming away, and quickly wiping her eyes, though her breathing would not be calm on an instant. The ferret sat back down on her log, wrapping her arms about herself, and shoving he tears away with one, determined swallow.

Was that really what woodlanders thought about vermin? All vermin? That their parents had to hate them?

Yes .. Xzaris's mother was that way. But her father hadn't been, and her uncle wasn't either. How dare he pity her, and dream that her family had been cruel to her .. how dare he?

As her anger slowly abated, she sighed. She supposed she could not blame him. What would a woodlander know about a vermin? About as much as a vermin knew about a woodlander .. just that the other was an enemy to be destroyed.

Romsca looked back over at the mouse, slumped in his bonds and trembling a little, and she felt another slash of guilt rend her soul.

''I want .. no, I must .. do this. No quarter. No fear. No weakness!''

She looked away, muttering, "It ain't personal ol' mouse. I can't help it if'n ya was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Deep down, she knew it wasn't true. She could have refused to capture the abbot if she had wanted. But how could she? With the Monitors and her crew? What excuse could she have made? And all for a woodlander?

But just like that otter maid, the abbot inspired her pity .. he was a weaker beast, the kind of beast she should protect, not harm. Still, as a captain, how could she refuse to capture a woodlander?

''I gave into them, I let them manipulate me! Nobeast tells me what to do, I should have shown that Rafglan who was boss right then and there, I should have scared the mouse off and never taken him!''

Romsca scowled at her own thoughts. How could she even think such stupid things? But she thought them.

She would likely never have the guts to carry them out, but she thought them.

><><

It took days to repair Darkshroud, Xzaris gave up counting them. They reinforced the mast with twenty thick bands of steel, each of which he'd made from the metal components of other ships.

This done, they replaced the yardarm, and put their full effort into mending the sail. It took a week to see it back in its place, mended and stitched, but still sporting the dragon motif proudly.

Beyond that, a leak in the hull was discovered, and another three days were spent repairing it.

The crew was tired, Xzaris was tired on top of his depression, and the Monitors were eager to be on their way once again, having done nothing but eat and bask in the sun.

It came to a head after about a week and a half, after the pirates were enjoying some well earned rest and food in their camp on the beach. Xzaris was testing the footpaw that had been injured in the fight with the Monitor; he'd pulled his boot off and was looking at it. Scars from the creature's claws tore their way up it, all the way past the ankle.

Xzaris strained to rotate his foot, but while only dull pain greeted him, the paw moved only slightly. The ferret scowled, turning his ankle with his paw, however the instant he let go, it slipped back into it's former position.

He shook his head, slipping his boot back on. After all, it probably didn't matter much in the long run.

Val trotted up. "Capt'n ..."

"Ya want me ta eat somethin' I guess?" Xzaris grumbled, before he met her wild blue gaze. "What's wrong?"

She pointed, panting, "The Monitors .. they're threatenin' Skarbod .."

Xzaris grabbed his pike, running forward, with Val behind. Sure enough, Zurgat had Skarbod backed up against a pile of boulders, and Xzaris jumped beside his first mate, slashing his pike a few inches from the lizard's nose. "Hoi, what goes on anyhow? Ya ain't supposed ta threaten him, if ya gotta complaint, ya bring it ta me!"

Zurgat backed up a little, before hissing, "Mazzter'zz pearlzz are not here .. we muzzt go farther to find them, or you muzzt return. We are wazzting time zzitting and doing nothing."

"We ain't doin' nothin, we're fixin' the ship." Xzaris struggled to keep the anger from his voice. "If we don't fix her right, she's gonna sink, an' we'll all be dead."

The Monitor glared at him a moment, before snarling, "Fine, but you've done a lot with the zzhip. We will wait one more week, and then we will go, either to find the pearlzz, or back to Mazzter."

Xzaris glared at her, unable to suppress the shiver that ran down his back. As the lizard walked off, Skarbod nodded to him. "Thanks capt'n .. when are we gonna leave?"

Xzaris shook his head. "I lied ta her, we got maybe two days lefta work on Darkshroud .. but til we git a stiff breeze from the south, we ain't gonna be able ta git past the Roarin'burn, it'll dash us onna reefs. We don't gotta nough oars .. we're at the mercy a the wind."

><><

It had been a good week and a half of travel for Romsca, hard travel. Tempers were short, Lask was overbearing, and the ferret had caught some of her crew members casting greedy glances at her satchel.

Her own temper was extremely moody, changing from dark and depressed to wrathful at whim, she barely had control of it. But she didn't smile, not even disturbingly, she hadn't hardly smiled since she'd been torn away from her friends.

She was sitting in the driver's seat of the cart, keeping the mousewife's sorrel at a brisk walk. The horse was well trained, but older, and while a willing animal, it tired fast under the rigors of its new surroundings.

The two prisoners hadn't caused more trouble, after her outburst at the male mouse, he'd been silent and wary around her. Sayna's black eyes were always roving for an avenue of escape, but she hadn't had a chance to run since her last disturbance.

Romsca took a deep breath, and paused. She could smell salt in the air, faintly, but obvious.

Rafglan looked over at her from his place at the other end of the driver's seat, not having been in good favor of late. "Sea's nearby."

"I know." Romsca's voice was slightly clipped.

The rat shrugged, looking the other direction again, into the woodlands.

Silence reigned among the pirates, though the chirping of birds, the thud of hooves, and the creaking of the cart dominated their surroundings.

The scout came running up, excitement shining on his face. "Capt'n, we're almost back ta the ship! You'll be able ta see her inna few minutes!"

Romsca felt a surge of relief, and she nodded. "Good, in that case, ya can ride in the cart the resta the way."

He waited until the cart passed where he was, and hopped aboard. Romsca sighed inwardly. Good, they'd soon be free of these choking, sky smothering trees and out on the open sea. It didn't take long in truth, but it seemed to take hours before they caught sight of the beautiful, sparkling water.

The surf rolled briskly up the beach, and Romsca wished she could run into it, laughing and splashing. She wished she could wade out to where it was up to her waist and let the waves splash over her .. just like she and her friends had often done together on the shores of Sampetra.

But no .. she had to be a captain. Romsca scowled, flicking the horse's reins across its back and heading down toward the beach and her ship.

As they neared the Waveworm, anchored not far from the shore, several of the lizards they had left appeared on deck. Romsca felt her ears droop against the back of her head as she muttered, "Well I'm glad ta see nothin' has changed."

It didn't take long to start loading the ship, and Romsca grabbed the two prisoners, eager to get them into the brig where they'd be secure. She was forced to drag the mouse up the rope ladder onto the deck, while several others dealt with the mousewife, because there was no dock to attach the gangplank to.

However the moment Romsca set foot on deck and turned around, she gaped at the filthy mess the ship was. There was half-eaten fish scattered everywhere, rotting and smelling wretched, and blood smeared the planking here and there.

The ferret's voice was a growl. "What is this? Where are the four I left ta guard with ya?"

The lizard she'd addressed met her gaze fearlessly. "We were hungry, they did not fizzh enough for uzz. We do not clean your zzhip, that izz your job."

Romsca's hackles raised in anger as she caught sight of a moldering heap of bloodstained fur, and she snarled. "Arrgg .. Some a ya clean up this mess! See what's lefta our beasts gets a descent burial."

She pulled the wide eyed mouse along, dragging him down into the galley towards the brig. As she undid the ropes about his paws and clamped them in shackles, he gulped, "W .. why do you bring those horrible things with you?"

Rafglan was securing the mousewife, and Romsca sneered, "Do ya really think I want ta?"

She pulled on Sayna's chains to ensure they were tight, slipping out of the brig and locking the steel bars in place as Rafglan hurried upstairs, and the ferret paused, meeting the abbot's gaze.

"Look mouse .. this ain't my idea a fun." Her voice softened, to a sad sound. "None a it is."

Romsca turned around, fastening the keys on her belt and hurrying through the galley, feeling more lost and unsettled than before.

She slipped out onto the deck, curling her lip at the mess it was in, and upon seeing Lask, snarled, "Hey! What right do ya have ta let yer lizards eat me crew?"

The Monitor turned deliberately around, and Romsca felt cold wash over her .. maybe this was one case where she shouldn't have been so vocal. He smiled, showing his teeth. "Four guardzz will not zztop uzz from crozzing the zzea, we do not need them."

Romsca clenched her teeth together, wanting to say more, but the Monitor's yellow eyes dug into her .. frightening, strange eyes that seemed too intelligent for their owner.

She scowled, walking away, though her paw clenched on its own. The crew was working on unloading the cart, and Rubby hurried up. "Capt'n .. I hate ta say this .. but we don't got very much water. We gotta git more while we're still docked .."

Romsca groaned, before nodding, yelling, "Raf, see the water's resupplied!"

She swung over the side, lowering herself easily down the rope ladder, and swimming for shore, as the others had the boat beached. The ferret soon found the bottom with her feet, and waded the rest of the way, ignoring the pull of the waves.

The scout was one on the shore, and as soon as he saw her come ashore dripping, he winced. "Sorry capt'n .. didn't notice ya was needin' the boat .."

Romsca shrugged. "I didn't need the boat."

The stoat scratched an ear, before nodding. "Aye aye, capt'n."

Romsca thought she caught sight of a slight grin, perhaps of admiration on his face, and she rolled her eyes. "Do we got everythin'?"

"Yea, we jist donno what ta do with the horse, we can't take it .. Waveworm ain't set up fer that."

Romsca raised an eyebrow. "Yer tellin' me what me ship can't do? I know what she can do an' what she can't."

He shrugged, and she shook her head. "Lemme deal with the horse."

The ferret stepped beside the animal, running her paw along the side of its neck as she undid the bridle. "Whoa .. easy now. Ya served me well .. I ain't gonna let harm befall ya."

She loosed the traces, just as the sorrel stamped a hoof, tossing its head. Romsca looked around to see one of the Monitors watching, and she could just imagine what they would want .. to eat the horse.

Romsca curled her lip, slapping her paw on the horse's flank. "Ya!"

The creature trotted a few feet, before turning around confusedly, and neighing. However it reared the next second, galloping down the beach as the lizard bounded after it, amazingly fast for its thick stature.

The horse was naturally faster though, and outdistanced it quickly, flying down the strand, its flaxen mane and tail streaming behind it. The Monitor gave up, turning around and crawling back toward the boats, giving Romsca a dirty look.

She smirked, turning around to see her scout watching her with a grin. "That's one way ta show 'em capt'n."

Romsca raised an eyebrow, before shrugging. She could see several beasts bringing back water casks in the other lifeboat, and she ordered, "All beasts back ta the ship .. we raise anchor an' resupply our food elsewhere, this ain't the place."

><><

"I'm jolly well famished .. could we have a spot of lunch, my charmin' cook?"

Tansy rolled her eyes good naturedly. "Oh, would you listen to him?"

Hood walked by, voice tinged with the slightest bit of amusement. "Flattery will get you nowhere."

Clecky chased after the fox, exclaiming, "Why, don't go feedin' the lovely gel bad ideas .. wot a spiffin' chum you are, wot?"

Normally, Grath might have laughed at the antics of the hare and the fox, but today was different. They had been traveling for weeks, mostly with the Moss, but sometimes on land, as they were now. But the otter knew they would soon reach her old home, they would have to, in order to reach the ship.

Grath had grown far more silent then usual, she tried to avoid talking with anybeast, even Martin, and he didn't press her. She looked over at the mouse, who was strumming softly on his lute, humming a little tune and putting in a few words here and there.

He smiled as something seemed to come to him, then went back and played it again.

Plogg and Welko were off acting as scouts, and Cracklyn was practicing tree-jumping. There was a snap from above, and a twig landed on Grath's head, accompanied by a "Whoops!"

The otter shook it off, taking a deep breath of the afternoon air, and pausing. She could smell the sea .. something that had faded to a vague memory of earlier days .. but now it came rushing back.

"Hey! Look .. wow .. that's the sea?" There was a cracking, and Cracklyn dropped down beside Grath.

The otter ran forward a few steps, shoving some branches away and stopping at the edge of a small precipice. There it was, the shining, lapping, wonderful expanse of water she had often walked along in dreams .. only this time it was real.

Grath took a deep breath of the salt air, air that felt wonderful on her constantly dry throat, and somehow, it brought tears to her eyes, though she was anything but sad.

''I was meant to live near the sea. I was made for it!''

She found herself sliding down the incline, forgetting to walk as she ran forward. "Come on!"

Tansy held onto her straw hat as she tried to keep up, and Grath soon was forced to slow down due to her shortness of breath. However Clecky bounded forward, laughing, "C'mon Hood, last one there's a rotten salad!"

The fox paused only a minute, flicking his ears back a bit, before he ran after the hare, cloak flowing out behind him. Cracklyn scurried up a tree, bounding from branch to branch and jumping to the ground as the trees thinned out.

Martin caught up to Grath and Tansy, asking, "Where do you think Plogg and Welko went? I thought they were supposed to tell us when they reached the sea."

Grath squinted, pointing to where Clecky and Hood had just reached the surf. "Isn't that them, already there?"

"Probably." Tansy had been looking, and now she agreed.

They'd reached the dunes now, as there was very little space between forest and sand. Grath found enough wind to run forward again, her paws digging through the sand and quickly into the water.

She felt the wide smile spread across her face, and let herself fall to her knees in the knee deep water with a laugh. Somebeast splashed her, and Grath grinned widely at Welko, splashing a large amount of water at him with her strong, webbed claws.

There was something magical about being back in the surf, with the cry of gulls all around her .. even Tansy was wading in the ankle-deep tide running up the sand.

"Wheee!" Cracklyn leapt in, getting plowed over by a wavelet, admittedly a large one. The squirrel surfaced the next second, staring blankly at her sopping tail.

"You really lived her me gel? I say, spiffin' place!"

Grath looked at Clecky, a warm smile upon her face. "I really did."

Her happy look faded abruptly, and she stood slowly. "I .. really did."

Clecky looked questioningly at Grath as she walked farther up the beach, for she remembered this place, they were not far from what had once been Holt Lutra.

The sea breeze ruffled her hair as she placed one bare foot in front of the other, anxiety and sorrow rising together within her. There was the pattering of paws as Martin caught up with her, asking, "Can I come?"

Grath paused, considering refusing, but the mouse spoke quickly. "I promise not to bother you, I just don't think splitting up is a good idea."

She nodded, voice quiet as she looked at the ground. "Alright."

Martin shrugged. "Ok .. I told the others to stay where they are until I go get them."

Grath nodded again, not wanting to start a conversation, and her friend fell silent as well.

They'd left the beach, and were walking through the quiet, time-forgotten woodlands. Birds sang, and the soft sound of the surf could faintly be heard in the background .. but Grath paid no attention to these things.

Her mind was on all the memories this place brought. Things she had pushed to the back of her mind for seasons, but now they were all coming back in a flood.

Like here, in these very clearings, Lutran had taught her the basics of archery. Coral had taught her about herbs and what their uses were, her whole family and other members of her holt had picked berries and gone fishing in these now silent glades.

Grath slipped over an incline, looking sadly around at what once had been the central clearing and part of the stream most of the caves sat in. They were still there, uncovered and gaping, like mouths.

She looked over at the one that had once been her home, before looking questioningly at Martin .. would he insist on coming?

But he shook his head. "No .. If you'd rather go alone, I'll just wait out here."

Grath nodded thankfully .. for some reason, she didn't want Martin, or anybeast else, looking over her shoulder. She was the only survivor of Holt Lutra, and this was the place so many had died .. she should go alone.

She slipped through the familiar doorway, almost expecting to hear her mother call a cheery hello from the kitchen, or Marine or her father to look up from their whittling in the cozy little sitting room.

But the cave was cold and empty, just as she'd known it would be, even if she'd wished it to be otherwise.

The furnishings of the sitting room were strewn about, and that stubborn old crack in the cave's roof above them had broken open again with nobeast to fight it. Grath tried to right the ornately carved chair her father had made for her mother, but it fell apart in her paws, half rotted away from the leak in the ceiling.

She took a shuddering breath, walking through the dimness of the hallway, light from the few skylights showing her where to walk. Some of the torch brackets had fallen or been torn from the walls, and the doors to the rooms were open, some hanging askew as if broken into.

Grath paused at the door of the room she'd once shared with Aqua, before walking in slowly. The furniture was scattered and in some cases smashed, the one skylight seemed to have developed a leak, as the area around it looked damp. Combs and jewelry were scattered on the dresser and floor around it, everything valuable missing.

She slowly picked up a damp, ruined lump of color used to put streaks in hair and the symbol of Holt Lutra upon the shoulder, as only warriors were tattooed.

The otter looked at her reflection in the cracked mirror, noting her simple, habit-like dress and neatly done hair, and suddenly pulled the ribbon from it, letting it fall loose. She picked a chipped shell clip off the dresser, and pinned one side of her hair with it.

She lifted her chin, before smearing the color on her fingers, running them through her headfur, creating a long, green streak. Grath reached to do her shoulder, but realized her sleeves were in the way.

She looked around, noting the open trunk at the foot of a sagging bed, and knelt beside it, pulling out damp, ruined dresses and tunics, pausing as her claws touched leather.

The otter pulled out the close fitting, simple two-piece armor that had once been Aqua's though she'd very rarely worn it. Grath looked around for the fishtailed, sleeveless dress that was meant to act as the under layer, and found it laying torn nearby on the floor.

She sighed, for the top was destroyed, trampled and ripped by some careless looter. Grath looked darkly at it a moment, before drawing her short dagger and cutting it off at the waist, at least the skirt had some life in it.

She pulled off her bow and quiver, then her dress. It took a few moments to pull on the fishtail skirt, and the leather armor, but she was soon done and buckled her weapons' belt back on.

Grath stood, walking over to the mirror and looking hesitantly into it. The quiet, neatly dressed abbeymaid was gone, in her place stood a wild looking otter .. a real otter. While she would miss the old her, she somehow knew that was gone for good, and it brought wetness to her eyes.

She dipped her paws in the dye, making a careful wavy line down one shoulder, before rubbing on six dots, three on each side. She then smeared it across the bridge of her nose, continuing the line up her forehead and around her eyes, and repeated the holt symbol on her other shoulder.

Once the dye dried, it would not wash out until she washed with fresh water and soap, and even then it might leave faint stains on her fur. Grath had heard Aqua complain once when Lutran had made her jump and smear it halfway down her face.

She grabbed a small jewelry box, dropping the dye in it and placing it in her satchel should she need it again. The otter grabbed the shell necklace Lutran had made her, slipping it over her head as she noticed Aqua's spare harpoon was still mounted above the doorway .. apparently the corsairs had not deemed it valuable enough to take.

Grath pulled it down, turning and looking in the mirror again. Her voice was soft as she murmured, "I may look a true daughter of Holt Lutra .. but I do not feel it."

Her reflection watched her sadly as she shook her head, hugging the harpoon to herself. "Why? Why did I live when all of you died? Why didn't I die with you?"

She slowly sat on the lid of the trunk, thinking insane thoughts. Thoughts she new well were in her heart, she'd just never dared to let herself think them. "Ignasa .. Ignasa I would be dead long ago had I not believed in you. Would it really be so wrong .. just to die? What use do I have in this world .. this cold, bitter world .. it's too big for me to save. If I was dead, I would see them again .. Coral .. Lutran .. my parents .."

Grath let her head drop forward in her paws, letting tears come into her eyes, though they did not fall. "I've tried not to think of it, but I can't help it .. maybe I really should be dead. They all are .. and I am not worthy to carry the name I bear. I cannot bring justice .. I cannot ... can I?"

She fell silent as she recalled the reflection of Lord Ignasa in the glass, and his words came back.

"I will be with you."

"Will you?" Grath sighed, looking at her sister's harpoon. This really was a matter of trust. Did she really trust that Ignasa knew what he was doing?

She looked around the room, closing her eyes. "Sometimes it doesn't feel like he does."

But then she thought of Redwall, and all the kindness that had been shown to her. "He did let me be taken there. And he wants me to get the abbot back .. and I guess I do trust him. He would not have spoken to me if he thought I could not do it."

Grath snapped her eyes open, shoving herself onto her paws. "There must be a reason I was left alive .. and I've got to find out what."

She looked down at her old dress, before shoving it into her satchel. "This is war .. and it won't be done until we catch that pirate and get our friends back."

Martin was waiting outside, strumming a soft melody on his lute, and he looked around as she approached. "Are you better ...."

His voice faded off as he got a good look at her, and his mouth dropped open. "What happened to you?"

"I .. well I thought I should look like a warrior of Lutra .. even if I'm probably not a very good one." Grath looked self-consciously down at her attire, blushing a little. "And .. the top of the dress was ruined .. so .. I guess this will have to do."

Martin blinked. Grath raised an eyebrow. "What? It is otter armor .. you've seen the Holt Willow otters wear two pieces."

"Yes, but .." Martin paused, stating, "I've never seen you wear it. I'll get used to it."

"That's .." Grath rubbed the side of her head. "Comforting."

The mouse shook his head. "No, it's fine, I just .. well I'm not used to it yet. But .. I'll get used to it. Cause .. oh .. anyway. Now what?"

"Remember I told you about the ship? Well .. I guess we're going to have to fix it up, you know, because it's sat so long." Grath shrugged. "We should go get the others and get started .. it's a little bit of a hike from here."

><><

"That's your ship?" Plogg was staring at the beautifully sleek raider, sitting quietly in a little, sheltered side stream.

Welko nodded. "You said you had a ship, but you forgot to mention she was a galleon! I thought you meant a sailboat or a fishing skiff!"

Grath frowned. "Is that ok?"

"Ok?" Plogg gasped, "It's way better than ok .."

"It's awesome!" Welko finished. "We're going to sail a galleon! A real, respectable sea vessel!"

Clecky, too, was impressed. "I say spiffin' me gel, let's go aboard shall we?"

Cracklyn scurried up the side, unrolling the rope ladder for the others. "This is so amazing! I get to climb the ropes first!"

Grath started up the ladder, Martin and the shrews behind her. The deck was littered with dried leaves from the encompassing trees, and broken branches .. birds had even decided to make nests on the figurehead.

Tansy scrambled up last, and Hood silently helped her. The hedgehog nodded to him, adjusting her hat as she looked around. "Goodness, this place is a mess! The first thing we should do is clear the deck."

"Nah, we should look for leaks first." Plogg disagreed.

Grath shrugged. "We can do both .. and the sail's been left up all these years."

She looked at the torn cloth in dismay. "We aren't going anywhere with that."

"But Grath, what will we make a new sail with?" Tansy asked. "We don't have enough cloth to make something so big."

The otter shook her head, feeling depressed. "I know .. we'll have to look around, and if worst comes to worst, there's a town two days journey north of here. Maybe we can buy something there .. but it'll waste time."

"I say, look on the bright side, it's better then settin' out to sea in a washtub, wot!"

Everybeast looked at Clecky, who defended himself. "I say, I was just pointin' out a jolly bit of truth."

"Aha .." Martin looked dubious. "Right, well we should get started with repairing, I think."

Clecky was willing. "Right ho, you're bally well right my good chap. I've never actually seen one'a these before, but I should make a fine job of fixin' one."

"A fine mess, you mean." Welko laughed.

Plogg nodded. "Yea, leave the repairs to us, and you take down the sail an' see the deck is clean."

Chapter 20 Across the Western Sea
Xzaris awoke on the fourth morning since his argument with Zurgat, though slowly. He hadn't slept much since he'd set off on this voyage, and when he did, he slept like he was dead.

This must be what Romsca felt like all the time.

The ferret lifted his head from his pallet on the sand, brushing loose hair out of his eyes. It was predawn light, and not many of the crew were up and about, in fact he saw none.

He stood, walking toward the waters of the bay .. or limping, more realistically, as his foot was unresponsive to his wishes. The water gleamed dully in the rising light, and he fingered the light chain he wore doubled around his neck, holding the longer loop out were he could see it.

It didn't look like much, just a dull silver chain, but it was pure silver, though tarnished. He should clean it more often, but he rarely took it off.

Romsca had given it to him several seasons back, as part of his payment for sailing as one of her crew. He could have sold it, but nothing could make him part with it, and he clenched his paw around it, muttering, "If only I was brave 'nough ta say with all me heart that I'd rather die than ya."

Xzaris looked at the chain again, before closing his eyes. "Oh Rom .. find those things. Find 'em so I won't have the guilt a findin' 'em an' seein' ya die. Cause I'd be frozen like I alwus is 'round that Madeyes .. jist find 'em so I kin die an' not think about it."

"Ye care for me daughter, I can see."

Xzaris spun around, finding Arashi watching him, and shook his head wordlessly.

"No, ye do." The older ferret smiled, almost a smirk. "One doesn't need your fox to tell them to guess that."

She sighed, asking, "I suppose Romsca sees ye as a friend and no more?"

Xzaris met her gaze a moment, before looking out across the bay. "How did ya know?"

"Because I was the same way with Conva." Arashi laughed fondly. "The poor beast tried to tell me many times, but I did not see. I was so focused on being the best pirate that ever lived, I truly didn't notice."

She looked like her mind was elsewhere as she shrugged. "Ye see things clearer when ye are older. When ye're young, it's all about proving something. Maybe finding who ye really are. Maybe finding what ye really believe in. And ye miss things. I did .. I'll never know why he loved me."

"When .." Xzaris paused, and Arashi smiled a little.

"Ye can ask me, whatever it is."

He looked up. "What made ya pay attention?"

"Ah, Conva managed to stammer the truth and tell me, after five seasons." Arashi smirked. "I didn't know what to think, but I'd grown fond of him, Romsca's probably the same."

"I .. donno if'n I'd go that far." Xzaris sighed. "An' it wouldn't matter if'n she cared or didn't .. one or botha us are gonna die."

Arashi nodded soberly. "Aye, tell me .. what will ye do if we get off this island?"

"I .." Xzaris shook his head. "I've got ta try an' go farther south. I can't make meself go back .. not yet .. not yet .."

He looked slowly up. "Ya probably think me a coward."

Arashi shrugged. "It is a hard thing ye face."

"I ain't gonna blame ya." Xzaris shuddered. "I am a coward .. around Ublaz at least. Almost anybeast in their right mind is gonna be .. he could tell ya to walk through fire an ya'd do it without a thought. His word is law .. all he has ta do is git ya ta look inta his eyes."

"Me lord is stronger than him." Arashi's brown eyes flickered with something like anger, or perhaps defiance. Xzaris turned his head a little. "Not strong 'nough ta save Conva, though."

"That is not true." Arashi's answer was sharp. "He did save him."

Xzaris raised an eyebrow, as the older ferret met his gaze. "I'm not crazy. This world isn't made up only of what we can see, and neither are we. Ignasa saved his soul, if he truly repented, or he would be in Hellgates as we speak."

Arashi looked away, and Xzaris felt bad he had brought Conva up, so he tried to reassure her. "Hellgates is only fer wicked beasts .. Conva was a noble capt'n, an' a fair un ta. He'd have gone ta Land of the Sun, I'm sure a it."

"Then ye are gravely mistaken." Arashi's eye were cold. "Me young friend, how would ye have seen all the raids we went on, or how many beasts we killed? No, it was richly deserved, death, and I live on borrowed time. I only wish to see me daughter set in the right path, saved from the evil, and then I will except whatever fate I am given without fear or complaint. At least then, I would be free of guilt."

Xzaris realized he was staring at her. "Where .. did ya hear these things?"

Arashi's eyes flashed with some pain, but she shrugged. "When the Roaringburn threw me and the wreckage I had lashed myself to upon this island, I was delirious and near death, I could not have dragged myself ashore had I comprehended what had happened. No, there was an old shipwrecked sailor living here, a Southswardian jerbilrat, and he'd lived here thirty seasons, alone."

She looked away. "I guess he was glad of any company, and he fished me out and nursed me back to health, though me clothes betrayed me as a Sampetrian and he treated me warily at first. However I only wanted to go home, and nearly killed meself again trying to sail a skiff out of those rip currents .. once again, he fished me out and brought me back from Hellgates. He taught me of his lord, Ignasa, and I believed .. I hoped to one day escape this place and tell me family. The poor beast died of illness three winters ago, the rain always bothered his old joints anyway .. and I guess he just couldn't take it. He must have been over eighty seasons by then anyway."

The ferret met Xzaris's gaze. "Then a storm happened to throw a repairable ship on these rocks, ye, and I suppose what happens next is in your paws, Captain Xzaris."

Xzaris could not meet her gaze. "Ya want ta go ta Sampetra, don't ya."

"I cannot speak. I am not the one going to me death."

Xzaris looked away. "I can't make meself jist go back like that. I gotta try .. though there ain't any joy if'n I find 'em. But I jist .. wull I gotta try. I can't go back til I'm made ta."

He shrugged. "And besides, til the wind changes, we ain't gotta worry about leavin'. We jist gotta wait it out."

Arashi looked around, stating, "I don't think we'll be waiting much longer."

Xzaris lifted his head, eyes fixed on the bay as he paid attention to the soft but steady breeze around him. Sure enough, it was from the south.

If it was strong enough to pull them past the Roaringburn and out to sea, that remained to be seen.

><><

"I say Hood, whatcha got there?"

The fox looked up, before returning to his task, coiling spare rope. "Ropes. Plogg and Welko wish to replace some of the rigging."

His companion crossed the storeroom quickly, piling rope into his arms. "Like this matey, makes it bally fasteeeerrr .."

Some lose coils caught around his paws, sending him toppling into a nearby open sea chest. The lid fell down, and there was an amused snort from Hood, as Clecky's legs, an arm, and ears were still visible, amid piles of rope.

Clecky popped up indignantly, shoving the lid back open. "Is that any way to treat a pal? Laughin' at his jolly calamities?"

"Jolly calamities would be the correct description." Hood's voice held undeniable amusement.

"Rotter." Celcky muttered darkly as he climbed from the trunk, shaking himself. "I say what's in here? Bed sheets? Dish towels? Golly there's a lot of it, whatever the bally stuff is .."

Hood set his rope on a nearby barrel, helping Clecky drag yard after yard of coarse white material out of the trunk. "I believe you found a sail."

Blue and turquoise embroidery was visible now, stitched by expert paws to form a massive dragon motif in the middle of the white expanse. Clecky stared at it. "Good grief, whoever made that knew what they were doing .. an' it must have taken bally forever, wot!"

"Well, Grath will be glad of this." Hood remarked. "And it seems in near perfect condition."

Clecky brightened. "Well there you see, the beast that laughs best laughs last! I'll go tell the lass, wot!"

Hood smirked as his companion bolted up the galley stairs, calling out the good news. Soon everyone had gathered to see Clecky's discovery. Grath stared at the sail, and she looked relieved. "Well we won't have to travel two days north at least."

"Why do you suppose it was down here all this time?" Cracklyn was curious.

"It's the original sail." Grath explained. "When my holt captured this ship and killed every corsair aboard it, they made it a new sail and called it the Seawarrior. But I guess they saved the old pirate sail."

Martin looked relieved. "Lucky for us."

Clecky was digging through the trunk, and pulled out a square of blue cloth with a crouching, winged dragon embroidered on it. "I say, these pirate chaps must be very fond a large lizard types. Well Grath me gel, you get a matching sail and flag, courtesy of sea-beast Clecky!"

The otter smirked, before shaking her head. "I'm not flying their flag .."

She walked over to another trunk, pulling a green cloth out, embroidered with a white and green creature of which the top half was horse and the bottom half was fish. Dark green chevrons ran up the shorter sides of the flag, with three circles on each side. "I'll fly my own."

Tansy blinked. "Ooh, it's so pretty!"

"Uh-huh." Cracklyn agreed. "With the cool fish-horse thing .. hey, can I put it up there? I've been up in the crow's nest and it's an awesome view."

"I say, didn't get height-sick?" Clecky asked.

Cracklyn snorted. "I'm a squirrel Clecky, now can I?"

Grath handed her the flag. "Ok. And can you untie the old sail?"

"No problem!" The squirrel skipped up toward the deck, and Hood started to fold up the dragon sail.

Grath helped him, as did Martin. "Well .. let's get this up on deck. It looks like we've got our work cut out for us today."

><><

Romsca sat on Waveworm's window seat, staring out at the sea dully. They'd spent a few days fishing along the shores of Mossflower, but now they were headed across the ocean toward Sampetra.

Lask was antsy to be on his way, so they didn't have as much food as Romsca would have liked, but she figured what they had would get them home.

Home.

What awaited her there? Seeing her friends brutally murdered, just like her father?

"Oh Xzaris .."

She paused, wondering why she would think of him first, Rasconza was in the same danger. But then, Xzaris had grown closer to her over the last seven seasons, and she no longer felt that deep a connection with the dog-fox. He was still a good friend, but he wasn't her best friend, unlike how it had almost been the opposite when they were younger.

And what about Val? Where would she land in all this chaos? Back at the tavern with Kia? Boyfriend-less?

Romsca smirked, thinking of how Rasconza and Val would fight and then kiss each other in the same day. She'd always rolled her eyes at them, but she knew Val would be devastated to see Rasconza die.

I'll take care of her. Romsca promised herself. ''As long as I'm alive. She might be frustrating sometimes, but she's still .. my awesome pirate sister.''

The ferret was smiling at the thought of the hyperactive vixen, when she heard the faint sound of voices from below. At first she passed them off as crewbeasts, but soon it was obvious it wasn't .. it was the mice in the brig.

Romsca knelt, laying her head on the floor of her cabin as the male mouse spoke. "Well, she doesn't seem so bad .. you know what I mean .. for a pirate. Maybe we could get her on our side .. maybe she's not entirely evil."

"Durral." The way the mousewife said his name, it was obvious she was unimpressed. "Not because she's a pirate, and a ferret, but because she is a mortal without the grace of Ignasa .. she is fully evil. And not to be biased, but I know a thing or two about Sampetra. Don't trust her, no matter what."

The male sounded indignant. "I didn't say I trusted her. You put words in my mouth. Just because I'm the abbot of Redwall doesn't mean I'm stupid, in fact, it has the opposite connotation last time I checked."

There was a pause, and Romsca could imagine the two glaring defiantly at each other.

"Of course not." Sayna's tone was clipped. "You probably have great knowledge of the scholarly sort. But how about real life .. wickedness, cutthroats, war, and pirates, how much do you know about that? Making some unruly dibbuns wash the supper dishes hardly qualifies."

Durral sounded disgusted. "Well you needn't insult me. Running an abbey is not as easy as it looks."

"Whatever Durral." There was a clinking, indicating Sayna had shifted her position.

"Besides that." The mouse stated, a little frustrated. "What of the pearls she found? She's going to give them to her evil master."

"I know."

"And? Are you going to let her?"

There was a clanking, and Sayna's voice was confused. "Durral, I thought you were the peaceful abbot. Why do you care about these pearls?"

A moment of silence followed, before Durral stammered, "Well .. I mean .. you didn't see them! They're beautiful .. I .. "

"You want them." Was the conclusion.

"Well .. not in a bad way, just to see them again." The mouse's voice sounded awed as he spoke of them. "They're wonderful .. the moment I saw them, I knew they could make me a perfect abbot, and help me rule Redwall in peace and friendship without mistake. If only I had them! You wouldn't understand."

There was a long pause, and Sayna finally replied, albeit a bit grimly. "I think I might."

Durral's chains clanked as he moved a little bit. "What do you mean by that? Do you want them too? I saw them first you know."

"No. I don't. And if you knew the legend of them, you might be the wiser beast and leave them be." Sayna's voice was hard, and she volunteered no reason for her mindset, even though Romsca wished she would.

And she did the next moment, when Durral pressed her. "Why? What harm can they bring?"

"I've seen your pearls, the six rose-colored tears of the oceans. I could go into detail of when, but you wouldn't believe me. However I saw them, that is what matters, and found them quite beautiful .. which led me to research history for any sign of them .. and there is little, but enough."

Sayna paused, before stating, "In this world, there are certain things, special things, that abide in it but are not of it. And from all I see, these pearls are one of those. They are perfect, but we are not. However .. we were created perfect, therefore we will always strive to be perfect again, and in our evil, we think we can perfect ourselves. Do you follow me?"

There was silence.

Sayna sighed. "That's what I thought. Short and long of it, we long for a perfection, however twisted our understanding of perfection is. So as mortals, we tamper with what we should not and look to anything we imagine can bring us what we desire, anything except Ignasa. Now if you don't mind Durral, I'm going to sleep. I'm not as young as I once was and being jostled around in a cart for two weeks and chained to the wall in a brig doesn't agree with me as well as it would have two hundred seasons ago."

There was silence for a moment, before the male mouse sighed. "I don't think I'll ever understand you."

Sayna's voice was muffled, as if she had laid down on the floor and put her head on her arm. "The feeling is mutual."

Romsca waited a few moments, but no more conversation was forthcoming. The ferret sat up slowly, leaning up against the window seat and rubbing the back of her neck.

Why did that mousewife have to talk in riddles? Why couldn't she just be honest and say what she meant? Listening to her had a way of making Romsca's head ache infernally, as if it didn't ache enough.

She didn't have much time to ponder what she had heard, as there was a soft knock on her door. Romsca leapt nimbly onto her paws, snarling, "What'da ya want Raf?"

"Capt'n, it ain't Rafglan, it's yer scout, Kage."

Romsca raised an eyebrow, confused. "Well .. what'd ya want? Is there a problem? Yer interuptin' me."

His voice was a bit hard to hear, as if he was keeping it low on purpose. "No capt'n, sorry .. an' yes capt'n .. kin I come in?"

"Why?" Romsca was slightly suspicious. "Ya know Rafglan's the only one that comes in here, sides Rubby bringin' me meals. State yer purpose."

"Please capt'n, I'm tryin' ta help ya, but if'n I'm seen, I might not be able ta."

Her curiosity aroused, Romsca grabbed her axe from where it lay on her desk and unbolted the door, letting the dusky stoat in. "Alright, but ya better be on the level. If this is a joke I'll make ya pay, an if ya play me false, I'll kill ya, unnerstood?"

Kage nodded. "Perfectly capt'n."

"Then what have ya got ta tell me?"

He looked around, and Romsca bolted the door, motioning to the window. "If yer worried bout bein' heard, come over here."

The stoat nodded. "Look, it ain't me, an' when Hellgates break loose, ya gotta remember I was good 'nough ta warn ya."

"I have a good mem'ry. What do ya speak of?" Romsca lifted her chin a little.

"It's Cheng." Kage stated. "Now I knew Cheng from the streets, an' if'n he don't git what he wants, he'll take it or take revenge. Ya didn't give him what he wanted, capt'n."

Romsca sneered. "I'd sooner gut him then kiss him, dog that he is. So he's leadin' a mutiny 'gainst me, eh? I figgered he'd try somethin' sooner or later."

"I kinda guessed ya felt that way capt'n. But I never seen him this mad an' hateful. He ain't gonna give up easy." Kage warned.

Romsca grinned. "All beasts give up when they're dead."

Kage paused before smirking. "Point taken. He says he ain't gonna move til he has a good chance."

"I ain't gonna give him one. He'll die today."

"I donno if that's a good idea capt'n. The thing is, all the crew that saw those pearls are goin' along with him." Kage stated. "They wanna kill ya an' take 'em."

Romsca gave him a look. "Well why ain't ya with 'em? Don't ya want the pearls too?"

Kage shrugged. "I didn't see 'em capt'n, r'member, ya sent me off ta git the others."

"Aye, I do now." She scowled. "An' I suppose ya is right, the Monitors'll defend me, kill a lot a the crew, an' I won't git ta kill Cheng meself. Ya seem a clever beast. Sides bein' scout on land, how 'bout ya be me chief lookout, an' me spy among the crew. I'll give ya a raise."

"How much'a one?" Kage raised an eyebrow.

Romsca scratched her chin. "How 'bout double, an' I'll throw in a few gold trinkets."

She reached into her desk, pulling out some bejeweled gold hair pins. "How about these as down payment? They'll fetch ya a good price on Sampetra."

Kage took the pins, and nodded. "Aye, I'll do it."

"Good. An' stay loyal." Romsca ran her gloved paw softly along the blade of her axe. "There ain't nothin' I hate more'n disloyalty. An' if ya turn, ya better pray I'm killed, or I'll make yer life short an' yer death agony."

"I hear ya capt'n." Kage smirked, and Romsca met his gaze steadily. This was no conceited fool like Cheng. Kage would be a worthy adversary, and for now, a most useful spy.

She sneered, though it was good naturedly this time. "Thank ya fer tellin' me. Go do what yer supposed ta."

><><

By midmorning, Darkshroud was fully supplied and everybeast was aboard, minus one crew member and with a new recruit. The rat that had been attacked by the monitor Xzaris had killed had died, and Arashi had joined up as a lookout.

Xzaris and Skarbod stood by the wheel, watching the sail billow in the wind, which had picked up. The ferret looked at his first mate. "I donno Skarbod .. think we kin pull this off?"

"We ain't gonna git a better chance capt'n." Skarbod pointed this out calmly, shrugging. "The Monitors ain't willin' ta stay here much longer."

Xzaris sighed. "Aye, that's the truth."

He leaned over the forecastle railing, shouting, "Hoist the anchor! Alla ya I assigned ta oars, git ta 'em!"

There was a general flurry of activity, and the ship shuddered as the clanks of the anchor rising were heard. Xzaris gripped the wheel, nodding to Skarbod. "Git ready ta help me hold this .. we've got ta keep her goin' straight 'cross the Roarin'burn or we'll git smashed ta pieces."

The wind had caught the sail, and Darkshroud was moving forward quickly, toward the opening of the atoll's crater. Skardbod pointed toward the whitecaps breaking against the reefs, asking, "Yer sure we're in the right place?"

"Arashi took me out ta the cliffs an' showed me the path with no rocks." Xzaris tensed as the ship picked up a little speed, the creatures using the oars having begun to row. "Yer jist gonna have ta trust me."

Skarbod nodded. "A'right capt'n."

The ship was caught in the outer edge of the Roaringburn, and Xzaris could feel the heavy pull on the tiller .. it wanted to jerk the wheel from his paws, and he tightened his grip.

"Row!" The ferret's yell was tight as he called to the oarsbeasts below deck. "Row with all yer strength til I tell ya not ta!"

Xzaris braced himself as the current battered against the tiller, and he nodded to Skarbod. "Help me hold her. We gotta steer round one reef, come'n up here .."

The stoat helped to hold the tiller, and Xzaris watched the surf come closer, before shoving on the wheel. "Now! Turn her inta the current!"

"Inta it?" Skarbod's voice was a gasp, and the two strained to turn the ship, but the wheel rotated only a fractional amount thanks to the driving Roaringburn.

"I said turn her!" Xzaris's teeth were clenched.

Skarbod groaned, shoving up on the ship's wheel again. "I'm .. tryin' capt'n .."

Xzaris caught sight of Val, running along the deck toward the forecastle. "Val! Git up here an' help us!"

He looked at the quickly approaching reef as the vixen hurried up the stairs. She seemed to put two and two together in the one moment she took to look at them, grabbed the wheel near the top, and jumped up, curling her legs beneath her as she yanked down.

The added weight jerked the wheel around, turning Darkshroud away from the treacherous reef, though too slow. There was a jolt and a terrible scraping sound as the hull ran over submerged rocks.

Xzaris's hair billowed around his face as a burst of wind caught the sail, sending the ship jolting forward and out of the Roaringburn, into open sea.

Val opened one eye, still crouching on the deck and holding the wheel in a death grip. "Did it work?"

Zurgat came bounding up the stairs, hissing, "Get down there and zzee what we hit! Thizzz zzhip cannot zzzink! Go fix it, zzzee there izz no water!"

"Oh." Val sighed. "Guess it didn't."

Skarbod pulled himself to his paws. "I got her now capt'n."

Xzaris nodded his thanks, bolting down the stairs to see what damage had been done. Arashi appeared at the hatch, yelling, "Hey, we got trouble down here!"

As he ran across the deck, Xzaris shouted orders. "Furl the sail! Turn her inta the wind, we're goin' south!"

He swung down the hatch, landing with a splash. "Hellgates .."

The ferret grabbed the nearest beast, shaking them a little. "Ya! Git me tools!"

Arashi grabbed his arm. "Over there, the leaks there .. Hey, some a ye, get to bailing!"

"Aye, ya heard her, move!" Xzaris turned to the older ferret. "Git me some boards. If ya gotta break down the galley door, by Atlas git me some boards!"

He threw himself to his knees in the brackish water, seeing the source of their troubles, a crack running a few feet. It was just at the water level, but each time a wave slapped against the hull more water came in .. every ten seconds or so.

By now beasts were throwing themselves into bailing, and the beast he had sent for his tools came sloshing quickly back through the ankle-deep water.

Xzaris grabbed his hammer and some nails as Arashi came running with an armload of boards. He seized a longish one, laying it across the crack and pounding a nail into one side. "Somebeast hold her up!"

Arashi did so, clamping the board firmly to the wall, and Xzaris pounded his side down, before moving on to the one she was holding. This stemmed the leak most of the way, and Xzaris added more boards around the first, before nailing some shorter boards across them to help hold them in place.

The water level had dwindled now, thanks to the bailing crew, and Xzaris rubbed a grimy paw across his forehead. "Let's look fer more, jist in case."

However there was a shout from above deck, Skarbod. "Capt'n! Git up here quick, we got company!"

><><

Ublaz might have been watching any number of places at any given moment, but at this particular moment he was watching Rasconza's ship, and darkly.

He showed no emotion beyond knitting his eyebrows and tightening his otherwise expressionless jaw. For once, he did not smile. And while one might have thought his smile conveyed anger as well as a frown, to see not one drop of mirth on the Emperor's face was to see fury.

Through the glass of his crystal ball, he could see the deck of the Bloodkeel, and what should have been a terrible battle .. as it was, it was more of a slaughter, with a weak scramble here and there.

The Monitors simply could not fight back, though they tried. But Rasconza's beasts fought as one, distracting, charging, leaping out of the way until the lizard pulled itself off the ground .. only to be impaled.

Ublaz's paw slowly curled into a fist, his many rings tightening about his knuckles. That fox had dared to defy him? He would face torture after torture .. he would have a chance to experience Hellgates fully before he took up residence there.

He could see the fox now, goading one of the Monitors with his long dirk, dancing always out of reach. Suddenly he spun around, kicking the lizard hard across the face, his expression a grim smile.

The Monitor jumped at him, only to be brought down by a waiting crewbeast; and as it was a shivering, sick looking heap of misery, it struggled little.

Rasconza suddenly looked toward Ublaz, a twisted grin on his muzzle, and the pine marten realized he must be looking at the last living Monitor. The fox and several others ran forward, and Ublaz's vision backed away from them .. he could hear its feeble hiss in his ears.

There was truly nothing he could do but watch as the pirates attacked, pulling the struggling lizard to the ground, and the image on the crystal surface faded away.

Ublaz slowly stood, expression tense with suppressed anger.

"Sire? Are you alright?"

He looked toward the doorway, to see Sagitar standing there, expression honestly concerned.

Ublaz blinked, letting his stiffness drain away and replacing it with a smile. "Our little fox boy thinks he has gotten away from us. He'll learn just how powerful the emperor is."

"Having .. difficulties, sire?" Sagitar looked dubious.

"Nothing we can't handle." Ublaz smirked. "Rasconza has chosen to follow in his father's pawprints. We'll have to help him do that fully."

Sagitar smiled darkly. "I can guess where this is going. But what did you mean by him thinking he's gotten away?"

Ublaz grew serious again. "It is a very minor setback. In fact it's really no setback at all. Rasconza went far enough north that the Monitors froze, and he has killed them. But he can gain no real following up there, where is he to go? The highlands? Terramort? I doubt any northerner will be glad to see a Sampetrian."

"That is true .." Sagitar paused. "But that means you cannot see him!"

The pine marten smiled a little, sighing. "Of course general. Now I suppose he might try to sneak along Mossflower's coast, he might."

He looked at Sagitar expectantly, and she suddenly sneered, "Aye, but his friends are coming here."

"Exactly." Ublaz pulled a bottle of wine from his desk, asking, "Won't you join me general?"

She bowed. "If it is your desire, milord."

"It is." Ublaz poured her a drink, handing it to her and pulling up a chair. "Do have a seat."

He handed her a chalice, before sitting down himself. "Now understandably, he won't want to leave his friends to suffer and die all by themselves .. he'll want to save them. So when he does come back, we need to be ready for him."

Sagitar smiled. "Well that is simple enough, we'll simply send the captains to patrol the northern waters .. say twenty miles or so north of Sampetra."

"A rat after my own heart, general." Ublaz smirked. "Order that all the captains stay in port and that they do not go anywhere without my approval."

"Well, one just left, the day before last .. but we have about twenty in port at this time."

Sagitar cocked one ear to the side. "But if he's coming back, why don't we send them out now?"

"Too rash my dear, too rash." Ublaz twirled his whiskers. "The boy can't possibly make it back in less than three weeks, the winds are steady from the south. To send captains out now would simply be a waste of resources, but I need them here, available. I'll send them out in two weeks or so, to be safe."

"As always, you know best, sire." Sagitar nodded. "If the winds are from the south, does that mean your little gray ferret is on his way back?"

Ublaz smiled. "Hmm .. now that is a good thought general. How about we take a look?"

He turned his chair a little, tapping on the crystal ball. "Show me Xzaris."

The image on the glassy surface swirled into focus, to a scene of chaos.

><><

Xzaris bolted up on the deck, and Skarbod was waiting for him. "Capt'n, it's a Southswardian ship, by Hellgates she's a lot bigger'n us!"

The ferret grabbed the spyglass from his first mate, putting it to his eye and twisting it around until the other ship was clearly visible. Sure enough, it was a ship from Southsward, evidenced by the chunky design and many oars, and Xzaris's voice was tight. "It looks like a large merchant at least .. might be a battle ship, though those ain't often caught outa lone."

He looked up at the sail, to see it was still down, sporting the dragon for all to see. "I thought I said furl the sail!"

"Aye ya did capt'n .. but mosta the crew was a bailin'." Skarbod made a face. "What're we gonna do now?"

Xzaris hesitated a moment, before turning to the stoat. "We run. Git the crew ready in case we're boarded."

"Boarded?" Val grabbed the hilt of her saber, and Xzaris groaned.

"I ain't sayin' this minute, jist in case. I'm gonna turn her 'bout."

He tucked the spyglass into his silk sash, hobbling quickly up the forecastle steps and taking the wheel from Arashi. She walked to the railing as Xzaris turned Darkshroud about, and the ferret's voice was grim. "They're after us. Hope ye got that mast right."

"Me ta." Xzaris muttered, looking up at the billowing sail.

The ship responded quickly, as the breeze was stiff, but the other ship had the same winds and at least twice as many rowers. It wasn't lost on Xzaris they were going to be caught in less than ten minutes, there was simply no way around it.

"They will show no mercy." Arashi's voice was tight, yet tinged with sorrow. "For the mercy we show them."

Xzaris met her gaze. "They ain't takin' me ship with me sittin' down. I weren't after them, I only ever killed one beast in a raid an' it was cause they wouldn't stop fightin' .. I don't like killin' beasts."

His eyes snapped. "But if ya gotta, ya gotta."

Zurgat came leaping up the stairs for the second time that day, snarling, "Where izz that other zzhip from? What are they doing following uzz?"

"They wanna kill us an' take the ship, ain't that obvious? They're Southswardians, and they won't let a Sampetrian ship go if'n they think they kin take her. An' they kin take us real easy, we're nothin' but prey fer a ship that big." Xzaris snapped this, not in the best of humors.

The Monitor watched him a moment, before showing her teeth. "I know who will be prey, them. A feazzt for uzz."

Xzaris glared at her. "Ya can't stop 'em ferever."

"They don't know how to fight uzz." Zurgat paused at the top of the stairs. "Prepare for battle, captain."

She leapt down to the lower deck, scales rippling in the sunlight, and let out a screeching roar, her frills standing up aggressively. In a few seconds the fourteen lizards in her command congregated around her, hissing excitedly.

Xzaris sighed. "Then again .."

Arashi was watching them disdainfully. "Disgusting, bloody beasts."

"Wull they might jist get us outa this mess," Xzaris pointed out. "Much as I hate 'em."

There was the sound of steel being drawn, and he looked around to see Arashi draw both her blades at once. Her eyes were dark with many an emotion, and Xzaris paused. "Will ya fight with us?"

"I don't want to kill woodlanders." Arashi's voice was hard. "But it's not like I'll have much of a choice. It's not like they would listen to a vermin like me."

Xzaris met her gaze for a moment, before sighing, nodding, and turning to the waiting Skarbod. "Prepare ta repel boarders."

"No." Both looked at Arashi, who shook her head. "As long as we keep them off this ship, they'll shoot us to death easily. When they get their beasts on our decks, they'll stop to avoid shooting their own, and with your .. lizards, that's how we'll drive them away."

Xzaris paused, before nodding. "I got a plan .. it's crazy but it's our only chance."

He limped quickly down the stairs, yelling, "Zurgat! Zurgat hide yer beasts, when we start fightin' ya come out an' overwhelm 'em. Val? Ya got a fire goin' in the galley?"

"Me lantern .."

"That'll work. Skarbod, yer an' archer ain't ya? Wull here's the plan .."

He grabbed the stoat, whispering a few things in his ear. "And hurry!"

The other ship was drawing alongside them now, and Xzaris drew his pike and long knife, snarling, "Form ranks!"

Arashi crouched down, holding both swords ready, one before her and one behind. There was a swishing as a grappling hook swung through the air, catching on the railing with a foreboding clunk.

A dozen or so more followed it.

Xzaris braced himself as there was the jolt of the two ships bumping each other, and he caught sight of Val and Skarbod climbing the rigging from the corner of his eye. They better do their job well, or this was a lost cause.

A few arrows hissed through the air, and Xzaris ducked as one sped past his ear. "Stand firm!"

"Attack! Send the scum to Hellgates!"

This cry came from the other ship, and in an instant, a menagerie of well-armed squirrels, jerbilrats, mice, and even a few weasel-like beasts jumped to the Darkshroud's deck, and the battle erupted in full fury.

Xzaris crossed blades with a mouse first, whose flashing eyes mirrored the intensity in his own. The creature blocked his thrust, snarling hatefully as the ferret slashed at him with his knife.

He dropped to one knee, raising his shield above his head as he cut at Xzaris's legs, but his opponent was too well trained to fall for the trick.

Xzaris sneered, jumping and curling his tail up in the same second. As he came down however, his bad ankle buckled beneath him, sending him sprawling at his enemy's feet.

He didn't have time to raise his pike before the mouse pinned his saber across his throat. "Some pirate ..."

The Southswardian had no time for more as Xzaris kicked him hard in the legs, thrusting with his pike in the same moment. There was a flash of pain along the side of his neck from this sudden movement, but the other beast fell in a heap.

Xzaris recovered his feet in a heartbeat as Zurgat ran past him, plowing an attacker down and tearing them savagely. He clamped a paw on the side of his neck, feeling the warm blood running down his shoulder and chest, and he looked back up at the rigging. Where were Val and Skarbod?

The two in question were in the crow's nest; Val dipping rags in oil, tying them around arrows, lighting them, and handing them to Skarbod. He fitted them quickly on his bow, drew back, and shot them into the larger ship's sail, a target he was unable to miss.

"Why ain't it catchin'?" Val's voice was tight. "We've shot five or so in it, why ain't it on fire?"

Skarbod shook his head. "Wind's too strong .. it's blowin' the fire out before it has a chance ta git goin'!"

Val made a face, suddenly grabbing the bucket of oil and swinging down onto the rigging. Skarbod stared at her. "What're ya doin'?"

"I'm gonna help it burn." The vixen clamped the handle in her teeth, swinging down the ropes and getting a good view of the battle in doing so.

Xzaris's left shoulder and his white tunic were covered in blood, but he fought still, Arashi defending his back with her two flashing swords. The Monitors were wreaking havoc, but the Southswardians refused to retreat, probably banking on wearing them down with their greater numbers.

Still, they were focused on the deck of the Darkshroud, and that was the good thing. The two ships were lashed together by the grappling hooks, their hulls practically touching .. it was a long jump, but if she could save Xzaris ..

The vixen tensed, not giving herself time to think about how crazy this was. She did a lot of crazy things, the key was to do them without thinking of possible outcomes and hope everything went well.

She jumped, and the world sped by for a split second before she landed clumsily on the other ship's rigging, sloshing some of the oil on herself .. thankfully not enough to ruin her plan.

Val scrambled up the rigging, until she was even with the sail. ''It's just like throwing water across the deck. Yea! Like that!''

She hurled the oil at the sail, and it splattered across the white surface a ways. Val slid down the rigging, leaping back on the ropes of the Darkshroud as a flaming arrow spun through the air, sinking into the oily patch of sail cloth.

For one moment, nothing happened. Then flames began licking up the sail, turning it into a roaring inferno in less than a minute.

"Ha!" Val looked up at Skarbod. "That's how ya do it!"

She planted her boot better on the rigging, just as there was a sharp hiss, and something sank into her shoulder, sending her reeling back. Her claws caught on the rope ladder for one second as she let out a yip of pain, and then they tore through the fibers and she was toppling off into oblivion.

The next second she was hitting something hard .. and wet .. no, she was underwater! She struggled to reach the surface, but her right arm would cooperate and she wasn't even sure which way was up.

Still, she should have come up by now .. sea water was so hard to sink in .. normally. But it was almost like she was caught in an eddy .. maybe she was spinning. Or falling .. but darkness overwhelmed her, and now she was sinking in it instead of water.

Xzaris had seen what Val had done .. jumping over to the other ship .. throwing oil onto their sail .. jumping back on the Darkshroud and forgetting about everything .. just like her to do so.

The Southswardians were running back to their burning ship now, desperate to put out the fire .. but not in such a hurry that one didn't take a shot at the one who was responsible for the damage.

Val took the arrow clean through her right shoulder, and of course, toppled into the water.

"No!" Xzaris heard his own voice ring out as he bolted for the railing, his accursed clubfoot buckling beneath him as he was almost there. Somebeast ran past him, leaping gracefully overboard in a flash of orangey fur.

He grabbed a nearby coil of rope, staggering back on his paws and grabbing the railing, scanning the waters for any sign of the two, rope poised to throw.

With the grappling hooks cut and the other ship's sail all but burnt, Darkshroud was making good speed away, but that also left sickening feeling in Xzaris's stomach.

''Let me see them .. just let me see them!''

Arashi appeared the next second, a limp Val's tunic between gritted teeth. Xzaris hurled the rope at her, yelling, "Grab on!"

The ferret did so, and Xzaris hulled on the rope, yanking them toward the ship. In those few minutes, he felt he had the strength to do anything, so powerful was his desperation not to loose Val or Arashi .. both of who had found an irreplaceable part in his life, especially Val.

The ferretwife's paw suddenly gripped the railing, and Xzaris grabbed it, helping to pull her on board. Val was gasping now, coughing, and trying to shake herself all in the same moment. Arashi laid her down on the deck, and the vixen let out a sudden yelp of pain from the arrow in her shoulder.

Arashi held her down, shaking her head. "Don't move .. hang on, I'll get it out .. somebeast get me some bandages!"

Xzaris made a move to do what she said, but his legs buckled beneath him .. both of them this time .. and he collapsed to the deck, the rush of excitement fading away and leaving him limp. He drew in a shuddering breath, realizing the side of his neck throbbed, and he could smell blood .. his own or other beasts', he did not know.

There was a flurry of activity around him, and somebeast's paws lifted his head.

"Val first .. I ain't that bad .. help her first ..."

But he couldn't even hear his own voice anymore, and he gave into the blackness, at least it brought mercy from the pain.

><><

TBC~ Romsca    The T e r r o r  of the seas  03:23, March 25, 2016 (UTC)