User blog:Verminfate/Of Warriors and Corsairs- The Beginning

This is a prequel to Of Warriors and Corsairs. It is mainly about the pasts of Wengle Brookrudder, Rackorg Vinn, Kovra Silverfang, and some others.

Whether or not you have read Of Warriors and Corsairs really doesn't matter, as this is a prequel.

This story is dedicated to Shieldmaiden, Pinedance Coneslinger, and Wild Doogy Plumm, who were the first ones to read my original OW&amp;C story. Thanks!

Chapter 1
A lone ship drifted along the currents of the eastern sea. Seabirds wheeled and screeched above, winging back to their nests for the coming night. The setting sun cast long streaks of yellow, pink, and gold along the calm waters.

On the stern of the ship, a tall, handsome young weasel in his late teenage seasons stood leaning on a long scimitar. His dark, malicious eyes watched the sun set beyond the west. He winced as he heard the raucous laughter and shouts coming from below deck. His father was having another victory celebration. Now half of the crew would be drunk, and the ship would be adrift for another three days or so.

A young searat came up from below deck, obviously half-drunk. He was about the weasel's own age, but looked much younger due to his small size. He tottered around the deck and cackled, “Well Racky me old shipmate, why don't ye join the party?” The weasel replied simply, “I do not wish to.” The searat came over to him and slapped him on the back, “You're ol' daddy won't be too happy 'bout it!” The weasel sniffed, “I don't care!” The searat grinned drunkenly, “Wot's the matter mate? It's not that pretty liddle weaselmaid that you had to leave back at the tavern is it? Hahahaharr!” The weasel frowned but did not reply. The searat leaned closer and the weasel recoiled at his grog-scented breath, “Wot's wrong matey? Come on, you can tell yer ol' pal Kovra!” The weasel growled and turned away, walking along the deck towards the bow. Kovra followed him, still asking, “Wot is it? Go on an' tell me mate!” The weasel whirled on him and snarled, “Shut your blathering face, Kovra! If I don't want to tell ye, then I won't!” “What's all this ruckus about?” A deep, harsh voice came from behind them. Both of the young vermin turned to see Tytrad Vinn standing in the doorway between the decks.

He was a tall, powerfully built weasel, with an eyepatch over his right eye and a round, spiked helmet on his head. In his belt was thrust a pair of daggers and across his back was strapped a long, double-headed battleaxe. He looked at the young weasel, “Answer me son! What's yer problem?” Rackorg Vinn glared at Kovra and muttered, “I don't like you all celebrating like a bunch of fools every time we raid an island or plunder another ship. It's stupid to get your crew all drunk and lazy like that.” Kovra glanced nervously at Tytrad; he knew that the captain's son was taking a big risk in speaking disrespectfully to his father. The weasel captain stared at his son for a moment, then sneered, “Well then, if you're so clever why don't you fight me for command o' this ship, eh?” Rackorg did not answer. Instead he growled, “We're coming to land soon.” Tytrad stared at him, “Really now? How do ya know that?” The young weasel shrugged and felt the edge of his scimitar, “I just know.” The weasel captain looked out eastward and narrowed his good eye. He saw the faint smudge of a dark shape on the horizon. He turned to his son, “How do ye know that it ain't just clouds?” Rackorg smiled slightly and spoke as if he were the parent, “Because the seabirds are all going in that direction to nest for the night! Tut tut, you should know that my dear father! But you're too busy filling yer gut with grog to see such things.” Rackorg Vinn felt the edge of his father's battleaxe touch his throat. The big weasel snarled, “One more word like that, an' I'll be fillin' your gut with my axe-blade!” Rackorg sneered and pushed the axe away with his scimitar, “I'm not afraid of you! Besides, I'm a valuable crew member so you can't kill me!” Tytrad muttered and cursed as he drew his axe back. Then he turned to Kovra as if just noticing him, “What are you staring at?”

The searat started and mumbled, “Well I was just, er...” “Well stop 'just ering' and get the crew ready! We're coming to land soon an' I want 'em ready for a raid!” Kovra jumped up and raced below deck with all speed. Tytrad turned back to his son, “And as for you, yer just gonna keep yer mouth shut about you finding the land first! I don't want my crew to lose trust in me! Ye got that?” Rackorg smiled and nodded, “Aye, father, I understand!” The captain snorted and paced along the deck until some crewbeasts came tottering up the stairs. Tytrad pointed to a fat stoat that was leaning up against the doorpost, “Ahoy Worgutt, wot are ye doing just standin' there? Get up in the crow's nest where you belong!” Worgutt saluted awkwardly and stumbled off towards the rigging. He climbed halfway up, then fell in a heap on top of a searat that was walking by. Tytrad cursed under his breath and Rackorg sneered, “See? What did I tell ya? A drunken crew is like no crew at all!” The captain did not reply, but simply stormed off to his cabin.

Rackorg watched him go, then motioned to a fox that was waiting nearby, “Well Agrat, did ye lay the trap?” The fox, who was just a few seasons older than he, nodded, “Aye! A little bit o' this in his grog each day will get 'im weaker an' weaker.” He pulled a small vial from his cloak and uncorked it. Rackorg Vinn smiled evilly and chuckled, “Very good! Soon he will be too weak to fight back when I go in and deliver him a departing gift!” They both sniggered at this, then the weasel said, “And remember, when he finally kicks the bucket, you'll get to be my first-mate!” Agrat smiled and put the vial of poison back into his cloak, “Thank you....Captain Rackorg Vinn!” The weasel patted the fox's back, “Not quite yet my friend, not until that soon-to-come day when I slit the throat of that old seascum and turn his carcass into fishbait!”

Chapter 2
Far away on the land across the eastern sea, a big male otter stood alone on the shoreline. He was a strong, powerfully-built beast and had never been bested in battle. But he was kind-hearted and gentle as well. His name was Kordan Brookrudder, and he lived in a group of caves with his wife and his young son. They all lived with a colony of many creatures; other otters, mice, shrews, hedgehogs, and squirrels. They dwelt by the sea and lived off of it, catching fish and harvesting edible sea plants. Most of the creatures in the colony lived further inland, away from the ever-going tides. But not Kordan. His mother had been a river otter, and his father a sea otter, so he was constantly drawn to both land and sea. He sighed and picked up a large pebble. He loaded it in his sling and started twirling it. Faster and faster it whirled until he finally let it fly off over the ocean waves. It went so far that he did not even see it splash into the water. He smiled to himself and was about to pick up another pebble, when he saw a ship coming around a jutting rock formation to his left.

He peered closely at it, then smiled. It was not any corsair ship, it was a trading vessel, the Rosalie, belonging to a burly hedgehog named Jorflun Bigspike who was a friend of his. The otter cupped his paws over his mouth and called out, “Ahoy, Jorflun matey, how are ye today?” The big hedgehog stood on the deck of the ship and waved, his booming voice carrying across the waves, “Well if it isn't me old matey Kordan Brookrudder! I'm doin' just fine messmate! I've got a cargo of goods and some passengers for ya!” Kordan waded out into the sea and called again, “Just bring 'er around to the dock! I'll be waitin' there for you!” Then he raced back up the beach towards his cave. His wife, Nela, saw him coming and went outside the cave to meet him. “What's the matter dear?” she asked. Kordan kissed her on the cheek and said, “Jorflun's just bringing in a load o' stuff for the colony, so I'm gonna go out an' help him unload it.” She smiled and went back inside, coming out a little later with a young otter about three seasons old. Kordan grinned and picked up his young son, tossing him in the air and playing with him. The little otter giggled with delight and held on to his father's paw when he finally put him down. Nela smiled, “Little Wengle wants to come along to see the ship. The last time it came was when he was a babe.” Kordan nodded and patted his son on the head, “Alright little matey! You can come along! But stay close, alright?” Wengle nodded and Kordan picked up a large canvas bag that he used to carry the cargo back. He kissed his wife again and then set off across the beach towards the ship Rosalie, which had just come to anchor at the dock.

Jorflun Bigspike came down the gangplank, followed by a few shrews, mice, and hedgehogs carrying supplies. The big sea captain chuckled as he shook Kordan's paw, “Well well, mate! I haven'y seen you in ages! How 'ave you been?” The otter grinned, “Never better mate! So where did you go this time, eh?” Jorflun sat down on a box and straghtened his short beard, “Well I stopped off at a few islands, one of 'em was inhabited by vermin, though thankfully we didn't stay long.” Kordan narrowed his eyes and growled at the mention of the word 'vermin', but the hedgehog took no notice, “Then we stopped of on Mossflower shore. Did a bit o' tradin' with some sea otters an' a tribe of squirrels. In fact....” He looked down at Wengle, who stood staring at him with wide eyes, “Why hello there little mate! Hoi Kordan, this can't be the little babe that you had last I was here, eh?” The big otter was staring off at sea as if he were in a trance. He started and shook his head, “Er, what? Oh, yea, this is little Wengle. Bet he's grown a bit since you last saw him.” Jorflun chuckled and took the young otter on his knee, “A bit? Why he's almost as big as a shark! Hohohoho!” Just then a shrew with big gold earrings came up holding a large wooden box. He grunted under the weight of it and asked breathlessly, “Hoi, Cap'n. Where do I put this load o' fruit?” Jorflun stood up and took the heavy box from the shrew in one paw. He set it down on top of another box and opened it. Inside were many varieties of fruits. Damsons, pears, plums, strawberries and many others. He took out a small plum and wiped it on his jerkin before handing to Wengle, “Here y'are matey. A nice plum grown in Mossflower Woods!” Wengle bit into the fruit, the purple juice running down his chin. Kordan laughed and wiped the juice off of his son's face. Jorflun snapped his claws as if just remembering something, “Oh, an' I brought somethin' for you, mate.” He picked up a large chest and took out a flask. He opened it and winked at his friend, “This is special October Ale brewed at Redwall Abbey! I've been keeping it hidden, 'cause me crew would down it in a flash!” Kordan took the flask reverently and asked, “The famous Redwall Abbey? Did you actually go there?” The hedgehog shook his head, “Unfortunately no. I traded for it with some squirrels who live around there. A tribe called Bigbrush or something like that. Oh!” He turned and looked out among the group of creatures that had gathered on the dock. He pointed to a middle-aged squirrel that was standing alone a short ways away, “That feller right there, he's from that squirrel clan. 'Is name's, eh...Hampa Swiftbow, I think. Aye, that's it.”

They walked over to the squirrel and Jorflun introduced him, “Ahoy Hampa, matey! This is me best mate Kordan Brookrudder an' his son Wengle. Kordan, this is Hampa Swiftbow from the Bigbrush clan.” Hampa smiled sadly and corrected him, “Actually it's Longbrush, and I'm not with them anymore. But anyways, it's a pleasure to meet you Kordan.” They shook paws and Captain Bigspike shrugged, “Bigbrush, Longbrush, it's all the same!” Kordan asked, “So what do you mean that you're not with them anymore? What happened?” The squirrel sighed, “It was nothing, really. I got in an argument with the leader of the clan, Oakflight Longbrush, and I decided to leave. So when I heard about the ship going across the sea, I got aboard and came here.” Kordan scratched his chin, “Have you ever been to Redwall Abbey?” Hampa smiled and nodded, “Aye, I have! Once when I was young, and again just before I left. It's a beautiful place, and the creatures there are very kind and hospitable.” “What about the sword? Did you see that?” Hampa nodded again with a far-away look in his eyes, “Yes, and it was the most beautifuly deadly weapon I have ever seen. They say it was made by a great Badger Lord from a falling star.” Kordan chuckled and looked down at his sling, “What I wouldn't give to wield that blade! I'll bet that the warrior who holds it now could take on a thousand enemies!” The squirrel sighed, “Well right now, there is no warrior to wield it. It sits above a beautiful tapestry in the Abbey's Great Hall. Oakflight Longbrush was considering having his son Spruce take up the blade, but then both they and the Abbeybeasts decided that it wasn't the right time.” Jorflun Bigspike had gone off helping with the cargo, and Wengle had fallen asleep with the haft-eaten plum in his paw. His father picked him up and nodded to Hampa, “You can come and stay with me and my family if you like.” The squirrel smiled and shook his head, “Sorry, no, but thank you! I think that I'll go and meet some of the other creatures around here.” Kordan pointed up inland towards a grove of trees. “There's a few families of squirrels that live there. You can join 'em if you'd like.” Hampa picked up a knapsack and nodded, “Alright, I think I might. Well, have a good rest of the day, Kordan, and you too little Wengle. See you soon!” The two otters waved to the squirrel as he walked along the dock and out onto the shore.

Kordan sighed and took a sip of the October Ale. He sighed and smacked his lips just as Jorflun came up, “Well mate, how do'ye like the October Ale, eh?” The otter grinned, “It's very good! I haven't tasted anything like it!” The hedgehog nodded, “Aye, has a nice nutty, spicy flavor to it. 'Tis brewed by hogs like me!” He paused reflectively, “Maybe someday I'll settle down an' do that for a livin'. T'would be nice.” Kordan laughed, “You? Settle down? Ha, next thing you'll be tellin' me is that moles can fly!” The two friends laughed uproariously as they walked out along the beach, exchanging banter and stories. Wengle walked with them, giggling whenever he heard the big hedgehog's booming laughter. He turned and looked back at the ship one last time. And he saw something else too. It was just a small speck on the horizon, but it kept coming closer and closer. Had he known what it was, he would have urgently told his father. But his young mind didn't even contemplate on it and he kept on walking towards his home.

Chapter 3
Tytrad Vinn sat in his cabin, muttering curses to himself and swilling the last of his grog. A thin, sly-looking ferret stood nearby, one paw on a cutlass at his side. Tytrad drank the last drop of grog from the flask and threw it to the ground. The ferret watched the flask roll along the floor in time with the moving ship and spoke, “Is there something the matter Captain?” The big weasel snarled at him, “Of course there is! My upstart liddle son thinks that he's smarter than me! He keeps on telling me that I'm doing everything wrong, and that he should be the captain of the Bloodhelm!” The ferret tapped his claws on the cutlass hilt, “Did he actually say that?” Tytrad growled, “No, but he's thinkin' it! I know he is....” He looked around suspiciously, “He's planning something, I know's it!” The ferret placed a paw on his captain's shoulder and said soothingly, “Relax, there's nothing to worry about. Besides, even if your son tried to assassinate you, he would fail, for you are the greatest fighter on the seas!” Tytrad sighed and lay down on his bed, “I suppose you're right, Whipfang. But he's planning somethin' I know it!” Suddenly he bent over double and grunted in pain. Whipfang came over and tried to help him up, but the weasel pushed him away, “I'm fine, ferret! I don't need any help. Just a small twinge is all.” Whipfang shook his head, “I don't think that all is well with you Captain. You've been acting like this for more'n four days now. Maybe it was something that you ate.” Tytrad groaned and muttered, “Maybe you're right. I think I did eat some fish that wasn't cooked properly. Gruddy's gonna feel the lash tomorrer if'n I don't get better!” Whipfang smiled wickedly, “That old poisoner, eh? 'E shoulda been killed long ago fer all of that slop that he serves us!” Tytrad glared at him, “Shut your face ferret an' leave me be. I need to rest. But get the crew all armed fer battle, who know's what sorta creatures we'll face on the land.” The ferret nodded and turned to leave. As he did, he picked up the empty grog-flask that was on the floor and peered at it. Whipfang smiled slightly and went out the door.

The crew of the Bloodhelm stood out on the deck. They numbered about forty all-told and were ready and armed to the teeth. Yet most were still groggy from the party the day before. Rackorg Vinn stood with his back to them, leaning on his scimitar and gazing out across the night-time sea. Kovra and Agrat stood near him, waiting for the young weasel to make a move. Just then Whipfang came over to them. He held up the empty flask to the two young vermin and asked, “Do either of you know who is in charge of the Captain's drink?” They both knew that it was Agrat who was under that role, and Kovra was about to say so, when the fox kicked him. Agrat shrugged, “I don't know. Why don't you ask the boson, 'e should know about that.” Whipfang looked suspiciously at the fox, then nodded, “Alright. I'll go and ask him.” As the ferret stalked off, Kovra glared at Agrat, “Wot did yer do that for?” The fox grit his teeth, “'Cause they'll get suspicious if'n they finds out that I'm the one that's n charge of the Captain's drink!” Kovra did not get it, “Why would they get suspicious mate?” Agrat looked at him strangely, “Then don't you know?” The searat scratched his head, “Know about what?” The fox sighed, “Never mind. It's nothin' to get all worried about.” Kovra was about to ask for more information, when Rackorg Vinn came up to them. “We are nearly there.” he said with a grin, “Soon we shall be dipping our blades in blood once again!” Agrat replied, glad to change the subject, “Aye, indeed! Do'ye think that the Cap'n will be joining us anytime soon?” Rackorg smirked, “No, not anytime soon I figure. My poor father has a tummyache!” He winked at Agrat and the fox grinned evilly. Kovra drew a pair of stilettos from his belt and twirled them around, “Well then what are we waitin' for? Let's get the crew all ready ter do battle!” Rackorg Vinn strode out in front of the crowd of waiting sea-vermin and raised his scimitar, “As many of you know, we are coming to land soon. We do not know what sort of creatures live there, so when we get close, I will send a few of you out in the lifeboat to scout the island. You will then come back and report to me about what sort of creatures live there and how many of them there are. You see, I am not like my dear father, I do not just go charging into battle with no strategies. I think!” The crew cheered and Kovra nudged Agrat, “He'd make a good Cap'n sure enough!” The fox smiled at the irony of the searat's statement. Rackorg Vinn pointed out five vermin, “You, you, you, and you two are gonna go with Kovra in the lifeboat.” At the mention of his name, Kovra jumped. He stared at Rackorg in shock, “But-but....why me?” The weasel smiled dangerously, “Because I told you to, that's why!” The young searat grumbled to himself and went with the other five vermin towards the lifeboat. Rackorg Vinn spoke to the rest of the crewbeasts, “The rest of you will stay here and ready your weapons for slaughter!” The vermin cheered wildly and stamped their paws and weapons on the deck.

In his cabin, Tytrad Vinn lay on the bed, groaning and holding his stomach. He snarled savagley when he heard the loud noises coming from above-deck. He called out, “Whipfang!” The ferret came a few moments later, “Yes, Captain?” The weasel growled, “What's all that racket up there?” Whipfang shrugged, “Oh it's just the crew getting ready for battle.” “Well tell them to shut up or I'll get them ready for Dark Forest gates!” Whipfang nodded and was about to leave when Tytrad asked him, “Where's my son?” The ferret smiled inwardly and replied, “Captain, your son is the one that is riling them up.” The weasel captain nearly leaped out of his bed, “What?! That snotty little brat needs to know who's the captain 'round here!” He grabbed his battleaxe and stormed out of the room followed by Whipfang, who grinned evilly as he walked out. Rackorg Vinn saw the land not far away. He called to Kovra, “Get down in the boat now! We're close enough.” The searat frowned and climbed into the lifeboat, followed by the five appointed vermin. Just as they were about to lower the boat, Tytrad Vinn came out on deck.

All of the vermin went quiet and saluted as he passed them. The big weasel stalked over to the son and placed the axe-head at his neck, “So what's all the racket about, eh son?” Rackorg smiled and turned around, pushing the axe to one side, “Just getting the crewbeasts ready for battle is all, father.” Tytrad's voice was tight with rage, “Then what are Kovra and five of me crew doin' in the lifeboat, eh?” The young weasel knew that he was in a dangerous position, but he stayed calm, “They were going out in the lifeboat to scout the land ahead so that we can find out what sort of creatures live there.” Tytrad stood glaring at him for a moment, then his mood seemed to totally change, “Very good, son, you're learnin' all about being a good sea captain. But uh, why is yer mate Kovra goin' with 'em?” The searat looked at Rackorg, “Yeah... why am I goin'?” The weasel smiled and said simply, “Because I think that he's the perfect beast for the job. Swift, smart, and a good leader. He'd probably cover the whole island in an hour!” Kovra swelled with pride at this, and looked down arrogantly at the other vermin with him in the boat. Tytrad glanced over at him and scowled, “Very well. But if 'e ain't back in an hour, then we'll go on without 'em.” Rackorg nodded, and the lifeboat was let down into the water. Kovra felt a new sense of dignity at the compliments that had been placed upon him. He handed the oars to two of the vermin, “Start rowing you lot! We need to get there quickly, so on the double or I'll have yer guts fer garters!”

The remaining crewbeasts watched the small boat go off into the fog. Tytrad turned to his them, “Well don't just stand there gawking! Get movin' you nitheads! Worgutt, how close are we to the shore?” The stoat called down, “Er, about eight knots off shore, Cap'n! And there's another ship there too!” Tytrad ran to the side of the bulwark, peering out through the coming fog, “Where? Where is it? What type o' ship is it?” Worgutt looked for a few moments, then shouted down, “It's just off the shore, Cap'n, on the port side! An' it looks like a tradin' vessel Cap'n!” The big weasel smiled evilly, “A tradin' vessel, eh? I'll bet that they 'ave lot's of plunder 'n loot fer us! Aren't we a lucky bunch! Hahaharrharr!”

Chapter 4
Nela Brookrudder stirred a pot of stew for her husband and Jorflun Bigspike, who was staying with them for the night. The two old friends talked and laughed about past events while Wengle slept in his small bed. Jorflun poured himself a beaker of blackberry wine and asked, “So Kordan matey, do'you remember me ol' cousin Middlo?” The otter took a bite of bread and narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, “Aye, I think I do. Doesn't he have that huge ship, the, eh, Seahog I believe it was?” Jorflun took a sip of his wine and nodded, “Aye, he does. The biggest ship to plow the main is the Seahog. He uses it for transporting goods from faraway islands so he does. Similar to what I do, but he can hold a whole lot more cargo than Rosalie can.” Nela turned to him, “Speaking of which, how is she?” The hedgehog looked up, “What, me ship?” The otterwife laughed, “No, your wife!” Jorflun chuckled, “Oh yes, I've almost forgotten about her. Haven't seen 'er in a few months now. Ahhh, But that's why I named me ship after her, so's that I can always have her with me.” He wiped away a tear and quickly said, “Well anyway, about Middlo, I passed by him about a week ago an' he said that he was gonna head this way after he made a few stops.” He winked at Nela, “Which means that you'll be having to make a whole shipload of stew, marm! My cousin can eat a whale!” Nela laughed and brought them two steaming bowls of seafood stew, “Here you are gentlebeasts! The hotroot pepper is over there if you want it.” Kordan grabbed it and dumped it liberally on his stew. He sighed, “Ahhh! Nothing like 'otroot pepper to put a gleam in your eye and a shine to your fur!” He passed it to Jorflun, but the hedgehog shook his head and chuckled, “No thankee mate! I don't go for all of that fire an' spice!” He took a bite of the stew and nodded approvingly, “Mmmmm! Very nice marm! Even better than I remember!” Just then a young mouse came running into the cave, “Mister Kordan, Captain Bigspike, come quick! A ship has been spotted a ways off!” Jorflun grinned, “It's probably me cousin comin' to drop by!” The mouse shook his head, “No sir, it's a corsair ship!”