Riala and the Heroes of Purdricson

Novlue

Chapter 1: A Head full of Demons

        Riala's breath hitched in her throat as she sat up straight. Once again, for the first
few moments, she could not remember where she was. The nightmare was real, the only
thing that mattered. Black shadows, sharp and angry, slicing and jabbing at her.
        The squirrel was in a comfortable bed, in a quaint little room. The covers had been
kicked off, and the pillow was thrashed. Small, white feathers where falling all around her.
        'I'm fine.' Riala told herself, frustrated, embarrassed even though she was alone.
        "The sun." she said groggily. The warrior pulled herself out of bed and went to the
window. As predicted, she had risen just before sunrise. Would she ever get a good nights
sleep?
        Riala stared at the darkened sky, silently cursing herself. She would NOT be
defeated by a few bad dreams.
        She wasn't a dibbun.
        Riala Goldentail stretched, got dressed, and opened the door to her room. She
looked this way and that, not seeing or hearing anybeast. It should be expected. Abbess
Genevere and several others had tried asking if they could help her, but the idea was
rubbish to the squirrel.
        She would go to the ramparts... Again.

                                        *

        The sun peaked up over the horizon at Riala, a sliver of fire orange. The clouds
were painted a rusted red, like the Abby walls, and the dark purple sky was fading fast. It
would be a beautiful day, and there would be more to come, if the closing autumn winds
permitted such.
        Goldentail fidgeted. She was full of energy, and she didn't know why. It seemed
like these days were all about just muddling her way through. She couldn't wait to get to
sleep, to put aside all of her musing. Her time at Redwall had been pleasant, but she
couldn't related to any kind of social conformity.
        Cole didn't bother her. The young mouse always seemed to know when to back
off, and could always find some way to get through to her. The others treated her
differently. She didn't blame them, but she couldn't stand it when they asked about her
health.
        A cool breeze played against Riala's fur as she leaned against the parapet.
        "Bur' oi spek yor' hungry, mizz Goldn'tail?" came a gruff voice from the grounds.
        It was Hod, better known as Foremole to everybeast. He waved a strong digging
claw at the warrior, continuing in mole speech.
        "We'm gert fresh strawburries n' biscuts frum e' hoven!"
        Riala tried a smile and sighed. It was already starting to feel like just another day.
        "I'll be down in a minute, Hod."

Chapter 2: Hex

        Breakfast at Redwall was no small event. Everybeast was there, and Cavern Hall
was full of talk and gossip. Choirs would need to be done, and the coming seasons were to be taken into consideration.
        Riala found her place next to Cole, near the exit. The food, as always, was
delicious, but the squirrel felt she was in a deeper funk than usual. Instead, she focused on
the task at hand, slowly eating away.
        Cole nudged Riala and pointed at the head of the table. Gregor, the Abbey
Recorder, was whispering something to Genevere. The squirrel took no notice of it until
she caught the alarmed glance that was exchanged.
        The Abbess stood and addressed the assembly.
        "We will be having visitors soon, and I will be speaking with them in a moment.
There is no need to worry. I want all of you to finish this meal and attend to your daily
tasks."
        There was a respectful chorus of agreement.
        "Hod, Platina, would you please accompany me and Gregor on the battlements."
Genevere said as an after thought, "You too, Riala."
        "Sure." the squirrel replied. There was no reason to do other wise.
        'Maybe they want me to kill somebeast.' she thought bitterly; Everybeast knew of
her past, and it was no secret that some feared her, maybe even disliked her. Abbess
Genevere called Riala 'Redwall's Champion', but to the warrior it was just a fancy term for
'fighter'.
        "I'll go, too." Cole piped up, "I'm finished already, and I should be taking note's..."
        "Thank you, Cole, but I'm sure Gregor will key you in later." Genevere said curtly.
Rarely the one to argue, the young mouse fell silent and set to clearing his plate.

                                *

        Riala and the chosen few stood at the top of the west wall and looked down upon
the dirt road. There were three figures making their way towards them, as Platina had
spotted earlier. They were to far off to identify, keeping close to the woods.
        "Looks like their on the run." Gregor observed, "You see? The one in the middle is
being dragged along by the other two."
        "I don't know. I can't see with these old eyes of mine. Can you make them out,
Riala?" Abbess Genevere asked.
        Goldentail squinted at the advancing beasts, muttering after a moment, "Rats. Two
rats and a fox." she said dismissively, "Vermin."
        "They'm luk 'n mite pain, to moi." Hod commented.
        "They'll do best to turn tail and run. We don't need the likes of them here." Riala
said, already making the final decision. She didn't need to be around vermin today, with
the kind of mood she was in.
        Platina, the Gatekeeper, who had first seen them, said, "They might need our help.
We can't just close our doors to a beast in need."
        "Like Hell we can't!" Riala swore.
        "Riala please." Genevere said gently, "Let's wait and see what they have to say."
        Ignoring the Abbess, Goldentail turned to Gregor.
        "When, in the entire history of Redwall, have we ever benefited from letting
vermin into our home?" she demanded.
        Gregor seemed to ponder this for a moment, then said, "Very rarely, but there
have been a few cases..."
        Riala waved him to silence irritably, not wanting to hear anymore.
        The three visitors finally made it to the front gates.
        "Oh please, dear beasties! Could 'ju please let us rest for a time?" the rat on the
right wailed.
        "Aye, aye. Our mater be sick, she is." the other rat added.
        "Thut don' looke' like yu mater." Hod called down to them, "Thut luk like e' fox."
        "Well, she found n' raised us'n till we was grown, so she's our mater, so there!" the
first rat said indignantly, appearing deeply offended.
        "I've heard enough." Riala tried one last time to appeal to Genevere, "Let's drive
them off."
        The Abbess looked at the warrior squirrel for a long time, but said nothing.
Instead, she turned away and said to Platina, "There's three of them and about a thousand
of us. I see no reason why we shouldn't at least see what's wrong with the fox."
        "She could have the plague! Or there could be an ambush..."
        "That will be enough from you, Riala." Genevere cut in, but there was no anger in
her voice. Riala knew that deep down, the old mouse was trying to communicate
something across to the squirrel, but she wanted nothing to do with life lessons.
        'What Genevere needs to learn is that vermin are vermin, and the only way to deal
with them is to treat them as such.' Riala thought, now barely able to contain herself.
        "Let me take charge of them. They could have weapons..." Goldentail tried one
last time.
        "I said..." The Abbess of Redwall replied, this time a hint of frustration in her tone,
"That will be enough."

                                        *

        The fox was taken to the Infirmary, and Locke, the head chief, had a new
assignment.
        "Could you make something up for our two visitors, Locke?" Genevere asked in
the kitchen, pointing to the two figures that were seated in the dining area.
        "For VERMIN! I can't believe you'd suggest..." Locke started.
        "Oh... Don't be so high and might, good sir! There just the same as any other
beast." Genevere said.
        "Their filthy and bad mannered!" Locke declared, pointing a ladle at the pair. One
of them was picking his nose.
        Abbess Genevere sighed and started to leave.
        "Just feed them, would you please? I'll send Higgin to help you."

                                *

        Gregor, Hod, and Cole made their way up the stairs to the Infirmary. Gregor,
being the Head Recorder, was sent to ask the fox a few questions. Cole was his
apprentice, and was currently learning how to record actual events. The youngster was a
fast learner, and Gregor was very fond of him. Hod, as usual, was along for the ride.
        They found Riala at the door, standing guard.
        "Hi, Riala. Is that as close as you get to be near our new friends?" Cole joked.
        Goldentail ruffled the mouse's ears, saying, "Your lucky I don't brain you for that
little remark. What's the pass word, brave one."
        "Riala is a stick in the mud." Cole recited as if there was a real pass word.
        The squirrel let them in.
        "Bur' you'm gurt tolker if'n you kn' tolk to Riala thut way." Foremole said as the
door was closed behind them.
        Cole shrugged, "She's really not a rotten apple. I keep trying to say that. She didn't
laugh at that last remark because something’s bothering her, I think."
        "Well, whatever it is, she can figure it out on her own. Riala's more than capable."
Gregor said.
        Lillia was the only beast in the room. She was a tall, pretty squirrel, much like
Platina. the nurse was dampening the vixen’s brow with a green wash cloth.
        "Come in. This is Valora Foresight." Lillia introduced her patient.
        Gregor had a piece of parchment and quill. Cole was carrying a small vile of ink.
As the recorder came to stand beside the bed, the vixen moaned, "He's gone."
        "What does that mean?" Cole asked curiously.
        Lillia shrugged, but the concern was plain in her voice, "The poor thing has been
saying that all day. I don't know what it mean's."
        As if sensing the new presence in the room, the fox began to open her eyes: There
were no pupils. Only a white mist consumed the stricken beast's vision.
        Like a snake, Valora’s paw shot out and grasped Gregor's tunic. The recorder
gasped in shock and tried to break away.
        Riala Goldentail came bursting into the room like a juggernaut, unarmed but as
dangerous as an enraged badger.
        Cole didn't know whether to be relieved or frightened. Lillia however, didn't trust
the warrior at all.
        "Don't hurt my patient!" the nurse pleaded.
        "I'm not going to hurt your stupid pet!" Riala spat as she effortlessly freed Gregor.
Now Valora grabbed Goldentail. It was all the squirrel could do not to bash the vermin's
brains everywhere, but when Foresight came in contact with the warrior, she immediately
went calm. Raila tried to break the vixen’s grip, but this time there was some kind of
supernatural energy that she could not overcome. Eerily, impossibly, the color began to
come back into the foxes eyes. They were as black as coals, still unseeing.
        The seer spoke:

                        Go to the place of eternal night
                        Brother to the sun
                        The god of light
                        Up on your paws
                        Head to the feast
                        Come prepared
                        Fourteen legs at least

        Valora released Riala and lay back, fainted.
        Gregor's voice was shaking so bad, a beast would think he was frozen, "What...
What was that all about."
        "I don't know." Riala said, the only fully coherent beast in the room, "Did you get
that, Cole."
        The mouse took the blank parchment from Gregor's unsteady paws.
        "Getting it." he said.
        "Good. Let's get back down stairs and regroup. We'll see if we can't figure this
out." Riala said, a cold determination in her eyes.

Chapter 3: Ecological Imbalance

        Later that night, Abbess Genevere, Riala, Cole, Higgin, Platina, Gregor, and Hod
sat up late after dinner in Cavern Hall. Candles were lit and a serving of hot scones with
mint tea were delivered by Locke himself.
        “Have you found out what the fox was talking about?” the chef asked nervously.
        “We will,” Genevere assured him, “Thank you for the meal, Locke. You should
get some sleep.”
        “It’ll be hard, what with all the excitement.” he said. After the cook left, Riala
tapped the piece of parchment that Cole had written on.
        “Any ideas on what this means?” she asked, “I don’t want to be up to late.”
        Lillia’s tail twitched irritably at the warrior, “You probably couldn’t figure it out
anyway.” she said.
        “We’ll see how good your noggin works after I’ve...” Goldentail started.
        “Riala! Lillia! Both of you ease off!” Higgin, the Cellar Hog boomed, “There’s
probably no time for that. It saddens me and your Abbess to see the two of you fighting.”
        Riala sat back, and Lillia huffed airily, but there was no mistaking the quiet fear in
the nurse’s eyes.
        “Let’s see that poem again.” Gregor said. Cole recited it aloud:

                        Go to the place of eternal night
                        Brother to the sun
                        The god of light
                        Up on your paws
                        Head to the feast
                        Come prepared
                        Fourteen leg’s at least

        “The first parts easy, Cole.” Gregor said afterwards, “What do you make of it?”
        The young mouse thought for a moment, then said, “Eternal night. Brother to the
sun... That’s easy: It’s talking about the moon. That whole ‘God of light’ stuff is just
another reference to the sun.”
        “Yeah, so what about the moon?” Riala asked, “What does that have to do with
anything?”
        “Maybe the answer is in the rest of the poem.” Genevere suggested, “Up on your
paws, head to the feast...”
        “I don’t get that one.” Cole said, disheartened, “Where’s the meaning behind
that?”
        “Maybe there isn’t a meaning.” Gregor spoke up, “It could be a ploy.”
        “A what?” Lillia asked, perplexed.
        “The answer could just be in the word’s.” Gregor explained patiently, “In the
lettering...”
        The goodbeasts studied the verse for a long time, making up words with what
letters they had.
        “Pond?”
        “Row.”
        “Teeth.”
        “Ten.”
        Riala slammed her paw on the table, growling, “This is stupid! It would be so
much easier if we could just take the ‘F’ out of feast.”
        “No. That wouldn’t work. We have to work with...” Gregor began, but his voice
slowly trailed off.
        “Could... Could it be that simple?” Cole asked.
        “Woi not?” Foremole asked, “H’it saves usn’s ah gurt hed ache now.”
        “I agree.” Genevere said, “So... Basically we go east. What could we find that
way?”
        “Moonvale.” Riala said, “That explains the whole ‘moon’ thing.”
        “And the fourteen legs?” Cole asked.
        “Seven beasts.” Riala answered with no hesitation.
        “There’s still one more question.” Genevere intoned. All eyes turned on her.
        “Why should we go to Moonvale?”
        As the words left the Abbess’ lips, there was a shrill scream that cut through the
hall. Everybeast jumped in their seats. As they started to get up to investigated, Riala said,
“That’s Locke! He’s in trouble!”
        “Riala, Higgin! Take point and be careful.” Genevere called as they went across
the dark Cavern Hall in a heap. The others broke off slightly to let the squirrel and the
hedgehog take the lead.
        ‘I told you not to let vermin into Redwall.’ Riala deeply wanted to scream at
Genevere. When they found Locke, however, there were no rats or foxes attacking him.
He was kneeling before the Tapestry of Martin the Warrior, Redwall’s founder. The small
chef was in shock, tears streaming down his cheeks.
        “Dammit Locke!” Riala snapped, “You scared the hell out of us!”
        Gregor gave the warrior a cold look and tried to comfort the stricken mouse.
        “What is it, Locke? What did you see.”
        “I was only listening, is all...” the cook said shakily, “I... I just wanted to hear if...”
        “It’s o.k. if you were spying on us, Locke.” Genevere said softly, “You were just
curious. It’s nothing to get worked up about.”
        The young mouse shook his head miserably, pointing a paw at the tapestry.
        “It’s not that.” he said, as if about to confess a greater offense, “I turned to leave
and I saw... I...” but he couldn’t finish.
        “What...” Riala said in disbelief as she looked up: Martin of Redwall was gone.
The tapestry was still there, but the legendary warrior’s image was erased.
        “No...” Cole whispered, suddenly crestfallen, “What’s happening...”
        None of them could say anything. Never in the history of Redwall had this
happened.
        “He’s gone.” Lillia finally broke the silence, “That’s what Valora meant all this
time.”
        “And we must go to Moonvale.” Riala said, her voice hard. Faced with any
challenge, Goldentail could always be counted on for her strength, but this time she wasn’t
sure how to face this new demon.

                                        *

        Abbess Genevere lay awake in bed late that night. She could feel something in the
air, but not of this tragedy. Someone was calling to her: An old friend from her younger
days.
        The image of Johnathon Grissom flashed and faded, then came into inconsistent
perspective near the window in the Abbess’ room. He was the one trying to contact her. If
anybeast knew of the company she was affiliated with, anybeast, she would probably be
accused of insanity or worse. She felt it was time, though, that the ‘others’ would soon be
coming to Mossflower Country. They would help her and her family, for she knew them
to be trustworthy.
        The old mouse had no way of contacting Father Grissom herself, and she hadn’t
thought of doing so, but she guessed it was no coincidence that the priest would choose
tonight of all nights to pay a visit.
        “You’ve come at a bad time, old friend.” Genevere said, a great weariness in her
voice. The Abbess propped herself upright with a big pillow.
        “I’m so sorry, Genevere.” Johnathon said kindly, “I’ve been in a black hole lately,
but that is selfish of me to say such things to you, for I have seen a great evil near your
abbey.”
        “Your right. Something terrible has happened, and I can’t imagine the depths this
threat wishes to drag us.” Genevere said.
        “I’ll come as soon as I can. It’s the least I can do.” Grissom promised.
        “Are you sure?” Abbess Genevere asked, afraid for her friend, “This is not
Purdricson...”
        “I know. I’m bringing some friends with me. We would not let you face this
alone.” Father Grissom said, “Remember, it is only by the will of God that I use Divinity,
and from there I must use my own judgment.”
        “Thank you, John.” Genevere said, finding it hard to stay awake. Her eye lids
drooped closed, “Thank you.”
        “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Father Grissom whispered, and then he was gone...

Chapter 4: The Variables

        Steven Lux collided with the earth with a dull thud. It hadn’t been much of a fall,
only two feet, but it didn’t help his forty three year old bones. The rest of the party
crashed into existence around him, bending matter and space as they did.
        Keledon, Ennis Cobrick, Lea Magmore, Johnathon Grissom, and Edward
Mortimer were all accounted for, so the alien magic had worked. There was no such thing
as teleportation or conjuring of any kind, but they had been given a means to get to
Mossflower Country.
        “By the Sisters!” Father Grissom breathed, “I did not expect such a dramatic...
Experience.”
        “Everyone all right?” Lux asked. He was the unspoken leader of the group, an
honest man with a level head on his shoulders. He was over six and a half feet tall, and he
carried a claymore. The sword was the largest of it’s kind, and cumbersome to use even
for the most seasoned fighter.
        The others nodded and rubbed their bruises.
        “Right,... Keledon, you had some information for us?” Steven requested.
        The anim, short for ‘animbru’, nodded and made his way off the side of the road to
face them. He was a black wolf, and his personality mostly matched his appearance.
        “There is a few things you need to know about Mossflower before we can go
traipsing into the woods.” he said seriously, “This place is very different from Purdricson.
The only race that dwells in this region are animbru, and even they are somewhat
peculiar.”
        “Hypoglycemic?” the irrepressible Ennis Cobrick chuckled. He was the youngest
of the group at twenty two, the brash and reckless gunner.
        Gun technology had come to a grinding halt after the Race Wars: The weapons
had been found limited and very unreliably. The musket and the pistol were the final
endeavors, and each could only be shot once before needing to be reloaded.
        Gunners were the rarest kind of soldier, the most lacking in value.
        All of this didn’t bother Ennis, however.
        After a bad stint in the Army of Nabron, he turned to a life of hunting and
wandering until he met up with Keledon and Steven.
        The practitioner spoke crossly, “No one is hypoglycemic, Cobrick. In fact, no ones
even heard that word before. The first thing we need to do is keep our science, religion,
economy, biology, practical magic, elven magic, Divinity, and politics away from
everybeast. It is NOT our place to do otherwise.”
        Cobrick thought of another joke, but he stopped when he got a stern look from
Lea.
        “Is there some kind of lingo we need to know of?” Steven Lux asked, “You just
said everybeast instead of everybody.”
        Before Keledon could answer, Grissom turned to the tall swordsmen, saying, “It is
not important. You can’t be expected to blend in to well.”
        “That goes without saying.” Keledon said, sighing wearily, “Don’t think I’ll be
getting us any new friends, either. I’m a vermin here.”
        “A what?” Ennis asked.
        “There are different species of anims in Mossflower, just like Purdricson, but the
only difference is that there are certain ‘characteristics’ that need to be noted about each
class.” Keledon said.
        “Certain species have tendencies? behavioral patterns?” Steven asked, not liking
the sound of that.
        “Yes, yes.” Keledon answered impatiently, “Some are good and some are evil.”
        “How will we know whose good and evil?” Cobrick asked.
        “You will know.” Johnathon spoke up, “They are aggressive. Shifty would be a
better word.”
        Keledon was getting tired of this. He usually wasn’t required to lead a discussion.
It was the years of studying lore and geography that gave him superior knowledge in most
areas. He knew it didn’t make him a better person, but that had not been why he buried
himself in books...
        “One more thing,” Keledon said as he turned to walk down the path, “Don’t talk
about eating meat here. Most everybeast is a vegetarian.”
        Ennis rolled his eyes.
        “This place didn’t seem to bad until you said that.”

                                *

        Redwallers gathered around the Tapestry of Martin the Warrior the next morning.
There was shock and disbelief among the goodbeasts, and many were struck numb with
sorrow. Some whispered silently to themselves, and others held onto a loved one, as if
unsure of the future.
        Abbess Genevere had gotten up early that day, making sure to have warned all that
would gaze upon their founders lost image. She sat at the head of the main table with
Gregor, Riala, and everybeast that had been involved. Only Platina was not present, being
the gatekeeper.
        Mice, otters, moles, squirrels, hedgehogs, and all manner of goodbeasts were
milling about, distractedly starting their choirs.
        Genevere nodded to Riala. The warrior stood and called out in a clear voice.
        “Your Abbess would like a word with you.”
        There followed a long silence, then, slowly, everybeast stopped what they were
doing and began to find places at the other tables.
        “I’m sure you’ve all heard of Valora, and the poem she recited.” Genevere said,
then looked to Gregor and sat down.
        The recorder stood and spoke.
        “We have reason to believe that whatever may be plaguing our home could be
traced to Moonvale. A small group of able beasts will be sent there to investigate, along
with the vixen.”
        Questions flared up as he finished:
        “What is it? A monster?”
        “Is this some kind of magic?”
        “Did the fox do this?”
        Gregor held up his paws and tried to silence them.
        “Friends, please! I’m not sure what...”
        Riala bounded up onto the table and drew forth her roce, a weapon only she could
use. She struck at the table, inches from the nearest beast.
        WHACK!!!
        It was as silent as a tomb...
        Riala nodded, satisfied, and bade Gregor to continue.
        “Um... Thank you Riala.” the recorder said nervously, “What I was going to say
next was that we need volunteers for this quest.”
        Cole was the first to speak, “I’m going! You’ll need a recorder.”
        The young mouse turned to Riala, imploring her, “You need my help, right pal?”
        The warrior shook her head, “ It’s not my place to say.”
        Several others began to offer their help. Genevere watched all of them, dreading
what she would have to say next.
        When it seemed like there was no time left, the Abbess spoke, “There are already
certain... Individuals assigned to this task.”
        “What do you mean? Why haven’t you said anything about this before?” Riala
demanded.
        Genevere sighed, “You will have to wait and see, but know this... They are our
friends.”
        “Whose they?” Cole asked, wrinkling his nose.
        “You’ll see.” was all Genevere could say.
        Everbeast was staring at her. Their Abbess had never acted so peculiar before.
What was she hiding? Who were they?
        Just then, Platina came running into Cavern Hall.
        “Genevere! Riala! There are some strange... I... Just come and look!”

                                        *

        Lea Magmore, fiercely beautiful female elf and novice illusionist, had spotted the
squirrel at the gates of Redwall first.
        “Is that a vermin?” she asked out loud.
        Johnathon tried not to laugh, saying simply, “No.”
        As they got closer the squirrel saw them, too, and as predicted went into a fright
and retreated into the giant, red stone building.
        “I hope your friend is in there, John.” Steven said.
        “It won’t matter.” Keledon growled, ever the pessimist.
        “We are about to become phenomenon’s...”

Chapter 5: A Chosen Few

        Steven Lux and his companions stood in front of the gates of Redwall. There was
a commotion from the inside. Several beasts were shouting, intrigued by what lay behind
the door.
        Genevere opened the gate herself, surprised to see someone other than Father
Grissom. When Riala and the rest got their first look at the Abbess’ associates, there was
an alarmed gasp that swept across the crowd.
        “Whut er’ thoi?” Foremole spoke up.
        “What’s going on, Genevere.” Riala said.
        The creatures that stood outside of Redwall were tall, hairless, (well, all save for
the wolf) and completely alien. The two groups could only stare at each other for a long
time.
        Genevere placed herself in front of Riala and the rest.       
        “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything about this before,” she said, “Hopefully, you will
understand why I didn’t.”
        Gregor came forward, saying, “We would never judge you, Abbess. You have
always been the selfless, caring mouse that I grew up with.”
        This relieved Genevere greatly, and she smiled as other beasts agreed with the
recorder.
        “Thank you, all of you.” the Abbess said, “This is Johnathon Grissom, an old
friend of mine.”
        The priest came forward and introduced his party.
        “This is Steven Lux, and this is Keledon, Ennis Cobrick, Lea Magmore, and Prince
Edward Mortimer.”
        Hod was the first to walk up and shake hands/paws.
        “Bur you’m gurt tall beasties, you er’.” he said cheerily.
        Lea smiled politely and returned the compliment, “And you have a strong digging
claw, good sir.”
        Slowly, the two groups began to talk to each other. Redwallers were asking
questions left and right, and the small group of strangers couldn’t keep up with them.
        Most beasts steered clear of Keledon, believing him to be the worst kind of
vermin. Steven did his best to explain that the anims in Purdricson were different, with no
predetermined dispositions. Under the current circumstances, this was more than an
acceptable explanation.
        Riala still didn’t trust the practitioner, however...
        “You don’t seem like the kind of good soul your friends speak of, the way you
act.” the warrior said as they were walking to Cavern Hall.
        “I don’t have to answer to you. My actions speak for themselves.” Keledon said
coldly.
        “We’ll see.” Riala replied.

                                *

        After Cole finished reading the poem again, Lillia tapped a paw on the table.
        “I don’t think Valora can go with the search party.” she said, “I just checked up on
her and she’s still unconscious.”
        “What about those rats?” asked Cole, “Can they go?”
        “Why should they?” Riala said, shifting in her chair, “We don’t need them.”
        “And we have to stay true to the rules,” Gregor observed, “We can only send
seven beasts.”
        Genevere nodded, “Of course. I take it Steven and his... hm,... People will be
going. So that leaves room for just one more.”
        “And that won’t be me.” Cole said, visibly frustrated.
        Riala smirked, trying to hide a smile, “You really want to go adventuring, don’t
you.”
        The young mouse answered confidently, “I think I can handle myself.”
        Lillia suddenly looked up, staring at Goldentail.
        “Maybe you should go,” she said, “I mean, you were the one that Valora reacted
to. Maybe that means something.”
        “I remember that.” Gregor mused, scratching his chin, “The vixens eyes changed
color after she touched, Riala.”
        Goldentail thought about that. She could use some time away from Redwall.
Maybe what she needed was some R&R out in the country. Never mind all the dangers
that might befall her.
        “I’ll go.” the warrior said, “Gregor has a point.”
        “It’s settled then.” Genevere said, “You can go today, or you can stay the night
and leave tomorrow.”
        “I would love to catch up on old times with...” Grissom began.
        “We’ll leave today.” Riala cut in.
        As they got up to leave, Keledon pulled Steven to the side.
        “That squirrel is dangerous. You’d do well to watch her.” the animbru said.
        “You of all people should know you can’t judge a book by it’s cover.” the
swordsman said, but he was not cross.
        “Do you think you’d still be my representative in Gadrisett if I had dismissed you
so quickly?”
        “That’s different. This is a strange land.” Keledon warned.
        “And we are strange people.” Steven said, producing a crooked smile, “Let’s just
see what happens...”

Chapter 6: Mossflower

        Mossflower was one of the largest forests in the world. It stretched on for miles
and miles, and some of the most travel worn beasts could get disoriented if they lost their
way.
        Riala, however, knew the great wood like the back of her paw. She had traveled
through the forest dozens of times, and so she led Steven Lux and his people east.
        Each day they walked through shade and brush, stopping only once for lunch.
Their stores consisted mostly of bread and cheese.
        Riala conversed with Steven most of the time, since they were usually in the lead.
The swordsman spoke plainly, and was very straight forward about things. Goldentail
soon found that she could trust this strange beast, even though her instincts had told her
otherwise. Lux had actually made her laugh a few times with his blatant comments.
        It felt good to really laugh. She couldn’t remember the last time she had...
        Ennis Cobrick was a loud mouth. The gunner was going on and on about how he
had caught a huge salmon off the coast of Nabron.
        Keledon steered clear of the warrior. In fact, he stayed away from everybody.
Riala still didn’t trust the practitioner. A vermin was a vermin, and she didn’t care if he
came from Purdricson.
        The only one more silent than Keledon was Edward Mortimer. At least the anim
talked sometimes. The young prince spoke to no one accept Steven and occasionally Lea.
He was beyond laconic, keeping his large, violet eyes averted even when no one was
looking at him. He was thin, and his skin was bone white. His movements were graceful,
and his features were more beautiful than handsome, like a young woman. He had long,
straight black hair. Even his clothes were all black, fine silks and tough looking leather.
        He actually creeped Riala out. She didn’t fear him, though, for after a while she
had got the impression that the prince just wanted to be left alone.
        That was something she could relate to.
        Lea Magmore was kind of like Cole: The elf usually didn’t talk unless spoken to,
and when she did have something to say her timing was always right. Riala liked the elf,
too.
        Then there was Johnathon Grissom. This man was kind hearted, just, but
outwardly neutral and indifferent. He claimed to be one that can Speak, whatever that
meant.
        When night would fall, they would continue into the woods a few more hours until
Steven called a halt. They slept for about six to eight hours, and none of them took long to
get started again.       
        Riala saw that she was traveling with seasoned adventurers, and she was glad she
didn’t have to baby sit.

                                        *

        Well into the fifth day, the seven came to a steep decline, the ground hard and
inconsistent. The trees were scattered, and there were large rocks imbedded in the dry
earth here and there. Riala, being a squirrel, made it down into the thick wood in a trice.
The others had a harder time, however.
        “Come on, lackeys! This isn’t a nature hike.” she called up to them.
        Ennis laughed as he skidded and almost tumbled down the hill.
        “You keep talkin’, Miss We’re Gonna March All Night.” he said.
        When they were all accounted for again, they pressed on. The tall pines were
closely compacted, and Mossflower was dark, silent. There was no path, so Steven and
Riala had to pick their way carefully.
        After over an hour of walking, Riala’s ears suddenly pricked up. Her eyes
narrowed as she stopped and slowly crouched down. The others understood immediately
and did their best to lie low.
        “You hear something, Ria?” Steven whispered.
        “Yeah. It’s not near by, but it’s loud.” the squirrel answered.
        They listened for a long time, their own breathing inaudible.
        Listening... Then...
        “I hear it.” Keledon confirmed, “It sounds like... Like some kind of battle.”
        “Goldentail, see if you can get up into those pines and get a better look.” Steven
said, “And be careful. If your potted, you’ll be an easy target.”
        Riala shot up a near by tree like an arrow, barely rustling a branch. After only a
few moments, the squirrel returned.
        “There’s a huge clearing about two hundred or so yards from here, due north
east.” she said, breathing heavily now.
        “There is a battle. We have to go see what’s happening.”
        “Wait, Riala,” Lux said calmly, “Were there any of your people in the fight?
Anybeasts from Redwall?”
        “I don’t know!” Riala said, raising her voice, “That doesn’t matter. We have to
help whoever is in trouble.”
        “Are you sure you don’t want to just bash someone’s head?” Keledon asked
sardonically, raising an eye brow.
        “You think your so smart, you greasy haired...”
        Prince Mortimer cut Riala off, “If we continue on course, we will not pass through
the clearing.”
        “Are you all cowards?” Riala demanded.
        This last remark did not set well with any of them, and they all stared at the
squirrel coldly.
        Steven, ever the mediator, was not offended. He could see that there was no real
malice in Riala’s words. Something else drove the warrior to behave this way...
        Something from her past.
        “Riala, you are with friends, and you know it’ll do you no good to alienate us.” the
swordsman said plainly, “We’re just trying to figure the best way to handle the situation.”
        “Well, you can figure around the bush all you want, Steven.” Goldentail said,
turning and heading northeast, “I won’t judge any of you if you don’t help, but I have
never stood by and let somebeast else do the fighting.”
        Ennis sighed, watching the squirrel as she disappeared.
        “We’re going to help her, aren’t we.” the gunner said.
        Steven stood his full height and tide his mass of black hair behind his head with a
torn piece of cloth.
        “She’s head strong, but I think she has good intentions.” was Lux’ only reply.
        Keledon snorted derisively, “You find something good about everybody, don’t
you.”

Chapter 7: Seething Mass

        Lea caught up to Riala just as the squirrel was crossing into the field.
        “Riala, wait!” the elf called, “The others will be here shortly.”
        Goldentail stopped and headed back to the trees. The two of them crouched at the
edge of the wood, watching the exchange.
        A large group of rats and a few stoats were advancing on a small band of
hedgehogs. The poor beasts were being herded southeast, and they could not retreat until
they were forced back into the woods. If they did otherwise, the archers in the back row
on the vermin’s end would pick them off. Both sides were screaming and grunting,
battering the hell out of each other.
        There was also a large, vicious looking weasel that was milling about in the
seething mass, trying to get to the front where the hedgehogs were engaged in
close-quarter combat.
        “God...” Lea whispered. She had never seen such a bloody scene.
        “We gotta stop that big weasel-face.” Riala said, sizing up the situation, “It seems
like the others are motivated by him.”
        The rest of the party came stumbling into the squirrel and the elf. Steven took one
look at the situation and started giving orders.
        “Keledon, backtrack up north and get behind those archers. Light one of them up
like a torch. Cobrick will go with you to watch your back while you recover. When we see
the fire, Riala, Lea and I will head straight in, hopefully getting to the front line. Edward,
stay here with Grissom.”
        Keledon and Ennis raced into the forest, due northwest. Riala produced here roce
and Lia drew a thin, long sword. Steven Lux took up the massive claymore, making ready
to charge.
        After only a minute, they spotted a pillar of flame climbing into the blue sky.
        “Redwaaaaaal!” Riala yelled as the three pounded across the clearing.
        The sudden attack caught the horde off guard for a moment. Unfortunately, the
hedgehogs were distracted as well.
        On the others side of the battle field, a rat was screaming wildly, engulfed in an
unnatural column of fire. He fell and began to roll around. The other archers scattered like
nine pins, fearfully trying to get away.
        Ennis and Keledon were hidden in the dark timbers, but they knew they would
soon be spotted.       
        The animbu gasped and fell forward, nearly blacking out.
        “You over did it.” Cobrick said shakily, “We’re in trouble.”
        Meanwhile, Riala and Co. had reached the defenders back row. The hedgehogs
saw that these strangers were here to help, and at the sight of the fierce squirrel and the
tall man, they doubled their efforts. They were still being pushed back, though.
        The giant weasel would occasionally get close enough to attack, and when he did,
there was always a death. Steven watch on in horror as the monster lifted a helpless
creature off the ground, biting into his neck and tearing him to pieces. The rats and stoats
would laugh when this happened.
        This was not at all helping the goodbeast’s morale. No one wanted to get close to
the thing.
        Steven got to the attackers first, swinging his long sword, crushing any defense
that was put against him. Riala stood at his side, a whirlwind of vengeance. Between the
two of them alone, the first wave of vermin were cut down in moments. The hedgehogs
fought harder, driven by the two figures savagery.
        “Come on!” Riala urged as she crushed a hapless stoats skull, “Mossflower!”
        Lea darted forward and stabbed a rat. The filthy beast tried vainly to return the
favor with a rusted dagger, but the elf kicked him aside.
        The archers in the back row were cowardly, and they started to head north, back
into the trees. It was still not clear who would win, but they didn’t care.
        Two gun shots rang out across the field, and two rats went down as they entered
the woods. Another shot went off as the vermin ran blindly about, startled by the sound.
        “Damn.” Cobrick said as he put up his rifle: There was still a dozen or so rats
headed right for them. The gunner hadn’t been seen yet, but he wouldn’t be able to hide in
time. Keledon had finally passed out, the pain being to great.
        Ennis kneeled, went for his gunpowder, and started reloading.
        ‘Two shots.’ Ennis told himself, trying to steady his hands.
        Just two shots.
        The first archer came sprinting through the underbrush, almost falling on top of
Cobrick. The rat drew a knife and swiped at the young man, but he was in to deep a panic
to score a hit. Ennis fell backwards and shot his enemy at point blank range. He brought
up his other pistol just in time to take down the next vermin, a stoat.
        Mr. Cobrick got up, shrouded by a mist of gun smoke. A few more archers
stumbled upon him, but they wanted nothing to do with the deadly enigma.
        Lucky for Ennis, who was at the moment defenseless...
        “David Christ.” the gunner swore, shaking all over.
        Back at the clearing, the horde was finally being overcome: Now they were being
pushed north.
        The gigantic weasel, however, was still unstoppable. Riala and the rest would fight
around the slow beast, avoiding unnecessary damage.
        “We did it! We won!” a young, female hedgehog was calling to her father across
the battle field. The parent diverted his attention for just a moment, waving to his
daughter.
        Riala saw what was going to happen before it took place.
        The father had been circling the weasels left, where the vermin were all but
scattered. He had been watching the giant, and had figured the beast was going to give up,
but when he took his eyes off of his adversary, the great thing lashed out and grabbed him.
        “Damn!” Steven cursed wildly, “Somebody get him out of there!”
        Several hedgehogs tried to wrestle the beast down, but it was like trying to move a
boulder. The goodbeast’s daughter was screaming now, unable to tear her eyes away.
        Riala moved forward to help, but she was suddenly overcome by a wave of
emotions...
        All she could hear was the youth screaming. All she could see was her father
riddled with arrows. She relived what her heart had gone through when she had seen it...
Seen her father brutally slain.
        The anguish, the emptiness.
        Everything, right down to the sour taste in her mouth when she had ran, came
back in vivid clarity...
        Steven hacked at the monstrosity, crushing bone and spraying blood, but the thing
tore his sword out of his hands and knocked him across the ground.
        Lux couldn’t get up...
        Lea tried a stabbing attack, but she was also brushed away like a leaf.
        The weasel had the poor hedgehog in a vice-like bear hug, crushing the life out of
him.
        He tossed the limp body aside.
        “No!” Riala yelled at the top of her voice, coming back to reality.
        Steven was finally able to sit up as Goldentail charged the beast head on. The
squirrel was not even half the weasels size!
        Riala jumped into the air and shouldered the monster hard, winding him. He
stumbled backwards, and the warrior ran up the weasels stomach and chest like a flight of
stairs. When she got to his neck, she arched her back and flipped backwards, landing a
mean drop kick to his chin as she sailed away.
        The giant went down with a crash, moaning around a mouth full of broken teeth.
        “Eden above.” Steven said hoarsely. He couldn’t believe what he had just seen.
        Riala landed on her foot paws, but she was already moving forward again. She
went to the weasels side and bashed his face in with her roce. A fine mist of blood
showered her as she struck him again and again...
        She struck for the young hedgehog. She struck for her father. She struck for all the
goodbeasts in Mossflower that had fallen prey to vermin.
        And she struck for the little squirrel that had died all those years ago...
        At some point Riala had fallen to her knees, unable to continue. She rested her
head on the dead weasels chest and cried softly.
        All of the black knots she had been collecting in her gut came rushing out of her,
every unspoken word, every regret, every failure.
        ‘This is it.’ she thought, feeling dazed, ‘I’ve finally snapped.’
        She had never cried. NEVER, in all these years since her fathers death. She hadn’t
wanted to, for she saw it as admitting defeat. She had told herself that she would be
strong, and she would honor her father’s memory.
        ‘Maybe I should have grieved.’ she thought, pushing herself away from the corpse.
        ‘Maybe just once...’
        Riala made her way over to Steven and helped him up.
        “Next time you let me go first.” Goldentail said, smiling crookedly.
        The swordsman laughed, but soon stopped abruptly when his ribs protested.
        “Ooh! Damn.” he swore, leaning against the squirrel, “I’m getting to old for this.”

                                *

        The survivors collected their fallen comrades and thanked Steven and is party. The
vermin were buried in one, huge grave that was dug up by a few friendly moles. There was
a great sorrow that day, and Riala and the others did there best to help the unfortunate
beasts.
        Father Grissom said several prayers, and Prince Edward recited a poem:

                        To the ones we love
                        From Heaven above
                        May Eden hold you tight
                        And bring you to the light
                        Your memories we’ll keep
                        As we lay down to sleep
                        Your journey has just begun
                        Past the moon, the stars, and the sun

                                        *

        Riala finally found the female hedgehog that had watched her father die. The
squirrel walked several yards into the woods until she eventually discovered her.
        The youth had ran away during Mortimer’s reading.
        “What’s your name?” Goldentail asked kindly, taking a seat next to the hedgehog.
        “Anna.” she said, but she wouldn’t look at Riala.
        “That’s a pretty name.” the squirrel commented.
        “You know who you remind me of, Anna?” she asked.
        The youth shook her spiky head.
        “You remind me of a little squirrel I knew once.” Riala said, “She was about your
age, and she had a dad she loved very much.”
        Anna looked up at the warrior, a cold rage in her eyes.
        “Why did he have to die?! What did he do to deserve that?” she asked.
        “He didn’t do anything, Anna.” Riala said quickly, “He was just being brave, like
my father was.”
        The hedgehog looked away, saying softly, “Did your dad die, too?”
        “Yes, and I was sad, too.” Goldentail said. It was hard to keep the bitterness out
of her voice.
        “And I made a mistake.” she continued, “I never let it go, and you know what
happened then?”
        Again, Anna shook her head.
        “I failed him.” Riala said. The words had a devastating effect on her. She never
thought she could have spoken what was at the back of her mind all this time.
        “I failed him.”
        Tears weld up in Anna’s eyes as she clung to the squirrel.
        “I miss him so much!” the hedgehog said, barely above a whisper. Riala held the
youth and rocked her back and forth, heedless of her head spikes.
        “I know.” Goldentail said, but she had no more tears.        

Chapter 8: Swoon

        It had been nearly two weeks since Riala had felt Redwall. Things were starting to
come together again, even though Martin still hadn’t ‘returned’. The fox and her sons had
departed a few days later without much comment. Gregor tried to talk to the vixen then,
in hopes of bringing a little more light to the subject, but the seer wanted only to get away
from the abbey.
        “This place is damned!” Valora swore, looking quite mad as she was escorted out.
        “Flee! Cast off!”

                                                *

        Abbess Genevere strolled through the orchards on the abbey grounds. The sun
hung high on what had so far been a fine day. Not a cloud in the sky, and a slight breeze
rustled the leaves over head... And the Abbess could enjoy none of it.
        She couldn’t stop thinking about her beloved Redwall: There was something not
right, something permeating the very air. When she walked by a beast or said hello, she
was greeted with the usual friendliness, but she could see the uncertainty in their eyes, the
quiet unease that they worked so hard to conceal for their Abbess.        
        ‘So brave...’ Genevere thought, her heart going out to her sons and daughters.
        She wished she could do something, anything. Gregor and Cole were keeping
themselves busy, practically locking themselves up in the recorders study, but each day
brought them no closure of any kind.

                                                *

        Steven started walking back to where the rest of the party were waiting. There was
a large pond, surrounded by tall grass. A towering weeping willow cast it’s peaceful image
upon the water, the surface as smooth as glass.
        Riala and the rest were standing near the great tree, conversing quietly.
        Keledon glanced at the swordsman when he joined them.
        “Anything?” the practitioner asked.
        It had been two days since they left the hedgehogs, and Riala was sure that they
were getting closer to Moonvale.
        “It gets thicker when you reach the evergreens, and the trail ends before that.” Lux
replied, “We’d do best to circle around, maybe head southeast for awhile.”
        Riala shook her head, saying, “We can’t waste anymore time.”
        Lea sighed, “Why? How do we know how much time we have?”
        Goldentail turned east, staring off into the wood.
        “I don’t know” she said, “I just think we should press on.”
        Steven Lux watched the squirrel. The tall man decided to agree with the warrior.
He himself felt that there was some kind of urgency, a new obstacle to overcome.
        “You think something’s happening at Redwall.” the swordsman said.
        “Riala?”
        “I don’t know.” Goldentail repeated.

                                                *

        Cole went to open the door to Gregor’s study, but he almost dropped the tray of
food he was carrying. He righted himself, and his paw closed around the doorknob.
        The young mouse stopped for a second. A sick dread suddenly passed over him, as
if he were about to walk into a trap. He couldn’t imagine where it came from, or why he
should feel such a thing. He was safe, here in the abbey walls.
        And yet,... His paws were clammy.
        Cole shrugged and entered the room.
        “It’s me, Gregor.” he called, making his way around a large desk.
        “I brought you some...” the mouse began, but the words froze in mid-sentence.
        The recorder was lying face down on the floor, near his small cot. He looked very
dead.
        Cole tried to stay calm as he turned his friend over. He was relieved to see the old
mouse was still breathing, his narrow chest rising and falling slowly.
        “Oh... Gregor.” the youth said brokenly, “What happened to you?”

                                                *

        Lillia opened the door to the Infirmary and walked out into the hall. Abbess
Genevere and several others were waiting to hear how the recorder was fairing.
        “He’s not hurt, or sick.” the squirrel said, her concern worn plainly.
        “He just won’t wake up.”
        “Why don’t you pour some water on him, or pinch his nose?” Cole asked,
frustrated, “Can’t you do ANYTHING?”
        Higgin put a comforting paw on the youth’s shoulder.
        “Lillia’s doing the best she can, Cole.” the cellarhog said.
        Before anybeast could say another word, Foremole came racing up the stares,
breathing heavily.
        “Plutina is ert’,” he said, “Sum beast coom n’ elp’!”

                                                *

        By nightfall that day, eight other beasts aside from Gregor and Platina had fallen
victim to the strange illness. Each creature was completely unresponsive, as if they were in
a coma.
        Genevere, Higgin, Locke, Lillia, Cole, Foremole, and several others sat up late in
Cavern Hall, exhausted from the sudden and horrible task of caring for the dying. Nobeast
could even begin to guess what was happening.
        “Is it some kind of plague?” Higgin asked, “Riala warned us about something like
that.”
        “No.” Abbess Genevere said, her voice haunted, defeated, “What we’re dealing
with is not a disease.”
        “Then what is it?” Cole asked.
        Genevere rested her head in her paws, trying to block out her rising fear.
        “I don’t know, but I think it has something to do with Martin.”

Chapter 9: Ten to One

        At night, the wind moved across the downs like a knife, buffeting the travelers
cloaks. The sky was clear, and the stars were far and few. There was a full moon,
however, and it cast it’s soft blue light upon the rolling hills.
        Riala was in the open, and she was anything but at ease. The forest stood all
around them, a dark, distant border in their peripheral vision. Traveling around the great
field would take more time, as it would have if they had avoided the heavy vegetation they
had just passed through earlier.
        “It should be about another day from here.” Riala called over the wind.
        Lux nodded, continuing to lead them with the squirrel.
        As Keledon walked, he lapsed into a transcendent state. There are three practices
in non-elven magic: Transcendence, Telekinesis and Pyrokinesis. Transcendence is the act
of broadening ones perspective, or using what is called ‘The Third Eye’ to travel beyond
the casters visual perimeter. It is the most useful of the three psychological exercises, and
Keledon studied this magic the most. The quality of a spell is measured by how versed the
caster is in that particular area.
        Keledon was considered by some a master with The Third Eye.
        The animbru ‘witnessed’ the ground go by him, faster than the wind, searching
ahead for the end of the downs. He could do this and walk at the same time. It used to
make him dizzy, but now it seemed like second hand motion.
        Keledon made sure to stay in front of Lea: Elves naturally set Practical Magic off
balance. No one knew how or why this was, but if a spell were accidentally aimed at an
elf, the consequences for the practitioner were unpredictable...
        Riala crested a short hill and stopped, scanning the area. There really wasn’t much
to see, and she couldn’t imagine anybeast sneaking up on them.
        The others looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to speak. The squirrel
suddenly felt unsure of herself. It had never verbally been agreed that she would lead. The
others simply trusted her, though they hardly knew her. Each of them had a life of their
own, and Riala wasn’t so sure if she could be responsible for that. This had never bothered
her before, had never even crossed her mind.
        “We’ll go down a’ ways and retire for the night.” Steven said, “No fire, and let’s
get to sleep fast. We’re getting up early again.”
        As they descended the other side of the hill, Lux commented to Riala, “I trust you,
as they do.” he said, glancing back at their friends, “Good leaders are a dying breed.”
        “I’m no leader.” Riala answered firmly, “You know that.”
        “You could be.” the swordsman returned just as easily, “And you know that...”
        A sharp gasp came from behind the two.
        Keledon stopped dead in his tracks, massaging his temple.
        Steven went back to check on the wolf, saying, “You were Searching. Your
supposed to stay in one place when your casting.” Lux knew a little bit about the Arts, but
not much.
        “It’s not that,” Keledon said, fully recovered now, “I think we may have some
company.”
        Steven turned and looked east. As if on cue, the wind died down. It was as if the
entire earth shuddered with anticipation.
        The fur on Riala’s neck stood straight up.
        “God...” Ennis Cobrick was the first to speak as they all watched the sky turn
black: A cacophony of squawks and frenzied screams filled the air as an army of sparrows
billowed and expanded before them, like a dark cloud of wicked beaks and talons. Their
numbers were unreal, impossible. The birds could comb the entire downs as they
advanced.
        Even though they were still far off, the company could feel the power of so many,
many wings beating the air like a war drum.
        “We’re going to die.” Keledon moaned.

Chapter 10: For the Greater Good

        Riala Goldentail took up a fighting stance.
        “We have no choice.” she said, “We have to face them.”
        “Are you CRAZY?” Ennis exasperated, pointing at the advancing threat, “I don’t
know about you, but I didn’t travel a million miles from home, out here surrounded by a
bunch of vegan anims, just to die.”
        Steven drew his sword, his hands shaking. Even now, after countless battles he has
fought, he still couldn’t help but tremble as the legion of sparrows came rushing at them
like some kind of tsunami from hell.
        Riala’s eyes hardened, never looking away from their attackers. She would not
surrender, even against these odds. Was it courage? Madness?... Or was she really afraid
inside, afraid to go on living after her cruel revelation.
        ‘Rilar.’ Goldentail spoke her fathers name in her mind...
        “Leave this to me.” Prince Mortimer said, walking up to where Riala stood, “It is
time I made myself useful.”
        “Alone?” the squirrel asked. She didn’t know this strange young man at all, but she
was concerned never the less.
        “Now you sound crazy.”
        Steven sheathed his sword grimly, appealing to Riala.
        “Are you sure, Edward? I’ve never seen you take on that many at once.” the
swordsman said.
        The prince didn’t answer, but merely continued towards the sparrows.
        “Everybody back off.” Steven said. They all did as they were told, but Riala still
stood on the fringe.
        “You can’t be serious,” the warrior said, fed up with all of these bizarre
proclivities, “He won’t last a minute.”
        “Step back, Riala.” Steven said firmly. He had never spoken to the squirrel like
that, but it was the only thing he could do.
        Surprised and a little offended, Goldentail joined them.
        “Edward is an Ender, a Mortal Reaper.” Keledon explained as they watched the
birds dive in for the kill, not more than fifty yards from where they stood.
        “He has no magic, but his ability with a Cghchemarde is...”
        Edward drew his sword and held it forth. A soft, teal glow emanated from the
blade, illuminating the princes gaunt features. Over a dozen black birds struck at him, for
his face or chest, heedless of the peculiar weapon.
        Back at where the rest of the party stood, there was a moment of gut wrenching
silence as the thin man was engulfed in darkness. Time itself slowed down as Riala tried to
look away. Something bad was going to happen. She could feel it, was certain of it...
        The entire body of sparrows wavered and seemed to bend inward, as if they were
one entity, drawn into a black hole so fast it seemed like they were slowing down. Then,
reality came back into perspective, and there was a fountaining explosion of blood, talons,
beaks, guts, feathers, and bone.
        A large portion of the birds were instantly destroyed, those that were within range
of Edwards anomalous attack. The rest of them cried out violently, scattering in all
directions, driven to the point of total ire. The prince couldn’t believe the sparrows sick
tenacity. He watched as they soared into the night sky, regrouping and coming together to
hit him with everything they had...
        Mortimer had only defeated a third of their forces, which should have deterred the
insane feather heads, but the scale’s would be tipped in their favor if they all came at
Edward at once...
        “I... I can’t believe...” Riala began after seeing the devastating assault the frail
prince could dish out. She barely had time to realize what was happening next.
        “He won’t be able to hold them off.” Keledon said, pointing a paw at the
descending aggregate.
        The Cghchemerde hissed and gleamed in Edwards hands as he held it before him
again. The birds twitched and broke a thousand different ways, sliced and hammered into
pulp. The onslaught intensified, and the prince winced as bits of talon and beak ricocheted
everywhere, including into his unprotected flesh. He had never been successfully damaged,
and what little punishment he took was an eternity of pain. From his perspective, he was
looking up into a demonic, suicidal wave of disintegrating fowl. It was breath taking,
euphoric, but Mortimer saw nothing romantic about being slain by a bunch of birds.
        Steven and the others could see that their friend was being hurt, maybe fatally.
Riala couldn’t stand it anymore. She tried to run forward, but Lux caught her before she
could get in the thick of things.
        “Riala, you can’t help him!” Lux had to yell as loud as he could over the keening
screeches. The squirrel fought the swordsman, but he held her tight.
        “Let me go!” Goldentail screamed, kicking out at her friend, “We have to help
him.”
        “He’ll kill you.” Steven tried to reason with the protesting squirrel, “He wouldn’t
want that, and I couldn’t live with it.”
        Goldentail tried one last time to break free, then she submitted. Steven let her go
just as readily, trusting that she wouldn’t do anything brash.
        Riala looked on anxiously as the sparrows started to dissipate, and as the last few
fell to the earth, she rushed forward to check on Edward, Steven and the others close
behind.
        Mortimer stumbled, then fell to one knee, his black clothing covered in blood and
innards. Riala kneeled down next to him and tried to help him up.
        “You did it.” she said, caught up in the experience. Fighting had always intrigued
her, and the skills the prince had shown would forever be in her memory.
        “You’ll be o.k.”
        But Edward could only stand for a few moments before he fell forward. Riala tried
to support him, but she could only ease him to the ground.
        They all gathered around the prince, trying to talk to him.
        “Ed, get up man. You really saved our hides.” Ennis urged.
        Keledon checked Mortimers pulse...
        “Is he...” Riala asked, suddenly filled with dread.
        “No, but I don’t think he can go on.” the practitioner announced. For once, even
he was deeply saddened.

                                        *

        The Infirmary at Redwall was now full, packed wall to wall with the fallen. Lillia
and her helpers had their paws full, administering what ineffective medicine they had. Each
knew body brought the nurse closer to defeat, her heart rendered to pieces from so much
suffering. If she had not been strong in the first place, she would have given up a long time
ago.
        ‘Riala wouldn’t give up.’ she told herself. She hadn’t gotten along with the tough
squirrel for the most part, but she caught herself wishing that Goldentail was here now.
        The others were not at all faring as well as Lillia. Those that had nothing to do
would skulk around Cavern Hall or out in the orchard, with drawn faces and tired eyes.
        Cole and Locke were doing their best to cheer goodbeasts up.
        “Don’t worry. Riala will fix this.” the young mouse would say, “Have you ever
known her to not have her way?”
        This would make somebeasts smile fondly, and they would sometimes say, “No, I
don’t think you could get that squirrel to agree with you even if it was for her own good!”
        Genevere was taking it the worst. In desperation, she had tried to evacuate the
abbey.
        “H’vacuate e’ h’abbey, Genever’?” Foremole had said incredulously.
        “Our place is her, Abbess.” Higgin said firmly, “We will never submit to this
threat.”
        “But I can’t watch all of you die!” The words were so hard for Genevere to get
out without crying, “I can’t go on knowing that I could do nothing to stop this.”
        Higgin was at the Abbess’ side instantly, putting a paw around her shoulder.
        “You’ve done all you can and more.” the kind hearted cellarhog said, “We all
have. We just have to wait for Riala to finish her part.”
        Tears welled up in Genevere’s eyes as she looked at Higgin.
        “Do you think she will?” she asked softly.
        “You bet she will.” Higgins answered, as sure as night and day.

Chapter 11: Wrath and Vanity

        It was agreed that Cobrick would stay with Edward as the rest finished the journey
to Moonvale. Riala glanced back and waved at the receding figures in the distance, a small
tent and a dying fire close by. The prince was lying in the make-shift shelter, but Ennis
stood outside, returning the gesture.
        “Do you thing they’ll be alright?” Riala wondered out loud.
        “Of course,” Steven assured her, “They have plenty of food.”
        The squirrel grimaced, saying, “Ugh! Do humans eat birds?”
        “Yes, among other things.” Keledon answered, eyeing the swordsman irritably.

                                                *

        They spent the entire day in the thick of the forest, not even stopping for lunch. As
the sun slowly set in the west, Steven was beginning to think they wouldn’t make it
tonight.
        “How much farther?” Lux asked, ducking to avoid a low hanging branch. Once
again, they didn’t have a trail to follow, but this was not discouraging.
        Riala answered, “We’ll make it by nightfall.”
        The others followed the tall man and the squirrel deep into the wood, the scents
and sights around them softening and sleeping as the light faded through the tree tops. The
ground was wet with dew, and there was a slight mist about them.
        Here, now, the strangers from Purdricson were finally at peace. Since their arrival
in Mossflower, they had been constantly apprehensive, disconcerted so far from home.
They were near their goal, and the mystery of the Tapestry would finally be solved...
        Up ahead, Lux spotted a clearing beyond the timbers. He signaled for them to
double their pace.
        Riala cleared the enclosed forest behind Lux, finding herself standing at the top of
a slight hill. A small village stood before her. Modest houses of sea stone and straw roofs
dotted the drab grounds. Some buildings were larger than others, supported by heavy
woods and carved rock. These obviously served as either shops or inns. Paths of hard,
packed earth crisscrossed through the establishments.
        The company made their way down into the settlement. The air was different here,
sour and thick.
        “What happened...” Lea whispered, “This place is deserted.”
        Steven called a halt as they made it to the first set of meager homes.
        “Can you scan here, Lea?” Lux asked.
        “There’s nothing to guide me, Steven.” Magmore said, visibly disheartened by
their new surroundings.
        They started to head down one of the paths. As they reached the other end of the
village, a massive church came into view, flanked by two great weeping willows, like the
one they had seen before. Both tree’s vines swayed silently in the distance, beckoning
them to come forward.
        “I assume that’s where we find Martin.” Keledon said unnecessarily, “Doesn’t look
very friendly.”
        “We are in the right, Keledon.” Johnathon said confidently, “We have nothing to
fear.”
        Steven took the lead again, but after getting only twenty yards closer, Lea was
having trouble walking.
        “Wait,” the elf said tiredly, “I think I’m going to rest for a minute...”
        Riala and Steven went back and almost didn’t catch Magmore as she fell.
        “Lea, what’s wrong.” Lux asked, placing his friend gently on the ground, “Is it
some kind of spell?”
        The elf didn’t respond.
        “Damn!” Riala swore, “We have to retreat!”
        The words sounded strange coming out of the warriors mouth, but she didn’t care.
They couldn’t afford to lose anymore of their numbers.
        “Good idea.” Keledon said... And toppled over.
        “Keledon!” Steven said, rushing to his old friends side, “Come on man, not you
too!”
        “Steven...” Father Grissom moaned, sinking to his knees, “I think... I...” but he
was already gone.
        Steven looked up at Riala. Their eyes locked, and for a few seconds they shared a
sorrow so deep it would consume both of them.
        “Steven...” Riala said weakly, truly afraid for the first time, “Don’t...”
        The swordsman held her stare for another second, and then his eyes rolled to the
back of his head and he collapsed in a heap next to Keledon.
        Goldentail waited for it, waiting to be released. She would welcome it. Riala was
done with death and loss, and she would have no regrets dying now.
        Like her father, she had let her friends at Redwall down.
        Riala closed her eyes tight, and for a moment she wondered what it would feel
like... But the end never came. She looked around: Everything was the same. Her friends
were still lying in the dirt. The church still stood there, laughing at her, taunting her.
Whatever they had come for, the squirrel was sure it was in that building.
        Riala had been given a gift of some kind, but in her mind it was only an
opportunity to exact an old pastime...
        Revenge.
        The warrior marched straight up to the church and kicked the double doors
inward. The inside was dark and humid, and at the other end of the aisle stood an alter
with two candles, lit, upon a dais. Pews lined up all the way to the endeavor, and there
were stained glass windows along both the north and south walls with depiction’s of
biblical characters and prophets leering from without...
        “Maaartiiiiiiiin!” Riala screamed at the top of her voice, her heart pounding against
her ribcage like a jackhammer.
        “Please, dear lady squirrel.” a sickly sweet voice came from behind the alter,
“There is much to be done here...”
        A wiry, sinister looking man in blood red robes stood at the head of the church.
His hood was back, and his head was completely shaved. His eyes were like two
venomous points of onyx.
        “Someone loves you up there.” the man said, chuckling, amused with is own joke.
        Riala didn’t get it, and she wasn’t in the mood for games.
        “What do you mean? Where in Hells Gates is Martin?” she demanded.
        Ignoring the second question, the robed figure said, “You are unaffected by my
Divinity. Your father, Rilar Battlecry, would block my efforts.”
        “Don’t you DARE speak my fathers name!” Riala screamed, and charged for the
man.
        “Peace, child!” the priest implored irritably, holding up a restraining hand, “Your
fight is not with me.”
        “Like Hell it isn’t.” Goldentail said, but she slowed to a halt as she made it halfway
down the aisle, “You tell me what’s going on, or you’ll be dead before you can blink.”
        The man smiled wickedly, showing a row of yellowed teeth.
        “An animbru of action. I like that.” he said, then, “I am Rehvuk, a Fallen Priest by
Father Grissom’s standards. I don’t wait for a ‘God’ or ‘Eden’ to speak to me. That, I
believe is a sin in itself. To stand by and let an unobservant god do the thinking is
wasteful.”
        None of this made any sense to Riala, and she was losing her patients.
        “Your words mean nothing to me, human.” she growled, “Tell me where Martin is
now, and you might get out of here with your intestinal track.”
        Rehvuk went on as if he hadn’t heard the squirrel, “I do not work against God, but
for him. I’m a priest after all. I have come here, to Mossflower country, so that I may
continue my work unmolested: I have discovered a way to manufacture Angels, my dear
squirrel. The Knights of Eden and Her Daughters. With the data I have collected, I can
fuse the immeasurably delicate Essence of Life with the potential of the mortal soul, giving
this being a gift given only to hollow shells God calls ‘Angels.’ MY Angels have individual
thought, and were even once alive. Do you see what I have done?!”
        The Fallen Priest was working himself into a religious forbore, his face contorting
into the picture of vanity.
        Riala’s face was the picture of wrath as she stormed up to the alter and threw her
roce at Rehvuk’s face. His head jerked back, but there was a mixture of electricity and
sparks that deflected most of the blow.
        Instead of fuming with rage, the blasphemous priest laughed shrilly, amused by the
warrior’s bewildered and frustrated expression.
        “It’s true I can’t hurt you.” he said, trying hard to contain his merriment, “But I
didn’t say I couldn’t defend myself.”
        “You suck the life out of innocent beasts!” Riala spat, making her way around the
alter to strike again, “So you can feed a few souls in a jar! Your a monster, a filthy
VERMIN! It doesn’t matter WHAT race you are.”
        This seemed to only further amuse Rehvuk, and he said, “You may have a point.
That wolf out front you left to die was a better and more honest person than I could ever
be.”
        “Bastard!” Riala swore and struck again. This time the priest blocked the attack
easily, and he backed away. He still had that mocking grin, though.
        “Like I said, I’m not hurting anybody. I’ve just made some new acquaintances,
namely Martin and Rilar. It takes a long time to work a soul, to bend it to your will. Your
father, for instance, is VERY stubborn. I try to show them what kind of powers they’d
have if they were Angels, and of course, being the noble beasts that they are, declined. But
after a lot of Breaking, and I mean a LOT of Breaking,” Rehvuk deflected another attack
with his weird lightning, “I got Martin to see the light. You see, I can’t take someone’s
Essence and just give it to a soul. The soul has to seek it out, and that’s exactly what
Martin’s doing. Your friends out there in the mud and your friends at the abbey are his
‘temple’. So you see, I’m not the one killing people. It’s that power crazy mouse!”
        This last comment made Rehvuk laugh hysterically. Riala took one of the candles
and threw it at him, and again her efforts were in vain.
        “Soon, after absorbing enough energy, Martin will become an Angel, an Angel
under MY control!”
        With everything she had, Goldentail stepped in close and stabbed at Rehvuk’s
chest with the roce. The priest gasped, falling backwards into a pew.
        “Superstitious LOUT!” Rehvuk hissed, now visibly enraged, “Here is your
messiah, your precious MARTIN!!!”
        There was a low BOOM from behind the warrior, and she spun around to face the
alter: White brilliance expanded, omnipresent, from the stone, and some kind of force
knocked Riala off her foot paws. Somewhere in the madness, she could here Rehvuk
laughing maniacally.
        The light faded, and Riala found herself looking up at Martin himself. The
legendary mouse stood upon the dais, flesh and blood. Goldentail picked herself up off the
floor and stumbled back. She had thought she’d seen everything, but now her mind
seemed like a slippery thing, barely within her grasp.
        “What have you done?” Riala asked, her voice trembling.
        “Given birth, Riala Goldentail.” Rehvuk said from somewhere in the shadows, “It’s
almost time. The New Race will be conceived, and the sky’s will be torn asunder!”
        Martin turned to face Riala, but there was something wrong with him. His
movements were stiff, ridged, and his eyes were not his own. They were black, like the
Fallen Priest’s.
        “You... Your manipulating him.” Goldentail realized, quickly gaining control of
herself. She still had to kill the priest, no matter what the cost.
        The Martin thing held up a paw. A blue helix of fire appeared, and the mouse’s
sword came into being. He pointed it at Riala.
        “You will die here, little squirrel,” he said, his voice doubled and echoing at once.
        Riala stood her full height, weapon at the ready.
        “Your lucky, Martin.” she said, circling the mouse’s right. The apparition held his
sword before him as the two began the final battle.
        “Why is that, child?” Martin asked.
        “Because you’ll be the first to die twice!” Riala Goldentail sneered, landing a
devastating blow to the ancient warriors head with her roce.
        The mouse fell back into a pew, but he still managed to dodge Riala’s second
attack. He stepped in, swinging his sword down. An explosion of wood chips and dust
surrounded the squirrel as she jumped aside, the bench she had just been standing in front
of destroyed. She backed up, breathing hard.
        Martin had a better weapon, maybe even enchanted. Riala would have to choose
her moves wisely, or she could end up in a box.
        The Martin thing charged, ready for another exchange. He smashed another pew,
inches from decapitating his foe. Riala couldn’t return the attack, the sword keeping her at
bay. Martin tried to stab her, and again she spun away. This time, as she was finishing a
three sixty, her roce shot out and nearly knocked Martin down. The mouse swung out two
more times, holding a swollen eye. Riala dodged them easily, and she made for another
attack.
        This time Martin was ready, and he caught the roce in his paw. He tugged hard,
hoping to draw the squirrel to him so that he would impale her. Riala stumbled forward.
For a split second she thought she was dead ,but as she ran into Martin she twisted her
body, avoiding the death blow but taking a vicious cut to her mid-section.
        The warrior mouse knocked the roce out of Riala’s paw and grabbed her by the
front of her tunic. He then bashed her in the face with the hilt of his sword. Blood sprayed
everywhere as the squirrel’s head snapped back at a crazy angel. She leaned into Martin,
suddenly having a very hard time controlling her legs.
        “Ah, my sweet Goldentail.” Martin said, holding off his assault for the moment. He
held the limp squirrel as if he would dance with her.
        “Rilar has told me so much about you.”
        Riala’s half glazed eyes slowly came back into focus. She pushed herself away
weakly, so that she could look up into the mouse’s smug features.
        “I said,...” she said quietly, sweetly.
        Faster than any Knight of Eden, Riala Goldentail drove her forehead into Martin’s
nose. Panicking now, the mouse could feel the instant surge of berserk energy that was so
close to him.
        ‘To close...” Martin thought miserably as his whole muzzle was literally smashed
in by the squirrel’s continuous bludgeoning. Even as he went down, Riala was still drilling
her head into the mouse’s hated face.
        When she was sure that the Martin thing was dead, Riala rolled herself off of the
corpse and lay on her back. She was caked in blood.
        “Don’t speak my father’s name.” Riala finished her sentence.
        “No!” Rehvuk cried, making his way towards his dead Martin, “You killed him!”
        “It wasn’t him.” Riala said, trying to stand. She fell back, having lost to much
blood. She was having a hard time just sitting up.
        “It was just a joke, a trick, like all of your work.” the squirrel said mockingly.
        The priest stood over Riala, pointing an accusing finger at her, “You insolent little
MAGGOT! You will burn in Hell for this!”
        Rehvuk drew a long dagger and raised it over Riala’s heart...
        “Hey baldy,” A clear voice came from the front doors.
        The priest and the squirrel turned their heads to see Ennis Cobrick standing in the
morning sunlight.
        “Who are you?” Rehvuk demanded, dagger still poised over Riala’s chest.
        “I’m the hypoglycemic.” Ennis said, smiling, and blew a hole in the priest’s head
with his gun. Rehvuk’s body crashed down on the stone’s of the church, dead before
impact.
        The gunner hurried forward, asking anxiously, “Are you o.k., Ria? You look like
someone wiped the floor with you.”
        Riala chuckled dryly as the young man helped her stand.
        “And you look like an Angel.” she said.
        “What?”
        “Never mind.”

                                        *

        Cole sat by Gregor’s bed. The old recorder was on his last breath, and the others
were no better off.
        “You know,” Cole began. He choked back a sob, tried to continue.
        “I just wanted to say I’ll miss you, and I... I know you’ll be happier where ever
your going.”
        The youth could say no more, for he was overcome with grief. He sat there for a
long time, listening to the other’s shallow breathing.        
        The novice recorder started to doze, but a slight noise disturbed him.
        “Cole, why am I in the Infirmary?” Gregor asked, sitting up in bed, “And why is
everybeast else here, for that matter?”
        Slowly but surely, the other patients started to come around. Cole was speechless.
He threw his arms around Gregor’s neck.
        “Your not dead!” the youngster explained, unable to think of anything else to say.
        Gregor laughed.
        “Of course not!”

                                        *

        Riala and Ennis emerged from the church to find Steven, Lea, Johnathon, Edward,
and Keledon all present and accounted for.
        The warrior squirrel pointed her roce westward.
        “Let’s go home.”

                                *        *        *

        Later that autumn, Riala and the Hero’s of Purdricson returned to Redwall.
Martin’s image returned to the Tapestry. There was a joyous celebration, and stories were
shared by all. On the third day, the humans, the elf, and the animbru disappeared... Cole
decided later on that he wanted to start some adventures of his own, and Riala was more
than happy to come along. They traveled far and wide, and Redwall’s gates would always
be open to them when they came home.