| Subject: Chapter 4 |
Author:
Dusklight
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Date Posted: 18:55:32 11/07/02 Thu
In reply to:
Dusklight
's message, "A Tear for Winter's Fury" on 18:35:17 11/06/02 Wed
Chapter 4
A large dark-red fox sat watching the myriad torches illuminating the night. Soon the great redstone abbey would be his. As all other warlords, he had heard the many stories of those who had gone against Redwall Abbey and failed. Fools! None could compare to him. He was Rythe Bloodfur! With only three hundred beasts, a multi array of rats, stoats, ferrets, and weasels, he had accomplished what no other warlord could. A grin spread across the face of the fox as the sounds of fighting ceased.
Rising from his perch, the dark-red fox swept across the grass, and headed for his abbey. A solitary rat ran out to meet him.
"My Lord, it was done as you said. All abbeybeasts are still alive, except for the most dangerous. You have seventy three prisoners." The rat barked out through ragged breaths.
"How many abbeydwellers were killed?"
"Thriteen, my lord," answered the rat.
"And how many of my horde were killed."
"Over three score, my lord, including Cap'n Wormgutt." The rat backed off a pace nervously as the fox started to laugh.
"Over sixty seasoned warriors and a skilled captain slain by peaceful beasts?"
The rat sensed the fox's dangerous mood. "Their warriors were very fierce, my lord."
"Oh were they? I would like to see the thirteen fierce abbey warriors who were killed. Have them lain out on the lawn. Also, I want to see the beasts that killed them."
"It will be done, my lord." The rat scurried off, relieved and terrified.
* * * * *
All sound ceased as the warlord fox entered through the abbeygates. He scanned the grounds quickly; his eyes missed nothing. Amongst his prisoners were few able-bodied beasts; most were either very old or very young. He approached an area where the thirteen bodies of the Redwall warriors were lain out; next to each stood the horde member who took his life. He walked along the line, looking over at the bodies, and stopped in front of one of the slain Redwallers.
The fox address the weasel that was standing next to the body.
"Did you kill this one?"
The weasel's trembled in fear. "Y-yes, m-my lord!"
"And what is your name?"
"Greenclaw, my lord."
"Ahh, Greenclaw," the fox's voice was dangerously calm, "you must be a great warrior to kill such a beast as this. I know few seasoned warriors that would go against a young mousemaid like this one."
The weasel was struck dumb with terror.
"You Idiot! Did you not hear my command! I strictly forbade the murder of helpless beasts!"
"M-my lord, she was dangerous, she . . ." The weasel began to ramble, desperately searching for the words that would spare his life. "She h-had a spear and . ."
"Silence!"
The weasel trembled, his eyes wide with terror.
The dark-red fox smiled. "Kill him." Two rats dragged away the screaming weasel as the fox warlord addressed his horde. "I am Rythe Bloodfur! I will not be disobeyed by any creature! The punishment for disobedience is death!" A fearful silence lingered over the vermin horde; they knew that every word was true.
The horde beasts parted as a creature made his way to the warlord. A white ferret, donned in a crimson cloak and armed with a curved sword, approached the dark-red fox.
"Captain Leuko, there you are."
Bowing slightly to the warlord, the ferret made his report in a quite rasp. "My lord, our victory was complete. The redstone castle belongs to you now."
"Indeed it does. Well done, Captain! This calls for some celebration." The dark-red fox swept across the Abbey lawn to where the conquered Redwallers were being held. The white ferret stayed close behind him. Ginning, the dark-red fox addressed his prisoners.
"I am Rythe Bloodfur. You are now my slaves and you will obey me. If I say you may live, then you shall. If I say you die, then you will. You will continue to live in this abbey and work its land to serve me. Disobedience is death." The fox paced in front of the huddled beasts, scanning their faces for signs of rebellion. "Who is in charge of the kitchens?"
An old hedgehog wife answered timidly. "That would be me."
"And what is your name?"
"My name's Pinney."
"Well, Pinney, you are just the beast I was looking for. Take anybeast you need and prepare a great feast for me, with enough food to feed my horde."
Anger rose in the old hedgehog. "I would rather die than cook a feast for you and your scum."
The fox smiled; his eyes glinted dangerously. "Alright then. I'll just have to help myself." The warlord strode amongst the helpless captives, as if searching for someone. His eyes brightened as he lifted a baby dormouse into his arms. "Captain Leuko, what do you think about roast dormouse for our victory feast. There is surely enough here for two."
"No!" shouted Pinney. "We will cook you your feast, but do not harm that babe!"
Ryhte grinned. "Do so then, take whom you need and go to your kitchens. Captain Leuko, send some guards with them to make sure they are cooking and not plotting against me. And you, little mouse, you will stay with me in case your friends change their minds."
The dark-red fox walked across the lawn and entered his abbey for the first time. In his arms, he held a tiny hostage. The abbey's cooks were led away to the kitchens by armed guards, as dawn's first rays peered over the horizon, warming the rosy sandstone abbey.
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