Martin the Warrior 2

Dawn shimmered lightly over the forests, with a light crisp to the air announcing the birth of a new day. Bluebells bent in the slight breeze, as the dewdrops shed off the delicate petals. Ash and rowan trees stood tall above the ground, commanding the forest as their own. They did not expect a simple distraction that staggered beneath them.

Martin the Warrior staggered through the forests, with no sense of where he was. He was sick, was all he had remembered, was lying in bed, and sipping water from a beaker. Gonflet had entered the room, carrying a bag of some sort, probably some candied chestnuts that he pinched from the kitchens. The mousethief seemed very concerned with the way Martin looked. Gonflet's eyes suddenly widened, and then... he was torn apart through the middle. He felt no pain, but he knew his insides were writhing. He shut his eyes and grimaced... and then he was gone. He found himself laying under an oak tree, clothed in a blue tunic and boots that felt suprisingly comfortable.

Although unsure of where he was, he continued walking quietly through the woods. Then it dawned on him. He sat down, rubbing his forehead. Surely it could not be. Dead?

"Yes, yes. I must be dead, because why else would I all of the sudden be transported to this strange place, as beautiful as it is. But, if I am dead, why don't I see anybeast around? Yes, yes. I have watched friends die before my eyes, and they say they are surrounded by friends in a gorgeous place"

"Martin?"

A voice startled him.

"Who's there?" Martin whirled around, grasping the tree trunk.

The eyes of a young mousemaid caught him by surprise.

"Germaine? How...? When...? Where am I?"

"It is as you guessed, you are dead, but why you were placed here in the forest alone, I don't know. This is the Dark Forest. A complete mistake in naming if you ask me. I think it's wonderful here, don't you?" Germaine asked.

"Yes, it is a beautiful spot".

Martin picked a flower and dropped it on the ground curiously.

"I don't see a difference between this place and our world"

"No, there aren't many differences... except one"

"And what is that?"

"No cruel, cowardly, heartless vermin to deal with. It's all mice, hedghogs, moles, hares, squirrels, voles, and even some badger lords!"

Martin stopped dead in in his tracks.

"Boar the fighter", he said quietly.

"Yes, Boar the fighter is currently residing north of here. You can find Timballisto to the southeast".

Martin thought quickly about his friends from Noonvale, but tried not to think about them while Abbess Germaine was nearby. The thought that he had lied to her for that long made him feel very guilty. He looked down and gasped.

"My body! I'm so young! And you! Abbess, you're not the frail mouse I used to know, either!"

Germaine laughed, shaking her head.

"It took you that long to notice?"

"Thank you for the help, Germaine, but there are some friends I'd like to find. Thank you for everything, and goodbye!"

"My, we are anxious. Martin! Stop!"

Martin turned curiously. Germaine rubbed her nose. She reached into a hole in the nearby tree trunk and pulled out a dagger. Martin eyed it warily.

"Martin..." she said, handing him the dagger, "I want you to take this. I don't want to scare you, but, just take it.... I have a bad feeling about this place. It seems peaceful enough, and the creatures are nice, but something is wrong".

Martin tucked the dagger slowly into his belt.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just thought you might feel a little better if you were protected."

"Thank you, Germaine, I won't forget this!".

Without another word, Martin turned and dashed straight along the path. The wind whipped quickly by as Martin dashed north, hoping he would find Rose, Pallum, Grumm, and Dinny in that direction. Dinny had died earlier that season, and Dinny's son, Durro, became Foremole.

Nothing stopped the warrior mouse, even after stumbling over a tree root and cutting his knee. He stopped only once to catch his breath. After a short while, he came to a tall hill, which he climbed quickly, to see what lay ahead. He fell a few times from anxiousness, but finally made it to the top.

Martin peered over the top of the hill and smiled. A small village stetched out through a deep cut valley. There was a large building in the center, and many creatures were going in and out with food and supplies. Martin laughed aloud. Pulling himself upright, he dashed down the hill, eager to see the kind of creatures that lived in the village.

A young male hedgehog fought his way through the crowds with an empty basket.

Gripping the handle tightly to his waist, he veered around a squirrel and stopped. Seeing a slight break in the crowd, he decided to run for it. Stumbling through the slight hole, he tripped over an otter's tunic, and fell face first on the ground. The otter helped him up and hastily apologized.

"Oh, don't worry. I'm fine". He said, smiling. The otter smiled back.

"It must not be very easy being a hedgehog in a large crowd. All those spikes make you know other creatures feel nervous about you". The hedgehog smiled gratefully. Looking over the otter's shoulders, the he noticed a mouse frantically making his way down the hill.

"No... It can't be... Martin?" The hedgehog gazed at the cloud of dust the mouse was raising behind him and gasped.

"It is! It is Martin! Weeee!" The hedgehog did a playful dance as he repeated the name over and over again. "Martin! Martin!" The hedgehog waved, and ran towards him.

Martin stared curiously at the insane little hedgehog that was running willy-nilly through the crowd. Martin cocked his head to one side slightly and gasped.

"Pallum?"

Martin smiled and skidded down the hill, creating a small landslide of rocks and dust.

"Pallum!".

Pallum leapt into the air at his friends, paws open wide. He landed flat on his face, in the dust. Martin chuckled.

"Sorry, Pallum. You may be an old friend, but that's no reason to fill myself with spikes!"

Pallum spat dust from his mouth and wagged a paw at him.

"Aye, I should've known. Oh well, it's forgotten. By the fur, it's been a while, hasn't it, Martin?" He said, feeling a tear slipping from his eyes.

Martin helped the hedgehog up.

"Yes Pallum, though I am intent on finding my parents here. Do you know where they are?"

Pallum shook his head.

"No, unfortunately. But Grumm, he's here. Oh, and there's a mousemaid who's on the verge of tears waiting for you!"

Martin smiled, feeling his eyes grow watery.

"Rose... How's she doing?"

Pallum shook his head.

"Not too well. Ever since Grumm and I... er... arrived , she's realized how close she was to seeing you again. She barely sleeps anymore. Grumm has to force feed her now. My, she's looking ugly, with the bags under her eyes, and withering from starvation...".

Martin stared, concerned for the mousemaid.

"Gee, is it really that bad? I-... don't know what to do..."

"Maybe you should see for yourself. She's been wanting to see you, but you hadn't hem arrived"

"Well, here I am. I don't know who I want to see here first, though. My parents, Rose, Boar the fighter. They were all such great friends".

Pallum winked at him.

"Aye, but not as great as Rose was, heh heh..." Pallum saw Martin's face grow to that of embarrassment and hopped away madly. Martin ran after him, teeth and claws bared.

"Ooh, Pallum, you'll pay for that one! Just wait 'til I get my paws on you..."

Pallum dashed up three wood steps and into a small house, slamming the door shut behind him. Martin ascended the steps and knocked politely.

A homely face mole answered the door. It was a male mole, dressed in working boots and a purple shirt, that was covered in dust. The mole sniffed Martin and went wide-eyed.

"Yurr can't be... Marthen 'ee wurrier!"

Martin smiled and placed a paw on the mole's shoulder.

"Grumm!"

A different voice found it's way to the door. It was a sweet and clear voice that caught the ears of some nearby bees, and sent them humming lazily back to their hives.

Martin peered through the door as an approaching mousemaid stared curiously at the back of the mole named Grumm. She caught the eyes in the doorway and gasped.

"Martin!"

Rose pushed Grumm out of the way, sending him staggering into the closet. The two mice stared at each other silently for a moment, until Rose regained composure.

"Do you... want to come in?"

Martin nodded silently, feeling a great jolt of happiness that he'd never felt before.

"Oh, Martin, I knew it was you!" Rose said, clutching his paws, "Only you have eyes like that! They roar aloud that you're a born fighter...

"I'll go prepare something for us to eat, everybeast. Martin, why don't you sit down. Grumm? Where's Grumm?"

A muffled and slightly indignant voice protruded from the closet.

"Burr! 'elp oi! This yurr boot 'as got fearsumm buckles!"

The house was very plain, though very neat, with a small oak table in the middle and maple cabinets lining the corners. Rose had put flowers on the windowsill, where the sun shone brightly through, causing the room to be vibrantly lit. A smaller room to the right of the kitchen contained a wooden desk by the south wall, as well as a white couch with pink pillows which looked too big for the seats. A plain blue throw rug was placed covering most of the wood floor. Martin could see a hallway heading through the north wall, with two doors on the end; one leading right, and another leading left.

Rose placed dishes on the table in the kitchen, never once looking at Martin, and poured mint tea. Martin sat down on a lumpy pillow, not sure of what to do or say.

"Ouch!" Martin jumped from the couch, holding his bottom. Grumm and Rose looked up from their duties, and watched Martin staring angrily at the pillow, holding his bottom. Martin moved in slowly to the pillow again and poked it. It giggled. Martin grasped the pillow by the corner. Whirling it in the air, he sent it soaring across the room, where it hit a wall and fell to the floor. The pillow stirred for a moment, and a hedgehog staggered out. Walking in any way but graceful, Pallum grabbed a chair, rubbing his forehead. Grumm, Rose, and Martin took a second to take inwhat had just happened , and began laughing histerically.

"Burr, yurr spoikdog be'n 'm gurt funny! Hurr Hurr!"

"Oh Pallum, What were you... hehe... doing in there... hoohoohahahe!" Rose clutched her stomach, throbbing uncontrollably with laughter. Pallum wagged a paw at them wearily.

"Ouch, there's just no hiding from that Warrior, he get's you every time..."

Martin pulled a spike from his bottom.

"Well, at least you went down with a fight, eh, Pallum? Oh, and you're a big fibber, Pallum. Rose looks as stunning as she used to be..." He said, smiling.

"Haven't changed much, have we...?" Pallum mumbled, "Oh well, I'm hungry, what's for lunch?"

Grumm glared at Pallum.

"Nought one boit of 'het, yurr didn't bring 'oi thurr vegetables, 'ee gurt spikebottom"

Pallum sighed and sipped his tea.

"No vittles, and it's all my fault. By the spikes, I'm going down to the kitchens and getting a bite to eat. Who's with me?" Rose sipped the last of her tea and stood up.

"I'll go. Oh, Martin stop drinking your tea so fast before you hurt yourself. Carry it with you as we walk".

The four friends walked side by side down the road, Martin telling some stories about Mossflower and how he took a journey to find out about his father, Luke the Warrior.

Grumm, Rose, and Pallum listened intently to every word. Martin ended his tale after he had returned to the finished Redwall. Rose took his paw.

"Now, Mister Blabbermouth, will you listen to us for a while?"

Martin looked shocked for a second at being called a blabbermouth, abut regained composure quickly.

"Right!"

Rose nodded her approval.

"I'll tell you how this place is run, and where we all work if you need us. Grumm works at kitchens, and makes soup for people usually, but today he has been given the day off. I think it is a coincidence that you arrived on his day off. Pallum doesn't really do anything useful for work. He trains creatures to fight in tournaments. I work with the babes".

Martin scratched his head.

"Babes? But we're... how...?"

"Oh, hehe. Martin, you have a lot to learn. Creatures here can still have children and be wedded at their own will!"

Pallum opened his mouth, but was stopped with the lightning quick speed of the warrior.

"Say a word and you're a dead 'un".

Pallum tried to wrestle Martin's paw from his nose.

"Mmmph!! Gmph 'm arf mm!!"

Grumm shook his head disapprovingly.

"Pallum, woi doan't you'm leave yurr mouseyfriends alone. They'm be perfectly 'appy withart yurr'm insults!"

"Hey, Rose..." Martin said.

"Yes, Martin?"

"I was wondering if you'd, um..." Martin paused, scratching his head.

"Would you... sing a song for us?"

Everyone laughed. Rose obliged.

I was born to roam with the seasons,

To run over hill and dale,

To sleep in the flowers and eat 'neath the trees,

But I'll always return to noonvale.

I will live in an adventure,

I will always seek and roam,

But my love for nature is not enough,

To keep me from returning to home.

Martin sniffed as the last glorious note slipped away into the breeze. Pallum chuckled.

"Warrior, eh? Crying again. Hehehe...".

Rose turned bright red.

"Oh, no. I attracted attention".

She was right. Many passing creatures had stopped to listen, sometimes shaking their heads in amazement. Martin pushed Rose along and Grumm and Pallum followed. They quickly shook their heads and grabbed their bags. Rose looked down at Martin' waist and gasped.

"Martin!" She grabbed the dagger from his waist and concealed it quickly. Martin stared in bewilderment.

"What?"

"Don't' carry a dagger around in public! They'll think you're going to attack somebeast!"

"Oh, sorry. Germaine gave it to me, and she told me to keep it close".

Rose stared curiously.

"Germaine? Abbess Germaine from your story?"

"Yeah, she was the first creature I met here. She had that dagger in a tree trunk, and she gave it to me".

Rose shook her head, and handed the dagger back to Martin.

"Here, keep it. I don't see what danger there is in this place though... Nobeast is going to put me anywhere near a burnt slave wall again; I can tell you that much".

Martin fluffed the small couch pillow up and pulled the blanket higher. Night seemed to have come very quickly, but it was no restful night for Martin. What was going on? Why did Germaine give him a dagger if this land was so peaceful? His warrior instincts were also feeling a slight twinge of danger. Holding the dagger close, Martin crept silently out of bed. Skulking through the kitchen to the doorway, Martin listened intently. Catching the sound of a dry leaf being crunched beneath a paw, Martin ducked. Outside, there was more commotion than he had imagined.

A creature padded silently along the grounds, sniffing in the air here and there, making sure everybody was asleep. Drawing a small dagger, it glanced into the window of a house by the trees. A small couch lay under the window, with a disturbed blanket and pillow. It felt the soft blanket admiringly. Hearing a quiet shuffle of paws, he grabbed the blanket quickly and fell flat.

Martin lay back down on the couch and reached for his blanket, but couldn't find it. He reached further, but couldn't find it. Martin jumped off the couch. His blanket was missing! Martin grabbed the dagger and dashed out of the house, brandishing the blade.

Stopping for a second, he smelled a foul odor that came from the other side of the house. He put on a fast but silent pace. When he reached the corner of the house. Peering around, he saw the shape of a creature laying down in the sand. Right next to him was the blanket that had been snatched from the window. Holding the dagger up slightly, Martin leapt on the the creature, roaring madly. The creature flinched in fright and tried to scramble to it's feet, but the warrior mouse was upon him in a flash.

"Rooaaragh!!" It screamed, clawing at the face of the mouse. Martin punched it in the face quickly and held the dagger up to it's throat, just as a light turned on inside.

A voice rang out.

"Where's Martin?!"

"Out here! By the window!" He yelled. A clear face of a mousemaid and hedgehog poked out. Rose gasped and pulled a lantern through the window.

"Oh, no! Martin... It's a rat!"

Martin pulled the rat up and pushed him against the wall of a different house. The rat smiled.

"Well, she's a pretty one ain't- Owch!" Martin punched the rat in the face vigorously.

"Be quiet! Now listen up! Who are you travelling with!? How did you get out of Hellgate?!"

The rat smiled.

"Not telling anythin'..." Martin raised his dagger to the rat's throat and grinned.

"It's been a while since I've done this. Let's see if I've still got it in me..."

The rat wailed.

"Ooh, no! Please! Don't hurt me! I'll tell ye everything I know!"

Martin turned to Rose, still keeping the dagger to the rats throat.

"He doesn't have much to tell us... Oh well, get on with it".

"Our horde is led by a rat by the name of Stelch the Fireslinger. He throw flaming rocks from a very large sling. We set up camp to the west, and our numbers are about eleventeen... er... twelvty-two..."

Martin turned to Rose again.

"Take his weapon and lock it up. I want this stinker bathed and fed, and he will be released after he has appeared before the city council."

Giving the rat a bath was no easy matter for Rose.

"Ouch! Ye' got sop in me eye!"

"Oh hush, and it's called soap, not sop!"

"Aiiieee! Water in me ear!"

"Martin! Pass me your dagger... I want to teach this rat a lesson!"

The rat wailed even louder.

"Arrr! Not the blade! I'll be good I promise!".

Rose smiled.

"So you shall!"

Grumm sat in the corner, chuckling.

"Hurr hurr. 'Oi reckon h'et be easier foightin' 'ee varmints than bathin' 'em!"

Martin groped through the rat's belonging, muttering to himself.

"Hmm... dagger, some moldy berries... this tunic smells like frog droppings! Rose! See if you can get him a tunic! And give him something that suits him. I'd hate to see a rat in pink!"

Grumm ladled soup into a bowl and slid it acros the table to the rat.

"Yurr. Eat 'oop, you'm need yurr strength furr 'ee council meetin' tomurrow!"

The rat dug in gratefully. He guzzled the soup quickly down, slopping it all over himself. Grumm shook his head.

"Zoop be furr eatin'; not furr bathin'! Besoides, you'm already 'ad yurr bath!"

Rose took one of the rat's paws to grasp the spoon correctly. She nodded to Grumm, and Grumm refilled his bowl.

"You eat like this. Guiding the rats paw down to the soup slowly, Rose dipped it into the soup and pulled it back up. She then pushed the spoon slowly into his mouth. The rat scowled.

"I know 'ow ter do it! I'm just real hungry, that's all!"

Rose smiled and nodded.

"Let's see you do it then!"

The rat grasped the spoon by the handle and lowered it into the soup. He picked it up again carefully and put it into his mouth. Rose nodded.

"Right! And that's how you eat soup! And also, thank Grumm for the leek and onion soup. Go on, now!"

The rat scowled and mumbled.

"Thank you..."

Martin smiled.

"Good! Now, let's make you a place to sleep and rope you down!"

Martin pulled the rat from the chair and pushed him roughly down on the couch.

"You sleep there. I'll find somewhere else to sleep... maybe outside under the stars." Martin tied the rope down securely. Martin looked up to Grumm and Rose.

"Goodnight everybeast. I'll be outside tonight."

Martin turned and opened the door. Bidding his friends one more goodnight, he turned and left the house.