Disclaimer: I do not own Redwall. Brian Jacques holds all copyrights.
Author's note: Looking back at my writing, one character I made stands out to me more than anyone. That character is Sauvin. What makes him so independent? Why does he express no emotion? Why can he not stand the feeling of dripping water on his face?
I decided to answer all these questions in one story. This story is about one of my favorite made up characters. Sauvin.
Sauvin
Chapter 1
Growing up
Rain thundered against the evening sky, and the blistering wind forced the trees to bend low under continuous gusts. The trees were shattered by lightning, giving great cracks and falling into rivers, muddy paths, and onto other trees. The thunder clapped and drowned out the sound of a small, crying baby. It was a black squirrel, lying in the mud, paws groping for some sort of food, or milk. A dirty paw lifted him off the ground and placed him in her pouch. The boy's name was Sauvin. The dirty paw belonged to his mother, Karin.
The squirrel whined and cried, looking with deep, brown eyes at his mother. Karin gave a wry smile and tickled the little baby's chin. The squirrel growled and nibbled her paw.
"Ouch!" She yelped and sucked her pinched finger. "Why can't you be like normal babies and giggle when I do that.? You only get angry at me and bite me. Oooh, don't worry little Sauvin, I'll find us food soon, once we reach the village... Maybe... Maybe someone there will take us in, unlike the other villages we passed."
She was referring to three other villages that were too stubborn to take any outsiders. Karin sighed as she thought of her husband, to which Sauvin was born. It grieved her to believe he died to vermin's paw, shortly after she conceived to Sauvin. The vermin burnt their home and left them to die, but Karin escaped. She escaped, and, soon after, gave birth to Sauvin. Since then, she wandered around, looking for lodging, but to no avail. Nobeast was kind enough to take her in. It had been two months, eating roots and berries, hardly enough for both her and her son. She didn't want the baby growing up like this.
Now, she was on her own, directed by a village, to a different village, where she hoped that maybe finally, she might live in peace.
Hours passed. The rain beat against Karin's face as she shielded her son, staggering determinedly on, though her legs were weak and frail. More hours passed. A tree fell and landed feet from her, but she merely climbed over it and continued. Another hour or two passed. Her eyes were becoming glazed over in anguish, each step like a dagger in her feet. Finally, putting the baby out before her, she collapsed.
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"Do you think they're naturally black like that? Ah've never seen such a thing..."
"No, Benji, I think they fell asleep and let the rain beat on them for who knows how many hours, and the dye stayed on."
"No need t'be sarcastic with me, Dealot."
"Eh, what's that? She's coming around!"
Karin groaned and rolled over. She didn't have enough strength to open her eyes, but she muttered something incoherent and grunted.
"Eh? Speak up, me lady, an' tell us your name an' where yer from."
Karin heard a loud slapping noise and a yelp.
"Yew idiot! She just woke up! How about we try this. We put ye' through everything she's gone through, an' then see if you can rattle off your name an' where you're from in ten seconds!"
"Er, no thank you..."
Karin mumbled something else, but then said plainly, "Sauvin..." She opened one eye halfway and saw some spiked figures over her head. "My son... Sauvin..."
The hedgehog Benji clapped his paws. "Oh, y'mean the little tyke? He's fit as a flea. He's over on the other bed eating dried fruits as if there was no bottom to his stomach."
Karin smiled. "Oh. Good. Please... Take good care of him."
The hedgehog Dealot matted her brow with a damp cloth. "Oh, you're not going to die today, squirrel. It's not your time yet."
Karin coughed. "Aye, but it sure seems like it. This pain in my head feels like a sword running through it." she said, finally opening both eyes at once. She made note of her surroundings. She was in a small shack, obviously in a wooden building. She saw Sauvin on the other bed, munching on a damson that was half his size.
The baby squirrel muttered through a full mouth. "Bgglubglub."
Karin smiled. "I've never been able to understand the boy, but he continues saying strange things. Maybe someday he'll actually say something correctly."
Dealot laughed. "I'm sure he'll be able to speak someday, miss. Oops! I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Dealot. This cheeky hedgehog over her is Benji, my husband."
Karin smiled. "My name is Karin. As you know, my son's name is Sauvin."
Dealot nodded. "Now, it'd be better if you got some sleep now, miss Karin. You've obviously had a rough night. We'll introduce the baby to the other ones. Maybe he'll make some friends."
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Growing up, Sauvin matured before his time, it seemed. He rarely involved himself in any of the other children's mischevious plots to steal cordial and such from the village kitchen. At least, not that the others could detect... His friends would often feast on scones and cordial that were pinched by the black squirrel.
His friends were a mouse and an otter. The mouse's name was Jem, and the otter was a female named Feran. They were as close as any friend could be, and very good at staying out of trouble, it seemed. The three were called the 'The miracle trio" jokingly by the rest of the village, because they had never before seen such obedient children. They didn't know Sauvin was there some of the time, but he really was, stealing from jars, pots, and cupboards without anyone knowing.
This was one of Sauvin's various skills. He would very easily conceal himself at the right times, learning this when he was able to hang from the rafters right in front of the village chieftain at night and not be spotted. This was another one of Sauvin's favorite things to do. He would wander at night and explore places he wasn't allowed into during the day.
Another one of Sauvin's skills was his amazing accuracy with stones and sticks. The squirrel would be able to knock birds out of trees and knock off poor creature's hats. Though this might make them angry, the sight of a four year old squirrel hitting birds from fourty feet below amazed them to the point of not setting a punishment upon him.
Sauvin was also very strong and agile, but he did not show this until he was out of his infant and young childhood years, when he was about nine. Though other squirrels were still having trouble jumping to reach the lower branches of a tree, he would easily jump, grab the branch and reach the top of the tree before anyine could count to three.
Sauvin's eyes was another thing that defined Sauvin. They had the amazing ability to change color, according to his mood. From what the villagers saw, they were red when he was angry, blue when he was nervous, green when he was happy, purple when he was sad, and grey when he didn't feel anything in particular at the moment. They had never seen black. In fact, few ever did. This was when he was sneaking. All the other colors were bright and distinguished. His darker eyes made him nearly invisible in the dark.
All these things made the village proud and consider themsleves blessed to have such a gifted creature come to their doorsteps.
Sauvin's relationship with his mother was also another important thing in his life. They were very close. He would snuggle into her lap and let her tell him a story about the old days before he was born. She would tell him about his father, and of the many accomplishments his father had to his name. From what she told him, it was enough to know he was a fierce warrior, strong and noble of heart, and devoted to Karin. Sauvin would sometimes think about his father and what it would have been like if he lived.
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It was on a clear, sunny day that the thirteen year old Sauvin was wandering along the village borders. He had never been beyond them, having always been afraid to step beyond the gate. Even without the continuous lecture on not leaving the village, he wouldn't have wanted to. At least, not when he was young.
Now that Sauvin was thirteen years old and yearned for a trip outside the walls. "If I could sneak out one night, maybe I could climb over these walls. I've never known what it's like to pass 'em." He began to think. The fence was too smooth to climb with paws alone. He would need someone else. Maybe Feran and Jem would be willing to help him.
"No way, Sauvin. I've heard stories about what goes on out there. I hear the word vermin used, too. From what I've heard, there are snakes, foxes, weasels, rats; all kinds of dangerous creatures! I'd never leave here." said Feran, disapprovingly.
Jem had other ideas. "I think it'd be great! Think about it! Exploring new worlds and fighting creatures with our very paws. I think it would be fun!"
Sauvin smiled. "Great! Meet me at the full moon in the dead of night. We'll be sure to make it out."
Feran, never wanting to be left out, agreed to come even though she didn't want to do it. "What if we run into trouble?"
"Honestly, Ferny, what could go wrong?"
Feran glared at Jem. "Don't call me Ferny!"
Jem laughed. "Why not?"
"'Cuz I'll call you Germ!"
Jem widened his eyes. "Okay, whatever you say, your majesty."
Feran smiled wryly. "So, I'll meet you outside tonight, then..."
Sauvin nodded. "Aye."
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It was a dark, clear, and warm night. Sauvin opened one eye to make sure his mother was asleep. He slipped out of bed without a sound and went into the kitchen. The squirrel passed the rooms where Benji and Dealot slept, hearing gruff snores emitting from it. He went to the knife block and exracted two small knives, good for throwing. Sauvin smiled and slipped them into his belt. Just in case, he thought. He glanced left and right, opened the door and looked again. Silently shutting the door behind him, The squirrel tip-pawed to the spot he had planned with his friends. Jem and Feran were already there.
"Did you bring the rope?"
Jem nodded. "Aye."
Feran gasped when she saw Sauvin two small knives in his belt.
"What are those for? Are you planning on running into a fox?"
Sauvin shook his head. "They're for... you know... just in case we do run into somebody!"
Feran glared at him. "I told you I don't like this idea. I'll turn back If you do anything rash. Not that this isn't already being rash." She added, trying to make a point.
Sauvin nodded. "I know what I'm doing. C'mon."
He said, climbing onto one of the nearby houses. He had picked a specific part of the fence where a house was nearby; a house that was carlessly built so that pieces of wood jutted out slightly. These would be easy to climb on. He made it to the roof.
The black squirrel peered over the rooftop at his two friends. "Now, toss me the rope...".
Jem threw up the rope, being careful not to throw too hard, lest it make a noise.
Sauvin caught it skillfully. He then looked to the fence about six feet away. It was not too far. He could jump. The agile black squirrel went back a couple paces, then darted. Holding the rope, he leapt from the house to the fence, grabbing onto one of the notches on the tope. The fence creaked loudly.
"Get down!" Whispered Sauvin urgently. A couple seconds passed, but no one came. Sauvin heaved a sigh.
"Phew!"
Feran was even more nervous now. "Oh, do hurry!"
Sauvin tied the rope to the notch he was on, then let the other end down. Jem climbed over, and as Feran came over last, she took the free end and draped it over the side for an easy return climb.
Sauvin punched the air in triumph, and then turned his head. "Wow! Would you look at that!"
He indicated the many miles of forest, going as far as the eye could see. "Let's go further! Maybe we can find something exciting!"
"Or dangerous..." muttered Feran under her breath. She had always been the more sensible creature in the group.
Fifteen or so minutes passed and Feran shook her head and shuddered. "Let's go back, we've gone far enough."
Sauvin glanced around. "Yeah, this is getting kind of boring. Let's head back."
Feran breathed a sigh of relief. Her heart jolted as Jem jumped in the air and pointed.
"Look! Look! Over there! A light!"
Sauvin's jaw dropped. "Yes! Jem, you're right! A fire!"
Feran shook her head. Foiled again.
Sauvin smiled. "I'll go in and investigate..."
"Oh, do be careful! It could be vermin!" whispered Feran
Sauvin shook his head. "Vermin don't scare me, Feran."
Feran glared at him. "They'll be your downfall someday."
Voices around the fire ahead of them was the only thing that stopped Sauvin from laughing in her face.
"Argh, 'tis a hard night we've 'ad e'er since we left the ship. Ah hope the chief ain't fergotten where we set ashore."
"Ah know, honestly. We've been eatin' nothin' but moldy bread an' ol' woodpigeons ever sicne we got 'ere."
"What we need is some good plunder."
"Aye, an' maybe some wine and meat."
"And fish?"
"Yuck, no more fish, mates. I 'ad enough when we were at sea!"
Feran understood from the moment the voices reached her ears that it was vermin speaking.
"Sauvin! Sauvin, get back here!"
Sauvin wasn't listening. He wanted to get closer. He climbed up the tree overhanging the vermin camp and looked down on them with his deep black eyes. There were about fourty assorted vermin. Some foxes, rats, stoats, weasels, and ferrets wandered around, eating whatever scraps they could find.
Sauvin glanced around and saw one stoat, slightly taller than the rest, and indeed much stronger. For a weapon he had a simple sword, very long and beautiful. On his face he had a single black eyepatch, and the other eye twitched and glanced around. His muscles were sinewy, his legs strong. The rags he wore were old and beaten. Everything about him intrigued the young squirrel.
He looks friendly, thought the squirrel.
Craaaaack!
Sauvin glanced back and saw the branch start to break. His eyes widened with horror as he saw he was hanging directly above the fire. The branch snapped, and Sauvin fell to the ground. The branch remained firm in his paws, and he slammed it into the fire. Dust and sparks flew everywhere. Into the air, at Sauvin, and at the vermin faces.
The big stoat, Shverik, was totally bewildered. One second everyone was walking around, minding their own business, and in another, the camp was on fire. He glanced around for the sign of any intruder. He spotted Sauvin.
When Sauvin fell, he had pointed the branch straight down. When the front point landed, it sent up ashes, but Sauvin never fell into the fire. Instead, the branch bent into a sideways U, and Sauvin was on top. He jumped from the fire and pulled the branch out. The leaves on the end were flaming. When he saw one angry rat charge him with his sword. Sauvin swung the branch with all his might. He then remembereed his friends.
"Jem! Feran! Run back to the village! Tell no one about what happened here!"
Feran was in total shock watching all of this occur. Jem, on the other hand, remained alert.
"Sauvin! What about you?"
Sauvin laughed. "Ha, don't worry about me, I'll get out of here."
He spotted another weasel charging him with a spear raised. It was then that Sauvin remembered the knives at his waist. He pulled one from his belt and jumped to the side, then hurled it into the weasels back. The weasel screeched and fell to the ground, never to rise again. Realizing he had taken a life, Sauvin cried out in frustration. Tears poured from his eyes as he withdrew the dagger and stared at the red blood on the knife. The feeling was strange.
Soon enough, he remembered where he was. He ducked a running rat and took off back towards the village. Sauvin wished he had never come. He now had the burden of a dead beast to think about.
This thought was soon casted off as he thought about his own life. Arrows whizzed by his head, hitting the dirt and tree trunks on either side. A spear imbedded itself into the earth in front of him, and he tripped over it. Springing to his feet, he continued running.
Sauvin sighed with relief as he came to the village fence and quickly climbed the rope. When he reached the other side of the fence, he removed the rope and spotted Jem nearby. He handed it to him.
"Here. Take this back. Your father will want it."
Sauvin then returned to his own house. He placed both knives back where he found them, then went to bed.
Sauvin did not sleep well that night. He kept envisioning the himself plunging the knife into the weasel's back. The shriek he gave and the noise of the body hitting the ground. This shook Sauvin's nerves. He rolled over and sighed. It was going to be a long night.
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Morning soon rolled in, and Sauvin yawned as he saw the sun through the open window. It was obviously late morning.
Karin looked at Sauvin, who was rolling over and rubbing his eyes. "Well, look who decided to wake up. Mister sleepyhead!"
Sauvin forced a laugh. He did not forget everything that had happened last night.
Karin smiled and pointed to the kitchen. "Your breakfast is in there. Dealot was a dear and made you your favorite! Strawberry cones, candied nuts, and some greensap milk. I think you'll find it hot. She only just finished."
Sauvin smiled and climbed out of bed. He was glad that he had not recieved a wound, lest she noticed it.
Karin smiled at him again. "Sauvin, do you know where Dealot keeps the knives? I'm trying to make some chopped apple cinnamon cakes. Shame on me, I should know where the knives are by now! I've lived here for ten years!"
Sauvin nodded and pointed to the drawer. It was a grave mistake, and he knew right when he pointed. Karin opened the drawer and shrieked.
"B- blood! A bloody knife! There's a bloody knife in the drawer!"
Sauvin tried to hide his face. "Er, well, I dunno. Maybe it's cherry paste or something."
Karin shook her head. "Even if it was cherry paste Sauvin, why would they use a sharp knife to spread it, and why wouldn't they clean it before putting it back?"
Sauvin held his head as he took the knife and took it outside. "I'm sorry, mother. I was hungry! I took some from the cupboard and had it last night for a midnight snack. I guess I wasn't using my head when I put it back."
Karin nodded, still a bit nervous about the red liquid on the knife. "Oh. Well, go wash it off, okay? We don't want dirty knives floating around the drawers."
Sauvin nodded and took the knife outside to wash. He sighed, knowing that finally, he was out of trouble.
Or so he thought.
Author's note: I have decided that Author's notes are too big of spoilers. From this point on, I will never talk about the story, unless necessary. Author's notes will only bring updates on update times, vacations, question answering, etc. Enough said.