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The five hulking rats surrounded Matthias, Danbuster and Alex, menacing them with their weapons; rusty knives, battleworn spears and crude looking clubs. One of the rats, the big fat rat, who was clearly in charge of the group, gloated loudly, flashing a toothy snarl.
He boasted: “Another three prisoners, eh? The chief WILL be pleased, won’t he. I will surely get promotion.”

“’Ere, what about us lot?” scowled another rat.

“Yeah, why should YOU get all the credit, Scarnose?”

Seeing the three rats bickering, Matthias took advantage of their inattention. Quickly shrugging the Sword of Martin from his back, he rallied his three friends.

“Look to your weapons, mates! We must fight our way out of this!”

“Yeah, only five of them!” Danbuster agreed airily, “We’ll take ’em! And quick, before they call for reinforcements!”

Danbuster’s sabre was in his paw at once, and as he raised his blade side-by-side with Matthias, a fierce skirmish commenced. The four rats found themselves engaged by both the Warrior of Redwall and a Mad March Hare! The vermin tried to surround the pair, but they found them to be seasoned warriors who wouldn’t be taken down so easily. Though Matthias barely came level with Danbuster’s waistline, they stood back-to-back as near as possible, preventing any attempt at backstabbing as they taking two rats apiece. Fighting as one, both of their blades were a blur as both warriors slashed and thrust everywhere at once.

In the melee, Alex found himself confronted by the rotund rat leader, the one called Scarnose. Between Alex’s inexperience and Scarnose’s low quality weapon, this seemed the only fair fight in the whole encounter! As the two eyeballed each other, each trying to anticipating the other’s next move, the rat seemed more intent on conversing with himself than fighting Alex.

“And Cluny will say to me, ’e’ll say, ‘Good job, matey! Extra rations! Promotion for you!’” he rambled, “And then I’ll say, ‘Aww, I’m right flattered, Chief! And… if ever you feel like takin’ a rest, I’ll be glad to lead the horde for yer…’

Become impatient, Alex interrupted the rat’s rambling, hoping to get some action.

“Sorry to burst your bubble, Scarnose, but are we gonna battle… or d’you plan on talking me to death?!”

“Gah! Don’t interrupt when I’m monologuing!” Scarnose growled, and charged straight at the raccoon with a roar!

Alex found himself unused to wielding a spear in serious combat, more used to fighting with his old sword. With the rotund opponent closing the distance, the raccoon fumbled, but thankfully managed to deflect the rat’s rusty dagger with an audible clang.

Scarnose couldn’t help but laugh at Alex’s clumsy fighting and sneered, “Hehehe, easy meat! I’ll tell the Chief, ‘There were fifty of ’em, Chief, but I kept this one alive… fer questioning…”

Scarnose raised his dagger for a fierce overhead stab, but in doing so, he left himself open. A hurried jab from the Alex’s spear caught the rat in the shoulder. Grunting in pain, he rubbed his shoulder and rushed at Alex recklessly, bellowing in rage.

“Tch, a flesh wound…” Alex remarked, struggling to wield the spear against the rat at close quarters.

Meanwhile, Matthias gained an advantage for himself and his friend, Danbuster. As the two rats who possessed their own spears attempted a direct thrust at him, the warrior mouse took a swift and mighty swing with his famed Sword. The polearms was chopped off short by the legendary blade! One rat had enough time to stare dumbfounded at his broken weapon before he was hewn lifeless by a lethal backswing. The remaining three rats immediately fell back and looked to their knives and clubs.

“Now’s our chance, my friend!” cried Matthias.

The brave mouse quickly went on the offensive. In a fantastic display of seasoned fighting experience, he dashed quickly towards one rat, chopping his club to splinters! Still gripping his knife, the rat dived for cover as the Mouse Warrior swiped at him.

Danbuster took on the other two rats. Putting on a stoic expression, his blue eyes darted between both opponents, noting they were on either side of him in an attempted flanking movement. He smirked knowingly. As they drew their daggers, the hare looked from one to the other and shrugged carelessly.

“Oh… two against one?”

As Danbuster made as though to focus on one rat, the other lunged at his unprotected back! In the same instant, the hare quickly ducked and dodged to one side. So quick was his movement, there was no time for his foes to grasp what had happened – there came the sound of steel on bone and a pained grunt.

“Ack! You stupid piece of… shuhhhhh…”

Danbuster glanced over his shoulder, in time to see the stricken rat fall to the ground stabbed to the heart by the misplaced dagger-thrust, while his friend just stared in disbelief, slack jawed and wide eyed.

“Oh my fangs! What have I done?!” he cried.

Danbuster casually stepped in front of him, grinning and shrugging nonchalantly.

“Saved me a job?” he whispered.

Before the vermin could register who he was talking to, the hare’s foot connected squarely in the rat’s cranium, as a swift kick sent him sprawling onto the ground in a heap. Dan looked thoughtfully at the knocked-out rat, then looked to his sabre, and once again to the comatose vermin. He sighed quietly and put his weapon away. Even in the current circumstances, he could not bring himself to coldly slay a creature who was both fallen and disarmed. Dusting off his paws, he turned to Matthias, who had finished off his own foes and was cleaning his Sword.

“So, are we done here?” asked the hare.

“Not quite… DAN!!”
Matthias noticed what his friend did not. The fallen rat was about to return the March Hare’s mercy with a cowardly surprise attack – he was sneaking up behind Danbuster’s unprotected back, doubly armed with both his dagger and that of his fallen comrade!

“Look out!” yelled the Warrior Mouse.

Matthias acted quickly, dashing between the tall hare’s long legs, he thrust upwards! Hearing a grunt, Danbuster turned in surprise, just in time to see the rat fall, impaled on Matthias’ Sword. An expression of pained surprise frozen on his face, his weapons slipped from his paws as his spirit fled to Hellgates.

“Well, THAT was very unsportsmanlike, trying to sneak up on a guy!” remarked the hare, as Matthias tugged his sword free and wiped it clean on the corpse.

The mouse raised an eyebrow at his wacky friend. “Danbuster, ALWAYS watch your back! Cluny and his followers aren’t in the business of being ‘sportsmanlike’, remember that!”

But then, their attention was caught by another yell from the remaining vermin. Scarnose was still standing and giving Alex a hard time!

“Enough of this run-around! Just stand still, won’t yer?!”

As he bounced backwards, avoiding the rat’s thrusts and wild swings, Alex’s mind raced for an idea. “I’ll try spinning, that’ll usually work!”

With a nod, the raccoon gripped his spear like a quarterstaff and spun it rapidly, the weapon resembled a windmill in a hurricane. Surprisingly, the strategy worked in his favour. Every time Scarnose tried to thrust his blade or take a swing at Alex, the whirling weapon deflected the dagger nearly out of his paws.

“HA! TAH! TOOORRRYAH!!!”

During the whirling maneuver, Alex whacked the rat across the face with the face of the spearblade, causing the rotund rat to reel back in pain. Before Scarnose could recover, Alex planted the speartip into the ground, bounced upwards into a spin and thrust his leg back. The move launched Scarnose headfirst into a tree, backside exposed! With his confidence rising, Alex attempted a wild overhang swing with the spear – but the point got caught in some low branches, immobilizing his wild onslaught!

“Uh oh!” the raccoon whimpered.

Scarnose sniggered. “Heh, somebody’s showing off, aren’t they?”

With the raccoon left vulnerable, the rat charged head-on, waving his dagger.

Alex saw him coming. With a sigh he backed off, waving his paws. “Okay, you win!”

But then he sidestepped at the last moment, leaving Scarnose to blunder past. Finally freeing his spear, he spun and thrust it into the rat’s back as he passed, finally finishing him off! Scarnose stumbled and collapsed onto the grass with an audible thud, the spear standing out from his back like a flagpole.

Retrieving his spear, Alex held it vertical, planted two fingers on his head and bowed silently. He muttered something in Italian as he gave his opponent a small prayer.

“’Riposare in pace’ [Rest in Peace] ……you misguided fool!”

Danbuster looked around the area, noting that the danger seemed to be have been laid to rest… literally.

“Well, it appears that we’ve run out of enemies, wouldn’t you agree?” he remarked.

Matthias nodded. “Indeed. I must say: Well fought, you two!”

Alex looked proud of himself to hear Matthias’ compliment. “Not bad, huh? I have to admit, I NEVER used any pole arms before.”

Matthias tried to be tactful. His brief smile melted into a pensive expression as he replied: “I… can see that. Not to critique on your form, but… I’m afraid you’re going to need a LOT more practice.”

Before anybody could respond to Matthias’ observation, an unfamiliar voice called out from somewhere.

“For a rookie, I’d say that was jolly well done, wot?”

It was a posh-sounding male voice, high-pitched and yet it sounded like it had seen many seasons of experience.

Alex readied his spear quickly, calling out, “WHO SAID THAT?!”

“Huh? Who’s there?” demanded Danbuster, looking around keenly.

“Who indeed, eh?” came the voice again, this time sounding more like a friendly taunt, with the hint of a laugh.

Matthias listened, seeming to recognise the voice, though he was uncertain of the identity.

“This guy must be either foolish or trying to treat this as a game…” exclaimed Alex, his eyes darting about behind his glasses. “C’mon out! Show yourself, if you don’t wanna be a shish kabob!”

“Show me self indeed, wot?” replied the voice. It sounded amused with itself and playing with the trio, “How many pairs of eyes do you need, wot? Eh, eh? Well? I’m waiting…”

At that moment, Alex detected where the voice was coming from. Craning his head, he spotted a large cluster of bushes by a pair of trees. Without hesitating, he lunged forwards and thrust his spear at the bushes, embedding its point in a tree trunk. As if by magic, a lanky grey-furred hare immediately popped up from the bushes, his head barely inches from where the spear was thrust!

“Wow!!” he cried, barely keeping he composure, “Somebody takes this game a jolly sight too seriously, wot? Nearly ruined me best mess-jacket there!”

Alex stared at the hare in amazement. “Err… I see your point.”

He quickly withdrew his spear, though it took a few tugs to free it from the tree trunk.

The hare snorted in understandable disdain, but retained a confident smile, “Yes, and I saw YOUR point, barely a whisker away from my face! Hmmm, so, you’re also going around fellin’ rats, eh? A top-hole ‘feller’ if I may say so! Haw-haw!”

“Who are you, Sir Hare?” asked Alex. He couldn’t help but remark that the tone of the hare’s voice sounded eerily similar to John Cleese, of Monty Python fame – not that the Redwallers would understand that reference.

Before the hare could answer, Danbuster’s initial surprise at the newcomer had quickly switched to fanboy-levels of excitement. Recognising the hare for who he was, he raced at him with such speed and exuberance that he toppled Alex over like a bowling pin! Clasping the older hare’s paw, he began shaking it vigorously.

“You’re Basil Stag Hare, aren’t you!? You’re one of my favourite characters! I can totally relate to you, y’know! We’re both equally crazy and brave, as well as energetic and heroic, all at the same time! Even as a leveret, I always wanted to meet you! It’s so great to finally meet you! I’ve always wanted to meet you!” the kilted hare giggled uncontrollably. He sounded like a leveret in a carrot farm.

Matthias just stared dumbfounded as Danbuster gushed and wildly shook Basil’s paw.

The old campaigner could barely get his paw free as he tried to keep things formal. And even then, he had to use his other paw to stop it from continuing to shake by itself.

“My, my, my! Seems my reputation has indeed spread far, wot? And who might you be? We haven’t even been formally introduced, doncha know! How do you know me so well?” the hare asked.

Danbuster was about to explain how he has read the Redwall books over and over again when he realised what he was doing and made a hurried verbal backspace. “I, errr… the goodbeasts of Redwall, they… they told me all about you. And all the stories from the Dibbuns. I have to admit, you’re quite the celebrity, after all.”

Basil tried to look modest. Hide a proud smile, he replied: “Ah, of course. Of course. Should’ve known, wot?” he turned to the Warrior Mouse and smiled, “Matthias, old bean! How are you keeping?”

Delighted to find his friend in good spirits. Matthias replied cheerfully, “All the better for seeing you, old friend! And the young ones too, I’m sure. I trust you’ve kept them all safe?”

Even as the Warrior spoke, some teenage woodlanders emerged behind Basil, one by one. They were led by a plump roguish young otter and a tough-looking mouse who could have mistaken for a younger version of Matthias.

“Hi, Dad!” the young mouse said, with a wave of his paw.

Matthias came forward at once to greet his son. “Mattimeo! It’s good to see you’re all fine.”

In the midst of these happy reunions, Alex, the Raccoon sprawled about in the dirt where he had been knocked over in Danbuster’s mad dash. He was fumbling for his fallen glasses. Due to his problem in one of his eyes, all he could see were green and brown blurs, and a few black ones. Thankfully, his species had a particular advantage over other beasts; raccoons cool feel their way around with an exceptional sense of touch.

As he fumbled around for his glasses were located, he heard himself being addressed by a deep but young and gentle girlish voice. “Hey, stripytail? Is this what you were looking for?”

Realising that someone was holding up his glasses to him, he scooped them into his paws, brushed away the dust with his tail and placed them back on his face. Immediately his eyesight was restored, the raccoon found himself confronted by the broad striped face of a young badgermaid with compassionate brown eyes.

“Th-thanks, ma’am,” he politely replied, but once his sight was focused he fumbled with his tongue. “Ah-a…a lady?”

The young badger giggled slightly at Alex’s comment.

“Thank you! I certainly TRY to be a lady. My father tells me I am, anyway.” She curtseyed elegantly, and then brushed some dust from her dress, which was a simple homespun garment. Then she helped him to his feet.

Alex tried to be dignified and attempted a clumsy bow himself, not wanting to seem rude.

“Um… I am Alex the Raccoon G… Raccoon, at your service! How may I address you, m’lady?” Alex babbled, trying to find the appropriate words.

The badger returned politely, “Pleased to meet you, Alex. I’m Auma, daughter of Orlando the Axe.”

Danbuster looked around the small group, recalling what Constance had told him back at Redwall. “I take it you must be the young teenagers from Redwall, yes? Out on your survival trip with Basil Stag Hare?”

The question was replied in the affirmative, and introductions were exchanged all round.

Along with Mattimeo and Auma, there were the two twin mice, Tim and Tess, the young ones of John Churchmouse the Abbey Archivist. They were accompanied by Cheek Stag Otter, the adoptive otter-son of Basil Stag Hare, Noisy Sam the son of Jess Squirrel and last but far from least was Cynthia Bankvole, by far the youngest and most shy of the group. But chief among them was of course Mattimeo, the son of Matthias the Warrior.

Matthias had his paw on his son’s shoulder, proudly announcing, “This strapping young lad is my pride and joy.”

The young mouse smiled and graciously stated, “Any friend of my father is a friend of mine. Even a crazy hare and a… stripytailed squirrel?”

“Not exactly the shape for a squirrel, and I ought to know, “ remarked Sam.

“Bit fat for a squirrel, wouldn’t y’say?” Cheek remarked with a giggle, “He looks more like a cross between a badger an’ a grey otter – who ’ad his tail painted black through a picket fence!”

Basil lightly clipped the impudent fellow’s ear. “Now then, Cheek! Have some respect for your elders!”

Danbuster stifled a laugh, appreciating the plump young otter’s sense of humour.

“Heh, Cheek, eh? Cheek by name and cheek by nature, I am right?” he grinned.

Basil ruffled the young otter’s headfur affectionately. “Quite correct, laddie buck!”

Alex was eyeballing both Basil and his friend, he noticing certain similarities about their natures, as he rapidly glanced to Dan and to Basil, and back again. In fact, he was practically screwing his own head off! A faint crack in his neck brought his head swiveling to a halt.

“Good gravy! Did God make two of you?!” he exclaimed, “Aside from the different fur-colour, you practically match my friend! Are you guys related somehow?”

“I can assure you, there’s no relation between us, Alex!” laughed Danbuster. “Apart from us being hares, anyway… look, my family tree isn’t known to have such famous names as Basil Stag Hare.”

Alex scratched his head, puzzled. They did have some sort of resemblance but he kept his mouth shut. “Maybe a DNA test would confirm or debunk your claim?”

Finding his voice again he asked Basil, with a growing smirk: “If you’re a stag, where are your antlers, Basil?”

The old hare looked wistful. “Noble creatures, stags. Used to want to be one myself when I was younger. That’s why I Christened m’self Stag one day – with a frog for a witness, I might add.”

The old hare’s remark baffled the Raccoon on the spot, but also highly amused Danbuster.

“At least Basil Stag Hare rolls well off the tongue,” he said with a wink.

“Indeed, m’ dear fellow!” cried Basil, cheerily slapping the younger March Hare on the back, “I like the way y’think, Danbuster! And you know what else rolls off the tongue easily? Peas, if you don’t swallow ’em fast enough, eh?”

Alex looked disgusted at the mere mention of the spherical vegetable. “Blech! Peas?! How could anybody stomach that vegetable? Just the taste alone makes me sick.”

Danbuster sniggered and suggested a solution to this problem. “You could always try eating them with honey, like Winnie the Pooh. Makes ’em taste funny, but it least it sticks ’em to the knife! Eh?”

Basil chuckled quietly, but Alex shrugged and shook his head.

“Dude, I’m more of a fish eater… or that delicious soup the otters made, as a matter of fact, I could really go…”

But before he could reminisce further, Matthias abruptly brought things to order.

“Friends, I’m not one to put a damper on things, but we are out in Mossflower Woods today with a very important mission. Since we’ve been so fortunate to meet up with you here, perhaps you can help us.”

In a brief explanation, the Warrior Mouse brought Basil and the young creatures up to date with the matter of Colin and Katie Vole, taken hostage by Cluny’s horde.

Upon hearing about the hostage situation, there was general indignation from all.

“Those vermin!” growled Basil. “Well, what are we waiting for, chaps and chapesses? Let’s go forth and rescue the hostages, wot?”

“Exactly what I say!” Mattimeo shouted heatedly. He remembered first-paw on what it was to be a captive.

“It’s certainly what mother would do,” added Sam Squirrel.

Cheek the otter and the Churchmouse twins agreed vehemently. Even Cynthia Bankvole, although was nervous at the prospect, stood by them.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ever on the lookout for more rat sentries, the rescue party made their way cautiously through the trees. Basil was an expert at woodcraft and he had taught his pupils well. Matthias, the old hare and the young ones practically disappeared in the foliage. Alex, who was closer to the hare, was hard-pressed to spot Basil as he tried to draw level with him.

“H-hey… Basil, wasn’t it? I noticed your outfit and… are you part of some military force or something? It looks rather cool!” he asked.

“Oh, not really. It’s good material – keeps a chap warm,” replied Basil. The old hare smiled as he recalled his youth. Pausing to gather his thoughts, he continued, “Actually, I’m a retired soldier from the Fur and Foot Fighting Patrol – also known these days as the Long Patrol. I was in the 47th Hare Border Rangers. Wonderful band of heroes.”

Alex repeated to unusual name in surprise. “Long patrol?? Obviously, I wouldn’t make it with them. I’d probably flunk out and go with the… ‘Short Patrol’”

He snickered loudly, and had to be shushed by Matthias.

“Oh, I don’t know about short. You’d more likely qualify for the Heavy Brigade!” remarked Cheek insolently. “I reckon, wi’ yore size, you could lay them vermin out with a good weight-punch to the head, wot?”

Alex rolled his eyes. He didn’t like the idea people making remarks on his weight. “Let’s save the jokes for the next Redwall feast. We’ll see who has the last laugh then, ha!”

“I’ll look forward to that, stripe-tail.” the incorrigible young otter winked.

“I’ll look forward to the feast and all!” noted Basil.

Before they could proceed further, everyone realised Cynthia was lagging behind. She had been out all day with Basil’s survival skills group and she was clearly worn out. Generally speaking, she was always the wallflower of the party despite the best efforts of Mattimeo and Tess to support her.

It was Alex who noticed her struggle, so he headed back to check on her.

“H-hey, Cynthia, madam? Are you alright?” he asked.

Cynthia whimpered noisily. “M-my legs are tired… a-and I’m scared… I d-d-don’t wanna be a burden. I do not feel I’m cut out for this.”

Hearing the vole’s nervous squeaks, Alex took pity on the vole girl and volunteered to let her ride on his shoulders for a while. Cynthia at first, was embarrassed at her moment of weakness in front of the large stripe tail, but grateful for an opportunity to rest.

As they carried on like this, Mattimeo quietly thanked Alex for being helpful as he walked with the teens, and praised the raccoon’s generosity.

“It’s good of you to help out like this, sir. Cynthia needs encouraging. We do all we can to help her, after all she is younger than all of us.”

“Well, as long as I’m here, I’ll do whatever it takes to help out too,” responded Alex. “It’s no trouble. She’s quite a lightweight. Right, Cynthia?”

Cynthia smiled for once. “Awww, it’s very sweet of you, Mr Alex! You’re nice!”

“Okay, enough banter,” warned Matthias. “I think I see the steeple of the old church ahead.”

As they approached closer, the group were now traversing on the grounds of St Ninians itself. With the treeline ending abruptly, there now stood only ill-tended common land between them and the main building. From their hiding places behind the trees and bushes, they had a commanding view of the entire area.

Just the other side of the church, Cluny’s horde had set up temporary camp. On the path beyond, they could see a masses of rats, stoats, weasels and ferrets, all in standing in some sort of untidy formation, going through their rounds and setting up additional tents. Cluny himself was stationed up in front, roaring things at army and gesturing furiously – though at that distance, they couldn’t actually hear what he was saying.

“If only I knew how to liberate old buildings and rebuild them back up. I’d give this church a vermin-free makeover.” Alex remarked quietly.

“Even without the building skills, I’d like to make the place vermin-free, wot!” Basil added, flexing his paws.

“Just say the word, father, and I’ll be ready for battle!” Mattimeo whispered eagerly.

Matthias shook his head while gesturing the group to keep calm.

“No, my son… there’s far too many for us to take on, for now. Even with the present company accepted, I wouldn’t risk it. Now, I don’t doubt your courage, my son… but Cynthia, Tim and Tess aren’t really fighters like you and Sam or even Auma. Besides, we’re only here for the hostages.”

As Matthias was speaking, Mattimeo peered out from the cover of his bush, carefully scanning the area for any way in. He pointed at the rundown vestry area at the rear of the premises.

“Father, could they be using that part for their prison compound there?” he asked.

Danbuster looked where he was pointing, then he whispered to Matthias: “Perhaps he could be right? It appears to look well-guarded.”

Nodding approvingly, Matthias patted his son on the head: “Well spotted, son!”

Mattimeo giggled audibly. Though a warrior-in-training, he was still a kid at heart.

It was Alex’s turn to scan around the area. He noticed an open area behind the vestry that seemed lightly guarded, except for two guards. Pointing he observed: “There’s another two over there, amigos.”

“I believe this will make it about twelve…” added Danbuster, after a swift headcount of all the visible guards.

Alex thumped his paw against the tree trunk out of frustration. “Bummer! If we try to sneak in, we’ll be captured for sure.”

Basil, who noticed Alex’s grimacing, went up to the impatient Raccoon and chimed in: “Not unless we use a lot of stealth and keep camouflaged, wot?”

“But I’m horrible at that, Basil. I always ended up using... COW-mouflage,” snickered Alex, who was trying to lighten the frustrating scenario with one of his puns.

Auma misunderstood Alex’s sense of humour. She was quick to correct him.

“There are no cows here, what are you talking about?”

“I mean I’ll probably stand out like one!” replied Alex, forced to explain his joke.

“Look! Cluny’s on the move!” barked Sam, pointing.

They could see the main horde was marching away, and Cluny was at their head. There was no mistaking that big ugly rat, with his long whiplike tail, batwing cloak and single yellowing eye.

Still thinking of cows, Danbuster flippantly chimed in, “Shouldn’t that be on the moooo-ve?”

The remark was more than enough for Matthias to clamp a paw over the March Hare’s jaw to quickly silence him.

“He’s right, quiet! Keep low, everybeast!”

Immediately, the rescue party took cover. They watched anxiously as Cluny and the greater part of the horde moved off. However, where they were headed they could not be sure. Fortunately, Matthias’ party remained concealed in the underbrush. The horde was moving off elsewhere, which thankfully meant there were now only twelve sentries left for them to worry about.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Once the coast was clear, Basil laid out his daring scheme with the Warrior, in which he and Danbuster would play a vital role. The others crowded around to listen as Basil and Matthias discussed their plan of action. It sounded crazy enough to work, yet simple to grasp.

“So how would this plan sound?” asked Basil.

The group was silent for a while. After some consideration, it was Matthias who finally broke the silence.

“It sounds crazy!” he exclaimed, to which Basil looked crestfallen. Matthias continued, “but right now, crazy’s all we’ve got, so…”

“So let’s get to it!” Dan chimed, eager for action.

Basil and Danbuster slowly emerged from their hiding spots, but the latter experienced an unexpected delay as Alex caught him by the shoulder.

“Dan, wait a sec! Just please be careful, dude. I mean I know you’re good with your sword, but just… be careful.” In a lower tone, he added, “You’re may be my only ticket to get back home to our own world…”

“I’ve faced worse things than twelve lazy rats, mate!” scoffed Danbuster with a confident grin, then turned to the older hare. “Lead on, Baz!”

As the hares sneaked off quietly, Matthias took the lead and made preparations with the group.

“Just as soon as the hares distract those rats away from the area, we’ll rush in and free the prisoners, everyone clear?” he instructed his party.

“Understood, father,” replied Mattimeo.

Alex stuck close to Auma and Cheek, gripping his spear tightly. “Alright, Matthias, I’ll follow your lead.”

With a nod, the more able of the group snuck off in multiple directions. Soon enough, Alex found himself darting towards any spot that provided even partial cover.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Two of the lazier rats were leaning on their spears, dozing noisily. Suddenly, their nap was rudely cut short when two hares sprang up by their sides, laughing and taunting loudly!

“Hallo, stinkers! Whew! Don’t you ever take a bath?” Basil yelled.

“Hey, death-breath! Are you strangers to dental care? Your breath could stun a horse!” taunted Danbuster, who proceeded to blow raspberries and compare their parentage with those of hamsters and elderberries.

The rodent pair leaped to their feet in surprise. In that moment of confusion, they initially forgot to try and apprehend them! However, one of the rats then flung a rusty spear at Danbuster, who sidestepped it effortlessly.

“Get over here!” the rat yelled.

Basil popped up beside him, appearing as if from out of nowhere, whispering in his ear, “How about playing a little game of tag, wot? You’re It!” He shoved the rat playfully, then bounced away again before he could even blink.

Their escapades had drawn the attention of four other rats, who all ran at Danbuster from separate directions, with weapons drawn, babbling threats too dire to repeat. The March Hare seemed to be more intent on singing and dancing than actually making any effort to dodging. He cavorted about the common, pulling out random (and imaginary) musical instruments and picking wildflowers:

“Oh, there was the band with that curious tone,
“Of the cornet, clarinet and big trombone,
“Fiddle, 'cello, big bass drum,
“Bassoon, flute and euphonium,
“Each one making the most of his chance.”

He paused in mid-song to shrug, “Although your breath would make anybeast grimace!”

At the last possible second, he danced a quickstep right out of the way, causing the four pursuing rats to collide catastrophically with each other! Adding insult to injury, Danbuster continued to sing and dance around the ungainly heap of raddled rodents, scattering the flowers all over them.

“All together in the Floral Dance!”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Seeing that the hares had the sentries busy, Matthias waved his arms to his group, ordering everyone to advance. Mattimeo followed behind his father while Alex, being the last to move, was briefly distracted by a discarded dagger, which he quickly snatched up.

“Heh, heh… this’ll come in handy…” he giggled.

Mattimeo continued to instruct his friends. “Tess, you and your brother better wait out here and keep lookout. Auma, Cynthia, you follow me and Sam.”

“Please stay safe,” whispered Tess.

Most of the team gained entry without much trouble, as they ventured inside the old church, the rescue party quickly explored inside. The old place was really rundown and musty with the stench of vermin all over.

As everyone explored the darker parts of the ransacked building, Matthias’ ears twitched to the sound of a tired and feeble voice coming from the darkness.

“Matthias? Is that you?”

In a flash, the warrior mouse investigated the source of the whisper, and he very quickly discovered the missing voles. Colin and Katie were locked in a broken-down vestry cupboard with a rickety old door that had been nailed shut, haphazardly. Though adults in their prime, the couple were not much younger than Matthias himself.

“Don’t you worry, friends. We’ll soon have you out,” He reassured the couple and pried away at the door with the Sword. The shiny blade, forged from the metal of a falling star, tore through rotten timbers like hot butter. In a few brief seconds, the prisoners were free.

“What about the others?” asked Katie.

Matthias was stunned to hear this news. “There’s MORE, you say?”

“That’s right! There were two other local mouse-families those terrible rats captured. They’re being held somewhere, around here too!” Colin explained, coughing up dust as he spoke.

Mattimeo shook his head in disbelief . “By the fur, that Cluny guy HAS been busy! Auma, you and Cynthia had best take these voles back to Tim and Tess.”

“What about you? Auma asked.

“We have to try and get the other hostages out,” said Matthias, scratching his chin thoughtfully. “We’ll rendezvous back at the edge of the churchyard where we came in from. Matti, Sam, we’d better look around.”

As the young maids escorted the voles to safety, Matthias and the others wasted no time. They searched the area thoroughly for the other hostages Colin had spoken of.

“Come on, Alex! Let’s look over here!” called Cheek, hurrying ahead.

“Wow, if only I could be that fast and confident,” Alex thought to himself, looking around nervously lest there be any other vermin sentries about. “Errr, anybody there?”

The hesitant voice of a mousewife reached their ears. “Wh-who’s there?”

Cheek pointed. “There, in that cage!”

There was a family of mice in a crude wooden cage, which had been rough-hewn from hacked-off sticks and branches, tethered with some sort of cheap woven grass ropes.

Alex rushed over at once, making himself known to the prisoners. “Relax, I’m a good guy… errr, goodbeast… err... nevermind what I am. Look, I’m here to get you free. How many are there?”

The male mouse replied, “There’s me, the missus and three littl’uns … please hurry get us out of this!” The desperation in his voice was most evident.

Alex started feeling at the padlock with the point of his newly-acquired dagger. “Okay, hang on, let’s see… I’m new at this lockpicking.”

The mousewife was getting panicky. “Hurry up! They might come back and then they’ll cook my babies!”

Alex grumbled impatiently as he tried to force the lock, wishing for a bit of silence to concentrate on his task, while Cheek kept a lookout for rats.

The mouse husband fidgeted in an agitated, trying to shake the bars of the cage loose.

“Nnngh, wish I could help…” he muttered, feeling rather useless.

Alex tried to sound more confident than he felt right now. “I’ll get you out of here soon. The next thing you’ll know you’ll be in the Redwall Abbey and with a warm bed to sleep in, clean clothes and great food, before you can say…” then the lock clicked open. “BINGO!!!”

Another voice called out in response to the raccoon’s unguarded shout of triumph.

“Huh? Who goes there?!”

In the shadows, previously unnoticed, was another rat who had been left inside the church to guard the hostages. Alex had just woken him up! Still half-asleep, the rat come stomping over. Cheek was quick enough to take cover, but Alex was left in the open, and feeling very conscious of the mice huddling round him.

“What’s all this?! What are you doing with our hostages?!” demanded the sentry, his spear levelled in his paw.

Alex looked from the rat to the mice, and then back at the rat, thinking fast. “Errm… uhhh… you’re drunk! Go back to sleep! Cluny’s orders!” he demanded, in what he hoped was a commanding voice.

The slow-witted sentry, not sure what manner of creature Alex was and even less sure whose side he was on, just dully complied – much to the amazement of everybody. He had no desire to incur the wrath of Cluny.

“Holy cow, it worked?!” muttered Alex.

Cheek looked just as confused as he sneaked out of hiding, carefully marking where the rat had gone to avoid running into him again. He was still gripping a piece of wood he had found, ready to cosh the rat from behind, had the situation worsened.

“Right. Follow me, carefully. Our escape is out the backdoor,” whispered the young otter, beckoning urgently.

Alex helped the mousewife, who seemed to be having trouble putting her weight on one footpaw.

“Can you walk?” he asked her, supporting her with a firm paw.

Limping a bit, the good lady forced a smile. “I’ll be fine.”

“We’re just glad to get outta there!” said her husband, as he led his young ones to the backdoor. “And thanks… whatever creature you are, we’re eternally grateful for your heroic deeds, sir.”

Alex looked awkward. He had never been called a hero before. “Um, ‘Sir’? I have no title. I’m just Alex, a Raccoon. Nothing spectacular… really.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As Tim Churchmouse kept a sharp lookout for enemy activity, Tess was anxiously watching the church for signs of the rescue party. This whole operation seemed to be taking an agonisingly long time from her perspective. Nearby, Cynthia and Auma were also waiting with the liberated voles.

“What’s taking so long?” she wondered, half tempted to go in after them. “You don’t suppose they’ve been captured, do you, Tim?”

At last, Matthias, Mattimeo and Sam reappeared, leading the other family of mice that they had found. Just behind came Alex and Cheek with their freed hostages.

“Whew, at last!” she said, with an audible sigh of relief.

“And not a moment too soon,” added Tim, pointing. “Look!”

Basil and Danbuster appeared from round the corner, hotly pursued by half a dozen screaming rats. The younger hare was even humming the Benny Hill theme through an improvised comb-and-paper kazoo as they galloped past! The rescue party froze, hiding in the shadow of the doorway, as the whole cavalcade sped past. Luckily, furious sentries were too intent on the two hares to notice them – but Basil noticed and smiled inwardly.

“Here we go round the mulberry bush, on a cold and frosty morning!” called the old hare, winking at Danbuster.

Taking his cue, the March Hare followed him in another circuit of the church, deliberately drawing the sentries away and buying time for Matthias to get clear. Wasting no time, the rescue party ran quickly for the trees.

“Mission accomplished, wot? Now let’s split forces!” whispered Basil.

The two hares broke off in separate directions, dodging and weaving through the grass hummocks, with the rats splitting off one way or another, undecided who to pursue.

“Get back here, damnit!” they yelled, with other unrepeatable profanities.

Basil tutted at their language. “If your mothers could hear you, they’d have a fit!”

“Yeah, probably a large-size fit, made-to-measure!” put in Danbuster.

Now that Matthias’ party had safely made it out of the grounds, the hares made good their own escape, giving their pursuers a real run-around as they did so. Confused by their seemingly-haphazard dodging and weaving, the rats were soon left dizzily chasing their own pawprints round and round in circles!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Matthias called a brief halt once well clear of the church grounds, giving the freed hostages time to catch their breath after the initial flight. They were nonetheless slowed down by the mousewife with the bad footpaw, despite Alex offering to carry her some of the way.

“Wow, we did it, father!” called Mattimeo, laughing triumphantly.

“That was quite exciting actually,” said Auma, quivering with jubilation.

Even Cynthia had to agree. “We really make a great team!”

“Yes, but we’re not out of the woods yet,” noted Cheek, looking around cautiously. “We’d better get back to Redwall before those rats discover what happened.”

Matthias was about to agree when the sound of disturbed shrubbery put him on the alert. He stood with sword in paw to face the newcomers. It was Basil and Danbuster.

“Jolly good show, chaps and chappesses!” exclaimed the retired Foot Fighter, grinning broadly. “Gave ’em a bally ol’ run-around back there!”

Even Danbuster was quite breathless after the intensive action.

“I think we lost them, but let’s not hang about too long. They may pick up our trail later,” he warned his friends. “So quick, into the woods!”

As they moved on, Alex could not help casting a concerned glance at Danbuster.

“Hey! Dan, you’re bleeding!” he exclaimed.

The March Hare shrugged it off. “Oh, that’s nothing. Just caught my leg in a wild churchyard bramble… whilst dodging an enemy spear. They really ought to do some garden maintenance back there. What’s up with the mousewife there?” He craned his head sideways to glance at the little lady Alex was carrying on his shoulders.

Alex replied, “I think her ankle is broken.”

“It’s nothing, really,” objected the mousewife. She was a little embarrassed at making herself a burden to her rescuers. “I think I injured it when we were caught by the rats.”

“I can help you with that,” offered Auma. Opening a shoulderbag in a very professional manner, she announced, “Sister May has been teaching me a bit of Basic First Aid.”

The badgermaid tended the injured footpaw as best she could one the move.

“It’s not much, I’m afraid. We’ll be able to do a better job back at the Abbey.”

“Hey, which way to Redwall, Matthias?” called Danbuster.

“I think it’s this way, Dan,” replied the Warrior, pointed ahead. Then he pointed in another direction “or it could be THAT way…”

Basil was shocked at his friend’s momentary carelessness. “You and your shortcuts! You’ve not got us lost, wot?” he exclaimed.

“Well… no, not lost, exactly,” objected Matthias, not quite meeting the hare’s accusing gaze, “just between waypoints right now…”

Sam Squirrel volunteered to take charge. “Let me help. I’m the pathfinder round here, if you remember? I got you home before, when you got lost in the woods.”

As the young squirrel confidently took the lead, applying his exceptional woodcraft, Matthias scratched behind his neck in embarrassment. He well remembered the events Sam was alluding to.

“Yes, that was quite a few seasons back, when I was a young mouse and you were still Silent Sam.”

“Well, let’s step up the pace, young fella,” said Basil, his ears twitching distractedly, “I think I can hear some rats searching the wood somewhere behind us.”

They looked around anxiously. It would not do to be caught off guard now.

“Let me take a look,” Alex said. “If I could pinpoint them, we don’t run into them.”

He sneaked behind a tree and looked behind to see if he could spot them.

“Do you see them?” whispered Matthias.

Alex strained his eyes. Even with glasses, it wasn’t easy for him.

He started to reply, “I think they could be… whoa!”

Suddenly, the ground beneath him subsided and he slipped and fell down an embankment with a loud yell!

“HEEEEEEEERRRREEAAAAAGHHHH!!!”

Danbuster could not help crying out: “ALEX!!”

Immediately, a distant voice could be heard calling out, “Hey, do you hear that? Cluny will give us double rations if we find the hostages! Get them!”

Then came the distant tramping of vermin feet through woodland undergrowth, fast approaching. Danbuster clapped a paw over his mouth. Between Alex’s yell and his shout, they had given themselves away! Losing his head for a moment, the March Hare tried to break away to search for Alex, but Matthias quickly grabbed him by the kilt, while Basil placed a gentle but firm paw on his shoulder. Between them, they held him back.

“Hold hard, m’dear fellow!” said Basil, “I understand how you feel; nobeast left behind and all that, but right now we MUST get these hostages back to Redwall. We can’t risk open combat with civilians in the field, wot?”

“B-b-but… Alex…” Danbuster stammered, loath to leave his dear friend alone to face… who knows what danger.

“Sorry, Danbuster. The hostages must be got to safety,” reasoned Matthias, urgently gesturing to Sam to lead them on. “At least Alex can take care of himself – we’ve seen that right enough. We’ll look for him later.”

Danbuster knew his friends had a point, despite his misgivings. “Oh, but if only I could leave him some sort of marker to follow us by…”

“Can’t do that!” noted Auma, “With those rats on our trail, they might be able to track us too!”

Sam was getting anxious. “Quick, now! Follow me. I now these woods like the back o’ me paw.”

Reluctantly, they group were forced to leave Alex behind as they led the hostages back to Redwall under the young squirrel’s confident guidance. Thankfully, their swift retreat gave them a good headstart on their pursuers, who seemingly didn’t manage to spot them.

Nevertheless, Danbuster was still feeling badly about losing Alex.

“By my carrot cheesecake,” he muttered, “I will find him. I WILL find him…” In a burst of passion, he yelled cartoonishly, “I WILL FIND HIM!!”

He was immediately shushed.

“Sorry… but I WILL…”

Description
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The five hulking rats surrounded Matthias, Danbuster and Alex, menacing them with their weapons; rusty knives, battleworn spears and crude looking clubs. One of the rats, the big fat rat, who was clearly in charge of the group, gloated loudly, flashing a toothy snarl.
He boasted: “Another three prisoners, eh? The chief WILL be pleased, won’t he. I will surely get promotion.”

“’Ere, what about us lot?” scowled another rat.

“Yeah, why should YOU get all the credit, Scarnose?”

Seeing the three rats bickering, Matthias took advantage of their inattention. Quickly shrugging the Sword of Martin from his back, he rallied his three friends.

“Look to your weapons, mates! We must fight our way out of this!”

“Yeah, only five of them!” Danbuster agreed airily, “We’ll take ’em! And quick, before they call for reinforcements!”

Danbuster’s sabre was in his paw at once, and as he raised his blade side-by-side with Matthias, a fierce skirmish commenced. The four rats found themselves engaged by both the Warrior of Redwall and a Mad March Hare! The vermin tried to surround the pair, but they found them to be seasoned warriors who wouldn’t be taken down so easily. Though Matthias barely came level with Danbuster’s waistline, they stood back-to-back as near as possible, preventing any attempt at backstabbing as they taking two rats apiece. Fighting as one, both of their blades were a blur as both warriors slashed and thrust everywhere at once.

In the melee, Alex found himself confronted by the rotund rat leader, the one called Scarnose. Between Alex’s inexperience and Scarnose’s low quality weapon, this seemed the only fair fight in the whole encounter! As the two eyeballed each other, each trying to anticipating the other’s next move, the rat seemed more intent on conversing with himself than fighting Alex.

“And Cluny will say to me, ’e’ll say, ‘Good job, matey! Extra rations! Promotion for you!’” he rambled, “And then I’ll say, ‘Aww, I’m right flattered, Chief! And… if ever you feel like takin’ a rest, I’ll be glad to lead the horde for yer…’

Become impatient, Alex interrupted the rat’s rambling, hoping to get some action.

“Sorry to burst your bubble, Scarnose, but are we gonna battle… or d’you plan on talking me to death?!”

“Gah! Don’t interrupt when I’m monologuing!” Scarnose growled, and charged straight at the raccoon with a roar!

Alex found himself unused to wielding a spear in serious combat, more used to fighting with his old sword. With the rotund opponent closing the distance, the raccoon fumbled, but thankfully managed to deflect the rat’s rusty dagger with an audible clang.

Scarnose couldn’t help but laugh at Alex’s clumsy fighting and sneered, “Hehehe, easy meat! I’ll tell the Chief, ‘There were fifty of ’em, Chief, but I kept this one alive… fer questioning…”

Scarnose raised his dagger for a fierce overhead stab, but in doing so, he left himself open. A hurried jab from the Alex’s spear caught the rat in the shoulder. Grunting in pain, he rubbed his shoulder and rushed at Alex recklessly, bellowing in rage.

“Tch, a flesh wound…” Alex remarked, struggling to wield the spear against the rat at close quarters.

Meanwhile, Matthias gained an advantage for himself and his friend, Danbuster. As the two rats who possessed their own spears attempted a direct thrust at him, the warrior mouse took a swift and mighty swing with his famed Sword. The polearms was chopped off short by the legendary blade! One rat had enough time to stare dumbfounded at his broken weapon before he was hewn lifeless by a lethal backswing. The remaining three rats immediately fell back and looked to their knives and clubs.

“Now’s our chance, my friend!” cried Matthias.

The brave mouse quickly went on the offensive. In a fantastic display of seasoned fighting experience, he dashed quickly towards one rat, chopping his club to splinters! Still gripping his knife, the rat dived for cover as the Mouse Warrior swiped at him.

Danbuster took on the other two rats. Putting on a stoic expression, his blue eyes darted between both opponents, noting they were on either side of him in an attempted flanking movement. He smirked knowingly. As they drew their daggers, the hare looked from one to the other and shrugged carelessly.

“Oh… two against one?”

As Danbuster made as though to focus on one rat, the other lunged at his unprotected back! In the same instant, the hare quickly ducked and dodged to one side. So quick was his movement, there was no time for his foes to grasp what had happened – there came the sound of steel on bone and a pained grunt.

“Ack! You stupid piece of… shuhhhhh…”

Danbuster glanced over his shoulder, in time to see the stricken rat fall to the ground stabbed to the heart by the misplaced dagger-thrust, while his friend just stared in disbelief, slack jawed and wide eyed.

“Oh my fangs! What have I done?!” he cried.

Danbuster casually stepped in front of him, grinning and shrugging nonchalantly.

“Saved me a job?” he whispered.

Before the vermin could register who he was talking to, the hare’s foot connected squarely in the rat’s cranium, as a swift kick sent him sprawling onto the ground in a heap. Dan looked thoughtfully at the knocked-out rat, then looked to his sabre, and once again to the comatose vermin. He sighed quietly and put his weapon away. Even in the current circumstances, he could not bring himself to coldly slay a creature who was both fallen and disarmed. Dusting off his paws, he turned to Matthias, who had finished off his own foes and was cleaning his Sword.

“So, are we done here?” asked the hare.

“Not quite… DAN!!”
Matthias noticed what his friend did not. The fallen rat was about to return the March Hare’s mercy with a cowardly surprise attack – he was sneaking up behind Danbuster’s unprotected back, doubly armed with both his dagger and that of his fallen comrade!

“Look out!” yelled the Warrior Mouse.

Matthias acted quickly, dashing between the tall hare’s long legs, he thrust upwards! Hearing a grunt, Danbuster turned in surprise, just in time to see the rat fall, impaled on Matthias’ Sword. An expression of pained surprise frozen on his face, his weapons slipped from his paws as his spirit fled to Hellgates.

“Well, THAT was very unsportsmanlike, trying to sneak up on a guy!” remarked the hare, as Matthias tugged his sword free and wiped it clean on the corpse.

The mouse raised an eyebrow at his wacky friend. “Danbuster, ALWAYS watch your back! Cluny and his followers aren’t in the business of being ‘sportsmanlike’, remember that!”

But then, their attention was caught by another yell from the remaining vermin. Scarnose was still standing and giving Alex a hard time!

“Enough of this run-around! Just stand still, won’t yer?!”

As he bounced backwards, avoiding the rat’s thrusts and wild swings, Alex’s mind raced for an idea. “I’ll try spinning, that’ll usually work!”

With a nod, the raccoon gripped his spear like a quarterstaff and spun it rapidly, the weapon resembled a windmill in a hurricane. Surprisingly, the strategy worked in his favour. Every time Scarnose tried to thrust his blade or take a swing at Alex, the whirling weapon deflected the dagger nearly out of his paws.

“HA! TAH! TOOORRRYAH!!!”

During the whirling maneuver, Alex whacked the rat across the face with the face of the spearblade, causing the rotund rat to reel back in pain. Before Scarnose could recover, Alex planted the speartip into the ground, bounced upwards into a spin and thrust his leg back. The move launched Scarnose headfirst into a tree, backside exposed! With his confidence rising, Alex attempted a wild overhang swing with the spear – but the point got caught in some low branches, immobilizing his wild onslaught!

“Uh oh!” the raccoon whimpered.

Scarnose sniggered. “Heh, somebody’s showing off, aren’t they?”

With the raccoon left vulnerable, the rat charged head-on, waving his dagger.

Alex saw him coming. With a sigh he backed off, waving his paws. “Okay, you win!”

But then he sidestepped at the last moment, leaving Scarnose to blunder past. Finally freeing his spear, he spun and thrust it into the rat’s back as he passed, finally finishing him off! Scarnose stumbled and collapsed onto the grass with an audible thud, the spear standing out from his back like a flagpole.

Retrieving his spear, Alex held it vertical, planted two fingers on his head and bowed silently. He muttered something in Italian as he gave his opponent a small prayer.

“’Riposare in pace’ [Rest in Peace] ……you misguided fool!”

Danbuster looked around the area, noting that the danger seemed to be have been laid to rest… literally.

“Well, it appears that we’ve run out of enemies, wouldn’t you agree?” he remarked.

Matthias nodded. “Indeed. I must say: Well fought, you two!”

Alex looked proud of himself to hear Matthias’ compliment. “Not bad, huh? I have to admit, I NEVER used any pole arms before.”

Matthias tried to be tactful. His brief smile melted into a pensive expression as he replied: “I… can see that. Not to critique on your form, but… I’m afraid you’re going to need a LOT more practice.”

Before anybody could respond to Matthias’ observation, an unfamiliar voice called out from somewhere.

“For a rookie, I’d say that was jolly well done, wot?”

It was a posh-sounding male voice, high-pitched and yet it sounded like it had seen many seasons of experience.

Alex readied his spear quickly, calling out, “WHO SAID THAT?!”

“Huh? Who’s there?” demanded Danbuster, looking around keenly.

“Who indeed, eh?” came the voice again, this time sounding more like a friendly taunt, with the hint of a laugh.

Matthias listened, seeming to recognise the voice, though he was uncertain of the identity.

“This guy must be either foolish or trying to treat this as a game…” exclaimed Alex, his eyes darting about behind his glasses. “C’mon out! Show yourself, if you don’t wanna be a shish kabob!”

“Show me self indeed, wot?” replied the voice. It sounded amused with itself and playing with the trio, “How many pairs of eyes do you need, wot? Eh, eh? Well? I’m waiting…”

At that moment, Alex detected where the voice was coming from. Craning his head, he spotted a large cluster of bushes by a pair of trees. Without hesitating, he lunged forwards and thrust his spear at the bushes, embedding its point in a tree trunk. As if by magic, a lanky grey-furred hare immediately popped up from the bushes, his head barely inches from where the spear was thrust!

“Wow!!” he cried, barely keeping he composure, “Somebody takes this game a jolly sight too seriously, wot? Nearly ruined me best mess-jacket there!”

Alex stared at the hare in amazement. “Err… I see your point.”

He quickly withdrew his spear, though it took a few tugs to free it from the tree trunk.

The hare snorted in understandable disdain, but retained a confident smile, “Yes, and I saw YOUR point, barely a whisker away from my face! Hmmm, so, you’re also going around fellin’ rats, eh? A top-hole ‘feller’ if I may say so! Haw-haw!”

“Who are you, Sir Hare?” asked Alex. He couldn’t help but remark that the tone of the hare’s voice sounded eerily similar to John Cleese, of Monty Python fame – not that the Redwallers would understand that reference.

Before the hare could answer, Danbuster’s initial surprise at the newcomer had quickly switched to fanboy-levels of excitement. Recognising the hare for who he was, he raced at him with such speed and exuberance that he toppled Alex over like a bowling pin! Clasping the older hare’s paw, he began shaking it vigorously.

“You’re Basil Stag Hare, aren’t you!? You’re one of my favourite characters! I can totally relate to you, y’know! We’re both equally crazy and brave, as well as energetic and heroic, all at the same time! Even as a leveret, I always wanted to meet you! It’s so great to finally meet you! I’ve always wanted to meet you!” the kilted hare giggled uncontrollably. He sounded like a leveret in a carrot farm.

Matthias just stared dumbfounded as Danbuster gushed and wildly shook Basil’s paw.

The old campaigner could barely get his paw free as he tried to keep things formal. And even then, he had to use his other paw to stop it from continuing to shake by itself.

“My, my, my! Seems my reputation has indeed spread far, wot? And who might you be? We haven’t even been formally introduced, doncha know! How do you know me so well?” the hare asked.

Danbuster was about to explain how he has read the Redwall books over and over again when he realised what he was doing and made a hurried verbal backspace. “I, errr… the goodbeasts of Redwall, they… they told me all about you. And all the stories from the Dibbuns. I have to admit, you’re quite the celebrity, after all.”

Basil tried to look modest. Hide a proud smile, he replied: “Ah, of course. Of course. Should’ve known, wot?” he turned to the Warrior Mouse and smiled, “Matthias, old bean! How are you keeping?”

Delighted to find his friend in good spirits. Matthias replied cheerfully, “All the better for seeing you, old friend! And the young ones too, I’m sure. I trust you’ve kept them all safe?”

Even as the Warrior spoke, some teenage woodlanders emerged behind Basil, one by one. They were led by a plump roguish young otter and a tough-looking mouse who could have mistaken for a younger version of Matthias.

“Hi, Dad!” the young mouse said, with a wave of his paw.

Matthias came forward at once to greet his son. “Mattimeo! It’s good to see you’re all fine.”

In the midst of these happy reunions, Alex, the Raccoon sprawled about in the dirt where he had been knocked over in Danbuster’s mad dash. He was fumbling for his fallen glasses. Due to his problem in one of his eyes, all he could see were green and brown blurs, and a few black ones. Thankfully, his species had a particular advantage over other beasts; raccoons cool feel their way around with an exceptional sense of touch.

As he fumbled around for his glasses were located, he heard himself being addressed by a deep but young and gentle girlish voice. “Hey, stripytail? Is this what you were looking for?”

Realising that someone was holding up his glasses to him, he scooped them into his paws, brushed away the dust with his tail and placed them back on his face. Immediately his eyesight was restored, the raccoon found himself confronted by the broad striped face of a young badgermaid with compassionate brown eyes.

“Th-thanks, ma’am,” he politely replied, but once his sight was focused he fumbled with his tongue. “Ah-a…a lady?”

The young badger giggled slightly at Alex’s comment.

“Thank you! I certainly TRY to be a lady. My father tells me I am, anyway.” She curtseyed elegantly, and then brushed some dust from her dress, which was a simple homespun garment. Then she helped him to his feet.

Alex tried to be dignified and attempted a clumsy bow himself, not wanting to seem rude.

“Um… I am Alex the Raccoon G… Raccoon, at your service! How may I address you, m’lady?” Alex babbled, trying to find the appropriate words.

The badger returned politely, “Pleased to meet you, Alex. I’m Auma, daughter of Orlando the Axe.”

Danbuster looked around the small group, recalling what Constance had told him back at Redwall. “I take it you must be the young teenagers from Redwall, yes? Out on your survival trip with Basil Stag Hare?”

The question was replied in the affirmative, and introductions were exchanged all round.

Along with Mattimeo and Auma, there were the two twin mice, Tim and Tess, the young ones of John Churchmouse the Abbey Archivist. They were accompanied by Cheek Stag Otter, the adoptive otter-son of Basil Stag Hare, Noisy Sam the son of Jess Squirrel and last but far from least was Cynthia Bankvole, by far the youngest and most shy of the group. But chief among them was of course Mattimeo, the son of Matthias the Warrior.

Matthias had his paw on his son’s shoulder, proudly announcing, “This strapping young lad is my pride and joy.”

The young mouse smiled and graciously stated, “Any friend of my father is a friend of mine. Even a crazy hare and a… stripytailed squirrel?”

“Not exactly the shape for a squirrel, and I ought to know, “ remarked Sam.

“Bit fat for a squirrel, wouldn’t y’say?” Cheek remarked with a giggle, “He looks more like a cross between a badger an’ a grey otter – who ’ad his tail painted black through a picket fence!”

Basil lightly clipped the impudent fellow’s ear. “Now then, Cheek! Have some respect for your elders!”

Danbuster stifled a laugh, appreciating the plump young otter’s sense of humour.

“Heh, Cheek, eh? Cheek by name and cheek by nature, I am right?” he grinned.

Basil ruffled the young otter’s headfur affectionately. “Quite correct, laddie buck!”

Alex was eyeballing both Basil and his friend, he noticing certain similarities about their natures, as he rapidly glanced to Dan and to Basil, and back again. In fact, he was practically screwing his own head off! A faint crack in his neck brought his head swiveling to a halt.

“Good gravy! Did God make two of you?!” he exclaimed, “Aside from the different fur-colour, you practically match my friend! Are you guys related somehow?”

“I can assure you, there’s no relation between us, Alex!” laughed Danbuster. “Apart from us being hares, anyway… look, my family tree isn’t known to have such famous names as Basil Stag Hare.”

Alex scratched his head, puzzled. They did have some sort of resemblance but he kept his mouth shut. “Maybe a DNA test would confirm or debunk your claim?”

Finding his voice again he asked Basil, with a growing smirk: “If you’re a stag, where are your antlers, Basil?”

The old hare looked wistful. “Noble creatures, stags. Used to want to be one myself when I was younger. That’s why I Christened m’self Stag one day – with a frog for a witness, I might add.”

The old hare’s remark baffled the Raccoon on the spot, but also highly amused Danbuster.

“At least Basil Stag Hare rolls well off the tongue,” he said with a wink.

“Indeed, m’ dear fellow!” cried Basil, cheerily slapping the younger March Hare on the back, “I like the way y’think, Danbuster! And you know what else rolls off the tongue easily? Peas, if you don’t swallow ’em fast enough, eh?”

Alex looked disgusted at the mere mention of the spherical vegetable. “Blech! Peas?! How could anybody stomach that vegetable? Just the taste alone makes me sick.”

Danbuster sniggered and suggested a solution to this problem. “You could always try eating them with honey, like Winnie the Pooh. Makes ’em taste funny, but it least it sticks ’em to the knife! Eh?”

Basil chuckled quietly, but Alex shrugged and shook his head.

“Dude, I’m more of a fish eater… or that delicious soup the otters made, as a matter of fact, I could really go…”

But before he could reminisce further, Matthias abruptly brought things to order.

“Friends, I’m not one to put a damper on things, but we are out in Mossflower Woods today with a very important mission. Since we’ve been so fortunate to meet up with you here, perhaps you can help us.”

In a brief explanation, the Warrior Mouse brought Basil and the young creatures up to date with the matter of Colin and Katie Vole, taken hostage by Cluny’s horde.

Upon hearing about the hostage situation, there was general indignation from all.

“Those vermin!” growled Basil. “Well, what are we waiting for, chaps and chapesses? Let’s go forth and rescue the hostages, wot?”

“Exactly what I say!” Mattimeo shouted heatedly. He remembered first-paw on what it was to be a captive.

“It’s certainly what mother would do,” added Sam Squirrel.

Cheek the otter and the Churchmouse twins agreed vehemently. Even Cynthia Bankvole, although was nervous at the prospect, stood by them.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ever on the lookout for more rat sentries, the rescue party made their way cautiously through the trees. Basil was an expert at woodcraft and he had taught his pupils well. Matthias, the old hare and the young ones practically disappeared in the foliage. Alex, who was closer to the hare, was hard-pressed to spot Basil as he tried to draw level with him.

“H-hey… Basil, wasn’t it? I noticed your outfit and… are you part of some military force or something? It looks rather cool!” he asked.

“Oh, not really. It’s good material – keeps a chap warm,” replied Basil. The old hare smiled as he recalled his youth. Pausing to gather his thoughts, he continued, “Actually, I’m a retired soldier from the Fur and Foot Fighting Patrol – also known these days as the Long Patrol. I was in the 47th Hare Border Rangers. Wonderful band of heroes.”

Alex repeated to unusual name in surprise. “Long patrol?? Obviously, I wouldn’t make it with them. I’d probably flunk out and go with the… ‘Short Patrol’”

He snickered loudly, and had to be shushed by Matthias.

“Oh, I don’t know about short. You’d more likely qualify for the Heavy Brigade!” remarked Cheek insolently. “I reckon, wi’ yore size, you could lay them vermin out with a good weight-punch to the head, wot?”

Alex rolled his eyes. He didn’t like the idea people making remarks on his weight. “Let’s save the jokes for the next Redwall feast. We’ll see who has the last laugh then, ha!”

“I’ll look forward to that, stripe-tail.” the incorrigible young otter winked.

“I’ll look forward to the feast and all!” noted Basil.

Before they could proceed further, everyone realised Cynthia was lagging behind. She had been out all day with Basil’s survival skills group and she was clearly worn out. Generally speaking, she was always the wallflower of the party despite the best efforts of Mattimeo and Tess to support her.

It was Alex who noticed her struggle, so he headed back to check on her.

“H-hey, Cynthia, madam? Are you alright?” he asked.

Cynthia whimpered noisily. “M-my legs are tired… a-and I’m scared… I d-d-don’t wanna be a burden. I do not feel I’m cut out for this.”

Hearing the vole’s nervous squeaks, Alex took pity on the vole girl and volunteered to let her ride on his shoulders for a while. Cynthia at first, was embarrassed at her moment of weakness in front of the large stripe tail, but grateful for an opportunity to rest.

As they carried on like this, Mattimeo quietly thanked Alex for being helpful as he walked with the teens, and praised the raccoon’s generosity.

“It’s good of you to help out like this, sir. Cynthia needs encouraging. We do all we can to help her, after all she is younger than all of us.”

“Well, as long as I’m here, I’ll do whatever it takes to help out too,” responded Alex. “It’s no trouble. She’s quite a lightweight. Right, Cynthia?”

Cynthia smiled for once. “Awww, it’s very sweet of you, Mr Alex! You’re nice!”

“Okay, enough banter,” warned Matthias. “I think I see the steeple of the old church ahead.”

As they approached closer, the group were now traversing on the grounds of St Ninians itself. With the treeline ending abruptly, there now stood only ill-tended common land between them and the main building. From their hiding places behind the trees and bushes, they had a commanding view of the entire area.

Just the other side of the church, Cluny’s horde had set up temporary camp. On the path beyond, they could see a masses of rats, stoats, weasels and ferrets, all in standing in some sort of untidy formation, going through their rounds and setting up additional tents. Cluny himself was stationed up in front, roaring things at army and gesturing furiously – though at that distance, they couldn’t actually hear what he was saying.

“If only I knew how to liberate old buildings and rebuild them back up. I’d give this church a vermin-free makeover.” Alex remarked quietly.

“Even without the building skills, I’d like to make the place vermin-free, wot!” Basil added, flexing his paws.

“Just say the word, father, and I’ll be ready for battle!” Mattimeo whispered eagerly.

Matthias shook his head while gesturing the group to keep calm.

“No, my son… there’s far too many for us to take on, for now. Even with the present company accepted, I wouldn’t risk it. Now, I don’t doubt your courage, my son… but Cynthia, Tim and Tess aren’t really fighters like you and Sam or even Auma. Besides, we’re only here for the hostages.”

As Matthias was speaking, Mattimeo peered out from the cover of his bush, carefully scanning the area for any way in. He pointed at the rundown vestry area at the rear of the premises.

“Father, could they be using that part for their prison compound there?” he asked.

Danbuster looked where he was pointing, then he whispered to Matthias: “Perhaps he could be right? It appears to look well-guarded.”

Nodding approvingly, Matthias patted his son on the head: “Well spotted, son!”

Mattimeo giggled audibly. Though a warrior-in-training, he was still a kid at heart.

It was Alex’s turn to scan around the area. He noticed an open area behind the vestry that seemed lightly guarded, except for two guards. Pointing he observed: “There’s another two over there, amigos.”

“I believe this will make it about twelve…” added Danbuster, after a swift headcount of all the visible guards.

Alex thumped his paw against the tree trunk out of frustration. “Bummer! If we try to sneak in, we’ll be captured for sure.”

Basil, who noticed Alex’s grimacing, went up to the impatient Raccoon and chimed in: “Not unless we use a lot of stealth and keep camouflaged, wot?”

“But I’m horrible at that, Basil. I always ended up using... COW-mouflage,” snickered Alex, who was trying to lighten the frustrating scenario with one of his puns.

Auma misunderstood Alex’s sense of humour. She was quick to correct him.

“There are no cows here, what are you talking about?”

“I mean I’ll probably stand out like one!” replied Alex, forced to explain his joke.

“Look! Cluny’s on the move!” barked Sam, pointing.

They could see the main horde was marching away, and Cluny was at their head. There was no mistaking that big ugly rat, with his long whiplike tail, batwing cloak and single yellowing eye.

Still thinking of cows, Danbuster flippantly chimed in, “Shouldn’t that be on the moooo-ve?”

The remark was more than enough for Matthias to clamp a paw over the March Hare’s jaw to quickly silence him.

“He’s right, quiet! Keep low, everybeast!”

Immediately, the rescue party took cover. They watched anxiously as Cluny and the greater part of the horde moved off. However, where they were headed they could not be sure. Fortunately, Matthias’ party remained concealed in the underbrush. The horde was moving off elsewhere, which thankfully meant there were now only twelve sentries left for them to worry about.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Once the coast was clear, Basil laid out his daring scheme with the Warrior, in which he and Danbuster would play a vital role. The others crowded around to listen as Basil and Matthias discussed their plan of action. It sounded crazy enough to work, yet simple to grasp.

“So how would this plan sound?” asked Basil.

The group was silent for a while. After some consideration, it was Matthias who finally broke the silence.

“It sounds crazy!” he exclaimed, to which Basil looked crestfallen. Matthias continued, “but right now, crazy’s all we’ve got, so…”

“So let’s get to it!” Dan chimed, eager for action.

Basil and Danbuster slowly emerged from their hiding spots, but the latter experienced an unexpected delay as Alex caught him by the shoulder.

“Dan, wait a sec! Just please be careful, dude. I mean I know you’re good with your sword, but just… be careful.” In a lower tone, he added, “You’re may be my only ticket to get back home to our own world…”

“I’ve faced worse things than twelve lazy rats, mate!” scoffed Danbuster with a confident grin, then turned to the older hare. “Lead on, Baz!”

As the hares sneaked off quietly, Matthias took the lead and made preparations with the group.

“Just as soon as the hares distract those rats away from the area, we’ll rush in and free the prisoners, everyone clear?” he instructed his party.

“Understood, father,” replied Mattimeo.

Alex stuck close to Auma and Cheek, gripping his spear tightly. “Alright, Matthias, I’ll follow your lead.”

With a nod, the more able of the group snuck off in multiple directions. Soon enough, Alex found himself darting towards any spot that provided even partial cover.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Two of the lazier rats were leaning on their spears, dozing noisily. Suddenly, their nap was rudely cut short when two hares sprang up by their sides, laughing and taunting loudly!

“Hallo, stinkers! Whew! Don’t you ever take a bath?” Basil yelled.

“Hey, death-breath! Are you strangers to dental care? Your breath could stun a horse!” taunted Danbuster, who proceeded to blow raspberries and compare their parentage with those of hamsters and elderberries.

The rodent pair leaped to their feet in surprise. In that moment of confusion, they initially forgot to try and apprehend them! However, one of the rats then flung a rusty spear at Danbuster, who sidestepped it effortlessly.

“Get over here!” the rat yelled.

Basil popped up beside him, appearing as if from out of nowhere, whispering in his ear, “How about playing a little game of tag, wot? You’re It!” He shoved the rat playfully, then bounced away again before he could even blink.

Their escapades had drawn the attention of four other rats, who all ran at Danbuster from separate directions, with weapons drawn, babbling threats too dire to repeat. The March Hare seemed to be more intent on singing and dancing than actually making any effort to dodging. He cavorted about the common, pulling out random (and imaginary) musical instruments and picking wildflowers:

“Oh, there was the band with that curious tone,
“Of the cornet, clarinet and big trombone,
“Fiddle, 'cello, big bass drum,
“Bassoon, flute and euphonium,
“Each one making the most of his chance.”

He paused in mid-song to shrug, “Although your breath would make anybeast grimace!”

At the last possible second, he danced a quickstep right out of the way, causing the four pursuing rats to collide catastrophically with each other! Adding insult to injury, Danbuster continued to sing and dance around the ungainly heap of raddled rodents, scattering the flowers all over them.

“All together in the Floral Dance!”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Seeing that the hares had the sentries busy, Matthias waved his arms to his group, ordering everyone to advance. Mattimeo followed behind his father while Alex, being the last to move, was briefly distracted by a discarded dagger, which he quickly snatched up.

“Heh, heh… this’ll come in handy…” he giggled.

Mattimeo continued to instruct his friends. “Tess, you and your brother better wait out here and keep lookout. Auma, Cynthia, you follow me and Sam.”

“Please stay safe,” whispered Tess.

Most of the team gained entry without much trouble, as they ventured inside the old church, the rescue party quickly explored inside. The old place was really rundown and musty with the stench of vermin all over.

As everyone explored the darker parts of the ransacked building, Matthias’ ears twitched to the sound of a tired and feeble voice coming from the darkness.

“Matthias? Is that you?”

In a flash, the warrior mouse investigated the source of the whisper, and he very quickly discovered the missing voles. Colin and Katie were locked in a broken-down vestry cupboard with a rickety old door that had been nailed shut, haphazardly. Though adults in their prime, the couple were not much younger than Matthias himself.

“Don’t you worry, friends. We’ll soon have you out,” He reassured the couple and pried away at the door with the Sword. The shiny blade, forged from the metal of a falling star, tore through rotten timbers like hot butter. In a few brief seconds, the prisoners were free.

“What about the others?” asked Katie.

Matthias was stunned to hear this news. “There’s MORE, you say?”

“That’s right! There were two other local mouse-families those terrible rats captured. They’re being held somewhere, around here too!” Colin explained, coughing up dust as he spoke.

Mattimeo shook his head in disbelief . “By the fur, that Cluny guy HAS been busy! Auma, you and Cynthia had best take these voles back to Tim and Tess.”

“What about you? Auma asked.

“We have to try and get the other hostages out,” said Matthias, scratching his chin thoughtfully. “We’ll rendezvous back at the edge of the churchyard where we came in from. Matti, Sam, we’d better look around.”

As the young maids escorted the voles to safety, Matthias and the others wasted no time. They searched the area thoroughly for the other hostages Colin had spoken of.

“Come on, Alex! Let’s look over here!” called Cheek, hurrying ahead.

“Wow, if only I could be that fast and confident,” Alex thought to himself, looking around nervously lest there be any other vermin sentries about. “Errr, anybody there?”

The hesitant voice of a mousewife reached their ears. “Wh-who’s there?”

Cheek pointed. “There, in that cage!”

There was a family of mice in a crude wooden cage, which had been rough-hewn from hacked-off sticks and branches, tethered with some sort of cheap woven grass ropes.

Alex rushed over at once, making himself known to the prisoners. “Relax, I’m a good guy… errr, goodbeast… err... nevermind what I am. Look, I’m here to get you free. How many are there?”

The male mouse replied, “There’s me, the missus and three littl’uns … please hurry get us out of this!” The desperation in his voice was most evident.

Alex started feeling at the padlock with the point of his newly-acquired dagger. “Okay, hang on, let’s see… I’m new at this lockpicking.”

The mousewife was getting panicky. “Hurry up! They might come back and then they’ll cook my babies!”

Alex grumbled impatiently as he tried to force the lock, wishing for a bit of silence to concentrate on his task, while Cheek kept a lookout for rats.

The mouse husband fidgeted in an agitated, trying to shake the bars of the cage loose.

“Nnngh, wish I could help…” he muttered, feeling rather useless.

Alex tried to sound more confident than he felt right now. “I’ll get you out of here soon. The next thing you’ll know you’ll be in the Redwall Abbey and with a warm bed to sleep in, clean clothes and great food, before you can say…” then the lock clicked open. “BINGO!!!”

Another voice called out in response to the raccoon’s unguarded shout of triumph.

“Huh? Who goes there?!”

In the shadows, previously unnoticed, was another rat who had been left inside the church to guard the hostages. Alex had just woken him up! Still half-asleep, the rat come stomping over. Cheek was quick enough to take cover, but Alex was left in the open, and feeling very conscious of the mice huddling round him.

“What’s all this?! What are you doing with our hostages?!” demanded the sentry, his spear levelled in his paw.

Alex looked from the rat to the mice, and then back at the rat, thinking fast. “Errm… uhhh… you’re drunk! Go back to sleep! Cluny’s orders!” he demanded, in what he hoped was a commanding voice.

The slow-witted sentry, not sure what manner of creature Alex was and even less sure whose side he was on, just dully complied – much to the amazement of everybody. He had no desire to incur the wrath of Cluny.

“Holy cow, it worked?!” muttered Alex.

Cheek looked just as confused as he sneaked out of hiding, carefully marking where the rat had gone to avoid running into him again. He was still gripping a piece of wood he had found, ready to cosh the rat from behind, had the situation worsened.

“Right. Follow me, carefully. Our escape is out the backdoor,” whispered the young otter, beckoning urgently.

Alex helped the mousewife, who seemed to be having trouble putting her weight on one footpaw.

“Can you walk?” he asked her, supporting her with a firm paw.

Limping a bit, the good lady forced a smile. “I’ll be fine.”

“We’re just glad to get outta there!” said her husband, as he led his young ones to the backdoor. “And thanks… whatever creature you are, we’re eternally grateful for your heroic deeds, sir.”

Alex looked awkward. He had never been called a hero before. “Um, ‘Sir’? I have no title. I’m just Alex, a Raccoon. Nothing spectacular… really.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As Tim Churchmouse kept a sharp lookout for enemy activity, Tess was anxiously watching the church for signs of the rescue party. This whole operation seemed to be taking an agonisingly long time from her perspective. Nearby, Cynthia and Auma were also waiting with the liberated voles.

“What’s taking so long?” she wondered, half tempted to go in after them. “You don’t suppose they’ve been captured, do you, Tim?”

At last, Matthias, Mattimeo and Sam reappeared, leading the other family of mice that they had found. Just behind came Alex and Cheek with their freed hostages.

“Whew, at last!” she said, with an audible sigh of relief.

“And not a moment too soon,” added Tim, pointing. “Look!”

Basil and Danbuster appeared from round the corner, hotly pursued by half a dozen screaming rats. The younger hare was even humming the Benny Hill theme through an improvised comb-and-paper kazoo as they galloped past! The rescue party froze, hiding in the shadow of the doorway, as the whole cavalcade sped past. Luckily, furious sentries were too intent on the two hares to notice them – but Basil noticed and smiled inwardly.

“Here we go round the mulberry bush, on a cold and frosty morning!” called the old hare, winking at Danbuster.

Taking his cue, the March Hare followed him in another circuit of the church, deliberately drawing the sentries away and buying time for Matthias to get clear. Wasting no time, the rescue party ran quickly for the trees.

“Mission accomplished, wot? Now let’s split forces!” whispered Basil.

The two hares broke off in separate directions, dodging and weaving through the grass hummocks, with the rats splitting off one way or another, undecided who to pursue.

“Get back here, damnit!” they yelled, with other unrepeatable profanities.

Basil tutted at their language. “If your mothers could hear you, they’d have a fit!”

“Yeah, probably a large-size fit, made-to-measure!” put in Danbuster.

Now that Matthias’ party had safely made it out of the grounds, the hares made good their own escape, giving their pursuers a real run-around as they did so. Confused by their seemingly-haphazard dodging and weaving, the rats were soon left dizzily chasing their own pawprints round and round in circles!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Matthias called a brief halt once well clear of the church grounds, giving the freed hostages time to catch their breath after the initial flight. They were nonetheless slowed down by the mousewife with the bad footpaw, despite Alex offering to carry her some of the way.

“Wow, we did it, father!” called Mattimeo, laughing triumphantly.

“That was quite exciting actually,” said Auma, quivering with jubilation.

Even Cynthia had to agree. “We really make a great team!”

“Yes, but we’re not out of the woods yet,” noted Cheek, looking around cautiously. “We’d better get back to Redwall before those rats discover what happened.”

Matthias was about to agree when the sound of disturbed shrubbery put him on the alert. He stood with sword in paw to face the newcomers. It was Basil and Danbuster.

“Jolly good show, chaps and chappesses!” exclaimed the retired Foot Fighter, grinning broadly. “Gave ’em a bally ol’ run-around back there!”

Even Danbuster was quite breathless after the intensive action.

“I think we lost them, but let’s not hang about too long. They may pick up our trail later,” he warned his friends. “So quick, into the woods!”

As they moved on, Alex could not help casting a concerned glance at Danbuster.

“Hey! Dan, you’re bleeding!” he exclaimed.

The March Hare shrugged it off. “Oh, that’s nothing. Just caught my leg in a wild churchyard bramble… whilst dodging an enemy spear. They really ought to do some garden maintenance back there. What’s up with the mousewife there?” He craned his head sideways to glance at the little lady Alex was carrying on his shoulders.

Alex replied, “I think her ankle is broken.”

“It’s nothing, really,” objected the mousewife. She was a little embarrassed at making herself a burden to her rescuers. “I think I injured it when we were caught by the rats.”

“I can help you with that,” offered Auma. Opening a shoulderbag in a very professional manner, she announced, “Sister May has been teaching me a bit of Basic First Aid.”

The badgermaid tended the injured footpaw as best she could one the move.

“It’s not much, I’m afraid. We’ll be able to do a better job back at the Abbey.”

“Hey, which way to Redwall, Matthias?” called Danbuster.

“I think it’s this way, Dan,” replied the Warrior, pointed ahead. Then he pointed in another direction “or it could be THAT way…”

Basil was shocked at his friend’s momentary carelessness. “You and your shortcuts! You’ve not got us lost, wot?” he exclaimed.

“Well… no, not lost, exactly,” objected Matthias, not quite meeting the hare’s accusing gaze, “just between waypoints right now…”

Sam Squirrel volunteered to take charge. “Let me help. I’m the pathfinder round here, if you remember? I got you home before, when you got lost in the woods.”

As the young squirrel confidently took the lead, applying his exceptional woodcraft, Matthias scratched behind his neck in embarrassment. He well remembered the events Sam was alluding to.

“Yes, that was quite a few seasons back, when I was a young mouse and you were still Silent Sam.”

“Well, let’s step up the pace, young fella,” said Basil, his ears twitching distractedly, “I think I can hear some rats searching the wood somewhere behind us.”

They looked around anxiously. It would not do to be caught off guard now.

“Let me take a look,” Alex said. “If I could pinpoint them, we don’t run into them.”

He sneaked behind a tree and looked behind to see if he could spot them.

“Do you see them?” whispered Matthias.

Alex strained his eyes. Even with glasses, it wasn’t easy for him.

He started to reply, “I think they could be… whoa!”

Suddenly, the ground beneath him subsided and he slipped and fell down an embankment with a loud yell!

“HEEEEEEEERRRREEAAAAAGHHHH!!!”

Danbuster could not help crying out: “ALEX!!”

Immediately, a distant voice could be heard calling out, “Hey, do you hear that? Cluny will give us double rations if we find the hostages! Get them!”

Then came the distant tramping of vermin feet through woodland undergrowth, fast approaching. Danbuster clapped a paw over his mouth. Between Alex’s yell and his shout, they had given themselves away! Losing his head for a moment, the March Hare tried to break away to search for Alex, but Matthias quickly grabbed him by the kilt, while Basil placed a gentle but firm paw on his shoulder. Between them, they held him back.

“Hold hard, m’dear fellow!” said Basil, “I understand how you feel; nobeast left behind and all that, but right now we MUST get these hostages back to Redwall. We can’t risk open combat with civilians in the field, wot?”

“B-b-but… Alex…” Danbuster stammered, loath to leave his dear friend alone to face… who knows what danger.

“Sorry, Danbuster. The hostages must be got to safety,” reasoned Matthias, urgently gesturing to Sam to lead them on. “At least Alex can take care of himself – we’ve seen that right enough. We’ll look for him later.”

Danbuster knew his friends had a point, despite his misgivings. “Oh, but if only I could leave him some sort of marker to follow us by…”

“Can’t do that!” noted Auma, “With those rats on our trail, they might be able to track us too!”

Sam was getting anxious. “Quick, now! Follow me. I now these woods like the back o’ me paw.”

Reluctantly, they group were forced to leave Alex behind as they led the hostages back to Redwall under the young squirrel’s confident guidance. Thankfully, their swift retreat gave them a good headstart on their pursuers, who seemingly didn’t manage to spot them.

Nevertheless, Danbuster was still feeling badly about losing Alex.

“By my carrot cheesecake,” he muttered, “I will find him. I WILL find him…” In a burst of passion, he yelled cartoonishly, “I WILL FIND HIM!!”

He was immediately shushed.

“Sorry… but I WILL…”