Library9

Mission #31 Completed by Sashilia
The cold morning air dug into my face and paws as I huddled behind the barrels of grain in Marillac's storeroom. I had wrapped my tail firmly about my waist, partially for wamth and patially in case someone might see it. As for weariness, I had very little, which was why I was chosen for the job of finding out who the robbers were, where they hid, and how to catch them. They had murdered Lilas, whom I had become fond of in my stay, as well as two other hares who I hadn't even heard of until the incident. They all owned rather large fields of grain, and their harvests had been stolen, as well as any weaponry they possesed. It seemed likely that Marillac would be a fourth victim of the plunderers; he also had many acres of wheat and barley, oats and lentils, and was well known in the mountain for his sword collection. It had been I who first suggested that he would be next, and as I shivered in discomfort I hoped that my assumption had been correct. I waited for many hours before the creak of the door told me that I was no longer alone. Cautiously peering over the brim of one barrel, I made out at least half a dozen silent shapes scurrying around the room in the dark. There would be more outside, as six or so rats, or weasels, or whatever they were, couldn't simply take the grain on their own. I suddenly wished I had not refused the other's offers to come with me, which I had done so that they wouldn't get hurt. The small froup was softly conversing now. "A goldmine! This feed could last us years, and those beasts will do anythin' fer food." A dark voice whispered, "Won't last long wi' dat folds. Dey et like elpants! Awful sought, they is, wouldn't want to stumble into their likes!" one of the creatures appeared to think they were alone, and was practically shouting. "Quiet, yew half-brained cockroach! Do you want the whole of Salamandastron on us?!" What appeared to be the leader stepped in. "Sor' mate." "Where's Perk?" "He took the crew over to the house, to stop up any touble from the ol' flopper in there." I felt a surge of horror. They were going to murder Marillac! I knew that I would have to think quickly. "The crew" was over at the house, so they wouldn't see or hear me if I managed to get past this group. I notched an arrow to my bow, and hit who I guessed was the leader. He gave a groan and keeled over. The others had looked up now. I jumped from my hiding place and aimed at another of the creatures. "That squirrelmaid! Over there by the barrels!" I fired again and again, but the creatures were too quick for most of my arrows. Two down, one more. Three vermin left. One raced to the door, but I stopped him halfway. I saw a spark, and a nearby barrel caught fire. By its light, I saw that the animals were rats indeed. The flame was spreading fast. I leaped down to the floor just as the bright tongues of flame flashed across where I had just been standing. The smoke was overwhelming. I made my way to the door. The last two rats were charging across the field towards the house, shouting for their companions. I loosed an arrow and one fell. The other darted behind a tree just as my arrow wizzed past. He had reached the house, where lights were now on. Marillac had heard and seen the commotion. Several cries erupted from the door as he stormed out. I ran to meet him, and, being a squirrel, reached the spot muc faster than the rat had. He was standing at the door, with a sword in either hand. The hare was doing quite well, though I could see he was greatly outnumbered. I let my arrow tips fly as fast as my hand could reach them until the last of them was gone, and the battle over. Only four or so rats were left. One had a gash at his shoulder, and another an arrow affixed to his thigh. The other two seemed unhurt, for the most part, and quivered with fear. I went in and came back with several bandages, and we repaired the two wounded and took them all with me back to Salamandastron.
Mission #27 Completed by Sashilia
After Tammo left for Redwall with most of the best warrior hares, things did not stay peaceful for long. It seemed that the vermin came as soon as the ship left, many scores of them. They poured in like flies, knowing that we were short of warriors. A hare called Mallowbrush was the first to sight them while she was hanging out her wash, but she stayed calm and quietly came and warned me. I immediately got together the group of warriors that had been left for protection and told them the plan. Five messengers were then sent to spread the word; everyone was to stay inside, armed and ready for attack, but silent. I, along with most of the archers, hid behind windows and in trees. The other warriors were stationed in bushes so that they could jump up quickly. The rats that came were stupid ones, though there was a copious amount of them. They came all together, alert and silent, weapons ready, in broad daylight. In a few moments, they realized that the place appeared to be empty, and started laughing and hooting, and put their swords and axes away. I gave the signal, and suddenly everyone was dashing out to battle the rats, who were caught completely unawares. The majority was slain, and the survivors were made prisoners. Two hares were wounded, but not badly, and nothing else, much to my surprise, interrupted the peacefulness of Salamandastron till Tammo came home.
Mission #50 Completed by Hon Rosie
I, as you know, always take a little morning run, and throw a few punches and kicks in the air early in the morning. I like to stay in shape, doncha know, wot! Anyway. I was doing the same one morning, and I went a bit farther then usual. I only had my dirk with me, for I do not like to carry my long-range weapons with me when I take my morning jogs. I was passing by a rock, when suddenly, I was ambushed. I quickly drew my dirk and slew the first few vermin that rushed at me, but soon, numbers told, and I was hit on the head. The last thing I heard before drifting into blackness was a voice saying, "'e're goin' ave fun 'ith this woyn, awight! Then, this bunny's goin be a dead bun!" When I awoke, I was tied, ears to paws. I couldn't move an inch. I found myself tied to a rock. My paws were squished behind me, and I my shoulders were in great pain, for they had twisted it around in an akward position.. they were surprisingly not broken. I started yelling insults right away, for my mouth wasn't gagged. The horde leader swaggered over to me, as if he had a big advantage over me, which he did. I yelled right on at him, calling him a vermint that couldn't even wallop of frog's bottom, even though it was right in front of him. He got mad, and with a whip, he threatened me. I still spat insults at him, and his crew started snickering behind their paws. He ordered me tied with my back exposed. I was untied.. and I found that they had bound me before binding me to the rock. I coulnd't struggle. I was tied with my face towards the rock, and he started whipping me. The blows were bad, of course. When I didn't make a sound, he suddenly stopped whipping me, and started smiling. It was a smile that sent chills through my bones. He ordered me tied again, but metal onto a steak right at the beach. I knew my back was going to sting. As I was untied, I butted stiffly with my head at the vermin who was untying me. suddenly, all fifteen vermin present were on me, beating me back to unconsiousness, or whipping me with the blade of their sword. As I went down, I saw the head of the hord, a ferret I forgot to say, adding his blades to the many others. When I awoke yet again, I was in great pain. I squirmed, trying to get away from the agony. I heard splashing, and then realized I was tied on the beach. The sea water was stinging my cuts. My mouth was gagged this time, but I was tied loosely. Instead of metal chains, there were vine ropes and ropes of dried grass. I squirmed even more, and got my footpaws free. I braced my footpaws, and got my paws free. Now, my gag. I ripped it free. Quietly, i got up, went to the vermin camp, and stole a blade. Then, I stood up tall, with my back straight and chest out, like a true Long Patroller. I bellowed out, "Come to me! And let me bring to you death with this blade!" Out came the vermin with their swords. I started spinning the blade I had in my paw. I wasn't used to it, and it was much heavier then my dirk, but it would have to do. I spun in up, down, left, right, front back, then started spinning myself. I got closer and closer to the vermin, and every vermin that came even one foot away from me all died. Soon, when there were five left and the ferret, the ferret called out a challenge. I stopped spinning and whirling my blade, and stood, facing the ferret. "I accept yor challenge, wot!" The ferret crouched, his blade at ready, and I did the same. Suddenly, I heard a weird whistling behind me. I ducked, spun my blade up with a sharp left to right cut, and cut five ropes that would have been around my neck. Turning swiftly, I maimed a rat and a weasel, and slew one, leaving only two other unharmed. I turned my back at them, facing the ferret."Don't pull any of yor tricks on me, ferret! I know most of them, thanks to the Lord of Salamandastron!" The ferret suddenly lunged, swinging his blade expertly. Quick as lightning, I brought my blade up and block the blow, then allowing my blade to bounce off his, brought it back around in a circle at his stomach. Not expecting this, he staggered back with a sword in his stomach... mine. Grabbing his sword, I turned at the remaining vermin very quickly, and killed four of them. The rat, Swingtskull, I bound with the exact same ropes that bound me and dragged him to Salamandastron. Let him get a taste of the prisons of Salamandastron.. it was much worse then the outside that I was imprisoned in!