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32

Back at the resistances' sanctum, the monks were attending to the wounded GUOSIM shrews from Takashiro village. Several of Tsuzukus' otters were also wounded, some fatally. One of Tsuzukus' lieutenants, a burly looking otter was relating the story of what happened. "They completely surprised us! A bunch of wearets just paraded into town and then the slaughter began. On my oath My Lord, we fought. But they were too strong for us to make it a fair fight." "You and the shrews did your best. That's all I ever ask of you," said Sandokhan reassuringly. He then turned to Fujokai, "It's starting," "Claws' paranoia seems to be getting worse. It appears that he's ordering his wearets to put down any clear threat to him," "I guess it makes sense when your greatest threat happens to be the army you once commanded," the fox replied. Allyosha appeared at the back of the cavern, his face a picture of concern. "Excuse me," "Allyosha, what's wrong?" Fujokai asked. "What happened in Takashiro is happening all over Jima. The remainder of the Stormvermin have gone into hiding and, Lord Sandokhan, I have some bad news. In Edu village, where you grew up, the wearets started killing villagers to keep them in line and there was an old fox among the ones who were killed. My Lord, your father is dead," said Allyosha, his tone of voice becoming sombre. The fox said nothing, but Allyosha had more to report. "Just one more thing, you should go to the infirmary. I think you'll want to have a look at who we found." When Sandokhan and Fujokai made their way down to the infirmary, they found a Stormvermin rat lying unconscious in one of the sickbeds. "I don't understand," said Sandokhan. Fujokai had discovered the rat's grubby, bloodstained curiass decorated with pips and insignia of his office. "Look," the wolf said as he displayed it to Sandokhan. "Generals' insignia." "By the fang," the fox exclaimed, "General Gash!" "When we found him he was battered half to death. Nearly every bone in his body was smashed and he was barely breathing," Allyosha explained. Sandokhan had a brainwave, "Allyosha, could you retrieve my fathers' body before those vile things throw it in the river. The least we can do for my father is give him a decent burial." The mouse bowed politely before setting himself to his task, then Sandokhan then turned to the wolf, "Fujokai, what would you say if I made a deal with the devil?" "What?" "I think we've just found ourselves the army we need to liberate Jima."

Mattimeo was frightened rigid. The massive creature was a hundred times his size, white face, black fur bordered its' eyes and paws so massive that the mouse thought they could crush his head. Mattimeo drew the sword of Martin and the gargantuan beast backed away into a corner and covered its' ears in a cowering manner. Wataru was up like a shot, wakizashi drawn. "Away with your weapons," the beast cowered, "I mean you no harm!" "Who are you? Are you the creature that's been stealing our food?" "I was hungry," the creature replied. "Why you here?" Mattimeo put the sword back in his scabbard, "We're looking for somebeast. A mouse-maid," he said. The creatures' ears perked up, "Mousey-maid? Does she have two katanas?" "Yes," Wataru answered as he sheathed his wakizashi. "Do you know her?" "She lives with us," the creature nodded. "She protects us from bad rats." The giant creature then walked through the front door into the morning sun, urging the otter and mouse to follow. "What do you think Wataru?" "Let's follow him. Don't worry Mattimeo, we'll be fine. I think he was just curious about us," Wataru replied. "Besides I think I've seen his kind somewhere before." The great creature had carried the two warriors on his back up the road which lead up to Kuma Mountain itself. The creature had brought them to what looked like to the warriors, a small hamlet village nestled on the foot of the mountain. Mattimeo looked up at the ginormous mountain and saw the likeness of a ferocious bear carved into the side of the rock face. "That's why it's called Kuma Mountain," said Wataru. The big beast let them climb down off its' back and wandered off to find his kind. The others of the tribe emerged slowly from their dwellings and crowded around the two warriors. "I knew I had seen them before," Wataru exclaimed. "Who are they?" "Pandas! Mountain kumas!" "What's all this?" A voice called out. The tribe parted and the two warriors saw a mouse dressed in Samurai armour with two katanas thrust into the belt. Wataru uttered a name, "Ryu?" The Samurai then made his way through the crowd of pandas and stood before the otter. "You knew my love?" "Of course I did. I used to train with Ryu everyday," Wataru replied. "Wataru, is it really you? You've fianlly returned from the west?" The Samurai mouse then took off her helmet. "Tigerlilly," Wataru exclaimed before the two Samurai embraced each other. Tigerlilly then caught sight of Mattimeo and started eyeing him up, "Good day! My name is Tigerlilly and I am the guardian of the mountain. And you are?" Mattimeo bowed politely as he introduced himself, "Mattimeo of Redwall." "Redwall?" "It's a long story," Wataru explained. "Anyway, how did you come to live here with the mountain folk?" "Well, after my love died I wanted to leave Tin-Jins' monestary. I decided I needed time on my own to think and I thought Kuma Mountain would be the perfect place. Miles from anywhere, fresh, clean mountain air and far away from those horrid Stormvermin. On my way here, I was following the road one day and I found a patrol of those wicked vermin with one of this tribes' cubs tied to a steak. Saying they were going to eat him for supper because they ran out of food and preferred the taste of meat to wild roots and fruit. So I waited until nightfall and set the cub free and led him back to his mother. Since them, they accepted me as their protector," Tigerlilly explained. "What about the Stormvermin you ran into?" Mattimeo asked. "I gave them the same chance they gave my love; I slaughtered them all," she replied, her voice becoming cold and hateful. "But come, you two must be weary after travelling. Would the pair of you like some light refreshment?" "Yes please," they replied in unison.

That night in the village, Wataru and Mattimeo were surrounded by the panda tribe, all of the great creatures eager to hear stories. Mattimeo had related the story of his father rescuing him from the slaver fox Slagar, while Wataru told the tale of how he had found Sandokhan in Mossflower and convinced him to come back with him. "You found Sandy? He's alive?" "As alive as I am talking to you right now," Wataru nodded. The elders of the tribe then started conversing in hushed tones to one another. The chieftain then nodded at a female who came forward and perched a crown made of lotus petals on Watarus' and Mattimeos' heads. Tigerlilly then spread her paws wide, "Congratulations. You two are now part of the tribe!" The inauguration was celebrated by several large pandas beating huge drums whose notes soared into the night.

The hamlet also had a small hot spring that Mattimeo happily obliged to bathing in while Wataru on the other hand sat meditating in the cool night air. Mattimeo lay back and let out a grin as the warmth coursed through his body. "I'm going to miss this when I have to go home," he mused to himself. He then heard movement, he turned his head and saw Tigerlilly approach dressed in a kimono of deepest blue. She was starting to shed her garment but fastened it quickly when she saw Mattimeo. "Ah! Mattimeo Kun, I'm sorry I didn't know you were bathing tonight." "It's alright. You know, the only place in my homeland with springs like this is the mountain of the badgers," he replied. "Do you mind if I share your water?" Tigerlilly asked. "Erm, wouldn't you feel more comfortable if I left?" "Mattimeo Kun, you're married. I don't need to worry about you ravishing me," she said as she took off her kimono. Mattimeo blushed furiously and tried to avert his gaze as Tigerlilly immersed herself in the warm waters, sitting next to him. "Nothing relieves tired limbs quicker than a nice hot bath." In the somewhat uncomfortable pause that followed, the mousemaid became curious. "Mattimeo Kun, tell me more about Redwall," she asked as she linked arms with Mattimeo. "It's a grand sandstone building on the edge of a dusty path to the north and south, nestled on the fringes of a great forest. At dawn the sunlight illuminates the sandstone and makes our abbey radiate with a rosy hue and at this time of year in the orchard, the frost clings to every blade of grass. The Abbot guides us, sternly but fairly. We never turn away any creature in need of our help. However, I was willing to send Sandy away just because of his species. When I first met him, we rescued a family of voles who were attacked by bandits. I instinctively thought he was one of them. But we took him in and nursed him back to health. Then one day, he saved my son and from then on I've trusted my life with him. Also on the first day he taught me meditation, I had my first untroubled sleep in a long time." "Sandy has a noble heart and gentle spirit. He is a true Samurai," said Tigerlilly. "Wataru has asked me to return with you and aid you in the battle that lies ahead. There is no need for any further argument, I shall be returning with you. But the thing that pains me most is that I will leave this hamlet defenceless." "That's what I thought when Sandy first put together this little expedition. But the Abbey will be alright in my absence, because I have faith in my friends." "I suppose you're right, Mattimeo Kun."

The following morning, the entire hamlet turned out to greet the travellers farewell. Tigerlilly was making her tearful farewells, "Don't worry you lot. If I were a Stormvermin I wouldn't want to run into you lot." The panda that had brought Mattimeo and Wataru to his hamlet started rubbing his great head against the mousemaid. "You save me. Me no want you go," he said. Tigerlilly stroked the pandas' snout. "I'll come back," she said reassuringly. All three warriors walked side by side as they followed the long winding road down the mountainside into the foothills. Mattimeo allowed himself one last glimpse of the massive stone bear carved into the rock. He couldn't help but wonder, did the dragon carve that?