Gender: Male
Species: hare
Weapon: war axe with sharpened handle tip
Awards: The Chain medallion
Missions: Traveled to Salamandastron to retrieve two giant iron chains from Moonstripe the Crown, my brother, whom they were forged by. (chains are for Abbey drawbridge)
Mission status: Complete
I started out knowing that the fastest way to get to Salamandastron was by the river. The only way to get a boat is to find Log-a-log, and I would have to find Vermin and pump them with questions, since they tend to see the shrews often. I was just in luck to find a band of vermin hiding in the ditch with a plank and a couple of grappling hooks. I would wait until dark to ambush, so for the time being I made a small fire away from the Vermin, and covered leaves with the black soot to make my ambush more successful. Night fell and I was upon them in an instant. There was so much confusion, screaming, and wailing that they didn't know what was happening. Only one rat escaped; I had slew the rest.
The escapee was heading towards Redwall Abbey, which wasn't good. I started to track him, knowing he would have to rest at some time or another. The going was tiring, so I stopped to rest for a couple of hours. I awakened just before dawn, and started the search again. The unfortunate rat was very easy to track, considering he snored like a bally tribe of hedgehogs. I gave him a good thumping with my footpaws to stir his lazy chops, and to his surprise he woke with an axe at the ready between his eyes. I too was surprised with he pulled out his dagger, nearly nailing me with his furst stabs, but I nimbly dodged right before he could reach me. It was too risky to kill him, because he could have valuable information, so I settled with turning the pointed end of my axe out and aiming for his shoulder. Being very accurate, it hit the blaggart right when he turned around, only to pin him to a large oak.
I immediately questioned him."If you tell me where Log-a-log is I will spare you, rotten vermin, if you don't know or refuse to tell me, you die. So, what's your decision ol' chap?"
He replied breathlessly with a gulp, "I know where he's at; the Great South Stream, left bank. Please don't kill me matey, please!"
"I won't kill you, and besides, thank 'ee kindly for the info ol' chap, I'll hunt you down if your lying! Ah, see, there's a good egg!"
I took my axe and bounded off, leaving a terrorized rat behind.
The shrews drew their rapiers and went into the bushes for an ambush, preparing to cross the river a ways downstream. The problem was, we were ambushed ourselves the second we got out of the boat. We were losing good shrews for a bad cause, and I was in no condition to fight. Limping about, I found my balance and started fighting. At first the going was terrible, but the ardenaline surging through my veins overcame pain and brought my touch back. Fighting like a madbeast, I ordered everyone back to the boat in retreat.
I reached the mountain in no time, draped in swamp moss and mud, but was let in the easy was: mentioning my mission.
"Never seen you before, who are you ol' chap?"
I came smartly to attention for my reply. "Ninth spring runner sah. I'm back to report ol' cha-- er, sah. On a mission from Abbess Senna Silverstripe of Redwall, sah!"
"Righto, come on in, report to duty young bobtail."
The perky guard hare showed me in, and I was led to Moonstripe's chamber. First he wanted to hear my report, and the status of my mission. I told him who I was, my mission, and that I was sent by you, which seemed to spark slight amusement on his weathered features.
"Senna, you say, young hare? I know what she has sent you here for, and why. However, you must show me your skills first, before I will give you the chains."
I started of my skills test by performing the dance of the axe, which needed no volunteers since I am a fully trained axe wielder. I finished off by demonstrating the strength of my axe throw, pretty bally hard I'd say, wot? Moonstripe eyed me over, and decided I should stay the night, since dusk was near over. I woke up to find the mountain alive with activity, and all the cooks bustling about to produce a simple but refreshing breakfast. A plump, kindly old female hare noticed me as a newcomer right away.
"My goodness ol' sport, aren't you the sparky one? Now stop following me around will you! It is enough trouble to balance this platter of honeyed and creamed scones! Off with you, there's a good egg!"
"I've never seen such a stomach," Moonstripe chortled. "Not even any of my hares could eat so!" Moonstripe the Crown was indeed a gentle beat, of course not to vermin.
"I give you the iron chains for Senna's drawbridge, forged here, by me with all my caring and tentativeness." He wrapped them in a tight bundle with leathery seaweed neting, and had woven a harness, for pulling by beast or wagon. I sized up the massive load, and Moonstripe seemed to notice.
"You four," he said, gesturing to a group of hares. "Escort Axback to the shore of the South Stream, and help him with the load."
The hares did as they were bidden, and helped haul the stout bundle through the swamp and finally to the welcoming sight of a small camp by the river. Log a Log and his faithful shrews had set camp to wait until I came back, and cheered at the sight of me leading our small party of load-bearers.
"I see you have the chains! How is ol' Moonstripe doing these days?" Log a Log jeered.
"Jolly well fine I'd say! Bit o' a character, I'd bet my bally whiskers he's talkin' about me right now, how stout a lad I am!"
I bid the helpful guard hares goodbye, and best wishes to Moonstripe, and the shrews and I heaved the chains into a large log boat. Seeing it could bear no more weight, we pulled it along behind the other boats on our journey back to Redwall.
Everything was quiet except for the occasional weasel or ferret, who we didn't question as we needed to return to the Abbey as quick as possible. Well, I'm back and wtih the chains good and safe, ol' egg. I told you I wouldn't let you down!