Redwall: Dragon's Siege [Updating Slowly]

Chapter 4: The Horizon

The docks of the Eastern Islands bustle with activity in the early light of the sunrise. Pulleys screech and squeak in protest as the numerous crates of provisions are loaded onto the ships. Heavy footsteps rattle the wooden planks that serve as walkways between the ships and the docks. Foxes, weasels, and komodo dragons glisten with sweat as they pull and carry cargo.

            Doku and Rikai watch the progress from a nearby hill. A figure breaks away from the hustle and bustle of the docks and heads toward them. They continue to watch the progress and patiently wait for the figure to reach their location.

            The captain reaches Doku and Rikai and bows. Standing at attention, the captain reports, "The loading will be done by this afternoon, ssssir. We will be able to set ssssail by this afternoon."

            "Good. You're dismissed," Doku replies then faces Rikai. Grasping Rikai's shoulders, Doku stares into his son's eyes, "This is what you were training for. Make me proud, my son. We are going to conquer the world." Doku slings his right arm around Rikai and turns him toward the docks again. "You see the line that separates the sea and sky? We're going to conquer everything beyond that line, starting with the abbey from my dreams." Doku glances at his son and sees his eyes sparkle. Straightening himself, Doku pulls Rikai along with him toward the docks as the last of the cargo is loaded.

The captain stands in front of the docks and takes in the sight before him: seven ships each with a crew of 80 creatures and numerous cannons. Catching him off guard, Doku slings his left arm over the Captain's shoulders. "Giri, take care of the kingdom and my wife. I can only trust you with this responsibility."

"Upon my life and honor as Captain, I sssswear to you that no harm will come to the kingdom or your wife," Giri replies.

"No need to be so serious, Onigiri," Doku says with a smirk, "We'll just be gone for a very long time." He pats Giri's shoulder and walks toward his vessel with Rikai still in tow under his right arm.

A voice reaches Doku's ears as he is about to board. "Wait! Take this with you!" Just in time, Doku releases Rikai to embrace his wife as she barrels into him. "Wear this charm that will protect you from harm," she says as she prepares to fasten the charm around his neck. Doku grasps her claws in his own and proceeds to fasten the charm around Rikai's neck. "Now that charm will definitely protect from harm. My dear, I don't need protecting."

"But, you need to live so you can protect him!" His wife cries.

Doku shakes his head and embraces her, "Life is unpredictable. I can't always be by his side to protect him, especially in battle. He needs more protection than I do, because he's our one and only son."

His wife weeps into his shoulder, praying that both of them will come back safely.

After the final check through, the crews pull the planks onto the decks and raise the anchors. Doku stands at the bow and breathes in the salty sea air. Rikai stands at the stern and waves to his mother. He continues to wave until her image can no longer be seen. Holding back his tears he gazes at the horizon. Abruptly, he straightens himself as a thought wiggles into his consciousness, My home is beyond that line. What right do we have to conquer other creatures' homes? Is there any reason that can truly justify this? He slowly turns around to look at the bow. With teary eyes and a tortured soul, Rikai stares at his father. Even though we're related by blood, I can't understand him. If only he realized that sparkle was not from excitement; they were my unshed tears.

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            Back in Salamandastron, Lord Ironhide, Mylia, and the hares are sparring and competing after their afternoon meal on the beach.

            In the main dining hall, the massive wooden tables were moved to make room for a large sparring area. There, Mylia and Nox were fighting head to head with wooden swords.

            "I say Mylia, not the greatest dancer, eh? Wot, wot!"

            "Shut up and give me all you got, Nox," Mylia shouts as she charges. Nox deftly pivots backward on his left paw and delivers a swift kick to Mylia's back and hooks her right foot with the sword. "I say Mylia, are you trippin'?" chuckles Nox as he watches her faceplant on the floor.

            Outraged, Mylia picks up a large wooden table and prepares to launch it at Nox, but is stopped by her father bellowing, "This match is over! Nox is the winner."

            The badger lord approaches Mylia and crosses his arms over his chest. "Mylia, this is the 12th match you've lost in a row! You can't wield a bow; you can't wield a sword; and you can't even win a boxing match. How do you expect to protect Salamandastron with your abilities?" lectures Lord Ironhide.

            Mylia slams her fist onto a nearby table, splitting it in two. "I can wield a bow; I can wield a sword; and I can box. Even though I'm not the best in all of them doesn't mean that I fail as a protector! Why won't you let me fight the way I prefer to?"

           "It's because it's totally and completely insane! Has any warrior in the history of Mossflower dual-wielded shields? No, because it's suicide!"

            "Why won't you let me try my modified shields? I promise you I'll win with them. Just give me a chance!"

            Ironhide clenches his teeth together and grunts, "No and that's final."

            Mylia snaps her wooden sword and flings the pieces at her father. "I can never meet your expectations!" she cries, "Why can't you ever give me and my inventions a chance? Why can't you accept that I'm different?"

            Silence descends upon the creatures of Salamandastron. The tension in the air causes every hares' fur to stand on end. Every muscle in their bodies is tensed and ready to restrain the father and daughter.

            Lord Ironhide finally breaks the silence.

"It's just not normal."