The Ferret Saga

[Wing Pikepaw]

Today is the start of the Ferret Saga, which will be added on to whenever I can. Please don't post in this topic, just read it. If you have a suggestion, add it in the Suggestions topic. Thanks!
Wing Pikepaw

[Wing Pikepaw]

Chapter 1.
Icefur Ribbajack
Icefur drew his cloak tighter about him and plodded on. Icicles hung from his sword and when he panted, saliva flew out of his mouth and froze on his cheeks. The albino ferret blew on his paws to warm them and kept moving. If he stopped, he knew that he would freeze to death. The blizzard had been going on for a week now, and it was only the beginning of the winter. Icefur could feel that this winter would be the hardest to survive in the Northlands, so he had decided to move on. The ferret was now trekking south to a land that he had heard about only in stories, a land where it was warm all the time and no one ever went hungry. Icefur planned to settle down there and live a life of luxury. He had no idea what really lay ahead for him.....

*You may have noticed that Icefur's last name is Ribbajack. This is actually the title of one of Brian Jacques's non-Redwall books. In this book, the Ribbajack is a monster, and this relates to Icefur because-well, you'll see.

[Wing Pikepaw]

Chapter 2.
Shadow Nightstar
Shadow flexed his sinewy body and bound the leather straps with spikes on them to his paws. The spikes were steel, and were about three inches long. The black ferret glanced at his opponent, an off-white weasel named Wura, who pranced about the ring like a prizefighter. Shadow spat expertly with disgust. Wura was going to get what was coming to him. Jedo, the Hyru Clan leader, announced the fight. "Wura Yellowfang challenges Shadow Nightstar, champion of Hyru Clan. This fight takes place today by Clearstream. May its waters run red with the blood of the loser!" That was the signal to start. Shadow crouched, wary. Wura strode up like the fool he was, and laughed in Shadow's face. The ferret wiped spit from his muzzle menacingly as Wura began to brag. "I'm the roaring son of a champion fighter! All weasels bow before me, and as the day ends, a ferret carcass will lay before me too!" Laughter rippled through the crowd. Shadow ignored them. Let him talk, the big windbag. Wura stepped a little too close, and Shadow struck! He spun, the blade on his tail cutting a shallow gash across Wura's chest. Before the weasel could react, Shadow threw a punch towards Wura's face. The weasel barely managed to parry the deadly spikes just in time. Steel grated and sparked as each beast fought to throw the other off balance. Shadow let Wura shove him backwards, allowing Wura to think that he was stronger. Sure enough, the dirty weasel grinned stupidly and leapt at Shadow. The black ferret neatly side-stepped and plunged his blades into the side of Wura's neck as he charged by. A roar went up from the crowd as Shadow wiped his blades disdainfully on Wura's carcass and bounded around the arena. Allowing himself a small grin, Shadow lifted his paws in victory. He was still the champion, at least for another day.

[Wing Pikepaw]

Chapter 3
Rockpaw Deathfang
Rockpaw gazed moodily into the fire. "Mooneye, get me some more rum!" the dusty-colored ferret snarled. The fox leapt up to obey his chief's order. Rockpaw stood and stretched lazily. Something was not right in Mossflower Woods, and Rockpaw could sense it. It was bothering him. He couldn't sleep at night anymore, and he ate less and less every day. His mate, Sandstorm, padded up to him. "Aw, come on, Rock, eat a liddle something! Yer gonna starve if ya don't eat soon." Rockpaw took the woodpidgeon that she offered him and half-heartedly nibbled it. Sandstorm sat back, paws crossed across her chest. "What's bothering you?" she asked. Rockpaw shook his head. He didn't want to worry his mate or his gang with his personal thoughts. Sandstorm sighed and walked off. Late that night, Rockpaw was fast asleep. He was rudely awakened by a feral roar. The ferret leapt up wielding his sword, but the badger that was attacking the camp bowled him over into a bush. He lay there, senseless. When he awoke, Rockpaw saw bodies littering the camp. Everyone was dead! Mooneye, Deadpaw, Bluefang, Shorttail, Trepp, and Sandstorm. Sandstorm, beautiful Sandstorm! Rockpaw sat there, cradling her head in his paws, for hours. He stood shakily at dusk and wandered off in a daze, not knowing what to do.

[Wing Pikepaw]

Chapter 4.
A New Land
Icefur stretched and yawned. Throwing back his blanket, he stared sleepily at the flower growing beside the rock he was sleeping on. He seldom saw flowers up in the north, so it was a pleasant surprise for him. "Wakey wakey, sleepin' beauty!" jeered a voice behind Icefur. The ferret leapt up, drawing his sword in the same motion. A big dogfox stood there. He leaned on a large battleaxe. "Och well, wot de'we 'ave here?" he said with a strong nothern accent. Icefur glared at him. "I'm Icefur Ribbajack, from the far north. Who are you and what are you doing on my rock?" The fox slapped his knee and brayed with laughter. "Heeheehawhawhaw, oh, that's a good'un. Yer rock? An' who appinted ye in charge o' a rock on ma territory, laddie buck?" Icefur bristled. "Nobeast owns this land, or so I've heard." The fox suddenly looked very menacing. "Well, ye heard wrong, laddie. Ah'm Balefur, an' I don't ken tae trespassers. Hear?"

[Wing Pikepaw]

Chapter 5
The Murder
Shadow woke to screams and shouts next to him. Running out of his tent, pawclaws (the iron spikes that he used to fight with) strapped on and bolas held in one paw, Shadow stared in shock at the two murdered weasels outside the neighboring tent. Each had been killed by pawclaws-gashes covered their bodies. A shout went up. "These are Wura's mate and son! You wanted to kill off the whole family, didn't ya, ferret!" All eyes turned to Shadow, who growled, "You think I killed them? I was asleep this whole time!" "Then wot's blood doing on yer pawclaws?" challenged another voice. Shadow held up his pawclaws and gasped. They were covered in fresh blood. "Murderer!" somebeast shouted, and others took up the cry. Jedo, the clan leader, stepped forward. "I cannot forgive this crime, Shadow. I declare you outcast of the Hyru Clan!" Shadow fought wildly as he was dragged from the camp.

[Wing Pikepaw]

Chapter 6
Rockpaw the Avenger
Rockpaw had neither slept nor ate since the horrible night when the badger had slain his band. The ferret followed the badger's trail, never stopping. It was nightfall when Rockpaw came upon the badger's camp. He materialized out of the darkness and sat on the log across from the badger, who stiffened and started to rise, but Rockpaw held up a paw. "Relax, I only want to talk," he said. "About what?" the big badger asked suspiciously. "Why did you kill the band of vermin two nights ago?" "One of the foxes in that band, I think his name was Mooneye, he captured me some seasons back and forced me to be his slave. I wanted revenge," explained the badger. "Why did you kill them all though? Surely you could have only killed Mooneye," Rockpaw said quietly. The badger shrugged. "They were vermin. They deserved to die." Rockpaw was trembling with rage. "What about Rockpaw, their leader? I heard he was pretty upset about you killing his mate, Sandstorm." The badger laughed. It was not a nice sound. "Vermin don't have feelings. It doesn't matter." Rockpaw suddenly stood, and before the badger could move, he stabbed his sword into the badger's chest across the fire. "It matters to me," he hissed. "I am Rockpaw, and I am sworn to slay you. Flames flickered over the blade. The badger screamed as they touched his chest and began to burn him. He swung at Rockpaw wildly, knocking him senseless. The badger, bleeding and burning, ran until he collapsed in a stream. He climbed out and looked at his horrifying injuries, then at the sky. "Rockpaw, eh," he roared at the sky. "Well, Rockpaw, I vow to slay you along with the rest of your precious band! Trentblade the Axe has spoken! You'll see your mate in Dark Forest soon!"

[Wing Pikepaw]

Chapter 7
You are Indeed a Warrior!
Balefur raised his axe threateningly. Icefur bared his needle-like fangs and drew his sword. The time for polite talk was over. The ferret crouched. The big dogfox laughed. "Ye ken ye kin beat me, laddie? Ah'm the best axefox en the North!" He swung his axe playfully. Icefur wasn't fooled. He held his ground. "Are you going to fight or talk?" he asked. Balefur lowered his axe and snickered, then suddenly lunged at Icefur, who dodged and swiped his sword at Balefur. The fox parried the blow and hopped closer to the white ferret, who backed off to give himself room. Balefur knocked him off his feet with raw strength, but Icefur was quick. He rolled, slicing Balefur's paw with his blade. As the fox bent down to hold his paw, Icefur shoved him down. In an instant, Icefur's sword was at Balefur's throat. Balefur stared at it and grinned. "Och, ye are indeed a warrior, little polecat!" Icefur nodded coldly and walked off. "I know," he called over his shoulder.

[Wing Pikepaw]

Chapter 8
The Outcast and Icefur
Shadow walked along in a daze. It was hard to believe that yesterday, he had been fighting Wura for championship, and he had been the supreme, the ultimate, the best of the clan. Now he wasn't a part of the clan, not anymore. He was an outcast. Outcast! Who would have thought that he could have condemned to this fate. Shadow wasn't looking where he was going, so he bumped right into Icefur as the other ferret streaked by. The two fell in a heap and leapt up, weapons bristling. Shadow took in the white ferret without showing anything. He noted the aggressive stance and the wary sword and growled, "Who'r you? Icefur arched his neck proudly. "Icefur Ribbajack, of the far North. And you are?" Shadow bared his fangs. "Shadow Nightstar, formerly of the Hyru Clan, now a loner. What are you doin' this far south?" Icefur kept his guard up. "Lookin' for a new life." Shadow hesitated and stood straight, relaxing his guard and tucking his bolas into his belt. He still wore his pawclaws. "Me too," he admitted. "Maybe we can look together." Icefur studied the other ferret dubiously and nodded at his pawclaws. "What are those?" he asked. Shadow held up his paws to show him. "Pawclaws. I fight with them." "Are you any good?" inquired Icefur. Shadow suddenly lunged at the white ferret, paw extended. Icefur barely had time to get his sword up. Metal grated against metal as Shadow slowly forced Icefur back. Icefur suddenly whipped his sword under the pawclaws and struck out at Shadow, whose other paw blocked the sword while his other paw snaked up to Icefur's throat. Icefur stared at it and admitted, "You are good. Maybe we can look together." Shadow nodded and stepped back. "Alright. Foller me, I'll show ye around Mossflower."

[Wing Pikepaw]

Chapter 9
Brown, Black and White
Rockpaw stiffened at a twig's snap. The brown ferret rose carefully and drew his sword. He tiptoed over to the bushes and threw himself at the beasts in the brush! A terrible screeching and growling erupted from the bush. Rockpaw heard his sword strike metal and drew back as a sharp point sought his eye. He stood back as his opponents, a black and white ferret, stood and readied themselves for another attack. The black ferret wore sharp metal blades on each knuckle and the white one held a curved sword. Rockpaw backed off at their fearsome growls. "Who are you?" he snarled. "Icefur Ribbajack and-" the white ferret began. "Shadow Nightstar," grunted the black one. "I'm Rockpaw, Rockpaw Deathfang. You from around here?" he asked. Shadow nodded. "Well," Rockpaw said slowly, "If ya want, maybe ye can show me around. I'm looking for a place to heal." Shadow noted the blood seeping from the gash in his chest. Rockpaw faltered and collapsed. Icefur looked at Shadow. "What do we do, leave him?" Shadow shook his head. "T'wouldn't be right. Come on, let's take care of him."

[Wing Pikepaw]

Chapter 10
The Fighters Meet
The two carried Rockpaw to a nearby glade near a stream. Icefur quickly splashed water on the wound and instructed Shadow to find some dockleaves and sanicle. The black ferret vanished into the woods without a sound. Tearing a strip from his pant leg, Icefur wiped away the excess blood and rinsed the rag in the stream. He expertly cleaned the wound and stopped the bleeding. When Shadow came back, Rockpaw was already starting to come around. He shrank back as Shadow placed some dockleaves on the gash and growled, “What’s that? Nightshade or summat poisonous?” Shadow gave an impatient bark. “Why would we be helpin’ you if we were going to poison you? Lie still. This is just some dockleaves, ‘twill make the wound stop burning.” Icefur wound another scrap of cloth into a bandage and tied the poultice of dockleaves and sanicle on the injury snugly. Rockpaw eyed him curiously. “Why did you help me?” he asked. Shadow shrugged and answered for Icefur. “Because you look familiar,” he said cryptically.

[Wing Pikepaw]

Chapter 11
Arguments
Days passed, and Rockpaw soon recovered. The wound had not been too serious, and the brown ferret healed quickly. Icefur, who had assumed the role of healer, had proclaimed him well enough to walk and the bandages had come off soon later. Shadow had kept to the edges of the camp during the time that the other ferret was healing: he was now doubting his own decision to keep Rockpaw alive. Rockpaw was arrogant and bullying, forever growling at Shadow to fetch him more sanicle for the pain or a drink of water from the stream nearby. Shadow did as he was bidden without a word, but he knew that soon enough, Rockpaw would have to learn that he was not a slave. A week after Rockpaw had shed his bandages, the brown ferret attempted to assert his dominance once more in a petty squabble. Shadow would not move when Rockpaw told him to go hunting, and Rockpaw's fighting blood was up. He bared his fangs at the stoic ferret and snarled, "Git movin'! If I don't see ye get up in another instant, I'll slice y'open where you sit!" Icefur, a few feet aware, watched the interaction silently. He was eager to see what Shadow would do, and he didn't have to wait long. At long last, the black ferret opened his mouth and calmly said one word-"No." Rockpaw's eyes bulged, and he made as if to kick Shadow's tail, but the fighting ferret switched it quickly behind him. Slowly, he rose from the stump where he had been sitting, tightening his pawclaws. "I'm not your servant, Rockpaw; I have done you a favor by saving your life, and now I owe you nothing. You must learn this quickly, because otherwise you'll be dead." Rockpaw drew his sword, undaunted. "So you think, Shadow. I'll give yer one last chance-!" Icefur suddenly intervened, stepping between the two, his calm eyes burning into Rockpaw's firey ones. "You're not the leader of a gang anymore, Rockpaw," he said smoothly. "Shadow is right in this instance. You are wrong. Accept it and move on, because we have work to do."