A Second Chance (Redwall Fanfic)

Long Patrol

Lord Boar's muzzle wrinkled as he watched his hares come back in with a few new recruits. His dark eyes twinkled despite the low numbers, knowing full well the hares of the Long Patrol were lucky to gather the young hares now gathered in front of him. The badger lord took a deep breath, taking in the raw talent of the young hares, thinking carefully about how to foster growth in each one. The numbers were higher than during the time of his passing, and thus he couldn't argue with what life brought him, particularly after the luck of being brought back a second time.

The eyes of the young hares twinkled with life as they gossiped about the tales they'd heard regarding the Long Patrol. He walked back and forth, knowing full well that with the problems he saw lurking ahead that the patrol would need some stiff warriors who knew at least something in regards to how to fight. None of the ones he'd seen in his vision which was needed in the pivotal battle were there yet, the memory of the slaver fox lurking at the back of his mind as the young hares also gossiped about what they heard regarding the slaver fox.

The badger lord looked forward to meeting two of those he'd seen in his vision specifically, both of whom he planned on training to be at least capable of defending themselves, for at this point the young creatures could not defend themselves at all, or at least what he picked up told him so. Another he was curious in parrying with yet again, and yet his visions told him this would need to wait many a season if at all depending on the end results.

Lord Boar's brow furrowed thinking of the young mouse he'd trained in the past lifetime. His heart felt troubled thinking of the danger the young mouse was in due to his current physical state. The forces which brought them back didn't feel evil, but he also knew certain pains of the past couldn't be healed, and that Martin had a heavy heart that would be a long time healing. The halls of the Dark Forest didn't fix the dark memories floating around in the young mouse's mind, and having a new chance at life made the badger lord wonder if the place of rest actually brought any kind of healing to the soul.

How things played out would be interesting.

"Stand to attention!" Boar shouted quickly, causing the two dozen new recruits to snap to attention. In reality, the group numbered a two bakers dozen, as two young hares were goofing off while the other two dozen stood erect. He walked over to the two mischievous hares that were purposefully slouching and giving him funny looks. He then got close to them and yelled into their long ears. "I said to stand to attention!" The two hares finally did as they were told, and Boar shook hs head. "Might I ask what you think is so funny on your very first day in the Long Patrol?"

"Well, see, every Long Patrol contingent has had at least one hare who cracked jokes but was also a perilous hare. We figured we'd make two," the hare commented, his ear twitching as his muzzle twisted up in mirth.

"No, I don't see." The badger lord folded his arms behind his back, giving the two a stern look, not liking the fact they turned it a joke.

"Sah, you really don't? What, with that glum face, we figured you be needed a good deal of cheering up, wot wot!" commented the second hare."

"Well, I hope you two learn to know when it is appropriate to joke, and when it is not. You two have kitchen duty while the others will be shown to their barracks."

The two young hares saluted, hurrying away when dismissed. The kitchens involved the punishment of scrubbing the pots and pans, but also the chance of getting to sample the food, which to a hare was an absolute treat. Boar shook his head, though, as the two had been right about one thing. His vision had gotten him down and worried, and yet it was something only he could understand, let alone worry about.

Lupin came out, a scowl on her muzzle, and yet her ears twitched ith mirth. "I can't believe that you sent me those two rapscallions sah!"

"Why? Are they eating all of the supplies?" Boar joked as the time was appropriate. "Or did you set them to scouring pots and pans?"

"No. Those two ran amiss of the triplets and thought that they should now be their own set of triplets and are looking for a third among the females that happen into the mess hall."

"Are you sure they aren't flirting?"

"Considering that the females they've gone up to are all ones that are older than them, I think not, wot. They turned tongue tied when one of the young females we have that is younger than them asked about the lunch menu." Another laugh escaped her mouth. "Sah, you won't believe this, but they asked me if I wanted to be their triplet."

"I can believe that." Boar let out a sigh wondering what other mischief those two would get into. "Have we any news from Buffheart yeat?"

"No sah, we haven't." Lupin shook her head. "And to think, it seems so peaceful. If I vermin scum, I'll jolly well tan their hides!"

"Well, you might want to hold off on that threat. On top of possibly needing to tan a few young leverets hides..." Boar's eyes became distant. "... I have reasons to believe we'll have help."

"Reasons sah, I bloody well want to fight sah! It's been too long." She let out a sigh, one long ear twitching. "And besides sah, you left us out of that previous battle for good reasons, and those reasons aren't around yet, so we can both very well fight for you sah!"

"Ahh, loyal the end, the both of you. Say, Lupin, you raised two little ones of your own. You'd know how to take care of an infant that wasn't with its mother, correct?"

"Is there a reason for this question sah?"

"I'm afraid there is, but now is not the time to explain beyond the fact we may soon have a guest coming to the fortress who may be in need of a mother's care."

"Dandelion milk. I'll get some of the young hares to gather it up sah. I do love young ones though more than fighting."

"I know that. Don't mention this to anyone."

"I know. Oh, and everyone is wondering how a great lord as yourself and the rest of us have come back. It is rather odd, not to mention the leverets are rather trusting."

"They're young leverets in search of adventure, plus we've simply said there is a new badger lord, not exactly which one I am. Still, keep an eye out for information.