Marisol, Kellen and Unice made good time to the wildcat farm. Sandingomm had been washing dishes in the kitchen and saw their approach. At first, the wildcat was alarmed, thinking Marisol was a fox accompanied by two small rats. Once the trio drew closer to the farmhouse, she realized who they were, Marisol and shrews from the Guosim tribe. She hurried out to meet them, looking about for her husband and kittens, they were still in the fields.

"Marisol!" she called, hurrying up to the young coyote. "How are you? Who are your friends?"

"This is Kellen and Unice of the Guosim," the young coyote said, pointing to each shrew as she spoke their names. "Kellen is the son of the Log a Log. We are here to warn you and your family. Is Gingivere around?"

"He is out with my four remaining young in the fields. Gingivere and Genevieve went to Redwall, or at least I hope they made it. That storm from the other night…"

"Yes, they made it," Mari said, realizing that Sandingomm and Gingivere would not know what had happened to their two eldest kittens. "I was caught in the river that night and they jumped into save me, but we got swept down the river."

Marisol described how the three young ones had run into the two infant mice, been captured by the cannibal lizards, the short altercation with a group of rats and a wolf and had finally met up with Martin the Warrior and their arrival at Redwall.

"They sent me to warn you about the lizards and the appearance of a horde of vermin in Mossflower. The rats and wolf are most likely a part of that horde. The Abbess sent me to warn you and my tribe and possibly have you return to the Abbey for your safety until the horde can be dealt with. I happened upon the Guosim on my way here."

Sandingomm took a deep breath and nodded.

"So Gen and Gin are healthy and unhurt?"

"Yes, they are both just fine."

"Well, you three young ones can head into the house. There is fresh mint tea and water in the kitchen and bread and cheese in the cupboard, you remember where it is kept, Marisol. I'm going to find my mate and kittens. We will discuss going to Redwall with Gingivere and update him on Gin and Gen."

Sandingomm headed north to find her family while the coyote and two shrews went into the finely crafted farmhouse. The kitchen, with the absence of the two eldest wildcat young ones, was spotless. Gingivere and Genevieve were frequently in charge of kitchen cleanup, or so they complained. Marisol had visited the cats often, so knew where everything was stored. She placed three clay mugs and three small clay plates on the round, oak, kitchen table while she instructed the shrew cousins where to find the food and drink. Kellen and Unice placed a pitcher of mint tea, a basket of sliced oat bread and a long platter of assorted cheeses in the center of the table. The three young and always hungry beasts sat down and dug into the delicious and homemade food.

The front door opened with a bang as a dusty Gingivere hurried into the kitchen. He wore a worried expression on his face. Magda, Zelda, Martin, Petunia and Sandingomm hurried in directly behind him. His eyes flicked from Mari's to Kellen's to Unice's faces quickly, searching their faces.

"Sandingomm gave me a quick explanation of what happened to Gingivere and Genevieve," he said. "Marisol you said none of you three were harmed the night of the storm?"

The coyote introduced the shrews and again described what had happened the night of the storm and the events leading up to her and her two shrew friends setting out for the wildcat farm as Gingivere and his four young ones washed the dirt from their paws. Sandingomm brought out six more mugs and plates and two more chairs and then refilled the pitcher of tea. The wildcat family squeezed in around the table with the coyote and the shrews.

"Abbess Hilda, Bella and Martin the Warrior all agree that it would be best if your family went to Redwall until the horde and possibly the lizards are dealt with," Mari told them. They could easily come to this farm and you would be defenseless against them."

Kellen and Unice nodded in agreement.

"My father Log a Log agrees," Kellen said. "The Guosim are preparin' to go to the Abbey as we speak. They're just waitin' on word from me or Unice. They will make the journey with your family. Should you choose to come with us, of course."

Sandingomm and Gingivere looked at one another for a moment and nodded.

"We will meet up with the Guosim and seek shelter at Redwall," Gingivere said. "One of the reasons we sent Gin and Gen to the Abbey was to find out why we haven't heard from the Brothers and Sisters in so long. I suppose there being a rat horde and a lizard horde in the woods is as good a reason as any to not venture from home. I think together we can drive them out, but in the meantime, being within the Abbey is the safest place to be."

He turned to his youngones.

"Each of you fetch a single haversack from the shed and put in a single change of clothes, a cloak and a blanket. Nothing else, your mother will be adding food and other supplies. I will be cutting you each a walking stick. Be sure to wear your most comfortable walking sandals."

The four youngones hurried off to do their father's bidding. Sandingomm was bustling about the kitchen putting together a few days' worth of dry food and water and a small medical kit for each family member.

"Unice, we will continue on to Mari's village," Kellen said, standing up. "Could you please escort the wildcat's to the hideout once they're ready to leave?"

"I shall."

Unice and Marisol stood from the table and hugged. Unice hugged Kellen and the male shrew and coyote took their leave.

"Safe travels to you, Marisol and you, Kellen," Gingivere said as he walked with the pair as far as the front door. "We shouldn't be too much longer. Sandingomm is having Unice clear the table and wash the dishes. I am going to be preparing the staves and my and my mate's haversacks. We will see you again at the Abbey."

Kellen shook the wildcat's much larger paw.

"Hopefully, the coyote tribe will agree to come back with us. See you soon an' safe travels to you an' yore family. I think your young'uns will enjoy their time with the Guosim."

Marisol hoped so too as she and her Guosim friend set off for her tribe's village.

Genevieve sat silently next to a freshly covered grave in the Abbey graveyard. The freshly turned earth was partially covered with a variety of vibrantly colored flowers from the Abbey gardens.

Her red rimmed eyes stared unblinkingly at the small gravestone. Gingivere, it read. Brave, beloved son and brother.

The wildcat had been sitting like that since the funeral, unable to speak or stand, unable to feel anything except the empty hole that felt like it was growing inside her, threatening to swallow her whole. She didn't even flinch or look up when a large paw settled onto her shoulder.

"Can I sit?" came a warm voice. It was Bella's.

Gen nodded once. It was all she could manage. The old badger sat down next to the wildcat. She remained silent for a few moments, just looking at the gravestone thoughtfully.

"Martin said you were still out here," Bella said. "He's worried about you. He's not going to show it, but he cares a lot for you already. It's just how he is, guarded. He does care deeply for this friends and the Abbey."

Genevieve gave a nod and Bella fell silent.

"I couldn't say a word," came Gen's voice, tiny and threadbare.

Bella turned to look at the wildcat.

"At his funeral," Gen continued, barely above a whisper. "You wanted me to speak about him, but I couldn't."

Bella took Gen's paw in her own and gave it a squeeze.

"It's alright, Genevieve. I shouldn't have asked that of you."

"I feel guilt now, for not being able to speak about him. No one here knew him well. Now he's just a marker in the ground. That is all Redwall will know of him…because I couldn't speak."

"There will be many more times to share your brother with us," Bella said, squeezing the cat's paw again. "But, we know the most important things about him. He was brave and kind and loved dearly by his sister."

"It never shoulda happened," Gen croaked, tears running down her cheeks. "I shoulda been there to help him."

"You can't change the past, dear," Bella said. "You can only move forward."

"I'll make that wolf pay for what he's done! He won't escape again!"

"I understand what you are going through, Gen," Bella said. "I've seen many beasts who I've cared for die needlessly, including my own mate and son. But, you need to be careful about matters of revenge. You could end up in a grave right next to your brother. I know he wouldn't want that."

Gen took a deep breath.

"I know you are right, Bella. It's so hard though."

The badger squeezed her paw.

"I know, dear, I know."

"I was just thinking, how can I tell my parents and my siblings? They sent us here to learn from Martin and you all. I-I don't know what to tell them."

"It won't be easy, but I'll be here to help you, we all will be here to help you, OK? Just tell them what happened, how brave Gin was. They won't blame you, if that is what you are afraid of. You won't be able to make it easier for them to take, but you can be there for them to help them grieve."

Gen nodded and sniffled.

"I'm going to see if Martin is up to training a little. Maybe it will help me re-center myself and stay calm. I know it will help me prepare for the coming battles."

Genevieve left Bella sitting beside her brother's grave in search of Martin. The old warrior was in Cavern Hole discussing medical care strategies with Abbess Hilda. Both mice looked at Gen with expressions of concern. Hilda stood and clasped the wildcat's paw as she approached the pair.

"Dear, I don't need to ask how you are doing," the Abbess said softly. "The look on your face says it all. Please, sit with us."

Genevieve did so, even though she was itching to do some training. She accepted the cup of hot mint tea Martin handed her and sipped at it. The warmth of the drink soothed her stomach. She hadn't been able to keep down food all morning.

"You should rest," the Abbess said. "Eat and drink and regain your strength. Your wounds need time to heal."

"I need to keep busy right now," Gen said in a tone she hoped wasn't rude. "I came to ask Martin if we could do a little training. Also, I wanted to talk to him about something."

"Well, I'm always available to talk." Martin said. "But I agree with Abbess Hilda, you need to rest."

"I can't rest, not now. Please Martin, it doesn't have to be anything difficult."

"Very well," the mouse sighed. "Follow me."

Genevieve finished her tea in two large gulps and jogged after the warriormouse. He led her to a secluded part of the orchard where they wouldn't be disturbed. He handed her a wooden staff and had her go through several defense stances before he spoke of something other than fighting techniques.

"Keep moving through those stances as we speak, do not stop. In Cavern Hole, you said you wanted to ask me something."

"Something happened to me last night, other than losing my brother. I feel confused about it. I don't really know how to describe it."

Martin nodded. He had suspected that she would want to talk about the Bloodwrath.

"What you have is an affliction called the Bloodwrath."

"The Bloodwrath? It didn't feel like an affliction. I felt strong and powerful, but at the same time, I felt like I wasn't really there. I was somewhere else and another beast was controlling my body. I couldn't stop and didn't really want to stop."

"Believe me, it is an affliction. Many warriors, vermin and goodbeasts alike, are struck with the Bloodwrath. The most famous for it are the badgers. Bella's father, Lord Boar of Salamandastron had it. It made him fight until it took his life. Beasts consumed with the Bloodwrath will fight until they can fight no more. They will strike out at friend and foe alike. They can no longer tell the difference."

"Did I strike out at any of my friends here?"

"Luckily, you did not…This time."

Gen fell silent for a few moments, still practicing her defensive stances.

"But it could happen?"

"Yes, the Bloodwrath is something that will be with you forever."

"This is something you know well I take it."

"Indeed, I also have the Bloodwrath," Martin said. "I haven't experienced it's affects in many, many seasons."

"How do you control it?"

"It starts with simple anger, that is where you need to stop it. Let go of the anger, focus instead on protecting the Abbey. I know you want revenge on that wolf. I understand what loss is like. I understand what it feels like to want to pay a beast back for some evil deed they visited on you, but you can't do that. Focus on defending the Abbey, focus on the sacrifice your brother made in defense of the Abbey. Would he want you to take revenge?"

Genevieve thought for a moment.

"No, he'd want me to take a better, more honorable path. He was a kind and peaceful beast, just like our father."

"That is true. Your father is a goodbeast."

"I have always been the black sheep of the family. More headstrong and fierce than the rest. I'm not going to get revenge, but I will bring my brother's murderer to justice and defend this Abbey with my entire being. Gingivere will have not died in vain."

"Good, I'm glad to hear it," Martin said nodding. "Now, let's try some parries."

It was only a short walk along the River Moss to the coyote village from the wildcat's farmhouse. Marisol had instructed Kellen to follow her lead. Coyotes were very suspicious of newcomers. Mari didn't think there would be trouble since the coyotes had traded with the Guosim in the past.

Marisol could smell the two coyotes who were following them along the bank. She let them think she didn't know they were there for some time before making her move. Inconspicuously, she signaled Kellen to continue forward along the path while she jumped up onto a low hanging tree branch. Running at top speed back the way they had come and then springing out to the north from the tree, she practically flew into a clump of tall grasses.

There was a grunt when she hit the ground and a sound of a scuffle. Kellen drew his short rapier and approached the grass. He had just enough time to duck down as a small mottled grey and tan male coyote was thrown out of the grass, just barely missing his head. He landed with a grunt on the river bank. The grass continued to rustle as Marisol emerged from it, dragging an even smaller female pure tan coyote by an ear. She was clutching at her ear and protesting loudly.

"Mari, I am sorry, I didn't realize it was you!" she cried.

"Tierra, if I was close enough to smell yours and Rico's stench, then you could see that it was me. I could smell you both distinctly. What are you two up to?"

Marisol let go of the younger coyote's ear and the male coyote joined her.

"We are on lookout," Rico said, looking sheepish and kicking the sand with his footpaws.

"I know your father has taught you better. You know you need to mask your scents."

"We know," they said in unison.

"Alright then, you can announce our arrival to the tribe. My friend and I have something very important to discuss with all of them."

"Yes, Marisol," Rico said.

"Who is your friend, so we can announce him?" Tierra asked.

"Just tell them it is an ambassador from the Guosim tribe."

The two coyotes rushed off farther down the bank. Marisol sighed and shook her head as she watched them round a bend in the river.

"The village is just around the bend," she said to the shrew. "Those two are my cousins, Tawni and Jonah. They are my mother's younger brother's offspring."

"You said your grandfather is the chieftain, correct?" Kellen asked.

"He is."

"Who is next in line for chieftain? Or is it an earned or elected position?"

"It is hereditary in most cases, but if there is no one in a line to take up the position, the tribe's elders will elect a new line. My grandfather's mother was chieftain before him and she was elected."

"Who's next in line for being the chieftain?"

"Either me or my twin brother. We are the oldest in the family."

"You didn't mention you had a twin."

"Yeah, well we don't really…"

"Marisol!"

"Mother!"

An older version of Marisol ran towards them. The pair had rounded in the bend in the river and could see the brightly decorated adobe buildings of the village just a little further up the river. They could see a crowd of coyotes emerging from those buildings and heading their way, making haunting howls and yipping sounds in excitement.

Marisol's mother reached her daughter and enveloped her in a tight hug. The young coyote's eyes appeared to bulge from her head.

"Mother…" Mari croaked. "I can't breathe…"

The female let go and took a step back from her daughter, her white tipped paws still on Mari's shoulders. Her mother was an astonishingly beautiful coyote; her fur was mottled grey and tan, like her daughter, starting at mid-forearm, white fur came into play and stretched to the ends of her paws. Striking amber eyes peered out at her daughter.

"I was so worried, Marisol," she said. "When I saw you being swept down the river, I thought you were lost to me. We sent trackers to follow the river to look for you. They haven't returned yet, but they should be back soon, since they won't find you, you found us."

She turned from her daughter to Kellen.

"Tierra and Rico were shouting something about a gosling being with you, I suppose they actually meant, Guosim."

"Mother, this is Kellen of the Guosim. He is the son of Log a Log Bogan. Kellen, this is my mother, Reya."

Reya shook Kellen's paw. By this time, dozens of other coyotes had joined them. Among them was an elderly male carrying an ornately decorated staff and wearing a beaded headband.

"Ah, Marisol, I am glad you are safe," he said.

Marisol hugged him and then turned back to Kellen.

"Grandfather and everyone, this is Kellen of the Guosim. He is the son of Log a Log. We have something very important that we need to discuss with the whole tribe."

Marisol's grandfather stepped to the side and motioned to the village.

"Then let's go to the village and discuss it."

The large group hurried back to the village square and sat on rocks, chairs and baskets or stood. There were grey, tan and white coyotes of all ages and sizes surrounding Marisol and Kellen. As the tribe got situated and a large chair was brought out for Marisol's chieftain grandfather, the female coyote pointed out several members of her family.

"My grandfather's name is Saul, as you know. That elderly female next to him is my grandmother, Consuela. They are my mother's parents. That is my mother there with my younger sisters Eva and Consuela. My twin brother is over there in the back, the one with the spear. His name is Pedro, after my father. I don't see my father…Anyway, there's my mother's brother, Saul Junior and his mate, Tasia and you've met their young, Tierra and Rico. My mom had a younger sister too, but she died when she was a pup of the plague that was ravaging the south lands at the time. Her name was Sofia. Next to my mother now is my aunt Cassandra, my father's brother's wife…she has three sons, Armando, Hernan and Kiro."

"You have a good sized family," Kellen said.

"I just wonder where my father and his brother is."

"Pedro and Julio were sent to look for you," said a female coyote who had overheard Marisol.

"Thank you."

The pair had agreed that Marisol would do most of the talking. She waited until everyone was settled before she started.

"I suppose it's best I start on the night of the storm, because that's where everything started for me."

The coyote described the events leading up to her return to the village, much as she had to the wildcat family.

"The Abbess and her advisors at Redwall all agree that it would be safest to head to the Abbey while the lizards and the rat horde are about. Everyone would be welcome there and we could unite with the Redwallers and the Guosim to drive the rats out of Mossflower."

Marisol stopped speaking and the tribe looked to one another.

"Rats? How many are we talking about?" somebeast called out.

"I've heard of these lizards, the horny toads, they followed us from the south lands."

"An orange and black lizard? My grandmother used to tell tales of those monsters."

"Live with mice? Could that be done?"

"They would just think we are foxes, like they always do!"

Saul approached his granddaughter, putting a paw on her shoulder. He smiled at her. Around them, coyotes continued to discuss the possible threat to their tribe.

"You are a brave and resourceful, my grandchild," he said. "Thank you for travelling all this way to warn us and offer us protection. I know everyone here is grateful."

"There's a 'but' here isn't there?"

"Yes, I am concerned of whether the mice will actually accept us into their Abbey. Do you know their history?"

"Not much. I know they originally came from the south lands like we did, grandfather."

"They shunned us back then. I know you know nothing of our lives in the south lands. Your mother, uncle and long dead aunt Sofia were among the last to be born there. At the time, there was a great plague sweeping the land. It struck the Loamhedge mice as it did us. We went to the mice for help, we were desperate. There was so much death around us! They wouldn't help us, as they wouldn't help the so called vermin in the land."

"But, they were kind to me. The Abbess promised that they would give our tribe shelter! Maybe they have learned from their mistakes. You have spoken of the plague many times. Maybe they couldn't help you because they couldn't help themselves."

"That may be, but they viewed us as being vermin long before the plague started. I do not believe that they would be accepting of us now."

"So, you are going to just say no to the offer of shelter?" Marisol said.

"For myself, yes. I will leave it up to each individual whether or not they go with you to Redwall."

The old coyote turned to the tribe.

"Everyone, you have heard Marisol's words. You have had a chance to discuss how you want to proceed. I will leave it up to all of you individually if you want to accompany Marisol and Kellen of the Guosim to the Abbey or remain here at the village."

Saul walked over to his chair and sat down.

"All those who wish to go seek shelter at Redwall please go stand with Marisol. Those who wish to stay here, stand by me."

Marisol was slightly relieved that most of the tribe, including many of their most talented warriors, came to stand next to her. All of her family came to stand with her, with the exception of Saul, her grandmother and her brother Pedro.

"I shall stay here to guard the village," Pedro proclaimed.

Saul patted his paw.

"That's a good coyote," he said, then he turned to Marisol and her group. "I respect each of your decisions and I wish you a safe journey through Mossflower Woods. We will feast tonight and you will set out first thing in the morning."