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The characters portrayed therein and original concept were created by Brian Jacques and are owned by the Redwall Abbey Company Ltd. (UK) A note to all Redwall Fans; PLEASE, DON'T TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY!! I AM NOT ASSUMING ANYTHING!! But come Monday morning....- The Author

i

Rizal the ferret was out scouting through Mossflower wood. He was part of a nomadic tribe of trappers and bandits. Usually, himself and his compatriots would stay in the southland, scavenging anything they could find. Also holding up any travellers and traders who were unfortunate enough to cross their path.

His leader had decided to march northwards, after hearing rumours that the wildcats had been overthrown and the army of the thousand eyes had scattered. Rizal hated the scouting and pathfinding. Crashing through under and overgrowth in an undignified manner. In time, he heard the sloshing sounds of a running river. At least he could get a drink to wet his whistle and bring relief to his parched frame.

When the ferret got closer to the river, he heard what sounded like laughter. It was a strong masculine laughter, like that of two comrades. He ducked down in some undergrowth and pushed a branch to one side. He saw two grown male mice in the shallows. They were both naked, one on all fours with the other - by the fur! The other was running his paw up and down the first mouses' under-crotch!

"Hehehehe! That tickles Timbal,"

"Hold still, Martin! I'm trying to clean all that grease out of your tail-hole,"

Rizal listened intently. He had seen others in sexual quarters before, but nothing like this manner. The ferret groped at his crotch, the sheath below his underbelly feeling ever so tight. The ferret wasn't the only creature feeling hard. "Well, got most of it cleaned out," Timbalisto commented as his lover rolled on his back, feeling the river's current flow by him, while presenting his circumcised erection. Timbal lay on top him, kissing Martin deeply and passionately. "Am I ever gonna get a break from you today?" Timbal asked.

"Hey, you're the one to blame on that front," said Martin before he nuzzled his lover. "It's just the number of times we've had sex this one day alone, Son of Luke. Once when we woke up, again after breakfast, again after we collected some food after our rations ran out and once again after we collected firewood. I'm not gonna have any spunk left for tonight!"

Rizal heard every single word. In his mind he tried to picture the mice together in bed. The more he thought about it, the more the thought would linger. The ferret couldn't stand it any longer. He unfastened his pantaloons and pulled them down. Taking his hard, pink shaft dripping with pre-seed in one paw and masturbating with enthusiasm. As waves of sexual euphoria started to grip him, Rizal failied to notice he was being watched from the tree-line.

"Well, today is our final day at that warren before we have to go back to Redwall," said Martin. Timbal face sank slightly. "Oh yes," he groaned. "I forgot. After tonight, back to the awkward 'hellos' in the hallways should we pass each other. Back to tip-toeing around and looking over our shoulders."

"Then let's make tonight a night to remember," Martin suggested, before kissing Timbal on the cheek. "How memorable?"

"I'll let you tie me up again!"

Those were the words that propelled Rizal's sexual stimulation into a blissful orgasm. The ferret clamped his paw over his snout attempting to stifle his groans and whimpers as white arcs escaped his erection. The white semen flew out onto the leaves before him and then dribble to form patches on the ground. The ferret then sat back against a tree, wallowing in the afterglow and letting it flow over him.

Suddenly, he felt the sharp pain of a spiked barb pierced his throat. The ferret then slumped down dead, before a female squirrel leapt down from the branches, bow in paw and a quiver over her shoulder. "That's one less bandit we've got to worry about," she said out loud to herself. She looked down at the white mess Rizal had left and turned up her nose in disgust.

She looked over to where the two mice were laying in the river. She looked at them as they got to their footpaws and walked off, naked, paw in paw, into the forest. They breifly stopped to kiss each other. The squirrel's eyes went wide when she recognised one of them. Martin the Warrior, the defender of Redwall Abbey!

The warren was still warm, even with the onset of autumn. The back door was covered in a blanket of orange, red, brown and golden fallen leaves. The perfect camoflauge. As soon as they entered, Timbalisto threw a towel at Martin. "Thanks, Sexy Paws." Martin said as he started to pat and rub down his wet fur. Timbalisto found his pantaloons and pulled them up before fastening them. He then tied his hair back into a ponytail. "You should wear your hair long. You look goregeous like that," Martin said as he rubbed the inside of his ears. "I perfer it tied back," Timbal replied.

After drying himself off, Martin found his own trousers and dressed. They then got set to work to prepare for their departure the following day. Martin put wood in the center of the warren and got a fire going. Timbalisto was packing both napsacks and passing odd scarps of food for their final supper together as lovers.

It had been an interesting five days for Martin, Timbalisto had taught him things about his body that even Martin didn't know. For example, Martin now loved having his nipples teased during foreplay and sex. He never knew that before. Also that being tied up can be fun and not bring back painful flashbacks about his captivity.

Both mice then settled down for the evening. Martin had made a soup from some leftovers and some herbs and wild mushrooms they found whilst foraging. They both then lay back in front of the fire, Timbalisto spooning Martin with two empty bowels by their sides. Martin gazed deeply into the flames as they danced on the burning firewood.

"Stud," Timbal said. 'Stud' was Timbalisto's new pet name for Martin.

"Mmm?" Martin replied.

"Have you ever thought of... just leaving Redwall and.... just live here with me?"

"Timbal, we had this conversation before. I can't just leave Redwall. I'm the Abbey's defender. Besides, I think of the Abbey as home now."

"I know," Timbal sighed. "It's just, now we are... what we are, the thought of just being at Redwall makes me so uncomfortable. I just get this nagging feeling that we'll be found out and when that happens, we'll both be out on our arses in no time."

"Would you stay at Redwall for me? We can still love each other,"

"What good is love if you can't express it?"

Martin went silent. He finally realised his lover's predicament. Love between males and females could be expressed at Redwall without anybeast so much as batting an eyelid. But, when it's two (homosexuals) deviants, it's treated like a harsh crime.

"I never thought about it that way before," Martin said.

"Oh don't worry, you're the great Martin; Saviour of Mossflower! The Abbess will probably let you off. Me on the other paw...."

Martin got up and filled a beaker with some hot tea and passed it to his lover. "Thanks, Stud," Timbal said, breaking a smile. After supper, they sat and conversed about their lives back at the Abbey. Martin would go on about how Gonff is always going on about being a hard working family mouse. Even though his young son is as light fingered as Gonff once was. Whilst Timbal would share an odd snippet of his encounters with Beechpaw the squirrel, his former lover.

"Sexy Paws!" Martin exclaimed after Timbal had finished his tale, "That story of yours made me bloody horny!"

"Then come here, Stud!" Said Timbal, enticing Martin over to him by waggling his claw seductiveley. Martin crawled to Timbal where they embraced and engaged in a deep passionate kiss. The pair then rolled in front of the fire, their tongue's dancing in their mouths. As they kissed, Timbal groped at the gusset of Martin's trousers, toying with the bulge which drove Martin wild with passion.

They broke the kiss, Martin lay on top of Timbal gazing lovingly into his eyes. "Should we get those candles lit in the bedroom?" Martin asked. Timbalisto smiled and winked at Martin before he got up and lit a splint. Martin rose off the warren floor and lit his own splint and followed Timbal into the bedchamber.

ii

Martin lit one side of the chamber while Timbalisto did the other. They both stood on opposite sides of the big bed, watching each other undress, Martin doing it more seductively. Timbal couldn't help but watch as Martin threaded his legs through his trousers and climbed onto the bed completely naked and lying on his side, letting his erection flop lightly on the bedclothes.

"Come and get me Sexy Paws," he murred at Timbal. Timbal finished undressing and joined Martin on the bed. They held each other close, letting their erections bump and brush against each other. Their eyes met in the candlelit aurora and their snouts joined together in passion. Their paws tracing their frames as they kissed. The two lovers then stopped and held each other close. Timbal traced a paw over Martin's chest and flicked at his erect nipples. Martin moaned lightly, his penis bobbing up as he clenched in pleasure. Timbal then squeezed Martin's nipples. Martin moaned louder and groped at Timbal's shaft, masturbating him lightly. Martin smeared his thumb-claw with his lover's fluid and licked it clean.

"Yummy cum?"

Martin nodded and smiled. The pair then kissed again. Afterwards, Timbal had noticed that Martin was acting a little bit coy. He could read it on his face. "You wanna get something off your mind, Stud?"

"Um, well.... I was wondering...um, If I could... lick you?"

"Of course, Stud," said Timbal moving slightly away, presenting the white furry tufts of his underbelly. "Actually, I was thinking more of... um, your bum."

Timbal smiled and winked at Martin, "Ooooohhhhh!" He then got on all fours, lifting his tail in the air and presenting his furry rump. Martin pulled the cheeks apart revealing his lover's anus and teased it with his claw. "Ohhh!" Timbal moaned lightly. "Been a long time sinse I had my hole teased, let alone given a good lick."

"Have you, er..."

"I haven't gone for a poo today Martin, so I'm all nice and clean," Timbalisto said reassuringly. Martin arched his head forward, tongue protruding from his mouth. He licked up in one smooth motion and paused. There was an odour, but not overwelming or rancid. Martin then lapped at the hole with flicking motions, whilst toying with Timbal's furry sac. Timbal raised his head and closed his eyes groaning at the sensations. It had been a long while sinse he was rimmed.

Martin kept on licking, the fur around the anus becoming matted with his saliva. Timbal then moved away from Martin, lying on his side and head positioned inbetween Martin's legs. Timbal licked up and down Martins erect appendage, while his own bobbed up and down in front of Martin's snout. Martin's nose touched Timbalisto's tip, a string of sticky pre seed extened as he moved his nose away. The smell of mouse musk was strong. Martin showed no hesitation in stuffing it into his mouth and sucking greedily upon it. Timbal followed shortly, doing likewise. Martin pleasured his lover in his well rehearsed way, using his toungue to roll and tease as he sucked and sucked.

The pair were wrapped in a blanket of sexual ecstasy. The oral delight they endulged in was exquisate. The pre seed flowed from both penises, adding the smell of musk to their foreplay. The smell of Timbal's musk drove Martin mad with desire.

"Tie me up," Martin seemingly demanded as he stopped. Timbal looked up and beamed a coy smile. "You got it Stud!"

Martin then knelt on the bed as Timbal brought down the two small nooses and threaded his lover's paws through them, fastening them snugly. Martin's tail thrashed on the bed excitedly. "Patience," Timbal whispered into Martin's ear as he brought the strip of cloth to Martin's eyes and fastened it. With Martin restrained and blindfolded, Timbalisto pressed his erection into the crevice of his lover's rear. He then started to run his paws up and down Martin's front, toying ferociously with his nipples. Martin, moaned and groaned loudly. "That's it, Stud!" Timbal hissed with passion. "Moan! Moan for your Sexy Paws!"

"Ahhhhhhh! Oh!! Oh!"

Timbal then lay behind Martin and parted his lover's cheeks before licking ravenously at Martin's hole. "Oh... yeah!" Martin groaned. "Oh! Unf! More!"

"I think you want something better... and bigger!" Timbal teased as he got off the bed and retreived the phial of grease and smeared his claws in it. He lay behind Martin again and inserted one claw, gliding in and out of the mouse's rectum.

Folowed by two.

Then three.

Martin gasped in ecstasy as he felt his anus stretch. Timbal then used the last of it to grease up his erect penis. "By the fur, Stud! We got through a whole phial of grease in just four days. You WERE horny," Timbalisto teased.

Martin giggled lightly before his lover positioned himself behind Martin, pressing his tip onto Martin's anus. Just enough pressure to tease, but not penetrate.

"I can feel you," Martin panted.

"Now tell me, want do you want, Poofter Son of Luke?"

"Your dick inside me... then I'll eat your cum,"

"Beg for it!"

"Please. Gimme,"

"I can't hear you, Faggot!"

"PLEASE!"

Timbal was satisfied and applied more pressure. Martin gasped louadly as he felt Timbal's cock penetrate and glide into him, poking his anal g-spot. Timbal paused, savouring the tighness of his lover. The rhythm of Martin's heartbeat pounding against Timbalisto's bare erection. He then started to make thrusting movements, gliding his erection in and out of his lover's rectum. In and out. In and out. In and out. Gathering pace and speed over time and pinching Martin's nipples. Martin groaned and moaned with their bodies seemingly thrashing together in pleasure as thier lovemaking intensified.

"Harder," Martin groaned.

His lover happily obliged .With gathering pace, the poking sensation turned into pounding. It hurt Martin a little, but that was fine with him. As he pounded away at Martin's hole, Timbalisto reached around and masturbated his lover, using rodent fluids as a lubricant.

Martin felt his ecstasy build and build, he wanted to cum, but Timbal got there first. Timbalisto withdrew himself like a shot and ejaculated all over Martins rump. He bent down, licking up as much of his semen as he could in his mouth, trying not to swallow. Timbal then removed the blindfold, and got in front of Martin bringing his snout to his.

Martin tasted the semen in his mouth and swallowed it down, licking his lips with relish. "Tastes as good as always," Martin remarked.

"Now I wanna taste yours," said Timbal, before loosening the nooses and lying Martin down on the bed, masturbating him with great enthusiasm. In little time, Martin was panting and sticky. Timbal had licked Martin's ejaculate off his matted underbelly before swallowing. The pair lay on top of the bedclothes, spooning each other.

"Our last night," Martin commented.

"Enjoy your few days away?" Timbal asked, turning to him.

"Utter bliss," Martin replied, a smile spreading across his features. The pair then lay, gazing at each other before they nuzzled and kissed lightly. "G'night," said Martin before falling asleep. Timbal then snuggled up to Martin and fell asleep, spooning him.

"Wakey, wakey, Dozy Paws!"

Martin murmered as he rolled over. "C'mon, Martin. Rise n shine." Martin sat up in bed rubbing sleep from his eyes. Timbal was fully dressed and looking over him. "I hope you don't plan to return to Redwall like that Martin!"

Martin looked down at the matted fur now stuck rigid by his dried semen. "Oh. You wanna go back now?"

"No time like the present," Timbal replied.

"I thought you might wanna snuggle,"

Timbal placed his paws on his hips, "Martin, if we snuggle we'll never get out of that bed. Now get up, get dressed, your napsack is already packed and there's some breakfast waiting for you."

After breakfast the pair extinguished the fire and made preperations to leave. Outside the warren's back door, Timbal covered it with fallen leaves so that nobody unsavoury could use it as a den.

As the pair walked they continued to hold paws but they soon stopped when they recognised the landmarks that lead them to the path back to Redwall Abbey. The high ramparts of the walls came into view and the pair felt a sense of forboding. Even though Martin saw the Abbey as home, he couldn't help but think back to what Timbalisto had said on their last night. "What good is love if you can't express it?"

Those words hit home for Martin when the massive gates slammed shut.

"Hullo Matey," said Gonff as he greeted the pair.

"Gonff," Martin replied.

"Hi Gonff,"

"Oh yes. Martin, Bella told me that you have to go to straight to Abbess Germaine as soon as you got back," Gonff explained.

"Did she say what about?"

"No. Only that you and the Abbess have to talk about something important. Bella didn't say what it was."

Martin turned to Timbal, "I'll catch up with you later."

iii

Martin did as he was bid. He walked up to the Abbess Germaine's dorm and study and knocked on the door. A distinct "enter" soon followed. Martin stepped into the dorm and closed the door behind him. Abbess Germaine rose from her desk urging Martin to sit down. The big badger Bella was on Germaine's left and the female squirrel Lady Amber was giving Martin a cold hearted glare.

As soon as he put his napsack down, Amber paced aggressively towards Martin and spat in his face. Martin wiped the saliva from his snout and whiskers. "What was that for?"

"You know exactly what that was for," she said harshly. "Deviant! Sodomite!"

"Amber, that's enough," Bella chastised by thumping her big paw on the Abbess' desk. "Martin, please sit."

Martin sat on his stool across the desk from Abbess Germaine. He could feel Amber's cold gaze burn into him. Germaine opened her mouth to speak, but soon closed it as if pondering on the right words.

"Martin," she began. "You've done some incredible things for the good beasts of Mossflower and we appreciate everything you've done for us. However, something has come up. It's something we find quite serious. Now, we know your life is your life and there must be some aspects of it that are private and, how shall we say... don't talk about much. Unfortunatley, we must talk about it. I mean we wouldn't want such a noble mouse like you to burn in Hellgates when your time comes."

Martin exchanged looks between Germaine to Bella and back to Germaine again. "What are you talking about?"

"You and Timbalisto, Sodomite!" Amber spat.

"We're just friends," Martin replied.

"I didn't know friends roll around in shallows of rivers naked as nature and kissing each other. Nor did I know that close friends walk through Mossflower woods holding paws," Amber sneered.

"Were you spying on us?" Martin exclaimed out loud. He then immediately clamped his paws to his mouth. Germaine and Bella gave Martin surprised stares.

"By the fur, Amber was right," Bella exclaimed. Germaine cleared her throat. "Ahem. Amber was doing some scouting for us. We heard that a group of wandering bandits had marched north. She managed to kill a scout by the banks of the River Moss. That was when she, er... happened to witness both you and Timbalisto together," the Abbess explained.

"I was wondering what that ferret was masturbating over," Amber said nonchalantly. Bella fixed the squirrel with a chastising look. "Amber, maybe you should go."

"Fine," she replied. As she walked past Martin, Amber spat one last word at the mouse; "Faggot!" As soon as she left, Martin seemed to slump on the stool he sat on. "So it's true?" Germaine asked. Martin nodded solemnly.

"How long have you two been acting like this?"

Martin paused, the weight of his head seemed to increase. "A year. Just over," Martin answered.

"Are you two in love?" Martin paused. What should he say to that? His mind raced. He remebered Timbal's words. "Oh don't worry, you're the great Martin; Saviour of Mossflower! The Abbess will probably let you off. Me on the other paw...."

Should he deny their love? Or would that just picture their relationship as meaningless lust, which was far from the truth. After a long pause Martin replied, "Yes. Timbalisto and I are in love." Germaine got up from her desk and stood facing out the window. "How did it start?"

"Early last summer I was feeling depressed about something,"

"Depressed about what?" Bella asked.

"I can't tell you," Martin replied.

"Tell us Martin. Please," Bella insisted.

"I can't,"

"Help us to help you, Martin."

"Help me?" Martin protested. "There's nothing wrong with me!"

Bella raised her paws in front of her, trying to calm the atmosphere. "I know that's how it looks from your perspective. But you have to know that some beasts around here seriously frown on... that sort of thing. Also, we are considering your spiritual wellbeing. What were you feeling depressed about?" Martin took a deep breathe. "I was thinking of a past lover. She was a mousemaid, so don't worry about that. All I will say is that it didn't end well."

"She left you?" Bella asked.

"She died," Martin replied back. "Would you also like to know she was carrying my unborn child when she died?" He added bitterly. Germaine turned away from the window, her face a picture of concern. "Is that why you and Timbal became as close as you are?"

"I wasn't expecting it to turn out this -" Martin stopped mid sentence. Suddenly realising what he was going to say would've bordered on cowardice. "What about Timbal? Did you even know he was attracted to males?" Germaine asked.

"Not until that day. He told me about this... experience he once had," Martin explained. "So he told this yarn and.. it put ideas in your head?" Bella seconded.

"Well... yes and no," Martin explained. "I never even knew that two males could interact like that. But, the things Timbal told me... I was enticed and, I will admit this... I thouroughly enjoyed having sex with him."

Silence ensued. An awkward silence. "I... see," Germaine replied.

The questions continued. Martin felt like he was being interigated by an enemy. Only it wasn't branding irons and whips torturing him. It was words. Inquisitive words that wouldn't stop until both Bella and the Abbess were satisfied. However Martin remained steadfast in the ultimate truth; him and Timbalisto were lovers and nothing would convince him to think otherwise.

"Well," Abbess Germaine stated when both her and the badger thought they had heard enough. "You realise we can't just simply let this go. Also, we will have to talk to Timbalisto about this," she continued. Martin just got up from his stool, but before he left he wanted to get the last word in. "All I will say is this; I don't care about what you, Amber or any other beast of this Abbey thinks. The fact still remains I am in love and who I happen to be in love with is my concern alone." Martin then slammed the door behind him.

Martin's mood was bordering on furious. He couldn't believe that his world was collapsing around his ears. He shouldn't have been so careless. He should've just washed in the warren. His thoughts were driven in two directions; rage at Amber and worry for Timbal.

The rage at Amber took priority. He stormed over to her dormitory and practically broke the door down. Amber spun round, the concerned expression on her face soon turned to one of fear. Martin stood in front her, clenching his fists. His anger showed in his face and the tone of his voice.

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Martin, listen. I was only thinking about how this, er, situation would make you look in the eyes of everybeast here."

"That's utter cow-skite! You've runined me!"

"Martin, please. What if it wasn't just me that saw you? You know that the sisters are complete gossippers and the Abbess would hear about you and Timbal form the wrong source," Amber babbled.

"You could've just looked the other way," Martin snapped.

"I couldn't!" Amber insisted. "Look Martin, if word of this got around the Abbey, everybeast here would want you out. The Abbey would be without a defender and we'd be easy pickings if another warlord, or tyrant like Tsarmina came along."

"Don't try to justify your actions!" Martin snapped back at her. "I don't believe this for one second. Especially with all of those insults you called me. Deviant! Sodomite! Faggot!"

"I had to make the Abbess believe I didn't approve of same gender relations," Amber protested. "Well you definately got that point across with flying colours!"

"I'd be facing the same dilemma if I were caught out." Martin just looked quizically at her. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

Amber then reached under her bed and produced a piece of rolled up parchment. She then laid it out on her bed and unrolled it. On the parchment was a sketching of a radiant otter-maid. "Her name is Riversong. We were... we are still lovers. We're just like you and Timbal. She was the daughter of a mariner and she never knew the touch of a male. Spent a majority of her life with other females and the sight of a male was very rare. Her father said it was to perserve her purity until she was married. But she couldn't wait. She first met me after I came to Mossflower. I hadn't had much experience with men either and we became close friends and the friendship deepened into romance. I still remember the first time she kissed me. I used to help her sneak out so we could be together.

"We still do endulge in passion, If you catch my drift. Sometimes when I see the River Moss flowing along I can see her standing naked in the shallows. The moonlight reflecting off her breasts. We would be together, naked as nature and she'd hold me, whispering sweet nothings in my ears before we went swimming in the nude.and then we'd make love to each other afterwards. She still sends me messages from time to time and we always end them with the words; I love you. So you see Martin, I too know the burden of... being a deviant."

"That still doesn't explain why you did what you did," Martin said, his tone of voice slightly calmer.

"Look at it this way, how would you have liked to be found out? Through me, one of the monks or the sisters? At least I know that the Abbess and Bella will keep this under their hats and tell no beast. The Abbey needs you, Martin. These folks need heroes. If you were expelled and outcast, there would be no hope for any of us."

Martin did ponder on Amber's words. If the monks had caught him, it would be all around the monestary. Also, Amber did have a point about the mouse-maids of the convent and their gossipping habits. However, how would this help Timbalisto? He couldn't see anything else in his mind's eye but Timbal sitting before the Abbess firing questions at him.

He wanted to find Timbal and hug him. He wanted to kiss him. He wanted to lie in bed and hold him, tell him everything will be alright. But all he could do was wait for the end and remember the beginning.

iv

Martin didn't sleep well. His dreams were haunted by images of Timbalisto being paraded naked and in chains down the Abbey path. A sign reading 'deviant' was hung around his neck. As he walked by the monks that lined the path, they spat on him.

Martin awoke just before dawn. He sat naked on his windowsill, facing east to watch the sunrise. He dozed off whilst perched there for another hour, but didn't dream. After he dressed, Martin wondered and paced around the corridors of Redwall Abbey. The mouse couldn't shake the feeling of forboding. He hadn't seen Timbalisto sinse yesterday and it had him more than worried. Martin was also growing paranoid, he even flinched when a monk who passed him in the hall bid him good morning. However, Martin turned and watched the brother walk sown the corridor and he thought, what about him? Are any of the monks hiding this kind of secret?

His train of thought was broken when he felt a heavy blunt paw rest on his shoulder. "Martin,"

The mouse knew who it was. He recognised Bella's voice. The dread flowed through him. Not more questions. The badger lead Martin up to Germaine's study and again, he sat on the stool opposite her desk. "Have you brought me back for more questioning?" Martin said in cool tone.

"Actually, we're here to talk about your lover," Bella explained. The badger allowed the Abbess to elaborate. "We, er, questioned Timbalisto extensively and, at first, he denied absolutely everything. Until we said that we spoke to you first and he did eventually tell us the truth. I have to say, I think he was touched at how you had defended him and your... relationship, for lack of a better term."

"What about Timbal? What did you do to him?" Martin questioned.

"Martin," Germaine continued. "We didn't harm him even in the slightest. You above all beasts should know that is not what we do here at Redwall. However, after much talk Bella and myself had put forward a special case." Martins' ears perked up. "It became apparent that Timbalisto tempted you to participate in actions that you deep down found unsavoury. So, it is my duty to inform you that Timbalisto is now outcast from Redwall Abbey and is forbidden to set foot inside these walls again. He left early last night."

Martin's jaw dropped. His heart sank. A lump was forming in his throat.

"That's not all," Bella said. "We also thought it would be a good idea if you had an escort. Only for a season or two."

"Why?" Martin asked, trying to fight back the tears flooding in his eyes. "We don't know how deep this well goes. We have to make sure..."

"That I won't look at any other male more than once?" Martin interupted. Germaine nodded in agreement. "I'm afraid so. I am truly sorry that things had to turn out this way. But when your soul is running free in silent forest, you'll thank us."

"Who shall be my escort?"

"We agreed on Lady Amber. So that we don't arouse anyone else to this... matter." Martin didn't move or speak. He just rose from his seat and exited Germaine's study. He just walked through the halls and corridors. Not acknowledging anybody around him. He reached his dormitory. He locked the door. Collapsed onto his bed, buried his face in the pillow and wept mournfully.

For the next five days, the abbey dwellers observed that their warrior was in some sort of trance. He hardly ever spoke. At meal times Martin ate automatically, rarely commenting on the foods' textures and flavours. He was also seldom apart from Lady Amber. The mouse-maids of the convent started to gossip about the pair. It seemed like the Abbess' ploy had worked and nobeast was none-the-wiser.

On the sixth day, Martin sat on his bed reading "The Manual of Arms" a book he hadn't read properly. However, it was rumoured to be an essentiel read for fighters and warriors. There was a knock at his door. He sighed with annoyance and put his book down. He opened the door to see the squirrel Amber standing there. "Oh look," Martin said sarcastically. "It's my gaoler!"

"I want to talk," Amber said. Martin sighed again, "Fine." He allowed Amber inside and sat back down on his bed. "Feeling alright?" She asked. Martin gave her a glare. "Oh. I shouldn't have asked that," Amber commented aloud.

"Right now I feel depressed, crestfallen, broken hearted and angry. How are you?" He replied, trying to find his place in the book he had been reading. "Well," Amber said, reaching for a rolled up parchment under her arm. "I think I have something that might cheer you up."

"Oh really?" Said Martin, not looking up from his reading. "A trusted courier of mine has brought me a love letter from Riversong," she explained.

"Oh, fantastic," Martin said in his sarcastic tone. "There was a second letter... with instructions to be delivered to you." That grabbed Martin's attention. He looked up from his book and took the rolled up parchment. "Who's it from?"

"Why don't you read it and see?"

Martin did. He unrolled it and scanned the letter, looking for a signature. His heart leapt with joy when he read the signed name; Timbalisto. Tears of happiness brimmed his eyes. "It's from Timbal," he exclaimed. Amber sat next to him, as he read the message.

My Dearest Martin,

I hope this message reaches you in good health. Amber has told me that her courier can be trusted and will not pry into our matters. Firstly, I want you to know that I am alive and well. I'm living in our "love warren" and it is looking really nice now that I've finished refurbishing the place.

I hope Bella and Germaine didn't treat you too harshly over this whole affair. I was so touched when you stood steadfast in the name of our love. I will think about you everyday and long to be with you again. Just remember, you are Martin, Son of Luke and nothing will change that. Being attracted to males doesn't make you any less of who you are. You remember where the warren is? I hope so. I know so. Come back to me one day, I'll light the candles and keep the bed warm.

I love you with all my heart.

Your Sexy Paws,

Timbalisto

P.S. I'm building a bath tub inside the warren. I'm making it big enough for two.

Martin clutched the letter to his chest tightly. The tears of joy now streaming down his face. He turned to Amber and hugged her tight. "Thank you," he sobbed. Amber kissed him gently on his cheek. "I'm going out to see Riversong tonight," she whispered into the mouse's ear. "Do you want to sneak out with me... Martin the Homosexual?"

"I'd like that, Amber the Lesbian."