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38

On the open seas the days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months. With the massive tides of the world pulling against the small vessel, their progress back to Mossflower was at times painfully sluggish. When the spring was coming to an end, the intrepid band of warriors were greeted with the familiar sight of the south coast of Southsward. Everybeast let out a huge sigh of relief, another few days and they would be greeted with the awesome sight of Salamandastron. But another great obstacle stood in their way, the massive Roaringburn current. To avoid this, they had to sail further west and around the old decaying remains of Gabools' fortress on Terramort Isle. The old fortress now reduced to a ruin, that looked like a hollowed out skull on the coastline. But soon, the rocks and cliffs turned into plains and then into shifting sands and in the distance, the great mountain fortress of the badger lords hoved into view.

Inside the great mountain itself, Orlando the axe, the lord of the mountain, was tending to his forge. He had just finished making the finishing touches to a new axe he forged for himself when he heard a rapping at the door. "Come!" In walked one of his Long Patrol officers who saluted smartly. "Yes colonel?" "Beggin your pardon, sah. But the lookouts have seen a ship on the horizon," the Colonel explained. "Is the ships' intentions hostile?" "Unknown at present, sah. But it's not any ship we've seen any searats use." "Get your hares to greet the ship when it berths. The travellers on board her have come a long way to get here," said Orlando. The hare saluted smartly once more before exiting the forge. Orlando then wiped the sweat from his brow before hanging up his apron and making his way to the tomb of his predecessor, Lord Brocktree. Inside was the old monk Tin-Jin and his aides. Tin-Jin was tracing his paws over the carvings that covered the walls of the tomb. "They've come back. Just like you said they would," said Orlando. "And earlier than I originally predicted," said Tin-Jin. "I thank you for the hospitality you have shown me, Your Lordship. But I'm afraid it is time for me to leave for my home." "Yes of course. I will have Colonel Sandgall escort you to the quayside to greet them when they berth," said Orlando. Tin-Jin bowed respectively to the badger, "Thank you, Lordship. You have been most gracious as a host." "And I must say I have found your time here most inspiring."

When the ship docked, the travellers were greeted by a detail of Long Patrol hares and Tin-Jin. The gangway plank extended to the quayside and George was the first to disembark. "Ah, Colonel!" He said as he saluted smartly. "Lieutenant, why are you out of uniform?" "What? Oh, the armour! Sorry sah, a gift from those jolly Jimanese don't cha know." "Your leave of absence ended last winter! We were about report you as Missing, presumed dead," the Colonel scolded. Just then, Tin-Jin stepped forward, "I can vouch for his whereabouts as so can all the others who traveled with him." When Mattimeo disembarked, Tin-jin turned to him. "Mattimeo. I presume that all is well in Jima." "Yes Tin-Jin. Ikkit Claw is dead. Sandokhan has completed his task," the warrior mouse replied. "One task. There is still much for him to do and I think Fujokai will make an excellent Shogun." "How did you..." "Hehehe. I wouldn't be very enlightened if I didn't know, my lad," Tin-Jin chuckled. "Now you must return to Redwall with all haste. Poor Tess has been out of her mind with worry and Martin misses you very, very much." "And you?" "I shall be returning home," said Tin-Jin. "Oh one more thing, George. I think his Lordship will appreciate the gift. It was once wielded by Lon himself."

Out in Mossflower Woods, Sister Stephanie, Cynthia Bankvole and Ivy were gathering wild herbs for the infirmary with Sam Squirrel keeping watch. Ivy stopped picking and watched the road for signs of activity. "Watching the road won't make them come back any faster," said Sam. Ivy let out a heavy sigh, "I know. But it's been so long since Mattimeo and the others left. I wonder what's become of them." "You and me both," said Sam, putting a reassuring paw around the vole. "I miss... Mr. Sandokhan most of all," Ivy continued. "I miss his stories," said Sam. "I miss his shadow plays," Cynthia chimed in. "I miss his snuggles," said Stephanie. All three beasts fixed Stephanie with confused looks. "What?" Sam asked in dismay, to which Stephanie just blushed. Sam shook his head before allowing himself one last glimpse of the dusty path to the north. He could see somebeast walking up the path. No, there was more of them. "Hey, come see!" Sam called. In short time, they could make out multiple creatures all wearing armour marching down the path towards the abbey. "Who are they?" Ivy asked. "We'll know soon enough. You three get back to abbey and rouse the Mossflower patrol just in case." Then Sam saw one of the beasts wave to him. Sam returned a wave, "Do they know us?" They then saw the mouse at the head of the party remove his helmet and all their hearts leapt with utmost joy. "It's them! They're back!" All four creatures ran for the abbey gates and banged most enthusiastically. The massive gates then creaked open and they all ran inside to spread the good news of Mattimeos' return. The returning party walked past Mossflower Patrol members who lined the dusty path up to the abbey. When Mattimeo emerged through the gates all the abbeydwellers greeted him with tremendous rounds of cheering. The Abbot was the first to address them, "What a wondrous sight before me! Warriors and old friends returning after such a long time away from home. May I be the first of many to greet you all many happy returns to Redwall Abbey!" Mattimeo then unfastened the sword of Martin from his belt and presented it to the Abbot, "Father Abbot, we've returned home." Over the sound of cheering, Mattimeo heard a voice he hadn't heard in so long, "Dad! Dad!" Martin then embraced his father tightly with tears of joy rolling down his face. "By the fur, you've grown!" "Matty, I've missed you so much," said Tess as she rushed to her husbands' side. Mattimeo let go of Martin and hugged Tess who smothered him with kisses.

The Abbot of Redwall declared that a great welcome home feast be prepared and everybeast was invited from all over Mossflower. Not much had happened at Redwall after Mattimeo left for Jima. The stories of how Sandokhan had defeated Scarface and his bandits had reached far and wide and inspired fear in the hearts of all bandits and robbers. Over the days preparing for the feast, Mattimeo and his friends had told the whole story of the Jima struggle. The good friends they made and lost, the escape from Jagees' mansion, the Stormvermin rebellion and how the fox Sandokhan had defeated Ikkit Claw in single combat. Not with the Starfire katana, but with the sword of Martin the warrior. Out on the lawns, tables were assembled in a circle around a great fire. The tables were dressed with foods of all descriptions, savoury and sweet. Pies, flans, trifles, tarts, fruits preserved in honey, quiches and pasties. All dripping with cream or gravy. After a few hours of feasting, a lot of belts and girdle cords were loosened to let the food digest properly. Tess wiped her lips with a napkin before rubbing her distended stomach. "Ooh! That was lovely. Matty, you haven't touched your October ale," she said. "Well... funny thing really. The last time we were having a feast like this I barely touched anything and little did I know that soon I would be off on another adventure," Mattimeo replied. "Well, try lifting your tankard this time and see what happens." As soon as he lifted his tankard off the table, there were loud whistling sounds followed by loud bangs. Bang! Boom! Bang! All the abbeydwellers looked up and the sky was ablaze with all colours imaginable. Red, green, blue, cyan, gold, white, magenta and violet. "Aren't they spectacular?" "A bit loud though, Father Abbot!" "Burr aye, gaffer! Did you'm see that un?" "Yurr. It'm loik foir in the skoi," "Oooh! I like the gold ones." As Mattimeo gazed up at the multicoloured explosions, he thought he could finally look towards the future with a sense of hope. Because a creature he had hated and mistrusted all his life - a fox - had learned what it truly meant to be a warrior. Maybe he could too.