It was dark inside the gatehouse that night, the moon was dark and not even the candles were burning. Not a single Redwaller was awake; all were deep in sleep in the dormitories as the night winds rustled the barren branches of the trees out in Mossflower wood. The silence was deep and extreme; perfect for the remedies of slumber, a deep sleep that was what the warrior Matthias' wife was trying to do, a rest she direly needed for the days to come.
Cornflower rolled over again and again, trying to situate herself in their bed. It had become impossible to truly be comfortable: impossible to sleep, impossible to walk, almost impossible to do anything. Cornflower finally decided on a position on her back, wide-awake, staring at the ceiling and listening to her husband's soft snores.
How lucky he is, she thought, that he gets to sleep these last days away. She placed her paw on her taut stomach, feeling again the soft movements of her unborn child. She smiled to herself, despite her exhaustion. Our first baby! She smiled brighter, content and happy just thinking about their future. I can't wait to see you, my baby, since I've felt you so many times. She rubbed her hand over her tight stomach, humming quietly to herself, making sure she wouldn't wake up Matthias.
I hope I'm a good mother, like my mother was. I know your daddy will be a good daddy, like mine. Maybe even like his… Cornflower stopped thinking mid sentence.
Who was Matthias' father?