CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
"So, d'you really reckon this is th' blinkin' war we've been fearin'?"
Down in Clewiston's private chambers in the Long Patrol warrens beneath Redwall's lawns, Traveller and the Colonel continued the one-on-one discussion they'd started up in Great Hall. While the rest of the Abbey's hares either slept or helped stand watch over Harth's company up above, the two commanders of that species debated what this night's events might portend. Dawn neared - not that the presence or absence of the sun in the sky meant much in these subterranean chambers and passages - but neither Clewiston nor Traveller thought about returning to their beds, not even after their respective rotations on lookout duty.
"Well, Clewy, that bushtail wasn't 'xactly talking very friendly up there just now. As you yourself pointed out, a siege is an act of war, an' that squirrel's hinting mighty strongly that he'd entertain doin' just that, an' maybe more to boot. We've always known it was just a matter of time before His Bloodiness moved against Redwall, but let's face it, it would've been hard for even him to open hostilities with this Abbey unless he had some manner of excuse or pretext for doin' so. Well, mebbe this's it."
"But ... rats? Urthblood's ultimate move on Mossflower, over rats?"
"Yah, who'da thunk it, wot? Hardly the bally direction we'd have expected it to come from, but then, that's perfectly in keepin' with that brute. Always hittin' us with the unexpected."
Clewiston mulled this over, storms in his eyes. "We can't win a war against Urthblood. Not with the forces he commands, or the numbers he can throw at us. We just can't."
"'Fraid I'm forced to agree with you, old bean. Which is why I caught your ear at th' confab up there, when the chatter drifted that way. Could be this whole thing's one big whoppin' ruse to lay the path toward open war. Come up with a campaign he knew we'd be bound to oppose, throw a whole gaggle of ratsoaked refugees our way an' then demand we turn 'em over against ev'rything this Abbey stands for, and then ratchet up his preparations for war when we refused. Well, if that's his treacherous game, we can't play it."
"Which means ... wot? Kickin' out all those frightfaces, even if the Abbot says they can stay? Turnin' out family beasts, even if it violates the spirit of Redwall?"
"Not sayin' that, Clewy. Mebbe there's some way to offer those rats sanctuary, without movin' inta open conflict over it. Not sure wot that'd be, but that's the way we've gotta go. I will say, this reminds me of something I've seen before, an' it gives me the ol' willies right down th' blinkin' spine."
"Oh? Wot's that?"
"Noonvale." Traveller shifted on his paws, restive at the memory. "Back when I was shadowin' Urthblood all up 'n' down th' bally Northlands on Lord Urthfist's behalf, an' I managed to slip into Noonvale after they'd rebuffed an' rebuked Bloodface's demands for an alliance, they spelled out th' same kinda tale I'm seein' replayed here. 'Course, they weren't harborin' fugitives or openly opposing Urthblood in his campaigns up there, but he did all he could to cut 'em off an' isolate them when they refused to throw in with him. Big difference is, Noonvale's accustomed to bein' isolated an' left to itself, so Urthblood's siege didn't change their lot all that much. Redwallers, on the other paw, are used to all manner of visitors comin' an' goin', and bein' able t' venture out inta Mossflower anytime it strikes their fancy. But I hafta tell ya, Clewy, sittin' up there just now, listenin' to Urthblood's attack dog layin' down th' law to us an' issuin' all kinds of sodden threats, it felt like Noonvale all over again to me - 'cept this time, with the promise of somethin' worse, if we don't knuckle under an' do wot's bein' demanded of us."
"Well, that's jolly unsettlin' and a half. Guess this means we'll hafta tread right carefully, figure out some way to stick to our priorities without givin' 'em cause to step it up to full hostilities. Won't be easy, chap, 'specially if Urthblood's been plannin' this for a long time an' took care to put all his blinkin' pieces in place."
"That's th' thing, chum - I think something may've come up that His Bloodiness never counted on, or worked into his plans. Something that stands to surprise him as much as us."
"Oh? But that bloody brute sees an' knows ev'ry bloomin' thing ... "
"Not always, Clewy. I've even heard him admit as much himself - tho', with how he lies, you never can know wot's true an' wot's not with him. But in this case, I may be tempted to take him at his word for once. Y' see, I don't think he ever planned on those rats makin' it to Redwall an' forcing this standoff in th' first place."
"Oh? Wot makes you say that, Travs?"
"You remember how I told you once, after the fiasco at Salamandastron, I was standin' on the slopes of the mountain with Urthblood after the battle, and I was struck with the feelin' that the very currents of fate 'n' history were swirlin' around us an' bein' bent to his will - that the very world itself was bein' warped 'n' twisted 'n' turned askew just by him standin' there? I'd never before or since felt anything like it ... until tonight."
Clewiston's ears stood straight up at this. "Tonight? You mean when you said it felt like Noonvale all over again?"
"No, earlier. Before those squirrels showed up - when I was sittin' in front of the Tapestry with Wink 'n' Lattie. That ratmaid's got it, Clewy - the same bally thing Urthblood does. I felt it, from my eartips straight down to my scut - that sweep of destiny swirlin' about me, makin' the solid ground shift an' sway 'neath my paws. It hit me with a certainty, leavin' not a shred of doubt in my mind. Lattie doesn't just see the future - she makes it, changes it, just with her mere presence. Could be she's not even aware she's doin' it, but she could very well be Urthblood's equal on this score - a power maybe even he wouldn't be able to dominate or control."
"Hmm - I see wot you mean, ol' chum. That'd throw a spanner in his souffle, wouldn't it? Havin' somebeast around who could match him at his own prophetic game. Maybe he thought he could round up all th' rats hereabouts without us even findin' out about it, or at least not until it was mostly done. In which case, our simple little ratmaid's gone an' put his cart off the tracks as surely as our own Abbey cart got smashed at the quarry."
"By the Spirit of Martin, accordin' to Lattie," Traveller said.
"Ho right - an' if she's half the super-seer you think she is, she'd be right about that, wouldn't she? I c'n see now why you stepped in when we were about t' chuck 'em all outta the Abbey."
"Wouldn'ta pulled rank on you so egregiously if there hadn't been urgent need, Clewy chap. Hope there's no hard feelin's or bruised ego ... "
"Not at all. Circumstances dictate actions, don'tcha know. But, if she's really that powerful, is it even safe havin' her in the Abbey?"
"Not sure we've got any say in th' matter. Wink 'n' I agree that she's here 'cos Martin wanted her here, an' if it's also true that Martin and His Bloodiness 're clashin' right now on some other plane, locked in some infernal struggle only Lattie can sense, stands to reason Martin wanted her here for some definite purpose. Whether that was t' tell us he 'n' Urthblood were all atussle, or something beyond that, we can't really know. But fate 'n' destiny are all bound up in that one, as sure as they are in Urthblood, an' I'm guessin' fate has final say in such things. I half suspect if we marched up there right now an' tried to throw her out ourselves, something'd get in our bally way to prevent it from happening. This's beyond us now."
Clewistone pondered all Traveller had said. "So, far from His Bloodiness settin' this up as a trap to draw Redwall into war, you think these rats bein' here could be his plans goin' badly awry?"
"I'd say one's as likely as the other, Colonel."
"Do you suppose, if she's as powerful as you s'pect, that she's meant to help us against Urthblood somehow?"
"Honestly, I couldn't even begin t' guess. But looks to me like destiny delivered her to us, an' my guess is destiny's the only jolly thing that'll take her away from us too!"
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Contrary to his own prediction, Geoff was up well before midmorning, in plenty of time to enjoy a late breakfast not long after most everybeast else had finished their morning meal. Rather than proceeding directly to Great Hall and seating himself to be waited on and served there, he made for the kitchens instead, to see how Friar Hugh was coping with the extra mouths to feed. Geoff found the area abuzz with activity, moreso than was usual for the period immediately following a meal.
"Getting a jump on lunch?" he assessed.
"Still working on breakfast, actually," came Hugh's gruff reply. "Just finished feeding all the regular Abbeybeasts and the newest freed slaves, and now it's time for the Guosim and all those rats. We didn't expect to see you up and about this early, Abbot. Can we get you something as well, or have you already eaten?"
"I haven't, in fact. Only just got up a short time ago, and decided to make this the first stop on my morning rounds. So yes, I am a bit peckish. Whatever you're making for everybeast else is fine - I'll take it out in Great Hall. So, do you anticipate any problems with meeting the needs of our present population, should this current arrangement turn out to be a prolonged, open-ended affair?"
"Truth to tell, Abbot, I'm not sure how long we'll be able to stretch things. The larders are always traditionally at a low point in spring, after having the Guosim with us the entire winter and no new replenishment from our orchard and gardens until later in the growing season. And we're even lower than usual with all these former slaves here now, and from having Urthblood's shrews and Gawtrybe staying with us briefly. We've enough to last us for some time yet, but with so many creatures to feed everyday - especially if those rats stay on - we'll be dependent on foraging from the forest by the first day of summer."
"That could be an issue, I'm afraid. Lieutenant Custis is threatening to place Redwall under siege and prohibit us from foraging as long as we harbor any rats within our walls."
"Well, then, throw them out, and solve two problems at one go."
"Friar! How could you suggest such a thing? Those rats came to us seeking our protection - protection which, it now appears, they very badly need. It's those Northland squirrels who talk of taking measures against our home, thrusting upon us the devil's bargain between violating our beliefs or submitting to privation and hardship. You may not be thrilled about having rats living here amongst us, Friar, but they're not the ones forcing us to go against our ways."
"No - they're just the ones who'll empty our pantries and storerooms and leave us with empty, growling bellies if we can't restock from the river and forest."
"Our pantries aren't empty just yet, and hopefully some agreement can be worked out to prevent that from happening. Thank you for your candidness, Friar, and please do keep me appraised of the situation as it develops."
Out in Great Hall, Geoff found Alex seated at the main table. Nodding his good mornings to the pawful of other late risers scattered about the Hall, he took a seat alongside his old squirrel friend. "Good day, Alex. Um, have you slept at all? I think the rings under your eyes have rings of their own!"
"Haven't been in much of a sleeping mood. I still can't believe Mina kept this from me - from us. A campaign so ambitious that it would surely affect all of Mossflower ... how did she imagine such a thing could be kept from us?"
"From what was said last night, I gather that was never Urthblood's plan. As long as this ... this Purge could be set in motion before we became aware of it, it would be too late for us to do anything about it, and we'd just have to accept it."
"Just like Foxguard."
"Well," Geoff said hopefully, "at least that seems to have worked out for the best, so far. Those foxes have proven themselves friends, and appear to be fairly trustworthy ... "
"I don't see this turning out well. What Urthblood sought to achieve with Foxguard and what he seeks to accomplish now are two very different things ... although maybe that red tower was intended all along to serve as a cudgel to help impose his will on Mossflower. Who's to say how friendly our fox acquaintances will remain if we move into open opposition against Urthblood over something like this?"
"So far it's been the Gawtrybe threatening us, not Tolar or Foxguard. We don't even know at this point whether Foxguard is to play any part in the Purge."
"Truax said the foxes up North helped with the Purge there. Is there any reason to think it will be different here? Urthblood could have built Foxguard anywhere in Mossflower, but he chose to place it directly across the river, half a day's march away, where it would literally tower over us. The symbolism cuts both ways: a companion stronghold to stand in solidarity with Redwall, or a rival to counter us and assert Urthblood's presence in these lands?"
"I know what the Long Patrol would say," Geoff commented with a smirk, "and we've got about eightscore rats on our premises who would likely agree with those hares. But until I hear from Tolar or his foxes directly, I will not assume one way or the other that he is part of any action against Redwall."
"Never imagined anything would put the Long Patrol and horderats on the same side."
"Strange days indeed seem to have found us. So, speaking of our latest guests, how do they seem to be doing this morning?"
"Fine. Relieved, but apprehensive, as I suppose they've every right to be, until they know for certain that they'll definitely be allowed to stay. At least they're not acting unruly or causing any trouble."
"Well, they must appreciate how lucky they are to be here," said Geoff, "especially after what Lieutenant Custis had to say last night. Between that very real threat outside our walls and our stolid defenders like Clewiston and Log-a-Log within, they'd know better than to do anything that might lead us to expel them from Redwall."
"I think it's more than that," Alex observed. "It's that Harth - the way he lays down the law to his rats, they know not to cross him, and to do exactly what he says. I suspect his commands carry far more weight with them than anything the Long Patrol or Guosim or my Forest Patrol might tell them. Makes me wonder just what kind of horde leader he was."
"Oh, but he was never a horde leader," Geoff jokingly reminded Alex. "He was just some mad fox's general!"
"Ah, of course! I forgot!" Turning more serious as he picked up his barely-touched bilberry muffin, Alex went on, "But they do listen to Harth more than anybeast else, and follow his lead. I'd say that makes him the key. As long as he's genuine about seeking peaceful sanctuary within our home, the rest of that ugly crowd ought to fall into line behind him. That makes Harth the one we have to keep an eye on, and try to figure out."
"If they're to become Redwallers, they'll need to learn that the word of the Abbot supersedes that of anybeast else, including their former general. I hope Harth doesn't think he can set up his own private rat fiefdom within Redwall."
"I wouldn't be so quick to condemn such a thing, Geoff. These are not normal times. When a crisis comes upon you, you make use of whatever tools you have at your disposal - something I learned seasons ago during my Forest Patrol training. If using Harth to keep all his rats docile and obedient proves our best option, who's to care if they'll only listen to him - as long as he listens to you?"
"Hm. Don't take this the wrong way, Alex, but that almost comes across as Urthblood thinking."
"Maybe trying to figure out how that badger thinks is what we should be doing more of - although, considering this latest surprise he's thrown at us, I suspect that may prove an exercise in futility. It may be nobeast else alive is capable of thinking like Urthblood."
"You may well be right about that, my friend. So, ah, where is Mina this morning?"
"Out with the Gawtrybe."
"Oh. I might be tempted to draw some conclusions about her loyalties from that."
"So might I, Abbot - since I'm fairly certain she's not out there to negotiate on Redwall's behalf."
"And what of the Gawtrybe themselves? Have they pulled back at all, or are they still poised to threaten this Abbey?"
"Hard to say. They've reformed along the forest edge - right where Harth's company was camped, in fact. They seem to have destroyed some of the tents and bedding, and gathered up all the rats' other belongings that got left behind, so that nobeast can go out to reclaim it."
"That's not good."
"Not at all. Especially since it seems Winokur promised Harth that it could all be collected once everyrat was safely inside. So much for that plan."
"Hopefully we'll be able to supply them with enough to make up for what they lost. It's not as if they'll need to do any cooking of their own, so any pots or pans or vessels or utensils Custis confiscated is no big loss. As for the rest, I'm afraid that with so many creatures staying here these days, we're as low on bedding as we are on beds, and our fabrics for tent shelters, not to mention extra clothes, might not be in any greater supply than our food and drink."
"So, do you think we'll be letting them stay?"
Geoff heaved a long sigh. "I really can't see not letting Captain Truax and his family remain. There are only four of them, after all, and it appears they would have come to us anyway, independently of Harth's group. Then again, Custis made it pretty plain that harboring any rats at all would represent an unacceptable violation of Urthblood's decree, so sheltering four might as well be sheltering fourscore, or four hundred."
"I imagine that would hold especially true for a former captain of Urthblood's who managed to escape from the Northlands to tell us everything that's been happening there."
"True. And as for Latura's group of village rats, well, they seem perfectly ... woodlanderish, for want of a better word. I trust they'd fit in very well here. They certainly don't seem threatening in any way, and the seven of them would hardly strain our Abbey resources. Harth's full company, on the other paw ... "
"That would get trickier, allowing some to stay and forcing others out."
"It would get even more tricky, trying to separate Harth's rats. I noticed at least two or three ratmums among them who are with child, so Turma from Latura's party isn't the only one in a family way. And then there are the youngsters, and the oldsters ... how am I supposed to put any of them out of Redwall, and condemn them to whatever Tratton would have in store for them?"
"Based on your impassioned plea there, you're not. And I'll stand between any of them and Custis to keep it from happening, if I am able." Alex looked down at his scarcely-nibbled muffin. "I wish Monty were here to give his counsel. He was always the ... less intellectual of our twosome, but sometimes there's no substitute for down-to-earth otter sense."
"Yes, I'm missing Foremole for the same reason. We need as many different perspectives and viewpoints on this as we can get. And few creatures are as sensible as moles. I hope they're not encountering any trouble out there at the quarry."
Alex gave a tired chuckle. "I'm sure they're doing better than we are. Foremole must be in his element, having an entire quarry to work with!"
"Nevertheless, I think I'll have Highwing instruct his Sparra to make daily flights out to the quarry just to check up on things. Just because everything there was fine when Rafter flew out yesterday doesn't mean that crisis or misfortune might not overtake them on very short notice, and our birds are the only way we have of keeping abreast of news there in any kind of timely manner. And speaking of our bird friends, have Skytop, Harpreet or Brybag shown up yet?"
"Probably not until later," Alex replied with a knowing smile. "It's a long way from Foxguard to Redwall for such young Sparra."
"Foxguard? What are you talking about?"
"Just something that came out in the ... discussion Mina and I had last night after the council in Great Hall broke up. Turns out she dispatched our Sparra trio to Foxguard to summon Custis. That's how the Gawtrybe knew those rats were here - it wasn't that they'd been spotted from the tower at all."
"Well, I'll be ... Alex, somebeast really needs to talk to that wife of yours, and remind her what it means to be a Redwaller."
"I've already tried, Geoff, although you're welcome to take a stab at it yourself. Maybe such a reprimand will carry more weight coming from Redwall's Abbot than from me ... but I tend to doubt it."
"I can't believe she had the gall to go behind our backs like that, and to imperil three of our sparrows in the bargain. Foxguard may be fairly close, but it's still a respectable distance for youngbirds accustomed to staying within sight of Redwall on even their most far-ranging flights. Did Mina at least say whether they're all right?"
"The Gawtrybe are here, aren't they? That proves they delivered Mina's message just fine. But yes, Mina said Custis assured her they arrived at Foxguard tired but otherwise in good health. They were naturally too exhausted to fly back the same day, but they should be returning sometime today - unless Tolar proves such a fine and accommodating host that they decide to linger there longer."
"I can't picture those pampered Abbey Sparra finding too much allure in a den of militaristic foxes. I imagine we'll see them back here by midday, or not much later. Unless they take a side trip to the quarry, or someplace else that strikes their flighty fancy. Perhaps I should have Highwing send out a couple of grown sparrows to escort them back here, before we even think about the quarry ... "
"That's really up to you. I'd say we have quite a full plate with just what's inside our walls ... and outside of them."
"Yes, that's true. Speaking of missing Redwallers, has anybeast managed to track down Vanessa after her disappearing act at the end of last night's council?"
"Not so far. It seems she's crept back into whatever hiding place she's found for herself. I'm sure she'll poke her head out again to pester us when it suits her."
"I'm not entirely convinced that's advisable in this case, or something we can afford to just sit back and wait for."
Alex gave Geoff a serious look. "You're thinking about what Latura said, aren't you?"
"How can I not? Winokur and Traveller are both certain that Latura's gift of prophecy is genuine, and she got a hundred and a half of her fellow rats to follow her on that premise as well. So when she comes right out and refers to Vanessa as a 'deadbeast' right in front of all of us, what am I to think? I suspect Nessa may be in some manner of peril, most likely from the affliction she's suffered ever since Foxguard. We know her behavior's changed for the worse recently, and then there are those frightening, deathly fainting spells. It could be that the injury she sustained four seasons ago is finally about to claim her." Geoff heaved a deep sigh. "Just what we need, on top of everything else going on."
"Do you think we ought to send for Mona?"
"I really don't know if there'd be any point. She's said herself that Vanessa's condition is beyond her, and there's really nothing left to be done about it, by her or by anybeast else, except to just let it run its course. Besides, with this standoff between us and Urthblood's Gawtrybe, she might not be inclined to come running when we call."
"Then again, she might be able to provide us some insight into just how Tolar and his foxes regard this campaign against the rats. You'll notice there aren't any swordfoxes out there with Custis - only his squirrels. And when I pressed Mina on it last night, she was somewhat evasive, refusing to answer directly or offer anything but the vaguest, broadest assurances that she felt confident Tolar fully supported this campaign. But something in her manner leads me to suspect that might not be entirely true."
Geoff raised an eyebrow. "You think we might have an ally in Tolar?"
"If not an ally, then possibly somebeast who won't join with Custis in any action against Redwall. The swordfoxes have always been presented to us as Urthblood's most elite warriors, and Foxguard was built just for them, so I can't imagine that Tolar doesn't carry considerably more authority in Mossflower than Custis does."
"Which means that if he withholds his support from Custis in any move against Redwall ... "
"It pretty much cuts that arrogant squirrel's legs out from under him. Which still leaves the Gawtrybe as a problem to contend with, but it at least leaves him isolated. And if Tolar hesitates in throwing his weight behind Custis because he suspects Urthblood himself might disapprove of a siege of Redwall, that could ultimately prove our way out of this."
"Hm. Now all we have to do is get word to Urthblood somehow, and hope he doesn't side with Custis."
"Or get word to Foxguard," Alex said. "Remember, they have that signalling mirror atop their tower. And I imagine a message as simple as 'Gawtrybe have Redwall under siege, please advise' would be very easy to send."
"Hmmm. Definitely something to consider. But before we go to such lengths, let's give the lieutenant a day or two to calm down and see if he softens his stance at all on his own. Seasons know, we'll have enough to keep us all busy in the meantime!" Geoff's gaze went to the kitchens, from out of which now appeared a line of heavily-laden trolleys pushed by Hugh's willing staff. "Ah, here comes round two of breakfast - including a portion for me, I hope. Once I've eaten, I'll head outside to see how everything's going there."
Alexander eyed the muffin on his plate. "I was going to offer you mine, but I guess you'd prefer one without teeth marks."
"Um, typically, yes. But don't throw it away, though. If this does turn out to be any kind of prolonged siege, we won't be able to waste even a morsel of food - not even a squirrel-nibbled muffin!"