6

Jander's recovery surprised even the most hopeful of the Abbey dwellers. After four days he was walking round with the slightest limp. And though he still looked like a wolf had mauled him, he was as alert as ever.

Skipper and Raga visited him frequently, where the squirrel would frequently ask for the story of how frightened Judos and Mellor had looked after knocking him out. And when Abbott Varrus had apologized for their misbehavior, he had remarked, "Well it was worth scaring them outta their fur, so it was."

Judos and Mellor were still surprised and subdued from their latest failure. Even after their punishment was over, they were silent, barely speaking even to each other. Varrus and Sara were starting to get concerned.

Then one day, Judos and Mellor were with the other Dibbuns when Brother Gores was teaching them the history of Redwall's founding.

Mellor was casually reading his book, but Judos was surprisingly very attentive this lesson.

Brother Gores did not notice, but continued on, "So Martin the Warrior went against Tsarmina the wildcat Queen and a vicious fight ensued. Martin suffered terrible wounds, but his defiance and courage finally gave the victory to him."

Half the Dibbuns raised a small cheer. Judos stayed silent, a wave of some feeling unknown to him swept him over.

At that moment Brother Gores was speaking of how Bella of Brockhall had spared the lives of scores of vermin, when a call of astonishment got everyone's attention.

Mellor was staring to the left of him, where Judos was staring in front of him, his eyes widening in what seemed to be horror.

Brother Gores felt that something was out of order, "Judos?"

The young otter made no response. His mouth began to open, and mouth uncomprehending words.

Mellor reached his paw out to shake his friend. Judos made no response.

Brother Gores started to move towards him, when the otter let out a call of pain, and fright,

"Father!"

All were stunned. Judos jumped up, and hurtled upstairs, towards the Main Gate.

Old Monnik, an elderly bank vole, was at the gate when he saw Judos charging towards the gate. He started to get in between them, saw the blank look in Judos' eyes and hurried out of the way.

Judos, chased by Mellor, Brother Gores, Raga, and Skipper, crashed through the trees and bushes. It was a beautiful afternoon; the sun seemed to break through the leaves and thick growth of Mossflower to brighten the ground. Insects were out to take the best of the light and the air was full of flies, butterflies, and bees.

Judos was oblivious of it all. He barreled through it all towards, though he did not know it, the sight of his old village.

It had lain abandoned since Mother Sara and Raga had left it. The ruin and the bodies were long gone, and it was a place of peace and quiet. Still, a haunting air hung over the remaining mounds that had been houses, and the skeletons that remained somewhere among the ferns.

Judos, slowly coming back to normal, gazed at the place with the knowledge that he had been here before. A movement caught his eye, and he whipped round to stare at the sight that awaited him.

It was an otter like himself. He looked haggard and old, though he was not an old creature. Scars were visible in between the ragged streaks of fur. The left eye was bloodshot and out of focus, while the right was milky white.

Judos was in tears. Running to him, he started to drag the otter by the shoulder.

Skipper and Sara came bursting into the clearing, with Brother Gores and Mellor behind them. Seeing the two otters, Sara picked up the elder, and Skipper took the younger by the hand and the party turned back to Redwall.

Mellor was still surprised, and he walked alongside Judos in silence. Then the young hedgehog looked sideways at his friend, "You know, 'e looks a lot like you." Judos said nothing, but looked at the unconscious otter.

Was this ragged, miserable creature related to him? Could this frail wretched otter be his father?

The longer he looked at the otter, the more he started to believe it. And he had seen Martin the Warrior.

He remembered it like a very old man recalls a special childhood memory. He had been trying to hack through a field of thorns with a shining blade, but every time he hacked, they always grew back, even sharper, and even closer to him than before. Then a hole had come under Judos' paws and he was falling into darkness. There were dozens of figures in the dark, some shining, others hiding in the shadow. Some he had known, others were a mystery. Like the young weasel wielding two large single-bladed axes. There were three badgers, each one eyeing the others. The worst had been a gray-furred fox, standing over at least five otters with a score of ferrets and rats behind him. He stuck his sword in four of them, but the fifth crawled away. The fox's laughter had sent shivers up his spine. Then he heard a strangely familiar voice call out:

"Judos."

"It's his name. Just like his papa. When he's grown, he must find Coldbane. He did this all… "

It had been his mother's voice, and as it had spoken, the fifth otter had appeared, this time old and scarred, just like the otter he had just seen. Beside him, there was a mouse in full armor, and wielding the sword Judos had used, "Go to your father, Judos! He is here to find you!"

This otter was then Judos the Elder, and that meant Judos' proper name was Judos the Younger. His father was right here.

Mellor looked at the tears in his friend's eyes, and looked away for his friend.

It seemed all Redwall was staring at the procession re entering the abbey. Judos tried to block out the eyes, but found he couldn't.

In the infirmary, Jander and Sister Val had laid out a bed for the new patient. There was a lot to work on here. He seemed to be dying, for his breathing was light and slow. Judos and Mellor were ushered out of the room, and they waited.

Mellor looked at Judos, "How did you know that was your father?"

Judos returned his friend's gaze, "It was in something I saw all of a sudden."

Mellor went quiet, thinking.

Then the door opened, Sara looked down at Judos, her striped face full of concern, "Judos, I need you to come with me."

Judos was oblivious of the walk towards the Abbott's room. He was lost in his thoughts.

Eventually, they reached their destination, and Mother Sara opened the door for Judos. The old badger followed him inside.

Dreamlike was the word Judos would have used to describe his first look at it. There was a small fire in a hearth, the embers glowing bright red, with orange flames licking tenderly upwards. Abbott Varrus was seated in a chair which was faced parallel to the flames. There was another chair facing the old otter Abbott. Raga, the Warrior of Redwall was standing behind the Abbott's chair. Both looked solemn and bleak.

Varrus wordlessly gestured to Judos and he sat down in the chair opposite Varrus. Sara put her paw on the desk Varrus would usually sit behind when writing.

Varrus peered intently at Judos, "There is something I must tell you now to set straight what has occurred this day."

Judos sat in silence as the truth came from the three beasts in front of him. He was astounded, outraged, tearful, and bemused at once. He had a family now. His mother had been murdered cruelly. Why had they not told him?

Coldbane.

A good name for one such as him. The fox's face leered at him still.

Varrus continued, "We never knew your father was still alive. We thought you were an orphan, and we raised you. And we never told you the truth about your existence because we feared you would want revenge. Indeed, I had always thought that was your reason for wanting to leave Redwall. I have held you back every time, knowing that revenge would take you down a very dark path. Do you understand now? We have been protecting you all this time."

Judos understood.

A timid knock sounded at the door.

It was Sister Val with grave news. Judos' father was dead.

A pain hit Judos in his stomach as though a knife had been plunged into it.

Raga looked from Judos to Sister Val, "Did he say anything?"

Sister Val shook her head, "He never woke. He was already nearly dead when you brought him here."

Judos stood up, "May I go and rest?"

Varrus gazed at him for a long time, almost sadly, "You may."

Judos left the room silently, leaving behind a sadness and sympathy for the young otter.

So cruel is life to take away a young creature's parents, Varrus thought, but the past is unchangeable, so either run or learn from it.

They set out to bury Judos the Elder outside of the Abbey in a clearing. Sara sent Skipper to ask Judos if he wanted to attend it, though Varrus shook his head to himself after Skipper went back to the Abbey.

After the body was buried, and the funeral completed, Skipper sidled up, "I hate to disrupt a funeral, but Judos ain't in his room. I checked everywhere else, and no luck. He's finally escaped for good."

Surprise and astonishment showed on most of the Abbey dwellers, and they hurried back to the Abbey after the tombstone was erected.

Varrus, Sara, Skipper, Mellor, Raga and a few others did not rush back.

Mellor was overwhelmed that his friend had left without him. Sara and Raga were sighing, realizing some things didn't change but Varrus merely looked sad. Skipper alone noticed it, "Shall I organize a party to bring him back?"

Varrus shook his head, "No."

All stared at him in shock. Jander spoke for all of them, "But he's just tried to escape!' He shook his head in ruefulness of the young otter's cunning, 'On 'is papa's funeral too. I'd ne'er a thought."

Varrus bowed his head, "I did. I knew the moment he asked for rest. And this time I will not stop him. He is old enough to choose his life."

Sara hesitated, "I don't think that is the smartest idea. Revenge is a twisted path."

Varrus looked at his old friend, "If you think that he should be brought back here, then by all means send a party out. I will not interfere with Martin the Warrior, and a mother's call to her son."

Skipper looked at Jander. The squirrel shrugged, "Well, I suppose I'll do it. Just t' keep an eye out for him."

Mellor spoke up, "I'm going after him too!"

Raga fixed him with a stern look, "No! It's dangerous enough with Judos gone. You are not to come."

Mellor pouted, spikes bristling, "He's my friend, and I go where he does, no matter what!"
Raga shook his head, "I understand how you feel, but you can't throw yourself into something just to follow your friends."

Everyone but Varrus started to go back to the Abbey. He glanced at the young hedgehog and called him back.

"" "" "" "" "" "" ""

Salamandastron was unchanged after Roaveen's prophecy. Roaveen most of all had forgotten it, and had quickly resumed his title of the bully of his family. Korari and Thornback had grown more resentful than ever.

Roaveen though was also becoming a leader in the Long Patrol. Several patrols were sent out on his orders, and a minor skirmish with some toads resulted in the large and warty amphibians scuttling away from the wrath of the rising star.

Since then, he had become popular among the young hares of Salamandastron. Even the hares under his command claimed he had a strong potential.

This affected Korari and Thornback each differently. Thornback had merely smiled, knowing privately that he was smarter, but Korari had developed resentfulness for this.

Captain Jackers and Colonel Seahawk, old campaigners and friends, were sitting at the foot of the mountain, watching Roaveen struggle to teach eighty-five leverets to become soldiers.

Jackers tut-tutted, "Too young, all of em'. I'd give it another three or four seasons, wot. O' course, Lord Roaveen will deny it."

Seahawk peered through his monocle, "Aye, you're right, old lad. Come to think of it, Roaveen and them youngsters are a lot alike. They're young, proud and they love the eldest son of Oakfur."

Jackers smiled. Roaveen had enough vanity for both his brothers.

Oakfur came up, staring at the new battalion of youngsters. Seahawk and Jackers formally got up and saluted.

Oakfur waved it aside, "What is my son doing?"

Seahawk spoke up, "Training what he deems to be new recruits sah. Personally disagree with him sah."

Oakfur raised an eyebrow, "Disagree?"

The old Colonel had served Oakfur for many a long season, and knew how to talk to him, "My opinion says they're too young. Not fit enough, sah!"

Oakfur gazed at the battalion again. Secretly, he thought likewise, but he knew that Roaveen needed this training if he were to become Badger Lord. Besides, the thought of recruiting at that age was not out of the ordinary. Lady Cregga Rose Eyes, so many generations before, had led over a hundred such leverets as new recruits from the mountain in assistance to Redwall.

Oakfur did not say as much to the two veteran officers, "If Roaveen can lead them to battle, I do not care."

Jackers started to voice an opinion, thought better of it, and kept quiet.

Roaveen marched up, "There's promise in this new unit, father. I've even thought up a new name for this little battalion."

Oakfur raised an eyebrow, "Very well."

Roaveen smiled, but Seahawk and Jackers found it ridiculous. To give them a name was to separate them from the rest of the Long Patrol. It would give them a confidence that would break in the line of battle.

Roaveen was oblivious about it. He saw greatness in that unit. So what to call it? Something that meant prowess, or a name to strike fear in the heart of any scum that dare try to harm innocent creatures. The near-grown badger's mind was swimming with names that proclaimed brilliance in war. The Mountain Regiment was one, or maybe the Fire Dragons. No, the Mountain Regiment sounded great: allegiance to the Mountain, an organized unit. It would definitely work. He marched back to the new Regiment to tell them the good news.

The leverets were overjoyed. One called Leaflock spoke up, "Are we going to learn how to be warriors, sire?"

Roaveen grinned, and said, "Only if you want to."

Jackers shook his head, "I say, them leverets will be in for a thrashin' if they don't learn fast."

Seahawk watched silently as the new Mountain Regiment put new vigor in their drills, "Who knows, old lad? Who knows?"