When the door opened, a metal tab attached to the upper corner struck a brass bell. The tinkling note echoed throughout the empty shop as it announced a customer. It rang a second time as the door closed.
From a back room a female vole appeared. In one paw she held a broom and in her other a dust tray. She smiled at her guest and swept the floor. With a quick pace she gathered the errant tuffs of fur and soon had everything tidy.
"You're a bit early, Tassel. Give me a moment to clean up from my last group of customers."
The female badger stood just inside the furrier shop and swiveled in place. "I do hope you don't expect me to sit out here where anyone could see my uncovered face." She paused. "I think you can understand my reluctance since you know what I look like. Even my dibbuns have an adverse reaction the first few times I'm unmasked."
Henrietta finished sweeping the last bits of fur into the dustpan and dumped it into a trash receptacle. "My customers prefer a communal setting, but I can understand your reluctance." The vole pointed to the store's rear. "My next three appointments are in an hour and, in the meantime, I'll leave a sign on the door saying I'm closed. That should assure us privacy. If some beast ignores it, we'll have the door to the back room shut and I can deal with the intruder without any risk of them seeing you."
Tassel followed the vole to the back room and gave the place a cursory inspection. The windowless room had two wall length mirrors hidden under a heavy tarp. Satisfied none could see her, the female badger disrobed and sank into the massive tub resting above a bank of smoldering coals. After a few tentative tries, she sank into the hot water and let out a contented sigh.
The vole allowed her customer a few moments to enjoy the warm water soaking out all her tension. Henrietta began rubbing a foamy soap into the badger's pelt. When she finished, she rinsed the soap out of Tassel's fur and had her stand in a second, but empty tub. Tassel did not move as Henrietta started her work. The thick towel felt warm and the vigorous rubbing had the badger purring with delight.
"When one of your little ones said you needed to see me on an emergency basis, I was happy to find an opening in my schedule. Now I understand why."
Henrietta stepped back and examined the badger. With the exception of the bare skin rings around the ankles and wrist, the fur remained winter-thick, but thickness didn't concern the vole. Henrietta's paw pushed the stained fur against the grain as she inspected the underlying coat. Her tongue kept a steady clicking as she circled the badger.
"There's no way I can salvage your winter coat; the coloring goes right down to the skin. Good thing spring is almost here. I suggest you sit closer to the fire on cold nights and add another blanket to your bed."
Tassel examined the orange streaks staining the fur on her arms and chest. "A bucket of dye propped over my door doused me when I got up this morning. It ruined my dress and left me looking like this. I don't mind saying I thought one of the dibbuns I care for did it, but their eyes told me the truth."
Henrietta laid out her clippers. "Considering what happened yesterday morning, I believe Markus and Darlow did it. Those two hares dyed Robertasin's sheep and then scattered them throughout the pasture. Yarden described it as the funniest thing he saw in a long time. Imagine red, blue, violet, and yellow sheep wandering around a green field."
The badger did not join the vole's laughter. "How did Robertasin take it?"
"You know some of the elders here call her 'Thunderhead' because her temper is like a storm cloud when angered. She sure lived up to her nickname. Robertasin caught them in the act and tried braining them with her shepherd's crook. Good thing those hares could outrun one very irate squirrel. Yarden said he watched that black squirrel chase those two for close to an hour before she finally gave up. I'll not repeat what my mate said she shouted; I'm too much a lady for such language. My guess is they saved some of the dye for you."
Henrietta then recounted the Abbey's gossip mill's version of what happened when the hares faced Father Hughnaught just before dinner. She grumbled about his lack of control; somebody needed to rein in those mischievous teens. Henrietta recounted the many pranks attributed to the two teenaged hares and how the father abbot did nothing. The vole stopped her monologue when she noticed her customer's silence.
"I do wish you would stop moping every time I mention my mate's name or that of my toddler. You make any conversation difficult as I'm always afraid my words will have you acting like one of your youngsters denied a treat."
Tassel shifted in her chair, allowing the vole a chance at trimming another section of her coat. She kept quiet while the metallic clicking of the scissors continued. As Henrietta selected a different clipper, the badger spoke in a subdued tone.
"Every beast in this Abbey has a mate, or a good chance at finding one." Tassel's gravelly voice held no emotion. "But me, I'm condemned to this Abbey, never able to venture beyond its outer walls, and I can count the number of male badgers that have visited this Abbey on one paw. Every time I hear those wedding bells, I get so depressed. I feel like a clay vase that will never know the kiln's fire."
The vole stopped her work, stepped back, and admired her effort. Tassel allowed Henrietta a moment to make her final inspection. When she said nothing more, the badger started dressing. She then placed two large copper coins in a tray by the covered mirror. The vole tried returning the coins, but Tassel refused.
"Redwall pays you for grooming those under my care. That payment doesn't cover me. I'll not accept charity, though I am grateful for the offer."
"Then consider this a favor returned between friends. If you hadn't stayed with my daughter while I was at the market, I never would have gotten my clippers sharpened."
Tassel pocketed one of the coins as she left the room. Henrietta retrieved her broom. Just as the doorbell sounded, she called out to the badger. "Before you leave Tassel, any word on your request to the father abbot?"
Tassel crossed the shop and exited the room giving no indication of having heard the vole's query.
xxxxx
He stood at parade rest before the massive desk, his paws clasped behind his back. Just over his head he caught sight of his bushy tail and noticed how the hairs at the very tip twitched. His mood darkened as he concentrated on the task before him. His eyes wandered to the large window that dominated the wall he faced. Sunlight streamed into the room giving it a bright appearance and added warmth.
Behind the desk sat the current leader of Redwall Abbey. Karteel remembered the woodchuck had been one of the first to greet him two winters back when his wanderings brought him to this impressive fortress. Until now, he never had an excuse for visiting the office. In the past, he preferred discussing matters informally over a gaming table.
Karteel kept his voice devoid of any emotion as he held his irritation under control. It would be counterproductive if their conversation turned into a heated shouting match. He knew words spoken in anger seldom persuaded another to change their opinion. A calm voice always worked better.
"I remember my words from two months ago, Father Abbot. With everyone getting antsy confined to the building due to the heavy winter snows, it sounded like a great idea. You were most enthusiastic, and I was pleased so many of the residents joined the classes I held in the Abbey's basement."
The woodchuck's eyes never strayed from the paper. "Your idea of training everyone in basic weapon's skills and defensive tactics did indeed help everyone overcome the winter doldrums. If they don't continue the training now that the snows are gone, I'll not force it. We are a peaceful Abbey; you knew that when you settled here, Karteel."
He took a deep breath and let it slide out before replying. "According to the merchants I talked to yesterday, slavers are active in the regions to our north and west. Though no community east of the Grand Spur has been attacked, it is best all are prepared. I'm just concerned about our conversation from last night. If I am correct, you expect me to train vermin too?"
Father Hughnaught lifted a quill and began writing, his eyes fixed on the material before him. "I'm not asking you to turn our resident nanny into Redwall's next champion warrior. Just give her enough attention so she feels confident with her weapon of choice."
Karteel interjected a strong note of displeasure. "As a matter of courtesy, Father Abbot, could I have your undivided attention?"
The father abbot stopped his work. He leaned back in his chair, his paws forming a platform for his muzzle. For the next moment, the two remained in this silent staring contest until the woodchuck shifted in his chair.
"What more is there to say? You voiced your objections while we played Siege last night. Nothing you said then has changed my mind. Tassel asked me before dinner if she could take lessons and even Nivek supported her request. If Redwall's champion warrior thinks it a good idea, I see no harm."
"No harm?" Karteel couldn't keep the shock out of his voice. "You would have me train an enemy how best to defeat us? I said it before and I'll say it again, if this Abbey ever does come under attack, either keep her locked in a secure place until our enemy is defeated, or kill her. She's a menace to every honorable beast residing here."
The father abbot's voice remained unruffled. "You're too inflexible. She has proven herself trustworthy with the dibbuns I placed in her care. Though I wouldn't classify her as an enemy, I can well understand your reluctance. If you think you are unable to act like a professional soldier, name another drill instructor."
"Have you been taking heed to some of our most respected elders? If even half the tales about her treatment of those under her care are true, she needs no training from me. As I hear it, she is quite deadly when armed with a willow switch. Why give her access to a real weapon?"
Father Hughnaught leaned back in his chair, his expression calm. "Such stories were circulating even before I confirmed my predecessor's decision to have Tassel named Redwall's badgermom. Each has proven false, though I investigated any that sounded creditable. I can remember ordering Tassel to have one or two of her youngsters taken to Healer Fazbee, or I had a dibbun sent to the infirmary without her knowledge. Not a shred of evidence supports the accusations of abuse."
Like any tactician thwarted on one front, Karteel tried another approach. "Would the Counsel of Elders support your decision?"
The father abbot's voice remained unruffled. "I understand you made sure they knew about her request. Think I didn't see you conversing with them after our game? Before I even had a chance at breakfast, they stormed my private quarters. Two threatened a vote of no confidence, but that will not sway me. Such a vote for my removal as the father abbot requires an overt action from Tassel that proves my decision endangered the residents."
"If you insist I go forward with her training, she will find others of her ilk. Before long this Abbey will be a smoldering ruin. Vermin will be dancing on our graves." Karteel could not keep his voice from climbing several octaves, though he kept it low enough that anyone outside could not overhear his words.
The calm voice of Redwall's ruler sounded more like some beast describing the progress of this year's crops and not somebody in a heated verbal battle. "Yes, I'm taking a risk, but I believe she will tire of the lessons just like many of the others. Her responsibilities as badgermom weigh heavily on her, so I doubt she will show much progress. If you feel so adamant about training her, I'll have Nivek take over when he returns from Plintar."
Karteel adopted a more civil tone. "I'll inform the sow that her first lesson will be this afternoon."
He marched out of the office and closed the door. Once outside, the squirrel emitted a low growl. With a conscious effort, he unclenched his fists. The sound of another beast taking a deep breath had him turn to his right. Karteel noticed the secretary staring at him with eyes as big as saucers. He took a moment and smoothed his shirt, acting as if the red-furred mouse didn't exist. With the nonexistent dust removed from his tunic, he addressed the lady as if he just noticed her.
"Mark my words Cinnamon. We shall all rue the day somebody placed a weapon in that vermin's paw."
