6
The small group outside Redwall wrote a small message to their associates inside Redwall. They explained everything, including their plans for toppling Varrus. Warbeak flew over to the Abbey to give her or Conrad the message. How she did it none of them knew, but when she returned she had a reply hastily written from Conrad. He wished them well, saying that God was on their side, and that they would be prepared to help them when they returned.
The plan was to finally stage a trial upon Varrus, but they all knew that if they approached him and accused him, then he would win the case. He was too powerful in his element, surrounded by supporters in Redwall.
They needed to surprise him. They would take Redwall from his paws, enter it and hold it under a form of mass arrest. The truth would be forced out of Varrus, who would be completely surprised to the events.
However, they couldn't just take Redwall. First of all they were too few in number, at least until Skipper rallied enough otters in Mossflower, and even then if they tried, they would be morally in the wrong. They needed an approval of authority to forcefully take the power of Redwall from its Abott.
The only solution was to find Judge Thael.
Thael had been called upon before to proclaim judgement in Redwall. Judges traveled the land, giving out justice according to the region's laws. If they could find the superior authority that rested with Judge Thael, then they could claim they were in the right to assault Redwall.
With Judge Thael, they would be able to defeat Varrus. For three of them had evidence that could condemn anyone to punishment. The big problem was to find Judge Thael and persuade him to come to Redwall.
The problem was that nobody was sure where Thael had gone. Thael had his home three days south from Redwall, but as he was on his rounds, he would most likely not be there.
The group sat around the fire, each wondering where Judge Thael would most likely be. Warbeak had travelled beyond Mossflower, but she was unsure of the names of places. Elial had much experience travelling, but he, as well as Adisa, was silent. Both had deep wounds placed very near here, and they feared that someone would dare to raise the location.
Naturally it was Skipper, so familiar with the lands around Redwall, that brought up the most obvious answer, "I say we go to Pharen. If any place would need a judge, that's it."
The closest major settlement near Redwall was the small kingdom of Pharen. This was ruled by kings and had long been established to the north of Redwall.
Adisa did not want to go there. Pharen was perilously close to where his life's story had taken place. Indeed, it may very well include that old massacre ground in its kingdom now.
He stood up, "I don't think that that is where Thael is, Skipper." He tried to sound calm, but the images of his dead family filled him with anger and fear.
Elial saw it in the civet's face, "Come on, now, Adisa." He sounded as though Adisa was threatening Skipper with a knife.
Adisa stared at the otter, oblivious of the fox, "I have no intention of returning to the ground still soaked in my people's blood."
Warbeak offered a wing, "Adisa, you must face that land, or else it will haunt you forever."
Adisa sighed shakily, "It has haunted me all this time." But deep down, he knew that he had to face it again. It just hurt him so much to do it.
The five companions began heading north for Pharen, carefully making a long detour around Redwall Abbey. They knew that if they could get away unnoticed, then they could truly catch Varrus by surprise.
Eventually, after two days of travel, Pharen came into sight. The heart of the kingdom of Pharen lay in its city. It was the textbook example of what was once called a city-state. The large settlement was the source of its existence.
The five travelers headed towards Pharen, approaching the wooden palisade that protected the village from attack. Ten guards stood to attention by the gate, and they pointed their spears menacingly at Adisa and Elial.
Skipper and Jander announced themselves to try and vouch for their safety. Fortunately, one of the guards was an otter who knew Skipper well, and the group was permitted to enter.
The group headed to the large fortress at the center of the city. It was in turn guarded by more soldiers. Adisa was growing more and more agitated as they headed for the King's home.
As before, a group of guards approached the five companions, "Who are you?"
Skipper took charge, "We're from Redwall. I'm Skipper of Otters, with a group of friends here. We've come to see King Opac."
Adisa made an involuntary growl of anger. The guard didn't miss it, and looked at the civet for a long time, "What is your intention of seeing him?"
Skipper made a calming gesture at Adisa and turned back to the guard, "You know me. I'm a creature of the peace, but I have a dispute to settle between this creature and King Opac. I vouch for Adisa and for the others."
The guard frowned, evidently thinking of a way that could turn these strangers away, but he had no right to refuse petitioners access to the King. He escorted them inside.
Once inside the great hall, he went off to go alert the King.
As soon as the guard was gone, Skipper whirled upon Adisa, "You've got to let your hate rest, Adisa, or else we'll never get anywhere!"
Warbeak nodded, "He's right, Adisa."
Adisa looked miserable and humiliated, "I'm trying, friends. I'm trying!"
He looked so conflicted that it was hard to blame him for being so angry with these people and this King Opac. If indeed it was the same King Opac.
The guard returned, and announced, "All hail the King Opac II of Pharen." He turned and bowed his king into the hall.
Adisa stared in horror at Opac before hastily bowing out of necessity to hide his face. The middle aged dormouse was the spitting image of his father, Opac the First. The same build, the same pace, the same clothes. The past was hard to confront.
Skipper stood, "May I ask, Highness, that we can speak in private?"
Opac looked at him in surprise, and answered. Adisa almost heard Opac's father in his voice.
"What matter is so urgent and private that you would rouse me from my duties and speak to me alone?"
Skipper bobbed his head again in respect, "Sire, there is a dispute that must be settled. We also come to ask of the Judge Thael and his whereabouts."
Opac paused, thinking, and looked pointedly at the guard. The guard bowed, and departed the room, bolting the door shut behind him.
Opac looked at the five travelers, "Now then. What do you need of Judge Thael?"
Jander spoke up, "We need to find out where to find him. We need him to deal with a major conflict in Redwall Abbey."
Opac smiled, "As much as I respect Redwall Abbey, I cannot help but remind you that Judge Thael must follow his regular route. You'll have to wait until he reaches Redwall again."
Skipper looked worried, "This cannot wait, sire. This is an issue that must be dealt with now. We're talking about corruption as high up as the Abbott himself!"
Opac was shaken at that statement, but tried to shrug it off, "I can't imagine what Abbott Varrus is possibly guilty of, but whatever it is, it must wait! I can't afford to do that."
Adisa spoke in a dangerous voice, "I think you will."
Opac looked angrily at the civet, "And who are you to say that?"
Adisa spoke again, in the kind of voice that had terrified Varrus for so long, "I have come to speak the truth against Varrus, and if you do not help us now, I shall tell the people of your father's treachurous deal with the orchestrators of a genocide."
Opac shuddered at the cruel threat behind those words, but didn't say anything.
Adisa stepped forward, "Your father was approached by the top officials of the town, and..."
"Stop! I know the tale! I was alive at that time!" Opac cried out. He looked down at his shoes, "I know my father did terrible things..."
"And the people of Pharen shall know of what he did. I'm sure their memories have long forgotten something unpleasant in their history. If you do not give us the aid we request, it will be not only the people of Redwall, but also the people of Pharen that hear of the forgotten stories."
Skipper and Jander glanced at each other. The righteous threats of the wronged was always the most dangerous threat in existence.
