The moon was rising when Rayn entered Tuscan's room. The Grand Master turned and looked at him. "I cannot be the only one that believes Dann learned something today. Do you?"
"Yes. I believe he learned much."
"And he is dedicated?"
"As much as I can tell."
Tuscan nodded. "Good. Do not be too hard on him, Rayn. He is young, and they are prone to making mistakes."
"Are we so different with age?"
Tuscan chuckled, the sound muffled from behind the cloth that covered his mouth. "I have taught you well, Rayn. Has there been any news?"
As if summoned by the question, Tiber entered the room, a map and a small stack of scrolls in his paws. "Yes, Grand Master. There has."
Tuscan nodded and gestured to the large table that he had been sitting at when Dann first met him. "Good. Put them here."
Tiber placed the map on the table first, holding it in place with four hardwood paperweights. Pointing to various places, he began to speak. "Ashren has consolidated his hold on the town he took a few days ago."
"How are the former slaves adjusting, by the way?" Rayn asked.
Tiber gave him a look of mock severity for interrupting, but then smiled. "They're doing well. They're mostly taking easy jobs, ones that don't require hard labor. Many have become apprentices to some of the shops."
"Any new recruits for us?"
"Some. They're young, and want revenge for the cruelty that they've suffered."
"We'll need to rid them of that," Tuscan said. "Back to the matter at hand."
Tiber nodded. "Most of the vermin that survived the attack have joined Ashren's army. He's putting the docks to good use, building up a fleet of ships."
"Any incursions?"
"No. The guard posts report nothing."
"Which reminds me," Tuscan said. "Rayn, have you decided where to post Dann once he completes his training?"
Rayn nodded and pointed to a small circle. "Here. The eastern post."
"The border?" Tiber asked, raising an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
"Ashren wouldn't be stupid enough to break the peace. He wants to appear the victim, so he has justification for going to war other than the fact that he was out for a walk and stepped into our territory."
Tuscan nodded. "Then it is decided. What of the defenses?"
"We've completed most of the trebuchets and are making weapons as fast as we can. Soon we'll have enough to fit out both garrisons."
Tuscan nodded again. "Good. Then we will be prepared."
Tiber and Rayn nodded in return. Tuscan waved an arm and they turned, understanding that they were dismissed.
As they walked down the stairs, Tiber looked at Rayn. "So, what did you do today?"
"I taught him how to use buildings as roads and how to be flexible."
"Tomorrow comes the crowds, correct?"
Rayn nodded. "Yes. I plan to only let him catch glimpses of me and see how he applies what he learned yesterday."
"And the weapons are next."
"Weapons, then our laws."
"And after that, he will be accepted?"
"No. I will then give him a mock assignment. We will plant informants around town and give them information relating to the target to see how he goes about it."
Tiber nodded approvingly. "And then he will be welcomed in?"
Rayn nodded back. "Yes. He will."
Tiber smiled. "But it won't be over."
"There is always more to learn."
They both stopped in the middle of the hallway that was in front of the stairs. They turned, bowed to each other, then spun on their heels and walked to their rooms, on the opposite sides of the fortress.
That night, the Redwallers were the only creatures in the inn. None of the townsfolk had been using it, having cleared out of it at the request of the assassins. The town did not get many travelers anyway.
As they sat around a table eating dinner, Dann told Skipper of his first day of training. The otter and his crew had been guarding the wall that separated the town from the rest of the wilderness all day.
Skipper was impressed. "Shame that none o' that will be useful when we get back to Redwall, Dann."
Dann nodded. "I know. But I just have the feeling that when we get back to the abbey, I'll never want to use it again."
Rusvul placed a paw on his son's shoulder. "Don't talk like that, Dann. Rayn means well. And I'm sure he'll only be angry if you do something to make him angry."
Janglur nodded. "I wonder what he's going to have you do tomorrow."
"He said that it'd be more subtle than today," Song said. "And he said that the crowds can be both an obstacle and a blessing. He may teach Dann how to blend in with his surroundings."
Skipper affectionately ruffled the fur between Song's ears. "Got a right 'ead on yer shoulders, missy."
Song giggled, the fur between her ears now sticking up oddly. "Thanks, Skipper."
Rusvul looked out the window. "It's late. Dann, Song, you two should get to bed."
The two younger squirrels nodded and rose, going up the stairs together. As they disappeared, Rusvul turned to the others. "There's something about these assassins that I don't trust."
"Maybe it's the robes," Janglur replied. "You get suspicious of anybeast whose face you can't see."
Skipper nodded. "Relax, Rus. I don't think they mean us any harm. It's that vermin warlord I'm worried about."
Everybeast at the table nodded.
Skipper's not going to be in the scenes very much, I'm afraid. I'd originally planned this story to develop Dann and Song's relationship more, but it got away from me so it's more like Song just BURSTING out. R and R! I hope you guys are enjoying it!
