9

Judge Thael was immediately summoned back to Pharen by the swiftest of Opac's messengers. The five companions waited in the city, private guests of Opac. The King was willing to do anything so that they would leave all the more hastily, and so he agreed to Skipper's demands that the otters of his guard be given to aid them.

For the five friends knew that to truly lay out proper justice on their terms, they would have to lead a coup against the Abbey and take over power from the Abbott. This would be a violation of many seasons of peace at Redwall, and if it failed, it would forever stain Redwall.

There was no question; it had to succeed, and without bloodshed. Nobody knew what would happen when they attacked, but in case anyone resisted, they would mount a surprise attack and arrest Varrus before he could get away.

Skipper and Jander headed into Mossflower to assemble Hella (who had not gone with them to Pharen, but left to assemble the otters in Mossflower) and other volunteers, which left Adisa, Warbeak, and Elial to rest in Pharen.

The three of them sat together in their room, eating a small dinner courtesy of Opac.

Adisa looked at Elial, "So what will you do when all this is over?"

Elial paused, "Well, I've been wondering about that for a long time."

Warbeak looked at the old fox, "You've been a traveller all your life?"

Elial shrugged, "I've stayed at different places for different times to raise my children. God knows I failed at that." He shuddered, thinking of his past. Adisa suddenly felt sad for this old mercenary; he too was feeling the sting of the past and he was questioning what could have changed in his life.

Warbeak pecked at a candied chestnut. In between mouthfuls, she spoke, "I will return to live at Redwall. I've long wanted to come back to where I once lived."

Adisa smiled, "I'm glad you have something to look forward to."

Warbeak looked at the civet, "You're a wanderer too?"

Adisa shrugged unhappily, "Ever since that terrible massacre of my people."

Elial sighed, "That was a bad time for everyone involved. Many suffered."

Adisa looked at Elial, "You saved your son."

Elial grimaced, "Aye, and he was apparently blamed for it all. Isn't that what Hella said? That her sister blamed my son for the deaths of her siblings?"

Warbeak nodded, "How could she have deluded herself to think that your child could possibly have been responsible for the deaths of her family?"

"Coldbane represented the influence of outsiders on her mother and Hella. She believed they were delusional," Elial replied bitterly.

Adisa sighed, "Where is Coldbane now? You never speak about him."

Elial sighed shakily, "He is dead."

Adisa put a paw on Elial's lap. Normally the old fox was so sardonic and cynical and detached, but this was a tender spot for him, "How long?"

Elial shrugged, "I don't know for sure. I lose track of time, but it wasn't so long ago. See, as he grew up, he became destined to follow my path. I had hoped he would not become like me and wander forever through the world, and he didn't. He lived in Vireo for much of his life, and remained loyal to King Nero. He died in the great war down amongst the vermin clans."

Warbeak looked pained, though her face was not well designed to display different signs of emotion, "I'm sorry."

Elial tried to shake it off, "Most of my children are dead. I've come to accept it. One could even say it's my punishment."

Adisa leaned back, afraid of saying something to that. He personally agreed that the punishment was not altogether undeserved, but he would not dream of saying that to Elial.

Elial suddenly looked up, "I will stay in Redwall, I think. Live out the last seasons of my life in a peaceful, holy place."

Adisa stared at the old fox, but could suddenly understand why the old fox would come to that decision. Where else could he go?

Warbeak chirped cheerfully, "You'd be welcome if I'd have a say."

Elial gave a wry grin, looking like himself again, "That means a lot, Warbeak."

They began to chuckle to themselves as they continued to speak together, and it was almost as though they'd forgotten the reasons they were there in the first place.

Adisa felt a surge of happiness in his heart. This was the calmest, happiest time that the three of them had shared together since getting to know each other. Maybe such moments could continue if they stayed together.

Elial had been right, he had thought. Maybe Redwall was a place for wanderers to take root and find content. Maybe, just maybe...

Then he thought of Varrus and all happiness left him. Could he really separate Redwall from Varrus? Could the scars heal after so long?

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

Varrus sat in his comfortable chair, relaxing after a long day.

Conrad continued to speak out against the Abbey's administration, claiming that he'd seen the light and the error of his ways. He was continually disciplined for his disrespect, but Varrus dared not punish him too much, not wanting to make him a martyr. Instead, he made Conrad's life difficult in little ways.

Mother Sara was also acting remarkably distant, but maybe that was because she was throwing herself into work these days. Varrus was astonished at how little time she seemed to give herself. Every time he felt like speaking to her concerning an issue, she seemed out of sight busy with something. Odd, but not entirely unlike her.

Varrus sighed contentedly as he ate a small meal. The Abbey, at long last, was returning to normal. Jander and Skipper were due back soon, and outside of Conrad, there was no more trouble. Varrus wondered if he could have Conrad expelled on account of claiming false visions. That would certainly gain support in the Abbey, for Conrad's attempts to antagonize Varrus were gradually drawing the Abbey dwellers to their leader instinctively. They did not want to face the trouble that Conrad seemed to hint at.

Yes, he thought. Conrad could be expelled tonight even. The thought of removing this last opposition filled Varrus with a deep joy. He could finally be completely at peace.

He got up and went off to assemble the Holy Brothers and Sisters of Redwall in order to hold a quick trial of Brother Conrad.