11
Judos had only been handling the oar for a half a season, but he felt new strength in his body. He and the Gousim had traveled like nomads across the water. Altogether, though, it had not been very eventful. Maybe a sighting of vermin here, a near attack by toads there, but the shrews never had anything huge to fight against.
Then there was Marros. Judos hadn't really talked to him often. Indeed, Marros talked to no one.
Judos knew that he had chosen to go with Gunnar, but he confessed to himself that a large part of him resentful of the order of the Gousim. And it was strict in quite a few areas. Plus, he was wondering when he'd get the sword back. If he'd ever got Martin's sword back. It bothered him to have to work for the sword back, but it irked him also because he owed them his life.
This reached the top point for him on a cool night, when the Gousim broke camp on the shores of the river. Their camp was on the edges of a forest.
Judos smiled as he lay down to sleep. Mellor would have thought of some grand escape plan by now. Poor Mellor, stuck in Redwall without him.
Suddenly a little light started to shine. Judos peered at it for a second, his blinking eyes smarting, and sat up.
It was Marros. He held a little torch in one paw, and a pack over his shoulder. Judos felt as though he was hit with déjà vu. So much like himself, that shrew.
Marros blanched visibly when Judos sat up, but recovered quickly. He stared accusingly at the otter, waiting for the alarm to be called.
Judos was certainly tempted to, but then he realized that had the shoe been on the other foot, he would have wanted the same thing this shrew wanted.
He thought of smiling reassuringly, but realized he would look like a fool, so he just jerked his head in direction of the woods, ignored the look of astonishment from the shrew. He turned back over, closed his eyes, and listened to Marros' footsteps as he made his escape.
A sudden light was lit, and voices called out. Judos leapt up for all the world as though he was the one escaping.
Marros had been watched right from the get go by Log a Log. Judos could tell by the nod and grim twinkle in Log a Log Gunnar's eye.
Marros was staring resentfully at the shrews around him. Log a Log fixed him with a dark look, "Alright, Marros. Once again I have found you trying to sneak away."
Marros dug his foot in the loose dirt. To Judos, it was exactly like watching himself defying the authority against him.
Log a Log nodded at the shrews that had caught him, "So?"
Redmund, a trusted shrew, tapped Marros' shoulder, "He was trying to escape. He thought that instead of crossing the river and slipping into the underbrush, he could get out. But we were stationed in every likely direction he'd go."
Judos was impressed, and resentful. He was feeling very empathetic to the young shrew.
He gave a start when he realized that they were pointing at him.
"He could have stopped Marros, but he looked away instead." Redmund was saying. He looked angry at the thought, and turned to his leader.
Log a Log stared at the young otter with an imperious and stern look. Judos suddenly realized that he was sporting a most defiant gleam in his eye.
Log a Log noticed it, and went to stand only three paces from the otter. Judos was taller than the shrew, but there was something in the older beast that reminded him of the authority in Abbott Varrus, or Mother Sara.
Log a Log spoke first, "Why?" It was all that needed to be said.
Judos was lost for words. He suddenly felt smaller than Marros. He glanced over at the shrew, who looked relieved that the tension was off him. Ungrateful little rat! Judos growled angrily, and jerked to move towards Marros, but Log a Log, who knew what Judos was thinking, headed him off.
Judos looked at the shrew Chieftain, "I let him go."
Log a Log put his hands on his belt, "That is clearly obvious, and does not answer my question."
Judos searched desperately for an answer to that, and came up with an excuse, "It's not my place to interfere with Gousim business."
Log a Log blinked, and slowly turned his head to the others, "Leave us."
The others obeyed, taking Marros with them.
Log a Log turned back to the young otter, "Judos, that is the most bald-faced lie I have ever heard yet. You put yourself into Gousim service, thereby you would be expected to stop one such as him."
Judos felt very resentful; "I figured that I would have wanted the same thing, so I turned the other way. And anyway, I've done much for you already."
The sword. It came back to the sword. Judos had barely ever mentioned it before, he had always assumed that Log a Log would take him aside one day and declare he was fit to hold responsibility of the sword.
But now was different. He had done much for the Gousim, displaying as much responsibility as he saw necessary.
Log a Log shook his head, "Judos, you ran away from Redwall, worrying those who care for your safety and taking their prized possession. When you had the chance to stop Marros, you let him go. I seriously am doubting why I should give it to you."
Fury bubbled into Judos' gullet. A half-season for nothing! For bloody nothing!
"I don't believe you! You would go back on your word just because I am not content being held down!"
Log a Log was deeply stung. Furiously, he spat out, "You listen to me, Judos! You are ungrateful. We took risks saving you, we offer you our hospitality, and now you speak as though you were betrayed! You have almost always shown resent with our customs and rules. So do not speak to me of breaking my word!"
Judos was still angry, but was still surprised at the anger and ferocity in the Gousim leader. But backing down was something Judos never did easily.
He planted himself firmly, and cast a hard look. Deep down, he was surprised at the defiance he could show. In truth, Log a Log was a strong and efficient leader, someone a lot like Abbot Varrus.
Log a Log saw the fierce look in Judos' face, and shook his head, "Judos, why do you want this sword so badly?"
Judos was shaken out of his stance. He shrugged lamely, "It's a long story."
Log a Log gave a small smile, "We have time."
Judos acknowledged that with a flash of his teeth as he smiled back.
So he stood there in the dark with Log a Log Gunnar, and though they didn't know it, Marros and Redmund, whom had both gotten curious at the anger coming from them.
Judos told Gunnar everything, from his life story, to his dream, to his friend Mellor, even the night that ended with Jander in the infirmary, and the two of them doubled the tasks they had originally done. He did not know why he was so open to Log a Log, but the older shrew had a great deal of integrity and was a trustworthy person.
And deep down, though he would never admit it, Judos was sick with keeping everything bottled up. He wanted to tell someone.
By the end of it, Log a Log was silent. He was awash with thoughts; humour at the many failed escapes, sadness for the death of his parents, frustration at the thought of the disobedience this otter must have shown to everyone. He also didn't know what to say to Judos.
Judos was silent, scarcely believing that he had had the nerve to spit out all there was to say.
Log a Log glanced at the sword of Martin, "So you say that this Martin mouse gave you the sword."
Judos shrugged, "That's how I interpreted it at least."
Log a Log flashed a grin, "Well, I think he chose well."
Judos, complimented, turned a shade of pink, "You flatter me."
Log a Log shook his head briskly, "I flatter no beast.' He stiffly offered his paw, 'I apologize for the words I said tonight to you."
Smiling sheepishly, Judos shook paws, "I'm sorry too. It was out of order."
Log a Log impatiently waved it away, "Not to be thought of anymore."
Judos thought the same, "You're not the first who's had to put up with me."
Log a Log glanced at the sword of Martin the Warrior, "So, what to do with this?"
Judos, thinking, shrugged, "It's your decision. If I'm not worthy for its responsibility, then by all means, take it back to Redwall."
Log a Log looked at it a while again. He looked back up to the young otter, "Is there someone in Redwall that wields this sword?"
Judos nodded, "Raga. And he was born for it." He suddenly wondered how furious Raga would be now that Judos had left with his sword.
Log a Log looked thoughtful, "I know Raga. He's a very efficient warrior, and a good person."
Judos hesitated, fearful of what kind of repercussion his words would give him. However, he still said them anyway, "He earned the right to become the Warrior. He is the rightful Keeper of the sword."
"A very nice way of putting it." A strangely familiar voice spoke up behind Judos.
Log a Log looked surprised at who it was. Judos turned around, and gave a start in shock, "You!!!"
