Bruno pulled the cinch tight on his backpack. He never realized how little he possessed until he prepared to depart Redwall. He could pack all his clothes and still have space for something else he might need. Perhaps living in one room helped. He wondered if any of the other elders leaving the Abbey had difficulties deciding what to discard.
He picked up the tools he obtained earlier and his backpack. As he stepped out of the room he called home, he had to dodge his wife. Tassel marched up and down the central aisle, her paws resting on her hips while her gravelly voice barked out orders to the children. He stopped at the first bed, disassembling it for storage.
Last night proved less than restful as many of their young charges needed comforting. None wanted to leave the one place they called home. Tassel gave them no option, and Bruno, as Pa Badger supported her decision. He understood the reason behind his mate's inflexible stand, staying here was too dangerous.
Chaos ruled the Dormitory. Children sifted through their meager possessions as they packed every garment. Footlockers were inspected as the youngsters tried selecting the one personal item they would take with them. Everything else went into a communal chest that would await their eventual return. The dibbuns scurried about like bees in a disturbed hive.
"There will be no breakfast if I don't see every backpack ready for the carts in ten minutes," Tassel bellowed.
Tassel's switch struck the bed belonging to a male mouse. "When I said every garment packed, I didn't mean some."
Bruno jumped off the floor, his job unfinished. He ran to his mate's side. His paw pushed her arm down, lowering the switch. He moved between her and the frightened mouse, repacking his clothing. A quick pull and he cinched it close. The mouse's expression turned to relief as Bruno snatched the backpack off the bed.
Pa Badger noticed every child's stuffed backpack stacked on another bed. He rushed over and grabbed the straps until all ten hung by their straps off his arm. He turned towards the hallway exit, which took him pass Tassel. He kept his voice low so none of the frightened dibbuns heard him.
"Have them go to breakfast, Tassel. Our blacksmith, Egress, said he would help you with the beds after we leave. I'm sure everyone will travel faster on a full stomach."
"You're right, Bruno. Bad enough I have them scared out of their wits, no sense me making things worse by driving them away on an empty stomach. I'll send them down to the Dining Hall while you get the carts ready."
Bruno had his paw on the hallway door when Tassel ordered everyone to breakfast. Like a cork popping from a bottle, every waif under their care whisked by him and scampered down the stairs. He turned his head and looked back, wondering why she said nothing about running down the staircase.
He realized his mate had not witnessed their rapid descent. She sat on the far bed, her masked face buried in her paws. The silence within the room disturbed him more than the frantic activity. Bruno wanted to say something, but his mind resembled a pristine chalkboard. He followed the children, closing the door so it would not slam shut.
Instead of going to Cavern Hole, he went outside. The few oxen owned by the Abbey stood between the traces of the larger carts. They kept snorting and shifting their weight from side to side as residents raced around them. No doubt they felt the anxiety infecting every inhabitant.
Bruno pitched the backpacks into one cart while his son, Thorn, worked on another. Such heavy carts would burden anyone pulling them, thankfully, the oxen could handle the weight without difficulty. He just wished they could make the oxen move faster.
"I don't think I have ever smelled fear in Redwall like I do now, father."
"It's been too far in our past since anyone attacked our Abbey. I don't mean like the Recorder's tales of some band of outlaws or pirates. They were more a menace than any kind of real danger. An army is altogether different, they're well-organized."
Thorn gazed at the bassinets in his cart. "So far, Abbess Robertasin has convinced almost every family into sending their infants to Salamanderstron and I believe most of the toddlers and dibbuns will also be riding along."
"Her determination at seeing them moved somewhere safe is commendable, son. But there are still a few holdouts and the Abbess has been talking to them all night about the dangers of remaining at Redwall, without much success it seems."
Bruno gave a stretch as his eyes wandered about the courtyard. When the clock struck the quarter hour, he heard the Abbey doors open and watched their young charges join many of the other residents milling about the grounds. If not for the serious expressions on the young and the worried one on elders, Bruno might think this the start of some pleasurable excursion.
No sooner had the doors closed than they flew open again. Two creatures engaged in a heated discussion marched down the four steps to the courtyard. The older one led the younger one by the ear and that one howled for all he was worth. Bruno sighed, last night Tassel and Niltan acted like two rams vying for the same ewe. Round two to their battle must have started.
"My word, Tassel, there's no need for this," Bruno said. His admonishment fell on deaf ears as Tassel's finger stabbed the otter's chest, driving him backwards.
"I don't care who this babe thinks he is. He's under my care, he goes. End of discussion."
Bruno crossed his arms, giving his mate a hard look. "Tassel, I thought we discussed this earlier. The boy is Healer Shortspike's apprentice, she makes the final call, not you."
Freed of Tassel's paw, Niltan piped up as well. "I'm under your control until there's a medical emergency. Those were your words. If there's to be a battle, then I'm needed here. Even the Healer agreed I could stay if I wanted to, and I do."
"As much as I prefer he attend to the health of those traveling, I must support his decision." Seeing Tassel about to argue, Bruno grasped his mate's shoulder, giving it a light shake. "His choice is helping those who will require his special skills when and where they are needed most. Honor his choice."
Bruno stared deep into the eyes of his mate. They remained standing there for a short time before Tassel gave him a hug. She said nothing more and turned towards the building. Bruno knew she conceded this battle, but admired the way she walked away with her confidence and dignity intact.
A step short of the top, the Abbey door opened. The first one out the door was Narkade, who bounced off the Badgermom's chest. He never got the chance to voice an apology as the next resident exiting the Abbey shifted him to the side.
Abbess Robertasin wore her green habit, the very symbol of her leadership position at Redwall. Those who gossiped in hushed whispers about her strange actions over the last few weeks now praised her foresight. She addressed Bruno, though she kept her voice loud enough for all to hear.
"Narkade will be going to Salamanderstron as my emissary. Best they are made aware of everything happening here. We can use whatever aid King Brisson can provide."
"Everyone that will leave is here, Mother Abbot," said Bruno. "Best we depart now if we intend making it to the Northern Roadway by nightfall."
Tassel hesitated, than reversed course. She started down the steps, Bruno cracked the buggy whip and the hitched beasts moved. Parents lined the way to the inner gate, but gave way for the Mother Abbot. Badgermom Tassel followed close on her heels until they reached the passageway between inner and outer gate.
As each of the orphans under the Badgermom's care passed her, they exchanged a final fierce hug. The older ones tried putting on a brave front, but the tears running down their muzzles betrayed their true feelings. When Bridgett embraced her, she clutched onto the old badger. Bruno pried her fingers from his mate's dress and led the bawling girl to the other dibbuns.
Thorn might be old enough that others considered him an elder, but he too had unashamed tears in his eyes. Mother and son embraced and she whispered some final instructions. The young boar nodded and returned to the cart with all the bassinets. One more wave and he too passed beyond the gate.
Husband and wife stood, side by side, each afraid to speak. They exchanged a few kisses and a fierce hug. Bruno lifted his mate and turned her around before placing her sandaled feet upon the ground. Tassel grabbed him, checked that nobody lingered nearby, and removed her mask.
"Tell me the truth, husband. Do you have any regrets for marrying me? Have you ever looked at my face and felt shame?"
"Not a one! I wanted children, lots of them, and you did that for me. Sure, not all of them were badgers, but never was I happier than when we were together. As to your looks, I bonded with you, not your appearance. Why these questions?"
"I fear this parting more than any other in our entire time together."
Tassel leaned into her mate and rested her head on his chest. Bruno's shirt felt damp and he knew his mate wept. He too wanted to remain, but he had responsibilities. His mind kept searching for an alternative without any success. The time for parting had come.
"I promise, once this ends, we will never be separated again." He gave her one more gentle kiss and then he too strode beyond the gate.
Robertasin stood on the road just beyond the main gate. Bruno acknowledged her presence as he joined the caravan. Armed warriors stood at a distance, watching the nearby forest. He hoped their services would not be needed. All along the walls above, Bruno listened to shouted farewells.
All too soon they passed beyond hearing. A few travelers stopped for a final wave. He resisted the urge, fearing his resolve would waiver. His mind sought a compromise, one that insured the safety of those unfit for combat, and the need to stand with the defenders.
On the fourth morning, an elder approached him. Bruno's mind went blank and he could not recall the shrew's name. He decided a simple nod would do. The fellow drew closer.
"Many of us talked long into the night, Bruno. We intend returning once we reach the territory ruled by the Northern Alliance. We would be honored if you led us."
"I am no warrior. Only once did I draw my weapon, and even then, I never used it. Why would any be willing to follow me into battle?"
"A warrior's skill is not what we need, sir. You are a leader, somebody who can inspire others."
Bruno remained silent for a few moments. "Than here is my first order. Select no more than one in four to join us, but tell none who will come until we reach our destination. The safety of the others comes first. Tell those remaining at the badger king's home they can return with whatever relief is sent. I'll tell Thorn he must care for the dibbuns. Even if we hurry, it will be another ten days before we see the walls of home."
xxxxx
Abbess Robertasin stood outside the gate. Like the trees beyond the field, she thought her feet planted in the cobblestone. Time slowed for her, and yet it felt as if the caravan disappeared over the hill between two breaths. A silence descended on her from the walls above, telling her those on the battlement no longer saw their loved ones.
That silence signaled the opening stage of the siege. There still remained a great deal of work to do. Every additional day strengthened them. It also heightened their fear. She nurtured the first, and intended to do everything she could to lessen the other.
Workers plowed over the soil, destroying the crops planted but a week earlier. She wondered if the furrowed fields would ever yield another harvest. Other work details labored outside and she worried if there would be sufficient warning for their safe return. Robertasin knew the work needed doing, but her position as Abbess made her responsible for anything that might occur, which made her chest feel heavy.
As she turned, she detected movement on her right. She muttered a few choice words about an eye that lost details and made a complete turn for a better look. At the edge of MossflowerForest, a contingent of hares marched on Redwall. At the forefront, General Markus led his unit of the famed Long Patrol, singing a stirring song of a glorious battle from long ago. The other hares continued with the chorus as they marched through the gate, pulling a series of carts laden with sacks of grain.
"Were you successful, General Markus? Did our runners warn the other nearby villages of the danger?"
"Indeed we were, Mother Abbot. My scouts have passed the word to every know village in the region. Within the next two days, everyone will evacuate the area. We may even get a few additional fighters, though that isn't certain. Any food that cannot be taken will be burned, per your instructions. It seems a shame torching that grist mill though. We'll need it once the fighting stops."
Robertasin continued her visual inspection. "A mill can be replaced, fields replanted, and homes rebuilt. Lives lost, cannot come back. My son, Narkade, made it clear this invading army needs supplies, so anything we do that denies them such material will hasten their departure."
"There's still much to do if we intend defeating this foe. Best we get started, Abbess."
She reversed her course, walking back to her office. The gatekeepers leaned against the wall on either side of the passage, ready to seal out their enemy. The sound of the hare general's sandals reminded her of a funeral dirge. She wondered how many times such music would play in the days to come.