Chapter Eleven- Demands and Acceptance
Shade's knock echoed in the room. "Come in!" Dutty called. As Shade entered, she caught sight of Tam. She hoped this was not about last nights fight! She also saw Armel, whom she knew to be the infirmary keeper (thanks to Willow). She also saw Wetback, the skipper at Redwall, and Brooky. Melanda, Armels daughter, was there too. Ferdimond and Kersey was there too, Doogy by their side. Mudge was also there, but he seemed to be preoccupied fixing a table leg.
"Shade, just the otter we wanted to see." Tam said, coming over to lead her to an empty seat. There were two of them, across from the Redwallers. "We'll just wait for our last guest-"
Another knock interupted Tam. He winked. "That'd be the other guest. Ferdimond, get the door will you?"
Ferdimond jumped up and turned the handle, giving an elegant bow and leading the second guest to the other chair. Shade looked over.
Willow. She looked frightened, like she thought she was in trouble.
"Now, you both come from the same home, a holt of otters I believe?" Dutty asked, getting right to the point.
Shade and Willow nodded, exchanging a look with one another.
"And this holt, whats it like?" Prompted Wetback.
"Its peaceful..." Shade started.
"Friendly..." Willow added.
"Sometimes rather boring..." Shade countered.
"But often really fun..." Willow retorted, looking at Shade.
"Alright!" Dutty raised his hands to stow off any more arguments. "I see, a peaceful, somtimes boringly so, community. How large? How willing to accept new members?"
Shade and Willow exchanged yet another glance.
"As I said, friendly." Willow said. "I can't remember a new otter coming to join our communitee."
"Brazen's accepted." Shade pointed out.
"But he was born in the holt, he just chooses to live seperate." Willow said.
"How large?" Dutty repeated.
"What, a score and a half Willow?" Shade said.
"About, maybe not so many." Willow said, thinking.
"Why all the questions about our home Father Abbot?" Shade asked.
"Well Shade, we have an otter who would like to visit, perhaps stay." Dutty said.
"What? Who would want to leave the abbey?" Willow exclaimed.
"Willow! Some creatures prefer a different type of community then ours." Dutty said, folding his arms into his sleeves.
"Father Abbot, even I hadn't the slightest clue someone was unhappy here... Is that what this is all about?" Armel asked, looking curiously at the hare.
"Yes Armel." Dutty replied.
"But wait, I don't get this, who in blazes would leave Redwall? Its a hard life out there!" Ferdimond asked.
"I agree with Ferdimond, who are we talking about here?" Tam asked, his jaw tightening.
"The creature who we are discussing must reveal that." Dutty said, his answer carefully guarded.
"I for one demand to know!" Melanda exclaimed. "Who on earth would want to leave our abbey, and why? It makes no sense!"
"Its not you Wetback, is it?" Doogy asked, looking over at the otter.
"No." Wetback replied.
"But it is one of your otters, you know don't you... And you, Kersey, your awefully quiet, you know too don't you?" Armel asked.
"I know." Kersey said softly. "And I stand by this creatures choice. Abbey life can be difficult too."
"Brooky, you know don't you?" Doogy asked, looking at her firmly.
"Stop this, stop acting out with such suspision! The creature must speak for itself!" Dutty commanded sharply.
"Its me." A timid voice said. All eyes turned to look at Brooky with shock.
"What? Why?" Armel exclaimed. She looked on the brink of tears. Tam put a comforting hand on her shoulder and stood up.
"Brooky, this is your decision, but I need an answer, have we hurt you so badly here you wish to leave?" He asked, his voice disbelieving.
"I- I don't know how to answer." Brooky said, looking down.
To everyones surprise, Shade spoke up. "Brooky, Sadones a friendly and open holt, a hardworker like you would be welcomed, I'm sure. My father, Havloke, is a fair and just leader, he won't turn you away." She said.
Brooky looked up. "Really? Do you think so?"
"I agree with Shade-" Willow started.
"Now hang on just a minute- you really intend to leave?" Armel said.
Brooky looked at her. "But why not?" She asked, sounding rather hurt.
"Because, you have friends here, you grew up here!" Armel said. "Is this because of your father? Humble?" She pressed.
"Armel, don't bring that up, please, the shock for some is still too deep." Dutty said gently. Armel looked away. Brooky stared at the floor. "Well then, if you choose Brooky, I will ask Tona to take you to Sadone when she leaves. You just let me know." Dutty said, ending the meeting.
"And if you have any more questions, you can ask us." Willow said kindly. Brooky looked up at them, smiling though her eyes were filled with tears.
"Yes, thank you." She said.
"Well, I'm starving, coming Ferdy?" Doogy called to his friend.
The company dispersed one by one, but Shade waited up, wanting to talk to Dutty. Tam passed her on his way out, he was following Armel who had rushed from the room quite quickly. He put a hand on Shades shoulder. "Perhaps later we could go over some sword moves together?" He asked.
"I'd like that." Shade said, nodding.
"Good, I'll see you later." Tam said, then followed his wife.
Brooky was still sitting where she had been. Dutty was comforting her quietly. He looked up. "Did you need something Shade?"
"Umm... I don't know. I did what you asked though, I worked things out with Treestar and Willow." She reported.
"So I heard, that was very mature of you. " Dutty said. "Perhaps now you could manage to be nice to Kuri."
"But Father Abbot she can be so cruel!" Shade exclaimed.
"Now, now, wheres the Shade whose willing to face challenges. Every time Kuri says something you disagree with, or don't like, just say 'that offends me' or 'please don't.' If it becomes too hard, come and talk to me and I'll sit down with you too while we work out a plan.
"Really?" Shade asked, wondering if Dutty would really help her work things through with his old friend.
"Of course, now, why don't you join the others for a late breakfast." Dutty said.
Shade was nabbed by Tager the minute she stepped out the door.
"There you are! Leverets are to report to the orchard for training." Tager said.
"I haven't eaten yet- I was in a meeting with Dutty." Shade said.
"Well, hurry up." Tager said. Shade ran to the kitchens and got a leftover apple tart. She gobbled it down and went outside. On her way, she passed Martins tapestry. She'd heard of his legacy as the Abbey hero, but as she looked up at him, she thought he looked too much like her father to be a warrior. Too peaceful and calm. How could one stand so calm in the face of opposition?
Shade suddenly remembered training and ran off, leaving the tapestry behind with her quick strides. She made it to the orchard and was greeted by Tona and the other hares, and a few Redwallers who were interested in watching (or joining) the leverets in their training. Tam was among them, and he waved to Shade. She went to stand near Treestar. He nudged her playfully.
"Where you been sleepyhead?" Treestar said.
"Well, if someone hadn't kept me up..." Shade hinted.
"Hey, you did that on your own!" Treestar said.
"Silence!" Called Tona. "Now, the Redwallers participating please be careful, don't go beyond your physical limits." Tona advised.
Shade was surprised to see Willow appear among the crowd. Was she here to watch or join?
"Alright, laps, twelve around the wall, not on the ramparts." Tona said, "and go!"
Hey gang, may not update until the 31st or Apr. 1st. So hang in there!
Spirit