Spring was quick in its coming; icicles hanging just outside the kitchen windows were beginning to melt and drip, the snow disappearing. The nights slowly grew warmer; even with the warm weather, Lyxa didn't shed the shawl Mack had insisted she wore. It was a kind of bond, a symbol between them. She didn't quite want to say what it symbolized out loud, but she had an idea of what it was.

She'd just heated some cider over a kitchen fire- she figured it would go down better than tea. She lifted her tray, the weight and balance familiar on her paw. Carrying two trays was harder, but she managed it. She almost lost them both when she came around a corner in the hallway and nearly collided with Mack; she managed to keep a hold of them, not spilling a drop.

"Apologies, Lyxa," Mack rumbled.

She eyed him; his leg was no longer bandaged, but the numerous serious cuts on his arm were. He'd regrown enough muscle to ditch his cane, but he still limped slightly. "It's alright. Make sure you don't overwork your leg."

He half-smiled at her concern. "I will-don't worry about it."

Lyxa smiled back at the reminder. "Did you need something?"

"I was just coming to tell any of my hares in the kitchens that there will be a meeting tonight."

"There's a few in there," Lyxa replied. There was always hares in the kitchen, looking for extra food. "Do you want me to tell the Abbey Council?"

"Yes, if you would. Actually, tell everybeast."

Lyxa nodded, then they parted ways. Lyxa paused when she heard Mack call over his shoulder, "Good to see you're still wearing your shawl."

That night, when dinner was through and Dibbuns had been herded up to their dorms, all the adults gathered into the Great Hall. It was crowded, and a low hum of conversation rode the air. Late to the meeting, Lyxa found a place beside her friends and stood waiting, fiddling with her large knit shawl.

All conversation stopped when Mack Kringle, his leading officers, and the Abbot entered; they'd just completed their own private meeting in Cavern Hole. Lyxa noticed the Abbot looked upset and resigned when he settled into his big chair at the front of the -a-Log Lanen and Skipper stood on either side of his chair, the Long Patrol officers in a strict line behind them. Mack stood at the head of the table, tall and proud, every bit a Badger Lord; never showing if his injuries impaired him- although Lyxa did see how close he stood to the table, ready to lean against it should his leg fail.

His voice came strong and steady over the crowd.

"In our private meeting, the Abbot, my officers, Skipper, Log-a-Log and I have come up with our next maneuver in this siege. The wolf claims to know much about the Abbey, thanks to his spy. But we know scarce little about him. So it has been proposed that we send our own spy to gather information. We need a volunteer, somebeast who could-"

A cry cut him off. "I volunteer!"

Everybeast turned to stare at Tallulah, who looked shocked she'd spoken at all. But her resolve was firm as she repeated, "I volunteer. I'll do it."

There was uproar and chaos from the Salamandastron hares and the Singers; neither wanted the coyotemaid to be the spy, for different reasons.

"She's vermin!" Buckbob shouted, stepping forward with his face red; luckily there was a wide table between the feuding groups. "She'll turn on us!"

"Tallulah, you can't go," Rhea said, clutching the other maid's arm.

"She's not trained!"

"It's too dangerous, 'Lullah!" Lyxa said.

"I'll be fine, Lyxa, I found my armor-"

"And what if it's not enough? What if you get physically hurt?"

It took a long time and both Mack and Lyxa using their great voices to quell the uproar. "SILENCE!"

Mack put a paw on the table, locking eyes with Tallulah. "There would be benefits to sending you, Tallulah. We know you are a goodbeast-"

Lyxa noticed Buckbob and a few hares scowl, and she scowled back twice as fiercely. "- but you do resemble vermin. The wolf may welcome you as one of his own."

Lyxa turned her scowl on Mack. He didn't seem to see her, although she was standing right beside Tallulah. The badger lord continued. "But there are many downsides, as well. You are untrained, you-"

Tallulah cut him off. "But I don't need to bee. I just have to get into the wolf's camp, listen and snoop, and report back."

Rucci had fought her way through the throng, Marmy, as ever, close behind her. Now she grabbed Tallulah's paws, making the tall coyotemaid bend down to her much smaller height. Her voice was low and full of concern as she murmured, "Tallulah, listen to me. I always let my kids make their own choices, and even though I don't agree with letting you do this, it's your choice. But understand one thing: this choir, your family- has protected you pretty much your whole life. If you go to the wolf's camp, you'll be where we can't protect you."

Marmy added in a soft murmur, "You could get hurt... or worse..."

Tallulah looked them both dead in the eyes. "I'll be fine. Trust me."

She squeezed their paws, then rose to her full height and met Mack's eyes. "I volunteer, but it's your decision to let me do it."

Everybeast held their breath as Mack pondered it. Lyxa alone spoke, muttering so quietly that nobeast could scarcely hear the dark warning. "Kringle..."

Mack inaudibly sighed. "You'l go in the morning."

His words were the spark that lit an eruption. The Hall exploded, angry protest from the hares and Gousim, mourning and disbelieving protest from the Singers.

The weight of what she'd just done settled in Tallulah's stomach, sharp with fear and cold with uncertainty. But she wouldn't back down, wouldn't reconsider. She left the room before she could undo what she just did, mentally repeating the lies of empty comfort she'd told Rucci and Marmy.
'I'll be fine. I'll be fine.'

Her family followed her, pressing close. Before she joined them, Lyxa locked eyes with Mack; hers a burning glare, his unreadable. Making sure he saw her clearly, Lyxa let her shawl slide off her shoulders and drop to the floor.

She turned away before it touched the floorstones; she didn't see Mack's reaction, but she knew he knew the symbolism of her action, and she hoped it hurt him as bad as he'd just hurt her and her family.