Chapter Twenty-Four
Darkness loomed over Mossflower Woods. Fleeting figures made their way through the vast forest, the only sound the light footfall of their footpaws. In the lead of the long line was a tall weasel, marching confidently forward, leading his horde south. Vermeng was on the move, following the direction in which Diathus had traveled. Unknowingly to him, he was also traveling in the direction of Redwall Abbey with more than four hundred hares from Salamandastron following him closely. Marching his horde on restlessly, the former corsair continued onward, following Diathus's trail, and traveling at a much quicker pace than Glidewing had thought.
**
Abbess Sencatina had personally called for a meeting of the Abbey leaders and a few others after the feasting had ended, and at midnight, the Redwallers met. Sitting around the deserted feasting table in Cavern Hole, which had been evacuated for the occasion, the squirrel looked over the creatures who sat around the table. Among them were Rambati, Diathus and her companions, Major Starworthy and the other officers of the Long Patrol with the exception of Swiftspeed, Badgermother Ttricino, Recorder Bebuine, Raiyon, Skipper of Otters and his wife River, Foremole Erbur, Cellarkeeper Gabrieny, Treetop, and Ivy the mousemaid. Together, these creatures stared at Sencatina expectantly, though a few already knew what was coming. Nodding courteously, Sencatina began.
"A few of you might already know why you are gathered here, but many of you do not. Earlier today, the robin Glidewing and our woodland friend Treetop informed me and a few others with the same news. A corsair weasel, whom is quite well known by our guests Diathus and Mia, is headed this way, a large horde behind him. Erm, how much did you say there were, Treetop?"
The prime aged squirrel blinked. "Around five hundred, I suppose."
Surprised murmurs rose, and the abbess waited patiently to pass before continuing. "Let me finish. Anyway, this corsair, Vermeng I think his name was, used to hold Diathus as a slave, as I have heard. When she escaped with her eagle friend Skydrop, who flew off before they reached our Abbey, Vermeng swore to find her and capture her again. So, they must be coming for her."
Swiftspeed and Garrison Captain Glory exchanged looks. So that was what the Major had been so worried about. Gaining the attention he needed as he stood up, the Galloper announced, "Well I say we let Diathus stay with us and give those seascum a fight for them to remember!"
"More easily said than done," the hedgehog Gabrieny chipped in. "Unlike ye hares who are accustomed to battle, we Redwallers aren't, an' we wouldn't last aginst those vermin."
"Battle tactics, that's wot we need!" Skipper slammed his paw onto the table. "We kin approach 'em from all four sides an' surround 'em! Or have them picked off group by group wid squirrel archers. Mayhaps we-"
"Ahem. Please save that for the appropriate time," the Abbess cleared her throat. "I'm sure we all agree that we will not let Diathus be recaptured, correct?"
A chorus of 'aye's rung throughout Cavern Hole, and Abbess Sencatina smile dryly.
"Well then, let's get planning, shall we?"
Before another creature could speak, Diathus raised her paw tentatively. At a nod from the Abbess, the hare began to speak her part. "I thank ye all for the cover an' help you are willing t'give me. I have no ways o' expressing my gratitude. But y'see, I have a few friends that are still within Vermeng's clutches, an' I was hoping I would be able to free 'em afore the battle."
Major Starworthy stroked his chin thoughtfully, cocking his eyebrow. "It all depends, really. I'm sure we'll rescue 'em, but how we're goin' t'do it, that'll take some information. We'll need to know about th'guarding, how many slaves, how many slaves are shackled to each other, etcetera. Don't worry, me dear, we'll get 'em out sooner or later, but when we do is yet t' be decided. Unless you know the answer to that information already?"
Shaking her head, Diathus sighed. "No sah, I don't. Well, there are about twenty slaves in total, but I don't know 'bout the guardin' or anything o' that sort. I've never traveled on land wid Vermeng and his corsairs, so I don't really know. I hope we can help 'em, though."
"Twenty, eh? With the right plan an' all, we should be able to, right Colonel?"
Colonel Tadaval Kathudler winked at Starworthy. "Aye sah, we should."
Sighing with relief, Diathus smiled with gratitude at the Long Patrol officers. Taking it as a sign that she could continue, Abbess Sencatina took over.
"Right. Now that that's cleared up, battle tactics, anybeast?"
Rambati stood up and gained center spotlight. "I say we combine Skipper's two ideas. Our army can split into two groups. The first will take the vermin head on which the second group, slightly smaller, can circle around as the first group keeps the corsairs busy and take the by surprise, surrounding them in the process."
"But what if they try the same thing, Rati, or something that could mess our plan up?" Raiyon inquired. "Then everything would be disastrous."
Lieutenant Spotster of the Long Patrol nodded reluctantly. "Aye, that is true." And then something struck him, and with mischievous light, he turned to Corporal Nightshift, who sat at his right. "Unless."
Backing away from the lieutenant anxiously, Nightshift shook his head. "No, no, no, Spotster. Any foul idea going through that mind of yours, I completely refuse. All of your ideas that ever included me got me into trouble."
Spotster looked offended. "Oh really, corp? Name one."
"I don't have to name one, I can name a dozen! Like that time when we were leverets and you planned for me to steal that damson cake from the kitchens? And that time where I was to sneak into the officers' mess to retrieve the spinning top the officers had taken from you as your punishment. Do you know how long I took that night listening to lectures? And the time-"
Though clearly amused, Abbess Sencatina shook her head, cutting off the two hares' arguing. "Ahem, let's hear Spotster out before we make any judgments please, Nightshift. Exactly what is your plan, lieutenant?"
"'Tis simple, you see. At night, the corp here sneaks into the vermin camp, wakes up the leader Vermeng and pretends to be part of his dream, a ghost or something. He'll tell 'im all this bally rubbish 'bout why not t'use certain battle tactics 'cause it's bad luck or something of the like, an' then bonk him on the head so that when he regains consciousness, he'll think it was a bloomin' dream."
Corporal Nightshift stared at Spotster horror, gaining quite a few smirks from the other council members." Me? A ghost? I say lieutenant, you may be the higher ranking hare, but I simply refuse! Why not Ace there? He'd make a fine ghost."
The so said sergeant that the corporal pointed at looked aghast. Spotster shook his head.
"No can do, ole chap, yer the best person t' sneak around at night. You or th' blinked chap Jade, but he doesn't sound as spooky as you do."
To avoid further indignation from Nightshift, who looked as if he were about to explode at the mention of him having a spooky voice, Abbess Sencatina chuckled silently, holding up a paw for silence.
"That's enough, you two. If no further plans can be thought up, we will use Spotster's. It's an interesting idea, that's for sure. Right, if there are no more issues to discuss, you all are dismissed. We can speak about this later after the corsair's arrival. And please, not a word to anyone, not even your best friend. We don't want any panic. Alright, good night everyone."
The council of creatures left Cavern Hole, Spotster and Nightshift 'conversing' the whole time.
**
Diathus did not return to the dormitories immediately. Instead, she cut across the Abbey turf, arriving at the orchards. With a sigh, she leaned against a tall apple tree and sank down onto the grass, closing her obsidian eyes slowly. She could not help but feel a little guilty; all this was happening because she had decided to stay at Redwall Abbey for a while. If she refused to go back to slavery, she would be jeopardizing the lives of the Redwallers, and if she went back, she would spend the rest of her life in chains.
"Ugh, I wish Sky were here," the hare moaned out loud. "He'd know what to do. If he didn't, he'd still be able t' cheer me up."
"Och, Ah ain't noo sky, boot would ye lassie mind if'n Ah sat doon 'ere wid ye?"
Diathus's head snapped upwards, but then she blinked as she realized the creature next to her was not her eagle friend, but a hare that she had not met before. Nodding, she patted the spot next to her.
"Aye, go ahead. S'not my grass. 'm Diathus. You?"
The hare complied, plopping down ungracefully onto the grass and grinning cheerily. "Ah'm Nipfleet, from thee north, but ye gan jus' call meh Nippy. Pleased ter meet ye, Ah'm sure. Noo tell meh, wot's wid thee glum face, eh?"
Opening her mouth, the haremaid blinked again, realizing that no one outside of the council was to know about Vermeng. Closing her mouth and pondering for a while as Nipfleet waited patiently. Finally, she opened her mouth again.
"Have you ever been thee cause o' something? Say, erm, hypothetically, yer enemy found you, an' if you went wid 'im, you'd become a slave, an' if'n you didn't, you'd be endangering th' lives of yer friends. Hypothetically, o' course. Wot would ye do?"
Nipfleet gazed at her curiously. "This is aboot tha' vermin corsair, isn't it?"
"How'd you know?" Diathus blinked, raising an eyebrow and eying the other hare suspiciously. "You weren't at the council."
The March hare grinned sheepishly, giving a shrug of his shoulders. "Manei dared meh t' eavedrop on ye."
"Manei?"
"An otter bairn."
"Oh." Diathus nodded in understanding. "So what would you do?"
The hare shrugged once again, running a paw through his headfur. "Ah'm not really sure, meh lass. Ah guess et depends on yer friends. If'n they think 'tis alright fer ye t' endanger thar lives, then I guess 'tis alright."
Diathus gazed at him oddly, and Nipfleet grinned meekly. "Tha' came oot completely wrong, didnae it?"
"Aye. But I understand. Th'problem is, if I stay here, then Vermeng might choose to bring war to the Abbey. He's sort of crazy in the head an' very prideful; he wouldn't be able to live if he knew one o' his escaped slaves were still alive. The Redwallers here aren't nearly as skilled, and Vermeng outnumbers them three to one. But if I go wid him, I dun have any chance o' becoming free agin, cause I'll be dead."
Nipfleet stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Och, quite a mess ye got yerself into, eh lass? Th' only advice Ah gan give is to do wot ye think is right, boot Ah'm sure tha' 'tis nae help."
"You're right, it doesn't help, no offense or anything," Diathus sighed. "I guess I'll stay here, then. Abbess Sencatina doesn't want me leave or anything."
"Then ye see, ye had yer problem solved thee whole time!"
"Aye, but I was feeling guilty, I guess," the haremaid admitted. "It's hard being in this position."
"Gan't say Ah knoo how ye feel, cause Ah doan't," Nipfleet shrugged apologetically, the stood up, stretching his limbs. "But it'll turn oot alright, lassie, dun worry. Ah'll be a-goin' knoo; 'tis late, an' if'n ye have any sense, ye'll do thee same. 'Tis a long day ahead o' ye, ye ken."
Diathus stood up also and followed Nipfleet to the dormitories, feeling settled enough to go to bed peacefully, but not settled enough to completely forget about the whole event.
And all while this was happening, Vermeng marched closer.
Darkness loomed over Mossflower Woods. Fleeting figures made their way through the vast forest, the only sound the light footfall of their footpaws. In the lead of the long line was a tall weasel, marching confidently forward, leading his horde south. Vermeng was on the move, following the direction in which Diathus had traveled. Unknowingly to him, he was also traveling in the direction of Redwall Abbey with more than four hundred hares from Salamandastron following him closely. Marching his horde on restlessly, the former corsair continued onward, following Diathus's trail, and traveling at a much quicker pace than Glidewing had thought.
**
Abbess Sencatina had personally called for a meeting of the Abbey leaders and a few others after the feasting had ended, and at midnight, the Redwallers met. Sitting around the deserted feasting table in Cavern Hole, which had been evacuated for the occasion, the squirrel looked over the creatures who sat around the table. Among them were Rambati, Diathus and her companions, Major Starworthy and the other officers of the Long Patrol with the exception of Swiftspeed, Badgermother Ttricino, Recorder Bebuine, Raiyon, Skipper of Otters and his wife River, Foremole Erbur, Cellarkeeper Gabrieny, Treetop, and Ivy the mousemaid. Together, these creatures stared at Sencatina expectantly, though a few already knew what was coming. Nodding courteously, Sencatina began.
"A few of you might already know why you are gathered here, but many of you do not. Earlier today, the robin Glidewing and our woodland friend Treetop informed me and a few others with the same news. A corsair weasel, whom is quite well known by our guests Diathus and Mia, is headed this way, a large horde behind him. Erm, how much did you say there were, Treetop?"
The prime aged squirrel blinked. "Around five hundred, I suppose."
Surprised murmurs rose, and the abbess waited patiently to pass before continuing. "Let me finish. Anyway, this corsair, Vermeng I think his name was, used to hold Diathus as a slave, as I have heard. When she escaped with her eagle friend Skydrop, who flew off before they reached our Abbey, Vermeng swore to find her and capture her again. So, they must be coming for her."
Swiftspeed and Garrison Captain Glory exchanged looks. So that was what the Major had been so worried about. Gaining the attention he needed as he stood up, the Galloper announced, "Well I say we let Diathus stay with us and give those seascum a fight for them to remember!"
"More easily said than done," the hedgehog Gabrieny chipped in. "Unlike ye hares who are accustomed to battle, we Redwallers aren't, an' we wouldn't last aginst those vermin."
"Battle tactics, that's wot we need!" Skipper slammed his paw onto the table. "We kin approach 'em from all four sides an' surround 'em! Or have them picked off group by group wid squirrel archers. Mayhaps we-"
"Ahem. Please save that for the appropriate time," the Abbess cleared her throat. "I'm sure we all agree that we will not let Diathus be recaptured, correct?"
A chorus of 'aye's rung throughout Cavern Hole, and Abbess Sencatina smile dryly.
"Well then, let's get planning, shall we?"
Before another creature could speak, Diathus raised her paw tentatively. At a nod from the Abbess, the hare began to speak her part. "I thank ye all for the cover an' help you are willing t'give me. I have no ways o' expressing my gratitude. But y'see, I have a few friends that are still within Vermeng's clutches, an' I was hoping I would be able to free 'em afore the battle."
Major Starworthy stroked his chin thoughtfully, cocking his eyebrow. "It all depends, really. I'm sure we'll rescue 'em, but how we're goin' t'do it, that'll take some information. We'll need to know about th'guarding, how many slaves, how many slaves are shackled to each other, etcetera. Don't worry, me dear, we'll get 'em out sooner or later, but when we do is yet t' be decided. Unless you know the answer to that information already?"
Shaking her head, Diathus sighed. "No sah, I don't. Well, there are about twenty slaves in total, but I don't know 'bout the guardin' or anything o' that sort. I've never traveled on land wid Vermeng and his corsairs, so I don't really know. I hope we can help 'em, though."
"Twenty, eh? With the right plan an' all, we should be able to, right Colonel?"
Colonel Tadaval Kathudler winked at Starworthy. "Aye sah, we should."
Sighing with relief, Diathus smiled with gratitude at the Long Patrol officers. Taking it as a sign that she could continue, Abbess Sencatina took over.
"Right. Now that that's cleared up, battle tactics, anybeast?"
Rambati stood up and gained center spotlight. "I say we combine Skipper's two ideas. Our army can split into two groups. The first will take the vermin head on which the second group, slightly smaller, can circle around as the first group keeps the corsairs busy and take the by surprise, surrounding them in the process."
"But what if they try the same thing, Rati, or something that could mess our plan up?" Raiyon inquired. "Then everything would be disastrous."
Lieutenant Spotster of the Long Patrol nodded reluctantly. "Aye, that is true." And then something struck him, and with mischievous light, he turned to Corporal Nightshift, who sat at his right. "Unless."
Backing away from the lieutenant anxiously, Nightshift shook his head. "No, no, no, Spotster. Any foul idea going through that mind of yours, I completely refuse. All of your ideas that ever included me got me into trouble."
Spotster looked offended. "Oh really, corp? Name one."
"I don't have to name one, I can name a dozen! Like that time when we were leverets and you planned for me to steal that damson cake from the kitchens? And that time where I was to sneak into the officers' mess to retrieve the spinning top the officers had taken from you as your punishment. Do you know how long I took that night listening to lectures? And the time-"
Though clearly amused, Abbess Sencatina shook her head, cutting off the two hares' arguing. "Ahem, let's hear Spotster out before we make any judgments please, Nightshift. Exactly what is your plan, lieutenant?"
"'Tis simple, you see. At night, the corp here sneaks into the vermin camp, wakes up the leader Vermeng and pretends to be part of his dream, a ghost or something. He'll tell 'im all this bally rubbish 'bout why not t'use certain battle tactics 'cause it's bad luck or something of the like, an' then bonk him on the head so that when he regains consciousness, he'll think it was a bloomin' dream."
Corporal Nightshift stared at Spotster horror, gaining quite a few smirks from the other council members." Me? A ghost? I say lieutenant, you may be the higher ranking hare, but I simply refuse! Why not Ace there? He'd make a fine ghost."
The so said sergeant that the corporal pointed at looked aghast. Spotster shook his head.
"No can do, ole chap, yer the best person t' sneak around at night. You or th' blinked chap Jade, but he doesn't sound as spooky as you do."
To avoid further indignation from Nightshift, who looked as if he were about to explode at the mention of him having a spooky voice, Abbess Sencatina chuckled silently, holding up a paw for silence.
"That's enough, you two. If no further plans can be thought up, we will use Spotster's. It's an interesting idea, that's for sure. Right, if there are no more issues to discuss, you all are dismissed. We can speak about this later after the corsair's arrival. And please, not a word to anyone, not even your best friend. We don't want any panic. Alright, good night everyone."
The council of creatures left Cavern Hole, Spotster and Nightshift 'conversing' the whole time.
**
Diathus did not return to the dormitories immediately. Instead, she cut across the Abbey turf, arriving at the orchards. With a sigh, she leaned against a tall apple tree and sank down onto the grass, closing her obsidian eyes slowly. She could not help but feel a little guilty; all this was happening because she had decided to stay at Redwall Abbey for a while. If she refused to go back to slavery, she would be jeopardizing the lives of the Redwallers, and if she went back, she would spend the rest of her life in chains.
"Ugh, I wish Sky were here," the hare moaned out loud. "He'd know what to do. If he didn't, he'd still be able t' cheer me up."
"Och, Ah ain't noo sky, boot would ye lassie mind if'n Ah sat doon 'ere wid ye?"
Diathus's head snapped upwards, but then she blinked as she realized the creature next to her was not her eagle friend, but a hare that she had not met before. Nodding, she patted the spot next to her.
"Aye, go ahead. S'not my grass. 'm Diathus. You?"
The hare complied, plopping down ungracefully onto the grass and grinning cheerily. "Ah'm Nipfleet, from thee north, but ye gan jus' call meh Nippy. Pleased ter meet ye, Ah'm sure. Noo tell meh, wot's wid thee glum face, eh?"
Opening her mouth, the haremaid blinked again, realizing that no one outside of the council was to know about Vermeng. Closing her mouth and pondering for a while as Nipfleet waited patiently. Finally, she opened her mouth again.
"Have you ever been thee cause o' something? Say, erm, hypothetically, yer enemy found you, an' if you went wid 'im, you'd become a slave, an' if'n you didn't, you'd be endangering th' lives of yer friends. Hypothetically, o' course. Wot would ye do?"
Nipfleet gazed at her curiously. "This is aboot tha' vermin corsair, isn't it?"
"How'd you know?" Diathus blinked, raising an eyebrow and eying the other hare suspiciously. "You weren't at the council."
The March hare grinned sheepishly, giving a shrug of his shoulders. "Manei dared meh t' eavedrop on ye."
"Manei?"
"An otter bairn."
"Oh." Diathus nodded in understanding. "So what would you do?"
The hare shrugged once again, running a paw through his headfur. "Ah'm not really sure, meh lass. Ah guess et depends on yer friends. If'n they think 'tis alright fer ye t' endanger thar lives, then I guess 'tis alright."
Diathus gazed at him oddly, and Nipfleet grinned meekly. "Tha' came oot completely wrong, didnae it?"
"Aye. But I understand. Th'problem is, if I stay here, then Vermeng might choose to bring war to the Abbey. He's sort of crazy in the head an' very prideful; he wouldn't be able to live if he knew one o' his escaped slaves were still alive. The Redwallers here aren't nearly as skilled, and Vermeng outnumbers them three to one. But if I go wid him, I dun have any chance o' becoming free agin, cause I'll be dead."
Nipfleet stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Och, quite a mess ye got yerself into, eh lass? Th' only advice Ah gan give is to do wot ye think is right, boot Ah'm sure tha' 'tis nae help."
"You're right, it doesn't help, no offense or anything," Diathus sighed. "I guess I'll stay here, then. Abbess Sencatina doesn't want me leave or anything."
"Then ye see, ye had yer problem solved thee whole time!"
"Aye, but I was feeling guilty, I guess," the haremaid admitted. "It's hard being in this position."
"Gan't say Ah knoo how ye feel, cause Ah doan't," Nipfleet shrugged apologetically, the stood up, stretching his limbs. "But it'll turn oot alright, lassie, dun worry. Ah'll be a-goin' knoo; 'tis late, an' if'n ye have any sense, ye'll do thee same. 'Tis a long day ahead o' ye, ye ken."
Diathus stood up also and followed Nipfleet to the dormitories, feeling settled enough to go to bed peacefully, but not settled enough to completely forget about the whole event.
And all while this was happening, Vermeng marched closer.