Misadventures
Leaving
War of the Four Banner
Redwall Not So Short Story.
Dapan awoke and looked up at the ceiling of his tent, surprised he wasn't being awoken by the blare of Gasger's trumpet ringing in his ears. He was listening to the sounds of snoring coming from the outside of the barracks tent, having a strange and morbid feeling something was wrong. Perhaps the moon was overhead, signaling that today the day that he and his family would finally be leaving Palewind. Dapan awaited awake, tired as he was from the exhausting work he had to participate in, was now looking around at the rising sun making the upper part of the tent turn from a cool dark blue to a bright orange. He shifted his head when he saw the feet of Gasger marching up to the tent and stop at its edge. He always had suspicions that the infernal hare was always quite prepared and gleeful about tormenting him and the other serfs. Gasger came into the tent, the large and imposing overseer put his trumpet between his lips and suddenly blew.
Like clockwork as always, Gasger saw his victims react in different ways "Be up and about quickly, Captain Raman expects these tents to be taken down today and packed! Won't take too long I do hope!" Rasker awoke suddenly as if pulled awake by some tight rope, Zardan pushed his paws into his ears, angrily looking as the hare before shifting his old self out of the bed. Gasger was happy until he looked at Dapan who slowly arose rather than falling out of his bed this time, arising slowly and with tired eyes made his bed without being asked or commanded. He took his place at the end of his bed as Gasger approached him.
The hare looked him up and down, pretending to be unimpressed. Dapan only coldly looked back, his head slowly bowing to the hare. Gasger frowned, hoping to gouge some manner of reaction worthy of his morning from the weasel. He went over to Moran, the last to get up as the clink of chains on his leg shackles were embarrassingly loud enough to draw most beasts attention.
"Do get up a little quicker, Moran. Your scars on your back are healed by now, hmph." Gasger huffed. It did get Moran's attention who quickly got up and made his bed. Gasger came to the front of the tent, dishing out the orders for the day, as today is the day they would be all leaving. Once all the tents were packed, beds and cots thrown into the last of the wagons yet to be filled, they would all be ready to leave for the north. Gasger dismissed the serfs to go to their respective stations to get cleaned before starting their work, but before the Grassweaves could leave, their youngest being collected by Martha, Gasger held out his paw.
"Congratulations, to all of you, for doing the bare essential needs required of you to not be complete imbeciles of getting yourselves further damaged or hanged. Your reduced rations end today, but don't think I won't take them away again, for all of you. No more of this funny business, or I will make sure every single one of you spends the rest of your bleeding days languishing in ankle irons." Gasger held his paws behind his back and looked down at their feet, specifically Moran's. Dapan wanted to grunt, but he was far too broken and exhausted to even peep. Gasger turned and marched off as the Grassweaves went outside and towards the main washing tents, spied on Dapan who didn't seem as bothered or as angry, sagging as he huddled with his kin and marched away.
The hare wondered to himself. Hmph, likely just pretending, no doubt up to something mischievous! Oh, I'll be there to make sure such things are put down, and then that lot will be back on half rations in no time. Pathetic excuses for beasts, all of them.
It was the first time since arriving in Palewind that the Grassweaves were looking down at the full meal afforded to them, much to the relief of Martha and her children who were digging into the meal. Moran was a bit pickier, looking down at the rations afforded to the serfs with a mixture of amazement and disappointment. The meal was a large bowl full of lettuce leaf, these things called 'tomatoes', dried grapes, cucumbers, and a fine smelling dressing of strawberry and lemon. Next to them was a large platter of bread, which was baked fine and soft. Martha, Mia, and Zadan sloppily dug into their meals, but Moran and Dapan only stared down at theirs.
"Come now, Bigfang, ya gotta eat. I order it." Martha said with annoyance. Moran snapped out of his stupor, already missing the fine fish and drink Gulan had been bringing him. He dove into his meal, but felt awkward as he looked up at his dad, looking down with sadness at it. After a short time, he finally took up the bowl and began to eat it slowly.
In truth, he was dreading today, he looked around at the other vermin in the mess pavilion, eating their meals peacefully. He spied Zardan eating mostly alone, standing up and looking out over the rest of the camp, and Raskar and some others whispering amongst themselves. Several of the soldiers turned their heads to look at Dapan and he immediately turned back to his meal and began to eat it.
"Pa, were going away today?" Moran asked, wanting some confirmation and a means of ending the silence of his father. Dapan only nodded, saying nothing as he chewed down the last of his meal. He looked tired and exhausted as the group finished up. He was about to arise, when Gasger entered the tent and yelled out "All arise! Your captain is about you!" The soldiers and serfs arose and turned to see Raman Coastlord and his brother enter into the tent. Raman continued to hold his paws behind his back as he walked, and spoke up once he took a firm position in the middle of the tent.
"I am sorry to speak ill, but we will not be heading east as suspected to garrison along woodlander hills but heading straight to the frontline to garrison among the border between the forests, grand sandy beaches, and marshes. We will be packing the tents and such today and I suspect you all to be ready by mid evening. We will march out a little way from Palewind and allow Captain Valtman to catch up as we plan our route along the way. There will be no further delays." Raman turned his attention to Dapan who had been the last to rise and be at attention, something which Gasger was quick to note. He gave a grim smile as he came over to him.
"Late to even stand, I see Mr. Grassweave. How about a fourth of your rations cut for the next month, hmmm?"
He wanted a reaction, but he frowned when Dapan just stared at him and blinked. Raman spoke up "Gasger, that won't be necessary, you have other duties."
Gasger turned to Raman, a little surprised but ultimately nodded. Raman continued "Serfs, you will be aiding in the cleanup of your own barracks and it's packing, my soldiers will tend to their own tents. Once the officer tents are down, you will all be suspected to be carrying the bulk of the carts. You are all dismissed."
The soldiers got out of the tent first, leaving the serfs to look to Gasger for his orders, which he naturally seethed out with the same spite as always. Dapan was going to join them as they were herded back towards the tent, but a paw shot up in front of him which blocked his way. Raman stood there, looking at Dapan who could barely lift his head to the otter as Raman looked the weasel up and down.
"Not you, we needed to speak first."
Dapan remained silent as he was motioned over to the table and chair of now empty pavilion, the cooks of the kitchen packing their things quickly and moving tables, chairs, and other things towards the carts. Dapan slowly sat, and although mentally he was nervous, he was too miserable to do much. He lifted his head to Raman, who sat across from him who kept his usual calm and icy composure.
"You look tired, Dapan Grassweave." Raman commented. Dapan frowned, unsure what to say, wondering already if this was manner of trap. After an awkward amount of time, Raman sighed and spoke with a softness.
"Dapan, I want you to know this, but we are not the cruel beasts you may think us as, even if it may seem that way. I am aware and do appreciate how hard you have been working, Mr. Grassweave, and for vermin who has never worked a day in his life, your pretending at least gives me some hope for you and your kin." Raman had meant his words, although for Dapan it felt like another demeaning insult. Raman could see in Dapan's eyes a need to spitefully chide him, but that was not his concern. It was the tiredness, exhaustion, and future problems of inability which he was far more concerned about.
"I want you to take the day off and be ready to march out when we are ready, Dapan."
Dapan looked at him confused, finally speaking "What?"
"It is only fair." Raman sighed "You skipped over your allowed break and have been improving as a laborer at least. I won't have that hang over my head while we march, and I won't bury you simply because you worked yourself to near death trying to impress upon me. Dapan, I am ordering you to take a break today, and to rest up, because you will be pulling the carts you packed alongside the others for a long trip."
Dapan blinked, color coming back into him as he continued to give Raman a strange look. He looked around, wondering "Den what am I suppose to do den? Just sit somewhere? Dat hare of yers ain't sitting in some corner waiting for me, is he?"
Raman boringly blinked, answering his questions with a silence. Dapan knew that Raman was serious and wondered if he should thank him, just in case. Yet, Raman arose first and made his orders clear "You will be near our tents by mid evening, and I do hope I don't have to send Gasger to look for you. You may wander to where you please within reason, but don't make me regret this weasel." The otter arose and turned, marching out of the tent, leaving Dapan to his thoughts.
The great white and yellow tent that was the new home for the serfs was brought down with a soft thud, as Gasger looked on with his usual spiteful look. He was silent as ever, watching as Martha and Zardan slowly held the tent's flap while Raskar and the others removed stakes. Gasger had threatened lashes if anyone messed up and ripped the tent, so Raskar took over as partial overseer, seething out orders himself to the other vermin as he peaked out of the tent with the poles bundled in his paws. "Keep dem stakes down into der dirt, ya stupid fox! I ain't getten meself troubled over ya!" Raskar came out with his fellow serf holding the other end of the bundle and lightly put them on the ground near a big pile of things; cots, boxes, blankets, pillows, and other things needed to be packed. Martha and Zardan held the massive cloth, unhooking it from stakes in the ground and folding up the cloth to be packed. Gasger only spoke to remind the serfs of his increasing disappointment in them.
"Re-fold it, Zardan. Martha. I don't want your filthy paws being also lazy ones as well. I want that cloth to be as small as possible if it's going to fit into the cart."
Zardan and Martha only huffed and did as bidded, with Raskar and his little clique watching. Zardan kept up an eye on the group, before returning to his task. Raskar commented, looking around.
"Eh, chief." He motioned to Gasger. "Why ain't dat weasel be helpen us, eh?"
Gasger rolled his eyes at the thought. "Call me 'sir', Rasan. Dapan and his little brood are apparently elsewhere. Your lord, Raman, had decided to give him a short rest today to make up for his work packing our things in reasonable time. Does that answer your question, hmm?"
"Yes, but why he get a break an' we don't?" Rasker huffed. The hare shrugged "Don't know, nor should you care. It is Raman's orders and as a lord he knows best. Even if I supremely disagree." The comment got Martha's attention; not even aware her husband was taking a break. She wondered where he was, and what he was doing. She didn't have to wonder for long when Dapan appeared around a corner of the unfolding tents, with a tired and playful pair of his youngsters in his paws.
"Oh, der he is." Raskar mockingly spoke. Dapan ignored him as he was busy with sniffing pups in his paws. He came over to Martha, handing Mia off to her "She wanted to know where der heck we be goin, me lov'ly. I can't explain worth a damn." Martha smiled, but Gasger frowned.
"Aren't you supposed to be resting?" Gasger gave a firm warning. Yet, Dapan had surprisingly ignored him as he petted the hair on Zadan's small head before handing them off to her. He kissed Zadan's small head, in which he gave a comforting smile. Once in her paws, the two began bombard their mother with all manner of questions as Gasger approached with ill intent and looked down at him.
"Oh, do tell me you are resisting." Gasger said in a firm and mocking tone "Cause unless you intend to work in place your ill brood, I'll—"
"Yes, actually."
"And—" Gasger paused and looked surprised. Dapan looked up and blinked. Gasger squinted and bent his head down to the weasel as he commanded him about "Fine then, grab these things and starting packing then since you are so willing, and—"
"Aye, wit some help of course." Dapan interrupted.
"Is this some kind of game to you?"
"Not really, but you wouldn't want me droppen on der road, would ya?" Dapan huffed, his spite returning in full as he looked at Raskar in particular. Gasger moved his mouth to the side, annoyed at the weasel's insistence. Martha held her little ones as Gasger allowed Dapan and the others to work, packing things into the cart. Taking things more easy, Dapan and Zardan began to load things into the last cart, being sure to make room for other tents. Gasger watched as Dapan did these things, as he crept closer, trying to chide the weasel.
"Your doing it wrong, the tents go on the opposite side of the cart. Re-do it."
"Course, sir." Dapan had said with a slight annoyance. Gasger was a little shocked when Dapan did these things, as Gasger spoke again with similar mocking command.
"No, not at that end, put it in the middle."
"Hmmphmph."
"Ummm, no. Over there. I want the bleeding tent flaps over there."
"I thought ya said dey be on dis side an in der middle?"
"Are you questioning me?"
"No. I just wanna know." Dapan sounded almost bored as Gasger gritted his teeth. Eventually, after finally packing the last cart, he was asked "Alright, der be anyding else?"
"Of course there is, camp work is never done, and—"
"No seriously, der be anyding else?"
Gasger paused and made a sudden realization. Dapan was looking up at him, as the hare couldn't really think what else he wanted to the beasts to do. They were all done, and he now wondered if Dapan would try to escape as they left. He again had a vicious idea and gave a cruel grin in the weasel's direction.
"Ah, I see. Trying to get us all to move along so quickly, hmm? Going to have to do a lot more to earn our trust, weasel, which is why we will be lashing you to these carts, wether by chain or rope, to pull things along. How do you think about that?"
"Big waste of rope, but okay."
Raskar was baffled, whispering to his fellow vermin who snickered at Dapan who folded his paws with impatience. Gasger was beside himself and didn't really realize it till much later then he should have realized. Blighter is trying to get his family to rest, hmph. Lazy creatures trying to spread such laziness, not on my bleeding watch. Gasger was overthinking on what to do next, as he angrily whispered to Dapan.
"I see, if you think you have won this little trouble, Dapan, then think again, I'll—"
Dapan was louder "Ya already won, hare. Just tell me what more ya want me to do."
Gasger really did think of it this way, but Dapan was strangely right. He had won, and Dapan admitting it felt like a very soured victory to him. Gasger approached him threateningly, and his shadow overlapped the weasel father who stood his ground. Gasger bent down his head, trying to intimidate the weasel as he spoke with a cold but clear voice of authority. "You may have your health, weasel, but don't think this sudden foolery will bleeding work on me. I don't intend to win, Dapan. I intend to break you and your stupid, ill begotten brood into something useful, som—"
Dapan rolled his eyes and cut him off "Den do it, ya blasted thing."
There was a silence as Gasger seemed to smile at the sudden resistance, but that smile faded as the words Dapan spoke began to dig deep into him. "You win, an' all ya can do is threaten me, hare? I'm here to do work, an' apparently dat ain't enough? What ya really want me to do den, just roll over an' die? Yer stuck with me as much as I am wit ya, an' ya can eder give me some blasted something to do, or ya can shut yer trap an' give me lov'ly a break, eh!"
"Yes, but you see—" Gasger was going to go into some big, dramatic, and dark speech about all the terrible things he was going to do to Dapan and his family. He had it all thought out in his head as the weasel ranted, on how he was going to put Dapan in manacles and have him work, day and night, till his head hanged low and his back was bent. He was going to go into dramatic detail about how he would be begging for some manner of relief in death, on some horrific image of him being broken to the point where he could mold his body, mind, and spirit into something resembling some automaton that would be of some general worth to good beasts.
Yet, Dapan answered for him.
"See what, hmm? I'm tellen ya you win, I'm done tryen to resist ya an' yer blasted command. Ya got me, me kin, an' everyding I technically own or don't or whatever. Can ya just let me family have some bleeding peace, den?"
"Peace? Dapan you—"
"Oh don't ya 'you' me, hare!" Dapan raised his voice, enough so his missus held him back with his arm. The other serfs looked between each other, as Dapan grumbled at him "Ya got me doin whatever ya bleeding want, if I gotta put on some juggler's hat an' walk around in a clown's uniform, den dats what I'll do. Now what else do ya want us to do, an—"
"Dapan!" Dapan paused and looked, stiffening as he saw Raman approach with a harshness in his eyes. Raman's paws were behind him as he approached, the otter giving a demanding look to Gasger who stood at attention. Neither Dapan nor Gasger knew how long Raman had been standing there for, nor did either of them want to ask. Raman looked at Dapan, on the verge of raising his voice at him, but was held back by his professional tone.
"I thought I made myself clear, you are on a break to rest for the previous work. Dapan, I do mean it when I say I want you rested, because the road ahead of us is difficult and uneven, and I need my serfs in shape. This opportunity will not come up again, fer–" Raman paused and corrected himself quickly "Weasel."
"Sorry, sir. I just wante–"
"I don't care what you want, Dapan, I care about your health and your capabilities." Raman turned to Martha who held Zadan and Mia held in her paws. Raman had figured this was the case of Dapan's disobedience and sighed. "Dapan, I order you to rest until called. If you do that, your kin will have easier jobs today."
Dapan thought it over and nodded. Kissing his missus on the cheek, he went off with his paws going into the pockets of his pants as he moved off. Gasger huffed and clapped his paws together "Well, that's over with, Martha, put those things away and start help Raskar with th– "
"That will be enough Gasger" Raman interrupted
The otter came up to Martha, looking at the big eyed and small weasels. They didn't look like Dapan, as they blankly looked at him, but feeling frightened they snuggled towards their mother. Raman's attention turned to Martha and coldly pointed "The cooks will need help with rations, and you can then help Mayla fix up her belongings before we head out for good."
Martha nodded as she went towards the cookery, as Gasger frowned. Raman spoke in a harsh tone "Let us not stand doing nothing, Gasger." Raman went off somewhere to clear his head as Gasger looked almost upset. He kept his calm before barking orders at the blank serfs who snapped to doing their work quickly.
Moran looked down at the crate before him in the division's supply tent, his eyes peering between it and Malvan who was growing increasingly annoyed. Malvan was waiting for Moran to move one of the crates, but not before he counted out to make sure that crate had the proper number of things within it. Moran picked up what was a long length of rope, partly playing with it in his paw. As Malvan had taught him only recently, Moran put this big stick thing to it, loudly proclaiming "One." Before moving the stick down the rope as he kept them side by side. He paused, blinking as he looked to Malvan for help in figuring out what came next. Malvan sighed deeply, annoyed a bit at Moran's ignorance as he took the rope and 'stick' harshly from him and attempted once again to show him what he was missing.
"Alright, let's do this again. Pay attention." Malvan brought up this 'stick', which was in fact a thin and small board with these strange things called 'numbers' and small lines on it. Moran cocked his head to the side, still unsure what it was or what he was meant to do with it.
"Okay, so, you take the ruler and put it up to the end of the rope, which means as you can see from this end, means it's one foot."
Moran blinked, having been lost at the word 'ruler'. He looked liked he wanted to ask a very dumb question, and Malvan grunted and asked of him "Okay, what is it you aren't getting, hmm?"
"Ummm, dats a stick. It ain't no ruler." Moran said, partly prideful at his dumb observation. Malvan coldly stared at the young weasel, pursing his lips before putting the rope and the ruler haphazardly into the box. "It's good enough, go load it."
Having given up so quickly, Moran could feel he was doing something wrong, but he gave a loud huff and obeyed. Taking the box in paw, he heaved up and brought it outside the tent. Awaiting him there was Gulan who was quickly coming over to help him, helping the young weasel bring the boxes to different sides as his soldiers packed up what was next. Gulan yelled at two of the soldiers waiting for some orders who rushed over and got the box from Moran's paws. The young weasel looked a bit tired, but something was bothering him as he looked down at his legs still in shackles. Gulan frowned and put his paws to his side and shook his head.
"Honestly, Moran. I still got no idea where Gasger even got them."
"Can't ya take em' off?" Moran said with some vain hope, even though he knew full well the answer. Gulan shook his head, which brought him a little anguish. "If I could, I would. Sorry, lad. If I even tried, I'd likely be joined in a pair meself."
Moran frowned and nodded in partial acceptance. He wanted to call Gulan a coward, but for all the help he had given him thus far, he felt that was a bit awkward. Moran however stiffened up a bit when he saw his father coming as he marched over and patted him on the shoulder. Dapan gave a dark look to Gulan who felt a bit awkward. Dapan returned his attention to Moran after such a brief pause, speaking in a harsh tone "Ya doin okay, moron? Get back to what ya were doin." Moran slowly nodded as Gulan gave the weasel father a funny look. Dapan was giving him a face which somewhat reminded him of his father, hearing the clink of chain growing more distant as Moran returned to the tent. Dapan approached Gulan, in which the otter tried to be friendly towards.
"You must be Moran's father, Mr. Gra–"
"You speak to me boy again, otter, an' we'll have problems." Dapan kept his voice low. Gulan raised an eyebrow to this, a little concerned. Dapan explained, clearly and with some spite in his voice "Last ding I need fer me boy is getting comfy wit ya or any other beast here. He's spoken kindly of ya, an' I can't allow dat."
"Any particular reason, vermin?" Gulan felt almost insulted, with Dapan giving him that accursed cold face set in stone. Dapan folded his paws "I'd rather not me boy knowing we are in comfy place, otter. I'd rather not have him –" Dapan stopped and thought on something, for there was no image for what Raman had done to Moran. Only that horrible sound. Gulan stood still, and he could tell from the way Dapan was acting that he was trying to hold in a lot of anger and fury, and he was doing it much better now than before. It again reminded him a bit too much of his brother.
"I'd rather not have him thinken you or any beast here are friends, cause ya ain't. Let him do his work on his own accord, an' he'll do it. I'll make sure of it."
Gulan sighed and spoke up, with some authority in his voice "I know your troubles, good bea–"
"Don't call me dat, cause no beast here will believe it. Do we got an understanding?"
Gulan paused, and spoke with a softer whisper. "I understand it but trust me Mr. Grassweave. I am not your enemy."
Dapan sniffed and continued to give Gulan that poisoned look but seeing that the otter would not agree to any of his demands, he left to wander the camp. Gulan was joined by Moran as soon as he left, looking around for his father at first. Moran felt secondhand embarrassment for Gulan to having talked with his father, and couldn't help but ask "Dat wasn't about me, was it?"
"No, don't worry about it." Gulan smiled and patted the youngster's shoulder. Moran felt relief, but Gulan did not show it. He was just happy his brother wasn't there to see this little charade, but now he couldn't help but wonder one thing. Is this going to be a problem?
Lena and Gaven were picking up a large box in Bluebell's tent, looking around at all the finery the rabbit had come with. Lena and Gaven were almost terrified at how clean but yet imperial look of the tent with its many trinkets and baubles. It looked far less like a military tent and more like a merchant's shop. Bluebell had apparently spent the last few hours neatly and carefully packing away his things, the fine smell coming from a candle and the sweet incense from his desk really sold Lena on Bluebell perhaps not being a military creature.
Which speaking of which, Bluebell came into the tent, almost ignoring the two who were charmed by the rabbit's tent as he sat at his desk, writing down various notes before turning to the confused woodlander serfs.
Lena expected some manner of chiding from him in some capacity, but no, he seemed to be quite self-aware and smiled warmly "Oh, all this? You'd be quite surprised how much my mom and wife sent me before we moved to Mossflower. They expected me to be trapped in some thankless post and wanted to make sure all the wonders I had at home were never too far. Though, both seemed to have over done it."
Gaven raised an eyebrow "You aren't much of a military beast, are you? No offense."
"None of course taken, Gaven. I sort of am. Officially I was a drill master, not a prestigious or even a good one, and I think the council overlooked that. I mostly handled military bureaucracy."
"Huh." Gaven and Lena lifted the box, as Bluebell followed them out. The last wagons were getting ready to be loaded in their camp, although all three stopped to see Dapan sitting in the dirt, leaning his back between one of the wheels.
They came forward, as Bluebell approached and looked down at Dapan. "You must be Mr. Grassweave I take it?" He didn't wish to pry, but Bluebell was motioning for Dapan to answer.
"I am." Dapan grunted. Lena and Gaven looked down, wondering if this was finally it, if the weasel father finally had gone mad and was now going to just resist every order given to him. Bluebell waited for an answer and sighed "Mr. Grassweave, I am obliged to ask what you are doing here, and why you are sitting at the foot of our wagons."
"I bet ya would like to –" Dapan began, but then let a deeper sigh "Bah. Ferget it. Raman said I could have der rest of the day off fer fillen dat cart of his. I've been effectively kicked out of der camp until were ready to go, so I am now here."
Bluebell blinked, although also was looking at him with some disbelief. Dapan continued "Yes, dat infernal hare Gasger knows."
"Well, if he didn't, I suppose he would be marching here with a wide grin on his face looking for you." Bluebell sighed.
Lena and Gaven were giving the weasel an odd look, which somewhat annoyed him. "What?"
"You aren't here to bully us, are you?" Gaven immediately asked.
Bluebell looked at Gaven with some surprise, as Lena joined in, putting her paws to her side "If you are Dapan, I'll kick you back to that camp of yours."
Dapan cringed, his mouth partly opening as if he had heard something insane or dumb, and shook his head and stood. "Ya really dink I'd come all dis way just to bully ya?"
"If not us, then the Browns?" Gaven asked.
"Der who?"
"The ferrets?"
"Why der hell would I bully dem, ya blasted river dog!?" Dapan sounded defensive, even angry which somewhat shocked Bluebell. He quickly brought himself between the two. Lena continued, trying to guess "You here to bully, erm, the captain? The dormouse?"
"No."
"His officers?"
"What!? No?"
"Neuls?"
"Who?"
"The Vole."
Dapan growled "Oh der hell, round ears!? Of course not!?"
Lena and Gaven looked at Bluebell, asking Dapan by pointing to him. Dapan put his paw to his face in frustration, growling out "I am not here to bully eder of ya! Especially not dis one! Why ya dinken I am?"
Lena folded her paws "Cause, why else would you be here? You look and sound bored, Dakker. That's just what you creatures do."
"Ya want me to bully ya?"
"I mean, no. It's just–"
Dapan threw up his paws and began to march away in defeat "Der hell with ya! Can't even bleeding sit down somewhere!" Dapan marched off between some of the wagons until he was far out of sight. Bluebell was stunned with silence, looking to Gaven and Lena for answers. Lena and Gaven only blinked, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
"We were militia, we drove beasts like Dakker away, we know them a bit better then you folk do."
"I mean, I've somewhat glossed over Shackleford's books, but do they just 'bully' others when bored? All vermin?" Bluebell said with some concern.
Gaven sighed "My Pa would say that if vermin aren't drunk or around a campfire doing something, we should always been concerned. It's honestly just how they are. He was probably here to mock us or something while were working. Or some other fool thing."
"Well, that won't be happening under my watch." Bluebell smiled "Though, do you two know Mr. Grassweave personally? Cause it sounded, erm, personal."
Lena was about to say something, but she kept her mouth shut. She lied instead, not wanting any of these beasts to figure out she and Dapan had fought one another when he was in a gang. The consequences of learning of Dapan being more capable of violence had some rather disturbing implications. "He, ummm, came around my village a very long time back. He's easy to anger as you can tell."
"Oh." Bluebell nodded "Well in either case, once we are ready to move out, we can all get something nice to eat. I must thank you two for helping me pack. I kind of feared the Browns would have interesting ideas in packing my things." Lena and Gaven nodded, returning to their work with some peace of mind. Though Lena was starting to wonder. He surely wasn't here to rest, was he?
In the central part of the camp near the main gate, Dapan was waiting.
He had been standing, sometimes sitting, for what felt like thousands of years for each minute that ticked on by. His paws were in the pockets of his clothes he did not own, and sometimes wondered had more value than he did. He was standing at the far edge of a few tents, with three others near him. One was a fox with no tail, and two were female rats who closely sat together. He did not need to ask them about their stories and how they got here, as they didn't ask him. The fox he could guess had done something foolish, perhaps talked back to his overseer, and his punishment was the cropping of his tail. One of the rats next to him, sitting down in the dirt, had the pained shakes with the other trying very hard not to touch her back. There was no image in his mind about what had been done to her, he had no strength that day to look how Raman lashed his boy. He could imagine the loud crack followed by the scream.
Yet, this didn't move him, it didn't even phase him anymore. None of it did as he stood there, looking at the gate closed. It was sad for him to look up, but he couldn't peel his eyes away.
The fox was approached by a squirrel in armor, speaking to him in a manner which Dapan didn't understand "Time to go. You ready?"
"Yes, sir." The fox without his tail replied in a lowly manner.
At some time, perhaps long ago, Dapan would have scoffed at such a thing, calling it tame. Now? All he could do was shrug once the two were gone. His eyes peered to the gallows in the center of the camp, empty for now, but not when he first arrived. Another fox had been swinging on it, a runner who didn't resist his fate. He could remember all the times he spilled his ill will on Gasger and Raman, and even Valtman and he wanted to slap his past self for bringing him anywhere close to this thing.
The rats next to him arose when they saw a hedgehog approach them, speaking with sympathy to them "We are heading out, lasses."
One who had been shaking spoke in a lower voice "Dat monster won't be joinen us, will he?"
"Me cousin is staying. Sorry to say. Just keep your heads down you two." With that they were gone and Dapan was alone. He stood there, wanting nothing more than to return, waiting to finally get out of here. He was thinking on things, a lot of things, until a voice called from behind him.
"Ya dinken about it?"
Dapan looked at Zardan approaching him, but he wasn't alone. Lena was with him as well as he blankly stared. He shrugged "Dinken about what?"
"Getten out." Zardan asked. Lena perked up some interest as Dapan looked forward at the camp before him. Of all the things he was thinking about, escape was not one of them. In fact, it was the farthest from his mind. He honestly shook his head "I wish I was. Ya here to collect me?"
"Not yet, we are getten rest." Zardan nodded. Lena looked at the square as the three continued to stare in silence. Eventually, Dapan spoke. "I wanted nothing more in dis world den to away from places like dis. Now? I'm a slave in it."
"Must be hard for you to admit." Lena added. Dapan nodded "It was, an' dat is what I was thinken on. I ain't getten out of dis, not in awhile. Even if dey mess up on der road, I ain't getting out of this with everyone I want to keep. Me boy is in shackles, an der opportunities kinda just disappeared. I went from a warrior in a horde, to bandit, to a tamed brewer, an' I guess it just be natural I end up as a slave at some point."
"Ya really shouldn't beat yerself up fer it like dat." Zardan chided "Yer doin this fer yer family, an' no one else. Dey are what matters in der end."
"I don't know how long I can keep it like dat. Dey taken everyding else, whats der progression for dem taken me kin next?"
"Dey took everyding, but starting at der bottom doesn't mean yer out, Dapan. It just means a new beginning. Like a pirate upon a sinken ship left on a plank of wood, dat beast is still swimmen till dey get picked up or find land. Have some hope, an' be smart about it. Tis all ya can do."
"You two sound defeated." Lena said with some surprise. Zardan shrugged "Not be me first time in this kinda situation, tis just a wisdom not all beasts know but should. Fallen down a cliff don't mean der end if ya survive der fall, it's gonna hurt sure, but you can always recover. No point trying to smash down a cliff doh, which helps no one."
"Ya really dink we should just give up an' live like dis?" Dapan asked
"No. I am saying ya need to bide yer time an' not be a fool about it. Der will come a time one day when ya realize bein a fool gets ya nowhere. Yer a slavebeast to a bunch of woodlanders, so what? Tis bad, an' ya are right to be angry about it, but getten yerself martyred alongside yer kin won't do much other than inspire atrocity. I just don't want any of ya wasting yer lives because of fool beasts like dat hare getting what he wants out of ya. Bide yer time, an' see what happens. Better den dat alternative of petty resistance an' getten yerself got. I don't like eder, if ya must know. Tis just a waiten game."
The three remained silent for a while, until the gate to the fortress opened. Shuffling on in was a new line of prisoners who were brought in by other captains, frightened and mortified. Dapan coldly looked on with some boredom, his eyes locking with a strange family entering the fort which reminded him of himself. An angry ferret father, snarling at a rat next to him and his paws kept close to his three sniffing youngsters, his missus holding onto another babe. The ferret looked quite proud, even in chains, as they were forced into place. Several woodlanders were amongst them, as the golden squirrel, their new overlord and master approached with annoyance. Prince Frankfort approached and spoke to the group as their chains were removed, surrounded by his retinue. Dapan and his two fellows watched on, not much listening as they were looking. The ferret father's pride softened to a form of terror, perhaps realizing he was going to end up a lot like Dapan very soon.
"Well, best be getting back. I think they are ready now." Lena said, before leaving towards her camp. Zardan and Dapan stayed, for but a moment longer. Dapan sniffed and nodded, joining Zardan as they made their way back to Raman's camp.
What had happened to Dakker, and the problems he may have caused, no longer mattered. Dapan and Zardan returned to the camp as Dapan rejoined his family who were finishing up packing their stuff. With the last vestige of freedom now as distant as his home, Dapan made ready to leave.
At the eastern gate to Palewind, Raman and Valtman's wagons were lined up, with the door having already been opened. Captain Henden had went in front of them, his army leaving for eastern provinces now to be put under Southward occupation. He and his division had left almost immediately, and with a fair amount of fan fair as Henden didn't just go to his duties with a humble silence, but with a prideful step. Though for those who had been watching such a thing, it had been described as 'quite cringe inducing'.
Raman looked to the back of the caravan, seeing Dapan and his family approaching. Gulan and Gasger was by his side as Raman felt some relief that Dapan had come back, rather than sending some soldier, or Gasger, to hunt for him. His relief was muffled into a deep frown as he heard Dapan was approaching with his son, arguing with one another.
"Pa! Ya really want me to lift all dat!? It be heavier den yer stupid drinks dat got us into all dis!"
"Oh shut yer trap, moron! It ain't dat bad, it'll give ya muscles like yer ol' pa! Besides, yer bleeding young, ya don't got der right to complain!"
"I got plenty o' 'rights', you old –" Moran paused, having lost any sense of insult. Dapan felt insulted more about his lack of imagination "Old what, hmm? Now stop complainen an' get on der other side of dat bleeding wagon before I smack ya across der ears!"
Raman and Gasger were quite silent, seeing that they didn't need to get either of them line. However, from the poisoned look the otter was giving Dapan, he grumbled lowly and grew eerily silent. As he got onto one side of the wagon and his weary and concerned boy got on the other, looking at the wagon as some intimidating hill one might need to climb. Gasger came over and began putting ropes around both of their wastes connected to the poles of the wagon, as Raman grunted out an order "Dapan Grassweave, I would prefer you remain silent on this trip, that goes for you as well Moran. I would hate to have either of you punished in any harsher manner because of these petty vermin feuds."
Dapan pursed his lips, and then sighed "Yes, sir."
Zardan and Martha joined them next, getting in the front and getting much the same treatment. Mia and Zadan were heard behind them, appearing on top of the wagon, having somehow climbed themselves up in some manner of game. "Pa! We goin home, right?"
Dapan looked around in anger, rarely having needed to yell at the two, but seeing them on top of the wagon made him queezy "Ya two! Get down dis instant! Now!" Not wishing to tempt him, the two youngsters quickly disappeared behind the wagon's things and reappeared quite quickly beneath them. Raman looked to Gulan to deal with such an annoyance, and approached. Dapan scooped up the two in his arms as Gulan approached, although the weasel father knew he wanted them to hand off to the soldiers to take care of. There was a tense standoff, but a harsh and curious look from Gasger made Dapan relent, slowly handing them off to Gulan who smiled at them in his paws. He went over to two of his soldiers, passing them off to them and making his orders quite clear on their treatment.
When Gulan returned, he nodded "I think with that, we are ready."
Zardan shrugged and answered for them "About as ready as we'll ever be, I suppose."
"Good." Gasger grunted. Coming up towards the front was Raskar, his paws on a much lighter load of things as Dapan and the others looked appalled. Raskar was smirking at them, giving Raman and Gasger his song and dance "Ready as ever, sirs."
"Thank you Rasan."
Dapan looked baffled, exchanging confused looks between Gasger and Raman, although Raman was going to the front of his army. Gasger smiled, tormenting the weasel with an entire new speech he had cooked up. "You see Dapan, I reward loyal and broken creatures. Had you b–"
"Gasger! I want to be moving!" Raman called back. Gasger frowned, not even able to speak quickly as Dapan and the others just gave him a confused look. Raman's voice could be heard over the army.
"Beasts of Southward, we are marching forward into a hostile land and I will demand your full attention. Betrayed by would be allies, we are ordered to provide a defensive line near the mountain of Salamandastron and put a solid line of defenses and occupy the region, liberating woodlanders and beating back vermin invaders and evil alike. This mission will not be easy nor will it be comfortable, we are the light shining upon the lands of Mossflower, and we must put our boots down on the ground. For the King, for Southward, and for Mossflower! We forward march!"
"Well, I guess dat be der signal." Zardan grunted and gripped the pole of the wagon. Dapan gripped his and called to his three other fellow serfs.
"Alright. On der count of three."
"One."
"Two."
"Threeee–" Dapan attempted to lift with all his might, but to even his surprise he failed. He gritted his teeth as the others attempted to do so as well. Dapan growled and spoke loudly "Hold on! Wait! Lift it back down!" The group did, already tired from the experience. Moran spoke up "Umm, pa. Ya lift on three or after it?"
The group looked at Moran who had not done anything. Dapan slapped him across the back of his head "On three ya nitwit! Okay. Lets try dis again. One. Two. Three!"
The second time was much easier, and once getting the wagon steady, the group was dragging the wagon along. Leaving onto harsher ground there was some struggle, but with soldiers helping them to make sure the wagon didn't fall immediately upon its face when going up or down a hill, the group was finally out the door. The wide and open lands of Mossflower were now visible once more as the group marched along. Moran looked to the side, smiling to see Gulan marching alongside him and being quite encouraging.
Dapan kept his eyes forward, as the group made their way at long last into the open country, although what awaited them, he did now know. He was content in some capacity, as if a new normal had set in.