The Book of Athanasius

Chapter 3

"A promise given with a story"

When Bernal woke it was as though no time had passed at all. The sounds of nighttime could still be heard outside as well as the gentle, and unspoken of, snoring of Ammer at the foot of the bed. The only light was from a single candle burning on a desk at the other end of the cave. At the desk sat Whiskem, her back facing Bernal. She seemed to be going over something on the desk.

The words and emotions of their previous argument pressured Bernal into saying something, although fear of a second fight made the topic something unrelated. "Heh, looks like I was tireder then I thought," He said, "Slept clear through the next day and into the night. Man, Ammer must've been sore with me. Usually if I oversleep only a few moments I get an earful. Well, if she did yell at me I'm glad I slept through it."

Whiskem showed no surprise in Bernal's sudden attempt at conversation. Without turning to face him Whiskem responded. "Squirrel no need ta worry. It's still same night when Squirrel first wake. If Whiskem woke Squirrel, Whiskem sorry. Whiskem jus 'ave problems sleepin' is all."

Her apology struck a cord with Bernal. His mind showed Whiskem as the kindest creature of all the land, while giving himself an image of a foul and cruel beast whose own selfishness had tortured and traumatized the poor defenseless otter. Fooled into believing his own bending of the truth Bernal gave in to his feelings of guilt. "I'm sorry Whiskem…I mean…about earlier…what you said was right. I did not know this rat and I had no right to judge him like that. To be honest I've never really met a rat before. I only know of them from the stories the elders and adults would tell us."

There came a sigh from Whiskem. "Squirrel no need ta apologize. Whiskem was right, but maybe Squirrel right too. Rat was certainly not normal beast."

Something started to glimmer in the back of Bernal's mind, some idea or feeling urging him on, creating an insatiable curiosity for this otter's last visitor. "Who was he?" he asked.

"If Squirrel truly wishes ta know, then Whiskem will tell," She replied, "It happen many seasons ago, Whiskem think even afore Squirrel was born…Hek…an' when Whiskem could still be called otter 'maid'. Whiskem find Rat lyin' on riverbank 'alf dead from blade an' arrow. Whiskem would 'ave finished off Rat if Rat's eyes hadn't stopped Whiskem."

Bernal was puzzled by Whiskem's words. "How did his eyes save him?"

Whiskem turned to Bernal and pointed a finger to her eye. "A beast can lie many ways, wit words an' body but never wit eyes. Eyes always tell truth."

There was an eagerness in Bernals voice. He now had a great interest in the old otter's story. "And what did the rat's eyes say?"

"Whiskem seen eyes o many vermin," she continued, "Eyes filled wit greed an' hate an' fear. Rat's eyes had none o these, only look o solid will even when facin' death. Whiskem had seen these once before, when Whiskem was little, an' that creature was no enemy o Whiskem. Whiskem took chance. Told Rat Whiskem would not harm. Rat nod an' let Whiskem help Rat ta Whiskem's home. When Whiskem lift Rat up Whiskem saw Rat still had sword in hand. Even 'alf dead Rat coulda killed Whiskem, but Rat did not. Whiskem thought Rat very strange. Rat never tried ta hurt Whiskem nor Whiskem hurt Rat, but Rat still never let go o sword or wot was tied round Rat's waist."

Bernal opened his mouth to ask what it was but Whiskem, already knowing the squirrel's question, quickly answered. "A small bag. Hek Hek, Whiskem remember it had little flowers on it an' looked silly on Rat, but Rat held it jus' as hard as sword. When Whiskem got Rat back ta Whiskem's home Rat pass out. Rat did not wake fer many days. While Rat slept Whiskem bandage Rat's wounds. Whiskem surprised Rat lived at all. Rat's wounds woulda killed a beast many times over yet Rat jus' slept. When Rat did wake Rat ask strange question. Rat ask which way ta Redwall. After Whiskem tell Rat same thin' Whiskem told Squirrel, Whiskem spend rest o day keepin' Rat in bed. Whiskem try ta say Rat too injured but Rat didn't listen. Whiskem soon let Rat go. Rat not make two steps afore collapsin'. After that Rat gave Whiskem no more troubles. Nearly whole season pass fer Rat ta heal. Whiskem woke one day ta find Rat outside home, jus' starin' in direction o Redwall. Rat seemed troubled by somthin'. Rat would try an' take a step only ta stop an' keep standin'. Rat then looked down at sword Rat held. Rat walked back ta Whiskem an' asked fer quill an' paper. Fer first time Whiskem not surprised. Rat had not done one normal thin' so nothin' surprise Whiskem now."

"Why did he want them?" interrupted Bernal, "Are you saying this rat could actually write?"

Whiskem gave Bernal an annoyed look. "If Squirrel wishes ta hear story'n Squirrel will stop talkin'…Now…Whiskem had writin' tools given ta Whiskem as gift, but Whiskem had no use fer em, so Whiskem gave ta Rat. An' yes, Rat could write. Fer three days Rat sit at desk an' write. When Rat finished, Rat give Whiskem papers an' ask Whiskem ta deliver em ta a hare maid at Redwall. Whiskem could tell this request important ta Rat, so Whiskem promised ta give papers ta hare maid. Rat left after that, grabbed sword an' bag an' started walkin' away from Redwall back upriver. Whiskem never see Rat again…"

Turning back to the desk Whiskem picked up the book that lay on top of it. To call it a book is giving it more credit then it was worth. It was really only a stack of worn papers hand bound with bits of string. Whiskem brought it over to Bernal. "Whiskem did Rat great wrong. Whiskem did not tell Rat…Whiskem could never go back ta Redwall."

There was a great sorrow in Whiskem's words. Bernal thought the old otter would break into tears, but when he looked into her eyes he only saw a look of hope. "Does Squirrel still wish ta go ta Redwall?" she asked.

Bernal gave a nod. Whiskem then presented the book to Bernal. "Then will Squirrel please help Whiskem keep promise ta Rat an' deliver this ta Hare Maid?"

The book was shaking in Whiskem's hands as Bernal took it. "Of course I will," he replied.

Whiskem gave a smile that seemed to go from ear to ear. She leaned close to Bernal and whispered in his ear. Her voice was no longer ragged but gentle sounding. "Thank you Bernal. I still have many things ta answer fer but am glad ma last promise can be kept. The Hare's name is Mayferry. Be sure she gets this an' tell her am sorry fer takin' so long."

Bernal was taken aback at Whiskem's words. Before he could say anything Whiskem had already left his side. She slipped the hood of her cloak over her head as she made her way outside.

"Where are you going?" asked Bernal.

Whiskem looked back and responded in her old voice. "Whiskem do all Whiskem could fer Squirrel, but Squirrel's leg broken. Leg needs Redwall medicine. Whiskem will go find Squirrel's otter friends ta help Squirrel ta Redwall. Otters no dummies an' will follow river."

She then walked out of sight. Bernal was slightly confused at who Whiskem the old otter really was. He looked down at the book in his lap. A strange rat warrior, a hare maid waiting at the gates of Redwall, and a book written seasons ago. Bernal wondered what he had started upon, but felt that now he would be the one to finish it.