The Book of Athanasius

Chapter 4

"Four travelers once more"

Beams of light from the midday sun pierced through the green canopy of Mossflower wood. Bird song could be heard side by side with a rushing river and the rustle of leaves, creating a cacophony of sound only nature could make. Peace and freedom could be seen and felt all around. Yet, the warm embrace of Mossflower went unnoticed by the two otters that ran along the riverbank.

Slowing down to a stop they collapsed to the ground. Muscles and lungs burned as the two otters tried to regain their strength. No words passed between them as they sat, but their silence spoke volumes. Brunt and Trov had been running for almost several days straight now, with little rest or slowing. Though fit beasts, the strain of constant travel combined with the despair of having found no sign of their friends had worn away their spirit. They both knew the truth of their situation and that the worst may be something they would have to face.

It was a commitment they already agreed to carry out many times but Trov said it nonetheless. "We're not gonna stop," he said, "No point goin' this far only ta give up now." It was more a reassurance to himself then Brunt.

Brunt agreed, even if what they found wasn't what they wanted. His body shot waves of painful protest through him as he rose to his feet. He motioned for Trov to keep resting as he started to walk away. When he was some distance from Trov, Brunt stared at his surroundings. He had imagined, once, the joy he would feel when he reached Mossflower, to finally be free of burden and expectation, but the guilt he now carried from the canyon kept him from making it a reality. He stared down at the ground, not wanting to even think about where he was. Lost in his thoughts Brunt didn't notice the hunched form of Whiskem walk over and take a seat on a nearby rock.

Whiskem sat staring at Brunt, his head looking down to the ground at his feet. She soon realized that he hadn't noticed her and gave a rather loud cough to get his attention. Her cough caught him by surprise. In one quick motion he reached down, grabbing a stone from the riverbank and, without looking, launched it at Whiskem. The old otter made an annoyed growl. Gripping her cane in both hands she swung and hit the stone, sending it back to Brunt. He dove to the ground just as the stone flew past his head.

"Hmph! Some greetin' Otter give Whiskem!" she yelled, "It's any wonder Otter has friends when Otter attacks every beast Otter meets!"

"An' wot kinda greetin' is it ta sneek up an' surprise a beast?" Brunt shouted back.

Brunt tried to stand back up but Whiskem cleared the gap between them and another swing of her cane sent him diving to the ground again.

Hearing the commotion Trov came running over. Seeing the other otter, Whiskem backed away from Brunt and sat back down on the rock. Helping Brunt to his feat, Trov tried to apologize to Whiskem. "Am sorry fer me mate 'ere. From where we come from strangers aren't the kind o beasts who are friendly."

"Whiskem see that," she replied, "Otter stranger, an' throwin' rock certaintly not friendly ta Whiskem."

Whiskem looked Trov up and down. She then shook her finger at Brunt. "If Smart Otter's friend wishes ta live in Redwall then Strong Otter must learn ta trust everybeast."

Trov walked over to the old otter. Kneeling down he stared straight into her eyes. "How did ya know where we were goin'?" he asked.

Whiskem gave a smile. "Squirrel tell Whiskem all about Otter friends an' trip ta Redwall."

The two otters quickly looked back at each other, making sure they both heard what Whiskem had said. Turning back to Whiskem, Trov put his hand on her shoulder. "You said squirrel. Did ya mean Bernal? Is he alright?"

Whiskem gave a nod. Trov started to laugh and hurried over to Brunt who stood dumbstruck at hearing the good news of his friend. "Ya hear that mate? Bernal's ok! He's ok!"

Brunt looked down at Whiskem. "An' Ammer? Was there a mouse wit Bernal as well?"

Whiskem continued to nod. "Yes. Yes. Squirrel an' Lady Mouse okay. Squirrel an' Lady Mouse at Whiskem's home waitin' fer Otter Friends. Otter Friends must hurry an' come wit Whiskem. Squirrel okay but need Otter Friends' help."

The two otters were overwhelmed with joy. Their fear quickly replaced by an eagerness to see their two friends again. "Yes, o course," said Brunt, "Lead the way sir."

Whiskem gave another annoyed growl and raised her cane at Brunt. "Sir? Sir?"

"I'm not eating any more!" Bernal protested, "Whiskem said I'm fine cept for my leg, and that only the Redwallers could help with that. So I don't need any more 'healing' from that stuff!"

Ammer continued to hold the bowl filled with Whiskem's soup in front of Bernal. "And I say it's better to be safe then sorry. Regardless of whether or not you're okay you still need to eat Bernal and this is all there is."

Bernal still refused. He was trying to keep his nose as far away from the bowl as possible. Seeing no other choice she pulled the bowl back, and spoke in a soft tone. "Please…I just want to do what I can." she said, "I've done nothing but worry about you since we got here."

Bernal tried to look away but it was too late. He had already caught a glimpse of the sad face Ammer was making. He tried shaking the image out of his mind but it was already bringing waves of guilt. Giving a sigh he took the bowl into his hands, smiling as he did so. Ammer seemed to cheer up instantly as she went to get him a spoon. Bernal shook his head. He had always joked that Ammer could conquer armies with that sad face of hers, but each time she used it on him he wondered if maybe his joke might actually be true.

Ammer was bringing the spoon when, from seemingly out of nowhere, Whiskem quickly shuffled past. Bernal heard her mumbling something about 'sir' as she sat herself down. He was about to ask her what had happened when he heard Ammer drop her spoon. Turning his head, he saw her running towards the two otters that now stood in the entrance. The smiling faces of Brunt and Trov could be seen as they practically lifted Ammer off the ground in one giant hug. Ammer was on the verge of tears but the happiness of the occasion held them at bay. Setting her down Brunt noticed Bernal lying on the bed. He rushed over to him but Whiskem quickly extended her cane in front of Bernal. "Squirrel bad enough as is," she said, "Otter be careful wit Squirrel."

He was slightly hurt by Whiskem's words, but Brunt understood what she was saying. He knelt down beside Bernal. There were a million things Brunt wanted to say, but seeing Bernal alive and ok made his own troubles rather childish. He patted Bernal on the shoulder and simply said, "Ya did good mate."

Being congratulated by one of the strongest beasts you've ever met was certainly something Bernal never thought he would hear. Not knowing what to say he simply returned the gesture by patting Brunt on his shoulder. The two friends sat in a silent moment of respect…which was abruptly cut short by Brunt's growling stomach. "…Heh…Sorry mate." he said, "It's been a couple days since we had somethin' ta eat."

He looked down to Bernal's soup bowl which Bernal gladly offered. He picked up the spoon Ammer had dropped and began digging into the soup. His whole body seemed to stop as the liquid entered his mouth. Brunt swallowed slowly, shuddering when he finished. "Ack…Wot is this? Who's the bloody mad beast that's callin' that food?" he asked.

Bernal tried to suppress a laugh as he pointed a finger to Whiskem, who was now starring intently at Brunt. Brunt turned to the old otter and gave a rather unconvincing smile. "…Heh…Um…Best stuff ah ever tasted miss…Ya must tell me wot ya put in it."

Whiskem walked right up to Brunt. "…Love," she said.

A whole day passed before the four travelers set off from Whiskem's home. Whiskem told Trov of the way to Redwall. Trov listened intently, marking down every landmark and every turn on his map. Not wanting to add anymore bumps to his head, Brunt kept his distance from Whiskem by making a stretcher to carry Bernal…outside. Ammer restocked their supplies, but was saddened for being unable to find any way to carry Whiskem's soup. Brunt and Bernal were also saddened by this. They truly felt bad for hiding all the containers from Ammer, but felt it was for the best.

Once everything was ready Brunt and Trov lifted Bernal from the bed and set him down on the stretcher. The two otters took positions in front and back of Bernal and, raising him up, started to make their way out of the cave. Ammer gave a tearful goodbye to Whiskem, promising to come visit her when she had the chance. Trov gave a polite bow, thanking her for everything she's done for them. Brunt made sure he was beyond the reach of her cane before speaking, though none of his words seemed to anger Whiskem this time. Bernal gave a simple goodbye, but never took his eyes off her when they started to leave. He didn't know if he would ever see the old otter again. There was so much he wanted to ask her, but felt that all he'd ever know is what he saw and heard that one night in the cave.

They traveled for some time in complete silence. Each of them lost in their own thoughts. It was Trov who eventualy broke the silence. Looking down at Bernal he asked, "Wot's that ya got there mate? A gift from Miss Whiskem?"

Bernal had completely forgotten about the book that was in his lap. He picked it up and showed it to the others. "Yeah…Well…Sort of," he said, "I promised Whiskem I'd deliver this to Redwall for her. It's important this reaches a hare maid who lives there."

Trov eyed the book. "Did Miss Whiskem say anythin' about it bein' private?"

Bernal looked back at Trov and shook his head. "No…Why?"

Trov gave a chuckle. "Well, Ah don't know bout ya, mates, but this silence is killin' me, an' ah don't think I can stand several days o this while we head fer Redwall. Why don't ya read it ta us Bernal?"

Bernal looked back at the book. He thought about Trov's request and whether or not he should, but in the end it was his own curiosity that made him read it. Opening it up carefully, Bernal was surprised at the style of writing. He had seen the elegant styles of his teachers and the various scribbling of young ones, but what he saw in the book was different. He could tell it was written with a solid hand. There was nothing fancy about it. Every word was spelled correctly, something Bernal himself couldn't claim to be able to do. How a Rat could gain such an ability confused Bernal. He was about to ponder this discovery some more when he saw that Brunt, Trov, and Ammer were starring at him.

"Heh, sorry…" he said, "I'll get on with it."

Taking a deep breath Bernal began to read out loud. "The following is the story of what I would call my life. I'm writing this to keep a promise I made, for I am unable to make it in person. I think, in some way, this might give a better understanding of who I am and why I've made the choice I'm making now. But fair warning, I do not attend for this to be turned into some sort of apology. I have neither sympathy nor remorse for those I have killed and what I have done, nor do I ask for your forgiveness for my actions. What I give is the truth and I expect it in return."

Bernal stopped. He hadn't realized what he might actually be reading, but the words he said now hung in the air. Trov looked to the others. "You heard the bloke," he said, "So don't go gettin' all false on em. Bernal, keep goin'. Let's hear wot this killer has ta say."

Brunt and Ammer agreed with Trov and encouraged Bernal to continue. Taking another breath Bernal continued to read.