CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

With everybeast else out watching the spectacle of Klystra's impromptu meeting with the Abbot, Tibball found that he had Great Hall largely to himself for his midmorning breakfast.

Seeing no reason not to seat himself at the head table, the hungry and well-rested rabbit tucked into a sampling of cakes snagged off one of the passing ratbound trolleys, to looks of slight indignation from the brother pushing the cart. That server was given additional cause for eye-rolling when first Winokur and then Arlyn and Metellus appeared on the scene, joining Tibball at table for late breakfasts of their own.

"I can't believe I slept so late, with so much going on," the otter Recorder chastised himself. "I'd really wanted to rise earlier than this, to check on Latura and her fellow villagers. At least I could see from the second story windows that all the rats still seem to be here, so I gather we were spared any Gawtrybe incursions overnight, and Geoff is sticking by his decision to allow the rats to shelter here until we know more."

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Wink," Arlyn advised. "You were up very late helping our rat guests get settled in for the night - or what was left of the night, at any rate - and with all the excitement that was centered around you and them, it's hardly surprising that you must have been exhausted. You were entitled to a little extra shuteye as much as anybeast ever was, I would say."

Arlyn turned to Tibball, who seemed both self-conscious about being joined by these Abbey luminaries but also alert to other creatures passing by through the Hall. "Friend Tibball, I see you're having a late breakfast yourself ... "

"Well, with so much going on last night, I imagine it's rather a late morning for all of us, as you've just been saying."

The others regarded him with quizzical looks. "But, you weren't down here for any of the confrontation and council last night," Winokur said. "You slept right through all of it, as far as I'm aware."

"Well, um, yes, er ... but I was still quite tired myself from all that happened to me before coming to Redwall. Falling into the company of those uncouth, barbaric rats, then having to endure that forced march here to the Abbey ... it was all quite tiring."

"Forced march?" Winokur repeated, incredulous. "I was on that march too, and there was nothing forced about it. In fact, we had to keep to a measured pace on account of the oldsters and youngrats and ratwives we had with us."

Hemming and hawing at having been called out twice in such quick succession, Tibball sputtered, "Well, truth to tell, I've always been partial to a late sleep once in a while, and the beds here are very comfortable - as comfortable as the food is good, in fact," he added, biting off another mouthful of seedcake. "If only the hedgehog in the next bed hadn't been snoring quite so loud."

"I'm sure Sister Wellspring will appreciate that," Arlyn commented with a chuckle.

"So," Tibball continued, "am I to take it from your earlier conversation that all the rats were allowed in last night? What led the Abbot to change his mind so quickly?"

"Oh, Wink here had more than a little to do with that," Arlyn said with a knowing smile. "As did Latura herself, and Field Marshal Traveller, and even a former rat captain of Lord Urthblood's who escaped here from the Northlands and happened to arrive at our north gate overnight as well, with tidings of dire portent for ratkind. Winokur got them all inside just before the Gawtrybe showed up in force, threatening to put us under siege unless we turn them all over."

Tibball sputtered anew, this time spraying out bits of his half-chewed seedcake, making the others glad they'd not seated themselves any closer to the rabbit. "Under siege? Can they do that?"

"If they do it, they can," came Arlyn's dry reply.

"What are they even doing here?" Tibball went on. "How did they know to come?"

"They must have spotted the rats from Foxguard's tower, as we feared they might," Winokur surmised, still unaware of the overnight revelation about Mina's dispatchment of the three Sparra. "Either that, or Lord Urthblood foresaw all this and sent word for the Gawtrybe to try to intercept the refugees."

"If that's the case," Arlyn commented, "he didn't foresee very well, or else his timing wasn't very good. Not good enough to prevent them from getting into Redwall before he could stop them."

"I suspect Lattie may've had something to do with that," Winokur said. "She's made it pretty clear that Urthblood was, on some level, trying to block her from getting to Redwall, while Martin was helping her. And then there's that mysterious link she seems to share with Vanessa, not to mention any gift or power Lattie might possess of her own. Urthblood had an army of forces working against him this time, and for a change it appears he didn't get his way."

"That's all ... very interesting," said Tibball, resuming his surveyance of Great Hall as he started into his second cake. "Say, neither of you happened to see any of the Long Patrol about on your way down here, did you?"

"Most of them were up all night guarding the gates and walls," Arlyn replied. "I think some of them still are, and I imagine the rest are catching up on their sleep. Why do you ask?"

"Well, they're the Long Patrol," Tibball answered, as if that explained it all. "What self-respecting rabbit wouldn't look up to them, be inspired by them, and want to spend as much time with them as he could, while he's got the chance?"

"Smitten, are we? You must have been disappointed that they didn't have room for you to bunk down in their tunnels with them. But I did see a few out and about this morning from the Infirmary window, so if you'd like to run along, I'm sure you can catch one or two of them without distracting them from their duties too much."

"A wonderful idea, Abbot! Um, I do call you Abbot, don't I? I know Redwall has more than one these days ... "

"Abbot is fine, for either me or Geoff," Arlyn provided.

"Oh, good. I'll, uh, just be on my way then ... " Washing down his current mouthful of currant spicebread with a generous quaff of pennycress cordial, Tibball shot up from the table with the last of his helping of breakfast and hastened out of Great Hall onto the lawns. Arlyn, Winokur and Metellus shared a chuckle as they watched him go.

"Is it just me, or does that one eat almost as much as a hare?" Metellus commented.

"He's a hungry little bunny, no doubt of that," Arlyn said. "Must not be accustomed to food as good as ours, although then, whatbeast is?"

"He reminds me of a youngster, even though he's clearly not," Wink weighed in. "I think some of my older pupils comport themselves with more maturity than that."

"That's what comes of being a bachelor beast, living on your own in the wilds of Mossflower," said Arlyn. "If you've no family of your own to be responsible for, sometimes you can become a permanent youngbeast, and just live life from one day to the next."

Changing subjects, Winokur said to the other two, "I'm actually glad you both came down when you did. There was a matter I wanted to ask you about, ideally when there weren't too many others around."

"What is it, Wink?"

"Well, there's really no way to broach the subject delicately, so I'll just come right out and say it: I believe our newest guests present us with something of a flea problem."

"Well, perhaps that's hardly surprising - at the risk of sounding prejudicial to their species. But it's no secret that any creatures living in the wild are more prone to such infestations, and vermin and hordesbeasts moreso than most. How did you, ah, discover this, if I may ask?"

"Got very itchy during the march here from the quarry, and noticed many of the rats scratching at themselves as well. Fortunately, a long dip in the cold Moss and a long heating of my habit over a fire got rid of the problem, except for the bites I'd already suffered. Unfortunately, rats aren't as receptive to swims as much as otters are, and I'm afraid our visitors have brought along their own unbidden guests."

Arlyn nodded. "It's no big crisis. Our healers' journals reference any number of remedies we can whip up that will effectively treat flea-infested fur. I just hope we have enough of the necessary ingredients on paw to minister to so many patients. It's been quite some time since Redwall last had to cope with any large outbreak of fleas."

Metellus grinned in spite of himself. "Vermin with vermin."

"Yes, you could say that," Arlyn agreed, "although I wouldn't let any of our rat friends hear you say it. If they're to be staying with us awhile, we'd best stop thinking of them and referring to them by that term."

"It's funny," Winokur ruminated, "but when Urthblood first came to us seven seasons ago with rats and weasels and foxes under arms, urging us to see them as fellow goodbeasts rather than villains and enemies, we wondered if we could ever adjust to such a radical new idea. Now, I'd say Urthblood has succeeded in winning us over to that viewpoint more than he probably wishes he ever had!"

00000000000

Finishing his breakfast conversation with Arlyn and Metellus, Winokur ventured outside to see how things were going with Latura and the other rats. There he found Harth and Log-a-Log engaged in a somewhat heated discussion.

"I don't trust that bird, an' I don't trust that badger, anymore'n I trust their squirrel allies. Somethin's gotta be done."

"Aw, go cool yer heels in th' pond, rat. Nobeast 'n' nobird's gonna violate Redwall's sanctuary while the Abbot's declared you under his protectshun, so stop gettin' yer whiskers grayer."

"You don't know that for sure, shrew, not after th' way that head bushtail was threat'nin' us. You think he'd be so bold if he didn't think there was at least some chance his badger master'd back him up? An' if he gives his redfurred killers free rein t' do as they please, only makes sense he'd tell his birds to do th' same, right? An' unlike any ground creature, those winged terrors can swoop right over these walls an' pluck us up an' carry us away one or even two at a time, an' there's naught we'd be able t' do about it, now that we've been stripped of all our weapons."

"We might've taken your weapons, but ev'rybeast else 'round here's still got theirs, an' any bird who tries any dirty tricks'll find our shafts 'n' slingstones answerin' 'em."

"Just how many birds like that does that badger got fer 'imself?"

"Um ... sev'ral. I think. Never got any kinda count from 'im."

Winokur stepped in at this point. "If it would make you feel more at ease, General, we can have you all moved to the orchard, under the trees there. It wouldn't absolutely guarantee that none of Urthblood's birds could reach you if they've a mind to, but it would make it much harder for any winged creature to get at you."

Harth's demeanor instantly softened at being presented with a more accommodating creature. "Aye, that'd be much appreciated, friend. Can we get on that right away?"

"I don't see why not. You probably want to clear it with Alexander first, since he's the senior defender currently at the Abbey, but I can't see him objecting."

Harth's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "You all really trust him, bein' wed to that Gawtrybe harridan? She ain't even in here with him now, choosin' instead to be outside schemin' an' conspirin' against us. You don't think there's any chance he's got split loyalties, an' might side with her in this?"

Winokur drew himself up at this imprecation of a respected Redwaller. "Alexander was one of our chief defenders and head of the Mossflower Patrol long before Mina ever came into his life, and he takes those duties very seriously. In matters of Abbey security, he takes his orders from the Abbot, not from his wife, and he'd not do anything to compromise your safety. In fact, I suspect he's quite irate with Mina over having hidden so much from him, moreso than he's allowing himself to show." Wink almost immediately regretted this last part; it didn't do to air dirty Abbey laundry in front of visitors, especially ones at the center of such contentious issues. "So, where is Latura?"

"She headed up to th' walltop short while ago," Harth replied. "Wanted t' see the views, even after that bird came by. Told her t' keep her head down, in case those squirrels might have it in mind t' take potshots at any rat they see peekin' over the walls, but that Lattie, she ain't got th' sense of a patch of moss most times. Mebbe you'd like t' go up an' keep an eye on her? She seems to take better to you than anybeast else, 'ceptin' some of her family an' friends from her village."

"I was just about to seek her out anyway." Before taking his leave, Winokur turned to Log-a-Log. "So, which one of Urthblood's birds was here anyway, and what did he have to say?"

"It was that falcon, Klystra," the shrew replied, and proceeded to relate to the otter Recorder everything that had been said between Klystra and the Abbot. "So now," he concluded, "I reckon it's just a waitin' game, until he gets back here from Salamandastron with word on how Lord Urthblood wants things t' go here. I'm hopin' that badger will show better sense than his squirrels an' know enuff t' leave Redwall to its own affairs, altho' - " Here Log-a-Log looked to Harth. " - we got some here who ain't 'xactly confident 'bout common sense winnin' the day."

"Only time and Klystra will tell. Well, while we're waiting, let me go up and see that our favorite prophetic ratmaid stays out of trouble." Winokur nodded his farewells, strode across the lawns to the south wallsteps, ascended the stone stairs and set about circling the ramparts in search of Latura. Naturally, he found her in the one place where she would know the least safety: midway along the east walltop, directly overlooking the forest fringe her own company had previously occupied, and which now hosted the hosts of Custis's Gawtrybe. Although she peered over the battlements most unselfconsciously, no shaft sought out the target her head and shoulders offered. Clearly, the Northland squirrels were taking seriously Klystra's edict not to provoke any incidents before Urthblood was fully appraised of the situation and could make his judgment known.

"Heya, Greenpup!" she greeted with her usual grinning enthusiasm.

"Morning, Lattie. How are you today?"

"Me?" The question seemed to catch her off guard, as if it were something nobeast ever asked her. "I'm just me. You slept late, Greenpup!"

"Yes, I did, didn't I? You kept me up rather late last night - you, and Captain Truax, and Lieutenant Custis. Perhaps my bed's too comfortable for my own good, because I certainly didn't want to leave it this morning!"

"Will I get a nice comfy bed too someday?"

"I certainly hope so, someday. Redwall's a bit overcrowded now, but once Freetown's built, a lot of the former slaves will be moving there, so that should free up some space in the dormitories. Maybe not enough for everybeast, but I'm sure your fellow rats would agree that you deserve to be at the head of the line for any vacancies that open."

"That'd be nice. Sleepin' on th' ground's no fun after y've done it too much. Hey, where's that sillymousie, th' one who threw sweetnuts at me?"

"You mean Vanessa? The one you ... called a deadbeast?"

"Ayup. Where's she at?"

"That's a very good question. She seems to have grown very adept these days at hiding herself away where nobeast can find her. But, why do you call her a deadbeast?"

"It's what she is, ain't it? Can'tcha see it yerself?"

"She looks very much alive to me - or at least she did, last time I saw her. You know, she used to be our Abbess."

"Well, she ain't no more."

"Of course. But ever since her injury, we've always held out hope that she might recover someday, if only partly, and that the Vanessa we knew might return to us. I guess you're telling us now that there's no chance of that coming to pass?"

"Once ye're dead, y' don't come back."

"Oh, so you mean Nessa's dead in a figurative sense? That's what had us wondering, and worried. But, what do you see in store for her now? Does she get any worse, or just stay like she is now?"

Latura gazed wordlessly out at the forest for so long that Wink began to doubt she'd heard him. Then she said, "It's hard. She's a hard one. There's a lot about this place that hides things from me, but she's like a hidden thing inside another hidden thing. Can't really see what's goin' on with her, but it's somethin' ... odd. Never seen it b'fore. Can't figger her out. Gotta spend more time with 'er."

"Yes, the Abbot has been trying to arrange that, but so far Nessa hasn't proven very cooperative. I'm sure it will happen in its own good time, and maybe then you'll be able to take her measure and get a little better idea what's going on with her. In the meantime ... " Winokur put his arm around Latura's shoulders and guided her away from the spot where she stood. "Why don't we go away from where all those mean, nasty squirrels are, and around to another part of the walltop? The southern meadows are beautiful this time of the morning, and the Western Plains are magnificent!"

"Well, okay. You lead th' way, Greenpup!"

And so he did, around the south curve of the walltop past all Alexander's squirrels and other Abbeybeasts standing watch on the ramparts, above the fields outside the south wallgate which didn't seem to hold much interest for her, and all the way around to the opposite side of Redwall, above the main gates and gazing out at the Western Plains, now shimmering green and multihued beneath the high morning sun that lit all the white and yellow and purple spring flowers dotting the wide vista.

"This's very beautiful," Latura said.

Wink smiled. "Yes, I knew you'd like it."

Her face clouded slightly as she stared out over the rolling plains, past them to the misty line of mountains beyond. "That's where he lives, ain't it? Th' big red badger ... "

Winokur nodded. "Yes, but he's very far away, all the way out on the shores of the Western Sea. It's a journey of many days, even if you take the shortest route through the mountains. The long way around, it can take the better part of a season. So don't worry, you're well beyond his reach here."

"How can that be, Greenpup? He's ev'rywhere. He's even fightin' yer warrior Martymouse up in th' sky."

This sobered the otter, thinking both of what Latura had said the night before in front of the Tapestry and also of the Gawtrybe camped outside their walls, threatening a siege. "Lattie, what do you see coming of this? Of the clash between Redwall and Urthblood? Where does it go from here, and how does it end? Is that badger truly an enemy of this Abbey, or just doing what he must for the safety of the lands?"

"He's th' bad red. Beyond that ... " Latura gave a shrug. "Seer hides th' seer, y' know."

Winokur's eyes widened. "What?"

"Well, that's what I heard, somewheres. Not sure where."

"No. Of course not. It's just, that's the second time this season I've heard somebeast use that phrase, and both times it was from a creature I'd not have expected."

"Was the other one Nessa deadmouse?"

"Yes, it was - although I think we'd all prefer it if you didn't call her that. She's still very special to us, and some might find it insulting or upsetting to hear our former Abbess referred to that way. Just Nessa is fine, or even sillymouse, if you like."

"Okay. Whatever."

For some time the two of them stood there in silence, staring out at the fine and peaceful panorama. Suddenly, Winokur straightened.

"Hey, if it's true that the seer really does hide the seer, does that mean you're hidden from Urthblood? Or that he can't see what's going on at Redwall right now, because you're here?"

"Um ... dunno."

"Oh." Winokur leaned forward, chin on his paws. "Well, it certainly gives us something else to ponder, doesn't it? Maybe someday we'll find out."

00000000000

The rats were almost entirely relocated to the orchard by the time Klystra reappeared at the Abbey. But the apprehensive rodents barely realized the falcon was there at all, since the bird captain skimmed right over Redwall, dropping into the forest outside the eastern walls to report directly to Custis and Mina.

"Lord Urthblood says disengage, fall back to Foxguard," Klystra told the squirrels. "Not to provoke hostilities with Redwallers. He will deal with them himself."

"Deal with them?" Mina echoed. "Does he plan direct military action against the Abbey?"

Klystra shook his head furiously. "No confrontation with Redwall. Hostilities to be avoided at all costs."

"Does he realize there are almost two hundred rats inside, practically thumbing their noses at us?" Custis demanded.

"He knows all important to know. Gawtrybe return to Foxguard, I meet up with you there."

Frustration and disappointment showed plainly on the lieutenant's face. "And then what?"

"Gawtrybe to be split. Half go with me to begin construction of Gawdrey. Other half to commence campaign immediately, not wait. Captain Scarbatta's gulls to help with scouting, more reinforcements from Northlands if you need, but no more rats to reach Redwall."

"On that, at least, we agree," Custis said, somewhat mollified. "But the only way to make sure no more rats escape to Redwall - or that the ones already here don't try to escape to some other part of the lands - is to station a cordon of Gawtrybe around the Abbey to prevent any more from getting through. A squad or two will have to stay behind for that."

"Your discretion. You commander on site. But wider campaign now top priority, before word of what happened here spreads."

"In that case ... " Custis beckoned Chetwynd over to him. "Sergeant, I'm leaving you here in charge of securing Redwall. How many squirrels do you think you'll need?"

"No more than five or six for each of the north and east walls, sir. It's the other approaches that worry me. We Gawtrybe may own the forest, but we can't move nearly as fast across open meadow or plain, nor conceal ourselves there as easily."

"I see no problem, Sergeant. No rat can outrun a Gawtrybe shaft, and the lack of concealment works both ways, meaning you'll be able to spot anybeast approaching from far off. I'll assign you a score - that way you'll have five to watch each wall. Deploy them as you see fit. And if we really are getting some of Scarbatta's gulls, I'll send one or two your way, to keep communications open between your squad and Foxguard. That way, if you need to report anything to us quickly, you'll not have to send a squirrel all the way to the tower." Custis shot a glance Mina's way. "Since I very much doubt any more of Redwall's Sparra will be available for such purposes."

"Indeed not," she affirmed. "Not even our three impetuous youngbirds will be coaxed into such a mission a second time. I imagine the Abbot has given them quite a scolding by now - for all that any scolding is likely to take with that trio."

"I hope your initiative in that matter won't inconvenience you too greatly yourself, Lady."

Mina dismissed the lieutenant's concern with the wave of a paw. "I did what I had to do. As a sworn ally of Lord Urthblood's. The Abbot can hold no censure over me that I'm not willing to bear, or that will mean anything to me. I am sure of both my purpose and my place in this, and regret nothing."

"It wasn't just the Abbot I was thinking of - if I may be so bold, M'Lady."

"Alexander and I share a deeper bond than anything this affair might sunder. Things between us might be somewhat frosty at present, but that will pass."

"As long as our differences with Redwall don't move to open strife."

Mina nodded toward Klystra. "According to the Captain here, that's to be avoided above all else, by direct order of Lord Urthblood himself. And while it pains us that so many rats escaped us, I daresay His Lordship likely shows the better wisdom in this judgment."

"Yes," Klystra emphasized with a clack of his hooked beak, "no hostilities with Redwall. Highest of orders."

"I guess that's it then." Custis adjusted the quiver on his back. "I see no reason for waiting here further. If Lord Urthblood wants us back at Foxguard, we might as well be on our way forthwith. We've tarried here long enough, to no purpose but to raise tensions while achieving nothing, and I'm eager to embark on some labors which might show real results at the end of the day. Captain, will you be flying directly to Foxguard?"

"Must report first to Abbey leaders, assure them under no threat. Relations must be preserved."

"That's between them and Lord Urthblood now - diplomacy is his area, not mine. Besides, I have other matters to address at Foxguard in addition to the commencement of the wider campaign. In fact, I need to make sure they'll do nothing further to interfere with it."

"That's assuming they've interfered with it already, and you've no proof they've done anything in that regard to begin with," Mina cautioned Custis. "This is Tolar's swordfox brigade we're talking about here. I'd tread carefully with your accusations, Lieutenant."

"I've some ideas on that front, M'Lady, and I think I know just where to start - and who to start with. If there's smoke, there's usually fire, and I fully intend to get to the bottom of whatever's smoldering there."

"As Lady says, go carefully at Foxguard, Lieutenant," Klystra seconded. "Tolar and foxes necessary to campaign. Must not ruffle fur too much."

Custis met the falcon's gaze. "That's fine advice - if my suspicions are groundless. But if they're not, going easy will only invite further deception. This matter must be confronted directly and to my satisfaction, or else I will only risk being undercut further."

"Perhaps I should accompany you to Foxguard," Mina suggested. "Creatures tempted to withhold things from you might prove much more forthcoming to the High Lady of the Gawtrybe."

"I really would not ask you to inconvenience yourself so, Lady. Your place is here at Redwall, and there should be somebeast on paw to speak for Lord Urthblood in any further deliberations these Abbeyfolk undertake regarding this campaign. I am only thinking of where you would do the most good."

"Appreciated, Lieutenant. But your suspicions have raised questions demanding answers, and I for one am as eager as anybeast to find those answers. Now that you've been ordered to fall back from Redwall, I deem the situation here has stabilized enough that I can be spared from the Abbey for a few days - especially if my presence at Foxguard might help loosen a few tongues, or get to the truth more quickly."

"This all for you to decide between selves," Klystra declared. "Must be away now to inform Abbeybeasts of situation, then off to Foxguard. Will meet you there this evening." The falcon spread his wings and lifted up toward the rosy-hued walls, effortlessly clearing the east ramparts before dipping below them toward the Abbey grounds.

"This evening, he says," Custis snorted. "Just like a bird to say such a thing, who can fly to and from Salamandastron twice in a single day. It'll take us most of the way until sundown just to reach the Moss, and then there's the crossing to make, followed by a slog through open meadowlands until we reach forest again. We'll be lucky if we're back at Foxguard before midnight."

Mina squared her shoulders. "Then we'd better get going, hadn't we?"