THE CRIMSON BADGER - Chapter Forty Eight
TRAVELLER'S TALES
The Redwallers stood by for several minutes, watching from a distance while hare and badger conversed. Their discussion was punctuated by numerous grimaces, scowls, head-shakings and emphatic paw gestures provided by Urthfist. The woodlanders could hear snatches of the badger's irate growling, a word here and there, but never enough to catch the gist of the argument.
At last Urthfist seemed to give in to his hare underling, and tromped back over to rejoin the others. His face reflected a mood that was still dark and dangerous.
"I will not stand here and have my sworn word challenged and cast into doubt by any agent of my brother's," he announced, casting a hateful glare toward Lady Mina. "It is more than any self-respecting noblebeast can tolerate, and I would unleash violence if I forced myself to do so any longer. But there are still things which you goodbeasts must hear, and at the wise counsel and urging of Major Safford here, I have decided to let another continue in my stead."
He gestured toward the older of the two hares. "This is Traveller, an old and trusted friend. The very day that I determined my brother to be the enemy and gave orders that he be slain if he ever tried to re-enter Salamandastron, I also dispatched this good hare to follow Urthblood's progress, as closely and unobtrusively as possible, for as many seasons as necessary. Traveller was one of the fastest of the Patrols, and a skilled scout in spite of his young seasons at the time. His open-ended assignment was to observe my brother's actions, and to report back to me periodically whenever he could. Traveller has seen with his own eyes what my brother is capable of. Listen to him well. And if you still doubt me afterwards, then I may as well return to Salamandastron forthwith, because it will mean that the heart and soul of Redwall has been corrupted beyond my power to save."
And with that, Urthfist stalked off to settle his armored bulk on one of the log benches where he and his commanders had debriefed Hanchett that morning.
"Say on, good hare," Mina wryly encouraged Traveller. "But keep in mind, I also have known Lord Urthblood for many seasons. If you speak falsely of events I have witnessed myself, I will know it, and your lies will not stand uncontested."
"Not fond o' liars m'self, ma'am," Traveller retorted. "I can only speak on wot I seen, an' wot other beasts've told me. That's been my bally job fer twenty seasons, an' I take it right seriously, sure as your bushy tail's stuck to your backside."
"Well, then I can't imagine what you've seen and heard that would bear out Lord Urthfist's suspicions," said Mina. "In all the time I've known him, Lord Urthblood has only worked for the betterment of all goodbeasts in the Northlands. Only wicked beasts fear him, and with good reason."
"Guess that makes anybeast who doesn't agree with him wicked, wot? At least that's the way it appears t' me. But I'm not here t' bandy barbs with you, ma'am. It's these Redwall folk who need to hear wot I got t' say, an' I'll say it whether you like it or not."
Vanessa held up both paws. "You'll both have a fair chance to state your cases. For now, though, I want to hear Traveller out." She turned to the hare. "It seems you would have us believe that we invited an evil beast into our Abbey. Besides the prophecy, which only Urthlood and Urthfist have ever seen, what makes you so convinced that this is so?"
"It's the whole way he operates," Traveller explained. "The effect that Urthblood has on other creatures. It's like 'is Lordship said - he does something to their souls. It's hard to explain, if you haven't felt it for yourself. Y'see, there are all these little places up in the Northlands, settlements and villages, some a mere score or two o' creatures strong. Urthblood's visited most of 'em, an' most have come 'round to his side. They've accepted his rule, an' do wot he tells 'em to. He recruits new followers from every community he stops at, demands food 'n' supplies, an' usually leaves some o' his vermin troops behind as a sorta garrison force, even if there's no garrison. Makes decent beasts leave their homes t' make room fer his own nastybeasts. No place is ever the same after Urthblood's been there."
"I can believe that," Vanessa muttered, thinking of all the changes that had taken place at Redwall since Urthblood's arrival. "And what if a settlement resists him?"
"Then he cuts it off," Traveller answered. "He won't attack it directly or try to take it over by force, he's way too crafty and devious fer that. No, he simply orders the communities that do follow him to have nothing to do with those who don't. That means no trade, no exchanges, no visits ... creatures from those villages aren't even allowed to use the paths and trails that run through territory held by Urthblood. Only a very few settlements are self-sufficient enough to exist in total isolation, so most come around eventually. They really don't have any choice. And Urthblood's power 'n' influence keeps growin'.
"But it's th' places that cozy right up to him that're the worst. I've been to a few of 'em, and it's like ... well, it's like their spirit has been crushed. Communities wot were bright an' cheery spots before Urthblood got to 'em become dreary an' empty, like their soul's been sapped. They feel dead, even if the exact same folks're still dwellin' there as always. Part of it's from livin' under occupation, 'cos that's exactly wot agreein' to Urthblood's terms amounts to, acceptin' his armed vermin in your midst to make sure you follow his laws, but it goes deeper'n that, even ... like I said, it's hard to get across to anybeast who hasn't experienced it firstpaw."
"And this is your evidence, your proof of Lord Urthblood's evil?" Lady Mina scoffed. "Some vague and indescribable feeling? You don't know very much about the Northlands, do you? I am a native of those lands, and undoubtedly know their ways better than you. Those 'bright and cheery spots' you speak of were most probably neither bright nor cheery to begin with, since those folk would have lived under constant threat of raid from one horde of villainous beasts or another. Security must come before prosperity, and now that those communities are united under Lord Urthblood's protection, they can enjoy true peace and plenty for the first time in their lives. He has never forced any goodbeast into his service against its will, and those he does enlist are free to leave at any time. He confiscates nothing from decent creatures that they cannot be convinced to give of their own choosing. And as for turning goodbeasts out of their homes to make room for his soldiers, that has never happened, to the best of my knowledge. You yourself explained that recruits are usually taken at each settlement ... which leaves room in those homesteads for Lord Urthblood to station a few of his more seasoned veterans. Yes, things are changing in the Northlands, Abbess ... but they are changing for the better. I will readily admit that there might be some nervousness and uncertainty on the part of some goodbeasts who are learning to think of foxes and vermin as friends for the first time, just as there was here at Redwall. This Abbey's spirit has not been crushed, nor its ways perverted, even though you gave Lord Urthblood your hospitality, and followed some of his counsel, and now call his chief swordfox a true friend. As it is here, so too is it in the Northlands."
Traveller stroked his whiskers calmly. "Well, if you're gonna bring up the ways of Redwall, ma'am, let's talk about Hanchett. Urthblood had these folks keepin' him prisoner, in violation of their own rules. You see how it works, Abbess? Wot would he've had you doin' if he'd dwelt here fer a season or two? Picture that, an' you'll have an idea of wot's been goin' on up north fer twenty seasons."
"You cannot compare the two," Mina objected. "The Northlands have always been a harsh and turbulent region, not at all like Redwall or Mossflower. We of the Gawtrybe, along with the shrews and otters of the broadstream, had become stern and warlike over many generations, as a matter of our own survival. Lord Urthblood did not make us this way. But we were only too happy to swear him our loyalty, once he'd explained what he was trying to do, and demonstrated that he might actually be able to achieve that impossible goal."
"So you're, wot, a pawful of woodlanders, serving His Bloodiness alongside a vast horde of thievin', murderin', slave-takin' barbarians? Beggin' your pardon, ma'am, but that army ain't for keepin' peace, unless it's the peace of tyranny."
"I beg YOUR pardon, sir, but the squirrel archers of the Gawtrybe number nearly a thousand, not counting our children and old ones. Lord Urthblood's otters and shrews together number nearly as much, with hundreds more mice, hedgehogs and moles on top of that. All told, we woodlanders actually outnumber the foxes, rats and weasels under Lord Urthblood's service. You might have known this, if you'd come to us in open friendship, rather than spying on us from a distance ... and not spying very well, it would appear."
Traveller rubbed at his chin. "Yah. Or I might've known it if I hadn't run smack into a wall of nasty vermin patrols every time I tried to venture very far into Urthblood's territory. He knew I was there, you can jolly well believe he did, an' he didn't want us findin' out any more than he could help us findin' out."
"None of this explains why we of Lord Urthblood's forces are staying at Redwall peacefully, while your master comes here threatening violence and bloodshed to creatures who have never done him any harm. I would say he is acting more like an enemy of peace than Lord Urthblood ever has."
"Wouldn't jolly well be here t'all if it weren't fer that blinkin' spy Browder, sent by Urthblood with lies to lure our master and most of the Long Patrol out of Salamandastron. Are those the tactics of an honest and noble warrior, making up a story about Redwall's leaders being slaughtered? An' by th' by, would you happen to be acquainted with this Browder chap, ma'am? You seem t' know all the other woodlanders His Bloodiness has workin' for him."
"I was not aware that Lord Urthblood had any hares in his service," Mina said, "so I cannot comment on your so-called spy one way or the other. And, by the by, it offends me to hear you refer to Lord Urthblood as 'His Bloodiness.' I would politely request that you stop doing so."
"Sorry, ol' gel," Traveller said, without the slightest hint of apology in his voice. "Old habits, don'tcha know."
Mina turned to Vanessa. "Abbess, have you really heard anything here that substantially changes your view of the situation?"
"Well," Vanessa said, "at least now we can better understand why Lord Urthfist is behaving as he is. But whether he's right about the prophecy ... " She spread her paws toward Traveller in uncertainty.
Major Safford nudged Traveller in the ribs. "Tell em 'bout the pygmy shrews," he whispered.
"S'pose I'll hafta, chum." Traveller said to Vanessa, "If you really want to know wot kind o' bloody beast you've been dealin' with, lemme tell you 'bout one of th' first things Urthblood did when he stumbled up into the Northlands.
"Atop some cliffs along the shores of the eastern sea there lived a tribe of pygmy shrews. They'd dwelt there for countless seasons, p'raps longer'n there've been Badger Lords in charge of Salamandastron. Now, these shrews never did no real harm to anybeast, tho' they were rude an' contentious as all shrews can be, an' they did have a rather unsavory habit of detainin' bypassers for a spell to make 'em serve as babysitters fer their bratty children. Not 'xactly sportin', but they were never able to keep their prisoners for very long before they'd escape. Heard it said m'self that those shrews may've turned a blind eye an' let their unwillin' servants go free after awhile, not keep 'em as real slaves.
"Anyway, Urthblood wandered their way one day, an' ended up chained to a bally log, t' keep him hobbled. They explained to him wot they expected of him. Biggest bally mistake that lot ever made. 'Course, they had no idea wot kind o' monster they had on their paws. Urthblood was still young, an' hadn't taken to wearing that bloody red armor all the time, so mebbe they had 'im pegged as harmless.
"Well, harmless he wasn't. Urthblood went into a rage, shatterin' that log to splinters an' breakin' free of his bonds. Then he went on a killing frenzy. By all accounts, he slew as many as two hundred of the poor blighters with his bare teeth 'n' claws, all in a matter of minutes. Males, females, and yes, children too. Nothing they could do to stop him. The only shrews who survived were those who could run fast enough to escape his insane wrath. The survivors were scattered. To this day, they have yet to reunite into any proper tribe. Perhaps they never will again. I've met a few of 'em in my journeys, an' they all told the story the same way. No doubt in my mind that it all happened exactly as they told me ... and as I've just told it to you."
Vanessa looked gravely toward the squirrel Lady. "Do you know anything of this, Mina?"
She nodded forlornly. "Yes, I have heard the story. Lord Urthblood has openly admitted that it is true. But you must remember, Abbess, he has always despised slavers over all other types of villainous creatures. He was still newly arrived to the Northlands, and had not yet learned to control his Bloodwrath as thoroughly as he can today. His deeds of that day were a terrible and tragic mistake, as he would tell you himself if he were here. But they were also understandable. They did try to enslave him, after all. How was he to know that they only intended to keep him a prisoner for a matter of days, or that they did not mean to kill him if he displeased them? Knowing what he knows now, he realizes he did great harm to creatures who were not truly evil. But they must have looked evil to him at the time."
"Still, this is a disturbing thing to learn," said Vanessa. "Certainly, we knew Lord Urthblood must have slain many enemies in his campaigns up north. But to have wiped out almost an entire tribe ... to have slain children, when even the adult pygmy shrews must have been helpless in the face of his fury ... even if it did take place a long time ago, and far from Mossflower, it does not speak well of his character. A beast who is capable of that, one wonders what else he might be capable of."
"Now you're finally startin' to see sense, ma'am," said Major Safford.
"Do not judge him by that one misdeed, Abbess," Mina implored. "To do so would be to deny the considerable good he has achieved. This tragedy occurred in the Northlands, not far from the place I call home. We, who were closest to it, have learned to forgive Lord Urthblood for that youthful lapse in judgement, and look past it. I know the good folk of Redwall are capable of doing the same. If you weren't, there is a weasel in your cellars who would not be alive as we speak."
Vanessa looked doubtful. "Now, Mina, there is a world of difference between this, and what Smallert did."
"Only because there is a world of difference between those two creatures. One is a Badger Lord. If his power and his achievements are greater, then it must be expected that his mistakes will be equally great. The question now is whether he has learned from this mistake. And I can tell you with absolute confidence that he has."
"Yes, but just wot was it that he learned?" Traveller ventured. "Did he slay those shrews because he hated slavers so much, or does he now tell everybeast he hates slavers to cover for the slaughter he committed? Makes a chap wonder, which came first?"
Mina gave Traveller a sharp glance. "The mere suggestion that Lord Urthblood would play so fast and loose with his deepest moral beliefs does offend me, hare."
"Oh, truly? Then let's get off that sore subject an' on to some of his more recent activities, wot? Urthblood does fight slavers. But then, he has to, doesn't he, if he wants to win over goodbeasts. Harder to see 'im for wot he is, when he's fightin' 'gainst something that, on the face of it, makes him look good by comparison. But, his skirmishes with the slavers haven't all gone as well as they might've, wot? Seems he kills a lot of the very slaves he's tryin' to save, along with their captors. Makes almost a regular habit of it, from wot I hear. I'd say he could use a little more finesse, if the lives of innocent goodbeasts really meant a pile of salt to 'im. But I don't expect him to stop this practice anytime soon. Y'see, the slaver bands are too rich a source for his vermin recruits. A lotta those stinkers he's got under arms today were slavers at one time or 'nother, so he can't hate their kind too much, wot?"
"Again, you twist the truth," Mina charged. "Battles with slavers can be fierce, and confusing, especially at night. Those cruel beasts will not think twice about using their captives as living shields. Sometimes they even force their slaves to fight us. Regrettable as it is, some do not survive our efforts to free them. But they would not be in jeopardy in the first place were it not for the slavetakers, and them we put to rest in the ground so that they will never steal another goodbeast ever again.
"As for the former slavers he keeps in his service, Lord Urthblood believes most strongly that all beasts are capable of decency, if they're given the proper guidance and discipline. He can tell the difference between an evil blackheart and a poor misguided wretch who still has some basic goodness at its core. Those he determines to be beyond all redemption, he slays. The rest he offers a second chance, in his service. And most of them make good. Just ask any woodlander in the north."
"If things up in the Northlands are so peachy," challenged Traveller, "why's Noonvale livin' under a blinkin' state of siege?"
Mina bristled. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Ho, no? Well, this says I do." The hare withdrew from one pocket a small, ornate compact of intricate silver swirl design. He held it out to Vanessa. "This's fer you, ma'am. The leaders of Noonvale said it was a token for the Abbot or Abbess of Redwall, to give it to 'em if I ever got down this way. They said you'd recognize it."
Vanessa took the flat trinket and inspected it. "Well, I can't say that I ... oh, just a moment ... " She unsnapped the fastener and carefully opened the compact. Within lay a pressed and flattened rose blossom. Dried though it was, the glossy petals still shone the most exquisite shade of deep purplish red.
A smile of recognition lit her face. "The Late Rose," she murmured.
Mina craned her neck to glimpse the flower. "Does this mean something to you, Abbess?"
Vanessa nodded. "Long ago, in the early generations of Redwall, an emissary of Noonvale came here and told us of our founder Martin the Warrior's adventures in the north, before he came to Mossflower. It was then that we learned about his love and loss of the mousemaid Laterose, who was tragically slain in battle. This envoy carried with her a gift of the very rosebush for which Laterose had been named. It was planted that spring in our gardens, and has flourished all the generations since. It produces blossoms like no other." Vanessa snapped the compact closed and held it up. "This proves that Traveller has indeed visited Noonvale. And I am most interested to hear what he has to say on the matter."
"Wot's t' say, ma'am, except they regard Urthblood as a bad egg. Don't care fer wot he's doin', and refused to throw in their lot with him. They thought it was important that Redwall knows where they stand, and their advice is for you folks not to have anything t' do with him either."
"Has Urthblood attacked Noonvale?" Vanessa asked.
"Of course not," Lady Mina said sharply.
"He hasn't had to," Traveller said, "'cos he's got 'em bottled up tighter'n a cork in a barrel of rotgut. Can't set foot outside Noonvale without runnin' into his frightful minions."
Mina's tail switched furiously back and forth in aggravation. "This is preposterous! Abbess, I was at Lord Urthblood's side when he went into Noonvale and spoke with their elders. Let me tell you what really went on there."
"By all means."
"Lord Urthblood went to Noonvale just as he came to Redwall: to explain his prophecy, offer his assistance, and seek an alliance. They turned him down, and rather ungraciously if you ask me. What you must understand is that Noonvale has always been vehemently isolationist, to a fault. They prefer not to involve themselves in affairs beyond their little haven for fear that the troubles of the wider world might find a way into their peaceful community. Lord Urthblood supposed that, once they had heard all about his prophecy, they might be convinced to lend him their support. But they could think only of themselves, just as they have always done, and turned us out of Noonvale with bad grace. But, in spite of their ingratitude, they now enjoy the full benefit of Lord Urthblood's toils. They are surrounded on all sides by creatures loyal to Urthblood ... which is to say, they are more secure and better protected now than at any time in their history. If they should ever change their minds and join our alliance, they would be a welcome partner in our efforts to bring peace and security to all the Northlands. Until then, they enjoy the full protection of the Gawtrybe, the shrews and otters of the Broadstream, and all the other creatures in Lord Urthblood's service."
"Funny you should mention those blokes," said Traveller. "The Noonvale folk have always considered the river beasts to be their friends an' allies, but now they say Urthblood's turned 'em against Noonvale. Now that's hardly the doin's of a decent creature, wot?"
"The Noonvalers are simply wrong, if they believe that," Lady Mina responded. "Most of the shrews and otters would give their lives in the defense of Noonvale, as surely as they would give their lives for Lord Urthblood. But it irritates them that they would be willing to sacrifice so much for Noonvale, while its folk will make no sacrifices in return. But they've hardly been turned against Noonvale, as you so melodramatically put it."
"Then why do those goodbeasts feel like they've been cut off?" the hare challenged.
"Noonvale cut itself off!" Mina cried, losing patience. "They made no real attempt to understand what Lord Urthblood is really trying to do, or else they chose to misunderstand, for the sake of keeping their society closed off from outsiders. We were the ones who invited them to be a part of something greater. It was they who insisted on keeping their old ways, which we respect even though we disagree with them. They've no right to complaim about a situation they brought on themselves!"
"Nevertheless," said Vanessa, "if Noonvale feels they are under siege, that is not a promising state of affairs. They would not have given Traveller this keepsake, and the message with it, unless they considered the situation most dire. Mina, has Lord Urthblood gone out of his way to reassure Noonvale that he does not threaten them in any way?"
"Abbess, he has gone farther out of his way for Noonvale than they deserve. All the other decent creatures of the Northlands have decided to join Lord Urthblood in his cause. Should they have chosen otherwise, just so that Noonvale would have the comfort of keeping things the way they have always been? Well, things are not going to stay the same. My Lord's prophecy is proof enough of that. If Noonvale will not join us, neither will we let them hold us back, and keep us from doing what must be done. That would be a greater wrong than any they imagine has been done to them."
She spun on Traveller. "And how," she demanded, "did you manage to enter and leave Noonvale, if it's under siege as you maintain, and there were hordes of vermin blocking your every step? Your own tale gives lie to your accusations."
Traveller could not be goaded. "T'wasn't easy, ma'am. But I am a scout of the Long Patrol. That gives me just a tad more infiltratin' ability than those muckers're used to dealin' with, wot?"
Mina turned to Vanessa. "This is getting more ludicrous by the moment. The next thing you know, this hare will be repeating his friend Hanchett's claim that Lord Urthblood is allied with Tratton, the searat King!"
"Oh, but he is," Traveller said.
"That's a lie!" Mina shouted. "And the most unbelievable one you've told yet. Lord Urthblood considers the searat pirates his mortal enemies. He would never have anything to do with them!"
"Oh, dear, this does cause a problem," Traveller put on a comical, overly-pained expression. "I'm not in the habit of callin' ladyfolk liars. But you leave me no bally choice 'cept to make an exception in your case."
He looked at the Redwallers. "Abbess, I'll tell you one story more, an' then you can all retire inside your fine Abbey an' make up your own minds as to whether I'm bein' truthful. Please indulge me that one final tale, then I'll be done.
"Seven seasons after Urthblood left Salamandastron, he came down from the Northlands to the shores of the western sea. At first I thought he might be makin' fer home, so I followed him as closely as I dared, not wantin' to miss a single step. If Salamandastron was his destination, I knew I'd hafta sprint ahead to give Lord Urthfist warning. Even tho' he was alone, havin' left behind all his followers in the north, I still wasn't about t' let him confront my master by surprise.
"But he didn't go anywhere near Salamandastron. He stopped at the shore well north of there, and stood on the dunes lookin' out t' sea. For two days that's all he did - just stand there, not eatin' or drinkin' or sleepin' ... just starin' out at the waters, like he was in a trance. Almost thought he might've died standin' up, but no such bally luck. I laid low a few stone's throws away, watchin' him the whole time. Don't think he ever saw me, but with that one, who can be sure?
"At the end of the second day, a terrible storm blew up. A regular ten-season gale, with rain that nearly pelted me down below the sands. A sensible beast would've sought shelter, but Urthblood stood out in the midst of it all like a giant stone statue, an' I kept up my vigil on him - two crazies out in the rain, an' to this day I don't know which of us was the crazier. At least I had my travel cloak t' hold over my head an' keep off some o' the rain. But I hadta pop up every few minutes to make sure he didn't try t' slip away an' disappear into the storm. Wouldn'ta been hard, not in that kind o' downpour.
"I was between pop-ups, hunkered down low against the lashing wind 'n' rain, when I heard a horrendous rending an' crashing tumult that drowned out the storm noise. Up I sat, an' wot did my peepers see but a pirate ship, all smashed up an' wrecked an' splinterin' to pieces right before my eyes. T'were't any little dinghy, mind you, but a full-sized dreadnought, triple-masts 'n' all. Must've been driven onto a reef, an' just right too, for it to've come apart like that. The screams of those poor wretches was almost louder than the ear-splittin' racket of their ship breakin' to smithereens. An' there was Urthblood, standin' right above the whole mess in the same spot he'd held fer two days, just like he knew it was gonna happen."
Vanessa glanced at Maura and Alexander. "I guess he really does have prophetic vision ... and not just for what he carved into the walls of Salamandastron."
"That he surely does, ma'am," Traveller said. "Never did doubt it myself for a moment, after that day. There were powers of fate at work then, an' not just him knowin' when an' where to meet that pirate ship. The bally weather itself was part of that play, 'cos no sooner did that wreckage come to rest on the sands than the rain shut off, the clouds parted, and the sun came out, lightin' up all that nautical carnage. Must have been nearly fivescore corpses washed up on the beach an' rollin' 'round in the surf. Not a pretty picture.
"But at least twoscore of those searat blighters did survive the wreck, includin' their captain: Whiteclaw, he was called back then, but it was the very same blackheart who today calls himself Tratton, the Searat King. Didn't know it at the time, o' course; all I knew was that I'd better beat a hasty retreat, wot with so many searats and Urthblood himself swarmin' all over the shore. That I did, back up to some higher ground, where I could still keep an eye on all o' them without gettin' discovered or captured m'self."
"But, what did Lord Urthblood want with Tratton?" Vanessa asked. "Or Whiteclaw, or whatever ... "
"Wish I coulda stayed close enough to hear wot they said to each other. Unfortunately, I'm rather attached to my hide, an' I've a sneakin' suspicion that lot would've tried to take it away from me. But I could see well enough wot they were all about. For the next fortnight, Urthblood helped those searats build a brand new bally ship from the ruined scraps of the old one. Wasn't nearly as big as it originally was, but then it didn't hafta be, most o' them scurvy rats perishin' in the wreck. Finished up plenty big enough fer twoscore searats an' one blinkin' big badger. Soon as it was seaworthy, off they sailed into th' west, Urthblood an' Tratton Whiteclaw standin' side by side on the bally captain's deck like they were old buddies. They all stepped on board together. No way he was their captive, forced to go with 'em 'gainst his will - not that a mere forty searats woulda had a chance against Urthblood, if he went into one o' his killin' moods - but they clearly weren't his prisoners anymore'n he was theirs. They were all in cahoots, plain an' simple."
Traveller held up a paw of pledge. "I didn't see the slaughter o' the shrews, or Urthblood's visit to Noonvale, or any of the bloody battles he fought where goodbeasts lost their lives. I learned 'bout all that from the survivors an' witnesses of those events. But this, Abbess, this I did see with my own eyes. Urthblood and Tratton have sailed together as bally companions. An' anybeast who'd claim it isn't true is a liar." For the barest instant, his gaze flicked over toward Lady Mina.
Vanessa said, "Lord Urthblood told us he'd spent some time at sea, but never did he provide details of those voyages. He merely said that he was present at the final confrontation, when Farca slew Garwal, and then he slew Farca."
"Which cleared the bally way for Tratton," Traveller jumped in. "Don'tcha see? If Urthblood knew enough t' be at that spot where the ship crashed, he must've also known wot was gonna happen if he went to sea with those rats. He knew he hadta be there during the fight between Farca an' Garwal, so he could slay Farca an' remove Tratton's competition. Urthblood put Tratton on the throne of Terramort! An' if he didn't know that's wot he was doin', then I'm a bally seagull!"
Alexander shook his head in disbelief. "So, you're saying that Urthblood and Tratton are actually allies?"
"It can't be," Mina insisted, although now she did not sound so sure of herself. "It's not possible. Searats are slavekeepers. Lord Urthblood would have no truck with them. Why, I myself have heard him openly curse Tratton as a vile plague upon all decent creatures, and as his personal enemy."
"Well, then, he's got you jolly well hoodwinked, wot? Or maybe he thought Tratton would be his to control, if he helped Tratton gain power, an' that wicked searat got ideas of his own, once he was on the throne. Either way, Urthblood isn't exactly bein' forward with all us goodbeasts, is he? Which goes with wot's in his prophecy. The truth don't mean much to a beast like Urthblood."
Vanessa asked Traveller, "You say you've been tracking Urthblood these past twenty seasons. Then you should be able to tell us, how long was he at sea with Tratton?"
"A season an' a half, ma'am," the hare replied. "T'was a midsummer storm wot wrecked Whiteclaw's ship, an' wasn't 'til the last few days of the followin' autumn that he came ashore again. That was farther north than where the wreck happened, an' he went right back up to the proper Northlands to carry on his terrors there."
The Abbess turned to Lady Mina. "You should be able to remember this, Mina. Was there a late summer and autumn that Urthblood spent away from the Northlands?"
The Gawtrybe squirrel nodded. "Those days are well remembered up north. His early campaigns had already done much to diminish the evil abroad in the lands, and by that time he had many beasts in his service, including Machus. Even then, Urthblood trusted Machus enough to put that fox in charge of all his vermin troops, while my brother Marinus took time away from the Gawtrybe to command the woodlander divisions. There was strife between vermin and woodlanders, and within the vermin ranks themselves. But Machus and Marinus worked together to keep the army united and disciplined in Lord Urthblood's absence. It could have been a disastrous time, with all the progress and achievements undone if the fox and vermin soldiers had turned their backs on their new position and reverted to their old barbarous ways. They didn't, and it wasn't due solely to Machus's splendid efforts. Lord Urthblood had so impressed his determination upon the beasts under him that it had become unthinkable to most of them to harbor treasonous thoughts against their new master, even though he wandered far away in distant lands. It was an important test, and convinced many doubters that Lord Urthblood's endeavors were to be taken seriously, and could succeed. When he finally did return that winter, enrollment in the ranks nearly doubled in a very short time."
"And when he returned, did he tell you all about the splendid time he'd had sailin' the seas with searats?" Traveller asked sarcastically.
"No," Mina said coldly. "He did not."
"And there you have it," Traveller said to the Redwallers. "I've said my piece, an' now I'll leave it up to you good folk to decide wot comes next. I think everything you've heard here should be enough to make a beast with any sense at all doubt every bally thing Urthblood's told you."
"I am troubled by a number of things," said Vanessa. "I'm troubled by the slaughter of the shrew tribe, which even you, Mina, admit did happen. I'm troubled by Urthblood's going to sea with a beast he now reviles as an enemy of every good creature - an event Traveller says he witnessed firstpaw. And I am troubled by this mysterious hare Browder, who journeyed to Salamandastron bearing false reports of terrible things happening here at Redwall. If Urthblood truly did arrange such a deceit - and I must say, I cannot conceive of anybeast else who might have stood to gain from this ploy, save Tratton himself - then it lends considerable weight to Traveller's claim that truthfulness does not indeed mean much to Urthblood. And if this is the case, how are we to believe anything he has told us?"
To Mina she said, "You have known Urthblood for many seasons. Do you think Browder went to Salamandastron at his bidding?"
Mina shrugged. "I have never much involved myself in matters of subterfuge and propaganda. If Lord Urthblood did dispatch this hare to mislead his brother, he must have had a very good reason for doing so."
"That's not very reassuring, Mina," Vanessa said with furrowed brow. "There is never any good reason for speaking false."
"Hear hear!" seconded Traveller.
Mina scowled at the hare. "I think we're losing sight of the main point. Which is that, prophecy or no, Lord Urthblood is the rightful heir to the throne of Salamandastron, anytime he cares to assert the claim. For Urthfist to deny him is a violation of a tradition that predates Redwall. Since we're throwing around accusations at Badger Lords, let me suggest that perhaps Urthfist has grown fonder of his caretaker's power than is good for him. Why has nobeast here commented on another obvious possibility: that Urthfist chooses to interpret his brother's prophecy as he does so that he will have an excuse to keep the Lordship of the mountain for himself?"
"Madam, you offend me!" Traveller exclaimed, paw to his breast.
"Good. Now we're even."
"Your argument makes no sense," Major Safford protested. "If the only thing Lord Urthfist cares about is keepin' Salamandastron for himself, wot's he doin' just over there," he pointed over to where the glowering badger sat upon his log bench, "while his brother is leading an army to capture the mountain by force? If wot you said had a grain of truth to it, he woulda bottled us all up inside Salamandastron an' not journeyed forth for anything. We're only here 'cos some lyin' spy of a hare told us Redwall and Mossflower were in need of our help. We travelled all this way to give aid to goodbeasts we thought were in trouble. Now I ask you, are those the actions of a selfish beast whose only concern's keepin' his grip on power?"
"I would say not," Vanessa agreed with Safford. "But they could still be the actions of a creature who has honestly misunderstood the situation. As uncomfortable as I am with some of what I have learned about Urthblood today, I am still prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt, especially since he is not here to answer these charges himself. We are all agreed that his prophecy foretells dire times to come. The only disagreement is whether he himself is the cause of the crisis, as Urthfist insists, or is working to meet or prevent these troubles, as he and his followers maintain. If he is genuinely acting in what he believes to be the best interests of the lands, he may be forced to drastic measures. Even his sea voyage with Tratton might have some greater purpose which is not apparent to us now. How are such ordinary gentlebeasts as we to fathom the motivations of a creature driven by such a prophecy? We can only judge these things by what we have seen ourselves. To us, Lord Urthblood has not demonstrated himself to be some terrible ogre. And he has many decent and noble beasts who follow him loyally.
"Don't mistake me, my good hares - we are not about to discount you and your master's warnings out of paw. But we Redwallers are creatures of peace, and we would be loathe to see conflict between Urthblood and Urthfist when there may be a way to avoid it. One of our novices is travelling with Urthblood even now, sent by us as a mediator who will work to head off any clash that he may be able to prevent. I ask you: if Urthfist truly is mistaken in his interpretation of the prophecy, if Urthblood is not the evil tyrant you've all become convinced he is, then is there not some hope for a peaceful end to this? If this truly is all some tremendous misunderstanding, the only way you'll find out is to sit down and talk to each other. I will place the full resources of Redwall at the disposal of both sides in this matter, and do everything within my power as Abbess to resolve this difference without bloodshed. But there is only so much I can do on my own. Both sides must be reasonable, and want peace with each other, if there is any hope of avoiding conflict."
Lady Mina spoke first. "I have said before, Abbess, and I will say again, I do not consider Lord Urthfist and his hares to be my enemies, and I do not believe Lord Urthblood thinks of them as such either. I would readily agree to partake in any talks that would lead these two Badger Lords to work as one for the benefit of all decent creatures."
Vanessa nodded, and turned to the two hares. "And what about you?"
"With all due respect, ma'am," Traveller answered, "if that bloody beast tries to retake Salamandastron fer his own, there's gonna be war, an that's that."
Alexander asked, "And what if he's already taken it, or does so in the next few days? If Lord Urthblood comes to control Salamandastron and then shows a willingness to talk to you peacefully, would you still deny him the opportunity?"
"His Bloodiness doesn't do anything peacefully. Doesn't bloody know how." Traveller struck a posture of defiance. "Please understand, we left a score of our chums behind at Salamandastron. They're as good as dead, 'cos they won't stand a chance against Urthblood's horde, but that won't stop 'em from fightin' to the death to keep that monster outta our home. Gonna miss those lads 'n' lasses, they're good hares, every one of 'em."
"If they fight against the rightful ruler of Salamandastron," Mina said coolly, "then it would be their own fault. Hopefully, they'll have better sense than that."
Vanessa cut off any further exchange of words. "I've heard all I need to here. Traveller, Major, I thank you for your counsel, and your concern, and please tell Lord Urthfist that we will carefully consider all we've been told today, by him and by you. Tell him also that you are all welcome to come inside our Abbey and enjoy our hospitality, but only if you swear you will do harm to no creature on our premises, not even foxes and vermin in his brother's service. Let us know if he will abide by those terms, and we will be most amenable to having you as our guests."
"Oh, well, hold on just a moment then, wot?" Major Safford courteously bowed out of the circle and jogged over to Urthfist. The Redwallers saw him salute his badger master and commence talking very rapidly.
"Now, what's all that about?" Maura wondered.
"I s'pect ol' Saff's just bringin' His Lord up t' date," Traveller replied. "Wants to make sure there's nothing more needs to be said 'fore you goodbeasts retire back inside your Abbey."
After a minute, Urthfist rose from his log bench and strode over to the group.
"Shortly you will be returning to the fastness of Redwall, where agents of my brother will be free to speak their lies into your ears and seek to explain away or diminish all that I and my hares have told you, while we will remain out here, unable to rebuke them. You say they are no threat to Redwall, Abbess, but I assure you they are not as harmless to your way of life as you seem to think. Fortunately, there is one thing yet that you may do that will prove whether I am right about the threat they represent to you."
"And that is?" Vanessa prompted.
"Ask them to leave. I will give you my word, as a Lord of the Mountain, that I will let them pass unmolested from Mossflower if they agree to depart. If you still think you fully control Redwall, Abbess, ask them to leave. And then perhaps you will discover how little power over your own home my brother has left you."