THE CRIMSON BADGER - Chapter Forty-Nine

Machus and Lady Mina met at the top of the steps down to Cavern Hole. It was evening, and most of the Abbeydwellers were taking their dinner outside. But for the two Northlanders, eating would have to wait.

Machus ushered the squirrel Lady ahead of him down the stairs. "I'm surprised it took so long for the Abbess to call this council," he said. "I would have thought she'd want to meet with all of us as soon as she came in from talking with Lord Urthfist."

"I heard she spent all afternoon alone in her study. I guess she wanted to deliberate in solitude before she sought our input."

"Well, we have the time, I suppose," the swordfox mused. "Urthfist has his hares deployed around every side of the Abbey, but so far he seems content to keep us under siege. He knows better than to try to force his way in. We'll be able to consider all our options at our leisure."

All the Abbey leaders were at their places when Mina and Machus arrived. Unlike the previous councils they'd held together, all the seats on either side of the Abbess were filled. The two latecomers traded a puzzled glance as they walked around to take the two seats that were directly opposite Vanessa. This change in the seating arrangement did not escape their notice.

"Good," said the Abbess, "now we can begin. Machus, I trust Lady Mina has filled you in on everything that was said between us and Lord Urthfist, and his hares?"

"That she has," Machus nodded.

"Very well." Vanessa gazed down at her paws, folded on the table before her. "I have thought long and hard about what to say here. The simple truth is, what I've heard today changes everything. I don't know how much to believe of what Lord Urthfist has told us, but now I must wonder about Lord Urthblood's motives as well. It is clear to me now that this has become a feud between two Badger Lords, each contesting the other for the throne of Salamandastron. Redwall must not choose sides in such a contest. We dare not.

"Urthblood said his brother's hatred of certain creatures had driven him insane, while Urthfist accuses Urthblood of being an absolutely evil beast who will bring ruin upon us all. To further complicate matters, each badger has many stouthearted and noble followers who support their master's claims. Which one is right? Or could they both be right? Or, as I fear, could it be that each has misjudged the other, and the two sides are now rushing headlong toward an unnecessary war? I have offered the services of Redwall to mediate between the two sides, to help them work toward a peaceful end to this affair. Beyond this I will not go. If these two Lords will not avail themselves of our help, then as Abbess I must declare Redwall neutral in this conflict, and leave it to them to settle this matter as fate dictates. I worry that many fine creatures may needlessly lose their lives, but my first responsibility is to those who dwell within this Abbey. I will not involve Redwall in a power struggle between beasts whose ways are not ours, over a fortress which lies many days distant from Mossflower. Make no mistake, if their fighting does come this far inland, we will defend our way of life however we must. But we will not draw blade or bowstring in support of one side over the other, unless we come to learn far more than we know now."

Vanessa looked earnestly at Mina and Machus. "In keeping with this decision, I feel it would be improper for me to allow forces of either side to remain within Redwall. Therefore - and with some misgivings, for I have come to think of you both as friends - I must nevertheless now ask you and all your troops to leave Redwall."

The two Northlanders shared a brief glance. No word was spoken, but Vanessa got the impression that much was said between them with just their eyes.

Machus looked back at the Abbess. "I am afraid we can't do that."

Vanessa stiffened in her chair. "And may I ask why not?"

"He's right," said Lady Mina. "Lord Urthblood has ordered us to stay here, to help defend this Abbey. We could not disobey, least of all now when there is a potential enemy standing outside your gates."

"I was not aware that Lord Urthblood's authority here at Redwall outweighed my own," Vanessa said. "I understand the reasons for which you were ordered to remain here, and at the time I agreed with them. Now I do not. The truth is, your mere presence is provoking to Urthfist, and I deem that to be causing more trouble than it is solving. For this reason, I must request that you leave us."

Mina's tail twitched behind her, out of sight of most of the Redwallers. "Abbess, I strongly suspect you are only making this request because Urthfist told you to. Do not yield to his madness. This is not the way to test our allegiance to you. Do not make us choose between you and our Lord. That's what Urthfist wants. And it's a victory we can ill-afford to give him."

Vanessa gave a forlorn smile. "I must admit, I don't know whether I would have thought of this on my own if Urthfist hadn't put the bee in my bonnet. But I am not making this request simply because he told me to - please give me more credit than that! As I've said, I've given this matter a great deal of thought, and I did not make my decision lightly. But, as Abbess, the final say must be mine and mine alone. I am not choosing sides in this - far from it, I deem this the best way to ensure Redwall's neutrality. And my primary purpose is not to test our sovereignty, as Urthfist suggested. I can only assume that you will abide by my decision, whether you agree with it or not." She looked hard at Mina and Machus. "Am I wrong in this assumption?"

Machus shifted in his chair, looking distinctly unsettled. "Abbess, perhaps you don't fully appreciate our position. In all the seasons I have served with Lord Urthblood, never once have I broken or disobeyed a command from him. His orders were for me to remain at Redwall, to assist in your defence should you come under siege or assault. I would not easily defy that order."

"Do you believe he intended for you to stay, even if I should decide otherwise?"

"I believe he would not have me abandon my post when the very reason for my being here is standing just beyond your gates," Machus countered. "Which brings me to another concern. Urthfist has sworn to slay everybeast here under my command. My foxes may be the best swordsbeasts in all the lands, but against eighty hares of the Long Patrol and their Badger Lord we would have no chance whatsoever. We would be slaughtered, to the last fox, rat, weasel and shrew of us. Would you see that happen, Abbess?"

"Lord Urthfist swore he would harm nobeast among you if you all agreed to leave Redwall voluntarily."

"I was there when he made that promise," said Mina. "The red tinge of rage was in his eyes when he spoke those words. The truth is, he has been perilously close to yielding to the full Bloodwrath ever since his arrival. Can we be sure he can control himself? What if he decides, once we are outside the protection of these walls, not to abide by that promise? Or if the sight of us causes him to go into a killing rage, in which all reason abandons him? In such a case, we would all be slain. I do not trust that badger to remain rational, even if he earnestly meant that promise when he made it."

"I believe he will honor his pledge," Vanessa said. "He is a Badger Lord, after all."

"One who sees us as mortal enemies," Machus reminded her. "If you are wrong, we are the ones who will pay for that misjudgement with our lives. I am no coward, Abbess, and I will not shy away from any fair-sided battle. But I am responsible for nearly fifty soldiers here. I will not risk exposing them to almost certain death if I don't have to."

"I would not ask any creature to risk its life unnecessarily," Vanessa assured the two Northlanders. "If a way cannot be found by which you may leave this Abbey in absolute safety, then I will not insist that you do so. But I believe it can be done."

"How?" demanded Mina.

"I don't know just now," the Abbess admitted. "But we'll do what Redwallers have always done when faced with a dilemma: we'll put our heads together, and come up with a solution that will work."

"Are you ordering us to leave Redwall," Mina probed, "or just asking us to?"

Vanessa forced her face and voice to remain pleasant. "At this point, consider it a request. If you refuse to honor it, I will make it more than a request. And I will seriously have to wonder where this puts our newfound friendship. Make no mistake, I do consider you friends, and many of us have grown very fond of you. And of course we owe you, Machus, a great debt for saving Cyrus. But under these circumstances, though we hope to remain friends with you, we cannot be allies. Any help we can give that will speed you on your way, we will gladly give. I hope someday, when these two Lords are no longer threatening war with each other, we will be able to invite you back into our home, to enjoy our hospitality once more. But for now, it cannot be."

"As you say, Abbess," the Gawtrybe Lady said rather coolly.

"I need some time," Machus told Vanessa. "To examine your request, and speak with my troops. If a way can be found for us to leave Redwall in safety, that would make it easier for me to consider your ... request. But I must say, I cannot think of any."

"I have a few ideas on that score," Alexander volunteered. "But I'd like to kick them around in my head a bit before I voice them."

"I'll be eager to hear them," Vanessa told her longtime squirrel friend.

Machus said, "Abbess, there is another matter we must resolve between us before my troops and I can leave Redwall. A small matter, at least compared to the issues we've been discussing so far, although you might not consider it so trivial."

Vanessa nodded. "Yes, I know. Smallert."

"If I am to vacate Redwall shortly, I will not be bringing that weasel with me. He will have to remain at Redwall ...one way or the other. If you no longer wish to extend your protection to him, and are not willing to take him as a permanent member of your community, you must let me know soon so that I can arrange for his punishment to be properly carried out."

"Of course," Vanessa nodded. "Personally, I am inclined to show clemency to that beast, even at the cost of having him dwell here among us henceforth. However, my feelings alone cannot determine whether Smallert is to become a Redwaller. Abbess I may be, but I cannot have anybeast living here whose presence is frightening or unsettling to others of our family. There is a young mouse up in our Infirmary whose views on this are at least as important as mine. Before anything else, we must speak to him. Then, I will be able to make my decision as to whether Smallert stays or goes. Or, should I say, whether he lives or dies."

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Sister Aurelia had just finished lighting the lamps in the Infirmary against the approaching dusk. Enough summer evening light still came through the windows to keep the lanterns' illumination from fully taking hold.

Cyrus sat propped up in his bed, his empty dinner plate balanced upon his lap. For the first time, Machus had allowed his young patient to eat more than soup, oatmeal and custard. The moles had whipped up another of their tater 'n' turnip 'n' beetroot deeper 'n' ever pies, while a few of the otters took time off their guard duty to help Frair Hugh prepare the biggest shrimp and leek pie that Redwall had ever seen. The Friar took special care to make sure the otters didn't make their creation too spicy, out of deference to Cyrus. The young mouse had helped himself to a double helping of each dish, as well as a generous portion of cinnamon apple crumble for dessert.

"My word," Sister Aurelia remarked as she took away the dirty plate, "you're eating like a hare! You'll get fat, making food disappear like that!"

"What did you expect, Sister? You've been making me eat boring stuff ever since I woke up. I was beginning to think I'd never see real food again."

"Well, I hope you didn't overdo it," she said, taking Cyril's dinner dish as well. "Machus will be up later to check on you, I'm sure. The way you put all of that away, I shouldn't wonder if you've put a strain on your stitches."

"Aw, my insides are fine, Sister 'reelia. But if you're worried, you can let me walk outside and go up on the walltop to see the hares. That'd burn up some of my dinner. I'd be very careful, I promise."

"Now, you've had your walk around the Infirmary this afternoon, and that's enough for one day. I don't want you overdoing things. You've progressed better than anybeast expected, but you've still got to take it easy, and let nature do its healing work. Those hares look to be here for some days to come, so you'll get an eyeful of them eventually, don't you worry about that." Aurelia set the dishes over on a tray to be taken back down to the kitchens. Crossing back to where Cyril and Cyrus sat, she asked, "Now, Cyrus, are you sure you're up to this?"

The mouse brothers looked at each other. Cyril nodded encouragement to his younger sibling. Cyrus looked back at Sister Aurelia. "Uh huh."

"Very well. I'll go tell the Abbess to bring him in." The healer mouse briskly padded over to the Infirmary door and stuck her head out into the corridor. They could hear the muffled sound of her voice as she spoke with somebeast out there.

Cyril leaned close to Cyrus, taking his brother's paw reassuringly. "Don't be nervous, Cy. Smallert's not a bad weasel. He's really sorry about what he did. You'll see."

Cyrus had not seen his weasel attacker since he'd woken up following his surgery. The Abbess and the others had worried what effect such a meeting might have on the young mouse, and didn't want to take any chances. But now there was no choice. If Smallert was to stay at Redwall, Cyrus must be comfortable with the idea of sharing his home with the creatures who'd injured him. Otherwise, Vanessa would have no choice but to withdraw her offer of sanctuary to Smallert and turn him over to Machus to be executed as the swordfox had planned.

"He needs our help," Cyril went on. "We've got to help him. You've got to, Cy."

Cyrus nodded. Cyril had been over this with him before. "Would Mr. Machus really have him killed? I thought Machus was a good fox?"

"He is," said Cyril. "He saved your life. But Smallert killed a rat also, and that calls for him to be executed. Machus has got to follow Lord Urthblood's rules. The only way to save Smallert is for the Abbess to give him the protection of Redwall."

"So he'd be stayin' here from now on?" Cyrus asked.

"Right. Machus'll kick him outta the army, I guess, and then the Abbess will declare him a Redwaller. But she won't do it if she thinks you're gonna be afraid of having him around all the time. So you've got to act friendly toward Smallert when he comes in. If you don't behave just right with him, she isn't gonna save him."

"I understand," said Cyrus. "I'm not nervous, Cyr. If you say he's a goodbeast, I won't be afraid."

"Good. Just keep that in mind. And remember, I'll be right here, and so will the Abbess and Sister Aurelia. You've got nothing to worry about."

"Okay."

Sister Aurelia returned. Smallert followed close behind, flanked on either side by Vanessa and Brother Geoff. Two armed swordfoxes brought up the rear, although they stopped just inside the doorway, giving the Redwallers space to be alone with the weasel.

Smallert's paws had been unbound. He'd seemed so remorseful over what he'd done that Vanessa was trusting him to behave with the two young mouse brothers.

Sister Aurelia came around to the far side of the bed, while Vanessa stopped at the foot of it. "Cyrus, this is Smallert. He has something to say to you."

Cyrus looked up at the weasel, and found he wasn't the least bit nervous or afraid of Smallert. "Hello."

"Uh, hello, there." Smallert glanced down, self-consciously shuffling his footpaws. For this first meeting, Vanessa had arranged for Smallert to trade in his rumpled and dirty soldier's clothing for a smart tunic donated by the otters, who were the Redwallers whose size most closely matched the weasel's. Smallert had also bathed and slicked down his fur as neatly as he could, wanting to make a good impression. He was more nervous now than Cyrus was, that was plain to everybeast in the room.

"How're you feelin', son?" he went on, after several awkward moments.

"I'm okay." Cyrus thought a moment, then added. "How're you?"

"Oh, I got no cause fer complainin'. I'm just really glad ye're better. I'm really sorry 'bout what happened. I didn't mean t' do it, honest I didn't."

"I know."

"Um ... "

"Do you wanna sit down?"

"Huh?"

"You don't hafta stand, Mr. Weasel, sir." Cyrus waved a paw, inviting Smallert to have a seat next to Cyril on the adjacent bed. "You'll be more comfortable if you sit down."

"Oh ... why, thank you, laddie. That's very consid'rate of you. Ye're a proper polite li'l gennelbeast." Cyril obligingly scooted over on the mattress, making room for Smallert to sit across from Cyrus.

Vanessa and Geoff traded glances. Now, why hadn't they thought of that? Of course Smallert would seem less threatening to the mousechild if he were sitting down. Not only had Cyrus had to come up with the idea himself, but he seemed to have suggested it more for the weasel's benefit than for his own!

Cyrus regarded Smallert without a trace of fear. "So, are you gonna stay here at Redwall with us?"

"Oh, I'd like that, son. I'd like that very much. But, uh, would that be okay with you? 'Cos if it ain't, then I don't hafta."

"I guess I wouldn't mind," Cyrus replied. "Everybeast here says you're okay, and they know you better than I do."

"You ain't angry at me fer cuttin' you like I did?"

"It wasn't a very nice thing to do, Mr. Smallert, sir."

Smallert's gaze dropped down to his lap. "I know. It was a very bad thing, an' I wish it'd never happened. D'you think you could forgive a poor, stupid weasel fer makin' such a mistake?"

"I guess so. Truthfully, it all happened so fast, I don't really remember very much." Cyrus paused. "Why did you do it, anyway?"

"Oh, I never meant to hurt you, lad. It was that no good rat Wolfrum I were chasin'. He grabbed you an' put you in front o' my sword. By th' time I realized what he'd done - an what I'd done - it was too late."

"Sounds like it happened really fast for you too," said Cyrus. "Would you have killed Wolfrum if I hadn't been there?"

"Yeah, I reckon I would've."

"So, in a way, I guess I saved his life."

Again, Vanessa and Geoff exchanged looks. This time Smallert joined in, throwing an uncertain glance their way. What would they tell Cyrus if he asked to meet Wolfrum, or inquired where the rat was now?

Thankfully, Cyrus didn't. "Why were you trying to kill him?"

Smallert wiped his paws on his thighs, clearly uncomfortable at being made to face his crimes. "Well, we'd been fightin' - wrasslin', as part of our drillin', Machus had ordered it - an' Wolfrum, he bit me. Now, that's 'gainst Lord Urthblood's rules, an' it stung like th' dickens, so that got me purty mad. I chased after him, but next thing I knows, he grabs up a sword and lops off me ear." Smallert ran a paw over the wound, now neatly bandaged. "Well, that's two serious violations, bitin' an' usin' a blade 'gainst a comade-in-arms, but I weren't thinkin' like that. When I saw me ear in my paw, I jus' went after him, thinkin' to take one or two o' his parts fer my own. I got the sword from him an' started swingin', an' that's when I slew pore ol' Speeg. 'Twas later said that Wolfrum pushed Speeg in harm's way, but I couldn't say fer sure. Wolfrum ran, I chased 'im ... an' the next thing I remember, I had a bloody sword in my paw, an' he was holdin' you up in front of him, yer robe all slashed open where I cut you." Smallert's voice cracked, and he had to take a moment to collect himself. "'Twas like a nightmare, standin' there lookin' at what I done. I never harmed any goodbeast before. I felt like a claw was squeezin' 'round my heart. An' I knew that if I'd slain you, I wouldn't wanna live myself."

Cyrus slipped his paw out of Cyril's, and leaned across to pat the distraught weasel on the knee. "It's all right, Smallert, sir. Sister Aurelia says I'm gonna be all well soon. I'd be up and around already, but she won't let me yet. But I feel fine."

Vanessa felt she'd seen enough. She stepped around to Smallert's side of the bed. "Okay, Smallert, we don't want to tire young Cyrus out. Come along, and we'll leave him to get some rest."

The weasel started to rise, but Cyrus looked imploringly at Vanessa. "Mother Abbess?"

"Yes, Cyrus?"

"Couldn't Mr. Smallert please stay for awhile longer? I'm not all that tired after that big dinner I had, and I'd really like to talk to him s'more."

"Well, I don't know ... " But there was no denying the pleading look in the mousechild's wide eyes. "Oh, okay. But only for a short while more. Sister Aurelia will stay with you if you need anything. When you're finished talking, those two foxes by the door will escort Smallert back to his chamber."

"Thank you, Abbess."

Vanessa and Geoff withdrew to the hall beyond. Smallert looked to Cyrus with a mix of hope and trepidation. "So, er, what else didja wanna talk about?"

"Tell me about what you were like when you were my age," Cyrus requested of the weasel.

Smallert's whole expression seemed to furrow, if such a thing were possible. "Oh, no, Cyrus lad, you don't wanna hear nothin' 'bout that. We vermin have miserable 'n' unhappy childhoods, like nobeast oughtta. That's why so many of us grow up t' be bad sorts."

Cyrus persisted. "Oh, you must've had some good times when you were little. Things you enjoyed doing, or a special friend you may've had, even if it was only for a day or two. Your favorite foods, your favorite time of year ... "

A look of concentration crossed Smallert's face as he sorted through memories of his early life. Slowly, a wistful smile came to his lips.

"Yeah, there was some fun," he murmured. "Precious little, but I s'pose that made it all th' more precious, huh? Why, I remembers this one autumn day, when the air was crisp and woodsmoke an' cookin' pies was in th' breeze ... couldn'ta been more'n three or four seasons old, 'twas the first autumn I remember an' all the colors of the Northlands forest were about me ... "

Cyril smiled too, as Smallert settled into his reminiscences like a lost and weary wanderer finding his way home at last, and the older mouse brother knew everything was going to be all right, as least as far as Cyrus and Smallert were concerned.

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Out in the hall, Vanessa and Geoff were met by Arlyn, Maura, Alexander and Lady Mina. All were eager to hear how it had gone.

"Smallert just did his case a whole deal of good," Vanessa announced. "Cyrus wasn't fearful of him at all, and even asked him to stay after I suggested he leave."

Geoff nodded. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say Cyrus has actually taken a shine to that weasel. I don't think he would have any problem with Smallert staying at Redwall."

"Now," said Arlyn, "the question is, do any of us have a problem with that?"

"I am somewhat worried by the prospect of having a weasel living among us," Maura said. "Smallert nearly killed Cyrus, even if it was only an accident. What if he does something like that again, after Machus is gone and nobeast here has the skills to save the poor lad or lass this time?"

"That's a very good point," Geoff agreed. "A creature who's proven he's capable of committing an evil act once may very well do so again."

"That is one way to look at it," Vanessa said. "But here is another: Smallert is genuinely remorseful over this, and never intended any harm to Cyrus. It was Wolfrum who put Cyrus in the path of that sword. Is there any Redwaller who would perform such a dispicable act? We know there isn't. And so the chances of Smallert committing any such misdeed again in the future are, in my judgement, very slim.

"As I see it, the question we must ask is, does Smallert deserve death? Because make no mistake, death is precisely what awaits him if we withhold from him the protection of this Abbey. The very child that Smallert put so close to death has now forgiven him, and so has that child's brother and only blood relative at Redwall. I feel it would be most upsetting to both Cyril and Cyrus if we allow Machus to have Smallert executed, and that might affect Cyrus's recovery. We can't risk that. And if those two brothers can forgive Smallert, surely we can too."

"You sound as if you've already made up your mind to offer Smallert sanctuary," Geoff observed.

"At this point, I am planning on doing just that," said Vanessa. "I will have a talk with our two young bellringers after Smallert is returned to his cell, just to make sure they harbor no reservations about him. The way things are looking now, I don't expect a problem. Once I'm satisfied this is the case, I will inform Smallert in the morning that he will be welcome to stay with us, and no harm will be allowed to come to him."

Mina spoke. "Abbess, I think you're making a mistake. That beast doesn't deserve a second chance, least of all among the creatures he so egregiously harmed."

Vanessa gave the squirrel Lady a sharp glance. "It is my mistake to make, Mina. But you of all creatures should not begrudge our pardon of Smallert."

"Why do you say that, Abbess?" Mina asked, mystified.

"Just today I was told of an entire tribe of pygmy shrews that Lord Urthblood once slaughtered. And you urged us to overlook that 'mistake' and concentrate upon the good that Urthblood has done."

Mina was flustered. "You cannot compare the two!"

"You're right - Urthblood's actions were far the more reprehensible of the two. But how are we to even consider putting aside his killing of the shrews if we are not even able to forgive Smallert? You should practice what you preach, Lady. If Urthblood's transgressions can be overlooked, so can a lesser beast's, who should not be held to the same standards as a Badger Lord anyway. Or would you disagree?"

Mina hunched her shoulders, fur ruffled. "Your viewpoint is valid. For Redwallers. I simply would not share it. But I am not the one who will have to live with Smallert henceforth, so I will say no more on the matter."

"Nor will I," seconded Maura. "My Abbess has spoken, and I will abide by her decision. But, Vanessa, I am going to be keeping a very close eye on that weasel, until I am satisfied for myself that he's no danger to our young ones. If he puts one paw out of line, I'll be there to catch it."

"I wouldn't expect you to do otherwise, Maura. And you won't be the only one watching him. Smallert will have to go through a probation period, to show that he is fit to become a full-fledged Redwaller. I'll make sure he understands this when I speak with him tomorrow. But after what he's been through, I have a feeling he won't disappoint us."

"I hope not, Nessa," said Geoff.

She looked to Alexander. "Now, Alex, you mentioned at the council earlier that you had some ideas on how Mina, Machus and the others might be able to leave Redwall in guaranteed safety?"

The squirrel nodded. "There are still some details to hammer out, but I've hit upon a plan I think would work. The big hitch is, it'll require Lord Urthfist's cooperation as well. But if he really wants Urthblood's troops out of Redwall that badly, and is serious about his pledge not to harm them if they leave voluntarily, then he should agree to it. We'll want to run this by Machus too, of course, but since you're right here, Lady Mina, let me bounce it off you. Tell me what you think of this ... "

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Alexander's idea was discussed with Machus later that evening. The swordfox agreed with Lady Mina that it was a sound plan ... provided Urthfist cooperated. If so, the Northlanders could depart Redwall come morning.

Vanessa went with Alexander and Maura to meet with Urthfist outside the north wallgate. The hour by this time was quite late, but the Badger Lord and his hares were on a war footing, and did not seem the least bit drowsy or unalert when they answered the Redwaller's hail. Urthfist, Traveller and Major Safford heard the Abbess out, then the badger gave his consent.

"I have sworn not to trouble them if they leave Redwall," Urthfist rumbled, "and I am a beast of my word. In my heart I would prefer to see them dead, but that may come soon enough, if they are let free to wander the lands where our paths may someday cross again, far from Redwall. For now, I will be satisfied just to see this Abbey cleared of my brother's vermin. I agree to your conditions, Abbess. But, are you sure you can expect no treachery from these villains? I would not trust them to honor their word."

"You and your hares will be right outside our walls, Lord. If they were to cause us any trouble, we'd simply open the gates and invite you in to lend a paw."

Urthfist nodded. That sounded fine to him.