THE CRIMSON BADGER - Chapter Fifty

The following morning, amid the early bustle of getting the Northlanders ready for their departure, Vanessa summoned Smallert from his cell.

Two fox guards, already partly outfitted for their march, bore the weasel before them to the north of the Abbey grounds. Smallert's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Lady Mina, Machus, and every other soldier under their command assembled just inside the north wallgate, along with most of the Abbey leaders and every squirrel of Alexander's Mossflower Patrol.

Machus stepped up to Smallert, looking the weasel over top to bottom. "Consider this the luckiest day of your life," the swordfox chief said. "We are leaving Redwall, but you will not be coming with us. The Abbess has graciously decided to grant you the sanctuary of this Abbey. The punishment you warrent under Lord Urthblood's laws will not be dispensed to you, due to these goodbeasts' good graces, and against my best advice. You've been given a second chance at life. Use it well, and do not give these folk cause to regret their choice." Machus paused, a look of disappointment on his face. "I hereby formally discharge you from the service of Lord Urthblood, in my capacity as commander-in-chief of these forces, and in the site of Lady Mina as witness. You have behaved dishonorably, and have lost the privilege of serving alongside real and true warriors. Redwall has forgiven you your disgrace; I shall not. You will dwell here for the rest of your seasons, where the mercy of Redwall protects you. Let no soldier of Urthblood's ever find you outside these walls, or your life may once more be forfeit. Do you understand?"

Smallert nodded, a score of different emotions playing across his face. Machus had given him no cause to feel good about himself ... but the Redwallers had, and he was going to live!

Machus pointedly turned his back on Smallert and strode away to join the rest of the Northlanders. The two foxes guarding the weasel made a show of wordlessly leaving Smallert's side and following after their captain. It was the first time since he'd wounded Cyrus that he'd stood unguarded outside his cell - a symbolic demonstration that he was now the Redwallers' responsibility.

Vanessa walked over to him. "Welcome to our family, Smallert. As long as you obey our simple rules, do your share of chores and do harm to nobeast here, you are free to live among us for as long as you wish. The protection of Redwall now extends to you. Prove that you are worthy of it, and we will be glad to have you as a member of our community, now and henceforth."

Smallert burst into tears of joy. Much to Vanessa's chagrin, he dropped to his knees and started kissing her footpaws where they stuck out from under the hem of her habit. Geoff and a few of the others had to stifle smiles and chuckles.

"Smallert, PLEASE! Stop that!"

He stood instantly, head bowed in submission.

"I will not have anybeast grovelling to me," she said, trying not to be too sharp with him. "We're all equal here, even if I am the Abbess. Please don't do that again, ever."

"Yes, ma'am."

A low bench had been set out on the lawns nearby. Sister Aurelia had allowed Cyrus to make his first trip outside the Infirmary, so that he could bid farewell to the beast who'd saved his life. Smallert went over to where Cyrus sat between Cyril and Aurelia, and lowered himself to one knee before them. "Thank you, son," he said, choked with emotion. "I know yer Abbess wouldn't've shown mercy on a wretch like me if you 'adn't made her think it were okay."

Cyrus smiled at the weasel. "You don't hafta thank me, Mr. Smallert, sir. You're a goodbeast. It's only what you deserve. If you were a real stinker of a nastybeast, the Abbess wouldn't let you stay, no matter what I told her."

Vanessa had come over alongside Smallert. "Yes, that's probably true," she admitted, "but your vote of confidence in Smallert did carry a lot of weight, Cyrus. Without it, I might not have decided as I did. Yours also, Cyril. You were the first among us to sense that this weasel had a good heart."

Smallert glanced back and forth between the three mice. "Then I guess I owes all o' you my very miserable life. There's no way I c'n ever repay yer kindness, 'cept to swear I'll be th' best goodbeast that I can. You won't regret it, you'll see. My days of fightin' are through! From now on, I'm a Redwaller! An' if any weasel can be a gennelbeast, then I'll be th' one!"

"That's very admirable, Smallert," Vanessa told him. "And you'll have every chance to show your new colors," she glanced at Cyril and Cyrus, "and some good friends to help you along."

Cyrus looked up at her. "Mother Abbess, I'd like to say goodbye to Mr. Machus, please."

"Of course. You sit right there, and I'll go get him."

Vanessa returned a moment later with the fox. All the Northlanders were geared up for their march, standing ready to be underway as soon as Machus gave the word. Smallert was looking over toward his former comrades in arms, but every one of them averted their eyes from his gaze, refusing to acknowledge him. He was no longer one of them, and none wanted to risk sharing in his dishonor.

Machus gave the weasel the momentary ghost of a scowl as he approached with the Abbess, then turned all his attention to his young patient. Smallert stepped aside so Machus could squat down before Cyrus.

"It's good to see you up and around," he said to the young mouse. "I'm glad I got to see you get well enough to leave the Infirmary before I had to depart."

"I wish you didn't hafta go," said Cyrus. "Is that mean badger who came here yesterday making you leave?"

"Your Abbess decided it would be best for everybeast of we left Redwall," Machus explained. "Things have gotten ... complicated. There might be trouble with Urthfist and his hares if we stayed, and we don't want that. The Abbess makes good sense. We must abide by her decision, you and me both."

"Is there going to be war?" Cyril asked solemnly.

Machus looked to the older mouse brother. "I don't know," he answered truthfully. "I hope not. But if there is, I must be at Lord Urthblood's side. My sword belongs there."

"Then ... be careful, sir," Cyril implored. "I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Me neither," Cyrus added.

Machus smiled at the two of them. "My foxes and I know how to handle our blades, and we've seen many battles before. I plan on being around for many seasons to come, if I have anything to say about it."

"I hope so." Cyrus leaned forward and wrapped his paws around Machus, burying his face in the ruff of the fox's neck fur. "Goodbye, Machus. And thank you for saving my life."

"You're very welcome, Cyrus," Machus said, somewhat embarrassed as he returned the youngster's hug. When Cyrus finally pulled away, Machus stuck out his paw to Cyril. "And goodbye to you too, my young warrior."

Cyril blushed a bit as he and the fox shook paws. "Thank you, sir, but I'm no warrior. I thought maybe that's what I wanted to be, but now I see it's more important that I just stay here and be a Redwaller, and help look after all my friends, and my brother. Maybe ... maybe someday you can come back and teach me how to be a healer. I think I'd be better at that than being a warrior anyway."

"Well, maybe I can," Machus smiled. "You're young yet, so you've got plenty of time to decide upon your calling. We can talk about this more when next we meet."

"I ... I'll look forward to that, sir. Goodbye, and take care."

Machus stood. "And to you, good Sister Aurelia. Everybeast here seems to credit me alone with saving Cyrus, but I don't think I could have done it without you and the Abbess. It was good working with you, even though I'm sure we both would rather it had not been necessary in the first place. The good creatures of Redwall and Mossflower are fortunate indeed to have a healer of your skill at their service. If Cyril does decide to follow that vocation, he will not want for a good teacher."

Sister Aurelia got to her feet and took his paw in both of hers. "Never did I imagine that I would be calling a fox a friend, but you have proven yourself as one. There is no way we will ever be able to repay you for saving Cyrus, but take these words to heart and carry them with you wherever your path takes you: I am glad to have known you, Machus."

He bowed his head humbly. "Those words mean more to me than any gift, Sister. I will treasure them."

Maura stepped around from behind the bench where she'd been standing and took her turn shaking paws with Machus. The badger said to him, "I never did get a chance to thank you at all, I've been so busy looking after the other children. When you first came to our home, I'll admit I distrusted you most of all the creatures in Lord Urthblood's army. My opinion of foxes was not one I would repeat in front of these young ears. But you have proven me wrong, and I am glad to say it. I see now that any creature, even a fox, can be a decent and honorable beast if it tries. For this lesson, I thank you."

"It was a lesson I was happy to give," he replied, "although Lord Urthblood probably deserves a greater share of the credit than I do. I would never have had the chance to become an honest creature were it not for him. He dreams of a time when all beasts may live together in peace. If my stay here has helped move the lands toward that day, then I would not trade it for anything."

They parted, and Machus stepped back to stand before all the Redwallers gathered on and around the bench. "I shall never forget the hospitality you all have shown me. I wish that I could stay - for more than one reason - but the paths of destiny are not always for us to choose. I must now depart. But it is my hope that I shall return to Redwall someday to further the friendship that has been started here."

He looked to Vanessa. "We are ready, Abbess."

"Very good. Alexander, you know what to do."

The squirrel chief nodded to her and gave a quick gesture of command to his comrades. Two burly otter guards unlocked and threw open the north wallgate. Like a flowing sea of red fur, the twoscore squirrels of the Mossflower Patrol streamed through the passage and raced toward the nearest trees, Alex and Mina in the lead. When the last squirrel was through, the otters slammed the gate closed again and rammed the lockbolt home.

Vanessa said to Machus, "It will take Alex and Mina a few minutes to get them all in position. You and your troops stand by. I'm going up to the south wall to make sure Urthfist is keeping his side of the bargain."

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"My, they certainly are an impressive sight," Vanessa remarked.

"Yes," Aryln agreed, "they certainly are."

Redwall's retired Abbot was keeping station upon the south battlements, doing his part to help with the evacuation of Urthblood's forces from the Abbey. Vanessa had joined her mentor up on the walltop to see for herself how this part of the plan was going.

Morning sun shown brightly upon the grassy meadow below ... and upon the badger warrior and his fourscore hares who stood arranged in neat rank and file. The widely-spaced columns formed by the Long Patrol were Alexander's idea, and the condition to which Urthfist had agreed for this endeavor. Machus would not have considered withdrawing his forces from Redwall if Urthfist threatened the Northlanders in any way, so this was the compromise that had been reached. While Urthfist and his hares would stand some distance from the south wall, out in the open where they could easily be counted and kept under watch, Machus would exit through the north wallgate with his band, and head northward as quickly as he could to distance himself from the hostile Badger Lord. As an added precaution, Alexander and the Forest Patrol would cover their retreat from above, for a day's march or as long as they felt their protection was necessary. If Urthfist were to break his word and pursue his brother's soldiers, he would meet a hail of arrows from the treetops long before he ever got to cross swords with any of the Northlanders.

"I didn't think they'd be able to get themselves assembled in formation so quickly," Vanessa commented.

"They're professionals," Arlyn said. "Very disciplined. You won't find fighters like those anywhere else ... perhaps not even in Lord Urthblood's army."

"Well, it looks like I can go right back down and give Machus the okay to depart. Alex should have had enough time to get his squirrels in position for their march."

"Better wait to see what Highwing has to report," the old Abbot suggested. "Don't want to take any chances."

"Yes, you're right, of course." Vanessa looked down toward the shimmering meadow. The Sparra leader was hopping and fluttering in between the columns of the Long Patrol hares. Even as she watched, he seemed satisfied with his observations and took to the wing. Moments later he swooped onto the ramparts alongside the two mice.

"Hallo, Abbess! Abbot!" he greeted them. "You'll be happy to know there are exactly fourscore and one hares down there, to the head. No decoys or sleight-of-paw, I checked most carefully. His whole gang's lined up there, all present and accounted for."

"And none will be able to slip away without us seeing it," said Arlyn.

"Good work, Highwing," Vanessa said, ruffling her old birdfriend's neck feathers. "Many thanks for your help."

"Always happy to lend a wing. Would you like us Sparra to do some flyovers to let them know they're being closely watched?"

"I'm sure Lord Urthfist is only too aware of our scrutiny. But, an extra pair of eyes never hurt any lookout watch. By all means, if you'd like to help us keep an eye on them, we'd welcome that."

"I'll see what I can arrange." Highwing bobbed his head and fluttered off to Warbeak Loft to consult with his fellow sparrows.

Arlyn turned to Vanessa. "We've got things well in paw up here. You may as well go tell Machus he can be off. He ought to get the best start he can. That badger and his hares aren't going to be content to stand out there in the sun all morning!"

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Vanessa and Montybank went out the north gate with Machus. The Abbess felt confident enough after what she'd seen from the walltop. Urthfist was keeping to his word, staying to the south meadow while his brother's creatures made their hasty departure from the opposite side of the Abbey. Even if some of the fastest hares were to break ranks now in an attempt to rush the Northlanders and catch them by surprise, they could still not outrun the warning cry that would be relayed around the walltop by the Redwall lookouts. There would be ample time to get Machus and his comrades back inside and bolt the door before trouble reached them.

The fighters of Urthblood were all assembled and ready to march, except for Lady Mina, who'd taken to the treetops along with Alex and the Forest Patrol. The rest stood attentively as Machus approached. They were gathered almost upon the very spot where Urthfist had met with Hanchett the day before. Now, even though they had all of Redwall between themselves and their badger adversary, the northerners were edgy and nervous about being outside the safety of the Abbey walls with a sworn mortal enemy so close at paw. Clearly, they were anxious to be underway, and with all speed.

Machus came to a halt a few paces from his troops. He turned to the two Redwallers and extended his paw to the otter Skipper. "It has been a privilege serving alongside you and your crew, Montybank. The otters here in Mossflower are every bit the measure of their brethren in the north. Until we meet again ... "

"An' when we do," Monty replied, taking the fox's paw and shaking it heartily, "I hope it's in happier times than these. Good fortune to ye in any scrapes 'n' tussles that may lie ahead fer you."

"I too will pray that fortune smiles upon you," said Vanessa, taking his paw from Monty. "You are welcome to return to Redwall whenever circumstances will allow, and stay for as long as you like. It is only the awkwardness and uncertainty of the present situation that made me ask you to leave. I hope you will harbor no ill will toward me or any of us for this decision. I really don't feel I had any other choice, if Redwall was to remain truly impartial in this matter."

"I understand completely," Machus assured Vanessa in his most diplomatic manner. "I still can't say that I totally agree with it, but you are the Abbess, and the standing of Redwall must always be your main responsibility. I can certainly appreciate that, and will not begrudge you for doing what your conscience demands. I would not have us part now as anything but friends. After the kindness and hospitality you've shown me, never could I carry ill feeling toward Redwall in my heart." Caressing her paw softly, he bowed low to her, then slipped free of her hold and stood back. "Farewell, my newfound friends. If Redwall should ever need an ally in times of trouble, I will be here to stand beside you if I may. Part of my heart will dwell here always, and you may consider me a true defender of this Abbey. But now we must be off, and with all haste, if I don't want to tempt fate into making this day my last."

"Where will you go?" Vanessa asked.

"A day north, to distance ourselves from the badger who would slay us, and thence to Salamandastron by the most direct route. That is my place now, by Lord Urthblood's side."

"Have you ever been t' Salamandastron before?" Monty inquired. "D'you know th' way?"

Machus shrugged. "A lone mountain upon the beach ... how hard can that be to find?" The fox stepped back a pace, drew his sword, and raised it in salute to the two Redwallers. "Hail, and farewell!"

Monty withdrew the sword of Martin, which had seldom left his side since the day of Urthblood's arrival at Redwall, and returned the salute with one of his own. The two blades, near mirror images of each other, shone in the morning sun. They almost seemed to be acknowledging one another in some unspoken language shared only by the most noble of weapons, and spoken by no living beast. "Fare ye well, Machus. And fate be kind to ye!"

"Yes," said Vanessa, "and may the spirit of Martin watch over you as it would watch over any Redwaller."

"Truly, that is quite a blessing. I don't know if I am fully deserving of it, but I will accept it gladly. Farewell." Machus slid his sword into its sheath and spun in one fluid motion. Moments later, he and his troops had disappeared into the sun-dappled depths of Mossflower. Vanessa and Montybank withdrew into the Abbey, and the gate slammed shut behind them.

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"How bally long are we gonna hafta wait out here?"

Urthfist, standing at the fore of the ranks with his back to the Long Patrol, recognized the complainer by her voice. "As long as it takes, Springer," he replied without glancing back or taking his eyes off Redwall. "We will hold formation here until we're invited to do otherwise."

"Don't be too hard on Springsy, M'Lord," Major Safford hastened to defend the female fighter. "She's just speakin' aloud wot we're all thinkin'. Seems t' me they've had more'n enough time t' get the Abbey cleared o' that rabble."

"We'll stand here all day if that's what it takes to get all of my brother's forces out of Redwall," Urthfist said. "I gave my agreement to the Abbess personally, and I will honor it. She wants us where she can see us, while our enemies depart. I am sure she won't keep us waiting any longer than she feels is necessary."

Safford winced at the sun. "Wouldn't be so bad if 'tweren't fer the blinkin' heat."

"You've marched and patrolled in worse than this," Urthfist chided him. "I know you have."

"True, sir. But there's rather a difference b'tween movin' about doin' something useful an' just standin' out in the bally blaze of summer ... 'specially when there's enemies within easy wallopin' range. I'll take runnin' an' fightin' over this any day. We hares weren't made fer bein' on open display."

"I'd prefer cracking heads myself," Urthfist agreed. "I'd prefer to have slain those creatures of my brother's instead of allowing them to escape to cause untold trouble in times to come. But this was the only way the Abbess would consent to remove them from Redwall. It is victory enough that we are accomplishing that much. It is also good that we show a civil face to the Redwallers in this affair. After all the lies that my brother has told them about me, I must show them that I am not some unreasoning, dangerous monster as he would have them believe. If they see this, they may be more willing to listen to what I must tell them. So here we will stand, until we are given further word from the Abbess. We came to Mossflower to clear Redwall of our enemies. This is now being done, if not in the manner we'd intended. Once I have gone through the Abbey and seen for myself that it is clean, we will be free to pursue those vile villains to their destruction. So do not fret, Major. Our foe have escaped their just punishment this day, but our paths are sure to cross again, perhaps this very season. And when that happens, I assure you that we will be doing far more than just standing in review formation!"

In the distance, the south wallgate of the Abbey popped open and five otters trooped out, each carrying a large bulging pouch. The gate was shut behind them as they strode across the meadow toward the force from Salamandastron. Urthfist had positioned his hares far enough from the south wall so that they would not be within easy arrow range from the walltop, and could see anybeast coming around the side of the Abbey. It took a good minute for the otters to cover the distance.

"Ahoy, there!" Montybank hailed as he approached Urthfist and the hares. "Abbess said to tell you she'd be awhile longer. But not t' worry - she hasn't fergot about you. As a token of our hospitality, an' since it's hot 'nuff to wither shrimp out 'ere, we thought you'd like something cool t' wet yer whistles with. 'Fraid it's just water fer now, but there'll be plenty of October ale 'n' lots more once you march your flopeared selves inside. Now, who's up fer a swig? Plenty fer all, so don't all rush up at once ... "

Urthfist raised a commanding paw, and no hare stepped out of their neat lines. "Do not accept any of that drink," he bellowed.

The otters froze, and Monty's face fell. "Well, that's hardly gracious, Y'honor. Just bein' friendly. No harm intended."

"You have had foxes among you," Urthfist said, "and foxes are notoriously skilled poisoners. Your water may be tainted, even though you yourselves are not aware of it."

"Well, that'd be a neat trick, Cap'n," Monty said, "since we only just scooped this water outta the pond before headin' out here. Or d'you reckon the whole pond's been poisoned?"

"Poison could have been applied to the insides of those pouches," Urthfist countered. "Only beasts drinking from them would be affected."

"And remind me again, matey, just why would they do such a scallywag thing?"

"We are enemies. They know I would try to slay them if ever we meet again. I would expect the same of them, although their methods would not be so honorable as open and fair combat. This would be an opportunity to finish us off that they may not have cared to pass up. If you were in our place, would you dare chance it?"

"A good point, sir ... 'cept that nobeast here's poisoned our pond, nor these waterskins." Montybank turned to his companions. "Awright, mateys, bottoms up!" He unstopped his pouch, tilted back his head and squirted several large swallows into his open mouth. When the others saw what he was about, they all opened their own skins and followed his example.

"Ah!" Monty smacked his lips and resealed his carrier. "Cool as an autumn slipstream! An' if it's good enuff fer the Skipper o' Redwall, it oughta be shipshape fer this gang, whaddya say? Or d' you wanna wait to see if we keel over 'n' start floppin' 'round like fish outta water?"

"We have our own supplies," Urthfist replied coolly. "If we need to slake our thirsts, we can accomplish the task ourselves. Thank you."

"Oh." Monty glanced across the columns of the Long Patrol. "Well, d' you mind if we stroll up 'n' down these lines an' get t' know some o' yer crew a bit?"

"I would rather you didn't. My hares are standing at attention ... which means just that. They are not to have any distractions or diversions."

"Then how's about we just rest our rudders down on the grass alongside you, to keep you company while ye're waitin' to go in?"

"Seeing as how we are supposed to stay in formation and not break ranks, according to the agreement worked out with your Abbess, I am hardly in a position to stop you."

"Well now ye're talkin'! Okay, lads, let's find some dry land fer our keels to call port. We're gonna be hospitable to these sour souls if it kills us!"

Many of the hares were grinning at Monty's flamboyant manner. There was something positively hare-like about the otter's exhuberant geniality.

The otters went around to the west side of the Long Patrol formation and sprawled comfortably in the high grass. Their waterskins sloshed and gurgled invitingly as they were tossed onto the ground. More than one hare eyed the pouches with longing. Fresh, cool Abbey pond water was bound to taste better than their own supplies, which had been out in the sun all morning.

Major Safford studied the waterskins out of the corner of his eye, then leaned in toward Urthfist. "I say, Lord, mebbe a few small sips wouldn't hurt. Might be good for morale, an' all that."

"Until we're inside Redwall, we will use only our own rations. If anybeast here gets thirsty before then, they can sip from their personal canteens." Urthfist's tone let the senior hare know that the matter was not open for debate.

Monty and his crew lounged around for awhile, trying in vain to draw the Long Patrol hares out of their decorum and into friendly conversation, but apart from a few casual words, the hares were taking matters too seriously to engage in idle chitchat. Urthfist still did not entirely trust his brother's forces not to stage a surprise attack, even under the watchful eyes of the Abbeybeasts, and he had ordered all his hares to remain on full alert.

Finally the otters rose and started back toward the Abbey. Monty called back over his shoulder, "See you inside! Hadn't planned on luggin' this heavy thing back in with me, but since you lot wouldn't help lighten it, guess I'm stuck with a full hold this return voyage! Until we meet again, enjoy the sun!"

After the otters were gone, a few of the hares helped themselves to long swigs from their canteens. But after the prospect of cystalline Abbey water, their stale and tepid supplies were hardly appealing.

A short time later, the south wallgate opened once more. Urthfist waited for somebeast to emerge. Instead, a small winged form sailed out over the wall just above the open gate and swooped down toward them. Urthfist supposed it was the same sparrow who'd been among them earlier taking their head count, but he was no expert at telling one bird from another. The only birds he usually got around Salamandastron were seagulls, and they were all troublemakers.

The Sparra touched down two paces before Urthfist and gave a cordial, wings-spread and head-lowered bow. "By your leave, Lord, the Abbess now grants you and your hares free entrance to Redwall. You may go inside whenever you wish."

The Badger Lord wasted no time. "Hares," he bellowed in command, "forward, march!"

The columns didn't break formation or reorganize their ranks, but simply started forward in one huge, neat block. Highwing fluttered aside to avoid being run over by the advancing tide of beasts. The ground beneath his talons faintly trembled to the pounding of so many heavy paws marching in step, as the main force of Salamandastron advanced upon Redwall.