Chapter 5

"You should talk to her, Bel," Perrad said to the otter with such a serious face she'd thought someone had died.

"I dun know. She don't seem ta want ta talk 'bout it," Belgara said with a hopeless shrug, already knowing as to whom he was referring to. "She's ne'er been one ta let somebeast comfort 'er." She glanced over to the lake where she could see Ash sitting with her arms wrapped around her knees. The mouse had woken up gloomier than usual, and refused to tell Belgara about it when she'd asked.

A flash of irritation furrowed the red squirrel's brow and his tail twitched. "It doesn't matter if she wants comfort! She needs it! You can't tell me that expression is a happy one," Perrad said, ending with a click of his teeth.

"Aye, I know, but we could damage 'er by sayin' somethin'. She don't be wantin' false 'ope. We 'aven't received no word from 'im though," Belgara said, pausing when she realized she was rambling. "Do ya think 'e is still alive?"

She was surprised when Perrad sighed dejectedly, and his tail drooped with the rest of him. "No, I don't. He has been gone five seasons—almost six! No Redwall warrior has ever taken such a consuming journey. Summer is coming, and I look at our new recruits and wonder if he will ever see them. Ash feels or knows it too, because all I felt was a heavy weight on my heart when I wondered. No, I don't think he'll be back."

"'ow can you say that? It 'as been a long time, but could 'e really be dead? There ain't any means o' communicatin' that I think 'e could get a 'old of. Other warriors 'aven't been gone as long, but Gareth ain't like other warriors," Belgara argued, though she too felt an oppressive sense of gloom from the conviction she felt he was dead. "I don't suppose we could orga—"

The tolling of the bells jarred their conscious, causing the pair to snap their heads to look up at it. Usually there was the gentle indication that lunch was prepared, but the song was harshly out of tune, and then the culprit peered out from the belfry and shouted, "Vermin coming up the road!"

Belgara wrenched her gaze from the bell tower to Perrad, and she was surprised to see the fur under his face go an ill green, but he clenched his jaw and said, "Come on!" The otter looked back to Ash, and was pleased to see the mouse get to her paws and dart after the pair. Before she turned back she saw a strange determination in Ash's gray eyes and a disguised fear.

Perrad intercepted the Abbess, who was making a dignified run with the front of her robe held up to reach the ramparts easier. "Abbess Clarine, I don't think I need to remind you that nearly every encounter with an army marching up the road to Redwall has led us to war, yes?"

Clarine met his eyes and nodded grimly. "Yes, Perrad, I remember, but, of course, we will not make presumptions lest we be perceived as the same in their eyes." Perrad didn't answer her, just increased his speed and bounded up the steps ahead.

Belgara followed and had to shoot her forepaws out as her momentum propelled her into the waist-high wall. Still panting from the exertion she leaned over and looked to the left as the other creatures were, managing only to see a dust cloud. She struggled to find any recognizable vermin features, and was relieved when the Abbess asked her question for her.

"How do you know they're vermin, Quinlan?" The Abbess' tone was even but a restrained look of annoyance creased her brow as she no doubt wondered if her worry was needless.

The young squirrel, just a season younger than Belgara, clenched his jaw and brought himself up. "Mother, I have eyes as good as any Red Kite's! It was the vermin at the front of the army. That swishing tail couldn't be anything else's but a cat's tail. A wildcat." A hush descended on the onlookers and the Abbess' expression only deepened with worry. They had heard of the Warlord Ungatt Trunn attacking Salamandastron countless seasons ago, but since then they had heard of every other vermin taking up the handle.

Murmurs broke out among them when everybeast recalled their history lessons over Tsarmina. And Gingivere. "Maybe it'll be a good wildcat," Belgara whispered as she saw the dust cloud seem to thicken as the shapes came into view. By now she could see the tail swishing back and forth violently.

She heard a disgusted noise and locked eyes with Perrad who was giving her a nasty look. "Bel, use your head! What is the likelihood the wildcat is peaceable if he has an army behind him? No, no, I don't see how this could be like any other time."

Clarine shot him a deeply angry look, but she dared not to argue with the implications. His logic was sound, but both knew they were going to try negotiations before sounding a declaration of war when there was no evidence the army wanted it. So, the Redwallers stood leaning over the parapets, waiting to hear what destiny had in store for them.

It took some time, but it was as Quinlan said: a wildcat stood at the head the columns with his long, spiky tail sweeping behind him quickly as though he were brushing the dirt behind him. Though he was covered in thin armor from head to toe they could discern his fur was mostly dark brown, and the back of his mottled tail was covered in a black strip, which they assumed went from there up his back and to his snout. For the brief space of a few minutes it seemed the army might walk past, and then the wildcat, who was a few paces ahead of his army turned around, raised up his paw, and shouted, "Halt!"

They stopped without a further shuffle of their boots, or a nudge from somebeast who didn't stop fast enough. Then as if it were a single being they turned toward Redwall in unison. The beasts above them were speechless. Then the cat made his way around the column with a brown, groomed pine marten, and halted at the doors before looking up at the line of grim-faced creatures.

Belgara shivered as the gold eyes traced over her and did her best to keep any of the fear she felt welling inside her from showing. Even as she did so it suddenly struck her that he was measuring them, their strength. The strength lies in the leader. If the Abbess is worried then we're all worried. How can a few hundred of us fight a force so large? Belgara wanted to desperately yank the Abbess back so that neither of the two beasts would see her emotions, but it was too late. She was only glad that after they passed her, they got an eyeful of Perrad's gritted teeth and angry eyes. Not everyone will fall without fighting. She breathed and waited to hear what they had to say.

She was surprised when the Abbess spoke first. Her voice quavered at first, but grew in strength and resolution as the graying squirrel drew back and placed her paws within her robes. "Greetings, travelers. I am Abbess Clarine and should either of you or anyone in your army need assistance, food, or clothing then you need only ask. Now, how may Redwall help you?"

"You are their leader then, mouse?" The wildcat squinted at the silhouette framed in the overly bright sky.

"Yes, sir, I am the head of our Order. Please, who do I have the honor of addressing?" Her eyes still betrayed wariness to the cat, but her voice was calm and collected.

The pair looked at each other, and then back, but the pine marten answered, "You, mouse, are addressing Lord Argas Burnad and his right paw Ashnar Samov. Mouse, tell everyone that they have one of two choices to make. Either you surrender your home and vacate the premises within a day's time, or we will take this abbey by force. And let me warn you: none have stood up to the army of Argas Burnad!"

Everybeast shivered at the ultimatum and Clarine had to nearly jump on Perrad before he sent an angry reply that might've decided their fates for all of them. "Thank you, we will consider your…proposal." Belgara knew the diplomacy was forced from the choked reply, and when she looked at the Abbess she was surprised to see barely concealed anger and a touch of hate. Clarine dragged Perrad from the wall, with Ash's help.

They faintly heard the pine marten call back, "You have one day, mouse! Report your decision at noon tomorrow!"

At the bottom of the steps he shook them off and walked with whatever dignity he could find, but he was jumping out of his skin and when they were halfway to the Great Hall he vented by sprinting. Belgara watched him disappear and shook her head. Why does the world seem as if it's collapsing in on us? She knew that they would never surrender their abbey without a fight, but what was the use of fighting against such great odds?

When they finally set paw on the cool stone Clarine said, "I only want the abbey leaders involved in this, please. Save you, Belgara, and you, Ash. There's something I want to say and it concerns you."

Both were confused, but Ash obediently said, "Darma, will you please see that dinner gets on the table?"

"Yes, Friar Ash, I will," the hedgehog said, and then curtsied before walking off to carry out her assignment, shouting out the names of the kitchen staff so that they rallied to her. Ash then nodded and Clarine led them down into the cool darkness of Cavernhole.

All of the abbey leaders were already present and sitting except Perrad, who remained standing as he struggled to control his emotions with his face contorted into an awful sneer. When Clarine sat he spoke first, "You cannot give up the abbey to them! How many times have Redwallers in the past been able to turn back the evil that has besieged them? Countless times and we will continue doing that here!"

The Badger Mother and the Skipper-of-Otters nodded in agreement, turning to converse with each other about the probable war.

The old squirrel gave everyone a stern look and said, "Yes, that is true, Perrad, but never before has the abbey warrior been away with the sword of Martin. Or at least not with such a large force at our doors. You are brave, Perrad, but not everyone's bravery combined can win this battle alone. We need Gareth. He was honored as the official Warrior of Redwall."

"Is he even still alive?" Perrad seethed as he began pacing around the area walking in deep strides.

Here the abbess sobered and she said, "I hope that Martin has been protecting him. Because if we lose him—and the sword!—then we are lost, Perrad. There would be nothing for it. We might as well abandon the abbey."

"Ya cannot be serious, Abbess," Skipper Dalgo said, exchanging glances with the Badger Mother Arlene.

"I wish I weren't," she answered and then turned to Ash, "which brings me to the reason why I asked you down here. Ash, there is no one else who cares for Gareth as you do, and I know you want him back. I want you to consider this, but please decide quickly. Will you go out looking for him? And you, Belgara. You are his friend, but most importantly Ash's and there shouldn't be just one searcher. Would you like to go looking for him?"

The otter was flabbergasted at what the Abbess just asked her. While Belgara took time to compose herself and think of her answer, Ash gave hers immediately in a flat tone, "Yes." The mouse's eyes burned with a passion as if she had found a new purpose in life. Belgara was glad Clarine asked her to go.

"Well, if Ash is goin' then she'll need me. Somebeast's got to keep 'er out o' trouble," Belgara said with a grin and a wink to Ash, who smiled in turn at the jest.

"You're not leaving me behind," Perrad spoke up from where he'd stopped pacing to watch with interest. "Gareth is my friend as well, and I want more than anything to see him back in Redwall Abbey."

This time his words were met with the opposition of the three other abbey leaders. "I think not, Perrad," Clarine said, still grasping Ash's paw as she stared down Perrad. "Gareth is not here, and you were appointed the head of the trainees until he got back. We need you."

"No, you don't. Skipper knows the recruits well enough that they'll listen to him, too. Besides, neither of these maidens know how to defend themselves well enough to go off alone. No, I think they'll need me," Perrad said, his tone taking on that of smug confidence.

Ash scowled. "I'll drown before I'll let him save me. I know how to fight well enough!"

"What are you going to do? Smash the vermin with a frying pan? Sorry, Ash, but I think they have the advantage of a better weapon over you."

"Oh, really? Well, let's go settle this on the grounds now. Your dagger and my frying pan."

"No, please, you two, we can t'afford ta 'ave you injure each other, an' twouldn't be a good morale booster. Stop the threatnin' an' get your acts together," Belgara chastised as she went around the Abbess to place a paw on Ash's shoulder, who had gotten up to glare challengingly at Perrad.

"I couldn't have put it better myself, Belgara. Both of you stop acting like dibbuns or—and I think the abbess will agree with me when I say this—neither of you will go," Arlene said, having got up also just in case she had to intercede. "Maybe Perrad shouldn't go so that they can avoid these conflicts."

"Perhaps, but I can see his point," Clarine said as she eyed the pair. "Ash has a good heart and she's feisty enough, but skill does count and if I remember correctly neither of you are versed very well in weaponry, are you?" When both shook their heads in agreement the squirrel nodded. "I thought so. You're right, Perrad. You should go. If that's settled then I want you three to get ready and leave the abbey at midnight, under the cover of darkness. I'll ask Darma to make rations for you all so you don't have to worry about it, Ash."

The trio nodded and headed out the door with Ash in the lead. They split up with Ash and Belgara heading to their dormitory, which they shared, and Ash broke the silence after they'd gone up the stairs. "You think we'll be able to find him, Bel?"

"Ah'm not sure 'ow ta answer that, Ash. Just earlier Perrad an' ah were discussin' the likelihood of 'im bein' alive. An' ta tell you the truth, ah'm not shore 'e is."

"I know. I'm not sure I believe he is alive, either," Ash admitted, bowing her head as though she failed someone, which Belgara assumed she had. The otter placed a paw around her shoulder and pulled her close.

"Now don' fret yer pretty 'ead about it, Ash. Ya wouldn't 'ave joined the quest if ye thought there was no 'ope, right?"

Ash looked up and smiled. "You're right."

Midnight found them waiting at the gate for an unknown force to bid them farewell, it seemed. Gatekeeper Quinlan, Abbess Clarine, Arlene, and Dalgo waited in the dark as they saw the three conversing with each other. They'd all napped a few hours after dinner to catch up on the sleep they'd miss, and all of them felt rejuvenated enough to leave so late in the night.

"Last time ah saw the army that greasy Pine Marten, Ashran—'e's got yer name, Ash!—'e an' that wildcat 'ad led them to the meadow north o' 'ere. Since yer 'eadin' south it should be easy goin,' but be careful o' spies. Ya never know if they're there," Dalgo counseled, relating to them what he had noticed on guard duty.

Perrad nodded his head, "Thank you, Dalgo."

"Here." Quinlan handed over the lantern and said, "Since you'll be under the trees we thought that you might need a lantern to find your way. Everybeast is in agreement that you shouldn't hesitate to abandon it if it so burdens you. You can cover it in case you need to hide the light. And here's a small bottle of oil."

With the oil packed safely away, the three said their goodbyes.

"Take care of yourselves!"

"Stay alert wit them vermin abouts."

"Send my victims to the hellgates for me, Dalgo."

"Perrad!"

Despite the language the otter winked and grinned and waved his flipper in farewell. "May Martin be kind to ye, and keep ye safe. Perrad, train Ash while yer out there. We want ye ta be able to defend yourselves."

"I will if she'll let me."

"Just try me, clodhopper."

And with that the three turned and opened the gate. Perrad peeked around first while Belgara held the lamp, and then he stepped out in plain view. When no arrows flew at him he waved them on out and they followed his shadow into the dark reaches of the forest. And before long their lantern light was lost in the foliage.

The onlookers shifted restlessly at their sudden disappearance but pulled back into the abbey without a word, and then went back to bed to steel themselves for the meeting at noon.