Both Mitteenna and the Badgermom jumped when a loud crash echoed in the hallway, no more than a foot from where they stood. They turned to the source of the noise. A tall black-furred female squirrel held her shepherd's crook like a quarterstaff. She twirled it in her paws as she glared at them. Her deep forest-green eyes blazed with indignation as she held the crook in an offensive pose.
"Release her, vermin, or the next blow goes against the side of that thick skull of yours."
"Robertasin, tend to your sheep as you have no idea what happened here. Misbehaving children, such as this one, are my responsibility. Even then, I'll not do anything to her without our Father Abbot's blessing," said Tassel.
"I've warned you once, vermin, release that girl. Whatever she did to you, I bet you egged her into doing it. You have been looking for an excuse to harm this child since the two of you first met." Robertasin moved to the side where she could act as the young vole's protector. "Anyway, you really expect any honorable woodlander will believe your version? Back off and there will be no need for me to use this crook."
"Both of you stand down. I'll not have weapons used within this building."
Father Hughnaught pushed the doors behind him shut, effectively making their conversation as private as it could be under these circumstances. The Father Abbot growled his words, but kept his voice so well modulated that the three beasts had to make a conscience effort at hearing his words. His path kept his eyes on the armed squirrel.
About time you showed up. This child needs a very warm bottom and that elder needs a lesson in manners her parents obviously neglected. Maybe now we can get some semblance of order restored.
"Mitteenna, you have classes to attend." Father Hughnaught watched the vole dart down the hallway, keeping as far away from the badger as possible. The vole hadn't gone but halfway to the front door when the Father Abbot faced the squirrel with a stern posture. "Your intervention is appreciated, Robertasin, but our Abbey prefers that all disagreements be settled peacefully."
"Mark my words, Father Abbot. That filthy vermin intends doing bodily harm to that child and she will lie, without hesitation, if it affords her the opportunity. Isn't it bad enough this scum has already declared that one of her charges will be flayed for doing what vermin train their young to do?"
Hughnaught pointed to the front door. "Your family lives outside our walls and we allowed you a room for the night whenever it is necessary. Don't make me wish we had not extended such hospitalities to a good neighbor. Sheep should not graze within the Abbey grounds when there are good pastures available beyond our walls. Let me handle this situation as I see fit."
Twirling the crook over her head, Robertasin brought the butt end down next to her feet with a resounding crash. The Father Abbot got no further than opening his mouth before the female squirrel turned her back on him. Once again, the stick flicked out, its hook end snagging the Badgermom's elbow. A sharp yank spun her around until she found herself facing the squirrel.
"You ever threaten another child in my presence again and I'll make sure you spend the next week in the Infirmary; if I'm feeling in a compassionate mood. That, vermin, is a promise. Remember, you have been warned."
The squirrel resumed her march towards the same doors the two children used earlier. Both Tassel and Father Hughnaught stood in place, listening to the sound of the shepherd's crook tapping the marble floor. As her paw opened the door, the black squirrel snarled her parting comment.
"You had better see fit about protecting honorable woodlanders from vermin like her, Father Abbot. Otherwise, Redwall's Council of Elders might replace you with somebody that will show a firmer paw to such ilk as her."
Neither the woodchuck nor the badger moved until the black squirrel exited the building. The hall now deserted, Father Hughnaught motioned to Tassel, indicating his desire that she follow him upstairs. They kept quiet as they climbed the marble stairs or walked down the long corridor to the Father Abbot's office. The woodchuck held the door open until she entered his private office.
"Thistle, see that Tassel and I are not disturbed, we have some issues to resolve."
Tassel plopped onto the sofa. Her fingers glided over the coarse fabric, her nails making a soft clicking noise as they moved against the grain. While she waited for the Father Abbot's verdict, she savored the warm feeling the sunlight gave her as it streamed through the picture window behind his desk.
The Father Abbot seemed reluctant to begin this confrontation. Tassel watched as he fiddled with the debris on his desk, arranging it in some better semblance of order. She knew the former chef had made some decision because of the deep sigh he gave before addressing her.
"You have got to allow the children a chance at settling their differences without interference. Both children know the rules about fighting, so I'm sure there would have been nothing more violent than some kind of sharp-tongued exchange. We can survive heated words, but not physical blows."
"If you honestly believe children always follow such rules, we should talk more often, Father Abbot. Mitteenna has been needling Amaris about her family history, or should I say lack of such, since she upstaged the girl in that spelling bee. When Mitteenna told her she shared responsible for her parent's death, she went too far. I'm just glad I stopped the fight before it escalated."
Tassel knew he didn't hear her, or chose not to listen. Whenever his eyes focused on his desk, like now, she knew the conversation would be one-sided. She waited for his judgment, knowing she could do nothing to change it.
"I will allow that Robertasin may have exaggerated, but I did hear you say something about offering Amaris a choice of punishments. You will lecture the girl on proper behavior, but you will not lay a paw on her, nor will you assign her to some chore for her actions. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Father Abbot."
You mind telling me how I am supposed to keep order in that Dormitory if I cannot use some disciplinary measure. Amaris misbehaved, that's true, but I consider her reactions quite normal. Anyway, regardless of her choice, I intended putting her on kitchen duty for one night since I think the other girl should share the blame and the punishment.
"May I ask what you will do about Mitteenna? Somebody should do something about her insolent manners when it comes to my young charges."
"She's in the school Dormitory and I know the beast overseeing her floor. I'll let the lady know about this problem."
And that's all you intend doing? If this was an isolated incident, or if Amaris the only target, I might find your solution appropriate. What bothers me is that you don't know how that vole's sharp tongue has lanced each child under my care at one time or another.
Tassel gave the Father Abbot a short curtsy before turning to the door. The woodchuck nodded and gave her a wide smile as she left his office. Though it might have brought enormous satisfaction, Tassel closed the door with a gentle touch. She gave the secretary a slight bow of the head before retreating down the hallway.
At the bottom of the stairway, she found Flashfoot pacing back and forth. When he spotted her making her way down the stairway, the young squirrel sped upward. Such an enthusiastic greeting dispelled whatever ill feelings she had earlier. She took his paw in hers. The two moved outside and into the sunlight.
My word, I didn't realize how much time I spent with the Father Abbot. If I can catch the squirrels gathering acorns this morning, maybe they'll take Flashfoot with them. It's the perfect chore and it will do him a world of good associating with his own kind.
There was an air of urgency as she raced through the Abbey, Flashfoot no more than a step or two behind her. A quick scan of the courtyard confirmed her fears. No squirrels remained. Tassel ran beyond the inner gate and into the passageway leading to the lush fields outside Redwall. Good fortune, she spotted three older squirrels just stepping through the outer gate. Her insistent calls stopped them but a few yards beyond the gate.
Badgermom Tassel came to a halt just inside the passageway. Sometimes the residents of Redwall forgot that the badger was not permitted beyond the outer gate and resented being called back once outside. For a moment, Tassel thought these elders might spurn her, but she relaxed when one male turned and approached her.
He stood with his arms crossed, scowling at her. If she read his body language right, it indicated his desire to be anywhere but here. Yet Tassel felt please that he seemed willing to hear what she had to say.
"You're wasting my time, vermin," he said. "The forest beckons, and you delay us."
"Good sir, would you take this one with you as a favor to me? I'm sure you could use another set of eager paws gathering acorns."
His frosty tone thawed enough that Tassel considered it civil. "Perhaps we can."
He slapped his paw against his hip, calling to the youngster. With a jaunty bounce, Flashfoot raced to the elder's side and latched onto his paw. The elder had no time for further conversation, even if he wanted to do so. Flashfoot kept pulling him towards the other adult squirrels. Tassel stood there waving for a moment.
She returned to the expansive area that encompassed the courtyard. Tassel considered her next task. She sat on one of the many benches and ticked off items from a mental checklist. The older children attended school, save the two still sleeping. Laundry wasn't due until tomorrow, and none of the garments needed mending. General cleaning came at the end of the school week, and Flashfoot would be busy until his usual naptime.
Then the welcomed realization came to her that she had time for some relaxation. Beneath her mask, she smiled. Such opportunities seldom came to her. She couldn't contain her enthusiasm, and spoke aloud.
"Whatever am I going to do today?"
Her first choice was something she enjoyed, but had not done for many weeks. With a purposeful stride, Tassel made her way to the basement of the Abbey. At the end of one corridor, she pushed open a door and found herself standing at the back of an enormous hall. Along the near wall sat a rack of musical instruments, each tagged with the name of the beast that used it. Tassel reached up and plucked a flute that bore her name.
She ran through the finger exercises, which cleared her mind. For a moment, she forgot the incident at breakfast, the confrontation with Robertasin, the snippy elders, and the Father Abbot's lecture. Music had a way of making even the worse of times seem bearable and she looked forward to playing a few ditties. Tassel regretted that all of the other elders who liked playing, had other tasks. Though she preferred playing her instrument with others, Tassel also enjoyed practicing alone.
Tassel lifted the instrument to her lips. She lightly blew into the mouthpiece and heard nothing. She tried giving the flute a hard blast, but still no sound. A quick inspection of the reed instrument revealed the reason for its malfunction. Somebody had driven a long metal rod down the middle, effectively sealing the flute. Tassel tried knocking it out with the palm of her paw, but it remained too firmly lodged.
She gave an exasperated sigh and started for the exit. Her paw reached for the doorknob, but it pulled away from her. The door continued opening until there was enough space for a male shrew. His startled expression showed he didn't expect anyone inside at this early hour.
Pleasantries exchanged, Tassel explained her problem while the shrew examined the instrument. Though other flutes were available, Tassel felt reluctant using another resident's instrument without their permission. The shrew promised he would fix her flute as the badger got ready to depart. A sudden thought came to Tassel.
"Tell me, sir, have any other beasts been down here in the last few days?"
"One class of school children came down two days ago. All of them were testing out various items and having a grand old time trying some of the instruments. I thought one child, a vole named Mitteenna, had been inspired enough that she wanted lessons because she returned later that same day. When I questioned her, she didn't seem too interested."
Mitteenna, it had to be her. I bet she saw these instruments with the names of the elders that played them and came back when she noticed my name. If that shrew had checked Mitteenna's pockets instead of trying to convince her to study music, he'd have found a hammer and a metal rod, I'm sure of it. There's no way I can prove it, but I'm willing to wager she drove that spike into my flute.
She strode out into the hallway. Tassel considered another option for her free time. She glided down the Abbey corridor and out the door, still mulling over several choices. A short distance away, she noticed a familiar building. Many of the females residing at Redwall used that place as a communal sewing room. Boxes containing bolts of cloth purchased, or traded, from itinerant merchants lined one wall. Several closets held the many dress forms, patterns, and tools needed for sewing new garments.
She knew her youngsters considered new clothing a luxury since her children relied on the generosity of Redwall's residents for whatever clothing they needed. Tassel couldn't leave the Abbey, which limited her opportunities at obtaining new cloth. She also lacked the financial resources for purchasing such material, forcing her to beg for money from the Father Abbot.
Still, over her many years, she had acquired a modest number of coins. Tassel recently buttonholed a merchant visiting the Abbey, and after a prolonged period of negotiation, purchased two bolts of cloth. She put them to good use during the winter. Nassella, a snippet of a female woodchuck, wore a new dress to a friend's birthday party and Sarweed attended the latest season festival with an eye-catching outfit.
There should be enough on one bolt to fashion a new blouse for Riversprite and a new pair of gloves for myself. I'll make a pair of trousers for one of the males; just don't know which one yet.
Like a tavern for the adult males, the communal sewing room became the focal point for all of the female residents. Ladies spent as much time gossiping as they did sewing. If something happened within the Abbey's walls, somebody would be talking about it.
Tassel resolved not to let anyone shame her from the room. When the other females ignored her, it made it easier concentrating on her sewing. Sometimes, animated exchanges ceased when she passed a group, and sometimes it turned into whispered comments and sideward glances in her direction. If somebody felt bold, she would tell Tassel to come back at a more convenient time. She did not intend to leave, regardless of their sentiments. She could use this place if she wished.
Today's silent treatment had an undertone Tassel could almost taste. She looked towards the large group of females sitting at one table. Tassel knew several remained openly hostile to her presence. In prior encounters, these same females commented on her child rearing abilities in a voice loud enough that she overheard. She tried defending herself once, but they ignored her and twisted her words.
Their expressions reminded Tassel of some snake stalking its prey, awaiting the right opportunity before striking. Thanks to her mask, these females had no idea how nervous she felt when they stared at her like that. Tassel crossed the room, reaching up to the storage rack where she stored her material. Throughout this routine action, Tassel noticed everyone watching her as if each expected something special to happen.
Opening the box proved quite a shock. Somebody had stolen her newest bolt of fabric. As for the remnant cloth on the other bolt, nothing usable remained. Some vandal slashed and ripped the cloth into useless swatches. That same vandal had also smeared the inside of the box and the cloth with a foul-smelling concoction taken from the compost heap. Behind her, she heard the light snickering of the assembled females.
There's no reason for me staying here. If I asked nice, they would claim they did not know who did this or where I could find my other bolt. If I act belligerent, each of them will march on the Father Abbot's office and I'll be suffering writer's cramp from all the letters of apology he'll make me do.
As she carried the box to the rubbish heap, she noticed something on the lid. In the exuberance of vandalizing her property, the perpetrator left a paw print. One look convinced her that the beast doing this horrid thing had to be a child.
When she reached the compost heap, she asked if any child had removed some of the material for either a potted plant or a garden. The fellow handling the chore of maintaining the compost heap remembered one child. Hearing that child's name confirmed her suspicions about the vandal's identity.
I'm going to guess that if I went to Mitteenna's room, there would be no potted plant. Just because the Law considers me vermin, doesn't mean any woodlander can take such liberties with my belongings. Yet she will get away with her malicious behavior. Maybe Mitteenna doesn't realize she did more harm to my children than she did to me. Too bad not one of those honorable woodlanders will admit knowing she did it.
Though the sun shone in a clear sky, the Badgermom felt as if black clouds engulfed her and threatened to dump torrents of rain. The warm spring air no longer caressed her. Instead, it became a chill wind, dampening her spirits.
The Abbey's Tower clock chimed the noon hour. Tassel hastened to the schoolhouse. At least there, her efforts on behalf of her children reaped benefits and the elders running the place appreciated her diligence. The teacher knew Tassel believed schoolwork came first. They knew she made sure all homework assignments were done in a timely manner and unless a child became ill, every child attended class.
Tassel saw a tall mouse supporting himself with a cane exiting the schoolhouse. She watched him hobble over to a nearby bench. His arrival proved providential as the noon hour struck, releasing the students. Tassel had just enough time to join the mouse when the doors burst open and a menagerie of youngsters stormed outside. She watched the living wave wash across the courtyard and crash into the Abbey's front doors. In a matter of seconds, the creatures flooded the building, no doubt scoffing down whatever chow the cooks had prepared.
Peace followed bedlam and Tassel cleared her throat in a dainty manner, hoping the mouse would notice her. He turned his head and glanced over the rims of his spectacles, his eyebrows raised in an inquisitive manner. When he said nothing, Tassel broke the silence.
"Principal Longreed, I'm so glad I got this opportunity. We need to talk."
"About those two youngsters of yours missing classes this morning?" The mouse's head bobbed as he gave a low laugh. "I'm afraid you're too late. Healer Fazbee stopped by my office this morning. He told me all about last night and asked if the children could skip classes today. I may have concurred with his request, but told him it was your decision."
For just a moment, Tassel resented the Healer's interference. Then she remembered the Principal's last comment and relaxed. It felt good knowing somebody thought her competent when it came to deciding what was best for her dibbuns.
"Healer Fazbee was quite right. Both children assisted with the otter's birth late last night. I let them sleep in this morning. I'll have them in class after lunch and I would appreciate it if the teachers could help them catch up whatever lessons they missed."
"Consider it done, dear lady." As Tassel stood, Principal Longreed caught her paw. "One more thing, two teachers tell me there was a near altercation between Mitteenna and two girls from your Dormitory."
"Any idea what it was about?"
The Principal shook his head, and Tassel thanked him. A quick glance at the clock told her she must move faster. Hurrying her steps, Tassel rushed back to the Dormitory. She opened the door and hustled down the narrow corridor until she got to the main room.
Like this morning, both Shortspike and Kurella still slept. Unlike this morning, Tassel decided a more considerate wake-up call would be just as effective. She gave each child a gentle shake and an insistent, but firm voice. The two would-be healers awoke. At least the two children appeared refreshed after their long sleep.
A light clap caught their attention. "Alright you two sleepy-heads, time to get up. If you hurry, you might get whatever's left from the lunch menu."
Tassel had to back-step as both children yanked off their wrinkled garments and donned fresh outfits. Placing her paws on her hips, Tassel issued a mild rebuke.
"Those clothes were neat and clean this morning. Since you two like mussing garments, what say I have you volunteer for tonight's ironing detail?"
The two girls groaned as one, which made Tassel chuckle. She squeezed their shoulder with a light touch. "It's not that bad, girls. You can start right after your homework is finished. You'll iron until the Dibbun Bell rings. Perhaps a little more than an hour, and you're done."
When the girls tried dodging past her, she blocked their path. She grabbed Shortspike first and twisted her about for inspection. Tassel then brushed off a stray piece of lint and after kissing the girl on the tip of her muzzle, allowed her to pass. Kurella went through the same inspection and rolled her eyes in exasperation when she adjusted her skirt, admonishing her about not checking her tail's vent.
"Last thing I want to see on you, girl, is a raw spot because you didn't wear your skirt properly."
Kurella suffered Tassel's affection. As the mouse passed her, she got a playful swat to her backside. A moment later, the sound of the door closing left her alone. Since Tassel had returned to the Dormitory, she decided now was as good a time as any for making the beds. Her usual routine had her do this right after the children left for school, but the altercation with Mitteenna threw her off schedule.
Oh how those two girls are growing. Healer Fazbee told me he will be sending Shortspike to another Healer for her training and I'm not looking forward to her leaving me. Kurella is becoming a typical teenager all too soon. There are days when she prefers, almost insist, being treated like an elder. I miss not hugging or kissing that girl, but for the next year or two, the last thing she will want is such mushy stuff. I just hope Kurella will not forget how much I love her.
Bed making was one of those tasks Tassel did without much thought. Her paws moved automatically, tucking sheets, straightening blankets, and fluffing pillows. For a moment, her mind recalled that she first saw a bed when she came to Redwall. As a slave, and a field worker, she always slept on the ground. Many times, she did so without the benefit of a blanket. Such a simple task back then seemed so complicated and now her mind wandered whenever she tidied the beds.