The two beasts stood side by side, contemplating the mud. The sun was still blotted out by the thick vapours overhead, which kept the wetlands cool.
"Will you go to Redwall Abbey, then?" Sed mumbled after a while.
"Should I not find the fort first? Let 'em know?" Det suggested.
"I think your absence denotes a general assumption that you 'ave departed."
"By that logic, the fort's absence is a general assumption that it 'as departed."
"Very good. You're learnin', Det. To think this mornin' you knew no logic at all."
"Perhaps I should ask Malcolm the way to Redwall?"
"You remember 'im too?"
"Unforgettable sort of beast. He said South at any rate."
"Off you go then."
Neither beast moved.
"I feel sick, Sed," Det groaned.
"It's the poison, Det," Sed concluded.
"Can't you 'elp me?"
"No idea 'ow."
"I feel cold, too."
"So do I. I slept in the mud."
"I sleep in mud too!"
"What do you want from me?" Sed was silent as Det sat himself down in the mud. He followed suite and huddled up to his friend for warmth.
"Are you ever goin' to relieve me of my duty?" Sed asked, annoyed.
"You're relieved, Sed."
"Thanks, Det."
"Are your paws able to walk to the Abbey?"
"I'd need fresh mud."
"It's a fair price. What do you think the Abbey's like?" Det tilted his head.
"Gorgeous. No curses to be found," Sed answered tersely.
"The climate?"
"Warm, always sunny."
"Could get too sunny. Might fry my brains." Det looked worried.
"You can cool off in the mud."
"Redwall 'as mud?"
"A private lake of it, no doubt. Fancy, 'igher class woodlanders always treat 'emselves to luxuries," Sed sneered. Det tried to copy him, but could not quite work his facial muscles into the one-sided baring of teeth.
"Alright, I'm in. When do we leave?" Det continued.
"I'll be staying."
"Why?"
"I 'ave to bury you, mate," Sed stated gravely.
"Aye. I'm still poisoned," Det remembered.
"Quite right. Sorry I didn't tell you earlier."
"No problem. Am I still goin' to Redwall?"
"Oi, if you insist. We can play at poisoners later."
"You're the best, Sed."
"Not at all, my dear Det." Sed was still fidgeting with his footpaws in the mud. The ferret and the weasel lapsed into silence once more.
"Do you believe in Redwall, Det?" Sed finally broke the silence.
"Believe in it? Why shouldn't I?" The weasel replied.
"We 'aven't seen it."
"Aye, but I trust Malcolm."
"Why? We only met 'im briefly."
"I liked 'im. Seemed an honest beast."
"That's no basis for makin' a perilous journey after some supposed Abbey," Sed huffed.
"Why's it always got to be seein' is believin' with you?" Det shook his head unhappily.
"What other way would I know anythin' was real or not?"
"You could take some beast's word for it."
"Like the curse of Marshank?"
"Orright, you don't 'ave to believe everythin' beasts'll tell you. I admit a curse on Marshank is a bit far fetched. But Redwall Abbey is a reasonable thought."
"Oi. I'm 'appy enough 'ere." Sed announced boldly. Det raised an eyebrow.
"Tellin' the truth?" Det asked lightly. Sed's shoulders slumped.
"No."