Redclaw

Chapter Four

They days passed slowly for Veil, as he was restricted to bed for most of it, especially when Sister Withe found out he would not be taking it easy from his constant training and physical upkeep. He first found out he was to be restricted to the infirmary during the third morning of his recovery. Sister Withe had been replacing his bandage when she told him.

"What? I can't stay in here!"

The mouse simply shook her head and tied down the wrap, keeping his right arm still, "Well you don't have any say in the matter. You are going to stay in this room", she smirked as she added, "Or do I need to get the Abbess?"

Veil was silent for a moment before saying, "Oh that's low."

The abbey sister chuckled, "But effective", she gently squeezed his uninjured shoulder, "I do need you to take it easy. Just for a few days. If your body isn't allowed to rest then that two week deadline will become a two month deadline", she climbed out from behind him and walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a small bowl, filled with powdered soap. She set it next to the rinse basin and began to wash her paws. When she turned back she saw nothing but an empty bed, and simply slapped a paw over her eyes.

After drying her paws Withe went out into the hall and looked around, trying to find her wayward patient. Instead she found Erin, "Have you seen Veil? He took off when I told him he had to rest."

The fox chuckled and shook his head, "That doesn't surprise me. For as long as I've known him, Red's been too free a spirit to be held in by walls, just because somebody tells him he should be", the fox began to walk past her saying, "If I see Red I'll tell him to come back."

Withe crossed her arms slightly, asking, "Why do you call him that?"

Erin stopped, confused, "What?"

Sister Withe stepped a little closer, "Why don't you call him Veil? It's his name."

The fox shrugged, "Because he asked me not to", he looked back down the hall from where he'd come, "He feels that he had tarnished that name in his youth, made it a weak and cowardly name. So he simply goes by Redclaw. We've been thru a lot together and so I respect his opinion a lot. If he asks me not to do something, I don't do it. Plain and simple", he turned and resumed walking, "Goodbye Sister Withe."

The female mouse sighed and walked down the hall, moving towards the stairs. Finding Jodd, Skipper, and a few others she asked that they keep their eyes out for Veil. She then went about her rounds, she had two other patients to treat.

Erin entered the room he and his friend had been given and saw something that surprised him. Dewclaw…talking to an otter.

A female otter.

The two looked over as they heard the fox's boots on the floor and Dewclaw nodded to his comrade, "Hey Erin. How's Red?"

The fox shrugged, "I'd assume he's fine. He managed to give Sister Withe the slip and is loose somewhere on the grounds", he walked over and smiled, "Who's your friend?"

Dewclaw smiled in return, "This is Glory. Glory, this is Erin."

The otteress offered her paw and Erin shook it as she said, "Pleasure to finally meet you. My family only came into Redwall yesterday, and the other otters have done nothing but talk about your group. The only ones I haven't been introduced to are Blackeye and your leader Veil", she noticed a look that passed quickly between ferret and fox and became confused, "Is that not right?"

Dewclaw answered first, "It is. But you shouldn't call him that. Call him Redclaw, or just Red. But never Veil."

The otteress nodded, "Sure, you know him best Dewie."

She then surprised both Erin and Dewclaw by leaning in and giving the ferret a quick peck on the cheek. The ferret's blush darkened his ears and the otter maiden blushed furiously herself before leaving the room in a hurry, overcome by a fit of the giggles. Dewclaw rubbed his cheek an Erin laughed, "Well well. Somebody's got themselves an admirer!"

The ferret glared at his friend, "Oh shut up!"

He got up and moved over to his bow and arrows, grumbling to himself as Erin put two and two together, "Oh Gods in Heaven, you like her too!"

Dewclaw wheeled on the fox and snapped, "So? It's not like it'd work out anyway. We're leaving in two weeks and she can't come along. Not to mention the fact that we're different…it just wouldn't work."

Erin actually had a hurt look on his face, "My family worked just fine thank you. I can't believe how hypocritical you're being. You joined our group so you could change things, make them better! And you've done a great job until now. You have helped a score of families and changed their opinions about ferrets just by yourself. I can tell you've already made a dozen or more friends at this abbey. And you're worried they might not accept it if something actually happened between you and that girl? Now who's being stubborn and narrow minded?"

Dewclaw sighed and sat on his bed, "I don't know. But there's just something about her. She captivates me Erin. I get lost in her eyes and her voice, I wish I knew what it was…"

Erin just laughed, "Just take your time and if it's meant to be, you'll find out what it is."

Dewclaw just sighed again and nodded…

Veil was found later that evening. He was sitting on top of the threshold for the main gates, his footpaws dangling outside the gates as he watched the wind blow in the trees, with their changing leaves. He sighed as he heard somebeast coming up behind him. A quick glance over his shoulder revealed none other than Sunflash. The badger turned and sat against the section of rampart that Veil was sitting on. The badger's considerable height difference kept him at eye level for the seated ferret.

"You know. Byrony was worried you might've gone off and done something stupid", he said.

Veil shrugged, "I can't blame her. I disappear for ten seasons then just show up again out of the blue with a bolt sticking out of my back and a terrified mousemaid in my arms and a small group of armed ferrets and foxes at my side. I'm surprised she even let us thru the door."

Sunflash chuckled, "She is a good abbess. She seems to have this knack with others, to the extent that she can tell when some beast has good intentions or evil on their mind. In the seasons that I've been here she has avoided catastrophe and bloodshed on four occasions."

Veil smiled, "She always was good at that sort of thing. And very good with her words. She managed to talk me out of trouble more times than I can count."

The ferret turned himself around and hopped down off the wall, landing on the rampart beside Sunflash, "I never did thank you. For protecting her from Swartt."

The badger waved his large paw, "Don't worry about it. Had it been my mother out there and you had been there I'm sure you would have done the same."

Veil laughed at that, "Not back then I wouldn't have! I was such a mess I'd probably have turned and ran", he took a deep breath to calm himself, "I'm glad those days are behind me."

Sunflash patted the ferret on his uninjured shoulder, "So am I. Now we can be proper friends."

Veil smiled, "Very true", as he began to walk away he said, "Oh by the way. Sundew and Sandgall send their wishes."

Sunflash was silent for a moment, until the names clicked and he scrambled to his footpaws and ran to catch up with Veil, "Wait! You've been to my mountain?"

Several more days passed, during which Veil kept to his word and didn't train or spar with his friends. Though he would spend almost the entire day outside, simply sitting and feeling the sun on his body. As dawn broke on the fourteenth day he hopped out of his bed and began removing his bandages. Once they were off he rolled his shoulder and smiled when he felt no pain. He immediately dropped down and did a set of twenty pushups, laughing again as he still felt no pain. Literally jumping to his paws he yanked on his old dark green tunic and turned to the window. Throwing the shutters open his smile faded as he felt the cold.

His breath puffed in front of his face and he said grimly, "We'll be cutting it close."

He quickly left the room after gathering his gear, running past Sister Withe as she came to check on him. The abbey mouse noticed his free arm and sighed, before scurrying off to warn the Abbess. Veil shoved open the door to his comrade's room and shouted, "Wake up Gents! We're movin' out!"

Several of them started at his shout and fell out of bed, landing on the wood floor with solid thuds. Erin, who'd managed to remain in his bunk, stood up and yawned, "Has it been two weeks already?"

He glanced at Veil and snorted, seeing him standing there in his full gear, "Good grief Red, you really want to get out of here don't you?"

Veil shrugged, "I suppose I do. I know we've still got work to do out there so I want to get moving. Besides", he moved over to one of the large dormitory windows and threw open the shutters, letting in the cold air, "Winter is officially here. I'm hoping we can get lucky and make it south before the heavy snow hits."

The others nodded and began to stir, gathering their old clothes, freshly repaired and re-stitched before collecting their weapons and bags and following their leader out into the hall. As the group of ten descended to the Great hall they were surprised to see their new friends gathered there waiting for them. Jodd laughed and said, "Didn't think we'd let you run off without a jolly proper goodbye now did you?"

Veil smiled, "I suppose not."

The small band dispersed in amongst their friend and paws were shook in thanks and appreciation. As the two groups separated Lefty stayed with the Redwallers, smiling and shrugging, "I'm getting' too old for the rovin' you plan on doin' m'boy", he turned to face Byrony, "If you'll have me Ma'am, I'd like to stay."

Byrony smiled and spread her arms wide, "You are welcome to stay as long as you wish."

Veil chuckled, "Suppose I should've seen that coming", he turned to look at the rest of his comrades, "What about any of you? Do any of you plan on staying?"

Eight pairs of eyes moved to rest on Dewclaw, who was standing next to Glory, their paws clasped. The two looked at each other and smiled softly before the otter maid walked to stand with the other Redwallers. Dewclaw followed her with his eyes 'til she stood amongst her kin and friends, "No. I'm coming along."

Veil nodded and turned back to the Redwallers who they'd come to befriend, "Then I guess that's goodbye."

Suddenly several mice came out carrying large haversacks. Byrony looked at them and said, "Good. I'd worried that Friar Bunfold would be late."

The fat friar mouse, turning grey with his age came waddling out into the hall and said, "Late? I'm never late!"

He stood next to the Abbess and said, "These provisions should last you a good while if your careful. They're not much, but they are better than what raw things you can dig up in the wild."

Veil smiled and gave a small bow to the mouse who handed him his sack, "Thank you", he then repeated his thanks to the friar, "Thank you very much Friar Bunfold. These will be very appreciated."

The large mouse waved off any further thanks, "Think nothing of it my boy. "

With that they strolled out onto the front courtyard and Sunflash opened the gates leading out to the path. As the ferrets and foxes passed the badger Lord leant in and whispered something to Veil before passing him a scroll of parchment. As the gates swung shut behind them the small band turned to their leader for direction and Erin asked, "So which way Red?"

Veil pointed to the trees and said, "Southwest. To Salamandastron."

That same day that dawned so cold on Redwall, also dawned cold on a crew of corsair rats trapped inland. These rats, numbering threescore or so, were a ragged but bloodthirsty group, murderers all. And they were lead by a beast even worse, the rat captain, Skalrag the Vicious. Until only a season ago this corsair roamed the seas, taking what he wanted and obliterating anything and anyone who stood in his way. However misfortune struck his ship as they sailed up a great river, taking slaves and fresh plunder. The former cook had accidentally set fire to the galley, and the whole ship had gone up in a blaze, all slaves and booty sinking to the bottom as the ruined carcass drifted downstream before sinking to the bottom.

Needless to say Skalrag hadn't been happy with this, and so he disciplined the cook by flaying him alive. Now the crew was simply a marauding horde, still pillaging and plundering as they went, but they all knew to stay away from their captain as much as possible, lest they be next to feel his blade.

Skalrag the Vicious had stepped out of his makeshift tent on that cold morning and called his first mate to his side. As the other rat ran to his side Skalrag said, "Lockjaw, did the trackers come back yet?"

The other rat nodded, "Yessir they did. They lost the ferret's tracks in the woods, and never found a body", Lockjaw decided to take a risk, "Cap'n? You shot the ferret yourself. Nobeast could've survived that kind of injury! Why keep looking for him?"

Skalrag snorted, "Why keep looking he says. I'll tell ya why…because he took that new slave from me! That pretty little wench would've kept my bed warm this winter. Not to mention he de-maled Longtail, and swiftly and silently dispatched three others, without so much as leaving a usable track"the rat walked back into his tent and picked up the only clue as to their intruder's identity…The Iron Claw!

"This was the only thing he left behind", the rat pointed at an inscription at the base of the claw part, "See that?"

The first mate swallowed and studied the swirling lines, "Yessir? What does it mean?"

Skalrag answered by snarling and smacking the rat across the top of the head, "Idiot! I was about to answer that meself! It's the language of the hares. It reads 'Redclaw."

Lockjaw stared at the intricate lines and said, "How c'n y'tell Cap'n? Just looks like squiggly lines t'me."

Again the smaller rat was smacked in the head, "Don't speak of things y'do not know! Trust me it says Redclaw, plain as day."

This time the first mate stepped away from his captain before responding, "If'n y'say so Cap'n…but so what? How're we gonna find 'im? If'n he didn't die then he's long gone by now."

Skalrag was silent, which was worse than if he'd started shouting, because if he was quiet, he was dangerous. Finally he spoke, "Lockjaw. Get the crew on their feet. We're movin' south!"

The first officer nodded and scurried out of the tent, pulling a small brass whistle from a pocket and blowing on it. The shrill note woke every rat there and they scrambled to obey the orders the fisrt mate was shouting. Inside the tent Skalrag clutched the Iron Claw tightly and muttered, "Soon I shall have you, Redclaw."

End Chapter Four