The morning after that action-packed night at Redwall. Not the best chapter ever, kind of rough here and there, but it gets the job done. :)

Chapter 49

Dawn was just beginning to show itself on the eastern horizon of Mossflower, casting a pale, pre-dawn light upon the valley, and upon Redwall Abbey. Morning was rapidly approaching. However, inside the abbey, few were awake yet. The only exceptions were the morning guards stationed on the walltops, and three other creatures actually inside the abbey's main building. Those three creatures was composed of a fox and two mice, one much older than the other.

Abbot Isaiah sat at his desk in his study, and looked at the sight that now stood before him, inwardly amused. For, standing in front of him, awaiting for him to address them, was Kani and Charles. The attitudes of both had changed overnight, it seemed. Kani stood there, arms folded, looking determined but patient. The sword of Martin was strapped to the fox's waist, and looked entirely like the blade belonged there.

Charles stood beside him, and his appearance was similar to Kani's. Together, they stood in similar postures, except Charles didn't have his arms folded. One could also see that Charles still bore the depressed, withdrawn, and self-loathing he had obtained ever since that incident on the walls, but it was much less apparent. Charles had finally obtained control over his emotions, and weren't letting them control him anymore. Beyond that, he looked just as determined as Kani. He also carried the repeating crossbow that the young mouse couldn't seemed to be separated from anymore, as well as a quiver full of more the special arrows the crossbow used slung over one shoulder.

Both had grown over the course of last night's events, becoming stronger and wiser than before. Charles even looked older, and for him, that was a good thing.

Isaiah was impressed. Clearly, a lot can happen in just one night.

He regarded what they had just told him for a moment longer, however. "You say that the commander of the Gemini army is doubting her very cause?" he repeated, a little surprised by this news.

"That's correct, or at least, as far as we can figure." Kani confirmed.

"We have evidence that suggests as such." Charles added.

"I'm not doubting that." Isaiah said. "In fact, I see your point. If this is indeed true, then we could have a very good chance to resolve the problem with no more bloodshed. But..." he shook his head, "...why? Why now and not later? What happened to cause her to doubt?"

"We're not sure." Kani admitted. "All we know is what Blackwing heard and told us. But something clearly happened during this whole conflict that got her like this."

"It doesn't really matter, though." Charles pressed. "The point is that if she's doubting, then maybe we can get her to switch sides. And if we can get her to switch sides..."

"...the majority should follow." Kani finished. "At the very least, it's worth a try."

Isaiah nodded in agreement. "Anything to prevent more bloodshed." he said, rising. "What shall be our next move? I wish your opinions on the matter."

"We talk with them." Kani said. "Arrange to meet with the leaders under peaceful terms, and discuss the very matter of loyalty, see if we can encourage the process."

"Not just anyone can delegate that delicately, however." Charles pointed out. "It can't just be anyone."

"I will do whatever delegating is necessary, this is one thing I know that I am very skilled at." Isaiah remarked. "However, I would like the presence of both of you, so I can ask for more input as needed."

The two nodded, and jointly voiced their agreement.

"Anything else, Father Abbot?" Charles asked, as Isaiah retrieved his cane and started hobbling out from behind his desk.

"Yes, Charles, go down to the walltops and inform Skipper Rowe of our plan, and have him ready." Isaiah instructed. "I will join you there shortly, after I get some quick breakfast. When I arrive, we'll see if we can begin the talks. No need to hold them off, after all. Kani, I would like you to be there when I begin."

Kani nodded. "Certainly, but may I ask why?"

Isaiah grinned, and pointed a claw at the sheathed sword Kani had strapped to his belt. "You need to ask?" he said teasingly, then turned serious as he headed for the study door. "Call it superstition, but I would feel safer if the warrior of Redwall was present, in case things went awry."

"Very well." Kani said as he followed the abbot. Charles followed them out the door as well, but then pushed ahead of them to carry out the instructions he had been given. Kani waited until he had gone until he continued. "However, I feel that I should warn you Father Abbot that just because I accepted possession of the sword of Martin does not mean I intend to stay at Redwall. This will probably only be temporary. There is still the matter of Angola to resolve, after all."

Isaiah nodded. "Of course." he said. "But let's just wait and see how things turn out, and cross that bridge when we come to it, shall we?"

Kani nodded, then paused. "Father Abbot, one more thing." at this, he turned hesitant. "Would it possible to perhaps hold off telling the Redwallers about my...decision?"

Isaiah sighed. "They aren't going to take the news well, are they?" he asked aloud.

Kani shook his head. "Not likely."

"Kani, I can perfectly understand your hesitation, and I myself have some of my own." Isaiah said. "It would certainly allow for things to run smoother during this possibly pivotal moment. However, they still have a right to know. Surely you must see that."

Kani nodded. "I do." he said. "I won't hold it against you."

Isaiah nodded. "Tell you what, I won't say anything unless they ask." he remarked. "That should at least slow down the news." he gave the fox a comforting grin. "Now go on, and do whatever you need to do while I breakfast. No need for you to hang around an old and slow fogey all morning."

Kani laughed. "You are certainly everything but an old fogey, Father Abbot, I am finding that out quite quickly." he hurried on ahead, though, taking the abbot's advice. "However, there is one thing I wish to do while I have the chance."


Mathoni was currently sound asleep in his bed in his dormitory, with visions of watershrimp dancing through his head.

This was all rudely shattered when someone suddenly threw back the covers on his bed. Startled at the sudden chill that swept over his body, not helped by the breeze of the covers being whisked brushing his fur, Mathoni gasped, flinched, and curled up into a tight ball to try and conserve the heat he had been adjusted to feeling. He slowly started to wake up, but this was sped up significantly when the shutters on the dormitory window were thrown open, allowing a burst of morning light to flood the room. Even though the young otter's eyes were still closed, the suddenly light nearly blinded him.

"Gah!" Mathoni finally cried, sitting up, rubbing at his sleepy eyes. "All right, all right, mate, who ever ye are, I'm up!"

"Yes, get up, rise and shine, for it's morning, and there is things to do!" the voice replied brightly.

Mathoni recognized it, and finally opened his eyes to look at the fox. "Kani?" he muttered. "Um, good morning...wot brings ye 'ere, matey?"

"To get you up!" Kani repeated, grabbing Mathoni by the shoulders and hefting the otter to his paws. "I want your help with this."

"With wot?" Mathoni objected as Kani tossed him some clean clothes to put on.

"Came up with a plan with Charles last night." Kani explained, as Mathoni put on the clean garments. "We've got an idea on how to end the conflict Redwall currently has with the Followers of Gemini."

"Wait, hold on!" Mathoni said, his still sleepy mind feeling lost as he pulled on a clean tunic. "Plan? Wot plan? When did ye meet with Charles?"

"Late last night, neither of us could sleep." Kani replied distractedly, with the wave of his paw. "We're going to put it into action here soon, and...and I figured you would like to be there."

"Aye, probably." Mathoni replied, smoothing out the wrinkles on the clothes now that he had him on, and watched Kani as, seeing that the otter was dressed, started out the dormitory's door. "But wot is this plan." it was then that he noticed the sword that Kani carried. "Whoa, wait! Where did ye get that?"

Kani glanced at it briefly as he walked out, and winced slightly. "Long story." he admitted. "A part of me is still wondering if I'll regret accepting it, but..." he shrugged.

Mathoni hurried to keep up with him. "Hold on, ye sayin' that ye were given that?" he asked. He stared at the sheathed sword for a long moment. "That is wot I think it is...right?"

Kani unsheathed the sword of Martin and held it up for Mathoni to see. The young otter's jaw nearly unhinged as he realized the enormity of what this meant. "Ye mean t' say that ye're th' warrior of Redwall now?" he asked in awe.

Kani nodded, returning the sword to it's sheath. "I don't blame you if you have mixed feelings about that." he said softly. "Like I said, I still have mixed feelings myself." he inhaled sharply. "But at the moment, I think this is the best choice I can make at the moment, and it probably won't be permanent anyway, so I'm going to go with it. Regardless of what everyone else might say on the matter."

He then continued walking. Mathoni watched him, hesitating to follow. Kani was right, he did have mixed feelings at the moment at the idea of Kani being the warrior of Redwall, but he kept his mouth shut about the matter, for two reasons. One, he trusted Kani, and he trusted that there was probably a very good reason he became the warrior, as he knew of no instance where this wasn't the case. And second, he didn't want to offend his friend. Instead, he changed the subject.

"So wot is this plan ye keep mentionin'?" Mathoni asked, hurrying to keep up with Kani.


Isaiah did exactly as he said he would do, and wandered down to the kitchens to obtain some breakfast, which Friar Machaerus, who had just barely gotten up by then, was more than happy to provide. He dined in peace in Cavern Hole. While he did so, other inhabitants of the abbey started to wake up and wander around. As it was still too early for the official breakfast, few entered Cavern Hole, but a few kitchen workers did pass by, who greeted the abbot cheerfully as they went.

When he was done dining, Isaiah exited Cavern Hole, to head outside to the walltops as planned. But as he stepped out into Great Hall, he quickly noticed that a crowd had gathered around the area where the sword of Martin was usually hung, several pointing up at the now empty space, and conversing urgently amongst themselves. Isaiah looked at the sight, and sighed.

"Well, that didn't take long." he muttered.

He started to walk on to head outside, knowing that he would go past the cluster of creatures on his way out, but hoped that they simply wouldn't notice him as he went by.

He had no such luck.

"Hey, there's the abbot!" Linus stated suddenly from within the crowd, and pointed at the elderly mouse. "He'd know. Father Abbot, where's Martin's sword?"

"Was a warrior selected t' wield it?" Malachi asked, the young hare bouncing up to ask the abbot this.

Isaiah hesitated, but did not stop heading for the exit. "Yes." he finally replied simply.

"Who?" Aquila called out from within the group, that was now following the abbot.

Isaiah started going as fast as he could manage, closing his eyes as he replied. "Kani."

The group following him paused for a brief moment, caught off guard by the name, and for some, it didn't mean much to them, and were momentarily lost.

"Kani?" Someone in the group said. "Wait, isn't that the fox?"

Murmuring broke loose again, as several started to agree, and it slowly started to raise in volume. Isaiah ignored it as he headed outside and started for the walltops. For a moment, no one followed him, which was a temporary relief, but it didn't last. Finally, members of the council of elders broke from the group and chased after Isaiah.

"Father Abbot, is it true?" Linus asked as he caught up with Isaiah. "You made the fox the warrior?"

"Yes." Isaiah replied.

"Why? What on earth made you think he was the creature for the job?" Aquila asked, sounding puzzled.

"A number of reasons, but it overall just seemed right." Isaiah replied.

"Yes, but he's a fox." Linus pressed. "In other words, vermin!"

"Not according to Kani, Mathoni, Rowe, and others." Isaiah said. "And I have no reason to distrust the word of any of them."

"Well, I jolly well do!" a voice echoed from behind him, and an angry Friar Machaerus came marching up, Malachi trailing behind his father, having gone to fetch him and tell him the news. "I want t' know wot bright idea it was t' give that fox a weapon of any sort!"

"Because I trusted Kani, and anyway, I left the choice up to him." Isaiah pressed before this got much further. "It was he who made the final choice, not I."

"But of course, he said yes straightaway, wot!" Machaerus barked as he joined the ever growing group.

"Actually, no." Isaiah remarked. "He was extremely hesitant, nearly didn't accept the sword."

"He was?" Linus remarked. The squirrel was surprised. "Why would he be so hesitant?"

"Wot bloomin' difference does it make?" Machaerus declared. "Right now, we've got a flippin' fox wanderin', carryin' the very symbol of Redwall with his grubby paws! Are we really going t' just stand by and let this continue?"

"Now hold on just a moment." Sister Mint remarked, joining the group. "I question this judgement just as much as you do, Machaerus, but this fox isn't like the other foxes Redwall has encountered."

"Aye, I have to wonder if maybe this is a satisfactory choice." Linus remarked, suddenly torn over the matter. "I mean, if he hesitated to accept the blade as much as Isaiah suggests..."

Aquila agreed with her husband with a nod.

"Don't!" Machaerus exclaimed warningly. "Don't even go there, anyone! This isn't right, an' we all now it!"

Isaiah merely ignored the argument that was going on around him, and continued onward for the walltops. He was nearly there. He could see that Kani and Charles were already there, as he expected, and were talking with Skipper Rowe, who probably knew everything by now himself, and seemed to have come to terms with it. Mathoni was also present, standing to one side, and Illia and Tobias were stationed as guards nearby, and were listening attentively. Isaiah hoped to arrive up there peacefully without drawing the attention to the commotion that was going on in the grounds, but it was hoped in vain. The commotion drew their attention anyway.

"Father Abbot, what's going on?" Kani called suddenly as he motioned to Rowe to stop speaking for a moment, and looked down at the elderly mouse about to climb the stairs leading up to the ramparts.

"They found out." Isaiah replied.

Kani's eyes locked on the group of creatures arguing, who had fallen behind the abbot in their arguing, and let his ears droop. "Oh bother." he muttered.

"'Found out?'" Mathoni repeated, who hadn't put two with two yet.

"There he is!" Machaerus suddenly exclaimed from within the group, and with the agility only a hare could have, shot forward and up the stairs, pushing the abbot aside in the process.

"Machaerus!" Sister Mint exclaimed as she and Aquila hurried forward to help the elderly mouse as he stumbled.

The friar ignored them, and didn't stop until he was face to face with Kani. Kani, growing alarmed, placed a paw on the hilt of the sword he carried, adding to the tension.

"All right, you!" Machaerus exclaimed. "Relinquish that blade this instant, and get out of our abbey! You've gone an' stepped too far now, wot-wot!"

"I'm trying to help you." Kani growled, gazing at Machaerus dangerously. He already disliked the hare due to past encounters. "You really willing to stop me from doing that?"

"Help us? HA!" Machaerus spat. He jabbed a claw into Kani's ribs. "You're up to something, I just know it! All vermin are! Never met one that was different in all me life! Probably just waitin' t' stab us all in the back the first moment you get!"

"What?" Charles said, trying to step in-between those two. "Not Kani!"

"Then prove it!" Machaerus barked.

"He's tryin', mate, but th' likes of ye aren't lettin' him do it!" Rowe said, also moving in the way.

"I don't think he wants proof that I am what I say I am." Kani said, not backing down, glaring at the hare, who glared back. "He wants proof of what I am not."

"An' who's t' say that you aren't?" Machaerus challenged. "I will never trust a fox like you with anything in this abbey!"

"Machaerus, that's enough!" Isaiah reprimanded as he arrived on the ramparts no worse for wear, the rest of the group following behind him. "You've made your point. Now back off before someone gets hurt because of your reckless actions."

Machaerus turned to the abbot to object, but fell short as he saw Isaiah's glare that the elderly mouse was giving him, a rarity for him. Machaerus didn't calm down, though.

"It isn't right, Father Abbot!" he objected. "He shouldn't have that sword! Now give it up!" he went to grab the sword forcefully from Kani's waist, but was quickly restrained.

"Machaerus." Isaiah repeated darkly. "Back off."

"Father," Malachi said, coming to his father's side quickly. "The abbot's right, you've made your point, now please, stop!" he looked frightened, worrying that a fight might break loose.

Machaerus fumed, however, and looked around for supporters. He got none. "Confound it!" he cried. "Why can't you silly beasts see it? You aren't seriously going t' let this fox take our sword, are you? Great seasons, I could be a better warrior than that flea-bitten..."

Kani had the sword out in a flash, before anyone could stop him, and had it pointed at Machaerus's throat menacingly. He had enough of the friar's bad temper.

The fox glared at the hare coldly for a long moment. "I'd be more than happy to give you the sword, hare." he said challengingly. "If you fight me for it."

Machaerus finally backed down at this, but he still looked like he had half a mind to take the fox up on the challenge.

"Kani, lower the sword." Isaiah instructed when Machaerus started to back off.

Kani nodded, and started to put the sword away, taking his eyes off Machaerus in the process. It was then that Machaerus suddenly lashed out with one of his paws, catching Kani on the side of his head. The fox tumbled to the stone walkpath of the ramparts. Several things then happened at once. More than one creature rushed forward to restrain Machaerus, Charles whipped out his crossbow more out of instinct than anything, and a loud commotion broke out as several started speaking at once.

"SILENCE!" Mathoni suddenly called out, pushing his way into the center of the melee. "Everybeast, shut up!"

Everyone did, and turned to stare at the young otter. He looked at them all for a moment, looking disappointed.

"Look at all of ye!" he finally announced. "The whole lot of ye! This ain't how Redwallers are supposed t' act! 'Ere we are, bickerin' like Dibbuns over chestnuts, when we're missin' the big picture 'ere! Has everybeast forgotten that an army still sits practically at our doorstep, threatenin' our very way of life? I'm surprised they haven't gone an' shot at us while we were fightin'!"

Everyone glanced out at the Quorum of Warriors at this, just to double-check, but it seemed that for the moment, the enemy army could care less about the ongoings in the abbey.

"Now look at ye!" Mathoni repeated. "Bickerin' over some silly thing about who's the warrior! This ain't some game we're playin' 'ere, this is a matter of life an' death! Who cares who carries that sword, just so long as that creature knows how t' use it? Kani clearly does! And furthermore, he's got a plan t' help save this abbey! I really don't think ye should be standin' in his way for that, not unless ye really want t' get yoreself killed, mates!" he bent over and helped Kani get up before continuing. "Now I know that I trust Kani. I know that Charles trust him. Fires an' floods, I know the abbot trusts him, or ye can guarantee we wouldn't be havin' this conversation right now. Now if that ain't proof enough that ye can treat Kani like the goodbeast he really is and trust him, then I don't wot is!"

Silence fell for a long moment. The Redwallers all exchanged looks with one another, many of them feeling sheepish. Machaerus shrugged off his restrainers, gave one last glare at Kani, but finally dropped the subject and departed. Isaiah surveyed the group that had gathered, then turned to Mathoni and gave the youth a grin.

"Nicely said, Mathoni." he complimented.

"Thank ye, Father Abbot." Mathoni said, beaming slightly at the praise.

Kani patted Mathoni on the shoulder. "Yes, thank you." he said as well. "Now, Father Abbot, if we're done here, I believe we have other things we need to do."

"Yes indeed." Isaiah said, stepping forward. "Time to see if we can turn the tide to our favor in this conflict."