CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN

"Well, this has been a day, hasn't it?" Jiriel remarked to her family down in Cavern Hole, where they'd retreated to make room for the stung creatures and their healers to work up in Great Hall. "If I'd begun to think things were uneventful around here before, I sure don't now!"

Cyril, seated alongside her, shook his head. "With all that's been going on with the Gawtrybe and the rats and the reopening of the quarry to build Freetown, I wouldn't have thought this season could get any more eventful than it already was, but now, between what happened yesterday to Lady Mina and this uproar today, I don't know what to make of it all. I think I can smell some of the smoke from the gatehouse all the way down here!"

"At least none of the hornets got in," Neblett said. "That would have been a disaster an' a half, with nowhere t' hide!"

"I'm just glad none of our sons or daughters were involved in that fight by the orchard," added Deakyne. "For a while I was worried, but I shouldn't have doubted. We raised them with more sense than to be part of anything like that. I wonder what could have gotten into those other youngsters, to start a brawl with those rats?"

"I heard Vanessa started the whole thing," said Cyril. "It's hard to believe, but easier I suppose than the notion of all these things happening at once by pure coincidence."

Engaged as they all were with their speculations and ruminations over the day's happenings, they barely noticed Smallert descending the stairs down to Cavern Hole - or the creature sticking close by him - until the weasel and his companion were nearly upon them. Realizing just who it was approaching their table, Cyril did a double-take, as did most of his tablemates, although for a different reason.

"Nessa! There you are! Everybeast's looking for you - you are in SO much trouble! But, um ... where are your clothes?"

"Must have lost them somewhere along the way," she replied in a nonchalant, unabashed manner. "It's been such a morning, and I can't be expected to keep track of everything, now can I? Lucky for me, I found this gallant weasel fellow here who was able to shield me from all those prying eyes upstairs, and spare me embarrassment before most of the Abbey!"

"I 'spect t'weren't embarrassment you were worried about, Nessa," Smallert gently chided, "an' it were mostly the Abbey leaders' eyes you were hidin' from. But you asked me t' help bring you t' Cyril, so I did."

She patted him on the arm. "And a fine weasel you are for helping me out so. But I simply can't go about without a stitch on, as I'm sure you'll all agree. Cyril, would you please be so kind as to accompany me upstairs for a new outfit? Your lady friend here can come with us if she'd like."

Jiriel giggled and whispered to Cyril, "Does she do this often?"

"It's been known to happen," he answered in a half-groan; perhaps distracted by Vanessa's state of total undress, he failed to pick up on something different in her demeanor, the mature assurance of her voice. "By all rights I ought to take you straightaway to Maura and the Abbot. What you did today was just too much!"

"Oh, they'll have their paws too full for awhile to worry about little old me. And besides ... " She spread her arms. "I can't be expected to go before them like this, can I?"

"Well, no, I guess not ... "

"Then come along, you two, and let's get me decent again!" Treating the whole thing in the frivolous manner everybeast had come to expect from her in recent seasons, Vanessa led the disconcerted Cyril and the smirking Jiriel up out of Cavern Hole into Great Hall and toward the stairs ascending to the dormitory levels. Mindful to position herself between her two escorts as much as she could so as to escape the attention of any Abbey leaders who happened to be looking their way, Vanessa had nearly gained the staircase when Maura came thundering in upon the scene through the back way from the kitchens, Faylona still cradled in her embrace. The Badgermum halted in surprise upon spotting the former Abbess. "Nessa! There you are! Where are your clothes?"

"Gee, that seems to be all anybeast can say to me today! Sorry, Mother Maura, but I can't talk now! See you in a bit!" Waving off the larger beast, Vanessa scurried up the steps, leaving Cyril and Jiriel little choice but to follow. Maura, her paws still full of leveret, stood staring after the unlikely trio for a few heartbeats, then turned and continued on her way. She had more pressing matters to deal with now.

"Well," Cyril muttered as he and Jiriel climbed after Vanessa, "Arlyn and Metellus wanted me to keep an eye on her this season, so I guess I still am!"

To his surprise, Vanessa went right to Abbot Geoff's study and chambers. "Hey, what are you doing?" Cyril challenged as she opened the door to let herself in. "That's Abbot Geoff's private quarters! You can't go in there!"

"They were mine before they were his," she said with carefree defiance, and then she was inside. Cyril chased in after her, too flustered to catch her reference to her former Abbesshood - something no Redwaller had heard from her lips since her wounding at Foxguard.

Cyril's mortification only deepened when he realized Vanessa was charging right through the study into Geoff's bedchamber. "Nessa, no! Stay out of there! Oooh!"

Jiriel looked around as they paused in the outer chamber, Cyril hesitant to venture into his Abbot's innermost sanctum himself. "We're not supposed to be here, are we?"

"Well, no - at least not when the Abbot's not here. Not that there are any rules against it, but ... well, how would you like somebeast nosing around in your private things when you weren't around?"

"You seem to forget where I come from. Our mouse and vole clans are all packed in pretty tightly together in our shared lodge. The new building's a bit roomier than the old one Snoga burned down, but not by that much. There's precious little privacy to be found there. That's why I'm not exactly shocked to see your former Abbess traipsing around in her ungarbed state; on bath nights at the lodge, or on sunny afternoon swims in the river, we pretty much all walk around like that, until our fur's dry enough to put our clothes back on. But what passes as acceptable in a woodland lodge is very different from what we think of as being proper Abbey etiquette here - or so I would have assumed, before today!"

"It's not uncommon to see our otters and 'hogs go about in just their fur and spikes, especially in high summer. We mice are usually more, um, reserved. Nessa's an exception - in more ways than one. Come on, let's see what she's up to in there!"

Belatedly following Vanessa into the bedchamber, they found her kneeling before the imposing wardrobe chest and bureau there, one of its large lower drawers pulled open. Cyril stood aghast anew at the sight of her rummaging through the folded garments within. "Nessa, don't go through Geoff's clothes like that! It's so not right!"

"Oh, but these aren't his. I'm looking for one item in particular - and here it is! I knew he wouldn't have the heart to throw it out!" Standing, Vanessa held out before her a habit of green, the color traditionally reserved for novices of the Redwall order but which she had favored as both Infirmary keeper and later as Abbess. Pulling it on, she smoothed it down with her paws to work out the gentle folds, then fished its companion habit cord out of the bottom of the drawer and tied it around her waist. Then she looked at Cyril, a serene and assured look not seen from her eyes in three seasons, and the bellringer mouse's jaw dropped.

"A ... Abbess?"

"Yes, Cyril. Listen, I need you and Cyrus to hurry out to the belltower and toll the summons for a council of Abbey leaders down in Cavern Hole. Can you do that for me please?"

His eyes remained wide and his jaw slack. Beside him, Jiriel stood almost equally thunderstruck, the change in Vanessa that she'd witnessed before her very eyes nearly impossible to credit. The mere act of donning the green habit had seemingly transformed the afflicted Abbess into an entirely different creature - not a beast afflicted at all, but one upon whom the mantle of authority rested with natural ease.

"Abbess - is that you?"

"Who else would I be, Cyril? I know I've been away for too long, but there's no time for explanations now. I need you to do as I've asked."

The distant sound of many raised voices reached their ears then, coming through the open doors from the corridor. "What's that?" Jiriel wondered.

"That, I suspect, would be the Abbey leaders and our rat guests learning that Captain Matowick has stolen off with Latura, and bears her away to Salamandastron."

Jiriel's eyes went as wide as Cyril's; even though she'd only dwelt at Redwall for a short time, the name of the prophetic ratmaid was as well known to her as to most Abbeybeasts. It wasn't every day - or every season, or even every lifetime - that one heard of any creature achieving what Latura had accomplished.

"And I imagine," Vanessa went on, "they intend to do something about it. That is why we must convene this council at once. Please hurry, Cyril, and stop to speak with nobeast but Cyrus - we haven't a moment to lose."

"Yes, Abbess! Let me go find him, and get that toll sounded right away! Um ... yeah, I'll do that now. Come on, Jiriel!"

The young mousemaid took several moments longer to stir herself, studying Vanessa with a puzzled scrutiny even as the now-restored Abbess returned the stare with a placid, beatific gaze of her own. Then Jiriel turned and followed after Cyril, catching up with him in the corridor and falling into step alongside him.

"Cyril, are you sure that's the Abbess?"

"Huh? Of course she is! Who else could she be?"

00000000000

Well out into the Western Plains, Saugus dropped out of the sky to alight on the level ground ahead of Matowick's fleeing group. "Captain, the Redwallers are pursuing."

The Gawtrybe commander, gritting his teeth, slowed but did not entirely stop, forcing the owl to hop-skip alongside him as they drew abreast. "Well, we should have expected as much. How many?"

"One hare, one squirrel."

Nixalis looked to his captain in surprise. "Only two beasts? That's not a rescue party. Do you think they mean to negotiate instead?"

"They'll quickly find there's nothing to negotiate," said Matowick, "and that they'll be heading back to the Abbey empty-pawed. And the hare will have to slacken his pace to match the squirrel - that'll slow them down by a good bit. They'll not overtake us anytime soon."

"I should also mention Sparra escort them," Saugus added. "At least a score, perhaps twice that."

"Hmm. That changes things. Maybe they're counting on their birds to do the battling, and the two land beasts are just to escort our captives back to Redwall if they prevail. This could be more of a problem, since birds can be aggressive, and won't be easily intimidated or put off. We may have to use lethal force if they press an attack."

"I did warn them not to follow," Saugus put in.

"Yes - and they listened so well. We'd best double our pace again; the longer we can put off such confrontation, the easier I'll breathe."

"I've alerted the two nearest shrew teams that you may need their support," the owl went on. "They're mobilizing now to cover your rearguard. In the meantime, I am returning to Salamandastron to inform Lord Urthblood of the situation."

"If he doesn't know already," Brisson mumbled.

"I will send out Klystra or Altidor to spell me until nightfall; they are better suited to daylight operations, and I need to fully rest in order to rejoin you after dusk. Until then, the gulls assigned to Mossflower will keep an eye on things here, and rally to you if they see you need them."

"That will have to do, Captain," Matowick said to Saugus. "Get yourself a good rest, and I will see you this evening - and Altidor or Klystra well before then."

Bird and beasts took their leave of each other, Saugus flapping his way up into the clear spring sky and west toward the coastlands while the squirrels and their captives kept to their own brisk pace. But Palter, having overheard the entire exchange, felt hope stir in his heart for the first time since leaving the Abbey. "Didjer hear that, Lattie? They're comin' after us! The Redwallers're comin' t' rescue us!"

"Yay! Um, who're you again?"

Brisson sniggered at the two rats. "Think whatever you want, but I can tell you now, there won't be any rescue for you - by Redwallers, or by anybeast else!"

00000000000

The sound of the Methuselah and Matthias bells cut through the heated conversation and raised voices holding sway throughout Great Hall, and gave Geoff a much-welcomed excuse to be elsewhere.

"Well, that was fast," the Abbot said, cocking his ear to take in the mellow, sonorous tones from outside. "Cyril and Cyrus must have anticipated our need for a council - unless somebeast else told them to sound the toll. Was that you, Maura?"

The big badger - at last freed from her burden of Faylona, whom she'd delivered into the care of the leveret's parents Baxley and Givadon elsewhere in Great Hall - shook her head. "I came straight in here as soon as I parted ways with Alex and the Colonel. I suppose one of them might have run into Cyril or Cyrus outdoors and told them what was going on ... although that wouldn't explain why I saw Cyril going upstairs with Vanessa just now ... "

"Oh, has Vanessa shown up again?" Geoff asked.

"In a manner of speaking - and she wasn't hiding anything. Seems she's forgotten where she put her clothes."

"Not the first time that's happened," Geoff said with a resigned sigh. "We'll deal with that later ... if Vanessa's even anywhere to be found by then. We can't worry about that now."

"I actually thought I did see Cyril and Cyrus run out past us a few moments ago," offered Winokur. "Whatever Cyril was doing upstairs must not have taken too long. Probably just going to fetch his brother to help ring the bells."

"Who cares 'bout any o' this?" Harth broke in; the former horde general stood at the forefront of the irate, restive rats surrounding the Abbot. News of Latura's abduction had turned the mood among the rodents ugly, their hornet stings all but forgotten as they agitated for action. "You ain't gonna let those villains get away with this, are ya? You are goin' after her, right?"

"As Abbot of Redwall, I cannot let this incursion against us stand, or go unanswered. Alexander and Colonel Clewiston, two of our chief defenders, are already out there on the kidnappers' trail, supported by many of our Sparra. Our council now will be to determine the best way to aid them, and make this situation right again. On that, you have my word."

"An' while ye're all down there jabberin', our Lattie's gettin' farther 'n' farther away from rescue. One thing I've seen is how you Redwall lot love t' talk around problems - an' seems t' me the bigger 'n' more urgent a problem is, th' more words you find t' throw at it!"

"Watch it there, friend!" Log-a-Log warned, inserting himself between Harth and Geoff; as the rats had become more emboldened and cantankerous with the growing realization of what had been done to them, the Guosim and many of the Abbey hares and otters and squirrels moved forward to stand at Geoff's side, in case their anger should explode into violence. "That's Redwall's Abbot ye're addressin' there, so mind yerself!"

"We'll mind ourselves as long as he minds us, an' our grievances. We came t' Redwall seekin' sanctuary, an' now we're wond'rin' how safe any of us really are if the most important among us can be plucked up an' borne away by those who drove us here in th' first place. Just how did they manage to snatch Laitte an' make off with her anyway?"

"We're still trying to get that figured out," Geoff admitted. "There was a great deal going on all at once, as you may have noticed."

"Please, Abbot," Patreese implored from between Harth and Winokur, "we gotta get Lattie back. She ain't fit fer such hardships, an' she's never been away from her kin in her life. This could break her sumpthin' awful."

"I understand your concerns, my friend, and I empathize fully. But I will not allow the press of events to pressure me into hasty and ill-advised action, and neither will I dither and prevaricate. Everybeast here agrees we must act; this council will be to determine just how we proceed. And since we are also agreed that time is of the essence, let us go down and begin at once. Elmwood, since Alex isn't here, you'll have to fill in for him. I don't see Traveller or Gallatin about, but I'm sure the Long Patrol will want to be part of this too. If no hare of theirs responds to the toll by the time we're all seated, we'll just have to start without them."

"What about me?' Harth asked pointedly. "This affects us rats more'n anybeast, an' it's soundin' like you'll have enough room at the table for me."

"No offense, General, but I'm not sure I see any point to that. This session will concern mounting a rescue, and none of you can set foot outside the Abbey without running the risk of being taken captive yourselves - or worse."

"Who's t' say how many of those squirrels're out patrollin' these woods? Could only be a score, or less, an' they're stickin' mostly to th' trees. Mebbe if I lead all my fighters out in a massed charge toward the Plains after Lattie, it'd take 'em by surprise an' overwhelm 'em. Nice as this Abbey is an' as fairly as you folk here've treated us, a prison's still a prison, an' I'm gettin' sick of bein' bottled up in here against my will. An' I ain't the only rat hereabouts who thinks so."

"An' what if this whole thing's a ruse t' make you do jus' that?" Log-a-Log countered. "Don't matter if Urthblood's only got a pawful o' Gawtrybe stationed 'round Redwall - he's got his shrews too, an' them birds circlin' th' skies high above, an' losta reinforcements t' call on too. They wouldn't hafta engage you when you leave the Abbey; fact, that might be just what they want, so's they c'n cut off yer lines o' retreat t' keep you gettin' back in. An' the further out inta th' Plains ya gotta go t' recapture Lattie, th' more time they'll have to position a defensive line behind you."

"Log-a-Log could be right," said Arlyn, taking a brief break from treating the hornet sting victims to join the discussion. "We've all known for a long time that Urthblood must want all rats out of Redwall, and in the worst way, to conform to this Accord of his. I can certainly see this being some kind of ploy to get his paw on at least some of you."

"Then again," said Winokur, as distressed as anybeast over Latura's abduction, "our Sparra have kept their eyes on nearer Mossflower for us, and they've spotted nothing to indicate a large shifting of Gawtrybe to our immediate woods - nothing to suggest that Matowick's actions were any kind of diversion to lure more rats into some bigger trap. No, I think Latura was their sole objective all along. Just look at how quickly they fled once they had her!"

Geoff looked to Harth. "This is of course your decision to make. If you and your rats care to risk venturing beyond the safety of our walls to join the efforts to recover Latura, we certainly won't stop you, and we'll do what we can to safeguard you. But I wonder whether putting yourselves in harm's way like that might prove more hindrance than help. Right now we only have one rat to rescue; I'd hate for that one to become many, with perhaps some slain for their trouble as well."

Harth digested all the Abbeybeasts had said. "Okay, but I still want a seat at this council o' yers. It's only right I be there."

Geoff nodded. "As you wish. Come then, and let us convene without further delay."

He led the way down the steps to Cavern Hole, followed by Winokur, Maura, Elmwood, Log-a-Log and Harth. Arlyn would have to miss this council, needed as he and Metellus were to continue ministering to the sting victims.

The high-backed Abbot's chair still sat at the head of the table, faced away from stairs and untouched since the previous day's meeting with Matowick. The mere sight of Cavern Hole still so arranged stirred bitter feelings in some of the descending beasts, the Gawtybe captain's diplomatic overture in regard to searat envoys visiting Redwall now clearly exposed as nothing but a smoke screen, a distraction to occupy the Abbeybeasts' attention while Matowick went about his true purpose. And so it was that Geoff did not even realize until rounding his customary seat and reaching out to claim it for himself that the high-backed chair was already occupied.

The others, curious to see what had startled Geoff into a wordless, wide-eyed state, stepped past the large chair themselves for a look - and were all equally startled to see Abbess Vanessa, the picture of her old self in her green habit, gazing back at them with an air of unimpeachable authority.

"Thank you all for coming. Let us begin, shall we?"