Chapter 28: The Old, The Young, and the Brave

Kasser and Pelma Whitewhisker were not having a good time. Pelma had honestly not known any vermin, but to have so many now on Redwall's front lawn felt a bit weird to her. She always knew they were barbarous people who would abandon their families at a moment's notice, enslaved woodlanders if given the chance, and had little to no value of life. Especially those around them. Yet seeing them up so close, trying to keep such a grieving group in line had exhausted both of them, as Pelma and Kasser were grappling two rats who were trying to go at each other.

"Ya flea bitten, rot brained tosser! Ya give me back me vittles ya thief!"

"Let'go of me ya damnable water dog! Let me at dis liar!"

Kasser and Pelma pulled both away. Once Pelma saw her brother slapping his rat harshly upside the head and throwing him to the ground, she did the same. However, while Kasser's problem vermin scurried away not wishing to try to fight the otter, her's had been not so cowardly. He arose, and snarled at her baring tooth and claw.

"Ya wanna get yer throat slit, ya dumb cretan! I'll have ya strung up I will! No one, an I mean no one, does that to the likes of me!" Pelma backed away cautiously, and the vermin attempted to charge. She tried to duck to the side, but the charging vermin was faster and pulled her to the ground. Although the vermin was angry, trying to get in a couple punches, other otters nearby came to aid her. Yet as they arrived, Pelma had gotten the upper hand and smacked her head into the rat, knocking him back. She pounced on him and held him down as Kasser came over, this time with a stave.

"That's it, ya are goin to the cellar for that one, rat!" Kasser angrily grabbed him, but as he did, Pelma shouted out with an exhausted huff. "Wait. . .Cellar be already full." Kasser cursed himself "Darn. I hate when you're right." Kasser pushed the rat who now was a lot more fearful now that he was surrounded by angry looking otters.

Pelma got up and tried to dust off the grass stains from her pants and tunic, but was disappointed as they left a less than appealing smell. The other otters dragged the rat away, presumably to yet another makeshift holding area. Both looked exhausted.

"When Pa was fighting Kasg, I do not know what those warlords from the north do, but keeping this lot in line is like trying to herd pups to dinner! If not so much worse!"

"It's cause we're otters." An all too familiar voice was heard. They turned to see their father and his captain Papet beside him. Dakan didn't look happy, and both otters could see it. He never looked so grim since he came back from the war with Kasg, and he looked like he was going to kill something. Yet he calmly spoke.

"Vermin as far as I can take it only respect their own. Showing strength isn't enough, and do get use to it. They'll never respect us. Speaking of, hows everything out here."

"A disaster!" Cried another figure. An angry badger mother, Stenna, came nearly charging towards them, but stopped at Dakan's feet. She looked down angrily at him "This lot are stealing anything that isn't nailed down! I'll go to the kitchens and see six or eight vermin dibbuns eating us out of house and home! Dakan, this is madness, keeping this lot here like this. I can't even bring out our own dibbuns to play, otherwise that murderous looking lot of bandits over there will do something they will deeply regret most certainly!"

Dakan tried to calm her "Look, until I know the danger passed, you can kick them right out of Redwall personally. Me holt can keep them in check for the time being. Ain't that right Kasser?"

"Of course, pa. . .erm I mean Skipper." Dakan nodded his head in pride. Stenna was not so convinced "I cannot tolerate this lot any more then I need to. Already the worst of them are locked in the cellar below. You are sure none of them have weapons, Dakan?"

Kasser nodded "We made sure. We piled most of them in the woods and burned them for good measure."

"They'll get more, somehow. I need to make sure our kitchens are locked so tight that even the abbot cannot enter without permission. You otters be careful, vermin like these are bandits and wannabe hordebeasts, and will not flinch trying to plot against us if it means getting at food or worse."

Pelma questioned "I still don't get it. Why vermin? I mean, I heard of slaver caravans still roaming the north and all, but vermin? Is that. . .normal?"

Stenna answered before Dakan did "No, it isn't, and ive been thinking about that myself. Vermin are an evil, but odd, lot. They have a very distinct view of conscription and slavery. Kasg made that distinction quite clear when I was still a prisoner in his camp. To us, it may as well be the same, the vermin will force their own to fight for their armies to refill their numbers. Its all about force with them, which is why enslaving vermin instead of us is usually done in absolute emergency. I've heard of sea rats attacking one another to keep a healthy amount of rowing slaves, but never a group of wildcats taking vermin in chains to some unknown place."

"I honestly looked too. My concern is how many we thought were there turned out to be just empty holes now. Three of the largest vermin camps I know of, mostly bandits who separated from Kasg's horde, were trying to settle down near us. Most of them large families, like rats and weasels. You know the Alethieves? Their gone. All of them. Their hole looked smashed. This is all I could find."

"I mean, how many vermin are really in Mossflower?" Stenna asked. She met many woodlanders, sure, but vermin attacks and encounters were absurdly rare. Dakan sighed "More then most think. A lot actually. We don't see them, cause they hide in their burrows and camps, far from the villages and farms. You'll find em' if you follow their smell. Most will just yell at you to go away. Others we have to put down when they try something funny. Logis and his shrews bash up a ferret camp about every year who try to steal from their stores, same ones too. You'll find most of them east and north of here. Juska practically have a sizable territory actually, although that lot don't really bother anyone anymore."

Pelma seemed surprised "Really? That many? I've never understood it, why are they all like this?"

"Imagine for a moment, young Pelma." Stenna began "If you lived an entire life in a small burrow, your father and his father's father were little more than petty criminals and circus freaks. The only way to earn their respect is bullying some creature, maybe even killing them. One day, either at your age or even younger, some other beast drags you to a nomadic horde or some fort where you are given an income of food. If you don't live like they do, they call you soft and either beat you or one of your comrades kills you. If you survive long enough, become as cruel and heartless as they are, then you may find a mate and settle down, starting the whole process again. I don't think these poor fools are born evil, maybe Garfan thinks so, but having known more then my fair share I can only say they are a people consumed by madness and will take out their grief on us if given the chance."

Pelma gulped at the terrible imagination Stenna had wretched into her mind, and she could believe it. The badger mother looked angry as she said these things, remembering her brief enslavement at the paws of Kasg and his dark horde.
_

Jase and Gaisen had a new, although albeit unwanted, friend. The two greatly pitied Snot Butkin, but he was a pain to be around. Doomed to watch him a bit harder than normal, Jase and Gaisen could not help but make some pretty terrible mistakes as Snot would pick his nose and fling it casually on either of them. Snot was difficult to be around, he was loud when he wanted to be, constantly insulted both of them, and just would not shut up.

"An' anodder thing! Why we gots to be sitting on these hot stairs all the time! Ya wear these, whatcha ya call em? Habits? It feels like I be toasten alive I tells you! Why can't we go inside in dat big ol' kitchen where it be cooler an' all. I swears, you woodlanders act like dis is all normal. Alls I can think is ya are all a bunch of insane beasts, wanten to lives like dis."

The young weasel could rant for what felt like hours, but as he ranted, Jase and Gaisen tensed up as two angry looking girls came stamping towards them. Jase hoped that the familiar sight of Nafpha and Norma heading towards them. The mouse and otter looked red in the face as they came up to them. Even snot shut himself up.

"Last time I trust you lot." Norma chided them "Oh! First you find this little thief, and then you lie to the otters? I heard from Dakan, and you says he didn't steal a thing!"

"Cause I didn't ya water dog!"

"Oh! Don't call me that, rot brain!"

Gaisen piped up "Look. He really didn't and I tripled check. It ain't like we really like this ol' weasel or anything like that, but we had to tell the Skipper. He looked a lot like Garfan when we tolds him the truth. Next thing you know, he is rushing off. They found the cutlery, didn't they?"

"But not the thief." Nafpha retorted. "How'd you two know he didn't steal it anyhow?"

Snot answered "Like as if I would want any of yer cut lar ry. Or whatever it is. It probably tastes bad! An besides, if I were a thief i'd hide it where ya folk would never ever look! Like under me bed!" Norma and Nafpha were immediately convinced. Snot seemed quite proud of his comment, but he seemed far too dull witted.

"Well, me poor Darper is still on the walls still. I had hoped you two would at least fix that."

Jase shrugged "I don't think they mind, Norma. A lot better then being cooped up inside. Everyone seems like they are complaining. You know why all these vermin are on the front lawn? Garfan nor any the adults told us anything."

Norma sighed "I know, but do keep a secret will you three?" The three came closer to hear her as she whispered. "The Skipper and his otters saw something, a bunch of wildcats dragging poor folk away, but it ain't woodlanders. It be specifically vermin. Apparently a lot of them are missing."

Snot nearly jumped back in fear, but Gaisen held him. Norma could see the fear in his eyes. It dawned on her what she overheard likely involved Snot's family, and it saddened her greatly. Jase perked up "I don't get it. Has no one really noticed?"

"Apparently not." Nafpha said "These folk are gonna be here awhile longer. Apparently not even the hares from Salamanderstron noticed."

"Now that is scary." Gaisen replied "Garfan knows a good number of hares, says they go to battle like a magic show."

Jase sighed "Seasons, I wish my pa was here. He'd at least know what to do. Bollo is apparently in big trouble, and two of the Companions are here. No one is saying anything, keeping their secrets. Even Stenna. It's like everyone is on edge! You think everyone was like this when Kasg still roamed Mossflower?"

"I don't know." Norma commented "Whatever trouble there is, I'm certain the skipper and his otters will take care of it." Both looked out at the fields of the inner courtyard. As vermin settled in, seeing that their temporary stay will be beyond temporary, they set up camp. It seemed like the world was changing before the children's eyes, and they had no clue what the future would hold.

Bollo paced in his little room, which now acted more like a prison, his time to cool off was long and tedious. Bollo just wished the abbot would just punish him and be done with it, sending him away from Redwall being the least cruel of the punishments. Yet he waited and waited, unable to leave, or that is what he thought anyway. He paced harder, his mind fluttering with images of Jue. It was the older Jue, it was when he was far younger and Bollo was still his loyal friend. If he had told his younger self how far the two friends would distance themselves, even after all they had done to defeat Kasg and his evil black horde, he would have not believed himself. It prodded at Bollo just how much Jue had changed when he began going off with the Companions, each adventure more glorious than the last. Bollo never could see it that way, the glory was temporary and the feasting lasted but a day. He remembered one particular trouble, a red flag of sorts, when Jue would speak of Hesam as one of his closest friends, yet left out Bollo and Kalma. Finally, the waiting ended and the door opened, and Marthomis sadly stepped in.

The dormouse sat on the bed, and his old eyes gazed down at Bollo who was still pacing. He acknowledged the abbot in the room, but did not greet him. His mind set on Hesam. I'uve had'um, I wus so cluse! Whun I see dut mouse aguin, i'll strungle him!

Marthomis spoke "Bollo, we must speak. Please, listen at least to your oldest friend."

Bollo stopped to look at him, his face went from fire to a softness "Oooh, I'uve mussed up big tume. Yuo here to banush me, Marthumis?"

Marthomis looked insulted "No, Bollo. It will entirely depend on you. That. . .attack seemed completely beyond you. I know you as one of the most gentle souls in the abbey, and I know you always had your troubles with Hesam, I am not blind to that, but to accuse him of treachery? It embarrasses me and this abbey. Kalma is saddened by this whole thing, and is utterly torn. What exactly did you intend to do Bollo? Throw him out a window, and murder him?"

Bollo fell quiet, that softness returned to a fire, and it shocked Marthomis to the core. "You wouldn't would you? I sure hope not. I know the war with Kasg was difficult on you, Jue, and Kalma alike, but I'd never think you'd ever wish to become a murderer!"

"Yuo claium you areun't bliund, abbut. Hesum is a theiuf, aun he stule a lut frum me. Jue aun' me respuct for hium. Yuo knuw full well what Jue becume aftur he fullowed dos three out into Mussflower. Abbut, he abanduned me, hus famuly, an everyune he carued about fur whut? Tall tules an' respuct he alreudy had!"

Marthomis fell quiet and seemed to be thinking to himself, but Bollo could not have cared less. The mole was fuming, and he seemed beyond himself. Marthomis spoke up in his calm voice "Bollo, did I ever tell you what I did when I learned what Yautan did to our dear abbey as he stole our sword?"

"I dun't knuw, abbut, I dun't see what dus got to due wut-"

"Bollo, I was mad. Really mad. I cursed and raved angrily for a long time, cursing every vermin I could think of. They killed a good deal of friends, I saw what was brought to our dear abbey. We all hear the tales, but you and I were there. We saw what they did, and what they continue to do. I heard the tales of the cruel enslavement of our people, the collapse and death of an entire mole colony simply because they dared to resist Kasg's will. You hear all of it, and hate every moment of hearing it, and I cursed them so much. It wasn't until the Butkins showed up did I change my mind. Weasels, you know the ones."

"Yus, bu-"

"At first, I thought Mr. Butkin was just another bandit, and his family lived so close that I thought our abbey to be in danger. I would have never have wanted to see another vermin ever again, and everything told me to distrust the likes of him. When I was out picking apples for one of the feasts, you know that apple tree where the old church used to be? We bumped into one another. He said 'hello' and 'how did you do' in that thick vermin accent they all have. He was rude, abrasive, and yet I couldn't help but strike up a conversation with him. I returned to the abbey, I wanted to organize a search party, to drive them out. Yet, instead I didn't. Jue was away on his business, and I couldn't help but feel a little ashamed for thinking my first response to that weasel was to fly or fight."

Bollo stopped interrupting and listened, having never heard this side to the abbot before. The subject of Mr. Butkin and his family depressed the abbot greatly.

"You see, the more I got to know the Butkins, he and his wife, you get a bit more familiar with how they live. I felt a bit ashamed I wanted to kick out some poor creature who didn't move from a foreign land, but was just a common hermit living out his days with his love in some hole in the ground. For a long time, I thought all vermin were evil. Creatures damned to be slain and to slay us, and as I talked with Mr. Butkin I couldn't help but be utterly wrong on so many things. He was a bandit, but he stole for food he had no clue to grow himself. He intimidated, because he was just that, an intimidating creature. I thought when he mentioned he was a soldier that he was predestined to evil, but then when I thought on it further, I really couldn't help I set Jue on a same path at an even younger age."

Marthomis stopped a bit, as he continued, trying to get to his point "Then one day, as I was picking flowers in that awful summer we had. You know where I disappeared when I traveled a little bit too far from the abbey and none of you could find me?"

"Aye, I remumber."

"I may have made it less dramatic than it was. I was picking flowers and Mr. Butkin comes up to me, shaking. He pulls out this knife, and starts holding it close to me. At first, I felt utterly betrayed, as if all my old ideas of them had been proven right. However, Mr. Butkin kidnapped me and stole me to his house. Then I thought he planned to ransom or sell me, but no. Mrs. Butkin was pregnant, and was about to have her children soon. Mr. Butkin, for his many faults, always was such a socially awkward beast. He had no clue how to ask for help, so he defaulted to kidnapping me instead. I helped deliver his first child, Bollo, and held that little one in my arms. When Mr. Butkin held his youngster, it was the happiest thing i've seen in a long time. Oh, to think them gone now, it hurts me really. It hurts me a lot."

Bollo could not believe what he was hearing, but Marthomis made sure to cut him off. "I tell you this Bollo, because I don't want you to be consumed by the hate and paranoia I had. Hesam isn't our enemy, he is a friend of the abbey. Jue had his perspectives, and you have yours, but just because you two became distant doesn't mean Jue ever stopped loving his family, or being your friend when you needed him most. Wherever he is now, I just hope he returns to us soon, and you two can make up. Bollo, I will not force you to do anything you do not wish to do, but I will not have you live in this abbey if you do not apologize to Hesam and Vogar for these baseless accusations. As your friend, and for the sake of the friends you still have, please consider this before you make a brash decision."

Bollo looked down in shame as Marthomis left, and left Bollo to his thoughts. The thought of apologizing to Hesam was unthinkable, but to be banished from Redwall was unconscionable.
_

Hesam and Vogar were on an upper ledge of the abbey, looking down from a window at the vermin below them. Hesam could never have cared less, but Vogar was absolutely disgusted. He may have had made his deals with the devil, but he never could find much respect with the vermin. They watched as a small clan of ferrets, mostly brothers and sisters, were trying to get their paws on a fox who had supposedly bullied one of their younger members. The fox was only saved by a small wall of otters keeping them at bay. Vogar ranted in a low voice to Hesam. "I willy bolly never understand how that lot can even make weapons, let alone march in a fine line, wot. Brutes are too dumb for anything else, it feels like."

"Doesn't really matter, Vogar." Hesam said. "So long as our 'mutual friend' keeping paying us well, I don't care if we start tricking these naive bumpkins into those 'little meetings' in the forest. I mean, we tried to sell Maglor's brother. Sad we didn't, would have made us a good amount of coin."

Vogar rolled his eyes "Even Maglor said that would have been a bloody difficulty, and to not expect much. Though I am a little bit confused, why did that water dog cretan bring all those vermin here?"

Hesam gave a pained smile "Our 'mutual friend' was tracked. They finally noticed, a bit late, but I do give them the effort for trying. Speaking of, we should probably leave on another 'adventure'."

"What? Why? Our orders were to-" Hesam hushed him and looked around, making sure no one was around to listen. Vogar could tell something was wrong. "I'm starting to think that future galley rower is onto us, Vogar. He gave me one of those death stares when I 'found' that cutlery. Keep your weapon close, you stupid hare, or we may just end up in an early grave!"

"Well then that your bolly fault, you round eared idiot. Imagine, all of our hard work ruined for bloody silverware!" Vogar hushed his voice, but he seethed nonetheless.

"Makes me think that rotten mole finally got to him. Not sure, don't care. We should be well out of Redwall before that wretched water dog not-" Hesam hushed himself, his true face of spite and malice became a brightly colorful one in an instant, a pained smile across his face. Vogar knew this expression well enough that someone was coming behind him. The two started to see Marthomis walking down the halls towards him. Marthomis came up to them, looking less happy than usual. Although the dormouse could not see it, Vogar held his paw to a hidden dagger behind his back, just in case they were being confronted.

"Oh, I was told you two would be here. Again, Hesam and Vogar, I am deeply sorry for the trouble that happened. Bollo. . .I have never seen this in him before, and it just is not in me to really do much. I offer my sincerest apologies to both of you."

Hesam smiled "Of course, I never knew he had such feelings toward me either, never really even expected it. I know he would always avoid me and my dear friends, but I do hope our friendship with Jue did not cause such a mess, abbot." Vogar added to Hesam's comments, trying to get a different reaction "I am not one to say may, ol' bean. Even though he was quite a hero in his days, I do hope you keep all this hushed for all of our sakes. Last thing we need is being accused of things we had no part in, wot."

"Of course, all those present won't speak of it. Oh, I just wish Jue would return from wherever he had been. None of this would be happening if he were still around."

Both Hesam and Vogar gave a more pained expression, with Hesam lamenting "Tis a shame he left us as well, quite an effect you could say. Being the warrior of Redwall an' all. I'm certain wherever he is, he is helping good beasts in his own way. I honestly just wish he allowed us to join." Vogar nodded in agreement, with Marthomis not being comforted by their words.

"I think that was always the problem, to tell you the truth. Jue's return to his adventures I fear may have saved Mossflower's inhabitants from birds, but had caused nothing but grief for his friends and family alike. There are some days I wish I never had sent him on that quest, and just hoped another would find Martin's sword. Yet, one must follow dreams as my teacher would once say. Please, enjoy your stay in Redwall, companions. I encouraged Bollo to make his apologies once he is done fuming. If he does not, terrible action will have to be taken I fear. I would hope you two will stay long enough before he makes his decision, but I will not force you."

Hesam had a vile idea come to his mind, his pained smile becoming a real one. "Oh, of course, abbot, but as you should know we have a lot of things to do. We lingered here a bit too long, and we should be leaving very soon. I am sorry for Bollo's sake, but I fear we cannot wait for his apologies, and in fact we w-" Vogar interjected "We will stay, as long as possible, good abbot."

Hesam gave a dumbfounded stare to his friend, whose stoney expression was dead serious. The abbot thanked them and went off, leaving the two alone once again. When the abbot was away, the two's true masks came off.

"The hells was that for, Vogar? That fool mole would have been banished, that is what 'terrible action' means here, you ingrate! We could have ambushed him an' sold him to Kaeten! Or better, smashed his little ol' head in."

"True, but do think with that pebble you call a brain, Hesam. We can leave at any time, and we all agreed to that deal, and I intend to see it through. With or without you, especially 'friend'. Besides, it's too cruel, and that abbot would have been suspicious otherwise. That mole, and everyone bloody here, will get exactly what they deserve in the end, wot. Be patient for once in your bloody life, Hesam."

Hesam fumed, but ultimately agreed. The things I do for money.
_

Mathomis was in his office, looking over an old scroll. It filled him with a youthful nostalgia, old notes and scribblings from back then. The dormouse missed the days when he still had dreams of Martin the Warrior, how he and the other woodlanders of the abbey uncovered clues left behind by those long ago. He wondered if he would leave clues of his own. Yet, now in his old age, Marthomis hoped he wouldn't. He didn't want to see fellow beasts get hurt, or his abbey again embroiled in some siege. He prayed in silence that Kasg's war was the last great threat to Mossflower. A knock at his door returned his attention to reality and he called out "Come in!"

Kalma poked her head through and came in, closing the door silent behind her. She looked sad, and let out one large sigh. It didn't take Marthomis long to figure out the trouble. "I take it you spoke with Bollo?"

"More like chided him, abbot. I came to tell you. . .he agreed to your request." Kalma had said, although in some considerable sadness. The abbot quickly noticed "Oh, this is good news Kalma. Yet I feel you have more to say, speak up child. We may be old, but we never really change, believe it or not."

"I know, and that's the problem I suppose. We do change, abbot, and not always for the better." Kalma rubbed her arm in embarrassment. Marthomis could quickly tell she was not referring to just Bollo alone. He sighed, "It's about Jue, isn't it."

"Yes. I hate to keep such a secret, abbot, but Bollo had felt this way for a long time, even before Jue left. He apologizes, but not for his own sake. Its for Jase, and Jase alone. I suppose its better then most things, but please I would beg of you not to banish him or anything from the abbey if he. . .does anything else here after. I just never knew he had such vitriol, especially towards Hesam. I honestly thought it was just paranoia, but I think I now think he hates Jue, to tell the truth."

"He never hated Jue, Kalma." Marthomis came up and patted her back, trying to comfort her "He hated the changes Jue went through when he grew up. Tell me, you knew as well? Why didn't you tell me?"

"To be honest abbot, I kind of felt the same way." The abbot looked a little shocked. Have I really not noticed all this going on in my own abbey? He continued to careful pat the hedgehog's back as Kalma felt like nearly weeping "Oh abbot. I just wish we were all younger and never left those years. It was our happiest days when Jue got married, and bore his child. Bollo especially, happy to see Jue happy. Then he just. . .left us. He stopped talking to us, and made his friends with the Companions. Oh, I know they do good in all, but I just wish he had been with us a bit more. Bollo was hurt most of all, Jue pretending as if all we had done had never really happened. I don't blame the Companions, I just suppose at the end of the day, it was just Jue himself. Oh, abbot. I just hate change. Growing up is a terrible thing, it is."

"My dear Kalma. I know you and Bollo struggle with these kinds of things." Marthomis bent himself to her level to where she was sitting. It may have pained his old feet, but he would bear such things for his young friend's sake. "I know Jue had done you some wrong, but I would never guess it would have harmed both of you so much. I wish Jue had been more caring towards friends and family. Let me tell you something. I have kept my own secrets, so I will best tell you now."

Marthomis got up and recalled a particular event, one which happened a long time ago, but it was the night before Jue went out on a fateful quest he never returned from. "Jue came to my office, in the middle of the night before I was going to bed. He sat where you sat now, my dear Kalma. He lamented to me, something which the proud and adventure hungry squirrel never really did. He missed his family, and you both most greatly. He and I talked, far into the night, the fine line of responsibilities he had as both Warrior of Redwall and a father. Oh, he wanted to return here so badly, but he felt it would have been worse to leave the people of Mossflower to fend for themselves against the snakes and black birds who tormented them. If I had known how much this affected all of you, I'd have been more biased to tell him to stay, but fatefully I told him to follow his conscience. My dear Kalma, I never told any of you this because I thought you two would take ill to him, thinking he would prefer to be out in Mossflower then with you or his family. Now I see. . .that may have been a terrible mistake. He never stopped thinking of you as his friend, nor forgot he had a family."

Kalma was prevented from weeping and smiled widely at the abbot. "Thank you, Marthomis. Thank you. Tis what I needed to hear." She hugged the old mouse, giving Marthomis a terrible wheeze, but he said nothing and hugged her back.

"I am certain he will come home soon, my good friend. I am certain of it."
_

Marthomis felt awkward, he had hoped there would be a little more warning as Bollo came through the door of his office. He was standing, with Garfan at his side. Garfan looked down critically, and even with a little spite, at Bollo. He found it absolutely ridiculous, Bollo having such a vicious and paranoid anger against a fine champion of good like Hesam and Vogar. The mouse soldier kept his paws crossed, keeping an eye on Bollo. The mole had once been a hero in his eyes, but now Garfan was not so sure what to think of him. He found the world was going increasingly mad, hero turning against hero for some petty drama he had no interest in.

Hesam and Vogar entered with little flair, much to his disappointment. Bollo did not look at him, as the mole gave one last desperate look for guidance from Marthomis. The abbot was hoping Bollo would not go back to his fuming, he didn't wish to banish Bollo. Yet, if push came to shove, he may be forced to. Hesam gave his rather crooked smile and turned to the mole. "I am sorry, my good fellow hero, of the wrongs you think of me and Vogar. I am well aware, for some part on my end, that this must do much with Jue. I wish you to believe me, that I too am pained by his disappearance."

Bollo kept silent, his dark stare was melting Hesam a bit, but the great hero became a bit sad "Uim' surry." Bollo looked down in defeat. "Iu'z blumed yuo an' Vugar fer a lung time, fur somethun sumone ulse did. Mu frund, Jue, he culd say thungs to me dut I wuld nut utter to evun yuo. Fur dat, Ium sorry. So surry."

Garfan nearly raised his voice "Now you speak ill of Jue, huh?" Marthomis edged his below to Garfan, and the mouse had silenced himself. He would soon see why as Bollo's emotional state deteriorated. Tears welled in his eyes as Vogar lamented "Jue was a fine warrior, ol bean. Greatest bloody friend I know. I miss him terribly as well, wot."

"Iu'z wush nuttin mure den to at leust said guudbye to him." Bollo put his paw to his eyes, trying to not have the others look at his poor state. Marthomis had attempted to come over to comfort him, but Bollo collected himself. Hesam, truthfully, was deeply bored. He had seen all these kinds of things before, and Bollo was no different to him. If Bollo had noticed, or anyone except Vogar, Hesam had rolled his eyes. Only a sharp nudge by Vogar's foot brought him back to attention. Hesam spoke up "No reason to go on bad tidings, put here there mole. Let us be friends, just as Jue was our own."

Bollo saw Hesam hold up his paw for a shake, a sign of friendship. Yet, Bollo did not want to touch it. His suspicions of Hesam still clouded him, but those clouds paled in comparison to the consequences if he didn't. His thoughts were of Jase, and even if he shook Hesam's paw, he didn't think Hesam meant anything by his own words. Bollo paused for a moment, and then raised his paw to his, and shook it lightly. Marthomis looked satisfied, but Garfan was not.

Hesam and Vogar left, and Marthomis spoke to Bollo "You make me proud, my dear friend. We will speak more later, Bollo. Now, if you both will excuse me, I must speak with Stenna about the growing issues outside. . ." Marthomis excused himself, but Bollo stood there, as if frozen. He shook himself awake and headed towards downstairs, but was blocked by Garfan.

Garfan gave him a vicious look and whispered to him "Now, if I hear any trouble from you regarding the Companions, you better hope the abbot hears it first, mole. I don't care if you smashed Kasg's face in personally. No more trouble, you hear."

Bollo grunted, but Garfan did not let him pass. Garfan tapped his foot, awaiting a response. Bollo could see that even if Marthomis accepted his lame apology, Garfan had not. Bollo looked pitifully at Garfan "Iu'z nut gonna cause truble, Gurfun. Hesum auin't wurth me time."

"He better not, Bollo. Everyone here looks up to them, and we already have troubles as it is. You even look poorly in their direction, and I'll make sure to throw you right off the walls so you can scurry on out. You understand me?"

Garfan's threat did not work as intended as Bollo crossed his paws "Un's if yuo mauke a thrut like dut agun, Gurfun. I'll run yuo right out of mussfluwer wit ur tail betwuun yur legs. Yuo mat gut a swurd, but I fought un' kulled a lut mur vermun den yu wit'ut une." Garfan huffed and stormed off, and Bollo smirked. Yet, his smirk faded as he knew that soon enough, one way or another, his little secret spite will become the talk of Redwall abbey. A drama he wasn't excited for. He just hope they would all keep their secrets, even Hesam.

Jase, Gaisen, and Snot had gone inside to keep themselves busy, or at least, pretending to be busy. Keeping an eye on Snot was difficult enough without them running into Jase's mother, or Nuck and his brutish friend Darper. Snot pretended to not be impressed by the ancient majesty of Redwall, always saying his small dirty hole in the ground which was his home was somehow better. Or even practical. Jase and Gaisen knew first hand this was a complete lie, but they still listened to Snot. Although the weasel child was utterly full of himself, the two woodlanders at least was thankful that Snot was no longer insulting them.

"Where the hecks we goin anyway, ya two nitwits? I hope it be that little kitchen I hears so much about."

"It's actually best you stay away from there Snot. Everyone kind of thinks you stole our cutlery." Jase commented, but Snot pretended to be insulted "Likes I say, I am not interested in dis cutlory! It probably smells weird!" Gaisen gave a short chuckle to himself. Despite the weasel's dull mind, his arrogance was somewhat charming. Neither of them told Snot what exactly was stolen, or why they suspected him. It would not have been the first time that a vermin who was treated for injuries in Redwall had decided to steal from them.

Jase however returned to Snot's question "Well, actually we are heading to the nursery to help Stenna. It's our turn to be with her."

"Whats a Stagna?"

Gaisen answered him in a joking manner "Stag me tail, dat is. Ha! No, Tis Stenna, the badger mum."

Snot cringed "Dat mean ol' witch? Can' we nots?"

Jase shrugged "You could go to the vermin camps outside, but you'd have to ask Dakan. The skipper if you don't know him, the big otter who was interrogating you earlier." Snot had to think that over, neither choice was particularly good.

The three eventually entered Redwall's nursery, although there was now beyond a mis of dibbuns as much as older children and even some young adults. Most were bored, playing inside or discussing with one another, all under the hawkish eye of Stenna who was cradling one young mouse who was asleep in her paws. She would look down happily at him, and cuddle him close. Stenna looked up to see the three approach her and looked them over. Her eye looked very critically and with suspicion at Snot. When the weasel began to reach his paw to pick at his nose, she slapped his paw away.

"You will use at least a handkerchief, young weasel. Here. Take one of mine, and blow your nose into it." The weasel got his handkerchief, but seemed to be ready to rant and ramble again. However, the stare of the badger made him obey. Stenna looked at them and sighed "Alright, you two can get out of those hot uniforms and put on real habits, and you two can get to work helping everyone get comfortable. Jase, go to my room, I think I have some old board games. Gaisen, go pick up those two hedgehog's little mess over there. . . and weasel. Or whatever your name is. Just don't cause trouble, you hear?"

All three nodded and got to work. Every young beast in the abbey were a mixture of playing boring games or looking out the window. Many were a bit jealous to see some vermin children outside, playing in the lawn. Others were cringing hard when some otters were pulling some of those children away when they got into the flowers and rose bushes, tearing them up for whatever reason. They were curious about the vermin for certain, as the youngsters and dibbuns spoke to themselves in a mixture of fascination and disgust.

"Where are there parents anyhow? Them otters are given those rascals a good one-two if you ask me."

"Huh, that group of ferrets over there look almost like a gang? You sure they are all brothers, an' what not?"

"Is want to plays outside! Whys they gots to plays outside! Ain'ts fair!"

"Oh seasons! The gardens!" One of the youngsters tried to tap on the window, trying to get one of the otter's attention, but could only look on in horror as on fox cub would pluck a couple yellow flowers and put it between its ears. Dismay turned to pity as the fox returned to its temporary hovel, showing off its new accessory to what could only be presumed to be parents.

Stenna could overhear them, and would stand to look outside, looking over many familiar vermin. One vermin caught her eye in particular which sent shivers down her spine. It was an older looking weasel, wearing a very distinctive black tunic, looking around with an older child being held close. She didn't wish to presume, but it could have likely been one of Kasg's black clad soldiers once. She only hoped it wasn't, the cruelty and malice that evil lot had for creatures like her was legendary. Even without their master, Kasg's evil shadow loomed in the south, as one young mole would attest to.

Jase returned with some board games, and was distributing them amongst the older kids who silently thanked him. Jase didn't know them well, but they didn't really think much of him. As Jase was going back to report to Stenna, her heard a whispered voice call to him from the doorway. "Oi'z! Bush tuail!" Jase turned to see Lusma Rocklore standing halfway through the door, trying to not be seen.

Jase silently crept over as Lusma seemed rather excited "Yuo's woun't believe it, but yu guts to get to dur library, au's suun as pussible! I thunks I fund somethun."

Jase was curious and looked to see Stenna was busy. He nodded as he crept out, leaving Gaisen and Snot behind. He figured that Stenna would think that he was taking too long or got lost, and rushed up to Redwall's library.
_

"And. . . .that it!" Curlor Vonbrok felt like he was having a breakthrough, as he wrote fervently down in the book in front of him. He heard a door open behind him, but called out lightly, always assuming it was Lusma.

"Be sure to close that door behind you, Lusma! I think I got it! Ha! I know what I am going to write down for this year's big Redwall poem contest!" Curlor coughed and began, readying his masterful prose, but an unfamiliar voice answered back which made him freeze up.

"Oh. Sorry, sir." Answered Jase. The door closed and Curlor turned, seeing the squirrel and mole staring up at his heightened desk. "Oh? And who might you be?"

"Jase, sir." The squirrel smiled. Curlor was immediately suspicious and huffed "Well, good Jase. I do hope you got a good reason to be here other then playing. Although, if Lusma is with you, I suppose that is trust enough. Well, get yourself comfortable."

Jase did as Lusma guided him over to her little 'desk' on the floor, a massive pile of maps, journals, and historical records. Jase glanced at some of them. Some had large titles such as; 'History of Mole Colonies of Mossflower', 'Recent Reports from the North', and 'Journal of Mika Stonegut, Mole Foreman of Colony Rockbase'. Jase had no clue what any of this meant, but Lusma pulled it all aside and produced a book in particular. It was a book called 'Historical Villages of Mossflower', a large and overwhelming thick book. Lusma had some difficulty dragging it, as she flipped to the first page.

"Luuks, Jause. Yous see dus, map?" Jase looked it over, it was this massive map which covered two pages of various dots and little village icons all across the forests of Mossflower. Jase hoped to see 'South Glade' on that map, the true name of 'Sout'gen' but could not see it. Lusma pointed to a village, which was called Walsor. It was tiny, only a dot on the map.

"I wuz readun sum of me maturials an' secundary surces, an' came acruss dis. Luuk, we's knuw suoth glade is suoth or so. I dun wus looken ut dus buuk den, an' nuticed dus!" Lusma produced another book titled 'Famous Family Lines of Mossflower Interior'. She flipped the pages, passing several large bookmarks on famous mole families and landed on to Jase's surprise was the Brownspikes. Apparently, one of their ancestors had been a great carpenter, who helped make many of the abbey's wooden furniture, although little of it stands today. The family tree of this Brownspike was traced by Lusma's claw to other Brownspikes, none of them Jase found familiar. She patted some text like 'Born in the village of Barkheight' and 'Died in the village of Grassplain'.

"Luuk, all dum Bruwnspikes lived in dis dur area, heres." Lusma went back the map and traced some of the villages in a wide circle. It was only now that Jase knew what she was doing "Lusma, you genius! You think South Glade is in this area?"

"I'um mer dun certun. Luuk, many Bruwnspikes lived betwuun dus village, an's if South Glade wus allowed Vadus tu walk un hume to his famuly to help dem farum, dun it aiun't hard to say it auin't far. Vadus had a farum, an' luuks. Dis line in particular! Ghosan Bruwnspike wau's burn in a farum in the villuge of Whitewuter." Jase however noticed something Lusma didn't. Whitewater didn't sound like and hedgehog settlement he ever heard of.

"Lusma, is Whitewater a otter village though?"

Lusma thought to herself and then cursed "Yus riught, dur could be manuy farums in dur villuges." She returned to her notes, looking for other instances of professions of the Brownspike family, at least those written down. The Jase remembered something, and asked "Correct me if I am wrong, Lusma, but where are the tribal rats usually?"

"Tribul ruts? Varments like dum usually be arund here." Lusma pointed a wide margin between the far east and south east. Jase continued, tracing his paw in the southern quadrant of their guessing area. He pointed to two southern villages in particular; Trusberry and Marland. "Any Brownspikes from either of these two towns, by chance?"

Lusma looked over her book and smiled "Oi! Ya! Trusberry." Jase smiled, he rested his paw and traced it between the two villages. He circled it was his paw and nearly let out a shout of joy. "That much be where Sout'gen is! That must be where it is!"
_

Jase was gitty with excitement, double checking and triple checking his findings. He could now see where his dream would take him, and nearly kissed Lusma in gratitude, but found it too weird. His attention was grabbed by Curlor who spoke up "I hope you aren't going to yell all the time you are here, Jase." Jase kept silent, and he looked for something to write on. Lusma could see what he was doing and went to Curlor to get a piece of parchment, and asked Curlor for an ink quill. Curlor reluctantly agreed, but she and Jase spent a good part of their time making a crude map of their findings based on the map in front of them. Once done, Jase looked over it proudly and left it out to dry a bit.

Lusma called over to Jase "Oi! Yu's bettur hulp me put all dus away, Jause. Dus unes be prutty heavy!" Jase obeyed and came over, helping clear the books from Lusma's 'deck' on the floor. Jase had not even noticed the sun was going down, and how much time had passed. He peered at what Lusma was working on, and worked up the courage to ask. "Lusma, if I may ask, what are you doing exactly?"

Lusma's mood went from cheery to a regretful frown. "Ohh, Tus a pruject I begun whun I gut here. Me fathur is Borbun Rucklore, hero of Mussfluwer. Huw he becume a heru tus a sad stury. Vermun came to our colony, a mole settulmunt if ya will, au'n made der cruel demunds to dem. Dey demanunded we give up au's sluves to Kasg, au'n the elders did nut. So's a captun of Kusg named Gundal collupsed our culony. It killed alumst everyune, sparun me au'n pa. Mum. . .Mum. . ." Lusma stopped and Jase did not prod further. She returned to her books.

"Iu's dun't waun't to see our histury erased. Pa luft me here to go aftur Gandul. It wun't bring our hume back, but I's gut me own plun. I'll mauke sure der nume of Ruckbuse be remumbered fars butter den dut ol' Kusg! Tus gunna be's a complute histories, talkun about me pa. I wunt to show it hum, so he cun remembur it in's a butter light. I thunks he be proud." Lusma was not sure. Her father was a warrior for certain, but Jase patted her in comforted "I'm certain he will be proud. I'd be if I was him."

Jase was going to excuse himself and head out, but the door opened again and two figures plopped down on him as the door opened; Gaisen and Snot. Curlor turned again, and upon seeing the two he raised his voice. "Oh! You ceaseless distractions! The library is a place of silence, and I'd prefer you to not slam open my door or play in here!"

"Oh shove off, twitch face!" Snot retorted. Curlor didn't recogonize him at first, and both him and Lusma looked a bit shocked. Snot and Giasen stood, dusting themselves off as Snot continued to rant and ramble. "You woodlanders build doors in der worse ways! Nearly broke me back tryin to open it!"

"Young beast, I care not who you are, but you. . .you. . .Oh, who am I kidding, you vermin couldn't care less. In that case, just get out of the library, your kind aren't welcome in it."

"Whys not! I gos where I please!" Snot proudly said. Gaisen was already trying to push him out the door, but Curlor flew into his own ranting. "You creatures don't create as much as destroy everything you touch, that is! Go back down with the other vermin."

Jase spoke up in Snot's defense, not sure why the redwall scribe was so angry "That seems uncalled for."

Curlor arose and quickly grabbed a book, it was one most of the woodlanders recognized. "Page 54 of the histories of Matthias the Warrior, Cluny the Scourge and his horde attacks Redwall Abbey. See the index of casualties and cruelties committed by Cluny and his horde." He nearly threw the book and Jase who caught it. Snot huffed "Whacha gots agains' Ol Cluny! He b-" Snot was cut off as Curlor pulled another book "Page 61, Diaries of Constance. See the section of the murders and kidnapping of Slagar the Cruel, Aka Chickenhound. You'll notice in particular that even when cared for by the likes of Redwall, he enslaved children and attack us without merit!" This time Curlor put the book away. Snot did not know much about Slagar, and didn't try to speak up to defend him. He still felt personally attacked.

Curlor kept touching books and scrolls "Murders by Vermin during the time of Abbot Mhere, a gang of hooligans who murdered a youngster for no other reason than one could guess. Done so by vermin not far from your age, I bet! Kidnappings and slavery done by sea raiders, accounts of the tyranny of the Marlfoxes, journals of vermin cruelty, bandit clans, ceaseless and endless scrolls each detailing nothing but your wretched people's hatred of anything civilized and decent! You only are here at the abbot's insistence, weasel, and by whatever the otters are doing. Just cause you are here now doesn't mean I tolerate you in anyway or your insults, especially in my library!"

Gaisen this time spoke up "You are acten like this weasel did all those things personally, Curlor."

"He didn't, but he will when he grows up, like they all do. If he isn't a murderer now, hes a slaver tomorrow. Now you three, get out of this library!"

Snot's normally dull pride turned to profound sadness as they left. Lusma couldn't help agreeing with Curlor and folded her paws. Jase and Gaisen left, with Snot in tow, who seemed far less talkative than before. They kept quiet as they returned to Stenna, not speaking much until the end of the day.

Gaunt was sitting in the cellar of Redwall, the rat kept quiet and counted his seconds, bored beyond all things. He could hear other vermin from the other sides of the walls in the makeshift prison. Some voices he recognized. One was a ransomer who had a nasty habit of kidnapping mice from villages and trying to get his food and money. Another voice was an attempted murderer, a fox bandit who had a nasty anger to him. Gaunt didn't really wonder, or care, why these vermin were in various cooled rooms next to him, but he did care about getting out. The door to his makeshift cell opened, he half expected to see Hesam. He froze in fright as a far worse figure came through. Skipper Dakan stood in front of him, and the door closed harshly behind him. Gaunt attempted to look dignified as Dakan came uncomfortably close to him.

"I know you are involved somehow with the thievery, rat." Dakan seethed. "You are going to tell me who your boss is, and you are going to tell me now."

Gaunt grunted "I ain't tellen ya jack, water dog. I ain't n-" The rat was lifted up by Dakan and angrily slammed into the wall. Dakan held him there, a fire burning in his eyes. "Why were you behind the abbey with a blanket? You weren't there to sleep, especially wit me otters so close by. You had to sneak past them. You are involved, an' if you think I am going to let you go on that, you better start thinking better."

Gaunt gave a pained grunt "Ya are den mistaken, ya overgrown swimmin ferret. I ain't talken, an ya can't make me."

Dakan slammed his paw close to Gaunt with a harshness one could expect from him. Gaunt turned, seeing the otter's paw partly bleed from the impact, but the Skipper did not let him go. Dakan had his trouble keeping control of his anger, and it showed.

"Whose your boss, rat."

"Again, I ai-"

Dakan slammed again into the wall, this time knocking the rat painfully and far more harshly. Gaunt was in pain as Dakan again spoke "Whose your boss." Dakan said far more angrily, his voice cracking with utter contempt.

Gaunt gave a wicked smile and even chuckled, much to Dakan's displeasure "I still ain't talken, otter. Whatcha goona do to ol' Gaunt? Kill me? Try explainen dat to yer dear abbot den. Gaunt don't talk ill of his bosses, an' I don't be sharen nuthin."

"Bosses? Plural?" Dakan raised an eyebrow, ever suspicious. Gaunt realized he made a huge mistake and kept silent. Dakan lowered him down and paced. "Rats like you don't exactly protect your bosses so well. Tell me Gaunt, what are you doing here."

"Ya know I ain't talken."

"Then why not? You aren't really that afraid of your bosses are you?"

Gaunt in truth kind of was, or more accurately, who they worked for. He had debts, sure, but not the kind Vogar owed to his devil. Gaunt heard the stories, he saw what Hesam and Vogar did without hesitation. He grunted, giving the otter a small kernel of truth "I ain't no coward, but I ain't stupid either. I get paid, an' debts wiped away. Easy as' dat."

Dakan stopped pacing "Do you know what is happening to your kind out in Mossflower? Kidnapped by slavers, dragged away? You know nothing."

Gaunt in fact knew quite well, but this time lifted his head down in shame. Dakan tried to prod "Don't you even care?"

"Why should I? Dey ain't helpun ol' Gaunt, so I don't really sees nuthin or anythin like dat. So what if a rat disappears, ain't like ya care either in truth." Dakan paused, because Gaunt was right about one thing. Dakan honestly didn't care for vermin, he was more angry at the Long Patrol than anything else for ignoring this issue. He was concerned for the safety of the abbey. Dakan then asked "Is your boss a vermin or a woodlander."

"I ain't talken." Yet, the answer to Dakan's question was answered by Gaunt in a different way. Gaunt's eyes lit up in surprise, and he tried to collect himself to not give anything away. It was such a strange question to ask, the answer would always have been 'vermin', but the surprise itself is all Dakan needed to see. He holded his paws and looked at Gaunt. He snorted and then went out. Gaunt was partly confident he didn't give anything away, and hoped Hesam nor Vogar would be told of this interrogation as well.
_

Dakan was beginning to feel a lot like Bollo. His mind was convinced that Hesam and Vogar had stolen Redwall's cutlery, and he wondered even harder how deep that rabbit hole went. Was everything just a lie from the start? The bird attacks, the Lady of the Woods, is it all fake? How a fool we must all be, how stupid can we be for these two to get away with it! Damnable thieves, no doubt they were responsible for the Butkins being hauled away by that Wildcat! Seasons, what about Jue? Dakan's mind wandered, he knew no one would believe him, but he was dead set on things.

Dakan was back in the vermin camp, simply wandering about when he was approached by Garfan. Dakan barely noticed him, but Garfan could see the otter was struggling with something.

"You look to be fuming, ya ol' water dog. Vermin getting to you?"

Dakan was silent for a bit, but returned to reality and smiled "Yes, a bit actually. Vermin, wretched creatures really. Whatever is hunting them out in Mossflower I can only hope passes before winter. This lot will start a coup if not given proper food."

Garfan patted his sword "I bet. You've seen our primary suspect? That blasted weasel had all manner of excuses, I'm surprised you believed him. Supposedly all up in the armory with Jase and me 'son'. Bah, I don't believe that for a bit. Why did you believe it?" Garfan referred to the incident, but Dakan knew the truth. He didn't wish to tell his old friend about it, as he didn't wish to bring harm to either Jase or Gaisen. "Cause it was true, that youngster didn't steal it. Put that out of your mind, Garfan."

"If you say so. You know that lot always starts young."

"I know." Dakan rolled his eyes. He began to peer around at the temporary camps, the vermin and their families eating and lazily camping out on the lawn. His rabble was loud and boisterous, and rowdy as ever. Some would just straight up bully the other woodlanders inside, while also bullying themselves. Few, if any, were grateful. Their distrust of woodlanders was plain to see, and his otters were getting annoyed in keeping them in line. Many were homesick, and their pups often complained. Dakan breathed in heavily "I was thinking of doin a hunt, Garfan, wanna come with?"

"To where?"

"You know where the Butkin hole is, by chance?" Dakan asked coldly. Garfan nodded "Take me there, please. I got me suspicions."

Garfan and Dakan left the abbey, with the mouse warrior being followed closely by the otter. Dakan looked stone faced, and Garfan could see he was latching onto something. It reminded him of the old days, when Dakan took his holt to war against Kasg. They were dark times for Dakan, he witnessed a lot of terrible things done by Kasg and his horde. Garfan and Dakan continued until they were at the Butkin's hole, and Dakan peered to the ground, looking at the prints. Garfan bent down, noticing there were a lot of weasel prints, and some younger prints of woodlanders as well. Yet Dakan didn't seem interested in it, and Garfan was confused.

"Looks like some little folk came by. Maybe looted the place now that it is-" Dakan went wordlessly into the hole in the ground. In the dark emptiness of the house, Dakan was already churning over tables and smashed open cupboards. He looked through the trash of the Butkins, trashing up the vermin hole far more than it had been. Garfan entered to see what Dakan was doing and didn't interfere. Dakan entered Mr. Butkin's room, seeing the lopsided bed the weasel had been on. He had no clue what he was looking for, and turned the bed to its side, smashing it into a dirt wall and some dust crumbled on Garfan's head. Garfan angrily raised his voice "Any reason to what your doing, or what your looking for? Doubtful your going to find any goods. The Butkins may have been bandits, but were terrible bandits at that."

Dakan didn't answer and continued to go through Mr. Butkin's things. Dakan stopped and was looking at something, something brighter than the dirty sheets and crusty trash in a pile of Mr. Butkins little loot pile. Garfan was curious when he came over and saw a peculiar bag. It wasn't roughed up, and was sealed in fresh string, and it stood out amongst everything else. Garfan grunted "Probably something from a merchant no doubt."

Dakan picked it up, and it jingled in his paw. "Feels like. . .currency i thinks."

"Well, he was a bandit, no doubt stolen."

Dakan looked through it a bit more, it looked rather curious. He opened it up and dropped a coin into his paw. He stared at it, and then began to recognize it. It was a chipped coin depicting a badger. Garfan could see Dakan recognized it. "Something Mr. Butkin stole."

"When Redwall had its festival, a black bird was attacking one of the caravans. When Hesam and his hare buddy came and drove it off, I gave him a little pouch for his efforts. This is one of my coins, Garfan." Garfan didn't get it, and he looked concerned at Dakan who was looking down at the coin as if it was a severed limb. "Probably Butkin's elder son stole it, no doubt. Hesam did camp outside before his arrival."

Dakan could only hear white noise. His paw clenched on the bag and gripped it so hard that it crumbled, and coins began to go onto the floor with an earth shattering bang.
_

Hesam and Vogar were walking out into Redwall's common area, with Hesam humming to himself. He felt a little bit safer as he waltzed the grounds of the vermin, and felt the cool breeze in the air. Vogar however was still in his disgusted mood, the smell of vermin also stank heavily to him, even when they were far away. Then thunder was heard in the distance, as Vogar could see a massive rolling gray cloud reaching out towards Redwall. Vogar complained "Bah! Its going to storm soon. At least the rain will wash these scoundrels of that wretch stench they carry. Hopefully, wot." Hesam didn't care, he was just happy to be out of Redwall's corridors for once and not in an anxious mood. He was making his way down the steps, wanting go back to their old camp and clean some things up, make sure Dakan nor his otters found their camp and began making trouble for him. Vogar wanted to join, but as they were about to head out, the door to Redwall's gate opened.

Dakan and a concerned looking Garfan came through. The mouse stopped trying to argue with him, a bit dismayed. Hesam stopped as Dakan's horrifying grim stare was centered on him. As Dakan marched forward, he passed by one of his otters carrying a javelin. Dakan harshly yanked it from the otter's paws and came forward with murderous intent but stood.

"Hesam! Vogar! I suppose we must talk, so we can talk here. I wanted to know a few things and I-" Hesam and Vogar began to back up, but Dakan stopped when a trumpet blew in the distance. Dakan froze and turned, recogonizing the blast of the sound. It rolled like thunder, and a light drizzle came over the abbey. The vermin also knew this sound well and began to back up.

"Hares! There are hundreds of Hares heading towards us!" One of the abbey mice yelled from the walls. Garfan yelled back up "Are they heading towards us!?"

"Yes! They march towards us!" Dakan slowly turned as the gates opened. It was like a miracle to him. If Hesam and Vogar wished to get away, they'd have to deal with the Long Patrol. Yet Dakan was half sure they were not here for either of them. The doors opened, and a vast line of hares with spears and bows of the Long Patrol came marching right through Redwall's gates.

In front of them all was one hare in particular. A dashing and slightly plump hare whom Dakan knew quite well. When he stopped, the entire army stopped suddenly, with a loud clanging of spears and bows. "Ah!" the hare spoke "I was wondering where you are, ol chap! Thought you'd return to your holt! Dakan, I have been looking for you." Naus Stag Hare spoke, his voice booming and bright.

Dakan looked at the hares who were looking around curiously at the gathered vermin. Naus noticed and came close to Dakan, just as Marthomis and others came rushing out of the abbey to greet them. "Good Skipper, I do hope you aren't being attacked?"

"Nay, Naus. We aren't. I thought I'd have to travel to Salamanderstron to greet ya."

"Sorry ol' chum. I wish we could meet under better circumstances."

Lightning cracked in the distance as the Long Patrol officers yelled orders and filed into the abbey and outside of it, setting up tents in terrifyingly quick fashion. Carts of food and supplies rolled on in to feed the huge Long Patrol force as Marthomis came out. "Oh good Naus, it is good to see you again! What brings the. . ." Marthomis paused, noticing the grim expression of Naus, and the size of the host became more clear. Everyone in the abbey who heard the Long Patrol had come expected maybe three visitors at best, but not an entire army. Naus saluted "Good Marthomis, Tis good to see you as well. Glad to see you too Vogar, ol' chum." Vogar waved awkwardly to Naus.

"Why ya come Naus, an' specifically for me?" Dakan asked. The Skipper's children came running, and soon many more. Their curiosity created a large circle around Naus. The Hare stiffened up, and spoke, with a slight pain in his voice.

"I've come to seek your Otters for war, Skipper. Tussock has fallen to the vermin. They head now to Redwall."