Eli struggled to maintain his composure as he followed Brin and Sathe back to the infirmary. He understood Sergeant Nettlewhisk's anger at the ferret and a part of him wanted to let the hare have his way with the vermin. To have the vile creature groveling for mercy at his feet. To hear her cries of pain as he slowly crushed every bone in her body. To stand victorious atop a pile of butchered vermin and call for the remaining horde to charge and meet their death!
Eli's furious thoughts vanished as his peg leg tripped on an uneven floorboard.
"Slow down you two. You'll have the rest of the day to catch up once we get to the infirmary." Eli laughed as the two slowed their pace to match his.
"We're both just so happy we can apologize and move beyond this," Brin responded with a smile before turning back to chatter about whatever gossip was important to the ferret.
Eli's phantom leg burned in anger as he regained his slightly skewed gate. The mouse set his jaw and closed his mouth as his eyes focused on his friend rather than the storm raging in his mind.
Brin likes her so she can't be that bad. He tried convincing himself. She was attacked and threatened by my guards! She has a reason to be angry, I don't.
"You're Redwalls champion! You can and must set an example for the rest of us to follow." Abbot Micah had told him as he thrashed about in that giant rat's grip. He had lost his temper and gave in to his anger. Some Champion of Redwall. You let a crippled vermin runt make you look like a fool.
Eli thought Abbot Micah should've been harsher with his reprimand and punishment. After almost getting himself and several other beasts killed. A stern lecture and timeout with his brother like he was a dibbun who ran away from bath time seemed a bit lenient. But Abbot Micah, in his sage-like wisdom, must have known that his brother's good nature would be enough to settle the angry, younger Greyfur. As much as he looked down upon his brother's temperament towards vermin Samuel hadn't shied away from Eli's questioning and gracefully reminded him of the Redwalls tenets.
"You can teach those who can't defend themselves how too." His brother had reminded him. Now he was about to do something he already regretted.
Martin's whiskers Samuel you're a sharp-tongued fool. That vermin whelp was crippled because of me! He should be dead, or far away from here, but of course, he makes it to the bloody abbey! Why did it have to be a child? What did I do to deserve this?
Brin opened the door to the infirmary as the trio shuffled at the door. The ferret was a bit hesitant but was pulled inside by Brin. Eli took a deep breath of the stuffy, earthy air and looked about the eclectic and empty waiting room.
"Where's Quintebec?" Sathe asked as puzzled as Eli.
"I thought he was headed back to the infirmary," Eli responded, scratching his head. "He's a big lad, there's not many places he can be hiding."
Just as he finished Mildred popped her head into the room and smiled. "Good Afternoon lovelies. I hope you enjoyed your lunch."
"Afternoon Miss Mildred." Eli responded with an added bow.
"Do you know where we can find Corporal Trilloway?" Brin asked and Mildred's face darkened momentarily.
"Oh, that nobheaded clod! He and Cedric were boxing in front of the dibbuns. I heard it was all because Cedric said some unsavory things about you Sathe."
"They what!" Eli shouted storming past Mildred toward the rows of cots in the infirmary. Eli could feel the vein on his forehead pounding in frustration and just about cursed the Long Patrol as he broke into the open room. There were about half a score of jovial hares crowded around Cedric and Quintibec. The two fighters lay bandaged in side-by-side beds.
"What in blazes were you hare-brained idiots doing!" Eli shouted and the hares snapped to attention. "Fighting in front of dibbuns! What were you thinking!"
"Sah," Sergeant Nettlewhisk responded with a salute. "'E wur jus' set'ln ar' disput', wot."
"Not'n too bad, wot" Trilloway added.
The hares' faces were in various stages of turning into overripe blackberries. Trilloway's left eye was swollen shut and his round face was taking an oblong egg-like shape due to a lump that was growing on his chin. Nettlewhisk had moss shoved up both nostrils and his lips that looked like he had been stung by several bees. They both had a lump growing between their ears which Eil safely assumed was Sister Lilacs doing.
"I told you to apologize, not to brawl!"
"They just did sah." Sergeant Danburr reported. "Also had them apologize fer that poor performance they put on fer the dibbuns, wot."
A few of the younger hares stifled a laugh. Nothing was amusing about it to Eli.
"You're all gonna apologize to Sister Beryl for encouraging this. If you want to spar don't do it in front of the dibbuns. She's got enough t' worry about keeping that crowd in line, she shouldn't need to worry about parenting a bunch of caddish hares."
"Aye sah!" The hares responded in unison.
"And another thing." Eli started before he forgot. "There will be no more taunting or teasing the vermin. We've had enough fighting over them to last us a season."
"Was that wot this fuss was about?" Sergeant Danburr asked, shooting a nasty look toward the fighters. "Ye be squabblin' o'er a ferret, wot? Ye've lost yer senses! Ferrets ain't worth a barleycorn inna scrap."
The two hares launched into an intelligible defense of their actions. Eli cut them both off.
"It doesn't matter why you did it, you shouldn't have done it to begin with! You both are going to clean the mess for a moon as punishment."
"And as for the rest of you." The hares immediately snapped to attention once more. "There will be no comments or quips to the vermin. They're our guests and will be treated as such. If you have anything to say about them, keep it to yourselves." Eli could feel the pounding in his head go away.
"Are there any questions?"
"Sah." A hare raised his paw. "Wot if one o' them rotten vermin decides t' strike a noble creature, wot wot?"
"If it's unprovoked send the vermin to the Dark Forest!"
"Aye, sah!" The hares chimed in unison.
"Now back to your posts. Let these fighters rest."
The hares trotted from the room with Eli on their heels. He caught several of them glancing at something in the infirmary waiting room. Following the troop, he found Sathe crying as Mildred held her paw as they sat on the checkered cot. Brin stood nearby smiling with tears in her eyes. A few paces away from them stood an out-of-place Corporal Bushby.
"Corporal!" Eli hissed so as not to be heard and waived him over.
"Sah I'm stationed in the Infirmary."
"I know I know, with the fox, right?"
"Yes, Sah." The young hare bobbed his head up and down.
"Good, good. He's about your age, isn't he?"
"I uh… I haven't asked. But I suppose he is, wot."
"What room is he in?" Eli asked, keeping his eyes on the ferret.
"Second on the left."
"Good lad." Eli clapped him on the arm. "Have ye eaten lunch?"
"I wouldn't be a bloomin' hare if I hadn't by now!"
"Are ye still hungry lad?" Eli realized that was a redundant question.
"I could always go for fourths, wot."
"Go get yourself some vittles. If anyone asks ye tell them I sent ye to grab food to bring to the infirmary."
"Aye, sah." Could be heard from down the hall as Corporal Bushby rushed off.
Eli sighed as he turned back into the hallway and slowly walked to the door to the fox's room.
What are you doing? An angry voice in his head shouted at him. You're really going to go through with this? After everything they've done!
"He's just a child. He doesn't know any better, and it's my fault he's here." Eli muttered under his breath.
It's not your fault he ran his mouth and it's not your fault he lost his leg. Dane was right when he said it was a good throw, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"I still crippled him. I need to make this right."
Suit yourself but remember it's all your fault when things go wrong. The voice hissed like a kettle before disappearing.
Eli shuddered as he placed his paw on the nob and turned it. The door didn't move. Angrily he drove his shoulder into the door and threw it open. Ruddy yelped and tumbled to the floor as Eli stepped into the room.
What is this runt doing? For a horrified moment, he thought the young vermin had heard frowned at the fox who lay in a jumbled heap, surprised to have a guest.
"What are you doin'?" Eli glared daggers into the whelp who cowered on the ground.
"Nuffin'." The fox muttered looking away from the mouse. "Whydja barge in here mousie?"
Disrespectful fool. Eli's eyes narrowed at the fox. "I thought you and I would have a little chat."
"Yarr I ain't goin' anywhere." The fox snapped.
Eli nodded and closed the door behind him. He noticed the fox nervously swallow as the door locked shut.
As the mouse surveyed the room he noticed it was smaller than the others and in great disarray. Eli's senses were assaulted by the pungent scent of sweat mixed with mold. A small rectangular window to the right of the bed and a skylight from high above let in plenty of light, yet it still felt like a depressing cave. The cot was unkempt, and the white and red blankets were twisted around to a tight ball at the foot of the bed. There were pillows tossed about the room with several lined up against the wall like a sparring bag. Clothes and bandages were strewn about, and Eli was careful not to tread on them. The nightstand drawers were open and rummaged through. There was a candlestick with no candle sitting next to a plate with an untouched helping of vittles.
The fox sat with his back to the foot of the bed, green eyes watching Eli's every move. He was shirtless but had a layer of bandages wrapped around his chest with a lump of herbs underneath. His green and black kilt, which had not been washed in more than a season, was the source of the stench. The orange fur on his face was tousled and unkempt and his eyes sagged with a lack of sleep. Eli noted the fox's attempt to cover up the stump of a left leg under his kilt.
"How's yer head feelin'?" Ruddy grimaced and rubbed the side of his head where a large bump had formed before wiping his lip which was still a bit puffy.
"It's fine." The fox snapped. "Now whaddaya want? I'm busy."
"Certainly, doesn't look like yer busy. Looks like you've run outta things to destroy."
The fox scowled. "Th' old hag don't let me leave my room. Says me ribs are still crack'd and I'll just make 'em worse."
"You might want to listen to her, she's wise beyond her seasons."
"Yarr, I feel fine! I was walking around on one leg before yew barged in."
"You were?" Eli's brows jumped. "Why don't ye show me?"
Ruddy's expression went blank for a moment, before forming an unhappy grimace. "Fine, I was gettin' uncomfortable down here anyways."
Eli remained silent as Ruddy grunted and stiffly rolled to his paws and knees. The fox couldn't contort his chest without cringing in pain. Using the bedframe to climb his way upright he stood bouncing around on one leg as he tentatively held his paws out for balance. Eli watched the fox for an unimpressed moment before grabbing the remaining pillows on the cot and tossing them to the floor.
"Whaddidja do that fer? I spent all morning making that bed!"
"It's so you don't break more of yer ribs if you fall."
"I'm not gonna fall m-!" Ruddy snapped his mouth shut as he whirled his arms about before he hopped into a wall to keep his balance.
"You were saying." Eli cracked a wry smile.
"Shuddup mouse! If yer gonna gloat like that prick otter, then I'll beat ye meself!"
Eli stepped forward with murderous intent upon his face. This little runt hasn't learned his lesson! The voice in his head shouted. The fox's angry expression vanished in an instant as his green eyes went wide with fear. Eli took an unnoticeable breath before a cocky grin plastered his face.
"You're a fool fox. You've never learned how to ask for help, so you don't know when someone's trying to give it to you."
Ruddy shut his mouth and glared at the shorter grey mouse. Make this runt beg for mercy. Make him grovel! Eli silenced the voice.
He's scared and angry because he hasn't got a leg. He's more like me than I want to admit. Eli reminded himself.
"So tell me truthfully now." Eli began with a calm voice. "How's your head?"
Ruddy looked everywhere but at Eli. "My head hurts when somebeast touches it."
"Did you lose any teeth?"
"No, and the squirrel says me lips stopped swelling."
"How about your chest?"
Ruddy took a sharp short breath. "It hurts when I take a big gulp ov air and when I lie on it, but it doesn't hurt all the time anymore."
"What about your leg?"
Ruddy was silent for a moment as he looked at the floor.
"It's not there but it still burns. I hate it."
Eli looked away and nodded. "Yeah, I know."
Ruddy glanced at him as Eli sharply turned and marched toward the window. Throwing it open, a rush of cool winter air filled the room and momentarily brought relief to the mouse's senses. The fox shivered.
"Where's your shirt?"
Ruddy shrugged.
"Well cover up with something! Your room's as damp as an otter's backside. If you catch a cold or get water in your lungs, then there's nothing even Mildred can do to save you in your state." Eli threw the balled-up blanket at the fox who caught it against his chest before wrapping it around his neck like a cape.
Eli strode to the end of the bed. "Now pick up the pillow."
"Why?" The fox asked with as much interest in cleaning his room as any other dibbun half his age.
"Because I want to see how well you can balance." Eli retorted. "Now pick it up."
Eli pointed towards one of the pillows he had pulled off the bed. It was a pace from the wall.
Ruddy looked between the pillow and Eli as the mouse set his jaw. Tentatively the fox began to slowly hop away from the wall until he could no longer touch it. With a great effort, Ruddy dropped down to his paws and knee and grabbed the pillow before slowly rising upright.
"Throw it to me," Eli ordered.
While balancing on his one foot Ruddy tossed it to the mouse, hopping about to stay upright. Eli could see a thin film of sweat on the fox's forehead. Ruddy looked at Eli with a 'what's next' expression on his face. Eli tossed the pillow at the fox's foot once again.
"I just picked that up!"
"Do it again." Eli snapped. "But this time don't go to your knee. Stay on your foot while you use your arm and leg to keep your balance."
Ruddy looked at the odd mouse like he had two heads before bending over and picking up the pillow as he had asked.
"There ya go. Easier, isn't it?" Eli praised the fox as he beckoned for the pillow.
"I feel like a fool," Ruddy responded as he tossed it to the mouse.
"You look like one too. But if it makes things easier then do it." Eli responded. "Now catch."
Eli hurled the pillow at the fox. It hit him in the chest hard enough to force him to hop about to stay upright. Ruddy's face scrunched in a mix of hurt and confusion before he hurled it back as hard as he could without bowling over. Eli easily caught it before throwing it back with a little more power than before. Ruddy caught it with his body and tossed it back trying to land a blow on the mouse. This continued until the fox was panting and his face was covered in sweat. Eli cocked his arm like he would throw a javelin and hurled it at the fox. He realized his mistake too late, as the pillow broke through the fox's paws and nailed him in the face.
Ruddy spiraled his arms trying to catch himself before landing on a pillow. Eli was quickly by his side.
"Whaddija do that fer!" The fox snapped tossing the pillow aside.
"Just wanted to see if you could keep your balance if something hits ya. I'm sorry I put a bit too much behind that one." Eli responded extending a paw to the fox.
Ruddy slapped it away. "No beast is gonna toss pillows at me!"
"You'd be surprised." Eli chuckled "But more likely somebeast will bump into you or you'll have a door opened in your face or there'll be a strong gust of wind. You might not be expecting it, but it happens."
Ruddy got upright with much less effort this time as Eli motioned for him to sit on the cot. The fox hobbled over, still grasping onto his surroundings for support as he did so.
"Where are your crutches?"
"The old crone took 'em from me 'cause I kept tryin' tah run off wid 'em. She said she'll giv'em back once my ribs heal up." Ruddy responded pausing as he sat down before he added. "But I don't wanna work and I can't 'cause of my leg."
"Well, that's not part of the rules, isn't it?" Eli started as he began anxiously floundering. "You're going work while you're here and there's plenty of jobs where you don't need to be standing or walking or doing anything other than sitting around. You could be in the kitchen peeling potatoes or prepping food. There's always a need for another beast who can mend clothes and repair torn drapes and such. An' I bet Samuel could use some help sorting books, he has a whole library to clear."
Ruddy's frown deepened as Eli continued to ramble, interrupting him when he finally got tired of it.
"Yarr, those all sound dumb! When can I get a peg leg like you tah walk around like a normal beast."
Eli's voice caught in his throat.
"Uh… well um, it's not as easy as it looks. You have to re-learn how to balance on two… well one paw and a stick o' wood. It also smells and can hurt if you've been standing or walking for a long time. It's taken me well over a season to move about comfortably and I still struggle to do simple things."
The fox's ears drooped. "So, I'll never be able to run, fight, or be normal again!"
"It'll take time! But you've got to work at it, practice, fall, and then get up again. It's something I could teach you."
The fox's ears perked as Eli struggled to form the words. His stomach and mind told him no, but his heart told him he must.
"Since none of those other jobs sound interesting to you. If you want, once you're fully healed, you can shadow me about Redwall. I'll show you how to walk and do everything you need to know how to do by the time you and your friends leave." Eli's voice trailed off.
The fox looked at him with wide eyes, awaiting what he would say next. It's what Eli had feared the most since he had made his decision about the fox.
"You can also be my assistant when I'm training the guards and sparring. You won't pick fights with anyone or else this opportunity will vanish like yer leg! But you can help by carrying the training gear and you can watch real warriors fight."
"Can I train with you?" Ruddy blurted swishing his tail about as he leaned on the edge of the bed.
Eli swallowed and looked into the fox's green eyes. They were the same color as Esthers.
"Yes. Yes, you may."
Ruddy shouted for joy as he jumped onto the top of the bed. "Ima warrior!" He bellowed as he tried to dance a little jig. Eli reckoned that he must have forgotten he had a single leg as he tumbled onto the cot laughing like a jelly-bellied dibbun. He prattled happily to himself as Eli attempted to subdue a smile.
"Alright settle down Ruddy!" The mouse snapped sensing his merriment had gone on for too long.
"Don't call me Ruddy! That's not my name! I'm Bloodclaw the one-legged fox warrior!" Ruddy snapped, jolting from the bed.
"Why do the other vermin call ye that?"
"It was a stupid nickname they gave to me when I was a kit! Call me Bloodclaw or I'll call ye Eli the one-legged froglicker!" Ruddy giggled as he rolled about on the bed drunk with joy.
"Then be quiet Bloodclaw or else you won't train with me." The fox immediately sobered up and focused on the mouse.
"This offer is hinged on a few things. First, if you threaten or harm another beast in Redwall you'll be mending yer kilt outside the walls before ye realize your sword turned into a sewing needle! You would've gotten killed if that searat hadn't gotten involved and I don't want to see something like that ever happen again. Second, you're not going anywhere if you don't heal up. So, get yer tail in bed and rest up lest I change my mind. Finally, you're going to be trained as if you're a warrior of Redwall so that means you gotta act like it. Keep your room and appearance clean, be polite, say please and thank you, and never, ever use what you've learned here to bully or take advantage of good beasts. At Redwall, we fight only ever to protect ourselves and our allies from ver- evil beasts. Simply put, if you leave here, I don't ever want to catch wind of you joinin' a horde. Else I'll hunt you down, destroy the horde and take yer other leg! Understood?"
"Yessir!"
"It's 'Aye Sir'." Eli corrected.
"Aye Sir, Eli!" The fox bounced up and down with excitement. Eli suspected that Bloodclaw didn't hear most of what he had said.
"Good. Now Mildred better tell me that this room is spotless and that you're sleeping like a babe or else," Eli ordered as he began to leave the room.
"When can I start?" Bloodclaw asked before he could escape.
"Whenever Miss. Mildred thinks you're healthy to leave." Eli snapped at him as he trudged through the door. "Now clean your room and get some rest!"
"Thank you, Eli!" Bloodclaw called as Eli stormed from the infirmary, tormenting himself for what he had done.
Wow made it to 40 chapters! I'm gonna vanish for a while but I hope you enjoy!
As always please let me know what you think and what I can improve on. Any and all feedback is appreciated!