"Good Morning Abbot!" Mildred cheered as she bounced to the old mouse. "Or late morning or early afternoon whatever time of day it is!" Sathe was drug along by the old squirrel as she fought back her instinct to rip free from the spinster's grasp and run off. Her head pounded like a drum and the skin of her eyes drooped and sagged like a wet sheet. Her eyes were puffy and raw from the intermittent sleep she had gotten since she arrived at Redwall just about a fortnight ago.
"Good Morning ladies." Abbot Micah said with a shallow bow. Mildred returned the motion as Sathe stumbled to a stop behind the squirrel. She softly swayed back and forth like a drunken sea beast as her eyes darted to the shadows and blind spots in her surroundings where attackers could loom. Nobody else seemed to worry about the constant threat but her. Such a gift of foresight was merely a curse.
"How are things in the infirmary today?" The old mouse asked, neatly folding his arms in his robes. He had made the journey to the infirmary almost every day. The old mouse enjoyed checking on the odd assortment of beasts that were stationed there. Sathe knew the routine. He would ask about the healers in training, follow up by checking on the injured beasts, and finally ask if they needed anything from him before complimenting them for how stellar their performance was. Sathe thought him useless but knew him to be a powerful ally.
Mildred answered the two of them. "All is well." Intoned the aged healer. "Trilloway and Egbert are off training with the hares ere returning to their duties. Brin is washing bandages and Sathe, and I were about to crush some yarrow for one of my sleep aids."
"Sounds like you have your work cut out for you." Abbot Micah responded with a glance out the window. The snow remained draped over the landscape. Each day it seemed like the snow would melt away but each night dumped a fresh coat of the sticky powder or froze the partially melted snow to ice. Several beasts had been admitted into the infirmary after losing their footing because of the freeze. They all suddenly felt better the moment they laid eyes on the ferret.
"Fer not abbot, well manage well enough. We have more than enough willing paws and, truth be told, not enough work. Sathe and I can handle the remaining beasts in the infirmary."
"And how are our ill friends Sathe?" Abbot Micah turned his attention toward the ferret who jumped at the sound of her name.
"Err… Ruddy's holdin' up fine. Runt's pride is hurt more than he is, an' Silvertongue's paw's as good as new. Another day loungin' in my infirmary ain't gonna hurt that lazy bag o' bones none."
"I've heard Sister Beryl is feeling better in no small part to you." Abbot Micah smiled at the skittish vermin.
"Tha stripedog's mendin' up," Sathe responded, twisting the cloak in her paws.
"Oh, there's no reason to be so abashed, dearie. Every beast is doing lovely thanks to you." Mildred said, laying a reassuring paw on Sathe. The ferret jolted away out of instinct.
"You have Redwall Abbey's deepest gratitude for the great work you've put in these past several days." Abbot Micah heaped his praise upon the ferret. "Mildred, Sister Beryl, and Corporal Trilloway all speak highly of your skills. Even Captain Santain gushed over how you handled our incident with Herrik."
The old mouse's praise rang hollowly in Sathe's ears. All your honeyed words and some beast is still trying to kill me! You know it, that's why you're in here daily. Your praise is just a show!
Sathe didn't respond but held her bandaged paw beneath her red cloak. The attacker had cut into the bone and all but severed the tendons in three of her claws. Sathe didn't expect them to heal and now her left paw was practically useless.
Abbot Micah looked between Sathe and Mildred expecting an answer. The ferret wouldn't meet his gaze as she was too busy focusing on some of the loose boards in the ceiling. Mildred spoke before the silence became even worse.
"Well, we do have work to do Abbot. I'm a bit more forgetful after I hit my head, but that just means I can't put things off any longer." Mildred said with her usual pleasant demeanor.
Abbot Micah nodded. "I shouldn't hold any more of your time. I'll visit Sister Beryl before I'm out of your fur for good."
Sathe ignored the old mouse as Mildred curtsied and Abbot Micah returned the formality. Slogging toward the mortar and pestle she didn't hear Mildred's prattling.
"Sathe dearie, what's wrong?"
"Wot? Nuthin'." Sathe responded as she attempted to take the stone in her injured paw. She gripped it tightly between her thumb and pointer before it slipped from her grasp and thumped to the floor below. Sathe swore loud enough for Mildred to cease talking.
"Have yew noticed any improvement with yer paw dearie?"
Does it look like it's improved, you old wretch? I can barely hold a cup of water!
"Naw nuffin's changed."
"D'ye want me tah try and take another look at it? I'm not feeling my full self after waking up from my nasty injury, but I can have Brin-"
"No!" Sathe cracked. Not that mindless squirrel! "She'll only make things worse!"
"Nonsense Brin's paws are steadier than the river Moss!" Mildred trotted toward the hall. "Besides sweety, the longer we wait the less likely we are to help it heal."
Sathe shut her mouth knowing that the old squirrel had a fair point. She hadn't let anybeast tend to her wound aside from a hastily made bandage from one of the guards. She had told herself that she would eventually assess the damage, but she couldn't find the will or time to do so. So, Sathe held her tongue as a reluctant Brin was hauled into the waiting room.
"Brin dearie could you please move the nightstand next to the herbal drawer?" Mildred chimed as she rummaged through the dressers and drawers.
"Is that the drawer beneath the tapestry for the dogwood sleep aid?" Brin asked.
"No, it's the dresser with the scalpel and tweezers on them. See?"
"Ah now I do, ma'am."
"Sit, sit, sit." Mildred chirped as she hauled a stool out from a corner of the room and slid it toward Sathe. "Don't worry about anything sweetie, you're in good paws."
"Thass exactly why I'm troubl'd." Sathe snapped, which elicited a laugh from Mildred and a disappointed glare from Brin.
"Well between the three of us, we're the best healers Redwall's ever seen." Mildred chirped as she took bundles of moss and wrappings from the drawer next to Sathe and aligned them on the nightstand.
"Now let's see your paw."
Sathe slapped her paw on the table as Brin began to slowly unwrap the bandages. To Sathe's disgust, the black-furred wretch thought she might try and talk to her.
"How's Minerva?"
"Rotten creature didn't get a wink ov sleep the whole cursed night." Sathe spat. Furious to be reminded that she was still burdened with the baby.
"You act like the baby's a terrible thing."
"She is fool. She's even worse when ye only one good paw!"
Brin averted her eyes from the ferret and focused on the last bit of wrapping around Sathe's paw. Sathe flinched as the squirrel peeled the bloody layers of moss away revealing the red gash that sliced across three of her claws. The cut was down to the bone in all except the middle. Her vision narrowed as she focused on the jagged pink flesh still oozed a small amount of blood, her blood, that trickled onto the table. Sathe felt her stomach flip. She gave a defeated groan as she looked at it and Mildred's once cheery expression turned to a bitter frown.
"Clean the cuts Brin I want to see what we're dealing with." Mildred ordered and Brin obeyed.
Brin jabbed at the cut with a bit of moss and Sathe bit her lip as her face twisted in pain. Her ears rang with the crazed laughter of her assailant and she could feel his hot breath running down the back of her neck. She wanted to turn and scream at the beast until her voice was hoarse, beat him until her paws were bruised and broken. He wasn't there of course, but she felt like he was there always watching her from the walls and loose floorboards. Perhaps he was a ghost? A vengeful spirit of Redwall's staunch woodland defenders who chose her to torment until he succeeded in killing her or driving her to madness. Others would call her crazy but perhaps Mildred would agree. Mildred herself seemed to be mad as she talked to herself aloud. The old squirrel ran through her extensive knowledge of healing arts as she watched the ferret struggle not to cry out.
"Paws are very tricky. So many muscles, bones, and stringers all wrapped under a thin layer of fur. It doesn't take much to mess everything up."
"Whoever did this didn't seem to care." Brin exhaled a horrified sigh.
"No and may Martin smite them whoever they may be!" Mildred cursed for the first time in history. "Can you try and clench your paw into a fist Sathe?"
Sathe did so, although she knew what would happen. Her thumb and pointer finger curled just fine, and her middle finger curled just enough to rise off the nightstand. But the last two claws remained motionless. Sathe held back a sob and pressed her head into the table.
Brin tried to reassure her. "It'll be alright Sathe. Nothing we can't fix."
"Yew can't fix that you idjit! The muscles 'ave been cut! Everything's been cut!" Sathe snapped at Brin. "My paw's as good as dead!"
"Don't say that dearie there's gotta be something we can do," Mildred responded unphased by the realization.
"Are ye daft! Or did ye hit yer head harder than ye thinks!" Sathe snapped. "There's nothin' ye kin do 'bout it!"
"Sathe, sweetie, we haven't even gotten Trilloway's opinion on the matter," Mildred interjected with a weary look on her face.
"He's a backstabbing, lazy, rock-brained fool!" Sathe shouted. "He didn't even nab the wretch that did this to me! I don't want him anywhere near me paw!"
"He did the best he could, you masked moron!" Brin snapped.
"He's worthless just like yew!" Sathe snarled in response. "You lot are a pack of lying scum who wants t'see me suffer!"
Mildred opened her mouth to respond but then closed it with a mournful expression. Brin wasn't going to remain silent.
"You're a bully ferret! Nobeast in the infirmary wants to hurt you, you're just a coward who picks on others who try to help you!"
"You woodlanders are the cowards who attacked me! I'm the beast who saved both of your lives and that of the stripedog!"
"Sathe," Mildred began her face appearing to have aged a hundred seasons in less than a day. "I can't make you trust or even like any of us."
"I told you before that I don't want to be here!"
"But you are here!" Mildred shouted and Sathe jumped out of her seat. "I can't change the fact you're here and as much as I want to find whoever's been attacking you and wring their vile neck, I can't do that. But your attitude and tongue have been abhorrent!"
"Yarr I be dealin' with cretins and daft fools like that clumsy, bumbling hare!"
"We are all trying to help you! But you're being stubborn and mean. I'm sorry I can't give you everything you want but you just have to make the best of it!"
Make the best of it! BEST OF IT! For all the abuse she had gone through! Everything she had given up! The constant burdens she is forced to carry, now she is the problem! Without thinking Sathe grabbed her oversized collar. Mildred squeaked as Sathe raised her injured paw intending to bring it down upon the started squirrel like a disobedient slave. But she wisely caught herself before she did.
Striking this old fool would give her assailant a reason to attack her once more. That or one of the Long Patrol hares would skewer her upon their pikes. To make things worse Brin hadn't said a word but watched the whole ordeal. Dread cascaded across Sathe's face as she loosened her grip on Mildred's cloak.
"I…I'm going to lunch." Sathe murmured as she darted from the infirmary, snatching a roll of bandages as she fled.
Bolts of terror zipped through Sathe's mind. Her attacker could've seen her threaten to strike Mildred. He could be anywhere! He could be following her. She had to get out of these halls, somewhere she could see everything around her. Prattling down the corridors of Redwall Abbey she warily watched every shadow and tensed up as she turned every corner. If Mildred had cried out or if she had struck the old squirrel, she wouldn't have survived until the night. Sathe thought her luck had been pressed far enough.
Her mind a fevered frenzy Sathe didn't register colliding with a mole and a hedgehog until the three of them spiraled out on the floor. Sathe didn't hear the two beasts complaining as she picked herself up and plodded down the hallways that seemed to narrow by the step. Feeling the walls closing in on her, she hurried, panting as she ran faster and faster. After being brushed by several beasts that shot her more concerned glares than usual, she burst into the great hall.
Two mice and a mole were cleaning off the many tables and glanced up as she strode into the room thankful to be free from the suffocating hallways. Warm light trickled into the great hall as the three beasts continued their daily chores. A pleasant stream of sound and scents from the kitchens at the other end of the room echoed through the otherwise quiet hall. Quickly Sathe found her way to one of the long benches. She was trembling but she felt like she could breathe now that she was in the large hall. Her claws dug into the smooth table as she nodded away any talk from the Redwallers who watched from afar.
Her dark eyes darted about the room looking for some beast hiding behind a column or in the shadows. After searching the hall like a starving beast scavenging the forest for food her breathing began to slow and the heat in her head began to cool. A small groan from her stomach was interrupted by the peal of bells. Grumbling quietly to herself Sathe rose as food was quickly rushed from the kitchen and set upon several tables. Piping hot vegetable soup, rich with root vegetables and fragrant herbs, steamed from a large cauldron as the beefy armed friar waddled out of the kitchen with it. Flaky pastries stuffed with savory fillings, baked to golden perfection were accompanied by freshly baked bread, still warm from the oven. A selection of cheeses neatly sliced into wedges and cubes were laid alongside dried apples, apricots, almonds, acorns, and other delicacies. A giant bowl of fresh wintergreen salad that needed two beasts to carry to the table was produced from the kitchen, followed shortly by several deeper n' ever pies. The meal was certain to shake off the winter cold. Sathe's stomach emitted a contented rumble, a familiar melody that signaled a single joy she cherished since she arrived at Redwall.
Soon enough Sathe could hear the noises of scores of beasts heading her way for the meal. Steeling what's left of her nerves she forced herself up as the first few beasts trickled into the hall for their midday meal. Sathe loaded up her plate with scones, dried apples, a slice of deeper n' ever pie, and several slices of cheese along with candied nuts that she showered over top. She balanced her plate on her injured paw as she filled a mug with dandelion cordial in the other. Sathe turned back to her table with her mountain of food as a group of rowdy, putrid fighting beasts joined the line.
"Cedric yer as bad wid yer spear as ye are with yer quips." A burly female otter cracked at the skinny hare who jostled between several woodlanders.
"Oi, Elara yer a proper beast tah talk, wot wot. Eli had tah call off our spar 'cause ye decided tah snap yer spear in the snow like a blind dibbun." The tall hare quipped back.
"Yer tha quartermaster yew gotta fix it. Don't get mad at me mate fer slippin' on some ice." A barrel-chested otter with knots of fur under his chin teased.
"Are ye sure she didn't jus' bumble over her paws at the sight o' her handsome mate, Jakob?" A stout red squirrel asked as he weaved between the much taller beasts. Trilloway laughed his annoying carefree laugh as the squirrel retreated behind the hare as the female otter reached out and flicked his ear.
Sathe ignored them and focused on returning to a quiet table where she could finish her meal peacefully. The more beasts that tickled in the more likely her assailant was one of them. Sathe suspected that whoever it was wouldn't strike in public so she might as well use her cunning to try and discern who could be a threat to her. Most of the beasts in the abbey were smaller than her, the only exceptions being the otters, hares, and occasional plump hedgehog. The Redwallers eyed her warily if they even noticed the red-cloaked shadow that slunk into a seat in the far corner of the hall. Those who did notice her kept their distance. There had been quite a commotion following Ruddy and Seabane's duel.
Maggot-brained idiots! Sathe bit into a slice of apple cursing her luck for her horrid choice of comrades.
Her mood worsened when she spotted Brin joining the line of beasts waiting for a meal. The squirrel was flanked by Redwalls weary champion and his merry, weak-minded brother. Sathe scowled as the squirrel caught her eye and said something to the two mice. Their placid expressions turned to deep frowns as they looked at the ferret. Sathe didn't meet their gaze she was too preoccupied with wondering why Silvertongue was out of her cot.
"How's yer foot, my queen?" Crooksnout doted on his mate as the two filtered in behind the Greyfur brothers.
"I'll be feelin' right as rain once I've filled be gut." Silvertongue limped into the hall on crutches that looked like they were taken from Ruddy. "How in seasons do beasts manage tah navigate this cursed den o' theirs?"
"They be sniffin' their way, I reckon. But I've got me suspicions them mud dogs be burrowin' their holes beneath the abbey."
"I don't want my babies digging about wid 'em! I don't trust these beasts; they always get under me fur!"
"Well, there's not much ye kin do about that me honeysuckle. Unless ye want the two of them tah sit quietly in yer room. Which ain't gonna happen." Crooksnout responded, leading his mate forward.
"I'm stuck watchin' over the brats and taking that masked fool's abuse with only one leg, meanwhile yer off enjoyin' yerself with the mouse in the library!" Silvertongue snapped, following her mate along by the paw.
"Sathe's nuthin' but a squackin' fledglin'! An' don't forget my queen, ye've got the first weasel ever taught how to read an write at yer service. If any filthy beast dares tah lay a claw on ye I'll whisper 'em a lullaby and put 'em fast asleep."
Silvertongue rolled her eyes at her mate as she tried to hide a faint smile. "My hero."
"Ain't nothin' else I'd wanna be."
Sathe rolled her eyes and bit into a wedge of cheese as the two weasels slinked their way to the front of the line and loaded up their plates with more than enough food. She was just about to dig into a slice of sweet potato pie when a hearty slap on the back caused her to choke.
"Wot ho, lass! Ain't it a spot o' luck runnin' into yer down 'ere!" Trilloway boomed as he slid his bulk into the seat next to Sathe. His plate clattered down next to hers. Sathe struggled to contain her coughing as much as she did her anger.
"Good job Corporal now the ferret 'll suffocate before we kin get any useful information from her." Dokkur hissed as he slid into a seat across from Sathe.
"Oh, uh sorry Sathe. Do ye need some water?" The hare quickly offered his cup to her.
Sathe spat out a glob of chewed food to the disgust of the otter couple who moved to sit at the end of the table.
"What are yew doing, ye long-eared dolt!" Sathe snapped.
"Wot's the fuss, ferret!" The nasal voice piped up from behind Sathe. It was the skinny hare. Sathe caught her tongue.
"Nuffin' rabbet."
"Ha!" The hare barked before rounding the table and sitting aside Dokkur. "Well, I'll be jolly well hornswoggled, Corporal! You've done a bang-up job teachin' this lug some respect, wot wot!"
Respect? I'll gut yew hare! I'll rip yer ears off and whip yer twiggy lookin' hide wid 'em. Sathe thought it be better to think these things rather than say them of course.
"Aww, she's not that bad sah. She's got some good beast in 'er blood. Jus' don't mess with tha ol'jill when she's bandaging a wound, she might rip yer 'ead off, wot!" Trilloway responded as if he had never seen a rainy day.
"I'm bally well shocked she hasn't poisoned ye yet lad. Seems like that scoundrel's taken a real fancy to ya! Must've fallen head over heels in love, wot!"
"In love?" Sathe just about shrieked to the humor of everybeast at the table.
"He's got that natural Trilloway charm that no beast can resist." A red-furred squirrel interjected as he popped his head between the two and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Lad's gots a heart o' the finest gold to look past her disgusting stench and ugly mug."
Disgusted Sathe pushed him away knocking his drink out of his paw. The squirrel swore as he stooped down to clean up the mess.
"She's as vile a vermin as I've ever seen."
"That's just Sathe," Dokkur began with a malicious grimace on his face. "An evil, cowardly, wench. Reminds me of Veil Sixclaw, the rotten blighter."
"Naw she ain't no Veil. She's a good beast, and a bloomin' pretty one at that!" Trilloway said with a smile on his round face that could melt even the coldest ice.
"An' who's Veil? Yew idjits keep talkin' about him every time I come near." Sathe snapped ignoring Trilloway, her curiosity getting the best of her
"Just a ferret who lived in the abbey long ago." Trilloway's voice dropped. "Nothin' to speak of over a good meal."
"Come on lad, Brother Samuel tells this story to his dibbuns every fortnight." Jakob started before taking a swig of whatever was in his mug. "He was a ferret that lived here seasons ago. He grew up in the abbey from when he was a babe but was a rotten beast by all accounts. Ended up poisoning the abbot and a few others." The male otter recalled as if he was retelling the story to his son.
Sathe snorted. "He poisoned yer abbot? Sounds like a hero."
"Remember Sathe, I can't 'ave ye sayin' anything of the like." Trilloway's soft voice chimed in her ear.
"The Abbots dead idjit why does it matter!"
"Because I'll slit yer throat if yew threatens anyone, dead or alive!" Dokkur snapped.
"Shuddup riverdog. Yer the idjit who couldn't even choke the life outta a crippled fox." Sathe spat back.
"The fox had it coming," Elara interjected. "Especially after what that Corsair did to Conrad."
"Settle down. We're here to eat, not fight, wot." Trilloway interjected. "There are no weapons at this table."
"Finish the story, Jakob," Cedric ordered.
"Oh aye, well Veil got what he deserved." The male otter responded. "He was tossed out and killed by a Badgerlord. The way it was told to me was that the badger skinned Veil and wore him as a kilt."
"Jakob's skipped a fair bit o' the tale, but t'was one of my favorites when I was a dibbun, wot." Trilloway looked at Sathe. "But I thought he was slain saving his adopted mother."
"I heard he was thrown from a cliff by the badger." The red squirrel said with a mouthful of food.
"No Alaric, he was killed by the badger," Jakob responded ending the argument.
"Yew idjits really think I'll poison yew?" Sathe asked with a laugh. "I'm flattered but yer hide would be decoratin' the entrance to the Dark Forest before yew knew I slew ya!"
"Naw yew lot o' vermin couldn't figure out how tah tell yer tail from yer ears. We're making bets on how soon you'll be tossed out of Redwall." Dokkur laughed.
"Or be slain by your mysterious admirer o' yers, wot. Whichever comes first." Cedric snickered before diving into his salad.
"That attacker almost slew tha two o' us. The sooner that rotten blighter is found the better, wot." Trilloway said with a snarl.
"I forgot the two o' yew were cuddled together like a brace o' songbirds in a nest when our mystery vigilante dashed the peace, wot." Sergeant Nettlewhisk responded, ignoring the threat to his fellow hare. "Y'know, corporal, there are better ways to keep yerself warm than sharein' a cot with that flea-ridden rag, wot."
Sathe bit her tongue careful not to beat the hare over the head as he swallowed his leafy greens without chewing. There were other tables where they could've sat for lunch, but they specifically singled her out. It was Trilloways fault! That brute was the one who brought Dokkur, Cedric, and the otter couple along with him. He was worthless. Beyond worthless! He wanted her dead! That's why he was slow to save her from her attacker. Now he wanted to humiliate her in front of the whole abbey! Well, she wouldn't just roll over and let this indulgent scum get away with it!
As Sathe was plotting her revenge a great crescendo of noise filled the great hall. Sister Lilac strode into the room with scores of dibbuns on her tail. Seeing what was left of the vittles they rushed to the plates and bowls of cheeses, pudding, fruits, and pie and picked what remained clean. The dibbuns bobbled through the hall finding open seats next to their parents or space for them to sit as a group with their friends. Sathe was able to pick out Crooksnout and Silvertongue's brood, filling their plates with pawfuls of candied nuts. She also spotted Sister Beryl winding her way toward them before they were forced to return most of their goodies.
"Hi mum, hi daddo!" A young otter bounded up to the table with a plate full of food.
"Come give me a kiss baby." Elara smiled as he planted a kiss on her cheek.
"How was the snow kiddo!" Jakob said as he picked up his son and sat him at the table.
"Twiggy Beskit an Bramble made a bunch of snow beasts by the tree behind the library. Then I made a bunch ov other snow beasts with Ripeye and Twinetail and then we had two massive armies and had a massive snowball fight." The young otter stopped for a moment to stuff mouthfuls of dried fruit and sweet potato pie into his mouth before washing it down with strawberry cordial.
"Then Sister Lilac came over and got mad at us but then Ripeye threw a snowball at her and hit her in the face! It was sooooooooooo funny Twiggy almost peed himself!" The otter couldn't finish his story without bursting into laughter.
"I thought I told you not to play with those two, especially after what happened to Bramble's father!" Elara hissed at her son.
"You did?" Karic looked up for a moment pondering his mother's instruction. "I guess I forgot."
"Well, I hope you apologized to Sister Beryl!"
Karic looked toward the ceiling as he tried to recollect that important piece of information. "Nope. Ripeye said that she interrupted our war and would've gotten struck by an arrow if they had real weapons. He ordered her to apologize to him!"
"Your mother and I told you not to play with those two. You've already gotten into more than enough trouble because of them!"
"But they're fun!" Karic's whiskers drooped.
"Oi, little skippah who's Ripeye?" Aleric asked from the end of the table.
"They're two new dibbuns that the vermin brought along with 'em! They said they'd seen a Badgerlord and one of them caught a pike as big as dad is! They also know a pirate who taught them how to swear and a ferret who knows magic!"
"You mean Sathe?" Trilloway asked, glancing at the seer.
"You know magic!" Karic shouted as he just about leaped across the table.
Sathe couldn't get a word in before she was accosted with questions from the young and over-sugared otter.
"How did you learn? Where did you learn it? Can you turn yourself invisible? Ripeye said you kin see the future, can you? Have you ever seen battles from across Mossflower? Can you make things disappear for real? Twinetail said that you could pull a hare from your cloak. Do you need any tools for magic, or do you do it all by yourself? Can you show me any magic tricks?"
Karic looked up at her expecting an answer for every and all her questions at once. Sathe looked at the other woodlanders at the table. They looked as if they all were as curious to know, although they showed far less enthusiasm.
"I'm a seer so of course, I know magik," Sathe responded, raising her nose as if she were dining with a more dignified group of beasts, rather than the sweaty and rude Redwall guards. "But I wouldn't dare show you."
The young otter's hopeful glance disappeared as a disappointed grimace took its place.
"I ain't showin' ya nothin' 'cause I ain't got nothin' to see into the future with."
"Wow! So you can see into the future!" The otter's jaw dropped to the floor. A mischievous smile wrapped across Sathe's face.
"Of course, I can fool- I mean child. I was the one who led my band of followers to this Abbey. I'd show you but I've lost quite a bit of what I need to properly do so."
"I can find what you need!" Karick bounced up and down like he had been waiting his whole life for such an important task. "Karic, Twiggy, and I know where everything is in the whole abbey. If it's in these walls we can find it!"
"I'll have tah make a list first." Sathe playfully pondered.
"No." Jakob interrupted, gently pulling his son back.
"Awwww why not? She knows magic!"
"She could be wanting you to get hemlock or poison ivy or do something that'll get you killed! And your mother and I already told you that we don't want you to play with those two vermin; they're bad influences."
"She doesn't know magic Karic." Dokkur sounded, ruining the otters fun. "She's just a lying ferret!"
"Of course, I know magik you stupid riverdog!" Sathe snapped at the lithe otter. "I'd-"
"Your magic didn't do a lick of good against your attacker, wot. An' it wasn't any help to Corporal Trilloway neither." Cedric's nasal voice interrupted Sathe. She threw a furious glare toward the hare as Dokkur laughed.
"Yer magics just a lie tah scare dibbuns and the scum in yer horde. Yer as worthless as a heap o' dung!"
"Naw the jill saved Sister Beryl," Trilloway interjected. "Abbot Micah and Miss Mildred think highly o' 'er. If ye want tah be of help Karic I'll get a list of things that we need in the infirmary, wot."
"Ok!" Karic answered before his parents could stop him.
"Captain Santain stopped her from slayin' Mildred or Brin ye bellend. Stop tryin' tah defend tha vile wench." Cedric interrupted.
"She's done nothing wrong, Sergeant."
"Be quiet Corporal I'm trying tah eat," Cedric ordered and the conversation was finished.
The Redwallers took that as a sign to devour their food and did so with gusto. Sathe curled her lip in disgust as she watched them stuff their faces. She wished she could plug her ears, so she didn't have to hear every cracking bite of celery or slurp of stew. After devouring his food, that kind dolt Trilloway felt the need to engage her in conversation.
"So, Sathe," Trilloway started after wolfing down his salad. "How was the infirmary today?"
"T'was fine." Sathe cracked, which warranted a raised eyebrow from the red squirrel to her left. "No beast got hurt so we didn't do much?"
"How's Sister Beryl? The ol' stalwart feelin' any bettah?" The burly hare asked.
"For your sake she better be," Elara warned under her breath.
"She's no bettah than yesterday Quintibec." Sathe started after taking a nibble of cheese.
"Quintebec! That's Corporal Trilloway to you vermin!" Cedric blurted.
"It's alright Sergeant. Miss Mildred wants us to drop the formalities when we're in the infirmary." Trilloway responded before Sathe could snap at the hare.
"Does it look like we're in the bloody infirmary Corporal?" The hare narrowed his eyes toward Sathe. "Listen 'ere, mate! In this Long Patrol, every bloomin' beast is to be addressed proper-like, by their rank! I won't have none of that disrespect from you of all beasts."
"Sergeant Miss-" Trilloway started.
"That's an order, Corporal!" The skinny hare interrupted and Trilloway fell quiet.
Sathe was disgusted by Trilloway's meekness in the face of this other low-ranking hare. "An what if I ain't keen on doin' that, Cedric?"
With a sharp swat, Sathe's head snapped back. "That's Sergeant Nettlewhisk, vermin."
Fury and embarrassment flooded through her. Sathe grasped for something to toss back at the hare. Her mug of cordial would suffice.
The hare's face twisted in fury as the amber liquid splashed onto his face and tan tunic. Sathe settled into a smug smile before the hare roared and grabbed her collar. Before she could rake her claws across the sergeant's throat, she felt herself being hauled out of her seat. Trilloway quickly carried from the hall.
"Leggo yew harebrained maggot!" Sathe shouted as she drove an elbow into a rib. She heard a grunt and felt a rush of air as the burly hare slowed to a stop. They were alone in front of the front doors to the abbey.
"Calm down Sathe! Yer gonna get hurt!"
"I'll kill that hare! Rip his guts out and watch 'em bleed tah death!"
Sathe was dropped and whipped around ready to storm into the great hall and fight Sergeant Nettlewhisk. Corporal Trilloway's bulk stood in her way.
"Stop you fleabrained fool! Yer gonna get intah more trouble, wot!"
"Shuddup hare! I don't care how mad that maggot-infested gull Cedric is! I'll fight that cur tooth and claw!"
"Yer tongue's digging yer grave vermin!" Trilloway snapped at her. "Yew think ye kin talk like that to Cedric or any other beast?"
"They want me dead! An' you laughed along wid 'em!"
Trilloway's expression softened. "They didn't mean that."
A sharp clap echoed through the hall as Sathe slapped him. "Yes, they did! They think I'm that… Veil Sixclaw and that I should be skinned and slain! An' you didn't do anything!"
"Corporal!" Eli stormed toward the two of them with Brin and a damp Sergeant Nettlewhisk at his side. "What's going on!"
Angry tears streamed down Sathe's face. "Yew all want me dead!" Sathe turned and bolted through the front doors of the Great Hall.
Sathe rushed through the snow ignoring Eli's calls for her to come back. The Abbey gates were open and no beast stood in her way. Sathe thought she was seeing things. This was the opportunity she'd dreamt of since arriving in Redwall. She rushed toward the gate and the shouting behind her ceased. Reaching it she looked out at the rolling hills of white that lay before her. It was a clear blue day after a night of cold rain that had frozen anything not undercover. Sathe looked at the snow-covered fields. The ice made the hills look as smooth as the fluffy pillows on her cot. Sathe took a step toward the empty hills. Her stomach growled in anger. She hadn't felt hungry until she looked at the forests.
How would she find food? Flashed through her mind. There was nothing out there. She could lie to herself and say she could but even if she spent all day searching for food she might not come back with anything less than a few mouthfuls. Not to mention that she wouldn't be able to make shelter. The open fields of Mossflower looked less appetizing the more she stared at them. Slowly her dreams of running away from the abbey were replaced with the cold realization that there was nothing out there for her. She had no family waiting for her, no horde to call her own, and nobody believed in her skills as a seer. She would be slain or worse if she weren't at Redwall.
Sathe didn't realize that she was crying until her vision became blurry and she sobbed an ugly sob. She didn't stop until she felt a paw pull on her cloak.
Sorry about the longer delay. Classes kicked into high gear, and this chapter had to be rewritten a few times. I will have the next chapter posted hopefully sooner rather than later.
As always please let me know what you think and what I can improve on. Any and all feedback is appreciated!