Chapter 16
Dear Boss
Noon, Day 1
Thaddeus Elderbark looked up at the cloudy noon. Orange rays of light shone through breaks in the clouds, giving the sky a warm glow. The mouse couldn't figure out if he should be laughing or crying. On one paw, he was still alive. Given what he faced in the first 12 hours, he thought he'd be dead for sure. On the other paw, they would likely be here for a while. He shook those worries out of his mind. Everything's going to be fine. Maybe. Well, right now, everything's fine. I'm with Art and a bat that can't walk. If somebeast starts chasing us, I'm not the one they'll catch.
Sure, he felt bad thinking like that, but he came to terms with the fact that he needed to take whatever chances he got if he wanted to get off this island. That's right, what happened with that stoat's not gonna happen to me again. I'm not going to be stupid. I should've just let her take my stuff instead of trying to keep it, what was I thinking?
Thaddeus looked to his left, where Art Swiftpaw was propping Midwyng Coeptigo against his shoulder. Currently, the three of them were walking through an abandoned town (Ha, at least I knew where the town was, Thaddeus thought to himself).
Just like Art had told him, however, Midwyng would be making fun of Thaddeus (and Art) after they woke up, but the mouse didn't expect them to be doing it this much. "I can't believe you've already been stabbed, stabbed, stabbed. By another prisoner, no less, less, less. At this rate, you're not going to survive until noon, probably because all mice are-"
"Midwyng. It's noon," Art chimed in flatly.
Still keeping his distance from the bat, Thaddeus groaned, "Can you stop making fun of me? It really hurts my feelings."
Midwyng giggled, causing Art to roll his eyes. "Do all abbeybeasts get offended this easily, easily, easily? I swear, you only survived this long because of that magic ghost mouse at your abbey that everybeast knows about, about, about."
Thaddeus looked down with confusion. "What magic ghost mouse?"
Art gave a heavy sigh. "Thaddeus, I am going to punch you, they mean Martin the Warrior, obviously."
"What? Why? Wait, I didn't know he meant Martin. We don't have any magic ghosts at Redwall. And he doesn't really do much to protect us. I mean, we haven't had anybeast hear from Martin for a while, like, did he even exist or is he like a story we tell dibbuns at bedtime to ensure they don't steal anything?"
Art seemed visibly offended, much to Midwyng's amusement and Thaddeus' worry. "You've gotta be kidding me. You are wrong for so many reasons! Midwyng, can I let you go so I can punch this bloody mouse?"
Thaddeus began backing away from Art, raising his paws defensively, "Wait, no no no no nononono, I was, uh, joking!" He lied, but anything to get Art off his back.
Art grumbled and turned his attention back to the nearby buildings. "I could talk for hours about Martin, but I don't think you two would care. Nevertheless, you suck, Thaddeus."
The mouse crossed his arms indignantly as Midwyng started to laugh at both of them. "Well… ahut up. I didn't learn this in abbey school."
"... You most certainly did. He helped found the abbey. Shut up," Art grumbled.
As the three of them walked through the town, Thaddeus couldn't help but shiver as dread washed over him. This place creeped him out. He'd been here once when he found berries (That Durkfor told him was poisonous, but whatever) and didn't explore beyond that. But seeing this place in daylight just made it creepier. For such a large space, it was eerily quiet. Shouldn't beasts be walking around in a large town such as this? Where'd they go?
"Hey, Thaddeus." Art's voice brought Thaddeus out of his thoughts.
"What?" The mouse asked.
"Seems we'll have to cross the river to get to the tower. Do you remember if there's a bridge somewhere in the town?"
Thaddeus mused to himself before responding. "I… I think so. I remember crossing a bridge. I don't remember where it is exactly, but it was… somewhere."
Art scoffed and gently set Midwyng down against the wall of a nearby house. "I'll be back, just wait." Thaddeus watched as the squirrel walked away, seemingly searching for something. The mouse stood there, confused.
Midwyng's voice cut through the silence. "Please explain to me again how you got stabbed, because I can't believe that a mouse as short as you didn't just hide from a stoat, stoat, stoat. Are you stupid, stupid, stupid?"
Thaddeus stammered indignantly, "It was scary, alright! I didn't know what to do. She caught me by surprise and threatened me with a knife- and I did try to hide, for your information," he lied.
"Oh, woe is me, me, me."
Thaddeus scoffed and turned away from the bat. The mouse narrowed his eyes as something caught his attention in the distance. Art was climbing one of the taller structures and gazing around the town. This isn't the time to relax and get a nice view of the place, what are you doing? I wouldn't want to look at this place anyway. Art climbed off the roof and disappeared from Thaddeus' sight. The squirrel eventually came back and pointed east with a paw.
"Looks like the bridge is over there. I didn't see anybeast following us, by the way, so we're good."
Midwyng began slow clapping as Art hoisted them up against his shoulder again. Just like that, they were off. Why am I being led around by a child? I know how to get back myself. Thaddeus thought to himself.
Art led them through the town, much to Thaddeus' ire. Nevertheless, they continued until they reached the bridge. It was made of wood and slightly damaged with age. Thaddeus felt disgusted at the amount of green he saw covering the bridge, but whatever. It was better than swimming. The mouse looked on the other side of the river toward the thick woods and sighed. "I don't want to have to walk through there. It's scary."
"It's not," Art huffed. The squirrel put one footpaw on the bridge with a creaking sound. Thaddeus shivered. "Okay, just be careful, I guess."
"What if I fall?"
"Swim. What do you want from me?"
Thaddeus couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, however, and shakily stepped onto the swaying bridge.
"Are all abbeybeasts cowards, or is it just you, you, you?" Midwyng chuckled at the mouse.
"Hey, I, uh, stood up to a stoat," Thaddeus countered.
"And got stabbed, so I guess you're stupid too, too, too."
"Why're you so mean?" The mouse whimpered.
Art sighed loudly, "They have nothing useful to say- erm, right now. Just ignore them." Thaddeus followed Art's advice for once and just turned away from the bat.
When they were halfway across the bridge, Thaddeus walked straight into Art, who had stopped for some reason. "Hey, what're you doing?" The mouse asked. "Weren't you the one who kept yelling at me to keep moving? Kallius is waiting for us to come back, in case you've forgotten." Midwyng was tapping Art on the shoulder while the squirrel was scanning the trees intently. Confused, Thaddeus peered out from behind Art to see what he was looking at. He couldn't see anything.
Right when he was about to chastise Art, the squirrel suddenly shouted and elbowed Thaddeus off of the bridge. A flash of anger rushed through the mouse, and he grabbed onto Midwyng's leg, pulling them into the water with them. The bat's eyes were wide with panic as they realised what was happening.
Midwyng and Thaddeus landed in the river with a splash. Frigid water engulfed Thaddeus' body, forcing him to surface, gasping for air.
Wait… what is… that?
The mouse's eyes went wide as he looked up at the bridge to see multiple arrows sticking out of the wood. He whipped his head toward the forest to see none other than Tiviko Polonuk, sneering as he reloaded his bow. "Can none of you aim? Get the prisoners! You three, chase after the mouse in the water, go!"
Thaddeus' heart pounded madly as he dove back into the water, frantically swimming with the river's current. The river broke off into two branches and he took the right one. He looked back toward the bridge to see if Art and Midwyng were safe. They were nowhere to be found. Don't focus on them, beasts are chasing you!
Three cloaked beasts ran along the shore and aimed their bows at the mouse once again. Thaddeus dove under the water in time as three arrows sped toward him, landing harmlessly in the water. The mouse's lungs burned in the river, and he surfaced once more. I need to get out of here!
Thaddeus climbed out of the river and sped toward the safety of the treeline, taking cover against anything that may be launched at him. His body exploded with panic as he launched himself through the woods, footpaws pounding against the soil. Tears formed in his eyes as he looked around frantically, searching for someplace to hide. The town!
The mouse flinched as he heard yelling from behind him and he took off, not bothering to look back. In a matter of moments, his footpaws touched the cobblestone paths of the town. He peeked around the corner of a shop and saw two cloaked beasts holding swords. Thaddeus wanted to cry. He shivered violently as he stared at the sharp blades. Doing his best to suppress a whimper, he snuck through the streets as quietly as possible. Blood pounded in his ears as he peered through a hole in one of the buildings. Inside was a trapdoor. Could he hide in there?
"He's in the town!" A voice roared behind him. Thaddeus scrambled inside the building and pulled open the trapdoor. Without checking to see what was inside, he leapt down into the inky darkness below.
He couldn't see. It was so dark he couldn't see his paws in front of him. The fear that welled up inside of him surged to even greater levels. All the mouse could do was sit against a wall, hugging his legs to his chest as the sound of footpaws echoed above.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Thaddeus held his paws up to his mouth. Somebeast was walking on the trapdoor!
Creak…
Light poured in through the hatch, filling the room, a cellar of sorts, with the cold light of a stormy sky. Shadows of beasts danced around the light as two of them slowly descended the ladder and into the room. Thaddeus couldn't help but once again gaze at their swords, arrows, and daggers, glinting in what little light remained in the room.
They weren't facing him. Thaddeus crawled behind a shelf as quietly as he could manage, praying that they wouldn't find him.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
The sound of their footpaws echoed in the room. He couldn't see them from where he was sitting, but he heard their voices in the darkness. "Are ya sure he's here?"
"Aye. The trapdoor handle's wet. He's gotta be here somewhere."
The mouse whimpered softly. His body grew hot as his breathing quickened.
Please don't, just leave me alone, please…
His heart leapt in his chest as he heard them walking closer to his hiding spot.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
They were on the other side of the shelf. He was sure of it.
"Lil' mouse is tiny, he could be hidin' anywhere," the voice muttered.
They're on the other side now, what can I do? How do I stop them from killing me!? I don't want to die!
The mouse shakily stood up as an idea formed in his panicked mind.
The sound of chains rattling together stopped the mouse dead in his tracks. It was his collar.
"What was that?" One of the guards asked.
There wasn't any time to think. Using everything he had, Thaddeus leaned against the shelf and pushed with all his might. He panicked for a moment as he felt himself fall when the shelf tipped over, landing on the two beasts following him with a crash. The mouse's back hurt when he fell, but when he looked down, he realised his pursuers were down. For now…
Leaping over the shelf, Thaddeus scrambled to the open trapdoor, climbing up rapidly. He pulled himself up and shut the trapdoor. Looking around, the mouse pushed a piece of rubble onto the hatch, trapping his pursuers inside.
After that, he ran. He ran as far away from the town as possible. Within minutes, his footpaws were pounding against the soft ground of the forest. The mouse didn't dare look behind him. He didn't know where he was going or if Art and Midwyng were dead, but for now, Thaddeus Elderbark was still alive.
They couldn't breathe. Everything was dark. Their body felt weightless as they tried to move their limbs. What was this feeling rising in their stomach? Everything felt cold. So very cold. Where am I? What is this feeling?
They swore they could hear roaring in the darkness that clouded their thoughts, a harsh sound that sent a jolt down their spine. They were too afraid to look.
They felt like they were back in the cave, sitting on that ledge and staring up at the ceiling just wishing anything, good or bad, would get them out of there. They opened their eyes only for them to start burning. They opened their mouth to scream only for water to rush in. Their chest felt like it was on fire. They desperately grasped at their throat hoping to stop what was happening to no avail. It was then that they realised that what they were feeling was fear. Why? Why now? I've never been this scared before!
They couldn't hold their breath anymore. The pain was too great. They opened their mouth, begging for air only for more water to rush in. Their consciousness waned as everything began to grow numb.
Whatever happens, happens… would anybeast care, anyway?
Everything suddenly felt lighter. Confused, they twisted their body around only to feel air rushing past from below. They were falling!
They hit the water with a splash and everything went dark.
Midwyng coughed violently. There was a stabbing pain in their chest as water shot out of their mouth. "Oh my lord. Dear Martin, you're alive!" A panicked voice said above them. Midwyng slowly opened their eyes and froze. They were back in a cave. This one didn't look familiar, though.
Art let out a sigh of relief and buried his face in his paws. "I can't- I was so scared, but you're awake, and I thought you were going to die. I pulled you out of the water and you didn't move, and I just-"
Midwyng opened their mouth to make a sarcastic quip only for their chest to start burning again. They coughed some more, curling into a ball.
"Stay there, don't move," Art instructed. Once the coughing fit was over, Midwyng looked around. That same feeling of fear came back with full force. Why am I back in a cave? I don't want to be here! Why?
"Midwyng, just stay still. Hey. Look at me." In what little light shone into the cave, they could see Art's frightened face. Even though he was trying to hide it, the fear shone through clear as day. The squirrel was trembling from both the situation and the cold. "We're getting out of here, alright? Rest for a bit first, but I promise we're leaving this place."
Midwyng stared at the squirrel in confusion. Even now, why does he still want to save me? "Why?" They croaked out.
"What do you-?" Art began, before remembering that question Midwyng kept asking him throughout the day. "I keep telling you I'm not leaving you behind. What makes you think that changed? Ask me that again and I'll get really annoyed because what good reason do I have to leave you behind?"
I can think of many, you stupid squirrel. I'm dead weight that has been dragging you down. Already, you've carried me for hours, yelled at me to get back up the cliff, dealt with me attacking you, saved me from drowning, and if it weren't for me, you'd be doing a lot better. With what little strength Midwyng had, they grinned. "You blo-" They coughed some more, prompting Art to look around for anything to warm the bat up. "- Idiot."
Art sighed, clenching his paws tightly as he looked up at the sunlight filtering in. "On the bright side, it doesn't seem like they're still going after us. I don't know where Thaddeus went, though." The squirrel walked over to Midwyng and sat down cross-legged. He rubbed his temple and asked, "Hey, once you're done resting, you know that thing bats do? Where they, uh, make a sound or something and they can see? Can you do that here? To find an exit or something?"
The bat's ears twitched. That's right, he's only keeping me around so I can navigate the cave for him. That's all. He doesn't care. "Later." Art nodded in understanding and lay down to rest, breathing heavily. Whatever happens, happens, right? I guess fate wanted me to be saved by this stupid squirrel… "Art?" They asked hoarsely.
"Yeah?"
"... Thanks."
Thaddeus' breath ran ragged as he doubled over, leaning against a tree for support. He fearfully looked behind him to see if anybeast was giving chase.
There was nobeast there.
The mouse sighed and fell to the grass, his body shaking as his heart slowly calmed down. He wanted to lie down, sleep, and forget that any of this was happening. But he couldn't. He couldn't let Kallius down. Especially now.
He dragged himself up and slowly wanded through the forest. "Art? Bat?" He called out quietly. Where were they? Did they get away from Tiviko? Thaddeus then remembered that when Art pushed him, he dragged Midwyng into the water with him. Guilt slowly melted down his body, weighing on his heart like lead. Can bats even swim? Did Thaddeus just make it easier for the guards to catch Midwyng by doing that? Thaddeus hugged his arms across his body and sighed. Why did he have to do that?
"Art? Bat?" He called out once more. Maybe it was stupid to be calling out right now, but he wanted to know if they were okay. "Why did this have to happen?" He whimpered.
Nobeast answered him. The only sound was the soft rustling of the leaves.
Thaddeus grumbled as he continued walking forward. He liked Kallius, sure, but he didn't need to keep walking around the woods. He did as he was asked. He found food (and had it taken away), and he told beasts about the tower. Durkfor and, assuming he was still alive, Art, both of whom Thaddeus assumed knew how to find food. Besides, Kallius told him to go back if he was in danger.
He needed to get back. But where was he? He glanced around hesitantly. All the trees looked the same to him. The memory of Art climbing a building to get a better vantage point faded into his mind. It was settled. He needed to get higher. Thaddeus began walking uphill, hoping this would lead to something. The forest thinned out the higher up he got, the hill getting rockier and rockier as it did. The mouse stumbled over uneven terrain, putting paw over paw every time he tripped. At last, he reached the top.
The hill wasn't as high up as he thought it'd be, and he was still surrounded by trees. But like a beacon in the sky, the tower soared above the trees. Thaddeus couldn't help but chuckle. As long as he remembered where to go, he couldn't get lost. Nodding as he committed the direction to memory, he half walked, half slid down the hillside toward the tower. He didn't feel comfortable in the dense forest, but he had to face it to get back.
But something strange happened. Thaddeus narrowed his eyes as he noticed claw marks in some nearby trees. The mouse shuddered. Creepy. He consciously walked away from the marked trees as, once again, the trees began to thin out.
What Thaddeus saw in the clearing made him smile, if only a little. It reminded him of back home. Apple trees lined the edge of the clearing, similar to the orchard at Redwall. A stream bisected the glade and on the other side was some kind of seating area. It felt odd being in the open like this, however. Thaddeus glanced around just to make sure he wasn't being followed.
There was nobeast there.
Thaddeus sighed with relief and continued walking toward the tower. The glade was great, and he could use a rest right now, but he needed to get back. Something caught his eye, however, and he paused to take a look at it.
In the middle of the field was a pile of apples, freshly picked. Thaddeus cocked his head as he hesitantly walked toward them. There were apple trees nearby, so this wasn't all that strange, but who picked these? It could be a prisoner who didn't have anything to carry them in (which was possible given that nobeast had a bag that Thaddeus was aware of). The mouse hesitantly grabbed an apple and examined it. This isn't going to poison me or something, right? If only Durkfor was here. He could tell somehow. It looked like a normal apple to him. Thaddeus shrugged and took a bite out of the red fruit. He smiled and licked his lips. It tasted great, either because this was an amazing apple, or because he hadn't eaten anything for the past 12 hours. Whatever the reason, he happily finished the rest. I don't know who left these here, but I'll bring some back for the beasts back at the tower.
He didn't have anything to carry them in, however. Thaddeus stood back up, pondering how he was going to bring these back. He didn't have his vest to carry them in, and he didn't want to use his tunic as a bag.
"Thaddeus." A deep, gravelly voice called out, cutting sharply through the air.
Thaddeus froze, and at once, a deep, paralysing fear held him in place. The mouse's breath grew shaky, and he tried to stifle a whimper. It isn't… right? He turned his head around to see a large figure standing on the other side of the field.
It was Borsen Stonetail.
The otter smiled, walking toward the mouse. Thaddeus quivered as he watched the otter approach him. His heart pounded in his chest. His body began to feel cold. He tried to call out for help, but no sound escaped his twitching mouth.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Borsen's footpaws pounded against the grass. The otter towered above Thaddeus, casting a shadow over the mouse. Thaddeus shrunk away as he stared right into Borsen's eyes. His expression wasn't the normally blank mask he wore. It was pure, unhinged, excitement. Plain and simple. The otter's mouth curved up into a wide smile, baring his sharp fangs. Borsen giggled, licking his jowls as he began flexing his paws.
Thaddeus wanted to cry. His breathing grew frantic. Pleading whimpers escaped his mouth. He hugged his arms across his chest as he slowly backed away.
One step.
Two steps.
Three steps.
"Please don't hurt me," Thaddeus croaked out.
Saying that made Borsen's smile wider. "Say it again."
"I don't- I don't want-"
"Say it!" Borsen roared.
"Please don't hurt me!" Thaddeus cried out.
Borsen grinned. The otter's paw quivered as he pulled out a knife from his belt.
"Run."
Thaddeus spun around and took off. Everything felt hot. Unbearably hot. His lungs burned in his chest and his body was wracked with fear. A monstrous roar shot through the air, spurring the mouse to run faster. The roar was replaced by a cackle, tearing away what little composure Thaddeus had left.
"Leave me alone, please! Borsen! Stop!" The mouse cried out. I don't want to die! Please, don't kill me!
Trees and undergrowth flew by the mouse's vision. He was getting farther away from the glade, but the cackling was getting closer. A lot closer. "What did I ever do to you!?"
Thaddeus ducked behind a rock. He curled up into a ball, clamping his paws over his mouth as he looked at the ground.
A shadow cast itself over the grass.
Thaddeus didn't have time to see Borsen standing over him before the otter barrelled into him, pinning him to the ground. The mouse flailed around, desperately struggling to escape. Borsen's eyes shone with exuberant glee, licking his jowls as he stared down at the mouse. Before Thaddeus could call out for help, Borsen swung his fist into the mouse's snout. Pain exploded in the mouse's face as he yelped. Borsen giggled and leaned in closer to Thaddeus. "Ye know where Kallius is, don't ye? If ye tell me where she is, I might let ye go."
Thaddeus whimpered. The last time he spoke about Kallius was at the bridge. How long was Borsen…? "N- no, I don't know. I don't know anything!" he cried out.
Borsen cocked his head. "Liar." The otter pressed his sharp claws against Thaddeus' neck hard enough to draw blood. The mouse winced as he closed his trembling eyes. Please never find the tower, Martin, anybeast, please!
Borsen bared his fangs and raised his claws, bringing them down on the mouse.
There was a scream.
Rianne Wurtil froze when she heard it. Ulfrad Shorepass grimaced as it grew more and more frantic. "Why would… what's this…?" The hogmaid muttered shakily.
Ulfrad looked grimly in the direction of the noise. A solemn sigh escaped his mouth as he turned away. "We should go. Now."
Rianne nodded. They were still screaming. She followed Ulfrad as he hurried away from the massacre.
Eventually, there was silence.
He could smell blood. A lot of it.
Tiviko ran through the trees toward the source of the smell. It was getting stronger, overwhelmingly so. The rest of the crew were stumbling, trying to catch up to him. He didn't care. His eyes swept the trees frantically in search of that otter, and when he finally got to the scene, he froze.
The sheer brutality of the scene disturbed even him. Thaddeus, or what was left of him, was strewn about the grass. Chunks of flesh were torn out of his body and the more compact pieces were torn and slashed so violently that the body was almost unrecognisable. Blood spread from the body like a grotesque flower. Tiviko looked up at the hunched, shuddering figure crouched in the puddle of crimson. Borsen turned around, his paws and mouth dripping with blood.
The otter slowly stood up, ambling his way toward Tiviko with a big grin. "Hey, Tiv."
Tiviko was speechless. Looking at Thaddeus' corpse reminded him of when they first met. But the body of the mutilated rat was nothing compared to this. "Dear lord. Borsen, you're… somehow, you still manage to surprise me," Tiviko admitted.
Borsen wrapped his arms around the wildcat, hugging him as if Tiviko were an angel from above. "I do? Oh well. I just wanna thank ye again, fer bringin' me along, matey. If ye need me to do something. Just say the word. I'll do whatever ye ask."
Tiviko patted Borsen on the back and looked down at the mutilated body below them. For the first time in a while, he was at a loss for words.
All he could muster was a simple, "Thanks, Borsen."
