Chapter 46

Saucy Jacky


Kallius Placent wanted to believe in the best in everyone. Unfortunately, it seemed to be harder to trust in that philosophy as time went on. Even when she tried to rationalise the other prisoners' actions to be for survival, there was no way all of those things could be justified, right?

The hogmaid sighed. She felt way in over her head with this one. She didn't have a clue of what she was doing. If anything, the child walking alongside her, Toran Firepool, seemed to have a better idea of what to do compared to her. He was the one who saved her from Yos and Crookedfang, drove those two guards away from the area, and had been otherwise keeping them away from trouble the whole time. It made her feel guilty. She was the adult, so it was supposed to be her that shouldered the load. Not Toran.

What made her feel guiltier was that Toran didn't seem bothered by any of this at all. He mostly seemed used to it. As the pair explored the abandoned town's outskirts for any prisoners that may be hiding, Kallius couldn't help but wonder what kind of life he lived before they got captured. After watching the otter struggle to push open a door, she sighed and asked, "Do you want to take a break?"

"No," Toran answered bluntly. He padded inside a house, taking a glance around before walking out. Kallius placed her paws on her hips and looked at the other houses and sheds. By this point, it didn't seem like the other prisoners were hiding. If she had to guess, they were also searching for others, just like her and Toran. Unfortunately, that meant they had to rethink their strategy a bit. Toran sighed and sat against the outer wall. "We're bad at this."

"No we are not," Kallius said.

Toran stared owlishly at Kallius. "Aye."

Kallius rubbed her arm. "You can be honest."

"Okay. We haven't done anything," Toran said matter-of-factly. "We're lost and I miss Ahlrath. I hope that I'm not worrying him," he muttered quietly.

Kallius sighed. "Toran, I am sorry. I am trying my best, but I am unsure what to do as I have never been in a situation like this before."

Toran looked at the sky as he tugged on his tie. "You're good." He stroked the blue fabric silently, not bothering to look at Kallius. "Um, do you think we're worrying Mom and Dad?"

"I… Yes. I am sure they are worrying about you, but it was not your fault that you got captured. You do not need to feel guilty."

Toran pulled the tie away from his collar and held it gently in his paws. "I don't want to worry them. They worry a lot already. How long am I gone for? I don't think they saw me get caught. What if they don't know where I am?"

Kallius' heart sank. She wished there was some magic word she could say to make Toran feel better, but Kallius didn't know anything about what Toran's life was like. Her life in Redwall Abbey had been very uneventful up until now. "If your parents are as smart as you are, they must know that you did not leave on your own accord, and knowing you, they must know that you will be back soon."

"Will I?" Toran asked, his voice cracking.

Kallius hesitated. "Yes, I am sure of it."

Toran folded and unfolded his tie, groaning anxiously. "I don't wanna make them worry anymore."

"Toran…" Kallius wanted to say something, but when she thought about it, she wasn't sure how to help. Besides, if the skills Toran has shown thus far meant anything, it was that he had been thinking about how to help shoulder the load for a long time. Nothing more was said. Eventually, Toran got up and asked to look around the town some more. Kallius agreed, and the two were off without another word.


Kallius scanned the surrounding town as she leaned against a large set of double doors leading inside a small church. Toran was already inside, exploring the place for who-knows-what. She had no idea what he was expecting to find, but it was her job to keep watch, so Toran's search wasn't hers to deal with. As she waited, she idly gazed at the torn buildings surrounding her. Beasts of all kinds likely attended this church, huh? I wonder what happened to this place. Everything we found thus far suggests this island's fall was violent, but was there a way to stop it, or was fighting the only way to go? What about right now? Is there truly a way to go home without violence? Our meeting with the rat and vole earlier made it seem like that was not the case, but…

Kallius sighed. Maybe thinking about this was naive. After all, Toran seemed willing to fight if the situation called for it, even if he didn't take it well. Thaddeus and Farshawn didn't want to fight either, but she had a feeling that both of them did, even if she didn't see what happened to the mouse. She wondered if she should be doing the same, but she didn't have to think about it for long.

"Kallius, Toran, is that ya?"

Kallius jumped as a familiar voice called out from somewhere nearby, tearing her away from her thoughts. Toran poked his head out from behind the church doors, eyes widening when he saw a familiar figure step out from behind a store. Toran padded forward and asked, "Durkfor? Is that you?"

Durkfor Ventultro nodded. On any other day, Kallius would've walked up to him and given him a friendly hug or some other greeting, but she knew something was off. The hare shivered and his ears were splayed back. Toran cautiously backed away and Kallius felt compelled to ask, "Durkfor? Is everything alright?"

The hare gulped. "N-no."

"What's wrong?" Toran tilted his head.

"I don- I don't know," Durkfor whined. "Somethin's gonna happen, we have to hurry and-"

"Durkfor, listen," Kallius said, walking up to the hare and grabbing his paws. "Take a deep breath. What is going on?"

Durkfor grimaced and looked between Kallius and Toran. He answered, but only with effort. "Somethin' happened further up the road. I don't really know what's goin' on, but I… know that someone's in danger."

Kallius nodded. "Alright. We will help you. Say, where have you been ever since we got separated?"

The hare stiffened. "I don't wanna talk 'bout it. T'was kinda scary." Kallius nodded with understanding.

Toran, meanwhile, stepped forward and kneaded his paws together. "Who's in danger?" He asked with a strangely intense stare.

Durkfor couldn't make eye contact. "I don't… all of us, probably?"

Kallius raised a brow. Toran was eyeing the hare up and down as if he were searching for something, but considering the current situation, she didn't know what was so strange about that answer. "We do not have time to waste. Durkfor, lead the way."

"A-alright." The hare ran off, stopping to ensure Kallius and Toran were following before continuing.

Kallius walked forward but stopped when Toran tugged her sleeve. "Do you know Durkfor good?" He asked. Kallius thought it was an odd question.

"Of course. I have known him since we were both young."

Toran peeked out from behind the hogmaid and stared at Durkfor. "Alright."

"What is the matter?" She whispered.

Toran tilted his head. "I can't tell if he's lying. He looks scared, right?"

"Yes, very much so."

Toran mumbled and pulled away. "Okay." The otter's inquiry ended there, but it prompted Kallius to think deeper. Where was Durkfor leading them? Somewhere in the town if his following the streets were any indication. No problems there. Who was hurt? She didn't know and Durkfor was pretty vague. Huh. Still, he seemed scared enough for it to be serious. He was admittedly a horrible liar so he must genuinely be terrified for someone's safety. How did Durkfor get away to call for help? That was an easy question. He was immune because Borsen threatened anybeast who…

Borsen. She had completely forgotten about him.

Kallius slowed to a stop when she realised she had no idea what happened to Borsen and Durkfor after what went on at the tower. The last thing she saw was Borsen approaching Durkfor from behind. They couldn't still be together, could they?

… Would Durkfor even tell her if Borsen was around? Of course, he would, right? Then again, Durkfor loved Borsen. Toran paused when he saw Kallius stop. The hogmaid stared at Durkfor, grimacing as she tried to calculate the odds that Durkfor was lying. He couldn't be lying, right? There was no way he'd lead her to her death like that. Durkfor turned around when he realised the two had stopped. "What're ya doin'? We've gotta move," he whimpered.

Kallius gulped. She stepped in front of Toran, gazing at Durkfor anxiously. She didn't want to do this, but all she could remember was the question she had asked Durkfor back at the tower. Durkfor would pick Borsen over her. That was a given. But would he sacrifice Toran? Kallius' face burned shamefully. She hated having to distrust Durkfor like this. "You are not with Borsen, are you?"

Durkfor froze. He stammered before answering, "Nah, why'dja think that? H-he's not here."

Toran tugged harshly on Kallius' sleeve. The hogmaid got the message and addressed Durkfor. "I apologise, but we both know that I have a reason to be cautious."

"Ya do? C'mon, don't ya trust me?"

Kallius almost instinctively nodded but paused. She backed away, pushing Toran with her. "Durkfor, I am sorry."

"Kallius, I swear that-!"

Toran pulled Kallius away. "Go, now," he urged.

"Wait, don't leave!" Durkfor pleaded, but it was too late. Kallius and Toran were already running away from him. Kallius looked over her shoulder. Durkfor ran in the opposite direction.

Toran groaned and picked up the pace. "I think he's grabbing his friend."

"He is. Do not stop running." Two sets of footpaws pounded across the streets as they searched for a place to hide. Cold, stabbing fear dug into her spine, urging her onwards. She was scared, and a tiny bit angry, but most of all, she felt hurt. Back home, Durkfor was the last beast she'd expect to do something like this, but nothing was right on this island.

Still, a part of Kallius felt that Durkfor was still a good beast. Even though the hare was about to grab Borsen to hunt them down, sentencing them to a cruel, bloody fate, she stubbornly believed that Durkfor could still turn around. Maybe if Borsen weren't here, things would be different. Of course, none of that would matter to her if she died. Hardening her gaze, she scanned the town for a hiding spot, for as much as she didn't want to admit it, she realised that if she or anyone else wanted a chance to make things better, the monster had to be stopped.

And for Borsen, they didn't have the time to wait for redemption. There was no other option. The only way this could end was with blood.


Whenever Ahlrath Palaechia thought back to the seasons in a mercenary group and afterwards, all he could remember was anger. On one paw, it fueled him, keeping him moving even in the worst situations, because if he was going to die (which he often thought would happen), he at least wanted retribution; anything to say that all of the crap he had been put through was worth it. On the other paw, however, it burned him away from the inside, ruining what had remained of his and some others' lives until all that remained were ashes. Most, if not all of his friends had to leave lest they be killed, he could never stay in one place for too long, his family was gone and any chance of starting a new one had vanished with Emmeline's death, and no matter where he went, somebeast had an eye out for him.

Ahlrath growled, footpaws pounding against the dirt as he felt himself approach his target. He couldn't let it happen again. The mountain hare turned to the weasel alongside him, Gurnilal Speareye, and asked, "Which way d'ye think he went?"

Gurnilal motioned to the right. "I reckon he's keepin' o'er in that direction if yarr guessin' he's climbin' trees. Th'ones o'er there look like 'ey could hold a squirrel's weight, better. Even if he ain', they're thicker an' easier t'hide in."

Ahlrath looked up and nodded. "Aye, that's where we're goin', then." He kept his eyes on the canopy as he ran. Art was likely high in the branches. He and Gurnilal ran and twisted through the dense forest, going further and further until he saw a flicker in the corner of his eye. He stopped.

Something heavy latched into his back and curled a blade around his neck. Ahlrath instinctively swung his head back, knocking his assailant in the face. When that didn't shake them off, he grabbed their arms, forced them apart, and threw them over his head onto the grass with a resounding thud. Ahlrath raised his fists with a growl as he stared at the beast on the ground before realising who it was and backing off. He finally found him.

Art Swiftpaw picked himself up, raising his sickle with a growl. "What are you doing here?"

"Lookin' fer ye," Ahlrath responded simply. Art's expression darkened and that's when Ahlrath realised that he might not be the best person to try to calm the squirrel down.

"What do you want? What is so damn important that you just had to follow me?" He spat. Gurnilal had caught up by this point and Ahlrath could swear he saw a flicker of spite flash on the weasel's face, but it faded quickly. "Why are you here, too?" The squirrel growled, bringing his sickle closer to his body.

"We ain't here tae do nothin', Art. We just wanna talk." Ahlrath's eyes flickered as Art turned slightly.

"You came all this way just to talk?!" He exclaimed. "Are you bloody kidding me?"

"If ah see tha-"

"No, we're all dropping dead here, and you think the best course of action is to track me down just so you can have a talk? Are you a moron?"

"Art, listen fer a moment, 'cause 'tis more important than ye think," Ahlrath growled sharply. "We saw the vole."

Art's fur bristled. For a moment, Art could do nothing but stare. He clutched the sickle tighter. "And?"

"Care tae explain yerself?"

"Explain myself, huh? Is this a witch trial or something? Do I really have to explain why I did that when she betrayed all of us and sided with the wildcat? Is that a good enough reason for you?"

Gurnilal blinked. "She did?"

"How didja know?" Ahlrath asked, more out of bewilderment than anything to do with Art.

The squirrel opened his mouth and froze. Ahlrath felt a pit in his stomach as an uncomfortable feeling of deja vu filled his mind. Oh nae. 'Tis already like that, aye?

A flicker of fear crossed Art's face as he bared his fangs. "She… let it slip, alright? And it made sense. What does it matter to you?"

Ahlrath's face twitched. "It matters tae me when ye kill another prisoner. Ah'd understand if it was self-defence. That stoat did jump us, after all-"

"A stoat?" Gurnilal perked up.

"- But ye didnae need tae kill her," Ahlrath finished, not hearing Gurnilal.

Art glanced between Ahlrath and Gurnilal and snarled. "Why… wouldn't I kill her? I had to do it! Did you hear anything I just said? She was working with the guards! The very bastards that put us here to die! You want me to hear that and not do anything about it?"

"She was half yer height, ye prolly could've done somethin' that didna involve killin'-"

"What the hell do you know?" Art hissed, his paws twitching. "Do you think I can just forgive somebeast who makes a mistake like that?! What did you want me to do? Restrain her? That's not going to do anything! We're… so screwed, so I'm trying whatever I can, because what the hell are we supposed to do?! We're bloody hopeless here!"

"Art," Ahlrath said through gritted teeth, "let us help-"

Art lashed out with a flash of silver. Ahlrath jumped back, avoiding Art's sickle as he swung it at the mountain hare. The mountain hare snapped, "Hey now, what the hell?"

Art widened his stance with a ragged growl, eyes burning with indignation as he raised his sickle threateningly. "What? You think I can't do this on my own? Do not try to help me."

Ahlrath gazed at the sickle and forced in a deep breath. "Art, trust me, this ain' the way tae go 'bout this."

"What would you know-?"

"'Cause ah did the same thing," Ahlrath hissed, grimacing as he faintly felt the weight of an axe in his paws. "Yer just gonna sabotage yerself an' nothin'll get done. Everythin' ye have'll be lost 'fore ye destroy yerself from the inside out. Believe me, if ye really want tae help, ye need tae control that anger, or else ye'll just hurt yerself."

Art shuddered. His grip on the sickle loosened. He stared into the mountain hare's eyes as he forced out, "What's the problem with that?" The squirrel's words hung in the air for a moment. Ahlrath sighed and lowered his gaze. "If I'm not trying my hardest, then… What the hell am I saying? I don't know you, and you don't know me. All you need to know is that I am going to do this whether you like it or not. I… have to."

Ahlrath folded his arms, bringing a paw to where his pendant would be. Ah know ye think this is what ye have tae do, Art, but would he want ye tae do this to yerself? "Art, ah get why yer mad, but he wouldn't-"

"Stop it," Art sneered, finally lowering the sickle. "We've only known each other for a few hours and the biggest thing you've seen me do was get two beasts killed at the tower. Don't act like you care, because you shouldn't. So, just leave. Whatever happens, happens." Before Ahlrath could speak up, Art turned, walked up to the closest tree, and pulled himself into the leaves. He vanished in the canopy, leaving Ahlrath to stew in his thoughts on the forest floor.


All they had to do was hide until Borsen was gone.

Toran flinched as a growl rumbled throughout the two-room house. Borsen was in the other room. He didn't know how he found them. They must've made a mistake when they ran from Durkfor because Borsen was quickly on their tail and they had to take refuge in the nearest house. Kallius lightly shook his shoulder and pointed towards the window. Toran poked his head out from below the bed the two were lying under and shook his head. Even if he got outside, Borsen was undoubtedly quicker than him. A sound in the other room made Toran flinch and retreat under the bed. He shivered, whimpering as he covered his head with his paws. Kallius lightly wrapped an arm around him for comfort, whispering promises of safety.

Toran shut his eyes. All he had to do was stay still and the monster would go away. That's what he was telling himself. That phrase repeated over and over as if he was trying to drown out the sounds coming from the other room, but it was all for nought when he heard heavy pawsteps approaching the bedroom. Toran's breathing hitched as the door opened and Borsen walked in. The sea otter's ragged growls rumbled through the air as he paced around the room searching for the two prisoners.

Even though his eyes were shut, Toran could feel his vision darken. The monster was in the room with him. He was trapped. Toran kept his eyes shut, unable to repress a whimper as he realised he could do nothing to save himself. All he could do was wait for someone else to save him, but the odds of that were nigh impossible. Despite everything he had done to get to this point, everything was out of his control.

Kallius screamed next to him. Toran's eyes shot open and he saw Borsen's eyes staring back at him from outside the bed. Toran's blood ran cold and he let out a ragged shriek. "No! Stop! Please!"

Toran screamed as Borsen grasped his wrist and jerked him away from the bed, bringing him face-to-face with the monster. Toran expected Borsen's face to be all scary and growly, but the sea otter was just staring quietly. His expression flickered with recognition before melting into fear. Toran eyed the other otter suspiciously before letting out a scream as Borsen bared his fangs and pulled him closer, only for the sea otter to bite down on his own arm. As he pulled away, Borsen's body calmed, blood dripping from his sharp fangs as he chuckled softly. "Don't worry. I ain't gettin' rid of ye, yet." Toran looked over his shoulder. Kallius was still hiding underneath the bed. Before he could tell her to run, Borsen began dragging Toran towards the front entrance. "Don't worry, kid. It'll all be over soon," he murmured.

Toran whimpered and reached for his bag. Unfortunately, Borsen then tore it away from him and tossed it aside. Panicked, Toran punched and kicked at Borsen to get him to let go, but the sea otter remained strong. Toran's heart buzzed, eyes darting around for an escape, but this was it. He was trapped. Toran shut his eyes and pulled his cape over his body.

It will all be over soon…


Ahlrath watched as Art vanished in the trees, yet again. Unlike last time, when he was too focused on Tiviko to care, Ahlrath was pissed. He kicked the closest tree and paced in a circle before letting out a shaky sigh. This was supposed to be a chance to make up for his mistakes, not make Art's even worse. Hey now, what're ye thinkin'? This is about him, not ye. Ye did what ye did and there's no goin' back. He's the one ye should focus on. Then again, can ye even do that? "Goddammit. Why cannae ah do this right?"

Gurnilal approached the mountain hare. "Hey, ya tried."

Ahlrath growled, baring his teeth as he snarled. "Lord, can ah do anythin' right? How come every time somethin' reminds me o' the past, ah screw up an' cannae get over it? Damn it, Gurnilal, what am ah doin'? Ah ain't usually like this. Why's it suddenly so hard when there're other lives on the line?"

"I dunno." Gurnilal rubbed the back of her neck.

Ahlrath sighed and tapped his footpaw on the ground. "Y'know, ah should've asked this 'fore we started followin' him, but he didnae do anythin' tae ye when ye met him earlier, did he? Ah'm askin' since we now know he's capable o' attackin' other prisoners."

Gurnilal shook her head. "Nah, nothin' bad. He just got angry an' left wit' Rianne… come ter think of it, where was she? I didn' see her wit' him."

"Hopefully fine, but we cannae be too sure, now that he's gone an' killed someone," he grumbled dejectedly. "'Sides, ah'm not sure 'bout his judgement. Lord knows it isnae the best, right now."

Gurnilal eyed the hare curiously. "Ya really care 'bout what's goin' on wit' him, huh?"

"Aye, fer a few reasons, but that's fer neither here nor later." Ahlrath buried his paws in his pockets, his expression softening. "Ah just cannae have him goin' down the same path. Especially not when he's this young. It'll destroy him."

Gurnilal stroked her arm. Ahlrath looked at her and asked, "So, now what? What do ye think?"

"Whaddya mean?"

"What should we do, now? Do ye wanna try tae find Art or look fer Toran?"

Gurnilal froze and tilted her head. "I uh, I thought ya wanted ter talk ter Art?"

"Ah do," Ahlrath muttered flatly. "But ah'm not his parent or good at talkin' tae him. If anythin', ah seemed tae make things worse. 'Tis not like we can hold him down while ah yell at him, either. Lad's quick as a huntin' eagle. He needs tae calm down, first, but we can either do that wit' him or try tae find Toran in the meantime."

"Crookedfang, too."

"Aye."

Gurnilal shuffled in place. Ahlrath waved a paw and said, "C'mon, now, ye dinnae need tae worry 'bout if ah'll agree or not. Ah'm fine wit' either option. Ah need yer input, which is why ah asked."

The weasel lowered her head, avoiding eye contact. "I kinda… don' wanna stay wit' Art. He's… I kinda don' like him. He annoys me."

Ahlrath snorted. "Fair."

Gurnilal kneaded her paws. "Hey, he'll come 'round eventually. I'm sure he'll listen ter ya by then."

"Bloody optimistic of ye," Ahlrath muttered. "But thanks, ah guess. He'll come around, aye. But maybe… maybe it'll-"

A ragged shriek broke the otherwise stale forest air. Ahlrath's body seized while Gurnilal's eyes widened. She slowly turned to Ahlrath, whose eyes were trained to the sky. "No… no no no," he pleaded. Gurnilal held her breath as the silence dragged on.

As if confirming Ahlrath's fears, a second scream shot through the sky. "Help! Someone help me, please!"

Ahlrath's blood ran cold. His body exploded with panic as he charged towards the sound. "Toran!"

"Ahlrath! Ahlrath, help! He's here again! Please, I don't wanna die!"

"Hang in there, lad! Ye'll be fine, ah promise! Ah'll come get ye!" he howled. For a moment, all Gurnilal could do was stare in horror. Something big was happening again, and although she knew nothing about the sea otter, if he managed to put up a fight against Ahlrath of all beasts, she knew the next hour was crucial.

The sound of rustling leaves followed by a crash behind her caused her to yelp. She turned and saw Art, who had just been hiding in the tree above her. The squirrel's eyes burned with rage, teeth bared as he addressed Gurnilal. "Do you know who they're talking about?"

Gurnilal hastily nodded. "I think the otter from yer place."

Art growled, paws shaking as he clenched his sickle. "Then I'm off. He's not escaping this time." Art shot off and Gurnilal followed soon after. She needed to help Ahlrath and Toran. She needed to take down Borsen. This is what Vhynias would've wanted. Gurnilal knew in her heart that Crookedfang was fine, but somebeast was about to die if she didn't do anything. She couldn't fail. If not for herself, then for Vhynias.


As soon as Borsen left the house, Kallius scrambled out from underneath the bed and saw the bag that Toran had dropped. She shuddered, tearing it open and picking up the dagger she had stashed inside. The weapon felt heavy in her trembling paws. Grimacing, Kallius shut her eyes and mumbled a prayer. Durkfor just betrayed her; she saw it coming, yet she did nothing. Maybe Toran wouldn't have been captured if he and Kallius had left sooner.

Kallius slung the bag around her shoulder and raised the dagger. By this point, there was no denying it. It was dumb of her to think she could end this peacefully. She had to fight. Borsen, heck, all of the guards can't be taken down without a fight.

She hesitated before running out the door, dagger in paw. Kallius trembled, desperately praying that her choices didn't lead to more deaths like Thaddeus' and Fawshawn's.


Borsen heard Ahlrath roar in response to Toran's cries and giggled. He really was going to be here soon. The otter shivered as he imagined how much pain the mountain hare would put him through, especially now that he captured something very important to him. Borsen sized up the church standing in the centre of the town and nodded. It was a perfect place to set everything up. Borsen walked inside, ignoring Durkfor who slouched by the entrance, and let loose his own howl of bloodthirsty anticipation. When he was done, he looked down at Toran. Oddly enough, Borsen couldn't help but feel pride amidst the sudden spike of dread the small otter gave him. He did it. Fate wanted to make him suffer and force him to live in terror, yet he found a way to deal with it on his terms.

Borsen's face twitched as he smelt burning flesh. He shut his eyes, raised his arm, and chomped down, screaming into his flesh as the fear and memories were expelled from his body. He opened his bloodshot eyes, gazing at the door with grim anticipation.

If it was a fight he wanted, then a fight he would get. With Ahlrath, Art, Gurnilal, and Kallius going after him and Durkfor by his side, one of the bloodiest battles on the island was about to start.

But maybe now, the cycle will finally end.