Chapter 11 – Judgment and Flight

The flickering light of a single candle illuminated the cracks in the door as someone entered the room. An elderly-looking vixen, her back arched forward, wearing a tattered robe over her clothing, walked over to the still-resting Gideon. Never once noticing the dark outline of the bunny doe just out of sight, behind the door, the vixen lowered herself in front of Gideon. Holding the lit candle to Gideon's face, the unknown vixen reached out, clasped the bottom of his jaw, and angrily turned it from side to side. Letting go of his jaw, the tod's face dropped against his chest. The old vixen then eyed the laceration on his neck that Judy had stitched, examining it further.

While still trying to remain motionless, as her legs began to tremble, Judy could only watch from behind the door as the vixen leaned close to Gideon's neck and sniffed the mended gash. Desperate not to be heard and attacked at the paws of the unknown vixen, Judy struggled with her breathing. The old vixen rose and turned to leave. "Foolish tod, if I have ever seen one." The vixen mumbled as she approached the door. Reaching for its handle, the vixen, with one final look over at Gideon, closed the door behind her and proceeded to walk away. Judy remained where she was for a few minutes, frozen like a statue. Her mind still comprehending what had happened, tears began to fill her eyes as she now struggled to breathe properly. Judy listened intensively, her eyes still fixed on the door, ensuring the vixen had indeed left.

Judy's legs nearly collapsed beneath her as she struggled to take a deep breath. As her body continued to tremble, she lowered herself to the floor. She could only stare at the closed wooden door for a moment before her attention returned to that of Gideon. Crawling over to the still unconscious tod, she placed two fingers against his neck. Feeling for a pulse, she felt a strong beating pulse pass over her fingers as a sense of relief flooded her. "Sir, please, can you hear me?" Judy placed a paw along his left cheek, hoping to wake and alert him. A few seconds later, Gideon struggled to open his eyes momentarily.

The silence between the two was quickly broken by the sudden rapid steps of someone running before the door swung open again. Judy, her defenses raised, turned around and pressed her body against the weak Gideon to shield him from further harm. Nick stepped forward; his attire was different after changing out of his nightshirt. Standing before them, Nick stopped as he looked at the scene before him. With the look of desperation on Judy's face, his ears fell back as he glanced behind himself and then back to her. "What happened? Ms. Hopps, what is it?

"I saw her, sir. It most have been Anna. She was here not more than a few minutes before you arrived." She began to ramble, speaking rapidly. Judy pointed a finger along the empty hallway behind him. "I thought for a moment you were her, returning again."

"I can promise you, you are entirely safe." Nick lowered himself down beside her and Gideon. "I'm sorry. I should not have left you alone for so long, Ms. Hopps."

"Safe?" Appalled by this statement, Judy stared back at him with an expression of fear on her face. "How can anyone in this manor be safe with the likes of her running around unchecked?" She motioned to Gideon. "Look at what has happened here already, Mr. Wilde. How can you say such a thing?"

"Ms. Hopps, please. I promise I will do something, but we must get him downstairs now. Ben should be waiting outside with the car to take him to the village doctor." Nick reached over and swung one of Gideon's arms around his neck as he struggled to lift him. Judy, doing her best to assist, grabbed the injured fox's midsection as the two struggled to move through the door and along the stone hallway. "Gideon...I need you to try and stay awake for us."

Little traces of sunlight were only beginning to emerge in the distance of the early morning sky as the pair emerged from the manor. Doing their best to keep Gideon upright, the couple were quickly met by Ben at the back door, who could take over and lift Gideon in his paws and rush him over to the waiting car. While ensuring Gideon was secured enough for travel, Nick turned his head to Ben, who had dashed to the driver's seat. "Ben, I need you to get him to Dr. Sander's house as quickly as possible. Do you understand?" Nick spoke the last few words hastily.

"Yes, sir, Dr. Sander's house, as quickly as possible." The chubby cheetah looked back at him as he started the car.

Desperate to speak to Nick one last time before he was taken away, Gideon grabbed Nick's shirt with a weak paw. "Nicholas," he let out a sharp cough as he gasped for air. "Please, she is in a delicate state. She must be..." His words failed as he struggled to take another breath.

Nick, reaching up to his chest, released Gideon's grip. "I will continue to do what I have always done." He spoke bitterly back at him before shutting the car door and calling out to Ben, "Go quickly!"

Standing firm along the rear-drive path, Nick watched as the car rounded the house and disappeared from view. Judy, who had only now moved away from the back door, observed him as she approached closer. Still dressed in her bed attire and robe, Judy covered herself with a spare long shawl she had noticed hanging from inside the door. Uncertain about what to say about what had happened, she watched Nick as his shoulders seemed to fall. "Was he talking about Anna, Mr. Wilde?" She spoke softly to him. "Is he a relative of hers?"

"What does it matter if he is or not!" Nick shouted back as he turned around, his paws forming into fists. Catching the shocked look in her eyes, he lowered his head and ran a paw down along his face. Instantly, the rage within him seemed to deflate like a balloon. "I'm sorry, Ms. Hopps, I should not have barked at you like that. It was wrong of me." He started to walk closer to her, feeling ashamed of his actions.

"There is no need, sir," Judy stepped back. "I was out of line for asking." Judy noticed how he seemed to be studying her, like countless times before.

Nick spoke up more calmly as she was about to turn and leave. "Ms. Hopps, would you please walk with me for a moment." He shifted his glance from her for a moment to gaze out toward the distant skyline. "There is something I wish to do that I have not done for many years. And I feel as if I need to have the company of someone at this moment." He raised a paw in the direction of the manor vegetable gardens. "It's a short distance from the east vegetable gardens."

"Are you sure you require me for such a thing?" Feeling the beating of her heart quicken, Judy asked as she tried to hide a smile on her face.

"Indeed I do, Ms. Hopps." Nick returned her smile as he motioned her over again, leading the way. "I can think of no one other."

Unsure what to do with this offer, she glanced up along the manor's exterior to consider the request. Clearly wanting to return to her warm bed, knowing of the long day she had before her, her desire to be alone in Nick's company seemed to push this feeling away. So, with a gentle nod, she began to walk along the gravel path toward the rear gardens. The two remaining silent for a time, as they continued to walk, was soon broken by Nick. "I would like to say again how much I appreciate you helping me." He slid his front paws into the side pockets of his pants as he struggled to keep his gaze forward as they walked. "I know it was inappropriate to ask you, but I could not think of who I could trust at such a time."

"I was more than willing to help in any way I could." Judy looked up over at him. "You asked, and I..."

Nick stopped suddenly and dropped his head before looking at her. "But it was wrong of me. I should have never caused you to be involved in such matters." He interrupted her in a downcast voice.

Conflicted by these words, Judy adjusted the shawl over her, "I don't think I understand, sir. What do you mean?" She studied him, hoping to catch something she may have missed in his expression.

"Nothing, Ms. Hopps." He continued their walk, arriving at the edge of the vegetable gardens.

"Mr. Wilde, if it was not Anna, who else could have attacked Mr. Gideon in such a manner?" Observant and encouraged by herself, Judy asked as they continued their walk, unsure of their final destination.

"Right now, all you can be assured of is that you and everyone else in this house are in no real danger." Nick examined a cluster of cabbage they were walking past.

"Why are you protecting her or whoever actions?" Judy stopped and watched Nick walk ahead of her. "The fire in your room, Mr. Gideon's injuries." She resumed walking as she spoke. "What if it was Sophie or one of the staff, like heaven forbid, Mrs. Otterton?" With the sudden image of Mrs. Otterton in the same room, bleeding on the floor instead of Gideon, Judy fell silent.

Thinking about what Judy had just said, Nick hung his head in shame as the two approached the end of the gardens; Nick continued to guide her now toward an open area. Judy looked around, noticing a lonely Birch tree ahead of them as Nick approached it. A wooden bench, positioned under it, faced toward the looming horizon. She observed quietly as Nick, sadness evident in his slow movement and expression, walked over and sat on one side of the bench. Judy followed and sat apart from him on the other.

"May I ask you something, Ms. Hopps, a scenario, if you will?" He looked out on the still-dark horizon, his tail flicking behind him.

"Of course," Judy replied as a slight chill came over her.

"Image you are a young mammal, lost and alone for the first time in your life. You have no family or attachments to find comfort in." He leaned a little against the back of the bench. "So you find yourself traveling to new and exotic places. And during one such trip, you make a mistake while there." He looked over at her.

Thinking momentarily, Judy answered, "I don't know, sir. What kind of mistake would I have made?"

"Not a crime," Nick replied, brushing his pants leg with his paw. "But a lapse in judgment due to your foolish youth, you could say. In which you were to suffer hardship and pain." He paused for a moment. "Now, years later, you can correct this mistake." He looked again at her. "Would you take that opportunity? Even if there was still a small," He cleared his throat. "You can say barrier, standing between you and it."

Still unsure about the question, Judy thought carefully before coming to an answer. Her mind seemed to run through everything he had said and asked of her. Taking a deep breath, she finally came to a decision. "If convention commands over the mistake, big or small, I truly feel it is my burden to uphold the punishment brought on by me. It is a sense of duty after all to..."

"Duty!" Nick jumped from his seat in utter shock. "What on earth does duty have to do with this, Ms. Hopps? Of all the brainless..." He stopped himself, remaining speechless momentarily. "Oh, but of course," He sighed deeply. "Bogo's teaching, no doubt. I recognize his words now, talking about convention and higher being. Living in suffrage for past actions." He rubbed the back of his head with a finger. "Straight from the pulpit." Nick turned his back on her. Judy remained silent as she watched Nick circle around the Birch and herself. "Never mind, Ms. Hopps, let's try something else. What if someone approached you and asked for your help securing fulfillment for them."

Judy, her mind racing with sudden thoughts, as if not of her own, rushed over her. She licked her upper lip before biting it slightly, nervous to answer. "If it was for a friend, I would, yes."

Nick came to a stop, hearing this answer from her. He looked back at the manor and its glory before returning to Judy. "I'm sorry to trouble you with such questions, Ms. Hopps. I needed to..." He paused. "I have needed help answering such questions for a few years.

In the distance, the early dawn seemed to slowly emerge as the two of them continued with their discussion. The dark orange and soft yellow mixture cast its hue over the slowly dissipating darkness. "But then, why me? Why ask me these so-called questions? Her head tilted slightly to the side. Judy thought to herself. Never before had she known such an odd mammal as Nick. What made such a creature as him? Out of all the mammals in this world, he was the one she felt a gentle pull toward."

Taking a moment to walk back around, Nick sat again on Judy's opposite side. The tip of his tail flicked again as he looked at her. "Because...I needed to know for myself if my own notions were true." He turned his gaze back toward the brightening horizon. "And I think I now have the answer." Judy, her ears raised after hearing this, watched as he rose from his seat. "She rising." He called over to her, not breaking his gaze.

Judy turned in the same direction as Nick and watched in amazement at the event before them. At first, only a tiny sliver of light emerged beneath their shared world. Increasing in its mass, gradually, the morning sunrise began to bathe the cold air with the tips of its burning fingers. Judy's face was alight. She could not help but take in the beauty and majesty she witnessed as she felt the first early warm sunlight brush her fur.

"I'm sorry to have kept you out for so long," Nick's words seemed to break Judy out of some kind of trance as he could not help but notice how the morning sun seemed to radiate the color of her fur. Not wishing to appear inappropriate, he turned his head back toward the manor. "We should make our way back inside. The staff will be waking any moment now." He cleared his throat again, unable to think of what to say. "I have missed our little talks a great deal these past few days, Ms. Hopps."

Judy, still finding herself lost in the beauty of the sunrise, spoke, "As I also have, Mr. Wilde."

By mid-day, after completing her morning lessons with Sophie, Judy had become a little tired due to her recent early morning adventure. Advising that the pair should have a short rest before continuing their studies, Judy ensured her young pupil was settled in her room before venturing to her own. Hoping to secure an hour to rest, Judy had only entered her room when a familiar female voice called to her.

"Judy, wait." Tabitha came to a halt next to her, having made a dash along the corridor, as she held up one side of her maid's dress so she could run. The young Flemish rabbit took two quick breaths as she steadied herself. Judy, taken aback by her sudden appearance, looked back at her. "Mrs. Otterton sent me up here to inform you. You have a visitor that has arrived downstairs."

"A visitor? For me?" Judy asked questionably. With a look of surprise, Judy thought she had heard her friend's words wrong for a second. "Who is it?" She asked.

"Don't know," Tabitha answered back. "She just said to tell you that your guest would be waiting for you in the visitor's parlor. Mrs. Otterton stopped me as I was about to go out and gather the vegetables for lunch." Turning around, the rabbit started to return the way she had come.

The idea of having someone called upon her, let alone who it may be, seemed to ponder her as Judy descended from the upper floor. With a bit of hesitation, reaching the small visitor's room next to the foyer, Judy leaned her head around the open door frame. A slightly older grey-colored female bunny, wearing what could only be seen as a hand-me-down floral dress, had her back to her as she entered the room. "Hello," Judy called to the older doe. "Can I help you with something?"

The doe, examining a few of the room's richly covered books on a shelf, turned in surprise as she heard Judy's voice. A smile instantly formed on the unknown bunny's face as she eyed her. "Oh my...look at you. You've turned into such a lady." She clutched a small handbag in her paws and pressed it to her chest.

Something about this older doe seemed to draw on Judy a sense of knowing her, but she could not recall from where. She asked. "I'm sorry, but do we know each other?"

"Oh yes," The older bunny continued to smile back at her. "I've known you since you were nothing but a little thing bundled up in your uncle's arms." She took a few steps closer to where Judy was. "The last words I spoke to you were, I wish only happiness for you and your future." The corners of her eyes tear up a little at this.

The sudden realization of who the unknown doe was came crashing down on her. She stood there in utter shock before bursting out, "Bessie!" Judy called out, rushing for the older gray doe before her. The once young maid she had known at her aunt's before being sent off to Ravenswood. The two doe's, crying into each other's arms, broke apart after a few moments. Bessie...how, how did you know where to find me?"

"It was a bit of a task at first, little Miss." Bessie laughed as she wiped the corners of her eyes. Your aunt had tasked me with finding you. So after contacting the Ravenswood School and corresponding with a Ms. Bellwether there, I found the information I needed to learn where you might be."

Revulsion seemed to surge within Judy with the thought of her aunt and her past actions. "Why would she, above all mammals, wish to know where I may be?" She turned her back and walked to the other side of the room. "I have not forgotten what she did to me. All the lies, the hatred she inflicted on me."

"Miss, please," Bessie moved over to comfort her. "Your aunt wanted me to ask that you return home to see her." She took Judy's paws into one of her own before brushing the side of Judy's head. "Your cousin Johnathan is dead. It's been about five months since," she said. Her gaze fell to the floor as Judy stood there, hearing this information for the first time. "He lost all his money in some investment scheme and hung himself in his business office. A staff member found him the following morning." She let go of Judy's paws and turned away. "Agatha and Sarah are with your aunt now, but they won't stay much longer. Neither of them wishes to be left burdened with their mother. The event of Johnathan's death has dramatically advanced your aunt's already poor health." Reaching into her handbag, Bessie withdrew a wax-sealed letter. "Your aunt told me I was to deliver this to you by hand once I had located you." She set it down on a small table close to her.

Walking over to the small couch in the room, Bessie retrieved the hat she had deposited when she arrived. She looked over at Judy, who remained where she was, her mind still going over everything she had just been told. "I better leave then. I need to catch the next train in the village back to Bunnyborrow. Please think about it, little Miss. She only has a little time left, your aunt. You both need to find peace before it's too late." She walked to the doorway before looking over her shoulder back at Judy. "If anything, please read the letter for me." Bessie left the room, followed by the front door opening and closing.

Unable to ignore the letter on the small table, Judy sat in a chair nearby. She gripped the chair's arm with one paw, her dull claws pressing into the fabric. Judy suddenly rose back to her feet and reached for the letter. Breaking the wax seal and unfolding it, she began to read it.

Bolting across the sunlit main living area, Judy approached the drawing-room doors on the opposite side. Her aunt's open letter held firm in her right paw slid one of the sliding doors open and entered the room, finding, to her shock, that it was empty.

"Can I help you with something, Ms. Hopps?" A female skunk around the same age as Judy emerged from behind her, dressed in cleaning attire.

"Oh, yes, Lizzy," Judy, moving out of the way, addressed the skunk as she began cleaning and straightening the sofa pillows. "Have you seen or know where Mr. Wilde is by chance?"

Brushing a paw across the sofa armrest, Lizzy looked over at her and then back at her work. "Don't know, really." She started to remove a few glasses that had been left behind and placed them on a tray. "He might be in the game room upstairs. I remember seeing him go inside as I was about to head down along the staff stairwell a bit ago." She lifted the tray with the glasses and walked over to the open door. "I was instructed this morning to keep an eye out and try to tidy up a little here while everyone is out and about."

Located on the second floor, the game room was only a short distance from the library. It was also one of the few places Judy rarely ventured. The room, surrounded by deep redwood panels, was a favorite place of Nick's to help him unwind after a long day. With an elegant green felted pool table taking up most of the room's space, a round card table was also present for friendly games when called upon.

Judy, in her haste, as she rounded up and along the upper landing of the second floor, never thought to herself the sound of gentle laughter coming from within the room as she grabbed hold of the door handle and stepped through, in hast, into the game room. "Mr. Wilde, sir, I need to..." Her words quickly faded to silence at the scene happening before her.

Wearing a full-length cream-colored sundress, Veronica, who was bent along the edge of the pool table, was being supported by Nick. A pool cue clutched in her paws, Nick appeared to be trying to help her line up for a shot on the cue ball on the table. His arms reaching over her from behind, both foxes suddenly looked up at Judy's unexpected arrival. Nick's familiar smirk remained as he straightened himself back up before noticing Judy's urgent look upon entering. The smirk at once faded away.

"What on this green earth does she mean by barging in here like that?" Veronica spoke in a disgusted tone, raising herself upright also. "What sort of creature would do such a thing?" She lowered the pool stick, resting a little weight on it.

Judy, paying no attention to what she said, looked toward Nick, who was now moving along the table toward her. With a concerned look, dressed in khaki trousers and a blue collared shirt, Nick fixed his attire a little. "Mr. Wilde, I'm sorry to intrude on you and your guest," She eyed Veronica for a second. "Please, I need a moment of your time... it's a matter of great importance."

"Come with me to my private office," Nick replied, motioning her into the hallway. He reached over and picked up a light brown tweed coat he had placed over the card table. Slipping it on, he walked over to the door, not once looking over at Veronica.

"Nicolas, what...?" Veronica's voice called out as Nick and Judy left and proceeded along the hallway toward his office next to the library. A look of complete shock at being left alone in the room, she slammed the pool stick hard on the table.

Arriving at his office door, Nick withdrew a key from his pocket and unlocked it. He motioned Judy inside after opening it, standing to the side so she could enter first. Upon entering the office for the first time, Judy was immediately taken aback by the lush grey-colored walls that decorated the room. Walking further into the office, she noticed a small marble fireplace and mantel just behind an ornate oak desk near the center of the room. A sizeable colored illustration of the world hung along one side of the room, taking up most of it. On the opposite side, a large finely carved inlaid bookcase stood cluttered with books and other objects, flanked by a few landscape oil paintings on the walls.

What drew her attention the most in the room was a large oil painting above the fireplace, showing a tall older male red fox. The red tod, dressed in late colonial attire, seemed to glare over the room as if studying everything it looked upon. Looking over at Nick and then back at the painting, Judy noticed a familiar likeness between him and the older fox in the picture. Seeing the room's effect on her, Nick remained quiet as he slipped around her and sat in a padded chair behind the desk.

Nick looked up at the painting from his seat, swiveling around in the chair. "I don't think you've ever seen an image of my dear late father, Ms. Hopps, have you?" He turned back to look at her. "Though I believe there is an older one from his youth along the staircase. This one," He looked back over again at the painting. "Was painted about two years before his death."

"For a fox, he has a rather handsome face, your father," Judy spoke as she continued to examine the older fox's features. The artist highlighted the blend of aged greying fur within his natural red.

"Yes, I guess you could say so," Nick laughed. "He always considered himself a ladies tod. I hate to think about what it must have been like for Mother." With a familiar smirk on his face, he glanced over at her. "So, you said something about a matter of great importance. May I ask what that may be?"

"What...oh yes," Judy, forgetting for a moment why she needed to talk to him, recovered her thoughts. "Sir, I need to request a leave of absence at once."

Nick, leaning back in his chair, pressed his front paws together. "And why would this be?" A sudden look of concern appeared as he studied her. Nick leaned forward now, placing his paws on the desk. "What could have brought such a change from this morning that would suddenly make you want to leave? Could it be due to the earlier events?" He eyed her.

"No, sir," Judy replied at once to this question. She moved closer to the deck, closer to Nick. "I received a letter from a maid in my aunt's employment. It has nothing to do with that." The open letter still in her paw, she looked down at it. "My aunt is dying, Mr. Wilde." Judy looked up at him at these words. "She is asking for me to return home one last time." Judy placed the letter on the desk next to Nick.

"The same aunt that you claim rejected you as a child?" He picked up the letter. "The same one that also sent you away to live at Ravenswood?" Nick started to read the contents of the letter.

"Yes, but something her maid, Bessie, had said before she left made me think I should accept her invitation. We need to find a sense of peace between us before it's too late." She moved away from him.

Nick remained silent, rereading the letter a second time before addressing her. "Your aunt lives in Bunnyborrow if I'm correct from what you had mentioned during our discussions."

"Yes," Judy replied.

"That would make it at least a two to three-day travel by train if there are no problems with the rail service. Then reaching your aunt's estate would take you a few more hours from the station, correct?" He looked over at her, his brow raised. "When would you be leaving us here?"

"Yes, sir," Judy replied again. "I could hire a cab to drive me from the station once I arrive. I can send a wire communication from the village, telling Bessie my arrival time once my travel plans are set. As to leaving," She thought momentarily before answering this question. "I would be leaving in a day or two. I need to ensure Sophie is adequately taken care of during my absence before I go and make all the travel arrangements.

Nick rose from his chair and walked with ease as he spoke. "Very well, Ms. Hopps. You have my full permission to go." He approached her and stood within arm's reach of her. "But you must promise me one thing."

"And that would be?" Judy asked, wondering.

"You are not to stay any longer than what is required of you. Do I have your word on that?" Nick looked into her eyes.

"Yes, sir," Judy answered.

"Good." Nick felt a sense of relief fill his body. Turning to his left, he moved to the bookcase, where a small oak box cabinet sat on one of the shelves. Opening the two-door cabinet, the box appeared to contain four drawers. Judy, with a look of confusion on her face, simply watched as Nick opened the second drawer and began rummaging within before removing something. Turning back to face Judy, Nick counted several bills in his paws. "Take this to help cover your travel expenses." He folded the money and handed it to Judy, who was utterly shocked by this action. "If you require further help, reach us at the manor, and I will have money wired to you."

"Thank you, sir." With a smile, Judy felt the sudden urge to leap and embrace Nick for his kind gift to her. Controlling her emotions, she did no such thing and simply nodded to him before leaving.

"When you are ready to leave, Ms. Hopps, get with Ben to be sure you make it safely to the train station." Nick moved to follow her to the door of his office. "I wish you a safe journey then." He reached out with a paw to her.

Turning back around, Judy stopped as she took his paw in her own. A slight warm chill flowed between the two as each stared at the other. "I better go, and thank you." The pair simply continued to stand there wordlessly within the door frame. Releasing his paw, Judy turned and rushed out of the room and along the hallway leading to the landing.

"Well, Nicholas," The voice of Veronica called to Nick as he emerged from his office, watching the last view of Judy before turning around. With a firm, smug look, she walked over to where Nick was. "Did you sack the rude creature for her egregious behavior?" Reaching for his arm, she wrapped her own around his. "It was the proper thing to do, Nicholas." She eyed him. "Never would Mother nor I allow such an action by a servant to take place in front of us while entertaining guests. I mean the nerve of her, barging in like that."

Nick slowly removed Veronica's arm from his own before addressing her. "You and I have different opinions regarding blatant rudeness. And no, I did not sack her." Closing the door to his office and locking it, Nick walked back along the hallway. "Forgive me, Veronica, but I must take care of a few things."

"But...what about the luncheon we have planned on the grounds? Everyone is expecting..." Veronica asked as she watched Nick leave her there, alone.

"I'm sorry, I will not be able to attend. Please apologize to everyone for me, Veronica. I know you'll do fine without me." Nick called back to her. "It appears I have been outfoxed."