"Don't fall ye pumpkin-colored oaf! It's a long way down an' I certainly don't want t' be the beast that scrapes ye off the ice, wot wot!"
"I'm not gonna fall ye fat-footed, frog-belled lump!"
Eli sighed as he waited behind Bloodclaw and Corporal Bushby as the fox scrambled up the last few steps onto the lightly dusted stone of Redwall's northern wall. The snow had fallen and froze where it landed, and now the red stone walls were covered in a sugary powder that was deadly slick.
"I thought those weasels were clearin' the snow, where in bloody 'ell are they, wot?"
"Their son finally woke up so they're in the infirmary," Eli responded, with a noticeable twinge of annoyance.
"They should finish their work before they cuddle up inside." Bloodclaw snapped and looked back at Eli to see if he agreed. When the mouse didn't react, the fox flattened his ears against his head and frowned.
"Worry about not losin' yer footin' fox." Bushby ribbed.
"Mebbe iv ye stop stompin' me tail I won't ye idjit!"
"Alright, ye worms!" Eli announced once he reached the top of the stairs and onto the ramparts. "I told ye this before Corporal so keep quiet an' lemme see if the vermin's got the ears t' listen and a brain t' understand."
Ruddy straightened his kilt and stood with his ears pointed to the sky like he'd seen the other guards do countless times over the moon that he had spent within Redwall Abbey. Eli raised a brow and held back a mean laugh.
The fox is trying. Perhaps he's trying too hard.
"I didn't call you to attention fox so simmer down."
Bloodclaw slouched with a glum expression.
"Why are ye frownin' fox I thought ye wanted t' be a warrior?"
"Warriors fight, they don't watch the trees from the walls."
Eli chuckled softly. Stupid beast!
"Well, you're not a warrior yet are ye?" Eli said as he paced the rampart and looked at the snow-covered hills and forests.
"Well, I wanna be! All yew've had me do is hold yer swords and watch. I wanna start fighting, that's how I'll be a warrior."
Eli laughed then asked. "Tell me Bloodclaw, what's the most important skill to have in a fight?"
"Yew needs t' know how to swing a sword. Or fer me an axe!"
"You're not wrong," Eli said, returning to the fox. "But it only matters if you can strike your opponent."
Eli squared his shoulders with the fox.
"I want you to try and strike me."
Bloodclaws face scrunched in confusion. The fox looked between Corporal Bushby and Eli.
"I'm asking you to do this, so you won't get in trouble for trying," Eli said before breaking into a cocky grin. "You won't lay a claw on me of course. Vermin like ye are better at talking than fighting."
That seemed to light a fire in the fox as he surged forward as fast as his peg leg could take him. Eli saw everything as if the fox was moving through honey. He didn't flinch as the fox snarled and cocked his arm back for a furious punch. He held his mocking laughter as Bloodclaw's pegleg slipped on a transparent sheet of ice and the furious fox tumbled to the stone in a heap of fur and bone.
"Ha! Wot happened broomtail? Never seen ice before, wot?"
"Shuddup long ears before I turn yer nose into a pancake!" The fox snapped as he hurried to his feet and tried to collect his pride.
"Stop fighting ye two," Eli ordered, and the bickering ceased.
"Did ye' notice the ice beneath yer paws?"
The fox glumly shook his head. "No."
Eli's eyes went wide as he nodded. "Ye weren't very observant were you then?"
"I slipped on some ice that doesn't mean much." Bloodclaw snapped. "Could've happened t' any beast."
You stupid, crippled, flea-infested mut! Even dibbuns could've seen that trap. Thinking yer invincible just because yew kin swing a sword, I'll beat that smug attitude outtah you! Eli fought the urge to bark his frustrations out at the fox. He figured Corporal Bushby's teasing would do more than enough to curb Bloodclaw's pride.
"You missed a patch of ice, slipped, and got yer tail wet. All that's hurt is your pride, but what if this was a real fight? You just gave your opponent the biggest opening for him to swing his sword into your head. You and I are already at a disadvantage with one leg, don't burden yourself by being lazy!"
Bloodclaw raised his brows as the weight of Eli's words hit him. Eli released a tense sigh of relief; he expected the vermin to be more argumentative.
"Pay attention t' yer surroundings at all times. That'll help ye from lookin' like a fool and it'll help ye get a leg up on yer enemy."
The fox looked like he didn't completely understand the mouse but was too afraid to ask anything. Eli kicked at a loose chunk of ice with an annoyed twitch of his lip. The ice broke apart and dislodged a chunk of stone from the rampart. With a spark of inspiration, Eli knelt and picked the stone up before tossing it lazily and catching it.
"What do you see here Bloodclaw?"
"A rock?" The fox frowned.
"Aye," Eli said with a slight smile, "but how big? How smooth? How heavy? You see, but you don't look. In battle, that same stone could trip you if you ignore it, or it might be a weapon if your sword breaks."
Eli tossed the rock off the side of the wall and leaned closer, his voice was low but firm. "A keen eye separates the living from the dead, Bloodclaw. A flick of the ear, the shuffle of a paw, the twitch of a blade—those are your enemy's thoughts before they act. Miss them, and you'll be too slow."
The fox nodded, with much more enthusiasm.
"Good," Eli said, his voice softening. "Now, let's see if you've been paying attention. What did I just teach you, without my words?"
Bloodclaw hesitated, before saying, "Yew moved yer right paw when you spoke of striking wid the stone. Yew favor yer right when you fight."
Eli failed to hide a wry smile. "Very observant, Bloodclaw, good. Never stop watching, lad. Never stop listening."
Eli gestured for the fox and hare to follow him as he began to walk along the length of the wall. "Now while you're up here there'll be no falling asleep or playing. You're to watch the forests and the fields surrounding the Abbey for any beasts that look like they could cause trouble. During the day the bells are rung every hour, that's your signal to head to the next wall. If you're facing away from the Great Hall you'll always move to the wall on your right. Once you get back to the wall you first started, you'll have a replacement guard waiting for you. If you don't have one then stay on the wall and ask somebeast to retrieve your replacement. We're never to let the walls go unguarded. Make sense lad?"
Bloodclaw nodded as he looked out toward the tree line, just over a bow shot away.
"You can walk along the length of the wall or stay beneath one of the coverings. Just be sure to keep watch over your part of the woods."
"What if I gotta go t' the bathroom," Bloodclaw asked as he kept his eyes focused on the forest to their north.
Eli sighed. "Make sure ye have someone watch over your section of the wall, an' make it quick. If you get tired of guard duty, I'd hate to tell you, but you might want to reconsider being a warrior."
"An' what if I spot somebeast?"
"Then raise the alarm ye bloody fool!" Corporal Bushby snapped. "Don't just keep it t' yerself. Unless ye want us t' be overrun then I'll proudly be the first t' kick ye off the wall, wot wot."
The fox looked flustered as he glanced between the hare and mouse. He opened his mouth and found his voice after a few moments.
"I saw some beast slinkin' through the trees."
Corporal Bushby flew to the wall's edge, Eli was a bit slower as he grabbed Bloodclaws arm and hauled him over.
"Where did ya see him, lad?" Eli asked as the three beasts peered into the shadowed forest.
"I saw a beast slip between that split oak and the boulder." Ruddy pointed to the oak that lightning had split a season ago. Eli held his breath and crouched.
"Get down ye fools! Archers could be lying in surprise!" The two young warriors fell to their stomachs.
Eli searched the darkened forest floor for signs of a beast. He looked for tracks or ruffling shrubbery signaled by the fall of powdery white snow. The tree beasts waited and watched, their ears and eyes being the only thing unprotected by the stone walls. After several agonizing minutes, Eli slowly crept to his feet.
"What are ye doin'! What about the arrows?" The fox asked.
"Nobody's there. Yer puny mind's playin' tricks on ye."
"Yes, there was!" Bloodclaw snapped as he jumped to his feet. "A beast was watching us! Her head was stickin' between that oak, an' she ran off when she saw Eggy's ugly mug."
The hare scoffed. "It's probably that ghost runnin' about tryin' t' scare the pants off ye, wot wot."
"How d'ye know it's a vixen," Eli asked. His eyes continued to watch the tree line like a hawk. Bloodclaw hesitated.
"I dunno. It just looked like it was another fox."
"Aww does someone miss their mummy?" Corporal Bushby laughed as Bloodclaw turned and punched the hare.
"Shuddup yew ugly, loud-mothed toad! I'll cut yer ears off and strangle yew wid em', Eggy!"
The hare laughed even harder as the fox continued to punch him, eventually backing away and throwing a few light-hearted jabs himself. Eli found that he was getting annoyed at their constant playing.
"Stop it you two if ye want t' play like dibbuns I'll happily send ye t' the nursery!" The two beasts stopped fighting immediately. "If ye truly saw a beast ye'd be taking this much more seriously!"
"I did!" Bloodclaw's face dropped. "I saw another fox; she was watching us from the trees. She looked like death and ran off the second Eggy ran t' the walls."
"I told ye to be observant," Eli said with an annoyed huff that temporarily obscured his vision. "Yer as skittish as a sugared-up gnat. If ye see somebeast and Bushby sees him too then you raise the alarm. Understand?"
"But I…"
"Are ye talkin' back t' your superior, wot?" Corporal Bushby shouted.
"No! But-"
"No buts!" The young hare wheeled about the fox. "You heard Eli! Ye should respond with, 'Thank ye for lettin' me stand on this here wall!' Now lemme hear it, wot wot!"
"Thank yee fer lettin' me stand on this wall!" Bloodclaw shouted as he snapped to attention.
"Good! Ye might make yer long-lost mummy happy one day fox!" Bushby ribbed as he turned to Eli.
"Don't worry about this sad vermin sap. I'll make sure he keeps his villainous ways to a minimum. Have fun trainin' yer favorite apprentice Eli."
Eli nodded as he scooted past the hare and the fox. "I'll make sure to get somebeast up here to clear off the ice but keep your shenanigans to a minimum Corporal. I can't have two fools on this wall."
"Good! Parry his thrust! That'll give you an opening to strike, Dokkur!" Eli shouted from the edge of the ring. Dokkur and Sergeant Danburr were sparring with each other with much more ferocity than had been seen in previous days. Eli was happy to see the work his apprentice had been putting into training. Dokkurs attentiveness, interest, and overall effort had increased almost tenfold since Bloodclaw told the otter he was to be Eli's new apprentice. The otter never tired of sparring and put his full effort into it, having needed to be told by Sergeant Danburr to lower his intensity at times. Like a father watching his son catch his first fish, Eli was incredibly proud of Dokkur. He congratulated himself for the genius decision of having the fox join their training. Every beast was motivated in different ways, and Eli had found the best motivator for the otter.
Eli smiled as Dokkur slashed at the hare with his spear, catching his ankle and knocking him off balance. He drove his shoulder into the hare's chest, and the otter sent the Sergeant into the snow. When Sergeant Danburr looked up, Dokkur had his spear tip beneath his chin. The hare raised his paws in surrender.
"Excellent work Dokkur." Eli said as the otter helped the hare to his feet. "That's three in a row now. I think it's time to give Sergeant Danburr a bit of a rest."
"Aye, I've been getting lucky. We've still got more than an hour before lunch. There's room for at least ten more fights!" The otter said with a thankful smile.
"Maybe it's time for you to try sparring with someone else for a change." The winded Sergeant Danburr said. "You've faced a spear for the past several days, how about a sword, wot wot?"
Dokkur looked at Eli with a competitive smile. "Ye think ye can dare challenge me Champion Greyfur?"
Eli threw back his head and laughed as he pulled his training sword free. "Such strong words apprentice. Let's see how long you last."
"Excellent work Dokkur." An aged voice sounded behind Eli. Immediately the otter and hare snapped to attention. Eli whipped about.
"Ahh Father Abbot. What can I help you with?"
The old mouse was bundled in at least three layers of scarves, habits, mittens, and socks. Eli bowed to the abbot as he drew near.
"I wanted to speak with you, my son. I didn't want to interrupt you and your duties, but I had hoped to find you unoccupied."
Eli looked at Sergeant Danburr and Dokkur. "I can spar with you later Dokkur. Remember to keep your feet moving and your spear tip leveled at your opponent's chest."
The otter nodded. It was generally understood that the Abbot's requests took precedence over almost everything else.
"Keep yer enthusiasm when yer fightin' me laddie! I've got a whole host of tricks ye've never seen before, wot wot!" Sergeant Danburr proclaimed as he clapped Dokkur on the back. "Just give me a moment t' catch me breath and we can begin again, wot."
Eli turned back to Abbot Micah. "What can I do for you, Abbot."
"Care to join me in a stroll. I'm not the young lad you are, and I find my bones tend to freeze if I stay still while out in this weather."
"Of course, sir," Eli responded as Abbot Micah led him back to the frozen walking path. Dokkur watched him go with a dissatisfied look before Sergeant Danburr called him back into the ring.
"I apologize for interrupting you, Eli. If there were only more hours in a day I wouldn't have to bother, you."
"There's nothing to apologize for Abbot. I'm more than happy to spend time with you." Eli responded with a smile. "I enjoy the pleasant break from the lads."
"I presume that everyone's doing well. Even this fox, you've decided to take under your wing."
Eli's smile vanished. He swallowed before clearing his throat. "There were a few beasts who were against it. They've managed to keep their mouths shut when he is around."
"I've heard rumors, primarily from those knitting mothers. Both Williard and I know they're sneaking wine into their room but there isn't much I can do about it since Briar is the cellarhog's mate." Abbot Micah laughed.
"Rumors are about all any of those beasts know." Eli rolled his eyes at the thought but quickly adjusted. "The fox isn't allowed to hold anything deadlier than a spoon and only watches from the side. I might send him to set up training sacks, or the targets for the archers. But he knows that if he acts like a villain all the guards are more than happy to put an end to his foolishness."
Abbot Micah nodded knowingly. "I expected you would've reminded him of that."
"Don't worry Father. If the vermin even thinks of stepping out of line he'll regret it for the rest of his short life."
"I understand that, Eli." The old mouse said as they turned a corner and walked toward the frozen pond. "I'm pleasantly surprised at your affinity towards the beast."
"I don't have any." Eli scoffed. "He's vermin, a dirty fox. I'm only doing this so he has something to do while they stay here. Besides, it's better to let me keep him in line than handing him off to Willard or some other untrained beast."
"Are you sure there's more than that?" Abbot Micah asked with a light simile. "Aside from the obvious."
Eli bit his tongue. When he spoke, he sounded a bit meaner than he intended. "Yes, we've both lost our legs, but that's where the similarities end. He wants to be a warlord; he wishes to hurt others. I will never let him do that! I'll beat him all day and all night, lock him in a dungeon until he changes his ways."
Abbot Micah frowned. "You'll beat a poor fox senseless because you don't want him to hurt others? What part of that sounds right?"
"It sounds harsh, but you must understand there's no reasoning with these beasts. They've refrained from attacking anyone because we've held a knife to their throats and promised to use it if they test our kindness."
"We've only had to do that because you and other beasts wouldn't even give them an opportunity to be good Eli." Abbot Micah responded with a firm voice.
"I am trying to keep the peace," Eli responded as they reached the edge of the frozen pond.
"And you're doing a fine job of that, but" Abbot Micah said as he looked into Eli's eyes. "It could be much better."
"How so?" Eli asked. He did his best to keep from snapping at the abbot, he reminded himself that the old mouse was only trying to help.
"You can start by thinking highly of your new apprentice."
Eli scoffed. "And how would that help? I'm so thankful that we have a band of destitute vermin savages within' our walls. I'm so happy that we're able to help for the winter, only to let them go once the snow melts and watch them rob and murder defenseless beasts in Mossflower."
Abbot Micah shook his head. "Is that what you see as the culmination of all your work with Ruddy? If you spend a whole winter with him and he still goes into Mossflower and slays other good beasts then his failure is on you, Eli, not him."
"I know that!" Eli hissed, thankful they were both alone so no other beast could see his outburst. "If I fail then I'll have just trained a warlord! I'll have doomed scores of goodbeasts to die because Bloodclaw wasn't stopped by me!"
Abbot Micah looked at the huffing savage-looking mouse with more sympathy than Eli thought he deserved. They had stopped their walk as Eli panted.
"If you were that worried about the fox, then why did you agree to apprentice him to begin with?"
The Abbots' prying eyes stung Eli's heart. The warrior mouse forced himself to look away. They stood that way for several moments as Eli refused to answer. When Eli thought he was going to be there forever Abbot Micah broke into a vicious cough. Eli wrapped his arm around the old mouse and guided him to a nearby bench.
"Are you sure you should be outside Abbot Micah? I don't want you making your cold worse."
"I'm more worried about you than me." The mouse sniffled as he wiped his nose. "I see a great fear within' you Eli. You want to conquer that fear, yet you're only feeding it. How long do you think you can bully others until they stand up to you? That Corsair wasn't afraid to do it when you let the fox fight Conrad."
"Father Abbot," Eli said as he hung his head in his paws. "They're vermin-"
"So what?" Abbot Micah responded. "The fox might be a fox yet here he is standing guard on our walls. The ferret might be a seer, yet she is helping our sick and injured. The rats might have been pirates, yet they are helping rebuild our abbey. They might be vermin, but they're good beasts."
"They're not good beasts… not after what happened to Esther, not since they took my leg," Eli said as he shook his head. He rubbed at his eyes with his palms until he saw stars.
"I'm not asking to forgive the beasts who hurt you or your family, but I will warn you away from hurting others because you are hurt." Abbot Micah said before breaking into a hacking cough. "Not only for your good but also for the sake of both of your apprentices."
"I have no reason to worry about Dokkur," Eli responded immediately. "I only need worry about the fox."
"Don't be foolish." Abbot Micah shot back.
"Dokkur's done nothing wrong aside from being a bit lazy during his training."
"That explains why he couldn't strangle the crippled fox." Abbot Micah snapped. "Yet now he's fighting like he's been filled with the spirit of Martin. Why is that?"
Eli bit his tongue. Abbot Micah gave him a few moments to respond but quickly answered his question.
"It's because of the fox Eli. He sees Ruddy as a threat! We cannot have that within' our walls!"
"He's found what motivates him. There's nothing wrong with that." Eli responded.
"He wants to harm the vermin."
"He's sworn to protect Redwall. Seeing your enemy can spark beasts to action."
"They're not our enemy!" Abbot Micah roared, before breaking into a bitter cough.
"You've been apprenticing Dokkur for a season now, his actions are reflective of you! If you speak of the vermin like they're all evil, then he'll see the vermin as evil instead of beasts needing help. You'll fuel his anger, and he'll hurt an undeserving beast. The fact that you don't see the need to temper your apprentice's rage is a problem, Eli."
"So, what can I do?" Eli asked without moving from his slouch. He didn't know if he would like the Abbot's advice but it was better than ignoring the old mouse.
"I suggest you read the Redwall's charter and follow it. Be a brother of peace while you are within these walls. Help and comfort the dispossessed. Most of all learn and educate yourself and others. Do these and you will foster the great flame of Redwall in your heart which all others will see. Only this will drive away the fear and pain that seeks to destroy you and you will be able to change your apprentices for good."
Eli frowned. He knew the tenets outlined in the charter by heart and he did as much as everyone else to follow them. He also didn't see how the charter would direct the fox towards being good. He was certain the fox couldn't read and even if he could he didn't seem to be interested in anything other than being a warrior. Vermin weren't known for their peaceful and wise decision-making when it came to getting what they wanted. The fox would probably laugh them off if he understood what Eli was saying.
"Does something seem wrong?"
Eli shook his head. "I will take your advice to thought."
A shout went up from the main gate and Eli lept to his feet, Abbot Micah was slower to rise. "I believe that I might be needed elsewhere Abbot."
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
As always please let me know what you think and what can be improved upon. Any and all feedback is appreciated!