Seabane dawdled behind the old mole with a resting frown upon his weathered face. He felt like all he had done for the past few days was follow the shrewd creature around like he was on a leash. The mole had talked their ears off in his unintelligible language about the importance and proper use of each of his tools. Proudly showing them the wonderful creations, one could make once they met his lofty standards. Unfortunately, Seabane and Marrow had been forbidden to touch anything from a saw to a chisel until that morning.
The rats had left Redwall along with the Foremole and several guards to chop down a chestnut tree for a canoe. Seabane and Marrow did all the work with strong verbal direction by the mole. Foremole Grumm had been irate at how long it had taken the two larger and stronger beasts to do such a simple task. He vocalized his disappointment as the two rats pulled the heavy thing back to Redwall. They had left just before sunrise and had made it back well into the morning. Seabane hadn't felt as much pain in his back since he was forced to join the slaves on the oars and row out of a storm The Damnation had gotten stuck in. To make matters worse his boot was a size too small and had a hole at the toe.
Such are the luxuries of Redwall, Seabane supposed.
"Oi Marrow how's tha pile lookin'?" Seabane called from over his shoulder.
The rat received a grunt in response. Marrow strained and panted as he used an adze to remove the bark from the outside of the log. Seabane's job was to collect the bits of bark and transport them to the compost bin, kitchen oven, or whatever other place the Foremole believed could have a use for it.
"Oi, don' fuss th' ratter, 'es got plenty toilin' to manage, zurr." Formole Grumm cracked. Trudging forward as Seabane struggled to push the wheelbarrow through the snow.
"It ain't common, hurr, that oi 'ave two helpers like yous! Others yammer on 'bout moi toil bein' useless err puttin' in too much eff'rt. Pah! Reck'n Redwall's gone all flabby-like, that's wot oi tink!"
Foremole Grumm was about half the height of Seabane but carried himself as if he were double his size. He wore a neat wintergreen vest overtop a dirty sweater. He was proud to announce that his mate had stitched a checkered pocket into his vest that could hold several bits of twine, nails, and sticks of charcoal which made his life much easier. He had a deep earthy voice that both Seabane and Marrow had a difficult time understanding. Out of every beast in the Abbey, he seemed the least disturbed by the vermin's presence. It didn't mean he trusted the vermin as he had threatened to brain whichever one of them broke his tools, but rather he didn't feel the need to keep such a close eye on them. Clearly, Eli, Abbot Micah, or whoever was making the decisions didn't feel the same way as the guards' training usually occurred within a stone's throw of the two rats.
"Whaddar we makin' a canoe fer?" Seabane bemoaned.
"Were 'ee not listenin', matey? Or do ye 'ave moss in yer ears."
"I just forgot that's all."
"Oi burr, fer many a reason." The shrew stopped leading and slowed to walk beside the corsair.
"Furst, zee canoe's a prezzent for Log-a-Log an' 'is shrews. Oi've bin meanin' t'get one done fer 'im, but oi couldn't find da beasties t'help moi wiv da tree."
"Second, I be wantin' t'see 'ow adept tha pair o' ye be with a 'ammer an' drivin' a nail. It'll help me figger what yer good at fer oth'a projects oi need done by tha end o' winter. Les' jus' say movin' this tree all about wuz a trial for tha pair of ye."
We just hauled a damn tree through the snow without any help from him or the guards! What more does this mole want from us?
"Take yer load an' heave it next tah th' scrap pile." The cantankerous mole said pointing Seabane to a neatly organized pile of sticks leaning against the abbey's wall. Seabane grunted and adjusted his course.
"At longlast," The mole continued, following alongside the rat. "If'n ye be wishin' t'make off afore spring, I'd be hopin' ye find a better callin' than murderin' or slavin', or any o' those villyun deeds yer kind do wiv' their nasty 'ordes."
"All we do is get told where to go and who to kill." Seabane snapped taking a moment to mull over what the mole said. "If we make it back alive we'll lick our wounds and do it all again the next day or until we're dead."
"Zurr, that be no better than a bunch o' slaves, oi reckon."
"Some of us aren't treated much better." Seabane scowled, not wanting to have this discussion with a beast who threatened to slay him if he drove a nail incorrectly. "Yarr, most o' us are there 'cus we get food and protection."
"Be that the case wiv most o' ye?" The mole asked, not entirely trusting the rat at his word.
"Some of us."
The mole's beady eyes asked for honesty.
"Yarr there's more than ye'd think. Most hordes are just a bunch of small bands joining together under threat of death. Even if somebeast had a family like Crooksnout and wanted tah leave where else is there tah go? They'd be robbed or murdered by whoever found them an easy target. Either way, a hordebeast's life offers vikkles and protection that are hard to come by anywhere else."
"So, wot made 'ee go? 'Tis clear as a summer day, fate had marked 'ee for a slayin', whether 'ee stayed or skedaddled."
"Because we had a better chance to not die if we left."
"Oi burr, ye'll be plannin' on carryin' on with the murd'rin' an' robbin', wot? Once yer free from this red-stoned prison."
Seabane had to be careful. "Naw. But we'd do what we'd have to survive."
"So, ye wud." The mole said definitively. "Oi'd say ee wud if ee couldn't grow yer own vittles or if yer shiverin' wi'out a blaze."
"Yes, I would yew idjit!" Seabane snapped. "I'd do everything I could to survive if I had to. I've done it all just to make it this far!"
Seabane immediately looked for a javelin or a stone with his name on it. Thankfully it seemed like the mole was the only one to hear him. They had made it to the wall and the closest beast to him was Marrow, a bow shot away.
"Oi, toss th' bark t'the edge o' th' mound." Foremole Grumm said walking to the wall.
Dropping his shoulders Seabane moped as he dumped the contents of the wheelbarrow in the snow. One down who knows how many to go. The mole stood observing the wall as if it were a map to a buried treasure. He placed his claws on it and pushed against it as if he were going to topple the massive structure, pressing his forehead against it and closing his eyes. After a moment of intimate embrace, Grumm stepped back shaking his head. He wiped his claws on his trousers.
"Poor mizzis seen finer times, zur."
Seabane didn't know what he meant or why he was calling the wall a lass. His expression must have shown his confusion.
"Op'n yer ears whoile oi try an' share some wisdom t'ye."
Seabane sneered as he spun the wheelbarrow back toward Marrow. The cool winter's day was filled with the twang of steel upon steel, the barking of orders, and the tearing of bark from a log.
"Ye don' want t' be a 'ordebeast no mores, so's best t' stop t'inkin' like on'."
Seabane snorted. "An how d'ye suspect I do that, mole? Our healer, the abbey's only remaining one with half a brain was attacked a few nights ago. Ye should thank that ghost warrior ye beasts seem tah worship that aside from Herrik none of us have snapped and torn more of ye tah shreds."
"Oi'm not gonna def'nd who's attackin' healin' beasties, yer's 'r anyone else's fer that matter. But oi'm not gonna teach 'ee how t' use me tools widout knowin' 'ee plan on goin' somewhere 'r doin' sometin' that don' hav' a 'orde."
"We don't plan on joining another horde."
"Wot's yer plan then?"
"We're heading south away from Zidar's horde to start a new life!"
"How, hmm?" The mole snapped at him. "Are 'ee gonna settle widout anythin' tah make shelter? Wot'll happen if ye can't forage fer vittles? Are 'ee gonna attack tha first beasties ye see? Or will 'ee join another horde or band of vurmint that points a blade at yer throat 'r promises 'ee a meal? The South haz as many vurmint as the North. An wot iv dey don't want ye tah join? Wot then? 'ow do 'ee, pirate Seabane, 'ope tah survive outside these walls?"
"I don't know!" Seabane boomed loud enough for several beasts to pause their sparring and eye him suspiciously.
"Burr aye!" Foremole Grumm responded with an empathetic light shining in his weathered eyes. "Oi don' kno' wot ye'll do, coz y' an' yer gang 'ave onleh seen yerselves as slaves t'whatev'r horde ye find yerself in."
Seabane fumbled with embarrassed fury. He was certainly more than a slave, he had premonitions. Ones that saved him from death with Zidar's horde.
"I'm not a slave mole!" Seabane hissed. "So don't treat me like one!"
"Oi'm just echoin' what ye whispered in moi earo." Foremole Grumm responded waiving off the concerned looks from the guards. "An' oi don't want 'ee to think 'ee are. But 'ee need t'start takin' what I'm showin' 'ee a bit more serious-like, lest 'ee want t'become one once again."
Seabane kicked the wheelbarrow by accident and bit his tongue careful not to curse the abbey and its shoddy gardening tools. He trudged along hopping on one paw for a few steps with the Foremole at his side.
"Ho burr, Seabane, everythin' 'ee larn t'will be fer yer own gudd when 'ee venture out."
"It's not helping me now. Swords and whiskers, most of the Abbey hates us anyway."
"The bestest thing ye can be doin' now is learnin'. Y'might not twig it, but them walls ain't the lone concern needin' mendin' an if there's anything that 'ee vurmint are bestest at 's finding th' cracks in our armor."
After almost an hour, Marrow successfully stripped the bark from the log and helped Seabane move it to the pile along the south wall. The old corsair grumbled to himself as he was at his wits end with the mole and furious that Marrow didn't have the tongue to hold a conversation. He heard a staggered crunching of snow behind him and expected to see the Foremole, but instead, it was Ruddy heading straight toward him.
"Seabane! Seabane ye need tah help me!" Ruddy gasped, almost falling flat on his face as he slowed to a stop. The rat caught the fox as he slid to a stop.
"What's the matter lad? Should ye be out here on yer crutches?" Seabane asked, helping the fox to stabilize himself on one leg and one gaudy-looking crutch.
"I kin do whatever I want! These Redwallers think that I need tah be babied because I've got half a leg. I don't their pity." The young fox spat.
"Yarr, then what d'ye need? We're busy and ye should be inside lest ye hurt yerself." Ruddy still looked shaky as he tried to balance most of his weight on the narrow bit of wood beneath his arm.
"Ye nee tah tell that meddling hare that yew an Marrow need my help with whatever yer doin' wid the mole! I can't stand him followin' me around like I'm a babe!"
Marrow had taken note of their conversation and joined the two beasts. He looked at Ruddy with the same pity that most everyone else had shown him the past several days. The fox wore the same dirty black and green checkered kilt which was torn and still had the blood stains from the shrew's attack. Ruddy created such a fuss fighting the Redwallers who wanted to wash it that eventually Eli had told them to let the fox be. When he was let out of the infirmary, he took a blanket rolled it up, and tied it in a loop around his body from his shoulder to hip. Ruddy also chose to wear a long-sleeved red sweater underneath his green tunic and a singular boot on his only remaining footpaw. The stump that was his other leg was a garish red as blood and other fluids seeped through the bandages. The fox's eyes were puffy and raw, and his fur still clung to his body in some places. Ruddy still reeled from his injury although his attitude and pride refused to show it. Seabane didn't know what was worse, seeing him grit his teeth in pain as Sathe cleaned his wounds or listening to his muffled sobs as he fell asleep in the neighboring room at night.
"It's not about ye being a babe it's about not losing yarr life!"
"I'm gonna jump out of a window if I hav' tah spend any more o' me day wid that hare! All he does is talk! I wanna tear his tongue out and strangle him wid it!"
"Now ye know how we adults feel sometimes Ruddy." Seabane teased hoping it would calm the fox.
"I just need tah stay away from tha maggot for the day," Ruddy begged his face transforming from one of anger to that of desperation. "Please! I kin be helpful. I'll just follow ye around an clean up afterward."
"That's not my decision, matey." Seabane sighed as the foxes' ears dropped in defeat.
"Then whose is it?"
"Oi, wot are yer lumps sittin' around fer?" Foremole Grumm called. "Dere be no lazin' on the task, vermint! Hurry up, we'm needen' t' cut tha log."
"Talk to the mole. He might let ya join us." Seabane said as he brushed past Ruddy with Marrow on his heels. Ruddy watched them go before starting after the two rats, grunting, and groaning as he made his way through the snow.
"Oi, wot's yer bizzn'ss wanderin' about? Shouldn't ye be restin', foxerbeast?" The Foremole asked.
"Naw, I kin go where I please. Seabane told me ye could use some help."
Ruddy yew idjit! Seabane shot a nasty look at the fox who looked up at him with hopeful eyes.
"Oo arr, did ee?" The mole asked, leading the vermin to the log. The Foremole had put twelve notches into the wood at different points around the perimeter of the log reminding Seabane of a compass. The mole had also made several indentations along the length of the wood.
"Well, if yew vurmint arr need'n summat t'do, ye've come t'the roight place. Loik oi told tha pirate, yew should pay attention t'what Oi'm showin' thee." The mole continued producing a fine piece of charcoal that he held in his claw. "Now pay attention."
Ruddy smiled pleased to be accepted into this special group headed by the mole, Seabane was taken aback but didn't say anything.
"Wot oi've done on both end o' th' log was sketched tha look o' th' canoe. This be 'ow it should appear iv it was boundin' straight fer yer noggin." The mole pointed at the carving at the ends of the log. There was a small square carved into the northernmost point of the circle with a half circle rounding out its bottom. At both top corners of the square, a cut angled down to the left and the right meeting a notch directly above the eastern and westernmost points. From these points, the cut followed a path straight down to the southwest and southeast notches where it then curved sweetly down to meet at a point in the southernmost notch.
"Aye, oi've managed tah put dem marks on th' log, where et needs tah be whittl'd away. Oi'll show 'ee 'ow you'm gonna do et, but furst, oi needs 'ee t' connect dem marks wid dis." Foremole said tossing the charcoal at Ruddy.
"Whaddaya want me tah do wid it?"
"All 'ee need t' do wif it is link tha dots. 'Tis simple, jus' see that yer lines arr true." The mole stood crossing his arms. Seabane couldn't believe that Ruddy wasn't getting reamed for touching the charcoal. It had taken the two rats several days to build enough trust from the mole to lay a paw on a saw.
"Heh, easy." Ruddy spat as he lurched toward the log with an unsteady gate.
"Mind th' lines, foxerbeast! No wobblin' in sight!"
Ruddy stuck his tongue out as he held the black bit of charcoal in one paw and balanced his weight on the crutch. The two notches were set the length of Seabane's forearm away from either end of the log about two-thirds the log's height. Ruddy started at the northernmost notch and worked his way down to the first point. He held the bit of coal in his paw like a dagger and pressed into the log leaving a crumbly streak of black. To his credit the line was as the mole asked, however, things took a turn for the worse when he tried to move down the length of the log. Ruddy tried to jump step down the log while moving his crutch in tandem with his leg. This was all done while he tried to keep the charcoal in contact with the log. At the first attempt, the fox barely moved. After readjusting his weight on his crutch, he tried jumping again. This time he did move but couldn't get his footing set properly and fell onto the log, before quickly getting the crutch underneath him. Unfortunately, he had lost his grip on the charcoal, and it fell to the flattened and dirty snow. Swearing oaths beneath his breath, Ruddy dropped onto all fours to pick it up but couldn't get upright without immense effort, grunting and groaning as he did so. An awkward silence hung in the air as the three beasts watched the fox struggle to stand. Seabane looked for the mole to end the foxes struggling, but Foremole Grumm looked on waiting for the fox to finish. Soon enough Ruddy was continuing to mark the log but his lines were wobbly and all over the place as he awkwardly shuffled his way to the ending. After a long agonizing minute, Ruddy had finished but was out of breath.
"Oi, burrah! D'ye rekin' that's straight?" The mole asked scrutinizing the fox's handiwork. The 'line' Ruddy had made was about as flat as the stormy seas.
"Shuddup mole I'd like tah see yew do any better!"
"Burr aye. Watch ye villyun." Foremole Grumm responded as he produced a small knife from the belt around his waist. He pressed it into the wood at the end of the log and in three quick strokes and a flurry of pawsteps, he had carved the side profile of the canoe into the log.
"Giv' me th' coal an' be off, foxerbeast!"
"Ye said do it wid this!" Ruddy snapped throwing the charcoal at the mole. "Not a knife. If ye'd have given me the knife I could've done better!"
"Th' blade wouldn't 'ave changed a thing, Oi'm sure 'ee could've done better if 'ee could move as well as 'ee still think 'ee can. But 'ee can't."
"I kin move just fine! Ye blind, dung brained, worm!"
"It's not a matter of wot 'ee tinks, young'un. Till ye can scurry about like Eli, oi ain't lettin' 'ee anywhere near moi work."
Ruddy looked like he was going to explode.
"The mole's right, matey. Ye'll only hurt yerself unless ye kin move about without fallin'." Seabane hoped to lessen the blow, instead, he made himself the fox's target.
"Shuddup Seabane! Yer the reason we're stuck in this miserable adders den!" Ruddy huffed kicking a small bit of snow at the rat. "An you're the reason I ain't got a leg anymore!"
Seabane narrowed his eyes at the unruly fox. "You should leave Ruddy. These beasts won't let us fight one of them, but they never said I couldn't knock some sense intah yew!"
Marrow sauntered to stand beside Seabane, adding a more intimidating threat to his words. But the fox didn't back down.
"There ye are ye sneaky vermin." A voice called out. Ruddy's face twisted into a burred mix of disgust and horror as Seabane looked for the source of the noise.
"I say chap if ye ever run off from me like that again I'll have tah tie ya to the bed and sing ye lullabies until yah fall tah sleep, wot wot." Corporal Bushby spouted as he stomped towards the fox. "Or Sergeant Danburr will have both our tails. Well… your tail and my ears, wot."
"Don' worry Corporal," Foremole Grumm smiled at the young hare as he greeted him. "Thurr foxer were jus' curious at wot oi be havin' these rats help me wif."
"I'm surprised the limp bugger could make it as far in the snow with one leg. He's a crafty vermin, although not as deviously cunning as I was told foxes are supposed to be, wot."
"Wisdom comes wif seasons, an' tha pair of 'ee are more alike than ye bally well rek'n. Both slinkin' 'round places 'ee shouldn't be an' th' like."
"Ha! Me mother would clobber me over tha head with a fryin' pan if she heard that." Bushby laughed. "Although my cousin Quintebec has been cozying up to that ferret ever since she was attacked. Caddish scoundrel will be a guard at the gates of the Dark Forest if my auntie ever finds out, wot."
"Yarr are ye anywhere closer to finding out who's been attacking our healer?" Seabane asked.
"I wish I bally well knew, but I'm not the beast looking intah that. Sergeant Danburr and Eli had started on it but they're a bit busy runnin' the bloody Abbey so Sir Conrad duHoyt's leading the search, wot."
Sir? There are no knights in Redwall. What kinda pompous bellend titles himself 'Sir'? Must be another damn hare.
"Now come along fox, lest ye get yerself hurt, wot." Corporal Bushby's voice took on an immature authority. Seabane wished Ruddy could tag along, but knew that now wasn't the best time.
"Choild must larn how t' use 'is crutches or else 'e'll never be o' use t' moi." The mole said sensing Ruddy's apprehension. "'ave 'im trod aro'n tha abbey a bit, then let 'im take a proper rest, eh?"
"Sister Lilac and Mildred have ordered the fox to stay in bed unless he's to get meals. They don't want his wound openin'." Corporal Bushby responded. "As much as I want tah enjoy this beautiful winter's day he needs to come inside."
Hurry up Ruddy! Don't make this harder than it has to be! The fox refused to budge as he looked between Seabane and the mole his face a facade of fury and desperation. When he realized he wasn't going to get any help, his ears dropped and slowly started towards the Great Hall.
"It's all right lad." The hare said as he fell in stride with the fox. "Friar Willard's probably got some goodies made for an early lunch. I say we make a quick visit before we head back to the infirmary, wot wot."
Seabane watched the odd procession make their way through the snow. Gentle steps from behind alerted him to the mole.
"Moi kno's it's 'ard t'see, but it's the bes' thing fer 'im."
"Arr I know. But he's lost a leg because of me and now Sathe's bein' attacked by somebeast, Crooksnouts re-broken his arm, and Herrik…"
Seabane felt a strong paw on his shoulder. He looked up at Marrow who shook his head at him.
"Naw is'nt yer fault. Oi don't kno' wot 'r why dese things keep happening to yer crew, but ye've done the best 'ee can. It's toime fer tha rest o' th' abbey t' do the same."
"Don' clutch it like a blade 'er dirk. Yer must grip it delicate yet firmlike. You'm clutchin' a feather 'ee don' want to break." The mole said as he put the bit of charcoal between his thumb and pointer. "Scoot it 'long the timber, an' keep th' bottom o' yer paw pressed 'pon it. Be swift as a sparrow so's ye don' lose touch wif th' log."
Marrow grunted following the mole's instructions to a tee. He pressed the bit of charcoal into the wood and ripped it along the length of the log. Only for it to splinter and break in his paw.
"Oo aye, not that 'ard. Yer not rippin' a beasties gullet. Jus' enough t' leave a trace."
Marrow tried again with similar results.
"Yurr grippin' th' darn thing to 'ard. Ease it up."
Marrow was able to leave a thick and crumbily trail before the charcoal broke in his claw again.
"Don't be pressin' too 'ard now, aim t' connect tha dots. Oi be teachin' yer this wi' coal, not a blade, so 'ee don't be ruinin' the wood or makin' anythin' lastin'."
Marrow stifled a grunt as he adjusted the bits of coal in his paw. The Foremole looked toward Seabane.
"Ee'll get it." He was interrupted as Marrow growled in frustration when he broke the coal against the log. "Now coom wif moi, oi be needin' an extra set o' diggers."
Seabane huffed as he followed the mole towards his toolshed. The shed was a solidly built rectangular building filled with gardening and pruning equipment. There was an overhang that jutted out from the abbey's wall and connected to the shed which provided cover for the work benches and drawers that were stowed underneath. A long sturdy ash workbench that looked like it was a distant relative to the dining tables in the great hall, stretched along the wall and jutted out a small distance from the protection of the overhang. Hooks had been screwed into the wall to hold a host of tools. Saw blades, hammers, chisels, scythes, shovels, and other tools Seabane knew neither name nor purpose of spread out along the length of the table. There was a flat rectangular stool that the Formole stood on to do his work resting at the end of the table aside a dresser whose drawers held nails, spades, trowels, and hammers of a great variety. A few paces from the dresser sat a stone forge and iron anvil, still cold and covered with snow.
Seabane had let his mind wander when an uproar of laughter sprang from the sparing Redwallers. Turning Seabane saw the group of beasts watching Ruddy why lay face down in the snow. Corporal Bushby knelt at the fox's side to haul him upright. After an anguished and sudden slipping and sliding where the fox landed on his rear to the observer's hilarity Ruddy staggered upright with the hare's much-needed help.
"Shuddup yew puffed up, maggot bellied, heaps o' dung!"
The Redwallers laughed even harder as the fox surged toward them. Corporal Bushby attempted to direct the fox in another direction but received a well-timed kick to the groin as compensation. The Redwallers continued to laugh as save Eli who watched the scene unfold with a grave frown on his lips.
"Oi fox how's about ye go inside 'fore ye hurt yerself, wot." Snapped a dignified-looking hare that didn't look like he was a member of the Long Patrol. "Don't want ye trippin' over what's left of your leg do ye?" The hare sauntered about in an awkward gate that mirrored that of the fox.
"Shuddup rabbet! Before I put me boot up yer arse!" Ruddy snapped closing the distance to the hare who trotted about in front of the crowd. Seabane stopped following the Foremole expecting the worse.
"What a foul-mouthed tosser!" The hare snapped straightening his ears to stand at his full height a slight smile flickering onto his lips. "Of course, ye'd be more of a threat if ye had a leg tah stand on, wot."
"Shut yer trap, hare 'for I make yew eat those words!" Ruddy barked into the hare's smug face.
"Eat my words?" The hare gasped taking a pace back in mock shock. "How so ye dirty villain? Ye can't scamper around without looking like a dizzy crab before fallin' flat on yer nose from a gust o' wind. Why I dare say even me daughter could drop ye on yer unruly hide, wot."
"I'll cut yew and yer kits throat yew flea-eyed flounder!"
The hare's eyes narrowed, and he grabbed Ruddy's collar. "Don't ye dare breathe a word about my daughter!" He hissed.
Ruddy spit into his face before launching his fist into the hare's stomach.
Ruddy you idiot! Seabane swore as the two were immediately surrounded by Redwallers. The rat rushed toward the melee pulling the beasts away from the circle that surrounded the fighting fox and hare. It wasn't much of a fight more than a beatdown. The hare knocked Ruddy to the ground before launching a knee into his stomach pinning him to the snow. He continued to land punches on the fox who flailed his arms about trying to stop the blows before covering his face and head. Eli was shouting at them to stop but it was lost amongst the rowdy beasts all egging the two on.
"Not much of a villun now, wot?" The hare laughed as his fist found Ruddy's nose.
With an angry roar, Ruddy struck out and landed a punch to the hare's throat. The hares laughing turned to pained coughing as Seabane managed to reach the ring of beasts around the brawlers at the same time as Eli. Redwall's champion leapt onto the hare knocking him off the fox. Seabane was about to grab Ruddy when two strong sets of paws grabbed his coat and yanked him back.
"Don't try anything rat!" Dokkur snapped as he stuck the end of a spear in his face. Seabane tried yanking his tail from whoever was trying to rip it from his body, but Maslow twisted his tail even tighter.
"That's enough Conrad!" Eli shouted before Corporal Bushby burst through the ring of beasts drawing his short sword and pointed at the group that had turned into a mob. Eli had gotten the hare in a headlock and twisted his body away from the fox who had crawled over and bit onto the hare's leg.
"Let go! Before I remove yer head from your body!" Bushby snapped pressing his short sword against the fox's throat. Thankfully Ruddy chose to listen and the corporal yanked him back before hauling him to his footpaw. Eli released his hold on the hare as well, getting up before helping him stand.
"Give me my sword so I can cut him tah pieces!" The hare demanded.
"No, we're not fighting!" Eli snapped.
"Shuddup mouse an give me an axe. I don't care if it kills me, I'll make a fool out ov this hare!"
"Shuddup Ruddy!" Seabane barked, as Dokkur pulled his spear away from the rat's throat.
"There the vermin go again threatenin' other beasts before spillin' blood." The hare said with a hiss. "How long are you going to let this continue Eli? Until we've all been bled dry?"
"You laughed at me!" Ruddy snapped.
"An you threatened tah kill Conrad's daughter." Maslow clapped back.
"Because you vile, dung-slinging, frog-lipped, clods laughed!" Ruddy's face was a red mix of furious embarrassment. Seabane knew that Ruddy talked tough but could see in his puffy green eyes that he was terribly afraid.
"Let 'em fight Eli. We kin get rid of one of our problems without much thought." A red-furred muscular squirrel responded, ignoring the fox.
"Will 'ee be lettin' two beasts hack each otha' tah bits ore' a smatterin' o' words, eh?" Formole Grumm barked as he marched into the crowd with Marrow following him like a massive shadow. "To spill blood fer sumtin' as innocent as pride be downright despicable, it b'aint right, zurr."
"It's not about pride Grumm its about enforcing the rules." Maslow snapped. "The rules stated that they can't threaten to kill a beast unless they wish to be killed."
"Wurr th' rules 'lowin' 'ee t' goad a beast t' such lengths?"The Foremole asked. "Wot rule in Redwall makes it right t' insult som'un who's strugglin' t' walk? An why would 'ee 'urt a beastie who's got no way t' protect 'isself?"
"Ye might not have been able to see from where you stood Foremole." Maslow began with a hiss. "But any beast that could punch a hare is a bit of a threat, with or without a leg. An these beasts shouldn't be considered Redwallers, no matter how much work they do for you old man."
"Stop bickering," Eli ordered stepping between Ruddy and the hare. "Is this how we're going to treat each other? Squabbling over something that should've been handled better by both Conrad and the fox?"
Thankfully the two beasts seemed to listen and didn't escalate things any further, although a glare was momentarily shared between them. For a moment there was calm amongst the crowd as Dokkur silently returned to his mentor's side.
"Now what you both did was wrong," Eli said, gesturing for the two to come closer to him.
"He started it!" Ruddy snapped.
"Perhaps, but you didn't do yourself any favors by threatening the rest of us," Eli responded smoothly.
Ruddy grumbled beneath his breath which got a raised eyebrow from Dokkur but nothing more.
"But I would expect better from all of you. There is no reason we should belittle or heckle a beast who can barely walk. Vermin or not!"
Eli received a thoughtful nod from most of the beasts save a few outcasts.
"Now I want you both to apologize to each other before you go inside." Eli snapped at the two of them. The hare cleared his throat before straightening his jerkin, while Ruddy averted his eyes.
"I suppose if it gets us back to training, I should apologize, wot. So, fox, I'm sorry yer mad I called ye out fer fallin' on yer rump."
The apology seemed to appease Eli who looked toward Ruddy. The fox scowled at the two beasts. Seabane couldn't blame him. There was no reason to say sorry. To most all vermin if you did something you meant it, whether it was accidentally knocking over a pot of stew or slipping a blade between a rival's ribs. Within vermin circles, it was assumed that every decision one made was intentional. This line of thinking was crucial in a fight where one couldn't spare even a moment to breathe. No matter what horde, tribe, or ship you were on every beast, save for the smallest of kits, was held to that standard. That thinking was what had given countless hordes their fearsome reputation but it also had gotten more than a few unlucky beasts slain. To apologize was to be a coward and a coward would only get you and your kin killed and was dealt with as appropriate.
"I don't wanna apologize!" Ruddy snapped. "You laughed at me, and he grabbed me first. I just protected meself."
"I didn't laugh at you," Eli responded his paw resting on the hilt of his wooden training sword. "And you responded by threatening to slay Conrad and his daughter after you struck Corporal Bushby."
"I also think it's fair to remind you," Eli started with a distinct edge in his voice. "According to the rules you vermin agreed to, I should've put my sword through your gullet as soon as ye laid a paw on the hare."
After a fleeting moment of deliberation, Ruddy was convinced. "Fine. I'm sorry I threatened ye and yer kit. But I wanna cross blades wid you tah prove me right!"
"Idiot!" Seabane cursed loud enough for the beasts around him to look back at him.
"I'll take great pleasure in tearing you blighted beast tah ribbons!" The hare responded with a malicious smile spread across his noble features.
"I'll let ye both duel if that'll squash your bickering," Eli responded looking at the two beasts who were within paws reach of each other. "But you'll be using our training swords, and there will be no spilling of blood, understand!"
"Aye!"
"Yes, sah!"
"D'ye got seaweed fer brains!" Seabane snapped storming from the ring of beasts. "The lad kin hardly walk! Yer gonna let a one-legged child fight a fully grown beast and then march around like some kinda hero fer doing so!"
"I'm not a kit!" Ruddy snapped. "I've wanted this fer seasons and yer not gonna stop it!"
"If they both agree to the duel then it should happen where I can observe," Eli responded. "Better here in front of us all with wooden weapons than in the dark with real blades."
"Yarr it'd be better if it weren't happenin' at all." Seabane could hardly contain himself.
"Oh, hush up rat." The hare said with the exaggerated swagger of a beast who knew he couldn't fail. "It'll be a great lesson for the lad, wot. An Eli's right, I'd much rather set things straight now than wait for him tah slip a knife in me throat while I sleep. Although I know how much you vermin would prefer that to an honest fight, wot wot."
"Yer ears are too big fer yer head hare! We're not slinking around at night and attacking beasts one of ye is! Tis plain ta see yew knows who it is!"
"Then who is it rat? I'm all ears." Conrad smirked tugging on his white ears. "They can't be all that bad. He or she gave that ferret a good enough whacking vile jill's turned into a sniveling whelp afraid of her own shadow! I hope our assailant gives yew or tha fox a visit, wot."
"Watch your tongue, Conrad! This fight is to put aside you and the foxes squabbling." Eli snapped. "If you have an issue with the rat or any of the vermin I'd hope you'd be an about it."
"Arr, adult?" Seabane asked with visible disgust. "Yew wants them to fight then yew want them tah act like adults? You're an idjit, you're all idjits!"
"Shuttup rat! They'll fight by my rules and you'll stay out of it."
Seabane didn't have any other choice but to accept defeat and bite his tongue to stop himself from unleashing the torrent of insults he had welled up.
"Yer an idjit, yew lame wretch!" Seabane snapped into the Ruddy's ear as he shuffled toward the makeshift sparing ring. The hare waited for the fox pacing back and forth swishing the wooden blade around testing its weight and balance.
"Shuddup Seabane, he's just a puffed-up hare. You've seen and kil't as many ones like him as any other vermin."
"An I've got two working legs and don't have rocks for brains!" Seabane seethed as the fox brushed by him. Eli stood in the middle of the ring with a wooden training sword that he handed to Ruddy as he entered.
The ring was big enough for both beasts to stand on opposite ends of it and not come close to touching each other with their swords. Beasts rounded the outside of the ring forming a wall of fur and flesh. Ruddy hobbled back and forth attempting to mimic the hare, swinging the sword and narrowly missing head and tail.
Oh, seasons this is bad. Seabane thought to himself as he watched the fox stagger about leaning heavily on his crutch. He had never seen Ruddy with a sword and was surprised that he didn't ask for an axe.
"How long d'ye think he'll last, wot?" Corporal Bushby asked.
"Yarr not long." Seabane snapped. Not wanting to make pleasantries with the hare. He looked for Marrow and Grumm but couldn't find them at all.
"Here's the rules!" Samuel boomed so that the ring of a score or so of beasts could hear him. "This fight goes until one beast gives up, is knocked unconscious, or is forced out of the ring. I'll give the signal to stop and start and the both of ye better listen or else I'll join the fight"
"Send that devil t' the Dark Forrest, Conrad!" The red-furred squirrel shouted as the hare riled up the crowd.
"Giv'em piss n' vinegar duHoyt!"
"Show 'em how a warrior fights!"
"Keep him in front of ye Ruddy. Small steps! Small Steps!"
Seabane was terrified on Ruddy's behalf. Ruddy was already smaller than a normal fox at his age, and he looked shorter and wider as he leaned against his crutch. Conrad duHoyt on the other claw looked like a viscous adder. He stared down the fox with furious golden-brown eyes and a dangerous scowl on his lips that were too big for his face. The white hare was already half a head taller than the fox, but his ears made him look far more intimidating as they rose above him like unfurled talons. He wore a dark jerkin with gold trim overtop a loose-fitting cream-colored shirt that billowed about his shoulders and wrists. He scrunched his sleeves as high as he could revealing his wry but muscular arms. The rest of the shirt was tucked into tight-fitting breaches that were tucked into large, yet neatly polished boots. He stopped swishing around the training sword and delicately held the weapon in front of him as he turned his body so that his shoulder was aimed toward the fox. Ruddy stood square with the hare as he fumbled with his grip on the sword. Seabane could only hope the fight would end quickly as Eli stepped out of the ring and gave a nod to begin.
With an angry grunt, Ruddy surged forward, awkwardly closing the distance to the hare. Ruddy's sword was held high over his head as he intended to bring it down on the hare. Conrad danced lightly on his footpaws as he kept the tip of the blade pointed at the fox. Ruddy swiped down but the hare was already gone. With a whack that made Seabane see stars the hare slammed the wooden sword against the side of Ruddy's skull as he danced away. The fox lurched to the side, using his crutch and sword to catch his fall.
"C'mon ye blighter ye gotta be quicker than that, wot" Conrad teased doing a little jig while Ruddy stabilized himself.
Still on his footpaws, Ruddy turned as fast as he could with a single leg. The fox's face was filled with fury but his eyes betrayed the pain underneath. The fox rushed forward as fast as his single leg could take him. Ruddy looked as if he was moving through honey as Conrad bounded forward striking with ease. Several quick jabs and slashes landed on the fox who was far too slow to respond. Ruddy tried to bat the sword away from the hare but received a crunching blow to his paw. All Ruddy could do was groan and grunt as he soaked up scores of strikes as he struggled to remain upright. With a quick flurry of jabs and flick of the wrist, Conrad flicked the crutch from beneath the fox and flung it out of the ring. Ruddy now off-balance lurched to the left as he began to fall but not before a devastating fist found his stomach followed by a powerful kick. The fox went spiraling to the snowy ground losing his sword before sliding to a stop.
"Righty ho chappess. I hope you've got more than just that. Ye've talked far too much for a detestable rotter, wot wot." The hare could be heard over the cheering beasts.
Ruddy squirmed around on the floor moaning as he tried to find his sword or crutch. Eli shook his head as he paced about the outside of the ring. Seabane suspected Ruddy burst a stitch as the snow around his leg began to turn a dark red.
"Find yer weapon fox!" Eli shouted tossing the crutch back onto the fox. With shaking paws, Ruddy found his sword scooped up his crutch and after an agonizing moment struggled upright.
Conrad found Seabane amongst the crowd with a mildly disappointed smile on his face. "Yew vermin never learn d'ye."
Seabane looked for Eli to stop the match or do anything to stop the brutal beating, but the mouse looked on as Ruddy stumbled toward the hare. With a sickening crack, Conrad's sword found the fox's ribs eliciting a pained scream as he fell to his knee. With a trembling paw, Ruddy dug his sword into the snow trying to force himself upright. The fox tried to mouth something but couldn't finish as the hare's sword bashed against his head. Ruddy raised a feeble paw for mercy before he was struck across the face, sending a splattering of blood flying from his mouth before dropping in a heap.
Seabane rushed into the ring when he saw the hare raise his sword once more to bring it down upon the limp fox. Before Conrad could register the rat in front of him Seabane smashed his fist into the white hare's jaw. The hare dropped his sword as he spun about and staggered back with drunken steps before collapsing in a heap.
The Redwallers roared in fury rushing forward to seize the rat. Seabane cursed them as if he were an oar driver as they stormed toward him. The Corsair landed heavy blow after heavy blow on the furious Redwallers as he drove them back. Dokkur charged at him with the end of a staff but Seabane parried his blows away, nicking the otter's nose with the tip of the sword. Eli rushed forward slashing at the rat with a training sword that he carried with him. Seabane dove out of the way as the mouse slashed at the air Seabane had once been.
"You vermin scum!" Eli snapped as he wheeled around a murderous look in his golden eyes.
"Yew wanted him tah kill the fox yew vile, puss-filled maggot!" Seabane cracked back with an equal amount of fury. "Ye would let a yer own slay an injured beast 'cause you could! I'd rather be a vermin cur than Redwall scum!"
Eli charged forward quickly jabbing and striking at the rat. Seabane parried the blows and struck back with a few of his own. The furious clacking of wood filled the air.
"How about another duel rat!" Eli snapped breaking off the engagement for a moment as the ring of beasts widened. "You're steel against mine. If you win ye can keep your life in the abbey for now. If not you can meet yer kind at the gates of the Dark Forest!"
Molespeech is hard, and I'm sorry if it's unreadable or you can't understand what's being said in some places. If it doesn't make sense I might just change it back to regular English. Please let me know what you think and where I need improvement.
As always please let me know what you think and what I can improve on. Any and all feedback is appreciated!