The arrival of the hare had cast a whole new light over all the recent happenings at Redwall. Enough of the Abbeydwellers had witnessed Hanchett’s confrontation with Urthblood to put the gossip mills in full swing. That evening, before the Abbey had settled down for the night, the less adventurous Redwallers whispered to one another that it had been a mistake to open their home and sanctuary to Urthblood and his army. To have such creatures camped outside their walls day and night, and now being allowed inside in large groups as well ... rats, weasels, ferrets and stoats, not to mention Machus and his swordfoxes. Nervously these timid souls verified each others’ apprehension: that the badger warrior could take over Redwall with but a word to his captains. A small minority even shared Friar Hugh’s assessment that Urthblood had already conquered the Abbey, and that the Abbess and her defenders simply did not realize it yet.
        Spurred on by these fears, the Brothers and Sisters were quick to forget all the work Urthblood’s troops had put into building friendships with the creatures of Redwall. The friendly jousts between the Abbey defenders and Urthblood’s woodlanders, tales and jokes shared over flagons of October ale, the budding sense of comraderie in many quarters - all was banished from memory by Hanchett’s dire accusations. It was easy to overlook the fact that this force of Northlanders included a great many outgoing goodbeasts when there were so many vermin bathing in the pond and strolling freely about the Abbey grounds. The mice, shrews, otters, hedgehogs and moles of Urthblood’s army became irrelevant. All that mattered were the vermin and foxes, the traditional sworn enemies of Redwall. The pall of suspicion and mistrust that had hung over the Abbey during the first days of this army’s arrival quickly reasserted itself, and for the remainder of that day many did not venture outdoors except in groups, hesitant to go alone. 
        Even Vanessa and Arlyn were struck by doubts, which was why they’d sent Montybank down to sound out Hanchett on his own. Monty had come away from that venture convinced that Hanchett’s hatred of Urthblood might not be entirely rational, and said as much to the Abbot and Abbess. The otter Skipper was not the only one to take the hare’s words with a healthy grain of salt; Maura had developed a respectful fondness for the grim Badger Lord, the two Foremoles had become fast friends, and Alexander absolutely cherished Lady Mina. Add in Monty’s high regard for Captain Saybrook and the Northland otters, as well as everybeast’s friendship with the mouse captain Abellon, and there was no question of risking these newfound alliances over the ranting of one hare who may or may not have actually been from Salamandastron. 
        Of course, it would have greatly eased their misgivings if Urthblood had addressed the matter head-on and joined them in questioning their captive further, instead of storming outside without explanation. The Abbey leaders went to bed that night filled with more trepidation than they cared to admit.
        The situation was not helped any by Urthblood’s midnight meeting with the owl up on the walltop, or his mobilization of his troops. The Redwall sentries on the ramparts made sure to monitor these events closely, but refrained from rousing the Abbess from her slumbers. After all, nothing could happen as long as all the Northlanders were outside, could it?
        As dawn approached, and it became increasingly apparent that the badger warrior was making his army ready to march, Lady Mina came to the south wallgate, asking for admittance so that she could seek out Alexander. The otter guard allowed her through without hesitation, but was sure to lock the door again once she was inside. One of the walltop squirrel sentries decided it was finally time to alert Vanessa and the other Abbey leaders, and bounded down the wallsteps to spread the early wake-up call.
        The Abbess had been sleeping lightly in her private bedroom and was on her paws with the first soft rap on her chamber door. In no time at all she was following the messenger down the stairs and out onto the lawns.
        What she found waiting for her there was a surprise, and not an entirely comforting one.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

        There were foxes in the Abbey. And they were armed.
        Machus and his entire brigade stood on the wet predawn south lawn, just inside the wallgate. Urthblood stood impassively alongside them, while the Redwall otters paced back and forth, openly at a loss as to what they should be doing. 
        Abbess Vanessa gave Lord Urthblood a brusque nod as she approached, but first took aside the otter guard in charge. “Gadden, what are these foxes doing in here with their swords?”
        “Um ... Lord Urthblood said we hadta let ‘em in,“ the otter weakly explained. “Said t’was important.”
        “So you just let them in?” she demanded.
        Gadden shrugged helplessly. “’m sorry, Abbess. I knew I wasn’t s’posed to, but ... well, he just made it sound like we had to.”
        “I see.” Vanessa swung her gaze sharply toward the hulking, impassive badger, his expression as stony as ever. “We had an agreement, My Lord. None of your soldiers were to be allowed inside Redwall without first relinquishing their arms.”
        “The situation has changed, Abbess.”
        “Oh, really? Then why was I not informed of this fact? Or is it your custom to break agreements without first consulting with your allies?”
        “I apologize if my actions appear presumptuous. But when you agreed to accept my help in improving Redwall’s defenses, I assumed I would have the freedom to act upon my warrior’s expertise when I felt it was needed. I have assigned Machus and his foxes to help with the defense of this Abbey. And they can hardly be expected to do this without their blades.”
        “You’ve ... assigned ... them?” Vanessa echoed in disbelief. “And why would you feel such a thing was necessary?”
        “As I have said - to help defend Redwall.”
        “From whom?’
        “My brother.”
        Vanessa stared at Urthblood, not sure she’d heard right. “My Lord, perhaps it is time for you to tell me just what is going on here.”
        “I have had a vision this night. The kind of vision I have only experienced a very few times in all my seasons. I do not doubt its truthfulness, and it is an omen not to be disregarded.”
        “And what did this vision tell you?” Vanessa asked breathlessly.
        “That circumstances at Salamandastron have deteriorated during my absence there ... and that the first phase of the great crisis might come from the most unexpected place of all.”
        Urthblood spoke with such assurance and finality that Vanessa momentarily felt as if events were spinning out of control, beyond her ability to influence or guide. The feeling passed quickly, but left her filled with disquiet. “Please explain further, My Lord. Are you saying that Salamandastron might now be an enemy to Redwall?”
        “It is too soon to say, Abbess. But it is no secret that the Badger Lords of Salamandastron have suffered greatly at the paws of vermin over the generations. Many have met their doom in battles with searats and corsairs and vermin hordes. I did not consult with my brother Urthfist before I began taking vermin into my service, and did not concern him in my Northlands campaigns. I see now that this may have been a grave mistake. My brother has always harbored a deep and abiding hatred of vermin, due mainly to our troubles with the searats. Several good hares were slain during our youth, when we ruled the mountain jointly. Urthfist must have been following my activities in the Northlands with his hares - indeed, I sometimes received reports of hares in my vicinity, who would always fade back and go to ground when we sought to establish contact with them. Never did I imagine that they might be from the Long Patrol, sent by my brother to spy on me. If only one of them had come forward so that I could explain ... “
        “But, if his hares have been seeing all the good you’ve been doing in the Northlands ... “
        Urthfist shook his head sadly. “Apparently, they have seen only the vermin, and not what I am doing with them. The hares of the Long Patrol hold no love for vermin either, and would not expose themselves to those they see as enemies. My brother has lived in isolation for too long, with his hares as his only link to the world outside Salamandastron, and the threat of Tratton’s searats eating away at his peace of mind. This, I fear, may have tipped him over into full-fledged insanity.”
        Vanessa’s eyes went wide. “You saw all this? In your vision?”
        “The general shapes of these matters,” Urthblood nodded, “if not their substance. Visions are imprecise things.”
        “Just like your prophecy,” Vanessa remarked, then hoped she hadn’t sounded too skeptical. After all, if this was all true ... “So, what is to be done now?”
        “A madbeast cannot be allowed to remain on the throne of the mountain. That would be a disaster for all the lands. I must travel to Salamandastron and judge the situation for myself. Then I will take appropriate action.”
        “And if he resists?”
        “Do not forget, Abbess, that I am the older brother. The throne of Salamandastron is rightfully mine whenever I care to assert the claim. If Urthfist tries to keep the Lordship of the mountain for his own, that in itself will demonstrate his unworthiness for that position. If I become convinced that my brother is unfit to be Lord of Salamandastron, I will remove him. By whatever means necessary.”
        “Are you speaking of war?” Vanessa breathed. “Between Badger Lords?”
        “I pray it does not come to that, Abbess. The lands have never witnessed such a conflict, and the outcome would be catastophic, no matter which side prevails. But, if my brother has turned down the path or evil or insanity, I will not shy away from doing what must be done.”
        Vanessa and the otters around her were light on their footpaws, woozy with the enormity of these revelations. She heard somebeast approaching from behind her and turned to see Alexander and Lady Mina striding across the morning-dewed grass. “Mina has filled me in,” Alex informed Vanessa. “I never thought I’d live to see something like this.”
        “Nor I.” Vanessa turned back to Urthblood. “When do you plan to leave, My Lord?”
        “This very day. By noontide, if possible.”
        Vanessa looked confused. “But, then why are you sending your foxes into Redwall?”
        “My brother may have been swayed in his thinking by lies spread by my enemies in the Northlands. Perhaps he believes I am guilty of evils which have never taken place. If that is the case, then I must meet with him and convince him otherwise. But if the worst has happened, and he truly has gone mad, then he is most dangerous, and will not be content until he faces me in battle. He knows I am at Redwall, and he may well come looking for me, and bring trouble to your door even if I am not here. It could happen that while I travel to Salamandastron, Urthfist will set out for Redwall along a different route, and we would miss each other. If he shows up here and proves unreasonable, I would not leave you shortpawed in your defenses.”
        “Surely he would not attack us?” Vanessa declared. “Even if he has gone mad, he could not convince his hares to fight against Redwall.”
        “He has had twenty seasons of mastery over the Long Patrol to sway them to his way of thinking. He could have corrupted them. Their first loyalty would be to him. There is no telling what might happen. They would certainly fight me, if Hanchett’s behavior is any indication. And they may pose a danger to you as well, if he suspects you of being my allies. Machus will remain here with his fox guard, along with a score or two of my other fighters. They will help you defend your home, if it should come to that.”
        “Yes, but ... your foxes? Why not some of your otters, or mice, or hedgehogs?”
        Machus stood aloof several paces away, pretending not to be offended.
        “The force may include some of those beasts as well,” Urthblood replied. “I must take with me the ones who would be the most help to me if I should meet my brother on the journey, or if I have to fight him at Salamandastron. And I must leave here those who would be the most use to you in defending your Abbey. You have many fine archerbeasts at Redwall, but if an enemy should force its way past your gates, you will find Machus and his foxes most effective at dispatching them.”
        “Yes, but ... “
        “Nessa,” Alexander urged softly. “We should agree to this.”
        Vanessa studied her old squirrel friend. Was he trying to tell her something? Or had Lady Mina swayed him before they’d come out here? Either way, he knew more about defending Redwall than she did, and if he felt confident enough about this course of action to openly endorse it, she would trust his judgement in the matter. 
        “We accept your offer of help, Lord, and thank you for it,” she said to the badger warrior. “Is there anything we can provide you in the way of food or supplies? You have given us very little notice, but we might still be able to assist you with this.”
        “You are most gracious, as always,” Urthblood said in his never-changing rumble, “and I will welcome any extra foodstuffs you can spare. We will also need to refill our canteens and water pouches one last time from your pond. Anything beyond that would only weigh us down. We must travel light if we hope to make good time.”
        Vanessa glanced up. The sky was brightening from gray to blue; the sun would soon be risen. “Friar Hugh is probably awake by now. I’ll go tell him to skip breakfast and work on preparing provisions that are suitable for marching beasts.”
        “I must ask one more thing of you, Abbess,” Urthblood said. “It is most important. The hare, Hanchett - I must insist that you hold him here for another ten days.”
        “Ten days?” Vanessa pursed her lips uncertainly. “That is a long time to deny anybeast its freedom.”
        “I would not ask this of you if I did not think it was necessary,” said Urthblood. “Better for him to lose ten days than for honest creatures to lose their lives due to mischief that hare might cause if he is released too early. The path I have chosen to Salamandastron will take us south along the main road for three days, to come out of Mossflower below the mountains that separate the plains from the coastlands. Once there, we will turn west and travel for several more days until we reach the coast, and then head north to Salamandastron. It will be a long journey, and an army cannot travel as fast as a single hare. If Hanchett is let loose and gets back to my brother with reports of my whereabouts, my soldiers will be placed in jeopardy, since we could be ambushed at any time. I trust I have impressed upon you the importance of keeping Hanchett confined within Redwall, even if the task is odious to you.”
        Vanessa weighed what she had just been told. “When you describe the situation in those terms, ten days does not seem too much time to ask. Perhaps we can find more comfortable quarters for Hanchett to make him feel less a prisoner, but where he can still be safely confined. When he is finally allowed to leave Redwall, I do not want him to be able to say he was mistreated in any way during his time here.”
        “Very good. Machus will of course help you with guarding Hanchett. Hares of the Long Patrol are formidable fighters, and if Hanchett should try to escape, you may need extra experienced paws to contain him.”
        Vanessa thought about how Machus and his swordfoxes had never displayed their skills, in spite of their fearsome reputation. “I’m sure our squirrels and otters will be able to manage that job quite well on their own, My Lord.”
        “As you say.” Urthblood looked to Machus. “Alexander and Montybank will tell you how to best deploy your forces here to augment the Abbey defenders. I will finish choosing the other troops who will stay with you here at Redwall, and send them in presently. I trust that will be all right with you, Abbess?”
        “Uh, yes, of course. Just have them ... “ Vanessa was about to say that they should have their weapons checked at the wallgate, but of course these troops would be armed, and expect to stay that way, even in the Abbey. How things could change in one day! “Just have them come on in, when they’re ready.”
        “If you will excuse me.” Urthblood turned and headed back out the wallgate without further discussion, Lady Mina following behind him. The Abbess shook her head, looked to Machus, and started toward the main Abbey building to find Friar Hugh. Alexander and the swordfoxes fell into step alongside her. Vanessa glanced back at Machus again. His face, usually unreadable, showed an undisguised disappointment. It occurred to Vanessa for the first time that he might not have been any happier about being ordered to stay behind at Redwall than she was having him here.
        Alex called for her attention then. “Vanessa, there’s something I have to talk to you about. As soon as you can possibly spare a moment.”
        “First things first. I have to tell Friar Hugh to get started on those provisions for Lord Urthblood, so that they’ll be ready by noon.”
        “Yes, well, you might want to tell him when you find him to throw in enough food for one extra beast.”
        Vanessa stopped dead in her tracks, staring at her squirrel friend. The swordfoxes ground to a halt as well. Alexander’s meaning was clear.
        “Yes, we do have something to talk about, don’t we? Go on up to my study. I’ll join you there as soon as I can.”
        “Okay. Um, where do you want these foxes, Nessa?”
        She looked at Machus, who returned her gaze with a perfectly neutral one of his own. So many things to think about at once!
        At last she waved a paw skyward. “Oh, put them up on the walltop. They’ll have a very nice view of the sunrise from up there.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

        Vanessa finished with Hugh in the kitchens as quickly as she could, bidding the good Friar to put his all into the effort. The gaunt mouse scowled a bit at the imposition, but beneath that facade Vanessa could sense his relief that Urthblood’s horde - most of it, anyway - would soon be away from Redwall. Hugh promised he would do his best, and set about his labors at once.
        “But what about breakfast?” Sister Aurelia worried.
        “We have enough stored fruits, nuts, cheeses, wafers and biscuits that can be set out without preparation,” Hugh assured her. “We’ll have a very simple breakfast, and lunch too, so that we can concentrate on the task of supplying Urthblood’s departing troops. If they want to be away from the Abbey by noon, by the seasons we’ll make sure they don’t leave with empty packs!”
        “I’ll send some of the other Brothers and Sisters down to help,” Vanessa told them, and strode out into Great Hall. There she met Monty, who was pacing about with javelin in paw and a small cadre of otters by his side.
        “Ahoy, Nessa! Wot’s with all them foxes up on th’ ramparts? Got their swords with ‘em ... “
        “It’s all right, Monty. They have my leave to be armed within the Abbey. There have been some, ah, developments during the night. Lord Urthblood is departing for Salamandastron right away, and he’s asked to leave some of his forces behind to help defend Redwall. There’s a very good reason for it, trust me. I’ll fill you in later ... “
        “Yes, but ... all foxes?”
        “There will be some woodlanders included in the force as well. Or so Lord Urthblood has assured me. But for now I need your help with a more immediate concern. All of the Northlanders who are going with Urthblood will need to fill up their canteens. They will have to be let into the Abbey so they can have access to the pond ... there’s no time to organize another bucket brigade to carry water out to them. Please see to this, Monty. I’ll want your otters overseeing this endeavor. I know some of them have been standing watch all night, but you’ll probably need all of them to keep order. They’ll have plenty of time to catch up on their sleep once Urthblood is gone.”
        “Aye. Tho’, there’s still gonna be some foxes an’ mebbe some others fer us t’ keep an eye on even after that big brute’s left us.” Monty gave a nod. “I’ll see to th’ water dispensin’ straightaways, Nessa. No worries, we’ll take care of it right ‘n’ proper.”
        “Thank you, Monty. I have to go speak with Alexander now. He apparently has some foolish notion in his head, and my job now is to remove it.”