Redwall Isn't Safe Anymore! (Is Redwall as Safe as they Say it is? Part Two)

[LT Sandpaw]

Having spotted no sign of the night flying bird Bracklew completed his round of the wall. Discovering nothing of interest he started back towards the Abbey his footpaws dragging in the snow. Crunching up the path with his head down he almost ran into Mortembell coming out of the Abbey.

"Mortembell?" He said in surprise. "What are you doing out here its freez-" He stopped noticing the tears glistening in her eyes. "Oh, you too?"

[Groddil]

Mortembell's voice was a quiet, harsh whisper as she pulled a hood up to cover her ears.
"I'm used to the cold, Brack. I always used to enjoy it, up in the northlands. But once I lost my husband, and now my son is virtually gone, I don't look at the beauty of nature anymore. All I see is the heart of darkness, creeping slowly towards us."
The vixen gave a drawn-out sigh.
"Can you lend a paw to open the gate please, Brack?"

[LT Sandpaw]

Nodding in quiet submission Bracklew led the way back to the gate reaching out his good paw to hold one side of the wooden spar. Without a single word he aided in the opening of the gate letting the spar bang to the ground. Pushing the threshold of Redwall open the squirrel stood back giving her space to exit. His breaths slightly faster then usual after lifting the heavy beam rose as steam into the night sky.

[Groddil]

Mortembell smiled, if the expression on her face could be called that. The vixen embraced the squirrel warmly.
"Thank you, Brack."
No more could be said. Mortembell sniffed, releasing Bracklew, and slowly plodded off through the snow into the woods.

[Ashleg]

Duncan halted when they reached the cellars and Mortembell came running out, apparently crying. "I guess there's no need now, but we could still check t'see what the deal is with Rapshade if ya want," he hissed.
Fangfang hurriedly brushed past them and ran downstairs.
"Er, Drubble, what's going on?...."

Meanwhile, the calamity down in Rapshade's cell had quieted greatly, minus the occasional sniffling and whimpering from the ferret.
He grimaced and lifted himself halfway off the ground to glance at Ava, looking more battered and bloody than he had in the battle.
All he could do was nod.

[Groddil]

Drubble took his digging claws away from Stumbly's eyes and ears. The cellarmole ushered the mousebabe away, and spoke to Fangfang in a low voice.
"Mortybell, she...She beat 'im, zurr. She 'ad a breakdown, an' she ran off somewhurr. Oi dunno where Mortybell went, no zurr!"

[Ashleg]

"She beat him over a saltshaker..." Fangfang murmured, as if trying to comprehend what Drubble told him. "...an' ran off t' the woods. Why is that okay?"

[Groddil]

Drubble shrugged.
"She'm been through a lot, zurr. But even zo, that wuzz fair harsh, so it was, burr aye! Oi think she just needed to let off some steam, but that wuzzn't th'way t'do it..."

[Ashleg]

Fang curled his lip.
"Ah, so she just needed t' let off some steam, is that right?" The rat narrowed his eyes, scoffing.
"If'n he was a Woodlander that'dn't be the case. If'n ye beat a mouse, that's 'orrible, but with a ferret it's lettin' off steam. Huh, an' she's been through a lot, she has--sure she has, but that doesn't mean his life was all flowers an' sugar before this!"
He clenched and unclenched his paws.
"I can't stand it, Drubble. You all think Mortybell knows 'im best, Ava even said it. I guess I'm jus' the stupid good-fer-nothin' rat!..."

[Groddil]

Drubble shook his head.
"That isn't wutt oi said, zurr. Oi said that Mortybell wuzzn't doin' so good, so she hit Rapshade t'get her anger out. Oi think that that be's a bad thing t'do, jus' loike ye said!"

[Ashleg]

"Mortembell wouldn't be angry in th' first place if'n she wasn't so...so...." Fangfang growled.
"I don't know. But what bothers me is that nobeast's doin' anything!"

[Groddil]

Drubble scratched his chin with a digging claw.
"Mebbe we shudd talk to 'ee Abbot. Mebbe 'ee cin make somebeast 'elp Rappyshade..."

[Ashleg]

Fang shook his head.
"Abbot's done with all this, 'e said so 'imself. Why don't we jus' do it?"

[Groddil]

Drubble cocked his head to his shoulder.
"Do oi lukk loike Rain, zurr. If'n 'ee can't convince 'er, there be's nuthin' yurr or oi can do fer Rappyshade, burr aye."

[Hickory]

After confirming that Rapshade wasn't going to be an issue, Ava exited the cellars, closing the door to the cell after her. Reentering Great Hall, she walked over to Grant. "Father Abbot, Rapshade is chained in his cell. Where's Mortembell; she said that she had something to do."