Aftermath

[Komi Banton]

Komi sat bolt upright on the cot, panting hard, fur damp with sweat. She fought the disorientation of not seeing the familiar surroundings of the Drag.

I?m in the infirmary, she reminded herself, looking around at the cots and beds. Minerva slept in the cot next to her, their shared chain serpentining across the floor between their cots. In a smattering of other beds around them, Komi could hear soft crying, whimpers of pain, and the restless sleep of the wounded.

Komi then started humming softly, her voice soft enough to get lost amidst the other sounds in the infirmary. She edged herself back so that she sat slightly reclined. She moved her legs, feeling a dull twinge of pain from the leg that wore the shackle, but she could move it now. The scorpion?s venom that had paralyzed her had worn off over the night.

Partway through her third song, Komi heard heavy pawsteps coming across the rooms. She?d closed her eyes, but now she opened them again and stopped her song. Medic Aera stopped two beds over, a candle held in one paw.

?Was that you singing, Komi??

The stoat glared at the floor. ?I apologize. I didn?t think it?d disturb anyone.?

?No need for that tone. You're not disturbing anybeast in this place,? she clucked, coming over to Komi?s bedside. She set the candle on the nearby table. ?Your leg??

Komi wiggled it under the blanket. ?I can move it again.?

?Good. I haven?t dealt much with the scorpion stings yet, so it?s reassuring to know that the paralysis isn?t permanent. You should be free to leave come sun-up.?

Komi scoffed. ?No, I?d be allowed to return to the Drag, to being a slave. I?m not ?free? to go anywhere.?

The mouse raised a paw to tap the collar on her neck. ?Gladiators aren't the only slaves here, Komi. And some of us are worse off than others.? She pulled up a stool beside Komi?s bed. ?As you're awake, I'll check your bandages. Sing or hum as you wish - it won?t bother me.?

Komi leaned back and allowed the mouse to unwrap the bandages around her leg, holding back a wince as the wound was gently prodded and cleaned.

?Aldridge asked after you,? the mouse said after a bit of silence.

Komi flinched.

Medic Aera continued. ?He?d heard you were injured. He would have been at your bedside, had Nire not locked him up.?

?Why?? Komi asked, something constricting in her chest.

?He got in a fight at the tavern with another gladiator - this one a volunteer, not a slave. Killed him, at the end of it.?

?Alder?? Komi gasped, not believing the Aldridge she remembered being capable of killing anyone in a drunken brawl.

The mouse gave her an assessing look, then returned to her work. ?Aye. He serves his punishment now - caged up near one of the monsters.?

A chill ran down Komi?s spine as she remembered a much younger Aldridge, refusing to come in her tent because of a small spider he?d spotted in the corner by her bedroll. Only after she?d removed the bug and all traces of the web, did he agree to come inside. His utter fear at such a small thing had made her laugh. Solid, unflappable Aldridge, afraid of the tiny creature who kept the flies out of her tent.

?The big spider?? Komi whispered.

Aera nodded.

Komi leaned back on her pillows and closed her eyes. ?How long are they keeping him there??

?I?m not sure,? Aera said. ?Until they?ve broken him, I dare say.?

?You can?t break Aldridge,? Komi said. ?He?s too stubborn to bend, much less break.?

?Aye? And the beast who came to Madder Barrow, crawling from flagon to tankard, cracked clear down the middle? He broke once, Komi, fifteen seasons ago.?

Komi jerked as if she?d been slapped. The mouse gave a sharp tug on Komi?s fresh bandage that made the stoat wince and continued, ?With our help and a lot of time, he healed. But even something healed carries scars. Something mended is not always as strong as it once was."

Aera brushed her paws off and stood. ?You know just as well as I do that he would never admit it, but he needs you. Now, more than ever.? She collected her candle and left, leaving Komi alone once more in the darkness.

Komi couldn?t sleep after that, and even songs seemed to elude her. She kept chasing the mouse?s words around in her head. Fifteen seasons ago, Aldridge had left her. He?d broken her heart then, but she?d healed and moved on. It had never occurred to her that perhaps, Aldridge had been more hurt than her.

Little by little, the infirmary lightened as the sun outside rose. Beasts stirred in nearby beds and eventually Minerva woke as well.

She eyed Komi, sitting crosslegged on her own cot, paws toying with the fabric of her tunic. ?Nightmares?? the otter asked.

?Just a small one,? Komi said.

?Then why do ye look like yer best friend just died??

Komi shrugged.

?Yer leg??

?It?s fine. I talked with the mouse healer earlier. She thinks we?ll be able to leave later today.?

Minerva stretched. "Back t' the Drag fer us, then. We should plan on ye gettin' hurt in our next fight. The beds are better up here."

Komi snorted a laugh, but didn?t reply.

A shrill voice from the doorway said. ?Oh, for the love of Vulpez, just let me in. I won?t be but a minute.?

A well-dressed vixen breezed in the room, one of the healers at her heels. Though once inside the infirmary, the vulpine?s eyes widened and she hastily pulled out a handkerchief and held it over her nose.

Her eyes roved over the beds, passed over Komi and Minerva, then came back to the two chained beasts.

?Ah, there you are,? she chirped and bustled over to them, her scarlet dress swishing as she came.

?Ye know this vixen, Komi?? Minerva muttered.

?No.?

The bejeweled vixen stopped by Komi?s bed, and cast a critical eye over the stoat, as well as a wave of perfume. ?Well, I must say, I don?t often get impressed by Nire?s little toys, but you, what a delight you were to watch! My dear, the way you scampered around that horrid black thing was spectacular.?

Komi blinked at the fox, at a loss for words.

?A coward who attempted a daring escape. I dare say that you are not as cowardly as Nire paints you, are you?? She winked at Komi.

?Um,? Komi said, still trying to gain her feet in front of the flamboyant vixen. ?What is this about??

She tittered. ?Oh, silly me. Forget the nose on my face if it weren?t attached! Lady Eveneda Persa.? She curtsied. ?You may call me Eve. And my dear, I wish to sponsor you! It?s so rare that I see a single gladiator that even perks my interest. But you? well, I enjoyed watching you! Can you read, darling??

Komi blinked twice before she realized there?d been a question. ?Yes, of course.?

?Good! Then I shall be in touch. Must talk with Nire first, of course. He has such silly rules about his little toys, but I?d like to see you outfitted in something proper for your fights, so you won?t end up like this again.? She waved the handkerchief in Komi?s direction. Then she blanched and covered her nose again. ?Goodness me!?

Komi cleared her throat. ?Lady Eve, if you can get me a proper weapon for the arena, I?d appreciate that. A stout spear and a dagger would do.?

?Ah, I do like a beast who knows what she wants!? the vixen laughed. ?Positively brilliant! My dear, I shall see to it at once, of course! Perhaps new clothes as well. Something to compliment your eyes? Hmm?? She stared Komi up and down, then shrugged. ?No matter. I?ll take care of the details. You just prove to be just as brilliant in your next fight and do me proud, won?t you??

With a rustle of lace, she turned to regard Minerva. ?And I suppose I?ll have to do something with you, being her partner and all. Those rags, ugh.? As Minerva glanced down at the dress Nire had given her, the vixen eyed the flower stitched near the collar. Her mouth tightened for an instant.

As Minerva looked back up with a scowl on her face, Lady Eve turned her back on the otter. ?Now, I must fly. Things to do. I am so terribly busy, after all. Darling, I look forward to seeing how else you escape from Nire?s little games.? She removed the handkerchief from her nose once more and used it to wave at Komi. ?Be sure to fight the nasties.?

?Uhm, yes??

The vixen smiled again and swept out, leaving a cloud of perfume behind. Komi sneezed twice after the vixen had gone.

Minerva plucked at the tattered hem of her dress. "So, she's a ?sponsor.? She?s gonna give us stuff?"

?Yeah, I?ve heard that some of the wealthy beasts do that for their favorite fighters.?

?Of all the beasts ye could have had... ye got her.? Minerva muttered.

Komi rubbed under her nose. ?I didn?t ask for the biggest idiot in Nire?s entourage. But if she arms me for the next fight, I won?t complain.?

After Medic Aera checked her leg one more time and Komi had received detailed directions about keeping the injury clean, guards arrived to escort Komi and Minerva back down to the Drag. Komi limped a little on her injured leg, but even so, she made a beeline across the Drag.

?Now where are we goin??? Minerva complained, as Komi trotted past the slaves? mess. ?We?re gonna miss breakfast.?

?I need to see Aldridge,? Komi said.

?Yer lover??

Komi stammered, ?He?s not? He used to? Ugh, I just need to see him.? Eartips hot, she sped up, heading for the tunnel that lead down to the Fell Wing, where the monsters were kept.

A new young ferret guard stationed near the tunnel opening stopped them. ?You! You?re the Coward, ain?t ya? You ain?t allowed down here.?

Komi planted paws on her hips. ?What do you mean? That didn?t stop me before.?

?L? Lord Nire?s orders,? he squeaked. He stood straighter, but his voice still quavered. ?Coward ain?t allowed near the monsters no more.?

Komi gestured at the chain. ?Do I look like I?m trying to escape. I just need to see somebeast down there. It?ll only be a minute.?

The guard shook his head and shifted his stance. ?You ain?t allowed. Nire?s orders!?

The stoat?s paws clenched and she exhaled sharply out her nose. He?s new? and he?s scared enough. He wouldn?t put up much of a fight? She looked back over her shoulder, but no other guards were in sight. But if I get us in trouble, the otter will?

Minerva shouldered past her.

The otter leaned right into the young guard?s face and bared her teeth. "Do ye know what I'm called? Aye,  the Monster of Mossflower.  I'm sure ye know full well how I got that name, so, if ye don't want t' be gut like a fish, you'll move out of the way this instant, do ye hear?"

The guard squeaked and took a step back, paw reaching for his weapon. Minerva advanced.

?Do ye hear me, kit?? Minerva growled.

The ferret got out of the way. ?Y? you ain?t allowed down there!? he called as Minerva and Komi hurried past.

?Ye owe me, stoat,? Minerva said.

?I do? Komi agreed. ?Thank you.?

?I just don?t wanna miss breakfast,? the otter grumbled.

With Minerva close behind, Komi limped down stone corridor to the Fell Wing. She went straight to the big spider?s cage, where the furry, grayish-white, eight-legged beast sat, close to its bars. A wet, tearing sound came from it, as massive fangs slowly moved over a shiny black thing. Komi swallowed, realizing it had half of the scorpion they had fought the day before.

She stumbled as her shackled footpaw jerked back and she turned to look at a wide-eyed Minerva, standing as far back as the chain would allow.

?What is that thing?? the otter squeaked, trying to back up even further.

?Spider,? Komi said as briskly as she could, ignoring the skin crawling sensation that came from turning her back on the monstrosity.

She looked for Aldridge. She didn?t see him at first, until she looked again and realized he was in the cage directly opposite from the spider?s. Curled in the furthest corner of his cage, he huddled, cowering, eyes red-rimmed and wide with terror, staring unblinking at the spider. His fur, and clothes clung to him from sweat.

Komi swore softly and went to the bars, half dragging the otter with her. ?Aldridge? Alder? Look at me.?

His breathing hitched slightly, but nothing else changed in him.

Komi got to her knees in front of the bars, paws clutching them. She swallowed down rising panic and used her herald?s voice, the deep sharp bark that she?d used when getting the attention of the hordebeasts for Galleran, or when delivering messages to the opposing forces. ?Aldridge Moor! Look at me!?

For a couple heartbeats, he did, his eyes flicking away from the spider to her, then they were back on the spider. Something crunched behind her and Minerva made a frightened noise. The chain rattled as the otter moved closer to her.

?Can ye hurry this up, Komi?? the otter said.

?Alder, that thing can?t get you. It won?t hurt you. You?re safe. You don?t have to be afraid of it.?

?He looks pretty afraid of it already,? Minerva added.

?Shut up,? Komi snarled. ?You?re not helping!?

Very quietly Minerva said, ?I think he?s beyond help.?

Medic Aera?s words came echoing back. ?He broke once, Komi, fifteen seasons ago.?

Komi?s eyes filled with tears. She called his name again, her voice breaking. Her wall of anger, reinforced over fifteen seasons, cracked. This isn?t the Aldridge I remember. This isn?t who I knew, who I loved. This isn?t the one who taught me to fire a longbow properly. Nor the one who used to lay with his head on my lap when I sang.

?I?m sorry?? she whispered, sitting back from the bars. Lost in a torrent of grief and memory Komi did the first thing that she always fell back on. Komi placed her paws on her thighs and started to drum on them in a rhythm reminiscent of a heartbeat. She started to sing. Her voice shook at first and wavered before steadying a few lines in.

?This winding path, these miles I've walked alone
While looking for the light that calls me home,
Candle at homestead door, you draw me on,
A beacon in the night, shining 'til dawn.?

Alder?s eyes blinked and he glanced at her.

Komi kept singing, her voice gaining in volume, echoing around the cavern where the monsters moved restlessly.

?And others walk this path with other fears
Sometimes; I call them friends and hold them dear.
Homebound with noble hearts, they're at my side,
And I by theirs; we keep each other's stride.?

Aldridge began to loosen from the ball he?d curled himself in. His eyes flicked back and forth steadily between Komi and the spider.

She kept up the drumming with one paw, more just to keep her rhythm, and held the other one out to him.

?At times I walk alone on path gone black,
And though I wish to flee, to turn my back,
I keep their love inside and I press on,
By everything we share, I can stay strong.?

His paw, shaking and weak, clenched hers. She squeezed it hard and drew him closer.

?I've seen enough out in those lands unknown,
And nothing now shall keep me from my home.?

The final notes of the song hung on the air, leaving the cavern quiet and still.

Aldridge leaned his head between two of the bars, so it pressed against Komi?s shoulder. His ragged breathing ruffled the fur on that arm.

"Thank you,? he croaked, his voice raw and rough. ?I... never thought I'd get to hear you sing that again."

At the sound of his voice, Komi closed her eyes, relief making her shudder. "I never forgot how you would smile when you heard it,? she whispered. ?But I?m afraid I don't have long."

His paw tightened in hers and he drew a deep slow breath, though he still trembled. "Aye. I heard you were hurt. You're well now?"

"Well enough. I?ll limp for a few days, but that?s the worst of it.? She felt some of the tension in his body ebb away at her words, so she kept talking. ?Your friend Aera told me Nire was punishing you. She feared they were trying to break you and I didn't believe her."

A soft whimper came from Aldridge.

She gripped his paw tightly, and reached her other one through the bars, grabbing his forearm. "Don't you dare break on me. I lost everything at Redwall and now that I?ve got you back, I don?t want to go back to nothing again."

He nodded against her arm. After a moment of silence, he whispered, ?What happened at Redwall?"

I can?t, she thought. If you knew? you?d break as badly as I did. Out loud, she said, ?It was a bloodbath.?

"But... we'd both seen that before. The rout at Therin Vale. The siege at the Gufogrove. Something... something was different. Please tell me." He drew a shaky breath. ?Please, just? talk. It helps.?

Komi closed her eyes, fighting down her own panic, clinging to Aldridge now as he clung to her. ?Galleran didn?t listen, when I told him we couldn?t take Redwall. He thought we?d siege them long enough, wear down their resolve with arrows and time. Drive them to desperation. He was so certain that if they met us out in open combat, out on the road, my spear-beasts could take them. Maybe they could have, but we never made it that far.?

Komi swallowed. ?Jossia got tired of the siege. Started needling Galleran. Talking about how strong he was. Saying he had numbers on his side. He just had to overwhelm Redwall?s defenders. ?Rain arrows upon them,? she said. Galleran listened to her.?

?Komi?? Minerva whispered urgently.

The stoat ignored her and kept talking. ?We didn?t have enough. I knew it, but Galleran was like a beast gone mad, that madness that seems to just take over every warlord that?s ever run up against those walls. We fired those arrows. We fired and fired, and we died, because in order to fire, we had to get too close. Those damned woodlanders? they had the height. They had range.

?We lost fighters. I told Galleran to fall back, he kept pressing. I let him press. I thought the arrows would run out and then he?d have no choice.?

?Komi!? Minerva whispered again.

?Then I looked across that field, where Galleran had stationed himself. I saw him, safe behind shields, too far out of range for the arrows. And I saw he?d gathered others too him? not warriors? the young ones. The kits in the horde. Those too young to fight. Among them?? Komi?s voice broke, seeing it all again behind her closed eyes. ?My son. My son? and Galleran sent him out, with the others, into the meadow, to collect arrows from the fallen bodies.?

?Woodlanders killed him,? she cried, her voice something between a groan and a scream. ?Shot a kit from the top of their bloody walls!?

One of Aldridge?s paws cupped the back of her head, pulling her closer to him. ?Oh, Komi.?

?He never should have been there! He was too young. Galleran never should have? because he promised me my son would be safe. He promised! And then he lied and my son died because of it!?

Aldridge stroked the back of her head as she cried. ?I always knew Galleran to be a mad beast, but to send his own blood out into that?? She felt him shake his head. ?I?m so sorry, Komi.?

She felt her tears spilling out, soaking into his shirt under her face. ?Alder?? She pulled back from him and looked up, saw tears in his own eyes. She hesitated, not wanting to hurt him further.

Before she could say anything more, a hard paw grabbed her shoulder. She yelped and Aldridge was torn away. Kentrith Hapley yanked her back onto her tail and shoved her away. ?What are you doing down here?? the fox hissed. ?You?re in enough trouble as is.?

Minerva stood just behind him, ?I tried t? warn ye,? she muttered.

Komi glanced from Hapley to Aldridge. ?I?m not trying to escape. I just needed to see him.?

?You?re stupid and foolish, stoat!? the trainer said, teeth bared. ?Nire?s looking for you and you?re lucky I found you first! Get back up to the Drag, now!? He pointed up the tunnel.

Komi slowly climbed to her feet. Aldridge still knelt on the ground by his bars, pointedly not looking in the direction of the spider.

"Alder, don't you dare let Nire break you. Please!"

He nodded and she backed away. She thought she saw Minerva swipe a paw over her eyes as the otter started back up the tunnel. As Komi walked away, she heard Aldridge start to hum the song she had sung to him. Hapley hesitated, staring at Aldridge for a moment, then followed after them.

Komi wiped her eyes and fought to steady her breathing as she walked beside the otter. Komi had never told another soul about what had happened during Galleran?s fateful siege. Having done so now, not just to Aldridge, but within Minerva?s hearing as well, left her empty and drained.

Minerva cleared her throat. "I'm- I'm sorry. I didn't know ye'd lost yer son at Redwall."

Komi shrugged, wanting nothing more than to curl up in a corner and be alone.

"But ye know it wasn't woodlanders who killed yer son, don?t ye? It was Galleran, sendin? him out there."

Minerva was quiet for a while longer, then asked in a very soft whisper. ?Galleran? He wasn?t the father, was he??

Komi laughed once, a sharp, bitter bark, but didn?t answer.

They reached the main level of the Drag, and there was no sign of the young guard. Kentrith Hapley shoved past them. ?This way,? he said. ?Nire?s wanting to talk to you.?

He led them out into the training yard. ?They were using the privies, Nire,? Hapley said as they walked up to the lynx.

?Hello, Komi.?

Komi?s head snapped up at the voice and she found herself staring at a familiar and hated face.

?Jossia,? she snarled.

Galleran?s sister smiled and looked Komi up and down. ?It seems the life of a gladiator suits you.?

The lynx next to Jossia laughed. ?It is a shame you missed her performance yesterday. It was impressive!?

?Yes,? Jossia said. ?It?s a shame you risked her life before I got here!? She glared at Nire. ?I did send you directions of how I wanted her handled.?

?You sent suggestions,? Nire said, smiling widely at her. ?I?m at liberty to interpret them how I wish. Besides, she survived and will draw an even bigger crowd next time.?

"Did you at least bill her as the Coward?"

Minerva said, "Is that what ye'll call her when she's fightin' and ye're watchin' in the stands? I suppose it runs in the family."

Jossia snarled at Minerva and Komi tensed, ready to intercept should the other stoat attack. ?It?s a title she earned when she abandoned my brother at Redwall, you ignorant mud-dog! It?s a title she deserves!? Jossia glared up her nose at the otter then turned back to Komi with a wicked grin. ?Did Nire tell you? You?re going to have a fight to the death. With Aldridge Moor.?

The world spun around Komi and her breath caught in her throat.

Nire sighed. ?All in good time, Jossia. The bowyer isn?t at all up to a fight at the moment, and the Coward did receive a small injury yesterday. If we?re going to have a proper death match, I?d like my gladiators to be in the best shape possible.? The lynx nodded to Kentrith. ?Get those two back to their training. We?re done with them.?

Nire steered Jossia away, already switching the subject with the stoat, but Komi stared after the two of them, heart cold with her new knowledge of what the future held.

Then she clenched a fist at her side. ?You will not win, Jossia,? she snarled under her breath. ?I?m through running!?