Is There Another Way To Go?

[Kentrith Hapley]

?Russa!?

?Nodrey!?

Giggles erupted as the young ratmaid snatched in the direction of Fable. The baby otter squealed, ducking away from the grasping paw. The ratmaid staggered forward, grinning as she waved blindly for a victim to grab. She called again, ?Russa!?

?Nodrey!? was the cry from all the babes.

The rat reversed directions suddenly, surprising Verna. Her paw fell on the hogmaid?s prickles. ?Ow!? she cried, whipping off the blindfold to examine the injured paw.

?S?no blood,? the small hedgehog murmured shyly, reaching tentatively for the coveted blindfold.

??Spose not,? the other said genially, moving to tie it over Verna?s eyes.

Kentrith watched from his seat on one of the displaced beds. They had all been shoved lengthwise against the wall to open the middle for the game.

The ratmaid dodged a retaliatory swipe from the small hedgehog as they started again. Her movements caused her to crash into a smaller rat, sending them to the floor in a heap. The pile burst apart with laughter as both scrambled to keep away from the blinded hogmaid.

They could be Thrayjen?s, Kentrith wondered, then grimaced. Not that I could tell him. He would slit my throat just for approaching him.

Marik sat next to him, a smile on his face as he watched the play. ?Where did you learn this game?? he asked, turning to Kentrith.

The fox eased back until he leaned against the wall, placing his paws behind his head. ?It?s one of the favorites at Redwall. The Dibbuns were always playing it.?

?Who?s Russa Nodrey??

?A wanderer, closely tied to Redwall. They say that her last adventure overshadowed the rest, saving a badger babe from a vermin horde. They say because she fought them off single-pawed, they named the badgerlord Russano after her.? Kentrith shrugged. ?I don?t know how truthful it is, but it?s a nice story.?

?Redwall stories are all nice,? Marik murmured wistfully, watching the game again. ?I?d like to visit someday.?

?Someday might be sooner than you know,? Kentrith murmured back, keeping his eyes on the play to avoid eye contact.

?Happy,? Marik sighed, ?don?t say any more. It?s too dangerous. I know you?re frustrated with how things are??

?Frustrated?? Kentrith sat straight, rounding on Marik. ?They just had a free-for-all! Canen?? Marik made shushing motions, and Kentrith bit off the rest of the words, saying instead, ?He supported Nire, and had his skull dented for it!?

?It?s not Canen you?re upset over, is it?? Marik asked quietly. ?That vole was your friend, wasn?t she?? His face sobered. ?Interesting friend for you to have.?

Kentrith waved a paw as if to brush his comment aside. ?She wasn?t like that before. And it?s not just her,? he growled, then glanced guiltily at the Dibbuns. They continued their play undisturbed, and he went on in a lower tone. ?Nire is getting worse, and it won?t be long until you are in danger.? He eyed the roomful of babes grimly. ?All of you. Not even the compliance of your parents will keep you safe.? He turned back to the pine marten. ?That?s why I need to recruit Nix. She knows everything about the Crater, is closer to Nire than I could ever be. If she were with FTN, she would be the greatest asset.?

Marik was shaking his head before Kentrith could finish. ?Impossible,? he insisted. ?She would never. My mother is nothing if not single-minded.? He sighed. ?The world could rot as long as I am safe, as far as she?s concerned.? He scowled a little.

Helix came to Marik, asking for water. Shortly all the minuscule inhabitants of the forbidden wing were clustered around the young marten, chattering away and asking for snacks.

Kentrith quickly doled out the tiny cakes he had wheedled from Inkpaw, then helped arrange the furniture back in its proper place. Marik set the Dibbuns to making the beds, then caught at Kentrith?s arm, eyes freezing Kentrith with their intensity.

?Don?t talk to my mother about any of this. Don?t tell her anything about what?s going on, and don?t trust her with any of what you?ve told me. If she thought that this would endanger me, she would skin you alive.?

The fur on Kentrith?s back rose. He tried to shrug it off. ?We?ll see,? he mumbled, mentally forming the arguments to persuade the martenness, his eyes on the floor. The sunlight painting the floor stones brought him up short.

?What time is it?? he gasped, rushing to the window. A glance at the sky confirmed his fears, and he dashed to gather the now-empty basket. His goodbyes were hurled over his shoulder as he ran out the door.

*******

Kentrith?s entrance to the training ground was greeted by a screeching figure aimed for his head. He grabbed it, swinging until the beast was moving past him, tumbling in the dirt of the training ring.

?The surprise works better if you?re silent about it,? he admonished the bat.

?You?re late!? came the chirp. She picked herself up, dusting off her leathery wings.

He shook his head. ?Sorry about that. At least you?ve been practicing in my absence.?

?But you?re the trainer beast! You never leave the training grounds! Until you do--what not-training would a trainer be up to??

Leather wings enveloped his head, an entirely new experience for the fox. Kentrith managed to unwrap the bat from his face and move to the wall. She fluttered around him, slashing at the air with the knives that she now favored. If she had been allowed, Kentrith wouldn?t have been surprised to find them tucked under her pillow at night. He sighed to himself as he pulled down a practice ax with a dulled blade. This is no place for such an innocent creature.

?Watch this!? came a gleeful squeal from behind. He turned just in time to see her toss her knife in the air. She followed it, turning her sudden flight into a mid-air somersault. She caught the knife in her footclaw, swiping with it before smoothly passing it to her wing. She landed and grinned wide, bowing with her wings spread wide.

Kentrith had a sudden vision of Dia, performing some trick rather like that with her knife. In many ways, Kali reminded him of the otter.

Then he thought of Kali?s speech in the ring. Her rage at the cruelty and the falseness of the Crater.

The Dia he knew would never have been so brave.

Snapping out of his brown study, he smiled back at the smug bat. ?Very pretty,? he told her, hefting the ax over his shoulder. ?If you could put some force behind it, that would definitely take your opponent by surprise.? He snapped his left paw out, snatching the knife from her in her momentary distraction. ?However, your adversary will only be mildly inconvenienced, and more motivated to kill you.?

Her ears flattened as she drooped, and Kentrith immediately felt like a bully. ?No,? he hurriedly assured her, ?It was nice, and?? he cast about for something to say, ?and, the crowd would love it!?

Her ears perked a little. ?Really??

Kentrith nodded, wondering what on earth had gotten into him. ?Aye, all you need do is find some way to make it more devastating.?

They sparred for an hour, Kali throwing in flips and using her wings to dodge and dart at him while Kentrith fended her off with his ax. After she had almost gotten him twice, he called a halt.

?It?s definitely a start,? he told her. ?We?ll keep working on it.?

As he went to put the ax back on the wall, he paused, wondering if he dared. He turned back to the bat. ?Can you keep a secret??

Her ears came all the way up. ?What secret? I love secrets! I won?t tell anybeast, cross my heart, hope not to die!?

Suppressing a laugh, he lowered his voice as much as he could. ?You know how the Monster has a babe held by Nire?? He paused for her enthusiastic nod, then continued, ?Well, Fable isn?t the only little one here.? He whispered even quieter, ?I?ve been visiting them, bringing them treats, and keeping them company.? He shrugged. ?It keeps their world a little brighter.?

Kali had pressed both wings to her muzzle, her eyes teary with concern. ?The poor little dears!? she mumbled through her claws. ?They must be so frightened!? She frowned. ?Why would that be a secret??

Kentrith scratched his head. ?That area is off limits to those without permission. I?m just a trainer, and I definitely don?t have leave to be there. If I were caught?? He tried to shrug nonchalantly. ?I just didn?t want you to start asking too many questions, and getting me in trouble. Or them,? he cautioned, seeing her eyes light up with some plan.

?Oh, yes, I understand. Do you think I could visit the babies? Maybe I could play for them! Or sing! I?ve been getting much better??

?No, that won?t be necessary,? he hurriedly added, turning her gently and chivying her out of the training ring. ?Just? don?t tell anyone, alright? And if I need help with the treats, or something, I?ll let you know.?

Kali?s high-pitched crow set Kentrith?s ears ringing, and he rubbed them as she skittered away, waving at Inkpaw as she passed him. The chubby marten waved back, his eyes on Kentrith. The fox had no doubt he had heard everything.

?Feeling Top Notch, aren?t you?? Without waiting for the answer, Inkpaw continued, ?That?s the secret? Your visit to the babes? I thought you were going to tell her.?

?Not yet.? Kentrith continued down the hall, hoping to find some sort of meal despite the late hour. ?Forethought Trumps Negligence. She?s a very effusive, chatty creature, and I?m not sure I trust her at this time. This will be a test to see if she can hold her peace, or if I need to find someone else.? He grimaced. ?Hracken didn?t take to my offer, after all.?

Inkpaw grunted. ?I am going to tell her if you are not,? he grumbled, crumbling a cookie he had hidden in his apron.

?Fine,? Kentrith snapped. ?You can recruit everybeast and I can cut off the snake head and go home.? He rounded on the chubby baker. ?I was asked to be the recruiter. I assume that my judgment is trusted in such a position, or else why would it have been given? Take it up with them if you have an issue with me, but don?t undermine my efforts!? He paused, breathing heavily, then continued, ?I realize she?s your friend, but I have to be careful with this. I am sticking my neck out in all directions, and have gotten very little return for it.?

?Your note was delivered just fine!?

Kentrith shook his head. ?It?s more than that. It seems to me that you and I are taking most of the risks, without being told why. Especially lately, with all these monster fights.? He pinned the baker with a gimlet eye. ?I want to know. I want to be fully involved in the plans.?

?Bit early for that, doncha think?? Inkpaw shot back. Footpaws sounded down the hallway, and both conspirators jumped. Pasting a grin on his face, Inkpaw pulled a puff pastry out. ?Who knows?? he declared cheerfully. ?There might be room for promotion. Here?s a treat to celebrate my upcoming rise.?

?Thanks,? Kentrith muttered with slight exasperation. He pocketed it, then scurried to a quiet corner to read the note hidden inside.

There was more writing than usual on the slip, causing his eyebrows to rise. He read with growing dread, finally crushing the missive in a trembling paw. Feeling sick, he ambled back to his room. Why did I want to join these beasts?

*******

Kentrith stared at the bristled creature that crunched aggressively in its stall. It watched him back, a wicked gleam in its eye as juice ran from beneath the tusks.

?You think you?re all that,? the fox told the boar, frowning. ?You think because you?re allowed to trample those in the ring that your star has risen.? A clenched paw pounded the stall door. ?You?re nothing but an animal, savage, and uncaring.? He glared at the beast, who only swished his tail and grunted angrily. The tusks scratched at the door as he wagged his head back and forth.

?You?re? talking to a boar??

Kentrith turned to eye Silas in disfavor. The rat stood in the doorway, arms crossed.

?Meet Daisy,? Kentrith gestured at the angry boar. ?You?ll be facing him tomorrow.?

As if in response, the door to the stall shuddered. Silas stepped back, swallowing nervously.

?You?re not surprised, are you?? Kentrith barked, shoving away from the wooden post that framed the stall. ?You?ve fought several monsters in Nire?s menagerie. I thought you had been informed of the beasts you were to fight.?

Silas couldn?t seem to take his eyes from the hulking mass. ?It?s true, but I?ve also been informed that there aren?t many tricks I can use against this one.?

?There?s always another trick,? Kentrith remarked, also staring at Daisy. ?You won?t be any use to us if you give up so easily.?

He glanced at the rat, making sure he had caught Kentrith?s meaning. Silas stared at him for a moment that stretched until it was thinner than spider silk. ?I didn?t call you here to tell you that,? Kentrith finally said.

?Then why?? Silas? voice was sharp, almost bitter.

Kentrith glanced at the boar again, who was still munching his juicy treat. ?I need to introduce you to some beasts. I also wanted to show you just how much we are putting on the line to bring you through all this safely.?

The rat?s confused look changed to surprise as his head swiveled between Kentrith and the slavering boar. ?You? You did something to him?? He took a step towards the beast, but Kentrith grabbed him by the shoulder, aiming him through the door and deeper into the stable yards.

?He?ll be fine. It?s just a heavy draft of the knock-out juice injected into an apple. He will sleep deeply tonight, and be sluggish for your fight tomorrow. By the time he has returned to his normal aggressive self, the fight will be over.?

?This is why!? Silas mumbled, stunned. ?Why my fights have been easier than they ought to have been!? His shoulders drooped in disappointment.

Kentrith glanced down at him, but didn?t slow their winding strides to the farthest stable. ?Truthfully, I think you would have fared well enough on your own, but my orders came from higher up. And we are late for our meeting.?

The rat perked up at this. ?Meeting??

?Yes, with the FTN, as you?ve been asking around.?

?You?re connected with the Family Trust Network??

?The what?? Kentrith stopped, shaking his head.

?The FTN,? Silas amended. ?The ones who reunite slaves with their families, spreading hope in the Drag!?

Kentrith was silent for a very long moment. ?I? well, I suppose,? he mumbled. He shook his head again, and continued into the final stable. Scorch marks radiated out of the doorway, and a strange burnt smell hung heavy in the area. Silas slowed, and Kentrith had to drag him through the gloomy shell. The smell of burnt meat wafted through the air, causing both to wrinkle their noses.

?It?s--what is this place?? Silas spluttered, placing one paw over his nose.

?Yes, the smell is quite pungent, isn?t it? No beast would come here willingly, thus making it the perfect place for a clandestine meeting.?

The voice drifted out of the shadows, closely followed by two shadowy figures.

?Minerva!? Silas stopped in surprise. ?You?ve found them too!?

?Silas,? Minerva replied grimly, rubbing the fishhook around her neck. ?I wasn? ?spectin? you t? be here. My sponsor??

?Oh, of course.? He glanced at Minerva?s side. ?Seems these FTN beasts are everywhere.?

Kentrith spared only a glance for the uncomfortable otter. He, too, had eyes only for the other beast.

Lady Eveneda Persa waggled one paw at him, smiling secretively. When Kentrith opened his mouth to express his shock, she dropped her smile, her eyes going sharp. Kentrith snapped his muzzle closed, swallowing. ?Lady Eve,? he managed.

?I believe we are expected,? she murmured in a calm voice. She placed a gentle paw on Minerva?s shoulder to guide her into the farthest room, Silas following. Kentrith shuffled after them, reeling at the drastic change in a beast he thought to be shallower than a dry creek bed.

Narvi stood at the back of the room, his arms crossed in his customary stance. Eve glided to a position next to him, and after a moment, Kentrith took his place on Narvi?s other side. He kept glancing at Lady Eve, waiting for the perfumed handkerchief to make its appearance. She only smiled benevolently at the two beasts before them, waiting for one of them to speak.

Silas coughed. ?This, this scent,? he mumbled, waving a paw before his nose.

?Doan? ee be moindin? the smell,? Narvi rumbled. ?It be th? raison we?m meetin? yurr.?

?If a vole ghost enters, just ignore it,? Kentrith muttered. He shuddered at the thought of the murder committed in this room, one that was gruesome even for this place. Lady Eve?s right ear twitched, not bothering to comment.

The elegant fox spread her paws, a wide smile on her face. ?We of the FTN wish to thank you for accepting this invitation to meet. We would like to extend to you an opportunity to join with us.?

?Happy to help the Family Trust Network in whatever way I can,? Silas smiled.

Narvi snorted, and gaped at the rat. ?Ee what?? he asked.

?FTN does not stand for Family Trust Network, though it describes a small part of our mission. The initials stand for ?Free The North.?? Lady Eve paused, her eyes kind.

?Oh,? Silas dissembled, glancing at Kentrith. The fox shrugged.

?If you would like to join,? Eve continued, brushing over the awkward scene, ?this is the moment. It is unlikely that another opportunity will be presented to you, unless you actively seek it out. In which case, you will be asked to perform a task to demonstrate your loyalty to the cause.? She waved at Kentrith. ?An example would be the defacing of Nire?s insignia in the Hall of Greats.?

Both recruits glanced at Kentrith, causing him to bristle with embarrassment. He cleared his throat awkwardly.

Silas was already nodding. ?I?m in,? he said earnestly. ?Whatever might help the victims of this hell.?

There was silence as everybeast watched Minerva. The otterwife cleared her throat, shifting uncomfortably, before croaking, ?Aye, I?ll be joinin?, too.?

?Wonderful,? Lady Eve pronounced. She spread her paws, and commanded, ?Repeat after me.?

   I give my paw, I give my heart,
   To hold my aim and do my part.
   The sands to spurn, the slaves to turn,
   Til we Free The North.

After the others finished their oath, she nodded to Narvi, who dug out a wooden circle from a pocket. He handed it to Silas, who studied it with interest.

?It?s just my Reaper symbol,? he remarked, puzzled.

?Turn it over,? Minerva supplied, also studying the medallion.

The reverse side held two large paws enclosing smaller ones. Silas suddenly had difficulty swallowing, and Lady Eve clapped her paws to continue the conversation, giving him a moment to compose himself.

?You will be contacted soon with your part of the plan,? she told the new recruits. ?If you have questions, direct them to Kentrith here.?

Her eyes flicked to Kentrith, a mischievous gleam in her eye. Kentrith flattened his ears. Why am I always saddled with all the work?

?Do not approach me, or others unless you have a question. If you must discuss FTN business, you must first signal by three words that begin with the letters FTN. If they are able to talk at that time, they will reply with another such phrase. If they do not, then act as if nothing happened. And do I need to tell you to be discreet??

Both recruits shook their heads. Eve nodded. ?Now then, do you have any questions for me now? We have a little time.?

?I heard that you beasts tried t? stop Nire once before,? Minerva piped up. ?What happened, and how are ye still around??

Narvi and Eve exchanged a look. Kentrith only crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. He waited to hear their answer.

?We?m be too small,? the mole finally answered. ?They?m narsty blues be swarmin? o?er usn?s a?fore we?m be ready.? He shook his head gravely. ?We?m losted mos? our fighters.?

?Luckily,? Eve interjected, eyeing the suddenly saddened mole, ?We had a benefactor step in. With his help, we?ve been able to rebuild almost to our former strength.? Her eyes grew hard. ?And soon we will be strong enough to end this.?

?Who?s the benefactor?? Minerva asked.

Eve shook her head. ?We don?t know his true name, but when he contacts us, he calls himself Burrfield.?

?What??

The single word dropped from Silas? lips to the ground like a stone sinking in a pond. Gone was the eager recruit ready to do his part. In his place was the Reaper, face stony, whiskers quivering, paws clenched.

?Burrfield?? Silas bit out. ?You?re being funded by Blasio??

Eve started. ?Blasio? How do??

?It?s the name of my village,? was the gritted reply. ?The one he destroyed.? He shook his head, smiling humorlessly. ?He probably considered the name so obscure and forgettable that no beast would connect the dots.? The rat kicked a charred piece of wood across the room and bellowed, arching his claws into fists. ?Fates, he finds a way to ruin everything, doesn?t he? Working his way into every crack and fissure like a gates-damned fungus!?

?Naow,? Narvi said, starting forward.

?You?re playing with fire,? Silas hissed, jabbing one claw at the mole. ?You think he?ll let go of the power you?ve given him? You think you can trust him? He will take all you can give him, and take more and more, until he has siphoned everything from you. Then he will crush you under his paw until you are dust.?  He looked each of his stunned companions in the eye. ?If you think I will watch that happen again, you?re wrong.?

He spun and strode out of the stable, his back stiff. Narvi blurted, ?He?m goin? tell!? and started after the rat.

?No,? both foxes barked, and Kentrith grabbed the mole before he made it two more steps. Kentrith looked at Eve, then nodded for her to continue.

?Chasing after him will only rouse suspicion. Kentrith will talk with him, make sure he doesn?t betray us.?

?I?ll do it,? Minerva offered, her voice shaking. She moved slowly out of the room, scouting for witnesses before disappearing into the dark.

Silence reigned in the burnt stable before Eve commented, ?Ah, so Nire wasn't the target.?

*******

Kentrith found himself back at the training grounds, with fewer answers than he had wanted. Narvi, shaken, had made his solitary way back to his shop, and Kentrith had confronted Lady Eve.

She had brushed him off.

?Not now.? How dare she give me a ?not now?! This is serious! Everybeast is fairly certain Blasio is the one who killed Sly.

Kentrith sank onto a bench, clutching his head in his hands. Elbows on knees, he thought furiously.

Should I bow out? Leave the FTN? It?ll be difficult now, but near impossible later? I don?t even know if our goals are the same! And if we have different goals... How do I get them to tell me?

A memory stirred, a cloaked figure assigning a task to prove loyalty.

That had to have been Lady Eve. If she isn?t at the very top, she at least has a lot of authority. If she doesn?t know all the plans, then? He stared at the scalpel that fell naturally into his paw. I?ll make her take me to someone who does.

With a groan, he hid his face in his paws once more. This is too complicated! Why did I have to walk this path? I should have killed Nire within my first week here. If it weren?t for Marik, or the other babes?

?You!?

Kentrith?s head snapped up, just in time to have a barreling mass of angry martenness descend on him. Scrambling off the bench, he snatched up a pole someone had leaned against the wall, and caught the first descending blow on it. Thankfully she was using a spear, not a sword, but her angry strike sent painful vibrations through him.

?What!? he managed to gasp out before Nix struck at him again. He swept the jabbing blade up and over, deflecting it over his head and to the side. He rolled to his footpaws, backing from the seething beast who struck at him again and again.

?What are you doing!? he bellowed, swiping at her footpaws. She leapt back, a snarl stamped on her face.

?You?re part of that stupid resistance!? she shouted back, swiping at him.

Kentrith gasped, nearly missing her next jab at his stomach. He stepped back just in time, his mind racing. Kali told on me, she must have! Except I hadn?t told her yet? And Marik promised!

Using his distraction and her full weight, Nix pinned Kentrith against the wall. ?You forget that children have ears too,? she hissed. ?One of the babes heard you talking to my son.? She slammed him against the stone once more. ?I?ve stayed out of your business for our friendship?s sake, but you are threatening Marik?s existence.?

?I,? Kentrith began, but she stopped him with a heavy slap to the muzzle.

?No, you do not get to speak! You?ve said enough already. You lied to me, and involved my son in this madness!?

Curious heads began popping into the room, and Kentrith?s fur went damp.

?Nix,? he tried again. She shoved him again, smacking his head against the wall.

?You stay away from him; you stay away from me. If I hear you?ve been anywhere near him again? I will cut off your other ear and feed it to you! And I hope you choke on it!?

With that snarl and one last shove, she left him stumbling and stalked out of the training ring, bowling the spectators out of the way.

Kentrith rubbed his smarting skull, staring after her in dismay. He hoped no one had heard what she said, but he couldn?t be sure.

I can?t see Marik again! Numbing shock crept through his limbs, making his movements wooden as he retrieved the spear and the haft he had defended himself with.

He stared at the pole and it?s polished counterpart, the full weight of her words swamping him.

What am I going to do now?