After they catch their breath, Sylman looks askance at Eric. "
'We surrender'?!?" Eric grimaces and rises to his feet. "The others may be dead already. Let's talk later." They make their way around the burning mill back to the center of
Malrikstead, but the danger seems to have receded. They still hear shouting, but the notes of terror in the people's voices are gone.
In the street, Mongo goes to check on Bruno: "are you okay, buddy?" Bruno remains unresponsive. Taking stock of the situation, he spots Reeve
Brellin dousing the small fire in her home. "Mongo! You yet live," she calls when she sees him. "Thank the
Maker. How is Bruno?" "He's alive," Mongo replies, "he's breathing—he's going to be okay."
Mongo picks up the unconscious Bruno and carries him to a nearby home where the door is ajar. After laying him on a table to recover, he returns to the street and is reunited with Sylman and Eric.
Mongo and Sylman set out to check the perimeter of the town for any remaining dangers, while Eric goes to help those who are fighting the fire at the provisioner's. Despite her broken arm, Liliana, the proprietor, is hauling buckets of water from the creek. Another woman helps her, while nearby a man stands in the center of the street, still stunned by the attack. Eric's words spur him to action, and he joins the rest in setting up a bucket brigade to fight the fire.
Mongo and Sylman make their circuit. A house on the north side of the hamlet is burning heavily, and they judge it can no longer be saved. In a back garden, they find the body of a woman in a nightgown, with visible bite marks. They place her corpse with those of the others in the street. Sylman manages to recover his crossbow but cannot find the dagger he threw. There is no sign of the wolves.
Returning to the centre of the hamlet, they help the others in fighting the fire. Mongo is relieved when they are joined by Corbyn, the keeper of the Maker's shrine.
The fire is being brought under control when they hear shouts from down
Tyral's Road, the way they came. Spotting
Tayla running towards the hamlet, yelling their names, Eric calls for Sylman and Mongo and the three of them hasten towards her. Sylman rolls his eyes: "now what?"
In the darkness outside of town, Tayla trips; the adventurers help her to her feet. "Something happened to
Dawsin," she says breathlessly, "something bad. You need to come right now." "What happened?" Sylman demands. She shakes her head. "You have to see it."
The four of them hurry back down the road, Tayla keeping pace with the adults despite having run all the way to Malrikstead. They pass by Mitchar's farm, the house still burning like a beacon in the night. At one point they hear the whinnying of horses from the forest nearby and are tempted to pursue, on the presumption that these are their steeds which ran away during the battle. But rather than blunder about in the forest at night, they keep on their way.
Finally they reach the spot where they left the others. Some 40 feet from the wagon,
Alvar stands, holding a lantern; next to him is a grim-faced
Gracen, with the
twins hiding behind him. "You're back," Gracen says flatly. "I've had enough of this Maker-forsaken journey."
"What happened here?" Eric asks.
Tadd pipes up. "I told you guys that Dawsin was weird. And now he's cursed!"
Eric and Sylman approach the wagon. Dawsin is sitting in his usual spot, reading from his book as best he can in the dim light. But his eyes now glow with the eerie blue colour of those afflicted by the
Mark.
He looks up. "Oh, you've come back." His face shows the stains of recent tears.
"Hello Dawsin," Eric says. "How are you doing?"
"I was so scared. I thought you were abandoning us. But
Abel told me you would come back."
"Who is Abel?" Sylman asks cautiously.
Dawsin smiles. "He's an angel. He comes to talk to me when I'm sad and lonely." After a moment, he speaks again. "Are we going to the
Abbey now?"
"We'll be there in a few days," Eric says.
Sylman breaks the news to Mongo that Dawsin has been afflicted with the Mark. Mongo receives the news with equanimity; Dawsin has already impressed him with his piety and literacy, and he cannot believe that the Maker would forsake the boy.
They rejoin Alvar and a surly Gracen. "I say we leave the kid by the side of the road and get the hell out of here," the latter snarls. "What about your faith, Gracen?" Alvar asks. "Aren't you supposed to help people?" "That was
Falbar," Gracen rejoins bitterly. "He's the one who wanted to sign up with the
Azrinath. And look what happened to him."
Angered by Gracen's callousness, Mongo draws his sword and levels it at the guard. "That's enough," he commands. "If this is the depth of your faith—be gone."
Gracen's lip curls in disgust. "Fine," he retorts. "I hope I never see any of you people again." He turns on his heel and walks away down the road. "Good riddance," Mongo calls after him.
Tadd is inclined to follow Gracen, and begins to sidle after him, but grudgingly complies when Eric orders him to stay with his brother.
In response to their questions, Tayla explains what transpired during their absence. After night fell, Dawsin was asking about them, but the twins kept bullying him, and he started to cry. Then he opened his eyes, and they had changed. After speaking to someone Tayla couldn't see, he calmed down. When Gracen and Alvar started to argue, Tayla ran to the town for help.
After describing the events in town to Alvar and Tayla, they decide to take shelter for the night in the barn at Mitchar's farm. En route, they pass by Gracen, still trudging towards Malrikstead, who ignores them. "Have a nice life," Sylman calls in passing.
Arriving at the farm, they find the house has completely burned down, though the ruins still emit a foul smoke. They move the wagon into the barn. Sylman remains behind with Alvar and the children while Eric and Mongo take the cart to fetch Bruno.
When they arrive in Malrikstead, the fire at the provisioner's has been extinguished and Brellin, Mitchar, Corbyn, and Liliana are conferring in front. Eric explains to them that they left to check on the children they are escorting back to
Redwall. When he asks how the fires started, Brellin says she has no idea. The wolves that attacked may have been otherworldly terrors, but they were only wolves.
Mongo interrupts to ask: "how is the shrine?" As no-one is sure, he and Corbyn go to check.
Eric breaks the news to Mitchar that his home has also fallen victim to the flames. Mitchar nods resignedly. "Maker's will. We'll just have to rebuild." However, he's pleased that his barn can provide hospitality to the travellers.
Corbyn and Mongo head to the north side of the hamlet, where they find the shrine undamaged. At Mongo's invitation, Corbyn joins him in silent prayer. Mongo thanks the Maker for their survival, and prays for Dawsin. After ten minutes, Corbyn excuses himself to see if the Reeve needs help. Back in the center of town, he remarks to Eric on the depth of Mongo's devotion to the Maker. He helps Eric load the still-recovering Bruno onto the cart and Eric drives back to the farm.
In the barn, Sylman has lit a fire and prepares a simple meal. He shakes his head. How did he end up as a caretaker for a bunch of religious orphans? This is not the life he imagined for himself. Dawsin stays in the wagon; the twins keep as far away from him as possible, while Alvar collapses against a pillar in exhaustion.
When the food is ready, Sylman brings a bowl to Dawsin. "Tell me about Abel," he asks. "He's an angel," the boy answers, "he comes when I'm sad." "Did he come before today?" "Sometimes."
Sylman nods, thinking to himself. "The next time you see him," he says, "can you ask him how Karsus is?" "Who's Karsus?" Dawsin asks. "A friend of mine," Sylman responds, "I think Abel might know him." Dawsin confusedly agrees. "Eat your food," Sylman says, "and then try to get some rest."
Eric returns from Malrikstead and Sylman helps him make Bruno comfortable. While doing so, Eric expresses some concern about Mongo's behaviour, but the children come to his defense. Tayla expresses confidence that Mongo is a good person, while Tadd and Lane proclaim that Mongo is awesome.
Back in Malrikstead, after praying for an hour at the shrine, Mongo begins his walk back to the farm. En route he crosses paths with Mitchar, who is still helping set the hamlet to rights. "We have purified your home," Mongo announces to him in passing, then continues without stopping.
Sylman and Eric step outside the barn for a talk under the night sky, Sylman proffering a flask of wine, which Eric gratefully accepts.
"Let's clear the air," Sylman states. "I appreciate your... enthusiasm. But next time, take my lead. Let us scout the terrain first before rushing in. I only rode with you because I didn't want to watch you die."
Eric grimaces and takes a drink. "Fair enough," he answers finally. "But you realize that we're the reason that thing attacked these people. It was looking for us. Do you remember her words? 'There you are,' she said, 'Gawonii's whispers spoke true.'"
Sylman mulls over the witch-wolf's words, and her claim that Gawonii knows him. "Gawonii... I don't know who that is. I never heard the name. I don't know how it would know us... unless...." His voice trails off. "'What can change the nature of a man?'" He drinks heavily. "It's that bloody tomb," he continues. "Something happened there. Something is reaching out to us."
Mongo walks up the road to join them. "How's Bruno?" he asks. "Still unconscious," Eric answers. "You should have joined me in prayer," Mongo says. He goes into the barn; the others are asleep except for Dawsin, who is still reading his book. Mongo leans against the wagon wheel and asks Dawsin to read to him. After a while, he hears the boy quietly reciting the sacred text, and drifts off to sleep.
Outside, Sylman continues. "When we get back to Redwall, we need to speak to Father Stone. And we also need to talk to Sir
Deston. We've tapped into something. And I don't think it will end well." Finishing the wine, they call it a night.
November 4, 1203 AR
By morning, Bruno has recovered, and Eric fills him in on what has transpired. Bruno is not fully comfortable with what has happened to Dawsin but is willing to continue as before: "it's your show."
Their first order of business is to try to recover their horses. Mongo and Eric head out in the early morning, starting their search near where they heard the whinnying earlier. Eric shortly finds some tracks and they head off in pursuit. After about an hour, they luckily find all four of the animals together, and bring them back to the farm.
The next item of concern is getting Dawsin to Redwall. The adventurers are concerned that if the pious folk of Malrikstead see the Mark on him, they may blame the boy for the witch-wolf's attack. They decide to try to pass through the hamlet without stopping.
After they leave the farm, Eric and Bruno bring the wagon and cart to a stop up the road outside of the hamlet, on the other side of the bridge, while Sylman and Mongo ride ahead. In the main street, they find a dozen or more people clustered around two figures in front of the reeve's house. One is Reeve Brellin herself, while the other is an armour-clad knight. The tabard over his breastplate shows a yellow and blue diagonal stripe pattern.
They ride up to the group. The reeve greets them, asking about the others; Sylman explains that they are with the children. "Who are these people?" the knight asks. "Travellers escorting the caravan to the monastery on behalf of the
Ministry," Brellin explains. "They helped fight off the attackers and save what's left of our town." "Then you have my thanks and those of my lord," the man states. He introduces himself as Sir Kellington, a knight in the service of Count Santagar, the lord of these lands.
Sylman and Mongo also introduce themselves, but then Sylman explains that they will be travelling through to Redwall Citadel with all haste, as they would like to get the children home as quickly as possible. Brellin nods. "I understand. But can you not stay for a few hours and have a meal with us?"
Mongo abruptly changes the subject, addressing Sir Kellington. "Perhaps your lord could invest in a proper sanctuary for the Maker here that would help provide better protection to this town in the future." The knight's demeanour sours. "This village has bigger problems than the construction of a temple. But I will leave the plans for rebuilding this place to my lord."
After a moment's pause, Sylman says, "we beg your leave, but we must be on our way." "Our best to your lord," Mongo says politely, hoping to put his request in a positive light. "May the Maker bless you and keep you," Sylman adds.
Sylman waves to the vehicles. Eric, driving the wagon, asks Dawsin to keep his eyes closed as they ride through the town. The boy complies, and they make it into the town and past the crowd without incident. Some of the people they recognize wave at them as they pass, while others engage in spirited conversation. Eric hears someone exclaim, "but it called their names! Those things said their names!"
Eric is stunned; he had imagined that the ka had followed their trail somehow from their encounter with
Tukaja, not that it was hunting them by name. But he sees no way to stop for more information without putting Dawsin at risk and drives on. For his part, Sylman is unusually silent as they put Malrikstead behind them, being deeply unnerved by all the recent supernatural events, while Mongo is confused and disturbed that the Maker has afflicted a pious little boy like Dawsin. They head down the road with troubled hearts.
November 5, 1203 AR
They continue their return journey to Redwall. The day passes without incident, though from time to time Eric looks wistfully southwards, recalling
Rudolph's tip on dragon treasure in the
Dagger Rock moors.
November 6, 1203 AR
On the third day from Malrikstead, they reach the
Crossroads. Still seeking to avoid any trouble from Dawsin's Mark, they pass by the inn without stopping.
November 7, 1203 AR
After Tadd continues to bully Dawsin in the wagon, Eric finally gives in and separates them, putting the twins into the cart instead. Bruno is ill-pleased. "I didn't sign up to be a babysitter," he grumbles. Eric promises him a bonus.
November 8, 1203 AR
Seeing a caravan stopped at the side of the road ahead, Sylman rides ahead to speak to them. The guards, wearing the white and sky blue of the Wayfarer's Guild, state they have had no troubles on the road, and are travelling from
Westgate to Redwall for the Founder's Festival, the week-long celebration of the founding of the citadel. Sylman expresses surprise that the festival is going ahead, given the number of refugees from the plague-ridden town of
Kalm; but the caravan's guards are unaware of the refugees or the plague. Sylman shares what he knows with them and the party rides on past, but Sylman finds it disquieting that no news of the plague seems to have reached the east. So preoccupied is he that the thought of peddling his "plague cure" to them does not even cross his mind.
November 9, 1203 AR
The number of travellers on the road increases as they near the city. Finally, in late afternoon, the walls of the Citadel come into view. The tent city outside has shrunk to almost nothing. The east gate facing them is decorated with the banners of the
Siva family for the Founder's Festival. There are more guards than usual, and a queue of wagons undergoing inspection to enter the city.
To make their entry, they decide to bind Dawsin's eyes and have him pretend to be asleep in Tayla's lap. If questioned, they will claim that his eyes were injured by the yeti. Sylman drives the wagon, accompanied by Alvar, while Eric and the twins ride in the cart. Mongo and Bruno ride on horseback. Mongo even dons his vestments to give a positive impression.
The guards wear the red, white, and black livery of the
Iron Wolves. The squad is led by a young woman, but upon seeing their group, she calls for Captain Crowley, a middle-aged man, who asks what brings them to Redwall. After hearing Sylman's explanation, he relates that the Duke has issued a proclamation prohibiting the carry of weapons in the city. The adventurers will need to surrender their arms to enter.
Sylman attempts to persuade Crowley to make an exception in their case, arguing that
Father Stone at the Morning Star Abbey will vouch for them and their mission. But the captain remains unmoved. They must leave their weapons with the Iron Wolves, but will be able to reclaim them when they depart the city.
There are exceptions to the Duke's proclamation, he goes on. Registered mercenary groups are still permitted to carry weapons, as are those officially sanctioned by the Azrinath. Members of the Iron Wolves are exempt as well—the company is always looking for good soldiers.
The group agrees to give up their weapons, and members of the Iron Wolves bring out a massive chest to store their swords, crossbows, and other implements of destruction. As the items are inventoried and stored, they ask the guards for news.
Nothing too dramatic seems to have occurred in the past three weeks. There have been some attacks by orcish warbands; the Ministry is coming under increasing pressure from the populace to stop sheltering people with the Mark; the city is full of visitors for the Founder's Festival; and the refugees from Kalm have mostly been funnelled into the surrounding communities. Regarding the course of the plague in Kalm, order seems to have been restored; the local militia is back in control of the town, and most of the Iron Wolves who were dispatched there have returned to Redwall.
When the accounting of their weapons is complete, the group is permitted to enter the city. The Festival is already in progress, and Redwall is abuzz with activity; there are jugglers, puppet shows, and other entertainers in the streets, and crowds gathered at the alehouses. It takes some time to make their way through the throng.
Finally they pull up at the Abbey. One of the acolytes, Rohar, comes to greet them, but Sylman interrupts: "We must speak to Father Stone urgently. The journey to the monastery was... an eventful one. Of tragedy, and fatalities." His eyes wide, Rohar runs to fetch the Father.
When Stone appears, they quietly let him know of Dawsin's condition. He orders Rohar to summon a healer for Alvar, and to send word to the Bishop that they may need to speak to her.
Bringing Dawsin with them, the adventurers accompany Father Stone to his chambers, and relate the tale of their journey. Father Stone is taken aback. "We must talk to the Bishop. Mongo, my son, I'm so sorry. I asked you to take this journey as a way to unburden yourself of recent events. I never imagined these things would happen." "On the contrary," Mongo replies, "it has strengthened my faith."
After briefly excusing himself, Father Stone returns to escort them to the Bishop's study, in another building in the abbey complex. Bishop
Rosa Cantrell is there, dressed in the formal regalia of her office: a woman in her late 40s or early 50s, with long grey hair. Mongo is familiar with her, as she has been in office for over ten years. She welcomes them all, Mongo specifically, and listens intently to their story.
At their news of the
Ulrich Monastery, she promises to send a contingent of the Azrinath with additional supplies. She also takes Father
Tarbek's letter and assures them that she will take it to Bishop
Falkner.
She is saddened but unsurprised at the orcish attack on Malrikstead. "We have been pushing the
Odakota further and further out of their lands. It's not surprising that this has happened. This use of dark magic is new, though." She is complimentary of Sylman's relationship with Tukaja: "I applaud your peaceful approach, Sylman. We need more people like you."
Dawsin's "angel", she says, is not an uncommon experience. "Hearing voices and whispers is widespread among those with the Mark. There seems to be some connection between those who become afflicted and the phenomenon of the
Black Wind. People hear voices whispering to them and in some of them the Mark just manifests. But our work to help the afflicted is made more difficult by the people who fear what they don't know."
She kneels to speak to Dawsin, who has been sitting quietly reading his book. "You've been very brave," she tells him. "We will take care of you."
Rising, she turns to the party. "I don't know what would have happened to him and the other children without you. We are in your debt."
Hearing that they plan to look for lodgings at the
Bent Coin—if any are even available during the Festival—she instead arranges for them to stay at Wind's End, a church-owned mansion in the
Enlightenment District, with servants included. Taking their leave, the group travels there to rest from their journey, and ponder their next move.
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