Days later, the travelers spotted the spires of Redwall.  Softbrush hesitated at the main gate.  “I’m not sure I can do this,” she said, clasping her paws to her chest nervously.
     “Please,” Mariel said, gently pushing at Softbrush’s back.
     The young vixen slowly walked past the incredibly thick walls and into a place precious few foxes were ever allowed to go:  Redwall Abbey.
     Sister Sage met them at the door of the main abbey building.  Her face looked drawn, as if she hadn’t slept in days.
     Dandin took her by the arm.  “How is he?”
     “The same,” Sage said.
     He nodded.  “At least he’s no worse.”
     Sage eyed Softbrush warily.  “And this is...?” she asked.
     “Sage, Softbrush.  Softbrush, Sister Sage,” Dandin introduced.
     “Hello,” said Sage.
     “Uh...hi,” Softbrush said shyly.
     “Softbrush is the daughter of the healer we told you about.  We hope she can help the Abbot,” Mariel said.
     Sage shrugged.  “A fox healer?  Why not?  We’ve tried everything we can think of.  Come with me.”
     Mariel, Dandin and Softbrush followed Sage into the abbey and up to the infirmary.
     Saxtus was still in bed, unconscious.  His breathing was shallow and he looked very pale.   Softbrush cautiously approached the bed, her face troubled.  The three mice stood quietly by as she assessed her patient.  Softbrush pulled up Saxtus’ eyelids and squinted into his eyes.  She felt his pulse and looked in his mouth.  Finally, she stood back and frowned.
     “Well?”
     “I seem to remember my mother telling me something about this...” she said, trying to push back the mists of time to remember.  “It’s a type of fever.”  Her face brightened.  “Now I remember!  It’s Tallgrass Fever.”
     “Tallgrass Fever?” Sage echoed.  “I’ve never heard of it.  Is it contagious?”
     “No.  You get it from touching a certain type of plant.  It’s rather rare, though.”
     “So can you help him?” Dandin asked anxiously.
     Softbrush gave an apologetic look.  “I don’t know.”
     Dandin’s shoulders fell in disappointment.  Often, there are no easy answers.

     Using supplies from her sack and from the Abbey infirmary, Softbrush mixed a brown paste.  Dandin frowned at the mush in the bowl.  “Are you sure this is the cure for Tallgrass Fever?”  Softbrush sighed.  “No.  It’s been years since my mother taught me the recipe.  But I think this is it.  Or something close, anyway.  I’m sorry.  It’s the best I can do.”
     Dandin smiled and took the young vixen’s paw.  “Of course.  That’s all we can ask.”
     Softbrush half-heartedly returned the smile and walked over the Saxtus’ bed.  She sat in the chair by the bed and carefully began spooning the brown paste into the ill mouse’s mouth.  When coaxed with a little water, he swallowed.  Softbrush nodded approvingly.  “I’ll have to administer a few more doses before we see any change,” she said.  She still sounded unsure of herself, however.

     Through the day and into the night, Softbrush fed Saxtus the medicine.  As dawn light began to stream through the infirmary window, Mariel looked up with a start.  “He moved!” she said.
     Dandin was instantly awake.  “What?”
     “He moved his paw!  I saw it!” Mariel said, coming over the bed.  “Saxtus, if you can hear me, please wake up!”
     Softbrush looked relieved.  The medicine was working.

     Saxtus slowly became aware of his surroundings.  There was light.  And an herbal taste in his mouth.  He was lying down.  In bed.  Not his own bed.  The infirmary?  He struggled to open his eyes.  He found himself staring in Dandin’s concerned face.  Mariel was at his side.  And there was a stranger.  A vixen!  In Redwall?
     Dandin spoke.  “Welcome back,” he said, grinning widely.
     Saxtus’ lips curved into a thin smile.  “Hi,” was all he could think of to say.  His mind was fuzzy.
     The vixen turned her back to the sickbed and walked a few paces away.  Soft sobs were heard.
     While Dandin rejoiced over his friend’s recovery, Mariel went to Softbrush and put a paw on her quaking back.  “Thank you,” she said simply.
     Softbrush smiled through her tears.  “No,” she said.  “Thank you.”