Veil Sixclaw is a supporting protagonist in the book Outcast of Redwall by Brian Jacques. He is the son of ferret warlord Swartt Sixclaw, who abandoned him when he was an infant. Growing up in Redwall, Veil comes to exhibit troubling behavior himself, despite the guidance of the mousemaid Bryony, and is exiled. He then goes in search of his father.
Background[]
Veil's mother, Bluefen, was taken by Swartt Sixclaw as a prize when he took over Bowfleg's horde. Swartt cared nothing for her but ended up impregnating her. When she gave birth to Veil, she was weak and died, and Swartt handed over the infant to another horde member, showing no concern for his child. During a battle, Veil was abandoned in a muddy ditch, and was found by the Redwallers, who gave him his name, as it's an anagram for "evil" and "vile." The mousemaid Bryony was the only one who wanted him, seeing herself as a surrogate big sister to Veil.
As Veil grew up, he felt out of place in Redwall, believing the others hated him except for Bryony. He often stole things from the Abbeydwellers, though Bryony always defended him. When Friar Bunfold physically accosted him one day, Veil grew angry and tried to poison him. However, the hogwife Myrtle was poisoned by accident, but the Redwallers managed to cure her. The Redwallers then exposed Veil by tricking him into breaking into the infirmary, looking for the cure to a fake "side effect" they claimed the poison caused, and captured Veil. It was decided he would be exiled, despite Bryony's pleas. Veil was distraught and asked what would happen to him, but was coldly told to seek out his father Swartt, and thrown out.
As Veil went on his journey, he stole food and supplies from a travelling mouse family, then was brutally attacked and held prisoner by two fox bandits, who he killed in revenge for their cruelty towards him. He finally found Swartt when he arrived at Bat Mountpit by waterfall. Swartt was dismissive towards Veil, while Veil took delight in mocking Swartt's ineptitude as a horde leader. Soon after, Swartt managed to capture his lifelong enemy Sunflash, and Bryony tried to save him. When Swartt threatened Bryony, Veil attacked him and tried to fight him off. Swartt then threw a lethal javelin at Bryony, which Veil intercepted, dying in Bryony's arms, as she tearfully asked why he saved her. In the aftermath of his death, Bryony was conflicted about whether he had meant to save her, saying she always loved Veil but believed he was ultimately evil. However it's not clear if she truly believed this or if she was acting as Veil had wanted, as he had told her previously to go back to Redwall and tell the others that he was bad.
Trivia[]
- Veil is one of the few morally gray vermin characters in the series. He is also one of the most controversial, as his sacrifice and Bryony's view of him after his death are heavily debated among readers.