Eagles' Revenge

by Roger Mortimer

  ‘Rhiannon’s always been jealous of Morganna. She and Oslaf must’ve been plotting together for ages.’

  ‘Didn’t Morganna suspect anything?’

  ‘No. Well, nothing as bad as this. None of us did. But now we know that Oslaf’s been bribing warriors to take his side against Rothgar, and make Rhiannon queen. As for poor Morganna, goodness knows where she is, but rumour has it Rhiannon’s starving her to death. Of course, your arrival was a stroke of luck for Rhiannon.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Well, she took advantage of Rothgar’s absence on the Treasure hunt to imprison her sister, helped by some of the rebel warriors. Oslaf, meanwhile, followed Rothgar and killed him. And, of course, Rhiannon had to take you two prisoner.’

  ‘Why?

  ‘Because she wanted the Chalice, and you’re its guardian. I don’t know why she wants it, but I’m very much afraid she’ll put it to some evil use . . .’

  In the dead of night, Rufus awoke and flung out a paw to defend himself against the shadow looming over him, and a voice whispered, ‘It’s me!’

  ‘Wiglaff! I thought you were one of the warriors. What’s the matter? What are you doing here?’

  The little mole was bubbling with excitement. ‘Listen! I’ve found out that Morganna’s in a dungeon, deep below the city – and Elana’s with her. I think I can get them out. At least, I’m going to try.’

  Rufus hesitated. Was this a trap?

  Wiglaff saw the doubt in the mouse’s eyes. ‘Please trust me,’ he begged, looking so desolate that Rufus smiled. What had he to lose?

  ‘I trust you, Wiglaff. But how are you going to get them out?’

  ‘The dungeons are well guarded, but there’s a passage that runs close behind Morganna’s cell. If I can get down there without being seen, I can tunnel into her cell and get them both away from the city.’

  ‘But all exits are guarded.’

  ‘Ah, but at the centre of the city is the fortress. All mole cities have one. It’s a big cavern where warriors assemble in times of danger. It’s a holy place, too. We meet there once a month to pray to the Lord of Light. It’s close to the surface; you can see tree roots in the roof. I can easily tunnel out. But I’m a bit scared to do it all on my own. Could you – ?’

  ‘Yes! Just tell me what to do.’

  ‘Well, tomorrow Rhiannon and Oslaf are giving a banquet in the Council Chamber. All moles are summoned, except for a few who have to stay on guard duty. Rhiannon’s going to announce something important. I’m afraid it has to do with the Chalice, and it’s going to be very bad indeed. We must get away before it happens. When you come off your second shift of worm-gathering, I’ll meet you here. Once we’ve got Morganna and Elana out, we’ll use the Inner Ring-tunnel to reach the fortress.’

  ‘But that means leaving the Chalice.’

  ‘Rufus, don’t worry about the Chalice. If we can get away, there are moles in other cities who will help us get it back.’

  ‘All right. But tell me how to reach the fortress in case we are separated.’

  ‘You remember the Council Chamber? Well, past that, there’s a tunnel to the right that slopes upwards; it leads to the Inner Ring-tunnel, so follow it to the end, then remember to turn left. Take the next passage but one to the right, and that takes you to the fortress.’

  Rufus made Wiglaff repeat the directions three times. He hoped he would not have to follow them alone.

  Next day, the hours crawled by. During his second shift, Rufus became aware of unusual activity in the city. His bowls of worms were taken away more frequently than usual, and the guards kept ordering him to work faster.

  At last, weary and covered in earth, he was told to stop, and a guard led him back to his cell. There, he waited tensely. At last, a mole appeared in the entrance. But it was not Wiglaff.

  ‘You. Slave. Come with me.’

  ‘Where?’ snarled Rufus.

  ‘Council Chamber,’ replied the blank-faced warrior. ‘Big banquet. You’re wanted to serve wine and worms. Queen’s orders.’

  Rufus was tempted to fly at the mole, knock him down and run for it. But he knew there would be other guards nearby so, with a sinking heart, he walked slowly out of his cell. As he was escorted down the tunnel, he saw Wiglaff hastening towards him. It was too dark to see the mole’s face, but Rufus could imagine its stricken expression. As he entered the Council Chamber, he wondered whether Wiglaff would have the nerve to carry out the rescue alone.

  ‘Oh, Lord of Light,’ he prayed. ‘Give him the courage to do it! At least Elana will be out of this dreadful place!’

  16. Peril Under Ground

  Rufus was kept frantically busy, carrying bowls of worms and jugs of wine to the feasting moles. At least he could see what he was doing, for the Chamber was lit by smoky, foul-smelling lamps. Rufus noticed that several moles were eating and drinking in silence. Perhaps they were still secretly loyal to Morganna.

  Rhiannon and Oslaf sat together on a raised platform at the far end of the Chamber. The new Queen was dripping with jewels. In front of her stood the Chalice. Oslaf slouched in his seat, one paw clamped round the hilt of his dagger, his watchful eyes roving up and down the Chamber. At last, Rhiannon rose to her feet. Instantly, there was silence.

  ‘The bad old days are over! I promise you a time of peace and plenty. All moles will live in harmony. All I ask is obedience to me and to my dear Lord Oslaf.’

  Most of the warriors cheered. But Rufus noticed some moles clenching their paws and glaring down at the table. The Queen raised her paw for silence.

  ‘In my sister’s time, we worshipped the Lord of Light. But no longer! He is a weak and feeble god, fit only to be worshipped by mice! From now on, we shall worship a strong god. The god of the rats. The Sable Lord of Darkness!’

  Oh, you fool, thought Rufus. You don’t know what you’re doing!

  Rhiannon went on, ‘When we have seen the Sable Lord himself, and received his blessing, we shall leave these stinking tunnels and join the rats. Think of it, my warriors. A little fighting, a little blooding of our swords and axes, and all the riches of Aramon shall be ours!’

  The excited moles hammered their daggers on the tables. But they fell silent as Rhiannon took up the Chalice. Rufus now realized with horror just why she had wanted it. She would use it to summon the Sable Lord.

  Rhiannon’s eyes glittered as she raised the Chalice.

  ‘By earth and iron,

  Fire and water,

  Claw and tooth,

  Axe and sword -

  We the Mole-Kind call upon you:

  Reveal yourself, O, Sable Lord!’

  An icy wind swept round the Chamber. Every light, save one, went out. Rufus crept closer to the high table. He knew what was going to happen and waited, fearful and angry. What terrible madness had taken hold of Rhiannon? He had to take the Chalice now. He couldn’t risk leaving it for someone else to rescue.

  As the moles trembled in the darkness, a swirl of mist appeared above them. Inside it, something was moving; something that grew and took shape until suddenly it was revealed in all its horror.

  It was a huge mole, with blazing eyes, claws like daggers, and jaws that dripped with blood.

  Remembering the giant rat he had seen in Zagora’s castle, Rufus guessed that the Sable Lord had sent another Dark Angel, this time in the shape of the creature who had summoned him. Rufus wondered what the Sable Lord really looked like, but he pushed away the thought, for the dark god’s power was flooding the chamber. Rufus fixed his eyes on the Chalice and filled his mind with light.

  At the appearance of the great mole, the warriors had cried in terror and hidden their faces. But Rhiannon was gazing at the creature with shining eyes. ‘Give us strength to overcome the mice of Carminel!’ she cried. ‘Give us the Treasures of Aramon and take this treasure in exchange!’

  She raised the Chalice. The Dark Angel’s eyes gleamed in triumph as it reached out its claws.

  Rufus sprang forward. He to
re the Chalice from Rhiannon and sprinted down the Chamber. With a furious roar, the Dark Angel swept after him. Rufus felt it looming above him as he fled between the long tables towards the doorway. The guards were reaching out to stop him. The creature’s foul, hot breath blasted him, its cruel eyes were burning the back of his skull. Swinging round, Rufus hurled the Chalice with all his strength, straight at the Dark Angel’s head.

  A blinding light, a deafening roar and the creature vanished with a hideous smell of burning. Rhiannon was screeching with fury, Oslaf was lumbering down the Chamber. The Chalice had struck the roof and was falling straight into Rufus’s outstretched paws.

  ‘Stop him!’ screamed Rhiannon, but the guards at the door were still blinded by the searing light. Rufus dodged past them and dashed down the passage. Rhiannon’s screams rang in his ears, and the ground beneath his feet was shuddering as Oslaf and his moles pounded in pursuit.

  As Rufus fled, he wondered whether Wiglaff had managed to rescue Elana and the Queen. He hoped so. His only chance was to make for the fortress. Maybe he would be able to tunnel out. His paws were certainly stronger now, after all that digging for worms!

  He almost missed the turning. Skidding to a halt, he darted beneath the low arch and pelted up the slope, desperately trying to remember Wiglaff’s directions. He paused for breath. Though the shouting had faded, the earth still trembled to the pounding of feet. The vibrations seemed to surround him, and for a moment he pictured the labyrinth of the moles’ city, in which he might wander for ever . . .

  He pulled himself together. He felt again the tingling sensation as the power of the Chalice flowed into him. He smiled as he remembered how it had destroyed the Dark Angel and he wondered what it would do to the rats. Resolving to die rather than let it go again, Rufus plunged onwards into the darkness.

  At last, the tunnel ended, and he sensed another, much broader passage, stretching across his path. The Inner Ring-tunnel! But . . . which way must he go? Once again, the earth gave warning: the moles were closing in. Blindly he swung to the right, crashing into walls as the tunnel curved inwards, seeking the turning that would lead him to the fortress. The shouts seemed to be coming from in front as well as behind. He stopped, and tried to calm his gasping breath. His legs were trembling with exhaustion. He closed his eyes, willing himself to go on. When he opened them, he saw that the rim of the Chalice was faintly glowing, and there, to his left, was another passage.

  Rufus had lost all sense of direction. He dashed headlong into the new tunnel. As he ran, so the light from the Chalice gradually grew stronger, until he could see the tunnel walls, and the worms that crawled in and out of them. Suddenly the tunnel divided. Again, he sensed vibrations through the earth.

  Choosing a tunnel at random, Rufus dashed down it. But the light from the Chalice was fading, and he heard distant shouts ahead. He turned and fled back. He took the other tunnel and, as he stumbled and staggered, gasping for breath, the light from the Chalice grew brighter. At last, he was aware of an airy lightness above and around him. Small rushlights defined a cavern. Huddled together in the centre were Morganna and Elana.

  Rufus had missed Elana so badly that for a moment he could not believe that he had found her. She rushed into his arms, crying with relief. But even as he hugged her, and felt his own tears surging up, he knew he must not relax. Over by the wall there was a sudden scrabbling and a mole was running towards him. Rufus pushed Elana aside as he confronted this new danger.

  ‘Wiglaff!’

  ‘You made it!’ cried the little mole.

  ‘Just about,’ said Rufus. ‘But they’re after me. We must get out of here!’

  Wiglaff frowned and shook his head. ‘The Queen’s so weak she can’t dig. I’ve made a start, but the roof’s thicker than I thought.’ He scampered back to his tunnel. Rufus looked at Elana. She was thin, and her clothes, like his, were ragged and filthy. But her eyes were shining. Suddenly, Rufus heard the sound he had been dreading: shouts and running feet. Taking Elana’s paw, he stood protectively over the huddled figure of the Queen. Morganna was lying against a sort of stone altar. She looked up at Rufus. ‘My dear,’ she murmured faintly, ‘have you any water?’

  Rufus knelt beside her. ‘No. I’m sorry.’

  Suddenly, the Chalice felt heavy. He glanced down at it. It was full of wine. Greatly wondering, he held it to the Queen’s lips. Morganna drank. When she raised her head, a light had been rekindled in her eyes. ‘Thank you, Rufus. How good to see you again! I feel much better for that. But where is Wiglaff?’

  ‘Tunnelling out. He’ll be ready soon. Elana – listen!’

  The shouts were drawing nearer. Rufus yelled to Wiglaff to hurry. But there was no reply.

  ‘Oslaf is coming,’ said Morganna calmly. ‘I think we need some protection.’

  ‘Yes, but what?’ Rufus was staring at the entrance to the cavern. Any second now. . .

  ‘Well, you have the Chalice,’ said Morganna. ‘Now you need the Sword.’

  Suddenly, Rufus understood. ‘Elana! The poem! Remember? Under a fortress the Sword is concealed. This is the fortress!’

  Morganna was sharpening her claws against the stone altar. ‘The secret of the Sword is known only to the reigning monarch of this city. Lord Gideon was a friend of the Mould-Warp; one of his castles, an old tower, stands close by. When Gideon sensed his death was near, he entrusted his Sword to us. He believed that if Carminel were ever in danger, the Sword would be safer underground, where it would be found, at last, by the right mouse at the right time. Only the Lord of Light would have granted you the Chalice; I think he wants you to have the Sword also – and I hope you know how to use it.’

  So do I, thought Rufus. Morganna began to dig. But now the mice realized that there were many entrances to the fortress and each one was dimly outlined with torchlight as the moles closed in.

  ‘A little more of that wine, please,’ said Morganna. ‘Ah, that’s much better. Now we shan’t be long!’ The Chalice was gleaming brightly. The old mole scrabbled in the earth. Suddenly, she was still. ‘It’s gone!’

  From all round the cavern, the moles burst in. Oslaf strode over to Morganna and yanked her to her feet. Two warriors flung themselves on the mice. Rufus and Elana scratched and bit, struggled and kicked, but they could not break the grip of those mighty paws. Flanked by torch-bearing moles, Rhiannon swept into the fortress. At the sight of the Queen, she let out a peal of laughter.

  ‘Digging for Treasure, sister dear? Is this what you were looking for?’

  Morganna and the mice stared in dismay. Rhiannon was holding a magnificent, jewelled sword.

  17. The Sword of Gideon

  Bound and gagged, Rufus was hauled into the Council Chamber. In the dim rushlight, he could see Elana and Morganna in the same helpless state. Rhiannon sat enthroned, the great Sword at her waist, the Chalice at her feet. She was guarded by her warriors, and Oslaf towered at her side. Just in front of her stood a low chopping block.

  ‘Oslaf and I have been discussing your fate,’ she announced with a cruel smile. ‘The Sable Lord is angry, and must be appeased: only then will he give his blessing on our march to Aramon. So, our sister shall return to prison, where she will suffer death by starvation. Oh, sister dear, did you really think that I didn’t know about the Sword? You must be even more foolish than you look. The Sword will help us to victory! As for you, mice, you’ve been nothing but trouble since you arrived. You will die.’ She turned to one of her warriors. ‘Is your axe sharp? Good, get on with it then. Behead them both at the same time. That will be fun to watch!’

  Her peal of laughter echoed round the Chamber. But the mole was looking uncertain. ‘I don’t reckon as how we ought to, if it please your majesty. These mice are under the protection of the Lord of Light. Oh, I know we don’t worship him no more,’ he added hastily, seeing Rhiannon’s expression, ‘but he’s still mighty powerful, and – ’

  ‘Treason!’ screamed Rhiannon. ‘Blasphemy! Tie him up. He ca
n die with the mice.’

  Two warriors seized the mole, bound his paws and flung him down beside Rufus and Elana. He was whimpering with terror. ‘No, your majesty, please, no!’

  ‘Shut up! Oslaf, kill them all. The mice first, then that miserable mole.’

  Oslaf smiled and hefted his axe. At his signal, two warriors pushed the mice towards the chopping block. ‘Remove their gags,’ commanded Rhiannon. ‘It’ll be amusing to hear them beg for mercy.’

  As the filthy rag was torn from her mouth, Elana glared furiously at Rhiannon. ‘One day these moles will come to their senses and drive you out for ever!’ she snarled. ‘And that murderer beside you!’

  ‘Fat chance!’ Rhiannon laughed, and looked at Rufus. ‘Well, mouse?’

  Rufus looked at the beautiful face and its hard, gleaming eyes. ‘You can kill us if it amuses you. But you cannot put the Treasures to evil use. The Dark Angel could not bear the Chalice’s touch and the Sword will turn against you rather than let itself be used against the Mouse-Kind. As for Saraband – he’ll use you, then destroy you.’

  ‘Enough!’ Rhiannon was trembling with rage. ‘Go on, Oslaf, kill them! Kill them now!’

  Two warriors closed in and, untying the mice, forced them to their knees. They struggled to the last, even when they felt the rough wood of the chopping block against their necks. ‘Other mice will come and take the Treasures!’ yelled Rufus. ‘You’ll never be safe as long as you – ’

  ‘Kill them!’ screamed Rhiannon. The glittering blade swung up. Rufus glared at Olslaf and wondered why he suddenly looked so surprised. He flung himself and Elana out of the way of the falling axe as Oslaf collapsed with a terrible cry. The mice gazed round in astonishment and saw a mole standing in one of the entrances, holding a smoking pistol.

  ‘Wiglaff!’

  Suddenly, the Chamber was swarming with armed warriors. In their midst, his head bandaged, stood Rothgar.

  Rhiannon screamed. ‘You! I thought you were dead. Oslaf said – ’