‘Too many of those confounded rats in Southsward now. I got back from me campaignin’ an’ travellin’ too late, the bally place is swarmin’ with ’em. That lot today aren’t the only ones I’ve run into, I’ve seen patrols everywhere. Now Furpp tells me that me old friends Gael Squirrelking an’ his good ladywife had the very throne pulled out from under ’em by invaders an’ villains. Couple of foxbeasts, I hear, one’s said to be half wolf. Tchah! The ruffian’ll be half dead if he ever crosses my trail. Actually I was on me way to Castle Floret with the squad when I bumped into you chaps. What d’ye say, care to join us?’
Mariel exchanged a grim nod with Dandin before answering, ‘We’re with you! After what we saw today of those filthy rats, Dandin and I are game for anything that will rid the land of them and their evil kind!’
‘B’aint that easy zurrs,’ said Furpp Straightfurrer, shaking his head. ‘You’m oanly see’d but a few of Foxenwolfer’s ’orde. Gurt boatloads of ee vurmints came to this land, more’n ee leaves in autumn winds. Ho urr, they’m be too aplenty furr the loikes of us’n’s to cope wi’.’
Meldrum the Magnificent sniffed as he twirled his waxed mustachios. ‘Balderdash! Quality counts, old lad, not quantity, proved it meself many a time. What d’you think these medals are for, cleanin’ me porridge bowl an’ goin’ to bed early?’
‘Not so hasty, Meldrum,’ Dandin spoke up on Furpp’s side. ‘Dashing deeds and dead heroes would be a sad fact in the face of a horde such as our friend Furpp described. Mayhap we should be a bit careful and take a closer look before rushing madly in.’
‘Indeed!’ Meldrum said, wiggling his ears huffily. ‘Took the very words out o’ me mouth, young feller. Proceed with extreme caution, then wallop ’em when the time’s ripe, that’s what I always say!’
Mariel could see Meldrum was in a touchy mood. She ended the meeting by yawning and stretching. ‘I suggest we sleep on it, we’re all tired and need a rest.’
Meldrum loosened off his tunic buttons. ‘Of course, tucker first, shuteye next, then action! Eat, sleep ’n’ fight in that order, always been me motto. Glad I thought of it, wot?’
Suppressing a giggle Mariel lay down, saying, ‘I don’t know where we’d be without your wise counsel, sir.’
Meldrum peered hard at her in the darkness. ‘Tell you somethin’ else, missie. Better off sleepin’ out here under the stars, wot? Dreadful fellers for snorin’ these moles, an’ those young neph, er, troops of mine, sound like a pack of hogs in a truffle patch. Advise beddin’ down outside, earth for y’bed, sky for a blanket an’ all that. Capital stuff!’
Dandin yawned and closed his eyes. ‘We’ll take your word for it, Meldrum.’
The old hare hit the ground with a resounding thud, nestling his head into a grass tussock. ‘Sensible creature, I can see we’re goin’ to get on well t’gether. G’night chaps!’
He was instantly asleep. After suffering an hour of his stentorian snores, Mariel, Dandin and Furpp crept around to the other side of the hill. The old mole stuffed grass into his ears as he commented, ‘Hurr, oi c’n ’ear Meldum a snoren from yurr, ee could win a gurt fat medal furr snorin’, that’n be a champiun, burr aye!’
Dandin drifted off to sleep, wondering how his old friend Saxtus was coping as Abbot of Redwall, and his companions, Durry, Rufe and the other good Abbey comrades, Mother Mellus and Simeon. Were they still well and happy, enjoying a long peaceful Mossflower summer? A wave of longing for his old home swept over him. What was he doing here, four seasons away from the Abbey he had been brought up in, going off to fight some other beasts’ war? Then he thought of Mariel, the truest mousemaid he had ever stood alongside, through thick and thin over many adventures, trekking, eating, thinking and fighting together in all manner of strange places, making new friends and fighting many enemies.
A smile passed across the face of the sleeping mouse warrior. This was the life, he would not have had it any other way.
7
CANDLES CAST THEIR warm flickering glow over the tables, sending long shadows into the corners of Great Hall. Father Abbot Saxtus dipped his quill pen in the ink; a long bark parchment lay on the table before him. Though the night was late, his duties as Recorder were required. Every Redwaller sat silent, the food at table forgotten, as Joseph the Bellmaker stood to relate his dream of the previous night. The words sprang unbidden to his lips.
‘All day I have been struggling to recall the message Martin the Warrior gave to me as I slept, but I could remember nothing until now. So friends, I will tell you about the dream as it happened.
‘Martin guided my mind through a far country. It looked peaceful and warm, but I could feel fear, the fear of the creatures who live there. I also felt the presence of evil, a shadow loomed, like that of a big animal, a large fox maybe, or even a wolf! Then I heard Martin speak.
“Birds of doth that fly o’er water,
Guide trees of the forest through the sea,
Where a snake begins, find thy daughter,
Go now, turn thou, due to my plea.”’
Joseph paused. The only sound to be heard was the scratch of Saxtus’s pen, who then said, ‘Thank you, Joseph, I’ve got that. Is there more?’
The Bellmaker continued to narrate what he had dreamed. ‘Oh yes, there is much more. Martin faded from my mind and I saw Mariel and Dandin, as clear as I can see you, my friends. They were repeating a verse together.
“Five will ride the Roaringburn,
But only four will e’er return.
Urgan sits in Gael’s Royal House,
Warriormaid and Warriormouse,
Say hasten, and give aid.”’
Immediately a murmur arose from the assembled Redwallers.
‘Five are to go, which five?’
‘The rhyme never said?’
‘Aye, but only four will come back, that’s what he said!’
Simeon’s stick rapped the tabletop sharply. ‘Silence, please, friends!’ he said. ‘You must wait until Joseph has finished speaking.’
The Bellmaker bowed slightly to the blind Herbalist. ‘Thank you, Simeon, I have not much more to say now. My dream ended with many images, swirling water, flames, the sounds of battle, and above all the voice of Martin calling aloud.
“Bellringer who’d love to stay,
Go! With cellarhog, I say,
Laughing flow’r with eye of hawk,
Digger who would rather walk,
Fathermouse with beard of grey,
Five from Redwall go, away!”
Saxtus stopped writing and looked over his spectacles. ‘There! I feel that you have finished, Bellmaker?’
‘I can remember no more, Father Abbot!’ said Joseph as he took his seat. He looked tired.
Tarquin L. Woodsorrel loaded up his platter with salad and a mushroom turnover, then, pouring himself a beaker of October Ale he smiled brightly, and said, ‘Righty ho! Well done sir! Now let’s get down to solving the mystery an’ unravellin’ those riddles, wot?’
Mother Mellus shook her grizzled head. ‘You’d stay up all night as long as there was food on the table, wouldn’t you?’
‘Mmf snnch glomff, ’scuse me!’ the gluttonous hare spoke around a mouthful of food. ‘An’ what’s wrong with that may I ask, chap needs his nosebag y’know!’
Sister Sage wagged a reproving paw at him. ‘Can’t you see Joseph is tired, Father Abbot too? No consideration for otherbeasts, that’s your trouble!’
Simeon could not help smiling as he tapped gently on the table with his stick. ‘Now now, I think we are all tired, the hour grows late. Perhaps it would be best if we slept on Joseph’s words.’
‘Wise counsel my friend,’ said Saxtus, seconding Simeon’s suggestion. ‘Tomorrow our minds will be refreshed, when we have had rest and time to think.’
The Redwallers rose from their seats in a body, all save Tarquin, who carried on with his extended dinner. His wife, the Hon Rosie, ruffled his ears fondly. ‘You carry on old lad, save a lot of
clearing up, wot?’
Tarquin rescued the remains of a heavy fruit cake. ‘Thank you, m’dear, beautiful and jolly understandin’ too, made a wise decision when I chose you. Snch grmff mmm! Must’ve had a good meal before I met you, eh!’
Rosie allowed Simeon to lean on her paw as they went upstairs to the dormitories. ‘That’s my Tarkers for you, always payin’ me compliments,’ she said. ‘Er, that was a compliment, wasn’t it?’
Dawn was up and a beaming sun was drying the dew from lawn and orchard. It promised the Abbey dwellers another fine, long summer day. Breakfast was a picnic affair, set out on the west wallsteps by the main gate. Brother Fingle and Durry Quill set hot apple scones and cool mint tea on the grass at the foot of the steps. Sister Sage and Brother Mallen wheeled a trolley up the path, its small log wheels almost buckling under the weight of bowls piled with fresh fruit salad. They were surrounded by whooping Dibbuns. Sage waved a ladle threatening the little invaders and they dodged around, grabbing a slice of the fresh cut fruit whenever chance presented itself.
Mother Mellus intervened. ‘Get out of it, you scamps! Listen, if you all go up on the wall and guard the battlements I’ll have breakfast sent up to you. How does that sound?’
A mousebabe thought for a moment, narrowing his eyes fiercely as he weighed the proposition. ‘Wanna lotta brekkist, it be ’ard work up there!’
A deal was struck and the Dibbuns fled, yelling warcries, to the west walltop. Brother Mallen shook with laughter. ‘Guard the wall? Hahaha! They’d have to get ladders to see over the battlements!’
Saxtus sat on the grass with his back to the wall, nothing the excited faces of those around him.
‘Well, good morning, Redwallers, I see that some of you have already solved a puzzle or two. No doubt you may know the names of the five whom Martin chose.’
Durry Quill came dashing up and, throwing himself flat, he kicked all four paws in the air. ‘Me! Me! I’m the cellarhog in the rhyme, I’m goin’!’
Joseph merely smiled and shrugged. ‘Me too, unless there’s another Fathermouse with beard of grey in our Abbey.’
Mellus ambled up and sat beside him. ‘Nobeast has more right to go than you, Bellmaker, your daughter is one of the two all the fuss is about,’ she said. ‘I only wish I were spry and young enough to go with you, I’d seek out Dandin. I brought that young rogue up from the time he was a Dibbun, huh, I’d still scrub his ears if he were here today. Rufe Brush, what’s wrong?’ Mellus had been watching the young squirrel closely.
Rufe blinked back a tear which was threatening to fall. ‘Bellringer who’d love to stay’, couldn’t be nobeast but me, could it? I’ve never been outside of Redwall, really, don’t want to either, the Abbey’s my home an’ I love it here.’
Durry threw a comforting paw around his friend. ‘Cheer up, Rufey, it’ll be a great adventure. I’ve been on adventures before, you’ll enjoy it. I’m your matey, ain’t I? We’ll stick together, me’n you. Rufe’n’Durry, Durry’n’Rufe, eh!’
The young squirrel scrubbed a paw across his eyes and sat close to Durry. ‘And we’ll come back home to Redwall together, too!’
Mellus turned her attentions to Foremole. He was shaking his velvety head to and fro, murmuring to himself, ‘Ho urr, lack a day, zurr Marthen ee said oi’m t’ go.’
Joseph looked with surprise at the mole. ‘Of course! Digger who would rather walk, that’s you!’
Foremole continued shaking his head. ‘Oi wishes et wurrn’t, zurr. We’m be goin’ aboard a boat, oi feels et in moi diggen claws. Bohurr, oi’d rather walk anywhurrs than sail on ee boat, oi’m gurtly afeared o’ drownen. But if Marthen says et, then oi’m bound t’ go!’
Joseph smiled as he took the heavy digging claw Foremole extended to him. ‘Bravely said, we will need your logic and strength. Now, I wonder who the fifth one is, laughing flower with eye of hawk. Perhaps it is Treerose?’
Oak Tom’s pretty wife shook her head. ‘Not me. But I can tell you who I think it is, watch!’ She crept over to the bottom step where Hon Rosie was sitting. Stealing up behind her, Treerose tickled the hare’s long eartips. Rosie exploded. ‘Whoohahahooh! I say, stoppit! Whoohahahooh!’
Treerose stopped. ‘There she is, Rose Woodsorrel, the laughing flower! Though I don’t know about her having an eye like a hawk.’
Hon Rosie stiffened her ears indignantly. ‘Eye of hawk? Hawkeye! I say, that’s what old Colonel Clary used to call me when I was in the Long Patrol. I’m absolutely top hole with any sort of weapon y’know, bow’n’arrows, slings, javelins, hit anythin’ you name. Dead on target, first time!’
Recognition suddenly dawned on Rosie and she burst out afresh. ‘Whoohahahooh! Oh I say, the thingummy, the rhyme, it meant me! What a wheeze, you chaps, I’m goin’ with you!’
Rosie’s husband Tarquin drew himself up huffily. ‘Steady on there, old gel! Do I take it that you intend swannin’ off an’ leavin’ me here with our young uns?’
Rosie was an excellent mother and she loved Tarquin dearly. But being caught up in the throes of an adventure appealed to her wild spirit. ‘Got to do what Martin the bally Warrior commands, old lad!’ She saw Tarquin’s ears droop miserably and relented. ‘But if you’re against it m’dear, then I won’t go!’
Knowing both hares well, Joseph came up with a ploy. ‘You’re right Tarquin, here at Redwall with the young ones and your goodself, that’s the proper place for Rosie! Of course, this changes everything. I was thinking of giving my duties as menu setter and food taster to you, Tarquin. Mellus would look after your young leverets, give them a bit of Abbey schooling, they’d make friends and get a good education. Right, Mellus?’
The badger caught Joseph’s wink and agreed. ‘Indeed it is. Oh, then there’s also the temporary Cellarkeeper’s duties. I’m sure Durry needs some reliable beast to check on all his cellar stock. October Ale, strawberry fizz, got to be tasted each day and kept at the right temperature. Isn’t that right, Durry?’
The hedgehog caught on to the ruse and he nodded firmly. ‘Need somebeast with a good stomach for samplin’ an’ checkin’. Cellar should be cool’n’quiet in the summer.’
Tarquin L. Woodsorrel set his jaw in a decisive jut. ‘Who said you couldn’t go m’dear, eh? Show me the curmudgeon an’ I’ll give him two pieces of me mind! Our young uns need schoolin’, never hurt anybeast. Now not another blinkin’ word, Rosie, you’re goin’! Oh I know it’s a jolly hard sacrifice, but I’ll stay right here. Samplin’ ale’n’cordial, tastin’ grub an’ makin’ menus. Don’t you fret, my beautiful gigglin’ blossom, I’ll keep m’self busy. You nip off, the break’ll do you good!’
Laughter and applause greeted Tarquin’s noble offer.
Saxtus tapped the parchment whereon he had recorded all.
‘Listen to this and see if anybeast can make it clear.
Birds of cloth that fly o’er water,
Guide trees of the forest through the sea . . .’
Simeon interrupted the poem. ‘I solved that last night – it’s simple to a blind one who has had to have things described to him all his life. Trees of the forest going through the sea – that’s a ship; the white birds of cloth are its sails, they guide and propel the ship through water.’
Joseph shook his head in admiration. ‘Well done, Simeon! Read the other two lines, Saxtus.’
‘Where a snake begins, find thy daughter,
Go now, turn thou, due to my plea.’
The Abbot looked at the Bellmaker. ‘Turn thou Joseph!’
Joseph did as he was bid; standing up, he turned around. ‘Done that, now what do I do?’
Simeon shook with silent laughter. The Abbot glared in his direction. ‘This is no laughing matter, my friend!’
The blind mouse took a little time to compose himself. ‘Sorry Saxtus, but I did hear Joseph actually stand and turn then, that’s what I was laughing at. You’ve got it all wrong, the rhyme means that you turn the word thou.’
Saxtus thought about it for a m
oment, then he tried. ‘Uoth! What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘Try turning it a bit more, switch the letters O and U around.’
‘Outh? Still means nothing?’
Simeon took a sip of his mint tea. ‘It won’t until you find where a snake begins.’
The Abbot looked puzzled. ‘At its tail I suppose, that’s where all snakes begin.’
‘Oh really!’ the blind herbalist snorted impatiently. ‘I’m Simeon, that begins with S. You’re Saxtus, that begins with S. Now what does snake begin with? An S!’
Saxtus still looked blank. ‘I’m sorry Simeon, you’ve lost me. Could you explain it all?’
Simeon spoke in a slow and patient tone. ‘Put the letter S with the word outh and you have South. Due South! Martin is pleading with you to sail Due South!’
Saxtus swept the cup from Simeon’s paw and gave it to Rufe. ‘Mint tea is no fitting drink for a genius, Rufe – take this to the cellars and fill it with the finest old blackberry wine, for a blind mouse who can see further than anybeast in Redwall Abbey. Simeon, accept my humble congratulations!’
Long into the afternoon they laboured at the final verse, Joseph reading it over and over:
‘Five will ride the Roaringburn,
But only four will e’er return,
Urgan sits in Gael’s Royal House,
Warriormaid and Warriormouse,
Say hasten, and give aid.’
Rufe Brush repeated the second line. ‘But only four will e’er return? Will one of us die, Durry?’
The hedgehog shook his spiky head. ‘Pay it no ’eed Rufey, we’ll take care o’ each other. Besides, it may be a trick line, Martin the Warrior always says one thing an’ means another. Don’t you worry, mate.’
‘Durry’s right, no use wondering how a journey will finish before you start it,’ said Mellus, as she passed Rufe a cup of cider. ‘Warriormaid and Warriormouse must be Mariel and Dandin, as you said Joseph, and you must hasten and give aid to them. But what do the other lines mean?’
Hon Rosie gave a careless shrug. ‘Five riding the Roaringburn and Urgan sittin’ in Gael’s Royal House, wot? What’s a Roaringthingy and what’s an Urgan or a Gael, even if they do have a Royal bally House? We either know or we don’t, an’ take it from me, chaps, I certainly don’t! Never was much good in the brainbox department, but I’m frightened of nothin’. So why worry about it, eh?’
The Bellmaker Page 6
