Brian Jacques - Redwall #22 - The Sable Quean

Buckler clapped his friend's back soundly. "That's great news, Diggs--we couldn't have asked for better. Ahoy, down there, Trajidia, run an' give the word to the ladies, your mum, Jango's wife, Furm, an' Clarinna. Tell them the babes are safe an' well!"

Diggs interrupted. "I say, Traji, ole gel, don't forget to report who it was that saved 'em--meself an' this fine badgermaid, Ambry. Any rewards in the shape of vittles by the cartload will be acceptable, wot!"

Trajidia skipped off blithely, shouting the news to all. "Rejoice, rejoice! Our lost infants are found and will soon be restored to their beloved kinbeasts! They will sleep in their own little beds once again!"

Some of the vermin had clambered out of the ditch and scrambled back to report the disaster to Fallug. The weasel whom he had promoted to captain, Grakk, shook his head.

"Zwilt ain't goin' t'like this, Chief!"

Fallug peered across at the ram. It lay at an odd angle, its point dipping down into the ditch. "I knows wot Zwilt ain't goin' t'like. Can't ye lift it over that ditch?"

Grakk shook his head. "We could if'n we wasn't under attack, Chief, but every time we shows our faces out in the

349

open, we takes a right poundin' off those beasts on the walltop. An' another thing--have ye seen the pile o' rubble they've tipped in front o' the gate? Take my word, it'd take us ten seasons to try an' charge a ram through that liddle lot! So, wot's yore orders, Chief? Wot d'we do now?"

Fallug sat on the ground scratching at his tail. Zwilt's plan had fallen flat, and he would either have to find a solution or answer to Zwilt on his return. Irately, he stalled for time. "Gimme time t'think up a plan, will ye. I don't like bein' rushed!"

Grakk shrugged. "Alright, but wot do I tell all these Ravagers t'do while yore thinkin', Chief?"

A sudden ghost of an idea flashed into Fallug's head. "Call the ram crews off. Tell 'em to join up with the slingers an' archers. Don't stop attackin', keep the Redwallers' 'eads down, pepper the walltop an' don't stop. Once it goes dark, we'll make our move."

Grakk smiled slyly. "An' wot'll that be, Chief?" Fallug leapt up, shaking with temper. "It ain't none o' yore business. You just carry out orders, see!"

Zwilt and his four Ravagers had concealed themselves in the deserted orchard. The tall sable knew he could not make a move until the attack, and the battering ram, were fully underway. Chewing on a near-ripe russet apple, he watched from a spot where he could see the defenders on the west wall. They were all able-looking beasts. Two hares, two big hedgehogs, a brawny otter and a fair number of armed Guosim shrews and Abbeybeasts. Added to that was a solid-looking mole armed with a war hammer and, finally, the huge young badger. Anybeast with only four at his command would be committing suicide going against such odds. However, Zwilt was growing impatient. He flung the half-eaten apple from him. What were Fallug and all those other Ravagers up to? Why could he not hear the booming thuds of a battering ram pounding the Abbey gates? Had something gone amiss with his plan?

350

The tall sable turned to his vermin escort, explaining his next move, to avoid any mistakes. "Listen carefully. I need to know what's happening on the other side of the west wall. The only way I see of doing that is to get inside the Abbey. I can look out one of those high windows. From there I'll be able to judge what's happening at the main gate. You four follow me. There should be hardly anybeast inside--they're all out on the walls--but we'll take no chances. Go quietly, keep your eyes open and guard my back."

Avoiding the front door of the Abbey building, they explored the south side, where Zwilt found a window with its shutters open. Judging by the mouthwatering aromas emanating from it, this could be only one place, the kitchens. Nobeast seemed to be in attendance. It was the work of a moment for all five creatures to slip inside.

Even in the present situation, it was far too tempting to ignore the food laid out there. Realising how hungry he was, Zwilt posted one of his Ravagers at the door. He fell on the food like a wild beast, as did his escort. Pasties, bread, pies and scones, still warm from the ovens, were laid out to cool on the worktops. With scant regard for choice, they grabbed anything at random, cramming their mouths full, spitting out what they could not gulp down, moving from one thing to another, knocking over platters and trays of food.

Fazdim, a river rat, upended a flask of blackberry wine, gurgling gleefully as it splashed over his chin, staining his lean chest. "Be plenty more o' this good stuff when this place is ours, eh, Lord?"

Zwilt snatched the wine from him, throwing up a cautionary paw. "Hush! What was that?"

The rat Zwilt had left guarding the kitchen door, tip-pawed back to make his report. "Lord, it's somebeasts singin' an' dancin' out there!"

Zwilt tasted the blackberry wine, nodding his approval. "Let them sing and dance. What harm can that do? Fazdim,

351

you take a turn guarding the door, but get me some of this wine first. I'll have to wait here until the coast is clear, then I'll go upstairs."

Though he would not admit it openly the tall sable was enjoying his first taste of Redwall fare. He wanted more.

Out in Great Hall, Trajidia had delivered the joyous news to the ladies. They began singing and dancing with happiness, knowing the babes were alive and safe. The transformation in Clarinna was remarkable. She joined in with the celebrations immediately. Friar Soogum and his kitchen helpers provided the music, singing lustily as they drummed on an assortment of upturned pots and bowls. A molemaid scraped away on a small fiddle as the dancers threw up their paws, laughing and jigging gleefully to the jolly song.

"Oh, whoopsy doo, one two three, happy jolly beasts are we, clap your paws, three four five, what a day to be alive!

"The sun never shone so warm and bright, my paws never felt so free and light, good news never was so comforting, whirl around, my friend, let's sing.

"Oh, deedle doo, and doodle die, no more tears from you or I, kick those paws up in the air, joy and bliss be everywhere!

"Our hearts are filled with joy and cheer, goodbye to anguish, grief and fear, whirl me round now, tralalaa, raise your voice and shout hurrah!"

352

29

Vilaya stayed close to the north wall, making her way through the woodlands. She had removed the bloodstained rag from her brow, cleaned up her soil-stained face and donned her silken cloak. She was once again the Sable Quean.

The fight was going back and forth twixt the ramparts and the flatlands further down. Nobeast noticed as she crossed the path and slid into the ditch. She strode slowly and regally toward the useless battering ram. The Ravagers knew she was dead--had they not seen it with their own eyes? Zwilt the Shade had slain her with his broadsword. With Zwilt somewhere inside the Abbey and the vermin army being run by mere minions, it was high time for the resurrection of their real leader, the Sable Quean.

The recently appointed Captain Grakk was issuing orders to the ram bearers, who were taking cover beneath the bough and leaf canopy in the ditchbed. Using his spearhaft none too gently, Grakk routed the vermin out.

"Leave this ram, now. Git yoreselves outta there! Boss Fallug needs all of ye to attack the walltop. Move, ye worthless bunch, come on, shift yoreselves! Hah, fancy droppin' a batterin' ram into a ditch after all the 'ard work

353

we put in makin' it, eh? Leave it there. Boss Fallug says he's got plans fer it once it goes dark!"

The Ravagers were starting to scramble from the ditch when one, a stoat, fell backward. His paw was pointing, and his face a mask of fear as he wailed, "Waaaaaahhhhh! Eeeeeeyaaaah!"