Brian Jacques - Redwall #22 - The Sable Quean

The young hare picked up a slice of greengage tart.

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"Well, if he doesn't, I'll wager he's at least three leagues away, the great lard barrel!"

Clarinna passed a long cheese'n'hazelnut roll to Ambrevina. "It was kind of you to say you'd accompany Buckler and me tomorrow. Thank you so much!"

The badgermaid accepted the offering with a nod. "I've seen your babes, marm, Calla and Urfa. Two charming little creatures. I can see why you wish dearly to be reunited with them. My pleasure!"

Baby Dubdub sprayed crumbs about as he spoke through a mouthful of honeyed scone. "My pleasure! My pleasure!"

Oakheart beamed over the rim of his October Ale tankard. "The babe's learnin', Dymphnia. Did y'hear that? A real actor in the makin', a true Witherspyk!"

His wife brushed crumbs from her apron, then wiped Dubdub's face with a corner of it. "Indeed, Oakie. I just wish he wouldn't practice his lines at mealtimes."

Jango speared a hunk of cheese with his blade. "I'll come along with ye on the morrow, Buck, just for a walk, chance to stretch me paws, eh!"

Flib was over her war shock now. She winked at Jango. "An' I'll toddle along with ya, Pa, t'make sure ye don't get into any trouble!"

Axtel had joined the molecrew in seeing off a huge cauldron of the mole's speciality, deeper'n'ever'turnip'-n'tater'n'beetroot pie. He held up a piece in his paw. "Oi'll goo with ee, zurr'n'marms. Thurr may bee's vurmints a-lurkin' in ee wuddlands. Oi'll give 'em ole billy oh!"

Marjoram put on a face of mock despair, managing a wail. "If any other beast volunteers to go, there'll only be me left behind here!"

Friar Soogum poured a tiny crystal goblet of elderberry wine. "Here, marm, drink this--you'll feel better. Don't fret, marm. I'll stay here with ye. I'll make a special liddle supper, just for me'n'you. We'll sit up in the belltower an' share it. Oh, an' more o' this fine wine, eh!"

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Trajidia Witherspyk fluttered her eyelashes at the Friar. "I never said I was deserting this beautiful Abbey. Will you find room for a young un like me at your table, oh, kind and handsome Friar, sir?"

All those who heard Soogum mention the special supper suddenly expressed a fervent desire to remain at Redwall.

"Er, me, too, please, could I come?"

"Hurr, an' oi h'also. Oi carn't walk too furr wi' moi paws!"

"An' can I bring a few of the Dibbuns? They'd enjoy a treat, bless their liddle paws!"

'I'd like t'come, too, but only t'keep an eye on the babes!"

Marjoram waved her paws, miming alarm. "Stop, stop. We'll never get you all into one bell tower!"

In the softly lit orchard, the sound of woodlanders laughing drifted up to the starry night sky which had now cloaked Mossflower.

It was high noon of the following day. The sun hung like a burnished gold medallion in the cloudless sky. Abbess Marjoram was on the path outside the newly cleared west gate. Other Redwallers were with her to wish a hearty goodbye to the travelling party. Friar Soogum and his kitchen helpers fussed around the group, passing out haversacks of food and drink.

The good Friar's constant worry in life was that anybeast would not have enough to eat. He pressed a further package upon an already overloaded Clarinna. "Just some dainties, candied chestnuts an' crystallised fruits, for your little uns, marm. Oh, an' I slipped in two small flasks of best pear cider--babes always like that."

The Abbess was forced to intercede on behalf of those leaving the Abbey. "Friar, you've provisioned them handsomely, but that's quite enough now. Any more and they won't be able to move. Buckler, are you ready to go?"

Adjusting the shoulder straps of a huge haversack,

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the young hare managed a quick salute. "Ready marm! Ambry Axtel, Jango, let's march!"

With Buckler and Clarinna following Ambrevina, and an escort of twenty Guosim backed up by Jango, Axtel and Flib, the column moved out, going south down the path. The remaining Redwallers cheered them on their journey.

Skipper shouted out, "Come on, Buck, mate, get 'em goin' with one o' yore Long Patrol marchin' songs!"

Buckler promptly obliged with an old parade-ground air, which could be speeded up or slowed down to accommodate the marchers. They soon picked up the rhythm, as it was not a difficult song.

"Y'place yore left footpaw in front o' yore right footpaw, then y'do it over'n over'n over again!

Remember, left right, left right, chin up high an' eyes bright, don't fret about the sun, the wind or rain.

Keep those ranks good an' straight, don't tread on yore matey's paws, or he might just turn around, kick yore tail an' tread on yores!

So place yore left footpaw, in front o' yore right footpaw, then do it over'n over'n over again!

Remember, left right, left right, never argue, never fight, keep goin' 'til you think you've gone insane!"

Axtel wound a spotted kerchief around his mouth.

"H'it bee's ruther dusty marchin' at ee back!"

Once they were out of sight from the Abbey, Ambrevina turned off into the woodland. Buckler shepherded them across the ditch, patting backs and mouthing words of encouragement.

"Well done, mates, a nice little walk so far, eh?"

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Unused to his parade-ground pace, they were all quite breathless. Flib was heard to mutter, "Huh, a nice liddle walk fer you, y'great lankypaws!"

Buckler glared at the shrewmaid. "What was that, miss?"

Axtel, who had grown rather fond of Flib, placed a heavy digging claw on her shoulder. "She'm just sayin', zurr, that moi ole h'injured paw b'aint wurkin' vury gudd."

Buckler's attitude changed instantly. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, friend. Right, we'll rest an' take a spot o' lunch in the woodlands. Pass the word along, Jango."

It was pleasant, being off the dusty open path on such a hot summer's day. The wood of Mossflower provided lots of cool, green shade. Buckler chose a spot beneath an old crack willow on a tiny streambank. Everybeast sat with their footpaws in the muddy shallows as Clarinna distributed food.

Buckler winked at Jango as they watched their crew. "Just look at 'em. You'd think they'd been on a season-long slog. Have you ever seen anythin' like it?"

The Guosim Log a Log plumped down on the bank, squidging his footpaws into the mud. "Whaaaaaw! That's better. Pass me that ale flagon, Sniffy." He held out a paw, looking around. "Sniffy? Where's that beast got to--who's seen ole Sniffy?"

Ambrevina sighted the Tracker coming through some bushes.

Jango found the ale and took a swig. "Where've ye been, Sniff? Siddown an' git some lunch."

The Guosim Tracker beckoned to the east. "Just scoutin' o'er thataway, Chief. Beggin' yore pardon for disturbin' yore lunch, but there's somebeasts there."

Buckler was at his side, blade drawn. "Whatbeasts? Where?"

Sniffy went into his customary crouch, reentering the bushes. "Foller me an' I'll show ye."

Buckler went after the Tracker, with Jango, Flib and Am

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brevina in his wake. Sniffy could mutter out of the side of his mouth quite well. He kept up a running commentary as Buckler caught up to his side.

"Don't know wot t'make of it, Chief. There I was, a-nosin' through the shrubbery, when I 'ears 'em. Voices, sounded like they was arguin', then they started laughin'. I never saw 'em, though, sounded like too many beasts fer me t'be spotted by. So back I comes to report to ye. Hah, afore I was outta earshot, I 'eard 'em singin'. Stop! 'Earken, mates, there they go agin! Can ye 'ear them, Chief?"

They halted suddenly. Jango and Ambrevina ran into their backs. The Guosim Log a Log almost got Sniffy in the rear with his drawn rapier. He whispered, "Aye aye, wot's the holdup?"

Buckler stifled him with a paw. "Listen!"

Somebeast was singing lustily, with shrill voices joining in discordantly.