Brian Jacques - Redwall #20 - Eulalia!

Firty ventured forth gingerly, registering his protest. "If 'twas Cap'n Vizka, 'e'd go first, I betcha!"

Codj pricked his tail with the sword. "Well, I ain't Cap'n Vizka, so move yerself, or I'll chop yer tail off!"

"Then Firty'd be a stumple like yew, haha!"

Codj wheeled on the party, who were shuffling behind him. "Who said dat?" He eyed the five blank-faced vermin sternly. "Cummon, own up, who's insultin' me be'ind me back, eh?" All five stayed silent, Codj waved his sword at them. "If'n somebeast don't talk soon, I'll make yez sorry. Now speak up, buckoes, who said it, eh?"

The standoff was broken by Firty's squeal.

Codj turned to see him standing at the edge of the ferns. "Worra yew skrikin' like an ole ratwife for?"

The small rat showed his muddy footpaws. "I ain't goin' in dere, it's all squelchy!"

One of the party, an old stoat, called out, "Wotjer mean, squelchy?"

Firty jabbed his paw furiously at the fern bed. "I mean squelchy enuff to sink ye down over yore ears!"

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Orkwil's impassioned plea was loud and clear now. "Oh take pity on me, kind sirs, help me, I beg ye!"

Jungo, a fat weasel, who possessed a single tooth, giggled. "Huhurrhurr! Sumone t'inks we're kind sirs, dat's nice!"

Codj silenced him with a glare, then issued orders. "Spread out, but don't go fallin' in de squelch. See who's makin' all dat noise!"

It was Jungo who found Orkwil. "It's an 'edgepig, 'e's stuck inna squelch, I kin see 'im. Over 'ere, mates. Huhuhurrr! A likkle 'edgepig!"

Codj was first to locate the spot where Jungo was calling from, he glared to and fro irately. "Where in de name o' blazes are ye?"

Orkwil's voice rang out hopefully. "I'm here, sir, in the swamp!"

Codj slashed angrily at the ferns with his sword.

"I'm not talkin to yew! Jungo, where are ye, oaf'ead?"

The slow-witted weasel's voice came from over Codj's head. "Hurrhurr, I'm up in dis big tree, I kin see de 'edgepig!"

The rest of the foraging party arrived at the alder. Codj beckoned upward with his blade.

"Gerrup dere, yew lot, an' don't come down wirrout dat 'edgepig, de cap'n'll wanna werd wid 'im!"

All of the Sea Raiders were skillful climbers. A solid tree was easier to scale than masts, spars and rigging on the open main. It did not take them long to lasso Orkwil with a length of rope. They heaved together, and he shot out of the ooze with a gurgle and a plop. The vermin swung him back and forth on the rope, releasing it when Orkwil was close to the alder trunk. He landed with a muddy squish, right next to Codj, who leapt aside, snarling, "Watch where yer splash dat squelch!"

The young hedgehog began unfastening the rope, which was noosed about his middle. "I'm sorry, sir, didn't mean to splash you. My name's Orkwil Prink, I've been stuck in that confounded swamp since last night. Thanks to you

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and your friends I'm safe now. Phew! I couldn't have lasted much longer in there, I can tell ye!"

The fox's footpaw stamped down on Orkwil's stomach, knocking the wind from him, and stopping him from untying the rope. Codj put his swordpoint to Orkwil's throat. "Gabby liddle 'edgepig, ain't yer? So then, Orful Stink, where do ya comes from, eh?"

The other vermin had descended from the tree, they laughed at Codj's little joke. It took Jungo a moment to catch on, then he guffawed appreciatively. "Huhurrhurr-hurr! Orful Stink, dat's a good 'un!"

The young hedgehog sighed. "That's twice in two days somebeast's not said my name right. It's Prink, not Stink. Orkwil, not Awful. Orkwil Prink, if y'please!"

Codj sneered, pricking his captive's throat with the swordpoint. "If y'please? Well, don't 'e talk pritty. I asked yew a question, Orful Stink, where do ya come from? Ye'd better speak afore I starts carvin' ya!"

Orkwil answered quickly. "I'm from Redwall Abbey, sir, but I was on a short trip, y'see, an' I wandered into that swa ..."

Codj hauled him upright sharply. "Redwall Abbey, eh, yore jus' the bucko we're lookin' for. Vizka'll want to talk wid yew! Lash 'im up good an' fetch 'im along, mates!"

Orkwil knew it would do no good to protest, the vermin looked like a primitive and murderous crew. Moments later he was bound by all paws to a spearpole, and carried off, swinging upside down between two weasels.

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11

It was dusk by the time they arrived back aboard the Bludgullet. Vizka Longtooth cast a glance at the mudcaked young hedgehog, who was trussed to the spearpole. He shook his head pityingly at his younger brother. "Dat's der queerest kind o' vittles I've seen in a while. Wot d'yer want luggin' dat filthy 'edgepig aboard of a nice ship like dis?"

Codj flourished his sword, pointing it at Orkwil. "Jus' guess where dis 'edgepig comes from."

The golden fox wrinkled his nose. "A swamp by the smell of 'im!"

Codj nodded. "Aye, dat's where we found 'im, but do yew know where 'e lives, eh?"

Vizka stared levelly at his brother and smiled. It was that dangerous smile, which Codj had come to know so well. Vizka reached for Gorath's pitchfork. "I'm gittin' tired o' yore liddle games. Tell me, afore I does sumthin' I'll be sorry for later. Where does 'e live?"

Codj answered promptly. "Redwall Abbey!"

Vizka flung the pitchfork, it stuck deep into the mast, quivering. Grabbing his brother in a hearty embrace, Vizka pounded his back soundly. "At last ye've done summat right, Codj! Haharr, strike me anchor an' gut me grandpa,

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a beast wot actually comes from Redwall Abbey? I knowed dat place was real, I jus' knowed it!"

Bending down, Vizka brought his face level with the captive. "Wot's yer name, liddle muddy matey?"

The young hedgehog replied wearily, "Orkwil Prink, sir."

The golden fox threw back his head, roaring with laughter. "Haharrharrharrr! It suits yer well, Orful Stink! D'ye hear that, mates, the 'edgepig's called Orful Stink!"

The crew laughed dutifully, nobeast dared not to, even Codj. Orkwil closed his eyes resignedly, not even bothering to correct his captor.

Vizka signalled to Bilger. "Sluice 'im down an' clean 'im up, get rid of Orful's Stink. Hahaharrr, that's a good 'un, eh!"

The pails of river water which splashed over Orkwil were both clean and refreshing, he even managed to catch a swift drink. Vizka smiled his famous deadly smile, the long fangs protruding.

"Now lissen, mate, me'n my crew wants ter pay yore Abbey a nice liddle visit. But we don't knows 'ow t'get there. Ye looks like a sensible young 'edgepig, so yew tell me 'ow, an' I'll take yore werd fer it, eh?"

Orkwil shut both eyes tight and clenched his teeth. The very idea of this barbarian fox and his evil crew going to Redwall did not bear thinking about. Though he was cringing with fear inside, Orkwil decided that no matter what happened to him, he would not divulge the location of the Abbey, which had suddenly become so dear to him it meant more than life itself.

Codj prodded the captive with his sword. "Ye'd better tell der cap'n wot 'e wants t'know, or yer name'll be Orful Sorry."

Nobeast laughed at Codj's pun.

Vizka smiled, stroking his two long fangs as he viewed Orkwil's show of resistance. "Lissen, 'edgepig, I knows yer

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can 'ear me. Tomorrer morn I'm gonna git the galley fire burnin', good an' 'ot, an' I'm gonna stick a spit over it. Now I ain't sayin' no more, I'll jus' leave ye for de night, to t'ink about wot I'll do to yer. Never fear, by der time Longtooth's done wid ya, yore name'll be Orful 'elpful. Haharr, 'ow about dat, mates, Orful 'elpful?"

The Bludgullet's crew laughed obediently once more, even Jungo, who had not understood his captain's joke.

Vizka issued orders to his brother. "Cut 'im loose, an' chain 'im next to Rock'ead fer the night. Wake me early tomorrer, d'ye hear? Oh, an' keep an eye on our 'edgepig through the night."