Brian Jacques - Redwall #20 - Eulalia!

Gorath nodded. "Good for him, I know what it's like to be called names like stripedog, or stripehound. Were the vermin angry when he took you from them?"

Salixa replied in a matter-of-fact tone, "I recall asking him that same question. He told me never to mention those vermin, ever. Because he had sent them all to a place where they could never inflict their evil, anger or torment on any creature again."

Now it was Gorath's turn to glance back at the Tabura. He found it hard to believe that such a humble, mild-mannered creature could slay a vermin band. Then Gorath looked at Salixa, she was picking another small blossom. "Field gentian, see the little, star-shaped purple flower? The potion made from its roots is very good for wounds."

In that moment Gorath knew why the Tabura had done

274

what he did. He also knew that he would mete out the same fate to anybeast who harmed a single hair of the gentle badgermaid.

Osbil and some of his Guosim were on walltop patrol, he spied the three forms crossing the ditch below. "Show yoreselves an' be recognised, are ye friends or foebeasts?"

Gorath replied, "Log a Log Osbil, it's me, Gorath, and I have two friends with me."

Proud to be addressed by his recently inherited title, Log a Log Osbil detailed two of his shrews to admit the badgers. He called down in a loud whisper to Gorath, "Go round to the north wallgate, matey, we've got those Brownrats still camped south of us!"

Gorath and his friends were hurried inside by the Guosim. Abbot Daucus met them at the entrance to Great Hall.

"Gorath, they're out searching for you, come in and bring your friends. I'm afraid the news isn't good. Come into the kitchens, Friar Chondrus will fix you some supper. Then you can hear what's been going on."

The Friar served them a supper of vegetable soup and pasties, crisp from the oven. Gorath introduced his new friends as they enjoyed Redwall's delicious hospitality. When he heard the old badger's name, the Father Abbot was impressed.

"Welcome indeed, sir, most scholars know that the title Tabura is only bestowed on the wisest and most learned badgers. It is a great honour for us to have you as our guest, but what is the purpose of your visit to Redwall Abbey?"

The Tabura bowed courteously to the Abbot, his eyes twinkling. "Most scholars know very little about my title. It is a tribute to your knowledge of badger lore that you address me thus, Father Abbot. There are several reasons for my visit to your wonderful Abbey, not the least of them

275

being a desire to sample your good Friar's outstanding cooking."

Chondrus acknowledged the compliment with a radiant smile.

The badger took the Abbot's paw firmly. "I could tell by your face, when we first met, that you are beset with urgent problems of your own, Father. In the light of this, let us put aside my minor requests, and concentrate on your troubles. Explain them, and I will see what help three badgers can offer."

As the Abbot spoke, Gorath found his attention distracted by Salixa, who was listening intently to Abbot Daucus. Gorath was plainly enchanted by the first badgermaid he had ever met. Calmness and serenity seemed to radiate from this slender, sable-furred creature. She possessed the most gentle and compassionate eyes. The young badger was studying her so intently that he had forgotten all about his food.

Everybeast thought that the Tabura had fallen asleep, by the time Daucus had finished relating the current situation, but they held a respectful silence until the wise badger's eyes opened, and he spoke.

"It is late, you all have things to do. Go about your business, or off to your rest. Leave me here, I need to think. See to your own needs, friends, please."

Skipper felt concern for the Tabura. "But wot about yore own rest, sir? You ain't young no more, ye must be tired!"

The old one shook his head. "I have learned discipline of body and mind long ago. The murder of one of your beloved creatures, the theft of your precious sword. One, possibly two bands of foebeasts threatening Redwall, and the three outside your walls, friends, who may be in mortal danger. What are the problems of one old badger, when you have troubles enough at your door? Leave me now."

Abbot Daucus showed the Tabura downstairs to Cavern Hole. "Sit in the big armchair by the hearth, I'll see that

276

you aren't disturbed, friend. By the way, what problems, aside from ours, are on your mind?"

The Tabura patted the Abbot's paw, chuckling. "I care greatly for my ward, Salixa, as I am coming to do also for young Gorath. Did you not see them looking at each other? They are the sun and the moon, one is flame, the other is a calm lake. I know their fates are intertwined. I must see to it that no harm touches them, they are both very special creatures."

The Abbot recalled the looks that had passed between both young badgers. He smiled at the old one. "Surely you are the wisest creature that ever lived!"

The Tabura gave Daucus one of his rare smiles. "Or the most sentimental old fool. I bid you good night, Father. We will meet again as the sun rises."

277

29

Maudie, Rangval and Orkwil were strung up by their paws from the limb of a big sycamore, which grew at the edge of the camp. Their footpaws barely touched the ground. Four guards--two stoats, a weasel and a fat ferret--lounged against the sycamore trunk. Surprisingly, they had not been beaten or tormented by the Bludgullet's crew. Vizka and his vermin were lounging on the other side of the camp clearing, virtually ignoring their three captives.

Orkwil muttered to his two friends, "It was my fault, gettin' caught like that, sorry, mates."

Rangval winked at him. "Ah, don't fret about it, bucko, shure, it could've happened to anybeast, ain't that right, Maudie darlin'?"

The haremaid looked up at her bound paws. "Right enough, old lad, I didn't spot that confounded fox 'til the last flippin' moment. Sneaky blighter!"

Orkwil could not keep the tremble out of his voice. "Huh, I 'spect they're busy thinkin' up 'orrible ways to slay us, what d'ye think?"

Rangval gritted his teeth angrily. "Shure, I'd give 'em a few ould things t'think about if'n I wasn't trussed up like washin' on a line."

Maudie agreed with him. "Indeed, the cowardly rascals.

278

If I was loose enough t'get a few punches at 'em, there'd be teeth fallin' like hailstones around this bloomin' camp!"

Rangval swung to face Maudie, grirLning roguishly. "Tell ye wot, let's bait 'em up a bit, eh?"

Orkwil looked from one to the other, mystified. "Wot d'ye mean, 'bait 'em up a bit'?"

Rangval danced a little jig on his footpaws. "You just listen to us, me ould mucker, ye'll get the hang of it soon enough. Would ye like to start the ball, Maudie darlin'? Go on, give 'em plenty!"

Shouting so that she could be clearly heard, Maudie began insulting the golden fox and his crew. "I think they're goin' to leave us here to die of old age, 'cos they're too jolly scared to fight us!"

One of the guards ran in front of Maudie, waving a spear at her. "Sharrap, rabbet, or I'll gut ya!"

The haremaid swung forward, kicking him under the chin, and laying the guard out flat.

Rangval hooted. "Hahahaharrr! Did ye ever see anybeast so dim? Ahoy over there, any other idiot need a good kick? C'mon, line up over here an' we'll oblige ye!"

Vizka Longtooth saw several of his crew rising and pawing at their weapons. He snarled at them, "Stay where y'are, I'm tryin' ta t'ink!"

The small rat, Firty, piped up indignantly, "But dey're in-sultin' us, Cap'n, dey can't gerraway wid dat. Ain't ya gunna do not'ink?"

Leaning over, Vizka dealt him a fierce cuff on the ear. "I'll do sumt'ink ter you if'n ya don't shurrupp!"