Brian Jacques - Redwall #20 - Eulalia!

"D'ya like me new blade, ain't it a beauty? I tell ya, I could take yer 'ead off wid one swipe. Dat'd be nice'n'quick, wouldn't it? Stan' still, stripe'ound, an' I'll show ya--"He swung the sword back as far as he could.

That was when Gorath made his move. Throwing himself out of the open doorway in a sidelong roll, he grabbed at his pitchfork, which had pierced the door through, to the length of its prongs. The handle snapped, right at the socket where it joined the metal fork.

It was at that point the tracking party arrived alongside the Bludgullet. Rangval seized a pair of his daggers, but was halted from boarding by Salixa.

"Leave Gorath, this is his fight, he wouldn't thank you for helping him!"

Maudie was aghast. "I say, that's a bit thick, ain't it? The other rascal's armed to the bloomin' teeth!"

The badgermaid warned the others, holding her paws wide, "My friend is facing his fate, we cannot alter what's about to take place. Have faith in him. Watch!"

The combatants faced each other on the deck. Vizka did not seem unduly put out by his quarry's escape. "Ya had yer chance t'die quick, stripe'ound, now I'm goin' to carve ya up nice'n'slow!"

Gorath swung the long part of the haft like lightning.

Crack!

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It struck his adversary's paw as he slashed out with the sword. Vizka screeched with pain and shock, his paw totally numbed, and broken, by the blow. The sword of Martin arced through the air, ending up point down in the shallows. Gorath's eyes were calm, he stood waiting until his opponent came at him again. This time it was with a long, flailing swing of the mace. The young badger switched his hold; seizing the wooden haft in both paws, he held it forth horizontally. The iron chain of the mace wrapped thrice around it, the spiked metal ball dangling useless in the tangle. One wrench from Gorath tugged the weapon's handle out of the fox's grasp. Vizka watched, horrified, as Gorath tossed the shaft and the mace into the river.

A cheer went up from those on the bank. Gorath the Flame hardly noticed it as he wrapped a mighty paw about Vizka. His other paw clamped around the fox's muzzle. Lifting Vizka until their eyes met, Gorath growled, "I was never your slave, and I am no longer the slave of Bloodwrath, that is my fate, fox. Now here is yours!"

Maudie winced, as did everybeast. The sound of Vizka Longtooth's spine snapping sounded like a dry twig. There was a splash as Gorath tossed his enemy's limp carcass into the River Moss.

Salixa allowed her friend to assist her aboard the ship, she clasped his paw tightly. "You defeated him without resorting to Bloodwrath. Though I had my doubts when I heard you calling the war cry."

Gorath smiled. "Oh, I only shouted that cry because I like the sound of it. Also because I knew that I was in full control of myself."

On the bank, Orkwil Prink was waving a hefty staff of yew wood, which he had garnered with the sword of Martin the Warrior. "I found ye a new fork handle. Permission t'come aboard, Cap'n Gorath!"

The young badger shook his head. "You'd best ask my first mate."

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Salixa laughed. "Permission granted, but only if you can shout out the password. Maudie, coming from Salamandastron, you should know it well."

Mad Maudie (the Hon.) Mugsberry Thropple threw back her head, bellowing the time-honoured cry in a most un-maidenly manner. "Eulaliiiiiaaaaaa!" She bounded aboard, followed by the rest of the company.

Orkwil was beside himself with happiness, he waved the sword of Martin in the air, yelling. "Friends, I've just thought of a new name for this ship, guess what it is?"

The answer came in a deafening roar from everybeast. "Eulaliiiiiaaaaaa!"

The young hedgehog looked slightly crestfallen, but a moment later he was joining in the general laughter and backslapping.

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As evening shadows gathered, a meeting was held on the deck. By unanimous decision they voted to sail the newly named vessel on a voyage that would fulfill Maudie's mission. Both Gorath and Salixa were enthralled at the thought of seeing Salamandastron, that fortress of legendary Badger Lords. There was no lack of volunteers for the trip, everybeast wanted to go.

The next three days were spent profitably. Foraging parties scoured the woodlands for food supplies, whilst Guosim shrews and otters cleaned the ship from stem to stern, eradicating all trace of vermin habitation, and making Eulalia shipshape for the coming adventure. Rangval proved to be quite artistic, obliterating the name Bludgullet, and installing the new title skillfully.

Many suggestions were put forward, as to who should captain the Eulalia. Skipper Rorc, Barbowla and Log a Log Osbil were all well-favoured, capable beasts. However, it was Salixa who settled the matter, both she and Gorath nominated Orkwil Prink. This was enthusiastically seconded by Maudie and Rangval.

On the evening before they sailed, Rangval whispered to Maudie, as he watched Orkwil swaggering around the

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deck, "Shure, an' will ye look at the bold, liddle hog there. Faith, ye'd think he was a cap'n born t'the command. I wonder where he found those floppy, ould seaboots an' big, feathery hat?"

Maudie stifled a giggle, saluting the young hedgehog as he strode by. "Good evenin', Cap'n Orkwil, lookin' forward t'the jolly old morrow, wot wot?"

Orkwil waved a paw nonchalantly. "Oh, one voyage is much like another y'know...." The floppy hat fell over his eyes, and he tripped as the sword came loose, dangling between his outrageous boots. He stumbled, fell and bounced back upright, all in the one movement. Orkwil glared at both of his friends, as if daring them to laugh. "Ahem, river's a bit choppy tonight, watch how ye go!"

Rangval stared over the side at the River Moss, which was as still as a millpond. He nodded. "Yore right, Cap'n. I'll take first watch in case those waves come a-washin' o'er the sides an' sink us!"

The young hedgehog nodded officiously. "Right, Mister Rangval, I'll be in me cabin if'n ye need me. Good night to ye both!" Trying to control the sword, boots and hat, he staggered off to the stern.

Salixa and Gorath joined Maudie and Rangval, watching their new captain's progress. Gorath smiled fondly.

"I owe my freedom to that one, he's learned a lot since we first met."

The gentle badgermaid clasped her big companion's paw. "I think we've all learned a lot, don't you?"

Maudie interrupted. "Aye, friend, we have, an' we're all young enough to learn more, wot!"

Afternoon sunlight flooded the forge room at Salamandastron, softening the rough, rock walls. Old Lord Asheye sat on the broad stone windowledge, enjoying the late summer warmth. Blindness did not stop the ancient badger from appreciating the day, he could even judge the time by the position of the sun upon his face. The outgoing

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or incoming tides, he knew by the sounds of the sea, the cries of seabirds and, often, the feel of wind or breeze. The familiar sound of Major Mullein's swagger stick beat its brief tattoo on the chamber door. Lord Asheye's response was correspondingly brief. "Come!"

The Major entered, shepherding Furps and Tringle. Both young hares were in charge of the afternoon tea trolley. Mullein cautioned the pair as they negotiated the rock floor. "Steady as y'go now. Furps, slow down, laddie buck, you ain't in a race. Now, what dainties have we here, wot?"

Tringle fluttered her long eyelashes. "Hot mint or chamomile tea, sah, a selection of sandwiches, some of Cook's dark fruit cake, an' the usual scones an' whatnot, sah. With the jolly old trimmin's of course."

Lord Asheye nodded approvingly. "Very nice. I hear you passed your Running Scouts test yesterday. Congratulations t'you both!"