Brian Jacques - [Redwall 18] - High Rhulain

Scaut’s head bobbed dutifully. “Aye, Lord, yore right.”

The wildcat continued, staring fixedly at Scaut. “Pitru had some very close friends about him, three as I remember. One of them was an officer.”

Scaut replied. “I don’t recall the other two, but the officer was Scorecat Yund, Sire.”

The warlord’s torn features creased in a hideous grin. “That’s the one, Scorecat Yund! Find him, bring him here to me. I’ll find out who slew my pine marten.”

It was now over an hour since daybreak. Bright summer sunlight had banished the mists from the lake surface.

Banya Streamdog called out to Kolun, “Will ye quit paddlin’ round out there an’ get back behind these reeds? Any beast with half an eye could spot an otter of yore size out in the open!”

Big Kolun Galedeep waded grumpily back into the reeds. “Where’ve yore scouts got to, missy? Huh, I could’ve done their job in half the time!”

Lorgo came up on tip-paw, then bent down again. “I can see Lugg an’ Ganno headin’ back along the bank.”

Banya was watching twin ripples approaching along the lake. “That’ll be Whulky’n’Chab if’n I ain’t mistaken.”

Both the aforesaid otters surfaced. They waded in through the reeds, arriving at the same time as Lugg and Ganno.

Kolun cautioned them needlessly, “Stay low, mates. Ye might be spotted by the cats!”

Whulky stood up and stretched his paws. “Wot cats? All we saw out there was birds an’ a few fishes.”

Banya sounded clearly baffled. “Ye saw no cats?”

Chab shook his head decisively. “Nary a frog, let alone a cat. An’ there was no sign of Leatho, either. Everythin’ was quiet at the fortress.”

Kolun scratched his rudder. “Nobeast around, sounds funny t’me. Wot about you two?”

Lugg spoke for himself and Ganno. “We saw catguards posted all around the slave compound. I think they’re keepin’ the slaves locked up—there wasn’t any about, workin’, or fishin’. Didn’t see the Shellhound, though. Don’t know where they’re keepin’ him.”

Lorgo spat away the reed stem he had been chewing on. “I think it’s a trap! Those cats are sly villains.”

Chab pawed water from his ear and shook himself. “Well, if it is a trap, mate, it’s the easiest one I ever walked into, an’ away from!”

Banya stared around at the puzzled and unhappy faces of the clanbeasts. She reached a sudden decision. “Well, we can’t sit here forever. Make ready to march, mates. But pay heed—don’t go chargin’ an’ dashin’ into anythin’. We’ll go slow’ n’steady, split into three groups. Roggan Streamdiver, take yore clan an’ the Wavedogs along the left shore. Kolun, you an’ Lorgo take yore Galedeeps an’ the Wildloughs to the right. I’ll take my clan an’ the Streambattles up the middle o’ the lake. Remember, slow’n’steady. Watch out for traps an’ ambushes, an’ don’t take no foolish chances!”

Big Kolun hefted his oar. “Aye, an’ if ye do get into any trouble, just give a yell, an’ we’ll be there at the double. Good luck to everybeast. Let’s hope we all make it back safe to our families at Summerdell. Let’s go an’ rescue Leatho Shellhound now!” The otterclans moved off silently.

Pitru was on his way to the barracks when he saw Weilmark Scaut and a six-guard escort approaching. He ducked into the cover of the guardhouse. Watching them closely, he observed firsthand their capture of Scorecat Yund as he emerged from the barracks.

Disregarding Yund’s protests, they had grabbed him roughly and were now frogmarching him toward the main gate lodge. Pitru, immediately realising what this was all about, cursed himself for a fool. He should have guessed that his father would not leave Atunra’s murder unavenged.

The young cat hurried into the barracks, where he was met by his other two close allies, Balur and Hinso. Both catguards appeared badly shaken.

“Commander, they’ve just dragged Scorecat Yund off!”

“It was Weilmark Scaut and a band of guards. Your father’ll make Yund talk, he’ll find out the truth about Atunra!”

Pitru grabbed them both by their whiskers, hissing at them, “Shut up, fools! Don’t you think I already know that? Stop panicking and listen to me. Balur, get to the lodge window. See if you can hear what’s going on in there, then report straight back to me! Hinso, gather all the guards that are loyal to me behind the barracks. Wait for me there. Quick now, both of you, our very lives depend on getting things right. Go!”

Yund was pushed inside the lodge, where Scaut and the rest dragged him to an iron ring set high in the wall. In a trice he was bound to it, with both paws stretched painfully over his head. Riggu Felis stalked over to him like a huge beast of prey, shoving his naked, skinned face close to Yund’s horrified eyes. The scorecat could feel the warlord’s rasping breath in his quivering nostrils. He quailed visibly, his limbs trembling uncontrollably as the wildcat began the interrogation with a harsh, blunt question.

“Tell me, who killed my counsellor Atunra?”

It took Yund several moments to find his voice. “Lord, I don’t know. I swear it, Sire!”

Riggu Felis nodded, as though he had accepted the explanation. He continued in a more reasonable tone. “Yund, my friend, do you know that I can skin a beast with this axe of mine? It’s a very sharp weapon.”

The scorecat caught his breath as he felt the single-bladed war axe pressing against his throat.

The warlord continued in a casual, almost chatty tone. “Oh yes, and I’ll wager you didn’t know that I can keep that beast alive for nearly half a day after I’ve skinned him. He’ll scream quite a lot, but that’s only to be expected. Now, the one thing I can’t abide is a liar. So this is your last chance, scorecat: Do you wish to tell me the truth? Who murdered my friend Atunra?”

Yund gave a prolonged whimpering sob, then spoke. “Lord, I was only carrying out orders.”

The warlord removed the axe from Yund’s throat. “I understand. You did what any obedient servant would. So, tell me more, who gave you the order? Speak, friend, don’t be afraid. I wouldn’t slay any true warrior of mine.”

The scorecat uttered a deep sigh of relief. “Lord, it was your son, Commander Pitru, who ordered me to slay Atunra. I had to obey!”

Riggu Felis turned to Scaut, smiling. “You see, I knew it all the time, I only needed proof.”

The weilmark came to attention. “Sire, shall I take the guards and arrest him?”

The warlord replaced his helmet and chain mail half-mask. “Not just yet, there are other matters to be dealt with. First, we must resolve the otter problem. After that, I will settle accounts with Pitru, once and for all.”

Scaut saluted. “What about Scorecat Yund, Sire?”

Riggu Felis shrugged. “He is no true warrior of mine, only a traitor who would betray his commander. You may execute him, but not too swiftly. Make him realise the reward of treachery.”

Scaut possessed a naturally cruel nature, so this was the sort of thing he enjoyed. A despairing shriek burst from Yund’s lips as he saw Scaut draw a long, slim dagger from his belt. Suddenly, an urgent rap on the door distracted the warlord’s attention.

“Yes, what is it?”

Scorecat Rinat entered, making a swift salute with her spear. “Lord, the outlaw otters have been sighted in large numbers. They are approaching from the far end of the lake!”

Riggu Felis gave a purr of delight. “Perfect! I’ll put on my finest cloak and armour to welcome them!” Leaving the pier lodge, he went off to his chamber.

Balur crept away from the window and ran off to report to Pitru, with the screams of Scorecat Yund adding speed to his footpaws.