Brian Jacques - Redwall #16 - Triss

Slightly less than two hours before dawn, Triss managed to file through the bar. Ahah! Good news, mates, I’ve done it! My paws are in a terrible mess, though, but I’m so cold I can’t feel them.

Welfo helped her down, jabbering agitatedly. The guards’ll see it, I know they will. You can see the iron shining silver where you’ve been filing, it sticks out like a cherry on a cake. We’ll all be caught, I’m certain of it!

Brushing iron filings from between his ears, Shogg took hold of Welfo and pressed her face to the bars in lookout position. Give yore gob a rest, missy, an’ keep yore eyes peeled. Leave the bar to us, A bit o’ riverbed mud plastered on the shiny bits’ll disguise’em, trust me.

He was right. Once the cut bar was smeared with mud it looked quite normal and unbroken. Shogg leaned all his strength against the bar, trying to bend it outward. He pushed until his eyes bulged. Phaw! It ain’t budgin’ at all, Triss. Right, I’ll’ave to start on the bottom.

Gimme that there file!

The otter could hold his breath for an incredible amount of time. Triss was of little use in such circumstances, so she joined Welfo on lookout.

Totally submerged, Shogg filed away underwater in complete silence.

It was very heavy going.

Dawn rose mistily. The fjord looked as if it had pale smoke floating upon it. Ratguards herded the main body of slaves out for the final few hours they would need to complete the walkway. The day for the launch ceremony of Agarnu’s ship had finally arrived. Lieutenant Flith peered suspiciously at Triss and Welfo, gesturing with his spear.

Hoi there, you two, where’s yer mate, the otter?

Triss kicked Welfo’s footpaw underwater to keep her silent, taking it on herself to answer the lieutenant. Shogg’s not feeling too good, sir.

He’s sleeping underwater. Comes up whenever he needs air.

At that moment, the otter broke the surface smoothly. He gave Triss a swift wink before facing up to Flith. Down there’s the only place 1 can get a bit o’ peace’n’quiet. That’s unless ye’d like to smuggle me in a big ole feather bed.

Flith sneered at the captive’s cheeky remark. You’ll get all the peace’n’quiet yer need at noon, riverdog. I’eard Princess Kurda sharpeniner best sabre, just to lull ye t’sleep with it. Ain’t that nice of’er, eh?

Shogg liked baiting Flith. He winked insolently at the rat.

Don’t go sittin’ on yore spear, vermin, or you’ll damage yore brains.

Haharrharr!

Flith had no ready answer. He turned away, his face livid.

Shogg whispered to his companions. Noon, eh? I’ll just’ave to try an’

break through before then! He vanished beneath the water noiselessly.

Triss murmured to Welfo, One good thing, mate, the noise of the bar and the file can’t be heard underwater. It deadens the sound.

As Drufo laid logs with the slaves, he muttered instructions to them under his breath. If we’re still’ere when they breaks outta that cage, we’ve got to’elp’em, see. Create a diversion, get in the way o’ the guards, shout, yell, make it look like we’re tryin’ to escape.

The message was passed on from one to another. Hope for the condemned prisoners was widespread. Though they themselves had no chance of escaping, the prospect of three slaves not only avoiding death, but getting clean away from Riftgard, had fired the imagination of all the slaves.

Captain Riftun came out of the fortress to watch the completion of the path to the jetty. He stood beside Lieutenant Flith, bringing him up to date on what was to happen.

Flith listened intently to his captain. King Agarnu ain’t goin’ anywhere on that new ship, not’im;’e’s scared witless o’ the sea. It’ll be Princess Kurda an’ that oaf Prince Bladd who’ll be sailin’. I’ll be goin’, too.

This news surprised Flith. Yore goin’ with’em, Cap’n?’Ow long’ll ye be gone?

Riftun was not one to give away valuable information. For as long as it takes. That’s all you need t’know. Now lissen, you’ll be in charge’ere while I’m gone, so I want to find things in good order on my return.

Got that?

Flith saluted. Aye, Cap’n, ye can rely on me. But there ain’t no reason fer you to go off sailin’, none I can see.

Riftun leaned closer, dropping his voice so the slaves could not eavesdrop on what he was about to say. I’m goin’ to let ye in on a liddle secret, Flith, so keep it to yer-self. Agarnu is only King by blood.’E’s a Pure Ferret, but the law of Riftgard sez that a proper king must not only be of the blood, but that’e must possess an’ wear the crown an’

pawring which is the symbol of’is office.

Flith raised his eyebrows. I never knew that! So wot yer sayin’ is, since he’s got no crown an’ pawring, Agarnu ain’t a real king, just a sort o’ deputy?

Riftun leaned on his spear and nodded. Right! I served under Sarengo, the old king. Now’e was a proper ruler. But then’e went off on that voyage with Agarnu. Hah, I recall well the day Sarengo told Agarnu’e was takinim along. The fat useless fool wept like a baby. But Sarengo wanted to toughen Agarnu up, said’e’d either come back’ere as a king or not at all. They was off to plunder some place called RedwallÑit’s supposed t’be full o’ treasureÑbut they never found it. Agarnu was the only one to make it back to Riftgard alive. Nobeast knows, except Agarnu’imself, wot’appened beyond the seas in that other land called Mossflower. An’ he ain’t never said a word of wot went wrong, or’ow’e lost a leg. Think of it, a king, his crown an’ pawring, fifty good Ratguards an’ a great ship, all lost. Agarnu was close to death’s door when’e crawled ashore off an’alf-wrecked ship’s longboat.

Flith nodded. I recall that. I was only a young Ratguard meself at the time. Ye can’t blame Agarnu fer not wantin’ t’gobackt’sea.

Riftun sniggered humourlessly. No, that’s why’e’s sendin’ Kurda an’

Bladd. They’ve got to find out if King Sarengo’s still alive. If it turns out Sarengo’s dead, they’ve got to bring back’is crown an’ pawring.

Then Agarnu’ll be a real king, an’ so will whichever of’is two brats follows in succession.

Flith thought about this, then scratched his tail. But why d’you’ave t’go, Cap’n?

Riftun puffed out his narrow chest importantly. ’Cos I’m the’ighest-rankin’ rat in Riftgard. I’ve got t’see that the Prince an’

Princess don’t try to murder one another. Kurda’s got nothin’ but hatred for Bladd, an’ young Bladd ain’t as stupid as’e looks. I bet’e’d put a knife twixt’is sister’s ribs as soon as look at’er. So I’m bein’ sent along with a squad o’ Ratguards, in command of everythin’. At noon Agarnu’ll come down t’the new ship with Kurda and Bladd, to formally give the vessel to them. Aye, an’ Kurda’s goin’ to be allowed to execute those three prisoners in the punishment cage, just t’keep the other slaves from gettin’ fancy ideas. Then they’re all goin’ back t’the fortress for a farewell feast. While that’s goin’ on, the ship’ll be provisioned, ready to sail at eventide. So I’m warnin’ ye, Flith, keep things runnin’ smooth while I’m away, or you’ll be the one in the punishment cage when I get back. Is that clear, Lieutenant?

Flith kept his eyes on the ground. Aye, Cap’n, crystal clear!

Riftun stalked off, back to the fortress. Flith watched him go, then turned his attention to the Ratguards who were overseeing the path construction.

Flith tried out his new authority. Youse lot, call yerself Ratguards!

I’d’ave had this job finished three days back if’twas left t’me. Get those slaves movin’, 1 want to’ear yer whips crackin’ louder. You lot are in for it if this path doesn’t reach the jetty in two hours. Wot d’ye expect, the King anis family t’get muddy paws? The Prince an’