Brian Jacques - Redwall #16 - Triss

Slitfang poured himself a beaker of Plugg’s best grog. Oh did’e now, an’ wot are we supposed t’be bringin’ back?

Plugg sneered. Ole King Sarengo, or’is bones if’n he’s dead, an’ a golden crown an’ a pawring. But I ain’t as green as I’m grass lookin’Ñthere’s got t’be more to it thanthat, mates! So let’s not git too ‘asty. We goes along wid everything make ‘em think they’re in charge, even that bossy Cap’n Riftun. Now, when we’re comin’ back from Mossflower, we gets rid of ‘im an’ that score o’ Ratguards ‘e brought with ‘im, accidental-like.

Tazzin sniggered and licked at her knifeblade.

Heeheehee, I likes the sound o’ that, Cap’n darlin’. Could I be the one who makes Riftun ‘ave an accident?

Plugg nodded. Aye, when the time comes, but not afore then. When we reaches Riftgard, we delivers Kurda an’ Bladd back to their daddy, old Agarnu. Of course, Agarnu gives us our reward then, twice the booty we brought back. Now, ‘ere’s the nice part. We slays Kurda, Bladd an’

Agarnu, all three of ‘em. We takes the reward an’ wotever they brought back, be it crowns or pawrings or a good haul o’ treasure. Simple! We ends up wid the kingdom o’ Riftgard, a lot o’ booty, a throne fer me to sit on, an’ all those liddle slaves to build us a big fleet o’ ships.

You lot can all be cap’ns!

Slitfang grinned in admiration as he poured another drink. Yore a Freebooter born, Cap’n, the slyest beast as ever walked a deck. I drink to ye!

Plugg pointed his dagger toward the weasel. Aye, an’ you’ll be the sorriest beast ever walked a deck, if’n you keeps ‘elpin’ yoreself to my grog. Now, that’s the plan.’Ave youse all got it in yore thick ‘eads?

Grubbage looked indignant. Why ‘ave we gotta take to our sickbeds, Cap’n?

Plugg came from behind his table. Wordlessly he faced the deaf rat to the cabin door, pressing on the back of his head until he bent over.

Taking a pace back, the Captain swung his seabooted footpaw and delivered a powerful kick to his bosun’s bottom. Grubbage shot forward, whooping.

At that moment the cabin door opened and he careered out.

Princess Kurda acted as if nothing odd had happened, as she strode in, sabre in paw, to face Plugg. Vy you can’t make dis ship go faster? You be free days out an’ ve don’t seem to be goink much far.

The silver fox regarded her sourly. That’s ‘cos the ship’ll only go as fast as the winds carry ‘er, dearie. Or ain’t ye ever been t’sea afore?

Kurda did not like Plugg. She pointed the sabre at him. I must catchen up mit der slaves who steal my boat. You vill make dis ship go faster.

Dis is my vish an’ my order!

The Freebooter captain, ignoring the sabrepoint, grinned. Ho right, ye ‘igh royalness, I kin see yore used ter givin’ orders. But I’m only an ordinary ship’s cap’n, ye see. Why don’t ye go up on deck? Go on, missy. Wave yore sword round an’ give orders t’the wind an’ waves. Yore a princess. The sea’n’weather’ll ‘ave to listen to you, ain’t that right, mates? Haharrharrharr!

Laughter froze on the crew’s lips as Kurda, with a murderous glint turning her eyes from pink to ruby, levelled the sabre blade a hairsbreadth from Plugg’s eye and hissed, You are insolent, fox. Dis could make you lose de head, yarr?

The Freebooter continued grinning, as he reached beneath the table and brought his big double-edged battle-axe into view. That there’s a pretty liddle sword ye’ve got, darlin’. We’ve all seen ye flourishin’ it round, real fancy-like. Now, git it outta me face afore I show ye wot a Freebooter cap’n can do with a proper weapon!

The grin had gone from the fox’s face, and his eyes were narrowed, icy slits, matching Kurda’s stare.

Bladd blundered into the cabin, breaking the tension as he complained aloud, De bed in my cabin, it is too hard! I vant a nice soft von!

Plugg’s grin returned. He brushed past Kurda, knocking her sabre aside, and threw a paw around Bladd’s shoulders.

Ahoy there, Slitfang, git a nice soft mattress for me shipmate, the Prince ‘ere. Wot are ye thinkin’ of, eh? Let-tin’ a royal ferret like

‘im sleep on an ‘ard bed?

Slitfang was chuckling as he bowed mockingly to Bladd. Ho dearie me, wot a shame. You come wid old Slitty, yer royal princeness. We’ll soon get ye a decent bunk!

Kurda sheathed her sabre and stormed out of the cabin, followed by Slitfang and Bladd, who were chatting away like lifelong companions.

You make sure it be nice an’ soft, diss bedbunk, yarr?

Why, bless yore’eart, matey, you’ll think yore floatin’ on a cloud o’

feathers!

Diss iz good, you are der fine fellow. I am likin’ you, Slitty You vill be mine shipmatey, yarr!

As the cabin door closed behind them, Plugg turned to Tazzin. When the time comes, you steer clear o’ Princess Kurda. She’s mine, d’ye’ear?

All mine!

With neither food nor water, the days at sea began to take their toll.

Welfo had slipped into a deep sleep. She lay limp and unmoving on the bunk. Triss lay alongside the hog-maid, gaunt-faced and hollow-eyed, drifting in and out of listless slumber. Shogg sat draped across the tiller on the open deck, licking at cracked lips with a swollen tongue.

He shaded a paw across his eyes, staring up at the beaming sun, which seemed to mock him out of a clear blue sky.

The otter croaked despairingly, Rain, why don’t ye! Rain, jus’ a liddle shower!

He fell asleep, his bowed head against the tiller, holding the vessel on course as his strength ebbed low.

Alone, like a leaf on an eternal breeze-ruffled pond, the little craft bobbed along aimlessly. With all hope gone, the three friends lay, overcome by weariness and starvation.

Triss was past caring. It might have been hours, days, or a full season that she languished in the cabin, alternately shivering and swearing.

Then one day there was a soft radiance; the voice of that strange mouse warrior visited her clouded mind. She saw him advancing through a mist, carrying his splendid sword, calling to her. Trisscar, Swordmaid, come with me, have no fear. He reached out to her. Triss held forth her paw to him.

Bump!The ship struck something, knocking her out of the bunk onto the cabin deck. Her eyelids fluttered. She was barely aware of a large, rough, prickly face filling her vision.

This’un’s in better shape than yon pore liddle’ogmaid. Lend a paw’ere, Urtica. Don’t fret ye, missy, thou’rt safe.

Triss felt strong paws lifting her, then she passed out.

Unaware that it was the following dawn, Shogg opened his eyes slowly and looked about him. He was no longer at sea on the ship! The ground was still and firm. He tried to sit up, but a gentle paw pushed him back.

Lie thee still, riverdog, thou art with friends. Thou lookest hungered.

Fear not, we will be breaking fast soon now.

The otter stared up into the face of an enormous but kindly-looking hogwife. He tried to talk, but his tongue was so swollen that only a husky noise came forth. Dipping a gourd ladle into a pail, the hogwife supported his head and fed him some water. It was the coolest, sweetest thing Shogg had ever tasted. She checked him from gulping it greedily.

Nay, drink slow,’tis not good taken fast. My name is Downyrose. My husband, Bistort, and our son Urtica found thy craft whilst we were gathering kelp. What is thy name?

The otter’s voice sounded strange to him as he spoke. Name’s Shogg, marm. Where are me mates, Triss an’ Welfo?

Downyrose allowed Shogg to sit up, leaning his back against a rock wall.

They be safe, worry not. Here, sip now, I must be about my chores.

Shogg took the gourd ladle and did as she instructed. Whilst drinking, he took stock of his surroundings.