Brian Jacques - Redwall #16 - Triss

Triss commented respectfully, That’s because no vermin ever found their way to Peace Island. Fate forbid that they ever will. We came from a land that was conquered by evil ones. Our lives were nothing but war and slavery.

Bistort placed a gentle paw on her shoulder. I was about to ask thee to stay here with us. But I see in thine eyes that this cannot be so.

The squirrelmaid touched one of the lances. No sir, not while there are still slaves in Riftgard!

Bistort turned his gaze on Shogg. Are ye of like mind?

The otter picked up a bag of sling pebbles, three pointed and sharp, every one knapped from the island rocks. We made promises to our mates that we’d return someday an’ free them. We’re not beasts to break our vows.

The hedgehog Patriarch gave a long sigh and nodded. So be it. Ye must do what ye are bound to. Thy ship will be stocked with some of these weapons when it sails. We will provision it with rations also. But’twill not be for a while yetÑthou are not ready to face the seas again so soon. Come, forget thy woes whilst ye are with us.

Hedgehogs throughout the valley ceased work on their crops for the remainder of that day. Everybeast gathered on a grassy plateau to feast and sport. Food was cooked in shallow trenches on fire-heated rocks.

Broad, shiny, dark green leaves were wrapped around the various fruits and vegetables, causing aromatic steam to rise. Welfo, borne down to the plateau in a form of palanquin, was carried by eight stout beasts, with Urtica walking alongside holding her paw. Though most of the hedgehogs were great strong beasts, they did not indulge in spike tussling or wrestlingÑthere were no displays of fighting skills. The competition was mainly prizes for the best grown fruits and vegetables, and each hedgehog stood beside carefully arranged tableaus of their own produce.

Triss and Shogg found themselves acting as judges, in company with Bistort. They were followed by a group of hogbabes, who had never seen creatures different from themselves.

Hogmothers chased after the little ones, chiding them. Grinfee, if ye pull yon squirrelmaid’s tail again, I’ll tell thy father, be warned!

Come off the otterbeast’s tail,’tis not for thee to ride upon, come off I say!

Triss and Shogg took the babes’ curiosity in good part. The food was superb, harvested only that morning. Shogg swore he had never tasted bread so fine, and so many types, too. Cider was the main drink, but that also had a lot of different varieties: cider with damson, plum’n’apple cider, dandelion burdock cidermix, to name but a few. Then two empty barrels were rolled out and used as drums, a hogwife played a rustic melody on a reed flute and a stout farmer sang out in a fine tenor voice:

My valley is green, the soil is good,

An’ I grows what I please,

All in the spring when birds do sing,

My wife grows flowers like these.

Pepperwort, trefoil, celandine,

Daffodil, woodruff, dandelion,

Paleflax, pansy an’ speedwell,

Sweet violet an’ bluebell.

She’s helped by all the busy bees,

An’ I grows what I please!

My valley is green, the soil is good,

With lots of shady trees,

So when the work is done each day,

‘Neath them we take our ease.

Hazel, willow, birch an’ all,

Oak an’ beech an’ elm so tall,

Chestnut, elder, aspen, too,

Make shade for me an’ you.

There’s laurel, lime, an’ rowan trees,

‘Neath which to take our ease!

My valley is green, the soil is good,

Our table for to fill,

I plant my fruit an’ veg’tables,

With pride an’ right goodwill.

Lettuce, turnips, carrots, beans,

Leeks an’ scallions, winter greens,

Damsons, plums, an’ apples red,

An’ pears grow overhead.

When we sits down, we eats our fill,

With pride an’ right goodwill!

Having been slaves at Riftgard since they could remember, Shogg and Triss had never experienced anything like the feast on Peace Island.

It was the happiest, most joyous of days. In the evening they sat round a fire with their new friends, watching the sky above the rim fade from powder blue to rich crimson gold. Hogbabes draped both their heads and necks with garlands of buttercups and daisy chains, while elders plied them with even more good food and drink.

Triss poked at the flames with a stick, watching bright sparks rise like dancing jewels to the gathering twilight shades. She felt a deep pang of regret for the passing of it all. Imagine if each day were like this, Shogg. Anybeast would be foolish to think of leaving this wonderful isle.

The otter noticed her eyes glinting damp in the firelight. Aye, matey, but fools such as we know wot must be done. We can’t live our time out’ere, knowin’ that others are still kept in wicked slavery, can we?

Triss sniffed and looked aside. No, we’ll be on our way in a few days, though I think there’s one who won’t be sailing with us.

She was looking at Welfo, who was still wordlessly staring into Urtica’s eyes. Both seemed unaware of everything around them, completely entranced with each other.

Shogg chuckled quietly. I see wot y’mean, Triss, it’d be a shame to part those two. Pore Welfo was never very strong, she’s a gentle creature.

Leave’er with young Ur-tica. She’s found’appiness’ere on Peace Island.

Triss patted her friend’s paw, smiling through moist eyes. There was no need for words.

16

Morning sunlight filtered through RedwalTs orchard trees, adding warmth and brightness to the merry chaos of breakfast. Foremole Urrm was ladling out a porridge of oats, chestnut and honey, a special favourite with Dibbuns. He was having difficulty keeping up with the demand. Noisy Abbeybabes banged wooden spoons on the tabletops, roaring for second helpings.

I wanna more porringe, I finish mine all up!

Me on’y gorra likkle bowl, gimme more, more!

H’over yurr, zurr, quick, afore oi starven away! Foremole glared at Ruggum with mock fierceness. You’m already ‘aved three porshings, villyun!

Memm Flackery grabbed the bowl that Turfee mouse-babe had decided to use as a helmet. Don’t do that, you infant cad. Just look at y’self, you’ve got more porridge on your face than you’ve put in y’mouth, wot!

Sit still while I wipe it off. Sister Vernal, grab that blinkin’

miscreant, will you? Quick, before he escapes under the table, catch him!

Abbot Apodemus covered both ears, shouting over the din to Curdle Sprink, who was sitting alongside him. I know they’re excited about taking summer meals outdoors, but this is too much, old friend. Let’s go and find abit of peace with Malbun and Crikulus in the gatehouse, eh!

Curdle was about to help the Abbot up when suddenly he halted. Father,

‘ere come our Skipper, an’ Ovus, too. Wonder wot that ole owl wants?

He ain’t visited us in seasons.

They hurried to meet Skipper and the big tawny owl waddling at his side.

Apodemus beckoned them away from the orchard. The four creatures walked back slowly towards the gatehouse, with Skipper explaining the reason for the owl’s visit.

I noticed the gates weren’t locked early this mornin’, so I took a peek.

They was jammed t’gether with that bonnet old Crikulus was wearin’ at the feast last nightÑthe lockin’ bar wasn’t in place. So I goes t’the gate’ouse an’ it was empty. Crikulus was gone, Malbun too!

The Abbot halted. Malbun and Crikulus gone! Where?

Ovus the tawny owl blinked his huge jet-black eyes. Can’t say where they were going, but I can show you exactly where your friends are now.

Er, breakfast looked quite nice, a tad rowdy, but quite nice. Don’t suppose there’s any leftÑhaven’t had much since yesterday.