Brian Jacques - Redwall #16 - Triss

Tazzin was sitting stooped by the glowing embers, her head bent, snoring gently. As Shogg inched up behind her, his paw encountered something in the sand: a broken oar pole. He grinned happily at Triss. The pole made a distinct thonk. Triss held her breath. Falling silently sideways, the knife-throwing weasel groaned faintly and lay still. Shogg relieved her of two stilettos from her belt. He passed one to Triss and indicated that the daggers, plus the oar pole, were sufficient. They backed off into the darkness outside the pool of light from the guttering fire.

Scarum had taken up the task of ship-naming, since Kroova’s efforts had not satisfied Plugg. Actually, I think Gutslasherisn’t the right name at all, sah, far too sissyish for a villa ... er, fine chap like y’self. What about Rosebud NosenipperÑhow does that sound, wot? Yes, the Rosebud NosenipperÑpretty but fierce at the same time. Hmmm, but perhaps Rottenrudder does have a certain jolly old ring about it, quite a charming name, I think, wot?

Sagax caught the hare’s attention. Ssshh, he’s asleep! The empty grog flask slid from Plugg’s loose grasp as his head lolled to one side, mouth open, snoring uproariously. Scarum stared disdainfully down his nose at the Freebooter. I say, what a dreadful sight! Bet his parents were jolly glad when he upped anchor an’ left home, wot?

Kroova strained wearily at his tight bonds. Oh, leave’im be, mate. While Plugg’s nappin’ we don’t’ave t’keep on talkin’ to save our lives. Let the scum snore.

The vessel rocked suddenly. Plugg began to awaken. Whoozat mates, whaÑ!

Shogg bounded swiftly over the stern, a dagger clutched in his teeth and an oar pole in his paw, which he swung. Thonk! Plugg collapsed in a senseless heap.

Triss heaved herself up over the prow, dagger at the ready. Shogg saw the three bound friends and hissed at her, Don’t strike, Triss, these beasts are prisoners!

In a trice Shogg and Triss were slicing through the ropes that bound the trio of captives. The irrepressible Scarum almost whooped with delight. I say, you chaps, spiffingly well done, wot wot. Allow me to introduce us, I’mÑmm-mmphhh!

Triss had her paw across his mouth. She whispered urgently, No time for all that now. We’ve got to cut and run, quick!

Kurda was furious. She stood slashing with her sabre at the reeds of a vast water meadow. Fools! Dey haff made fools of us! There was no trace of any creature in sight. Her pink eyes glittering insanely, she turned on Vorto. Vydid you not carry out mine orders? You should haff captured dem by now!

Riggan waded about in the shallows of the water meadow, sniffing at bulrushes and inspecting weeds. She shook her head and sloshed back to dry ground. Huh, we’ll never see those voles agin, and the two runaway slaves, they wasn’t wid ‘em. I told yer you should’ve let me lead the way, marm.’Twas all a false trail.

The slavecatcher took a step back as Kurda raised her sabre. Excuses, don’t give me de excuses, vere did der slaves go?

Riggan stepped even further back out of blade range. As y’say, marm, they fooled us. They prob’ly never left the stream.

Kurda stared hard at Riggan. You mean dey still back dere?

The slavecatcher shook her head vigorously No, marm, they was followin’

that broadstream t’the shore, Our best bet now is to ‘ead west, that’ll take us to the beaches. Then we can travel north ‘til we picks up their trail again. They can’t go far wid the sea at their backs.

Kurda leaped forward and slapped Riggan’s paw hard with the flat of her blade. Den do it, now! Vorto, get der guards moving on der double, follow Riggan. I vill get dose slaves, even if I have to follow dem to de crack of doom!

27

Crikulus and the Abbot were in Great Hall, cleaning wax out of the candle sconces, when they heard the squeals of Dibbuns from outside. Before the two old friends could make a move, Skipper and Log a Log rushed by them, shouting as they headed for the Abbey door, Leave this to us, stay inside, you two!

Dibbuns fought to get past Skipper and Log a Log as they threw open the door. The little ones were shrieking, Yeeeek! Big birdy, big birdy!

Yeeeeeek!

Bluddbeak, the great red kite, looked even bigger lying flat upon the lawn with both his enormous wings spread wide. Skipper took one look and commented to the Gu-osim Chieftain, Yon must be Ovus’s friend Bluddbeak, come to’elp us.

Log a Log whispered as they approached the red kite, Aye, though he looks as if he couldn’t’elp’imself right now, the bird’s exhausted, and he seems t’be very old. Look at’is eyes, they’re cloudy with age.

Squinting hard, the red kite clacked his lethal hooked beak. Keerah!

Stand still or die! Bluddbeak slay, be keeerful!

Skipper held up his paws in a peace sign. We’re friends, matey. Ye’ve arrived at Redwall Abbey. You’ll be BluddbeakÑwe asked Ovus to fetch you ‘ere. I don’t see him, thoughÑwhere’s that owl got to?

Cocking his head contemptuously on one side, Bluddbeak scoffed, Kraah!

Ovus is old, he will take long to get here!

Sheathing his rapier, Log a Log bowed politely. You look tired, sir, is there anythin’ we can do for ye?

Bluddbeak’s head swivelled, as if just noticing him. Karrah! I no tired, this bird just rest. You get me some greensap milk, mix with honey, that what Bluddbeak need right now, mouse, Log a Log bristled. I ain’t no mouse, I’m a Guosim shrew. If’n y’could see me, ye’d know that right off!

The red kite’s milky eyes glared ferociously at him. Kreegarr! I see you, nothing wrong with this bird’s eyes. Still waiting for my milk an’ honey. You very slow!

All Redwall turned out to see the great red kite lying sprawled on their front lawn. The Abbot seated himself on the doorstep, next to Skipper.

He listened to what the otter had to say.

That rascal Ovus sent us an ancient red kite, Father. Bluddbeak’s almost blind, deadbeat weary, an’ real bad-tempered. We’d best keep ‘im an’

Log a Log apartÑthey put one another’s backs up at first sight!

Abbot Apodemus shook his head despairingly We were fools to listen to Ovus. That poor old kite should be back in his mountains, dozing on a warm rock.

Gangway there, milk’n’honey comin’ through!

Skipper and the Abbot shifted, allowing Friar Gooch and Furrel to pass with the red kite’s drink.

Bluddbeak guzzled away at a panful of the mixture, throwing back his head and swallowing noisily. Greensap milk and clear honey slopped down over his throat and chest plumage.

Memm kept the Dibbuns in check with a long window pole, nudging them back. Steady in the junior ranks there, chaps, that blinkin’ monster’ll scoff you if y’get too flippin’ close!

Whooping excitedly, the Abbeybabes fled off to the orchard. Memm had created a new game for them: Ruggum, Turfee and Roobil became red kites, chasing the others and trying to scoff them. All good fun.

It was midnoon by the time Bluddbeak had sufficiently recovered himself.

The onlookers got out of his way as he hopped awkwardly through the open door and into Great Hall.

Malbun met Curdle Sprink coming out. What’s that bird up to in there?

The Cellarhog shrugged. Great silly thing, ‘tis flyin’ about an’ bumpin’

into everythin’, see!

Outside window casements rattled as the huge feathery form inside hit them several times.

Log a Log chuckled sourly. ProbTy tryin’ to knock some sense into hisself.

Skipper gave a slight start as Ovus flapped out of nowhere to land beside him. The otter took him straight to task.

Hah, so there ye are, matey. Wot in the name o’ seasons made you send us that useless ole bag o’ feathers, eh?

The owl’s eyes widened indignantly. Have a care what you say about Bluddbeak, that kite saved my life more than once. He’s the greatest hunter I’ve ever known, and a much faster flyer than I’ll ever be! What have you done with him, where is he now?