Brian Jacques - Redwall #16 - Triss

I’ll ask you a riddle and you tell me.

For what is four? Only two times two.

I can see you C, oh Y say U?

Is a hare with hair a him or a her,

Does it eat good fare, and have fur that is fair?

Two pears make one pair, that’s your answer, sir!

Mokug shook his head in amazement. Can ye say that again?

It was an old Redwall riddle, and Crikulus gave the answer that everybeast had learned at Abbey school.

There’s a pane in my window that never feels pain, And he’s at a loss to say it again.

So now is now, but as you know,

A know without K would still sound like no!

Malbun smiled wistfully. I remember old Brother Frumble teaching us that at Abbey school. Ah, happy days!

Mokug sniffed ruefully. Suppose that’s why it puzzled me. I never went to Abbey school, there was no such thing as a school for slaves at Riftgard.

Skipper took the golden hamster’s paw. Never mind, mate, we’ll teach ye bit by bit. Yore never too old t’learn.

Yahaaaar!

Crikulus almost fell over with fright at the sound. Great seasons, what was that?

Skipper was already running back to the wallsteps. It’s ChurkÑshe always makes that noise when she’s pleased!

The ottermaid was beaming from ear to ear when the friends arrived at the wallsteps. I’ve solved yore riddle! Come an’ sit here while I show ye wot it’s all about.

Book Three: The Swordmaid

30

It was the Ratguard Captain Vorto who sighted the fire-glow further north up the shore. The embers formed a small island of red light in the waning night. He pointed it out with his spear. Princess, look, there’s fire burnin’ up ahead!

Not to be outdone, Riggan was pointing also. There’s a ship beyond the tide line yonder, looks like Cap’n Plugg’s Seascab.

Kurda looked from the fire to the ship, quickening her pace. Yarr, dat Plugg moved der ship down, she vas anchored further up north, de odder side of dat big hill. I soon find out vot he is playink at!

Pawsore and weary, the Ratguards were forced to break into a run in order to keep up with her. She checked her pace without warning, scowling as Vorto ran into her back. Kurda’s glance was fixed on the stern end of the Seascab. Suddenly she was pointing with her sabre and dancing about in agitation at what she could see.

Mine boat, it is sailin’ avay, dey be stealing it back again, dose slaves!

Riggan watched the sail go up as the small, elegant craft heeled away from the larger vessel. See, marm, 1 told ye I’d lead yer to’em sooner or later.

The sabre hilt smacked into the slavecatcher’s chin, sending her sprawling. Kurda kicked and berated Riggan, Idiot! You haff not led me to dem, dey are escaping!

She dashed off up the beach, yelling hoarsely, Plugg, stop dem, de slaves are makin’ off mitt der boat!

Kurda came storming into the Freebooters’ camp, tripping over the unconscious Tazzin. Slitfang and the others, roused from sleeping around the fire, staggered forward, yawning and scratching.

Ripper the searat, no respecter of royalty, snarled irately, Yew ain’t in command’ere, we takes orders from Cap’n Plugg!

A whack from Vorto’s spearhaft sent him sprawling. The Ratguard captain yelled at the sleepy Freebooter crew, Then ye’d best get the sand out o’ yore brains an’ let Plugg know that a vessel’s bein’ stolen by slaves!

The Seascab’s crew began milling about, bumping into one another.

Where’s the Cap’n? Find Cap’n Plugg, somebeast!

Look, they’re makin’ off wid’is new sailin’ boat! Grubbage stared about in bafflement. Wot’s all this got t’do wid a blue trailin’ coat?

Kurda seized the deaf steersbeast by the scruff of his neck. You come vit me, lunkhead. Vorto, get everybeast aboard de big ship, ve vill catch dem ourselves!

Triss watched from the stern as the small vessel was swept westward on the outgoing tide. I can see KurdaÑshe’s driving them all aboard the Freebooter ship. We’d best put on a turn of speed, they’ll be coming after us as soon as she gets underway!

Shogg and Kroova were sharing the tiller between them, whilst Sagax and Scarum took up the slack in the ropes until the mast creaked and the sail billowed tautly on the breeze. Shogg peered grimly at the grey breaking dawn.

We’re goin’ to sail out west, then turn an’ take’er back into shore among the reefs. Wot d’ye say, Kroova?

The sea otter watched as the Seascab’s sails began unfurling to catch the wind. I think yore right, mate, that big ship’d soon run us down in open water. Tack an’ weave through the rocks an’ shallows. But we’ve got to draw’er away from the shore first. All the vermin are aboard’erÑthey can’t be left on the beach, where they can wade in an’

cut us off!

Oof! You keep der boat still, I bang mine head!

Prince Bladd crawled out from under the stern seat, where he had been sleeping. The Pure Ferret gazed up at them. You not Ratguards or Freebooters, vere you come from?

He attempted to rise, but Triss kicked him flat. Well, well, look who it is. We’re asking the questions now. How did you get here? Speak!

Bladd tried to scuttle back beneath the seat as Triss drew her dagger, but Shogg cuffed his ear sharply. Lay still, an’ answer the question!

Bladd glanced at the unconscious form of Plugg and began to whimper.

Dose Freebooters, dey alvays teasin’ me. I come here for der bit of peace und quiet, sleep under der seat. I am der Royal Prince, who are you?

Triss tapped Bladd’s nose with her blade. You don’t remember us, do you? Well, and why should you? We were only two miserable slaves, imprisoned at Riftgard just for the pleasure of your family. You hardly knew we were alive, save for the times you kicked us out of your way, or had some guard beat us for not bowing to you!

Recognition dawned on Bladd’s stricken features. You der slaves who steal diss boat from Riftgard. Please, it vas mine sister who put you in der cage, not me, no no!

Scarum called to them from his perch on the bows, I say, you chaps, don’t like to butt in on your jolly old reunion, wot. But I rather think those villains are hard on our trail. If we don’t shift ourselves, they’ll be dropping in for tea shortly, wot.

Shogg grinned wolfishly. Mayhap we’d be better light-enin’ our load by sendin’ these two fer a swim.

Kroova took a backward glance at the progress the Seascab was making.

The big ship was gaining bit by bit.

Not right now, mate. If’n I ain’t mistaken, there’ll be archers an’

slingers firin’ at us from’er bows, soon as they get in range. Tie those two up an’ sit’em both back’ere.

Scarum wiggled his ears. Super wheeze, old lad. Right, you two unsavoury types, prepare to defend our vessel!

Kurda braced herself in the bows of the Seascab, holding tight to the bowsprit riggings. Vorto, bring up de archers, diss ship be close enough soon. Den I slow dem up a bit. Yarr!

Tazzin climbed up alongside Kurda, rubbing at a lump the oarpole had raised. Look, they’re up to somethin’!

Hurrying to their positions, Ratguard archers set shafts to their bowstrings. The Seascab hove closer to the small craft. Riggan’s sharp eyes identified the two figures sitting upright and bound on the vessel’s stern seat.

Marm,’old yer fire, that’s Prince Bladd an’ Cap’n Plugg!

An evil smile lit up Kurda’s pink eyes. Yarr, so’tis. Who needs demÑI don’t.

The business edge of Plugg’s battle-axe prodded Kurda’s spine.

Slitfang’s voice ground out menacingly, I don’t care about yore fat stoopid brother, but Plugg Fire-tail’s our Cap’n. One arrow from yore guards an’ I’ll make two of ye with this axe, believe me, yer royalness!