Brian Jacques - Redwall #16 - Triss

Late evening faded to night over the vast acres of Moss-flower Wood.

Somewhere in the undergrowth, not far from the Abbey, a mistle thrush stirred. The bird’s head moved slowly, taking in the view all around.

It skipped from cover and winged its way swiftly up into the clean night air, leaving behind it the terrifying odour of cloying evil.

Zassaliss the adder had taken his fill of a Ratguard carcass. Now Harssacss and Sesstra were dealing with the remains. Sarengo’s crown slid back slightly on the giant adder’s head as he watched the thrush slip off. Butting his brother and sister aside, Zassaliss leaned his lower jaw on the broken Ratguard spear, letting his forked tongue slither caressingly over it.

Lotsss of new beastsss crossssing our pathsss!

Sesstra lifted her head from the grisly meal. Yesss, lotsss!

The three bodies of the snakes wriggled pleasurably. Beyond where the mace of Sarengo remained buried in their flesh, the dead serpent tails lay still, bound together and exuding their rotten odor.

34

Forty creatures in all were guarding the battlements, ten to each wall.

Below, moles trundled trolleys of food from the kitchens, out to where the Redwallers were gathered on the lawn and gatehouse steps. Stories had been related, introductions made and old friends reunited. Memm Flackery had put all the Dibbuns up to bed and found berths for the new arrivals. She shook Scarum’s paw.

Heard good things about you, young buck, wot. Served at Salamandastron m’self in the young seasons, y’know. Hightor still Lord there, is he?

Sagax took his nose out of an October Ale beaker. Aye, marm, I’m his son.

She refilled the beaker for him. Hmm, stern old stick, ain’t he? I liked your mother, though. Lady Merola an’ I were good chums. Before you came along, of course.

Triss bore Skipper’s penetrating stare for as long as she could. Finally she felt she had to speak. Excuse me, sir, but do you know me from someplace?

The big otter Chieftain nodded. Everything in his dreams was filtering slowly back to him. Aye, Triss, I think we’ave met afore. Come an’ take a walk with me. Father Abbot, I’d like ye to come as well.

Registering only slight surprise, the Abbot rose from the steps and went with them.

Skipper took them both into Great Hall. Once inside, he spoke softly to the squirrelmaid. Take a stroll around, Triss, see if’n ye recognise anythin’.

The Abbot was mystified. What’s this all about?

Skipper placed a paw around the shoulders of the old mouse. Hush now, Father, let’s just watch the maid.

Triss stood rigid in front of the tapestry, gazing up at the likeness of Martin the Warrior. Moving in a dreamlike trance, she mounted the ladder that Skipper had placed there earlier. Her eyes were riveted on the sword that hung over the tapestry. She lifted it from its retaining pins and climbed back down. Not once did her eyes leave the fabled blade.

Welcome to Redwall Abbey, Trisscar Swordmaid! Skipper placed his paw on her. Oh aye, I know ye, all right. Yore the stuff my dreams’ve been made of, though I didn’t realise that’til just now. Martin the Warrior showed you to me while I slept. It’s all coming back to me.

The Abbot was astounded. You dreamed of this squirrelmaid? Martin showed her to you? How can this be?

Skipper squeezed Triss’s paw gently. Father,’tis all a puzzle t’me as’tis to you. But she was guided to Redwall by MartinÑwho are we to question’im?

The Abbot shrugged. Who, indeed. You look as if you were born to hold that blade, miss; can you use it?

Triss saw her own reflection in the bright steel as she spoke. I am the daughter of Rocc Arrem. Nobeast in all the Northlands could cross swords with him. Though I was a slave, I was brought up around swords.

But this blade, this is different. I know it like I know my own right paw.

Satisfied, the Abbot sized Triss up and down, smiling. Then you must wear it. Redwall is fortunate to find one such as you in time of danger, Trisscar.

The squirrelmaid undid her waist belt and buckled it across her back from left shoulder to right waist, then thrust the sword through, so it hung over her back. If you please, Father Abbot, I prefer to be called Triss.

They watched her go back outside to join the others. The Abbot transferred his gaze to Martin on the tapestry. Sir, I’ll wager you used to wear the sword in the same manner. Thank you for sending her to us.

Since the vermin had entered the woodlands, Kurda seemed a touch more affable toward Plugg. Her archers had brought down a fine woodpigeon, and she beckoned him to join her at the fire.

So, tell me, you haff conquered big stone places like diss?

The Freebooter sat down gingerly, having first assured himself that his tail was still hanging intact. The bigger they are, the richer they be, missy. If’n all the tales o’ booty an’ loot inside there are only

‘arf true, ye can bet yore white ‘ide old Plugg’ll find a way to get at it. Aye, on me affidavit I will.

Kurda stared into the flames. If diss be true, you can haff der booty.

I’ll take dose slavebeasts, yarr.

Grubbage and Scummy lingered behind their captain, keeping an eye on the unfortunate tail. Plugg sniffed at the bird cooking on a spit over the fire.

Is that bird fresh killed?

Kurda gave it a turn with her sabre point. Yarr, fresh diss very night.

Vy you ask?

The silver fox sniffed the air uneasily, then noticed his two crewbeasts lurking in the background. Ahoy, Scummy, d’ye reckon yew could find a stream ‘ere-abouts?

The stoat touched his ear dutifully. Aye, Cap’n, I could.

Plugg wrinkled his nose distastefully. Then take Grubbage with ye, an’

when yer come across the stream ye can chuck each other in an’ scrub yoreselves ‘til dawn. Rub some fresh mint on yoreselves, too.

The two vermin plodded obediently off, Grubbage waggling a paw in his ear, or what was left of it. Why’ve we got to put fresh mint on a shelf?

Don’t make sense.

When they had gone, Plugg continued sniffing. Phew! That stink’s still

‘angin’ about. Wot is it?

Kurda was about to suggest that Plugg join his crew-beasts in the stream.

But she thought better of it now that she really needed an ally. Der shmell? I don’t know, maybe all strange voodlands shrink like diss!

The silver fox picked up a burning twig and blew on it. No matter, we’ll see if it smells any better inside that Abbey place, once we’ve burned their doors down. Haha-harr!

Eight Redwallers, headed by Foremole Urrm, shouldered four stout poles running through the hooped iron handle of a massive cauldron. Urrm grunted.

Yurr, altogether naow, give et ee gudd lift, wun, two, hupp!

Filled almost to the brim with oatmeal boiled in honey, the great mass was lifted and carried, one step at a time, up the gatehouse stairs.

Only Memm Flackery and some shrew wives, who were seeing to the Dibbuns, were not present. Just before dawn, Skipper had ordered everybeast up to the battlements to provide a show of force for the vermin’s benefit.

Scarum strode the walltop jauntily. He threw an excellent salute to Skipper and Triss, who were both standing on the threshold directly over the gates. Beeyootiful mornin’, sah an’ marm, no sign o’ Plugg an’ his perishers, no white ferrets or rats to blight the day. I’m about ready for a spot of brekkers, wot!

Shading his eyes, Shogg peered up toward the northwest. You spoke too soon, Scarum mate. ‘Ere they come!

Figures could be seen scurrying out of the woodlands.

They crossed the path, negotiating the ditch on its far side. When a few score of them had made it, they began walking out west, across the flatlands, away from the Abbey.