Brian Jacques - Redwall #16 - Triss

Before they had a chance to group themselves, it broke in upon them like a dark tidal wave. The three snakes collided with the Redwallers, Mokug turned to run, his head butting Triss under her chin. She slipped and fell, the sword kicked from her grasp by the milling paws of shrews.

Zassaliss spat the dying Ratguard from his mouth and, pulling the other two adders up with him, reared over the fallen squirrelmaid and struck.

Shogg hurled himself between them, slashing wildly with his spearpoint.

Zassaliss pulled to one side, attacking the otter with his poisonous fangs as the spear struck Sesstra straight down her open mouth. There was a roar like thunder breaking over the sea, as Sagax swung his battle-axe, leaping into the fray. Zassaliss ducked his head, and the big axe slew his brother Harssacss. Triss rolled over as the adder’s chin hit thefloor. Her paws clasped about the sword hilt, she sprang upright, driving the keen blade straight through the throat of Zassaliss.

Then followed a scene of utter chaos as the Ratguards and Freebooters came tumbling on them in the wake of the snakes. Both sides were confused until Skipper took out a Ratguard with his javelin and gave the battle cry: At’em, mates! Redwaaaaaaallllll!

Triss gathered in the vanguard with Churk, Sagax, Skipper and Log a Log. Backed by Guosim and Redwallers, they rushed the vermin, catching them off guard. Warcries rang out, echoing and bouncing off the walls of Brockhall as they drove the vermin back up the corridor.

Eulaliaaaaaa! Redwaaaaaalll! Logalogalogalooooog!

Spear cracked against javelin, sword clashed upon cutlass, rapier rasped against daggerblade. But above it all, two stood out: the young badger wielding the fearsome battle-axe, and the squirrelmaid armed with the sword of Martin the Warrior. They were like twin whirlwinds, slaying and roaring as they went. Triss was wreaking retribution for the death of her father and Drufo. Vermin fell before her like chaff beneath a scythe. Sagax’s eyes shone red in the gloomÑhe was possessed of the dreaded Blood-wrath, inherent to great Badger Lords of Salamandastron. Neither injury nor foebeast could hurt him as his awesome weapon swung into the vermin ranks like a windmill.

Tripping and stumbling, the vermin broke and ran in defeat, the Redwallers swarming after them. Their cries echoed off down the gloomy passage as Kurda, Vorto and Riggan sneaked out of a side chamber. Leaping over the carnage of dead and mortally wounded creatures, Kurda grabbed the crown from the head of Zassaliss. She slashed cruelly at the dead snakes, growling frantically,

Vere is der pa wring, dat is mine birthright!

Riggan jumped aside, narrowly missing the sweeping blade. It ain’t’ereÑye can see thatforyoreself,marm. Leave it, we got to get goin’

afore those Redwallers come back!

Kurda leaned on her sabre, breathing hard. Yarr, you are right, but I must find mine pawring!

Vorto, catching Riggan’s glance, interrupted. Yore’igh-ness, we can come back’ere when they’ve gone. Me’n’ Riggan’ll find yore pawring for ye. Come on, Princess, there must be a way out the back, or’ow did the Red-wallers get in? Can ye get us out safe, Riggan?

The slavecatcher nodded. Just follow the trail backwards where they’ve disturbed the dust an’ broke the cobwebs. C’mon!

Taking their advice reluctantly, Kurda put up her sabre and followed them to the rear exit.

Triss and Sagax threw themselves on the grass to regain their breath.

Vermin could be heard in the distance, pursued by Redwallers as they fled in ignominious retreat, scattering widespread.

Sagax picked up a fallen water flask. Taking a deep swig, he passed it to Triss. Whew, I can’t remember half of what went on in there. Don’t think I want to, really.

Triss stared bleakly in front of her. I can. I still remember the whip strokes I received from some of those Rat-guards when I was a slave.

I grew up with them!

Triss, Trissy mate,’elp me!

Dragging himself along on his stomach, Shogg emerged through the open door. Triss was at his side in an instant. Shogg, what happened, where have you been, are you hurt?

Without allowing him the time to answer, Triss poured water into the otter’s mouth as Sagax held his head up. The otter drank a drop, the rest trickling from his lips as he gasped, Snake ... the big’un... bit me neck... Triss, lis-sen. Kurda, still alive... Vorto an’ the slavecatcher, too... She got the crown... Gone out the back... Get’em, Triss!

The squirrelmaid saw her friend’s eyes beginning to mist over. She hugged him close, rocking to and fro, murmuring, We’ll get them, mate, together, when you’re better. But first we’ve got to get you to the Abbey. Malbun and the Abbot will know what to do. You’ll be all right, my Shogg.

Slowly the otter raised his paws until they held either side of the squirrelmaid’s face. His voice sounded tired. Too late fer that, me old matey.... Promise me, Triss, promise me ye’ll go back to Riftgard an’ free the slaves. That’s wot we were always goin’ t’do, wasn’t it?

Her tears spilled onto his paws as she looked into his eyes. Aye, right from that day we stole the boat and escaped. That’s what we vowed and that’s what I’ll do, you know that.

Shogg smiled. That was a day to remember, eh, Triss? The first slaves ever to escape from Riftgard. The otter’s eyes looked away from Triss, over her shoulder. Welfo, liddle maid, wot are ye doinere? Did ye come all the way from Peace Island t’see me?’Tis kind of ye, mate.

Shogg’s eyes closed and his head lolled loosely to one side. Sagax gently prised the otter’s paws from Triss’s cheeks.

Triss stared in disbelief at the badger. Shogg ... you’re not...

The young badger picked Shogg carefully up. He held him like a babe, blinking back huge tears. I’ll let him rest in the shade of that oak.

When the others get back, we’ll take him to Redwall. Triss, I’m sorry.

The squirrelmaid just sat there and wept. Sagax came back from his task and placed a paw about her shoulders. His heart has gone out across the seas to visit your friend on that beautiful isle you told us of.

Triss wiped her eyes with the back of a paw. I’ve known Shogg ever since I can recallÑwe were slaves together. First I lost my father, then Drufo, and now Shogg, the best friend I ever had, is gone. Stay away from me, Sagax, I’m bad luck to know!

The powerful badger heaved her upright and brought his face close to hers. I’m not leaving you anywhere, Trisscar. When you return to Riftgard and free the slaves, I’ll be at your side. You can take my word as a warrior on that!

Mokug and Log a Log returned first. With them they had an unhappy Grubbage.

The hamster and the Guosim Chieftain were desolated by the news of Shogg’s death, but Log a Log was not a beast to sit around grieving for long. He took charge immediately.

Mokug, tie our prisoner to a tree. Then stand by pore young Shogg’til our friends get backÑtogether ye can take our mate’ome to the Abbey.

Come on, Triss me dar-lin’, an’ you, too, Sagax. We got business t’finish wid that white polecat aner cronies. Weepin’ won’t git the job done.

If’n our matey Shogg was alive,’e’d be’ard on the paws o’ those scum right now. Wot d’ye say?

With her eyes blazing hotly through the tears, Triss tightened her grip around Martin the Warrior’s sword. You’re right, friend. What are we wasting time for?

Sagax shouldered his formidable battle-axe. I’m with you!

Throwing caution to the winds, they lit a torch of pine and brushwood and marched boldly into Brockhall. Through the carnage of the battle they strode, ready for anything.

As Log a Log passed the trio of slain serpents, he commented harshly, Yore killin’ seasons are done. Moss-flower’s air will smell sweeter without ye!