Brian Jacques - Redwall #06 - The Outcast of Redwall

“Eeulaliaaa! Im Sunflash the Mace and Im better looking than both of you put together, you nut-nosed, boulder-headed beasts!

Retaliating, Folrig and Ruddle got Sunflash in a double headlock between them, shouting, “Drown im quick afore he scares the young uns!

“Wot an orrible sight, mate, a badger with a butter-dipped nose!

The three fell about, laughing in the water, then suddenly Ruddle plunged deeper into the thick cascade and vanished. Sunflash pawed water from his eyes and looked at Folrig. “Wheres Ruddle gone? he asked.

“Into the den, matey. Ere, give me yore paw an Ill show yer.

It was a cave at the back of the waterfall, completely hidden from view. Stepping from beneath the falls onto a raised ledge, Sunflash followed Folrig around a slight bend, and there they were, in a dry, rush-strewn cavern. Ruddle had already put flint to tinder and set a small fire.

“Welcome in, messmate, he said. “It aint much, but tis ome fer two andsome streamdogs such as us.

Sunflash dried himself by shaking off and rubbing vigorously with aromatic dried grass. Ruddle produced beakers and a big gourd jug full of pennycloud-and-rosehip squash. Folrig busied himself chopping leeks and white turnips into a cauldron, eyeing Sunflashs hornbeam limb as he did. “Thats a mighty big eadbonker, matey. Did you make it?

Sunflash hefted the weapon fondly. “Aye, its my mace, he said.

The irrepressible otter pointed to a bundle of thick red roots. “Mace, eh? Well, if you dont fancy smackin ole Ruddle in the chops to improve is looks, praps youd like to pound up those otroots fer the soup.

Using the head of his mace the badger pulped the roots to shreds. Folrig tossed them into the cauldron along with some dried watershrimp, young nettles, mushrooms, and carrots.

They sat round the fire until the soup was ready, when Ruddle served it steaming hot with chunks of barley bread. The taste was delicious, though the spiciness almost took the badgers breath away. Hurriedly he poured a beakerful of squash down his burning throat. “Phwooh! I feel as though Im on fire. What soup is that?

Folrig began singing.

“When I was just a liddle beast,

I was so small an1 weak,

Id often fall flat on me tail,

An I could ardly speak.

I scarce could totter round the floor,

Me whiskers used to droop,

Til granma made a great big pot

Of good ole otroot soup!

An now Im brisker than a bee,

More fitter than a mole,

Most every day I ear granma say,

Give im another bowl!

Ill live a thousand seasons,

Grow strong as any tree,

Give me a spoon an fetch it soon,

Good otroot soup for me.

As the evening wore on, Sunflash began to enjoy the tangy dish. In fact he ate more than either of his two friends. They sang and recited, ate and drank until all three fell asleep where they sat, around the glowing embers, with the soothing sounds of the falls in the background.

13?

Sunflash did not know whether it was night or day when he woke. Folrig had put more wood upon the embers and blown a fresh fire into light. The badger yawned, stretched, and took a mighty draught of squash from the gourd jug.

For the first time he noticed an opening at the back of the cave. “Ruddle, where does that lead to? Is it a backway out? he asked.

The otter licked a paw and held it up. “It used tbe, messmate; feel that breeze, keeps the cave nicenfresh when the winds blowin in the right direction. Aye, twas once our secret way out, until a boulder shifted in the meltin snows an blocked it. But a little draught still comes through when it blows southerly.

While the two otters prepared breakfast, Sunflash went to investigate the secret exit. Sure enough, a sizeable boulder had blocked it, and all that showed through were a few small cracks of sunlight from outside. The badger worked at clearing the rocks and debris that had lodged round the great stone, until Folrig called him. “If ydont like arrowroot biscuitsno-ney with ot mint tea, then stay where yare, matey, menole frightfacell eat em fer you!

Sunflash needed no second bidding. He enjoyed a hearty breakfast, while explaining what he had in mind.

“Move what bits and pieces you need to the side walls of this caveIm going to unblock your secret backway. Ill push the boulder into the cave from the outsideand when you hear the boulder shifting youd best stay clear of this place. Better yet, come and show me the backway from outside.

The two otters followed him, scoffing and chortling at the idea that any creature could clear the obstruction.

“Nobeastll budge that ole boulder, its there to stay. We both worked at it right through the spring with nary a scrap of luck,tis wedged there for good, Sunflash.

“If anybeast living could move yonder stone, why, wed give im a mighty feed an call im andsome. Hohohoho!

From the outside, the backway was a natural tunnel in the rock above the falls. Sunflash climbed in and started pulling out slabs and shards of stone that had become wedged around the boulder. These he passed back to his friends for disposal. Once it was reasonably clear, he set his shoulder to the big rock and began to push, grunting and straining as he sought for proper purchase with his footpaws. Folrig and Ruddle sat outside the tunnel, concern evident in their voices.

“Sunflash, matey, come out o there,tis no use!

“Youll urt yoreself, friend, it aint worth it fer a daft ole boulder like thatn!

The large gold-striped head poked from the tunnel opening and glared at them; warrior blood was beginning to rise in the eyes of Sunflash.

“Listen, you two ugly mugs, Id advise you both to shut up! Youre my friends, seeIve been guided through the swamps, been cared for, fed, and bedded in your home. So now Im repaying you by clearing this secret way out, then Ill be on my way. Now both of you, sit tight here and not another word!

Thoroughly chastened, Folrig and Ruddle watched their friend disappear back into the tunnel.

Setting his back full against the boulder, Sunflash lodged his paws into the walls on either side of him, his footpaws flat on the stone floor as he began to push. Muscles bunching and sinews strained, he concentrated all his mind on defeating the mighty boulder jammed squarely into the passage. The powerful jaws clenched vicelike, and froth bubbled around his lips as he strained, veins bulging and claws scarring deep into the rock walls.

There was a slight creak, and dust powdered from the boulder edges to mingle with the sweat dripping from Sunflashs muzzle. Straining and pushing even harder, the badger shut his eyes tight as a red mist enveloped his senses. Then the four badgers were with him in spirit, his father, mother, and both grandsires, speaking as in one echoing voice.

“Through wintercold and summerheat, The Badger Lord knows not defeat! Point of spear or blade of sword, Nought can stop the Badger Lord!

A thunderous battle cry ripped from the very depths of the badgers cavernous chest, and blood coursed through his frame in a torrent as he slammed his back into the boulder.

“Eeulaliaaaaaaa!

The huge stone rolled forward, free of its constraints. Lying stretched upon his back, Sunflash opened his eyes and watched as the boulder rumbled off down the passageway. Picking up speed on the slope, it boomed its way through the cavern, swerving around the corner of the otters dwelling and crashing into the cascading curtain of the waterfall. Folrig and Ruddle had heard the commotion; they dashed to the edge of the rocks, following the course of the noise.

“Blisterin barnacles, mate. Look!

The boulder came catapulting out of the cataracts center to crash into the stream below with a terrific splash. Folrig and Ruddle danced about wildly on the rocks edge.