Brian Jacques - Redwall #06 - The Outcast of Redwall

Sunflash interrupted her recriminations. “Is there a lantern or a torch in there? Pass me a light through. Hurry!

There was a few moments scratching about, then a flaring, iesin-soaked torch with a metal sconce ring on it was thrust the opening. Sunflash took it, saying, “Stay where are, I wont be long. Theres something I must see.

The carved wall was covered with pictures of badgers and cattles, searats, vermin bandsthey were all there. Sunflash recogmzed a figure near the end; it was obviously his grandsire, Boar the Fighter, armor-clad, armed with a great battle-blade, putting searats to flight. Curiously, the next figure was small, but quite heroic. It was a mouse, carrying a broken sword hung about his neck on a cord, and there were other smaller figures accompanying the mouse on a journey toward the mountain. Next was a likeness of the same creatures leaving Salamandastron, though this time the mouse was wielding a bright new sword of great beauty. Beyond that was a small space. Sunflash caught his breath. Carved into the wall was a clear picture of himself, carrying his mace over one shoulder, walking toward the mountain.

22

In the forge room, the hares sprang aside as the wall gap rumbled wide. Sunflash opened it by using his great mace as a lever, then he squeezed through and pulled the mace after him, not a moment too soon. The rock rift ground back into place, closing the gap in the forge-room wall. They stared curiously at the Badger Lord as he stood there calmly, a faraway look in his dark eyes.

Sundew was profuse in her apologies. “Beggin your pardon, mLord, we should neverve ventured this far into your personal quarters, but we were so worried!

Bradders had also come along with the search party. “I say, m. Lord, you must be absolutely starvin, old Sire. The last mouthful of scoff you had was breakfast, three flippin mornins agomust make a chap jolly hungry, that sort of thing!

Sunflash rubbed his eyes and shook his great head to bring back to normality. He patted Sundews paw. “You did the right thing, young un. Bradders is right though, Im really hungry. Is breakfast over?

Forty, the fat young hare who was Bradderss pal, nodded. “Not a bally crumb left, old lad, er, I mean Sire.

Sunflash could not help chuckling at the tubby hare. “I couldnt imagine there being much left on any table once youve had your fill, wobblechops. Never mind, Ill fix something for myself in the kitchens.

Sundew whispered in Sunflashs ear, “First you must come to the sick baythere is an urgent matter that cant wait.

Sunflash recognized the two slight figures laid in twin beds immediately. He went to them and took their paws. “I remember you twoits Breeze and Starbuck. Youre the two elders who met me when I arrived here that first day.

Starbuck blinked his rheumy old eyes and coughed fitfully. “Aye, Sire, that was us. Do you know, we bodi served under your grandsire Boar the Fighter.

Sunflash looked closer at both creatures. It was then that he realized just how old they really were. He turned to Sundew, saying, “If this is right they must have more seasons on them than anybeasts I have known.

The young hare dampened a cloth and wiped the wrinkled brows of both the ancients. “They speak true, Lord. These two are the only ones left who fought alongside your grand-sire, and how they lived this long, nobeast knows. Every last day of autumn season since the death of Boar the Fighter, they have both stood in the main cave entrance by the shore, as if awaiting your coming.

Breeze pressed Sunflashs paw feebly. “Lord Boar told us of a dream he had; he told us to watch for the goldstriped warrior. You came, now our waiting is at an endis that not so, Starbuck?

The old male smiled weakly and managed a nod. “Aye, tis so, sister, our duty is done now. We go to the Dark Forest. Lord Boar will have a great feast prepared in our honor.

Sunflash pressed Starbucks paw gently. “Tell me about my grandsire, he said.

Starbuck gazed at his small withered paw, almost lost in the badgers massive one. “What is there to tell, Sire? Boar was a mighty fighter. None could stand against him when the bloodwrath took him. He was a true Badger Lord, and so are you. I see it in your eyes, feel it in your paw. You will be a mighty warrior, even greater and more fearsome than you are now, eh, Breeze?

The old female tightened her hold on Sunflashs paw. “Aye, that is true, but you will fare better than Lord Boar, because you love young ones and babes, I know this. The young will always befriend and admire you. Boar was a lonely creature; the only babe he ever spoke of was your mother, Bella. She was his babe, but all the young ones of the earth belong to you in friendship. Be good to them.

Sunflash and Sundew stayed with Starbuck and Breeze until they fell asleep, then they left the room quietly and went down to the kitchens. Sunflash felt two things: hunger and the need to cheer up after his long sojourn in the secret chamber and the saddening experience of sitting with two old creatures whose seasons had run out. The cooks looked up from their steaming pots and bubbling concoctions as Sunflash entered. They bowed briefly, and the Head Cook, a fat, bad-tempered bachelor hare, inquired, “Do you require food, Sire? I will cook your meal myself.

Sunflash lifted the lid of a pot and sniffed its contents, saying, “Hmm, porridge again! Dont we ever have anything exciting?

Clang! The Head Cook slammed his ladle down on a pan lid. “Sire, you are in my domain now, the kitchens. You are also in my waykindly take yourself off somewhere!

All work in the kitchens stopped; the younger hares, who were minor cooks and helpers, held their breath momentarily. The Head Cook was something of a tyrant, and they wanted to see how the new Badger Lord fared against him.

Sunflash could have cowed the Head Cook with a single glance, but the badger never used bullying tactics. Instead he began peeling a big russet apple, smiling at his opponent. “What dyou put in your porridge, friend? he asked.

“Salt, oatsnwaterwhat else would yput in porridge, eh? the cook replied snappishly.

The badger began tipping the ingredients in the pot as he spoke. “A lot more oats to thicken it up, less salt, more green-sap milk than water, a good portion of honeycomb, maybe some dried fruit, apple rings, hazelnuts. Dont let it cook too long, turn it out onto a tray to cool, slice it up in squares, and youve got good sweet oatcake, best eaten warm from an oven.

An instant round of applause went up from the kitchen helpers. The Head Cook turned on Sunflash, furious at having another experimenting with his porridge. “Thats not the way Id make porridge, Sire. Who taught you to cook, if I may make so bold as to ask?

Sunflash finished peeling and coring the apple. “Moles and hedgehogs, friendthe best cooks I ever knew. See this apple? Stuff the corehole with candied chestnuts and a dribble of honey, bake it in the oven, then serve it piping hot with meadowcreamever tried it?

The cook thrust out his chin defiantly. “No! And whats more, I wouldnt want to!

“I would, Sir, frizzle me paws, it souns wunnerful, it do!

The Head Cook glared at the young hare who had piped up. Sunflash strode over and shook the keen-eyed youngsters paw. “Whats your name, mate? he said.

“Bloggwood, Sire!

“Well, I like the look of you, Bloggwood. Are you a good cook?

“As good as any, Sire, an willin tlearn. I likes tcook!

“And tell me, Bloggwood, if you were in charge round here and somebeast came to you with a tasty recipe, what would you do?

“Well, Id elp em tcook it an see if n we cd make it taste even better!

With a few deft movements, Sunflash snatched the Head Cooks tall hat and placed it on the young hares head; then, lifting Bloggwood with one paw, he set him on top of a table.