The Bellmaker - Jacques, Brian - Redwall 07 - The Bellmaker

They strolled around the hill, noticing how the dwelling entrance was carefully concealed between a large rock and some thick brush. The gentle breezes constantly shifted the dry sand and smoothed over any traces of paw-prints leading to Furpps home. They came upon Furpp and Meldrum lounging outside, they too having deserted the packed chambers for the soft, starred outdoors. The four sat down in the warm sand, discussing the days events in low tones. Meldrum had already been apprised of the situation by Furpp, and he was not happy.

“Too many of those confounded rats in Southsward now. I got back from me campaignin an travelin too late; the bally place is swarmin with em. That lot today arent the only ones Ive run into; Ive seen patrols everywhere. Now Furpp tells me that me old friends Gael Squirrelking an his good ladywife had the very throne pulled out from under em by invaders an villains. Couple of foxbeasts, I hear. Ones said to be half wolf. Tchah! The ruffianll be half dead if he ever crosses my trail. Actually, I was on me way to Castle Floret with the squad when I bumped into you chaps. What dye say, care to join us?

Mariel exchanged a grim nod with Dandin before answering, “Were with you! After what we saw today of those filthy rats, Dandin and I are game for anything that will rid the land of them and their evil kind!

“Baint that easy, zurrs, said Furpp Straightfurrer, shaking his head. “Youm oanly seed but a few of Foxen-wolfers orde. Gurt boatloads of ee vurmints came to this land, moren ee leaves in autumn winds. Ho urr, theym be too aplenty furr the loikes of us n s to cope wi.

Meldrum the Magnificent sniffed as he twirled his waxed mustachios. “Balderdash! Quality counts, old lad, not quantity. Proved it meself many a time. What dyou think these medals are for, cleanin me porridge bowl an goin to bed early?

“Not so hasty, Meldrum, Dandin spoke up on Furpps side. “Dashing deeds and dead heroes would be a sad fact in the face of a horde such as our friend Furpp described. Mayhap we should be a bit careful and take a closer look before rushing madly in.

“Indeed! Meldrum said, wiggling his ears huffily. “Took the very words out o me mouth, young feller. Proceed with extreme caution, then wallop em when the times ripe, thats what I always say!

Mariel could see Meldrum was in a touchy mood. She ended the meeting by yawning and stretching. “I suggest we sleep on it; were all tired and need a rest.

Meldrum loosened his tunic buttons. “Of course, tucker first, shuteye next, then action! Eat, sleep n fight in that order, always been me motto. Glad I thought of it, wot?

Suppressing a giggle, Mariel lay down saying, “I dont know where wed be without your wise counsel, sir.

Meldrum peered hard at her in the darkness. “Tell you somethin else, missie. Better off sleepin out here under the stars, wot? Dreadful fellers for snorin these motes, an those young neph, er, troops of mine, sound like a pack of hogs in a truffle patch. Advise beddin down outside, earth for ybed, sky for a blanket an all that. Capital stuff!

Dandin yawned and closed his eyes. “Well take your word for it, Meldrum.

The old hare hit the ground with a resounding thud, nestling his head into a grass tussock. “Sensible creature, I can see were goin to get on well tgether. Gnight, chaps!

He was instantly asleep. After suffering an hour of his stentorian snores, Mariel, Dandin, and Furpp crept around to the other side of the hill. The old mole stuffed grass into his ears as he commented, “Hurr, oi cn ear Meldum a snoren from yurr, ee could win a gurt fat medal ftirr snorin, thatn be a champiun, burr aye!

Dandin drifted off to sleep, wondering how his old friend Saxtus was coping as Abbot of Redwall, and his companions, Durry, Rufe, and the other good Abbey comrades, Mother Mellus and Simeon. Were they still well and happy, enjoying a long, peaceful Mossflower summer? A wave of longing for his old home swept over him. What was he doing here, four seasons away from the Abbey he had been brought up in, going off to fight some other beasts war? Then he thought of Mariel, the truest mousemaid he had ever stood alongside, through thick and thin over many adventures, trekking, eating, thinking, and fighting together in all manner of strange places, making new friends and fighting many enemies.

A smile passed across the face of the sleeping mouse warrior. This was the life; he would not have had it any other way.

Candles cast their warm flickering glow over the tables, sending long shadows into the comers of Great Hall. Father Abbot Saxtus dipped his quill pen in the ink; a long bark parchment lay on the table before him. Though the night was late, his duties as Recorder were required. Every Redwaller sat silent, the food at table forgotten, as Joseph the Bellmaker stood to relate his dream of the previous night. The words sprang unbidden to his lips.

“All day I have been struggling to recall the message Martin the Warrior gave to me as I slept, but I could remember nothing until now. So, friends, I will tell you about the dream as it happened.

“Martin guided my mind through a far country. It looked peaceful and warm, but 1 could feel fear, the fear of the creatures who live there. I also felt the presence of evil, a shadow loomed, like that of a big animal, a large fox maybe, or even a wolf! Then I heard Martin speak.

Birds of cloth that fly oer water,

Guide trees of the forest through the sea,

Where a snake begins, find thy daughter,

Go now, turn thou, due to my plea.

Joseph paused. The only sound to be heard was the scratch of Saxtuss pen, who then said, “Thank you, Joseph, Ive got that. Is there more?

The Bellmaker continued to narrate what he had dreamed. “Oh yes, there is much more. Martin faded from my mind and I saw Mariel and Dandin, as clear as I can see you, my friends. They were repeating a verse together.

Five will ride the Roaringburn,

But only four will eer return.

Urgan sits in Gaels Royal House,

Warriormaid and Warriormouse,

Say hasten, and give aid.

Immediately a murmur arose from the assembled Red-wallers.

“Five are to go. Which five?

“The rhyme never said?

“Aye, but only four will come back; thats what he said!

Simeons stick rapped the tabletop sharply. “Silence, please, friends! he said. “You must wait until Joseph has finished speaking.

The Bellmaker bowed slightly to the blind Herbalist. “Thank you, Simeon. I have not much more to say now. My dream ended with many images, swirling water, flames, the sounds of battle, and above all the voice of Martin calling aloud:

Bellringer whod love to stay,

Go! With cellarhog, I say,

Laughing flowr with eye of hawk,

Digger who would rather walk,

Fathermouse with beard of gray,

Five from Redwall go, away! “

Saxtus stopped writing and looked over his spectacles. “There! I feel that you have finished, Bellmaker?

“I can remember no more, Father Abbot! said Joseph as he took his seat. He looked tired.

Tarquin L. Woodsorrel loaded up his platter with salad and a mushroom turnover, then, pouring himself a beaker of October ale, he smiled brightly and said, “Righty ho! Well done, sir! Now lets get down to solving the mystery an unravelin those riddles, wot?

Mother Mellus shook her grizzled head. “Youd stay up all night as long as there was food on the table, wouldnt you?

“Mmf snnch glomff, scuse me! the gluttonous hare spoke around a mouthful of food. “An1 whats wrong [ with that, may I ask? Chap needs his nosebag yknow!

Sister Sage wagged a reproving paw at him. “Cant you see Joseph is tired? Father Abbot, too? No consid-ieration for otherbeasts, thats your trouble!

Simeon could not help smiling as he tapped gently on ie table with his stick. “Now now, I think we are all tired; the hour grows late. Perhaps it would be best if we slept on Josephs words.