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

Blagguts dull features brightened.

“Aye, aye, Capn, vittles! Ill bring yer all I kin lay claws on, an water to drink as well.

Slipp glared at the westering sun as if it were partly to blame, then he smiled disarmingly at his servant. “Weve been surrounded by fresh streamwater all day, nitbrains.

Wot would we need more for? Look, just go an get the vittles, will yer? An remember the way back.

Blaggut stumbled off into the woodland muttering to himself. “No water, jus vittles, an remember the way back, got it. No vittles jus remember an water if ycome back, or was it dont remember water an no vittles on the way back ...

Slipp covered his head with both paws and slept.

Mellus and Saxtus, with several of the old and Very young, stood on the path outside Redwall Abbeys &. west side. They held lanterns high, even though there was a full moon to give good light.

Blind Simeon turned his face south. “Is that the search coming from the direction of Saint Ninians? he

“It is indeed, said Sister Sage, peering down the path. Though I dont see the Dibbuns with them.

“Have they been eaten by wildbeasts, Mellus? one of the leverets piped up.

The old badger cuffed the young hares ears gently. “Of course not, and dont let me hear you spreading horrible stories around. By rights you should be in bed!

Weary and paw-sore, the search party halted in front of the main gate. Tarquin threw the reception committee a tired salute. “No sign of the little uns at all, Im afraid; we covered a wide area, north, east, and south, no joy whatsoever.

The Abbot studied his paws in the moonlight. “You did all you could. Come in now, weve held supper over for you. Tomorrow well start the search again at first light. Inside, you Dibbuns. Come on now, bedtime.

The Redwallers drifted into the Abbey grounds. Tarquin stayed back with Blind Simeon to secure the main gate for the night.

“Perhaps wed better post sentries on the wall, they might wander home during the night, said the blind sage as he felt about for the barlock. “Dearie me, I cant help wishing that Joseph were here, hed know what to do.

Blaggut made his way back to the oak on the streambank, more by luck than judgment. He shook the sleeping form of his Captain vigorously. “Capn, Capn, guess wot I found?

Slipp yawned and blinked in the darkness. “Dont tell me, a cask of seaweed grog and a roasted gull!

“O, thats a good un, yer a one you are, Capn! Blag-gut chuckled heartily.

Slipp grabbed hold of the slow-witted searat. “Im an ungry one right now, flopead. Wheres those vittles?

“O er, vittles, er, there wasnt none, Blagguts voice rattled on with excitement. “But I found two Hddle beasts asleep; theyre livin in a tent jus a stroll further up the bank, Capn!

“You didnt wake em, did yer?

“No, Capn. Bless their liddle earts, they looked so peaceful. I came right back ere t let you know.

Slipp released Blaggut and shook his paw. “Thats the first sensible thing youve done today, mate. Now you lead me to em, nice an quiet like!

14

The onset of night in the dungeons of Castle Floret weighed deeply on Mariel and Dandin. They sat on the wide window ledge, tired, hungry, and sore, watching the moon hanging like a buttered disc over the valley. Mariel was using the rope that had bound their footpaws to fash-ion a new Gullwhacker. As she worked, she wondered dolefully if she would ever get a chance to use it.

Dandin, half awake and half asleep, was imagining himself back at his beloved Redwall, strolling through the moonlit orchard with his friend Saxtus after supper, as the great Joseph bell softly boomed out the quarter; hearing the distant voice of Mother Mellus from the dormitory windows as she shooed Dibbuns off to bed; sensing the odors of apple, plum, strawberry, and pear on the still, fragrant air. He was roused from his reverie by Mariels voice.

“How does he do it? That old Field Marshal will sleep through anythinglook at him.

Meldrum the Magnificent was lying full stretch, his weighty stomach rising and falling to each snore. Dandin watched him, envious of the hares capacity to recede into slumber at the wink of an eye.

Mariel stared up at the moon, speaking her thoughts aloud. “That same moon will be shining over the Abbey now. Ill bet my dad has taken himself off to bed; hes another one who can sleep anytime, night or day, it makes no difference to him.

Dandin looked away from the window to the stark, hostile interior of their cell, “Makes you wonder if we11 ever see Redwall again, he said, his voice wistful. “Though at the moment a beaker of water and a crust of bread would be a welcome sight.

To take her friends mind off food, Mariel climbed down from the window ledge and said, “We havent explored this cell yet. Come onlets see if we can find a weak spot to escape from.

Dandin slid from the window ledge to join her. “It all looks pretty solid and secure to me; they didnt build this place with a view to letting anyone break out.

Together they inspected the dungeon. Walls and floor alike were heavy, close-jointed stone. Dandin tried probing the narrow cracks with his paws but soon gave up. “Hammer and chiseld help. Know anywhere we could borrow em? he said.

Mariel was staring upward. “Hmm, ceilings the same, rock solid. Lets take a look at the window bars.

Meldmm was lying in their way, and they had to move him. The old hare opened one eye and muttered, “Whatn the name of flattened frogs are you chaps up to? Distur-bin my nocturnal repose, wot. No respect for age at all, thats the trouble with this young generation!

“Were sounding the place out, looking for ways of escape, said Mariel suppressing a smile. “Dyou mind moving away from the bars, sir?

Meldrum moved, rather huffily. “Whatcha goin tdo, rip the bars out an fly away?

Dandin was kicking the bars with his footpaws. “A chance is a chance, no matter how slim. Huh, its no chance here thoughcreature who put these bars in knew what he was doing. Theyre bedded tight, set in the stone with molten lead; deep, too, I imagine.

Meldrum sat up. He stretched and yawned. “Ah well, no rest for the righteous, I spose. So then, escape ysay, lets see. How did we get into this lockup?

“How did we get in here? said Mariel, looking at him quizzically. “Obviously by way of the door!

The hare wiggled his ears so that they rubbed together. “Full marks, young mouseygel. Now youre startin to think properly, wot! Stands to reason, dont it, if the door is the entrance its also the bally exit. Doors were made to close ... and open, so lets inspect the jolly old portal!

Together the three captives moved to the door. Mariel and Dandin, bowing to Meldrums seniority, let him take over. “Righty ho, young Dandin, bang loudly on this door, please.

Without question Dandin started thumping as hard as he could. Nothing happened for a moment, then there was a sound of footpaws and a drowsy, irritable guards voice rasped out, “Stop that bangin in there, prisoners!

Meldrum adopted a whimpering tone. “Please, sir, we want a drink of water.

His plea was followed by a harsh laugh from the guard.

“Water? You three aint allowed no water. Huh, only water youll get is when they fling yer dead bodies inter the moat, now be quiet or youll get a taste of me spear-point. Shurrup, dyer ear?

This was followed by footpaws receding along the outside corridor. Meldrum winked, signaling them to keep their voices low. “Number one, weve established that theres a sentry on duty, out there night an day if Im not mistaken. Two, the villains armed with a spear; thatll come in useful when the time comes.

“What time, and how can a guard with a spear be useful to us? said Dandin.