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

Saxtus took the dagger from Oak Tom and stowed it in his wide habit sleeve, then he turned to the mousebabe, “You saw what happened. I leave it to you. Does he deserve to die, or would you let him live?

There was a moments silence. Every Red waller looked on anxiously as the mousebabe trundled over to the wall steps and took Blagguts paw in his.

“Mister Blackguts is good, norra killer; he makes boats.

Funtil joined him, latching herself on to the searats other paw trustingly. “Hurr, that be roight, eem a gen-oelbeast, oi loikes im.

Saxtus spread his paws wide. “There you have it friends, from the mouths of Dibbuns. A little un can sometimes see things in others that us older ones cannot because our judgment gets clouded.

Simeon retrieved the dagger from Saxtus and gave it back to Oak Tom. “Well, do you still wish to slay him, Tom?

The big squirrel sheathed his blade. “No, I acted in haste out of my grief for Mellus. This Blaggut is no killer; if he was, hed still be running. But he returned, after he slew the guilty one. I can see that he is still confused about it, arent you, Blaggut?

The searat sat down upon the steps, ruffling the Dibbuns heads absentmindedly. “We lied when we told you we was travelers. We was searats, always ave been. Tho I never card tell of a searat who killed his Capn. I did, but I was drove to it. Capn Slipp was a bad un; hed a killed more if he lived.

Oak Tom sat on the steps next to him. “You did right, Blaggut, it was only justice long overdue. Good will always defeat evil, and there is good in you.

Tarquin L. Woodsorrel had been waiting to speak up. “Hmm, youll scuse me askin, old chap, but whatll you do now, I mean wherell you go?

Fumil looked pleadingly at the Abbot. “Ho say eem can stay yurr, zurr; oill mind im.

Blaggut smiled for the first time since the previous night. “Bless yer eart, liddle matey, but youll ave enuff tdo mindin yerself an growin up pretty. Id like to stay at yore hAbbey, but I dont think I can after wot ap-pened. One things sure, I aint a searat no more. Theres a snug cove by the sea, close to where I come ashore. It was an andsome place as I recalls, fresh water, vittles a growin out o the floor, and the sea close by. Thats where ole Blagguts bound for; I could live there.

Saxtus respected the searats decision, though he felt bound to inquire, “What will you do mere?

Blaggut stood up, lifting his chin proudly. “Ill build boats, Father. Im good at boatbuildin, tho tis a skill I never knew I ad til I came ere. Im a good boatbuilder, aint I, messmates?

The mousebabe and Furrtil chorused together, “Black-guts makes the best boats!

By late afternoon Blaggut was ready to set out, laden with provisions and tools donated by kind Redwallers. Saxtus had detailed a small party, headed by Oak Tom and Tarquin, to go with him. They would help him to build a dwelling at his chosen place. The searat stood by Melluss grave and shuffled awkwardly.

“Gbye, marm. Sorry about yore trouble. Ill try to be as good an elpful to others as you was, I promises.

Furrtil and the mousebabe began weeping i neon sol ably at their friends departure. Blaggut pressed a pawful of candied chestnuts on them, saying, “Ho, stop blubberin, mates, youll ave me at it again. You can come an visit with me next summer if yer good an stop that cryin*. Lissen now, theres the Joseph Bell; its teatime. Urry along or yH be late!

He stood watching them until they disappeared into the Abbey. Wiping away a tear, the former boatswain of Pearl Queen hitched up the pack on his back and set off.

“Come on, Mr. Tarquin, I promise you I wont make no skilly an duff fer supper. Men you will build the fire, an mayap Mr. Tom11 do the cookin.

They set off up the path with Tarquin muttering darkly, “Oak Tom as cook, hmph! I should say not; the blighterd probly have us eatin treebark an drinkin water. Now Brother Mallen, theres a useful mouse, good cook too. Hi, Mallen old chum, cmere, I want a word with you!

The shadows lengthened as they left the dusty path and cut off into Mossflower Wood.

33

The Urgan Nagru buckled a belt over his wolfhide to hold both sword and dagger and strode purposefully to where two-thirds of his horde awaited him in an inner courtyard. Gray rats in serried ranks held aloft banners, spears, lances, and pikes. They stood silent in the calm that comes before a storm, every eye upon their Lord as he positioned himself at their head. Drawing his sword, Fox-wolf gave a bloodcurdling yell and charged out of Castle Floret.

“Owoooooh!

The drawbridge shook to the pounding paws of the gray tide; they thundered out down the plateau steps, their barbaric war cry ringing into Southsward.

“Urgan Nagruuuuuu! Kiiiiiillll!

Mariel watched from the gatehouse window. As soon as the last horderat was clear of the castle, she rapped out an order to her two silent helpers.

“Up drawbridge!

Muta and Rab had the huge timbered structure slammed shut seconds after the mousemaid had given her order. Mariel stood watching through a slit in the wrecked table which shielded the window, smiling with grim satisfaction.

“Foxwolf is locked out of Floret!

Muta moved anxiously from side to side, nostrils twitching, eyes wide. Mariel grabbed the big badgers paw, saying, “Muta, what is it?

Rab divedthrowing himself at them he knocked both to one side as a smoking mass of debris crashed through the barricade. It was swiftly followed by two barrels, both alight and packed with wet straw. Smoke billowed thickly around the confines of the room, as more bales of damp green branches bounced down the stairs into the gatehouse. Coughing and spluttering, Mariel made it to the window and pushed aside the table that covered it. A hail of arrows whined in. The mousemaid threw herself flat upon the floor, her mind racing. The barrels would not go through the window, they were too large, and now the window was no longer shielded by the table. It was time to leave the gatehouse.

“Muta, Rab, she shouted, “we must get out of here, but first the handles of the winding drum have to be broken so that the drawbridge stays up. Can you do it?

Coughing and gasping for breath, their eyes red and watery, the three friends felt about in the dense, smoky gloom. Muta gave a strangled grunt as her formidable paws fell upon the handles. With strength born of desperation the badger threw herself upon the mechanism. Mere wooden handles were no match for her furythey cracked and splintered momentarily before snapping clean off. Now the drawbridge was shut and locked. Gasping for air, Muta rushed out onto the stairs, still holding the broken handles in her paws. Rab materialized out of the smoke to join her. Wiping their eyes, both creatures looked at each other.

Mariel had not made it out of the gatehouse!

Under Egberts instructions, none of the creatures on the valley floor stayed together. When Iris gave the word they scattered widespread, each one tacking and dodging as they made for the cover of the wooded hills surrounding the valley. Once they were under cover of trees and clear of arrow range, everybeast made for the gathering place, a thicket on the north side, behind the castle. Egbert met them there.

Meldrum was last to arrive. He plucked an arrowhead from his tunic epaulette saying, “Huh, if Id been a hare-length backward in comin forward, that blighter would have ruined me tunic. Good job its not the dress one. Right, Educated Egbert, where to now?

The mole glanced severely over his spectacles at Meldrum. “Let us strike a bargain. Do not refer to me as Educated Egbert and I will not call you Hollow-Headed Hare. Agreed?

Field Marshal Meldrum Fallowthorn the Magnificent sniffed. “As ywish, sah. Hmm, touchier than most moles this lad, wot?