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

She eyed the rats around her, settling on one who looked bolder than the rest. “You there, whats your name?

“They call me Ugrath, Lady.

The vixen clapped Ugraths back, her tailed skirt tinkling musically as she paced around him. “I watched you, Ugrath; you fought well. Theres a little job you can do for me. Do you think youre up to it?

Ugrath pulled in his chin and stuck out his chest proudly. “I am yours to command, Lady!

“Good. I want you to take a message to those fools. Tell them if they throw down their arms, bind the badger and the otter tight, and come out here, I will spare their lives. But it must be done immediately, or I will strike at them and leave none alive. Go now!

Ugraths throat bobbed as he swallowed, then, grasping his pike tight, he set off down the passage. Sicant exchanged glances with the vixen. “Youll let them live, Majesty? she asked.

Silvamord drew her curved sword, testing its edge on her paw. She raised one eyebrow at Sicant. “Well, what do you think?

There was silence from down the passage, followed by a sound of voices and an anguished yelp. Ugrath came staggering back, minus his pike and nursing his nose with both paws. He squinted at the vixen through a swollen eye. “Mousemaid with a rope, she ...

Silvamord silenced him with a glare, then turned to the massed rats crowding everywhere. “Pikes and long spears, archers behind, follow up with swords. Charge!

35

Egbert the Scholar was not feeling very happy as he stood with one paw in the valley and the other inside the cave entrance. The mole knew that there was fighting and bloodshed inside Florethe could hear the faint sounds of conflict from the south side of the valley where Nagru was battling with Gael Squirrelkings army. Egbert gave a whimper of anguishhis former relatively peaceful life was now shattered by war. Timidly, he ventured beyond the bushy screen that hid the secret entrance to Floret, intending to escape from it all up the north slope, which faced the castles rear side.

Suddenly, a sound in the undergrowth startled him. He turned to run back to the cave and was immediately swept off his paws by a murderous-looking beast. Lying flat on his back, the terrified mole covered both eyes, so that he would not have to see the dreadful apparition. It was a big, villainous-looking otter, covered with tattoos and scars, with one eye and a musselshell and carrying twin curved swords. Egbert curled into a ball* hoping his end would be swift and painless. A voice, firm but friendly, sounded close by. “Put up those swords, Finnbarr, youll frighten the poor mole to death!

Egbert uncovered his eyes and looked around. He was surrounded by a host of javelin-wielding otters and shrews armed with rapiers. The speaker, a strong-looking mouse, with twinkling eyes and a gray beard, helped him upright and shook his paw in a friendly manner. “Hello there. Im Joseph the Bellmaker. Dont be afraidyouve nothing to fear from us. You dont look like one of the Foxwolfs creatures.

The knowledge that he was out of danger restored the scholarly moles voice. “Creature of the Foxwolf, me, Egbert the Scholar? he said, indignantly. “Never! I, sir, am what is known as a casualty of war. It is no small thing having to leave Castle Floret because the place has been turned into a battleground, I can tell you!

Foremole was astounded at Egberts lack of mole accent. “Burrhurr, ee talken wunnerful pretty, zurr Heg-butt!

“Battleground? Log-a-Log interrupted. “You mean that theres fightin goin on inside that castle? Whos battlin* with who, matey?

Egbert adjusted his nose spectacles prissily. “I think the phrase is, with whom ... He caught an impatient glare from the sea otter and hastened to explain. “Actually, its the forces of Silvamordshes the mate of Nagru. Theyre battling with a small mixed group led by my friend Mariel ...

Suddenly the moles footpaws left the ground and he found himself hoisted up in front of Josephs burning stare. “Mariel! How do we get into that castle? Tell me!

The words flew in a babble from Egberts mouth. “Secret castle into the caveI mean secret cave into the castle. Put me down! Ill show you!

Driven by the Bellmakers urgency, Egbert scurried willy-nilly through the passages and tunnels leading upward into Floret. Joseph and Finnbarr followed close on his heels, with Log-a-Log and Blerun the otter leading the large band that was strung out behind in the dark, narrow passages. Finnbarr Galedeep ducked his head low, following the mole on all fours. “I ope ye know where yer goin, messmate.

Egbert had become lost in his haste, but he did not admit it. “Aha! Wood paneling. This is ithalt and give me space! He tugged aside a thin oak slat and squeezed through, looking about speculatively at the new entrance he had found. He was forced to jump aside with a startled squeak as three sections of the wainscot were slammed flat on the floor and armed creatures began pouring in. Joseph took the moles paw in a gesture of friendship.

“Thank you, Egbert. There is one more favor I would ask of you. Back in the entrance cave you will find three small creatures, Wincey, Benjy, and Figgs. Would you be so kind as to watch over them until this thing is finished?

A smile of relief crossed the moles face. “Indeed I will, Joseph. If you will excuse me, Ill go and attend to them straight away!

Foremole stopped him climbing back into the tunnels. “Noice place ee ave ere, zurr Hegbutt, hurr aye!

The Scholar lapsed into mole dialect to reply. “Bo urr, shem noice awroight, zurr. Oi be off naow to lukk arter ee liddle uns. Gubye, moler!

Finnbarrs teeth gleamed white in the gloom of the dim chamber they had emerged into. “Must be summat wrong with that unhes goin to miss all the fightin. Come on, buckoes, git yerselves through ere. We aint got all summer!

Finnbarr had been one of the first through the opening. He made a quick scouting trip, accompanied by Durry, Rufe, and Fatch. Sliding silently back into the chamber, he found Joseph among the creatures crowding the ill-lit room. “Bellmaker, I found where the fights at. Along the passage outside an down some stairs. You kin ear the ullabaloo from the top o the stairwell!

Joseph hefted a long ash stave that he favored as a weapon crying, “Then thats where Mariel and Dandin will be. Are we ready?

Finnbarr was already racing Blerun for the door. “Las one down theres a flat crab!

Mariel saw the charge coming. She swung her Gull-whacker as Troutlad, Greenbeck, and Muta picked up the door and headed the countercharge. Behind them, the small force swung slingstones into the hordes front rank as they dashed down the passage with only a battered door between them and the crowds of gray rats.

“Redwaaaaaalllll! *

They met with a crash, the door flattening several rats as the long spears and pikes sought out the Southswar-ders. Dandin led them under the spearpoints, ducking low as he dived in with his long dagger drawn. Arrows came hissing over at the slingers; those who were not struck returned slingstones fast and hard. Grunting and slashing, roaring and striking, the conflict went on in the narrow passage.

Silvamord stood on the backs of two rats who were bent double. They gasped as she leaped up and down excitedly, shrieking, “Finish them off! Kill, kill, kill! A mighty blow from Josephs stave sent her spinning.

Suddenly the air was filled with wild warcries.

“Logalogalogalog!

“Galedeeeeeep!

“Southswaaaaaaard!

“Redwaaaaaaaalllll!

Then the crew of Pearl Queen and Blerun* s otters were in the thick of it. The horderats fought viciously, knowing they were fighting for their lives. Mariel and her company gave a ragged cheer as the rats who were attacking them turned and retreated down the passage. The battle flowed outward; clashing steel echoed as Southswarders, aided by Peart Queens crew and Bleruns otters, matched their courage against the savagery of Silvamords horderats. Joseph beat his way through the melee until he was at the side of Mariel and Dandin. Laying a rat senseless with a sweep of his stave, he grinned and bowed his grizzled head to them both.