Brian Jacques - Redwall #05 - The Legend of Luke

"It looks like the two tribes are related. We're surrounded by aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Yugggh!"

A large pawful of soggy bankmud caught Martin full on the nose. Both groups of otters were so happy to see each other that they had started a mud fight. The remainder of the Honeysuckle'screw and Furmo's shrews did not hesitate. Laughing madly they leaped into the water, joining in the fun. Right along the bank they fought, slinging heaps of sludgy brown mud at one another, slipping, sliding and splashing as they pelted away furiously. Mud was everywhere! Swiftly aimed globs of the sticky goo splattered, sticking to fur, spikes, muzzles, paws and tails. A practically unrecognizable hedgehog maid stumbled into what appeared to be a small moving mud mound.

"Heehee, is dat you, miz Trimp?"

"Hahaha, of course it is, who're you?"

"On'y a likkle Chugg, take dat!"

"Yutch! You filthy imp, don't chuck mud at me. Throw it at those otters, they started it!"

"Heehee, I frow muds at everybeast, here some more f'you!"

Whizz! Splat! Splotch! Whopp!

Only Krar remained aloof, perched on the skiff's prow, shaking his head in disgust at the undignified spectacle.

"Zounds, 'tis surely a day of fools' delight. These riverdogs are a mad species methinks. Yawch!"

A mud-covered Beau stooped to gather more. "Oh, well hit, Fethringsol. Maybe that'll spoil the great pompous featherbag's appetite, wot!"

Evening had fallen by the time both sides had wearied of mud throwing and washed themselves off in the stream. Queen Garraway Bullow took a last chance to grab her nephews and duck them soundly.

Gonff waded over. "Ahoy, what's goin' on here? Tryin' to drown off yore kin?"

"That's right, Gonffo. Disrespectful rascals, I'll teach 'em to address me as Yore Majesty, not auntie Garraway. Well, friend, we'd best rest up awhile, then I'll have my crew rig blocks'n'tackles to pull yore pretty boat over the waterfall. 'Tis the least I can do for such fighters!"

Folgrim broke the surface, blowing water. "Aye, 'cos if you don't, yore name'll be mud forever!"

Chapter 39

Milk-white mist covered the land up to the height of a tall elm tree. Early dawn silence lay over Redwall Abbey, disturbed only by muted birdsong from afar. It was an hour after dawn. Skipper and Bella leaned on the north battlements, with Gonflet between them. Keeping a paw behind the little mouse, Bella cautioned him, "Stay away from the battlement edge. Your mum'll have a word or two to say if I let you fall."

Gonflet stamped his paws in frustration, peering into the blanket of mist. "When'll my daddy be's com in' back, Skip?"

Skipper sat the tiny fellow on his shoulder, out of harm.

"Oh, don't you fret, mate. He'll come back soon now. Maybe later on, when the mist lifts."

Gonflet tugged the otter's ear. "Phwaw! You say that alla time, every day, Skip!"

Columbine's voice sounded from the lawn below. "Hello, Bella, Skip, where are you?"

"Up 'ere, marm, west corner o' north wall!"

Columbine came up the wallsteps, carrying a tray, which she placed on the wall.

"Gracious, you three are up here early today. Surely there's not much point yet, with all this autumn mist about. Gonflet, shouldn't you still be in your bed?"

"No no, it my turn to watch for daddy. Miz Bell an' Skip 'elpin' me. My daddy come soon, you see!"

Columbine stroked her son's head fondly. "Yes, I'm sure he will. Oh, look, the mist is turning gold! Come and have some breakfast now. The sun will burn all this mist away before long."

Columbine stayed on the ramparts with them. Still surrounded by the cocoon of golden autumnal mist, they ate bowls of hot oatmeal with fresh berries and honey.

With otters hauling and shrews pushing, the skiff Honeysuckleslid over the ditch and out of west Mossflower's trees onto the path. It was the same spot where Trimp had met Ferdy and Coggs a season before.

Gonff called through the mist to Martin, "Hoist the sail, matey!"

Furmo shook his head at the Mousethief. "Wot d'you want the sail spread for, matey? We're in a fog, there ain't a feather o' breeze nowheres to stir her sail."

Taking a brightly colored Guosim headband, Gonff bound it about his brow. He climbed to the prow and struck a pose. "You an' the breeze can do what you like, Log a Log, but if I'm comin' home then I'm goin' to arrive in style, eh, Martin?"

His friend joined him on the prow, drawing his sword and pointing forward in an equally heroic pose. "Right, mate. Let's go home!"

Furmo nodded admiringly at the pair. "That's the way, crewmates. Come on, everybeast, we'll grease the wheels, comb our whiskers, haul the ropes an' sing our friends home every bit o' the way. You all know 'Journey's End.' Trimp, you take the top harmony, I'll do the baritone, an' Garraway the bass. One two three ..."

Away the Honeysucklerolled down the path, with her crew pulling the head ropes, two tribes of otters and a tribe of Guosim crowding around to push; Martin, Gonff, Dinny and Trimp, the original four who had set out from the Abbey, all standing in the prow. Krar perched on the masthead, keeping a firm grip on Chugger, who still considered himself captain.

Now the sun was beginning to thin the mist, they could see through it. As they rounded a bend by a grove of oaks, the singing suddenly died, and the Honeysucklerolled to a halt. Everybeast looked up and saw Redwall.

Floating above the golden mist like a vision from some wondrous dream, south gable reared to the soft blue skies, with the weather vane standing proud atop the dusty rose-colored sandstone buttresses. It was a magical, breathtaking sight. For one awestruck moment they all stood, gazing dumbly, then a mighty cheer broke out. Dinny chuckled proudly, through tears he was unable to check, "Yonder be moi 'ome!"

Gonflet sprang from Skipper's shoulders onto the northwest corner battlement, which was higher than I he rest. Skipper held out his paws for the little mouse to jump back down again.

"Come offa there, matey. You can't see anythin' yet in this mist."

Columbine sensed something. She looked up at her son. "Gonflet, what is it?"

"I 'ear 'em, mamma! Lissen! Daddy comes 'ome! Lissen!"

Faintly at first, but growing in volume, the sound of manybeasts singing reached the walltops. Bella scrambled up onto the battlement and laughed aloud with joy.

"There's a ship coming down the path! A ship! Would you believe it, friends, I see them! I see them!"

High into the sunny morning the song rang out.

"Marching home! Marching home!

Jolly friend! Jolly friend!

Trav'ling on, until our journey's end,

So away with all your fears,

Smile with me, forget those tears,

Though the road was long an' dusty we survived.

And arrived!

Tramp tramp tramp tramp,

Lay your head down where you camp,

It ain't your home or fireside.

Tramp tramp tramp tramp,

Moorlands dry or forests damp,

Sharing together side by side.

Marching home! Marching home!

Jolly friend! Jolly friend!

O'er each highland, around each river's bend,

Keep your chin up in the rain,

Soon we'll be back home again,

Though my paws are worn an' weary never fear.

Oh my dear!

Left right left right,

Onward mate by day or night,

Lean on my shoulder now old friend,

Left right left right,

Grey the day or sunlight bright,

Until we reach our journey's end.

Marching home! Marching home!"

Bella's shouts boomed like thunder over the lawns.

"Rouse yourselves, Redwallers, they're back! Turn out the cooks! Open the gates! They've come back home!"

As Ferdy and Coggs flung the outer gates wide, Columbine allowed Gonflet to dash off and meet the ship. He was swept aboard and lifted onto his father's shoulders. Ferdy and Coggs, still in their nightshirts, held the outer wall gates wide open. With all the creatures of Redwall pushing it, the skiff Honeysucklesailed regally inside, halting in the center of the main lawn. Gonff leaped down with Gonflet still on his shoulders, swept Columbine up and hugged her tight. "Yore Prince o' Mousethieves is returned, milady!"