Brian Jacques - Redwall #07 - Mariel of Redwall

"Sssnnnnggggghhhhrrrrr!"

Durry Quill was not listening, he was lying on his back with all four paws in the air, making the most uproarous noise.

Tarquin sniffed. "Listen to the beast, snorin' like a

171

flippin' hog, just as I was going to play a few tunes on me harolina to cheer us up,"

Mariel lay down, using her haversack as a pillow. "Oh please, it's bad enough having a snoring hedgehog without the addition of a caterwauling hare singing lovelorn ditties. Let's all go to sleep while we have the chance of a full night's rest."

Dandin and Mariel soon joined Durry in slumber. Tarquin still sat up, a little sulky as he fondled his unplayed harolina.

"Caterwaulin' indeed. Shows how much mice know about music. Now if Hon Rosie were here I'll bet she wouldn't object to a chap havin' the odd plunk on the jolly old harolina. Ah well!"

He fell asleep humming and serenading himself quietly.

"A hare beyond compare, so spiffin' and so fair,

Oh, Rosie, Rosie, dear my honey Hon,

I wouldn't swap your affections for a heap of

confections,

Not for ... blackb'rry pie, oh my oh my. October Ale would surely fail, Summer salad couldn't stop my ballad, Hazelnut pudden'd just taste wooden, As for cheese on toast it'd make me weep. Feel so hungry, Rosie, I'd better go ... to ...

sleep ..."

Overcome by weariness, the travelers slept at the fringe of the darkened forest, whilst on the path the stone figures of the otter and his wife stood like eternal sentinels in the silent watches of the night.

oo

Out at sea a shroud-like fog had dropped. Completely lost, without bearings by the stars or the sight of landmarks, Orgeye abandoned the helm of the Waveblade, which had been sailing a southern course until the fog descended. He posted two searats with weighted ropes

172

to test overboard for shallows and reefs. Cursing Gabool for his uncontrollable mad temper which had driven them into this unknown position, Orgeye went below to his bunk to await the coming of dawn.

oo

Hidden in Mossflower Woods a mere stone's throw from Redwall Abbey, Graypatch and his crew also awaited the arrival of dawn.

oo

Pacing his bedchamber in Salamandastron's mountain, Lord Rawnblade Widestripe awaited yet another dawn, knowing that each fresh day brought his time of encounter with the searats a little closer.

oo

Wandering the empty halls of Fort Bladegirt on Terra-mort Isle, Gabool the Wild awaited a dawn that would dispel his nightmares of ringing bells, badgers and avenging mice.

In fact there were many different creatures in diverse parts, each waiting to see what the new day might bring: adventure, danger, victory, defeat, peace of mind, or death.

173

BOOK TWO

The Strange Forest

Light tendrils of mist clung to the burgeoning greenery of Mossflower Woods, and the rising sun tinged buttermilk hues across a sky of powder blue in the shimmering peace of dawn. Graypatch shook dew from his claws as he stamped about, restoring circulation around limbs unused to sleeping out in the woodlands. Dead-glim sat gloomily chewing on young dandelion stems, sulking because his Captain would not allow a fire, lest the telltale wisps of smoke betray their position.

Graypatch wiped his sword blade dry as the other searats awoke, rubbing sleep from their eyes.

"Come on, hearties," the searat Captain chuckled. "You're like a pack of dormice staggerin' about after a hard winter. Rouse yer carcasses, the sun's gettin' up an' it's going to be a good day to inspect our new home. Thank yer lucky stars we're not out on the seas. There'll be a fine old fog there that'll last until noon. If you was aboard ship now in blue waters, you wouldn't be able to see the tail behind your back, hahaha! Gather round now an' listen to me. I'll tell you about the plan I've got charted for us. Leave it to ol' Graypatchwe'll soon be livin' like kings!"

Flagg the otter was always ready and willing to oblige.

177

Mother Mellus had asked that he track down Dandin and Durry Quill. She was sure that a fellow as big and capable as Flagg would have them back home at Redwall in no time at all. Determined to start his journey bright and early, Flagg shouldered supplies, checked his slingshot and stone pouch, then slipped out by a wicker gate in the Abbey's north wall. Scarcely had he let himself out into the woodlands when he became alert. Watching from the shelter of an ash grove, Flagg witnessed a curious sight.

Graypatch had assembled his oarslaves, mostly dormice and shrews. They grouped on the path in a ragged bunch, thin and underfed. The five score searats who comprised the crew of the Darkcjueen lurked in the path-side ditch, fully armed. Graypatch issued his orders.

"Lissen now, mates. You lot stay in the ditch an' keep yer heads down. As for you scurvy oarpullers, you don't breathe a word, just follow me an' try to look hard done by, haharr, though that shouldn't be too hard. Mind though, if one of you steps out o' line the crew in the ditch'll deal with ye. Ringtail, you're in charge down there; wait my signal. As soon as these country buffers open the big gate to bring us food out. I'll tip yer the sign an' you rush in. Slay any that look like trouble right off. The rest we'll let live to serve us."

Flagg had heard enough. Luckily he had asked Mellus to leave the gate open until morning. The big otter scuttled back through the woods, across the fields and slipped inside, bolting the gate securely behind him.

Mellus was strolling toward him from the direction of the unfinished bell tower.

"Flagg, I thought you'd be gone by now ..."

The otter held a paw to his lips. "Sssshhh! Not so loud. We've got troubleno time to explain now. Check all the wallgates are tight shut and bolted. I'm going to rouse the others. Please, marm, don't stop to

178

ask questions, just do as I say like your life depended on it. This is urgent!"

The badger caught the tone and look in her friend's eyes. She nodded wisely and hurried to do his bidding.

oo

The sun was nearly up. Mist hung low on the path and flatlands as Graypatch halted his bedraggled column of oarslaves at the main gate of Redwall Abbey. Glancing up, he was slightly taken aback to see a line of grim looking Abbey dwellers staring down at him from the threshold of the high walls. Fixing a friendly smile on his face, the searat Captain called out a greeting.

"Good mornin' to yer, sirs. Whew! It's goin' to be another scorchin' summer's day again. I wonder, could I have a word with whoever's in charge of this marvel-ous place?"

Abbot Bernard kept his tone polite. "I am the Father Abbot of Redwall Abbey. What can I do for you, my son?"

Down in the ditch, Kybo jostled Ringtail and sniggered. "Did ye hear that, mateyhis son! Now we know what Graypatch's daddy looks like. Heehee!"

Ringtail silenced him with a smart slap. "Stow yer noise, fool. Be quiet an' listen."

Graypatch touched the dagger hidden behind on his belt, "Ah well, what better creature to ask for help than the Father Abbot himself. As y'can see, sir, we're poor wretched seafarers who lost our ship in a great storm. We've been adrift fer nigh on half a season now, wand-erin' round woodland an' plain like birds without wings, an' we're sore in need of a bit o' food an' water. Have ye any vittles to spare?"

The Abbot nodded. "Tell my friends what you need." He stepped back, letting Flagg and Rufe Brush come forward.

Graypatch allowed himself a smile; they were halfway home. "Good day to you, sirs. We need water an' bread, nothin' more. Oh, I know we look rough an'

179

dirty, but we're all honest creatures. You've nothin' t' fear from us ..."

Flagg smiled back. "How many d'you have with you,

cully?"

The searat Captain shrugged. "Only what y'see here, matey. If you was to open yer doors we could come in an' rest awhile, save you the trouble of bringin' supplies out to us. I've never been inside an Abbey."