Brian Jacques - Redwall #07 - Mariel of Redwall

"Have all the searats gone now, Sax'us?"

"Suppose so. We haven't seen them for a while."

"An' they're not comin' back to 'ttack the Abbey again?"

"I hope not. Why d'you ask?"

"Oh nuts! I wanted 'em t' come back so I could fight 'em!"

"No you don't, little one. We've had enough fighting and killing. Isn't it much nicer lying here filling your tummy with strawberries in the sun?"

"Mm, s'pose so, but I can't get at the biggest 'n' juiciest 'n' squashiest ones."

"Why not?"

"'Cos you're lyin' on 'em. Hohohoho!"

Saxtus got up slowly, feeling the cold juice running down his back. "Well, thank you for telling me so soon!"

Grubb plonked himself down and began stuffing

343

strawberries three at a time. "Oi sees 'ee winds blowed all 'ee strawbly trees away agin."

Sister Sage was creeping from the sickbay with Simeon on tip-paw. They had done all they could with the hare's dreadful injuries; now they decided it was best that she sleep and recuperate. The hinge squeaked as Sister Sage opened the door.

Rosie opened one eye and peeked through the bandaged slit. "Never died after all, wot . . . good . . . show!"

Simeon leaned on Sister Sage's arm. "Incredible! Totally unbelievable. I've heard of cats having nine lives, but that Rosie, she's the limit!"

Sister Sage shut the door as quietly as possible. "Or the absolute bally limit, as Colonel Clary would have said."

344

37

"Do you know where we are now?"

Mariel and Rawnblade shook their heads. They were completely lost on their guided tour of the tunnels of Terramort.

Joseph pointed ahead. "Go up there careful now because it's the end of this particular tunneland you'll see a couple of gorsebushes. Just part them and tell me what you see."

As they carried out his instructions, Mariel drew in a sharp breath. "It's Fort Bladegirt, right across on the next hill!"

Joseph nodded. "I can take you to another branch of this same tunnel that brings you out on the other side of the fort, or yet another which will bring you out at the back of Bladegirt. Well, does it give you any ideas?"

"A three-pronged invasion?"

"You took the words out of my mouth, Lord Rawnblade. Anything else you'd like to see?"

"Yes, Father. I'd like to see these other two exits. I'm beginning to get a few ideas myself."

"Hmm, I thought you would. Come on then, follow me."

Down below in the main cave, Dandin, Durry and Tar-345

quin were making friends with the freed slaves of the Trag society. A young shrew and some of his companions sat questioning them. "Where do you come from?" "Redwall Abbey in Mossflower country." The youngster gazed at them with shining eyes. "Redwall Abbey, Mossflower country. Does it look as nice as it sounds?"

Tarquin strummed his harolina. "You can bet your fluffy bedsocks it does, young thingummy. Here, Dandin, give me a trill on your whistle while I tune me jolly instrument up an' I'll tell 'em all about it."

Dandin tootled away on his ancestor's flute until between them he and the hare had a rollicking air going. The Trag members tapped their paws on the rocks to the infectious music as Tarquin sang.

"On the old brown path from north to south

Is a place you'd love to stay in.

Come one, come all, to old Redwall,

And hear what I am sayin'.

There's an orchard there that's fat and fair

With apple, berry, plum and pear.

There's a pond with fish and all you'd wish

To grace a supper table dish.

They've a nice soft bed to rest your head,

Or sleep beneath the trees instead.

If you meet the Abbot then be sure to shake him by

the paw.

On the old brown path from north to south It's peaceable an' free where Our Abbey stands amid woodlands, I'm sure you'd love to be there!"

There was loud cheering, and Tarquin was requested to sing the ditty twice more. Durry leaped up and danced with a vole and a dormouse. Afterward they sat about talking. Redwall was the chief topic of discussion

346

among the freed slaves, most of whom had never known or could not remember a place they called home.

"Do you have lots of nice things to eat at Redwall?"

"My spikes y'do! Summercream woodland puddens, deeper 'n' ever pies, strawb'rry flans, blueberry scones, raspb'rry muffins, cheeses you couldn't count, an' cordials, teas, wines an' October ale that me 'n' my ol' nuncle Gabe makes in our cellars!"

"And every creature is free there, Mr. Woodsorrel?"

"Free as the air, young feller, peaceful as the flowers that grow an' happy t' wake up among friends each dawn, wot!"

"Will you take us there, Dandin? Oh, please say you will!"

Dandin held up his paws. "Of course. You have my promise on it, though Mother Mellus'll probably grab you all and bathe the lot of you on sight!"

A small hedgehog sat enraptured with every word he had heard. "Mother! You mean they have a mother there? I can't remember having a mother. D'you think she'll be my mother too?"

"What's your name, young 'un?"

"Barty. That's my sister Dorcas. She's younger than me, I think."

Durry patted their soft unformed spikes. "You can live with me an' Nuncle Gabe. I'll teach 'ee t' be cellar 'ogs."

00

When Joseph returned with Mariel and Rawnblade a full meeting was called. Freed slaves crowded into the big cavern.

Rawnblade expressed surprise at the numbers. "Quite a sizable army, Joseph. I didn't think there was so many."

The bellmaker indicated a crowd packing the ledges at the rear. "Our Trag warriors who stole three of the searat ships have brought us many oarslaves who wish to join us. All of these have been landed from the three

347

ships we captured. There must be close on a hundred new arrivals, though we are still far below in numbers compared to the searats."

Mariel stood alongside her father. "Not to worry, we've got their ships. It's the rats who are trapped on this island and not us. Besides, we'll have the advantage of cover and surprise. Lord Rawnblade, would you like to outline our plan?"

The badger took a charred stick from the fire and drew upon the rockface. "This is Fort Bladegirt. We will attack tonight when they are sleeping. These three tunnels come out into the hills both sides and behind the fort. Mariel, you and your friends will lead one-third of our force to attack from the left. Joseph my friend, you will lead the other third from the right, that way they will be under pressure from both sides. My Mariel will tell you what to do."

Mariel took over, flattered that such a warrior as the Lord of Salamandastron was consulting her judgment, recognizing in the mousemaid a fellow warrior spirit.

"Use bows and slings. Don't attempt to climb the walls into the courtyard. Stay well hidden and use the ground above the tunnel entrancesthat way we can send arrows and stones down at thembut remain silent, don't give the searats any noisy or standing targets to fire back at, and keep slinging rocks and firing arrows as hard as you can. Tarquin, once the rats are occupied in fighting us on both sides you will attack the front gates of the courtyard. Take the rest of the force with you, and make as much noise as possible. You will have a battering ram to smash away at the gates with. We will besiege them from three sides. Tarquin, your squad will be armed with spears, bows and long pikes. Got that?"

"Understood, old scout. What happens then?"

"I come from the back!" Lord Rawnblade explained. "I will pick my momentit will be when most of the searats are defending the front gate from your battering

348

ram. Outside the tunnel at the rear of the fort is a big boulder on the hillside. I will send it down the hill to smash through the rear courtyard wall. Joseph, the moment you see the boulder start to roll, bring your force down from the right to back me up. Mariel, you bring your creatures down from the left to join Wood-sorrel. I'm banking on the rats doing an about-turn and coming to face me. If the ram hasn't battered the gates down, you must prop it against them and use it as a ladder. Well, that is the plan: first they'll be attacked from the left and right, then from the front and back. Once we are inside the courtyard we can force our way into the fort itself, then it's good luck to whoever finds Gabool."