The Long Patrol Part 28

"Eulaliaaaa! 'S death on the wind! Eulaliaaaaaa!"

Booting aside a rat, Major Perigord grabbed his saber. "Hares on the ridge, hundreds of 'em! Eulaliaaaaaa!"

The army from Salamandastron charged into the Rapscallions' midst to join the Redwallers. Galloper Riffle was down; a snarling weasel who was about to dispatch him with a dagger thrust fell forward, slain by a saber swing. Riffle felt himself pulled upright; he stopped a moment in the thick of battle, recognizing his rescuer. "Algador! My brother!"

The young Runner blinked, smiling and crying at the same time. "Riffle, thank the seasons you're alive!"

' 'Logalogalogalogalooooog!''

The shrew Chieftain, at the head of his remaining Guosim, tore into a pack of vermin and chased them the length of the ridge.

"Redwaaaaaalll! No surrender, no quarter, me buckoes!"

Skipper of Otters and his ragged band threw themselves headlong at another group of foebeasts, javelins forward.

Tammo had formed foursquare with Pasque, Midge, Tway-blade, and Fourdun, battling madly against the desperate Rapscallions. They pushed their way with blade, sling, and tooth to where Corporal Rubbadub lay stretched on the ground, limp and trampled. While the others fought, Pasque stooped to in- 307.

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spect the big lump and the awesome cut across the back of Rubbadub's head. She looked up sadly at her friends. "I think poor old Rubbadub's gone!"

"Nonsense!" Twayblade kicked Rubbadub's paw roughly.

Turning over, the drummer rubbed his head, grinning widely. "Dubadubadubb! B'boom!"

Sergeant Torgoch found himself fighting alongside Drill Sergeant Clubrush. The pair fought like madbeasts but chatted like old pals.

"By the left, Sar'nt, yore young'uns are shapin' up well!"

"They certainly are, Sar'nt-they pulled yore chestnuts out o' the fire!"

Tare and Tuny had formed up with Trowbaggs and Furgale. They pressed forward in a straight line, driving Rapscallions off the edge of the ridge. Determined to distinguish himself in this his first action, Trowbaggs pulled away from the others and began taking on four vermin single-pawedly. "Have at ye, y'scurvy rascals, Trowbaggs the Terrible's here!"

He managed to slay one before another got behind him and put him down with a dagger in his side. Corporal Ellbrig and Shangle Widepad rushed in to his aid, slaying two and sending the other one running.

Holding on to his side, Trowbaggs managed a weak smile. "Chap got behind me. Wasn't very sportin' of him, was it, Corp?"

Shangle provided cover while Ellbrig ministered to the recruit. "Trowbaggs, wot am I goin' t'do with you, eh? War isn't no game-there ain't no such thing as a vermin bein' sporty. Good job that dagger only took a bit o' fur'n'flesh. You'd be a goner now if'n that was an inward stab instead o' a sideways one. Come on, up on yore hunkers, me beauty, stick wid me'n'ole Shang."

Furgale and Reeve Starbuck were in difficulties. Heavily outnumbered, they fought gallantly. Tammo's party saw they were in a fix and dashed over to help, but too late. Both the recruits went under from vermin spear thrusts before they could be reached. Others came running to avenge their comrades, exacting a terrible retribution on the vermin spear-carriers with swords and javelins.

Clubrush saw Furgale twitch, and he knelt by him, sup- 309 porting his head. "Y'did bravely, young sir. Be still now, we'll git you some 'elp."

Furgale tried to focus on Clubrush, his eyes fluttering weakly. "Get my old job back, servin' you an' Colonel Eye-bright in the mess ... won't shout too loud though, Colonel doesn't like that.. ."

The young recruit's head lolled to one side, his eyes closed. Drill Sergeant Clubrush hugged him tightly, tears flowing openly down his grizzled face. "I 'ope you've gone to an 'appier place than this blood-strewn ridge,"

The tide of battle was turned. What was left of the mighty Rapscallion army fled from the hill, pursued by the hares and the Redwallers. Major Perigord and Captain Twayblade limped their way down the hill and across the valley, with Tammo and Pasque following them. They found Lady Cregga in the rift, clutching the mangled remains and broken sword of Damug Warfang.

Pasque Valerian was the only one of the four who was still fit and active. She climbed down to the bottom of the rift. Perigord peered over the edge, watching her inspect the badger.

"I say, Pasque, get a chunk o' that smoulderin' wood t'make a torch."

The young hare snapped off a billet of pine from the charred trunk and blew gently upon it until the flame rekindled itself. She looked closely at the still form of Lady Cregga, checking her carefully.

"Good news, sah! Though you wouldn't think it to look at her. Lady Cregga's alive, but Warfang must have slashed an' battered at her with his sword somethin' dreadful. Her face, head, an' eyes suffered terrible injuries, but as I say, she lives!"

The Major winced as he straightened up. "Well, there's a thing! Our Badger Lady must be jolly well made of iron. Tammo, see if y'can hunt up stuff t'make a stretcher and find some able-bodied beasts to carry it. Tamtn, are you all right, old lad?"

Tammo sat at the edge of the rift, his head in both paws, shaking and weeping uncontrollably. "No, I'm not all right, sah. I've seen death! I've been in a battle, I've slain other 3ID creatures, seen friends cut down before my eyes, and all I can think of is, thank the fates I'm not dead. Though the way I feel right now I don't know if I want to go on living!"

The Major sat down beside him, "I know what y'mean, young 'un, but think for a moment. Think of the babes at Redwall and the oldsters, think of all the families, like your own, who will never be frightened or harmed by the bad ones we fought against. You've done nothin' t'be ashamed of. The Colonel an' your mother would be proud to know they had a son like you. What d'you say, Pasque? Tell this perilous feller."

Pasque Valerian paused from her salves and dressings, capturing Tammo with her soft voice and gentle smile. She pointed skyward. "I don't have to tell you anything, Tamm. Just look up."

Tammo felt the other three staring upward with him.

Fading from dark blue to light, dawn was breaking, with threads of crimson and gold radiating wide. Pale, cream-washed clouds lay in rolls to the east, their undersides glowing pink with the rising of tfte sun. Somewhere a lark was singing its ascension aria, backed by waking curlews on the moor, and wood pigeons in the copses.

The spell was broken abruptly as the little owl Taunoc swooped out of nowhere to land at the rift edge. "I see by your returning warriors and the vermin carca.s.ses lying everywhere that you won the battle."

Perigord wiped his saber blade with a pawful of dewy gra.s.s. "Aye, we won!"

Taunoc nodded sagely, preening his wings, ready for flight. "I will carry the good news back to Redwall Abbey. Is there anything else you wish me to add?"

Tamello De Fformelo Tussock dried his eyes and smiled. "Tell them ... tell them we're coming home!"

Extract from the writings ofCraklyn the squirrel, Recorder of Redwall Abbey in Mossflower Country.

Healing the wounds of war takes a very long time. It is four seasons since the victorious warriors returned to us, but still the memory of that terrible time is fresh in all our minds. When Lady Cregga was brought to our Abbey, we feared greatly for her. She spoke little and ate even less, lying in the Infirmary with her whole head swathed in bandages. Pasque Valerian and Sister Viola both knew Cregga would be blind, even before the bandages were removed.

Alas, when we did unbandage her, the rose-colored eyes were no more. They had been replaced by tightly shut eyelids. She no longer had the desire to slay, the Bloodwrath, they call it; all that was gone. Throughout the winter she remained in an armchair by the fire in Cavern Hole.

It was pure accident that a miraculous change was wrought in her. One day the baby Russano got loose and crawled off, and we found him perched in Lady Cregga's lap, both badgers entirely happy. Since then she lives only 311.

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to rear and educate Russano. He is her eyes, and now that he can walk in a baby fas.h.i.+on, they are seen everywhere together. Tammo reminded me of the second half of the rhyme Martin imparted to him: One day Redwall a badger will see, But the badger may never see Redwall, Darkness will set the Warrior free, The young must answer a mountain's call.

After the battle, the Warriors buried the Rapscallions in the rift and our own on the ridgetop. When spring arrived, they returned to the Ridge of a Thousand (for that is what it is known as now). Major Perigord took Lady Cregga's big axpike. Moles chiseled a hole into the top of the standing rock on the summit, and they cemented the axpike in it, upright, with the old green homemade flag that bears me red letter R fluttering proudly from the piketop. There it will stand until the winds of ages shred the banner and carry it away with them.

The moles are good stonemasons; they carved Pasque Valerian's poem to the fallen on the rock.

Slumber through twilight, sleep through the dawn, Bright in our memory from first light each morn, Rest through the winter beneath the soft snow, And in the springing, when bright blossoms show.

Warriors brave, who gave all you could give, Offered your lives so that others would live. No one can tell what my heart longed to say When I had to leave here, and you had to stay.

Aye, there are memories that die hard and others that we want to keep forever. What courageous creatures they were; as the Long Patrol would say, perilous!

I wish that little Russano would never grow up, but that is an idle and foolish thought. One day he will have to take his place on that mountain far away on the west sh.o.r.es; he will be Lord of Salamandastron. Lady Cregga is certain of 313 this. He is a quiet youngster, but he seems to radiate confidence, understanding, and sympathy to all about him. Already the hares call him Russano the Wise.

The owlchicks of Orocca and Taunoc are big birds now. My goodness, how quickly they grew and learned to fly! They chose the names Nutwing, Nutbeak, and Nutclaw, because "nut" was the only word they spoke for a full season. All three are fine birds, though not as well-spoken as their parents and inclined to be a bit impudent at times, but they are still young.

I am the official keeper of the medals, did you know that? I'll tell you about it. The treasure we brought up from sunken Castle Kotir was melted down by order of my good friend Abbess Tansy. She decreed that a solid gold medal, each set with a separate gem, would be made for everybeast who fought at the Ridge of a Thousand. Redwallers get a ruby, Waterhogs and otters a pearl, shrews a peridot, and hares a blue John, every one set in a small gold s.h.i.+eld attached to a white silken ribbon. But I am left in charge of them all because they will not wear them to work!

What work, did I hear you say? Why, the rebuilding of our south wall, of course. Major Perigord, Skipper, Log-a-Log, Gurgan Spearback, and our own Arven all agreed that they cannot abide idle paws. So we have a veritable army working on the south wall, filling holes, tamping down earth, and relaying the ma.s.sive red sandstone blocks. It will soon be completed, and then there will be double reason, nay treble, for festivities. One for the new wall, and two to celebrate the lives of those lost in the battle last summer. The third reason is so exciting that I can scarce bring myself to write about it.

Tammo and Pasque are to be wedded!

It's true! Taunoc flew off some time back to bring Tammo's family from Camp Tussock to attend the celebrations. Mem Divinia was very proud of her son, and even old Colonel Cornspurrey had to admit that his son was a true Long Patrol warrior. Abbess Tansy saved enough gold and three beautiful emeralds to make a paw bracelet for Pasque. She is the prettiest hare I have ever seen, and I personally think that she knows more of healing wounds

than anybeast. But don't tell Sister Viola I said that. Alas, even Pasque can do nothing for Tammo's limp, which the spear wound in his leg caused. But Tammo just laughs when asked about his injury. He says that he never intended being a Runner and gets about better than most. I agree with him, the limp is hardly noticeable.

When the sad day arrives that Russano has to leave us, our Abbey will not be without a badger. Lady Cregga has decided to live at Redwall as Badger Mother. The Dibbuns adore her, and though she has ma.s.sive strength, her gentleness toward them is touching to see. And talking about seeing, Mother Cregga is learning to see more without the use of her sight than most of us can see with two eyes!

The Guerilla Union of Shrews in Mossflower, or the Guosim, as they are known, have faithfully stayed at our Abbey to help rebuild the wall, as have the Waterhogs. Redwall is full of fast-growing Dibbuns with even faster-growing appet.i.tes. Log-a-Log has been hearing the call of the streams and rivers of late, though he says he will wait until Russano is ready to go, then the shrews can accompany him.

Gurgan Spearback keeps his houseboat on the water meadows, merely for the pleasure of his large family. What a quaint beast Gurgan is. He has relinquished Chieftains.h.i.+p of the Waterhogs to his eldest son, Tragglo. Gurgan's great interest now is being Abbey Cellarhog; he was so enthusiastic about brewing October Ale that old Gurrbowl has retired and pa.s.sed the job on to him.

You will forgive me, but I am about to put aside my quill pen and scrub the ink from my paws. I have an appointment with Friar b.u.t.ty. Together with the Friar and Captain Twayblade, I will help to plan the triple feast. There will be ten kinds of bread, from hazelnut and almond to sage and b.u.t.tercup loaves.

Cheeses, well, last autumn's cheesemaking was the best ever. We have some huge yellow ones, with celery and carrot pieces in them, and all the different cheeses in between, ending with tiny soft white ones.

Friar b.u.t.ty has drawn up a recipe for a South Wall Cake, it will be the centerpiece of the tables. Though if you could 315 see the recipe and the amount of fruit, honey, and meadow-cream the cake will take, you would wonder how any other food could find room on our festive board. The seasons have been kind; there will be more than enough for every-beast, but then they deserve it.

What more is left to say, my friend? Redwall Abbey is as it has always been, basking in the shelter of Mossflower Wood, the gates ready to open any old sunny day to weary travelers, friends, and visitors, all good honest creatures like yourselves. Please come and feel free to stop for a season, any time. You are always welcome.

Craklyn Squirrel, Recorder of Redwall Abbey Epilogue.

Many a long season pa.s.sed since Major Perigord Habile Sin-istra had set eyes upon the mountain of Salamandastron. Straightening his scarlet tunic and brus.h.i.+ng his slightly graying whiskers, he touched the long-healed scar line upon his brow and gazed up at the fortress on the far west sh.o.r.e. "The old place hasn't changed a bit, wot!" Captain Tamello De Fformelo Tussock and his wife, Lady Pasque Valerian, detached themselves from the throng of travelers. Standing to one side, they too viewed the mountain. "So this is Salamandastron, m'dear. 'Tis all you said it would be."

"Wait until you see inside, Tamm-it's even more impressive. Oh, look, there's a welcoming party coming out to greet us!"

Old Colonel Eyebright headed the reception group, leaning heavily upon the paw of Garrison Captain Cheeva. Tammo was reminded of his own father as the old hare popped in his monocle and peered closely at the lines of shrews, Waterhogs, and Redwallers, led by Arven, who carried the Sword of Martin.

317 Then Colonel Eyebright's gaze s.h.i.+fted to the hares, and the monocle dropped from his eye to dangle on its string. ' 'Well, 'pon my life. Perigord!"

The Major clasped paws warmly with his old friend. "Colonel Eyebright, sah, you're lookin' remarkably chipper. Brisk as a blinkin' barnacle on a big boulder, wot!"

Eyebright chuckled, shoving Perigord playfully. "Away with you, base flatterer! I'm as old as I feel and twice as jolly well old as I look. The owl Taunoc told us you were comin', but I didn't expect you until the start of winter. 'Tis still autumn!"

Drill Sergeant Clubrush and his companion Sergeant Tor-goch saluted the Colonel smartly. "Beg to report, sah, we made good time, mostly by water with our pals the Guosim shrews an' the Waterhogs. Sah!"

"Aye, we remembered what you taught us, sah, save the old footpaws wherever possible. No doubt the owl gave you our message, sah, 'fraid we didn't bring 'em all back, two score an' a half lost in action ..."

Colonel Eyebright nodded sadly. "So I heard, Sergeant. Perilous beasts, they'll live in our memories forever, wot. Your friends from Redwall will have to stay with us until spring-no good makin' that long trek back in wintertide. We'll make them welcome to share all Salamandastron can offer. You there, young chap, c'mere. What name d'you go by, eh?"

"Tamello De Fformelo Tussock, sah!"

"Hmph! No need t'shout, sir, I'm not deaf, well not completely. So, you'll be the laddo who stole the prettiest hare on the mountain. Wed to our Pasque, if I'm not mistaken. Hmm, Tussock, knew your father well, your mother too, she was as pretty as your wife."

Tammo and Pasque bowed respectfully to the Colonel as he gestured Cheeva to a.s.sist him walking through the ranks. The Colonel halted near the rear markers and, slowly bending his knee, bent his head down until he touched a ma.s.sive footpaw with his forehead.

"My life and honor are yours to command. Sire!"

Immediately he was raised up by a gentle paw.

The old hare found himself gazing into a pair of dark hazel eyes. He knew instinctively that they held more wisdom than he could have gathered in two lifetimes. The badger was tall, young, and slender, but his paw and shoulder structures dictated that in maturity he would be a beast of mighty girth and boundless strength. s.h.i.+fting aside his homespun green traveling cloak, he walked toward the mountain entrance, with Eyebright leaning upon his paw for support.

Holding her Colonel's other paw, Captain Cheeva glanced across at the tall young badger, curiosity overcoming her. "Sire, it is said that Badger Lords always carry a great blade, spear, or mace, yet you carry no weapon. Why is that?"

Such was the calm and dignity radiated by the badger that everybeast was attracted to his presence. They all craned forward to hear him speak for the first time. His voice was deep and mellow.

"I have no need of a blade, nor any kind of great weapon. This is all I carry. You would be surprised what a creature can do with this. I have been brought up by good friends and instructed in its use." Smiling quietly, the badger drew forth from his cloak a short hardwood stick, well used and polished to a dull sheen. "It once belonged to a warrior, formidable and perilous."

Old Colonel Eyebright tightened his grip on the badger's wide paw. "It was written in the stones of Salamandastron that you would come here one day to rule. Truly you are named Russano the Wise, Lord of Salamandastron!"