Part 14 (1/2)

See, I bring her back to life.

Hocus pocus dumbeldum dreary, wackalup one two three four five, Gawrum pawrum c.o.c.kalorum, maid rise up and come alive!”

He took hold of the dagger and made a great show of pulling it out of Celandine, heaving and grunting until at last it stood free and s.h.i.+ning as he waved it in the air.

The young squirrelmaid sat up, rubbed her eyes and smiled prettily as she stretched. ”Where am I? I must have fallen asleep!”

There was great cheering and applause for the marvellous trick. Ballaw swiftly collapsed the dagger back into its handle, stowed it beneath his cloak and brought forth an identical one. This, however, was no trick dagger. The hare stuck it in the tabletop between Clogg and Badrang for their inspection.

Tramun tested the weapon, slamming its point down hard into the table several times. ”Tibbar, matey, yore the magickest rabbit I ever clapped eyes on!”

Badrang never bothered testing the knife. He sat back, chin on paw. ”Very good, rabbit. Can you do any more tricks?”

Ballaw pointed at Felldoh in his ridiculous outfit.

”More tricks, you say? Attend me here, My magic is no trick. Yon fox, I'll make him disappear, With a wave of my magic stick!”

Rowanoak whispered in Felldoh's ear, ”Now is the 142.

chance to free your father. Try to remember what you were told. You won't get a second opportunity. Good luck.”

The badger donned a ma.s.sive black cloak as Buckler and Trefoil unloaded a box from the cart. Ballaw clapped Felldoh on the shoulder, haranguing him loudly as the stage was set.

”Now then, young fellah, you cunning fox, How'd you like to disappear? Just place yourself inside yon box, And like a flash you're out of here!”

Felldoh backed off, his head flopping comically as he pleaded, ”What? Vanish me, sir Tibbar, no, To what strange place would I then go?

Under the sea, or maybe up there, To regions of the nether air.

I pray you, sir, please let me be.

Magic Tibbar, don't vanish me!”

Ballaw turned to the crowd. They were laughing at the comical fox's plight. a.s.sisted by the rest of the company, he got a chant going that was soon picked up by everybeast.

”Where's the best place for the fox? Locked up tight inside the box!”

The entire company leaped upon Felldoh and dragged him yelling to the box. There was utter confusion as they thrust him in and he sprang out again. In, out, in, out he went, with the delighted hordes of vermin leaping about chanting louder and louder, ”Where's the best place for the fox? Locked up tight inside the box!”

Ballaw ran to the fire shouting madly, ”In! In! Get him in, I say!”

He extended both paws to the fire.

Whoos.h.!.+

A great smoky gouting column of flame lit up the night. Red, green and brightest blue. There was a yell of alarm as creatures fell back, rubbing at their eyes in the blinding light.

Felldoh concealed himself beneath Rowanoak's huge black cloak. She moved swiftly away to the edge of the firelight and shook the brave squirrel free from the enveloping garment. Felldoh rolled deep into the shadows, flattening himself against the wall as he made his way to the slave compound. Buckler beat furiously on his small drum, secretly kicking away at the box so that it moved and shook. Trefoil stood at his side, her lips scarcely moving as she called out in a loud imploring tone, ”O pity, gentle creatures, lack a day.

Don't leave a poor fox here all locked away!”

Clogg nudged Badrang roughly. ”Hoho that's settled the fox's 'ash. Tibbar's got 'im stowed tight in that there box!”

Kastern and Celandine paraded round, holding up a variety of big old-fas.h.i.+oned locks complete with keys and many lengths of tough seakelp rope.

”Who will lock the fox up tight?” ”Who will bind the box up right?”

There was no shortage of volunteers. Searats and corsairs mingled with members of the Tyrant's horde as they crowded round the box. Some proudly showed 144.

their skills in rope knotting, while others secured the locks through the box's metal eyelets.

Ballaw strutted round the secured box, nodding with satisfaction.

”Lashed stoutly by good seafaring beasts, By honest soldiers locked firm, No creature could possibly get out of there. Not even the smallest worm.”

Badrang plucked the long dagger from where it stood quivering in the table. He strode across to the box, his lip curling as he addressed Ballaw.

”Has the fox disappeared from inside the box now?”

Ballaw's long ears twitched. He held up a cautionary paw. ”Wait, Sire. Let me weave the spell.”

He circled the box, gesturing and leaping.

”Now you vanish, unfortunate one. A wave of my wand and you are gone. Others may search and seek in vain, But you will never be seen again!”

By sleight of paw, Ballaw produced a hazel twig. He tapped the box sharply, once, twice, thrice, calling out, ”Ongum bongum wollagum woe, Vanish, disappear, dematerialize. Go!”

Turning to Badrang, he panted in mock exhaustion and bowed. ”He is gone, m'lord. The box is empty. Shall I show you?”

The Tyrant smiled evilly, shaking his head. ”No. Leave the box secured. But if the fox is really gone, I'm sure you won't mind me doing this!”

Darting forward, Badrang slammed the dagger down with furious energy straight through the box lid, up to its hilt. There was a horrified gasp from the onlookers, followed by a mad roar from Cap'n Tramun Clogg as he charged out, cutla.s.s upraised.

”Murderer! I warned ye, Badrang, none of these magic beasts was to be harmed. You treacherous sc.u.m!”

Ballaw acted swiftly. Tripping Clogg, he grabbed the cutla.s.s and ran the box through with it, using both paws. Turning, he helped the pirate stoat up and dusted him off.

”Nay nay, Cap'n. If I say the fox is vanished, then you can be sure he's gone. Hi there, you, Gurrad! D'you fancy throwin' your spear at the box? Anybeast, come on, have a go!”

There was silence for a moment, then Gurrad threw his spear. The heavy weapon crashed through the box, protruding from the other side. It was like a signal. Immediately, daggers, spears, arrows and even swords flew through the air. In seconds the box resembled a pincus.h.i.+on. When the missiles had stopped, Ballaw gave the box a mighty kick with his long hindpaws. It fell apart, showing everybeast that the fox had really vanished.

The hare spread his paws wide, grinning. ”You see, when Tibbar the magic rabbit performs magic, it is real!”

Amid the hearty applause that followed, Druwp's voice squealed out from the direction of the stockade.

”The slaves are escaping. Help, come quick, they're escaping!”

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