Part 7 (1/2)
”Stap me vitals, Mellus, are you still alive and grow-lin', you old stripedog?”
Saxtus and Dandin stood watching as the twro old friends greeted each other. Dandin eyed the ragged mousemaid. She stood by, swinging a thick knotted length of rope. Unconcerned by her filthy appearance or the sea-scoured, sand-worn, forest-torn, loose burlap sacking dress she wore, the maid stared boldly back at Dandin as badger and hare conversed.
79.
”So, how goes it at Salamandastron? Who rules there now?”
”Oh, the old fire mountain's still there y'know, strong as ever. The Lord badger there is Rawnblade, biggest dog badger you've ever set eyes upon. Some say he's the image of his great-grandsire Sunstripe the Mace. Ha, what a warrior! He can flay a crew of searats before breakfast, and that's on a bad day. But enough of all this fiddle faddle, old stripehead. You'd remember me at old Abbot Thomas's final jubilee-I was only a bobtailed leveret then.”
”Of course, I remember it well. You were with your father Lorquin. Ah, those were the seasons, eh. Who's your young friend?”
The mousemaid stepped up and spoke for herself. ”I'm Storm Gullwhacker. This is my weapon, the Gullwhacker.”
Mellus nodded courteously, hiding her amus.e.m.e.nt at the newcomer's confident and forthright manner. ”Welcome to Redwall Abbey, Storm Gullwhacker. Perhaps you'd like to be shown around our home. Dandin, Saxtus, take this young mousemaid inside and see if you can get her some decent clothing and a bath.”
While Mellus and Tarquin continued their conversation in the open gateway, Dandin and Saxtus walked inside, accompanied by Storm. Saxtus noticed some of the young ones staring open-mouthed at Storm.
”Er, I say, Storm, we'd best go and find Sister Sage. She'll get you cleaned up and dressed nicely.”
Storm swung Gullwhacker deftly, flicking the head off a daisy. ”n.o.body's was.h.i.+n' an' dressin' me up, mouse. I'm all right as I am.”
Saxtus disagreed. ”No no, you must do as Mother Mellus says!”
Dandin saw something in the mousemaid's face, something which reminded him of himself. He turned to Saxtus.
80.
”Leave Storm alone, friend. If she says she's all right, then she is. Let her be.”
As they strolled through the grounds together, young Red wallers sported and cavorted everywhere. Storm watched them with amus.e.m.e.nt in her eyes.
”What are they doing, Dandin?”
”They're playing. It's a sort of sports day.”
”Sports day, playing-what's that mean?”
Saxtus was about to explain when a twine-tied leaf-ball rolled in front of them. A baby hedgehog came chasing it. Storm picked up the ball.
”Is this something for playing?”
The little hedgehog stood smiling at her with all the innocence of a Dibbun. ”Gorra see how high you c'n frow it.”
Storm spun the ball in her paw. ”How high I can throw it ... let's see.” She tossed the ball into the air. As it came down, she swung with the knotted end of Gullwhacker. It struck the ball spot on, sending it soaring into the sky until it was a mere dot.
Dandin, Saxtus and the Dibbun hedgehog gasped in admiration. Storm smiled.
”Good. I like playing. WhatTl we play next?”
”Yeek!”
Some distance away, Treerose was struck on the back by the falling ball.
Rufe Brush came sauntering over. ”What's the matter, squirrel?”
Treerose was furious. She grabbed the ball and came marching over to where the three mice stood. Holding the ball out, she chattered fiercely.
”Who did that? Come on, own up.”
Storm did not realize the ball had struck Treerose. She stood forward, grinning cheerfully, and nodded at the squirrel in a friendly way. ”I hit the ball high. It's called playing. D'you want to play?”
Treerose went red with temper. ”You dirty filthy little ragam.u.f.fin, I'll teach you a lesson!”
81.
Swiftly she lashed out, scratching the side of Storm's face with her sharp little dewclaws. Before anybeast could stop her, Storm whacked the knotted rope squarely between Treerose's ears. The squirrel sat flat on her tail in the dust, tears pouring from her eyes.
Storm was perplexed, she rubbed her cheek as she turned to Saxtus. ”What's the matter with her? What did she scratch me for?”
Treerose saw Rufe Brush watching and set up a wail. ”Waah! She hit me! What are you going to do about it, Rufe Brush?”
Rufe shrugged. ”Dunno really. S'pose I'd better shake 'er paw!”
”Boohoohoo! That dirty little scruffbag has broken my skull. Boohoohoo!”
Mother Mellus's huge paw swept Treerose upright and dusted her down. ”Stop that wailing or you'll bring on the rain, miss. Stoppit! You're not really hurt, and if I ever hear you insulting a guest of Redwall I'll dust your tail so hard you won't sit down for a season. Now go and get washed with cold water. Your eyes are all squidgy with whining. Be off with you!”
Mother Mellus turned on Dandin and Saxtus. ”And as for you two pickles, didn't I tell you to get this mousemaid a bath and some proper clothes?”
”She said she doesn't want any,” Dandin protested.
Mother Mellus eyed the rebellious Storm. ”Oh, doesn't she. Well, we'll see about that!”
Mellus took a step forward; the mousemaid took a step backward.
”Keep your paws off me, y'great stripy lump, or I'll Gullwhack you!”
”You'll what?”
Storm swung the Gullwhacker. ”You heard me, badger. Now back off!”
Mother Mellus looked over Storm's shoulder. She smiled and curtsied. ”Good afternoon, Father Abbot.”
Storm turned to see who the badger was addressing.
82.
Mellus pounced! The mousemaid was pinioned by two large badger paws, the rope dangling uselessly at her side as Mother Mellus whispered in her ear, ”Gotcha, missy! Now let's see if soap and water and a dress will civilize you, you little savage.”
Saxtus and Dandin fell about laughing as Mother Mellus carried off a kicking, yelling Storm.