Part 16 (1/2)
171.
he swung them in a circle, the metal b.a.l.l.s at the ends of the thongs dacking together viciously. The masked fox pointed at less Churchmouse.
”Drop that rock, mouse. Any of you runaways make a move and I'll smash little missie's skull to a pulp. 1 never miss.”
Tess dosed her eyes tight and clasped her paws together. ”Run, Mattimeo! Run for your life back to Redwall. Bring help!”
”Go on, do as she says,” Slagar sn.i.g.g.e.red with glee. ”After I've killed her, I'll kill you. To slay the Warrior of Redwall and his son in such a short time would make my revenge complete.”
The rock fell from Mattimeo's open paw. Hot tears sprang to his eyes as he hung his head in defeat.
They were roughly herded together by Bageye and Skinpaw. The rope was looped about the neck of each of the mends as Bageye bound their paws in front with thongs.
Slagar nodded towards the south woodland fringe. ”Right, lef s go. Oh, you can take your time now, there's n.o.body following us anymore. Hahahaha!”
Auma made a strangled noise, halfway between a growl and a sob. Dragging the captives with her, she fell back upon the huge mound of rubble and began digging furiously. It took all the slavers to drag her off.
Beating with canes and rope ends, they bludgeoned the little group off along the south trail through the summer woodlands.
Realization of what had taken place hit Sam Squirrel like a bolt, and tears trickled from his eyes. They all cried.
All except Mattimeo. His eyes were dry. Jaws denched tight, he strode upright, ignoring all about him but Slagar. Never once did his gaze leave the figure of the masked fox.
Slagar dropped back a pace to talk to Skinpaw.
”How far off are the others?” he asked.
'^Within two marches of the great cliffs. I've told them to wait at the foothills until we arrive. Chief.”
172.
”Good. It shouldn't be too difficult to catch them up. What are you staring at, mouse?”
”You should have killed me back at the canyon.” Mattimeo's voice was flat and contemptuous.
Slagar eyed the bold young mouse and shook his head. ”I've killed your father. His sword is buried with him. Thaf s enough for one day's work. You, I will let live to suffer.”
Mattimeo stopped marching. His friends stopped also. The young mouse's eyes were hard with scorn.
”Then you're not only a cowardly murdering sc.u.m, you're a fool. Because from now on I live with one purpose only: to kill you.”
Slagar was taken aback by the determination and loathing that emanated from Mattimeo. He glared savagely at him, trying to frighten the young mouse into submission. Mattimeo glared back, completely unafraid. He was a different mouse altogether.
s.n.a.t.c.hing the willow cane from Skinpaw, the Cruel One struck out, las.h.i.+ng Mattimeo several times. The cane snapped. Slagar stood shaking, breathing hard through the silken mask.
Mattimeo curled his lip defiantly. He had not even felt the blows. ”Get yourself another cane and try harder, half-face!”
”Skinpaw, Bageye! Keep this one marching up front with you. Move!”
Mattimeo was dragged off to the front of the column. Slagar marched behind, visibly shaken, glad that he could not feel the young mouse's eyes boring into him from behind.
173.
Though the missing young ones were uppermost in the minds of all the Redwallers, they tried to carry on with Abbey life in a normal fas.h.i.+on, keeping a brave face on things by going about their tasks in a cheerful manner.
Afternoon tea in Cavern Hole was served amid a great buzz of excitement. Copies of the twelve letters discovered by baby Rollo had been distributed, and there was a prize of a pink iced woodland plum and spice cake baked by the Abbot himself. John Churchmouse was strongly fancied to win it, though Abbot Mordalfus was having a serious try. Being the proud maker of such a cake, he wanted to keep it and admire it awhile. Baking was the Father Abbot's latest accomplishment. Ever since the making of his Redcurrantwall Abbot Alf Cake, he had been longing to try his paw at cake-making again. The moles formed a joint crew, and they sat scratching their velvety heads as they gazed at the twelve letters.
BBOOCTAPWERY.
”Burr, all oopside backways, if n you arsken oi.”
”Hurr, quit talken an' get thinkin, Jarge, or you'll never win yon pinkice cake.”
Cornflower had joined up with baby Rollo and Mrs. Churchmouse. Winifred, Brother Sedge and Ambrose Spike sat together. In various corners of the room small groups kept hard at it, trying to solve the mystery of the twelve letters. Every once in a while some creature would approach the Abbot with a possible solution. Mordalfus in his position as judge looked each one over with a discerning eye. ”Hmm, Baby power to be. Sorry, Sister May. As you see, there's only two letter Bs in the puzzle and you've used three. Next. Ah, Winifred, let's see your entry. Coop Water Byb? What in the name of acorns is that supposed to mean? No, I can't accept that one. Ah, John, well now we'll see who has won my beautiful cake.”
John Churchmouse peered expectantly over the top of his gla.s.ses as the Abbot read out his solution.
”Cot Abbey prow. Strange words, John. Have you any reason for your answer?”
John polished his gla.s.ses, looking slightly sheepish. ”Not really. Abbot. I tried several combinations, but this looked the most likely.”
Mordalfus put John's entry to one side. ”Well, who knows? We'll keep it as a possibility. Thank you, John.”
”Thank you. Abbot. Er, have you tried to solve it yet?”
”No, f think it only fair that I stay as judge. However, if it isn't solved tonight then you can be judge tomorrow and I'll have a try then.”
”We gorrit! We gorrit!” Baby Roflo ran forward, waving a parchment. He stumbled, fell, scrambled up and placed the crumpled entry in the Abbof s lap.
The kindly old mouse's eyes twinkled as he lifted Rollo onto the arm of his chair. ”You're a clever fellow, Rollo. Did you solve this all by yourself?”
Cornflower and Mrs. Churchmouse winked at the Abbot. ”Of course he did. We couldn't have done without him.”
Mordalfus nodded wisely. ”Well, lef s see what you've got. Abbey top crow. Ha, now this really looks like something we can investigate. .Abbey top crow, eh? Good. Well done, baby Rollo, not to mention your two helpers, of course. I think the cake goes to the three of you.”
175.
Cornflower, Mrs. Churchmouse and Rollo went into whispered conference, finally emerging with the decision that everyone be given a small slice, much to the delight of all.
After tea, the Abbey dwellers gathered on the sward in front of Redwall. Shading their eyes, they gazed up to the high roof. Queen Warbeak and her Sparra warriors were circling the spires, turrets and crenellations at the Abbof s request. There was not long to wait. Shortly Warbeak came zooming down at great speed and perched on a windowsill to make her report.
”Round top of roof, fourbirds, fourbirds,” she told them.
The Abbot could hardly suppress his excitement. ”What sort of birds? How high? Where?”
The Sparra Queen dosed her eyes, remembering the locations and types of bird. ”Backa roof, hawkbird. This side, gooseflier. Other side, owlbird. That side, crow-bird. All wormbird stone, you see.”
Cornflower took a few paces back and pointed upwards. ”I can see a wild goose carved this side. 1 can just make it out. Look, it leans outwards with its wings spread. Funny, I've never noticed it before.”
The Abbot settled his paws into his wide sleeves. ”There are a great many things about Redwall that we do not know. It is an ancient and mysterious place. The longer I live here the more I see how everything our ancestors built into it has a story or a reason. It is all part of the Mossflower tradition and history. The goose is facing west towards the sunset and the great sea. That is the way they travel each late season. I think the hawk must face north. It is a warlike bird, and the northlands were always troubled by war. The owl, I guess, will face east to the dense forest and the rising sun. That only leaves one way for the crow to face.”