Part 27 (1/2)
Ironbeak nodded to Mangiz, and the crow started the exchange.
”We release them at the same time, one for one. First the infant for Quickbill. Agreed?”
Constance untied the first magpie.
”Agreed!”
Rollo was aware of the gravity of the situation. He strode slowly across to Constance, crossing paths with Quickbill. On reaching his friends the little bankvole began singing: ”Kick a magpie in the eye.
Shoot a crow wiv a great big bow. . . .”
276.
Winifred swept him up and hurried indoors.
”Now the one called Cornflower for Brightback.”
”Agreed!”
The mouse and the magpie pa.s.sed each other in silence. Tension mounted in the air now that there were only two left. As Cornflower embraced Constance, the harsh voice of Mangiz sounded: ”Last, the churchmouse for Diptail.”
”Agreed!”
The exchange took place without a hitch.
Both sides stood watching each other.
At a wave from Ironbeak, the magpie brothers and Mangiz flew off, then the raven General fixed his eyes on Constance.
”I will continue to attack you. It is my destiny that I should rule in the great redstone house.”
The badger gave him back stare for stare.
”Others have tried to conquer Redwall, warriors greater than you. We are still here. Right is on our side, Justice too. One day our warriors will return home, then you will be driven off or slain.”
Ironbeak was unmoved. ”HaJtJta/ We shall see. You are not as clever as you imagine, none of you. Did it not occur to you that my fighters were not with me to see the exchange take place?”
”Oh nuts'n'acorns,” Ambrose groaned. ”I knew the villain had somethin' hidden up 'is feathery sleeve.”
”While I was drawing out this business for as long as possible,” Ironbeak continued, ”my birds were in your orchards loading up many supplies. I kept you talking long enough for them to make several trips. Your sentries who should have been guarding the windows feeing the orchard were watching me and Mangiz in case we tried something. Anyway, black birds cannot be seen flying by night. Also, I must tell you that we have moved down to your infirmary and dormitories. I am conquering this place from the top downwards. Now you are left only with the place called Cavern Hole. If you try 277.
to cross the floor of Great Hall after dawn tomorrow, we will be watching from the galleries, ready to attack you. We have all the supplies needed, and you will be held to a state of siege below the floor of this place. You and your friends might think yourselves clever, but you are not wise enough to outsmart General Ironbeak.” The raven shot off into the night sky like a dark arrow.
Constance shook her head wearily. ”He wouldn't have outsmarted Matthias.”
Cornflower patted Constance. ”You were wonderfully brave to get us free. We're not beaten yet, as long as we're alive and Redwall stands, there is hope,” she said rea.s.suringly. ”We must defend the Abbey and keep it safe, especially for the day when Matthias returns with Mattimeo. Strange, isn't it, I keep thinking of my little Matti, even at the oddest times.”
Constance smiled fondly. ”Thaf s because he's your son and you're his mother. Whenever I look at you, I can tell you are thinking of him. Any creature would be glad of a mum Hke you, Cornflower. Here, whaf s this, tears?”
Cornflower sniffed and wiped her eyes. ”No. I'm just a little tired, I suppose. I hope Mattimeo is getting his proper sleep, wherever he is.”
The trek across the great barren country started at daybreak. Canteens had been filled at the last woodland pool. Supplies were very low but the shrew cooks had done them proud. Log-a-Log and his scouts had foraged the woodland fringe, and fennel, cloudberry and dandelion, together with some hall-ripened hazelnuts, had been thrown into a large communal salad, with the addition of some dried fruit and the last of the cheese. Then a good meal had been eaten facing the flat expanse of sun-scorched earth.
Basil sniffed the dry air.
”Useless trying to scent anything around here. Still, die tracks are clear enough. I can see them from here.
runnin' off in a straight line. They're a day and a night ahead of us, I reckon.”
' He stood, stretching his long limbs, gazing out at the already s.h.i.+mmering horizon as it wavered and rippled with the fierce heat.
”Right, lads, quick's the word an' sharp's the action, eh? Form up here and follow me. No lagging and sitting down on the bally old job. By the left... wait for it, Cheek . . . quick march!!”
The little column trekked off into the unknown expanses of the desert ahead of them, leaving behind the final fringes of Mossflower.
Slagar had driven both captives and slavers hard. Marching by night and resting by day, they had crossed the wasteland. Footsore and weary, Mattimeo and his companions helped each other along. Their mouths were dry and parched from lack of water, the manacles rubbed and chafed. Tess caught Cynthia Bankvole as she stumbled for the umpteenth time.
”Up now. Stay on your paws, Cynthia. If s daylight, so they'll let us rest soon.”
The volemaid licked dusty lips with a dry tongue. ”I hope so, Tess. I can't stand much more of it, though I don't know which I'd prefer right now, a drink or a sleep.”
Auma lent her size and strength, supporting them both with a paw at their backs. ”Keep going. I can see something ahead, though I don't exactly know what it is. Can you see it, Sam?” ( The young squirrel strained his eyes, ”Looks like some sort of a black shadow with bushes and trees on the other side of it. Whatever it is, it has to be better than this wasteland. I think they're planning to let us rest when we reach there. Keep going, it shouldn't be too long now.”
Distances in the drylands were deceptive. It was gone 279.
midmorning when the slave line halted at the place which Auma and Sam had sighted. Cynthia Bank vole drew in a sharp breath and clapped a paw over her eyes, then sat down, dizzy with fright.
They had arrived at the brink of an abyss!
A huge rift in the earth opened before them. It was as if the world were splitting through its middle. Impenetrably black and endlessly deep, it stretched away in either direction as far as the eye could see. Though they were standing at its narrowest point, the distance across yawned many times the length of a tall beech tree. The captives stood wide-eyed in astonished silence at the awesome sight.
Across the gorge a swaying construction of rope and wood stretched. It was secured at either side by thick stakes driven deep into the earth, but the center of the rough bridge dipped perilously into the chasm.
Jube buried his face against the dusty ground. ”Ooooh! I'd as soon die as try to cross that!”
A moan arose from the slave lines. Others felt the same as Jube, and even the stoats, weasels and ferrets who had come this far with Slagar began muttering among themselves.
The masked fox stood leaning against the stakes, watching them. He had come across this problem before and was ready for it.
”Frightened, eh? Legs turned to jelly, have they?” he taunted them.
”We never bargained for anything like this, Chief!” Threedaws gulped.
Slagar strolled to where two weasels, Drynose and Damper, stood guard over the expedition's food and water. Pus.h.i.+ng them to one side, he took the three large water canteens and carried them to the head of the bridge.
”What d'you mean 'bargained'? You're not here to bargain, you are here to obey orders. You, Skinpaw, show them how if s done. A weasel like you isn't afraid of crossing a bridge.”
Skinpaw shook his head vigorously. ”Ask me to do anything, Slagar, anything. March, fight, climb mountains, cross rivers . . . but not that!”
The silken masked fluttered. The Cruel One seemed to be smiling beneath it. He turned to his slavers one by one.