The Long Patrol

Epilogue

Many a long season passed since Major Perigord Habile Sin-istra had set eyes upon the mountain of

Salamandastron. Straightening his scarlet tunic and brushing his slightly graying whiskers, he touched the long-healed

scar line upon his brow and gazed up at the fortress on the far west shore. “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.

Then Colonel Eyebright’s gaze shifted 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 assist 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

massive 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. Shifting 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!”