The Pearls Of Lutra

Tansy studied it for a moment. "It looks like the letter I to me..."

Gerul smiled. He had made his point. "Right, you just said it, the letter I, at least that's wot I heard y'say. See, I point to me eye, that's the eye y'can see, but you just said I, that's the I y'can hear!"

Arven was first to the tapestry. He ran his paw quickly over the name Martin embroidered on the hem and, thrusting his other paw behind the hem, he ripped something away from behind the dot of the letter I in the warrior's name.

"It d'purl!" he yelled.

The fifth pearl fell to the floor, bounced twice on the stones and rolled a little way, coming to a halt in front of Auma. The badger picked up the pretty rose-colored orb. It glowed softly in the lamplight as she presented it to Tansy, saying, ' T believe Gerul deserves a vote of thanks for his help."

Shamefaced, Tansy shook the owl's talon gently. "Gerul, friend, forgive me for getting so snippy with you."

The friendly bird blinked his great eyes. “Ah sure, cut us an ould slice of fruit cake an' yer forgiven!"

Craklyn swept the half-cake that was left from the table. "You deserve it all, and I'd bake your mother one twice this size if she were here!"

Arven had been gradually sidling away until he was at the foot of the stairs. Suddenly Tansy caught sight of him and shouted, "The sixth clue! Arven, bring it here this instant!"

The squirrelbabe did a little dance, wobbling his head comically. "Tansy pansy toogle doo! I foun' it, d'paper's mine!"

Waving the scrap of parchment, which had been stitch-tacked lightly behind the tapestry to hold the pearl, Arven fled upstairs giggling.

Rollo threw up his paws. "You two run and catch him. I'm too old for this sort of game. Well, go on, last one to catch Arven is a something or other, shall we say a baggy-bottomed beetle?"

But Tansy and Craklyn were not listening. They were dashing headlong for the stairs to catch the squirrelbabe.

Arven stood on a dormitory window sill, hidden by the drape of the curtain. He wriggled in anticipation as the door slowly creaked open. Tansy popped her head in. "Aaaaarven, are you theeeere?" she called in a singsong tone.

A small giggle sounded as Tansy and Craklyn tip-pawed into the dormitory. Craklyn pointed silently to the moving curtain as it wriggled and flapped against the sill. Tansy smiled, and called out in the same singsong voice, "Aaaarven, you're hiding on the window siiiiiill!"

A small giggly reply came from behind the curtain. "Tee-heehee! Nooohooo, Arven not heeeeeeyer!"

Craklyn whipped the curtain aside, revealing the squirrelbabe grinning mischievously, the crumpled scrap of parchment held tight to his small fat stomach.

Tansy injected a note of serious authority into her demand. "Give me that paper, sir, immediately!"

"Kyeeheehee! No, it mine, I foun' it!"

Craklyn launched herself at Arven, but he was too quick. Grabbing the curtain he swung outward, let go and somersaulted onto a bed. Tansy jumped upon Arven, and immediately he stuffed the parchment into his mouth and shut it tight.

Tansy shook him. "Open your mouth at once, we need that parchment!"

Arven shook his head, attempting to speak. "Nmff, ut mahn!"

Craklyn leapt to her friend's assistance. "Right, you've asked for this, you little maggot!"

Grabbing both of Arven's footpaws, the squirrelmaid tickled furiously.

"Yahahahahoohoostoppiiiiit!"

Triumphantly, Tansy held up the damp scrap of parchment. "Got it!"

Craklyn stopped tickling, only to find Arven's footpaws thrust in her face.

"More tickles, want more tickles pleez!" he squealed.

Later that night the three friends sat in Great Hall taking a late supper together. In front of them lay the scallop shell, open to reveal five rose-colored pearls and one remaining space in the soft red cloth that lined the shell case. Rollo nibbled celery and cheese turnover briefly before rubbing his paws together.

"Well, let's see the final clue. I trust the parchment was not damaged too much by that little savage stuffing it in his mouth."

Tansy spread the parchment carefully on the tabletop. "No, it's still quite legible. I dried it off in the kitchen ovens, but treat it carefully, it's a mite crispy."

The friends read the lines slowly together.

"My sixth and last tear I give unto you,

When Redwallers lie abed,

At midnight see, in full moon view,

The purple arrowhead.

Travel east, six rods from the tip,

To the rose that blooms ever fair,

See if you can find the right hip,

Turn west and you're halfway there."

Rollo pushed away the remains of his supper, cupped his head in both paws and leaned on the table dejectedly. "Huh! And we thought the last five clues were difficult?"

Craklyn stared miserably at the oak-grained pattern of the tabletop. "Right! I don't think poor Piknim would've sorted any real information from that rhyme, and she was far brighter than I am."

Tansy yawned and stood up, stretching. "I agree with both of you, but enough is enough for one night. I'm off to join all the other Redwallers who are lying abed."

The last thing Tansy heard before dropping off to sleep was the voice of Martin speaking to her.

"The Abbess will find it for Piknim on the same ground where the fifth was found."

Chapter 44

Ublaz stood on top of the mighty piles of timber heaped against the back walls of his palace and peered over the walltop at the rocks where Rasconza had agreed to meet him at dawn. There was still an hour to go before daybreak, but the pine marten was leaving nothing to chance this time. With his superb vision, he could make out tiny moving shapes on the low hill in the distance. Searats and corsairs were beginning to mass on the hilltop. Ublaz checked that his remaining threescore Monitors were waiting, armed with long lances, in the courtyard behind him. To the left and right, behind the hill where the Wave Brethren waited, two fire arrows flared briefly in the dark skies.

The Emperor's eyes glittered with fiendish delight. The trap was laid. During the night, Sagitar had secretly left the palace at the head of the entire army of Trident-rats and at her Emperor's bidding, she had split the force and hidden them well among the hills. When he arrived, Rasconza would be walking into a well-laid trap. The massed Trident-rats would sweep down behind his wavescum and ambush them from the rear. From there they would be driven against the back outer palace wall, where Monitors could thrust down into their ranks with long spears, followed by flaming bales of dried wood and grass.

A jubilant lark arose to greet daybreak, chirruping happily as she ascended the upper air, sunrays from the east making her wings almost transparent against the still blue skies. She was unaware of what was taking place on the ground below. Rasconza was of the opinion that only a fool would go unarmed to any meeting with Ublaz, and the wily fox had slid a keen-edged dagger inside his tunic. Grinning wolfishly at his captains, he strolled down from the hilltop with them.

"Sink me ship'n'drown me crew, would he? Well, today's the day the Emperor o' Sampetra gits toppled off 'is throne an' fed to the fishes. Wait 'ere until I give the signal, buckoes, 'tis supper in the palace fer the Wave Brethren tonight. Right, I'm off! I 'ates ter keep anybeast waitin' t'be slain!"

The corsair fox strode jauntily to the meeting place, where Ublaz's arrow had fallen on the previous day.

Ublaz issued final orders to four Monitors standing nearby. They were holding a long, heavy rope with thick knots at short intervals along its length.

“ Lower me down gently and leave the rope hanging over the wall. I will return fast, so be ready. When I grab the rope haul me up with all speed. Do you understand?"

"Yarr, Mightinezz!"

Moments later Ublaz was lowered to the ground outside the palace, and alone and unarmed, he marched forward to where Rasconza awaited him.

Both beasts halted within three paces of each other. Since the pine marten had dispensed with wearing a transparent silk scarf across his eyes, Rasconza was careful to keep his gaze averted in the presence of his enemy. Rasconza was the first to break the silence.

"So then, yore 'ighness, I unnerstand yer want peace. Well now, that's a bit of a turnaround fer the Ruler of Sampetra an' Terror of all the Seas, ain't it? Still, I s'pose it makes sense, since all y've 'ad to deal with afore was fools an' lizards."

Ublaz sneered at the swaggering corsair. "You may think you're a clever fox, but you made a big mistake the day you tried to pit wits against me. Watch!"

Ublaz raised his paws high and spread them, roaring at the top of his voice, "Attaaaaack!"

Rasconza picked a small flower and sniffed it appreciatively. "Save yer breath, Mad Eyes. I'm the only one who'll do the attackin' this day. Take a look at yonder 'ill, wot d'yer see?"

An uneasy feeling began to stir within Ublaz. Something was wrong.

A figure, garbed in a long cloak and hood, stepped forward from the Wave Brethren crowded on the hill crest. Now it was Rasconza's turn to shout.

"Unsheet yerself fer the mighty Ublaz, matey!"

It was Sagitar. As she showed herself, tridents immediately began to bristle among the vermin horde. Rasconza's paw began slowly moving towards the dagger hidden in his tunic.

"Yore Trident-rats 'ave changed sides," he gloated. "They've got a new leader. Me! Sagitar says to tell you 'er 'ead ain't decoratin' no trident on the jetty. Yore finished, Ublaz!"

Then, whipping out his dagger, Rasconza pounced.

But Ublaz was fast; he sprang to one side, and dealing the fox a smart blow on the back of his neck, he knocked the corsair flat on his face. Then he landed a swift kick to the fox's side, driving the wind out of him.

Unarmed and seeing the massed creatures pour from the hilltop towards him, Ublaz took to his heels and ran. Rasconza was tough; he leapt up and gave chase after his foe. With his paws pounding the earth like pistons, Ublaz dashed for the wall; a quick glance over his shoulder confirmed his fears. Rasconza was coming after him and the fox could run like the wind. He was quickly closing the gap between them.

Many seasons of soft living had slowed the pine marten. He was running flat out, but the fox was leaner and tougher; even half winded he was twice the runner Ublaz would ever be. Increasing his pace, Rasconza raced along, dagger in paw.

Ublaz made it to the wall with Rasconza only a short distance behind him. Grabbing the knotted rope, Mad Eyes bellowed hoarsely, "Pull! Pull me up!"

The four Monitors hauled with all their might, and Ublaz shot upward. Rasconza leapt, striking out savagely with his blade.

Ublaz screeched in agony as the dagger pierced his footpaw, then he was seized by scaly claws and pulled over the wall to safety. Limping and hopping about on one footpaw, he yelled, "Defend the walls, hurry!"

The front ranks of Wave Brethren attempting to scale the walls were met by vicious thrusts from the Monitors' lances. Sitting on the woodpile, Ublaz nursed his paw, staunching the blood with his cloak hem. He beckoned the largest Monitor over.

“ Zurgat, you must keep them at bay. If they breach the wall you and your Monitors are deadbeasts."

The big lizard slithered her tongue in and out, nodding. "Yarr, Lord. Zearatz and corzairs have no pity on Monitorz. They will not enter here while we guard theze wallz."

Ublaz patted her scaly hide as he lied encouragingly. "We will defeat them. Lask Frildur is due back within the next day or so, with his Monitors and a full vermin crew that I can bring under my will. We'll soon chase that rabble into the sea."

By nightfall the Wave Brethren had retreated from the walls and set up camps a short distance away, Rasconza's plan being to lay siege to the palace. Searats and corsairs, sharing a healthy fear of the great flesh-eating lizards, were only too willing to go along with the fox's scheme. Better to harass and starve Ublaz and his Monitors out than face them head-on in battle.

Inside the palace, Ublaz stood at his throne room window, staring out to sea as he tried to gather his thoughts. At least the wavescum had only one seaworthy ship; the rest were without rudders and tillers, and two were without proper masts. He did not have to worry about an attack from the sea, as long as he could hold on to the timber needed for repairs. Below him the jetty lay deserted; it presented no problem at present.

Suddenly, the Emperor's keen eyes picked up a dark object to the east. He watched it getting closer, realization dawning on him. Waveworm! It was Lask Frildur and the Monitors, with Romsca and her crew, bringing back the Abbot of Redwall as hostage. Unknowingly Ublaz had been telling the truth to Zurgat when he had spoken to her earlier.

His mad eyes lit up as he formulated a plan. Waveworm would soon be at the jetty. He would go and meet the ship, and once he had Lask, Romsca, and the rest back inside his palace, he could defeat Rasconza's rabble.

Gritting his teeth, Ublaz stared at the approaching vessel. He had fought against odds before and won. The pine marten convinced himself that his present troubles were due to the treachery and stupidity of others. This time he alone would control events. He, Ruler of all Oceans and Lord of Sampetra, the Emperor Ublaz! If he trusted only himself and no otherbeast, victory over his enemies was a certainty!

Abbot Durral was sick and exhausted. He had spent long days clearing the ship of dead lizard and vermin carcasses, consigning each one to the depths of the sea in silence. Weakened by lack of food, ill with loneliness and despair, the old mouse crouched in a darkened cabin. Shivering and semiconscious, the lone passenger aboard a vessel taking him he knew not where, he did not even feel the keel grinding onto seawashed sand and gravel as Waveworm ran unchecked, missing the jetty and nosing to a halt on the shores of Sampetra.

Swathed in a dark silken cloak, Ublaz slid out of the main gates like a furtive cloud shadow, stealing by deserted taverns across the waterfront. He could not understand why Waveworm had not berthed properly alongside the jetty. It lay in the shallows, with neither anchor nor picket line to hold it. Ublaz waded out, hoping to catch the crew asleep at their posts.

The first thing Ublaz noticed as he climbed aboard Waveworm was the total absence of noise, not even the snoring of crew-beasts. Making his way to the for'ard cabins he found one with the door hanging crazily by a hinge, its center panel shattered and bloodstained. It was empty. Dashing through the accommodations the pine marten flung open doors, staring around in disbelief. Empty, all empty!

Making his way aft the first thing he noticed was the tiller, lashed in position. Then he saw the dark stains on rail and deck planking, which told their own grim tale. Death had visited the Waveworm.

In a stern cabin he found a fire brazier and, stretching his paws inside, Ublaz felt a slight warmth. Within the last day or so, somebeast had managed to get a small fire going there. He checked a pan nearby, wrinkling his nose at the cold, rancid water.

Then a thin, cracked voice called from the shadow of a bunk. "We'll need more blackberries if we're to make a pie that big, Friar Higgle. Where's Teasel? She'll know where to get some..."

Stealing silently across to the bunk, Ublaz lifted aside the tattered blanket. The Emperor of Sampetra found himselt looking at the prone, shivering figure of Redwall's Father Abbot.

Chapter 45

The logboat that had once been part of the craft Freebeast was in as good a shape as skilled paws could make it. Provisioned fully by the good otters of Ruddaring Island, it was ready to face the seas again. Martin and his crew once more lay flat, pulling themselves on the thick hawser through the fantastic grotto-like tunnel with its shell-crusted ceiling and luminous blue light. When the vital wave arrived, they gave a final heave. Hot sunlit daylight streamed in from outside as the tunnel mouth yawned wide. Like a cork, the logboat bobbed out onto the open main. Wallyum Rudderwake, his sturdy son Inbar and several other otters had followed, and now they hung lightly on the boat's sides.

The otter leader had a wooden whistle slung about his neck. He shook seawater from it and blew the whistle several times.

"What'n the name o' goodness is he blowin' that thing for?" Clecky whispered to Martin. "I can't hear a bally sound from it, chap's got a broken whistle I'd say, wot?"

"Maybe you can't hear the whistle, but the sealfolk can," Martin explained to the bemused hare. "Wallyum told me they would stay in these waters roundabout until he had spoken with them about us."

Clecky chose a large ripe peach from the supplies. Juice dribbled down his chin as he chomped into it. "Funny business if y'ask me, old scout. Tunnels through mountains, whistles y'can't hear an' whatnot..."

Grath nudged him sharply. “Well we never asked you, so be quiet and wait!"

Wallyum sounded the whistle again. This time a dark rounded head broke the waves a short distance south. The seal barked once, dived and was gone. The friends sat in the logboat waiting, the otters occasionally swimming away to circle round slowly.

It was over an hour before anything happened. Suddenly, the waters around the logboat broke with a great whoosh, and seal-folk appeared everywhere, smacking their flippers and rolling about between the waves. Hawm, the massive king bull seal, broke the surface directly in front of the otter leader.

"Feryooday, Waaaaaaaaylumm!"

The Chieftain of Holt Rudderwake clapped his paws together. “Manyahooday, Haaaaaaaaaaaaawm!''

"My father is saying that he hopes the king lives long," Inbar murmured to Grath.

Then Hawm and Wallyum went into a long animated discussion. Martin watched them carefully, though he understood almost nothing of what they were saying. However, now and again he heard his own name mentioned as Ma'tan and he figured that the word "Sarmpat" meant Sampetra. The logboat crew sat patiently until the discussion was over, then Wallyum held out a paw to his son.

"Help me aboard the boat, I would speak with our friend Martin." Inbar vaulted aboard the logboat and with Grath's help lifted the old otter clear of the water and swung him aboard.

The mouse warrior listened intently as Wallyum counseled him. "Hawm says that he knows the isle of Sampetra. It is southwest of here. Nobeast reads the ocean, its tides and currents, like the king of the sealfolk; he will get you there with all speed. But he says that it is a place of great danger and he will not risk the lives of his tribe by staying there long. Once at that island you will be alone with your crew; be on your guard at all times because it is a place of great evil. Tread carefully and may fates and fortunes aid you and your five companions, Martin of Redwall."

"With your permission, I would make Martin's companions six, father."

Wallyum clasped his son's paw. "I know you would, Inbar Trueflightever since the boat arrived at our island and you two set eyes upon another. You have been a good son and Ruddaring is a tiny rock in the ocean. It will be a good thing for you to see the world outside, knowing that you may return to your home if it is not to your liking. Go, my son, and may all your seasons be filled with happiness!"

Inbar nodded his head vigorously, shaking off a teardrop into the sea. He clasped his father's paw tightly. "Thank you, sir. May the holt not need another leader for seasons untold. Would you wait here while I go back for my bow and arrows? I left them on the riverbank."

Grath patted the weapons lying alongside her. "I have them here, Inbar. Your father was not the only beast who could see that you wanted to come with us."

Wallyum smiled, nodding fondly at Grath Longfletch. “Take good care of each other," he said.

Then the old otter slid into the water to join the other otters who had swum through the tunnel. He held up a paw to the seal king. "Gittawooom, nugorra omminsawll. Gittarra, Haaaaaaaaawm!"

The seal king barked sharply, his voice echoing from the mountain. "Feryoon Waaaaaylumm. Gittarra!"

Leaping to the logboat's trailing cables, the sealfolk sent a huge bow wave spraying high as they sped off southwest.

Viola tugged at Inbar's paw. "What did they say?" she asked.

The big otter smiled down at the volemaid. "My father said, 'Go with the waves, let none harm you, Ruler of Waters, go with all speed, great king.' Then Hawm replied, 'Stay well, Wallyum,' then he told his seals 'Gittarra,' which means, go with all speed, or, literally, cut the waves."

Clecky, who was already selecting from the provisions for the midday meal, sniffed. "I knew that! Huh, seal lingo, speak it like a jolly old seal I do, y'can't fool the great Haaaaaaawm Clecky, y'know!"

Grath turned, looking back at the island. "From 'ere y'd think it was just some straight-sided rock stickin' up out of the sea, nobeast'd ever guess wot it looks like inside."

Inbar looked up from the chunk of beeswax he was rubbing upon his bowstring to protect it. "Aye, that's what has always kept the island safe for the otters of Holt Rudderwake. Tell me, this place, Redwall Abbeywhat's it like to live there?"

Grath borrowed the beeswax from him and began working on her bow. "I couldn't say, mate, never been there, though I'd like to."

Viola interrupted the two otters, not attempting to hide the note of pride in her voice. "I was born and bred in the Abbey of Redwall. It's the most wonderful place you could wish to be. I'll tell you all about it."

Martin perched in the for'ard peak of the speeding logboat as it skimmed the sunlit waves, a fine seaspray causing him to blink as he gazed down at the Hawm of sealfolk. Shining like dark mottled glass, the great bull's sleek form cut the waters a paws-length beneath the surface, towing the boat with his seals, as easily as a feather upon the breeze. Touching the hilt of the sword slung across his shoulders, the Warriormouse stared at the horizon, watching for the first glimpse of Sampetra and wondering what fate and fortune awaited them at the perilous isle of the mad-eyed Emperor Ublaz.

Chapter 46

Arven was stealing the hazelnut cream pie from beneath Tansy's nose. The young hedgehog maid knew he was, but she could not be bothered trying to stop him. Pulling dreadful fierce faces, the squirrelbabe puffed his cheeks in and out as he helped himself to her beaker of rosehip tea, then, climbing up on the table, he performed a somersault and landed right in front of her face.

"Tansy pansy toogle doo. Boo!"

Glum-faced and pensive, Tansy lifted him down to the floor. "Oh, toogle doo yourself, you little nuisance, go and play outside with the other Dibbuns. Go on, be off with you!"

Arven waggled his bushy tail sternly at her. "Shuddent talk t' Arven like dat, me a h'otter wurrier now. Kyah! You not funny any more, Arven goin' a play!"

Hopping and skipping, he bounded from Great Hall out into the warm late afternoon orchard to see what mischief he could create with his Dibbun comrades. Tansy watched him go, then turned back to the table, leaning moodily, chin in paws.

"My, my, what a long face! You look as if you've just had a good dose of my warm nettle soup! What ails you, miss?"

Tansy made no reply, merely shrugging at Sister Cicely's enquiry. But Cicely was not one to give up easily. She persisted with her interrogation of the hogmaid.

"You suffered no permanent damage at Ninian's and your friends Craklyn and Rollo seem to be in good health. Come on, Tansy, this is not like you. What's the matter?"

Tansy pushed away her plate and beaker. "Do you know where to find the purple arrowhead, Sister, or the rose that blooms ever fair, or the right hip for that matter? Because if you do I'd be pleased if you'd tell me, but otherwise I wish you'd please leave me alone. I mean no disrespect, Sister, but I've got such a lot of thinking to do."

Sister Cicely sniffed rather frostily. "As you wish, Tansy, but I hope you solve your problem and it brightens up your disposition a bit."

Tansy rose dispiritedly from the table and wandered off towards the gatehouse. Even before she reached it, Craklyn's voice could be heard repeating the sixth rhyme aloud.

"My sixth and last tear I give unto you,

When Redwallers lie abed,

At midnight see, in full moon view,

The purple arrowhead.

Travel east, six rods from the tip,

To the rose that blooms ever fair,

See if you can find the right hip,

Turn west and you're halfway there."

The gatehouse door was wide open, and Tansy walked in. Dust motes floated everywhere in the sunrays streaming through window and doorframe. Rollo sat poring over old copies of Abbey Records.

Craklyn lay sprawled in the armchair. She looked up at Tansy, and said, "It's no use, Rollo has searched and rummaged through all the back records and we haven't come up with a single clue."

The old Recorder slammed a volume shut in a cloud of dust. "Atchoo! Oh, 'scuse me. Craklyn's right, though, I've been hard at it since dawn and there's not a single mention of purple arrowheads anywhere in the records. Great seasons, Wullger's going to have a fit when he sees the mess we've made in here he cleaned the gatehouse out only last evening. Well, misses, it looks like we're really stuck this time. If only we had one clue, just one tiny thing to help us! Time is running outgoodness knows where the Abbot is now, with Martin gone after him. And Viola still not foundshe may have been seized again by rogues and vermin. We may well need those pearls for ransom. We must be ready. Remember what we said, we must find those pearls for Piknim."

Suddenly Tansy recalled the previous night. "Before I fell asleep last night I thought I heard the voice of Martin the Warrior. He said to me, the Abbess will find it for Piknim on the same ground where the fifth was found. At least I think that's what he said. I can't recall anything else because at that point I must've fallen asleep."

Craklyn hurled an armchair cushion at her friend. "You great puddenhead, Martin spoke to you last night and you've only just thought to mention it now?"

Tansy caught the cushion and threw it back. "Well, that's because I only recalled it now! Tell that bushtailed buffoon, will you, Rollo!"

The old Recorder took the cushion as Craklyn aimed it for another throw. He stared at them both over his glasses and said, "Now, now, young maids, no fighting please. Tansy's right, Craklyn, the remembrance of our dreams is often triggered by somebeast saying a certain phrase. For instance, a moment ago I said that we must find those pearls for Piknim. Martin mentioned the words find it for Piknim, and that's what caused Tansy to remember. Though it does sound rather odd, 'the Abbess will find it for Piknim.' Which Abbess? Redwall only has an Abbot, fates and fortunes rest favorably upon him wherever he is now. We don't have an Abbess."

"But we do have a clue at last," said Tansy, who had brightened up considerably. "On the same ground where the fifth was found. We found the fifth pearl in Great Hall. Come on!"

Friar Higgle and Auma were carrying things out to the shore of the Abbey pond. Halfway across Great Hall, laden with firewood and sweet herbs, they stopped at the sight of the three friends standing in the middle of the large chamber, looking about.

"Hi there, what are you searching for, more clues?" Auma called.

Craklyn explained about Tansy's dream to the badger Mother, and Auma found herself looking around at the ceiling, walls and floor. "We must never ignore anything Martin tells us," she said, "but what are you hoping to find here?"

Rollo held up the scrap of parchment for her to see. "A purple arrowhead, that's what it says here."

Friar Higgle took the parchment. "Let me see that. Aye, yore right, a purple arrow'ead, but you got to look for it when Redwallers lie abed, at midnight by the light o' the full moon. So till then you may's well do somethin' useful, like 'elp us to set up supper on the pond edge. Lucky fer you there is a full moon t'night. Supper's alius good fun on a summer night by the pond when 'tis moonlit."

Gurrbowl, Diggum and Arven were in the kitchens, loading up a procession of Redwallers with food to take out to the pond's edge. Diggum made sure Tansy was well laden.

"Yurr, marm, ee be a gurt strongbeast, you'm be taken this cheese an' yon breads, cummon, 'old out ee paws!"

"I can't!" Tansy protested vigorously. "I'm already carrying a meadowcream trifle, a pear flan and a stack of mint wafers, any more and I'll drop something."

The molebabe stared severely at Tansy and balanced a loaf on her head. "Thurr, doan't run now an' coom straight back yurr, oi've lots more for ee t'carry, hurr aye!"

Tansy hid a smile from the bossy molebabe. "A slavedriver, that's what you are, Diggum."

Arven prodded her none too gently. "Keep a movin' y'likkle maggit, you 'oldin' up d'line!"

Tansy tottered, trying to keep her load balanced. "Yowch! You fiendish infant, what's that you're prodding me with?"

Arven waggled the implement under her nose threateningly. "It my whip, now keepa goin' or y'get more prodders!"

Hurriedly Tansy unloaded her burdens onto a table and made a grab at Arven's whip. "That's Fermald's old fishing rod. The rod!"

Rollo let go of a heavy cheese he was rolling; it trundled off alone across the kitchen floor. "What rod?"

Tansy showed it to him proudly. "This rod, Fermald's old favorite. Think of the rhyme, travel east, six rods from the tip. When we do have to travel east I'll wager this is the rod we measure off with!"

The Recorder of Redwall chased off after his cheese, calling, "Well done, miss, it looks like things are coming together a bit!"

Firelight and full moon reflected in the waters of Redwall Abbey pond. Every creature sat upon the sandy bank, leaving the food untouched until Auma had finished speaking.

“ Friends, Redwallers all, let us not forget in the midst of this summer night's festivities the names of our good Father Abbot Durral and young Viola bankvole. May the season protect them from harm wherever they may be this hour. Let us also keep in mind our Abbey Warrior, Martin. He and Clecky, with the sons of Log a Log and the otter Grath are probably out on the great waters, searching for Abbot Durral to bring him back safely home to our Abbey; and Rangapaw and her brave crew are ranging in the woods, still hunting for poor Viola. Let us wish them success in their endeavors. Strong hearts and true companions!"

Every voice echoed Auma's last words, "Strong hearts and true companions!"

Arven flung a piece of fruitcake in the pond. "Anna likkle supper for d'big fish who live down der!"

A silvery flash followed by a faint splash told them that the female grayling had taken the squirrelbabe's offering. The Redwallers took this as a good omen and cheered.

Gerul sat with Skipper, Foremole and Higgle. The greedy owl grabbed the remainder of the fruit cake Arven had broken to feed the fish, saying, "Ah, now, don't be givin' any more vittles to that scaly divvil, 'twill only make it fat an' lazy. Here, Skipper, would y'pass a pore bird some o' that woodland pudden, it might do me broken wing a power o' good, so it might. Foremole, pour the October ale, will yer, before we all die o' the drought!"

Higgle laughed at the irrepressible owl as he set his talons on a chestnut and mushroom flan. "Hoho! Is there anythin' I can do for ye, sir? May'aps you'd like me to wipe yore beak in between bites?"

Gerul widened his great eyes at the Friar. "Ah sure there's no need fer that kind o' talk, me good feller, but seein' as y'sittin' there doin' nothin', why not gerrout that hogtwanger thing o' yores an' play us a tune? As me ould mother used t'say, y'can play dead, play sick or play yer friends false, but y'better playin' a tune if y'can carry one."

Higgle produced the curious instrument and began tuning it on his headspikes. "I'll play if you sing. D'you know 'Trees o' the Wood'?"

Clearing his beak with a draft of October ale, Gerul nodded. " 'Tis an ould ditty Clecky an' meself sang together as a trio."

Craklyn grinned. “The two of you must have sounded amazing as a trio. You start, sir, and I'll take the alternate line. Ready, one, two..."

The hogtwanger struck up and the pair sang with a will.

“ Abroad I strolled in the forest one day,

I walked till me paws were sore weary,

I heard an ould mistle thrush close by me say,

'O here's to the woodland so cheery!

There's ash and beech and rowan and oak,

Weepin' willow with leaves trailin' down O,

Many rowans I've known full o' berries when grown,

And laburnum that wears a gold crown O.

So of all the trees growin' here in the wood,

Tell me which is the finest and best, sir,

I'll find that one ere springtime is gone,

And I'll surely build me a nice nest there.

There's cedar and elm and hornbeam and yew,

Sycamore buckthorn and alder so fine,

Sweet chestnut and fir and shrub elder where

Grow dark berries on which I can dine.

Aye I'll find a stout tree for to make a safe nest,

Just like a good-livin' bird should,

Then me chicks will all fly and just like I,

Seek a tree for themselves in the wood!' "

There was great applause, for "Trees o' the Wood" is a fast and difficult song, but neither the owl nor the squirrelmaid missed a note.

Then Higgle played whilst the Dibbuns got up and did a Beedance. Huge roars of laughter greeted the Abbeybabes as they buzzed about, whirring their paws and jabbing the air with stubby tails.

Sister Cicely retired early to her bed in the infirmary, and this gave Brother Dormal the opportunity of doing his tongue-twister.

“ If Sister Cicely serves some soup,

She'll surely see some sup it,

Sip that soup if you're sick,

Swig it swift, sure and slick,

Should it set stiff'n'slimy, then suck it.

If Cicely suspects that such soup has been scorned,

She'll slip slyly and even the score,

So if Sister persists, woe to him who resists,

Cicely's certain to serve him some more."

Auma held a huge paw across her mouth as she shook with laughter. Teasel upbraided Dormal playfully. “Tut tut, Brother, 'tis just as well the good Sister went t'bed early. Let's 'ope the young 'uns don't learn yore rhyme, or they'll be recitin' it in Cicely's presence, if'n I knows Dibbuns."

Dormal fiddled with the rope girdle of his habit, slightly chastened. "But 'tis all in good fun, I mean the Sister no real disrespect. Besides, any Redwaller who thinks they can get their tongue around my twister will have to think again if they try!"

The perfect summer night continued happily. Wullger the otter was giving his hopskip jig when Tansy and Craklyn noticed old Rollo dozing off. They nudged him.

"Come on, Rollo, this is no time for napping, we've got work to do in Great Hall. Let's slip away quietly, shall we?"

Noiselessly the three friends padded into the Abbey's vast main chamber. It was deserted and so silent they felt obliged to converse in whispers. Whilst Rollo set flint to tinder lighting a lantern, Tansy and Craklyn gazed around. Dark shadowy niches and recesses gave way to patches of soft multicolored light where the moon beamed through long stained glass windows. Looking up towards the high polished ceiling beams gave both Abbeymaids a feeling of insignificance in the massive hall.

Rollo had the lantern lit; in its golden glow he spread the parchment on an empty dining table. "Now, where to begin? Have you got Fermald's fishing rod, Tansy?"

The hedgehog maid went to the tapestry, and from behind it she produced the rod. "I put it there this afternoonMartin's been keeping it safe for me. Read the rhyme again, Craklyn."

The squirrelmaid did not need to read, she knew the rhyme by heart because she had repeated it so often.

" 'My sixth and last tear I give unto you' ... by that I take it Fermald means us three, the searchers. Then, 'When Redwallers lie abed.' Well, in normal circumstances they'd all be in their beds now, save for the fact they're holding a moonlight feast outside. See, these next two lines, here's where the puzzle really starts. 'At midnight see, in full moon view, the purple arrowhead.' "

Lantern light glinted off Rollo's spectacles as he shook his head. “There it is again, that confounded purple arrowhead. But where do we find it?"

Tansy had a sensible suggestion. "Let's split up. I'll take one end of the hall, Craklyn, you take the other. Rollo, you can search the center, here."

Step by step Tansy combed the far end of Great Hall, around sandstone columns, inspecting every stick of furniture, feeling wall hangings and peering behind them, even scrambling onto low window ledges to check the sills thoroughly. Her search proved fruitless. Then the moon went behind a cloud. Tansy could see the small golden pool made by Rollo's lantern in the dimness, and she made her way toward it. The old Recorder was inspecting the east wall, unaware that the hedgehog maid was behind him. He was at the edge of a passage leading off the hall when Tansy's voice cut the silence shrilly.

"Rollo, stop where you are, don't move!"

The Recorder froze, wondering if he was in any danger. Behind him he heard Tansy calling out, "Craklyn, come and see this!"

Leaving off her search, the squirrelmaid came scurrying up, not knowing what to expect. Tansy was pointing to the back of Rollo's robe, just below the old bankvole's neck.

"What d'you think of that?"

Craklyn gasped in surprise. Beaming faintly luminescent purple, a perfectly shaped arrowhead was formed on the Recorder's back.

Rollo could stand the suspense no longer. He turned around to face them, and demanded, "What is it? What's all the excitement about?''

Tansy was still pointing. "Look at the front of your robe, it's there now!"

Rollo stared down at the purple arrowhead of light. "Hah! So 'tis, it must reflect on this wall when I'm not standing here, like this ..."

He moved a pace to one side, leaving the spectral thing shining softly upon the wall. Adjusting his spectacles, Rollo stared upward to the apex of two curves at the top of a long narrow side window on the west wall, high above the tapestry.

"I thought so, it's the moonlight coming through that window, see, where it is pointed at the top like an arrowhead. The glass is reddish during the day, but in the moonlight it appears purple."

Craklyn giggled; the whole thing struck her as rather funny. "And you couldn't see the arrowhead because it was on your back!"

Tansy had Fermald's fishing rod ready. "Travel east six rods from the tip, that's what the rhyme tells us. We're at the east wall, the only way we can go further east is down this passage!"

Rollo stared down the darkened passageway. “This only goes off to the cellars, but let us see how far six rodlengths will take us."

He held the lantern high whilst Tansy and Craklyn measured off six lengths of the fishing rod at the same height on the wall as the arrowhead. At the end of six lengths there was a wall decoration carved in relief standing out from the stone: a single rose on a long stem rising up from the floor.

Craklyn ran her paw over it. "There it is, pals, the rose that blooms ever fair, summer or winter. It doesn't matter what the season, this rose still stands halfway down the passage, carved from stone, blooming eternally. It'll never shrivel or lose a single petal."

Rollo stifled a yawn. Despite the excitement he was starting to feel drowsy. "Yes, very poetic, missie, extremely touching. Now will you be kind enough to get on with the next clue. When you've seen as many seasons as I have you'll understand the value of a bed!"

Craklyn repeated the last two lines of the rhyme. "See if you can find the right hip, turn west and you're halfway there."

Tansy seemed to be performing some kind of awkward dance step.

Rollo held up the lantern and peered at her curiously. "What in the name of fur and feathers d'you think you're up to?" he said.

The hedgehog maid continued with her strange maneuver. "Well, I've found my right hip and now I'm turning west, why?"

The old Recorder slid down the wall into a sitting position. "Oh, nothing, you continue with your dance. Craklyn and I will concentrate on the carving. See, halfway up the stem is a leaf either side, and beneath each leaf is carved a rosehip ..."

Tansy stopped her quaint movements. "Rosehips?"

Rollo nodded. “Aye, rosehips, you know, those round things the size of a plum, tapered at one end. You'd usually see them after the roses have bloomed and faded; we make rosehip syrup from them!"

Craklyn grasped the rosehip on the right side of the stem. "Shall I turn it to the west and see what happens?" she asked breathlessly.

Rollo smiled wearily. "Please do, miss!"

Craklyn turned the rosehip. It budged slightly, but nothing else happened. She turned to Tansy. "What d'you think I should do now?"

The hedgehog maid bounded forward. “Keep turning as hard as you can, and I'll give it a good shove!"

As Craklyn struggled to turn the stone protrusion a bit more, Tansy hurled herself at the wall. Her body struck the stone, and a portion of it began moving inward. She pushed harder; this time it made a grating noise and opened completely.

The three friends found themselves staring into a small dark room. Picking up the lantern from the floor, Craklyn entered; Tansy and Rollo followed her in. They moved together towards the room's single piece of furniture, a small angler's stool made from canvas and strips of wood. On the seat of the stool, the lantern light revealed a tiny box made from yew wood.

Rollo picked it up and opened it.

Chapter 47

It was still dark, humid and windless. The Hawm of the sealfolk gave a quick flick of his head and tossed the rope he had been pulling back into the logboat. Martin and his crew had been standing ready for hours, since the first glimpse of Sampetra loomed upon the night horizon.

Clecky leapt overboard into the shallows. "So this is the place, eh," he said, his voice booming from the high hills surrounding them. "Jolly good work, you sealchaps!"

Martin was alongside him swiftly, his paw clamping tight over the hare's mouth. "Keep your voice down! No need to advertise our arrival!"

Inbar Trueflight held a brief conversation with the seal king before joining Grath and Martin on the sandy beach of the small cove where they had landed. "The Hawm can no longer help us now. He is worried about the young ones of his tribe being in these waters; they are leaving."

Martin bowed, clapping his paws gently at the seal king. "Gittarra, Haaaaaaawm! Manyahooday!"

Blinking his dark round eyes, the seal king snuffled gently. "Manyahooday, Haaaaaaaaawm Ma'tan!"

There was a quick flurry of water and the sealfolk disappeared into the night-darkened seas.

Standing on the hilltop overlooking the cove, Martin issued instructions to his crew.

"There's still a few hours left until dawn; we'd better take a look around. I think we've landed on the east side of this island, so we'll meet back here at noon. Inbar, Grath, you take Viola with you, travel northwest and see what you can find. Clecky, Plogg, Welko, come with me, we'll travel southwest. I've no need to tell you all to be careful, travel silent and stay low. Make your way back here by following the coastline. That way we'll have covered most of the island between us. Any questions?"

"Ahem, er, what time's food at, old scout?"

Martin shook his head in bewilderment at the irrepressible hare. “Clecky, stop thinking of how to keep your stomach full and give a little thought to keeping your skin in one piece."

The hare saluted smartly, dipping both ears. "Forget jolly old turn, keep skin in one piece. Gotcha, sah!"

They split off into two groups and set off across the island.

Ublaz Mad Eyes was worried. His hopes of getting reinforcements on Waveworm' s return were dashed. All his force consisted of now was less than threescore Monitors, since random sniping from the Wave Brethren had accounted for several lizards who had been slain by arrows and spears. The time for talking was gonethere would be no further communication with Rasconza, no more double-dealing. It was war to the finish, and now Ublaz was under siege, a virtual prisoner in his own palace.

Ublaz strode across his throne room to the corner where he had chained the Abbot and watched him. Durral tugged feebly at the manacled chain that hung from a ring in the wall. He was lying on a bed of rushes, a bowl of water and a piece of dried fish nearby. Still delirious, the old mouse rambled on, half conscious and unaware of both his surroundings and the pine marten who stood over him.

"Wullger, will you help me and Brother Dormal? All this fruit has to be gathered in before winter, and it's frosty already, I can feel the cold. Let go of my footpaw, little one, we must harvest all that good fruit from our orchard before it perishes." He continued tugging at the chain that held his footpaw.

Ublaz turned callously away, and went to lean on the window sill.

"Less than threescore lizards and a crazy old mouse," he muttered to himself, "one ship and not a searat under my command. Oh, Rasconza, fox, give me time to think and I will dance upon your grave!"

Striding regally over to a burnished metal mirror plate set in the wall, Ublaz stared at his reflection. The strange eyes narrowed and widened alternately as his voice rose shrilly.

"I am Lord of the Oceans, Emperor of Sampetra, I, Ublaz! If I had the Tears of all Oceans now, they would be set in my crown, all six of them, wondrous rose-colored pearls! I would don my green silk mantle, or maybe the black one with gold trim. Then I would walk out among those tavern rats, those wavescum! I would stare at them, snare them with my gaze! Then they would bow to me, salute me, because they would know who I am. Ublaz!"

The Emperor's current Monitor General, Zurgat, entered the throne room.

"Mightinezz, they are gathering for another attack on the wallz. Do we uze the balez of fire to throw down on them?"

Ublaz paced up and down in front of the impassive lizard. "Attacking again, eh? No, don't use the fire bales yet. Throw stones down on them, and tell your Monitors to use their long spears."

Zurgat flickered her long dark tongue in and out, her eyes straying to the shackled Abbot. "We cannot hold them off for ever with zpearz and ztonez, Lord. There are too many of them."

Ublaz grabbed the Abbot's water bowl and flung it at Zurgat. "You'll hold them off as long as I say you will!" he shouted, his voice hoarse with rage. "Insolent reptile, without my palace walls to keep you and your lizards safe you would all be fishbait by now. Get out. Out!"

Camped in the foothills at the edge of the sunny plain, Rasconza was completely at ease. A sail canvas afforded him shade, fruit abounded on the island, and fish, like the birds of the air, were plentiful. He sat with his captains, watching the latest assault on the palace rear walls.

Deddgutt the ferret captain dipped his breaker in a cask of seaweed grog, which had been plundered from the deserted taverns lining the harbor. He filled a second beaker for Rasconza. "Wet yer whistle with that, matey, 'tis goin' t'be a long 'ot day."

Sipping the grog, Rasconza winked roguishly at his captains. "Well, we got all the time we like, ain't we, mates?"

Buckla flung away a half-eaten fish, chuckling wickedly. "Aye, an' we don't 'ave nowheres special t'go, do we? Haharrharr!"

Groojaw the stoat captain pointed a rusty cutlass at the high walls in front of them. "Noplace 'ceptin' the palace. Wouldn't ye think ole Mad Eyes'd come out an' welcome us? 'Tain't good manners to h'ignore the guests when ye've got company. Hohoho!"

Laughing heartily, the Wave Brethren commanders watched their fighters harassing the hard-pushed Monitors. Searats and corsairs would strike suddenly, raining arrows, spears and sling-stones on the lizards. When the Monitors grouped at that point to retaliate, the wavescum would drop back, regroup and attack in a different place. Relying only on their long spears and rock rubble to tip down on the foebeast, the great lizards were hard pressed.

Guja the steersrat and a score of others stayed in the middle distance, well out of rock and spear range, and constantly sniped with arrows at the frustrated Monitors. The traitor Sagitar and her Trident-rats kept watch from the low hills to the south side of the walls. They scouted the palace from a vantage point, reporting any undue movement or fresh tactic back to the captains.

Rasconza was a good and wily leader; his strategy was working well. Idly he turned to Deddgutt. "They've 'ad enough fer now, mate," he said, indicating the group who were attacking the wall. "Call 'em off. I'll send another gang at 'em tonight, that'll keep those lizards up on their paws an' stop 'em gettin' any sleep. Once we've taken that back wall they'll retreat inside the palace. That's when the battle will get fierce an' bloody, but they'll be well worn down by then."

Deddgutt saluted and trotted off to carry out the instruction.

Baltur and Gancho drew close to Rasconza's side. "Can we 'ave first crack at the timber piled be'ind the wall, Cap'n? That wood is worth its weight in gold!"

The fox threw his paws about their shoulders. "Harr, don't you fret, messmates, there'll be timber enough fer everybeast. Sagitar sez there's enough wood piled back o' that wall to build three ships."

Baltur's eyes shone longingly. "Never mind buildin' three ships, we'll 'ave enough timber to repair our own vessels, then we'll be a proper fleet agin. Corsairs an' searats, with their own island an' their own fleet!"

Rasconza laughed, hugging both beasts tight. "Haharrharr! I tole yer t'stick with me, mates .. . Ahoy, wot's that? Who's messin' about back there?"

Clecky had stolen up on the camp from behind. Lying on the slope of a sandy dune, he had heard all that went on between the fox and his captains. But the loose sand had shifted, and unable to stop himself, the hare had rolled down the slope and landed against the back of the canvas awning with a bump.

Hearing Rasconza calling, Clecky decided it was not a good place to be. Thinking quickly, the long-legged hare lashed out several times with his strong footpaws, knocking the canvas sunshade down on top of the corsairs. Then he scrambled upright, dug in his paws and took off east, with shouts ringing in his ears as Rasconza and his captains threw aside the fallen awning.

"Ahoy, mates, 'tis a big rabbitget 'im!"

Clecky paused indignantly on the hilltop for a fleeting moment. "Big rabbit? Cheeky blighter, must need his bally eyes seein' to, big rabbit indeed. Hah! If you weren't a fox I'd say y'were a frog's uncle, sir, wot?"

An arrow hissed into the sand close by. Clecky took off.

Groojaw and six others gave chase, panting to each other as they toiled uphill.

"I never knew there was rabbits 'ereabouts?"

"Me neither, mate. Look at 'im go, 'e kin run all right!"

"I 'opes that rabbit's got plenty o' family an' friends, rabbits is good eatin'. I'm partial t'roasted rabbit!"

Clecky was not especially bothered by the pursuers, who were slow and clumsy. He led them a merry dance over plain and hill, knowing that he was leading them away from Martin, Plogg and Welko, who had circled down to the harbor area.

Puffing and panting, the exhausted Wave Brethren pressed on doggedly after the strange beast. Groojaw held his aching side. "Ahoy, mates, 'old up, where's the lop-eared swab gone?"

Completely out of breath, they halted, looking about them.

Clecky popped up a short distance away. "I say, mind who you call a lop-eared swab, you carrot-nosed bilgeswiller. Come on, chaps, keep up, no laggin' behind, wot!"

A searat flung his sword, hoping to stick Clecky. It fell on empty ground; the hare had vanished again. He emerged a moment later, off to the left of the hunting party.

"You there, baggybelly, I'll bet your dear old mum'n'dad wouldn't be too proud of you, chuckin' your sword about like that!" He disappeared once more.

Groojaw wiped his slavering mouth. “Where in the name o' blood'n'plunder 'as that rabbit gone?"

Clecky materialized, this time to their right, and pointed an ear sternly at Groojaw. "I say, watch your language, sir, there might be maidens or young 'uns of a tender disposition in the area. Too much grog an' not enough healthy exercise an' clean livin', that's your problem. Right, come on, chaps, off we jolly well go again!"

Pawsore and panting, but thoroughly enraged, they chased after their elusive quarry. At one point Clecky appeared right in the middle of the group, running along with them. He tapped a searat on the back and issued instructions to him.

"You're running all wrong, old lad, more thrust on the back-paw and don't flail the tail about so much, keep it well tucked in. That's the style, well done, wot, two points to this feller!"

Dropping to the back of the group, he clipped another searat smartly across both ears. "Come on, laddie-buck, keep up, no slackin' now. Hup two three, hup two three, hup, hup, hup, that's the ticket!"

Vanishing, appearing, dodging, ducking and weaving, Clecky peppered the fuming Wave Brethren with alternate insults and advice as he led them where he pleased.

Chapter 48

High noon sun beat down on the weathered planks of the jetty. The harbor of Sampetra lay silent and shimmering under a blue tropical sky. Flanked by Plogg and Welko with their shrew rapiers drawn, Martin unslung his sword and hurried across the strand to where the ship bobbed calmly on a lazily swelling tide. Checking left and right and turning often to stare back at the palace upon the escarpment, the three friends made their way into the shallows.

"This is the ship," said the Warriormouse, keeping his voice low. "I remember its name, Waveworm. Either the Abbot is aboard here or somewhere on this island, probably in that big building up on the rock. Stay here and keep watch, I'm going aboard to take a look around."

Gripping the sword blade between his teeth, Martin began hauling himself paw over paw up a headrope hanging from the for'ard peak. Waist-deep in warm shallow seawater, the shrews waited. Plogg held up a paw to his ear, leaning inland.

"Listen, can you hear anything?"

Welko waded closer inshore, cocking his head. “Aye, sounds like shouting or fighting, I think maybe 'tis comin' from somewheres round that big buildin' up there."

Faintly the noise of warfare drifted on the still air. Plogg looked at Welko and shrugged. "Hmm, somebeast's havin' a tussle, that's plain."

"Hi, you two, come aboard, the ship's empty!"

Martin threw an extra ropeline over the side so the brothers could board more quickly. Sheathing their rapiers, they clambered onto the Waveworm.

Plogg pointed over to the palace. "Seems to be a bit o' trouble over that way, Martin."

The Warriormouse studied the palace a moment, then leapt into sudden action. "Aye, and there's a bit o' trouble headed this way! Grab some of them long poles there, you two, we're about to steal a ship and sail off. Hurry, there's no time to lose!"

Ublaz had watched Martin and the two shrews from his throne room window, puzzled by the appearance of strangebeasts upon his island, but not for long. When he saw them climb aboard Waveworm, the Emperor quickly summoned four Monitors. Ublaz had been keeping Waveworm as a standby, in the event that he had to leave the island in a hurry. Now, in danger of losing his vessel, he dashed down to the main door with the four lizards scurrying in his wake. They were just out of the door when the mouse who carried a great sword happened to look up and see them.

With Martin punting his long pole hard on the for'ard starboard and the shrews doing the same on the portside at Waveworm's aft end, the ship began swinging round to face seaward. Martin joined his friends at the stern end, noting that the tiller was lashed, holding the vessel to head straight out. Between the three of them they poled furiously, watching the land slip away as she caught the gentle swell.

"Well done, mates," Martin gasped. "See if you can loose some sail to catch the breeze further out. Good job I looked up and noticed those creatures, or they'd have boarded and taken us by surprise."

Ublaz dashed along the jetty. Shaking with rage he stood wordlessly, watching Waveworm coast by, safely out of his reach. At that moment the pine marten would have given anything for a bow and arrows. He glared at the mouse, a strange-looking creature, stern and solid, and obviously a warrior by the splendid blade he carried. Silently the mouse stared back at him, not the least bit afraid of the mad-eyed Emperor. The four Monitors stood watching dumbly as canvas billowed out and the sails caught the breeze.

Then something happened to the pine marten that had never occurred in all his seasons. He found that his hypnotic power had no effect on the mouse. Piercingly, wildly, he glared at the stranger, but the warrior never budged a fraction, just remained leaning coolly over the rail, staring back, matching Ublaz eye to eye until his adversary was forced to look away. However, Martin kept watching the receding figure of his enemy, knowing that this was the beast he would have to reckon with.

Evening shades were falling fast over the small cove on the east of Sampetra. Grath and Inbar were resting on the grassy slope when Viola came and shook them. "There's a ship coming this way. Look!"

Welko waved to them from the forepeak of Waveworm. "Ahoy, mateys, d'you like our new ship? No more logboats fer us!"

Grath took the heaving line which Plogg threw to her and made it fast to a rock. Martin and the shrews waded ashore, Martin calling to Inbar, "Is Clecky back yet? We lost touch with him over the other side of the islandhe probably found something to eat."

"Don't you worry about mister Clecky," Viola giggled. "He can take care of himself."

There were still plenty of provisions left in the logboat, so as night fell Viola and the two shrews lit a fire whilst Martin and Inbar began preparing a meal. Immediately as a vegetable stew began to simmer, a jovial voice hailed them from the darkness.

"What ho, the jolly old camp! Rovin' fighter returnin' with tales of derring-do, high adventure an' all that nonsense, wot!"

The friends burst out laughing, and Viola called back, “I had an idea you'd arrive as soon as supper was ready, you great furry foodbag. Where've you been?"

Clecky ventured into the firelight, pulling behind him a searat tied up with his own belt. "Evenin', chaps. I say, that smells rather nice. By the by, I don't suppose you've met this vile felon, captive o' mine, says his name's Gowja. Say hello to the nice creatures, Gowja."

The searat, who sported an enormous lump on his head, stood glaring at them. Clecky pushed him so he fell into a sitting position.

"Old Gowja's the strong silent type, doncha know. Come on, you jolly old sulker, no hard feelin's, wot? Say hello to the chaps, don't sit there like a lovelorn limpet, speak up!"

Martin ladled stew into a deep shell and passed it to Clecky. "Leave him for the moment. Let's have supper in peace. Later on he can talk. There's a lot of information we need about this island, the big building I saw today, and what both sides are fighting about. I'm sure Gowja can tell us that."

Baring his yellowed teeth, the searat spat on the ground. "I ain't talkin' to nobeast an' you can't make me!"

With startling speed, Grath leapt over the fire, landed in a crouch facing Gowja and fixed him, eye to eye. Her voice was dangerous, like the growl of thunder on a far horizon.

"Keep lookin' at me, scum, an' don't dare blink! I am Grath Longfletch of Holt Lutra, the only one of my tribe left alive after yore kind visited my home. When I've eaten me vittles you'll talk t'me, in fact I'll wager you'll make a babblin' brook seem dumb by the time I'm finished with you!"

Wide-eyed with fright, Gowja whined fearfully to Martin, "I'll talk to yer, I'll tell everythin' you needs t'know, but keep this otter away from me, I beg yer, please!"

The searat winced as Clecky patted the bump on his head. "That's the ticket, me heartie, we'll even let y'sing us an 'or-rible pirate ditty if you behave nicely, wot!"

While they ate supper, Inbar told Martin of what Grath, Viola and himself had discovered that day.

"We ranged as far as the northwest coast an' found a steep cove, much bigger'n this one. Six vessels were berthed there, big ships, each one about the size of the craft you captured, Martin. There were about five or six vermin guarding them we figured that there must be lots more on this isle to crew the ships, though."

Clecky tore off a hunk of barleybread from a big flat loaf. "Oh, I found those blighters, there's a great crowd of 'em, pas-tin' the blue blazes out o' a pack of those lizard types who seem t'be defendin' the back walls of the palace. I overheard 'em sayin' it belongs to a chap called Mad Eyes. Anyhow, the jolly old vermin want the palace, and the timber stacked behind the back wall, to repair their ships, but Mad Eyes isn't too keen on lettinem have eitherthe blighter's keepin' tight hold o' both, like a squirrelbabe holdin' on to a candied chestnut."

Martin contributed his intelligence to the hare's. "Aye, I've seen that palace from the front; there's a harbor with a jetty there. Saw Mad Eyes too, in fact we saw each other. I'm pretty certain that he's holding Abbot Durral prisoner in that palace. I'll get all the information I can out of the searat and then we'll have a better idea of a rescue plan."

Whilst Martin questioned the prisoner, his friends sat around the fire in the still tropic night. Viola lay on her back, gazing up at the velvety vault of dark skies, scattered with countless stars and a half-moon. The volemaid marveled at the sight of random comets, trailing fiery tails across the wide infinity in brief glory.

Inbar and Grath moved away from the roisterous snores of Clecky and the two shrews. The son of Wallyum watched Waveworm tilt into a slight list as the ebbing tide allowed her keel to rest in the shallows, and said, “Never have I seen such hatred on any face as I saw when you faced that searat this evening, Grath."

The powerful otter glanced sideways at her friend. "And I never told you my story. When I was huntin' alone I formed the whole of my tale into a poem, because I don't ever want to forget, nor want the otter people to. Would you like to hear it?"

Inbar nodded. "I'd be honored if you'd say it for me."

Grath's voice rose and fell, sometimes quivering, often ringing like a brazen bell, as she recited the verses. The words burned themselves into Inbar's memory.

"Sad winds sweep the shores,

Near a place called Holt Lutra,

Where first I saw daylight the day I was born,

And the lone seabirds call

O'er the grave of them all,

Whilst my tears mingle into the seas as I mourn.

For those Tears of all Oceans,

Six pearls like pink rosebuds,

Once plucked from the waters beneath the deep main,

Oh my father and mother, Dear sisters and brothers,

In the gray light of dawn all my family were slain.

They sailed in by nightdark,

Those cold heartless vermin,

Their pity as scant as the midwinter's breath,

Then laughing and jeering,

As slashing and spearing,

My kinfolk were slaughtered by wavescum to death.

But their greatest mistake was,

They left Lutra's daughter,

I swore then an oath that the seasons would show

My green arrows flying,

And seavermin dying,

Cursing with their last breath the swift song of my bow.

So vengeance will drive me,

As long as my paw's strong,

To sharpen a shaft and my bowstring to stretch.

The price vermin paid,

For six pearls from a raid,

Is that death bears the same name as I, Grath Longfletch.''

Inbar Trueflight turned slowly to look at his companion. "That is a tragic an' terrible tale, Grath. I see now how close to death that searat came when you spoke to him."

Grath plucked an arrow from her quiver and sighted down its shaft, testing it for straightness. "Since I laid my family to rest an' went rovin', many corsairs an' searats have fallen to these arrows o' mine."

Her friend shook his huge head in wonderment. "I've never known killin' or war. Ruddaring Isle is a place touched only by good order an' peace. You've seen my archery skills, I'm a deadshot with bow an' arrow, but never did I aim at a livin' thing."

Ramming the arrow back into its quiver, Grath stood upright. ' T was the same till the wavescum came to our holt on the far north shore, but I've learned different, mate. Any creature hol-din' out the paw of peace to searats or corsairs will get it chopped off by a sword. That's the lesson I've been taught, an' you'll learn the same soon, so get used to it. I'm goin't'sleep now."

Turning on her footpaw she stalked off to her place by the fire. Inbar remained seated, staring at his wide, powerful paws. His father had told him that the outside world was a different place; he was not sure he was going to like the difference.

Clecky opened one eye. In the soft dawn light he found himself staring at a brightly hued beetle perched upon his nose. With a twitch and a puff of breath from the side of his mouth, he dislodged the insect, blinking disdainfully at it as it trundled off through the sand and grass.

"Cheeky-faced object, go an' perch on some otherbeast's hooter! No blinkin' respect, that's the trouble with beetles ... I say, do I smell brekkers? Jolly good show, you chaps!"

Plogg, Welko and Viola had been up and about since the crack of dawn. They had rekindled the fire and made a meal. Clecky sat up, waggling his ears in anticipation as Viola served him.

"Hot shrewcakes, honey, fruit salad and melon juice," she said. "We thought you deserved a break from cooking. Anyhow, you always cook too much so that you can have three helpings."

Grath was sitting between Martin and Inbar having breakfast. Suddenly she jumped up, looking left and right, reaching for her bow.

"Where's the searat? He must've escaped."

Welko allayed her fears quickly. "Ole Gowja's safe, marm, don't you fret. Me'n Plogg couldn't stand lookin' at 'is ugly mis'rable mug, so we took 'im down aboard the ship an' secured 'im all snug'n'tight with a fetter an' chain stapled to the mainmast, even gave 'im vittles too."

Martin smiled and winked at the shrew. "Well done, 'tis poetic justice really. I'll wager that was the same chain they used to keep the Abbot prisoner on the voyage."

After breakfast Martin called them all to a council of war. Drawing on the sandy ground with his swordpoint, he illustrated a plan he had formed.

"Right, here we are, and here's the palace which is under attack. Now, I'm certain Abbot Durral is somewhere in that building and it's our job to free him and get away from this island, so here's what I propose. If we're to get into the palace we must create a diversion so we're not overrun by lizards or whatever beasts are up there. Listen carefully, you all have a vital part to play in this scheme, and it's highly dangerous and we run a great risk of losing our lives. Anybeast who feels they cannot take part in my plan speak now, I'll understand."

Viola answered for them all.

“ We came here to free our Father Abbot and take him home to Redwall. If our enemies were ten times the number they are now we would never back down, never! Tell us your plan, Martin sir, everybeast here is with you to the death!"

Tropical morning sunlight beat down on the cove where Waveworm lay, east of Sampetra. Martin's great sword slashed paths and patterns in the earth as his crew sat listening to the daring idea unfold. Stirred by the excitement of it all, Plogg drew his short rapier, glaring resolutely towards the west coast of the island.

"Aye, 'tis perilous, that's sure. But if I live through this 'un, it'll make a great tale to tell around the fire on a winter's night to me grandshrews in the seasons t'come, matey!"

Chapter 49

Rollo emptied the contents of the little yew box out onto the seat of the angler's stool; Craklyn held the lantern close so they could see clearly in the darkened chamber. Dry and crisp, light as thistledown after its long sojourn in the box, the dried carcass of a bee lay on the stool.

Tansy stared at it, her voice shrill with disappointment. "A dead bee, is that all?"

The old Recorder peered into the box, blew into it and poked a claw about inside. "Well, there's nothing else in here, but I expected something like this. Tell me the end of the poem again, Craklyn."

The squirrelmaid thought for a moment then recalled the lines. "See if you can find the right hip, turn west and you're halfway there."

Picking up the dead bee, Rollo seated himself on the stool. "Halfway there! I knew it. Fermald the Ancient isn't giving up the last pearl so lightly to us. This pitiful dead thing is only half the clue. We've solved the first part by getting this far, and an old dead bee is the second part. When we've found what it means the last pearl will be ours."

Tansy almost danced with irritation. "But there's nothing with it, no parchment or poem, nothing except a silly old thing that was once a bee, though goodness knows how many seasons ago!"

As they walked back into Great Hall, Craklyn had an idea. "Maybe it's something beginning with the letter B?"

Rollo gazed around the moonshadowed hall and yawned. "How about bed, that begins with B. I'm tired."

Tansy took the dead insect from him. "Oh, that's brilliant, sir," she said, her voice echoing angrily. "Brilliant begins with B too, and breakfast and bath and badger and ... and ..."

Craklyn took hold of Tansy's paw gently. "And bad-tempered beast. Rollo's right, it's late and we're all tired. Come on, pal, time you were in bed. We'll see if we can sort this thing out tomorrow."

Shamefacedly, Tansy passed the dead bee back to Rollo. "I'm sorry, sir, it's not your fault we only found a bee. Forgive me!"

The old Recorder leaned heavily against her, chuckling. "I'm not bothered by bees, but ready to do battle with blankets, my friend. Carry me upstairs!"

Tansy shook him off playfully. "You're getting far too old to go upstairs, we'll have to get Furlo Stump to make you a little barrel bed down here!"

With surprising agility for one of his seasons, Rollo hitched up his robe and scampered off up the stairs, cackling, "Too old, am I? Well, last one up is a frazzled frog, heeheehee!"

Three hours after dawn the next morning, birdsong echoed from the Abbey's inner walls, white clouds flecked a cheery blue sky and the treetops of Mossflower Wood rippled in a light fragrant breeze. Tansy was still asleep in her bed when she was set upon and attacked by Dibbuns.

"Cummon, missie, waykee h'up, gurt pudden'ead, still asleepen, hurr!"

Struggling awake, she tried to fight back, but Arven buffeted her soundly with a pillow.

"Tansy pansy toogle doo! Sleep alia day an' y'get no brekfiss!"

Kicking off two molebabes who were tickling her footpaws, the hedgehog maid succeeded in capturing Arven and rolling him in a blanket. "Leave me alone, you little maggot, I was up very late last night and I need my sleep. Now go on, be off with you!"

Diggum waved her digging claws under Tansy's nose. "Hurr, ee must git out o' ee bed roight naow, or Froir 'iggle says ee give'n yurr brekfiss to ee gurt owlyburd, so thurr!"

Tansy leapt out, dashing water from a basin onto her face and wiping it with a towel. "No breakfast of mine is going to be scoffed by Gerul the Glutton! Out of my way, I need food!"

Chuckling and giggling uproariously, the Dibbuns pursued her downstairs to where Rollo and Craklyn sat, halfway through their morning meal. Craklyn indicated a seat. "Over here, Tansy, there's oatbread, raspberry preserve, strawberry cordial too, I know that's your favorite breakfast."

Tansy sat down between her friends, panting. "The Dibbuns said Friar Higgle was going to give my breakfast to Gerul, so I got down as fast as I could."

Arven vaulted onto the tabletop, pointing at Craklyn. "She tol' us t'say dat, Friar never said noffink!"

Craklyn ducked as Tansy's wooden spoon narrowly missed her. "Well, we had to get you out of bed somehow, or you'd have snored until supper!"

Tansy spread raspberry preserve on a warm oatcake. "Well, Rollo, any more news of our dead bee? It didn't get up and fly off during the night, did it?"

The bankvole polished his glasses on the tablecloth. "Very droll indeed, young maid. We were about to take it to one who might help us, Brother Dormal. Nobeast in Redwall has a knowledge of plants and insects like the good Brother."

Gulping down her drink and spreading another oatcake with preserve, Tansy quitted the table. "Good idea! Come on what're we waiting for?"

Dormal was out in the orchard with Gerul, explaining the finer points of a redcurrant hedge to the owl as the three friends walked up.

Rollo held out the dead bee on the flat of his paw. "Dormal, old friend, what do you make of this ... Oh dear!"

A vagrant breeze caught the featherlike beehusk and swept it up into the air. Craklyn cried out, "Stop that bee, it shouldn't be flying, it's dead!"

They watched it being swept up almost above the height of a well-grown apple tree. Tansy dashed about on the ground with her paws outstretched, ready to catch the bee if the wind dropped. "If it gets lost we'll never find the sixth pearl," she cried. "Oh please, somebeast, do something!"

Gerul flapped his wings experimentally, did an awkward hop-skipping run and leapt into the air, flapping. He hovered for seconds, swaying on the breeze, then spread his awesome wings and soared upward, flapping them slowly. Below, they watched open-mouthed as the owl swept round in a great wheeling arc and expertly picked the bee out of midair with his beak. In a trice he was back on the grass, depositing the bee in Tansy's outstretched paw.

She smiled and shook her head. "You feathery old fraud, your wings were supposed to be far too badly injured for you ever to fly again!"

Plucking a redcurrant from the hedge, Gerul chewed thoughtfully. "Yore right, missie, you ain't wrong, sure an' I thought the same thing meself till just a moment ago. I didn't know I could still fly, then I saw you all so upset over losin' yer bee, and I was in the air flyin' before I could stop meself, so I was!"

Brother Dormal scratched his nose to hide a smile. “No doubt your old mother would have had something to say about it all, had she been here, of course."

Gerul crammed several more redcurrants into his beak. "Yer right, sir Brother, so she would. I remember when I was a chick fresh out o' the egg, my ould mother used t'say, you'll never fly till yer try, an if yer never try you'll never fly, so try'n'fly an' y'll find out why, it's good to try an' nice t'fly!"

Tansy shook Genii's taloned claw energetically. "And never a truer word was spoken! Well done, sir!"

Brother Dormal listened as they told him how they had come to find the bee. He inspected the body closely, and said, "Hmm, 'tis just a long-dead bee, friends. How am I supposed to help you?"

Craklyn curtsied prettily, playing up to the good Brother by flattering him. "It was me, Brother. I said, let's go and ask Brother Dormal, of all Redwallers his knowledge of plants and insects is the greatest by far. Brother Dormal is a clever and educated creature, I said."

Dormal smiled, pleased but slightly embarrassed by the compliment. "Ahem, thank you, young maid. Hmmm, let me think, perhaps while I'm mulling the problem over, you could stop that owl bolting all my redcurrants, or he'll make himself too heavy to fly again."

Gerul was shooed from the orchard complaining loudly. "Ah, faith'n'seasons, 'tis a bitter day when a pore bird tries to help friends an' they reward him by starvin' the wretched creature. An' after me wearin' me ould wings t'the bone catchin' dead bees for ye, shame on y'all. Sure I'll take meself off to the kitchens an' tell me good mate ma Teasel about it, no doubt she'll toss me a few ould candied chestnuts t'keep beak an' feathers together. Oh, 'tis a hard, cruel Abbey I'm livin' in!" He ambled off doing small practice flights, followed by the three friends' laughter.

Dormal took a piece of blackberry creeper vine, wound the dead bee in it so that it would not blow away again, and gave it to Craklyn.

"My thoughts on this are very simple. Everything in its place, and a place for everything. For instance, if I had a dead fish I would immediately think of the pond; a cracked egg, the nest; an empty acorn cup, the oak tree. Any object originates from somewhere, so if you present me with a dead bee, straight away one word springs to mind. Hive!"

Rollo slapped a paw hard against his own forehead. "Of course, the hive! You make things seem so simple with your straightforward logic, Dormal. How can we ever thank you?"

The good Brother smiled shyly. "Oh, I have a feeling you won't be thanking me yet, at least not until I have discovered which beehive your pearl is hidden in. After all, I am the Abbey beekeeper, an unofficial title which I share with our cellarhog Furlo Stump. Actually I think our friends the beefolk like Furlo the best, he has a way with them. Let's go and ask him."

Chapter 50

Furlo Stump and Foremole were in the winecellars, their table-top a barrelhead and their seats small kegs. The sturdy cellar-keeper was always glad of company.

"Come ye in, friends, we'd be be'olden fer yore advice!"

Tansy glanced at the array of food on the barrelhead table. "They say fair exchange is no robbery, sir, and we've come for your advice on a matter of importance."

Foremole moved the kegs apart and placed a plank between them, making a seat for all to sit upon. "Yurr, mates, bain't nuthin' so apportant as vittles, you 'uns 'elp us'ns furst."

Dormal sat willingly, eyeing the food. "Certainly, what do you want us to do?"

Furlo brought out extra plates, beakers and knives. "We're a tastin' cheeses against drinks to go with 'em. Now, 'ere's dandelion an' burdock cordial, October ale, strawberry fizz, elderberry wine, mint tea an' plum'n'damson cup. The cheeses are t'be matched with 'em. There's the big yellow with chestnut an' celery, a white wi' hazelnuts in it, that pale gold with chives'n'apple an' the soft cream with almonds. Any'ow there's a few others that y'know, so take a nibble an' a sip o' anythin' suits yore fancy an' give us an opinion."

They all set about the delightful task with a will.

"Ooh! The soft cream and almond tastes lovely with strawberry fizz!"

"Hurr, thurr bain't nuthin' loik 'tober ale an' ee gurt yeller 'un wi' chessnutters'n'cel'ry, boi 'okey thurr bain't!"

"Yes, I'm inclined to agree with you, Foremole, but this one over here, the fawn-colored one with carrot and acorn in it, now that really goes well with mint tea. Try it."

"I like the plum'n'damson cup with chive and apple cheese. What's that one you've got, Tansy?"

"It's a sort of solid reddy one with radish and onion in it; it tastes marvelous with a sip of dandelion and burdock cordial."

The tasting went on at length. Ever the Recorder, Rollo had been jotting down notes on a length of bark parchment as he sipped and nibbled, taking heed of their opinions with his own choice.

When they were finished, Rollo gave the parchment to Furlo. "I've written it all down here, friend, which cheeses are matched with each drink by popular agreement."

Furlo Stump accepted the list gratefully. "Thankee all, now when there's a feast I only 'ave to glance at Teasel an' my brother 'iggle's menu, an' I knows which drinks to serve. You don't know 'ow much of an 'elp this'll be to us."

Foremole nodded his velvety head in agreement. "Burr aye, zurrs'n'missies, 'twill save a lot o' rushen abowt oop an' daown ee stairs on our ole paws, hurr hurr!"

Furlo cleared his barreltop table. "Now, wot service can I render you goodbeasts in return?''

Sitting in respectful silence they watched the stout hedgehog move the dead bee this way and that, peering closely at it. He made small tutting noises as he turned the object back and forth on the tabletop, shaking his head.

"This ain't one of our bees," he said. "We 'ave good ole honeybees at Redwall, they don't carry as much fuzz on 'em as this feller."

Brother Dormal nodded in agreement. "Aye, that's what I thought, Furlo. Perhaps it's a redtailed bumblebee, what d'you think?"

Furlo picked the bee up and brought it close to his eyes. "Redtailed bumblebee, eh? Well, you could be fergiven for thinkin' that, Brother, but this'n ain't no redtail, though it looks like one. I only ever seen a few o' these in my seasons. This is a mason bee, quite a rare insect in these parts."

Craklyn looked at the carcass questioningly. "A mason bee, what sort of hive does that live in?''

Furlo warmed to his subject. "Mason bees don't 'ave a hive, missie, they're solitary creatures. They'll burrow into the side of a wall, 'twixt the gaps in stones where the mortar's gone soft. Sometimes they'll do it in solid sand, like the dry side of a riverbank, though walls is mainly their favorite place. The male an' female roots out a single space, and there they leave one egg with honey an' nectar t'feed the young when it 'atches. They seal the nest with mud an' go off to build the next one."

Rollo threw up his paws in despair. "So we're not looking for a hive, just a crack in a wall! This is a big Abbey with lots of stonework, it could be anywhere!"

Furlo took off his work apron and patted Rollo's paw. "Don't look so down 'earted, sir. There's six of us altogether, and me'n Foremole will 'elp you look, 'tis the least we could do."

Gerul came hopping in, picking crumbs from his feathers. "Good day to ye, the ould Friar Higgle sez that there's some food testin' t'be done down here, so I thought I'd be brave an' volunteer me services, so I did!"

Foremole waved a digging claw at the drinks and cheeses. "Hurr, zurr, we'm already dunn et, but thurr's ee vittles if'n ee'd loik to try."

The owl's eyes widened with pleasure. "Ah well, 'twill be a terrible task but I'll do me best. You goodbeasts be off about yer business now. I'll give ye the results of me labors at supper tonight, so I will."

Grinning and winking at one another, they quit the cellars.

Tansy stood at the center of the Abbey lawn with the search party, her eyes roving about to and fro. “Where to begin, anybeast got a helpful suggestion?'' she asked.

Foremole came up with a scheme immediately. "Ho aye, miss, you come'n wi' Furlo an' oi, us'ns search ee walls. Miss Craklyn, ee go with Rollo an' Dormal, you 'uns lukk round ee Abbey buildin'. That ways both parties do 'ave one young set o' eyes to 'elp."

It was a good suggestion. The two parties went off to their allotted places and began searching.

Afternoon shades were lengthening toward evening when Rollo sat down against the east Abbey wall and polished his spectacles wearily. "My old eyes are dizzy from looking. Searching for a mason bee nest may sound simple, but it's definitely not!"

Tansy and her party were halfway round the west wall, having just passed the gatehouse, working toward the south wall, and they were becoming equally dispirited. Sitting on the steps by the gatehouse, they took a brief rest. The hedgehog maid glanced up to see Sister Cicely approaching with a stern face, and said, "Oh dear, here comes trouble. I wonder what the Sister wants?"

Folding her paws into her habit sleeves, Cicely pursed her lips and tapped her footpaw, the picture of righteous anxiety. "It's those three Dibbuns again, missing! Take my word, 'tis not the seasons graying my fur or ageing my bones, it's that villain Arven and those two molebabes who follow him anywhere!"

Tansy tried hard to keep her patience with the persnickety mouse. "I'm sure they've not gone far, Sister," she reassured Cicely firmly. "We're very busy here with a most important task, but if we see them I'll let you know right away."

Cicely stood for a moment, gnawing her bottom lip, then she turned abruptly and swept off, muttering, “If I find them in the usual state, smocks torn, filthy and dirty, scratched and bruised, they'd better watch out!"

Furlo pulled a face at Tansy and winked. "That 'un's a good ole mouse in lots o' ways, but 'er temper don't improve with age. I wouldn't like to be those Dibbuns when she finds 'em, miss."

Tansy watched Sister Cicely flounce into the Abbey. "I agree with you, sir. Sometimes I think her main purpose in life is chasing after Arven and the molebabes, though half the time they're not missing, just playing somewhere. Matter of fact I know where they are right now, though I didn't tell the Sister because she'd only send 'em off t'bed early."

Foremole chuckled, his small round eyes twinkling. "Whurr do ee liddle rarscals be, missie?"

Tansy nodded in the direction of the east wall corner. “Over there behind the bushes. They've been hiding there all afternoon, I can see the bushes shaking from here. Come on, let's take a walk across and see what they're up to."

Arven, Diggum and Gurrbowl were prancing about in a den they had built among the bushes. They squeaked in dismay as Furlo Stump's strong spiked head poked through into their lair.

The kindly hedgehog grinned at the Abbeybabes. "Now then, y'liddle maggots, what're you doin' in 'ere?"

Arven held a tiny paw to his lips and whispered furtively, "Us 'idin' from Sissy Sissly an' dancin' bees dances, don' you tell 'er or she choppa tails off us!"

Tansy and Foremole joined the Dibbuns, and they all sat down together in the cool green shade. Tansy narrowed her eyes at Arven fiercely, but he knew she was only joking.

"Tansy pansy, we do's a bees dance for you," he said.

Trying hard not to burst out laughing, the searchers watched the three Dibbuns go into their dance, whirring their paws and weaving circles about each other, stopping now and then to stab the air with their tails as they made bee noises.

"Fzz bzz bizzy buzz, fzz bzz fzzz buzz!"

Gurrbowl and Diggum buzzed on either side of Arven, who had appointed himself chief bee. They held the bushes aside and he danced his way in between them, fuzzing and buzzing comically. Then they let the bushes fall back into place and buzzed aloud as they poked at the air with stubby tails, awaiting his emergence. Suddenly Arven leapt from the bushes, all three buzzed once and bowed, and the dance was over.

Their audience applauded, and Furlo stroked Arven's head approvingly. "Well done, mate, I thought you was real bees for a moment there. I like the way you flew back out o' yore hive."

Arven looked pityingly at the cellar-keeper. "Tha' notta n'ive. We norra bees wot live inna n'ive, us bees tha' live inna wall an' dig likkle 'oles."

Furlo gave Tansy and Foremole a quick glance, and began questioning the Dibbuns.

"Bees wot live in a wall? Don't be silly, bees don't live in walls, they'd need 'ammers an' chisels to make nests!"

Arven shook a small grubby paw under Furlo's nose. "Hah! Grayshuss me, you a bigga sillybeast, you know noffink. Us'ns know bees live inna wall, don't we, Diggums?"

The molebabe nodded her head solemnly. "Ho yuss, zurr, they'm our frien's, ee beez give'n h'Arven a prezzink for um-self, ho aye!"

Arven shot a warning glance at the molemaid. "Garr, Diggums, you promise a say noffink to nobeast!"

Tansy leaned close to Furlo and whispered, "Did you hear that? Diggum said that a wall bee gave Arven a present, a gift! Leave this to me, sir, I'll get the truth out of him."

Arven waggled his tail in Tansy's face. "Tansy pansy toogle doo, worra you been telled about whisperin', grayshuss an' dearie, bad bad manner it is!"

The hedgehog maid caught him firmly by the paw. "Come here, my little maggot, and tell me, what is this gift the bee gave to you?"

Arven clapped both paws over his ears, closed his mouth firmly and screwed his eyes tight shut, just to let his inquisitors know that he was going to be stubbornly silent.

Foremole winked at Tansy and tried his mole logic on Gurrbowl. "You'm loik deeper'n ever pie, zurr?"

The molebabe beamed broadly. “Oi serpinkly doo, gurt bowls o' et oi can h'eat, zurr!"

Foremole took the little fellow's paw. "Hurr, you'm a growen choild, oi 'spec y' can. Show us'ns ee 'ole in wall whurr bee lives, an' oi'll give ee a deeper'n ever pie bigger'n thoiself!"

With an apologetic glance at Arven, Gurrbowl took them through the bushes to the southeast wall angle and pointed to a joint between the huge red sandstone blocks, only two courses up from the ground, where the mortar had crumbled. "Thurr be whurr our friend ee bee lives, zurr," he said.

Furlo picked up a twig and pushed it gently into the crack. Buzzing irately, a dusty rust-and-brown striped wall bee emerged. Furlo blew gently upon its tail and it zipped off into the air like a pebble from a sling. Furlo probed the crack delicately with his twig, pulling forth a torn and dusty scrap of parchment. He gave it to Tansy.

Spreading the tiny fragment carefully, she read aloud,

"Your search is done, the sixth pearl found,

Perfect, rose-hued, pink and round,

Back home now in a scallop shell,

Which I hid well and good.

Tears of all Oceans, truth to tell,

Lie stained by death and blood."

Tansy looked at Furlo. "What do you make of that?" she said.

Tapping the wall crack with his twig, the wise hedgehog explained. "I c'n guess wot 'appened 'ere. The wall bee came across this 'ere 'ole by accident, so she thought she'd jus' clean it out an' use it 'erself. But first she 'ad t' get rid o' that ole pearl. An' I bet the Dibbuns were playinere jus' then, an' the bee pushed the pearl straight into Arven's paws. Be I right, Gurrbowl?"

The molebabe nodded emphatically. "Ho aye, zurr, ee'm buz-zybee gave et to h'Arven!"

Rollo, Craklyn and Brother Dormal were called from their search of the Abbey building, and everything was explained to them. Furlo, who was a great favorite with the Dibbuns, meanwhile continued the task of making Arven talk.

"Now then, me liddle mate, you kin take those paws out'n yore ears an' listen to wot I've got t'say."

The squirrelbabe kept his ears well plugged, but opened one eye. "A not lissenin' an' me not talkin', an' me can't see ya!"

The friendly cellar-keeper merely smiled. "Fair enough, ole pal, you stay like that, I'll jus' chat to Diggum an' Gurrbowl 'ere about the feast in my cellars. Right, you two liddle snips, this evenin' I'll let yer stay up late. We'll play 'ide'n'seek 'midst the barrels, I'll rig up a seesaw, an' I'll roll you round an' round in a big empty barrel. Whilst we're doin' that down in my wine-cellars, I've no doubt miss Tansy aner friends will make a fine feast an' bring it down to us. We'll 'ave a great party an' I'll supply the drinks, strawberry fizz, dandelion an' burdock an' gooseberry cup."

Arven unplugged his ears and opened both eyes straightaway. "Worra bout Arven, me come a party too?"

Rollo polished his glasses brusquely. "Certainly not! Any Dibbun who hides things from his friends and carries on in such a badly behaved manner deserves only one thing. Early bed and warm nettle soup!"

The squirrelbabe shot into the bushes and was out again in a flash. Dropping the pearl into Tansy's paws, he dashed about hugging and kissing everybeast.

"I norra bad Dibbun, see! Me a good frien', Arven like alla you!"

Chapter 51

Grath Longfletch tapped her tail impatiently on the ground as she scanned the cove at midday. "Great seasons o' slaughter, here we are all ready to go an' that long lollopin' hare's gone missin'. Where's 'e got to?"

"Ahoy there, you hearties, all aboard! I'm all kitted out an' ready to jolly well go an' do battle, wot!"

Viola had to sit down laughing at the sight of Clecky perched nobly on Waveworm' s prow.

The hare had done a thorough search of the vessel to outfit and arm himself. He had rigged himself out in a pair of baggy red pantaloons and a tawdry cream tunic fringed with blue silk ruffles. Both his long ears flopped under the weight of massive brass rings.

He carried a long piked boathook and a javelin, and into a gaudy green waistsash he had thrust a short axe, three curved daggers and a fearsome scimitar.

"All aboard the good ship Wavethingy, me buckoes, come on! Time an' tide wait for nobeast, doncha know!"

Martin turned to Grath. "Have you got everything you need?" he asked.

The otter patted a pouch at her belt. "Tinder, flint, canvas, flask o' lamp oil. That's all I'll need beside my bow and arrows. Two hours before sunset, then!"

Martin and Inbar clasped her paws. "Good luck and good hunting, and fates go with you!"

Grath held tightly to Inbar's paw a moment longer. "Remember wot I told you, matey, show no quarter to 'em. If they ever found yore father's island they'd slay yore kin an' laugh while they were slaughterin'. Keep that in mind, Inbar Trueflight!" Then, releasing her friend's paw, Grath took off southwest at a fast trot.

Martin and his friends boarded and got Waveworm under sail, skirting the coast northward to where the corsair ships lay.

The six wave vermin who had been left to guard the disabled fleet were ashore. Well supplied with grog and food, they lounged about on the sand near the shallows, gambling with shells for trinkets. They cheated and swilled grog, throwing the shells in the air, wagering on how many would land upside down.

"My dagger sez six on their backs, Crabsear!"

"Taken. I'll wager me bracelet agin yore blade, Kuja!"

The shells fell onto the sand; Crabsear the corsair stoat crowed triumphantly at the searat Kuja. "Only five upside down, gimme the dagger, I win!"

"No ye don't, 'tis six, the dagger's still mine, mate!"

"Five I say, you turned that'n upside down yerself, cheat!"

"Cheat is it, yer slime-tongued eel, I'll give ye the dagger all right, straight in yore stinkin' neck!"

They were about to leap on each other when Clecky appeared, wading through the shallows around the cove's edge.

"Ahoy there, you unspeakable rabble, surrender your ships or I'll frazzle y'gizzards with me frogslicer, or whatever it is you chaps say to each other, wot!"

Exchanging wicked smiles, the six guards rose slowly, drawing their blades as they advanced on the lone hare.

“ Well, stripe me, buckoes. Who in the name o' barnacles is this 'ere popinjay?"

Whipping out his scimitar, Clecky bounded forward to meet them, slaying the speaker with a single swipe of his enormous blade. "Stripe you? Certainly, sir, anything to oblige. Next?"

They rushed him, failing to see Martin bearing down the hill at their backs with his sword ready for action.

Around the other side of the cove, Inbar heard the cries and mounted the rail, reaching for his bow. Plogg put a restraining paw on the otter.

"Best stay 'ere, friend, Martin an' Clecky'll be back shortly. There ain't no warrior in all Mossflower like Martin."

Inbar allowed himself to be pulled down to the deck. "But what about Clecky?" he said. "There were six guards on those ships, I counted 'em myself!"

Plogg leaned back against the rail. "Only six? Clecky could 'ave taken them 'imself! Don't be fooled by that'n's silly talk an' comical manner. As my ole dad always sez, hares are dangerous an' perilous beasts."

The shrew's estimate was correct; it was but a short time until the two waded back around the cove, Clecky chatting animatedly.

"That vermin was cheatin', y'know, saw him m'self. He tipped a seashell wrong side up with his footpaw. What a rotter! I'd hate to have that'n sittin' alongside me at supper, he'd swipe all the salad whilst I had me back turned!"

Martin washed his swordblade in the water and wiped it dry on his sleeve before sheathing it. "Hah! When did you ever turn your back on a salad bowl? Any creature trying to steal food from you would starve to death."

When they had both climbed back aboard, Martin gave Welko and Viola their instructions.

"Throw all the canvas, spare wood and lamp oil into the hold of each shipthe grog too, that's pretty flammable stuff. You've got flints and tinder enough to do the job. Wait until you see the signal. We'll pick you up as soon as we can get back hereone of you watch for our ship from the covetop. Good luck!"

Waveworm sailed onward, still hugging the coastline. Welko and Viola stayed with the corsair vessels, waving to their friends until they were out of sight.

Grath Longfletch had gained the highest point overlooking the palace of Ublaz. Two Trident-rats lay limp close by; they had been standing sentry there when the vengeful otter visited them, silent as a leaf on the wind. Kindling a small smokeless fire in a hole she had dug, Grath sat binding oil-soaked canvas strips to four arrowheads. She had seen the exact targets where her shafts would do their work best.

Ublaz Mad Eyes peered over the wall at the Wave Brethren's encampment. He did not like what he saw.

"Zurgat," he rapped out, "get the fire bales ready for tonight. I have a strong feeling they'll mount a major attack on us once it's dark. Rasconza's vermin haven't bothered sending anybeast at us for hours. Look at themlounging about over there doing nothing."

Zurgat turned her slow reptilian gaze upon the far encampment. "You are right, Lord, they are zaving themzelvez for the battle tonight. Fire balez will burzt upon them in the darknezz."

Keeping his head low, the pine marten strode the length of the woodpile stacked against the wall, stopping at each of the four large firebales to inspect them. They were heaps of splintered dry wood and dead reeds, wound about with sailcloth and withered grass, liberally doused with vegetable oil.

Ublaz chanced another peek at the enemy camp before turning to the Monitor and saying, "When I give the order, and only then. Have your lizards lift the bales clear of my woodpile to the walltop, light them and drop them over onto the vermin. That field is as dry as tinder, the flames will race across it and engulf Rasconza's camp. If it does sufficient damage, wait again for my command. We should be able to charge around the ashes and finish them off in the confusion that will follow. But await my orders, Zurgat."

The Monitor bowed after her Emperor's retreating figure. "Mightinezz, I wait your commandz!"

She called sibilantly to the other reptiles guarding the walls. "Victory will bring uz lotz of meat... roazted by the firez!"

Dark forked tongues slithered in and out as the lizards hissed wildly.

Leaning over the rail of Waveworm, Martin watched the sun start to dip towards the western horizon.

Inbar checked the tension of his bowstring and said, “Grath should be starting an uproar about now."

A green-flighted arrow stretched its length on Grath Long-fletch's bowstring; the supple yew arched back as her powerful paw pulled against the beeswaxed string. Dipping the arrowhead into the fire, she watched it burst into flame. Sighting swiftly as she brought up the bow, Grath gave an extra heave against the yew and fired.

Zzzzzzzzssssssssttt!

Like a burning comet the shaft sped upwards, bending in a long arc, down to the palace courtyard. It struck the first firebale, which went up with a dull whump into a blazing mass.

As soon as the first arrow was in the air, Grath had another one zipping viciously from her bowstring, followed by another and yet another. The fiery messengers sped off to find their targets.

A Monitor pointed with his spear, hissing, “The firebalez, the f" and fell, clutching the green-flighted arrow which had slain him.

Now Grath was moving, changing position. Some arrows she sent to slay Monitors, others to lay Wave Brethren low. The pandemonium she caused was instantaneous. Ublaz came roaring into the courtyard, lashing about with a spearhaft at the terrified lizards. “Pull those bales away, tip them over the wall, save my timber!" he yelled.

The tremendous woodpile, having lain in tropical dryness for long seasons, was going up like a bonfire. Panic-stricken lizards leapt away from the inferno and cowered back against the palace, their fearful eyes glittering in the firelight. Ublaz dashed to and fro like a madbeast, unable to get near his precious timber because of the pulsating heat of the flames.

"Do something! Fetch water! Pull away the bits that aren't burning! Get wet sailcloths and beat at the flames!"

He rushed about belaboring the dull-witted Monitors until his spearhaft broke on their thick-scaled hides.

Rasconza ducked behind his canvas awning, grabbing Buckla and Deddgutt as they passed. "Send some o' those Trident-rats, see if they can find the swab who's firin' those green arrows afore any more crewbeasts are killed!"

Baltur and Gancho wriggled up through the sand, keeping their heads low. Gancho pointed miserably at the blaze crackling high above the rear palace wall. "Lookit that, will yer, there goes our chance to repair the fleet!"

Rasconza did not seem unduly worried. “Never fear, mates, as long as we got one ship that kin sail we can always bring wood to Sampetra. Pretty soon that wall's goin' to collapse under the 'eat o' that blaze. Then we'll march in there an' drag Mad Eyes out. Muster the rest o' the Brethren an' tell 'em to stand ready."

Plogg jumped onto the jetty and secured Waveworm by a stern line. Martin had drifted her in backward, so that they could cut and run at a moment's notice. Night was falling fast, the palace up on the escarpment silhouetted by the fire that raged behind it. Clecky noted that the harbor area was still deserted and silent.

Plogg watched his three friends climb down onto the jetty. "Let me go with you, Martin, I'm good with a shrew rapier."

Martin pointed sternly to the ship. "Sorry, but you know your orders. Now back aboard and have her ready to take off like an arrow the moment you see us coming back."

Crestfallen but obedient, the young Guosim shrew did as he was told.

Before Martin, Clecky and Inbar were halfway across the harbor area, Grath popped out from behind a tavern and joined them.

"All goin' accordin' to plan, mates," she said, nodding at the fireglow, "that little lot's keepinem busy at the moment. Now for the palace!"

They raced to the double wooden door at the top of a winding hill. Clecky sized it up before commenting, "How's a chap supposed to get inside? Looks like we're stumped!"

Martin located the center jamb and thrust his sword through it. "Lend a paw here, Inbar, it's only a wooden bar across these doors holding them shut. When I give the word, lift the sword up hard."

The big otter gently ushered Martin aside and gripped the sword handle in both paws. “Not enough room for both of us to hold this handle, let me try." Bracing himself squarely on the stones, Inbar bent slightly; the long muscles on his sleek back stood out as he swept the swordblade up. There was a clunk from the other side and, as Inbar pushed the doors, they creaked and opened inward.

Clecky nodded in admiration. "Good idea that, I was about to suggest it m'self, wot!"

As they passed through the portals into the silent palace, Grath murmured in Clecky's brass-ringed ear, "Remember, we're searching for an Abbot, not a dining room!"

Ublaz finally saw that the timber was hopelessly lost. As he peered through the flames, he also noticed a sagging dip in the walltop. Soon the rear wall would start to crumble, its mortar turned to dust and its stones cracked and burst by the constant searing heat off the blaze. There was only one option left now.

"Retreat into the palace," he called to his Monitors. "The vermin will charge once the wall falls. Retreat and we'll hold out there."

Chapter 52

In his fevered dreams, Abbot Durral was helping to carry a table out into the orchard at Redwall Abbey. He imagined it was autumn and a harvest feast would be laid out under the trees. The old mouse rambled on deliriously.

"Lift higher, Sister Cicely, we'll never get it out over the doorstep. What a heavy table this is! Where's everybeast gone?"

A voice came through his fogged mind. "Father Abbot, 'tis your friend Martin!"

Feebly, Durral squinted one eye open. "Ah, Martin, but which Martin are you?"

With tears in his eyes, Martin cradled his old friend's head. "Durral, it's me, Martin!"

Opening both eyes briefly, the Abbot smiled. "Yes, my son, but are you the Martin from the tapestry or my Martin who lives at Redwall? I can't tell, you see."

The Warriormouse realized how ill the old fellow was. "I'm your friend Martin who lives at Redwall with all our Brothers and Sisters. I've come to help you, Father Abbot."

Durral lifted a wizened paw and stroked Martin's face. "I knew you would. This table is so heavy and Cicely is too small to lift it. Will you help us, please?"

Then Grath called urgently from the doorway she was guarding. "Hurry and get him out o' here, mate, somebeast's comin'!"

Viola was first to spot the glow lighting the night sky from the southwest. "There goes the signal, burn the ships!" she yelled to Welko.

The shrew already had a fire lit in a brazier aboard Barranca's former vessel, Freebooter. Holding five torches ready, he shouted back to Viola who was descending from the hilltop. "Hurry up, miss, get aboard Freebooter with me!"

The bankvole did as she was bidden, though slightly mystified by the odd procedure. "We shouldn't be hanging about aboard this craft," she said. "You've got to set fire to it. What are you up to, Welko?"

The Guosim shrew indicated the other ships. "Those're the ones I'm goin' to burn, miss, they're ole tubs, just like Waveworm. But this Freebooter, now this's wot I call a real ship. Look at the lines o' her, the beam, draft, sails. This craft's a real flyer, nothin' in all the seas could catch the spray of 'er wake when she's in full sail, I'll wager. We'll burn the other five an' wait fer them aboard this'un. Grath knows about ships, she'll agree with me."

Viola thrust the five torches into the brazier. “I suppose you know best. Come on, we'll go to the last vessel in line and make our way back here, setting fire to each ship as we go."

Inside the palace Martin rushed to the throne room door to help Grath. Backed by a score of Monitors, Ublaz was coming up the stairs. The pine marten had not expected anybeast to be inside his palace. On seeing Martin at the stairhead, waiting with drawn sword, Ublaz did a swift about-face. Pushing his way through the Monitors on the staircase, he cried, "It's only a mouse and an otter, slay them! Charge!"

The Warriormouse knew that to conquer the palace he must first deal with its ruler. Hurling himself down the stairs he roared, "Redwaaaaaaaallllll!"

But Ublaz was gone and Martin found himself surrounded by lizards. With battle light blazing in his eyes and a warcry on his lips, the Warriormouse swung his mighty blade on the crowded staircase. Monitors crowded upon him, pushed forward by the momentum of those behind, teeth bared, tongues flickering, hissing viciously as they sought to bring their long spears into play. The fabled blade of Redwall whirled into them, hacking, scything and slashing through spearhafts.

Grath stood quivering at the stairhead. "Martin, come back, I can't get a clear shot with my arrows while yore down there. Fight yore way back!"

Clecky sailed past her and went bounding down to Martin's aid.

"Eulaliaaaaaaa!"

In a flash he was back to back with the Warriormouse, and they fought their way upward together. The hare's huge scimitar matched Martin's sword, blow for blow, as they struck at scaly flesh, ripping claws, snapping teeth and baleful reptilian heads. When they came within reach, Grath and Inbar hauled them up by the backs of their tunics. Martin's eyes were glazed over with a red mist of battle fury. Inbar broke the spell by shouting into his face, "Go and take care of your Father Abbot!"

From somewhere behind the Monitors, Ublaz could be heard bawling hoarsely, "Charge! Rip them to bits! Charge!"

Long spears bristling, the Monitors pressed up the stairs. Grath Longfletch already had a green-plumed arrow on her bowstring. She glanced coolly at Inbar Trueflight. "Let's see 'ow good y'are with those red-feathered shafts o' yores, mate. Ready?''

Though Inbar was frightened of the big lizards scrambling up the stairs toward them, he found himself suddenly pouring shaft after shaft into their ranks. He roared at the top of his lungs to match his companion's warshout, and their cries mingled: "Ruddariiiiing! Holt Lutraaaaaaa!"

Clecky held up the chain that was holding the Abbot fettered to the wall. "Confounded manacle, and we haven't even got a blinkin' key to release the poor old buffer!"

Martin, still quivering for action and in the grip of a berserk rage, gritted his teeth savagely. "Keep your paws wide and hold that chain tighter!"

Sssshraaaakkk!

The great sword flashed once through the air, its momentum causing the steel to whine like a tornado through ice.

Clecky stared at the severed chain hanging from his paws. "Great seasons o' fur'n'famine! You don't dally about when you swing that blade, old scout! Well done that, warrior!"

Rasconza had massed his vermin at the foot of a low hill. Weapons bristled around him like a field of corn.

"Come on, buckoes," he cried, "let's put Mad Eyes" lights out!"

A panicked screech rang out from Gancho on the hilltop. "Fire! Fire at the cove! Some dirty scum's settin' light to our fleet! Fire!"

Like a wave, the vermin turned and swept up the hill. They jabbered and clamored, pointing to the blazing red glow that lit up the night sky over the northwest inlet.

"Gancho's right, 'tis fire!"

"Aye, an' it could only be the ships!"

"Right, mate, there ain't nothin' else that big to set up a light like that! 'Tis our fleet right enough!"

Rasconza hurried uphill, his heart sinking within him at the sight. Struggling to keep calm, he tried reassuring his crews. "No, no, 'tis only the grass, mates. I'll wager ole Crabsear an' the others 'ave gone t'sleep full o' grog an' their campfire's gone an' spread a bit. 'Tis only the grass, I tell yer!"

With drawn cutlass, Baltur faced the fox challengingly. "Wot d'yer take us for? We ain't stupid, mate, an 'alf blind toad could see that's our ships afire o'er there!"

Buckla backed him up aggressively. "Aye, an' without ships we ain't corsairs or searats no more. You carry on believin' yer own lies, fox, we're goin' t'save our fleet. Who's with us?"

A mighty roar of agreement went up. Before Rasconza had a chance to say another word the whole horde was off, whooping and yelling behind Baltur, Gancho and Buckla, heading overland for the northwest cove. Rasconza's voice was lost in the din as he called after them, "Come back, y'fools, can't yer see, we've got Mad Eyes cornered! Settin' that fire was only a trick to draw us away from the palace! Come with me, we'll make the villain pay for those ships with 'is blood!"

Finding his pleas fell upon deaf ears, Rasconza turned, to find himself standing alone except for Sagitar. He glared at her. "Why didn't yer tell me Ublaz was plannin' this? Yore a cap'n of Trident-rats, you shoulda known."

Seeing the vengeful expression on Rasconza's face, Sagitar backed off, shaking her head. "I knew naught of any such plan, believe me!"

Rasconza drew his dagger, advancing angrily. "You lie. I never shoulda trusted one o' Mad Eyes' Trident-rats. Yore a traitor an' a turncoat, Sagitar, I knows yore kind. You'd betray me the same way you did Ublaz!"

Sagitar brought up her trident, hefting it with menace. "Keep away from me, fox, there's none more skilled with a trident than I am. I'll spit ye like a fish in a barrel!"

Rasconza turned as if to walk away. Then, spinning round with frightening suddenness, he hurled his knife.

Sagitar stared in shock at the handle of the dagger that seemed to grow from her middle. She fell to the ground.

Rasconza stood over her, chuckling. "Haharr, you might be skilled with yon trident, but nobeast can sling a blade like me. I never miss!"

Sagitar's lips moved. Rasconza leaned down to her. "Wot's that y'say?"

Still gripping her trident, Sagitar thrust it upward with a final effort. Gasping, she spoke her last words to the fox lying alongside her. "I said, I never throw my weapon away. I always keep hold of it!"

But it was too late for Rasconza to hear her.

Martin tore down a velvet wall hanging and wrapped the Abbot in it. The old mouse appeared to be sleeping contentedly since the appearance of his Abbey Warrior.

Despite the rantings and shouting of Ublaz, the Monitors had retreated around the curve of the staircase, out of arrow range. Inbar found he could scarce contain himself from trembling all over now that the action had ceased. Grath patted his shoulder. "You did well, mate, we thinned their ranks a bit."

The big otter looked at his shaking paws. "I'm no good at this sort o' thing. I was frightened."

Grath was already creeping downstairs to retrieve some arrows. She turned to her huge honest friend with a grin. "You were frightened? Matey, 'ow d'ye think I felt when I saw those flesh-eatin' monsters chargin' us? I couldn't keep me teeth from chatterin' to each other an' me paws felt like jelly. We 'ad a good right t'be frightened, I can tell yer!"

Clecky and Martin joined them at the stairhead for a council of war. The hare was not overly optimistic.

"Righto, here's the picture, chaps. These stairs are the only way up or down, and we've got to get the jolly old Abbot out o' this palace an' aboard the Wavethingy. Any suggestions?"

Grath passed a bunch of arrows to Inbar. "We don't know 'ow many more of those lizards are waitin' downstairs, an' the pine marten's still commandinem. I can't see 'im lettin' us out o' this place alive."

With a swift wrench, Martin pulled down another velvet wall hanging. "There's one way. If we can get at Ublaz and slay him, I don't think those lizards will have any heart left to fight. There's enough of these velvet wall trappings to make a rope. If I take Clecky with me, we could reach the ground from that window, come back into the palace and attack them from behind. Grath and Inbar could charge down the stairs at them and we'd have 'em both ways. It's a risky plan, I know, we're outnumbered ten to one, but with the element of surprise on our side we could escape from here."

Inbar had a suggestion to make. "Can we not all escape by the window, Martin?"

The Warriormouse shook his head. "Too steep, rocky and dangerous. Besides, there's the Abbot. I still haven't figured how we're going to get him out."

Inbar glanced over to where Durral was lying wrapped in velvet. "I'm the strongest here, leave him to me. We'll carry out your original plan, Martin. When I attack with Grath I'll sling the old mouse in that velvet hanging across my back."

Clecky began knotting the wall hangings together. "Righty ho, crew, let's get movin', wot!"

Aboard the Freebooter, Viola and Welko had pushed off. Once away from the five burning ships, they dropped anchor in a safe position. Viola made a quick search of the vessel and emerged from the galley to announce, "Well, there's plenty of supplies aboard."

Welko silenced her with a wave of his paw. "Quiet, miss, lissen, can y'hear anythin'?"

Yelling madly, the searats and corsairs breasted the covetop and came pouring downhill towards the inlet. They stood in the shallows, their cries dying away into silence, faces registering horror in the ruddy glow of the firelight. Ships' timbers crackled and bellied, sails and rigging sent off black ash smuts like dark bats, to flit about on the breeze. Cascades of sparks and burning pitch shot skyward into the night. The entire scene was mirrored like a fiery portrait in the still-dark waters of the cove.

Gancho bellowed like a wounded beast, "Waaaaaah! They're burnin', our ships're burnin', mates!" Throwing himself down in the shallows, he kicked and beat the water, bawling aloud like a babe in a tantrum.

Buckla stepped out of the firelight as far as he could and peered into the blackness until his eyes became accustomed to it. "Haharr, mates, see! There's Barranca's ole craft, the Freebooter, sittin' out there as fancy as y'please with not a mark on 'er!" Pulling off his seaboots and tossing aside sword and belt, he plunged deeper into the water, shouting, "Let's swim out to 'er! Firstbeast to clap a paw aboard o' Freebooter 'as the right to call 'isself cap'n!"

Ridding themselves of all encumbrances, searats and corsairs flung themselves into the water and began striking out for the ship, which was riding at anchor on the swell.

Viola looked fearfully at Welko as they both crouched together behind the stern rail.

"What are we going to do now?" she asked.

Chapter 53

Ublaz had armed himself with a long curved sabre. He stood in the palace entrance hall, brandishing it at the forty or so Monitors left from his command. Zurgat came hurrying in from the rear courtyard.

"Mightinezz, Razconza and hiz vermin are gone! The rear wall haz collapzed, but nobeazt iz out there!"

Ublaz breathed a silent sigh of relief, then began berating the Monitors who kept trying to edge away from the stairs. "You see, the wavescum probably perished in the flames trying to scale the rear wall. When we have cleared out those intruders from my throne room, the palace will once again be mine. Zurgat, you will head the charge upstairsleave none alive. Now go!"

Zurgat saluted with her long spear, and bulling through the ranks of her subordinates, she mounted the stairs. "Follow me, we will zlay"

Red- and green-flighted arrows struck her simultaneously.

"Ruddariiiiing! Holt Lutraaaaaa!"

The otter archers appeared around the stairwell, Grath slightly in front of Inbar, shielding her friend and the burden he carried. Both of them rained shafts of death at the Monitors.

Ublaz was turning to look for a safer place to command from when he saw Martin and Clecky come thundering through the main doors. There were Monitors blocking his way to the rear door; dodging swiftly to a downward flight of stairs, he sped toward the cellars.

With his scimitar in one paw and a javelin in the other, Clecky pushed Martin towards the cellar stairs. "You get after him, I'll help out here. I say, you chaps ... Eulaliaaaaaaa!"

The perilous hare flung himself at the back ranks of Monitors, flailing his weapons like a windmill in a gale. Attacked at front and rear the lizards fought back savagely. Regardless of wounds, Clecky battled valiantly forward, through spears, teeth and claws, striving to cut a path to his friends on the staircase. A spear tore his ear, and he vanquished its owner with a curving downward stroke of the scimitar.

"Fall back, the foebeast! Cleckstarr Lepus Montisle to the fray! A Montisle am I, 'tis death to stand before me! Particularly in line for dinner, wot! Forward the whites!"

Snatching a lighted walltorch from its bracket, Martin bounded down the cellar stairs. He raced along a short corridor and on to another downward flight of steps. The Warriormouse paused at the bottom and held up his torch. He was in an oblong chamber with a door at its far end. Martin could tell the door was ajar by the shaft of light that streamed out into the chamber. Taking a firm grip on his swordhilt, he moved cautiously up to the door and swung it open slowly. It revealed the eeriest sight he had ever witnessed.

Wearing a crown upon his head, the mad-eyed Emperor was crouching in front of a snake. He was murmuring a singsong chant as both he and the reptile swayed from side to side, their eyes locked in a frenzied stare. The small room shimmered in the golden torchlight. Everything was bathed in a radiance of gold, from the crown and the coils of the reptile to the walls, which swam in weaving patterns, cast by a large stone tank of water at the back of the room. Martin watched in fascination as the snake's eyes filmed over and its head stopped moving, the serpentine body lost its threatening stiffness and it subsided to the floor. Ublaz touched the poisonous reptile's head, stroking it softly as he spoke without turning to look at his pursuer.

"A coral snake is the most deadly killer in the seas. See how my power can render it harmless. Nobeast alive can perform such magic; only I, Ublaz, Emperor of Sampetra, Ruler of all Monitors and wavescum. They call me Mad Eyes, but never to my face. What do they call you?"

Martin stared at Ublaz's back draped in a flowing cloak of gold. "I am Martin, the Warrior of Redwall Abbey!" he said.

"Ah yes, I should have known. You have come to free your Abbot. Did you bring my six pearls, the Tears of all Oceans?"

The Warriormouse's voice rang hard as the steel he held. "I brought only my sword!"

The Emperor's voice took on a cajoling tone. "Swords are dangerous things to bargain with, Martin. Death is the only payment they exact. What if I told you that I am willing to let you and your friends walk free from here?"

"I would say that you are lying and you would try to have us slain before we got to our ship."

Whilst Martin spoke, Ublaz was slowly drawing the sabre from his waistsash. The movement was hidden by his flowing cloak. He tensed himself to spring as he continued talking. "I was not always an Emperor. Once I was a corsair, the most feared swordsbeast of the high seas. I ruled with my blade."

Martin's quick eye caught the shifting of the pine marten's cloak. Silently he stepped sideways and took up the warrior's stance. Ublaz made his move then, roaring as he whirled about and lunged with the sabre, "Mine is the last name you'll hear. Ublaaaaaaaz!"

Clang! Clash!

Martin parried the thrust and brought his blade into play. Back and forth they dodged and skipped, slashing, riposting and countering, steel singing against steel to provide music for the dance of death. Warrior and Emperor, blade for blade, backing, weaving, their swordpoints seeking and questing, whirling in the flickering gold light. The pine marten rushed his opponent; gripping the sabre with both paws he battered the Warriormouse into a crouch. With a swift sweep of his sword, Martin sliced across his adversary's footpaw, then, bringing the blade up in a flashing arc, he fenced Ublaz into a corner.

The Emperor bulled his way out, inflicting a gash in Martin's side. They locked blades in the center of the room, pushing sword hilt to sabre guard as each strove wildly to gain the upper paw. Panting and gasping, eye to eye, the combatants swayed, grasping for any hold their footpaws could find that might serve as a lever.

Then without warning Ublaz dropped his head to one side and bit savagely into the side of Martin's neck. With a mighty roar of pain the Warrior lashed out; his paw, locked tight around the sword handle, punched Ublaz solidly in the eye.

The pine marten's mouth fell open, colored lights exploding on his vision as he staggered backward.

And trod upon the sleeping snake!

Faster than any eye could follow, the venomous reptile struck, burying its fangs in the leg of Ublaz.

Martin stood watching, his chest heaving as he sucked in air hungrily, a paw clamped to his wounded neck. Ublaz's sabre clattered to the floor. He was swaying, his head drooping to one side, squinting as his vision blurred. He stared dazedly at the coral snake as it slithered across the room in a golden fluid movement; back into its tank it slipped with hardly a ripple. The Emperor took a few unsteady backward paces until he reached the wall, then leaning against it he slid down into a sitting position.

Stretching forth his sword, Martin picked the crown from Ublaz's head with his bladetip. The thick, garnet-studded circlet slid down the hilt; Martin looked down at Ublaz, who was staring back at him in disbelief, his lips moving.

“ Nobeast was mightier than me .. . Emperor ... I was ... Emp ..."

Martin looped the crown onto his belt and squatted facing the dying pine marten. "So, yours wasn't the last name I heard, but here's the last name you'll ever hear. I say it for a friend whose kin you had murdered for a half-dozen pearls."

Martin brought his face closer to Ublaz and roared aloud, "Holt Lutraaaaaaa!''

Chapter 54

Clecky had succeeded in fighting his way through the ranks of Monitors to the stairway. He passed Grath his javelin and gave Inbar the short axe he had thrust into his sash. The two otters shouldered their bows, and Clecky and Grath placed themselves on either side of Inbar, who still had the Abbot bundled upon his back.

Battling madly, they were halfway to the main entrance when Martin came charging from the cellar stairs to join them, shouting, "Mad Eyes is dead! I have slain Ublaz!"

There was an immediate lull in the fighting as the Monitors lowered their spears and stared dully at one another.

Martin got behind Inbar to protect the Abbot. "Come on, back to the ship, quick!" he yelled.

Plogg peered through the darkness at the huddle of creatures clattering along the jetty toward him. He drew his rapier, calling, "Who goes there?"

Clecky could not resist. "Just a one-eared hare, a wounded warrior, a sleepin' Abbot and a couple o' plank-tailed water-dogs. Yowch! I say, watch it!"

Grath smiled as she waggled the javelin tip. "Sorry, mate, I slipped."

Plogg helped haul the Abbot aboard. He was still sleeping, wrapped snugly in the velvet wall hanging. The shrew glanced up towards the palace, saying, "There's about a score o' lizards millin' round up there, looks as if they're wonderin' what t'do."

Martin pulled Clecky over the stern rail then severed the rope-lines holding Waveworm to the jetty. "We're not waiting to find out what they're going t'do. Make sail and let's get away from this place!"

Viola and Welko dashed back and forth on the deck of Freebooter. With a pair of oars they had found, the two of them were smacking every head or paw that showed over the rails. There was a moment's respite. Quivering with fear and exhaustion the volemaid leaned wearily against the rail.

"Oh dear! Oh goodness me! We can't keep this up much longer. Good job they've given up for a while. Yeeeek!"

Welko ran at her, swinging his oar. He brought it down, whooshing within a hairsbreadth of Viola, to crash upon the head of an evil-looking ferret gripping a cutlass between his gapped teeth.

"Don't turn yer back on the rail, miss, that'n near 'ad you," he said. He stared out into the fiamelit darkness. The burning ships were beginning to hiss and sizzle as they sank lower into the shallows. Welko shook his head in despair at what he saw.

"They've put some o' that burnin' timber out an' they're lashin' t'gether a couple o' rafts. We're in real trouble if Martin an' the others don't show up soon!"

On the shoreline, Buckla touched the top of his head tenderly. "I'll keel'aul that perishin' volemaid for beltin' me with that oar. Make those lashin's tight, mates. Haharr, let's see 'em try ter stop us this time. Gancho, are the rafts ready?"

Gancho locked off a vine rope with two half-turns and a double hitch. "Ready as they'll ever be, bucko. Come on, we kin paddle with our paws, 'tis no more'n ten shiplengths out to Freebooter."

Corsairs and searats piled aboard the two rafts until they were low in the water. Baltur licked the edge of his cutlass meaningfully. "Yaharr, keep the shrew alive, I wanna liddle fun with 'im afore the fishes get wot's left!"

The vermin on the rafts' edges began paddling with anything available: paws, spear blades and scraps of driftwood. Both rafts were making fair progress until about halfway. Suddenly the nightdarkened waters exploded beneath them.

"Nuggoramaaa harrawoooom gurroochorrr! Harm not our friends. Go from here."

The great bull seal Hawm and a pack of adult male and female seals had smashed the rafts to matchwood in seconds. Huge wet tails and strong flippers made loud thwacking noises as they rendered each vermin senseless with a single smack. Searats and corsairs flew out of the water and through the air to hit the sand, as the powerful mammals flung them ashore with mighty flicks of their sleek heads. Welko and Viola leaned over the rail of Freebooter laughing gleefully at the sight.

"Ooh! King Hawm gave that searat such a crack, did you see him?"

"Aye, lookit that ferret, 'e did a somersault in the air afore 'e landed onshore. Go on, mates, give it to 'em!"

"Oh yes, please, belt that slimy stoat good an' hard for me!"

King Hawm swam up to the side of the ship, then, clapping a flipper against his broad chest, he smiled and bowed.

Welko and Viola clapped their paws together joyfully, calling aloud, "Haaaaaawm! Haaaaaaaawm!"

The king pointed his flipper at Waveworm rounding the cove. "Ma'tan! Ma'tan!"

Dawn found a happy party taking breakfast on the foredeck of Freebooter. Grath patted the rail, saying, "Y'did well t'save this 'un, mate, she's a beauty. Martin, wot about ole Waveworm there?"

Wordlessly Martin thrust a torch into the breakfast fire. He leapt the gap between both ships, landed neatly on Waveworm's deck and drew his sword. The searat Gowja screamed in terror as the blade whizzed past his head, severing the chain that tethered him to the mainmast. Martin hauled him to the side and booted him overboard.

"I give you your life," he said. "Swim for the shore, rat!"

The Warriormouse set fire to the sails before pitching the torch into the hold. Leaping back aboard Freebooter, he severed the ropes holding Waveworm to its side. A loud wail of despair arose from the vermin nursing their injuries on the beach. Grath reached for her bow, but Martin stopped her.

“ Let them be, friend. They are marooned here for life, with no ships, no wood or trees growing. They could not even build a toy boat."

Viola was sitting next to the Abbot. He was awake now, sipping hot soup, still wrapped in the velvet wall hanging. The volemaid wiped Durral's chin with the tattered hem of her apron.

"They've got better than they deserve," she said. "Fruit, fish and running water. Let them learn to farm the earth, like we do at Redwall. I'd say they were lucky to be alive, wouldn't you, Father?"

Durral sat up straight and smiled at Viola. "I'd say we were lucky to be alive, young 'un!"

Clecky sniffed, helping himself to a fourth bowl of soup. "Indeed. Well, I'd say it's jolly lucky for all here present with two ears! I lost one doin' battle with the lizard thingees. I say, d'you suppose a chap's ear'd grow again if he ate enough, wot?"

Viola checked the hare's ear stump, shaking her head. "No, but if you like I could make you quite a nice ear with some of this red velvet backed with canvas. You've got enough ear left for it to fit over."

Clecky snatched a chunk of shrewbread from under Plogg's nose. "I say, what a spiffin' wheeze, but that red velvet, it'd look a bit odd on parade, a chap with a red velvet ear, wot?"

Martin stifled a smile. "It's not like you to be so picky, friend. How about if Viola makes it like a decoration, a sort of bravery badge?"

Clecky's single ear stood straight up next to the wad of bandage wound round his stump.

"Top hole! I could dine out on somethin' like that for seasons t'come, wot!" He imitated a female hare's voice. "Oh, mister Montisle, I do like your ear, so picturesque! ... Ahem, thank ye, marm, 'tis an old war wound. Pass me the salad and I'll tell you how I jolly well came about it. There was I, surrounded by five hundred monstrous reptiles, armed only with a good breakfast under me belt..."

The crew of Freebooter dissolved into laughter.

"Haaaaaawm Ma'tan, feryooday!"

They looked up to see the seal king waddle aboard. He turned to Inbar and held a lengthy conversation, then stood by, head held high and both eyes closed, nobly, as befits a real seal king.

Inbar explained what he had said. "The king said it is not the way of friends to desert each other, so he decided to return and help out. He is pleased your Abbot is safe and well, and he and his sealfolk would be honored to tow your ship to Ruddar-ing."

Martin shrugged, slightly puzzled. “But we are going to Redwall."

Grath twanged her bowstring and shuffled her tail awkwardly. "Er, Inbar's only told the king so far, but, er, y'see, me'nTnbar, we're goin' back to Ruddaring t'live there. Sorry fer not lettin' y'know sooner, Martin."

The Warriormouse seized both otters' paws in delight. “This is the most excellent news! May your seasons be long together with all the happiness that fortune sends you both!"

Congratulations were given all round to Grath and Inbar. In his strange seal language, the Hawm barked out the good news to his sealfolk, who somersaulted in the water, flapping and clapping their flippers in celebration.

Then Martin asked Inbar to translate a message to the Hawm. "Tell his majesty we will be pleased for him and his seals to accompany our ship to Ruddaring straight away!"

Inbar passed on Martin's information, conversing awhile with the Hawm before turning back to the Warriormouse, who was holding a short conference with the Abbot.

"Martin," Inbar said, "our friend the Hawm says that he will be honored to conduct your ship to within sight of Mossflower country when you leave Ruddaring. He knows secret routes and fast currents that can have you back home in half the time it would take any landbeast to navigate that distance."

Hawm bowed regally, slapping the deck hard with an enormous flipper and gesturing at the seas in a wide arc to confirm the truth of Inbar's words. Martin and the Abbot approached him, Inbar translating Martin's words as he proclaimed: "Haaaaawm! Truly you are king of all sealfolk! Please accept this gift from the Father Abbot of Redwall Abbey."

Unlooping the crown of Ublaz from his belt, Martin passed it to Durral, who with quiet dignity placed it upon the Hawm's head. The king clambered up onto the forepeak wearing the heavy gold ring that had once graced the head of the tyrannical Ublaz. There was a moment's silence, then the crew joined voices with the sealfolk massed about the ship.

“ Haaaaaaawm! Manyahooday, Haaaaaaaaaawm!"

Wearing his new crown like a true king, Hawm did a sleek dive from forepeak to sea. He vanished beneath the waves, to emerge in a rush of water balancing the crown upon his nose, much to the amusement of everybeast present.

Lines were thrown out amidships and for'ard. Then, with a single slash of his sword, Martin severed the anchor cable as Clecky stood by shouting, "I rename this vessel Seaking, may her cookin' fires be always lit an' the whole jolly crew well fed! Set a course for Ruddaring an' then head down for home, me beauties!"

Plogg and Welko had found an old attack drum in the hold. They beat on it with ladles and broke out into a Guosim voyaging song.

“ Let the birds fly high before us,

An' our wake trail straight behind,

When yore heart is yearnin' for it,

Home is not too hard to find.

May our way be bright an' sunny,

Back to where the campfires burn,

There our friends an' families waitin',

For the warriors to return.

Are the old ones happily livin',

An' the young ones tall an' grown?

We will soon see smilin' faces,

Of all those we've always known.

Far we've traveled, long we've wandered,

Morn till night an' dusk to dawn,

But there's no place we'll rest easy,

Save the land where we were born."

Martin leaned over the stern rail with Viola and the Abbot, watching the tropical island of Sampetra fade into the distance. Its inhabitantsthe strange lizards, searats and corsairswere marooned, left to fight and scheme among themselves, whilst their dead Emperor, Ublaz Mad Eyes, lay stripped of his crown in a dark cellar with a poisonous snake to guard his eternal sleep. Plumes of black smoke still smudged the azure-blue sky from behind the palace and from the north cove.

Tears flowed openly down Viola's face as she listened to the shrews' song. Abbot Durral gave her his wide sleeve to dry her eyes.

"Hush, little maid, think of the autumn harvest in Redwall Abbey. You'll be there with your friends to help gather it."

The volemaid wiped her face and smiled. "I'll never leave there again as long as I live, Father!"

Chapter 55

Summer trailed off in glory as the season turned to autumn. Misted mornings gave way to mild days, shortened by scarlet sunsets and nights lit by harvest moons. Trees wore brown-gold leafy finery, promising the earth a fine crisp carpet of russet, which would whisper wistful messages as it shifted on the gentle breeze. It was the time when Tansy was visited in her dreams by Martin the Warrior of old. Dawn light filtered softly across the dormitory as she awoke with his message clear in her mind.

"Haste to the shore, look to the main,

Be not beset by fears.

Wait faithfully for a Sea King there,

And take with you six tears."

No creature within the Abbey walls was more eager or determined to carry out the Warrior's bidding than Tansy. In the space of three days she had organized everything and made the journey.

Auma had given Tansy permission to take a small party with her and erect a marquee on the beach. However, the badger Mother had insisted that Skipper and his otter crew, including Rangapaw and her searchers, in company with Log a Log and the Guosim shrews, accompany the little expedition as bodyguards. Log a Log led them to the place where Waveworm had left Mossflower's shore, and a camp was set up. Tansy took with her Craklyn, Rollo, Gerul and Friar Higgle, and much against the badger Mother's better judgement, but after great persuasion by the hedgehog maid, Arven, Diggum and Gun-bowl. The Dibbuns were thrilled by their first visit to the seaside and promptly got into all kinds of mischief.

Rollo sat atop a rocky outcrop close to the tent, with Tansy and Craklyn at his side. Their eyes ached with two days of staring out to sea. The old Recorder polished his spectacles, drowsy in the noontide warmth.

"Are you sure that's what Martin said in your dream, miss, wait faithfully for a Sea King there?" he asked. "What's a Sea King?"

Tansy held the six pearls in their scallop-shell case on her lap. "I haven't a clue. Sounds pretty fearsome, though, doesn't it? What d'you think this Sea King'll look like, Craklyn?"

"Well, my guess is that it's some kind of fearsome monster, just like those lizards who came with the searats. The Sea King probably has Abbot Durral and Viola with him, that's why Martin told you to take the pearls along, to ransom them both back from the Sea King."

Tansy's eyes strayed to a rockpool where the Dibbuns were playing. "Hmm, that makes sense, I never thought of it like that. Arven! Come here, you little maggot, and show me what you've got there!"

The little squirrel and the two molebabes carried a wooden shrew soup bowl carefully, water slopping over its edges. Approaching the rock where the friends were seated, Arven peered villainously up at them, holding the bowl up.

"Whooo, Tansy pansy, we gorra likkle spider wot swims inna water, an' he gonnajump up an' bite you noses off!"

Rollo peered down at the tiniest crab he had ever seen, no bigger than a little apple pip. It scrambled sideways underwater, holding up two claws that were almost invisible to the naked eye.

The Recorder looked severely over his glasses at the giggling trio. "That's no spider, it's a baby crab, and somewhere in that pool it has a mother and father as big as I amno, bigger! If you don't put their baby straight back into the pool they'll be out here in a moment and have you three for dinner!"

"Gurr, ee do say, zurr? Purrum back ee likkle crab-spoider, h'Arven, quick loik. Oi bain't gettin h'etted up by that'n's mum'n'daddy!" They fled squealing to empty the bowl back into the pool.

Tansy returned her gaze to the horizon of endlessly shifting sea. She stared westward and pondered, "I wonder what happened to Martin and the others? I hope the Sea King hasn't harmed them. Maybe we'll be able to use the pearls and strike a bargain that'll get them all returned to us."

Gerul wandered over, munching on a hot shrewcake. "Sure an' I know how t'get me ould mate Clecky back here, just keep good vittles cookin'! That great gut-tub'd smell 'em from a hundred leagues off, so he would!"

"Aye, an' those two sons o' mine," Log a Log called over from the cooking fire, "they'd foller their noses down t'the gates o' Dark Forest if'n they thought they'd find a free feed there!"

Skipper looked up from some hotroot soup he was stirring. "Let's 'ope none of our friends 'as found their way to Dark Forest's gates," he said.

A respectful silence fell over allbeasts who had heard the otter Chieftain's words.

Night fell over the encampment. Skipper gathered the snoring Dibbuns up from the remnants of supper and their broken sand-castles, carried them into the marquee and deposited them gently on a heap of dry rushes. Smiling fondly, he watched the Ab-beybabes snuggle down, still asleep, but giggling and snuffling as they settled. Rollo was deep in slumber and Craklyn was sitting with the shrew and otter crews, singing ballads and ditties. Skipper hauled himself up onto the rock, where Tansy was still seated, watching westward over the night-time seas.

"Ahoy, miss, ruinin' yer eyesight ain't goin' t'get no Sea King 'ere a moment sooner than he's due to arrive, believe me."

Tansy rubbed the back of the scallop shell case with her paw. "I know, Skip, but I feel as if it's my responsibility, somehow. I'd hate to think of the Abbot and Viola arriving here by night, in the clutches of a foebeast, with not a friendly face to greet them. It wouldn't be right, would it?"

The otter Chieftain nodded. "I know wot y'mean, young 'un, but you go off'n get yore rest now. I'll watch awhile then post some others later. If anythin' gets sighted I'll wake yer meself."

Thanking the kindly otter, Tansy went into the marquee and lay down alongside the three Dibbuns. Outside she could hear the restless waves breaking on the shore. Flickering firelight shadows against the tent wall reflected the creatures sitting around the fire outside. She fell asleep to the sound of Craklyn joining the shrews and otters in an old woodland ballad.

"Shrum, shrum, double die dum,

Rivers may flow but the streams they do run

Kissing the willows that droop sad and low,

Through sunlight and shadow as onward they go.

Shrum, shrum, fie upon thee,

Ye rivers an' streams that flow down to the sea,

I sit by your banks through the long weary day,

To mourn for my true love who you bore away.

Shrum, shrum, cruel is fate,

How long must I linger by water and wait,

You babble round rock and you swirl around stone,

And share your dark secrets with none but your own.

Shrum, shrum, tears may fall,

I'm bound for the place where the lone seabirds call,

I'll build me a boat and sail down to the sea,

There I'll search for the heart that is dearest to me.

Shrum, shrum, shrummmmmmmmmm!"

In her dreams Tansy was again visited by the ancient spirit of Martin. This time he had only one thing to say. “The Abbess will know .what to do with the pearls!"

Morning light found a breezeless day, with heavy mist wreathing the shoreline. Everybeast was up bright and early to help with the day's chores. Tansy and Craklyn took the Dibbuns along the tideline, gathering driftwood for the fire.

It was a strange, subdued sort of day, even the Abbeybabes seemed quieter than usual. Tansy and Craklyn kept an eye on the little ones as they looped a rope around the bundle they had gathered. Only the gentle lap of waves against the sand broke the silence where they stood, hemmed in by mist shrouds.

Suddenly Tansy felt an odd compulsion stir within her. She turned to face seaward, staring into the mist. Craklyn and the Dibbuns turned with her. Arven sounded rather fearful as he tugged her tunic hem.

"Tansy, worra matter, sumfink out there ..."

A great shining dark monster, dripping water and wearing a gold crown upon its head, came shuffling out of the sea, dragging in its jaws a thick rope. Casting aside the rope the beast threw back its massively sleek head and roared.

"Haaaaaaaawm!"

As Craklyn and the three Dibbuns clung to her, Tansy could hear herself shouting aloud, "Help! The Sea King! Help! Help!"

Then the beach was alive with dark shining creatures of all sizes, from fully grown to little ones, all roaring as they flung ropes in the air.

"Haaaaaaaaaawm! Haaaaaaaaaaawm!"

Armed with javelin and rapier, Skipper and Log a Log came bounding through the mist. However, they skidded to a stunned halt when a dark mountainous object rode through the fog on a wave and ground to a halt, ploughed deep into the tideline sands.

Two figures slid expertly down ropes onto the beach.

"Sorry we couldn't find no walkin' sticks for ye, old feller!"

Throwing his paws around his two sons, Log a Log swept them clear of the ground, hugging them fiercely. "Haharrharr! You scraggy-'eaded rips, sneak up on yore ole daddy like that, would ye? Yer barnacle-whiskered pups, welcome back! You musta smelled breakfast a cookin'!"

The Seaking had come home to Mossflower country.

Chapter 56

An hour later, bright rising sun had burned off the dawn mists and everybeast was aboard the big ship as it bobbed on the incoming tide. Martin, Viola and Abbot Durral held on to the paws of Tansy, Rollo, Craklyn and Higgle as if they would never let go again.

"Rollo, old friend, how good to see your face!"

"Father Abbot, you're really back! And Viola too; we thought you were lost in the woods!"

"Friar Higgle, I'll wager you missed me in the kitchens?"

"Missed you? Good job Teasel ain't here, or she'd be throwin' her apron o'er her face an' cryin' buckets. Oh, Durral, my friend, sometimes I doubted I'd ever see ye again!"

"Tansy, Craklyn, is it really you? Give me a kiss, friends!"

"Friends, that's what we are, Viola, forever friends!"

"Martin, it does my old heart good to see our Redwall Warrior returned safe and well! How are you, friend?"

"All the better for having the honor to shake the paw of a great and wise Recorder, Rollo. You've grown younger in my absence."

"Martin, Martin, all seagulls gone'd inna water, swimmed away?"

The Warriormouse untangled Arven from his footpaws and lifted him onto his shoulder. "They're not seagulls, they're called seals. Gone, you say?"

Clecky and Gerul looked over the ship's side. Arven had spoken truly, there was not a sign of sealfolk or their Hawm anywhere.

The hare munched a chunk of warm shrewbread reflectively, and said, "Without so much as a farewell or a toodle-oo! Still, I s'pose there's only me would've understood them, seein' as I'm the only one jolly well up on their lingo, wot. Very odd, though, very odd indeed!"

Gerul attempted to disguise snorted laughter as a cough. "I'm thinkintis no odder than yoreself with a red velvet ear, me ould mate. I don't know wot me ould mother'd've said if'n she'd seen a lug like that!"

The hare straightened his red velvet ear and posed heroically. "Rather good, doncha think, wot! Distinctive, stylish, yet with that touch of roguish dash about it. Wish I had two, really!"

Martin turned to stare seaward, shaking his head sadly. "I wish the Hawm and his sealfolk had stayed longer. They were proper friends, good and true. Still, I suppose they had their reasons for leaving as they did. What are you staring at, Skip?"

"Yer neck, matey, that's a rare ole scar you've got there!"

The Warriormouse ran his paw across the wound. "Aye, but you should see the other feller. I'll tell you all about it when we get back to Redwall."

Plogg and Welko told their father about Grath, how she had found Inbar and gone to live at Ruddaring with him. Welko clapped his father's back and said, "But Grath said that she'd never ferget 'er friend the Guosim Chieftain Log a Log. Ahoy there, are you cryin', dad?"

Log a Log did not attempt to wipe away the tears which rolled down his face. "Of course I am, ye great buffer, that otter was like a daughter t'me, the one I never 'ad. I'm glad she's 'appy, though I'll miss 'er."

Plogg pulled an object from his belt and placed it in Log a Log's paws. "Grath said t'give you this to remember 'er by."

It was a green-feathered arrow.

************************************

The Abbot stood on the forepeak with Tansy, Rollo and Craklyn.

"Did you solve your riddle?" he asked.

Rollo nodded. "Indeed we did, all six of them. Six riddles to lead us to six perfect pearls. They were to be your ransom."

"Ah," cried the Abbot, "now all is clear." He folded his paws into his habit sleeves. "Good! Who holds them at this moment?''

Tansy produced the scallop shell case and opened it to reveal the six rose-colored pearls, each one lying in its niche. "Here they are, Father. Martin tells me that they belonged to the family of Grath Longfletch. How can I return them?"

Abbot Durral stared at Tansy a long time, then he said, "I have been told the pearls now belong to you!"

Tansy looked at the rose-colored orbs. "But what about Rollo and Craklyn? They helped me to find them."

The Abbot of Redwall's voice was clear and firm. "Yet still they belong to you, who found the remains of that corsair which led to the first clue. The Warrior of our dreams told me they were yours. Now think carefully, young one, what are you going to do with them?"

A silence fell over the whole ship, and every eye turned upon Tansy holding the pearls. She stared at them, her mind racing back to that first day in the woods and the corsair's skeleton, over the many hours spent searching painstakingly to gain each one, the puzzles, riddles, joys, frustrations and sorrows of the entire quest. Now it had all come down to this, a half-dozen round objects encased in a scallop shell. Her voice rang out, clear and certain.

"These pearls are said to be rare, precious and beautiful, yet when I look at them now I see only bloodshed, greed and death. There are many creatures lying dead because of them, from the family of Grath down to countless searats and corsairs. But one touched our own lives deeply, a young Abbeymaid who was friend to us all. Piknim was slain because of these six pearls. Truly they are called the Tears of all Oceans. We have no need for things such as these at Redwall Abbey, life is a far more precious and beautiful thing. I give back to the oceans these six tears, so that they will never cause grief or sorrow to any living creature!"

Tansy climbed to the bowsprit of Seaking, which had turned on the tide and now was moored to the shore, facing the open seas. Scooping the pearls from their case she flung them high and wide. Like six rose-tinted raindrops they flashed briefly in the sunlight, then they hit the waves and were lost to sight for ever. Tansy let the scallop shell drop from her paws. It fell with a gentle splash and sank under the keel. Slowly the hedgehog maid descended to the deck, where she apologized to Rollo and Craklyn.

"After all the days and nights we spent searching together, see what I've done! I am sorry, my friends."

Craklyn grinned ruefully. "Fermald the Ancient would be furious if she were here now. Just think, with one sweep of your paw you hid the pearls far better than she did with all her clues and scheming!"

Rollo nodded his head admiringly. "Indeed, you certainly don't mess about when you've made up your mind to do something, miss. What do you say, Father Abbot?"

The good Father Abbot had quite a bit to say.

"From the time our ship left Sampetra to sail back here, I have had the same dream over and over. Martin our Abbey spirit kept telling me this message.

“ She who holds the pearls, the Abbess of Redwall will be,

She who holds on to the pearls, cannot rule in place of thee,

Only an Abbess whose heart sees truth, may give pearls unto the sea."

Abbot Durral took, Tansy's paw. "Many times Martin repeated those words to me in my dreams. I was puzzled as to their meaning until today. Abbess Tansy!"

The enormity of what Durral had said caused Tansy to move away from the Abbot in bewilderment. She stood alone on the forepeak, scarcely noticing the sea, sparkling as wavelets caught midmorning sunlight. Total silence reigned aboard the vessel.

Martin stole silently up alongside her. Drawing the great sword of Redwall, he laid it on the rail in front of her and said, "I am yours to command, Mother Abbess. What is your wish?"

Tansy picked up the sword. She had not realized it was so heavy. She presented it back to Martin, then, a smile hovering on her face as the depth of the' honor conferred upon her sunk in, she turned to face the assembly. Trying hard to keep her paws and voice from trembling, she addressed them all.

"Er, listen, what I'd like to say is, er... Oh, let's go home and have a great feast to celebrate our friends' safe return!"

A resounding cheer split the air and everybeast crowded round to congratulate Tansy.

"I say, old thing, you'll make a jolly good Abbess if y'keep chuckin' out orders like that, wot!"

"Ah, 'tis right, an' as me ould mother used t'say, may yer shadow never grow less, an' it won't if y'keep it well fed!"

"Well done, young missie. Oops! I mean Mother Abbess, but when nobeast's listening I'll still call you Tansy and I hope you'll still call me Craklyn, your old pal!"

"Tansy pansy, wona h'Abbess mean? Ole Rollo call you muvver, heehee, you norra muvver, they hooj an' big like m'Auma!"

Wellwishers continued to flock round and shake Tansy's paw. She was very touched by Rollo's simple words.

“ If I had been choosing an Abbess, my choice would have been the same as Durral's. This is the best thing to happen to our Abbey in all of my seasons. Rule well, young Mother!"

Epilogue

Extract from the writings of Craklyn, Recorder of Redwall Abbey.

The harvest is in, let winter come, we are safe, happy and well supplied within these great walls. Our Mother Abbess wisely delayed homecoming celebrations until the fruits of autumn were safely stowed in our cellars and larders. Then we had a feast which lasted seven days and nights!

Redwall fare excelled itself; even the young ones will talk about that feast when they are old and grizzled. How could we go wrong with goodwife Teasel and two Friars to run the kitchens, Friar Higgle and old Friar Durral, happy to be doing what he always wished to do, cook! Such an array of pies, cakes, pastries, puddings and trifles you never did see. There were cheeses, breads, salads, turnovers, soups, stews and pasties, enough to feed a regiment.

Furlo Stump and Foremole said they served enough drinks to float a ship, and I believe them. They had every possible ale, cordial, tea, fruitcup and fizz the cellars could produce even one which I helped them make specially for the occasion, a mixture of rosehip, honey and strawberry that we called Tansywine.

The festivities shifted each evening from Great Hall to Cavern Hole, where the singing, dancing, reciting and music proved a delight to the eyes and ears of all. Mind you, some complained about Clecky's ballad. It was forty-seven verses long and dealt with his heroic adventures rescuing old Abbot Durral.

I am still learning the job of Recorder. My good friend Rollo is constantly guiding me, though now he spends a lot of his time with Brother Dormal. He likes to be in the orchard, gaining knowledge of fruit, plants and bees, and also he can nap whenever he pleases! Mother Abbess Tansy is like myself, still learning; she has Auma, Durral, Wullger and the elders of Redwall to help whenever she has need of them.

Oh, did I tell you? Viola bankvole has taken over from Sister Cicely in the sick bay. All of us were delighted when warm nettle broth was banished forever, but our joy was short-lived. Viola is sometimes a bit inventive with her seagoing experiences, so now we have to suffer seaweed and cockleshell potion. Both Viola and Cicely swear by it as a cure-all.

Log a Log and his shrews, and Skipper with his crew are going to stay the winter at Redwall. For the spring they have planned a Guosim-otter cruise aboard the ship Seaking, but they will have to endure Clecky's company. He has appointed himself Redwall Hare in charge of Nautical Activities and insists on being addressed as Captain Clecky. Outrageous as ever, it is his plan to cruise in search of seals, so that he can have long conversations with them. Gerul is sailing, too, as cookowl.

Foremole and Furlo Stump have recruited Arven, Diggum and Gurrbowl as trainee cellar-keepers. Abbess Tansy remarked to me only this morning that she did not envy them their task, training those three. Auma our great badger Mother seems to grow no older; she is planning on clearing out Fermald's attic and converting it into a den where the Abbey elders can rest and relax in comfort. What a pillar of strength and security she is to us all!

Corsairs and searats have not been seen around Mossflower coast in a while now, according to Plogg, Welko and Rangapaw. Durral told me that a female corsair ferret named Romsca befriended him and saved his life when he was captured by the big lizards. Sometimes he says that he dreams of her and the strange island beyond which the sun sets, a place of constant heat, never visited by winter. I wanted to hear more of the pine marten who ruled there, Emperor Ublaz of the Mad Eyes, but Durral says he is best forgotten. Leave it all to the long ago and far away, he says.

I am not used to writing with a quill pen, my paws get inkstained, so I am finishing writing for today. I must attend a meeting to plan the midwinter feast. Have you ever attended one? It takes place on Midwinter Eve. Oh yes, midwinter has an eve just like midsummer. Any self-respecting Redwaller could tell you when it is. Here is the notice I will pin on our gate at the pathside.

All who come in peace and friendship, stay,

On this the eve of cold midwinter's day.

Good food and drink and, best, good company,

Come share our hospitality for free.

Beneath the lanterns, sit and take your fill,

Sing and dance you may, with right goodwill,

With one condition, as Redwallers say,

If you enjoy it, call another day,

Summer, spring, 'most any time at all,

And find a welcome waiting at Redwall!

Craklyn squirrel, Recorder of Redwall Abbey in Mossflower country.