Grik, the ermine tracker, was foraging a few paces ahead of the rest when an amber bead struck him lightly on the footpaw. “Over here, he passed this way, look!”
The white fox captain, Urfig, rushed past Grik, scrambling his way over the ditch and onto the path. “Look, shells and beads! These are off my necklet. Dirig, hurry an’ tell Mighty Gulo that I have found the trail again. Methinks it goes east into this forest!”
In a short time, Gulo and his beasts were into the east forest, discovering the clues which Yoofus had left them.
The volethief descended from the willow, chuckling. “Off y’go now, ye ravin’ eejits, run y’selves ragged around the trees. Sure I’ll pay yez a call tonight, while yore all asleep!”
Yoofus recrossed the path and climbed down into the ditch. He settled down in safety to take a nap. Scarcely had he closed his eyes when he heard the sound of somebeasts coming down the path from the north. Keeping low, the water vole peered over the ditch edge.
Armel and Brooky had rope halters about their necks. Ferwul and Brugil, the two ermine scouts, were leading them. The squirrelmaid and the ottermaid were well hemmed in by Captain Shard and the rest of the vermin. The group halted, right opposite where Yoofus was crouching in the ditch.
Staring at the signs of recent disturbance on the path’s other side, Brugil seemed slightly bewildered. “Lord Gulo has taken the others east into these woodlands. But I thought that he was going to the Redwall place.”
Ferwul muttered under her breath, “Aye, an’ I thought we were ordered to go there also.”
Shard’s mate, Freeta, clipped the ermine scout’s ear sharply. “Thou art not here to think. Lord Gulo will wrest all the information he needs from these two—they are from the Redwall fortress. See how they are garbed alike?”
The white fox captain cut in abruptly. “Cease squabbling and lead on, you scouts. We go to join the Mighty Gulo!”
Shard let them go forward into the trees while he hung back with Freeta, whispering to her, “Say nought to Gulo, or anybeast, about this!”
Drawing his cloak back slightly, he revealed the cloth case enclosing Martin’s sword, which he had snatched from Armel.
The vixen touched her muzzle slyly. “The sword is far too valuable for others to see. It is our secret!”
Then Shard and his mate proceeded to follow the rest of the vermin gang east into Mossflower.
Yoofus relaxed. He sat down and took some food from a small wallet he carried on his belt. The volethief munched on his rations whilst he analysed what he had just witnessed. Yoofus often held conversations with himself; he found it easier to think that way.
“Ah now, the fox was right, indeed. Those maids both come from the Abbey. I’ve seen them meself when I’ve visited there t’borrow some o’ the grand ould fruit from their orchard. Sure they’re cunnin’ things, those foxes. I wonder what the big ’un had under his cloak? Well, no matter, I’ll find out this very night, when I pays him a visit. But ’tis a bit o’ shuteye I’m needin’ now, just to keep me wits sharp after dark.”
The little thief was never troubled by conscience. In a short time he was snoring like an innocent Dibbun, wrapped snugly in the flag, curled up on the ditch bed amid last autumn’s leaves, far from the questing vermin.
It came as a rude awakening when the point of a claymore tipped his nose. Two tough-looking squirrels, a hare and a hawk were standing over him.
Ever the quick-witted one, Yoofus smiled up at them. “Ah, isn’t it a grand ould day, t’be sure, sirs? Don’t mind me now, I’ll not block yore way. Just step over me tired carcase an’ carry on t’wherever yore bound!”
Doogy Plum hauled him upright. “Och, ye saucy wee maggot, where did ye get yon flag, eh?”
The thief’s agile brain was racing as he quickly put two and two together. He replied glibly, “Ah, ’tis not some coloured scrap o’ cloth yore after. We’ll discuss that later on, me friend. I think that you fine buckoes are on the trail o’ the dreadful-lookin’ beast they calls Mighty Gulo. Sure that’s a fine hifalutin’ name for any ould murderer, isn’t it?”
Tam smiled at the thief’s audacity. “Aye, we’ll talk about the flag later. Now, what about this Gulo? Surely you’ve seen him.”
Disengaging himself deftly from Doogy’s grip, Yoofus answered, “Ah, ye’d be right there, sir. As true as me name’s Yoofus Lightpaw, I’ve sighted the villain—him an’ his whole army o’ boyos. An’ I’ll tell ye somethin’ else, too. They’ve got with ’em two prisoners, River Rats, an’ haven’t they just captured another two pore creatures, an otter an’ a squirrel like y’self, sir. Both maids, from the Abbey of Redwall!”
Ferdimond’s jaw tightened. “Two Redwall maids? The dirty scum! Which way’ve they gone, Mister Lightpaw?”
The water vole winked. “If ye come with me, sir, I’ll show ye, so I will!”
Before they could stop him, the little thief had bounded out of the ditch, across the path and up into the high branches of the crack willow. Drawing his sickle sword, he danced about on the tree limb, waving the flag and brandishing his blade.
“Put a paw near me, any of ye, an’ I’ll rip this flag to bits an’ carve cobs of anybeast who tries t’get up here! I’m a desperate character when me fur’s stroked up the wrong way, so keep yore distance!”
Tam signalled his friends to stay in the ditch. “Leave this to me, mates!”
Standing at the foot of the tree, he called up to Yoofus, “Listen, friend, we don’t mean ye any harm. I’d like to have that flag, but there’s something of greater importance. We must free the two maids from those vermin. They’re slayers, an’ they eat the flesh of other creatures. I’d be grateful for your help, Yoofus.”
The water vole sat down on the branch, shaking his head. “Flesh eatin’s a terrible wicked thing. I’m no murderer, just a thief. I’ll tell ye what, though. Fair exchange is no robbery. I’ll give ye back yore flag an’ help ye to get the maids free, but we’ll call it a trade, see?”
Tam nodded willingly. “That sounds fair enough, but what d’ye want us to trade with?”
Yoofus wrinkled his nose coyly. “Sure I’ll throw in this fine curvy sword, too. How’ll that suit ye?”
Tam shrugged. “Ye still haven’t told us what you want to trade from us. Tell us what it is.”
The water vole dropped to a lower branch. “That’s a grand ould sword yore carryin’, sir, a good big straight ’un, wid a fine fanciful hilt to it. . . .”
Doogy scrambled out of the ditch. “Ach, he wants yer sword, Tam. Ye cannae part wi’ that!”
Tergen hobbled onto the path. “Kreeeek! No give sword, Burl. I kill that beast!”
Ferdimond nibbled at his lip. “But what about the maids?”
Yoofus pointed at the hare. “Isn’t he the wise one now! Give me the sword, an’ ye’ll be gainin’ yore flag, the lives of the two prisoners an’ me sword into the bargain. Either that, or ye get no flag, an’ those cannybals will serve the maids up for supper. Now what’s it goin’ t’be? Make up yore mind!”
Tam tossed the sword up into the tree. “Here, catch!”
Yoofus caught it neatly by the basket hilt. Then he descended through the branches, grinning. “Ah, that’s the stuff! Goodbeast yerself, sir. So, here’s yore flag an’ this grand ould curved sword. I’ll lead ye to where the maids will prob’ly be.”
But Tam had other views on the subject. “No, Yoofus. I want ye to keep the flag an’ that curved blade, ’tis not to my liking. Here’s what ye must do. Go with my friends, Tergen an’ Ferdimond, to the Abbey of Redwall an’ wait there.”
The goshawk and the young hare protested.
“Yaagaaah, this bird stay with Burl. Kill lots of vermin!”
“I say, Tam old lad, can’t I come with you, rescuin’ maids an’ all that? Bet I’d be jolly good at it, wot!”
The border warrior would not hear of it. “No! Doogy an’ I stand a better chance doin’ this alone. We don’t need Yoofus, either. The tracks
are clear enough. Our mission was to get through to Redwall and warn them of the vermin. I know the Brigadier would like to see us savin’ the two prisoners also. He put me in charge, so that’s my decision. Doogy an’ I go after the captives. You three get along to the Abbey. Now go!”
Surprisingly, the three went without further argument. Doogy patted his friend. “Och, yer a fine figure o’ command, Tam, but what ails ye? Partin’ with yore claymore like that, an’ allowin’ that scruffy wee robber tae toddle off with yer blade an’ flag. That’s no’ the Rakkety Tam ah’m used tae!”
The border warrior drew his dirk, testing its edge. “The banner an’ the blade are safe, mate. Yoofus has Ferdy an’ the goshawk to keep an eye on both my goods an’ him. Don’t fret, Doogy Plumm, ’twill all work out. Now rid yoreself o’ claymore’n’shield. Our smaller blades are more fitted to the job ahead. We’ll hit the vermin camp when ’tis still an’ dark tonight.”
Hiding his sword and shield in the shrubbery, the stout Highlander grinned with anticipation of the action to come. “Hoho, that’s more like the Rakkety Tam ah know!”
Clenching their small Sgian Dhus in their teeth and holding their dirks ready, both warriors set off into the silent woodlands.
19
Flames from the vermin campfire illuminated the face of Gulo the Savage, giving him a malevolent look. The wolverine’s eyes glittered like twin stars of evil omen in his brutish head as he sat upon the drum in the gathering twilight. Gulo’s mood had not improved: his scouts had once again lost the trail which, he was convinced, belonged to his brother. Foxes and ermine crowded about the far side of the blaze, anxious to maintain distance from their cruel chieftain. Laying huddled about midpoint between the vermin and Gulo were Runneye and Bluesnout. Gaunt, exhausted and terrified witless, the two River Rats had been roped tight by their necks to a stake.
An ermine guard approached Gulo cautiously. “Lord, Captain Shard has returned with his scouts. He brings captives.”
The white fox marched in at the head of his contingent. He was wearing Martin’s sword as Armel had worn it, down the back of his cloak, tied to his shoulders. Standing partially out of the firelight, Shard bowed stiffly to the wolverine.
“Mighty One, I have taken prisoners, two creatures from the Redwall place. Knowing thy wisdom, I brought them straight to thee. These two should have good knowledge of their fortress, its strengths and weaknesses.”
Had Gulo captured the Redwallers, he would have slain them first, leaving it too late for questions later. He knew Shard was merely flattering him, but the white fox was his best and most intelligent captain. “Ye did well, Shard. Where are these two?”
Armel and Brooky were thrust forward. Both caught their breath at the barbaric sight of the wolverine. Armel shuddered as the beast’s eyes roved over them both. Gulo’s paw banged down on the drum, startling them. It was hard not to show fear in the presence of such a monster.
The wolverine glared at them from beneath hooded eyelids before he began his interrogation. “My Captain tells me ye are both from Redwall. ’Tis true?”
Armel whispered bravely to her otter friend, “Tell him nothing.”
Gulo acted as if he had not heard the remark. “So, a riverdog and a treemouse, eh? Tell me thy names.”
Though Brooky was trembling, she shouted at Gulo, “We will tell you nothing!”
Gulo smiled. A chill ran through the ottermaid at the sight of his bared fangs. Rising from the drum, Gulo walked a slow circle round the two Abbeymaids. “I like to see courage in a beast. ’Tis admirable but foolish. At dawn you will tell me all I want to know—How many creatures dwell within Redwall? What warriors are there who could resist me and my fighters? What would the easiest entrance to your fortress be for us?”
Armel echoed her friend’s words. “We will tell you nothing!”
The wolverine returned to the drum, perching on its edge. Now was the time to put into action the strategy he had learned from Shard when they had dealt with Driftail’s gang. He held up a paw, as if forbidding either of them to speak further. “I do not want ye to tell me anything right now. But at dawn I will come and speak to ye again. Then ye will gladly tell me all. Why? Because I am Gulo the Savage from the lands of ice and snow beyond the great sea. Heed me now!”
Armel and Brooky watched in trepidation as Gulo gave orders to some of his ermine. “Bring the rats hither!”
Runneye and Bluesnout were loosed from their stake and dragged into Gulo’s presence, both stricken dumb with fear.
The wolverine cast a glance in the Abbeymaids’ direction. “Look at these rats! See ye how frightened they are? They are not brave like thee, because they know what I can do. Gulo and his warriors eat their enemies. Anybeast who offends Gulo is his enemy. Take them from my sight!”
The two River Rats were flung to the mass of vermin at the other side of the fire. They only had time for a single despairing scream before the beasts of Gulo fell upon them en masse.
Gulo turned to his captives and shrugged. “Ye have all of tonight to think of answers to my questions. Shard, guard them closely until the dawn.”
Just beyond the firelight, Armel and Brooky were bound to the broad ancient trunk of a two-topped oak. Both had been stunned into horrified silence by what they had witnessed.
It was some time before Armel whispered to her friend, “I can’t believe this is happening to us!”
The ottermaid strained against her bonds, but they were too securely tied. “If only my Uncle Skip knew what a fix we’re in. He’d do something to help us. Oh, I’m sorry, pal. I’m not being very helpful, am I?”
A tear fell from Armel’s eye, but she could do nothing to stop it from running down her face. “Just keep talking, Brooky. The sound of your voice comforts me. At least we’re together.”
Two ermine had been left to guard the prisoners. One of them kicked at Armel’s footpaw from where he lay. “Silence! Save thy talkin’ until dawn.”
The other ermine sniggered wickedly. “I’m hopin’ ye won’t talk at dawn. Methinks streamdog an’ treemouse won’t be as stringy as River Rat!”
Armel kicked back at him, but he was out of range. “Rotten scum, dirty coward!”
Brooky struggled with her bonds. “Aye, why don’t you untie me, you miserable toad! We’d see who’d get eaten then!”
The ermine rose, licking the blade of his sickle sword as he confronted the ottermaid, taunting her. “Heehee, but I ain’t about to untie thee. So what will ye do now, streamdog—eh, eh?”
Shard, who had been seated closer to the fire, crept up and dealt the ermine a sound smack over the ears. “Thou art here to guard these prisoners, not to bandy gossip with them. Cease thy prattling!”
The ermine stood to rigid attention until Shard went back to his seat by the fire. Then he slumped down on the ground alongside the other sentry and fell silent.
Tam and Doogy lay in the bushes, a short distance from the sentries who stood guard at the camp edges. They had circled the area until both were behind the fire, facing the backs of Gulo and Shard.
Tam pointed with his dirk, whispering, “The big old oak, that’s where they’ve got the two maids tied. D’ye see it, Doogy?”
His friend moved position slightly before responding. “Aye, ah see it right enough. That’s one o’ the lassie’s cloaks stickin’ oot frae the ropes. They’re bound tae the other side o’ the tree, Tam. What’s the plan?”
The border warrior studied the lay of the land for a while. “First we’ll have to let them settle down. There’s vermin still movin’ about. When the fire burns down lower, that’s when we’ll move. If we could make it up into that hornbeam yonder, we could jump into the upper branches of the oak where they’re tied. Just one problem—that sentry.”
Doogy peered at the back of the perimeter sentry, an ermine, leaning against the hornbeam trunk. He was armed with a spear.
The Highlander shrugged carelessly. “Och, that rascal’s nae problem, mate. Ah’ll
deal with him whilst we’re layin’ here waitin’.”
Tam watched Doogy slip off quietly and circle in on the sentry. He heard the vermin give a soft grunt, then saw him lean back against the hornbeam trunk.
A moment later Doogy was back. Cleaning the blade of his small dagger on the grass, he murmured, “Ah’ve propped him up on his spear. He won’t be complainin’ aboot gettin’ a good long sleep!”
Armel could tell by the slump of Shard’s back that he had fallen asleep by the fire, which now was only white ash and glowing embers. Gulo was sleeping further away from her. She could see him stretched out on the ground with his back to the heat. Both of the ermine sentries were also deep in slumber—one curled up almost nose to tail, the other flat on his back, snoring throatily.
The squirrelmaid tried for the fourth time to reach the ropes with her teeth, but all she got was a straining pain in her neck. She sighed. “If I could only get my teeth into these ropes. How are you doing, Brooky?”
The ottermaid gritted quietly, “I’ve rubbed my paws raw trying to get ’em free. Huh, that Shard creature certainly ties a tight knot. He knows the ropes alright! Armel, did you hear that—‘knows the ropes’? I actually made a joke, but it doesn’t seem very funny right now.”
“Ssshh! Don’t make a sound, either of ye.”
Brooky whispered to her companion, “Did you say something?”
The voice sounded again. “No, it was me, marm. Look up, but don’t say anything. We’re friends!”
Gazing upward, both Abbeymaids found themselves staring into the faces of Tam and Doogy.
The Highlander smiled. “Now hauld yer wheesht, lassies. We’re here tae get ye away back tae yore Abbey.”
Both squirrels dropped noiselessly down behind the oak, where they could talk unobserved. Tam whispered to the captives, “Be quite still now, don’t make any sudden moves. Just tell me, how many are guardin’ ye?”