Mariel watched in amazement as the stone was reeled swiftly in by a hare carrying a long, whippy fishing rod. He caught the stone skillfully as it swung back to him, his hooded eyes never once leaving the scene below. Holding the slack of the line in check, he whipped the slender rod back and forth, and the air hummed to its vibrations. Suddenly Bragglin's paw grasped that of Mariel as he tried to wrest the dagger from her.

Zzzzzzz. Thonk!

With a swift, vicious flick the hare cast the stone deftly. The breath caught in Mariel*s throat. Bragglin lay slain, the flying rock squarely between his eyes.

"You chaps never learn, do yen? Didn't believe me, eh? Right, who's next?"

The rats dropped their weapons as they gaped up at the curious hare. Young Bowly Pintips's mouth hung wide; he had never witnessed such a splendid-looking beast.

The hare was old and overweight, but obviously every inch a veteran warrior; his regalia proclaimed it proudly for all to see. On his head he wore a tricorn hat, with holes cut to allow his ears to pop out. It was surmounted by the most elaborate white drooping plume. Though his cheeks were pouched and baggy, the eyes that shone above them were hooded and sharp. His whiskers had been waxed and curled into a perfect handlebar moustache. He wore a faded but gaudy pink mess jacket, decorated with arrays of medallions and ribbons. He had epauletted shoulders and a front twinkling with polished silver b.u.t.tons. Stowing the rod away like an elongated pace stick, he gave a cough and a nod. Four young leveret hares in quaint green uniforms nipped smartly out of the surrounding gra.s.s and saluted him. He acknowledged them with a wave of one ear.

"Righto, quick as y'like now, squad. Pick up all weapons an' lay those rats facedown where they're no bother to anybeast..."

One of the leverets sprang forward but skidded to a halt at a fierce glare from his superior.

"What've I told you, laddie buck? Wait for it, wait for it Right, go to it, squad... Move!"

The young hares scurried about gathering up all weapons. One was about to relieve Dandin of his spear when he caught the stern eye of his elder.

"Teh, ten! Can't y'tell the good chaps from the rotters, Runtwold? Leave that mouse's weapon alone, sah!"

Pulling off his hat, he strode ponderously down the hill. Bending a leg in front of Mariel, he bowed with a totally overdone flourish. "Field Marshal Meldrum Fallowthorn at y'service, marm. Though me reputation oft precedes ^ me, no doubt you've heard m'name bandied about hither and yon, wot?"

Mariel could only shake her head.

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"What's this? There's a thing!" said the hare, raising his eyebrows. "Never heard of old Meldrum the Magnificent? Astoundin*! Never mind, m'dear, you will!"

Introductions were in order all around. The moles thanked their rescuers profusely, the old one tugging his snout respectfully to the warriors who had saved them.

"Burrhurr, thankee koindly, guddbeasts. Oi be Furpp Straightfurrer, an' these yurr h'infants be moi daughter's lot-Burdill, Grumbee, an' Porgoo, Straightfurrers all. Bid ee gennelbeasts good day, moles."

The three little ones tugged their snouts politely. "Good arternoon, zurrs! Foin day, marm!"

Meldrum turned his attention to the rats lying with their noses pressed into the sand. "Now then, y'blaggards, up on those paws smart I ike. One, two, hup!"

The rats did as they were bidden with alacrity. Meldrum prodded one in the stomach with his rod b.u.t.t. "Now listen hard, y'great stinker. I'm promotin' you pro tern offisah of this mob. See that hill yonder? Well, if you ain't all over it an1 gone in two flicks of me eye, I'll make rat pudden with the lot of yah, understand?"

The rat nodded, knowing his life depended on it.

Meldrum signaled to his leveret squad and Mariel's group. "Weapons at the ready, shoot at will if they don't move quick enough. Aim for between the shoulder blades. Righto, attention, vermin-on my command of run, you'll flippin' well run for y'lives. Got it? Good, ready... Run!"

Sand scattered in all directions as the terrified rats fled, stumbling helter-skelter over the hill. In an amazingly short time, they were gone from sight. Field Marshal Meldrum Fallowthorn sniffed disdainfully. "Rats! Nevah could abide the rotters-nasty, sly, an' not a sc.r.a.p of guts or discipline in any of 'em!"

Bowly stood goggling at the array of decorations jingling and rattling on the Field Marshal's tunic. "Gwaw! A real, live warrior. Wot d'yew get all those medals for, sir?"

Meldrum's chest swelled, and he gave Bowly a swift wink. "Battles, young hog, m'lad. That's what a chap earns these gongs for. This'n was the Eastern Campaign, an' the big star here I got for subduin' a stoat uprisin'. Hah, made those blighters jump I can tell yeh! See these colored bars? Earned 'em for wallopin' weasels up north. This here special silver shield was for biffin' the daylights out of a snake, most arrogant adder I ever met, a real boundah! Now, about this golden crescent with a ferret straddlin' it..."

The young leveret Runtwold whispered to Mariel and Dandin, "Good ol* Uncle Mel. We're his nephews, y'know. He makes all those medals an' awards 'em to himself, but only when he thoroughly earns 'em. The old fellah's a top-hole warrior an' a real toff!"

Furpp gestured in the direction of a hill to the west. "Burr, c'n oi offer ee guddbeasts summ afreshment, b'aint much, tho' you'm be welc.u.mm t'moi dwellin' t* share et."

Meldrum donned his hat and, pulling his ears through the holes, he signaled his squad into line. "Refreshments! I say, that's rather civil of you, old molechap. Bib'n'tuck-er's me favorite exercise. Lead on!"

Furpp's dwelling was actually a hill, hollowed out and sh.o.r.ed up with rock and timber, dark and cool after the 68.

hot noon sun. An entire mole colony lived there. Furpp was obviously the tribal patriarch. He gave them drinking bowls, br.i.m.m.i.n.g with a cold cordial of pennycloud and wild barley sweetened with honey. The leveret squad- Runtwold, Coltvine, Thurdale, and Foghill-drank deeply, shuffling with antic.i.p.ation as they watched wood platters being piled high with cold sliced deeper'n'ever pie, garnished with hogweed and dandelion salad dressed with crowfoot and garlic mustard. Meldrum the Magnificent shifted huge quant.i.ties as he planned his next decoration. "Hmm, two rats slain an' about sixteen vanquished. Lemme see. I think maybe two small silver rats, rampant over a black ribbon with sixteen yellow stripes should fill the bill. Foghill, pour some of that cordial for my chum Bowly."

The young hare saluted casually. "Right ho, Uncle Mel!"

The Field Marshal's ears shot up stiffly. "Improper form, sah. You're on a fizzer, young Foghill! I charge you with addressin' a superior offisah as uncle. Penalty, polish all me medals before y'bunk down tonight! You know the regulations, laddie buck: I'm either Sir, or Field Marshal, or Meldrum the Magnificent. Next one I catch callin' me Uncle Mel or Nunky, I'll have his ears for breakfast an' his tail for tea. That clear, squad? Good, as y'were. Carry on victuallin' up!"

There were so many moles introduced to the visitors that they soon gave up trying to remember names. The dwelling was very homey, and every comfort was lavished upon them. Furpp invited the rescuers to stay for the night and they gladly accepted, though later Mariel 6g slightly regretted her decision. Every nook and cranny of the dwelling, throughout its various side chambers and alcoves, was packed with mult.i.tudes of sleeping moles. They snored and snuffled, sleepwalked, and some of them even argued or sang in their slumbers. The dwelling became oppressively close. Mariel and Dandin, stepping carefully over the sleepers, made their way outside to sleep in the fresh air.

They strolled around the hill, noticing how the dwelling entrance was carefully concealed between a large rock and some thick brush. The gentle breezes constantly shifted the dry sand and smoothed over any traces of paw-prints leading to Furpp's home. They came upon Furpp and Meldrum lounging outside, they too having deserted the packed chambers for the soft, starred outdoors. The four sat down in the warm sand, discussing the day's events in low tones. Meldrum had already been apprised of the situation by Furpp, and he was not happy.

"Too many of those confounded rats in Southsward now. I got back from me campaignin' an' travelin' too late; the bally place is swarmin' with 'em. That lot today aren't the only ones I've run into; I've seen patrols everywhere. Now Furpp tells me that me old friends Gael Squirrelking an' his good ladywife had the very throne pulled out from under 'em by invaders an' villains. Couple of foxbeasts, I hear. One's said to be half wolf. Tchah! The ruffian'll be half dead if he ever crosses my trail. Actually, I was on me way to Castle Floret with the squad when I b.u.mped into you chaps. What d'ye say, care to join us?"

Mariel exchanged a grim nod with Dandin before answering, "We're with you! After what we saw today of 7o .

those filthy rats, Dandin and I are game for anything that will rid the land of them and their evil kind!"

"B'aint that easy, zurrs," said Furpp Straightfurrer, shaking his head.' 'You'm oanly see'd but a few of Foxen-wolfer's 'orde. Gurt boatloads of ee vurmints came to this land, more'n ee leaves in autumn winds. Ho urr, they'm be too aplenty furr the loikes of us' n' s to cope wi'."

Meldrum the Magnificent sniffed as he twirled his waxed mustachios. "Balderdash! Quality counts, old la

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"Not so hasty, Meldrum," Dandin spoke up on Furpp's side. "Dashing deeds and dead heroes would be a sad fact in the face of a horde such as our friend Furpp described. Mayhap we should be a bit careful and take a closer look before rushing madly in."

"Indeed!" Meldrum said, wiggling his ears huffily. "Took the very words out o' me mouth, young feller. Proceed with extreme caution, then wallop 'em when the time's ripe, that's what I always say!"

Mariel could see Meldrum was in a touchy mood. She ended the meeting by yawning and stretching. "I suggest we sleep on it; we're all tired and need a rest."

Meldrum loosened his tunic b.u.t.tons. "Of course, tucker first, shuteye next, then action! Eat, sleep 'n' fight in that order, always been me motto. Glad I thought of it, wot?"

Suppressing a giggle, Mariel lay down saying, "I don't know where we'd be without your wise counsel, sir."

Meldrum peered hard at her in the darkness. "Tell you somethin' else, missie. Better off sleepin' out here under 71 the stars, wot? Dreadful fellers for snorin' these motes, an' those young neph, er, troops of mine, sound like a pack of hogs in a truffle patch. Advise beddin' down outside, earth for y'bed, sky for a blanket an' all that. Capital stuff!"

Dandin yawned and closed his eyes. "We'll take your word for it, Meldrum."

The old hare hit the ground with a resounding thud, nestling his head into a gra.s.s tussock. "Sensible creature, I can see we're goin' to get on well t'gether. G'night, chaps!"

He was instantly asleep. After suffering an hour of his stentorian snores, Mariel, Dandin, and Furpp crept around to the other side of the hill. The old mole stuffed gra.s.s into his ears as he commented, "Hurr, oi c'n 'ear Meldum a snoren from yurr, ee could win a gurt fat medal ftirr snorin', that'n be a champiun, burr aye!"

Dandin drifted off to sleep, wondering how his old friend Saxtus was coping as Abbot of Redwall, and his companions, Durry, Rufe, and the other good Abbey comrades, Mother Mellus and Simeon. Were they still well and happy, enjoying a long, peaceful Mossflower summer? A wave of longing for his old home swept over him. What was he doing here, four seasons away from the Abbey he had been brought up in, going off to fight some other beasts' war? Then he thought of Mariel, the truest mousemaid he had ever stood alongside, through thick and thin over many adventures, trekking, eating, thinking, and fighting together in all manner of strange places, making new friends and fighting many enemies.

A smile pa.s.sed across the face of the sleeping mouse warrior. This was the life; he would not have had it any other way.

Candles cast their warm flickering glow over the tables, sending long shadows into the comers of Great Hall. Father Abbot Saxtus dipped his quill pen in the ink; a long bark parchment lay on the table before him. Though the night was late, his duties as Recorder were required. Every Redwaller sat silent, the food at table forgotten, as Joseph the Bellmaker stood to relate his dream of the previous night. The words sprang unbidden to his lips.

"All day I have been struggling to recall the message Martin the Warrior gave to me as I slept, but I could remember nothing until now. So, friends, I will tell you about the dream as it happened.

"Martin guided my mind through a far country. It looked peaceful and warm, but 1 could feel fear, the fear of the creatures who live there. I also felt the presence of evil, a shadow loomed, like that of a big animal, a large fox maybe, or even a wolf! Then I heard Martin speak.

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75.

'Birds of cloth that fly o'er water, Guide trees of the forest through the sea, Where a snake begins, find thy daughter, Go now, turn thou, due to my plea.' "

Joseph paused. The only sound to be heard was the scratch of Saxtus's pen, who then said, "Thank you, Joseph, I've got that. Is there more?"

continued to narrate what he had dreamed. "Oh yes, there is much more. Martin faded from my mind and I saw Mariel and Dandin, as clear as I can see you, my friends. They were repeating a verse together.

'Five will ride the Roaringburn, But only four will e'er return. Urgan sits in Gael's Royal House, Warriormaid and Warriormouse, Say hasten, and give aid.' "

Immediately a murmur arose from the a.s.sembled Red-wallers.

' 'Five are to go. Which five?''

"The rhyme never said?"

"Aye, but only four will come back; that's what he said!"

Simeon's stick rapped the tabletop sharply. "Silence, please, friends!" he said. "You must wait until Joseph has finished speaking."

bowed slightly to the blind Herbalist. "Thank you, Simeon. I have not much more to say now. My dream ended with many images, swirling water, flames, the sounds of battle, and above all the voice of Martin calling aloud: 'Bellringer who'd love to stay, Go! With cellarhog, I say, Laughing flow'r with eye of hawk, Digger who would rather walk, Fathermouse with beard of gray, Five from Redwall go, away!' "

Saxtus stopped writing and looked over his spectacles. "There! I feel that you have finished, Bellmaker?"

"I can remember no more, Father Abbot!" said Joseph as he took his seat. He looked tired.

Tarquin L. Woodsorrel loaded up his platter with salad and a mushroom turnover, then, pouring himself a beaker of October ale, he smiled brightly and said, "Righty ho! Well done, sir! Now let's get down to solving the mystery an' unravelin' those riddles, wot?"

Mother Mellus shook her grizzled head. "You'd stay

up all night as long as there was food on the table, wouldn't you?"

"Mmf snnch glomff, 'scuse me!" the gluttonous hare spoke around a mouthful of food. "An1 what's wrong [* with that, may I ask? Chap needs his nosebag y'know!"

Sister Sage wagged a reproving paw at him. "Can't you see Joseph is tired? Father Abbot, too? No consid-ieration for otherbeasts, that's your trouble!"

Simeon could not help smiling as he tapped gently on ie table with his stick. "Now now, I think we are all tired; the hour grows late. Perhaps it would be best if we slept on Joseph's words."

t.

R".

76.

"Wise counsel, my friend," said Saxtus, seconding Simeon's suggestion. "Tomorrow our minds will be refreshed, when we have had rest and time to think."

The Redwallers rose from their seats in a body, all save Tarquin, who carried on with his extended dinner. His wife, the Hon Rosie, ruffled his ears fondly. "You carry on, old lad; save a lot of clearing up, wot?"

Tarquin rescued the remains of a heavy fruitcake. "Thank you, m'dear. Beautiful and jolly understandin' too-made a wise decision when I chose you. Snch grmff mmm! Must've had a good meal before I met you, eh!"

Rosie allowed Simeon to lean on her paw as they went upstairs to the dormitories. "That's my Tarkers for you, always payin' me compliments," she said. "Er, that was a compliment, wasn't it?"

Dawn was up and a beaming sun was drying the dew from lawn and orchard. It promised the Abbey dwellers another fine, long summer day. Breakfast was a picnic affair, set out on the west wall steps by the main gate. Brother Fingle and Durry Quill set hot apple scones and cool mint tea on the gra.s.s at the foot of the steps. Sister Sage and Brother Mallen wheeled a trolley up the path, its small log wheels almost buckling under the weight of bowls piled with fresh fruit salad. They were surrounded by whooping Dibbuns. Sage waved a ladle threatening the little invaders, and they dodged around, grabbing a slice of the freshly cut fruit whenever a chance presented itself. Mother Mellus intervened. "Get out of it, you scamps! Listen, if you all go up on the wall and guard the battlements, I'll have breakfast sent up to you. How does that sound?"

77.

A mousebabe thought for a moment, narrowing his eyes fiercely as he weighed the proposition. "Wanna lotta brekkist; it be 'ard work up there!"

A deal was struck and the Dibbuns fled, yelling war-cries, to the west walltop. Brother Mallen shook with laughter. "Guard the wall? Hahaha! They'd have to get ladders to see over the battlements!"

Saxtus sat on the gra.s.s with his back to the wall, noting the excited faces of those around him.

"Well, good morning, Redwallers. I see that some of you have already solved a puzzle or two. No doubt you may know the names of the five whom Martin chose."

Durry Quill came dashing up and, throwing himself flat, he kicked all four paws in the air. "Me! Me! I'm the cellarhog in the rhyme. I'm goin'!"

Joseph merely smiled and shrugged. "Me, too, unless there's another Fathermouse with beard of gray in our Abbey."

Mellus ambled up and sat beside him. "n.o.beast has more right to go than you, Beilmaker. Your daughter is one of the two all the fuss is about," she said. "I only wish I were spry and young enough to go with you; I'd seek out Dandin. I brought that young rogue up from the time he was a Dibbun. Huh, I'd still scrub his ears if he were here today. Rufe Brush, what's wrong?" Mellus had been watching the young squirrel closely.

Rufe blinked back a tear which was threatening to fall. " 'Bellringer who'd love to stay'-couldn't be n.o.beast but me, could it? I've never been outside of Redwall, really, don't want to either. The Abbey's my home, an' I love it here."

Durry threw a comforting paw around his friend.

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"Cheer up, Rufey. It'll be a great adventure. I've been on adventures before, you'll enjoy it. I'm your matey, ain't I? We'll stick together, me'n you. Rufe 'n' Durry, Durry 'n* Rufe, eh!"

The young squirrel scrubbed a paw across his eyes and sat close to Durry. "And we'll come back home to Red-wall together, too!"

Mellus turned her attentions to Foremole. He was shaking his velvety head to and fro, murmuring to himself, "Ho urr, lack a day, zurr Marthen ee said oi'm t'go."

Joseph looked with surprise at the mole. "Of course! Digger who would rather walk-that's you!"