Midge laughed along with him, urging Bluggach to drink some more. "Bein' magic ain't as good as bein' a Rapmark Cap'n like you, sir."

236.

The stoat warmed to the tattered Seer. Throwing a paw about him, he said, "Ho, ain't it though? I tell yer, matey, sometimes I wish I c'd magic some discipline inter this lot. Lookit those two, snorin' like weasels at a weddin', an' they're supposed t'be on guard! But tell me more about yore magic. Y'know wot I like, haharr, I likes beasts like yerself who know clever riddles. Go on, do a riddle fer me. 'Tis ages since I 'eard a good 'un."

Midge tapped a dirty paw against his stained teeth. "Hmm, a riddle, now lemme see... Ah, 'ere's a riddle fer ye. Wot goes gurgle gurgle snuffle trickle blubber ripple scrawf scrawf? D'yer know the answer to that one, Cap'n?"

Bluggach took another good pull at the grog and sat down, narrowing one eye and scratching his head. Midge beckoned Tammo silently, and together they began moving away. The stoat Captain drank some more, halting them with an unsteady wave.

"Er, burgle sniffle truckle sprawl, wot goes like that? Hah! That's a good 'un, mate. I dunno, tell me the answer."

Midge pointed at the two sentries sleeping by the fire at the water's edge. "There's yore answer, Cap'n. Two fat lazy guards sleepin* their 'eads off by a stream all night. C'mon, Burfal, time we was goin1."

They departed as the joke's punch line dawned on Bluggach, and made their way back to the shelter and their own fire with the stoat Captain's laughter ringing out behind them.

"Oh harrharrhair, that's a good 'un, hohohoho! Wake up, you two, an* lissen t'this. Harrharrhohoho! Wot goes grungle snirtle, worf worf an' sleeps like youse two by the stream all night? Yarrharrhahaha! Betcha don't know the answer, do yer?"

Sitting beside their own fire, the two hares discussed their plans.

"If Rockjaw gets a message from the Major tomorrow, we'll be able to quit this place once I've worked more of my magic on Warfang."

Gathering his rags about him, Tammo lay back to rest. "Aye, but we'd best wait until late night to make our escape. That'll be a good time to break Fourdun out, too-we can't 237 leave him there for the vermin to starve an' torment, he must go with us."

Midge smiled at the determination on his young friend's face. "Of course Fourdun's goin' with us, wouldn't have it any other way, Tamm. But it ain't goin' to be easy, by the left it ain't!"

By mid-morning of the following day, Rockjaw Grang had shifted his hiding place. Moving farther downhill, he settled himself in a dip, surrounded by rock and bushes. Not knowing how long it would be before he could once more sample the good food of Redwall, the giant hare ate sparingly. Munching on a russet apple, he checked his weapons. He laid out his heavy arrows and counted them, then rubbed beeswax on the stout string of his great yew bow. Rockjaw tested his sling, refilled the pebble bag, and set himself to honing a long dagger .on a smooth stone.

Taunoc appeared beside him suddenly. Without raising an eye, the big fellow continued whetting his blade, commenting drily, "Sithee, bird, where'st thou been? Much longer sittin' 'ere alone an' I'd be talkin' to mahself!"

The little owl folded his wings rather moodily. "Continue with that att.i.tude and you will be talking to yourself, sir! My late arrival was due entirely to the tardiness of your own compatriots. However, I am not here to bandy words with you. I bring important news, so listen carefully."

Lady Cregga Rose Eyes was lost in strange country. She had plunged forward in the darkness, driven by the Bloodwrath, running all night until she could go no farther. Now, with her ma.s.sive axpike clutched in both paws, the Badger Warrior lay amid the ferned fringe of an ash grove. She slept a fevered sleep, shivering, with her tongue lolling out and eyes half open, but unseeing.

From the grove, a colony of rooks watched, hoping the badger was so ill that she would soon be weak and dying. A young rook made as if to hop forward, but the leader, a hefty older male, buffeted him flat with a single wingsweep.

"Chakkarakk! We wait, take no chances with a stripedog.

238 When the sun sets we will fall on that one. Never have we tasted stripedog; there will be plenty there for all!"

had risen at dawn. Picking up Sergeant Club-rush's trail, they pressed forward on the double. The Drill Sergeant was sitting cooling his paws in a brook. He watched them approach, gnawing his lip in disappointment. Ellbrig halted the column in front of Clubrush, who shook his head.

"Must be gettin' old lettin' 'er give me the blinkin' slip. I lost Lady Cregga's trail sometime in the night. But even if I 'adn't, what beast can keep up with a badger travelin' at 'er speed?"

"Sah, beg t'report," Trowbaggs called out from the back ranks. "Lady Cregga's tracks are here to the left, travelin' due west by the look of it!"

The veteran Shangle Widepad inspected the torn-up gra.s.s and scratched rocks. "Well spotted, young 'un. She's well off course, though."

Ctubrush limped slowly over to the spot. After a quick glance he gave his verdict to Ellbrig in an undertone.

"Bad news for us, Lance Corporal. Looks like the Blood-wrath's full on 'er. Take four with you an' find 'er. We'll wait 'ere."

Trowbaggs, Deodar, Furgale, and Fallow jogged in a line abreast with Ellbrig. In broad daylight the trail of Rose Eyes was clear: ripped-up moss, flattened bushes, and trampled heather all told the story of the badger's flight.

The irrepressible Trowbaggs chatted constantly as they forged on. "I say, looks like a flippin' herd o' badgers pa.s.sed this way, wot? This Bloodwrath thing, Corp-what's it all about?"

Ellbrig eyed the grinning recruit, about to tell him to mind his words, then he thought better of it. "You've as much right as the next beast t'know, I suppose. Bloodwrath is more a sickness than anythin', 'tis a terrible sight t'behold. I think 'tis mainly Badger Warriors suffer from it, though I 'ave 'card o' otherbeasts taken by the Bloodwrath. Imagine hatin' an enemy so much that even if he had ten thousand at his back, y'd charge at *im, aye, an' destroy many to get at 'im. They say 239 a beast taken in Bloodwrath can fight on, even though wounded almost to death. Aye, they battle on still, as if they was fresh as a daisy, slayin' anybeast that stands afore 'em. Red-eyed, full of the l.u.s.t for death, an' scornin' fear, that's Bloodwrath. Worst thing that c'n happen to a creature, I think!"

Trowbaggs was subdued by the Corporal's statement, but only for a moment. He nudged Furgale, saying, "Hard luck on the foebeast, I'd say, but blinkin' useful to have a hefty dash o' the Bloodwrath on our side. Wot, wot!"

In the late afternoon, Ellbrig stopped to scan the weaving, meandering trail. "Hmm, the fires appear t'be dyin' down. These tracks are all over the place, w.i.l.l.y nilly. She can't be far ahead."

Fallow pointed to the distant ash grove, set in a vale between three low-lying hills. "I'll wager we find her there, 'tis where I'd make for if I was tired'n'weary. What d'you think, Corp?"

"Aye, I'd say you made a good bet. Let's get a move on. I think there's big birds flyin' low over that way."

They increased the pace. Drawing closer to the grove, Ellbrig put on extra speed, roaring out an order. "Out slings, it's rooks, they're attackin' somethin'!"

Yelling Eulalias and loosing off stones, the five hares leaped to the fray. Shrieking harshly, the rooks fled from their prey in a dark flapping ma.s.s, beating at one another with wing and talon in an effort to regain the safety of their grove.

A few bold ones remained, sticking out their necks and menacing the hares with their pointed beaks. Charging into the ferns, Ellbrig and his companions battered at the birds with loaded slings. Several rooks were slain before the birds finally fled.

Cregga Rose Eyes was surrounded by dead and dying birds. The big badger was ripped and pecked in a dozen places. Using her axpike for support, she staggered from the fems with the hares a.s.sisting her. Ellbrig watched her carefully as she drank from a small canteen he had brought along, and he noted that her face was calm and her eyes had returned to their normal rose pink.

"Sar'nt Clubrush sent us, said you'd lost y'way, marm."

240 Cregga looked slightly bewildered. Wiping a heavy paw across her eyes, she blinked at the Lance Corporal. "Lost? Yes, I suppose I was, in a way. Where are all the others?"

Ellbrig pointed in the direction they had come from. "Nearly a full day's march back that way, marm. Can y'make it?"

The badger set out slowly, her head bowed wearily. "Yes yes, you carry on, Corporal. I'll be fine."

Drill Sergeant Clubrush sat finishing a fine supper of forager's stew, washed down with some good mountain cider. He wiped his platter with a chunk of rye bread.

"By the furV feather, that was a better meal than I ever knocked together in my recruit days. Top marks to you'n' yore crew, young Algador, there's hope for ye yet!"

As Algador saluted he cast a quick glance to the huge form of Lady Cregga, fast asleep on a pile of groundsheets by the fire. "Thanks, Sarge. Will we be movin' out at dawn?"

Clubrush continued wiping his already clean platter. "Y'move when I say, laddie buck, an' I move when she says. Though the seasons only knows when Lady Cregga'll waken. She looked fair done in. Thank the fates that she's normal agin."

Rinkul was festering with hatred for the ragged pair of mystics who had entered the Rapscallion camp. He garnered a dozen of his cronies about him and issued secret orders. "Let me know every move that pair make, see. An' the dumb one, keep a keen eye on 'im, 'specially once it gits dark!"

Tarnmo managed to give Rinkul's cronies the slip. He slid off at twilight, while the hillside camp was still teeming with Rapscallions going about the business of cooking, fishing, and foraging for supper.

Rockjaw Grang was awaiting his arrival. He fed the young hare from the last of his supplies and pa.s.sed on the information Taunoc had vouchsafed to him. Getting back was more difficult. Tammo could see Rinkul and his band searching for him as he peered over the hilltop. There was only one thing for it. Keeping bent double, Tammo shuffled into the camp, trying hard to look inconspicuous. He was doing fine until a heavy paw descended upon his shoulder. It belonged to the big, slow-witted rat Lousewort.

"Er, er, tell me a funny riddle like you toF Cap'n Blug-gach."

241.

242 His companion Sneezewort shook his head in disgust. "Oh, belt up, seedbrain, that 'un can't talk-that's the dumb 'un!"

Lousewort was not convinced. "But he's magic like the otherbeast. Maybe he kin put a spell on hisself so that 'is voice comes back!"

Lousewort's voice was so loud that he attracted the attention of Rinkul and his gang. Immediately they spotted Tammo and began making their way toward him. The young hare acted quickly. Moaning and uttering dreadful croaking sounds, he waved his paws wildly at Lousewort and Sneezewort. Unsure of what the ragged creature was about, the two rats backed off nervously. Rinkul and his vermin tried to shove past them and seize Tammo, but he pushed Sneezewort and Lousewort into them and ran off. Extricating themselves from the tangle, Rinkul and two others gave chase.

Tammo threw himself into the shelter, where Midge was waiting. He barely had time to gasp out the information when Rinkul appeared. Ducking his head under the canvas awning, the ferret drew an ugly-looking blade.

" 'Tis time ter settle up wid you two ragbags!"

Midge gave an evil cackle and raised his paws dramatically. "Beware o' my magical powers, fool. Raise that blade at me an' I'll turn yer into a toad, right where y'stand!"

Sneeringly, Rinkul began raising the blade. Midge also raised his paws higher, threatening his adversary. "Don't say I didn't warn ye. Snakeblood an' lightnin' come strike this abode, an' turn yonder ferret into a fat toa-"

"What's going on here?"

At the sound of Damug Warfang's voice, Rinkul swiftly sheathed his blade. Lowering his eyes humbly, he shrugged and said, "Just a bit o' fun, Sire. The ragged one was gonna show me'n'my mates a few spells an' tricks."

Damug strode between them, eyeing Rinkul suspiciously. "Get out of here and leave these creatures alone!"

Rinkul and the other two vermin bowed and hurried off, relieved that the Firstblade had not sensed their intentions. Damug bade the two hares to be seated. He stared at Midge for some time, then asked, "Could you have turned Rinkul into a toad?"

c.o.c.king his head to one side, Midge returned the stare 243 boldly. "That's my business, Warlord. Now I'm really goin' to show yer some magic. D'you want to know where t'meet me Redwallers?"

Damug leaned forward eagerly. "Aha! Your voices have spoken-to you, Seer! Tell me!"

Midge shook his head knowingly. "Not so fast, Damug Warfang. Answer my questions an' you'll find that you already know, the information'11 come out by itself."

For the first time, Damug looked puzzled. "You speak in riddles, Miggo. What do you mean?''

"Be silent, an' speak only when I ask you a question!"

Tammo was as mystified as Damug. He feared that Midge had gone too far with their dangerous game. But as he listened, Tammo was surprised by his friend's skills.

Midge tapped the patch that covered his eye. "Tell me, Firstblade, 'ow many good eyes 'ave you'n'I got between us?"

The Greatrat answered without hesitation "Three."

Midge cackled knowingly. "Haharrharr! You said it. Three! That's the time you'll meet those Redwallers, three days from now!"

Damug's voice quivered with excitement. "What are their numbers-how many will they be, Seer?"

Midge Manycoats eyed him scornfully. "What if they 'ad twice yore number? Redwallers are peaceful creatures, they toil at growin' things in earth. Yore a Warlord wid a thousand at yer back, all warriors. But 'earken t'me, Damug, if we're talkin' in hundreds, then three is still yer lucky number."

Damug thought about this a moment, then grinned wickedly. "Three hundred peace-loving beasts!"

Midge nodded. "You said it, Warfang, an' 'tis little use lyin' to yerself. Wot's three 'undred farmers agin a thousand soldiers?''

Damug drew his sword, pointing it at Midge. "If there's only three hundred, then why can't I just march on Redwall Abbey and take it, tell me that?"

Midge brushed aside the swordpoint contemptuously. "Go if ye will, fight 'em there! Wreck the place, smash it, burn Redwall t'the ground. What'll ye have then, mighty one? Go on, you tell me that!"

244 Sullenly the Warlord sheathed his weapon. "Mayhaps you are right, it is difficult to control a thousand when they sense plunder in battle. So, where is the place to be?"

Squatting by the fire, Midge tossed in a pawful of salt. Blue flames rose from it. "Beneath a blue sky west o' here lies a valley. I see a hill with a rock like an otter's tail atop of it, and three 'undred standin* by, waitin' for yore blades to bring 'em death. Now I see yore father, Gormad Tunn, tellin' you t'make the Rapscallions great again. Keep the rift at yore back, my son, that's wot 'e says, keep the rift at yore back!"

The blue flames from the salt died down, and Midge shrugged. "That's all, I see no more."

Damug continued staring into the fire. "So why should the whole of Redwall be waiting for us in this field?"

Midge smiled. "Think, great one. The Redwallers have friends throughout Mossflower. They have been informed that a great army is gathering to attack. They will not risk allowing you to reach their sacred gates. Tomorrow they will hold a Council of War, this I have seen. The quickest route to Red-wait is through that field. The next day they will decide upon an ambush there. The third day they will set forth. All this I have seen."

Damug sneered. "Well, what's to stop us taking Redwall when the fools are all away playing soldiers in this field?"

Midge toyed with his cap while he rapidly thought of an answer. "Think again," he said finally. "You are destined for complete victory, to be the unchallenged ruler of all Moss-flower. Do you really want to deal with bands of insurgents, resistance fighters who know these woods better than their own right paws? No! Better to slay and take prisoners for slaves to serve you and your great army. True victory only comes through conquest, great Lord!"

Convinced at last, the Greatrat recounted the information. ' 'Three days from now I will face the Redwallers west of here. They will be on a hilltop; I must keep the rift at my back. What does my father mean-keep the rift at my back?"

Midge closed his eyes, as if exhausted. "I can't tell yer, that's all I know."

"Hmm," Damug grunted. "Well, I will field a thousand, 245 but the Redwall creatures number only three hundred. Are you sure you can tell me no more, Seer?''

Midge shook his head several times. "Nothin' except a certain victory for you an' yore army."

Damug strode to the entrance of the dwelling and summoned two guards; then he turned to Tammo and Midge. "So be it. Pray to the fates that you have seen truly. These two guards will watch you and never leave your side until Redwall is mine. If you have tried to play me false, I will have you both skinned, roasted, and fed to my army."

He fixed the two guards with a cold stare. ' 'If either of you let these two out of your sight for a moment, I will make you curse the day you were born. Is that clear?''

Sneezewort and Lousewort (whose turn it had been to stand guard duty) bobbed their heads vigorously as they croaked, " 'Er, er, yes Sire!"

Immediately after Damug had left, the two rats leveled the heavy guard spears they had been issued with at Tammo and Midge. "Sit still an' don't bat an eyelid, you two, or yer dead-beasts!"

The two hares sat with spearpoints almost touching their throats, knowing that the nervous rats were capable of anything in their highly strung state. Tammo stared beyond them. Outside he could see Rinkul and his gang lurking. In a barely audible whisper, he said to Midge, ' Touch an' go, old chap, wot?"

Midge blinked his eyes in agreement. The situation was extremely dangerous. If they escaped the guards it would be like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. Yet they had to escape and take Fourdun with them before dawn, when the Rapscallion army would break camp and march west.

"Time t'put the old thinkin' caps on, bucko!" he murmured back to his friend.

Spitting pebbles and dust, Foremole Diggum worked furiously in the darkness. When the tunnel collapsed, he had been thrown partially clear, but he was trapped below the waist by the mountain of debris that stretched from floor to ceiling. The mole's powerful digging claws tore at the rubble, showering stone and mortar either side until he pulled himself free. His head struck the lantern; it had gone out. Grabbing the cover off, Foremole blew gently on the smouldering wick, and a spark showed. Slowly he coaxed the flame back to life.

"Ahoy there, mate, move aside, I'm comin' down!" Shad the otter emerged from the top of the pile and slithered carefully over the slope of the cave-in, favoring his injured paw. "C'mon, let's git diggin' fer the others!"

Glittering pieces of booty sparkled in the lantern light. Shad seized a heavy gold platter and, using it as a scoop, he attacked the pile.

Foremole dug alongside him, calling out, "Whurr are ee, you'm gennelbeasts? Call out naow!"

A m.u.f.fled but urgent cry came back at them from inside 246.