The grey seal threw back his head and honked mournfully. "Kuhoo umhoon kahooka, mowwwwwwwww!"

Raura sniffed in agreement with Slippo. "Aye, that's the young 'uns of these seasons for ye. Runnin' off from 'ome widout a second thought for their parents. Now me, I never 'ad young 'uns, but if'n I 'ad, well, I wager they wouldn't go skippin' off an' leavin' me, eh?"

Slippo smiled from ear to ear. "Kuurhaaam oooh ko-honkahhh!"

The sea otterwife smiled back at her friend. "Yore right, mate, I would bring 'em back an' skelp the tails offen em. Come on, let's go in an' get some shuteye."

Breakfast next morning was an uncomfortable affair, with the three travellers avoiding their host's accusing gaze. Raura commented drily, "I've filled up yore bags with vit-tles for the trip."

Scarum kept his eyes fixed on the meal. "Terribly decent of ye, marm, a thousand thanks from us."

She busied herself raking ashes from the fire. "No need t'thank me, I'd do as much fer anybeast. Weather's cleared up out there, 'tis a prime day. There's plenty o' vittles to get ye back 'ome, if'n youse was thinkin' to sail that way. The goin' is easier, too, if'n ye travel south."

Kroova rose, dusting crumbs from his paws. "If 'tis all the same with you, marm, we was figurin' on goin' to find Redwall Abbey, 'cos that's where we're bound."

Raura pa.s.sed her little harp to Slippo, smiling at them in a fond, motherly way. "There's no great rush t'get to Red-wall, as I sees it. Why don't ye stop until lunch? I'll make us a nice apple an' whortleberry pudden an' sing ye a few old songs. I've remembered a few my ma used t'sing. There's one called 'A Mother's 'Eart Is Made o' Gold/ aye, an' another ditty called T'd Give the World fer a Slice o' Mamma's Nutbread.' Then there's the one about a mother's tear bein' like a pearl o' grief..."

Sagax grabbed the foodpacks. All three travelers were closely jammed as they fought to get through the cave doorway. "No, thankee, marm, you've done quite enough for us!"

"Aye, we'll miss the tide if we don't go now, we wouldn't dream of imposing on your hospitality any further, marm!"

"Sorry we've got to jolly well go, marm, er, toodle pip an' all that, wot. Bye bye now, got to tear ourselves away!"

Piling hastily into the Stopdog, Stopdog, they sailed off down the narrow rocky pa.s.sage, fending off the stony walls with their oars. Only when the bright morning and the open sea lay before them did they chance to look back. Raura was standing on top of the rocks, singing at the top of her voice as Slippo tw.a.n.ged the harp for her. they sailed off down the narrow rocky pa.s.sage, fending off the stony walls with their oars. Only when the bright morning and the open sea lay before them did they chance to look back. Raura was standing on top of the rocks, singing at the top of her voice as Slippo tw.a.n.ged the harp for her.

"Though she is wrinkled, grey and old, A mother's heart is made of gold, And her smile is like a quiet sunny day, So hearken to my lonely song, Don't stay away from home too long, There's nothing crueller than a runaway."

A tear was springing to Kroova's eye as he put on all sail and pa.s.sed around chunks of laverbread. "Stuff this in yore ears, shipmates, afore we ends up blubberin' an' puttin' about to sail 'ome!"

By early noon the Stopdog Stopdog was well out at sea, with the coastline a mere smudge of dark strip on the horizon. Sagax and Scarum were sitting atop the bow seat, their happy, carefree mood now restored. was well out at sea, with the coastline a mere smudge of dark strip on the horizon. Sagax and Scarum were sitting atop the bow seat, their happy, carefree mood now restored.

"Haha, imagine us wailing like babes just because we're taking a short holiday from Salamandastron!"

"Rather! Did you see old Kroova? He was cryin' buckets, an' the silly great seadog hasn't even got a home t'go to, wot. Look at him, sittin' there fast asleep at the tiller, snorin' like a toad with a toothache. Hawhawhaw!"

Scarum rolled a pellet of laverbread and flicked it at the sea otter. It pinged him neatly on the nose. Kroova wakened with a start and blinked at them.

"Ho, very funny, mateys, pingin' me nose an' wettin' me footpaws, aye. Very funny, I must say!"

Scarum flicked another pellet and missed. "Bit of an unjust accusation there, old lad. I pinged your nose, but neither of us wet your flippin' footpaws, wot!"

Kroova diverted his gaze to the water slopping round in the bottom of the ketch. Dismay crept across his features. "Must've banged 'er prow a bit 'ard on those rocks when we came down the channel from Raura's cave."

Scarum grinned mischievously as he rolled another pellet. "Y'don't say, me old scout. Nothin' too serious, is it, wot?"

Kroova turned the tiller, sending the vessel sh.o.r.eward. "Serious? You two shift yoreselves an' git bailin'. It means we've sprung a leak an' we're sinkin'!"

BOOK TWO.

Of Serpents and Paradoxes

15.

Plugg Firetail sat studying the chart in his cabin aboard the Seascab, Seascab, while Grubbage poured him a beaker of seaweed grog. "Put that over 'ere, where it won't spill all over this chart. Tis the only one we've got wot shows the route." while Grubbage poured him a beaker of seaweed grog. "Put that over 'ere, where it won't spill all over this chart. Tis the only one we've got wot shows the route."

Tazzin, the knife-throwing weasel, was hovering close by. She relieved Grubbage of the beaker and set it down carefully before she spoke. "Cap'n, beggin' yer pardon, but when do we do away wid the Princess an' that fatbel-lied Prince?"

Plugg gave her a smack that set her sprawling. "Y'ain't been lissenin', Tazzin, yore like the rest o' the numbskulls I've got fer a crew. Now 'earken t'me, an' you, Grubbage, you, too, Slitfang. Clean the mud outta yore ears an' pay attention. Right, 'ere's the plan. We don't kill n.o.beast until this ship's 'omeward bound fer Riftgard. Agarnu promised me booty twice the value of anythin' wot's brought back from this Mossflower place."

Slitfang poured himself a beaker of Plugg's best grog. "Oh did 'e now, an' wot are we supposed t'be bringin' back?"

Plugg sneered. "Ole King Sarengo, or 'is bones if'n he's dead, an' a golden crown an' a pawring. But I ain't as green as I'm gra.s.s lookin'there's got t'be more to it than that, mates! So let's not git too 'asty. We goes along wid everything make 'em think they're in charge, even that bossy Cap'n Riftun. Now, when we're comin' back from Mossflower, we gets rid of 'im an' that score o' Ratguards 'e brought with 'im, accidental-like."

Tazzin sn.i.g.g.e.red and licked at her knifeblade.

"Heeheehee, I likes the sound o' that, Cap'n darlin'. Could I be the one who makes Riftun 'ave an accident?"

Plugg nodded. "Aye, when the time comes, but not afore then. When we reaches Riftgard, we delivers Kurda an' Bladd back to their daddy, old Agarnu. Of course, Agarnu gives us our reward then, twice the booty we brought back. Now, 'ere's the nice part. We slays Kurda, Bladd an' Agarnu, all three of 'em. We takes the reward an' wotever they brought back, be it crowns or pawrings or a good haul o' treasure. Simple! We ends up wid the kingdom o' Riftgard, a lot o' booty, a throne fer me to sit on, an' all those liddle slaves to build us a big fleet o' ships. You lot can all be cap'ns!"

Slitfang grinned in admiration as he poured another drink. "Yore a Freebooter born, Cap'n, the slyest beast as ever walked a deck. I drink to ye!"

Plugg pointed his dagger toward the weasel. "Aye, an' you'll be the sorriest beast ever walked a deck, if'n you keeps 'elpin' yoreself to my grog. Now, that's the plan. 'Ave youse all got it in yore thick 'eads?"

Grubbage looked indignant. "Why 'ave we gotta take to our sickbeds, Cap'n?"

Plugg came from behind his table. Wordlessly he faced the deaf rat to the cabin door, pressing on the back of his head until he bent over. Taking a pace back, the Captain swung his seabooted footpaw and delivered a powerful kick to his bosun's bottom. Grubbage shot forward, whooping. At that moment the cabin door opened and he careered out.

Princess Kurda acted as if nothing odd had happened, as she strode in, sabre in paw, to face Plugg. "Vy you can't make dis ship go faster? You be free days out an' ve don't seem to be goink much far."

The silver fox regarded her sourly. "That's 'cos the ship'll only go as fast as the winds carry 'er, dearie. Or ain't ye ever been t'sea afore?"

Kurda did not like Plugg. She pointed the sabre at him. "I must catchen up mit der slaves who steal my boat. You vill make dis ship go faster. Dis is my vish an' my order!"

The Freebooter captain, ignoring the sabrepoint, grinned. "Ho right, ye 'igh royalness, I kin see yore used ter givin' orders. But I'm only an ordinary ship's cap'n, ye see. Why don't ye go up on deck? Go on, missy. Wave yore sword round an' give orders t'the wind an' waves. Yore a princess. The sea'n'weather'll 'ave to listen to you, ain't that right, mates? Haharrharrharr!"

Laughter froze on the crew's lips as Kurda, with a murderous glint turning her eyes from pink to ruby, levelled the sabre blade a hairsbreadth from Plugg's eye and hissed, "You are insolent, fox. Dis could make you lose de head, yarr?"

The Freebooter continued grinning, as he reached beneath the table and brought his big double-edged battle-axe into view. "That there's a pretty liddle sword ye've got, darlin'. We've all seen ye flourishin' it round, real fancy-like. Now, git it outta me face afore I show ye wot a Freebooter cap'n can do with a proper weapon!"

The grin had gone from the fox's face, and his eyes were narrowed, icy slits, matching Kurda's stare.

Bladd blundered into the cabin, breaking the tension as he complained aloud, "De bed in my cabin, it is too hard! I vant a nice soft von!"

Plugg's grin returned. He brushed past Kurda, knocking her sabre aside, and threw a paw around Bladd's shoulders.

"Ahoy there, Slitfang, git a nice soft mattress for me shipmate, the Prince 'ere. Wot are ye thinkin' of, eh? Let-tin' a royal ferret like 'im sleep on an 'ard bed?"

Slitfang was chuckling as he bowed mockingly to Bladd. ''Ho dearie me, wot a shame. You come wid old Slitty, yer royal princeness. We'll soon get ye a decent bunk!"

Kurda sheathed her sabre and stormed out of the cabin, followed by Slitfang and Bladd, who were chatting away like lifelong companions.

"You make sure it be nice an' soft, diss bedbunk, yarr?"

"Why, bless yore 'eart, matey, you'll think yore floatin' on a cloud o' feathers!"

"Diss iz good, you are der fine fellow. I am likin' you, Slitty You vill be mine shipmatey, yarr!"

As the cabin door closed behind them, Plugg turned to Tazzin. "When the time comes, you steer clear o' Princess Kurda. She's mine, d'ye 'ear? All mine!"

With neither food nor water, the days at sea began to take their toll. Welfo had slipped into a deep sleep. She lay limp and unmoving on the bunk. Triss lay alongside the hog-maid, gaunt-faced and hollow-eyed, drifting in and out of listless slumber. Shogg sat draped across the tiller on the open deck, licking at cracked lips with a swollen tongue. He shaded a paw across his eyes, staring up at the beaming sun, which seemed to mock him out of a clear blue sky The otter croaked despairingly, "Rain, why don't ye! Rain, jus' a liddle shower!"

He fell asleep, his bowed head against the tiller, holding the vessel on course as his strength ebbed low.

Alone, like a leaf on an eternal breeze-ruffled pond, the little craft bobbed along aimlessly. With all hope gone, the three friends lay, overcome by weariness and starvation.

Triss was past caring. It might have been hours, days, or a full season that she languished in the cabin, alternately shivering and swearing. Then one day there was a soft radiance; the voice of that strange mouse warrior visited her clouded mind. She saw him advancing through a mist, carrying his splendid sword, calling to her. "Trisscar, Swordmaid, come with me, have no fear." He reached out to her. Triss held forth her paw to him.

b.u.mp! The ship struck something, knocking her out of the bunk onto the cabin deck. Her eyelids fluttered. She was barely aware of a large, rough, p.r.i.c.kly face filling her vision. The ship struck something, knocking her out of the bunk onto the cabin deck. Her eyelids fluttered. She was barely aware of a large, rough, p.r.i.c.kly face filling her vision.

"This 'un's in better shape than yon pore liddle 'ogmaid. Lend a paw 'ere, Urtica. Don't fret ye, missy, thou'rt safe."

Triss felt strong paws lifting her, then she pa.s.sed out.

Unaware that it was the following dawn, Shogg opened his eyes slowly and looked about him. He was no longer at sea on the ship! The ground was still and firm. He tried to sit up, but a gentle paw pushed him back.

"Lie thee still, riverdog, thou art with friends. Thou lookest hungered. Fear not, we will be breaking fast soon now."

The otter stared up into the face of an enormous but kindly-looking hogwife. He tried to talk, but his tongue was so swollen that only a husky noise came forth. Dipping a gourd ladle into a pail, the hogwife supported his head and fed him some water. It was the coolest, sweetest thing Shogg had ever tasted. She checked him from gulping it greedily.

"Nay, drink slow, 'tis not good taken fast. My name is Downyrose. My husband, Bistort, and our son Urtica found thy craft whilst we were gathering kelp. What is thy name?"

The otter's voice sounded strange to him as he spoke. "Name's Shogg, marm. Where are me mates, Triss an' Welfo?"

Downyrose allowed Shogg to sit up, leaning his back against a rock wall. "They be safe, worry not. Here, sip now, I must be about my ch.o.r.es."

Shogg took the gourd ladle and did as she instructed. Whilst drinking, he took stock of his surroundings.

He was seated on a ledge at the edge of a cave, over- looking a steep, terraced valley. It was like some huge inverted bowl, with high rocks surrounding the entire area. Other caves were dotted about the slopes. Families of hedgehogs could be seen, either breakfasting or tending the fertile green steppes. All manner of vegetables and fruit were flourishing in the soft, cool climate. A small waterfall threaded its way down the far slope, cascading over the rocky outcrops to end in a beautiful little forest situated on the valley bottom. One of the biggest hedgehogs Shogg had ever seen came ambling up to him. His facial quills were silvery and he wore a rustic brown farmer's smock.

Sitting down next to the otter, the big fellow proffered his paw. "A good morn to ye, sir. I be called Bistort, Patriarch of Peace Island. 'Tis a fair an' pleasant spot."

Shogg shook paws with Bistort. "Aye, mate, it is that. How long have ye lived 'ere?"

Bistort moved his great head back and forth solemnly "My clan an' kin have been here since the days of my parents. They sailed here seeking peace and contentment away from all strife, slavery and war. I was the firstborn here, and have never been away from this isle."

The young otter nodded admiringly. "Can't say I blame ye, Bistort. Do otherbeasts ever come to yore island?"

The big hedgehog winked. "Nay, never. Thou art the first. Look ye at this rock. Strange, is it not?"

Shogg inspected the rocks around him. They were a bluish-green colour. "Nice rocks, but what've they got t'do with it?"

Bistort spread his paws to the valley beneath. "Outside of all this, our island is practically invisible, a mere smooth-sided lump of stone sticking up out of the sea. Freebooters, corsairs and pirates have all sailed right by us. They see neither beach nor anchorage, so they think this nought but a big piece of stone, if they chance to sight it at all. Twas once a fire mountain, though no more. The soil is fertile, and we have only one hidden covethy ship lies moored there."

Shogg chuckled. "A secret island, eh. I want to thank ye for savin' our liveswe'd 'ave perished out there at sea. Me W Trissthat's the squirrelmaidwe was worried about pore Welfo. She looked sure t'die soon. She ain't dead, is she?"

The hedgehog Patriarch nodded back toward the cave. "Thy friend lives. She is in there now, with our healer. But it will be some long time ere she is well again, methinks."

An apple came spinning through the air at Bistort. He ducked neatly and spiked it on his head quills. Another young hedgehog showed up. He was a jolly-looking creature, winking at Shogg as he called to Bistort, "See thee, old hog, my apples are ready before thine this season. Try that one for taste!"

Bistort unspiked the apple from his head and munched on it. "Mmm, good an' firm with sap aplenty. Shogg, this cheeky beast is my son Urticahe helped to rescue thee."

The otter rose and shook Urtica's paw. "Thankee, mate. 'Ere's my paw an' 'ere's my 'eart. I owe ye my life, an' my friends' lives too!"

Urtica kept one paw behind his back as he shook paws. "Welcome to Peace Island, Shogg. Thou art recovering well."

Bistort craned his head to see what his son was hiding. "Art thou keeping something from thy father?"

The young hedgehog scrunched his spines together, a sign of obvious embarra.s.sment among his species. He produced a posy of brightly hued flowers, freshly gathered.

" Tis nought but some flowers for Welfo, the hogmaid we rescued. When she wakens 'twill be a welcome to her." He hurried past them into the cave, his spines bunched tight.

The big Patriarch took another bite of his apple. "My son seems greatly taken with thy friend. I have never seen him so attentive to another creature. Still, she is a pretty young maid. Would thou like to visit her, Shogg?"

The otter patted Bistort's paw and winked knowingly. "Oh, I'll see 'er later, mate. Let Urtica keep 'er company awhile. We'll visit Welfo after brekkist."

Triss emerged from the cave when Downyrose called their new acquaintances to eat. Shogg was pleased to see her up and about, even though she still looked a bit shaky.

"Ahoy there, shipmate, yore lookin' pawfresh an' perky!"

Triss sat beside Shogg as Downyrose and several other bustling hedgehogs served them a breakfast of fresh fruit, new baked bread and cool pale cider. "You don't look too bad yourself, young seadog. My, this looks good! I'm famished. They have a wonderful old healer hereshe's treating Welfo with all kinds of herbs. I think she'll be able to sit up soon. She was awake when I left her."

Shogg sunk his teeth into a farl of the crusty bread. "Sink me rudder, that's good news. Mmm, this bread's great. It's full o' hazelnuts an' almonds. Tastes wunner-ful!"

They did the delicious breakfast full justice. Downyrose insisted on heaping their plates several times. "Lackaday, such skinny young things!"

Bistort chuckled as he watched them tucking in. "Not for long, my dearie, not with the way thou'rt feeding 'em!"

After breakfast they went into the cave for a visit with Welfo. Her eyes were open, and she was propped up on cushions, being fed fresh vegetable broth by Turna, the old healer. Welfo took the food without even glancing at the spoon as it was brought to her mouth; her eyes were fixed on Urtica. The young hedgehog sat staring silently back at her, the flowers still clutched in his paw. The visitors stood in silence for what seemed an age, as both Welfo and Urtica seemed unaware of their presence.

Shogg interrupted, asking and answering his own ques- tions. "Ahoy there, Welfo, me ole mate, 'ow are ye?" "Oh, Shogg, I'm fine, I'm much better, thank you!" "Ho that's nice, now you git yoreself well, missie, an' eat lots o' good vittles." "Oh, I will. Thank you for coming to see me!" "Aye, an' thank ye for chattin' t'me, mate. Nice talkin'