28.

Cavern Hall was lit with fresh candles, lanterns and torches. Everybeast took their place at tables ranged foursquare. Though the meal was held in celebration of Ovus' and Bluddbeak's lives, the Abbot had little stomach for food. He had seated Mokug between himself and Mai-bun, and they looked on in amazement as the hamster put away pasties, pies, salads, cakes and tarts, with the gusto of a regiment of hares.

Mokug chuckled through packed cheeks as he helped himself to October Ale, saying, "I ain't tasted a cooked vit-tle since I was a young 'un. Wunnerful stuff, ain't it, yore majesty!"

A faint smile crossed the Abbot's homely face. "I'm not a king, my friend. You may call me Abbot or Father, whichever you please. Tell me, though, you must have quite a story to relate. Perhaps you'd honour us later?"

The golden hamster nodded as he reached for more cheese. "Story, me? Hoho, I'll say I have. I'll tell it all to ye later, soon as I've taken enough o' these good vittles aboard. Wunnerful stuff, ain't it, yore Abbotship!"

It was a warm night, so lanterns were brought out into the orchard. Memm and the two otters Churk and Rumbol took the Dibbuns down to the Abbey pond for a paddle before bedtime. Almost every other Redwaller gathered in the lantern lights beneath the orchard trees, to hear Mokug, the golden hamster, tell his story. Mokug arrived with a scroll he had dug out of his belongings. Taking a sip from a beaker of redcurrant cordial, he launched straight into his strange tale.

"I don't remember havin' a mother or father. All that I recall was bein' a very young slave at Riftgard, an awful place, up in the high north, beyond the great seas. A fierce white ferret called Sarengo was the King there. Huh, n.o.beast disobeyed ole Sarengo. But he liked my golden fur, so I became the King's personal slave. I was luckier than the rest o' the other pore beasts who were slaves at Riftgard. Sarengo's fat, lazy son, Agarnu, treated 'em cruel. He was a bad 'un!

"Well, one day, Sarengo goes on a plunderin' voyage aboard his big ship, the Seafang, Seafang, It was crewed by lots o' Ratguards. I was taken along, too, an' so was Agarnu. He didn't like goin', but the King forced him to. Sarengo had a map with a plan to raid this Abbey, they say he slew some corsair vermin to get it. Yore Abbey wasn't marked on their map, but written there it said that it was up a river that ran onto the western sh.o.r.es, somewhere in Moss-flower, a big red castle called Redwall, with many fine things, magic swords, valuable tapestries an' big bells." It was crewed by lots o' Ratguards. I was taken along, too, an' so was Agarnu. He didn't like goin', but the King forced him to. Sarengo had a map with a plan to raid this Abbey, they say he slew some corsair vermin to get it. Yore Abbey wasn't marked on their map, but written there it said that it was up a river that ran onto the western sh.o.r.es, somewhere in Moss-flower, a big red castle called Redwall, with many fine things, magic swords, valuable tapestries an' big bells."

Skipper smiled and shook his rudder at the Abbot. "Ole searat stories an' lies, they get more fantastic every season. Magic swords an' big bells. Huh!" The Abbot nodded as he allowed Mokug to continue. "But there was a place marked on that map, mates! A place said t'be full of badgers' treasure, an underground fortress called Brockhall. 'Twas said it had lain fergotten many long seasons an' Badger Lords had used it to 'ide their treasures away from vermin." Malbun snorted. "Utter rubbish!" The Abbot silenced her with a single look. Mokug continued. "Well, seein' as it was marked clear on the map, Sarengo decided to go for Brockhall first. 'Twas hard an' rough goin', I can tell ye, but we made it. Only trouble was, when we got there, the place was full o' poison snakes! Well, not really full. But a full-growed female adder an' three young 'uns ain't t'be sneezed at, as y'know. Old Sarengo wasn't King for nothin', thoughhe scouted the place out for days an' days, and guess wot he found? Brockhall had two entrances! Aye, a front an' a back one."

Crikulus interrupted. "How do you know, Mokug? What proof is there of two entrances, eh?"

The golden hamster winked knowingly at the ancient shrew. "Be patient an' I'll show ye. But on with me story. When they attacked the place, Sarengo went in the front way. He sent Agarnu an' some Ratguards in the back. Just like Agarnu, though, he arrived late. Sarengo was already caught by the big female adder, callin' for help. Agarnu, the coward, ran straight by his father an' out the front way. I was standin' in the open doorway an' I seen it all. Sarengo gave me his map showin' the secret entrance, told me to stay put outside an' guard it with me life!"

Leaning forward, the Abbot held up a paw. "Excuse my interruption, friend, but is the map on that scroll you have with you?"

Mokug waved the rolled-up parchment triumphantly. "This is it, yore Abbotness, kept it by me since that day. But wait'll I tell ye the rest. Sarengo was a champion battler. He died, but he took the big snake with himthey ended their lives locked t'gether! The three young snakes slew many a rat between 'em, and only six Ratguards got out alive. Well, eight if ye count Agarnu an' me. I've lived in Mossflower for 'ow many seasons I don't know. I always thought one day they'd come back from Riftgard to find the treasure, an' give ole Sarengo a king's burial. So I lived alone an' steered clear of everybeast. I didn't know who was friend or foe, see, an' I valued me freedom. But here I am now, with honest creatures an' goodly cooked vittles.

I hope ye'll let me stay. I'm only an old golden 'amster, I won't be no trouble to anybeast in this wunnerful Abbey."

Abbot Apodemus patted Mokug's paw comfortingly. "Of course you can stay. I'm sure you'll be a valuable addition to our Abbey, my friend. So the white ghost and the giant serpent locked together! That explains Ruggum's storyhe was telling the truth. And now, Mokug, let us take a look at this map you have kept faithfully."

The Abbot took the scroll and unrolled it. "I thought you said this was a map?"

The hamster tapped his paw on the scroll. "Well, 'tis a map of sorts. Sarengo wrote down the directions instead of makin' a sketch, but it tells everythin'."

Log a Log took a peek at the parchment. "Hah! It ain't even proper writin', just a load of ole squiggles, circles, dots an' loops. n.o.beast could make 'ead nor tail o' that lot!"

Mokug nodded in agreement. "That's 'cos 'tis written in the royal script of Riftgard. Only Pure Ferrets of Sarengo's blood can read'n'write like that."

Crikulus groaned and threw his paws up. "You mean to tell us that you've held on to a written map since you were young, but you can't understand a confounded word of it?"

The golden hamster shrugged innocently. "I ain't no scholar, but I'll wager one day that some clever beast'll understand it."

Redwallers crowded round to look at the odd script. There was much scratching of tails, rudders and ears.

"Well, I'm sure I'm not that clever beast!"

"Burr, nay zurr, neither bee's oi!"

The Abbot rolled the parchment up carefully and put it to one side. "Oh dear, what a shame. Well now, have you anything else to tell us at all, think?"

The hamster looked the picture of dejection. "I told ye all I know, Abbotness, on me word I did."

Skipper placed a sympathetic paw about Mokug's shoulder, "Never mind, matey, you did yore best. Let's go inside, ye look tired. Sister Vernal, do you think we can find this good ole beast a bed of 'is own?"

Vernal took Mokug's paw. "I'm sure we can. There's a small room next to the Dibbuns' dormitoryit has a nice bed."

Great tears popped from the hamster's eyes. "D'ye mean a room of me own, with a real bed in it?"

The Abbot took his own kerchief and slipped it to Mokug. "I'll have the otters carry your belongings up. The room and the bed are yours from now on, friend."

Sister Vernal led Mokug inside to his new room. He kept the kerchief jammed to his eyes, stemming the tears. "I'll sweep it out every day an' make the bed up meself. I never 'ad me own quarters, ever. Thankee for yore kindness!"

Friar Gooch was bringing biscuits from his kitchens for the Dibbuns. He pa.s.sed Vernal and Mokug at the main door. "Dearie me, wot's up with the old hamster? He's cryin' like a babe. Somethin' upset the pore beast?"

The Abbot took one end of the biscuit tray to a.s.sist the Friar on his way to the pond. "Mokug isn't upset, he's happy. Funny how we at Redwall take things for granted, isn't it, Friar? A bed and a room of your own: simple things. But if you were a slave who'd never had one, and if you'd lived in a hole in the ground for long seasons, it would be very different. Properly cooked food, lots of new friends, so that you're not alone anymore. Add to that a comfortable room and a clean bed. That's why the poor fellow's weepinghe's overcome by it all."

Crikulus sat on an upturned wheelbarrow in the orchard. Pulling a lantern closer, he stared hard at Mokug's parchment until his eyes began to water. He gnawed at his lip as he pored over the strange symbols.

Malbun ambled across to sit beside him. "Waiting for the solution to jump out at you?"

Putting aside the parchment, the ancient Gatekeeper rubbed his eyes wearily. "Hmph! One would be waiting a long time for anything recognisable to jump out o' that load of gobbledygook!"

Skipper peered over Malbun's shoulder at the puzzle. ''Don't give up 'ope, mates. It means somethin'it must do, if'n somebeast took the trouble to write it all down there."

Malbun yawned and stretched. "That's correct, Skip, but I'm too tired to concentrate on anything. Come on, Crikulus, time for bed. I'll walk you down to the gatehouse."

Malbun's companion rose stiffly. "Ooh, my back. I'll take the bed tonightyour turn to sleep in the armchair."

Skipper gave them a lantern to light the way. "A good night to ye both. Don't ferget that scroll, take it with ye. I'll go an' lend a paw to round up the Dibbuns down at the pond."

Paddling and eating biscuits was all the Abbeybabes were interested in. No sooner were they pulled from the shallows by Churk and Rumbol than they would escape from Memm and dash straight back into the water. It was an endless task. The Harenurse rushed about, trying to be everywhere at once.

"Turfee, stand still on that bank, sah, don't move! I say, Churk, grab Roobil, he's back in again!"

"Me wanna nudder bikkit. Ruggum splashed mine, it all wetted!"

Ruggum grinned villainously, holding out a chubby paw. "Give et yurr, oi loikes ee soggy bikkits!"

Memm twitched her ears severely at the little mole. "Out! Out of that blinkin' pond this instant, sah. Out!"

"Don't get yoreself in a tizzy, marm. Leave this t'me!"

Memm smiled with relief as Skipper strode past her into the water, a long shrimp net draped across his shoulders. "That's the ticket, Skip, fish the blighters out and we'll make soup of them!"

Churk and Rumbol took the net ends, while Skipper held the centre. They captured the little ones neatly in a single sweep. Keeping them confined within the net, the three otters and Memm herded the protesting ma.s.s of Dibbuns back into the Abbey and straight up to the dormitory.

But they would not go to sleep without a song. Mokug came out of his room and obliged. The Dibbuns were delighted. This was a song they had never heard, sung by a funny old golden mouse. Mokug had a reed flute, too, which he played quite well. Even Memm and the otters lay down on the little truckle beds to listen.

"O I caught a fish in the water, I caught a crab an' his daughter, I caught a flounder an' a sole, An' I caught an ole tadpole.

They all criiiiiied, 'Mercy me, please let us free, We'll swim back to our mothers. My very kind sir, now please be fair, An' go an' catch some others!'

Well, I saw a cod in the water, Shoved in me net an' caught 'er, I saw a clam, an' a fluke so fine, So I caught 'em on me line.

They all criiiiiied, 'Mercy me, please let us free, Well swim back to our mothers. My very kind sir, now please be fair, An' go an' catch some others!'

Farewell they swam off singin', Til both me ears was ringin' 'Cos I fell in the sea so dark, An' got caught by a shark.

Then I criiiiiied, 'Mercy me, please let me free, I'll swim back to me mother.

My very kind sir, now please be fair, An' go an' catch some other!' "

The Dibbuns learned the chorus and enjoyed it so much that they made Mokug sing it twice more. Obligingly, the golden hamster did this, and then sang a few more comic ditties. In the course of all the singing, Skipper closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. He looked so peaceful lying on the little truckle bed, none of the others had the heart to wake him, so they left the big otter snoring gently in the Dibbuns' dormitory.

29.

When pale dawn sunlight crept over the dormitory win-dowsills, Skipper sat up blinking. It took him a moment to recognise where he was. Then he remembered the dream. Silently he slipped off the bed. The Abbeybabes were still slumbering, some snoring, others whimpering and giggling in their sleep as they dreamt small dreams. Noiselessly the otter Chieftain padded out, closing the door gently behind him. Then he ran like the wind, down the stairs, taking two at a time and charged across Great Hall.

Furrel, the a.s.sistant cook, was coming in from the orchard, carrying a trug of fresh strawberries with morning dew still glistening on them. As Skipper dashed out the door, the molemaid bobbed him a swift curtsey.

"Gudd mawnin', zurr, be ee not a stoppen furr brekkist?"

However, breakfast was the last thing on Skipper's mind.

Malbun Grimp was wakened by the knocking on the gatehouse door. She pulled herself out of the armchair, grumbling, "All right, I'm coming, leave the door on its hinges, will you!"

Framed by a flood of sunlight and dust motes, Skipper bounded in. Crikulus scrambled from his bed, tousle- headed. "Great seasons, are we being attacked by a vermin army?"

The otter raised his rudder politely to them both.

"G'mornin', marm, mornin', sir. I 'ad a dream last night!"

Scratching his head frowsily, Crikulus yawned. "That must've been very nice for ye, but not uncommon. I had a dream, too, an' so did Malbun, I'll wager."

Skipper sat down on the bed. The urgent tone of his voice caught their attention. "Aye, but not like this 'un, mates. My dream was of Martin the Warriorhe spoke to me. Get that pawring we found in Mossflower, an' the scroll, too!" The wood mouse and the shrew were now wide awake and listening.

The scroll was still on the table. Malbun produced the heavy gold pawring from a wall cupboard. She struggled to keep the excitement from her voice. "Here they are. Now take your time, don't hurry, try to think clearly. What was your dream about?"

The otter slowed himself visibly as he explained, "Martin came into my mind when I lay sleepin'. He was holdin' the scroll an' wearin' that pawring. Then 'e pointed at the pawring an' said, 'The leaf is three times five, you must remember. Tell Malbun an' Crikulus that the leaf is three times five.' Then Martin was gone. I dreamed no more, but I remembered wot 'e said, word for word!"

Malbun bowed her head slightly. "Thank you, Skipper, you did well. Crikulus, my friend, it seems that we've been given our first clue by none other than Martin the Warrior. So you open up the parchment and I'll study this pawring. Let's make a start."

Skipper hovered anxiously over them. "Anythin' I can do to 'elp you two goodbeasts, anythin' at all?" Crikulus smiled hopefully at him. "Er, breakfast?" The big otter bounded off, chuckling. "Right y'are, brekkist for three comin' up, mates!" Malbun placed the pawring in a shaft of sunlight, its two jetstones glowing darkly on either side of the four symbols.

"Hmm, Skipper said that Martin pointed at the pawring. Now let me see, the leaf is three times five." She studied it briefly, then pointed at the next-to-last symbol. "This is leaf-shaped. It even has a mark like a leaf vein running through its centre. Yes, this is the leaf."

Crikulus showed her the parchment. "That shape shows up all over here, and the other two shapes as well, because obviously both end symbols are the same. But here's your leaf: twice on the top line, three times on the second line, once on the third line, three times on the fourth line, and once on the bottom line of those two rows that are set apart. Ten times in all, what d'you make of that?"

Malbun shook her head. "Ten times, that's only two times five. We're looking for three times five. Count them again."

Crikulus did as he was bade, but his first count proved right. "That leaf only appears ten times, I'm positive!"

Mokug was up and about early on his first morning. He went downstairs to explore his beautiful new home, strolling hither and thither with a radiant smile on his face and whistling softly between his teeth.

Friar Gooch popped his head around the kitchen door. "A good morn to ye, friend. Come in, we're just getting the breakfast ready. I'm Gooch, the Friar of Redwall."

A few moles were pulling hot scones from the ovens. Furrel was busy ladling a blob of meadowcream onto each scone and topping it off with a strawberry. She wrinkled her nose in a jolly manner at Mokug. "Do ee loike to try wunn, zurr?"

The hamster eagerly accepted her offer. "Thankee, pretty miss, I'd like that fine!"

The molemaid giggled. "You'm keep callen oi pretty an' oi'll let ee 'ave 'em all, zurr!"

Skipper trundled a trolley out of the steamy mist from a line of bubbling pans, nodding affably to Mokug. "Top o' the morn to ye, mate. Load yore brekkist on this trolley an' we'll take it to the gatehouse. Crikulus an' Malbun are lookin' at yore scroll down there. If'n ye eat with all the Redwallers, those DibbunsTl mob ye. They always do that to newcomers an' guests."

Malbun and Crikulus made Mokug welcome. Over breakfast they told him of Skipper's dream and their efforts to interpret the symbols. Malbun took the pawring from her ap.r.o.n pocket and showed it to Mokug. "Ever seen anything like this before?"

Fear and hate suffused the hamster's face. "That's the pawring of King Sarengo. I've seen it many a time, aye, an' felt it too. Ole Sarengo often lashed out at me when 'e was wearin' it. See that scar over me left eye? Those black stones did that. Sarengo just laughed when 'e saw me lyin' on the floor with blood runnin' down me face. Oh, I've seen it before, mate, believe me!"

Malbun's voice softened. She felt sorry for the hamster. "What about these signs? I don't suppose you know what any of them mean, do you?"

Mokug did not even have to look at the symbols. "Oh, those, any slave at Riftgard could tell ye that, marm. It stands for Royal House of Riftgard. Ye see it stamped or carved on anythin' in the kingdom over there."

Skipper pushed a bowl across to Mokug. "Try some o' this, messmate, 'otroot'n'watershrimp soup. If'n it's good for otters, it should do you good, too. Put a sparkle in yore eye an' a spring to yore step!"

Whilst they were joking and laughing at the taste of food new to Mokug, Crikulus took the pawring and scroll, along with his beaker of mint tea. The old Gatehouse Keeper went outside to sit on the wallsteps in the morning sun. He stared at the pawring and the parchment alternately, repeating to himself, "Royal House of Riftgard, the leaf is three times five."

Churk the ottermaid wandered up with a scone and a beaker of dandelion-and-burdock cordial. She sat beside the old shrew. "Ah, a bit o' peace an' quiet at last. Ye wouldn't believe the noise those Dibbuns are makin' in the orchard."

Crikulus continued talking to himself, ignoring Churk. "The leaf is three times five, Royal House of Riftgard."

The burly ottermaid listened to the odd phrases. "Leaf is three times five, wot's that supposed to mean, sir?"

Crikulus looked up, as if just noticing her. "Are ye any good at puzzles and riddles, miss?"

Churk winked confidently at him. "You just try me. Skipper says I'm too clever for me own rudder sometimes. I like tryin' to solve things."

Showing her the pawring and parchment, Crikulus explained. "You see these four symbols on the ring? Well, they stand for Royal House of Riftgard. The sign shaped like a leaf is the one I'm interested in. Now, the key is hidden somewhere in all of the symbols on this parchment. The only clue to it are these words: The leaf is three times five. So, miss, does that mean anything to ye?"