Churk sat silent for a moment, concentrating hard on the evidence presented to her. Crikulus was about to speak when she held up a paw. He held his silence whilst Churk continued scanning the objects. A slow smile began spreading across her face. Still studying the parchment, she spoke. "Can you get me some clean parchment an' somethin' to write with, sir?"

As Crikulus bustled into the gatehouse, Malbun indicated a single strawberry cream scone. "We saved the last one for you, my old pal. Where've you been, and where's the pawring an' scroll got to?"

The ancient shrew rummaged a thin charcoal stick out of a drawer. "You can have the scone. Where's all the clean parchment gone, has somebeast hidden it all?"

Malbun slid a piece from under the armchair cushion. ''It's right here where you put it the other day."

Crikulus s.n.a.t.c.hed the section of birch bark parchment. "Young Churk is looking at the scroll an' ring, out on the wallsteps. I think she's onto somethin'!"

As they hurried from the gatehouse, Mokug grabbed the scone. "Waste not want not, especially strawberry cream scones!" '

Churk took the writing materials and immediately began scribbling away. Skipper patted her back proudly. "Haharr, you just watch this young 'un solve yore puzzle!"

But the ottermaid was not about to allow them to.

"I'm not havin' you four breathin' down me neck. Now be off with ye, yore makin' me nervous an' I can't think properly. Go on, shoo, an' leave me alone!"

The four Redwallers strolled off toward the orchard. Skipper cast a backward glance at Churk working away. "That 'un's got some nerve, sendin' us off t'play like four naughty Dibbuns. Ah, but she's a brainy one, that niece o' mine."

Malbun remarked drily, "Don't know where she gets all those brains. Certainly not from her uncle."

Nimbly, she dodged a swing from Skipper's rudder. The otter Chieftain spoke out indignantly. "I taught Churk all she knows. Aye, there's n.o.beast like me at riddles. Lissen to this, mates: "Y is a letter, yet why is a word.

Don't stalk among gra.s.s stalks, a stork's a bird.

I is a letter you see with your eye.

Can U mean you, or is it just I?

Ask me a riddle and I'll tell you Y.

Two's one and one, but there's to and too. To understand too, I must tell you There's a B and a bee which should really be Like a letter C, you don't see in the sea. I'll ask you a riddle and you tell me.

For what is four? Only two times two.

I can see you C, oh Y say U?

Is a hare with hair a him or a her, Does it eat good fare, and have fur that is fair?

Two pears make one pair, that's your answer, sir!"

Mokug shook his head in amazement. "Can ye say that again?"

It was an old Redwall riddle, and Crikulus gave the answer that everybeast had learned at Abbey school.

"There's a pane in my window that never feels pain, And he's at a loss to say it again.

So now is now, but as you know, A know without K would still sound like no!"

Malbun smiled wistfully. "I remember old Brother Frum-ble teaching us that at Abbey school. Ah, happy days!"

Mokug sniffed ruefully. "Suppose that's why it puzzled me. I never went to Abbey school, there was no such thing as a school for slaves at Riftgard."

Skipper took the golden hamster's paw. "Never mind, mate, we'll teach ye bit by bit. Yore never too old t'learn."

"Yahaaaar!"

Crikulus almost fell over with fright at the sound. "Great seasons, what was that?"

Skipper was already running back to the wallsteps. "It's Churkshe always makes that noise when she's pleased!"

The ottermaid was beaming from ear to ear when the friends arrived at the wallsteps. "I've solved yore riddle! Come an' sit here while I show ye wot it's all about."

BOOK THREE.

The Swordmaid

30.

It was the Ratguard Captain Vorto who sighted the fire-glow further north up the sh.o.r.e. The embers formed a small island of red light in the waning night. He pointed it out with his spear. "Princess, look, there's fire burnin' up ahead!"

Not to be outdone, Riggan was pointing also. "There's a ship beyond the tide line yonder, looks like Cap'n Plugg's Seascab." Seascab."

Kurda looked from the fire to the ship, quickening her pace. "Yarr, dat Plugg moved der ship down, she vas anch.o.r.ed further up north, de odder side of dat big hill. I soon find out vot he is playink at!"

Pawsore and weary, the Ratguards were forced to break into a run in order to keep up with her. She checked her pace without warning, scowling as Vorto ran into her back. Kurda's glance was fixed on the stern end of the Seascab. Seascab. Suddenly she was pointing with her sabre and dancing about in agitation at what she could see. Suddenly she was pointing with her sabre and dancing about in agitation at what she could see.

"Mine boat, it is sailin' avay, dey be stealing it back again, dose slaves!"

Riggan watched the sail go up as the small, elegant craft heeled away from the larger vessel. "See, marm, 1 told ye I'd lead yer to 'em sooner or later."

The sabre hilt smacked into the slavecatcher's chin, sending her sprawling. Kurda kicked and berated Riggan, "Idiot! You haff not led me to dem, dey are escaping!"

She dashed off up the beach, yelling hoa.r.s.ely, "Plugg, stop dem, de slaves are makin' off mitt der boat!"

Kurda came storming into the Freebooters' camp, tripping over the unconscious Tazzin. Slitfang and the others, roused from sleeping around the fire, staggered forward, yawning and scratching.

Ripper the searat, no respecter of royalty, snarled irately, ''Yew ain't in command 'ere, we takes orders from Cap'n Plugg!"

A whack from Vorto's spearhaft sent him sprawling. The Ratguard captain yelled at the sleepy Freebooter crew, "Then ye'd best get the sand out o' yore brains an' let Plugg know that a vessel's bein' stolen by slaves!"

The Seascab's Seascab's crew began milling about, b.u.mping into one another. crew began milling about, b.u.mping into one another.

"Where's the Cap'n? Find Cap'n Plugg, somebeast!" "Look, they're makin' off wid 'is new sailin' boat!" Grubbage stared about in bafflement. " Wot's all this got t'do wid a blue trailin' coat?"

Kurda seized the deaf steersbeast by the scruff of his neck. "You come vit me, lunkhead. Vorto, get everybeast aboard de big ship, ve vill catch dem ourselves!"

Triss watched from the stern as the small vessel was swept westward on the outgoing tide. "I can see Kurdashe's driving them all aboard the Freebooter ship. We'd best put on a turn of speed, they'll be coming after us as soon as she gets underway!"

Shogg and Kroova were sharing the tiller between them, whilst Sagax and Scarum took up the slack in the ropes until the mast creaked and the sail billowed tautly on the breeze. Shogg peered grimly at the grey breaking dawn.

"We're goin' to sail out west, then turn an' take 'er back into sh.o.r.e among the reefs. Wot d'ye say, Kroova?"

The sea otter watched as the Seascab's Seascab's sails began unfurling to catch the wind. "I think yore right, mate, that big ship'd soon run us down in open water. Tack an' weave through the rocks an' shallows. But we've got to draw 'er away from the sh.o.r.e first. All the vermin are aboard 'er they can't be left on the beach, where they can wade in an' cut us off!" sails began unfurling to catch the wind. "I think yore right, mate, that big ship'd soon run us down in open water. Tack an' weave through the rocks an' shallows. But we've got to draw 'er away from the sh.o.r.e first. All the vermin are aboard 'er they can't be left on the beach, where they can wade in an' cut us off!"

"Oof! You keep der boat still, I bang mine head!"

Prince Bladd crawled out from under the stern seat, where he had been sleeping. The Pure Ferret gazed up at them. "You not Ratguards or Freebooters, vere you come from?"

He attempted to rise, but Triss kicked him flat. "Well, well, look who it is. We're asking the questions now. How did you get here? Speak!"

Bladd tried to scuttle back beneath the seat as Triss drew her dagger, but Shogg cuffed his ear sharply. "Lay still, an' answer the question!"

Bladd glanced at the unconscious form of Plugg and began to whimper. "Dose Freebooters, dey alvays teasin' me. I come here for der bit of peace und quiet, sleep under der seat. I am der Royal Prince, who are you?"

Triss tapped Bladd's nose with her blade. "You don't remember us, do you? Well, and why should you? We were only two miserable slaves, imprisoned at Riftgard just for the pleasure of your family. You hardly knew we were alive, save for the times you kicked us out of your way, or had some guard beat us for not bowing to you!"

Recognition dawned on Bladd's stricken features. "You der slaves who steal diss boat from Riftgard. Please, it vas mine sister who put you in der cage, not me, no no!"

Scarum called to them from his perch on the bows, "I say, you chaps, don't like to b.u.t.t in on your jolly old reunion, wot. But I rather think those villains are hard on our trail. If we don't shift ourselves, they'll be dropping in for tea shortly, wot."

Shogg grinned wolfishly. "Mayhap we'd be better light-enin' our load by sendin' these two fer a swim."

Kroova took a backward glance at the progress the Seascab Seascab was making. The big ship was gaining bit by bit. was making. The big ship was gaining bit by bit.

"Not right now, mate. If'n I ain't mistaken, there'll be archers an' slingers firin' at us from 'er bows, soon as they get in range. Tie those two up an' sit 'em both back 'ere."

Scarum wiggled his ears. "Super wheeze, old lad. Right, you two unsavoury types, prepare to defend our vessel!"

Kurda braced herself in the bows of the Seascab, Seascab, holding tight to the bowsprit riggings. "Vorto, bring up de archers, diss ship be close enough soon. Den I slow dem up a bit. Yarr!" holding tight to the bowsprit riggings. "Vorto, bring up de archers, diss ship be close enough soon. Den I slow dem up a bit. Yarr!"

Tazzin climbed up alongside Kurda, rubbing at a lump the oarpole had raised. "Look, they're up to somethin'!"

Hurrying to their positions, Ratguard archers set shafts to their bowstrings. The Seascab Seascab hove closer to the small craft. Riggan's sharp eyes identified the two figures sitting upright and bound on the vessel's stern seat. hove closer to the small craft. Riggan's sharp eyes identified the two figures sitting upright and bound on the vessel's stern seat.

"Marm, 'old yer fire, that's Prince Bladd an' Cap'n Plugg!"

An evil smile lit up Kurda's pink eyes. "Yarr, so 'tis. Who needs demI don't."

The business edge of Plugg's battle-axe prodded Kurda's spine. Slitfang's voice ground out menacingly, "I don't care about yore fat stoopid brother, but Plugg Fire-tail's our Cap'n. One arrow from yore guards an' I'll make two of ye with this axe, believe me, yer royalness!"

Kurda never turned around, her body trembling with rage. "Sc.u.m, you vill die for diss!"

Slitfang prodded a bit harder. "Aye, but not right now I won't, missie. I'm givin' the orders, 'cos I'm Cap'n when ole Plugg ain't aboard the Seascab. Seascab. Tell 'em to stow those weapons." Tell 'em to stow those weapons."

Kroova whispered urgently to Shogg, "We better do some-thin' fast, mate, afore they ram us! That ship's too big, an' she's comin' up too fast."

Shogg sniffed the air and dabbled a paw over the side. ''Yore right. Give it a moment!"

A stream of curses came from the wakened Plugg. "Blister yore blubberin' guts, streamdog. The tide's startin' to turn, ye connivin' plank-tailed pup!"

Shogg laughed. "Thankee forbackin' up my judgement, Cap'n. Yore right, the tide is turnin'. Good'n'heavy, too. Right, mates, 'ang on tight, 'ere we go. Kroova, take the tiller. Send 'er round with all ye've got. Haharr, haul on those port lines, Sagax, 'tis our turn to slow them up a bit now!"

Spinning almost on her own keel length, the little craft did a nimble half-circle turn, running a semicircle round the big, ungainly Seascab, Seascab, Slitfang roared back to Grubbage, "Take 'er round, they've turned tail on us. Take 'er round!"

Tazzin's shout cut across the command shrilly. "Slitty, git ropes out! That streamdog's just pushed the Cap'n an' Prince Bladd overboard. They're in the sea!"

Shogg had cut Plugg and Bladd's bonds before he kicked them off the stern into the waves. Both beasts were floundering, waving wildly as the Seascab's Seascab's bow waves washed over them. bow waves washed over them.

"Bring 'er about! Glubbleubble! Throw me a line, ye swabs!"

"Gallugallug! Help, I'm drownink, I cannot svim!" Slitfang kept the battle-axe pressed against Kurda's spine. "Cap'n's in the water, bring 'er about quick! Ripper, Sc.u.mmy, get those lines to midships. Yew 'ang on, Cap'n, we'll get ye out o' there!"

Kroova sent the vessel skimming and skipping over wave-crests, sailing dead east on the powerful sweep of a heavy running floodtide. Triss bared her teeth as she watched Bladd and Plugg being hauled aboard the Seascab. "I Seascab. "I would've liked to have tied a stone to that white ferret's rgt;aws!" would've liked to have tied a stone to that white ferret's rgt;aws!"

Shogg winked at the squirrelmaid. "No ye wouldn't Triss, yore made o' better stuff than that. When the right day arrives, we'll take our revenge face-to-face an' sword-to-sword."

Triss's paw trembled as she patted her friend's back. "You're right, Shogg. 1 just felt so angry at letting him go that I had to say something. Right now we're relying on you and Kroova to lead them a dance around the reefs and shallows, where they can't follow us."

Shogg sat down next to Kroova and placed his paw on the tiller. They looked ahead at the pounding surf breaking on the sh.o.r.e, Shogg spoke. "Due east, dead ahead, eh, mate?"

Kroova nodded. "Dead ahead it is, mate, let's do it together!"

Sagax was bending his back, straining against the humming sailropes, when he straightened up, alarmed. "Dead ahead will take us crashing straight onto the sh.o.r.e. You'll run us aground!"

Triss blinked against the sun rising in splendour to the east. "Oh, no it won't. I know what you rascals are up to. Tell him, goon."

Both the otter's paws were clasped on the tiller, as Kroova told Sagax what was on their minds. "There's one place that big ship don't 'ave a chance o' follerin' us, mate. Straight up the stream across the sh.o.r.e!"

Scarum's ears stood straight up in alarm. "I say, steady on chaps, bit risky, ain't it? What about the jolly old Stop-dog? Stop-dog? I know she's burned out, but the blinkin' wreckage is still lyin' in that stream. I mean, won't that stop us, wot?" I know she's burned out, but the blinkin' wreckage is still lyin' in that stream. I mean, won't that stop us, wot?"

Shogg kept his eyes on the coastline ahead. "Not at the rate we'll be goin', mate. I 'ad it in me mind to do this afore we ever boarded this craft to rescue ye. It'll take all of me an' Kroova's skills, but we'll run on that floodtide like a pike after a waterfly. We'll either crash through that wreckage or sink. Either way, 'tis the best course to leave Plugg's ship be'ind!"

Scarum looked around for something to nibble on, but could find nothing in the way of food to comfort him. "Good grief, is that really the plan, Kroova?"

The otter nodded. "Once we're past that wreckage, we'll row an' sail into the woodlands, through the stream current. It'll be tough goin', so git yoreself ready for action."

The young hare's ears drooped mournfully. "Huh, should've told old Pluggface to pack us a lunch. I'll face any jolly thing on a full stomach, y'know."

Triss could not help chuckling as she asked Sagax, "How could anybeast think of food at a time like this? Is Scarum always hungry?"