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Nokko shook his sandbag at the shrew. “Yer a hard-necked beast, askin’ a Pike’ead o’ Gonfelins sumthin’ like that. I know ’cos my da knew, an’ his da afore ’im, right back to Gonff we go. So let that be the end o’ the daft questions, awright?”

Bisky knew he was on dangerous grounds, still he continued enquiring. “Sir, I don’t mean to give any offence, but Gonff came from Redwall Abbey, so why don’t you live there? He and his wife, Lady Columbine, and Martin the Warrior all helped to build the Abbey, but I suppose you know that.”

Nokko shrugged nonchalantly. “Course I did, I’ve even ’eard of Martin the Warrior, too. But I never knew Gonff’s missus was called Lady Cumbilline. Nice name that, maybe I’ll call me next daughter Cumbilline, or Cumbillino, that sounds better. Er, as fer livin’ at Redwall, I believe we did, a long time ago. The story goes that our great-great-grandda’s great-great-grandda didn’t like bein’ bossed about by Abbots an’ Friars, an’ elders. Any’ow, he didn’t like takin’ orders, so he left Redwall with his family, as far as I know.”

Young Spingo wagged a paw at her father. “Ooh, Da, tell the truth, they was kicked out fer stealin’!”

Bisky looked at Nokko. “For stealing!”

Nokko thrust out his chin aggressively. “Well, wot’s wrong wid that, Gonff was a thief, wasn’t he? Nothin’ wrong wid stealin’, long as yer don’t get caught. Bet you’ve stole stuff y’self, Bisky.”

The young mouse shook his head. “Never, even though I’m a descendant of Prince Gonff myself. I’m no thief!”

Nokko upbraided him scornfully. “Yew, a descendant o’ Gonff? Rubbish! Anybeast wid Gonfelin blood in their veins would draw rings around yer, even my pretty liddle Spingo. Go on, darlin’, tell this woffler wot bein’ a Gonfelin’s all about!”

Nokko pulled out a reed flute and began playing a lively little tune. Spingo leapt up, dancing and singing at the same time. She had a voice like a tinkling bell, and was light as sunbeams on her paws. She twirled around Bisky until his head was spinning.

“There ain’t no lock nor bolt or key,

that could put a hold on me,

I can move like shadowy night,

free as a breeze an’ twice as light.

’Cos…I’m a Gonfelin, a Gonfelin that’s me!

I’ll tell you, friend, that I believe

you don’t know wot it is to thieve,

so better keep close watch on me,

I steal most anythin’ I see.

’Cos…I’m a Gonfelin, a Gonfelin that’s me!

I’ll pinch the shell from off an egg,

I’ll rob the wings right off a bee,

I’d steal the eyes straight out your head,

if you weren’t watchin’ me.

’Cos…I’m a Gonfelin, a Gonfelin that’s me!

O make sure all ye have is yours,

count both ears an’ all four paws

then check you’ve got an open mind,

an’ see yore tail still hangs behind,

’cos…I’m a Gonfelin, a Gonfelin that’s me!”

It was well danced and prettily sung. Bisky joined in the applause. Spingo bowed, flashed a smile, then sat down beside him again. Turning to her father, she enquired, “Well, Da, ain’t yew goin’ to show Bisky an’ Dubble the jool that our ancestors were slung out o’ Redwall for stealin’ in the ole days?”

Nokko took an object from his wife, Filgo. It was carefully wrapped in fine moss velvet. He opened it slowly, exclaiming, “Jus’ looka that, ain’t it a beauty!”

Firelight cast blood-hued needles of colour into Bisky’s eyes. He blinked. Even on first sight, he instinctively knew that the pigeon’s egg ruby he was staring at could only be one thing.

One of the lost Eyes of the Great Doomwyte.

20

A pretty summer morn lent its freshness to Mossflower woodlands, with birdsong resounding through high-canopied trees. The Guosim band, together with the Redwallers, had spent the night in the dried-up ditchbed, which had not proved uncomfortable. Tugga Bruster was up at the crack of dawn, bullying his shrews as usual.

“Up off yore laggardly tails, you lot. Marul, take six o’ these layabouts, an’ scout that clearin’ up ahead t’see if’n that serpent’s gone. Then report back ’ere t’me. Well, go on!”

The shrew Marul did not seem too pleased at the prospect. He chose six of his reluctant fellowbeasts, saluting Tugga Bruster as he paced back and forth. “Er, but suppose the giant snake’s still there, Chief?”

The Guosim Log a Log chuckled mirthlessly. “Then ye’ll run back ’ere twice as quick, won’t ye? Stop tryin’ to wheedle out of it, get yore paws movin!”

Marul led the six off in a desultory fashion, all of them paw shuffling and lagging behind. Tugga Bruster worked himself into a fine temper, roaring at them.

“Call yoreselves Guosim, ye yellow-bellied, lily-livered ditherers. When yore Log a Log gives ye an order, ye jump to it! Now git up t’that clearin’ afore I move yore bottoms with me warclub!”

He was swinging the iron club threateningly, when Bosie purposely bumped into him, sending the Guosim Chieftain sprawling. The hare made a flourish, waving the kerchief he carried in his sleeve.

“Oh dearie me, Ah’m sorry, Ah didnae see ye there. Och, silly me, allow me tae help ye up, sirrah!”

Tugga refused the proffered paw, and sat up fuming. “Should watch where yore goin’, longears!”

Skipper, who was accompanying Bosie, pointed ahead. “We’re just goin’ t’see if that ole snake’s moved hisself. No need for yore Guosim to go, mate, that is, unless ye’d like to come with us yoreself?”

Marul and the six Guosim gave a sigh of relief, and went back to the dried ditchbed. Tugga slammed his iron club against a sycamore. “I never told ye to go back there, now git up t’that clearin’ an’ look for the snake! Ye take orders from me, not some plank-tailed streamhound!”

Skipper’s jaw was set grimly as he turned to Tugga. However, it was Bosie who interrupted. “Och, give yer auld tongue a rest, there’s nae need for an army tae go tae yon clearin’. Why d’ye not take Skipper’s advice an’ come up there with us? Ah’m certain any serpent wouldnae fancy tacklin’ three braw beasties like we are.”

The Shrew Chieftain snapped back at him, “I don’t take orders, I gives ’em, an’ I ain’t goin’ to no clearin’ with you two, longears.”

A dangerous glint came into the hare’s eyes. His paw was on the swordhilt as he replied, “Where Ah come from Ah’m hailed as a Clan Chief. So Ah’ll give ye a wee bit o’ advice. Never order your tribe tae do somethin’ that you’re afeared tae do yerself, laddie.”

Tugga Bruster was shaking with rage. He bellowed at Bosie, “I ain’t afeared to do anythin’ you can do, longears. I’ll come with ye!”

Bosie took a step forward, eyes blazing. “Listen, mah friend, if ye refer tae the Laird o’ Bowlaynee as longears just once more, ’twill be a harsh lesson ye’ll learn. D’ye ken?” Bosie signalled to Skipper. “Let’s go tae this clearing’, bonny lad, just ye an’ me. We’ll be better served without sich poor company. Leave him here tae give his orders!” The pair strode off, leaving an irate but speechless Log a Log behind.

Arriving in the clearing, they found it deserted, Baliss having departed sometime during the night. Skipper took an approving look at the greenswarded oasis in the woodlands. “Wot d’ye say, Bosie mate, ’twould be a great spot to take a leisurely breakfast, eh?”

The hungry hare beamed from long ear to long ear. “Och, ye took the words straight out o’ mah mouth. Ah’ll sprint back an’ tell the others.”

It was not strictly just a breakfast—everybeast knew this would be the one full meal they would have time for that day. Accordingly they made it a good one. Guosim cooks set up a cooking fire, and began unpacking most of the food provided by Redwall. Umfry and Dwink stood watching them. Umfry voiced his disappointment. “H’is that h’all they’re going t’do, sit there stuffin’ their faces all day?”