Log, sat back and relaxed amid a general chatter of conversation.
Orlando nudged Matthias. “He’s not short of courage, your friend Log-a-Log. That Skan was bigger
and heavier than him by far. Do you think he could have beaten him?”
Matthias smiled knowingly. “Log-a-Log may be small, but he’s the fiercest shrew warrior I’ve ever
seen, though he’s no bully like Skan. The rest of the Guosim know this. Log-a-Log is a good leader, he’s as
wise as he is brave.”
Log-a-Log came and sat with them. He clapped Matthias on the back. “Sorry about that, old Redwaller,
though it’s none of your fault. Skan and his pals have been niggling at me all season, and it had to come to
a head sooner or later. Ah well, at first light tomorrow we’ll follow the fox. He’s travelling south; my scouts
have cut his track several times over the past few days.”
Slagar rose silently while the rest slept. He made his way quietly through the camp and across the foothills
until he was at the base of the gigantic cliffs which stretched away in both directions as far as the eye could
see. Drawing out his leather-thonged weapon, he twirled it until the metal balls clacked together loudly in
the still night air. There was an answering rap from the top of the plateau, as if two rocks had been banged
sharply together.
Slagar the Cruel smiled beneath his silken mask. He looked up and saw the two rope ladders uncoiling
themselves as they fell from the heights. Giving each of them a tug to make sure they were secure, the fox
stole off back to the camp and his slave line.
The peace of a warm summer night lay over Mossflower. It was a peace that would not last.
Chapter 27
General Ironbeak perched in a great cedar which stood near the northern woodland fringe close to Redwall
in Mossflower country. On the bough beside him, the crow Mangiz watched golden dawn light flooding
from the east. On a lower branch, three magpie brothers, Quickbill, Brightback and Diptail, awaited the
raven General’s orders. In the trees to either side of them a small army of rooks were gathered, basking in
the mild summer weather; it was a welcome change for all.
The birds respected Ironbeak as a shrewd commander. He had given them victories and kept their
bellies full, and he was the most feared fighting bird in all the far cold northland. General Ironbeak had led
his fighters from the bleak places of the north to this new territory, and they marvelled at the warm
weather, the vast green forest with its cool shade, plentiful water and easy foraging. They sat in the lower
terraces of the foliage, content in their new surroundings, but ready to fly at Ironbeak’s bidding.
The raven General relied upon the word of his seer, the crow Mangiz. He seldom arrived at any
decision without first consulting him. Today was different. During the night, Quickbill the magpie had
made his report, apprising the General of the latest news from Redwall. Now Ironbeak and Mangiz perched
side by side, their eyes half closed, not looking at each other as they talked.
“Arrah! It is as I said, my General. The great redstone house is only a smallflight from us. You heard
Quickbill, soon the sparrows will be gone and there will be none to give warning against us.”
The raven blinked as sunlight caught the corner of his eye. “My good right wing, Mangiz, it is as you
foretold. Truly the redstone house is a wonderful place. Tell me more of it.”
The impassive crow ruffled his neck down into dark breast feathers. “The sparrows fly south, my
visions told me this. Where they go I do not know. Grakk! That need not concern us. The roofspaces will be
unguarded, and we can take care of any old ones or nestlings that are left. Below on the ground there are
many earthcrawlers, a great stripedog, hedgepig, waterhound and mice wearing robes. There are no
warriors or fighters to do battle with.”
Ironbeak came alert as the distant sounds of the Matthias and Methuselah bells tolled out a new day in
the Summer of the Golden Plain.
“Listen, Mangiz, the bells are welcoming us. It is a great thing to have a redstone house with bells.
Arrak! The only time before this that I heard a bell was upon the northland’s great waters. It was on a ship
that sank in a great storm. I never knew that houses had bells. What else does your vision tell you about the
redstone?”
The seer crow shut his eyes tight. “The place has big lands enclosed by a wall. Enough food grows there
to feed the whole northland, and there is a pool with fishes in it. Take my word, it is a place of plenty.”
Ironbeak’s bright eyes shone. “Yagga! Well told, my Mangiz. You are seldom wrong. Quickbill, take
your brothers and watch the redstone house. Do not be seen. When the sparrows are gone, report back here.
Grubclaw, Ragwing, take sentry duty. The rest of you keep low and hidden. Rest awhile, my fighters.”
The three magpies dipped their tails in salute before winging off through the trees. Amid a ruffling of
feathers and scratching of talons, the others settled down to enjoy a rest in the warm summer morning.
Ironbeak shuffled restlessly along the maple bough. He was clearly impatient.
“We have travelled far together, my General,” Mangiz said soothingly. “Wait now, the great redstone
house will soon be yours. You will conquer it from the top downwards. Walls were built only for
earthcrawlers. We will arrive like silent arrows from the sky. Patience, Ironbeak.”
The raven leader settled down, reassured. “This is a good land to be in, Mangiz. It is not cold like those
northlands, and the redstone house will be mine. It was your visions that first saw it; if you say the signs
say wait, then we wait.”
Cornflower and Mrs. Churchmouse stood on the south ramparts, keeping tight hold of baby Rollo as he
waved and shouted. The bells pealed merrily while the Sparra folk of Queen Warbeak flew south across the
woodlands in the cloudless blue morning. Constance and the Abbot cheered as lustily as any at the brave
sight. The Sparra Queen circled the Abbey once, then dipping her wings she dropped like a stone, taking up
a zinging flight as she brushed by the creatures on the battlements.
“We find um, you see, we find um!” she called.
Warbeak flew high, shooting like a speeding arrow into the vanguard of the feathered squadron. Soon
they became dark specks which rapidly disappeared into the distance over Mossflower.
John Churchmouse flexed both his paws and massaged the back of his neck wearily as he descended
the wallsteps with Brother Sedge.
“Whew! Well, thank goodness that’s over. Maybe we can catch up on a little sleep now, eh, Sedge?”
Brother Sedge grubbed charcoal-stained paws into his red-rimmed eyes. “Aye, it’s straight up to the
dormitory for me, John. It certainly takes it out of you, sitting up all night drawing maps and writing
poems. I just hope that one of those birds finds Matthias and the others. I’d hate to think that we worked in
vain.”
John stretched wearily. “Ho hum! Well, there’s at least twelve copies and they’re all carried by trusty
Sparra scouts. If they can’t find them nobeast can. I wonder what’s for breakfast?”
“Breakfast indeed, John Churchmouse,” Mrs. Churchmouse tutted airily as she passed by. “You’ve done
nothing but eat all night. Still, I suppose you could find room for some nutbread, blackcurrant cordial and
elderberry pancakes before you sleep the day away.”
John leaned wearily against the Abbey wall. “Hmm, s’pose so, dear. I’ll be in soon. Tell that baby Rollo