A mousebabe thought for a moment, narrowing his eyes fiercely as he weighed the proposition. “Wanna lotta brekkist; it be ard work up there!
A deal was struck and the Dibbuns fled, yelling war-cries, to the west walltop. Brother Mallen shook with laughter. “Guard the wall? Hahaha! Theyd have to get ladders to see over the battlements!
Saxtus sat on the grass with his back to the wall, noting the excited faces of those around him.
“Well, good morning, Redwallers. I see that some of you have already solved a puzzle or two. No doubt you may know the names of the five whom Martin chose.
Durry Quill came dashing up and, throwing himself flat, he kicked all four paws in the air. “Me! Me! Im the cellarhog in the rhyme. Im goin!
Joseph merely smiled and shrugged. “Me, too, unless theres another Fathermouse with beard of gray in our Abbey.
Mellus ambled up and sat beside him. “Nobeast has more right to go than you, Beilmaker. Your daughter is one of the two all the fuss is about, she said. “I only wish I were spry and young enough to go with you; Id seek out Dandin. I brought that young rogue up from the time he was a Dibbun. Huh, Id still scrub his ears if he were here today. Rufe Brush, whats wrong? Mellus had been watching the young squirrel closely.
Rufe blinked back a tear which was threatening to fall. “Bellringer whod love to staycouldnt be nobeast but me, could it? Ive never been outside of Redwall, really, dont want to either. The Abbeys my home, an I love it here.
Durry threw a comforting paw around his friend.
“Cheer up, Rufey. Itll be a great adventure. Ive been on adventures before, youll enjoy it. Im your matey, aint I? Well stick together, men you. Rufe n Durry, Durry n Rufe, eh!
The young squirrel scrubbed a paw across his eyes and sat close to Durry. “And well come back home to Red-wall together, too!
Mellus turned her attentions to Foremole. He was shaking his velvety head to and fro, murmuring to himself, “Ho urr, lack a day, zurr Marthen ee said oim tgo.
Joseph looked with surprise at the mole. “Of course! Digger who would rather walkthats you!
Foremoie continued shaking his head. “Oi wishes et wurrnt, zurr. Wem be goin aboard a boat, oi feels et in moi diggen claws. Bohurr, oid rather walk anywhurrs than sail on ee boat. Oim gurtly afeared o drownen. But if Marthen says et, then oim bound tgo!
Joseph smiled as he took the heavy digging claw Fore-mole extended to him. “Bravely said; we will need your logic and strength. Now, I wonder who the fifth one is, laughing flower with eye of hawk. Perhaps it is Tree-rose?
Oak Toms pretty wife shook her head. “Not me. But I can tell you who I think it iswatch! She crept over to the bottom step where Hon Rosie was sitting. Stealing up behind her, Treerose tickled the hares long eartips. Rosie exploded. “Whoohahahooh! I say, stoppit! Whoo-hahahooh!
Treerose stopped. “There she is. Rose Woodsorrel, the laughing flower! Though I dont know about her having an eye like a hawk.
Hon Rosie stiffened her ears indignantly. “Eye of hawk? Hawkeye! I say, thats what old Colonel Clary used to call me when I was in the Long Patrol. Im absolutely top hole with any sort of weapon yknow: bow n arrows, slings, javelins, hit anythin you name. Dead on target, first time!
Recognition suddenly dawned on Rosie and she burst out afresh. “Whoohahahooh! Oh I say, the thingummy, the rhyme, it meant me! What a wheeze, you chaps, Im goin with you!
Rosies husband, Tarquin, drew himself up huffily. “Steady on there, old gel! Do I take it that you intend swannin off an leavin me here with our young uns?
Rosie was an excellent mother and she loved Tarquin dearly. But being caught up in the throes of an adventure appealed to her wild spirit. “Got to do what Martin the bally Warrior commands, old lad! She saw Tarquins ears droop miserably and relented. “But if youre against it, mdear, then I wont go!
Knowing both hares well, Joseph came up with a ploy. “Youre right, Tarquin. Here at Redwall with the young ones and your good self, thats the proper place for Rosie! Of course, this changes everything. I was thinking of giving my duties as menu setter and food taster to you, Tarquin. Mellus would look after your young leverets, give mem a bit of Abbey schooling, theyd make friends and get a good education. Right, Mellus?
The badger caught Josephs wink and agreed. “Indeed is. Oh, then theres also the temporary Cellarkeepers fades. Im sure Durry needs some reliable beast to check on all his cellar stock. October ale, strawberry fizzgot to be tasted each day and kept at the right temperature.
“Nt that right, Durry?
The hedgehog caught on to the ruse and he nodded firmly. “Need somebeast with a good stomach for sam-plin an checkin. Cellar should be cool n quiet in the summer.
Tarquin L, Woodsorrel set his jaw in a decisive jut. “Who said you couldnt go, mdear, eh? Show me the curmudgeon an Ill give him two pieces of me mind! Our young uns need schoolin. Never hurt anybeast. Now not another blinkin word, Rosie. Youre goin! Oh I know its a jolly hard sacrifice, but Ill stay right here. Samplin ale n cordial, tastin grub an makin menus. Dont you fret, my beautiful gigglin blossom. Ill keep mself busy. You nip off; the breakll do you good!
Laughter and applause greeted Tarquins noble offer. Saxtus tapped the parchment whereon he had recorded all.
“Listen to this, and see if any beast can make it clear.
Birds of cloth that fly oer water,
Guide trees of the forest through the sea ...
Simeon interrupted the poem. “I solved that last night-its simple to a blind one who has had to have things described to him all his life. Trees of the forest going through the seathats a ship; the white birds of cloth are its sails, they guide and propel the ship through water.
Joseph shook his head in admiration. “Well done, Simeon! Read the other two lines, Saxtus.
“Where a snake begins, find thy daughter, Go now, turn thou, due to my plea.
The Abbot looked at the Bellmaker. “Turn thou, Joseph!
Joseph did as he was bid; standing up, he turned around. “Done that. Now what do I do?
Simeon shook with silent laughter. The Abbot glared in his direction. “This is no laughing matter, my friend!
The blind mouse took a little time to compose himself. “Sorry, Saxtus, but I did hear Joseph actually stand and turn then. Thats what I was laughing at. Youve got it all wrong; the rhyme means that you turn the word thou.
Saxtus thought about it for a moment, then he tried. “Uoth! Whats that supposed to mean?
“Try turning it a bit more, switch the letters O and U around.
“Outh? Still means nothing.
Simeon took a sip of his mint tea. “It wont until you find where a snake begins.
The Abbot looked puzzled. “At its tail, I suppose. Thats where all snakes begin.
“Oh really! the blind Herbalist snorted impatiently. “Im Simeon, that begins with S. Youre Saxtus; that begins with 5. Now what does snake begin with? An 5!
Saxtus still looked blank. “Im sorry, Simeonyouve tost me. Could you explain it all?
Simeon spoke in a slow and patient tone. “Put the letter S with the word outh and you have South. Due South! Martin is pleading with you to sail due south! Saxtus swept the cup from Simeons paw and gave it to Rufe. “Mint tea is no fitting drink for a genius. Rufe take this to the cellars and fill it with the finest old blackberry wine, for a blind mouse who can see further than any beast in Redwall Abbey. Simeon, accept my humble congratulations!
Long into the afternoon they labored at the final verse, Joseph reading it over and over:
“Five will ride the Roaringburn, But only four will eer return, Urgan sits in Gaels Royal House, Warriormaid and Warriormouse, Say hasten, and give aid.
Rufe Brush repeated the second line. “But only four will eer return? Will one of us die, Durry?
The hedgehog shook his spiky head. “Pay it no eed, Rufey. Well take care o each other. Besides, it may be a trick line. Martin the Warrior always says one thing an means another. Dont you worry, mate.