Captain Riftun came out of the fortress to watch the completion of the path to the jetty. He stood beside Lieutenant Flith, bringing him up to date on what was to happen.
Flith listened intently to his captain. King Agarnu ain’t goin’ anywhere on that new ship, not’im;’e’s scared witless o’ the sea. It’ll be Princess Kurda an’ that oaf Prince Bladd who’ll be sailin’. I’ll be goin’, too.
This news surprised Flith. Yore goin’ with’em, Cap’n?’Ow long’ll ye be gone?
Riftun was not one to give away valuable information. For as long as it takes. That’s all you need t’know. Now lissen, you’ll be in charge’ere while I’m gone, so I want to find things in good order on my return.
Got that?
Flith saluted. Aye, Cap’n, ye can rely on me. But there ain’t no reason fer you to go off sailin’, none I can see.
Riftun leaned closer, dropping his voice so the slaves could not eavesdrop on what he was about to say. I’m goin’ to let ye in on a liddle secret, Flith, so keep it to yer-self. Agarnu is only King by blood.’E’s a Pure Ferret, but the law of Riftgard sez that a proper king must not only be of the blood, but that’e must possess an’ wear the crown an’
pawring which is the symbol of’is office.
Flith raised his eyebrows. I never knew that! So wot yer sayin’ is, since he’s got no crown an’ pawring, Agarnu ain’t a real king, just a sort o’ deputy?
Riftun leaned on his spear and nodded. Right! I served under Sarengo, the old king. Now’e was a proper ruler. But then’e went off on that voyage with Agarnu. Hah, I recall well the day Sarengo told Agarnu’e was takinim along. The fat useless fool wept like a baby. But Sarengo wanted to toughen Agarnu up, said’e’d either come back’ere as a king or not at all. They was off to plunder some place called RedwallÑit’s supposed t’be full o’ treasureÑbut they never found it. Agarnu was the only one to make it back to Riftgard alive. Nobeast knows, except Agarnu’imself, wot’appened beyond the seas in that other land called Mossflower. An’ he ain’t never said a word of wot went wrong, or’ow’e lost a leg. Think of it, a king, his crown an’ pawring, fifty good Ratguards an’ a great ship, all lost. Agarnu was close to death’s door when’e crawled ashore off an’alf-wrecked ship’s longboat.
Flith nodded. I recall that. I was only a young Ratguard meself at the time. Ye can’t blame Agarnu fer not wantin’ t’gobackt’sea.
Riftun sniggered humourlessly. No, that’s why’e’s sendin’ Kurda an’
Bladd. They’ve got to find out if King Sarengo’s still alive. If it turns out Sarengo’s dead, they’ve got to bring back’is crown an’ pawring.
Then Agarnu’ll be a real king, an’ so will whichever of’is two brats follows in succession.
Flith thought about this, then scratched his tail. But why d’you’ave t’go, Cap’n?
Riftun puffed out his narrow chest importantly. ’Cos I’m the’ighest-rankin’ rat in Riftgard. I’ve got t’see that the Prince an’
Princess don’t try to murder one another. Kurda’s got nothin’ but hatred for Bladd, an’ young Bladd ain’t as stupid as’e looks. I bet’e’d put a knife twixt’is sister’s ribs as soon as look at’er. So I’m bein’ sent along with a squad o’ Ratguards, in command of everythin’. At noon Agarnu’ll come down t’the new ship with Kurda and Bladd, to formally give the vessel to them. Aye, an’ Kurda’s goin’ to be allowed to execute those three prisoners in the punishment cage, just t’keep the other slaves from gettin’ fancy ideas. Then they’re all goin’ back t’the fortress for a farewell feast. While that’s goin’ on, the ship’ll be provisioned, ready to sail at eventide. So I’m warnin’ ye, Flith, keep things runnin’ smooth while I’m away, or you’ll be the one in the punishment cage when I get back. Is that clear, Lieutenant?
Flith kept his eyes on the ground. Aye, Cap’n, crystal clear!
Riftun stalked off, back to the fortress. Flith watched him go, then turned his attention to the Ratguards who were overseeing the path construction.
Flith tried out his new authority. Youse lot, call yerself Ratguards!
I’d’ave had this job finished three days back if’twas left t’me. Get those slaves movin’, 1 want to’ear yer whips crackin’ louder. You lot are in for it if this path doesn’t reach the jetty in two hours. Wot d’ye expect, the King anis family t’get muddy paws? The Prince an’
Princess’avin’ t’walk over slushy ground? I’ll see this path finished if I’ave to use the carcasses of both guards an’ slaves fer the royal party t’walk over. Get movin’!
Shogg came up for air. Nearly through now, though I’d take me oath these bars are thicker at the bottom than at the top!
Triss cast a sympathetic glance at her friend. Do you want to take a rest and let me have a go at it?
The otter shook his head, chuckling. No, no, matey, you couldn’t’old yore breath long enough underwater. There’s only me who can do this.
You keep watch.
Taking a deep breath, he submerged himself once more.
Princess Kurda put the final touches to her blade on an oiled stone and tested it on her paw. Yarr, der heavy sabre be best for der choppink!
Swishing and slashing at imaginary victims, she prowled into the throne room.
Agarnu eyed the sabre distastefully. Stop wavin’ dat t’ing about. You like Sarengo wit mace’n’chain!
Prince Bladd positioned himself behind Captain Riftun. I not goin’ on dat boat if she be takin’ swords vit her!
Agarnu banged his false leg on the floor decisively. I say you go, den you go! Riftun be dere to proteck you, take some swords you’self if you vant, yarr.
Bladd tried to tough it out in front of his sister. Yarr, I take mace’n’chain, like dey say mine granpa had!
Kurda could not resist baiting him. Mace und chain, yarr, you could not even lift von, fool!
Bladd stuck out his tongue and made a rude noise. Den I tell Riftun to stick his big spear in you!
Kurda’s pink eyes shone wickedly. Nobeast’s spear stop dis sword. Spears, tchah!
Agarnu roared at them both, Stop der fightink, you two!
However, Kurda was bound to have the last word. You watch der vay I deal wid dose slaves, den you try an’ sleep tonight!
The last logs had been laid, completing the walkway to the new ship at the jetty’s end. Flith made his guards herd the slaves to one side.
Shogg popped his head up, dismayed. The file’s snapped, just when I was nearly through!
Welfo sobbed nervously. I can hear the gates being unlocked. They’re coming! Can’t we do something?
The otter set his jaw grimly. I’ll try bashin’ the bar with a rock!
Diving beneath the surface, he located a hefty boulder, which they had previously been using to try to bend the bars. All caution was thrown aside now. The noise of Shogg’s efforts could be heard clearly, echoing round the fjord banks: Thook! Drrongg! Thook! Brrungg!
Lieutenant Flith ran toward the quivering cage. Wot in the name o’ fangs is goin’ on there?
Drufo pushed a Ratguard in the back, sending him sprawling as he yelled to the other slaves, Now, mates, now!
They broke loose^hustling and jostling the guards. Flith was knocked flying into the water. Slaves were roaring and yelling as they grabbed whips from their surprisedcaptors. The bar broke under the pounding from Shogg’s rock. He grabbed it to use as a weapon, wading out of the cage into the fjord, calling to his two friends: Move yoreselves, mates, this is the only chance we’ll get!