Shogg was forced to agree. Aye, I know’e wants to take Kurda an’ the vermin away from both’is own camp an’ us as well. Looks like we’ll just’ave to bide’ere anope we don’t get spotted.
It was easier for Shogg than it was for Triss, standing neck deep in their watery hideout. For what seemed an interminable age, the broadstream flowed silently by. The young squirrelmaid bit down on a pawf ul of reeds to stop her teeth chattering as Shogg murmured, At least it ain’t as bad as bein’ in a cage at Riftgard’s fjordÑnow that was real cold. Hush, somebeast’s a-comin’!
Kurda waded alongside Riggan. The slavecatcher had deployed half of the Ratguard behind them and the other half walking either side of the banks. The Pure Ferret Princess was still not convinced they were on the right course, complaining regularly to Riggan.
You sure dey vent dis vay? Dere are no signs.
Peering ahead, the slavecatcher growled confidently, Don’t ye fret, marm. We’re’ard on the trail, I knows it!
Vorto, who was up on the bank, called out excitedly, Up’ere, tracks all over the place!
Riggan hopped out onto the bank. Back off, I want those prints clear!
Keep the others away from’em an’ keep yore voice down. No need to shout all over the woodlands.
Kurda halted in midstream, with the rest of her Rat-guards catching up to her. She was directly opposite the hidden ledgeÑTriss could see her clearly through a slight gap in the reeds. Both she and Shogg remained completely still. At one point, when Kurda turned to maintain her balance, Triss looked directly into the wicked pink eyes of the Princess, convinced that Kurda was staring straight back at her. Mercifully, the Princess turned around to face Riggan.
You see der tracks, yarr, tell me!
Riggan was down on all fours, inspecting the area. Ho, I sees’em shore enough, marm. They mostly belongs to a crowd o’ voles, but I kin make out the otter an’ squirrel marks, very faintly. They’ve cut off south through the trees, not so long back, either.
Kurda allowed Vorto to assist her up onto the bank with his spearhaft.
The rat Captain saluted smartly.
No need t’move slowly now,’ighness, this trail’s easy to follow. They prob’ly figgered we went upstream an’ east.
Kurda released the spear pole. Gutt, den vot you vait-ing for, Vorto?
Go and capture dem. Riggan and I vill follow.
Riggan protested. But, marm, I should be up front, trackin’.
Kurda fixed the slavecatcher with a haughty glare. I give de orders.
You track too slow. Der trail is clear, yarr, let dem get hot onto it.
Go, Vorto, hurry. Ve vill be behind you, making sure der slaves haven’t cut off to left or right. Riggan vill know if dey have.
When the woodlands were still and quiet once more, Shogg poked out his head and sighed. Phwaaaw! Good ole Arvicola! That riddle dodge worked well.
Triss climbed up onto the bank, flexing her cold limbs. Come on up here, mate, we’ll travel much faster to the shore on good dry land!
Plugg Firetail was immensely proud of his new boat and wanted to show it off. He winked roguishly at the three prisoners sitting bound paw and limb on the sands. D’ye see the big ship? That’s me ole Seascab.
But I’m cap’n o’ two ships now. Wot d’ye think o’ that likkle beauty lyin’ moored astern of the big’un?
Kroova knew they had to keep the Freebooter happy. She’s a beauty, no doubt o’ that Cap’n, pretty as a picture. I never seen one nicer!
Plugg stood and thumped his swelling chest. Aharr, an’ she’s all mine, though she ain’t got a sail fer the moment. Some runaway slaves made off with it.
Scarum played along, shaking his head sadly. Teh tch, can’t trust anybeast these days. So then, sah, what’s the name o’ that handsome craft, wot?
I ain’t thought of a name yet. Wot would you call’er? Sagax could not help admiring Scarum’s crafty reply. Hmm, difficult to say, sah, not havin’ seen the vessel close up, bein’ aboard her an’ so on. If you were to untie us, an’ I promise we won’t run away, perhaps we could go and look the craft over and decide on a well-educated name. Plugg closed one eye, letting the other rove over them. Untie ye? I ain’t no fool, that’s why I’m a cap’n. But I’ll tell ye wot I’ll do. I’ll get me crew to carry the three of ye down an’ put ye aboard o’ me new ship. I’ll sit with ye an’ we’ll’ave an eddicated talk about naminer!
As they were carried down the shore by the Seascab’s crew, Sagax managed to whisper to Scarum, Nice try. Pity it never worked, but don’t give up.
Plugg had them propped up in the bows. He ordered extra ropes and had them lashed securely to the seat. The silver fox sat astern, leaning on the tiller of the beautiful slave-built ship. He peered over the side, where his crew stood, waist-deep, waiting patiently.
Belay there, wot d’you thick-’eaded lot want, eh? The rat Ripper looked rather hurt at this remark. We wants to’ear wot the eddicated rabbit is goin’ to name yer pretty ship, Cap’n.
Plugg adjusted his tattered coat hem haughtily. That’s private. Youse git back ashore, go on. Huh, I’m a cap’n an’ I got eddicated things to discuss wid these gentlebeasts. Slitty, yore in charge, take’em back to the fire, will ye? Oh, an’ keep an eye out fer Kurda an’ those rats of’ers. If’n we’re still’ere come dawn, then, Grubbage, you bring us some brekkist.
As the crew waded sullenly to the beach, Grubbage muttered, Wot’s all that about rubbish gettin’ kissed? Huh, they’ll prob’ly sit out there the rest o’ the night, an’ I’ll’ave t’bring’em some brekkist!
Plugg rubbed a paw fondly along the tiller and smiled happily at his three prisoners. See, I told ye. Pretty as a painted cockleshell, ain’t she? C’mon now, which of ye is eddicated about ship names?
Sagax and Scarum hesitated, so Kroova volunteered. 1 think that might be me, Cap’n.
Plugg produced a flask of grog from his voluminous coat. He took a long swig, belched and pointed at Scarum. That there riverdog don’t talk as nice as you.
The young hare hastened to assure him. Beg pardon, sah, but Kroova is a boat-namin’ expert!
The silver fox took another long pull at his flask. An expert, y’say?
Go on then, riverdog, do yer stuff!
Still following the broad stream, Shogg and Triss emerged from the woodlands onto a plateau of dunes. Below them the stream coursed along a canyon it had carved from running for countless ages through the dunes.
It flowed outward across the shore to unite with the sea. Immediately both threw themselves flat on the coarse grass, viewing the scene before them. A whole crew of vermin were lazing around the embers of a burnt vessel. Beyond that the big Freebooter ship bobbed at anchor, like a huge dark bird of ill omen. Behind it their little boat swayed on the start of an outgoing ebb tide.
Shogg scratched his rudder thoughtfully. Look, mate, there’s our boat!
Wot’s it doin’ down this far? When we left, it was further north up the coast.
Triss shrugged. Lucky for us we found it. We must have gone in a sort of half-circle. The captain of the big ship moved it south down the coast. So here we all are.
The otter patted the rolled-up sail, which was still tied across his back. Then let’s git down there an’ steal our vessel back. We can cut round those vermin dozin’ about the fire.
Triss narrowed her eyes as she peered at the small craft. It won’t be so easy as that, mate. I think there’s a few of them aboard our ship, about four of’em, I reckon. We don’t have a weapon between usÑyou gave away your sling-stones to the Coneslingers. As for my spear, I’ve no idea where it is. I must have lost it along the way. So, what now?