dormitory.
29
When pale dawn sunlight crept over the dormitory win-dowsills, Skipper sat up blinking. It took him a moment to recognise where he was. Then he remembered the dream. Silently he slipped off the bed. The Abbeybabes were still slumbering, some snoring, others whimpering and giggling in their sleep as they dreamt small dreams. Noiselessly the otter Chieftain padded out, closing the door gently behind him. Then he ran like the wind, down the stairs, taking two at a time and charged across Great Hall.
Furrel, the assistant cook, was coming in from the orchard, carrying a trug of fresh strawberries with morning dew still glistening on them.
As Skipper dashed out the door, the molemaid bobbed him a swift curtsey.
Gudd mawnin’, zurr, be ee not a stoppen furr brekkist?
However, breakfast was the last thing on Skipper’s mind.
Malbun Grimp was wakened by the knocking on the gatehouse door. She pulled herself out of the armchair, grumbling, All right, I’m coming, leave the door on its hinges, will you!
Framed by a flood of sunlight and dust motes, Skipper bounded in.
Crikulus scrambled from his bed, tousle-headed. Great seasons, are we being attacked by a vermin army?
The otter raised his rudder politely to them both.
G’mornin’, marm, mornin’, sir. I ‘ad a dream last night!
Scratching his head frowsily, Crikulus yawned. That must’ve been very nice for ye, but not uncommon. I had a dream, too, an’ so did Malbun, I’ll wager.
Skipper sat down on the bed. The urgent tone of his voice caught their attention. Aye, but not like this ‘un, mates. My dream was of Martin the WarriorÑhe spoke to me. Get that pawring we found in Mossflower, an’ the scroll, too! The wood mouse and the shrew were now wide awake and listening.
The scroll was still on the table. Malbun produced the heavy gold pawring from a wall cupboard. She struggled to keep the excitement from her voice. Here they are. Now take your time, don’t hurry, try to think clearly. What was your dream about?
The otter slowed himself visibly as he explained, Martin came into my mind when I lay sleepin’. He was holdin’ the scroll an’ wearin’ that pawring. Then ‘e pointed at the pawring an’ said, ÔThe leaf is three times five, you must remember. Tell Malbun an’ Crikulus that the leaf is three times five.’ Then Martin was gone. I dreamed no more, but I remembered wot ‘e said, word for word!
Malbun bowed her head slightly. Thank you, Skipper, you did well.
Crikulus, my friend, it seems that we’ve been given our first clue by none other than Martin the Warrior. So you open up the parchment and I’ll study this pawring. Let’s make a start.
Skipper hovered anxiously over them. Anythin’ I can do to ‘elp you two goodbeasts, anythin’ at all? Crikulus smiled hopefully at him. Er, breakfast? The big otter bounded off, chuckling. Right y’are, brekkist for three comin’ up, mates! Malbun placed the pawring in a shaft of sunlight, itstwo jetstones glowing darkly on either side of the four symbols.
Hmm, Skipper said that Martin pointed at the pawring. Now let me see, the leaf is three times five. She studied it briefly, then pointed at the next-to-last symbol. This is leaf-shaped. It even has a mark like a leaf vein running through its centre. Yes, this is the leaf.
Crikulus showed her the parchment. That shape shows up all over here, and the other two shapes as well, because obviously both end symbols are the same. But here’s your leaf: twice on the top line, three times on the second line, once on the third line, three times on the fourth line, and once on the bottom line of those two rows that are set apart.
Ten times in all, what d’you make of that?
Malbun shook her head. Ten times, that’s only two times five. We’re looking for three times five. Count them again.
Crikulus did as he was bade, but his first count proved right. That leaf only appears ten times, I’m positive!
Mokug was up and about early on his first morning. He went downstairs to explore his beautiful new home, strolling hither and thither with a radiant smile on his face and whistling softly between his teeth.
Friar Gooch popped his head around the kitchen door. A good morn to ye, friend. Come in, we’re just getting the breakfast ready. I’m Gooch, the Friar of Redwall.
A few moles were pulling hot scones from the ovens. Furrel was busy ladling a blob of meadowcream onto each scone and topping it off with a strawberry. She wrinkled her nose in a jolly manner at Mokug. Do ee loike to try wunn, zurr?
The hamster eagerly accepted her offer. Thankee, pretty miss, I’d like that fine!
The molemaid giggled. You’m keep callen oi pretty an’ oi’ll let ee’ave’em all, zurr!
Skipper trundled a trolley out of the steamy mist from a line of bubbling pans, nodding affably to Mokug. Top o’ the morn to ye, mate. Load yore brekkist on this trolley an’ we’ll take it to the gatehouse. Crikulus an’ Malbun are lookin’ at yore scroll down there. If’n ye eat with all the Redwallers, those DibbunsTl mob ye. They always do that to newcomers an’ guests.
Malbun and Crikulus made Mokug welcome. Over breakfast they told him of Skipper’s dream and their efforts to interpret the symbols. Malbun took the pawring from her apron pocket and showed it to Mokug. Ever seen anything like this before?
Fear and hate suffused the hamster’s face. That’s the pawring of King Sarengo. I’ve seen it many a time, aye, an’ felt it too. Ole Sarengo often lashed out at me when’e was wearin’ it. See that scar over me left eye? Those black stones did that. Sarengo just laughed when’e saw me lyin’ on the floor with blood runnin’ down me face. Oh, I’ve seen it before, mate, believe me!
Malbun’s voice softened. She felt sorry for the hamster. What about these signs? I don’t suppose you know what any of them mean, do you?
Mokug did not even have to look at the symbols. Oh, those, any slave at Riftgard could tell ye that, marm. It stands for Royal House of Riftgard. Ye see it stamped or carved on anythin’ in the kingdom over there.
Skipper pushed a bowl across to Mokug. Try some o’ this, messmate,’otroot’n’watershrimp soup. If’n it’s good for otters, it should do you good, too. Put a sparkle in yore eye an’ a spring to yore step!
Whilst they were joking and laughing at the taste of food new to Mokug, Crikulus took the pawring and scroll, along with his beaker of mint tea. The old Gatehouse Keeper went outside to sit on the wallsteps in the morning sun. He stared at the pawring and the parchment alternately, repeating to himself, Royal House of Riftgard, the leaf is three times five.
Churk the ottermaid wandered up with a scone and a beaker of dandelion-and-burdock cordial. She sat beside the old shrew. Ah, a bit o’ peace an’ quiet at last. Ye wouldn’t believe the noise those Dibbuns are makin’ in the orchard.
Crikulus continued talking to himself, ignoring Churk. The leaf is three times five, Royal House of Riftgard.
The burly ottermaid listened to the odd phrases. Leaf is three times five, wot’s that supposed to mean, sir?
Crikulus looked up, as if just noticing her. Are ye any good at puzzles and riddles, miss?
Churk winked confidently at him. You just try me. Skipper says I’m too clever for me own rudder sometimes. I like tryin’ to solve things.