Showing her the pawring and parchment, Crikulus explained. You see these four symbols on the ring? Well, they stand for Royal House of Riftgard.
The sign shaped like a leaf is the one I’m interested in. Now, the key is hidden somewhere in all of the symbols on this parchment. The only clue to it are these words: The leaf is three times five. So, miss, does that mean anything to ye?
Churk sat silent for a moment, concentrating hard on the evidence presented to her. Crikulus was about to speak when she held up a paw.
He held his silence whilst Churk continued scanning the objects. A slow smile began spreading across her face. Still studying the parchment, she spoke. Can you get me some clean parchment an’ somethin’ to write with, sir?
As Crikulus bustled into the gatehouse, Malbun indicated a single strawberry cream scone. We saved the last one for you, my old pal.
Where’ve you been, and where’s the pawring an’ scroll got to?
The ancient shrew rummaged a thin charcoal stick outof a drawer. You can have the scone. Where’s all the clean parchment gone, has somebeast hidden it all?
Malbun slid a piece from under the armchair cushion. It’s right here where you put it the other day.
Crikulus snatched the section of birch bark parchment. Young Churk is looking at the scroll an’ ring, out on the wallsteps. I think she’s onto somethin’!
As they hurried from the gatehouse, Mokug grabbed the scone. Waste not want not, especially strawberry cream scones!
Churk took the writing materials and immediately began scribbling away.
Skipper patted her back proudly. Haharr, you just watch this young ‘un solve yore puzzle!
But the ottermaid was not about to allow them to.
I’m not havin’ you four breathin’ down me neck. Now be off with ye, yore makin’ me nervous an’ I can’t think properly. Go on, shoo, an’
leave me alone!
The four Redwallers strolled off toward the orchard. Skipper cast a backward glance at Churk working away. That ‘un’s got some nerve, sendin’
us off t’play like four naughty Dibbuns. Ah, but she’s a brainy one, that niece o’ mine.
Malbun remarked drily, Don’t know where she gets all those brains.
Certainly not from her uncle.
Nimbly, she dodged a swing from Skipper’s rudder. The otter Chieftain spoke out indignantly. I taught Churk all she knows. Aye, there’s nobeast like me at riddles. Lissen to this, mates: Y is a letter, yet why is a word.
Don’t stalk among grass stalks, a stork’s a bird.
I is a letter you see with your eye.
Can U mean you, or is it just I?
Ask me a riddle and I’ll tell you Y.
Two’s one and one, but there’s to and too.
To understand too, I must tell you
There’s a B and a bee which should really be Like a letter C, you don’t see in the sea.
I’ll ask you a riddle and you tell me.
For what is four? Only two times two.
I can see you C, oh Y say U?
Is a hare with hair a him or a her,
Does it eat good fare, and have fur that is fair?
Two pears make one pair, that’s your answer, sir!
Mokug shook his head in amazement. Can ye say that again?
It was an old Redwall riddle, and Crikulus gave the answer that everybeast had learned at Abbey school.
There’s a pane in my window that never feels pain, And he’s at a loss to say it again.
So now is now, but as you know,
A know without K would still sound like no!
Malbun smiled wistfully. I remember old Brother Frumble teaching us that at Abbey school. Ah, happy days!
Mokug sniffed ruefully. Suppose that’s why it puzzled me. I never went to Abbey school, there was no such thing as a school for slaves at Riftgard.
Skipper took the golden hamster’s paw. Never mind, mate, we’ll teach ye bit by bit. Yore never too old t’learn.
Yahaaaar!
Crikulus almost fell over with fright at the sound. Great seasons, what was that?
Skipper was already running back to the wallsteps. It’s ChurkÑshe always makes that noise when she’s pleased!
The ottermaid was beaming from ear to ear when the friends arrived at the wallsteps. I’ve solved yore riddle! Come an’ sit here while I show ye wot it’s all about.
Book Three: The Swordmaid
30
It was the Ratguard Captain Vorto who sighted the fire-glow further north up the shore. The embers formed a small island of red light in the waning night. He pointed it out with his spear. Princess, look, there’s fire burnin’ up ahead!
Not to be outdone, Riggan was pointing also. There’s a ship beyond the tide line yonder, looks like Cap’n Plugg’s Seascab.
Kurda looked from the fire to the ship, quickening her pace. Yarr, dat Plugg moved der ship down, she vas anchored further up north, de odder side of dat big hill. I soon find out vot he is playink at!
Pawsore and weary, the Ratguards were forced to break into a run in order to keep up with her. She checked her pace without warning, scowling as Vorto ran into her back. Kurda’s glance was fixed on the stern end of the Seascab. Suddenly she was pointing with her sabre and dancing about in agitation at what she could see.
Mine boat, it is sailin’ avay, dey be stealing it back again, dose slaves!
Riggan watched the sail go up as the small, elegant craft heeled away from the larger vessel. See, marm, 1 told ye I’d lead yer to’em sooner or later.
The sabre hilt smacked into the slavecatcher’s chin, sending her sprawling. Kurda kicked and berated Riggan, Idiot! You haff not led me to dem, dey are escaping!
She dashed off up the beach, yelling hoarsely, Plugg, stop dem, de slaves are makin’ off mitt der boat!
Kurda came storming into the Freebooters’ camp, tripping over the unconscious Tazzin. Slitfang and the others, roused from sleeping around the fire, staggered forward, yawning and scratching.
Ripper the searat, no respecter of royalty, snarled irately, Yew ain’t in command’ere, we takes orders from Cap’n Plugg!
A whack from Vorto’s spearhaft sent him sprawling. The Ratguard captain yelled at the sleepy Freebooter crew, Then ye’d best get the sand out o’ yore brains an’ let Plugg know that a vessel’s bein’ stolen by slaves!
The Seascab’s crew began milling about, bumping into one another.
Where’s the Cap’n? Find Cap’n Plugg, somebeast!
Look, they’re makin’ off wid’is new sailin’ boat! Grubbage stared about in bafflement. Wot’s all this got t’do wid a blue trailin’ coat?
Kurda seized the deaf steersbeast by the scruff of his neck. You come vit me, lunkhead. Vorto, get everybeast aboard de big ship, ve vill catch dem ourselves!
Triss watched from the stern as the small vessel was swept westward on the outgoing tide. I can see KurdaÑshe’s driving them all aboard the Freebooter ship. We’d best put on a turn of speed, they’ll be coming after us as soon as she gets underway!
Shogg and Kroova were sharing the tiller between them, whilst Sagax and Scarum took up the slack in the ropes until the mast creaked and the sail billowed tautly on the breeze. Shogg peered grimly at the grey breaking dawn.
We’re goin’ to sail out west, then turn an’ take’er back into shore among the reefs. Wot d’ye say, Kroova?
The sea otter watched as the Seascab’s sails began unfurling to catch the wind. I think yore right, mate, that big ship’d soon run us down in open water. Tack an’ weave through the rocks an’ shallows. But we’ve got to draw’er away from the shore first. All the vermin are aboard’erÑthey can’t be left on the beach, where they can wade in an’