"See, I told yer, that's me ole matey Tibbar the magic rabbit!
Haharrhohoho! Make more magic, Tibbar."
Ballaw bowed elegantly as he leaped down from the table. "Lord Badrang, what d'you wish, old chap a play, or more magic?"
Badrang refilled his empty beaker, checking to see that it was greengage cordial, and not dead leaves. "I'll go along with friend Clogg here. Make more magic." Ballaw extended his paw dramatically.
"Bring forth the deadly dagger of death!"
Gauchee and Kastern came forward, bearing between them a red silk cushion. On it lay a long dagger which glittered wickedly in the firelight. Rowanoak chanted in the background,
"From the deepest darkest dungeons,
'Neath the mountains of the moon,
Comes the dreadful dagger of death,
To bring a creature to sad doom!"
Rowanoak then came forward, dragging Celandine. The squirrelmaid threw a paw to her brow, protesting theatrically,
"No no, no no! Not I, Not I.
One so young and pretty as me
Is far too fair to die!"
Ballaw took the dagger. Producing an apple from an astounded searat's ear, he sliced it in quarters with the glittering blade, smiling wickedly as he called to the assembled vermin,
"See how sharp an' murderous is me blade.
Who would like to see me kill the maid?"
Immediately, there was a silence. Celandine looked so tearfully beautiful nobeast made a sound to condemn her. Except Badrang.
"Run her through, rabbit, and be done with it!"
Celandine shrieked and strove to get away as Rowanoak held her tightly, helpless before Ballaw. The hare held the dagger high.
"Badrang, your name is feared throughout the land.
My Lord, I kill this maid at your command!"
He struck at Celandine. She screamed.
"Aaaaiiiieeeeeee!"
The blade appeared to bury itself full length in the squirrelmaid's body, though it had collapsed secretly back into the dagger's handle.
Celandine took the handle in both paws as Ballaw let it go. She looked as though she were trying to pull it out of her, though she was really pressing it in. Ballaw turned, his face a mask of horror, paws quivering as he held them to his face.
"Alas no more I'll laugh or sing.
I've murdered her, the pretty little thing!"
Celandine staggered about, moaning pitifully.
"Nor more I'll see the dawning o'er the trees, Nor see the golden sunlight in the sky,
The seasons change, the birds, the flow'rs, the bees.
Alack a day, poor me who has to die!"
Buckler stood close to her, banging on a small drum as he muttered out of the side of his mouth, "Coom on, miz, daunt 'ee make a banquet o' it. 'Urry oup an' die!"
With a final heartrending sob, Celandine flopped gracefully into Rowanoak's paws and died, still clutching the dagger to her.
As Rowanoak bore the squirrelmaid's limp form around, some of the corsairs began muttering.
"Shame, she were a pretty liddle beast."
"Aye, mate. That rabbit might be magic, but 'e's fair 'eartless!"
Cap'n Clogg took a huge draught of kelp beer. "Harr, Tibbar, matey What'd you want ter croak 'er for? The show's spoiled now. You gone an' ruined a good night's entertainment!"
Ballaw twirled his magic rabbit cloak. "There, my good friends, speaks a stoat with a heart o' gold; me old companion Cloggo. Just for you, I'll bring her back to life."
Rowanoak laid Celandine on the ground. Ballaw knelt over her, chanting.
"Here lies a young maid who's been killed.
With my own paw I thrust the knife.
Without a drop of her blood spilled.
See, I bring her back to life.
Hocus pocus dumbeldum dreary, wackalup one two three four five,
Gawrum pawrum cockalorum, maid rise up and
come alive!"
He took hold of the dagger and made a great show of pulling it out of Celandine, heaving and grunting until at last it stood free and shining as he waved it in the air.
The young squirrelmaid sat up, rubbed her eyes and smiled prettily as she stretched. "Where am I? I must have fallen asleep!"
There was great cheering and applause for the marvellous trick.
Ballaw swiftly collapsed the dagger back into its handle, stowed it beneath his cloak and brought forth an identical one. This, however, was no trick dagger. The hare stuck it in the tabletop between Clogg and Badrang for their inspection.
Tramun tested the weapon, slamming its point down hard into the table several times. "Tibbar, matey, yore the magickest rabbit I ever clapped eyes on!"
Badrang never bothered testing the knife. He sat back, chin on paw.
"Very good, rabbit. Can you do any more tricks?"
Ballaw pointed at Felldoh in his ridiculous outfit.
"More tricks, you say? Attend me here,
My magic is no trick.
Yon fox, I'll make him disappear,
With a wave of my magic stick!"
Rowanoak whispered in Felldoh's ear, "Now is the chance to free your father. Try to remember what you were told. You won't get a second opportunity. Good luck."
The badger donned a massive black cloak as Buckler and Trefoil unloaded a box from the cart. Ballaw clapped Felldoh on the shoulder, haranguing him loudly as the stage was set.
"Now then, young fellah, you cunning fox, How'd you like to disappear?
Just place yourself inside yon box,
And like a flash you're out of here!"
Felldoh backed off, his head flopping comically as he pleaded,
"What? Vanish me, sir Tibbar, no,
To what strange place would I then go?
Under the sea, or maybe up there,
To regions of the nether air.
I pray you, sir, please let me be.
Magic Tibbar, don't vanish me!"
Ballaw turned to the crowd. They were laughing at the comical fox's plight. Assisted by the rest of the company, he got a chant going that was soon picked up by everybeast.
"Where's the best place for the fox?
Locked up tight inside the box!"
The entire company leaped upon Felldoh and dragged him yelling to the box. There was utter confusion as they thrust him in and he sprang out again. In, out, in, out he went, with the delighted hordes of vermin leaping about chanting louder and louder,
"Where's the best place for the fox?
Locked up tight inside the box!"
Ballaw ran to the fire shouting madly, "In! In! Get him in, I say!"
He extended both paws to the fire.
Whoosh!
A great smoky gouting column of flame lit up the night. Red, green and brightest blue. There was a yell of alarm as creatures fell back, rubbing at their eyes in the blinding light.
Felldoh concealed himself beneath Rowanoak's huge black cloak.
She moved swiftly away to the edge of the firelight and shook the brave squirrel free from the enveloping garment. Felldoh rolled deep into the shadows, flattening himself against the wall as he made his way to the slave compound. Buckler beat furiously on his small drum, secretly kicking away at the box so that it moved and shook. Trefoil stood at his side, her lips scarcely moving as she called out in a loud imploring tone,
"O pity, gentle creatures, lack a day.
Don't leave a poor fox here all locked away!"
Clogg nudged Badrang roughly. "Hoho that's settled the fox's 'ash.
Tibbar's got 'im stowed tight in that there box!"
Kastern and Celandine paraded round, holding up a variety of big old fashioned locks complete with keys and many lengths of tough seakelp rope.
"Who will lock the fox up tight?"
"Who will bind the box up right?"
There was no shortage of volunteers. Searats and corsairs mingled with members of the Tyrant's horde as they crowded round the box.
Some proudly showed their skills in rope knotting, while others secured the locks through the box's metal eyelets.
Ballaw strutted round the secured box, nodding with satisfaction.