Meldrum the Magnificent sniffed as he twirled his waxed mustachios. “Balderdash! Quality counts, old lad, not quantity. Proved it meself many a time. What dyou think these medals are for, cleanin me porridge bowl an goin to bed early?
“Not so hasty, Meldrum, Dandin spoke up on Furpps side. “Dashing deeds and dead heroes would be a sad fact in the face of a horde such as our friend Furpp described. Mayhap we should be a bit careful and take a closer look before rushing madly in.
“Indeed! Meldrum said, wiggling his ears huffily. “Took the very words out o me mouth, young feller. Proceed with extreme caution, then wallop em when the times ripe, thats what I always say!
Mariel could see Meldrum was in a touchy mood. She ended the meeting by yawning and stretching. “I suggest we sleep on it; were all tired and need a rest.
Meldrum loosened his tunic buttons. “Of course, tucker first, shuteye next, then action! Eat, sleep n fight in that order, always been me motto. Glad I thought of it, wot?
Suppressing a giggle, Mariel lay down saying, “I dont know where wed be without your wise counsel, sir.
Meldrum peered hard at her in the darkness. “Tell you somethin else, missie. Better off sleepin out here under the stars, wot? Dreadful fellers for snorin these motes, an those young neph, er, troops of mine, sound like a pack of hogs in a truffle patch. Advise beddin down outside, earth for ybed, sky for a blanket an all that. Capital stuff!
Dandin yawned and closed his eyes. “Well take your word for it, Meldrum.
The old hare hit the ground with a resounding thud, nestling his head into a grass tussock. “Sensible creature, I can see were goin to get on well tgether. Gnight, chaps!
He was instantly asleep. After suffering an hour of his stentorian snores, Mariel, Dandin, and Furpp crept around to the other side of the hill. The old mole stuffed grass into his ears as he commented, “Hurr, oi cn ear Meldum a snoren from yurr, ee could win a gurt fat medal ftirr snorin, thatn be a champiun, burr aye!
Dandin drifted off to sleep, wondering how his old friend Saxtus was coping as Abbot of Redwall, and his companions, Durry, Rufe, and the other good Abbey comrades, Mother Mellus and Simeon. Were they still well and happy, enjoying a long, peaceful Mossflower summer? A wave of longing for his old home swept over him. What was he doing here, four seasons away from the Abbey he had been brought up in, going off to fight some other beasts war? Then he thought of Mariel, the truest mousemaid he had ever stood alongside, through thick and thin over many adventures, trekking, eating, thinking, and fighting together in all manner of strange places, making new friends and fighting many enemies.
A smile passed across the face of the sleeping mouse warrior. This was the life; he would not have had it any other way.
Candles cast their warm flickering glow over the tables, sending long shadows into the comers of Great Hall. Father Abbot Saxtus dipped his quill pen in the ink; a long bark parchment lay on the table before him. Though the night was late, his duties as Recorder were required. Every Redwaller sat silent, the food at table forgotten, as Joseph the Bellmaker stood to relate his dream of the previous night. The words sprang unbidden to his lips.
“All day I have been struggling to recall the message Martin the Warrior gave to me as I slept, but I could remember nothing until now. So, friends, I will tell you about the dream as it happened.
“Martin guided my mind through a far country. It looked peaceful and warm, but 1 could feel fear, the fear of the creatures who live there. I also felt the presence of evil, a shadow loomed, like that of a big animal, a large fox maybe, or even a wolf! Then I heard Martin speak.
Birds of cloth that fly oer water,
Guide trees of the forest through the sea,
Where a snake begins, find thy daughter,
Go now, turn thou, due to my plea.
Joseph paused. The only sound to be heard was the scratch of Saxtuss pen, who then said, “Thank you, Joseph, Ive got that. Is there more?
The Bellmaker continued to narrate what he had dreamed. “Oh yes, there is much more. Martin faded from my mind and I saw Mariel and Dandin, as clear as I can see you, my friends. They were repeating a verse together.
Five will ride the Roaringburn,
But only four will eer return.
Urgan sits in Gaels Royal House,
Warriormaid and Warriormouse,
Say hasten, and give aid.
Immediately a murmur arose from the assembled Red-wallers.
“Five are to go. Which five?
“The rhyme never said?
“Aye, but only four will come back; thats what he said!
Simeons stick rapped the tabletop sharply. “Silence, please, friends! he said. “You must wait until Joseph has finished speaking.
The Bellmaker bowed slightly to the blind Herbalist. “Thank you, Simeon. I have not much more to say now. My dream ended with many images, swirling water, flames, the sounds of battle, and above all the voice of Martin calling aloud:
Bellringer whod love to stay,
Go! With cellarhog, I say,
Laughing flowr with eye of hawk,
Digger who would rather walk,
Fathermouse with beard of gray,
Five from Redwall go, away! “
Saxtus stopped writing and looked over his spectacles. “There! I feel that you have finished, Bellmaker?
“I can remember no more, Father Abbot! said Joseph as he took his seat. He looked tired.
Tarquin L. Woodsorrel loaded up his platter with salad and a mushroom turnover, then, pouring himself a beaker of October ale, he smiled brightly and said, “Righty ho! Well done, sir! Now lets get down to solving the mystery an unravelin those riddles, wot?
Mother Mellus shook her grizzled head. “Youd stay up all night as long as there was food on the table, wouldnt you?
“Mmf snnch glomff, scuse me! the gluttonous hare spoke around a mouthful of food. “An1 whats wrong [ with that, may I ask? Chap needs his nosebag yknow!
Sister Sage wagged a reproving paw at him. “Cant you see Joseph is tired? Father Abbot, too? No consid-ieration for otherbeasts, thats your trouble!
Simeon could not help smiling as he tapped gently on ie table with his stick. “Now now, I think we are all tired; the hour grows late. Perhaps it would be best if we slept on Josephs words.
“Wise counsel, my friend, said Saxtus, seconding Simeons suggestion. “Tomorrow our minds will be refreshed, when we have had rest and time to think.
The Redwallers rose from their seats in a body, all save Tarquin, who carried on with his extended dinner. His wife, the Hon Rosie, ruffled his ears fondly. “You carry on, old lad; save a lot of clearing up, wot?
Tarquin rescued the remains of a heavy fruitcake. “Thank you, mdear. Beautiful and jolly understandin toomade a wise decision when I chose you. Snch grmff mmm! Mustve had a good meal before I met you, eh!
Rosie allowed Simeon to lean on her paw as they went upstairs to the dormitories. “Thats my Tarkers for you, always payin me compliments, she said. “Er, that was a compliment, wasnt it?
Dawn was up and a beaming sun was drying the dew from lawn and orchard. It promised the Abbey dwellers another fine, long summer day. Breakfast was a picnic affair, set out on the west wall steps by the main gate. Brother Fingle and Durry Quill set hot apple scones and cool mint tea on the grass at the foot of the steps. Sister Sage and Brother Mallen wheeled a trolley up the path, its small log wheels almost buckling under the weight of bowls piled with fresh fruit salad. They were surrounded by whooping Dibbuns. Sage waved a ladle threatening the little invaders, and they dodged around, grabbing a slice of the freshly cut fruit whenever a chance presented itself. Mother Mellus intervened. “Get out of it, you scamps! Listen, if you all go up on the wall and guard the battlements, Ill have breakfast sent up to you. How does that sound?