Blaggut pranced about on the sand trying to avoid Slipp, who punctuated each word with a hard kick to the boatswains rear.
“Leave a ship with you, lardbottom! I wouldnt leave you in charge of a tadpoles tail! Ill wager you was full o grog an snorin when those ship robbers came aboard! Brainless, bumblin, bulb-nosed buffoon! Slipp had Blaggut tight by the ear and his seaboot squelched every time he booted the boatswains bottom. Blaggut howled.
“Owowowow, Capn! Mercy, spare me! There was undreds of em. I was wide awake an at me post, I swear it. Ouchooch! They ganged up on me! Ow, stoppit please! I fought like a madbeast! Aagh that urts! But they overwhelmed me. Honest, ouch! I remembers shoutin, “Elp, Im bein whelmed over!
Slipp flung the blubbering boatswain facedown in the sand. “Whats that thing yore paddlin about in, dogs-bottom?
Blaggut kept alternately covering his head and his rear with both paws, in case the Captain felt like kicking again. “Its a sorta liddle boat, Capn. I was paddlin up an down searchin for youcross me eart I was. I found a big stream back yonder with fresh drinkin water, nicensweet tis. Dyou want me to show it ye? You can drink yore fill!
Slipp drew his cutlass and whacked the boatswains back, hard. “Up on yore paws, bubblebrains. Take me to it.
Blaggut paddled the tide line with Slipp lying back in the boat, giving him the occasional cutlass prod. “Cmon, put yore back into it! Wheres this stream, or does it just run through yore empty ead?
Blaggut paddled harder. “Yowch! There it is up ahead, Capn. See the sun glintin on it? Good n sweet, just like I said.
The morning sun warmed Slipps back as he bent and lapped streamwater. Blaggut brightened up.
“Youll like it ere, Capn. Theres dunes an probly fruit growin nearby. I can fish for us, an well live ere snug as two bugs in a rug. Ill ... Yaagh! Slipp gave the boatswain a smack that sent him sprawling into the stream.
“Froghead! Get in that boat an start paddlin upstream. It must lead somewheres, maybe theres good pickins up there. Come on, bulgebelly, stir yer stumps. By noon Blaggut had paddled the shrewboat into the fringes of Mossflower Wood.
11
Dandin was first to regain his senses. He wished fervently : that he had nothis entire body was a mass of pain. The last thing he recalled was the three of them being dragged along the ground all the way to Castle Floret. Kicked, buffeted, bumped, and scratched, until they lost consciousness. Somewhere in the background he heard voices.
“Sourgall, look, one of ems comin around.
“Cmon Fillch, wed better go an report back.
As the voices died away in the distance, Dandin sat up, trying to ignore his discomfort. One of his eyes was swollen shut; through the other he took stock of his surroundings, Mariel and Meldrum lay on either side of him, still senseless. All of their footpaws had been bound together by a thick rope. They were in a prison cell, its floor strewn th dry rushes and old straw. Four stout stone walls sur-inded them; there was one high, barred window and a wily timbered door, with iron studding and a small yhole grille. Sunlight flooded in from the wide-barred window, lighting up the grimness of their dungeon.
Mariel stirred, her voice a hoarse croak. “Water!
Dandin winced as, cradling her head on his lap, he scoured the cell with his one good eye. “Sorry, theres not a drop in the place. Are you all right?
“Im thirsty-thats how I know Im still alive. Howre you?
“Still here, I suppose. Meldrum looks very still.
The old hare lay prostrate with both eyes shut. He began muttering half to himself. “Want a full military burial, lots of fuss1 medals, sad music, an tears, thatll do. Hmm, at the foot of a good oak tree, nice an shady. They can carve somethin fittin on it, too. Now, me effects, let me see. I leave a nice mess jacket to Thurdale, hope he wears it with pride. About me rod V line, young Foghill gets that, blighters always had his eye on it anyway ... The Field Marshals finely attuned ears waggled. “Theres somebeast comin. Steady in the ranks than. Lie doggo, make em think were still out.
Locks squealed and bolts clanked as they were withdrawn, and the door creaked open. Nagru and Silvamord swept in, flanked by a dozen rats. One of them stirred Meldrum with his footpaw.
“This is the beast who slew Captain Bragglin. We had the two mice cornered when he butted in. There were four, no, five othersfour young hares and a hedgepig.
Nagru shoved the rat aside contemptuously saying, “And they vanquished a full patrol of you!
“You should talk, said Silvamord, her voice heavy with scorn. “These three between them slew your wonderful Dirgecallers and more than a score of hordebeasts. Tell us about that again!
The Foxwolf ignored her, but took his spite out by kicking Mariel. “I thought you said they were coming around, Sourgall. This ones still senseless. Look!
He kicked Mariel again, and her eyes snapped open. “Ill remember your face when the time comes for me to slay you, ugly one! she spat out.
Nagru stood over her, smiling evilly. “Well, well, tough words for a mousemaid whos hardly in a position to slay anybeast. Listen, fool, I am the Organ Nagru. I could squash all three of you like so many bothersome gnats, and I will if you dont answer my questions. What are you doing in Southsward? Where did the squirrels and otters go to? Tell me!
From his position on the cell floor, Meldrum the Magnificent blew a long sigh of boredom. “Somebeasts love thear the sound of their own voice, dont they? Tell that wallah to buzz off, will you? Im takin me noon nap!
Silvamord drew a dagger and leaped at the hare. Nagru restrained her as she snapped at him, “Dolt! Cant you see theyre not going to tell you anything? Kill them now, I say!
Nagru placed himself between Silvamord and the cap-tives. “I want them kept alive for the moment. Leave this tome.
The three friends sat up facing Nagru, conscious of the Vixen prowling back and forth behind him. The Foxwolf crouched, letting his metal claws show ominously. v “Youd do well to listen to my words. Make it a lot rjtasier on yourselves and just tell me where Serena and lfaat brat of hers are hiding.
Dandin eyed him coolly. “Or?
Silvamord leaned over Nagrus shoulder, brandishing her dagger lovingly as she hissed, “Or you wont be able to talk for screaming!
The Foxwolf shook his head pityingly. “Shell get to you sooner or later, probably after youve rotted in here awhile from hunger and thirst. So give me your answer now, and well reach an agreement. I could do with three warriors such as you; it would spare you all this.
The trio looked from one to another. Mariel nodded. They lay back down, with Meldrum yawning. “Close the door on your way out, will you? It gets quite drafty in here with it open.
Surprisingly Nagru kept his temper, though he had to signal the guards to restrain Silvamord. She was struggling to get at them, spittle and foam ringing her lips as she shouted wildly, “Leave me an hour with them, just an hour. Ill have them talking so fast they wont be able to stop! The guards hustled her out. Nagru stood framed in the doorway, a thin smile on his lips.
“Fine words from warriors, but think on this: You are no longer warriors free to do battle. You are my prisoners, to do with as I please. Without liberty, food, or drink. Soon you will begin to feel weak; thin and hungry, sick and thirsty. I have seen it before. You will be reduced to whining, cringing wretches who will betray one another for a cup of water or a crust of bread.
Meldrum raised his head, careful not to show how painful the effort was. “Hard luck, laddie. Fear wont work on us. Weve faced death too many times taking felons like yself down a peg or two. Ysee, theres a world of difference twixt warriors n windbags, between real fighters an jumped-up johnnies who go around wearin the skins of other creaturesbad form, yknow! Quick as ylike now, toddle off an close the door quietly!