normal agin.”
Rinkul was festering with hatred for the ragged pair of mystics who had entered the Rapscallion camp. He garnered
a dozen of his cronies about him and issued secret orders. “Let me know every move that pair make, see. An’ the
dumb one, keep a keen eye on ’im, ’specially once it gits dark!”
Tarnmo managed to give Rinkul’s cronies the slip. He slid off at twilight, while the hillside camp was still teeming
with Rapscallions going about the business of cooking, fishing, and foraging for supper.
Rockjaw Grang was awaiting his arrival. He fed the young hare from the last of his supplies and passed on the
information Taunoc had vouchsafed to him. Getting back was more difficult. Tammo could see Rinkul and his band
searching for him as he peered over the hilltop. There was only one thing for it. Keeping bent double, Tammo shuffled
into the camp, trying hard to look inconspicuous. He was doing fine until a heavy paw descended upon his shoulder. It
belonged to the big, slow-witted rat Lousewort.
“Er, er, tell me a funny riddle like you toF Cap’n Blug-gach.”
His companion Sneezewort shook his head in disgust. “Oh, belt up, seedbrain, that ’un can’t talk—that’s the dumb
’un!”
Lousewort was not convinced. “But he’s magic like the otherbeast. Maybe he kin put a spell on hisself so that ’is
voice comes back!”
Lousewort’s voice was so loud that he attracted the attention of Rinkul and his gang. Immediately they spotted
Tammo and began making their way toward him. The young hare acted quickly. Moaning and uttering dreadful
croaking sounds, he waved his paws wildly at Lousewort and Sneezewort. Unsure of what the ragged creature was
about, the two rats backed off nervously. Rinkul and his vermin tried to shove past them and seize Tammo, but he
pushed Sneezewort and Lousewort into them and ran off. Extricating themselves from the tangle, Rinkul and two
others gave chase.
Tammo threw himself into the shelter, where Midge was waiting. He barely had time to gasp out the information
when Rinkul appeared. Ducking his head under the canvas awning, the ferret drew an ugly-looking blade.
“‘Tis time ter settle up wid you two ragbags!”
Midge gave an evil cackle and raised his paws dramatically. “Beware o’ my magical powers, fool. Raise that blade
at me an’ I’ll turn yer into a toad, right where y’stand!”
Sneeringly, Rinkul began raising the blade. Midge also raised his paws higher, threatening his adversary. “Don’t
say I didn’t warn ye. Snakeblood an’ lightnin’ come strike this abode, an’ turn yonder ferret into a fat toa—”
“What’s going on here?”
At the sound of Damug Warfang’s voice, Rinkul swiftly sheathed his blade. Lowering his eyes humbly, he
shrugged and said, “Just a bit o’ fun, Sire. The ragged one was gonna show me’n’my mates a few spells an’ tricks.”
Damug strode between them, eyeing Rinkul suspiciously. “Get out of here and leave these creatures alone!”
Rinkul and the other two vermin bowed and hurried off, relieved that the Firstblade had not sensed their intentions.
Damug bade the two hares to be seated. He stared at Midge for some time, then asked, “Could you have turned Rinkul
into a toad?”
Cocking his head to one side, Midge returned the stare boldly. “That’s my business, Warlord. Now I’m really goin’
to show yer some magic. D’you want to know where t’meet me Redwallers?”
Damug leaned forward eagerly. “Aha! Your voices have spoken-to you, Seer! Tell me!”
Midge shook his head knowingly. “Not so fast, Damug Warfang. Answer my questions an’ you’ll find that you
already know, the information’11 come out by itself.”
For the first time, Damug looked puzzled. “You speak in riddles, Miggo. What do you mean?”
“Be silent, an’ speak only when I ask you a question!”
Tammo was as mystified as Damug. He feared that Midge had gone too far with their dangerous game. But as he
listened, Tammo was surprised by his friend’s skills.
Midge tapped the patch that covered his eye. “Tell me, Firstblade, ’ow many good eyes ’ave you’n’I got between
us?”
The Greatrat answered without hesitation “Three.”
Midge cackled knowingly. “Haharrharr! You said it. Three! That’s the time you’ll meet those Redwallers, three
days from now!”
Damug’s voice quivered with excitement. “What are their numbers—how many will they be, Seer?”
Midge Manycoats eyed him scornfully. “What if they ’ad twice yore number? Redwallers are peaceful creatures,
they toil at growin’ things in earth. Yore a Warlord wid a thousand at yer back, all warriors. But ’earken t’me, Damug,
if we’re talkin’ in hundreds, then three is still yer lucky number.”
Damug thought about this a moment, then grinned wickedly. “Three hundred peace-loving beasts!”
Midge nodded. “You said it, Warfang, an”tis little use lyin’ to yerself. Wot’s three ’undred farmers agin a thousand
soldiers?”
Damug drew his sword, pointing it at Midge. “If there’s only three hundred, then why can’t I just march on
Redwall Abbey and take it, tell me that?”
Midge brushed aside the swordpoint contemptuously. “Go if ye will, fight ’em there! Wreck the place, smash it,
burn Redwall t’the ground. What’ll ye have then, mighty one? Go on, you tell me that!”
Sullenly the Warlord sheathed his weapon. “Mayhaps you are right, it is difficult to control a thousand when they
sense plunder in battle. So, where is the place to be?”
Squatting by the fire, Midge tossed in a pawful of salt. Blue flames rose from it. “Beneath a blue sky west o’ here
lies a valley. I see a hill with a rock like an otter’s tail atop of it, and three ’undred standin’ by, waitin’ for yore blades
to bring ’em death. Now I see yore father, Gormad Tunn, tellin’ you t’make the Rapscallions great again. Keep the rift
at yore back, my son, that’s wot ’e says, keep the rift at yore back!”
The blue flames from the salt died down, and Midge shrugged. “That’s all, I see no more.”
Damug continued staring into the fire. “So why should the whole of Redwall be waiting for us in this field?”
Midge smiled. “Think, great one. The Redwallers have friends throughout Mossflower. They have been informed
that a great army is gathering to attack. They will not risk allowing you to reach their sacred gates. Tomorrow they will
hold a Council of War, this I have seen. The quickest route to Red-wait is through that field. The next day they will
decide upon an ambush there. The third day they will set forth. All this I have seen.”
Damug sneered. “Well, what’s to stop us taking Redwall when the fools are all away playing soldiers in this field?
”
Midge toyed with his cap while he rapidly thought of an answer. “Think again,” he said finally. “You are destined
for complete victory, to be the unchallenged ruler of all Moss-flower. Do you really want to deal with bands of
insurgents, resistance fighters who know these woods better than their own right paws? No! Better to slay and take
prisoners for slaves to serve you and your great army. True victory only comes through conquest, great Lord!”
Convinced at last, the Greatrat recounted the information. “Three days from now I will face the Redwallers west of
here. They will be on a hilltop; I must keep the rift at my back. What does my father mean—keep the rift at my back?
”
Midge closed his eyes, as if exhausted. “I can’t tell yer, that’s all I know.”
“Hmm,” Damug grunted. “Well, I will field a thousand, but the Redwall creatures number only three hundred. Are