The hare was indeed a curious sight; his short bob tail was looped around with a cord, which led up his back and was fastened to his ears. The normally taciturn Sumin hid a smile as he whispered to Redfarl, “Whats his name?
Redfarl shook her head. “You dont want to know.
Sumin coughed to disguise a giggle. “Yes, I do.
The squirrel warrior smiled wryly. “Go on then, ask him.
Sumin pointed at the strange creature. “Whats your name, hare?
Bending his lanky legs, the hare stooped and then shot up, landing in the lower branches of a stunted oak. “Got the species wrong, old thing. Im a squirrel now, doncha know. Oh, dont tell me, Ive got the bally old body of a hare, but here, where it counts, in the headnthe heart, Im a blinkin great tree walloper, a squirrel!
Sumin tried not to look astounded. “I never asked your species, hare, er, squirrel, I asked your name! What is it?
The squirrelhare leapt to a higher branch, missed it, and fell flat on the ground in front of Sumin. “You dont want to know! he said.
“Yes, I do!
“Oh, all right, then. Mname is Wilthurio Longbarrow Sackfirth Toxophola Fedlric Fritillary Wilfrand Hurdleframe Longarrow Leawelt Pugnacio Cinnabar Hillwether ...
“Stop, stop! You were right, I dont want to know!
The squirrelhare twanged his bowstring musically. “But you can call me Jodd. Dyou want to know what thats short for?
Redfarl gave the creature an exasperated glare. “No, he doesnt. Come onlets get goin!
The bushes rustled, there was a small splash in the stream, and a moment later the woodland was quiet as the warriors vanished like smoke on the breeze, heading northward to where Swartt Sixclaw the Warlord was camped with his horde.
21
All through that dreadful winter, heavy gray-green seas pounded the rime-crusted shores, and immense rolling waves hurled themselves high above the tideline. Sometimes the breakers nearly touched the mountain itself, but the extinct volcano stood solid, proof against all weathers since the dawn of time. Inside Salamandastron, for the main part, it was dry and warm, particularly the inner chambers of the honeycombed rock. Hares of the redoubtable Long Patrol had made H so; it was not just a fortress, but a home in which they could rear their families in comfort.
A young and very shrewd female hare named Sundew was Sunflashs constant guide and companion throughout the winter. She saw that all the badgers needs were catered to with the minimum of bother. His persona! living quarters were quite high up in the levels of mountain chambers. They were big and comfortable in a rough way, as befitted a Badger Lord.
Sunflash had awakened with a start on his first morning, then, realizing where he was, he rolled in a leisurely way from the cushion-strewn rock ledge that served as a bed. Throwing wide the wooden shutters of a long rectangular stone window-frame, he gazed out at the restless sea and dark, cloud-scarred sky, illuminated by that pale dusty lavender light that often heralds the oncoming of winter. Hearing the thick cedar door creak open behind him, the badger did not turn, but remained staring out to the horizon.
Sundew stood beside him, paws cupping her chin as she leaned on the sill, watching the birth of a new day. “Goin tbe a jolly hard old winter, mLord, she said.
Sunflash glanced sideways at her. “Indeed it is, Sundew, and harder for me than most creatures, for I have a lot to learn about this place.
“Then let us go and have breakfast. When you have eaten, I will show you around your mountain and try to answer all your questions, Sire.
The dining chamber was a scene of chaos. Hares are reputedly mighty eaters, and it was as if each was trying its hardest to live up to that reputation. Long trestle tables were packed with hares, from lanky, tough old males, through to formidable-looking harewives, leverets of both sexes who fluttered their eyelids at one another while stuffing food shamelessly, and little ones with atrocious table manners who gorged and fought alternately. The food was good, but not fancy: autumn pears and russet apples, nuts and berries, hot oatmeal, soft white bread, cheeses, and herb tea, with flagons of cordial for those who wanted it.
As Sunflash entered an immediate silence fell upon the diners. He shunned the huge carved chair that was the seat of the Badger Lord, choosing to sit by a young male leveret instead. Hurriedly the servers set out food and drink before him.
Sunflash broke bread and winked at the leveret, asking, “Whats your name, young un?
“Bradberry, Sire, but the chaps call me Bradders, doncha know.
The badger looked across the table at a female leveret who was twitching her nose and fluttering her eyelids at Bradberry. “Well, I tell you, Bradders, that young haremaid yonder looks as if shes trying to tell you something.
A chubby young hare seated at the other side of Bradberry stopped sucking oatmeal from a bowl long enough to comment, “That old gels Fordpetalshes jolly deep in love with Bradders. Silly as brushes, the pair of em, Sire!
Bradders wiggled his ears so hard with embarrassment that they almost twisted into a knot. He averted his eyes shyly, paying detailed attention to some crumbs on the table. “Yah, go stuff nuts up your nose, Forty. Soppy ole haremaids, always makin faces an wigglin eyes at me!
Sunflash stifled a smile as he bit into a russet apple. “You shouldnt be so good-looking, then! Try to seem a bit ugly and battered, like me.
Fordpetals big brown eyes widened, and she leaned over toward Sunflash, smiling boldly. “Oh, Sire, how could you say that youre uglynbattered? I think your golden stripe is very prettymatter of fact, youre a very good-looking badger, if ypardon me sayin, wot!
Sunflash rose hastily from the table, taking with him a hunk of cheese and another apple.
“Youre right, Bradders, he said. “She is pretty soppy! See you later.
Sundew took Sunflash through the cellars, where he inspected . the drinking stock, stopping to sample from different barrels with a small tasting ladle.
“Hmrn, I like this one, very fruity and warm!
“So it bally well should be. Sire; thats old elderberry wine, been sittin there fifty seasons, they say. Very good for coldsnchills, but two beakers of itd blow your ears off!
He was shown through the bachelor hare barracks, sickbay, larders, dormitories, meeting chambers, and nursery. Next came the armory, ceJls, and lookout caves; practically that whole day was given over to viewing all Salamandastron had to offer. Sunflash began to realize that he was Lord over what amounted to a town inside a rock.
When they were above the level of his own accommodation, Sundew stopped and said, “Only you may go here, Sire; few hares have been allowed this far.
Turning to ask her the reason why, Sunflash found himself alone. Sundew had vanished downstairs. Walking down a broad passage, Sunflash came to a hanging curtain; he pulled it aside and discovered a great forge room. There was a forge fire at its center, with bellows, a stock of timber and seacoal, and nearby stood a mighty, horned anvil. Spears, daggers, lances and arrows, javelins, heavy slings, and clubs lined the walls. A gigantic broadsword hung from metal pins; the badger took it down, surprised at its weight but delighted by the balance of the fearsome battleblade. His grandsire Boar the Fighter may have wielded it, or his great grandsire Lord Brocktree. Sunflash put the sword aside and picked up his own weapon, the mace; it felt better suited to his paws. Several sets of finely made badger armor stood about: deep-chested breastplates, shining steel greaves, and warlike helmets, and there were shields, too, with heroic devices engraved upon them.