The Bellmaker

16

The two Dibbuns huddled together in terror as the ugly heads of Slipp and Blaggut poked into their makeshift tent. The searat Captain snarled at them. “Give us vittles, or well eat yer!

Blaggut was horrified by Slipps pronouncement. “O, Capn, you wouldnt eat two pretty liddle babbies like them, would yer?

Slipp bit Blagguts ear and punched his snout. “Will you shuttup an let me do the talkin, doodlenose!

Despite his smarting ear and throbbing nose, Blaggut winked chummily at the Dibbuns. “Never fear, me liddle chicks, ole Capn Slipp wont eat yer. Hes got an eart of gold!

Slipp yanked Blaggut out of the tent and began booting his rump soundly. “I told yer once already, scrummit-chops, keep yer stupid mouth shut until I tells yer to speak ....Yowch!

The mousebabe had regained his confidence and was jabbing his “sword stick in Slipps back. “You leava im alone, big bully! he squeaked.

“Ooh, me liver n kidneys!

Slipp sat down nursing his back. Blaggut was all concern. “Aye aye, liddle feller, that was a naughty thing ter do. Youve gone an urted the pore Capns livers n kidney. Ere, let me elp yer up, Capn. Are you shipshape?

Slipp drew his cutlass, raging, “Ill slice that cheeky snippet in arf afore Vs much older. Let me at the swab!

Blaggut placed himself between the mousebabe and Slipp. “You kin cut me in three arfs ifn yer like Capn, but dont yew lay a blade near that there hinfant!

Funtil had regained her composure by now. She attached herself to Blagguts leg, chuckling, “Oi loik ee, zurr. Youm a funny vurmint!

“Dyer ear that, Capn? The liddle molemaid likes me! The searats face was a picture of delight.

Slipps voice dripped sarcasm that was lost on the unwitting Blaggut. “Ho, she likes yer, does she? Well, aint that nice. Why dont we all siddown an ave a picker-nick?

The big, slow searat patted his Captain affectionately, nearly knocking him flat. “Arr thats the spirit, Capn. 1 knew youd see tilings my way.

Slipps sea-booted footpaw began moving in the direction of Blagguts behind. Hie mousebabe brandished his stick, squeaking, “You kickim, an I stick your livers a kiddies ... !

Slipp stamped his foot down and glared at the mousebabe. “Dont yew ave no vittles at all?

The mousebabe thought about this for a moment, then replied, “Wots vikkles?

Blaggut sat down next to the Dibbun, chuckling. “Hoho, bless yer liddle eart, matey. Vittles is food!

“Hurr, food! Furrtil nodded understandingly. “Loik pudden an pie an cakes an soop?

“Yes, yes, thats the stuff, Slipp said, nodding eagerly. “Puddenpiecake an soup. Where is it? Ave you got any?

The mousebabe thought quite deeply about the question, then stated matter-of-factly, “No!

Blaggut laughed until tears rolled down his ugly face. “That babbie mouse is a cool un, Capn!

Funtil trundled off into the woodland. Slipp looked after the molemaid curiously. “Where does she think shes off to? he asked.

The mousebabe curled his lip scornfully at Slipps ignorance. “Vurmint your size shoulda know tha*. She gone to get food vikkles for ya, shoopid!

The searat Captain brought his face close to the Dibbun, sneering nastily. “Dont call me stupid, and Im a rat, not a vurmint!

The mousebabe sat himself on Blagguts lap in a businesslike manner and explained patiently to Slipp, “Rats is vurmints. Anybeast know tha, an1 if you not shoopid then don ask shoopid questions.

Slipp began drawing his cutlass, then thought better of it, blew a snort of exasperation, and glared at Blaggut.

“Why did yer ave tgo an find this wisemouth? Why didnt yer just bring back vittles like I told yer to? he growled.

Blaggut stroked his new friends head fondly. “E dont mean nothm, Capn. You leave the liddle tyke tme; I wager we kin chat like ole messmates. Avast,eres the molemaid back wid vittles.

Furrtil ambled up and emptied her apron. Two apples, some wild plums, and a small pile of blackberries tumbled out. The searats began wolfing down the fruit.

“Tsk tsk, youm maken eeselfs sick piggen et all daown, she chided them. “Chew ten toimes an swaller more slow. Ee Muther Mellus allus sayin that to Dibbuns.

Slipp spat out a plumstone. “Wots a Dibble? he asked.

“Hiur, usns Dibbuns, zurr, baint Diddles.

Blaggut polished an apple on his stomach, saying, “An where does Dibbuns live, in liddle tents like yonder one?

The mousebabe popped a blackberry into his friends mouth. “Norra tent, ony a blanket. We come from a habbey, name a Redwall, bigga place than this high. He held a tiny paw as far over his head as he could, to indicate the size of the Abbey.

Slipp whispered to Blaggut, “Find out where it is.

The mousebabe shook his head despairingly and pointed an accusing paw at Slipp. “No whisprin, sbad manners. We take you to Redwall inna morain, if we cn find it.

An hour later the two Dibbuns were sound asleep in their tent. Slipp scoffed at Blaggut, who sat at the entrance watching them. “Ahoy, nurseymaid, dyew reckon theyll want a drink o water in the night?

The searat took off his tattered jerkin and carefully covered the two small creatures. “Aye, well, if they do, Capn, Ill get it for em!

Slipp tossed an apple core at Blaggut. “Well lookit yew, the bold searat, yew butterbrained brute. Ave ygone soft all of a sudden?

“Dont cost nothin t be nice to babes. Blaggut shrugged. “Mayap if somebeastd been nice to me when I was a liddle shrimp I wouldnt ave growed up t be no searat, mightve been good an respectable. Who cn tell, Capn?

Slip leaped up and grabbed Blaggut by the throat. “You ave gone soft! he snarled. “Well lissen, softrat, when we gets ter this Redwall place there might be plunder an killin, so dont yew go soft on me then, or else yll feel my cutlass across yore gizzard. Do yhear?

Blaggut gulped and nodded. He knew only too well what his Captain was capable of. When there was loot to be had, murder and treachery became a mere formality to avaricious searats like Slipp. Blaggut took one last look at the two Dibbuns before settling himself down to sleep the tent entrance, hoping in his heart that the tiny pair so lost that they would not know the way back to Redwall Abbey on the morrow.

Sunrays filtered through the slitted windows of the tower room onto the besieged friends. Nagrus gray packed the narrow winding stairway outside, with the wolf exhorting them on to slaughter. “Come onenough of you! Hack that door to splinters and kill them off. Sourgall, you and Wetchops go and fetch a battering ram. Thatll speed things up!

The chamber was home to one piece of furniture, an old wooden bench. Meldrum and Dandin held it wedged against the door as a temporary measure. The old hare looked worried.

“Hear that? The blaggards have gone tget a batterin ram. Theyll smash this door tsmithereens! Look out!

Dandin hopped to one side at Meldrums warning, as a spear plowed through the damaged woodwork, protruding almost half its length. Nipping in smartly, Mariel grabbed the haft and tugged the weapon through, then began jabbing through the slits in the door at the enemy outside.

“If Ive got to go, Im taking a few with me! she shouted.

Gael Squirrelking stared despairingly round the small tower chamber. “Theres nowhere else for us to go. Once theyre through that door, were finished!

The red-backed shrike Glokkpod had been hopping about excitedly, waiting to give good account of himself when the rats came through the door. At Gaels announcement he ceased his dance, flicking hither and thither with his head as he searched for an avenue of escape. “Good littil nest uppa thirr! he croaked.

Gael followed the shrikes eyes upward. “Of course! he cried out. “This is a tower with a pointed top; theres a small cone-shaped attic up there!

Meldrum the Magnificent grabbed the crosshilts of a long pike that came thrusting through the door, wrenching it forcibly from its owner. “Any port in a storm, wot? Lets give it a try!

It was a simple cross-planked ceiling, resting on thick wooden beams. Using the butt of the pike, the hare soon knocked two of the center planks loose. “Cmon birdie, do your stuff; up there an push those planks tone side! he shouted.

There came a cry from Nagru out on the stairway. “Out the way, you four. Get on that battering ram with Sourgall an Wetchops! Give them space there!

Anxiously, Mariel watched Glokkpod flap awkwardly upward. “Hurry, birdtheres not a moment to lose. Theyre going to start battering the door!

The shrike shoved and pulled until he had moved one plank aside. Wedging himself in the narrow space he had created, Glokkpod used both talons and beak to shift the other ceiling plank. Suddenly it shot aside with a clatter, and he disappeared through the opening, cackling, “Kchakcha, eazy, wassa eazy, good nest uppa hirr!

Meldrum shot an irate glance at the attic. “Glad youve found yourself a good nest, old chap. Now dyou mind oppin down here an helpin out?

Surprisingly the shrike did hop down. Flashing his bright savage eyes at the hare, he demanded, “Wharra it, longirrz?

“I say, less of the longears. See if ycan help our ids up into the attic, mattressback!

The shrikes feathers bristled dangerously as he glared Meldrum. “Donta call Glokkpod mattrissback! With a boom and a crack the battering ram struck the door, sending splinters flying. Mariel placed herself between Meldrum and Glokkpod. “Are you two going to stand here insulting each other, she said, her voice tight with anger, “or do you feel like helping out around here before were all killed?

The shrike made a circular movement with his beak, saying “Uppa thirr, leave thizz ta me!

The ram thudded against the door a second time. Meldrum took the now-useless bench and, laying it ladder-fashion against the wall, he scrambled ponderously up into the attic. Leaning out, Meldrum thrust both paws down to assist the other three. Helped by Dandin and Mariel, Gael climbed quickly into the small conical room.

The ram struck the door a third time, creating a gaping hole at its center. Backing out of spear-thrust range, the great red-backed shrike stood in full view of the rats outside. Glokkpods mad eyes shone with joy as he gave vent to his battle cry.

“Kachakachakiiirrrrr! Hirrs a butcha bird, ratzz!

There was an immediate scramble as the horderats retreated from the door at the sight of the Butcher Bird. Nagru was almost knocked flat. He pulled himself upright, raking wildly with his metal wolfclaws, and screaming, “Charge the door, or Ill flay you alive. Charge!

Urged on by the claws of Nagru, they rushed the door. Riveneye kicked aside the loose door timbers; swinging a sword, he rushed into the tower room. Death was on him in a blur of feathers, talons, and stabbing beak. Nagru pushed two more rats through immediatelythey were slain before they had time to draw breath. Glokkpods talons rattled against the floor as he spread his pinion feathers in a war dance. One wing had been badly torn by a rats spear, and several feathers were missing. Glo-kkpod was infuriated by this injury.

“Kirrchakkachirrr izza good day to fearrrrr me!

Silvamord pushed her way through the rats on the spiral staircase. She whirled on Nagru, berating him. “Fool! Cant you see that bird can hold the doorway as long as it likes while you send in hordebeasts a few at a time?

“Well, theres the Butcher Bird, my dear, said the Foxwolf, his voice dripping condescension. “Whats your bright idea?

Ignoring his patronizing tones, Silvamord gave her orders: “Back out of sight, all of you. Hooktail, pick out ten good archers, get on the third and fourth steps down, and keep firing heavy volleys until youve made a pincushion of that bird!

The friends in the attic had heard Silvamords commands. Mariel called out urgently to Glokkpod, “Quickly, fly up here before they start shooting!

But the shrike continued his dance, challenging the rats. “Kirrchakachirrr! Glokkpod fear no ratzz!

“Its no good talking to that one. Dandin sighed wearily. “Hes going to get himself killed. Save your breath.

Meldrum solved the problem with a few barbed insults. “I say there, ygreat flyin featherbed, dyou keep your brains in your beak or your bottom, nestnoddle!

With a lurch and a flapping leap the shrike was up in the attic with them, standing eye-to-eye with Meldrum. Quickly, Mariel and Dandin slammed the attic floorboards back in place. Not a second too soonthe planking quivered to the thud of arrows.

“Hullo, thats a bit much, Meldrum called out to them moodily, “leavin a chap in the dark with a bally Butcher Bird. Shed a bit o light on the subject, someone. jits pitch black in here!

Dandin had brought a spear up with him. Using the itt he knocked a few of the rooftiles aside, dodging as they fell in. Sunlight streamed in, flooding the attic. Mar-rfel looked around at their reftige. It was the inside of a conically tiled towertop and through the broken roof she could see a tiny flagpole flying a gaily colored pennant.

The commanding voice of a rat sounded from the room below. “My Lord and Master, Urgan Nagru, King of all Southsward, Foxwolf Supreme and his Queen Silvamord send this message to you! Be it known that if you surrender yourselves to his mercy, the Urgan Nagru will spare your lives, all save that of the Butcher Birdthe creature is too dangerous to live. Hear this and know these are the words of the Urgan Nagru, all powerful in battle and ruler of all he sees!

Hefting one of the red pottery rooftiles, Meldrum shifted aside a floorplank. He flung the tile accurately, laying the rat low.

“ All merciful* indeed. Poppycock! Did yhear that, Glokko?

The shrike bowed, deferentially. “Nize shot, Meld-erin!

“Oh I dunno, you couldve probly done as well yself, old lad. The hare shrugged modestly. “By the way, its Mel-drum, as in boom boom. Drum!

The shrike nodded understandingly. “Derrin, bum bum, like in drim!

Gael stared up at the cloudless patch of blue sky that could be seen through the hole in the roof. “Well, were free in a way I suppose, he said, “free to stay up here and starve until the Foxwolf and Silvamord find a way of winkling us out and killing us all.

Mariel removed a few more tiles until she could see farther outside. “If we could only find a way of getting down there, she mused.

Meldrum took a peek and covered his eyes. “Great seasons, it makes me go all of a dither just thinkin about it Now I know why birds always look dizzy!

“Birds, theres a bird here, he could do it! They all turned to look at the Squirrelking, pointing at Glokkpod as if seeing him for the first time. “Theres the bird! : Dandin shook his head, totally nonplussed. “But what use is Glokkpod to us?

V Gael was shaking with excitement, “Maybe he cant fly us down with that injured wing, but he can go and get help for us! He can find the otters; theyll be able to help us!

Silvamord had tired of watching Nagru commanding archers to shoot ceaseless arrows into the tower room ceiling. She wandered off to her chamber, which was on the floor as the banqueting room. There she sat discussing the situation with Sicant, a female horderat who doubled as the vixens maid. They took wine and a sted fish together, and Sicant was careful to agree with Silvamords views.

“Youre right, of course, my Lady. Sooner or later escaped prisoners will be starved down from there.

Silvamord tapped her chin knowingly. “Malebeasts, fre all the same, not happy unless theyre fighting, will keep those archers firing arrows into the ceiling, and for what? A waste of arrows, thats all. Now as me, I prefer to fight when the time is right. Its brains win in the end.

She smiled as a paw rapped gently on the door. “Watch Ill show you what I mean, Sicant. Come in!

A small, furtive-looking rat stole into the room and 1, saying, “Majesty, you were right. The Butcher