The Outcast of Redwall

47?

While the Badger Lord was greeting his friends, Jodd wiggled his ears at Fleetrunn. He made an elegant leg at the pretty young hare, obviously stricken by her. “I say, whered you spring from, missie? You can call me Jodd, all the chaps round here do. Er, would ylike to know my full name, miss?

Redfarl shook her head at Fleetrunn. “You dont want ter know that uns full name!

Fleetrunn smiled coyly at Jodd. “Spose Ill get to know your full title soon enough, wot!

Rockleg was an older hare and a confirmed bachelor; he winked at Skipperjo. The otter leader chuckled. “Wait11 she sees ole Jodd tuckin vittles away at table, thats enough to put anybeast off im fer life, matey!

Skipperjo began bustling and hustling around the assembly. “Stir yore stumps, me carries, we cant dawdle ere all season, theres still a fair ways to gtthe Abbey!

Dearie Lingl and Lully Dubbo extricated Sunflash from their young, who were swarming over him like ants.

“Bitty, Giller, Gurmil, Tirg, leave is pore Lordship alone, youll ave im wore out afore es much older!

Lully called to her two daughters, “Yurr Nilly, cumm Podd, show ee badger zurr wot usns bringed furr ee awkburd.

She drew a small white cheese from under her apron and gave it to the molemaids, who presented it to Sunflash. The Badger Lord accepted it, shaking his head sadly. “Come, friends, lets go to Redwall Abbey. Til tell you some very sorry news as we walk.

Sister Withe and Abbess Meriam were greatly surprised at what they found on entering Bellas room in the early morning of the day when Redwall was expecting its visitors. They were certain that nobeast had spoken of the coming festivities to Bella. Yet there she stood, shining silver from brush and comb, clad in a beautiful woven cloak of light purple, her head garlanded with a coronet of gillyflowers and young white roses.

Meriam bowed instinctively before the regal old badger, saying, “Bella, you look magnificent!

The silver badger picked up the carved, silver-mounted stick she used for walking. “Thank you, Meriam, I felt that I must look my best on the day I meet my son the Badger Lord.

Meriam gasped. “Buthow did you know? Who told you? Nobody but I knew

Bella sat in her armchair and shook the stick. “Long before you knew of my sons arrival, I was told of it in a dream.

Mcriam nodded understand!ngly. “Ah yes, your badger ancestors, no doubt.

Bella beckoned to them both. “Sit down, I have something to tell you. It was no long-dead badger kin of mine that appeared in my dream, but one whom I knew well in the old days. Martin the Warrior, hero of Redwall and Chief Founder of this Abbey.

Abbess Meriams usual composure deserted her. “Martin the great Mouse Warrior! He spoke to you?

Bella closed her eyes, smiling happily. “Yes, I can see him now. His message was not only for me, but for all Redwallers. Listen now. I was sleeping here in my chair some moons ago when he appeared before me. Fully armored and carrying his great sword, Martin told me of my son, of how he would defeat the Warlord Sixclaw and lose his friend Skarlath the hawk. He said that Sunflash would come to this Abbey when the leaves turned brown and that I would live to see him. He made me feel happy; a great peace such as I have never known filled my heart. Then he gave me this message to pass on to you....

The two mice sat entranced as Bella spoke.

“Good creatures dwelling within these walls,

Be faithful, honest, and true.

My spirit is near; when harm befalls,

I will comfort and counsel you.

Throughout all seasons, I will be here,

Fear neither evil, nor strife.

The Warrior protects all you hold dear;

To my Redwall comrades, long life!

Soft morning sunlight flooded through the window, enveloping Bella in an aura of light, twinkling and sparkling off her ancient silver-furred form, clothing her in mysterious radiance.

Meriams voice was hushed with wonder. “Martin the Warrior is the spirit of peace and courage; our Abbey will remain safe forever with him to guide us.

Bella broke the spell, holding out her paws for assistance. “Come on, you two young uns, help me up. Only a light breakfast today. Save your appetites until after they arrive, when the noon is high.

By midmorning everything was ready. Bella and the Abbess had pronounced the preparations well done and perfectly in order. RedwalTs newest additions, Ole Hoffy the dormouse, with his grandmice, Young Hoffy and Brund, led the procession to the outer walltops. Banners and pennants fluttered in the breeze, flowers and vines were draped over the westand north-facing ramparts. Every Redwaller was scrubbed, brushed, and wearing their festive finery. Sumin perched upon the northwest battlements, scouring path and woodland with his keen eyes, listening for any sound that would announce the arrival of visitors. A mood of gaiety prevailed; Dibbuns and young ones danced excitedly, their elders speculating eagerly.

“How big and fierce is a Badger Lord supposed to be? “Phwaw! Big as three of us stood atop of one another! “Aye, theym sayen ee carry a gurt war club, hurr, etd take foive o usns to lift it, theym callen et ee macer!

“Haha, if the Badger Lords that big hell take some feed-in r

“Hurr oi wager eell eat moren ten arebeasts cudd! Even Abbess Meriams customary serenity was strained. “Is it near midday, Barlom? I hope theyll be here soon. Can you see any sign yet, Sumin, do you hear anything?

The little molemaid Figgul tugged Meriams gown. “Oi gets scolded furr arskin too many questions, marm, moind ee owd badgermarm doant send ee off tbed, hurr!

Bella pursed her lips in mock censure of the Abbess. “Shes right, Meriam, one more word from you and its up the stairs and no feast! Theyll come when they come, and not before. Isnt that right, Friar Bunfold?

“Right yare, Bella marm, yknow what I always say:

“Apples is ripe when theyre ready, When pears is ripe theyll fall, What must happen will happen, Or it wont happen at all!

Heartwood glanced imploringly at the clear blue sky. “Huh, thats a great comfort tknow an no mistake.

“Hist, there! Let me listen, quiet, everybeast! Sumin cupped a paw around his ear and, gripping the battlement gable with his tail, he leaned outward, facing north. Silence fell over the Redwallers; every ear was strained into the southerly drifting breeze.

Myrtle the hogwife coughed, and everybeast turned to glare at her.

Then Sumin signaled wildly to Barlom. “Throw open the gates, its them, I hear em comin!

Leading the column, Skipperjo stepped out of the woodlands and onto the path, pointing with his javelin.

“Theres the spire o Redwall yonder, mates. Lets see ifn we can make em ear us. Dye all know Ome Returnin?

There was not a beast marching who had not heard or sung the famous old marching song before. They roared lustily.

“See the smoke curl from the chimney,

An the mat beside the door,

On the path there stands the family,

Like you left em long before.

Home returning, home returning,

Seasons gone an young uns grown,

Home returning, home returning,

Back to those I call my own!

There the fire bums and the ale brews,

And the bread bakes soft an brown.

While my friends wait with the good news,

Bring my chair an sit me down.

Home returning, home returning,

Comes the warrior from the war,

Home returning, home returning,

Home to wander nevermore!

Voices rising to their limit, they sang the last chorus over again, drawing out the last word with all their might.

Bella gripped Sumins paw like a vice. “Do you see my son? Where is Sunflash?

The squirrel shook his head in admiration as he pointed. “I see him fine, marm! He strides out until they run to keep up with him, he stands out like an oak among ferns. Great seasons in the land! Now I know what a Badger Lord looks like!

The Abbess, Sumin, and Ole Hoffy stayed to assist Bella.

All the other Redwallers clattered down the wallstairs to the main threshold gate, where they stood on the path, waiting until Bella arrived, because it was her special day above all days. The Abbey dwellers raised a cheer as Bella stood out on the path, ready to lead them. She turned, smiling.

“Well, would you like to hear the war cry of a Badger Lord? When I give the signal, shout out the word Eeulalia, but make it loud and long. Ready, set, go!

“Eeulaliaaaaaa!

Sunflash swung his mace in circles above his head and, drawing air into his cavernous chest, he bellowed back the badger war cry.

“Eeulaliaaaaa!

Foremole clapped paws over both ears. “Whurr, et sounden loik thunder afore ee storm! Lookit, yurr hem a comen!

Sunflash had caught sight of the silver badger leading the Redwallers along the path. He knew it could only be one creature, his mother, Bella. Passing the mace to Skipperjo, he ran the final distance, paws pounding the path like hammers, spurting dust up in a cloud, to the accompaniment of loud cheers from both groups.

He skidded to a halt and walked the last three paces slowly. There before him was the gentle old face he had seen in dreams. In the silence that followed, only two words were spoken.

“Mother.

“Son.

And that is how Sunflash the Mace, Lord of Salamandastron, came to Redwall Abbey and found his mother, Bella of Brocktree.