Salamandastron Part 32

Abbess Vale rubbed her eyes and looked about suspiciously. It was midmorning and they were still b.u.mping along the dusty brown path in the cart. She rapped on the side sharply.

"Thrugg, where are you taking us? I haven't been this far for seasons, but I recognize the country. We're well past Saint Ninian's!"

Thrugg muttered something unintelligible under his breath and quickened his pace. Faith Spinney awakened suddenly.

"Eh, what's that, m'dear? What's a Log-a-log?"

The jolting of the cart was not doing much for Vale's mood. "Log-a-log? I never said anything about a Log-a-log. What are you chunnering on about, Faith Spinney?"

Faith held up a paw. "Stop, please, Mr. Thrugg. Sssshh, listen!"

Thrugg halted the cart. All three creatures listened carefully. On the still morning air the sound drifted up to them from farther down beyond a bend in the path.

"Redwall! Log-a-log! Redwall! Guosssom!"

Slow to catch on, Faith Spinney shook her head. "What sort of beast d'you reckon a Gossen is, Vale? Who's making al! that noise, anyway?"

A large smile was spreading across the Abbess's face. She leaned over and patted Thrugg on the back. "It's Arula and Samkim, I know it is. Forward with all speed, Thrugg. Charge!"

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As they rounded the bend, Samkim saw the cloud of dust approaching and heard the rattle of the cart.

Ever vigilant, Log-a-log yelled out to his shrews, "Bows and slings ready, somebeast is coming this way fast!"

But Samkim and Arula had recognized Thrugg and the occupants of the cart, who were standing up, cloaks flying in the breeze. "It's the Abbess and Mrs. Spinney and Thrugg! Good old Thrugg! Come on Arula!"

They dashed off toward the oncoming cart, Faith Spinney could be heard crying shrilly, "Oh, my dears, it's Samkim an' Arula! Oh, my spikes! Oh, those young rascals! Oh, see them, Vaie, see them. An' young Master Samkim a-wavin' that great sword aloft! My life an' great acorns! Tis the sword of Martin! Look, he's brought it back to us!"

Everybeast cheered wildly and tears sprang unbidden to the eyes of Abbess Vale at the sight of the young squirrel, now a fully fledged warrior wielding the great blade in the sunlight.

Thrugg made the little cart bounce and leap from the path as he dashed at top speed, laughing wildly. "Haharr haharr, I knew it were you two young villains. Samkim! Aruia! It's me yer old matey Thruggo!"

Arula made the dust fairly fly as she pounded along the path. "Habbess, marm! Missus Spinnsey! 'Tis oi, 'Rula the moleymaid!"

Laughing, weeping, gasping for breath, they met in a rush.

For one so old and frail, the Abbess turned out to be a mighty hugger. She clutched Samkim, completely winding him as she yelled down his ear, "Samkim, Samkim. I knew you'd come back someday!"

Faith Spinney was kissing Arula and boxing her ears at the same time. "Oh, you liddle rip. Welcome back, m'dear! Now don't you ever stray from that Abbey again, d'you 'ear me!"

Thrugg wiped the dust from his face and patted their backs heftily. "Yore a sight fer otter's eyes, young uns! I'll wager you've some good ol* tales an' yarns to spin about adventures an' travels!"

The Abbess had managed to compose herself. She placed her paws around Samkim and Arula, protecting them from the 348.

curious Redwallers. "There will be ample time for the telling of tales later. Perhaps we'd better greet all these new guests they've brought to our Abbey."

Mara had purposefully fallen to the back of the crowd. Slightly embarra.s.sed and unsure of herself, she listened to the Abbey ladies as they met the others.

"So good to meet you, Mr. Log-a-log, and you, Mr. Alfoh. Thank you for bringing our young ones safely back to us. Oh dear, there are such a lot of you and we haven't prepared anything, but you are welcome to come back to Redwall Abbey with us, all of you. Samkim, Arula, will you lead these good creatures to Redwall, please. I'm sure you'll excuse us. Mrs. Spinney and I have to get back before you and see what we can arrange in the way of lunch. Thrugg, turn this cart round and get us back to the Abbey with all speed! Faith, don't stand there fussing, get in the cart-quickly!"

The shrews set up a mighty cheer as Thrugg galloped off up the path, towing the cart behind him.

Early noon saw the Guosssom outside the Abbey gate. They met with a very embarra.s.sed Abbess and Faith, who were sitting resignedly in the cart. Abbess Vale threw up her paws in despair.

"We're locked out, Samkim. We've banged, yelled and shouted but n.o.beast answers. Thrugg has gone round to the back wall to see if he can climb over somehow."

Faith Spinney threw her ap.r.o.n over her face. "Oh, the shame of it, m'dears. Locked out of our own Abbey, and here you all are without a welcome, dusty an' hungered!"

"Excuse me, but may I be of help?"

Abbess Vale looked up into the deep brown eyes of a beautiful young badger maid. She was completely taken aback. "Oh, Samkim! Oh, why didn't you tell me?"

The badger maid patted the Abbess's paw lightly. "My name is Mara."

"Mara-a good name for such a lovely creature." Vale clasped the badger maid's paw tightly. "Yes, I am sure you could be of help, Mara."

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Striding slowly over to the gateway door, Mara raised her paw and dealt it a flat blow. The sound boomed out as she called, "Open these gates in the name of your Abbess!"

Immediately the hinges creaked as the gateway door swung open.

It was a joyous shock. Every creature in the Abbey crowded on to the lawn in front of the main entrance, cheering them to the echo. Faith and Abbess Vale were bewildered until Thrugg stepped forward and bowed.

"Forgive our liddle surprise, ladies. They let me in by the north wallgate. King MacPhearsome has been watchin' Samkim's approach for the past three days. No need t' worry yore 'eads, just step this way, if y' please!"

Samkim and Arula were borne shoulder-high, and the young squirrel waving Martin's sword cheered as loudly as anybeast. Paw in paw, Mara and the Abbess headed the procession.

In the center of the orchard a feast had been laid out.

Pikkle gazed at it in openmouthed delight. "Well, flop my ears! I've heard of tucker, but I never thought I'd live to see such a bally spread as this!"

Dumble appeared from beneath a table, his high northland accent forgotten as he clung to the Abbess's robe, staring around at the army of strange shrews.

"It's a Nameday, Muvva. Wot we gunna call it?"

The Abbess looked fondly at Mara and Pikkle standing next to Arula and Samkim.

"The Autumn of the Homecomers. What else could we call it?"

The Feast of the Autumn of the Homecomers was an event long to be remembered in the annals of Redwall Abbey. For the first time in many long seasons the big badger's chair that had remained empty for so long had a badger sitting in it: Mara, Guardian of Redwall.

Friar Bellows, clad in a smart new white ap.r.o.n and cook's hat, stood ladle in paw on top of a barrel of cowslip cordial where all present could see him. The fat mouse coughed importantly.

"Er, ahem, ahem! Your attention please, friends. Very good, very good! Now, er, as most of you are new guests to our Nameday table, the Abbess has asked me to say a word or two."

Vale chuckled quietly as she whispered to Alfoh, "I never asked Bellows to say anything, but he will!"

The Redwall Friar continued his speech, warming to the subject. "It is indeed unusual to see such visitors joining us. I've never catered for a royal golden eagle, four falcons, a badger and a veritable army of shrews, to say nothing of a hare-"

"I never told you to say nothing of me, old chap," Bikkle chipped in.

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Bellows shot him a glare. "Er, quite, very good. Where was I? Ah yes. Welcome to Redwall-our Abbey is yours. Join us in good cheer upon this happy day. Eat, be merry and enjoy the bounty of the season, though I don't know whether our food will suit you all as my helpers and I have never had to feed such a strange a.s.sembly. Yes, very good!"

Droony ducked his head beneath the tablecloth and called out, "Hurr, then give you'm jaw a rest an' let 'em try 'ee vittles!"

There was a general roar of laughter. Amid the jollity, Mara stood up and rescued the red-faced Friar.

"I am sure the food will suit us all, Friar Bellows. It looks too good for words. The fame of you and your kitchen staff is a legend throughout Mossflower. We intend to do this feast full justice. Abbess, I believe it is customary for you to say grace at these occasions. Would you be so kind?"

Abbess Vale recited the Abbey grace as they all bowed their heads.

"Squirrels, otters, hedgehogs, mice, Moles with fur like sable, Gathered in good spirits all, Round the festive table. Sit we down to eat and drink. Friends, before we do, let's think, Fruit of forest, field and banks, To the seasons we give thanks."

Amid a clatter of bowls and spoons, the feast began. Tables had been joined together to form a large cross shape, and there were five centerpieces. A Redwall jubilee trifle of pears, damsons, greensap cream and hazelnut truffle was on the north end. Opposite at the south trestle stood a magnificent blackcurrant pudding, swimming in a peach-covered cream of whisked beech-nut and strawberry topped off with a sugar-preserved sprig of maple. The east side was graced by a high wobbling redcurrant jelly with flaked almond and chestnut suspended inside like a sunset snowstorm, and it was wreathed 352.

in yellow-piped meadowcream. At the west board was a golden honey-crusted confection of latticed pastry with mint-cream and candied chestnuts oozing from it onto a bed of purple plums. In the center stood a wide diamond of sweet arrowroot shortcake with all the fruits of the summer piled on it, fixed there by stiff comb honey blended with a puree of apple and raspberry. Salads of ten different kinds ranged amid the wedges of white, yellow and beige cheeses, studded with nuts, herbs and celery. Oatfarls, cottage loaves and batons of ryebread, all hot from the ovens with their crusts gleaming brown, lay scattered between vegetable flans, shrimp and hot-root soup and ma.s.sive deeper *n' ever turnip V later 'n' beetroot pies beloved by moles. Redcurrant tarts, bilberry scones, plumcakes, latticed apple pies, strawberry flans and damson puddings radiated out into patterns, dotted by bowls of nutcream, meadowcream, Abbeycream, rosecream and b.u.t.tercup fondant. Pitchers, flagons and jugs overflowing with October ale, strawberry cordial, dandelion and burdock, berry wine and cowslip cordial jostled for position amidst bowls of warm scented rosewater and embroidered napkins standing by for sticky paws.

"Hey, Nordo, what do you think of our shrimp an' hotroot soup, matey?

"Whooh! It's hot! Pa.s.s the October ale, please."

"Yurr, you'm sample some o' 'ee deeper 'n' ever pie, zurr heagle."

"Och, as soon as Ah get man beak free o' this trifle, laddie."

"Righto, Dumble me old scout, load in the cheese an' salad. Now you start at this side of the loaf and I'll start at the other side. That's the ticket-meet you in the middle, wot?"

"D'you likes ches'nut an' celery cheese, Mr. Log-a-log? Just try a piece atop of yore vegetable flan."

"Mmm! It was worth paddling all that way for, Mr. Spinney-and I think I'll dream of your October ale for the rest of my life. Alfoh, what's that you're eating?"

"Bilberry scone with meadowcream. The Friar's going to 353.

give me the recipe-very civilized indeed. Now then, young mole, don't fall into that deeper pie thing."

"Hurr hurr, zurr. That be the bestest part, fallen in 'ee pie, then oi c'n eat moi ways out o' et!"

"Oh, look out, Thrugann and Brother Hollyberry have started a shrimp-and-hotroot-soup-eating compet.i.tion. Just look at that pepper they're putting into it!"

"I say, chaps, any room for another jolly old contestant?"

"Steady on, Pikkle Ffolger. You're in the middle of a pie-eatin' contest with me."

"Haha, so I am, Tubbyguts old lad. Hold the soup-I'll be with you as soon as I've dealt with this Guosssom glutton."

"Ach, you skinny lang-legged laddie is a braw scoffer. Ah'd hate him tae visit mah nest for a season. Pa.s.s some o' those candied chestnuts, will ye, Tammbeak."

"Awa', yer no doin' sae bad yerseF for an injured falcon, if ye'd tak' yer beak out o' yon trifle an' look at yersel', Rocangus!"

The son of Laird Mactalon did take his beak out of the trifle long enough to rip away the dressing from his wing. He flexed it and gave a wild whoop. "Kaahey! Mah wing's wor-kin' again. Thrugg, yer a bonny riverdog!"

Immediately he was in the air, circling and soaring around the high spire and redstone turrets of the Abbey. Wheeling out, he swooped down and glided majestically over the heads of the revellers in the orchard as they cheered and hurrahed.

Abbess Vale smiled contentedly at her old friend. "My my, Faith, they are enjoying themselves. I do hope we don't run short of anything."

"Humph!" Friar Bellows leaned over between them. "Short, did you say? You should see the supper spread I've laid out in Great Hall-it would feed an army through a hard winter."

Mara shook the fat mouse solemnly by the paw. "Thank you. Friar Bellows, you have done our Abbey proud."

Abbess Vale smiled as she grasped the badger maid's paw.

"Did you hear that, Samkim? She said 'Our Abbey.' Do 354.

you think she will stay here as Guardian?"

"I'm certain, Abbess. Martin the Warrior said it should be so.

Vale sat back in her chair, folding her paws into the habit sleeves as her eyelids began to droop. "You must forgive me, it has been a long day and I need to take a little nap. Samkim, I always knew you would come back. You have returned Martin's sword, and tomorrow the Wild King MacPhearsome will restore it to its place on the weathervane. There it will stay to watch over our Abbey. My heart is glad, because not only did you bring the sword, you brought us our beautiful badger, Mara. Heroes Samkim-we were never short of them: Thrugg, little Dumble, Arula and yourself, brave creatures all! What more could an old one like me desire than to rest here with Redwallers enjoying themselves in good health, peace and happiness..."

The young squirrel and the badger maid sat watching the Abbess of Redwall as she slept quietly, surrounded by her friends in the orchard on a high sunny afternoon in the Autumn of the Homecomers.

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The great Joseph Bell pealed out mellowly over the warm spring evening as an old mole grandmother made her way slowly over to the small cheery fire that glowed by the beech-log in the orchard. The infant mole was toasting a chestnut on a stick at the fire, and his friend the dormouse elder was dozing.

Taking the little mole by his paw, the grandmother whispered, ''Come on, Burrem, et be yurr bedtoime long since, bring thoi chesknutter with 'ee."

Paw in paw they strolled back toward the Abbey dormitories, the old one questioning her grandson.

"Wurr et a gudd story, Burrem?"

The infant trundled along, nodding. "Hoo urr, it serpintly wurr, tho' oi thinks that ol' dormouser be a gurt fibber, Gran-murr."

She stopped and wagged a heavy digging ciaw at him. "Gurr, maister Dumble b'aint no fibber, you 'pologize roight naow, young un!"

The infant mole smiled winningly at her. "Oi 'pologizes, Granmurr 'rula. You wutr in 'ee story so it must be 'onest true, burr aye!"

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Old Arula patted his velvety head. "You'm forgived, young ripscullywag."