"07 - The Bellmaker UC" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jacques Brian)

The mousemaid caught one and said, "Now then, you young rip, what are we going to do about you?"

The small hedgehog snatched the oatcake back indignantly. "I've told ye my name be Bowly Pin tips; I ain't no young rip. I be goin' wi' you an' Dandy; I be a warrior from now on!"

Dandin sliced an apple into three with his dagger and

gave them each a piece, winking at Mariel over the small

hedgehog's head. "What d'you thinkЧhas he got the

makings of a warrior?''

Bowly scrunched his face into a ferocious scowl to

The Bellmaker 21

show that he had. Mariel returned Dandin's wink. "Being a warrior doesn't always mean a fierce face; warriors are also renowned for their gentleness."

Bowly immediately changed his expression until he thought he looked gentle enough to charm baby birds from their nests. Stifling their smiles, Mariel and Dandin carried on extolling warrior virtues, while Bowly took note of all they said.

"Oh yes, warriors are handsome beasts." Bowly wobbled his head, fluttered his eyes, and tried hard to look handsome.

"You're right, Dandin, but I've known warriors who can look very stern too." The handsome Bowly suddenly transformed into one with a grim jaw jutting and what he imagined were cold, gimlet eyes. Mariel spluttered and coughed on a bite of apple, while Dandin held his ribs tight to stop the laughter bubbling out.

' 'Aye, but give me the warrior with that devil-may-care look, one who can slay ruthlessly but still manage to laugh merrilyЧnow that's the fellow for me!" Bowly's small face contorted as he tried to glare out of one eye while twinkling merrily with the other, and he brandished his two oatcakes as if ready to slay with them at a moment's notice, at the same time emitting a savage growl which he tried to couple with a merry laugh. Turning to his two companions, who were shaking with unexploded laugher, he sighed wearily.

"Phwaaw! It do take much 'ard work to look like a warrior!"

The two teasers laughed heartily, patting Bowly's tender young prickled head. "We think you'll make a splendid warrior, don't we, Dandin?"

22

BRIAN JACQUES

"Right! We'll be three warbeasts traveling south through thick and thin to wherever our adventures take us!"

Bowly's face lit up in a happy grin, and he clasped the paws of his two comrades firmly. "Aye, an' never fear. Til take care of ee both!"

Queen Serena watched her little son, Truffen, sadly as he sat alone in the center of Castle Floret's banqueting chamber. Poor squirrelmite, forced to spend his days and nights in captivity, often separated from both parents, with only his old badger nurse, Muta, to protect him. Serena and her husband, Gael Squirrelking, sat together at one side of the chamber, with Truffen at his bench in the center, while on the opposite side Nagru and Silvamord occupied the positions of honor at high table, surrounded by rodent Captains. Serena clutched Gael's paw tightly, and they fixed their eyes on the tiny hostage.

Serena let her mind wander over past events. Was it only a season ago that Nagru and Silvamord had arrived at their gates? It seemed as though they had been in Castle Floret for an eternity. She recalled the night they had allowed Nagru and his mate into their home. It was a windy, drizzling evening in early spring, and the two foxes had looked half dead, starved, and bedraggled. Her husband, Gael, ordered that they be admitted, fed, and

24 BRIAN JACQUES

clothed warmly. Serena regretted that Gael had not heeded the urgent warnings of their friend Rab Stream-battle. But the Squirrelking could be stubborn, and he would not hear of Castle Floret's hospitality being denied to any needy creature. Rab continued to oppose him, and the argument escalated until the angry otter stormed out of the castle, taking his otter guard with him.

Within the space of two sunsets the foxes had taken over everything. It was done with fiendish simplicity. Silver-tongued Silvamord had lured Muta to a side chamber and locked her in. Nagru snatched little Truffen and held him breathless with fright, the fearsome hooked wolf-claws a hairbreadth from the babe's throat. Gael was forced to lower the drawbridge, and in a trice the castle was teeming with rats, savage, dirty gray rodents, eager to maim, destroy, or kill at a nod from their leaders, Nagru and Silvamord.

From that moment their lives had hung by a thread. All loyal friends and courtiers who resisted were slain or imprisoned in Floret's dungeons, while those who were not considered dangerous were forced to wait on the foxes and their officers. The far southern sun no longer shone over a peaceful and happy land. A new king and queen held sway, backed by a horde of murderers.