"Brian Jacques - Redwall 08 - The Outcast Of Redwall" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jacques Brian)

but you saved my life; now I am with you. Where come you from, friend?"

Scratching his golden stripe, the badger chewed thoughtfully. "I'm not sure. I
think I had a mother, Bella or Bellen or something, it's hard to remember. I
must have been very young. Boar the Fighter, that's a name I recall, maybe he
was my father, or my grandsire, I'm not certain. Sometimes I dream about home,
or maybe it's my imagination, but it feels nice. Then there's the mountain,
was that my home? It is all very mixed up. But Swartt Sixclaw, I won't forget
him.. .." The young badger looked quizzically at his friend the kestrel. '
'Maybe Swartt was right, perhaps my name is Scumtripe. He gave me that name.
What do you think my name should be, friend Skarlath?"

Outcast of Redwall

15

The kestrel felt fierce pity for the young badger well up in him. He hopped up
onto the strong, dark, furred shoulder and cried, "Kreeeee! Your name I don't
know. But I know you are a great warrior, slay five and injure many, like a
lightning bolt! There is none so quick or strong with a mace as you!"

The badger picked up his hornbeam limb and hefted it. "So this is a mace, is
it? I never knew a mace looked like this!"

Skarlath looked at the hulking young beast with his tree limb. ' 'If you call
it a mace, methinks nobeast would argue the point. Warriors like you can be
anything they want to be. You are unsure of your true name. I will give you a
good name. The mark of the sun is on your face, your speed is that of
lightning, you have your own special weapon ... You are Sunflash the Mace!"

The badger laughed happily and, standing at his full height, be spun the
formidable hornbeam in his paws and roared, "I have a name! It is a good name!
I know who I am! Sunflash the Mace! Eeulaliaaaaaaa!"

Skarlath took wing and circled high, calling wildly, "Kreeeeeeee! Sunflash the
Mace! Kreeeeeeeee!"

When the kestrel flew to earth again, Sunflash was away, already backtracking
swiftly through die forest. Skarlath winged between the trees after him.
"Sunflash, where do you go?" he called.

The warrior blood was rising in the badger's eyes as he brushed past Skarlath.
"Out of my way," he growled. "I am going to settle accounts with the ferret!"

"So, you go to your death!" said Skarlath, as he found his perch on the big
shoulder and clung doggedly. "I have told you, Swartt has too many vermin,
even for you. No matter, I have sworn to stay by your side. I go with you, and
we will both be slain!"

Sunflash halted. "But what else can I do?" he said, a bewildered look on his