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

young face. "Sixclaw is my enemy!"

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Brian Jacques

Skarlath was wise for a young kestrel. He rapped his beak lightly against the
skull of Sunflash, saying, "We can think! You are brave, but headstrong. Why
risk your life against the odds when, if we take our time, we can be certain
victors one day."

Sunflash sat down in the snow, leaning his chin on the mace as he gazed at his
companion. "Tell me how we will do this. I will listen and learn."

Thus began the education of Sunflash the Mace. Skarlath outlined his plan,
which was simple and should be effective. ' 'Why run after Swartt? He will be
coming after us. The ferret will lose face in front of his vermin if he lets
you live. Let Sixclaw wear himself out chasing us, while we leave this cold
land and find warm country, where it is green and there is plenty of food.
There we can rest and grow strong.

"I will be your eyes and ears, flying high, watching for Swartt, listening for
information. When the time is ripe, men we strike cleverly, my friend, like
wasps we worry the ferret and his band. In and out, sting and disappear, slay
one or two at a time, strike like sunflash, vanish like smoke. Then Swartt
will come to fear us; he will realize that you will not disappearтАФthat one day
he will turn round and you will be there, waiting. This will trouble his mind,
haunt his sleep. That is my plan. What do you think?''

A broad smile spread across Sunflash's face. "It is a great plan, Skarlath. I
will learn to think like the kestrel. Lead on!"

That day the two friends began traveling south and west on a journey that
would last many seasons. Sunflash strode over hitl, valley, and plain, while
Skarlath soared and circled overhead, scouting out the land. Winter passed
into spring as the two friends journeyed onward, growing up together, getting
wiser, seeing, and learning as they went. Sunflash could not stand injustice,
and wherever he saw creatures being oppressed or enslaved, the big badger,
remembering his own enslavement

Outcast of Redwall

17

by Swartt, meted out terrible retribution to their tormentors.

His name and fame began spreading. Songs and poems sprang up in the lands he
and Skarlath traveled through. Most were heroic, and some, like this one, were
humorous: