Eulalia! (39 page)

As evening shadows gathered, a meeting was held on the deck. By unanimous decision they voted to sail the newly named vessel on a voyage that would fulfill Maudie's mission. Both Gorath and Salixa were enthralled at the thought of seeing Salamandastron, that fortress of legendary Badger Lords. There was no lack of volunteers for the trip, everybeast wanted to go.

The next three days were spent profitably. Foraging parties scoured the woodlands for food supplies, whilst Guosim shrews and otters cleaned the ship from stem to stern, eradicating all trace of vermin habitation, and making
Eulalia
shipshape for the coming adventure. Rangval proved to be quite artistic, obliterating the name
Bludgullet,
and installing the new title skillfully.

Many suggestions were put forward, as to who should captain the
Eulalia.
Skipper Rorc, Barbowla and Log a Log Osbil were all well-favoured, capable beasts. However, it was Salixa who settled the matter, both she and Gorath nominated Orkwil Prink. This was enthusiastically seconded by Maudie and Rangval.

On the evening before they sailed, Rangval whispered to Maudie, as he watched Orkwil swaggering around the deck, “Shure, an' will ye look at the bold, liddle hog there. Faith, ye'd think he was a cap'n born t'the command. I wonder where he found those floppy, ould seaboots an' big, feathery hat?”

Maudie stifled a giggle, saluting the young hedgehog as he strode by. “Good evenin', Cap'n Orkwil, lookin' forward t'the jolly old morrow, wot wot?”

Orkwil waved a paw nonchalantly. “Oh, one voyage is much like another y'know….” The floppy hat fell over hiseyes, and he tripped as the sword came loose, dangling between his outrageous boots. He stumbled, fell and bounced back upright, all in the one movement. Orkwil glared at both of his friends, as if daring them to laugh. “Ahem, river's a bit choppy tonight, watch how ye go!”

Rangval stared over the side at the River Moss, which was as still as a millpond. He nodded. “Yore right, Cap'n. I'll take first watch in case those waves come a-washin' o'er the sides an' sink us!”

The young hedgehog nodded officiously. “Right, Mister Rangval, I'll be in me cabin if'n ye need me. Good night to ye both!” Trying to control the sword, boots and hat, he staggered off to the stern.

Salixa and Gorath joined Maudie and Rangval, watching their new captain's progress. Gorath smiled fondly.

“I owe my freedom to that one, he's learned a lot since we first met.”

The gentle badgermaid clasped her big companion's paw. “I think we've all learned a lot, don't you?”

Maudie interrupted. “Aye, friend, we have, an' we're all young enough to learn more, wot!”

 

Afternoon sunlight flooded the forge room at Salamandastron, softening the rough, rock walls. Old Lord Asheye sat on the broad stone windowledge, enjoying the late summer warmth. Blindness did not stop the ancient badger from appreciating the day, he could even judge the time by the position of the sun upon his face. The outgoing or incoming tides, he knew by the sounds of the sea, the cries of seabirds and, often, the feel of wind or breeze. The familiar sound of Major Mullein's swagger stick beat its brief tattoo on the chamber door. Lord Asheye's response was correspondingly brief. “Come!”

The Major entered, shepherding Furps and Tringle. Both young hares were in charge of the afternoon tea trolley. Mullein cautioned the pair as they negotiated the rock floor. “Steady as y'go now. Furps, slow down, laddie buck, you ain't in a race. Now, what dainties have we here, wot?”

Tringle fluttered her long eyelashes. “Hot mint or chamomile tea, sah, a selection of sandwiches, some of Cook's dark fruit cake, an' the usual scones an' whatnot, sah. With the jolly old trimmin's of course.”

Lord Asheye nodded approvingly. “Very nice. I hear you passed your Running Scouts test yesterday. Congratulations t'you both!”

Furps and his sister saluted smartly. “Thank ye, sah, it was jolly hard, but we passed with flyin' colours, didn't we, Tring!”

“Oh rather, we're both wearin' green pawbands at the moment, new uniforms ain't ready yet, m'Lord!”

Asheye reached out and ruffled their ears. “I'm sure you'll both be a credit to the Long Patrol. But remember the old saying, It ain't the uniform that counts, 'tis the warrior who wears it, eh!”

Major Mullein took charge of the trolley. “C'mon now, chaps, back down to the Mess Hall, you'll only tire Lord Asheye out with all this chatter.”

Furps and Tringle saluted, but before they dashed off, the Badger Lord spoke out.

“Leave them, Major, I enjoy their company. Sit down here and take afternoon tea with me, young 'uns. Mull, you can be mother, pour for us, please.”

Honoured and delighted to be invited thusly by their Badger Lord, Furps and Tringle smiled cheekily at the Major. “Two spoons of honey in my tea, Mother!”

“Me, too, an' could you pass the cucumber sandwiches, mum?”

Mullein fixed them with a comical glare. “I'll mother you two when I get you out on the parade ground, it'll be tails for tea an' drill for dinner!”

Asheye chuckled. “Young ripscallions, here, come and be my eyes for awhile. How d'you see the sea today?”

“Blue as usual I suppose, sah.”

“No, it's a sort of greeny blue.”

“Don't y'mean bluey green?”

“Well, alright, it's a kind of light bluey pale green, with tiny white flecks here an' there.”

Asheye spread a huge old paw to indicate the expanse. “Oh come on, you can do better than that. Are there no patterns of breeze ripples on the surface? How big are the waves as they break on the shore? Any gulls or cormorants diving out there? Use your eyes, describe!”

Furps took a try. “Lots o' jolly big waves comin' ashore, sah, makin' that swishy noise they always make. Some of that seaweed gettin' washed up also, long, dark, green stuff. Er, some seabirds, too, gulls I think—”

Mullein interrupted him. “You think, laddie buck? Are they guillemots, geese or gulls, have ye been taught nothin' at nature study, wot?”

Tringle cut in, attempting to help her brother. “Actually there's some puffins an' guillemots, ordinary gulls, an' a few kittiwakes, sah. Oh, there's also that small thing, right out there, could that be a ship?”

Lord Asheye stood bolt upright, his head turning this way and that. “A ship…Where?”

Leaving the tea trolley, Mullein hurried to the broad window space. He peered hard, following the direction of Tringle's paw as she explained.

“Over there, sah, away to the far west, comin' from the north. I think it is a ship, eh, Furps?”

Her brother, who had the keenest sight of those in the forge room, climbed up onto the sill, taking hold of Major Mullein's paw as he leaned out. Shading his brow with his free paw, Furps stared intently at the object. His shout echoed around the forge chamber. “It is! It's a bally ship alright, sah, an' it's headin' this bloomin' way, straight t'the blinkin' mountain, if'n y'flippin' ask me!”

Major Mullein lifted him from the sill, with a stern note in his voice. “Less of the barrack room lingo young 'un, Badger Lord present, y'know!”

Furps held a paw to his mouth. “Oops, my 'pologies, sah!”

The ancient Badger Lord seized his walking staff, issuing orders urgently. “Major, gather all officers immediately, tell them to turn out the Long Patrol, full complement, well armed!”

Mullein saluted with his swagger stick. “Right y'are, Lord. I'll have 'em linin' the west shore in full fig, armed t'the eartips. Will ye be attendin'?”

Asheye nodded vigorously. “Send old Ecrea up, tell him to attend the lord's wardrobe, I want to be dressed in full regalia. Oh, I'll need to be bearing some kind of arms, a sword do you think?”

Tringle spoke out boldly, before the Major could answer. “Beg pardon, Lord, but a battleaxe might be better. It looks fearsome, but you can use it to feel your way, just like the staff you have to help you along.”

The haremaid winced as Asheye's big paw descended thankfully on her shoulder. “Good idea, young 'un! You and your brother stay here. When I'm ready you can both walk me down to the shore.”

Major Mullein did an about turn in the doorway. He beckoned Tringle and Furps to him, whispering to them. “This is your first assignment as Scout Runners. Lord Asheye is under your protection. Guard him with your lives, your very lives, d'ye hear?”

Mullein turned and marched off, leaving behind him two young hares almost bursting with pride.

Drums thundered and bugles blared as Salamandastron roused itself to meet the newcomers.

 

The
Eulalia
dipped its prow to the heaving sea, bucking playfully as it rose, dropping to meet the next wave. Every scrap of sail canvas was taut as the breeze whistled through the rigging. Gorath the Flame stood in the bows with Salixa, watching the majestic mountain growing larger with every moment. Gorath wiped a big paw across his eyes. “Salamandastron, it's like a dream. If only my old grandparents could have lived to see it.”

The slender badgermaid patted his shoulder. “They did their best for you, and you lived to see it for them. That would have made them happy.”

Orkwil trundled by holding the sword of Martin over his shoulder so that he would not trip. The young hedgehog swept off his floppy hat in an elaborate bow. “Good day, friends. The weather's holdin' fair I trust!”

Salixa smiled at him. “It is indeed, Captain, and how are you today pray tell?”

Reveling in his role as Shipsmaster, Orkwil replied. “Well, marm, exceedin' well, as is all me gallant crew, 'ceptin' ole Rangval, who swears he ain't long for this world. Still y'know wot us saltwater beasts say,

Rangval the Rogue was the only beast aboard to be seasick. The wretched squirrel lay on the afterdeck swathed in a mass of blankets.

Maudie brought him a beaker of fresh water. “Golly, you look like bloomin' death, mate. Try a sip o' this, 'tis only water, but it might help, wot!”

He pushed the beaker away with a plaintive groan. “Water, d'ye say, get it outta me sight, darlin'. Sure an' wasn't it water that's got me this way? Water, goin' up an' down, back an' for'ard, side t'side, rollin' an' sloppin', an' never stoppin'. Me ould body'll be dead by the time we make land. No need t'dig me a grave, no, just toss me ould remains anywhere, up in a tree, or down on the grass. Sure, there's not a beast that'll notice me. Bein' so green I'll blend right in!”

Osbil was passing by, he shook his head sorrowfully. “It's been a pleasure knowin' ye, Rangval, me ole mate. Would ye like to do me a partin' favour, seein' as yore dyin'?”

The rogue squirrel managed a weak smile.

“Anythin' fer you, me ould Guosim messmate, name it.”

Osbil replied promptly. “Those good daggers ye always carry, could ye let me have them now, just to save us all arguin' over 'em when yore gone.”

Salixa arrived in the nick of time, she helped Maudie to restrain Rangval as he tried to hurl the blades at Osbil, ranting furiously.

“Arr, let me at the villain, I'll give him me knives sure enough. One through his black heart, one through his fatpot belly an' one more through his thievin' paws!” He appealed piteously to the young badgermaid. “It ain't bad enough, havin' to die of the seasickness, miss, but that blaggard wants to rob me lovely daggers!”

Salixa took a small flask from her beltpurse. “Die of seasickness? Nonsense, a good swig of my medicine should put paid to that. Open your mouth!”

Rangval had a horror of medicines. Shaking his head vigorously, he clamped his mouth tight. Salixa passed the flask to Maudie. “Give our friend a good dose when he opens his mouth.” She pinched the squirrel's nose, cutting off his air. He struggled wildly to resist, but in the end he had to open his mouth to breathe. Maudie acted swiftly, pouring almost half the flask into Rangval.

The rogue squirrel's tail stood up like a flagpole. “Yooooaaaaarrrrgh! Ye murderers, ye've killed me!”

Amid the laughter he sprinted up the mast, where he sat quivering with rage as he glared down at them.

Gorath called from his place in the bows as they drew closer to shore. “Look, there's almost tenscore hares in uniform waiting on the tideline for us. I take it they're the famous Long Patrol, Miz Maudie?”

The haremaid began brushing her tunic down and generally trying to look presentable as she answered. “By Jove, there's a sight t'do your jolly old heart good. They've turned the full complement out t'greet us. Stap me scut, there's Major Mull, Corporal Thwurl, Biffy Bigelow, Lanky Lockben, Stinky Scarbuttle an' Big Beau Sullagan. Colour Sarn't O'Flugg an' Colonel Cragglow. Oh look, there's young thingummy an' his sister wotsername, see who they're escortin', it's Lord Asheye himself, wot! Halloooo, milord, ahoy!”