49?

Major Perigord Habile Sinistra looked around the high ridge in the dawn light, sizing up the hillside and valley below.

“You an Mono did well, Sergeant Torgoch. This ridge could be held against many by a few. Top marks, wot!

Morio threw a languid salute. “Best place we could find, sah. Looks like were first here.

Brisk as ever, Torgoch was issuing orders. “Scout around now, see if ycan find stones, any kind, from pebbles to blinkin boulders. Put em in piles along the ridgealways useful tchuck down on the vermin.

Perigord nodded approvingly. “Good show, Sarnt, make use of the terrain, eh, wot. Chief Log-a-Log, what can I do for you, old lad?

The Guosim leader nodded, shrews not being in the habit of saluting. “ThinkirT about food fer the troops, Major. Shall we risk lightin cookin fires?

“Why not, old chap, why not, we want the blinkin enemy to see where we are. Light some whackin great bonfires, if yplease.

Log-a-Log took Perigord at his word, and soon three huge fires were alight and blazing out like beacons in the gray of dawn.

Gurgan Spearback had a stroke of luck. His Waterhogs reported they had found a great, fallen pine trunk on the ridges other side.

“Thee did well, ogs. Fetch rope an wedges. Methinks Id like yon timber atop o the ridgetwill come in useful.

Everybeast joined in to roll the big dead trunk uphill. Gurgan, painted for war, wearing his club and ax, supervised the job. “Put thy backs into it, thou slab-chopped neer-do-well rabble! A liddle twig like yon should give thee an appetite for when we breakfast. Worry not about gettin lily-white paws dusty, by me spikes, come on, move it, afore I move ye to bitter tears!

Captain Twayblade levered hard at the pine with a pike, smiling in high good humor at the fat hedgehogs insults. One of Skippers crew working alongside her gritted his teeth as he threw his weight against the massive log, and muttered, “Wots so funny, Capn?

Twayblade leaned on the pikehaft, taking a short breather. “That Waterhog, old chap, Gurgan thingummy. Id like to put him in a contest against our Sergeant Torgoch. I wager they could insult a regiment for a full day without jolly well re-peatin themselves. That Waterhogs a born Color Sergeant!

Pasque Valerian sat alone near the tall standing rock at the ridge center, her breakfast untouched, watching the daybreak. Rising from behind a bank of dusky cream cloud, the sun appeared reddish-hued like a new copper coin, burning the morning dew into tiny wraithlike tendrils. It was the start of a high summers day, but the young hare was downcast.

Arven, the Champion of Redwall, had already eaten. He wandered across to where Pasque sat, and, leaning against the rock, he watched her. “Gracious me, theres a long face! Dyou want it to rain?

The young hare looked up into the squirrels kind features. “No sir, I hope the day stays fine.

“Lost your appetite too, I see?

“Oh, Ill get round to eatin it, sir.

“What is it, then? Are you afraid of the battle to come?

“Not really, sir. Ive seen quite a bit of action with Long Patrol.

Arven drew the Sword of Martin from its sheath across his back. He touched Pasques paw lightly with the tip, smiling secretly. “Dyou see this sword? Did you know that it has the power to make pretty hare maidens happy?

Pasque cast her eyes over the legendary blade. “Ive never known a sword do that, sir, but if you say it does, then Ill have to take your word.

Arven snorted impatiently and flourished the blade. “Hah! I see ydont believe me. Right, Ill show you, missie. Cmon, up off your hunkers and see where my blade is pointing!

Pasque arose with a small sigh. She did not feel like being forced to laugh at sword tricks.

Arven pointed the blade out and downward to the back of the ridge. “Place your eye level with my sword and look carefully.

The young hare did as she was bid, and in an instant she was wreathed in smiles, jumping about excitedly. “Its Tammo, hes coming! Hes coming here!

Arven watched the small figure below on the plain, running in front of two others like a true Long Patrol Galloper. “Ysee, I told you this is a powerful sword!

Major Perigord had to lower his brows and glower a bit to prevent himself from smiling. “I say, Pasque, old thing, dyou mind lettin go of young Tammos paw, just while he makes his blinkin report tme, wot!

Tammo flushed to his eartips and gave a smart salute. “Midgell be here soon, sah, our mission was successful. Da-mug Warfang is headed this way with the Rapscallion army. Sorry to report that we lost Rockjaw Grang ... Tammos voice broke for a moment. “He ... he gave his life so we could escape. Brought a squirrel with us, name o Fourdun; he was a prisoner, ysee. I cut your trail twixt here, south o Redwall, and weve been runnin like madbeasts all night tget here. Sah!

The Major turned aside and, taking out a spotted kerchief, he wiped his eyes. After a moment he faced Tammo again, his face pale. “Big Rockjaw Grang, eh? A good an perilous hare. By my blood an blade, well make the vermin pay heavily for him! Go an get yvittles, Tamm, you look quite done in. Ill get the fine details from Midge. Thank ye, ymay dismiss.