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Back Marlfox Save as PDF
Chapters (79)
  1. CHARGE!
  2. THE REDWALL BOOKS
  3. Dedication
  4. Map
  5. PROLOGUE
  6. ACT ONE
  7. 1
  8. 1
  9. 2
  10. 2
  11. 3
  12. 3
  13. 4
  14. 4
  15. 5
  16. 5
  17. 6
  18. 6
  19. 7
  20. 7
  21. 8
  22. 8
  23. 9
  24. 9
  25. 10
  26. 10
  27. 11
  28. 11
  29. 12
  30. 12
  31. 13
  32. 13
  33. ACT TWO
  34. 14
  35. 14
  36. 15
  37. 15
  38. 16
  39. 16
  40. 17
  41. 17
  42. 18
  43. 18
  44. 19
  45. 19
  46. 20
  47. 20
  48. 21
  49. 21
  50. 22
  51. 22
  52. 23
  53. 23
  54. 24
  55. 24
  56. 25
  57. 25
  58. ACT THREE
  59. 26
  60. 26
  61. 27
  62. 27
  63. 28
  64. 28
  65. 29
  66. 29
  67. 30
  68. 30
  69. 31
  70. 31
  71. 32
  72. 32
  73. 33
  74. 33
  75. 34
  76. 34
  77. Epilogue
  78. Epilogue
  79. What’s next onyour reading list?

Four water rats were at the gate, one with his body flattened sideways against the door as he strove to hook the metal device over the bolt and push it open. The others were either urging him on or telling him to let them try to do it. Mouth close to Janglur’s ear, Rusvul whispered, “Four of ’em!”

Janglur scoured the scene thoroughly, eyes flicking from side to side. “Rusvul, wait. There’s five. See the Marlfox leanin’ on that rowan!”

The Marlfox, Gelltor, unaware that he was being watched, struck the treetrunk impatiently. “Hurry it up, Fatchur. What’s the matter? I thought you were supposed to be good at opening locks.”

A rattle of metal upon metal sounded out. The rat, Fatchur, straightened up confidently, assuring his master, “I think I’ve got it, sire. The hook’s over the bolt end!”

Janglur nudged Rusvul urgently. “Best put a stop t’this afore they’re in. I’ll take Fatchur, you pick off the Marlfox. Now!”

Janglur leaned out over the battlements whirling his sling. Thwok! Fatchur was slain instantly as the big round river pebble struck him square between the eyes. Rusvul threw his javelin.

It was only Gelltor’s swiftness that saved his life. He saw the rat fall as the slingstone struck, and glancing up at the walltop he could see Janglur, sling in paw at the battlement, with Rusvul to one side of him launching the javelin. The Marlfox threw himself to one side, but not fast enough. The javelin, which was aimed at his chest, missed any vital spot, but took a chunk of flesh from his shoulder, pinning his cloak to the rowan. Stifling a shriek of pain, Gelltor ripped the cloak free as he fell on all fours. Not waiting to see what fate befell the other three rats, he took off through the undergrowth, crouching low and clasping his wounded shoulder. Instantly the remaining rats fled, sent on their way by another stone from Janglur’s sling, which cracked the tail of the last one stumbling into the cover of the trees.

The squirrels immediately hurried from the walltop back down to the gate. Janglur unlatched the metal hook from the protruding bolt end and inspected the device. “That rat knew what he was doin’. A good shove or two an’ they would’ve been in. Let’s see if’n he’s still alive.”

They unlocked the gate and stepped out into Mossflower Wood. Rusvul turned the rat over, placing a paw on the creature’s heart. “Hmph! Won’t get anythin’ out o’ this ’un. Dead as a doornail!”