Doomwyte by Jacques Brian

Author:Jacques, Brian [Jacques, Brian]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

20

A pretty summer morn lent its freshness to Mossflower woodlands, with birdsong resounding through high-canopied trees. The Guosim band, together with the Redwal ers, had spent the night in the dried-

up ditchbed, which had not proved uncomfortable. Tugga Bruster was up at the crack of dawn, bul ying his shrews as usual.

“Up off yore laggardly tails, you lot. Marul, take six o’ these layabouts, an’ scout that clearin’ up ahead t’see if’n that serpent’s gone. Then report back ’ere t’me. Wel , go on!”

The shrew Marul did not seem too pleased at the prospect. He chose six of his reluctant fel owbeasts, saluting Tugga Bruster as he paced back and forth. “Er, but suppose the giant snake’s stil

there, Chief?”

The Guosim Log a Log chuckled mirthlessly. “Then ye’l run back ’ere twice as quick, won’t ye? Stop tryin’ to wheedle out of it, get yore paws movin!”

Marul led the six off in a desultory fashion, al of them paw shuffling and lagging behind. Tugga Bruster worked himself into a fine temper, roaring at them.

“Cal yoreselves Guosim, ye yel ow-bel ied, lily-livered ditherers. When yore Log a Log gives ye an order, ye jump to it! Now git up t’that clearin’ afore I move yore bottoms with me warclub!”

He was swinging the iron club threateningly, when Bosie purposely bumped into him, sending the Guosim Chieftain sprawling. The hare made a flourish, waving the kerchief he carried in his

sleeve.

“Oh dearie me, Ah’m sorry, Ah didnae see ye there. Och, sil y me, al ow me tae help ye up, sirrah!”

Tugga refused the proffered paw, and sat up fuming. “Should watch where yore goin’, longears!”

Skipper, who was accompanying Bosie, pointed ahead. “We’re just goin’ t’see if that ole snake’s moved hisself. No need for yore Guosim to go, mate, that is, unless ye’d like to come with us

yoreself?”

Marul and the six Guosim gave a sigh of relief, and went back to the dried ditchbed. Tugga slammed his iron club against a sycamore. “I never told ye to go back there, now git up t’that clearin’

an’ look for the snake! Ye take orders from me, not some plank-tailed streamhound!”

Skipper’s jaw was set grimly as he turned to Tugga. However, it was Bosie who interrupted. “Och, give yer auld tongue a rest, there’s nae need for an army tae go tae yon clearin’. Why d’ye not

take Skipper’s advice an’ come up there with us? Ah’m certain any serpent wouldnae fancy tacklin’ three braw beasties like we are.”

The Shrew Chieftain snapped back at him, “I don’t take orders, I gives ’em, an’ I ain’t goin’ to no clearin’ with you two, longears.”

A dangerous glint came into the hare’s eyes. His paw was on the swordhilt as he replied, “Where Ah come from Ah’m hailed as a Clan Chief. So Ah’l give ye a wee bit o’ advice. Never order

your tribe tae do somethin’ that you’re afeared tae do yerself, laddie.”

Tugga Bruster was shaking with rage. He bel owed at Bosie, “I ain’t afeared to do anythin’ you can do, longears.

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