Rakkety Tam - 17 by Brian Jacques

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

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23

Tergen did not like wearing a splint upon his wing; it irked

him and hampered his movement. The goshawk was highly

disappointed that Sister Armel had not cured him instantly,

giving him back the power of flight. He trundled about the

Abbey grounds, brooding and grumbling to himself as he

shrugged his good wing.

“Kruuuurrrrk! This bird never fly. Tergen no use to any-

beast now. Huh, vermin be glad of that!”

Armel sat on the gatehouse steps with Abbot Humble

and the brigadier, watching the hawk. Humble felt a certain

sympathy with the wounded bird. “Poor Tergen. It must be

very hard for him, being grounded like that. I wish I could

help him in some way.”

Sister Armel, however, did not share Humble’s view.

“I’ll tell you, that bird’s trouble, Father. He’s got no pa-

tience at all. Oh, he’ll fly again, I’m sure. The wing just

needs lots of rest, then plenty of exercise.”

The brigadier polished his monocle. “I’ve seen some of

my hares actin’ like that after they’ve been injured. That

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Brian Jacques

chap needs something to occupy his mind an’ make him

feel jolly well useful again, wot!”

Armel sighed wearily. “I’ve tried everything I could

think of. I made Tergen a sickbay assistant, but all he did

was eat the rest of my candied chestnuts and lay on the

beds. Then I introduced him to Friar Glisum as a kitchen

helper. He said the kitchens were too hot and he couldn’t

breathe. Next came a spell with Ulba molewife, minding

Dibbuns, but he was short-tempered and frightened the

little ones. So, Brigadier, what would you do with that

goshawk?”

Crumshaw toyed with his moustache. “I see what

y’mean, Sister. Hmm, what t’do with the chap. Hah, I’ve

just thought o’ the very thing—discipline!”

He rose smartly and paced off wagging his swagger

stick. “I say, you there, Turfill, or whatever y’flippin’ name

is. Come with me! Liven y’self up now, laddie bird, I’ve

got a job for you, wot!”

The hawk’s gold-rimmed eye glared icily at the

brigadier. “Karrraaa! This bird be named Tergen. What job

you have, eh?”

Crumshaw marched up the west wallsteps, explaining

as he went. “Rampart sentry, ideal for a bird like y’self,

wot! Nobeast has an eye as jolly well sharp as a hawk. Eyes

like a hawk—you’ve heard the expression, wot? Need

somebeast I can rely on to patrol these walltops regular.

Keep an eye out for those confounded vermin, should they

come skulkin’ about. Well, are you up to the task, wot

wot?”

Crumshaw was forced to back off a pace as the goshawk

advanced. For a moment the hare thought Tergen was about

to attack him. Then the wonder occurred: Tergen raised his

good wing and saluted, his chest swelling proudly.

“Greekah! Brigadier Wotwot is right. This bird have good

eyes, see all. Tergen will do jobfor Brigadier Wotwot!”

The hawk ambled along the walltop to the south, stop-

ping at each space between battlements and peering down

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199

avidly. The other hares on walltop guard kept well out of

the fierce-looking goshawk’s way.

Crumshaw stumped down the gatehouse steps and re-

sumed his seat with Humble and Armel. “Well, he seems to

be fairly happy up there. Peculiar blighter, though. Seems

t’think my name’s Brigadier Wotwot.

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