Redwall [Redwall 1] by Brian Jacques; Gary Chalk

Author:Brian Jacques; Gary Chalk
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Body, Redwall Abbey (Imaginary Place), Epic, Animals, Action & Adventure, Guinea Pigs, Fantasy Fiction, Juvenile Fiction, Hamsters, Fantasy & Magic, General, Fantasy, Etc, Mind & Spirit, Mice, Fiction, Astrology
ISBN: 9780142302378
Publisher: Puffin Books
Published: 1983-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

Leaning back against the stained-glass windows they ate lunch. Warbeak gave a twittering laugh.

“Matthias all red mouse.”

“Ha, you should talk, Warbeak!” Matthias replied. “Look at yourself. You’re blue all over.” The bizarre effect was created by sunlight shining through the stained-glass. As they ate, Warbeak would dodge her head from side to side, changing color as she did so. “Lookeet! Now me green, blue again, now red like a Matthias mouse.”

“If you don’t sit still you’ll be white with fright, because you’ll fall,” Matthias warned.

When they were sufficiently recovered to start again, Matthias tried the sandstone center rib of the window. It was carved into a profusion of curlicues and niches which made the climb considerably easier.

Soon they reached the wooden ridge at the bottom of the roof curvature. It was perilously narrow. Together they edged along it, their backs bent unsafely forward with the curve of the ceiling behind.

Neither of them was aware of the inquisitive, beaked face of a sparrow who watched them from the corner of a stained-glass window. It noted the would-be intruders, then flew off.

Matthias drew his dagger. He stuck it into the wooden ceiling to steady himself as they halted to look for the next loft door.

“I can see it,” said Matthias, “there, along to your left. You’ll have to lead, Warbeak.” Gingerly the sparrow slid her claws along the smooth wooden ridge. Suddenly Matthias felt the dagger come free from the wood. He lost his grip and leaned outwards, teetering and waving his paws. Warbeak stopped him falling by pulling him back. The dagger went spinning down. It was a considerable time before they heard the faint clatter as it hit the Abbey floor.

“Gosh!” said Matthias in an awed voice. “I thought I’d had it then. I was certain I’d fall. Thanks for saving me, Warbeak.”

Gradually they inched their way along until they arrived beneath the loft door. It was too high and difficult for either of them to reach. Matthias made several attempts before he had to admit defeat. He sat upon the ridge, kicking his legs and feeling quite angry with himself. Failure stared him in the face.

“A fool, that’s what I am! A little fool, climbing all this way to be beaten by an old loft door.” The sparrow tapped him with her claw. “Why not Matthias cut Warbeak free? Then fly with Sparra wings and open little worm door.”

Matthias looked blank. “Beg pardon?”

Warbeak explained again. “You no listen. Warbeak say, cut wings free, fly up and open door.”

“Give me your sparrow’s word that you won’t fly off.”

“Is good. Give Sparra word. Promise no ’scape.”

“Swear by your mother’s egg.”

“By mother’s egg, Warbeak swear.”

Matthias undid the twine that pinioned the sparrow’s wings, and Warbeak flapped her wings experimentally. “Long time no fly. Me good, you see.”

The young sparrow launched herself off the ridge. She went into a series of zooming circles and performed a few acrobatic turns for her companion’s benefit.

Matthias grinned. “Righto, I’m impressed. Now get back here, you little showoff, and open this door.

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