Eulalia! Read Online Free PDF Page A

sword,
    torn from the simple life.
    He with destiny marked on his brow,
    who walks with the banished one.
    Send forth a maid to seek out the Flame,
    to rule when the old Lord is gone!”
    Asheye rose, shaking himself like one waking from sleep. “Great seasons, where did that come from?”
    Major Mullein tried not to sound surprised. “Must’ve been your dream chaps who put it into your head, m’lud. Beggin’ y’pardon, but you’ve never been one for the jolly old poetic verse an’ all that, wot! Well, stap me, sah, looks like Redwall’s in for a bit of a ding dong. Hmm, an’ there’s a Champion on the horizon, one who’ll flatten the flippin’ foebeast, if I’m not mistaken. Sounds like an odd chap from your description, wot? Never heard of a Badger Lord who shuns armour an’ bloomin’ swords. What I really don’t understand is the bit about destiny bein’ marked on his brow, an’ as for walkin’ with a banished one, an’ sendin’ out a maid to seek for a flame…if y’don’t mind me sayin’, sah, the whole thing’s got me flippin’ well flummoxed.”
    Asheye took a sip of his tea, which had now grown cold. “Well, old friend, I had no idea that I was going to speak such a rhyme, so you’ll excuse me if I confess to being as baffled as you are. However, it does explain a few things from my dreams. The coming trouble at Redwall, and the arrival of a Warrior. Also, the fact that this other badger will rule here in my stead, always supposing that he lives long enough, or isn’t defeated in battle. As for the rest, I’m truly puzzled. Where’s the maid that we must send forth?”
    Mullein twirled his moustache briskly, and stood both ears to attention, always an obvious sign of his displeasure. “Hmph! So that’s why I’m not allowed to sally forth with the Long Patrol, sah, a confounded maid is the one for the blinkin’ task, accordin’ to your sources. Hah, I question the wisdom of a load of long-gone badger spirits. I mean, what possible use would one maid be in the midst of an invasion upon Redwall, eh, wot?”
    The ancient badger patted his friend’s paw. “Now, don’t get your whiskers in an uproar, Mull, I’m bound to obey the voices of past mountain Lords. So, how do we choose this maid whom we must send to solve our problems? Any suggestions, Major?”
    The discussion was interrupted by a series of urgent knocks upon the door. Mullein rattled his sabre hilt. “Yes, stop knockin’ the bloomin’ door down. Come in!”
    It was Corporal Thwurl, a tall, droopy hare, with a mournful countenance. His nose was swollen, one ear was askew, and his left eye was a puffy slit. He saluted Mullein. “Major, sah, wish to report, sah, ruckus in the mess, sah, Assistant Cook’s gone bonkers, sah!”
    Lord Asheye rested his forehead against the windowsill, sighing wearily. “Not Mad Maudie again. Deal with it, would you, Major Mullein? No, wait, bring her up here. We’ll see what she has to say for herself this time!”
    When Corporal Thwurl left, Asheye and Mullein waited in stony silence for several moments. Then sounds of a tussle echoed up the stairway outside. Apparently it was the offender being brought to the forge room by four guards. She was very vocal.
    â€œYah, gerroff, you swoggle-toothed bounders! If I could jolly well get free I’d biff your snouts off! Just you wait, I’ll poison your porridge, I’ll sabotage your salad, I’ll destroy your duff, I’ll…I’ll…wahoo!”
    Stuffed into a floursack, which was fastened at her neck, the miscreant was hauled into the room and dumped upon the floor. There she struggled, coming out with more colourful oaths at all and sundry. Mullein drew his sabre, roaring.
    â€œSilence, marm! Be still, ye fiend, cease that din!” He