Urchin and the Rage Tide Read Online Free PDF Page A

buzzed in his head.
    He rose with a fierce intensity in his eyes. His work must be done, and nobody must stand in his way. He ran to Watchtop Hill, where he climbed a tree and looked out over the island as the tree swayed in the wind, rocking him.
    It was no good trying to talk to those animals in the tower. They all thought they knew best, but he could always find animals who’d listen to him. He already had followers, animals who were weak and confused and knew how much they needed him. Really, he had to admit that some animals were not very clever and needed his help. Even now, from his high perch, he could see two hedgehogs—one fully grown and one small—standing paw in paw beside a stream. Their backs were turned to him, but from their hunched shoulders and bowed heads he could tell that they were miserable. The little one threw a handful of flowers into the water, as animals sometimes did as a way of honoring their dead. Mossberry ran down the tree and through the wood, so that he was in their path as they walked home. Standing in their path, he raised a paw.
    “Heart keep you!” he cried. “The Heart has seen your sorrow! You have lost someone dear to you, yes?”
    “My daddy,” said the young one, tearfully.
    “Beg pardon,” said the older one. “It’s not long since her father died, and we come here to throw flowers for him—how did you know we were mourning? Do I know you?”
    “The Heart tells me things,” said Mossberry, “and your pain reached me.”
    The mother hedgehog looked impressed. The little one shrank against her, holding tightly to her paw. Mossberry knelt.
    “You needn’t be afraid of me, little one. I’m only Mossberry, the Heart’s servant. I think you are very like your father.”
    “Oh, she is!” said the mother.
    “Yes,” said Mossberry, gazing over the young hedgehog’s head. “I think I see him looking over you.” Both hedgehogs looked around in surprise. “You can’t see him, but he is close to you and very proud of you. His name…” He narrowed his eyes in thought.
    “Quickpaw!” cried the little one.
    Mossberry nodded slowly and thoughtfully. “Quickpaw,” he repeated, as if he had always known it. As the mother hedgehog wiped away a tear, he took her paw. “Tell me all about him. The Heart has sent me to comfort you.”
    He settled down to listen to their story with a sense of satisfaction. He loved doing this; it made him feel important.
    “I must leave you now,” he said at last. “I may be needed by other animals. If you, or any of your family, need me again, ask for Mossberry—Brother Mossberry.”
    “Are you a priest?” asked the little one.
    Mossberry smiled. He put a clawtip to his lips as if sharing a great secret.
    “The island has no more need for priests,” he said. “The Heart has sent you Mossberry.”
    He bowed, and ran away through the forest as if he were urgently needed elsewhere. He was practiced at scenes like this, and was sure that these two would join his other followers.

    The next day, Crispin sent messengers to tell the animals of the coming rage tide. We will all be calm , was the king’s message. Yes, there will be destruction and suffering, but we will do what we always do—we will look after each other. Don’t be afraid. Simply pack what you need and be ready to move uphill and inland when the Circle animals tell you to. Have food and warm cloaks ready. Any crops that are ready to be lifted, harvest them now, to be stored on high ground.
    Docken began to organize the evacuation of the tower. Mossberry was allowed to help under clear instructions and never left to work alone. But Mossberry needed little sleep and the word was spreading about wonderful Brother Mossberry. In the nights, he would slip to a cave in the cliffs, knowing that other animals would be waiting for him, hungry for his presence, desperate to hear him. He must not let them down. On this particular night, running through a tunnel to the cave, he