"Brian Jacques - Redwall 03 - Mattimeo" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jacques Brian)

High noontide sun beat down on Orlando the Axe. The mighty badger strode the
far reaches of the western plains, blind to the beauty of the flower-carpeted
grassland which had turned green to gold.

Orlando the Axe was following the fox.

The badger wiped a huge dusty paw across his eyes. Sun gtinted off the massive
double-headed battleaxe slung over his shoulder. His home lay plundered behind
him; there was nothing left there except desolation and loneliness.

Orlando the Axe was following the fox.

Two sunrises ago he had passed the strange fox and his band. They had given
him a wide berth as he trudged to the foothills of the mountains, seeking food
and the small rock plants which his little daughter Auma loved so much.
Orlando {eared no living creature. He had passed by the fox, not thinking that
he had left a dear trail back to his den. The following morning he had
returned home, laden with food and rock flowers. Auma was gone, his home was
smashed and broken.

Orlando the Axe was following the fox.

Three winters ago his wife Brockrose had died, leaving him to rear their
little badger cub. Auma was the most precious dung in Orlando's life. He
-taught her of the seasons, the plains and the mountains. Now he had

turned his back on those same mountains and plains with only one thing in his
mind: to find his daughter and the creature who had taken her.

Orlando the Axe was following the fox.

Striding the wide spaces, the badger let a fearsome rumble start to build deep
within his cavernous chest, a terrible sound that grew into a howling roar of
pent-up rage and anger. It rebounded to the mountains across the sunlit plain
as he shook the battleaxe aloft with one paw, his eyes narrowed to red
bloodshot slits which changed the whole world crimson in front of him,

Orlando the Axe was following the fox!

BOOK ONE

Slagar the Cruel

10

From the diary of John Churchmouse, historian and recorder of Redwall Abbey in
Mossflower country.

We are dose to the longest day of this season, the Summer of the Golden Plain.
Today I took up my ledger and quill to write. It was cool and dim in the quiet