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mountains? Well, I couldn t cross them, so I walked around them. Ha, that took a season or two, I can tell
you. Eventually I found my way to this place the Great South Stream, I call it. One day I ll go back to my
village, where the shores and flatlands meet the woods on the River Moss. Until then, well, here I am.
Martin put down his bowl. Then you ve seen Salamandastron?
Oh aye, passed it a few times when I was in the galleys, Log-a-Log agreed. Big mountain, fiery at
night. Sea rats don t like it, though.
Martin nodded. Yes, I ve heard about the sea rats. My father went off to fight them up north. He was
never heard of again. Tell me, Log-a-Log, do you know the way to Salamandastron?
The shrew pointed with a ladle. Over those mountains and due west.
Dinny was stroking Grubwhacker. Hurr, can ee go thurr by stream, Gloglog?
The shrew paced the cave with his lips pursed. Silently they watched him. Finally he stopped alongside
Dinny and the beetle. Taking a loaf and a piece of cooked fish, he placed them upon Grubwhacker s back,
where they could be carried without falling off. Log-a-Log patted his pet affectionately.
Go on Grubwhacker, he told him. Back to your missus and the little uns.
The beetle trundled off obediently.
The shrew turned to Martin and his friends. Right. Load the boat up with supplies. I ll get the mast
and sail ready to rig up.
Gonff stood up. Why, matey, what are we supposed to be doing?
Log-a-Log grunted as he heaved a heavy mast timber from the back of the cave. We re going to see if
that old stream will take us under the mountain. That s the shortest route to Salamandastron. I wouldn t
chance it on my own, but now that I ve got a crew &
Book 2 - Salamandastron
Chapter 27
Skipper hobbled into the dining room at Brockhall. He sat down with a sigh of relief, rubbing his tail and
paws.
Fortunata and Mask were clearing away the lunchtime dishes. The sly vixen nodded toward Skipper
and winked at her companion. Mask looked slightly bemused, but Fortunata winked again as she sauntered
over to the otter.
What seems to be the trouble, sir? she asked solicitously. Is it an old injury?
Skipper shook his head and continued rubbing. No, it s these pains I get in me paws and tail. The
minute I come out of the water, or even after a rainshower these days, it starts throbbing right into me old
bones. Ooh, the pains, matey. It s agony!
Fortunata crouched in front of Skipper. Here, allow me to take a look, sir. I m a healer of pains.
First she stroked the fur on Skipper s paws, then she probed and tested with her claws. The otter put on
a fine display of anguish.
Ow, ooch, he exclaimed. That s it, right there. You touched the very spot.
The vixen stroked her whiskers, looking very professional Hmm, yes, I think you ve got a touch of the
stiffeners, she told him.
Skipper expressed concern. The stiffeners? Float me tail, is that bad?
Fortunata shook her head gravely. It will be, if you let it get any worse. I ve seen otters bent double
with the stiffeners. Very, very, painful indeed.
Can you cure me, Besomtail? he asked.
Fortunata leaned against the table. Feverfew, wormwood, extract of nightshade leaf to stop the pain,
that s what you need. Plus, of course, a few other items that I don t normally carry with me.
But you can get them? Skipper asked hopefully.
Fortunata smiled at Mask. Well, I suppose so. Though I ll have to go out into the woods to gather
them. What d you say, Patchcoat?
Mask had caught on to the scheme. Right, Besomtail, he said. We d better go out into the woodlands
and hunt for the stuff. After all they ve done for us here, it d be a shame to watch this poor otter suffer
when we can help him.
Fortunata kept her voice light and casual. Of course we d need a couple of helpers, creatures that
aren t needed for other duties. What about those two little hedgehogs? I ll bet they d love a romp in the
woods.
Spike and Posy (disguised as Ferdy and Coggs) were eager to help. Goody Stickle wiped their snouts
with her apron corner.
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