The Bellmaker
From Free net encyclopedia
The Bellmaker is a fantasy novel by Brian Jacques, published in 1994. It is the seventh book in the Redwall series.
Far away, in the northern sea, the Foxwolf Urgan Nagru arrives in Southsward, bringing two shiploads of rats, and storms the Castle Floret. Nagru, the Foxwolf, captures Gael Squirrelking, his wife Serena, their son Truffen and his nursemaid Muta, a mute badger.
Meanwhile, Dandin and Mariel Gullwhacker have set out from Redwall Abbey, but have found themselves stuck in the southern dunes without food. After befriending a hedgehog named Bowly Pintips, they find themselves attempting to save a mole who happened to be under attack by Nagru's rat troops. Just as the trio of would-be rescuers realize their peril, Field Marshal Meldrun Fallowthorn the Magnificient bounds to their aid, accompanied by his four leverit nephews.
Back in Southsward, Gael's otter allies have begun planning a rescue mission. Led by Rab Streambattle, the otters manage to rescue Serena and Truffen, but Gael and Muta encounter trouble. Unable to escape, Muta and Rab stand their ground against waves of Nagru's rat troops, fighting until they collapse under the innumerable odds, presumed dead.
Dandin, Mariel and Meldrum survive long enough to fend off Nagru's last effort, two of his pyschotic tracking ermine, called Dirgecallers, who were unleashed to track down the escape prisoners. Mariel and her companions manage to kill the trackers, allowing Serena and Truffen to escape to safety, but are not able to avoid Nagru's rat troops, as they are captured and led back to Castle Floret.
Back at Redwall Abbey, Joseph the Bellmaker, the father of Mariel, has a vision. Inspired by Martin the Warrior, the legendary Champion and protector of Redwall, Joseph recruits a hare (Hon Rosie), hedgehog (Durry Quill), squirrel (Rufe Brush) and Foremole, the leader of moles. Accompanied by Log-a-log and a band of Guosim shrews, the band reaches the coast. Intent on finding the island shown to him in his vision, Joseph and his companions befriend Finnbarr Galedeep, a rusky wild sea otter, who helps them deceive searat brothers Slipp and Strapp, stealing the excellent Pearl Queen in the process.
As they sail towards Castle Floret and Urgan Nagru, Slipp and Blaggut—their crew killed in a whirlpool and their ship stolen—head into Mossflower Woods.
When the awake, Mariel, Dandin and Meldrum find themselves in the dungeons of Castle Floret, along with the battered Gael Squirrelking. With a bit of luck and the help of Glokkpod, a shrike, they manage to escape, but Mariel becomes separate from her friends. As she attempts to find safety, Mariel meets Egbert the Scholar, an old mole living beneath Castle Floret, who happened to find Rab and Muta and nursed them back to health. Psychologically damanged from their near-death battle, the two warriors are intense, but refuse to speak. With their help, Mariel finds her way inside the castle and lowers the drawbridge.
At Redwall Abbey, the two rats have arrived and found refuge in the kind, peaceful Abbey. Slipp, after a failed plan to find treasure with a band of Dibbuns, has had enough; he attacks and kills the local badger mother, Mellus, and escapes the Abbey with Blaggut and a chalice. After Blaggut learns the truth, he kills his captain and returns to the Abbey with the chalice, seeking forgiveness, which he eventually receives.
Trivia
- Urgan Nagru wears the skull and pelt of a wolf, claiming that he slew the larger predator himself (though in reality he simply found a dead wolf and skinned it).
- No wolves have ever appeared in the Redwall series.
- Traditionally in Redwall, rats, stoats, ferrets, weasels, and foxes are portrayed as exclusively evil. Blaggut, a searat in The Bellmaker, is one of only a handful of exceptions to this rule.
Translations
- (French) Rougemuraille : Joseph
- Tome 1 : La Menace d'Ourgan le Garou
- Tome 2 : La Reine-de-Nacre
- Tome 3 : Les Évadés de Méridion
- Tome 4 : La Reconquête
External links
Template:Start box Template:Succession box Template:Succession box Template:End box Template:Redwall