The Rogue Crew

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PHILOMEL BOOKS
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Text copyright © 2011 by The Redwall Abbey Company, Ltd. Illustrations copyright © 2011 by Sean Rubin.

All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form
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Text set in Palatino.
The illustrations are rendered in graphite on bristol board.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Jacques, Brian. The Rogue Crew / Brian Jacques ; illustrated by Sean Rubin.
p. cm. Summary: The murderous and evil Razzid Wearat and his crew of vermin
are on a mission to seize Redwall Abbey for themselves, and Abbot Thibb and his
Redwallers must defend their home with the help of the hares of the Long Patrol and the
Rogue Crew of sea otters. [1. Animals—Fiction. 2. Fantasy.] I. Rubin, Sean, 1986- ill.
II. Title. PZ7. J15317Ro 2011 [Fic]—dc22 2010013330

eISBN : 978-1-101-51486-3

The Land of Dreams, that mystical realm,
where the oddest of visions appear,
come wander through scenes of joyful peace,
or stampede through nightmares of fear.
Dare we open those secret doors,
down dusty paths of mind,
in long-forgotten corners,
what memories we'll find.
Who rules o'er the Kingdom of Night,
where all is not what it seems?
'Tis I, the Weaver of Tales,
for I am the Dreamer of Dreams!

The face of a Wearat is a sight to instill fear and loathing in any creature. Two narrow eyes, crimson, with small green pupils, a huge, squat head sparsely coated with hair, save for the stiff mane at the back. A short, broad muzzle, with a sheen like polished leather, beneath which yellowed fangs jut in all directions. Truly a beast that should never have been born, an obscure hybrid that cannot be categorised with anybeast.

Some were of the opinion a Wearat was part weasel, part water rat. Nobeast knew. One thing was beyond doubt, however. A Wearat was the embodiment of nightmare, with a vicious nature that knew no bounds. It revelled in blood and death.

One such rare savage was Razzid Wearat, the most barbarous of all seagoing vermin. From his fortress on the Isle of Irgash in the warm southern seas, he emerged like a hurricane of destruction. His ship was the
Greenshroud
, a long, swift galley. From sailtops to hull, the entire vessel was green. It carried a single bank of oars, twoscore port and starboard. Aft of its square-sailed mainmast were two lateen sails, tall billowing triangles. The mainsail bore the Mark of the Wearat, a trident head, with two evil eyes between the forked prongs.
Greenshroud
was crewed by vermin corsairs spurred on by the promise of plunder.

The season that Razzid struck coasts and settlements both sides of Mossflower Country became known as the Winter of Slaughter. The speed with which Razzid raided helpless creatures was swift and ruthless. He left in his wake the flames of desolation and death, smouldering ruins which made his name a byword for terror.

Razzid's Seer and Soothsayer, the vixen Shekra, cast her shells, bones, feathers and stones, advising him on all his wicked enterprises. It was, therefore, his own fault when he ignored her warning to steer clear of the High North Coast. Defenceless creatures, and easy victories, made the Wearat overconfident—he laughed scornfully.

“The only trouble I have is tryin' to get somebeast that'll stand an' fight me. All I ever see is timid creatures turnin' tail an' runnin' away. Right, Mowlag?”

Greenshroud
's first mate, the searat Mowlag, agreed promptly. “Ain't never seen a beast with the guts to stan' an' face ye, Razzid. Yore the terror o' land and sea, sure enough!”

Razzid kicked Shekra's collection of omen givers scornfully. “Hah—mumbo jumbo, shells'n'feathers! Set a course for the High North Coast, Mowlag!”