Urchin and the Rage Tide Read online

  In the tower, Hope cleared up a few stems of thyme that Urchin had broken in his leap through the window.

  “I think she said yes,” he said.

  In the workrooms, Needle turned her embroidery frame to face the light. “Looks as if she’ll have him, then,” she remarked. “Wedding dresses are a pain to do.”

  “Don’t worry,” said Thripple. “Sepia will keep everything simple.”

  They did not inter King Crispin in the vault with the other kings and queens of Mistmantle. It would seem wrong, somehow. They carried him to a clearing in Anemone Wood and buried him among roots of bluebells and beech trees with a circle of white stones around his grave. Lord Crown circled the place three times, and laid mending-moss from Whisper’s grave above him. Juniper gave the blessing.

  By that time, they all felt that the body they were burying was no longer Crispin and no longer needed, because Crispin was free, and would never wake to pain or sorrow again. Urchin understood at last what Hope had meant about joy and sorrow at the same time. More than ever, he felt glad and grateful for all Crispin had been, and, at this time of grieving, life was wonderfully good. When all was over he climbed back to the top of his favorite tree, because it would always remind him of one vital day in his life.

  Leaving the funeral, all the otters suddenly felt they needed a good swim, and the moles felt the need to go belowground and get digging, squirrels ran up trees, and most of the hedgehogs went to sleep. Hope wasn’t sleepy at all and remained with Sepia, feeling he should look after her, even if she didn’t really need it. She was safe, and she and Urchin would be married. All was well, and Hope was happy. Soon it would be dusk, time to go up to Juniper’s turret and brew up some cordials for tired captains wanting to stretch their legs by the fire, but in the meantime—“Please will you sing, Lady Sepia?” he asked.

  So she did.

  May the Heart claim you with joy and forgive you with love.

  May your heart fly freely to the Heart that gave you life.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty