him, babbling questions.
T. B. and some former oarslaves saved Gonff from further harassment by lugging
large copper tubs out from the galley.
"Right. Form a line here. It's skilly and duff time!"
The young ones sniffed the savory odors as he explained, "Seafood and potato
stew, that's skilly. It'll put hairs on your chest like a giant sea dog.
There's plenty of pepper and sea salt in it, too. Finish it all up and show me
a clean plate, then I'll dish you up some of my own warrior's recipe: plum and
chestnut duff in cream and beechnut sauce. Come on, there's plenty for
everyone."
Night fell as Wuddshipp rode at anchor, kedged safe in midstream. Martin
emerged from the cabin looking pale and sad after the news he had related to
Bella. He called the six hares to him.
"Go to the cabin, Bella wishes to talk with you," he told them. "Tell her all
you know of her father and the time you spent in his company on the mountain."
"Rely on us, old chap."
"Only the good times. Mum's the word, y'know." "That's the ticket. How strong
Boar was." "Like a father to us. A handsome badger, what!" "He taught us all
so much. He was so understanding." "How could we forget such a dear friend."
Before they slept, the travelers were closeted with the Corim leaders to hear
how Mossflower had fared in their absence. When they had learned all, they
went out onto the deck. The little ones had been bedded down in the cabins,
but the novelty of hammock sleeping lost out to weariness. Outside on the
deck, every creature was assembled, packing the rails and rigging.
Bella stood with her paw upon the tiller, red-eyed with grief but calm and
composed.
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Martin took command instinctively. The warrior mouse seemed to have grown in
stature and confidence since his return, every woodlander now looked upon him
with a respect that bordered upon awe. He stood on the peak of the after end
gallery, the sword glinting under a full moon.
"Friends, I have heard all, and my companions have told you everything that
happened to us on our quest. Now I am back."
Abbess Germaine nodded approvingly at the commanding figure. "Tell us what you
want us to do, Martin."
The warrior mouse drew his sword and leaned on the pommel stone as his blade
pierced the deck timbers.
"Trust me, Mossflower will be saved. I have been thinking of a plan that I
will not explain at present. First I must see certain things before I know it
can be executed properly. Now we must sleep until the morning. Tomorrow, after
the little ones are somewhere safe, you will see what I intend. Do not worry
any more. Our force has been doubled by the numbers who have sailed back with
us, and we have seasoned warriors with us now. Boar the Fighter cannot be here
tonight, but I know that his strong spirit watches over us. From beyond the
gates of Dark Forest he has sent me with this sword to make an end of Tsarmina
and all who follow her. I promise you that I will."
Every creature who saw Martin the Warrior that night knew, without a shadow of
doubt: he was the one chosen to keep that promise.
BOOK THREE
Of Water and Warriors
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Deep beneath Kotir the water level had risen gradually. Now it was above the
rock sections removed by the moles.
Hour by hour it had risen fractionally. To the casual ear the trickling had
stopped, but it was still adding silently to the volume, as it seeped in from
below the surface of the gradually rising lake.
Standing at her high window, Tsarrnina breathed deeply, filling her lungs with
the soothing summer breeze that blew in from Mossflower Woods.
At last the accursed dripping had stopped!
She felt light-headedly happy. Dark, fearful night had given way to this
beautiful calm sunlit morning, taking with it the haunting sounds of the
water.
Brogg was right, she thought, even though he was only an oafish weasel. There
was a certain sense to his logic. Imagination was a strange thing, which
played odd tricks upon an overwrought mind.
Now a new resolution was forming in Tsarmina's devious brain, one she
considered worthy of her talents.
Mossflower must be conquered!
The eagle was gone; Bane too. And her forces were stronger now with the
addition of his one-time mercenaries.
Tsarmina allowed herself an audible snigger. That Bane! He had even taken the
trouble to restore and repair all the
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Kotir woodwork, in anticipation of taking over from her, the Queen of
Mossflower. Stupid fox!
Furnishing herself with a bowl of milk and a roasted woodpi-geon, she mentally
thanked Bane for his supplies, adding another point to her favor. She sat down
to breakfast and some earnest thought as to the final solution of the
woodlanders.
Tsarmina rang the bell to summon Brogg.
"Your Majesty?"
"Ah, Brogg. Put aside that sword and sit over here at my table."
4Thankyou, Milady."
"This morning I was thinking of appointing some new Captains. However, I have
since changed my mind, Brogg. You will remain as the one and only officer,
giving out my orders, of course."
Brogg sat to attention, his chest puffed out proudly. "Oh, thank you, Milady,
thank you. I'll make you proud of me. You won't regret this. Wait and see,
I'll—"
Tsarmina silenced the babbling Captain with a wave of the woodpigeon carcass.
"Enough chattering, Brogg. Let me tell you what you must do to earn this great
honor."
"I am yours to command, my Queen."
*'Good. I want traps, lots of traps. Snares, nets, pits— anything we can think
up."
"Traps, Milady?"
"Yes, traps, you great buffoon. I want traps laid all over that forest out
there."
Brogg grinned as recognition dawned. "We'll capture some woodland prisoners."
"Capture, kill, maim—I don't care, as long as it makes those creatures afraid
to set paw outside their hiding place, wherever they may be. I'll turn the
tables on them, and they'll never pen us in again. Give them a good long
summer of my scheme, and they'll be only too willing to accept my terms— those
who are left after the traps begin their work."
"Right, Milady. I'll start today. How about some covered pits with sharpened
stakes at the bottom?"
"Excellent, Brogg. At last you're talking my language. Also, we could arrange
some thin strangling nooses concealed in the deep loam."
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"Great idea, Milady. How about some big nets and trip ropes?"
"Splendid. Make sure you have lots of poisoned hooks tied in the net meshes.
Oh, and don't forget the old bent sapling trick with the hidden noose. You can
always bank on some lumbering badger or hopping squirrel to step into it, eh,
Brogg."
"Yes, Milady. Imagine all those woodlanders dangling upside down by their back
paws. Huhuhu!"
"Hmm, just like apples waiting to be picked."
"Oh, huhuhu. We might just leave them to ripen until autumn before we pick
'em, Milady."
"Heehee. Very good Brogg. I never imagined you had such a sense of humor.''
"Oh, I have my moments, Milady."
"Well, make sure your moments are all victorious ones from now on, my one and
only Captain."
Brogg saluted awkwardly, knocking the chair over as he rose. "Yes, Majesty.
I'll get right down to h this very morning."
Tsarmina caught the end of his cloak, pulling him back. "There you go, rushing
and dashing about like a sparrow after a fly. Priorities, Brogg. If you must