Stukkfur raised himself on tip-paw. He had a good head for heights. “None that I can see, sire, though there’s one or two shrews over on the west wall, but they’re facin’ the open ground in front.”

The Marlfox hissed impatiently. “I’m not concerned with the west wall as long as the east wall is clear and empty. Can you see your way clear through to it?”

Stukkfur leaned slightly to one side, balancing capably. “Aye, sire, I can do it from here. ’Tis a straight enough path.”

Ascrod did not like being so high off the ground. He clung tightly to the trunk. “Remember, hold the rope as far up as you can. Just swing out and you should go in directly over the battlements. Don’t worry if you can’t make it first try—as long as it stays quiet you can have a few more goes if you don’t manage first time.”

Extending his paws above his head, Stukkfur took a viselike grip on the rope and drew in a deep breath, listening to Gelltor’s final instructions for the risky plan.

“When you land on the walltop, pull the rest of the rope over, it’s plenty long enough. Shin down it, open the wallgate bolts, then get clear and leave the rest to us. Do this right and you’ll be well rewarded, Stukkfur, I’ll see to that personally. Right, take off!”

From where they crouched below the battlements, Janglur saw the rope go taut. He nudged Florian. “Looks like the fun’s about t’start, mate!”

There came a swishing noise, like a wind through the forest, which increased in volume. Borrakul was watching between the battlements. “Hoho, you was right, Florian. ’Ere ’e comes, flyin’ like a bird!”

The hare stood up in clear view and leaned out from the walltop, with his long, blade-topped pole at the ready. Stukkfur could do nothing to stop himself. Whipped by small twigs and spitting leaves, he watched in horror as Florian lashed out, the razor-sharp blade severing the rope at a single blow. Then the water rat really was flying free as a bird, not up, but down, though still traveling forward.

“Yiiiiieeeeeee!”

The immovable sandstone blocks of the east wall cut short his flight. Borrakul winced at the sound, but Florian’s concern was not for the rat. “Huh! Hope that chap didn’t damage the wall, wot!”