Gelltor was fighting for his life and he knew it. If he could not force Mayon and his six Guosim away from the main gate, there would be no help from outside now that the ladder had fallen. The Marlfox fought like a demon, snarling in the face of his enemies as he wielded his ax savagely. Three shrews were laid low as Bargle and the rest of his sentries came thundering up to join the fight. Gelltor and his rats saw them coming and dashed away for the south wallgate, where only three Guosim were on guard. The Marlfox’s mind was racing. If he was fast enough they could lay the three low and escape. Bargle went after them, signaling Mayon to stay with his command at the main gate. One of the shrews running with Bargle was halfway across the lawn, whirling a loaded sling, when he tripped. The heavy pebble shot off into the night.

Smash! The stone took out a small windowpane in Great Hall. Janglur, Rusvul and Skipper were up and vaulting over the tabletops even before the final shards of crystal glass had finished falling. Borrakul was hard on their heels, blocking the doorway through which the trio had just exited.

“Friar, Deesum, Sloey! Git those Dibbuns to the wine cellars. Cregga, you an’ the elders hold this door. Every other able-bodied Redwaller, foller me!”

Florian brushed past him in high indignation. “Hmph! Just what I was about t’say m’self. Don’t anticipate my orders in the future. Thunderin’ bad form, sir!”

Tragglo Spearback could not help raising his eyebrows as he patted Borrakul’s back. “Ho dearie me, you’ve got mister Florian really roused now, mate. I wonder who ’e’s goin’ to attack with that bowl o’ pudden that ’e’s carryin’?”

Gelltor had lost the fray. Bargle and his Guosim hurled themselves upon the water rats, with all the skill and ferocity of shrew Warriors. They took no prisoners. Gelltor was backed up against the wallgate, surrounded by a half-circle of rapier blades, when Janglur, Rusvul and Skipper arrived on the scene. Bargle staunched a leg wound grimly.

“Big ole ladder they ’ad, Skip, but I put paid t’that. I think this Marlfox ’ere is the last of ’em!”

Somebeast held up a torch, and Skipper studied the Marlfox in its glow. “Florian, take yore guards up on the walltop an’ secure it. We’ll search the grounds an’ make certain there ain’t any more vermin prowlin’ about. Janglur, bind this ’un an’ lock ’im in the gate’ouse until we decides wot t’do with ’im!”

Gelltor flailed about dangerously with his ax. “Put a paw near me an’ it gets chopped off!”

The half-lidded eyes of Janglur settled on the Marlfox. “Tough beast, ain’t yer, fox? Yore the one who was goin’ to execute me fer sendin’ yore sister where she belongs.”