Ascrod sat out on the flatlands in front of the Abbey. It was a warm moonless night, the land was still and calm. A shudder of delight shook the Marlfox. He had solved the problem. Redwall’s main gate was only held shut by a long wooden bar set in open-topped holders, two on either side of the double doors. One good push upward by four strong creatures holding a spear through the central crack between the doors would knock the bar out of position. Ascrod had spent an hour at twilight, peering into the crack, even testing the theory by quietly shoving in his axblade and pressing upward. The bar had budged slightly. His plan would work! All that remained was for Predak to return with the army. The Marlfox listened to the warm toll of Redwall’s muted twin bells, softly ringing out the midnight hour. With any luck Predak would arrive with Vannan, Raventail and the others in the dawn hour, when all was quiet and the Redwallers would still be abed, suspecting nothing. Blending with the landscape so that he was almost invisible, he lay flat and watched the night sentries idly patrolling the walltop. By dawn, if they were not relieved, those guards would be practically slumbering.

A single skylark began its lone song in the half-light as the vermin army arrived. Under Vannan’s directions they filed along the ditch that ran along the west side of the path outside Redwall. Ascrod slid into the ditch, gesturing toward the still figures of the shrews who were acting as wall guards.

“See, just as I figured, they’re dozing nicely. I’ll wager that apart from a few cooks that whole Abbey is still sleeping.”

Raventail pawed keenly at his cutlass. “Besure you right dissa time, magicfox, kye arr!”

Ascrod shot the ferret a withering glance. “Don’t worry, my ragged friend, my plan will work. All you have to do is follow orders. Leave the thinking to Marlfoxes.”

Raventail licked the stained blade of his cutlass. “Magicfox give order, me’n’mybeasts kill kill plenty!”

Predak gave a long narrow spear to four water rats she had personally selected, big, rough-looking beasts. “Right, let’s get it done. You four, follow me and Ascrod. Vannan, wait here until you see our signal, one wave of the spear. Then come quick, no yelling war cries and shouting to let them know we’re here. Clear?”

Vannan’s pale eyes scanned the waiting horde of bandaged and poulticed vermin, making sure they had heard the order. “Just get the gates open, we’ll come silently.”