Friar Butty watched the apprehensive faces of the twoscore wretched vermin who had thrown down their arms. The Recorder’s voice was stern. “You have no need to fear. We at Redwall keep our word. Your lives are spared, which is more than you or your masters would have done for us, had you won the battle. We do not have prisoners or slaves at our Abbey, so you will be released. You will be split up into eight groups and let free at different times, five to go one way, five to go another, until Redwall is rid of your presence. Brother Melilot will give you each two days’ provisions. That is all.”

Florian Dugglewoof Wilffachop, restored to his ebullient self, checked Butty. “Oh no it ain’t, beggin’ y’pardon, Friar sir. Allow me a word with these malicious miscreants, will you? My thanks! Right, listen up, scurvy vermin types, pay attention at the back there! You will clean this Abbey an’ its grounds thoroughly before I allow y’to leave, understood? All t’gether now, say yes sir.”

The reply was halfhearted. Florian wagged his cane at them. “Not good enough, you villainous chaps. Now speak up or I’ll come amongst ye an’ liven your ideas up a bit, wot wot!”

Mayon stumped up, a poultice bandage on his shoulder. The tough Guosim shrew winked at Florian. “I’ll lend yer a paw, sir. I can see one or two rascals ’ere who aimed kicks’n’blows upon me earlier today. Now lissen t’me, you cowardly lot, I ain’t tender-’earted like mister Florian, so if I gives you an order you’d best jump to it or I’ll make y’wish you’d been slayed in the battle, understood? Let me ’ear you all say yes sir!”

The mass reply was crisp and clear, as if with one voice. “Yessir!”

*

Janglur and Rusvul sat with Rimrose and Ellayo in the orchard, listening as Cregga explained everything to the Abbey Dibbuns. “You are all safe now, my little ones, and so is Redwall—once again we can live in peace and good order. Bad creatures tried to take our Abbey from us and we had to do battle with them to preserve our way of life.”

Dwopple wrinkled his tiny nose. “Tharra why mista Florey an’ Jang an’ Rusbul and T’agglo was slaydin’ alla vermints out onna lawn. I no liked dat, I was frykinned. Good job Skip comed wiv all h’otters.”

Cregga nodded in the mousebabe’s direction. “None of us liked it, Dwopple, but we had to do it. Either that or let those evil creatures capture our Abbey. But now there is a lot of mending to do.”

Wugger the molebabe piped up helpfully. “Us’n’s do ee mendin’, marm, me’n’D’opple get big ’ammer an’ ee nailers, fix h’Abbey all gudd. Bangitty bang bang!”