Grabbing his cloak, he hid his face in it and screamed, but the scream died to a whimper as the cloak tightened around his throat, threatening to strangle him. “No, please, noooooooo!”

Mokkan woke on the floor of his bedchamber with a silken sheet, which had become caught on a bedpost as he rolled about trying to escape the dark world of fearful slumber, wrapped tightly about his neck. Throwing open the chamber door, he glared wildly at the two water rat sentries standing immobile in the flickering torchlight. They gazed back dully at the new High King, panting, disheveled, with a bedsheet draped around his neck. Slamming the door, he retreated back into the bedchamber, taking a deep draft of wine from a pitcher and tossing aside the sheet. Then he stood at the window, letting the rain cool his fevered brow, staring out into the dark wet night. What acts of murder and treachery had his own mother committed that she too always slept uneasily? Was this what it was like to gain the power of kingship?

33

33

Gawjo had taken the last night watch on deck. The rain slacked off to a steady drizzle before dawn when the old squirrel warrior returned to the cabin. Checking that the stove fire was burned down to white ashes, he unshuttered both windows.

Megraw stirred from his perch on a shelf. “Ah ken et’ll be a big day taeday, auld ’un?”

Gawjo Swifteye was still nimble and strong, despite his many seasons. He took down a short lance from the motley array of weaponry hanging from the wall. “Aye, friend, ’twill be a big day, shorter for some than others before ’tis over. Come on, crew, stir yoreselves, the island of Marlfoxes is in sight!”

Song stared around herself in the half-light. Her grandpa and the hedgehogs were ready and armed.

Burble sat up rubbing sleep from his eyes. “Well, wotever happens later can wait, yiss yiss, I’m hungry right now, so I am!”

Dippler and Dann were already at the table, helping themselves to warm fruit cordial and oatcakes that had been baked the night before.

Megraw hopped up to an open window. “Nae use a-waitin’ for yon maggypies tae find us, ah’m thinkin’. This time ah’ll catch them nappin’. Guid luck, see ye later!” Launching himself from the windowsill, the great eagle sailed off into the rising dawnstreaked skies.

Gawjo addressed his remaining crew. “Friends, you all know wot t’do. Dann, we’ll give you an’ Torrab until midmornin’. Is the Swallow ready?”

Dann strapped the sword across his back, nodding to Torrab and the other four hedgehogs he would be traveling with. “She’s ready, sir, well stocked with weapons too.”

Gawjo shook the young squirrel’s paw heartily. “Luck go with ye, Dannflor Reguba!”

Song, Dippler and Burble pushed the boat out from the raft’s port side. Sitting behind the hedgehogs, Dann waved his paddle. “See you later, mates, I hope!”