More water rats were quickly brought to join the band. At a nod from Lantur the procession continued, the Chanters droning along in time with the musicians.

“All-powerful mighty Queen, whose beauty has ne’er been surpassed,

Far brighter than the sun, whose rays it will outlast,

We live to serve you truly, until our final breath,

Knowing you hold all secrets, the power of life and death,

Wisest of wise, greatness sublime,

Rules o’er our isle for all time.”

Rats with incense burners scurried ahead of the bearers, wafting sweet smoke into the air so that it would drift down between the curtains. Lantur drew close to the palanquin and spoke in a comforting, wheedling tone. “You see, O Queen, whatever your heart desires is yours.”

The harsh rasping voice came back to her, childish and complaining. “I cannot bear not to be surrounded by beauty and calm. Oh, my head hurts with the noise of the thunder, lightning flashes through my brain! Tell them to play louder, Lantur. Louder!”

The Marlfox smiled as she bowed low. She resembled the four who had accosted Janglur Swifteye and the Noonvale Companions, but was slightly smaller, and finer-featured in a sinister way. Silkily, she said, “Your wish is my command, All-Powerful One!”

Outside Castle Marl the storm raged on, oblivious of the pathetic sounds from within as they strove to drown out the greatest sound of all: the power of the weather, combined with the forces of nature.

Below, in the rear courtyard, lines of manacled slavebeasts, squirrels, otters, hedgehogs and mice stood with weary heads bowed in the downpour, waiting for the barred pens to be unlocked. The sadistic Slave Captain, the water rat Ullig, lounged under the protruding roof shelter, jangling a bunch of keys at his belt.

“So then, me lucky lot, yore gettin’ off easy today. Darkness arrived early ’cos o’ the storm an’ I ain’t standin’ out in the fields gettin’ drenched. But you’ll work twice as hard tomorrer, or you’ll feel my whip around yore backs!” Shrugging his heavy cloak closer about him, Ullig smiled wickedly at the tired, saturated slaves. “Ain’t that right? Come on, let’s ’ear yer. Speak up!”

The wretched beasts were forced to call out in a chorus, “Aye, right, Cap’n!”

Ullig tossed the bunch of keys to a water rat guard. “You, open up an’ get ’em under cover till dawn.”