Janglur smiled proudly as he played the introduction on his reed flute. Song clasped her paws in front of herself and took a deep breath. All eyes were riveted on her as the first heartbreakingly sweet notes poured forth, echoing slightly through the ancient hall.

“Our thanks to you friends, our thanks to one and all,

For kindly asking us to join you at Redwall,

We saw from afar, just as we thought we should,

Your Abbey like a gem, set in Mossflow’r’s green wood.

The welcome you gave us was like we’d never known,

Like family you treat us, as if we were your own,

The bells tolled so pretty, out o’er the countryside,

A message of friendship, it echoed far and wide,

The food and drink you gave us was wonderful and yet,

’Tis you and your friendship that we’ll never forget!”

Song’s parents and Grandma Ellayo congratulated her heartily as the rafters rang with admiring cheers and applause for her singing.

Florian and the two otters, Borrakul and Elachim, took the floor next. The hare reversed his frock coat and tied the sleeves about his neck so that it hung down behind like a cloak, stuck a golden twirling mustache to his upper lip and struck a noble pose. The otters fitted brass rings to their ears, put on ragged breechclouts and brandished a pair of floppy stage swords. Florian explained the scenario to his audience.

“H’andaaa now, good creatures of this awesome edifice, we wish to present a historical h’entertainment . . . the Duel of Insults! This was a h’actual h’incident, involvin’ my great ancestor one Ballaw De Quincewold an’ two vermin, ferrets, who would not let him pass. Picture the scene then, a narrow trail runnin’ through a woodland glade, an’ here comes I, the gallant hare Ballaw!”

Florian strode breezily across the floor, stopping short of the two otters, who were trying their best to resemble a pair of evil ferrets. The hare greeted them civilly enough. “Good morrow to ye both, sirs. Pray stand aside an’ let me pass through the woodlands, for I am but a travelin’ gentlebeast, wot!”

The two otters paced toward him, waving their swords savagely.

“Haharr, nobeast passes ’ere an’ lives ter tell the tale!”

“Aye, to pass safe y’must first defeat us in combat. Draw yer sword!”

The hare spread both paws dramatically wide. “Alas, I am unarmed, but stay, I shall defeat ye both, though not with any mere weapon. Nay, I will use only my thunderous voice an’ sparklin’ wit, an’ they will suffice to vanquish you both. In short, I challenge you to a duel of insults, you foul an’ feckless ferrets!”

Elachim and Borrakul scowled wickedly and began their insulting.

“Yew rotten rip-eared rabbit!”

“Yah lanky lopsided lettuce leaf!”