The mousebabe did a dance of rage inside the cloak. “Rottin fosskers, toucha Dwopple an’ I get you wirra me slinger!”

One of the vixens, Predak, stared across the flames at Mokkan. “You’re very confident this is going to work, brother?”

Mokkan tested the roasting bird with a knife tip. “Why d’you say that? No reason it shouldn’t work. You’ll see, those Abbeybeasts would part with anything rather than have one of their babes hurt. But speak up if you have a better idea.”

Predak watched a moth shrivel as it ventured too near the firelight. “Oh, your idea’s a good one, but wouldn’t it be better if we had another plan to fall back on in case anything goes wrong?”

Mokkan’s pale eyes glimmered as they reflected the flames. “Tell me. I’m not like our brother Gelltor, I’m always ready to listen to other schemes.”

*

On the island, two rat guards marched up a ramp toward the main chamber. One of them whispered irately, “Well, what is it tonight? There’s no storm to disturb ’er.”

The other rat’s eyes flickered from side to side among the gloomy recesses and curves of the winding stone passage. “Keep yer voice down, mate. Y’never know who might be lissenin’. Queen Silth’ll let us know wot’s on ’er mind soon enough, an’ you can bet yer tail it won’t be good news. It never is!”

Outside, the great lake was calm and the island quiet in dim peaceful summer night. But the main chamber was lit like noontide, with banks upon banks of thick tallow candles ranged from floor to ceiling, their light reflecting amber and gold against the long brass wallplates the Marlfoxes used as mirrors.

Threescore rats of the Guard Command stood stiffly to attention, their black livery marking them apart from the brown of lower ranks. Each carried a leaf-bladed short spear and a small round buckler shield. Above in the crisscrossed roofbeams more than fifty magpies swaggered and strutted, hopping boldly about, some even venturing to perch on the big circular candle-laden wheels that served as chandeliers. These were the tribe of Athrak, feared favorites of the High Queen. The two water rats from the shoreline patrol hurried to stand in formation with their fellow Guard Commanders, flinching as drops of hot wax from the ceiling fell on them each time a magpie caused one of the wheels to sway. After a while, even the magpies became still and silent, and an uneasy quiet fell over the chamber as Silth made her entrance.