“Log a Log, straight after you’ve eaten, take some Guosim out. Go from the main gate across into the ditch, follow it north a bit, then sweep out an’ come back down t’the south woodland fringe. We’ll give you a shout when we’re ready for yore lot to attack from the rear. Janglur an’ Rusvul, you’ll lead the party carryin’ the sacks of arms. Tragglo an’ Gubbio, you’ll be in charge of our own Redwallers an’ the rest o’ the shrews. When you see Janglur’n’Rusvul open the sack o’ trinkets, that’s when you grab the weapons out of the sacks an’ attack. Make sure you shout’n’yell plenty to confuse ’em. I’ll grab Dwopple an’ pass the liddle ’un safe to Cregga, an’ we’ll get ’im back to the Abbey. Friar Butty, ’ave the gate ready, an’ soon as Cregga an’ Dwopple are inside, lock it! I’ll come back an’ join the rest of ye. ’Tis a scrap I’d ’ate to miss! If all goes well we should be soon bangin’ on the gate to get back in, so lissen for us, Friar. Now, Sister Sloey, Melilot an’ Nutwing, you take all the elders an’ Dibbuns down to the wine cellars. Stay there safe an’ silent, you’ll be fine. Dann, Song an’ Dippler, you three’ll stay guard ’ere in Great Hall. Make sure none enters here save Redwallers. The safety of our Abbey’s in yore paws. So that’s the plan. Good luck to all an’ blood’n’vinegar to our foes!”

Ellayo looked uncertainly at Skipper. “But they are so young, Skip. Are you sure they are ready for such a great task?”

“Don’t worry yourself, marm. With our plan no rat or fox will find its way inside these walls.”

Everybeast pounded the tables and roared approval, though none more than Dann, Song, and Dippler, who were flushed with pride at the enormous responsibility Skipper had bestowed upon them. Badgermum Cregga spoke when the din had died down. “I think a warriors’ grace is in order before we eat.

“Fate and fortunes, seasons fair,

Be kind to us this day,

Let nobeast here whom we hold dear,

See comrades borne away.

May the strong defend the weak,

Protect those who take part,

Grant victory of truth and right,

To warriors brave of heart.

Banish the foebeast from our land,

And when new seasons fall,

Leave not an empty space of grief,

Amongst us at Redwall!”

There was silence for a moment, then Florian Dugglewoof Wilffachop added a few lines in a stage whisper that could be heard by all.

“An’ if on an empty tummy I’m slain,

Then I’ll jolly well never get killed again,

So pass the pudden an’ fetch the pies,

An’ I’ll give the foebeast a rotten surprise!”