Hanging from a broken hornbeam spur was a strand of red thread. Dippler and Dann studied it as Song voiced her thoughts. “That’s from the tapestry. At a guess I’d say it was being carried shoulder high by two or more creatures. See here amid the grass, one of them stumbled on this blackberry creeper and narrowly missed walking into the hornbeam tree, but the heavy roll of tapestry they were carrying snagged on that broken branch. They’ve gone this way.”

Dippler wrapped the thread around his paw. “Stupid vermin, they’re leavin’ a trail a blind moth could follow!”

Dann pressed forward, calling back to the shrew. “Marlfoxes aren’t stupid, Dipp. Y’must remember that they were running with a weighty object, it was still dark, an’ maybe they thought Redwallers might give chase. Stands t’reason they’d want to put as much space between themselves an’ the Abbey as possible.”

Dippler pushed the bushes aside roughly. “Murderin’ thieves. They won’t get away from me, matey!”

Song cautioned her friends. “I suggest from now on that we keep our voices down, don’t talk unless ’tis necessary, an’ tread quietly. Best not leave a trail—goodness knows who might follow it.”

The vast woodland was unusually still and silent, even the sporadic birdsong sounding as if it came from far away. Moving quietly eastward through the dense undergrowth, Song and her companions became cautious, realizing that behind the beauty of stately trees and summer-flowering bushes, danger might lurk in the shape of the foebeast.

*

At Redwall Abbey a brief ceremony had been held over the resting place within the southwest wallcorner. Four shrews, Elachim the Noonvale otter, Nutwing and Log a Log were honored with small gifts, flowers and verses. Friar Butty sighed heavily, wiping his eyes on a spotted kerchief as they walked back to the Abbey, where Deesum and Brother Melilot were preparing lunch. Skipper spoke loud enough for all to hear.

“When we get time, there’ll be a good stone marker carved for our pore mates back there, so they’ll never be forgot by Redwallers. But fer now, messmates, let’s git back t’the business of livin’ an’ survivin’. Janglur, Borrakul, mister Florian an’ meself will move Cregga Badgermum out o’ the gate’ouse an’ up to ’er room. Bargle, will you an’ yore Guosim guard the walls? Arm yoreselves with slings an’ bows’n’arrers. Runktipp, stow yoreself in the belltower, an’ if the shrews tip y’the signal that vermin are about, be ready to toll the alarm bells. Roop an’ Muggle, will yer be kind enough to ’elp Gubbio Foremole an’ Sister Sloey check on the wounded.”

Sloey fussed with her apron distractedly. “Oh dear, what with lookin’ after the Dibbuns an’ gettin’ things tidy I almost forgot about our injured ones. Still, a good quiet rest’s what they need most. We’ll take them up some lunch soon as ’tis ready.”