“I’ve no idea. It looks like the model of a small stone mouse. Probably some kind of ornament that he wished to give us in exchange for our hospitality.”

The warrior mouse looped it about his sword belt and sat down to finish the evening meal with his friends.

*   *   *

The half-moon gleamed fitfully down on the scene at the foot of the tall rocks. The summer night was warm, but eerie and silent. Jube whimpered in his sleep, and Tess stroked his head until he fell silent. Auma stared up at the strange gloomy rocks rising like twin sentinels in the darkness.

“I don’t like it here,” she said, shuddering. “All my life I lived by the mountains of the Western Plains. They were sunny and friendly; these are not.”

Tim reached out and touched the rock wall, which was still warm from the sun.

“They’re only rocks like any others. It’s just that nature shaped them differently,” he reassured her.

“Quiet there! Get those eyes shut and sleep, or you’ll feel my cane.”

Threeclaws strolled by swinging his willow withe. He checked that they were still and silent before moving on to join Slagar.

The Sly One stood between the rocks, his silken mask making a splash of colour against their dark surface. He turned at Threeclaws’ approach.

“All still?”

“Aye, they’re quiet enough, Chief.”

“Good. We’ll soon be rid of them.”

“Where is this place you’re taking them, Slagar?”

“Are you questioning me, Threeclaws?” the fox asked sharply.

“No, Chief. I just can’t help wondering when all this marching’s going to stop and when it does, where we will be.”

“Don’t worry, Threeclaws, I’ll take care of you and the rest. I’m telling you this because I know I can trust you. Listen, mate, you’ve been the one I could always rely on. Some of those others, especially Halftail and that little Vitch, need watching. Pretty soon now I’ll be gone for a day or two. I want you to do something for me: keep an eye on them. I’ll leave you in charge.”

Threeclaws felt proud and pleased with himself. He had never heard the masked fox call anybeast “mate.” He felt privileged, standing and talking to the leader as if they were both equals.

“Leave it to me, Chief. I’ll watch them when you’re away. Huh, Halftail and Vitch, a stoat and a rat, who’d trust them? You need a good loyal weasel like me.”

Slagar patted Threeclaws on the back.

“You took the words right out of my mouth, Threeclaws,” he chuckled. “You’re the weasel for me. Listen, when all this is over I’ll need a good fellow at my right paw to share a lot of power and riches. Is it a bargain?”

The weasel shook Slagar heartily by the paw. “A bargain, Chief. Rely on me!”