Tess turned to Auma. “He’s right, we have a woodland code. All honest and true woodlanders are pledged to help each other and never to harm a living creature.”

Scurl removed Auma’s paw and patted it in a friendly way. “You see, stripedog.”

Before anyone could lay another paw on him, Scurl was away like a streak. He dashed back into the long grass, far from where the chained-up captives could reach him. They could see the red flash of his underside as he danced and pranced about.

“Sillybeast, sillybeast, trusting me.

Made you think I had a key.

Stupid you, clever me,

Scurl has pretty gifts for free.”

Angrily Auma tore up a huge sod of earth and flung it with all her strength.

Clumph!

It struck Scurl, knocking him flat. The crested newt lay for a moment then pulled himself up, spitting out gritty black earth and rubbing soil from his eyes.

“Might have adda key, might have letcher free, but you’ll never know now, willy er.”

He scampered off into the night forest.

“What’s all the shouting about here?”

Slagar and Threeclaws stood over the captives. Between them they had a small hedgehog. Threeclaws stooped to manacle the hedgehog to the running chain.

“I said, what’s all the noise about?” Slagar repeated.

Tim grunted wearily. “Oh, nothing really. That great lump of a badger was rolling over in her sleep and pulling me about on the chain.”

Slagar kicked at Auma. “Well, you won’t have to worry about sleeping right now, we’re marching again.”

A groan arose from the prisoners. Threeclaws ignored it, and glanced across his shoulder into the woodlands.

“Come on, let’s get moving. We can be well away from this place by morning,” he said.

Slagar called Vitch. “You and Browntooth stop at the rear and cover the tracks. I don’t want that hedgehog’s family knowing which way we’ve gone.”

*   *   *

Sleepily they ploughed onward through the night-time woodland. A crescent moon above winked at them through the softly swaying treetops. Mattimeo caught a glance of Tess. She was brushing away a tear.

“Tess, what’s the matter?”

The little churchmouse sniffed and dried her eyes.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Only that seasonday present was the last thing I had to remind me of Mum and Dad and Redwall. Do you think we’ll ever see them again, Matti?”

Mattimeo suddenly felt grown up and responsible. “Of course we will, Tess. Take my word for it, I promise you.”

“Thank you, Mattimeo.” Tess managed a small smile. “The word of the Redwall Warrior’s son is good enough for me.”

“Stop that talking down there and get in line. Keep moving, d’you hear!”

The little hedgehog nudged Auma. “Where are they taking us? Do they always shout like that?”