“Must have made the pair of you powerful hungry. You haven’t done anything but eat since you got back, except talk, that is. Are you sure you never chattered any of those stoats to death?”

When the table was laid, silence fell as Bella entered the room.

“My hall is your home,” she said. “Please fill your platters and eat the excellent food. Thank you, Goody Stickle, for this splendid table.”

There was an immediate clatter of serving and good humor.

“Pass that deeper ’n’ ever pie. Mind you don’t fall in.”

“Hoho, is that leek and onion broth I smell?”

“Mmm, fruit pie. Ouch, it’s hot!”

“Here, cool it down with some of this cream.”

“Pass the butter, please.”

“Nut pudding! My old mum used to make this.”

“Aye, I remember Gonff pinching it from her oven.”

“Hahaha. Here, have a go at this quince and apple crumble.”

“Hey, who’s used all the cream?”

“I say, Goody, you must give me the recipe for your plum pudding.”

“Ask your gran – she gave it to me.”

“Now, which will I have, October ale, cider or buttermilk?”

“None. You’re fat enough, Ben Stickle.”

A pleasant time was passed eating the celebratory supper.

* * *

When the dishes were cleared away, Abbess Germaine stood up.

“Pray silence for our host,” she called.

Bella took the floor. “Where are Ferdy, Coggs, Spike and Posy?”

Ben pointed in the direction of the dormitory. “Well abed and snorin’ like champions, marm.”

Bella bowed her head. “Then let us give a moment of silence and thought to the memory of a very brave otter, the Mask, without whom none of tonight’s joy would have been possible.”

A respectful silence followed, broken only by an audible sniff from Skipper.

Bella took a sip of buttermilk, then she wiped her eyes on the back of a heavy paw.

“Now to business. First let me say it has been a good day in many ways, mainly because Ferdy and Coggs are back safe with us. Also because we have a new friend in our midst—Gingivere. I am sure you will all join me in saying that our home is his for as long as he chooses to stay here.”

“Thank you, Bella, and you too, my friends. But this cannot be,” he said sadly. “Tsarmina is a very dangerous creature; my presence here would only endanger you all. I would never forgive myself if any of you suffered because of me. Tonight I will stay with you, but tomorrow I will leave at first light to go eastward through Mossflower, far away from Kotir and all it stands for. I could not stay here, knowing that I would be adding to your problems. If Tsarmina knew that I was here with you, she would go mad for revenge on us all, and who knows what evils her dark mind could think up. Somewhere beyond Mossflower I will make a fresh start. Thank you for all your help and kindness. All my life, wherever I am, I will carry the memory of my woodland friends deep in my heart. If the time should arrive when I can return the good treatment you have shown me, then rest assured, you will not even have to ask. I will help in any way possible, for I owe the woodlanders of Mossflower a deep debt of gratitude.”