Buffheart nodded, biting his lip so fiercely that a trickle of blood coursed from the side of his mouth.

“As you say, Boar,” Lupin spoke for both of them.

The silver badger stood with his paws resting on the top crosstree of his sword, every inch the commander.

“The rest of you, listen to me. No matter what happens, you must obey the warrior’s code. I give the orders, no one else. I know it may be difficult for you to understand, but you must trust me completely. If you obey me, then you are my true friends; disobey, and you are my enemy. Do you understand what I say?”

The heads nodded in silence.

Boar hung the great sword back on its wall spikes.

“Good. Now go and rest,” Boar told them. “But first see to your weapons and eat.”

When they had gone, Martin lingered awhile with Boar.

“That verse you spoke,” he said curiously. “It was written on the wall. Did you recite it all?”

Boar shook his head. “Not all. The last lines are only for me to know. Once again, Martin, thank you. It will be good to have a real warrior at my side tonight.”

They clasped paws, the mouse’s dwarfed by the badger’s.

“Good luck, Boar, my friend.”

“Luck has little to do with fate, Martin. You follow the warrior’s star. Be true to yourself and your friends.”

So the creatures of Salamandastron lay down to rest, each one with their own thoughts.

The second glorious day of summer rolled on toward night.

The black ship Bloodwake sailed closer with every wave.

Bane had an idea.

“Now that the woodlanders have gone,” he suggested cunningly, “why don’t we sneak out of Kotir and hide ourselves in the bushes at the edge of the forest? We could hide right behind the position they held this morning. That way, we’ll be able to turn the ambush on them if they come back tomorrow for another dawn attack.”

“Huh huhuhu, good idea, fox,” Brogg chuckled encouragingly.

Tsarmina turned a frosty stare upon the Captain; the chuckle died to a gurgle in his throat. Near open enmity was the order of the day now between her and Bane. She was sorry she had ever let him and his band inside her gates.

“Fool, Brogg,” she snarled. “Can’t you see this fox only wants us out of Kotir so that he and his raggedy band can slip in behind our backs?”

Bane spread his paws wide disarmingly. “Hoho, if that’s what you think, lady.”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I think, fox!” Tsarmina snapped back.

“That’s a problem easily solved.” Bane shrugged. “You stay in here with your deadhead Captain; I take the forces out into the woods. In fact, I’ll take them tonight, so that we can be well hidden by the time the woodlanders arrive.”

Tsarmina sniffed. “That’s a better idea. I’ll agree to that, Bane.”

The fox laughed. He drew his sword and held it out. “Think you can trust me, or would you like to confiscate my sword?”