Panting with exertion, Martin turned to Log-a-Log. “Get this vessel under way with all speed!”

The shrew rapped out commands to the new crew. “Slash that anchor cable. Hoist those sails. Martin, take the tiller—steer her out to deep water. You below, row for your lives if you want to taste freedom again.”

Pushing the tiller over, Martin felt Bloodwake respond. She turned on the ebbing tide with a stiff breeze at her stern, riding the waves out toward the open sea. The rest of them joined him as he stared over the after end, across the smooth wake to the shore.

The silver badger’s voice carried to them on the wind.

“Sail away, my warriors. Tell Bella and Mossflower of Boar the Fighter. Come closer, sea rats. Let my blade kiss you to sleep. Ah, Ripfang, my old enemy, got you! Now I embrace you as a friend. See.”

They watched as Boar went down under a mob of sea rats who were howling and screaming. The badger wielded his sword with a single paw, the other mighty paw held Ripfang close to his studded metal armor, crushing him to death.

Martin turned away, blinded by tears. He could look no more.

Nor could his companions.

Before them lay the deep open sea. Behind them, the flames of Salamandastron burned bright over a shore piled and littered with dead and wounded sea rats.

The spirit of Boar the Fighter lingered on the sands, reluctant to leave a good battle and travel to the gates of Dark Forest.

The silver badger had seen the writing on the wall. He had fulfilled the legend of the mountain!

* * *

Tsarmina and Bane watched each other like pike eyeing a water beetle, the wildcat Queen from her high window, Bane from where he crouched shivering with the troops, drenched in morning dew, completely dispirited after a fruitless night spent in the forest. The rift was widening between cat and fox.

Bane squatted in the wet grass beside Brogg.

“See how your Queen treats us? We shiver out here all night while she lies in luxury, warm and snug.”

Brogg squinted dully. “She always has. Milady is a Queen, you know.”

Bane spat at a small insect. “If I ruled Kotir, the troops would get the same treatment as me. Ask my crew. We always had plenty to eat. I never hid in safety and let them take all the risks.”

“Is that why you pushed them out of doors, in front of all those arrows and javelins?” Ratflank sniggered.

Bane cuffed him soundly across the snout. “Who asked your opinion, snivelwhiskers? I didn’t notice you volunteering to dash out and fight those woodlanders.”

Brogg stood up, brushing dewdrops from his cloak. “Ah well, they won’t be showing up this morning. Wonder how they knew we’d be lying in wait?”

Bane winked and tapped his muzzle. “Maybe she got word to them. That way she could have Kotir and the rations to herself. There’s enough supplies in there to keep one cat happy forever.”