Brogg scratched his chin. “Really? Do you think she’d do that?”

“Well, look at the evidence.” Bane laughed mirthlessly. “From what I hear, the garrison was in a right old mess before I arrived with reinforcements and rations. They say she was acting strange. You should know—she had you pulling tails and checking whiskers. What normal creature does things like that?”

As the force moved back to Kotir, Bane and Brogg were deep in quiet, earnest conversation.

* * *

Tsarmina watched them from her high window. She also scanned the surrounding treetops for signs that the eagle might be abroad. An idea was forming in the wildcat’s mind.

* * *

Later that morning, while Bane was supervising a team to replace the burned door and window timbers, Tsarmina had Brogg come to her room. She fed him on cider and roasted woodpigeon as she wormed information from him.

The weasel Captain told his Queen all.

Tsarmina resumed her position at the window, watching the telltale quiver of a spruce top. When she turned to Brogg her voice dripped sincerity.

“You have been a good and loyal Captain, Brogg. Make no mistake, your Queen will reward you. This fox forced his way in here while we were distracted by the woodlanders. He countermands my orders and whispers lies about me to my soldiers. Do you realize that if he had not barged his way in with his ragged mob, I was going to promote you to act as Supreme General?”

“Me, Milady?” Brogg could hardly believe his ears.

“Yes, you. Say nothing of this to any creature, especially Bane. Let him carry on repairing our woodwork. He thinks he will rule Kotir one day. You stick to doing your job, Brogg. Keep my Thousand Eye soldiers loyal to me. As for Bane, leave him to me. If he speaks to you, tell him that I wish to see him, up here in my chamber.”

“I will, Milady. You can trust me.”

“I do, Brogg my good friend. Now go.”

The weasel did not stop backing up and bowing until after he was outside the room.

By midafternoon most of the repair work was well under way. Bane strolled up to the high chamber and slouched against the table where Tsarmina sat.

“Well, what d’you want me for now, cat?” he asked insolently.

Tsarmina pushed a beaker of elderberry wine across the table to Bane, and poured one for herself.

“To you, Bane. A good job well done on the doors and windows. I could not have done better myself.”

The fox watched carefully, not taking a sip of the wine until the wildcat had drunk from her beaker.

“Why this sudden honor, Tsarmina? What are you up to?”

The wildcat Queen shook her head sadly. “How did we ever come to this mistrust and enmity, Bane?” She pointed a dramatic claw to the open window. “Out there is where the enemy is. The woodlanders are the ones we should be fighting, not each other.”