The fox took a mouthful of the rich dark wine. “I’ll agree with that, but what’s brought about this sudden change? Tell me, if we are to trust each other.”

Tsarmina passed a weary paw across her brow. “Until you came, I had not won a single victory over the woodlanders. Even when they attacked us yesterday you did all you could, but still I did not trust you,” she confessed. “I made you wait out in the open all night and you never complained once. Today I looked from my window and saw you helping your band to repair the damage to Kotir. That was when I changed my opinion of you.”

Tsarmina refilled Bane’s beaker with wine. When she spoke again there was something approaching a sob in her voice.

“Forgive me. I have misjudged you, Bane. You are a true friend.”

The fox quaffed the wine, then took the liberty of pouring himself some more.

“You like the work that we are carrying out on the fire damage?”

Tsarmina pushed the wine jug so that Bane would not have to stretch when reaching for it.

“Indeed I do. It’s ten times better than my bumbling lot could have done,” she assured him.

Bane nodded agreement. “Aye, my band can turn their paw to most things. They’re still working round at the larder and scullery entrance.”

“Good,” Tsarmina said over her shoulder as she rummaged in a wooden chest. “But what I’m worried about is the main gates between the courtyard and the woodland edge.”

The fox finished his wine, banging the beaker down decisively. “Right, let’s go and take a look at ’em, though I don’t think they’ll need much repair. They’re a solid old pair of gates.”

Tsarmina produced a cloak from the chest. It was a long trailing garment made from bright red velvet trimmed with woodpigeon feathers. Recently it had been cleaned and brushed.

“I want you to take this cloak, friend,” she insisted smilingly. “Wear it as a token of our new alliance. As you can see, it is not the plain cloak of a Captain; this was made for a Lord.”

Bane took the cloak. Twirling it round, he admired the color and weight of the velvet. He swept it up, draping it around his shoulders. Tsarmina fastened the clasp at his neck.

“There! How handsome you look. More like the Ruler of Kotir than I do.”

Bane’s paw stroked the feather edged velvet. “Thank you, Queen Tsarmina. This is a splendid cloak. Hoho, wait’ll my gang see their leader decked out in his finery. Come on, let’s take a look at that gate.”

* * *

There were many admiring and envious glances from Bane’s mercenaries as he strode across the courtyard.

“By the fang. Look at old Bane. What a fine cloak!”

“He certainly cuts a dash in it. I’ll bet he’s been promoted.”

“Haha, he looks more like the Chief here than the cat does.”

Brogg and Ratflank leaned out of the barrack room window. The weasel Captain could not help remarking under his breath, “What d’you suppose the fox is doing, wearing Ashleg’s cloak?”