Puzzled but obedient, they shoved against the wall with their paws.

“Oh, you can do better than that. Harder! Push with all your might!”

The two creatures pushed and strained until they fell down gasping.

Tsarmina laughed. It sounded almost jolly. “Well, did anyone see Kotir budge, even a tiny bit?”

Troops shook their heads, and there was a chorus of no’s.

“Of course not, you great load of ninnies.” The wildcat spoke like a mother hedgehog to her infants. “It would take more than all of you and the woodlanders together to make a single dent in these stones. Kotir will outlast even the forest outside. Now, listen. I’m going to break my golden rule and tell you about my plan. First let me say there is no shortage of food. In fact, starting tomorrow, you are all on extra rations.”

Brogg jumped up. “A cheer for the Queen, mates!”

“Hurray!”

Tsarmina nodded gratefully to her Captain. “We will last out the summer. It has been a drier season than ever before,” she continued encouragingly. “Just before the first rains of autumn come, I will have my archers prepare many fire arrows, exactly like those the sly woodlanders shot at us. Can you guess what I’m going to do?”

“Burn the woodlands, Milady.”

“Who said that?”

“I did, Milady.”

“What’s your name?”

“Foulwhisker, Your Majesty.”

“Well done, Foulwhisker. Good weasel. Yes, we’ll stay safe in Kotir all summer, with plenty of supplies for everyone. Then in autumn we’ll burn the woodlanders and their forest together.”

Brogg was on his paws again. “Well, mates, I’m all for it. A lazy summer with lots of grub. I vote we stay here with our Queen. She’s not afraid of woodlanders. Huh, she even shot their boss tonight.”

A cheer rang out from the troops. It was not wildly enthusiastic, but at least it carried a note of optimism.

* * *

Bella and Lady Amber bent over Martin.

“Looks as if he’s coming round,” the badger reported thankfully.

T. B. held the sling pouch with the arrow still sticking from it. “It would have been a different story without this stone carrier.”

Bella bathed Martin’s brow with cool water. “Even allowing for that, it’s not exactly a scratch, is it.”

Martin opened his eyes and immediately tried to stand, but Amber pushed him back. “Be still,” she said firmly. “It’s only by luck you weren’t really injured. Bella, stick some herbs on his wound and bind it up.”

“What hour is it, Gonff?” Martin asked, looking at the sky.

“Not long before midnight, matey.”

“Bella, thank you. But please stop fussing over me like a mother hedgehog. I must get up. There is important work to be done.”

Bella extended a paw. “Then up you come, warrior. Gonff and I will help you. What is this important work that cannot wait?”

Martin tested his leg experimentally, and winced. “I must get to Wuddshipp tonight.”

“Well, jump up on my back. It’s quite broad enough to bear a mouse—even a wounded warrior.”