“So, you’ve got until sunset to vanish into the distance, savvy?”

“Actually, if we can still sight you then, there’s going to be another jolly old battle.”

“Rather. We hares and these woodland chappies will be only too happy to pursue you.”

There was silence from the other side of the ditch. Some of the Kotir troops began shuffling nervously, unsure of what to do.

“Count of ten to be on your way,” Skipper’s gruff call rang out. “Them that stays here gets buried here. Right, mateys. Altogether!”

Every woodland voice was raised in deadly unison.

“One!”

“Two!”

“Three . . .”

The leaderless foxes, weasels, stoats, ferrets and rats ran. They ran as they had never run before, stumbling and pushing to get out in front. Not a word was spoken amongst them. All that could be heard was the harsh panting of breath as they sped away into the far sunlit distance, each one feverishly hoping that, regardless of the others, he would be out of sight by sunset, away from Mossflower and its grim horde of dangerous woodlanders.

* * *

Halfway through the long afternoon, Lady Amber and Skipper approached Bella.

“Couldn’t we just go after them one last time, Bella?” Skipper pleaded.

The badger shook her head at the Corim leaders. “No, friends. We’ve won, Mossflower is ours again.”

“Hurr, let’s go ’ome!”

Foremole’s words in his rough molespeech sounded like the sweetest music ever heard.

A score of days had gone since the banishment.

The lakeshore rang to the sounds of late evening merriment. Colored lanterns were hanging from the trees, reflecting a mass of orange, pink, blue and gold lights upon the calm waters. Stars twinkled above, woodlanders danced below, garlands of flowers were strewn everywhere and delicious smells came from the great fires at the lake margin.

Martin awakened to the sounds of Gonff singing.

Let no foul beast give one command,
I’ll say, ‘O no not me,
My back bends to no tyrant’s rule.
Hey, friends, this mouse is free.’
Free has a sound, it rings around,
A lovely way to be.
So dance or sing, do anything,
You’re free free free free freeeeeeeeeee!

“Hurr, that’s wot ’ee think, Gonffen. You tell ’im missus.”

“Gonff, come and help me to get the stopper off this strawberry wine, right away.”

“Immediately, my Columbine, O nurse of warriors and charming mouselet. I’m coming, my little candied chestnut.”

There were roars of laughter.

Timballisto flopped down on the edge of Martin’s blanket.

“So, you’re awake, mate. The Abbess said it’d be sometime today.”

Martin smiled and grasped his friend’s paw.

“Don’t worry, I’m back now. How long have I lain here?”

Before Timballisto could answer, Ferdy and Coggs dashed up.

“Ha, so you’re awake, sleepyhead,” Ferdy teased.

“Yes, fancy dozing off when there’s a party,” Coggs added.

The Abbess and Bella came over, decked in flowers and carrying a bowl of woodland vegetable soup, which the old mouse started feeding to Martin from a ladle.