Tsarmina was facing the squirrels with an arrow notched to a bow. She spun round and loosed the shaft, catching the last otter in the back before it hit the water. Despite this, the otter still managed to submerge and get away.

Lady Amber found that she was losing troops. She decided on a quick withdrawal now that the otters had escaped. Ducking the arrows and spears, the squirrels took off through the trees.

Tsarmina howled her victory to the sky. Running to the water’s edge, she called a halt to those soldiers who were aiming weapons into the river. “Enough! Cease fire! They’re gone. Stand still, everyone.”

The troops stood fast as the wildcat peered into the depths. They watched Tsarmina draw back from the river’s edge. She was scratching at her fur as if trying to dry herself, shuddering as she muttered, “Urgh! Dark, damp, wet—water everywhere, swirling, swirling. Ugh!” When she was away from the water, Tsarmina recovered her composure. Throwing off her helmet and cloak, she slumped moodily at the foot of a beech tree. Night had crept up unawares. The soldiers stood watching, puzzled at their Queen’s strange behavior. Tsarmina stared back. “Well, what are you all gawping at? Brogg, Scratt, listen carefully. I want you to go back to Kotir, see Fortunata, and tell her to bring the Gloomer to me. I want you back before dawn. Get going, the pair of you!”

Brogg and Scratt stood rooted; terror loosened their tongues. “The Gloomer, Milady? Surely you don’t mean . . .”

“Lady, he’s completely mad!”

Tsarmina rolled herself in her cloak and settled down beneath the tree. “I know he is, idiots. But I’ll get a sight madder if you don’t move yourselves. Now be off! Guards, set up a sentry on river watch. If anything happens, let me know straightaway. Otherwise I’m not to be disturbed until Fortunata arrives with the Gloomer. If Brogg and Scratt are still here, give them a good whipping with bowstrings for idling.” Tsarmina settled down to sleep, lulled by the sounds of the two ferrets crashing and blundering off through the undergrowth.

Nothing could escape the Gloomer in the water. The wildcat Queen had tasted victory that day. She was not about to let it all slip away because of incompetent soldiers. The Gloomer must be brought here quickly to consolidate her triumph.

The whole world was black, icy cold, airless, and wet.

Martin concentrated on holding his breath. When he ventured to open his eyes, it became a murky dark gray, but he could sometimes make out shapes moving around him. He began to wish he were anywhere but beneath a river—even back in his cell at Kotir. At least there had been air to breathe there.

Skipper’s strong paws gripped him relentlessly by the scruff of his neck. Water rushed by them, roaring in his ears as the powerful swimming otter dragged him along.