Fortunata’s limbs trembled with the effort of standing motionless. “It was Cludd who caught them, Milady. He found them asleep in a tent made from a blanket. Ashleg and I helped to bring them in.”

Tsarmina repeated the phrase slowly. “You helped to bring them in. I see. Good work!”

The pine marten was next to receive Tsarmina’s attention.

“Ah, my fearless friend Ashleg, you must be in great pain. Did one of those two bold rogues nibble through your wooden leg?”

“No, Majesty. That happened when my patrol was attacked by Fortunata’s command in the night,” Ashleg blurted out, surprised at the shrillness of his own voice.

Tsarmina widened her eyes in mock horror. “How awful! We attacked ourselves in the dark. No doubt it was all a little mistake.”

“That’s right Milady, just a bit of a mistake, it could have happened to anyone, really.” Fortunata’s protest sounded hollow.

The wildcat turned her back on the whole scene. Paws akimbo, she stood staring out toward Mossflower. When she eventually spoke her tones dripped sarcasm and controlled rage.

“Get out of my sight, all of you idiotic scum. Down on your bellies and crawl back into the barracks like the worms you are. That way I won’t have to look at your thick gormless faces slobbering excuses at me. Go on, clear off, the lot of you! Fortunata, Ashleg, Cludd—bring the prisoners up to my chamber.”

* * *

Less than a minute later, Argulor stirred on his spruce branch and blinked owlishly, unaware that he had missed the chance of snatching a quick meal from the parade ground. He dozed off again in the hot afternoon sun as Chibb shot across the front of him, bound for Brockhall and safety. The tiny redbreasted spy had not missed a single word or movement of what took place on the parade ground.

* * *

A group of sad-faced creatures sat in the main hall of Bella’s home.

Gonff tossed the blanket and empty cordial jar on the table in front of the Corim leaders. “Found ’em over to the west, about halfway between here and Kotir. The place stank of weasel and ferret. Lots of tracks—a big party, I’d say. Anyone got more news?”

Bella looked around the searchers who had returned, checking that the Stickles were not present. She kept her voice low. “Chibb saw them trussed up on the parade ground at Kotir earlier today. There’s no doubt about it: Ferdy and Coggs have been taken prisoner. They were carried off to the wildcat’s chamber for probable questioning.”

Skipper slammed a paw against the hearth. “Mates, it doesn’t bear thinkin’ about, those two pore little fellers in the vermins’ brig.”

Columbine’s voice had a sob in it. “What’ll we tell Ben and Goody, poor creatures.”

Gonff was in no doubt at all. “Tell ’em we’ll rescue little Ferdy and Coggs back straightaway. That’s what we’ll do, mateys!”

There was a roar of approval.

Bella called for silence. “Please, Gonff, be sensible. I’m certain that the Corim will agree to mount a rescue operation as soon as possible. But let us not run off or do anything reckless in the meanwhile. It would only end up in more prisoners being taken, or lives being lost.”