Gonff strapped his pack back on. Dinny had not removed his. He was away and running, small velvety paws pounding the grassland.

“Coom on, ’ee two,” he called. “Us’ns can lose they vurmin afore eventoid.”

The three friends ran in silence, measuring their stride and conserving energy. All that could be heard above the drumming of their paws was a descending lark and the chirrup of grasshoppers in the dry grassland warmth. The high sun above watched the scene like a great golden eye. The hunted jogged steadily on, with the hunters rushing behind to close the gap.

* * *

There was no infirmary for the wounded at Kotir. Soldiers lay about in the barracks, licking their hurts and tending to themselves as best as they could. Cludd was quite pleased with himself. They had driven off the woodlanders and the army had not retreated, so what was all the fuss about?

He put the question to Ashleg.

“Try telling her that, weasel. Here she comes.” The pine marten’s cloak swirled about as he pointed to the stairs.

Tsarmina bounded into the barracks, crooking a claw at them. “You two, up to my room. Right away!”

There was little to be gained by arguing, so with sinking hearts they trooped up the stairway.

Fortunata was already there, her ear painfully swollen from the arrow wound. Ashleg could not resist a sly snigger.

“Heehee, looks like you need a healer, fox.”

Tsarmina swept in, just in time to hear the jibe.

“One more remark like that, woodenpin, and you’ll need a new head. Now, what happened to my ambush in the woods?” They stood dumbly, waiting for the storm to break. It was not long in coming.

The wildcat Queen cleared the table in one reckless sweep. Bell, dishes, ornaments, linen and food crashed to the floor.

“Nothing! That’s what we gained from it all.”

She raged around the chamber, kicking over furniture, tearing at wall hangings and bending fire irons out of shape as her voice rose to a maddened howl.

“I saw them. Me! I set up the ambush, warned you, marshaled the army, led the charge and thought that you buffoons had the brains and courage to assist me. What did I receive? Not one original idea or scrap of encouragement.”

Her whole body quivered with dangerous temper, then suddenly she slumped into a chair as if temporarily exhausted by her outburst. The quaking trio stood staring at the floor for inspiration as she scowled at them.

“Aahh, what business is it of yours, anyway? You’re not supposed to think, only to carry out orders. It’s my job to do all the brain work around here. I suppose nothing will bother you three until the food supplies run out. Oh, they won’t last forever, you know. I’ve seen for myself; the stores are getting lower, since we were unable to levy tribute from the few that lived around our walls. That’s the trouble with being a conqueror and having an army to feed: soldiers are no good at providing anything unless they can snatch it away from the helpless.” She stretched and kicked moodily at a fallen goblet. “Well, any ideas?”