The massive injuries he had formerly sustained, together with the horrendous wounds of Ferahgo’s daggers, now caused Urthstripe’s fierce dark eyes to cloud over with deathmist, but his fate was not yet sealed. From the deep wells of strength within his gigantic frame he called up a last mighty surge that would enable him to rid Salamandastron of Ferahgo.

Crushing the blue-eyed weasel to him, Urthstripe leapt from the top of the mountain, yelling his last beloved battle cry:

“Eulaliaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

The knowledge that he had glimpsed his lost brother for a moment hit Urthwyte; the look on his face caused every creature who had followed Ferahgo to lose their nerves completely.

Alfoh pulled Samkim to one side. “Leave him here. Get Arula and my shrews down inside the mountain before he kills us all. Leave him here with the vermin!”

Samkim could readily understand Alfoh’s meaning; the sight of the berserk white badger hurling himself bodily at the panic-stricken vermin was enough. Pushing Arula in front of him, the young squirrel followed the Guosssom band down the walkways that spiraled into the heart of Salamandastron.

*   *   *

Pennybright hurried up from the forge room with a quiver of arrows. She passed them to Oxeye.

“These are the last. There are no more!”

Oxeye grinned as he fitted a shaft to his bow. “Good gel. Keep slingin’, Penny. Look at young Ling there—he’s tossin’ rocks like a good un. Want some good news, m’dear? There’s a band of shrews an’ whatnot attackin’ from the lower levels. Listen to this.” Oxeye shouted over the melee at the top of his voice. “Duck ’n’ weave! Blood ’n’ vinegar! Long Patrol’s here!” The sound echoed down the rocky stairwell.

A moment later there was an answering call.

“Jab an’ move! Give ’em a towsin’! Long Patrol’s ’ere too!”

“Good ol’ Sapwood.” Oxeye’s grin spread from ear to ear. “Knew I never sent him on that cruise for nothin’.”

Lingfur looked fearfully over his shoulder. “Sir, look out! They’re behind us!”

Carrying a heavy paddle and her sling, Arula bowed low. “We’m not behoind ’ee, young un. Us’ns are with ’ee!”

Oxeye stifled a laugh as he shook paws with the molemaid. “Well, thank goodness for that. I’d hate to face a warrior like you, young molemaid.”

Arula wrinkled her nose. “Thankee koindly, zurr.”

“Pleased t’ meet you, I’m sure.” Oxeye clasped the paws of Samkim and Alfoh gratefully. “But could we leave the introductions until after the war, old lads?”

Samkim immediately liked the big hare. Gripping his sword in both paws, he took up a fighting stance and nodded. “That seems fair enough, sir. Shall we charge?”

Paddles, slings and rapiers waved behind Samkim and Oxeye as the hare tossed aside his bow and picked up a lance.

“Well said, sir! Ready, chaps . . . Then . . . charge!”

“Eulaliaaa! Redwaaaaall! Logalogalogalog!”