He flinched slightly as Klitch elbowed him sharply in the ribs. “If brains were acorns you’d be a dead oak!” There was a sneer in the weasel’s voice. “We’ve been inside the mountain, we’ve seen for ourselves, there’s about forty fighting hares and Urthstripe, and they’re not there for nothing. I’ll bet my tail they’re guarding a treasure. Now I’ve given Ferahgo an extra move in the game—I’m providing him with a hostage, Lord Urthstripe’s own precious little Mara. We could have done without that hare Pikkle, but if she wants to bring him along, the more the merrier!”

The light of understanding dawned in Goffa’s eyes. “You’re right! By the claw, you’re a clever one, Klitch!”

Without taking his eyes from the two approaching creatures, the young weasel muttered fiercely, “Right, Goffa, I am clever. I’m smarter than Farran, Dethbrush, Migroo or any of that deadheaded bunch. That’s why Ferahgo allows me to spy for him. But what my father doesn’t realize is that he’s getting old and I’m still young. I’ll show him who’s the more cunning one day soon. Stow it now, here they are!”

As Mara and Pikkle breasted the hill, Klitch feigned surprise. He turned to them, his open blue eyes shining happily. “Mara, Pikkle! What are you two doing here?”

Pikkle let his ears flop forward comically. “What ho, you chaps. Two more recruits for your rovin’ band!”

Mara nodded agreement, her face alight with the joy of freedom. “I’ve done it, left Salamandastron for good! As you can see, Pikkle came with me. He’s my only friend.”

Klitch grasped her paw warmly. “Well, you’ve got two more good pals now—me and Goffa. We’ll stick by you like true companions. Isn’t that right, Goffa?”

The ferret leaned on his spear, echoing the words. “True companions!”

Mara could still see Salamandastron rising tall and grim in the distance. She looked away, banishing thoughts of it from her mind. Taking in her immediate surroundings, the badger maid quivered with delight. They were in a small hollow amid the dunes, basking in the heat of a fresh summer day. Beyond the grass-tufted hilltops she could see a distant mountain range rearing up ahead of them. It was framed majestically against a cloudless sky of vivid blue. Her heart sang within at the prospect of boundless freedom.

“Oh, isn’t it exciting, Klitch! From now on Pikkle and I are going to be just like you two, traveling where we want, sleeping beneath the stars, eating when we feel like, and no one to boss or push us around. We’re free!”

Goffa pulled a face and grunted. “Where’s yer food?”