Urthstripe nodded approvingly. “Good. Now let’s get things organized. Oxeye, Starbob, Catkin, take your patrols and seal up all entrances except the front. Windpaw, Seawood, check that the mountain is fully provisioned and see to the water-barrel levels. Sapwood, you come with me. We’ll get together some weaponry to provide a warm reception for whatever scum come visiting. I hope that Klitch and his pal are among them—I’d enjoy meeting them again.”

So the fortress of Salamandastron started gearing itself up for war.

*   *   *

Ferahgo was readying his horde to march upon Salamandastron by midmorning of the next day. Forgrin the fox and Raptail the rat were seeing to their weapons. Forgrin was using a flat rock to grind a new point upon his long rapier, Raptail was fletching his arrows with leaf flights. As they worked, the two creatures conversed in low tones, keeping silent whenever Ferahgo or Klitch was near.

“D’you know why we’re attackin’ this badger mountain, mate? I mean, what’s the real reason behind it?”

“Yer not supposed to ask that, Forgrin. The Chief sez it’d make a good fortress for us ter use as a base.”

The fox licked his paw and tested the point of his rapier. “Huh, he must think we’re all as dimwitted as Migroo. A fortress to use as a base, my fangs! That brat of his, Klitch, and his pal Goffa, and that whinin’ searat Sickear, they seem ter know somethin’ we don’t.”

Raptail peered down an arrowshaft, checking its straightness. “Aye, that’s the lot of a soldier, mate: carry out orders and don’t ask questions. But I’m tellin’ yer this, I don’t fancy gettin’ slain in battle fer summat I don’t know about!”

“Same ’ere, mate. Though just atwixt you ’n’ me, I’ve kept me lugs ter the ground and I thinks there’s some kinda treasure at the bottom o’ this. . . . Stow it, ’ere comes trouble!”

Ferahgo and Klitch walked by, and the two soldiers kept their heads down, working busily at their weapons. The Assassin flashed a dangerous smile and nodded his approval. Klitch pawed his short sword, looking about impatiently.

“We’ve lost the edge of surprise. This army should have moved quicker. Urthstripe will be ready and waiting for us. Tell me, when are you going to make your move?”

Ferahgo played with the gold badger medal hanging around his neck. “Patience, my young backstabber, patience. When Migroo and his hunters get back, then we march.”

“But why wait for Migroo and the others? We could leave signs for them to follow.”