This time Tsarmina had antic.i.p.ated it; she had the front rank take the stones on their shields, while another rank behind hurled their spears over the tops of the shield-bearers. Some of the spears went too far, but one found its mark: an * otter standing up with a whirling sling dropped back, killed *by a well-aimed throw.

Reinforcements arrived, with Lady Amber bringing squirrel archers through the trees to fire at the Kotir troops from behind.

Skipper saw Tsarmina's forces turn to face the new foe. He seized his chance. Martin found himself grabbed by the otter leader, while Gonff was clasped by a big otter named Root. .'Take a good breath, messmate. We're goin' for a swim!"

The entire otter crew took a short bounding run and dived into the river with a loud splash.

r Tsarmina was facing the squirrels with an arrow notched to a bow. She spun round and loosed the shaft, catching the last otter in the back before it hit the water. Despite this, the otter still managed to submerge and get away.

Lady Amber found that she was losing troops. She decided on a quick withdrawal now that the otters had escaped. Ducking the arrows and spears, the squirrels took off through the bees.

Tsarmina howled her victory to the sky. Running to the 57.

water's edge, she called a halt to those soldiers who were aiming weapons into the river. "Enough! Cease fire! They're gone. Stand still, everyone."

The troops stood fast as the wildcat peered into the depths. They watched Tsarmina draw back from the river's edge. She was scratching at her fur as if trying to dry herself, shuddering as she muttered, "Urgh! Dark, damp, wet-water everywhere, swirling, swirling. Ugh!" When she was away from the water, Tsarmina recovered her composure. Throwing off her helmet and cloak, she slumped moodily at the foot of a beech tree. Night had crept up unawares. The soldiers stood watching, puzzled at their Queen's strange behavior. Tsarmina stared back. "Well, what are you all gawping at? Brogg, Scratt, listen carefully. I want you to go back to Kotir, see Fortunate, and tell her to bring the Gloomer to me. I want you back before dawn. Get going, the pair of you!"

Brogg and Scratt stood rooted; terror loosened their tongues. "The Gloomer, Milady? Surely you don't mean ..."

"Lady, he's completely mad!"

Tsarmina rolled herself in her cloak and settled down beneath the tree. "I know he is, idiots. But I'll get a sight madder if you don't move yourselves. Now be off! Guards, set up a sentry on river watch. If anything happens, let me know straightaway. Otherwise I'm not to be disturbed until Fortunata arrives with the Gloomer. If Brogg and Scratt are still here, give them a good whipping with bowstrings for idling." Tsarmina settled down to sleep, lulled by the sounds of the two ferrets crashing and blundering off through the undergrowth.

Nothing could escape the Gloomer in the water. The wildcat Queen had tasted victory that day. She was not about to let it all slip away because of incompetent soldiers. The Gloomer must be brought here quickly to consolidate her triumph.

1O.

58.

The whole world was black, icy cold, airless, and wet.

Martin concentrated on holding his breath. When he ventured to open his eyes, it became a murky dark gray, but he could sometimes make out shapes moving around him. He began to wish he were anywhere but beneath a river-even back in his cell at Kotir. At least there had been air to breathe there.

Skipper's strong paws gripped him relentlessly by the scruff of his neck. Water rushed by them, roaring in his ears as the powerful swimming otter dragged him along.

Fresh air, just one breath, he wished, one lungful of good clean air.

Skipper held Martin tighter as he began to wriggle in panic. Bubbles of air were escaping from his mouth, an iron band was crushing his skull. Why was Skipper drowning him?

Martin opened his mouth to shout, but the water came pouring in. With a huge rush accompanied by much barking and shouting, the otters broke the surface, shaking their coats.

Skipper hefted Martin's body and tossed him out upon the bank. The warrior mouse lay coughing and gasping, gulping in vast quant.i.ties of clean fresh air. Never again would he take such a wondrous gift for granted.

All around him otters were whooshing playfully in and out of the water, ducking one another and generally behaving as if the whole thing were a great lark. Martin looked about 59.

until he sighted Gonff. Immediately he dashed across to his friend. Gonff had not fared as well as he on the underwater journey; the little thief lay face down on the bank, his body looked forbiddingly limp and still. Root, the big otter who had borne Gonff underwater, began pushing and pumping at Gonff's inert form with his strong forepaws.

Martin felt a surge of panic. "Is he all right? He's not drowned? He'll live, won't he?"

Root laughed and gave Martin a huge wink. "Bless yer life, matey, he's fine. Little thief, stealin' our riverwater like that. Here, he's comin' around now."

A moment later Gonff was spluttering and shaking indignantly. "Root, you great clodhopping water monster, I'm sure you took the long way around to get here. Have I coughed all that water back? Yuk! Bet I lowered the river level by a foot or two, matey. Oh, h.e.l.lo Martin. Well, how d'you like Camp Willow?"

Martin had not looked at his surroundings. Now that the danger was past, he took stock of where they had beached. It was a large, sandy, shelf like area, the roof of which was a ma.s.s of gnarled willow roots. Phosph.o.r.escence from the swift-flowing water palely illuminated the cave system of the underground bank. A ca.n.a.l ran through the middle of Camp Willow, emanating out of the gloomy darkness of hidden caves and bolt holes in the rear.

Skipper watched proudly as Martin gazed about. "You won't find no better 'ccommodation for an otter anywhere, Martin. Camp Willow was built by otter paws."

Martin nodded shrewdly. "A right fine job they did of it, too, Skipper."

The Skipper of otters swelled out his barrel-like chest.

"Andsome of you to say so, mate, but belay awhile and I'll call muster."

It soon became apparent that three of the crew were dead, possibly four; n.o.body could account for the fact that a young female called Spring was missing. Skipper's face was grim as he called two young males, Duckweed and Streamer, to search the river for the missing one. With barely a ripple, the two plunged back into the water and were gone.

Martin and Gonff were given rough barkcloths to dry themselves. They sat upon the bank with the otters around a bright 60.

fire, eating thick wedges of carrot and parsley bread, which they dunked in a steaming bowl of river shrimp and bulrush soup, seasoned with fiery ditchnettle pepper. It was delicious, but extremely hot.

The otters munched away happily, laughing at the two mice and calling out old river proverbs.

*'Haha, don't taste no 'otter to an otter, matey."

"The more 'otter it is, the more 'otter otters likes it."

Martin and Gonff swigged cold water and laughed along with the crew.

Not long before they settled down to sleep, Duckweed and Streamer returned. They emerged, dripping, into Camp Willow. Between them they were supporting young Spring. Streamer had removed the arrow from Spring's back. Fortunately, she was not badly hurt.

Skipper was delighted to see her, and he dressed the wound carefully. "Ho, 'tis me, little matey Spring. Never you fear, young un. If they gave you an arrow, we'll pay 'em back with a shower of javelins. You get some vittles and a good rest. bu'll be right as a river rock tomorrow."

Spring told them what had happened.

"When I got hit I didn't swim away for fear of leavin' a blood trail in the water, so I swam a little ways then laid under a bush hangin' over the bank. I slapped a good pawful o' mud on my wound to stop the bleedin' and lay waiting. I knew Skip wouldn't leave me long afore he sent help. I was that close to some of those vermin sittin' on the bank that I could have reached out and laid a flipper on 'em. They were all talkin' about somethin' called a Gloomer-said that the cat had sent messengers to Kotir to fetch this Gloomer thing."

Skipper patted Spring. "Well done, matey. You get some sleep now, and don't fret your 'ead about nothin'. Old Skip'11 take care of it."

Root struck his thigh with a heavy paw. "Ha! The Gloomer-I might've knowed it, Skip. What'll we do now?"

The fire burned low in the Stickle dwelling as Goody tidied around before going to join Ben outside. It was a peaceful Spring night. Ben knocked his pipe out on the gatepost. "Should be a fair day on the morrow, old girl." ; They both stood nodding. Suddenly Goody threw up her 61.

paws. "Well, in the name of Stickles, will you just look at those two liddle 'ogs a layin' there."

Ferdy and Coggs had really taken their sentry duty to heart. They had rigged up a tent from a blanket and branches. Nearby lay a jug of strawberry cordial and a half-finished apple pie which they had requisitioned from Goody's cupboard. The two little hedgehogs lay with their arms about each other, snoring uproariously, cooking pot helmets askew, mouths wide open.

Ben chuckled fondly. "I do believe we'll sleep sounder in our beds, Goody, k no win' we've got these two terrors to guard us through the night."

As Goody folded the blanket away, Ben carried Ferdy and Coggs inside.

Still asleep, Ferdy waved his stick. "Who goes there? I'll fight the six of you!"

11.

62.

At Kotir, Fortunata was also sleeping peacefully, until the banging of spearb.u.t.ts against her chamber door brought her yawning and shuffling from her bed.

"Who's there? Go away and see Ashleg about it, whatever it is."

Brogg and Scrait stood aside as Cludd, the weasel Captain of the guard, kicked the door open. "Come on, fox. You're Granted by Queen Tsarmina. She's camped by the River Moss."

Fortunata rubbed her injured rump. "Couldn't Ashleg go? Fin injured."

* Cludd's stolid face was expressionless. "No, the Queen wants you there by dawn. You're to bring the Gloomer with you. Brogg and Sc rat I'll lend a paw."

' Fortunata recoiled with fright and distaste. "The Gloomer! 1 thought that horror had died years ago or gone away." Cludd pointed his spear at the vixen. "Come on now, no nonsense. Ifou know what Milady's like if you disobey her orders. We'll make sure Gloomer's well secured."

-'* Fortunata had no choice. In a foul temper, she followed the three soldiers down corridors and flights of stairs to the ery bowels of the fortress.

** Far beneath the cells there was an underground cavern and * great lake. The only one who ever went down to the lake Was the guard who was detailed to feed the Gloomer. Once 63.

a week he would take down the refuse from the barracks, leaving it a respectable distance from the post to which Gloomer's long chain was attached at the lake's edge.

Verdauga had captured Gloomer and brought him to Kotir long ago. The monster water rat was robbed of normal sight after years of swimming in the dark murky waters of the lake. It had little hearing and no speech at all. None of this mattered while it still possessed the instincts of touch and smell; the Gloomer was a killer, savage and mindless, particularly when there was fresh meat to be had.

Fortunata was frightened; this was no place to be in the night hours. Gingerly she picked up the chain. The rattling iron links echoed eerily around the cold musty cavern, and what little courage the fox had failed her. She dropped the chain, looking imploringly toward Cludd. "I'm only a vixen. This will take a creature strong and brave as a Captain of the Guard."

The obvious slyness of the remark did not escape Cludd, yet he swelled slightly at the flattery. Taking the chain firmly, he nodded at the others. "Right. Stay out of the way and leave this to me. I know how to deal with Gloomer."

Tugging hard on the rusty chain, Cludd splashed it up and down in the water as he pulled. The underground lake rippled, and there was an audible gasp of shock from the three onlookers as the Gloomer's monstrous head appeared from the depths like the worst kind of vision from a bad dream. The eyes were staring, sightless white marbles veined with blood-red streaks, the snout ribbed and scarred like a wet black patch of leather. What little fur there was on the head was plastered flat. Water ran off it as the mouth opened wide.

Even Cludd felt his paws shaking as the Gloomer swam toward land. The sightless eyes were fixed upon the weasel Captain as if they could actually see him. The mouth worked hungrily open and shut, purple blubbery lips drawn back to reveal curving greeny-yellow fangs spread this way and that, the very oddness of them adding to their revolting appearance.

Cludd dropped the chain and picked up his spear, his voice snaking noticeably. "Here, Brogg, Scratt, grab your spears and do as I do. Keep driving that thing in a circle around the post."

64.

Gloomer paused for a moment in the shallows, water dripping from its ugly bulk, the hideous head moving to and fro as it scented the soldiers and pinpointed them by their sound and movement. Then in a sudden rush Gloomer charged with an awesome turn of speed.

- The trio were highly nervous but ready. Dodging and prodding Gloomer with spearpoints, they kept the monster pursuing them clockwise around the post, Cludd bawling instructions as he ran.

"Don't stop, whatever you do. Keep it moving!" Fortunata was impressed; the plan was simple but effective.

The trio skipped, jumped and ran as Gloomer pursued them mindlessly. It was not until the entire chain had been wound around the post that Gloomer was forced to stop. The post shook with the beast's maddened efforts to push forward. Brogg and Scratt kept their spearpoints at its back, so it conld not unwind the chain by going in the reverse direction. Cludd leaned his weight against the chain to keep it tight, and called to Fortunata, "Get the leads attached to the collar, quickly!" With icy fear coursing through her veins and an expression of extreme distaste on her face, Fortunata obeyed. Cludd strained at the chain, watching Fortunata impatiently. "Stop dabbing and primping, fox. Get those leads fastened, or I'll loosen this chain."

Fortunata secured the last of the three heavy greased leather ;; halters around the short, powerful neck, which already bore ''*-. a studded iron collar. Detaching the chain, she jumped back- . ward and made for the stairs. "There. It's done! I know which way to go. You three get hold of the leads and follow me."

V Cludd called out sternly, "Get back here, lily liver, I'm ':, Dot going anywhere. Captain of the Guard's my job. If the *-[ Queen had wanted me, she would have said. Come on, take i one of these leads."

; Immediately Fortunata picked up the lead; Gloomer moved "*(toward her. She hurried swiftly ahead to keep Gloomer from fier. Brogg and Scratt stood on either side and slightly back, pulling their leads tight, straining to control Gloomer. Cludd pwatched them go, glad he had completed his distasteful task. Fortunata led the way. Having lived in Mossflower all her fe, she was familiar with the area. She increased her pace 65.

to keep the maximum distance between herself and the huge gray and black beast. Gloomer snuffled and tugged, this way and that; Brogg and Scratt strained on the leads to keep it going the right way. The moon over the woodlands shone through the trees on the reluctant trio and their monstrous charge as they blundered and crashed through Mossflower, disturbing the peaceful night, tainting it with evil.

12.

66.

Martin was awake before dawn. He fed the fire and sat by .it. Skipper came and sat with him. "Now then, messmate. YouVe got a face on you like a wet water-beetle's grandad. Why so worried?"

Martin smiled half-heartedly. "Oh, it's listening to those stories that the crew were telling about the Gloomer, I suppose. It's all my fault for coming here and causing trouble for you, Skipper."

The big otter gave Martin a hearty clap on the back that nearly sent him head over tail. "Ha harr. Bless your little *eart, me old warrior. You don't want to listen to that scuttleb.u.t.t. Was that all you was afeared of? You come with me .and I'll introduce you to our Stormfin." V "Stormfin?"

, "Aye, Stormfin, matey. Come 'ere to the back of the cave."

In the darkness of the cavern recess, Skipper showed Mar-- tin a sluicegate the blocked the ca.n.a.l across its middle. There :swere narrow s.p.a.ces in the gate, allowing the water to flow '.through. At one side was a hollow log. :v. Skipper picked up a cudgel and pa.s.sed it to Martin. "Us-S;ien, mate, that big p.u.s.s.ycat may 'ave a Gloomer, but us ot-iillws got a Stormfin. You start thumpin' that there log and I'll )a

Baise the sluicegate. Stay clear of the water's edge, though." Mystified, Martin began banging the log. The eerie sounds 67.

bounced off the cavern walls as Skipper raised the gate clear of the water.

The otter nodded sagely. "That'll warn anyone who's in the water to get out, Stormfin's comin'. Watch the ca.n.a.l, now, and don't forget to stay clear."

Far back in the darkness something was beginning to come forward. A smooth wave rose; it slopped over the sides as the water was pushed along by some tremendous force. Martin was about to question Skipper when the otter lowered the gate slightly, and the water began roiling and bubbling. A long shape, like a section of tree trunk, smooth, with a many-spiked dorsal fin emerged.

Martin gasped and jumped back. "That's Stormfin?"

"Aye, this is Stormfin, matey. Me and my brother trapped him long ago." Skipper leaned forward and patted the giant pike's fin, causing it to lash its tail. The water boiled into a white foam as the otter leaped back laughing.

"Hohoho! Take a look, Martin. You wouldn't like to cross mat cove's path if you was out a swimmin', now would you?"

Martin leaned forward. He saw the powerful bony head with its muddy eyes and long hooking underjaw. The mouth opened slightly. He had never seen so many teeth in one mouth; there were row upon row of jagged backward curving rippers, needle-sharp and milky white. Stormfin seemed to be smiling in antic.i.p.ation. With a flick of his mighty silver-and-black-banded bulk he b.u.t.ted his head against the lowered sluicegate, anxious to be freed into open water.

Skipper stood with both paws on the gate lever. "Right then, you old buccaneer. Don't eat him too quick, now; you'll make yourself sick."

Martin helped Skipper to weigh down upon the lever. The sluicegate lifted. Stormfin rushed through, creating a miniature tidal wave as he traveled. Skipper left the gate open.

"He'll be back in a few days. We coax him in with tidbits. Pity there ain't more'n one Gloomer. That pike has a terrible appet.i.te."

Panting and rasping, the Gloomer dragged on the leads. The trio looked toward Tsarmina as they dug their paws into the turf and were dragged helplessly toward the River Moss.

68.

Fortunata began to panic. "Milady, quick, give the word, 0r it will have us in the water!"

Tsarmina extended her paws and raised them as if starting 8 race. "Right, you three, when I let my paws drop the-"

Too late. Gloomer snapped the lead Fortunata was holding ad the two guards were pulled over on their faces. Immediately they let their leads go; Gloomer sploshed noisily into the water.

The monster water rat swam about in slow circles, scenting apd feeling vibrations in the river current. Without warning it dived, heading in the direction of Camp Willow.