Martin tried to clear his head while he listened to Gonff and Dinny's excited chatter. They were going to Salamandastron - the home of fire and badger lords.

"At night, you can hear the echoes of all the lords' battlecries mixing into one. The flames reach into the sky and one old mole-wife told me that she suspected the stars were kept alive by the dragons who live in the mountain."

"Oi reckons that be nowt greater than a gurt large tattletale. Moi granfer useta say the foir wurr the ghosties of all dem badger lords reachin furr the sky."

"I guess we'll find out who was right when we get there. How long do you think it'll take us, O vacant one?" Dinny's rumbling chuckles made Martin jump and stare at Gonff accusingly.

"Are you being rude, stealer of pies?"

"Not at all, day dreamer. Thinking of eyes?"Martin shoved Gonff playfully, a little embarrassed.

"No. I think it will take us a few days. Seven minimum, to reach Salamandastron." Too long, he thought go himself.

"We better get cracking, then." Gonff winked at Martin. "Don't want to make the ladies miss us too much now, do we?"

The mousethief nimbly skipped forward as Martin aimed another swipe st him, both young mice laughing freely. Poor Dinny shuffled along behind them, shaking is head and mumbling to himself.

"Hurr, oi doant unnersand a word."

The midday sun was strong on their heads when they stopped for a break. Gonff was out of breath wkth sweat beading on his brow, but he was the first to rise again.

"Come on mateys! On your lazy footpaws."

Martin had just closed is eyes, savouring the warmth of the sun on his face. Noticing is idleness, the thief poked the warrior sharply with a stick.

"What would Bella say if she saw you sleeping on the job, eh? Or your miss Rose." Gonff continued. Quick as a flash, Martin reached out with his paw and snatched the stick from his friend.

"And Columbine? How would she react go you abusing your wonderful pal in suchan unforgiving way?" Dinny chuckled to himself and stood up, offering a heavy digging paw to the warrior.

"Upen yurr feetpads, yon bladeswinger." Both mice laughed at the mole's use of one of Gonff's nicknames for Martin, dusting themselves off and startng forward again.

Before they could get far, they heard a desperate chirping from high above and behind them.

"What do ya think that's all abut?"

"Someone sounds very upset, Gonff. I think we shoukd try and see why."

The three quietly traced their steps, being careful to make no noise. A shadow passed over them and suddenly a fat robin was blocking their path.

"Chibb!" Gonff exclaimed.

The breathless robin fluttered about anxiously. "Ahem, a great urgency has arisen back at the front line and we urgently require your presence."

Gonff sighed, annoyed. "Chibb, we'll never get to Salamandastron if you call us back for every broken saucer."

The robin shook his head desperately. "Ahem, no sir, you quite mistake me. No saucers have been broken - at least, that is not why Bella sent me for you."

"Bella sent you?" Martin repeated, serious. "Tell me now: what in the name of freedom has happened?"

The poor robin trembled as he tried to find a way to inform the travellers of the grave news he carried.

"Well, ahem, two of the company of our friends from Loamhedge were out wandering by the river, well within the sight of our guards, I mist add. However, some horrible coincidence meant that instead of watching out for the maids, said guard was otherwise engaged and as such it is my unhappy duty to inform you of their capture." It took the friends a few moments to understand what Chibb was trying to say. Martin broke the silence by asking in a steady, guarded tone the question none of them wanted to hear the answer to.

"Who did they take, Chibb? What are their names?"

Poor Chibb shuffled uncomfortably. "Miss Columbine and Miss Laterose, sir."