All the Singers were on their footpaws and ready to go... as soon as their leaders were done checking everything.

After she had finished triple-checking the cart's contents, Rucci hopped out. As she checked the wheels, Marmy came with her report. "No injuries, other than Jyn burnt her tongue trying to eat a hot biscuit. But I only counted three-score and three. That means we're missing two, but I can't figure out who."

Coda walked up behind them, guitar and knapsack on his back. He hesitantly tried to interrupt. "Um, Rucci? Could, could I talk to you for a second?"

The shrew waved him off. "In a moment, Coda. Marmy, was it three-score and three counting us, or not counting us?"

"Not counting, I'm sure of that."

Coda tried again to interrupt. "Rucci, it's kinda important..."

"Hush, Coda." She lifted the lid of the water barrel and peered in, scowling her disapproval. "I thought I asked Kale to get this filled. The other one's probably just as empty."

Coda raised a paw. "That's the thing-"

Rucci cut him off a little less politely. "Coda, we're busy with important stuff. Can't it wait?" Without waiting for an answer, she addressed Marmy. "Did you remember to count Lukas and Lyxa? You forgot to last time, remember."

The squirrelmum twitched her bushy tail. "I'm pretty sure I did. But who's missing?"

"Rucci, this is really important-"

Rucci turned to glare up at him. "Coda, we are busy! Unless you know who we didn't count or why the water barrel is empty, I don't want to hear it!"

"That's the thing!" Now that she looked, Rucci could see the worry evident in his eyes and voice. "Mrue, Rhea and Nellie went to get the water. Nellie came back earlier, and she said they would come back a bit later. That was a while ago, and they're still not back."

Rucci's eyes widened. "Oh. Marmy, you stay here with the group. Coda, go get the part leaders. We're going to the river."

They searched both banks for a ways in either direction. Kelp, Kale, Iona and Coda even dived into the river to search. But they didn't find anything; no tracks, no signs of scuffle, nothing. The only clue the ottermaids had even been there was three filled water jugs and the shattered remains of a fourth and fifth. Now extremely worried, Rucci and the others raced back to the main group. Soon everybeast was searching, covering miles around the river. But there was no sign.

The sun was almost beginning to set when the Singers regrouped. Marmy's face was drawn with worry, her ears laid back. "What do we do, Rucci?"

The shrew looked even worse for wear than the squirrelmum. She looked to Nellie. "You're absolutely certain they didn't tell you where they might have gone?"

Nellie nodded. She clearly enjoyed the attention she was getting out of the ordeal, basking in it to the full extent. Her cheeks were wet with tears she'd shed. "I'm sure. Oh, what could have happened? I was-"

Rucci cut off her hysterics. "They're good maids. They wouldn't be playing a prank. For all we know, they've been captured."

This sent a ripple of shocked gasps, scared babbling and speculation through the Singers. Rucci raised her paws to quiet them. "Settle down, settle down! Now, I know you're worried and probably scared. But the important thing is to stick together. Everyone find a buddy and make sure you stick by them at all times."

She watched the flurry as her students obeyed, then continued. "We have two choices; keep searching, or go to Redwall for more help. I personally think Redwall is the best option. But let's put it to a vote."

The vote for Redwall won.

Mrue and Rhea's paws were bound behind their backs, then they were forced to walk for the rest of the day, between the rats with the ferret ahead. There was no escape. They got to their destination long after the sun had set. A little worn, they looked around the small camp. A fox was asleep by the embers of a dying fire. The ferret kicked him awake, growling, "Where are the poles? Yew were supposed to put up the poles today!"

"Well, it didn't happen," the fox grumbled.

"We've got captives 'ere. What're we supposed to do with 'em?"

The fox settled back to sleep. "Just tie 'em up an' toss 'em over there."

Rhe and Mrue's ankles were tightly bound. They were thrown to the ground, away from the fire. Once their captors had bedded down, Rhea whispered to Mrue. "Do you think Rucci and the others know we're gone?"

"Of course they do," Mrue whispered back, shivering in the cold night air. Their underclothes hadn't dried very well, and had been re-wetted with sweat. "They're probably looking for us right now."

"I hope so."

"Oi!" one of the vermin shouted. "Shuddap!"

Mrue moved closer to Rhea, wincing as the rope cut into her wrists and ankles. "I know so."