Chapter 32

Traveling through a swamp was an exhausting task, especially when you had a large group. Martin found this out, making sure Laurel stepped where she had to. Several times, he pulled her from the mud. Eventually, her injured leg played up and they stopped on the island that Martin had met the Princess of Kamwe. While they rested, Gonff couldn't help but ask.

"How did you know who she was, matey?"

"Who?"

Gonff shot him a look. "The princess. Where did you hear her name? You've never told me."

Laurel had fallen asleep and was leaning against Martin. He looked down at her.

"Laurel told me. Apparently, some of Noonvale's creatures have ties to Kamwe."

The Mousethief sat back against the tree he was leaning on. "Seems as though our little friend has answered some of your questions."

Martin nodded. "I think the princess will have the rest of my answers. My dreams are starting to make sense."

Gonff smiled. "Thank goodness for that."

True to her words, the Princess of Kamwe and the big hare were waiting for them at the edge of the swamp. Laurel hadn't woken up so Martin had carried her the rest of the way. The mousemaid saw Martin and a slow smile appeared on her pretty face. She nodded to the Redwallers and the Mossflower shrews.

"I hope you don't mind, Martin but when we get to our camp, I have something to show you."

Martin gave her a smile. "Your crew won't mind more mouths to feed, I hope?"

"Heavens no." The princess shook her head. "I insist." She waved for them to follow. She and Wally walked alongside Martin and Gonff. She explained their present position to the two mice. When she got to the part about the pelican, Martin and Gonff shared a glance.

"You don't happen to know this pelican's name?" Gonff asked her. Atheria shrugged.

"No. We're not exactly on good terms with him."

Martin adjusted Laurel in his arms. "What do you mean?"

"That blasted feather bottom has taken our floater, y'see." Wally replied. "Without a ship, we can't get to Noonvale."

"You're going to Noonvale too?" Gonff stared at them, open-mouthed. Atheria raised her eyebrows.

"Noonvale is a secret? How would you know?"

Gonff pointed at Martin. "He's been there before but has forgotten the way. We were told your pelican friend had directions."

It suddenly dawned on Atheria. "That's right. You're the one the Vile One wants."

Martin was confused. "What?"

Wally patted her on the back. "Slow down, old gel. There's a lot to talk about. Let's save it for the supper table, wot?"

Trout had been sharpening a stick when they entered the camp. The other otters stopped their tasks and turned to see what their princess had returned with. Quincy had been playing with Violet and the two stopped what they were doing and joined Trout by the fire pit. Trout's eyes widened at the sight.

"Ye told me we had guests fer supper, milady, but not this many!"

Atheria looked apologetically at him. "This is Trout, Captain of the Starfish, our ship. Trout," she gestured to Martin. "This is Martin the Warrior."

There was whispers of excitement all around the Redwallers. Folgrim made eye contact with Gaia. The pretty otter smiled at him and he stared at the ground in embarrassment.

Trout shared a look with Quincy before he stood up and walked over to the big mouse holding the young one in his arms. He grinned at him.

"So yer old Verang's target. Ouch!"

Atheria had punched him in the shoulder. Martin looked at both of them, his pale grey eyes serious.

"You have a lot of explaining to do. Whatever you need to show me can wait." Martin told them.

"Whatever ye say, mate." Trout agreed, giving Atheria an annoyed glance as he rubbed the spot that she had hit.

Martin and his friends sat and listened to Atheria and Trout's story, with the occasional comments by Wally and Quincy. Laurel had woken up just before supper was ready and sat with Violet nearby. The two little ones had made fast friends over supper. They listened wide eyed at the story. When the Kamwians finished, Martin told them their story and Laurel's kidnapping.

When he was finished, Martin shook his head, still confused. "How does Verang the Vile know about me? I've never heard of him before." He asked when they had finished.

Atheria sighed. "I wish I knew, Martin. But we need to get that pelican away from our ship so we can get to Noonvale." She glanced at Laurel. "And get Miss Laurel home to her family."

Gonff was taking all the information in slowly. The mousethief, for once, was speechless.

"I'd take ye to the pelican but I say we wait till mornin'." Trout replied. He stood up and stretched. "That bird might decide t'pick us off in the dark."

"Well, if you know where Noonvale is, we won't need to ask it, right?" Trimp asked. The hogmaid was slightly nervous.

Atheria patted her paw. "I have a vague idea, miss. But if Beryl knows, it would help."

"That storm blew us off our course." Quincy reminded them. "That's 'ow we ended up in Mossflower. We're not exactly sure ourselves."

Martin stared into the flames of the campfire for a minute. He looked up at Atheria. "I have an idea to get Beryl off your ship, but its going to take all of us."

The princess nodded. "We'll do anything, Martin. Noonvale was the birthplace of some of us here. We're tied to it, more than you know."

When they had separated to find places to rest, Martin beckoned Atheria and she followed him into the woods. When he felt they were out of earshot, he turned to her. "I left a few things out for obvious reasons. But I need to tell you because I think you have the answers, your Highness."

Atheria gave him a confused look but she nodded.

Martin told her about his dreams of the stoat and the fox. The descriptions made Atheria's blood run cold. She stopped him mid-sentence.

"Martin. That stoat is Verang! I'm sure of it!"

The warrior had a far away look in his eyes. "I might know why he knows me, then."

"How?"

"He's Badrang the Tyrant's son." The dark look in his eyes made the princess shudder.

Atheria wasn't sure who Badrang was but she knew too much information had been passed back and forth that night. There was so much more to it then she realized.

"Let's get some sleep. You can tell me more in the morning." Atheria told him gently.

Martin was about to protest then thought better of it. "You have no idea how much of a burden has been lifted from my shoulders, Princess Atheria."

She smiled and patted his shoulder. "You can just call me Atheria. All that, 'your Majesty and your Highness' gets old after a while. So does 'princess'."

Martin slowly smiled. "Thank you, Atheria."

Laurel sat up from where she lay next to Violet. She shook the other mousemaid awake.

"Are you okay?" Violet asked her, rubbing her eyes.

"How bad is Noonvale in trouble?" Laurel asked her worriedly.

Violet sat up. She glanced over at the sleeping adults and lowered her voice to a whisper.

"I'm not sure. But that's why we're going so we can help."

She told the Kamwian princess about her dream. Violet's green eyes were wide.

Laurel sighed. "I'm worried Verang the Vile has my dad captured." A tear rand down the side of her face and she brushed it away quickly. Violet gave her a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry Laurel. We have my auntie and Martin the Warrior. They'll save him."

Her words made Laurel feel better. She laid back down on her borrowed bedroll. "You're right. But I still worry."