It was now too dark to see much of anything, and the others could tell Gonff was getting frustrated. They had searched everywhere, and there was no sign of the two mice. After crossing the bridge, they had trekked up and down in both directions. Suddenly Gonff stopped in a small clearing where there were many bushes, but it was apparent that several berries had been picked. They looked closer and saw trampled grass, bushes and twigs, and other obvious signs of a struggle. Gonff lowered his lantern and let out a small cry. There were small traces of blood on the grass, by several footprints that were unmistakably vermin.

"They were here." Gonff said, his voice strangely quiet and serious. "Let's keep going."

Martin put up a paw to stop him. "Gonff, my friend, I know how badly you want to see your family. But we promised the Abbess we would be back in an hour. It's awfully close to that time, and we still have to go back. We can't go any further tonight. It would be useless, anyway. Tell me, Gonff, what would you plan on doing tonight? If we did catch up to them right now, we'd be useless in the dark. Let's go home now, and I promise I will go out there with you again first thing in the morning."

Gonff opened his mouth to object, than closed it and slumped his shoulders. "You're right, mate," He said quietly, then looked up at Martin. "First thing in the morning?"

Martin held his gaze. "First thing in the morning."

Columbine held her son's shoulders tightly as they were brought into the cabin. It was a frightful room to be in, with skulls and hides decorating the walls and ornamenting the furniture. But the most fearsome thing of all was the huge sea rat seated on a throne, his whole body radiating evil. The rat was covered in scars and was missing one eye, but the other eye swept over the room, landing on the two mice. He stared at them, and then spoke.

"So, who wants to explain what two woodlanders are doing in my cabin?" His tone did not carry anger, but it had a deadly and thoughtful directness.

Snaptooth, Droopear and Floptail babbled on clumsily as they tried to explain what was happening in a way that would not have them killed.

"Well, you see sir—"

"We found these two mice---"

"We captured them because---"

"Wait'll you hear---"

"Silence." The room was instantly quiet. "Droopear, explain this."

"Yes, sir. You see, we were searching the shores for supplies and food, as we were ordered, when we heard these two woodlanders talking and making noise. So we snuck up on 'em and when we figured out what direction they were headed, we went on ahead of 'em, shinnied up a tree, and dropped on 'em when they were close enough. The little one was making noise, and that one, his mother, told us to leave him alone. She said his name was Gonflet. Gonflet, sir! And we was thinkin' that Gonflet must be short for---"

"Gonff." The sea rat spoke the word calmly, but all felt the undertones of complete and total hate. He turned to Columbine. "Are you the young one's mother?"

Columbine nodded, too scared and confused to do anything else.

"Is his name Gonflet?"

She nodded again, unsure of what else to do. "Yes."

"Who is his father?"

Columbine straightened her shoulders. "Gonff."

"This Gonff, does he go by other titles, such as the Prince of Mousethieves?"

Columbine was thoroughly confused. "Yes, but—"

"You are his wife, then?"

"Yes."

The sea rat stood up, and Columbine saw he had a wooden leg. He stared at her and Gonflet, rubbing his paws with barely contained glee. "What is your name?" he asked her.

"Columbine."

"I'm very happy to have you aboard, Columbine, Princess of Mousethieves," he said mockingly. "Happy to have your son, too. Quite happy."

Floptail stood by the door of the cabin, not sure whether he was supposed to stay or not. He looked at his captain. The sea rat was still seated on his throne, and was staring past Floptail with an expression of malice mixed with cruel satisfaction.

Floptail stood there for a moment, then spoke hesitantly. "Sir?"

The sea rat continued staring past the ferret. Floptail spoke a little more urgently.

"Captain Oloe, sir?"

The sea rat finally snapped out of his trance. He glared at the ferret. "What do you want?"

Floptail fidgeted. "Am I dismissed, sir?"

The sea rat waved a paw. "Oh, yes, you're dismissed," he said in an airy voice. Then he stopped himself. "No, on second thought, you may as well stay for a moment. Close the door."

Floptail obediently closed the door he had been about to exit through and waited respectfully for his captain to speak. He was worried the sea rat had gone into another trance and was about to try speaking again when the sea rat spoke slowly.

"Floptail, do you know what this means?"

Floptail remained silent, insure of how to respond. The sea rat suddenly sprang from his throne and grabbed the ferret by the throat. He hissed in the frightened creature's ear,

"I asked you a question, Floptail. Answer it."

Floptail rasped out, "I don't know, sir."

The sea rat released the ferret. "Well, then, let me tell you." The sea rat captain jumped up and began to pace around the room, stopping every so often to stare at Floptail with a crazed expression in his one eye. "It means, Floptail, that I will finally fulfill the vow I made so many years ago. The vow I made to kill one creature. The creature who destroyed my ship, my crew, and my power. The day that creature escaped from my grasp, I made a vow that I would kill him one day. Ever since that day I have scoured the seas, searching for that creature. I thought at times it was useless, that the creature was dead, and even if he lived that it would be impossible to find him. Still I searched every land and waterway I came in contact with. And now, after all these years, I see that my efforts were not in vain. Do you know why, Floptail?"

The ferret shook his head respectfully, knowing it was a rhetorical question. The sea rat smiled and continued. "I'll tell you why. I now have that creature's family in my grip! I have his precious wife and son!" He stopped pacing and sat on his throne, a huge, contented grin on his face. Then, more to himself than to Floptail, he added, "Family always was so dear and important to Gonff."
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