Fanx for the reviews! Sorry if the story's a bit predictable – I like them that way!

*****

Skipper set down his cider flagon and drew a paw across his mouth, wiping away the cream.

'Ah, that's better, matey. Nothing like a good, old fashioned apple flan to keep rudder and spine together.'

Bella tried to look severe, but couldn't help smiling at the hungry otter.

'You should know, Skip. You've had full five flans since you got here. Even hares don't eat apple flans as fast as you do.' Glancing round, she leant forward, her great black and white snout twitching slightly. 'So, what does bring you to Redwall this fine day, my waterwalloping friend?'

Skipper attempted an innocent expression, but failed.

'Why, marm, no more than I said. Rollon'll tell you, I'm sure.'

Bella's eyes narrowed, and there was a definite growl in her voice.

'Don't play me for a fool, Skipper. If you were going to the falls you would take the woodland road. My guess is, you took this road on purpose in the hope that a fat cellarkeeper picking burdock might think that you were just passing through and were in need of a drink.'

Skipper shook his head in admiration.

'You got me marked, Mizz Bella.' He looked around, taking in the curious faces of the brothers and sisters, then turned back to the badger. 'Can we go somewhere more private? I don't want to be listened to.'

Bella nodded, and the two stood and headed towards cabin hole, the high up members of the abbey running in their wake.

*****

Jeni nudged Feren and pointed towards the elders.

'I think your Dad and Mizz Bella are having a little chat. Are you sure he's just here about the autumn salmon?'

Feren was stuffing his face with leftover summer salad, and had to clear his mouth before answering.

'Prob'ly adult stuff.'

Jeni craned her head, trying to peer over the other abbeybeasts.

'Ah, nuts! I can't see where they've gone!'

'Why don't we follow 'em?'

Feren said it as easily as if it was something he did every day. Jeni looked at him, first in shock, then in doubt.

'D'you think we should? We'll get told of awfully if we're found out.'

He laughed lightly, mimicking her prim woodland accent.

''We'll be told off awfully!' Relax, mousie, it won't be anything important. Besides, I'm a master of espionage.'

Jeni still looked doubtful, and Feren let out a derisive snort.

'Well, if you're scared...'

That brought her up in arms!

'I am not scared of anything, Feren planktail, and you'll do well to remember that!'

His grin widened.

'Well, then, I dare you to come with me and listen to those elders. Unless you're chicken.'

She sniffed angrily, then brushed past him, her head thrown back angrily. Feren chuckled under his breath, shaking his head in disbelief.

'Some creatures are so predictable.'

*****

Cavern Hole was small and comfortable, cut away from the draughts that sometimes crept into the main hall. The carpet was soft red, and there were soft chairs and deep sofas all around the room, covered in piles of mossy green velvet cushions.

Bella headed straight for one of the chairs and sank down with a sigh of relief.

'Oof, that's better. Those hall chairs make my old bones creak.'

She looked at the otter standing timidly by the door, and smiled.

'Come on, then, Skipper, sit down and tell me what's going on.'

Skipper obeyed with alacrity, seating himself in the chair opposite her and leaning forwards eagerly.

'Well, you see, Mizz Bella, it's like this. Not so long ago, we were down by the River Moss, near the old quarry, when my Slipweed says, 'Wot's that?' she says, and I said I didn't know. So she and the others went up stream to meet them, leaving me with the kids. Next thing I hear, someone's screaming, and there's red in the water.' He avoided her eyes, but there were crystal tears in his own. 'The cubs were on the bank – they still don't know what happened. I hurried them away, told them we were going fishing, and... well, I guess that's it.'

Bella looked at him quietly, and he looked down, studying the floor.

'I couldn't have saved them, Mizz Bella. I thought it was the steam raft from downstream, but...'

Bella put a hand out and touched his face.

'You did the best you could, friend.' Then her voice became brisk. 'Now, what do you want us to do about it?'

The brawny otter stood and began to pace, his eyes travelling restlessly across the room.

'Well, marm, I think I know where they've gone. There's been talk around for a while now bout some tyrant who's building an empire towards old loamhedge. I think that my... my troop have been taken up that way.'

'You want us to start a war, Skipper?'

He shook his head vehemently. 'Oh, no, Mizz Bella, never that. What I was hoping is you could look after my little'uns while I went out that way, see if I could help them. I know it's a vain hope, but...' His voice trailed off. Bella nodded slightly.

'Any hope is better than none.'

They both stared blindly into the fire.

A sudden clatter disturbed the silence, and both creatures stood up sharply.

'Somebeast's is listening in!'

*****

Feren had disturbed the plate as he stepped backwards in shock at Skipper's words. It had slipped silently down the steps back towards the main hall, but on the final step had flipped over, letting out a sharp crack as it split in two!

'Run!'

Jeni grabbed his paw and pulled him down the steps. They ran as fast as they could up to the dormitories, banging open the door and slipping in, letting the door crash shut behind him. Jeni shook herself briefly, then turned to Feren with blazing eyes.

'Nothing important! Feren, do you have any idea what you've got us in to?'

The young otter shook his head, all his bravado and sharpness deserting him. His hurt was still pounding, but then, to Jeni's amazement, a tear slipped from his eye.

'My mum,' he whispered miserably. 'They took my mum.'

He slid to the floor, leaning against the closed door, tears creeping from his eyes.