Two months later, Cluny's horde camped just off the north path, in Mosflower Wood. Redwall was just a half an hour's march away.
Cluny was going crazy. Don Juan was his problem, always his problem. The last two months had consisted of complaints, hearing, "Are we there yet?" from Don Juan every five minutes.
At least his goal was almost reached; Don Juan would be flying over Redwall tomorrow morning.
The stars were still out as Don Juan's XE 14 Fighter was pulled to the edge of the meadow facing the Abbey. A pinkish glow from the east made Redwall look like some magnificent jewel in the twilight. The horde was blind to the beauty around them, though. Their only thoughts were to conquer.
Cluny had gone over the plan over and over again until he was positive that even Don Juan understood it. Don Juan would fly his plane into the Abbey. The noise of the engine would, of course, wake up the Abbey dwellers, who would rush out of the building to see what was going on. Meanwhile, Don Juan would jump out of the plane and open the main gates, letting the horde of awaiting rats into the Abbey. Then they would kill any and all of the leaders, and take the rest as slaves. And all Don Juan had to do was open the door. Cluny had even taken his radio away as a precaution to make sure he did not crash again.
As the horde lifted the plane off the wagon, Cluny gave some last minute instructions to the Spanish-speaking pilot. "Now remember," Cluny said, "land the airoplane and open the big doors in front of Rdwall. Got it?"
"Si, Senor Loony," Don Juan replied.
Cluny directed the horde to the main gates. Don Juan climbed into the cockpit of his plane and started the engine. The plan was flawless; Cluny was sure of it. Don Juan waved to Cluny as he took off, flying low over the Abbey. Cluny raced to the front gates.
Constance woke up to a strange roaring sound overhead. It sounded like Redwall was collapsing! As the badger ran to alert the others, she bumped into Orlando the Ax. He was already holding his massive battle-ax in his paws.
"Constance, alert the Abbot! I'll warn Matthias!"
"What is it?" she asked.
"I don't know. Hurry!
Don Juan flew over the strange place the very huge rat called Redwall. It would be a dangerous landing, especially since he had never really mastered a landing before.
He did a nosedive down toward the Abbey pond and pulled it up before it touched the water. He flew just over the orchard, branches snapping as he passed. The Don Juan saw a great place to land, right in front of the main doors. Just as he was landing, Orlando and Matthias rushed out of the gatehouse, Matthias carrying the legendary sword of Martin the Warrior. The two Abbey dwellers saw the plane heading straight for them. They jumped out of the way as the plane roared past.
"Out of my way next time, big animals!" Don Juan shouted. "You estupid peoples almost wrecked mi airoplane again! Geez! I can't even take a very nicey ride in mi airoplane without some estupid peoples or building getting in my's way!"
Don Juan did a complete circle around Redwall before landing in between the main gates and the Abbey building. Matthias, Orlando, Basil, Constance, Jess, Winifred, Auma, and Mattimeo stood in front of the Great Hall, completely stunned.
Don Juan jumped out of his XE 14 Fighter and looked around. He then ran past the defenders on the steps and opened the doors to Great Hall, where the rest of the Redwallers were standing.
He yelled, "Very huge rat, I open the doors!"
Cluny smacked his head. The idiot had opened the wrong door!