Juniper and her friends traveled along in the increasingly cold days. They each kept to their own thoughts, only speaking when necessary. For Clemm and Erwin, the northlands were a new experience; they had never traveled this far north. Alec was also amazed, since he had always stayed around his family's den. Juniper hadn't traveled this way in many seasons, but the cold and the scents brought back many memories for her, some happy, others painful.
As they walked along the bank of an icy stream, a sudden cry rent the air. All heads turned to see a family of rabbits on the other side, and a small young leveret thrashing about in the quickly flowing waters. It was evident the young one was in trouble. Without even thinking, Erwin leaped into the stream and glided towards the leveret. The otter grasped the young one in her front paws and swam towards the far shore.
"Hello there!" Clemm called out to the relieved family. "Is she alright?"
"Yes, thank you," replied a large male, evidently the father. "Whither away, travelers?"
"The northlands, to the forests of the Wandering Whites," stated Juniper. "We are on a quest to rid the lands of the fox Vandar."
At the name, the rabbits all shuddered. "He passed by here not too long ago," said the mother. "We were safe in our den, hidden from view. Alas, he destroyed our winter gardens and cut down many of our trees to create fires." She burst out crying and was comforted by her husband.
"Please, cross the stream in a way so that we may converse in an easier fashion," suggested the father. Juniper and her friends nodded, and then trotted forward, to a wide, shallow area of the stream. They crossed quickly, not savoring the coldness of the water, and joined the rabbit family.
"I would like to introduce my family," said the father. "I am Opser Fotherway, and this is my wife, Brentisa, and our children, Mollita, Jamsim, Creedew, Betherford, and our youngest, just saved by your otter friend, Quintolly. And how are you called?"
"I am Juniper Reguba, a Wandering White, these are Clemm and Erwin of Redwall, and this is Alec of the Buntha tribe."
"We are in much debt to you," said Brentisa. "Surely, what can we do to repay you?"
"Only tell us all you saw of Vandar."
"Oh, we shall tell you, but perhaps you would like to join us in the den?"
The travelers agreed, and they followed the family to the rabbit den. It was a small, warm, cozy place under a hill, the entrance hidden from sight. They all sat down, given warm blankets each, and soon found themselves surrounded by young sleeping rabbits. Quintolly, the smallest, had curled up on Erwin's lap.
"Now, about Vandar," began Opser, "he has come by this way before. Always he has quite an army of vermin with him, and this time was no exception. Scores of vermin flanked him, all dangerous-looking creatures. Vandar was wrapped in a cloak of white fur, and seemed quite confident of himself."
"The cloak was undoubtedly made of the hides of my kin," said Juniper flatly. "Is that all you can tell us?"
"Yes, that's all," said Brentisa, perhaps a little too quickly. Clemm eyed her suspiciously.
"Are you sure that's all, ma'am?"
The rabbit couple looked at each other, and then Opser confessed in a hushed tone, "We heard an ancient rat, she looked like an oracle or seer, speaking with a large weasel. The rat spoke of a vision she had, where a squirrel and others came and confronted Vandar and a great battle ensued. She said also that Vandar grew nervous day by day, though he tries to hide it from the others. I assume she spoke of you, Juniper. We didn't want to say anything, lest you be worried about endangering your friends in battle. Terribly sorry we hesitated."
"Not to worry," said Juniper. "We have been sent by Martin the Warrior's spirit to the battle field. We shall destroy the vermin, I promise you."
"And though I was not sent by Martin, I will stand by Juniper to the death to help keep my family and other good creatures safe from vermin!" proclaimed Alec.
The rabbit family's hearts were greatly lifted by this. They treated the travelers to more provisions, and then they continued on their way, crossing the stream again and continuing northward bound.
"Come on, you lot, up off your haunches." Vandar strode through his ranks of vermin who had been on a short respite. "We've got to get moving; it'll be summer by the time we get to the squirrels. Move!" The vermin groaned and got up, except for a small group. Their leader, Whitepaw, told them repeatedly it was nonsense to go to the forest only to restock Vandar's fur supply. Vandar strode over to them.
"I said get up, you mangy lot!"
"We're not going any farther north, Vandar," declared Whitepaw, standing up. "It's getting colder every day, the provisions are running short, and the vermin are getting sick. Why do you want to kill all the Wandering Whites anyway? Got a grudge against them?"
Vandar drew Martin's sword and challenged the ferret. "You aren't being very wise today, Whitepaw. Do you see this blade? You've seen me kill many creatures with it. Would you like to be added to the list?" He smiled evilly at the subdued ferret. "Good."
Vandar trotted to the front of the ranks of vermin confidently. But then, he quaked slightly. There, in the path was the mouse in armor wielding the sword Vandar carried. Behind him stood a squirrel, and then legions of squirrels and other creatures. They seemed to be charging him, getting closer and closer. Vandar let out a sharp scream.
"What is it?" cried out Wenva, who rode in her basket close by.
Vandar tried to regain his composure as he turned to the rat in the basket. "Nothing, just stepped on a thorn, that's all." He marched off, with his legions following.
Above the scene in a pine tree, the squirrel Dappo stared down at the vermin. Her mottled white and gray fur helped her hide in the snow-covered branches. Dappo belonged to a small clan that patrolled the southern-most regions of the northlands. She had heard everything the vermin had said, and knew that they only meant to kill all of her kind. She sighed quietly, then bounded off through the trees to report the incident to her kin.