Marvin had an idea.
"Now that the woodlanders have gone," he suggested cunningly, "why don't we all sneak out of Kotir and hide ourselves in the bushes at the edge of the forest? We could hide right behind the position they held this morning. That way, we'll be able to turn the ambush on them if they come back for another dawn attack."
"Hahaha, good idea," Skalrag chuckled encouragingly. He did think it was a good idea, but not for the same reason Marvin did. If all the soldiers left Kotir, maybe the Corim could sneak in and take the place over.
Tsarmina turned a frosty stare upon Skalrag. "Fool," she snarled. "Can't you see this alien only wants us out of Kotir so he and his raggedy green birds can slip in behind our backs?"
Marvin spread his hands disarmingly. "Ho-ho, if that's what you think…"
"Yes, that's exactly what I think!" Tsarmina snapped back.
Marvin shrugged. "Okay, how about this? You stay in here with your deadhead soldiers, and I'll take the Instant Martians out in my spaceship and search for the woodlanders. I'll see if I can find their headquarters."
Tsarmina sniffed. "That's a better idea. I'll agree to that, Marvin."
Marvin and his Martians flew around in their ship all night, but they never found anything at all. Brockhall was too well hidden.
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Night had fallen over Salamandastron.
Boar, Martin, Bugs, Gonff, Speedy, and a regiment of hares climbed down onto the sand. "Come on, ye lucky lot, follow me," Boar said. "We're going to a party with some sea rats."
As they moved off, Gonff nudged Bugs. "What a happy badger. He seems to get merrier when he's closer to a battle."
"Wish I did, Doc," Bugs gulped. "My paws are tremblin'."
"I haven't got that trouble," Gonff giggled nervously. "Mine froze solid with fright some time ago."
Ripfang's ship was moored on the shore, but it appeared deserted.
Trubbs twitched his whiskers. "Don't like this at all, chums. Not one bit."
"I'll second that, laddie," said Wother.
"Thirds for me, old scout, wot?" agreed Ffring.
"The rats must be hiding somewhere," said Martin.
"Si, but I bet the slaves are still on board," said Speedy. "Permission to go aboard and try to rescue them, Lord?"
"Yes, you can go aboard and see if your friends are there," said Boar. "But it may be dangerous. You'd better take somebeast with you."
"Will you go with me, Bugs?" Speedy asked.
"Sure, Doc."
The two of them set off at a run.
Boar gave instructions to his hares. "Trubbs, you take the left. Harebell, around the mountain to the right. See if you can spot anything." Trubbs and Harebell obeyed.
They were back in a few minutes. "Boar, they're around the back of the mountain, hordes of them!"
"She's right. I saw 'em too, all skulking in the shadows."
Boar remained calm. "Hmm, Ripfang seems to be using his brains more and his mouth less these days. They must have dropped off further up the coast and come overland, circling to get behind us."
Lola gave a shout. "Look out! Here they come!"
From both sides of the mountain they filtered out in a swift pincer movement. Martin watched in silence as they formed a semicircle. He had never seen so many sea rats.
Villainous faces, wreathed by black headbands and adorned with brass earrings, snarled at them. Strange sickle shaped swords with small round shields were brandished high. Daggers and whips bristled where there were no swords.
Boar stood forward smiling hugely, leaning idly on his battle blade. "Well, well. The gang's all here. Where's old snot whiskers?"
"Here I am, Mountain Lord." A big rat with a single fang in the center of his mouth stepped out from the ranks. His fur was blue from head to toe.
"That dye still won't wash out after all these seasons, eh?" Boar said. He turned to Martin. "Ungatt Trunn made all his beasts paint themselves blue. That's why they were called the Blue Hordes."
"We have you surrounded and ready to die," Ripfang snarled.
Boar did not give the courtesy of a reply. He whirled his giant war sword aloft and charged with a thunderous battle cry.
"EULALIAAAAAA!"
Both sides surged forward, meeting with a crash of steel upon the churning sands.
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Bugs and Speedy entered the water and swam up to the ship. There was a rope ladder hanging from it. They climbed up to the deck.
There was only one rat left on board. "Ahoy, you two, what in the name of fishes are ye doing?" he evilled.
"We hoid that you've been whippin' slaves," Bugs said.
"Si, and we're going to put a stop to it!" said Speedy.
"I remember you," the rat said to Speedy. "You're that little mouse who escaped. Well, you won't take this ship while I'm on watch!" He drew a pistol. "Okay, you two. Walk that plank!"
Bugs walked to the end of the plank, but then he walked right back.
"What are you doin' back here?" the rat raged.
"I ran outta plank."
"You're supposed to walk off the end of it!"
"But I'll fall into the ocean! I might freeze to death, or drown! Or I might be eaten by sharks!"
"I KNOW! Get over that plank, or I'll shoot your mouse friend here!"
"Okay, Doc." Bugs walked to the end of the plank again, but instead of jumping, he bent down and peered into the water below.
"Come on! Quit stallin'! Jump!" the rat called.
"Oh look, a mermaid," Bugs said.
"A mermaid? There ain't no such thing as mermaids!"
"I'm tellin' ya, she's right there, Doc. She's half rat and half fish. Pretty, too."
"Let me take a look." The sea rat tucked his pistol into his belt and pushed past Bugs. He knelt at the edge of the plank. "I don't see nothing…"
Bugs gave him a push and he went into the sea. SPLASH!
The rat swam toward the rope ladder, but Speedy ran over and untied it so it fell into the water.
"What a maroon," said Bugs.
"Si, muy tonto," Speedy agreed. "Let's get down to the oar banks. Quickly, quickly, quickly!"