Chapter 12

Nomak was setting off on his quest, and Kagget was leaving Redwall. Kagget would come with him for part of the way, then he would go off somewhere on his own. Durbee was sad to see Kagget leave; they had become good friends during Kagget's time at Redwall. Kagget promised he would come back someday, after Rukkar the Wrecker was gone. In the meantime, Nomak was given a lot of supplies, so his backpack was so heavy, he could barely walk.

"Ye scared, Nomak?"

"No, just tired. I think the one thing I'll miss most about Redwall is my bed."

"Okay. Well, let's git goin'!"

The pair made relatively fast progress and were soon into the thick of the forest. Nomak tripped over a tree root and caused several nearby birds to squawk and take flight. After that, it was slow going, and they had to walk around four small ponds with nesting birds in them. Kagget and Nomak stopped for supper at sunset. They dined on grayling and strawberry fizz, a special treat from Seginus the old Cellarhog, back at Redwall. Then they went on travelling, faster than before.

The pair stopped after a ways and set up for night. They had a small tent which took some figuring out, but eventually they got it up. Nomak tossed and turned until almost midnight, and then he finally fell asleep.

On the other side of Mossflower, the three hares Cupper, Drepp and Troblaw had gone off the river and were now walking somewhere, even though it was past midnight. They were going at about the speed of a crawl, thanks to Troblaw having cramps from eating too fast.

"Why... can't... we... stop?" asked Troblaw exhaustedly.

"Cos' we're in vermin territory."

"Since... when?"

"About sunset."

"When... will... we... be... out?"

"I don't know, I've never been here."

"Over... there... can... we... stop?"

"Maybe, if we're out of the vermin territory."

"How... can... you... tell?"

"There's eyes watching us from the trees."

"Then... go... faster."

"Sure, if you can keep up with us."

Drepp and Cupper went faster, and surprisingly Troblaw kept up for a bit, but then slowed down and was soon far behind the other two.

"Could... you... wait... up?"

"Fine," Drepp called back to him. "I was lying; there aren't actually eyes in the trees. I just wanted to go a little faster," he said quietly to Cupper.

Cupper snorted.

"What... are... you... laughing... at?" Troblaw called ahead.

"Nothing."

Troblaw caught up to Cupper and Drepp.

"Can... we... stop... now?"

"Fine, we can stop for night."

Troblaw collapsed on the ground and began snoring immediately. Cupper nudged him with his paw.

"We need to set up the tent, Troblaw. Wake up. Wake up!"

Cupper's efforts did nothing; Troblaw was still asleep.

"Do we even need a tent?"

"Nah, the ground is soft here. Goodnight!"

Drepp flopped on the ground and fell asleep quickly.

"So you were tired after all, you just didn't show it, and you didn't say anything about wort salad," said Cupper. "I'm not tired, though. Drepp?"

Drepp mumbled something in his sleep and rolled over.

"Huh?"

Cupper bent down and listened carefully.

"Pass the wort salad, would you?"

"Drepp!"

Drepp leaped up and ran into the bushes, and Cupper was close behind.

"You great fat lard barrel, you rathead, you... Yaaagh, I'll get you!"