The sandbars and shallows at the estuary were deep under the running floodtide. The Stopdog sailed into the fjord smoothly. Kroova anchored the boat just out of sight of the harbor.

"Think Fahari's on this island?" Felch asked.

"Dere ain't been nothin' phony about our trailin', Bo," said Flurry. "Dis is where da ginks dat copped our sister hopped for, all right. I just hope dey ain't lopped off 'er block."

"Well, let's go get her, then," said Felch.

Kroova held up a cautionary paw. "We want to go carefully. I've had experience with fellows like this before, and I can tell you that you never know when one of 'em is near you till you feel a spear in your back, unless you're almighty watchful. We've got to make all the haste we can, of course, but it won't help Fahari any if we rush into an ambush and get our heads chopped off."

The three of them got out of the boat and set off down the trail. Half an hour brought them in sight of Riftgard Fortress.

Flurry whistled. "Whew! Dig dat fancy wigwam! I s'pose here's where dey brought 'er."

"Hush," whispered Kroova. "Drop down behind this bush. Somebeast is coming." And as he spoke, he dragged the other two down beside him.

For a moment they crouched, breathless and expectant, and then the slim figure of a white ferret came close beside them. It was Prince Blad.

Flurry sprang suddenly upon him, pinning him to the ground with her hoof.

Blad gazed up at her. "You not a Ratguard or a Freebooter, vere you come from?"

"I'm da one askin' da questions here," Flurry said. "What island is this?"

"It is Riftgard, home of King Agarnu," replied the ferret. "I am Prince Blad, his son."

"An' dat big hut over dere is his palace?" guessed Flurry shrewdly.

"It is."

"Ya got an alicorn in dere dat looks like me?"

"Vot is dis vord, alicorn? I don't know vot dat vord means!"

Flurry sighed. "An al-i-corn. Like a unicorn, but wit' wings like a Pegasus. Like me. Got it?"

"Oh, yar." He nodded. "Yar, dey just brought her in."

"Does King Agarnu intend slaying the alicorn?" Kroova asked.

"How should der son know de intentions of his father?" replied the boy.

"Is she still alive?" continued Kroova.

"She was a few minutes ago ven I last saw her," said Blad. "Mine father took her into de back room, vere der statue of mine grandfather, King Sarengo is. I vent outside right after dat. As far as I know dey're still in dere. You von't slay me, vill you?"

"We won't croak ya," Flurry promised. "Not unless we have to. But we're takin' you with us- it wouldn't be safe ta let ya go right now."

"Well, what do we do now?" asked Felch.

"He said they're keeping her in the back room of the palace," Kroova pointed out. "We must circle about until we can reach that point undetected."

So, the four set out, following a trail which led around to the back of the castle. Kroova walked ahead with Blad's arm in his grasp. The other two followed closely behind. They reached their destination in the rear of the palace without interruption or detection. Here they reconnoitered through the thick foliage.

"Dere's a little window in da back of da house," said Flurry. "Dat must be where dem guys cooped up Fahari."

"Yes," said Kroova. "It would be the back room which the boy described. First let's tie and gag this young heathen, and then we can proceed to business without fear of alarm from him." And the otter pulled some pieces of long grass from the ground and tied Blad up with them. Felch ripped a piece off the ferret's shirt and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Rather uncomfortable, I imagine," commented Kroova; "but not particularly painful or dangerous—and now to business!"

"I'm goin' to make a break for dat window," announced Flurry, "an' youse two squat here in da grass an' pick off any fresh guys dat get in back here. Den, if I need youse, you can come a-runnin', or if I gets Fahari out'n da jug an' da vermin push me too close youse'll be here where you can pick 'em off easy-like. Well, here goes- s' long!"