As the slaves arrive at the ominous Badger Head and Bell rocks, Mattimeo bravely comforts them and promises "I will not fail us." At Redwall, the Redwallers defend the tapestry in a pitched battle and recapture it. Simultaneously, Matthias arrives at Loamhedge Abbey and meets an Old Rabbit who forecasts doom, but gives him an amulet. Slagar craftily sets his band against each other and prepares to take all the slave profits himself. While at Redwall, Cornflower and Constance haunt the terrified birds with the 'ghost' of Martin-- in fact, his armour.