As the slaves arrive at the ominous Badger Head and Bell rocks, Mattimeo bravely comfronts them and promises "I will not fail us." At Redwall the citizens defend the tapestry in a pitched battle and recapture it. Simultaneously Matthias arrives at the Loamhedge Abbey and meets an old rabbit who forecasts doom, giving him an amulet.

Slagar craftly sets his henchrats 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 his armour.

The king of Malkariss appears silently and orders the slaves anaesthetized. Slagar's rats attack each other and in the chaos are captured by Matthias who demands they help him pursue Slagar. In front of the statue of a polecat, he tells them this is where they will live and die.