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their fate,” Medwyn continued. “For now the Death-Lord sends his Chief Huntsman to bait and snare you, to bring you captive to the Land of Death or to slaughter you without mercy. Together you must set your plans to stand against him.”
    â€œA crow’s a match for any hunter,” said Kadwyr. “Watch your step, the rest of you, especially you slow-footed cud-chewers.”
    Medwyn sighed and shook his head at the brash crow. “Even you, Kadwyr, may be glad for another’s help.”
    Kadwyr only shrugged his wings and cocked a bold eye at Edyrnion the eagle, who flew to perch on Medwyn’s outstretched arm.
    â€œFriend of eagles,” Edyrnion said, “I and my kinsmen will keep watch from the sky. Our eyes are keen, our wings are swift. At first sight of the hunter, we will spread the alarm.”
    â€œMind you, don’t fly too close to the sun,” put in Kadwyr with a raucous chuckle. “You’ll singe your pinfeathers and moult ahead of season. If there’s any watching needed, I’d best be the one to do it. I hear you’re going a bit nearsighted these days.”
    The nimble crow hopped away before the eagle could call him to
account for his teasing. And now the gray wolf Brynach came to crouch at Medwyn’s feet, saying:
    â€œFriend of wolves, I and my kinsmen will range the forest. Our teeth are sharp, our jaws are strong. Should the hunter come among us, let him beware of our wolf packs.”
    â€œAnd you’d better watch out for that long tail of yours,” said Kadwyr. “With all your dashing back and forth, you’re likely to get burrs in it. In fact, you might do well to leave all that roving and roaming to me. My beak’s as sharp as any wolf’s tooth. And,” the crow added, winking, “I never have to stop and scratch fleas.”
    The wolf’s golden eyes flashed and he looked ready to teach the crow a lesson in manners. But he kept his temper and sat back on his haunches as Gwybeddin the gnat flew close to Medwyn’s ear and bravely piped up:
    â€œFriend of gnats! We are a tiny folk, but we mean to do our best in any way we can.”
    Hearing this, Kadwyr squawked with laughter and called out to the gnat:
    â€œIs that you, Prince Flyspeck? I can hardly see you. Listen, old friend, the best thing you can do is hide in a dust cloud, and no hunter will ever find you. Why, even your words are bigger than you are!”
    Kadwyr’s remarks so embarrassed the poor gnat that he blushed and buzzed away as fast as he could. Meantime, Nedir the spider had clambered up to Medwyn’s sleeve, where she clung with her long legs, and declared:
    â€œFriend of spiders! We spinners and weavers are craftsmen, not fighters. But we shall give our help gladly wherever it is needed.”
    â€œTake my advice, Granny,” Kadwyr said with a chuckle, “and
keep to your knitting. Be careful you don’t get your arms and legs mixed up, or you’ll never untangle them.”
    Kadwyr hopped about and flirted his tailfeathers, croaking and cackling as the other creatures came forward one by one. The owl declared that he and his fellows would serve as night watch. The fox vowed to use his cunning to baffle the hunter and lead him on false trails. The bees pledged to wield their stings as swords and daggers. The bears offered their strength, the stags their speed, and the badgers their courage to protect their neighbors and themselves.
    Last of all, plodding under his heavy burden, came Crugan-Crawgan the turtle.
    â€œFriend of turtles,” began Crugan-Crawgan in a halting voice, pondering each word, “I came … yes, well, that is to say I, ah, started … in all possible haste …”
    â€œAnd we’ll be well into next week by the time you’re done telling us,” Kadwyr said impatiently.
    â€œWe are … as I should be the first to admit … we are, alas, neither swift