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did,” said Chater quietly, his flank to Fieldfare’s and the great river flowing silently below them.
    “My dear, it’s been our love that’s seen us through, hasn’t it? When you were away on your travels and I missed you, as I often did, I knew we had something stronger to keep us going than the strongest moles, born of the Stone itself That Longest Night when you did not come home, why, the Stone sent Privet to our Wood and to my burrow, and she helped me take my mind off things, and told me you’d get back. Which, of course, you did.”
    Chater nodded. “There’s not been a day, hardly an hour, when I’ve not thanked my stars that you’re my love, my dear,” he said, his strong paw in hers. “And when the going was hard, as it was in the early days of my journeying when the Master expected so much of us, I kept going because I knew that at the end of the journey you would always be waiting.”
    “You were always there when the pups were there, and you always came back just when I was thinking I was neglected,” replied Fieldfare. “When I felt like a shared moment in the Wood you always seemed to come along, and when I wanted to be silent you understood. Then, when I needed you down at the Marsh End, to save me from the Newborns, you were there; you were always there when I needed you most of all,” said Fieldfare.
    “Always will be, always,” replied Chater passionately.
    “Now a new journey is beginning, Chater, and we’re making it together, just as we did when we were young. Yes, my dear, I’m nervous, but I’m not afraid, no more than I was the first time.”
    “It’s a long way. Fieldfare my love, a long way to Avebury for a mole who’s never journeyed before. You’ll get tired, and I will too.”
    “Our love will never get tired, not ever!” said Fieldfare. “Now, come on Chater, let’s stop this dawdling!”
    “Who’s leading, you or me?” said Chater.
    “ We are!” declared Fieldfare, and paw to paw and flank to flank, like two young moles who had only just declared their love, they turned south and set off towards the ancient system of Avebury.
     

Chapter Three
    “Patience,” purred Brother Chervil, “is a virtue which I would have thought you had, living in Duncton among followers as you do, Brother Snyde. We must wait a little longer before we depart.”
    “And with each passing day let that old fool Stour, and his friends, get ever farther from us, ever nearer to Caer Caradoc?” said Snyde irritably, thinking, as he did, that Stour had left Duncton. “Time knows nothing of the virtues and vices of moles. Brother Chervil; time waits for nomole, true or false, believer or false believer.”
    Their voices echoed about the Main Chamber of the Library, and the aides, by now all well aware that Snyde had assumed control of the place, knew that an era had passed and change was on the way. Power had made Snyde quicker than ever to criticize those he thought his minions, and had made him pompous too. He considered himself and Chervil as equal in rank, and the two most powerful moles in Duncton; but astute observers, who knew Chervil, doubted that.
    “ Time, Brother Chervil, marches on,” continued Snyde emphatically, warming to his theme and as always irritated by the Newborn’s continuing calm smile, like those moles whom Stour is misguidedly leading to Caer Caradoc. Privet, of all moles! To be given the honour of being a delegate, and she but a jumped-up mediaevalist with a northern accent! It will not do!”
    Chervil smiled broadly. “I doubt that the Master Librarian would march anywhere; he has neither the stamina nor the inclination. Even had a mole month passed, rather than but days, you and I would quickly catch up with him. But then, there will be no need for us to hurry. I have long since sent young Brothers out ahead on the fastest route to Caer Caradoc, and we will have news of Master Stour’s party in good time to locate them, stop them, and join them.