In the northeast reaches of Mossflower Wood a traveler had walked straight into trouble. The Diamond Dogs were nasty vicious creatures who loved to cheat, lie, steal, bully or murder, even among themselves; their chief hatred was honest toil. The only work they had done that day was to lie in wait for an unsuspecting traveler, a lanky, carefree young hare known to her friends as Dotti. She was reckless and impatient and not overfond of studying, but what she lacked in scholarly achievement she made up for in impudence, courage, and a sharp wit. The realization that she was surrounded by the Diamond Dogs did not upset her unduly.

She nodded amiably at them. "Good mornin', chaps! Not a bad old sort o' day for the time of season, wot!"

A snigger arose from the dogs.

"Lookit wot we caught- a posh rabbet!"

"Rabbets are supposed to be good diggers, aren't they? Maybe we can use her to dig up diamonds for us."

Dotti rounded on the speaker. "Specifically incorrect, don't ya know. I'm a hare, not a rabbit. Now say it correctly after me: Lookit wot we caught- a posh hare."

A black dog with a brown muzzle, his name was Tydog, stepped between them, pointing to the traveling haversack, which resembled an outsized handbag, swinging from the young hare's paw. "Empty yer bag on the ground!"

Dotti smiled sweetly at him. "Oh, I'd rather not, sir. It'd take me half the day to get the jolly old thing repacked, wot!"

A large dim looking dog pushed forward. "Then tell us wot you got in yer bag, an' don't say it isn't nothin'."

Dotti clucked reprovingly. "You mean don't say it isn't anything. Dearie me, I'll bet you never attended woodland school."

"Just show us wot's in the bag, rabbet!" Tydog snarled.

The haremaid wagged a paw at him. "There you go again with that rabbit error. Did I call you a dog? Of course I didn't. It's obvious to anybeast that you're an oversized toad. Oh, sorry, the bag. Here, you take it!"

Dotti swung the bag, hard. There was a cracking noise as it struck the dog's head, laying him out flat. She whirled upon the others, a perilous glint in her eyes. "I can forgive bad grammar and insults, but that was a good flagon of old cider, a gift for my aunt Blench, an' that oaf has just broken it with his head. Unforgivable! Ah well, there's only one thing I've got left to say to you lot… Eulalia!"

The time honored war cry of fighting hares rang out as Dotti hurled herself upon the Diamond Dogs, laying about her with her bag left and right, leaping and kicking out fiercely with powereful, rangy footpaws.

From the shelter of a broad beech nearby, another traveler watched the melee. He chuckled quietly. The young hare seemed to be doing fine, despite the number of opponents she was facing.

But then a thing happened that was bad and not good. Dotti tripped over Tydog's unconscious body and fell down! Instantly the other dogs were on top of her.

From his position behind the beech tree, the watcher decided it was time to step in and help the beleaguered hare. Suddenly the dogs were being swept left and right by a massive set of paws. They screamed and disappeared into the ground. Dotti scrambled upright swinging her bag, but there was nobeast to strike. She looked to see who had rescued her. It was a mighty male badger. The huge creature looked like one who would brook no nonsense from anybeast, from his wild dark eyes and rough, bearded muzzle to the homespun tunic and travelers cloak he wore. An immense double hilted battle sword hung at his back. He nodded sternly at the haremaid.

"I've been watching you awhile from behind yon beech. For a young un you were doing well, until they came at you from behind. Remember, if there's more than one enemy always get your back against a rock or tree."

Dotti addressed the badger none too cordially. "Well you've got a bally nerve I must say, tellin' a gel how to conduct her battles, while you sit hidden on the blinkin' sidelines watchin'. Are you sure it wasn't too much bother, havin' to jolly get off your bottom an' help me out?"

The badger shrugged noncommittally. "As I said, I thought you were doing quite well. If I'd thought you could have taken them single-pawed I wouldn't have stepped in."

Dotti was subject to instant mood changes. She smiled, scratching ruefully at her long ears. "Hmm, suppose you're right. I lost my head a bit when that flagon of rare old cider got broken. Confounded canine must have a noggin like a boulder. Never lose one's temper, that's what my old mum used to say."

The badger nodded sagely. "She sounds like a wise creature to me. Pity you never heeded her words. By the way, my name's Lord Brocktree."

The haremaid clapped a paw to her cheek. "Oh my giddy aunt! I do apologize for speakin' to you in that sharp manner, sah. I didn't know you were a Badger Lord!"

A ghost of a smile hovered around Brocktree's stern face. "No matter. You were upset at the time. What do they call you, miss?"

The haremaid did an elegant leg, half bow, half curtsy. "Dorothea Duckfontein Dillworthy at y'service, sah, but I'm generally called Dotti, though my papa always said you could call me anything as long as you didn't call me late for lunch. Beauty's always been my curse- they say I was born more beautiful than the jolly old settin' sun at solstice. That's prob'ly what made those blinkin' dogs attack me- some beasts take beauty as a sign o' weakness, y'know. I'm goin' to this blinkin' old mountain, Sallawotjacallit…"

"Salmandastron?"

"Yes, that's it. I say, how did you know?"

Brocktree seated himself against the beech tree. "Because I'm going to Salamandastron too. My father, Lord Stonepaw, is the ruler there." He unpacked provisions from his bulky haversack. "Sit down here by me, Dotti. D'you like oatcakes, cheese, and elderflower cordial?"

The haremaid plonked herself willingly on the grass. "Rather! I haven't eaten for absolute ages- almost an hour, I think. Mm, that cheese looks good!"

Lord Brocktree could not help but smile at the hungry youngster. "Well, there's plenty for too, miss. Help yourself and we'll exchange our stories, you first. Tell me, why are you being sent to Salamandastron?"

But Dotti did not answer. Instead her jaw dropped open and she grew white as a ghost. Wordlessly she pointed over the badger's shoulder. Brock turned around. Standing behind him were two great creatures with wings and horns!