Matthias and Warbeak climb to the top rafters to find a way to the peak from inside the abbey. During their journey, the two become friends, and Warbeak even saves Matthias from falling. For his part, the mouse removes the sparrow’s bonds and sets her free, but Warbeak vows to stay with Matthias. When they open the final trapdoor to the peak, they are confronted with an angry flock of sparrows:

Matthias found himself staring straight into the bold aggressive face of a big strong-looking male sparrow. The bird glared at him with a crazy light in its bright, mad eyes. ‘Mouse worm, you my prisoner! This court of Sparra! Me King Bull Sparra!’ (193).

Outside the church, the rats have executed Sela and Chickenhound and rolled them into a ditch, but Chickenhound survives and sneaks off toward the abbey. He is badly wounded but hopes that Redwall will give him sanctuary in exchange for information about Cluny’s plan to tunnel under the wall. The woodlanders discover the young fox outside and bring him in. The abbot offers medical care even if the fox doesn’t tell them anything, but Chickenhound discloses Cluny’s plan anyway. He congratulates himself on his cleverness.