Basil decides to aid Matthias in his undertaking by distracting the sentries that were left behind as Cluny's horde left to attack the abbey. Matthias is able to free them with his help, but gets separated from Basil and the Vole family. As the sun begins to set, a young squirrel named silent Sam helps Matthias to get back to the abbey through the dense Mossflower woods.
While this is occurring, the woodlanders win the scuffle with Cluny's horde, taking only minor casualties, while Cluny's band is not so fortunate, and is forced to retreat. When Matthias returns, he is relieved to that Basil and the vole family returned safely.
In the place where the tapestry of Martin the Warrior was torn, the ancient gatekeeper Methuselah notices son text carved into the wall. He shares this discovery with Matthias, and they begin to follow the riddle in order to obtain the belt, sheath, and shield of Martin the Warrior. They are able to recover the shield and belt without many problems, but the sheath was located in the roof of the abbey, where the sparrows lived. Eventually Matthias is able to get up into the roof, but is unable to retrieve the sheath until King Bull Sparra leaves. After doing this, he is able to escape with the aid of Dunwig and Warbeak. .
Finally, Matthias discovers that the colossal serpent Asmodeus stole the sword. He then embarks on a quest to the quarry, where Asmodeus lives. On his way he discovers a large band of shrews that don't agree on much, but in the end agree to help Matthias on his quest. So they set off and end up coming to a wide, swift flowing river. The shrews create a ferry with a log and a few ropes, but only Matthias and two other shrews are brave enough to continue on to the quarry. When they arrive, they discover a network of passages that lead off in all directions. Eventually after exploring several passages, Matthias finds the serpent's den.
