Chapters 14-16 Summary

Moving through the forest in Chapter 14, Tagg comes across a snake wrestling with a small mouse. Tagg rescues the mouse, but he mouse appears to be angry, claiming he was just about to kill the snake. His name is Nimbalo the Slayer and he presents an elaborate story of being captured by an eagle but fighting his way free before attacking the large snake. Tagg is amused by the small mouse's bravery and tells him his own story. Soon a storm arises and the two of them climb up to a cave for shelter. Sitting in the mouth of the cave they suddenly become aware that it is filled with more snakes.

Vallug and the hunting party decide that Tagg must be moving toward the nearby mountain and make their way toward it. One of the party, a rat named Grobait...