Prologue

It was dark, dreary, rainy. Lightning curled out of the sky, illuminating the obsidian sky. Thunder pealed out shortly thereafter, background music to the lights dancing in the sky above Mossflower Woods.

The wind howled through the various boughs and canopies of the trees, whipped young flowers around in all directions, and forced birds into their nests. Inside Redwall Abbey, candles lit up and lightened spirits as animals gathered into Great Hall. The tables were laden with food of all sorts, the servers were busy pushing trolleys to refill empty platters, and all was merry, despite the weather that berated the ancient sandstone buildings outside.

"Now, now, everybeast," came a hearty voice, and every pair of eyes gathered in the feasting hall simultaneously turned to see the Abbot holding his paws up for silence. The jolly drone of happy creatures slowly ceased to a halt. Faces lit up with expectation at the interruption. Everybeast knew what was to come now.

Abbot Reidel slowly dropped his paws, tucking them into his old, worn green habit sleeves. A smile tugged at his lips, pulling up his grey whiskers. "Very good, very good," he murmured as the silence stretched out. He chuckled, and then went on. "Such a wonderful feast this has been, to welcome the Spring of the Triumphant Rain. I am sure you all would like to hear a story to conclude it?"

Intense whooping broke out from the Dibbuns gathered around, drowning out the jubilant cheers from the rest of the Redwallers. "Worra story, worra story!"

The smile creased on Reidel's features widened as he listened to the young Abbeybabes' chant. "Alright then, alright, everybeast, quiet down." He turned his head dutifully to a young female otter. "Ruppell, will you honor us this evening?"

Ruppell curtsied elegantly and somersaulted onto the center of one of the tables, where there was nothing obscuring the hardwood surface. "Of course, Father," she giggled, then cleared her throat.

Suddenly, Great Hall was completely silent, save for a few squeals from excited Dibbuns, whom were hushed hurriedly.

A clap of thunder resounded outside, and Ruppell waited stoically until it died down. She smiled wolfishly, roving her eyes to and from every creature, who in turn stared back, some wide-eyed with anticipation.

"This story happened long, long ago, even before me great grandsire was born. In fact, it may be back before the oldest of us here's great grandsire was born. 'Twas a time of great sorrow, a time of great despair, and war."

Outside, the lightening ripped the sky, and thunder crashed down. However, neither was enough to divert any creature's attention from Ruppell's story.