It had been three days since Mattimeo and his friends had been rescued from the kingdom of Malkariss and he was just itching to begin his warrior training. But despite Matthias's admiration for his son's enthusiasm, he still forbade Mattimeo to learn because of his age, regardless of the fact that he became Redwall's champion at a young age.

---

One night out in Mossflower two ferrets and a rat were walking towards the old quarry used to build Redwall Abbey they were carrying the remains of an unknown sea rat between them. When they were at least within fifty feet of the edge of the pit, they stowed the bones in the bushes so that two of them could come back to take the remains to the whereabouts of the one digging the grave for them.

One of the ferrets went to the edge and was awestruck at the appearance of the depths of the quarry. "Well we might as well go into the tunnels to find a decent spot to burry that thing." He said.

"Sounds like a good idea to me mate," The rat said with a look of fear on his face, "the sooner we bury that thing the better. Now lets go."

When they found the perfect spot for the grave one of the ferrets said "Alright, give me that shovel and get the bones down here. By the time you get back I'll be finished with the grave."

"Good," said the rat, "we'll be back in at least an hour or two and we'll burry the bones and end the reign of terror they've given us for good. And we can live in peace."

"Will you get a move on." Snapped the ferret.

And with that, the two quickly ran to find the exit. But after thirty minutes, they were lost. The ferret hit the rat on the head and shouted, "You moron, we've already been here before. Are you sure this is the right way?"

The rat retaliated by jabbing the ferret in the stomach shrieked, "Yes I'm sure you idiot. I remember coming through here when we first came in."

"Well I don't everything looks the same to me in here."

"Well of course it does because everything looks the same to an addlebrained slob like you."

"I believe you rat," Said a mysterious voice, "everything doesssssss look the sssssssssame to a ferret or to any vermin for that matter. Asmodeusssssssssssssss."

The final word that the voice had said made the vermin's hair stand on end. The ferret looked in the direction of the voice and found himself staring into the face of Asmodeus Poisonteeth, the giant adder who used to reside in the tunnels until he was slain by Matthias the Warrior, the champion of Redwall Abbey. What happened next, would baffle the mind of every vermin who heard of the incident. Asmodeus hissed bit both of the vermin in the neck and mutilated them devouring the remains of his victims.

The ferret that was busy digging the grave heard a loud squelching noise coming from the tunnels above but he paid no heed to it and continued digging. He was just about finished when he heard a low hissing noise coming from behind him. "Alright you two come on out," He said annoyed, "you know that you can't scare me into thinking that old Poisonteeth's ghost haunts these tunnels. So you might as well give up."

"Ghossssst," Said a voice, "Asmodeusssssssssss issss no ghossssst. Look at me can you ssssssee through me? Asmodeussssssss has come to kissssssss you goodbye."

The ferret let out a scream of terror before Asmodeus silenced him for good. The scream carried up through the tunnels out of the hidden entrance to the snake's lair and into the ears of a young wolverine named Deathfang Renndclaw of the northern mountains. "Well, how unfortunate for them." He said woefully, "All they wanted to do was clear their names by burying the bones of Cluny the Warlord as far below Mossflower Woods as possible. Too bad they couldn't."

Where the remains once were, there was a huge sea rat clad in iron war armor with a cape made from the wings of a bat around his neck fastened by a mole skull, which he had killed. On his head was a war helmet the horns of a male deer, which covered his face. He wore an eye patch over his left eye socket. He had a long whip-like tail with a poisoned war spike mounted on its tip. He saw through the visor of his helmet with a single yellow eye to find out where he was. He then cackled maniacally and said "Huh so that fool at Redwall Abbey thought that he had killed me. Well I will just have to fix that by gathering up a new army and lead them to the front gates and take it by force. And then I'll burn it to the ground. And that mouse will rue the day he ever clashed blades with Cluny the Warlord." Then still chuckling evilly to himself, the newly resurrected Cluny strode off into the woods, his mind formulating a plan unaware of the stealth, lightning fast speed of young Deathfang Renndclaw heading to Redwall to warn everyone inside about the return of an old foe.

---

All life inside Redwall including the Dibbuns, were wide-awake for the dinner prepared for the return of the rescue of the children of all Mossflower and the arrival of new friends. Orlando the Axe and Auma the two badgers from the western plains were amazed at the sight of the gigantic spread laid out in front of them courtesy of Friar Hugo and his assistants who claimed that it took most of what they had in the kitchens to prepare. The family of champions was especially surprised at the amount of food that was set before them. Cornflower was very proud her former kitchen friends Saffron, Jenny, May, and Friar Hugo for preparing an extravagant meal.

Abbot Mordalfus rose to speak, but he was cut off by the sound of some beast knocking on the front gate. "Ugh always with the interruptions." He said annoyed, "Constance, could you go see who it is."

Suddenly, Basil Stag Hare rose and remarked "Stay where you are Constance old gel, me an' Cheek will see who's jolly well knocking on the blinkin' main gates wot!"

A small otter rose and followed Basil up the north wall steps. "Oh I hope this is quick 'cause I'm starvin'."

Clutching his stomach, Basil said, "I say get your jolly old point young un, the sooner we see who it is and get back to the bally feast the better wot wot!" With that he peered over the wall and called "I say, you there." The figure looked up. "Yes you their what's the blinkin' idea banging and pounding on the gate like a rabid creature. Bad form ol' thing jolly bad form, wot!"

Deathfang called up to Basil, "Aww, shut up rabbit an' open up the stupid gate or I'll climb up the wall and rip you lips off your face."

"Hey you down their," Shouted Matthias, "don't even think about doing the to my friend. By the by, who are you?"

"I'm Deathfang Renndclaw, the most fierce wolverine ever to walk the northern mountains. Who in the name of fur an' fangs are you, runt?"

"My father's name is not runt, it's Matthias." Mattimeo shouted with rage, "And I'm his son Mattimeo, what is your business here?"

Deathfang was impressed by Mattimeo's spirit. He called back up peacefully. "I have some important information for the Abbot."

"Ah, that's all he you want? Well come in ol' thing, eat drink and be merry with us." Basil shouted down to him.

"Come to think of it, I haven't eaten in three weeks. I guess no harm could come of it."

When Deathfang came through the gate, everyone around him was silent and afraid. Not even Matthias dared make a move for fear that the wolverine would attack. But all of this changed when Mattimeo walked up to him and apologized, "I'm sorry about the way I acted earlier. It's just that I want to be a warrior one day. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings."

All Deathfang did after he heard these words, was laugh and said, "Oh think nothin' of it, I was just being aggravated by the hunger is all. Now why don' we just sit down an' eat our fill?"

With that Abbot Mordalfus said grace and declared, "Let the feast begin." Everyone began eating including the Guerilla Union of Shrews in Mossflower, or Guosim for short. The Dibbuns all began giggling with delight as Constance, Ambrose Spike, Orlando, and Deathfang related the stories of what happened in their younger days.

After the feast was over, Abbot Mordalfus asked Deathfang to say what he had to say to him. "I'm afraid to tell you all this but because most of you probably will not believe me."

Father Mordalfus simply said, "Deathfang, you have come all the way here with vital information. Please speak and we will believe you."

"Alright," Deathfang said dryly, "but remember you asked for it." He cleared his throat and said, "Everyone your former foes Asmodeus Poisonteeth and Cluny the Scourge have returned from the grave."

Everyone including the Abbot was shocked when they heard what he had to say. Matthias said, "How do we know that you are telling the truth and not giving us a pack of lies?"

"Because," He growled angrily, "If I was lyin', then I would have my mouth sewn shut and my eyes gouged out with a butter knife."

Matthias sat down in fear of the young male wolverine's rage. "Basil," Cheek said, "what's wrong with you, you look as if you've caught a cold. Why are you shivering?"

"Because old lad," Basil said, "Cluny and Asmodeus were the names that Mossflower has feared the most."

"Deathfang," Constance said, "where are Cluny and Asmodeus right now?"

"Asmodeus is slitherin' around underneath the surface of the ol' stone quarry across the river, and Cluny is rovin' through Mossflower recrutin' newer and bigger army so he can storm Redwall and burn it to the ground."

Matthias placed a paw on his sons shoulder and said, "Mattimeo the time has come for you to begin your warrior training."

Mattimeo smiled and thought to himself what perfect timing now I'll become a warrior and fight along side my father and make him proud. I just hope I'm ready for it.

Father Mordalfus called everyone to order and said, "Settle down everyone. Good, now does anyone want to volunteer for sentry duty?" Several mice and half as many squirrels and five score moles and shrews raised their paws in the air. Abbot Mordalfus was astonished, "My-my, this is unbelievable, never in all my seasons have this many creatures volunteered for such a dangerous position."

Foremole simply said, "Doant you'm worry thoiself father H'abbot, we'm on'y volunteered so we'm can reopern ee listenin' tunnels."

Basil said, "I say old bean jolly good show using the old mole logic for such reasons wot."

Foremole smiled and replied to Basil, "Yessir sometoimes us molers be some of ee creaturs for ee job, hurr aye."

Deathfang said, "Well what are we waitin' for? The Abbey's not gonna defend itself without us to help it."

"You're right there, my friend." Said Mattimeo.

"Right," Said Matthias, "we'll need ten mice posted on each wall, four mice at each gate, and all shrews need to report to the orchard. No sense in leaving such a thing unguarded. Oh and all squirrels follow Jess to the inside of the Abbey incase any of the vermin come in under our noses. All otters report to Winifred in Cavern Hole. Move."

"Jolly splendid idea Matthias old chap standard military brigade command fashion, that's the bally old ticket, eh wot!"

"Thank you Basil," Said Matthias, "but you're the one who always told me that when your in a situation of the of most importance."

"Ah yes," Basil said with a chuckle, "it's all coming back to me now."

"Well Matthias," Deathfang said, "shouldn't we be getting a little rest so we can begin Mattimeo's training in the morning?"

"I believe that you're right Deathfang." Said Matthias. And with that, they all went up to bed in the dormitories, except for Deathfang Renndclaw. He preferred sleeping under a tree in the orchard, which was under the watchful eyes of the Guosim shrews and the wall sentries. From that moment on, all was peaceful inside Redwall.