Extract from the writings of Abbess Lycian of Redwall:
It is the Spring of the Water Lilies! The Abbey pond is covered in them, for the first time in living memory. Old Quelt assures me that water lilies are a sign of fruitful harvest for next autumn. However, I am now far away from those gently pink-tinged petals. I am onboard the Fearless Frunk, bound for Green Isle! Captain Quartle says we will arrive in two days' time. Brantalis the barnacle goose has visited Tiria, and he informs me that the otters are planning a feast for our arrival. I am sure it will be excellent. I cannot wait to meet all the wonderful otters that Tiria has told me about in her letters. Anyway, I must go now and help Friar Bibble, or he will be overrun by Quartle and Portan's highly unreasonable demands for food, food and more food. Those hares eat more than everyone else put together. They must have bottomless stomachs.
Far away, beyond even Southsward, huge waves battered the cliff faces relentlessly. Driving rain forced all creatures to shelter from the unforgiving storm. But nothing could stop Lord Igru! He sat in his cabin onboard his huge, three-masted ship, Stormeel, listening to the rain pounding against the window frame.
Igru was a Pure Ferret, with milky white fur and a long, swishing tail. His eyes were his pride and joy; one was a deep hazel brown and the other was shining emerald. He believed himself to be the most handsome ferret that had ever existed, and nobeast was going to argue with him, for he was also the fiercest and most bad-tempered ferret alive.
Igru had four children; three sons, Guaro, Kobir and Cuando. He also had a daughter, Hesao. It was said that Igru had slain their mother in a dispute over power shortly after she had given birth to Hesao. Kobir was almost as fierce as his father, as was Guaro. They were both greatly feared by Lord Igru's horde of ferrets Hesao and Cuando were shunned by their father. They were gentler than their brothers, and did not enjoy bossing the horde around. Igru often called them pathetic, and allowed them to be bullied by their older brothers.
Guaro was the eldest of the siblings, and was therefore allowed to control his own part of the horde. This made Kobir infinitely jealous. It would be another five seasons before he was allowed to take command of his own soldiers. For now he was stuck taking orders from his father.
"Guaro!" bellowed Igru. The short, sinewy ferret sidled through the doorway and into his father's cabin, rainwater dripping from his fur.
"Yes, father?"
"I want you to get your soldiers to steer the ship northwards," explained Igru.
"Why, where are we going?" inquired Guaro.
A fit of temper engulfed Igru. "Don't ask questions, follow orders, you impudent wretch!" he yelled, snarling into Guaro's face. "But if you really must know, we're going to Green Isle." Igru sniggered evilly.
"Up off your backsides, you lazy excuses for ferrets!" Guaro was among his soldiers, cracking his whip in front of their snouts to wake them up. "We have to get this ship on course for Green Isle. Lord Igru is going to conquer the otter clans and rule the Northlands!" Guaro did not mention that he intended to assassinate his father and take the Northlands for himself.