Disclaimer: I don't own Redwall. Brian Jacques does.

It was start of the Summer of the Early Rose and Redwall Abbey was busy preparing for the Midsummer Feast that would be held in four days. To keep the Dibbuns out of the elders' way, they had been gathered up and taken out into Mossflower to gather flowers and berries. Accompanying them were Roy, the Abbey warrior, the Skipper of Otters, his daughter Marina, Brother Stephan, and Stella the Abbey recorder. The Dibbuns were very excited to be out in Mossflower and spent more time filling their stomachs than they did the baskets.

After two of picking, Mari looked out and saw a wisp of smoke. This was quite odd, for nobody lived this close to the Abbey. She turned to her father and said, "Do you see the smoke, Dad?"

Skipper nodded. "That is odd. Sister Stella, Brother Stephan, and Mari, please stay 'ere and keep an eye on the Dibbuns. Roy and I will go investigate."

Skipper and Roy swiftly headed for the direction of the smoke. They finally came to a burned out clearing in front of a cave. "How in the world did it get burned?" asked Roy, mystified. He pulled out Martin's sword and began looking around. Skipper began searching in the opposite direction. After several minutes, Roy called out, "Come here, Skip! There's a fox kit here!"

Skipper rushed over to the hollow log. Indeed, a reddish-brown fox kit, no more than three or four seasons old, was hidden there. The kit began whimpering in fright as Roy gently removed him from the log. Skipper frowned. "What do we do with 'im? 'E's a fox, and they're supposed to be evil. At least, they're not very nice beasts."

"But he's also a Dibbun," pointed our Roy. "We can't harm him. We should take the little one back to the Abbey and let Abbess Tessa decide what to do with him. Besides, there's sure to be some decent foxes. There are decent cats, after all. And I remember reading a record about a rat named Blaggut who was good. Don't go around saying all foxes are wicked beasts."

Skipper nodded. "You 'ave a point." He gazed down at the kit and said, "Don't worry, we won't hurt you. What's your name?"

The kit whispered, "Cyan." Roy then asked him what had happened. Cyan said, "Mummy scared! She grab me, put me in log an' tell me to be still an' quiet. She say she go get brother and sisters, then not come back. Later there screaming and smoke."

Skipper frowned. "So Cyan's mother hid him and was returning to hide his siblings when something prevented them. Maybe vermin? Then they burned the area aroudn the caev where the family was staying. Cyan, what about your father?"

"Dad said he go find food," answered Cyan, tears filling his eyes.

"Do you know anything else, Cyan?" asked Roy, feeling pity and sympathy for the little kit.

"Dad says we come from up North. Bad beasts want us to work for them. Mum an' Dad took us kits an' we ran away. Mum heard about a place that helps other beasts an' siad we should go there. I think it's called Redhall."

"The place is Redwall, Cyan." said Skipper. He picked the kit up and said, "We're from Redwall. We'll take you there and see if you can stay. And see if we can't rescue your family."

They reached the group to see Stella whacking a weasel with a stick. "You wicked weasel, going after the Dibbuns!" When she say Roy and Skipper, she stopped, but took tight hold of the weasel's paw. "This weasel came running in, going after the Dibbuns, saying something about how they'd make good oarslaves. He didn't see me and I was able to grab a stick and knock him down." She dropped the stick and straightened her spectacles. "I suggest we take him to the Abbey and question him." She then noticed the fox kit in Skipper's arm. "Why are you carrying a fox kit? Who is he?"

Skipper and Roy hastily explained about the burned out clearing and what Cyan had told them. The weasel swore and said, "So we missed one o' th' brats. At least Redfang got th' other three brats an' th' parents."

Stella gave him a stern look. "What do you know of this, weasel?"

The weasel shut his mouth and didn't say another word. Stella sighed. "Fine, then don't answer. But you will at the Abbey. Let's gather up the Dibbuns and head back. There could be more vermin around."

At the Abbey, Roy and Skipper explained everything. Abbess Tessa gazed at the weasel, then said, "Take him to the infirmary and tend to his bumps. I will go there later and question him. As for Cyan, he is to stay at the Abbey. Apparently he comes from a fox family that isn't evil. Sister Diane, could you see about washing Cyan and getting him some food to eat? Oh, and a clean smock."

Sister Diane, a kind and motherly mouse, stepped forward and escorted Cyan inside. "Everything will be all right, dear. We'll get the dirt out of your fur, and then give you good things to eat."

Cyan, like all Dibbuns, didn't like the idea of a bath, but decided to put up with it as he was also going to be given food. After the bath, Cyan and Sister Diane were on thier way to the kitchens when there was noise coming form the Infirmary. Sister Diane rushed over to look, Cyan behind her. Abbess Tessa was looking coldy at the weasel. "All you've told us is that your name is Coldtooth. I want more information, Coldtooth."

"I ain't telling you nothin'!" snarled Coldtooth. "Redfang's orders." He then realized he'd just said who his leader was and shut his mouth.

"Fine, then," said the Abbess. "Someone give this beast a bath. I don't want him dirtying the Infirmary's clean beds. And then bring up a tray of food for him. After that, we shall see if you are willing to answer some questions."

The badger mother, Elina, came in with a tub of hot water, while Sister Diane ran off to fetch towels, soap, and a clean smock. Cyan, apparently forgotten, settled in a corner to watch. When Sister Diane came with soap, towel, and smock, Elina said sharply, "All right, weasel, into the tub with you."

"I ain't touchin' the water!" screeched Coldtooth. "Taking baths is unhealthy! Only rainwater can-"

"None of this nonsense," snapped Elina. "You are going to take a bath if I have to put you in the tub myself and scrub you."

Coldtooth yelled and tried to make a run for it, but Sister Diane blocked the door and Elina grabbed him. The badgermum, eyes blazing, dragged him to the tub and forced him into the tub. She then grabbed the soap and began scrubbing him. Coldtooth began swearing and Cyan, eyes wide, watched with amusement. He hadn't put up this much of a fuss when he had been bathed! He stifled a giggle and at this juncture, Sister Diane noticed him. "Come along Cyan. I know watching Coldtooth get bathed is amsuing, but you don't need to be around to hear the language he's using."

Cyan looked as if he wanted to protest, so Sister Diane scooped him up and took him out the room, saying. "Besides, we have to feed you." Once in the kitchen, the Friar filled a plate with food for Cyan, and the Cellarhog a cup with strawberry fizz.