Prologue:

Amongst the shadows of the dark,

Where nobeast dares to go,

Lives a creature most feared by all,

Only the bravest know.

Only one will go there,

Only one will see,

Only one will face the shadows,

Daring to be free.

Towards the house where time stands still,

And only the brave will go,

To the hill where nothing stands,

Nothing, so lay low.

"Is there something I am missing?

Something long forgot?

Where the earth goes under?

Somewhere, where it is hot?"

A voice is asking many questions,

Only one may answer,

So to face death itself,

You're the one to save her.

This poem was carved in the stone of the Redwall Abbey, old and forgotten, it sat there, only to be discovered by a young otter many years later.

Chapter One: Singing Activities and Drunken Hares

"Hoy! I am Riddum of the otters!

No one challenges me!

I'm the strongest fighter!

Strong as strong can beeeeeeee!" All the creatures of Mossflower gathered around to hear the young creatures' perform many a song for their guests. Riddum the Otter was first.

"Ahoy there, maties!

Awhat brings you ta shore?

A little bunch of land lubbers,

Comin' in for morrrrrrre!" The young otter sang his little otter heart. Finishing with a great chorus of "I am Riddum of the Otterrrrrrrrs!" and received a great round of applause. The other young ones went on with the presentation. When all were done, the judges chose the winners. The prize was a big bag of candied chestnuts and some fine October Ale from Nimit Spike's wine cellar.

"We have the results!" Abbess Zoe announced. All fell quite on the grounds of the beautiful abbey. "In third place, Abbitha Fieldmouse!" Wild cheers went up for Abbitha. Abbitha blushed. "She wins a prize of a bag of candied chestnuts!" Abbitha went to the front of the crowd to receive her prize. She shook hands with the Abbess, and shrank back into the crowd. "Second place goes to, Emiley Hare!" A young hare scrambled up onto the platform, tripping on her over sized ears. "Emiley is to be rewarded with a bottle of good October Ale!" The hare took the bottle quickly and popped the top off, drinking half the liquid inside. "And finally, first place goes to," all the young ones crossed their paws, "Riddum of the Otters!" Riddum was dumbstruck. Me? Winning the first place title? Can that be right? He went over to the Abbess. He carefully looked over her shoulder. Wow! He thought when he saw his name on the paper, I really did win! He gratefully took the huge back of nuts and the ale.

He carried it over to the pond where his little house lay. He was so happy; he could jump as high as any old hare. He took off to find Emiley. Maybe I can jump as high as a hare!

"Emiley! Where are you?" Riddum had looked everywhere for his friend. He found her sitting on the stone steps leading into Cavern Hole. "Jeez oh Pete, Emiley! Do you think you've had enough of that October Ale?" Emiley sat there with an empty bottle in her lap. She looked dazed. "Emiley? Are you all right?" She shook her head feebly. "Crap, Emiley! You're only seven seasons old, and you've gotten yourself more drunken than a mouse living in a tub of wine! Even though it's not supposed to make you drunk. You must have some type of reaction to that stuff. If I were you, I'd never drink it again. Emiley?" Emiley had fallen asleep on the young otter's shoulder