Prologue/Chapter 1
Bone the weasel was a vicious creature. He was larger than most weasels, and an expert in the art of murder. His hoard consisted of rats, stoats, weasels, ferrets, and a few foxes. Bone was not a creature to be messed with. Bone sat at his fire, staring into the flames, recalling that of his younger days. He had once ruled a diiferent hoard, and they were the terror of the Northlands. But that had all been taken away from him when two squirrels, using hit and run attacks, had destroyed his hoard. Bone had managed to escape with his life and a few others. He spat into the fire as recalled the two squirrel's names: Wild Doogy Plumm and Rakkety Tam MacBurl!
Scarul the rat approached his chief, nervously waiting for Bone to notice him. Bone looked up. "Well, what do have to report?"
Scarul saluted. "We've reached the tree groves where the two squirrels were seen heading last. Orders, sir?"
Bone smiled. "Send Wark to me. I've got a plan."
Though Pinetooth was supposed to be on watch, his mind was elsewhere. Where had Tam and Doogy got to? Had they been slain by the vermin? Or had they found a new place to live? He was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he failed to notice the fox sneak up behind him.
Wark swiftly stunned the old squirrel. As he dragged him back to camp, he recalled Bone's orders. "Go into the groves and capture one of their own. Mind you don't slay him now." Wark smiled grimly. He knew Bone well enough to know that Pinetooth would be useful, one way or another."
Pinetooth awoke to a world of pain. Groaning, he sat up, only to notice a weasel starring at him. The weasel spoke, "Now listen to me squirrel. Do you know of two squirrels called Rakkety Tam MacBurl and Wild Doogy Plumm?" Pinetooth nodded, struck dumb with terror. The weasel smiled. "Good. Now think carefully. If I think you're lying, I'll burn your home! Where are they?"
Pinetooth searched his mind rapidly. He didn't want to give up his friends, but the weasel would burn his home if he didn't answer. Pinetooth recalled what a robin had told him a while back about the location of Gulo and his hoard. It had told him that were last seen at Redwall Abbey. He assumed that Tam and Doogy, who had been ordered to track the vermin, must be there as well. He answered, "Lord, they are not here, but I heard that they've been seen at Redwall Abbey."
Bone smiled. "Good. I have a score to settle with those two. Where'd you say they were again?"
Pinetooth answered. "Redwall!"
R&R