The Reign of Klitch, Son of Ferhago

Chapter One

Klitch kept walking through the summer heat. He had about four hundred assorted vermin at his command. Klitch was marching to Salamandastron! Klitch spotted a weasel captain. “Crookedclaw,c’mere. Crookedclaw walked to Klitch. “Chief?’’ Klitch’s innocent, looking blue eyes flashed at Crookedclaw. “Call the ‘orde to a stop. And set me up a tent. Crookedclaw saluted and replied “Yah, Chief.’’ Klitch had a mind to conquer Salamandastron!

Old Abbess Vale took a walk in the orchard with Mara, the badger. It was a hot summer day. On their way to Cavern Hole they met Samkin, Warrior of Redwall. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?” “Yes, it is, but it’s hot today,” replied the Abbess. They blinked at the sun, enjoying the summer day. But not for long.

At Salamandastron, it too, was a hot day. Urthwyte, Badger Lord of Salamandastron, was forging a new weapon. His former weapon, a mace, was practically destroyed when he battled against Ferhago’s army. His new weapon was made of iron, and it was half spear, and axe. There was a knock on the forge door. Urthwyte answered in his booming tones, “Enter!” A hare entered and saluted. “Sire, the scouts reported of seeing a large vermin army marching straight to Salamandastron! And their leader is a weasel called Klitch! The young hare looked scared and fled the forge room, because red tinges appeared in Urthwyte’s eyes. Yet, Urthwyte looked worried. He knew that the hares in his mountain only numbered five score, so he would be outnumbered at least ten to five. He would need help. And fast. Urthwyte took a scroll, and wrote a missive. He called for the fastest hare in the mountain. Then the same hare he had scared came to his forge room. He placed the scroll in the young hare’s paws and said to him, “Deliver this missive to the Abbess of Redwall.”

Klitch’s eyes showed delight. There were finally at Salamandastron! Klitch gathered his captains around him and said “Hear me well my trustworthy captains, we will conquer Salamandastron!” His voice dropped to whisper. “To reward you of good service to me, I will reward you badger treasure inside that mountain!” The captains’ eyes started to gleam evilly. “Are you all with me of conquering Salamandastron?” asked Klitch. The captains all nodded, and went back to their duties as captains.

Abbess Vale was in her room when she heard the bells tolling as a warning of some one coming down the path to Redwall. Abbess Vale got up from the chair she was sitting in and went downstairs to the gatehouse. On her way down, she met Samkin. Abbess Vale asked “Have you seen our visitor?” Samkin nodded, but he looked worried. “I think you should see to this matter quickly, Abbess.” They hurried to the gatehouse. It was already filled with curious Redwallers. A young hare held out a scroll and gasped “Message to the Abbess of Redwall, from Lord Urthwyte!” Then the hare fainted. Samkin, Mara, and Abbess Vale shooed the Redwallers out with the unconscious hare. Abbess Vale unfurled the scroll and read “Dear Abbess of Redwall, I need help from your Abbey. Salamandastron is being attacked by a large vermin army, led by a weasel called Klitch. I need reinforcements badly. Please come to assistance as soon as possible. Thank you, Lord Urthwyte. Abbess Vale looked at Mara and Samkin. “My friends, this is grave news. What do you propose to do?”