Mariel spent the night hugging the sword of Martin The Warrior, reflecting on the feast the night before. The Summer of Sorrows, so named because of Dandin's death and in memory of him. It was however not a sad occasion for it was more of a celebration of his life. She remembered the dibbuns desperate to stay up late, until they heard about pot washing. She laughed at Tarquin's leverets scoffing their mouths with food whilst staying, "Wot ho! Good luck on the bally quest an' all that. Wot wot!" Fond memories all of them. Redwall Abbey was such a charming place to live. When she eventually drifted into sleep Martin visited her in a dream speaking to her,

When the ferrets fight the battle

Four shall fight alone,

Three shall come and running home,

But one lies beneath the stone

Carpet of green stay clear of red,

Beware your friends and where you tread,

Badger in the mountain shall see the light of old,

Join together one and all and win a heart of gold.

When she woke Mariel remembered none of her dream, but saw the shield and sword of Martin, point first into the floorboards. Then she picked them both up and ran to Sandy's room where her loud snores seemed to shake the bed, "Wake up snore bones you lazy hog, lets go now!"

Sandy rubbed her eyes and stretched her paws, "What?" she exclaimed, "Tisn't even dawn yet."

"I know, but I think we should go. Martin is telling me so."

Sandy sat straight up in her bed,

"He visited you in a dream? What did he say?"

"I cannot remember but I'm sure everything will be revealed."

Sandy picked up her things including a simple oaken staff as she clutched it tight between her paws she said, "'Tis a simple weapon, I know, but 'tis mine and it will do."

They set of from the abbey silently and without looking back, heading straight for Mossflower wood as the sun rose catching the red brick in the early morning sunlight.

As they came towards the grasslands the two of them passed a small empty looking wooden hut and presumed there was no beast in and so they passed by.

Suddenly a laud high pitched scream came from with in, "Help! Ooooooh! I'm being attacked!" Without a second thought Mariel drew her sword and came rushing in shouting, "Redwall! Redwall!" She dashed in full of anger ready to slay the beast who was harming a defenceless soul. That was until she saw a small cheerful hedgehog leaning against a lit stove and splitting his sides with laughter. He looked in no danger what so ever from any vermin. Mariel dropped her weapon and scooped him up into her arms, "Bowly Pintips you old warrior, what where you playing at?" She gave him a hearty slap on the back, and then cuffed him round the ears! Sandy stood at the door and was shaking her head at seeing the drooping Mariel so cheerful again, "Who is this?" she asked bemused. "Oh terribly sorry." said Bowly, doing a comical bow, "I be Bowly Pintips and I be afraid of nobeast."

"You haven't explained what all the screaming was yet." Said Mariel in a reproving voice. Bowly grinned, "I saw the two of you coming and then you never came to see me so I had to get your attention so how. Any how what brings you to my land and where is Dandin, my friend?"

"Dandin is dead. He was killed two seasons ago by a ferret Red-Eyes, whom I have slain. Me and Sandy here are seeking the rest of his tribe to strike revenge."

Bowly looked at them sternly and said "Mariel you won't do much with just the two of you. You always needed me to look after you. I'm coming to. No beast kills my warrior friend and gets away with it."

Sandy spoke up, "Bowly, I am Sandy and I say you are welcome to join our quest."

And so the tree set of once more with Bowly's previsions, now ready to seek the tribe of Red-Eyes!