The black wolf sat on a throne in her cabin. The remains of a large fish sat on a plate in front of her. She turned her head and glanced at a map. Redwall was close...it would be hers…

Two foxes, twins, knocked and walked into the cabin. The male stepped up, careful not to look at the great wolf. "Your highness…Mossflower is in sight. We shall arrive by nightfall" Rikka said. His sister Chikka nodded. The great wolf nodded "When we get there you will dock in the harbor and report to me. This is my word I have spoken" The two foxes nodded and bowed, slipping out of the cabin.

**********

Whitney giggled looking at the dibbuns who thought they were 'hiding' though Whitney could see them easily. But she wouldn't ruin their game...as long as they stayed out of trouble.

From regions unknown returns Mateo the wanderer. A sword hung at his belt, and his fur rustled in the breeze. The young mouse looked upon the Abbey. It had been a while since he had been here. Too long. He made his way into the Great Hall, wondering if anything had changed. Whitney glanced up from the dibbun hide and go seek "M-Mateo?!" Whitney ran to her friend and hugged him "Mateo it's so good to see you!"
The young mouse was somewhat startled at the hug, but he gives a laugh and his usually stern face breaks into a smile, and he softly returns the hug. "Greetings, Whitney," he says, holding her back to get a better look at her. "How are things here?" Whitney smiled "Everything's wonderful. You know I was just wondering when you would get back..." A dibbun glanced at Whitney "Gee Miz Whitney you worse talker then dibbun you talka all the time!" Whitney giggled. Mateo smiled at the dibbun, then looked back to Whitney. "Then come! Tell me what's been going on for the past few months!" Whitney shooed the dibbun off then looked at Mateo. "Well... we had a cold winter. But it was quite cozy in the abbey..though it just quite wasn't the same with out you here. The dibbuns have missed you terribly." A mole dibbun looked at Whitney. "Hurr yea and Miz Whitney sing good song for us on burr cold nights" Mateo gave a small laugh. "I'm sure she did. As I recall, she is a very good singer..." He raises an eyebrow at her. He had not heard one of her songs in a long time. Whitney glanced up at her friend "Let me guess Mateo.. you want me to sing?" She smiled. She had not seen her friend in a long long time and was quite excited. He raises his eyebrows. "Now why would I want you to sing?" he asked with a smile, and it was obvious that he wanted her to sing. Whitney smiled. "Oh Mateo.." She glanced around the hall before starting her song.

"Happy is as happy does.
Misery never useful was.
And I am happy now because,
I'm with the ones I love.
Sing fol lol loh a lairy lay.
Let the sun shine bright all day.
So I'll go happy on my way
With the good ones that I love.
O fie on you O great disgrace.
Look at that sad unhappy face.
I'll not walk with you not one pace.
You are not the one I love.
Sing dumble dum and derry dee
You'll have to smile to come with me.
Till happiness doth let you see
You're the one that I love"

Whitney finished her song and smiled "There you like?" Mateo smiled again, and a slightly distant look grew in his eyes, remembering all her songs. "You haven't lost your touch, Whitney, old friend," he said. He patted her shoulder. "I've been singing for dibbuns that's why. I'm in charge of em now Mateo. And it's no easy task let me tell you! Oh Mateo I still can't believe you've come home!" Whitney said happily. He turns his head to look out of one of the Abbey windows at the sunny world outside. "I can't believe it either..." he says softly. Whitney watched him quietly for a moment. "so...what have you been doing?? Are you glad to be back at Redwall Abbey?" He breaks his gaze away and looks back at her with a smile. "I've been everywhere you can imagine...and some places too dark to speak of..." Then he smiles. "But we don't need to talk about that. It feels much better to be here." Whitney nodded. "Well it's so good you came back. We should have a feast because you came back Mateo" "You don't need to have a feast for me," he says with a smile. "But I would very much enjoy a good Redwall meal. Haven't had a nice meal in months..." "Of course! How rude of me! I'll find the Abbess. Come on Mateo" Whitney grabbed his paw and started out to find the Abbess.
He allowed himself to be dragged along, not minding. His thoughts suddenly went to the Abbess. How had she been all these months? Whitney stopped in front of Abbess Ebony. "Abbess! Look who's come home!" she let go of Mateo's paw.
Abbess Ebony smiled. "Well if it isn't Mateo. Not a young little dibbun anymore are you?" He gave a respectful nod to the Abbess. "No madam," he said. "How are things here?" The Abbess smiled. "Everything's nice Mateo." She looked at Whitney. She was sure that Whitney was happy Mateo was back."Well Mateo I'm sure you are hungry" He smiled. "Well, I admit, Abbess, I did miss that good Redwall food." The Abbess nodded. "Of course. We'll have a small feast in honor of your return" Whitney nodded delighted. Mateo gave another grateful nod. "The hospitality of Redwall never fails," he said with a smile, and a slight bow. He winked at Whitney. Whitney smiled. The Abbess smiles at them then turns to Whitney. "Whitney go into Mossflower and pick some berries for a pie please?" Whitney nodded. "Of course" She curtsied then ran off to find her cloak and basket.

*********

The wind blew the cloak of Kaden, its crimson color shone brightly in the dying sunlight. Silver-grey eyes searched for the ship belonging to Death Shadow. Kaden's own ship was brilliantly crafted. The sails towered above his head like clouds: tall and white. The wood was sturdy and polished nicely, and intricate carvings decorated the hull. Kaden the ferret stood, eyes ever-watchful for Death Shadow...
The great ship Nightshade stopped before Kaden's ship. The great wolf appeared at the prow. Her face was covered with a red hood. "Kaden! Follow me to Redwall! We will defeat them! I know all! I have spoken! Now do you follow me?" Kaden's beady eyes travel to the great vessel and its captain, and he calls back, "Greetings, Death Shadow. You wish to attack Redwall so soon?" "Yes. I do. There is one mouse there that will pay for something he's done...and besides, I want Redwall." She looked at him through the red scarf. "So?" The ferret nodded. "Very well. but may I request a War Council then? So we can go over plans?" "Practical one aren't you? Well. You can have your council of war. After we get to the Abbey and survey the place" she said. The proud-faced ferret gave a nod and his sails cracked in the wind of the day's end. The golden sunset painted the ship with elegant hues. "Very well, then. Where shall we dock?" Death Shadow looked over the ocean. "At Mossflower.. right there" She pointed to the wide river. "We dock there"
*********

Missy Swiftpaw snuck into the dining hall and looked at the table. "Huh no blinking food on the bally table. They tryin to starve a beast wot?" The Badger Lord Annabell laughed. "Well Missy I don't think you'll starve." The great badger smiled at Missy. The white stripe that went down her forehead was a sign of her purity. The badger would have bloodwrath, but she could control it usually. "Missy dinner will be served soon" Missy yelped and jumped back. "Good gravy Marm! Its bad form to sneak up on a bally chap like that wot wot?" Annabell smiled. "Dinner will come sooner if you go help wash dishes and such." Missy blinked. "Er.. no marm! I think I'll wait! wot?" Missy smiled and ran out of the room. Annabell laughed and headed off to walk around the mountain.

***********

Mateo smiled as he watched Whitney leave, wondering if he should follow, but he would wait for the dismissal from the Abbess, in case she wished to speak with him. The Abbess laughed. "You want to go after her don't you? Don't you worry about her Mateo. She's not the little trouble maker she used to be. She has helped us quite alot. Almost everyone in Redwall got sick this winter. Whitney helped take care of all of us, plus she takes care of the dibbuns." "So I heard," he says with a laugh. "It was a harsh winter, this past one..." He had been out on the road, wandering. He, too, had fell ill.
The Abbess nodded. "Yes it was.. Hard for you too??" "Twas terrible...I was out traveling and had no place to stay...and often the wind was too harsh to make a fire in.... I became very ill myself." He said. "Bless you Mateo. I hope you are feeling better." She replied. "Oh yes, madam," he said. "That was a month or two ago. A kind old rabbit-bless her soul-took me in and nursed me back to health." He knew he would have surely perished were it not for that wonderful creature. Then his expression hardened. "Abbess, I came back here for another reason. Not just to see everyone again..." The Abbess looked at Mateo. "Mateo.. what troubles you?" Mateo glanced towards the dibbuns in the hall before replying, "Is there somewhere we can talk?" The Abbess folded her arms into her long sleeves. "The Cellars..come Mateo." She started towards the cellars.
**********

The ferret captain's grand ship docked, and a crew began to swiftly see to things that needed attending. Kaden remained on his ship, looking for the Nightshade, Death Shadow's ship. The Nightshade docked by Kaden's ship. She looked through the scarf. "Finally..Redwall will be mine. Lets go" The two foxes looked over Mossflower, then turned to Death Shadow. "We would like to do a search of Mossflower your highness." said Rikka. The great wolf looked at them. "Very well. Anything you find bring back here" The fox twins bowed and got off the ship, heading into Mossflower.

*********

The two foxes walked around Mossflower woods. The usually silent Chikka spoke to her brother. "Listen Rikka..." She pointed to a young mousemaid in a clearing. She was singing.
Rikka looked at the mousemaid. Her voice was like a dove singing in the morning! He didn't want to hurt her..but rules were rules. "Chikka-"
But Chikka was already heading towards the mousemaiden. She pulled a damson out of her pocket and lit fire to it, throwing it near the maiden. She covered her own nose and her brother's. "Now wait till she passes out."
Whitney gasped as the flaming damson landed near her feet. But before she could do anything the overpowering smell took over her senses. Before she passed out she saw Martin the Warrior. He said to her 'Do not be afraid Whitney.' Then the maiden lost consciousness. Rikka walked over to Whitney, his paw still over his nose. He kicked the damson away and picked up Whitney, returning to Chikka. "Lets go" Chikka nodded and they started back to the ship.

*********

Mateo entered the Cellars and waited for the Abbess. Ebony followed Mateo and shut the door behind herself. "Now Mateo what is it??" The young mouse looked up at the Abbess with a stern expression on his handsome face. "I came to tell you...that Death Shadow is coming," he said. The Abbess sat down on a chair. "Death Shadow..I have heard tales of her. Mateo do you have a tale to tell?"

*********

The Twins returned later on. Chikka bowed. "Your Highness. We found a mousemaiden in the woods. Probably from Redwall" The wolf turned quickly and looked at Chikka, the red scarf moving in the breeze. "Where? Where is she?" Chikka pointed at her brother, whom was holding Whitney. He laid her on the ground. Kaden walked off his ship and onto the shore. He looked at Death Shadow. The word "mousemaid" reminded him of something. "Tell me something, Death Shadow," he said. "Who was this mouse that gave you trouble?" Looking at the mousemaiden, she replied to Kaden. "That mouse..Mateo. He will pay dearly for what he did. With this mousemaid..getting to Redwall might be easier" He eyes the pretty mousemaid, but upon hearing the name Mateo, he looks up. "Mateo, did you say?" He grinds his teeth. "That little brat...You caught him as well? And he escaped?" Shadow doesn't take her eyes off Whitney, thinking up a idea. "Yes..Mateo was here. He escaped and let half of my slaves go as well. He will pay dearly for that...and I know how" The foxes looked at Death Shadow. "What is your idea o great one?" asked Rikka. The wolf smiled, though no one could see through the red scarf. "You'll see... get ready to march to Redwall"