Juniper rose when dawn's first rays of light illuminated the eastern sky. She has witness many sunsets and sunrises in her time, but none quite like this. She had scaled the outer wall and now sat on a battlement, watching the masterpiece, a swirl of cream, crimson, gold, lilac, cerulean, and orange. Little in the world made the squirrel maid happy, but this was one of those rare occurrences when a small smile could be seen on her face.

"Juniper?" The squirrel jumped down from where she as sitting and replaced her smile with her usual grim posture. Song now stood in front of her, a cloak over her dark brown habit.

"Aren't you chilly? It's almost winter."

"Living in the northlands made my blood thick, marm," Juniper answered coldly. "Is there something you wanted to tell me?"

"Er, yes. Juniper, dear, I think that you should be introduced to the abbey."

"Marm, I planned on leaving this morning. I don't want any attention. Please, just let me be."

Abbess Song sadly gazed at her granddaughter. Squirrel maids were supposed to be happy and carefree, but this one bore the memories and worries that few creatures possessed.

"Very well." Song was forced to relent to the young, tough squirrel. She was a wild thing, too wild for the walls of the abbey. She walked away from her granddaughter, down the stairs, and back to the abbey, where breakfast would soon be served. Juniper returned her attention to the ever-broadening sunrise, reveling in its silent glory.

Suddenly, in the mixture of color, an image started to form. Juniper squinted, sure that her eyes were playing tricks on her, but, yes, there was an image of a, what was it? A mouse, clad in battle armor, carrying the greatest sword Juniper had ever seen, stood, his left paw outstretched in greeting. Juniper gazed at the figure, and soon, he began to speak, his words etching themselves into Juniper's head.

"Seek the tale of those before,

Who battled those who vanished.

Follow the path of your loving sire,

Who he his own self banished.

Weary wanderer, travel not alone,

Find the one who wields my sword.

Recover it quickly, befriend the lost,

So he may return and become his home's lord."

The image then faded, and the sunrise was replaced by the light blue morning sky, with the yellow sun shining above. Juniper dashed from the outer wall to the abbey, needing to find out what the words meant.

Juniper hurried through the abbey, avoiding all beasts, knowing the more quickly she came to her grandparents, the better. However, on her quest, she slowed to a stop and stared in awe. She stood in a long hall, and on one wall, a great tapestry hung. In the middle was the exact same mouse who had appeared in the sunrise, leaning on that fantastic sword and smiling bravely. Juniper noticed a female squirrel passing by at that moment, and called out to her.

"Excuse me, marm, but who is that mouse?"

The squirrel looked at Juniper, the tapestry, and Juniper again. "That is Martin the Warrior, the first Champion of Redwall Abbey." The squirrel gazed at Juniper and smiled.

"You look exactly like your father," she whispered, walking up next to her. "Oh, don't looked so shocked; I know Glendor's daughter when I see her. Mother and Father haven't introduced me to you yet, but I know you're Juniper. My name is Hollyhock, your younger aunt."

Juniper bowed slightly. "It's good to meet you, er, Aunt Hollyhock."

"Please, just Hollyhock. Do you wish to see your grandparents?"

"Yes, please." Juniper felt as though she had known the squirrel for years, and told her all about her vision of Martin.

"The spirit of Martin is to be respected and acknowledged, Juniper," Hollyhock mused. "We must tell the Abbess at once!"

Juniper, Hollyhock, Song, and Dann sat in the Abbess's study, the same room where Juniper had met her grandparents the night before. Juniper had repeated to them what Martin had told her, and Song and Dann were now somber, knowing that they would have to tell the heartrending story of their son.

"Well, in the riddle Martin spoke," Dann began, "'your loving sire' is obviously Glendor. For a long time, he was the Warrior of Redwall, taking the position after me. But for a very long time, the abbey was peaceful, and the Sword of Martin was not used. Glendor became restless, and decided to take the sword from the abbey. He told us that he was leaving, to look for vermin elsewhere, so that he could be of some use. We obviously did not want him to leave, but he went regardless.

"Now, that explains the 'banished part'. 'Battled those who vanished' is probably, well, Song, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Yes," his wife answered. She explained to Juniper, "A long time ago, when your grandfather and I were young, there was a race of fox known as 'Marlfoxes'. They tried to invade the abbey, and even stole the tapestry, but we defeated them in the end. There's quite an adventure to tell, but that is for some other time. Anyway, Marlfoxes had coats that could make them 'vanish', blend into the background. That is what the 'battled those who vanished' part is about."

"Father did carry a sword for a long time, I remember," Juniper murmured. "I do remember the weapon. I didn't know it was a precious heirloom."

"And what happened to the sword, Juniper?" Song asked, her voice edged with eagerness.

"I am not sure. After I was knocked senseless, I never saw the sword again. The vermin must have taken it."

"Terrible to imagine Martin's sword in the paws of vermin!" Hollyhock exclaimed, her voice bitter.

"I imagine, then, that it is my quest to find it?" Juniper asked.

"Martin's words have always been followed, and with profound results," Dann said. "Oh, I'd murder the scum who took my son's life and his weapon. But, dear Juniper, you are much younger and better suited to such a task. We will give you anything you need for your journey."

"But, Martin said she wouldn't travel alone," Hollyhock pointed out. "Who will go with her?"

No beast spoke. Who was to go with Juniper, on her quest to retrieve Martin's sword?