"It's been three years since I came to this world of "Redwall."

"And I have already killed a mouse because of the thing that lives inside of me."

"The Monster."

"But I have met a rather kind badger."

"Her name...I think it was...Auma. She made me feel...happy. I think. The important thing is that I was actually able to feel something."

"I neglected to tell her that I was human. And demon, of course.

"Regardless, I will continue toward the mountain and by nightfall, it will be mine."

"I should not have any trouble killing the mountain's inhabitants."

"I've heard there was a great secret to this place..."

"Salamandastron."

"Perhaps it is the key to my emotions..."

"The Key to Liberation."

Chapter 6

Captain Gurrado, a corsair wolf, stood in his private cabin on his ship, BloodBound. He was feared in many a country, especially after his raid on the Asheye Kingdom just three months ago.

The captain looked very much like what someone would imagine as a pirate. He had smooth, silver hair running down his back, with a red, hooded cloak covering it. Blue wristbands were tied around both of his arms, and he wore a beautiful violet sash around his waist where the coat started to split apart. He wore black cargo pants, dashed here and there with bit of jewelry, and his shoes were turned up at the end of his toes. However, what made him look fearsome his eyes, which had a red color that somehow came without albinism.

Gurrado was looking to kill a certain person. The Captain had heard of this certain person by trading information with a fox. The fox, in return for the valuable information, received death.

The certain person was, according to the fox, The Devil.

And by killing what was thought to be "The Devil", he would become famous and wealthy. First, though, he had to advertise.

And there was one perfect place for that.

Redwall Abbey.

He had started to set sail towards the abbey just two days ago, after preparing his crew for a long and drawn out mission. The boat was rowed by his crew, since Gurrado did not take any prisoners.

If he was to make a good impression among the Redwallers, he would have to disguise himself and his crew. He used to be an actor, and he had plenty of costumes left over, so this was no problem.

Then, he remembered hearing about some fox named "Chickendog" making the same mistake. (Or was it "Slaver"?) Regardless, he knew that he couldn't have his crew looking like vermin. He would have to make all sixty-eight members of his corsair crew into proper woodlanders by the time his ship would reach shore. There was also the matter of someone who may see them getting out of the ship, so he had to work out something for that, too.

"Captain!" a wobbly stoat came sprawling into the cabin. "We are under enemy fire!"

The corsair captain nodded calmly. "Tell somebeast to find who is attacking at us."

As the stoat turned to leave the room, the captain spoke again.

"And when you're done with that, report back to me."

The stoat left, and came back about three minutes later.

"Captain Gurrado, y' may want to see this."

Wordlessly, they both stepped outside. The stoat pointed to the sky to see three flying creatures over head.

But they were not birds.

"What in the hell are those things?" shouted the captain in a demanding voice.

"Sir," replied a corsair otter, namely Fishpaw. "I think those are some kind of flying mice..."

Fishpaw was a thin and tall otter, and weak muscles showed through his skinny arms. His attire included a white bandana wrapped about his forehead, a white T-shirt and shredded jeans.

Fishpaw once lived in the wealthy abbey of Bellhall, but he dearly loved the idea of being a laid-back, treasure-stealing and home-destroying pirate. At least, he enjoyed it more than the life of a snob, always having to "sit up straight", or having to "do chores."

One day, when a ship cruised past his town, he saw an opportunity. He immediately rushed to the ship and yelled. What followed in his confusion was a mess of pirates trying to kill him in case their attack on Bellhall was ruined, but Gurrado stepped out and gave him a chance to live and spare his town. He was only too happy to oblige.

But now, he wished he had stayed home with his parents. "Well," thought Fishpaw, "maybe it's just the situation I'm in. I've had a pretty good life."

"Flying mice, are they?" Gurrado spoke, bringing Fishpaw back to reality.

"Yes, sir," replied Fishpaw. "If confirmation is necessary, you may come up here and see for yourself."

Gurrado pointed to a random weasel.

"Go see if he's right."

The fat weasel, Deathclaw, ran up to the lookout post as fast as his chubby legs would carry him. He came back down and spoke.

"Cap'n, he's right. But they ain't got no wings, and they've all got needles poking out o' their shoulders. There's only three of 'em, so they can't be too much of a threat."

Gurrado pointed at a group of rats behind him. "You rats take the cannons and aim them upward at the enemy. The rest of you, I want you back down in the ship and rowing at full speed so we don't get hit by our own shots."

"Wait, why do the rats get to fire?" called an angry hedgehog.

"Because," retorted the captain, "I've heard somewhere that they have better aim than hedgehogs. Now get moving!"

As everybeast scrambled to their ordered positions, the captain shouted once more.

"...except for you, Fishpaw."

Fishpaw stopped dead in his tracks.

"Come into my cabin. We will talk there."

Fishpaw gulped and followed Gurrado into his cabin. He then wondered if he had done something wrong, or maybe said something stupid.