Birchleaf the squirrel was a tomboyish maid. Her father, who was the leader of a tribe on the beach, often reprimanded her for not staying out of the work of the males in the colony. This upset her, which in turn upset her father, leading to loud fights between them that echoed up and down the beaches. The other creatures in the tribe had learned not to get involved. Tonight, Birchleaf was especially mad. Her father had considered sending her to Redwall, were she could learn how to respect her elders and learn to act more like an obedient daughter and less like, as her father put it, "Those wild ocean sailsbeasts that keep popping in and out of the village". Birchleaf had not reacted well to this news. This had led to their worst fight yet, which had made her consider running away. In her eyes, the only good thing in her life was that every season, her father sent her off to see her uncle, hoping that she might come back a little more civilized. This was a bad idea, as her uncle was Birchleaf's favorite family member. He was an expert with a rapier, and had taught her how to use one. Discreetly, he had sent her one by way of his otter couriers, whom he used to deliver messages to his brother's colony. She had hidden it under her bed. Birchleaf's uncle also shared her tomboyish nature, and instead of acting like his lordly status, he and his niece would frequently go out and spend the day together, walking through the glades that her uncle presided over. She was thinking about running away to him. He would accept her, having called her father a "stingy old duffer". He also told her of the sea, of famous ships and captains, islands, and his own exploits before his age took over and ended his sailing days. She had listened to these with awe when he told them to her, as they mesmerized her every time. That night, she made up her mind. Packing a knapsack with a few days worth of food from the kitchens, she made her way out of the village, her rapier gleaming at her side. Suddenly, she halted, drawing her rapier with a flick of the wrist. A mouse came out of the darkness and, seeing her, drew his sword as well. She sheathed her weapon and approached him cautiously. The mouse did the same.

He spoke. "Who are you, miss?"

Birchleaf had never been addressed as "miss" before, even from her uncle's servants and courtiers. She swallowed, and then spoke back. "My name is Birchleaf. What's yours?"

The mouse looked at her curiously, as if trying to remember something. "Lucar. You look vaguely familiar to me. Have we met before?"

Birchleaf shook her head. "No, I don't think so. I've never met anyone outside the village except my uncle and members of his court."

Lucar was still watching her strangely, but approached her. "Well, if you like, we could travel together. Are you from that village?" He pointed at Birchleaf's home.

Birchleaf shook her head again. "Not anymore. I'm traveling to my uncle's. You're welcome to come with me. He loves guests, and he will most likely welcome you with open arms."

Lucar smiled. "I'd be glad to."

The two set off together, north and west. Birchleaf, who had left in the middle of the night, was bit tired, but the thought of seeing her uncle again gave her strength. Lucar was also tired, having not slept all day, but he did not want to seem weak in front of Birchleaf, who had struck him as a strong-hearted maid. She walked quickly, keeping to the sand near the tideline, which was firmer than the sand dunes beyond it. Eventually though, they were forced to leave the shore, walking inland through patches of scrubby land. They stopped at dawn, agreeing during the night to sleep during the day and travel at night when it was cooler. Lucar went to sleep staring at her, still trying to make out where he had seen her before.

The young mouse dreamed of Martin again that day. The warrior stood next to him, an armored gauntlet on Lucar's shoulder. Lucar was facing Redwall's gates, and seemed to melt through them, as the next thing he knew, he was looking at Abbot Napole's study. The old mouse was looking at the note Lucar had written, a frown and a worried look on his face. Lucar peered over his shoulder, rereading the note that he had written the night of his escape. The note read,

Dear Father Abbot and elders,

I overheard you talking at breakfast. I have taken Martin's sword and have set out to prove myself worthy of becoming the Warrior of Redwall. I hope that you will not worry about me, as you have told me that our allies, the Gousim shrews, are in the area to go down to the coast. By this time I have probably met them and have been taken down to the coast. I will miss you all and I hope I will return, but again I ask you not to worry. I am sure that I will meet some good creatures that will assist me. If I do not return, you will know that I have gone to be with Martin in Dark Forest.

Yours sincerely,

Lucar

Lucar suddenly felt much more guilt than he had the night on the beach. Everybeast in the abbey was worried about him. He felt a sudden pang of longing to return, but he shook it off. Martin looked down at him. Then, he spoke.

"You have done the right thing, Lucar. No misfortune will befall the abbey before you return."

Lucar looked up at him. "What if I fail?"

Martin shook his head and smiled. "Travel with Birchleaf. She will become important in yours, hers, and Ryon's adventures together."

Lucar was puzzled. "Who's Ryon?"

But Martin had already begun to disappear, and the dream had begun to fade. Lucar wanted to ask more, but his mouth would not obey him. The dream was then punctuated with Birchleaf's voice calling, "Lucar! Lucar, wake up!" She was shaking him.

Lucar woke fully, and shook her off. "I'm up, I'm up! What's the matter?"

Birchleaf looked at him closely. "You were talking in your sleep. To somebeast named Martin."

Lucar sighed, and straightened up. "Martin the Warrior is the founder of Redwall Abbey. He helped liberate Mossflower from the tyrannical reign of wildcats, and has helped us when he feels that the abbey's safety is in jeopardy." His eyes then widened. He looked at her. He stood up. "It's you! You're the squirrelmaid that I saw!"

Birchleaf was becoming nervous. "What are you talking about?"

Lucar explained. "Before now, while I was still at the abbey, I had a dream. There were two squirrels in it, and it felt like I was on a ship as well. You were one of the squirrels that I saw. The maid."

Birchleaf nodded sarcastically, as if she was normally recognized by mice that thought she had been in a dream. "Oh yes, I'm sure you have. Now, we'd best move, because in case you didn't notice, the sun's going down."

Lucar looked west to confirm this. The sun was indeed setting, turning some clouds a rosy pink and others a light, creamish color. Lucar hurriedly scrambled upright and walked along with her. After a while, he spoke to her.

"How much farther to where your uncle lives?"

Birchleaf looked down at him. "We still have about two days to go, and by the way, we should probably eat something."

Both dug into their packs in unison, taking out food and having their meals as they walked. When both were finished, Lucar looked back at Birchleaf. "Isn't there a faster way?"

Birchleaf looked around. "Well," she said, pointing in a westerly direction, "We could go through the swamplands. It's murky, but it's only half a day's walk, if you come properly prepared."

Lucar looked at her suspiciously. "What do you mean by 'properly prepared'?"

Birchleaf shrugged. "There are reptiles. Frogs and lizards, mostly. By 'properly prepared', I mean with weapons. They don't let anybeast pass if they stray into their territory. If we do choose to go through there, we'll cut our walk by a day."

Lucar had stopped, with his eyes wide and staring. Birchleaf noticed this. "Lucar, what's wrong?"

The young mouse shook his head. "Nothing. Let's go. I think we'll make it."

Birchleaf thought that Lucar was acting a bit suspicious, but decided to trust him. "Right then. Let's go."

The two set off together, into the swamp, not knowing what awaited them.