Chapter 1

Lost Souls

They were lucky to get a second chance after what they'd done. Or at least, that's what they thought at first.

They stared up at the night sky. The moon stared back like an omnipotent eye, burning deep into their soul and exposing their sins. A mouse shuffled around in their seat, waiting for the moon to reach its highest point. Once it did, they turned and gazed at the rock wall behind them, where a row of tally marks was etched into the wall. The mouse added one more with a trembling claw.

70 days have passed since they left Redwall Abbey.

Their 70 days of banishment were over.

Marley let out a sigh and hugged their legs to their chest. They should be more excited, right? They could finally return home. Marley forced out a dry laugh as they stood up, pausing when they noticed their lack of supplies. Their throat felt scratchy, but they'd rationed out their food and water to only last until the end of the banishment. They could've gone to the River Moss, but after what happened recently, they promised never to go back. Not without a weapon, at least.

Marley picked up the tree branch they used as a bludgeon and gripped it tightly with both paws. Their eyes scanned the dark forest surrounding their cave, prepared to strike at any moment. They slowly padded away from the entrance, not even bothering to take one final look at their home for the past 70 days. Once they ascertained it was safe, they lowered their branch and began a brisk walk back to Redwall Abbey. Technically speaking, they weren't supposed to return until the sun rose, but something inside them couldn't wait. They needed to get back as soon as possible.

The cold light of the moon cast the woods in a pale blue light, down to the smallest blade of grass. A light spring breeze ran through the leaves above, adding another sound to the landscape that Marley had gotten used to. A cricket chirping here, an owl hooting there, the occasional arguing from some faraway band, and the shuffling from somebeast trying to stay hidden. Marley wasn't alone in Mossflower Woods, and the first week of banishment was a harsh testament to that. They gripped the tree branch harder and continued.

Marley froze when they heard groaning. They raised their bludgeon defensively and crouched next to a clump of undergrowth. If it was something dangerous, it was best to wait a bit before checking it out. A few moments passed, but the groaning continued. Marley's ears twitched as they made out a sentence amidst the sound. "Is someone there? Help," the voice pleaded. Immediately, Marley lowered their tree branch and padded towards the injured beast.

A stoat lay on the ground, nursing her leg while blood seeped from a makeshift bandage wrapped around her calf. The stoat hissed with pain and looked up as a mouse emerged from the undergrowth. "You there," the stoat began, "How much do ya know 'bout fixin' up wounds?"

Marley eyed the stoat cautiously before glancing around the area. "I know a bit. What hurt you? Are they still nearby?"

"I sure hope not. If they followed me out here, they'd be really messed up."

Marley hesitated for a bit before dropping the tree branch and stepping closer. "Do you mind if I take a look?"

The stoat scoffed. "Yes, I don' want ya pokin' and proddin' at the- of course ya can. How else are ya supposed to help?"

"Sorry," Marley muttered before crouching down and gently removing the bandage. The stoat tensed and growled, but otherwise stayed calm. The mouse's face stayed blank as they peered at the jagged slash running up her calf. "This looks pretty deep. What happened to you, again?"

The stoat opened her mouth and then shut it. "Why do ya need to know?"

"So I can treat you," Marley responded dryly. "If this was made by a fang or rusty blade, we have other problems to worry about."

"Ah." The stoat shuffled for a moment before answering, "A spear. Didn't even realise I was hit 'till I got away. Thought I was fine, but then it started burnin'. How bad is it?"

Marley's face stayed neutral as they said, "Considering the circumstances, not the best. This needs to be cleaned, stitched, and re-wrapped, especially if you've been running through the woods for a while."

The stoat let out a sigh as Marley stood up. The mouse turned to the side and said, "I was on my way to Redwall Abbey. Do you mind if I help you over-"

"No!" The stoat immediately barked. "I mean… that probably wouldn't be a great idea."

"Why?" Marley asked.

"It just… uh… wouldn't be good fer me to go back there," she answered vaguely.

Marley eyed the stoat for a moment. "Go back, hm?"

The stoat nodded slowly. Her face scrunched up with thought for a second before her eyes grew wide. "Oh. When ya said ya were goin' back, ya don't live there, do ya?"

The mouse shrugged. "Kind of. It's complicated. Well, I'm from there, at the very least."

The stoat shrunk back slightly with fear. "You're not gonna do anythin' to me, are ya?"

Marley shook their head. From the way she acted, they guessed the stoat tried to or had stolen something from the abbey. Still, that wasn't an excuse to leave her out here. "No. Whatever happened over there is none of my business."

The stoat narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Really?" She scanned Marley's face for any sign they were lying, but there was nothing to be found. The mouse's face was so deadpan that she almost felt insulted. There was no concern or worry at all. Then again, if the mouse wanted to do something, they would have done so already. She relaxed and said, "Thanks."

"No problem," Marley responded flatly. "Do you think you can handle yourself until morning?"

The stoat shrugged. "I mean, prolly. Why?"

"Here's what I'll do. I have to return to the abbey, but I'll come back in the morning with stuff to treat you. Alright?"

The stoat sighed. "Aye." Marley gave a reassuring nod in return. The stoat snickered. "You're really from that abbey, huh? Ya don't seem like the type o' mouse to live there."

"What do you mean? Is it because I'm helping you?"

"Well, that's one reason, especially after some beast o' yours cut me wit' a spear. But it's mainly when I think of an abbey beast, I think o' somebeast all warm an' fuzzy wearin' a robe." She motioned to Marley's open purple jerkin and tunic along with the pierced ear and blank expression.

Marley simply stared back in response. "... Alright."

"Just messin' wit' ya. Ya better be here in the mornin'."

"I will. See you later. Stay safe."

The stoat waved goodbye as Marley picked up their tree branch and ran off towards the abbey. They couldn't put their finger on it, but the idea of returning here in the morning filled Marley with… something. They weren't sure what. There was a lot they currently didn't understand. All they knew was that as they got closer to home, their heart started to pound like crazy. Soon, the trees began to thin. The full moon shone above them, illuminating the clearing between the woods and the red sandstone walls.

Marley's breath caught in their throat as they stared at those walls. They began to shudder, but they didn't know why. Slowly, they gulped and took a shaky step forward. Then they took another.

And another.

And another…

They weren't even a quarter of the way there when they froze. Everything grew cold, and once again, they didn't know why. Marley glanced up at the bell tower soaring above the abbey because they guessed they needed to ease their nerves when they saw two figures sitting on the walltops. The first was an otter wearing a loose tan tunic over a white shirt, and the second was a ferret draped in a ripped black jacket and pants, along with numerous bracelets and piercings. Marley knew that there were only two beasts that would be waiting for them during the night.

Dropping their tree branch, Marley ran forward. "Winslow! Finn! Down here!" They yelled.

Immediately, the two beasts sitting on the walltops spun and leaned over the edge. "Marley!" The otter screamed as he waved his arms. "Marley! Yer back!"

The ferret turned to head down the stairs but paused. "Marley, stay there! I'll open the gate!"

Marley let out a one-note chuckle for reasons they couldn't understand before running towards the gate. Finally, after 70 days of banishment, Marley Waspwing had returned home.

Although Marley wasn't supposed to be in the abbey until morning, they were sitting on the walltops with Winslow a few minutes later. Neither cared in the slightest. Soon after, Finn arrived with three bowls of hotroot soup. She gave the smaller bowls to herself and Winslow while Marley got the largest. Winslow and Finn consciously ignored how the mouse practically inhaled their food or how they flinched at every sudden noise. For now, it was time to relax and catch up.

"So, besides getting yelled at by Athelstan, not much has happened to me." Finn shrugged, took another spoonful of soup, and started hacking. "Dear lord, I don't know how you two can stomach this. I almost feel bad waking up the cook just to prepare these."

Winslow grinned wryly. "Too much spice fer ye? If it is, there's no shame in quittin'."

Finn rolled her eyes. "Well I'm sorry, not everyone here's a damn otter. See, this is what I've had to deal with while you were gone."

Marley nodded, their gaze not having left the pair since they arrived. "What about you, Winslow? Did you get into any trouble while I was gone?"

The river otter chuckled. "Aye, ye know I have."

I wasn't asking that as if it was a good thing, Marley thought.

Winslow continued with a grin. "Abbot Athelstan gave me an earful the other day when I played in the pond instead o' fixin' up the boats. I mean, c'mon, ye put two otters by a pond and ye don't expect 'em to play in it? 'Tis not my fault we were born this way," he said jokingly.

"Oh, right, that reminds me." Marley looked up at Winslow. "How is Trey?"

Winslow feigned disgust at the mention of his younger brother. His expression shifted multiple times as if he was deciding what kind of joke to answer with. "Swimmingly," he finally said.

"I'm going to push you off this wall," Finn muttered. "And it ain't even true, Trey has to work in the kitchens because he got into a fight."

Marley nodded before eating more of their soup. "Sounds about right." After a few moments, Marley set down their bowl and looked up at the two. "I think I missed you guys."

Winslow reached out to wrap a paw around the mouse but gave up when it meant letting go of his soup. "Eh, we're happy to have ye back. Bloody ecstatic." He grinned and looked at Finn. The ferret remained silent.

The river otter frowned and elbowed Finn in the arm, causing the ferret to jump. "Oh, yeah, we missed you," she muttered.

Marley's head tilted. They didn't realise it before, but Finn had turned away from them. In fact, they were sure that she hadn't made eye contact with them ever since they arrived. Her expression was nicked by something Marley couldn't recognise, but it probably wasn't good. Finn eventually sighed and looked at Marley. Well, more accurately, above Marley. "Sorry. We're just glad you're alright."

"Thanks," Marley responded before furrowing their brows. "Wait, why? Did something happen?"

"Oh, right, you don't know." Finn gestured vaguely towards the abbey and said, "Yeah, we've gotten some news that there's some kind of threat in Mossflower Woods. That combined with more crimes being committed outside means that nobeast can leave the abbey for some time."

Marley's ears twitched. "Really?"

"Aye," Winslow said dejectedly. "Can ye believe it? We can't even leave to have some fun, much less check on ye. They said that we're prolly fine 'cause of groups like Mossguard or the Long Patrol, but they still won't let us leave. It sucks. C'mon, if it's already being dealt with, what's the harm in us leaving?"

Finn growled and leaned against the wall. "It was so messed up. We get news of some dangerous criminal roaming around and we couldn't even warn you or anything? You didn't see them, did you?"

Marley narrowed their eyes. "What did they look like?"

Before Finn could explain, Winslow eagerly stepped up to narrate. "Lemme spin ye a tale. Shortly after ye left, we got news of a dangerous weasel named Urbahn leadin' a small band of beasts throughout the land. They say he's quick like a scallop and even quicker with a blade. But that's not even the most dangerous part. They say he's thin, has pale eyes, has a real handsome smile, and a voice as silky smooth as-"

"Winslow. Dear lord," Finn interrupted.

"Um, aye. Anyway, he's good at blending in. That too. Got masks and disguises and stuff. Nobeast sees him comin'."

"And you couldn't have started with that?" Finn scowled at the otter, who shrugged sheepishly.

Marley tilted their head. "If we have that good a description of what they look like, shouldn't they be caught by now? Surely his disguises aren't that good."

"Aye, true," Winslow conceded. "But then again, quick with a blade. Maybe he just kills beasts before they can squeal."

Marley glanced at the infirmary window. "So, all of this is to say that it's dangerous outside and we can't leave, correct?"

"Technically, but I don't see what we should worry about," Finn said with a frown. "It sounds like he's far away, so it's not our problem. Other beasts can and are dealing with it. Whatever the case, everybeast'll probably stop us from leaving, because they're lame."

Marley turned away from the abbey and towards Mossflower Woods. Rules be damned, somebeast out there needed help. "Winslow, can you do me a favour tomorrow morning?"

Winslow's face lit up, and he immediately leaned in closer. "Ooh, what is it? What're ye gettin' into?"

And so, Marley laid out a plan to leave the abbey undetected. Finn wasn't involved, but she listened anyway. It wasn't as if the three of them had much respect for rules, and the odds of them running into any danger were low, so there was no problem in leaving.

But Finn was wrong. Urbahn was a lot closer to home than she thought.

To set the scene, Urbahn was in Mossflower Woods. The time was midnight. A hedgehog was hiding out in a hut along with its owner, a squirrel.

The squirrel peered out of the front door while the hedgehog kneaded his paws anxiously. "Is it safe out there?"

The squirrel narrowed his eyes at the surrounding forest and nodded. "It seems so."

"Oh, thank the lord." The hedgehog sighed and sat against the wall. "Once again, I can't thank you enough for letting me stay here. I didn't know how long that cretin would chase me down."

"Eh, well," the squirrel reached to the side and grabbed an axe for chopping firewood. "'Tis no problem. Besides, if anything happens, we've got this."

The hedgehog tilted his head. "Are you planning on killing him with that?"

"Yes?" The squirrel raised a brow. "Why wouldn't I? You said it yourself that he was dangerous."

"Very much so," the hedgehog replied. "He's dangerous, without a doubt. They say he's tricked the weariest kings and taken down even the most defended fortresses. He's not somebeast to ignore, that's for sure."

"You, uh, seem to know a bit about him."

The hedgehog let out a scoff. "Just stuff I've heard. Believe me, we don't want to run into him at all. When I met him, he was dressed up as a mangled hare. Fooled me just long enough to let me serve him dinner before he burned my house down with me in it. Luckily, I got away, but the point is that he's deadly."

"That's awful!" The squirrel exclaimed.

"Crazy, right?"

"That's more than crazy," the squirrel set the axe back against the wall and sat down at his dinner table. "Did he really look that much like a hare? I can't imagine that somebeast could disguise themselves as one."

The hedgehog scoffed. "Well, you know hares. They look absolutely insane."

The squirrel laughed awkwardly. "Uh, yeah. I um, I guess it wouldn't take much effort to disguise as a mangled one, too."

The hedgehog let out a hearty laugh. "Ha! Right! Hey, do you know what would be much easier to dress up as?"

"What?"

"A hedgehog!"

The squirrel froze. He turned back towards the axe only to see the hedgehog holding it in one paw. With a grin, he reached his other paw to his face and pulled. For a moment, it looked like he had torn his flesh from bone, but the absence of blood revealed that it was just a mask.

Urbahn waved a paw with a flourish and took a dramatic bow as he tossed the mask to the side. "Aaaand that's the show, folks! How'dja like the act? Pretty amazin', aye?"

The squirrel's eyes widened as he watched Urbahn kick the door open, toss the axe through the gap, and remove his back to reveal a flashy-looking rapier. He swung it dramatically a few times before chuckling. "Hope you enjoyed the performance, squirrel! Gooooood night!"

Before the squirrel could leave, Urbahn dashed forward with surprising agility and thrust the rapier dead centre into the squirrel's chest. The squirrel had just enough time to scream before he crumpled to the floor. Urbahn pulled out his weapon in an arc, splattering flecks of blood onto the wall. The weasel danced a small jig and finished with a pose. "How's that for an act! Sorry, squirrel, but I need someplace t'hide while in this beeeaautiful country of Mossflower, and this seemed like the perfect place! Nice house, by the way, build it yourself? Just jokin'. I know you can't answer."

Urbahn strolled over to the fake hedgehog back he built, picked it up, and gently set it on the table. "Pretty handy, this one is. Alright, time to bring over the wagon."

He tucked his weapon in its sheath and jogged a fair distance away to where the rest of his band was hiding. They pulled a wagon over to the hut while Urbahn bragged about his recent kill to his right-paw beast, a burly wildcat named Pincers.

"You shoulda seen the look o' confusion on that squirrel's face. When I pulled off the mask, I knew for a fact that he thought I had just pulled my face off. Hm. Maybe I should make that my next callin' card. Pullin' faces off, I mean."

Pincers let out a bored grunt. "Didja have ter take so long in there? Ya weren't leavin' any witnesses anyway, so why the act?"

"Excuse me, Mr. Wildcat, but it doesn't hurt to practise! Besides, where we're goin', I need all the practice I can get. Speakin' o' which, Mossflower's huge, ain't it? A bit larger than I thought, to be honest with you. I've gotta ask for directions sometime."

"Ya coulda done that 'fore ya skewered the squirrel," Pincers muttered.

Urbahn shrugged. "Eh. Probably."

The group stopped in front of the hut and unloaded the wagon. About half of the supplies consisted of various costumes, masks, and prosthetics, while the other contained, well, actual supplies. Pincers stretched out his body and scratched his back. "Are ya goin' there alone?"

Urbahn chuckled, wrapping a paw around the wildcat's waist. "What do you think? I'll call youse when I need ya, but for now, I need to do this alone."

"Are ya sure ya don' want help?" Pincers mumbled with concern. "There's a reason nobeast has taken down that place even wit' an army."

"I appreciate the worry, but I need this," Urbahn's voice slowed to a growl as his tone grew serious. "I need to show that godawful chieftain what he's missin' out on."

Pincers shuffled awkwardly as Urbahn let his words sink in for an uncomfortably long time before switching back to his cheerful tone. "Now, I'm feelin' a bit tired. Whaddya say we hit the hay?"

"After I clean up th'squirrel," Pincers grumbled as he trudged towards the body on the ground.

"Aye, I guess that's important. Can't let anybeast smell the blood or anythin'. Not while we're hidin' here."

Pincers nodded in agreement before picking up the squirrel and carrying him out the door. He motioned to a few other beasts to bring shovels with them. Urbahn sighed dramatically and collapsed on the squirrel's bed. With no one around, he replaced the playfulness on his face with a grim look of determination. "You'll see," he growled, dragging a claw lightly across his pillow, "You made a huge mistake not picking me, chieftain."

The stage was set, and he'd make sure every beast in Mossflower would be watching.