It was a bitterly cold day in Mossflower as sheets of snow swirled around the solitary figure chopping firewood outside of Redwall Abbey. Koryn the hedgehog, however , was unhindered by the driving winds as she split the logs. She just imagined she was felling foebeasts, in particular the vermin who killed her kin when she was a babe. When the pile seemed big enough for her, Koryn gathered it all in her strong arms and carried in into the main building. Kicking open the door she stumbled in, followed by many eyes laughing at the sight of a snow-covered hedgehog surrounded by all the wood of the forest. With a proud thud Koryn deposited the fuel in the kitchen. Friaress Michelle whirled around, mouth gaping as she took in the latest addition to the piles of logs taking up the entire south wall.

�Dearie me, and where shall all the birds nest now?� the friaress exclaimed.

Shamed yet indignant Koryn replied. "Ye sayed ye would need quite a bundle."

Her heart softening toward the stocky maid, Michelle said. "And I do indeed, in preparing this feast for the Abbess. Thank ye kindly."

Koryn had not stalked off more than a few feet before the imperious Badger Mother Lisa caught her.

"Land sakes you�re leakin� lakes! Come with me before the place is flooded." Thus Lisa dragged the hedgemaid off to the mudroom by the ear . Koryn protested the badger�s fierce rubbing down loudly. When Koryn was thoroughly dried Lisa stood back and surveyed the bristling lump before her.

"Humph, not exactly a sight for sore eyes but decent enough to see Kimberly I s�pose." Turning about from her hasty escape Koryn�s eyes widened.

"The Abbess?" she squeaked.

"Righto, I hear you and her are going to have a little chat" Lisa gloated. Before Koryn could let out a groan the squirrel bustled in and hustled off with the hedgehog in her grasp.

"Ah, Koryn, just the maid I�ve been meaning to talk to, do come and have a cup, um, sup, er, with me. In the gatehouse, that is." "Alone." She added to the badger stalking along behind them. Koryn�s spirits lifted somewhat at being rid of the tiresome Mother, however, she trod silently down to the gatehouse. Sure, she could take on some silly old badger any day but in the presence of those more civilized she was figuratively bound paw and claw. Upon reaching the gate house Abbess Kimberly sat down at corner desk and got right to the task at hand.

"Koryn, it is time to talk of your future. You are no longer a child..."

"Haven�t been since ma and pa was killed. Ain�t even got a sister no mores."

"Oh dear, we�ve discussed this before. The good creatures of Redwall have cared for you well since they saved you from those weasels. We are your family. And the task of chopping wood, though necessary, is a bit below you. Since you seem to have no interest in marriage..."

This was greeted with snickers and mock sighs from Matthew and Niche in the rafters. Koryn growled threats, the Abbess peered disapprovingly down her glasses at both parties then pointedly ignored the rude squirrel boys and continued on.

"... perhaps you would consider becoming a Sister of the Abbey? I know its not very glamorous but it is truly noble. No? Then , pray tell, what do you wish to do with your life other than wasting it!" Kim was truly exasperated. "Tell!" In gentler tones she said "I promise not to laugh."

"Well , ahem, I�d like to follow in my parents footsteps." Koryn said.

"Goodness, no" exclaimed Sister Crystle, who couldn�t help overhearing.

"And be a warrior, like Martin!" The Abbess pondered this for a while. Then her face brightened.

"Hmm, we have been lacking a guardian for many seasons now. But being a warrior means more than just fighting. You have to be able to protect all good creatures and to defend freedom, in Redwall and all Mossflower."

"Oh, Abbess Kim, I will, I will!"

"Fine, your training starts tomorrow. Go to recorder Page, she knows of such things."

So Koryn the hedgemaid became Warrior of Redwall.