Before dawn’s first rays peeked through the dormitory window Koryn was jerked awake by a lanky squirrel.

"Up, up you lazy lump, there is work to be done, before raiseth the sun."

"Unh…."

"Ya want ta be a warrior eh, well ya got ta have discipline." And with that she was dumped out of her bed and pulled downstairs to the library.

"But here with you… no disrespect Recorder Page, but what kinda training is this."

"History, theory, codes of conduct, and servantile labors." Page’s eyes twinkled. Koryn couldn’t help wondering if this was such a good idea as she gazed wistfully at the first sight of merry workers preparing for the break fast.

************

The morning passed much more quickly than Koryn expected and she often caught herself actually enjoying Page’s tales of bygone battles. Page also noticed how eagerly Koryn absorbed the material.

"Hup, 1-2, quick march. You have got until noon to eat and rest then it is off to the honorable Sarg. Ashie’s for marching practice.

Rubbing her eyes to adjust them to the bright out doors Koryn quickly found the refreshments table and scouted out a blueberry tart. Joining her friends Laurc and Cynthia beneath the shade of tree she hungrily scoffed the delicious pastry.

"Tut tut, where have you been all mornin’ Koryn" said Cynthia.

"Sleepin’ I s’pose" Laurc joked .

"Training actually, to be a warrior" Koryn retorted. Her pals jaws dropped.

"Really?!" was their simultaneous reply.

"I wish I could too, instead being dragged by Cynthia to Sister Cristle’s medicinal lessons."

"Oh, be quiet, without healers all those heroes would be dead before they won their wars."

Then it was off to Sarg. Ashlie’s, a rather dramatic, though comically militaristic hare living just west of Redwall. Koryn was marched so hard that the minute her head hit the pillow she fell asleep.

*************

Late that night Abbess and Recorder held a worried conference

"How is her progress? Will she be ready" fretted Chim.

"I don’t know, it is only the first day. And the horde, how close are they?"

"They are not advancing very fast, I hope we have at least a season. And they might even bypass us. Angel’s wings are nearly useless from exhaustion by now, I’ve sent out ground scouts instead. And you must have some idea of how she is doing."

"From what I’ve seen Koryn’s a fast learner, but I kin not imagine her fighting off a horde for many seasons."

"It won’t be single-handedly, she will have an army at her back. There are many brave creatures in Mossflower ,though our Abbeybeasts have grown old. Yet none of them are capable of leading an army for Redwall."

"Are you sure, that fox couple who hang around, they look big enough for the job?"

"Yes, but I doubt they will stick around with vermin numbers like that in the land. They have no obligation to Redwall."

"Hmm, I would put more faith in them but I can see what you mean. We need a sure defense."

*************

So passed the days as Koryn met many more interesting characters in Mossflower who taught her many great skills. There was Lenae (the otter thrower extrordinaire), a pair of fighter Zoaron foxes, and the champion mole wrestlers of Ben Jamin. On the morn before the Abbess’s feast Koryn came down to find all her teachers and the Abbess standing solemn.

"Page, ye old treewhalloper, what ye got under your belt now" she joked, expecting some smart reply.

"Twas an honor to be your teacher, Koryn, and I wish now to present you with this, the Sword of Martin" said the Recorder. The hedgehog gasped in awe at the magnificent, shining blade pulled from Page’s belt.

"But, I know not how to wield it" she exclaimed.

"Oh yes you do, I taught you" said Ashlie and all the others nodded. Hesitantly Koryn reached out and took the sword. It seemed to fit perfectly in her paw and moved like a dream with her thrusts and parries into the air. It danced to the rhythm of her words as she recited the Warriors Code.

"I, Koryn of Redwall, vow to…."

She missed the look of grim satisfaction that passed from Abbess Kim to Page. The crowd moved in premedititated scoots to the door of the Great Hall.

"And now may we present the Feast of the Summer of Many Breezes to ‘er highness, Abbess Chimberely!" proclaimed Sarg. Ashlie. Cheers erupted from all those seated round the table. The Abbess looked well pleased as she walked in and took her seat at the head.

"Thank you all so very much. Let us be thankful for this season of grace.

Come all good creatures and be our guests

Let these gifts to us be blest."

The feast was fabulous with a centerpiece of Lost Island Lake pudding. All beasts stuffed themselves full of good things. As the feast was winding down a band of Guossim burst in.

"Pardon Abbess, but we was just paddling ‘long when we spotted the horde. They be on the march now, and not more than 8 days away!"

The Abbess’s face stiffened, she had not meant for the Abbey dwellers to hear about this until neccessary. Then as the shock of what the shrews had said hit her she realized how necessary it was. Shrieks of dismay rang throughout the hall.

"Peace everyone, now Log-a-log Andre. Are you sure of this?"

"I wish it wasn’t so, but there is no mistaking 100 or more weasels."

"Oh Abbess, what will we do?" pleaded Sister Cristle.

"We choppa off de heads" cried a mouse Dibbun.

"Righto, that young-uns got the idea!" said a burly otter.

"Silence, all beasts, please. If we are truly in danger there is no safety to be gained by panicking. Let the Feast continue for we will appreciate the nourishment once preparations have begun. Tomorrow we will plan and fortify. Now let us continue to enjoy the festivities." The creatures stayed at the table to finish off pastries and the talented singers and dancers of Redwall gave their performances but it was with heavy hearts that they trudged up to the dormitories.

As the first peachy fingers of the sun touched the sky, Recorder Page and other early risers went around the dormitories waking all beasts. All creatures of fighting stature and experience were summoned to a council of war. Badger Luca headed the committee and along with the Abbess and Recorder. A host of perilous squirrels, otters, hares, hedgehogs, and mice listened attentively to their elders’ seasoned advice.

"The best we can hope for is to avoid direct combat. Our first priority is fortifying the Abbey."

"Why don’t we try to camouflage it?" asked a young squirrel.

"With the open road to one side visibility is inevitable. The spires and upper most ramparts jut high above the tree line. We can stockpile rocks on the battlements, and assign some beasts with weapons to patrol them. The doors must be securely locked and sprayed with Flame X."

"But first we should warn all creatures in Mossflower" spoke Sarg. Ashlie.

"Of course, you organize a squad to patrol the woods and Melody and Harmony can sound the bells" Luca directed. The soldiers-to-be were assigned duties and the meeting adjourned.

Walking along the ramparts with Luca, Chim allowed herself to breathe.

"Things are going well, I doubt anybeast will have to fight, certainly not Koryn." Koryn was collecting armories for the guards.

"One would suppose, but my dreams never lie. She must face a great challenge."

Meanwhile Koryn went a bit too happily about her grim task, prodding the cook for more information on the anticipated attack.

"Oh, come tell, you cream-stuffed scallywag. What sort of beasts dare attack Redwall, guarded by the famous warrioress?"

"Huh, not even tussled with an outsider and you give yourself title of warrior. If you must know it is a gang of weasels, headed by some Lord Channing fellow. Leastaways says that wild hare that has been snooping around the woods". Koryn’s face paled.

"Suppose you its the same that…."

"That killed your parents and sister? Probably, not many of them bad types around." The hedge maid seemed frightened, then a vengeful glint lighted her eye and expression of anticipation came to her face. Into the wind she yelled fiercely "Come as you may, vermin scum, and my sword will be your reckoning!" ,and turning to face her companion "Mishell, you don’t know she is dead, they never found a body".

Sighing, the dormouse, set back to depositing piles of stones round the ramparts. Late that evening all creatures gathered to dine, tired of the day’s grisly work, and tense with fear. A knock on the main gate sent everyone to their feet.

"No cause to fret, fellas and felleses, tis only the venerable ol’ Ash…"

"Venerable? Old? Why you li’l maggot Matthew, how do thee dare!"

"How have you fared" Abbess inquired.

"We managed to gather these creatures. Hmm, where are they?" Ashlie looked around. Back in the shadow of the Great Hall huddled several families of the forest.

"And we spotted the blinkin’ weasels too, they don’t seem to know where they’re going. But their soothsayer keeps her head towards the noonday sun". The Abbess shook her weary head and said "All able bodied creatures should sleep in the gatehouse with their weapons and armor near. We’ll have a night guard patrol until…….." she choked off, "until they come for some blood and vinegar!" Kim continued bravely.