Prologue

A motherly skunk sat by a stream, body shaking with grief as tears poured down her striped muzzle. With blanket 
held in her massive paw, she looked down the stream where her precious burden had been carried off. 



~~~~~~~~~~


Lanna was resting in the gatehouse when a sharp knock brought her back to awareness. Grumbling to herself about 
not getting enough rest, she hurriedly unlocked the door wondering who would come looking for her at this 
unearthly time. Skipper and his burly crew of otters came striding in over the threshold of the gatehouse. "Skipper, 
this is a pleasant surprise. We didnt expect you back for another day or two." Skipper was not paying much attention
 and shushed Lanna. " Quiet now mate , we just got er to sleep.." Lannas natural curiosity was aroused. "What you 
got there skip?" Two otters parted, showing a cradle " we found er just floatin along in a stream. Dont look like shes
 got a mother or Father." Illuminated by the moonlight. Nestled in the blankets of the cradle was a skunk, pure 
silver. Lanna gently lifted her out. In her sleep the little skunk snuggled closer against Lannas warm fur, gurgling 
happily. Inspecting the side of the cradle , Lanna discovered writing on the side. "Silvera, Silvera." she whispered to
 herself.



Chapter One






Windrose Summersky was running away. She was tired of everybat expecting her to live up to the standards of her 
mother, Moonrose Summersky, and Father, Suncloud Sharpeye, King and Queen of all Norfolk Bats. 


Muttering aloud to herself, Windrose said, Hump, serves them right, always saying things such as Windrose sit 
straight, you are the Princess, you should know better than that. She knew where she was going. The stories of a 
Abbey called Redwall had been told since two mice had travelled to her mountain in the time of her Forefathers.





Silently she cursed her rose hued fur. Windrose could hear her mothers bat scouts following her.