Were days that long, was grass so green, In seasons of youthful desire, Roaming o'er seas of aquamarine, Where westering suns drown in fire? 'Cross mountain, forest and river, I'd wander, carefree and bold, Never heeding the days to come, When I'd wake up, slow and old. Oh, how the silent summer noon, Warms dusty memories, In an orchard, midst my dreams, 'Neath verdant, shadeful trees. Come visit me, you little ones, Hear stories, songs, and rhymes, A roving warrior's saga, Of far-gone golden times. ~Kroova's Song

US Cover:Troy Howell

Triss, Shogg, and Welfo escape from slavery at Riftgard and are pursued across the sea toward Redwall by Princess Kurdah, Prince Bladd, and a band of freebooters who seek the rumored treasure of Brockhall.

All of her life, Triss the squirrelmaid has suffered the tyranny of the evil ferret king, King Agarnu, and his daughter, Princess Kurda. But with the help of her fellow slaves, Shogg the otter and Welfo the hedgehog, Triss plans and executes a daring escape by sea.

Meanwhile, in Mossflower Forest, a new mystery has arisen. A pair of wandering Dibbuns has accidentally discovered what may be the long-lost secret entrance to Brockhall-the original home of the warrior badgers. The threads of the story eventually come together when Triss happens upon Redwall in her flight and takes up the famous sword of Martin.

The rest is Redwall history.