From Redwall Abbey, Warbeak and her sparra squadrons fly South bearing the riddle. They hope to find Matthias to help him for his quest. But they are unaware that their departure is observed by Ironbeak, an evil raven general who invades Redwall as soon as Warbeak is gone. They drive the citizens of Redwall into the cavern hole and make them prisoners in their own abbey. Slagar and his slaves ascend the huge Great South Cliffs and cut off the means of pursuit leaving Matthias unable to follow. They pass along through the Dark Forest and are attacked by the fearsome and terrifying Painted Ones. They survive to find that Slagar is about to cross a huge river beyond which a huge rat army awaits him and his slaves.

Mattimeo is beyond help, Matthias is halted, and Redwall is under siege.