In the magnificent tradition of Waershop Down, an extraordinary tale of corageous adventure -- from the author of Redwall and Mossflower . In the summer of the Golden Plain, the cunning fox, Slagar the cruel, and his evil henchmen sneak into Redwall Abbey to kidnap the woodland children -- including Mattimeo, son of the great warrior mouse Matthias. Now Matthias and a handful of brave followers must abandon their home to the mercy of General Ironbeak's invading ravens in order to rescue their stolen little ones. But on the road to a dread kingdom and certain slavery, an unexpected hero will be born -- and the captive mouse-child Mattimeo will prove himself worthy at last to wield the sword of his illustrious father.