Amballa, Queen

Gender: female

Species: pygmy shrew

Appears In: Martin the Warrior




Amballa - also known as Ballamum - is the small Queen of the Highbeasts tribe who lives with them on cliffs north of Marshank. She is the widowed mother of Dinjer, having lost her husband to a gannet many seasons prior, and wields a pygmy shrew sword. Her tribe has a nasty habit of capturing innocent travellers and forcing them into caring for their infants, called Squidjees. They keep Martin's group prisoner until the young mouse rescues Dinjer from suffering the same fate as his father, then a grateful Amballa gives them their freedom as well as handing Martin her sword. She participates in the Battle of Marshank and kills Crosstooth during the fight. Due to her tribe, she is considered to be a "grey character".