Cluny the Scourge - Part II
Unbeknownst to the Redwallers, Shadow begins climbing the Abbey walls and sneaks into Great Hall where he chews at Martin's tapestry. Upon orders from Mortimer, the Kitchen helpers start working on an food inventory and Cornflower heads off to find more assistance. She spots Matthias and asks him for help, however just as he is about to leave for the Kitchen he hears a mysterious voice. He very quickly realizes it is Martin calling out, and he spots Shadow tearing off the tapestry picture. The rat-like vermin easily knocks the young mouse over who then raises the alarm and catches up to him on the Abbey wall, attempting to pull the picture loose from his claws. The move results in Shadow falling over the wall to his death, and Cluny snatches up the tapestry before deserting him. Abbot Mortimer agrees to let any Mossflower residents move to Redwall due to Cluny's presence in the area, however the Vole family is captured by the rats. Their son Colin escapes and alerts the Abbey inhabitants, and during all this Matthias is studying the message found behind Martin's tapestry picture: I-AM THAT IS. He goes off to rescue the voles upon learning of their capture by Cornflower, and while in Mossflower he is tracked by Ragear but easily knocks the rat out with a tree branch. He then meets Basil Stag Hare and they head to Saint Ninian's. Ragear later awakens and tries to chew through his ropes but is eaten by a stalking Asmodeus. Upon arriving at the ancient church, Basil creates a successful diversion whilst Matthias rescues the voles. During all this, Cluny is using a long plank to cross the space between the Abbey wall and a tree he is in. He is spotted by Cornflower who sees Matthias in the woodlands, and Cluny's horde is forced to retreat when armed otters protect the gate so that Basil and Matthias can safely enter. The Scourge attempts to cross the plank but is sent flying to the ground below when Constance and Matthias work together to dislodge the wood. Severely injured but alive, Cluny is carried off by his soldiers.
