Zwilt the Shade, Commander

Gender: male

Species: sable

Appears In: The Sable Quean




Zwilt is the tall and strict Commander of the Ravagers army who, upon orders from Vilaya, kidnaps innocent young woodlanders to be used as hostages in hopes of conquering Redwall (although he thinks simply attacking the Abbey is more efficient). He has black eyes, expertly wields the Kordyne family broadsword, wears the Blademaster's Medal around his neck, and gets his surname from his ability to move undetected until he is literally right behind his prey. He greatly enjoys torturing others and has a habit of boldly walking into vermin camps to challenge their leader, dueling with and disarming them before forcing them to kneel and then decapitating them with their own weapon; the leaderless vermin are then forced to join the Ravagers. At one point he happens upon Clerun's farm, kills him, severely wounds Clarinna, and steals their babes along with the aforementioned broadsword and medal. When the young prisoners in Althier escape via a tunnel he and Vilaya lead the soldiers in pursuit, splitting up when they arrive at a fork. He secretly has two of his allies (Gliv and Lugg) kill Dirva who has been sent by Vilaya to spy on him, sending the Quean into a rage and challenging him for sole leadership once they reach the outside. The two sables duel until he runs her through with the broadsword, rendering her unconscious from the pain. Just as he prepares to decapitate her he is interrupted by Gliv who offers to bury the body, and as he thinks Vilaya is dead he leaves to take the army to Redwall. Gliv - who is seeking revenge against Zwilt for the death of her mate Lugg - secretly nurses Vilaya back to health and they eventually arrive at the vermin camp Zwilt has set up east of Redwall. After a few failed attempts to gain access into the grounds, he promotes Fallug and leaves him in charge while he takes some soldiers to use grappling hooks to climb over the walls. Once inside he kidnaps several females, using them as hostages when Buckler (who has sworn vengeance against him for the murder of his brother) appears. He lets the maids go and duels with the hare, with the two eventually entering Great Hall. Zwilt snatches up Dubdub and threatens to kill the infant unless Buckler surrenders, and as the young hare does not want to see an innocent life taken he lays down his weapon. Zwilt raises the sword in preparation of decapitating him, however he does not finish the job as he is suddenly and fatally run through from behind by Clarinna with Martin's sword. He falls to the floor dead, and Clarinna is later seen cleaning the ancient blade near his carcass.