Tansy, a young hedgehog living at Redwall Abbey, attempts to solve the riddle of the missing pearls while at the same time the evil marten, Mad Eyes, desires them for himself.
Lord Asheye of Salamandastron prophesizes that a new Badger Lord must take his place and reign over the legendary badger fortress, and Maude Maudie, a feisty hare maid of the Long Patrol, sets out to track down this young warrior.