The destinies of the badger lord dubbed Sunflash and his mortal enemy, the ferret warlord Swartt Sixclaw, are entwined with those of many creatures, particularly the inhabitants of Redwall Abbey.

While a group of adventurers from Redwall seeks out the ancient abbey of Loamhedge in hopes of curing a young haremaid's paralysis, Redwall is besieged by vermin.