When gathering herbs near the quarry in Mossflower Woods, young Redwallers Tansy and Arven come across a mysterious skeleton among the rocks. They are presently disoriented in a rainstorm and, failing to return to the abbey before the breaking of the storm, are rescued by Martin II. Martin is the son of Mattimeo and the current abbey champion. Tansy, a young hedgehog who is considered generally capable and intelligent, piques Martin's curiosity, who quickly leads curious Redwallers back to the quarry to examine the mysterious skeleton. Along the way, they meet two travelers: the irrepressible hare Clecky and his owl friend Gerul.
