Stealth and cunning are the traits of the Marlfox. Known only in Redwall country by legend, they are said to be able to appear and disappear by magic. When the strange creatures begin to appear in Mossflower Woods, it's clear that evil is abroad. A kidnapping and a cunning raid to steal the beautiful Redwall tapestry confirm the worst: Redwall is under threat.

Three young ones, squirrels Songbreeze and Dannflor, and Dippler the shrew, are fated to come together and fated, by the prophecy of Martin the Warrior, to pursue the villains in a quest of daring and courage to return the beloved tapestry to its home.