Mattimeo and the slaves make their first attempt to escape. Mattimeo takes another step towards his birthright of leadership. Matthias and the others are now chasing them in the right direction. At Redwall Abbey, Baby Rollo unravels the dream clue and the Redwall company follow the little folk - the ants - and so begin their own strange journey of pursuit which leads them to more cryptic clues. They struggle to solve something in the riddle that will help them help Matthias in pursuit of their young ones. The past and the present move towards a combined destiny - but what? As Mattimeo and the company hide from Slagar, Matthias and his companions approach the very gorge where Slagar secretly awaits them.