In The Kingdom of Malkariss the Polecat, Matthias fights the slavemaster monster, the Wearet, and falls into the abyss. There he grimly hangs onto the rope that previously lowered a mysterious basket. But as Mattimeo and friends are released by the dying Log-a-log, the Wearet cuts the rope and Matthias falls into the basket - and meets Malkariss himself! In Redwall, Stryk recovers slowly and becomes a close friend of Cornflower. But Ironbeak uncovers the 'hauntings' are a ruse and cunningly imprisons Constance as he prepares his final attack. The defenders are found out and weakened. Ironbeak is sure of victory. Matthias faces the evil but surprisingly puny, scabby and pale polecat Malkariss - whose slaves, seeing Matthias' courage, turn on him and stone him to death. Matthias looks up to the high-above battle to see his son Mattimeo and fights to get to him. But he fails to see Slagar The Fox taking deadly aim at him with his bolas - and Slagar has never been known to miss.