Skarlath

Skarlath was a fierce male hunting kestrel and the loyal friend of Sunflash the Mace. Their friendship began after he was slammed into a tree by cold winter winds, during which he called out several times for assistance. Unfortunately, only Swartt Sixclaw and his horde, who were busy keeping young Sunflash captive, were within earshot. Sunflash was roped to the tree which Skarlath had been frozen to, and used his body heat to melt the ice and free him.

The pair escaped into the surrounding woodlands, employing guerrilla tactics and whittling away at Swartt's band. They traveled the land and became the best of friends. During this time they encountered a family that was besieged by a band of foxes. After chasing off the vermin, they lived a peaceful life with the woodlanders they had saved. Skarlath loved making cheeses and occasionally returned to help the family with harvesting and creating cheeses of all types. Despite his fierce demeanor, Skarlath was gentle and shy around the two families.

As Sunflash journeyed to Salamandastron, Skarlath often helped him out of dangerous situations. Skarlath would go and come as he pleased, and often kept a lookout for Swartt and his horde. Skarlath also warned the inhabitants of Redwall Abbey that Swartt's army was approaching the large building, giving the Redwallers time to plan and eventually divert Swartt's horde from the Abbey.

When Swartt laid siege to Salamandastron, Skarlath recruited the help of many woodlanders, including Log-a-Log's Guosim, Folrig and Ruddle, and Lady Firdance's tribe to provide support for Sunflash. After Swartt's defeat, he took a small gang and retreated, and Skarlath and Sunflash tracked him down. While going to spy on Swartt, he was shot by a poison arrow from Nightshade, which killed him. This enraged Sunflash, who then pursued and killed Nightshade.

Skarlath's carcass was left in the field of battle until after Swartt lay dead; his body was then buried on a sunny side of Salamandastron. Sunflash wrote a poem that appeared on Skarlath's grave. fr:Cresserel