The Mistmantle Chronicles

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The Mistmantle Chronicles, by M. I. McAllister, are a series of anthropomorphic books which feature the life of a pale, honey-colored Eurasian red squirrel named Urchin.

Contents 1 Main character 2 Other characters 3 Books 3.1 Urchin of the Riding Stars 3.2 Urchin and the Heartstone 3.3 The Heir of Mistmantle 4 Prophecies

[edit] Main character

Urchin 

Urchin is a young, honey-colored red squirrel that is orphaned from birth and is not from the island of Mistmantle. Urchin looks up to Crispin and becomes his page. After Crispin is sent into exile, he becomes Padra's page, then to Companion to the King and finally a member of The Circle!

[edit] Other characters

Fir 

In his younger days Fir was in the guard, but he was a keen scholar and a deep thinker with a great love for the Heart and a gentle spirit. He soon recognized his calling as a priest and has been the priest of Mistmantle for many years now. He limps, due to an old injury, and he has remarkable eyes, deep and joyful. He lives in his simply furnished turret at the highest point of the tower.

Crispin 

Crispin is an excellent sword-squirrel, but rarely uses one except for practical purposes like cutting through ivy in the woods. Crispin rose quickly from a young tower squirrel to a member of the Circle, then to a Captain as his qualities of integrity, kindness, courage and resourcefulness were recognized and encouraged. He became king after defeating Husk in Book 1. He returned from exile with both sorrow and glee. He has become the King of Mistmantle and his queen is Cedar, from Whitewings.

Arran 

Arran is an extremely sensible otter, one who sees what needs doing and does it with great efficiency. She reacts to a crisis with commonsense rather than emotion - but she cries when Crispin is exiled, and repeatedly risks her own safety to protect the young. She doesn't like to let Padra know how much she cares about him, because she's not altogether sure of his feelings for her. When ever any one says she should ask him to marry her, she just says 'he'd only laugh.'

Padra 

Padra is Crispin's best friend, and they share the same outlook of life. Padra's presence is reassuring, and if his responsibilities are sometimes heavy, he doesn't let it show. He dislikes injustice, especially towards the young, and can't stay away from the water for long. Padra has a long-term girlfriend, Arran, but hasn't asked her to marry him because he's not convinced that she'll have him. When ever any one says he should ask her, he just says 'She'd only hit me.' When he does finally ask her she hits him and he laughs, but they do get married and have two children.

Hope 

His real name is Hoppen, and he's much loved by the animals in charge of the Mole Palace nursery. Because he's short-sighted, he's brought up in secret. He has very good manners, adores his mother Thripple, and is a brave little soul determined to get places, even if he bumps into everything in his way.

Needle 

Needle works at the tower, especially on the Threadings - the woven, stitched and painted pictures showing the history of Mistmantle. Needle is a young hedgehog and is fiercely loyal to her friends and family. She is a close friend of Urchin's.

Lugg 

Lugg is an old soldier, graying at the muzzle. Like most moles he says little, and what he does say is brief and down-to-earth. He is a good judge of character and a no-nonsense, dependable animal with a dry sense of humor.

Tay 

Tay took an interest in the history of Mistmantle from a very early age, and then turned to a study of the law. She became expert in every aspect of the law and traditions of the island, and felt very strongly that they must always be upheld, however inconvenient. Dignity is important to her, and it is said that nobody has ever seen her laugh.

Fingal 

Captain Padra sent his younger brother Fingal to live on a different part of the island, preferring to keep him as far away from Husk as possible. We don't meet him until the ending of the first book, but he comes in a lot more in the next two. He is extremely carefree and talkative, and Urchin quickly realizes why Padra sent him away while Husk was in power. Throughout the second and third book, especially the third book, he matures noticeably, but is still the fun-loving and courageous otter that threw rocks at Husk's army in the first book.

Crackle 

Crackle is a tower squirrel who works at the kitchen. She is determined and tries to do everything herself. She wants to recognized and be praised. She has good-intentions but sometimes is misled. In the first book Crackle was Gleaners best friend but Gleaner found that she was too good for Crackle and Crackle desperatley tried to become Urchin and Needles friend.

Gleaner 

Gleaner was once the squirrel maid in charge of Lady Aspen. Gleaner adores Lady Aspen and refuses to believe she had anything to do with Husk's tyranny. Gleaner cares about Aspen in the afterlife and is always seen bringing things to her grave. She gets very angry with those who talk badly about Aspen and easily jumps to conclusions.

Apple 

Apple is the foster-mother of Urchin. Apple has a good heart and loves Urchin like a real son. At times she can get overexcited and she loves to chat. She always makes an impression wearing strange hats and making bitter cordial.

Sepia 

Sepia has the most beautiful singing voice on the island. She is in charge of the island choir and is always heard singing on special occasions. She is loving and kind and tries to comfort everyone in need. Sepia also has her "singing cave". She goes there to listen to the sound of her voice.

Thripple 

Thripple is Hope's mom. She cares about everything and worries about everyone. Thripple looks strange but her kind eyes conceals her strange appearance. She is very protective of her children.

Mother Huggen 

Mother Huggen is a gentle, sweet and kind hedgehog. She cares about everyone and is kind to everyone she meets. She especially takes care and worries about the young ones.

Moth 

A maid at the Mistmantle Tower. She is understanding and comforts those in need. She is in charge of the queen and is sometimes seen helping Mother Huggen. She is the daughter of Lugg.

Lord Marshall Granite 

Granite was originally a captain on Mistmantle and in charge of the armory. Then after the followers of Lord Husk were exiled he went to Whitewings and became Lord Marshall Granite. He liked it on Whitewings because he had his way and he could kill any animal for no big reason.

Cedar 

Cedar is a squirrel from the island of Whitewings and is an accomplished healer. At Mistmantle she married Crispin, making her the queen of Mistmantle. She is kind and gentle.

Scufflen 

Scufflen is Needle's baby brother. He was rescued from culling by Lugg and Captain Padra.

Juniper 

Juniper is a novice-priest in training under Brother Fir. He is fostered by Damson and cares very much about her. He is a close friend of Urchin's.

Damson 

Damson is the foster-mother of Juniper. She found Juniper in the water one night. He was almost drowned but she saved Juniper just in time. She is well-meaing and independent and hates to get in Juniper's way. She is very proud of Juniper. She dies after being affected by foul-drought.

Docken 

Docken is Thripple's husband and Hope's father. He is very serious about the things he has to do and very loyal to Crispin and Cedar. He, like Thripple, is very protective of his young.

Whittle 

Whittle is studying on Mistmantle's history and traditions under Tay. Whittle very serious about his duties. He is very hard-working and tries to do the best he can at everything.

Scatter 

Scatter is another squirrel from the island of Whitewings and is always trying to be helpful. Scatter always wants to feel important. She is a bit childish and loves playing. When Scatter stays on Mistmantle for a while she realizes she doesn't want to go back to WhiteWings and asks Crispin if she can stay.

Tide 

Tide is the son of Arran and Padra. He is more sensible than Swanfeather and is more quiet and thoughtful and takes more from Arran and her personality.

Swanfeather 

Swanfeather is the daughter of Arran and Padra. She is more childish of the two siblings and has adapted many bad habits from their uncle Fingal.

Tipp and Todd 

Brothers who love to play and joke around. They have a hard time taking anything seriously and love action and adventure. Twigg is always happy to make them new toys out of wood.

From 'Urchin of the Riding Stars'

Husk 

As a young squirrel, Husk had many great qualities - he was strong, brave, resourceful and clever. But he was too much aware of all this, and too ready to consider himself superior to other animals. But he wanted to impress, and learned to conceal anything in himself which would meet with disapproval.

Aspen 

Aspen was the eldest of three sisters - the younger ones both married 'off the island', leaving Mistmantle for ever. She realized early in life that she had beauty, intelligence, and charm, and was determined to use these to the greatest advantage.

Arcneck 

Lord Arcneck is the lord of Swan Isle. He was very tempermentle towards Crispin and called him a 'Tree Rat'. He and Lady Arcneck carried Urchin and Crispin home to Mistmantle.

Gloss 

Gloss is a mole from Mistmantle. He is one of Husk and Aspen's supporters and a spy who follows Padra and Urchin. Later, when Urchin leaves to find Crispin, Gloss hides in his boat and goes to Swan Isle. He kills Whisper but is then killed by Crispin and Lord Arcneck.

Whisper

Whisper is a loving squirrel who Crispin marries when he comes to Swan Isle after being exiled. She later gets killed by Gloss the mole thinking he is doing Husk a favor.

From 'Urchin and the Heartstone'

King Silverbirch 

King Silverbirch is a tall, thin, long-clawed hedgehog who is the communist-like ruler of the isle of Whitewings. He was regent of Whitewings while his niece, Larch, was still young. He then took over. He is crazed about silver.

Smokewreath 

Smokewreath is Silverbirch's magician. He is a red squirrel. He is one of the main reasons that Silverbirch is in control of Whitewings. He uses the bodies of animals to create magic to find silver for King Silverbirch.

Lord Treeth 

Lord Treeth goes to Mistmantle to try and convince Urchin to go to Whitewings but later gets caught and becomes a prisoner on Mistmantle.

Bronze 

Bronze is a young hedghog captain of sorts. He was on the ship that captured Urchin and took him to Whitewings. Like many hedgehogs he believes that hedgehogs are better then otters, moles, and squirrels.

Creeper 

Creeper is very small, dark-furred hedgehog. He came to Mistmantle with Lord Treeth, then sneaked back to Whitewings and warned the King that moles were going to attack.

Larch

Larch is from Whitewings. Larch is the rightful Queen of WhiteWings but had to go into hiding after King Silverbirch took power.

Flame 

Flame used to be the priest before King Silverbirch ruled. Flame went into hiding with Larch.

From 'The Heir of Mistmantle'

Hobb 

Hobb is a rude and an untrusting mole. He doesn't believe in the newly appointed royal family of Crispin and Cedar. He has his own ideas on how Mistmantle should be run and acts upon this persistently.

Yarrow 

Yarrow is a squirrel. He is a friend of Hobb and the uncle of Gleaner. He shares the same ideas as Hobb does and greatly dislikes the queen.

Hammily 

Hammily is Yarrow's wife. She is greatly concerned about Yarrow even when she doesn't understand his actions. She is very-down to earth and polite.

Quill 

A young hedgehog who hangs around Hobb and Yarrow. He listens to them talk about Crispen and Cedar but has different opinions than them, though he is afraid to speak as they are older than he is.

Catkin 

She is Heir of Mistmantle and daughter of Crispin and Cedar. She was kidnapped by Linty leaving others to believe there is a curse on the Heir of Mistmantle.

Linty 

A psychologically damaged squirrel. She had 2 children and both were sent away to be culled. This causes her to be very cautious and kidnap Catkin believing she is in danger of Husk.

[edit] Books

[edit] Urchin of the Riding Stars

(2005)On a night of riding stars a young orphan squirrel is found abandoned on the beach. Urchin is raised on the island of Mistmantle, surrounded by the enchanted mists that protect the island from outside threats. A prophecy has been made in his name, but Urchin has no idea of this nor of what the future will bring.

The rule of the kind and fair King and Queen Brushen is threatened by plot and intrigue within their court, and a wicked pair attempt to seize control of the island, introducing a regime of culling and forced labor. Urchin soon realizes that he will have a very special role to play in the dramatic battle to save Mistmantle that ensues.

[edit] Urchin and the Heartstone

(2006) A bright summer day dawns on Mistmantle as it prepares for the coronation of Crispin the Squirrel. Robes are stitched, cakes baked and wine brought up from cellars. And the Heartstone is readied, the unique gold- and silver-flecked stone that only the priest or the rightful ruler of the island can hold. Urchin discovers some family secrets after journeying to a foreign island that will change his life forever.

[edit] The Heir of Mistmantle

(2007) Triumphant heroes and brilliantly wicked villains do pitched battle both morally and physically in this heart-stopping adventure story.

When the heir of Mistmantle is kidnapped, every corner of the island is searched. But then news starts spreading about sightings of the infamous Captain Husk, who everyone believed was dead. The inhabitants of Mistmantle begin to worry that these events are connected and that Husk's reign of evil is about to return.

Can Urchin and his trusty friend Juniper recover Catkin before her life is in serious danger?

[edit] Prophecies

- "He will bring down a powerful ruler." (This is said about Urchin before his birth.)♥

- "Fear nothing until squirrels fly through the skies."

- "I will be all powerful, but the one that falls from the skies must be destroyed." (Received by Husk in the dungeon.)

- "Over the water the Secret will bring them, Firelight, Moonlight, the Holy and the True, the Secret will draw them home."(Received by Juniper and Fir.)♥

- "The fatherless will find a father, the hills will fall into earth, the dead paw will strech out to the living, there will be a pathway in the sea, then the Heir of Mistmantle will come home."♥

- "Homes will be found, secrets will be told, the eyes will deceive you, there will be a great war, the dead will come back to life, and then the new captain will come."

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