Since she was a dibbun Dahlia has always respected authority in Redwall, recognizing that the rules keep everyone safe. However, it bothers her that all the mouse warriors of the abbey have been male, and she desperately wants to join their ranks like Eleine the Shieldsquirrelmaid. She has spent long hours reading the records of the great heroes and their adventures, and convinced those in her community who are more martial to train her. Fortunately, she has her her parents support, though her purpose mystifies them. She prays fervently for a sign from above that Martin's spirit is within her, and while sometimes she thinks she can hear him, she has not received any particular revelation yet.
When the abbot began putting together an exploratory expedition into the east, Dahlia volunteered immediately. Her parents, while elderly, are well-respected in the community, and if anyone might be seen as a scion of the people of Redwall it is her, being distantly related to the famous and heroic warrior-mouse Martin II. She is also inspirational to a large portion of the creatures who live at Redwall Abbey, many of whom sympathize with her yearning and would like to see her join the militant order. Her parents have presented her with a fine new sword of castle-forged steel and finely-woven armor of brightly-polished chain mail for her to wear as she proves herself worthy. She has vowed to keep the members of the party from harm and see their new community established safely.
Description:
Dahlia is a white-colored mouse with pink ears. She wears a chain shirt and carries a fancy-looking sword at her hip. She keeps her head covered and wears monk's robes over her armor, but she has a warrior's bearing about her. She obeys the abbot and her family in all things, and the idea of breaking the rules is abhorrent to her, except in cases of extreme mercy or protection of her community. She is somewhat sheltered in her outlook-- she has not encountered the great depravities of the world and is exceptionally tolerant of other creatures, so long as they do not threaten those she loves.
