Rinkul the ferret was a Rapscallion soldier. Along with a detachment of others, he left the army before the death of Gormad Tunn on a scouting mission. The Rapscallion troops soon came into conflict with the Long Patrol, who defeated them. In the process, Rinkul killed the squirrel Russa Nodrey and took her hardwood stick. He alone escaped, thanks to his agility, and wandered through Mossflower Woods for a short time before he came upon Redwall Abbey. He discovered that the abbey's south wall was crumbling, and seizing a good chance, he hurried off to report to Tunn, not knowing of the Greatrat's death.