Stryk Redkite was a large female red kite who lived in the Northern Mountains. Stryk made her nest on a small branch sticking out of the mountainside; however, the branch soon rotted away and broke off, causing Stryk to bounce down the mountain and break her wing.
She lay wounded for many days until hunger and pain overtook her and forced her to fly for medical aid. She flapped doggedly down south and into Mossflower Woods until she sighted Redwall Abbey and decided to head for the structure in the hopes that she would find help. The red kite was attacked by some of General Ironbeak's fighters upon her arrival, and in her weakened state, she was in no shape to defend herself.
Luckily, Constance came to her rescue, and, batting away rooks, dragged Stryk down tunnels built by Foremole. Soon afterwards, Sister May and John Churchmouse helped repair her wing, but they observed it will take time to fully heal and she must be patient. Not wanting to wait, Stryk wanted to fly again.
A few days later, Ironbeak and his rooks succeeded in getting past the Abbey's defenses and into Cavern Hole. Sister May lunged at Ironbeak, however she was flung to the ground and pecked at madly. What Ironbeak didn't count on was Stryk Redkite, whose wing had completely healed in a remarkably short time. The raven was no match for the fierce red kite. After a brief fight, Stryk killed Ironbeak, and the rest of his army was vanquished.
Later, Stryk returned to the mountains and at some point within the next seven seasons mated with another giant red kite named Skine. She visited Redwall with her mate and her daughter, May, who was named after Sister May as Stryk perceived her to be a fierce fighter.
Stryk spoke with a northern accent, like most other mountain hawks and eagles. She spoke in third person and her birdcall was usually “Kreeeeegh!”
Trivia[]
- Aside from Bluddbeak, Stryk's family were the only kites mentioned in the Redwall series.
- In the Nelvana Redwall TV Series, the mountain Stryk originated from was called "Allrock Allrock." Additionally, the branch Stryk's nest was on was said to be broken by a group of rats.