The Kine Saga is a heroic fantasy trilogy written by British author A. R. Lloyd (Alan Richard Lloyd). It comprises Kine (also published as Marshworld), Witchwood and Dragon Pond (first published as Dragonpond), and chronicles the life of a wild least weasel named Kine. The name "Kine" comes from an Old English word for the weasel.

Publication

The first novel, titled simply Kine, was originally published in October 1982 by Hamlyn. It was republished by Arrow in 1990 as Marshworld. The sequel, Witchwood, first published by Muller in August 1989, was also republished by Arrow in 1990; the third book, Dragon Pond, followed from Muller in August 1990. In 2005, Marshworld was once again republished, this time under the original title, Kine, by Ulverscroft.

Plot summary

Marshworld

The young least weasel Kine lives alone at the place of his birth, beneath the roots of an old fallen willow dubbed the Life Tree. A very proud, boastful creature, he has few acquaintances: Watchman, the cynical old rook; Scrat, the shrew who is more nuisance than friend; and Kia, the bright young female weasel who seeks Kine's companionship. Adamant that weasels are meant to lead solitary lives, Kine spurns her affections, but soon comes to respect her when she rescues him from an owl, at risk to her own life. The two weasels become inseparable, creating a den beneath the Life Tree and parenting five kits. Content with this idyllic lifestyle, Kine is unaware of the brutal mink Gru and her followers intent on invading the forest.

Witchwood

In the year following the Mink Wars, Kine has resumed a solitary life by the Moon Pond. Since Kia's death he has refused to seek another mate. Vicious rats invade the forest, and Scrat's great-grandson (Scrat) seeks Kine's help to defeat them.

Dragon Pond

Another year has passed since the fight against Rattun, and Kine is growing old. His reputation in the forest is dwindling, and even Flit and Farthing consider him to be old news.

Characters

Kine and his friends and allies

Weasels

Birds

Other animals

Antagonists

Marshworld

Witchwood

Dragon Pond

Humans

Blood fury

In Marshworld, Kine sometimes gets blood fury when faces or is angry with a villain. This may be a mental condition. It causes Kine attack any animal near to him, regardless of being friend or foe. This condition is very similar to Bloodwrath (From the Redwall Series.)