The Abbey Records

Copied & Compiled by Spruce during the Autumn following the Summer of Homecoming, the Twenty-Seventh Season after Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.

Brother Harper Sutton, Abbey Recorder

In the seasons when the Plague rushed through Redwall Abbey just before the appointment of Abbot Lorimis, the Abbey Recorder at the time was a hare named Brother Harper Sutton. He had been born in Salamandastron and later presumably passed into the Dark Forest some time during Lorimis' early reign as Abbot, survived by a son Tameus Sutton who went on to serve in the Long Patrol.

Only four entries from his time as Abbey Recorder survive, supplemented by the three entries made by 'Garth the Scholar'; whether or not more was written during this time is currently uncertain.

Garth the Scholar's Entries, Temporary Recorder

As Brother Harper Sutton had fallen ill, a creature known as 'Garth the Scholar' was asked to act as temporary recorder in Sutton's absence by an order member called Sister Caina. Three entries only were written, with little to no evidence Garth continued or even survived the sickness.

The Recordings of one Garth the Scholar Day One: Early January, Winter of the Plague

My arrival at the abbey was not as I had hoped. I entered the Great hall in good spirits, but soon learned that some kind of plague has stricken many of the residents. I was immediately warned by a young mouse to flee and wait until the plague ran its course, but this is something that needs recording, and I am apparently the only beast capable of doing it. I learned this from one Sister Caina, who informed me that the old recorder is in the infirmary, and asked me to leave a copy of my records for the abbey. So far I have learned that defiantly 19 beasts have died. The Order has quarantined the upper floors; no one is allowed to leave once they go up there. I also heard that a Long Patrol Major is preparing some sort of expedition to find a cure. I wish I could go along for that journey, but my place is here. I am hoping to speak with the abbot, learn more about this plague, but that’s if he hasn’t been stuck down with the others.

The Recordings of one Garth the Scholar Day Two: Early January, Winter of the Plague

A search party left the abbey today, in search of some herb called the Goldenwart which the healers say will cure this. I was sorely tempted to go along. Nothing in the way of news has come down from the infirmary.

The Recordings of one Garth the Scholar Day Three: Early January, Winter of the Plague

Beasts down in the Great Hall have been falling ill. Late last night the entire abbey was declared under quarantine, no one is allowed outside the walls. I have no idea what the current death toll is, for every time I ask the healers go all silent and staring. The sick are still kept up in the infirmary, and most of the healthy have gathered in the Cavern Hole and Lower Dormitories.

On my previous statement about the sick, that was merely an in general statement. A stoat, clearly infected, just appeared in the hall and sat near me. Do these abbey beasts have no sense left in them? The sick should be kept upstairs! Not allowed to wander freely around the still healthy! It is clear the Order has no idea how to contain an outbreak. The upstairs should have been completely cut off, the stairs should have been barricaded and fires lit to cleanse the air. And now this, allowing the sick to wander freely, I can only hope these barbarians can gather themselves and contain this before it consumes us all. For now I keep close to the fire, but if this stoat, who introduced himself as Kolya, is anything to go by I will soon be pitching a tent outside these halls.

The only praise I can offer the abbey beasts lies with the healers. They seem to be working around the clock, risking their own well being to tend the needs of others. Two of these healers, a hare and a mouse, seem to doubt my advice of lighting fires to clean the air, they also seemed to find me as unpleasant company; but did no better themselves.

I also meet Colonel Zoe Lang this evening. She seems the intelligent type, but kept trying to tell me to control my supposed temper. I calmly told her that if these abbey types would simply stop being so full of confidence in themselves, and listened; I wouldn’t be vexed with them.

Brother Harper's First Surviving Entry: Mid January, Winter of the Plague

Brother Harper recovered from his illness far more swiftly than many others at the Abbey, and began his work as Recorder once more:

Well, it would seem I have won the battle against the Plague. Though I doubt that has overmuch to do with myself. I should better say that the other healers have the victory in this particular battle. Or that my son has. Whichever is the case, I am improving. The fever has broken. The vessel for this humble mind feels battered and broken, but it also feels-- alive.

It only seems right that I should return to my duties now I have the strength to do so. While my mind was lost to the fog, the Abbey lost many more of its good creatures to the illness. However, the Abbey and its inhabitants will not go quietly, nor have they ever. A certain Brenden Thatcher, Private rank, of the Long Patrol, has presented the possibility of a cure. A certain herb, known as Goldenwort in his area of the world. It grows deep in the forest, in Southswards. He knows not whether it grows in Winter, but a quest has been rallied nonetheless. The questers left two days hence. I am told that we are not to expect them for a fortnight, though perhaps the spirits of those we've lost will bear them home more quickly, even, than that.

Because a cure, it is true, we are in dire need of. Even the humble Abbeybeasts can only be bent so low before breaking and I should wish myself dead before that day.

But perhaps that day has been put off a little, all the same, for the love of a dibbun. I think only a dibbun could think to make merry and light as a distraction for all this. Aged beasts are far too cynical! Ah well, but my son Tameus is not! He put on a play - a comedy! Starring himself as perilous hare, Long Patrol Colonel Wameus! His delicate damsel, Delilah, was played by our very own, Novice Bradge. He makes a very pretty maid, if I do say so myself. And as for the more villainous component, Colonel Zoe Francis and Sivaine Brennig played the roles of Dread Pirate Kessy and Nerdez, respectively. It was quite a thing... I nearly fainted dead away from laughing, though that's not a stretch for me right now!

I think we all owe Tameus a great amount of thanks. He has brought us all from the edge, not with herbs or simples, but with something far more effective.

Laughter.

- Brother Harper Sutton, Abbey Recorder

Brother Harper's Second Surviving Entry: Late January, Winter of the Plague

The last of the plague sufferers have been released from the infirmary! Thank the Spirits, it is over. The timing is appropriate - we feasted the Abbey's good fortune last night in the Great Hall. There was dancing and music from the Abbey's musicians. There were two stand-outs of the evening.

One, Ardice's celebratory cake! Oh, Martin! It was a sight. She had decorated it to resemble Goldenwort, the herb to which we owe our recovery. But I think there are very few but can feel anything but ambivalence for the stuff. Foul-tasting and poisonous in certain forms. Major Darklett, the poor soul, looked absolutely green upon seeing the raspberry syrup seeping out of the vines in place of sap. All the same, the cake was absolutely delicious.

And, of course, it is no surprise that my Tameus got up to his usual tricks! Without telling anyone, he and a few other dibbuns arranged for quite the spectacle. He sang a rather moving song and I'm surprised to say he sang it well. It is an old one. Let me see if I can transcribe it here...

"See the smoke curl from the chimney,

An the mat beside the door,

On the path there stands the family,

Like you left em long before.

Home returning, home returning,

Seasons gone an young uns grown,

Home returning, home returning,

Back to those I call my own!

There the fire burns and the ale brews,

An the bread bakes soft an brown,

While my friends wait with the good news,

Bring my chair an sit me down.

Home returning, home returning,

Comes the warrior from the war,

Home returning, home returning,

Home to wander nevermore!"

And right after that he and the other dibbuns had rigged a sort of catapult and they launched dozens of golden paper flowers over Great Hall. I think everyone enjoyed it, save for Major Darklett's son Caleb. He seemed to have a vendetta against them and went about crushing each one he could find.

It was a fine evening for the Abbey.

Scrawled at the bottom is a scribbled note, which reads, And the squirrel Magramba arrived with ribbons braided into his headfur. I really will have to speak to Novice Theodore about that.

Brother Harper's Third Surviving Entry: Early February, Winter of the Plague

The Abbey is suddenly a great deal emptier.

The Long Patrol has left. I believe the original plan was to wait 'til things warmed up a bit, but I suppose with first the owl, and then the battle on the Dirt Road, and finally the plague, they thought it best to leave while they still could!

It has been an unlucky stretch of months for us, no doubt.

Ah, well.

My Tameus has gone off with them. To get an early start on his grand plan to become Colonel! I am glad that he has found what he wants in life so young, but not having him here, not seeing his smile or hearing his laughter, it is a deep wound. Fortunately I have my work to keep me busy, but I can't but come back to the cot we shared each night and wonder who will sing him his lullabies, now?

The little scamp left a note. Ardice helped him to write it.

"It'll be a long time. I'll hate it and I'll miss you.

I'm sorry I'm not a good son. I'll work hard and think

of you all the time and one day I will be. I'll make you

proud. I promise. I love you more than anything.

Please be happy. Tam."

Ahhh, but he is and he does already! Where are you now, my son? I hope he is well.

- Brother Harper Sutton

Brother Harper's Final Surviving Entry: Early April, Spring following the Plague

Well, we have been back to the Abbey for some number of weeks, now. The aches and pains have all healed and I no longer wake up every morning convinced that Redwall is a dream and Ruingate only a wakings away...

Should all things always be recorded, to be passed down and remembered, or should some events just be allowed to pass away with one or two beast's memories? That's the question I've been contemplating these past weeks, with a stack of fresh parchment sitting at my desk and waiting to be written on. I suppose I still haven't made up my mind - or maybe I have, and I'm just not ready yet. There have been enough of sleepless nights thanks to this trip, just lately.

So I will write of simpler things. I'm sad to have missed the visit with my family. It has been seasons since I've seen my mother, or my brother Jacob. It's been long enough, he's grown from a leveret to nearly a full Private in my absence. I wonder what he must think of me, cloistered away here in the Abbey. Though, I suppose one couldn't fairly call my life here boring!

I miss Tameus, as well. I am awaiting a letter from him - something, anything really. I don't like to consider how he must have taken the news that we would not be arriving at the mountain. He is a very strong leveret, but in some ways he is very fragile and uncertain in life. I worry for him. No doubt life will toughen it out of him, but if it was my choice... I wouldn't have it so. There are some lessons I'd rather he not have to learn.

Ah well. My letter to them must have arrived a number of days ago. Hopefully he is not angry with me, and will write soon.

Meanwhile, Spring is blossoming everywhere. The seeds of life have been planted and the smallest of buds push through the freshly turned earth, seeking out the light of day. I believe I will take a lesson from the plants, and venture forth to greet the morning.

- Brother Harper, Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia, Abbey Recorder

After a span of roughly Twenty-Five seasons since Brother Harper acted as Abbey Recorder, a badgermaid named Sister Zinnia Winters began writing, which would eventually lead her to being appointed to the position of official Abbey Recorder in July - August of the Summer of Remembrance, the eighteenth season since the late Father Lorimis' appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country. Sister Zinnia would hold the post for nearly eight seasons until her resignation as Recorder in May of the Spring of New Beginnings, the fourth season since Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, after which she left both the Abbey and the Order.

She returned some three seasons later before passing into the Dark Forest in March of the Winter of Reflection, the seventh season since Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country. She was survived by an adopted son, the late Xander Winters.

Sister Zinnia's First Writings, Spring of Bells to Summer of Remembrance

During the Spring of Bells, the seventeenth season after Abbot Lorimis' appointment to the position of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, a beast named Marek gathered about himself a great horde of vermin, leading to what I shall henceforth call the Second Marek War the following Summer (the Summer of Remembrance). Throughout these events is when Sister Zinnia first began writing, chronicling nearly every event that took place in the Second Marek War in her personal journal, which has now been added to the Abbey Record here.

Sister Zinnia's First Journal Entry

I am starting these writings to record what has happen since we been away from Redwall Abbey. It is odd to be writing as when I first came to the abbey I couldn’t read or write very well at all and now I read and write very very well and recently even found out that even though I never seen it before I understand badger script. Badger Script is strange as it can tell the past as well as the future and sometimes things going on elsewhere in the here and now that you may not even know of. Now it doesn’t say everything but it tells important things one needs to know, who knows maybe whoever wrote it hundreds of season ago knew I would read it and that me and my group needed to know something. Oh sorry I should explain who this group is and how we came to Salamandastron, yes the great badger Mt. or Fire Mt as some call it.

Sister Zinna

Sister Zinnia's Second Journal Entry

I am writing down what I remember and trust me a lot of it is not easily forgotten. Me and a guard named Anomen, he’s a squirrel, were told by Martin the Warrior himself to seek aid at Salamandastron to help recover his sword and to help aid Redwall from an attack by a horde led by an evil stoat named Marek. The sword was stolen from our Champion Flicktail by a squirrel named Oak who drugged him and another guard. Oak lost the sword to Marek who used it as a symbol of power and took over Redwall. Redwall fell that day and those still there were now captive and under the power of Marek and his horde.

Sister Zinnia

Sister Zinnia's Third Journal Entry

Before the horde had come I, Elder Benar, Anomen, and Friar Lacota had already gone on our mission a 3-4 week trip to Salamandastron. The trip started out fine and we even found a Gawtrybe squirrel maid who joined us and her name was Treesong. We made it to the swamps and that is where trouble happen and the toads caught us but with my help and Treesong we were able to get out. Benar got on my shoulders and Treesong on his and got us vines, we escaped the toads with our lives but sadly lost supplies and everything we had with us, and were still a couple days from the Salamandastron. On the day we arrived we almost lost Treesong to a jellyfish sting but luckily a hare healer named Barley came to her aid and him and a the recorder hare Quinten led us inside Salamandastron. After a week of recovering we talked to Lord Sebastian, he is the badger lord, and he will help us. It seems he dislikes the idea of Flicktail being champion of the abbey, as Flicktail is a fox. Yes a fox is champion of Redwall but he is a good fox whom I trust with my life now. I did not trust Flicktail at first and slowly as time went on he gained my trust and now he is a friend. Anyways Lord Sebastien is sending 1000 hares total and himself to Redwall. They will be with us on the way home. Acting as Liaison is Benar and appointed Anomen as military advisor. Lord Sebastian has mentioned he and the long Patrol will have no dealing with Flicktail while they are in Mossflower, but will respect the title champion, this is why we needed a Liaison and military advisor. Well we are to head out in 3 days and I need to get some rest.

Sister Zinnia

Sister Zinnia's Fourth Journal Entry

Day 3 and we have headed out. I don’t have time to write too much right now I shall write more in a few days. Wish us luck.

Sister Zinnia

Sister Zinnia's Fifth Journal Entry

It has been a week so far and I find hares most interesting, where do they put all the food they eat I wander. Lord Sebastian seems to like to keep to himself; he is the current Badger Lord. I also found out he is a blacksmith like my papa is, I wonder if they would get along or not. The trip so far has been good and no trouble, then who wants to mess with a thousand hares and one very tall badger lord.

Sister Zinnia

Sister Zinnia's Sixth Journal Entry

Today I had a bad dream or vision from Martin. My papa, Zork, or father he can also be called seems to have been in a very bad fight. I am so scared of just how bad a fight it was and how he is and I can’t learn this till we get home. Martin said my father was to join the ranks of the order as a Brother or Elder maybe. The day my father lays down his warrior ways will for sure be a sight to see indeed.

Sister Zinnia

Sister Zinnia's Seventh Journal Entry

We had an interested visitor today, he arrived by swan, Brother Leon. But it seems the swan also had another with it a clan squirrel and I didn’t catch his name but he knew Treesong and took her with him to be the now leader of Gawtrybe. It seems the Gawtrybe leader was hurt badly and Treesong is the leader for now, well she is granddaughter to the main leader of Gawtrybe so makes sense. Leon stayed with us to finish our journey back to Redwall and has informed us Uncle Oz is fine and so are the dibbuns now, even Martins sword is in safe paws, an otter. Leon thinks it’s our head guard Lee that has Martins sword, I hope so. Other news is my father Zork is in bad shape and I am worried about him. Leon confirmed my father’s warrior days are over. I wander... maybe my father really will be becoming a brother or elder in the order after all.

Sister Zinnia

Sister Zinnia's Eighth Journal Entry

I have not written in a while as been thinking on other things. Like on how my father Zork is and how everyone is at the abbey. I hope they are ok. We are almost at Ferravale now and soon will make final any plans to get the abbey back into our paws. I will be staying at the base camp the Long Patrol and Lord Sebastian has set up. I will also try not to worry on how the battle will go or who may or may not die. Deaths happen when in war and injuries happen as well. Those who can fight and heal will go into battle, I do not know much on fighting at all but a hare has been teaching me some simple self-defense and I guess it’s ok to learn self-defense just in case I ever need it in the future, but it’s still a last resort as I am a Sister in the order and the abbey code is do no harm and only fight if one’s life is in danger and as a last resort. Well Benar and Sebastian will be heading out soon to see who else is going to help us get the abbey back. Brother Leon looks to be going to and said he be there as a healing beast, he is Master Healer after all so it makes sense for him to be there. Anomen will also go to Ferrvale and be in the big battle against Marek and his horde. Anomen had taken a walk earlier and came back clearly upset and told me he wishes to not talk about it and asked where Benar and Sebastian was, and I told him and he went off to speak to them. Hopefully it’s not bad news, I so dislike bad news. Well I should stop writing for now and will update you later.

Sister Zinnia

Sister Zinnia's Ninth Journal Entry

We have made it to a camp close to Ferravale. I cannot say where so that will remain a secret. No vermin species can enter the camp, even if a couple are friends it seems. But that is ok as it does keep the cap safe. I went out to try and find someone who may know how my Papa is and I ended up a captive of the Gawtribe. It seems they were for a short while taken over by Alvar as he has been Treesong in a fight and is leader and he is a mean leader and says they will no longer be friends to any beast but the clan.

I write more to say Alvar was defeated, in fact killed by Anomen who came to help Treesong and myself, Anomen is now temporary leader of the Gawtribe, plus he is still military advisor for this war we are dealing with, but the Gawtribe is on our side once more so all is well. Even better news Treesong and Anomen are now to soon wed, not sure when this will be as first we must win this war with Marek and then get things back to normal. Maybe A feast and a wedding, that would be so fun and enjoyable!

Sister Zinnia

A hasty scribble in a small and cramped paw-writing has been added to the bottom of the page:

I also helped with Alvar's defeat! Nearly died trying!

- J.R.M.

Sister Zinnia's Tenth Journal Entry

A lot has happen at the base camp. Hares are training and getting ready to fight and a more serious tone has come over the camp. I will be staying at the base camp till the ok is given that the abbey is free and we can go inside. I will also help tend to some of the less serious injuries as I do know basic healing skills.

Sister Zinnia

Sister Zinnia's Eleventh Journal Entry

The abbey is once more free, but many lost their lives to get it free again. I stayed at the base camp and a couple hares got me back to the abbey. My papa Zork and Uncle Oz are fine, to which I am glad. Many in the Long Patrol died, half the Gawtrybe died and some shrews died as well. The head Guard Lee had found Martin The Warriors sword and keep it safe. He led a small group of Redwallers inside and rang the bells in the bell tower as a distraction. A squirrel named Oak opened the abbey gates to let beasts inside, but he disappeared and from what heard went into the woods somewhere. Also the moles caused a section of the south wall to fall down, further surprising the horde beasts that had taken over our home. The moles are already starting to repair the wall and make it even stronger. The gates are getting fixed as well; the blacksmith whom is also my Papa is helping fix the abbey gates. The wounded are being cared for by Head Healer Brother Leon and the other healers. The dibbuns have yet to be brought back but that should be in a couple days once some cleanup has taken place around the abbey. Well I should get some needed rest, in my own bed. It will feel so good to once more sleep in my bed and my own room.

Sister Zinnia

Sister Zinnia's Records, Entries #1-4, August of the Summer of Remembrance

Following the events of the Second Marek War, Sister Zinnia was officially appointed to the position of Abbey Recorder in late July or August of the Summer of Remembrance, the eighteenth season since the late Father Lorimis' appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.

Sister Zinnia's First Entry as the Official Abbey Recorder, August

I am sorry I have not written in a while. I been spending time with Papa and Uncle Oz. The abbey has slowly recovered from the takeover and things are getting back to normal. Today is the feast and great fun and food was to be had. This was the first time I truly enjoyed a Redwall feast. The lives that were lost were remembered today with lanterns on the trees; yes the trees as we had the feast outside in the orchards. The summer of Remembrance it was named. Another great thing happen I am now Redwall Abbey Recorder! I still take care of the library and keep the abbeys records but now I feel more proud to do so and will work extra hard to keep the library neat and clean and in good order, I will also may sure all things are recorded that needs to be remembered. The sword of Martin is once more back in Flicktail’s paws now as well. We also have a bee keeper now, Melibella as her and her newborn daughter have decided to live here. I need to go help clean up, I will update later.

Sister Zinnia, Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Second Entry, August

I want to update as I found out today Bottlebrush has returned to the abbey, which is good as he is a healer and healers are always needed.

Other news is sadder, my friend Treesong has died, but there is not total loss of hope as she has a small newborn baby that has survived. It is thought the poison from the Jellyfish sting weeks ago may have still been in her system and made her weaker; childbirth took a lot of her energy. The baby’s name I learned is Cotasong, a way to honor his mother and Anomen had wanted to name the child after a close friend, Friar Lacota, so the name is a mix of both names. Friar Lactoa is fine so please do not worry and is busy making dinner or rather finishing making it so I best get to Cavern Hole as he doesn’t like it when beasts are late for dinner.

Sister Zinnia, Recorder of Redwall Abbey

Sister Zinnia's Third Entry, August

Sorry I have not updated for a while. First some sad news, Sister May has passed away and will be missed. She was very old, I am sure how old but fairly old and was one of the first beasts I meet when I first came here. She helped Uncle Oz with the younger dibbuns, now one of the novices do. I help with the dibbuns ages 4-6 seasons and so far I have done very well.

We will have the fall feast soon and my papa is helping to raise the new gates, and the gates are stronger than ever before. The feast should be fun and enjoyable. I am still loving being the recorder and love to keep you updated. We have had friends come and friends go. Luckily no more in death have left. Angelo the hare left to go back to his own village as a brother of his needed him, and Anomen has left with his son Cotasong. Those new , we have Taran who has come to the abbey, just yesterday he helped save one of the dibbuns I help, young Thorn, who had an allergic reaction to some nuts. Taran got her to the infirm very quickly and saved her life, even though he seems to think he didn’t, in my opinion he did. We also have an odd sea otter maid here and who seems interested in learning to use the forge, a possible apprentice for papa? I am unsure and will keep you updated on what happens there and what her name is once I also learn that. There is also a vixen named Rayen, I have only spoken to her a couple times and she seems nice. She is a healer and makes baskets out of reeds, which I think is an interesting skill to have. She seems to have made our champion happy, and I think she is happy as well when she is with him and it’s always nice to make beasts happy.

Our Master Healer Brother Leon took a couple weeks off and is now back on duty, I think some time off, which he rarely takes, helped him a lot and also Taran, whom I mentioned earlier, is his father..yes they are related and look to be trying to finally be father and son and I wish them luck with that.

Not much else is going on that I have not mentioned, till next time.

Sister Zinnia, Recorder of Redwall Abbey

Sister Zinnia's Fourth Entry, September

Another quick update

I am adding this, though the problems seem to have left. A group called the Silent Blades have been around. Led by a rat I learned name was Ebony and seems to dislike the abbey. So far they have not caused too much trouble here and just on the road by robbing beasts as they travel the road. The wall guards as well as our Head Guard Lee and the Champion Flicktail are keeping an eye on the roads to make sure the Silent Blades do not do too much to endanger any beasts. I have learned they are a small group of just under 10 beasts and in a couple recent fights have lost a pawful of their beasts, this before being under 10 beasts, still not being too big a group even then, maybe 15 before and dropped to just under 10 beasts now, I see no danger to the abbey but would suggest being careful on the dirt road, I know I will be.

Thanks for your time,

Sister Zinnia, Recorder of Redwall Abbey

Sister Zinnia's Records, Entries #5-10, Autumn of Portals to Winter of Thundersnow

Written from roughly October, Autumn of Portals, the nineteenth season since the late Father Lorimis' appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, to December, Winter of Thundersnow, the twentieth season since the late Father Lorimis' appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.

Sister Zinnia's Fifth Entry, October

I have been very busy with teaching the dibbuns ages 4-6 seasons and even have a couple 3 season olds as well in my classes now. One update is there was the Fall Feast a couple weeks ago (Oct 24th) and it went very well. Father even did the speech and named the season, Autumn Of Portals. Portals is another name for doors and openings like gats also, I rather like the seasons name. The feast went well and the new gates are up, stronger than ever before.

Another update is the sea otter; Silverstorm is now my father’s apprentice and is learning to be a blacksmith. I worry about papa as he is making a wheeled chair and uses a cane a lot more than when he walks around. I have talked to Brother Leon and he says my Papa or as most know him as Brother Zork, will most likely be in that wheelchair a lot sooner rather than later as the heart attack he had in the summer did cause a lot of damage and he nearly died twice and was in a deep faint a week, it took him half a season, maybe a little longer to recover from it and maybe he never really fully recovered from it, not all the way anyways. Papa claims he is ok and knows to take it easy, maybe that’s why he has his apprentice Silverstorm now, she can help him and one day take over the Blacksmith duties but I do hope Papa is around many many more seasons.

I add this to the records. Taran has died, not that the abbey knew him that well but I felt it important to add this, he was buried in his old village where he died and Brother Leon was away a couple weeks, along with his mate Dorarose, to visit the village he grew up in and to attend a wake for Taran. Taran was Brother Leon’s father, if I have not mentioned that before. Brother Leon is back now, as well as Dorarose, and once more back to his Master Healer duties.

An update I forgot to add...The Silent Blades group is no more, their leader Ebony died and some of the group was killed and others left the group as it broke apart and they went elsewhere to not bother this area again. Ebony died a hero; she had perhaps turned from her evil ways to save her daughter from someone in her own group that aimed to kill the child. Thorn lives at the abbey now and is doing very well in her pottery skills and learning about trees and plants and how to take care of the abbey grounds. Thorn has been adopted by Elder Benar and I think she will do very well in the abbey and maybe one day be a Sister in the order, course she has to be a novice first and that may be in a season or two as she has recently I learned turned 5 seasons and is one of the dibbuns I teach.

Well this is all for updates for now, that and my paw hurts from all this writing, till next time,

Sister Zinnia-Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Sixth Entry, November

Friar Lacota has glasses now. The blacksmith Zork made them for him. This is good as he had some vision problems before and now he doesn't. Other news is it looks like my papa, or Brother Zork the Blacksmith of our abbey will be not doing too much the next several days. He injured his shoulder badly in a fall; this only makes me worry more about him even if he seemed fairly fine, I am unsure his emotional side is okay. He has totally finished his wheelchair and even was sitting in it today, but he wasn’t very talkative. He didn’t talk to me at all and so I left him his breakfast and decided to check on him later. I will keep you updated as I have a class to do

Sister Zinnia-Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Seventh Entry, November

Dear friends,

A lot has happen and I have been busy fixing old books in the library and looking to see what could be done for a future spring cleaning, and it’s been planned to have one threw-out the abbey and I think it would be a wonderful idea!

Some other news, that’s troublesome, is we almost lost our Master Healer Brother Leon due to a poisonous spider bite he received on his paw. The spider was disposed of and the attic where it happen checked, no other spiders thank the seasons. But Brother Leon did almost die and was saved by a healer hare named Angelo. News that should be happy does have some sadness to it as to save his life Brother Leon had to lose his right paw to do so, but I believe he will still be the Master Healer we all know and love and will get through this with the help of family and friends. Other sad news is Angelo has passed on to the dark forest, we are unsure why and suspect his health was not too good in his old age. Angelo has been buries in the graveyard on our abbey grounds off the Open ground area.

Brother Leon is doing a little better, other news is a major snow storm hit Mossflower. I do hope no one was out in the snow and icy mess. Looks like this winter will indeed be a cold one that’s for sure well I am off to go sit by the fireplace it the great hall

Sister Zinnia-Redwall Abby Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Eighth Entry, December

Hello,

A quick update on the news of Redwall Abbey for you all. The winter season is still in its early days and we have had the blizzard and another smaller storm so far so a good deal of snow. Paths have been cleared to a couple areas of the abbey that’s of importance like the champion’s cottage and the cottage where Our Master Haler Brother Leon and his mate Dorarose live with their two dibbuns.

That reminds me Our Master Healer Brother Leon has almost fully recovered from his time after the bad spider bite. He has lost his right paw, but at least he did not lose his life. He will need to get use to only having one paw and he seems to be doing slowly and he is still our Master Healer and wil be for many, many seasons I do hope.

We have a new sea otter with us and he has decided to stay, his name is Artie and he can play a lute as well as a flute and he sings, music is always welcomed in the abbey. We also had the chieftain of Ferravale, Scioto and his friend Astra stay with us for a few days but he is now heading back to Ferravale which I guess is good as he is the chieftain of the village Ferravale after all.

Not much else to say for now and I am late for breakfast, till next time,

Sister Zinnia-Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Ninth Entry, Undated; Possibly February or March

Hello!

We had the Winter Feast not too long ago and the season was named Winter of the Thundersnow, it was a good name I think. We all had fun and look forwards to the Spring feast soon. At the Spring feast Rayen and Flicktail are to wed so that should be a great event as well and another bit of good news we have had no trouble around from anything or even vermin, its been a quiet winter and fall was some what quiet towards the end. I have still been busy with the library and maybe that's why it took me so long to write any updates.

One update is I have an uncle! His name is Zee and he is really old but seems to get around just fine. Uncle Zee some reason wants to live in Ferravale but that's fine as we do have a peace treaty with Ferravale and he seems very able to take care of any problems he may run into. I wish my Papa, Brother Zork, could get around well as he is in a wheelchair now. Sometimes I worry about my papa and have been told to try not to worry too much. Well I best get back to the library as there is still much to do and I want done before the sping feast here in about 3-4 weeks.

Sister Zinna-Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Tenth Entry, Undated; Presumably early April

Hello, it’s been 3 weeks and a lot has happen. Yesterday was the Spring Feast and was named the Spring of New Beginnings and I would agree as Rayen and Flicktail got married and the wedding went very well. So Flicktail and Rayen are starting a new life together. Also Streamheart, Lee’s mate, may be having her dibbun born on the next day or so, a new life in the abbey. Also we have a new novice, Caleb, who is Leon’s son, is now a novice and studying to become a cook!

Some other things around the area is Marek is back, but he seems to have changed and maybe is trying to be good. Marek lives in Ferravale for now and even helped me and Scioto as well as himself when a beast tried to poison us. The beast was after Marek and Scioto more than me, guess I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But things turned out okay and I am fine as well as Marek and Scioto.

Other news is the roads and woods seem to be free of trouble the past few weeks and that’s always a welcome sign, and life is good at Redwall.

Well Papa or as the abbey called him Brother Zork, has fully retired from being the blacksmith and has passed it on to the otter maid Silverstorm, but he will check on her every so often. Zork is also in a wheelchair almost all the time now but he still seems like his jolly self regardless. I do worry about him sometimes as he does have trouble getting in and out of the wheelchair when he is not in it, which is rarely he is not in it. When he goes a short distance or meditates or when he sleeps he is not in his wheelchair.

Well it’s late and I should get to bed…

Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Records, Entries #11-17, Spring of New Beginnings to Summer of Friends and Renewal

Written from roughly April, Spring of New Beginnings, the twenty-first season since the late Father Lorimis' appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, to July, Summer of Friends and Renewal, the first season after Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, following Abbot Lorimis' passing in the spring.

Sister Zinnia's Eleventh Entry, Mid April

Greetings,

It is with a sad and heavy heart I mention the death Of Abbot Lorimis. He died around the lunch hour and all the abbey is saddened over the loss of Abbot Lorimis. This just a week after the Spring Feast. Abbot Lorimis led a good full and very long life, he was old and this may have helped led to his death, also a cough he had that never cleared up. Brother Leon and Angela did all they could to help prevent his death and I know they are depressed over this as well.

I am saddened as well, a couple days before I showed Abbot Lorimis the newly redone library. This made him so happy and joyful, he loved it and even more so the glass case to better protect the charter of the abbey order. I was worried about him then as he did pass out for a few minutes but he seems ok a little later and we even had a small chat, which was nice. The abbot also got to have tea with my Uncle Oz or better known to the dibbuns as Papa Oz. Maybe the abbot knew his time was close and wanted us to remember the good times with him and these are the memories we should hold close to us dear friends. Abbot Lorimis would not want us to be sad and depressed and feel weak. He would want us to be strong and to love life and love one another and help one another through hard times. Be there for others through the good and even the bad times. Alone we are weak and can easily fall, but together we are strong and we don’t fall. Abbot Lorimis would want us to not dwell on his death, but dwell on how he lived his life.

Soon the next abbot will step up, but first there is the funeral for Abbot Lorimis. I will be taking a walk, walk help me relax and I can personally deliver the notice of Abbot Lorimis death to Ferravale. Ferravale has always been a friend to us and we have a peace treaty with them, it is important that they too know of Lorimis passing.

I close with these words love one another, be there for one another, keep loved ones close and never forget those who have passed on.

Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Twelfth Entry, Late April

Well, a week has passed since Abbot Lorimis death and now we have a new abbot. Elder Benar is now Abbot Benar, a wise choice indeed. The funeral of Abbot Lorimis went well.

That is all for today.

Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Thirteenth Entry, Undated; presumably June

Dear friends,

A lot has gone on in the past couple months’ time. Abbot Benar is has started whats called a processional to visit important historical locations that are important in the history of Redwall Abbey. It is a traditional journey made by the new Abbot of Redwall Abbey to mark the importance of Redwall's History. So far it has been interesting. Those left in charge of the abbey are Angela, for infirm duties mainly, also Brother Elmef, My Uncle Oz and my Papa Elder Zork..yeah he is an Elder now. But all will help one another I am sure and the trip is only a couple weeks and will end with a great Summer Feast at the edge of the quarry. I have never visited the quarry but I will make an effort to record about each place we stop as help get some history down.

First stop is St. Ninians: An old , old and now run down church. Once it was a place of goodness, a sanctuary against the wild woodlands. Its bell rang out over the land. It was a home of a peaceful family and they tended the sick, they prayed to those above and beyond and they offered a place to rest for those who had departed. They were friends of Redwall, Friends of the Badgers of Brock Hall and it was a peaceful place that stood for goodness, kindness and integrity. But in the end it fell, Cluny the Scourge befouled the sanctity of this Hall. In his season long siege of Redwall Abbey he despoiled what was good about this place. Seasons later Slagar the Cruel used it as a base for slavery and later an evil brood of ravens took shelter here and caused the death of an innocent of Redwall. And though this place is now no more, a ruin forgotten, tumbled, burnt it is not forgotten by Redwall. It is a lesson and a memory we cannot and should not forget what happened here, that good was turned to evil. It could happen even to our beloved Redwall if we are not true to ourselves, support one another and work together to keep the ideals of our Abbey alive.

Wise words I think as Abbot Benar explained the history of the church and we all sat down to tell stories to, as Abbot Benar said, “Tonight we stay here, to honor the memory of those who came before us and to remember. We all have tales to share, tonight there is no Abbot, no Brothers or Sisters we are all just friends. Gathered here to recall, to tell stories and to know one another so that we may all remember together our pasts."

We learned more of one another and I think grew closer to one another at the same time. The 2nd night we told stories of others in our life, and I spoke of my Papa, Elder Zork and a couple others shares stories as well. I bet Papa would of liked seeing the church maybe, I do not know, but I am sure I will have much to tell him and Uncle Oz when I get back…..Next stop is Brock Hall, I think it was home to a badger family once, I hope to also learn much there. Till then my friends.

Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Fourteenth Entry, Early July

Dear friends,

I have once more sat down to write down of what me and others on this historical processional with Abbot Benar. The weather has been very good so far and there was only one day of some rain and it didn’t last very long at all. Many have told their stories while we were at the church and more stores were told once we arrived at Brock Hall. But more on Brock Hall later my friends first I need to recount some of the stories told at St. Ninians. I have gotten permission to include this tales.

Our own Abbot Benar Said:

“A very emotional day for me. I'd been many things in my life. I'd been a Slave, I'd seen Sampetra, an Orphan then an adopted child living with my mother in the woods. Then I had been a soldier in Southsward, the realm of the Squirrel King and then... here I was, in Redwall Abbey about to embrace a life of peace. I had never been so scared, I was going to turn my back on all I knew and embrace something new. I broke my bow, I stowed my sword where it could never be used again and I became a Novice of Redwall Abbey. If it hadn't been Sister Sunflower I would never have been able to take such a step. It was not easy to do, but I did my best to move forward and embrace my new life. In doing so I have never been happier or in a place to be able to help so many people at once."

- And now he is Abbot and I find that very wonderful, he has indeed been through a lot in his life but he never let in keep him down, he never gave up and he let friends, the most important thing in the world, help him become the beast he is today.

Next is Head Guard Lee, as he said:

“I ain't been at Redwall but a few seasons now. Before that I were 'omeless in the South. Not very pleasant life, ta be honest. I 'eard about Redwall from a passin' merchant, though, an' he had all kinds of good things ta say about it, so I decided ta come see for myself. Took me awhile ta get 'ere... Over 'alf a season. At times, I thought I'd never make it. But then I did. An' it were amazin', just like the merchant 'ad said. I came 'ere, seekin' a home, an' I was welcomed in willin'ly, an' I got that 'ome. Not long after, I got a job, too, defendin' the Abbey, an' I found a brother, an' a father." He pauses, nuzzling Konrad who's asleep in his arms. "But the most important was me family. Streamheart, Konrad, and Rosepaw... I wouldn't trade 'em for the world..."

- I find this also good and he is a great head guard and good protector of friends. And Abbot Benar even echoed my thoughts that night as he said Family is one of the most important things we can ever find. And I agree as if it wasn’t for my Papa, Uncle Oz and even Uncle Zee I would be so lost in the world.

Many other stories were told, all ending with the truth of family and friends being like pure gold to us all.

Now I shall speak of the Great Brock Hall,

A very grand old oak tree, it has stood here longer then Redwall has. Over the years badgers have come and gone and it has been inhabited by many beasts over the turning seasons. But even when it has stood empty as it does now Redwall has taken care of it, kept it preserved and cared for.

Here, at this 2nd location, we spoke of leaders of the past and now. Dorarose spoke of her grandfather who lived elsewhere from Mossflower and she let me include her tale in our records and this is her story from her own words,

“My grandfather, David Mightyone, had the Bloodwrath, great and terrible. He wielded this battleaxe, Nightsong, which was forged by his great-grandfather before him. My grandfather was wild and unpredictable when he was young, full of uncontrollable rage. He met my grandmother, Nancy. She was also a Warrior, but she was calmer than him. To try and win her love, he started working on self-control. Then the War came. Our enemies, the Perusians, were attacking us. Attacking Tuscani, and our great city of Roma. They outnumbered us, a thousand to our 300. We fought bravely, but they pushed us back, until we were right against the city's walls. My grandfather was leading our troops, struggling to not give in to his Berserker's rage. Our troops thought for sure they were going to lose, and die upon their city's doorstep. But help arrived, just in time! Our allies from the North came in, after 3 days of desperate, non-stop battle, and they came in and attacked from the back. Cheering, my grandfather led the troops of Roma in a last charge, letting the Bloodwrath take him over. Not a single Perusian was left alive that day. my grandfather was wounded terribly, and after the heat of battle left him, he slipped into a Deep faint." she shakes her head. "So many beasts were injured...or died. It was horrible. It took scores of seasons for the various wounds to heal....including the ones you cannot see. My grandfather, along with all the other wounded, were taking into Roma's large Infirmaries and treated. My grandmothers, Nancy and Angela, nursed him back to health together, for they were the best of friends. I am sorry to say that the few Perusians who were left were sold as slaves, for Tuscani has slavery as it's most heinous crime. Slowly my grandfather healed, and one day he asked Nancy to marry him. She agreed, and when he was fully healed, they had a quiet wedding at his father's house....which was passed down to my father, Farrer Strongpaw, which by rights belongs to my oldest brother, who lives somewhere in Tuscani still. My grandfather, because of his many wounds, was no longer a military leader, but he did lead troops in the skirmishes that always happen along roads. He and his wife died before I was born, but they left a legacy that I hope I am able to honor.”

- And honored it shall be in the abbey records.

Abbot Benar told the story of one of the first Abbess of Redwall, during the days before Redwall, when Mossflower was under the cruel enslavement of the Greeneyes Dynasty of Wild Cats. In this Hall lived Bella, the Badger Lady of Brockhall and it was here that Abbess Germaine first dreamt up the idea that would eventually become Redwall. Bella had lived here for a long time, in peace, but when the Greeneyes swept in from the north and conquered Mossflower her husband who was a farmer died resisting his forces. Many good and brave beasts died resisting the wild cats and though the population of Mossflower were not enslaved they were forced to labor hard and give up their crops as taxes. Though many tried to formulate plans for resistance Bella sat here in Brockhall, hidden, safe, and it is here that she made her plans. Drawing those to here who could resist the wildcats. It was here that Bella gathered the brave leaders of the resistance. It is here that Martin the Warrior came when he was rescued from the prison of the Wildcats by Gnoff the Mousethief. It is here that Abbess Germaine of lost Loamhedge came. It is here, during the long summer of resistance that the Abbess first had her thoughts of Redwall. There was a farm close to a riverbank where the Order Mice and Lady Bella took the young ones to be safe during the final rebellion against the cats. Abbess Germaine's original plans for Redwall are stored in the abbot's study back home. Along with Germaine's notebooks, she was the first Abbess and she wrote our charter and decreed our way of life. The Abbess spent the rest of her life building Redwall, the outer walls where first, a safe haven from the dangers of the world. They enclosed all those acres of land in beautiful red stone walls. After that they built the main building, the cloisters and yards. Martin made the Rose Garden be built himself.

Brother Leon join us a little later and shared a small story about Abbot Lorimis.

Brother Leon: ” What about him? He was a very wise leader and always listened to others. I remember I had not been at the abbey very long, and this was when I was just a novice. I remember that day well, when that Stormfeather was around. I don't know why I was on the wall tops that day I...well let’s just say I am rarely up there but that day I was, think cause was talking to Lorimis. Stormfeather already had Oz, and he had sent ravens to try and get Lorimis, I shoved Lorimis out of the way and the raven grabbed me instead .Lorimis wasn’t afraid or least he didn’t show it if he ever was or at any time really when there was danger."

- Abbot Benar confirmed saying the ravens they dropped burning barrels upon the abbey, they shattered and set fire to so very much. We lost the Kiln that day and all of our crops. It was a bad time but Lorimis rallied us all, he never wavered, he kept the order working side by side whilst providing support and courage to the Champion and Captain Lee to lead the guards.

I am glad the Kiln was rebuilt and will have to find out who rebuilt it from Abbot Benar later or maybe another beast can tell me. Some other news is we have a couple new friends, two sea otters named Mint and Aibne, they are brother and sister and may join us as we travel on the rest of this processional. The next stop from here is The village of Ferravale, its run by a cat named Scioto and the abbey and Ferravale has a peace treaty together. I am not sure what we will speak of or learn there but I am eager to find out as my Uncle Zee lives there! Why dos Uncle Zee live there? I am unsure, so maybe I will ask him and maybe he as some great stories and tales to tell us as well. In fact this is making me very excited, so I may see if I can go on ahead of the others to Ferravale. Besides I am a messenger as well and can let Chieftain Scioto know the abbey beasts will be in the village soon. I do hope he was told, I am sure he was and if not I will let him know so he is ready. Also my paw hurts from all this writing, it needs a rest. Well I must go talk to Abbot Benar now and see about heading to Ferravale ahead of the others, I think Rayen will be going with me, she is our Abbey Champion’s Mate and she can be some good company as I was never one to go too far on my own.

Till next time,

Sister Zinnia,Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Fifteenth Entry, July

Well,

Ferravale is surely interested. I am still unsure how my Uncle Zee likes this place. But there is a large market of some many different things, so unlike the abbey and so many things I have not seen before. I have been to Ferravale one other time but didn’t take the time to truly look around the village. It’s amazing here! The sights and smells, the many shops in the market place, there was even a small bit of booths in the main square near where the abbey beasts stayed, they stayed at the Inn mainly, and I stayed with my Uncle Zee at his hut.

The chieftain seemed in a fairly good mood today and even stayed a short while, while stories were told. Tonight we got to hear how Flicktail became a good beast. I wrote it down in his own words.

Flicktail: "I started life as a Dibbun slaver. My horde had made an attack on the Fire Mountain, not the brightest thing we ever did. A badger lord with red eyes were after me and me own brother put a shaft thru me foot paw so the Badger would get me and not them. I got very sick from the wound as I tried to get away, and I stumbled into Camp Willow. The Skipper agreed to allow me to live if I helped recover the dibbuns, which I did. I was so sick and cold. When I awoke, an otter pup had seen me and climbed up to keep me warm. I could not BELIEVE it as I was a slaver and here this PUP was helping me. I was going to be a Vermin. I was going to betray the otters, but I discovered something, for the first time in my life, I was warm and me belly was full and I was not afraid. But I was uneducated. And when me mentor, Kroova, came to me and told me foxes cannot live in Camp Willow, so you are going to BECOME an OTTER. Now I know what he meant is I would train as a Shield beast in the otter guard, but I believed I'd be a REAL otter. Even tried swimming under the ice once and that were not very wise of me. But I were terrified of badgers and of RedWall abbey because ALL vermin know martin will drag a vermin beast off to the Black Forest. When a feast came I was required to go to RedWall as an otter and oh I was so terrified of the tapestry and Colonel Zoe Lang, of the long Patrol herself .introduced me to Martin and I told him how sorry I was and that night, a White Mouse came to me. You see I used to be a RED fox. and he told me that to know it was real my fur would be white as my promise to be a good beast and that he would make me is champion to protect the dibbuns and good beasts of Mossflower and sure enough within a fortnight, Abbot Lorimis' mate showed up with this very blade and said she was visited by a white mouse and told to bring the blade to the abbey for a beast with fur like Martin's...."

Yeah, Lorimis had been married at one time, but I remembered reading in some old logs she has died, forgot what of so maybe I will look that up some time.

Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Sixteenth Entry, July

Hello friends,

Next we stopped at Camp Willow along the River Moss, a very nice place with a very nice library as I spend some hours in there reading. The otters decided to try and out cook some hot root with Lacota. It was fun to watch, but I am unsure who won as I feel asleep.

Not too many stories were told, one I liked was one my Uncle Zee told. Oh yes Uncle Zee decided to come along with us for the rest of the trip, I think that’s great! His story was this in his own words.

Uncle Zee: "I know one of two brothers when they were younger, hee... Now this be seasons ago in the far snowy north, lots of seasons ago when they were 3 seasons and... Yes 8 seasons, but for an 8 season old he acted like a dibbun and probably still does. Anyways they were late getting back to the clan grounds so the older brother gets an idea to use a hollowed out log to...well slide down the steep snowy hill all the way to the bottom. A good..say it was 2 miles long," Zee goes on, "Anyways, the older brother talks the younger one into getting on the log... hee heee, now I was at the bottom when they came flying down, oh man never seen someone so grumpy as Silverfangs, tee hee...told them, you boys got here safe but that was a foolish thing to do and he grounded them both... it would of been better if they were late." He chuckles and grins, "And you all know the much older brothers now... the older one is Zork and the younger was is Oz.”

I rather enjoyed the story. I also learned some history of Camp Willow while in their library. Camp Willow was founded way back before the Abbey was even built. It aided in the fight against Tsarmina, and helped the abbey on countless occasions.

We then left to go to the Quarry and the sight of the Summer Feast!

I need to go, write again soon,

Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Seventeenth Entry, July

Dear Friends,

The feast was wonderful and great. We had it at the quarry. This is where redstone was gotten for the abbey and also where an evil snake who had Martins sword many many seasons ago stayed, it was slain by Martin’s great sword.

The feast was named by my papa, Elder Zork as Abbot Benar asked him to name it and I think he chose well..The Summer of Friends and Renewal.

The food was great and so was time with friends and family. Some beasts became novice and Silverstorm was named Sister in the order, also very great news.

Well it is bed time my friends so good night till next time,

Sister Zinnia, Recorder of Redwall Abbey

Sister Zinnia's Records, Entries #18-24, Summer of Friends and Renewal to Autumn of Traveling Companions

Written from August, Summer of Friends and Renewal, the first season after Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, to October, Autumn of Traveling Companions, the second season after Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.

Sister Zinnia's Eighteenth Entry, August

Dear Friends,

Not much has happen. The orchards and crops are doing well and we will have a good harvest come harvest time. Rayen, mate to Champion Flicktail will be having her dibbun soon. I have grown to love the dibbuns as I help teach the 5 and 6 season old ones sometimes in the library, I teach them the charter, more advanced reading and writing and of history of Redwall, Mossflower and just History of places near and far as History is very important and should be keep up to date. I try to keep the Recorder logs up to date in fact.

I also been repairing many books in the library and will place them on shelves soon, what joy to place books of the past on the shelves and it’s even good to get new books sometimes. Other happens in the abbey is the forge hasn’t been used much by our new Blacksmith Silverstorm, then it is Summer after all and the forge can make it even hotter, but she has made barrel rings and tools for the harvest in the fall and even some shovels for winter, well I need to go check on my Papa..he wasn’t feeling too well earlier. Sometimes I feel I worry too much about him.

Signed,

Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Nineteenth Entry, August

Dear friends,

Sorry if not written too much past couple weeks. I have been busy fixing books and placing them on the shelf. I am almost done repairing books from the book binding room! Well..least till beasts find more. I have also been spending more time with Papa, who seems to be feeling better and I am glad, Papa has even been hanging out with some of the dibbuns, for some odd reason members of the DAB OR Dibbuns Against Bedtime, I hope they and he knows to be careful as Papa can’t do too much or least he shouldn’t.

Well I am going to bed.

Signed,

Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Twentieth Entry, August

Abbey Beasts...Friends,

My worst nightmare has happen today. The day started out fine and in fact was the best day ever helping in the orchards, laughing and even accidentally making a not so ripe apple go all over Brother Rick’s head and I even tried to meditate with Papa…well I am not good at meditation.

But right before lunch my world fell into chaos, my heart seemed to stop as I saw my father collapse beside his wheelchair and I rushed over, he seemed unconscious and did not responded to my pleads and my screams. Brother Leon and soon after Angela confirmed my worst nightmare come true, My father…My Papa... better known as Elder Zork, former Blacksmith and Warrior…was dead, he was gone, he was dead and in the dark forest. I fear I cannot handle this as it’s a bad dream I wish to wake from and I know I can’t. My joy… my happiness left today, it died with my father and I fear it will never come back again!

I do not know when I will write again.

A clear break in the writing, though I believe the following was written the same day as the incomplete entry above:

I will still keep recorder logs up to date. The day is sunny I see if through the window, but to me the day is nothing but hazy fog and a storm of rainy tears. A couple beasts have knocked on the book binding room I have locked myself in, I think even Abbot Benar... I don’t care, I don’t want to come out! I don’t want to see any beast, I just want left alone for now. I don’t want to see my father’s chair or his peaceful form..I know it looks like he is sleeping, yeah a forever sleep he will never wake from! His laughter and smile will never be heard or seen again, his voice, his off key singing, his jokes, his..just being his odd self... it’s gone, it’s gone forever…

I have taken time to slip out and lay this down on a table, this is all I have in me to write today, I will now go lock myself back in the book binding room, please leave me alone I will come out when I WANT TO. My father’s funeral is soon, I will go but I will be lost, I feel so very lost without him… Why did he die, I keep asking why over and over and over again…

Signed,

Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Twenty-First Entry, September

Dear Friends,

It’s been 5 weeks since Elder Zork, blacksmith and former warrior and also my father, died. Yes 5 weeks since I have written anything down in the records. Not much has happen expect harvest and that went well. In fact this season harvest was above what it usually is and the best in many many seasons in fact from crops to the orchards, there is even many fish in the pond I have been told by a couple otters. I have helped keep a record of all that was gathered and put away. I have spoken to Krystal our Bee Keeper and we have a good deal of honey and bee’s wax, even some we can share if needed with others, all place in storage. This winter should be a good one, in the way of plenty of food and drink. The fall feast is in a short 3 weeks from now, I am still thinking of not going even if it is important, or maybe I will go but I won’t be there to enjoy it, I will be there just to be there and maybe have a small amount to eat, I don’t eat as well as I use to, I do eat enough though.

Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Twenty-Second Entry, September

Dear Friends,

By the south wall today there was strange things happening. Some sort of odd shaped beasts, no one has a clue what sort, tunneled under the abbey and has kidnapped 8 beasts and also Abbot Benar. Head Guard Lee, Dorarose, Anomen and about 2 others have gone after the vermin. Its possible the underground area is home to the old place know as Kotir, a very very old place that’s said to be a good size and a little part of it is under our south wall and near the pond, the rest is most likely under the woods.

Kotir was an aging fortress, that has been abandoned and once was home to Verdauga Greeneyes. It was made from the red sandstone from the. After Verdauga's death, his daughter Tsarmina became the ruler of the fortress. Kotir was built upon a large lake that served as the prison for something called Gloomer. Woodlanders realized this, they attempted to re-route a nearby river to flood the fortress with the help of the ship Wuddship, to block the river at the time and later the abbey it’s self was build over the place and the area, or least part of the place . The flooded area is now our pond.

It's hard to say what is all down there or the history of Kotir, it may be in very old abbey records but I do have a lot of time to spend up here and may look for old records that mention Kotir.

But enough on Kotir, I just hope they rescue Abbot Benar and the others who were kidnapped, I will keep updates on this…

Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Twenty-Third Entry, October

Dear friends,

The group of Lee, Chud, Dorarose, Anomen, Zarok, and John have found and rescued Abbot Benar as well as others who were also captive. About 4 dibbuns and an abbey Brother and Sister. I am glad they are safe now and the tunnels have been caved in and filled in best they could and guards posted nearby. For now all seems safe and I hope it stays that way.

Sadly Anomen was wounded with an arrow in his back, Master Healer Brother Leon did what he could to save his life, but sadly Anomen passed to the dark forest a couple days ago. I was told if it wasn’t for him it’s likely more lives would have been lost and that he helped distract some of these, as they are called Under Martens, as the others made their way back to the surface. Anomen is a hero in my record, and he has been buried in the abbey’s graveyard. It was a small service, maybe more can be said at the feast.

Yes, the feast is in a week and normally I would be excited, but I am not. I feel no happiness, I feel not much of anything these days. The day after the feast me, Brother Leon, and Dorarose will start our trip to Salamandastron, a 3 week trip that I hope goes well. We shall be there till spring and then head back to the abbey.

Another bit of good news is Rayen, mate to our Champion Flicktail, had her dibbun. A baby girl she named Juliana. At first we thought we would lose Rayen as she got childbed fever and was near death, but she has awoken and the fever gone and Brother Leon said she will recover and may even be at the feast, again this is good news as we need a bit of good news.

This is all for now as I am tried.

Signed,

Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Twenty-Fourth Entry, October

Dear friends,

The Autumn of Traveling Companions, that’s the season name. I think it fits as me, Dorarose, and Brother Leon have started out journey to the badger Mt. itself, we left this very morning, this is the day after the feast.

The feast also offered news.

Friar Lacota and our Bee Keeper Krystal are now engaged to be married, Also Rayen showed us all her 2 week old baby girl, Juliana.

I do not have much to write and till spring I have left Brother Boaz in charge as temporary Recorder of Redwall Abbey.

Signed,

Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder

Brother Boaz's Record as Temporary Abbey Recorder, Entries #1-5, Autumn of Traveling Companions to Winter of Absent Friends

Brother Boaz was chosen by Sister Zinnia to act as temporary Abbey Recorder in her absence while she traveled to Salamandastron. Written from late October, Autumn of Traveling Companions, the second season after Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, to March, Winter of Absent Friends, the third season after Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.

Brother Boaz's First Entry as Temporary Abbey Recorder, late October

Dear Abbey Friends,

Well this is my first log entry and temporary recorder to the abbey. Yes this is Brother Boaz and I will be your recorder till spring. Unless something bad happens to Sister Zinnia, which I hope it does not I truly do, but I do worry as she has been mainly silent the past few weeks and who knows if she is still silent on the trip they are now a week into. I heard it’s a 2 and a half to 3 week trip to this mountain they are to go to, I would most likely fall over in half a week as I dislike travel. One gets thorns in their fur, one gets blisters on the foot paws and it’s either too hot or too cold and did I forget, dearly me I did, possible vermin hiding in the shadows waiting to rob you of everything. Anyways back to my writing and what to write on, hmmm..well Rayen and her little one are doing very well. There is also an eagle in the infirm, I do hope it doesn’t try to eat any abbey beasts as that would make a horrible day.

Also the feast was a week ago, a lot of food but I didn’t eat too much of it. A simple salad and some veggie soup and water was okay with me, maybe some green tea, most know I dislike sweets, anything spicy or sour and like simple tastes, I do like feasts don’t get me wrong, they are ok at times, or least the first couple hours then one should excuse their selfs and leave or least I do.

What else, well feelings on being temporary recorder is I was surprised, but also I trust I will do a good job as writing is important as is recording events and such things. I think Sister Zinnia choose well.

Anyways I grow tried and am done with entry 1, maybe an entry once a week or every couple weeks is wise? Well, we shall see.

Signed,

Temporary Recorder of Redwall Abbey Brother Boaz

A recent note has been made at the bottom of the page, presumably by Spruce: What is it with these old recorders always falling alseep on the job?

Brother Boaz's Second Entry, November

Dear Abbey Friends,

It is me Brother Boaz and yes I do not write as often as Sister Zinnia did or at least I do not think so. I write when I feel it's important such as news today Sister Silverstorm gave me. The ambassadors have made it safely to the great fire Mountain and I am sure all will be glad of this. An Eagle named Thunderwing delivered the news, so nice of him. Well that is written down and now I must reshelve some books at the library.

Signed,

Temporary Recorder of Redwall Abbey Brother Boaz

Brother Boaz's Third Entry, November

Dear Abbey Friends,

I write again to mention more trouble of those under marten beasts. They tried to get in thought a well and the well had to be moved cause of it and the old one caved in. I do hope these martens soon go away. I am looking for old records of days when Kotir was mentioned in the logs. That will take some time as it was during the days of Martin the Warrior and also Rose eyes, who was a Badger Lord that was blinded and became Abbey Mother Badger. The only other Badger Mother we have had that was...well is blind is Oz and guess he is more a Father Badger , but most call him Papa Oz.

I have learned some records may be in Brock hall as a very old group called the Council of Resistance in Mossflower... or CORIM used it as headquarters when Kotir was still around and they helped to flood the place and later destroy it. Woodlanders build the abbey over it later, or least a part of the abbey is over it. Me, Zee and Benar will soon go to Brock Hall and see if there is anything there, maybe Martin will show us somehow. I do wish Sister Zinnia was here to help me find info, but alas she is away till spring and she did entrust me to this task of Recorder so hopefully I shall make her proud of me, for now I need sleep as I was up late cleaning ink off my bed, that annoying DAB spilled half a bottle of Ink on the bed, my blue blanket will forever have a large black ink stain on it. Anyways good eve…

Signed,

Temporary Recorder of Redwall Abbey Brother Boaz

Brother Boaz's Fourth Entry, Undated; presumably December

Dear Abbey Friends,

I write again and I am sorry I don’t write as often as Sister Zinnia does. An update I have is our Champion Flicktail has got on a mission from Martin and also has taken the squirrel Magramba with him. Only Martin knows where the two have gone as this is a mission just for the two of them to complete and return from.

Other events is I have copied an important map and have placed in somewhere safe from wandering eyes. A map Flicktail and Magramba have a copy of and its for their eyes only.

Cleaning has happen in the great hall, the tapestry dusted and stain glass windows cleaned as we ready for the Winter Feast and the wedding of our Friar Lacota and our Beekeeper Krystal.

That is all for now my friends.

Signed,

Temporary Recorder of Redwall Abbey Brother Boaz

Brother Boaz's Fourth Entry, late January

Dear Abbey Friends,

The winter feast was good. Our Friar Lakota and Bee Keeper Krystal are married now. The winter season has been named Winter of Absent Friends. Other news is Cynthia the young mouse maid has been adopted by Friar Lakota and his new wife Krystal.

Signed,

Temporary Recorder of Redwall Abbey Brother Boaz

Brother Boaz's Last Entry, March

Dear Abbey Friends,

Now that Sister Zinnia is back I pass Recorder of Redwall Abbey back to her paws. I did enjoy being temporary recorder but it was a lot of work and now Sister Zinnia can have it back as she seems more suited to it long term than I do. I have been offered to helps and I may depending on my mood.

Welcome Back Sister Zinnia, Brother Leon, and Dorarose.

Signed,

Temporary Recorder of Redwall Abbey Brother Boaz

Sister Zinnia's Travel Log, Autumn of Traveling Companions to Winter of Absent Friends

Added to the Abbey Record is Sister Zinnia's journal during her she travels to the Fire Mountain of Salamandastron. Written from November, Autumn of Traveling Companions, the second season after Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, to March, Winter of Absent Friends, the third season after Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.

Zinnia's Travel Log Entry One, November

Dear friends,

This is the first I have written since the Fall Feast, and the trip to Salamandastron has been a long near 3 weeks of travel. Traveling through forest and flat lands, and along sandy beaches. We are here till Spring and Brother Boaz has taken over till then as Recorder. I do hope he is doing well.

I know this will not be read till after my return trip to the abbey but I am still going to write of my time here at Salamandastron. Yes me, Dorarose and Brother Leon have made it to Salamandastron and are safe. I can’t say the trip here was safe, but it could have very well been worse. We had some trouble with ravens and crows near a patch of pine trees, we had some cuts and bruises but escaped alive. It seems hot root is good for driving those kinds of birds away. I am unsure Papa would of like me using the Hot root he kept in his robes, I am unsure why I kept it since the day he died, I guess to have something of his always. But I no longer have the hot root or even its pouch now. The only thing I have left of Papa is some flint and stone he had, as I keep the will he wrote at the abbey. I have no clue where his blade is as last I talked to anyone it was missing. Uncle Zee had mentioned getting it back and finding it, I never found out of he did as he was away and not there when Papa died, and he didn’t show back up for a good 3-4 weeks after Papa’s funeral and I was upset at him, he had wanted to talk and all I did was say no and slammed a door in his face. Then I did avoid beasts, even my Uncle Oz, I avoided our champion as well and even my friends who traveled with me on this trip, Brother Leon and Dorarose.

The last couple days here I have spoken with Dorarose and found we are still friends and I am glad as I was worried and even thought she hated me for a while, which she did not hate me. I have also talked with Lord Ciocan, whom is the new Badger Lord here at Salamandastron. He is very nice and I even spoke about papa with him during our talk. Lord Ciocan is very nice; he is also very very tall, in fact over 8 foot high and most likely the tallest Badger Lord Salamandastron have ever had. He has a large hammer, and I do know the name Ciocan does mean hammer and I found that interesting to know.

As for any other trouble on the way to the mountain, there was some trouble with a wildcat and ferret, but it was quickly taken care of and both are no longer a threat to anyone. So not as much trouble on the way here and we avoided the area where the toads live. I do not think I would want to see toads, I remember them from before when we seeked aid from Salamandastron during a takeover from Marek. Oddly enough since then Marek seems to have changed his ways or at least he is not as evil as he use to be and he stays in Ferravale as Tavern Owner and has a mole, I think he adopted as his son, who is usually with him and is Recorder of Ferravale and Marek is also an Assistant Recorder. But less on this and more on Salamandastron.

I do not have much else to say, some other bit of news could share is it seems my Uncle Zee has showed up, maybe I should talk to him but I do not know. I also want to talk to Brother Leon, to make sure our friendship is still there and to make up for being silent for so, so long. I am not sure whom is more important to talk to first. Well I do need to talk to both and maybe will depend on whom I see first maybe.

Signed,

Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder

Zinnia's Travel Log Entry Two, Presumably December

Friends,

A lot has happen since last wrote. I have slowly gotten to feeling better since the passing of my father Zork Winters. I have also made sure my friendship with Brother Leon and Dorarose is still there and still strong, it is and for this I am glad as nothing is more important than friends. I have been helping in the library of Salamandastron while I have been here.

I recently got a chance to see the village of Halyard. The village is large and is recovering from the effects of a hurricane a few seasons ago. Some homes and buildings are still being repair and rebuilt. They have a market place but it’s a lot different from Ferravale. This village is by the sea so they get a lot more different things in and all kinds of sea food. I have started to like clams and shrimp, too bad clams are not at the abbey, nor is lobster and shrimp is rare to see as well. Oh well, this is a different place and all places are different and have their own special things. I stayed the night as a storm came and I felt it not safe to walk back to the mountain in it. There was some ice in the wind and a cold rain, sand also blew around a lot, it lasted a half hour but I still stayed the night and left in the morning to get back to the mountain.

Now I will tell you of what happen on the way back, there was a small boat and sea gulls were trying to get at something or someone. A closer look I saw something horrible, a badger maid maybe in her middle season, dead on the beach but the sea gulls were not after her. I felt the urge to run away but a voice I could of sworn was Martin told me, “To look closer and I would see, a life in danger a life not to lose.”

So I gathered up courage and looked and that’s when I heard and then saw a badger cub, a dibbun I later found to be a couple seasons old. Those sea gulls would have killed him. Now I am not brave, far from it in fact, but I rushed over with some lose board I found and hit the sea gulls, I knocked one out and gathered the dibbun into my arms and ran. I was lucky a hare archer was there to also help. I was still injured by sea gulls talons on my shoulder, but I saved the dibbun and I am alive and so is he. His name is Xander I learned and that badger maid was his mother. He lost his mother and his father before this…he is alone. To be alone at this age is so horrible. I feel so drawn to Xander…he needs me. I am unsure what to do, maybe I can talk to Lord Ciocan about it, though he is fairly busy with being leader of the LP and secretly I think sometimes the hares brother him too much, he is learning to be a leader and is new at it, but at least some of the higher up hares are helping him now and of this I am glad…..anyways back to the dibbun Xander. I am thinking of adopting him, or is that wise... would he like the abbey? Does he like me, he does trust me. So many questions as I look over at his sleeping form, A bed was found for him but he still ended up sleeping beside me. I need to end this entry as Xander is awake and crying, he has had a nightmare I think…

Till next time.

Signed,

Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder

Zinnia's Travel Log Entry Three, Presumably January

Dear Friends,

Not much has happen since I last wrote. I have adopted the young badger Xander and he is in the Dibbun School here at the mountain and seems to be excited to learn and always on time, he is a good listener and maybe even a better listener than some of the dibbun hares here. Me and him have grown closer but I have yet to learn of his past and may ask him soon. He still has a fear of strangers, but seems to be starting to trust the hares here now. I have also been starting to feel a little homesick for Redwall, but it doesn’t mean I am in a hurry to leave and it is still winter time after all. A few more weeks and it shall be spring time again and me, as well as Dorarose and Brother Leon, will head slowly back to the abbey. An almost 3 week trip I hope has no major trouble along the way. I do know to avoid the swamplands and plan to, one idea is walking along the beach to the river moss and taking the river route back as that would get us just north of Ferravale, and then from there it’s south to the abbey.

I think I will miss beasts here at the mountain when I do go, I also should go to the village and try to have a better, more relaxing, time there. I am unsure when I will go, most likely sometime before I head back to Redwall. For now I think I will head to bed.

Signed,

Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Records, Entries #25-32, Winter of Absent Friends to Spring of New Beginnings

Written from March, Winter of Absent Friends, the third season after Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, to May, Spring of New Beginnings, the fourth season after Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.

Sister Zinnia's Twenty-Fifth Entry, March

Dear Friends,

It feels good to be back home at Redwall Abbey. I have missed it so, and I have missed my friends, the brothers and sisters and all the abbey beasts. I know I have been quiet and few know I am back. I am sorry for being so quiet and so quiet before I left that day after the Fall feast. I was still deeply depressed over the death of my father Elder Zork, I was lost in a way and unreachable to my friends and even family I still had left. The journey home was quicker than the trip to Salamandastron as we went along the coast and the river Moss by boat. Our operator was a hedgehog named Stonepaw and he has even agreed to stay in the area for a few weeks. Other news is while I was away I adopted a badger cub of about 3 seasons, he will soon seasons in fact. The badger cub’s name is Xander, and even though he is shy and likes to climb…a little too much..he is still a joy to be around. He is my son now and that makes him a resident of the abbey and I hope you all help him feel welcomed. I wrote some while I was away but a good deal of it is personal and I will keep that in my own personal journal. But I can share some of what happen while in , Salamandastron and it’s a fair amount. I meet a seal named Kenwei and she was nice, seals usually travel in groups but she got lost from her’s and I hope she finds it again. I also got to see Halyard Village, A village about 2 hours from Salamandastron. It’s a sea port so it has boats coming and going and in fact where we got our boat to help us get us back home. I made friends with some of the hares and even the badger lord. They have a new badger lord, Lord Ciocan and he is a very good leader, he is a little younger than most but I think he will do just fine.

Also back are Master healer Brother Leon and he seems happy to be back as well and has even went back to infirm work. Dorarose, his mate, is also back and been made Gatekeeper of the abbey. I am back to being recorder, though I have let Boaz know he can still help if he wishes, but it seems he rather not always be working on things, seems he likes to be a bit of a hermit it seems, but luckily not too much of one. I have learned of things I missed and am sad I missed a wedding of our Friar Lacota and Bee Keeper Krystal, but congrats from me now even though it’s a bit late.

Spring is very soon and we are getting ready for planting season and just this morning my son Xander saw green buds on a tree in the orchards, the ice is melting on the pond and it’s starting to slowly get warmer. The snows will all be gone very soon and days will slowly get longer. I must go check on some things, till then…

Signed,

Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Twenty-Sixth Entry, Undated; Presumably March

Dear Friends,

Flicktail is back from where ever he and Magramba had gone to. There is some big news now as well. Flicktail is no longer Abbey Champion as Martin has chosen another and that’s the squirrel Magramba. He will now be known as Champion Magramba and I believe Martin has chosen well.

I do not know the details of the trip, that is between Magramba, Aren, Flicktail and Martin the Warrior himself. I do know they may have what is needed to hopefully have the Under Martens to leave the area beneath the abbey. I had almost forgotten about those martens as they have been quiet over the winter I found out from speaking with a few beasts. Hopefully them being quiet is not a bad sign but I guess we will find out soon enough.

I have gotten use to being back in the abbey and found out I still have many friends and beasts who care about me. They understood my great grieve when my father Zork died. They also seem glad I am feeling better and have recovered while I was away. I am glad as well and my adopted son Xander seems to be getting along with most beasts fairly well.

Well that’s my quick update I hear the lunch bell so I must head off till next time.

Signed,

Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Twenty-Seventh Entry, April

Dear Friends,

Good news the Under Martens are finally gone for good. I am very glad of this as it was worrisome for a while but they have left and the abbey is once more safe thanks to the new Champion Magramba with help from his friend Aden and the former Champion Flicktail.

Champion Magramba has moved into the Champion’s cottage and all seems to be getting back to normal as planning season is well underway now. Spring is here now and the weather is warm. Brother Leon, Cynthia and Caleb even found some wild strawberries and Mint in the woods. Some healing herbs were gathered and some of the low supplies in the abbey’s infirmary was taken care of. Some healing herbs were also gotten at the market and some in Ferravale, the Master Healer Brother Leon even decided to help the Infirmary of Ferravale with some supplies.

I do hate to add sad news but it seems the Master Healer at Ferravale has died, I do not know the details but I will try and find out and write it down later. I do hope they find a new and skilled Master Healer for Ferravale soon, but at least the infirms of both Redwall Abbey and Ferravale are fairly well stocked now and the new healing herbs planted at both locations healing herbs garden and those should be ready for the harvest time of the seasons.

Other news is my son Xander is starting to be less shy and this is a good thing. I think Uncle Zee has been trying training to train him, I shall have a word with Uncle Zee soon. He has had some sort of lessons in the clearing near the abbey, I am not sure how safe the woods are even though I dearly and deeply trust uncle Zee with Xander’s life. I am just not so sure of lessons at the age of 4 seasons, perhaps I will tag along for a lesson next time, weather Uncle Zee cares not.

Also Brother Boaz has decided he wants to explore lands and maybe adventure some, He will keep in touch with letters I hope. He left anything he seen as important, like a map he copied while I was away, a map not needed at this time but could be useful another time so I have placed it in a separate area from the other maps, I know where it is and that's what is important so unless your Abbot Benar no asking where it is. Though if your reading this seasons from now I still advise only he abbot know its location, in fact I will let him know when I get done writing.

Oh yes I almost forgot Flicktail wanted me to add he gave the title of Champions Shield to Aden, I am unsure if it will become an official title or not but I did write in down in the Abbey Records and here it will stay and not be removed by anyone, even me.

I hear the dinner bell, till next time…

Signed,

Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Twenty-Eighth Entry, April

Dear Friends,

This Spring Feast was very good as we welcomed back friends and welcomed the new Champion Magramba. This is The Spring of New Beginnings. It appears Lilymoore is back to being Bell Ringer and the mousemaid Cynthia is doing better as well. This year’s feast had some more music and fun times. The food of course was wonderful as it always is.

My Uncle Zee may have decided to live at the abbey, I not sure yet on his decision and will last and update on that. I know it’s a short update but not much else is happening as crops have been planted for fall, spring cleaning has been down and life is great at the abbey.

Signed,

Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Twenty-Ninth Entry, April

Dear Friends,

Spring is usually a time for new life and happiness. It’s been only a couple days after the feast when two otters come with horrible, horrible news. Camp Willow destroyed..gone. 100s of otters killed including old and dibbuns, fighter and non-fighter beasts also killed. A massacre another otter said. A couple days after this 30 otters total were survives out of a camp of 100s. They said the Skpper was killed, thier Skipper was Hallow.A camp once happy and calm, feeling safe suddenly burned to the ground, fear, chaos and much, much too much blood spilled. The horde beasts were called demons and monsters. Someone said they came from the northern seas and came in some strange long boat. Beasts are afraid these demon things will come to the abbey, to tell the truth I am afraid as well but choice to not show it. But otters are injured, tried, scared and hungry when they came to our gates. They were brought inside and given food, water and a place to rest. Brother Leon did his best to tend to the injured, maybe a little too much as two days of no rest is not good and he passed out in front of Champion Magramba and Abbot Benar, I heard he has been forced to take 2 days off. There is Angela and the novice healers, and I am sure they will do a good job and I think one of the otters that are not as bad hurt is a healer, that’s good as well. Also food raisons have started to further help, no snacks of any sort, ALL will have meals when the correct time is given…3 meals, breakfast, lunch, dinner at specific times of the day. I am sure we will get through this with Martins help. The bell ringer Lilymoore is learning tones of bells in danger comes.

Other news I am writing down is a cat named Zurrgg is also trying to cause trouble, this wildcat hurt Uncle Zee and tried to take captives. Sadly the wildcat may still have my son Xander, but with this demon horde as it’s called, he can’t be searched for and its possible the wildcat left the area with him, with my son and as heart breaking as that is I fear I am not sure what to do and can only hope and pray Xander will get back home safe once more and stay safe while he is out there.

Another bit of news, our Blacksmith Silverstorm has stepped down as an Abbey Sister and as our Blacksmith and left the abbey not saying where she was going she just packed and left, leaving all Blacksmith stuff here at the abbey, all but one small forge hammer she took with her, an extra one my father made personally for her, maybe a keepsake for her and its fine with me if she keeps it. She will be missed and I wish her well, as well as safe travel in these trying times.

I just learned the new Skipper is named Gaheris, but to all is is Skipper.

Other sad news I add...The Bee Keeper Krystal has been found dead in the woods, but there is reason to believe it may of been the wildcat I spoke of and not this horde. Too much is happening at one time.

I am getting to bed as it is late, even the recorder needs rest at times after all, I will keep the abbey logs up to date and keep updated on any more news.

Signed,

Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Thirtieth Entry, Undated; Presumably April

Dear Friends,

More updates have come my way and this week has been a tiring one indeed. Extra helpers have helped in the kitchens and with the infirmary due to our 30 guests. Master Healer Leon has taken a day and a half off and is now back to work in the infirm. Meals are still rationed and they are being very very strict with that, even having a Brother or Sister by the kitchen doors to make sure no snacks are sneaked and only breakfast, lunch and dinner is eaten. So if you’re late to a meal then that’s too bad, your have to wait till the next meal. Some dislike this but at times like this it’s needed to make sure there is enough food to go around for all. I think the roads are getting more and more dangerous The otters may of calmed some but I can tell they are still somewhat scared and worried of what may or may not happen.

Sad news reaches my ears, a couple of the more seriously hurt otters have died, we ae down to 28 and another may die soon dropping it to 27 guests if it happens. Champion Magramba has been talking with Skipper and helping to get whoever can fight, to help with the fight to get Camp Willow back. The Sparra are also helping it would seem. Ferravale is not helping, but then again Camp Willow is very much against Vermin of any kind so maybe that’s a good thing.

I am unsure when they will go to try and get the Camp back as that is only knowledge the Skipper and Champion Magramba has to know, news will be found out as it happens and I will do my best to keep updates till then we should do as we usually do any other day. We do chores, we do our jobs and we help one another.

Signed,

Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Thirty-First Entry, Undated; Presumably April

Dear Friends,

I bring more news even before I managed to finish my writing before this as I was helping out in the infirmary as well as kitchens with our newest guest. A couple other otters died and it is saddening.

But our Champion Magramba and so others, as well as Skipper and the otters that were able to go back to try and help the otters get the camp back. I have spoken with a couple of the beasts who helped. Many were injured and beasts died on both sides. This was war after all. I later found out when they got back my Uncle Zee went after I begged him not to and he was seriously hurt. My father’s armor that my Uncle Zee worn for this battle is dented and even cracked around the shoulder a little. Many dents are in the armor, it only goes to show if Uncle had not had my father’s armor on, he most likely would have been killed in the camp. I am sure the armor can be repaired but right now I just want my Uncle to wake from his deep faint. I wonder if he is too old to awaken, maybe the battle was too much for him as I say he shouldn’t fight due to his age as he is much older than even Papa was.

As I was in the infirm again the fear, the word monsters and demons came up. How the Vikings fought and what happen and didn’t happen. More of the camp was burned and even though the otters seem to have the camp back, any captives we all hoped to rescue are gone as it seemed the Vikings knew an attack would come. No knows where the captives were taken nor what their future will be. It seems good did not fully win this battle and evil has won. Yes the Vikings and northern beasts are gone but at what cost…the camp looks worse, friends missing before are still missing and many are injured now and even some dead. A group of Vikings escaped. The task now is recovering from wounds and repairing Camp Willow best they can. The otters will need all the help they can get for rebuilding their home and lives.

Back home at Redwall beasts are sad also due to friends who lost their lives or wounded friends. Dorarose is one of the wounded along with a guard named Lee. My Uncle Zee is wounded and I he awakens soon. I do have a little good news I for got to add earlier, Benar's daughter Thorn is back and he seems very happy about. He adopted her 3-4 seasons ago, yes she is a rat but she is on the side of good and I do hope Abbey Beats give her a chance. Well I must go now

Signed,

Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Thirty-Second Entry, Undated; Presumably early May

Dear Friends,

My Uncle Zee has woken up and on the road to recovery and I couldn’t be happier. Uncle Zee as Dorarose and the otter Lee are each on their own paths of recovery. I can tell my Uncle dislikes being in the infirmary, but then again who likes being in the infirmary. Some of the injured otters are doing well, sadly another otter died from her wounds but another woke from a deep faint to the joy of a family member. The otters are also slowly recovering mentally it would seem as a couple even laughed at a joke a novice told to try and bring some cheer to the poor otters.

Life at Redwall is settling down and I overheard Abbot Benar is already planning the Summer Feast. No details yet on the feast though, maybe some of the, or all, of the Camp Willow otters will join us for this feast.

No other news is to be had, least right now.

I hear the breakfast bell, yes I am writing this fairly early but I can catch a nap later perhaps.

Signed,

Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder

Sister Zinnia's Last Entry as Abbey Recorder, Entry #33, Late Spring of New Beginnings

Dear Friends,

A LOT has been on my mind and I have decided to step down as Recorder leave the abbey. I am unsure where I will go. Maybe I will travel as sometimes Redwall beasts can do this and learn more of the world. I could still visit when I am able to maybe every couple seasons or so.

Also I will leave you with an update for abbey records. One big news from a sparrow is the skipper Hallow was found alive but injuries will require her to step down, so the New Skipper will remain her son, Gaheris.

Other news is Xander has yet to be found and I fear the worse and so does others. Its getting past the point where he could still be out there. I hope and pray he is out there and alive and I keep hope he will be found/Who knows maybe I will find him on my travels.

I plan to keep my Sister rank as I still call Redwall Abbey my home, but since I am going traveling I can no longer be Recorder and I am unsure whom could be Recorder in my place.

I will miss you all and will keep you all in my thoughts,

Till next we meet,

Sister Zinnia, Former Redwall Abbey Recorder

Brother Gorvenalus, Abbey Recorder

Following Sister Zinnia's resignation of the position in May of the Spring of New Beginnings, a beaver named Brother Gorvenalus was appointed recorder in August of the Summer of the Song’s Awakening, the fifth season after Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country. Brother Gorvenalus remains in the position of Abbey Recorder to this day.*

Scribbled in beneath this introduction in a paw-writing that clearly matches the rest of the work (if a bit more hastily written) is the following note footnote:

*As of the Autumn following the Summer of Homecoming, the Twenty-Seventh Season after Father Benar became Abbot, etc, etc.

And scribbled in beneath that are the following words, still in Spruce's paw-writing but far messier:

I really ought to have told the dear brother I've been rummaging through all his old records and coping them, but I'm already knee deep in parchment as of thinking that. Hope the old beaver likes surprises!

And then beneath THAT, written in the bottom left corner of the page, is the following barely legible note:

It probably would have been a far better idea to wait until the season was actually named before writing all these 'Autumn Following last Summer' and the like, but they say hindsight is 20-20 and all that.

Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entries #1-4, Summer of the Song’s Awakening

Written from August to September, Summer of the Song’s Awakening, the fifth season after Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.

Brother Gorvenalus' First Entry as Abbey Recorder, August

Greetings Friends,

Right away many are noticing the different paw writing and the fact this is the first writing since Sister Zinnia. I shall introduce myself, I am Brother Gorvenalus the new Redwall Abbey Recorder. I am getting use to the term, Brother, not that it is new to me, it’s not. I am from a place called Willowbark Abbey where I was Abbot till my abbey and home was destroyed by a beast many here sadly know, Quade. Yes the same Quade whom tried to destroy this abbey as well, but I am gladdened he failed. It saddens me he didn’t repent of his evil ways and let hate and suffering, power and greed be his treasures in life.

Enough of the past, though it is always important to keep the past close to your heart, good and bad times. I will do my best to keep updates of the history and current events of Redwall and Mossflower area for all to read. I will honor Sister Zinnia’s post that I take over as of today. From what I heard from her son and from friends she was a very treasured beast and friend to all, she is greatly missed by her friends and family. Friends and family all come and go in life, change comes and sometimes its welcomed and sometimes it is not. I do hope we all have friends and family and always hold them close and family doesn’t have to be just by blood, one can be adopted into a family… see the abbey as my new family and I have Minsc as well. I do hope Minsc is welcomed and be friended by all here, he and I have been though a lot and have our own history logs we keep close to our hearts, and I hope you keep your own history close to your hearts as well.

I must go check on Minsc now.

Till next time,

Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey

Brother Gorvenalus' Second Entry, August

I have been very busy getting use to my new room. I have also finished cleaning up the book binding room and have started some much needed repair of a pawful of books. The library is also very well organized and has been kept in an ABC order, as well as logs set by season and date, placed neatly with the maps for easy access. I also read the last log Sister Zinnia wrote before she left. The good news was, and clearly some know, Xander was found and Sister Zinnia was able to see her son before her death at the paw of Quade. Her death was caused be an arrow to her chest, in her heart. I am told she died almost, if not, instantly. Also she left behind a mate, Takeo and 2 dibbuns Northstar and Zork, each named after other family members and the three beasts have gone too far off lands over the eastern sea coast to lands Takeo lives at as King there, that must be fairly interesting and perhaps something like a badger Lord in a way, I wish Takeo and his two dibbuns good luck and mayhap one day they will pay our Abbey a visit as they are always welcome.

Some updates are as follows, there was recently a Summer Feast. The spring feast sadly didn’t happen due to Quade so the Summer Feast was slightly early and larger than it usually is. The Summer of Song’s Awakening was the title of the season and there was the wedding of Novice Caleb and Novice Cynthia. The Feast was very nice and friends and family joined together. I think I shall call the Spring season The Spring with No Name as all Seasons have names and thus even this one has one now and it has been recorded.

There has been very little trouble on the roads since Quade’s defeat and for this I am glad. Also I will note a group that also needs Recorded, The Mossflower Defenders whom are led by the badger Xander and I think he does a fine job of leading. The group has a base in the woods south of Ferravale. Ferravale is another interesting place, slightly rough to go to and visit for most but they and the abbey have a peace treaty with one another and their chieftain is Blisa. Ferravale has recently gotten a new Master Healer, Rayen. Rayen was once a healer here at the abbey, and was mate to Flicktail. Rayen has moved to Ferravale now, with her dibbun son Dhaegan. She lost a daughter, Juliana to Quade. I had asked her the where bouts of Flicktail, seems she rather not discuss it so from my understanding his whereabouts is unknown at this time, but Rayen did mention she is once more on her own, a single mother to Dhaegan, whom will sometimes be at the abbey as well. I wish Rayen good luck in Ferravale, I think she shall do well as Master Healer there and I shall check on her from time to time. Other news from Ferravale is they are building a bell tower and the rebuilding of the Mossflower Defender’s Base is going nicely as well, both should be done by winter or by the end of winter.

I shall write more later, I have promised to join some elders for tea and scones.

Till next time my friends,

Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey

Brother Gorvenalus' Third Entry, September

Dear friends,

Another update as I have been going over some past events perhaps missed from previous logs between Sister Zinnia’s last Log and my first. Quade for one, before he was killed he caused a lot of trouble and sadly no one saw him as an enemy right away , but as a friend. He tricked many beasts till me and Minsc managed to escape, I escaped first with a young Redwall novice he had managed to capture. I warned the abbey of his lies and they were able to fight back in time to prevent the abbey from becoming taken over by a small horde he has formed. He tried to destroy the Mossflower Defenders by burning down a base they were working on, that base will soon be rebuilt to completion and be slightly south of Ferravale gates. Quade was hunted down by Dorarose and her brother, a fight ended in Quade’s death in the old mines. The mines have recently collapsed and are no longer in use, but there are still the ruins of a small village beside them, no not my old village my friends as mine is overseas. Perhaps the ruins can one day be looked at, for now life is well here at Redwall. I only wise Minsc would decide if he wants to stay in the abbey or not, he seems to prefer wandering the woodlands and I can only hope he at least stays in the abbey or maybe with the Mossflower Defenders near Ferravale come winter season.

Yesterday there was a visitor, Marek Redthorn, and it seems there is both good and bad thoughts about him. I trust him but I know not everyone trusts him based on his former history, but some have forgiven him while others have not fully forgiven him. But back to my writings, an unknown beast attempted to poison Marek Redthron's food or drink at breakfast, no other food and drink was touched just his and a novice was tied up in a storage area saying they were knocked out. The beast whom caused this was not found and most likely fled some direction down the road, or perhaps into the woods nearby, let’s hope they don’t return. Our Master Healer Brother Leon was able to save Marek Redthorn’ life and he will rest in the infirm a few days before he heads on to Ferravale. I will have to talk to Brother Leon next time I see him as he was mentioning a visit from Martin, but that it wasn’t something concerning for a while yet, still I would like to get what he saw down in the records in case its forgotten as I believe all messages from Martin the Warrior are important to hear and write down, whether it’s for the near or far future.

Till next time,

Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey

Brother Gorvenalus' Fourth Entry, Late September

Dear friends,

A feast is soon in a couple weeks, for the Autumn season. I do love Autumn time with the falling colorful leaves all around, winter will be upon us before we know it and I have yet to talk Minsc into living at the abbey. At least he has chosen to stay with Xander, least till the Defender Base is finished which should be in a few short weeks, before the first snows and I am excited for them. The base even has a training ground.

I also have spoken to Brother Leon more on his visit with Martin the Warrior, he said Martin told him Marek was not to die that day His life cannot be left to become extinguished. If it does the abbey befalls a terrible fate... - the words.

But when the time comes… fall...winter...spring...summer...fall...winter… perhaps something not this fall or winter, but next, we shall see.

Other news besides me being the Recorder now I also help in the infirm a little as I am a good healer. Luckily it’s been peaceful most around Mossflower and that’s good but peace doesn’t always last, I just hope this peace lasts a goof while.

Oh, look at the time I must head off, I promised Abbot Benar I would help with ideas for the autumn feast.

Signed,

Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey

Groups:

• Order of Redwall