Abbot's Processional, part 2.1: The ruins of St. Ninian's Church, also entitled: Would they be churchmice now?
+St.Ninians{Sanctuary}+
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St. Ninians: Sanctuary
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The main hall of the church is old and abandoned. Lingering in
the air is a heavy odor of burning. The stone walls are covered
with soot. A heavy layer of dust coats everything, rendering it
a shadow of it's former glory. The seven multi-colored crystals
hanging above the now sooty stone altar are opaque, covered in
layers of dirt and soot, the candles behind each long burnt out.
Off to the left through an archway which was once shut off by a
door, since reduced to cinders, are the old priest's chambers,
abandoned for time beyond memory. This room feels cold and
drafty as well. The pews that aren't distengrated or dismembered
are shoved to the walls, a few thread-bare and charred blankets
draped over them. The roof in here is burned away to the charred
ceiling timbers.
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+=Exits and Entrances=+
[S]tairwell
[P]riest's [C]hambers
[O]ut to [C]hurchyard
[Li]brary [E]ntrance
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Leon the mouse. DoraRose and LilyMoore, more mice. Zinnia the badger. Lacota the squirrel, Lee and Konrad the otters.
Leon has not been in the woods for anything too relaxing in a while. He has even taken the time to gather just a little bit of herbs he was low on, or least low on what he had with him. Right now he is sitting down just relaxing and enjoying some fresh air.
DoraRose opens the doors to St. Ninian's, smiling into the sunshine. he is still wearing a tunic and leggings and her boots, with her sword strapped to her side. As she steps out of the doorway, LilyMoore comes zooming out of the church, also dressed in tunic and leggings, but her feet are bare, her boots having been abandoned by her bedroll. The young mouse runs to the closest tree and starts to climb it with surprising skill and ease. The Warrior shakes her head at her daughter and goes over to her husband. "How are you feeling today?" she asks lovingly and quietly.
Leon watches Lilymoore climb the tree, after making sure it doesn't appear like she will fall he turns to Dorarose and smiles "I am doing fine dear, getting out in the fresh air was a good idea and I don't have to worry about who needs what in the infirmary, I made sure those who needed something had it before I left"
DoraRose sits beside him, going to rest her head on his shoulder. "And Nana stayed behind to watch over the Infirm and all the beasts therein. I'm so glad you agreed to come on this trip--I was beginning to worry about you, you seemed so stressed all the time, at least to me." Lily has gotten as high as she dares in the tree, and is now scanning the countryside, her face bright with a joyful, free smile.
Leon nods "Well I was a little worried for a friend, but Angela will keep an eye on them, I am sure. And I admit I do a lot in the infirm, but I like to make sure its well stocked and everything is and stays in an ABC order in there. And the past couple weeks have dealed with...well a lot."
DoraRose nods slowly and lays down, going to rest her head on his lap and close her eyes. "Do you need to talk about it?" She asks as she goes to take his paw. LilyMoore has now sat down in the tree and can no longer be seen. Trees make good hiding places.
Leon sighs "I don't, its a couple things really that's on my mind. Not that I had control over the first, nor will I most likely have control over the 2nd one."
DoraRose has her head on his lap and is holding his paw. Frowning and opening her eyes, she turns a little so she can look into his face. "That sounds awful," she says compassionately. LilyMoore is hiding in a tree, but not the one her parents are sitting under. A different one. She is totally hidden.
Leon lets her hold his paw and stay where she is as he is silent then talks softly "Guess I am still a little upset over Lorimis' death, I mean I knew he was worse off than he claimed, but he wasn't saying that to me anyways, I think he took some herbs a couple times to temporarily calm his symptoms...it's why I didn't catch things right away. And he ordered me from his room the night before he..." He sighs, "And there is...something else...and, oh I don't know, really don't. Just one of the not so good things on being a healer at times, not being able to always save someone"
DoraRose turns and is now laying on her back, her head resting on Leon's lap, and is holding his paw. They are sitting under a tree outside. "You did everything you could, love. If beasts don't want help, you can't force it upon them. I trust you, and I believe that you did everything you could that he would allow. Please don't beat yourself up about something that's in the past. I love you too much to see you do that to yourself." LilyMoore is still completely hidden in her tree, and she's more than okay with that.
Chud trots into the area and clambers up into the tree, apparently unaware of Lily's presence. He rests in the crook between a branch and the treetrunk and half-closes his eyes, folding his paws on his stomach and enjoying the midday light.
Lacota' steps out of the ruined church, gazing around the old churchyard. "Somebeast should clean this place up..."
Leon nods "I...I know." He then hears Lacota but doesn't say hi or anything as other things are still on his mind somewhat
DoraRose's brow furrows, and she reaches up and goes to rest her free paw on her husband's cheek, silent, because she can't think of anything to say. LilyMoore comes scrambling down the tree, pausing only to try and stuff a leaf down the otter's shirt. When she reaches the ground, she turns a series of cartwheels until she lands flat-footed in front of the Friar. "But then it wouldn't be a ruins in the middle of nowhere anymore." She flips over and does a hand-stand (or paw-stand, or whatever).
Chud yelps! "Wot's all this then?" he says in a mock-refined accent. He pulls the leaf out of his shirt and slides down the tree. "This place was abandoned for a reason," he adds to what Lily said. "Do you know why it was burned down originally? 'cos I do."
The Friar frowns. "I know why. I read the history. You can tell us again for young LilyMoore's benefit, though." At that moment, a young otter dibbun comes running out the door, yelling, "CHURCH! CHURCH! NINI'!" An older otter is not far behind. "Oy there, Konrad, come back 'ere."
Leon looks like he may say something but then gets interested in what's to be said about the church
DoraRose lets the matter drop. She and her husband can talk again later. LilyMoore poufs up slightly, looking irritated. "I know why! What's-his-face, Russano--no, wait, he was a badger. Well, a recorder long, long ago, in the time of the Pearls of Lutra, Tears of All Oceans, had the church burnt down 'cause some crows and stuff were living in it and they had killed one of his friends, and that Cluny the Scourge had stayed here seasons earlier, before he took over Redwall for a day. Ooooh, I wonder how many dead bodies there are buried here??! Oh, hi!" She lets herself be distracted by the young otter, and she goes to grab his paw and twirl him around.
Zinnia has waken up and now walks over to where the others are talking, "Hello all." She says and waits to see what every beast is doing.
Chud is about to speak, then Lily tells the story for him. "Nice job, lass. Also, before that, it'd been host to Cluny and Slagar."
Zinnia has waken up and now walks over to where the others are talking, "Hello all." She says and waits to see what every beast is doing.
Lacota' nods. "Yes, the Tears of all Oceans. Poetic name for them. Too bad they caused so much pain." Young Konrad is twirled around by the older mousemaid, and he giggles loudly. "Nini' Nini'. Lutra!" Lee laughs. "Well, Chud, long time, no see, Mate!"
Leon frowns "Can we not talk of death, rather not. I already..." He sighs and decides to just shut up now, he looks over at Zinnia as she walks over and nods a simple hello to her.
Everybeast is outside, and there's a nice, beautiful breeze blowing--which is good, because without it, today would be brutally hot. "I mentioned Cluny, and it's not my fault I forgot Slagar! Yes! Lutra! Grath Longfletch! Reeeeeedwaaaaaaaaaaaalll!" She goes to set the Dibbun down and helps him not fall over if he's dizzy. DoraRose is laying on her back, her head resting on her husband's lap, holding his paw; they are under a tree. She looks up at him, a little worried, then waves at the badger. "Good day! Come and join us!"
Chud grins cockily to Lee. "Aye mate, that it is. Long time indeed. How's the water flowin'?" he asks cheekily, stretching with a yawn.
Zinnia smiles as she looks at them and listens "Oh history of the church, heard some of it last night too, it's very, very interesting, I even wrote it down for later use, just in case and plan to write a lot on this trip for others to read later as well."
Leon sighs as he lets go of Dora's paw and helps her to sit up and then stands up, "I'm going for a walk" He says and then walks off down a near by path into the woods, he won't go very far but its clear he needs some time to be by himself for a little while, and he wont stay gone too long, an hour or little more and then come back to basically take a nap and have some fresh herbs he found as well.
Lee laughs. "It flows as it goes, Mate! 'Ave ye met me son, Konrad? He's a pawful. Stream'eart an' me youngest, Rosepaw, decided ta stay back at the Abbey. But, enough 'bout me, wot've ye been up to, Mate?" Konrad looks up at LilyMoore, giggling. "Slagar funny name."
DoraRose watches her husband go after he helps her sit up. She frowns, clearly worried about him. LilyMoore nods to the Recorder. "That's a good idea. Beasts in the future might be interested in our adventure." She then grins down at the Dibbun, giggling back at him. "You're right, it is a funny name! He changed it to that 'cause--" her voice is now a conspiratorial whisper, "--his Mommy gave him the name Chickenhound. What a silly name!"
Chud grins to Konrad. "'ow you doin', mate?" he asks by way of greeting. He returns to talking to Lee. "Been hither and yon, patrolling here and there. Not too much. Just carrying on me merry way."
Zinnia watches Leon walk off as she leans on one of the trees "I like to keep a journal of what's going on, even have a personal one as well that I keep. Its good to learn and I enjoy learning new things when I can"
Konrad's eyes go wide, then he giggles louder. "Funny name, heehee! Funny, funny! Chick'hound!" He looks up Chud, and waves. "Hi!" Lee nods at Chud, eyes distant. "Hither an' yon. I ain't traveled very far in sev'ral seasons. 'Ave ye seen anythin' of interest, Mate?" Lacota, meanwhile, is meditating introspectively.
LilyMoore goes to randomly start dancing with the Dibbun, humming a little lullaby so he will have a beat to dance to. DoraRose stands up and smiles at the badger. "I keep a diary. I have since I first learned to write. I find it amazing how I've changed in my life."
"I've seen a few things. Lot less vermin now that a certain mouse is dead," Chud says with dark satisfaction. "Been nice and quiet. Roving around...Lots of fish."
Lee grins toothily. "Ye can never 'ave too much fish, Mate. The vermin problem is quite heartening. I've made a concerted effort ta clear out the woodlands, meself." Young Konrad, meanwhile, laughs and dances around with LilyMoore. He's decided she's a friend and non-dibbun he can trust.
Chud' s stomach growls and he looks embarassed. "Be right back, mates. Gotta get the haversack I left a few trees yonder." He trots off.
Lily is beyond happy that she's made a Dibbun friend, and she continues to dance with him, feeling very happy. DoraRose listens to the conversations happening around her as some of the Novices and Order members come out into the open air.
Zinnia smiles "They are helpful. helps one feel better sometimes. I wish I could of had one when I was younger, but I didn't 'till a little while after I first came to Redwall"
Lee nods. "I jot down me thoughts from time ta time, not with any regularity, though. When I get time, I do, though." He crosses his arms, watching his son and LilyMoore with a smile. "Yer daughter is a natural, DoraRose..." Konrad looks up at the mousemaid. "You be honowawy DAB." He nods solemnly. "But I can'ts tell ya password."
DoraRose smiles. "Diaries are very helpful, yes. And thank you. She's somehow kept DAB from making messes in the pond and stuff." LilyMoore grins and kneels down so she's more at eye level to the Dibbun. "Why, thank you. I've always wanted to be a member of DAB."
Zinnia nods " Yeah, I will be writing a lot on this trip, maybe I will share some things learned when get home"
Konrad nods again. "Ya sworn ta secwecy. But me trust ya." Lee nods. "She's got a level 'ead on 'er shoulders."
Lily nods, a serious look on her face, a warm feeling spreading in her heart because of his trust. "I'll keep it a secret, don't worry." DoraRose smiles. "Sometimes she does, but most of the time she doesn't seem to. And I would be very interested to read what you record once we get back to the Abbey, Zinnia. It sounds interesting."
Zinnia smiles "I will let you if like, anyone will be able to read it" She pauses and goes on "I remember I couldn't read or even write when first came to the abbey and I am glad papa taught me, he was one of them that helped me, well settle into the abbey when I first came there"
Lacota' suddenly speaks up. "Sister Zinnia, I found two ancient books in the Cellar I thought you might want to see..." Lee laughs. "Ain't that 'ow all youngin's are?" Konrad smiles brightly. "Okies! You fun!"
LilyMoore goes to hug the Dibbun. "Aw, thank you! You're fun, too!" DoraRose grins. "I'm glad that you came or the Abbey. It's wonderful that you know how to read now. It's a gift that most of us take for granted."
Zinnia nods "I...at first wasn't interested, but later got interested and then got better and better fairly quickly, even learned when I went to Salamandstron that I could read badger script and not all badgers can do that."
Flicktail comes in from where he was scouting outside
Lee salutes the fox. "Ahoy." Konrad giggles again, hugging LilyMoore. "Fun is good," he says, matter-of-factly.
Evereybeast is outside, and the day is getting horribly hot as the breeze dies away. DoraRose sticks her tongue out and fans her face with her paw. "Badgerscript...that sounds hard. Is it just me, or does it seem hot out here?" Lily chuckles and nods. "You're right, fun is good. Fun is /very/ good."
Zinnia frowns, "You should have some of the water. You can get too hot out here, some beast did a couple days ago, didn't ask who so best to be careful and also out here is shade."
Flicktail smiles proudly at lee and looks around "I wish We could fix this place...it must have been a beautiful place of peace in it's day"
Lee nods solemnly. "Aye. It were a symbol o' peace, once... Long ago. Before Cluny an' 'is ilk." The otter frowns. Konrad nods excitedly. "You right! Do you have fun? In da Abbey pond?" Lacota, meanwhile, heads back into the cool shade of the church, citing the outdoor heat being too extreme.
DoraRose nods and starts to head inside, calling, "C'mon, Lily, let's go inside." LilyMoore protests vehemently. "But I'm having fun! I've made a friend!" "LilyMoore Louise!" The young mouse slumps, looking dejected, and she goes to give the Dibbun a hug, then follows her mother into the church. After a while, Lily hides in the catacombs. Alone. She does not find being surrounded by dead people creepy, apparently.
Thanks for reading!
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