Abbot's Processional, part 5: The Sandstone Quarry and the Summer 2015 FEAST! :D (It got long. Sorry. I don't like doing part 1 and 2 of logs)

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Sandstone Quarry

The sandstone quarry is a gigantic, oval-shaped thing, looking as if a huge paw has scooped out a big chunk of earth, leaving this desolate pit. The stony walls are banded with different shades of sandstone, and you would guess that the red stone of the abbey come from here. Only a few shrubs survive in this near wasteland, not a pleasant place on the whole. The going is quite rough and uneven, as there are many piles of sandstone throughout the pit. One of these, a rather thin slab set against the wall, seems a little unusual. You could try to (lean) your weight against it.

Exits: [S]outh Into Quarry, [N]orth Into Quarry, [M]ossflower Woods

There were too many friends, so I didn't make a list of who was who and what their species were. Sorry.

Zork allows himself to be wheeled over to a more shady area and looks to be feeling a little better now and smiles some.

The set up is all complete, the large lawn near the edge of the quarry has been transformed into a large picnic area, with blankets, tables and benches carted out from the abbey. Lacota's kitchen staff have been cooking over camp fires and setting up food from the abbey for the past several hours and word finally runs through the gathered beasts that the Abbot's party has been spotted! The bell surmounting the abbot's staff can be heard ringing steadily as they approach the site of the feast.

Zinnia goes over to be near her father, yeah she came a little ahead of the group, "Hey papa, you doing ok I am glad you were able to come to the feast. I was worried you wouldn't come" She goes to hug him.

Silverstorm is with the abbey group and in the back of the group as she walks along. She is smiling unlike she was earlier.

Zork hugs Zinnia and smiles, "I am fine Zinnia" Well he is not 100% fine but he isn't telling her that, he is fine enough to enjoy the feast right now.

Lee is with the group as well, carrying his son.

Lacota' is trying to make good time, not trusting his helpers to do well at all without his supervision.

The Abbot arrives to much shouting and cheering from various beasts. Benar raises a paw in greeting, smiling happily as he moves through the crowd, talking to Abbey Beasts who originally stayed behind as well as residence in Mossflower.

Zinnia smiles "I am glad your ok, I was worried some papa" She looks up as she hears the abbot's arrival and smiles knowing the feast will start very soon.

Nissaya has finished making a structure for the wheelchair-bound badger, and now he sits criss-cross-applesauce beside the Retired Blacksmith. LilyMoore and Blisa are walking beside the sea-otter-maid. Ferdinand and Valerie are walking with DoraRose, the 3 of them discussing something quietly.

Silverstorm goes on to sit somewhere quietly, but least she is happy as she smiles looking around at her friends.

Some of the abbey beasts arrive who were not here earlier, one being Oz and the dibbuns who stay very close to him. He has an abbey sister, a haremaid, helping him make sure the dibbuns stay together and they get safely to the quarry.

Benar asks, "So my friends," he says as he strolls over to the centre of the picnic area near the large tables laden with food, "Are we ready for a true Redwall feast out in the open?"

Zork smiles "Sounds good ta me Benar. Feasts always be good but this one be extra special"

Zinnia smiles "Yeah and we all have learned so much on this trip and I learned alot and wrote what I could down"

LilyMoore runs ahead of the Abbot and plops down on a blanket. "Yes! This shall be grand fun!" Blisa laughs and sits beside her. "I love Redwall feasts! I've been ready since the end of the last one!" DoraRose sits at a table, smiling. Ferdinand and Valerie sit near their charge, nodding. Nissaya is quiet, but he nods in agreement.

Silverstorm nods, "Yeah this trip...well most of it, has been a lot of fun and relaxing"

Oz nods and gets the dibbuns settled in thier seats.

Lacota' hmmphs. "I do hope my assistants did good work."

Rayen is here as well, she stays beside Flicktail.

Benar says, "Your assistants have done marvelous work as always Friar, now then before we start eating the food we have a few little things to tidy up. I am sure there are a few of you here who wish to formally become novices"

Leon walks in, he had been checking a couple things. Beside him is Caleb who had tagged along with him, Caleb had also helped with some of the food today.

LilyMoore sits quietly. She wants to be a Warrior, like her mother, not a Novice. Blisa also keeps quiet, being future Chieftain of Ferravale. Ferdinand and Valerie are respectful in their silence. Nissaya smiles, remembering when he became a Novice. DoraRose is also just listening.

Silverstorm listens quietly, she is already a novice but its good to still listen to the abbot when he speaks.

Zork listens, he feeling better now so he can now better enjoy the time with family and friends.

A few youngsters come forward, smiling, shy, and each one repeats the Abbey Charter in front of Benar. The Abbot listens, encourages them to speak on and welcomes them to the Order as novices.

Leon stays seated with Caleb as they listen quietly to the abbot and watches. Caleb rubs his eyes a little tried but still smiles, he remembers taking the oath in the spring.

LilyMoore watches them, silently wondering why they would promise to be peaceful. She might never understand that. Blisa stifles a yawn. She's strangely tired.

Zinnia smiles as she watches from where she is seated.

Silverstorm just watches and listens.

Oz keeps the dibbuns under control, they do mind the badger very well it seems. One dibbun giggles and tries to slip away but is caught and sits back down.

Lee sits and listens

Benar says, "Now then my friends, Novices," he nods to the new novices, "My Sons and Daughters, we are gathered here to welcome the Summer and mark the end of our journey around Mossflower. Every Season needs a name and every season has a name... and so... it is with great pleasure I invite my long time friend Zork, to name this Summer Season."

LilyMoore claps her paws and looks at the badger. This has always been her favourite part! Blisa, Ferdinand, Valerie and DoraRose look at him with similar eagerness. Nissaya rises into a kneeling position and goes to rest his paw on the arm of the Blacksmith's chair. For now he is silent.

About this time is when Zee shows up, yes he is late but he moves slow so he doesn't care. He finds a place to sit down.

Zork blinks, "Me...ummm lets see well I have heard how abbey beasts have learned, learned new things and even maybe renewed friendships and friendshiops is important as is family and knowing history of the area and ...well even your own."

Zork says, "So how bout Summer of Friends and Renewal...seems fitting ta me"

Benar smiles at Zork and bows to him, "Then the Summer of Friends and Renewal it shall be, Recorder Zinnia, please write that down and with that, I do declare this Redwall Feast to be open for all!"

Zinnia smiles, she likes the name he has chosen.

Zinnia nods as she does write that down

Silverstorm smiles "Yeah friends are very important and helpful and....I can agree on renewal too"

LilyMoore grins, and she and Blisa turn and wave to the sea otter. They think she's a friend. DoraRose and the cat's bodyguard's clap in approval. Nissaya smiles and stands. Stretching, he then bends over and very quietly asks the badger, "Would you like me to help you wheel over to the food so you can get some yourself, or would you like me to just bring you something?"

Zork smiles "That's good lass" He says to Silverstorm, " Your make a good Sister in the order, You been doing very well and seem to have learned some things on this trip." He smiles at the offer of help "You can help me over lad and then I can get myself some things, thanks"

Leon gets himself some food and Caleb gets some as well, " I helped make the salad and some scones dad." Caleb says as he smiles.

Zinnia gets some pasties, salad and some fish

Silverstorm smiles wide and nods "Thanks, I...think even learned some things about myself on this trip, even if it took a while"

Benar helps himself to some pie and some cake and a large tankard of the finest ale. All around beasts are helping themselves to food and drink! Conversation is starting up and ABbey Beasts and guests are all mingling together.

Oz helps the dibbuns get something and then he gets something after all the dibbuns are once more seated with some food and drink.

LilyMoore jumps up and goes to hug her father, then her brother. DoraRose comes over and goes to ruffle her son's ears. "What did you help with?" Blisa runs over to the Abbot as her bodyguards get their food. "Benar! Thank you for letting me tag along." She goes to give him a quick hug. Nissaya nods and goes to help the badger roll over to the tables where all the food is.

Zee walks in slowly and just gets some soup and a drink and sits down in a chair thats closer to him.

Lee helps himself and his family to a heaping of fish and hotroot soup.

Lacota', meanwhile, oversees the whole affair.

Zork smiles as he gets some food and points to be wheeled over to the abbot as he goes to whisper something to him "Maybe we should...add a Sister to the order ta da, Silverstorm, but ya have de final word course"

Benar grins at Zork and picks up a piece of celery and crunches through it, "All in good time Zork, all in good time. Let us enjoy the food and drink first." he turns and smiles at Blisa, "You are most welcome my friend I am glad you wanted to join us."

Nissaya goes to push the badger over to the Abbot, then gets his own food, keeping a wary eye on the Blacksmith to monitor his vital signs as best as he can. Blisa grins. "I wouldn't've missed it for the world."

Zinnia smiles as she has placed her journal somewhere safe and will update it later on once she is home.

Zork nods to Benar as he sips some water, he is doing ok right now and even chuckles a little. Yes it's still hot out but he has been in the shade most of the time here and it seems to of helped him fairly well.

Silverstorm eats some soup, but not hot root as she dislikes it, hey she is allowed to.

Leon smiles at Dorarose and him and Caleb will sit close to them during the feast. He glances over at Zork and will talk to him later, for now he is relaxing and lets Nissaya watch the badger for now.

Benar eats his way through a large apple crumble with delight and brushes his whiskers free, "Ah Silverstorm my friend, do you have a moment? I have a task that requires a Novice."

Zee quietly eats his meal, he looks around as he knows some here but not alot.

Silverstorm sets down her food and drink and walks over to the abbot "Yes Abbot Benar I be glad to help with something, what did you need?"

Dora sits by her husband and eats her food. LilyMoore runs over to her new friend the sea otter. She goes to hug her and whispers in her ear. "I'm so happy that you look so happy." She goes to take her friend's paw and follow her over to where the Abbot is. Nissaya comes over and sits by the Blacksmith.

Lee smiles, still eating. "The 'otroot is quite good."

Benar says, "Silverstorm, thank you, it seems I am in need of someone to aid Zork around the forge and to take over the day to day running of things. The little chores and tasks and jobs that Zork cannot do from his chair." he sets aside his tankard and reaches down into a basket by his chair. "So Sister Silverstorm, would you mind taking that task on for me?" he sets a habit on the table in front of the otter and grins at her, "If you aren't too busy of course?"

Silverstorm gasps as she can't believe what she is hearing, "I'm a Sister.." She smiles and looks so happy she goes to hug the abbot and nods "No no of course I be happy too I am not too busy at all thank you, Thank you!"

Zinnia smiles as she overhears this "Congrats"

Benar hugs the otter back and smiles, "It is well deserved my daughter,"

Zork eats some salad and grins from his chair at the sight of Silverstorm. He leans back in his chair a little hot but not overheated, he is taking it easy while this far from the abbey and sits down the salad to sip some water.

Zee has started chatting with a couple beasts, seems he is telling a story about when his nephews were dibbuns. He chuckles some as a novice blinks.

Oz eats his meal and sighs hearing a little of Zee story, the dibbuns eat and get along, though a couple have sneaked some cake but it is a feast so it will be allowed for this one time, just this one time.

Lee claps. "Conrats, Silverstorm!"

LilyMoore gasps and claps her paws, rejoicing for her new friend. "I knew you'd fulfill my story!" Blisa laughs, understanding the reference. Nissaya, goes to wet a cloth and hand it to the badger, just in case.

Silverstorm smiles as she holds the robe, she can't really change here but she will as soon as she gets home "Thanks every beast"

Benar says, "It is well deserved Silverstorm, if any beast was ready, it is you.""

Zork takes the wet cloth and nods placing it on his forehead, he will not let a headache get to him, not right now he is here to enjoy the day and he smiles [and] nods "Yes congrats your do well Silverstorm!" He takes a small deep breath, yeah shouting bad idea , he smiles still as he leans back again, sips some water and gets some cake to eat.

Zee has decided to find a tree to nap under, he can be woken up later.

Zinnia looks over at Zee and chuckles, "Well least he came."

Nissaya goes to feel the badger's pulse. "Do you need to sit under some shade?" He asks quietly. LilyMoore goes to hug the Abbot. "I'm so happy for her!" Blisa goes to pat the sea otter on the arm. "I knew you had a purpose in life!"

Zork frowns somewhat as he speaks to Nissaya "I...am fine" Yes that's true partway and partway not. His pulse is a little fast but not dangerous as he has not done much. He glances over at Zinnia and Oz, before speaking to Nissaya again, "Stop...fussing please your worry someone...and yeah some shade is...be good lad"

Zinnia doesn't notice Zork speaking with the healer and so she is not worried, she is chatting with some other abbey beasts a little ways away from him.

Silverstorm smiles, its a good day for her.

Lost in the crowd of beasts there is a flash of brown fur as a certain fox moves from table to table, loading up his plate with a small feast unto itself. Plate piled high with goodies and sweet treats Bandit sits down at the next vacant spot, licking his chops before he digs into his meal. The head guard has, for once come dressed in his standard uniform. A blue tunic with a small half cape and a short sword. Despite his title of head guard the pudgy brown fox digs into his dinner like a starving horde beast.

Nissaya shrugs and goes to wheel the badger over into some shade. "I'm a Healer. It's what I do." Blisa runs over to the Abbey recorder and waits patiently for her finish talking. DoraRose notices the fox but decides to ignore him. But then she sees him eat and she can't help but start laughing...after comparing him to a hare to a nearby Order Brother.

Benar has returned to his food now the happy business of promoting Silverstorm has been dealt with. He watches Bandit eating and shakes his head in amusement then leans over to Zork, "Zork I am glad you made it. I was worried at first you'd not be able to join us."

Lee is engrossed with his food

Zork shrugs at the healer otter, "I...know, ok" he says quietly as he is going to stay in the shade and most likely quiet the rest of the time here at the feast. He first though smiles at Benar, a weak smile and nods "I am...glad I came too Benar..." His voice is a little tired now, yeah he feels worse than he is letting on but he keeps it to himself. "Talk to ya more later...Benar, gonna rest in de shade for while..." When it is time to go he will most likely have to wait till it's dark, cooler then.

Zinnia smiles and nods to Blisa "Hey..." She catches sight of Zork speaking quietly with Benar and the otter and watches as she is curious and the frown...why is he frowning, she then clears her voice and turns her attention back to Blisa "So, how are you?"

Silverstorm is smiling, happy today and not letting anything get her down, she gets some cake and October ale.

LilyMoore has finished her food and now runs over to the fox, a plate full of cake in her paws. "Hi! Have I seen you before?" Blisa smiles. "I am well, thank you. How are you?" She 'neglects' to mention the constant headache she always has.

Lee asks, "So, 'ow does it feel ta be a full-fledged sister, Silverstorm?"

Zinnia nods "I am ok and I am glad my Papa and Uncle Zee came to the feast, though seems my papa got a little tried I guess....least hope that's all it is" The last part whispered, she has been away from the abbey a couple weeks, so she has no clue how her father has been and great now she is worried, "I should check on him...excuse me" She walks towards her father now.

Lee nods. "Glad ta 'ear it."

Bandit leans back in his chair, mouth full of pie. He gulps it down and smiles at Lilymoore. "Oi! We have! I visit the abbey on and off...and I saw you not too long ago, you know, back when Marek brought you back to town." The fox turns in his seat to nod his head to the mouse, "Call me Bandit. I'm the head guard up north for Ferrevale."

Benar stands up from where he has been sat having food and starts to move amongst the crowd, the Abbot talking to everyone as he moves around the feast site. Chatting, laughing, talking, generally just enjoying himself and making sure he takes time for every beast.

Lee gets a second helping of fish, and digs in hungrily.

The fox waves off the mouse before turning back to his meal. What's this? IT's already gone? When did that happen? Is it really possible that Bandit could eat all that food so quickly? The fox whines, he already filled himself up to the point he could feel his tunic tighten against his torso but...he was still hungry. The fox casts his eyes across the table and finds a cake still left un eaten. Bandit smiles and picks himself up.

He needed a new tunic anyway...

Lee finishes his fish, and settles down to relax.

Descending down into the quarry comes a dark shape. As agile at the task as any non-squirrel can hope to be, the figure confidently descends until they reach solid ground. It's at this point that it becomes obvious that it is Haven, the stocky otter that had arrived at the Abbey just before the procession had set off. She's got a strip of cloth bound around her brow as a sweatband, and adjusts her arm wraps as she approaches the gathering.

LilyMoore notices the otter and waves as Benar continues to wander around talking to beasts. "Hi! Welcome to the Redwall Abbey spring feast!" She sits down by Lee and takes a bite of cake. Beasts are starting to clean up a little.

Haven nods, and takes the offered seat. "I won't say no to free food." Heck yeah, speedy Taggerung metabolism! "Ah yes, I think I met Dora briefly. I'm Haven." she nods.

LilyMoore picks her cake up again. "Nice to meet you, I'm sure." She looks at the crescent-shaped patch of white fur beside the otter's eyes and points to it. "That's pretty. Is it a birthmark?" Her innocence kind of counterbalances the rudeness of that question.

Haven doesn't seem to mind the question at all. In fact, one might get the impression that she's used to it. "Pretty? Heh. Thanks." she says while reaching for a sammich. "Yeah, birthmark. My Sign of the Taggerung." she says matter-of-factly, not boasting.

The mouse's reaction is classic. Lily drops her (empty) plate on her lap and claps both paws over her mouth as she gasps. "YOU'RE THE TAGGERUNG?!" she sounds liek she's on the verge of breaking out into fangirl screams. "So--wait--that means----you're---you---"

Lee covers his ears. "Oy, calm yerself, lass."

Haven's ears flatten a bit. She takes it in good humour, though it's clearly not the first time she's had such a reaction. She has a similar demeanor to a famous actor signing autographs. "It means I'm the Taggerung?" she winks.

Hang stupid proper manners! Lily goes to hug the otter. "I LOVE reading about Deyna and other Warriors! Have you ever been in a fight? Have you ever been in a battle?? I wish I was a Taggerung!"

Nicholas enters the quarry, looking around for a moment. "Oi, did I make it in time?" Spotting the conversing creatures, he heads over to them. "Oi, excuse me... oh, 'ello, 'Aven!" He smiles at her.

Haven just grins and shrugs a little. "Heh, not too many battles. I'm still training. It's why I'm travelling with you lot, actually. Picking up some more fighting styles, and such. And to study, but, you know, boring." She waves to the Nicholasy one.

Lee hmms. "Study is important, lass."

LilyMoore looks mildly confused. "You should ask Benar to teach you, like he's teaching me! I'm learning to be a Warrior, too, and my studies aren't boring at all." She looks up at the squirrel. "hi. Can I help you?"

Nicholas nods to LilyMoore. "I'm lookin' fer t'e Abbot. I need ta talk ta 'im 'bout some treasure stolen from Ferravale, as well as a possible...erm...t'ing, t'at might 'appen. Do ya know where 'e is?"

Lee perks. "Ye mean the Town 'All robbery, Mate?"

LilyMoore smiles and hops up. "I'll go try to find him!" She says, then runs off to do just what she said.

Thanks for somehow managing to read through all this! Aloha! :D

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