Abbot's Processional:Stories of Our Pasts

(St. Ninians Church)

Benar walks out of the large tent that he has been staying in and stops near Foremole, leaning down to listen to the mole and nodding his head. The abbot gestures toward the large pile of wood being erected to form a bon-fire and moves over to have a look at it himself.

Zinnia is sitting writing in her journal quietly all she has learned of the church while she has been here. She hmms softly and adds a few more things she finds important

Flicktail says, “Maybe I can come out with my wood shop and make it a church again. Who was this Saint?"

Lee scoops up his son before he wanders off into the graveyard. "Come on, Lad, t'is not safe. There be open graves in there, for some reason." He glances at Flicktail. "An ol' story I 'eard that 'e were no saint. 'E were a lazy mouse named Ninian, who made 'is wife build an' do ev'rythin'. After she built this place, she put a sign that said, 'This ain't Ninian's'. I 'ave no idea if that be true at all, though."

Zinnia looks up from her writing as she finishes "I think it’s ment to stay this way Flicktail and not be fixed." She stands and puts away the journal after writing down hat Lee says.

Benar slows as he hears Flicktail speak and stops, "No Flicktail, St Ninians Church is not to be rebuilt. That was decreed by Abbots seasons ago and we have always approved of upholding that." He looks up at the ancient ruins, "The story Lee told us just now is true, he was no Saint, it is recorded in our annals as I am sure Zinnia can find it if you should ask." Tucking his paws into his sleeves he looks at his Champion, "We come here to remember the past, both the good and the evil and learn the lessons that they are."

Flicktail asks, "How is my grandson? And you Lee? You make me so proud” Flicktail looks to Benar "As you say Father Abbot, I did not know still...it feels..lonely”

Zinnia nods to Benar "Abbot Benar, I am going to write down all that is learned of each place we go and share it with the beasts in the abbey, and maybe even make a couple copies of my writing if that’s ok with you?"

Lee smiles. "Konrad is being restless, heh. Wants ta explore the whole church, but of course, I gotta keep a close eye on 'im. I wish Stream'eart 'ad felt up ta comin', but after Rosepaw was born she ain't been feelin' the best lately."

Benar says, "That sounds like a lovely thing to do Zinnia, go right ahead with my blessing. I would love to see what you write when you are done." He stares up at the church and shakes his head, "It is not lonely Flicktail, it is dark, for all the good that this ruin brought to the world there was twice as much darkness."

Leon steps back into the church yard as he has been gone the past hour after walking off by himself into the woods, he walks over to an old step and sits down.

Flicktail says, "Aye Father Abbot" He looks around "Sad is a word, the place could have been such a place for good"

Zinnia smiles, she glances over at Leon remembering him walking off earlier but for now stays where she is, she nods back to Benar "Thank you Abbot Benar, I will make sure you’re able to read it."

Lee hmms. "The darkness does cling to it oppressively."

Benar says, "Could haves win no favors Flicktail, the church was too far removed from its neighbors to be safe and vermin after verminous group used it as a base of operations."

Leon has been sitting quietly as they talk, maybe listening and maybe not as it’s hard to tell.

Zinnia nods "I think even some times in the not so far off past, wasn’t just many many seasons ago"

Flicktail nods "I understand Father Abbot, and I will respect the abbot's wishes .Zinnia have you recorded that lee be my son? and Konrad my Grandson?" There is a hint of sincere pride in the fox's voice.

Benar looks at Flicktail and blinks "I think anyone who has spent five minutes talking to you Flicktail knows all about your adopted relationship with the Captain of the Guard." He lifts his habit and walks toward the bonfire, "Ah Foremole is done, we can light the fire and gather around it to share stories."

Leon stays where he is for now, though it will be getting dark soon, but for now he stays where he is.

Zinnia smiles "What sort of stories, also I may write down some of your stories but only with permission from each of you of course"

Lee laughs, and follows Benar, carrying the drowsy Konrad. "It was quite hot earlier, but getting cooler now."

Lacota soon steps out of the church, and approaches the fire.

Benar stops by the fire and takes the blazing torch off of Foremole and turns to the crowd gathering, "Friends, on our second night in St Ninians it is tradition to share a tale about someone else. Last night we spoke of ourselves and shared tales of our pasts. Tonight we share the stories of our friends, our time with them and interactions." He touches the torch to the wood and the bonfire begins to burn.

Flicktail moves over to his back pack to get out one of his cloaks "Being here with my friends make me happy all in its own.”

Leon shivers a little and decides to walk over and sit by the bonfire and sits down, but he decides to let others tell any tales, least for now.

Zinnia smiles "Sharing stories about others and times with them is always good to do. Others help us out so much, even more so that we know , sometimes we know it later on, even if later on is weeks later"

Lee nods. "Indeed. Friends an' loved ones be very important."

Maxiene leaps from Flicktail’s backpack squeaking, going between foot paws and all before stopping under Benar, eyes big.

Benar says, "I'd like to share a brief story with you all to start us off" He sits down near the fire as the wood begins to crackle and burn, "It is about the first time I met Flicktail. I was young, maybe two seasons, three seasons... and I had just been rescued by my parents from slavers. Fox slavers, so the very first thing Flicktail did when he met me was pick me up." He smiles indulgently, "I screamed the abbey down, bit him and ran up a tree."

Flicktail chuckles at the memory and then yips, falling on his rump in surprise as the snow white ermine bolts "What????” “

Leon glances over at this, he finally speaks "Sounds like something Flicktail would do, he always talks to dibbuns..." He blinks as he sees the ermine and looks curious but decides Flicktail must know him or maybe he doesn’t.

Zinnia asks, "So what did Flicktail do then? Did he leave you alone after that and was this before or after Uncle Oz was the dibbun caretaker? I never did ask how long he had the title"

Benar says, "This was long before Oz arrived in the Abbey." He chuckles, "I hated Flicktail from that day onward and he simply would not leave me alone."

Leon says, "Well your friends now it seems"

Benar looks down at Maxiene and holds out his arms to the little one, "Hello there, who did you come with? I bet Papa Oz is upset that you scampered off on your own." He shakes his head and looks at the others, "Now Flicktail is a friend but it took many seasons before I would even talk to him"

Lee laughs. "Heh, I like that one, Benar. Up a tree." He rocks Konrad a bit. "Must 'ave been a sight."

Zinnia says, "I was like just over 4 seasons when I first came to the abbey, I can remember some stuff about others.."

Flicktail says, "Everyone, this is Maxiene, my newest daughter. I have asked all over Ferravale, and no one is missing an ermine, she showed up on a convoy and I been caring for her and I love her very much"

Leon says, "Well I was an adult beast when I first came to the abbey and almost did not stay"

Benar says, "I spend a lot of time up trees Lee, and the bell tower of late with Leon's daughter. Now then Maxiene was it? Welcome to Redwall now then who would like to go next?"

Zinnia says, "I could, if that’s ok"

Lee says, "Oy, I got too many beasts ta talk about, so I'll just stick ta me wife, who didn't feel up ta joinin' us, alas."

Flicktail says, "Aye when Benar started to talk with me the first thing he did was try and teach me to climb a tree. Do you Remember Father? I was scared and you showed me how to dive off into a deep snow bank"

Leon just listens to others talk as he decides to lay down close by and then falls asleep

Benar says, "Yes I remember, I also remember you falling out of the tree and landing in the pond"

Flicktail laughs "Aye that’s right Father”

Lacota' cleans his spectacles, before putting them on again. "I don't climb enough trees, I'm afraid. Kitchen keeps me too busy. Although, I did find myself being lowered into a hole recently in order to rescue a mouse maid."

Benar asks, "Now then who would like to give us a story next?" The fire crackles and the logs settle as various novices set about placing various foods on smaller cook fires nearby.

Zinnia nods "My tell was shortly after I got to the Abbey, I..well wasn’t really nice, I think cause I wasn’t use to others and was scared, anyways Lorimis of course had Oz to keep an eye on me. I called him a blind fool that didn’t know anything and kicked him, I was 4 seasons like I said and didn’t thin anyone would do much, I suddenly feel myself lifted up and look up to see the beast I would later call Papa..he umm...wanted to have a chat, think it’s the first time he ever lectured any beast , well that I know of anyways. He also was the one that saved my life on the road a few days before that from a slaver beast that had me." Zinnia smiles as she remembers "I of course tried to kick him and he ignored it, I am unsure how I came to think of him as papa but, well I did and I am glad he is my papa and I love him. He has helped me a lot and helped me to be novice and later Sister, and of course I love Uncle Oz as well"

Flicktail sits with his paws facing the fire "I love stories, I never got to be a dibbun. My kit hood was...brutal”

Benar says, "I remember that day, Zork told me about it that evening, all about the young badger maiden he'd had to give a talking too. He was smiling all the time he told me about it though."

Lee chuckles. "I remember back when ye wouldn't talk ta any beast..."

Zinnia smiles "I didn’t trust any beast back then, but I do now and glad of friends and family"

Lacota' adds, "And I remember when you were angry, Lass. Took me quite a while to get through to you. Later on, it was I that started strongly hinting that I thought you were ideal for Recorder."

Maxiene bounds over and plants herself in Flicktail’s lap curling up, tail wiggling.

Zinnia smiles, she looks to see if anyone else has a tale to tell.

Lee stands. "Well, like I said, I got some thoughts 'bout me wife I can share, if yer all interested."

Silverstorm listens to all the stories being shared by all the beasts, she so far has been enjoying being on the trip.

Benar asks, "Thank you zinnia, for sharing your story with us," He smiles and accepts a cup of mead from a Novice and sip sit slowly before looking around, "Who would like to share a story next?"

Zinnia smiles "Your welcome abbot Benar" She gets something to drink now as well.

Lee raises his paw. "I am, Benar."

Benar exclaims, "Very well Lee carry on!""

Flicktail says, "Aye lee let us hear your story"

Silverstorm listens to Lee’s tale.

Zinnia nods for Lee to go on with his story

Lee nods, rocking his son. "Well, as ye know, when I came ta Redwall, I were all alone... But that didn't last, though. I met Stream'eart, me wife. Prettiest otter in Redwall, I always say. She caught me eye, that's for sure. I'll never forget the day I saved 'er from Edmonda, a wicked weasel, out on the road." He gestures to the scabbard on his left hip. "I claimed 'er sword as me own, but that's a story for another day... Either way, Stream'eart an' I spent all our time together, an' then she were kidnapped by that rat, Seth. I thought I'd lost 'er forever." He pauses, and wipes his eyes. "It was tough, but I found 'er, an' o' course we got married. We now 'ave a fam'ly, an' the best dibbuns a dad could ask for, heh."

Zinnia says, "So far all these tales have been very good and it’s good to remember our pasts too, good and bad past"

Flicktail asks, "Zinnia could you maybe remember my name with that of Blagut the Rat?"

Zinnia looks confused at what the fox means

Benar frowns at Flicktail too for interrupting the story then turns back to Lee, "I have to admit it was a very happy day for me when Stream and yourself got married Lee."

Flicktail says, "I'm sorry I thought Lee were done forgive me Lee."

Lee shakes his head. "No need for apologies. That's about all I felt led ta say. An' yes, Benar, that was indeed the happiest day of me life." He smiles.

Benar nods to Lee and stands up, "Does anyone else wish to share?"

Flicktail says, "I have had many happy days, one of them was when Lee became my son"

Krystal stays close to the fire, she has really yet to share much, well anything, with the beasts here. She has just listened to others and when asked just shoke her head no.

Flicktail is busy taking care of Martin's sword and notices the great Krystal and nods to her "Hullo“

Krystal nods to the fox and hugs her knees to her chest.

Flicktail asks, "You look a lil nervous, anything wrong?"

Krystal jumps slightly when she is spoken to and shakes her head "No, I was just..listening to others speak of their lives and friends is all. I don't really have much to share, that’s all sir"

Flicktail sits next to her "I see...well I would like to know ya better if I may, you seem like a very nice squirrel “

Krystal says, "There is not much to know." She looks around at the nightfall and frowns, she couldn't sleep well last night either" I am fine"

Flicktail says, "Hmmm I see not a real open one and that’s ok. I am a Fox if ya haven't noticed and a friendly good fox"

Krystal says, "I know who you are sir, your Flicktail"

Flicktail smiles "And yer a friend “

Krystal nods slowly, she looks around again and frowns as she mutters to herself, "Should...just go back"

Flicktail asks, "why? It would leave me lonely if you left"

Krystal says, "There is all the others here"

Flicktail says, "Yes but none of them are like you"

Krystal frowns and stands, looking around as if worried "I..just need to." She moves backwards and a moth lands on her causing her to scream loudly, it gets a couple stares as she quickly says sorry.

Flicktail asks, "Are you worried? Nervous? You know I am here to protect every beast yes?"

Krystal shrugs, she then sits down "I...I think will go home after this...well when its..light"

Flicktail says, "Well if that’s what ya want, but I will miss ya"

Krystal says, "I..I would be fine and would see me....later"

Flicktail says, "Aye but I like seeing ya. But it IS yer choice, you are a grown beast"

Krystal for now stays close to the fire, sitting down as if she is in no big hurry to go anywhere tonight and sighs.

Flicktail says, "If ya want a beast to talk to..I'll listen"

Krystal shakes her head, she lies down but seems unwilling to sleep really

Flicktail sighs and if she allows puts a gentle warm paw on her shoulder

Krystal jumps slightly and then notices its only Flicktail and manages to calm herself some

Flicktail just stays near so she doesn't feel alone or vulnerable as much as he can

Krystal stays like she is and looks tried, but doesn't sleep and she is crying

Flicktail puts his cloak on her and stays awake with her

Krystal doesn't jump when he does this and curls up into the cloak and achally starts to cry more, it’s unclear why and only she knows why.

Flicktail says, "I wish you'd let me help"

Krystal coughs a little, the kind you get if you hold back crying too much, but sometimes it’s better to let one's self cry, she starts to let her eyes droop some now

Flicktail lets her cry then but will stay by her side

Krystal sniffs and is almost asleep, well least she did stop crying. Soon she has fallen asleep now, but just how deeply she is asleep is uncertain.

Flicktail keeps the fire going

Lacota is still awake, contemplating the night. He sits on a broken church pew.

Flicktail asks, "Have we any snacks Friar? I'm hungry"

Krystal is semi asleep right now

Flicktail hums a soothing melody to try and help his friend Krystal

Lacota hmms. "We have some cheese and bread, and some strawberry fizz."

Flicktail asks, "May I have some Friar?" The fox knows to Ask and not risk the wrath of the friar.

Krystal stirs as she starts to wake up again

Lacota glances over. "Of course you can. It was brought for every beast here. Check the packs over there in the corner."

Flicktail moves to get his snack, toasting it by the fire before he eats it

.

Krystal opens her eyes and looks around, but stays silent

Flicktail offers Krystal some warm cheese and bread

Lacota smiles. "Krystal, how are you feeling?"

Krystal shakes her head at the offer of food and looks over at Lacota and shrugs, she then says softly "I'm...ok"

Flicktail says, "Friar do you know what has her so upset? “

Lacota frowns with concern. "Are you alright, Krystal?"

Krystal frowns as she sits up and shakes her head no.

Lacota lays a paw on Krystal's shoulder. "Do you feel like talking about it?"

Zinnia yawns as she is tried, she has been busy writing some as beasts had told their tales to one another. She looks over but let's the two squirrels talk by themselves.

Krystal frowns, "I..I was remembering something from my past and I dislike the dark, it was..dark the one night too"

Lacota frowns. "It is awfully dark, isn't it? Would you prefer to go sit by the fire?"

Krystal nods "I was, a little closer earlier. Just got little.." She still has some tears in her eyes, "Jumpy..even if I know no reason to be just the memories"

Lacota hugs Krystal warmly. "Come now, you're safe here. Among friends."

Krystal leans against Lacota, "I miss my mom and I never really knew my dad. Me and mother were slaves and maybe dad was too..I don't know. Mom told me first chance I got to run away, one day after she died I tried to but failed..it was not till later I got the chance to be free."

Zinnia looks up listening some, but she is also tried and decides it’s time to sleep for the night and puts away her stuff and goes to sleep for the night.

Krystal frowns, "I..I was remembering something from my past and I dislike the dark, it was..dark the one night too"

Lacota frowns. "It is awfully dark, isn't it? Would you prefer to go sit by the fire?"

Krystal nods "I was, a little closer ealier. Just got little.." She still has some tears in her eyes, "Jumpy..even if I know no reason to be just the memories"

Lacota hugs Krystal warmly. "Come now, you're safe here. Among friends."

Krystal leans agaist Lacota, "I miss my mom and I never really knew my dad. Me and mother were slaves and maybe dad was too..I don't know. Mom told me first chance I got to run away, one day after she died I tried to but failed..it was not till later I got the chance to be free."

Zinnia looks up listening some, but she is also tried and decides its time to sleep for the night and puts away her stuff and goes to sleep for the night.

Lacota nods his head. "I see. I understand, in fact. I miss my parents, what I remember of them."

Krystal says, "It's...ok to remember I guess, just hard. "Krystal stays close to Lacota " I am glad we meet Lacota, I love you.." She closes her eyes and falls asleep leaning agaist him, but this time she is smileing.