Benar becomes the coolest Abbot ever (a Redwall log)
"...the first order of business is to find Blisa and her snake." --Benar
RW Abbey: Firepit
This is a small strip of land between the pond and the orchards which is bordered on one side by a portion of the Abbey's southern wall. This particular section, while well built and sturdy, is obviously much, much newer than the sections to either side of it. The ground is clear of almost all grass and weeds, and is somewhat uneven, still bearing deep ruts and impressions that have not yet been worn away by the rain. The center of this area contains a large firepit lined with flagstones and encircled with log benches.
Exits: [H]idden [G]ap under Wall, [O]rchards, [P]ath to Abbey Pond
Mice: Emyuil, male. LilyMoore, female. Spoofed Dibbuns. Elmef, male (he just made a cameo).
Badgers: Zee, male.
Squirrels: Aden, female. Benar, male.
Emyuil walks out by the firepit, a pensive expression on his face as he starts getting a small fire set up. The news of Zurrgg taking over Ferravale has put him in a brooding state of mind.
LilyMoore comes running through the area, blinded by her tears. She just found out about this whole crap with Zurrgg. If her uncle doesn't move, he's gonna get run over!
Emyuil is collided with and falls over with a startled yelp, fortunately missing the just-ignited fire. "Whoa!" He turns and is about to laugh, then sees Lily's state. "D'you want to talk?" he asks quietly.
Zee is looking around, not fully healed and he has company...of the small kind, a couple mice dibbuns on his back and a squirrel dibbun on his leg "Ya should stay with Sister Jenny or..wot ever be her name...." He sees the others "Hey either of ya seen Ozzy...please?"
LilyMoore starts sobbing. "S...Scioto is d...dead....h...how c...could s....someb....beast d....do th...that t...to B...Blisa??" She is oblivious to the badger's need right now, but hopefully in a few minutes she'll distract the Dibbuns or something....
Emyuil reaches out to hold Lily, not saying anything, just letting his strong arms enfold her if she wants them to in order to comfort his niece.
Zee frowns "I heard about chiefy, I did...'tis not a good thing that Zurrgg needs caught...hey!" He frowns ast he dibbun plays with his loose bandaging "Ya should go ta class...bet that's where Ozzy is..." Then a dibbun finally speaks "Papa Oz no heres.....Papa Oz no where..." Zee blinks a couple times and pulls the 3 dibbuns off him and has one of his rare bits adrenaline and sudden rushes off and trust me if he probably won't be gone long.....well their new play mate is gone so....yeah they start to wail.
LilyMoore lets her uncle hug her, but then the Dibbuns start crying and she realizes that she's needed. Peering out at them, she sniffles and says quietly, "He...he'll be b...back, d...don't w...worry..."
/And so will Zurrgg,/ Emyuil thinks to himself. "And when he does, I'll be ready," he whispers aloud. And so will Nevermore.
The dibbuns sniff and wail more, then when Zee comes limping back and sits down, oh boy is he in pain now as he should not of rushed around and takes a few deep breaths " I...he...not in his room." He tries to think as something dawns on him "Oh...no....he was going out and that were before...not good"
Things have been a bit... Tense, the past few months. Between the Northern beasts who laid siege to Camp Willow, and now all /this/, Aden is not taking the whole 'low stress, take it easy' thing very well. Because of this, she has decided to take a stroll around the Abbey, find a quiet place to relax - away from all the talk of war and death - and try to forget about the woeful and impending loss of her good figure... Instead, she finds a small group discussing war and death, and the conveniently placed children are there just to remind her of the impending loss of her good figure. GREAT. Every time. With a resigned sigh, the silver squirrel approaches the fire pit, raising a paw in greeting. "So, uh, war council...?"
LilyMoore glances up at the squirrel, then just goes to bury her face in her uncle's shirt. Her usual happy mood is basically gone right now. "...is Oz missing?" She mumbles. Yet another thing to make her life more horrible. Awesome.
"He could've just gone out for a walk. What're the odds that he'll run into anybeast?" Emyuil offers with a shrug, eyes gleaming as he holds onto Lily.
Zee frowns "He had mentioned going ta that market place. He never take this long...wot if Zurrgg got Oz, if he knows he is related ta me...that not good. that wildcat took me younger nephew...He is a dangerous fighter, he has control of chiefy...Scioto's village!"
Oh, wow. This just gets worse and worse. Aden's trajectory is abruptly halted as she gets the muffled, teary news through a tunic. Right. "Oz -" Brain whirring, she starts to count off on her fingers. "The Abbot should be told." She interjects, gently... But her place in the conversation ends there. This is way above her pay grade. Before she is really brought into this, the acrobat turns on her heel and heads back towards the Cottage - move to Redwall for the peace, they said. It'll be quiet, they said. Everyone is dying and Mossflower is in shambles? That was never mentioned, no. Heart heavy with the news, Aden slips away to the Orchards.
LilyMoore makes a mental note of the need to tell the Abbot, then mumbles, "I wish I could help....but all I can do is ring the bells when their needed...."
"And that's not important?" Emyuil demands incredulously. "Without you, we wouldn't know if we were under attack and we'd all die."
Zee frowns, "Bit too late fer a bell, but be handy if Zurrgg comes back which he may....either way wot do Benar know, does he know bout Scioto, anyone tell him?"
"I didn't," Lily grumbles honestly. "And so what? I love ringing the bells, but I wish there was more I could do to help..." the mousemaid is still trying to hide her face in her uncle's shirt. She really has no idea if anyone has told the Abbot about Zurrgg and all the junk that has been happening here recently....
Emyuil is happy to hold Lily as long as she needs it. "Too bad you can't help in the forge or something." He shrugs. "Or help Angela in the infirmary some more."
Zee frowns "No one needs to go near de forge, that could be dangerous unless ya know wot ya be doing."
Emyuil is happy to hold Lily as long as she needs it. "Too bad you can't help in the forge or something." He shrugs. "Or help Angela in the infirmary some more."
Zee frowns "No one needs to go near de forge, that could be dangerous unless ya know wot ya be doing."
Benar is walking around the outskirts of the orchard chatting quietly to Elmef, the squirrel and fieldmouse have their heads close together and are accompanied by several Novices as they chatter softly and quietly about the harvest.
LilyMoore gets up and stalks off a little ways, crossing her arms and scowling. "But....I don't wanna help with the forge! And I've been helping Nana in the Infirmary; but I want to help MORE. It's like....it seems like I'm not doing anything important." She kneels where she is and stares at the ground.
Zee frowns, but it's good to change the subject, he then sees the abbot and calls out "Hello Benar..."
"Hmmmm..." Emyuil thinks to himself. "Well....ever considered guard training maybe? And am I still allowed to be giving you warrior training or has that been suspended?"
Benar looks up as he hears LilyMoore's outburst and frowns at her from under his straw-sunhat. "You are doing a very important job my dear, Bellringer is one of the most important tasks a beast can have, especially with all these violent beasts around. You are our first line of defense, warning us to get inside and to safety." He waves a hand at Zee and walks down into the firepit, handing several scrolls to the Novices as Elmef heads off toward the fields, "As for warrior training you'll have to ask Angela on that one Emyuil only she can give the yay or nay to that."
LilyMoore looks up at the Abbot. "But....it doesn't seem like much." She glances at her uncle, then looks down at her lap. "You'll have to ask Nana and Momma if it's allowed....I was taking a break for a while." She sighs and buries her face in her paws. She suddenly feels so exhausted....
Benar rubs at his fuzzy chin and glances at Emyuil, "I am sure we could add you to the look out roster as well, would that help you feel better?"
Zee frowns, he starts to say something and decides to wait for now as this seems important, "Would be a...good idea ta have extra look outs...Zurrgg is back by de way and....well I can tell you later."
"Absolutely," Emyuil agrees. "She's got a good eye," he says with a hint of pride.
LilyMoore looks up slowly. "Really? Could I....would it be okay if I learned to use the sling?" She should be asking her mother or great-grandmother, but she's gotten a little distracted by the sudden idea of using a weapon without getting in trouble and without it being training.
"Certainly not," Benar says with a shake of his head, "Slings come under weapons training, for that you need to ask Angela or Dora. Me and Emyuil aren't coming between them and what they think is best for you," he smiles, "But the lookouts could do with sharp eyes, it's a tough job too, sitting at the top of the bell tower or on the walls."
Zee nods "De lass could help...I need ta help somehow me self but I be still recovering from helping the otters"
Emyuil sighs. "I'm going to go...I dunno. Talk to DoraRose or something. If you don't need me, Lily?" he asks politely.
LilyMoore leaps up, her face wreathed with smiles. "In the top of the belltower??" She's hoping he just gave her permission to climb up to where he had previously told her to not go, but she wants to be sure. She looks excitedly at her uncle. "Of course I need you, silly! You're my family! But you can go if you need to. I can watch from the top of the belltower!" Her favourite place in the world!
Emyuil smiles, a bit more at ease now. After giving Lily a hug, if she wants, he heads off.
Benar shakes his head, "There is a cupola at the top, a viewing point, I will show you the way and you can join the rota for lookouts. But you are only to go up there on shift, never off shift"
Zee lets the two talk as he leans against a tree, seeming other things on his mind for now but he still listens to the two
LilyMoore slumps. Phooey. "Well...okay, then. I guess that's fair. And I'm sure my Sparra friends will be willing to help me not get hurt." She smiles and goes to randomly hug the Abbot. "Oooh, this'll be fun!" Because spending time alone at the top of a tower is the epitome of fun....unless you're stuck up there, of course. But Lily may have never read that fairytale.
Benar shakes his head and hugs Lily back gently and smiles at her, stroking her ears, "It is long and boring job and you may have to do some over-night shifts and it hurts your ears like anything if the bells go off below you."
Zee frowns and takes a deep breath as he hates to ask but he does "..Abbot Benar? Has anyone updated ya on...what happen in Ferravale? We may saddly have to watch out for...they got a new leader..something happen and tis not good, involves that wildcat Zurrgg and he has more friends."He wont mention his older newphew is missing cause well he is not totally sure on that bit of news, but he is sure on what he is mentioning.
Benar frowns "No, no one told me anything about Ferravale, what happened to Scioto and Blisa?"
LilyMoore at first strikes a pose, avoiding getting her ears stroked for more than a few times. "I can do it! I know I can!" Her previous bad mood returns, and tears form in her eyes again, but she lets the badger give the Abbot the news.
Zee frowns, he has always called Scioto chiefy..unless its serious, then he uses his real name "Scioto is...he's dead Benar" That was...well a bit bad to get out "No clue were Blisa be...but Zurrgg be chieftain now and has demanded taxes...and I be hoping he has not ...well found a way to better get them"
Zee frowns "And he burned de peace treaty also"
Benar frowns and sighs sadly, hugging Lily close and shaking his head, "This is bad news... does Magramba know? If he tries to march down the road and demand things off Redwall he'll soon discover just how badly outmatched Ferravale is...." he frowns, "I am not having a warlord take over the town and threaten the residents of Mossflower.... something will have to be done and the first order of business is to find Blisa and her snake."
LilyMoore gets hugged. "Momma said that Magramba was there when the treaty was burned. I....I h...hope B....Blisa's o....okay....how could someb....beast DO that to her?" Her empathy has broken her heart as she imagined what it could've been like to lose her father. She just can't even right now.
Zee frowns, "I want to help...Ferrvale beasts who are not for helping de wildcat may come here...." He then thinks and "And that includes...someone I know some dislike but he be on our side and would help fight Zurrgg, though he not be allowed inside so I...heard"
Benar says, "First things first we need to get the guards back up on the wall. Burning the treaty can be seen as most likely a declaration of war... they intend to come here..." he frowns then shakes his head, "He is not coming inside, I am not lifting my edict ."
LilyMoore has managed to hold back her tears, but she looks even more crestfallen as the news that Marek is still not allowed inside the Abbey. But she says nothing about that. "Butterclaw is out looking for Blisa and her bodyguards right now. I hope he finds them soon...."
Zee nods "Alright....but wot do we do if Zurrgg tries anything, he may or may not have captive."
Benar frowns, "If he has a captive we get them back. We do not surrender... I... cannot risk the lives of everyone here for one beast... Lily go to the bell tower. Ring the Alarm, tell the forest folk Redwall is Open for Shelter."
Zee frowns "I...hope not, hope someone is just being extra careful on way back from de market, but he went right before that wildcat showed up and he ...not back yet and he should be...." Ok Zee is worried, ok.
LilyMoore nods and runs off, and after a few minutes the bell ring that Benar requested is sounding off, the ropes pulled by the capable paws of the young Bell-ringer-in-training.
Benar frowns, "Why do these things always have to happen just as I am planning something nice... I have a whole troupe of festival folk on their way for my Summer Extravaganza and now I have to install a siege mentality!" he shakes his head and lifts his habit off the ground, "I best go talk to Magramba."
Zee walks over and lays a paw on Benar's shoulder if he can "It will be ok Benar, try not ta let it stresss ya out. I may not not be fully healed yet but I can stand watch on de walls"
Lacota is strolling the grounds when he happens to pass the fire pit. "Well. Zee. Benar." He adjusts his glasses. "What's all this bell ringing for?"
Benar shakes his head, "That's not the point though Zee... we never get a moments peace right now... first it's martens in the underruins, then Camp Willow now this... it's like every warlord, bandit and vermin known to man has decided descend on Mossflower at once." he glances at Lacota and sighs, "Some wildcat has taken over Ferravale, they murdered Scioto and burnt the peace treaty between Ferrvale and Redwall to ash in front of Magramba. Papa Oz is missing and I very much fear this wildcat intends to try and take over Mossflower as Warlord and Ruler.... quite frankly I am not standing for it."
Zee looks over at Lacota and frowns as the abbot answers the question, "Yeah not good news lad"
Lacota sighs. "Of course... Wait, what? Scioto is dead?" The squirrel's eyes widen. "By Martin's whiskers..." He clenches a fist. "Why... If I just got my paws on them... But never mind that. We're in luck, Benar... There is a regiment of Long Patrol hares not a days march from here... They can help us, surely."
Zee listens as he looks between them "I like ta fight de wildcat me self but...I most likely lose" He shows some bandage still on his chest and shoulder
Benar flicks his tail and frowns, "That is good news... I'll send someone to ask if those hares can drop by... I very much fear it could be war... or worse and.... well... we must protect Redwall."
Lacota nods, rubbing his chin. "I am frankly not surprised the villain chose to strike now... No doubt he took note of the recent attack on Camp Willow, and took advantage of everybeast's distraction by recent events..." he sighs. "Mossflower was wide open for another attack."
Zee nods to the two "I think I shall help with de dibbuns also.."He grins "They seem ta like me" Yeah cause he sneaks them candy thats why. He lets the two talk as he walks off.
Benar sighs and his tail twitches, "Indeed I sadly think you mnay be right Lactoa...." he glances at the bell tower which is still ringing and looks at the walls. "I need to talk to Magramba. Lacota can you please ask the Elder's to gather in my study we need to talk and make plans"
Lacota nods his head. "At once. This is a grave situation, and time is of the essence. Oh, and Benar... Don't overwork yourself." The Friar heads off at once to gather the elders.
Zee nods "He has a point Brother Leon would get on ya case then" Then again that be funny to watch, he shakes his head, no not really he then heads on to the dibbuns..good or bad idea remains to be seen
Benar smiles "It is ok, I will take it easy, as soon as I have talked to everyone I am going to find my adopted children and stay with them"
Thanks for reading!
This http://rwmuck.limitless.org/rwmuck/content/zurrgg-has-captive is important to read!!!
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