Doors Ever Open (Thorns of Steel: Epilogue)
From the private journal of Novice Dust, Bellringer of Redwall Abbey:
In just a few weeks, the world fell apart and was reborn.
A madbeast rose and fell, the Badger Father was taken away along with a healer and Scioto's daughter...Ferravale was defeated and retaken in the space of two days, the Abbey was burned and attacked...The Champion was felled, another went to wield the legendary sword against a beast who turned out to be the Warrior's brother...It's enough to make one's head spin.
And I just stood by and watched, lending a hand in nonviolent ways, never once raising blade or bow to kill because of the oath I swore after I killed that ferret a few months ago, at a time that seems lifetimes past.
So strange how quickly everything we know, the entire world as we know it, can be shattered, and so quickly be put right again.
So quickly the heroes rise to the challenge. So swiftly the time of idle bliss is torn asunder, and the time of heroes, the time of valor, the time of Legend arises. And swiftly, oh, how swiftly, it ceases, even as soon as it has started.
Now, we dwell once more in a time of peace. The birds sing and don't try to kill us at the drop of a paw, the sun shines, other than several scaley Redwall residents there are no reptiles in sight...The trees go bare as Winter's soft enveloping blanket prepares to enshroud Mossflower...The Dibbuns play, carefree as always, safe within the four mighty Abbey walls...The food is as good as ever, the drinks flowing free as the River Moss in springtime...All is quiet, and safe. The kiln and the workshops are being rebuilt, Ferravale is wary but fortified and secure, and gradually everybeast is going home.
But despite all of this, there is still a place here, a place for all with peace in their hearts and the desire to join us here in the Abbey of Redwall, for a day, for a season, for many seasons, it matters not. Come when you please and leave by the same principle.
I will make sure that we keep an empty seat here for you, just in case you pass by on the old dirt path and chance to pass our doors, which are always open to peaceful comers. Just keep walking along the dirt road until you see the belltower on the east side of the path, you can't miss it. Day or night, spring or fall, now or many seasons later, it doesn't make a difference, come whenever you like. We will be waiting for you, and you will be greeted with open arms, whether you travel here by land or by mind, where there are no restrains upon where you may walk.
Dust, Bellringer of Redwall.
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