LilyMoore Loise gets a "lecture" from Lorimis
RW Abbey: Abbot's Chambers
The Abbot's chambers are a warm cozy set of rooms on the ground floor of the Abbey. The main chamber has large airy lead-lined windows that look out over the Open Ground of the abbey and beyond that the fields were they grow their crops.
The furniture in this initial chamber consists of a large desk and two bookcases by the windows. There are a pair of comfortable arm-chairs set up before the snug fire-place and a couple of chests tucked beneath an expansive side-board.
There are two doors off this central chamber, one leads into the Abbot's simple yet comfortable bed-chamber. Large well made wooden bed, wardrobe, pegs for hanging items on and a small chair positioned by a small fireplace with a wash-stand in one corner. The other door is always kept locked and the Abbot likes to keep it a mystery as to what is in there.
Exits: [Hall]way
Lorimis the mouse. LilyMoore the mouse.
Lorimis is sat in a large comfy chair by the fireplace, the small, elderly mouse reading a large book as he waits for his guest to arrive. The room is warm and cozy and there is a faint hint of lavendar in the air.
LilyMoore comes up to the outside of the door and scowls as she knocks. Crossing her arms, she glares sullenly at the door handle.
Lorimis says, "Come in" he murmurs in a voice pitched to carry out into the hall as he looks up from his book.
LilyMoore opens the door and enters the room, not even trying to hide her bad attitude. "You asked for me?"
Lorimis looks over at LilyMoore and smiles softly, "Hi there LilyMoore, come on in I did want to talk to you yes. Here have a seat," he indicates the large foot stool in front of him.
LilyMoore flops down on the foot stool and gives the Abbot a hard look. "Was this my mother's idea?"
Lorimis says, "Not at all," he lies without lying, he's good at this, "But I am the Abbot of Redwall, I hear many things and I must say LilyMoore what I have been hearing about your behaviour is not something I would expect from a young mouse of Redwall. I was hoping we could talk about it."
LilyMoore rolls her eyes. "Yeah, what about it?" She starts fiddling with her apron pocket, mentally preparing herself for a lecture. Her mood has gotten even more sullen, if that's even possible.
Lorimis sets the book aside and smiles, reaching down to pick up the iron poker and stir the coals in the grate, "I wanted to ask why you where acting that way? Is there anything I can do to help? Some other activity we can find to help you vent whatever frustration you are feeling."
Lily is slightly surprised to hear this offer. She was expecting to get yelled at. "Well...all the classes in Abbeyschool are so /boring/, and I know most of that stuff anyway. I want to be a warrior, but Mom says I can't be one until I 'learn to obey the rules'," she does an impertinent impersonation of DoraRose. "But the rules are so annoying. They're no fun."
Lorimis shakes his head and smiles softly, "Ah you remind me of Benar's adopted son Zarok. He was just the same when he was your age. Didn't want to obey the rules, wanted to be a warrior." he picks up the book he was reading and turns it around in his hands. "Sadly the rules are there for a reason. I won't lecture you on them but I have something I want you to read. It is... a special class of Abbey School. One I only ever permit potential warriors to take." he turns the book, on the cover, embossed in faded gold is a large M.
Lily tilts her head to one side as she looks at the book, but she doesn't try to take it just yet. "A special class? What's it about? Did Zarok take it, too?"
Lorimis says, "Yes he did," he holds out the book, "This is a book Martin wrote in his later years, It is about the warrior's code, the way of life a warrior must follow if they wish to be brave, strong and true." he tilts his head, grinning mischieviously, "It won't excuse you from Abbey School, one of Martin's first lessons is that every warrior needs a proper education. How can you tell right from wrong if you don't understand the lives of beasts?"
Lily takes the book and starts flipping through it, looking for illustrations. "So...I'll have to stop skipping Abbeyschool in order to be a good warrior? And I didn't know Martin wrote any books." She looks at the Abbot in slight awe, her blue/purple/gold eyes round with wonder. "Are you sure Martin wrote this? That would mean it was....um...like....well, really really ancient!"
Lorimis smiles softly and inclines his head, "Indeed, Abbey School is one of the foundations of warriors," he glances at the book, "Few know much about Martin's latter days, when he retired and lived in the Abbey in peace. That books has been passed from Abbey Warrior to Abbot to warrior down the seasons. Flicktail read it. Though you are right that is not the original, that is the fifth edition, Dandin and Mariel wrote the second because the original was so ancient, they copied it true and added additions. After them Samkin created the third, when he took their notes and compiled them as one. Matthias wrote the fourth edition and Deyna compiled this one. So many of Redwall's Warrior's have written this codex."
LilyMoore's mouth drops open in awe as she hugs the book tightly. "Seriously?! Whoa....that's amazing! So...if I read it and obey it's rules, I'll be a good warrior?" She frowns and adds, "Do I still have to learn how to sew?"
Lorimis says, "Chapter Ninteen, woodland crafts and surviving in the wilds. So you are a warrior, your sword belt snaps or is damaged in a fight. It is raining and your cloak has a huge tear in it. What is better for the warrior? To be able to sew it shut and fix it? Or get hypothermia from the cold?"
Lily slumps in disappointment, sighing. "Nuts. I hate sewing. It's so boring. But I geuss dieing wouldn't be fun, either. Hang it." She starts absently kicking the leg of the Abbot's chair. "Why are all these things so important to be a warrior? I thought it was all about fighting. Is that still important?"
Lorimis says, "Oh yes, fighting is part of it, but fighting for the right reasons. A warrior doesn't just wield a weapon and kill indiscriminately. They fight for justice, to defend those who cannot defend themselves. A warrior only kills when there is no other choice. But fighting is not the only skill, Martin was a bricklayer when he wasn't fighting, Deyna fished, Rakkety Tam was a musician. Mariel and Dandin knew how to cast bells and Matthias... he was a safe as wise and strong as Methuselah."
Lily looks down at the book in her lap. "Oh....so, is that why Flicktail is washing dishes? Because that's his useful, peaceful talent?" She blinks, then adds, "I wonder what I'm good at?"
Lorimis says, "You'll not find out unless you try Abbey School and learn and washing dishes is one of Flicktails useful talents. He's also helpful in cooking too"
Lily looks at the golden M on the book for a few minutes, thinking, then slowly smiles and looks up at the Abbot. "Okay. I guess I'll stop skipping school. And I'll try not to pour stuff on anybeast anymore. Although it is funny..." she says almost wistfully.
Lorimis chuckles "It can be funny as a practical joke sometimes, but you really shouldn't" he stands up. "Now I am entrusting that book to you Lily, take care of it please and if you want to sit down and talk more about it. You can always ask to see me. It's my class after all so I'll be issuing the tests."
LilyMoore jumps up eagerly, smiling brightly as she carefully slips the book into her apron pocket. "Oh, I'll be super-duper-ali-ooper careful with it! I promise! And I'll study really, really hard! Can Mom read it, too, if she wants to? And Caleb and Dad and Nana?" She is bouncing up and down with excitement.
Lorimis stands up and walks to the door with Lily, "Of course, why not go tell your Mom what we talked about and I am sure Caleb will like to see it as well."
Lily claps her paws as she shrieks with happiness. After hugging the Abbot as hard as she can, she bolts out the door, calling her abounding thanks and joy to him as she leaves.
Lorimis waves good bye to Lily and smiles and returns to his chair, confident he has at least made a start in steering her right.
LilyMoore goes to find her mother and share the unbounded joy. But will this be enough to convince her to be an obedient person, or will she still be a brat? Look for the next log with her in it to find out!
Thanks for reading!
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