The Abbey Records
Copied, Compiled, & Edited by Spruce during the Autumn of Peace, the Twenty-Sixth Season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
(An IC Season to OOC Year/Season Translation can be found here )
The collected journals of Atma Gafgarion, the Recorder of Redwall Abbey
In the nameless winter, the second season following the Great Earthquake, a creature called Atma Gafgarion took up the mantle of Recordor of the then ruined Redwall Abbey, writing down what is now generally known as either The collective logs of the Nameless Winter or simply The Recorder's Scrolls. These represent the closest written record to the Great Earthquake.
Introduction (Date Unknown, presumably the Nameless Winter)
Before I go on, it must be noted that there hasn't been an entry in this journal for many moons. The last time I've written in this book, I was in Mossflower woods, frantically searching for my lost mate, Alatia. Now I sit before the warm fire within the walls of the broken Redwall abbey. I've discovered all of my old friends from Nueva to be alive and well, save for a few exceptions. Pax has grown ill-tempered, and cold. Vlen is more mature than he was before. He's still young, and has much room to grow. Cassite is solemn, and a mere shell of his former self. He's not as happy as he used to be, which concerns me. Atanis is dead. Torwin doesn't seem to have changed, which is good. This harsh winter hasn't destroyed all of them, at least. Tivenn is still around, with Larissa and their children. I find Tivenn to be more tolerable than he was before. Which is nice. He, too, is maturing, and growing. Kevarr is alive. She's recovered from her arrow wounds nicely. I feel I've lost Alatia. But, I have no time for mourning. For now I face a more important duty. These Redwallers are facing perils beyond their field of control. They need all the help they can get. I believe I can make a difference here. Fates be with us, I am a Redwaller now.
Feb. 17, the Nameless Winter
Again, I've not filled the pages of my journal over many hard nights. Only now do I find the time to take to my writing. So much has happened. The Redwallers had two primary enemies when I had arrived. Juskavarr, a clan that Kevarr once considered family, and Al Bhed, a group of vengeful savages. Both, since then, have been warded off. My primary endeavor here has been my friendship with Kevarr. She fills the void in my heart that only Alatia held. I've fallen in love with her, and she's fallen for me. But, this is a well kept secret. She lost her paw in a battle against her clan. To my dismay, I could not help. Windrunner - The abbeys champion fighter, and Atanis' former mentor has fought long and hard for our cause. But he's recently taken his leave, to where, I did not confirm. It's rumored that he went to take care of the log that had caused flooding in the abbey last autumn. Pax is growing more distant from everybeast else day by day, and this frightens us. But it also enrages us. I fear the troubles of late have been too much for the poor mouse. She's gone mad. Her friends are doing all they can to help. Keithe, the fox healer, has helped Kevarr as well. He's doing his best to help Pax through her problems. As is Pax's childhood friend, Danny, and Syekate, a weasel that was with the new order of Redwall since day one. I will not interfere. Pax hates me enough as it is. Cassite is very angry with me. He's found out that I'm in love with Kevarr, and has declared that I have betrayed him, and Alatia. There are also three other beasts that are new faces to me. Ghost, Xander and Tale. Ghost is a good friend of Kevarrs, though, I have just raeson to believe she's not very pleased with my existence. Xander is an arrogant fool, and shouldn't be allowed to walk this plane. And Tale is a noble sentry, always guarding the abbey. He seems to never rest. As I bring this lengthy entry to a close, I'd like to make note that Compest has arrived at the abbey. He's declared himself temporary abbot, and has knighted Kevarr. He's now proceeding to help the abbey in all new ways, as our leader. I hope he can succeed where we all have failed during these past few days. My paw aches. And my stomach growls. And, as I take my leave to the kitchens for my daily rations, I bring this entry to a close.
Feb. 21, the Nameless Winter
It's very difficult to accurately predict what lies in Redwall's future. In fact, I'm even uncertain as to whether or not this abbey has a future. Tivenn has been rescued. He's mortally wounded. It actually reminds me of a long time in my life, very long ago. When Atma was wounded by the monitor wench. I know the agony Tivenn must suffer. As I have suffered it, and more. Despite my harsh words to him, and his loved ones, I am concerned for the mouse. Though, I'd never admit it openly. We've received suspicious word that Windrunner has been shot, and is dying somewhere in mossflower woods. No information as to where he is, or how he's being helped. And the message came from Eiyrt. I'd never met the marten before, and I was curious as to what he was like. I found him talking to Kevarr in the halls, and I scorn myself for ever wishing such a curse. Eiyrt is an evil beast. I now know why his name is spoken in the same mannor as one speaks curse words. He claims to have rescued Windrunner, and that his assassin still lives. But this is Eiyrt. I do not trust him. I will not allow myself to be fooled by his trickery, either. I'll also dully note that Kevarr does not handle alchohol well. Let it be a personal reminder, never to get her drunk, no matter how much affection I may recieve. Keithe seems to have perked in spirits. He's a lot happier than what I had previously noted of him. All due to a ghost of his past, revisiting him from the graves. A former love of his has shown up alive, and has boosted his morale greatly. Vlen is doing slightly better. As is Danny. Yet, Pax is still angry. Before I close this book, I will make one final note. I have been granted an abbey title. I am their recorder now. Their historian. And I can't say I didn't deserve it. After all, I am educated. This is the profession I had strived to achieve. And just as well, I've helped this abbey so much already. Such actions deserve rewards.
...Right?
Feb. 25, the Nameless Winter
Recall any positive thought I had ever thought about the future of this place. Now forget it. Hopes have been lifted within these walls, only to have been shattered again. Windrunner has returned alive. Vlen was healing greatly. Kevarr is up and healthy again. All was well. We even managed to break the log that had been acting as a dam to the river. And just after the log was moved, all seems to have fallen apart. Kevarr, Ghost and I had been at the log, working on moving it from the river once and for all. Then they spotted Eiyrt. They ran off after him, for what reasons only the Fates will know. While we had been working Torwin and an odd badger had appeared to assist us with the log. They successfully broke the log, at the expense of my suit, mind you. After that, I had gone to find Ghost and Kevarr. As I arrived, I found Eiyrt, angry and bearing a blade upon the two. Kevarr and Ghost proceeded to insult him, and that is when the fight broke out. Ghost suffered one stab wound, and as did I. But, then, Eiyrt took me captive, and held a blade to my throat. And as Kevarr surrendered, instead of killing her, Eiyrt stabbed me! I am now mortally wounded. A stab wound in my chest, and two in my left shoulder. If that weren't enough, Vlen has been attacked yet again! This time, his assassinator has left a note.
"Kill the Seer, Hail the King"
They managed to hit him in his temple with a jagged rock. He now lies in critical condition. Kevarr is physically healthy, but mentally..? It has also been discovered that the Al Bhed are truly on our side. Eiyrt had been manipulating them from the beginning. One of their own, a beast named Luto, found him out. They seek his death as we do. As for the others in the abbey, they seem to be doing alright. I owe Keithe a lot. Without him, I doubt I'd be breathing this day. I doubt Kevarr would, either. Pax...I haven't seen her around much. Perhaps that's why my head isn't throbbing. Also, a young mousemaid has been injured. I do not know her name. But she seems to be Lans mate. I will find out soon enough. But it will be difficult. The mouse knight does not like me at all. But then again, who at this abbey does, save for a few exceptions? And on a final note, Cassite is being stalked by an odd squirrelmaid that calls herself 'Bell'. I fear she's not at all right in her head. She's giving Cassite a lot of trouble. But, the squirrel remains strong. Cassite has agreed to stick by me through these times of crisis. I don't know what I'd do without him.
March 1, the Nameless Winter
The abbey lies in a wounded state once again. Slowly, I recover from my wounds. As well as Ghost, Vlen and Tivenn. But now the abbey seems to be gripped with fear at the threat of just one beast. And the story with Eiyrt goes deeper than we had thought. Apparently, he had deceived Dyomuns clan into attacking the abbey. And when one of Dyomuns soldiers, Luto, found out about it, they exiled Eiyrt from their inner circle. Eiyrt is a madbeast. And that makes him all the more dangerous. Now, every warrior in the abbey wants to fight this monster. Why would that seem bad? Most of them want to fight Eiyrt alone. Including Cassite. Kevarr and I are doing our best to keep these rowdy warriors in check, but I'm still afraid one of them may not heed our warnings. Vlen is still being harassed. A strange poster was found just earlier tonight, taunting us. Whoever his assassins are, they're playing us for fools. And Cassite is still being bothered by Bell. Will wonders never cease. The ottermaid Alhanna has been annoying me for days now. Let it be noted here that if I hear anybeast call me 'Annie' again, I'm going to wring their necks. One pawed, if I must. I'm curious as to the whereabouts of Danny. I haven't seen the mouse in quite awhile. I did catch Pax. She seems aware of the abbey's newest threat, but hardly seems to be phased by it. I guess she could frighten off even Eiyrt with her attitude. I'm overwhelmed by the beckoning call of a good nights rest. So, that's what I'll do, bringing this entry to a close.
March 10, the Nameless Winter
Chaos. Utter chaos. And that's an understatement. To start off, Eiyrt is dead. Kevarr killed him on the same night that the abbey was first attacked by Lowbeasts. Since then, we've experienced several other lowbeast attacks, one of which left a permanent scar on my face. There was an old, cranky mouse on an anti-vermin campeign named Donal. What we failed to realize is that Donal was an imposter. He was a corsair captain who called himself Lonad. Kevarr was a former slave of his. His re-emergence brought Kevarr significant troubles. He had secretly revealed himself to her after Eiyrt was killed, and put her through some unknown tortures, that caused her to go mad. Kevarrs madness, I discovered, was merely a regression into her childhood aboard the slaveship. The sea rats tormented her there, one of which, and the most severe, was to put her in a small box. Sometimes they would accompany such a thing with other horrors. Insects, water, flames, and such. She would sometimes go into maddened fits that would cloud her vision, and make all of us seem like sea rats. She'd see herself in the box amongst these delusions, and become frightened. The Al Bhed agreed to help us take care of her in solitude, after she attacked Jylinc, Danny and Pax, so she would hurt nobeast again. Vlen and I went with them to the Al Bhed camp, and over the course of a few days there, I learned how to treat her. She knew me past her delusions, and that was the key. I would protect her, and comfort her as if she were a small child. In doing so, she found peace amongst her delusions. We returned to the abbey to find that Lonad had revealed himself. Tried to kidnap Pax, but he ended up taking Kaelis instead. We devised a plan after hearing this. Cassite, Kevarr and I were to go to the searat camp to retrieve Kaelis. It was revealed that Lonad only wanted knowledge of a vast treasure Kevarr could tell him about. But, she did not give it to him. Jylinc got mixed into this, somehow, and he freed Kaelis before we got there, getting himself captured instead. In short, we saved Jylinc, killed Lonad, and eliminated the sea rats, with Ghosts help. We all live with minimal wounds. Though, I'm afraid Ghost is not so well off. Compest has spoken with Kevarr and I, and he's made her an elder. There's even talk of her replacing Alexandria as champion. We'll see where that goes. And finally, after dealing with a terrible ferret kit, I sit with Kevarr and Jylinc in the infirmary, both of which are suffering wounds received from the ferret last night. He's currently tied up, and put in the cellar. After I make sure Kevarr is okay, I'll see to it that the kit is punished for his actions, severely.
March 19, Spring of the Brilliant Revival
I had actually never thought I would have to face things like this. The way I was raised, I never expected to be living the lifestyle that I do. I refer to, of course, my living with the woodlanders at Redwall. As recorder, I hold a prestigious position. And in light of this, I've decided to eliminate my alias. I am no longer Anigma to these beasts at Redwall, but Atma Gafgarion. My birth name sounded odd when spoken for the first few times. I had grown used to hiding it away for all this time. My own issue here is that I've defied all expectations given to beasts of my species and nature. I've made more friends at Redwall than I've ever had in the past. And what's even frightening to me, a family. Kevarr is going to give birth to a child, and I am its father. Compest has asked me to be a general in the army of Mossflower, and while I'm inept in combat, he seems to believe that I would do well with this position. Elder? General? Father, of all things? When did such titles replace those I once held? Scoundrel, Thief, Liar, even Murderer. The question is, do my new titles really replace my old ones, or do they only mask them?
Unfortunately, I've little time to ponder that. Spring has sprung. By the looks of things, we may even be able to afford a nameday feast by mid-spring. Reconstruction has already begun. The child that will be born to Kevarr and myself is a new source of worry and distress. Originally, we had planned on keeping it a secret, telling only those we trust. However, due to some shadow-lurking miscreants, we failed. Eiyrt turned out to be alive. He showed up at the abbey, wounded, and holding Jerushan, a healer, at knifepoint. Of course, nobeast knew until it was too late. We had all been distracted by another drury beast, Ingin, who was making less-than believable offers concerning diplomacy. Because of the distraction, Eiyrt was healed. When he was found, he plotted on snatching the wounded Jylinc from his infirmary cot, and running. Jerushan tried to stop him, and Eiyrt mercilessly killed the healer. Eiyrt then wounded Jylinc, and escaped. A few days later, Eiyrt found Kaelis on the road, and severely beat him. We're now on high guard. But that's not the wort of all worlds. Due to the previously mentioned miscreants, Eiyrt knows of Kevarr's pregnancy. If she should ever encounter Eiyrt, all may be lost. Ingin insists that Eiyrt is no longer a Drury beast, but due to his wild claims, his constant threats, and his convenient distraction the night Eiyrt killed Jerushan, I've good reason to suspect conspiracy. Cassite is ill, with incredible pains in his head. It's been said that he tried to attack the champion, Alexandria, but he denies any memory of such an occasion. Pax has returned alive and unharmed, fortunately. As ever, it's impossible to determine the future of the abbey. For now, we must all do what we can.
March 27, Spring of the Brilliant Revival
It's becoming more clear to me, day by day, where the abbey stands as of now. In light of recent activity, Eiyrt and Lonad's crew has been left dead, and the focus of vermin intents seems to be the little ones now. Kevarr was captured by Eiyrt when she went to take Jylinc back to his camp. She was kept by the marten for a span of a day, beaten and tortured. He demanded Dyomun show up at his location within three days, or he'd beat the baby within her stomach to death. In five, he'd kill her, too. The night she was captured, Larissa and Compest gathered teams, and went out on a search for Dyomun. I took Xander, and we went searching ourselves. Instead of Dyomun or Eiyrt, we found the remains of Lonad's crew. Not only did I retrieve my other dirk, but we killed off the rest of them. We returned without Kevarr. The next day, a fleet of bats flew into the hall, chittering about sighting Eiyrt and Kevarr in the woods. I took up Compest's sword and they took me there. Unfortunately, Eiyrt had more plans than just killing Dyomun. He captured me, and started off on some twisted torture scheme. He'd been beating Kevarr's stomach, trying to kill our kit. Chaos erupted, however, when Syekate and an unseen beast from the woods found the camp, and attacked Eiyrt as Kevarr broke out from her ropes. Eiyrt defeated all of them, rendering me unconscious with them. And as if the Fates had guided them, Keithe, Ramadi, and the Al Bhed Dyomun arrived. I woke up to find that not only was Eiyrt fighting Dyomun, but Kevarr was giving birth! It was miraculous. Nobeast had even known Kevarr's labor had begun. Our kit was born, a jill that we named Kes, just as Eiyrt was slain by Dyomun. Had they delayed their arrival any longer, Eiyrt would have Kes at his mercy. All returned to the abbey beaten up, but alive. However, with the birth of our kit, brings the death of another. Typhoon, the young sea otter that I had taken to raise in the absence of his parents, was killed by lowbeasts. This tragedy was followed by the Abbot Compest's quest to seek out the lowbeasts camp. Miraculously, he slew all of them, save for one. Alongside Typhoon's tragic demise, there have been other problems concerning the young of the abbey. A slaver ferret has kidnapped a great lot of them, and is keeping them hostage. The rescue efforts of our own have proven that the slaver torments, and beats the poor kits while they are under captivity. Amongst those captured is an otter girl that Ghost and Xander have taken a liking to, and another young kit that I believe is a mute. They were rescued, leaving a trainee healer mouse, and our champion, Alexandria's kit. We've established a firm rule, that nobeast is to leave the abbey without a partner. We plan on avoiding situations like this in the future. Lan, Compest, Syekate and Kevarr are amongst the injured abbeybeasts, as far as I'm aware of. So much has happened in the past few days, that I'm sure I've missed some details. Once things stabilize, I'm sure to recall them. But I've ran this entry along for far too long, and my paw is growing sore. Thus, I draw this entry to a close.
March 30, Spring of the Brilliant Revival
I've seen the worst there is to see in some beasts. Sadness that will never go away. Anger, and sometimes even naivity. We made a horrible discovery that will leave the beasts in question in an eternal ruin. Vlen's sister, Hilpani, who was thought to be dead, turned up alive. She and her father were slaves amongst Lonad's sea rats. But that's not the horrible part. In the forest, amongst the six rats I slew, was her father. Now she's ill with a madness we'd only seen once before in Kevarr. Vlen has forgiven me all too quickly for this atrocity, but the guilt still lingers. Hilpani will not stop until she sees me dead before her. Xander has just arrived to deliver some food for Kes and I. Scones, woodlander food. Those with dull teeth eat this kind of thing. It actually makes me rather irksome, but it's food. Who am I to complain. Kevarr's delivering him a reprimand, and for just reason. Xander was absent when Kevarr hunted down the dibbun-snatching slaver. The slaver delivered one more body recently, claiming that Kevarr's fight with her drained all of her energy, and she could no longer work efficiently. Naza was saved, no thanks to Alexandria herself. Excuse the grease stains upon the pages, I am eating...
April 15, Spring of the Brilliant Revival
Well, I'm alive. And I'm lucky, too. It turns out the scones I had eaten only during my last entry were poisoned. Kes did not eat any, only I did. And it's a good thing, too. I was unconscious for nearly a week until I recovered. I awaken to learn that Xander apparently had a twin brother, and that's who had been causing the trouble. Xander also beat up Kevarr and Kes, and gave many other beasts trouble. But it's convenient that the two of us end up the worst off. Xander's twin brother was killed, and the abbey was saved. I seem to be the only sane beast in the abbey who thinks this is the most outrageous load of rubbish I've heard in a long while. Who's to say Xander wasn't involved in any of this? I certainly believe so. Only after this twin was killed, Kevarr assisted the REAL Xander out by the pond. Yet, because of the nature of her wounds, she needed his help to get to the infirmary. She was bleeding badly. Xander merely watched her bleed, before walking away. It's a wonder Kevarr WAS saved. I don't believe Xander is completely innocent, as everybeast else does. Because I'm not an idiot. I'm going to have Xander removed from the abbey. Aside from that situation, a new discovery has been made about the drury beast, Ingin. It was HE who murdered Typhoon. The truth was revealed to us by some rebellious drury members that see Ingin as an unfit ruler. Frankly, it's my firm belief that Ingin is unfit to breathe the same air we breathe. He's going to pay for his crime, in the worst way possible. It's starting to become evident that the drury are nothing but kidnappers and baby murderers. In the end, it all comes down to sorrow. I must rest...
- Atma Gafgarion
The first gap in the Record, the Dark Seasons
From roughly the second to the twenty-sixth season following the Great Earthquake, a period of twenty-four seasons, no entry into the Abbey records can be found. With this and the lack of other surviving records from the rest of the Mossflower area during this time has caused me to dub these seasons the Dark Seasons.
Brother Harper Sutton, Abbey Recorder
In the seasons when the Plague rushed through Redwall Abbey the season before the appointment of Abbot Lorimis, the Abbey Recorder at the time was a hare named Brother Harper Sutton. He had been born in Salamandastron and later presumably passed into the Dark Forest some time during Lorimis' early reign as Abbot, survived by a son Tameus Sutton who went on to serve in the Long Patrol.
Only four entries from his time as Abbey Recorder survive, supplemented by the three entries made by 'Garth the Scholar'; whether or not more was written during this time is currently uncertain.
Garth the Scholar's Entries, Temporary Recorder
As Brother Harper Sutton had fallen ill, a creature known as 'Garth the Scholar' was asked to act as temporary recorder in Sutton's absence by an order member called Sister Caina. Three entries only were written, with little to no evidence Garth continued or even survived the sickness.
The Recordings of one Garth the Scholar Day One: Early January, Winter of the Plague
My arrival at the abbey was not as I had hoped. I entered the Great hall in good spirits, but soon learned that some kind of plague has stricken many of the residents. I was immediately warned by a young mouse to flee and wait until the plague ran its course, but this is something that needs recording, and I am apparently the only beast capable of doing it. I learned this from one Sister Caina, who informed me that the old recorder is in the infirmary, and asked me to leave a copy of my records for the abbey. So far I have learned that defiantly 19 beasts have died. The Order has quarantined the upper floors; no one is allowed to leave once they go up there. I also heard that a Long Patrol Major is preparing some sort of expedition to find a cure. I wish I could go along for that journey, but my place is here. I am hoping to speak with the abbot, learn more about this plague, but that’s if he hasn’t been stuck down with the others.
The Recordings of one Garth the Scholar Day Two: Early January, Winter of the Plague
A search party left the abbey today, in search of some herb called the Goldenwart which the healers say will cure this. I was sorely tempted to go along. Nothing in the way of news has come down from the infirmary.
The Recordings of one Garth the Scholar Day Three: Early January, Winter of the Plague
Beasts down in the Great Hall have been falling ill. Late last night the entire abbey was declared under quarantine, no one is allowed outside the walls. I have no idea what the current death toll is, for every time I ask the healers go all silent and staring. The sick are still kept up in the infirmary, and most of the healthy have gathered in the Cavern Hole and Lower Dormitories.
On my previous statement about the sick, that was merely an in general statement. A stoat, clearly infected, just appeared in the hall and sat near me. Do these abbey beasts have no sense left in them? The sick should be kept upstairs! Not allowed to wander freely around the still healthy! It is clear the Order has no idea how to contain an outbreak. The upstairs should have been completely cut off, the stairs should have been barricaded and fires lit to cleanse the air. And now this, allowing the sick to wander freely, I can only hope these barbarians can gather themselves and contain this before it consumes us all. For now I keep close to the fire, but if this stoat, who introduced himself as Kolya, is anything to go by I will soon be pitching a tent outside these halls.
The only praise I can offer the abbey beasts lies with the healers. They seem to be working around the clock, risking their own well being to tend the needs of others. Two of these healers, a hare and a mouse, seem to doubt my advice of lighting fires to clean the air, they also seemed to find me as unpleasant company; but did no better themselves.
I also meet Colonel Zoe Lang this evening. She seems the intelligent type, but kept trying to tell me to control my supposed temper. I calmly told her that if these abbey types would simply stop being so full of confidence in themselves, and listened; I wouldn’t be vexed with them.
Brother Harper's First Surviving Entry: Mid January, Winter of the Plague
Brother Harper recovered from his illness far more swiftly than many others at the Abbey, and began his work as Recorder once more:
Well, it would seem I have won the battle against the Plague. Though I doubt that has overmuch to do with myself. I should better say that the other healers have the victory in this particular battle. Or that my son has. Whichever is the case, I am improving. The fever has broken. The vessel for this humble mind feels battered and broken, but it also feels-- alive.
It only seems right that I should return to my duties now I have the strength to do so. While my mind was lost to the fog, the Abbey lost many more of its good creatures to the illness. However, the Abbey and its inhabitants will not go quietly, nor have they ever. A certain Brenden Thatcher, Private rank, of the Long Patrol, has presented the possibility of a cure. A certain herb, known as Goldenwort in his area of the world. It grows deep in the forest, in Southswards. He knows not whether it grows in Winter, but a quest has been rallied nonetheless. The questers left two days hence. I am told that we are not to expect them for a fortnight, though perhaps the spirits of those we've lost will bear them home more quickly, even, than that.
Because a cure, it is true, we are in dire need of. Even the humble Abbeybeasts can only be bent so low before breaking and I should wish myself dead before that day.
But perhaps that day has been put off a little, all the same, for the love of a dibbun. I think only a dibbun could think to make merry and light as a distraction for all this. Aged beasts are far too cynical! Ah well, but my son Tameus is not! He put on a play - a comedy! Starring himself as perilous hare, Long Patrol Colonel Wameus! His delicate damsel, Delilah, was played by our very own, Novice Bradge. He makes a very pretty maid, if I do say so myself. And as for the more villainous component, Colonel Zoe Francis and Sivaine Brennig played the roles of Dread Pirate Kessy and Nerdez, respectively. It was quite a thing... I nearly fainted dead away from laughing, though that's not a stretch for me right now!
I think we all owe Tameus a great amount of thanks. He has brought us all from the edge, not with herbs or simples, but with something far more effective.
Laughter.
- Brother Harper Sutton, Abbey Recorder
Brother Harper's Second Surviving Entry: Late January, Winter of the Plague
The last of the plague sufferers have been released from the infirmary! Thank the Spirits, it is over. The timing is appropriate - we feasted the Abbey's good fortune last night in the Great Hall. There was dancing and music from the Abbey's musicians. There were two stand-outs of the evening.
One, Ardice's celebratory cake! Oh, Martin! It was a sight. She had decorated it to resemble Goldenwort, the herb to which we owe our recovery. But I think there are very few but can feel anything but ambivalence for the stuff. Foul-tasting and poisonous in certain forms. Major Darklett, the poor soul, looked absolutely green upon seeing the raspberry syrup seeping out of the vines in place of sap. All the same, the cake was absolutely delicious.
And, of course, it is no surprise that my Tameus got up to his usual tricks! Without telling anyone, he and a few other dibbuns arranged for quite the spectacle. He sang a rather moving song and I'm surprised to say he sang it well. It is an old one. Let me see if I can transcribe it here...
"See the smoke curl from the chimney,
An the mat beside the door,
On the path there stands the family,
Like you left em long before.
Home returning, home returning,
Seasons gone an young uns grown,
Home returning, home returning,
Back to those I call my own!
There the fire burns and the ale brews,
An the bread bakes soft an brown,
While my friends wait with the good news,
Bring my chair an sit me down.
Home returning, home returning,
Comes the warrior from the war,
Home returning, home returning,
Home to wander nevermore!"
And right after that he and the other dibbuns had rigged a sort of catapult and they launched dozens of golden paper flowers over Great Hall. I think everyone enjoyed it, save for Major Darklett's son Caleb. He seemed to have a vendetta against them and went about crushing each one he could find.
It was a fine evening for the Abbey.
Scrawled at the bottom is a scribbled note, which reads, And the squirrel Magramba arrived with ribbons braided into his headfur. I really will have to speak to Novice Theodore about that.
Brother Harper's Third Surviving Entry: Early February, Winter of the Plague
The Abbey is suddenly a great deal emptier.
The Long Patrol has left. I believe the original plan was to wait 'til things warmed up a bit, but I suppose with first the owl, and then the battle on the Dirt Road, and finally the plague, they thought it best to leave while they still could!
It has been an unlucky stretch of months for us, no doubt.
Ah, well.
My Tameus has gone off with them. To get an early start on his grand plan to become Colonel! I am glad that he has found what he wants in life so young, but not having him here, not seeing his smile or hearing his laughter, it is a deep wound. Fortunately I have my work to keep me busy, but I can't but come back to the cot we shared each night and wonder who will sing him his lullabies, now?
The little scamp left a note. Ardice helped him to write it.
"It'll be a long time. I'll hate it and I'll miss you.
I'm sorry I'm not a good son. I'll work hard and think
of you all the time and one day I will be. I'll make you
proud. I promise. I love you more than anything.
Please be happy. Tam."
Ahhh, but he is and he does already! Where are you now, my son? I hope he is well.
- Brother Harper Sutton
Brother Harper's Final Surviving Entry: Early April, Spring following the Plague
Well, we have been back to the Abbey for some number of weeks, now. The aches and pains have all healed and I no longer wake up every morning convinced that Redwall is a dream and Ruingate only a wakings away...
Should all things always be recorded, to be passed down and remembered, or should some events just be allowed to pass away with one or two beast's memories? That's the question I've been contemplating these past weeks, with a stack of fresh parchment sitting at my desk and waiting to be written on. I suppose I still haven't made up my mind - or maybe I have, and I'm just not ready yet. There have been enough of sleepless nights thanks to this trip, just lately.
So I will write of simpler things. I'm sad to have missed the visit with my family. It has been seasons since I've seen my mother, or my brother Jacob. It's been long enough, he's grown from a leveret to nearly a full Private in my absence. I wonder what he must think of me, cloistered away here in the Abbey. Though, I suppose one couldn't fairly call my life here boring!
I miss Tameus, as well. I am awaiting a letter from him - something, anything really. I don't like to consider how he must have taken the news that we would not be arriving at the mountain. He is a very strong leveret, but in some ways he is very fragile and uncertain in life. I worry for him. No doubt life will toughen it out of him, but if it was my choice... I wouldn't have it so. There are some lessons I'd rather he not have to learn.
Ah well. My letter to them must have arrived a number of days ago. Hopefully he is not angry with me, and will write soon.
Meanwhile, Spring is blossoming everywhere. The seeds of life have been planted and the smallest of buds push through the freshly turned earth, seeking out the light of day. I believe I will take a lesson from the plants, and venture forth to greet the morning.
- Brother Harper, Abbey Recorder
Novice Dust, Bellringer of Redwall Abbey
I have seen fit to include the journal entry of one novice Dust, the former Bellringer of Redwall Abbey (presumably the beast holding the position before Lilymoore Strongheart). His is one of the few surviving accounts following the summer in which an evil fox, known as Vladimir Stormfeather, rose to prominence and caused much grief for Mossflower Country as a whole in a span of only a few weeks, during Father Lorimis' Thirteenth season as Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, an unnamed summer.
An extract from Novice Dust's Journal, Autumn
Written in October, an unnamed Autumn, the fourteenth season since the late Father Lorimis' appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
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.
Sister Zinnia, Abbey Recorder
After a span of roughly Twenty-Five seasons since Brother Harper acted as Abbey Recorder, a badgermaid named Sister Zinnia Winters began her writings which would eventually lead her appointment as the official Abbey Recorder in July - August of the Summer of Remembrance, the twenty-first season since the late Father Lorimis' appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country. Sister Zinnia would hold the post for nearly eight seasons until her resignation as Recorder in May of the Spring of New Beginnings, the fourth season since Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, after which she left both the Abbey and the Order.
She returned some three seasons later before passing into the Dark Forest in March of the Winter of Reflection, the seventh season since Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country. She was survived by an adopted son, the late Xander Winters.
Sister Zinnia's First Writings, Spring of Bells to Summer of Remembrance
During the Spring of Bells, the twentieth season after Abbot Lorimis' appointment to the position of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, a beast named Marek Redthorn gathered about himself a great horde of vermin, leading to what I shall henceforth call the Second Redthorn War the following Summer (the Summer of Remembrance). Throughout these events is when Sister Zinnia first began writing, chronicling nearly every event that took place in the Second Redthorn War in her personal journal, which has now been added to the Abbey Record here.
Sister Zinnia's First Journal Entry
I am starting these writings to record what has happen since we been away from Redwall Abbey. It is odd to be writing as when I first came to the abbey I couldn’t read or write very well at all and now I read and write very very well and recently even found out that even though I never seen it before I understand badger script. Badger Script is strange as it can tell the past as well as the future and sometimes things going on elsewhere in the here and now that you may not even know of. Now it doesn’t say everything but it tells important things one needs to know, who knows maybe whoever wrote it hundreds of season ago knew I would read it and that me and my group needed to know something. Oh sorry I should explain who this group is and how we came to Salamandastron, yes the great badger Mt. or Fire Mt as some call it.
Sister Zinna
Sister Zinnia's Second Journal Entry
I am writing down what I remember and trust me a lot of it is not easily forgotten. Me and a guard named Anomen, he’s a squirrel, were told by Martin the Warrior himself to seek aid at Salamandastron to help recover his sword and to help aid Redwall from an attack by a horde led by an evil stoat named Marek. The sword was stolen from our Champion Flicktail by a squirrel named Oak who drugged him and another guard. Oak lost the sword to Marek who used it as a symbol of power and took over Redwall. Redwall fell that day and those still there were now captive and under the power of Marek and his horde.
Sister Zinnia
Sister Zinnia's Third Journal Entry
Before the horde had come I, Elder Benar, Anomen, and Friar Lacota had already gone on our mission a 3-4 week trip to Salamandastron. The trip started out fine and we even found a Gawtrybe squirrel maid who joined us and her name was Treesong. We made it to the swamps and that is where trouble happen and the toads caught us but with my help and Treesong we were able to get out. Benar got on my shoulders and Treesong on his and got us vines, we escaped the toads with our lives but sadly lost supplies and everything we had with us, and were still a couple days from the Salamandastron. On the day we arrived we almost lost Treesong to a jellyfish sting but luckily a hare healer named Barley came to her aid and him and a the recorder hare Quinten led us inside Salamandastron. After a week of recovering we talked to Lord Sebastian, he is the badger lord, and he will help us. It seems he dislikes the idea of Flicktail being champion of the abbey, as Flicktail is a fox. Yes a fox is champion of Redwall but he is a good fox whom I trust with my life now. I did not trust Flicktail at first and slowly as time went on he gained my trust and now he is a friend. Anyways Lord Sebastien is sending 1000 hares total and himself to Redwall. They will be with us on the way home. Acting as Liaison is Benar and appointed Anomen as military advisor. Lord Sebastian has mentioned he and the long Patrol will have no dealing with Flicktail while they are in Mossflower, but will respect the title champion, this is why we needed a Liaison and military advisor. Well we are to head out in 3 days and I need to get some rest.
Sister Zinnia
Sister Zinnia's Fourth Journal Entry
Day 3 and we have headed out. I don’t have time to write too much right now I shall write more in a few days. Wish us luck.
Sister Zinnia
Sister Zinnia's Fifth Journal Entry
It has been a week so far and I find hares most interesting, where do they put all the food they eat I wander. Lord Sebastian seems to like to keep to himself; he is the current Badger Lord. I also found out he is a blacksmith like my papa is, I wonder if they would get along or not. The trip so far has been good and no trouble, then who wants to mess with a thousand hares and one very tall badger lord.
Sister Zinnia
Sister Zinnia's Sixth Journal Entry
Today I had a bad dream or vision from Martin. My papa, Zork, or father he can also be called seems to have been in a very bad fight. I am so scared of just how bad a fight it was and how he is and I can’t learn this till we get home. Martin said my father was to join the ranks of the order as a Brother or Elder maybe. The day my father lays down his warrior ways will for sure be a sight to see indeed.
Sister Zinnia
Sister Zinnia's Seventh Journal Entry
We had an interested visitor today, he arrived by swan, Brother Leon. But it seems the swan also had another with it a clan squirrel and I didn’t catch his name but he knew Treesong and took her with him to be the now leader of Gawtrybe. It seems the Gawtrybe leader was hurt badly and Treesong is the leader for now, well she is granddaughter to the main leader of Gawtrybe so makes sense. Leon stayed with us to finish our journey back to Redwall and has informed us Uncle Oz is fine and so are the dibbuns now, even Martins sword is in safe paws, an otter. Leon thinks it’s our head guard Lee that has Martins sword, I hope so. Other news is my father Zork is in bad shape and I am worried about him. Leon confirmed my father’s warrior days are over. I wander... maybe my father really will be becoming a brother or elder in the order after all.
Sister Zinnia
Sister Zinnia's Eighth Journal Entry
I have not written in a while as been thinking on other things. Like on how my father Zork is and how everyone is at the abbey. I hope they are ok. We are almost at Ferravale now and soon will make final any plans to get the abbey back into our paws. I will be staying at the base camp the Long Patrol and Lord Sebastian has set up. I will also try not to worry on how the battle will go or who may or may not die. Deaths happen when in war and injuries happen as well. Those who can fight and heal will go into battle, I do not know much on fighting at all but a hare has been teaching me some simple self-defence and I guess it’s okay to learn self-defence just in case I ever need it in the future, but it’s still a last resort as I am a Sister in the order and the abbey code is do no harm and only fight if one’s life is in danger and as a last resort. Well Benar and Sebastian will be heading out soon to see who else is going to help us get the abbey back. Brother Leon looks to be going to and said he be there as a healing beast, he is Master Healer after all so it makes sense for him to be there. Anomen will also go to Ferravale and be in the big battle against Marek and his horde. Anomen had taken a walk earlier and came back clearly upset and told me he wishes to not talk about it and asked where Benar and Sebastian was, and I told him and he went off to speak to them. Hopefully it’s not bad news, I so dislike bad news. Well I should stop writing for now and will update you later.
Sister Zinnia
Sister Zinnia's Ninth Journal Entry
We have made it to a camp close to Ferravale. I cannot say where so that will remain a secret. No vermin species can enter the camp, even if a couple are friends it seems. But that is ok as it does keep the cap safe. I went out to try and find someone who may know how my Papa is and I ended up a captive of the Gawtribe. It seems they were for a short while taken over by Alvar as he has been Treesong in a fight and is leader and he is a mean leader and says they will no longer be friends to any beast but the clan.
I write more to say Alvar was defeated, in fact killed by Anomen who came to help Treesong and myself, Anomen is now temporary leader of the Gawtribe, plus he is still military advisor for this war we are dealing with, but the Gawtribe is on our side once more so all is well. Even better news Treesong and Anomen are now to soon wed, not sure when this will be as first we must win this war with Marek and then get things back to normal. Maybe A feast and a wedding, that would be so fun and enjoyable!
Sister Zinnia
A post script has been added, reading:
A hasty scribble in a small and cramped paw-writing had been added to the bottom of the page some time ago, which I shall insert here:
I also helped with Alvar's defeat! Nearly died trying!
- J.R.M.
Sister Zinnia's Tenth Journal Entry
A lot has happen at the base camp. Hares are training and getting ready to fight and a more serious tone has come over the camp. I will be staying at the base camp till the okay is given that the abbey is free and we can go inside. I will also help tend to some of the less serious injuries as I do know basic healing skills.
Sister Zinnia
Sister Zinnia's Eleventh Journal Entry
The abbey is once more free, but many lost their lives to get it free again. I stayed at the base camp and a couple hares got me back to the abbey. My papa Zork and Uncle Oz are fine, to which I am glad. Many in the Long Patrol died, half the Gawtrybe died and some shrews died as well. The head Guard Lee had found Martin The Warriors sword and keep it safe. He led a small group of Redwallers inside and rang the bells in the bell tower as a distraction. A squirrel named Oak opened the abbey gates to let beasts inside, but he disappeared and from what heard went into the woods somewhere. Also the moles caused a section of the south wall to fall down, further surprising the horde beasts that had taken over our home. The moles are already starting to repair the wall and make it even stronger. The gates are getting fixed as well; the blacksmith whom is also my Papa is helping fix the abbey gates. The wounded are being cared for by Head Healer Brother Leon and the other healers. The dibbuns have yet to be brought back but that should be in a couple days once some cleanup has taken place around the abbey. Well I should get some needed rest, in my own bed. It will feel so good to once more sleep in my bed and my own room.
Sister Zinnia
Sister Zinnia's Records, Entries #1-4, Summer of Remembrance
Following the events of the Second Marek War, Sister Zinnia was officially appointed to the position of Abbey Recorder in late July or August of the Summer of Remembrance, the twenty-first season since the late Father Lorimis' appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Sister Zinnia's First Entry as the Official Abbey Recorder, August
I am sorry I have not written in a while. I been spending time with Papa and Uncle Oz. The abbey has slowly recovered from the takeover and things are getting back to normal. Today is the feast and great fun and food was to be had. This was the first time I truly enjoyed a Redwall feast. The lives that were lost were remembered today with lanterns on the trees; yes the trees as we had the feast outside in the orchards. The summer of Remembrance it was named. Another great thing happen I am now Redwall Abbey Recorder! I still take care of the library and keep the abbeys records but now I feel more proud to do so and will work extra hard to keep the library neat and clean and in good order, I will also may sure all things are recorded that needs to be remembered. The sword of Martin is once more back in Flicktail’s paws now as well. We also have a bee keeper now, Melibella as her and her newborn daughter have decided to live here. I need to go help clean up, I will update later.
Sister Zinnia, Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Second Entry, August
I want to update as I found out today Bottlebrush has returned to the abbey, which is good as he is a healer and healers are always needed.
Other news is sadder, my friend Treesong has died, but there is not total loss of hope as she has a small newborn baby that has survived. It is thought the poison from the Jellyfish sting weeks ago may have still been in her system and made her weaker; childbirth took a lot of her energy. The baby’s name I learned is Cotasong, a way to honour his mother and Anomen had wanted to name the child after a close friend, Friar Lacota, so the name is a mix of both names. Friar Lactoa is fine so please do not worry and is busy making dinner or rather finishing making it so I best get to Cavern Hole as he doesn’t like it when beasts are late for dinner.
Sister Zinnia, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Sister Zinnia's Third Entry, August
Sorry I have not updated for a while. First some sad news, Sister May has passed away and will be missed. She was very old, I am sure how old but fairly old and was one of the first beasts I meet when I first came here. She helped Uncle Oz with the younger dibbuns, now one of the novices do. I help with the dibbuns ages 4-6 seasons and so far I have done very well.
We will have the fall feast soon and my papa is helping to raise the new gates, and the gates are stronger than ever before. The feast should be fun and enjoyable. I am still loving being the recorder and love to keep you updated. We have had friends come and friends go. Luckily no more in death have left. Angelo the hare left to go back to his own village as a brother of his needed him, and Anomen has left with his son Cotasong. Those new , we have Taran who has come to the abbey, just yesterday he helped save one of the dibbuns I help, young Thorn, who had an allergic reaction to some nuts. Taran got her to the infirm very quickly and saved her life, even though he seems to think he didn’t, in my opinion he did. We also have an odd sea otter maid here and who seems interested in learning to use the forge, a possible apprentice for papa? I am unsure and will keep you updated on what happens there and what her name is once I also learn that. There is also a vixen named Rayen, I have only spoken to her a couple times and she seems nice. She is a healer and makes baskets out of reeds, which I think is an interesting skill to have. She seems to have made our champion happy, and I think she is happy as well when she is with him and it’s always nice to make beasts happy.
Our Master Healer Brother Leon took a couple weeks off and is now back on duty, I think some time off, which he rarely takes, helped him a lot and also Taran, whom I mentioned earlier, is his father..yes they are related and look to be trying to finally be father and son and I wish them luck with that.
Not much else is going on that I have not mentioned, till next time.
Sister Zinnia, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Sister Zinnia's Fourth Entry, September
Another quick update
I am adding this, though the problems seem to have left. A group called the Silent Blades have been around. Led by a rat I learned name was Ebony and seems to dislike the abbey. So far they have not caused too much trouble here and just on the road by robbing beasts as they travel the road. The wall guards as well as our Head Guard Lee and the Champion Flicktail are keeping an eye on the roads to make sure the Silent Blades do not do too much to endanger any beasts. I have learned they are a small group of just under 10 beasts and in a couple recent fights have lost a pawful of their beasts, this before being under 10 beasts, still not being too big a group even then, maybe 15 before and dropped to just under 10 beasts now, I see no danger to the abbey but would suggest being careful on the dirt road, I know I will be.
Thanks for your time,
Sister Zinnia, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Sister Zinnia's Records, Entries #5-10, Autumn of Portals to Winter of Thundersnow II
Written from roughly October, Autumn of Portals, to December, Winter of Thundersnow, the twenty-second and twenty-third seasons since the late Father Lorimis' appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, respectively.
Sister Zinnia's Fifth Entry, October
I have been very busy with teaching the dibbuns ages 4-6 seasons and even have a couple 3 season olds as well in my classes now. One update is there was the Fall Feast a couple weeks ago (Oct 24th) and it went very well. Father even did the speech and named the season, Autumn Of Portals. Portals is another name for doors and openings like gats also, I rather like the seasons name. The feast went well and the new gates are up, stronger than ever before.
Another update is the sea otter; Silverstorm is now my father’s apprentice and is learning to be a blacksmith. I worry about papa as he is making a wheeled chair and uses a cane a lot more than when he walks around. I have talked to Brother Leon and he says my Papa or as most know him as Brother Zork, will most likely be in that wheelchair a lot sooner rather than later as the heart attack he had in the summer did cause a lot of damage and he nearly died twice and was in a deep faint a week, it took him half a season, maybe a little longer to recover from it and maybe he never really fully recovered from it, not all the way anyways. Papa claims he is ok and knows to take it easy, maybe that’s why he has his apprentice Silverstorm now, she can help him and one day take over the Blacksmith duties but I do hope Papa is around many many more seasons.
I add this to the records. Taran has died, not that the abbey knew him that well but I felt it important to add this, he was buried in his old village where he died and Brother Leon was away a couple weeks, along with his mate Dorarose, to visit the village he grew up in and to attend a wake for Taran. Taran was Brother Leon’s father, if I have not mentioned that before. Brother Leon is back now, as well as Dorarose, and once more back to his Master Healer duties.
An update I forgot to add...The Silent Blades group is no more, their leader Ebony died and some of the group was killed and others left the group as it broke apart and they went elsewhere to not bother this area again. Ebony died a hero; she had perhaps turned from her evil ways to save her daughter from someone in her own group that aimed to kill the child. Thorn lives at the abbey now and is doing very well in her pottery skills and learning about trees and plants and how to take care of the abbey grounds. Thorn has been adopted by Elder Benar and I think she will do very well in the abbey and maybe one day be a Sister in the order, course she has to be a novice first and that may be in a season or two as she has recently I learned turned 5 seasons and is one of the dibbuns I teach.
Well this is all for updates for now, that and my paw hurts from all this writing, till next time,
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Sixth Entry, November
Friar Lacota has glasses now. The blacksmith Zork made them for him. This is good as he had some vision problems before and now he doesn't. Other news is it looks like my papa, or Brother Zork the Blacksmith of our abbey will be not doing too much the next several days. He injured his shoulder badly in a fall; this only makes me worry more about him even if he seemed fairly fine, I am unsure his emotional side is okay. He has totally finished his wheelchair and even was sitting in it today, but he wasn’t very talkative. He didn’t talk to me at all and so I left him his breakfast and decided to check on him later. I will keep you updated as I have a class to do
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Seventh Entry, November
Dear friends,
A lot has happen and I have been busy fixing old books in the library and looking to see what could be done for a future spring cleaning, and it’s been planned to have one threw-out the abbey and I think it would be a wonderful idea!
Some other news, that’s troublesome, is we almost lost our Master Healer Brother Leon due to a poisonous spider bite he received on his paw. The spider was disposed of and the attic where it happen checked, no other spiders thank the seasons. But Brother Leon did almost die and was saved by a healer hare named Angelo. News that should be happy does have some sadness to it as to save his life Brother Leon had to lose his right paw to do so, but I believe he will still be the Master Healer we all know and love and will get through this with the help of family and friends. Other sad news is Angelo has passed on to the dark forest, we are unsure why and suspect his health was not too good in his old age. Angelo has been buries in the graveyard on our abbey grounds off the Open ground area.
Brother Leon is doing a little better, other news is a major snow storm hit Mossflower. I do hope no one was out in the snow and icy mess. Looks like this winter will indeed be a cold one that’s for sure well I am off to go sit by the fireplace it the great hall
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Eighth Entry, December
Hello,
A quick update on the news of Redwall Abbey for you all. The winter season is still in its early days and we have had the blizzard and another smaller storm so far so a good deal of snow. Paths have been cleared to a couple areas of the abbey that’s of importance like the champion’s cottage and the cottage where Our Master Haler Brother Leon and his mate Dorarose live with their two dibbuns.
That reminds me Our Master Healer Brother Leon has almost fully recovered from his time after the bad spider bite. He has lost his right paw, but at least he did not lose his life. He will need to get use to only having one paw and he seems to be doing slowly and he is still our Master Healer and wil be for many, many seasons I do hope.
We have a new sea otter with us and he has decided to stay, his name is Artie and he can play a lute as well as a flute and he sings, music is always welcomed in the abbey. We also had the chieftain of Ferravale, Scioto and his friend Astra stay with us for a few days but he is now heading back to Ferravale which I guess is good as he is the chieftain of the village Ferravale after all.
Not much else to say for now and I am late for breakfast, till next time,
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Ninth Entry, Undated; Possibly February or March
Hello!
We had the Winter Feast not too long ago and the season was named Winter of the Thundersnow,* it was a good name I think. We all had fun and look forwards to the Spring feast soon. At the Spring feast Rayen and Flicktail are to wed so that should be a great event as well and another bit of good news we have had no trouble around from anything or even vermin, its been a quiet winter and fall was some what quiet towards the end. I have still been busy with the library and maybe that's why it took me so long to write any updates.
One update is I have an uncle! His name is Zee and he is really old but seems to get around just fine. Uncle Zee some reason wants to live in Ferravale but that's fine as we do have a peace treaty with Ferravale and he seems very able to take care of any problems he may run into. I wish my Papa, Brother Zork, could get around well as he is in a wheelchair now. Sometimes I worry about my papa and have been told to try not to worry too much. Well I best get back to the library as there is still much to do and I want done before the spring feast here in about 3-4 weeks.
Sister Zinna, Redwall Abbey Recorder
A note has been added: *Name possibly misrecorded; the previous winter was named Winter of Thundersnow and no other record besides Sister Zinnia's entry supports the second use of the name.
Sister Zinnia's Tenth Entry, Undated; Presumably early April
Hello, it’s been 3 weeks and a lot has happen. Yesterday was the Spring Feast and was named the Spring of New Beginnings and I would agree as Rayen and Flicktail got married and the wedding went very well. So Flicktail and Rayen are starting a new life together. Also Streamheart, Lee’s mate, may be having her dibbun born on the next day or so, a new life in the abbey. Also we have a new novice, Caleb, who is Leon’s son, is now a novice and studying to become a cook!
Some other things around the area is Marek is back, but he seems to have changed and maybe is trying to be good. Marek lives in Ferravale for now and even helped me and Scioto as well as himself when a beast tried to poison us. The beast was after Marek and Scioto more than me, guess I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But things turned out okay and I am fine as well as Marek and Scioto.
Other news is the roads and woods seem to be free of trouble the past few weeks and that’s always a welcome sign, and life is good at Redwall.
Well Papa or as the abbey called him Brother Zork, has fully retired from being the blacksmith and has passed it on to the otter maid Silverstorm, but he will check on her every so often. Zork is also in a wheelchair almost all the time now but he still seems like his jolly self regardless. I do worry about him sometimes as he does have trouble getting in and out of the wheelchair when he is not in it, which is rarely he is not in it. When he goes a short distance or meditates or when he sleeps he is not in his wheelchair.
Well it’s late and I should get to bed…
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Records, Entries #11-17, Spring of New Beginnings to Summer of Friends and Renewal
Written from roughly April, Spring of New Beginnings, the twenty-fourth season since the late Father Lorimis' appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, to July, Summer of Friends and Renewal, the first season after Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, following Abbot Lorimis' passing in the spring.
Sister Zinnia's Eleventh Entry, Mid April
Greetings,
It is with a sad and heavy heart I mention the death Of Abbot Lorimis. He died around the lunch hour and all the abbey is saddened over the loss of Abbot Lorimis. This just a week after the Spring Feast. Abbot Lorimis led a good full and very long life, he was old and this may have helped led to his death, also a cough he had that never cleared up. Brother Leon and Angela did all they could to help prevent his death and I know they are depressed over this as well.
I am saddened as well, a couple days before I showed Abbot Lorimis the newly redone library. This made him so happy and joyful, he loved it and even more so the glass case to better protect the charter of the abbey order. I was worried about him then as he did pass out for a few minutes but he seems ok a little later and we even had a small chat, which was nice. The abbot also got to have tea with my Uncle Oz or better known to the dibbuns as Papa Oz. Maybe the abbot knew his time was close and wanted us to remember the good times with him and these are the memories we should hold close to us dear friends. Abbot Lorimis would not want us to be sad and depressed and feel weak. He would want us to be strong and to love life and love one another and help one another through hard times. Be there for others through the good and even the bad times. Alone we are weak and can easily fall, but together we are strong and we don’t fall. Abbot Lorimis would want us to not dwell on his death, but dwell on how he lived his life.
Soon the next abbot will step up, but first there is the funeral for Abbot Lorimis. I will be taking a walk, walk help me relax and I can personally deliver the notice of Abbot Lorimis death to Ferravale. Ferravale has always been a friend to us and we have a peace treaty with them, it is important that they too know of Lorimis passing.
I close with these words love one another, be there for one another, keep loved ones close and never forget those who have passed on.
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Twelfth Entry, Late April
Well, a week has passed since Abbot Lorimis death and now we have a new abbot. Elder Benar is now Abbot Benar, a wise choice indeed. The funeral of Abbot Lorimis went well.
That is all for today.
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Thirteenth Entry, Undated; presumably June
Dear friends,
A lot has gone on in the past couple months’ time. Abbot Benar is has started whats called a processional to visit important historical locations that are important in the history of Redwall Abbey. It is a traditional journey made by the new Abbot of Redwall Abbey to mark the importance of Redwall's History. So far it has been interesting. Those left in charge of the abbey are Angela, for infirm duties mainly, also Brother Elmef, My Uncle Oz and my Papa Elder Zork..yeah he is an Elder now. But all will help one another I am sure and the trip is only a couple weeks and will end with a great Summer Feast at the edge of the quarry. I have never visited the quarry but I will make an effort to record about each place we stop as help get some history down.
First stop is St. Ninians: An old , old and now run down church. Once it was a place of goodness, a sanctuary against the wild woodlands. Its bell rang out over the land. It was a home of a peaceful family and they tended the sick, they prayed to those above and beyond and they offered a place to rest for those who had departed. They were friends of Redwall, Friends of the Badgers of Brock Hall and it was a peaceful place that stood for goodness, kindness and integrity. But in the end it fell, Cluny the Scourge befouled the sanctity of this Hall. In his season long siege of Redwall Abbey he despoiled what was good about this place. Seasons later Slagar the Cruel used it as a base for slavery and later an evil brood of ravens took shelter here and caused the death of an innocent of Redwall. And though this place is now no more, a ruin forgotten, tumbled, burnt it is not forgotten by Redwall. It is a lesson and a memory we cannot and should not forget what happened here, that good was turned to evil. It could happen even to our beloved Redwall if we are not true to ourselves, support one another and work together to keep the ideals of our Abbey alive.
Wise words I think as Abbot Benar explained the history of the church and we all sat down to tell stories to, as Abbot Benar said, “Tonight we stay here, to honor the memory of those who came before us and to remember. We all have tales to share, tonight there is no Abbot, no Brothers or Sisters we are all just friends. Gathered here to recall, to tell stories and to know one another so that we may all remember together our pasts."
We learned more of one another and I think grew closer to one another at the same time. The 2nd night we told stories of others in our life, and I spoke of my Papa, Elder Zork and a couple others shares stories as well. I bet Papa would of liked seeing the church maybe, I do not know, but I am sure I will have much to tell him and Uncle Oz when I get back…..Next stop is Brock Hall, I think it was home to a badger family once, I hope to also learn much there. Till then my friends.
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Fourteenth Entry, Early July
Dear friends,
I have once more sat down to write down of what me and others on this historical processional with Abbot Benar. The weather has been very good so far and there was only one day of some rain and it didn’t last very long at all. Many have told their stories while we were at the church and more stores were told once we arrived at Brock Hall. But more on Brock Hall later my friends first I need to recount some of the stories told at St. Ninians. I have gotten permission to include this tales.
Our own Abbot Benar Said:
“A very emotional day for me. I'd been many things in my life. I'd been a Slave, I'd seen Sampetra, an Orphan then an adopted child living with my mother in the woods. Then I had been a soldier in Southsward, the realm of the Squirrel King and then... here I was, in Redwall Abbey about to embrace a life of peace. I had never been so scared, I was going to turn my back on all I knew and embrace something new. I broke my bow, I stowed my sword where it could never be used again and I became a Novice of Redwall Abbey. If it hadn't been Sister Sunflower I would never have been able to take such a step. It was not easy to do, but I did my best to move forward and embrace my new life. In doing so I have never been happier or in a place to be able to help so many people at once."
- And now he is Abbot and I find that very wonderful, he has indeed been through a lot in his life but he never let in keep him down, he never gave up and he let friends, the most important thing in the world, help him become the beast he is today.
Next is Head Guard Lee, as he said:
“I ain't been at Redwall but a few seasons now. Before that I were 'omeless in the South. Not very pleasant life, ta be honest. I 'eard about Redwall from a passin' merchant, though, an' he had all kinds of good things ta say about it, so I decided ta come see for myself. Took me awhile ta get 'ere... Over 'alf a season. At times, I thought I'd never make it. But then I did. An' it were amazin', just like the merchant 'ad said. I came 'ere, seekin' a home, an' I was welcomed in willin'ly, an' I got that 'ome. Not long after, I got a job, too, defendin' the Abbey, an' I found a brother, an' a father." He pauses, nuzzling Konrad who's asleep in his arms. "But the most important was me family. Streamheart, Konrad, and Rosepaw... I wouldn't trade 'em for the world..."
- I find this also good and he is a great head guard and good protector of friends. And Abbot Benar even echoed my thoughts that night as he said Family is one of the most important things we can ever find. And I agree as if it wasn’t for my Papa, Uncle Oz and even Uncle Zee I would be so lost in the world.
Many other stories were told, all ending with the truth of family and friends being like pure gold to us all.
Now I shall speak of the Great Brock Hall,
A very grand old oak tree, it has stood here longer then Redwall has. Over the years badgers have come and gone and it has been inhabited by many beasts over the turning seasons. But even when it has stood empty as it does now Redwall has taken care of it, kept it preserved and cared for.
Here, at this 2nd location, we spoke of leaders of the past and now. Dorarose spoke of her grandfather who lived elsewhere from Mossflower and she let me include her tale in our records and this is her story from her own words,
“My grandfather, David Mightyone, had the Bloodwrath, great and terrible. He wielded this battleaxe, Nightsong, which was forged by his great-grandfather before him. My grandfather was wild and unpredictable when he was young, full of uncontrollable rage. He met my grandmother, Nancy. She was also a Warrior, but she was calmer than him. To try and win her love, he started working on self-control. Then the War came. Our enemies, the Perusians, were attacking us. Attacking Tuscani, and our great city of Roma. They outnumbered us, a thousand to our 300. We fought bravely, but they pushed us back, until we were right against the city's walls. My grandfather was leading our troops, struggling to not give in to his Berserker's rage. Our troops thought for sure they were going to lose, and die upon their city's doorstep. But help arrived, just in time! Our allies from the North came in, after 3 days of desperate, non-stop battle, and they came in and attacked from the back. Cheering, my grandfather led the troops of Roma in a last charge, letting the Bloodwrath take him over. Not a single Perusian was left alive that day. my grandfather was wounded terribly, and after the heat of battle left him, he slipped into a Deep faint." she shakes her head. "So many beasts were injured...or died. It was horrible. It took scores of seasons for the various wounds to heal....including the ones you cannot see. My grandfather, along with all the other wounded, were taking into Roma's large Infirmaries and treated. My grandmothers, Nancy and Angela, nursed him back to health together, for they were the best of friends. I am sorry to say that the few Perusians who were left were sold as slaves, for Tuscani has slavery as it's most heinous crime. Slowly my grandfather healed, and one day he asked Nancy to marry him. She agreed, and when he was fully healed, they had a quiet wedding at his father's house....which was passed down to my father, Farrer Strongpaw, which by rights belongs to my oldest brother, who lives somewhere in Tuscani still. My grandfather, because of his many wounds, was no longer a military leader, but he did lead troops in the skirmishes that always happen along roads. He and his wife died before I was born, but they left a legacy that I hope I am able to honor.”
- And honored it shall be in the abbey records.
Abbot Benar told the story of one of the first Abbess of Redwall, during the days before Redwall, when Mossflower was under the cruel enslavement of the Greeneyes Dynasty of Wild Cats. In this Hall lived Bella, the Badger Lady of Brockhall and it was here that Abbess Germaine first dreamt up the idea that would eventually become Redwall. Bella had lived here for a long time, in peace, but when the Greeneyes swept in from the north and conquered Mossflower her husband who was a farmer died resisting his forces. Many good and brave beasts died resisting the wild cats and though the population of Mossflower were not enslaved they were forced to labor hard and give up their crops as taxes. Though many tried to formulate plans for resistance Bella sat here in Brockhall, hidden, safe, and it is here that she made her plans. Drawing those to here who could resist the wildcats. It was here that Bella gathered the brave leaders of the resistance. It is here that Martin the Warrior came when he was rescued from the prison of the Wildcats by Gnoff the Mousethief. It is here that Abbess Germaine of lost Loamhedge came. It is here, during the long summer of resistance that the Abbess first had her thoughts of Redwall. There was a farm close to a riverbank where the Order Mice and Lady Bella took the young ones to be safe during the final rebellion against the cats. Abbess Germaine's original plans for Redwall are stored in the abbot's study back home. Along with Germaine's notebooks, she was the first Abbess and she wrote our charter and decreed our way of life. The Abbess spent the rest of her life building Redwall, the outer walls where first, a safe haven from the dangers of the world. They enclosed all those acres of land in beautiful red stone walls. After that they built the main building, the cloisters and yards. Martin made the Rose Garden be built himself.
Brother Leon join us a little later and shared a small story about Abbot Lorimis.
Brother Leon: ” What about him? He was a very wise leader and always listened to others. I remember I had not been at the abbey very long, and this was when I was just a novice. I remember that day well, when that Stormfeather was around. I don't know why I was on the wall tops that day I...well let’s just say I am rarely up there but that day I was, think cause was talking to Lorimis. Stormfeather already had Oz, and he had sent ravens to try and get Lorimis, I shoved Lorimis out of the way and the raven grabbed me instead. Lorimis wasn’t afraid or least he didn’t show it if he ever was or at any time really when there was danger."
- Abbot Benar confirmed saying the ravens they dropped burning barrels upon the abbey, they shattered and set fire to so very much. We lost the Kiln that day and all of our crops. It was a bad time but Lorimis rallied us all, he never wavered, he kept the order working side by side whilst providing support and courage to the Champion and Captain Lee to lead the guards.
I am glad the Kiln was rebuilt and will have to find out who rebuilt it from Abbot Benar later or maybe another beast can tell me. Some other news is we have a couple new friends, two sea otters named Mint and Aibne, they are brother and sister and may join us as we travel on the rest of this processional. The next stop from here is The village of Ferravale, its run by a cat named Scioto and the abbey and Ferravale has a peace treaty together. I am not sure what we will speak of or learn there but I am eager to find out as my Uncle Zee lives there! Why dos Uncle Zee live there? I am unsure, so maybe I will ask him and maybe he as some great stories and tales to tell us as well. In fact this is making me very excited, so I may see if I can go on ahead of the others to Ferravale. Besides I am a messenger as well and can let Chieftain Scioto know the abbey beasts will be in the village soon. I do hope he was told, I am sure he was and if not I will let him know so he is ready. Also my paw hurts from all this writing, it needs a rest. Well I must go talk to Abbot Benar now and see about heading to Ferravale ahead of the others, I think Rayen will be going with me, she is our Abbey Champion’s Mate and she can be some good company as I was never one to go too far on my own.
Till next time,
Sister Zinnia,Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Fifteenth Entry, July
Well,
Ferravale is surely interested. I am still unsure how my Uncle Zee likes this place. But there is a large market of some many different things, so unlike the abbey and so many things I have not seen before. I have been to Ferravale one other time but didn’t take the time to truly look around the village. It’s amazing here! The sights and smells, the many shops in the market place, there was even a small bit of booths in the main square near where the abbey beasts stayed, they stayed at the Inn mainly, and I stayed with my Uncle Zee at his hut.
The chieftain seemed in a fairly good mood today and even stayed a short while, while stories were told. Tonight we got to hear how Flicktail became a good beast. I wrote it down in his own words.
Flicktail: "I started life as a Dibbun slaver. My horde had made an attack on the Fire Mountain, not the brightest thing we ever did. A badger lord with red eyes were after me and me own brother put a shaft thru me foot paw so the Badger would get me and not them. I got very sick from the wound as I tried to get away, and I stumbled into Camp Willow. The Skipper agreed to allow me to live if I helped recover the dibbuns, which I did. I was so sick and cold. When I awoke, an otter pup had seen me and climbed up to keep me warm. I could not BELIEVE it as I was a slaver and here this PUP was helping me. I was going to be a Vermin. I was going to betray the otters, but I discovered something, for the first time in my life, I was warm and me belly was full and I was not afraid. But I was uneducated. And when me mentor, Kroova, came to me and told me foxes cannot live in Camp Willow, so you are going to BECOME an OTTER. Now I know what he meant is I would train as a Shield beast in the otter guard, but I believed I'd be a REAL otter. Even tried swimming under the ice once and that were not very wise of me. But I were terrified of badgers and of RedWall abbey because ALL vermin know martin will drag a vermin beast off to the Black Forest. When a feast came I was required to go to RedWall as an otter and oh I was so terrified of the tapestry and Colonel Zoe Lang, of the long Patrol herself .introduced me to Martin and I told him how sorry I was and that night, a White Mouse came to me. You see I used to be a RED fox. and he told me that to know it was real my fur would be white as my promise to be a good beast and that he would make me is champion to protect the dibbuns and good beasts of Mossflower and sure enough within a fortnight, Abbot Lorimis' mate showed up with this very blade and said she was visited by a white mouse and told to bring the blade to the abbey for a beast with fur like Martin's...."
Yeah, Lorimis had been married at one time, but I remembered reading in some old logs she has died, forgot what of so maybe I will look that up some time.
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Sixteenth Entry, July
Hello friends,
Next we stopped at Camp Willow along the River Moss, a very nice place with a very nice library as I spend some hours in there reading. The otters decided to try and out cook some hot root with Lacota. It was fun to watch, but I am unsure who won as I feel asleep.
Not too many stories were told, one I liked was one my Uncle Zee told. Oh yes Uncle Zee decided to come along with us for the rest of the trip, I think that’s great! His story was this in his own words.
Uncle Zee: "I know one of two brothers when they were younger, hee... Now this be seasons ago in the far snowy north, lots of seasons ago when they were 3 seasons and... Yes 8 seasons, but for an 8 season old he acted like a dibbun and probably still does. Anyways they were late getting back to the clan grounds so the older brother gets an idea to use a hollowed out log to...well slide down the steep snowy hill all the way to the bottom. A good..say it was 2 miles long," Zee goes on, "Anyways, the older brother talks the younger one into getting on the log... hee heee, now I was at the bottom when they came flying down, oh man never seen someone so grumpy as Silverfangs, tee hee...told them, you boys got here safe but that was a foolish thing to do and he grounded them both... it would of been better if they were late." He chuckles and grins, "And you all know the much older brothers now... the older one is Zork and the younger was is Oz.”
I rather enjoyed the story. I also learned some history of Camp Willow while in their library. Camp Willow was founded way back before the Abbey was even built. It aided in the fight against Tsarmina, and helped the abbey on countless occasions.
We then left to go to the Quarry and the sight of the Summer Feast!
I need to go, write again soon,
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Seventeenth Entry, July
Dear Friends,
The feast was wonderful and great. We had it at the quarry. This is where redstone was gotten for the abbey and also where an evil snake who had Martins sword many many seasons ago stayed, it was slain by Martin’s great sword.
The feast was named by my papa, Elder Zork as Abbot Benar asked him to name it and I think he chose well..The Summer of Friends and Renewal.
The food was great and so was time with friends and family. Some beasts became novice and Silverstorm was named Sister in the order, also very great news.
Well it is bed time my friends so good night till next time,
Sister Zinnia, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Sister Zinnia's Records, Entries #18-24, Summer of Friends and Renewal to Autumn of Traveling Companions
Written from August, Summer of Friends and Renewal, to October, Autumn of Travelling Companions, the first and second seasons following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, respectively.
Sister Zinnia's Eighteenth Entry, August
Dear Friends,
Not much has happen. The orchards and crops are doing well and we will have a good harvest come harvest time. Rayen, mate to Champion Flicktail will be having her dibbun soon. I have grown to love the dibbuns as I help teach the 5 and 6 season old ones sometimes in the library, I teach them the charter, more advanced reading and writing and of history of Redwall, Mossflower and just History of places near and far as History is very important and should be keep up to date. I try to keep the Recorder logs up to date in fact.
I also been repairing many books in the library and will place them on shelves soon, what joy to place books of the past on the shelves and it’s even good to get new books sometimes. Other happens in the abbey is the forge hasn’t been used much by our new Blacksmith Silverstorm, then it is Summer after all and the forge can make it even hotter, but she has made barrel rings and tools for the harvest in the fall and even some shovels for winter, well I need to go check on my Papa..he wasn’t feeling too well earlier. Sometimes I feel I worry too much about him.
Signed,
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Nineteenth Entry, August
Dear friends,
Sorry if not written too much past couple weeks. I have been busy fixing books and placing them on the shelf. I am almost done repairing books from the book binding room! Well..least till beasts find more. I have also been spending more time with Papa, who seems to be feeling better and I am glad, Papa has even been hanging out with some of the dibbuns, for some odd reason members of the DAB OR Dibbuns Against Bedtime, I hope they and he knows to be careful as Papa can’t do too much or least he shouldn’t.
Well I am going to bed.
Signed,
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Twentieth Entry, August
Abbey Beasts...Friends,
My worst nightmare has happen today. The day started out fine and in fact was the best day ever helping in the orchards, laughing and even accidentally making a not so ripe apple go all over Brother Rick’s head and I even tried to meditate with Papa…well I am not good at meditation.
But right before lunch my world fell into chaos, my heart seemed to stop as I saw my father collapse beside his wheelchair and I rushed over, he seemed unconscious and did not responded to my pleads and my screams. Brother Leon and soon after Angela confirmed my worst nightmare come true, My father…My Papa... better known as Elder Zork, former Blacksmith and Warrior…was dead, he was gone, he was dead and in the dark forest. I fear I cannot handle this as it’s a bad dream I wish to wake from and I know I can’t. My joy… my happiness left today, it died with my father and I fear it will never come back again!
I do not know when I will write again.
A clear break in the writing, though I believe the following was written the same day as the incomplete entry above:
I will still keep recorder logs up to date. The day is sunny I see if through the window, but to me the day is nothing but hazy fog and a storm of rainy tears. A couple beasts have knocked on the book binding room I have locked myself in, I think even Abbot Benar... I don’t care, I don’t want to come out! I don’t want to see any beast, I just want left alone for now. I don’t want to see my father’s chair or his peaceful form..I know it looks like he is sleeping, yeah a forever sleep he will never wake from! His laughter and smile will never be heard or seen again, his voice, his off key singing, his jokes, his..just being his odd self... it’s gone, it’s gone forever…
I have taken time to slip out and lay this down on a table, this is all I have in me to write today, I will now go lock myself back in the book binding room, please leave me alone I will come out when I WANT TO. My father’s funeral is soon, I will go but I will be lost, I feel so very lost without him… Why did he die, I keep asking why over and over and over again…
Signed,
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Twenty-First Entry, September
Dear Friends,
It’s been 5 weeks since Elder Zork, blacksmith and former warrior and also my father, died. Yes 5 weeks since I have written anything down in the records. Not much has happen expect harvest and that went well. In fact this season harvest was above what it usually is and the best in many many seasons in fact from crops to the orchards, there is even many fish in the pond I have been told by a couple otters. I have helped keep a record of all that was gathered and put away. I have spoken to Krystal our Bee Keeper and we have a good deal of honey and bee’s wax, even some we can share if needed with others, all place in storage. This winter should be a good one, in the way of plenty of food and drink. The fall feast is in a short 3 weeks from now, I am still thinking of not going even if it is important, or maybe I will go but I won’t be there to enjoy it, I will be there just to be there and maybe have a small amount to eat, I don’t eat as well as I use to, I do eat enough though.
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Twenty-Second Entry, September
Dear Friends,
By the south wall today there was strange things happening. Some sort of odd shaped beasts, no one has a clue what sort, tunneled under the abbey and has kidnapped 8 beasts and also Abbot Benar. Head Guard Lee, Dorarose, Anomen and about 2 others have gone after the vermin. Its possible the underground area is home to the old place know as Kotir, a very very old place that’s said to be a good size and a little part of it is under our south wall and near the pond, the rest is most likely under the woods.
Kotir was an aging fortress, that has been abandoned and once was home to Verdauga Greeneyes. It was made from the red sandstone from the. After Verdauga's death, his daughter Tsarmina became the ruler of the fortress. Kotir was built upon a large lake that served as the prison for something called Gloomer. Woodlanders realized this, they attempted to re-route a nearby river to flood the fortress with the help of the ship Wuddship, to block the river at the time and later the abbey it’s self was build over the place and the area, or least part of the place . The flooded area is now our pond.
It's hard to say what is all down there or the history of Kotir, it may be in very old abbey records but I do have a lot of time to spend up here and may look for old records that mention Kotir.
But enough on Kotir, I just hope they rescue Abbot Benar and the others who were kidnapped, I will keep updates on this…
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Twenty-Third Entry, October
Dear friends,
The group of Lee, Chud, Dorarose, Anomen, Zarok, and John have found and rescued Abbot Benar as well as others who were also captive. About 4 dibbuns and an abbey Brother and Sister. I am glad they are safe now and the tunnels have been caved in and filled in best they could and guards posted nearby. For now all seems safe and I hope it stays that way.
Sadly Anomen was wounded with an arrow in his back, Master Healer Brother Leon did what he could to save his life, but sadly Anomen passed to the dark forest a couple days ago. I was told if it wasn’t for him it’s likely more lives would have been lost and that he helped distract some of these, as they are called Under Martens, as the others made their way back to the surface. Anomen is a hero in my record, and he has been buried in the abbey’s graveyard. It was a small service, maybe more can be said at the feast.
Yes, the feast is in a week and normally I would be excited, but I am not. I feel no happiness, I feel not much of anything these days. The day after the feast me, Brother Leon, and Dorarose will start our trip to Salamandastron, a 3 week trip that I hope goes well. We shall be there till spring and then head back to the abbey.
Another bit of good news is Rayen, mate to our Champion Flicktail, had her dibbun. A baby girl she named Juliana. At first we thought we would lose Rayen as she got childbed fever and was near death, but she has awoken and the fever gone and Brother Leon said she will recover and may even be at the feast, again this is good news as we need a bit of good news.
This is all for now as I am tried.
Signed,
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Twenty-Fourth Entry, October
Dear friends,
The Autumn of Traveling Companions, that’s the season name. I think it fits as me, Dorarose, and Brother Leon have started out journey to the badger Mt. itself, we left this very morning, this is the day after the feast.
The feast also offered news.
Friar Lacota and our Bee Keeper Krystal are now engaged to be married, Also Rayen showed us all her 2 week old baby girl, Juliana.
I do not have much to write and till spring I have left Brother Boaz in charge as temporary Recorder of Redwall Abbey.
Signed,
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Brother Boaz's Records as Temporary Abbey Recorder, Entries #1-5, Autumn of Travelling Companions to Winter of Absent Friends
Brother Boaz was chosen by Sister Zinnia to act as temporary Abbey Recorder in her absence while she travelled to Salamandastron. Written from late October, Autumn of Travelling Companions, to March, Winter of Absent Friends, the second and third seasons following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, respectively.
Brother Boaz's First Entry as Temporary Abbey Recorder, late October
Dear Abbey Friends,
Well this is my first log entry and temporary recorder to the abbey. Yes this is Brother Boaz and I will be your recorder till spring. Unless something bad happens to Sister Zinnia, which I hope it does not I truly do, but I do worry as she has been mainly silent the past few weeks and who knows if she is still silent on the trip they are now a week into. I heard it’s a 2 and a half to 3 week trip to this mountain they are to go to, I would most likely fall over in half a week as I dislike travel. One gets thorns in their fur, one gets blisters on the foot paws and it’s either too hot or too cold and did I forget, dearly me I did, possible vermin hiding in the shadows waiting to rob you of everything. Anyways back to my writing and what to write on, hmmm... well Rayen and her little one are doing very well. There is also an eagle in the infirm, I do hope it doesn’t try to eat any abbey beasts as that would make a horrible day.
Also the feast was a week ago, a lot of food but I didn’t eat too much of it. A simple salad and some veggie soup and water was okay with me, maybe some green tea, most know I dislike sweets, anything spicy or sour and like simple tastes, I do like feasts don’t get me wrong, they are ok at times, or least the first couple hours then one should excuse themselves and leave or least I do.
What else, well feelings on being temporary recorder is I was surprised, but also I trust I will do a good job as writing is important as is recording events and such things. I think Sister Zinnia choose well.
Anyways I grow tried and am done with entry 1, maybe an entry once a week or every couple weeks is wise? Well, we shall see.
Signed,
Temporary Recorder of Redwall Abbey Brother Boaz
A recent note has been made at the bottom of the page: What is it with these old recorders always falling asleep on the job?
Brother Boaz's Second Entry, November
Dear Abbey Friends,
It is me Brother Boaz and yes I do not write as often as Sister Zinnia did or at least I do not think so. I write when I feel it's important such as news today Sister Silverstorm gave me. The ambassadors have made it safely to the great fire Mountain and I am sure all will be glad of this. An Eagle named Thunderwing delivered the news, so nice of him. Well that is written down and now I must reshelve some books at the library.
Signed,
Temporary Recorder of Redwall Abbey Brother Boaz
Brother Boaz's Third Entry, November
Dear Abbey Friends,
I write again to mention more trouble of those under marten beasts. They tried to get in thought a well and the well had to be moved cause of it and the old one caved in. I do hope these martens soon go away. I am looking for old records of days when Kotir was mentioned in the logs. That will take some time as it was during the days of Martin the Warrior and also Rose eyes, who was a Badger Lord that was blinded and became Abbey Mother Badger. The only other Badger Mother we have had that was...well is blind is Oz and guess he is more a Father Badger , but most call him Papa Oz.
I have learned some records may be in Brock hall as a very old group called the Council of Resistance in Mossflower... or CORIM used it as headquarters when Kotir was still around and they helped to flood the place and later destroy it. Woodlanders build the abbey over it later, or least a part of the abbey is over it. Me, Zee and Benar will soon go to Brock Hall and see if there is anything there, maybe Martin will show us somehow. I do wish Sister Zinnia was here to help me find info, but alas she is away till spring and she did entrust me to this task of Recorder so hopefully I shall make her proud of me, for now I need sleep as I was up late cleaning ink off my bed, that annoying DAB spilled half a bottle of Ink on the bed, my blue blanket will forever have a large black ink stain on it. Anyways good eve…
Signed,
Temporary Recorder of Redwall Abbey Brother Boaz
Brother Boaz's Fourth Entry, Undated; presumably December
Dear Abbey Friends,
I write again and I am sorry I don’t write as often as Sister Zinnia does. An update I have is our Champion Flicktail has got on a mission from Martin and also has taken the squirrel Magramba with him. Only Martin knows where the two have gone as this is a mission just for the two of them to complete and return from.
Other events is I have copied an important map and have placed in somewhere safe from wandering eyes. A map Flicktail and Magramba have a copy of and its for their eyes only.
Cleaning has happen in the great hall, the tapestry dusted and stain glass windows cleaned as we ready for the Winter Feast and the wedding of our Friar Lacota and our Beekeeper Krystal.
That is all for now my friends.
Signed,
Temporary Recorder of Redwall Abbey Brother Boaz
Brother Boaz's Fourth Entry, late January
Dear Abbey Friends,
The winter feast was good. Our Friar Lakota and Bee Keeper Krystal are married now. The winter season has been named Winter of Absent Friends. Other news is Cynthia the young mouse maid has been adopted by Friar Lakota and his new wife Krystal.
Signed,
Temporary Recorder of Redwall Abbey Brother Boaz
Brother Boaz's Last Entry, March
Dear Abbey Friends,
Now that Sister Zinnia is back I pass Recorder of Redwall Abbey back to her paws. I did enjoy being temporary recorder but it was a lot of work and now Sister Zinnia can have it back as she seems more suited to it long term than I do. I have been offered to helps and I may depending on my mood.
Welcome Back Sister Zinnia, Brother Leon, and Dorarose.
Signed,
Temporary Recorder of Redwall Abbey Brother Boaz
Sister Zinnia's Travel Log, Autumn of Travelling Companions to Winter of Absent Friends
Added to the Abbey Record is Sister Zinnia's journal during her she travels to the Fire Mountain of Salamandastron. Written from November, Autumn of Travelling Companions, to March, Winter of Absent Friends, the second and third seasons following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, respectively.
Zinnia's Travel Log Entry One, November
Dear friends,
This is the first I have written since the Fall Feast, and the trip to Salamandastron has been a long near 3 weeks of travel. Travelling through forest and flat lands, and along sandy beaches. We are here till Spring and Brother Boaz has taken over till then as Recorder. I do hope he is doing well.
I know this will not be read till after my return trip to the abbey but I am still going to write of my time here at Salamandastron. Yes me, Dorarose and Brother Leon have made it to Salamandastron and are safe. I can’t say the trip here was safe, but it could have very well been worse. We had some trouble with ravens and crows near a patch of pine trees, we had some cuts and bruises but escaped alive. It seems hot root is good for driving those kinds of birds away. I am unsure Papa would of like me using the Hot root he kept in his robes, I am unsure why I kept it since the day he died, I guess to have something of his always. But I no longer have the hot root or even its pouch now. The only thing I have left of Papa is some flint and stone he had, as I keep the will he wrote at the abbey. I have no clue where his blade is as last I talked to anyone it was missing. Uncle Zee had mentioned getting it back and finding it, I never found out of he did as he was away and not there when Papa died, and he didn’t show back up for a good 3-4 weeks after Papa’s funeral and I was upset at him, he had wanted to talk and all I did was say no and slammed a door in his face. Then I did avoid beasts, even my Uncle Oz, I avoided our champion as well and even my friends who travelled with me on this trip, Brother Leon and Dorarose.
The last couple days here I have spoken with Dorarose and found we are still friends and I am glad as I was worried and even thought she hated me for a while, which she did not hate me. I have also talked with Lord Ciocan, whom is the new Badger Lord here at Salamandastron. He is very nice and I even spoke about papa with him during our talk. Lord Ciocan is very nice; he is also very very tall, in fact over 8 foot high and most likely the tallest Badger Lord Salamandastron have ever had. He has a large hammer, and I do know the name Ciocan does mean hammer and I found that interesting to know.
As for any other trouble on the way to the mountain, there was some trouble with a wildcat and ferret, but it was quickly taken care of and both are no longer a threat to anyone. So not as much trouble on the way here and we avoided the area where the toads live. I do not think I would want to see toads, I remember them from before when we seeked aid from Salamandastron during a takeover from Marek. Oddly enough since then Marek seems to have changed his ways or at least he is not as evil as he use to be and he stays in Ferravale as Tavern Owner and has a mole, I think he adopted as his son, who is usually with him and is Recorder of Ferravale and Marek is also an Assistant Recorder. But less on this and more on Salamandastron.
I do not have much else to say, some other bit of news could share is it seems my Uncle Zee has showed up, maybe I should talk to him but I do not know. I also want to talk to Brother Leon, to make sure our friendship is still there and to make up for being silent for so, so long. I am not sure whom is more important to talk to first. Well I do need to talk to both and maybe will depend on whom I see first maybe.
Signed,
Sister Zinnia, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Zinnia's Travel Log Entry Two, Presumably December
Friends,
A lot has happen since last wrote. I have slowly gotten to feeling better since the passing of my father Zork Winters. I have also made sure my friendship with Brother Leon and Dorarose is still there and still strong, it is and for this I am glad as nothing is more important than friends. I have been helping in the library of Salamandastron while I have been here.
I recently got a chance to see the village of Halyard. The village is large and is recovering from the effects of a hurricane a few seasons ago. Some homes and buildings are still being repair and rebuilt. They have a market place but it’s a lot different from Ferravale. This village is by the sea so they get a lot more different things in and all kinds of sea food. I have started to like clams and shrimp, too bad clams are not at the abbey, nor is lobster and shrimp is rare to see as well. Oh well, this is a different place and all places are different and have their own special things. I stayed the night as a storm came and I felt it not safe to walk back to the mountain in it. There was some ice in the wind and a cold rain, sand also blew around a lot, it lasted a half hour but I still stayed the night and left in the morning to get back to the mountain.
Now I will tell you of what happen on the way back, there was a small boat and sea gulls were trying to get at something or someone. A closer look I saw something horrible, a badger maid maybe in her middle season, dead on the beach but the sea gulls were not after her. I felt the urge to run away but a voice I could of sworn was Martin told me, “To look closer and I would see, a life in danger a life not to lose.”
So I gathered up courage and looked and that’s when I heard and then saw a badger cub, a dibbun I later found to be a couple seasons old. Those sea gulls would have killed him. Now I am not brave, far from it in fact, but I rushed over with some lose board I found and hit the sea gulls, I knocked one out and gathered the dibbun into my arms and ran. I was lucky a hare archer was there to also help. I was still injured by sea gulls talons on my shoulder, but I saved the dibbun and I am alive and so is he. His name is Xander I learned and that badger maid was his mother. He lost his mother and his father before this…he is alone. To be alone at this age is so horrible. I feel so drawn to Xander… he needs me. I am unsure what to do, maybe I can talk to Lord Ciocan about it, though he is fairly busy with being leader of the LP and secretly I think sometimes the hares brother him too much, he is learning to be a leader and is new at it, but at least some of the higher up hares are helping him now and of this I am glad…..anyways back to the dibbun Xander. I am thinking of adopting him, or is that wise... would he like the abbey? Does he like me, he does trust me. So many questions as I look over at his sleeping form, A bed was found for him but he still ended up sleeping beside me. I need to end this entry as Xander is awake and crying, he has had a nightmare I think…
Till next time.
Signed,
Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder
Zinnia's Travel Log Entry Three, Presumably January
Dear Friends,
Not much has happen since I last wrote. I have adopted the young badger Xander and he is in the Dibbun School here at the mountain and seems to be excited to learn and always on time, he is a good listener and maybe even a better listener than some of the dibbun hares here. Me and him have grown closer but I have yet to learn of his past and may ask him soon. He still has a fear of strangers, but seems to be starting to trust the hares here now. I have also been starting to feel a little homesick for Redwall, but it doesn’t mean I am in a hurry to leave and it is still winter time after all. A few more weeks and it shall be spring time again and me, as well as Dorarose and Brother Leon, will head slowly back to the abbey. An almost 3 week trip I hope has no major trouble along the way. I do know to avoid the swamplands and plan to, one idea is walking along the beach to the river moss and taking the river route back as that would get us just north of Ferravale, and then from there it’s south to the abbey.
I think I will miss beasts here at the mountain when I do go, I also should go to the village and try to have a better, more relaxing, time there. I am unsure when I will go, most likely sometime before I head back to Redwall. For now I think I will head to bed.
Signed,
Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Records, Entries #25-32, Winter of Absent Friends to Spring of New Beginnings II
Written from March, Winter of Absent Friends, the third season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, to May, Spring of New Beginnings II, the fourth season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Sister Zinnia's Twenty-Fifth Entry, March
Dear Friends,
It feels good to be back home at Redwall Abbey. I have missed it so, and I have missed my friends, the brothers and sisters and all the abbey beasts. I know I have been quiet and few know I am back. I am sorry for being so quiet and so quiet before I left that day after the Fall feast. I was still deeply depressed over the death of my father Elder Zork, I was lost in a way and unreachable to my friends and even family I still had left. The journey home was quicker than the trip to Salamandastron as we went along the coast and the river Moss by boat. Our operator was a hedgehog named Stonepaw and he has even agreed to stay in the area for a few weeks. Other news is while I was away I adopted a badger cub of about 3 seasons, he will soon seasons in fact. The badger cub’s name is Xander, and even though he is shy and likes to climb…a little too much..he is still a joy to be around. He is my son now and that makes him a resident of the abbey and I hope you all help him feel welcomed. I wrote some while I was away but a good deal of it is personal and I will keep that in my own personal journal. But I can share some of what happen while in , Salamandastron and it’s a fair amount. I meet a seal named Kenwei and she was nice, seals usually travel in groups but she got lost from her’s and I hope she finds it again. I also got to see Halyard Village, A village about 2 hours from Salamandastron. It’s a sea port so it has boats coming and going and in fact where we got our boat to help us get us back home. I made friends with some of the hares and even the badger lord. They have a new badger lord, Lord Ciocan and he is a very good leader, he is a little younger than most but I think he will do just fine.
Also back are Master healer Brother Leon and he seems happy to be back as well and has even went back to infirm work. Dorarose, his mate, is also back and been made Gatekeeper of the abbey. I am back to being recorder, though I have let Boaz know he can still help if he wishes, but it seems he rather not always be working on things, seems he likes to be a bit of a hermit it seems, but luckily not too much of one. I have learned of things I missed and am sad I missed a wedding of our Friar Lacota and Bee Keeper Krystal, but congrats from me now even though it’s a bit late.
Spring is very soon and we are getting ready for planting season and just this morning my son Xander saw green buds on a tree in the orchards, the ice is melting on the pond and it’s starting to slowly get warmer. The snows will all be gone very soon and days will slowly get longer. I must go check on some things, till then…
Signed,
Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Twenty-Sixth Entry, Undated; Presumably March
Dear Friends,
Flicktail is back from where ever he and Magramba had gone to. There is some big news now as well. Flicktail is no longer Abbey Champion as Martin has chosen another and that’s the squirrel Magramba. He will now be known as Champion Magramba and I believe Martin has chosen well.
I do not know the details of the trip, that is between Magramba, Aren, Flicktail and Martin the Warrior himself. I do know they may have what is needed to hopefully have the Under Martens to leave the area beneath the abbey. I had almost forgotten about those martens as they have been quiet over the winter I found out from speaking with a few beasts. Hopefully them being quiet is not a bad sign but I guess we will find out soon enough.
I have gotten use to being back in the abbey and found out I still have many friends and beasts who care about me. They understood my great grieve when my father Zork died. They also seem glad I am feeling better and have recovered while I was away. I am glad as well and my adopted son Xander seems to be getting along with most beasts fairly well.
Well that’s my quick update I hear the lunch bell so I must head off till next time.
Signed,
Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Twenty-Seventh Entry, April
Dear Friends,
Good news the Under Martens are finally gone for good. I am very glad of this as it was worrisome for a while but they have left and the abbey is once more safe thanks to the new Champion Magramba with help from his friend Aden and the former Champion Flicktail.
Champion Magramba has moved into the Champion’s cottage and all seems to be getting back to normal as planning season is well underway now. Spring is here now and the weather is warm. Brother Leon, Cynthia and Caleb even found some wild strawberries and Mint in the woods. Some healing herbs were gathered and some of the low supplies in the abbey’s infirmary was taken care of. Some healing herbs were also gotten at the market and some in Ferravale, the Master Healer Brother Leon even decided to help the Infirmary of Ferravale with some supplies.
I do hate to add sad news but it seems the Master Healer at Ferravale has died, I do not know the details but I will try and find out and write it down later. I do hope they find a new and skilled Master Healer for Ferravale soon, but at least the infirms of both Redwall Abbey and Ferravale are fairly well stocked now and the new healing herbs planted at both locations healing herbs garden and those should be ready for the harvest time of the seasons.
Other news is my son Xander is starting to be less shy and this is a good thing. I think Uncle Zee has been trying training to train him, I shall have a word with Uncle Zee soon. He has had some sort of lessons in the clearing near the abbey, I am not sure how safe the woods are even though I dearly and deeply trust uncle Zee with Xander’s life. I am just not so sure of lessons at the age of 4 seasons, perhaps I will tag along for a lesson next time, weather Uncle Zee cares not.
Also Brother Boaz has decided he wants to explore lands and maybe adventure some, He will keep in touch with letters I hope. He left anything he seen as important, like a map he copied while I was away, a map not needed at this time but could be useful another time so I have placed it in a separate area from the other maps, I know where it is and that's what is important so unless your Abbot Benar no asking where it is. Though if your reading this seasons from now I still advise only he abbot know its location, in fact I will let him know when I get done writing.
Oh yes I almost forgot Flicktail wanted me to add he gave the title of Champion's Shield to Aden, I am unsure if it will become an official title or not but I did write in down in the Abbey Records and here it will stay and not be removed by anyone, even me.
I hear the dinner bell, till next time…
Signed,
Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Twenty-Eighth Entry, April
Dear Friends,
This Spring Feast was very good as we welcomed back friends and welcomed the new Champion Magramba. This is The Spring of New Beginnings. It appears Lilymoore is back to being Bell Ringer and the mousemaid Cynthia is doing better as well. This year’s feast had some more music and fun times. The food of course was wonderful as it always is.
My Uncle Zee may have decided to live at the abbey, I not sure yet on his decision and will last and update on that. I know it’s a short update but not much else is happening as crops have been planted for fall, spring cleaning has been down and life is great at the abbey.
Signed,
Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Twenty-Ninth Entry, April
Dear Friends,
Spring is usually a time for new life and happiness. It’s been only a couple days after the feast when two otters come with horrible, horrible news. Camp Willow destroyed... gone. Hundreds of otters killed including old and dibbuns, fighter and non-fighter beasts also killed. A massacre another otter said. A couple days after this 30 otters total were survives out of a camp of hundreds. They said the Skipper was killed, their Skipper was Hallow. A camp once happy and calm, feeling safe suddenly burned to the ground, fear, chaos and much, much too much blood spilled. The horde beasts were called demons and monsters. Someone said they came from the northern seas and came in some strange long boat. Beasts are afraid these demon things will come to the abbey, to tell the truth I am afraid as well but choice to not show it. But otters are injured, tried, scared and hungry when they came to our gates. They were brought inside and given food, water and a place to rest. Brother Leon did his best to tend to the injured, maybe a little too much as two days of no rest is not good and he passed out in front of Champion Magramba and Abbot Benar, I heard he has been forced to take 2 days off. There is Angela and the novice healers, and I am sure they will do a good job and I think one of the otters that are not as bad hurt is a healer, that’s good as well. Also food rations have started to further help, no snacks of any sort, ALL will have meals when the correct time is given…3 meals, breakfast, lunch, dinner at specific times of the day. I am sure we will get through this with Martins help. The bell ringer Lilymoore is learning tones of bells in danger comes.
Other news I am writing down is a cat named Zurrgg is also trying to cause trouble, this wildcat hurt Uncle Zee and tried to take captives. Sadly the wildcat may still have my son Xander, but with this demon horde as it’s called, he can’t be searched for and its possible the wildcat left the area with him, with my son and as heart breaking as that is I fear I am not sure what to do and can only hope and pray Xander will get back home safe once more and stay safe while he is out there.
Another bit of news, our Blacksmith Silverstorm has stepped down as an Abbey Sister and as our Blacksmith and left the abbey not saying where she was going she just packed and left, leaving all Blacksmith stuff here at the abbey, all but one small forge hammer she took with her, an extra one my father made personally for her, maybe a keepsake for her and its fine with me if she keeps it. She will be missed and I wish her well, as well as safe travel in these trying times.
I just learned the new Skipper is named Gaheris, but to all is is Skipper.
Other sad news I add... The Bee Keeper Krystal has been found dead in the woods, but there is reason to believe it may of been the wildcat I spoke of and not this horde. Too much is happening at one time.
I am getting to bed as it is late, even the recorder needs rest at times after all, I will keep the abbey logs up to date and keep updated on any more news.
Signed,
Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Thirtieth Entry, Undated; Presumably April
Dear Friends,
More updates have come my way and this week has been a tiring one indeed. Extra helpers have helped in the kitchens and with the infirmary due to our 30 guests. Master Healer Leon has taken a day and a half off and is now back to work in the infirm. Meals are still rationed and they are being very very strict with that, even having a Brother or Sister by the kitchen doors to make sure no snacks are sneaked and only breakfast, lunch and dinner is eaten. So if you’re late to a meal then that’s too bad, your have to wait till the next meal. Some dislike this but at times like this it’s needed to make sure there is enough food to go around for all. I think the roads are getting more and more dangerous The otters may of calmed some but I can tell they are still somewhat scared and worried of what may or may not happen.
Sad news reaches my ears, a couple of the more seriously hurt otters have died, we ae down to 28 and another may die soon dropping it to 27 guests if it happens. Champion Magramba has been talking with Skipper and helping to get whoever can fight, to help with the fight to get Camp Willow back. The Sparra are also helping it would seem. Ferravale is not helping, but then again Camp Willow is very much against Vermin of any kind so maybe that’s a good thing.
I am unsure when they will go to try and get the Camp back as that is only knowledge the Skipper and Champion Magramba has to know, news will be found out as it happens and I will do my best to keep updates till then we should do as we usually do any other day. We do chores, we do our jobs and we help one another.
Signed,
Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Thirty-First Entry, Undated; Presumably April
Dear Friends,
I bring more news even before I managed to finish my writing before this as I was helping out in the infirmary as well as kitchens with our newest guest. A couple other otters died and it is saddening.
But our Champion Magramba and so others, as well as Skipper and the otters that were able to go back to try and help the otters get the camp back. I have spoken with a couple of the beasts who helped. Many were injured and beasts died on both sides. This was war after all. I later found out when they got back my Uncle Zee went after I begged him not to and he was seriously hurt. My father’s armor that my Uncle Zee worn for this battle is dented and even cracked around the shoulder a little. Many dents are in the armor, it only goes to show if Uncle had not had my father’s armor on, he most likely would have been killed in the camp. I am sure the armor can be repaired but right now I just want my Uncle to wake from his deep faint. I wonder if he is too old to awaken, maybe the battle was too much for him as I say he shouldn’t fight due to his age as he is much older than even Papa was.
As I was in the infirm again the fear, the word monsters and demons came up. How the Vikings fought and what happen and didn’t happen. More of the camp was burned and even though the otters seem to have the camp back, any captives we all hoped to rescue are gone as it seemed the Vikings knew an attack would come. No knows where the captives were taken nor what their future will be. It seems good did not fully win this battle and evil has won. Yes the Vikings and northern beasts are gone but at what cost…the camp looks worse, friends missing before are still missing and many are injured now and even some dead. A group of Vikings escaped. The task now is recovering from wounds and repairing Camp Willow best they can. The otters will need all the help they can get for rebuilding their home and lives.
Back home at Redwall beasts are sad also due to friends who lost their lives or wounded friends. Dorarose is one of the wounded along with a guard named Lee. My Uncle Zee is wounded and I he awakens soon. I do have a little good news I for got to add earlier, Benar's daughter Thorn is back and he seems very happy about. He adopted her 3-4 seasons ago, yes she is a rat but she is on the side of good and I do hope Abbey Beats give her a chance. Well I must go now
Signed,
Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Thirty-Second Entry, Undated; Presumably early May
Dear Friends,
My Uncle Zee has woken up and on the road to recovery and I couldn’t be happier. Uncle Zee as Dorarose and the otter Lee are each on their own paths of recovery. I can tell my Uncle dislikes being in the infirmary, but then again who likes being in the infirmary. Some of the injured otters are doing well, sadly another otter died from her wounds but another woke from a deep faint to the joy of a family member. The otters are also slowly recovering mentally it would seem as a couple even laughed at a joke a novice told to try and bring some cheer to the poor otters.
Life at Redwall is settling down and I overheard Abbot Benar is already planning the Summer Feast. No details yet on the feast though, maybe some of the, or all, of the Camp Willow otters will join us for this feast.
No other news is to be had, least right now.
I hear the breakfast bell, yes I am writing this fairly early but I can catch a nap later perhaps.
Signed,
Sister Zinnia Redwall Abbey Recorder
Sister Zinnia's Last Entry as Abbey Recorder, Entry #33, Late Spring of New Beginnings II
Dear Friends,
A LOT has been on my mind and I have decided to step down as Recorder leave the abbey. I am unsure where I will go. Maybe I will travel as sometimes Redwall beasts can do this and learn more of the world. I could still visit when I am able to maybe every couple seasons or so.
Also I will leave you with an update for abbey records. One big news from a sparrow is the skipper Hallow was found alive but injuries will require her to step down, so the New Skipper will remain her son, Gaheris.
Other news is Xander has yet to be found and I fear the worse and so does others. It's getting past the point where he could still be out there. I hope and pray he is out there and alive and I keep hope he will be found/Who knows maybe I will find him on my travels.
I plan to keep my Sister rank as I still call Redwall Abbey my home, but since I am going traveling I can no longer be Recorder and I am unsure whom could be Recorder in my place.
I will miss you all and will keep you all in my thoughts,
Till next we meet,
Sister Zinnia, Former Redwall Abbey Recorder
The second gap in the Record, Summer of Journeys to Spring with No Name
After Sister Zinnia's resignation of the position in May of the Spring of New Beginnings II, the fourth season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, four seasons passed before the record was continued by Brother Gorvenalus in the Summer of Song's Awakening, the ninth season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
The season names during this time were thus: the Summer of Journeys, the Autumn of Plenty, the Winter of Reflection, and the Spring with No Name.
In these seasons a squirrel named Quade rose to power, causing much trouble for the Abbey, Mossflower Country, and beyond; it was this beast that ended Sister Zinnia's life in the Winter of Reflection, a tragedy. He was later defeated and brought to justice in the Spring with No Name.
Brother Gorvenalus, Abbey Recorder
Brother Gorvenalus was appointed recorder after Sister Zinnia in August of the Summer of the Song’s Awakening, the ninth season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country. Brother Gorvenalus remains in the position of Abbey Recorder to this day.*
Scribbled in beneath this introduction in a paw-writing that clearly matches the rest of the work (if a bit more hastily written) is the following note footnote:
*As of the Autumn following the Summer of Homecoming, the Twenty-Sixth Season after Father Benar became Abbot, etc, etc.
And scribbled in beneath that are the following words, still in Spruce's paw-writing but far messier:
I really ought to have told the dear brother I've been rummaging through all his old records and coping them, but I'm already knee deep in parchment as of thinking that. Hope the old beaver likes surprises!
And then beneath THAT, written in the bottom left corner of the page, is the following barely legible note:
It probably would have been a far better idea to wait until the season was actually named before writing all these 'Autumn Following last Summer' and the like, but they say hindsight is 20-20 and all that.
Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entries #1-4, Summer of the Song’s Awakening
Written from August to September, Summer of the Song’s Awakening, the ninth season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Brother Gorvenalus' First Entry as Abbey Recorder, August
Greetings Friends,
Right away many are noticing the different paw writing and the fact this is the first writing since Sister Zinnia. I shall introduce myself, I am Brother Gorvenalus the new Redwall Abbey Recorder. I am getting use to the term, Brother, not that it is new to me, it’s not. I am from a place called Willowbark Abbey where I was Abbot till my abbey and home was destroyed by a beast many here sadly know, Quade. Yes the same Quade whom tried to destroy this abbey as well, but I am gladdened he failed. It saddens me he didn’t repent of his evil ways and let hate and suffering, power and greed be his treasures in life.
Enough of the past, though it is always important to keep the past close to your heart, good and bad times. I will do my best to keep updates of the history and current events of Redwall and Mossflower area for all to read. I will honour Sister Zinnia’s post that I take over as of today. From what I heard from her son and from friends she was a very treasured beast and friend to all, she is greatly missed by her friends and family. Friends and family all come and go in life, change comes and sometimes its welcomed and sometimes it is not. I do hope we all have friends and family and always hold them close and family doesn’t have to be just by blood, one can be adopted into a family… see the abbey as my new family and I have Minsc as well. I do hope Minsc is welcomed and be friended by all here, he and I have been though a lot and have our own history logs we keep close to our hearts, and I hope you keep your own history close to your hearts as well.
I must go check on Minsc now.
Till next time,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Second Entry, August
I have been very busy getting use to my new room. I have also finished cleaning up the book binding room and have started some much needed repair of a pawful of books. The library is also very well organized and has been kept in an ABC order, as well as logs set by season and date, placed neatly with the maps for easy access. I also read the last log Sister Zinnia wrote before she left. The good news was, and clearly some know, Xander was found and Sister Zinnia was able to see her son before her death at the paw of Quade. Her death was caused be an arrow to her chest, in her heart. I am told she died almost, if not, instantly. Also she left behind a mate, Takeo and 2 dibbuns Northstar and Zork, each named after other family members and the three beasts have gone too far off lands over the eastern sea coast to lands Takeo lives at as King there, that must be fairly interesting and perhaps something like a badger Lord in a way, I wish Takeo and his two dibbuns good luck and mayhap one day they will pay our Abbey a visit as they are always welcome.
Some updates are as follows, there was recently a Summer Feast. The spring feast sadly didn’t happen due to Quade so the Summer Feast was slightly early and larger than it usually is. The Summer of Song’s Awakening was the title of the season and there was the wedding of Novice Caleb and Novice Cynthia. The Feast was very nice and friends and family joined together. I think I shall call the Spring season The Spring with No Name as all Seasons have names and thus even this one has one now and it has been recorded.
The following note has been inserted: There are several seasons without recorded names no matter how much I searched for them.
There has been very little trouble on the roads since Quade’s defeat and for this I am glad. Also I will note a group that also needs Recorded, The Mossflower Defenders whom are led by the badger Xander and I think he does a fine job of leading. The group has a base in the woods south of Ferravale. Ferravale is another interesting place, slightly rough to go to and visit for most but they and the abbey have a peace treaty with one another and their chieftain is Blisa. Ferravale has recently gotten a new Master Healer, Rayen. Rayen was once a healer here at the abbey, and was mate to Flicktail. Rayen has moved to Ferravale now, with her dibbun son Dhaegan. She lost a daughter, Juliana to Quade. I had asked her the where bouts of Flicktail, seems she rather not discuss it so from my understanding his whereabouts is unknown at this time, but Rayen did mention she is once more on her own, a single mother to Dhaegan, whom will sometimes be at the abbey as well. I wish Rayen good luck in Ferravale, I think she shall do well as Master Healer there and I shall check on her from time to time. Other news from Ferravale is they are building a bell tower and the rebuilding of the Mossflower Defender’s Base is going nicely as well, both should be done by winter or by the end of winter.
I shall write more later, I have promised to join some elders for tea and scones.
Till next time my friends,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Third Entry, September
Dear friends,
Another update as I have been going over some past events perhaps missed from previous logs between Sister Zinnia’s last Log and my first. Quade for one, before he was killed he caused a lot of trouble and sadly no one saw him as an enemy right away , but as a friend. He tricked many beasts till me and Minsc managed to escape, I escaped first with a young Redwall novice he had managed to capture. I warned the abbey of his lies and they were able to fight back in time to prevent the abbey from becoming taken over by a small horde he has formed. He tried to destroy the Mossflower Defenders by burning down a base they were working on, that base will soon be rebuilt to completion and be slightly south of Ferravale gates. Quade was hunted down by Dorarose and her brother, a fight ended in Quade’s death in the old mines. The mines have recently collapsed and are no longer in use, but there are still the ruins of a small village beside them, no not my old village my friends as mine is overseas. Perhaps the ruins can one day be looked at, for now life is well here at Redwall. I only wise Minsc would decide if he wants to stay in the abbey or not, he seems to prefer wandering the woodlands and I can only hope he at least stays in the abbey or maybe with the Mossflower Defenders near Ferravale come winter season.
Yesterday there was a visitor, Marek Redthorn, and it seems there is both good and bad thoughts about him. I trust him but I know not everyone trusts him based on his former history, but some have forgiven him while others have not fully forgiven him. But back to my writings, an unknown beast attempted to poison Marek Redthron's food or drink at breakfast, no other food and drink was touched just his and a novice was tied up in a storage area saying they were knocked out. The beast whom caused this was not found and most likely fled some direction down the road, or perhaps into the woods nearby, let’s hope they don’t return. Our Master Healer Brother Leon was able to save Marek Redthorn’ life and he will rest in the infirm a few days before he heads on to Ferravale. I will have to talk to Brother Leon next time I see him as he was mentioning a visit from Martin, but that it wasn’t something concerning for a while yet, still I would like to get what he saw down in the records in case its forgotten as I believe all messages from Martin the Warrior are important to hear and write down, whether it’s for the near or far future.
Till next time,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Fourth Entry, Late September
Dear friends,
A feast is soon in a couple weeks, for the Autumn season. I do love Autumn time with the falling colorful leaves all around, winter will be upon us before we know it and I have yet to talk Minsc into living at the abbey. At least he has chosen to stay with Xander, least till the Defender Base is finished which should be in a few short weeks, before the first snows and I am excited for them. The base even has a training ground.
I also have spoken to Brother Leon more on his visit with Martin the Warrior, he said Martin told him Marek was not to die that day His life cannot be left to become extinguished. If it does the abbey befalls a terrible fate... - the words.
But when the time comes… fall... winter... spring... summer... fall... winter… perhaps something not this fall or winter, but next, we shall see.
Other news besides me being the Recorder now I also help in the infirm a little as I am a good healer. Luckily it’s been peaceful most around Mossflower and that’s good but peace doesn’t always last, I just hope this peace lasts a goof while.
Oh, look at the time I must head off, I promised Abbot Benar I would help with ideas for the autumn feast.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entries #5-7, Autumn of Peace's Restoration
Written from October to December, Autumn of the Song’s Awakening, the tenth season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Brother Gorvenalus' Fifth Entry, October
Dear friends,
The feast was great and much good news shared. The threat of the Remnant is gone, the Defender's base is back in good paws once more and a marriage may be soon, that of Xander and Krisha and it may be sooner than one thinks. The feast was named Autumn of Peace's Restoration . A good title I think and peace is here.
I have more to write on and shall keep you all updated. Minsc and Patch found old tablet halves, something of Willowbark Abbey it would seem, I am unsure of how it got to some old village ruins a couple hour walk from Ferravale, treasure or other the rat called it, no matter... it could be from a failed settlement Willowbark tried once when a small group of beasts wanted to leave many many seaons ago, before even I was born, but it matters not how and when or why, I have them now and they have been dusted and cleaned, though to better understand the old text a trup to the ruins of... my beloved Willowbark is in order...
If you will excuse me my friends I need a break from writing.
Brother Gorvenalus, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Brother Gorvenalus' Sixth Entry, November
Dear Friends,
The wedding of Xander and Krisha went well, they even had another small celebration at the completed Mossflower Defenders' Base. The two badgers have decided to go along with me and Minsc to the ruins of Willowbark abbey along with Lilymoore, Karth, Flea and the rabbit Rupert. I am unsure if any others are coming along or not, nor do I know when we will return, most likely spring it appears. Marek Redthorn has made it possible as it seems he talked some beast into helping with the trip with means of some supplies and a much needed boat. I should get going as we leave soon,
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Seventh Entry, Early December
Dear Friends,
I hope this gets to you, I write to let all know the Willowbark trip is going well, we made it to the port and now are off to the island where Willowbark ruins are. I am unsure what to expect, it is ruins after all and perhaps it's something I rather not see but to me its history... my history and it's important as I KNOW Redwall is important to all in Mossflower and Redwall alike. The trip should be 2 or 2.5 weeks. I shall keep you all updated and hope all is well at Redwall Abbey.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entries #8-9, Unnamed Winter following the Autumn of Peace's Restoration
Written from January to February, Unnamed Winter, the eleventh season after Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Brother Gorvenalus' Eighth Entry, January
Dear Friends,
I hope all is well at the abbey. We are close to the island, the island where Willowbark ruins lie. Ruins 8 long seasons now. We are a few days off schedule but that us fine as life doesn't always go as planed. I must check on some guests as it seemed we found beasts needing aid, in the sea of all places.
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Ninth Entry, February
Dear Friends,
It seems... I am not sure how to explain it, there was a pawful of survivors of Willowbark and one of them is my grandmother. I am happy for this but still 14, if counting me and Minsc out of so so many, that is but a pinch compared to a bag of flour. None the less a small group of survivors. I plan and have in fact, wrote down some of Willowbark's history to be brought back, they want me to stay but I am torn with feelings of staying at Willowbark and returning to Redwall. I feel so much more at home at Redwall Abbey, is that wrong of me? I must finish my writing as I am also leaving them a little bit of Redwall Abbey history and facts for the small library here.
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entry #10, Spring of Peace
Written during April, Spring of Peace, the twelfth season after Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Brother Gorvenalus' Tenth Entry, April
Dear Friends,
I have returned from Willowbark Abbey and it seems a great discovery was indeed found. There were survivors as I have mentioned on some smaller notes I have also included from my trip. My friends are also back... almost all of my friends. My son Minsc has stayed at Willowbark and is once more their knight and Protector or as you call it Champion. It was good to see him once more happy and full of light again. Others were there... 15, out of sadly 750 beasts. My Grandmother lived, as did Minsc's son... Chip. My Grandmother was Sister Elma, she sadly passed on to the dark forest a week before we left and the pain of her lost is still there. I have brought a little writing of Willowbark's history and will share it later when I have more time. Those that returned are Xander, Myself, Karth, Rupert, and Moonbeam... Krisha had decided to come back a little sooner than the rest of us. Those who choose to live at Willowbark are Varsha, Flea, and Minsc of course as well as Flametail who went to live there as well as she was a dear friend to Varsha.
We came home to discover both happy news and sad. First the sad news... Brother Leon's passing shortly after we left, death by a raven thought dead and it seems in his last act Brother Leon slayed the raven, no one knows why he broke his vow... maybe the raven threatened family and friends, a bond between family is greater than any vow I do believe in certain times. Brother Leon is buried in the Abbey Graveyard. The good news is Krisha got home safe and it seems she adopted an infant badger girl whom she and Xander will raise as their own, they named the cub Northstar... I think they will make a happy family and this will help with the lost of their own cub that died before it was even born.
There was a feast we missed, The winter Feast as Spring is soon. I will have to look up what the Winter Feast was called.
A note has been inserted here, reading:
As do I, now! Can't find the (inked out word that looks suspiciously like bloody) name anywhere for that winter!
Brother Gorvenalus' entry continues:
Not much news was not learned of. Lilymoore knows of her father now and the family is having some time alone for a couple days, I know they will be fine and I shall talk to them later maybe.
It seems a lot of past beast have been remembered... Sister Zinnia was one me and Xander spoke of earlier today, and I was thinking of my Grandmother Elma, and Zork Winters was mentioned as well as Zee Winters. It is always good to remember past loved ones, good times with them and how they were loved, always keep them in your hearts always and never forget.
Also Ferravale has a new Bell for their Bell Tower which I overheard was to be done by Autumn. The bell came from Willowbark Abbey as a gift to Ferravale. I hope they can be allies with Ferravale and for Willowbark to also be allies to Redwall.
I should head off now... Tea time.
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entries #11-18, Unnamed Summer following the Spring of Peace to Autumn of Remembrance, the Third Redthorn War
Written from June, unnamed Summer (once again I cannot find the name of the season anywhere) to October, Autumn of Remembrance, the thirteenth and fourteenth season after Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country, respectively.
During this time the Third and Final Redthorn War was fought, the last great war which engulfed the entirety of Mossflower Country. I was barely more than a dibbun at the time, living leagues away from the Abbey, but the rumour of those battles reached even to my little home village, and my young ears.
Brother Gorvenalus' Eleventh Entry, June
Dear Friends,
I am sorry I have not written in so long, a lot has happen also.There was the Spring feast and it was a good one my friends. Feast of the Spring of Peace was the season name given. There was good food and merriment.
But sadly peace doesn't last as we have had some threats from a group know as The Black Rose and it's mentioned there is old logs of it in the abbey logs and scrolls one thing that has keep me from my writings, that and chores that need done. An abbey would not get far without us all doing our part, our chores and jobs. Back back to the trouble, it seemed to ease some and still does but recently Marek Redthorn has come to warn of, of a thought dead brother he has name Ormaz Redthorn, he has spoken a little on it but not too much yet. We also have lifted the ban on Marek Redthorn being at the abbey, he can come and go as he pleases within our walls now as he has been forgiven, though I know some still dislike him being here and a young vole grumbled at Abbot Benar who took it calmly and spoke to her... well the vole left and that is fine. We have visitors that come and go. More on any recent problems. There was a report of missing beasts, one being a friend Mariposa as some think she left to go home, I do not but have yet to learn the truth... maybe in time. Sadly the whereabouts of a hedgehog named Ace were let known, sold... sold is a sad term from slavers and I wish to not write more of this.
I have taken a small break for tea and am now back. I shall write of other good news. The peace treaty with Ferravale was renew and this is most excellent news indeed. The village of Ferravale and the abbey do help one another in times of need.
On any other news, luckily not many missing beasts, a report was of an otter, Tassel and sadly the family of a shrew named Kishiko. Also some beasts were found dead... with a Black Rose flower beside then, Karth said the 3 beasts were of the Defenders, news I hate to tell Xander but may have to, unless maybe another could relay the news to him. The roads and woods do seem quiet and these things reported seemed to happen north of the abbey and at nightfall, or during the night several beasts have reported no happenings in the day and do not seem to worried, Abbot Benar has closed the gates, as a safety measure and is being very strict on who leaves and why and if they do when will they return or where are they heading if they don't return. Some Mossflower Defenders are helping with guard duty which is good, another quick update it seems no one knows where the Abbey Champ Magramba is, this is troubling news as a champion is indeed needed at a time such as this.
I hear the dinner bells and have to go, I did not eat much at lunch after all.
Brother Gorvenalus, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Brother Gorvenalus' Twelfth Entry, July
Dear Friends,
I have wonderful news as most by now know. Our Champion has come. A new Champion. A female hedgehog named Matilda. She lived on the Eastern Shores and is now... home. She was born here but her parents did not stay long, about 6 days as I looked in the records. I must learn more of her and plan to meet her once I get the chance. I had been busy looking for old records of the Black Rose and have found some. Maybe these scrolls will be useful to our new Champion... Champion Matilda.
I really should not spend some much time in this dusty room, it really does need a good dusting as I seem to have lost track of time being in here so much and asking that scrolls be brought to me from the Gatehouse and then returned there and placed back where they belong but I have a very trusted helper whom I know will place them in the correct place, in the correct order. I have also had meals brought to me and seem to have slept in here lately as well the past couple weeks.
I do not think I have missed much else going on of importance, if I have I am sure I will be told of it. There is a knock at my door again and it seems it is Abbot Benar along with a couple more Elders. I would write more but it appears I am being kicked from my own office for a few days... well I do need to take a long break after all as being cooped up too long with research and rare interaction with fellow beasts is not good for a beast.
I now have Abbot Benar looking over my shoulder. I shall write more another day.
Signed, Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Thirteenth Entry, August
Dear Friends,
A lot has gone on... it is my sad duty to mention Ferravale has fallen. Not only that before this Chieftain Blisa was captured. The horde beasts are getting more dangerous and have control of Ferravale and I fear may lay sights on the abbey next.
Rayen had returned but only to give us a warning Benar is a target and then she left once more, only to get hurt badly, a rather bad leg wound. She left, against the healers and Benar's wishes along with a ferret and an otter, where she is heading I do not know she only said out of Mossflower and how she was sorry and would not be returning. I wish her luck in all she does.
In other news the Mossflower Defenders base has been destroyed by this horde as well. Some members killed, others captured, some were lucky to not be there... Xander among those not there at the time, in fact he has left with a group to seek help from the Badger Lord Ciocan and his hares, lets hope he returns with that help as we surely need it.
In the group with Xander are Ximena (Healer), (the next name on the list is marked out with the symbol for "Murderer"): Zolomon M (Archer in Mossflower Defenders), Misu (Archer in Mossflower Defenders), and Rupert (Recorder of Ferravale).
I hope no more sad news comes our way.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Fourteenth Entry, September
Dear Friends,
It is time to update some news, not much has happen as it was quiet for two weeks and now it's not so quiet as the horde that Ormaz Redthorn controls have arrived at our gates and have the abbey surrounded on all sides. Our gates are locked tight and the guards on the walls doubled and ever keeping an eye on what is going on. So far no one has been hurt....so far. There is fear and worry of course but we do our best to keep it at bay.
A bit of good news in the chaos... the slave base was found and some slaves rescued, also the birth of a newborn sea otter to Tassel and Anatole, a girl. They have yet to name the small bundle of joy. So I say look at the good and not the bad in life. There is always things to be thankful for in life... always.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Fifteenth Entry, September
Dear Friends,
I bring... sad news. Oz lays in a a deep deep faint. Someone got in with the intent to kill Abbot Benar but ended up in Oz's room... but Oz did stop the insane marten and rat from slaying Benar and young Novice Kenya... the insane marten is dead, the rat got away... sadly the rat had a captive, young Novice Kenya. Some news is seems Martin the Warrior send a message, so help is indeed on the way...
"The Mountain on the Shore, the Fires Dim but the Hammer Lord within... The Hammer Lord marches over dunes and sand, those who defend beside him, the Abbey Rings its bells in crisis but the end is not here, though one will not see the after end."
I must go check on Oz now, Krisha is in charge of the dibbuns for now...
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Sixteenth Entry, Early October
Dear Friends,
Sad sad news... Brother Rafael is... is dead. Hit with an arrow to the chest and died almost instantly, at least there was no suffering. The horde is getting more active and nearly killed Abbot Benar twice and nearly our Champion a couple times. The champion got a slight arrow wound in her lower right arm but she is fine, it was not deep and was tended to right away. We will soon have a small funeral for Brother Rafael... a simple one, I am sure when this is all over any fallen beasts will be remembered. Hope is still alive as the Long Patrol is on their way, that is good news at least... I need to go now.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Brother Gorvenalus' Seventeenth Entry, Mid October
Dear Friends,
I write today to update you. It has been a couple weeks since our Main Healer Brother Rafael was... taken from us as he went to the dark forest, Angela is in charge of the infirm for the moment.
The horde got in through a east door, it was old... small and broke off its hinges and chaos did assure. But luckily the Long Patrol seemed to come right on time with the Badger Lord Ciocan and his 300 hares. Also our friends Xander... Zolomon M... Ximena had returned, a surprise my son Minsc and Chip my grandson was to help as well. But peace came with a heavy price indeed.
The hares still at camp were all slain but two, Ewan and Zolomon M. Ewan seems to have become a bit... stressed overly from battle, it affected him greatly... Zolomon M lost an ear, but is alright.
I found out the Guosim have a new Log-A-Log named Aella... she was daughter to the former Log-A-Log whom was killed in this horrible horrible battle. 50 shrews came... only 40 of them came out alive... their loss not too bad compared to the Long Patrol... oh, great was their loss... 19 hares, 2 of those were officers... survived out of 300 hares. The badger Lord himself suffered some injuries but he lived. Such a great sad sad loss of life... some refugees died as well and sadly Chip my grandson died.
Minsc has left for Willowark along with Ximena and Rayen, Rayen has become their Master Healer it would seem and 20 refugees went with Minsc to live at Wilowbark abbey, they will help with some storm repair and I wish them well.
Other sad news... Marek Redthorn has died, but he died a hero... he died saving us all from Ormaz Redthorn, he pushed Ormaz off the Bell Tower and sadly fell as well... Ormaz was dead instantly... Marek died a few moments later. Marek will be buried in the Abbey Graveyard. He was... a hero.
A special place is made for those who died, a memorial to the hares and to the shrews and any who helped us. The names of beasts set in a special stone to be placed.
There is no Autumn feast this year but there is still a name for the season... it is named Autumn of Remembrance... so all may reflect on those who gave of themselves so peace could be restored to our fair home.
A small service for all was done, our Abbot Benar even sang, I did not know he could... maybe he should sing more often.
There likely will be a funeral for Marek Redthorn but I know not when, maybe even a couple other smaller ones but Abbot Benar felt the need for one moment to remember all whom was lost.
Other news is Oz has woken from his faint, very good news indeed but he still has a road to recover and so Krisha is still temporary Badger Mother till Oz recovers, the Long Patrol is with us for the next couple weeks and then head home, the runner Zolomon M has went ahead of them to deliver the grim news of their loss... yes Zolomon M is a private in the Long Patrol, I did not get a chance to say congrats but it is fine, he is on an important mission. Also joining the abbey as Redwall Residential Hare is Private Ewan, he shall live here at the abbey and act as a messenger of sorts between us and the mountain, I like the idea and it's been a long while in history that the abbey has had a hare for this... so I welcome Private Ewan and I hope he makes many friends while he is here, he shall live here now and not be a fighter hare. But RW Residential hare is a very important job indeed and I know he will do well.
Other news...
Let me see I can not think of any right now if I do I shall be write it down, I need to go now...
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus Redwall Abbey Recorder
Brother Gorvenalus' Eighteenth Entry, Late October
Dear Friends,
The memorial for the Long Patrol was very nice and the wake afterwards very nice as well. Some refugees helped with some food, even Ferravale helped with some food, all went well. Others were remembered as well... The former Log-A-Log and some other shrews, some refugees and Ferravale beasts, and some other friends who died during this horde time.
I am glad the horde is gone and that peace has returned and hope peace stays a while, a long while. Lord Ciocan and his hares left a couple days ago and with the help of a boat should get back in half the time. Private Ewan is here to stay as our Resident LP Hare, we have not had one of those in a long while.
Ferravale is doing some repair work now, other good news is Oz has come out of his room, with help from Xander and Krisha and he is getting stronger each day, for this I am also glad.
Not much else to do, we are ready for winter now, though we are low on pumpkins and some wheat, other wise we are fine.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entries #19-20, Winter of the Quiet Ice
Written from January to February, Winter of the Quiet Ice, the fifteenth season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Brother Gorvenalus' Nineteenth Entry, January
Dear Friends,
It has been some time since I last wrote, sorry for that as things have been busy lately. We are fixing a couple storage units on the abbey grounds, as well as repairing a couple things, we have helped Ferravale with a lot of repairs. Speaking of which..The tavern and the Mossflower Defenders base is being rebuild, last I heard the outside frame of both are done, so maybe half way built now. We did not have a autumn feast but just a couple days ago was our Winter Feast- The Winter of the Quiet Ice. Our Friar Lacota made a cake the looked like the two bells from the Bell Tower, which reminds me, we are taking down the bells, one at a time, to repair a yoke in one of them, we will also polish both, this is to be done this week if all goes well.
Sadly we have had a death... Novice Kenya has died and will be missed. Her death effected all... mostly Brother Sinway whom has avoided beast the last few days and was not at the feast, I shall have to check on him.
In some happier news we have a new novice... Novice Atvi, he has grown up from that mischief making dibbun or... maybe he has I know not. Oz is also back on dibbun duty as Badgermom and has been the past 2-3 weeks.
This is all I have for now, till next time my friends.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Twentieth Entry, February
Dear Friends,
The Winter feast was wonderful, the Winter of the Quiet Ice. There was ice skating on the pond afterwards and I believe most had a good time that was there. A week later we started work on one of the bells from the tower, and soon will take down the second one as well. Once all is well again in the Tower and both bells are polished I am sure we will have some sort of event.
The weather is still cold but winter still has 6 weeks yet, hopefully no longer than that and who knows maybe we will get an early spring but this cold makes my bones ache some, we shall see.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entries #21-22, Spring of Voices' Return
Written from March to April, Spring of Voices' Return, the sixteenth season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Brother Gorvenalus' Twenty-First Entry, March
Dear Friends,
Wonderful news was heard. It seems the some of Camp Willow's lost otters have returned! The vikings many seasons ago invaded Camp Willow and stole otters, killing other otters and destroying half the camp, the camp has had some repairs and still has some repairs, but 9 otters have returned to them. This is happy news indeed! They have been invited to the upcoming Spring Feast, weather they come will be up to them but they would be most welcome but at the same time we respect their privacy and wanting some time to themselves, they have been through so much.
We have started clearing the gardens and plowing the fields to start Spring planting seasons and this is going well. Other news is the repair of woodwork holding up the Bells in the Bell Tower, we hope the repairs are done and the bells are back up in time for the Spring Feast, it will be joyous to hear them ring again. As they have been down most of the winter season.
In other news our Resident hare Ewan had taken a trip with Brother Sinway to Salamandastron. Brother Sinway wanted time away after his daughter Kenya's tragic death in a frozen creek as she had tried to rescue Novice Atvi... Atvi has mentioned he wants to be a healer to honor her memory, I wish him the best in his studies... maybe he will become a Brother at the feast.
I mentioned the trip Ewan and Brother Sinway took and maybe should of mentioned it earlier, as well as Kenya's death, sorry for that as the trip started about time winter season came, I was not sure it was too wise to go in winter but it seemed they made it there on a boat and back again, part of the way on a boat it seems. The shrews are fairly nice with their small boats and rafts, as well as a few river otters here and there. But I am rambling and Ewan and Brother Sinway are back and Brother Sinway seems in better sprites now and even has a fiddle now he will play at the Spring Feast.
That is all the news for now my friends,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Twenty-Second Entry, April
Dear Friends,
The Spring feast was good and the bells are back in the Bell Tower, the woodwork fixed and good as new, better in fact. The feast was named Spring of Voices Return. There was music and dance and beasts had fun, not seen so much dancing in a while.
In other news I need to write is news of the hare Hanzi came to us, I was unsure but after speaking to Hawkeye and having a sparrow check as well... Hanzi is dead, killed by a cloaked beast. The Skipper of Camp Willow had sent the news, it seems Hanzi threatened and attacked a couple otters. It's not know whom the cloaked figure was, if they are friend or foe but at the time they helped the otters and then left into the woods, they had looked for the cloaked beast and didn't find them. It is good the threat of Hanzi is gone but also sad, I am unsure if there was a chance of redeeming him or not or maybe he was so far gone there was not, then any death saddens me.
On a good note a trip is planed into Mossflower with the abbot to check on our friends at Camp Willow, also a visit to Ferravale and Brockhall, I have not ever been to Brockhall but have heard stories and read of it and am excited to finally visit it.
I need to head to bed soon.
Signed,
Brother Govenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entries #23-27, Summer of Partings
Written from June to August, Summer of Partings, the seventeenth season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Brother Gorvenalus' Twenty-Third Entry, Mid June
Dear Friends,
I am writing about the wonderful time at Camp Willow. Seeing their camp was amazing, a great site to see indeed.The moles and foremole helped build 2 homes and fixed the roof of the infirmary and Mess Hall. We brought supplies, some food and drink and Hot root plants that they were short of, an otter without hot root is a bad otter indeed, its like they have to have it to live, it's their life blood.
The weather has been nice and the trip has gone well so far. The Champion does make sure we stay close at all times and seems to only relax once we were at Camp Willow... our next stop is Ferravale, I do hope that goes well, I have seen it once but didn't stay long, we have stayed at Camp Willow 4 days, so 4 days at Ferravale as well.
We did stop at a small woodland camp site of a couple dozen woodland mice, friendly type they are and seemed to really like mushroom soup, well we leave for Ferravale in the morning so I best get some rest. I will write again after a day or two in Ferravale my friends.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Twenty-Fourth Entry, Mid June
Dear Friends,
We arrived at Ferravale, got to hear their Bell ring out and got to see the opening of the Redthorn Tavern, it is a wonderful place and Xander Winters is in charge of it and owns it, his helpers seem to be Patch, the rat and the old sea otter Hawkeye. He has some other helpers I know, and even got to see the Mossflower Defender Base which should be open in a couple weeks.
One would think this a happy (-time? Unclear), visiting friends trip and it started a carefree and good, then a sparrow brought ill news... Oz, AKA Papa Oz our Badger Mother lies in a non waking deep coma in the infirm back at Redwall, we stayed our 4 days at Ferravale and then came back. He and Krisha had started their Camp Out for the dibbuns by the pond, it seems our Badgermother Oz had a bit of a headache and went to seek some shade in the orchards but was found half an hour later unconscious in the orchards and was rushed to the infirm, he had coughed up a lot of blood and was barely breathing. He awoke briefly only to beg to speak to Krisha, of course he would want to make sure the dibbuns were okay, he is always like that thinking of others first and not himself. Krisha mentioned he called her Mother Krisha before he slipped into a very deep Coma, which he never woke from, he only slowly got worse.
Benar had me write this down, he officially named Krisha Badger Mother Krisha of Redwall Abbey, a title I know she will honor well, she is a little nervous and still sad over Oz, who isn't thought. She will do well as Badger Mother, I know she will.
There is a clear break in the writing before the entry resumes:
I left this a couple days and now add more, I am sorry I was busy and getting some needed rest. It is very late when I heard Benar and Krisha in the hallway, near midnight... the news which I sadly write down... the healers have told me, Benar, and Krisha Oz will not survive the night and if he does he won't live much past morning, my heart aches... Benar has told me and Mother Krisha to get some rest, he will be with Oz during his last hours and will let everyone know tomorrow morning in the Great Hall when Oz has passed onto the dark forest. I best get some rest I feel tomorrow morning will be a sad one for Redwall Abbey, for Mossflower... for many.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Twenty-Fifth Entry, Late June
Dear Friends,
With a sad heart I write these words. Oz Winters, AKA Papa Oz... the former Badgermother has passed on to the dark forest this early afternoon. Abbot Benar has brought the news to me and a few others, the rest found out a couple hours later at Dinner. Friar Lacota and Abbot Benar was at Oz's side when he died, so he was not alone when he died. A great Sadness has come over the abbey and Mossflower and the misty rain, that soon turned to a downpour reflexes our mood, perhaps Mossflower it's self was in sorrow as well, I know we here t the abbey are. News has been brought to Camp Willow by Ewan and to Ferravale by Hawkeye. Oz was a dear, dear friend to all. He was a caretaker of not just dibbuns but novices and even others. I have a feeling he will watch over us from the Dark forest.
Mother Krisha has taken this hard, I know she has but she has handled it well, I told Champion Matilda and she cried, her first thoughts to be at the side of Abbot Benar, we all must help one another in this time of great sadness... Mother Krisha and Abbot Benar can only do so much, for they too must morn... we all muse have time to morn and grieve.
Plans for Oz's final farewell, his funeral is being planed, so in a few days I shall write of it but excuse me I must stop writing now before tears stain this page, I will write again soon.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus
Brother Gorvenalus' Twenty-Sixth Entry, Late June
Dear Friends,
The Funeral for Oz Winters was today. A lot had good words to say as it seems he has touched many lives and was friends with many as well. This week has been a sad one for the abbey and likely there will still be sad days ahead for some time but together we will get through this. News has likely reached Salamandastron by now, I wonder how they will react as I know Oz befriended Lord Ciocan and some of the hares and of course he already knew Zolomon. M
Well This is all I am writing today,
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Twenty-Seventh Entry, August
Dear Friends,
I am sorry I have not written since the death Of Oz Winters. But I write now. Summer is just about over now and Autumn harvest will be starting very soon. Not much has happen at our abbey... until today
The Summer of Partings
The Summer feast and I think one of the best yet. Music and Dance and very good food. Friends and visitors.
Oswald and the Southern Winds Traveling performers are here! Music, juggling, and a magic show, all was great and the dancing... why even our Friar and Gatekeeper danced.
Mother Krisha seems to be doing well with the dibbuns.
The feast has cheered up a lot of beasts whom needed it as Oz was not the only beast we lost in the past few weeks, we lost a dibbun... Northstar and a dear friend, Hawkeye has passed on to the Dark forest. Vojin the former Head Guard of Ferravale had returned, briefly to seek forgiveness and has now headed south, with his wife and dibbun and I wish him well.
Well I should sleep now.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entry #28, Autumn of the Early Snow
Written during November, Autumn of the Early Snow, the eighteenth season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Brother Gorvenalus' Twenty-Eighth Entry, November
Dear Friends,
It has indeed been busy during harvest season, but we got all the fruits and vegetables, as well as herbs and other things needed inside for storage. We even had some extra fruit we shared with the GOUSIM shrews. The shrews in turn shared smoked fish, a most interesting dish and it stores well for later eating.
Our infirmary is well stocked of herbs as well as other supplies, anything we still needed we got at the market nearby.
One thing we did get from outside the abbey was spices and a couple rarer and expensive things such as chocolate from Ferravale and I managed to get coffee, some spicy tea, and died bananas and coconut from Willowbark Abbey. Something I have missed but is not found around here so its used as a special treat sometimes as we did not get a lot, but a fair among all the same.
Now I update some news. During the harvest time Abbot Benar fell off the abbey stairs leading to the wall tops. He has a broken arm he is still recovering from. It could have been a lot worse than it was but our Abbot will be fine and is recovering well, though there will be no Autumn Feast this season due to his injury and needing to recover, the season may be named before it's over but no name has been brought up or chosen yet. As soon as a name is given I will update the logs even if its just for that. While the Abbot recovers Mother Krisha, myself, and Matilda is doing things around the abbey.
A note has been inserted after this paragraph, the paw-writing clear: The Father Abbot did not simply fall that harvest day in late September; this is a false recording. The truth of what happened that day, which I and many other beasts witnessed, was that the badger Xander Winters pushed the aged squirrel off the steps after a disagreement between the two beasts. Xander left the Abbey swiftly after that and did not return for some time.
In other news, just today as I update the logs, we have lost a dear friend... Ferro. Ferro was a blacksmith at Ferravale and father to Krisha... he will be missed.
Ferro died of an illness he had, perhaps left over from when he was missing a couple months and later found to be a captive of a former tribe member. The tribe member was called Anwir, the good news is Anwir has been slain and is no longer a threat, which is good.
Other news to share and maybe what made Ferro condition worse, a condition he chose not to share with us sooner, or maybe he could have been saved, was an early snow and an ice storm. The ice storm didn't cause damage to the abbey, just a couple small branches that would of been trimmed anyways fell, in the woods near Camp Willow a old oak tree fell, and a large branch near the shrews campsite but all is safe and sound.
But not all is sad and sorrowful news, I also share the return of Caleb and Cynthia, or rather Brother Caleb and Sister Cynthia. Their family members were so happy to see them and it was a nice reunion! They also have a son, Cota, who is novice age, but we shall let him decide if he wants that path in life or not.
This is all the news I have to share with you for now my friends.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Another note had been added as a post-script, reading: The mouse-maid Sister Cynthia was tragically killed in late November by a rogue weasel, near Ferravale. She was swiftly avenged by the efforts of Xander Winters and the rat Patch's actions, the latter of whom slew the monster. Brother Caleb, in his grief, left Redwall Abbey for the village Halyard on the Western Sea.
Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entries #29-31, Winter of the Deep Snow
Written during January, Winter of the Deep Snow, the nineteenth season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Brother Gorvenalus' Twenty-Ninth Entry, Early January
Dear Friends,
The Mid-winter Snow Badger event was fun, enjoyable and all loved it. This year Xander helped our Badger Mother, Mother Krisha. Along with Xander were a couple hares, Ewan and Zeldove, who dressed up as they called them, as snow hares. There were cookies and hot cider, even some milk to be had. Small gifts were given and even some light snow fell outside.
Abbot Benar has mostly recovered and is back to his duties now, to which everyone is glad... none more than Mother Krisha whom had temporary took over his duties as well as her own, she is now just back to during her Badger Mother duties.
The winter this year has still been fairly cold, I will be glad once Spring is here but it’s still a good ways off. The cold has brought more visitors to stay at the abbey with us, then we always like guest. A squirrel family has joined us... Ping and his wife Milly and small infant son Joey will now live at the abbey.
I sadly have to place here more sad news. Our Residential Long Patrol Hare Ewan... is dead. He died defending a group of woodlanders against a fox and two weasels. He won but sadly died of his injuries. The hare maid Zeldove has decided to take the news to the Long Patrol and will join the Long Patrol as a way to honor Ewan memory.
Private Ewan Benjamin Delaney Tanner Mosswell Jahveri will be missed by many. He was buried in Redwall Abbey by the memorial for the Long Patrol that was placed down during the siege of Ormaz.
In other news the abbey is doing well, our stocks of food are still very good and a quick check on our friends... Ferravale as well as our Shrew Friends are doing very well. Which brings up some good news and I am always happy to share good news as good news is always needed after sharing bad news…
GUOSIM Log-A-Log has married the shrew Lyra. They are happy and working together to make the GUOSIM great.
That is all for now my friends, I am off to bed.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Thirtieth Entry, Mid January
Dear Friends,
More good news and I am always happy to share good news. First our Badger Mother is expecting a dibbun of her own. I think this is wonderful news indeed. Also some good news is Brother Caleb, and friend Mack have opened their own Cafe... in Halyard but it's still their own and I am sure his mate would be happy for him and I wish our friends well.
We are also planing for our Winter Feast as it is in a couple weeks time. Joining us will be the Guosim as they are going to spend the winter here and head back to their camp in early spring.
Things are going well for us, even when another winter Storm hit, all is well here at Redwall, as well as Ferravale.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus
Brother Gorvenalus' Thirty-First Entry, Late January
Dear Friends,
We had our Winter Feast... Winter of the Deep Snow and it looks like it won't fail us... I have spoken with Abbot Benar, the title of the past Autumn will have a title... Autumn of the Early Snow, the title is made official a little late but better late than never... right? The past Autumn was rather stressful while our Abbot was recovering from his broken arm. He is better now and recovered.
I think this Winter Feast made up for the fact we didn't have an Autumn one as we had a surprise visit from the Camp Willow Otters, they brought a large fish for one of the main dishes, a gift from Camp Willow.
We also had the Chieftain of Ferravale and her guards, as well as a couple others from Ferravale as well... they have a Master Healer now if I did not mention it before, Master healer Nardo.
We also have Log-A-Log and his shrews with us till Spring, a room set up for them in the old office. They had to leave their camp along the river due to a harsh winter, and their storage building now needs repair as they lost 70% of their supply, the rest they have brought to the abbey to share with us... so we now have a lot of smoked fish and their famous bread and stew for winter.
There was of course music and some beasts that juggled plates and apples, some did cartwheels... all was fun to see and I believe all had a good time.
That is all till next time I write...
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus
Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entries #32-36, Spring of Blessings
Written from April to June, Spring of Blessings, the twentieth season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Brother Gorvenalus' Thirty-Second Entry, April
Dear Friends,
A lot has happened since the winter snows have left us and finally we see green grass and many flowers in bloom. The GOUSIM have went back to their camp and we even had some moles help fix up the place. The GOUSIM are still very much our allies still. Other news is our Spring Feast is in a few days time and we are ready.
Some news to share our Badger Mother Krisha has had her cub, a little early and it's a boy and healthy. But she has slipped into a deep faint so healers keep an eye on her and keep us updated. I hope for the best and she wakes up soon as I know many worry.
I must tend to some things,
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Thirty-Third Entry, May
Dear friends,
Good news Mother Krisha has woke up and seems well, she was not able to be at the feast but the feast was still great.
SPRING OF BLESSINGS
I indeed think it is... new life, there is peace and friends are here with good food and drink to share and it will even be Summer before we know it... life is good.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Thirty-Fourth Entry, Mid May
Dear friends,
Forgive me for not writing sooner. A lot has happened and I wish I did not have to write such sadness down on paper. Peace has been shattered indeed, then I suppose things don't last forever but no beast was expecting this to happen! It was to be a simple camp out in the orchards for the dibbuns but come morning a disaster.
The helpers and Mother Krisha were drugged with a powerful sleeping herb, among the drugged was Lillymoore our Bell Ringer and so the bells did not ring... when it was found out why we were all in shock and horror.
The dibbuns were all taken! All but the lone goose dibbun Gracie whom had been hiding on the middle of the pond, the poor child seen it all.
Sister Ginny was killed, as was a hare name Jet... it turned out Jet had helped the vermin for what ever reason, we know not... it had to be great for what he did but maybe it was against his will as he too lied dead outside the broken south wall gate.
All the small gates are being repaired, I knew this but others did not that our Badger Mother has the skills of a Blacksmith and will fix the gate hinges and help us find locksmith, one of the moles I think, to remake the locks. Such a bad way to find a reason to repair old side gates, hardly ever used but will have new hinges and locks soon. We are also starting some very late spring cleaning.
Our Champion Matilda, the badger Xander, and a new visitor Caleb a traveling warrior mouse is set out to help get the dibbuns back, two more are to join but I know not whom they are, it seemed they are to meet the two extra along their path to find the dibbuns, I wish them well and safe travels.
I am going to check on Abbot Benar and Mother Krisha, the badger mother has many reasons to be sad as also taken was her small cub Oz, she had named him after Papa Oz... I hope he and the other dibbuns are found and every beast returns home... safe and sound.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Thirty-Fifth Entry, Early June
Dear Friends,
It had been quite a while and no word on the ones on the hunt for those slavers. My guess is they found the trail. I would of wrote sooner but I been busy helping Benar with Abbot duties and also cleaning the library. Benar has decided, perhaps to help get his mind off things as well as others minds off things, to do a major cleaning job around the Abbey. Each team of cleaners has a section of the abbey. Rugs were cleaned, the bells in the bell tower now shine as with the help of some birds we got them dusted and polished! The bells are important after all. Other rooms are being dusted, mopped and cleaned and Mother Krisha has decided the Dibbun Dorms, a classroom, as well as a main Dibbun relaxation/playroom, needed to be repainted and just redone totally, so she and some novices are in charge of that.
The peace was broken however when rats from the south attacked! We luckily were warned thanks to a small group of 5 long patrol hares lead by Corporal Adrian was in the area on a very Long Patrol, we thank them for stopping and it seems they may stay here for now, which we are also glad of as while our Champion is away, as well as our gate keeper Dorarose we may way still need the extra protection.
I do hope Matilda, Dorarose, and young Caleb are doing okay and are safe. I also hope the dibbuns are safe and they will be found and rescued and come home as soon as they can. I am sure we will have a feast when they return, which brings up one other thing... there will not be a Summer Feast due to everything going on and no ones heart seems into preparing for one. Hopefully bright moods will come back soon.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Brother Gorvenalus' Thirty-Sixth Entry, mid June
Dear Friends,
The rats... they came back and seem a well-organized group and well educated. I am unsure what was going through Benar's head at the time but it did help these... rats to not swarm us as a report said hundreds are in the woods and it seems they want to help settle some... order. I have begun to try and find info on the Empress Who Lives together and the Order of Castes, there is some old books in the attic so maybe there. It seems, for now they will not attack as they could of but still seem to want their version of order. I am glad the dibbuns are not here, this would likely frighten them, not that it hasn't frighten other, it has.
I must go now,
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entries #37-41, Summer of Hopefully Beginnings
Written from June to September, Summer of Hopefully Beginnings, the twenty-first season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Brother Gorvenalus' Thirty-Seventh Entry, Late June
Dear Friends,
The rats attacked the North Wall and burned the small gate, broke the hinges. Some got inside and others were on the walltops. All the rats were slain and the gate was closed and in the process of being fixed. The rats had started a fire outside the wall and that caused some distraction and heavy smoke for a while.
A tragic event nearly happened, our Abbot Benar was almost killed, but the quick action of Mother Krisha and a forge hammer, prevented the rat from slaying the abbot, a couple of other rats that went after the Abbot were slain by the Skipper of the otters and one of the Patrol hares that has been with us. A couple of the hares also made sure our Badger mother was not slain by a couple of rats, but I feel she may of been able to handle them.
Other news is a hare that was part of the Long Patrol group that is visiting us seemed to of gotten lost from his friends, but he has found them again and is with us in the abbey. An interesting hare and his name is Elbio, he seems concerned his fellow hares feel he is a bit useless for getting separated from them, I assured him they were not, he seems to be very curious of the abbey and wanting to know everything, I mentioned the fact the abbey once had a Residential LP Hare once... he seemed interested but even if the abbey was for this, the badger Lord would also need a say in this and the hare is but a recruit at this time, perhaps he can be made a private and stick around with us here in the abbey, after all this rat business it may be wise to once more have a hare stationed here but that's not up to me and not totally up to Abbot Benar either... I suppose we will see, for now it is late and I need sleep.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Thirty-Eighth Entry, July
Dear Friends,
The rats keep attacking off and on so its been a long past couple of weeks. They had backed off for a day and it was a welcome bit of peace, for a day anyway.
The rats and their leader came back, attacking from all four sides and managed to enter the abbey. It seemed we had lost at first but then our temporary Gatekeeper Lilymoore stood and faced the rat leader and Lilymoore killed the rat leader. Lilymoore was in a faint for 4-5 days and awoke and should recover, as will others.
Other good news is the rats, all of them left, perhaps went back to their own lands but Benar fears they could return on day. I hope not anytime soon. We have some repairs to do, also some crops to replant and fields to fix, luckily the orchards are good.
We also have other repairs to do.
No news on where our friends are whom went after the dibbuns, I hope they are well... where ever they are and will find the dibbuns, and defeat the slavers. Another bit of news is our Badger Mother left the abbey, we found her a few days later in Ferravale. Abbot Benar himself went to bring the Badger Mother back, though with only 3 shrews and only 1 shrew as a guard on the way back, but both Abbot Benar and Mother Krisha are safe and sound back at the abbey. The Badgermother is depressed and I hope she can cheer up but I am unsure if she will any time soon, so I hope the dibbuns are found and freed and return home as soon as possible, I may try and speak with the Badger Mother some myself if she lets me. So far she has only let Abbot Benar speak to her.
I should go there is lots to do at the abbey,
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Thirty-Ninth Entry, August
Dear Friends,
No news of our friends yet, I worry as it's been over a season now. Another worry is the hare Elbio seems to have disappeared now, I did not know him too well but he keep saying how he had so few friends. Perhaps the hare went on some adventure, who knows.
There is little other news as we get ready for the Autumn time by checking the harvest and starting to bring it in, we are low on some things thanks to those rats and I just hope we don't have any snow early this year as a couple of things won't be ready to harvest till late autumn.
This was a short write up as I have been busy helping Abbot Benar and now need to help with some other things.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Fortieth Entry, Early September
Dear Friends,
Such a wonderful glorious surprise came to us! It was during lunch today. The dibbuns have returned to us, they are home! Also home is Xander Winters, Champion Matilda, Keldorn, Caleb, and Dorarose our gatekeeper. With them is Lord Ciocan and some of his hares. We also have 5 new otter dibbuns that I believe will be going to Camp Willow with the Skipper. Log-a-log and his GUOSIM also had led the group to the abbey when they meet up at the River Moss.
There were many hugs and tears of joy, I know our Badger Mother Krisha was very happy and I am glad she has her happiness back. She also has her mate Xander back, and her son Oz... Oz has grown up a little and is walking now and starting to speak some.
I busied myself with finding out what happen with their journeys and still have some others to speak to, but do not worry it will all be written down and recorded.
I think our Friar Lacota is glad they are home, even if he did need to find more for lunch and dinner. Abbot Benar is planning a feast in a couple of days to celebrate and I also overheard there may be a wedding, it seems Leigh and Oswald of the GUOSIM are to be wed soon, I must congratulate them once I get a chance. Beasts stayed up late and I think I am finally getting tired and will go to bed soon my friends. I shall write more later.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Forty-First Entry, Early September
Dear Friends,
I write down more updates as I have spoken with the returned heroes. It seems the slavers led by the vixen Mistclaw and the ferret Kurgan were working for a wolverine named Gorax, and Gorax had a slave compound on the island of Terromont of all places, yes, the same island that Joseph the Bell Ringer was on so many seasons ago.
Champion Matilda and the other heroes followed the slavers down the River Moss and to the Western Shore where they temporarily lost the slavers, Xander Winters was seriously injured and poisoned, but he was saved at the last possible moment by Lord Ciocan at Salamandastron. Xander Winters slowly recovered over the next 8 weeks while the other heroes lead by Lord Ciocan went after the slavers. There was a battle and the heroes won, the evil slaver Gorax and the rest of the slavers were killed, the dibbuns and other slaves were freed. There was even a victory feast at the mountain, how nice. The heroes then made their way finally to Redwall Abbey!
Camp Willow seems to have gained 5 orphaned otter dibbuns and Redwall has gained a couple of orphan vole dibbuns. A couple of squirrel dibbuns and a mouse family was reunited that lived in Mossflower Woods. I think our Champion Matilda is finally catching up on much needed sleep after all the thank yous she got. She did have to deal with the death of the mole dibbun Burfy, he had wanted one day to be Foremole... his mother, father, and grandma will stay at the abbey but they are saddened by his death. We will likely have a small moment of silence for Burfy at the feast, and anyone else that lost their lives as I was told 4 Long Patrol hares did die... all in all, our heroes were very lucky as there could have well been more deaths.
A seagull named Rufus has gone to tell Ferravale of our good news, we are even planning a feast at the abbey in a couple of days and I am sure the hares look forward to it. The hares are behaving themselves as Ciocan has told them to not go near the kitchens, no large snacks, and to act like the good guest they are and not eat food just cause it's there, hee hee... it was a rather interesting meeting to overhear from the back of the room, the feast, however, well, I suppose we will see. The GUOSIM did have extra late strawberries and even went nut gathering in the woods for some extra stuff for the feast. We should be fine though. I shall write more after the feast, I am sure Abbot Benar is thinking up a very good name for the Autumn season. And maybe the wedding of Leigh and Oswald will happen, but that could happen another day and if so, that too is good. I must go help our new novice, oh yes, we have a new novice... Xander Winters.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entries #42-44, Autumn of Plenty II
Written from September to November, Autumn of Plenty II, the twenty-second season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Brother Gorvenalus' Forty-Second Entry, Late September
Dear friends,
Summer of Hopefully Beginnings, that was the season and, I like it. There was a wedding at the start of the feast, Oswald and Leigh of the GUOSIM shrews are now husband and wife. We also had a moment of silence for the mole dibbun we lost. We also lost Keldorn just a couple days ago, a rare ambush on the road on the way back from the GUOSIM camp, he will surely be missed by many as this came as a surprise. Tenzin made sure the vermin, who killed Keldorn, was slain. The threat to anyone else is gone now.
The feast went very well and there was plenty for all as Ferravale and Camp Willow helped with some supplies. I also learned a little more about the trip to find the dibbuns and get them home safe. I shall write more later for I need to take a nap.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Forty-Third Entry, October
Dear Friends,
I have heard plans slowly are coming about for a late Autumn Feast, maybe late October or early November. It is starting to look like Autumn now as leaves turn colours of reds, oranges, and yellows even.
Our new Novice Xander is doing well, though I think Elder Kenny is making our new novice very tried with chores. I should go, hmmms maybe I can have Xander help dust the library and put some books away for me.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Forty-Fourth Entry, November
Dear Friends,
The Autumn of Plenty, that was the season name. Sorry I have not written in a little while been busy. I have decided to take a small couple of weeks break. I will be at Brock Hall with Mother Krisha and Novice Xander, little Oz their son is there too. I have always wanted to see Brock Hall and never went, but that changes now and ...I do need a break at times so why not I said. I shall write some of my 2-week stay.
Not too much has happen at the abbey, the dibbuns seem to have mostly recovered from their time as slaves, for this I am glad. The dibbun Ciana, the little hare, seems to have trouble making friends and I do hope she makes some friends soon. Her father was the hare Jet hat was forced to work with the slavers but no one should hold this against the little one.
I am gonna go now. I shall write more later,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey.
Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entries #45-48, Winter of Reflection II
Written from December to November, Winter of Reflection II, the twenty-third season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Brother Gorvenalus' Forty-Fifth Entry, December
Dear Friends,
Winter is surely on time and just in time for the solstice in fact. We got hit with a major snowstorm. a blizzard that has dumped 5 feet of snow, there are drifts that are 6-7 foot along the walls of our abbey. I am unsure if any beast got stuck in the storm or not. I know a Long Patrol hare was on his way to the abbey and got stuck, luckily he got to our gates and was able to get in, just in time as well as an otter maid that was with him.
Our Gatekeeper Dorarose and her family was stuck in the gatehouse and our Champion stuck in her cottage. Though the Champion seems to be fine after we cleared a path to the abbey building. Dorarose and her family will stay in a guest room inside the abbey.
It feels odd not to hear the abbey bells, then we have yet to clear a path to the Bell Tower. So some beasts have slept in a couple of times, and we sort of let them for now. We have plenty of food. We also have plenty of firewood for the fires so we are fine for the winter and more wood could always be gotten from the shed, or if seriously needed the nearby woodlands.
We also have helped the Sparra find a missing egg chick, the little one is okay and healing our infirm. Some of the abbey have a hard time understanding the Sparra... I have learned the language thanks to our Badger Mother and a few others known the Sparra talk as well. The Sparra have mentioned our weather vane fell off the abbey roof into the rose garden, we will have to find it and then figure out how to get it back onto the roof, maybe just wait till Spring I say.
The hare from the Long Patrol is named Lt. Velm, he is a healer and will stay with us till Spring when Elbio, our new Residential Abbey Hare should be back with us. Velm brought news things are well in Salamandastron, but I do wonder what the storm may have brought to them as storms tend to travel west to east and it came from the west, maybe we can ask Elbio when he gets here in the spring as I am sure whatever the storm may have brought to the Western Shores Lord Ciocan and his hares can handle it.
It is almost time for our Snow Badger day events, the night before is stories and special cider, milk, and cookies for the dibbuns, and of course, the grown-ups can have cookies as well. I will be the one to tell the Snow Badger Story this season, hmms maybe I can ask Velm to help as it's always nice to have a hare around to help with the story. Anyway, I must get going, it's almost dinnertime. I will write again soon.
Brother Gorvenalus, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Brother Gorvenalus' Forty-Sixth Entry, Mid January
Dear Friends,
More has been found. The weather vane had fallen off the roof, but our Sparra friends helped us find it. The weather vane has been placed somewhere safe till we can get it back on the roof, likely the first few weeks of spring.
We have cleared paths to the gatehouse and champion cottage, as well as a small one to the pond, one to the rose garden as well, but a part of the path to the rose garden was messed up... that is okay as we do not need to go to the garden in winter anyways, the only need we had was to get the weather vane and we have that. A path is being worked on to the Kitchen Yard.
Our guest Velm is interesting, seems he had some memory loss but has gotten most of it back through help from various abbey beasts. He is also a healer and has said he can help the infirm. He will stay with us till spring and head back once our Residential hare Elbio is back, which is supposed to be in the Spring.
This winter is colder than usual, but we are warm inside the abbey.
We also recently have a cat as a guest, she mentioned a friend is elsewhere, maybe we will have a couple more guests this winter, guests are always nice and can bring wonderful stories to the abbey of their travels.
I have to go, I shall write more later,
Brother Gorvenalus, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Brother Gorvenalus' Forty-Seventh Entry, Mid January
Dear Friends,
I write this with a heavy heart this evening. My friend Xander Winters is dead. It fills me with my grief, others are sad as well. I know not all the details, I am unsure anyone knows fully what happen to my dear, dear friend. I spoke to a couple of beasts and learned it's possible our guest Esmeray had something to do with it. Is it possible she killed my friend, a friend I had known for very long. Xander helped me and my son Minsc through a lot, Xander was a good friend to all. Xander was also a father to Oz, a husband to our Badger Mother, and a friend to all at the abbey young and old.
Sadly the cat Esmeray is long gone, and snow still makes travel very hard, hopefully for her as well.
Another issue is the missing cub Oz, no dibbun should have to go through being taken, and not so long after the dibbuns had been found and rescued from those slavers in summer and autumn time.
We will have a funeral for Xander in a few days. In the meantime, I will see if my eagle friend Silverwing can keep an eye out for the cat Esmeray, or any clue to where she and the badger cub Oz is. If the cat is not the one who ended my friend's life then she very well knows who did the horrible, dishonourable deed.
Excuse me I need to tend to a couple of things. I will update again when more news is heard.
Brother Gorvenalus, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Brother Gorvenalus' Forty-Eighth Entry, February
Dear friends,
We just recently has the Winter Feast, a simple one and even had a visit from our friends the GUOSIM. Also a couple days later Brother Sinway returned from his trip to Green isle and was updated on any news he missed.
In other news we are to get the weather vane but up top the abbey roof soon.Also the dibbun treehouse will be fixed. I need to tend to something, I will write again soon.
Brother Gorvenalus, Redwall Abbey Recorder
The following note has been added at the bottom of the page: No entries were made during the Spring of the Flowing River, the twenty-fourth season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entry #49, Summer of Homecoming
Written during June, Summer of Homecoming', the twenty-fifth season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Brother Gorvenalus' Forty-Ninth Entry, Late June
Dear Friends,
I have not written in the logs in a while. I am sorry so I have a lot to catch up on indeed.
As spring came we finally got the weather vane back on the roof. The Sparra and their Queen Chestnut were very helpful in letting a small group into the lofts. The moles also helped to get the weather vane back on top of the Abbey, though the moles did not like the height at all.
Some sad news also to share, the Log-a-log Vilfred has died, an ambush happened at the GUOSIM camp. A passing band of vermin took over the camp. Vilfred son, Xavier got help from Ferravale and got the camp back and the group of vermin were killed.
The new GUOSIM leader is new Log-a-log Xavier, I know he will do well. In fact we had the Spring Feast at the GUOSIM camp.
As Summer had come the GUOSIM decided to have a river trip and invited me along. It sounds exciting and I will be sure to write about the trip as we travel, but no worries we are back in time for the Summer feast in a few weeks.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entries #50-52, Autumn of Peace
Written from September to December, Autumn of Peace, the twenty-sixth season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
The season name has been clearly added in after the main body was written in two places; beneath the names are the following inked out words: Unnamed Autumn following the Summer of Homecoming and an unnamed Autumn, respectively.
Brother Gorvenalus' Fiftieth Entry, Late September
Dear Friends,
It has indeed been a while since I have updated, been busy I suppose. During the Summer there was a trip up and down the River Moss with the GUOSIM. It was great fun to explore and have some peace and quiet, even updated a couple maps of Mossflower while I was on the trip. The GUOSIM are indeed a very interesting group.
We had the Summer Feast at the abbey. A surprise was there for us all, Mother Krisha's son Oz was alive and back home, we also had a couple hare guests. One was Zolomon M who is no longer in the Long Patrol and may decide to live at the abbey.
Life at the abbey is good,
Brother Gorvenalus, Redwall Abbey Recorder
Brother Gorvenalus' Fifty-First Entry, November
Dear Friends,
A lot has happen. Zolomon M is no longer welcomed in the Abbey, or Mossflower. He has murdered the otter Errpeal and a small family of innocent ferrets. His trail was at Ferravale and he was banished from Mossflower, if he returns... it means death for him. Many were surprised of the hare's change.
Lt. Elbio is taking the news to the Western Shores.
But not all news is bad news. There is still the autumn feast and many look forward to it.
Signed,
BROTHER GORVENALUS, Recorder of Redwall Abbey
Brother Gorvenalus' Fifty-Second Entry, December
Dear friends,
The autumn of Peace is almost over, winter is soon to come within about 2 weeks. Lt. Elbio has not returned yet, perhaps he is spending the winter. I do hope he is alright, but he must be as we would of gotten news if he was not.
The dibbuns, Mother Krisha, and others get ready for the Snow badger for he too, comes soon.
Signed,
Brother GORVENLUS Redwall recorder
A note has been inserted by the compiler: Lieutenant Elbio H. Reed was grievously wounded by the creature Z. Anderson M, one of the last evil deeds committed by that cursed hare ere his death by the paws of the Long Patrol. The now retired lieutenant has settled in Halyard village with his daughter, or so we have been told; he shall not return to Redwall.
Brother Gorvenalus' Records, Entries #53-54, Winter of the Squirrel
Written from December to March, Winter of the Squirrel, the twenty-seventh season following Father Benar's appointment to the position of Abbot of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower Country.
Brother Gorvenalus' Fifty-Third Entry, January
Dear friends,
We are into winter now and have had a light snow. Things are well here in the abbey.
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus Redwall Recorder
Brother Gorvenalus' Fifty-Fourth Entry, March
Greetings Friends,
We just had our winter feast. Winter of the Squirrel. I think as the abbot said, it fits nicely. An old Abbey friend, John as returned. Also the Gawtrybe are back and will be spending a few days in the abbey till they can find a new home in Mossflower woods. The seasons have been peaceful and I do hope they stay peaceful. We still have our peace treaty with Ferravale and that is always good.
A tree fell in the woods. We have decided to use the wood from the tree for any woodwork needed and maybe some firewood as well. A family of 4 squirrels (a mother, father, two dibbuns) lived in the tree and I have been told an owl may have lived on the very top of the tree,but I am unsure. A group of beasts plan to go to where the tree is in the next couple days.
Also named spring.
Winter of the Squirrel
Spring of the Friendly Bee
Signed,
Brother Gorvenalus... Redwall Abbey Recorder
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