The Abbot's Processional Part 4: Camp Willow

-Abbot Benar's Processional takes the Redwallers to the riverside home of otters in Mossflower, Camp Willow-

Our Cast: Zephyr (spoofed), Raina, Benar, Flicktail, Rayen (spoofed), Krystal, Lee, William, Lacota, Leon, Aibne, Zee, Zinnia, DoraRose & Co., Ragger, Rioko, and Shritana ''''''''''

Aibne is limping around with a bandaged leg; he has been here for a couple days with his sister Mint and a friend of his, well he hopes a friend.

William is sitting by the riverbank, writing in his little book, completely oblivious to the world around him.

Leon looks around as the abbey group has come to the camp and hmmms, not been here before.

Krystal is staying close to Lacota as she looks around the place, "Nice place here" She says softly.

Voices, quite a lot of voices can be heard chattering away and approaching the main grounds, every now and then a bell rings out and coming around the corner and into the shadows of the mammoth willow tree is a quite eclectic party is approaching. At the head is Abbot Benar, carrying a tall staff with a silver bell surmounted atop it. Behind him are panoply of Abbey beasts, some toward the back pulling carts laden with food and drink and tents and other supplies. Benar stops and looks around, the guards at the entrance sent them on ahead this far but he is waiting now for a representative of the otters to approach.

Flicktail takes his place to the left of the Abbot and one step behind, and Rayen is by Flicktail, a little tried and moody but she is ok for now.

Lee strides into Camp Willow, carrying his son Konrad. He nods and waves to passing otters. "Oy, t'is good ta be back, me hearties. Breathe in that fresh air, mates. An' there's 'otroot aplenty for ye all." Lacota keeps with Krystal. "A right peaceful place. Not enough tree houses, though, but that's just my opinion..."

Dora Rose the mouse is in the group, holding her daughter's paw. If necessary, the Warrior will hand over her battleaxe, sword, and sling and stones. Lily Moore is SO excited to be somewhere new! Blisa the cat, Ferdinand the ferret, and Valerie the vixen have handed over their weapons willingly...although the vixen really didn't have very much in the way of weapons. It's just a little dagger. She is a healer, after all. If they're not allowed in, then they'll just hang out outside the Camp and keep watch for... snakes or something. After dinner and storytelling, the family of Mice will go to bed. As will the cat and her bodyguards, whether or not they're allowed in the camp.

The main grounds of Camp Willow buzzes with anxious activity and various otters loiter around, awaiting the entrance of the Redwall procession. As the grand caravan works its way into the ground, the looks of amazement on the faces of the otters are clear, particularly the younger ones. A small group of otters, two females and two males, step out from under the shady refuge provided by the boughs of the great willow tree and move across to meet with Benar. Zephyr, acting Skipper of Camp Willow, leads by a few paces, a slight smile on her face. "Greetin's, friends!" she exclaims, "'Ow were your travels?" she asks cordially. To one side is a thin ottermaid who seems unwilling to make eye contact with anybody but interested in all the sights around her all the same. With these two are two otter guards, casually dressed and holding weapons easily. They are, of course, not expecting to have to use them. They look pleasant, even.

Aibne eyes the foxes; he never did trust foxes so he keeps his distance from them and leans on a tree. His sister Mint is sleeping in a guest hut so yeah, he will keep an eye on the hut as well.

Krystal smiles and looks around "A lot of otters in one place, it’s neat"

Flicktail looks around grinning from ear to ear, which also reveals his rows of sharp fangs, as he remembers the camp where he grew into a good beast. Standing by his Father Abbot the fox remains quiet, his arm holding his beautiful mates paw as he walks with her behind the abbot. Flicktail gently waves to otters, including Aibne. He says to Rayen "see that river? that’s where I dove in under the ice thinking I was an otter....Ol Kroova nearly swallowed is own cutlasses .” Rayen shrugs and says nothing, ok she is moody today but hides that fact as she smiles a little and nods.

Benar smiles at Zephyr and bows to her, the bell atop his staff ringing gently, "Thank you Skipper, for the warm welcome. Our travels have been wide and varied but thank you for greeting us and permitting our group entrance to the camp. It's been many a season since I was last here and even longer since the Abbot Of Redwall was able to walk the woodlands of Mossflower so safely." he looks at the myriad beasts in his party, "I realise we have.. quite a mix of beasts, are there any rules we should be aware of? We've also come laden down with some of the best food and supplies Redwall has to offer. We are hoping you'd allow us to renew our friendship with the otters of Mossflower with food and drink."

Leon looks over at Rayen and then spots Aibne and walks over to him "Hello Aibne, you ok?"

William looks up curiously, then spots the whole procession. He closes his book, deciding to watch with interest.

Aibne smiles as he sees Leon and nods "Sure matey, takes more than a pike ta get me, me friend, oh that reminds me where is your abbot? He be intrested ta know Silverstorm be 'ere, most likely with me sister Mint"

Lee sets his son down on his feet, and the young otter immediately runs off toward a group of other otters his age. Lee, meanwhile, bows to Zephyr. "Good day! Yer actin' Skipper, eh? Tell me, Hallow ain't gone an' got 'erself eaten by a pike or anythin'? It's been a couple seasons since I last saw 'er, mare, I were 'opin' ta catch up on ol' times, ye know?" He waves at Aibne as well. "Ahoy, there, friend of our 'Ealer, Leon?"

"'ere lookit this!" Comes a call from the very back of the procession before Ragger's pokes out from behind the carts brandishing a ladle he'd taken off of one of the back cart and was delightfully demonstrating it to the ottery crowd "Tha's metal tha', I reckon tha' is. Migh' be as good as me old one bef'r it bent" He brings it up closely to his eye, completely ignoring the proper greetings or important goings on. Then again he's that old maybe he's just forgot what's going on.

Zephyr smiles a bit at being bowed to, and the other, younger ottermaid looks surprised, figuring they were probably expected to bow /to/ the abbot. " S'our pleasure to accomodate ya fer a few days, Abbot." she says, looking over all the new arrivals. "Well, Abbot, we don't usually allow vermin here." she indicates Blisa's guards with a sweep of her paw that also brushes over Flicktail and Rayen. "But I understand this'n is still your champion." she holds a paw out to Flicktail, palm up in an amiable gesture. "If ya can assure their conduct will be fittin', I don't suppose we'll have a problem." The other ottermaid clears her throat gently. "An' I suppose we should really disarm 'em. Ain't the abbey, but it should just make you feel more at home, eh?" she says. "Aside from all that mess, we're real glad ta have ya all with us." she concludes with a smile.

Rayen sits down somewhere and looks around, her longbow and quiver placed where ever weapons go. She frowns and mutters something about being feeling blah, most likely cause she is having a dibbun in few weeks.

Aibne nods to Lee and when he spots Benar he walks over to him and waits on a response that it’s ok to speak. He limps a little cause of the bandaged leg.

Benar says, "Thank you very much Skipper, it is our pleasure to be here," he watches the otter stealing one of Lacota's ladles and has to smile, shaking his head in amusement. Then he focusses on the younger otters before him, "We can certainly disarm our verminous guests." he holds out a paw and Flicktail hands him the sword of Martin, "Do you mind if I keep the sword? Martin's sword is somewhat precious to us." he then smiles at Aibne, "Good day, you said something about Silverstorm being here? That is good news, I am glad they are safe.""

Leon walks over towards Benar and Aibne, he adjusts his knapsack he has with him, some herbs, not that he don't have them in the surcoat as well.

Aibne nods to Benar" Yes sir...she is fine, she helped me sister from some trouble, and then I helped Silverstorm..." He looks at his leg and back to the abbot" There was a pike in the river, but it’s dead no worries...sir"

Lacotas eyes widen, and he makes a dash toward Ragger. "Hey now, what do you think you're doing? Sir, Sir. I need my ladle. Mr. Otter..."

Flicktail takes the Skippers paws hently inhis and bows "thank you Skippa... Ipromie you will have apleasant visit

She gives Flick a smile, "That's good ta hear." Then the young Skipper turns her head to Lee, "Oh, no mate, Hallow, she's jus' real busy these days, keeping things runnin' right around here. Lots a' food an' supplies to be gathered afore winter, y'know." she says with a grin. Then she returns her gaze to the Abbot, "Sure, that's quite all right. Tis the Abbey's sword, after all. Just don't cut yerself on it." she says playfully.

Benar says, "Well then Skipper, if you have no objections what say we ask the Friar to set up his cauldron and I'll have him make his famous Hot Root Pepper soup. I am told by the otters in the abbey that he is very good at it.""

Zinnia has fallen behind the group just a little as she was looking at a couple things and wrote down something as well. She smiles as she looks around “I like this place"

Lee laughs. "Ah, I see. Well, when ye next see 'er, say that Lee says 'ello. I got a little 'ouse around 'ere somewhere that I stay in from time ta time, when I ain't back at the Abbey."

Lacota stops short, overhearing the Abbot. Smoothing his robes down, he resumes his more professional demeanor. "Ahem, yes, quite. I make it my job to be the best chef in Mossflower, if I do so humbly say so. I shall need my ladle back, however, before I can start."

Aibne grins at the idea of Hot Root stew, "Sounds good, but do he have enough, thar be a lot of otters here matey"

The two guards look eager and even the sheepish younger otter gives a soft smile at the mention. "Aye, I think we'd like that jus' fine, Abbot." she says, leaning in as if she's telling Benar a secret, although her voice barely drops in tone, "An' between you an' me, there's some cooks here that've got some mean recipes of their own. Might like ta square off against your Friar, see who really makes it best, y'know?" Zephyr steps back, nodding to Lee, "I'll do jus' that, mate."

Benar laughs warmly, "That sounds like a fine idea to me, I am sure Lacota would relish the idea of challenging your cooks. Friar Lacota, what say you? Up for showing these Camp Willow chefs what a squirrel can do with Hot Root?" he lowers his voice, "I hope you'll excuse me if I skip the hot root, I can't abide the stuff myself."

Zinnia sighs as she walks over to Benar "My Uncle Zee was supposed to come, guess he decided not to, but maybe he will be at the feast later in the week" She smiles " Any history of this place that’s important to write down?"

Ragger seems entirely distracted by his pilfered kitchen instrument until there's a sudden squirrel there "Eh? Wha'? Ye'll 'ave t'speak up I got no clue wha' y'er chitterin' about" He gathers enough to consider that maybe the squirrel wants the ladle too and glances between the pair before he breaks out into a grin "Y'want a fish f'it? I'll get y'one" Lacota's distraction when he speaks to the abbot makes Ragger finally glance over there and he tilts his head with curiosity "Fancy lot"

One of the guards snorts, "Squirrels ain't go no business workin' with 'otroot. Takes an otter to make good 'otroot." The other guard nods in confirmation, and Zephyr shrugs a little. "Sounds like a competition ta me." she says with a laugh. "An' you know how competitive us otters kin be, once we set our minds to something." she says.

Lacota' puts his paws on his hips, akimbo. "I beg to differ, sir. I may not be an otter, but I'll have you know that I learned from the best, a genuine otter, the best way to prepare hotroot. Anything you can do, I can do, too. Maybe even better. Why, I know more recipes than anybeast has a right to."

Aibne watches the two argue over hot root ways and starts chuckleing and grins"This is funny..I love it!"

Benar says, "Well then let us set up some cooking fires and give our chefs some space.""

Zinnia says, "I don't think I ever tried hot root before, papa put it in oatmeal once. I have no clue why"

William ear-perks, his interest now piqued by the rivalry.

"Still had ta learn from an otter," the guard says, teasing the Friar a bit. "Well, sounds like no matter who wins, we'll be 'aving a real good dinner tonight." Zephyr says, "I don't think I’ll be able to stick around fer it right now, though. We've got some foraging groups coming back in, an' I need ta meet up wit' 'em." With that, she gives a little half bow, and her and the rest of the otters head off. However, now that introductions have been made, the other otters of the camp stream out, greeting old friends and making new ones.

Lee laughs. "Ye'd best watch out. Ol' Lacota 'as been known ta whack folks with a fryin' pan when riled up."

Aibne grins and yawns as he decides to go check on Mint and Silverstorm

Zee walks along the bank of the river and finally makes his way to the camp area. He got led on inside by an otter guard and nods as he looks around, " Intresting place suppose." He leans on his staff, " I dislike the mud by the river.So what is happening with yoy lot?"

Zinnia smiles large once she catches site of Zee and rushes over to him to hug him, "You came! I am so glad. I was wrorried you didnt want to come."

Benar says, "Ah Zee good to see you again, we are having something of a cooking contest it seems, the best chefs of camp willow vs our Friar""

Zee smiles and hugs Zinnia "Hey lass...." He glaces at Benar "Cooking contest? That should be intresting, hope tis good food walking alot makes one hungry" He goes to sit down "And before ya ask on stoires I need to rest a little first."

Zinnia says, "Any time is good time for stories Uncle Zee"

Adding to the mix of beasts a wearing looking traveler enters the village from the main entrance. The grey fox pauses at the gates. She is taken aback by the number of beasts here and hesitates. Then with a sly smile the grey fox tips her straw hat forward before marching forward into the village.

Lacota' hmms. "Well now, I need an assistant. Any volunteers?"

Benar says, "Yes please tell us a story Zee, whilst the chefs are cooking." he holds up his hands, "In fact if anyone wishws to join the contest please do go right ahead."

Zee asks, "A story? hmms sure I can come up with one..."He thinks "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 oldhe acted like a dibbun and probally 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 cam 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" He smirks remebering that day."

One of the redwallers approaches Rioko, the young mousemaid smiling, "Hello there, are you here to join Abbot Benar's processional? Our vermin guests have been given permission to join the Abbot's processional as long as they surrender their weapons. Usually camp willow is off limits to foxs and the like but today is a special occasion to honour our new Abbot." she gestures toward where BEnar is sat listening to Zee, smiling softly at the tale, "Zork and Oz are indeed great badgers, it is very good to know their other brother."

Zee smirks "I am not thier brother, I am thier Uncle...Zinnia's great Uncle" He yawns and nods "Now I need a nap" He then falls asleep, hey he is old :P

Shritana slowly walked up to Rioko, slightly hunched, her face hidden in the shadow of her hood. "Excuse me," she said in a slightly shaky, elderly voice, "Might I find any food or drink, here?"

The grey fox is once again taken abak by the woodlanders. Her broad tooth smile returns shortly enough, "Why yes! Yes I am with the processional! I'm the uh...uh..." Rioko is interutped by the seemingly older black fox. "Hey! Back off you ol'..." remembering the beasts she is around the vixen cuts herself short. "Oh whai ye-as there is! there is always food and drink for our beloved eldar-ly. Its the...Redwallian way! Come right this way!" the fox smiles to the mouse as she moves to the guard shack to turn in her weapons.

The young mousemaid gives Rioko a frown then turns to the other, "You may join the Abbot's group if you so wish, but you will have to surrender your weapons to these otter guards." she nods to three otters who have sauntered over, "And depart when they depart"

Shritana smirks under her hood, making a mental note to talk to this fox, later. She shook her head at the mousemaid. "I carry no weapons with me, dearie. Nothing but my cloak and my paws."

Lacota' is busy cooking, now, determined to outdo the otters.

Rioko feels absolutely naked with out her halberd, reguardless if her outfit leaves her belly exposed. The vixen casts her gaze about the camp. She has no desire to hear stories told by woodlanders, unless its to scare them to sleep, and while currious to know why a fellow vixen has arived here Rioko hasn't forgoten why she has come here, looking for grub and a place to rest for the night. Following her nose away from the group by the gates she moves towards the cooking pots, savoring the scents and smells and licking her chops.

The otter chefs have gathered around one of the big pots and are throwing in items of sea food, hot root peppers and various other vegetables! Cheering each other on loudly and excitedly as they try to make it better and hotter then Lacota's/

Shritana followed after Rioko, walking alongside her and speaking quietly so that nobeast else could hear her. "I see you and I have quite similar intentions, considering your speach." Her voice sounds different. Younger, even. "I think perhaps we may help each other."

Rioko pauses in her tracks. A serious look crosses her snout under the straw hat, "You finding some scamp to make a quick buck off of or eating otter food until your belly hurts?" Rioko replies, "Cause I'm firmly dedicated to doing both tonight...but I'm listening."

Shritana smiled. "Oh, I desire food only for tonight, but I have much bigger plans, believe me. However, I shall have to wait to explain them. I am very selective in who hears my words, you see. For now, however, yes, I desire food."

Lacota' tosses in heaping amounts of hotroot. "Hot enough for you, yet? I can keep going, Otters. I have plenty to go around."

Benar laughs softly at the story being told by one of the otters, the party around the Abbot laughing and cheering. The otter chef grins at Lacota, "We have plenty to go around but you won't make it 'otter then us! And look more fox's to test it on!"

Rioko raises an eyebrow. She only smiles in reply, gesturing for the vixen to take the lead she says, "Then after you dearie. After all, Age before Beauty." The fox then continues for the cooking pots. Rioko pauses in step looking up with a shocked expression. "W-what?"

Shritana snickers at the other vixen. "You believe me to be old, still?" Her voice returns to the shaky, elderly one. "Then, I suppose I'm doing, well." She smiles, and goes along with Rioko for the food.:snickers at the other vixen. "You believe me to be old, still?" Her voice returns to the shaky, elderly one. "Then, I suppose I'm doing, well." She smiles, and goes along with Rioko for the food.

Rioko looks shocked, "Did you say...hot root?" The vixen stood stock still. She liked spice but could her poor foxy tummy handle OTTER spices?

"Yes Hot Root! Give it a go," he hands out a large bowl of the strew to the vixen and smiles,

Rioko gulps she takes the bowl as if it’s her last meal. She holds her breath and licks it. She tastes it for a long moment. Takes a larger bite and then finally swollows the entire bowl, "Not bad. Nice after taste...could still be hotter."

Lacota' scowls. "I can make it so hot it would melt metal."

The otter grins at Lacota, "Ok then let's see what the vixen thinks of your soup Lacota."

The vixen gleefully wags her tail, offering to help 'judge' and test the soups...unaware what she is getting herself into...