An Abnormal Ally
Redwall and all creatures belong to Brian Jaques, except for Rawth, his brother, and all those under him. I claim them as my own!
Writings of Recorder Craklyn
During the time of Abbess Tansey, my good old friend, we had many feasts over the seasons. Our summer feast will be called "The Feast of Friendship", and for good reason. We have received a visit from the sea otters of Ruddaring Island. Grath Longfletch and Inbar Trueflight are now the Chieftains of holt Wallyum Rudderwake! They had had five otter kits, all of whom, along with the rest of Holt Wallyum Rudderwake, are being entertained by Skipper and his otter crew.
And the feast looks like it will be wonderful! Our Cellarbeast, Friar Furlo, is bringing up the barrel of Redwall's "Cup of Cheer" with the help of Diggum, his assistant. The Foremole and his assistant, Gurrabowl, are having the molecrew bake a deeper'n ever tater and turnip pie. And the new cooking assistant, Arven, is helping to bake dinner. How he can stand being in that hot kitchen is a mystery to me!
Not unlike those that had gone of the expedition that defeated the pine marten Ublaz, the other Redwallers and myself were greatly honored that they had left their island just to come visit us. Apparently, just before Grath had seen the others off, Martin had told Grath and Inbar how to find Redwall Abby were they ever outside Ruddaring Island and in need of a friend. They had decided to take a risk and leave their island to come visit us. I feel greatly honored that they would leave the veritable safety of their island to come and visit us at Redwall.
Oh! I hear the Feast of Friendship beginning! I better get ready to go. Well, to all those reading this, you may come visit us anytime.
Recorder Craklyn wiped her hands on a rag to remove the ink from her paws. Leaving the book she had been writing in to dry, exited the gatehouse. Craklyn looked at the sky, reveling in the warmth. "Ah. A perfect summer's night for a feast. And the perfect name for a feast with many friends, old and new."
Craklyn walked halfway to where the banquet was when she heard a banging on the main doors. She stopped and looked around. "Must have been my imagination…" But more banging was heard on the door. Craklyn made her way over to Skipper and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Skipper, I think I heard someone at the Main gate. Could you see who it is? I don't think I can open the door."
Skipper turned towards Craklyn and smiled ruefully. He patted her ink stained hand. "That's understandable, Craklyn. That lizard scare ten seasons ago still affects me, too. I'll go see." Skipper ran towards the stairs that led to the top of the wall, grabbing a torch as he ran. Leaping them two at a time, he turned at the top and slowed down over the main gate. He looked down at the gate to see a huge form there, almost as big as a badger. "Hello, down there. What's your business?"
The form looked up and Skipper saw its eyes flash green in the torchlight. He heard a weak voice float up from the form. "My name is Rawth Silverback. I'm being chased by vermin! Please, help me. I promise I will do no harm."
Skipper saw that Rawth was like no creature he had ever seen. Then he also saw how injured the creature was already. Even if he wanted to, Rawth couldn't do much in his condition. "We'll help you Rawth, but don't be surprised if we are a little mistrusting. We've been fighting of vermin and the like almost this entire season."
Rawth simply nodded and lay his head back down. Skipper zoomed back down to the party where he grabbed a few of his otter crew. Their weapons had been left near the wallsteps for just such an occasion. Skipper drew back the log holding the doors closed and pulled open the doors. Rawth was exactly where he had been before; his wounds were slightly open, not bleeding much, but enough to make him weaker.
The otters dragged Rawth inside, and not a moment too soon. Vermin had been spotted at the edge of Mossflower woods. Skipper quickly shut the door and barred it. He felt a tug on his shirt from behind, so he turned towards the source. It was Rawth, just barely awake, his paw up. "Thank you." Skipper put out his paw and shook Rawth's large one before Rawth fainted.
(First story here, so don't be TOO critical.
In any case, please read and review! There's more on the way:) )