Prologue
Rollo Bankvole put down his pen and headed out to the courtyard. Mattimeo, Tess, Sam, Cheek, Elmtail, Honeycomb, and all of the retired warriors greeted Martin II, son of Mattimeo and Tess, and current Warrior to Redwall. Mattimeo gave his son a big hug.
"Welcome home," Mattimeo said with a heartfelt smile upon his whiskers. Martin smiled back at his father and nodded to his mother.
"It's great to be back, I've got a good story to tell everybeast. Meet me in Cavern Hole, but first I need some of Friar Higgle good ol' fashion vittles!" Martin announced. Like leading a parade, Martin had a line of beasts following him, the dibbuns were trotting behind Martin. Tansy, a young hedgehog maiden marched along side Martin. She was she recently came out of sibbunhood, being six seasons old.
"So, Martin, story ya got for me?"
"Oh, Tansy. My story about my journey is for everybeast."
"Nuh-uh, liddle ol' me is the only one who get to lissen to your story!"
"You little villain," Martin said to the young maiden, he gave her a bit of a stern but playful glance at the little maid. Tansy covered her face and giggled out loud, the creatures of Redwall all crowded into Cavern Hole, all taking a seat at a long table. Abbot Durral had Friar Higgle whip up something special for everybeast for Martin's return. Higgle Stump saluted to the Abbot with his ladle, puffed out his chest, and spoke in a low bassy voice.
"Aye, aye, sir!" The Friar of Redwall stomped off, but it wasn't in frustration or anger, Higgle was justing being a goof. Furlo and Auma rolled out a humongous barrel filled with elderberry cordial. Everyone of Redwall grabbed a chalice, cup, goblet, tankard, and beaker, and filled it to the brim. They sat back down to where they were seated. After a few hours of waiting, Friar Higgle and his helpers returned with trolleys of food. A pot of freshwater shrimp and hotroot pepper soup for the otters, and the ones who were daring. Beetroot and potato pies, black currant tarts, strawberry scones, trifles, flans, and fruit salads. Foremole licked his lips and rubbed his digging claws together.
"Scrrp, boyokie, dis'n look gurtly tasty, if'n you askin' oi," he said in amazement of all the food. Tim Churchmouse placed a paw on the mole's shoulder.
"Pace yourself, friend. There is plenty of food for everybeast."
Foremole winked at Tim, "Burr, dat's true, Tim. You're right oi best be pacin' myself."
After their lunch, it was story time. Everyone gathered around Martin, the dibbuns sitting on the cobblestone floor.
"Now, I am going to tell you about my journey. Three seasons ago I travelled with a badger, a hare, and a fox."
"A fox?" everybeast shouted in unison.
"Yes a fox, may I please continue?"
The Redwallers all apologized at the same time.
"Now where was I, oh yes! The warriors I journeyed with were a badger, hare, seaotter, and fox. All five of us asventured southeast from the Abbey, we had gotten word that a wildcat family and their hordes were terrorizing the denizens of the southeast beaches."
