Chapter 2

Extract from the writings of Saxtus, Father Abbot of Redwall Abbey in Mossflower Country.

It has been a good four seasons since the autumn my friends Mariel and Dandin left our shores with their young comrade Bowly Pintips. Even though I knew a quiet, peaceful life wasn't for them, I was still grieved at their parting. Whenever I think of them, I yet again wish that I hadn't been so studious and well-behaved, that way I could be with them. But then I come to my senses and realize that some things just aren't meant to be.

I am far too settled in my abbey ways; far too settled in enjoying a good meal three times a day, too. And besides, if I weren't here, who else would've been made Abbot? Or Abbess? And I never would have the simple joy of watching Dibbuns play and grow up, or enjoy long talks with Rufe Brush and Durry Quill, or welcome new additions to our abbey.

And speaking of new additions, less than a season ago, a new arrival came in the form a pretty young mousemaid by the name of Nona. She came to our abbey, seeking a better education, and ever since then she's been pouring over old books and organizing them. The young maid actually rather enjoys herself, being a self-proclaimed 'bookworm', just like I had been at her age. I have decided to surprise her by making her my apprentice at recording. It would do us both a favor: she could continue on her love of writing and studying, and I would only have the duties of Abbot to worry about, and have ink-free paws to eat my food with.

What a greedy glutton I've become! Makes me think of what Dandin said to me all those seasons ago when he came back from Southsward: "You look more like an old Father Abbot than ever! Dearie me, what a tummy!"

Oh well. I suppose that's what happens when you're a contented old - oh, there I go again! Calling myself old! And I'm only twenty-five seasons! But then again, oh well.

There's been other happenings here at the abbey too: over the summer, Blaggut, the kindly searat - pardon me, ex-searat, made quite a few visits. Some of them were short, while the others were long, but he was always ready to play with the Dibbuns, especially Hollyberry (who is not so much of a mousebabe any more) and Furrtil. Blaggut has become a very beloved creature at our abbey; he's very kind and always so helpful. He's surprisingly strong too, and so can help move things that are too heavy for any of the mice, and he's quite skillful at repairing the Dibbuns' boats.

I asked Blaggut how his boat-building in Mossflower was coming along, and he admitted that at first things were a bit tough, but after awhile things started looking up. His farm is thriving, and he's made quite a few friends with his business: a bankvole family moved in nearby, and he helped repair their family boat; a crew of shrews crashed not far from his home, and not only did he fix up their rafts but also bandaged them up and gave them food, thus earning him a deep comradeship with the Guosim. Blaggut has also become friendly with Skipper and his otters.

It always does everybeast good to be around Blaggut. He's still illiterate, though, and often forgets to take a bath, but, just like the late Brother Simeon once said, "One can forgive a little ripeness from a creature with a good heart." Plus, I've been able to help him a little with reading and writing, and he's quite eager to learn more. In fact, I plan on asking him if he'd like to stay at the abbey throughout this winter, that way we'd have more time for lessons.

Ah, just thinking of winter makes me realize how fast the summer seems to have gone. Autumn is just beginning to arrive; the leaves are slowly turning red and gold, and the air has a crisp chill about it. It also makes me realize I should probably be helping them in the kitchens make the preserves. And I have had yet another memory of something Simeon said to me:

"It would spoil the Dibbuns' fun if you appeared in the kitchens; they'd have to behave with an Abbot hanging around."

Ah, Simeon. May you rest in peace.

Just then a knock came from the gatehouse's door. A young mouse poked his muzzle in.

"Father Abbot? Are you in there? Its almost teatime, we need you to say the grace!"

Saxtus chuckled as he set his pen down. "Yes, Brother Mallen, I'm coming. Goodness me, has it really taken me that long to write all this? Ah, no matter. Since I seem to be recalling things that have been said in the past, I shall say what I once said to Joseph the Bellmaker: I cast aside the pen in favor of the spoon."

Mallen arched an eyebrow, not comprehending exactly what his abbot meant. "Er, right, Father Abbot. Now let's get going, shall we?"


A/N: I read in an interview where someone asked Jacques why the mousebabe was called "mousebabe", and Jacques asked them, didn't they know a family where the baby was called "the baby"? However, since the mousebabe would be older in this fic, he could no longer be called "mousebabe", and there's been some speculation if Hollyberry from "Salamandastron" was the mousebabe. He probably wasn't, but still, he probably was. In the end, though, I was too lazy to come up with any original name for the mousebabe, so I just went with making him Hollyberry.