A/N: sorry the last two chapters were short, I will try and make this one a little longer. If any of you can guess who the killer is before I reveal it, you get in on something I have in store for my next novel. I am just saying this because I have a good Idea that will wait until after the end of this "novel".
Langus stood at the Abbeys main gate. It was very early in the morning and Langus had gotten close to no sleep. He stood in front of Skipper and Foremole, feeling the gentle breeze going up the sleeves of his nightshirt. He and Arugus had opened the gate with some help from Skippers crew, and now the mole and otters stood out on the path.
Langus looked around, taking in the worried faces of the moles and otters that were leaving their Dibbuns behind. An otter named Rowjack gave his twin brother Hazick a final hug, a tear brimming in his eye.
"Don't worry, I will see you when you return next spring, slay some troublesome vermin for me, will you?" Whispered Rowjack into his brothers ear, his voice wavering.
"I will brother, I will" replied Hazick, a smile on his face trying to deceive the fact that he was on the verge of sobbing.
"See you later" said Rowjack, pushing his worried brother in the direction of Skipper.
Hazick gave his brother one last glance, not knowing it would be the last time that he would see his twin. Rowjack gave his brother a wink, and waved goodbye. Hazick returned the wave; he then turned away, hiding the tears in his eyes. He walked behind Skipper and stayed there with an almost solid expression on his face. His only fault was that his lip was quivering. Skipper turned and looked at the little otter, a smile playing on his lips.
"It will be fine, I remember the first time I left Redwall, and I was crying my eyes out, when I left my mother. Anyway, Rowjack is a seasoned fighter, even if you're not. He will be fine, nobody could get to him" Hazick felt much better after Skipper finished, he held up his head proudly.
All of the Redwallers that were awake came down to the main gate and stood behind Langus, rubbing their eyes.
"As you all know, I will be sending Foremole, Skipper, and their crews off to build Rosehall, a settlement to help older ones in northern Mossflower that can't travel down here to Redwall. Despite Martin's Warrior's warning, I will send out most of Skippers crews to protect Rosehall while it is defenseless. They will return in about four seasons. Log a Log Birmingham will be able to protect Rosehall from then on, until the whole abbey is built, then the creatures up north can move in"
Loud cheers accompanied the Abbots words. All the moles and otters were in a better mood now.
"And now, go off and build Rosehall!" yelled the Abbot, punching a fist in to the air.
Multiple champagne corks shot off from the path, followed by fizz and laughter as the otters and moles began taking large swigs. Much singing followed the crews as they headed north on the path. Sister Lia and Rowjack began singing an old Redwall farewell song
Oh goodbye
Bring along some good 'ol pie
Head out on and adventure
And bring back the golden Tresuuuure
Many Redwallers joined in all sing loudly and sweetly, until everyone was singing. Some woodlanders rushed back inside to grab various instruments.
You all are great Abbeybeasts
And when you return
We will break out the Feasts
Be sure to not let the food burn
Because our friends will be back again
Someday, we will see you round the turn
At the tables we all say Amen
Come back soon
Or the hares will steal your spoon
Goodbye, see you later
And when you return we will cater!
When they finished, the crews were out of sight. Laughter and gossip was loud and clear as most of the woodlanders headed back inside to prepare for the midday nameday feast. Langus and Arugus were at the back of the pack.
"Have you ever had the feeling that something very, very bad is about to happen?" asked Arugus.
"Yes" replied the now solemn Abbot.
"Well, I have that feeling, and something horrible is going to happen soon"
"I know" replied Langus "Martin told me"
Inside the famous Redwall kitchens, Friar Stallone was cooking up another huge feast. Lots of helpers ran about, making the elders dizzy. The squirrel Friar was checking the ovens, making sure his nameday cake was baking to perfection, while other were watching pies, scones, trifles, and the truffles.
Stallone watched as the meadowcream that was spread on the cake begin to bubble. He opened the oven door, and carefully removing the cake, burning his paw as he did so. Ignoring the numbing pain, he lowered the cake on to a table. He immediately began to suck his paw afterward. Leaving a Mousemaid named Setay in charge of the kitchens; he headed upstairs in to the infirmary. Sister Lia was standing in the doorway, a smirk on her face.
"I personally bet myself that you would come up here with a burnt paw. Anyway, now that you're here, come in" Lia stepped aside allowing Stallone to come in
He offered a grunt as thanks, and sat down in a chair. Lia came over and inspected the burnt paw, it was badly singed. She applied some aloe and made a bandage out of dockleaves and twine. Sitting back she asked the Friar a few questions.
"What were you doing when you burnt this?"
"Making a surprise cake for Abbot Langus"
"How did you burn it?"
"A flame flickered up and got my poor paw" The Friar resisted the temptation to begin sucking again.
"Did you start sucking on it?" sister Lia laughed on the inside a bit.
The Friar gave her a stern look. "Yes"
Lia could not stop herself. She laughed very loudly for a minute. It seemed like an eternity for Friar Stallone. When she was done, Lia told the embarrassed friar that he could leave. Stallone left grumbling to himself.
Back in the kitchens, Setay was doing an excellent job of keeping track of the various Redwallers.
"You there, stop eating the chestnuts or your confined to the dormitories until after the feast" she yelled at a molebabe who was trying to sneak off with a few pawfuls of candied chestnuts. He dropped them and ran off.
Setay sighed, and picked up the chestnuts. Placing them back in the bowl, she saw the Friar coming and went in to an immediate salute. It was very strange for the Friar to see Setay saluting him; he ignored her and went back to work.
At noontide, Arugus headed up Matthias's bellrope and rang both bells, signaling that it was time for the nameday feast. He scurried down the bellrope, hoping to be the first one to the table. He failed. All of the Redwallers, besides for baby Dolram and…. Rowjack.
