Ch
Ch.7
Repetition of History
Before I begin, I want to invite you to check out the Redwall forum I created. What non-canon animals would you like to see in the Redwall universe and why? Where will they live and how will they act? Are they woodlanders or vermin? But before you check that out, please R&R!
Night had settled over Mossflower Wood, the only light being the moon and the stars. The Redwallers were beginning to turn in for the night and Abbot Grayson was no exception. Accompanied by Joan, daughter of Phoebe and Bryon, the two walked down the darkened corridors until they reached the door to the Abbot's room.
"Well, here we are," said the reddish-brown furred squirrel cheerfully.
Grayson smiled at her as he opened the door. "Thank you for escorting me. My long seasons have really worn my joints out. I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast!"
"Um…Father,' said Joan before the Abbot shut the door. "If you don't mind, can I speak to you?"
"Of course my child," replied the ancient mouse as he reopened the door. "Have a seat." Joan did as she was told, sitting down in the chair by his desk while Grayson sat down in his large armchair. "Now then, what's troubling you my dear?"
Joan took a deep breath before beginning. "Ever since I was able to read, I've read anything I could get my paws on. When my mother thought I was responsible enough, she allowed me to read the ancient Abbey records. However, there was one point of history that concerns me."
"Why would something like that bother you?' asked the Abbot.
"I read of a mouse named Matthias and how he and his friends Basil and Jess went on a journey to free those enslaved by Slagar the Cruel," answered Joan. "And now Isaac, Munroe, Hardy, and Aeneas are off to free those enslaved by an evil pirate."
Grayson nodded in understanding. "It does hold some similarities and there have been several incidents in Redwall history of creatures being forced to row as oarslaves."
"But that's not the part that troubles me, well, troubles me the most really," continued the squirrel. "Reading further into the text, I learned that during the Abbey Champion's absence, one called General Ironbeak and his birds attacked Redwall. It might be a silly question on my part, but…is it possible for history to repeat itself?"
The Abbot took a few seconds before answering, "A repetition of historical events could definitely occur, but just because it can, doesn't mean it will." He walked over and patted her head. "Now hurry and get some rest. A pretty creature such as yourself needs your beauty sleep." Joan blushed slightly as she walked to the door, though she didn't know if it was because the head pat made her feel like she was still a dibbun or because of the Abbot's flattery.
Joan turned to the Abbey and bowed respectfully. "Thank you for your wisdom, I needed that. Goodnight!" She quietly shut the door, allowing the Abbot enough privacy to finally get ready for bed.
"That Joan is certainly a worrywart," Grayson said to himself as he removed his habit and slipped into his bed attire. "But she'll make a fine Abbess some day."
Meanwhile, roughly a mile from the Abbey, a group of vermin sat around a group of campfires, forgetting their tiredness. They have trained themselves to resist such things such as sleep, for it was part of their job as assassins. They were nomadic vermin, traveling from all over the land in search of what they considered their necessities: riches, food, drink, and bloodshed.
One of the vermin, a dark-furred weasel, was not sitting by a campfire, but instead walking towards a campfire separate from the others. That campfire belonged to his leader, Fingal the Evanescent. His title was well picked for his assassin prowess, being out of site one moment, delivering his deadly strike the next, and disappearing before anybeast knew what happened.
The weasel finally arrived at the campfire, kneeling before his superior. "I've return my lord and I bring news of what lies ahead of us."
Fingal, not bothering to take his pinkish-red eyes off the blazing fire, smiled behind the hood of his cloak. "What did you learn?"
"A mile northeast from this location lays a castle made of red stone," replied the weasel. "I saw candlelight being snuffed out by the windows, so creatures must live there. However, the walls were much too high for me to climb without the aid of equipment and I was unable to determine what creatures live behind the walls and how many."
"So, the tales are true," said Fingal. "That place…it is called Redwall Abbey. Inside live peaceful creatures, but there is also a warrior amongst them who serves as there protector. Many other objects of interest lie inside too, food and drink of the highest quality and riches beyond your wildest imagination. I have also heard tales of a spirit who lives there as the eternal guardian which has supposedly kept them safe," he removed his hood, revealing a head of albino fur as well as his pinkish-red eyes. "Until now."
"Shall I gather the rest of the clan?" asked the weasel.
The albino ferret shook his head. "In due time, but there is something I much do first." He drew his weapon, a long dagger with tiny barbs, perfect for tearing up a victim's body. A flat, metal skull connected the dagger and the hilt. "I crave the bloodshed of that warrior and I think I know how to get his attention."
I hope you enjoyed the chapter! You'll get to learn more about Joan's character in future chapters, but I'm pretty proud of how Fingal's intro turned out. Please R&R and don't forget to check out my forum!
