This is a series of drabbles from during or before The Dark Empire. Enjoy!
Redwall Abbey
Old Abbot Mervo sat in his favorite chair in the gate house. The silver fox made himself comfortable, then selected a book from the shelf. Reading, he thought of the adventures he'd gone on in his own life. "I really must write my own book," he muttered to himself.
"That would be a good tale, father," said the old Gatekeeper, Chubbo Wiltud.
Mervo smiled. He was now abbot, but the Gatehouse would always have a special place in his hear; he had once been the recorder and historian there, and it was here where he learned many important things that saved him.
"Maybe..." said the fox, smiling to himself. He really should.
"Hmmm..." said Chubbo. "I think I hear somebeast knocking on the door... I'll go see..."
Mervo settled in with his book. Outside he could hear the gates being opened, and a faint conversation going on. Moments later, Chubbo returned, followed by another hedgehog, though this one much older, with light gray fur and beard, grayish quills, but his ice-blue eye still seemed young. He held a sturdy hawthorn staff carved with intricate runes.
The hedgehog extended a withered paw to Abbot Mervo, who shook it. "Hello, traveler, take a seat. My name is-"
"Abbot Mervo, son of Erzvin and Zeela." Mervo gave him a strange look, to which the hedgehog just smiled. Continuing, he said, "My name is Ollvar Mazt. 'Course that's not my real name, I might tell ye later."
"What-"
"I'm here 'cause 'tis cold outside. And also they told me to."
"Who are-"
"I might tell ye that later as well. They also told me to tell you some stories."
"Stories?"
"'Course! I am much older than I look, and I'm on my way out. You can record 'em!"
"Wait-"
"Lissen, Mervo. What I know compared to what you know is like comparing a wolverine and an ant."
The fox sighed. "Well, be that as it may, I still don't understand."
"Hmmm... Listen. Basics is, I've come to tell you some stories that you can write down. Secrets lost in history. Answers to questions. I will tell you them."
Mervo shrugged. "I don't know who you are, but I'm always open to new knowledge. Now, what do you have to say?"
Ollvar Mazt smiled. "Well, my tale-telling begins..."