Chapter 4

Lingen Reguba was in conference with Abbess Avelle, Mother Brilla, and Brother Lucas later that morning. Leslie hadn't liked being left out, but she was needed to help Friar Gringle in the kitchens again. What were they talking about? It was obviously something very important. Perhaps they were having guests over for the Jubilee Feast. Yes, that was it. Lingen had invited his woodland friends to the feast and they were coming that afternoon.

Leslie was brought abruptly out of her rêverie by Friar Gringle, who found her standing next to a pile of dirty plates, staring into space. "Leslie! Let's get our 'eads out o' the clouds! Noontide'll soon be 'ere an' th' dishes'll need t'be ready for eatin'." Leslie was so startled she nearly jumped out of her brownish fur and had to stop herself from dropping the plate she was holding.

"What, huh, or er, just cleaning the morning dishes, Griar Fringle-- uh, Friar Gringle sir."

The kindly Friar gave her ear a tweak as he walked by in the direction of the ovens. "Yes, well see th't y'get 'em nice an' clean afore th' meal be served wi'out plates. Hi, Foremole, what's all this?"

The small mole tugged his snout politely as he spoke, carefully avoiding eye contact with the hedgehog Friar. "Hurr, zurr Froir, oi'n ee uther moles be getting' ee gurt bowls fur ee deeper'n'ever poi, hurr aye!"

Friar Gringle sighed and looked skyward. He should have known better than to think that there would be a feast at Redwall without the moles making their famous tater'n'turnip'n'beetroot deeper'n'ever pie. "Oh, very well Foremole, but kindly wait until after th--" But Foremole had already gone.

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Ferrence Silvercoat was the oldest of the four foxes in his skulk. He was known by all the woodlanders who knew him for his wisdom and foxlike slyness. At the moment his aged mind was working over the current developments in Mossflower.

Outside his favorite room in which he was pondering so intently, Fairgrass Silvercoat, Poisonleaf Wolfbane, and their hedgehog guest Dangur Furgin had just assembled. "Grandfather's been in here since the morn, waiting to speak with you," Fairgrass said to her two companions. She knocked lightly on the door, twice. A somewhat old but strong voice came from within.

"Enter, friends."

Fox and hedgehog entered the dusky room, Fairgrass closing the door behind them so the three could converse in private. Dangur Furgin found himself in what must have been the oldest room in the entire oak den. Half of the walls were covered with odd scrolls and books, with a lamp in the opposite corner. The awestruck hedgehog then reallocated his attention to a fox, slightly older than himself and many seasons past his prime, seated in an oakwood chair opposite the door. His graying fur seemed only to assert the great wisdom one could immediately tell he possessed. Dangur also noted the great respect which the darker fox Wolfbane showed the elder. Ferrence addressed the hedgehog once they were seated in similar oaken chairs.

"Fairgrass has informed me of our problem. It has been many seasons since Mossflower has been tread upon by vermin."

"Aye, yes sir, but if it be anybeast's problem I would say 'tis on'y my problem. Y'see, 'tis my son they have captive at their camp--"

"Shh! Do not interrupt your elders. It is as much our fight as it is yours. Vermin in Mossflower Wood means trouble for all woodlanders alike. So you see, that is why we must help you rescue your son and drive this horde out of Mossflower."

The hedgehog was dumbstruck, only managing to let out, "You'll help me? But how?"

Once again the older fox silenced him with a wave of his paw. "I have the beginnings of an idea. I am glad of two fresh minds to assist me. Perhaps if we put our heads together, we can think of a way to get your son away from there to safety."

.

The inhabitants of Redwall did not have to wait long to find out what Lingen's conference with the Abbey leaders was about. After the noon meal the Abbess stood up and addressed the entire assembly.

"As you all know, our generation has enjoyed peace and prosperity for many seasons now." This opening statement was followed by a few gruff "hear, hear's" from the otter section. Brilla the Badgermum banged the table loudly to restore order.

"Silence! Let the Abbess speak! The next one of you seadogs who interrupts will have me to contend with!" This was followed by a few grunts, but order was restored among the Redwallers.

"Thank you, Brilla," Abbess Avelle haltingly said to the large Badgermum in the stunned silence. "W-well, as I was saying, general peace has reigned in Mossflower for many seasons now... But I fear that all may change very soon." Redwallers voiced their confusion and speculation aloud to one another until Cavern Hole, the smaller dining hall at Redwall, was echoing with voices. Mother Brilla once again had to restore order.

"Silence, everybeast! Please wait until young Lingen has said his peace before you say anything! Silence, I say, quiet!" The badger banged the table hard with her paw to emphasize her last word. Once again the hall became silent.

.

Leslie the mousemaid was sitting in between Hinkle, a Dibbun dormouse, and the reprimanded molebabe Dribber, who had been captured by Sister Polly and bathed as originally planned. Leslie had wondered why Lingen had sat next to Brother Lucas and Mother Brilla instead of her and their other friends, but it now seemed somewhat clear. But Leslie could still not help wondering, what was it Lingen had seen that was so important?

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Mother Brilla, her paws still smarting, then turned the floor over to Lingen Reguba. He stood up and spoke clearly to all gathered there, although at some points scattered whispering was easily heard in the room. "Fellow Redwallers, two sunrises ago I was at the far western fringes of Mossflower Wood with a friend of mine. We heard some sounds, must have been a tree falling, we thought. So I climbed up the nearest tree, cedar I believe it was. Well, when I got up and looked around, I saw a horde of vermin, must've been at least threescore, no, a hundred of them." This statement cause even more disarray among the listeners. Lingen continued, "They were about a day's march east of where we were at, and coming fast. So that's when I decided I'd better come and warn you that vermin were nearby, so I started yesterday morning and got here as fast as I could." Once Lingen had finished, questions from concerned Redwallers filled the air.

"Are you sure they were heading towards Mossflower Wood?"

"Yes. They were marching much too purposeful to not know where they were going."

"Will they try to come here and take the Abbey, d'you suppose?"

"There's no telling whether or not they know we're here, but I suppose it's best to be on the safe side of things."

"What about your friend? Where is he?"

"He lives in the northern part of the woods. It's well out of the way from where they were going."

"What do we do then?"

"Should we go out and have a look?"

"No, maybe we should stay here where it's safe?"

"Cedar tree, y'say?"

As the questions came pelting in, Mother Brilla finally stood up and spread her paws wide. "Now, now, enough questions, let young Lingen speak. What do you suggest we do, Lingen? You saw the vermin, after all."

Lingen thought over the question carefully, realizing the position of authority he had been put in. "I say, we should organize some volunteers to scout out the woods," he said. "That way we can find out where the vermin are located."

"Then it's settled," Brilla said without hesitation. "All willing able-bodied beasts meet outside the gatehouse in two minutes. Then we'll see about some horde of vermin setting foot near our Abbey."

And with that, the meeting was adjourned.