2

The feast is over, it didn't go as well as planned. While I was finishing my recording duties in the gatehouse the Badger Lord of Salamandastorn Snowfur came. When I finished with my recording duties I went to the great hall to join in on the feast, but when I entered Snowfur ran up to me socked me a good one right in the chest and picked me up by my neck and started to strangle me, good thing Deyna broke up the fight. So he dropped me and I passed out I've been in and out of consciousness for a while now but I heard that that punch broke three of my ribs, and also I heard Snowfur, Abbess Mhera, and my mother Melina beside my bed. Apparently he came to add insult to injury saying that allowing a fox to live in Redwall is a foolish idea, and that I should be sent out of here as soon as I feel better. When the Abbess told him to apologize he told her "Melina, Abbess I mean (you) no disrespect but I will not stoop so low as to apologizing to vermin like that fox, I bid thee farewell." I passed out again then. It must have been very late when I woke up again because everyone was asleep, but when I looked out the window I saw Abbess Mhera looking at me but it wasn't her, her eyes were bold, fierce, yet kind, and caring, all these signs pointed to one person Martin the warrior. She or should I say he told me

O recorder of Redwall Whose heart and mind" Are wise and true" You must leave this place" And return to the land you once knew"

Sleep took over again but I had very odd dream then I was in the great hall standing in front of the tapestry of Martin in full amour holding his great sword, suddenly the tapestry came alive and Martin looked at me and said

Where the light sets the opposite way you must go" Find the clan whose necks cut yet they walk" Only there you will find many answers then" A detour you must take to the land and person you hate and respect" A powerful ally you will find there yet" "Alone you will go? No you will not" Though friend, foe, or burden the choice is yours to made" "But you must chose fast when your lives are at stake" (Writer note: when editing work on the message)

Methususelah

Oh the feast was a disaster, Methuselah was finishing his recorder duties, checking the shelves for lose scrolls or books (he is always very good at that) and checking the candles, and recording the daily routine of the day and all that. But when he finished he went straight for the great hall and the feast, he was also carrying a few scrolls with him, probably for the yarn spinning tonight. But when he entered the great hall, that oversized, stupid, good for nothing badger (don't tell the Abbess I wrote that) ran up to Methuselah and punched that poor fox square in the chest, sending ink, paper, and quills all over the floor, and no sooner did Methuselah hit the ground Snowfur picked him up by his neck and started to strangle the poor thing. Oh thank the seasons Deyna broke up that fight, and according to Snowfur we have all gone mad letting a fox go with stealing writing supplies and he was probably trying to steal food. The very idea of it!! Methuselah is in bad shape, very bad shape. Sister Siggle says that Methuselah has three broken ribs, and it will be quite a while before he feels better, she assumes that he will be better in about......seven months, at less. He is unconscious, he has been unconscious for about three hours now. The feast continued but it wasn't the same, something was...missing. But the food was very good , no ones said a word since the incident besides asking for more food and such. Deyna decided to take Methuselah's place in the yarn spinning, but we have moved it form the great hall to the infirmary. After the feast ended Abbess Mhera went straight for the infirmary, she had some discussion with Snowfur, I don't know what she said to him but it made him very mad, so mad that he ordered his hares to pack up because they are leaving right away . Well I have to make my way to the infirmary, without Methuselah's help it will be about time for the reading to start by the time I get there (lackaday how I wish I was still young)

Rosabell

The feast was about to start, and everyone was helping each other to set up, because Abbess Mhera wanted this to be an enjoyable feast. Sister Siggle has been in the infirmary all day treating frostbite, busted lips for ice-skating on the pond and falling, and to just a little case of the sniffles. But no matter the case she always had the same treatment ready, one of the most affective yet worst tasting physicks you have ever tasted. Why the physick is the only reason dibbuns stay out of trouble so much.

Friar Dill was also working hard in the kitchens cooking, checking food, and occasionally sneaking a quick taste or two of certain foods, but the hardest job in the kitchens was keeping the Abby Foremole Fendle, and his best friend who was none other than the third biggest glutton in the entire Abby, Rabsire of course. This time Fendle was determined to go up a rank in the glutton chart at least by one, so the two were always trying to get an early start by trying to sneak into the kitchens but Dill was ready and posted sentries by the door. The cellar hog Rollell was doing what he dose best sleeping. Rosabel, and Methuselah were tiding up the gatehouse; a first in a while. Everyone was busy with something.

Abbess Mhera had posted sentries on the wall tops of keep a look out for Snowfur and the long patrol hares, she could hardly contain her excitement. "Are they here yet!" she called to the sentries on the north battlements.

"Ma'am you just asked us that two minuets ago please go inside it's so cold out here you will freeze your rudder off, and then Sister Siggle will have to physick you!" Loven called to her. So Mhera playfully clutched her rudder like tail and ran for the great hall.

Rabsire walked up to Loven the otter shaking his head saying "Tisk tisk, bad form there you know? An Abbess shouldn't act like a dibbun, that's the dibbun's jobs wot wot? You know Loven old chap I hope you never end up like that one. If you do, I'd probably have to keep a bottle of Siggle's physick with me just to keep you in check like you would a dibbun."

The two were clutching their ribs from laughing so hard when a voice called up to them "Jolly bad show chaps, wot's so funny about a full hare regiment and a badger freezing to death out in this bally old cold wot?"

The two immediately recognized the hare accent. Rabsire couldn't resist joking, calling back to the hare "Well never seen a frozen hare regiment and a frozen badger before. Hmmm you know they would look splendid next to the orchard and a few on the wall tops right? We wouldn't have to worry bout the chaps leaving their posts wot wot?"

The two disappeared from the hare's sight because the comical duo slipped and fell due to their back slapping, and constant laughing. So the hare threw up his paws in defeat shaking his head, and exchanging a quick glance to the badger lord of Salamandastorn, nodding his head the great badger called up to the two "I am Snowfur the faithful ruler of Salamandastorn if you don't open up these gates now I will break them down myself!"

The two stopped laughing seeing that this badger meant business. Loven looked at Rabsire saying "Well I don't know too much about badgers but I think this one means business, I think we should let them in." Rabsire nodded his head in agreement "I say capital idea that is, ummm you let him in." But the otter refused saying "No you're a hare you let your leader in."

The two argued for awhile until another call from the badger got them both moving for the gate at the same time. When they opened the gate they tried to act as courteous as they could, even though their teeth were chattering but not from the cold but from fear of the immense sight of the badger lord. Though despite this the two found out that the badger had very nice manners, which calmed their nerves a bit. The badger looked at the two from the gate asking "Pardon me sirs, but pray thee let us enter? It's dreadfully cold out here." The two stopped worrying about the badger and gave a hearty welcome saying "Welcome to Redwall Badger lord Snowfur, did you have a nice trip?"

Meanwhile the two recorders had to leave the gatehouse for fresh air again "Whew! That has got to be the fourth time we had to stop dusting to get some fresh air." Rosabell said wiping her brow. "Fifth time actually." Methuselah corrected.

She looked at Methuselah "Well well, aren't we the observant one today. I swear you are living up to your name Methuselah." He smiled and thanked Roseabel for the compliment and the went back inside the gatehouse but before the held their breath Methuselah said one last thing, with a grin "Well Roseabel, ready to face the dust storm again?"

She looked at him with a sad innocent face "Well Methuselah, do we have much of a choice?" The two laughed for a bit and taking a deep breath they went back to their duties.

Mhera was overjoyed to meet Snowfur again. The two ran to each other hugging, followed by greeting new faces and old faces from each side. Abbess Mhera led Snowfur to one of the most comfortable armchairs in all the Abbey, the Abbey badgers chair, which was set right behind the tapestry of Martin the warrior, the first and bravest warrior in the Abbey history. Snowfur was actually quite reluctant to sit in the chair "Well, Snowfur sit...sit you won't sink in the chair."

But once again Snowfur's manners had Mhera dumbfounded when he said "But Abbess I can surely not sit in this chair, for it is the chair of an Abby badger, and I'm surely not an Abby badger Mhera, I'm sorry but I cannot."

The Abbess looked at Snowfur in a funny way, as if to read his thoughts. There was a long silence until Mhera broke it first with a low chuckle, then saying "Oh Snowfur you are so much like your father Russano, well look you can sit in the armchair..." Snowfur interrupted moving close to the Abbess and talking in a low whisper "But I...."

This time it was the Abbesses turn to interrupt saying in a low whisper too "Look Snowfur I'm sure Cregga wouldn't mind if you sat in her armchair, come on please?" Snowfur was speechless; the Abbess had read his mind perfectly. But the Abbess had lost her patience by then saying in a loud stern voice "Just sit in the armchair!"

Snowfur did as he was told without any second bidding, and then the Abbesses mood changed completely. Smiling at Snowfur she asked "So Snowfur how's that hare of yours Tammelo De Fformelo Tussock II?"

Still speechless on how the Abbesses sudden mood swing, and how she had read his mind he said nothing, almost as if he was in a trance. The Abbess cleared his throat and Snowfur woke up then "Oh-oh yes umm Tammo II yes umm he's doing quite well umm yes right." The two couldn't help giving a small laugh, which grew to a louder laugh, and before they knew it the two were laughing like a pair of dibbuns having a taste of strawberry fizz for the first time. They wiped tears from their eyes then getting along they started to reflect on the past, until it was time for the feast.

"Oh Mhera I almost forgot to tell you, there is a new addition to one of our regiments that I regret couldn't make it here due to duties you know?" Snowfur had caught the Abbesses interest "A new addition to one of your regiments? Well for you to be telling me this it must be someone special, or your running out of things to talk about."

The badger lord grinned and said "Oh it is someone special...very special, I think you know him." But Snowfur stopped playing his game because he could tell the Abbess was getting annoyed.

"Well then, our newest member to the long patrols Lieutenant Tamello De Fformelo Tussock III. He's on a patrol but knowing hares and food I would give it about oh two more hours till they come here asking why they weren't invited to the party. I can hear it now; ahem I say jolly bad show having a party with all those good vittles, and not even bothering to ask a chap if he even wants to come."

Sure enough a little bit after Snowfur and Mhera had finished their conversation another long patrol regiment had arrived led by Lieutenant Tamello De Fformelo Tussock III, and Snowfur was right about one other thing, they came for the food which was the only thing on their minds; then again when there is a feast when isn't food the only thing on a hares mind?

When Mhera and Snowfur got word of this they were laughing so hard they didn't realize they had bumped right into the Friar who was carrying four very hot bowls of hot root soup for Deyna, Mhera, Melina, and Loven. Then they had to rush the kicking, screaming, kicking, Friar to the infirmary, apologizing constantly along the way.

Well the time for the feast is now; everyone has been waiting for the Abbesses permission to eat eagerly, in the Great Hall. Trays and platters of food were set out on the tables in the great hall, six hares have already asked the person sitting next to them to pinch them to make sure they weren't dreaming, and all the rest of the hares had thought they had been killed on the battlefield and they were in the dark forest. When Mhera came she cleared her throat "Well I'm glad to see some old faces back at Redwall, and equally glad to see some new faces as well. We have all gathered here for two reasons, peace among ourselves, and.....to dig in to this wonderful feast!"

A loud cheer of approval came from everyone there in the great hall. But just before everyone could pickup their forks and spoons Deyna rose from his chair calling for silence "Excuse me everyone, I have an important announcement. Too long have the otters been without a skipper since the last one to hold that title passed away."

Everyone in the great hall was eagerly waiting to see who the next skipper of otters was going to be "Now I have thought this over long and hard, and though he is still young he is very smart." Everyone in the room was looking across the table at each otter trying to match up the otter with Deyna's description "So that is why I must congratulate Loven my son."

Loven had a look of shock and surprise, and was completely speechless. Deyna spoke very loud then so that everyone could hear his announcement "Loven you shall now be known as Skipper of otters." This was followed by a standing ovation. Rabsire came to Loven's seat and patted him on the back "Well congratulations Lov-I mean Skipper." Deyna, and Melina came up to their son hugging him and congratulating him.

It had been an hour after the feast had commenced and there was still no sign of Methuselah. The Abbess went over to Sister Rosabel and asked her if she knew where Methuselah was. It was hard but Rosabel managed to turn her head away from the food "Oh you know Methuselah he's probably finishing his recording duties, from what I heard he will be recording even while we are eating, reminds me of a certain me when I was younger, he should be here soon, I just hope he doesn't bring an appetite like those hares do, I could have sworn there were ten deeper'n'ever pies no longer than two minuets ago, but now there are five."

The Abbess shook her head "Well it must be because of Fendle and Rabsire having an eating contest again. I swear it's like this every feast. Fendle smirked at Rabsire looking at his plate "Hurr hurr, urr zdill on ee zekend plade ov meddew cream poi, oim on ee verve."

Rabsire shook his head scornfully at the mole "I say haven't you heard the bally phrase slow and steady wins the race." Fendle smiled dumbly at Rabsire saying between mouthfulls "No oim hoven't zurr. But oll oi knows is that iom beatin you." Rabsire looked mad and muttered "Well see o fat one wot wot?"

Shortly after, Methuselah entered the great hall, and was carrying lots of parchments for the yarn spinning, a few quills, and two bottles of ink with him. But when Snowfur saw the fox enter the great hall, everyone gasped at what happened. Snowfur got out of his seat yelling intrude, running up to Methuselah punching him in the chest sending paper, quills, and ink all over the floor.

Methuselah must have flown several feet from where he was standing; the wind was knocked completely out of him. No sooner did Methuselah hit the ground that he was back up in the air again, because Snowfur had him by the neck, up against the wall and was strangling the fox. Acting quickly Deyna grabbed a walking stick from one of the hares and bringing the hardwood down on the badgers foot causing him to drop the fox. Now everyone was shocked about what happened, well everyone except for Friar Dill who sat back in his armchair saying to himself "Serves Chickenhound right."

While everyone stopped eating Rabsire went up Fendle "I think that this jolly old eat off be postponed until this hubbub dies down agreed?" The two shook paws and then ran over to see if they could assist in any way.

Methuselah had to be carefully taken to the infirmary as quickly as possible because he was barely breathing. Sister Siggle shooed the crowd out until she finished. When the crowd came back in she was giving him a physick, she told them that Methuselah was hurt badly, he has three broken ribs, and that it would be quite a while before his bones heal, seven months being the lowest. But the whole time she was talking Friar Dill was snickering, chuckling, and making rude comments about Methuselah. That is until Sister Siggle and a couple of hares grabbed him and held him still while Sister Siggle poured a full bowl of physick down the Friars throat, then pushing him away yelling at him "You know what Friar I think you needed that more then Methuselah, you look more sick to me. Now get out of my infirmary now all of you! Abbess, Snowfur you two stay here."

Sister Siggle was still breathing hard, she was obviously still mad. Looking sternly at the two "I'm not going to ask how this happened; I'm not going to ask why. I'll leave that kind of talk for you three. Abbess, Lord Snowfur, Melina stay in here, if he wakes up I want him to hear what you three have to say. Good day." So she walked out of the infirmary.

There was a long silence in the room; the only noise was the struggled breathing of Methuselah. Melina finally broke the silence, first with a long sigh "So, you thought that he was an intruder?"

Once again nothing was said for awhile until Snowfur answered turning to the Abbess, most likely for support "Abbess Mera we have known each other for awhile, you knew my father before he...well. Anyway pardon my saying but he is an intruder, right?"

The Abbess slowly shook her head "It's just because he is a fox isn't it? You know Snowfur my friend there is an old saying recorders use, you can't judge a book by it's cover. Do you know what that means?" Snowfur nodded his head in agreement "Aye I know what it means, but there is an old saying us badger lords use, once vermin always vermin. Though this fox has been privileged to live in Redwall you mustn't forget that he is still a fox, it is not a matter of if he will show his fox qualities, but a matter of when, how, and if it will get anyone hurt or killed."

Melina shook her head with disbelief, and with tears flowing down her eyes she said "I...I am at a loss for words, if you saw what this poor creature has gone through, mocked, ridiculed, hated, why? I'll tell you why, it's because he is a fox. He's expected to be bad so he is treated badly, and you know what? So far I think everyone in this Abby is doing one heck of a good job putting him down, I'd probably run away by now if I were in his position."

Snowfur slowly turned to Melina "Maybe...maybe sending him away is the best thing for the Abbey." The Abbess was about to protest at Snowfur's comment but Melina shook her head.

She spoke through tears "I raised him since he was a kit, you don't have children you don't know what it is like. To you he is a fox, vermin. To me he is my son and I love him. Now Snowfur apologize now! But not to me, to Methuselah, now!!"

Snowfur rose quickly from his chair infuriated "Melina, Abbess I mean you no disrespect but I will not stoop so low as to apologize to vermin like that fox. I bid thee farewell." With that he walked out slamming the door behind him. The two jumped when Snowfur slammed the door. "Melina I..." Mhera began, but she stopped and left the room thinking that it was best to give Melina some time alone.

Melina was sitting next to Methuselah's bed still sobbing when someone else came in the room. At first she thought she was alone because she heard no door open or close. Then she felt a paw touch her shoulder, she didn't feel startled because the paw felt warm, comforting, she turned around to see who it was. It was no one else but Martin of old, the first Abby warrior. His eyes were bold, fierce, yet calm, peaceful. He said little, wiping the tears from the Abbess eyes he said "Now now no tears from a beautiful otter...there better." Then walking over to Methuselah's bed he look at him ad said "Melina you are right about this fox, he is a Redwaller, I can look at him and tell. He will have to live a hard life but in the end he will be remembered forever in this Abbey." Melina suddenly started to feel woozy. She rubbed her eyes and when her paws lowered Melina wasn't entirely surprised with what happened. No sooner did Martin appear, he vanished again. Sister

Siggle walked into the room and put her paw on Melina's shoulder saying "Melina are you alright?" Melina nodded her head slowly "Yes...yes I'm fine I had a nice visit from a very old and wise person." Sister Siggle was completely dumbfounded because she knew no one entered the infirmary all she saw was Snowfur, and the Abbess leave the room.

When Melina left the infirmary Sister Siggle told her to go and get something to eat. She went but only because she has always trusted Siggle. When she entered the great hall Deyna, Rollell, and Skipper were cleaning up the mess of ink, quills, and parchments. When the two saw Melina they abandoned what they were doing and immediately asked her how Methuselah was doing.

Her eyes were still red from all the crying she did, she sniffled a little and spoke in a tone like she had lost her voice "Methuselah isn't fairing so well. According to Sister Siggle he has three broken ribs, and he has been strangled so badly that his neck has been injured as well; he can barley breath."

The two shut their eyes tight and shook their heads. Deyna looked as if he were about to cry as much as his wife did "Oh Snowfur why? Why dose Methuselah have to live such a hard life?"

Friar Dill was leaning against the door chuckling loudly "So Deyna you don't know why Chickenhound has lived such a hard life eh? Well I'll tell you, it's actually quite simple. It's because Chickenhound is fox he has been fox and he will always be a fox! Do you know what a fox is? Vermin that fox is vermin he belongs with ver..."

The friar's insults were cut short because of a right hook from Rollell. The hedgehog went over to the chubby harvest mouse paws quivering with rage "Be quiet you sorry excuse for a Redwaller. You have made fun of this poor fox, you have taken every opportunity to put him down, and even when he is badly injured you still mock him!!"

He picked up the mouse like he weighted nothing and told him in a soft evil tone "Well you will not mock him any longer." Rollell clutched and raised it high in the air ready to pound the life out of the mouse. "Stop!!!" Melina's yell caused all action in the room to cease, she was crying again but even more than last time, she spoke between gasps for air "Why...are...we...fighting...Meth...us...elah...would...nt...have...wanted...it...I...don't...wan't...it...n ot...for...reasons....like...this."

She fell down on her knees crying, Deyna sighed "Rollell put Dill down, I know what he deserves, but it will not be done by the paws of another Redwaller, understand?" Rollell dropped the friar, and staring off into space he said in a monotone voice "Get out of my sight rat, before I change my mind."

The friar stumbled over many times before he got out of the great hall running to the infirmary with his broken jaw. Rollell walked over to Deyna to give some more support for Melina but he first let out the last bit of his anger "Deyna requesting permission to eat food that hasn't been prepared by that rat!" Deyna looked into the flaming eyes of the hedgehog "Permission granted, but only if I can join you."

Later on that day Deyna remembered that the yarn spinning was tonight, he would feel bad if Methuselah wasn't there, but then he got an idea. He rushed to the infirmary and walked over to Sister Siggle "Excuse me Miss. Siggle." She turned away from her work delighted to see Deyna "Deyna it's wonderful to see you. Is this about Methuselah?"

Deyna wasn't paying attention he was looking around the infirmary as if planning something. He was brought back by Siggle clearing her throat "Oh yes this is sort of about Methuselah." Siggle was confused "I was wondering Siggle if we could use the infirmary for the yarn spinning tonight?"

Siggle was about to scold Deyna for the idea but thought better, so she smiled and nodded her head. Deyna was overjoyed because he was reading what Methuselah picked to read, and he was going to read it to him, something he hasn't done in seasons.

That night everyone came to the infirmary, but not only to listen to the stories, but to see Methuselah also. Well almost everyone, about seven didn't show up, but no one was too surprised, in fact they expected less to come. Methuselah was still breathing very hard so everyone had to speak a little louder than they normally would. Everyone told great stories except for Sister Siggle and her story about how physick was made and how it has changed so much through the seasons.

But when Deyna came up to read he noticed that Methuselah was smiling, which gave him a little more confidence. He read the story of how Martin the warrior got his blade, and the story of Mathias the warrior because he knew it was Methuselah's favorite story.