I was rereading my previous chapters in this story, and realized I was inconsistent in the amount of time passed between Juniper's arrival at Redwall and when her parents died, so I'm saying now: It was approximately eight seasons in between. Sorry if this confused any of you readers out there.

Pipsey, Sareen, and Hoffy stood around the table bearing the gold plate. Song, Dann, Hollyhock, Skipper, Bankley, Foremole, and the Recorder mouse Orwell also were in attendance, staring at the strange markings the item bore. Skipper was first to speak.

"I do say, I've never seen anything like that before in my life."

"Aye," Orwell said, "nor have I. But, I think I can help you in terms of understanding all of those little markings."

Song looked at him, amazed. "Well, tell us, please!"

"It appears to be Loamscript. That's the language used at Loamhedge before Redwall was built. I can read it; yes, yes, it does make sense. I learned it as part of my Recorder training; John Churchmouse suggested in one of his logs that all Recorders should learn Loamscript, just in case it should be of need. And now, it is!"

"Then, please, Orwell, translate the message for us," Dann said excitedly.

"Ahem…" Orwell was about to begin. "Is there some parchment and a quill with which to record it?"

Supplies were quickly fetched, and Orwell began. "It's a poem, no, actually, a riddle." He squinted at the plate. "Here is what is says:

'Four creatures not alive

With power to stop all that thrive.

No want for them in peace times

Fools with them commit crimes.

Out of bell tower, south a day

West at the triple cherry spray

Then find those who fell trees,

Metal ones who sting like bees,

Those who hum and spit out ground,

And some that at the top, flint is found.'

"That's all of it, Abbess." Orwell sat down, and Pipsey looked at the poem.

"Well, it's quite a riddle, I'll grant you that." She looked at her friend. "Sareen, you are good at solving these things, aren't you?"
"I do enjoy them, yes," she said. She took the parchment, and read the first two lines. " 'With power to stop all that thrive.' Hmm, well, I imagine that what's being spoken of is weapons."

The abbey beasts spoke together, "Weapons?"

Sareen nodded. "Think of it: Weapons do not live, therefore they are 'creatures not alive'. They're also used in battle to slay others, and if you use a kitchen knife to slice off dandelion shoots, they die. Also, no one needs or wants weapons in peaceful times, and fools can use them for unsavory deeds. Hence, weapons."

"Good job, gel," Hoffy said, slapping Sareen's back. "And just at the time we are gathering supplies for weapons, we find a find a thingummy that talks about them. Quite wonderful. But what does it all mean?"
"I think it is telling a route, Hoffy, to get to weapons," Dann said. "See, it includes the words 'south' and 'west'."

"Yes, that seems right," said Skipper. "I am pretty sure the bell tower means our bell tower, home of the Matthias and Methuselah bells, but what in the seasons is a 'triple cherry spray'?"

The group were silent, thinking about that fact. Sareen piped up. "I think it just needs to be found out."

"Yes, you are right dear," Bankley said. "I imagine that whatever it is, it can't be missed. Perhaps someone must go on a mission to find out."

"Bur, but, oo'll go, oi wunder?" asked Foremole.

"I suggest that Hoffy, Sareen, and Pipsey take this upon them," said Song. She answered the looks of question with, "These beasts are growing to become adults, and a good trip like this will help them become responsible members of the abbey." She turned to Hoffy. "Do you or your friends object to this suggestion?"

"No, marm, not at all!" He saluted smartly. Pipsey and Sareen also felt equally eager for the mission. "Just tell us when to go, marm!"

"Now, hold on, you three," Song said. "I don't want you off on your own. Bankley, would you mind going with them?"

"Of course not, Abbess," replied the otter. "Sorry to spoil your fun, young ones, but you're not quite old enough to be on your own."

As preparations were being made for their departure, Bankley found Skipper standing by himself, looking preoccupied.

"Still feeling like something bad will come to the Abbey?" asked his concerned wife. "Do you know if something will happen?"

"I'm just thinking about when Dweemo was attacked, Bank. It didn't seem like a random attack; no birds just strike out at dibbuns, not here at least. Do you know what kind of bird it was?"

"The other dibbuns say it was large; Toolie said it looked like an eagle, but eagles aren't generally evil, are they?"

"Not really." Skipper sighed. "But, there is little good worrying will do. Take care on your travels, Bankley, and watch out for those young ones. I'll take care of Toolie."

"And keep at your armory, Skip." She gave him a smile and returned to preparing for the trip.