• • •
As dusk falls across the red stone walls, I am worried. Feru is missing, her bed sheets shredded and items from the medicine cabinet spread everywhere across the room.
The Abbot said to tell no one that she was missing, until after the feast.
I don't know if I can trust him anymore. There is a tone in his voice. I notice he is rubbing his paws together in a most compulsive fashion.
That is not the only detail that is bothering me as I sit write.
When I sought advice from the Skipper, as we walked the shore of the Abbey pond, he responded in his otter accent that in his opinion, there was nothing to worry about. Soon afterwards, as he saw two of his holt coming up from the pond with a fish and shrimp, he lunged at them, growling, ripping the items away, causing it all to flop onto the Abbey grounds. I backed away slowly when his jaws started to rip apart the raw fish. The two other otters didn't appear to find anything wrong with this; they only backed away momentarily, then edged forward to see if they could get a bite.
Skipper stopped by the Gatehouse later, fish entrails all over his maw and the fur of his chest, his coat ripped. He asked if I wanted some shrimp. I declined the raw crustacean. He barked in pleasure as he slurped it out of it's exoskeleton and then cracked the body covering in his jaws.
I wasn't the only one to notice the behavior. One of the Long Patrol hares inquired about it, Fleetfoot was his name, aged veteran and steady head, he appeared worried. He said there were beasts doing strange things in the Abbey, displaying certain odd mannerisms, an interesting thing to hear from a hare.. I could sense he knew something more. Abbot interrupted our conversation by informing us the beginning of the feast was at paw.
The whole population of Redwall and the members of the Long Patrol were there. The feast appeared normal enough the usual arrangement of delicacies, at least until the moles brought out their Deeper 'n ever Pie.
When they cut it open, bugs and worms came out of the flaky crust, the stuffing of the pie. Foremole said it was a new recipe. Not many beasts objected to the pie.
Twitchy, maybe that's the word for it. Everybeast is becoming twitchy in their movements. Much like that rabbit. Much like Feru. They may be connected.
I must talk to General Vickor tomorrow. And our Badger Mother Lissa. They will know what to do.
Geoffrey
Recorder of Redwall
• • •
There is someone outside the Gatehouse door. Scratching, growling, scratching, sniffing. It is knocking. No. Scratching. Why do i write this? Is something out there? Oh Martin help me.
• • •
The rabbit is dead. His neck is broken and laying outside the Gatehouse door. I don't know how it got there. There must have been a scuffle of some sort. Normally, the existence of a dead creature in the Abbey would cause a stir. I don't think it will today.
I'm going to explore the Abbey and find out what is going on.
Geoffrey
Recorder of Redwall Abbey
• • •
The Abbot is not well.
I sit here in Cavern Hole while I write this, the Abbot chewing at my sleeve. He was scared stiff when I entered. He only moved when I neared him, darting into a corner, scrambling on all four paws. He was murmuring something under his breath: Hungry. Martin. Redwall. He repeated his name, Jesse. I retrieved some food from the kitchen, which was strangely quiet.
There is a crash behind the door to the Cellars. I fear what I shall see.
Geoffrey
• • •
Cellarhog Dergger is not fine. He is in the cellar. The Abbot has moved on to eating the candied chestnuts I got for him.
It was completely dark in the cellar. I smelled sweetness. My eyes adjusted. I wish they hadn't. Many barrels were overturned, their contents pooled over the dirt floor. He was in the middle of the floor, in a muddy pit. He had been digging. His spikes and head were covered in mud. A half eaten worm hung from his mouth.
I'm not scared. I should be.
He seems to be fine otherwise.
I need to keep looking. There must be somebeast not affected. It has only been a few days since the rabbit came here. I am convinced he was the reason.
More later. I hear talking.
Geoffrey