Interlude.
The present day.
The recorder closed his book and rubbed his forehead. There was a heavy leaden feeling within his skull that reminded him about the folly of staying up so late in his age. "And so it was that I and the rest were welcomed as guests in Salamandastron. But what happened thereafter I'll tell you on another night. See, you're yawning already."
"No, we're not!" The young otter responded indignantly after doing her best to contain a yawn. "I want to hear about the great duel on the cliff!"
"Another night, Lytha," answered the recorder firmly. "Besides, what's so interesting about a fight if you know quite well who won?"
"All say it was a great fight, but no one agrees how it really went! I wanted to hear it all from you, Uncle Recorder! And besides, what can be not interesting about a heroic battle?"
"All the small things that add up throughout many seasons and come together in a decisive moment to make one side triumph over the other can be pretty dreary." The Recorder chuckled wryly. "Yours truly, however, often finds them more interesting that the actual exchange of blows. But we can talk about that tomorrow if you want. Now go, it's long past bedtime for all of us."
"Small things that add up throughout many seasons for one fateful moment…" thought the recorder after his young guests left. "That goes not only for battles. Martin help me, I hope I'm adding the right things."
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Two more nights had passed and on the third night beasts once again gathered in the Library of Redwall. But now six instead of five came to listen, and the sixth creature was very much unlike the five youngsters.
"Myrai will be listening with us tonight!" Lytha declared.
"So I guessed. I'm very much sorry for not waiting until your return, Myrai, you had the right to be at the first reading of my completed book, but nobeast knew when that return was going to happen; after you didn't show up by the second moon of autumn, I thought you'd spend the winter down south."
"Yes, nobeast knew. And you're blaming yourself for no reason again. That's a bad habit of yours, didn't I tell you that?" Myrai smiled as she settled comfortably in the biggest of the chairs that were present in the library, the one that the old recorder requested to be made as a gift for her.
"Approximately four hundred times." The recorder sighed and reached for the book. "Anyway, the last time I stopped when…"
Author's notes: And so the Book 2 is done. It ended up longer than I hoped, considering that it mostly set up conflicts and characters for the future. I would not say that the plot itself had grown, as said conflicts were roughly planned before I started posting this fic, but perhaps I paid too much attention to things of secondary importance.
I'd like to extend my special gratitude to Blackish for betareading my fic. Also thanks to everyone who reviewed, favored or read it. Your attention is appreciated.