Begon had taken the ancient book back to his home and hid it. He didn't read it yet, for he was usually chatting in the berry patch or training by now, He had a tightly planned schedule for himself, and otherbeast, most notable Abbot Nill, mite get suspicious or even worried if he wasn't out. He couldn't let the others see what he found. If there was a long lost ancient sword to be found, Begon wanted to be the one to find it. He could just imagine finding the Sword of Martin. He'd be a hero!
As Begon was walking to the strawberry patch, he fantasized how amazing it would be to become a hero. He would return Martin's sword to the designated spot above the tapestry and everybeast would love him. Then he, Begon, would be number one in Redwall, placing Gred in second or even better, wiping him off the charts. Begon stopped there. The book just may be a made up tale, then he'd get exited for nothing.
Yes, thought Begon, I'd better not give my hopes up. I'll just read the book tonight and wont think about it until then.
With that, Begon made his way dawn to the Strawberry patch to talk to somebeast who may be having a snack or picking berries for pie. Sure enough, he found the perfect maid to speak with: Mariah. She was a beautiful piebald mouse wearing a blue dress.
"Hello Mariah," Begon said a bit shyly, "what are you doing?"
Begon inwardly face-palmed. It was obvious what she was doing. Gathering strawberries in a basket, probably for her mother so she can make dessert.
Despite the dumb question, Mariah answered happily, "Gathering berries for mom. She's making her famous strawberry-rhubarb pie tonight!"
"That sounds grate," Begon tried to put upbeat happiness in his voice, but it just came out awkward and weak.
"Oh, Begon, did you know Gred won the gold badge yesterday at the games?" she sighed dreamily. "What a wonderful mouse! So strong and handsome!"
Begon suddenly felt a bit of anger, but that emotion was trumped by the nervousness he felt when being next to his crush. He was starting to shake and sweat lightly with the pressure of mixed emotions.
"Y-yes," Begon squeaked, then cleared his throat. "I was there, I won the bronze badge."
"Oh! How nice. Congratulations."
"Thanks," he said rather weakly
Begon was getting more upset. Not with Mariah, she was to pretty and nice to be upset with, but with Gred and loosing and not being noticed. He was sick of it. And he looked sick, now noticeably sweaty and shaky from all these emotions.
Mariah took note of this and asked, "Are you feeling alright?"
Begon quickly put an answer together, "I feel unwell. I didn't eat breakfast. I must go eat something."
"Okay then. Bye, I hope you feel better soon."
The two of them waved goodbye, then Begon rushed of to his hut.
Begon was extremely upset, feeling betrayed somehow that she didn't even notice him up on stage. Another thing that bothered him was her obsession with Gred. She was so infatuated with him that she didn't even notice Begon. Then again, Begon just met her a month ago. But the problem was they just couldn't bond. They weren't even friends, just acquaintances. A couple of mice that talked now and then about little things was all they did. Begon felt at arm's length with her and it frustrated him.
When Begon reached his hut, he plopped on his bed and groaned, remembering with embarrassment how awkward he was with Mariah. He decided against reading the old book he found. The Abbot may approach to check on Begon, and he didn't want to be caught reading it case it was taken and some other beast got to be hero.
Sure enough, after thirty minutes, the Abbot came knocking.
"Come in!" Begon shouted from his bed.
Abbot Nill creaked through the door and sat on a stool in the small hut.
"So, Begon, I didn't see you around. I know how tight you stick to your schedule, so I checked here to see if you where alright."
Begon didn't want to tell the truth. That would open up a can of worms that he didn't want to deal with now. Good thing he was a good liar.
Begon sat up on his bed. "I'm fine, Abbot. I skipped breakfast and got all dizzy. But now that I ate and rested I feel better."
The Abbot chided him. "Begon, Begon, why must you always be in a clumsy rush? I thought I told you, I don't know how many times, about slowing down and thinking ahead."
Begon rolled his eyes and sighed. "Abbot, please."
"Its true, young mouse. Watch your actions and think of the consequences."
After Abbot Nill finished scolding Begon, they both went their ways. Begon avoided the berry patch for the rest of the day, doing other activities like training and visiting the library. But all the while, he eagerly awaited night when he could read the mysterious ancient book.
A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update. The past two weeks have been busy. But the good news is, now that these weeks are over, I now have much more time to write. I hope to update twice a week. Well, bye for now.
