Here we go chapter two. I know that in the summary I promised Noonvale. It's coming trust me, but not quite yet. More exposition is needed and a fun time at Redwall too.

2.

Scones versus Shield

"C'mon matey, it'll be a real treat for them."

"Do you have any idea how hot all that stuff is?"

"None at all, prefer a light tunic meself. You'll never catch me clanking about like an old about-to-blow-up-oven."

Gonff was gently teasing Martin as they made their way around the half completed Abbey towards the sounds of lunch. Their friend Log-a-Log had send word of his one score season feast as reinstated Guosim chieftain and had requested Martin and his friends attend. Gonff was trying to persuade Martin to show up in the full battle armor he seldom wore. Outwardly Martin made of show of being annoyed with his Mousethief friend, but inside couldn't help but laugh at Gonff.

"Show all of 'em what a real warrior looks like," Gonff persisted.

Martin rolled his eyes at the jokester.

"I'll think about it. But for now I'm hungry."

"Suit yourself mate," said Gonff with a twinkle in his eye.

As the two mice entered the newly finished Great Hall a mass cheer went up from the creatures that had already made it inside.

"Surprise!"

Martin stopped in his tracks at the assembled Redwallers. Every beast that had chosen to make Redwall home was in waiting for Martin and Gonff. A hearty luncheon of summer salad, woodland pastie with onion gravy, cool October Ale, and mountains of fresh scones drenched in honey waited for the mice. Turning to his friend, Martin glared in mock-admonishment.

"You thieving, flute twiddling old fraud. I knew there was a reason you kept me outside before lunch."

Gonff, grinning from ear to ear, clapped a paw on Martin's back as he answered.

"Of course me old sword swinging swashbuckler! I was in charge of keeping you occupied while this whole thing was set up."

As creatures all around him applauded Martin called out:

"What's even the occasion? Not that I don't like parties, but why?"

Bella of Brockhall, her fur more silver now than any other color, leaned across and gave Martin his answer.

"Martin, today is the anniversary of my father, Boar the Fighter, reforging your fathers sword. Without his help we would never have won against Kotir and the peace of Redwall could never have been."

Covered in Dibbuns, who loved climbing over the sturdy mouse warrior, Martin clapped a paw to his brow.

"By the seasons you're right Bella. I had forgotten all about it with all the demands of construction."

"And my dear husband begging you to go in full armor to Log-a-Log's feast in three days," said Columbine as she served Martin an extra large portion of pastie.

"Perish the thought my lovely Columbine," said Gonff as he sat down next to Martin. "What makes you think I would dare do such a thing to my best mate?"

Columbine shook her head at her husband as she answered.

"Only the other surprise you've got waiting for Martin down in Cavern Hole."

Martin raised his eyebrows at Gonff, who had quickly stolen Martins pastie.

"Another surprise Gonff?"

"Ets nufink mush," Gonff said from a mouth crammed with good food.

"Beg your pardon?"

Gonff swallowed and spoke again. "It's nothing much. Just a little something I had Dinny and Skip come up with."

"You'm serpuntly roight thurr zurr Gonffen," Dinny called from the stairs of Cavern Hole.

"Aye matey," called Skipper of Otters as he walked side by side with the mole carrying a circular bundle of bark cloth. Walking up to Martin the presented it to the Warrior. "Go ahead and open it," Skipper said enthusiastically.

Smiling at his good friends Martin unwrapped the layers back. Under them was a shield. Plain, round, and with a styled M on its domed face Martin picked up the steel shield. Two arm holds, one just below the elbow and another for his left paw to grasp, seemed to fit like they were made from cloth.

"My friends thank you. But our time of fighting is gone. Why do I need a shield?" Martin asked.

Gonff had a wicked gleam in his eye.

"For this! Now, everybeast!"

All along the Great Hall creatures grabbed from the huge piles of scones and flung them at Martin. Throwing up his new shield Martin dissolved into bouts of uncontrolled laughter at the antics of his Redwall friends.

Ha! A food fight at Redwall. Sounds like fun to me. More to come later.