Origins Of The Bellmaker: Prologue

A golden sun rose in the eastern sky over Mossflower, sending radiant shafts of light through an autumn canopy that blazed all of its colors in full glory. Birds were migrating south to escape the harsh winters that would visit their wrath upon the forest later in the year. Frost coated the exposed branches of the forest, slowly melting away as the fiery yellow orb made its ascent into a sapphire blue sky.

The same frost that was on the trees also coated the dusky stones of Redwall Abbey. One mouse in their middle seasons was strolling along the ramparts, taking in the scene. The female mouse drew a blanket around her shoulders to ward off the early-morning autumn chill. "Be careful, the frost hasn't completely melted yet."

A second mouse, a male, chuckled as he made his way up the stairs with two beakers of mint and comfrey tea. "Thanks for the warning. I don't want to drop this freshly brewed tea."

He joins the female mouse and gives her a beaker. "How is your father this morning, Mariel?"

Mariel sighed as she looked at her companion. "You saw him this morning too, Dandin. He spends a lot of time staring at the tapestry of Martin, at least in the morning hours."

Dandin nodded as he sipped from his beaker, enjoying the warmth from it while he surveyed the path south from the fairly-recently constructed building. Putting an arm around Mariel, Dandin drew her close, smiling as she snuggled up to him. "Yes, but you have to realize that while he does seem to enjoy our first Warrior's company, he still needs our respect. Not just yours as his daughter, but mine as your husband, as well as everyone else's here."

Mariel nodded as the massive bell named for her father boomed out the morning tolls. Dandin chuckled. "Rufe Brush still knows how to scare birds from the trees doesn't he?"

Mariel giggled and tugged on Dandin's cloak. "Come on, let's get down to Great Hall and help my father to his seat at the table."

Dandin laughed as he followed Mariel, his paw resting on the Sword of Martin sheathed at his side. "You're kidding, right? As old as he is, he could still run circles around us if he wanted to."

Inside Redwall Abbey, creatures were bustling to and from the kitchens, placing barley and nutbread beside bowls of soup and greensap milk. Mariel and Dandin walked into the massive hall and joined in with gusto, helping the moles, hedgehogs, and some otters set up the tables and chairs.

Abbot Saxtus came down and nodded to Dandin. "Morning Dandin. How are you and your wife today?"

Dandin nodded back as he looked over to where the tapestry of Marin hung, and the solitary mouse standing in front of it. "We're both well, but growing a little concerned about Joseph."

Saxtus nodded as he joined his friend in looking at the silver-furred mouse. "Sometimes I worry about him too, my friend, and recently I've been carrying my Recorder tools with me in case Martin gives Joseph a message to tell us."

He looked to the current Redwall Warrior. "Has Joseph ever explained his origins to you or Mariel?"

Dandin shook his head. "If he has, it hasn't been told to me."

Saxtus nodded and walked with Dandin to the tables. "Perhaps one day he will tell us."

Dandin's reply sounded much deeper in tone and more authoritative than usual. "This very day the Bellmaker will add to the lore of the Abbey I helped to build. Go to him Saxtus, but first announce that this will be done."

Dandin blinked as if coming out of a trance. "What just happened?"

Abbot Saxtus chuckled. "It seems that Martin has decreed Joseph will be adding his story after I say grace for breakfast."

Saxtus took the main chair and rang the small bell Joseph himself had made. "Okay everyone, let's say grace and enjoy the meal, but after we say grace, I've been asked to make an announcement by none other than Martin himself."

There were some quiet murmurs and everyone bowed their heads as Abbot Saxtus recited the grace. "Autumn leaves and fruit do fall, to aid those who live in Redwall. We thank the earth for what it's produced, let us enjoy it, elder and youth."

There was a loud Amen, and everyone looked to Father Abbot Saxtus as he spoke again. "As you all may or may not know, Mariel and Dandin have some concern about our aged Bellmaker, as no one really knows much about his early days. However, just a few minutes ago, our legendary warrior Martin spoke through Dandin to inform us that this mystery will begin to be put to rest today. Mariel, come with me please."

Mariel joined the Abbot in walking to Joseph, who was silently mouthing a conversation to the image of Martin. Saxtus took out his Recorder equipment and began writing. "Can you tell what he's saying Mariel?"

She nodded. "I can... Wait, he's whispering a little."

Joseph could just barely be heard to the two mice. "Why now Martin?... I know my seasons haven't run yet, but they don't have to know do they?... I can't tell them about that... It was hard enough living through it... You know I'm not ready... Okay fine, I will, but only if they're ready."

Mariel gently tugged on her father's arm. "Father? Everything alright?"

Joseph blinked several times and turned slowly to face his daughter. A strongly-built and normally cheerful mouse, Joseph tried to hide the distress he was currently feeling. "Oh, it's nothing Mariel. Just having a normal conversation with Martin."

Abbot Saxtus chuckled while those having breakfast looked on with highly piqued interest. "I have to disagree, Bellmaker. Martin has told us through Dandin that you have a story to tell."

Joseph gave a long sigh before letting Mariel guide him to the breakfast tables, his hardwood staff clacking against the floorstones of the massive Abbey. "The story of my early days it seems... Well, it's going to take more than just breakfast to tell this tale, so I suggest everyone get comfortable."

Joseph was served some golden cheese studded with celery and a tankard of October Ale. Giving his thanks, Joseph sat in the Abbot's chair with permission from Saxtus, and he ate several bites of the cheese before looking at the Redwallers. "My apologies for taking a while to begin. This tale has its origins in the mists of time, far longer ago than any of you have lived, aside from Bella of Brockhall."

There was a pause as the sturdy Bellmaker ate and drank some more, and then he looked at Mariel. "It will also hopefully explain why you never knew much about your mother, Mariel."

Mariel frowned at her father. "All these seasons you knew more than you told me about Mother? Why wouldn't you tell me?"

Joseph nodded, albeit slowly. "I kept it from you to spare you any pain for as long as I could, and also because of what happened to her... However, it seems at last that I have no choice but to tell you."

Joseph finishes off the cheese, downs some of his tankard of ale, and begins his tale. "This story begins in the far south, farther south than anyone has ever explored, and longer ago than the known existence of all of Southsward… Well, our knowledge of its existence at least."