Part 33 (1/2)
”Aye, Mother Abbess. It was a good journev, a long and eventful summer. I am happy to be back at Redwall.” am happy to be back at Redwall.”
The Abbess Germaine waved her stick at the strange craft standing in the middle of the lawn, with a great goshawk perched on its prow.
”An eventful summer indeed, Martin. What is all this?”
”That is Log a Log Furmo's skiff Honeysuckle, Honeysuckle, named after his goodwife, marm. Yonder n.o.ble bird is Krar Woodwatcher, a valiant fighter and a great friend to us. These shrews are Guosim, and we have with us two tribes of ottersthe tribes of Queen Garraway Bullow and the brothers Folgrim and Tungro.” named after his goodwife, marm. Yonder n.o.ble bird is Krar Woodwatcher, a valiant fighter and a great friend to us. These shrews are Guosim, and we have with us two tribes of ottersthe tribes of Queen Garraway Bullow and the brothers Folgrim and Tungro.”
Abbess Germaine silenced Martin by raising her paw.
”Enough. You will confuse my old mind if you carry on further, Martin. Welcome, welcome to you all, peace be with you, may you find happiness and joy within Redwall Abbey. If there is anything you need from me or my Redwallers, please do not hesitate to ask for it.”
In the brief silence which followed this announcement, the old hare confronted the Abbess with a courteous, though slightly creaky, bow.
”Beauclair Fethringsol Cosfortingham at y'service, marm. I was, er, wonderin', wot, er, if perchance, you maybe had, er, a slight, hmmmmm, beggin' y'pardon of course, er, er .. .”
Germaine nodded. She understood him completely. ”I take it you are hungry, mister Cosfortingham?”
Beau nodded eagerly, still stammering. ”Quite, er ah, thank ye, marm, I am mayhap a little, er, shall we say, er, peckish?”
Smiling broadly, the old Abbess took his paw. ”I never knew a hare who was not hungry, sir. We have been preparing since the back end of summer for such an event, and we have plenty enough for everybeast including you, sir. Is everything ready, Bella?”
The Badgermother nodded, pointing toward the orchard. ”By the time the mist has risen completely. Cooks, servers, cell.irhogs, helpers, to your stations for the feast!”
A mighty cheer arose into the autumn morn as the Redwall helpers hurried off to the kitchens for their trolleys. Paw in paw, all the guests strolled off behind them, chatting animatedly at the prospect of Redwall hospitality.
”A feast eh wot, hope there's enough for all this lot, wot?”
”Burr, zurr, you'm bain't never been to ee Redwall feast. Thurr be enuff gudd vittles to keep twice this yurr number a-goin' furr ee full season. Hurr aye!”
”Ahoy, Ferdy, waitll you see ole Krar take to the vittles. That bird could make you look like a Dibbun at table!”
”We'll see about that, Gonff. What about yon hare?”
”Hoho, don't even ask, matey. His name should've been Famine, not Fethringsol. Don't sit next to him!”