Part 44 (1/2)

Morning slid into afternoon. A gentle breeze drifted small white clouds across the serene blue expanses of sky, and the autumn sun shone down kindly upon the happy scene as the creatures of Redwall feasted through noontide, across the balmy evening until the night fires and lanterns in trees illuminated the joyous scene below. The half moon came out to watch for the sun. It shed pale light upon baby Rollo, fast asleep on Orlando's lap. The big badger's battleaxe hung from a beech tree nearby. He turned to Matthias, who was drifting off into sleep, holding Cornflower's paw.

”Warrior, I have never seen such a wondrous place as this. Look at the beautiful building, those huge safe walls, the fruit and food growing from the ground; and that pond, it glows like a silver plate in the moonlight. Aaaahhh! These contented old ones, peaceful, wise, and your young ones too, they look so happy and good. Even when I lived out on the Western Plains with my Auma, we never knew such wellbeing as this. Can you explain it to me?”

Matthias let his eyelids droop until they shut.

”Orlando, my good friend, the explanation to it all is merely one simple word: Redwall.”

The badger turned to reply, but Matthias and Cornflower were asleep. He looked down at baby Rollo slumbering on his lap without a care in the world. Settling himself down, Orlando turned his face to the night sky which surrounded Mossfiower. He repeated the precious word aloud to the moon: ”Redwall!”

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55.

Extract from the diary of Tun Churchmouse, Recorder of Redwall Abbey: It is the summer of the Rosebay Willowherb!

Great ma.s.ses of the pink mauve flowers nod their heads by the sides of our Abbey paths. Seven seasons have pa.s.sed, counting the Autumn of the Warriors' Return, and this will be my second season as Recorder. John, my father, retired. He is now helping the Abbot to compile a great volume of Mossflower recipes. Strange, when I was young our Father Abbot was an old mouse, yet still he carries on changeless as ever. I think he will outlive us all.

The slaves who werefreedfrom the evil ofMalkariss have all settled here. They are our Brothers and Sisters now, and a happier band you could not meet. The Sparra colony is growing and flouris.h.i.+ng in our roofs.p.a.ces, though now it is called Warbeak Loft. Sir Harry the Muse lives up there with them. He was elected Leader and Poetry Instructor. Several times now he has resigned in despair at the Sparra language, though his love of authority always leads him to be re-elected.

Redwall is surely a place of curious happenings, not the least of which is the adoption of Cheek by Basil. There was much amus.e.m.e.nt three seasons ago when he became officially the hare's young one. Now he caus himself Cheek Stag Otter, and the impudent rascal has also adopted all Basil's manner' isms (and his appet.i.te too).

444.