User blog:SirForgotmypassword3times/'The First Days of War' - 1530

Redwall Abbey has gone through a hard past since 1493 when Luddy Jackson 'Tod- Wutter' lay siege on the Abbey and much has changed since the past. Darius van Strauvenn got quite angry at vermin activity and decided to establish the Shoktt system and now hundreds of un-reformed vermin are locked up their today. Throughout this time of recovery, the different species had begun separating among themselves into much more distinct group in what seemed to be the uniting of each race. And now from the north came a group of mice with its own native tongue and distinctive accent. They established a base north-east of Redwall Abbey and were continually sending messages to and from their parent colony in the far north-east. As a sudden uniting between the vermin groups become imminent, the Redwallers seek extra protection and support of the Corphans as warfare begins to emerge between the woodlanders and vermin. Such warfare continues on as an early arms race comes into place until peace is restored through time...

== Prologue: == Now 'tis spring in Redwall Abbey, our beloved home where we welcome all honest-hearted being to abide in. Our past has been filled with so many great events of triumph and sorrow yet we have always been happy in this great home. The beings of this land have been learning new things about this world we live in and never has their curiosity been so great. Trading systems are more common, much larger civilized communities have been erected and new values have been placed. At once we called all good vermin dead, but now comes a good vermin that doesn't have to be destroyed and punished for what he has done. The Early Courtesy had eventually taken place for all vermin who 'weren't' like the others but wanted to no longer be judged by their ancestors but by who they are now; changed. Many beings who had once been part of those old vermin bands that would ravage the land with no mercy against those who could not protect themselves have now learned better of themselves and have joined the E.C. to gain a better reputation and be able to be trusted by those which their ancestors murdered. Somehow I have a feeling that, this land will all come to its own peace, where there is no prejudice to the other species where everyone is equal, ...a place without hate, a land where war is but the forgotten past, where nobody thinks bad of the other, where doing wrong is thought through before it is done, where justice is 'just' and where the descendant of your fathers slayer is now your friend; changed. Our Abbot is preparing a feast and our new clock at the South Gable has been tocking away for 27 years now letting us know what time it is and when bed-time will be coming. Here we are all happy and are at peace with each other and our environment. Also, the invention of the printing press has brought us much good; now we have had all of our documents copied down and have been put into new hard-bound books. So now may you excuse me as I go and close those windows. A, now that's nice and that will keep my papers from flyin' away, now let me present to you my story, the story of the fine ol' days and the changes that took place in the known places in Mossflower. Now here I begin... Brother Matthew, Recorder of Redwall, 1557 ~ 'Twas a windy night that day and the a northern breeze had been making its way past the walls into his study in the gatehouse and had been blowing around most of his papers. He didn't only want to close the windows to avoid losing his documents, but he couldn't stand the raging sound of cannon fire. He went back to work on his record; his composition of his past age and the many events that had taken place in and around Redwall Abbey.

== Chapter 1 == A soft spring breeze came from the west and blew at the newborn plants as the last signs of winter disappeared. Redwall Abbey stood proud in the sky-line of the flatlands, seen by all that abided around the place. Inside the red stone walls of the abbey stirred the many Redwallers that were preparing for the arrival of a seemingly important beast. Squirrels and other able-bodied beast carried 3 yard long wooden poles to a location at South Gable and began binding these poles into a tall scaffold. Abbot Marven trundled off to the construction site donned in his favoured habit and greeted Brother Matthew who greeted him with a happy tone, "Good afternoon Father Abbot, how's the work on the crane goin'?" "Aye, those squirrels have erected that crane quite fast and should be ready to pick up some of those heavy components that Tokkus will be bringing in. Now we better more work done since we promised Tokkus and his crew that we would have the scaffold ready for him." "Well, the otter are goin' fast at cutting those poles and those squirrels have never worked with such sincerity in their excitement for the new clock. All we'll have to do is fasten the platforms on and prepare some ladders." "Alright, as long as we break any promises to some good-beasts." Abbot Marven continued his was to the construction site and consulted with the engineers that were conducting the work on the scaffold. The scaffold consisted of many wooden poles that were bound together into a structure that stretched over the roof of Great Hall and allow them to bring up all of the equipment and components to the front of the South Gable. The cranes were erected with large shaved logs and stone anchors which held it in place. The bases of the cranes were also attached to the main scaffold and were attached to the sides of the Abbey walls and its connection to the scaffolding was essential to travel around the construction site. Other procedures in the installation of the clock included the creation of a hole inside the Tower and the mounting of the large gears and components that would function in the clock. Tokkus would bring with him on large trolleys the large brass and iron parts and even a new bell for the hammer and gong. About a week ago, Tokkus had come to overview his plans with the elders of the Abbey and how he was going to have the clock installed. He had also surveyed the area under the roof which was supporting the gable and came to a conclusion that the supports there would be strong enough to take the added weight of the clock. Marven stepped onto a pulley elevator and gestured to Henry to release the weight. A gear ratio mechanism moved into action as the rising platform slowly rose up until the Abbot gestured him to lock the weight in place. Marven stepped off of the rising platform and continued his way on the plank-covered scaffolding to talk with Brother Barry who was hammering some anchor-lines to the scaffolding. Brother Barry noticed the presence of his Abbot and abandoned his work to give him his report. "Well, Father Abbot, the scaffolding has nearly been completed and Herald says that all we 'narceine heartwood/have to do is get it anchored and finish the scaffold's platforms. We're expecting Tokkus to arrive here by tomorrow and he'll be bringing his wife over to stay while his conducting the construction." "Ok, so how's Samuel with the south crane?" "Oh, he's doing well. Soon the cranes will be ready for operation and should be able to handle the large gears he'll be bringing. Tokkus will be happy to begin installation right when he gets here. Ok, goodbye to you. I just got to get these anchor-lines fastened." Marven dismissed himself from the area and proceeded to Herald, a reformed ferret of the Early Courtesy who was leading a group of Redwallers who were working on the scaffolding around the gable. Ever since 1497, the Early Courtesy had been trying to prove that not all beings of the vermin species are bad. All of the members of this group were simply beings of the vermin race which lived their lives as goodbeasts and no longer wished to be judged by the ancestors. Tokkus was also a member of the E.C. which mostly occupied Northern Township. He and (James) Tokkus had been working together as clockmakers and came to be working on the clock that was to be installed in South Gable. Marven climbed a series of stairs and ladders to the high location on the South Gable scaffolding where Herald was over-viewing the current work on the scaffolding. The truss-shaped framework was now completely planked with wood and was nearly structurally strong enough to hold the weight of the pieces. He wiped sweat from his brow and greeted the Abbot who was standing and over-looking the view of the whole structure. "Hallo there, how do you like our work, eh?" "Why 'tis quite magnificent for just a framework. So you say that the rest of the scaffold should be finished tomorrow when Tokkus will be coming, right?" "Aye, just a bit more work on the scaffold bindings and the platform. Plus I'll need to explain how to operate these cranes that Tokkus designed for such construction." "Alright then, 'tis good were nearly finished." ~	By the end of that day, the scaffold was nearly finished. The night sky was trickled with bright stars which were dominated by the April full moon and all the Redwaller were gathered in Cavern Hole for supper. Abbot Marven sat himself on his chair in front of the main table and waited for the Redwallers to calm down. Eventually, the Redwallers quit their chattering and looked attentively and waited for their Abbot to say the grace. Marven finally stood up and recited a bunch of words which he put together in subject to the current day's events: Here we gather beings of Redwall, Toilers of work and construction; In great preparation for our new clock, We in our excitement shall feast. Thank you beings of Redwall for your dedicated work; And let us then give thanks for our food that our cooks have cooked us with their loving hands. Here we are, united woodlanders; Beings of peace and welfare. Now that our day is ended, let us dine happily, Here in the Abbey of Redwall.

Abbot Marven finished his speech and sat down to give the evening announcement. "Today has been a good day and we have accomplished much work with the help of our conductors, Herald, Samuel and Derron. The cranes have been erected, the scaffold has nearly been finished and it will be ready by tomorrow when Tokkus arrives with his clock components. I know that we are all excited about the new clock but yet we still have much more work to do before the clock will be fully operational. Anyways, let us bring in food so that we may sup." Friar Maige, Brother Berly and four Abbeybeast came in from the kitchen with trolleys full of the Abbey's most famous recipes. The trolleys were loaded with fresh-bakes scones, fruit trifles, barley cakes, mushroom pastries, Skipper's hotroot soup, and platters of vegetables and fruit with a variety of tasty dips. Friar Maige was a friendly hare who had retired from Salamansastron and made his residence in Redwall Abbey. First Abbot Marven had once feared the hare's crazy appetite but once he got to the kitchen and cooked up a fare meal, the Abbeybeasts couldn't resist appointing him as the assistant cook of old Friar Tegrun who passed away three years later. Since he had taken the place of old Friar Tegrun, he had been cooking some of the best meals that Redwall has ever tasted. Maige and his team heartily placed the assortment of dishes on the tables and helped each Redwaller to a "chef's recommendation" as they picked some of their favourites from the platters. The atmosphere in Cavern Hole was jolly and everybeast was happy and ready for the following day's work. After every table had been served, Maige seated himself on his own table and position in front of him the reserved meal which he had specially made for himself. Every once and a while, he would pretend to be a food critic and recite little critiques of his food and complimented himself for his great skill as Salamandastron's 'old' cook. The elders ate their supper at the Abbot's table and spoke 'easily detected' compliments of Maige's cooking. Abbot Marven picked out a woodland trifle and slowly ate it up savouring every bit of sweetness within the little dessert. The Dibbuns were seated on their table carefully monitored by Sister Sandra and some of their parents. Sandra chuckled as a little mouse squished his little face into a iced muffin who emerged with a regretful face as he wiped his stinging eyes from icing. After the little mouse recovered himself, he went back to eating up his dessert. While the Redwallers were enjoying their meal, a mouse who was taking guard on the wall tops came in with his musket in his paws and asked for attention to give his news. "Father Abbot, vermin spotted north of the path, and they aren't Tokkus' group". The Abbeybeasts went silent and waited for their Abbot to speak. "Oh, how many were there, and what were they doing?" "About three beasts, a ferret, a stoat, and a weasel. They were walking armed with their own muskets and stared at the Abbey then walked back to the place they came from. I also believe that the stoat was carrying a matchlock pistol." "What do you believe was their business?" "I don't know, all they were doing was starring." The mouse brought the Abbot with him to the wall tops to look at the path. Abbot Marven scanned the pathway for any sign of the three vermin but it seemed that they had gone away. He thought longer about the matter then spoke to the wall guard. "Well, I don't believe that they meant any harm at that time but we still should keep the wall guards on watch. I'll have Friar Maige bring you and your men some supper. Goodbye." Marven walked down the wall steps and made his way back to Cavern Hole... ~ The ferret, the stoat and the weasel quietly crept into their camp and reported to their leaders tent. Bonfires were lit throughout the camp with rats, stoats, foxes, and ferrets warming themselves and napping around them. The stoat with the matchlock pistol tapped the tent entry's hem and waited for their leader to let them in. From behind the entry's hem peeked a lower ranked weasel's head who bid them in. The tent was roomy and had a single bed for the vermin group's leader, a desk, a ward, a table, a drawer and a few barrels of wine. Their leader, a stoat, was sitting by the desk reading through documents and gestured to his scouts to keep silent until he had finished his reading. "Alright, what news have ye got here for me." "It seemed like the Abbey has perked up their defenses ever since good ol' Luddy Jack came. It won't be as easy to take the pla..." "Who said anything about taking the place, you were only sent out to see if the Abbey was even there. So simply we know that their defenses have been perked up. Now go back to your hearth! Just leave me!" The three vermin made their way back to their fire which was also occupied by another ferret and a fox. The stoat sat down as his fellow scout commented to him: "Well you should've listened. You know our cap'n doesn't like it when you don't listen to him." "It's not a matter of listening, all he said was scan the walltops of Redwall Abbey and report back and tell him what you see. And I just thought that his plans were to take the Abbey if it was still peaceful." "Again, you should listen..."