User blog:Asphodel Longtail/Heir of a Warrior

Prologue
The old squirrel sat dozing peacefully in the fire warmed expanse of Redwall's Cavern Hole. Sighing contentedly, she snuggled deeper into her large plush armchair. The fire crackled and spat, eagerly consuming the birch logs within the grate. The squirrel noted it all in silence, satisfied to simply let the stillness reign.

The slight pitter-patter of paws, however, heralded the end of her reverie. Feeling a slight weight in her lap, the aged creature slowly opened her eyes, smiling at the curious gaze of the youngster sitting atop her knees. Two other Dibbuns (for this was the name given to the abbeybabes) sat upon the arms of her chair, watching her expectantly. Tippin, the tiny mousebabe in her lap, twitched his small, wet nose as he lightly tapped her thin, worn paw.

"Sissa Eevy be's up now?" He squeaked. The squirrel chuckled and nodded.

"Yes, dear one. I'm awake."

He grinned. "You pwomise us's a stowy, Dwubbo saya so." The tubby, little mole on the chairs right arm, who was a few seasons Tippin's elder, nodded avidly.

"Yurs, yurs. 'E bee's a roight bowt thart. Yu'm a says at brekfurst dis mornern." The squirrel turned to the babe at her other side, "And I suppose you would like a story as well?" The little ottermaid blushed shyly.

"Yus pweese," she murmured. The old Redwaller smiled at the three and shakily beckoned to a small table nearby.

"Alright then. On that table is a book of Redwall tales. If you will bring that to me, we can choose a story." Giggling with triumph, the Dibbuns jumped down and fetched the book. Setting the big, leather-bound tome gently in her lap, they resumed their perches on her chair.

Carefully, the old squirrel opened the dusty manuscript to a page and began reading. Her old voice, normally creaky and shaky with age, now came alive with the storyteller's magic. Words flowed from her lips, weaving, turning, dancing through the young one's minds. Opening the doors to the realm's of the imagination, and sweeping the babes off on an adventure.