Lets Talk In The Kitchen Yard Today And Watch The Snow!

• • I got some of the log before Zee enters, this happen in Redwalls’s Kitchen Yard ***

It is cold, the sky is filled with dark grey clouds threatening snow at any moment and the temperature has plummeted. Except out here in the Kitchen Yard, between the Forge and Kiln it is actually quite pleasant and the Abbot is for once hiding in his Kiln. He's taken off his habit and hung it on a peg and is sat on a stool by the potter’s wheel dressed in loose trousers and a large apron and is molding a large lump of clay into the shape of a new oven dish for use in the kitchens.

The beast that enters the kitchen yard has no need for fire or warm clothing to keep him comfortable in the cold weather. A season of glut has seen the fox to be well insulated against such weather. Foregoing his chainmail tunic the fox wears only the long blue tabard of the Ferravale guard with a black tunic under it.

Barely five minutes back into Redwall Bandit is already muzzle deep into a cheese danish. The obese fox practically purrs as he devours the tasty treat. He had forgotten how truly good Redwall food was.

Upon seeing the abbot the fox let's out a loud shout, "Hey Benar!"

Benar looks up from his work and smiles softly, "Bandit, good day to you, I am glad to see that rumors of your untimely demise have yet again been exaggerated."

The fox laughs, "Nope, I am totally dead. Nothing but fur and claws digesting in the belly of an eagle." The fox takes another bite of the pastry as he moves forward. "You should have seen the look on beasts faces when I strolled into the gate. I swear a few beasts fainted." The fox pauses, "What do you mean, 'yet again'?" Shaking his head Bandit continues, "Look at you! A fancy proper abbot now! How did you swing yourself into that position?"

Benar continues to mound the clay into shape, smoothing it out and turning up the edges to create a uniform shape. "I didn't swing anything, the Elder's voted me into office after Lorimis passed away. It is a duty I embrace willingly." He then gives Bandit a smile; "You've gone missing, presumed eaten what, six? Seven times now?"

The fox pauses to count, then shakes his head, "I honestly lost count. It must be all the maple syrup that keeps me together these days...might also explains why creatures keep trying to /eat/ me." The fox shivers.

"So, anyway...yeah. I just needed to get out of Ferrevale for a few days to clear my head. Let people know that I'm not DEAD. Although to be honest, I'm just as surprised as everyone else." Leaning over the squirrels shoulder the fox peers at the clay, "Did you ever take pottery before becoming Abbot?"

Benar laughs softly and slides the tray off the wheel and onto a large flat stone due to go into the kiln, "Bandit I have been running the Kiln here for more seasons then I can count. It is sort of my job, everyone in Redwall has a task that is their primary focus and this is mine." He looks the fox up and down, "Yours seems to be eating all my food and drinking whole bottles of maple syrup."

"Hey, we all got to do what we are good at. I know it’s a hard job, but some beast has got to do it." Bandit's smile is hidden as the last of the pastry is shoved into his greedy muzzle. "I bet you lot have a lot more food since I've been away. Call it a hunch."

Dusting off his paws the fox continues, "I won't be here long. Just the night...maybe two."

Benar shakes his head and smiles softly as he pushes the kiln door shut, "We have more food for once because a bunch of vermin didn't wreck our harvest. This is the first year in three years we've not been scraping by with barely enough food to last."

Oz has slipped away from the dibbuns, much to Sister Jenny dismay, yeah she most likely is not happy but he felt the need to slip off. In his arms he rocks a small fox cub, Juliana, who is whimpering and gumming his shoulder. The fox cub is barely half a season and seems to be having a rather bad day and maybe the badger is as well. He steps into the kitchen yard and listens for voices and sounds around him.

The pudgy fox blinks once then twice. He looks down at his corpulent form then to Benar, "If the last three years have been /scraping/ by, then I would just love to see what a real harvest is-" he pauses, turning on his heel to see Oz enter. "Ozzy!" The fox shouts.

Benar sighs and shakes his head, "You are worse then the hares when they visit us. I shall warn Lacota to lock the doors and hide the kitchen or we'll be scraping by again all winter." He then smiles at Oz, "Papa, are you ok? Don't see you out here very often."

Oz had just got the fox cub to sleep when the other fox yells, then Juliana wails loudly till she is rocked again and Bandit gets a low growl, “Do not call me that..." He frowns, he had temporarily forgotten Benar was there and softly gives a "Sorry...just rough pass few days.." He tilts his head "Just..Oz..ok Bandit."

Rolling his eyes and twitching his tail the jovial fox declares, "I doubt I could really do so much damage in a few days. 'sides I have to conduct myself with some dignity these days. They are very particular as to how head guards should act." finally he says to Oz, "Sorry Ozzy...Oz. Didn’t mean to wake the wee one. Although it’s nice to see more of my vulpine brethren populating the home of all woodlander-dom."

Benar shakes his head and sighs, "Maybe you are right, either way I am glad you are alive and well bandit, welcome back to Redwall." He then gives Oz a look, "You've been having a troubling week Papa, what is up?"

Oz finally gets the fox cub all the way to sleep, it's then he answers, "This..time of year and the fact dibbuns usually want a certain visitor to show up, who as far as I am concern may skip this...winter season." His voice cracks a little as he is quiet before talking again," Winter is just about here...maybe here now." He sighs as he seems to be remembering some past events, a hint of sadness in his voice “He always loved this time in the season, usually made sure I knew when the first snow was by waking me with a snowball in my room....and he helped with....the snow badger..v..visit"

As Bandit chats with the beasts a second fox appears. Coming around the corner of the building Rascal announces his presence loudly, cause obviously people care. Obviously. "Woo! I’m beat but I did it. 3 laps around the pond. Time to reward myself with some breakfast." Rascal pauses, looking Bandit up and down. "Then again a few more laps won’t hurt..."

Bandit stares at the fox as he disappears into the abbey. "And just what is the supposed to mean?! You lousy son of a..." the fat fox pauses, remembering his company, "Jack wagon...and yeah...sorry to hear about Zork. He will be...missed." It’s about as comforting the ex-pirate tries to be these days

Benar frowns toward Rascal, "That is Rascal he is... eccentric but mostly harmless," He turns back to look at Oz then, "And we have had the Snow Badger visit before without anyone dressing up as him. We did it for seasons uncounted without an actor. We can do it again should we need to."

Oz listens as the foxes argue for a couple moments and then shakes his head, "It's, not just that. This time of the seasons guess just brings up too many memories, that and the two young ones being missing is not helping."

And now Bandits interest is peaked. "Wait. Run that last part by me again?"

Oz frowns, “Which part?" He asks" The season part, or missing beasts part?"

Benar flicks his ears up, "Yes it is troubling... I do hope we are able to locate them soon"

The fox gives Oz a /look/. Which...he can’t see. "Missing beasts of course. What happened? Who is missing and for how long?" and the guard is instantly into interrogation mode.

Oz explains" A novice Caleb and a young mouse maid named Cynthia, and a couple days now. I am not certain but some sheets were tied to the wall, and appeared to of some loose as some were on the forest floor a guard said, not sure has anything to do with missing beasts or not. The only other clue is a rat was mentioned but sadly I forgot the name but they need found and sooner rather than later."

Benar drums his fingers on the table and then opens the kiln and removes the dish that was baking. He sets it aside to cool and shuts the oven door, "Cynthia was being hounded by a rat, I gave strict instructions that he was not to be permitted into the abbey again. I suspect Cynthia disobeyed my instructions and left the Abbey and Caleb went with her. I've already detailed the guards to go look for them but there is little more I can do. I cannot leave the abbey mself."

Paws on his hips Bandit says, "Well then we just need to summon the guard and set up a grid like search pattern and..." he blinks. Remembering that while he may be the head guard in Ferrevale, he is just another beast here in Redwall. "And...let Lee hand it..." The fox shrugs. "I can stick around for a while if any help is needed." Licking his chops the gluttonous vermin begins moving for the abbey, "It would also be the perfect excuse to stick around the abbey with all this excess food..." He chuckles as he walks away.

" But why would Caleb go with her Benar?" Oz asks "It just seems out of character for him to do so and I do know Flicktail and..Uncle Zee knows of the missing young ones and may be looking as well." He sighs, "I am sorry Benar, perhaps part way my fault seeing as it happen on a day I decide to take off and leave Sister Jenny and a couple others in charge of the dibbuns and other young ones"

Benar says, "It is not your fault nor Jenny's they would have snuck out regardless I suspect. The fact they used bed sheets suggests to me they went of their own free will from inside the abbey. When they get back however I will be talking to both of them."

Oz nods" I hope they are found soon, before winter weather gets any worse"

Oz says, "Snow will come a little sooner this season I think, just a little sooner I think as my knee dislikes cold weather and it’s been bothering me more lately"

Benar is tidying up the kiln, packing up his supplies, tamping the fire down, setting the clay items he fired today into the cooling cupboard to rest overnight. He then washes his hands and puts his habit back on and hangs up his apron. "It is getting late Oz we should head inside."

Oz nods "That would be best and it's getting colder out as well" The fox cub is keep warm with Oz's fur and cloak, semi sleep now," And most likely not wise to have Juliana out too long in this"  Oz excuses himself and heads inside

Maybe a half hour passes till Zee shows up!!!!

Benar is standing in the kiln, it looks like he has just finished for the day and is looking up at the heavy grey clouds over head. The air is cold and bitter and the abbot is frowning, clearly distracted by something as the first thick flakes of snow starts to drift down.

Zee has been around the past few day and this cold weather and falling snow doesn't seem to bother him much as he opens his paw and lets a snow flake land in his paw as he chuckles a little "No two snowflakes be alike, did ya know that lad?" He looks over at the abbot now.

Benar glances at Zee and inclines his head, "I learnt that a very long time ago." He tucks his hands into his habit and starts along the path toward the gardens, "Welcome back to Redwall Abbey, have you seen Oz? He seems worried about you."

Zee nods "I seen him last night, he mentioned missing beasts and I have only be gone a wee little while, looking de past few hours but no signs of anyone, least that’s missing. I didn't mean ta be gone so long before but I got ta see the ocean" He shrugs "Tis not that exciting you’re not missing much"

Benar says, "Well it is ok Zee, welcome home," He strolls along, the snow starting to grow thicker, whirling around them both as he approaches the winter slumbering gardens. "It is always nice to have badgers in Redwall. I just wish Zinnia was home from the mountain."

Zee follows the abbot and nods quietly "I..got to see the lass, she is fine and very safe where she is. She has those hares and that Ciocan lad.." He clears his throat, "Can't say I like the place...too closed in....its ..its stone wall and..well" Yes he disliked the closed in feeling, its why he stayed at the village.."Nice for most suppose, like it here better"

Benar says, "Well I am glad they arrived safely if nothing else and it was our duty to inform the mountain that the Abbot had changed." He walks along, stepping into the rose garden and examining the bushes, "I am glad you are back though, Oz was fretting about us not having a "snow Badger" Quite simply I think there is nothing wrong with us doing the traditional Snow Badger ceremony. He's meant to come in the night whilst all the good dibbuns are asleep and not be seen by any beast."

Zee nods, "They have a new badger lord too...so guess both are having some news...and as for de Snow Badger, I could help with that if needed. I know where that outfit be and know a helper that be willing to help" He frowns " Did have a helped for de cookies and some cider...but well, always another way fer that right"

Benar nods "I still see little point in having the snow badger turn up. When I was little it used to just be the adults leaving out presents and such for the snow badger to find"

Zee asks, "Well, how would you do this ceomoney  thing then lad? Could still have some sort of fun night for the little ones and even not so little ones...maybe our own gifts to pass out and let the -snow badger- leave them gifts they find that next morning"

Benar says, "Well I don't want to interfere the dibbuns are Oz's responsibility, he is set on having the Snow Badger turn up for the little ones to see so I won't interfere. I would however like the Snow Badger to tell the traditional story, to remind all the little ones that they must sleep or the snow badger will not let them keep their gifts."

Zee grins "That’s an idea...no gifts till sleep, but maybe a cookie and cider and a story. I know de story..he comes with his snow hares and brings winter and to good beasts a gift of some sort and sometimes, just sometimes one might see him, as few have and those few have gotten this sort of ...like ter shaped crystal of sorts with a riddle on it. But wot like...maybe 2-3 supposedly seen him in what 1000's of seasons"

Benar says, "Yes, he is a very rare sight," he smiles and looks up at the swirling snow, "He is up there now, watching over us."

Zee watches the snow fall and smiles" Maybe just a story with cookies and cider and snow flake shaped ones and then when asleep, the snow badger can come around huh" He grins at Benar, surely loving this idea better, being sneaky and avoid being seen.

Benar inclines his head, "I am sure the dibbuns will do their best to try to stay up and spot you as you creep around delivering presents. But no cider for the children that really isn't appropriate"

Zee shrugs "Tis just apple juice and some sugar and heated a little....well maybe something else then...I know maybe I could talk ta chiefy on getting some hot chocolate from Ferravale, I know chocolate is good with mellowcreame and is a treat as it’s rare to get?"

Benar says, "Well hot chocolate may be better then mulled apple juice, the little ones don't like it"

Zee nods "I will see wot I can do lad, other than de snow badger issue I hope ta help with anything else goin' on"

Benar says, "Thank you Zee, I do appreciate you being willing to play the part” He then  says, "Well... Caleb and Cynthia are missing I fear they have been kidnapped by a rat who was hounding Cynthia."

Zee nods "I could try me best ta find the young ones, and I have the family blade now and my staff" He pats the staff" Trust me it’s helpful for more than walking"

Benar says, "Well I am glad you have the staff though I am surprised the blade went to you when Zork left us and not Zinnia."

Zee clears his throat "I have it yes, it is supposed to go to her but she is a Sister in the order and that seems important to her. I only got to speak to her briefly on the beach...I handed her the blade and she handed it back and told me ta keep it for now. I would like ta teach her ta use it..but if tis against your ways I will not as I do not wish to go against the abbey. I know Zork had de blade, I also know he put it in a chest right when he became brother in your order and never touched it after that, even once"

Benar says, "Well perhaps one day she will pass it onto her children, mayhaps one of them shall be destined to be a warrior"

Zee nods "Maybe, we shall see I suppose. I will hold onto it as long as needed. I can still fight fairly well. Not as well as in me earlier seasons but I also don’t fight unless I have to"

Benar chuckles "I wouldn't like to think how bad I am at fighting these days, I've not held a weapon in seasons"

Zee says, "Well you are an order beast, but you may know enough ta get out of trouble. I am unsure if Zinnia knows any fighting or not, I never found out, the only other one in me family can knows some anyways is Oz and that’s just how to use a staff...unless he is out of practice now" He shrugs.

Benar says, "Well considering Oz is blind I suspect his skill with the staff is just as bad as my skill with the bow"

Zee simply nods, "Just don’t let him go try and find those missing young ones as I know he be concerned about them. I also know he still be a bit depressed about over his brother's death, then sometimes takes a while to get over something like that and I was not here ta help either him or Zinnia, I showed up after the fact...a few weeks after wards "

Benar says, "Yes it can take a very long time to get over a death like that... Zork was such a big personality and fear not I will not let Oz leave the abbey to search for the young ones. Flicktail is on the case he will find them."

Zee says, "I am sure they will be found, not too many places for someone to slip off to. Do you think I should ask around Ferravale? I would be back in a couple days and in time for any snow badger fun"

Benar says, "Bandit already said he would ask around for us when he was here, he'll be back in Ferravale by now. I'd rather keep you here incase Flicktail and Lee need an extra helping hand."

Zee chuckles “I can stick around a few days, sides gives me a chance ta make some fun for de dibbuns maybe and tell de snow badger story to them and maybe try and cheer up Oz some."

Benar says, "Thank you Zee, it means a lot to me to have you around right now."

Zee smiles "Your welcome Abbot Benar and I don't plan ta go on any more long trips...getting bit too old for trips" He hmmms " Wonder if one can be too old"