Talk With Abbot Benar, and Then Back Home After A Long Day...(Redemption Of MareK TP)
RW Abbey: Graveyard
This is a small natural clearing in the forest growth. Ancient trees tower over the area, arching over to make an interlaced roof on the clearing, keeping the area dark and shaded through the day and night. The floor is bare except for some small plants and forest mulch. As an entrance to this place, there are two large oaks that have branches that grew together to form a natural arch. At the foot of the largest one, between the roots, a fresh mound has been dug. In the clearing there are small patches of freshly turned earth, and rocks lining a few of them. A burial ground. In the shadows of this place, there is silence for the dead.
Exits: [O]pen [G]round
It is raining, a heavy drizzle blanketing the woodlands of Mossflower in a hazy fog. The abbey grounds are little different and here in the drizzling rain Benar is standing by Lorimis' gravestone. He has his hood up and is talking quietly to the grave, "You know my old friend, I never realized just how much everyone bothered you... this being Abbot business is harder then I imagined."
Marek had been here earlier, but slipped away after finding the young Lilymoore here and talking with her after he had taken her to the infirm, most likely a couple seen him but not known who he was and due to the fact he has not caused trouble now or a few days ago, the guard on duty both times didn’t worry and also didn’t know him as they were one of the new guards the abbey has, the stoat slows as he sees Benar by the grave. He walks a little closer and has his own hood on for now as he glances at Lorimis grave quietly.
Benar turns at the sound of foot-steps in the rain and looks back toward the cowled and cloaked figure. The grey squirrel's eyes narrow as he stares at them. He recognizes a stoat tail, the height is right but well height and species do not an enemy make. "Good day friend, a strange day to be abroad in the rain."
Marek frowns under his hood, thought he had wanted to try and talk to the new abbot, he was not quite ready just yet but he also isn't going to just leave, he sighs sadly as he speaks softly and sadness is it his voice "It's..it suits the mood..." He stops talking and shakes his head, "Most..don't use the word friend...well one did, the young mouse maid called me...friend." He knows it’s most likely risky for him to have even spoken but he did as he looks at the grave, "He..was a wise leader. A lot of..of words of wisdom, just some were not deeply thought on till later on."
Benar places a hand atop the gravestone idly, just touching it gently and looks at the stoat, "He was one of our greatest, Abbot of Redwall for more seasons then many before him. Friend is the term I use for everyone, though you have little reason to be here. Why are you inside our walls, last I checked Lorimis revoked the Hospitality of Redwall from you and I don't recall lifting it."
Marek stands quietly, then speaks "I...had come to pay my respects, to...I had wished I could have come sooner, while he was alive but I did not. I maybe lost any chance at..forgiveness I seek." His voice is a little shaky as he speaks "I..I am sorry, I know I am hated here...maybe even wished by some to be dead. I cannot take back what I have done in the past, I w...wish I could Mr. Ben....Abbot Benar." He lifts his head slightly and he has been crying and seems to fight back the urge to cry now. “I am truly..sorry."
Benar looks at the stoat, "Perhaps there are those who would dispatch you to DarkForest Gate Marek, no member of the order would do so however. As I am sure you noticed, the harshest criticism we ever gave you was to deny you our hospitality." He looks at the gravestone, "I cannot say whether Lorimis would ever forgive you, your actions saw many suffer, caused much grief, forgiveness is not an easy thing to gain."
Marek nods "I..Understand, I am not here to harm and never wish to harm an abbey beast ever again. I have changed and I am not the same beast I was last spring. I know that doesn’t change what I done. I know forgiveness is hard to gain....as is any friendships or trust. One beast does trust me more than he has before and for that I am glad as he is willing to give me a chance, even gave me a job as tavern owner. And no I am not looking for any takeovers if you fear that." Marek adds "I also know the beasts under my command caused a lot of trouble..and I am sorry for that."
Benar inclines his head and pushes back the hood of his robe, "Well all beasts can change, for better from worst as well as the other way. By all means you are welcome to pay your respects but then... I must ask you to leave the abbey and not return without permission from myself. The Hospitality of Redwall is still withdrawn from you and I will not lift that, not at this time. As reluctant as we are to ever hand out such a calling we are equally as reluctant to lift it from a beast without just reason."
Marek nods slowly as he looks at the grave of the former abbot and sighs, "I am..sorry. I guess I listened too late to some of your wise words, maybe deep down I listened to some of your speeches of a better way..just sorry the words didn’t seem to be well thought on till afterwards." He does let a couple tears go down his face as he looks at Benar, "Thank you for not chasing me off Abbot Benar, least right away. I will leave as you wish me too and only return with your and only your permission to do so"
Benar nods his head, "I will listen and hope those speeches and you have truly turned a new leaf over Marek... I truly hope that your words are true and not just another of your schemes. Remember you spoke honeyed words to me before and then betrayed the trust the Abbey gave you." He steps aside, "Take the time you wish to say your good byes... and then I will see you to the gate"
Marek nods, "I...know what I did before...." He walks over to the grave of Lorimis and says a few quiet words, standing up after a little while as he had kneeled down, and has tears on his face as he wipes them away, he glances around and sighs as he doesn’t see Lilymoore..maybe his only true friend here so far, he nods to Benar “I am ready to leave now. I speak the truth, I have changed and only seek forgiveness from whim ever wishes to give it, be it now or later on sir abbot. I hope to in time let the word friend from you...truly mean friend. I hope to be able to show how I have changed..."
Benar waits quietly and lets Marek have the time he requested and then when he is done the Abbot walks him slowly through the rain to the gates. He orders the small side gate opened and looks into the stoats eyes, "Travel safely Marek, and well... I hope for your sake your words are indeed true."
Marek nods "Again, thank you for letting me see Father Lorimis grave " He turns and walks onward back to Ferravale.
-Once back in Ferravale, in the Tavern-
Marek walks into the tavern and to the bar, he speaks to a large muscle bound weasel, “Giles…dismiss the tavern, we’ll closed” The weasel bouncer nods “Ya all heard the tavern owner, all beasts out! We are closed for the night!”
Beasts complain and others just snort and walk out. A couple stare at Marek and Giles and then finally exit muttering something rude under their breath and soon the tavern is empty of all but Marek and Giles.
Reseda is still here sipping her ale as she tilts her head and simply watches the two beasts.
Marek looks over at Reseda and walks over as he nods to Giles..”Leave, your excused” The ferret nods and takes his leave. As Marek speaks to the female stoat” Ms. Reseda..Kindly exit the tavern I wish to be alone”
Reseda finishes her ale, and smiles “So where is the mole that usually follows you everywhere Marek?”
“In his room…why are you still here?” Marek asks quietly and goes to sit down in a booth alone.
Reseda walks over and sits by him “Cause, you head off for two days and come back a bit, well moody and ya close the tavern early, so whats wrong Marek?”
Marek sighs, “I am not welcome in the abbey, then I figured after all the things I have done. I was asked to leave by Abbot Benar, but at least it was peaceful, no guards dragging me off..just walked to the gates and wished me safe travel even. I did not get forgiveness…then again that needs earned supposed. He was right I have tricked beasts before, even lied sometimes but not anymore..I have not lied in a long while.” Tears go down his face as he sighs.
Reseda offers a smile” Well, it could have been worse, did Abbot Benar say anything else?”
Marek nods, “I cannot be inside without his permission and only his permission from him directly, not some other beasts word..-HIS- word directly from him and I agreed to this, so no more trips to the abbey any time soon, not worth it. They know of Irinevok. I didn’t get a chance to mention he was in the area but so far he seemed only interested in Ferravale, doesn’t mean much that mouse still needs stopped”
Reseda nods” I am sure they know, maybe that book..where is it?”
Marek frowns and pulls it out “It still needs seriously repaired.” He lies it on the table and starts to get up and walk off upstairs to the living quarters.
Reseda looks at the book “I can take it to their recorder if you like.” She goes to stop him as she lays a gentle paw on his shoulder.
Marek starts to shove the paw off and then turns to her, tears in his eyes and down his face..”Y..Yeah, do that..now go it’s time for me to sleep, I am tried it was a long slow walk back here.”
Reseda is not sure why but she takes a chance and hugs him, she seems surprised herself and backs up a little “S..Sorry…thought maybe you needed that, yeah sleep is good.”
Marek’s eyes widen at the hug, he then returns it and then sobs onto her shoulder for a good few moments before he straightens up and takes a deep breath as he wipes his eyes and bows to her “Good eve..Reseda, maybe we can have a chat in the morning over some scones before I open the Tavern for the village.”
Reseda smiles “I would like that Marek thank you.” She then walks off outside and to her own home.
Marek watches her leave and manages a small smile and then heads up to bed, sleep is much needed for this very long day.
