The Newcomer

[Abbot Feralius]

(OOC: It's in the grounds because it will eventually proceed from the walltops to the grounds so shuddup . 1st of the spring of the Singing Nightingale.)

The Abbot of Redwall Abbey stood on the west wall. The cat breathed in the cool air. "Aaahhh! 'Tis a beautiful spring morning!" he looked back at the grounds, no one seemed to be up. That was odd, Redwallers were usually up brisk and early, Eh, no matter.
Feralius squinted, there seemed to be a shape coming up the path. Feralius kept a paw on a bow below the rampart. Incase it was a foe-beast.

[Runtool]

"hello there friend i am Martin, who do I have the pleasure of talking to!?"Martin shouted up to the cat on the ramparts "Now why don't you lower that bow. There's no need to attack, i'M a friend"

[Abbot Feralius]

Feralius looked down. A mouse, and he said his name was Martin? He paused for a moment. Could this have been what he heard when he passed the tapestry this morning? He had sworn he had heard a voice coming from it. "Martin. Martin!" it had said. Could this have been what Martin was trying to tell him.
"Hello! This is the Abbot of Redwall Abbey! I will be down to let you in, in a minute Martin!"
The wildcat decended down the steps, musing over who this strange mouse could be. When he reached the gate, he undid the locks and opened the door. "Well Martin, it's always nice to see a new face in Mossflower! Come inside and tell me more about you!"

[Runtool]

Martin walked through the thick abbey gate into the main grounds and gasped, the grounds were huge! With a calm pond glistening near the Walls. Offering his arm to the old wildcat he began heading for the lake. Upon reaching the pond Martin took off his chesplate so he was in his yellow tattered tunic and, with a whoop shot off into the pool.

[Abbot Feralius]

Feralius gasped as Martin leapt into the pond. Well that was a little...unexcpected to say the least. The Abbot walked over to the edge of the pond, and put two paws to his mouth and called, "I wouldnt go in there if I were you! The grayling are'nt to friendly to new faces!" Wether he exited the pond or not was still to be seen, but never the less the cat gave him a proposal, "I could give you a tour of the Abbey if you would like, most everybeast is still sleeping so we should be able to get round it in good time!"

~~~~~~~~~~

But the Abbot would not be taking Martin for the tour so it would seem, because at that moment. An other mouse stepped from the bushes, it was Dann. Resident trouble maker! "Dont you bother about him ol' cat! I'll show the new guy 'round the Abbey!" Dann straightend his tunic in an effort to look more presentable. The wildcat sighed, "Fine then. But do'nt get our new friend into too much trouble on his first day at Redwall please!"
"You have my word on it!" the young mouse straightened up and flashed a wink at Martin. "He'll be safe with me sir!" The cat chuckled a bit then turned for the main Abbey building.
"Alright but keep out of trouble if thats possible for you!"The Abbot entered the door, repeating the phrase 'Martin' over and over to himself. He stopped in the doorway and turned, "Oh and one more thing. Welcome to Redwall Martin!"

[Runtool]

Martin returned Dann's wink and, turning to the Abbot tried his hardest to keep a straight face as he shouted to the Abbot "Dont worry Abbot I'm sure we will be on our best behaviour!" Martin started to wade out of the lake he noticed how all the grayling's were all staring at him with their blank, dull looking face. Martin thought that mabye the Abbot was right, mabye the graylings were dangerous to a small Mouse like himself, leaving his chestpiece on a low hanging branch Martin and Dann began walking towards the fruit orchards discussing with dann were the best hiding spots were and what food is the best in the various larders and, one what caught Martins Attention, the secret entrance to the cellars were they could go to drink some of the forbidden ale! Martin could tell it was going to be the start of a great friendship...