26

Beneath the Abbeys south wall, Foremole Diggum and his team held the lanterns out over the underground cavern. Holding on to the moles digging claws, Tansy and Arven leaned out at the edge of the shored-up timber platform that the moles had built at the end of the small tunnel down which they had come. They peered down into the shadowy depths of what appeared to be a huge abyss, wide, dark, and mysterious.

Far below them water could be heard. Foremole tossed a turnip-sized boulder into the yawning chasm. They listened, but only silence followed.

Tansy turned to the solemn-faced mole leader. “Where has that rock gone to? she asked.

Her question was followed by an echoing distant splash. Foremole shook his head gravely. “Daown thurr summwhurrs, marm, hurr, thatn bes a gurt deep ole.

They stood awhile, then Tansy backed off the platform gingerly. “Dear me, thats enough of that! Its like looking down from a high building and not seeing the ground. I was beginning to feel quite woozy!

Foremole Diggum and his crew assisted her back to the surface, offering his irrefutable mole logic as he lit their way. “Urr, tis better feelin woozed up on furm ground for gennel beasts such as ee, marm. Oi thinks usns be appier talkin abowt et all in ee Abbey, thurr be things oive gotter say regardin yon gurt ole!

Intrigued by Foremoles words, they all followed him indoors.

On entering the Abbey, Tansy walked straight into a dispute that had broken out in the kitchens. Amid much paw-wagging and whisker-twitching, the Abbess placed herself between the dormouse Pellit and a sturdy squirrel called Butty, whom Mother Buscol was training in the ways of the kitchen. Both creatures argued fiercely, glaring truculently at each other.

“I wont be able to get on with me work, shell be in the way!

“Work? Huh, when did you ever work? You spend half ytime sleepin on empty veggible sacks by the back oven!

“You young skipwaggle, keep a civil tongue in yer head when yore talkin to eldersnbetters!

“Listen, you might be oldern me, but well soon find out whos better if you call me a skipwaggle again!

Tansy grabbed a copper ladle and struck it on a cooking pot with a resounding clang. “Silence, please, this instant! Now, one at a time. Whats this all about? Pellit, you first.

The dormouse adopted an air of injured innocence. “Mother Abbess, all I said was that the bird shouldnt be allowed to live in our kitchens, taint right. For one thing, we need the space in that cupboard for storage, theres little enough room fer that down ere as it is ...

Tansys hard stare and upraised paw halted Pellit. “Youre speaking in riddles, sir. Butty, begin at the beginning!

The young squirrel explained as best he could: “Well, marm, tis the owl Orocca. Shes been lookinround the Abbey for somewheres tput her nest an eggs. She searched highnlow but nowheres suited her until she discovered our kitchens an that big corner cupboard where we store apples. Anyhow, me an Shad shifted her in there, owl, eggsnnest. Then before yknow it, old whinin whiskers Pellit is moanin an complainin an reportin the matter to Sister Viola. Redwallers gave way as Tansy swept regally across to the cupboard. She opened the door and was confronted by the great golden eyes of Orocca. The owl snuggled down righteously atop her nest on the middle shelf, and said, “Hmph! Youve already wrecked one homesite where I lived, now I suppose youre going to eject me from this one?

With a wry smile hovering on her lips, Tansy turned to Pellit. “Dyou know where an auger or a drill can be found?

The dormouse answered her hesitantly, “Er, yes, marm, Gurrbowl an Foremole Diggum keeps em in the wine cellars for borin bungholes in barrels, marm.

Tansy tapped the cupboard door. “Good! Then go and get some form of drilling tool from them and bore lots of holes in this door, so that our guest has plenty of fresh air to breathe in her new home. Well, dont stand staring, Pellit, hurry along now!

Turning back to the owl, Tansy bobbed a small curtsy. “I hope youll be comfortable here. If you need anything at all, just ask. Ill detail Mother Buscol to take care of you; should you want to leave your nest, Im sure youll be able to trust her to keep an eye on the eggs until you return.

Orocca blinked rapidly, her head bobbing up and down. “My thanks to you, Abbess. This will be a good warm home for my eggchicks when they break shell. If any of your creatures sees my husband, Taunoc, perhaps they would tell him where I am.

Craklyn, who had witnessed the quarrel, patted Tansys paw admiringly as they made their way down to Cavern Hole. “Well, you took care of that wonderfully, but poor old Pellits got a face on him like a fractured tail. Did you see him?

Tansy folded both paws into her wide habit sleeves. “Actually Im glad Orocca caused that disturbance. For some time now Ive been thinking of making certain changes in the kitchens. Mother Buscol is a bit old to be in charge of all the cooking, and young Butty is a good hardworking creature and a fine cook. I think hell make an excellent Friar given the chance.

Craklyn agreed with Tansy, though she had reservations. “What about Pellit? Hes older and has worked in the kitchens longer than Butty. Wont it cause bad feelings if you promote fee young squirrel over the dormouses head?

But like a wise Mother Abbess, Tansy had a reason for everything she did concerning her beloved Redwall. “I dont think so, Craklyn. The trouble with Pellit is that hes fat, getting on in seasons, and of course hes a dormouse. Thats why hes always nodding off in the warmth from the ovens. If I left him in the kitchen hed injure himself someday. So Ive decided that he shall be Viola Bankvoles new assistanthes always chatting to her and hanging about the Infirmary, and the jobs an easy one, so hell have plenty of time to rest. Mother Buscol can look after Orocca and the eggchicks when they arrive. That way shell be in the kitchens a lot to keep an eye on our new Friar, Butty.

Tansy spoke to Mother Buscol and Viola, and then to Butty and Pellit, before taking her seat in Cavern Hole. Everyone seemed happy with the new arrangements. Craklyn sat with the other creatures, very impressed with the know-how and wisdom the seasons had bestowed upon her old friend.

Word had passed around regarding the chasm beneath the outer south wall, and now everybeast was familiar with the news. Arven opened the discussion.

“So now we know what was causing the wall to collapse. I suppose the continuous action of the water wore the ground away and formed the big hole. What dyou think, Diggum?

“Well, zurr, oi thought the same as ee at furst. But menmoi moles, we hexplored ee sides o the gurt ole, an guess wot? Usns found that part o ee sides o yon pit wurr square stones. Aye, theym been builded thataway boi summ-beasts long gone, hurr!

This announcement caused a buzz of speculation. Tansy hid her surprise and silenced the gossip.

“One moment, please! Thank you. I was about to say that this casts a whole new light on things, but it only seems to deepen the puzzle. Let us not get carried away with wild speculation, friends. Has anybeast a sensible suggestion to offer?

Skipper of Otters ventured an idea. “Supposin menmy crew put some long ropes together an went down there to-morrer, marm. We might find where all that waters flowin to, an who knows wot else?

The mole Bunto scratched his nosetip with a hefty digging claw. “Gudd idea, zurr, an mayap eeIl take a lukk at ee carvens on yon stones.

Foremole Diggum donned a tiny pair of glasses and peered over the top of them at Bunto. “Yurr, ee never told oi abowt no carven on walls!

Bunto smiled disarmingly, saying, “Probberly cos youm never arsked oi, zurr!

Foremole took Buntos answer quite logically. “Hurr, silly o me. No matter, next toim oill arsk ee!

That seemed to settle the matter. Tansy looked around the assembly. “Right then, Skipper and his crew will look into it tomorrow. Any more questions, suggestions, or business? Good, then Im off to my bed. Its been a long day.

An amazingly cultured voice rang out from the doorway: “Excuse me, I do beg your pardon for interrupting, but does anybeast know the whereabouts of an owl named Orocca, last seen perched on a nest containing three eggs?

A trim and very dignified-looking male Little Owl opened the door wide and bowed courteously to the Redwallers. Tansy had long ago given up being surprised by anything; she simply returned his bow with a polite nod of her head.

“Ah, I take it your name is Taunoc, sir. Welcome to Red-wall Abbey. This is our Foremole, Diggum, he will take you to your wife. Main kitchen, far corner, right in the apple cupboard. Youll probably find a dormouse there drilling holes. If he disturbs you, then please send him away.

The Little Owl bowed once more. “My thanks to you, marm. I bid you a pleasant good night!

When he had departed with Foremole, there was a moments silence. Then both Tansy and Craklyn burst into helpless laughter. “Whoohoohoo! Oh, hahahaha! Great seasons, did you see the face on him, and such beautiful manners. Hee-heehee! Oh, dear, what next?

Craklyn widened her eyes and did a perfect imitation of Taunoc. “Last seen perched on a nest containing three eggs? Hahahaha!

Tansy rose, supporting herself weakly on the chair arm. “Heeheehee! No more business! No more questions! No more anything, please! I need my bed! Oh, whoohoohoohaha! Sorry!

Leaning against each other, Recorder and Abbess left Cavern Hole, tears streaming down their faces as they giggled and whooped.

Bunto looked blankly at Drubb. “Hurr, oim glad theym appy, baint you?

“Burr aye, but wot theym a larfin anna chucklen at oi doant know. Twas ony summ owlybird a looken furr is missus.

Gradually the spring night cast its spell over Redwall. Lanterns nickered, fires guttered, and a stray draft moved the tapestry in Great Hall before passing on. All was peaceful, calm, from dormitory to cellars.

Beneath the south wall, far down in the Stygian gloom of the chasm, something moved. Something cold, slippery, and long ... Something moved.

Dawns half-light was barely peeping over windowsills when the young squirrel Butty pounded on Tansys bedroom door. Pulling the coverlet over her head. Tansy complained in a sleep-muffled moan, “Go way, taint light yet, Ive only just closed my eyes!

But the new Friar persisted, thumping the door and shouting, “Mother Abbess, marm, new owlbabes have arrived in our kitchens! Oh, please come quick, I dunno what tdo!

Tansys footpaws found her old slippers as she threw on a dressing gown and dashed to the door.

“Rouse Sister Viola, Mother Buscol, and Craklyn, and bring em straight down to the kitchens. Go quickly and try not to waken the others!

Completely in a dither, Butty raced off, yelling aloud, “Owl babies! Just arrived in the kitchens! New little uns!

Abbess Tansy peered around the half-open cupboard door. From beneath Oroccas fearsome talons, three sets of massive golden eyes stared unblinkingly back at her. AH of Redwall, clad in a variety of nightshirts, tasseled caps, dressing gowns, Old sandals, and slippers, packed into the kitchens, hopping up and down eagerly to catch a glimpse of the new arrivals.

Mother Buscot complimented the owl on her eggchicks: “My my, wot beautiful liddle birds. Theyve got yore eyes, too!

A brief smile flitted across Oroccas solemn features. “Thank you, Buscol. These are my first brood, and Im glad theyre all fit and well. My husband, Taunoc, will be pleased, when he eventually gets to see them.

Craklyn raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Taunoc hasnt seen his babes yet? Where is he?

Orocca lifted her talons, allowing the chicks to stumble forward. “Poor Taunoc was in a worse tizz man that young squirrel of yours. The moment he heard eggshells cracking he took off in a fluster, muttering about hunting to feed five beaks now. Hell be back.

The little owls were mere fuzzballs, with eyes practically larger than their bodies. When they were not dumbling and stumbling to stay upright, they were huddling together to keep their balance. Orocca knocked the door open wide with a sweep of her wing.

Now all the Redwallers could see the three chicks clearly, there were exclamations of delight, particularly from the Dib-buns, whom Skipper and his otters had lifted onto their shoulders so they could get a clear view.

“Burr, can theym owlyburds coom out tplay with usns?

“Why dont they say noffink yet?

“Ello, likkle owlyburds, dyou want some brekkfist?

Viola Bankvole, keeping a safe distance from Orocca, took charge. “A sensible idea, why dont we all go in to breakfast and leave Orocca to clean up her nest?

Viola and Tansy ushered the crowd out, while Mother Bus-col and Gurrbowl Cellarmole stayed behind to help the owls.

Skipper of Otters whacked his tail down hard upon the table-top. “Stow the gab now, mateys, yore Abbess wants a word! Nodding thanks to Skipper, the Abbess tucked paws into her dressing-gown sleeves and stood to address the Redwallers. “Listen carefully nowthis wont take long. Summers nearly here, tis a beautiful day outside, so heres my plan. I say we cancel all work and worries until tomorrow, and let today be one of feasting and celebration for the three little lives that have arrived into our Abbey. A triple birthday party out in the orchard!

Cheers of joy rang to the rafters of Great Hall.

Brother Ginko was RedwalFs Bellringer. Today he didnt stand below and pull on the ropes; instead, he climbed the stairs to the steepletop chamber, stood on the beams between the two bells, and operated them by pushing with both paws. The warm brazen sounds rang out over Mossflower.

Larks took to the meadow air, and woodland birds fluttered out over the green tree canopy, adding their morning songs to the bell tones rising into a bright sunlit sky.