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The Mossflower Journals: Abbeydweller
By: Erin
We planned to write about what life would be like through a woodlander's eyes, but eventually this article changed into a journal of each different creature's daily activities. Sit back, relax, and imagine that you're reading straight from a diary of a woodlander. ;-)
1. The Journal of Novice Fennel, A RW Mouse
"I slept through the morning bell again today! Sister Vallem was extremely unhappy with me when she came to wake me up. You'd think I'd done it on purpose, the way she scolded me. I hastily clambered into my robe the second she left. I think I'll ask my friend, Tiller, to wake me tomorrow. She's always up early because she claims the fishing's best before dawn.
"Breakfast was simple, but good, as always. Cherry cordial, strawberry jam, and my favorite: hot, fresh scones straight from the oven!
"Someone put wax earplugs in Meadowflax's ears while she was sleeping, and she didn't come down until we were halfway through breakfast. I'd swear that hare eats more than the rest of the Abbey put together! We wouldn't have known who had done it, but when Meadow came down, she was furious.
"'You bally cads! Depriving a hare of 'er grub! Bad form, wotwot! Alright, who did it? Out with it, you rotters!' she stated angrily, while we all tried very hard not to laugh. Unfortunately for Larkin, Meadowflax came down the dormitory stairs right across from his seat. She delivered her whole speech while staring straight at his face, and it was too much for poor Larkin.
"As he began to chuckle, Meadowflax instantly turned to him. 'So it was you! Aaaaargh, just wait until I get my hands on you, you impudent liddle rip!' So saying, she proceeded to leap across the table and chase after the now departing Larkin. 'Twasn't me...heehee...I swear! Aaaaah!' Larkin protested, unsuccessfully. I have no idea what Meadowflax did when she caught up with him, but I wouldn't want to be in his shoes for anything! It was very funny, though.
"After breakfast everyone else was called out to the orchard, to help harvest the early apples. I would've liked to have gone with them, but Sister Vallem said that I was on breakfast cleanup. In her words, 'Maybe you'd learn to get up earlier if dishes awaited you if you didn't!' Personally, I couldn't see that it was teaching me about anything but dirt, but I wasn't going to argue. I'm training to be a healer with her, you see, and the first thing a novice learns about Sister Vallem is how nice she is... until you break a rule! I think she felt bad about it though, because eight plates and two scone trays later, when she passed through the kitchen with the first basket, she gave me two of the nicest apples she had picked.
"The dishes didn't take nearly as long as I thought, and I did get to go out in the orchard to help pick for about two bells before lunch. I like climbing, so I love picking the apples and other fruits from the orchard. The Abbott always says I must be part squirrel!
"After lunch, I always help Sister Vallem in the infirmary. In the winter, it can be pretty busy, but in the summer and fall, there aren't as many sick, so we mostly take care of broken bones and the like. Today the infirmary is empty, so she and I are going out into Mossflower woods to pick some of the herbs she needs to brew potions for the winter months. Needless to say, we aren't going to be able to find any then if we need them.
"I always enjoy walking through Mossflower. Walking with Sister Vallem is even more interesting because she knows so much about which plants and herbs are helpful, and which are not. She loves to teach and I am a most attentive listener. I'm getting better and better at recognizing herbs, and soon, she says, I will be able to help her brew healing potions.
"Today we are able to find all that the Sister thinks we need, although it takes us 'til near supper time. I raced back to the Abbey the second she said we had enough, leaving a slightly amused Sister Vallem in my wake. As soon as I reached the Abbey, I put my baskets in the infirmary and dashed towards the Great Hall. I got there just in time to snatch the last of the Seven Season Pudding from under Meadowflax's outstretched paw. Next time, I think Sister Vallem will not take so much time!
"It's after supper now, and I'm almost finished recording today's entry in my journal. The candle flickers, the sun has sunk beyond the horizon, and I must be off to bed if I'm planning to awaken on time tomorrow. Tiller said she'll wake me up, but you know how absentminded she is."