Redwall Readalong

I didn’t post last week because I was banging this out. This kinda counts as two lol.

Painting for the studio’s new gallery theme.  It’s based on stories, and one of the stories/series that started all my creative juices was the Redwall series. I got a bunch of my fav’s in here: Martin, Tammo, Tiria, Ferahgo, Asmodeus, and Slagar. 

With eyes half-open, Martin watched the embers of the dying fire as he dozed off. The day of traveling had been hard on his paws, and he so badly wanted to sleep for a day. Grumm and Pallum had drifted off hours ago, stomachs full with the delicious trail rations Polleekin had sent with them.

Rose stirred silently at his side. She and Martin had stayed up late to talk, though Martin had mostly listened as Rose talked about her home at Noonvale. He could tell she missed the peaceful valley and was worried about the well-being of Brome, her younger brother. No sign of him nor Feldoh had been seen since they had started their journey eastward, though it was possible they had started off further north or south from where Martin and the others had washed ashore after their boat sank.

In her sleep, Rose shifted closer to Martin, using his shoulder as a pillow. Martin kept as still as possible as he stretched his arm out toward his pack to grab a blanket for her, but it was just out of reach. He tried to hook a claw around a loose thread, but caught only air.

Sighing contently, Martin relaxed and closed his eyes, ready to fall off to sleep. Just as he was almost asleep, a faint buzzing followed by a tingling on his nose informed him an insect has landed on him. Irritated at being disturbed, Martin twitched his nose and whiskers, trying to scare the bug away.

It flew away for a few seconds, but returned and continued its dance on Martin’s muzzle. A second nose twitch produced a similar result.

Finally fed up with the annoying insect, Martin opened his eyes to glare at it. The beetle-like creature buzzed as it landed on Martin before lighting up like a small ember.

“HellgatesSonOfA…” Martin sputtered as he scrambled backwards, brushing at his face.

The other three sleepers were quickly up and alert.

“Martin, what’s wrong?” Rose asked, looking around in concern, “Are we under attack?”

“What is that thing?” Martin gasped as he watched with wide eyes as the insect flew around the camp as its light blinked.

Rose giggled, “You’ve never seen one before?”

Martin shook his head in silence as he watched the creature with curiosity.

Humming softly, Rose extended her paw and allowed the insect to land. “It’s called a firefly.”

“Is it dangerous?”

“Only if you’re a leaf, silly.”

Martin lifted Rose’s paw toward his eyes and examined the glowing creature in awe. “How does it do that?”

“Its own special magic I suppose,” Rose guessed. “My Grandpa used to tell me that they were stars that got tired of hanging on to the sky.”

“Are there many of these?”

Rose nodded. “You want to see?” Facing into the forest, she began to sing.

Sleep, O babe, for the red bee hums The silent twilight’s fall: Aibheall from the Grey Rock comes To wrap the world in thrall. A leanbhan O, my child, my joy, My love and heart’s desire, The crickets sing you lullaby Beside the dying fire. 

Dusk is drawn, and the Green Man’s Thorn Is wreathed in rings of fog: Siabhra sails his boat till morn Upon the Starry Bog. A leanbhan O, the pale half-moon Hath brimmed her cusp in dew, And weeps to hear the sad sleep-tune I sing, O love, to you.

Faintly sweet doth the chapel bell Ring o’er the valley dim: Tearmann’s peasant-voices swell In fragrant evening hymn. A leanbhan O, the low bell rings My little lamb to rest And angel-dreams, till morning sings Its music in your breast.

Sleep, O babe, for the red bee hums The silent twilight’s fall: Aibheall from the Grey Rock comes To wrap the world in thrall. A leanbhan O, my child, my joy, My love and heart’s desire, The crickets sing you lullaby Beside the dying fire.

Martin watched entranced as, slowly at first, more and more fireflies entered the clearing, leisurely gliding around Rose, giving her the appearance of some glowing spirit. It was like standing in a field of stars. Everywhere he looked: glowing points of light circled the camp.

When Rose had finished her song, the little creatures remained for a minute before spreading out into the night, taking their magic light with them.

Pallum and Grumm had fallen asleep again, leaving Martin and Rose standing together.

“Rose…”Martin said, still caught up in the moment, “that was amazing.”

Rose smiled modestly, “Thank you, Martin.”

“Let me get you a blanket before we get back to sleep.”

“No thanks, I’m warm enough next to you.”

“Oh! Umm. Okay.” Martin set the blanket down to use as a pillow and lay down. Rose settled next to him.

“Don’t worry,” she said as he closed his eyes, “I’ll protect you from any more dangerous fireflies.”

…

Sound of Music meets the original Redwall.

Sound of Music meets the original Redwall.

“I will be Lunar Stellaris, light and shadow, hither and thither like the night breeze, presiding over all. Lord of Mountebanks, now you see me…And now you don’t!”

“Madder than midwinter, stronger than a four-topped oak, temper like lightnin’, full ‘o the Bloodwrath.”

Two Dueling Sparra Warriors - 2 of Diamonds

Foremole as the 6 of Clubs for the Redwall card deck!