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The sight, and sound, of the at least slightly sloshed Hedgehog that was the second guardian of the cellar caused Zaris to chortle as Grant tried to remember a song he presumed Ellis had sung at some point, or lar least had a hand in crafting. He reached out a paw as the large cellar hog stumbled towards him, just he case he need to prevent Grant from falling flat on his snout. Thankfully he seemed to have a pretty good handle on his own feet. It took a careful ear for him to decipher what it was that Grant told him in between swigs from his mug, but Zaris could at least assume that there'd be hotroot for the Friar.

He couldn't help just chuckle again as Grant attempted to sober up, and it was a passing act for anyone else. Not so great for an otter who'd grown up in a rambunctious tribe and could tell the difference between the slurring of ale versus beer. He didn't want Grant to feel embarrassed in front of him though. No doubt he'd end up doing something stupid himself before his time at the Abbey came to a close. [color=9e0b0f][b]"Nothin' wrong with samplin' a bit of the drink for the feast,"[/b][/color] he told Grant he waited for the hotroot to be brought to him. [color=9e0b0f][b]"Just make sure there's enough for the rest of us yeah."[/b][/color] 

The cellar was certainly packed full and he tapped his nails on the table in front of him as he waited for Grant to return. He could hear the muttering in the backroom, but he wasn't in any particular hurry aside from making sure the Friar had what he needed to make sure everything was ready in time. 

[color=9e0b0f][b]"Aye, I'd like to think I can heft a fair amount,"[/b][/color] picked up the crate with ease and gave a nod. [color=9e0b0f][b]"I'd say so. My Skipper'd say that any day is a proper one for celebration though."[/b][/color] His father had been one of the most guilty when it came to starting a party for any and all reasons. Though it seemed that the Abbey had a fair number of celebrations themselves. [color=9e0b0f][b]"I'll let Friar Ruddy know that the hotroot supply is runnin low'. I'll be seein' ya Grant."[/b][/color]

It was a quicker walk back up to the kitchens and he set the hotroot down by the jovial Friar and did as he told Grant he would. He could see the vermin had been put to work, as had Rigby, but it still made him uncomfortable knowing they were within the walls of Redwall. 

[color=9e0b0f][b]"I'd best be headin' back to Brother Jethro,"[/b][/color] he told Ruddy, [color=9e0b0f][b]"Come back to us when you're released Rigby,"[/b][/color] he called out to the mouse in a more teasing tone than usual. The thought of the feast had put him in a better mood despite himself. He waved a paw at the Friar before turning and heading back out the way he came to return to the gatehouse. 

It was a short jaunt across the courtyard back to the gatehouse with the dibbuns marching about. He had just pushed open the door when a dark, looming shadow caught his eye in the sky above. Fear spiked in his veins as his head snapped up to see a raptor soar over the Abbey walls and begin to circle the courtyard. There was no way that it was unseen, [color=9e0b0f][b]"Brother Jethro! Sound an alarm!"[/b][/color] He called through the door before letting it swing shut and pulling his sling free. 

[color=9e0b0f][b]"Sister, get inside!"[/b][/color] He didn't want to panic the dibbuns and send them scattering across the courtyard, but he trusted their guardian to herd them to safety. He plucked several rocks from his pouch and set one into the sling. the raptor had yet to dive, but if it did he would be ready.