Norham (Completed)

[Quickpaw]

Vash did it quietly as well. He had done this many times, sneaking away quietly. However, it was a lot harder this time. He had never tried to escape while having a hostage beast.

[KitrallStreamrippler]

Zef looked back and sighed. He could tell Vash was good at this sort of thing, but was hampered by Tailli. "D'ye want t' take th' liddle'un an' I'll take th' squirrel?" he asked quietly.

[Quickpaw]

"I don't care, really." Vash told Zef.

[KitrallStreamrippler]

The old shrew shrugged the shoulder that Jen wasn't hung over. "Suit yourself. We should be there soon anyway." As he spoke, he caught sight of Redwall through the thinning trees. The walltops were occupied by fightingbeasts from both sides, locked in combat with each other. In all the chaos, nobeast had seemed to notice that the small wickergate was not shut all the way. Zef headed swiftly towards it, carrying Jen almost effortlessly.

[Quickpaw]

Vash moved with Taili, which took some effort, and ran behind Zef, who, only having to carry a child, was going faster than him.

[KitrallStreamrippler]

Zef reached the small wallgate and held it for Vash. He adjusted the burden on his shoulder, not noticing somebeast coming up behind him...

[Quickpaw]

Vash nodded and walked in with Taili, unaware of any beast besides them. He was to busy getting an albino squirrel through the gate.

[KitrallStreamrippler]

Sensing something wrong, Zef whirled- but only managed to turn halfway before a rat's blade sliced across his ribs. Zef roared with pain and fell, Jen rolling off his shoulder and coming to a stop in the shadows by the wall. As Zef tried to regain his feet, the rat sneered at him and smashed his swordhilt down on the old shrew's head. The last thing he heard before losing consciousness was the rat's snide voice. "Wait for yore friends at 'Ellgates, sh'ew. They'll be joinin' ye afore long!"

[Quickpaw]

Vash turned at the noise. "No!!" he shouted, dropping Taili. He ran at the rat, jabbing at him with his knife.

[KitrallStreamrippler]

The rat hadn't seen Vash. He panicked, desperately parrying the viscious dagger thrusts with his sword. Then he missed, and Vash's dagger buried itself to the hilt in the rat's chest. Giving a surprised squeak, he toppled over, the knife still in his chest.

[Quickpaw]

Vash stopped like he was frozen. He had just killed a beast. He had just killed a beast! He had never killed anybeast before. Vash started to panic, tears starting to well up in his eyes, blurring his vision. He slumped down to his knees, crying. Both from his actions and for Zef.

[KitrallStreamrippler]

Vash's tears dripped onto Zef's face where he lay, unconscious. After a few minutes, he began to stir faintly, letting out a low groan and trying to raise his aching head. "Unhhh... Wha'- Vash...?"

[Quickpaw]

Vash slowly openness his eyes. "Z-Zef? You're alive?" he said, almost not believing it.

[KitrallStreamrippler]

Zef coughed. "S'pose I am, if'n I 'urt this much," he managed. "Not f'much longer if I don' get 'elp soon though..."

[Quickpaw]

"O-okay." Vash said, nodding. He slowly and carefully pulled Zef inside the gate and closed it, locking it behind them. "Is there anybeast here that can help a hurt one? Anyone?" He called out, looking for a healer.