Redwall Abbey

Two days earlier. . .
  Had it been a horde of vermin that showed up at his doorstep, Lord Hargath would have made no hesitation to destroy them, or at least drive them off. However, it was not vermin that arrived to seek entrance to Salamandastron, but about a score of mice, shrews, squirrels, otters, even a female badger, and at their head was a creature of legend: a wolf! The badger did let them into his fortress, hearing their pleas for help from the group of vermin that had apparently attacked them, leaving them with the large burden of carrying their dead. Lord Hargath welcomed them as friends, offering his aid for as long as necessary.
  The wolf introduced himself as Vrungin, and gave most courteous thanks to the generous badger. This Vrungin was polite and pleasant, though his, and the creatures' who came with him, accents were odd, causing Hargath's best friend Colonel Sharpeye to grow suspicious.
  When the hare saw the badger lord next, he was laying limp on the ground, his thick skull crushed horribly by some great force of a blunt object. As soon as Sharpeye began crying out orders, all the creatures Vrungin had brought pulled weapons and began attacking with great ferocity the Salamandastron hares; most frightening of all might have been when the canvases covering the "dead bodies" moved to reveal two cats, the likes of which had never been seen. The attackers proved to be terrifyingly deadly, and the colonel was forced to gather as many of the hares as he could, taking them down out an entrance at the side of the mountain to clamber down and away.
  Upon making sure the hares were far from the mountain, Vrungin had his creatures lock up the captured hares before leaving the mountain with most of his force to meet with the rest. . .

Present time. . .

  Vrungin examined the dirt road leading inland.
  "Well, this is interesting. Let us move on. This road goes somewhere, and I intend on finding out. What about you?"
  A small cheer was raised from the motley assortment of creatures, and they started walking in the direction of Redwall.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Abbess Hhenf finally sat down at the midday meal, watching creatures move around as she rested in her chair. The day had not only been tasking on the body, but also on the mind; so many creatures had come from outside, and though it was peaceful, she knew that the vermin were out there, and she worried about it all the time for the safety of her creatures.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  A cougar stood at the banks of the River Moss, surveying the forest-covered land around him as creatures piled out of lifeboats from a ship.
  "Foreign land, Commander; do you think Vrungin is here?"
  The armor-clad cat looked up at the dull sky and the bare trees stretching into it. "It's the biggest land mass we've come across for a while; he'll be here. Let us head away from the river a bit and into the forest, see what we can find. It's been a while since we've seen our old friend Vrungin, so let's get-"
  "Friend Vrungin, eh? Well, ol' Metalwhiskers, I'm afraid your friend will have to wait, wot?"
  The commander raised a brow at the strange, lanky rabbit-like creature that appeared from the underbrush in front of him. "And why is that. . . rabbit?"
  The creature's ears shot up straight. "Rabbit? I, sah, am a hare! Salamandastron fighters, form a line!" Dozens more of the hares hopped from the bushes, making a perimeter around the force on the banks with spears, swords and daggers pointed inward. Immediately their opposition raised shields at their front.
  The cougar waved back his archers. "What do you want with us?"
  "We want murdering scum like you off our country!" Colonel Sharpeye called back. "A friend of Vrungin is an enemy of ours, wot!"
  The cougar's scarred face curled into a slight snarl. "Vrungin is no friend of ours; that was merely sarcasm! He comes from our land, the Barkhills, and is a dangerous criminal of ill intent! Lower your weapons, and we shall do the same, for it would be more desirable to have allies than kill needlessly."
  "How can we trust you, eh?"
  The cat walked out in front of his creatures and spread his arms. "On my honor, if you attack me I will not defend myself, but I cannot say the same for my soldiers. Let us talk."
  A moment passed before the colonel ordered his hares to stand down. "What's your bally ol' name?"
  The other bowed stiffly. "I am Karn Warcat, Commander of the Hammer Warriors of the Barkhills. You?"
  "Colonel Sharpeye of Salamandastron. The wolf you were looking for killed our Badger Lord, but he left inland."
  Karn rubbed his chin. "At least we know he's here. Why do you seem so worried?"
  The hare waved a paw east. "Inland is where a jolly old abbey is, a place of peace, wot! If that madbeast reaches it. . . We were on our way there."
  "Then we will join you," said Karn, motioning to his soldiers. Turning back to the hare, he went and shook his paw. "I am sorry for our intrusion into your land, but whether or not the creatures of this country like it, we foreigners must take care of our own, especially when they must never be underestimated."

A certain lynx was currently wandering Mossflower Wood, trailing an unusual party lead by an intimidating wolf. It was a certain habit of his, to investigate possible employers before offering his services. Narrowing his eyes, the lynx observed Vrungrin. The wolf did seem a little... on the mysterious side. Even Named, who was good at reading beasts, found it hard.

Stashi Bushtail crouched behind a bush, watching an old shrew fish in a river. She had once heard it called River Moss. She fingered the handle of one of her daggers, wondering if she should rob the shrew and take his traveling pack. Looking back, she saw how empty her own bag was, then jumped out from behind the bush and snarled as she notched an arrow to her bow, "Lissen, shrew. I don't wanna kill nobeast, but I'm outta food. Gimma your bag and I'll let you go!" She growled.

OOC: anyone can be the shrew if you want  :)

Altuth Harjinsson was resting lazily near the River Moss. The otter was content, having a full bag of food and a comfy place to sit in the clearing. It didn't matter to him that the food had once belonged to the two rats that lay slain under a bush nearby. However, the warrior otter was annoyed when his rest was disturbed by some beast speaking nearby. Altuth opened one eye, then pulled himself up, leaning heavily on his simple walking stick. He limped out of the clearing and closer to the river, where he saw an elderly shrew being threatened by a Fox.

"Oi, yeh Fox. Quit bothering that old fool. If yeh need food, I've some to share over here." He motioned back to his clearing with his walking stick. "I wouldn't try anything, though. Bigger beasts than yew have tried to attack me, and I've not yet gotten the short end 'o the stick."

Stashi jumped slightly, mentally beating herself up for not noticing the otter before. She forced herself to smile, knowing from experience that otters were dangerous, "Ahoy there, big fella. Wot a kind offer, matey. And don't worry, otter, I'd not dream of fighting a warrior such as yerself." She said, looking the otter up and down as she slowly lowered her bow.

OOC: is Altuth on the same side of the river as Stashi or the opposite?

OOC: I was thinking the opposite side.

Altuth grinned and motioned for Stashi to join him, before limping back to his grove.

 Woodwing flew through the trees, scouting out the ground beneath him. It was not the owl's custom to hunt during the day, but hunger and impatience had forced it upon him. Woodwing would be glad of any prey, be it woodlander or vermin.

The owl's sharp eyes picked up a brown spot on the forest floor-- a water vole. Silently, stealthily, Woodwing lowered his talons and swooped in for the kill. The prey had not a chance of escape.

Swoosh!

In a moment, the vole was gone, and Woodwing was again flying through the forest. That was enough hunting for one day-- he'd return to his home now.

OOC: ok, but Stashi can't swim. I'll just say that there's a fallen tree she can walk across.

BIC: Stashi hesitated for a second, then slung her bow across her shoulder and bounded across a fallen log to the other side of the bank. She followed Altuth, watching his every move for anything suspicious, "So, wot's yer name, big fella? I'm called Stashi. A pleasure to meet yer I'm sure." She said, holding out a grubby paw to shake paws with the otter.

Named had finished observing Vrungrin. He crept steathily away, unknowingly heading in the direction of Stashi and Altuth.

OOC: Erm, Vrungin's group is pretty far away from the path there. :P

OOC: *modifies post*

Phane and Pheranuse walked along the path to the abbey. They where just returning from a long trek that had taken them round about north east up past the river and around west till they came back around to the north south path and decided it was high time they returned to Redwall for a visit. The sun was strong but there was a cool breeze. Pharanuse strode along at steady even pace each stride seeming to take him a mile. This had earned him the last name Evenstride. Phane was hard pressed to keep up and she skipped along beside him to make up for her lack in size, or as she called it Pharanuse'es unfair advantage.

"We haven't seen anybeast since midday yesterday. You don't suppose we got turned around back there and are heading the wrong way," She said peering into the forest as if expecting to see a creature materialize out of the forest in front of her.

"Naw, we passed the river Moss back there, we're going the right way alright,"  He said scratching the back of his neck and rummaging around in his satchel for an apple.

"ahw, its just it's way to quiet, I mean, where'd all the birds go?..." As she spoke she looked over her shoulder at the ground they had already covered, and up the path she spotted a dust cloud. "By gates, look at that," She said stopping in mid skip and spinning around to get a better look.  It took Pharanuse a few moments to realizes his sister was no longer beside him.

"Whats it this time?" he asked uninterested, it was probably just an odd plant or a caterpillar. He turned to see Phane standing tip paw trying to see down the path, a paw on her brow shading her eyes from the sun.

"Look at that," She said pointing with her free paw at the cloud rising from the path behind them.  Pharanuse was suddenly interested.

"What in Mossflower? What could make a dust could like that?" He said starting back towards Phane. She didn't wait for him and bounded over to a tree before scampering up into the first few  branches to get a better look.

"See anything?" he said stopping beneath the tree.

"Naw, just more dust. Their still to far off. But I tell you anyone enough to make a cloud like that is allot," She said.

"You think it could be the longpatrol or sumat?" Peranuse said helping her down.

"Naw, longpatrol's to few," She said as she stepped down onto his large shoulders and  dropped down to the ground from there. Pharanuse debated weather or not to go on ahead to the abbey or to turn back and see who was approaching. Finally Phane interrupted him and said "Come on, make up your mind, there going to catch up with us anyway at the pace they are going. He looked back at the cloud and sure enough it was coming closer at a surprisingly fast rate.

"Lets stop here, we can have lunch and wait for them to catch up with us," he said. Phane was about to plop herself down by the road but Pharanuse stopped her. We should conceal ourselves just in case they are not friendly.

Regan was walking along the trail with Vrungin's group, every so often dropping to the back and working her way back to the front again. She weaved her way around a mouse and up to their leader.
"Hey, umm...Chief? Where are we headed?"

Henri the Chivalrous had been planning to visit Redwall for a while, but had been too nervous to actually go there. He had finally persuaded himself to go there, and had set off a few days ago. He had been following a pair of otters for a while, watching them in amusement. He frowned, the pair had vanished into the undergrowth. He looked behind him, and his frown deepened. He loaded his crossbow, put on his bascinet and called out. " Who art thou, creatures who make such a dust cloud big enough to encompass a badger?"

OOC: its otters. Sorry if the tree thing confused you Phane is kind of odd.

  Vrungin didn't turn to Regan as he spoke. "Who knows for sure? From what I've gathered from the creatures who have joined us, there is a great red fortress along this road. They say it is a place where confused creatures go to hide from this broken land; I only hope we can help them become better, stronger." He didn't mention the fact that many of the vermin groups who had joined him were part of the reason creatures hid in Redwall. If his plans were to succeed, he would need as much cooperation as possible, even if it be through ignorance.
 He was about to go on when a strange cougar in the path before him aroused Vrungin's attention, and he strode up to the cat boldly. "Good day, sir cougar. Surely a creature of your size must realize how easy it can be to hide something of smaller stature? To answer your question, we are a group of creatures intent on helping to unify this ailing land. . . though some have been troublesome." He rubbed the worn head of his iron cane.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Colonel Sharpeye walked beside Commander Karn, the two officers conversing.
 "So, this Vrungin chap. . . he's a criminal?"
 The cougar gritted his teeth. "Puh, war criminal, tyrant, attempted-usurper, they all fit him. He is responsible for hundreds of deaths in the Barkhills, though I must be grateful it is far fewer than what was lost in the Great War. Where is this road you speak of?"
 Sharpeye waved a paw north and east. "That way a ways, wot? We'll head south from there, and we should reach the jolly ol' Redwall Abbey. Have you ever had the mole's pie?"
 "Does it have meat?"
 The hare nearly fell over as he stumbled. "I beg your pardon, sah! No self-respecting beast would ever eat the flesh of another creature!"
 "Ah, you're one of those. . ." Karn sighed. "Well, this is a land far from the Barkhills, so your morals may be different, but to summarize, any species of creature that has no speech, among other things, is safe to eat."
 The cat ignored the hare muttering something under his breath, instead turning his attention ahead. "When will we be close?"
 "Ahem! Well, there should be a right old three-topped maple around here somewhere, and we should be near the path. Of course, what with the leaves gone now, it'll be harder and- By hell's gates!" Sharpeye leapt back from the bones of a vole crunching beneath his footpaws, shaking them off violently. "Hotrightbellyjumpingsnotlinedgrubflack!"
 Karn bent down and examined the bones, poking them with his axe, before rising and turning to the hare and their force. "Let us move on; if this isn't any more of an urge, than the threat Vrungin poses should."

Eying the wolf, "Well, another beast who thinks he can unify the land. Unless thou art Vrungin the destroyer, as I call him, you have no hope in succeeding. And now, who art thou, and why do thee and thy band march to Redwall?" Henri asked, oblivious to the wolf's real identity.

"Altuth Harjinsson. Some beasts call me 'the Wild'. I donnae think you'll need to find why, though." The otter said, shaking Stashi's paw. As they reached the clearing, Aututh threw over the sack of food. "Help yerself to anything that ye want from the bag."

Stashi started eating, eyeing the otter, "Tis a pleasure to meet ye, Altuth. Tell me, which way are ye headed, matey? I'm on my way to Redhall Abbey, er, Redbrick, I mean... that famous Abbey... er, Redwall, aye, that's it. I've heard their food is to die for, an' I'm hoping I can get some of it. 'Ave ye ever had any of their food?" She asked.

"If'n I have, I didn't know it." Said Altuth with a grin, helping himself to some berries from the bag. "I've been living here a fair number of seasons now, I've seen the Abbey, though I've never been within. Perhaps we should visit together, and liberate some 'o the food there, eh? 'Course, they may nae take kindly to an armed fox showing up at their door."

Stashi nodded in agreement, "Aye, they probably wouldn't. Maybe ye can 'elp me with that? I'd best get goin' soon, though I'm not too sure about 'ow to find the place." She answered, picking up her bag and standing up, glancing around.

Regan nodded, seeming hesitant once Vrungin started conversing with the cougar.
The female badger bit her lip.
He guessed his name!

"It's off in that direction, somewhere." Said Altuth airily, waving his paw. "I'd be more than happy to help yew get into the abbey, though, if'n the food is good as you've implied it is."

Named had walked a fair distance before coming upon the area that Altuth and Stashi had met. He glanced at the tracks, noting the direction they had gone. Across the stream, he thought. He retreated back into the cover of the trees.

Stashi gave a slight nod, "I'd appreciate that, matey. I've never 'ad their food, but I know it's good." She said as she began walking in the direction of Redwall Abbey

OOC: how far is Redwall Abbey? Would it take a few days or a few hours?

OOC: If we assume we are near the quarry, probably about a half day with a quick pace, or a full day at an average pace. However, they probably wouldn't move very fast because of Altuth's limp.

Map of Mossflower

(http://www.geocities.ws/redwallhq/mapoutcast.jpg)

[close]

Altuth limped after Stashi, stumbling every once in awhile. "We'd best be careful, though. There's been some odd beasts in the area lately. Seem to be from some foreign land. I've seen beasts like them before."

Stashi slowed down for Altuth, "Odd beasts? I've 'eard of strange beasts travelin' through the land, but I'm not sure what that means. Maybe that Redwall place'll tell us somethin' 'bout that." She said.

OOC: ok, maybe the next day we could be there near the afternoon. If everyone wants to, we could do a time jump...

OOC: I'm here for that. :P In a little bit we'll to a time-skip.

BIC: "I am sometimes called Frate Fragos," Vrungin said with a smile, though the nickname was not necessarily something of good value in the Barkhills. "This Redwall you speak of, what is it? You may be able to tell we are not from this land."

Phane peered threw the foliage at the strange company on the road. They halted quite near to where the hid when a cat of the kind Pane had never seen before stepped from the trees and confronted them. She wondered how she had not noticed him before, a beast so large was not an easy thing to hide. The dust began to settle and breeze picked up and blew it to the fields and plains. She licked her lips and strained her ear to hear what was said. She nudged her brother and whispered. "Is that there a wolf? A real wolf! Whys he got all those woodlanders with him?"

"Shh..." He said giving her s alight push which turned out to be more of a shove.

"Watch et," She squeaked but was soon over it. She was fascinated by the odd assembly. "Is that really a real life wolf, like in the stories?"

"Sure looks like it... Wolves have always been bad in the stories though,"  

"Then why do you think he has all those woodlands with him? they're not slaves are they?... they don't look it,"

OOC: I hope you don't mind if I RP the abbess just a little, Skarzs. Let me know if otherwise.

IC: As the beasts of Redwall ate their meal, a warrior was sitting at Abbess' Hhenf's immediate right. She was not the warrior of the Abbey (at least, not officially); she did not carry Martin's fabled sword. However, she had grown to fight and expect it often. The squirrel considered herself a type of warrior - albeit a somewhat strange one.

Flare Redtail's bold, red fur stood out prominently as she dug in to the otters' hotroot soup (a delicacy she favored). With persistence, she had convinced the abbess to let her carry her sling and dirk with her at all times.

"This is a place of peace," Abbess Hhenf used to sigh every now and then when she passed Flare in the hallways.

"That I acknowledge. But danger and enemies can fall anywhere, even a place of peace," Flare had argued. "Trust me."

It had taken some trust, but eventually Flare had won it. She had been at the Abbey for quite a few seasons now, serving as a guard for those who lived in there.

Back in the present time, Flare turned to Abbess Hhenf, who was about finished with her meal. "How is everything going? Nothing too out of the usual?"

"Frate Fragos? You sound like a trader. Anyway, about Redwall. It's an Abbey, built to ensure that the order of our ancestors is not forgotten. It is a place of peace,  the beasts there are hapless and cannot defend themselves.  'Tis a prime place for conquest, if you truly wish to unify this land." Henri said with a snort, looking at Vrungin.

Quote from: Skyblade on May 25, 2015, 11:24:50 PM
OOC: I hope you don't mind if I RP the abbess just a little, Skarzs. Let me know if otherwise.

OOC: Completely fine.

BIC: Hhenf looked to the red squirrel. "What? Oh, yes; sorry Flare. Everything has been peaceful enough, but that doesn't mean it's all cheery and bright." She sighed, propping head on her paws. "I'm still worried."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Vrungin raised a claw. "Nobeast is defenseless, companion; it may surprise you, as it did me." He walked up to the cougar and bowed stiffly. "Now, I do not know about any 'conquest', but a place of peace and safety would be welcome, especially as winter draws closer. And, since I have given my name, I would like to know yours."
  The wolf held his iron cane almost carelessly in his left paw, but any creature who knew him for a while would know he would be able to swing it like lightening. If the cougar were to try anything, it would be the last move he would ever make.
  There was a sudden but quiet announcement from the group behind Vrungin. "Hoi. . . I thought his name was Vrungin; that's what he told us, anyways."

"See I told you he was bad!" Phane said in hoarse whisper, as she lean forwarded and grabbed his shoulder, completely ignoring Paranus'es personal space. He ignored her and tried to brushed her off, "Come on move over I can't see very-" her sentence was cut off by a shriek as an invading beetle crawled down her tunic. She convulsed and flailed in a panic before being shoved by Pharanus in confusion and rolling out onto the road.  She blinked and saw the beetle crawling along the road trying to get away from it all. She then looked up at Vrungin and said a friendly "Hi," before Verbally attacking Pheranus who had stumbled out of the forest after her in alarm.

"Phane are you..?" He asked but she didn't let him finish.

"Why did you put a beetle down my shirt! How would you like it if I put worms in your soup! You know I could to!"

"Phane.. Phane!" He said trying to get her to stop. He tried to keep a strait face but he was obviously embarrassed by her and that was exactly what she wanted.     

Named had returned to Vrungin's area. He arrived just in time to hear the announcement from the group following the wolf, and also to notice a certain beast rolling out onto the road. He smiled.

"V..Vrungin?" With a look of fear and surprise on his face, Henri raised his shield and swung his mace hard at Vrungin's skull.

"Perhaps. I'm sure they know something of it." Altuth climbed over a large tree root as he said this, using his staff to lever himself up.

Stashi waited for Altuth to catch up, "So how far is this Redwall place? I've never really been in this part of the forest." She admitted as she continued walking.

  Vrungin may not have been the fastest of creatures, but he was quick enough to dodge the brunt of the mace, catching a glancing blow on his shoulder. Swinging around the cougar, he whacked at the back of Henri's helmet with his iron cane in an attempt to knock him out.

Flare nodded in agreement. "What worries you, friend? You know I'm here for you and everyone else in this Abbey, and will do what I can for our well-being."

"I've nae been to the abbey before, but I've been near. It's around a days walk away from here, if'n I remember right." Altuth said, giving a thankful glance to Stashi as she slowed down for him.

"Well then we'll find out together, matey." Stashi said as she pawed at her gold earrings absent-mindedly, "So, d'ye mind me asking why you're travelin'? Do y'like to travel, or are ye tryin' t'get somewhere?"

"I've nae been traveling, to be honest. I live in these woods, sleeping wherever I find a good place to rest." Altuth hesitated before continuing. "I only just returned to Mossflower, actually. I've been a pirate on the coast for much of me life, but I grew tired of it and returned home."

"A pirate?" Stashi repeated, "I never thought otters or goodbeasts would take to bein' a pirate. Well, friend, ye've got a lot o' guts. I could never be a pirate, or anybeast that lives near the ocean. Ho no, not me. The water, I hate it, matey. Tis bad fer ye, it ain't natural." She said, shuddering slightly at the thought of being on a boat.

The cane hit his helmet, leaving a dent in it. The cougar staggered back a few paces, and fell o the floor pretending to be unconcious.

  Vrungin rubbed his paw. "Infernal helmet," he mumbled. "Guthar, Ektan, take that cat's helmet off and make sure he's really knocked out. Then tie him up and throw him in the forest. As for these two. . ." The wolf turned to Phane and Pheranus. "Knock them out too. We don't need anybeast going around spreading more rumors. . . at least for a while."
  Vrungin set the tip of his cane solidly on the path. "Now who was the fool who blurted out my name?" An unfortunate rat was pushed forward through the masses to stand shaking in front of the tall wolf. "Are you the one?"
  The rat nodded dumbly.
  With a swift flourish of his clothing, the rat suddenly fell dead, pierced by Vrungin's sabre.
  "Alright then," the wolf said disinterestedly. "Let's move on."

OOC: I'll let a few more posts go, but then is a time-skip okay?

OOC: Got it. Can you have the abbess respond to Flare's question? I'm not sure what she would say.

OOC: I'm ready for a timeskip.

BIC: "I love the water. 'Course, I'm an otter." Atuth grinned. "That sort o' rhymed.

OOC: yeah, me too. And I like how the old shrew Stashi was gonna rob just sort of disappeared  ;D

BIC: Stashi smiled slightly, "Yeah, it did." She said, then hesitated, "Er, that ole shrew I was gonna rob back there. Ye don't think 'e was from the Abbey, right? What if 'e tells them about me?" She asked.

"Nah, I've seen around here before. Probably has a little shack somewhere near the bank. I wouldn' worry about him." Altuth grinned again. "You seem a bit new to the art of robbing beasts of their food. I can give ya some pointers, seein' as how I did it for a livin' for much of my life."

Phane had her sling out and loaded as soon as the cat attacked Vrungin, seemingly with out warning. But she was unsure of who to help. That is until Vrungin ordered his men to attack her and Pharanuse. "Don't you dare!" She shouted, charging at the nearest of the two She stepped on his tail and whacked him in the shoulder with her loaded sling. He cried out in anger and pain and returned the blow by smashing her in the face with his club. She staggered backwards her paw to her bloody nose. And her eyes widened as she saw Vrungin run one of his own threw with his sword. This was all her opponent needed, and he struck her on the side of the head. She fell to her knees stars dancing in front of her eyes before she blacked out.  Pharanuse scream an enraged battle cry and Ektan found himself impaled. Pharanuse did not have time to withdraw his sword before Guthar was battering him over the head with the pommel of his sword. Pharanuse fell next to his sister.   

OOC: Ektan and Guthar were cougar brothers; Pharanuse may have found a nemesis. ;)
  Alright, so if Ash doesn't respond in time with his character, we'll do the time-skip, which will be a little more than half a day. As a heads-up, Vrungin will be nearing Redwall, (and Altuth and Stashi may already be inside, your choice), and Karn will be on the path.
  And a quick response to Sky's character:

BIC: "About everybeast, and everything we've come to know and love!" Henff sighed. "We've never had risings of vermin like this before. Not even Lord Hargath could recall in the records in Salamandastron such a widespread population. Thank the seasons our home hasn't been attacked, but that doesn't mean it won't happen."
  The abbess rose and put a paw on Flare's shoulder. "But thank you, friend, for all you've done to help me. Now I think I'll go take a nap before I fall asleep on my paws."

Henri rose with a roar and swung his mace with all his might, making Guthar stagger back a few paces. He grabbed Phane and Pharanuse, putting them on his shoulders and ran towards the direction of Redwall Abbey.

OOC: Sorry for the PPs guys, I can always edit them if you ask me to.

OOC: I thought you said it was okay if he was knocked out. :P Now I have to change my plans. . .

Quote from: The Skarzs on May 31, 2015, 04:30:03 AM
OOC: I thought you said it was okay if he was knocked out. :P Now I have to change my plans. . .

OOC: Woops.... :P

OOC: How do you want to work it out?

OOC: I would like it if Henri and the otters reached Redwall, while Vrungin pursued and had an encounter with the LP, but it's all up to you.

OOC: They'd easily catch up to him though. . .

OOC: I might be able to step in there, though I won't actually show myself. Pyrotechnics is a rather handy tool when it comes to deterring chases.  ;D

OOC: @ Ash They are still a good day and a halfs march from the abbey, they would never reach it.

OOC: I know, but I think he would be aiming to get as far away from them as possible.

OOC: I'll make a post once this whole thing is sorted out.

OOC: maybe Stashi and Altuth could be just reaching Redwall's gates? I was kind of wanting to see how they would handle the whole thing (with her being a fox and all that)...

BIC: Stashi shook her head, "Oh I've been a robber for years. A traveler, a thief, a spy, and once even an assassin. I'm not new to it, I just didn't want to kill that shrew." She explained.

OOC: my bad on that part, I forgot that Stashi was supposed to be some master thief... oops  :P

Quote from: Lord_Ashenwyte on May 31, 2015, 04:24:33 PM
OOC: I know, but I think he would be aiming to get as far away from them as possible.

OOC: Get them into the woods; Vrungin won't worry about them for now, as Henri has two unconscious creatures in tow and probably has a massive headache. Faiy, your characters'll wake up when the time-skip happens.

Quote"About everybeast, and everything we've come to know and love!" Henff sighed. "We've never had risings of vermin like this before. Not even Lord Hargath could recall in the records in Salamandastron such a widespread population. Thank the seasons our home hasn't been attacked, but that doesn't mean it won't happen."
  The abbess rose and put a paw on Flare's shoulder. "But thank you, friend, for all you've done to help me. Now I think I'll go take a nap before I fall asleep on my paws."

"Even if vermin do attack, dear Abbess, remember the victories of the past," said Flare. "Evil will never triumph. Have a good nap now." She nodded and went back to eating, eventually finding herself staring into the distance pensively.

OOC: So, have we sorted all the -stuff- out?

OOC: Sure.

Henri remembered that Vrungin's group had ranged weapons, and ran into the woods, hoping to find some cover from them.

OOC: I'll wait for the chase to start, then step in when you actually get somewhere.

Seeing Henri had left, Named stood up and walked out into the path. Surveying the wolf as he stopped in front of Vrungrin, he made a slightly mocking bow. "Ahem-hem. Named, traveling mercenary, at your service. All I need in return is food and drink. Decline, and I walk away. Accept, and I'll join your horde."

  Vrungin waved a paw. "Another odd cat? Fine; join if you will, as everybeast is fed and watered. Let us depart." He took one final look after the path of the fleeing cat before stepping past Named for the rest of his army to follow.

OOC: Time skip. (Finally. :P) I have to go, so if anyone wants to make a post they can.

OOC: Righty. Can you post an update on the hares?

  "Here we are, sah, just as I said. This'll take us all the way to Redwall, quick'n easy, wot?" Colonel Sharpeye tapped the path with his footpaw.
  "Good, let us keep moving. As much as I don't like it, we needed that rest." Karn looked up at the bleak morning sky. "I only hope Vrungin is not closer than we are, and that whatever force he has amassed will be held back."
  The army that Karn brought with him numbered about one hundred fifty, and the hares that were left were probably a third of that. The Barkhillians all wore chest plates, compared to the relatively-unprotected Salamandastron hares, though it was apparent they still knew how to hold themselves in battle. While they were from very different lands and their species so varied, it was an interesting sight for the two officers to see their creatures converse and march together as they did.
  "How long?"
  Sharpeye tapped his chin at the gradually more familiar bluntness of the cougar. "Until we reach the abbey? An hour, at quick march."
  Karn tapped his axe haft against the ground. "Excellent; let us cut that time in half. Move!"

OOC: I'll post as Vrungin in a bit.

Stashi stood in silence as she looked up at the massive abbey towering above her. It was better than the tales had described it, "So this is Redwall? I never saw a building this big, matey. C'mon, let's go!" She said as she took off running towards the abbey.

Named chewed on an apple as he traveled at the back of the horde. He glanced at the other soldiers, few of which were without armor or blade. He spotted several archers as well. He contemplated the size of the army.

OOC: Sorry for the PPing. (if anyboy wants to, they can use Named for surveillence.  ;) he's a mercenary)

OOC: I assumed that they stopped by now and are at some kind of camp.

Phane was slowly coming to. The first thing she noticed was that her head was throbbing and felt like a lead ball. She opened her eyes and then closed them quickly rolling onto her stomach and shading her eyes from the sun. Pharanuse was already up and sitting with his back against a tree rubbing some lavender oil on the nasty bruises he had received.

"What in mossflower... "Phane muttered holding her aching head in her paws. There was dried blood on her face from where her lip and nose had been bleeding. She crawled over to the green shade of a young tree curled up and closed her eyes.

"Phane! Phane, don't go back to sleep!" Pharanuse said sliding over to her and shaking her shoulder lightly.

"Ow, ow! Don't do that," She said holding her head and opening her eyes.

"Here, you might have a concussion, look at me," 

Altuth limped after his new friend, smiling at the foxes excitement. "Slow down, will ya? I cannae keep up with ya when you're movin' like that."

Stashi slowed down for Altuth, "Sorry, friend, I forgot. Have ye ever seen such a building, matey?" She asked, pawing at the two small, gold-hoop earrings in her ear and twitching her tail slightly.

The cougar was sitting down near the fire, his back turned to the otters. He was staring into the fire without any movement, and had placed his bascinet by a tree nearby, along with his mace, shield, and crossbow. "A concussion? We shall rest for a few hours and move on to the safety of Redwall. We also need to warn them about Vrungin (Cursed be his name) and his horde. Rest, and we shall move on before dusk dawns."

As it turned out, Flare the squirrel was standing guard on the ramparts when she spotted an unfamiliar pair approaching. Bracing her sling out of view of the two creatures, a fox and an otter, she cried out.

"Halt! You have come to Redwall Abbey. A place of peace and hospitality we are, and beasts of good heart are welcome. However, I warn you that we will defend ourselves if you seek to cause trouble. Now, what brings you both here?"

Stashi hesitated, thinking of an answer, "Erm, hi there, matey," she called up nervously to Flare, "We were just travelin' through the land t'see if ye would let us into yer Abbey. I know I'm a fox, matey, but I ain't bad," she reasoned.

Flare softened a bit, though she still kept her sling clutched in her paw. "Yes, I see you're a fox." Raising a fist, she added fervently, "And for that, leave! Begone with you, vermin!"

The squirrel suddenly smiled and laughed out loud. "Haha, I rather enjoyed that little jest. I can see you two are travelers, and there are no others around. Sure thing, matey, come inside. I've met good vermin in me past. Just don't you two try something," she added more gravely, "Or I'll have to use this thing 'ere." She held up her sling. "Now, I suppose you're hungry?"

Stashi jumped slightly at the first comment, then breathed a sigh of relief when she realized it was just a joke, "Don't ye worry, matey, I wouldn't dream of hurtin' any Redwaller. And yes, friend, I'm starvin' to death out 'ere!" she exaggerated, her ears twitching at the mention of food.

OOC: I'm going to assume it's around dinner?

EDIT: Never mind :P It's a breakfast feast, then.

IC: Flare nodded, satisfied, though she would still remain cautious. The squirrel went nimbly down and opened the gates for the two guests. "We're having a feast in Cavern Hole; come join us." She paused and added to Stashi, "I trust ye enough to let ye through our gates. However, I'm afraid other Redwallers may or may not be as willing to share a meal with a fox. Try to ignore them for now. I'll have you two meet our abbess; she's a kind and understanding creature."

OOC:

Quote from: The Skarzs on June 01, 2015, 05:58:35 PM
Karn looked up at the bleak morning sky.

:P

BIC: Vrungin could see far in the distance the tall bellower sticking into the sky, and nodded thoughtfully. If he was to do this correctly, he would have to play his cards carefully. From what he could gather from the worthless bands of creatures he had picked up on the way, they were rather wary of "vermin", as they called them. Perhaps. . .
  "Guthar, take the species that these Mossflowerians consider as bad beasts and wait in the forest a ways from the abbey." He glanced at the big cat. "Hmm, perhaps the cats should be taken with you as well."
  "Ah, yes my Leader. They are all rather scared of beasts our size. In fact, I do believe they have seen nothing bigger than a badger."
  Vrungin nodded at the observation. "Indeed, my friend. Now begin before we get too close."

OOC: Shiuld Named go with them? He's a Lynx...

Stashi mouth began watering at the mention of a feast, "No problem, matey. I don't mind, long as nobeast attacks me." She said, looking around her at the beautiful Abbey, "Er, where would this feast be, matey?"

"You two come with me," Flare said as she led the way to Cavern Hole.

As they walked, she nodded and introduced herself. "I'm Flare, a guardian of this wonderful place. Truly it is great, and I've met the kindest, most considerate beasts here." Smiling, she added, "And you two, what do you call yerselves?"

Stashi smiled, offering her paw to Flare, "I'm Stashi Bushtail, but ye can call me Stashi. Er, are ye sure the abbeybeasts will be acceptin' me?" She asked.

Quote from: Sagetip, the hare on June 03, 2015, 12:51:18 AM
OOC: Shiuld Named go with them? He's a Lynx...

OOC: If you want, he can request Vrungin for him to be like a lookout/go-between between the two groups. It's up to you, however.

Quote from: Eulaliaaa! on June 03, 2015, 04:30:10 AM
Stashi smiled, offering her grubby paw to Flare, "I'm Stashi Bushtail, but ye can call me Stashi. Er, are ye sure the abbeybeasts will be acceptin' me?" She asked.

"Pleased to meet you," said Flare. "And no, I'm not sure. I'll take you both to Abbess Hhenf."

OOC: Let's wait for Han to reply.

OOC: Sorry.

BIC: Altuth, who has stayed quiet for most of the conversation, spoke up for the first time. "Thank ya for lettin' us into yer grand abbey," The otter said with a smile. "M' name is Altuth Harjinson." He glanced around as they entered Cavern Hole. "This certainly is an impressive room."

OOC: No, you're good!

IC: "Pleased to meet you as well," Flare said with a nod and smile. She led the two of them to the abbess, who was sitting at the end of the table. Already Redwallers were starting to look their way.

"Good morning, Abbess Hhenf. We have visitors."

Stashi glanced around, not used to seeing so many creatures gathered in one place to celebrate instead of fight. She stared back at the creatures watching her, feeling the many eyes watching her every move. She then looked at who Flare was addressing and smiled, holding her grubby paw out to shake with the Abbess, "G'morning, yer majesty. A wonderful Abbey ye've got 'ere," she commented cheerfully, her green eyes shining brightly as she tried to appear kind and friendly, fearing that she would get turned away if she wasn't.

  Henff was as surprised as anybeast to see a fox come waltzing into the Great Hall behind the abbey's own Flare, and took a moment to size her up. After a bit she stood and shook Stashi's paw.
  "Now now, none of that 'Your majesty' stuff. I'm no ruler and this is no castle." The hedgehog wiped her paw on her habit. "Well, I'm glad you like our abbey. I hope you find yourself in good company here, since if Flare let you in then she must find you decent enough." She bowed with a weak smile. "I am Abbess Henff. Erm, Flare, can you direct Miss ehh-" she waited for the name to be given, "-to the washing basin so she can eat?"

"Oh, I'm sorry yer maj-er... Abbess Henff. Me name's Stashi by the way, Stashi Bushtail. An' wot's a washin' basin?" She asked.

OOC: haha, I love Abbess Henff's response.

"It's a beautiful place ya live in, Madame Abbess." Altuth stared at the food on the tables. "It looks like the rumors about the food here at Redwall might be true." He whispered to Stashi. Altuth turned back to Henff. "M'name is Altuth Harjinson." He said, extending a grubby paw.

OOC: heheh, both our paws are grubby  :-X

"Oh I'm fine," Phane said shoving Pharanuse away rather weakly.

"No you ain't, Now sit still and let me clean you up. You still have blood all over your face," He retorted. Phane scowled but let him help her clean her face and apply lavender oil to her head.  

"I wouldn't need cleanin' up if you hadn't put a beetle down my shirt," She grumbled.

"I didn't put it there,"

"Right," She said with an eye role which she immediately regretted.

Named hopped up to the front of the line. He fell in step with Vrungrin, keeping slightly behind. He cleared his throat before speaking. "If you allow it, I could be a messenger between the two. I'm much queiter and less obvious then the others."

Regan glanced at Named, blinking uneasily before slipping up to the front herself.
She looked at Vrungin. "Sir? When you're done, um, can we talk?"

Flare took Stashi and Altuth to the washing basin. Afterwards, she indicated three empty seats near the edge of the dining table. "We can sit here. Eat as much as you like."

Stashi scratched at her ear, pulling her cloak closer around herself, "So that's wot a washin' basin is," she muttered darkly under her breath, sitting as far from the abbeybeasts as possible, "Huh, no wonder they all look skinny and sick, they've been t' the washin' basin, poor beasts. Ain't natural, that's wot it is, ho yes. Tis a wonder I'm still alive, my poor parents almost lost their dear li'l daughter," she sulked while piling food onto her plate, her golden colored fur shining in the light of the room. Even though she was hungry and not used to eating around a table, she was surprisingly neat and clean about eating.

Flare sat next to Stashi, keeping a bit of a distance from her and the other beasts around the table.

"It serves its purpose, well, I might add," she said with a wink. She then dug in heartily.

  Vrungin nodded in approval of Named's suggestion. "A good idea, mercenary. I hope you continue to be this useful."
 The wolf turned to Regan. "I'm done now, my friend. What do you wish to converse about?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 "Are you sure it's a good idea to push our creatures to this speed, Commander?" Colonel Sharpeye jogged alongside the metal clad form of Karn. "I can speak for my hares' own durability, but they aren't wearing armor."
 Karn's long stride matched Sharpeye's jog. "Nonsense. They are trained for hills and rocks; this trek is flat. And if we find this Redwall to be out of danger, then we shall rest. But if not, then all the more reason for speed."
 "Vrungin didn't seem like the type to attack immediately, old chap."
 Karn grunted, knowing the hare spoke the truth. "He is not, you are right." He remembered what had happened back in his homeland. "But he manipulates, tricks and squeezes until he gets what he wants. Frontal attack may not be his first choice, but attack he does."

Altuth ignored Stashi's comments about the washing basin, as he was far too busy piling his plate with food.

"Mmm! Stashi, 'ave ya tried one of these scones yet? Put a dab o' redcurrant jelly on it, and yeh've got the sweetest scone ya'll ever have!"

Without waiting for a reply, the otter moved onto a large pudding that was resting nearby. Then, a few bites in, he looked up.

"Erm... Hmm... I think I'm forgetting something," Altuth looked thoughtful for a moment, before remembering. "Oh, we were gonna ask about those odd beasts that've been loitering around Mossflower."

The female badger's ears fell flat against her head. "Why'd you kill him," She asked, "Why'd you kill the rat?"

  "Ah." Vrungin rubbed his chin. "That rat was from here, in this land. From what I have gathered here, the creatures classed as 'vermin' are always looked upon as evil, yes? They share the attributes of cowardice, treachery, and the enjoyment of the pain of others, among other things. Personally I am not sure why you are surprised at the death when there are so many 'horror' stories of the otters being so relentless to these 'vermin'."
  He pointed his cane off to the left. "Where I come from betraying one's leader is one of the worst things a creature can do, which is what that rat did. That is why my punishment was so harsh."

Flare jerked her head up from her food, immediately alert. "What odd beasts?"

"Alright, alright, alright, enough already, You're like a mother hen!" Phane said pushing her brother off of her and getting up. "We should get going,"

"No, we shouldn't, you need to rest." He said pulling her back down.

"I'll rest when we get to the abbey," She said prying him off her arm and getting back to her feet again.   

Regan narrowed her eyes. "But...He didn't, really...He didn't know. Just nevermind." She said, slinking off toward the back of the line. So betrayal was speaking a word, huh?

Flare's comment only made Stashi continue to sulk and mutter as she ate, then she brightened up when Altuth spoke, "Aye, the odd beasts. I 'aven't seen 'em myself, but I've 'eard of 'em. There's supposed to be some odd beasts runnin' around Mossflower from what I've 'eard," she explained.

  Vrungin furrowed his brows as Regan went back. He would have to be careful with her; she would cause a lot of trouble if she changed her mind about his intentions. He looked behind to make sure Guthar's group was into the woods by that time.
  Good, he thought. We'll be at the Red Wall soon.

Named was following the group of cats at a distance, separating himself from the group. It would be no good to get himself captured or killed with the main body. His longsword was held loosely at his side.

Stashi looked around the room, watching all the abbeybeasts eat. She wasn't used to being around many creatures, and it sickened her to hear them all talking. Quickly, she got up and left the table, walking out of the room and outside. She went to the orchards, sitting under a tree and pawing at the golden earrings in her ear, "Huh, too many beasts eating at th' same time. I'll just eat later, when nobeast is around. Aye, Stashi, I'll do that," she muttered, reaching up and picking and apple from the tree she sat under. Taking a bite out of it, she pulled a face and threw it from her.

Flare, who was already done eating anyway, cautiously followed Stashi outside and approached her. "Something wrong?"

Stashi jumped slightly, glancing over at Flare, "What're ye followin' me for? I ain't tryin' nothing bad," she said, "An' no, there ain't nothin' wrong with me."

"I just noticed that ye got up an' left the table for no reason an' was comin' tae see if ye needed help," said Flare rather defensively. "Besides, it's my duty to see that this place is safe from anybody. Sometimes, I even spy on the other Abbeybeasts. But if you're doing fine, have fun out here." She grinned and walked away.

"Well I don't need no 'elp!" Stashi called after Flare. Then she hesitated, "Where ye goin', squirrel?" She asked curiously, getting up and walking after Flare.

OOC: To see martin's tapestry, I bet.

Flare paused and turned back. "I just like to walk around by myself. Don't we all?"

  Karn saw the highest tower peek out over the top of his vision and smiled slightly. "Ah! That is your building of red, correct Colonel?"
  "Aye, that it be, wot!" The hare puffed out air. "Looks like we'll be cuttin' it jolly well close for our breaking points, ol' chap. Perhaps we should slow down."
  The cougar sighed as he thought about it. "Grrm. . . fine," he said begrudgingly; he would have preferred to keep going quickly as possible. "But not too much slower." He raised his paw to his mouth and called to the force behind him. "Slow down half a pace, soldiers! If there's to be death, let us make sure it is not us on this road!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Now Vrungin was at the wall, and he looked up at the ramparts. They would probably have guards, at least he expected a place such as this to, but perhaps they didn't. The wolf approached the oak doors and struck it solidly with his iron cane before backing up to call up at the wall. "Be there a keeper at the gate, or somebeast upon the wall?"

Flare heard the voice and raised her head, her eyes narrowed. "Stashi, can you come with me to the ramparts? This could be trouble - a beast never knows."

Stashi nodded silently, her paws straying towards her daggers as she followed Flare.

OOC: Keep in mind that Vrungin can be very persuasive (even if in my posts I can't portray it well. :-\)

OOC: Ok, I will :)

Flare climbed up the ramparts nimbly. Straightening herself up and trying to appear confident and dignified, she walked to the edge and peered down. Uh-oh. Usually travelers came in ones, twos, or threes, but... this looked like an actual army. The beast who appeared to be leading was one she had heard but never seen - a wolf. What in Mossflower could they want?

"Excuse me?" called Flare, clearly loud enough for the visitors to hear. "What brings you to Redwall, the place that welcomes those of good heart but defends against those without?"

Stashi gave Vrungin one glance then looked at Flare, "I've 'eard stories 'bout wolves, they're never any good. I'd be careful wi' this 'un, he don't look like 'e is up to any good," she commented before returning her gaze to Vrungin, pawing at her daggers.

Flare nodded ever so slightly, trying to make sure it wasn't obvious enough for the wolf below her to notice. Behind the rampart wall, she had a rock attached to her sling.

  "I come to aid this land in this time of. . . uncertainty." Vrungin bowed. "Excuse our appearance, lady squirrel, but in such days as these most creatures must protect themselves. I have managed to gather an amount sufficient to defend ourselves." Vrungin knew he would have to wait and see what would happen. His foreign accent was certainly a giveaway about himself, as well as the majority of his force, but those who were from Mossflower would be useful.

Stashi stared at him suspiciously, "Us? Where are you from, wolf? And who are you?" She demanded, her eyes narrowing. This wolf was suspicious, but he didn't sound like he meant any harm.

Altuth, who had been wondering where Flare and Stashi had gone, finished off his meal. Standing up, he stepped out of the great hall, and headed for the orchard, looking for a place to relax outside. The hedgehog squinted at the shapes on the rampart, recognizing Stashi's bushy tail.

"Stashi, what's goin' on up there?" He called.

"Come up and see," Flare invited, her gaze still on Vrungin's army. "We have visitors."

Named had sheathed his broadsword and had creeped back into the woods behind Vrungrin. He watched the negotiations with interest, waiting until Vrungrin was finished speaking.

OOC: WHOOHOO! Time to do something!  :D Oh, and excuse the poor attempt at making an Irish accent visible. BIC:

       "Visitors? Wha'ta hoot! HAHA!" Phlame couldn't contain himself. The dark squirrel had stowed away on Vrungin's voyage over, and had wandered around the area between Redwall and Salamandastron looking for a decent fire... he'd yet to find one, much to his disappointment. He continued, "Vrungin, of all beasts, Vrunging of the Barkhills come to bring aid, that there's rich a' tell ye'. Pff went to Salamawhat'sit to see if it really was a burning mountain like the pirates aroond said but there tweren't any such thing aboot." He was sitting in a nearby oak, just staring into the sky, but after that last phrase he turned to look at the wolf, mostly in disappointment, "Ya know if ye're gonna go take an entire mountain ya might as well get a good blaze a goin', really helps ta get rid of all the smelly carcasses." Pausing, Phlame stood up on his branch, "Is that why ye left the mountain? Was it too smelly for ya? I mean, twas pretty bad when I went through, can't imagine what 'tis like now!" He yawned, from pure boredom in all honesty, "Ye know Vrungin, one despised beast to anoth'ar, ye'd best move along if ye' plan to keep this "I come in peace" tactic a goin'. All them Hare's ya did'n get are pretty hoppin' upset if ah doo say so meself! The Barkhillians even more so! Oooh yes!..... Oh, were you goin' to say somethin'?" At this point he became nearly totally aloof of the presence of other beasts, choosing instead to speak to himself. Staring, once again, into the sky he finished, "Probably somethin' along the lines a "whoa is us, we've nary food nor shelter, please let us in.. Heh heh, Yes, please let us in that we might slaughter ye all in yer own beds with nary a thought for the... was it dibbuns? I could never tell what those old folks inside the walls was sayin' always talkin' about the weather and such like, twas very borin'."

OOC: Reason I'm talking so long is because I'd expect that everyone would be too shocked at how ridiculous and unaware Phlame is to really want to say anything.  ::) I'll try and make sure I'm checking back so as not to slow y'all down, pretty excited about this. Also, sorry about the half-baked post, seems a little bland.

  Vrungin stared at the strange squirrel in silence, for a moment shocked at the sudden outburst and appearance, but whilst Phlame was still talking, the wolf regained his composure.
  "Please excuse this. . . squirrel. As you can clearly see, he is far from stable in the mind." Vrungin furrowed his brows at the squirrel. "Despite my appearance, crazed one, I do not intend on murdering anyone in their beds; that would be most dishonorable and detestable."

Phane and Pharanuse had started walking again upon approaching the path they heard the sound of marching. They stopped and peered out at the road between the foliage. There was a marching army both of hares and of vermin but mostly vermin and leading the group was a large cat of the same kind that had assaulted them before. Phane growled deep in her throat. Before Pharanuse could stop her she had lunged from cover and attacked the leader with her sling in one paw and her dagger in the other. The whole time shouting and yelling vile insults and curses. 

Pharanuse reached for his sword but it was not there. "Cockles," He breathed in frustration and drawing his dagger he ran out onto the road unsure of weather he needed to save the cat or his sister and hoped that she was not about to get them all killed.

OOC: Yes she is stupid... Yes, I have no plan for this... Please don't kill me but aside from that I am pretty good with anything. And yes That is Karn and his group.

OOC: Erm, Commander Karn and his group are coming from the opposite direction. :P

OOC: You never said that!... XP...

OOC: No, but I was relying on the fact that Vrungin came from where Salamandastron was and Karn from the River Moss for their locations to be determined.

OOC: The easiest way to get from Salamandastron to Redwall in my mind was the River Moss... XP

(http://img07.deviantart.net/9db7/i/2009/063/0/a/redwall_map_by_finncat.png)

OOC: According to the poem in  "Mossflower" Salamandastron is directly west of Brockhall as the bird flies with a swamp and a tall mountain rang in between. It would be easier to go up to the river Moss and flow down to the north-south path than to cross the swamp and mountain or to go all the way around. There is a river south but its path dips down south and then up again into the great inland lake and would take them to far out of their way.

OOC: Can we get this figured out so the inactivity stops?

During the break in conversation, Named slid up to Vrungrin and muttered, "The others are in position, sir."

OOC: That okay?

OOC: Really it is up to you weather you change it or keep what you originally said... I'll just rewrite it but I have been writing my posts assuming that Vurgurin (sp?) was on the path. Besides I really liked my last post and it would be a cool way to get with Karn and his men.

Flare paused. I really don't know what to do, to be honest. "Excuse me for a moment while I get our Abbess. She's in charge of this place." She whispered to Stashi, "Keep an eye on them" before making her way down.

Returning to the table of innocent Redwallers, she said, "Abbess Hhenf? There are some... visitors. An army led by a wolf. Could you come to the ramparts?"

  The abbess stood up and hurried out of the Great Hall. "What? That's ridiculous!" Despite Hhenf's insistence, she knew the squirrel was hardly one to joke around, and if she said something she was serious.
  She got up onto the ramparts as quickly as she could, and peered down over the top. Sure enough, a creature she could only assume would be a wolf stood on the ground below. Of course, the group behind him didn't seem like an army to the hedgehog.
  "H-hello?" she called down. "I am Abbess Hhenf. What do you want here?"
  The wolf bowed and spoke in an eloquent but foreign voice. "As I told your squirrel friend, I wish to help aid this land in its time of uncertainty."
  "And how would you do that?" Hhenf crossed her arms to help reassure herself.
  "My ideas can hardly be best explained by yelling at each other, madame! May we enter your walls of red and speak inside?"
  Hhenf was considering the prospect when a massive cat approached the wolf. "Great seasons, who is that?" After a moment, she added "For that matter, who are you?"
  The wolf dismissed the cat with a nod. "This is Named, a cougar. He happened upon us and wished to join us, though he still needs to learn some things like not interrupting me. And I-" he bowed again slightly. "-My name is Vrungin."

~~~~~~~~~~~

  "What is that in front of the 'abbey'?" Karn peered ahead toward the building that was getting gradually closer. "Is that usually there?"
  The hare colonel looked hard in the direction. "No indeed. I live up to the name 'Sharpey', wot? That there is some  group of creatures-Oh, I say!"
  Karn cut off the hare with a roar and a sudden burst of speed. "To battle, Barkhills! Vrungin is at the gate!"

OOC: They won't be seen until I say, alright? In a couple posts they'll start being noticed.

"You're a selfless creature," Flare told Vrungin calmly. "You wish to aid our land in a time of uncertainty, you say? What exactly is your motive for that?"

Stashi eyed Vrungin suspiciously, she had heard tales of wolves and their evil, "Yer majesty," she whispered to Abbess Hhenf, "Ah'm thinkin' we shouldn't trust this wolf, I don't like the looks o' him. An' I 'aven't 'eard that these are time of uncertainty, they seem pretty fair to me."

       Phlame had burst into a fit of laughter as soon as Vrungin had tried to lecture him on dishonor. After calming down... to an extent, he listened to the exchange between the wall top and the beasts on ground level, though his input came after Stashi's comment, "Ahh, the uncertainty t'would be after the assault on Salamawhatsit, I guess ye haven't heard anythin' so far." He chuckled, "Ya know miss, ya might want to switch your question to what are you instead of who, heh heh. Worst war criminal the Barkhills has ever seen goes and tries to tell me about detestable! That there's quite a kicker so 'tis! I may not be the noblest of creatures around, but I sure ain't the one that went an' slaughtered a bunch a' gracious hares and their badger." The squirrel's ears picked up the  unmistakable thrum of paws, though too far away to be noticed by most, "I do say Vrungin, ye'd best start your attack rathar soon if'n ye want it to go accourdin' ta plan!"

  "Who is attacking, squirrel?" Vrungin was quickly losing patience with Phlame. "Not me, not them! Now leave me before I cut off your insanity-spewing tongue." He turned to the creatures up on the wall. "Please, may we come in and speak, if only to get away from this madbeast?"
  The abbess went away from the edge, if not to open the gate then to at least converse with her companions.

       "Ohohoho, not so calm now are we mister criminal, eh? By golly how braindead are the beasts in this region hm? All this sun musta melted their minds! Heh heh, I'm one to talk now aren't I?... Oh, and you've got roughly one minute and about twenty-seven seconds until your mind is made up for ye, given the rate that they're a movin' at!... I'm kinda curious though, they seem to be talkin' aboot somethin' in there, catch ye later scumbag!" Phlame rushed through the trees and hopped the walls. Not quite as easy as the jump back home, but running was part of his lively hood, so he was used to close calls. He simply sat just on top, just to catch what the beasts below were saying, lest they whisper and he miss something important.

OOC: Can someone please post?

OOC: Sorry. I wasn't quite sure what to make Flare do :P

IC: "Ah," said Flare, at least to buy time. Well, it was true that the other squirrel seemed a bit nuts (no pun intended), but what if he was telling the truth?

"Abbess, what do you think?" she whispered before turning back to the visitors. "Give us one good, viable reason to let you al into our Abbey."

"Yer majesty, I wouldn't do it. 'E don't seem like he's tryin' to help," Stashi said, "I was in a vermin camp for a while, I know 'ow these things work." She pawed at her daggers, watching Vrungin.

OOC: I'll PP a bit here and say that Henri reached the Abbey.

Henri sighed with relief as he saw the walls of Redwall. His joy, however, was replaced by anger as he spotted the group of beasts led by an unmistakable figure. Vrungin. He thought, his face sullen as he pulled out his conch and blew three times, the hardest he had ever blown them. He tucked his conch back into its place and drew his mace. Justice would reign again, and he would be the one who signalled its arrival.

Phane had spotted Vrungin and let out a growl, Henry's horn still ringing in her ears. She lurched forwards in a charge but Pharanuse grabbed her and held her back. "Your crazy, you'll get yourself killed!" he said as she struggled to get loose.

"Let go of me!" she growled as she tried to kick him in the shins. Pharanuse gritted his teeth and took the blows despite the pain. 

"Stop this or I'll have t'tie you up!" He said shaking her. In response she bit his hand and he let go just enough for her to brake loose, but she did not go running off instead she turned back to her brother and threw a pine cone at him for good measure.

"Don't ever do that again!" She said picking up another pine cone.

"No promises," Pharanuse replied glumly as he rubbed his paw it was actually bleeding a little now. her second pine cone bounced off his ear. "Quit that!" This response earned him another pine cone. At this point they where not being thrown very hard and Phane had an impish grin plaster across her face.

Named was about to return to the other cats when he heard the argument and pinecone-throwing going on in the shrubbery. He glanced in Phane's direction. "Who's there?"

Both Phane and Pharanuse became dead silent and drew their daggers. Hardly breathing they drew searched the trees in the direction of the voice.   

The lynx fingered his hilt as he glanced around. "Hmmmm... must've been my head. Or maybe some fighting wood pigeons. I have to let Vrungrin know about the food here, it's amazing." He walked off back toward the cats. He would tell Vrungrin after the whole debate affair.

Once he was gone Phane relaxed and threw her last pine cone at her brother.

"Watch it salmon brain," He said bring his arms up to protect his face. "Ye almost brought the cad right to us,"

"Salmon brain your self, lets get out of here,"   

OOC-
Oh goodness, I really failed at keeping up with this!  :( Can I have a recap please?

OOC: I'll recap in the morning.

OOC-
Okiedokie.

OOC: Okay, so Vrungin has been trying to continue the negotiations when Dan's character, Phlame, pops up and starts bubbling off some stuff Vrungin had done, though it would be hard to tell if one didn't know him because the squirrel is obviously insane. The abbey creatures are still wary, and Karn and his force are about to be noticed by Vrungin.
  I will post tomorrow because I'm tired.

"Okay, so here's our situation," Flare said to Stashi and the Abbess. "We need to choose between trusting a wolf who claims to come for our good yet has a giant army for some reason or a random, unstable squirrel who claims that the wolf is evil. Both of them we have just met. I am flummoxed. What do you two think? We can't take all day."

OOC: Hey sky, wrong RP, Jackie is crossover, Stashi is Intrusion. XD

OOC: Oops. Lol, thanks Faiy ;)

OOC: Well, the group that is with Vrungin would certainly be considered small for an army, but okay.

BIC: Henff rubbed her paws. "I really don't know! We're obliged to help those in need, and the wolf said he only wants to help, but. . . I don't know!"

  "Vrruuungiiiiinn!!"

  All heads turned to the sound of the roar, and Vrungin tensed. "By the Barkstone, it can't be!" The sound of a horn blast at the other direction made the wolf spin on his heels.
  "Blast! Named, prepare the others, now!" he howled. Vrungin turned to the battlements. "Abbess, please let us in, now, unless you want to see us be slaughtered!"
  "Slaughtered?" Henff gripped the battlements. "But who-?"
  Vrungin pointed at the road, and the closing force of creatures running on it. "Those creatures do not seem to be wanting peace, do they? Let us in!"
  "I can't. . . I don't know if. . ."
  The wolf roared out again. "Named! Prepare the others! Everybeast, form a line and hold it!"

OOC: They've got Long Patrol hares with them, Abbess should know they're friendlies. BIC:

      "Well now, looks like tha' good parts about ta' begin." Phlame called down to the meeting group below, "Ya might want ta' hurry up or you'll miss tha' party!" He hopped onto the battlement and sat himself down between two of the blocks, feet dangling over the edge. More than a little excited, the squirrel shouted, "Don't pretend ta be too much of a' gentle beast Vrungin! Karn don't look like e's 'ere to play nice!"

Named returned to the other section of the horde and said "Vrungrin's under attack, we need to head back to his position as fast as possible. Until we reach him, stay quiet. We don't want the Abbeybeasts seeing or hearing us."

Henri charged at Vrungin's force, hoping to take them by surprise, or at least divide the lines of their foes. He raised his shield and lowered his visor, roaring all the while.

  Vrungin saw Henri charging at his creatures, and he ordered his creatures to form a line at his side as well. "Fool," he hissed. "You do not know how well even these smaller creatures may resist you."
  The thunder of Karn's force's paws drew the wolf's attention. It seemed the cat's army had been bolstered; the only real option was to retreat to the other part of his army and cause a stalemate. "Fall back!" he yelled, swinging his cane. "To the forest! Archers, sling beasts, fill that cat with missiles until he looks like a sponge!" Vrungin pointed at Henri as he urged his group into the forest.

~~~~~~~~~~

  "Nnnnoo!" Karn saw Vrungin retreating, and he yelled in frustration. "Knarr, I wanted a fight, but he cannot afford it!"
  "Slow pace, but do not stop," ordered Colonel Sharpeye to his hares. "It doesn't look like we'll be getting back at that wolf today, wot?"

OOC: I would assume the reinforcements arrived.

"What is happening?" snarled Flare, who had her sling ready and was eyeing both armies. "What in the world is going on?"

She realized that probably nobody in the Abbey could answer her questions. Tense, she waited for the newcomers to approach.

       "What's happnin'? Well that's easy, Karn an' the mountain hares charged Vrungin's force, but since Vrungin sent some of 'is crew 'round all sneaky like for the attack on the Abbey, he couldn't possibly face the Barkhillians wrath.... Say, are we all sure I'm the one goin' nuts around 'ere? 'Tis pretty simple ta see what happened 'ere." Phlame was rather saddened by the retreat, he'd been waiting for a brawl and it'd once again been postponed, "Welp, looks like I'll have ta wait 'till another day... Might as well see if anything interesting at all happens, good day to the lot a' ye." He hopped from one block to another before re-entering the trees to see if there  was at least blood to be spilled.

Henri raised his shield and began zig-zagging his way there, hoping that the curious tactic would save him. He ground his teeth as an arrow took him on the shoulder. "Cowards like you always get their comeuppance, Vrungin! Run wherever you like, but you shall be cast from your pedestal, your stronghold pulled to the ground and your followers eradicated. Remember, Vrungin." he spat as he stood his ground, knowing any further attack would be futile.

OOC: I assume the Abbess and everyone else can see Henri now.

OOC: Bump.

  Cowardice is different than intelligence, Vrungin knew. He made sure his group was safely on their way, though the female badger that had joined him was standing on the path still. "Regan, come with me unless you wish to be killed!" She seemed as if she didn't care.
  "Badger! You're risking your life; don't be a fool!" Seeing that Regan was not moving, Vrungin cursed under his breath and continued into the forest to regroup with the rest of his force."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Karn saw a single creature left from Vrungin's group still on the road. "Archers, prepare to-"
  "Now hold on a bally moment there, sah!" Sharpeye hopped in front of the big cat. "That there's a badger, you can't shoot them!"
  "He is a creature under Vrungin. Did you not forget what I said about that wolf? He is not to be trusted." Of course, the badger was all alone, while Vrungin had fled. . . "Prepare to capture."

OOC: Scartooth said that someone can have Regan if they want; she won't be playing in this RP anymore.

OOC: okay I joined as Scartooth's character with Skarzs permission of course, I'll try to keep her character true. Scartooth if you ever come back feel free to take control of your character again.

BIC:

Her fighting blood was up and a slight red mist filled Regan's eyes. She snorted gripping her battleaxe tight as she stared the charging creatures down. Regan blinked, were those hares with the big cat, she glanced around her to encourage her comrades but found herself alone on the path. Then Vrungin's words broke though.

"Don't be a fool!" With one last growl the badger sprinted off the path joining the back line of Vrungin's force with surprising speed not normally associated with badgers.

"Who was that creature?" She asked as she ran with the others.

Henri growled in frustration and put his mace back into his belt. He then turned to the Redwallers on the gate, still staring. "Redwallers! I come in peace, and hope that I be admitted into the abbey without issue." he said.

  As they neared the abbey at a quick march, Commander Karn eyed the cougar standing near the front of it. "Not one of ours, though he doesn't seem to be one of Vrungin's either." He would be sure to find out for sure where the other stood in terms of alliance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  "Merciful fates, look at that!" Henff pointed north along the road, at the oncoming force of Karn and Sharpeye's creatures.
  By now it was obvious to the other Redwallers and woodlanders that something had been going on at the wall, and many had come to the ramparts looking out at the army approaching, as well as the massive cat at their doorstep.
  Henff turned her gaze to Henri, and she held her paws tightly folded at her stomach as she answered him. "Now you listen here," she said shakily, though her voice was beginning to get louder. "Already we've had a wolf try to come in, and there is an army coming this way with who-knows-what manner of creatures, I'm talking to you, a beast that I have never seen or heard of before, so you must excuse me if I am not about to let any creature in or out of this abbey until I have time to calm down!"
  The hedgehog stepped back from the wall and sat down hard, her face very pale.

Now Phane and her brother had arrived at the seen very late they had not see what had happened between Vrungin and Karns forces all she saw was an army of various vermin and a large cat like the ones that attacked her and her brother. She also saw some hares but Vrungins forces had had a good number of wonderlanders.

Phane growled deep in her throat clutching her sling tight in one paw. Before Pharanuse could stop her she drew her dagger and charged from the cover of the trees and flung herself at their leader (Karn) attacking him with loaded sling and dagger swinging the stone at his knees joints and chin.

"hai hai Aieeee! Ye Asp! Atackin' creatures on the road!"   

Pharanuse reached for his sword but it was not there. "Cockles," He breathed in frustration and drawing his dagger he ran out onto the road unsure of weather he needed to save the cat or his sister and hoped that she was not about to get them both killed.

OOC: Hope you don't mind this... XP and yes Phane is being a complete bumblebeebrain...

Henri sighed as he heard the Abbess's reply. 'As you wish, may lady.', he said, and turned to see the otters he had rescued from Vrungin attacking the other cat's forces. He walked, quite calmly, to the other cat's forces to put an end to this idiocy.

OOC: It is otters... XP

OOC: Whoops, I always seem to think they're squirrels. :P

  Karn caught the otter's sling in the air and allowed the knife to glance off his knee armor. "Such a warm welcome from the creatures of this land, Colonel. Now, female, you will cease this foolishness before something undesirable happens."

"Tell that to yer wolf friend!" She she cried as she yanked at the caught sling and kicked at his shin forgetting he had armor on. She yelled out in pain, let go or the sling and fell back on her rudder clutching her foot paw.

"There's hares with them Idjit," Pharanuse said letting his dagger hang loosely in his paw at his side.

"That don't mean nothing, there was a badger with 'em earlier," She retorted still holding her throbbing foot.

"These here are Sal's hares, don't ye recognize 'em..." Pharanuse said. Phane squinted at the hares and then her face lit up.

"Hey! Sharpeye me Matey!" she said as she jumped up her foot paw forgotten.

OOC: Slight PPing, hope it's ok

IC: Flare turned in shock as she saw Abbess Hhenf sit down, trembling so visibly her spines rattled. Slow fire started burning within the red-furred squirrel. Since she had arrived at the Abbey seasons ago, she had gotten to know the beasts who called it home. She and the Abbess had grown close, and Flare was as fond of the hedgehog as she was of, perhaps, her own mother.

The warrior knelt beside the Abbess with a paw on her spiky shoulder. "Don't worry, please. I know this is bad. I honestly don't know what's going on, either. But remember what you always told me? No matter what happens, good is the side that prevails. That has demonstrated itself over and over throughout Redwall and Mossflower history. Whatever faces us, dear Mother, we will be on the winning side."

She stood up, her paw still on the Abbess' shoulder, and looked around. Still she had no idea what was going on, but at least she and the beasts she loved were behind the walls.

Infuriated that most of the larger beasts simply ignored her Regan turned her gaze upon one of the stoats running alongside her. As they ran she tapped his shoulder none to gently.

"Who was that beast?" She growled, the stoat shook his head furiously.

"H'i don't know why don't yer ask some o' these crazy 'arkhill beasties." He withered under Regan's hiss of annoyance and quickly merged among the running army. She didn't agree with Vrungrin much less enjoy talking with him but it appeared the only way she was going to get answers.

  Vrungin turned his attention back from one of his other creatures who had been talking to him. "Sorry. That beast is the Commander Karn of the Barkhills, and he must have followed me from my homeland."
  They were nearing the other group, and Vrungin searched for them, sure that they would be ready to move as soon as they got there.

OOC: I'm really tired guys, so I'll post tomorrow perhaps.

       "Good is the side that prevails? Heh, that's a good one." Phlame had returned, more than a little miffed that nothing exciting had happened. He was once again lackadaisically swinging his footpaws over the edge of the battlements, a look of shear boredom plastered solidly on his face,  "I dunno what kinda world this is, but where I come from, doesn't matter if you're good, bad, or a pigeon with a bad temper, they all die the same. Ther'are dozens of nasty smellin' hares lyin' around Salamountain, or whatever 'tis called, to prove it.... Say, yeh ever get any decent fires through 'ere? Ye'd think that with how hot 'tis all season that a beast could get some pretty big whoppers goin' but I've yet to see much more than a spark... Oh, and when're ya gonna let poor ole' Karn down there in the gate? Probably ran everybeast half to death on the way 'ere. Been followin' Vrungin for... months now ah believe." The Abbeybeasts were a curious bunch, so the squirrel had already decided he was going to stick around, though he hadn't visited the Wolf's camp in awhile, so he might stop by to see when the next chance for something to do would be..

Running as she was beside Vrungin the badger considered their options. "Milord why don't we attack now?" She asked looking around at the running army. "Your enemy, from where you came from. He is stuck between the Abbey and that ditch along that road. If half your army attacks from the south and the other from the north he will be trapped and outflanked with nowhere to go except over the ditch, or into the Abbey but that more'n likely won't happen."

Reagan blinked surprised at herself. She never would have thought of such a thing normally but the idea of running dug at her nerves. Glancing up she waited for the wolf's reply wondering if she would be scorned as a fool.

  Vrungin turned his gaze to Regan, his face a mask of frustration. "I don't want to start any killing, do you hear me, badger? If I could, I would make this all as painless as possible." The wolf took a deep breath and signaled to the other part of his army to move with them. "Besides," he said, much more calmly. "Plans must adapt to new circumstances."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

  "Phane! By jove, ol' gel, why'd you go and kick his armor like that!" Sharpeye went to the otter. "At ease, Karn, wot? These are friends!"
  "But this one may not be." The commander twirled a claw and pointed at Henri, and several of his soldiers surrounded him. "Come now, fellow cat; speak and be recognized."

"Sorry 'bout that Shapreye, Commander," Pharanuse said nodding to both the hare and the cat. 

"I thought 'e was with Vrungin, sorry 'bout that," Phane said turning to Karn. "Oh and if it helps at all 'e saved us from The Wolf," She added nodding back at Henri.

Grinding her teeth Reagan twirled her axe wishing nothing more then too spit curses on her unpredictable commander. What kind of creature would kill his own soldier for speaking his name only to run form his foe. Her frustration matched Vrungin's and her face was that of a beast itching to do battle.

Dropping back slightly she considered what he had said. Plans must adapt to new circumstances... What was that suppose to mean? Had she joined up with a coward or a genius? For Reagan this issue would be the forefront of her next actions. Taking longer strides to catch up to the large wolf she spoke gruffly, though the scorn was still evident.

"Alright commander, I will respect your decision. So what is our next move then?"


OOC: The badger is badgering the wolf eh, eh anyone?

OOC: I'll answer Regan later. :P

BIC: Henff was feeling well enough now to address the strange squirrel sat upon the wall. "Now you, sir; I don't care if you're a squirrel or a piece of coal with legs and a tail, you are obviously crazy and unwelcome until further notice!"
  She stamped her footpaw on the wall to show she was serious. "Now get down from there this instant!"


OOC: I rather like Henff as a character. XD

       Phlame chuckled, "No need to tell me what I already know miss." He leaned all the way backwards, looking Henff in the eyes, a smile that was something of a cross between sinister and playful planted firmly on his face. After a short moment of staring, he spoke again, "This lump ah coal with legs and a tail does as 'e pleases unless e's got a reason otherwise. Now, this lump ah coal also finds you Abbeybeasts interesting, so if yeh got a reason spit it out. If not, I've got some exploring around the woods ta do."

OOC: I must point out, it's a bit curious for an Abbey leader to trun away a beast in need, especially when they're just allowed a vermin inside.  :D

Henri looked Karn in the eye. "I hail from the distant coast of Mossflower, upon which my line has built a settlement and flourished, but like all things it had to die, and die it did. Now, who art thou, kin?"

Flare was more hesitant. "I don't know, Abbess Hhenf," she said, looking around. "Maybe we should listen to Phlame. Maybe we should hear him out."

  Henff simply folded her arms and waited for the squirrel to do whatever he would. "Flare, I am sorry, but at the moment I must make my decisions as I come to them." She looked hard at Phlame and nodded stiffly in parting. "Master squirrel."
  The hedgehog turned her attention to the group down below, unsure if she should call out or wait a little longer.

~~~~~~~~~~~

  "Hm." Karn listened to what the otter Phane said before turning back to Henri. "Not often I see my kind anywhere but my own land." He declined his head slightly. "I am Commander Karn, high officer of Rakar and the Hammer Warriors. Now, this otter says that you saved them from Vrungin. If that is so, then I may treat you as an ally, for now." He waved off his soldiers and they stood at ease with their weapons back.

OOC: Yo, I really don't want this to die. Please post.

OOC: Um, still not sure, is Named with the other wildcats dispatched to the other side of the Abbey, or did Vrungrin recall them?

OOC: They're with Vrungin.

OOC: I believe this calls for a bit of a time skip, if you are not going to let Karn into the abbey then you need to camp somewhere

Flare watched her elder uneasily. I hope this is the right decision. Nothing even makes sense anymore!

"What about the visitors, Abbess?" she queried.

OOC: Hey Skarzs do you want me to start posting with the shrews?

  "Hello!"
  "I hear you! What do you want?" The abbess was trying to stay calm as she responded to the commander.
  "I know you are probably frightened, perhaps even angry, but I ask that we be let in." Below, Karn laid his axe down on the path and spread his paws. "Please, we are not your enemies."
  Henff looked at the faces of the creatures around her, trying to find some form of aid. "Redwall Abbey is a place of peace; I will not willingly allow bloodshed into my home. How do I know that you are any better than that last beast?"
  There was a moment of silence. ". . . You don't."
  The hedgehog saw Colonel Sharpeye step in front of Karn. "Marm, if it mean anything, the hares of Salamandastron are with the commander here, and if the wolf comes back we don't want this place undefended, wot? Besides," he patted his stomach, "We would be jolly grateful for some Redwall fare for a change!"
  Henff smiled at the hare. "Must you always think with your stomach? Very well, you shall be let in. However, there will be no weapons inside the abbey building under any condition."
  "As you wish, madame." With that, the whole group was let into the abbey.

OOC: I'll do a time skip immediately after this.

OOC: Fine by be.

OOC: Whatever I'm going for it.


BIC:

Swirling smoke mingled among the overhanging willow leaves. Rough voices barked out the occasional order however most everything was still on the riverbank. Just the way Logalog Bruffa liked it. Adjusting his sword he plopped down next to his only son Nakkt, giving the younger shrew a light jab in the shoulder.

"Wat'cha got there?"

"Jus a carvin' Ye like it?" Bruffa leaned over inspecting the small oak carving. Although unfinished the piece had a remarkable resemblance to a certain shrew warrior. Placing a paw on his chin Bruffa nodded sagely.

"Oh very well done, tis a badger wit' a 'eadache right."

"What no! Er, I mean ya th't it tis." Both shrews laughed, and Nakkt continued working whittling away small shavings. Bruffa let his gaze wander over the camp, the log boats had been beached and cleaned, they formed a short row along the shore. Further away from the water the rest of the Guosim had gathered around several cook fires enjoying the good weather and easy times.

It was easy times, peaceful and easy. Just how Bruffa liked it.

OOC: Early morning of the next day. . .

BIC: Hidden behind shrubbery and the shade of the trees, Vrungin watched the shrews on the bank of the river warm themselves by their fires and move about. From what he had gathered from the local vermin, these shrews were fierce and stubborn fighters.
  Of course, he also found out they were extremely biased against "badbeasts", and would probably not change their minds about them. Not to say the local ferrets and rats were very good in his own eyes, but Vrungin was skeptical of these shrews.
  The fur-clad wolf stepped into view, strolling straight into the shrews' midst, casually using his iron cane.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  "Madame, I know you do not approve of fighting, as you have stressed many times over, but at this point I see no other alternative." Karn tapped the table in Cavern Hole with a claw as Abbess Henff sat on her chair opposite him. "Vrungin is not to be trifled with. I have been sent under high authority to-"
  "And does that authority permit you to invade a land that is not your own and demand war, commander?" Henff asked. "We aren't going to become puppets in a conflict that isn't in our paws."
  Karn sighed and sat down on a stool that was far too small for him. "Abbess, I'm afraid that you don't have a choice on whose land this conflict is in."
  "I. . . I guess I'm just wishing it weren't so." The hedgehog leaned on the table. "You must understand that I am bound to keeping the peace. Yes, that may mean doing battle, but. . . I must do what I can in my authority to prevent it. Are you sure there is no there way?"
  "Yes."
  Henff sighed again. "Very well. You and your creatures are allowed to stay here as long as needed. It's not been very safe outside our walls for many seasons anyway."

OOC: Okay, Faiy, Ash, Sky, and anyone else in Redwall can do what they want. Sage, Named needs to keep an eye on the things going on with the shrews. Sand, the shrews can react however.

OOC: Ooh this is gonna be good.

BIC:

Sleeping soundly slightly away from the rest of the shrews Bruffa felt himself getting shaken awake.

"Erm, chief yer needed." A voice hissed urgently. Sitting up the shrew leader rubbed his eyes blinking at the sentry that had alerted him.

"Why, wots happenin'?" The younger shrew shrugged glancing over his shoulder back at the camp.

"Ah not much jus' a big beastie came inter camp."

"Big beastie eh, 'ow big are we talkin'?"

"Jus' big." The shrew muttered uncomfortably.

"Big, big, or jus' kinda big?" Bruffa joked standing up and stretching leisurely. Large creatures liked to throw their weight around, and Bruffa had dealt with enough to be unconcerned by the news. Besides the sentry didn't act like they were being attacked.

"Sink a log boat big chief." Bruffa stopped strapping on his rapier and stared at the sentry hard.

"Now that's big."

"Maybe ye should see for yerself chief."

"Aye," both jogged up the slope of the river to where they could clearly see the camp. Bruffa often slept a small ways away, he was a light sleeper, and the shrew snoring competitions could be uproarious. Surmounting the bank Bruffa got his first look of a big beast and besides the rising dread in his throat he kept his out demeanor light.

"Now th'ts a big beast. See E's got friends in the shrubs, 'Idden back there a'ways. See em? Ye get down to th' crews n' 'ave them slide over to th' boats nice n' easy like. 'Ave th' comrades ready with bows n' arrows. If'n we 'ave to leave be ready."

"Aye chief." The shrew sentry jogged off to mingle amongst the shrews, many of whom eyed the newcomer with untrusting eyes paws resting on rapier hilts and paddle hafts. Bruffa was quickly amongst them placing a cheerful light over the whole atmosphere waving to his visitor. Sitting down next to one of the cook fires.

"Hey there comrade, come n' sit yer tail down, an' 'ave some shrewbeer n' shrewbread." He motioned for the cooks, who glaring suspiciously at the wolf brought the requested items. Some of the shrews were slowly drifting towards the log boats by then, Bruffa ignored their movements keeping his full attention on his large guest.

OOC: Your not planning on having them fight right? I'm thinking a friendly discussion between the leaders would be more appropriate.

  Vrungin took the shrewbread and beer, knowing it wouldn't do to refuse the food. He sipped and nibbled on the food for a little bit before setting them down at his side.
  "You find the rivers to your liking?" the wolf asked while observing some shrews gather near the boats.

"Aye, better n' some less n' others, though one boat'n shrew is worth any ten landlubbin' un's. They got more fire n' their bellies, heh." Bruffa sat back eyeing his guest with a slight smile. "So comrade, ye 'n me have yet to be acquainted. I'm Logalog Bruffa O' th' Guosim." Bruffa waved a paw at he surrounded shrews, who were still drifting towards the log boats. "If'n I might be so bold as to ask, who ye n' yer friends are mate?"

Henri went straight to the Gatehouse, to acquaint himself with the history of Mossflower.

OOC: Sorry about the one liner,  but will there be a time skip soon?

  "Far away." Vrungin looked back into the trees. "Very far away. And I have heard of your Guosim. The guerrilla union of shrews in Mossflower; first letter of each word." The wolf leaned on his cane. "You have built up a reputation."

Quote from: Lord_Ashenwyte on October 31, 2015, 03:00:19 AM
OOC: Sorry about the one liner,  but will there be a time skip soon?

OOC: Probably not, but if you're not too upset, Henri might be okay where he is for a while.

OOC: Okay then.

Flare approached Henff warily. "Is there anything I can do to help, Abbess?"

OOC: One-liner, but I hope it gets the point across :P

  Henff smiled at the other. "Just be here when I need you, Flare; thank you." The hedgehog watched Karn and his fellow soldiers walk off outside. "There are two things I would like you to do, actually. The first is to just keep an eye on these newcomers. They've offered to stay outside, but winter grows near and if they need to come in I just want to have somebeast who has some knowledge of what they're about."

"Aye, that it is, yer very smart" Bruffa laughed relaxing slightly. The wolf didn't seem all that bad, and reacted calmly enough to his challenges. The chieftain waved his paw and a few of the shrews who had half drawn their swords sheathed the blades looking disappointed.
"I didn't know us shrews were know so far n' wide. Or so I assume seeing as I haven't seen ye or yer kind before. Tell me is our reputation something to be proud of?"

The red squirrel nodded complaisantly. "It'll be done, Abbess. What's the second thing?"

  "That you come with me to the kitchens to get a cup of tea," Henff said laughing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  "From what I know of my time here, you are good warriors. In my country, that is an admirable thing." Vrungin smiled slightly. "But I also hear you are easily provoked, and don't usually like help from others."

Flare laughed in response. "Oh, I can definitely agree to that," she remarked, following Henff to the kitchens.

The warrior squirrel had to admit, she was wary of the newcomers. They were here for a good reason, she knew. But what if they were also the ones to watch out for? Flare fell into a solemn silence. She could only hope they hadn't an enemy into their walls.

Maybe she could talk to them later. Just in a polite manner. She hardly knew who they were.

"Ah who told ye that comrade? Not that I'm saying it ain't so." Bruffa stood slowly, grinning. While his natural caution still itched in the back of his head to be wary, he couldn't help but like Vrungin. He seemed to be a tactically aware, and confident beast. Not a rampaging monster Bruffa had expected. "Ye must have gotten yer information some way, fr'm somebeast not doubt. Perhaps t'was one of ye friends over there. Why are they staying back anyway? Ye must be confident in their reaction time if'n ye can jus' walk right into someone's camp unarmed. Er well mostly unarmed." Bruffa glanced at the cane with a raised eyebrow, he figured Vrungin could use it to devastating effect, but in the shrew's eyes it was lacking. Looking back up at the wolf the shrew patted his sword absentmindedly.

"Wot if we say, attack ye on sight eh?"

OOC: Please correct me if I'm wrong but I couldn't remember if Vrungin had other weapons besides the cane, and I'm to lazy to go check the OOC thread before posting this. :p

  "Then you had better know where to strike, and when to do it." Vrungin almost lazily drew back his cloak to reveal the straight saber at his side. "I like to know what I'm dealing with before I need to; knowledge is power, and planning is pinnacle."
  The wolf looked at Bruffa straight on. "That being said, you probably want to know much about me."

Keeping his eyes locked on Vrungin Bruffa's ear twitched as he considered the wolf's rather impressive reveal of the weapon. Inwardly the shrew cursed himself for not noticing the sword before. He must have grown soft with so little action over the seasons, missing things he should have noticed immediately. Shaking off the feeling of failure the shrew warrior tapped the side of his head winking at the wolf.

"Oh aye comrade, ye seem to know so much about me n' my tribe. I'm positively dying to know more about ye."

  "Very well. I am a wolf, a creature I know isn't native around here, and have come from a land far away called the Barkhills. I was. . . exiled, so to speak, for the ideals I possess. The leaders of my land are stubborn and closed-minded, and cannot think to change their narrow ways." Vrungin gripped his cane tightly for a moment. "But I am no longer there. I travelled here across the oceans, along with my own creatures."
  The wolf raised his paw and the cougar Guthar, along with a few other beasts from the Barkhills, stepped out into the open. "I have seen this land's problems; creatures like yourselves do their best to keep out of trouble, while the beasts you call 'vermin' roam free and unbridled, growing in number. And that is why I have chosen to help. This land needs to be unified, cured."

The shrew chieftain considered Vrungin's words, analyzing each carefully. A shrews natural instinct was to argue, and play on words were they're kinds strong point. However Bruffa also had another strong point, the reason why he was chief of the Guosim wasn't because he was the best arguer or fighter, but because he had a vision for the tribe's future. One he was willing to do anything to complete, and in a way that made him the strongest, fastest, and smartest shrew resting there by the river. Vrungin's choice words brought that passion for changing the world back into Bruffa's spirit. The shrew leader could have cheered if it wasn't below his standing to do so.

"Gromma get th' cooks to light a few cookin' fires n' bring the boat crews back in. I want a good breakfast something worth eating. Oh an' tell Nakkt to get 'is tail here." Bruffa shouted over his shoulder before turning back to Vrungin.
"Comrade yer th' first beast I've ever heard to speak like that. An' I've had me share of thick headed brutes who can't see past their noses. You n' I might 'ave more n' common then outward appearances would suggest. Ye must stay. An' Yer creatures are welcome to share our vittles. We need to discuss this, unification an' curing. Solving world problems is something I've always wanted to do. So by all means, continue talking. How would ye go about cleansing Mossflower?"

As Logalog spoke Nakkt jogged over, staring suspiciously at Vrungin. The shrew hesitated for a moment before silently taking a seat next to his father.

Phane and Pharanuse had made themselves comfortable at the abbey, Phane had already been to the kitchens and shooed out by a contemptuous friar.

"But I didn't do anythin'" She complained as they walked through the orchard.

"I think your reputation proceeds you. Last time you were here you destroyed his great abbey cake and caused him to burn three pies," Pharanuse said walking with his hands in his pockets.

"But that wasn't my fault, I was just enthusiastic that's all," she said turning and skipping backwards in font of him before running into a tree.

"A little to enthusiastic," He said chuckling as he helped her up, "You need to watch where your going," But Phane wasn't listening.

"Nena!" She shouted as she darted into the open arms of her old friend.

Stashi slowly stepped out of the shadows where she had been eavesdropping on the conversation between Henff and Karn. She nervously chewed on one of her claws as she made her way to the kitchens and found the abbess, "Er..." she started, still gnawing on a claw, "Er, yer Majesty, I were, uh, wonderin'... an' thinkin'. Er, I couldn't 'elp but, er, hear wot you 'n the cat was sayin'. I, er, I were jus' walkin' by an' I heard you a sayin' stuff 'bout, er, the fightin'. An' I were, uh, thinkin'.... Mebbe I can help yer," she kept chewing on her claw, avoiding eye contact and staring at the ground as she lightly kicked it.

  Henff cocked her head slightly as she held a platter with Flare's and her own tea and biscuits. "Oh? Well. . . If you like, feel free to take a mug and follow me. Flare and I will be having tea in Cavern Hole."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Vrungin smiled and nodded at Nakkt's arrival before turning his attention back to the Log-a-log. "Long ago in my land, there was a war fought over the creatures that some believed to be weak and useless, but they proved to be a strong opponent, and now all creatures are free. But with freedom comes the illusion of 'freedom', the ability to do anything one pleases. I see something similar here. In this land, Mossflower, there are two types of creatures: the so-called goodbeasts, who believe everything they do is for the right, and they sometimes oppress the other sect, the 'vermin', who are more crude and. . . war like, so to speak." The wolf leaned forward again. "What I intend to do, is to form this land into a place where creatures are not separated by their species, these two groups. I have seen ferrets save children from fires, and squirrels kill birds just for trespassing into their tree. Anybeast unwilling to accept that this foolish idea of 'good' and 'bad' beasts will be. . ." He stopped for a moment. "They must accept it."

OOC: Finally got in, sorry for being gone so long! BIC:

       Phlame had gotten board waiting around at the Abbey, so he followed the scent of Vrungin's horde. One he'd grown accustomed to following these past few days. Having gone so long without any sort of excitement had made him so irritable he'd almost walked in on the meeting. Thankfully, He caught himself just as the two leaders started to talk. Shortly after he was situated not too far off in the branches above. Many exchanges occurred, but the squirrel simply sat listening to the conversation mixed with the sharpening of a couple of his more recently used knives. He'd practiced patience (hard as it was for himself), but Vrungin's stutter was too much for him to handle, "Ya know Vrungin' most minds I've met are pretty closed to dictators, 'specially when they like to murder the uh.... innocents? I think that's the word... Whoa, I just realized, aren't these shrews friends with all the big 'ole hares you killed at the mountain? I'm really gettin' confused with your tactics mister "ah got exiled sort of," first you make some friends, then ya kill 'em? Now don't get me wrong, I understand the friend part, and I understand the killin' part, but when'd the two mix? Oh, and you didn't finish your last sentence, I can help with that one though." There was a brief rustling as Phlame's head popped out under the foliage, no more than 20 yards away. Part of the upside down squirrel's facial expression seemed as aloof as his statement would suggest, but there was another part of it that screamed cheeky mischief to high heaven with it's twisted grin, "What e' means to say is, "anybeast that won't accept blah blah blah gets the hatchet... and the spear, and the sword too probably, but not until they've gotten the hatchet twice.... Oh, he won't take their head though, not first at least, no screamin' otherwise, makes such a racket it'd give yer mother a heart attack."

Henri had not wasted his time at the Infirmary, reading ancient texts of war and strategy. He had just read about how to destroy an army with lighting fast attacks, when a realisation hit him. He got up, to the protests of a Sister, and hobbled to Cavern Hole.

OOC: Starting just a little bit before Dan's post.

BIC:

He should have expected this really, it wasn't as if the wolf was willing to give away everything. Still it was surprisingly tame for such a large creature. But Logalog wasn't one to give in so lightly, when he wanted answers he could usually wring it out of some creature's tongue, even if said tongue was the size of his forearm. Opening his mouth to make his statement he was cut off by Nakkt whose suspicions came forward in a burst of outrage.

"Illusion o' freedom! They must accept it! Separation of species!" The young shrew yelled the skin under his fur turning slightly purple. "What are ye jabbering about? Somebeasts will resist never mind wot yer end goals are, whether they are fer the greater good or no. Wot if'n they don't accept, huh, wot then?"

"Nakkt!" Bruffa felt the fur along his back stiffen in outrage. "Ye were brought to listen not to speak. Aye, so hold yer tongue. Ye could learn somethin' form Vrungin. Like manners." He turned back to the wolf shaking his head. "In youth all shrews are hotheads. Though me son does 'ave a point. T'was rather ominous how ye said some o' that." He broke off as Phlame said his piece. Eyes narrowing contemptuously the shrew glanced from squirrel to wolf his tone low.

"Now ain't that a buzzer o' info. Could o' course judgen' by yon squirrel's appearance..." Logalog left the statement unsaid, even so his paw strayed towards the rapier at his hip.

  Blast that idiotic stowaway, always there when he didn't want him to be. Vrungin stood up and pointed with his cane. "Guthar, get rid of that infernal squirrel!"
  The cougar hefted a stone the size of his paw and threw it directly at Phlame, though he would probably dodge it. Vrungin didn't wait to see, but turned to the shrews. "Reckless and hot-headed or not, your son is part of the problem. I don't want to do any killing, but sometimes, for the greater good, some must be done."
  Vrungin looked at Bruffa straight in the eyes, while watching the rest of the Guosim out of his peripheral vision. "Something tells me we may be done talking."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Commander Karn walked across the lawns through the midst of his troops who were resting about in a group. Many Redwallers were nearby, whispering and looking at the foreigners, and very few dared speak to any of them, especially the ferrets and weasels. The small number of Barkhillian mice who had come with the commander had managed to make themselves acquainted with some maids, but that was probably the extent of the socialization.
  "Look at them. They're scared of us, Colonel."
  Colonel Sharpeye was walking beside the cougar, and he looked at the Redwallers. "Perhaps, ol' boy, but they'll warm up eventually, wot? I can do my best to set an example, but in the end I think it'll just take some bally time."
  "Time which we may not have!" Karn sighed and stopped walking. "I don't know what Vrungin is planning next, but one thing for certain is that he is not done with this, eh, (what did they call it?) abbey. This place, these creatures. . ." He waved a paw. "They don't deserve his trouble, but it's going to happen. And we need their help if they want to stay free."
  The two stood in silence for a few moments before Sharpeye spoke again. "Well then, you'd better start gaining their trust, wot?"
  "I beg your pardon?"
  The hare winked at Karn before jabbing him in the side. "You jolly well heard me. Get yourself out of that armor and start talking to some abbey beasts."

As the stone flew through the air towards Phlame Logalog Bruffa leapt to his footpaws sword in his paw. All around the shrews who had just started relaxing stood as well, a few holding their weapons at the ready. Bruffa locked eyes with the wolf not looking away or flinching.

"I thought ye were different wolf. Yon squirrel made his point clear yet he had no proof. Ye jus' proved it for him with th' actions o' a vermin. Ye cannot jus' kill beasts cause they disagree wit' ye." The shrew paused rapier held loosely in his paw staring at Vrungin, slowly the shrew chieftain's eyes softened and he lowered his blade. "Go, an' don' come back Vrungin. An' don' try nothin' to no beast here n' Mossflower. Take yer ideas to another place. Mayhap we can see eye ta eye on something's, but I cannot justify killing beasts for disagreeing. We may meet again, aye under different circumstances, good or not. Jus' know somethin' Vrungin. Find beasts worth fightin' an' don' make enemies wit' th' wrong creatures. Th' Guosim know these woodlands well. Good luck."

Bruffa honestly meant his last words. he could not deny that Vrungin's ideas had made sense to him. But he couldn't risk his tribe's welfare working with such a creature. He had no wish to throw away lives and had offered the wolf a peaceful way out of the situation. Though something inside still urged him to join Vrungin's cause. To unite not just the wandering shrews but all of Mossflower for a common cause. Yet Vrungin clearly did not have what it took to unify all of the creatures of Mossflower. At least without bloodshed. And Bruffa, he smirked wirily at the thought, didn't think anybeast could.

  "Who are you calling vermin, shrew?" Guthar folded his arms. "In my opinion, you're more like a rat than I am."
  "Enough, Guthar." Vrungin did not let his eyes leave Bruffa. "He has made his decision. We will meet again, Log-a-log Bruffa, but I will decide when that meeting shall be." The wolf turned his back on the shrews and walked off into the forest, Guthar following behind shortly.
  "It was wise not to attack, Bruffa," the wolf called back. "Bowbeasts! We're done here." Several squirrels dropped down from the trees, along with others standing up from the bushes, all of them holding relaxed bows, only to follow their leader wordlessly. Vrungin smiled at his insurance; it was satisfying to know when you were prepared for anything.

       "Whoopsie-daisy!" The stone flew past Phlame a mere half of a second after he pulled himself back into the tree... Though the Maple behind him now had a rather permanent looking rocky ornament planted in it. After the short altercation between the two ended in yet another boring parting, he dropped out of the tree with a sigh, "Well now, ain't that just peachy." His voice carried said hint of boredom, but his hand carried a newly bloodied knife... A little going-away present to the one beast still sitting in the trees. It was only now the squirrel realized he was still holding it, "Lack-a-day, where are my manners?" Promptly cleaning his blade and putting it away he spoke again, "Hope you aren't too turned away by the first wolf ye met, cause the second's goin' to be hangin' around the fair old Abbey... I'm assuming that'd be your destination? Being this close an' all."

Stashi left off gnawing on her claw, then picked up a mug and held it awkwardly, "Er, tea. Aye, that sounds wunnerful," as they passed through the kitchens, Stashi glanced over at one of the assistants and whispered, "Wot's tea, matey?"

The squirrel quickly turned away, ignoring her and continuing with his work. Stashi hesitated, then followed Henff.

OOC: Phlame is talking to Logalog right?

BIC:

A bitter taste filled Bruffa's mouth as he watched the squirrels descend from the trees. It had never occurred to the shrew that Vrungin might actually have woodlander fighters amongst his soldiers. He hadn't even glanced once up towards the forest tops thinking most of the possible enemy would be hidden amongst the roots. Thinking about how close he came to having his shrew's annihilated Logalog sheathed his rapier as Nakkt coughed pointedly.

"Ye were outsmarted, that don' happen often father."

"Aye, I should never underestimate Vrungin again, nor his creatures. We're lucky to be alive, I dread th' day, if it ever comes, that we meet him on th' field o' battle." Logalog shuddered thinking of how many shrews would die in a single swing of those large creatures. "We ought to leave." He spun about half drawing his sword when somebeast spoke behind him, but the shrew relaxed crossing his paws angrily listening to Phlame, a slightly irritated look on his face.

"Ah no," Logalog sniffed, "Redwall can take care o' itself. For th' time being anyway. I doubt th' wolf will attack a place like that. Tis their policy to be kind to all beasts, kinda like wot he wants after all. No my concern tis warning all o' th' lands. Though I shall certainly warn Redwall of his presence." He waved to a few shrews. "Nakkt, take two wit' ye an' go to Redwall. Ye know wot to tell em. Groffa brother, take a tracker an' go n' trail th' wolf. Do yer best not to get caught." A small weedy looking shrew nodded slipping off into the scraggily furred mass. "Rest o' ye. Get to th' logboats."

A loud whoop rose up from the shrews as they raced to the boats. Bruffa turned his eyes on the black squirrel raising one eyebrow. "Coming with squirrel?"

       Phlame chuckled under his breath, "And miss what's about to go down 'ere? Not a chance! I guess it'd only be fair to tell ye Vrungin fully intends to take control of the Abbey... E's not as nice as he's got you thinkin' e' is... Heh heh, but whadda I know?" The squirrel's slow spreading smile carried a darkness that he was rather well known for back "home". Even so, he was already turning around and walking back towards the Abbey.. Or Vrungin's horde, it was tough to decide seeing as neither was doing anything particularly intriguing, "Ah'm just a crazy squirrel that wants to watch the world burn.... Good day shrew!"