OOC: Ok we're starting right from where we left off. Just to make that clear. And here's a link to the old topic (http://redwallabbey.com/forum/index.php?topic=4937.msg238643#msg238643)
(edit) I'd just like to say a special thanks to Russano the Wise, who has drawn this amazing picture for this RP. Here it is.
(http://oi59.tinypic.com/x3sbut.jpg)
BIC: Cien had heard the whole thing. He swallowed hard. This wasn't good.
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Monka stumbled through Mossflower Wood. He was secretly terrified, he'd never been in a wood before. And was quickly getting more, and more lost. He had lost Scarlet, and her band's trail a long time ago. Now he was just stumbling around trying to find, something. He wasn't really sure, and therefore could tell what he was looking for, hopefully Scarlet, but he doubted he would.
I won't give up. I will slay that good for nothing, daughter of a serpent seadog! If its the last thing I do!
Bryony saw a rat with his back to her, supposedly guarding thew camp. She sidled over and plunged her dagger into his heart, and then backed up. She grabbed a leafy branch and swept away any pawprints, the melted back into the shadows.
"What if they don't come back. What if something happens to them. What then?" Sister Lupine asked.
"I - um, well..." Fern began, unsure of herself. Then she just said it, her mind suddenly made up. "Then I'll go after them myself!" I'm the Abbess. So, it's my job to look after everybeast here, including going to find some creatures who've left, she reasoned. It's a bit crazy... but I guess everything will be alright in my absence, supposing I have to go. Mycroft can take care of everything. If he can be convinced to let me go without him.
Sister Lupine's eyes widened at this last statement, so did many others. "But Mother Abbess, what if there's danger. What if something happens to you? What then?" They all cried.
-------------------
Scarlet heard something. "We better go, now."
They all began to pack there things, then moved off.
Cien had been blindfolded, and gagged. As well as being chained. It was hard for him to walk, but he was lead along by two guards who held him firmly.
-----------------------
Monka, had decided to have a rest. He was hungry, and had come across a berry bush. He had been starving, and had scoffed as many of the berries as he could. Being in strange country, he hadn't known the berries were mildly poisonous.
He now lay next to a stream, bent double. Clutching his stomach, and groaning in agony. He had been sick twice since eating the berries, and had stumbled upon the stream before he collapsed. He had been here for an hour, and a half now.
Bryony saw Cien being led by, blindfolded, chained, and gagged. She raised an eyebrow. Well well well. Look what the wind chained, blindfolded, and gagged. I suppose I should help him. She sighed quietly, then held her bow at the ready and shot the two guards, but another on came before she could leap out and help the otter. She noticed she was out of arrows, and slipped away to make more. Oh, she'd be back alright. It might take awhile. But she'd be back. She went a secret route threw the trees to get ahead, and she figured that they'd be at the river bank five minutes after she got there. She dropped from a tree and saw someone collapsed by the river. She ran over and said, "Who are you? If you're with the ottermaid coming this way in four minutes, I'll kill you here and now."
Scarlet cursed. "Quick into the woods. If you see, hear, anyone, kill them. No questions asked."
They ran off into the woods, and soon disappeared.
----------------
Monka was still in pain, but at the mention of an ottermaid, he tried to sit up. He failed, and collapsed again. Then blacked out.
Bryony groaned, then hefted him up over her shoulder and ran/staggered into the woods, since Scarlet was due to pass in one minute and fifty-three seconds. She met a stoat and ran him through with her dagger, but received a nasty slash to the arm. She dragged the unknown beast into a tree with her, nearly falling out several times, until they reached a perch at a reasonable height. "You sir, have eaten choke berries. Well, I can't risk getting them out of you yet. Stay right there, and don't move." She murmured to him, then went of into the woods around them and searched to make sure that no one else was on her trail. She had to brain another stoat with a tree branch, and then stabbed him with her dagger just to make sure he was dead. Then she found another rat, and had to kill him. When at last she got back, with an armful of good wood she intended to use to make arrows, the squirrel was STILL out. She sighed and poked him. He needed to wake up so she could get the choke berries out of him. She poked him again, harder. She really wanted to get this over with so she could get to making her arrows. And find food. Well, you're pretty cute. But stupid. Who in their right mind would eat one choke berry, much less countless? Do I have to knock you out of the tree to wake you up? She though, then went to poke his nose. That always worked.
Marshall had lost Bryony. When she had gone to make her arrows, He could not find her. He kept looking. Finally he saw her.
''Squirrel, what are ya doin? What did ya do to this chap?''
"First, my name's Bryony. Second, I told you to leave. Third, he ate choke berries, and I'm waiting for him to wake up. Now, I bid ye good day!" Bryony called down softly, then added, "There's a pine marten behind you."
''Huh?''
The pine Martin jumped on him, but in a split second, a dagger was in his shoulder.
Marshall then grabbed his axe from his back, and started swinging at the Martin.
THUD
He fell to the ground the with a shrew raiper in him.
''There ya are Tufed! Were you and Grugble been? Oh and squirrel, were are helpin ya!''
"Oh, go away! Or at least keep your voice down." Bryony called down again, poking the other squirrel's nose.
OOC: Ok guys, this is getting a bit ridicules. Your killing vermin left right, and centre, without having a proper fight. Your characters are being a bit Mary Sueish.
Cornflower, Bryony can't continue to just kill one of Scarlet's group then disappear. It unfair for me, these are trained killers. They wouldn't just let you walk up, and kill them. It's unfair to me cos I can't do anything.
BIC: Monka slowly woke, he then felt a sudden jab of pain on his nose. A squirrelmaid was standing over him. Monka was surprised, and instinctively reached for his short sword.
OOC: Sorry Rach. I'll let the next one hurt her. Maybe gang up on her.
BIC: Bryony looked down at the strange squirrel, who was awake and reaching for is short sword. " Sleepy head awakes! Ready to get those choke berries out of you?"
Monka just stared, what was going on? "What berries?"
Then his stomach began to hurt again. He groaned, and almost fell out of the tree. What am I doing in a tree?
OOC: sorry :-\
Bic: Who is that guy squ- I mean Bryony? He looks ill!
Monka felt ill, but who was the fox. In Monka's experience, foxes weren't friendly, but then again, many creatures he had thought were good, had turned out to be cruel.
" Where do you think you're going? Hang on just a moment, will you?" Bryony asked the squirrel, grabbing his waist to prevent him falling out of the tree. Then she turned and called down, "Marshall, for the sake of trees! Either be quiet and move out of the way, or go get firewood. Do something. If you're determined to come wit me, then so be it. But I'm not going to stand lazy paws when there's things to be done. Like getting firewood." She turned back to Monka without waiting for a response. "Now, first of all, you've eaten choke berries. Mildly poisonous, and they make you feel like dirt. Thgere's two ways to get them out: Wait for them to come out naturally, which is really unpleasant, or you can throw them up. Neither one is ideal, but throwing them up saves a lot of pain. Once you've made your decision, we can do formalities. Deal?" Bryony said, then realized she was still holding his waist and blushed, then let go hurriedly.
''Well im sorry Nurse Bryony, Me and the shrews will get some wood!''
Marshall and the shrews Went over to a small tree.
''Shrews take my axe and start choppin. Ill be back in a little bit alright?''
''Yes sah, we will do it!''
''Good''
Marshall walked back to Bryony.
''Well gotten the berries out yet?''
"No!! Now, go get firewood before I come down there, and don't call me Nurse Bryony!" Bryony said, getting frustrated at Marshall.
Monka was really confused, by soon forgot about that, when he threw up.
--------------------------------
Cien was getting tired, he hadn't slept in, well he didn't know how long. His legs were scratched to pieces from stumbling into thorn bushes, and he'd been stung by nettles. He just wanted to die, right there, and then.
"Well, at least that went onto the ground. Stay right there; I'm going to get a little water so you can get cleaned up." Bryony said, then dug into her pack and got out a canteen sort of thing, and raced down the tree and to the river. She got there without any incident, but while filling the water thing, saw a shadow in the water and whirled around, but too late. There was a rat there, and his sword was flying at her head! She threw up her arm, and the sword slashed that to the bone. She whimpered, and he leaned down, and said, "I bet I'll get promoted for killing you, Missy. So long!" He kicked her head over tail into the river, but she grabbed his boot. He snarled and shook his foot, and she let go, but grabbed the bank with one paw, barely holding on. He grinnied, and raised his sword and slashed at her fingers!
Monka had seen what the rat did. Forgetting his illness. He took out his dagger, and threw as best he could in his current state, at the rat. But his aim was off, and the dagger hit the bank next to the squirrelmaid.
Bryony shrieked as the dagger came toward her, but when it landed on the bank, she grabbed and stabbed the rat's boot as hard as she could. When he howled and started hopping up and down, calling her names that would make any mother in the area cover the ears of her young ones and wash out his mouth, she got out of the water and stabbed him in the chest, then threw the body in the river after retrieving the blade. She then retrieved the water container, and filled, then slowly went back up the tree. "Thanks...Here's your dagger back." She said, handing it top him hilt first, then dug in her pack again and got a rag that he could use to clean up his clothes and face. She got another two out and cleaned her arm and bandaged it with them
''Bryony! What happened!''
Marshall had seen Monka throw his dagger.''
Monka took the rag, and his dagger. He cleaned the dagger off by wiping it off on his trousers, then cleaned himself up. Fortunately his clothes hadn't been effected in anyway by him throwing up.
When he was done, he looked at the squirrelmaid, then at the fox on the ground. "What's wrong with your fur?" He asked the fox, he didn't say it to be rude, he was just curious.
''Nothing is wrong with it, I have a long line of marlfox in me as well as Arctic Fox And the very rare Gray Fox. Mix um up and you got me with my blueish fur! Now how can we help Bryony?''
"Who's Bryony?" Monka shrugged, then looked at the squirrelmaid, "Are you who he means?"
Bryony sighed, then said, "Yes, my name is Bryony Brushtail and I'm fine. And the annoying fox down there is Marshall. Who SHOULD be COLLECTING the FIREWOOD. And you are?" Bryony said "should," "collecting," and "firewood" extra loudly, hinting that Marshall should go and get the firewood. She wasn't going to have any laziness, unless the beast who was being lazy was sick.
''Fine don't get tail in a knot ill go get the firewood that I sent the Shrews to do.''
He walked away and to the shrews.
OOC: Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. Our internet wasn't working.
BIC:
Quote from: rachel25 on March 02, 2014, 04:42:12 PM
Sister Lupine's eyes widened at this last statement, so did many others. "But Mother Abbess, what if there's danger. What if something happens to you? What then?" They all cried.
"Nothing's going to happen to me," Fern responded bravely. "I can take care of myself, so don't worry. And anyway, Skipper and some otters are still out there, and they'll probably find them, so I probably won't even have to go. So please, don't worry, everyone!" The Abbess turned and walked calmly back to the kitchens, leaving most of the Redwallers less worried about the situation. They headed to Cavern Hole for breakfast.
OOC: Where are Skipper and his crew, exactly? And will the ghost make a reappearance soon? :D
OOC: Skipper is...................Somewhere. And anybody is free to PP the ghost. So....yeah.
BIC: Sister Lupine was still worried, but didn't say anything. She followed the others to Cavern Hole, and tried to forget the whole thing.
---------------------------
"What's it to ya?" Monka asked, turning to climb out the tree. When suddenly, he remembered the squirrelmaid had said something about an ottermaid. He turned back to Bryony, his eyes bright. "You said something about an ottermaid earlier. Where is she? What's her name? Is she a foreigner here?"
"What's your name to me?!?!?! I saved you from a certain death by that ottermaid who killed my baby brother, and this is the thanks I get?!? Fine! Next time I'll leave you to get killed, if this is the thanks I get! As for your other questions, what's it to you?" Bryony almost shrieked, mad and hurt. She finished talking and started gathering up her stuff, turning away from this strange and rude, but cute, squirrel. She slung her stuff in her pack wildly and started to climb out of the tree on the opposite side of the other squirrel, fuming, and still rather hurt.
Monka didn't know what he'd done to upset Bryony so much. Without thinking he got hold of her arm, and said softly, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. I guess I've just been on my on so long, I've forgotten how to act around other creatures. My names Monka, it's nice to met you."
''Squirrels, never met a good one! Ah, shrews what ya been doin?''
''Well, we just chopped up this tree, but the logs are quite small.''
''That is fine chap, now can I see me axe back?''
''Sure, here ya go!''
''Alrighty then, lets go get those two squirrels and set up some camp for later!''
They walked back.
Bryony looked at his paw on her arm, then at his face, searchingly. She didn't think he was lying, and then she said, "Apology accepted. It's nice to meet you as well, Monka." She said that softly, still looking at Monka's face, and for a moment her own face was unguarded, showing all the sorrow, pain, grief, and suffering that was tossing and turning inside of her. But that was only for a moment, and then her guard slammed back up, and she shook his paw off of her arm, but not rudely. "The ottermaid may very well be foreign, I don't really know. She's about ten minutes down the river, which is that way." Here she pointed toward the river, then continued. "I don't know her name before you ask that. She was at Redwall Abbey earlier, and there she killed my baby brother, and took another otter by the name of Cien with her. That's all I know. Oh, and if you're with her, then you might want to run. I have sworn to kill her and her cronies." Her eyes hardened when she said the last sentence, then she waited for Monka's answer.
Monka's eyes narrowed, "Well if it's Scarlet Firewave, then you'll have to get in line. I've been tracking her for five seasons now, and I'm doing this for my entire tribe. So I guess you'll have to wait your turn."
With that, Monka climbed out of the tree, and set off in the direction Bryony had indicated.
"Hey, wait up! She's got a band of vermin with her!" Bryony called, scrambliung down the tree and jogging to Monka. "If we can wait just a little longer, then we cxan come up with a plan. We could at least do some serious damage. But first, what do you say to ditching that fox?"
''Ditching what fox Squirrel?''
Marshall and the shrews had made it back and gone towards Bryony and Monka.
Bryony snapped. "My name is not Squirrel, fox. It's Bryony. As for what fox, that would be you. You, fox, have showed a tendency to be rude, and I told you that if were to come with me, you'd have to listen to me. The shrews can't, and won't do all the grunt work." Bryony said coldly, then turned and started walking away, before she lost control and did something crazy, like attacking the fox.
''Fine then Bryony, ill have to listen to you I guess. But take the shrews along also will ya?''
"I had no intention of leaving them." Bryony said, then took a deep breath. She found that she was still quite angry, and so she raced up a tree, as fast as she could, as far as she could, until she was far out of earshot of those of the ground, and vented, wich included throttling a tree branch, speaking her mind where no one could hear, and in general kicking, scratching, and biting things. Just normal venting.
''Well than, what is your name squirrel?''
"Monka." Monka said before walking off again. He'd waited to long to kill Scarlet, to be told to wait now. He was gonna kill her, even if it meant he died in the process. At least his family would be avenged.
-----------------------
Scarlet had marched her band hard. They hadn't waited around, and were a long way away from the old camp. Scarlet had insisted on their track being covered though, she didn't want anymore run ins with anyone. She just wanted to know where the plans were, and then get them, kill Cien, and take them back to Riftgard. Was that to much to ask?
Bryony came down the tree, her temper fine, and saw Monka walking away. Her mood was turned sour again. "Huh, looks like you scared him off, Marshall. Good one." She said, then ran after him. "Would you at least let m tell you my plans first
? That way we won't accidentally kill each other or something." She said, slowing to a walk and matching him pace for pace.
In the kitchens, Abbess Fern talked with Mycroft about the latest events. She informed him of her decision to head out after the missing Redwallers in case Skipper didn't find them. Mycroft wasn't too happy.
"Fern! No way am I letting you bloomin' well go out there by yourself! You know they're ex-slavers, and how could you handle them?"
"I'm pretty good with a sling. Guess all my practicing when I was a teen paid off." She smiled momentarily, then regained a more serious expression. "And besides, I may not have to go anyway."
"Well, if you do go, I'm bally well comin' along!" Mycroft responded gallantly.
"But who'll run the Abbey?" she returned, a worried frown on her face.
"The Friar!"
Surprised, Fern replied, "Are you sure about that? You really think s/he would accept the responsibility?"
"I think so! Now come on, let's go get some brekkers, wot!" Mycroft had just eaten some porridge, but he headed for the door, down to Cavern Hole to eat with everybody else. Fern shook her head, grinned and followed her husband. For the moment, she felt better about everything.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Glirid was eating breakfast with everybeast else. He didn't quite understand what everybeast had been so worried about lately; his mind was still on that ghost from the other night. The little dormouse hoped the ghost wouldn't come back. He was really scared of it!
''I did not scare him away! Ugh, did you know anyone in your tribe that was stuck up like that Gumble?''
Marshall and the shrews started walking towards them.
Bryony's ears were sharp, and she heard Marshall's comment. "Stuck up? I'm not stuck up - Just stressing and grieving for my brother! Which is something I expect you wouldn't understand." Bryony said, whirling around. "You know what? Why do I need you, anyways?" She said, tears forming in her eyes, and she started to just run, as fast and as hard as she could, just trying to run away from everything. She ran to the river, and splashed across, the kept on running. She finally found a nice tree, and ran up it and sat on a low branch and just let the tears fall.
Monka sighed, a long suffering sigh, and rolled his eyes. "She's never gonna get Scarlet by crying. My entire tribe out captured, and most of them killed, and I didn't cry. I decided to do something about it. She should too, if she really wants to avenge him, then she should do the same."
Monka said this more to himself than to anyone else.
Marshall ran over to Bryony's tree.
''Ya think I have not have family slayed by vermin! Ya know why I am a wonderer? A band of vermin slayed my parents when I was a babe! I found my way to the abbey where they were my new family. Be glad you still had family. I never knew mine.''
OOC: Just to add, the shrews entire tribe just got slaughtered, and their still wounded, as is Marshall.
BIC: Monka hadn't waited around, he was off, he could see the tracks clearly. But then they went off into the woods, and disappeared. Monka swore, and kicked a tree. Then swore again, and kicked the tree again.
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Scarlet had sent to runners off ahead to find a suitable camp sight, she tuned, and looked at Cien. He looked terrible, he was bleeding from multiple scratches. Scarlet sighed, he had been such a great corsair. Why had he thrown it all away.
Bryony grew angry, which wasn't so good. "You, FOX, are pushing it. I advise you not to say another word to me while you still have a life." Then she giggled at Monka, swearing and kicking trees. She dried her eyes, calling out as she did so, "What's the matter, can you not follow their trail? It's as plain as day to me." She said this sweetly, then climbed down from the tree, stomping as hard as she could on Marshall's paw on the way.
OOC: I can change that, if you want, Gonff. Oh, and you guys do realize that she for a few minutes? Oh, and she's been over quite a bit of stress, and add the fact the she was holding EVERYTHING in.
OW! Well then! I'll just go back to the abbey were they don't try to make your paw fall !
Marshall made it back to the shrews who were tending to their wounds.
"Come on guys, we aren't needed here anymore. I'll get ya back to Log a Log then all set off again to who knows were."
Abbess Fern sat at the head of the main table in Cavern Hole. Mycroft was next to her, and May (short for Mayflower's full name) and Brinkut sat nearby. The Redwallers were talking quietly, or just eating. Fern still felt more confident since her talk with Mycroft. She hoped her confidence would last and she wouldn't start stressing out again. She often worried about things, but this was just about the worst thing that had happened since she became Abbess, and she'd never been as anxious as she'd been earlier.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Glirid ate some breakfast and then slipped down from his seat, scampering off to find some other dibbuns to play with.
Bryony muttered, "Good riddance!" under her breath, then sighed. "Well, since you can't track, I guess we're stuck together. I won't have you wandering around Mossflower, lost, on my conscience. I'd never be able to sleep easy again." She said, walking over. "They went this way, not long ago." She said, after looking at moent at the tracks. She started along them, then stopped and looked back. "Coming?" She called over her shoulder.
OC: Scarlet had their tracks covered. Its impossible to track them, but maybe she could have done that a little further along.
BIC: Monka scowled, "Well, good for you. If it was your first time in a woodland, then I guess you'd be lost too!"
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Scarlet's scouts came running back, they were excited, and reported with wicked grins on their faces. "Lady Firewave, there's a whole gang of otters up ahead. If your ladyship approves, we could slay some of them, and take the rest for galley slaves. We could use some new ones, some of them back at the boat won't make it back to Riftgard."
Scarlet smiled, "Get the archers ready."
----------------------
Skipper's crew never stood a chance. They were cut down, Skipper took three arrows, before he collapsed. He never even saw the enemy.
Marshall and the shrews kept trecking until they made it back to Log a Log's camp.
''Marshall! Glad to see ya! Why did you meet up with the scou- where are the rest?''
''Sorry sir, The rest were slain in a small battle. Im sorry to get your shrews killed. It is my fault. I am nothing anymore.''
''Don't say that! Yes im sad that 8 of me scouts were killed but ya don't have to be blaimin' everything on ya self! Now, ill get ya a place to stay for tonight, alright?''
''No, I have to make a way back to the abbey and say hi to the Abbess. I would like some refreshment though.''
After Marshall had eaten, he set off once more.
OOC: Whoops! Well, I suppose that's easily fixed.
BIC: Bryony walked a few more steps, then swore. "----! They've covered their tracks! You stay here, since you're the one who ate the mildly poisonous berries, and I'll do some scouting, alright? And besides the fact that the berries have after effects such as dizziness and fainting, you yourself admitted that this is the first time you've ever been the woodlands, and I'm a woodland squirrel." After she said this, she paused and said quite firmly, "Any arguments?"
Monka was about to raise some, when he was over come by dizziness, and then fainted.
OOC: ;D
OOC: Now, how did I know that was going to happen? :D :D ;D
BIC: Bryony groaned, rolled her eyes, and walked over to Monka. She bent down, blew in his ears, slapped his side lightly, and poked his nose.
OOC: Can change it.
OOC: No its cool.
BIC: Monka groaned and opened his eyes, "Will that happen again, or am I fine."
-----------------------
Scarlet smiled at her new prisoners, she had told them not to kill the strong looking ones, and now she had five new oar slaves. Though the big, muscular otter had taken a few arrows, but that didn't matter. They hadn't hit him, anywhere important.
She turned to her group, and pointed at a rat, and a mink, "You two, I want you to make a false trail heading south, ad you two," a ferret, and a fox this time, "Make one going north. Make them obvious, and make as many paw prints as possible. Go for two days, then head west, cover your tracks well though, maybe even head east for a bit, take some supplies with you, now get going. But be warned, if your not back at the ship, in four days, we'll leave you behind."
He vermin saluted, and took some supply haversacks, then set off.
"Oh, that depends on how many you ate. Er, how many choke berries DID you eat?"
Monka couldn't remember the exact amount, but he knew he had eaten quite a few. "Um, more than a dozen."
"Uh, there;s more to come. You're lucky you haven't fallen into one of those death sleeps that last seasons." Bryony said, then perked up. "Lucky for you, I know a remedy, which I just remembered. D'you think you're legs could hold your weight for awhile?"
"I guess so." Monka said, standing up shakily.
"Good!" Bryony said, leading him over to a tree with a low, thick, branch. "Loop your back legs around that branch there, like this" (She scampered up the tree and demonstrated) "And then swing your fpaws back, like this, " (She swung her paws backward and grabbed her other pawsm which were hanging down) "And then you swing back and forth as little. They'll come out, one way or the other. And while you do that, I'm going to sit over there" (She pointed toward the riverbank) "and wait, while I change my arm dressing" (Which had started to drip a little bit of blood, since the cloth was thin) "and when the choke berries come you can join me."
Marshall had started to run now. He could see the Abbey in the distance. When he made it there, he knocked on the gates.
''Anybeast there? Please let me in!''
Sister Lupine was wandering around in the gardens, waiting for the return of anybody.
''Anybeast there? Please let me in!''
She turned, and ran toward the gate where the voice had come from, "Who's there, is that you Skipper?"
---------------------
Monka didn't like the Bryony's idea at all, and said so, "Is there any other way, a herb, or medicine?"
Bryony raised an eyebrow. "well, there IS an herb, but it'll be much less pleasent. How do you feel about feeling like your insides are on fire? And being jabbed with something sharp?"
After breakfast, Fern went to write in her journal. She just wrote her thoughts down as they came to her. The result was a bit jumbled.
"So much has happened since yesterday. I still can't believe it. We discovered last night that Cien is a former slave trader. He has left Redwall with his old partner in slave trading, an ottermaid called Scarlet Firewave. The new squirrelmaid Bryony found her brother Bryant, however, he's been wounded by Scarlet and is now in the infirmary with a broken leg. But Bryony believes he is dead and has gone after Scarlet and her group to avenge him. Skipper and several of his ottercrew have gone after them. Oh, and Marshall and a shrew friend of his showed up and have gone after Bryony."
Fern glanced out the window of her study and saw Sister Lupine by one of the gates. Hoping that Skipper had returned, she jumped up and dashed outside towards Lupine.
Bryant wondered if anyone would come with breakfast. It would be rather hard to get up and go walk down to the breakfast place with a broken leg, yes?
''No Sister, it is just me. Marshall the Fox.''
Fern arrived by the wallgate. Hearing Marshall's voice, she opened the gate for him. "Marshall! Thank the seasons you're alright! Is Bryony with you?"
''No marm, I tried to help her, but she did not want me there, so I came back. Ill tell you the story when I get inside.''
Lupine was disappointed that it wasn't Skipper, but she tried not to let it show. "How far away is she? Did you met up with Skipper at all?"
---------------------
Monka thought for a moment as if he really would try it. "Do you have any of this herb with you?"
"Yeah. It's right there." Bryony said, then pinted at there grass underneath Monka's feet. "The herb looks like grass, but it has flowers. No grass has flowers." She bent and picked some, then handed it to him. "Smell." She ordered. If he smelled it, maybe he wouldn't be so keen to try it. Who would want to eat something that smelled like something dead, and poop? Mixed together, not such a good idea.
''No marm, never saw Skip after I left. Is Tripper alright?''
Monka didn't bother smelling it, he simply shoved it in his mouth, and chewed. "It's not so bad." He commented.
--------------------
Sister Lupine was getting even more worried, "Oh, Tripper, he's fine."
"Monka! You're only supposed to eat the flowers! Spit it out!! D'you want to DIE?!?" Bryony shrieked, freaking out. She admitted it, she had a small crush on him already, as odd as he was.
''Would you like to know what happened last night on the grounds? I can tell ya.''
Monka huffed, and spat them out, "Have ya got anymore?" He found Bryony a little over active. She just needed to calm down, and do a little less screeching, and crying, then she'd be perfect.
Wait, perfect? I don't know anything about her, and why perfect? Why that particular word, perfect. Why not, better, more bearable, but why perfect?
-----------------
Sister Lupine brightened up, "Oh please do! I've been dying to know what actually happened!"
OOC: Guys, I'm planning on asking Russano the Wise, to draw all the characters of this RP together, for my next art request. I just wanted to check if that wold be alright with you guys.
@Gonff, I was wondering if you wanted to make Tripper, an official character. You don't have to, but you can if you want.
OOC@Rachel: Sure!
BIC: "Yes, please tell us what happened! I've been really worried!" Fern answered.
~~~~~~~~~
Glirid was playing with some dibbun friends of his. He'd forgotten the ghost for the moment. The little dormouse and his pals somersaulted like they had the day before, ending up against the wall upside down in furry little balls. Getting up from one of his tumbles, Glirid ran over to his friends. "C'mon! Let's do it again!"
OOC: Sure, that would be great! Also, I would like to make Tripper an official character, because I will be using him more now since Marshall is at the Abbey
BIC: Alrighty, just open the gates and I will tell you all!''
OOC:@Gonff, well if you just head over to the OOC thread, can you fill out his app. And I think Abbess Fern did open the gate, or I'm just going mad.
OOC: Sure! That sounds awesome! And the little wallgate WAS opened, or I'm going nuts, too.
BIC: Bryony nodded, relieved. "Yes." She said, then trotted off to a tree, and plucked more with the flowers there. She returned, picking off the flowers, when Monka was shaking his head. "What are you shaking your head for?" She sked, a little worried. Maybe the chokeberries had some effects that she didn't know about. She handed him the flowers, their smell magnified, unfortunately that's what happened when you got them off the stem.
Monka looked up, pulled out of his thoughts, "What, oh I was just thinking. Are those the flowers? Thanks."
Monka was terribly uneasy, what was wrong with him? He hadn't spent this long with another creature in well, he didn't know how long.
OOC: K, Tripper's App is up. I was looking at the OOC and totally forgot about the play thing the Dibbuns were supposed to be doing
BIC: Marshall walked over to the small gate on the West Wall. He walked in and met the Abbess and Sister Lupine.
OOC: so had I. Sister Lupine will have to continue it. Crisis, or no crisis. The Dibbuns must not be let down!
BIC: It was just then Sister Lupine remembered, the play! Oh, she had forgotten all about what with all that had happened. The poor Dibbuns, she had promised them!
"Oh." Bryony said, then slapped her head. "Good grief! I totally forgot! SORRY, SISTER LUPINE!" She said, then shouted, toward the direction of the Abbey. "That darn play!" She muttered. Well, they just had to do it without her.
OOC: I am soooo confused on your last post Cornflower. ???
OOC: Bryony remembered the play all of a sudden and yelled an apology to Sister Lupine in the general direction of the Abbey.
OOC: oh, that makes since! :D
BIC: ''What has happened since I was last here Abbess?
"Nothing really important. Everyone's been worried about what's been going on... so could you please tell me and Lupine what did happen last night?"
''Well, I arrived here Flupit for my arm. When I got there, I saw that crazy otter having some kind of panic attack. I left them with a bottle of stuff I was given from The Long Patrol. When I was walkin' to Cavern Hole for some food, I was handed a small medallion. On it, it said Autumn Fair. It was in the shape of a ship. Then I heard a voice say, Go t the shrews. I made my way to the camp, found Tripper, one of the Autumn Fair's old crew members. He told me his story. He came back to the Abbey with him. I got him over the wall, and saw Scarlet and Cien fighting. A squirrel was throwing rocks at them. Tripper got mad and ran towards them and started swinging at their feet. Cien was about to hit him with his sword, but I dove in and got my tail chopped off. I passed out. I just remember hearing Bells toll. I woke up and was shocked at my tail being gone. Tripper came back and passed out. He apparently had taken my medallion.
By now the two otters must have been running out, because I saw a squirrel reaching for a sword. I helped him out by throwing the medallion and hitting Cien's neck. Scarlet had kicked the squirrel, probably knocking him out. I was sacred. I got Tripper up and made him run infront of the otters and wait for a signal. I saw Bryony get hit by Scarlets arrow. The otters ran out. I went over to see Bryant. They took him to the infirmary. Meanwhile, I went with Skipper to chase Bryony and the Otters. I went to explore up river while Skipper and his crew stayed back. When I was running, I ran into about 10 shrews. They told me they had seen the otters and Bryony. I helped them up and we went for them.
We made it up to them, but Bryony did not want us to fight. She was in a duel with Cien when the shrews made a plan.
I went attacking Scarlet. but she was punching me and Bryony was trying to get me off. I was angry. Bryony was know knocked out. Then, we heard voices in the trees saying not to attack. The otters got up and we attacked. When I woke, their were only two shrews left alive. I was in a trance for a bit, but woke up. Bryony woke up terrified. She was leaving, so me and the two remaining shrews followed. We kept following her, but she never knew. When she found another squirrel, we came out to help. I was attacked by a pine martin, but the shrews delt with him. She said she had eaten choke berries. She was mad at me for following her. She told us to go chop fire wood. I sent the shrews to, but when I came back, she was hurt. The new squirrel was questioning my fur. I told him about my heritage. She had gotten hurt but not badly. I heard the squirrel's name. It was Monka. She kept trying to leave me and the shrews. I made a remark about her being ''stuck up''. She went on a rage and ran. I told her about my family being killed. I finally gave up on her and chasing the Otters. I returned the shrews back to Log-A-Log and came back here. I was no use to her or anything.
OOC: the reason Marshall does not have his accent is because he is sad.
Fern stood looking at Marshall without speaking until he finished. Then she started pacing back and forth on the Abbey lawn, talking quickly. "So, Bryony's still out there, and she's met a squirrel named Monka, and you haven't seen Skipper for a while, and aren't sure where he is, and - and, okay." She stopped pacing and collected her thoughts. "Alright, uh..." She turned to her companions. "Marshall, there's a room you can have upstairs. I'm sure you're exhausted. Lupine, could you please show him to his room? I've got to talk to Mycroft. Excuse me, please." The Abbess dashed off towards the main Abbey building.
Bryant was really getting hungry now. He wondered if they even served breakfast here.
Just then there was a knock on the infirmary door and it opened, revealing a mousemaid pushing a small trolley with two trays of food that was usually given to infirmary patients. "Breakfast's here!" She gave Tripper his tray first, then gave Bryant his. It was pretty basic - a bowl of broth, some bread, and a glass of water. Then she left the room.
Monka looked at Bryony oddly, it seemed she'd just shouted to no one, for no reason at all. "Are you alright?"
-----------------------
Sister Lupine nodded, "Ok, follow me Marshall."
OOC: Cornflower could you post as Skipper now. It'll mean I can use Scarlet, and Cien with someone who is played by someone else.
''Thanks marm. Ive been waitin fer a while now. How is yours um, wat is yur name bud?''
************************************************************************************************
''Alright Sister.'' He walked behind her as she led on.
OOC: Got it!
BIC: Skipper groaned, and blinked. Why was he tied up, with vermin.....?? He wondered, then he remembered in a flash. "You potbellied cuts! Cowards!" He raged, but then a stoat gagged him. He fumed, silently struggling.
----------------------------
Bryant had said thank you, but he doubted the mousemaid heard. Then he attacked the broth hungrily.
-----------------------------------
Bryony blushed, then said, "Yes....It's just that I was supposed to be in a play for the young ones at the Abbey. They will be so disappointed." She said sadly, then sighed. "Well, what are we waiting for? Come on!"
OOC: Including Skipper, five otters survived, so there are other otter there too, also Skipper will be able to see Cien as well.
BIC: "Alrighty then....." Monka said, looking at the ground, "Which way then?"
--------------
Scarlet heard some scuffling near the back of the group, the big otter had finally woken up, "Ok, time to move, make sure there's nothing they can track, let them chase the false tracks instead, meanwhile we'll make it back to the boat. Now, let's get going!"
They moved off, at a fast pace.
--------------
Sister Lupine smiled but it was a troubled smile, (OOC: Do you mind if we jump to her showing Marshall into his room now?)
Skipper looked around. At least there was five of his crew that had survived....What, was that Cien? Why wasn't he tied up? He was getting rather confused, especially when the stoat that had gagged him hauled him upright and he was made to march.
Cien heard someone shouting, it had to be Skipper, he knew no one else with a voice like that.
Skipper started gnawing on his gag, hoping to chew through it so he could at least insult his captors, if nothing more. He would have sat down, but there was a spear pricking his bottom already.
"Let's go going riverdog." The guard snarled in Cien's ear. He sighed, and turned his face to where he guessed Scarlet was. "Is the blindfold really necessary?" His voice was dry, and flat, Scarlet heard him, and thought for a moment. "Get rid of his blindfold, he'll be able to move faster if he's not falling over every ten seconds."
-----------------
Monka was starting to get a little worried about Bryony, she seemed to have zoned out.
Bryony tripped over a tree root, and banged her against a tree, and blacked out for a few seconds. Then she woke up, the last thing she remembered was hitting that otter who wouldn't give her a map over the head with a book. She sat up, rubbed her head, peered at Monka, and finally asked, "Who are you?"
Monka stared, surly she had to be mad, "Monka." He said slowly, "We were just talking."
"We were?" Bryony asked, Then asked, "You know you're quite cute, right?" She, when she banged her head, was prone to saying the first thing that popped into her head. And usually wasn't embarrassed. She then took in the fact that she was sitting on the ground, there was a tree nearby, and her head hurt. "Did I hit my head or something?" She asked.
Monka was feeling increasingly nervous, and embarrassed, "Ur, yeah....." Was all he could utter.
"Oh! That explains it. Well, you'll be wanting the real me, won't you?" Bryony said, grinning. She walked over to the tree, banged her head, and started to fall over, having blacked out. Then she woke up and saw the ground rushing up and puit her injured arm out to catch herself. "OW!" She shrieked, sitting on the ground.
The Abbess found her husband in Cavern Hole, sitting with a group of Redwallers discussing the latest events. She ran up to the group and explained what was going on.
"Marshall's just returned. He hasn't seen Skipper in a while, and he says Bryony has met up with a squirrel called Monka. We need to figure out what we're gonna do - if we should leave right now or wait a little longer until Skipper gets back."
The group of Abbeydwellers began speculating on what would happen in light of the new development. Mycroft stood and nodded slowly, then replied, "I think we should wait a bit, 'til Skipper returns, wot."
"Okay. Glad I don't have to make a major decision yet. What would I do without you?" Fern said, giving him a smile and a peck on the cheek. "I hope Skip gets back soon, though." She turned to see Glirid and his Dibbun friends, May and Brinkut among them, somersaulting in a corner. That reminded her of the play. "Oh! I've forgotten all about that play Lupine and I were organizing! Oh great..." She headed off in search of Lupine.
Sister Lupine was at this moment, making her way through Mossflower. As soon as she had shown Marshall to his room she had made a decision, she had to tell Bryony, that Bryant wasn't dead. So she had gone to her room, changed out of her beloved habit, and into a light blue tunic, with loose sleeves, and a pair of shorts, and boots, she had taken her lovely hat off, and tied her hair up. She had even brought along a dagger, though she was sure she couldn't use it. Sister Lupine had left a letter on her writing desk,
Dear fellow Abbey dweller who has found this note,
I Sister Lupine, have left the Abbey to go in search of Bryony, I have taken it upon myself to inform her that her dear brother is not dead, but injured. I will not be gone long, please don't come after me, I will be fine.
Sincerely Yours
Sister Lupine.
--------------------------------
Monka just stared, what was she doing now?
Bryony was rocking on the ground, holding her arm. When someone slices your arm to the bone, and then you put that arm out to catch yourself, it isn't going to fell like a big barrel of laughs. When it was okay a few moments later she stood up carefully. She peered at Monka, then remembered what had happened, and her cheeks turned as red as a beetroot. "Oh, dear, I'm sorry!" She said, still blushing fiercely. "Oh...It usually only happens every few seasons! Oh dear, oh dear...." She muttered to herself, and was about to bang her head against the tree, but thought better of it. So she explained, "Um, sorry for my behavior a few minutes ago. That does tend to happen when I hit my head, and it's quite annoying and embarrassing when I hit it again, later....." She gnawed on her lip, not daring to look at Monka. What must he think of her? The crazy squirrelmaid with a split personality? And an unreliable guide? She kept pacing, getting faster and and faster, still not daring to look at him.
Monka wasn't quite sure what to say. He had known a squirrel with short term memory loss, but he guessed that was different. "Um, it's alright. As long as you can find your way through these woodlands....." Monka said, looking at the ground. Bryony's pacing was making him dizzy.
Fern knocked on the door of Lupine's room. When there was no reply, she slowly pushed it open. Lupine wasn't there, but the Abbess noticed a piece of paper on her desk. She walked over and read it quickly. Then she stepped back and sighed. Now what? Somebeast else has left, and what am I supposed to do? Well, for now I won't tell anybeast that Lupine has left. It would just worry them even more. I guess the play will just have to be put on hold.
There was nothing she could do, so Fern left the room and headed back to her study to finish her journal entry.
"oh, really? Yopu don't think I'm nuts?" Bryony asked, stopping her pacing and looking at him overjoyed-like. "Of course I know the way through the woodlands! How old do I look, 3 seasons old? I don't think so!" She half-heartedly snapped, then set off up a tree to scout, hoping Monka wouldn't have a fainting fit from those stupid berries.
Marshall was laid back in his room. He loved the look red sandstone walls. He felt at home. While getting up, he remembered that he needed to go see Tripper. He walked out of his room and went to the infirmary. peaked inside and saw Tripper and another squirrel. Both were eating their meal.
''Well, Tripper you look like you are enjoyin' your broth!''
''Marshall! You made it back! Well, did you catch the otters?!''
''Ill catch you up later. Anywho, who are you young squirrel?''
Bryant stopped eating a monet, and said, "Bryant, I'm Bryony's sisteer. Did you see her at all? Is she alrigfht?" He asked, his face full of concern and love for his at times addlebrained sister.
Monka watched as Bryony climbed the tree. He sighed, and leaned against a tree, still puzzled over what Bryony had said.
"You know you're quite cute, right?"
Cute? Monka had never been called cute. The names he'd been called over the seasons shouldn't be repeated in civilized company.
Monka shook his head, and sighed, So your guide is a squirrelmaid who, bursts into tears randomly, screams, threatens violence, babbles on about you being cute, and then acts like she'd committed a crime, or done something shameful. Brilliant.
But little did Monka realize that Bryony was beating herself over the head (Not hard enough to knock herself out, fortunately) calling herself names, emphazing each word with a bang on the head. "Stupid! Half-wit! Crazy! Now your crush thinks you're nuts! And you admitted that you think he's cute! Dumb Bryony! Bad!" She continued railing on this way, unaware that if Monka looked up, he could see her.
OOC: Now would be the time for him to look up. ;) ;D ;D But seriously, they should get through this stage, and manage to, oh I dunno, spill their guts to each other on the way to finding Scarlet. ;D ;D
OOC: Ok. But they probably should get going.
BIC: Monka could hear Bryony talking, he looked up to see her beating her head against the tree. He couldn't exactly what she said, but he was able to guess.
I'm doomed.
------------------
Sister Lupine was lost. It was as simple as that. Just one little word, but it meant so much. Lost.
She had thought that following Marshall's tracks would be easy, she thought that there would literally be footprints in the ground. But it turned out, there wasn't.
She wandered around willy nilly, trying to think what to do, You can't go back to the Abbey, you don't know the way. But I could end up lost out here, and no one may ever find me. But what if someone does find me, and there bad? Oh dear. You try to do something nice for someone else, and look what happens! Good one Lupine!
Bryony looked down, saw Monka, and beat her head against the two more times. "Dummy! Stupid head!" She said to herself, then looked around quickly saw a rat that looked like he was busy running in circles, for whatever reason, frowned, then nearly fell out of the tree." Lupine?!?!?! What in the name of oaks....? Never mind." She said. She scrambled back down the tree. "No need to look like you're about to die." She said cheerfully. "But, I saw one rat that looked like he was busy running in circles, for whatever reason, and one Redwall Abbey Sister wandering around." She announced. "Now, how about this: I go get the Sister, point her the way back to the Abbey, while you sit your hiny down and either sleep or eat. You need both." She declared, giving him a Look that said, Do as I say, or I'll make you do it anyways.
OOC: Scarlet's a long way ahead of them, and Bryony wouldn't be able to see the track setters through the foliage anyway.
OOC: Whoops! Fixed it. I don't know why I put running in circles, it just seemed.....Interesting.
OOC: Ok, and Scarlet set her guys out in pairs anyway. ::)
BIC: Monka didn't know what a Redwall Sister was, and he wasn't happy about taking orders, "What's a Redwall Sister?" He asked, one eyebrow raised.
"Um, a Sister in the Order of Redwall." Bryony said, looking at him funny. "Haven't you ever heard of Redwall Abbey?"
''Wait, your not dead! But, ive been with your sista all night long andshe said you died and, and.''
He was totally confused.
''Ill go see the Abbess for a bit. Take care!''
Leaving the room, he ran to find the head of Redwall.
"No." Monka eye rolled, "What is it anyways?"
--------------------------
Sister Lupine was getting quite upset, and worried. She didn't know where she was, she just wanted to go home. Then she heard a noise, it sounded like someone talking angrily.
Bryony huffed and, a little mad as she didn't really want to explain Redwall to this dumb-as-a-door-squirrel, she said a little bit angrily, "Redwall Abbey is an Abbey dedicated to peace and harmony. At the moment there's an Abbess leading them, along with an Order of woodland creatures, both Brother and Sisters. At the moment, there's a mouse Sister heading this way! And they don't usually leave the Abbey walls, so she's probably lost.. Oh yeah, and it's made out of red sandstone. Explained enough?" She asked, putting her paws on her hips.
Fern was nearly done with her journal entry. As she wrote the last few sentences, she wondered when she would tell everybeast that Lupine had left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Glirid had tired himself out playing with his friends. He had almost fallen asleep in a corner of Cavern Hole, but then a Sister carried him to the Dibbun dormitories for a nap. He snuggled down under his blankets and fell asleep.
He'd only been asleep for a few minutes when he thought he heard something outside the dormitory. Sleepily he crawled out of bed and toddled over to investigate.
Opening the door a crack, Glirid was terrified by what he saw. A white figure gliding down the hallway!
"Eeeekkkk!"
He was so scared that he ran out of the dormitory and downstairs as fast as he could. Running into Cavern Hole, he yelled, "The dragon-monster! I saw 'im!"
Monka thought for a moment, then nodded. "I guess so." He said with a cheeky grin.
"Thank you!" Bryony said, taking her paws off of her hips
-.-.-.-.-.--.-.-.-.-.---.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-..
Bryant thought for a moment, confused. nWait, what did that blue fox say? H wondered, then thought again, digesting what Marshall's said. He sighed; Marshall hadn't really told him anything new.
except for the fact that he'd been with Bryony last night. He'd have to talk some more with him later. If he visited the Infirmary again, Bryant mused, then started eating the rest of his meal.
"Ok, don't get to worked up." Monka chuckled, Bryony looked like she'd explode any moment.
"Oh, haha. Very funny." Bryony sarcastically, then giggled.
"Are ya just gonna stand there giggling like a stoat sat on a beetle, or are ya gonna get that Sister thingy, then lead me to Scarlet?" Monka huffed, he was becoming inpatient.
OOC: Cornflower, is it ok if I jump Scarlet, and the other bad guys to their boat now? It is docked some way up the River Moss.
Several Redwallers heard Glirid, but Mycroft headed over and picked him up. "What did you see?"
Glirid waved his paws about. "A dragon-monster-ghost thing! It was scary, it floated on top of the floor!"
Mycroft tried to make light of it, for several Abbeybeasts were listening intently. "Come on, little 'un, back to bed with you! You probably dreamed the whole bally thing." He headed out of Cavern Hole to the dormitory stairs. Mounting them, the hare carried Glirid to the Dibbun dormitory. The little dormouse was falling asleep again, his initial fright having worn off. Mycroft laid him in his bed, then left, back to Cavern Hole.
OOC: Where's Gonff? Marshall was looking for the Abbess, and there's nothing really for her to do unless he comes and talks to her.
Bryony rolled her eyes, "Yes, O Master Of Sarcasm And Unthankfulness." She said sarcastically, then vaulted up a tree, and was lost to sight. About five minutes later, she looked down from the tree she was in, and said pleasantly, "Hello, Sister Lupine! Fancy meeting you here."
OOC I'm here jukka
BIC Marshall went and knocked on the abbess door.
"Fern! I need to talk to ya pronto!"
OOC: Great! :)
BIC:
Fern's ears perked up at Marshall's voice. Having just finished her entry, she closed her journal and headed over to the door of her study.
Opening it, she looked at Marshall with a question in her eyes. "Come in. What did you want to talk to me about?"
Lupine screeched in fright, and surprise, and leapt back, falling into some bushes, "Never, never ever do that again you crazy squirrel!" She gasped, pulling herself up out of the bushes.
-----------------------
Monka eye rolled, as Bryony disappeared, she was certainly something. Then he heard a shriek, and since he didn't intend to obey Bryony's orders, he set off in that direction. He came upon them just as a mouse, probably Sister whats-herface said crazy squirrel. "Well, you certainly hit the nail on the head with that one." He commented dryly. "Can we go now?" He addressed Bryony, one eyebrow raised in a provocative gesture.
''Bryony's brother is not dead! We need t' find her and tell ah'! She could then stop chasin those crazy ottas,t hen her and the Monka could come back 'ere!''
Bryony snickered at Lupine's shriek, and then it evaporated when Monka appeared. "Good grief, Monka! I thought I told you to rest and eat! And, no, we're not going now." She snapped at him, then got down from the tree, and turned to Lupine. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you so badly, Sister Lupine! And I'm not a crazy squirrel. What are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be back at Redwall?" She said much more nicely.
Fern nodded. "Yes, Bryant is fine, apart from a broken leg. He'll recover." She bit her lip, then decided to tell Marshall. "And actually, Sister Lupine has left, and is out looking for Bryony to let her know. I haven't told anybeast else yet, just you."
OOC: Speaking of Skipper......
BIC: Skipper wasn't enjoying the boat ride. He normally liked them, but this was just too much! He started gnawing on his newest gag.
Monka huffed, and before Sister Lupine could explain to Bryony why she was here, he kind of exploded. "I don't have time for this! Maybe this is just all a game for you, but I actually have more of a reason to kill this bloody otter than you do! You can stay here, and chit chatt till your blue in the face! I'm done with you, and your ridicules antics!"
Monka then turned, and stormed off into the surrounding woodlands. He knew what he had said wasn't fair, but he had a lot of emotions that had built up inside of him. Bryony had just been caught in the crossfire of his need to get it out.
------------------------
Sister Lupine had stood up now,, and was looking shakily after Monka, "I don't know what that was about, but it doesn't matter. I've come to tell you Bryony that.....Bryant isn't dead. He's just hurt, and in the infirmary. He's worried about you, everyone is."
------------------------
Cien was laying on quite a comfortable bed, in quite a fancy cabin. The other otters had been carted off to the galleys. But he was confused. Why had he been put in such a nice cabin?
Just then the door opened, and Scarlet, in quite a, open minded dress, walked in. "How you feeling then." She said with a smile.
Cien ignored her, and looked at the ceiling. Scarlet laughed, and shut the door, "Oh Cien, you don't know how long I've been waiting to get you alone."
"Wait a little longer, and get out." Cien snapped.
Scarlet sighed airily, "Oh, you always were so aggressive."
"Get, out." Cien said, still not turning his head.
Bryony had stared after Monka, a very hurt and confused expression on her face. When Lupine gave the news, she snapped out of it, and said, "Oh, really?!? Oh, thank you every so much, Sister! But you shoulf get back to the Abbey, now. It's that way; Just go straight and you can't miss it!" She was quite happy, but some of the cheerfulness in her voice was forced. "Now, I've got to help that squirrel. I know he's a pain in the tail, but he also doesn't know his way around. It wouldn't feel right, leaving him." She told the Sister, then pointed her in the direction of the Abbey andf then flew up a tree, and started off in the direction Monka had gone, and soon saw him. "Monka!" She called, and tried to go faster.
Sister Lupine sighed, she had hoped Bryony would come back with her, and she was a little frightened about going back on her own, "Bryony! Bryony! Wait, Bryony, come back!" She shouted, but it seemed Bryony was gone. Lupine sighed, and headed off in the direction Bryony had indicated.
-------------------------------
Monka turned, an annoyed expression on his face, "What now? You want to dally around some more? Well good for you, I'm going. I will kill that otter, and I will not rest until she lies slain."
"Well, good for you, Mister Moody." Bryony snapped, then sighed. "Look, I'm sorry, OK? And I've just processed the information that Bryant's not dead. BUT, I'm still going to help you. There's no way that you alone can kill that otter. I've got a plan." She said, still moving towards the other squirrel.
Monka took a step backwards, his eyes narrow, "Why do you want to help? What's in it for you?"
"You have got to be kidding me." Bryony said, staring at Monka with a look that said, Uh, duh. "Why do I want to help? Maybe because I kinda like you, and why wouldn't I help? As for what's in it for me, nothing. So, I can't help a beast out without being treated like I'm out to gain something? Cool. Real cool." Bryony snapped, not even processing what she'd said until too late. She blushed, but held her ground. Or rather, her tree branch.
--------------------------------------
Skipper gnawed through the gag, and started complaining again. "Hey, you who's in charge! I want to talk to you! This is entirely unacceptable! Let. Me. Go!!!" He shouted, and stopped, drew a breath, and then continued ranting.
Monka took another step back, would Bryony ever make up her mind how to act? One minute she seemed to be flirting, then she seemed to be taking his head off, and also he couldn't understand why she would help him, when there was nothing in it for her. He just couldn't understand it. "But, why would you risk your life, even though you get nothing?" Monka stopped backing away, and stopped being so tensed up. He looked straight into Bryony's eyes, confused.
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A burly ferret carrying a braded whip walked up to Skipper, and began to whip him, "Shut your blinking mouth, or I'll get Reki to cut your darn tongue out!"
A nasty, but good looking fox, who was sharpening a dagger, looked up, and smiled at Skipper.
Skipper growled, taking the whip lashes without flinching. "I'd like to see you try, vermin." He snarled.
--------------------------------------
"Um, is there supposed to be a reason?" Bryony asked. "Can we just go, already? She's getting farther away." She said, knowing she was on the verge of admitting something rather embarrassing.
OOC: Um Corn, you said in Skipper's app that he was a boy, but you just said she, which is he?
BIC: Reki looked straight at Skipper, "I will, tying you down will be easy, then I'll simply clamp your mouth open, then goodbye noisy otter's tongue. If you really annoy me, then I'll make you eat it."
OOC: Sorry got to go or I would make this a better post. BYE!!!!!!!!!!
Skipper bared his teeth and growled.
OOC: Skipper's a He. Sorry, just so darn used to writing She!! Got to go also!! Bye, everyone!!
OOC: I'M BACK!
BIC: Monka still couldn't get his head round the whole help, but get nothing back thing, but he did want to get after Scarlet. "Fine, which way then?"
-----------------------
Reki laughed, a poisonous, cruel laugh. "Oh, you are funny! But I will warn you. I'm in charge down here, and what I say goes. If I say you row, you row. If I say you are beaten, your beaten. If I tell you to do anything, you will do it, or I will kill you, or one of your precious otter friends." Reki pointed to the other remaining otters, he twirled his dagger thoughtfully. "Oh it would be a shame to kill them."
"Don't you DARE harm one of my crew." Skipper snarled, a truly frightening snarl on his face.
-----------------
"Let me see." Bryony said, then went back up the tree, and started tree-hopping down towards the River Moss, and when she got there, alongside it. When she'd gone a reasonable distance, she came back and said, "I think they might have gone down river, but I'm not sure. I also saw some tracks leading into the woodlands. Which do you want to try first? I vote the river, because Moss goes down to the sea."
Monka thought for a moment, "The river then. That's where she'd head. By the way, do you have any idea why she's here? I'd expect her to still be down in the south-east, but then I got a tip off she was heading here."
------------------
Reki chuckled, and then suddenly without warning, leapt forward, and slashed his dagger down the side of Skipper's face. "I can, and will do whatever I want. And there's nothing you can do to stop me. Now, stop being so stupid, or I'll have that rather tired, wounded, otter lass beaten until she can't stand."
And with that Reki turned, and walked away, so did the burly ferret, who was smirking.
An ill looking squirrel in the row behind Skipper, leant forward, and whispered in his ear, "Beware of that one. He never makes hollow threats. I'm crippled, never to walk again because of that one. Just keep your head down, and don't attract any attention, and you'll be alright."
Skipper didn't register the pain; The ottermaid Reki had threatened was his daughter. His eyes grew wide, and he started shaking, furious. His daughter had been watching the whole thing, and quickly shook her head. He clenched his jaw, and stopped shaking. He swore he'd kill that vermin. And soon.
-----------------------
"I really don't know." Bryony said thoughtfully as she started upriver. "She just showed up at the Abbey last night, wounded my brother, and kidnapped Cien, another otter. But Bryant seems to have a sort of past with those two..." She said, then frowned.
Mirelle, one of Skipper's ottercrew, was tired, but pure anger kept her going. She pulled her oar steadily, gritting her teeth and trying to figure out how to get out of the mess she now found herself in. Her sling, which she was highly skilled with, had been confiscated by Scarlet's band, and she wished desperately she had it now.
"Sister Lupine going after the Skipper! She'll need help! I saw what that ottas and her evil scroderin crew can do! If she meets up with them instead if Skippa, she'll be agonna! She needs are help!"
OOC: She went after Bryony, not Skipper. ;)
BIC: Reki walked past the ruined, and disheartened, oar-slaves. He inspected his new slaves with great attentiveness. He noticed an undaunted looking ottermaid, with fiery eyes, and a set jaw. Reki smiled, and sauntered over. He took out his dagger, and began to spin it in his figures. "So, how you enjoying life in my galley, 'eh?" He smirked.
"Arte you coming or not, Monka?" She asked, styopping and looking at back at him. He hadn't moved. Bryony frowned; Was he suffering from a side effect of chokeberries she didn't know about?
Monka shook himself of his thoughts, and followed her.
OOC: I've got to go now. :'( BYE!
OOC: BYE!! I hope you have a nice tea, Rachy!!
BIC: Bryony smiled when he started coming along. She started walking slowly again, waiting for him to catch up.
OOC@Gonff & Rach: It's my fault, actually. In my last post with Fern, I mistakenly said Lupine had gone after Skipper and co. Sorry! :P I've fixed it.
BIC: Mirelle grinned at Reki sarcastically and responded, "I'm doing just fine here, thanks. Now please leave, you're really scaring me with that knife o' yours. Not."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I've thought of that already, and I wasn't sure what to do. I didn't want everybeast worried all over again, nor did I want somebeast else tramping through Mossflower only to run into trouble as well. And I'd already told everybeast that I'd go looking for Skip if he didn't come back, but I told myself I'd only do that as a last resort. But..." here Fern paused, then decided to tell Marshall the full story. "Martin appeared to me a little while ago as I was sitting here writing. He told me that nothing's gonna happen to Lupine, and that she'll return to us safe and sound."
OOC: That alright, Rach?
''Oh thank goodness! I was thinkin' we would have to go save her hide! Well, i can rest safley here for now!''
"Aye," Fern responded with a smile. "But I really hope Lupine gets back soon. Then we'll hopefully have some definite news about Skip and Bryony."
''Yessss indeed marm! Well, anything been goin' on while ive been gone for i dont know, eight seasons!''
OOC: That's fine.
BIC: Sister Lupine had reached Redwall, she was walking along the walls looking for a wallgate. When she reached one, she began pounding on it, and calling out, "Hello! Anybody there? Could you please let me in? It's LUPINE!"
-------------------------
Reki laughed, "Bold one ain't ya. You know, if anybody else spoke to me like that, I'd have their rations cut for a few days, and give 'em a good beating. But I think I'll let this pass." He winked at her, then walked off, sniggering to himself.
------------------
Monka caught up, and walked beside Bryony, all of a sudden he didn't feel very well. Maybe it was those berries, but it didn't feel like that, it just felt, different to anything he'd ever felt before. It was a strange floaty feeling, and he constantly had butterflies buzzing around inside of him.
OOC: I meant that last part as a metaphor, there are no real butterflies!
OOC: Okay. But what's a beautify? Seriously, is it like a butterfly? Only prettier? I wanna know now!
BIC: A little otter Dibbun was trottinbg about when she heard a familar voice call if anyone was there, it was Lupine. She giggled and went over to it called, "Sista Lupine? I let ya in!"
"Yes, lots of things! It's been so long! Last time I saw you I was about seventeen - can you believe it? I'd just been elected Abbess, and I was so nervous! And I'd just met Mycroft, but we weren't courting at that point. He was about twenty then, and had left the Long Patrol, deciding he wasn't cut out for it. Oh wow, I'm rambling... yes, so we were married a couple seasons later, and now we have two little 'uns. But you probably knew most of that anyway. So life here has continued as normal. Until now." Fern paused and gave a worried smile, then asked, "And what's happened with you all these seasons?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mirelle glared at Reki's retreating figure as she kept rowing, the oarslave just behind her looking at her in surprise as she muttered, "Someday I'll kill you, fox! Just you wait!"
''Wow! Well, i have been up north, to old Sala, Stayed there for 'bout 3 seasons! Went and stayed with the shrews, and oh yes! I went the remains of Loamhedge! It took meh at leaste 3 seasons, but it was worth it! Well, im famished! Want to go have some tea or salad or scones or ohh I miss Redwall vittles too much!
OOC: Stupid autocorrect!
BIC: Sister Lupine sighed in relief, "Yes, that's a good girl, let me in now."
---------------------
Scarlet left Cien's cabin enraged. She'd tried everything, and that meant everything. Everything she used to do, and he'd been under her power in seconds. But now, he just kept refusing her. "Fine Cien, we'll just have to do it the hard way." She rasped.
OOC: Hey, I thought it was funny! And I WAS wondering what Scarlet and Cien were doing.....
BIC: The otter babe, who's name was Maple, opened the wallgate and smiled. "See, Sista, I let ya in! Candy chestnut now?" Her grin literally went from ear to ear, as she thought of the hoped candied chestnut she'd gain.
------------------------------
Skipper rowed, his thoughts whirling. He'd escape sooner or later, but could he do it AND get his ottercrew out? He didn't know about the other slaves, he'd try his best, but he didn't know if they could do it.
OOC: I guess it was kinda funny. And for the last part, no comment. ;) :D
BIC: Scarlet wanted something to take her rage out on, the new slaves, yes that would work. It would also upset Cien. "REKI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She screamed.
The fox came stumbling up the stairs from the galleys, and saluted. "Yes, ma'am."
"Stop the boat, and bring all the slaves up onto the deck. Bring the new slaves out, and tie them to the punishment pole." Scarlet grinned, she looked ever so slightly crazy.
Reki saluted again, and hurried off to do her bidding.
"Loamhedge? Really? I've always wanted to see that place..." Fern commented, then said in answer to Marshall's last remark, "Sure! I'm done with my journal for the day, and I'd like a snack. C'mon, let's go down to the kitchens." She opened the door and led the way downstairs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mirelle was roughly unchained from her oar and, kicking and swearing, dragged up on deck and tied to the punishment pole along with her fellow ottercrew members.
Skipper panicked when he saw his crew being untied, and only slightly calmed down when they untied him and began leading him along with the others. He started fighting like a maniac, and half-way succeeded when one of his captors went over board, but then a rat stepped up went in his comrade's place, and was also a bit more crafty and sw3ift than his companion. They got him up the stairs, and were dragging him towards a pole. That wasn't good. He decided to do something crazy. He went along with them quietly to the pole. Then they tied him up.
Reki checked that all the otters were tied up, good, an' tight. Then the rest of the slaves were brought up onto the deck, and made to stand in a line. All except the crippled squirrel, he had to be held up by two other slaves.
Scarlet stepped forward, a cruel look in her eyes. Then three vermin turned up, with a bound, irritate, Cien. Cien's eyes grew wide at the sight of Skipper, and the remaining crew members, bound to the punishment pole. "What's all this Scarlet?" Cien growled, "You trying to get me back, cos I wouldn't do what you wanted? Wow, you have sunk low."
"Silence!" Scarlet shouted, then turned to Reki. "Get the cat-of-nines-tails, give them a good beating each, then brand them with their number."
The assembled slaves gasped, horror showing in their faces.
Skipper's jaw literally dropped. First, Cien, whom he'd always considered to be a nice otter, was here, and now this crazy ottermaid was going to give him a whipping with the cat-o'-nine-tails and BRAND him?!?!? Oh, no. This wasn't going to do. He decided that it was now time to use the dagger he';d stolen from the vermin he'd flipped overboard. He started sawing at his bonds.
Mirelle had calmed down somewhat when she'd been tied up, and she kept her face expressionless now, though she was absolutely horrified. She then tried pulling her paws out of the rope that bound them to the pole, but it was hopeless. Finally, she gave up. Momentarily the ottermaid considered yelling insults and swearing at all and sundry, but quickly decided against it, as it would only cause her and her companions to be punished more.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Fern led the way to the kitchens. Pushing open the door, she entered and nodded to the Friar. "Hello, Marshall and I were just coming for a lunch-sort-of-thing. Well, he is, and I just want a snack. Have you got anything for us?"
OOC: Gonff, you can play out the Friar's reply. :D
''Well Mother Abbess, i have some fresh strawberry scones, mint teal, and some pudding.'', The Friar said with a small smile.
"That sounds great! I'll just have a couple of scones and maybe some mint tea." Fern walked over to the counter and took a few scones from a dish, while the Friar politely poured her a steaming mug of tea. Fern thanked him and settled down with her snack at a small table in a corner of the kitchens. She waited for Marshall to join her.
Scarlet's sharp eyes noticed the biggest otter doing something strange, its was a sort of sawing movement. "Reki, what's that big otter doing?"
Reki, who was kiting his men out with cat-of-nine-tails, turned. He also noticed the strange movements, "Oi what you got there otter?"
Cien saw the dagger itself jus for a moment, he inwardly was screaming at Skipper, "Don't do it. Stop now, there's guys on the deck above you with crossbows. Just don't do it!"
---------------------
Mona walked on in silence, he kept taking secret glances at Bryony, trying to work her out. Why was such a pretty squirrelmaid, so inclined to help a ragger bond like himself, and not expect anything in return.
Bryony sighed, thinking her thoughts. She walked along, first gazing at the trees, then at the sky, then searching the ground....Anywhere but her traveling companion.
---------------------------------------
Skipper gritted his teeth when the otter maid noticed he was sawing at his bonds, and sawed faster. Then, the dagger cut threw the rope, and he ran for the side, getting hit in the shoulder and the other arm by arrows while doing so. He jumped, hoping he could make it to the side.
Mirelle held her breath, wincing as Skipper was hit by two crossbow bolts. C'mon, Skip, you can make it!
"GET HIM!" Scarlet screamed, and as she did loads of crew men ran to grab the otter, the crossbow beast, were reloading, and getting ready for the kill.
----------------------
Cien inwardly was screaming at Skipper, "You idiot! You've only made it worse for the rest of the crew, oh why'd you do it Skip?"
------------------------
Monka could see Bryony was avoiding looking at him, he wasn't quite sure why. Maybe it was because he had been rude to her earlier. He guessed he better apologise, there had been no need for what he had said. Um, Bryony, I..I..I, I just want to say sorry for the way I spoke to you earlier. I was uncalled for, and unnecessary. I'm sorry."
--------------------
Sister Lupine, and Maple made their way back into Redwall Abbey. Lupine wanted to speak to Abbess Fern immediately.
"Oh! It's fine, really." Bryony said, somewhat startled.
-------------------------------
Skipper had made it to the water, but gained another two arrows. He winced, and started swimming up stream, then popped his head above the water, and yelled, "I'LL COME BACK FOR YE, CREW!" took a breath of air, and started swimming again.
The crossbow beast continued to fire, again, and again. Until Scarlet screamed at them to stop. Then she walked across the deck, and straight up to Reki, and slapped him so hard across the face, it hit him to the ground. "I expect you to do your job properly! And yet, one of my new slaves just got away!"
Reki, got up onto his knees, blood pouring from his nose, and a cut on his cheek. As well as from his mouth from where he'd bit his tongue when he hit the deck. "I'm sorry Captain. I wasn't my fault, I..."
Scarlet cut him off short by kicking him in the stomach. Reki bent over double in agony. Trying to get his breath back.
Despite everything, Cien smirked. It was nice to see Scarlet not getting her way.
Skipper swam as long as he could, which was pityfully short, then he swam over to the bank and dragged himself onto it, then let the pain of swimming with multiple arrows in him (Since the archers had hit him a few times while he was swimming away) overtake him.
Marshall carried the tray of mint tea and brought it to the Abbess.
''Well marm, i hope Lupine gets here soon. I want to know what happened to those looney squirrles and Skipper went.''
Scarlet turned on Cien, murder in her eyes. "Oh, you find this funny do you?"
"Yeah actually." Cien smiled.
Scarlet took this worse than any insult. She went mad, screaming, and kicking. She then turned on the only just recovered Reki, and took him by the neck, and dragged him to his feet. "Beat the living day lights out of these slaves, then heat the brands!"
Reki chocking gurgled a yes. Scarlet then dropped him, and he fell to the floor coughing.
OOC: Wot's Monka doing?
OOC: Oops!
BIC: "Are you sure? It really was wrong of me to shout at you like that." Monka muttered, looking at the ground as he walked.
"Yes....I've had worse. Worse like like chains, whips, and screaming to get moving, keep building." Bryony said, lo0oking at her wrists. The fur had grown back, but she still remembered the bite of the manacles.
"Oh, I know," Fern responded. "I'm sure they'll have quite a tale to tell when they do get back. 'Cause I'm sure they will get back. Yes, they will." She was saying this more to herself for reassurance, for her old anxiety began to return for a moment. But she made herself stop thinking about it and bit into a strawberry scone.
~~~~~~~~~
Mirelle did nothing, just kept her face impassive. She was thankful Skipper had gotten away, but was angry, as well as frightened of what awaited her. Also, she was a bit worried about Skipper's daughter, who was already wounded and tired. How would she handle what was in store for her? Mirelle herself had been wounded in the ambush - an arrow had grazed her shoulder, giving her a shallow wound, and another had hit her leg, which hurt as well as caused her to limp - but she'd been lucky.
Monka stopped, and stared at Bryony as if she'd grown a second head. "You were a slave? An, actual slave?"
-----------------
Sister Lupine burst into the Abbey, determined to find the Abbes, and was directed to the kitchens by a mouse who was doing something to the candle sticks around Great Hall.
She hurried to the kitchens, followed by little Maple, who kept asking for candied chestnuts. Lupine walked into the kitchens, and looked around for Abbess Fern.
---------------------
Reki had managed to get to his feet, and signalled for the otters to be beaten. Scarlet smiled, wickedly, Cien looked away. He knew who much this hurt.
Skipper's daughter, who wasn't the strongest creature to begin with, gave a strangled shriek as one of the vermin approached the the whip, and fainted. The fright of what was about to be done, combined with her wounds, was just too much for the poor ottermaid.
----------------------------------------------
Bryant gave a dry, humorless laugh. "Oh, yes. My brother and I were slaves at Riftgard, an island in the South. We escaped, but we got separated a few days after we got away. There was this band of vermin, you see...." Bryony said, then stared into the space, remembering the old memories.
"I was a slave too. That's why I'm after Scarlet." Monka shrugged.
---------------------------
The whips cracked, and the slaves covered their eyes.
Cien winced at the sound of the screams, there was only more to come.
"Really? That's horrible." Bryony said, touching his shoulder in a way that she hoped showed that she understood, and wasn't offering her sympathy just because. She really did understand.
Monka flinched at the contact, automatically he checked that his wrists weren't exposed. "yeah, oar slave. Ship got wrecked, and I was the only one to survive. I knew who's ship it belonged to, so I began hunting her. This is the closest I've ever come to finding her."
Bryony6 blushed, and quickly removed her paw from his shoulder. "Oh....You know, sometimes I saw oar slaves, and thought that they had it so lucky. They didn't seem to have such a lingering, painful death. Maybe I was wrong...I don't really know." She admitted, lowering her eyes, waiting for an explosion of angry words she hoped wouldn't come.
"Well it wasn't easy. Anything but. Rowing for hours on end, little food, and water. Being beaten just for not keeping up, if you get to weak, being thrown over board." Monka shrugged, "Any thing but easy."
OOC: I've got to go now. BYE!
OOC: Bye, Rachy!!
BIC: Bryony kept her eyes down. "What about being whipped just because you tried to get splinters out of your paws. Getting whipped for not working fast enbough, or talking, or not working slow enough, or because you stopped to help your younger brother who'd collapsed, or because you dropped something. Getting whipped if you didn't get into the shelter fast enough, or because the building wasn't getting built fast enough. If you didn't do enough satisfactolry work, you were slain, not giving the slightest chance of being able to swim for shore, or being picked up by a boat, even if you had young ones. Barely a mouthful of food a piece, and a sip of water." Bryony said. She kept going on, just talking because she had to get it out.
Monka nodded, "Sounds a lot like what happened to me. I..I..I, I had a younger sister. She, urm, well......"
"Fern, it's fine! Remember wot Martin said !"
"That's...Horrible." Bryony said, then staggered as a particuarly strong memory pured into her head. She clutched her head, forcing it to go away....
Monka was suddenly full of concern for Bryony, "Are you alright?"
She forced it down, and recovered her breath, "Yeah...Just a really bad, strong memory...I'll be fine in a moment." She said, then leaned against a tree for a minute, and said, "Yeah, I'm one messed up squirrel maid...Got amnesia, and memories trying to force their way into my head every so often." She said, trying to joke about it.
Monka shrugged, "It makes you special. That's why I...." Monka cut himself off short. He had been about to say, that's why I like you.
"That's why you what?" Bryony asked, tilting her head.
"Oh, nothing, it doesn't matter." Monka said awkwardly, "So, how far away do you think we are from Scarlet?" He asked, desperate to change the subject.
OOC: Hey, Corn, maybe they could come across Skipper in a bit.
OOC: I was thinking about that!
BIC: "Um, I'm not altogether sure...But we should keep moving." Bryony said, sensing his awkwardness and going along with the change of subject.
"Ok." Monka said, quicken his pace.
Bryony followed him, but kept behind. If this guy couldn't follow a ruiver, then he obviously wasn't worth marrying. Wait, MARRYING?!?!?? Where on earth did that come from? She thought, then shook her head. Then fell in the river, the bank soil also splashily in with her.
"Right," Fern agreed. "Though, Martin didn't exactly say anything about Skipper and Bryony..." She looked up, noticing that Lupine had entered the kitchens. The Abbess leaped to her footpaws and hurried towards the Sister. "Lupine! You're back! Thank the seasons!" Fern led her to a chair and motioned her to sit down, as she looked quite tired. Then she sat down next to her. "Did you find Bryony - is she with you?"
~~~~~~~~~
The whip scored furrows down Mirelle's back. She bit her lip in pain, trying to stop herself screaming. She only managed for about the first three lashes. Then she screamed at the top of her lungs, trying unsuccessfully to twist out of the way of the cat o' nine.
Monka turned at the sound of the splash, this really wasn't the time for swimming. Then he noticed part of the bank missing, and guessed Bryony had fallen in. He couldn't really see her, and then a horrible thought crossed his mind. What if Bryony couldn't swim?
In an instant, Monka had thrown down his travelling bag, kicked off his boots, and striped off his jacket, and shirt, and dived into the water.
Monka was a very good swimmer, it was the reason he was alive.
--------------------------------
Sister Lupine sat, and began her story, "I did find Bryony, but while I was talking to her, this other squirrel, I guess he must have been Monka, came over. He began asking Bryony if they were going yet, Bryony said no, and Monka lost it. He shouted at Bryony, then left. I told Bryony that Bryant wasn't dead, but she wouldn't come back with me. She said she had to go help Monka. Then she left, and I came back."
Bryony's head popped up, and she was gasping. OIn three seconds, three thoughts occured to her: One: She couldn't swim. Two: Her head was going under again. Three: That beelte brain Monka was coming after her!
Monka spotted Bryony, and swam quickly towards her, he could see she was in difficulty, and he was relieved when he reached her. "It's, ok. I've got you!" He said, getting hold of her, and getting ready to swim back to shore.
Bryony gasped and spluttered a bit, hanging on gratefull to Monka.
Monka was finding carrying Bryony, and his own bushy tail, was slowing him down a bit. And his head went under once or twice, but they were soon back to shore. Monka collapsed on his back laughing, "Don't do that again, if all possible!"
Bryony was also laughing. "Heehee, I'll try not to! Hahaha, Oh, do stop laughing! I can't, hahaha, stop until you do! Heeheehee!" She giggled, rather breathless.
Monka almost immediately stopped, he winked at Bryony, "It's a skill. Now what are we gonna do about your clothes being all wet?"
''Why did Bryony not come back!?! What shall we do Fern!''
In answer to both Marshall and Lupine, Fern sighed and replied, "Well, at least she knows Bryant's alright. Since she isn't from Redwall, only a visitor, she's free to do as she likes - so if she's now just out to help Monka, so be it. " The Abbess then addressed Lupine. "Did you find out anything about Skipper, or Cien for that matter?"
Quote from: rachel25 on May 09, 2014, 05:38:03 PM
Monka almost immediately stopped, he winked at Bryony, "It's a skill. Now what are we gonna do about your clothes being all wet?"
Bryony giggled a few more times after Monka stopped, then said, "Well, considering the fact that when I left the Abbey, I didn't pack any spare clothing, I guess I'll just be wet." She said, then smiled at him.
Monka shook his head, "No, we can't be having that. What'll I do when my guide has a cold? You can wear jacket, and I've got a spare shirt in my bag. They'll be a bit too big, but it's better than nothing."
------------------------
Sister Lupine hung her head sadly, "I'm sorry. I didn't learn anything."
------------------
Scarlet grinned wickedly at the pain of the otters, but Reki was standing nearby, getting worried. What if some of the otters died? He'd be low on oar slaves, "Milady," He whispered to Scarlet, "Maybe we should be getting on with the branding. We do need to get a move on, if we're to reach the island by tomorrow."
"I know that!" Scarlet snapped, "The island isn't that far out to sea, it won't take long. But I do agree, you should get on with the branding. Then I must go back to interrogate Seashadow."
"Yes, milady." Reki bowed, then signalled to the vermin with the whips. They put them away, then a smirking rat, wearing a leather apron, and gloves, walked over. Behind her, followed a ferret, two stoats, and a weasel, carrying branding irons, and some sort of stove.
Skipper's daughter had survived the beating. Barely. At the sight of the brands, and stove thingy, she screamed once in terror of what was to come, and went limp. Dead.
--------------------------------------------
"Oh, alright." Bryony said, giving in. She smiled a bit, and then noticed a big lump, heading closer...And it had several tings sticking out of it.
--------------------------------
Skipper had woken, and started trudging up the bank, not bothering to snap some of the arrows off. He had his head down, and then tripped, caught himself, and looked up to see where he was, and saw two smalls lumps, which appeared to be wet. He sighed, and kept walking.
Reki stopped the branders, before they started, and examined the ottermaid. "Dead." He scowled, he seemed more annoyed, then sad. "Untie, her, and throw her overboard. We'll just have to go one slave down."
--------------------
"Ok." Monka said, he had fetched his bag, and handed Bryony the items. " Do you want a minute to change?" He blushed slightly.
"YEs, please." Bryony said, blushed, then slipped into the woods for a few minutes, then emerged, in Monka's xclothes. "Ta-da! What do you think?" She said jokingly, then noticed the big lump again...Except, it looked like an otter. An otter that looked a lot like Skipper. Wait, it WAS Skipper! "Monka, look! It's the Skipper of Otters!" She said, then grabbed him and ran over to Skippper. "Skip, are you alright?"
"Barely." Skipper grunted.
Monka had been wondering if he had a spare belt that Bryony could have used, cos the clothes were so baggy, when Bryony began saying something about a Skipper of Otters, then she ran off, and when Monka turned round, a rather beat up looking otter was there. Then Monka noticed something floating face down in the water, some way off.
"Skip...?" Bryony was asking, when Skipper collapsed. "Oh!" He fell on her, and she staggered. "Monka! A little help, please!" She squeaked, barely mamaging to keep his somewhat hefty weight up, and not fall over herself.
Monka ran forward, and helped lower the big otter to the ground.
"Thank you...Hey, what's that in the river?" Bryony said, noticing the carcass of Skipper's daughter.
"Don't look." Monka said, seeing the blood around the body, and the scars on its back, "Scarlet." He whispered, hatred exploding inside of him.
Before he knew it, he was storming up the bank, then running.
"Okay.." Bryony said, then obediently didn't look, and started tending to Skipper.
Monka felt the anger working through him as he ran, the anger from years as a slave, watching his friend's, and sister die all around him. No, Scarlet wouldn't get away with it. She couldn't be far."
Bryony kept on snapping arrow shafts, and pulling out the heads, and then gathered up her soggy clothes and started tearing them up for bandages.
OOC: Got to go now. BYE!
OOC: BYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OOC: I'M BACK!
BIC: Monka kept running until he caught sight of a ship, it looked far too big to be on the river, it was a sea ship. But the sound of screams of pain, was certain. Monka was striding purposefully towards it. Without a second thought, he ran, and leapt, catching hold of the outside of the ship. He pulled himself up, and over the side, and found himself about five paces, away from Scarlet Firewave.
"FIREWAVE!!!!!!" Monka screamed, jumping to his feet, and charging the otter.
Dissuading his bow, Monka grabbed his sword, and got ready to swing it at Scarlet, but Scarlet was quick, she leapt out of the way, then drew her own sword.
''Great, now we know NOTIN' bout Skip! Oh my, Fern, Lupine, what will we do!''
OOC: AHH!!! I go away for what, two days? Three? Does it matter? But, anyways, I come back and I find THIS?!?!?!? Um, MAJOR PLOT TWIST!! So, is Scarlet going to kick him off, and he floats back to Bryony, or what?
BIC: Bryony had finished bandaging up Skipper, and had him sitting up, and was force-feeding him a little water, and then decided to go down river and see if she could find that thing....Maybe see if Monka took off that way. She walked down the river, leaving Skip a note, and found Skipper's daughter's body stuck in some roots, and turned it over. She shrieked, then scrambled back, falling down in the process. She covered her mouth with one paw, her heart pounding, and then ran back to Skipper.
Steel clashed on steel, as the two creatures battled along the deck. Scarlet's men had got ready to fire upon the mad squirrel, but Scarlet shouted to them not to shoot. Saying that he could be a replacement slave.
Monka fought like a demon, and Scarlet had to admit she was impressed whoever this guy was, he knew how to use a sword. Monka had managed to slash Scarlet several times, but Scarlet had only hit Monka twice. But they were however deep, wounds.
While Monka's back was turned to Scarlet's men, Scarlet gave them a signal. They snuck up behind Monka, then the burly ferret beat Monka hard over the back of the head with his club, until Monka wasn't moving.
"Very good." Scarlet purred, "It seems a waste to put this one in chains, but need calls for must. Reki, are all the new 'uns branded."
"Yes Cap'n."
"Excellent, go take them back to the galley, and get them ready to move, lock this one up in the hold, and place a guard in there with him. Someone take Seashadow back to his cabin, I've got work to do."
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Sister Lupine sighed, and shrugged, "I don't know what to do. We really should send a search party out, but Skipper, and his crew were the search party. Oh, dear."
''Well, um well, it, uh I dont know wat t' do! Fern, should we send out a party?''
Bryony huddled against Skipper, who had just woken up, and she was telling him about what she'd seen. He was, needless to say, furious. He started storming back up the bank, with Bryony running after him, dragging her and Monka's things. "Skip! Wait!" She shouted, as the otter dove into the water to clear his head. He popped his head up, and said, "Bryony, you go find that ship and hide on it, and I'll go find some otters to kill that ottermaid, and rescue your boyfriend, as well as the others." She started to protest that Monka was NOT her boyfriend, but it was too late. She continued along the bank, noticing a belt on the top of Monka's stuff, and promptly put it on. "How did I get myself into this?" She moaned, trudging along the bank.
Fern sighed heavily and rested her chin in her paws. "I guess so. There's nothing else for it. I'll go myself, along with Mycroft, and maybe anybeast else who volunteers. Excuse me." She rose from the table and swept out of the room.
She soon found Mycroft outside, helping out in the orchard. Fern hurried over to him and he turned towards her. One glance told him something was up. "What's happened?"
She spoke quickly. "Mycroft, well, I never even mentioned that Lupine had left the Abbey, but she's back now. She'd gone to tell Bryony that Bryant's alive. But even though Bryony now knows Bryant's okay, she's decided to keep on with the squirrel named Monka. Now, Skip still isn't back, so I think we ought to head out right now to look for him. Maybe some otherbeasts want to help, as well."
Mycroft nodded seriously. "Right you are, Fern. C'mon. Let's get some supplies together and see if we can't get a few volunteers, wot!"
OOC: I'm afraid we might've forgotten about the original plot of this RP. :P What's hidden in the walls, and when are things gonna happen on that end, Rach?
''Ok marm, ill be waiting outside.''
Marshall exited the kitchens and went out onto the front lawns.
OOC: Um, Jukka, I was thinking maybe the secret plans Scarlet is after, could been hidden in the walls, and I guess to end it, someone needs to kill Scarlet, (I was hoping Cien, and maybe he could die doing so, but I'm open to suggestions), and then the RP could end with them doing the Play. The ghost/Martin/whoever it was, should have some large role in what happens I think. But I also think, that the ghost should become a full time character, if anyone wants to play it.
BIC: Monka woke to a splitting headache, and to darkness. No, there was a light in the corner over there. Monka tried to sit up, but found that he was chained to the floor. He also had a feeling that underneath him, there was movement. He must be in the hold of the ship, and the ship must be moving!
"bryony, please have the sense not to come after me, go home, to your brother." Monka whispered, almost silently to himself.
OOC: Shall I play Mister Ghosty? *Evil grin*
BIC: Bryony, after trudging along for quite some time (Or so it felt like; In reality it had only been about twenty minutes) She saw an outline of a ship up ahead. "Time to get a move on, Bryony!" She chastised herself, then slung the bags over her shoulder more securely and went up a tree. She could go quicker that way.
Down in the galleys, Reki was getting his hench-ferret to make the slaves row at double speed. He didn't fancy another beating from Scarlet.
Bryonyt noticed the ship was speeding up, and she was still a ways away from it. She started to going faster, muttering to herself the whole time.
OOC: Corny, it would be great if you played the ghost thing! ;D
OOC @Rach: Yeah, I'd thought that the plans are probably what's hidden in the walls. :D And I actually had thought about, what if Cien died killing Scarlet? Good idea, if you ask me, though tragic. But hey, tragic deaths are really interesting!
BIC:
Mirelle's body was one mass of pain. The whipping had torn her back badly; her tunic was shredded and hung off her in bloody strips. On top of that she'd been branded. The pain was excruciating - and now she was forced to row at double speed. She couldn't take it much longer, she knew it. Groggy and lightheaded, her thoughts whirled round. She felt sorry for Skipper's daughter, yet was glad that at least she'd escaped the branding. The ottermaid couldn't see any way out of her current situation - her former toughness and anger had deserted her. She felt depressed and cowed, sure that she would be an oarslave for the rest of her life.
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Fern turned to several other Redwallers helping in the orchard. "Skipper isn't back yet, so Mycroft and I have decided to leave at once. Are there any volunteers to come along? We only need about um..." she quickly counted the Abbeydwellers she was speaking to, "...eight or so, I'd say. It may be dangerous, so come prepared. You'll need your own weapon and supplies." Seeing the surprised faces of the Redwallers, who hadn't quite taken it all in, the Abbess continued, "I understand completely if you'd rather not."
There was an immediate show of paws from the small group in the orchard. Fern gave a small smile. "Alright then. You should all go and prepare for the trip. We'll leave within twenty minutes."
She and Mycroft hurried back to the main Abbey building, changed into simple traveling tunics and packed a couple of thick cloaks into a traveling bag. Fern tucked a dagger and the sling she'd used as a teen (along with a small pouch of stones) in her belt, while Mycroft did the same with a long-unused dirk from his days in the Long Patrol. They then headed back downstairs to the kitchens, where Fern spoke with the Friar about running the Abbey in her absence. After some coaxing, he reluctantly agreed. The two hares then stocked up on food that would keep for a while.
The Abbess and her husband said goodbye to May and Brinkut, promising to return within a couple of days. May seemed to take it all in stride, but Brinkut was quite distressed that his parents were leaving. Only after reassuring him that they really would come back did he cheer up.
Fern and Mycroft then headed out onto the lawns with their group of volunteers, where Marshall was waiting for them. They exited the Abbey through the east wallgate. Fern wasn't completely sure which way Skipper had gone, but something told her to head north and slightly east. So she struck off into Mossflower in that direction with Mycroft at her side and a group of Redwallers behind her.
OOC: GREAT!! Can't wait to do this! But it will be tomorrow, I'm certain.
BIC: Bryony had caught up with the ship, and decided to simply get ahead, and jump on that cabin-roof-thingy. Then she rethought, and decided to get on the deck, as no one was around, except for that sleeping rat. Her plan worked, and she started down to the bottom of the ship, and panicked about four times, when she had to hide, and then saw a door, and decided to just go in there. If it was empty, - which it surely was, as the last vermin she';d had to hide from had walked right past, - All was well and good. If it belonged to someone, her cover was blown., She slipped, in, and saw someone on the floor. She went closer, and gasped. "M-Monka?" She asked, trembling.
''Well Fern, the last I saw Skip was when I was at the riva'. Should be go there first?''
The white, silent figure appeared on the walltops, and then vanished. It reappeared a moment later, down by the gate. It hovered, then glided towards the gate, going out. It hesitated, but then moved forwards again. It moved in a way so as to appear in the group's path. It had one goal in mind: Redwall needed its Abbess, at all times. The Abbess was leaving. Get the Abbess back safely....
"Oh, right. You last saw him there. Good, at least we have something to go on. I'd forgotten about that," Fern answered, a little sheepishly. She turned to the others. "We're going to head to the river, where we know for sure that Skipper was last seen." She then lowered her voice and asked Marshall, "Can you remember which part of the river it was? Would you be able to find the area again?"
Monka looked up at Bryony, and swore, why hadn't she just forgotten him, and gone home? Now they would both die.
"Bryony." Monka hissed after sorting out his internal battle, "What the hell are you doing here?"
''Yes, it was near Log A Log's camp. It will only take us an hour, two tops.''
"Great! Here, Marshall, you can lead the way," Fern responded, slowing down a little so Marshall could get ahead of her. She fell in step beside Mycroft, and they walked on together, not saying much. But each knew that the other was hoping that they'd soon find Skipper and his crew, unharmed.
''Thanke Marm!''
Marshall led the way. He hoped to find the camp soon.
OOC: can we skip to the time that they reach the camp?
OOC: Sure! I guess when Corny gets online her ghost is gonna chase us all the way to the camp, though. That'll be quite funny. :D
OOC: Yup\ up up!! That's just something I say from time to time...Basically it's "Yup!"
BIC: The ghost frowned, or did a ghostlt approximation of it. He decided to do tyhis the short way, and then appeared in front of the group. It was hard to do ioutside the Abbey, but not impossible.
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"I don't know! Skipper told me to get on the ship, and wait for him. He's going back to Redwall to get reinforcements. How did
I get into this? I didn't ask for it!" Bryony said, almost hysterically. She was also near tears. She shut the door, and went over to him and started vainly tugging on the chains.
"Stoppit Bryony!" Monka snapped," Go now, and get off this ship now. This has nothing to do with you. Someone's going to be coming back to take me to the galleys any second now. Leave while you still can!"
At this, Bryony burst into tears. Hey, she couldn't help it, she was confused. Plus, now Monka was snapping and yelling at her. "I-I-I'm s-s-s-orry." She stammered, and made a valiant, but futile, effort to stop crying. Then she tugged on the chains again, and flew backwards. "Hey, look!" She said, amazed. It had been rusty, and all her tugging had done it. She held up one of the ends of the chains.
Monka jumped up, and swore viciously at Bryony, "You idiot! Now they'll know you were here! Oh, why can't you just leave?"
Monka then jumped as the door opened, and three corsairs walked in. They too were surprised to see the prisoner was free, and that there was another squirrel in there. But they soon got over this, and drew their weapons. "On the floor now!" A stoat shouted, pointing a cutlass at Monka's throat.
OOC: Have we worked out who the ghost is, btw?
Anyway, I'll assume that they've almost reached the Guosim camp, but not quite.
BIC:
Marshall led them along for a while. Fern hoped they'd reach the river soon. After a little over an hour, she thought she heard voices and a faint sound of rushing water. She grinned at Mycroft.
"Hear that? We must be nearly there!"
Without warning, a ghostly figure appeared ahead of the group, shrouded in mist. Fern stood stock still, surprised and unnerved.
Marshall saw the figure also. He grabbed Fern and Mycroft and ran yelling, ''RUN TO THE CAMP! HURRY!!!!!''
OOC: Slight powerplay, but it's fine. ;)
BIC:
Fern and Mycroft were rushed along by Marshall. Fern didn't try to resist; she was anxious to get to the camp, for she was a bit frightened by the ghostly apparition. Behind her, the group of Redwallers panicked and ran towards the camp as well.
After a few minutes of running, they reached a small clearing by the river. Fern looked around and saw that they'd reached the Guosim camp.
OOC: I guess it's up to Cornflower who it is.
OOC: Why, it's Martin of course! Hello, have I not left enough hints?
QuoteIt had one goal in mind: Redwall needed its Abbess, at all times. The Abbess was leaving. Get the Abbess back safely....
Anyone?
BIC: Bryony's eyes widened, and she started hunching over, and started fishing in the packs desperately. "Please, please, please." She whimpered, her paws shaking, as she dug through the packs. She knew that the other two would be coming after her any second now...Aha! She leaped up, wielding her dagger. "Stay back." She warned, and as one of the corsairs sneered, she rolled her eyes and sighed. "Oh, alright. I've a better idea" The two of you" She indicated the two free corsairs " Fight me. While you" She indicated the stoat who had his cutlass at Monka's throat "Stay over there, shut the door, and stay out of this. Are we agreed?" She asked, idly twirling her dagger. She spared a brief glance towards Minka, and hoped her eyes conveded her message: While I fight these two, I'll keep from getting killed, kill them, and start on the big guy holding you. When he's surprised that I'm coming at him, you get loose, and helkp me.
OOC: Sorry.
BIC: Marshall was so releaved to reach the Gousim camp. He went over to Log A Log's tent and sat down.
''Loggy, im back!''
''Well thats just great! Who ya brought with ya?''
''Abbess Fern, Her Husban, Mycroft, and some Redwallers. We came lookin' for Skip.''
''Hmmm, introuduce em to meh, and ill try to help!''
''Thanks Loggy.''
They both walked out of the tent, and went over to Fern.
Marshall introtuced Fern to Log A Log.
''Fern, this is Log A Log, he has agreed to help us find Skip!''
OOC: Don't worry about it! I've done much worse, believe me.
BIC:
"That's wonderful! Thank you, Log a Log! Oh, I'm Fern, the Abbess of Redwall. This is my husband, Mycroft." She looked up and noted the sun's position to see how much daylight was left (it was late afternoon), then asked, "Do you know anything about the whereabouts of Skipper?"
The corsairs all looked at each other, then laughed, "I don't think so missy." The one holding Monka jeered, and pressed harder on Monka's throat. "Drop your blade now, and you won't be cleaning thissen's innards up off the floor. And, Budno, go inform the Captain, that we have a little visitor."
One of the corsairs nodded, and head for the door.
Monka chocked as the blade pushed against his throat, the corsair then grabbed his arm, and held it behind his back.
Bryony bit her lip, then bent down and put her dagger on the floor. She winced as Monka was further man-handled, allowed the other corsair to tie her paws up. Then she sat down on the floor.
------------------------------
The ghost was quite frustrated. Then he started to float through the back of Log-A-Log's tent, and then stamped his ghostly paw. He floated towards Fern, and then wisps of mist formed letters in front of her: Go back to Redwall, Mothere Abbess. Your Abbey needs you. Then he waited.
OOC: Slight PP there, having the letters in front of her face. And please, can they NOY go screaming and running? At least, not until Fern sees the ghostly message?
"Now, that's better." The corsair holding Monka smiled nastily. A moment later Scarlet, and Reki walked into the hold, the latter carrying a lantern. "Well, well, well. What do we have here." Scarlet purred.
Monka spat at her, and as a reward was hit across the head with a sword handle, by the corsair who was holding him. "You'll pay for that." Monka snarled.
"I think this one's ready for his branding, and brand the other one too. She can be taken to work in the kitchen." Scarlet announced, then turned, and left.
"I told you that you shouldn't have come." Monka groaned to Bryony.
---------------------------
Cien lay on his back, in his cabin. Not really sure what to do, should be escape? No, he couldn't do that, and leave the others. Should he escape, and free the others? No, that ended horribly last time, so much blood, and fire....no. Well, even if he did escape then what? Scarlet would only go, and hurt everyone at the Abbey. Oh, what a mess. Why hadn't he just burnt those darn plans? Why had he wanted to so clever as to hide them? Well, he just hoped that no one ever, ever found them.
OOC: Hey! Jukka, I just had a thought. What if likkle Girdle found the plans!
OOC: Ooh, yeah! Maybe Glirid could find 'em! Just wondering, where'd Cien hide them? In the walls of his room? BIC:
Suddenly, behind Log a Log and Marshall, Fern saw the same apparition drifting along. Her ears shot straight up and she and Mycroft backed off nervously, while the Redwallers dashed for the cover of the trees in fright. But just then some writing appeared in front of her, hovering in midair. She read it and then glanced towards the ghost uncomfortably. "Um, so you want me to go back now? I can't! We've come all this way, and haven't found Skipper yet! And who are you anyway?"
Mycroft gave his wife a strange glance. He couldn't see the writing, as it was meant for Fern only, and he had no idea what she was talking about.
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Glirid had awoken from his nap and was now trying to steal candied chestnuts from the kitchens without the kitchen helpers noticing.
Marshall and Log A Log ran towards thier tent.
''Fern! What do ya mean?''
OOC: I'm assuming they ran 'cause they turned around and saw the ghost. BIC:
"Can't you see the writing right here in front of me?" Fern asked, a little annoyed and increasingly nervous. "That ghost wrote it!" She realized how weird that sounded, but continued, half to herself, "The same ghost who's been appearing at Redwall lately!"
The ghost stamped his paw. No! You can't stay! You've got to back to Redwall! You can leave Mr. Ears over there with these good beasts to look for Skipper...Just go back to Redwall, for oak's sake! And, I'm Martin the Warrior, you ninny.
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Bryony's eyes widened when she heard the word "Branding" She whimpered again, her eyes ping-ponging between Monka and Scarlet. "Tell that to Skipper." Bryony said in answer to Monka.
OOC: Lol, I cracked up when Martin called Fern a ninny. He certainly seems rather annoyed with her. ;D BIC:
"Martin?" Fern whispered as she read the misty words that appeared in front of her. "Oh..." She turned to Mycroft. "The ghost is Martin," she whispered, "and he wants me to go back to Redwall, and you to continue on with the search party."
Mycroft looked at his wife. "How do you bally well know?"
"'Cause of the words he's making appear. But I guess you can't see them." She shrugged and turned around to where the Redwallers were cautiously watching from behind trees. "Everybeast, I'm going back to Redwall. I don't want to, but Martin the Warrior-" she indicated the ghost "-says I should."
OOC: Heehee, I just couldn't resist!
BIC: Martin rolled his eyes, and sent another message, "Who is Mr. Ears, anyways? Huh, he certainly seems quite familiar with you...Looks a bit like a hare from the Long Patrol I used to know. Hmph, shouldn't they their original Abbey Warrior? Or do you not teach about how I saved your ancestors from Tsarmina, Miss Ninny. They honestly over-glorified all of it..Yeesh!" Although he sometimes got a kick out of scaring a Dibbun or two over the years to ease the boredom, this was a bit much. And this Abbess was really a ninny....But then, he supposed she was the best one for the job.
OOC: Man, Martin is harsh!
BIC: Marshall slowly walked towards Fern. He whispered in her ear," Be careful, there still might be some vermin left."
He gave her his dagger.
" When ya get back, give this back to Tripper."
Log a Log stepped up.
" We'll I bid ya a g'day!"
He went over and shook her paw.
"Nice meetin ' ya!"
Marshall stepped back.
"Bye Fern. Safe travels'l
OOC:@Jukka, um, maybe he could have hidden it in the wall behind Martin's tapestry or something. I'm not entirely sure.
BIC: Monka was dragged to his feet, and both him, and Bryony were dragged out the hold. "You don't have to brand me, or her." Monka growled at the corsair, "We've both already some."
Some of this was bluff, he had no idea if Bryony's owner had a thing with branding his slaves, but he at least wanted to try, and stop her having it done to her. He on the other hand, had been branded.
OOC: Hmm, okay. Any ideas for how Glirid could find them? BIC:
Fern paused in talking to the group of Redwallers when Martin's next message appeared. She rolled her eyes, slightly put out with the Warrior. "Uh, 'Mr. Ears' is my husband. And we do have an Abbey Warrior, Cien, but he left the Abbey last night." She sighed. "And I'm not sure what to think of him anymore."
Then Marshall and Log a Log approached her. "Be careful, there still might be some vermin left," Marshall cautioned. He handed her a dagger. "When you get back, give this to Tripper."
"I'll be sure to," Fern replied.
Log a Log shook her paw and bid her farewell. The Abbess took her leave of him and everybeast else, then set off alone back to the Abbey.
Mycroft, with some urging, got the Redwallers to come out in the open. He glanced at Log a Log and Marshall. "Where to now, chaps?"
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Glirid had just succeeded in grabbing a candied chestnut when he received a light smack on the paw from a squirrelmaid kitchen helper. "You know you aren't allowed to take nuts without asking! Run along now, little rascal!" She turned back to a pie she was preparing for supper.
Glirid scowled but ran off, holding the stick he called 'paw' and twirling it around.
OOC: Hey, you gotta remember that this would be the first he's "talked" to anyone in who knows how long....Besides, I'm trying to add a bit of a comical side.\\
BIC: Martin sighed, Cien? That fellow? In case you hadn't noticed, he's the one who started all of this! Well, that ottermaid helped too. Now then, I'll meet you back at the Abbey, I suppose....But, I suppose, if you run into any vermin, just call for me." He sent the words to follow Fern, then he vanished. The words would disappear when the hare read them.
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Bryony hadn't actually been branded, but was she going to tell them that? No. She was looking around, hoping to see a chance to get a weapon and escape. So far, no luck.
''Well, ive got some extra Log boats that we could use to travel up river. We may see him there.''
Skipper popped his head out of the water, and shook his head. He squinted, then chuckled. "Ah, good old Log-a-Log!" He said, the started swimming for the camp.
"Well, laddo, if you two already have brands, then you should know that Cap'n Scarlet has a policy that all the ships have an individual mark, which shows which ship you've been on. So you can have another brand." The corsair spat.
Monka sighed, he knew this, but it had been worth a try.
They were at the pole, the corsairs tried them to it, and then brought out the red hot branding toil. The started with Monka, the brands went on your back, so when they saw Monka's back they were shocked. "When you said you'd been branded you weren't joking." The corsair said, shaking his head. Monka's back was covered in brands.
OOC: There's a bit of PP in there. If you don't like it Corn, I can change it.
OOC: Is fine.
BIC: Bryony bit her lip, to keep from gasping at the sight of Monka's back. And when the corsair approached her with the branding iron, she held her head high, and clenched her teeth, resolving to keep from screaming, whimpering, or otherwise making any noise or movements connected to the pain. She failed. She screamed, and then was catapulted into bad memories, and started shivering, and sweating at the same time.
Fern read the newest message from Martin, sighed again, and kept going. "Yeah, I guess Cien kinda caused all this... I'm not sure if he's completely evil, or what... we used to be good friends." She kept going, making good time.
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"Thanks. Guess we'd better get going then," Mycroft said, heading towards the logboats with the Redwallers behind him.
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Cheated of his candied chestnuts, Glirid wandered into Great Hall. Twirling 'paw', he stopped and stared up at the tapestry of Martin. Though just a Dibbun, he knew how important Martin was to Redwall.
OOC: Any ideas for how he could find the plans?
OOC: Er...Ooh! Ooh! Maybe bathtime, and he scrambles behind Martin to hide?!?!?!
BIC: Skipper blew water from his nose as he climbed up ther bank, then went to sit on the side of one of the boats for a moment, waiting for the shrews to notice. It wouldn't be long.
Mycroft saw him first, however, and ran towards him. "SKIP! You're alive! Where've you been?!"
OOC: This'll be short! It's just about time to get ready!!!!!!
BIC: Skipper turned his head. "Yes, Skip's my name! And, yes, I'm alive. Barely. As for where I've been, that'll wait until we get goin' to get Bryony, and her boyfriend, and I get some food in me." He said, rather weakly. He was trying to be funny, and wasn't sure it was working. He got off the log boat, and started walking the rest of the way to Mycroft. Now that he was standing, you could see all the bandages, and dried blood...He looked a nightmare, in short.
OOC: That's an idea! Thanks! But I won't do it just yet. BIC:
Now that he could see the otter properly, Mycroft realized he was badly injured. He reached Skipper and looked at him closely. "Skip, are you alright? What blinkin' well happened to you? And where's the rest of your crew?"
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Fern continued journeying through Mossflower, unaware that Skipper had already been found, so soon after she'd left.
''Skip!''
Marshall saw him as he stood up out of the water.
''What happened pal?''
Skipper did not look like the otter Marshall knew. He looked like some savage beast straight out of a war.
Log A Log screamed out, ''WHAT HAPPENED!!!''
He had a small anxiety attack.
"Don't ask, mates." Skipper said, grimly. He then started trying to get the log boats into a good position to get into the water. "Somebeast help that shrew, would ya?" He said, noticing Log-a-Log's anxiety attack.
Monka gritted his teeth has the hot iron burnt his flesh, he didn't scream, it wasn't because he was used it, it was cos he could barely feel it. He could barely feel his back full stop. But the sound of Bryony's agonised screams filled him with enough pain to last a life time. This was all his fault, if she had never found him, she'd be back at her Abbey thing, safe, and sound.
-----------------
Cien jumped up at the sound of more pain filled screams, "I thought she'd down them all? Has she found some more poor beasts?" Cien wondered aloud.
Bryony snapped out of it, just in time to see one of the corsairs examining her wrists, paws, and the part of her back that wasn't scorched. He looked her over again, and then whispered to one of his crewmates, then left to go find Scarlet. That squirrelmaid had been a slave before; He could tell. Perhaps Scarlet would want to change her mind about about putting her in the galley? Scrange, for that was his name, started to look for Scarlet, and soon found her. "Ma'am, that squirrelmaiod we just branded, that you ordered put into the galley? Well, she's been a slave before. Not on a ship, though. Perhaps you'd like for me to take her where the other one's going?" He said nervously. Scarlet scared him, quite frankly. And for good reason. He'd been with her longer than most of the others, and knew better what she was capable of.
Marshall grabbed Log A Log .
"Calm down mate! Skips here, we just have to get him back to good health ite!"
Log A Log calmed down some, but not much.
"He but he bu-"
He could not talk at all. He was panic stricken.
Scarlet gave the corsair a withering glare, it was a while before she spoke, "Go ask Reki if he needs her, if not she will work in the kitchens."
---------------------
Monka looked worriedly over at Bryony, he wondered how'd she react now it was over.
Bryony was gaspoing, and caught Monka's glance. "I'm fine...I think." She whispered, then got slapped on the cheek. "No talkin' yew two!" The corsair said, then then jumped as Bryony snapped her teeth at his paw, missing by half a fraction. Then she spit out the already loose tooth, aiming for his face. He growled at her, "Yew better watch itm, if'n ya want ta live!" Bryony just glared at him, then turned her face back to the pole, not admitting that the movements had hurt. Really, really, badly.
---------------------------------------
Scrange looked for Reki, for about two minutes, then found him. "Reki. One of the newly branded slaves has been a slave before. Not on a ship, but I can tell by the fur on her paws, back, and wrists. Miss Scarlet wants to know if you can use her." He said, after tapping him on the shoulder.
Reki thought about, then began checking up, and down the line, he stopped by the young, lame squirrel. "This one's getting weak. This new girl can replace him. Tie some stones to his paws, and dump him in the river. He's of no more use."
The lame squirrel shrieked, and begged, but the corsairs only laughed, and dragged him off.
"Alright." Scrange said, then made his way back to where Bryony and Monka were. "New orders. She's not going to the galley. She's staying with him." Scrange said, then waited for the others to untie them, then retie them.
The lame squirrel was dragged past Monka, and Bryony, then stones were tied to him, and he was thrown overboard. The corsairs laughed as he struggled in the water.
OOC: Maybe he could be swept down stream, and the shrews find 'im.
Bryony tuened her head away from the sight, cringing at the poor squirrel's fate. Then she was been tied up again, and being lead off. To the place where they rowed, she guessed.
Monka was untied too, and lead off into the galley.
Bryony was untied, chained to the oar, and then set to work. After not getting the pace right, Scrange sighed, went to Reki, and said, "That squirrelmaid's not getting the pace. I've whipped, but that only got her more out. Think we should see if Scarelt wants to switch her?"
OOC: I'm trying to get Monka and Bryony together. ;)
Reki rolled his eyes, and sighed impatiently, "You were the one who brought her down here! She can't be switched, I just threw away the slave who was at that oar. Put her with someone else, someone who she can get the pace from. We have to get to the island my nightfall or we'll be pulling an oar."
"Look here, mate," Mycroft said to Log a Log. "Calm down, alright? Skip's gonna be okay." He then turned to Skipper. "You bally well need a healer. Marshall, do you know if there's a Guosim healer?" He didn't ask Log a Log because he still seemed to be freaking out.
-------------------------
Mirelle had seen the weak, crippled squirrel dragged off, and she shuddered, sure that something terrible was in store for him. The ottermaid then saw two other squirrels dragged in and each chained to a different oar. With some surprise, she saw that one of them was Bryony. She looked at the squirrelmaid for a moment, but averted her eyes when she was whipped. The ottermaid kept rowing, trying to keep up with the pace, but she knew she couldn't manage much longer.
"Hmmm, wait, there is Gyiop. I'll go fetch her !"
Marshall returned a moment later with a young looking shrew. By the look of her, you could see she was a healer.
"Marshall! You did not tell me Skip was this bad!"
"Please just help Gyiop please!"
"Fione!"
She went about dressing him and putting different herbs and remidies on him.
When Log A Log saw Skipper being dressed, he calmed down.
OOC: Anyone can Pp Gyiop
Skipper reluctantly allowed Gyiop to attend to him, and then he brushed her off. "Thank ye, darlin', I appreciate it. But I need to get that fool of a Bryony back." He said, then gave her a pat to show that he really did appreciate it, then went back to his task of getting the boat into the water.
------------------------------------------------
"Alright, alright!" Scrange snapped, then stalked away. "You, you, an' you!" He said, motioning to three vermin. "Unchain that otter over there, and swicth her weith this one." He snapped, standing by Bryony. Then he unchained her, and as the others brought the otter back where Bryony was, stuck him there. Next thing she knew, she was next to an ottermaid. She had passed Monbka, and had to concetrate not to cry. If only she hadn't stormed out of the Abbey, he wouldn't be in this mess, and neither would she.
"I'm with ya too Skip! Gyiop, stay with Loggy."
OOC: @Jukka, Mirellle should know Bryony cos she's part of Skipper's late ottercrew right?
BIC: Monka saw Bryony being put with someone else, that cheered him a tiny bit, at least she wouldn't have to pull an oar alone.
Bryony thought that the ottermaid was looking familiar.. "Mirelle? What are you doing here?!?" She whispered, starting to row, and missing the beat. Yet again. Then she corrected herself, and started doing a little better.
OOC: Oops! I edited my last post, Rach. Thanks for pointing that out! BIC:
Mirelle glanced at Bryony. "I could ask you the same question."
----------------------------------
"I'm comin' with you chaps," Mycroft declared. He turned around and faced the Abbeybeasts. "You chaps and chapesses can head back to Redwall, now that we've found Skip."
To his surprise, every Redwaller insisted on sticking with him.
"Don't ask. Just don't." Bryony whispered, then fell silent when a vermin passed her.
-------------------------
Skipper sighed. "Can we just get goin', already?!?!?" He asked, tapping his rudder impatiently. Then he stopped - Apparently, his rudder'd gotten banged up.
Before Mirelle could reply, she suddenly fainted from exhaustion, pain and blood loss, slumping against Bryony without a sound.
------------------------
"Aye, let's get going," Mycroft said, stepping into a logboat with the Redwallers and some Guosim.
Marshall got into a boat with Skip.
''Did you see Cien on the ship?''
He picked up a paddle and started paddling.
Monka had stopped watching Bryony, without meaning to, he had slipped back into oar-slave mode. Looking straight in front of him, and counting the beats, they were going fast, very fast. They were almost at double speed.
"Caught a few glimpses of 'im." Skipper replied to Marshall, looking straight ahead, and then he suddenly said stop. He leaped into the water, and started swimming for something that was floating along the bank. A fish had nudged it loose, by accident, and now Skipper's daughter was floating along. He swam over, and picked up the body, and swam slowly back to the boats, solemnly.
--------------------------------------
Bryony jumped in shock when Mirelle fainted against her, her eyes widened, but she didn't do anything, just kept rowing. She took one paw off the oar, and pushed her upright, then dug her elbow into Mirelle's ribs. Then she had to keep rowing.
OOC: That OK, Jukka?
Reki's hunch-ferret walked past Bryony, and Mirelle, menacing with his whip, then he saw that the otter had stopped rowing, and the squirrel was out of time. He raised his whip, and expertly lashed it across both their backs.
Marshall was in shock.
"Skip! No please no!"
He took a closer look at the body.
"If you like, we can stop and bury her."
He felt so bad for Skipper, but even worse hate for Scarlet.
Scarlet had her boots up on her desk, her headscarf lay dissuaded on her bed, so did her jacket. She just sat, dealing with an inner turmoil which Cien had started up. She couldn't help liking him, he was so handsome, and strong, and inside, such a leader, and a brilliant Captain. Why had he had to spoil things, and get a conscious?
Brtyony gasped, then glared at the vermin. "Yiou'll have to do better than that to hear me scream, ferret. Try that again, I dare you." She growled.
------------------------------------
Skipper tread water, silently crying and hugging the body close to him, and he nodded at Marshall. He swam to the bank, and sat, still crying and holding her.
The ferret laughed, "If you insist!" He went at her hard, she wouldn't last long, at first they were all strong headed, but after a while their souls began to break.
Bryony sat up straight, not even flinching. She'd gotten much, much worse than this. When the ferret stopped, she looked at him and said, "That all you got?" She realized she was creating a bit of a ruckus, but didn't really care. Honestly, it kept the attention off of others who were worse off than her.
The ferret's face darkened, "Fine then miss. You asked for it."
He turned on his heel, and soon returned with a scourge, with broken glass, and spiked pieces of metal platted into it. But he didn't go over to Bryony, he went over to Monka. "Let's see who long your boyfriend lasts before he passes out then." The ferret laughed
Monka went pale, these things hurt.
Bryony went red, then white, then red. She stood up, and ripped a hunk of wood out of the seat, and threw it at him. It hit. She did it again. It hit. She got strong when she got mad, as the vermin at Riftgard had realized. And, the seat wasn't all that sturdy. Soon, the seat around her was full of strange lo0oking marks, and the ferret had quite a few splinters in his head. Scrange had passed by her, and then went over to the ferret, and whispered, "Her eyes are turning red! You'd better stop it. You remember the last slave whose eyes turned red?"The last slave whose eyes had turned red (He';d been a vole) had somehow ripped the chain from the bottom of the ship, and had brained someone so hard that the crewrat had died.
OOC: That's fine, Cornflower. BIC:
Mirelle remained unconscious when Bryony elbowed her in the ribs, but when the ferret whipped her, she came out of her faint with a groan of pain. Grasping the oar handle again, she began rowing mechanically, focusing on nothing else.
---------------------------------
Mycroft watched silently from the logboat. He was truly sorry for Skipper, but felt that the otter would probably like to be left alone right then.
---------------------------------
Glirid wandered slowly around Great Hall for a few minutes. After a bit, he peeked out the door leading to the lawns, intending to go to the pond. However, when he saw a few Redwall Sisters on the lawns rounding up some Dibbuns for bathtime, he decided to stay inside.
A moment later, the little dormouse panicked when the Sisters and their complaining group of Dibbuns began heading towards Great Hall. Glirid looked around wildly for a place to hide.
Then he saw the tapestry. He ducked between it and the wall, hoping he wouldn't be seen.
Marshall went slowly up to the bank, trying not to disturb Skipper.
He started digging a shallow hole near Skip.
The ferret began shouting, and calling for help, and for someone to tighten her chain. What with all the shouting, and screaming, Reki came out of his sort of cabin at the back of the galleys. He took one looked at the situation, and sent word to Scarlet. She would not appreciate this kind of behaviour on her ship. The hench-ferret used Scrange as a living shield, and raised his scourge, and began beating at Monka, while hidden behind Scrange. Monka howled in pain, as his body was beaten, and sliced open at the same time.
Glirid sucked in his tummy, trying to make himself as small as possible under the tapestry. He didn't think about the fact that his legs weren't hidden, and that anybeast could see him if they happened to look his way. The sounds of the Dibbuns and the two Sisters shepherding them along drew closer... and just when they would have seen him, a squabble broke out among a couple of observant Dibbuns.
They had noticed Glirid behind the tapestry, and didn't want him to get caught. So they ran to the opposite side of Great Hall and started yelling at each other as a distraction. The Sisters went and separated them, and then continued to the dormitories without noticing Glirid.
Glirid himself didn't realize how narrowly he'd escaped, but he was glad he didn't have to take a bath. Just before he slipped out from behind the tapestry, however, the Dibbun realized there was a shallow hole in the wall right behind his head. He turned around and reached his paw in. Feeling parchment, he grabbed it, slipped out from behind the tapestry, and sat down with his back against the wall to examine his find.
Bryony's eyes turned blood red. With a scream of rage at hearing Monka scream, she started trying to get over there. She kept tugging, and tugging, and tugging on her chain, getting even madder (And therefore stronger) until she was free. She stormed up the aisle, grabbed Scrange, and tossed him aside. She flung herself at the ferret, knocking him over, and then bit the paw holding the scourge. He yelled, and let go. She kicked it away, and started hitting the ferret (Along with clawing, and other cat-fighting maneuvers). She beat him into unconsciousness, ansd then stood up, breathing heavily and her eyes still red. She positioned herself in front of Monka, oblivious to pretty much everything except the vermin.
After getting tossed, Scrange had considered getting back into the fight, then flung himself overboard, whimpering, and swam from the bank. Then he took off into Mossflower Woods, and found his second cousin twice removed, and lived with him peacefully for the rest of his life. Although he never did learn to like the taste of potatoes.
Reki swore, why hadn't someone checked the chains. He had know some of them were old, and rusted. He went back into his cabin, and got his throwing knives, he wouldn't kill the squirrel, if possible, but he could pin her to the deck by her footpaw if necessary, he'd handled badgers with bloodwrath before now, she couldn't be worse than that.
-----------------
Scarlet had also heard, and sent crew members down before her with loaded bows, then she went her self with her prize crossbow. She got there just as the rest of the crew did. She nodded at Reki, who threw his blade, and she loaded her crossbow, if the squirrel tried to move, she'd get her.
-----------------
Monka saw everyone coming, and surrounding Bryony, he turned, and screamed at her, "Stoppit! Stoppit now! Bryony, just stop!"
Bryony was still quite oblivious, and she watched, as if it was in slow motion, a knife that was flying through the air towards her. She stepped aside, and the blade hit the deck right where one of her footpaws had been. Just about then, her mind processed Monka's screaming at her to stop, and she blinked, frowned, swayed, then toppled over, straight onto his lap, having fainted from the after effects of Bloodwrath, and the whipping, and stress from the past few days.
OOC: How, what a sentence! Sorry for the run-on-sentence for all you grammar Nazis!
OOC: Not a big deal, but it's actually 'grammar', with an 'a'. ;D I've noticed lots of people do that when they're correcting someone else's grammar, and it's kinda funny. Oh, and shouldn't you post as Skipper now?
BIC:
Mirelle barely noticed Bryony's berserk fit, or any of the events that followed. She just continued rowing, staring at the back of the rower in front of her as though her head was in another galaxy.
OOC: Hehehe... yeah. BIC:
Fern continued trekking through Mossflower. As she was alone, she was able to travel faster, and therefore reached the Abbey within forty-five minutes. She knocked on the east wallgate, hoping somebeast would hear and let her in.
-----------------------
Glirid studied the parchment, unable to figure out what the drawings on it were. After a while, he tired of it and tossed the paper on the ground, intending to go out to the pond like he had been going to earlier. Just then, however, three kitchen helpers exited the Kitchens pushing trolleys of plates and dishes, about to set the tables in Great Hall for supper. One of them, the squirrelmaid who had stopped Glirid from pinching candied chestnuts, spotted the Dibbun and walked over to him.
"What's that you've got, little 'un?" she asked, stooping to pick up the parchment. She looked at it for a moment, then asked, "Where'd you get this?"
Glirid pointed with 'paw'. "In da wall be'ind da tapestry."
OOC: HOO HAHAHAHA!! Head in another galaxy....HWAHAHAHA!! And, thank you for pointing that out....HJehehee, that's funny!! And, you're also right - It's time for Skip to come into the picture. And, also, what's going on with the people at the Abbey? I haven't been able to use Bryant in FOREVER.
BIC: Skipper hung on to Arbella, his daughter, for quite some time. He waited until the very last minuite to put her in the hole Marshall dug, and then he simply got back into the boat and waited.
OOC: ;D
About Bryant: I dunno. :P Fern just got back, and Glirid can't really interact with Bryant right now... I guess Bryant's just sitting in the infirmary, with Sister Flupit tending him...
Anyway, BIC:
After a short time, a Brother heard Fern and hurried over. "Who's there?"
"It's Abbess Fern! I'm by myself. Nothing's gone wrong," she added, as the Brother swung the gate open, "I'm just supposed to stay here at Redwall. Martin the Warrior insisted, so... yeah, I had to." She thanked the Brother for letting her in and hurried into Great Hall. The kitchen helpers looked up in surprise. "Abbess Fern! You're back already!"
"Yes, I am. The rest of the search party are still out in Mossflower," she said, then quickly explained about how Martin had told her to stay at Redwall.
After she'd finished, the squirrelmaid kitchen helper approached with a parchment in her paw. "Mother Abbess, I think you should look at this."
Marshall finished covering up the body. Afterwords, he went and picked a bloosom from the bank and placed it on top of the grave .
He went back in the boat.
"We'll now, which have have the otta'a gone. Skip?"
Scarlet had been about to fire, but as the squirrelmaid had fainted, didn't bother. "Tie her up, and the tie her to the mast pole. Use strong chains this time."
Monka examined Bryony worriedly, yes, she was still breathing, before he could do anything else, she was torn away from him.
------------------------
Sister Lupine had decided to go tell Bryant of the happenings. He would want to know about Bryony. She knocked on the door gently, then went in.
Bryant had been daydreaming, then heard a knock, and the doot opened. "Oh, hello Sister. Is something wrong?" He asked, sitting up on his bed.
----------------------------------
Bryony woke up, and noticed that she was in the process of being bound to the mast, with really strong chains. "Well, this is great. What'd I do? Oh, now I remember....Good grief, was that really me? She wondered, remembering her performance below. I don't suppose they know that at the moment, I couldn't stand without this chain's help. She thought ruefully. She was also wondering what was going to happen. Nothing pleasant - She'd bet her tail on that.
Fern took the parchment, curious as to what it was. After looking at it for just a moment, she realized with surprise that it was the blueprints for a ship - a ship with wheels and two enormous crossbows. This reminded the Abbess of something she'd read about in some old Abbey records, of the Winter of Slaughter, the Rogue Crew, and Razzid Wearat. She looked up from examining the plans, directing a question at the squirrelmaid.
"Where'd you find this?"
"Oh, I didn't find it, marm, it was little Glirid over there. He says he found it in the wall behind the tapestry. I'm not so sure about that."
Fern walked briskly over to the Dibbun, who was standing by the tapestry sucking his paw. "We'll soon find out. Glirid, could you show me where you found this?"
-----------------------------
Glirid nodded and toddled over to the tapestry. He lifted the edge and pointed with his wet paw. "In dere, in da wall."
-----------------------------
Fern felt behind the tapestry. Her paw encountered a small space in the wall, and she pulled her arm back, satisfied that Glirid was telling the truth.
"He really did find it there," she informed the squirrelmaid. She glanced at the parchment again, wondering who in the world put it in the wall - and then she realized something startling.
The pawwriting on the blueprints was Cien's.
"Hello. How are you feeling?" Sister Lupine smiled, as she crossed the room.
---------------------
Scarlet watched as the squirrelmaid was tied up, she nodded to Reki, who got out his own scourge, and then he ordered several corsairs to collect buckets of sea water, for they had now only just reached the sea.
"Much better, thank you." Bryant said, smiling. "What time is it?" He asked, wondering also what time he was going to get fed.
-----------------------------------
Bryony's eyes widened as she watched Reki get out his scourge, and she swallowed hard, and then decided to retreat into a small corner of her mind. That had always helped when she'd had to face severe punishment, as she wasn't really6 feeling the pain until she cam,e back out. Which could be anywhere from three minutes to three hours. She retreated.
Tripper had nodded of, but when lupine came in, he awoke.
"G'day marm! How ya been?"
Skipper watched the grave until it was out of sight, then noticed a sidestream that he knew an otter holt lived on. "Stop here. I'll be back shortly." He said gruffly, then dived overboard, swimming for the holt.
''Well, alright then!''
Marshall stuck his paddle to slow down the boat.
"Oh, it must be almost evening!" Lupine gasped, "Oh, how time flies! Oh, and I'm alright Tripper. Well...." Her voice trailed off.
--------------------------
Reki smiled, and cracked his whip, then went about whipping the squirrel with gusto. After five minutes of this, he ordered the corsairs with the buckets to throw the water over her. The salt water would sting terribly.
Fern was a bit confused. Alright, so Cien had been a slave trader, but where had he gotten the plans? Or did he make them up himself? And why did he hide them in the wall, anyway?
After a moment of deliberation, the Abbess decided to go talk with Sister Lupine about this discovery. She thanked the squirrelmaid for bringing the plans to her and set off.
She figured Lupine would be in her room, but when she wasn't, Fern decided to try the Infirmary instead. She opened the door and entered. Right away she saw Lupine, who was talking to Bryant.
"Evening already? Okay. When's the next meal? I haven't had much since breakfast." Bryant said honestly. He assumed that they had been forgotten.
-------------------------------
Bryony held up for about three lashes of the scourge, then screamed. Being beaten and sliced open at the same time really hurt! Her screams rose higher with every blow, and when it stopped, she panted, then screamed again as the sea water hit her back.
''I am quite famished meself!''
When Tripper saw Fern walk in, he did not know what to say.
''Um, hi marm! Who are ye again?''
Bryant vaguely remembered that this hare was in charge, "Oh! Er, gopod evening marm." He said politely, debating to himself whether or not he should stand up, or something. He didn't exactly know how the Redwallers did things here, so he was going by vermin standards.
Sister Lupine turned, and smiled at Fern, "Oh, hi Fern. Back so soon? What happened?"
------------------------
Cien heard yet more screaming, "Gee Scarlet, what are you trying to do? Kill them all?"
He went over to the door, and tried it, he knew it was locked, but he wanted to know it was locked. A key, darn. Unless he found something to pick the lock with, but what would be the point? Where would he go?
------------------
Reki, ordered the corsairs to stop with the water, and went back to whipping, "She won't take much more of this ma'am!" He called to Scarlet.
"Good keep going until she passes out." Scarlet said, completely unbothered.
Bryony screamed yet again, and kept screaming. most of the slaves below winced at the sound of her pain.
OOC What exactly is Monka's reaction, Hmm?
"I'm Abbess Fern," she said in reply to Tripper. "I hope you and Bryant are doing alright." In response to Lupine she laughed a bit and said, "Martin appeared and insisted I stay at Redwall, 'cause my duty is here. He was rather snarky - I have no idea why. Anyway, Mycroft and the rest of the search party are still out there. But there's something strange I came to talk to you about, Lupine. When I got back, one of the kitchen helpers gave me this." Fern offered the blueprints to Lupine. "She said one of the Dibbuns had found it in the wall behind the tapestry. It's the plans to a ship, a ship that looks exactly like..." she lowered her voice, "...the Greenshroud, Razzid Wearat's ship from seasons ago. And it has Cien's pawwriting on it."
Bryant had sharp ears, and he couldn't help overhearing. "Er, I'm sorry, Ma'ams, I couldn't help but hear. But, Blood Siren's pawwriting on ship blueprints? Maybe Scarlet has something to do with this." He ventured, hoping they wouldn't mind him butting in on their conversation.
Monka heard Bryony's agony, and covered his ears, slowly rocking backwards, and forwards, tears forcing their way down his face. "It's my fault, It's my fault, It's my fault, It's my fault, It's my fault." He kept saying to himself, barley above a whisper. "It's my fault, It's my fault, It's my fault."
---------------------
Sister Lupine took the blueprints, and looked at them. When Bryant spoke, she couldn't help but snapping, "His name's Cien!" She shook her head, and quickly apologised, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...I'm just really confused."
She looked at the blueprints again, "I can't make head or tail of them, I've never even seen a ship. Bryant? Could you help with these?"
''Oh, well G'day marm!''
Tripper layed back. He was very happy to be in a place like Redwall.
When he heard Sister Lupine say something about ships he spoke up.
''Well, I used to work on a simple merchant ship. Could I be of any use?''
OOC: Cornflower, where is Skip?
OOC: Oopsies....
BIC: Bryony knew what was coming, as the whipping stopped. She scrunched up her tear-stained face, waiting for the seawater to come. She did not have to wait long, and then the flogging started up again. She was about hoarse, and then the black waters of unconsciousness rose up to meet her, and she went gratefully, and she went limp, dead to the world.
-------------------------------------------------
Skipper was back soon, with two score otters fo9llowing him. "Throw 'em some tow ropes. They're going to help us, mates." He said, then flung a line into the water.
--------------------------------------------------
Bryant flinched at Lupine's retort, and said meekly, "Sorry, ma'am. Yeah, I could probably help you, as copuld Tripper here." He said, then motioned with his head towards the shrew.
---------------------------------------
An old mouse behind Monka murmured, "No, it's not your fault...She chose that, Surely she knew there would be consequences, and she chose those over you getting hurt. It's not your fault. She's young, she'll heal, and the power of love helps strengthen." He murmured comfortingly, and gently patted Monka on the shoulder.
Marshall was astonished.
"We'll then! Sure thing Skip!"
Marshall threw over some ropes.
Tripper hobbled out of his bed and made his way to the group.
" Let's see, what have we got here !"
Lupine handed the blueprints over to Tripper.
--------------------
Monka flinched at the contact, and murmured, "It is my fault. If she hadn't found me, then she'd be safe at her Abbey with her brother. Its all my fault!"
----------------
Reki put down his scourge, and went over to Bryony. He checked to see she was actually unconscious, was satisfied, and called over to Scarlet. "She's out! What shall I do with her now?"
Scarlet thought for a moment, then smiled, "Lock her up in Seashadow's cabin. Make sure the chains are good, and strong."
Reki was a little confused, but did was he was ordered. He had Bryony untied, then chained up, and put in the cabin. Cien was even more surprised, when he saw Bryony. As soon as the door was locked he ran over to her, and checked her breathing. Yes, she was alive. "Oh, what have they done to you?" He groaned, and picked her up, and put her on the bed.
"Oh, son.....I see that you can't see what I saw when the squirrel flung herself in front of you. She, whether or not you like it, feels something a bit stronger than comradeship for you....Something a lot stronger." The mouse said, then leaned back again.
--------------------------------------------------
Bryant looked over Tripper's shoulder, and frowned. This was....Interesting, to say the least.
------------------------------------------------
Bryony gasped, and was brought back, when Cien picked her up. "OW." She muttered, then opened her eyes, and remembered all that had happened. "Monka!" She said as she sat upright, then gasped in pain as that hurt her bloodied back.
"Lie still!" Cien ordered, fetching a jug full of water from across the room, "If they flung salt water on you, then at least it will have cleaned the wounds." He muttered.
-------------
Monka heard the mouse's words, but they did seem to make any sense to him. But then, they were ordered to row at double speed again, and he had no time to think.
"But, but, Monka! What if they hurt him again?!?" Bryony asked, but lay still again. Old habits die hard, she supposed. "And, yes, they did fling sea water on me. Twice." She said.
"Good." Cien sighed, as he rolled Bryony onto her stomach.
OOC: Can we just skip him sorting her out. I know very little of healing.
OOC: Yes. Unless, you want me to give you some tips...I some things about healing. But, then, I don't think there's any herbs around, is there?
OOC: Not really. They are locked up in a cabin. ::)
OOC: I know.
BIC: "Are you done yet, Cien?" Bryony asked. Being on her stomach was a tad bit uncomfortable.
"Almost." Cien said, he'd made make shift bandages out of the sheets on the bed, and washed her wounds, but apart from that, he hadn't been able to do much. "there, all done."
"Thank you." Bryony said gratefully, then she sat up slowly. "What now? And what was going on at the Abbey last night?" She asked, staring him in the eye.
"It has nothing to do with you. And if you had any sense, you'd still be at the Abbey." Cien snapped, and went, and sat over in the corner, with his back to Bryony.
"Oh, yeah? Well, maybe I'm just a squirrel who cares about her brother, and then finds someone who's cute, and nice....And understands...And so maybe I don't have sense, because I care too much. Far too much..." Bryony said, tears coming to her eyes, but then she blinked them back.
"And this guy seems to have just dropped you, so look where caring got you." Cien growled, still staring at the wall.
No, actually, he's down there rowing! How on earth do you think I got in this cabin? They started beating him, and I.......Lost it. In other words, my cvhain was rusty. And have I mentioned the seat that6 now is sporting a new backing?" Bryony said, then giggled.
Cien rolled his eyes, and moaned quietly, "Why did Scarlet put her in here?"
"Is that her name? Scarlet?" Bryony asked, immediately alert, and no longer laughing.
"Yes, it is, not shuttit!"
"No, thank you. My voice is my own." Bryony said, then fell quiet. Then she started to hum an old lullaby.
"Welcome aboard, mates!" Mycroft called to the otters. "We can jolly well use all the help we can get! Thanks for gettin' reinforcements, Skip."
-------------------------------
She looked at the blueprints again, "I can't make head or tail of them, I've never even seen a ship. Bryant? Could you help with these?"
"Oh, that's alright. I just wanted your opinion on them, but yeah... I'm rather confused too..." Fern went on as the blueprints were passed to Bryant, and then Tripper. "I just don't know if Cien made them up off the top of his head, or if he copied them from somewhere, and why he hid them behind the tapestry... And the fact that the ship those plans are for looks completely like the Greenshroud... it's just weird. Maybe Scarlet does have something to do with it," she mused.
OOC: Tripper has them, and Bryant's peering over the shrew's shoulder.
BIC: Bryant frowned agaun, "Uh, ma'ams? Could this good shrew and I have a moment alone to discuss this?" He asked, noting the writing, such as, Big crossbow here. And My cabin here...Scarlet's next to mine.
"Well it is almost the exact copy of the ship. He must have copied em' somewhere!"
Tripper stepped back with Bryant.
"What ya need your fella'!"
OOC: Gonff, I'm afraid I can't make head or tail out of that last line.......Mind enlightening me?
Cien gritted his teeth, and stared at the wall. Unknowingly, he reached for his chest, and ran his fingers over the brand, he had never felt so much pain, and never would again.
Outside the sun slowly began to set, the sky blurred pink, and purple, then fiery red, and orange, as if it wanted to hold on a little longer before nightfall.
"So you think he copied 'em?" Fern asked, looking a bit confused. "I wonder where he found the original plans. And why'd he hide the copy behind the tapestry? Bryant, d'you know anything about Cien that might shed some light on this?"
"All I know about Bloo- Er, Cien, is that he was rather involved with Scarlet, the ottermaid who came last night, likes (Or, at least, he did) his ale, perhaps a tad bit too much, and he can be merciless." Bryant said, then shrugged. "Sorry. I was an oarslave - The only times I saw him was when he'd venture down to the galley and demand why we weren't rowing fast enough, or when I made trouble. That's all I can tell you, ma'ams."
"Well, thank you anyway, Bryant." Fern sat for a moment, reflecting on the events of the past couple of days. "Who would have thought it - Cien, a slave trader..."
She then stood up. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I believe supper is about to be served in Great Hall. I'll leave the blueprints with you guys for now. And don't worry, your food will be brought up to you shortly." Fern slipped out of the Infirmary and walked calmly downstairs to Great Hall.
The food had already been set out, and Abbeybeasts were seating themselves, whispering to one another. As their Abbess entered, the whispering grew louder, and Fern caught snatches of it, like, "See? Told you she's back already," and "Do you think anything went wrong? Is Skip alright?"
Fern took her place at the head of the main table and raised her paws for silence. Immediately a hush fell upon the creatures gathered round. The hare Abbess smiled.
"As you can see, I'm back. Martin the Warrior wanted me to return, so I had no choice. But there's no need for worry; Mycroft and the search party have met up with the Guosim, and I'm sure they'll locate Skipper and his crew. Now, if I may say grace." She intoned the grace, and everybeast listened respectfully, then started eating.
OOC: I hate autocorrect! It's ment to say young not your.
BIC : "Well, I don't know where he could of copied em' marm."
He stood back as the Abbess left.
"So, what ya need?"
"This writing. It.....Kinda disturbs me. And the ship itself. What do you think, Tripper? Why would he have drawn these blueprints?" Bryant asked, indicating the documents with his paw.
"We'll I used t' work with his parents on a merchant ship. He and that Scarlet gal were always together . I saw him turn worse by the day. When his parents died, he took over the ship. It became a slave ship . I bet you were on it. He might have made these for this Scarlet. They are probably goin ' t' build it and make a slave system I guess."
"Oh, yes. I was on it. Made a lot of trouble, too." Bryant said, then grinned.
Sister Lupine listened quietly, then she sudden thought of something, "Do you think Scarlet came back for Cien, to get these plans?"
"That may very well be it, Sister. But we don't really know..." Bryant said slowly, thinking.
Monka rowed on, blisters appearing on his leather like paws. He thought he'd be rowing for ever, when suddenly, they were ordered to stop, and pull in the oars. Wow, that was fast! So, we can't be too far from the main land then.He thought.
------------------
Sister Lupine sighed, and nodded, "I guess so."
Bryony was trying to get to sleep, when when she noticed through the little round window the oar that she could see was being pulled in. "Uh, Cien? The oars are stopping, and being pulled in. Do you think we can be there yet?" She asked, sitting up and peering over at the otter.
Dully, Mirelle noticed that everybeast had stopped rowing and were pulling in their oars. She did likewise, then leaned against the wall as much as the chains would allow, so tired she could barely think.
"Hmmm, if I was a slave trada, I would hide me plans. I could be likely."
Cien had noticed the lack of movement, and swallowed hard. Things for him would grow very unpleasant now. He ignored Bryony, and breathed in, and out to keep himself calm.
------------------
Down in the galley, corsairs were unchaining slaves from their seats, and chaining them to some long chains.
Monka was lead out, with some others. He knew what was happening, they had reached their destination, and now the slaves were being locked up somewhere, until they were needed again.
--------------------------
Sister Lupine sighed again, and then said, "I'll go get you two some dinner, or remind the kitchen staff that you need feeding." She smiled, then left then, closing the door gently.
OOC: Where's Scarlet?
OOC: I'm getting there! ::)
BIC: Scarlet was out on deck, she watched as deckhands moored the ship. Then she strode, purposely, toward the jetty. There was someone waiting for her, "Good evening Sir. I've brought the package. He's in a cabin, with a troublesome slave. I thought he'd want company."
The ferret she was speaking to nodded his head, "The master will be pleased. We have everything ready for the package. Have you been able to extract anything useful from him?"
"Not yet, sir."
"Fine. We'll get right on to it then."
Monka was being lead past the two at the time, and he heard almost all of the conversation. Very interesting.
------------------------
Five corsairs approached Cien's, two for Bryony, the rest for Cien. They opened the door, and marched in, chaining Cien up instantly, then two of them turned to Bryony, "Come quietly, and it'll be better for you, and your boyfriend."
"He's not my boyfriend." Bryony growled, but she was reallty too tired to do much more than that.
The corsairs smirked, and chained her up. "Lets go then."
Cien was already being lead off.
OOC: A bit of PP here. Is that ok?
OOC: 'Tis fine.
BIC: Bryony went along, scanning her surroundings. She thought she might find something familiar, but no luck. She sighed, and then started staring at the ground.
The ferret smiled as Cien was brought over to him, "Aw, there you are Blood Siren."
Cien swore at him, and the ferret chuckled, "Well, I guess we better start immediately."
Bryony perked up her ears as the ferret called Cien Blood Siren, and then she was marching in front of him.
Cien was lead off toward a big, ugly looking building, made from grey stone, up a gravel path from the jetty. Scarlet, and the ferret followed.
"That doesn't look too good..." Bryony murmured, then recieved a cuff to her ear. "Sharrap!" One of her gaurdds said, and she complied.
OOC: Rach, when are the slaves going to be in a building? (Or whatever it is they're going to?)
OOC: Oops!
BIC: The slaves were all lead off to another grey stone, miserable looking building. They were all locked up in dark, over crowded cells. Monka pushed to the bars, and looked frantically for Bryony.
Bryony was then shoved into a cell, and saw Monka pressing yup to the bars of another, next to the one she was in. "Monka!" She hissed, then noticed a loose stone n the wall. "Monka!" She called again, slightly louder, moving the stone out of the way.
Monka fought his way over, and sighed with relief to see Bryony, in basically one piece. "Thank goodness your alive!"
"Barely." She grimaced, remembering the sea water. "Are you alright? They didn't do anything to you?" She asked.
"No." Monka shook his head, feeling bad that Bryony had suffered, and he hadn't.
"Do you know where we are?" Bryony asked, then whirled around and stood in front of the hole, and hissed, "Get back from the hole. A guard's coming." Sure enough, a weasel came marching down the hall, and soon passed.
Monka was about to reply, when the guard came, and he had to jump backwards. Unfortunately he knocked into some other beasts, and had to ort himself out, then fight himself back to the hole. "I don't know the name of where we are. But I know it can't be too far from the coast."
"Alright....I know a thing or two about coasts. If we can get out of here, then we might be able to survive." She muremured.
-------------------------------------
Skipper was not a very happy camper at the moment. They'd gotten to the beach, but the ship had disappeared, and the Guosim logboats just weren't made to sail on the sea.
Monka's face darkened, and his eyes went slightly red, "I'm not leaving unless Scarlet is dead."
-------------------------
Cien closed his eyes tight shut. He tried to breath slowly, and deeply, but he was in to much pain. Voices were talking to him, but they might as well have been across an ocean. So much pain, so much pain, so much pain.
"What, you think I would?" Bryony retorted.
"Well, the way you were talking, yes, I did think you wanted to go!" Monka argued. He had to admit, she looked pretty when she was angry. Wait, what!?!
"I do! But, I'm not going to leave until she's paid back for what she had done to me!" Bryony said, then glared at Monka. His eyes look cuter when he's upset.....Hold up. Why did I just think that? Focus, dear Bryony. She thought.
Monka snorted, "What she's down to you? That's nothing compared to what she's down to me, and all these others! You should have gone home when you had the chance!"
She looks very......strong when her eyes blaze like that. It suits her. Wait, what? Not again! Focus Monka, nothing can get in the way of your focus!
"What, you think I'd leave you out get lost? No. Way." Bryony said, noting that his fur looked very nice in this light, then scolding herself
OOC: I think I'm having too much fun.....
OOC: Defiantly. :D
BIC: Monka huffed, and was about to respond, but realized he couldn't win the agreement, so he slid to the floor, and sulked.
Bryony smirked, and replaced the stone, also sliding down onto the floor.
Monka was about to complain about her putting the stone back, but didn't bother. He had to work out how to escape.
Bryony yelped as a male squirrel stepped onto her leg, and he crouched down, and said, "Oh, sorry darlin' My, but aren't you the pretty one?" Next thing he knew, his head was on the floor. "Humph!" She said, rubbing her foot. "He's got hard ribs." She muttered, then decided to put the stone back down on the floor.
Monka saw the stone move, and gave Bryony a look.
OOC: Bryony. It gets confusing even to me.
BIC: Bryony was still rubbing her foot. "What? I figured it would be safer. Some guy was just flirting with me! I don't think his head feels to good now, though. He has hard ribs." She admitted.
Mirelle had been put in a cell near Monka and Bryony. However, she was unaware of this, as she felt absolutely miserable. She curled up in a corner and tried to block out the background noise of the slaves as she drifted into a half-conscious state.
------------------------------
"Well, now what?" Mycroft asked as he gazed out over the ocean. He'd already been informed that the logboats didn't do well on the sea, and he rested his chin in his paws, discouraged. "We'll never get to the ship at this rate." This is a lot more than I bargained for, he told himself ruefully. We were only s'posed to find Skip, and now we're goin' on a whole journey. Not what I jolly well expected.
------------------------------
Fern had sent two kitchen assistants to bring supper to the Infirmary patients. This time it wasn't just bread and broth - it consisted of the same food everybeast else was eating. Carrying trays, the two assistants headed upstairs, passing Lupine on her way down. Entering the Infirmary, they gave Bryant and Tripper each a tray, then left.
------------------------------
Glirid had finished his supper and was walking away from the table, gnawing on an apple, when the Sister who had bathed the Dibbuns earlier saw him and realized he'd never been bathed. She picked him up and headed upstairs to give him a bath, ignoring his protests.
Bryant said thank you, but wasn't sure if he had been heard or not. Then he fell to eating.
Marshall was thinking hard about the situation.
"Maybe we could tie the boats togetha?"
"Thankee marm!"
Tripper started to eat the delicious food.
"I don't think that'll work, Marshall." Skipper said shortly. He wasn't in the best of moods.
Monka chuckled, but still said nothing.
"What's so funny?" Bryony asked indignantly. Then, there was a Thunk! "Would. You. Stay. Away. From. Me." She hissed, rubbing her foot again. "You'd think he would have gotten the message the first time." She sighed.
''Oh, Ok Skip!''
Marshall kept thinking about what to do.
Log a Log had heard Marshall's suggestion, and walked closer. "It just might work, Marshall. Skipper, I'll need your help with tying the boats." He said, then stumped off to the logboats, Skipper wordlessly getting up and following.
Marshall got up and also started to help. Maybe this plan could work!
Log a Lod arranged the boats in the pattern he wanted them, and had Skipper start tying knots, to keep them together.
Monka chuckled again, but then the smile ran away from his face as he realized something. In all the overcrowded cells, there was enough slaves to row entire ships. Some groups were smaller for smaller ships, some larger. But bryony, and him were in separate cells! So, at any time, corsairs could turn up, and take either one of them away to be used on a ship. And it would be unlikely they would ever meet up again!
Bryony then realized the same thing. "Hey, Monka? Do you think there's room for one more in that cell of yours?" She asked, then started growling. "If you set another toe closer to me, then I do believe I'll show you that those two kicks were nothing."
"Okay, okay!" The squirrel said, then quickly moved to the other side of the cell. "That's better." She muttered.
Monka shrugged, "Even if there was, how would you get in? Unless your gonna shrink to the size of this hole. And I highly doubt that, I can't even get my shoulder through it."
"Move." Bryony grunted, then started moving another block, the one next to it. It wiggled, and she shoved it lightly again, and then said, "I hope you moved. Here comes the rock." And shoved it hard. It fell to the floor, and she started on another one.
Monka was terrified the wall would collapse, and grabbed Bryony's arm. "Stop! The whole things gonna come down!"
"Alright. I can twist enough, I migt be able to get through there." Bryony said, eyeing the hole. She stuck her head through the hole, twisted her shoulders, and wiggled forward. Her shoulders got scraped, and it hurt really bad, but she was half in Monka's cell, and half in hers!
Monka took her paws, and pulled, probably too hard, and he forgot to ask if it hurt.
Bryony winced as Monka pulled too hard, and forgot to ask if she was alright, and then she tumbled to the floor of his cell, and started to put the blocks back,, wincing.
Monka fell backwards into two other creatures, who began complaining, and shoving Monka back. Monka simply swore at them, which meant one of the creatures, quite a big fox, punched Monka. So Monka punched him back. Then the other creature, another squirrel joined in too. Quite quickly a punch up had began, and everyone in the other cells were cheering, and arguing, and began fighting.
Bryony turned around, and groaned. She started to say something but then someone punched her. She growled, and, whip lashes or no, launched herself at him, knocked him out, got up, and started on another beast, her eyes turned pink.
Guards began pouring into the cells as the fight grew more, and more viscous. Monka screamed in agony, someone had bitten his ear off! He grabbed the pesky, good for nothing, by the shoulders, and began thumping his head into the wall.
Bryony was surrounded by unconscious beasts, and she was throttling another one, when she heard Monka scream. She dropped the beast she was strangling, and fought her way over to Monka, checked to see if he was alright, and had a guard slapped her back. She screamed, and turned to face him. The guard's eyes widened, and he backed into one of his mates.
Now the cells were being filled with guards with crossbows, and spears. "Grab the ring leaders!" The corsair in charge shouted.
Guards began separating slaves, in some cases really beating them badly. The corsairs were stronger, and healthier than the slaves so it was easy for them. Two of them grabbed Monka, and dragged him back. When he tried to fight back, he was hit in the face with a spear butt. Then two more came for Bryony, menacing with spears, and crossbows.
Mycroft got out of his logboat and began assisting Log-a-Log and Skipper with tying the boats together.
ryony was dealy a hard blow to the head, and she fell down, unconscienous. Thw two guards rolled their eyes. One of them told the other, "How much ya wanna bet that she's da one we supposed to look out for?" The other one merely grinned, and shoved and kicked her to the opposite end of the cell, cracking a rib.
"Bring her, too." The leader commanded, nodding at Bryony. "We're taking the ring leaders to the punishment cells."
The guard rolled his eyes, after turning his back so the other guard wouldn't see. Then he picked up the squirrelmaid and slung her over his shoulder like a sack of flour.
The leader turned, and walked out of the cells. Followed by guards bringing the so called ring leaders, while other guards locked up the remaining slaves.
The guard who had Bryony followed the leader, half wanting to whidtle a tune, just to break the silence.
They made their way to the punishment cells, passing the building Cien was being, interrogated in. They could all hear agonised screams.
Skipper was now finished with tying knots, and whatnot, and wanted to be on his way. But, they were being held up......Becuase they had to get provisions.
At about the same time Mycroft also realized they needed provisions, and he sighed. "Right, we need some bally tucker. Can't have us fainting on the way! I'll go an' forage a bit." He glanced at the sky. The sun had set a few moments before, but there was still a little light left. "There's not much light left, but I'll hurry." A couple of shrews who heard him asked if they could come along and help, and he nodded. "Come on then. We'll be back soon, everybeast." And he waded towards the beach.
---------------------------------------
Supper was over, and Fern had already tucked May and Brinkut in bed and retired to her own room a bit earlier than she usually did. But though she was tired, she couldn't sleep. Pulling her habit over her nightgown, she exited the Abbey building and walked over to the west wallstairs. She mounted them and a moment later was looking out over the western flatlands. She leaned on the battlements and sighed. "Mycroft, wherever you are, please be safe," she murmured. "And I hope you'll find Skipper and his otters. Maybe you already have."
Fern stood there a while longer, then headed back down the wallstairs, back to the Abbey.
----------------------------------------
Mirelle had dozed off into a fitful slumber. Even with all the yelling and sounds of fighting from the cell next door, she hadn't been disturbed.
OOC: HEy, guys, go look at the first page!!!!!
The slaves were brought into the punishment cells. Monka shuddered at the sight of the stocks, whips, and other implements of pain.
Bryony twitched, and her guard called up to the leader, "Hey, this 'un's awake."
"Good, put her in the stocks, and whip her!" The leader sighed despairingly.
"Okay." The guard said, then went to an empty cell and shoved Bryony roughly inbot the stocks, and started whipping her. She struggled to keep her mouth shut, bt finally had to scream....And kept screaming...
OOC: Never mind! Posted same post twice.....How I did that, I've no clue...
Monka was taken into another cell, and had the same treatment. His leathery skin sliced open, and Monka couldn't help yelling in pain.
Bryony's screams started getting lower, and lower as she sagged into the stocks, very near death. Tuhye guard kept whipping, completely indifferent.
The leader wandered around checking up on how it was going with the slaves. He came to the one Bryony was in, "Stop whipping that one now. We don't want Scarlet at us for killing a slave. Just leave her in the stocks for a few hours."
"Yes, sir." The guard grunted and left. Bryony coughed, and groaned, half-oblivious.
The slaves in Mirelle's cell had quieted down after trying unsuccessfully to see what was happening in the cell next door. Mirelle slowly opened her eyes. From the corner where she was curled up she could dimly see the forms of the slaves in the darkness. She felt a little better than she had earlier, although her back was sore and she could tell her torn tunic was stuck to the congealed blood. The ottermaid sat up and tried to figure out where she was. Gradually she remembered that she'd been dragged off the ship to the cell, only half aware at that time of what was happening.
Standing up, Mirelle walked stiffly over to the bars of the cell and looked out into the darkness. She could hear the waves washing on the shore and even thought she could see the ocean, but wasn't sure. She tugged on the bars, knowing it was useless and that there was very little chance she would ever escape. She sat down again in despair.
----------------------------------------------
Mycroft and the shrews headed into the forest. Luckily, they soon found several berry bushes, mushrooms, and some edible leafy plants. They filled their haversacks and set off back to the logboats.
"We found quite a bit of stuff out there," Mycroft commented to Skipper as he set his haversack of berries carefully in the bottom of a logboat. He stepped in the boat himself and then inquired, "Well, everything jolly well ready? We don't want to lose Scarlet whatsherface, so we'd better hurry before it gets completely dark!"
" Good. Let's be on our way." The otter said grimly, in a voice that was not at all like his usual one.
OOC: Back!
BIC: Marshall had been tying up boats when Mycroft left. He finished just before he got back.
''Aye, Lets get a move on.'' Marshall was worried about Skipper.
Sister Lupine was in the kitchens. Helping clear up after the evening meal. But despite trying to keep herself busy, she couldn't stop thinking about everyone outside the Abbey. She hoped beyond hope that they were ok.
--------------------
Cien was losing consciousness. He drifted between being awake, and not. He could see the dim lantern swinging in the corner of the shadow filled room. Light danced along the walls, creating shapes, and figures from nothing but his imagination.
Cien was laying on his back, tied with leather bonds to a hard wooden table. He was bleeding, he has bruised, he just wanted to enter the peaceful realm of death. But it was not to be. Scarlet was talking to Cien's tormentor over by the lantern. Cien only caught snippets of the conversation, and even then he couldn't make sense of them.
Bryony moaned as she fought to stay conscious. Maybe it would help if she heard a voice. But as far as she knew. she was alone. Terrible, utterly, alone.
Monka's eyes flickered open, and shut. He could hear sounds of pain all around him, and suffering practically drifted on the unmoving air.
He was terribly worried about Bryony, he wanted to know where she was. He called out softly, "Bryony! Bryony are you there!"
Bryony would have frowned, but that required moving.....Wait, there it was again! "Monka? I';m here." She called back, as softly as Monka had done.
"Are you alright!" Monka could have leapt with relief, but he couldn't because he was in stocks, and he was in pain.
"No." Bryony said, telling the truth. At this point, she honestly did not care who worried.
Monka couldn't really think of a response, "Are you going to faint?" He asked desperately.
OOC: Um, exceeded PM limit. Anyways, OH MY GOD!!! I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!!!
BIC: Bryony groaned. "Umm....I don't know. Dieing doesn't sound so bad right now." She admitted, struggling to keep her heavy eyes open.
OOC: Thanks CORNY!!!!!! ;D
BIC: "Don't go to sleep!" Monka called, straining in the stocks. He was about to say something else, but then a guard came, and hit him in the face with his spear butt. "Shuttit!"
Bryony just sighed, and concentrated on not falling asleep.
OOC: What happened that's so exciting, Rach, if you don't mind me asking? :P BIC:
The boatloads of shrews, otters and Redwallers set off in the direction they were pretty sure Scarlet's ship had gone. Mycroft helped paddle the boat he was in, straining his eyes to see if he could catch a glimpse of Scarlet's ship or perhaps the island where she was bound. But he really couldn't see much, as night had now set in.
--------------------------------------
Mirelle continued sitting on the floor of her cell, despair enveloping her. Without thinking about it, she gradually began to lean back against the wall, but immediately gave a gasp of pain and sat up again, as her lacerated back had come into contact with the rough stone. After the pain had subsided, something else began to dawn on her.
The stone she'd leaned against had shifted slightly under her weight!
Galvanized by hope, Mirelle turned and felt around the edges of the stone. She dug her claws into the thin line of mortar that set it into the wall, and after several minutes of labor was rewarded by some of the mortar crumbling away. She continued working, ignoring the rest of the slaves, who were either asleep or were also ignoring her.
--------------------------------------
Fern headed up to her room and lay down, drowsily planning to talk to Bryant and Tripper again the next morning about the blueprints. She drifted off to sleep.
OOC: I'll tell you over Pm if that's alright.
Monka swore,and spat out blood. The guard chuckled, then wandered off.
Marshall was paddling also. He just hoped they would get there in time.
The otters got out, and Skipper issued orders that tow ropes be thrown out. As he had more experience with the sea than most did, they obeyed him and the otters grasped the ropes in their jaws and swam, making even better time.
Cien's unconscious, battered, form was dragged away from the interrogating building. He was dumped in a cell, some way away from the other cells. Two burly, competent, corsairs stood guard outside the door.
OOC: I'm pretty sure Skipper, Marshall, Mycroft and co. are currently behind time-wise compared to the rest of the RP. So I'm gonna fast-forward to when they reach the island, so they're lined up time-wise with Monka, Bryony, etc., if that's alright. BIC:
At last Mycroft could make out a dark outline against the horizon, darker than the rest of the night. "Hey, you chaps! You think that's the bally island Scarlet was makin' for?"
--------------------------------------------
Mirelle continued trying to work the stone out of its position, her paws scratched by the rough rock. At last, pulling with all her strength, she managed to dislodge it. It fell to the floor of the cell with a dull thud. Several slaves looked in the ottermaid's direction, and she indicated the hole she'd made.
"C'mon! It's not big enough yet, but if you'll help me, we can remove more stones and escape!"
An old otter shook his head. "It's pointless, missie. They'll only catch ye and beat ye. Maybe even kill ye, if they feel like it. Nobeast has ever escaped these cells."
"Well, there's always a first time, isn't there?" Mirelle said indignantly, her old spark of defiance flaring into life. "If you won't help me, I'll escape on my own." She started trying to work the mortar out of the stone next to the gap, using a small shard of rock that had broken off of the main chunk when it fell.
The old otter slave shook his head. "I'm not goin' to help ye git killed, miss. Do as ye like, though; I won't stop ye." He turned away.
Mirelle ignored him and kept working furiously, spurred on by new hope.
OOC: Fine with me.
BIC: Bryony's eyelids started drooping dangerously, and she called out, "Monka?" Very softly, having noted that the guard near her had fallen asleep.
"Aye, looks evil 'nough. We should be there in hour or so."
Monka was struggling to keep awake also, he was exhausted. then, suddenly, guards came into the cells, and began unlocking the stocks, and getting ready to take the prisoners back to the other cells.
"I hope it's sooner," Mycroft replied. He kept paddling.
After the better part of an hour had passed, the island was so close Mycroft could hear the waves crashing on the beach. He was tired from rowing, but knew that their journey was nearly at an end.
-------------------------------
Mirelle continued using the shard of rock to file away the mortar. It was laborious, but she kept at it, hoping to remove the stone before dawn.
Bryony noticed the a guard coming to unlock her, and the captain stopping him/. "No. Leave 'er. She's to stay for a few more hours." He sad, and Bryony's jaw dropped.
When they were about there, Marshall leaned over to Skip and asked, "What's the plan mate?"
Monka was lead past Bryony's cell. His heart sank when he heard the captain's words. Monka desperately wanted to do something, Bryony was too weak. She'd die if he didn't.
Suddenly, and expectantly, just before Monka tired to break free of his two guards, and go for the captain, Scarlet walked into the cells. "Where is the squirrelmaid from Mossflower?" She demanded, running her eye's up, and down Monka.
Quote from: Gonff the Mousethief on July 06, 2014, 06:21:04 AM
When they were about there, Marshall leaned over to Skip and asked, "What's the plan mate?"
"First, get on the island. Second, hide and check it out." The otter replied shortly. He got out of the boat, and headed for the trees, alone. He needed alone time.
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"She's in that cell, ma'am./" The captain said, pointing with his paw.
''Arighty then.''
Marshall hopped out ran for the trees. He followed Skipper thru they woods.
Skipper heard Marshall, and turned around. "Can I have some time alone, mate?" Hre asked softly.
"Bring her to the interrogating building now." Scarlet ordered, glanced one more time at Monka, then left.
"Oh, Ok, me and Mycroft will take the other side. See ya soon!" One last glance and Marshall was off.
Skipper sighed with relief. Good gods, that fox could get a tad annoying! He wasn't all that bad, it was just something about him that rubbed Skipper the wrong way. Ah well. Couldn't do anything about it now. He was walking along as he thpought this, keeping his eyes and ears open and alert, despite the chaotic mush that was his mind.
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The guard saluted, "Yes, m'lady." He marched over and started unchaining Bryony who was near tears by now. She let herself by pushed around she they unchained her and ordered her to start walking.
Monka was being lead away again, but he saw the tears in Bryony's eyes just before he was shoved out of the door.
Bryony was just limp. She was exhausted, and in a great deal of pain. Right at the moment, she wanted to throw a fit, like a Dibbun would, kicking and screaming and wailing that it wasn't fair! But, sadly, she was too old for that.
Mycroft had already helped to beach his logboat and was standing on the sandy shore. There was some moonlight, which was good right then but could potentially be dangerous later, for it made it easier for a vermin to see them. The hare saw Marshall walk away from Skipper, and he hurried over to the fox. "Right, how 'bout me, you and a few otter types go an' scout 'round this place? Need to figure out where all the slaves are bally well bein' kept so we c'n rescue 'em." He waved at several otters and motioned them over. "We're gonna scout 'round this island. Keep your weapons at the ready." He laid a paw on the hilt of his dirk and set off into the trees.
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After a while Mirelle paused for a short break, as she was tired out. For several minutes she sat there, thinking. What if she was caught escaping? The old otter had said Scarlet's creatures sometimes killed slaves who tried to escape. The ottermaid resolutely pushed those thoughts away. After a few minutes she resumed her work.
"Aight mate, let's go."
He followed behind the group, keeping a lookout.
Cien lay on the floor of his cell. He was listening to the guards quiet conversation outside. They were playing dice, or cards, or something like that. Cien silently pulled his battered body into a crouch. He then stood up ever so slowly, and tip-toed over to the door. Just two guards, good, now he'd wait awhile for them to settle, and get sleepy. Then using the keys he'd pick pocketed from a guard while he was pretending to be unconscious, he'd open the door, and......oh what was the term Scarlet used to use. Oh, yeah, that was it. Unalive them.
Mycroft led the way. They walked through the woods for several minutes, and he wondered when they'd find anything. But it wasn't too long before they reached the beach on the other side of the island. The hare saw several buildings a short distance away from where he was located, and three ships plus a smaller boat bobbing gently on the swell by the dock. He was just about to cautiously step out of the trees when he saw about four guards walking back and forth near the buildings. He quickly ducked back into the shelter of the trees.
"Right then. Now that we know where Scarlet and her crew are, we'd better get back so we can all figure out a plan of action," he said.
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Mirelle was still filing away the mortar when she heard the pawsteps of a guard approaching. This hadn't happened before, as the guards all seemed to be at the other end of the building. Quickly she picked up the stone she'd already removed and shoved it back in the gap. She held her breath as the guard's pawsteps drew nearer... and then exhaled with relief as they continued on past her cell. The ottermaid waited a few moments longer, then decided it was safe to resume working.
The guards outside Cien's cell didn't know what hit them. One minute they were quietly playing cards, next thing a bloody, whirlwind with a golden stripe on it's head, was on them. They didn't even have time to draw their weapons, there was a resounding snap, as the first guards neck was broken, then another snap.
Cien looked down at the two dead bodies at his feet, one had a nice looking sword, and dagger. Cien bent down, and picked them up. He was about to walk off, when he suddenly decided something. He pulled the two bodies into his cell, and locked it. As he walked off, he throw off his tatter shirt which was more holes than shirt. So now, naked from the waist up, armed, and dangerous, Cien went in search for Scarlet. He was going to finish this once, and for all.
?Bryony was lead along to the interrogation building, half wondering if they planned to kill her after torturing her, or let her live. She hone4stly couldn't decide which was worse.
OOC: Gonff, I'm gonna jump us back to the others, if that's okay. BIC:
Upon reaching the others on the opposite side of the island, Mycroft told Log-a-Log and the leader of the otters what he, Marshall and the rest of his group had seen on their reconnaissance. He asked everybeast to gather so they could plan their next move. Once everybeast had assembled, he surveyed the gathering in the faint moonlight and realized Skipper wasn't there. "Where's Skip? Anybeast seen him?"
Skipper was, at the moment, sitting with his footpaws in a small stream, crying. It had been a bit of a struggle, waiting to be alpne, but he'd done it.
Scarlet was there, waiting for Bryony, "Tie her to the table."
There was a rough, wooden table, with leather straps attached to it, in the middle of the room. the table was covered in dried blood, so was the floor around it. Some of the blood hadn't dried yet, since Cien had been here.
Bryony locked her legs, desparate not to go onto that table, but yhe guards wrestled her over there anyways, and tied her to the table.
"Now, shall we begin?" Scarlet smiled wickedly, as she pulled a trolley with all sorts of pain inflicting implements on it over to the table Bryony was tied to.
Bryony's eyes widened, but there was nothing she could do.
"Now, tell me." Scarlet began, picking up, and admiring a very sharp butcher's knife, "How long have you known Cien?"
"A-a season." Bryony stammered, her eyes riveted on the blade. She knew that if she didn't produce the right answers, she was toast....But she really hadn't known him long. And what did it matter?
"Ok, were you friends, or acquaintances?" Scarlet had now picked up a nasty looking, thin blade.
"Acquaintances." Bryony said, trying to wiggle a footpaw,
OOC: it's fine
BIC: Marshall heard the question , and was quick to answer.
" He's over in that part of the woods. I'll go get 'm if ya need."
"Thanks," Mycroft said, nodding at the fox. "Can't decide on a plan of action without everybeast here, wot!"
"Aight then, you know better than me!"
He ran towards the place where he last saw Skipper.
" Skip! Where are ye !"
Skipper stiffened, then bent down and sloshed his head in the stream. Standing up, he turned around and saw Marshall. "Yes, mate?"
"Acquaintances, ok. Did you ever talk much? Did he ever tell you anything about his past?" Scarlet continued, picking up a dagger, and lightly pricking Bryony's thigh with it.
"No. He never told me much of anything." The squirrel maid said, wincing as the dagger almost broke the skin.
" There ya are! My craft needs ya back so we can assemble a plan! Follow me. We betta hurry !"
OOC: My craft? How about Mycroft?
BIC: Skipper shrugged. "All right." He was glad the fox hadn't commented on his dripping head as he strode off towards the shrews and hare.
Scarlet looked angry, "Ok, maybe I'm not being clear enough." She picked up what looked like some sort of bottle opener. Only, it had barbs, and spikes. "I will ask you, only once," Scarlet growled, taking the bottle opener thing, and pressing it hard into Bryony's leg, and began turning it. "Where, are, the, plans?" The bottle opener thing cut the skin, and twisted round, and round painfully.
OOC: I'm not entirely sure what the thing I'm thinking of is called. But it looks like this only bigger, and sharper, and spikyer...
Spoiler
(http://st.depositphotos.com/1034300/1074/i/950/depositphotos_10745835-Bottle-opener-wine-cork-tool-drink-beverage-equipment.jpg)
"I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!!!" Bryony screeched, exasperated.
"YOUR LYING! YOU MUST KNOW SOME.....AGGGGGGG!" Scarlet was shouting, but then she screaming in terror as something grabbed her by the throat, and threw her at the wall.
Scarlet hit the wall, and fell to the floor, groaning in pain. It was then she saw both the guards that had been in the room with her, were both lying dead, pools of blood all around them. Then, slowly, afraid that what she would see would be what she thought she would see, she turned her head. Cien, bloody, and barbaric, was striding over to her, a sword held dangerously in his paw.
Think fast, Scarlet suddenly leapt to her feet, and drew her own sword. Before she could blink, she was in a fight for her life.
OOC: And, the beginning of the end has just happened. I can feel it.
OOC: Aye....
BIC: Bryony gulp[ed, seeing the murderous look Cien had on his face. Still trying to wiggle her paws, she almost groaned in frustration.
OOC: She still has the thing in her leg, by the way.
BIC: Scarlet fought with all her skill, and strength, but she was no match for Cien. She knew this, so she suddenly grabbed one of the lighted candles, and threw it had Cien's face. He was momentarily distracted, which gave Scarlet time to run out of the door, but within seconds, Cien was after her.
Bryony suddenly remembered the thing in her leg, and tears formed, it was now hurting. Really bad. Oh, how she wished that she had someone right there! Preferable Monka or Bryant.
Monka was in his cell, he could see a ottermaid working stones loose in her cell. He'd quickly began to copy her, and had removed a stone already.
Bryony wiggled one footpaw, or rather, tried to. But it was strapped tight. She tried to move a paw, same thing. She gave up and started crying.
Mycroft glanced up and saw Marshall returning (OOC: Slight PP. That alright, Gonff?) with Skipper. "There y'are, Skip! Just about to make plans here; couldn't do it without you, seein' you're the one who knows the most about Scarlet. Marshall, a few otter chaps and I scouted over on the other side of the island. Scarlet's here, all right; I saw several ships docked and buildings on the beach. Now, do you know how many crew members she had? And how many oarslaves would you say were onboard?"
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The shard of rock worked tolerably well to remove the mortar, but eventually Mirelle took to quietly chipping the mortar away rather than filing it, poking her head out periodically just to make sure of the guards' location. As she worked, she thought sadly of her friends in the ottercrew; Skipper and most of them were dead. For all she knew the others who had survived might be dead by now as well. She forced back a tear and continued working.
Then through a grate looking into the next cell she thought she saw a squirrel also removing stones in the wall. She couldn't tell who it was, but wondered if it was Bryony. She didn't feel so alone now, because somebeast else at least hadn't given up hope.
The ottermaid was nearly done. She finally removed most of the mortar and tugged the stone free, setting it carefully on the floor of the cell. Cautiously she poked her head out to see where the guards were. She saw one a fair distance away at the end of the building, his back to her. Suddenly she felt apprehensive about the whole endeavor. How could she slip past the guard? Suppose he turned and saw her? What if another guard happened to come and she was spotted? And even if she got past him and into the woods, how would she escape the island?
Mirelle felt overwhelmed. But she tried to push those fears away. If I keep thinking of the 'what ifs', I'm never going to escape, she told herself, as she turned back to the gap in the wall.
OOC: It's fine. @Cornflower don't you just LOVE autocorrect?
Marshall stepped back so Skipper could talk. He hoped that what ever the plan was, it would work.
OOC: I know! Silly thing.....
BIC: Skipper stepped forward and said crisply, "I'm nopt sure how many crew she has, but for oarslaves I'd estimate about 2 and a half score."
Scarlet's scream of pain echoed around the entire island. Cien had cut her arm right down to the bone.
In pain, and full of fear, she ran as if the devil were after, and in a way, he was. But, as she ran she finally felt like something was going right. As they got further, and further away from the buildings, they also were away from the light. Maybe she would be able to slip away in the dark.
But then she glanced over her should, and with a sinking heart, saw Cien, carrying a flaming torch. But, yes, brilliant! There were corsairs coming too! If they hurried, then they'd kill Cien before they got to her! She'd run to the jetty, maybe there'd be more of her men there.
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Monka had managed to work quite quickly in removing the stones. Its was thanks to Bryony, she had been the one to remove some already, so some of them were loose. But now, he was having a little more trouble. Using a piece of stone, he worked quickly, and ferociously, but it was taking too long! He had to get to Bryony before it was too late!
Bryony flinche at the sound of Scarlet's scream, and she hoped the otter would get was coming to her.
"Fifty, you say? Right then. And there's no telling how many more might be kept on this bally island. There's about-" he glanced at the gathering, swiftly estimating their number "-a hundred of us. Scarlet could have a band of vermin three times that, for all we bloomin' well know." The hare sighed. "Right, we've got to try an' free the slaves, no matter what." He was speaking louder now, so everybeast could hear. "I'd like you chaps' input. Does anyone have any ideas? Should we risk a charge, or should we try a sneak attack, takin' out the guards and rescuin' the slaves quietly? Either way, it's goin' to be blinkin' dangerous."
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Mirelle heard Scarlet's scream. She didn't know whose scream it was, but the terror and pain in it made her even more anxious to get out of that wretched place. Keeping her eyes trained on the guard, who was sitting down, the ottermaid quietly slipped her head and shoulders, then her body out of the hole. Her back rubbed briefly along the stone, and she stifled a gasp of pain. Then she was outside, breathing the fresh air.
But Mirelle knew she wasn't safe yet. She reached back inside the hole and, hardly daring to breathe lest the guard heard her, she picked up the first stone she'd removed, then the other, and fit them back into the gap as best she could. Turning around, she planned her next move.
She had to get to the tree cover. But the question was how to cross the open expanse of land without being seen by the guard.
Suddenly she heard the guard move. He was still sitting down, but he was turning around, turning in her direction! Mirelle froze. All of the horrible things she'd witnessed on Scarlet's ship, and on that island, flashed into her mind at once. The guard turned in her direction... and nothing happened. She sat there for what seemed like an eternity, sure he was going to see her. And then it dawned on her. He was asleep.
She was so relieved she felt like laughing and crying all at once. But instead she turned and ran toward the woods. Freedom was so close, and she finally felt alive again.
Marshall thought about what they could do. Then he had it.
" The ships! We can take one, the sink or burn the others! It should be enough for us and the slaves, and that way Scarlet could not escape!"
"Aye, that's an idea. What does everyone else think?" Skipper asked, staring at everybeast else.
Mycroft pondered Marshall's idea for a moment, then nodded. "That's a good plan, I'd say. But how are we gonna rescue the slaves? There's multiple guards around the buildings.... How can we rescue the slaves without alerting Scarlet? I mean, we're bound to be seen by one of the bally vermin. This moonlight's pretty dim, but makes it more likely somebeast'll spot us."
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Mirelle dashed across the open ground to the trees as fast as she could. Unfortunately, she hadn't made it very far before she was startled by a shout from behind her. "Hey you, stop! Slave escapin'! SLAVE ESCAPIN'!" She could hear the heavy pawsteps of a guard behind her, who apparently had come to relieve the sleeping guard and had easily spotted her. The ottermaid put on an extra burst of speed, fear lending her strength. She made it to the woods and crashed along willy-nilly through the undergrowth, her only thought being to get away from her pursuer. But now the guard's shouts had alerted a couple of other guards, who were running after her as well.
Frantically, she looked around for a place to hide among the undergrowth. Then she saw it: a dead log lying in a fern bed. She leaped behind it and cowered down among the ferns, hoping against hope that she wouldn't be found.
"Ye- Did you hear something? Sounded like somebeast shoutin'." Skipper said, cocking his head.
Mycroft's ears perked up. "Aye... seems it's nearby. Could be one of Scarlet's crew, so we'd better be careful. Skip, come on. We'd better go an' investigate. 'Scuse us a moment, chaps." The hare drew his dirk and set off into the forest.
''Some of the crew stay back to get the ship and sink the others, the rest go and free em!''
Marshall stayed back when Mycraft told him to. Hopefully they would not be seen.
OOC: @Cornflower: Couldja post as Skip?
@Rach: Just wanna make sure - how many ships does Scarlet have moored?
OOC: Um, I'd say three slave ships, and a small fishing boat. But, also remember, Scarlet, and Cien are fighting on the jetty.
BIC: Monka saw the ottermaid get out, and full of frustration kicked at the wall hard, several times. To his disbelief, three stones just popped out with the force. "This place surly needs rebuilding, or something." He smiled, and squeezed through the hole.
He was almost out when suddenly, he was stuck. His hips were too big, and he couldn't go back. He bit his lip to stop himself shouting in pain, the jagged rocks were digging into him.
Skipper followed Mycroft, looking around. After they got into the woods a bit, he started checking around rocks, under trees, and such.
OOC @Rach: Okay, thanks! BIC:
Mycroft walked slowly, a little ahead of Skipper, cautiously peering around trees and tangled thickets of vines and grass. Then he heard somebeast yelling again. He stopped still and listened.
"Where'd she go? Come on, we've gotta find her. She can't have got far."
Another voice answered the first speaker, but Mycroft couldn't quite hear what was said. Just then the vermin came into view in the dim moonlight, tramping through the thick undergrowth, looking for what Mycroft figured was an escaped slave. The hare ducked behind a bush, but raised his head just enough that he could see what was happening while he whispered urgently to Skipper. "When they get close enough, we'll charge 'em. (OOC: I'm assuming Skipper has a weapon with him.) I'll take the blighter in the front, you take the middle, then we'll finish the last one." The vermin had drawn closer during this time, and Mycroft tensed himself, then hissed, "Now!"
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Mirelle had heard the guards tramping through the woods after her, and she remained huddled in the ferns, staying as still as possible.
Skipper listened to Mycroft, then sprang. He had his sling out with a hefty pebble in it, and used it like a club, quickly breaking one rat's skull. The last one had more time to get over his surprise, but was still shocked when Skipper hurled himself on him.
Mycroft ran at the first vermin, a stoat, who was taken by surprise but had the presence of mind to swing his sabre at the hare. Mycroft ducked and the sword swing nicked his eartip, then he turned and ran his opponent through the heart with his dirk. As the creature fell lifeless to the ground, Mycroft had already thrown himself at the third guard, who was being attacked by Skipper.
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Mirelle, still hiding in the fern bed, heard the sounds of a scuffle, but didn't dare to look. She thought perhaps the vermin were fighting amongst themselves, little dreaming that in fact they'd been set upon by goodbeasts.
Skipper, bleeding from a stab wound in his paw, was at the moment throttling the other stoat. The vermin wheezed, and scrabbled with his paws, and then died. The otter stood, up, and shook himself.
Marshall had heard what sounded like fighting, and ran that away. When he arrived, he was in shock.
"What In the name of Redwall happened !"
Monka tried desperately to wriggle free, but was having no success. Then, suddenly, something grabbed his tail, and was pulling him back. It hurt, and what was remaining of his shirt got shredded, so did his heavily branded back.
Two slaves helped Monka to his feet once they'd pulled out of the hole. One was a mouse, the other a fox. "Here mate," The fox said, "Lets make that hole a wee bit bigger, then we can all get out."
Monka was surprised, but pleased that someone was willing to help him, and in no time they'd gotten another stone out, and then all three of them were out. The mouse, and fox began running for the woods, but Monka turned to go, and look for Bryony.
Skipper grimaced. "Nothing pleasant, mate." The otter said, then turned away to investigate something he saw in some ferns close by. He got close, and gasped, "Mirelle?!"
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Bryony was now over her fit of tears and trying desperately to wiggle, or something. A big fly ran into the thing sticking into her leg, and she gasped.
Mycroft wiped his dirk on the grass, sheathed it, and then turned to Marshall, ignoring the trickle of blood running down his ear from where the sabre had nicked it. "Vermin," he explained laconically. "Tryin' to find an escaped slave."
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The sounds of fighting had ceased, but Mirelle lay still for a moment longer. She then heard some unfamiliar voices, quite unlike the guards', and she was just going to peek over the log to see what had happened, when the shadow of somebeast fell across her. She gasped. Then the creature spoke. "Mirelle?!"
"Skip?! But - but, how? I thought you were dead!" The ottermaid leaped to her footpaws and gave him a hug. (OOC: That okay?) It was so nice to have somebeast she knew with her after everything she'd been through. Then she stepped back and asked, "How did you get here?"
Monka sneaked past three guards, but was having no luck in finding Bryony. Then, he heard a loud, pain filled gasp from the building he was standing next to. He peeped through a window, and saw Bryony. Within seconds he was in the room untying Bryony. "Oh my goodness Bryony! What have they done to you!" He gasped in horror.
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Scarlet ran out onto the jetty, she could she her men getting close to Cien, who has walking for some weird reason. Didn't he know about the men behind him. Then, as Cien stepped onto the jetty, he dropped his lighted torch onto the dry wooden jetty, and it suddenly burst into flames. Scarlet, was about to jump into the water, when Cien rushed forward, and suddenly she was fighting for her life again, but the flames were spread. Her dress was now on fire, her fur was on fire, Cien was on fire, everything, was on fire!
OOC: Yeah, that's fine.
BIC: Skipper winced. "Ah, easy, m'dear. I'm still a bit knocked up." He reminded the ottermaid. "You thought I was dead? What made you think that?"
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"Monka!" Bryant said, smiling happily. "And, uh, can we not discuss that?" She asked, now sitting up and grabbing the thing in her leg, She sucked in a deep breath, and gave it a few quick twists to get it out, almost shrieking as she did so.
Monka was horrified, but quickly pulled himself together, and tried to look for something that could be used as a bandaged. Not finding anything, he torn some stripes off his tattered shirt, and grabbed a water jug. "Here, we need to wash, and bandage that wound."
Bryony nodded, then almost fainted, but regained control of herself before she slumped. Speaking at the moment would mean screaming, so she kept her mouth shut.
Monka used one of the stripes as a cloth, and as gently as he could, cleaned the wound. When he guessed he was down, he bandaged the wound up tight with what was left of his shirt.
It felt a little better now, but she doubted she could walk. Bryony forced her locked teeth to open, and said, "I don't know if I can walk."
"Oh, sorry. It's just so wonderful to see you again, I didn't even think," Mirelle said, a little awkwardly. "I - I saw you jump overboard and get hit with arrows. I thought you might make it, but later I thought you probably didn't; seeing you were wounded in at least two places, you might've bled to death or drowned. But now you're here! And... is that Marshall over there? And that hare... is that Abbess Fern's husband?"
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Mycroft walked over. He'd heard enough to tell him that Mirelle was one of the ottercrew, and he caught the last bit of what she said as well. "Aye, miss, I'm Fern's husband, Mycroft. Yes, that's Marshall, and we're not bally well here alone, we've got about a hundred Guosim an' otters with us."
"I met Bryony. she bandaged me up a bit." Skip said, then shrugged. "What about- About.....Arbella? How did she......?" He asked, unable to get it out. The otter's eyes started watering suspiciously, and he roughly wiped them with his paw.
Monka nodded, "Ok, I'll carry you. We can't stay here."
"What?" Bryony said, her eyebrows lifting.
OOC @Corny: Wasn't her name Arbella? :P BIC:
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Mirelle exclaimed in response to Mycroft. Her brow furrowed when Skipper asked about his daughter's death. She understood that he must have found her body after they'd thrown it overboard, and she responded sadly, "After the beating, they were bringing out the things to brand us with. Arbella screamed and then she was just... gone. I'm - I'm so sorry, Skip."
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Mycroft listened quietly, not saying anything.
"Oh, that's nice."
Marshall listened in on Skip's conversation. He felt so for Skipper. He had lost so much and had done nothing to deserve it.
OOC: Hey, it's been awhile. Plus, my brain's still kinda of a mush.
BIC: Skipper hung his head, unable to say anything as he walked.
Mirelle didn't say anything more. What was there to say? She remained silent as they walked back to the camp.
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Mycroft led the way, and a moment later they'd arrived where the others were. Now that they were out of the trees, Mycroft noticed that the sky was lit up with a peculiar glow. The others on the beach had noticed it too. Everybeast was talking at once, most thinking it must be a fire on Scarlet's side of the island.
"If there's a fire, I think it's a good idea to rescue the slaves now," Mycroft said, loudly enough for everybeast to hear.
OOC: Um, just to say, the jetty is currently on fire, and in the darkness it will be very visible.
"I'll carry you." Monka repeated, trying decide the best way to carry Bryony. On his back? In his arms? Across his shoulders? "Um, how should I carry you? Um, I mean which way will be the most comfortable for you."
OOC: Oops. :P I edited my post.
"Does it freaking wll matter?" Bryony growled, seriously considering hitting him. Then again, it would probably not be a good idea to irritate the one beast who was helping her. "On your back probably wouldn't be a good idea, and I'm not going across your shoulders." She declared, folding her arms.
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Skipper nodded. It made sense. He turned to the otters, who had been whispering. "Wot's goin' on 'ere?"
Marshall had noticed the glow too. He whispered to Mycroft," Hey Mate , what you thinks happen' over thata way?"
Monka retaliated, annoyed, "I just wanted to know which way you'd be the most comfortable! Is that such a terrible crime!"
Just then, outside, corsairs, and searats were running past all shouting, and yelling. They were pointing at the jetty, and the two flaming creatures fighting on it.
"Well, the traditional way would be fine!" Bryony said resignedly, unfolding her arms.
Monka had no idea what the traditional way was, but he just decided to carry her in his arms. He picked her up as gently, and carefully as he could, (that ok?) which wasn't very much of either because he wasn't very good at either.
OOC" That's fine.
BIC:Bryony winced a few times, as she was jolted, but didn't complain. "Now what? She asked.
"Looks like a fire broke out over there," Mycroft responded to Marshall. He continued, loud enough for everybeast to hear, "If we rescue the slaves now, it'll be a lot easier in the bloomin' confusion. So, everybeast ready yourselves. We must leave as soon as possible."
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Mirelle glanced at the hare. "I'm coming too!" Then she frowned, remembering she had no weapon. "Anybeast got a sling I can use?"
An otter offered her one, along with a pouch of stones, and she tucked them in her frayed belt. "Thank you."
Skipper twirled his sling. "Everybeast ready? Right, then. Move out!"
"I'm goin too!"
Marshall picked up is axe and followed the group. This was going to be an Adventure!
As she put a stone in her sling in readiness for the battle, Mirelle tried to keep up with Mycroft, who was ahead of the main group. But her leg, which had been hit with an arrow in the initial ambush, began aching again, and she gradually slowed down and walked instead with the group of otters, shrews, and Redwallers. As they neared the other side of the island, she thought she could smell smoke. And then they were out of the trees, and she saw it.
The jetty was on fire. Vermin were running around shouting while two creatures, both aflame themselves, were fighting on the burning dock. Mirelle put her paw to her mouth in horror.
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Being in the front, Mycroft saw it before she did. However, he didn't react. He just tightened his grip on his dirk hilt and yelled, "Charge!"
Marshall rushed to the front lines with Mycroft, swinging is axe like it was as light as a feather. He didn't know which battle cry to use, so he said the first thing on his mind.
"FOR FREEDOM!!!"
Monka didn't know what, "Um, maybe we could look for a boat?"
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Scarlet was losing, she was in terrible pain, several times she had tried to jump into the sea, but Cien would grab her, and throw her onto the flames boards of the jetty.
With tears running down her face, she collapsed, Cien was standing over her.
Memories, so many memorises, ran through Cien's head. All the faces of the slaves he had kidnaped, the lives he had destroyed. "Scarlet, its time we felt some pain." He raises his sword, then swung it. Scarlet's head, cut clean off her shoulders, was flung into the sea.
Cien, now feeling weak, and overwhelmed, fell sideways into the sea, unconscious.
OOC: Do you have a plan? If so, then I'll change this.
BIC: One of the otters, noticed something falling off the jetty. He could barely tell, but he thought it was a beast. So, he quietly slipped into the water, and started swimming for the jetty, looking. Soon, he saw an otter with a golden headstripe,. He was unconscious, and sinking. So, the otter did the natural thing - He swam over and grabbed him. (That ok?) Then the otter started swimming for the surface.
------------------------------
Skipper ran right behind Mycroft, screaming. "FOR MOSSFLOWERRRRRRRRRRR!!"
------------------------------------------------
"Or maybe head into the woods?" Bryony suggested. She didn't like boats much any more. Which was understandable.
OOC: That ok.
BIC: Monka nodded, "Ok, but we won't be able to stay there long."
Just then Monka heard battle cries, coming from outside.
------------------
The otter pulled Cien onto the beach, and laid him on the sand. Cien was burnt, bloody, and dying. His golden stripe was stained with blood, and his breathing was laboured. The otter knelt down, and tried desperately to think what to do. But then Cien's paw shot out, and grabbed him by the shoulder. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, Cien spoke, "I.....I.....I.....I'm sorry."
Then his gripped weaken, his paw fell to the sand, and his eyes closed for the last time.
OOC What's with you and killing off your people?
BIC Bryony shrugged. "Just get us to the woods." She said, wincing at the repercussions of her shrug.
OOC: *Sniffs* So Cien's gone.... :-\
BIC:
Mycroft ran towards the cluster of buildings on the beach, yelling the war cry he'd used while in the Long Patrol: "Eulalia!!!"
Barely anybeast tried to resist; most of the vermin were milling around anxiously, unsure of what to do now that Scarlet was gone. About a score of vermin gathered, but upon realizing that they were badly outnumbered, they turned and ran. Mirelle whirled her sling, but quickly saw that there was no need for it. She turned to Mycroft. "The slaves - they're in those buildings over there!" she yelled.
Mycroft nodded and dashed towards the buildings she'd indicated, with Mirelle following as fast as she could.
After decapitating a rat, Marshall saw Mycraft run toward these buildings. He turned and ran to follow him and the Otter.
"Wait for me mate!"
Skipper had been checking buildings, and saw Mirelle and Mycroft running towards the buildings he was just about to check, so he started running that way.
OOC: Hey, it was always my plan to kill Cien. Honestly, what would I do with him if he didn't die? There'd just be loads of, Can we trust him?
Is he lying?
Is he still the Abbey Warrior?
And all that. ::)
BIC: Monka was once again going to reply when he defiantly saw an otter, and a shrew, no in fact lots of shrews, and quite a few otters. And was that a hare?
"Who are they?" Monka asked Bryony, puzzled, "They don't look like slaves."
Bryony's face lit up. "MIRELLE! SKIP! MYCROFT!" She shrieked happily.
Marshall's keen ears picked up Bryony's shriek. He stopped running a bit and called out
"YOU FORGETTIN' SOME ONE SQUIRREL?"
"MARSHALL!" she screamed, much less happily. That fox was annoying, but better than nobody.
Marshall now had a huge grin on his face. He ran faster to catch up with the others.
Bryony realized that she'd been screaming into Monka's ear, "Oh, I'm sorry. I kind of forgot." She apologized. "How about we go outside!" She suggested.
Monka grimaced as his eyes felt like exploding, "No, your good." He whispered. And walked slowly towards the door.
Bryony rolled her eyes - She'd been shrieking with her head near his ear. That would have to hurt. Males. They were just too macho.
As Monka carried Bryony outside, he saw there were a lot more otters, and shrews. "Where'd these lot come from?"
"I have no clue." Bryony said perplexed. Just then, Skipper came up. "Bryony!" He said, then reached out and cuffed the squirrel maid's ear. "I told you not to get caught, but by the look of you tike's did." He scolded.
Monka looked at the big otter, and shuddered slightly, "Um, I'm guessing you two know each other."
"Oh! I'm sorry. Monka, Skip, Skip, Monka." Bryony said. "Skipper and I have known each other for a long time."she explained.
"Ok, then." Monka nodded.
Skipper looked at Bryony, silently wondering if she was going to elaborate on Monka. But she didn't.
"So......." Monka wasn't entirely sure what to do. It was really awkward just standing there holding Bryony. "Do you have a medic with you. Bryony got pretty badly hurt, and I've done the best I can, but I'm sure more needs to be done."
"Bryony IS the medic, you slop head!" Skipper said, at which Bryony growled and kicked him. '' Ow." He muttered, rubbing his arm.
"Wait, what? You a medic?" Monka was surprised, "Why didn't you tell me what to do then?"
"Because I had a bit more on my mind at the momentum like not screaming and drawing g attention." Bryony retorted. Skipper started to say something rude, but Bryony kicked him again. Hard. "Monka, let's go see if the shrews have a medic." She said calmly.
"Ok, then." Monka said, and walked off towards some shrews, who were over by the water. They were all gathered around something, it looked like an otter.
Bryony,s eyes widened as she saw a golden stripe. "Cien!" She gasped, horrified.
Monka saw the otter, and asked, "Who is he? Is he dead?"
One of the shrews looked up, and nodded.
"Cien......" Bryony whispered again. Cien had been a nice friend's if a tad secretive. And he'd taken it very well when she'd hit him over the head with a big heavy book.
Monka took a step back, Bryony was obviously upset.
Bryony sniffed, and ran her paw across her eyes, trying to wait until later when she could let it all.
"Um, are any of you medics?" Monka asked another group of passing shrews. One nodded, and Monka sighed in relief. "Could you take a look at this lovely lady then?"
Bryony blushed, but the shrew nodded. "Of course."
"Ok then." Monka smiled, putting Bryony gently on the ground.
OOC Can we skip to where she's all bandaged up?
OOC: If you want.
OOC Great!
BUC Bryony was soon bandaged up, and the shrew went on her way.
OOC: I think you mean Bryony. ;)
The hare and ottermaid had nearly reached the buildings the latter had pointed out, when they both heard somebeast shriek their names. They both turned to see who it was, but in the confusion neither of them could see Bryony. Mirelle shrugged resignedly and led the way to the cells where she had been kept not too long before.
Mycroft tested the lock on one of the cell doors and stepped back with a sigh. "Bally strong lock," he muttered. "Can't get anybeast out without the key."
Mirelle glanced around to see if the guard was nearby, even though it was pretty obvious that he had abandoned his post. Then she saw something on the ground glint in the moonlight. She ran forward and soon returned with a ring of keys in her paw. "Found 'em!" she said, grinning as she inserted one of the keys into the lock and turned it.
OOC Dang auto correct.......
Marshall had also made it to the building.
"Good job Mirelle!"
He looked down and saw a little Mouse whose eyes were full of tears and hope. Marshall bent down and looked him in the eyes.
" Aye there little mate. Do you know where we are takin' ya and the rest of ya?"
The little babe shook his head.
"Well, we're takin' ya to Redwall Abbey! The best place in the world!"
His eyes, and the eyes if the others that were listing lit up. A huge grin appeared on his face, and tears of joy sprang from his eyes.
Marshall stood back up and said to Mirelle
"When you get open the cells, I'll count em' and group, then get em ready to get back to the ships."
Monka, pleased that Bryony had been properly seen to smiled. "So, what do we do now?"
"I don't know. I guess look around, try to find the others." Bryony said, then lifted a paw. "Help me up, please."
"Are you sure? Will you be ok on that leg?" Monka asked, worried.
Bryony sighed and rolled her eyes. "No, I won't. Of course I'll be fine, you ninny!"
Monka wasn't so sure, "Your leg was pretty badly banged up."
Just do it." Bryony argued. "Or I'll get up without your help."
"Okay," Mirelle answered, a little preoccupied with the lock. The key she'd tried first didn't seem to work, and she had to try two more. Finally she was rewarded by a click, and the key turned all the way. The cell door opened and the slaves hurried out. By that time the ottermaid had already gone on to the next cell and was fumbling with the keys again. She glanced briefly through the bars and saw the slaves staring back at her, perplexed. "Don't worry! I'm getting all of you out! There's about a hundred of us, and there's been a fire, and Scarlet's band is occupied with that right now, so nobeast's gonna capture you again," she explained quickly. The ottermaid finally got the right key and opened the door. As she went on to the next cell, she wondered how the slaves that she'd been locked up with would react when she let them out. They'd seemed far too scared earlier to escape.
Marshall Counted up the first batch, the grouped them. He started on another.
"Mycroft, make sure they stay in the groups, I'll go get more and bring em here."
"Fine!" Monka huffed, taking Bryony's paw, and pulling her to her feet.
Thank you, oww. Bryony said, wincing, and grabbing onto Monka so she wouldn't not fall
Out of character. That okay?
OOC: I think you mean Bryony.
BIC: Monka sighed, and rolled his eyes, "Toldya."
"Shut up." Bryony said, or more like growled.
Mycroft nodded at Marshall in reply and told the slaves (several of whom looked rather uneasy, like they might bolt for the woods at any second), "Stay in a group, if y'please! After the ottermaid over there gets all the cells open, we're goin' to head for the ships. The quay's on fire, but we'll find a way, never fear."
"Fine, if your ok, let go of me then." Monka raised one eyebrow. He was now just getting annoyed at Bryony's stupidity. Why did she always have to act the martyr? But, he did have to admit, deep down he liked her defiantness, and spirit.
"I said, shut up." The squirrelmaid said, but then let go of Monka.
"Fine." Monka eye rolled.
Although he did like defiantness, and spirit, it really got annoying after a while.
Bryony muttered something under her breath as she took a few steps, but said nothing.
Mirelle went on to the next cell, and the next. Then she reached the cell she'd been in earlier. She fiddled with the keys until she found the right one, then she opened the cell door. The old otter who'd spoken to her earlier was sitting near the door. He looked up at her, startled.
"They didn't catch ye?" he asked when he'd found his voice.
"No. Nearly did, but I was saved by some o' the woodlanders. Yeah, about a hundred woodlanders, including some from Redwall Abbey, have arrived on the island. Come on. You're bein' rescued."
Suddenly, the old otter grinned. "Come on, everybeast! Freedom at last!"
Mirelle stood aside, beginning to grin as well as the slaves jostled each other in their haste to be first out of the cell. She ran on and unlocked the last few cells, then headed back over to Mycroft.
Marshall finished counting the slaves, and put them into groups. He saw the otter coming back.
" Gottem grouped, what the next step mates?
Monka gave Bryony an annoyed look, then, a thought suddenly struck him. Where was Scarlet?
Before he knew it, he was running towards the jetty, where some otters, and shrews were tying up some vermin.
Monka shoved past the otters, and shrews, and grabbed a skinny weasel. Monka slammed him hard up against the wall of the nearest building, and lifted him of the ground by his throat. The weasel coughed, and choked, some shrews, and otters came over, and tried to calm Monka down, but he shoved them off. Then he began questioning the weasel.
"Where is she? Where's Scarlet you little *******!"
The weasel, choking, squawked, "I dunno! I haven't seen her!"
"YOUR LYING! WHERE IS SHE?!?!"
"I promise sire, I dunno!"
Monka set the weasel on his feet, then began punching his face in. With each punch, he shouted a word, "WHERE THE HELL IS SHE!?!"
He was beating the weasel so badly, that the shrews, and otters tried to drag Monka off him. Monka lashed out, and tried to fight them off, but wasn't successful. They pinned him to the ground, as he lay there, cursing, and screaming abuse at them, and the weasel, who was bleeding badly, spat out three of his teeth.
Bryony turned to ask Monka something, but he wasn't there. She did see his tail, though, and she started going that direction. Soon, she saw Monka on the ground with a weasel spitting out three teeth. "Monka!" She called hobbling over.
"Get away from me you b****!" Monka screamed, before he even saw who it was. When he did see who it was, he went pale.
Bryony paled, and looked shocked. "O-Okay." She whispered, then standing out of the kneel she'd gone into moments before, she hobbled away, heading for the woods.
Monka closed, his eyes, and swore.
Then a rat chuckled, "Looks like you just lost your girlfriend."
The otters, and shrews were taken by surprise, by Monka's strength. One minute, they had him pinned, the next he had fought them off, and was doing his level best to beat the rat's head to pieces. "SHUT YOUR ******* MOUTH VERMIN! OR I'LL END YOUR PATHETIC LIFE!"
"Gotta head for the jetty now," Mycroft said to Marshall and the slaves in general. "With any luck, some of the others will have already gotten one of the ships." He turned and headed in the direction of the waterfront, the slaves following.
They were nearly there, when Mirelle saw a figure she recognized as Bryony hobbling towards the woods. Puzzled, she ran after her. Although she herself had a bit of a limp, she soon caught up with the squirrelmaid. "Bryony? What's going on?"
The rat screamed, and desperately tried to protect himself, but he was tied up, and had little change against Monka's anger. Though the rat was saved by the otters, and shrews, who dragged Monka off again, well, tried to.
Bryony heard shouting, and turned to look. Monka was beating up a rat, and so the squirrelmaid started hobbling back. Then Melle came up. "I don't really lnow. Well, except for the fact that Monka called me a b****, and is now beating up a rat."
Eventually, the otters, and shrews got Monka off the rat, though he was in a worse condition than the weasel.
"I'LL KILL YOU! DO YOU HEAR ME?!? YOUR DEAD!" Monka yelled at the rat.
Then he was pinned to the floor, again, swearing, and fighting to get up.
"Its a real shame Scarlet is dead ya know. It would have been fun to see her fight that one." A stoat near the back of the tied up vermin commented.
Monka heard him, and tried to break free again, but failed. "What did you say?" Monka shouted at the stoat.
The stoat, suddenly the centre of attention looked around nervously. "Um, I said its a real shame Scarlet is dead, cus it would have been fun to see the two of ya fight."
At this pont, Bryony hobbled up. And started screaming at Monka. "Monka! Calm the **** down! Or so help me I WILL literally slap some sense into you!" She ranted, going on and on.
Monka hadn't heard a word of what Bryony said. He was too shocked. Scarlet was dead, someone else must have killed her. So, what did he do now. That was his life's goal gone, now what? Now what could he do?
"What?!" Mirelle said, surprised. She wasn't absolutely sure who Monka was, but figured he must have been the squirrel Bryony had been with earlier. Before she could say anything more, Bryony had hobbled back to Monka and was also swearing at him. Mirelle ran towards them and stood there helplessly, staring at Monka and the group of vermin and woodlanders.
Mycroft and the slaves passed by; the hare glanced at Monka and everybeast, but chose not to get involved, as there were more important things to worry about at the moment. The jetty had burned through, the posts smoking and charred, and there were scores of weakened slaves who now would have to swim to the ships. Then Mycroft saw a group of shrews, otters, and a couple of Redwallers on board one of the ships. They waved at him and lowered the ship's boat. A few otters rowed it to the shore. "There's room for about a score at a time, mate," one said to Mycroft.
She'd asked the squirrel a question, and he wasn't answer."HELLO! " Bryony called, frustrated
Monka still didn't pay any attention to Bryony. Why should he? His life had just fallen through, he had more important things to do.
"Can you lot get off me now." Monka breathed slowly, "I won't attack anyone."
The otters, and shrews glanced at each other, not convinced.
"Please." Monka asked, his eyes filling him tears, and he desperately tried not to let them run down his face.
Bryony noticed the unseen tears and shooed th r m all away. Far away. Then she returned, and sat down by Monka.
Marshall followed behind Mycroft to the ship. He swam out and help the slaves aboard. He counted them as they passes, making sure they were all there. When they were all almost on he went over waited for Mycroft to get on.
OOC: Is he on the ship or no?
OOC: Not yet. Oh, and Monka, Bryony and some of the good guys haven't boarded yet.
BIC:
After the slaves had boarded the ship (including a mouse and fox that showed up), Mycroft stood onshore and called to the shrews, otters and Abbeybeasts, "C'mon! Everybeast get aboard!"
Mirelle had been helping some of the weaker slaves onto the ship, and now she stood on the deck, tired out and wondering where Skip was at the moment. After standing there for a little while, she became aware of the fact that the sky was growing lighter. Dawn had arrived.
Monka sat still as a statue, staring out to sea where the sun was rising. It was a deep red colour, and it sent streaks of crimson out across the sky. It was truly, beautiful, but there was also something barbaric about the colour.
Monka seemed to snap out of the trance he was in, and wiped his tears away. Then he stood up, and began walking toward the sea. Then he saw in the sea, and still walking, he was quickly up to his waist, and still walking forward. Not even seeming to notice that the cold water was climbing higher, and higher up his body.
Marshall watched as dawn arrived. He looked out at the isle. It was a nice place, but sadly, it had been corrupted by evil. He turned back and saw the Skipper and the rest heading for the ship. He got ready to help then aboard.
Bryony was right behind Monka, and was worried about him. They would have to have a talk, she decided.
Monka was still walking, he was almost up to his neck, and he didn't look like he was about to stop.
Bryony know she had to take some action, before she herself was drowned. Monka was taller than her. She called, "Monka! Stop! Please."
Monka heard it seemed from miles away, through the haze, and confusion in that filled his mind. He was momentarily pulled out the trance he'd fallen into. He turned to look at Bryony, but then he must have come to some sort of ledge under the water, cus he slipped, and fell.
Monka couldn't breath, water filled his mouth, he had fallen into some kind of trench, and he couldn't swim. Suddenly Monka didn't want to die, he didn't want to end his life, he tried desperately to grab hold of something, but couldn't get a grip on anything.
Bryony screamed. Then dove, searching frantically. Soon she saw him, and swam closer, holding out her paw.
Monka saw Bryony, but couldn't reach her, he was still going down. He had no idea what was making him so heavy, to make him sink like tis, but he was sinking, and fast.
Monka tried to shout at Bryony, to tell her to leave him, or she would drown. But you can't shout under water.
Bryony went and got some air, then swam back down, hunting franyically. This time she got close enough, she hoped.
Monka could see Bryony was in reach, but was terrified that if he got hold her, he would drag her down. So he didn't grab for her paw, he just tried to grab at the rocks again.
OOC: This might be a good time for Skipper to come to the rescue. ;)
It was at this point, something grabbed Bryony ' s collar. She fought, but whoever it was didn't let go, and she was handed to a different otter, crying, shaking, and screaming. Skip went back down and started cutting the kelp that had gone unnoticed around Monka ' s footpaws.
Mycroft had his back to the water, or he would have noticed what was happening. As it was, he was standing there trying to get the woodlanders to board the ship. There wasn't any point in sticking around much longer; they'd rescued the slaves and he was anxious to get back to Redwall as soon as possible. But at the same time he wondered where Cien was. He really didn't think the Abbey Warrior could be all bad; though he'd had quite a temper, he'd always been kind to the Abbeybeasts and was a good friend of Fern's. Mycroft had kept an eye out for the otter while on the island, but hadn't seen him; the shrews who had found him earlier had moved his body to one of the buildings. (OOC: Is that okay? He's dead, so...)
Although the hare didn't notice what was happening with Monka and Bryony, Mirelle did. She stared for only a moment, then dove off the side of the ship and swam for the squirrels as fast as she could. The salt water stung her back, but she gritted her teeth and kept swimming. However, Skipper got there before her, so she tread water and stayed out of the way, watching anxiously.
Marshall noticed something happening in the water, but thought they were fighting again. He set down his axe and felt the bandage in his tail stub. He tore off a bit if his tunic and rewrapped it. He could not wait to get back to Redwall.
Monka was slipping into unconsciousness. Everything was going black. He could feel a presence near to him, but his sight was blurring. Then he was.
OOC: Can I do some PPing? I'll change ig I have to.
BIC: Skipper saw that the squirrel had blacked out, and just went ahead and grabbed him, swimming upwards powerfully.
------------------------------
Bryony swam over to Mirelle, her teeth starting to chatter. "M-M-Mirelle." She got out, then stopped to draw breath.
OOC: Its ok, he's out cold. In fact, I need you to PP him for a bit.
OOC: Gonna PP Bryony slightly, Corny. Let me know if I should change it.
BIC:
Mirelle grabbed Bryony by the shoulders, concerned. "You'd better get back to shore." She took the squirrelmaid's paw and swam to the beach, a short distance away from Mycroft.
Meanwhile, the woodlanders had started to gather onshore and were getting into the ship's boat. Most of the vermin had been tied and locked up in one of the buildings, and those who weren't had mostly headed into the woods in fear.
OOC: Um, what's happening with the vermin?
OOC: I thought they'd mostly gotten under control... some of the good guys were tying them up earlier.... Here, I'll edit my previous post. Gimme a sec.
EDIT: Is that better?
OOC: Much. ;D
OOC: That'sa fine, Jukka.
BIC: Bryony let the ottermaid drag her to the beach, her eyes frantically searching for Skipper and, more importantly, Monka. After a few minutes, she saw Skipper burst out of the water and start heading for the shore. He was carrying Monka, and shre hoped that the squirrel was alright. Skipper obviously was.
OOC: *sits since I can't do anything for a little longer*
OOVC: Thank you, though!
BIC: Skipper swam up to the beach, and hurried over to Bryony. "Here. See what you can do." He said gruffly, water puring off him. "Set him down on the sand." The squirrel instructed, and when Skipper did so, started pouching on Monka's stomach. Soon, water gushing out of Monka;'s mouth, and she smiled.
Mirelle had flopped down on her stomach, breathing heavily from swimming and dragging somebeast along with her.
At this point Mycroft turned and saw them. He ran over. "Mirelle! Bryony! Skip! What's bloomin' well going on?"
Monka coughed loads of water up, then rolled onto his side, still cocking.
"Monka? Are you alright now?" Bryony asked carefully, not just talking about his pyshical state.
Monka didn't answer, he felt terrible, and not just physically. Also, everything seemed blurry, and wouldn't come into focus. He felt like he might black out again. He coughed, and more water came up.
Bryony listened to his cough, and frowned. She knew that the best thing to do would be to pound on his back, but would he attack her? She hoped notr, and decided to take the chance, and started pounding in one particular spot, so more water would come up.
OOC: That okay?
Mirelle glanced up at Mycroft. "Monka nearly drowned."
The hare looked concerned, but Skipper and Bryony were already helping the squirrel, so he stayed back.
Marshall heard Mycroft yelling, and looked out to the shore and saw the group. So that's what had been happening. He picked back up his axe and took a more careful look. He saw two otters, two squirrels, and some of the other woodlanders. Quite surprised, he yelled out,
"SKIP! IS THE SQUIRREL ALIVE?!?"
Monka coughed up even more water, (with Bryony's help). Then after a minute more, he felt a little better. Things were coming into focus now, and he was sure he couldn't cough up anymore water.
Skipper sighed, and yelled back, "YES! MONKA IS ALIVE!" Under his breath, he muttered, "For now, anyways." Which earned him a slap from Bryony.
Monka was on his hands, and knees now, breathing hard. "I...I....I....I.....I'm....sorry....Bryony." He gasped.
"Shhh. Don't talk." Bryony gently admonished, then sighed. "Come on, can you get to the ship by yourself? Or should Skip carry you?"
"Just leave me here." Monka sobbed, "I've got nothing left!"
Bryony lost it, and slapped Monka on the cheek, hard, ((OOC: That alright?)) then marched off down the shoreline, wiping away tears after she turned her back. Skipper winced, and shook his head. "Bad move, dude." The otter said, then wondered what he should do.
Monka winced at the pain, but didn't move. But when the otter spoke, he glared angrily at him. "What? Its true! I've got nothing left to live for! My one purpose, my one reason, was stolen from me! What do you expect me to do!?! Dance around cheering?!" Monka was screaming, but the words were almost directed towards himself.
"HOW ABOUT LOOK IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE?!?!?" Skipper roared back. "IN CASE YOU HADN'T NOTICED, BRYONY HAS SOME FEELINGS FOR YOU! OTHER WISE SHE WOULDN'T HAVE DONE WHAT I TOLD HER TO DO AND GOTTEN ON THAT BALLY SHIP!" He screeched. It was as plain as the nose on Monka's face. Unless you didn't really know Bryony.
Monka looked up at Skipper, confused. "What are you talking? She hates me."
Skipper growled. "No, she doesn't. If she did hate you, then she would have let you drown. If she hated you, she probably wouldn't have helped you with those chokeberries. If she hated you, then she probably wouldn't have recieved those lashes - From defending you." He said patiently. And if he had to spell it out any further, Bryony wouldn't be the only one hitting Monka.
Monka didn't know what to say. Did those things mean that she liked him? "Is....is...is that what girls do if they like a guy?" He asked Skipper, now very confused.
"How should I know? But it's what Bryony apparently does! Now, are you going to get up, or do I have to carry you?" He asked tapping one footpaw.
"No, I'm fine. I think." Monka said, manoeuvring himself into a sitting position.
"Okay, then. I am going to the ship. And if you aren't following me, I am going to strangle you before Bryony strangles me. Understand?" Skipper growled, then started for the ship, which Bryony had just reaxched.
Monka sat on the sand for a little longer, going over everything in his head. He still couldn't make head, or tail of it. But he got up, and hurried after Skipper.
Bryony brushed away a few more tears she got out of the longboat onto ship, then went to a cabin, that she would be sharinbg, no doubt, slammed the door, and started bawling.
OOC: I thought the boat was out to sea, and they had to get to it by long boat.
OOC: Gah!*Screams*
Mirelle was extremely relieved when Monka finally stopped coughing and sat up. But then Bryony slapped him and headed to the ship, and Monka and Skip started yelling at each other. The ottermaid backed off, unsure of what to do. However, a few moments later Skip headed to the ship's boat and Monka followed, so Mirelle decided to go back to the ship as well and followed them.
Mycroft waited as the woodlanders crowded into one of the boats. They couldn't all fit at once, so he was going to wait until the boat had made a few trips back and forth and then he'd get on. In the meantime, he and a few others would set fire to the remaining ships. The hare turned and asked a few Guosim and otters to help, and they nodded.
Monka got into one of the over crowded longboats, still mystified. Did Bryony like? And how could this otter tell?
Skipper's boat soon reached the ship, and he asked one of he newly freed slaves where Bryony was. The mouse pointed, and Skipper went down to the cabin, and knocked. "GO AWAY!" Bryony called, and Skipper rolled his eyes. "Bryony. If you don't open up, then I'm going in one way or another." He said firmly. Bryony just growled, so the otter shrugged, and walked away.
When Monka got on the ship, well he didn't know what to do.
He wandered around for a bit, until he found the rope locker. He went in there, and shut the door, and began doing some serious thinking.
After a little while longer, Bryony cleaned her face as best she could, then went out of the cabin. Deciding to do some exploring, she found the kitchen place, where Skipper was making something, and a few more cabin thingies. Then she saw a little cabinet type-thingy, and opened. To her surprise, she saw Monka. She stared for a moment, while debating slamming the door.
Marshall was glad to see that the squirrel was alive. He went to the kitchens to see if there was any food for his appetite. He mostly grog , but found some bread. He sat in a corner, eating, when Skipper walked in. Soon after, he saw Bryony peek in. Not knowing what had happened on the shore, he jokingly said to her
"Hey squirrel, where ya boyfriend?"
OOC: What in the world are you talking about, Gonff?!?!? That just doesn't make sense with my last post.
OOC: sorry I misunderstood
Monka was shocked to see Bryony. Before he knew it he was blurting out some sort of apology.
Bryony also tried to say something, and blushed, then shut up, and stared at her paws.
Monka soon finished his rushed apology, and stood up, and walked over to Bryony. Not entirely sure what he should do, he just stood there, looking at the floor.
"Um, apology accepted?" Bryony stammered, still looking at her paws. When she looked up, Monka was right there.
A fire was lit, and the group of woodlanders, several of whom had bows, tied bits of rag on their arrowheads in preparation for lighting them. They waited a short time longer until the wind seemed to be right, then set fire to their arrows and launched them at the other ships under Mycroft's direction.
---------------------
Mirelle was standing on the deck of the ship the woodlanders had commandeered, and she saw the woodlanders shooting fire arrows. She was relieved. The sooner the ships were fired, the sooner they could get back to Redwall.
OOC: Tiny bit of PP here. If you want me to change it Corn, just say so.
BIC: Without thinking, Monka reached out for Bryony's paw, taking it in his own, he gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'm really sorry." He muttered, looking up at Bryony's face now.
OOC: It's fine.
BIC: Bryony jumped, but allowed Mobnka to keep her paw. "Oh, but are you really?" She murmured, a little coldly.
Marshall finished his bread and went over to Skipper. He asked the otter,
"How long till we be back at the Abbey?"
OOC: Mycroft and the creatures firing the ships are actually still on the beach. :P
OOC: Well, they better get on the ship soon. :P
BIC: Monka sighed deeply, and moved a little closer to Bryony. He slowly, very slowly, put his other arm round her, then took his other hand out of hers, and put that one round her too, and hugged her gently. "I truly am."
OOC: That ok Corn?
OCC: Ok, I'll edit it.
OOC: Just to let everyone know, I'm gonna be playing Corny's characters until she's better. (If you haven't already, go look at the topic her mom made in Front Lawns.) So... here goes.
BIC:
Bryony let Monka hug her, and after a few seconds she said, "Forgiven. And I'm sorry too, for slapping and yelling at you. Although you did kinda deserve it right then," she added, half-jokingly.
---------------------------
Skip looked up from what he was making in the kitchen and gave a rueful grin. "Soon, mate, I hope. I want nothin' more than to be clear of this place."
---------------------------
The ships caught fire within moments. Flames licked up the rigging, snapping ropes and making their way toward the sails. Satisfied, Mycroft and the others boarded one of the boats, which had returned for them, and they reached the ship and clambered aboard.
Once he'd helped to pull the boat aboard, Mycroft was all business. "Right, everybeast. We're sailin' for Redwall!" he shouted. Otters and shrews hastened to raise the anchor. And then they were off!
"Yeah, I know I did." Monka said, relieved he was forgiven.
Bryony laughed a little. "Yeah..." she said, putting her arm around him. She was glad their row had been cleared up. Everything seemed to be alright now.
At that moment Bryony heard a shout - something about setting sail for Redwall. "Guess we're finally leaving," she said, slipping gently out of Monka's embrace. She moved toward the door and saw that some otters and shrews had just raised the anchor and that the ship was already on its way.
------------------------
Mirelle wandered down to the kitchens to find something to eat; she was absolutely starving. She saw Skipper and said hello. He looked up from what he was making and nodded at her, then turned back to his task. He seemed to be making a big pot of some sort of soup with random ingredients he'd found. The ottermaid picked up a piece of bread and munched it, then wandered off again to find a quiet place where she could just sit down and rest.
------------------------
Mycroft stood near the front of the ship, looking out over the water. One of the otters was at the helm as the ship headed east towards the sunrise.
"I'm with ya on that mate." He picked his axe up from the corner and headed out on the deck. We went over to Mycroft and saluted him.
"Cap'n! Where is my accictence needed?"
Monka smiled, and felt something he'd never felt before. He wasn't entirely sure what it was, but he thought it was happiness, and contentment. Just being here with Bryony, just felt so right, but then she left, and the moment was over. Monka had wished it could have gone on for ever, but never mind, he followed after Bryony out onto the deck. He saw the flames of the ships on fire, and now the sun had come out properly, and it looked like it was going to be a wonderful day.
Bryony stood on the deck for a moment, staring at the island they'd left behind. When she turned to Monka, she was grinning with pure relief that she'd never see that place again. At that moment she realized for the first time that she was hungry and said, "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm starving. Let's go get something to eat."
------------------------------
Mycroft grinned and replied, "Perhaps you can help Skip out with the jolly old cooking. Don't know if you're any good at that sort of thing, but that's the only thing I'd say needs doing. Everything else seems to be taken care of."
At that moment the ship passed the logboats they'd reached the island in. Quite a few of the Guosim crowded to the rails, staring. Apparently the vermin who'd escaped into the woods had discovered the boats, untied them from the group they were in, and attempted to escape the island. However, they'd quickly capsized since they didn't know how to handle the boats, especially on the sea. Right now a very wet and dispirited-looking group of vermin was huddled on the beach, with the logboats partially submerged in the water and some vermin clinging to them. Mycroft walked over to Log-a-Log and said, "Shall I give the order to stop and and pick up your logboats?"
Log-a-Log looked at the upside-down boats, a few of which had begun to sink from the weight of the vermin clinging to them. "It would be a lot of trouble, mate."
"We'll get it done, don't worry," the hare answered. He called out and ordered the anchor to be dropped. Then, along with a large group of otters and shrews, he got in one of the ship's boats and headed towards the logboats. The vermin swam away as best as they could, and the shrews, otters and hare all worked together to turn the logboats over and paddle them back to the ship. They worked quickly, and Log-a-Log realized that maybe it wasn't going to be so much trouble after all.
The vermin on the beach, meanwhile, had melted back into the woods in disarray.
Monka suddenly realised he was starving. "I'm not gonna argue with you on that."
OOC: I reread my last post and realized the part with the logboats sounded a bit... odd. :P So I changed it around completely. Take a look at it.
BIC:
"Let's go see if we can find anything in the kitchens," Bryony replied, heading that way.
----------------------------
Skip, meanwhile, had finished making the soup and had put it on to boil. He knew that everybeast would need something to keep them going until they reached Mossflower and could forage for more provisions.
"Ok, then." Monka smiled, and followed after Bryony.
"Aye Aye,Cap'n!"
Marshall sped off to the kitchens. He saw Skip put the soup on to boil, and went up to him.
"Need any help Mate?"
Bryony entered the kitchens just as Marshall ran in, nearly bumping into her. She rolled her eyes. "Is it too much for you to watch where you're going?" she huffed.
------------------------------
Skipper looked up when Marshall and the two squirrels entered and the former asked if he needed any help. The otter ignored Bryony's annoyed remark to Marshall and thought for a moment. "Well, mate, you could help make another pot o' soup. Don't think there's enough for everybeast in that pot."
Monka sniffed the air, something smelled good. In fact, something smelled delicious.
Monka hadn't eaten for he didn't know how long, and the sight of the cooking food in the kitchen was almost too much for him. He was still cold, and wet from his episode in the sea on top of everything else.
Mycroft, the otters and the shrews continued turning the logboats right-side-up and paddling them back to the ship. They made very good time, and even Mycroft was impressed with their speed. He figured they'd be done pretty soon and could get going again.
Marshall heard her remark, and was quick to respond.
"Don't get ya tail in a knot squirrel, at least ya got one!"
He turned back to Skip, the headed off to grab another pot.
Monka suddenly saw a large loaf of fresh bread, left unattended on the worktop. A Guosim cook, who had made the bread, was on the other side of the ship's kitchen, getting more ingredients.
Monka's mouth began to water, and he licked his lips. Very slowly he reached out for the loaf of bread, then he grabbed, and like a staving wolf, ate it in three mouthfuls.
Bryony honestly couldn't think of a good comeback right away, and by the time she did, it was too late to use it. She rolled her eyes again and then noticed Monka wolfing down a loaf of bread. The squirrelmaid turned and saw another loaf sitting on the table, and she grabbed it before the shrewcook noticed, taking huge bites of it. Bread had never tasted so good.
------------------------
Skipper began chopping up some leeks and a few carrots for the next batch of soup.
------------------------
Mirelle had found a quiet place on deck between some barrels and coils of rope, and she sat there munching her bread, thankful that the ordeal was over and they'd soon be back at Redwall. After a few minutes, she noted that the ship had stopped moving, and she stood up to see what was going on, leaning on the railing. The ottermaid quickly realized that they'd only stopped to pick up the logboats, and so she sat down again.
The shrew cook then returned to where he'd left his bread cooling. Confused that it had disappeared, he looked around for it. Seeing the two squirrels, he narrowed his eyes at them. The fact that Monka was picking crumbs out of his whiskers decided the cook's mind. He came at the two of them waving a rolling pin, and telling them to get out.
Bryony, her mouth full, grunted something unintelligible at the shrew, shook her head, and swallowed as quickly as she could. She then said innocently, "Why? We're just eating."
---------------------
Skipper watched the squirrels and shrew and shook his head in amusement, then turned back to preparing the vegetables.
"Yes, but that bread was meant to be for everyone!" The shrew cook growled, still menacing with his rolling pin.
"Oops..." Bryony said, feeling guilty. "Um, never mind, we'll help you make more. Right, Monka?" she said, bolting the last of her loaf and brushing crumbs out of her fur.
Marshall was snickering the whole time. He had started to make another pot, but was more interested in the conversation.
Quote from: Jukka the Sling on August 16, 2014, 06:45:56 PM
"Oops..." Bryony said, feeling guilty. "Um, never mind, we'll help you make more. Right, Monka?" The squirrelmaid had never actually made bread before, but she figured it couldn't be too difficult. She was still starving, though, so she bolted the last of her loaf and then brushed crumbs out of her fur.
OOC: Jukka, could you change that? I don'y much like the whole 'She'd never made bread before' thing. Also, I can take my characters back now.
OOC: Yay, you're back! :D And I changed it. :)
Monka, who had never made bread before in his life, gave Bryony an almost pleading look. But if Bryony told him he had to help, then he guessed he would. Which was quite strange really, Monka hated taking orders from anybody, but he wouldn't doing what Bryony wanted. Odd.............
Bryony got the water and the flour, then turned and asked the cook, "Would you mind if I put a little something extra in the bread? As a small thank-you?"
Monka followed after Bryony, and when she'd stopped talking he said very quietly, "What can I do?"
Back at Redwall, Fern awoke with the morning light streaming through her window. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, vaguely wondering where Mycroft was. Then she remembered the events of the day before and sighed, hoping her husband and the others had found Skipper. She little dreamed that her husband had gone on to Scarlet's island and helped rescue the slaves, and that both Scarlet and Cien were dead. And then her thoughts turned to the plans for the Greenshroud. She was still full of questions about those plans, but forced herself to stop wondering for the moment. She got dressed and went downstairs for some breakfast.
Since the cook and nodded yes, Bryony gad started looking for raisins, nuts, bits of crystallized fruit, anything. She paused, and said, "Well, you could look for something I could put in the loaves. And if you could find some greensap milk, that would be grreat, please.
"Um....ok." Monka had no idea what to put in bread, and he doubted there'd be green sap milk on a corsair ship.
Mycroft and the others were still working to get the logboats onto the ship, but they were nearly done. Only a couple of logboats were left.
--------------------------------------
Fern entered the kitchens. It was still early, so breakfast hadn't been served yet. Several cooks and some others were bustling around, making scones, porridge, and other breakfast foods. Fern walked over to a young mouse who was making scones (and having a bit of trouble with them) and smiled.
"Need any help?" she asked. Without waiting for an answer, she began helping him.
"Sure," the mouse said, feeling relieved.
"You know what, you stir this slowly, and I'll look." Bryony instructed, inwardly laughing at the confused look on Monka's face.
"Ok....." Monka smiled shyly, walking over slowly.
Bryony handed Monka a spoon, (Actually she handed it to his general direction) and then started rummaging in some small cupboard type things.
Monka took the spoon, and held it like it was a poisonous snake.
Finally, Mycroft and the others finished loading the boats and boarded the ship. They raised the anchor and within a few minutes had set sail again.
------------------------
Fern and the young mouse soon finished the scones and put them in the oven. "Well, that's done," the Abbess said brightly, looking around to see if there was anything else she could help with. She didn't often cook, but when she got the chance she enjoyed it.
Sister Lupine woke up, and yawned. She saw the sun creeping underneath the curtains, and smiled, a rather thoughtful smile. Maybe Mycroft, and the others would come back today.
Bryony came back with a pawful of crystallized fruit, which she, or Monka, would chop small, and saw that Monka was holding the sppon like it was a poisonous snake. "Oh, dear." She murmured, putting the fruit down and taking the spoon. "Here, this is how you hold it. If I have to tell you how to stir, however, I may just boot you out of the galley." She said half jokingly as she showed him the correct paw position.
Marshall's stew was coming along nicely. He let it sit for a bit, and went to go see Mycroft. When he found the hare, he reported back
"Cap'n! Foods acookin'! Should be ready soon Cap'n!
"Um, alright." Monka almost whispered.
"Um, Monka? Are you going to take the spoon?" Bryony half-whispered back, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah." Monka said in a tiny voice, taking the spoon.
"Is something wrong?" Bryony asked, picking up a knife to chop up the fruit.
"Not really." Monka's voice was almost silent.
Bryony pointed the knife at Monka. "Monka, I know something's bugging you. Now, either spill the beans, or I jab you with this sticky knife."
"I'd rather you didn't." Monka was now mouthing the words, but there was a cheeky grin spread across his face.
Bryony rolled her eyes and leveled the knife with Monka's nose. "Spill it." She mouthed, glaring at the other squirrel.
"Don't turn my into bread." Monka mouthed, trying hard not to laugh.
Bryony inched the sharp knife forwards until there was only a hair of space between his nose and the knife, her eyes narrowed.
Monka leaned backwards, his face almost turning purple as he tried to hold back the laughter.
Bryony's eyes narrowed. Skipper, how had been watching this display and almost bursting with laughter. He took his hotroot soup and went out to serve it, pausing on the way to stage whisper in Monka's ear, "You may want to tell her, mate. She will use that knife." With a big grin. Then something clicked in Bryony's mind. Not showing it outwardly, she silently started hurling curses at the otter.
Marshall saluted and dashed back to the kitchens to work on his dish. He was wondering what Bryony was doing with a knife. He went back to the pot and kept stirring, but yelled over to the squirrel,
"Hey squirrel, better put that knife down. Don't wanna scar up your boyfriend!"
Monka held his paws up, and said out loud, "There's nothing to tell! I was just messing around! Don't spite roast me Bryony, that's all I ask."
Mycroft nodded. "Good. Thanks for tellin' me, mate." He eyed some of the recently-freed slaves, shook his head, and murmured to himself as the fox went back to the kitchens, "These creatures could use some vittles." Many of the slaves were so thin it seemed a breeze might blow them away. The hare had never seen anything like it. He shook his head again, then turned to face the sea.
He suddenly remembered Cien. Not once had he seen the otter, but he'd been far too preoccupied with other things to try and seek him out. Now he turned to a shrew who was standing near and asked him if he'd seen an otter with a golden headstripe while on the island. The shrew looked down, then replied that he had, but he was dead. Mycroft thanked him and turned away, saddened. Cien had always been friendly to those at Redwall, and the hare knew Fern would be quite upset when she heard the news. Even if lately she hadn't been sure if Cien was good, she had been friends with him for several seasons.
OOC: *waits for Corny*
Quote from: Gonff the Mousethief on August 25, 2014, 01:17:18 AM
Marshall saluted and dashed back to the kitchens to work on his dish. He was wondering what Bryony was doing with a knife. He went back to the pot and kept stirring, but yelled over to the squirrel,
"Hey squirrel, better put that knife down. Don't wanna scar up your boyfriend!"
Bryony turned at that, and she quickly launched the knife before anyone could stop her. Oh, it wouldn't hurt the fox, not unless he did something stupid, just scare him. After that, she turned and marched after Skipper, slamming the door behind her into the dining room. "Oh, Skipper! Could I talk to you for a moment?" She trilled sweetly. Skipper winced, and gave the pot to one of the few remaining ottercrew.
Monka watched Bryony go, then turned to a shrew cook. "What just happened?"
Fern had found something else to do in the kitchens. She was enjoying herself, and deliberately pushed thoughts of Mycroft, Skipper, Cien, and Bryony out of her mind. For now, she was just going to focus on not worrying. But she did intend to talk with Tripper and Bryant about the plans later, after breakfast.
----------------------
Glirid had been dreaming about the horrors of being bathed, and when he suddenly woke up, he was flailing around and yelling about the horrible things he'd do to his tormentors. But then he realized he was safe in his little bed in the Dibbuns' dormitory, so he calmed down. Fortunately, none of the other Dibbuns had been woken up by his yelling.
After a moment the little dormouse decided to go downstairs to see what was happening. So he grabbed 'paw' and went.
The shrew cook shrugged. "Maybe the fox said somethin' wrong." He said, although it seemed obvious, since there was a cooking knife sticking in the wall half an inch above Marshall's head.
OOC: Slight PP there, Gonff, but you didn't reply, so. . . . .
BIC: Skipper was regretting his decision to follow Bryony up onto the deck a little too late. Bryony must know that he knew her feelings for Monka, and had more than likely told him. And now the squirrelmaid was turning to him with fury in her eyes. Or murder. He wasn't sure which was worse.
------------------------------------------------------
The long-dead spirit of Martin was trying to find the Abbess. No easy task, but he finally found her in the Kitchens. No one would see him except her, she was sure of that.
Fern was calmly stirring a large pot of porridge when she saw something odd out of the corner of her eye. She glanced up and saw Martin. Startled, she leaped back, dropping her spoon and burning her paw slightly on the edge of the hot pot. Rubbing it furiously with her other paw, she glanced up at the apparition, annoyed. "Don't sneak up on me like that. And anyway, what do you want now?" Fern was really put out by the Warrior's behavior the day before, and so she figured he deserved some snark from her. She noticed the odd looks the kitchen assistants cast her way, and let herself grin slightly. Of course, she thought, they can't see him, just like last time.
---------------------------
Glirid wandered downstairs and into Great Hall. Only a few beasts were there, laying the tables. He stood and watched them for a few minutes, but then got bored and decided to go to the kitchens. Maybe he could find some apples in there.
---------------------------
Mirelle had finished her bread a while ago. As they sailed on, she sat in the little niche she'd found, tired, but still hungry. After a while, she realized there was a delicious smell coming from the kitchens. So she got up and headed over there.
Monka made a face which said No ****. Then turned to go after Bryony, but stopped himself just before he went out of the door. "Do you think I should go after her?" He asked the shrew cook again.
Marshall did not move once the knife was out of the squirrels hand. He moved to look at it . Pretty good throw. He got the knife out of the wall and set it down. He fixed his hat back and continued on his soup which was almost ready. He would still annoy Bryony. It was just his nature, plus her reactions were quite amusing.
The shrew cook shrugged helpfully, not really caring.
-------------------------------------------------------
Martin rolled his eyes and turned. "Well, I guess you'll just have to wait. I was going to give you some news about that hare, but maybe you don't want it. . . . " His mistly letters formed as he started slowly floating away. One, two, three. . . He counted. On five, she'd crack and ask. Most did.
----------------------------------------------
Skipper was now getting whisper-screamed at by Bryony, but he was tuning her out, until she slapped him. "Are you listening to me?" She asked. The otter nodded.
OOC: I'm realizing more and more that I played Bryony completely wrong when I had her a couple weeks ago. Especially that romantic part with her and Monka in the rope locker, when she's thinking to herself that he's not her boyfriend, and they're just friends. *Facepalm* *Starts having an OCD attack*
BIC:
"What do you know about Mycroft?" Fern finally asked, unable to stand the suspense any longer. There was a note of worry in her voice. "Has something happened to him?"
----------------------
Glirid had entered the kitchens unnoticed by any of the assistants, and looked around for some apples. But then he noticed something really odd: the Abbess was standing by a pot of porridge, talking to herself. He toddled over, past a few assistants who were also looking at Fern oddly, and asked the hare, "Why are you talkin' to yourself, Muvver H'abbess?"
----------------------
Mirelle paused near the kitchens when she noticed Skipper and Bryony standing there, with the latter looking very ticked off. The ottermaid, her hunger momentarily forgotten, decided to stay and watch the proceedings.
Monka bit his lip, then took a deep breath, and opened the door into where Bryony, and Skipper were. He was met with a strange sight, Bryony whacking Skipper right across the face. "I am I interrupting something?"
OOC: Jukka, I actually wasn't going to say anything. *Thinks of something* I wasn't going to say anything about that, either. But, don't have an OCD attack. They can get nasty. *Hugs* It's okay.
BIC: Bryony turned, horrified. "Um." She squeaked. "No?" Behind her, Skipper started laughing, until Bruyony kicked him.
---------------------------------------------
"Come along, and I'll tell you." Martin said, or rather, wrote. She was rigt on the count of five, he noted dryly.
Monka wasn't so sure. "What's going on Bryony? Please, for once just speak to me! Less than two hours ago I tried to kill myself, and you saved me! You can say anything you want to me."
OOC: Thanks. :) Anyway, just 'cause I want everything to be right (:P), I went back and removed that part where she's thinking Monka isn't her boyfriend. I think it works better now. :P
BIC:
"Okay," Fern answered, still sounding worried. Just then, Glirid come up to her and asked why she was talking to herself. "I'm not...oh, never mind," she said. "Why don't you run along and play? I don't think you're allowed in here."
----------------
Glirid wandered off again. As he was about to leave the kitchens, he spotted a bowl of apples and managed to pinch one before anybeast noticed. He toddled off happily, taking juicy bites of it.
----------------
Mirelle leaned against the outside kitchen wall, still watching the whole thing in amusement. This was turning out more interesting than she'd expected.
"Skipper told you something, didn't he?" Bryony anwered, then she turned on her heel and statred walking off.
-----------------------------------
Skipper face-pawed, and muttered, "Oh, that squirrel!" under his breath.
Marshall finished the pot. He walked around for a bit, but saw Skipper and the two squirrels. He went over to see what had happened.
"Skip, what's been happen in'?"
Monka had no idea what that was supposed to mean, so he ran after Bryony. "Bryony! Skipper hasn't said anything! Just talk to me for ****** sake!" He reached out, and grabbed Bryony's arm.
OOC: Is that ok Corn?
OOC: Perfectly fine. You know, I'm startuing to wonder if we're dragging this thing out for Bryony and Monka's sake.
BIC: Skipper shrugged. "Girly drama. C'mon mate. Let's leave the two lovebirds alone." So saying, he turned, saw Mirelle, and frowned. He started walking towards the kitchen once again, indicated the fox and ottermaid should follow them.
--------------------------------------------------------
Bryony turned slightly, so that she was facing Monka, and said, "Skipper told you that I, um, like you, didn't he?"
Monka opened his mouth to speak, the shut it again for a minute. "Um....kind of. It was back on the beach, after you'd slapped me. But what's wrong with you liking me? Is there something wrong with me?"
OOC: Hey, Cornflower, could you please post as Martin?
BIC:
Mirelle noticed Skip walk back to the kitchens, and she followed. The whole thing had been kinda funny, but she realized once again that she was hungry. As soon as she entered the kitchens, she grabbed a few stray vegetables sitting on the counter and popped them in her mouth.
--------------------------
Mycroft left the front of the ship and headed toward the kitchens, as he figured the food should be ready by now.
"Aye mate, don't want a part of that!"
He followed the two otters back to the kitchens. His keen ears could bearly hear Monka's comment, but he replied to it in his thoughts,
"Nothing wrong with you, but with that squirrel yes there is!"
OOC: Gonff, if Marshall heard Monka's comment, then why not Bryony's? @Jukka: Sure!
BIC: <Martin was waiting by the Kictrehn door, rather impatiently.
------------------------------------
Skipper walked into the dining room, and noticed that his pot of soup was just sitting on a table. Frowning, he went over and started serving it again.
---------------------------------------
Bryony. "Well, um, no. . . It's just that I would have preferred to tell you myself! And there isn't anything wrong with you," She said, turning pink.
OOC: Thanks!
BIC:
Still looking worried, Fern headed over to the door. "Where are we going?"
-----------------
Mycroft reached the galley and poked his head in. "Are the vittles ready? These creatures could use some tuck, wot."
Monka looked Bryony straight in the face. "Stop all this silliness, and just say it straight out. Come on, say it."
OOC: No problemo!
BIC: The ghost did a shrug. "I don't know. Somewhere quiet. Maybe your room?" He suggested, turning to head to the Abbess's room.
-------------------------------------------
Bryony blushed harder, and shook her head. She knew it was silly, she recognized that. . . . But, still, it would still really, really hurt if he didn't like her back. So, why say? Very twisted logic, she knew.
OCC: Well, what I ment was he payed attention to his comment.
BIC: Marshall grabbed his pot and passed by Mycroft.
"We'll serve it now Cap'n!"
OOC: Serve, and now. ;)
Monka left go of Bryony's arm, and walked back towards the kitchen for a few paces. But then he turned back around, and shouted back, "Bryony, you are just being impossible. If this makes it any easier than fine, I love you."
Monka had meant to say he liked her, but that other word had somehow slipped in.
Bryony blinked. "Wha-at?" She whispered, a smile spreading across her face.
Monka suddenly realized what he had said. Before he began back tracking he made himself say it again. "I....I love you."
"Alright," Fern said, following Martin up to her room. I hope Mycroft's alright. Wonder if he found Skipper...
---------------------
"Good," the hare answered. "Think I'll help you chaps serve. I'm not too good at cooking, but this I can help with." He went over to the dining area and started dishing out bowls of soup.
Quote from: rachel25 on September 04, 2014, 05:12:59 PM
Monka suddenly realized what he had said. Before he began back tracking he made himself say it again. "I....I love you."
Bryony smiled again, and didn't let herself think. She walked quickly over to Monka, and flung her paws around his neck. "I love
you." She whispered into his ear. Then she really didn't let herself think, turned her head, and gently pressed her lips to his cheek.
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Okay, then. Everybody, and I mean EVERBODY, is coming back safely. They'll be here soon. Good day! With those letters, he disappeared in a happy-smelling poof of mist.
"Really?" Fern exclaimed, overjoyed. She was just about to ask if that included Cien, but Martin disappeared before she got the chance. That didn't dampen her relief, though, and as she headed back downstairs, she felt like she was walking on air. And maybe it was partly due to the happy-smelling mist, but she couldn't stop grinning.
When she reached Great Hall, breakfast was being set out and Redwallers were already gathering. The Abbess walked over to the head of the table and announced, "Martin the Warrior just appeared to me and said that all of the missing Abbeydwellers are coming home soon."
Everybeast present looked considerably relieved, and they all began talking and speculating on when the others were going to arrive.
"Sounds good!"
Marshall went out on deck and stated to server the hungry crew and former slaves.
Monka was to say the least surprised, but he didn't do anything. This hadn't been the reaction he'd expected, but hey! He wasn't going to complain.
Slowly, as if he was afraid Bryony would shout at him or something, Monka wrapped his arms around Bryony. Hugging her affectionately. "Bryony," He whispered, "I think I just found a new, and brilliant reason to keep on living. You."
Bryony pulled back a little, and smiled at Monka, not sure what to say. She didn't want to ruin the moment, and she was quite inexperienced at this sort of thing.
Monka smiled awkwardly back, not knowing what to say either.
Think! Come on! Do something!
Finally, Bryony came up with something. Speaking slowly, and hesitantly, she said, "I don't think Bryant would object to a new member in our little family. . . "
That really threw Monka. "I thought it was the guy who was meant to propose." He smiled.
"That's true. But you are just kind of standing there staring at me with this completely happy look on your face." Bryony said with a smile, her eyes twinkling.
"I know, I'm not very good at these kind of things." Monka said, biting his lip.
"I noticed. But, is that a yes?" Bryony asked, half-teasing, and half not.
"Its a definite yes." Monka felt himself feel lighter almost. As if the weight of the world had just lifted off his shoulders.
Bryony laughed with pure delight, and without thinking, almost, she brought her face closer to Monka's, and lightly planted her lips on his.
OOC: There! I've done! I feel like a complete and total idiot, but I've done it!
At that precise moment, Mirelle emerged from the galley holding a steaming bowl of soup. She blew on it, not noticing Bryony and Monka, but she looked up just in time to see the former kiss the latter. The ottermaid nearly dropped her bowl in surprise, and then backed off as quietly as possible so they wouldn't notice somebeast had seen them. Once she was back in the kitchens, she laughed at herself and the whole situation.
-------------------------
Mycroft continued serving former slaves and woodlanders bowls of soup.
-------------------------
Fern seated herself at the head of the table in Great Hall as more Redwallers began arriving and sat down to breakfast.
-------------------------
Glirid sat down as well, anxious to begin eating.
Marshall kept serving away. He needed to go fetch some more bowls. He put the soup down and hurried to find more. He ran past Mirelle in the kitchens who was laughing a little bit.
''Whats so funny Mirelle?''
Quote from: Cornflower MM on September 05, 2014, 06:36:57 PM
Bryony laughed with pure delight, and without thinking, almost, she brought her face closer to Monka's, and lightly planted her lips on his.
OOC: There! I've done! I feel like a complete and total idiot, but I've done it!
OOC: ;D Oh....wait. I've got to reply now. :-X
BIC: Monka embraced Bryony tighter, as if he'd never let go. He kissed her affectionately, and all the time the only thing running through his head was.
At last. I've found peace, and happiness.
OOC: *Shudders from the awkwardness*
BIC:
Mirelle glanced up from her soup. "Oh, hi, Marshall. Uh..." She realized two things at once. One, that it probably wouldn't be polite to Bryony and Monka to say why she was laughing. Two, that no one else would quite understand what was so funny about her almost intruding on a couple's private moment and then backing off. She found it funny because it was so surprising (one minute Bryony was yelling at Skip, and the next she was... yeah...), and because she was sure her expression as she backed off must've looked really weird. But the ottermaid knew she couldn't explain that to Marshall.
"Um, it's kinda hard to explain. In fact, I don't think it'd be that terribly funny to you," Mirelle continued as she ate another spoonful of soup, feeling kind of embarrassed.
--------------------------
Breakfast was soon served, and Fern began eating, a smile still on her face. It felt so good to know that Mycroft and everyone else would be back soon.
OOC: I have to agree with Jukka: Awkward. . . . (Jukka, it's not even one of your charries!)
BIC: Bryony was half amazed that Monka didn't pull back, but pulled her closer. Ah, wel.. Who really cared right no?
''Please tell, even if its not I still would like to hear.''
Marshall was hoping she would tell. Her expression told him that she was embarrassed about it.
OOC: Yeah, I know, but it's still really awkward. :P
BIC:
"Uh..." She wasn't sure how she could work her way out of this one. Slowly, she ate some more soup to buy some time. But after a moment, she gave up and decided she should just tell Marshall what had happened. "Um... Bryony... and Monka... kissed." There. She'd said it. The ottermaid suddenly became very focused on blowing on her soup, meanwhile hoping that Bryony wouldn't find out she'd told somebeast. She could foresee a very painful death in store for her if that happened.
A great big grin spread across the blue foxes face.
"I see what's so funny!"
He started to chuckle. He wasn't going to tell Bryony he knew. He would get Mirelle in loads of trouble if he did.
"Thank you for the information!"
He sped off to find his bowls.
OOC: Ok, who thinks we should do a time skip to where their almost back at the Abbey? Cus really it'll probably take them maybe three days at most to get back without anyone rowing.
OOC: Sounds good with me. I was running out of ideas to do with Marshall :P
OOC: Yes, pleez. Oh, idea for Martin-the-Ghosty!
OOC: What is it Corn?
OOC: Oh, nothing. Just him popping up again, and being sarcastic. And telling Fern that today is THE day.
OOC: Ok, then. So unless Jukka wants to do something, we can skip.
OOC Okay. JUKKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,
OOC: Sorry, guys! Yeah, I'm fine with a time-skip.
OOC: Ok, then. So, we'll go back to when their all in Mossflower Woods, almost back at Redwall Abbey.
BIC: Monka trudged on through Mossflower Woods behind a group of ex-slaves. Everyone was talking excitedly, all eager to get back to the Abbey. Whereas Monka was feeling quite nervous. He'd never been to Redwall, and he was afraid that the beasts there wouldn't like him or something. He was especially scared of meeting Bryony's brother. Monka doubted he'd be pleased about his sister marrying someone he'd never met.
Bryony was at the head of the group with Mycroft and Skipper, since she'd been at the Abbey before, but dropped to where Monka was. "Hi." She said, with a smile.
"Oh, hi." Monka smiled nervously.
OOC: Have they told anyone their gonna get married yet?
OOC: Hmm. . . . What about keeping it a surprise? Also, slight PP. I can change it.
BIC: "Why are you so nervous? Bryant will like you. If not, he'll have to deal with me." Bryony said, slipping her paw inside Monka's reassuringly.
--------------------------------------------------
Bryant was happily reading a good thick book, when he heard a small noise. Looking up, he saw misty letters. If you'd like to greet your sister, I'd suggest you find somebody to lean on and start hobbling down the path. Now. After reading that twice, the letters disappeared and he whooped happily. Sister Lupine poked her head in and asked if everything was alright. "Oh, yes, Sister. But could you help me down to the path?" He asked. "Of course, dear." The mouse replied, coming over to the bed and helping him up.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Martin was looking for the Abbess,. Again. He soon found her, and floated in front of her, waiting.
OOC: Its fine.
BIC: Monka squeezed Bryony's paw thankfully. "He won't survive if he goes up against you." He joked, a cheery smile spreading across his face.
Bryony laughed. "No, it's likely he won't." She replied.
Monka slipped his hand out of Bryony's, and put his arm around her waist. "So, tell me. What's Redwall Abbey like then?"
Bryony smiled, "Well, it's red, for one thing." She stopped, to laugh quietly, then continued. "There's a beautiful orchard, and a pond, with a lovely view from the walltops. The creatures there are wonderfully friendly, and nice. The food is like nothing you've ever tasted."
"It better be. I'm starving." Monka sighed.
Bryony laughed again, louder this time. "It isn't far now." She said, smiling. Up near the front of group, Skipper smiled. He'd never heard Bryony laugh so much, and he had a few suspicions about her and Monka. But he kept them to himself.
---------------------------------------------------
Bryant was hobbling as fast as he could with his broken leg. It wasn't very fast, but at the moment he and Sister Lupine were trying to get the main gate open. . . . There! Grabbing a random sturdy stick, he used as a crutch, going down the path.
Monka thought he saw something up ahead. Then he saw Redwall.
His jaw actually dropped, and a look of pure adoration spread across his face. "It's huge." he whispered.
Bryony smiled, then something caught her eye on the path. Something tan-colored. She shrieked, and started running. Soon she was ahead of the group, and Bryant laughed happily, trying to hobble faster. Then, the next thing he knew, he was being smushed, and his paws were an inch of the ground. "Can't. . . Breathe." He spluttered, hugging Bryony back.
Monka watched Bryony shoot off, and shyly stood where he was. He could see Bryony hugging who he guessed, must be Bryant up ahead.
OOC: I think we need to slow down a bit for Jukka, and Gonff. :P
OOC: Yeah, probably.
OOC: Ya, been at school all day.
BIC: Marshall tried to stay with Skipper for the most part. He was full of exicetment when Redwall started to show. A thought flashed through his mind . Tripper! He could not wait to see the old sea-shrew. He hurried along, wanting to get there as fast as possible.
Fern was in her room, doing some writing. She was copying an old book she'd found in the Gatehouse, about the searat Blaggut, Mother Mellus, and the evil rat Slipp. The book was yellow and crumbling; in fact, it too was a copy, the original volume having fallen apart long ago. Now the Abbess was preserving it for future generations.
As she began copying a new paragraph, she became aware of a presence next to her. Startled, she looked up and realized it was Martin. "Oh, it's you," she said, laying aside her quill.
-----------------------------------
Mycroft and Mirelle were walking at the front of the group. As Redwall came into view, Mirelle broke away from the others and raced on ahead. She was so excited!
The hare watched her go and then turned his attention back to the Abbey looming ahead. He smiled to himself, thinking of seeing Fern and his two little 'uns once again. There was so much to tell.
Martin smiled. Go meet your husband. He's out on the path. I don't know when I'll show up again, and I'm sorry for frightening the little ones a few nights ago. Goodbye, Mother Abbess. He said, then he vanished again, leaving the scent of roses in the room.
----------------------------------------------
Bryony put Bryant down, and smiled. Bryant noticed there was something different about his sister, but it was a good different. She would tell all soon.
As soon as Martin vanished, the Abbess leapt to her footpaws, knocking her chair over in her hurry to get outside. She practically flew downstairs, into Great Hall, across the lawns, and out the open main gate.
May and Brinkut were playing near the Gatehouse, and as soon as their mother ran past, they jumped up and followed.
----------------------
Mirelle had reached the main gate and paused a moment, just enjoying the sense of safety and peace it seemed to bring her. A second later, the peaceful moment was shattered when Fern dashed out of the gate, knocking into her.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Fern apologized. When Mirelle assured her that she was fine, the Abbess took off again, with her two leverets trailing behind. Mirelle watched them go, then turned and walked into the Abbey.
----------------------
Mycroft suddenly saw Fern come running out of the Abbey. With a big grin on his face, he sprinted toward her and swooped her into a hug. "Oh, Fern, I missed you so blinkin' bad!" he said, giving her a kiss.
Fern returned it and then gazed up at her husband, her arms still wrapped around him. She was grinning as well. "It's so good to see you again!" Pause. "Where've you been, anyway? You were gone for an eternity," she continued, not sounding annoyed, just curious.
"That's a long story," Mycroft said, but broke off as May and Brinkut came running up. "Papa!" Mycroft grinned again and picked Brinkut up, lifting the leveret onto his shoulders. Taking May's paw in one paw and Fern's in the other, he walked towards the Abbey, Brinkut holding on to his ears.
Fern was still bursting with questions about what had happened to Mycroft and where they found the motley group behind them, but she decided not to ask any more until they were inside. It was just so good to have Mycroft back again!
Marshall saw Fern coming out and hugging Mycroft. He was glad They were back together. The Blue fox hurried on towards the abbey, waiting to find old Tripper. He passed up Mycroft and Fern he passed. They looked so happy together. Plus the little leverets, one oh his shoulders and the other paw in paw. As he sped along, he winked at Mycroft. The hare probably didnt notice. Anywho, he started a run for Redwall.
Bryant wasn't really understanding why Bryony was suddenly going the wrong way, but he went along with her.
Monka now stood alone on the dusty path. He looked at the floor, and shuffled his feet awkwardly. He didn't know how to act, he felt like he was intruding into a part of life where he had no business to be.
Bryony pulled Bryant over to Monka. "Why are you still standing here, silly?" She teased, smiling. Bryant, of course, was shell-shocked. Uh-oh. Was his only thought.
Fern, Mycroft, and the two little hares entered the Abbey. After setting Brinkut down, Mycroft and Fern stood near the main door as the huge group of freed slaves, otters, shrews, and Redwallers flooded in. The Abbess smiled at them all, but then a sudden thought struck her and she turned to Mycroft.
"Did you find out anything about Cien?"
Mycroft lowered his head slightly. "Fern, I'm sorry - Cien is dead. Scarlet Firewave is also dead. A number of the beasts you see here were her bally slaves."
Fern paled but kept her voice steady. "Cien... gone..." she murmured. "Did... did Scarlet kill him?"
"I don't know..." Mycroft said. "Somebeast else told me about it."
Fern turned to face the crowd again, saddened and confused. Was he really evil? But somehow, despite what had come to light in the past few days, she suddenly looked past that and realized that Cien had had some good in him. He'd spent many seasons at Redwall, and during that time he'd been good to everybeast there. No, even if he'd been a slave trader before, he'd tried to make up for it. She could see that now.
Marshall ran to the Infirmary. When he arrived, he saw the old shrew still in his bed.
''TRIPPER!!''
''MARSHALL!!!''
The blue fox ran and hugged the shrew. Over teh little period of time they had know each other, they were best friends.
''What happened on the trip!''
''Well, we freed a BUNCH of slaves, found Skip, and sadly, found out that Cien had died. What happened here at the Abbey?''
''Oh, one of the Dibbuns 'ound some here plans for a MONSTER ship that Cien msut have hid! I'm sad to here about the otta'. Oh well, can ya help me up? I want to go see Skip and the new slaves!''
Marshall helped him up, and together the two went to meet them.
Quote from: Cornflower MM on September 11, 2014, 12:58:28 AM
Bryony pulled Bryant over to Monka. "Why are you still standing here, silly?" She teased, smiling. Bryant, of course, was shell-shocked. Uh-oh. Was his only thought.
"Um, I thought, well....that you'd want to....well...be alone....with your brother..." Monka didn't looked up as he stammered his reply.
Bryony laughed, and took Monka's paw, so that she was between Bryant and Monka. "You really are silly, aren't you?" She said, smiling.
OOC: I'm assuming that's okay? :P
OOC: Yeah. sure.
BIC: Monka felt terribly awkward, but smiled nervously. Not knowing what to say.
Glirid, meanwhile, was watching the crowd flooding in with interest. Some of the slaves were so thin and emaciated he wasn't even sure what type of creature they were. Sucking his paw, he continued watching.
-----------------------------
Mirelle had already entered the Abbey building, reveling in the feeling of being in a safe, familiar place. After her ordeal a few days ago, she wanted to stay here forever.
OOC: If its alright with you two, Jukka, and Gonff. I'd like to pause this RP, until maybe Corny can come back. Because we are so close to finishing, if at all possible, I'd like her to be able to finish it with us.
OOC: Alright.
OOC: That seems like the right thing to do. I agree.
OOC Ok, thank you guys.
OOC: So, what have I missed. . . . ? Nothing. Thanks, guys! That's so sweet!
OOC: Well we didn't want to finish without you. ;D
OOC: Thanks again. Now, how about some BIC: posting?
BIC: Bryony rolled her eyes. "Bryant, this is Monka. Monka, this is Bryant." She introduced.
Abbess Fern stood near the door until the crowd thinned out. Once she was pretty sure there were no more beasts entering, she and Mycroft walked over to the door and prepared to close it. At that moment, however, she heard voices just outside on the path. She stepped outside to see who it was, and saw Bryony, Bryant, and a strange squirrel, who she figured must be Monka. Turning, she headed back inside and shook her head at Mycroft when he made as if to close the door. Bryony could take all the time she needed.
OOC: 1,000th post!
OOC: Yay, Jukka! Rachel, I kinda need you.
Monka nodded his head slightly, but didn't say anything.
Bryony sighed, and wagged a paw under first Bryant' nose, then Monka's. "You two are going to be good friends and have nice, civil conversations if it kills me. Starting NOW." He admonished. Bryant grinned. "Okay, big sister. It's nice to meet you, Monka."
"Um, hi." Monka smiled slightly, he could almost feel Bryony's eyes on him. "I..I...It.....it....its..s.s.s.s.ss, its nice to meet you......."
Bryony groaned and faced-pawed. "Monka, does meeting new people make you this nervous nrmally? You really were out of it when we met, weren't you." She said.
OOC: Totally unrelated, but Corny. Why aren't you messaging me anymore?
BIC: Monka smiled shyly, and mumbled unintelligible.
OOC: Au contraire, Rach. YOU'RE the one not messaging ME. :)
BIC: Bryony face-palmed, then said, "Well, let's just get to the Abbey. Monka, you and I need to talk, and Bryant, you need to rest, and I need food. Now."
Mirelle had headed to the kitchens, as she was quite hungry. She slipped inside and looked around. Nobeast else was there, as most of the Abbey had headed outside to welcome the newcomers. Delighted that she had the whole place to herself, the ottermaid proceeded to fill a plate with whatever she could find. At last she seated herself at a small table and tucked in.
---------------------------
Fern left Mycroft near the main door and walked over to where most of the crowd could see her. She raised her voice. "Welcome to Redwall, friends. I'm Abbess Fern. I know you must be tired and hungry after your journey; the Brothers and Sisters will be glad to show you to the dormitories, and after that we'll have lunch."
As soon as she finished speaking, the crowd began to disperse as Abbeydwellers led groups of ex-slaves up to the dormitories.
Marshall and Tripper managed to get a small plate of food each. They went over and sat by Mirelle.
"Hey there Mirelle! Feels good t' be home doesnt it?"
OOC: @Corn. Oops. Must have missed one.
BIC: Monka nodded, and followed after Bryony. He wondered what Bryant must be thinking right now. He must be finding the whole thing strange.
Bryony sighed. She wondered how they were going to do this. Just then, Bryant spoke up. "What's the matter, Brypony?:" He asked. "Uh, nothing. Nothing at all. Why?" She answered, casting a look that plainly said, Help! to Monka.
"Aye," Mirelle said, grinning at the fox. "It's hard to believe I'm finally back." She took a bite of pastie, swallowed, then asked, "What about you, then? Are you going to stick around or start traveling again?"
"Adventuring I am! Me and Tripper are going to one of the last places I've yet to go. The Sea! I am gonna ask Skipper and Mycroft if we could use the ship we got from Scarlet and get a fine crew! Watcha think?"
Monka shrugged, and did a face back which said, What do you want me to do?
OOC: Small time-skip? To when they're eating, or something?
OOC: Fine with me.
OOC: Shoudl we wait for Jukka and Gonff? It would only be about, what, ten or fifteen minutes?
OOC: Ok.
OOC: Your RP, Rach.
OOC: No, its fine. I thinks its fair.
OOC: So do I.
OOC: Ok
"I think that's a great idea!" Mirelle responded.
OOC: A time-skip's fine with me.
OOC: Ok with me! I just need Marshall to go talk to Skipper and Maybe Fern, but I guess that can wait.
OOC Well if we skip them to having lunch or something then everyone could talk to everyone.
OOC: Good idea.
OOC: Ok, then.
BIC: Monka sat at the head table in Great Hall next to Bryony and Bryant. (that ok Corn?) He was looking on in awe at the amount of food on the table before him. He'd never seen so much food in his life! Let alone all here in one place, at one time.
OOC: Yup.
BIC: Bryony grinned at the awed expression on Monka's face, while sacking Bryant's paw,. "Wait a minute!" She scolded him quietly. Abbess Fern hadn't said grace yet.
Monka turned to Bryony, "How'd they get all this food?"
"They grow it. It's amazing, right?" She replied, grinning at the other sqiurrel.
Monka rolled his eyes, "They must have loads of room to grow it all."
"They do. I'll have to take you on a tour later." Bryony replied. Bryant coughed. "and what about me? I barely saw the place, if you remember." He reminded Bryony crossly. "Sure, you can come along. The three of us need to talk, anyways."
Monka looked at Bryant, a worried look on his face. What would he do when he found out that a guy he had never met, was engaged to his sister.
Bryant narrowed his eyes. "Never a better time than now.:" He said suspiciously, watching his sister turn beet red and fumble for something to say. "Hey, it's Monka, isn't it? Won't you tell me what's going on?" he asked.
Monka looked at Bryony for help. "Um.....what do you mean?" He said a little weakly.
"It's obvious you two are hiding something from me." Bryant growled. He'd never liked secrets. Bryony looked looked at Monka. "Uh, should I tell him? Or you? Or together?" She asked. To her, it was obvious that they'd have to do it now. Otherwise, who knrew what Bryant would do?
"Can you." Monka whispered, "Anyway, your the one who basically proposed."
"That's true." Bryony squeaked, tuirning to Bryant, who was tapping his good paw. "Ummmm. . . . . Me and Monka are getting married. . . . . . . . ." She squeaked again, leaning slightly towards Monka. He was, after all, on her other side. Bryant's jaw dropped, and he blinked slowly twice. "You're what? To him? For one thing, Bryony, maybe you ought to open your eyes a little bit. Have you seen him lately? For another, are you nuts?! When did you meet him? And you could have let me meet him first!" He raged quietly. Bryony slowly started swelling in rage. "Monka, will you excuse us? I think I need to go have a talk with this darling baby brother of mine." She seethed, getting up, taking Bryant's ear, and marching towards the door.
Monka watched them go, wondering what Bryant meant by "look at him"
While all this was going on, the Abbess had been waiting until everybeast had seated themselves. When they had, she said grace, regardless of anybeast who might be carrying on a conversation further away from her. Once she'd finished, everybeast tucked in.
Marshall had dived into his food. He and Trupper were sitting just close enough to hear the trios conversation.
"My Trip! Some drama!"
"Aye matey, Neva want t' be cought up 'n that!"
They continued their meal.
OOC: Cornflower and Jukka, do you know where Skip and Mycroft are?
OOC: Mycroft is sitting by Fern. Sorry, should've said that in my previous post.
OOC: Skip is going to be a tad late.
BIC: Skipper hurried into the dining hall just as Bryony was tugging Bryant out of it. "Well, that's strange." He mutterede, hurrying to find an open seeat. There happened to be one by Marshall and Tripper, so he hurried ovre. "Hey, mateys." He greeted them, loading up a plate.
"Hiya Skip! I was 'bout t' go find ya! So, heres me question. Do ya know who owns the boat we stole from Scarlet's fleet?"
"No. Should I?" Skipper inquired, spreading meadowcream on a scone, and topping it off with raspberry jam.
Mirelle was sitting opposite to Skip, Marshall, and Tripper, and she couldn't help but overhear what was said. She leaned across the table and said, "Marshall wants to know if he can have the ship so he and Tripper can go adventuring."
Skipper laughed, a big booming sound. "Hahahahaha! Well, if that's all, mebbe we'd better ask around, eh?"
"Yus we shall! Do you think Mycroft may know what it's bein' used for and if it's usable?
Monka sat by himself, feeling very awkward and alone. He didn't really know anyone here, and he wasn't sure how to act. He saw other beasts loading up their plates with the good food, and he reached out and took a pasty. He bit into it and managed to burn his mouth, so he quickly poured himself a glass of some pinky-red bubbly liquid. After he drained a glass of that, he then got the hiccups.
Will nothing go right for me? He inwardly sighed.
"I have no idea." Skipper stage-whispered, then he got up and moved over to the hiccuping Monka, taking his food with him./ "Got the hiccups? Here, drink some raspberry cordial." The otter kindly said, passing him a beaker.
------------------------------------------
After Bryony and Bryant were in a more private spot, Bryony blew up. "Alright, listen, Mr. Criticism! For one, yes, I'm marrying him! Is that your business? No, not really. Second, what's wrong with Monka? Pray tell me that. Now, who said looks are everything, hmm? So what if he looks like he's been around the fighting block a few times! I don't, and that's what matters. If anyone is nuts here, it's you. You could be, oh, I don't know, a little more happy for me, and perhaps supportive. But, no. That's too much to ask. As for when I met him, I've lost track of the few days and really, honestly, do not care. Would it make any more difference if I met him, oh, say, three seasons ago? More than likely not! As for letting you meet him, unless you hopped out of your nice, warm bed, and walked halfway across Mossflower" (Here she exaggerated a little bit) "into danger, I really don't think it was possible!" Bryomny raged, glaring at Bryant and slowly but steadily pooffing up.
"I'm not actually sure, but it wouldn't hurt to ask," Mirelle put in. "I can't think of anything the Redwallers would need it for."
Monka nodded thanks, and drained the beaker. After that he felt a lot better and his hiccups stopped. "Thanks." He muttered. Then unable to keep it inside anymore he blurted out, "He hates me! I didn't even do anything, and he hates me!"
"Who, Bryant?" Skipper asked, frowning. "I don't know him as well as his sister, but if they're anything alike, he was likely surprised, shocked, or slightly hurt. After all, Bryony did run off about three hours after literally tripping over him, and then she returns, and is toting you along. Yeah, he's probably just jealouds. Give him about twenty minutes - Then you'll see." Skip said, nodding knowingly. Just then, the old Cellarhog walked over. "Well, Ruevan! Long time no see." He said cheerfully - And loudly. Skipper lared at him. "Oi! You're going to pay for that, my spiky friend." The mad otter muttered. The hedgehog winked at Monka. "He doesn't like his first name."He explained, then walked away, chuckling.
"I'll go ask real quick, you to stay here."
Marshall got up and looked around. He spotted Mycroft and hurried over.
"Hiya Mycroft! Sorry t' bother ya, but d' y' know who owns the boat we stoked from Scarlet?"
Monka sighed, "I guess your right."
Then some hedgehog came by and said something to Skipper, when he'd gone Monka turned to Skipper. "Why don't you like your first name?"
"Who'd like a moniker like Ruevan?" The otter said, wrinkling his nose. "The title doesn't help it much, either."
Mycroft looked up from his plate. "Nobeast, really. I was just talking about that with Fern, and honestly, neither of us has any bloomin' idea what to do with the thing." He paused, then inquired curiously, "Why do you ask?"
------------------
Fern, who was, of course, sitting at the head of the table (with Mycroft sitting quite close at the long side of it) acknowledged Marshall with a friendly nod and a smile, but then her thoughts wandered off. Mycroft had already filled her in on the major happenings of the past few days, and she was just thinking it over. Never would she have guessed a week ago the things that would occur within the next few days.
"Its sounds fine to me." Monka shrugged, then turned and looked in the direction Bryony and Bryant had gone in. "They're taking ages."
"Glad somebeast ilkes it." Skipper muttered, before scowling at his plate. When he looked up again, a few minutes later, Bryony and Bryant were walking back in, Bryant rubbing his cheek.
Marshall smiled back over to Fern.
" Well, me and Tripper will be going on me new adventure, the Sea! And well, we need a crew and ship. That ship is the only ship we know of that is usable. May we use it?"
The blue fox stood nervously waiting for an answer.
Mycroft thought for only a second. "I don't see why not. What d'you think, Fern?"
Fern looked up at the mention of her name. "Hmm? I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention."
Mycroft explained quickly, and Fern nodded. "Yes, that's a great idea! You can have the ship, Marshall."
Marshall jumped up and down with excitement.
"Thank ye Fern and Mycroft!!! You won't be disappointed! I'll tell Skip 'n Tripper right now!"
The tailless blue fox hurried over to his friend then to Skip.
"Trip! We got it!"
" Really mate! Yaaa!!!"
He and Marshall hurried to Skipper.
"Skip me mate! Fern and Mycroft gave us the ship!"
Skipper paused with a scone almost to his mouth and said, "That's great, mateys. Wonderful. Can I eat in peace now?"
Monka flicked Skipper on the should hard, "Don't be mean, Ruevan." Monka said with a cheeky smile, but then he spotted Bryony and Bryant and bite his lip. "They hath returned." He whispered to himself.
:"Hey! Who's the one being mean now?!" Skipper protested. When he saw how close the siblings were, he grinned. "I'm outta here." He stood up, grabbed his plate, and hurried away, gesturing for Marshall to follow him.
Monka gave them a pleading look, as if to say, Take me with you!
Skipper merely grinned again, and grinned wider when Bryony said, "Hello, Monka."
Monka visibly went up tight, and turned round slowly, "Um...hi..."
"Bryant has something to say. Don't you, Bryant?" Bryony said, glaring at her brother. who was visibly quaking. "Um, sorry." He muttered, looking at his footpaws. "Can I eat now?" He asked Bryony. "Sure." She said, rolling her eyes, and sitting so Monka was in the middle this time.
Marshall hurried to follow Skipper. He couldn't wait to tease Bryony when the meal was over. The blue fox caught up with Skipper.
"Watch need mate?"
"Thoes three need space. I feel sorry for Monka. That is one spitfire family." Skipper said, then the hedgehog came up again. "Oh, and Ruevan! I forgot to tell you that I'm going be having a taste testing party later. Care to come?" He asked. "Sure." The otter said, mentally face-palming.
Fern grinned at Marshall and Tripper's enthusiastic response, but then she turned her attention to her food, which had been practically untouched so far.
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Further down the table, Mirelle watched Marshall and also grinned. It was obvious he'd gotten the ship.
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Glirid had 'paw' sitting next to him on the bench, and he was blissfully happy. He had a cup of strawberry fizz in his paw and a mound of applesauce on his plate. What more could a Dibbun ask for?
"I agree with us Skip. May I join in on the taste testin' thingamajig?"
"Well, sure!" The hedgehog said merrily. "See you laster, fox, Ruevan." He boomed good-naturedly.
Monka half smiled nervously and felt himself tense up like a stone.
Bryony groaned and muttered to herself. "This is a catastrophe." She whispered, bitterly disappointed. Swallowing, she stood abruptly. "I'm not hungry any more; I'll see you two later." She said, then she walked out with her head down.
Mirelle saw Bryony walk away and wondered what had happened. But then she thought it might be a bit rude to go and ask, so she just kept eating. That wasn't too hard, because the food was delicious.
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Fern and Mycroft kept eating and talking, though they did far more of the latter. There was just so much to discuss!
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While Glirid ate his applesauce, he thought about the play Lupine had been organizing. He really hoped they'd do it soon.
Marshall beamed.
"Looks like ne ol' blue fox charm worked again! Hey Skip, watcha think a good name for the ship be?"
Monka's heart sank as he saw Bryony walk away. He felt terrible, she'd been so excited about this and he'd ruined it. He thought about running after her, but instead turned to Bryant. "Ok, Bryant. Its obvious you don't like me and honestly I don't care. But I love your sister and will do anything to make her happy. And she seems to want us to get along. I'm not saying we have to be friends, but we are at least going to talk to each other."
Skipper thought for a moment. "How about, the Big Boots? He suggested with a grin, not expecting the fox to get his joke. Then he turned serious. "Hmm, I dunno, mate. I never was one of the ship-naming. Try Mirelle." He suggested, suddenly very interested in his suop. His daughter had been the best at ship naming.
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Bryant had just taken a mouthful of his drink, and it spewed everywhere as he suddenly started laughing hysterically.
Monka glared at him angrily. "What's so funny?" he ground out from between clentched teeth.
Bryant looked at Monka, and started laughing harder. "Oh, hahaha, you think, heeheehee, that I, oh hahahaha, don't like you! Hohohoho!" He choked out, before starting to laugh so hard he couldn't breath.
Monka had had enough of this. He pushed his chair out and stood up, "Yes, that's the impression I got." Then he turned and stormed out of Great Hall, to go in search of Bryony.
"Oops." Bryant said, then shrugged. He'd run into Monka again soon. Even if the guy thought Bryant didn't like him. He did. . . . The squirrel just didn't like the fact he was engaged to his sister.
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Bryony was out by the pond, staring glumly at it.
Mirelle finished eating and got up, still wondering what had happened to Bryony to make her storm out like that. She didn't intend to interfere, but she did want to go outside. Great Hall was getting a little stuffy with all of those beasts in it.
As she walked over to the main door that opened onto the lawns, Mirelle passed Skipper and Marshall. She overheard what they were saying about ship-naming and turned towards them. "You need a ship name? How about... um... Seamist? Or... Seashadow?" She wasn't quite sure why she'd suggested the latter, since, in her mind, Cien had been evil, but she said it before she thought.
-----------------------
Fern was still talking with Mycroft as she finished her plate, telling him her side of the past few days.
Marshall's eyes grew wide at the mention of the Seashadow. He raced past Skipper and darted back to Great Hall. There, he dashed over to Fern's spot at the table.
''Fern! We got a name for the ship! The Seashadow! Named after Cien!''
Fern looked up. "Seashadow?" She smiled. "I really like that. I'm glad you don't think Cien was all bad."
Monka wandered around the Abbey grounds in search of Bryony, eventually he saw her sitting by the pond alone. She didn't look very happy and Monka sighed.
"Hi......." He said quietly as he walked over and sat down next to her.
"Hi." Bryony said back, turning to look at him.
"I'm sorry....." Monka began, but didn't know how to finish it.
Bryony sighed. "It's fine. Don't stress about it." She said, turning to face the water again. "It's just that I was so excited about the two most important people in my life who aren't dead meeting each other."
Mirelle grinned, then walked outside into the afternoon sunlight. There were quite a few beasts on the lawns, but the ottermaid deliberately avoided them. She just wanted to find a quiet place where she could be alone. Not that she was mad at anyone or anything like that. She simply wanted to be by herself right then.
So Mirelle wandered over to the southwest wallcorner and seated herself on the grass in the shadow of the wall. It was cool and peaceful there and she could relax.
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Glirid saw an ottermaid leave Great Hall and suddenly grinned as an idea hit him. Since most of the Abbeybeasts were inside, maybe he could sneak over to the pond and go swimming! The little dormouse left his nearly-finished plate where it was and scampered outside. He didn't have to ask for help with the heavy main door, as Mirelle had left it slightly open by accident.
OOC: Since Cornflower left, will this RP finish? I know we are so close to the end, but will someone take over her charcters?
OOC: Yeah, I hope we finish. I don't think I should be the one to take over Corny's charries, though, seeing what a terrible job I did last time...
OOC Personally, reading over the last few posts it looks like we've finished. I think we should do an offcial ending with an extract from Abbess Fern's journal. About what's gone to happen. For example Bryony and Monka getting married. :)
OOC: Alright, here goes. If you want me to change anything, just say so.
BIC:
Extract from the journal of Abbess Fern.
I've been so busy lately that I haven't journaled at all for the past few days. But yesterday the Dibbuns' play Sister Lupine had organized took place. Most of the Abbey gathered to see it. It went off without a hitch - well, almost. The little dormouse Glirid forgot his lines once, and for the next minute tried to remember them, until the squirrelbabe Wiklam reminded him. Despite that, the play was a success. Bryony sang beautifully, and I could tell Monka was proud of her.
And today, a week after everybeast returned home, Monka and Bryony were married. They're such a happy couple, and it was a beautiful wedding. It took place in the Orchard, and every Abbeydweller was present. Afterwards, everyone celebrated with a feast the Friar had specially prepared, complete with a lovely cake as the centerpiece. (The Dibbuns liked that part best of all.)
Marshall and Tripper have been making plans for their crew and adventures with the Seashadow. They've already gotten quite a few volunteers for crewbeasts, and they're very excited to set out on their adventure.
The ex-slaves are slowly settling in to Abbey life. It was really pitiful to see how they were at first - thin, emaciated, thankful for even the smallest things we take for granted here. But like I said, they're beginning to adjust.
I'm so happy that Abbey life has returned to normal - although it won't be the same with Cien gone. (I know he had a lot of good in him, no matter what anybeast else may say.)
May your life be peaceful and happy, and may you never have to face evil in your time.
~Fern, Abbess of Redwall Abbey in Mossflower country
OOC that's perfect! Absouluty lovely. A great way to finish it. Thanks Jukka! Well I guess the topic can be locked and moved now.....its been great RPing with you guys! :)
OOC: Perfect ending! It has been very fun with all of you! I hope we can RP again sometime! ;)
OOC: Thanks, guys! And I hope so too! :D