Redwall Abbey

~~The Temporary Roleplay Thread is here~~
I tried to remake my last post, just briefer. Please pick up from here. Even if you replied on the normal thread, I didn't see it, so reply again.
Thanks, Ashleg.

---
OOC-
Recap:
The Redwallers were on shrew boats and had approached Rapshade's ship. One-Ear and Fangfang had just jumped into the water and were talking while waiting for Skipper to help them over.
Rapshade had ordered his crew to row the ship, and he was acting all nervous as he himself steered the ship.
Ava, Abbot Grant, and Rayne Hummingwolf were still at the Abbey.



IC-
Fangfang chuckled nervously, then looked embarrassed for a moment.
"Cap'n...'E said I'm too stupid t' bother learnin' to swim."

One-Ear scoffed.
"Rapshade is a lot stupider than you are if he believes what comes out of his filthy mouth. If it weren't for that ferret, you would be much better off. He never let you try, but I bet you'd be a real riverdog if he did!"

Fangfang looked confused.
"But I'm a rat!" He said, not understanding the comment. "Ye jus' mean I'd be able t' handle this...Or would I 'ave become an otter? In that case, I'm glad Cap'n wouldn't let me learn!"

"It's an expression. I mean that you need to trust yourself, do what YOU want to do."
The young fox's face hardened.
"Like I soon will..."

Fang scowled. "In that case, I wanna climb back on that boat an' never set paw in water again. I'm freezing me tail off!"

 "Wait ho we're coming to get ye." Skipper and three otters slipped down into the water bobbing about in the waves. Paddling over to One-ear Skipper disappeared underwater for a moment before popping up in front of the fox.

"Grab me back matey, I'll swim ye over faster'n ye can. Hm got a water logged tail there, nothin' we c'n do. Grab hold." A female otter looking rather miffed about her task appeared in front of Fangfang waiting for the rat to grab her shoulders. A third otter swam down and resurfaced giving a thumbs up to Skipper.

"Water's clear Skip, best go now afore somthin' shows up."

Back on the logboats Bracklew and Duncan were alone in their boat. The squirrel dug his paddle into the water unsuccessfully, his damaged left paw stung irritably as he made the weak rowing attempt. With a soft thud a small spiky furred shrew jumped into the boat picking up One-ear's abandoned paddle.

"Need some 'elp mates?" The shrew chuckled sitting behind the two Redwallers. Bracklew glanced over his shoulder grinning nervously at the shrew.

"Ha yeah appears so."

One-Ear grabbed Skipper's shoulders.
"You never have to again once this is dealt with. Let's go!"
The young fox waved briefly to Mortembell's boat and took a deep breath.

Fang hesitantly grabbed on to the female otter's shoulders, looking just as reluctant as her.
"I'm gonna drown," he muttered, rolling his eyes.

Duncan chuckled, nodding at the shrew.
"We sure do! I'm not used to this."

Striking out powerfully the three otters plunged and surfaced periodically remembering not to stay underwater too long. With the powerful otters to swim all five creatures were soon paddling along on the ship's starboard side. Grabbing hold of a trailing rope Skipper held it out while supporting One-ear with his other paw.

"Here mates, climb up yon rope. Blast this 'ere plan better work or were out a good fox n' rat. Ye be carful, aye, an' if'n things get tight give us a holler an jump o'er board. We'll catch ye. Best o' fortunes mates."

Jetfur prowled the slave deck. Lingering by the bench that the rat Saltooth sat on, the Slavemaster suddenly giggled. "Hehehehe! Sorry, mate, I just find it really funny that yew're on that bench instead of up on the deck. Tell ye what, seeing that we're almost out on the open sea, ye can stretch yore paws a little bit."

As other crewbeasts looked up in surprise, Jetfur snapped out with his whip. "'Ey! That doesn't;t mean any of you!" The black rat was not above whipping his own crewmates. Offering a paw to Saltooth, he suddenly questioned his actions. Brushing the doubt aside, he thought to himself that it was better to make friends than break them.

One-Ear gripped the rope.
"Thank you, Skipper. Fang, I'll go first. Wait 'til I'm on the deck then foller, we don't want t'be seen together."
The young fox hauled himself powerfully up the rope onto the deck. He put on a hard, evil face and descended to the oar deck. He tapped Jetfur on the shoulder.
"Hey Matey, sorry I'm late, Cap wanted t'talk t'me. What's goin' on with all these crewbeasts?"

Jetfur couldn't recall a one-eared fox being a member of the crew, but he shrugged it off. "Hw must've had yer head in the gutter, mate. The slaves escaped while we were attacking Redwall. Slipped off like smoke in the wind. Cap'n Rapshade had me enlist the crew as temporary slaves so we can get out on the open ocean."

One-Ear lowered his voice to a whisper.
"Hey, listen. When I was in the cabin, I saw a bottle 'o medicine on the table an' Rapshade was coughin' a lot. When I leaves, I 'ears 'im tell that vixen t'get the medicines before 'ee gets sicker. I thinks Swifty's gone all soft an' weak."

Jetfur sucked in a breath. "You went into the Cap'n's cabin? Look, I don't want nothin' t'do with you. The Cap'n'd kill ye if'n ye went into 'is cabin."

 Glaring at Jetfur suspiciously he accepted the other rat's paw stretching his own footpaws would be nice. "Er right mate." He grunted still not sure whether to trust Jetfur or not. As he pushed his way past a one eared fox Saltooth felt strangely aware that he had never seen hi before. Shrugging it off he made his way up onto the deck breathing in the evening salt air. At last, the sea. Where he belonged, and where he would never leave again. As long as he could help it.

OOC: Saltooth hasnt seen One-Ear. He wasn't at Redwall, and when he fought Redfang, they were pretty far from the ship.

BIC:
One-Ear raised a paw.
"Nah, matey, y'misunderstand me. Cappy called me in for a little "chat," and I saw the medicine when I was inside. Anyway, be careful around that one, illness'll no doubt make 'im crueler! Hmm, 'ee actually said to be back there by now, I'd best 'urry."
The young fox left Jetfur and strode towards the deck stairs, giving secret whispers to the crewbeasts sitted at the oars. One-Ear emerged on to the deck near Saltooth.
"Fine evenin', ain't it messmate?"

Jetfur shook his head in ridicule. Idiot, if he was smart than he would've realized that Jetfur was the one who had saved the Captain's life from mutinous crew members. But wait... Rapshade had made that announcement to everybeast. He'd even executed the traitor's who'd done it. How could the fox have missed that? Jetfur scratched his head as he went back to his cabin. Looking out the window, he glanced longingly at the open ocean, glittering in the sunlight. Just a little bit longer.

OOC: @Groddil, I specifically mentioned in my post that Saltooth had never seen One-ear before. So there is no concern there.

BIC:

"Aye, who'er ye again? Stinktail, Sharkear or somthin'." Saltooth crossed his arms staring at the fox. He wasn't familiar, yet he was. No Saltooth was sure he had never met the fox. Shrugging that off the rat scratched absentmindedly at the tattoo on his cheek.

"Aye, Sharkear's the name, I was a mate o' that scummy stoat Redfang. Lost this ear to one, but you should see 'ow he ended up! Anyway, did ye hear me talkin' to Jetfur? I was in Rapshade's cabin talkin' with i'm, when I saw some medicine. 'Ee was coughin' up lungs, told me t'get out then calls for 'is healer. 'Ee says stuff like 'gettin' worse', an' 'feel so weak', so I thinks ee's gettin' closer to Hellgates every day."

OOC-
Wait for mmmeee! :P
IC-
"I'd sooner die 'n jump overboard," Fang remarked as he hopped onto the ship a while after One-Ear was out of sight. After quickly glancing around, the rat spotted Rapshade over by the wheel, looking rather nervous.
He had to do a lot to refrain from saying something like "I'm glad to see you" or something like that. I haveta scare him...But how?
He snuck up behind the ferret.
"Cap'n, I'm back."

Rapshade yelped and whirled around, pressing into the wheel. He scowled when he realized it was Fangfang.
"Where were ye, you stupid rat?! Y' almost gave me a heart attack, y'know that?" The ferret trailed off, shaking his head.
"I'm a ghost, Cap'n," Fang said.
Rapshade narrowed his eyes and reached out a paw to tap Fang on the shoulder. He sneered. "You're no ghost. I thought we'd settled that? Whatever. Get with th' rest of th' crew, an' get rowing." He gave Fang a sharp kick to get him going in the right direction, and the rat stumbled down the stairs. He raced up to One-Ear when he saw him, whispering in his ear.

"Mate, th' ghost thing was a bust."

One-Ear's eyes went wide with shock. His brain raced, before giving the rat a rough shove.
"Yew again, I thought I told yew t'get away from me! Damn rat, followin' a beast around!"
One-Ear quickly whispered to Fangfang as he pushed him away.
"I'm only bluffing, get back to the boats, tell 'em to start the attack."
The young fox scoffed at Fangfang before turning back to Saltooth.
"Yeah, 'ee's definitely about to kick the bucket, I think. Someone outta take over, a fine beast such as yerself'd be perfect f'the job!"

*****

Down in the oardecks, word was spreading like wildfire. Vermin whispered to their benchmates, and in short time, the entire crew knew of Rapshade's illness. One weasel stood up and faced Jetfur.
"Eh, Jetty, why are we rowing oars for a dead ferret? Why don't we take over the ship? Do what we want, go kill them woodlanders that scared 'im inta running with our tails between our legs!"

OOC-
Most of the crew still has to be on his side. Otherwise it's just gonna be "gang up on Rapshade day"...Aka an easy victory, so no fun.  ;) :P
IC-
Fangfang yelped, looking surprised and hurt all at the same time. He was used to getting pushed around like that, but hadn't expected it to come from One-Ear. He smirked when the fox told him he was faking it.
"Right, mate, gotcha. I'll go tell 'em now." He raced back up the stairs, and being as scrawny as he was it wasn't hard to slip over to the edge of the deck unnoticed.
He peered down, waving frantically at the animals in the boats to come up.

--

Duncan glanced at Bracklew. "I hope this goes well. Come on."

OOC: I know, its just to give an edge because they'll all be distracted. When it comes to it, they'll still side with Rapshade rather than the woodlanders anyway.

BIC: Mortembell nodded at Fang. She gripped her sword between her teeth and grabbed the rope. The vixen vaulted the rail, handing a dagger to Fangfang, and twirled the sword.
"Let's get 'im, Fang."

*****

One-Ear saw his mother board the ship and shook his head.
"Sorry, mate, but me name ain't Sharkear. It's One-Ear, and scum like you shouldn't be allowed to live. We're killing every last one of you."
The fox drew his katana and prodded Saltooth.
"Draw your blade. Fight me like a warrior."

Fang glanced at the dagger, grinning awkwardly.
"Er, umm...Can't we jus' talk to 'im first?"
Duncan and Chrysanthe hopped over the railing. Chrysanthe twirled her sword, smirking when she noticed Rapshade spin around to face them, looking scared and confused.
"We're here for you, pirate scum!" The shrew called out. "Now's your time for a head start. Get ready!"

Rapshade drew his sabre and darted to the stairs that led down to the slave quarters, yelling down to his crew, "Stop rowin' and draw yer weapons! We're under attack!"
Vadoma was the first to get up. She aimed a hard shove at One-Ear before pulling out a dagger and sprinting up the stairs.
"You'd better fight hard, Swifty. Else I'll have to kill you myself." she muttered.

Mortembell brushed off the rat.
"Sure, whatever. I'm goin' after that fox."
The vixen noticed Vadoma push past her son and moved to intercept. She stood in front of Rapshade's healer.
"End o' the line, Vadoma."
Mortembell swung her sword in a wide arc, hoping to catch Vadoma off guard.

OOC: I'm saying that Vadoma and Mortembell knew each other back before all this started, when Threeclaw was part of Rapshade's horde and that.

OOC-
Okay, that's fine.
Oh, and since all of this is starting, remember not to powerplay/kill other peoples' characters without their permission, everybeast! Even though I don't think you guys would. ;)
IC-
Vadoma brought her own blade up, and the sound of clinking metal echoed around the ship.
"Mortembell!" She spat, eyes glittering. "Never thought I'd see you again. How's the husband?" The gray-furred vixen feinted a blow at her quarry's chest while she said that, instead aiming for her leg.

"You are dead, Vadoma, do you hear me? DEAD! At least I HAD a husband, nobeast would every love something like you!"
Mortembell flicked her sword downwards, blocking Vadoma's strike.
"Hah! I used the same thing to get rid of Rapshade, fool! Do you think I would fall for my own trick?"
The vixen stabbed the sword forwards towards Vadoma's neck.

"Are you blind, Mortembell?" Vadoma sneered. "I'm as alive as one can be!" She ducked to the side when Mortembell lashed out towards her neck, grinning and kicking out with her hind paws to try and get the other vixen to stumble.
Then she aimed to cut the fox just under the ear.

--

Chrysanthe noticed Rapshade starting to back off and tugged on Duncan's sleeve, but the hare shook his head and grimaced. "I'll go after him, don't you worry. But I have to make sure Bracklew gets up here first."
"Fine, Duncan. I'll try to wear him out." Log-a-Log saluted and then took off after the ferret.

Mortembell's free paw shot up, but just half a second too late. The tip of her ear was nicked by the blade that she had shoved upwards.
"Oh look, Vadoma, you made me just like my son."
The vixen tightened her grip on Vadoma's wrist and pushed it backwards, forcing her enemy closer to the rail. In such close proximity, the sword would be useless, but she could still break Vadoma's paw!

OOC-
Woah,, woah, woah, I'm gonna slow it down a bit. That escalated too fast.
IC-
Vadoma dug her claws into the wood of the deck to create resistance, then yanked her arm free of Mortembell's grasp. She laughed tauntingly and waved a paw at Mortembell before moving back in the middle of the deck, waggling her tail.
"Hmm, Mortembell, the more I look at you the more you DO look like your little creep of a son! Ahaha."

"He's quite a help, don't you think?"
Mortembell leapt over to where One-Ear stood, slaying the front runners of the vermin. She drew a knife from his belt and threw it at Vadoma, charging the fox while the dagger was in the air.

OOC: Boyz.... May I post edgewise here? ;D ;) You guys are certainly having fun. :D I actually can't post right now, but I promise too later today. So if you could wait that would be great. Gracious.

OOC: Alrighty Double Post. Also I have to start from a while back so bear with.

BIC:

Staring at One-ear Saltooth continued scratching the tattoo looking at the fox with increasing suspicion. "'Ey Shark er wotever ye didn' know anythin'? I already know 'bout th' Cap'n sickness. He's got scurvy 'er somthin'. Though he ain't any less dangerous, me matey Blackclaw found that out. Aye, died didn' he." The rat was about to go on when a swarm of shrews and otters came over the railing and he found One-ear's sword jabbing him in the ribs.

"Draw your blade. Fight me like a warrior." For a moment Saltooth stared at One-ear incredulously as if not believing the fox.

"Ye are betraying yer own kind mate." He murmured as the swarm drew nearer. Then Saltooth did the thing any self respecting rat would do when standing alone in the face of an oncoming horde of woodlanders. He swung around running for the ship's prow drawing his sword as he went and yelling.

"Attack mates! We're unner attack!"

~*~*~*~*~

I'm with you Duncan!" Bracklew yelled pulling himself over the railing Mixy's sword held tight in his good paw. The shrew that had been rowing with them pulled himself over as well brandishing a rapier.

"An' I got yer back mate." Bracklew nodded his thanks before glancing back at Duncan.

"What do we do? Where are all the pirates?" Bracklew yelled looking around. As if to answer his question a swarm of vermin burst forth from the slave quarters leaping upon the front line of shrews. A few of the pirates who had been working the sails leapt down from above landing on the backs of otters. The battle was on.

OOC-
Alrighty. :)
IC-
Vadoma gasped and quickly deflected the knife with her own dagger, snarling at Mortembell.
"Fool! You think that because I'm a seer that I cannot hold my own in battle? Flying blades will not bring me down!"

--
"...There." Duncan said, pointing at the vermin as they came pounding up the stairs.
He patted Bracklew on the back reassuringly before raising his dagger and racing towards the fight.
"Eulaliaaaaa! Redwaaaaalll!"

--
"That's what I said!" Rapshade snapped, yowling and leaping out of the way when Chrysanthe lunged at him. The shrew landed where he'd previously been standing, digging her claws into the ground to stop from flying off the edge and into the sea.
She straightened up and glanced around. The ferret had ran and disappeared into the throng, and when she scanned the group of woodlanders and vermin alike she could not see him.
Log-a-Log wiped at her brow. "So they call you Swift for a reason," she huffed. "This will be harder than I thought."

"Watch yerself Duncan!" Skipper yelled as he thrust his javelin into the back of a weasel was about to stick Duncan with a dagger. The big otter stepped back as the wounded weasel attempted to retaliate. "There be a lot more'n I expected. Rally the crews keep em bottlenecked in th' slave quarters! I'll 'ave me crew head up th' rigging too-Aaaagh!" A rat had landed on Skipper's back slashing with a ugly scimitar. The jagged blade ripped flesh from bone as blood splattered the deck. Skipper fell over onto a ferret's body writhing. The rat stepped over the fallen otter moving in to battle a shrew.

~*~*~*~*~

Bracklew and his new shrew companion had got separated from the main fight. Together the battled a tough stoat whose lone axe was more then a match for their combined swords. Taunting and blocking the sword thrusts with his axe's haft the stoat pushed them back towards the ship's railing.

One-Ear saw Saltooth run towards the prow and followed at a slow walk, blade drawn. Rats, weasels, and other vermin tried to intercept the young fox, but one swift slash of the katana and their headless corpses formed a trail behind him. One-Ear stepped up in the bow, fencing Saltooth in at the very front of the ship. He slapped the rat with the flat of his blade.
"I said, stand and fight! Or are you still a coward even with Martin's sword?"
The fox slapped Saltooth again.
"STAND...AND...FIGHT!!!"

*****

Whilst Vadoma was distracted with the flying dagger, Mortembell jumped at the seer, aiming a swift kick to knock away the dagger and moving her weight to hit Vadoma straight in the legs and overbalance her.

OOC-
Guys, I'm basically doing what Sand just did since I don't want to miss out on the fight but I have to go now. I'll be back on tonight. So...Peace!

 Wiping a small string of blood from his lip the steersrat stared at one-ear coolly, his left paw twitched slightly in a welcoming gesture. At last cornered by One-ear he raised the sword inspecting it wondrously, a confident sneer on his face.

"Martin's sword eh, kinda bland name ain't it. Course 'e was a mouse, can't except much from em. I assume th' mouse I killed t'was Martin course." Saltooth flicked out with his sword deflecting the katana, his black eyes alight.
"Yew don' know much do ye? Crossin' blades wit' a pirate, on 'is turf. An' naw, I ain't no coward mate, I jus' like to play dirty. Get 'Im Frogeye!" Saltooth made a sudden lunge with Martin's sword his left paw producing his curved dagger. Both blades flashed In the early dawn light as the rat lunged. Behind One-ear Frogeye leapt forward wielding a dagger and hatchet with evident skill. Both rodents rushed the vulpine weapons raised to kill.

OOC: Alright I was just finishing with this post I'll stop after this un'. See you then.

One-Ear scoffed.
"Martin the Warrior, the first Abbey Warrior? You couldn't even touch him, even if he was still alive."
The fox ducked, rolling to his side and swinging the katana. He took off Frogeye's dagger paw and kicked the rat, knocking him down. The young fox fought off Saltooth with his katana whilst grabbing Frogeye's dagger and finishing off the dismembered rat.
"Hmph. Mediocre. Now its just the two of us..."
One-Ear snatched the hatchet and threw it at Saltooth while swinging his blade low towards the pirate's legs.

Jetfur stormed up on deck, cutlass in hand. As much as he liked fighting with his whip, a blade would be much better in the situation he was facing. Pandemonium reigned on the deck as a strange fox, vaguely familiar, dueled with the seer Vadoma. Saltooth was fighting with another fox, much younger than the first and also with an exotic looking sword without a paw guard. Taking this all in at a glance, Jetfur expertly swung the blade around, deciding to try the hare currently shouting a war cry and dashing toward the door behind Jetfur. The black rat could see the dagger held in the hare's paw and thought to himself that the measly stiletto didn't stand a chance to his sword.

Vadoma let out a screech as Mortembell swooped in and knocked her down. Getting back to her paws, the fox began to take slow steps backward, eyeing the rim of the ship every few seconds.
Then she growled and lunged forward, aiming to give Mortembell and rough kick in the stomach.
"I never liked you to begin with!"

--

Rapshade quickly located the nervous-looking Fang, whose yellow fur struck out like a star in the night sky. The rat had his back against the wall, not sure what to do or who to fight.
After running a shrew through with his rapier, the ferret finally made it over there and grabbed the Fangfang by the scruff, shaking him harshly.
"Are you behind this?!" He snarled.
"N-no, I mean yes Cap'n! I.."

--

Duncan didn't see Jetfur sneaking up on him. The gray hare was busy fighting a weasel back.

Mortembell let Vadoma kick her, wincing as she grabbed the leg and pulled Vadoma towards her, overbalancing the other vixen. Mortembell picked Vadoma up roughly by her neck, slamming her into the rail.
"The feeling's mutual, scum!"
Mortembell released Vadoma's neck with one paw, punching the fox square in the face several times. She drew her dagger and stabbed Vadoma roughly in the footpaw.

Vadoma screamed and launched herself over the rail, landing in one of the empty boats below.
Despite the pain coming from both her footpaw and her face, the vixen grinned and grabbed hold of the oars, beginning to paddle away.
"Good riddance, Mortembell! Hahaha!"

--

Rapshade's eyes glinted as he forcefully walked Fang around his cabin, away from the fight.
"Why're ye even out here? You shouldn't be here!" He snapped, glaring at the scar on the young rat's face. "I won't let y' go back out there, idjit."

Fangfang tore his arm out of the captain's grasp, curling his lip.
"Why don't ye e'er let me do anything?! An' well...I'm not fightin' fer yer, anyway." He hissed and brushed past Rapshade, turning around just when he noticed the ferret following him.
"Don't hang around me, Cap'n! I'd go an' fight if'n I were you. Yer crew's losin' badly!" With that, Fang bounded back into the battle, snaking his way up to Duncan to help with Jetfur.

Mortembell waved at Vadoma's retreating form getting smaller and smaller.
"So long, Vadoma. Hope the sharks don't get ye."
The vixen snatched One-Ear's crossbow and fired a few shots at the other fox before she was lost to view entirely. Mortembell loaded another bolt to the crossbow and fired at Rapshade. The bolt landed just next to his head, embedding deep into the ship. Smearing some leftover poison on her blade, the vixen threw aside the crossbow and approached the ferret.
"Rapshade! Swifty! Care for a second round?"
Mortembell cackled as she swung her sword heavily towards Rapshade's neck.

Rapshade blocked the sword with his sabre, pushing Mortembell back a few steps. "I'm not th' one who killed yer precious husband, so why're you the one who's always after me?" He sneered, feinting a blow at her leg.

"Because you're involved. And you tried to, back at Salamandastron, when he deserted. Now, I've come to finish you off!"
She jumped backwards and swept Rapshade's sabre aside, then thrust forwards with her blade.

"Logalogalogalooooooog!" The shrew warrior feinted swiping down towards the stoat's exposed legs. Bracklew adjusted his sword then lunged. The stoat effectively blocked both attacks then kicked out catching Bracklew in the muzzle. As he fell both shrew and stoat went into a one sided wrestling match. Scrambling desperately Bracklew grabbed his sword and thrust again. The stoat rolled and a pained cry rang from the battlers.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry no, no." Bracklew cried backing away in horror. The stoat snorted with laughter and finished the shrew off with a quick thrust of his dagger.

"Heh ye got th' wrong beast treerat-" Bracklew's second thrust caught the stoat in the throat. The creature fell gurgling onto the deck. Reaching out a shaking paw Bracklew touched the shrew's face as a frantic fight rang out all around him. Tears fell from his eyes as he tried to make the body move.

"What's your name pal? I never knew you name. Come on you gotta get up. Please."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Catching the hatchet in mid flight Saltooth turned on his heel plunging the small axe deep into the woodwork. Satisfied he turned just as quickly parrying a blow from the katana. Using rather impressive pawork for a rat he sidestepped around One-ear stomping on the fox's tail while swinging for his head.

"Haven't even started mate."

Rapshade easily dropped to the ground and then sprang back up, sabre in paw. The ferret laughed mockingly at Mortembell.
"If I'm gonna get finished off, it certainly won't be at th' paws of a grizzled old vixen like yerself!" He shoved her aside, noticing Fang with Duncan and Bracklew crying about something.
"Typical..." He muttered. Chrysanthe rolled by, tussling with a searat.
Grinning, Rapshade pounced on her and knocked her off the rat.

"Look who decided to come back!" Log-a-Log gasped, yowling as they tussled on the floor.
"You're sick, Rapshade...You better not get me sick..." She sunk her teeth into his wrist and managed to get on top.

Jetfur sprang towards Duncan, trying to find a hole in the hare's defense. "Sssssdeath!" Yelled the rat gleefully. Stupid hare, he would wish that he hadn't been there on the shores of Salamandastron!

"Maybe for you, wot, old chap!" Duncan replied, springing towards Jetfur at the same time as to meet him in the middle and possibly knock him over.
Fang grimaced, "Aaw no, Jetty, jus' give up afore this gets bad!"

Gritting his teeth and wiping away his tears Bracklew retrieved his bloodied sword standing. The battle had separated into different areas with each creature battling for its life. No sense or order commanded the chaotic ship as all plan and strategy dissolved.

His teeth chattering Bracklew rushed forward his sword cutting into the unsuspecting back of a searat. The creature yowled falling forward terribly wounded. Blood sprayed across Bracklew's face, the young squirrel clawed it out of his eyes before looking for another target. His body shaking almost uncontrollably he rushed forward plunging the dulling blade into the back of a fox's footpaw. The creature screeched twisting about a smashing his spear into the side of Bracklew's head. The otter who had been fighting the fox plunged her javelin into the vulpine's chest before staggering off to the railing, her shoulder bleeding profusely.

Coughing Bracklew staggered to his footpaws, his vision swimming. He steadied himself before raising his sword ready to launch himself back into fighting. His eyes landed on Jetfur battling Duncan a short distance away. Forcing his worn body forward Bracklew charged Jetfur his sword raised a cry ripping from his throat.

"Redwaaaaaall!"

Jetfur parried Duncan's attack and dodged, only to find himself facing the charging figure of Bracklew. The rat laughed maniacally. "Back for more, eh? Let's see what yore made of, squirrel!"

The Slavemaster swung low, hoping to hit below the squirrel's guard.

Twisting his sword hilt Bracklew warded off a deadly blow but he wasn't fast enough to pull away. Jetfur's steel slide though his flesh and fur easily staining the blade red. Gasping in shock Bracklew doubled up plunging his left paw into the abrasion. Feeling lightheaded the squirrel swiped clumsily at Jetfur's footpaw as he fell to his knees. Red blood mixed with red fur and Bracklew's knees cracked as the collided with the deck. Pain flared in his subconscious as the squirrel stared up at Jetfur eyes wide trying to fight off the overwhelming sense of blackness that was closing in..

OOC: Sage if you would PP them falling into the slave quarters. Say Bracklew tries to roll out of reach or something.

Log-a-Log smirked and managed to swipe her claws down the side of Rapshade's face, causing the ferret to yelp before he kicked her off and swooped in with his sword, nicking her ear.
Chrysanthe pulled out her cutlass and grinned at him, the light of battle shining in her eyes.
The pirate ferret started backing up.
Log-a-Log chuckled. "You look a bit nervous, Rapshade..."
"I'm not nervous!" Rapshade hissed, bumping into Duncan from behind.
Fang stepped in beside Log-a-Log.
"Why're ye always lyin' t' yerself, Cap'n?"
"I'm not! Fangfang, you need t'..."
"There you are, ferret!" Duncan exclaimed, turning away from Bracklew because for some reason he felt that the young squirrel would be alright. "Let's get him, Log-a-Log..."

Jetfur kicked Bracklew, once, twice, thrice. "Not good enough, squirrel. Just like yore friend the rabbit. Rapshade finished her off, just like I'm gonna finish you!"

As Bracklew tried to crawl away, hardly alive, Jetfur whipped him with the flat of his blade. Breathing heavily, he stood over the weakened squirrel. As he stepped forward, Bracklew kicked out with his paws, sending Jetfur tumbling into the slave deck. Swearing wildly, the rat smashed through the door and landing hard on the floor, spitting out splinters. "Lily-livered coward! COme and fight me like a proper warrior!"

Anger filled every inch of Bracklew as he plunged down after Jetfur landing heavily on the rat. Both went down in a tumble of fur, paws, and tails. He wanted to hurt the rat, to hurt him like he had hurt Mixy. To hurt him for every slave that had ever suffered under the rat's lash, to hurt him for every whip mark on his back. Bracklew's tired paw did little too Jetfur and with one solid kick the rat sent him rolling off.

"Vermin."Bracklew gasped trying to pull himself up. "Mixy, help. Hurts. Hurts so much." His paw found a chain he grabbed hold of the links which were still attached to the rowing bench. Tightening his grip Bracklew twisted the chain leaving his blood and the blood of vermin smeared across the metal. His eyes flared as Jetfur sprang at him falling back blinded by fur, and blood Bracklew twisted the chain again tightening it with his paws flailing it around in a desperate attempt to get it around Jetfur's neck.

Chrysanthe's eyes narrowed as she approached Rapshade. He took a step back for every one she took forward, until he was pressed up against Duncan.
The shrew swung her sword. "Yes. Let's--"
As Duncan poised his dagger, Rapshade dealt him a hard smack with the flat of his blade, and the hare's weapon went flying through the air until it landed with a splash! in the sea.
The ferret grinned wildly. "Oh, clumsy you."

Jetfur pushed against the chain, eyes wild with fear. Blood was the only thing that he could smell, and he grasped for his whip. It wasn't there. The chain pressed ever closer to his neck, and the rat spoke out of desperation. "Please! I'll giver yer anything. Anything!"

Bracklew's eyes were red with Bloodwrath. "All I want is your dead body, scum!"

Jetfur started to lose consciousness. "Ack! Cap'n! Saltooth! Anybeast!"

The rat's paws wrapped around Bracklew's arms, gripped the squirrel's fur in a death grip. Bracklew locked eyes with the rat. "Go to Hellgates, vermin!"

Jetfur's paws slipped from Bracklew's, slick with blood. He gasped for air, getting none. The Slavemaster clawed at Bracklew's eyes, getting good results. The squirrel gritted his teeth in pain and pressed harder. The rat pushed upward, taking in one, final, rattling breath, before going limp. Jetfur was dead!

Even after Jetfur's body went limp Bracklew squeezed the chain tighter. His eyes were stuck shut with blood Jetfur's claws still dug into his arms painfully. Slowly the haze of hate lifted from Bracklew and his paws to weak to hold the chain any longer let go. With the last reserves of strength Bracklew pushed the body and chain off of himself sucking in a single blood and filth tasting breath.

It didn't matter what happened above deck, it didn't matter who won. He didn't care. He was to exhausted to think. He attempted to wipe away the blood clouding his vision but it had dried locking him in darkness. Bracklew's slow shuddering breaths deepened as he faded in and out, his blood bled slowly spreading in a ever growing pool.

Feeling exhausted, lightheaded, and miserable Bracklew let himself slip into the welcoming embrace of unconsciousness.

OOC: *sigh* Now I have nothing to do. :P

OOC: Play as the NPC Sandpaw, No joke Ashleg made a pirate NPC named Sandpaw. Just fight random people.

OOC: Ummm... Okay.

BIC:

Admits the chaos the weasel pirate Sandpaw stormed out of the crew quarters. He had vanished inside when the attack began, and now, armed with a trident he had found, the pirate was ready to face any attackers.

Not bothering to check the slave deck, he saw the unprotected back of a shrew. Lowering the three-pronged head of the heavy weapon, Sandpaw charged Chrysanthe, yelling out wildly. "Meet yer death, shrew!"

OOC-
Aww yes, Sandpaw! XD I remember him.
IC-
Chrysanthe let out a shriek when suddenly Sandpaw came charging at her and she swung her sword at his trident, gasping when Rapshade shoved her into the weasel and fled again.
Dirty coward! She thought. "Duncan, go find a weapon and help me!"

The trident was clunky in Sandpaw's paws and the trident head was turned to one side as Chrysanthe noticed him. He adopted a fighting stance, holding the weapon like a quarterstaff.

When Saltooth stomped on One-Ear's tail, the fox arched backwards, headbutting the rat in the stomach and deflecting Martin's Sword with a quick thrust to the hilt. One-Ear twisted to face Saltooth and vaulted around behind the rat. He hooked his sword around Salooth's, preventing him from swinging backwards, and wrapped the his free paw around Saltooth's neck and squeezed tightly.

"Duncan, you'd better hurry!" Log-a-Log called, kicking out at Sandpaw's legs.

Duncan had pelted away from Chrysanthe and was trying to find a weapon as fast as he could so he could help her. Nothing...Nothing good! The hare vaulted over the bodies of a fallen rat and otter and headed towards the slightly ajar door of the slavedeck and raced down there. There had to be something lying around in there...
He raced down the stairs and was slightly taken aback by Jetfur's body, and Bracklew laying unconscious next to him.
"Brack..."
Duncan's attention was torn away from the squirrel when he heard Chrysanthe's yell above the chaos of the battle. He snatched a whip from the wall and stormed up the stairs, launching himself at Sandpaw.
"You take care of this weasel! I'll go find Rapshade!" Chrysanthe said, rushing off into the crowd of now mostly woodlanders. Lots of the vermin lie slain in the deck.

The weasel turned to face the hare, the whip catching a blow on his shoulder. Yelling in pain, Sandpaw swung out heavily with the trident, having absolutely no idea where it would hit.

OOC; You can have Duncan get hit or not, up to you. You can steer this fight however you want it.

Elbowing One-ear in the chest Saltooth wriggled free rolling along the deck to avoid a downward stab. Spitting out blood and a tooth the steersrat struggled to gain his footpaws as he was forced to roll every few seconds to avoid the katana. A sense of panic filled his gut as he pushed himself to his footpaws parrying away the blade that stove for his blood.

"Don' do this mate, we c'n beat them woodlanders. Aye th' landlubbers c'n still be beat. Don' fight yer kind, 'elp us win matey, n' we'll sail out o' 'ere an' nigh return." Adjusting his grip on the curved dagger Saltooth suddenly flicked his paw sending the blade spinning towards One-ear. Not waiting to see if it had struck home the rat spun around fitting Martin's sword in his teeth. Using the hatchet he had lodged into the wood as a step the searat snagged a ratline and began hauling himself up the rigging towards the crows nest.

One-Ear's head cracked to the side, sending the dagger spinning away into the ocean with a splash. The young fox stabbed his sword into the deck and pulled the hatchet free.
"Never going to happen! I'm not like you, rat! My family has better things to do than steal and kill. But I have no problem if the one getting killed is you."
One-Ear approached the mast. Not choosing to climb up after Saltooth, who had the high ground, he began to swing the hatchet at the mast. Bloodwrath filled his reddened eyes as he swung the axe over and over into the damaged wood.

OOC-
Okay.
IC-
Duncan felt the trident whack him in the side even though he's moved to avoid it. Stumbling back to his paws, the hare curled the whip around his arm and lunged at Sandpaw.
He wouldn't use the whip if he didn't have to, but now it seemed he had to.

One-Ear's sheer, rage-fueled power was doing its job. The mast had been nearly sliced in two from the hatchet. Splinters flew wildly over the deck as the fox attacked the ship. Several times an enterprising pirate attempted to stop him, only for One-Ear to pull the sword from the deck and kill them without even a sidewards glance. The mast was leaning dangerously, only a few more chops and it would fall, crushing Saltooth against the ship. Panting, One-Ear stuck the hatchet into the deck and picked up his crossbow. He launched a bolt at the rat in the crows nest. It thudded against the top of the broken mast.
"I'd come down from there, rat! If I don't get you, the fall will!"

 Clinging to the lookout spar Saltooth leered down at the fox brandishing his sword. The rat felt confident in his position not being able to see the damage One-ear had done. Laughing Saltooth pointed his blade at the fox holding onto a rope for support.

"Come n' get me matey, I don' fancy dyin' an' I ain't fallin' neither. I could hold every last one o' ye fr'm 'ere!"

One-Ear shook his head.
"A coward like the rest of you pirates. SO BE IT!"
The fox snatched the hatchet. He put every last inch of his strength into one massive swing. The mast cracked. Held up only by the ropes, it began to lean heavily to one side. One-Ear threw down the hatchet and took up his katana.
"For every second you don't come down, I'm cutting through one of the ropes holding you up. ONE!"
One-Ear sliced cleanly through a rope.
"TWO!"
Another rope fell, severed easily by the sharp blade from across the seas.
"THREE! AND YOU'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME!"
Once more another rope was cut. The mast was now completely unsupported on one side. It groaned and leant heavily as though the slightest gust of wind would send it crashing down.

Chrysanthe and Rapshade parryed in an area where there was less of a fight going on.
That, and one where there were less bodies. So all in all more room.
Rapshade struck out with his sabre, cutting the whiskers clean off one side of Log-a-Log's face. It took some of her fur with it, leaving a small line of blood on her muzzle. The shrew growled and countered his attack with one of her own; a jab to the ferret's side.
Rapshade spun around on his paws and spat at her. "Agh! Oh, really? Take this!" Shoving Chrysanthe back, he snatched the dagger out of her paws and advanced on her. The shrew looked stunned.
"Oh, boo hoo," Rapshade sneered, twirling both blades.
Chrysanthe gathered her courage and lunged at him, but the ferret leapt aside and dealt her a powerful smack to the face, sending her careening over the railing before she could get her balance.
He burst out laughing.

 Cursing wildly Saltooth lost his grip on his sword. The shinning blade spun from his paw falling down and cleaving into an otter killing the unsuspecting creature instantly. Saltooth unaware of this grabbed hold of the lookout spar with all four paws his eyes wide.

"Last chance rat!" One-ear yelled his katana slashing though a last rope. A loud groan rose from the mast as ropes began snapping on their own accord. The great wooden construction slipped from its damaged supports with an almighty crash destroying a portion of the upper deck. Several unlucky shrews and pirates screamed in shock as ropes backlashed breaking necks and limbs like brittle twigs. The last rope snapped sending Saltooth flying though the air. The steersrat let out a wild scream before splashing heavily into the ocean. The mast followed crushing the battlers directly in its path, destroying the railing as the upper deck crumpled.

Bobbing up from the water Saltooth swam to the ship heaving himself up a rope. Picking up a discarded cutlass the rat fled to the wheel deck limping badly.

One-Ear watched the mast fall with grim satisfaction. He cursed when Saltooth hauled himself onto the deck, then again as Chrysanthe fell unconsciously into the ocean. The fox looked around in terror, his mind racing trying to think of a solution. Saltooth was getting away, but what about Chrysanthe. He had to help. The fox pulled Martin's Sword from the dead otter, holding it anxiously along with the katana as he tried to think. He began to make his way towards the rail, then the bloodwrath took hold again. He turned his head from his shrew friend and focused on Saltooth. Slowly, One-Ear followed him to the wheel deck, cleaving any pirates that got in his way into pieces with the two whistling blades. One-Ear was about to step up the wheel deck when his mother jumped in front of him.
"One-Ear, I'll take the rat, you help Chrysanthe. I can barely swim, you have to help her!"
The younger fox looked upon Mortembell with a cold glare.
"No."
He shoved his mother out of the way and ran up to the wheeldeck.
"You're cornered rat. Think you can take me with that thing?" He scoffed, motioning to the cutlass.

*****

"Damn it, son!" Mortembell shrieked.
She looked around desperately, every other beast was locked in battle. The vixen threw aside her sword and ran for the rail. She tied a rope around her waist and dived into the water. The fox surfaced, hauling wildly on the rope to keep herself afloat. She spied Chrysanthe a short distance away and kicked over to her.
"Log-a-log! Wake up!"
Mortembell shuddered as she untied the rope from herself and slipped it under the shrew's shoulders.
"WAKE UP!"
Mortembell felt the water pulling herself under. She looked around for something to grab onto, but Vadoma had taken the nearest logboat. The vixen coughed up salt water and tried to swim for shore, but her short, flat strokes got her nowhere, and the vixen was dragged under. She clawed blindly for a line on the side of the ship, but still nothing. Mortembell felt her lungs fill with water as everything went black.

Rapshade watched as, screaming, Chrysanthe disappeared below the water.
"Hahaaha! Idiot shrew, hope y' can swim!" The ferret teased, taking one of the daggers from his sash and tossing it down at her sinking form before Mortembell had gotten to her. He grinned and shouted a wild "GOTCHA!" but it was cut off by the crash of the mast falling.
Rapshade's jaw dropped in horror while he scrambled to get as far away from the falling structure as he could.
He was doing so well that he nearly made it.

Surmounting the wheel deck Saltooth came upon two shrews crouching there bows in their paws and empty quivers at their sides. Laying open the first shrew's face with the cutlass Saltooth dodged a swing from the second's bow. Kicking the creature over Saltooth pinned it down slicing it's throat open. The clash of battle still sounded below but up on the wheel deck Saltooth was alone. Taking the time to relax the rat tapped the helm with his claw, stroking the wood almost lovingly.

"Guess this tis me last time sailin' ye ol' gel. Ye were always me gel, ye know it. Aye last day o' sailin', we'll make it a good un'. " Twisting to face One-ear Saltooth steadied himself one paw on the wheel, the other clutching his sword. The steersrat's left footpaw was twisted badly and his right had a few broken toes. Though the rat looked worse for wear he was still a capable fighter.

"You're cornered rat. Think you can take me with that thing?" One-ear scoffed motioning at Saltooth's cutlass. The rat snorted tossing the blade over the side. It flashed in the morning sun before disappearing underwater.

"Yew mate are blind." Saltooth laughed taking the wheel in both paws. "Ye are willing to kill them creatures ye call mates jus' to get at me. Aye an' allow others to die, jus' to make me bleed. Gotta say mate I'm honored at th' 'ttention. Never thought no beast would care 'bout me so much. Course I don' care fer yer type, an' I don' like dyin'. So... I'm afraid I'll 'ave to kill ye. No 'ard feelings mate."

OOC: Hey Grodds in your next post could I ask you to not PP Saltooth into moving, attack, wait, talk do whatever as long as Saltooth still has hold of the wheel (And isn't dead.)

OOC: Err, what exactly is gonna happen. Saltooth threw his sword over the side.

OOC-
I dunno, but he'll have this to deal with also.
IC-
Rapshade yanked his broken leg out from under the fallen mast, coughing and feeling both in pain and angrier than he ever had been.
The ferret pulled himself up, and balancing on one footpaw he approached One-Ear from the back. He aimed to chop One-Ear's remaining ear off with a swipe of his sabre, yowling maniacally.
"How DARE ye destroy my ship jus' t' get at good-fer-nothing Saltooth! I'm gonna chop yer head off, piece by piece...Filthy fox!"

One-Ear turned swiftly, Martin's Sword flashing through the air. Steel clashed with steel as Rapshade's sabre went clattering to the deck in broken pieces.
"Shouldn't have let me know you were comin,' ferret."
The fox ignored Saltooth clinging to the wheel and kicked Rapshade roughly down the stairs. He saw Duncan and Bracklew on the deck below and threw Martin's sword.
"DUNCAN! CATCH!"
One-Ear turned back to Saltooth.
"And how are you going to kill me? You threw your weapon over the side, just shows how dumb you are, stupid rat."

And Duncan did catch. He knocked Sandpaw unconscious with the sword's hilt and then took off after Rapshade, whom he witnessed get kicked down the stairs.
The hare practically flew over the steps and landed beside Rapshade, who lay limp on the ground next to Bracklew.
He prodded him with the tip of Martin's sword, staring coldly down at him.
"You killed my wife, and recently you killed my daughter. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you."

Rapshade didn't answer.
Though he was bloody and broken his eyes still held that dangerous glimmer that they always had. He got up and pounced on Duncan, causing them both to fall back against the benches where the slaves had once sat.
The ferret grabbed his last spare dagger and held the blade over Duncan's head, snickering to himself. The wounded ferret looked crazed in every way possible.
"I'd bet you miss 'em, Duncan. I can put you outta yer misery..."

Out of the corner of his eye, One-Ear saw the commotion. He patted Saltooth on the head.
"'Scuse me a sec."
The fox loaded a bolt to his crossbow, took a deep breath, and fired at Rapshade's unprotected back.

"You're sick!" Duncan exclaimed. Rapshade grabbed Duncan by the tunic collar and shook him roughly, trying to get the hare to drop Martin's sword. "You're dead, hare...And I'm not sick," he spat, "I'm perfectly healthy...Aah!"  Luckily for the ferret, because they were so far away from One-Ear, the arrow only embedded itself in his other leg and not his back. Still, he let out a scream of pain and lost whatever grip he had on Duncan.
Duncan scrambled out from underneath him, growling.

One-Ear watched satisfied. Duncan had a chance now, even if he'd missed a vital part of Rapshade. The young fox was confident in the hare's ability, so he turned once more to Saltooth. He stomped heavily on the rat's broken paw.
"DID YOU HEAR ME?!"

"Had enough yet?" Duncan inquired, lifting Rapshade's chin with the blade of his sword. The hare's voice sounded so filled with anger and grief that it sent a shiver up Rapshade's spine. "Give the word and I'll run you through," Duncan said, hoisting the ferret to his paws and forcing him to walk backwards."It'll be a favor, really, judging by the pain you're in. I mean, listen to yourself! Whining and whimpering with every step...Tsk tsk. 'Tis truly a sad thing that you can't take the same pain you've put others in."
Rapshade did have enough. Enough of that hare, that is!
Duncan being distracted gave him the perfect opportunity to yank Martin's sword out of the hare's paws and give him a whack that sent him stumbling backwards into the wall.

The ferret had to lean on the wall to keep himself standing, but he grinned down at Duncan and struck down with the sword, loping off one of the hare's ears.
"Both yer ears 'n' then yer head... Unless you've 'ad annough 'n' y' just want me t' run ya through? Just give the word..."
"Never," Duncan spat.

One-Ear got closer to Saltooth, ignoring the rat's pained screams from the broken paw and brandished the katana. He thrust a sword towards the steersrat.
"Let go of the wheel. Die like a warrior."

Sandpaw struggled to rise, a throbbing pain in his head. The trident lay a fair distance away, the closest weapon an axe left on the deck. The weasel stood up, stumbling over to the weapon and picking it up one-pawed. Looking around, he sighted on One-Ear and Saltooth, and Rapshade and Duncan. Should he save his captain, or the steers rat?

OOC: I was thinking that he throws at One-Ear, bu the fox ducks and he hits Saltooth instead, but I know that you want to do your own death.

OOC: I was thinking of doing Saltooth's death myself.

BIC:

Hissing Saltooth pulled his damaged footpaw away sneering at One-ear. "Ye don' get it do ye? I'm an' unarmed opponent. Ye can't kill me wit'out ruinin' yer sense o' honor. Least that's wot ye try n' say. Hah but ye've proven yer no less vermin then me. So go to Hellgates fox!" Saltooth spun the ship's wheel causing one of the spokes to smash into One-ear's chin. The fox reeled back losing his grip on the katana which Saltooth took easily.

Planting one knee on the fox's chest Saltooth placed the dull edge of the katana against One-ear's throat. "Looks like this be yer last sailin' day, wait fer me at th' gates mate." He pressed down on the sword cutting off One-ear's air supply. The fox squirmed choking as he gasping out.

"You wait for me!" Shooting his right paw up One-ear hit the dull edge with all his strength sending the razor edge deep into Saltooth's chest. Clouting One-ear in the temple Saltooth's eyes went wide and he rolled off fox coughing up great clots of blood. Staggering down off the wheel deck Saltooth stared down at the blood on his paws. The Captain coughed blood, he had the medicine that helped him. Delirious Saltooth staggered into the cabin looking around franticly. Spotting a bottle filled with a oddly colored liquid Saltooth opened the bottle gulping it down feverishly.

Rasping Saltooth lay down his head propped up against the bed. His eyes started to cloud over as his confused mind wondered why the medicine wasn't working. It was almost making things worse. Desperation filled Saltooth as he struggled against death refusing to let it take him. His fight was futile and in his last effort he squirmed forcing his paw inside the wound feeling his broken ribs, and the punctured lung. Squeezing the damaged organ closed the rat wheezed his dying words.

"Goin' sail, damn fox must'a 'ad somterrr'n agassit ma. I' dyin', don' fancy dyin'." On his last voyage to the Hellgates Saltooth never truly found out what killed him. Whether it was One-ear's sword or Mixy's poisoned medicine he was doomed to consider for eternity.

Without thinking, Sandpaw drew his arm back and hurled the axe, eyes fixed on One-Ear. The fox would pay for murdering his fellow crew beasts! The fox, and the stupid rabbit too!

OOC: Lol. Of course Sandpaw will die quickly.

"Was that the word?" Rapshade sneered, adjusting Martin's sword in his paws. The red pommel stone glinted in the early sunlight, a good counter to the fire in the ferret's eyes.
Duncan grinned widely. "No..."
"No?" Rapshade echoed.
He bared his teeth and came down with the sword and at that moment Duncan struck him in the face with the whip. The ferret reeled back with one paw over the wound, yowling.
He looked up, laughing sullenly under his breath. Blood dripped in a streak down one side of his face.
"Ohh, yer dead now, Duncan," the ferret rasped. "Deader 'n' yer daughter...deader 'n' yer wife...Deader, than dead can be...'Cause I'm gonna kill y'."

Duncan's eyes went wide with rage, and he raised the whip again. If Rapshade should've known one thing, it was not to bring up his family's' deaths. Alas, he did not know.
As the hare brought the whip down, Rapshade brought the sword up, severing the thing in half.
Duncan yelped and tumbled into the wall.

A dull ache in the side of Bracklew's head as he woke up. His legs quivered in protest as he stood, his fur tore in some places where blood had dried, caking the hair together. He was still blinded though he could now see slightly though his left eye. Looking around Bracklew saw what had woken him up. Water swirled around his footpaws and Jetfur's body, the salty water a become a sickeningly dark red. Covering his mouth Bracklew stumbled up the stairs onto the main deck, something flashed in his peripheral vision and Bracklew saw the sword of Martin being flourished by Rapshade.

"No!" In a burst of energy born from desperation Bracklew charged over the deck space his paws closing around Rapshade's as he tried to wrench away the sword.

Rapshade hadn't taken in the scene around him until Bracklew darted over and attempted to pry his paws off the sword. Jetfur's dead?
He shook his head and growled in Bracklew's face. "Get yer paws off my sword, y' bloody squirrel!"
Being so focused on Bracklew, he didn't notice that Duncan had crept around behind him and was about to sink his teeth into the ferret's not-broken leg until it actually happened.
He released the sword at once and lost balance with a yelp of pain.
Duncan seized him by the arms and nodded at Bracklew.
"I'm so glad you're alive...Come on, let's get out of here." He marched Rapshade up the stairs and called to One-Ear. Most of the vermin were either dead or subdued, so he wasn't worried.
"One-Ear, look who we have! He's all yours and Bracklew's. Personally, I don't want to deal with this ferret anymore."

Rapshade felt blood rise in his throat and he knew he'd lost. He was tired and couldn't fight anymore, but he wasn't one to just sit there and accept the inevitable.
Quickly the ferret started thinking of an escape plan.

OOC: We still got Sandpaw to deal with. I'm going to change what he did.

BIC: Seeing that most of his mates had been slain by the murderous woodlanders, the weasel pirate quickly dropped to the ground dead. Loosely gripping the axe, he watched Rapshade being captured by Duncan. He racked his mind for a way to get the captain's attention. An idea flashed into his head, and Sandpaw gripped the axehead, angling it so the sun glared off of the shining blade. Turning it, he managed to shine it towards Rapshade. Hopefully the ferret would notice, and Sandpaw could find a way to free him and get away.

Rapshade hissed and turned his head to the side, trying to blink the light away.
"Agh! It's bright..."
Duncan caught sight of Sandpaw with the axe. "That's right it is," he said sternly. "Your dead mate there has a shiny weapon; it's reflecting the sunlight. Now keep quiet while we wait for One-Ear."

One-Ear pawed his sword and spat out a tooth from the ship's wheel. He glanced at Rapshade's Cabin, and Saltooth's still form within.
"He needs to die, but I shouldn't be the one to do it. You and Bracklew lost friends to him, I dealt with mine. Bracklew. He's all yours."
The fox left the wheeldeck back to the main. He looked around for his mother, but she was nowhere to be seen. Instead, his eyes were drawn to a rope trailing over the deck. Instinctively, he gripped and began to pull. The young fox pulled Chrysanthe bleeding onto the ship. The shrew coughed up water as he inspected the wound.
"Hellgates! I'm no healer, where's mother?"
The young fox looked around desperately.

OOC: Ashleg, is it time for Rasphade to discover a certain something?

OOC-
Groddil. When the time is right, he will. Patience, young one. XD
IC-
Duncan glanced expectantly at Bracklew, grunting when Rapshade let out a wail and dropped to his knees.
"Aaawh, please don't stick me!" The ferret cried. "I-I know I might deserve it...But please don't, n-not yet...not now... I don't want t' die!"
Fang gasped and darted over there, tapping Bracklew gingerly on the shoulder.
"Er, er, Bracklew. 'Kin I ask 'im something afore you...um, y'know....?"

OOC: I'M OLDER THAN YOU!!!

BIC: One-Ear had managed to stop the bleeding, but he was unable to do anything else. The young fox searched the ship for his mother,  finding himself on the wheeldeck. He stood watching.
"Yeah, go ahead Fang. I wanna hear this too."

OOC-
No Never D:
IC-
Fangfang glanced at One-Ear.
"You do? Alright." He turned to Rapshade. "Cap'n..."
Rapshade stiffened. He looked like he pretty much knew what was coming.
"What is it you've been hidin' from me?" Fang asked, narrowing his eyes. "An' you'd better talk...Cause if'n ya don't, they'll run you through."

Rapshade's amber eyes dulled a shade or two as he glanced back at One-Ear, shaking miserably.
"No way...You can't make me tell 'im." He sounded guilty beyond belief.

One-Ear growled. He forced the katana against Rapshade's neck.
"Do you want to die? Tell 'im, or so help me, you can speak yer piece at the Dark Forest! However bad it is, we already hate you enough! Think about it, what do you have to lose?"

Sand law watched the events unravel. Escape temporarily forgotten, he listened Rapshade's spluttering and One-Ear's threats.

Having recovered the sword Bracklew held it up. The blade now streaked with blood looked less magnificent then it had before. Its black bound hilt and red pommel stone look less enchanting. Bracklew grimaced in a odd satisfaction remember Brandon's words when asked how he felt about holding and wielding the sword.

"Young squirrel, once you have used this blade as I have. Once you have seen it stained, and the pain and suffering it creates you will understand. I hope for your sake, you shall never understand."

Bracklew felt one last tear of remembrance slip down his muzzle. Brandon had been avenged, his sacrifice hadn't been for nothing.

"One-ear, what are you doing? That is a captured, helpless prisoner." Bracklew thrust the sword into his belt and limped over to where One-ear was threatening Rapshade. The squirrel pulled out the healers satchel Rayne had given him and began wrapping up his own torn stomach. The bruises and scratches would be fine, but the wound in his stomach was still seeping blood.
"Kill him, I don't care, but don't torture him. I want nothing to do with that ferret's fate. Maybe one of the shrews will deal with him. I'm going to go help the wounded." Limping off Bracklew knelt next to a dying shrew checking the creature's pulse.

Slowly Bracklew moved from one creature to another wrapping up wounds, and doing his best to stop them from bleeding to death.

Rapshade paled beneath his black fur as he tried to recall the memories that he'd shut out for so long, meanwhile squirming uncomfortably as he stared down at the katana that was being held at his neck. He didn't pay much heed to Bracklew. The sword was still at his neck, after all.
"On th' day I tried t' take over Salamandastron, I...I..."

--
The vermin were failing miserably. Rapshade was trying to ward off about four hares, looking like he couldn't take it by himself much longer.
"Cap'n, let me help you!" Fang said, pushing in beside his friend.
Rapshade stole a quick glance at Fangfang and frowned, trying to nudge him out of the way a little as he attempted to hold his ground.
"No, Fang," he said through gritted teeth, parrying with one of the hares. The young rat frowned and tried to shove through to help again.
"Lissen, Shady, I'm skilled enough t' fight now, you've said it yourself. I can help you."
"Ouch! An' what if'n y' got killed?"
"I won't!"
Rapshade bared his teeth. "Fangfang! You're like a brother to me and if you die--"
"I'm not going to die!"
"I said no, Fang!"
"Let me help you!"
"Why're you being so stubborn?!" Rapshade's anger boiled over and without thinking much about it he dealt the rat a rough slap to the face with the flat of his sword.
Fang screeched and crashed down on some hard stones, hitting his head and going unconscious.
Rapshade nearly gagged in horror.
What have I done? His friend's blood pooled at his footpaws. Had he killed him? With a strangled sounding sob, the ferret launched himself back into battle with the hares.
--
"I killed Fang!" Rapshade blurted, bursting out in tears.
"Hit 'im so hard on the head he forgot most everything!"

"...Cap'n, I'm not dead, I'm right here..." Fangfang reached out a paw, only to have it slapped away by Rapshade.

"..I...I ruined you. You're nothing like y' used to be."

Sandpaw's eyes widened. His captain, attacking one of his own crew? The weasel's attention was focused on One-Ear, the fox who had wanted to torture Rapshade. Snarling in anger, the pirate gripped the axe tight and sprang up, putting all his strength into a powerful throw toward the fox.

OOC: Obviously, he dies. Poor Sandpaw.

OOC: Hey Sage I'm going to point out that Rapshade never really had a problem killing his own crew. Such as Tinygut, Blackclaw, a fox whose name I forget, a random rat, ect were all killed by Rapshade during the RP.

OOC: Really? Because two of those are traitors, I don't remember Tiny gut... Hmm.

OOC: Yeah, if I remember correctly Tinygut CoughSaltoothCough insulted Rapshade while they were marching around and then the blame fell on Tinygut who Rapshade brutally murdered behind a bush. I'm pretty sure he killed some random rat for pretty much the same reason as well. I can't remember the name though.

OOC-
That's correct, and the fox's name was Goddith.
And he didn't so much attack Fang as try to get him away, which ended up going horribly wrong; they were super close once and after that incident he felt so guilty that he shut Fang out and became overprotective at the same time (i.e. the no swimming thing).

Okay, enough OOC. Someone post!  ;)
glares at Groddil

OOC: I should probably point out that One-Ear wasn't GOING to torture Rapshade. No idea how you got that idea, he was just trying to make him talk.

BIC: The fox released Rapshade.
"You did WHAT? Why? I don't want a part in this, let Fang deal with him."
One-Ear turned away in disgust, just in time to see the axe hurtling towards him. He ducked, and the axe took a small chunk out of his good ear. The fox quivered with rage.
"REALLY, WEASEL?!?! My one good ear, and you RUINED IT!"
He took the stairs two at a time and lashed at Sandpaw with the katana. Once, twice, thrice. Blood spattered across the deck as the weasel was ripped to shreds by the fox's vengeance. One-Ear breathed heavily as he kicked Sandpaw off the deck. The corpse was quickly sucked under the ship out of view. One-Ear peered down side of the deck. He couldn't see anything but water. Turning his head slightly to the side, the fox descended to the slave deck.

OOC: And now, the angel of death descends to bring Sandpaw to Hellgates.





(>'.')>

OOC-
Lol!

IC-
"What? One-Ear? Why me?" Fang inched towards Rapshade and shook his head, wincing when the ferret flinched away.
"I'm not mad," the rat murmured. "I'd jus' like t' know why..."

Suddenly Rapshade's fur fluffed up in terror and his eyes went wide. He could feel the ground subtley shift underneath all four of his paws.
"Th-the Shadowcaster! She's sinking!"

Duncan and Fangfang seemed to have felt it too. Whereas Fang instantly tried pulling Rapshade to his footpaws, Duncan raced off after One-Ear, yowling, "Get back up here! The ship's going down!"

OOC: Idea: Ava come to the rescue with more shrews.

One-Ear heard Duncan yelling after him.
"No! Grab Chrysanthe, get her off the ship. I have to find mother!"
The young fox descended to the lowest deck, which was flooded with water. The fox took a deep breath and dived in. He felt around and found an oar bench, propelling himself through the bowels of the ship. One-Ear emerged in an air pocket, a smaller closet in the side of the ship. Mortembell was clinging desperately to Sandpaw's body, which was caught in a massive hole in the ship. One-Ear cursed as he tied himself to his mother with a snapped line.
"Mast must have made a hole in the hull. Come on, we have to go!"
The water continued to pour in, the closet filled to the brim. Mortembell nodded, held her breath, and submerged. One-Ear swam through the sunken deck, towing his mother behind him. He dragged her up the steps to the middle deck, severing the rope with a thrust of his blade.
"Come on, mother!"
He shoved Mortembell ahead of him as the water exploded behind them. It swept through the middle deck like a tidal wave as the hull began to weaken further and more cracks opened beneath the waterline. The two foxes were carried by the water up the final steps to the top deck, which had water lapping at the gunwhales. Mortembell rushed over to Duncan and assisted in supporting Log-a-log Chrysanthe to a logboat. She gazed in shock, then turned worriedly to Duncan.
"Vadoma stole one of the logboats, the other pirates must 'ave taken the rest. There's only one left."

OOC: What's your opinion, Groddil?

OOC: I support it. Otherwise, how will they all get away?

OOC-
Sure, I agree.
IC-
Duncan raced over to Chrysanthe, nodding to Mortembell when she helped place the unconscious shrew in a longboat. "Stay with her!" He ordered, jumping back onto the ship.
"I'm gonna go get Bracklew..." The hare's footpaws splashed through the shallow water that had quickly covered most of the deck as he made his way over to the squirrel, tugging at his arm.
"Come on, we have to go."

Rapshade flopped down in the water.
"I can't run, Fang. I'm weak, just like my father always said I was. Just leave me to die!"
Fangfang shook his head and pulled the ferret to his paws.
"No, Cap'n. I need ya to tell me the rest of what happened! You kin lean on me. Come on..."
Together they stumbled over to where Mortembell was with Chrysanthe.
Rapshade looked hesitant.
"Mind if we join ya?" Fang asked, glancing anxiously at Mortembell. "Neither of us can swim...An' it's all his fault." He flashed Rapshade a knowing grin.

Mortembell gingerly hopped into the logboat, which she held loosely to the ship by a long line.
At Fangfang's comment, she glared at Rapshade.
"This is the only boat, Fang. You can, but that ferret isn't takin' up space that honest Redwallers could 'ave. I'll only let 'im on if there's enough space after everybeast else comes aboard. I'm not leavin' anybeast to die for him."

Rapshade didn't meet Mortembell's gaze.
He glanced quickly at down at Fangfang and noticed that the rat was hesitating.
I've been so awful to you. How can you even stand to be near me? he thought.

"Er, then mind if'n we wait 'ere till everybeast else's on?" Fang asked.

OOC: Ok, so when should I jump in?

OOC-
After Groddil's next reply. ;D

OOOOOOOOOC: OOOOOOOOOOK

Mortembell motioned to a seat.
"Fang, you get on. He can stay there 'til it's time to go."
Another groan quivered through the entire ship. Mortembell glanced around nervously.
"Hurry up, Fangfang! We're runnin' outta time!"

"Alright, but help we with Skip, he's hurt bad." Bracklew positioned himself at the otter's footpaws looking at Duncan expectantly. Skipper waved a paw grinning at the hare and squirrel. The grin turned into a wince as the ageing otter tweaked his shoulder.

"I'm fine mates, jus' a small cut, somethin' to show th' pups when I get back." Bracklew said nothing as he and Ducan lifted the otter down into a logboat.

One-Ear peered into the logboat, which was by now a considerable distance below the railing as the ship leaned heavily to one side.
"I don't see much space left, mates, 'specially with two wounded. I'd say we'd have to jump for it, but now I think we 'ave to swim."

Fangfang jumped into the boat with a yelp.
"Are we all gonna die?" He asked nobeast in particular, watching as even more water sloshed onto the deck.
Rapshade was left clinging to the rail for his life, for he was tired and had a broken leg. He wasn't going anywhere.
Duncan glanced at One-Ear. "In the ocean? Why, we'd never make it."
Rapshade also glanced at One-Ear when the fox said that, growing more and more mortified by the second.
"I--I can't swim like this!"

Further down the river, a flotilla of three logboats drifted downriver. Gruddil, Log-a-Log Chrysanthe's deputy, was in the prow of the leading boat. The little fleet had been ordered to follow up on the first if they spent too long of a time attacking Rapshade's vessel. In the same boat sat two figures from Redwall, Ava the badgermum and Rayne Hummingwolf the healer. Ava had kept a hold on the sword she had used when defending Redwall, and now it leaned against the hull, ready for action. Rayne had packed her healing kit and refused to carry a blade.

As the logboats rounded a corner in the river, Gruddil suddenly stood up. "Everybeast, be silent!" he said. Listening carefully, all the other rowers ceased their actions and shipped oars. A tense silence fell over the river, the only other sound being the rippling of the water.

Gruddil's voice broke over the shrews. "It's beasts shouting, sounds like they're in distress! Fimble, you've got the best eyesight. Get up here and take a look."

Fimble did, in fact, have excellent eyesight and within moments he spotted the hulk of the Shadowcaster sinking beneath the waves. The shrew reported to his leader quickly. "Sinkin' ship, broad on the port bow. I'd say she 'as about five minutes afore she's lost."

Gruddil leapt into action. "All rowers, double time! We 'ave to get to that ship fast!"

Ava tried to stand up, rocking the boat as she did. "What? Can you see anybeast on board?"

Fimble looked again. "Sorry, marm, too distant t'make out."

The logboats sped towards the Shadowcaster, cleaving the water like three knives.

One-Ear shrugged.
"Looks like we won't have to, here comes help!"
The fox waved to the approaching logboats before calling down to Mortembell.
"Cut the line, mother. Get away from the ship before you're all dragged down with it!"
Mortembell complied, slicing cleanly through the line and pushing the logboat away from the ship.

OC: So is Rapshade on the ship? Is everybody in the logboat?

OOC-
Rapshade, Duncan, and One-Ear are not in the longboat.

OOC: Duncan, Bracklew, Rapshade, and One-Ear are on the ship. Mortembell, Chrysanthe, Skipper, and Fangfang are in a logboat.

OOC: Um... Two answers here... Sorry, but I'm going with Ashleg, as he's the guy in charge round here....

BIC:

Ava waved back to One-Ear. Gruddil eyed the fox and Rapshade suspiciously. "You sure that we can trust 'em?"

The badgermum nodded. "Yes, I worked with them at the Abbey. Bring one of the boats alongside the ship to pick up Duncan and Rapshade, One-Ear can come with us."

One of the boats was steered alongside the ship, directly below Duncan and Rapshade. The one with Ava and Gruddil bumped against the hull of the Shadowcaster, the shrews making room for One-Ear.

OOC: There should be a few logboats left, al packed with shrews and otters.

BIC:

Seeing one thing left Bracklew left Skipper in the bottom of the logboat a climbed back into the ship. Limping over the Rapshade the squirrel leaned close to the ferret whispering in his ear so only they could hear.

"You killed my best friend Rapshade. You killed her and I can never forgive that, you can't come to Mossflower. There are former slaves there who will hunt you down and make sure your dead. You'll ruin more lives if you come with us, so for once do something right. What is it they say? The captain goes down with his ship." Turning away from Rapshade the squirrel limped back over to the railing. He didn't even have to climb at that point, the vessel had sunk to the point where he could just step into the log boat.

One-Ear followed Bracklew into Ava's boat. He took a seat next to the squirrel and badger.
"What do you two think about Rapshade? We aren't seriously considering rescuein' 'im are we?"

Rapshade waited for Duncan to get into the boat before reluctantly creeping over there, tail twixt his legs.
He shook his head at Bracklew but did not step into the longboat.
"You don't understand... I'm n-not captain of anything anymore.."

 Bracklew ignored Rapshade settling himself down in the logboat. Turning to One-ear he spoke in a hollow voice, the weight of what had occurred pressing down on him.

"He's not coming with. Come on, lets go home."


OOC: Last post of the day. I'll rejoin in the morning.

"Sounds good to me, mate."
One-Ear gripped a paddle and pushed away from the ship. Only Duncan and Rayne's logboat remained ready to rescue Rapshade. Mortembell threw a line to her son.
"Can't paddle as well with two wounded. Give us a tow!"
One-Ear nodded and tied the line to the stern of his logboat.
"Soon as Duncan an' Rain get 'ere, let's go."

Every fiber of Duncan's being wanted to push the boat away from the ship, but he had to remind himself that both his wife Mixy and his daughter Mixy were dead and that leaving Rapshade to drown would not change that.
Before the ferret could do or say something else, the hare leaned over the edge of the boat and snagged him roughly by the collar of his coat, yanking him in. The longboat rocked back and fourth, threatening to overturn with each movement. Luckily, Duncan was able to steady it.
He pulled Rapshade up and pressed a paddle into his paws.
"Row." He growled. "Or else I'll throw you overboard."
Then the hare pushed away from the sinking form of the Shadowcaster.
"Is everybeast off?" He called.

Mortembell called over to Duncan.
"Every woodlander still alive is on one o' these boats. Let's get back to the Abbey."

OOC: Can we do a timeskip?

OOC-
Yep.
You want to start it? :)

OOC: Certainly!

BIC:
*CLANK* *CHINK*
Mortembell snapped a shackle onto Rapshade's footpaw and turned a key. The vixen looped the chain around a heavy pillar and threw the weighted end into a large, empty cask.
"Like to see you get out o' that one, Swifty. You're too dangerous to let go, so I hope you enjoy living out your days in this dark damp cellar. I don't believe you deserve such luxury, but what do I know? Don't cause trouble now, or I may accidentally drop your supper on the steps. So slippery..."
Mortembell cackled as she returned to Great Hall, where Redwallers stood around, some solemn, some wild with cheers. For this was a day of mixed feelings, the time for a funeral then a feast. One particular mole stood out to her, blowing quietly on a handkerchief.
"Hey, Drubble. What is it?"
The mole wrinkled his face at the vixen.
"'Ello zurr. Oi 'adn't noticed 'ee. They told oi that since Fergybar be's gone, oi'm the new cellarmole! Oi's gurtly excited, but saddened at 'ow oi got t'be yurr."
Mortembell patted Drubble lightly on his velvety head.
"Don't dwell on the past. Look forwards, we have a victory feast, and you get t'supply the drinks!"
Drubble shrugged.
"Oi guess that bees true. Thankee koindly, zurr."
The newly-appointed cellarmole trundled off in the direction of the cellars. The vixen rounded a corner and found herself face to face with One-Ear and Chrysanthe holding a whispered conversation.
"What are you two up to?"
One-Ear could not look his mother in the face. He gave a small wink in Chrysanthe's direction and walked off with his mother. The fox snatched his katana from a wall and sheathed it on his back.
"I nearly got you and Chrysanthe killed because I was too selfish. I cared more about killing that stearsrat, and I destroyed the ship to do it. I cannot stay here, I must leave."
Mortembell placed a paw on One-Ear's shoulder.
"Son..."
"NO mother! I cannot stay here. We are considered heroes, us that defeated Rapshade. I am no hero."
The young fox shoved past his mother and straight out of the Abbey. He quietly slipped through the gate and into Mossflower. A sturdy-looking squirrel sat in the boughs of a tall tree looking bored.
"Ready, One-Ear?"
The fox nodded.
"Let's get away from the Abbey. Every minute we waste is a little further that Muddle gets away."
The two beasts fled into the Mossflower Woods, in hot pursuit of Muddle and Begskin, the escaped prisoners.

Chrysanthe smiled and slung her arm about Mortembell's shoulders. She still looked like she was recovering from the fight, with bandages and scratches, but she was recovering nonetheless.
"Let him go," she said, walking back towards the Great Hall. "He'll be fine; I know it. Anyway, where have you been?"

Fangfang raced around the corner, nearly crashing into them. The rat yelped and spun on his paws.
"Oh, sorry Mortembell." He grinned and gave an excited little hop.
"Duncan's about t' beat his all-time scone eatin' record, come see!"

Chrysanthe groaned and allowed Fang to lead her into the room, chuckling, "He is? That great furry lump! He's not gonna get sick again, is he?"

The rat snickered to himself. "Th' Abbot an' I think he is, but Duncan claims otherwise."

Mortembell chuckled as she explained herself to Chrysanthe.
"I had to chain up Rapshade. Then I had a little chat with Drubble. Sad thing what happened to Fergbar, 'specially since his own assistant was the one that killed 'im! Anyway, you're lookin' a lot better. Any idea how Skipper's doin'? Y'ask me, he's probably up already."
At that moment, further conversation was delayed as Fangfang raced around the corner. Mortembell rolled her eyes in mock severity at news of Duncan.
"Rayne has enough trouble on her hands as it is. I'd hate to be him if he does get sick. At least he's handling himself well. Wonder how Bracklew's doin'?"

"Oh, alright. And I didn't know Fergbar that well, but I can agree that that's horrible--Watch it, Fangfang!" Chrysanthe yelped and stumbled after the rat when he grabbed her by the arm and raced towards the table.
"I dunno bout Bracklew, haven't seen 'im," Fang said, giggling when Chrysanthe let out a gasp and ran around the table, towards Duncan.
"How many?" She asked.
"Two-hundred forty," Duncan chuckled.
"Duncan, for goodness' sakes! You're going to eat the entire Abbey if ya keep goin' on like that!"

Fang grinned and turned to Mortembell.
"So! What did ye do with Rapshade?" He asked quietly, as to not disturb the fun the Redwallers were having. Last time he'd seen him, the ferret had told him everything he needed to know.
Fangfang had been shocked, but not mad. He was actually quite relieved to know that he wasn't just imagining things about the past.

Mortembell wiped the shocked expression caused by Duncan off her face and turned to Fangfang.
"Chained him up in the cellar. Wrapped it 'round a pillar and threw it in a big cask. Don't want 'im gettin' away like Muddle did..."
The vixen retrieved a plate from Duncan's table and snatched one of his scones.
"You don't need all of those."
Mortembell scooped a small slice of pasty onto the plate and poured a goblet of water.
"I gotta go feed Rapshade. You can come with me, if you want."

"Er, who now? That creepy eyeless spikedog?" Fang asked, sticking his tongue out at Duncan when he noticed the hare shoot Mortembell a very hurt look.
"He's gonna hunt ya down fer not lettin' him beat 'is record, y'know. He'll have t' do this all over again!" He paused and rested a paw on the table.
"I sure will," Duncan teased, standing up. "I need more scones over here!"

Fangfang shuddered.
"...That is, if'n he doesn't die first. Anyway, Mortembell, I, er, think I'll pass on seein' him this time."

As Duncan was madly stuffing scones in his mouth, a heavy paw descended on his shoulder. Ava looked down at the gluttonous hare. "How many more scones to go, Duncan? You've been eating quite a lot since this morning."

Duncan gave Ava a venomous glare.
"'Course somebeast like you has to go and ruin the fun, Ava. I just need fifteen more!"

Grant leaned over and tapped Ava on the shoulder, whispering, "Ava...Let him do whatever it is that makes him get his mind off the battle as long as it's over the moment he starts just looking sick."

OOC: Isn't Rapshade like sick? Wasn't he gong to die anyway? Man I set up a way for Rapshade to go out like a boss on his sinking ship, but instead he's going to die in a hole coughing up blood, and eating prison food. I guess its the punishment he deserves...

BIC:

Moving slowly from patient to patient Rayne gave a comforting word here, and a rewrapped a bandage there. It was slow work, and the whimper of the wounded was a terrible screeching in her ears. The squirrel healer continued her depressing work, forcing a smile to stay on her face. Eventually she came to the final bed, the one she had ben avoiding.

"Hoy marm, thought ye would never make it o'er here." The big otter wriggled his nose in an amusing way making his whiskers scrunch up. Rayne chuckled tapping the otter on the nose.

"You ought to be more carful, I know you've been trying to stand. I'll have to tie you down if you keep getting up, you'll just make it worse." The otter's cheeky grin flickered for a moment, then he smiled again laughing the worry away.

"Ha, aye, though it still be hurtin', an' I'd rather lope it off then deal wit' it any longer."

"Already told you Skip, we can't just cut off half your back, right shoulder, and neck. A beast doesn't survive that kind of operation."

"Aye," Skipper said his face growing solemn. "Ow long do I 'ave Rayne? An' no lies, give me th' truth."

Rayne wiped away a tear keeping the forced smile on her face. "A season, maybe two." Skipper nodded as if he had already guessed. The otter burst out laughing shaking his head in mirth. A few of the patients looked over angrily as if there was nothing to laugh at in a Infirmary full of wounded creatures.

"I was gettin' on anyway. Go 'ave fun at th' feast Rayne. Don' worry yerself o'er this ol' waterdog." Rayne nodded pulling away from the bed and pushing the door open. Giving the still grinning otter one last look Rayne descended the stairs, and joined in. Laughing a little too loud at Duncan's antics, and playing along with the dibbuns.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Out on the lawns next to the pond two males sat finishing up their cravings. The first, a tough looking shrew was shaking his head putting a few fancy touches on his wooden training sword.

"Glad ye got to know 'im a bit before 'e died. Always was a bit of a loner that son o' mine. Now ye sure ye don't need help." Bracklew looked up, his left paw was pressed against he nearly finished training sword but he was having difficulty carving it out due to his paw being practically useless.

"I got it." He said stubbornly pulling the whittling knife across the wood sending a few shaving floating down into the ponds still water.

"They're having a feast you know. T'would do you good to make new friends. Ye'll have to get over it someday. The others, they're already moving on. You ain't the only one hurtin', it was me son that died."

"You ready?" Bracklew interrupted finishing his sword. The shrew nodded standing up twirling his blade into the ready position. "This will help me too, I have to be ready, even with my injury I have to be ready to defend this Abbey. To protect my friends. I failed before, I wont fail again."

"Aye, well then lets begin." The two began, the shrew instructing, the squirrel learning. Occasionally they clashed, mostly they repeated phases over and over again. Alone, there on the pond the two trained.

OOC: I think this was Ashleg's plan from the start.

BIC: Mortembell shrugged at Fangfang and followed Drubble down into the cellars. She placed the food and water on the floor.
"Eat up, Rapshade. I have better things to be doing, bye!"
The vixen smiled smugly at the ferret and walked off.

OOC: Give me a yell when you're all ready for the epilogue post.

OOC-
It was indeed my plan. *chuckles* He does deserve it, but there are many things you don't know...
That you'll find out in the sequel.
IC-
Rapshade opened his eyes with a grimace, glancing over at the food.
"I'm not hungry," he mumbled, loud enough for Mortembell to hear as she approached the door. "Please, just take it and go."
OOC-
I shall.

Mortembell turned around in the doorway.
"I don't care if you eat it or not, die if you will, doesn't concern me!"
The vixen slammed the cellar door, leaving Rapshade alone in the dark. She was coming up the stairs when a tiny mousebabe raced around a corner and slammed into her. The vixen steadied herself and picked the mousebabe up from the step.
"Stumbly, slow down. You're going to hurt someone at this rate."
"Sowwee, 'Bell."
Mortembell winked at Stumbly.
"Don't worry, I won't tell Ava this time. But if you keep up, you're going to turn us all grey."
The vixen ushered Stumbly back into the Great Hall and took her leave to someplace quiet.

"Yes, Marm..." Said Rapshade respectfully, keeping his head low until Mortembell was nearly out the door.
The ferret looked up and cracked a wide grin right as the door slammed shut behind the vixen, fire alight in those amber eyes of his.
"Oh, y' just wait." He murmured, chuckling under his breath. "I'll concern you soon enough!"
Then the room was filled with darkness.

--

Back in the Great Hall, Log-a-Log Chrysanthe ran up to Mortembell, dipping her head to the vixen.
"Sorry to eat and run, but I have shrews to take care of." She paused to adjust her hat, grinning sheepishly all the while. "I already said my goodbyes to the Abbot and the rest, and I wanted to thank you for saving my life." She smiled and held out one paw to Mortembell. "How bout you walk with me back home?"

OOC-
Okay, everybeast!
Don't post after this. Now it's time for Groddil to do the epilogue, and then this (very fun and amazing) part of the Roleplay will be over...and the sequel shall begin!

OOC: Posts just to be the last person to post before the Epilogue. ;D

Mortembell clasped the paw eagerly.
"I'd love to, Chrysanthe. Maybe I'll see One-Ear out there..."


Extract from the Writings of Mortembell, Vixen Recorder of Redwall Abbey in Mossflower Country.

Seasons come and seasons go. Today is the final day of Autumn. The leaves have all fallen, and we are finally starting to get back to daily life. There is to be a feast, Abbot Grant shall give a name to the coming Winter. So much has happened since my family arrived at this Abbey, but where to start? These woodlanders have finally made me feel welcome.

I still haven't heard from One-Ear personally since he ran off. There was a note pinned to the gates recently. It read:
"We stand tall. We stand on guard. We stand together. We stand vigilant. We are the Vigil, the Protectors, the Defenders of Mossflower."
I have no doubt it was him; he can take care of himself. I just wish he came to visit,

Bracklew became a lot more like my son. His good cheer began to vanish and he became a loner. He spends a lot of time out with an older shrew training to use a sword. While he grows far more mature his standing within the Abbey itself begins to drop. Nobeast denies his loyalty to the Abbey, but he has almost no relationships with the creatures within its walls. Grant tried to give the squirrel a purpose and made him the Abbey Champion. Now Bracklew wields Martin's Sword, but sometimes I still worry for him. Lately, he has began sneaking out on short trips into the Woods with one of his few friends, a rabbit named Petu. He continued training with the sword, learning fast. His left paw has never fully healed; however, he is getting better. I hope somebeast can help him.

My friend Rayne, the healer, is going gray from stress trying to keep up with her many patients. Over the celebration of victory and the continuation of Abbey life she worked tirelessly caring and healing to the best of her abilities. She still continues though life as normal, treating the Redwallers, of any disease, wound, or strife that may occur, and I pop in to lend a paw every once in a while.

Skipper failed to recover from his wounds. When I spoke to Rayne recently, she was worried. Rayne doesn't think Skipper will make it through the winter. I too worry, Skipper has led a good life. Perhaps this is his time to go...

Rapshade the Swift, our prisoner, is not his old self. He seems very subdued and keeps to himself, does what he's told. Good. I take food to him, keep him alive. Rayne gives him medicine for his sickness occasionally, although it's a waste if you ask me.

Duncan recovered surprising well from the loss of his daughter. He continues to raid the kitchens and cause trouble, even taking time off from his hare-ish antics to train the Abbey's new young ones in a fun swordsmanship class! A group of woodlanders arrived at the Abbey recently, including a young, orphaned squirrel. Duncan enjoys the squirrel's company. He reminds him a lot of Mixy...

Log-a-log Chrysanthe and her shrews continue to roam Mossflower, visiting here every once in a while. I found out what she and my son were whispering earlier this season. The Guosim help out with this "Vigil" thing in weeding out vermin bands prowling the woodlands.

Fangfang moved in permanently to the Abbey. He helps out with daily task, but still has quite a bit of adjusting to do.

Drubble is taking well to being a cellarmole. The drinks he brews are getting as good as old Fergbar's. Speaking of the hedgehog, we still haven't tracked down Muddle and Begskin, although some wanderers tell tales of a hedgehog and stoat that chase down and kill lone travelers.

Grant is, as I have already mentioned, still Abbot. Age hasn't slowed him down (at least any more than it already has). Since we dealt with Rapshade, he doesn't have as much on his paws.

Ava the badgermum has healed remarkably. Her leg wound is almost gone, and she tossed out her cane. Although she may wish she was still a cripple whenever Stumbly and his gang get up to their usual mischief.

And finally, myself. With Rayne doing what she does best, there was no need for another healer about the Abbey. Grant made me Recorder, something which somebeasts were initially surprised with. They thought that just because I was a fox, I was illiterate! Sure proved them wrong. I spend most of my time with the other elders, living out my days writing down what happens and sipping on mint tea. Quite frankly, its boring. Maybe Vadoma'll get sick of running away and come back to cause some excitement. But you don't want to hear about the boring life of an old vixen, and I'm getting sick of writing it. Maybe I can sneak down to the kitchens and give Duncan a hand to "help prepare for the feast." The gates here are always open; if they let me in, I'm sure you'll be welcomed with open arms.

-Mortembell the vixen.

OOC-
Okay, guys! That turned out great!
Don't post here anymore and I'll get to making the Sequel lickity-split. I should have it up in a little while, maybe later tonight.
Also, if anybody dares try what Sand did (aka this:

Quote from: LT Sandpaw on February 17, 2016, 11:47:19 PM

OOC: Posts just to be the last person to post before the Epilogue. ;D

)
I will outpost you until the sun dries out.

Aw, but seriously, though, don't post here! All chat will go to the OOC thread until the Sequel is up. ;D

OOC: I'll ask James to move it.