Redwall Abbey

  (The continued story from the Land and Sea threads)

  Cooper heard the snap of a twig and looked around.  "Is that you, Phillim?"
  Tempest was shivering.  It was cold during the night hours!  She heard the snap of a twig and jumped.  "Everyone, I think I 'eard somethin'!"

Everyone, I think I 'eard somethin'!

Rikkendo nodded, he had heard the snap as well. Perhaps somebeast was following them? It was hard to figure out where anybeast was in the darkness of night.

"Well, if somebeast is following us they already know where we are." The mouse dug around in his bag and pulled out a pience of flint. After this he cast about in the nearby plant life to find some good dry wood. He quickly wrapped some smaller tinder around a larger stick and tied it in place with a piece of cord. Then he struck the flint against the metal of his long dagger. A flame grew on the torch and Rikkendo held it up.

The fire bathed the group in warm light. Rikkendo moved the torch back and forth, trying to sight whoever was out there.

"What if they trying to sneak up on us and attack us?" Acorn asked, a little shaken by the situation. She had begun to feel unsafe.

"EEEEeee!" Acorn screamed as two pairs of glowing eyes came into view.
_______

EEEEeee!

Brielle sucked in a breath. There was a squirrel screaming. She could clearly see the beast's bushy tail. them more creatures came into view. The shecat prepared herself to fight. These were woodlanders and they notoriously hated wildcats.

  Cooper laid a paw on Brielle's, quickly pulling it back with an awkward look on his face.  "Uh, er, don't get ready to fight.  That might not look good.  We wanna be as liddle threatenin' as possible."
 He stepped out of their hiding place and strode to the woodlanders, his paws held high to show he wouldn't hurt them.  "Good evenin', ladies an' gentlebeasts.  Me name's Cooper, an' I ain't gonna attack."

 Tempest gave a short shriek as the male wildcat stepped into the scene.  She ducked behind Rikkendo, not wanting to fight.

 ____________

 Meanwhile, Avalanche was standing with Lusiphi, looking for the rats.  "Where do ye think they are?" he asked.

Brielle felt herself blush as Cooper laid his paw on hers. She was disappointed that he pulled it away so quickly. It would have been comforting if he had just held on for a while.

Good evenin', ladies an' gentlebeasts.  Me name's Cooper, an' I ain't gonna attack.

Brielle stepped forward as Cooper explained things to the woodlanders. She kept her paws down but not too close to her weapon. You couldn't trust woodlanders. They might try to attack even if the wildcats were unarmed. They were "vermin" to woodlanders and thus Brielle half expected to be treated as such.

Rikkendo held his long knife in front of himself like a sword, ready to defend his group if need be.

"How do we know you can be trusted cat? My experience with your kind has not been good. Tell me, are you from the ship that took a rabbit prisoner?"

The torch light guttered and flickered as a breeze swept by. Much longer and the light source would fade and they would be left in the dark again. This time...with wildcats...
_____

Raven waited for Birata to show up. Where was that otter? She had plans to go over with him. The waves rolled over the hull of the Lashkeel, carrying her further out to sea. Lanterns had been lit in the forecastle so the captain could study her maps and charts.

Phillim stepped forward, "Aye, they would. I saw them get off. They threatened me, I just escaped." Since she was unarmed, the story might be believable.

Birata huffed as he jogged up to Raven, "Sorry it took so long, cap'n. The prisoner is feisty." He saluted, "What was it?"

  Cooper's head snapped towards Phillim.  "Wot?  We didn't threaten ye, ye threatened us!  An' then ye tried to take yer own life!"  He looked to the other creatures.  "I swear to ye, we, meanin' me an' Brielle o'er 'ere, we don't want to start a fight.  We did come from the Lashkeel, but we left.  We was just goin' to... uh..."
  He realized that it could sound bad if he said they wanted to steal a ship and live on the high seas.  "We was... goin' to commandeer a ship to save the other rabbit."
  Cooper looked to Brielle, hoping she would go along with this idea.  "Right, Brielle?"

Right, Brielle?

Brielle sighed inwardly. It was a good idea to try to prove the point with the woodlanders but, it seemed woodlanders hardly ever listened. However, she went along with what Cooper was saying. It was all true. She walked up to Cooper and stood right by his side. It made her feel better to be close to him.

"Aye, what Cooper says is true. We are mutineers from the Lashkeel, hoping to start our lives afresh. We figured for starters meeting up with captain Brinewater on the seas and stealing back their newest prisoner would be a good way to pay back years of service to a wicked otter."

Churrup bobbed his head as the shecat finished speaking. "What both of them say is true as far as I know. I've seen them on the ship, watched the pirates take the rabbit, and observed their conversation with the hare."

Rikkendo moved forward, holding his long knife in front of him.

Brielle spoke, drawing her daggers. "I can see you won't believe us mouse. I don't blame you really. Our kind have been responsible for much hardship to your own. However, I must warn you, we will go down fighting." Brielle's tail began to get bushy. If it was a fight the mouse wanted, a fight he would receive.

"I can see you would not go down easy cat. I have never heard a story as mixed up and as unlikely as yours." He sheathed his blade. "Perhaps that is why I believe you."

Rikkendo turned to the Redwall group.  "I feel we should side with these cats and help them get to the Lashkeel. What do you think?"

Acorn flicked her bushy tail as she watched the hare and then the cats. She had never sided with vermin over a woodlander before. "I don't know what to do." She took a few steps towards Phillim. "but I think a good place to start would be caring for injuries. Would you mind if I looked at your footpaw for you?"

  Tempest stepped out from behind Rikkendo and cleared her throat.  She looked at Cooper, then at Brielle.  "I-I guess we could trust 'em."
  Cooper bowed slightly, his neck fur lying flat again.  "Thankee, marm.  An' thankee, too, mouse sir.  Wot be yer name?"

"No! You idiot! You trust these cats?" Phillim stepped backward, and the piece of wood from the stick dug a little deeper into her paw. She gasped slightly, but remained where she was out of pure stubbornness.

The other rat's sudden appearance startled Miro, and he jumped a bit.  Hurrying to regain composure, he looked the other beast up and down.  The sun glinted off of the knife blade.  Miro was no stranger to knife fights, but wasn't keen to start one.  The other rat had the look of an ex-seabeast as well, with the tell-tale earring and faded tattoos.  He was clean and well-kept however, and Miro felt he must look like a right savage in comparison.  He raised his paws placatingly.

"Ere now, mate.  I weren't lookin' for trouble.  Jus' walkin' through these woods here, ramblin', so to speak.  No cause fer pullin' knives."

OOC: Er..let's just say Silverstorm is with Avalanche and Lusiphi.

BIC: Silverstorm held her bow and arrow in a ready grip, peering around as Avalanche asked Lusiphi where the rats were. The thing was, she didn't know. She gritted her teeth.

  OOC:  Uh, Flandor, it's nighttime.  The sun can't glint off of the blade lol.  You could say that the moon did.

  BIC:  Cooper's head snapped in Phillim's direction.  "Wot?  'O are ye talkin' about?  Ye were the 'un tryin' ta kill us, Phillim!"
  How could this rabbit be so stupid?  Cooper didn't want to harm her!  He simply wanted to be free of all these creatures and get back to sea.

"No! You idiot! You trust these cats?"

Acorn's mouth fell open in shock. She had never had a creature respond to her this way. Especially since she had offered the help the injured hare. the forceful language of Phillim caused Acorn to be quite fearful of the hare. She stepped back towards the main group and stood quietly by.

"That's enough out of you hare!" Rikkendo could hardly believe he was taking such a tone. However, the behavior of this beast seemed far more likely to be dangerous than two wildcats pledging their honesty and the word of their informant the robin to back them up.

"Listen hare. If you won't accept our help then fine, do as you wish. But do not take that tone with Acorn or any other of this company again. Do you hear me?"

It was then that Tempest agreed to trust the cats. Rikkendo nodded at the otter. "Aye, I think we can. But, let's keep our guard up eh?"

Thankee, marm.  An' thankee, too, mouse sir.  Wot be yer name?"

Rikkendo squared his shoulders and walked up to the cat, offering his paw. He remembered legends of another good cat, far bygone seasons ago. Itwas said that Matthias the Warrior had befriended this cat. Rikkendo felt like he was stepping back in time. Standing in Matthias' place.

"The name's Rikkendo, warrior in training of Redwall Abbey."
______

Introductions went on for a while when Brielle spoke up.

"Now that we all know each other, perhaps it's time to start thinking about our ship. Sometimes seabeasts head into town for gambling and such during the night. If we could find a vessel with nobeast aboard, it would be an easy thing for us to get under way." She looked around at the assembly.  "We won't steal it forever, just a borrow really. It's the only way to get us out to sea and after the Lashkeel."

Rikkendo nodded and made ready to head to the docks. "Let's go borrow ourselves a ship."

  Cooper gave a short bark of a laugh and turned to Rikkendo.  "If'n yer gonna get a ship, Rikkendo, ye gotta learn wot to call stealin'.  It's commandeerin', not borrowin' or stealin'.  So, we're gonna commandeer a ship."
  He looked to the others, his gaze sweeping over the group.  "Ye all ready?"

  OOC:  I'm thinking that if we get this ship soon, we might want to wait for the rats and those that stayed behind to catch up.

OOC: a note to all we will be setting up a second thread for those not getting on the ship that will be borrowed in this thread. Players in the second thread can come out to sea later if they wish. Hopefully this will fix the time mismatch and make for better character development.
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BIC:
Raven smiled to herself as Birata appeared. She liked that he obeyed her commands so readily.

"Well, if the prisoner is secured then you have done your job well First Mate." She tapped the charts in front of her. "If all goes well we should be at our destination in about two weeks." The dark otter allowed him to study the charts. She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. "There's more than just an island there Birata. If I tell you why we are headed on this course it must remain our secret."

OOC: Sorry for the double post... I'm doing it to get this thread moving :D Everyone please feel free to post whatever your character is doing. The next thing we need to do is steal the ship. I've already set up the character from which we are stealing and the ship. So post away!
___

BIC:
If'n yer gonna get a ship, Rikkendo, ye gotta learn wot to call stealin'.  It's commandeerin', not borrowin' or stealin'.  So, we're gonna commandeer a ship.

Rikkendo smiled at the cat. It was true, the mouse knew nothing of life at sea. He didn't know the first thing about stealing or sailing a ship for that matter. He wanted to give a prideful remark to show Cooper that he knew more than he actually did, however that was not the way of the warrior.

"Commandeerin' the ship. Got it, commandeerin'!" Rikkendo turned towards the harbor. It was then that he spotted Tia. Rikkendo had hardly had the chance to speak to the pretty mousemaid since they left Redwall. He walked beside her and spoke quietly.

"So, how are you getting along Tia? It's been a long night. Are you tired yet?" He yawned slightly as he asked the question. It had been a long night.

Acorn saw Tempest and Silverstorm walking nearby her. She motioned to them. "So, do you two know much about stealing... I mean comandeering a ship? I sure don't. I wonder if the cats have a plan."

  Tempest shrugged.  "I dunno 'ow to commandeer a ship, wotever that means.  'Ow does that cat... wot's 'is name?  Cooper?  Yeah.  'Ow does Cooper come up wi' these strange words?"

  Cooper had heard Tempest's comment and walked up to her.  He stuck out a paw in greeting, which Tempest took.  "'Ello, marm.  I don't think I caught yer name."
  "Tempest," she replied.  "Nice to meet ye."
  Cooper nodded and pulled his paw back slowly.  "So, I 'ear that ye all think me an' Brielle don't 'ave a plan.  Well, to tell ye the truth, we don't.  But, we 'ave lots o' experience wi' this sort of thing.  So, ye can rest easy, knowin' that ye've got us to 'elp ye."

Quote from: BrookSkimmer on November 20, 2012, 07:21:37 PM

"So, how are you getting along Tia? It's been a long night. Are you tired yet?" He yawned slightly as he asked the question. It had been a long night.

Tia was tired, but she did not intend to show it. She smiled. 'Well, a little bit. I'm not really used to traveling, but I'll live.'
Tia had gone with the party who were 'commandeering' the ship, thinking that it would be more exciting, while Leisa had chosen to stay with the others.

Buckler was sailing on his ship The Freebeasts. He looked out at the ocean and was enjoying himself. He had been with this ship for roughly 2 seasons, and had gotten it from the Long Patrol as a scouting ship. As he turned the other way to make sure his ship didn't hit the sand, he saw a few woodlanders and 2 wildcats talking to each other. He knew something wasn't right, so he anchored the ship, and watched as they came walking towards him.

The group had made thier way down to the docks. Rikkendo was spying out ships, trying to decide if any of the vessels resting at anchor would be right for what they had in mind. The sun was beginning to rise, tinging the clouds pink with dawn light. The would be warrior scrubbed his eyes with balled fists and yawned. They had been awake far too long. He smiled at Tia.

"You must be tired Tia, though you don't look it at all." He cast his gaze out to sea. "Pretty morning isn't it?" It was then that he spotted a ship hoving into the shore!

"Would you look at that!" Acorn's bushy tail twitched with excitement. "A ship! Captained by a hare! Maybe he can help us!"

Brielle sucked in an amazed breath. "How can you see who's captaining it Acorn? It's so far away!"

"I've always been told I had good eyes!" She smiled. "Should we go meet the hare?"

As they came closer, he saw that the wildcats weren't fighting the woodlanders, so he came up and introduced himself."Hello chaps, my name's Captain Buckler Thordathian of this spiffin' ship "The Freebeasts". What would you young fellows want with me?"

  Cooper strode forward, sticking out a paw in friendship.  "'Ello, mate.  Th'name's Cooper, an' this be Brielle," he gestured to the she-cat.  "This is Acorn, Rikkendo, Tempest, Tia, Silverstorm, and..." his voice trailed off.  "Did I miss anybeast?"
  Tempest stepped forward, smiling her prettiest smile.  She wanted to look as nice as possible so they might have a chance of tagging along with this hare.  "Hello, Captain.  It's a pleasure to meet ye."

"Well, hello, you jolly beasts! I was overhearing your little talk, and I think that I would be a great captain to bestow you beasts as my passengers!" Buckler allowed them to get on board, and yelled," We're settin' sail, my friends!"

Phillim started as Buckler spoke, "Well, hello, you jolly beasts! I was overhearing your little talk, and I think that I would be a great captain to bestow you beasts as my passengers!" She was surrounded by fools, fools they were for trusting the cats.
"Idiot! Cats are vermin!" Phillim's ears stood as strait as spearpoints as she berated the other hare, "Don't you know anything? You call yourself a captain, but you're as ignorant as a levret! Back up north we would execute creatures for that sort of thing! You are a stain on the name of hare!" She was inches from Buckler, staring up at him, as she was shorter than him, her eyes narrowed in anger.

  Cooper stared at Phillim in disbelief.  He couldn't believe that this hare was such a fool to think that they were going to hurt anyone.  If he and Brielle were true vermin, they could have killed everyone by now!
  "Phillim," he began, "we ain't gonna 'urt nobeast.  We ain't like none o' those vermin on the Lashkeel.  If we were, we woulda killed ye already, an' taken all o' the loot off'n yer dead body.  Now, we 'aven't done that, 'ave we?"

Brielle tried to step between Phillim and Buckler. She spoke to Buckler, trying disparately to apologize.

"Don't listen to this beast Captain, from what I've heard and seen she's not right in the head. If she thinks we're vermin out to kill others, she would have either tried to kill us by now and gone off by herself. She's done neither."

The shecat's ears flattened and she faced the hare. She could feel her claws sliding out of her paws and footpaws. "Back down and try to make some sense Phillim. It is you that gives a bad name to the hare species, not this kind captain."

She turned her back on Phillim and boarded the ship. It felt good to have a deck beneath her footpaws again. Although she never wanted to sail on the Lashkeel again, she still enjoyed the sea. She turned to Cooper and smiled. "Well, it looks like things are starting to go our way eh? Let's keep an eye on that hare Phillim. She can't be trusted."

We're settin' sail, my friends!

The Freebeasts hove away from the shore, chasing the tide out to sea and on pursuit of the Lashkeel.

Rikkendo watched Tia. She looked quite pretty with the wind of the sea whipping through her fur. He moved carefully across the deck, but as a wave rolled the ship to the side he tripped and fell forward. Rikkendo lunged forward, catching himself on the rail right next to the pretty mousemiad.

"Woops! Haven't gotten my sea legs yet!"
______

Captain Brinewater eyed Birata as he studied the charts.

"Do you wish to know our heading?" She spoke softly to him.

  Cooper closed his eyes as he felt the warm, salty breeze flow through his whiskers.  This was the life for the wildcat tom, and he knew it!
 "Well, it looks like things are starting to go our way eh? Let's keep an eye on that hare Phillim. She can't be trusted."
 Cooper turned to Brielle, nodding.  "Aye, we should keep an eye on that 'are.  I wonder why she 'ates us so much.  Prob'ly 'cause we be vermin, but still!  Bein' a vermin don't mean that ye're bad, do it?"
  Meanwhile, Tempest was standing to the back of the ship, staring out to the shore.  She wondered what had become of Avalanche and the others.

"Idiot! Cats are vermin!"Don't you know anything? You call yourself a captain, but you're as ignorant as a leveret! Back up north we would execute creatures for that sort of thing! You are a stain on the name of hare!"
Buckler was astounded at this young hare's words. He obviously knew wildcats were harmful, but he knew this one wasn't. Brielle had told him to ignore her. But ignorant as a leveret? She was a young hare, and she obviously didn't know what had happened to him...

Quote from: BrookSkimmer on November 27, 2012, 11:33:59 PM
Rikkendo watched Tia. She looked quite pretty with the wind of the sea whipping through her fur. He moved carefully across the deck, but as a wave rolled the ship to the side he tripped and fell forward. Rikkendo lunged forward, catching himself on the rail right next to the pretty mousemiad.

"Woops! Haven't gotten my sea legs yet!"

Tia chuckled. 'I haven't really got mine, either. That's why I'm standing still here, hoping nobeast will notice.'
She suddenly lost her balance as the ship rolled again, and fell over onto the deck. 'See?'

  Cooper turned his head right as Tia fell over.  He chuckled and started to speak.  "Well, Tia, looks like yer gonna 'ave to learn 'ow to walk all o'er again!"
  He turned back to Brielle, speaking quietly to her.  "'Ow 'ard is it for 'em to stand while on a ship?"

OOC: I'm thinking of holding off on having the Lashkeel appear until some of the characters from "All Ashore" end up nearer to the characters in this thread. We can work on some character development for a while. Maybe work on some of the "romance" aspects this thread is to entail...

BIC:

I haven't really got mine, either. That's why I'm standing still here, hoping nobeast will notice.

Rikkendo gasped as Tia fell to the deck. If he had been a little faster he might have caught her! He reached out a paw to her, concern showing on his features.

"Tia! Are you alright? Take my paw, I'll help you up."

Well, Tia, looks like yer gonna 'ave to learn 'ow to walk all o'er again!

The mouse cast his gaze over to the tom. What he said was true. This ship life was going to take a little getting used to. The would be warrior figured not only would they need to be able to walk but when they did catch up to the Lashkeel, they might have to fight at sea!
______

Brielle smiled at Cooper, her pretty eyes sparkling. It felt very good to be back at sea. She could tell Cooper was also enjoying himself. The pitch of the deck was no problems for the wildcats as they had spent much of their lives at sea.

She began to move to where Buckler was, intent on getting answers about their heading.

"Well Cooper, I seem to remember a certain younger wildcat tom who had to go through his time to earn his sea legs." She chuckled, thinking back to when they had first come to the sea faring trade. Both of them had done their time with stumbling across decks and battling sea sickness.

"Captain Buckler sir!" The shecat addressed the hare. "If we are to catch the Lashkeel we need to keep the ship on a southern course, two clicks west. That should cause us to run into that blasted Captain Brinewater at some point." She inspected the forecastle area where they now stood. "A fine ship this is Captain!"

"Well Cooper, I seem to remember a certain younger wildcat tom who had to go through his time to earn his sea legs."

  Cooper rolled his eyes, also chuckling.  He recalled those early days, trying to mop the deck whilst making it dirtier and falling into the bucket of water he had.  "Aye, Brielle, that I may 'ave done, but I recall a young she-cat 'o also spent some time rollin' about on the ship."
  He grinned at her, mischief showing in his eyes.

OOC: We should be able to combine the characters from the All Ashore thread with this thread soon!

BIC:

Brielle narrowed her eyes and flashed a smile at the tom. It was true, they had both been pretty ridiculous when they first set sail. She remembered when she had first fallen for Cooper. She had literally fallen right over the top of him when the ship crested a particularly large roller.

Her paw strayed to his as they leaned on the railing of the ship. "We've had some good adventures out here on the sea haven't we Cooper?" She squeezed his paw and smiled again. "I hope there's more to come. I could get used to this. Me, you, and a crew a good beasts. I wonder if Captain Buckler would take us on as permanent crew after this is all over?"

  Cooper suddenly felt warm when Brielle took his paw.  His eartips began heating with embarrassment, though he didn't know why he was embarrassed.  When Brielle squeezed his paw, he felt as though he was going to melt inside.  Until now, Cooper hadn't realized how much he liked Brielle.  He now noticed how pretty she looked, her fur waving in the wind.
  "I could get used to this. Me, you, and a crew a good beasts. I wonder if Captain Buckler would take us on as permanent crew after this is all over?"
  "Aye," Cooper breathed.  "That'd be great."

That'd be great.

Brielle turned and looked into Cooper's eyes. He looked flushed. She smiled at him and leaned on the railing.

"Well, maybe we should find that hare captain and ask him right out. What do you say?"

She squeezed his paw one last time and then let go. The squirrel Acorn was walking towards them.

"Acorn? Have you seen the captain about?"

The squirrel maid looked on at the two wildcats, noting how perfect they looked for each other. She wondered what her bell ringer, Milo, was up to. She missed him.

"No, I haven't seen him. I was just going to have a look around the crow's nest. You two care to join me?"

Buckler was looking out at the sea. He had mixed emotions about this crew. The wildcats seemed fine, although they were vermin. The young hare was what bothered him. She, for some reason, had said those words brutally and hatefully. Buckler turned around at the sound of footsteps. It was just Acorn and the two wildcats.

OOC: is Terra in this one right now???

Featherwood had decided to join the others after he saw that he wasn't needed for the rats. So he ran and ran till he reached the harbor, seeing them board the ship and sail away he got into the water and started swimming to the ship. When he finally got to the ship he climbed on the ships anchor.

"Hello up there, any one on board. Give some help to an otter."

Buckler said," I think I hear something." Buckler looked overboard and saw an otter. The first question he asked was " Are you good or evil?"

  Tempest looked over the side of the ship and, seeing Featherwood, shouted, "Featherwood!  What are ye doin' on the anchor?"
  She looked to the captain, saying, "Don't worry, Cap'n, this is our friend, Featherwood."

"You lot left without me, had to swim for it, will you give me a paw here?"

  Cooper had overheard the conversation and chuckled, jogging over.  He stuck out a paw, smiling at Featherwood.  "I 'eard ye needed a paw, friend."

"Aye, that I do." Featherwood took the paw and pulled himself on the deck.

OOC: A little more character development... then the Lashkeel will appear...

(OOC: Same thing as the other thread... not gonna let these threads die! We can almost do another combining of threads and then the Lashkeel and Freebeasts will meet!)

BIC:

Brielle watched as Cooper helped the otter to the deck. This Featherwood seemed friendly enough. He didn't balk at a wildcat helping him aboard at least.

The shecat smiled at the new otter. "Are you tired after that long swim?"

Acorn glanced up to the riggings. She really wanted to climb to the crow's nest.

"Brielle, Cooper? I'm going to climb up. You can join me if you want!" With that the agile squirrel took off to the heights of the ship.

Phillim had climbed, rather awkwardly into the rigging, to get away from the cats. Her knife, which she had retrieved before coming aboard, was tucked again into the back of her belt. She clung to the mast, fighting the urge to vomit. At least the ship hadn't been going up and down so much when she had climbed. She was not really to blame for her treating of Brielle and Cooper. She had grown up a Torsorem, after all. As she clung like a limpet to the mast, she remembered the first rhyme she had been taught:

A vermin is wicked and wily,
And the first thing one will do,
Is slip a blade between your ribs,
Ever so slyly.

The boat was going up and down, it was terrible. She clung to the mast tighter, and vomited. She couldn't help herself. The ship was moving so much.

Acorn eyed the hare as she spoke the odd poem. The squirrel moved to a rope closer to the hare and spoke quietly.

"Are you feeling sick? If so, the riggings are not the place for you..."

Quote from: BrookSkimmer on December 05, 2012, 12:58:55 AM

The shecat smiled at the new otter. "Are you tired after that long swim?"

"That I am," said Featherwood. He went below deck and began singing to him self.

50 otters on a dead rat's chest,

Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.

Drink to the captain and done for the rest,

Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.

But one otter of the crew alive went to sea with 75

"They aren't," Phillim gasped, "but I can't go down there." Her gaze flickered to the cats.

A day and a night had passed at sea. Acorn paced the decks, casting her gaze up at the hare in the riggings. Phillim was proving top be an impossible beast the reason with. The hare's upbringing had caused her to hate and not trust the wild cats no matter how Acorn reasoned with her. Certainly by now something bad would have arisen if Brielle and Cooper had wished them ill. And yet there they were, speaking kindly, helping other out, smiling. They were acting as a Redwaller would. Acorn sighed, she missed her home and she missed Milo. She wished the bell ringer was with her right now. He would make her feel better about the whole thing.

Rikkendo was studying some sea charts, checking currents and tides. The ship's captain was near by.

"So Captain, the ship seems to be running out smoothly. We should have a chance to catch up with the Lashkeel at some point. It's a bigger ship and moves much slower then your fine craft."

The mouse looked up, his paw on the hilt of his blade as he thought out loud.

"I think we're sailing towards a battle Captain. I've never fought vermin before. Have you? Do you think you'll join in this fight as well?"
________

Brielle looked into Coopers eyes as they walked along the deck.

"I think we're going to catch the Lashkeel at some point Cooper. When we do, we'll have to fight." She stretched her paw claws out. "I'd love to get that Brinewater backed up in a corner." He claws disappeared and she sighed. "I wonder if these Redwall beasts will fight with us?"

Then her eyes snapped out to sea. She tugged Cooper's shoulder. "A ship! There's a ship out there!"

  Cooper snapped his head to the horizon, peering out and trying to see the ship Brielle had been speaking about.  "Wot?" he asked.  "I don't see anythin'.  Wait 'ere."
  Cooper ran over to the riggings, climbing nimbly up them.  He tried to stay far away from Phillim, though.  As he stood up, rather high off the main deck, he once again peered into the distance.  Now he could see the ship!  It was a tiny speck on the horizon, but a ship, nonetheless.
  "Do ye think it's the Lashkeel?" he shouted to Brielle.  He couldn't tell what it was from this distance, but it did look a little small to be the dreaded ship.  Well, he thought, it might just be too far off to see the real size.

It was not long before the outline of a bird could been seen coming towards the Freebeasts. Seeing a robin this far out over the ocean was an oddity. Brielle followed Cooper's gaze and then noticed the robin. She turned her eyes up to the riggings and called to the male wildcat.

"Cooper! Here comes a bird! It looks like a robin!"

Not long later Churrup was coming in towards the Freebeasts. He spotted the wildcat up in the riggings. Keeping at a safe distance the robin called out to Cooper.

"Ahem! Ahoy matey?" He tried to sound nautical and important. "The name's Churrup. I've come from the Rusty Scallop to find out whose aboard this ship."

Rikkendo looked up form the conversation he was having with the captain. He spotted the robin and his eyes lit up. "Churrup! Churrup, it's me Rikkendo! Where did you come from?"

  Cooper looked back and forth from the robin to Rikkendo.  "Wot's a robin doin' out at sea?  Well, then again, wot're some wildcats, mice an' squirrels doin' out at sea?  An' an 'are!  The only creatures that should be out 'ere are those otters, an' even so, they're riverdogs."
  Seeing the deck a good ways below him, Cooper climbed down a bit before jumping.  Like all cats, he landed on his footpaws.  "So, Rikkendo, 'ow do ye know that bird?"

OOC: I was given the okay to have my character on this roleplay, but to make it a little more believable, I'll say that my character fell from the main deck hatch into a large barrel in the hold and knocked herself out, which explains her absence :P

BIC:


Deep in the creaking hold of the vessel, Stellaluna groggily stirred herself to a dizzy consciousness. Brown wood surrounded her on all sides, save for a circular opening directly above her. "Ugh.. where am I?" The chipmunk winced as she gingerly massaged bruises on her head and arms. As her thoughts began to swirl around her, she began to remember. Oh, why did this always happen to her! Stellaluna had been dancing around the main deck by herself, happy that she had been able to scram aboard the vessel before it embarked upon the great sea. Then there was a lurch forward into complete darkness, followed by a loud smack, a white light, and then nothing. Much to her frustration, the clumsy chipmunk knew it was just another one of those days..

With a restless sigh, she heaved herself up and out of the barrel, dusting herself off as she began to walk around in a circle. "I can't even remember what this ship's name is! I'll be surprised if I survive this voyage.. " she muttered. Making her way towards the ladderwell, Stellaluna ran a white paw up and down her tunic, feeling the familiar stuffed medical haversack she always carried on her. Immediately she began to relax. At least I still have you, she thought reassuringly.

As the cinnamon-tinged chipmunk came up from belowdecks, strong and fresh gusts of ocean air rolled across her face. Stella smiled slightly and closed her eyes for a few seconds, taking in the heavy scents of salty seaspray. She was about to head back down to escape any unwanted attention when she saw a small group of beasts conversing  with each other - and a bird! Normally, the shy little doctor would casually flee a potential meet and greet, but there was a bird here! And a robin, by the looks of it! Stella leaned against the wooden railing and watched from a distance. This would get interesting.

So, Rikkendo, 'ow do ye know that bird?

The mouse was excited in the least to see the robin. Seeing Churrup made him think of his home at Redwall. He wondered how Tia was getting along. She must be around the deck somewhere. He could look for her later.

"The bird is Churrup. We employed him to help us on our travels to track down the slaving ship. Seeing him makes me think perhaps the other Redwallers are not too far off. Let's listen to his news."

Churrup cleared his throat as Rikkendo haled him. It was not long before the two wildcats had also come near. The bird shuffled his wings slightly, the salty air not complying well with his plumage.

"I've been sent form another ship. The Rusty Scallop. Your friends the Redwallers are aboard mouse. There are a few woodlanders and an old water rat also." Churrup clicked his beak. "I can't tell you how many seed cakes it will take to set us straight this time mouse."

Rikkendo smiled thinly. "Don't worry bird, you'll be paid back. Fly over the the Rusty Scallop. Tell them we'll hold here until our ships meet up." Churrup eyed Rikkendo. "Go on! Go, we'll pay you back. You have my word."

Churrup prepared for flight. "Don't know if I can trust a mouse who's friends with wildcats. Oh, very well. I'll tell them." The robin made to fly off and then turned. "You might be interested to know I've spotted another ship not fart from here. It's larger than this one and has black sails." Then he was off.

"The Lashkeel." Brielle breathed the words, her blood running cold. Soon they would be facing the pirate captain Raven Brinewater.
______

Acorn made her way over to Stella. The friendly squirrel smiled at the chipmunk, offering a paw. "Lo there. Didn't see you on board before. The name's Acorn. Are you part of Captain Buckler's crew?"

The very second that Stella saw someone walking her way she began to look hurriedly around, as if trying to find someplace to escape. But the squirrel was swiftly homed in onto her position, and before she could take a step in any direction it was too late. Stella immediately began fidgeting awkwardly with her paws.

Quote"Lo there. Didn't see you on board before. The name's Acorn. Are you part of Captain Buckler's crew?"

The creamy white and cinnamon chipmunk eyed the taller squirrel with curious eyes. She could tell that Acorn was a few seasons younger, yet incredibly toned for her age. Curiously, there were rather puffy tufts of fur on her ears.. Stellaluna's mind scrambled from her reverie as she remembered Acorn's question.

"Hello! Err.. well, I was.. well, what I mean to say is yes! I am really j-just a little.. doctor! Captain Buckler requested the presence of a doctor and I answered the call."

Stella halfheartedly shook Acorn's paw, trying to smile and chuckle. Inside she was seething! Anyone could see that this was just a big fib! The more the quirky chipmunk thought about it, the more she realized that she didn't even know who Captain Buckler was.

  Tempest had seen Acorn and the chipmunk talking, and thought to herself, Hello, who's this?  I don't remember ever seeing a chipmunk aboard.
  She walked over to them and said, "'Ello, m'name's Tempest."  She smiled her most charming smile and stuck out a paw in friendship.

  Meanwhile, Cooper was watching the robin, Churrup, with interest.  When he started talking about a larger ship with black sails, a chill ran down Cooper's spine.
  "The Lashkeel," he breathed, taking a step back.  He feared that ship more than anything else after what he and Brielle had done.  They had left, after all, and no beast left that ship alive.  Cooper knew he was dead if he came face to face with his old captain.

Tia had seen the Lashkeel too. She felt slightly afraid. What would she do if there was a battle? The mousemaid tried to calm herself. There was no reason to panic. If there was a battle, she would try and fight bravely.

Featherwood was wondering if Terra was on the woodland ship that was coming ever closer.

If Stella was nervous when Acorn had approached her, then she was completely at a loss for words when the dark otter appeared before her. Once again, the chipmunk began to quietly lose her mind to timidness; her lip lower lip quivering in doubt.

Quote from: Rainshadow on December 14, 2012, 04:56:52 PM
   "'Ello, m'name's Tempest."

This Tempest had quite the set of blue eyes.. With a cough, Stellaluna managed to straighten herself up, standing a little taller and shaking the otter's paw.

"Pleased to meet the two of you! Um.. please bear with me on this, Tempest.. but what's our course?"

  Tempest chuckled and scratched her head.  "Well, I don't quite know where we're goin', but ye could ask Cap'n Buckler."
  Just then, Cooper strode over to them, nodding to the chipmunk.  "I heard yer question, mate, an' in answer, we're goin' after the pirate ship, called the Lashkeel."

 Nonsense!! Stellaluna had snuck aboard a ship only to find out they were going after pirates? The chipmunk surely had no luck. Her distaste clearly showed as her lips softly parted to form a little gasp. Just then a rather powerful swell rocked the ship, sending scattered waves of seaspray all over the deck. Stella instinctively ducked to escape the coming wetness, but it backfired on her. Having been a landlubber all her life, Stella had no sea legs. As the white chipmunk bent down, she lost her footing and slipped forward, sending her right into the path of an oncoming blast of water. Stellaluna was soaked.

"Agha!! Oh, confounded-" Her words were cut off as another gush of sea silenced her lips. The wet deck slided her around for a bit before she sputtered herself back to her feet. This day simply could not get any more embarrasing.

"Please, hrghff.. explain.. why are we going after p-pirates again? You'll have to excuse me.. I hit my head awhile ago and I am not myself.. "

  Cooper put a paw on the chipmunk maid's back, a concerned expression on his face.  "Are ye alright, miss?"
  Tempest decided to answer the maiden' question.  "Well, we're goin' after the pirates 'cause they've captured a hare.  Cooper an' Brielle, the two wildcats, were previous pirates on that ship, an' they've agreed to 'elp us find 'em."

Stellaluna flinched as she felt the wildcat's paw on her back. Looking up, she stared at him with tired eyes. All her life she had been afraid and doubtful and untrusting. It showed, too.

"I.. Yes.. yes I'm fine, thank you.. who are you?"

Quote from: Rainshadow on December 16, 2012, 02:58:14 AM
  "Well, we're goin' after the pirates 'cause they've captured a hare.  Cooper an' Brielle, the two wildcats, were previous pirates on that ship, an' they've agreed to 'elp us find 'em."

Stella turned to glance at Tempest as she explained the situation. It sounded rather precarious.. and she knew that somewhere along the way someone would get hurt, or worse, be killed. The thought made her cringe. But she had nowhere else to go.. and she couldn't just abandon these beasts. Stella was a doctor, after all. Albeit a bit new, but the chipmunk knew how to take care of many things.

"I see.. well, I have many medical supplies on hand for all of you if anyone gets hurt, when the time comes. Just seek me out."

  "I.. Yes.. yes I'm fine, thank you.. who are you?"

  Cooper nodded his head.  "Ah, yeah, I should probably tell ye that.  The name's Cooper."  He gave his most charming smile and removed his paw from her back, holding it out to her in friendship.
  "Wot might yer name be, miss?  Surely it ain't 'Miss,' is it?"

"Cooper.. " She repeated the name, sounding it out as if for the first time. The big wildcat gave a rather big smile at her and held out his hand. Stella half expected him to grab her and then make her his dinner or something.. After all, she'd never met a cat before.

"Wot might yer name be, miss?  Surely it ain't 'Miss,' is it?"

This made her laugh, but the chipmunk caught herself, only allowing a soft chuckle, covering her mouth with her paw.

"Aheheh.. I am Stellaluna.. but you can call me Stella or Luna, or whatever fits your fancy, sir. You're the first cat I've ever seen before.. well.. the first that didn't try to eat me!"

  Cooper shrugged, his smile still wide.  "Well, I guess I'm just not hungry."  He laughed at his own joke, but not very loud, suddenly realizing that he might just scare Stellaluna with his joke.
  Tempest also smiled at that.  She had never met a wildcat that had joked around like this.  In fact, she had never actually met a wildcat, so this was a first for her!

Stella gulped a bit, her head lowering a bit in uncertainty. But she tried to play it off cool, managing to slouch her body in a relaxed posture. She began laughing nervously. Another swell rocked the large ship, and the white chipmunk swayed to and fro a bit, her ditzy legs shambling around as she grabbed the railing and looked down at the ocean. Huge rolling swells passed by the starboard side, causing the landscape to fly up and down. Nauseated, Stella began to get dizzy.

"Oh my goodness.. "

  The concerned expression returned to Cooper's face.  "Are ye alright, Stella?  Do ye need to go below?"

The lookouts on the Lashkeel had spotted the Freebeasts. A messenger went below to notify thew captain. The dark otter sat in her chair, pondering what she would do once the treasure on the island they were headed to was found. She had sent Birata to check on the slaves again. Though she liked Birata she could not stand being around him for too long.

"Captain!" The weasel aide stammered as he burst into the captain's private quaters. Raven shot up from her chair and fixed the weasel with an icy stare.

"This had better be good or ye will take a turn at the oars with the slaves. Out with it!"

"Captain Brinewater, we've spotted a ship not far from here. I don't know which one it is but perhaps you do."

Raven swirled her sea cloak around her shoulders and went up to the decks. The weasel handed he a spy glass and she looked out towards the Freebeasts.

"Tis is goodbeast ship. I don't remember the name but I've seen it before in port." She slammed the spy glass down and tossed it to the weasel. "Make the new headed two points east of that ship, we'll cross by and see if the crew wants a spot of raiding." She chuckled. "Bring me Birata."
____________

Brielle's stomach dropped as she kept an eye of the Lashkeel. At first she supposed the evil ship would not spot them, but then she saw the sails change.

The she cat wished she had more time for formalities. She would have liked to introduce herself to the chipmunk. However, now was not the time.

"I'm sorry to interrupt. Miss Stella was it? Perhaps you should go below decks." She motioned to Cooper and then spoke quietly to him.

"I just saw the Lashkeel change course. It is coming this way. What should be do?"

Rikkendo overheard Brielle. "We must fight them and take back the slaves that ship carries!"

Acorn eyed Stella. "I don't know about you but I've never fought before. What should we do?" Though she hardly knew the chipmunk, Acorn thought that being a doctor, Stella might know what to do.

OOC: Making this a double post so no one misses it. The Land HO! thread is now closed. All characters in that thread have now merged with this one. Feel free to post about the Rusty Scallop 's crew joining the Freebeasts. Grimly will sail the Rusty Scallop away as he does not wish to do battle with the Lashkeel.

Plot direction now is this:
Crew members merging onto the Freebeasts
Crew deciding what to do now that the Lashkeel has set course on them
We can leave it a few days before the ships actually meet, but at that point battle of some sort will take place

Birata enjoyed being with the slaves, hearing them beg for mercy and groan in pain as the slave master, an old(for sea travel) ferret, crack the whip. And the new slave, Elay, cursed in her strange language and flinched whenever the whip came over her back, "Embleer elli." (Damn enemy.) She would always mutter.

It do Birata good to see she was fitting in so well.

The weasel aide came down the hatch and saluted to Birata, "Cap'n Brinewater wishes t'see ye, sir." He said the last word with a hint of contempt that, thankfully for the weasel, Birata didn't catch. He nodded, "Go up to the riggings and keep an eye on the other ships." He ordered. Birata went to the ladder, slipped a bit in the water that had splashed in from the portholes, and climbed out. He, this time, knocked on the door before entering.

Stella took in a deep breath, holding on to the railing for support as she reassembled herself. She could do it.. she didn't have quite the strongest stomach for the sea, but when something serious happened, she could always manage to pull herself together for the wounded and dying. It was her job.

Are ye alright, Stella? Do ye need to go below?

The chipmunk rubbed her eyes, and stood a little straighter. She had to get ahold of herself. "I will be fine, Cooper.. thank you."

The other wild-cat who did not introduce herself to Stella piped up, her voice smooth and strong.

"I'm sorry to interrupt. Miss Stella was it? Perhaps you should go below decks."

She was right.. and Stella sensed that this pirate ship was already in sight. Her suspicions were rewarded as she heard some other beast speak up about fighting and taking the slaves back from the Lashkeel. Stella was no swordfighter.. and although she could throw a punch and a kick in, the cinnamon-tinged chipmunk knew that once a giant axe or a huge sword came her way she was finished.

Acorn the squirrel was still at Stella's side. She was a young one.. and looking around, the doctor realized that everyone was busy. Beasts conversing about what to do of the Lashkeel. Beasts with periscopes. Beasts manning the helm. Up in the riggings. A sense of responsibility grew on her as she looked at Acorn. She had to watch out for her. Her question of what to do came next.

"You should stick with me, Acorn.. we will be belowdecks in the hold.. the main deck will most likely be full of fighting. You could help me with the wounded as they come in.. I could show you how to take care of them. How does that sound?" She smiled reassuringly.

  Cooper nodded his thanks to Stella, having thought just moments before that Acorn might be too young for fighting.  He looked to Brielle, only to see that she was gesturing for him to come closer.  He took a few steps and leaned in close, feeling the shecat's breath on his fur.
  "I just saw the Lashkeel change course. It is coming this way. What should be do?"
  Cooper thought for a moment, then started speaking quietly, so he wouldn't worry other beasts.  "I think that we should stand an' fight, but I'm not so sure that all the other beasts'll want to do that.  After all," he continued, glancing at the other beasts on this ship, "do all these folks look like warriors to ye?  They're all still stumblin' about!  They wouldn't be able to stand straight up fer one minute, let alone try an' fight."

You should stick with me, Acorn.. we will be below decks in the hold.. the main deck will most likely be full of fighting. You could help me with the wounded as they come in.. I could show you how to take care of them. How does that sound?

The younger squirrel felt a little bit of relief enter her as the chipmunk spoke. she didn't know Stella but she felt comforted by her. Perhaps it was that she was a doctor, or perhaps it was just the way she was. It didn't matter why, Acorn felt an immediate connection. Acorn was afraid of battle and of the wounds it would cause. However, she wanted to help and this seemed like a good way.

"That sounds like a good idea Stella." Acorn gave a small smile. "Should we sent up a sick bay below decks? I saw some canvas we could use to make covers for beds. And, maybe we should get some medicines ready too?" She waited for her new friend to lead the way down.

do all these folks look like warriors to ye?  They're all still stumblin' about!  They wouldn't be able to stand straight up fer one minute, let alone try an' fight.

Brielle took a look at the other crew beasts. It was true, some of them would not fair well in a fight. The young squirrel stood out, as did a few others. However, Stella had offered to watch over Acorn. Rikkendo had just offered his aid and he looked strong enough. There were many otters aboard now who could fight. Plus, they were two wild cats!

"Some of them don't look the part." She whispered into Cooper's ear. "But others," She motioned to Rikkendo who was brandishing his weapon. "will come to our aid." She reached out and took Cooper's paw. The she cat looked deep into the eyes of her handsome friend. "We must fight them Cooper. I'm afraid, but we must! Not just to save the slaves to to wipe out what Briewater stands for!" As she spoke her voice grew in volume until other would be able to hear.

Then her voice dropped down again and she kissed Cooper lightly before taking both his paws. She spoke softly to him. "And you must lead us to battle."
_______

Raven's ears flicked as the knock sounded at her door. She stood, tossing a gold coin in her paw.

"Come in."

Birata entered the room. Again Raven found herself needed to keep her mind focused. He was such a handsome beast. If this was another time, another place, she would have told him so. But that would not do. She was the Captain of a slaving pirate vessel and he was her lackey. It would not do for them to be together right now. Maybe someday,m when they reached the hidden island. Then she would tell him her feelings, but not now. Now it was time to plan a battle.

"Ah, Birata. Having fun tormenting our slaves I hear?" She did not wait for a response. "I'm sure you know by now that there is a ship not far from our current location. You will lead the charge of rounding up slaves from this ship. Kill any who resist too firmly, take all others as slaves."

She tapped the charts laying on her table. "After we take more slaves we will make a much quicker trip to our destination. Our island, and on it, treasure!"

The Lashkeel was ordered to pile on sails. The dark ship was now on a direct course for the Freebeasts!

  Cooper felt lightheaded as Brielle kissed him.  That was unexpected! he thought, staring at her in shock.  He quickly overcame that feeling and attempted to look less amazed at the fact that this pretty shecat had just kissed him.

  "And you must lead us to battle."

  Grasping both of Brielle's paws, Cooper gazed at her in wonder.  "Y-ye think I should lead these beasts?  I'm just an ex-pirate, I'm not a leader!"
  He looked at his footpaws, sighing.  What right did he have to lead them?  He was a simple vermin, not high up in the ranks.  "Mebbe Cap'n Buckler could lead 'em.  'E's a cap'n, after all!"

  Tempest looked at Acorn and Stella.  "If it's alright wi' ye, I'd like to 'elp.  I don't want to fight.  I'd rather 'eal."

  Meanwhile, on the Rusty Scallop, Avalanche was holding onto the riggings, standing on the mast.  He peered into the distance, stretching his vision, trying to see the other ship.  Was Tempest with them?  He dearly hoped she was.  He didn't think he'd be able to bear it if she had been left behind in Mossflower, or if she'd been captured.

OOC: Feel free to make posts about your characters from the Rusty Scallop coming aboard the Freebeasts. After the Rusty Scallop has dropped off the crew, Grimly may or may not hang around with his ship.

BIC:

Brielle smiled as Cooper tried to get over the fact that she had kissed him. He knew she liked him, so this was just to show him her feelings. She knew he could be a great leader, he just needed to believe in himself. The shecat would help him to this point in any way she could.

Mebbe Cap'n Buckler could lead 'em.  'E's a cap'n, after all!

She chuckled and stood close to him. "He could lead them, but he doesn't have the heart for this that you do. We both hate that dark vessel and her crew. Especially captain Brinewater. It must be you that rallies our cause. Captain Buckler is with us on this, but you need to lead Cooper." She squeezed his paws tight. "I know you can!"
_____

If it's alright wi' ye, I'd like to 'elp.  I don't want to fight.  I'd rather 'eal.

Acorn smiled at the otter. "I think that would be alright." She turned to Stella. "What do you think friend?"
______

Rikkendo was listening to the conversation between the two wildcats. He was more than willing to follow Cooper but he kept quite as Brielle spoke to him. The would be warrior waited for his new leader to rally the crew to battle.
____

Grimly plied the tiller of the Rusty Scallop. They were coming alongside of the Freebeasts. The small old water rat was feeling quite good after his days at sea with the Redwall crew. He called out to the crew of the Freebeasts.

"Ahoy!" He leaned over the railing. "Toss us a line will you!" The Rusty Scallop had met up with the Freebeasts!

Should we sent up a sick bay below decks? I saw some canvas we could use to make covers for beds. And, maybe we should get some medicines ready too?

Listening intently upon Acorn's suggestions, Stella nodded. "Great idea, Acorn! But don't turn the canvas bedding into hammocks, because if something goes wrong with a patient while he's in there, it will be very hard for me to treat whatever's ailing him. I'm also going to need a large and flat wooden table or board of some sort. That will be used as our operating table for the really bad ones."

She reached for her large haversack strung around her waist, unbuttoning the top flap as she pawed around inside, looking at all the herbs and cloth within. With a satisfied nod, she closed it up and looked back at the others.

"I have enough supplies to treat around twelve beasts with just about any manner of wounds. I really do hope somebody has more... " The chipmunk maid held her paws together nervously. What if there wasn't enough to go around??

If it's alright wi' ye, I'd like to 'elp.  I don't want to fight.  I'd rather 'eal.

The timid doctor turned to face the blue eyed Tempest, and smiled. At least she had two pairs of helping paws!
Not only that, but this otter was alot bigger and stronger than Stella was, too. Clearing her throat, the chipmunk began to speak in her soft voice.

"Thank you, Tempest. You can help us set up the sick bay.. I do realize that you don't want to fight, but you're much stronger than we are. Could you protect us if somebeast got in?"

ooc: i just got accepted i am a hare thtas a slave.

Quote from: W0NWILL on December 16, 2012, 05:33:32 PM
Birata enjoyed being with the slaves, hearing them beg for mercy and groan in pain as the slave master, an old(for sea travel) ferret, crack the whip. And the new slave, Elay, cursed in her strange language and flinched whenever the whip came over her back, "Embleer elli." ([darn] enemy.) She would always mutter.

It do Birata good to see she was fitting in so well.

The weasel aide came down the hatch and saluted to Birata, "Cap'n Brinewater wishes t'see ye, sir." He said the last word with a hint of contempt that, thankfully for the weasel, Birata didn't catch. He nodded, "Go up to the riggings and keep an eye on the other ships." He ordered. Birata went to the ladder, slipped a bit in the water that had splashed in from the portholes, and climbed out. He, this time, knocked on the door before entering.

Chap your hurting the poor chappess can't ya just leave 'er alone. 'Ere  I 'ave an idea mate. How do ya feel 'bout giving me that rope so i can hit ya, wot ,wot.

OOC: Please use " and " when your character is speaking, it gets confusing if you don't. Also try to add what you character is doing. I don't even know your character's name. Just some advice to make you a better roleplayer.

BIC: "Shuttup!" The ferret flicked the whip at the hare. He turned and berated some other slaves further towards the back. Elay craned her neck to look at the hare behind her and spoke the coarse language of northern rabbits, "Nahl-nyt val, A naylif." (I never need help, hare) She spoke firmly, her eyes narrowed, giving the hare no place to protest, if he could understand her. She turned back to the oar and muttered, "Layth geh mol embleer tuhl A. Fu hraeth, Bral'eth hral etheth." (I will get out stinking problem. After all, rabbit underground, rabbit safe and sound.)

Birata nodded, "How many should go aboard, or should we let 'em come to us?" he asked. He was just noticing the attractiveness of Raven's black fur, how the pirate garbs fit her perfectly... Stop! She's my captain!

Ooc:alright I'll try btw I'm Mattio


"Ow, chap ye hurtin' me.Lay it off on that whip, wot."

OOC: Welcome Mattio! It will be good to have another person playing a slave.

BIC:

Raven noticed Birata looking at her oddly. She held his gaze for just a moment but then he stopped looking. Perhaps he liked her too? She shook her head to rid it of such thoughts. They were about to head into battle her and she as swooning over some deck hand. Well, he was more than a deck hand, she had promoted him to first mate herself. He deserved the rank. He was capable, good to giving orders, and attractive... She busied herself with some charts and spoke in response to the question.

"Tell the crew to move us in the direction of the other ship. I want to take it as a prize and the crew as slaves. We will board the ship with two thirds our crew, slaughter those who resist and take the rest on board the Lashkeel as slaves."

She looked up for a moment. Her eyes meeting Birata's in a long gaze. Then they narrowed and she ordered him. "Get to it! There's slaves to catch!"

OOC:I'm sorry guys, I've been bissy and forgot about this it will take some time till I have read the past posts.

The Lashkeel was now on a direct course with the Freebeasts. Captain Brinewater stood at the helm of her ship, gauging the distance until the ships would meet. All around the crew was preparing for battle. Weapons were being drawn and sharpened.

"We'll take them easy." the black otter muttered to herself. "We'll more than make up for loosing those blasted wild cats." Raven drew her cutlass and watched the sunlight play in the blade. "once we take these slaves we'll pile sails on to the island. Then Birata and I will take the treasure. The two of us can rule this part of the sea together." She chuckled at the thought and then looked around.

"First Mate Birata! Put the slaves under guard and prepare to cross blades!
----

Brielle looked around her. There were plenty of beasts willing to fight with them. if only Cooper would step up to the challenge and be the leader she knew he could be!

Rikkendo stood nearby, continuing to wait for orders.
----

Acorn had gone below deck. She was spreading clean linen over a few tables.

"Will this be good enough Stella?" The young squirrel looked to the chipmunk with bright eyes.

  Cooper shuddered at the thought of leading anybeast.  He wasn't a leader, yet Brielle thought him to be one.  Why?  He decided right then and there to ask her.  "Why do ye think I'm a leader?  I ain't, an' I sure don't wanna try to be one."

  Avalanche had already boarded the Freebeasts, and he was trying to figure out who was in charge.  He also wanted to know where Tempest was, but that could wait.  He saw beasts that he knew, so he was sure that Tempest was on the ship.
  Avalanche's gaze fell on two wildcats that were in a conversation.  He gasped.  Wildcats were supposed to be among the fiercest of the vermin, and there were two on board?  He walked up to them, trying to not look frightened and shocked.
  "Er, 'scuse me, but 'o's in charge 'ere?"

@Mattio: Sure, you can have cuffs around your feet. I roved your post because all OOC posts don't belong here... they belong in the OOC thread for this topic.

BIC:

Why do ye think I'm a leader?  I ain't, an' I sure don't wanna try to be one.

Brielle took Cooper's paws again. She looked into his eyes and spoke softly.

"You not wanting to be a leader is exactly why you need to lead us. You have everything you need to lead this group to victory. Plus, you have me."

The shecat looked out to sea, noting the advancement of the Lashkeel.

"I know everybeast aboard will willing follow you. There is more to you than you know Cooper."

Ooc oh ok


Mattio saw a sail in the distancegreat now I'm going to never get back Mattio slumped down sadly.

  Cooper sighed and closed his eyes, hanging his head.  Then he felt Brielle's paws grasp his, and something snapped inside him.  He opened his eyes, pulling up his head to look into the eyes of the beautiful shecat.
 "I'll do it," he said, a shiver running down his spine.  Not a shiver of fear, but rather of excitement.  He didn't know why he was experiencing this emotion, but he didn't try to stop the feeling.
 Gently letting go of Brielle's soft paws, Cooper ran to the mast, climbing it to stand slightly above every other beast.  "Lissen!" he shouted, his voice reaching to the entire ship.  "Ye all may not know me well, but Brielle an' I were once workers aboard the Lashkeel.  That ship is full o' ruthless killers an' an 'orrible captain, but they don't 'ave wot we 'ave.  We 'ave 'ope, an' we 'ave brains."
 Cooper grinned, winking at Brielle.  "Now," he continued, "there be a large number o' slaves aboard that evil vessel, slaves that shouldn't be livin' under the tyranny o' Cap'n Raven.  I'll be goin' after the ship to free those beasts, an' I'd sure love it if'n you all'd join me."
 He grimaced to himself.  He'd never been very good at speaking in public, much less giving an encouraging pep talk.  Hopefully his attempt at a speech would be worth it.

 Avalanche had been standing on the deck, listening and watching Cooper deliver his speech.  As soon as the wildcat had finished, the otter climbed onto a barrel, raising his spear high in the air.  "I'll fight under ye, Cooper."
 Tempest looked to Avalanche, who stood not far from her.  She admired his courage, giving a small smile, which he caught.  He offered a faint smile in return, which made the pretty ottermaid blush.

  Cooper breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the otter.  "Thankee.  Will anyone else follow me?"

Leisa stepped forward. 'I'll follow you, Cooper!' she called out. 'I might not know any of you very well, but I'm not going to stand by and let some vermin get away with their crimes.'
'I'll . . . I'll follow you too, Cooper.' Tia added nervously. She gulped.

Phillim, who was still in the rigging, looked down at Cooper, then, unexpectedly, she stood up shakily, "Up north, we lived in constant fear that vermin would come through our towns, killing all in their path. They often came through, in large bands and killed innocents. My uncle Aticaus died at one of these raids. He was killed by a cat." She paused and smiled thinly, "You're all mad, siding with Cooper." She climbed down until she was level with the wildcat and looked him in the eye, "I will fight alongside you. We are bound by a common purpose." She drew her knife. She was ready.

  Cooper nodded to each of them in turn, barely able to speak the word, "Thankee."  He was beginning to be overwhelmed with the fear of fighting Captain Raven Brinewater, but he knew that he couldn't step down now.  It was too late to turn back.

Mattio was getting all the sleep he could, for he thought that the freebeasts were slavers. He had terrible dreams being beat to death. Then he woke up and comforted the other slaves saying it was only another ship. After all they weren't fighting beasts.

Brielle watched Cooper through eyes brimming with tears. Cooper sounded strong and brave. She knew inside he must have been feeling very different than he looked. The shecat drew her blade and raised it so that it glittering in the sun.

"I'll follow you Cooper! For freedom from slavery and the cause of those not wishing to live under tyranny!"

Rikkendo drew his blade as well, the wild look of a warrior dancing in his eyes.

"Show me the vermin and I'll show ye dead beasts! We fight for freedom!"
____

The Lashkeel was almost alongside the Freebeasts. Raven had readied her crew to board the goodbeast ship as soon as they were close enough. The black otter swung her cutlass above her head and roared out their battle cry.

"Slaves and slaughter! The Lashkeel comes!"

  Cooper could hardly breathe, he was so frightened.  Hearing the Lashkeel's dreaded warcry, Cooper was starting to panic.  He looked to Brielle, fear in his eyes.  But, as he saw the pretty shecat, a strange sense of peace flowed over him.
  Pulling out one of his scimitars, Cooper raised it high.  With all of the power he could muster, he shouted out, "FOR FREEDOM!!"

  Avalanche pumped his spear in the air, repeating the phrase.  "FOR FREEDOM!"

Mattio woke up at the wars cries. Those chaps are here to save us! He shouted "Wake up , wot. Those chaps and chapesses are here to save us!"

Acorn shuddered below deck as the war cries began to ring out. Her stomach dropped at the thought of injured beasts being in the sick bay they had made. She looked to Stella with fear in her eyes.

"Oh Stella! I don't think I can do this!" The young squirrel cowered in a corner, all thoughts of helping others disappearing as fear took its icy hold.

---

Rikkendo's eyes narrowed as he watched the Lashkeel draw near. He felt fear as well but controlled it with what he had been taught about being a warrior.

Brielle looked to Cooper, she could tell he was afraid. Who wouldn't be? Soon the ships would clash and blood would be spilled. She moved to where Cooper stood and spoke softly into his ear.

"Cooper, just in case something goes wrong during this battle..." He voice wavered and cracked but she continued. "I-I love you..."

Tears coursed down her face but the strong she cat swallowed hard and raised her weapon towards the Lashkeel.

"FOR FREEEEDOM!"

She then spoke just to Cooper again. "Let them come. We will face Raven and pay her back ten fold for what she did to us!" Her expression had gone hard, Brielle was ready to fight!

----

Wake up , wot. Those chaps and chapesses are here to save us!

A slaver ferret came up behind the the slave that was yelling and lashed him across the back with his whip.

"Sherrup ye fool!" He swung the whip again at the unprotected slave hare. "Those beast aren't 'er to save ye! Captain Brinewater's gonna take 'em all as slaves! They kin keep ye company down 'er heh heh heh..." The ferret laughed cruelly and went to check the cuffs around the slaves footpaws.

OOC: I apologize for not posting for awhile! Transitioning back to Hawaii has been rather slow for me and I had alot of things to get done.

Things were about to get real very soon. In the amount of time it took for Stella and Acorn to set up the infirmary within the Freebeasts, the hostile Lashkeel was already amidships off the starboard side. The chipmunk had never been onboard a ship, much less one that was about to get raided. She had no idea what was going to happen within the next few hours, but the timid doctor was more than certain that her paws would be bloody by day's end. From somewhere outside, Stellaluna heard a faint yet loud scream that pierced the thick air.

Slaves and slaughter! The Lashkeel comes!

A deep chill jittered up the chipmunk's spine, causing her teeth to chatter. As Stella's mind clouded over in shock, she lay limp against the bulkhead, heart thumping painfully within her bosom. Was this truly happening?! She could be captured, enslaved, killed. She was a fresh twenty seasons.. the squirrel was even younger. They were two peacemakers in a midst of warriors, savages. But her dark thoughts were interrupted as Acorn lowered herself to a dark corner of the infirmary, crying out in fear.

Oh Stella! I don't think I can do this!

She ran over to Acorn, placing soft, reassuring paws on the lonely squirrel's shoulders. "Shhh.. look at me, sweetheart.. look at me.. " She put her left paw underneath the youngster's chin and lifted so she could look into Stella's eyes.

"Shhh.. it's going to be okay, Acorn.. I know you're scared. Well, you know what? I'm afraid too.. But we have to try and face our fears and be strong for those who will need us.. " Stella took one of Acorn's paws and clasped it with hers, squeezing firmly. "We have to remain calm or else good souls will die.. And don't worry, Acorn. I'm always going to be right here, right by your side. If you ever need me, just take this pennywhistle and blow it."

From her pocket, Stellaluna grasped a small tin whistle attached to a chain necklace and placed it over Acorn's head. "Take a deep breath and close your eyes, Acorn. Can you be strong for me, sweetie?" The chipmunk smiled at the squirrel, her eyes comforting, and looked back at their work. Over a dozen makeshift beds, and three operating tables. There was a barrel of salt and dirt in the corner, and barrels of water, rags, and medical supplies in the other corner. They had prepared well, and if they were lucky enough, would survive this ordeal.

Mattio stood up with some scary thing is his mind. "You 'an 'old me 'ere for a year no longer."  He stood and shouted "EULALIAAAAAA." In response to the free beasts war cries.

  OOC:  I believe you're on the Freebeasts ship.  ;)

  BIC:  Tempest looked for Stella and Acorn, walking below deck.  Her eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness, and she saw the younger chipmunk preparing.  "Wot can I do to 'elp, Stella?"

Deadpaw the searat was done cooking for the slaves. He had made a slop that he knew they couldn't stand. He hated delivering the food to the slaves. Occasionally, he would get kicked or bitten by angrier ones. In those instances, he would smack them with the flat of his blade or his ladle. He heard a loud "Eulalia" from belowdecks, and stopped dead in his tracks. Drawing his cutlass he was prepared to fight whoever it was.

OOC: How about Mattio kills Deadpaw?

ooc: sure ill choke you with my chain



bic:  Mattio heard footsteps.My time to get in this battle. He hid behind where the door would open pulling his chain to get as far as he can. After he got there he readied his chain to choke the beast that came through that door. They better hope they're not a foebeast.

OOC: Sure you can kill him that way and Mattio can use Deadpaw's cutlass to free the slaves.

BIC: It had been a little while since he heard any noises from belowdecks, so Deadpaw slowly advanced through the door, cutlass drawn.

Mattio jumped on his back and wrapped the chain around deadpaw's neck. He put his hand on deadpaw's mouth so he couldn't yell. He kept choking him until he lay still. He grabbed his cutlass. "Those weak of stomach look away"he said then ran him through. "Line up and find your lock and hold it out ill pick them" He said as he picked his own

OOC: You can't exactly cut through chains.

Ooc good point ill use it to pick the locks

"A layth, an A lay voir!"(I would, but I can't move!) Elay snapped in the complicated tongue of northern rabbits. She pulled on the chain about her footpaws, breathing hard. Tharness* was creeping over her, probably due to the stress of the occasion.

*A rabbit saying meaning the same as 'deer in the headlights'

he noticed her as he finished the last of them. "Here, lay still, friend." He walked up and picked her lock "Stay down here," He ran up yelling "EULALIAAAAAAA" As he ran up and slammed the door out bashing a vermin's head."Take that ya blighter."

Thorin was not an experienced fighter. He had been a woodland beast, and had never seen battle. He looked around for a weapon. Finding none, he grabbed his chains and used those to fight. As he neared the main battle, he saw another rabbit. Why have I never noticed her before? he wondered. For some reason, he found he couldn't stop staring at her.

Mattio struck madly hacking away at vermin. Sadly most of his blows were careless since he was in a blind rage.

OOC: I think we are in a battle, and Um were is Terra? Oh well I think I will just kill off my character because I lost track of this RP.

BIC: Featherwood was standing in front of Terra (Were ever that is) and was fighting the vermin with all his might slaying here and there, a wall of dead bodies building up around him. No matter how many wounds he took, he would fight on...knowing he was all there was between vermin and his beloved otter maid. He was swinging his mace and chain right and left, up and down on his enimies heads. He stabbed with his sword and chopped with it. As his strangth went from him, he finaly fell without a sound, his head landing at her feet. She lifted his head and he said.
    " Save your self Terra, go and let Lusiphi take care of you, put me to rest at the side of rivermoss." and so were featherwood the otter last words.

OOC: If that didn't make any sence, tell me...and I will continu.

Tia was panicking. 'What do we do, Leisa?' she whispered. 'We don't know how to fight. We don't even have weapons!' The two mousemaids were hiding just inside the door of one of the cabins.
Leisa took a look outside. 'I think I...wait!'
A weasel entered the door. Just as he was about to move forward to explore the cabin, Leisa stuck her footpaw out and tripped him smartly. He yelled as he went down. Leisa grabbed his dagger and stabbed him before he could do anything else. The weasel had no time to make a sound before he died.
Leisa looked horrifed. 'Tia! I killed somebeast! What am I going to do?'
Tia shuddered. 'Let's get out of here.' Feeling sick, the mousemaid took the weasel's other dagger and led her shocked friend out of the cabin. 'Can you fight?' she asked.
Leisa nodded slowly. 'I...I think so.'
'Then fight! I'll help you, alright?' Tia took her friend's paw and took a deep breath. Then she turned around and darted towards the battle. 'For freedom!' she cried, stabbing out with her dagger. Leisa felt better, seeing her once-shy friend actually taking some initiative. She ran forward and joined Tia. 'For freedom!'

Mattio gained his senses after about two minutes. After he did he was killing vermin left and right never forgetting what he lost if hewas defeated. He saw two mousemaids armed merely with a dagger. With a mighty "EULALIIIIIIIIIII" he ran to aid those two mousemaids. When he got there was a mighty pack of vermin around him. He took a spear to the side and he stabbed in the shoulder. He was nearing bloodwrath when he killed the last vermin in his path. "You two get behind me."

The battle had commenced! The Lashkeel lay rolling through the waves off the starboard side of the Freebeasts. Captain Brinewater had directed her crew to board the Freebeasts while some members of the Freebeast crew had come aboard her ship. The dark otter knew the slaves were fighting for freedom below deck but she was fairly sure her slavers could handle them.

"Kill them! Kill all that resist. Take slaves of those who like like they can work!"

The evil otter yelled her commands to her crew and swung her cutlass at a passing otter.

"Lashkeel sails on blood tonight!"

It was then that Raven spotted the wildcat. Cooper! He had escaped from her ship and taken Brielle with him!

"Filthy mutineer! Let's see how my cutlass fits ye!"
---

Rikkendo charged into the vermin. He saw an escaped slave hare, Mattio. The hare was with two mouse maids that had come aboard the Lashkeel. The would be warrior brandished his blade and came to the small group.

"I'll fight with you! For FREEDOM!!"
---

Acorn swallowed hard and stood up. Stella's words had helped to get her mind straight. There was work to be done! The battle would be over soon and they would have to care for the injured.

The young squirrel popped her head above decks for just a moment and spotted Featherwood lying on the ground. She quickly went up and brought the otter below. He was not breathing. Acorn looked at Stella and the otter that was helping them.

"We have to help him!"
---

Brielle caught Captain Raven in her gaze just as she clashed with Cooper. The she cat's breath caught in her throat. Who would be victorious?

OOC: Sheesh, Brook :) You certainly have alot of characters on your plate :) Haha. BTW, unless you wanted something more "damaging" to Featherwood, I'll just treat the otter with an airway blockage.

BIC . . .

With great relief and satisfaction, Stella stood up and watched the young squirrel return to normality. It felt good to have been there for Acorn, the chipmunk hummed. She turned, and briskly walked to a barrel filled with a strong type of unflavored rum and vigorously soaked her paws in it, cleaning them for what was to come. As she wheeled back around to inspect the operating tables, Stellaluna spotted Tempest appearing from the shadows, a searching expression on her dark features.

Wot can I do to 'elp, Stella?

The doctor smiled. "You can help me check these operating tables.. just make su-" Her lips abruptly went silent as Acorn charged back into the infirmary, carrying an unconscious otter behind her. And the battle had begun!

We have to help him! Acorn's worried words echoed throughout the ship as Stella helped her lift the otter onto a table. Through the wooden planks above, the chipmunk could hear loud and angry warcries exploding in the air. Sounds of battle and death roared through her ears. Stellaluna's heart rate began to climb.

Like fine clockwork, the doctor's mindset began to change. Gone were the timid, shy emotions. Her eyes grew sharper, more focused on the task at hand. Her hands became steady and calculating, darting around the otter's body with swift precision and determination. Sweat began to drip from her forehead as she bit her lip, heart pounding like a hammer within her chest. Licking her paw, she held it close to the otter's mouth and nostrils. There was no air. There was a very weak rise and fall of his stomach, but Stella knew it didn't change the severity of the situation. In several quick motions, she swiped up and down the otter's body, underneath his back, over and under his legs. No blood. Wiping sweat from her cheeks, she tenderly felt the back of the otter's neck, lightly touching the vertebrae. To her great relief there was no odd feeling to the bone, no unnatural formations that could indicate something broken. The fighting seemed to draw closer to the hatch of the infirmary.

Turning back to her patient, she licked her lips. Placing her paws around the otter's jaw, she softly moved it back so she could look into his mouth. Blood was caked around his teeth and seemed to pool at the bottom of his mouth. There was something else down there.. a fleshy pink looking thing.. his tongue!! His tongue was coiled back there, choking him! Hooking a pawfinger, she quickly swiped it inside the otter's mouth, moving his tongue free from his deprived throat. She lightly brought it up and let it rest in its usual spot before visually inspecting his mouth again. It still seemed he had difficulty breathing.. it seemed the blood had come from his tongue. He must have fallen on the main deck somehow and crunched his tongue when he hit the ground. Stella was about to administer the otter another treatment when a loud crash came from the hatch entrance. Two large, ugly rats wielding wicked looking blades glared angrily at the trio. Stella gulped.

OOC: OK, so since I took a while with this post, I did not see the posts directly above mine. I didn't really mean to "powerplay" with Featherwood so I apologize. If you want him to die then I guess we could just let time run its course. If not then at least it's explained how he lives :)

OOC: That works great, I will still RP him.

BIC: Featherwood started to cough, blood went every where. He began slashing out with his sword because he thought he was still in the middle of the battle. He fell of the table and stabed one rat and than fell unconscious onec more.

Thorin started to fight, but before he could do any damage with the chain he had, a rat hit him on the back of the head. He fell unconscious.

I'll fight with you friend. Thenk ye mouse. I was having a bit of trouble over here. Eh, wot.

OOC: Cooper's fighting her.

BIC: Phillim swung a swift uppercut, making the rat's face even more ugly. Lights out. She smirked in satisfaction and turned around to face a weasel sneaking up, cutlas drawn. Her paw went toward her dagger, but the weasel swung, and Phillim had to devote her attention to dodging.

Elay fumed as the hare told her to stay below. She followed imediately, not bothering to grab a weapon.

Acorn stepped back as the otter began to cough blood. She felt weak in her knees but willed herself to stay conscious.

"What do we do Stella?"

She asked weakly. Then he started swinging his sword. Acorn moved forward and stopped the sword paw. She felt strength rising somewhere inside of her. She would help this otter! She pried the blade from his grip and pushed him further onto the table.

"Now, you stay still and let Stella take a look at you."

---

Rikkendo swung his blade left and right, helping to protect the group around him. They would have to fight together to succeed.

"We need to free the rest of the slaves." He spoke to the hare as he continued to fight.

"I already have I told them to stay below", he said as he hacked at the rat who came before him.

Brielle looked at Cooper, her eyes reflecting sympathy for his feelings on watching Raven die. It must have been hard for him. He was not a killer, that much Brielle knew. However, he had not killed Captain Brinewater. She had killed herself while trying to do something terribly evil.

"Come on Cooper, let's go get the slaves."

The fighting around the ship was dying down. Most for the vermin crew had either surrendered or lay dead on the deck. The two wild cats wove their way through the aftermath of battle. Brielle tried to avert her eyes from the grisly sight of dead vermin crew. They were together below decks to find the slaves.

"Hello! Anybeast down here?" Brielle spoke softly in the quiet underbelly of the ship. She imagined some of the slaves would still be chained to their oars.
----

Acorn was no a beast of action. Under Stella's knowledgeable training she quickly took to healing. She began to treat many beasts that came to her for aid now that the fighting was over.

She went over the check on Featherwood. He was propped up on a makeshift bed. "How are you feeling sir?"

  Cooper looked at the bodies of the fallen foes.  They had been his friends at one point.  Now they were dead.
  Feeling slightly sickened, Cooper took Brielle's paw and followed her down below.

  Tempest was feeling overwhelmed as beasts came in to be attended to.  She wasn't much of a healer, and had just signed up for this task because she wasn't much of a fighter either.
  Walking up to an injured otter, Tempest gasped.  It was Avalanche!  He was moaning from the pain of his wounds, having taken quite a blow to his head.  It must have been a hammer, Tempest thought.
  "Stella!  Stella, could you come over here, please?  Now!"

  Avalanche couldn't see clearly or think clearly at the moment, and right as the stoat had struck him on the head, he was sure he would die.  Amazingly he hadn't, but then he was sure that he would be changed forever.
  Too afraid to reflect upon that moment, Avalanche had closed his eyes and intended to sleep, but before he could black out, he heard a familiar voice.

  "Stella!  Stella, could you come over here, please?  Now!"

  Was that... Tempest? he wondered, opening his eyes slightly.  He could see the blurry shape of a grey otter.  That must be her!
  "Tempest?" he mumbled, barely able to speak.  "Is that... you?"

  Tempest rushed to his side, hearing the voice of the handsome otter.  "Aye, it's me, Avalanche.  Are ye alright?"
  Avalanche groaned and passed out, his head rolling to one side.

Quote from: BrookSkimmer on January 12, 2013, 04:57:34 PM
She went over the check on Featherwood. He was propped up on a makeshift bed. "How are you feeling sir?"

"Better, where's Terra?" he asked.

Tia suddenly caught sight of Leisa sitting in a corner, holding her face. 'Leisa!' she cried. 'What is it?'
'It hurts...' moaned the white-furred mousemaid. A shudder of horror went through Tia as she realized that her friend's eye had been slashed.
'Leisa!' gasped Tia. 'I'm so sorry! I should have helped you.' She tried not to cry at the sight of Leisa's wound. 'Somebeast! Leisa needs help!'

  Tempest ran over, hearing the call for help.  "Wot?  Wot is it, Tia?"  She then saw Leisa's wound.  "Oh my goodness," she muttered, before calling out, "Stella!  We need yer 'elp o'er 'ere!"

(using Stella with permission)

Stella heard the call and came up quickly from below decks. She had left Acorn to work on various patients. The chipmunk was impressed Acorn had been able to pick up healing skills so fast. It usually took a long time to learn to learn such things.

The mouse had a very severe eye wound and Stella knew it would need to be treated quickly to stop the blood flow.

"Tempest, can you carry her down to the infirmary? I can help her from there."
---
Better, where's Terra?

Acorn wanted to be able to tell Featherwood where Terra was but she did not know.

"I don't know yet sir, but I'll find out. Here, drink this."

The squirrel pawed the otter a mug of steaming liquid that would help him to relax and heal.

After this Stella and the others came below and Leisa was placed on a table.

"Get me a compress of motherwort as quick as you can Acorn, this mousemaid may loose her eye."

Acorn jumped to the work and soon the compress was being applied.
---

Brielle squeezed Cooper's paw reassuringly as they wnet down the steps.

There were still some slaves chained to oars below decks of the Lashkeel. The smell was sickening and Brielle swallowed hard so she would not gag.

"Let's get them out of here. There must be some keys to their chains around here somewhere."

OOC: Finally, something I can do. BIC:

"A good shove from a lance oft does the trick!" Lusiphi was already there, but his battered image was obscured by one of the support columns.

*Chink!*

"I started at the other end knowing how the worst conditions are up front, I didn't start that long ago. Could you give me some 'elp mates?"

OOC; His left side has a dscarring scimitar mark in it, a sling stone glanced of his left knee cap, and he took an arrow to the back of his right shoulder... Got hammered in his chest by a big sea rat to boot.

Mattio staggered down the stairs. "They're simple turn locks", he said as he gestured to the slaves that were unlocked.

  Cooper pulled out his right scimitar, his left paw on his ear.  "D'ye think ye could find me some bandages 'till I can get these seen to?" he asked Brielle, striking a lock with the pommel of his sword.  The lock broke easily.  So much for being the best pirate ship in the seas, Cooper thought.  They don't even know when they see a good lock!

  Tempest walked over to Stella, picking up the mouse.  "Aye, I can do that for ye."  She carried the mouse down to the makeshift infirmary, placing her on an empty cot.

The lock body clattered the to floor, loosing the chains around about half a dozen slaves. It was a good sight after the ordeal they had just been through.

D'ye think ye could find me some bandages 'till I can get these seen to?

"Aye, I didn't notice your ear was still bleeding pretty badly." She unwound the tough black wrap that covered her right lower arm from elbow to paw. It was used to protect her when she used her sword paw. "Here, try this." The she cat wound the wrap about Cooper's head, covering his ear stump. "It's clean enough and will hold you until we can get back aboard the Freebeasts."

After this Brielle spotted Lusiphi. He looked like he had taken a beating during the battle.

"It looks like a lot of us need some medical attention." She questioned the otter. "Are you well enough to help lead these slaves out into the sun? After that, we can get your injuries seen to."

Mattio appeared on the scene next. The hare also looked like he had seen better days. Indeed the battle had been hard won.

"Thank you, we'll have the slaves up on deck soon and then all our injuries will be looked at." She tried to assess the hare from her position. "Will you be alright?"
---

Stella peered for a long moment at the slash wound to Leisa's wound. It was deep and did not look good. She did not want to tell the mousemaid that it looked like she may indeed loose her eye.

"Now, lie back while I secure this compress on your wound. We must stop the blood flow before we can stitch the wound closed. I'm sorry it must be very painful." Stella looked to Tempest again.

"Take some nightshade root and crush it with that mortar and pestal. Once it's ground, take a pinch and add it to some water with a bit of mustard seed flower. That will help ease her pain."

Acorn was busy aring for many beasts as they came the infirmary. After they were all seen to for the time being she packed a bag with simple medical supplies and made for the hatch.

"Stella, I'm going to go see to the injured up on deck." The young squirrel felt her confidence build as she made her way to the deck of the Lashkeel, looking for beasts to help.

  Cooper placed his paw on the bandage, starting to feel blood seep through.  He grunted his thanks, saying, "I think I might need somethin' for me chest, too."  He looked down at the nasty gash on his chest before blacking out from the loss of blood.  With a loud thud, he hit the deck.

  Tempest nodded, running to find the ingredients for the mixture Stella had been talking about.  She hurried in the making of it, but was very careful to put in the right amounts.  She picked up her mixture, bringing it back to Stella.  "Is this wot ye wanted?"

Acorn wanted to be able to tell Featherwood where Terra was but she did not know.

"I don't know yet sir, but I'll find out. Here, drink this."

The squirrel pawed the otter a mug of steaming liquid that would help him to relax and heal.

After he took the drink he poored it down his mouth, "thank you for every thing Acorn" he said and then fell asleep.

"Are you well enough to help lead these slaves out into the sun? After that, we can get your injuries seen to."

Lusiphi gave Brielle a weak half-grin, "I'll do what needs to be done, and if that means getting these poor beasts up to tha fresh air, then it's gonna get done. You can stake yer' life on it mate. I'll see you soon I'm a' guessin'. Good bye for now." With that he turned to lead the train up the stair well, and provide assistance where needed.

Will you be alright? "I'll be fine just gimme a few hours rest," he said while tearing up his tunic then applying it it his wounds."I might need a new tunic," he said with a grin. "Let's get these slaves up"

ooc:i know i just meant to keep it going

bic: Mattio watched in satisfaction as the slaves walked up the stairs. But these beasts must be starving, for I am. he thougth as he watched. "Can we get these beasts sumtin' to eat?"

  OOC:  Gonna get this movin' along.  ;)

  BIC:  The next day past by in a blur, everyone working to get both ships back in working order.  Cooper had been carried off to the makeshift infirmary, his wounds taken care of.  The slaves had been freed, and now they were helping to move the corpses, throwing the vermin corpses overboard.
  Tempest had led a small group out, finding all of the injured beasts and bringing them the medical attention they required.  She felt slightly sickened, looking at the dead beasts that were still lying on the decks of both ships.  She couldn't wait to get back to Redwall!

  The day after the battle, Cooper was allowed to get out of his little cot and walk around a bit.  Luckily the gash on his chest hadn't gone very deep, so he would only get a scar out of it.  Nothing more.
  Cooper stood on the deck of the Lashkeel, standing in the exact spot where Raven had fallen.  He sighed, rubbing his bare arm.  His tunic had been taken from him to be mended and washed, so all that was covering his upper body was the large bandage on his chest.  The ocean breeze was rather cold that day, and Cooper wished that he could find his coat.  He had lost it sometime during the battle.
  Cooper looked to the horizon, wishing that he could turn back time and relive that moment.  He could have saved Raven, but he'd hesitated.  Now it was too late.
  Cooper shook his head, very confused.  Why was he thinking about the evil otter?  She had made his life miserable!  Why was he now regretting that moment?

OOC: I'm a bit behind...should we say that Birata is a prisoner?

  OOC:  You can if you like.  Hmm, that would make a good plot for the second...  Can you hear the gears in my head turning as I type?  *Screeeeech*  *Creak*

OOC: Oh yes, I like that idea!

Mattio jumped up on the deck, and walked up to Cooper, "Isn't this what you wanted? Raven's dead an' you an' yer sweeteart are both livin'. Well if it isn't then stick your chest out an' yer chin down an' march along proudly." He patted him on the back. Then he turned to go back below decks to sleep and sharpen his new blade he had found.

  Cooper nodded, but the freed slave's words didn't mean anything to him.  He had never had trouble killing before.  Why now?  Why did he feel such regret?  Maybe it was because the creature was someone he had known.  Sure, Raven had been cruel and evil, but still, she had been a beast Cooper had known.
  Cooper sighed and continued staring off into the distance.

"Hallooo! Sea to Cooper!" Lusiphi knew this look, he hadn't seen it often, but he'd seen it none the less, "Somethin' wrong mate? You look as if'n ya' had gotten a raw fish and salt water shoved down yer lungs."

Brielle came up from below deck where she had been helping Acorn and a few other attend to the injured. She took in a breath, relieved that the dead from the battle had been disposed of. The she cat hated the thought of killing and death but what had been done was for a greater cause. Evil had been vanquished for a time and good had prevailed. The slaves had been freed and the evil captain of the Lashkeel now slept on the bottom of the sea.

She saw Lusiphi speaking to Cooper. The male wildcat had his back to the deck and was looking long out to sea. She knew that stance and she knew what was going on in Cooper's mind. They had discussed his feelings on the battle just last night. He was mourning the occurrence of death. There was nothing wrong with that. Brielle admired Cooper for his connection to his feelings. He was not just a hardened fighter, he was deeper than that.

Rikkendo came up behind Brielle. The mouse had been helping below deck as well. He stood alongside Brielle and nodded in Cooper's direction.

"He's takin' this hard isn't he miss?"

"Yes, that's his way. It will be a a few days, or maybe even months before he gets over all of this."

"Aye, I've known that type of beast before." The mouse took a deep breath of clean sea air, his eyes resting on the horizon. "When you two start away from here, that will help him I think."

"Yes, you are right Rikkendo. And you? Will you return to the abbey that you came from?"

"Someday, yes. My spirit always flies back to Redwall. It is my home."

"Would you stay at sea longer if I asked you to?"

"Aye Brielle, for you and Cooper I would." The mouse's allegiance to the wildcats had grown tenfold since they had set sail together.

"Good." She smiled at Rikkendo for a moment. "I'm going to talk to Cooper about the Lashkeel. The ship itself is a good one, her masters were the cruel ones. I think we could start a good life aboard this ship... and we will need a crew."
---

Later Brielle went to Cooper. She draped a sea cloak over his bare shoulders and came to stand alongside him. She cast her gaze out to sea, hoping to find the spot Cooper had fixated on.

"Cooper?" She turned to look at his face. His features showed many feelings. "Tell me you thoughts." She spoke softly and turned her gaze again out to sea.

OOC: Isn't that technically PPing? Because Cooper never responded to me.

OOC: No, she can still respond to your post and then jump forward as I don't think he would be having a multiple post conversation with Lusiphi at this point. Remember, we are trying to quickly wrap up this thread.

We decided we would end the thread after one or two posts more. There will most likely be a follow up thread to this one set at some point in the future where these characters can continue to be developed.

A post informing everyone about ending the thread within a short span of time was posted in the OOC thread about QFR a couple days ago.

  Cooper didn't turn to look at Lusiphi, he just continued looking into the distance.

  "Somethin' wrong mate? You look as if'n ya' had gotten a raw fish and salt water shoved down yer lungs."

  "Hmm?  Oh, uh, no, everything's fine."  Cooper sighed and then ignored the otter.  He wasn't in the mood to talk.

  *  *  *

  Later Cooper heard another beast walk up to him.  He was about to tell them to go away when they draped a blanket over his shoulders and started speaking.

  "Cooper? Tell me your thoughts."

  "I dunno, Brielle," Cooper answered, looking at the pretty shecat.  "I just don't know at all.  Why am I grievin' for the beast that caused others so much grief?  Why?"

OOC: This will be my last post in this thread. We have arrived at a good place to end this story! :D

BIC:
"I just don't know at all.  Why am I grievin' for the beast that caused others so much grief?  Why?"

Brielle sighed and took Cooper's paws in her own as she had done so many times before. She smiled a sympathetic smile and then looked out to sea. A cold breeze whipped through her head fur and caused her to shiver a little.

"It's your heart Cooper. You have a good heart. You feel hurt even for those who do not deserve it." She looked back into his eyes and purred. "Perhaps that is why I love you."

  Cooper's heart skipped a beat as he heard Brielle's last words.  He had known that she had trusted him, and obviously liked him, but love?  Then a smile grew on his face as he realized one fact.  "I love you too, Brielle."  Then he leaned forward and, without even thinking, kissed her.

  Within a few days of sailing, both the Lashkeel and the Freebeasts made it to a large, forested island.  Cooper stood in the sand, one hand on his sword as he watched the few remaining vermin being led off the Lashkeel.
  "Alright, you sorry lot, yer gonna be stayin' on this island, whether ye like it or not."  He stopped as he started hearing groans.  Glaring at them, he said,  "I don't wanna 'ear one peep out o' ye!  An' I never want to see ye again, ye got that?"
  The small gang nodded their heads, reluctantly agreeing.
  "Good," Cooper said, turning to the ships.  He heard some of the others freeing the former pirates, giving them a bit of food and sending them into the forest.  He had decided to let the beasts free, thinking it was the right thing to do.  And now that they were gone, he could start thinking about the Lashkeel.  It would be a waste to burn it, and he couldn't just leave it there.
  An idea formed in Cooper's mind.  He grinned and boarded the Lashkeel, making his way to the mast.  Climbing up a ways, Cooper looked at the beasts standing around, some looking up to him as if wondering what he was doing.
  "Everybeast aboard this ship, I declare that we make this a new ship.  No longer will it be remembered as the dreaded Lashkeel, but as the Hope Bringer, a ship that 'elps others.  We won't go about fightin' goodbeasts, but protectin' the innocent from those who try to bring 'em harm.  An' if ye'll accept me, I'll be yer cap'n."
  He watched expectantly as many of the former slaves nodded, others shouting out an "Aye!"  He grinned, climbing down from the riggings and walked over to Brielle, saying, "An' Brielle will be my First Mate."  He smiled and took her paw, saying, "'Ow's that for an idea, eh?"
  Grinning at her, Cooper then turned and watched the pirates being led away from the ships.  Today was turning out to be a good day!

  OOC:  And that's the end of this one!  Stay tuned for a second!  If you guys want to help out, please post in the QFR thread with your ideas for the sequel.