Is Redwall as safe as they say it is? (Role-play thread)

[LT Sandpaw]

OOC:
@Groddil No, I don't think so. Threeclaw was Mortembell's husband right?

BIC:

"Duncan sir." Bracklew called following the hare down the aisles leaving Skipper to urge the escaped slaves above decks. "I," Bracklew didn't know what to say. He stood quietly tears filling his eyes. Suddenly he couldn't hold onto his composer and he flung himself onto Duncan sobbing.
"He killed her!" He wailed pushing his face into Duncan's fur. "He killed her, I couldn't save her. She's dead." Skipper who was listening further down the aisle tightened his grip on the captured dagger biting his lip until blood flowed. His paw trembled in a mixture of grief and anger. And what of Duncan. He had lost his wife, lost his daughter. And now he might be without his home.

~*~*~*~*~

"C'mon lads, get th' badger!" Saltooth yelled encouragingly pointing his sword at Ava. None of the rats seemed very willing to attack the hulking beast. Saltooth grimaced hefting Martin's sword and pointing it at Ava's chest. "Fine mates, I'll do everythin'. Jus' get ready ter gut her loads. I hear badgers don' go down easy." Gritting his teeth Saltooth lunged forward slashing with his sword, the whistle of death ringing out as the sword cut though the air.

[Ashleg]

Duncan's dagger clattered to the floor.
"No!" He wailed, and soon he too was crying. "No, no, no...Not my Mixy." He felt dizzy in the head and knelt down by Bracklew, trying to embrace the young squirrel when he buried his head in his fur.
It was quiet for a while despite their sobbing.
"Why, Bracklew," said the hare at last, shaking his head, "Why'd they...Who......killed her?"

[Hickory]

Ava swung her sword in a quick defensive parry, pushing Saltooth's sword away. Getting used to the weight of the blade, she finally out both paws on the hilt.

OOC: Just had a great idea, maybe Ava overcomes her injury? Would be fun, what do you guys think?

[Ashleg]

OOC-
Sure, go ahead.

[LT Sandpaw]

Pulling away Bracklew wiped his tears away, however they were soon replaced by more as the squirrel struggled to speak. Skipper placed a comforting paw on the youth's shoulder and Bracklew shrugged it off. At last taking control of his emotions Bracklew managed one word, or name for that matter.

"Rapshade."

~*~*~*~*~

The loud clang rang out across the great hall as Saltooth yelped in surprise by the badger's strength. He inspected his sword blade expecting to see some chip or chunk missing from the razor edge, however the sword remained pristine glimmering colorfully from the stain glass windows.
"Oy, plague n' fire mates this sword be made O' unbreakable steel eh. Wot a blade, ter good fer th' mouse I took it off." Returning his gaze to Ava swinging his sword again, this time at her injured leg.

[Ashleg]

Duncan's eyes hardened for a moment at the mention of the ferret.
So, Rapshade had murdered his wife and his daughter. Who next? His brother or some distant relative he didn't even know of? Bracklew?
Duncan managed to stop crying and nod in reply. He had to be strong for Mixy's sake. She wouldn't have wanted him to cry.
"I wonder if he knows just how bad what he's doing is," he said quietly, trying not to let the anger he felt inside surface in his tone.
"I...I'm glad you're safe, Bracklew."
The tall March hare stood up solemnly and glanced back at the others. He barely nodded to Skipper.
"Let's get them somewhere safe..."

[Groddil]

OOC: Oh, i read it wrong. You're right.

BIC: Mortembell twisted around and raised the sword. Her ineffective grip after twirling herself around her arms meant that the blade was knocked from her grasp. Rapshade's attack sliced her arm open, but her parry, but as bad was, managed to prevent the injury from being more severe. The vixen vaulted over a table, retrieving the sword, and stood behind it.
"Do your worst, pirate. My son and his friends didn't succeed in offing you, but someone has to do it!"
She swung out again in a disarming technique.

*****

One-Ear nodded sagely.
"At least you are a traitor to the right side. Better to live a hero than die a monster."
He made for the exit, motioning for hos new ally to follow.
"Duncan and Skipper are already freeing the slaves. Are Mixy and Bracklew alright, do you know?"

[Ashleg]

Rapshade dodged once more and laughed at her, pointing his sabre at her neck from where he stood.
The ferret's smile faded at the mention of One-Ear and his friends.
"Your son? Don't think we've met, honestly. Are y' sure yer not just making things up?" While talking, he feinted a blow to her head but in actuallity went to cut her side.
"If his friends are who I'm thinkin' they are, I'll have ya know that I killed the rabbit."

--

Fangfang winced and followed after One-Ear.
"No, Mixy's dead. Cap'n killed 'er, I'm sorry..."

[Groddil]

Mortembell raised her sword to block the feint, but saw the real blow coming in time to snatch a silver platter. She thrust it in front like a makeshift shield, jumping backwards at the same time. She was just able to avoid the blow. The vixen stepped backwards towards the closet holding the weapons. She snatched another sword and ran back out.
"You killed Mixy? Liar. If you did, One-Ear, Duncan, and Bracklew would have slain you by now. And I know about the stoat, too. Redfang. Name ring a bell, scum? Too lazy to do your own dirty work? Too bad, One-Ear killed him. You're next."
She thrust at with both swords, one aiming high and one aiming low.

[Ashleg]

Rapshade ducked to avoid the high sword, but the low one struck him on the leg, leaving a bloody diagonal slash in his fur. He blinked the pain away and spat at her.
"I did in fact kill Mixy. They just don't know yet...An' when they find out, I'll kill 'em too!" He paused, going in for a jab at Mortembell's other arm.
"...That Redfang was of no help...All 'e did was get drunk, the blighter."

[Groddil]

Mortembell raised one of her swords to deflect the blow. She lashed out with the other blade, but messed up the thrust and accidently hooked her blade on Rapshade's. One of her swords went spinning from her paw. As the vixen continued to thrust and parry, she cackled.
"Shrugging off the pain are we Rapshade? Bet you didn't know that my sword is poisoned. Run Rapshade, run for yer puny life to a healer afore ye drop where ya stand!"

*****

One-Ear screamed at the news and kicked at the wall. He drew the katana and left the smaller room back onto the deck. The fox looked at the unconscious vermin, living on unaware. He walked over to every one, fire in his eyes, and thrust the katana downwards. When he reached Duskfur, the fox aimed a kick to his stomach. As the weasel stirred, One-Ear pressed their faces together.
"I want you to be awake for this, you murderin' scum. Your mates are dead, serves 'em right. Your turn."
With cold fury powering his limbs, the young fox stabbed downwards with the katana, slaying Duskfur.
The deed done, he returned to where the slaves were, still seeing red.
"Duncan! Duncan!"

[Ashleg]

"Retreat! Everybeast, retreat, they're usin' poison!"
Rapshade thrust his sabre hard against Mortembell's sword to get her to stumble back a bit and to buy himself more time to get to the door.
"Saltooth, Frogeye, c'mon before ya get killed." The ferret turned around at the last moment and sneered at Mortembell, "T'was idiotic for y' to tell me that if y' want me t' die. I'll be back with poison of my own, an' you can count on it."
With that he hightailed it outside.

--

Duncan looked up, not happy with One-Ear's tone. More bad news?
"Yes, what is it, One-Ear?"

Fang stood where One-Ear had left him, looking horrified.
He pointed at the bloody katana and glanced up at the fox.
"What in th' world did ya do out there, mate...?" He asked shakily. "You surely didn't just..."

[LT Sandpaw]

OOC: I gotta wait for Sage before I post again with Saltooth.

BIC:

Drying his eyes with the back of his paws Bracklew set his jaw. He had to be brave, and strong. For Mixy's sake if for nothing else. With no little effort he tried to keep his voice steady, though it trembled slightly.

"Who else did you bring with you. They might have found more pirates, and they could be in trouble." Skipper nodded in agreement sheathing his dagger.

"Aye, an' we go to move these slave off O' th' ship. Hey ye lot, move yer tails topside sharp like."

[Hickory]

OOC: Sorry mates.

BIC: Ava shuffled back, receiving a nick to her legs. Wincing, she took Mortembell's example and picked up the top off of a large pot. Holding the impromptu sheild, she readied herself for Saltooth's next attack.

[Groddil]

One-Ear stared hard at Fangfang.
"I killed them. It was what they deserved. You are not next, I assure you. Come, Duncan needs to know."
The young fox trotted to where the hare stood with Skipper and Bracklew. At the piercing question, the mist dissipated from One-Ear's eyes. He hung his head in shame.
"Duncan, I'm sorry. It was all my fault, I was with them, but I chose my own revenge over staying to help keep them safe. Mixy, she...Rapshade..."
The young fox could not continue, he sobbed and threw down the bloodied sword.
"I killed them all, all the unconscious ones on the deck. I feel so angry, they deserved it, but have I sunk to their level?"
He looked again at Duncan and his bloodied paws.
"By the seasons, what have I become?"

*****

After steadying herself, Mortembell grinned in triumph. Hopefully, they ran into One-Ear and the others, and Rapshade might take another injury. She stopped the musings of victory when she saw Ava still fighting with Saltooth. With a snarl, the vixen hurled herself, sword raised in the direction of the pirate that still remained.
"Ava! We can take him with both of us!"