Redwall Isn't Safe Anymore! (Is Redwall as Safe as they Say it is? Part Two)

[Hickory]

Asher couldn't help frowning at Petu's statement. "I wouldn't be so sure... There is a horde in the woodlands. If they've been captured then I doubt that we'd have any luck getting them back."

He glanced at Ava, who was scanning the woodlands periodically. Taking her lead, he signaled for Harnam and Brush to enter the treetops and look for any crows or vermin archers.

[LT Sandpaw]

 "Creah, how so?" Grah asked flashing her talons at Rapshade, and glaring at him through one eye, while the other remained on Alfhild. "No fly, Krah fly, earthwalkers slow. Keep up, ha." She ruffled her feathers, clicking her beak in frustration, her brain wasn't prepared for this new brand of thought and it was giving her a headache. Grah didn't need to make plans, that was the earthwalkers task, she could fly and feast and that was what she was good at.
"Graaaah, I no care, creeaah, we fly, run fast Krah show way."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Scoffing at the very idea Petu waved off Asher's concerns, confident in his friend's abilities. "Bracklew captured? Balderdash, he's to clever and quick to be caught by those sticking vermin." Petu stopped walking, peering through the trees and snow. "I say there it is, c'mon you slow pokes, I bet he's inside getting lots o' info out of ol' Rappy."


OOC: I'll send you a PM Sage.

[Ashleg]

"How so? By killing them, you great feathered bird!" Alfhild sneered.
She grabbed Glaser by the arm as he walked past and whispered into his ear, "Get Fardan and tell him that the crows and I have a little unfinished business with the Redwallers, and that he's more than welcome to join us with whoever wants to come."


--

"Info of what, why Rappy likes purple so much?" Duncan scoffed, though his eyes held a glimmer of amusement as he and Fangfang followed Petu and the others into the cabin.
Fang pushed Petu ahead of him and grinned sheepishly.
"Err, yew seem confident."

[Hickory]

Fardan pushed aside the tent flap as he entered. Staring at Bracklew, his eyes flicked down to the squirrel's injured paw. "How'd you break it like that?" he said.

[LT Sandpaw]

Looking up, startled by Fardan's sudden appearance Bracklew hesitated for a moment, not sure what to say. Pulling up the ropes he stared for a moment at the broken thumb, hanging uselessly, the twisted claws bent and bruised. Looking up he glared at the wildcat, his good paw curling into a fist.

"None of your business I think," He said fiercely. "Why do you want to know? Will that help you conquer Redwall somehow?"

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Course I am, you ol' ratty, because if he isn't in there, then I'm a rotten egg." Marching up to the door Petu knocked twice, calling out as he did. "Hey Bracky, tis Petu, I'm coming in." He received no answer. Frowning the rabbit pushed the door open, and stepped inside, he was out a moment later looking shocked.

"Blood," he whispered his eyes wide. "There's blood on the floor."

[Hickory]

"No, it'd help me figure out how we should become friends," said Fardan sarcastically. He reached out with his own paw to touch Bracklew's, but pulled it back in disgust at the mangled appendage. "Fine. I'm giving you one last chance - tell me everything about the Abbey's inhabitants and its defenses, or suffer the consequences."

[LT Sandpaw]

"What more could you do to me?" Bracklew snarked pulling back his lips to show his teeth. "Will it be torture? Well I've been whipped before and I lived through it. I don't care what you do, I'll never sell Redwall out, I'd rather die."

[Hickory]

"So be it," said Fardan. "We've all suffered through pain, some more than others..."

He swiped out at Bracklew's face, raking his sharp claws across the squirrel's cheek.

[LT Sandpaw]

The force twisted Bracklew's neck making the squirrel hiss in pain. Five deep scratches crossed his face, blood seeping from the superficial injuries. For a moment he shuddered grinding his teeth until the worst of the pain receded.

"That was what you call a consequence kitty?" He said looking Fardan in the eye. "I guess I don't have much to worry about then."

[Hickory]

Without saying a word Fardan put his paw around Bracklew's throat, pushing forward so his claws dug into the wooden pole. "That was just the start, squirrel," he muttered.

[LT Sandpaw]

Choking Bracklew sucked in breath, the whites of his eyes were beginning to show, and the adolescent squirrel squirmed in Fardan's grip. There was just enough space to breathe, but it was closing fast.

"I didn't think you'd kill me so soon," He gasped out as Fardan's paw tightened around his throat.

[Hickory]

"Not yet," said Fardan, releasing Bracklew and turning his back on the squirrel. Suddenly, his rapier was in his paws. The shiny clean blade reflected glimmers of light around the tent as Fardan inspected the edge. "I keep good care of my weapon, as do you, I assume."

He held the blade dangerously close to Bracklew's injured paw, but thought better. Sheathing the blade, he walked out o the tent. A few seconds later he reentered with a different blade held in his hands... the sword Bracklew had dueled Alfhild with. The wildcat played around with it. "Where'd you get it?" he asked.

[LT Sandpaw]

This time Bracklew's fur bristled and he cursed several times trying spit on the cat. "That was Mixy's, and you don't deserve to put your scummy paws on it vermin!" He yelled still struggling with his bindings.

[Ashleg]

Teasingly, Fangfang exclaimed, "Yer a rotten egg!", and rushed in to stand beside Petu.
He peered over the rabbit's shoulders, grinning dumbly like he was trying to restrain some sort of laughter from pouring out. The rat had just come up with a joke, and in his mind it was brilliant. "How d'you want to be served, sir, boiled or scrambled? Pfft...Ahaaha!"

Duncan glanced at Ava and shook his head, though a small grin appeared on his face.
He turned to look back at Petu and Fang when the rat had just finished saying what he did and was having a laughing fit.
"It's honestly not that funny...Careful, Fang, you're gonna step in the blood!"

Fangfang yelped and skidded to a halt, glancing down at it.
"Aw, Duncan, that ain't blood. That seems ta me like juice, cloudsferbrains!"
Maybe we shouldn't have brought you. Duncan thought.

[Hickory]

Asher knelt down by the pool of dark red liquid. "That's blood alright... An' look. The floor's scuffed up. I'd say there might have been some sort of fight here, at least a creature handling another a little rougher than normal. What d'you say?"

<O>

Fardan smiled devilishly. "Mixy? A friend, I take it. Well, she wouldn't want me messing you up with this, aye?"

He held the sword forth and swung lightly at Bracklew's wrist with the sword.