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

[Groddil]

One-Ear shrugged.
"Maybe not, but if they get sick o' you, they'll give you t'me. Then, you may have an accident...MOVE YOURSELF!!!"

*****

"Well, Rapshade was out there. The gate was open, and One-Ear was pushing Rapshade back inside at swordpoint."

[Ashleg]

Rapshade hopped forward a bit more when One-Ear yelled. After a few more paces his leg gave out and he plopped down in the snow, covering his eyes with both paws.
"Can't walk so much with a broken leg an' a sword at me back," he muttered. "I don't know what I was thinking, trying t' run like that. You go on, sire, 'n' I'll just lay here and die...."

--

Grant raised an eyebrow at Mortembell.
"He's either here to apologize, cause trouble, or eat. Care to find out?"

[Groddil]

"I don't care what. He's my son, Grant. He did stop Rapshade from getting out, hear what he has to say."
The vixen would not have further conversation. She strode boldly out onto the snow-covered lawn. One-Ear was standing over Rapshade lying in the snow.
"Lie here and die, then, don't affect me. Redwaller's might 'elp ya, but I certainly won't."
"Oh really?"
"M-mother...I..."
Mortembell stepped back.
"How about you leave the ferret alone and explain yourself. Grant, I'll let you do the talking."

[Ashleg]

Grant rolled his eyes and let out a long sigh, looking as if he was trying not to lose it. These Vigil members were driving him up the walls today.
"First thing's first: what are you doing here, and...Martin help me...why is he on the ground?"

[Groddil]

One-Ear shrugged.
"HE is down there because he tripped. If I wasn't here, he'd be long gone by now. As for me, I'm here to apologize for Damien. I was hardpressed to find soldiers, but I should have taken more consideration into account. As sorry as I am for what transpired, now is not the time for us to become enemies. We were recently attacked by a band of rats. Their number was considerable, yet they were only a scouting party."
The fox took a deep breath.
"Father Abbot, I fear we have a horde on our paws."

[Ashleg]

Rapshade sat up, looking suddenly interested when One-Ear mentioned a horde.

"Mortembell, take the ferret inside. Because he tried to escape you may punish him as you please..." Grant whispered, turning to One-Ear.
"It's okay. You're not Damien, after all. Let's go up to my chamber, and there you can tell me all about the rats. If that's okay with you."

[Groddil]

Mortembell unclipped a pair of cuffs from her sash and clipped them around Rapshade's paws. The vixen tightened the cuffs until they dug painfully into his wrists and pushed him inside.
"Back to the cellars for you, Rapshade. You're not seeing the sun for a long time..."
One-Ear gave a sigh of relief.
"Thank you for listening, sir. I'll join you to discuss the rats, but then I have to get back to the Vigil."

[Ashleg]

Grant padded inside and halted by the steps that led upstairs so One-Ear could catch up.
"Are you sure you wouldn't want to stay for the feast while you're here?" He chimed. "Hordes or not, it'd be nice to relax and have fun for once."

Rapshade had to chomp down on his tongue to keep from crying out.
The cuffs felt so tight that he was surprised he wasn't bleeding.
"N-no, please, Ma'am, give me another chance an' I'll be good. 'Tis too dark an' cold down there. Just one more chance. Please? I'll do everything y' want!"

[Groddil]

Mortembell slapped Rapshade roughly in the face.
"Did ye give Duncan's liddle Mixy a chance? Didn't think so."
The vixen clamped the cuffs around the chain in the cellar. She kicked the ferret roughly in amongst the barrels and slammed the door. She locked it tightly and stormed off.

*****

One-Ear shook his head sadly.
"I have other business to attend do. Besides, the Redwallers wouldn't like it if they saw me around here. The Vigil ain't too popular."

[Ashleg]

OOC-
Is whatsisname the mole still in the cellars?
Also, Rappy will remember all of this when he gets free...Muhaha.
IC-
"I'm Abbot and I don't hate you," said Grant as he unlocked the door to his room and hopped on the couch.
"But I can see how the Vigil would come across as scary to those who don't know about it. Anyway, the rats. What happened with them?"

--

"Aahh!"
There was a loud crash as the barrels fell, sending Rapshade sprawling yet again.
The ferret coughed and hid beneath his paws to hide the unwanted tears that sprang to his eyes.
He felt so weak and humiliated and like his leg was on fire. Why hadn't Rayne done anything about that? She'd given him his medicine before.
He gave up and let the sobbing take over.

[Groddil]

OOC: He's in Great Hall at the moment. I should probably point out that Rapshade's prison cellar is a little side one, different to the main one. The actual drinks cellar doesn't have twenty locks on the door and a ferret chained up within.

BIC: One-Ear noticed Gukom approaching with a small platter of food. The fox took a scroll from Gukom's basket and a drink of October Ale.
"This here's a map of Mossflower. So Redwall's here, and the Vigil camp is here...We found the rats close to the path, there was quite a large number. Twoscore, mebbe. We interrogated one of them, apparently they were only a small band o' scouts for a larger group. A horde. We also captured a straggler, he should tell us where they came from and where they're going. If push comes to shove, my men stand ready to defend the Abbey."

[Ashleg]

OOC-
Good...Because she kicked him into some barrels like twice now. If there were any drinks in there they'd make quite a mess. XD
IC-
Abbot Grant silently wondered where Gukom got the food as One-Ear related to him the events of the horde. "All right," he said with a sigh, "I'll be careful. Thanks for telling me this. It really ruins the mood, doesn't it?"

[Hickory]

The Vigil encampment was quiet, save for Roscoe's devious mutterings. Applelad strode jauntily in, twirling his lance expertly. He was followed by Asher and the others, Damien held tight between them. Asher threw down the tortured squirrel. "Alright, lissen here. Yore gonna stay put till One-Ear an' my goodself return. Harnam will keep watch over you, and he'll report anythin' that you did that ye should've done. So be'ave yoreself."

Without waiting for a response, Asher turned to Brush and Applelad. "You two, report to Charm. She's in charge around here."

The black squirrel took off through the trees toward Redwall to report to One-Ear.

[LT Sandpaw]

Grant's door banged open and Bracklew flew into the chamber closely followed by a rabbit that was around his age. The squirrel looked worried and as his gaze passed over One-ear to Grant it hardened slightly. Ignoring the fox Bracklew approached Grant quickly.

"Father brother Milus found Aver in the kitchens, he'd been hit on the head by a pan. Rayne is with him now but that's not he problem. Rusk told me Aver had been keeping an eye on Rapshade. I think our prisoner might be trying to escape!"

[Groddil]

One-Ear folded up the scroll and handed it back to Gukom. The hamster dropped both scroll and scone as the door banged open. One-Ear listened idly to Bracklew as he pulled Gukom away from the vittles.
"Already dealt with. I imagine mother has him locked up so tight he can't even move by now. Oh, and Bracklew? I cannot say how sorry I am about Damien. I have soldiers tracking him now. If you want to 'speak' to him, see me when I am here next."
The fox pushed lightly through the doorway, followed closely by Gukom.

*****

Charm heard Brush and Applelad give their names and enter the tent. Not taking her spear off Roscoe, she called over her shoulder to the two squirrels.
"What happened? Did you find him?"