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

[Hickory]

Asher knocked on the gates. "Hello? Open up! It's Asher."

[Ashleg]

Grant appeared on the other side of the gate, growling, "Come in, but next time don't be so rude."
He let his gaze travel to Fang, not recognizing him due to the dark and his failing sight.
"Looks like you caught a prisoner, huh...?"

[Hickory]

"Not so, Abbot," replied Asher. "Fangfang's still alive! Guess that wildcat's information was off, aye?"

He gestured to the rat's neck. "He was 'urt pretty bad, though. Might want t'have your healer take a look st 'im. I need to go report to Charm. See ye around."

He started towards the Moledeep entrance.

[Groddil]

OOC: That moment when you think Fastooth isn't an officer. You should probably do a character sheet for him.

BIC:

Grenlik's fur bristled.
"Ye call me scum again, rat, an' I'll gut Ye while Ye sleep. Alfhild trusts me much more'n she trusts you, an' I'm pretty sure I still outrank Ye. Now if Ye didn't know Daxian was still alive, ye'd best git yer ears checked, 'cause it was th' talk I' th' camp fer says."

[Ashleg]

Once Asher and the others were gone, Grant turned to Fang and began leading him in.
"What happened?"

The yellow rat pulled a wry face and drew a claw across his neck.

The Abbot blinked.
"Lost your voice? I'll be sure to get Rayne at once."

[LT Sandpaw]

OOC: Maybe

IC:

It was Fastooth's turn to get outraged. The rat's hackles rose as he stepped in front of the weasel, his earlier concern about Alfhild having vanished. "Call me rat like that 'gain cully an' I'll gut ye right 'ere right now!" Fastooth snarled prodding Grenlik in the chest with a dirty claw. "Now I ain't goin' to argue wit' ye 'bout rank, but I won' take no threats from ye. So keep yer tongue in check or I'll feed it to th' crows, ye hear?"

[Ashleg]

Grant nudged Fang ahead of him and started down the halls.
"Rayne?"

[Groddil]

"Don't call Ye rat? But Ye are one. Yer the one callin' yer superior 'scum'."
The weasel drew his dagger and started backing back to his tent.
"Mark my words, whatever yer name is, one day, when yer all alone, or if yer injured... I'll help ease Ye into Hellgates..."

[Hickory]

Asher descended into Moledeep, progressing to where Charm was. "We're back, Charm," he said, not seeing One-Ear. "Damien was dead when we found him, and just to be sure..."

He held up Daxian's head.

[Groddil]

"Well, this is a fine mess. Wonder why he went back in the first place... Toss that head down the waste shute."
One-Ear stepped off the lift into the small cave.
"Revenge, most likely. Asher, good to see that you're back."
Charm began rolling the scrolls back up.
"Well, here's the office all ready for Ye, boss."
"Keep it. You seem to be a better tactician than I am. I'm appointing you Tactical Commander. From now on, you two will share the position of Vigil Second. Charm, you'll do the planning. Asher, we'll make sure they get carried out. I need to get some rest, send scouts out to keep an eye on the Horde."

[Hickory]

Asher started at One-Ear. "But... You were buried under..."

He shook his head. "Y'know, I won't question how you got back, but it's good to see ye again. As for the horde, I think Fang might have some information on it. I 'ope you've been brought up to speed. E thought Fangfang died, Bracklew and I heard the wildcat Fardan talking about someone stabbed in the throat. It must've been Fang, but he lived but lost his voice. We found him right outside the vermin camp, so... You might want to ask him. He should be in the Infirmary by now."

[Ashleg]

OOC-
Yes please, send him there.

IC-
Alfhild flounced out of the healer's tent a moment later with a bandaged arm.
"Roscoe, get over here!"

The weasel hesitated and slunk up to her, smirking tiredly.
"Yea, Chief..?"

"Go back to Redwall and kill somebeast--and then let us in." Alfhild said, ignoring her subordinate's sudden look of shock. She continued with a bitter growl. "And, Roscoe, it doesn't matter what Fardan says. I think it's a good idea... And for your sake, you'd better think so too. Or else I'll chop off your tail and kill you."

Roscoe opened his mouth to protest, but the old ferret gave him a hearty shove in the right direction and sent him running.
"Goodbye, Roscoe! Don't come back without good news!"

--

The sun had started rising by the time a very tired Roscoe had found Redwall Abbey.
I don't know if I'm gonna be able to do this, he thought, squinting up at the belltower.
"H-hello?! It's Roscoe! Er...remember?"

[Groddil]

A mouse dressed in Vigil uniform, one of their surface guards, pointed a crossbow at Roscoe from the walltop.
"I've 'eard of ye. Yer the weasel who knows somebeast in 'ere, right? But ye ran away fer some reason. Oh, that's right. Roscoe. Yer th' one wot Charm questioned, aren't ye? The one who didn't 'ave any useful information at all? But why would ye run away from Redwall, th' best place in all th' land. To report back to th' chief o' yer horde. That's where ye've been, innit? So, 'ere's wot's goin' ta 'appen. I'm goin' ta go fetch a Redwaller. You're goin' ta tell us th' truth o' where ye've been, an' wot's 'appenin' at the 'orde camp, if that's where ye were. If we think yer not lyin', an' ye won't cut our throats while we sleep, there's a chance we might let ye in."

[Ashleg]

"Oh no, no throat cutting from me!" Roscoe called, forcing an awkward grin.
"That's way too gruesome...Er, go fetch a Redwaller!"

[Groddil]

The Vigil soldier lowered his weapon.
"Aye. Ye don't seem too dangerous anyway..."
The mouse walked out of vision, heading inside the Abbey building. He sought out Grant.
"Sorry to interrupt ye, sir, but Roscoe's at the gate."