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

[Hickory]

OOC: Do you want Gruddil to return in the midst of the battle? If you're meaning to lose it, he can get Chrysanthe out, and if you're meaning to win it, he can bring reinforcements.

I'll get the rest of the horde moving.

BIC:

After Fastooth had mustered the horde, Fardan walked to front with the rat second in command. The amassed vermin were shivering a little in the cold, but the wildcat knew that wouldn't stop them. Right now, at least.

"Listen up, all of you! Alfhild's off attacking the Guosim shrews, which means I'm leading the attack on Redwall. Fittingly," he added under his breath.

"The Vigil is in there - meaning that it isn't just peaceful Abbeydwellers we'e dealing with. The one eared fox killed some of us in his battle, how's the time to get retribution! Fastooth here is my second in command - if I'm not giving orders, he is."

The wildcat cast a cold stare over the horse members. "Don't muck this up. Alfhild has the shrews distracted, we need to return the favor. Now let's go!"

The horde began to march towards the Abbey.

OOC: HOWS THAT FOR A SPEECH

[LT Sandpaw]

 
OCC: It was legendary, I feel inspired to take up my hatchet and go raid the nearest monastery.

IC:

A rye grin spread across Fastooth's features as Fardan confirmed what the rat had been acting for some time. Second in Command of the greatest horde to ever trample down these lands. Moving forward the rat inwardly hopped he would come across Grenlik amongst the hordebeasts, with his newly confirmed statues he would be able to order the weasel around. Now he just needed to find him. Where had he gone anyway? Meanwhile Fastooth contented himself by rapping out some orders, trying to match Fardan's steely eye, and commanding tone.
"Ye there, Bugeye, n' Corstyn." He called picking out two weasels from among the hordebeasts. "Take twenty beasts an' find us some trees, good n' tall like, ye use to be wood fellers roight?"

"Aye, chief. I've been choppin' trees since 'afore I talk so I was." Bugeye confirmed in a rough voice. "An' me brother 'ere jus' as good."

"Then make it 'appen." Fastooth commanded. The two brothers moved off selecting creatures to aid them as Fastooth rejoined Fardan, saluting the cat with his spear.

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

The chaos was worse then Vaskor could have imagined. As the two sides clashed Vaskor's first arrow whizzed through the sir catching a shrew in the shoulder. The squealing rodent was soon dragged away by a comrade clearing the field of two shrews. Removing six arrows from his quiver the ermine leaned them on a tree, selecting one and knocking it to his bow.

Patiently Vaskor traced Rapshade, following the ferret with the arrow tip, a small smile flickered to his lips as he let fly. The projectile buzzed past Rapshade catching a paddle wielding shrew, sneaking up behind the ferret, killing the creature instantly.

[Hickory]

OOC: Why does he need trees? Is Fastooth secretly a lumberjack in training?

[LT Sandpaw]

OOC: His heart has been in the lumber business since he was a young ratling. That and he wants them for siege engines.

[Hickory]

The sparkling snow was lost on Fardan as the tip of Redwall roof came into view. The wildcat was pleased to see that the now visible walltop was nearly empty - a few of those Vigil woodlanders, but nothing the horde couldn't handle. He dispatched some scouts into the forest to find out the surroundings, unfazed by the absence of Grenlik.

"Fastooth, disperse the horde into the woodland when we reach the edge - we won't betray our presence yet. Once the scouts get back we'll know where to go and what to do."

Fardan kept his eyes fixated on the red stone walls, his prize within sight.

[Ashleg]

OOC-
Hold on, nobeast do anything.

Patiently Vaskor traced Rapshade, following the ferret with the arrow tip, a small smile flickered to his lips as he let fly. The projectile buzzed past Rapshade catching a paddle wielding shrew, sneaking up behind the ferret, killing the creature instantly.

@LT Sandpaw , did you really just have a random NPC shrew murder Rapshade with a bloody paddle? What the fluff?

[Hickory]

OOC: It's the shrew who was killed.
Answer my question!

[Ashleg]

OOC-

* Ashleg takes the proper precautions so that this doesn't happen again.

Patiently Vaskor traced Rapshade, following the ferret with the arrow tip, a small smile flickered to his lips as he let fly. The projectile buzzed past Rapshade catching a paddle wielding shrew who was sneaking up behind the ferret, killing the creature instantly.

@Sagetip
Mmm...
You can bring him back if you want, but Alfhild's gonna win and I have plans for Chrysanthe.

IC-
"Harmony!"
That did it.
Chrysanthe felt anger flare up.
Drawing a sword from her belt, she started ater Alfhild. The shrew knocked a fox out of her way and slew a rat, gaining speed as she spotted the crafty old ferret among the throng.

"RAAAH!"

With a mighty leap, she leapt upon Aflhild's back and brought her to the ground, tussling and scratching.
"I should kill you for that!"

"Incompetent little shrimp!" Alfhild hollered, dealing the shrew leader a stunning kick under her chin.
Dazed, Log-a-Log stumbled back.

--

Rapshade was trying to stick the sword into a shrew he'd pinned when its friend had snuck up behind him.
Drawing in a breath, he finished the creature off and whirled around, shuffling towards Vaskor on unsteady paws.
"You don't need to watch my back." He snarled.
"I'd bet it was Alfhild who set y' up t' this. Since she obviously hasn't told you, listen to me--I can handle myself."

[LT Sandpaw]

"Hmph, easy kill." Vaskor snorted setting another arrow to his bow. The ermine let fly felling another shrew as it attempted to charge them. Three more sprang out from behind the beached log boats twirling loaded slings. Vaskor ducked down as the stones bounced through the trees behind him. Straightening he loosed an arrow but in bounced harmlessly off the log boat. The shrews popped up again sending a second salvo into the hordebeasts. A pine marten fell with a cry dropping his spear and Vaskor was forced to duck again, this time behind a tree. Remembering Rapshade the ermine jerked his head, indicating the log boats.
"Get them. Yes?"

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

Following Fardan's orders Fastooth spread the horde out through the local woodlands. Strict orders were issues to maintain silence as they waited, ready to pounce should the word be given. Spears glinted evilly, and naked swords rested in paws as the vermin waited.

Shouldering his spear Fastooth pushed through the trees his paws crunching snow as he walked. Due to the sparseness of the foliage, and the lack of evergreens near the Abbey the vermin were forced to remain a fair distance back or risk being seen. Nevertheless they had surrounded the Abbey on three sides, excluding the west side as the flatlands would provide little cover. Spotting Fardan the rat trotted up scraping his spear into the snow to draw a picture of sorts.
"Scouts came back chief, found out some interestin' things. Guards on all sides, they'll see us when we attacks 'em, though we might be able to sneak a small number closer. Th' wall on th' east side 'as trees growin' close to it, we might be able ter climb 'em an' get on th' wall, but t'would be 'ard, specially if'n them woodlanders start lobbin' arrers at us." Fastooth made a hasty square in the snow and marked out the three wall gates and the main gate. "Walls be to high to climb by paw, least ways most o' us couldn' do it. An' th' gates seem locked tight. Four o' em though, 'ere, 'ere, 'ere, an' 'ere."
His report finished Fastooth picked up his spear, leaning on it as he watched the wildcat. "Any new orders chief?"

[Ashleg]

"No, thank yeh." Rapshade sneered, noticing Chrysanthe and Alfhild from the side of his vision.
The ferret grinned and crept over there, dealing the already disfocused shrew a shove to the back which sent her falling.
Chrysanthe, however, was tough and quick and spun back around, knocking his legs out from under him with one swooping kick.
"Rapshade!"

Alfhild's voice sounded above her's.
"Make way!"

Screeching, Log-a-Log jumped out of the ferret's way and tripped head over tail over a leg Rapshade stuck up and went sprawling in the snow.

"Kill her, Auntie! Kill her!"

[Hickory]

Fardan rapped his paw on the rapier hilt. "Get some wood, make a small battering ram. We'll try to go in through one of the side gates. Try and see if you can figure out the guard rotations in the walltop - any advantage is useful."

[Groddil]

OOC:

Daddy's back, kids.

BIC:

Aboard Filargo's raft, Grenlik's scouts, who outnumbered the squirrels two to one, began drawing their weapons. Just as they seemed about to attack, Filargo popped his head into the cabin.
"What's goin' on here, mates? I hope you ain't thinkin' o' fightin'. No sirree, fightin' ain't good fer you or me, so don't do it, y' hear? I can't 'ave violence aboard this craft, so I'll 'ave ta... deal with ye."
The vole poked his head out of the cabin, then back inside.
"Alright, squirrels, we're 'ere. Otterwive's abode be's jus' around that corner. Off ye 'op, now."

*****

Atop the Redwall Abbey wall, Celio and a squirrel were keeping a constant eye out for vermin, when the squirrel spotted something.
"Celio, over there. By the trees."
"I see 'im. Some rat. Shut up, try and listen to 'im."
The rat crept up to the wall, along with a plump ferret.
"Oi, 'urry up. Let's try an' find these 'wallgates.'"
"There's one. We better git back ta Fardan."
Celio nodded to the squirrel, as they both fitted bolts to their crossbows. They stood up and pulled the triggers, sending sharp projectiles into the skulls of the vermin. Celio tossed his weapon down and jogged down the stairs to alert the others.

OOC: Where's Aver right now?

[Hickory]

OOC: Oh, come on. Didn't Ashleg said the horde should have some success?

BIC: Asher nodded thanks to Filargo. "We'll be gone presently. Thanks fer the ride."

He hopped off onto the shore, followed by Harnam.

[LT Sandpaw]

"Ferrets," Vaskor muttered murderously as he checked around the tree. Without somebeast to draw their stones the slingers had full range of the clearing, deftly clearing off one vermin soldier at a time, limiting the horde's already small number. Vaskor did a quick search of the riverbank, Rapshade seemed to be busy now, he'd still be around if Vaskor didn't watch him for a moment.

Dropping the bow Vaskor drew his stone knife, and moved towards the log boat, sliding across the ground. His white fur blending in with the snow almost perfectly.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"You're crazy vole, and I wont forget this." Bracklew added, following Harnam off the raft. The young warrior glanced around, seeing only trees and riverland all around. His tufted ears twitched slightly in anxiety as he sniffed the cool air. "Something seems to be wrong, doesn't it?"

OOC:

Aver's probably by the pond, or in the kitchens, take your pick for whichever works better for you.

[Ashleg]

IC-
Some, or all because they're supposed to temporarily gain control of the Abbey until the good guys revolt.
Alfhild + the rest are going to meet up with Fardan once the shrews have gotten their due.
IC-
Before Alfhild had a chance to even try killing her, Chrysanthe vaulted over Rapshade and started running, only quickening her pace when the ferret scrambled after her.
Alfhild watched her nephew chase the shrew and fired off a few arrows, shouting, "Get her and make her pay!"

Smirking coldly, Rapshade cornered Log-a-Log against a tree and aimed to bring his sword down over her head.
Gasping, she kicked him away before he could go through with it.

"You're so scared, admit it!" Rapshade coughed, leering as he took another run at her.
"I almost defeated y' on the ship and now's my chance t' finish you off!"

Chrysanthe turned to escape but tripped on a patch of ice and was sent falling.

Quickly she rolled onto her back and drove her knife into Rapshade's leg.

The ferret was stunned. Dropping his sword, he limped back a pace and then slipped to the ground.
He angled his eyes up at Chrysanthe as she appeared over him, poising her sword at his neck.

"Ah...oh, my. Log-a-Log, I'm so wrong, it was out of my limits...please have mercy."

"What makes you think I should have mercy on you?"

Tenderly pushing her blade away, Rapshade sniffed, "You wouldn't kill me in cold blood, right?"
He grinned sheepishly and got back to his paws, though still crouching as he held his leg off the ground.
"Marm, never again, I promise. I'll even tell them to stop th' attack....See? I'm going."

Log-a-Log narrowed her eyes as he snaked his way around her, still rambling.
It was only when she turned her back did he suddenly leap up and knock her to the ground, ripping the sword out of her paws.
"Deception!" He exclaimed, laughing in her ear.
"I wish you could see the look on yer face, Chrysanthe--it's perfect. I'm Rapshade the Swift, and do remember it, because y' won't ever be hearing another name. Oho, bye now!"

And the days of Log-a-Log Chrysanthe had come to an end.