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

[Groddil]

"Eyes gouged out? Then this is... Muddle."
The fox looked around the cavern.
"I don't see any ways out besides that gate. There might be a passage somewhere up there somewhere. I'll give you a leg up."

*****

The Vigil crouched at the treeline just near one of Redwall's side gates, the one that had failed to be secured in time. The one that now lay shattered on its hinges. Celio crawled up to Charm.
"I'm glad we found you when we did, Commander. This mission would have been difficult without us as well."
"Aye. A shame One-Ear's mission failed."
"There were too many of them, Commander. I had to retreat to save my men. I don't know where the Champion is now."
"It doesn't matter, Celio. In truth he's too headstrong to lead an army. Too stubborn to make up with the Redwallers, who hate us."
"Harsh words. But true words."
"Where's the prisoner?"
"I sent an otter to make sure he makes it to a cell."
"Good. Crossbows! Advance."
Twoscore soldiers crept out of the treeline. They fired their weapons, cutting down the few vermin on the walltop.
"Again."
The soldiers reloaded their weapons and sent another volley of bolts sailing over the walls into the yard.
"Charge!"
The twoscore crossbowbeasts tossed aside their weapons and charged the small wallgate, closely followed by the rest of the troops.

OOC: The Vigil has 200 soldiers. Dunno how many the horde has.

[Ashleg]

OOC-
Around the same.
Doesn't really matter, though, 'cause it'll all come down to saving Grant.

[Groddil]

"I will not sit idly by while Seacloak continues to torment my home and slaughter my people."
"We have no army to defeat him with."
"We need to think of something. We need a plan. Take him out from the shadows."
"My King, we are just Guosim. We know not of subterfuge and plots. All we know is battle."
"Which is why I'm glad I have the otters on my side."
"My King, I still disagree. We need to spend time raising a proper army."
"We have an army. The Wetlands will rise up against Seacloak when we give the word. They have no loyalty to him."
"They do, My King. Whether it be from greed or fear, the Wetlands will not rebel unless they know they will win."
Shamolt sighed.
"Leave me, friend. I need time to think."
The shrew nodded, and went to walk off when screams began to echo through the trees.
"What in Hellgates? FIRE!"
Seemingly in an instant, the scattered trees were engulfed in a roaring inferno. A score of creatures, woodlander and vermin alike, rushed into the grove, the flames shining off their uniforms. Wetlands soldier uniforms. The attackers charged through the flames, slaughtering the unprepared army of shrew and otters. As the troops continued to crush the Resistance, their leader, a wildcat, broke off, heading straight for the squirrel. Shamolt drew his blade.
"Enough! Who are you, vermin? What do you want with us? Call off your troops."
"No. I come from the Wetlands, to kill a squirrel named Shamolt. Leader of the Resistance. A self-proclaimed King."
"You from the Wetlands? Don't lie to me, vermin. Seacloak would kill your kind on sight."
"You appear to be smarter than you look, 'King Shamolt.' Truth be told, Seacloak isn't even here. I showed up, challenged him to Trial by Combat for control of the place, and won. Let him scurry off south to some place called Redwall Abbey, to go kill a fox. I don't care what he does, but I think a big badger like that is more useful to spread the word of my conquest while he's alive and ruined, don't you? Yes, I am in charge now, squirrel. Why don't you kneel before your ruler?"
The shrew stepped between the two.
"The Wetlands knows no ruler but the King in the North whose name is Shamolt. Not Seacloak, and certainly not you. Vermin scum!"
One of the creature's powerful paws gripped the shrew's throat, lifting him clear off the ground."
"Ignorant fool. Thanks to Seacloak, I have an army. You just have a few dead guerrillas. Before long I'll own everything on this blood-stained continent, just like my ancestors used to. I'll rule this place until the sun rises in the west and sets in the east, and when that happens, I'll cross the sea and conquer whatever's over there as well."
The wildcat bit the shrew's throat open with his fangs. Shamolt averted his eyes from the gruesome sight.
"Who in Hellgates are you?"
"Me? I'm... Death. No, no, too cliche. Hmm, Nnurt Ttagnu? Too complex. How about...Fury? Yes, that's a nice name."
Shamolt stabbed his sword towards the wildcat.
"Treason, eh? How rude. Allow me to show you a friend of mine. His name is Fisher. He's... a fisher. Not very original, I know."
A huge creature stepped forwards. It looked a bit like a pine marten, but was as big as any badger. If not bigger.
"When I said that I challenged Seacloak in single combat, I lied. I challenged him all right. With Fisher as my Champion. You should have seen how quickly Fisher dealt with the old stripehound. He threw this huge rock at him, but missed. It went shooting down the pit and crushed the head of the badger in there.
"He killed... that thing?"
"Oh yes, and then he just kicked the badger's sword right in after it and pried the armor off with his claws. It didn't take long after that. Not once the flesh was exposed. Did I tell you how we met? I was on a ship, you see, a nice big slaver galleon, when the biggest ship I've seen in me life pops out from behind an island and sails up to us. This curious little fellow, called himself 'Bauble-Yen' hops aboard, and he says 'Is this a slaving vessel? Care to buy a nice strong creature from across the sea?' Now naturally I jumps at the opportunity, and ol 'Bauble-Yen' gives me Fisher for a few shiny stones and three of our own slaves. Strange type, Bauble-Yen, but Fisher's been well worth it. I had him kill the Captain that very same day when 'ee wanted to keep Fisher for 'imself. The nerve of some creatures, am I right? Oh no, I'm rambling again, aren't I, Fisher?"
"Fisher."
"Yes, I know, Fisher.'
"Fisher."
"Fisher, be quiet."
"Fisher."
"Look, Fisher, just grab the squirrel, will you?"
"Fisher!"
Fisher punched Shamolt in the gut and grabbed the stunned squirrel, slinging him over his shoulder.
"I think the dungeon will be a nice place for you. That way you're still useful to me as a bargaining chip, should I need you for some reason."

*****

Meanwhile, a lot further south, Jergle whistled a tune far too jolly for the circumstances. With the unconscious dibbun slung over his shoulder, he strolled jauntily back to his home. He would go fetch Bracklew later, but that could wait.

@Sagetip: That's your cue. Jergle is just about to walk inside.

[LT Sandpaw]

OOC: Ok, so can Bracklew still run into Seacloak?

Also most of the horde is down on the lawns, finishing off what is left of the Redwallers, so Fastooth doesn't have a whole lot with him.

IC:

Ducking down beneath the ramparts Fastooth gritted his teeth as a fellow rat beside him screamed and plummeted to the ground below.
"Give it to 'em lads, archers loose," Fastooth shouted popping up and hurling his spear into the Vigil's ranks. "Aim fer th' leaders!" A number of vermin rose twirling slings and drawing back bows. "Use th' woodlanders weapons 'ere on th' wall lads. Kill 'em, kill 'em all!" Those who did not possess a bow or a ranged weapon grabbed rocks that the Redwallers had stacked on the walls earlier, hurling them down on the charging warriors. The buzz of ranged death sang across the battlements and the projectiles arched out descending in devastating volleys.

Vicious jeers and battle cries sounded as the vermin cheered the death their attack had caused. A few even sprang up making crude gestures towards the woodlanders before ducking down to avoid the retaliatory bolts.

"Keep at it cullies," Fastooth encouraged knowing the walls could be held against many by a few. "Give 'em what for, they'll learn their lesson soon, either they give up or die at the base of these walls. Archers, loose!"


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

"When the tables tur- Aren't you counting on that not happening?" Petu wondered shifting his tail-end so that it wasn't so uncomfortable. His tail was still freezing, and the small pool of blood that was collecting under his knee kept growing, but at least it seemed he would live. Rapshade was even sticking around to provide his protection it seemed. "I'm not exactly the most influential creature in the Abbey, and if the tables do turn, uh, hopefully, then I'm sure I couldn't stop them killing you. Even if I wanted too."

[Groddil]

OOC: Ok, so can Bracklew still run into Seacloak? Have Brack wake up and I'll have Seacloak appear.

Also most of the horde is down on the lawns, finishing off what is left of the Redwallers, so Fastooth doesn't have a whole lot with him. It won't take long for them to get in. The gate is open, and there doesn't seem to be much space between the forest and the wallgates, as least as far as I remember.

[Hickory]

The wildcat shoved aside the attack with his own blade. "Face it hare, you're outmatched. Surrender, and I'll kill you quickly!"

<O>

Asher groaned and sat himself upright. The effect of the drug was leaving him and he stood up shakily, grabbing onto a chair for support. Once his legs were able to move properly again, he helped up Harnam. "We should probably go out t'look for Bracklew soon."

The other squirrel nodded. "Alright.... I'm still not feeling too well, though."

[Ashleg]

"Do ya have any weapons?" Roscoe asked, inspecting One-Ear with those purple eyes of his.
He still didn't like nor trust the fox, but there was something about the threat of having his eyes gouged out that made the weasel okay with not starting a fight with him.
"You could kill that nasty guard, or, or something." He paused, flashing the fox an airy grin.
"Or I could. All of Mossflower revels in my talents."
--

Rapshade chuckled tiredly and glanced at the reddened snow.
"Not today, but they'll turn. Next thing you know it'll be me laying there with blood on my paws...."
Alfhild's blood.
He turned his head as the Vigil stormed in. They were met with powerful retaliation. Good.
"You promised," said the ferret with another glance at Petu, not moving anywhere.
He shifted to stand on one leg.
"I can still kill you."

--

"I'll never surrender to you," Duncan spat, flicking up snow with his dagger.
"Just like my daughter and my wife, if I die it'll be while fightin'!"
Just as he was about to lunge at the warlord for the millionth time, he noticed two creatures making their way across the battlements.
Or, one creature, cloaked--holding the Abbot...
The hare froze.

--

Latching on to the collar of Grant's habit, Alfhild lifted him over the edge.
"Greetings!" She called out mildly, voice raised above the din.
"I have your sweet dear leader here, and my was he tired. Passed out right in my arms, he did!" The ferret tore her hood off with her free paw, revealing her icy eyes and poisonous smile.
"I would just like to give a message to all those pesky little Redwallers and Vigil soldiers out there in the crowd. Your abbot's about to have a fall, but you can catch him, per se, if you throw your paws up in surrender!"
She paused, noticing a few creatures aiming arrows at her.
She held Grant up in front like a shield, grinning even wider when he came awake.
"Attack me and he dies. The doors and windows are shut and locked, and guarded from the inside. There's no way to stop me. What do you say, hmmm?"

[Groddil]

Celio and the score of soldiers near Alfhild lowered their weapons, as did the few troops still outside the walls.
"Drop him, then. It doesn't take tenscore soldiers to catch one mouse."

[Ashleg]

"I'll slit his throat beforehand." Alfhild added, smile growing bigger.

[Groddil]

Celio and four other soldiers climbed the wall stairs.
"Even if one arrow hits the Abbot, you're surrounded. We shoot from the side, right now, and miss on purpose. Then everybeast else shoots you in the back. Or one arrow hits your paw. You drop him, and then we turn you into a hedgehog. You're surrounded, with nowhere to run. Kill him, and we'll kill you straight away. We wouldn't need to worry about hitting a deadbeast."
He stepped even closer to the ferret and mouse.

[Ashleg]

OOC-
Bruh. They're supposed to lose this one.
Also..One-Ear?
IC-
"You think I care?" Alfhild snickered.
"Upon my death, my vermin inside have orders to kill the elders, Dibbuns, and everybeast else we have we trapped."

[LT Sandpaw]

 Fastooth moved in behind Celio holding his spear at the ready. Many of the vermin along the walls held their bowstrings taunt, aiming at the Vigil soldiers in an uneasy standoff. The fighting had died down some, and even though the Vigil managed to break through the jury-rigged gates and pike wielding defenders, they had done so at  a great cost.
"Th' chief ain't going to be th' only one whose gonna look like a spikepig mouse." He sniggered twisting his paw in a sweeping gesture, indicating the elevated archers. "Give up, or we'll make sure not a single woodlander walks out o' here alive. An th' babes an Abbot die first, so ye c'n hear them scream 'afore ye die."

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

Coming groggily back into the world of the living Bracklew discovered that sleep inducing drugs were less then kind to one's skull. Grabbing his ears the young squirrel groaned aloud, shifting ever so slightly and slipping sideways off the branch he was lodged in.
"Whoaa aaagh!" the long fall to the ground greatly improved his general consciousness and after a moment of laying in stunned shock he stirred. Grumbling choice words Bracklew picked himself up, checking his paws and body for any injuries, as it happened Martin's sword had come free of its sheath during his fall, and had left a tiny cut on his left side. Other then that, and a few bruises, he was no worse for wear.

Shoveling a few pawfuls of snow into his mouth to ease his headache Bracklew looked around, checking the sun up above. It appeared as if a fresh layer of snow had fallen while he had been out, wiping out the tracks, but at least Jergle was gone. Bracklew had no idea where in Mossflower he was, or even how long he had been asleep. Crossing his arms and shivering he stepped off into the trees, calling out in a loud whisper.
"Asher?"

....

No answer.

"Harnam, are you there? Anyone?"

....

No answer.

"Damn and blast," Bracklew cursed, unwilling to shout louder and draw unwanted attention to himself. Maybe there were other woodlanders nearby, less cannibalistic then Jergle who would know the way to Redwall. He just had to find one...

[Groddil]

indicating the height elevated archers.

Celio and the other four are actually on the walls, although the rest of the soldiers are still on the lawn.

BIC:

Jergle strode proudly back into the fallen tree and tossed the Dibbun into a corner.
"I'll have to figure out how to cook you... Oh look, the two of ye are awake. Best just kill ye now."
He snatched the cleaver and swung it at Harnam.

*****

The soldiers with Celio swiveled to face Fastooth, pointing their crossbows at the rat.
"Do what you will, rat, but these crossbows are deadlier than whatever you managed to weave together in a drunken stupor. Do us all a favor and take a running leap off the Wall."
He spat on the ground and drew his sword.
"Come on, then."

*****

"You there, squirrel!"
Seacloak, looking quite battered and bruised, stepped out from behind some nearby bushes, where the ashes of a campfire smoldered.
"I seek a fox, young, around your age. One-Ear, one eye, grey and white. Have you seen him?"

*****

"No weapons, and they wouldn't do much good anyway. Not with that wooden barrier, and the guards. Plus, for all I know, Amaline's long gone, so no inside help this time. Just... get up there, and try to find a way out."

[Hickory]

Duncan felt Fardan's rapier press into his back. "Check again, mouse!" he yelled at Celio. "No matter what you try to do, one of this woodlanders is going to die. Leave now, or be killed."

He glanced at Rapshade. The ferret could secure a third hostage with Petu... hopefully he would.

[Groddil]

OOC: Asher.

BIC:

Celio looked at Charm.
"You kill them, and we'll have no reason to leave. Your argument doesn't really work, does it? Why don't YOU leave? Our armies are almost exactly the same size, but my soldiers are better trained. You can't possibly hope to win."