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

[LT Sandpaw]

OOC: Little PP sorry.

IC:

"Huh, I didn' take ye for a coward mouse." Fastooth commented, looking highly amused. "I figured ye'd be th' kind of creature who'd do anythin' to protect helpless hostages, guess yer jus' as heartless as that fox leader o' yours... Where is e' anyway, hidin' while th' real warriors fight?"

While Fastooth was taunting the Vigil leader, Vaskor appeared from the Abbey door dragging two dibbuns with him. The white ermine moved to a secluded place along the Abbey lawns, holding his stone dagger to one of the babes throats as he had been instructed, away from the armies, but still in clear view of the Vigil.

"So, yer fine wit' th' Abbot dyin', an' th' other hostages too, so ye could pretend to be brave. Sure, why not, I would be fine wit' that too." Fastooth mused, grinning wickedly and counting off on his claws as he approached Celio, ignoring the naked sword that hovered in the mouse's paw. Half an inch from the mouse' face he released a puff of bad breath before continuing. "But are ye th' kind o' creature, who would willingly watch little babes bein' slaughtered, so ye don' have to retreat? I'm curious, I know I would be fine wit' it. So why don' ye gut me, an' 'ave our warriors slaughter each other till th' end. Meanwhile Vasky o'er there will make sure not a single likkle woodlander survives the day. You'd win th' battle sure, tis what I'd do. Or ye c'n leave, decision's up to ye I suppose."

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

Surprised at the badger's sudden appearance, Bracklew jumped, laying a paw on his sword before realizing what it was that had addressed him.
A badger! A relatively beat up badger perhaps, but still a strong and capable creature none the less. "What's it to you stripe- I - I mean I might have seen a one eared fox... Did he do something to you sir?" He asked, taking on a slightly more respectful tone. Even Bracklew understood the importance of respect when somebeast towered over him, especially when that towering beast could potentially aid him in finding his home.
Bracklew decided to start with an introduction before pleading for help, he held his paw out to shake. "I'm Bracklew of Redwall, who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?"

[Ashleg]

Watching the commotion, Rapshade added his due.
"Petu dies as well if y' don't surrender!"
Glancing at the rabbit as he pushed his sword underneath his chin, the ferret almost looked apologetic.
"You all are prideful, but lacking sense. The blood of these creatures will be forever on the paws of the Vigil!"

Alfhild shook the Abbot roughly and he let out a scream, flailing at the wall.

"Do something smart!" The mouse yowled.
"What would you rather be, Vigil? The ones who let their friends die, or a group that lost their status?!"

Duncan growled at Fardan but didn't move.
This couldn't be happening.
He glanced desperately at the Vigil leader.
Maxy, Stumbly, the Abbot, and the babes...

--

Roscoe shot the fox a taunting grin.
"Lemme climb on top of yer ugly likkle head then."

[Groddil]

"Don't do it boss, they'll kill 'em anyway."
Charm glared at the squirrel that had spoken.
"He raises a good point, ferret. Who's to say you don't slaughter them as soon we leave? Your word means nothing. Kill them, and we will not retreat. Let them go, and we might let you live."

[Ashleg]

Alfhild frowned.
"Vaskor, kill your prisoner."

[Groddil]

OOC: Little PP right back atcha.

The four soldiers that surrounded Celio shoved Fastooth away. The mouse ignored him and turned to Alfhild.
"I'd think twice about that. If you want us to leave, killing anybeast destroys your chances of that. Let them go, then we'll leave. You hurt a hair on any of their heads, and the only way you'll get us out of this place is by throwing our corpses from the battlements. And you don't outnumber us. You don't have a better strategic position. We've got better training. The only thing you have that we don't is hostages, and killing them is just throwing away your only advantage. You throw away that advantage, and good luck winning. If you do, I'd be willing to bet all of Mossflower that you'd lose almost everybeast in the process. You'd have what, about a score of heavily-wounded survivors? Less? You seen a crossbow in action, Alfhild? You can shrug off an arrow if you're lucky, but you get hit by one of these bad boys, and it won't end so well. Smaller, faster, and with more punch. One of these would go straight through you the second you drop Grant. One'll hit your lieutenants the second they kill their hostages. Because then you've got nothing to bargain with. No reason for us not to attack."
Charm nodded.
"He's right, Alfhild. You've got no advantages over us other than the hostages. We either have a standstill when nobeast does anything, you release them and we leave, or you kill them, and we kill you. One of those options will just last until somebeast does something, and the other will end badly for both of us. There's only one smart choice."

[Hickory]

"If you don't leave, I will personally make sure every Redwallers alive in this Abbey and inside these walls is murdered, and while the blood may be on my paws, the weight will be on your shoulders. We are not leaving."

Fardan stared up at Celio with hatred abounds.

[Groddil]

Charm stamped her footpaw.
"I don't care where you go, or what you do after the hostages are safe. I'm saying that if you kill them, you will pay. Release them, and we'll leave. They die, then a lot of us die. They go, we go. The Abbey is yours, so long as you let them go. Killing them solves nothing, it'll just get almost everybeast here killed. You can kill them and make taking this place over a lot harder, or you can let them go. You get the Abbey, and nobeast, woodlander or horde, has to die. Would you rather take this place with an arrow in your gut, having to climb over the corpses to get to the door, or take the place now. You'd have a stronger army if you didn't have to fight us. It'd make the place easier to defend."

[LT Sandpaw]

"Tough, I didn' think that o' ye." Fastooth murmured slapping away the woodlander's paws. At least now they weren't aiming their crossbows at Alfhild, and as they spoke, more and more crows were circling overhead ready to dive down upon the Vigil. Fastooth had no doubt they'd win a final battle, but he didn't fancy his chances of surviving it when he was standing so close to Alfhild. He shuffled off looking down at Vaskor. The ermine was having trouble holding both wriggling dibbuns so he had trapped one under his heavy footpaw, while holding the other by the tail. His red eyes seemed to glow with a malicious light as he swung his stone knife closer and closer to the poor creature's head. Then came Alfhild's order.

"Vaskor, kill your prisoner."

The ermine hesitated for a moment unable to hear the rest of the conversation on the wall, then with a slight shrug he rammed his knife into the dibbun's back, ending its life as quickly as he could. Twisting the blade free he let it fall to the ground and retrieved the second one. Grasping the screaming babe by the scruff of its neck, the white furred killer looked up, curious to see the Vigil's reaction.

"Oh damn," Fastooth hissed, his knuckles tightening on his spear haft.

[Groddil]

Charm stared at Vaskor.
"All of you, advance."
A score of crossbowbeasts moved up and circled the ermine. One of them growled at him, motioning to the dibbun that was still alive.
"Drop. The. Dibbun."
Charm turned back to Alfhild.
"You kill any more prisoners, and we WILL attack. You want us to leave? Let the rest go."

[Ashleg]

Alfhild's eyes glinted.
"We are not letting anybeast go until you leave..." Whatever she said after that was muted, drowned by Grant's hysteric wailing as he watched the Dibbun fall to Vaskor's blade.
"Shut up!" snapped the ferret, shaking him roughly. "Be quiet!"

Rapshade's ears fell flat although he remained otherwise outwardly stoic.
"Y'should go, Charm. They'll be killed one by one, every few minutes y' overstay your welcome..."

The Abbot kept screaming.

[Groddil]

Charm stared blankly at Alfhild.
"Fine. We'll go. Just... Just let them go after we leave. Give me your word, for as little as it's worth."

*****

Seacloak's eyes shone with hatred.
"What did he do? He showed up in my city, tried to kill another badger, then started a revolt, killed the squirrel I had left in charge of my city when I left to go keep the place safe from a vermin horde, almost killed me, then disappeared as quickly as he started. And the cherry on the cake? He made sure that once my city was at its weakest, he tore our defenses down when he left. A few days later, a wildcat showed up, seized the city, and left me close to death. And when he took over, he thanked the fox for laying down what was needed for an easy victory."
The badger scratched at a wound on his arm.
"So, have you seen him? You look like one of those Redwall types, only civilized place for miles. What are you doing all the way out here?"

[LT Sandpaw]

"Like I said," Bracklew sounded a little annoyed that he's proffered paw had been ignored, he let it fall back to his side. "I'm Bracklew of Redwall, and yes I have seen the creature you're looking for. One-ear... I dunno what you'd want him for, seeing as he's ruined your life." The young squirrel grimaced staring resentfully at the snowy ground, churning it with his footpaw.
"I'm out with my mentor, er... I was out with my mentor, except I lost him." No need to mention he had been running for his life at the time, though it did seemed both badger and squirrel had been running for their lives from a fight they couldn't win. "We got separated, and I'm a little lost... I don't suppose you know your way around Mossflower?"

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

"Our word as conquerors? Ha." Fastooth crowed, tasting victory. That's all it had taken, one death and the woodlanders folded. Granted, it took longer then he had expected. The rat grinned looking towards Alfhild to see what she had to say.

OOC:

Should Brack, and Seacloak go back to the Wetlands and take it back, or should they continue on to Redwall?

[Groddil]

Should Brack, and Seacloak go back to the Wetlands and take it back, or should they continue on to Redwall? That would take too long. Besides, Seacloak's living on borrowed time as it is.

"Eh, what? I mustn't have heard you the first time, my hearing not what it used to be. On account of..."
The badger grimaced.
"Wait, you've seen him? You seem lost. Tell me where he is, or where he resides, and I'll take you back to your Abbey. I passed it yesterday."

[Ashleg]

"She has my word," Said Alfhild, grinning evilly as she set Grant back down beside her.
"Now get out. Come, Horde, as soon as they're out, take your prisoners inside and tie them up!"

Rapshade prodded Petu with his sword.
"Up on your paws," he snapped.

[Groddil]

Charm sighed. Not even five seconds later the ferret was already breaking her promise.
"Vigil... Fall back."
The army, shattered, retreated through the wallgate and vanished into the forest. Shank, the weasel captain, jogged up the wallsteps.
"Want me ta go after 'em, Chief?"

*****

One-Ear rolled his eye.
"Hurry up."

*****

While the Vigil were away, Moledeep was filled with an eerie silence. Mortembell and Shadomay sat in the Infirmary watching the injured, while the old vole dozed near the exit. Only two others remained in the cavern, watching the prisoners. The two vermin. The informants.
"'Ey, you."
Needle, the hare that had once served Seacloak, spat at them.
"What?"
"Not you. Oi, weasel."
Grenlik stared at his kin.
"What?"
"It's time fer you ta go free."
"Really? On whose authority?"
"The North's authority."
"No way in Hellgates. You wouldn't come this far south."
"The North remembers, Grenlik. You have done well for yourself here. Before you were captured. You know your way around this place. Good for you, as the boss wants all the info on this Abbey place as he can. And for that... It's time to go home."
"Wait!"
The vermin all stared at Needle.
"What?"
"I'm from the North as well."
"Oh really? Who do you serve?"
The hare bit his lip.
"Lord Seacloak, ruler of the Wetlands."
They nodded.
"Yes, I suppose we should let you out."
The rat and the stoat began chopping at the wooden cell bars with their axes. A few swings later, Grenlik and Needle were free. The rat handed Grenlik his axe.
"Here, might come in handy."
The weasel nodded. He knew what was to happen. The stoat and the rat peered into the main cavern. Empty.
"Clear."
They made their way across the cavern, stopping at the exit. The rat pulled on the rope, lifting the rockfall out of the tunnel. When the old vole started to wake up, the stoat grabbed him and dragged him out of the cave. They hauled an old sack, filled with food, out from a side passage and dumped the vole inside.
"Have to deal with him later. Can't let him squeal, can we?"
The stoat slung the sack over his shoulder, and the four escapees started their trek to the river.

*****

"Here we are."
"Filargo!"
The raft pulled out of a nearby watermeadow.
"Took ye long enough, friends. I hope ye have what we agreed on."
"Open it."
The stoat opened the sack and tossed the old vole aside.
"Yes, good, enough food to pay for the three of you. But there's not three of you."
The rat nodded. Grenlik brought his axe down on Needle's skull. Hard. The stoat grabbed the squirming elder and twisted his neck. Both bodies were tossed unceremoniously into the river.
"Hmm, that works, I suppose. Hop aboard."

*****

Shamolt, stripped of any chance he had to take back the city, sat in a filthy cell somewhere in the Wetlands. He gnawed on the loaf of stale bread that had been provided.
"Psst, Sir."
"Huh?"
"Shamolt, my king."
The squirrel looked through the bars. A mouse stood there fiddling with keys.
"What?"
"Not everybeast in the North has forsaken you. Some of us still remember the days before Seacloak. The days before what is to come."
He unlocked the cell door.
"Hurry, my King. Time is of the essence."
Shamolt nodded. No words were needed. They dashed down the dark passageways, past a slurry of empty cells.
"Fury released all the other prisoners, m'lord. Recruited them, rather than kill 'em. And he put Sheba out of 'er misery, too."
"So now his army is just getting stronger?"
"Aye, m'lord. Here we are."
They reached a heavy oaken door.
"This has been here for who knows how long. Apparently, it leads right out of the city walls."
He unlocked the door.
"Go, m'lord. I have to get back and cover for you."
The squirrel walked through the door, which was slammed behind him.
"Welcome the King!"
Shamolt was momentarily blinded, as several torches burst aflame. This wasn't outside the city. It was the castle courtyard. He was surrounded on all sides by vermin, and Wetlands soldiers.
"Up here, King."
The squirrel stared at the balcony above, where Fury stood.
"The thing about Kings is, you let them live, they're dangerous. I once thought you would be useful to me alive. Except I've already crushed your supporters. The only ones left are loyal to me. Out of duty, or fear. I now realize that you are no longer useful. Nobody will come to help you. I could let you rot, but that would let you plan. And we can't have that, can we, King? No, you are not the King. Now you are nothing. The once-mighty King in the North."
The creatures that surrounded him notched arrow to bowstring.
"The north!"
One of them released his arrow, which thudded into the squirrel's shoulder.
"The north!"
Another arrow hit him in the leg.
"Gah!"
"The north!"
The third arrow hit the squirrel square in the neck. He gurgled, and fell to his knees.
"The north!"
"The north!"
"The north!"
Fury smiled. He took one last look at the dying Shamolt, before retreating back into the castle.
"The North belongs to me."