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

[LT Sandpaw]

"You're wearing it," Petu said candidly, licking his dry lips and watching Rapshade nervously. What an odd question he thought, making no move to take the food. Instead the rabbit snatched up the beaker, downing the greensap milk it contained in a single gulp. At least his throat wasn't so dry anymore.
"So, what's the plan for today?" He asked, trying his best to sound natural. "I don't suppose you have something to do, downstairs?"

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

Freezing Bracklew waited on baited breath for something to spring from the shadows. Nothing came, but wild images of snakes, vermin, and avenging monsters raced through his mind as he crouched in the darkness. The shadow flickered again, somebeast with a light must be moving, it couldn't be the Vigil, they would have left guards at the entrances. Fear beat its way into Bracklew's heart and for a moment he considered fleeing the tunnels, and running as far away as he could out of Mossflower in any direction but forward. Confined in the tunnels Bracklew had felt Closter phobic and a war waged in his heart demanding he either stand true and advance, or run like he had never run before.

A small logical part of him said he was making a big ordeal of nothing, but another more radical part spoke of beasts with torches and weapons hiding just beyond where he could see, like spiders waiting for him to walk into their trap.
"Father Abbot Grant," Bracklew whispered to himself remembering the faces of those who he had sworn to protect. "For Rayne, Petu, Sister Jelmel, Brother Trovias, Aver, Gillpaw, and Friar Rusk. For Mother Ava and Mixy and Brandon, for Redwall, FOR REDWAAAALL!!!"

Knowing he could only gain the confidence to go on in a reckless charge Bracklew released his inner warrior, raising his sword and rushing headlong towards the shadows and ghosts that had plagued him for so long. A battle cry on his lips, he stormed straight into the main Mole Deep caverns like a tormented spirit from hellgates.

[Ashleg]

"I'm losing it," Rapshade said aloud as he reached a paw down his side to feel for his weapon. Yeah, his new sword was there all right.
"Not really. I have nothing t' do now but wait. I know the Vigil is coming...if not them, somebeast. There isn't any way they would just back off like that." He sounded almost griefstricken, but kept his expression neutral.

[LT Sandpaw]

"Back off from vermin taking over Redwall?" Petu asked his ears fusing with blood and standing up like twin spear points. "I don't see that happening, they'll probably attack again, and again until they win or..."

At that very moment a muffled groan came from beneath the bed and Petu desperately covered it up, talking in a slightly louder voice. "Oh is that a gooseberry muffin?" He took the tray clattering it with what he hopped looked like shaky, nervous paws. "Why did you have to come attack our home anyway? Why couldn't you just leave us be?"

[Ashleg]

Rapshade's anger flared up. He struck out and aimed to claw Petu's cheek. "It wasn't my idea! I know they're coming, I know I'm stupid and I know they're gonna kill me. The only reason I'm even waiting around is because I can't do away with Alfhild until Fardan an' their loyalists are dead..."
The ferret turned round, withdrawing into himself, about to mutter an apology when Fastooth's scent hit his nose.
"Dear grief," He moaned. "Th' rat. Th' eavesdropper. From this morning. Is 'e in here?"

[LT Sandpaw]

Wincing Petu gingerly dabbed at his cheek, glaring up at Rapshade. "Wasn't your idea, you're the one that attacked first, last autumn." He rabbit's boldness deserted him the moment Rapshade mentioned Fastooth. He crouched on the floor, shaking his head.
"He was here this morning, when you talked with him. He hasn't been up here since." Petu lifted his snout into the air, inhaling deeply, he couldn't smell anything except the scent of bread and cheese. Rapshade must have a highly sensitive nose, he thought in horror, his eyes flickering towards the spot where the rat was stashed.

[Ashleg]

"Autumn was my idea, but..."
Rapshade stopped, trying to set himself straight.
Ever since the morning he'd been scared, upset, and angry. Calm down...
He gazed at the rabbit suspiciously, padding up to him.
"What are you hiding?"

[LT Sandpaw]

OOC: I hate posting like this, but I can't think of anything else to write.

IC:

"Nothing!" Petu said, maybe a little to fast. "I'm not hiding anything... Why do you ask?"

[Ashleg]

OOC-
'S alright.
Is @Groddil alive?

Oh and Sand, maybe you could have Rayne sneak away while the vermin are eating to go sneak herbs to the Redwallers.
Or she could use either Roscoe or Fang to her advantage. Fang isn't too smart so he'd help her, and in Roscoe's case he'll go against anyone if it means he gets something. He isn't too loyal anyway.
IC-
Rapshade frowned and sidestepped Petu, eyes rolling.
"Because you're acting fishy an' it smells like he's in here, idjit." The ferret peered under the bed.
He paid no heed to the stash of weapons, seeing only Fastooth. He could barely hold back the laughter that came to his throat.
"Aha, I knew it, did I not? What happened?"

[LT Sandpaw]

Terrified that Rapshade would suddenly lash out Petu pressed against the wall, looking at the ferret in bewilderment. "He came in and I hit him with the fire iron." Petu stuttered, conveniently leaving out that Rapshade was meant to be the actual target of the attack. "I - aren't you mad?"

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

Gathering up her supplies Rayne took a chance, scurrying through the rows of bedridden vermin and exiting the infirmary with as much confidence as possible. She deliberately lingered by the door to see if anybeast would challenge her right to leave the infirmary. It appeared as if anybeast that would want to was downstairs eating. Releasing a sigh of relief the mouse healer quickly descended the stairs heading towards the cellars. She'd have to pass by the Great Hall's entrance in order to get there, a place that was probably crawling with vermin. She pressed boldly on, hoping for some miracle to aid her through.

[Ashleg]

"Mad?" Rapshade echoed, drawing his sword.
"Why would I be mad? This is great. Y' captured th' filthy eavesdropper. If there was anything t' be mad about it's th' fact you barely tied him up...Hm, do that, will ye?"
He smirked casually. A nasty idea had formed in his mind.
His initial thought was to kill the rat, but it would be suspicious if he suddenly disappeared. So the ferret decided to treat Fastooth like a member of his old crew.
He tested his paw on the tip of his sword. He'd make Fastooth fear the oh-so sick and weak nephew of Alfhild.

--

Alfhild stood beside Fardan, watching her horde through analyzing blue eyes.
"What did you dream about?" She probed, grinning slyly.
Roscoe was still stuck with Fang, though he looked perfectly happy.
This caught the Chief's attention--her smirk quickly turned into a scowl.
"Look at those two, the traitor and the nephew's friend, talking. I'm gonna go split them up."

[Hickory]

"...things best left in the past," said Fardan cryptically. "Go ahead. I won't stop you."

[Ashleg]

"You can trust me," Alfhild snickered.
She shook her head in mock-sadness and marched up to the two perpetrators, leaping between them from what was seemingly out of nowhere.
Fang shrieked and Roscoe's fur fluffed up.

"Oh, come now, boys." Alfhild mused, flashing her sharp white teeth.
"It's only me. What are you talking about, mm?"

"Nothing," said Roscoe quickly.
Alfhild pulled Fang aside and ruffled his yellow fur. "Oh, surely you're talking about something," she said, grinning as they both became a little skittish.
"There's naught a secret you can keep from me."
She plucked one of Fangfang's hairs, sending the little rat in a frenzy.

"Arright, I'll tell ya! We was talkin' about, er, about th' Redwallers!"

[LT Sandpaw]

Fastooth was slowly coming awake when somebeast dragged him roughly out from under the dusty bed. Gagged as he was Fastooth's cries of anger were muffled, but he struggled in vain his yellow eyes flashing from ferret to rabbit in turn. How had Rapshade snuck up the stairs so fast? Surely the little rabbit hadn't managed to clobber him so easily.

His memories were a bit scattered, and the throbbing pain in his head certainly wasn't helping. "Rmmphf mmm!" He demanded from behind the gag, glaring daggers at Rapshade.

"What're you going to do?" Petu asked, watching the saber blade closely.

[Ashleg]

"I'm going to make him know that I'm not weak and merciful as he'd like t' think." Rapshade's eyes glinted as he crouched to look Fastooth in the face, tapping the rat's nose with the tip of his blade. "In no way am I above beating a 'helpless' prisoner. How do y' feel, eh, Fastooth?"
He sneered. "Horrible I assume. Scared, maybe?"
Pausing, the ferret analyzed the rat's face.
"No, not scared yet. Let me ask you some questions, mate. Will you still eavesdrop if y' don't have ears? Tattle if you don't have a tongue?"
He snickered, glancing backwards at Petu.
"You've made my day, y'little frogwalloper."

--

"What about the Redwallers, Fangfang?" Alfhild whispered, digging her claws into the rat's shoulder when he began to squirm.

"Uh...that I think y' should be nicer t' them, Chief." Blurted Fang absently.

Roscoe slapped his own forehead.
"Really, you think that?" Alfhild asked. "Does Roscoe think so, too?"
Before Fang could answer Roscoe was all over her, shaking his head. "No way, Chief, never! I say you'd oughta be even harsher!"
"Really," remarked the ferret, nodding.
"Well at least I know there's one of the two of you with his heart in the right place. As for Fang here...if you pity the Woodlanders, I say you join them!"

[LT Sandpaw]

Fury glittered from Fastooth's yellow eyes as he stared in contempt up at Rapshade. The rat certainly felt nervous, but surely Rapshade wasn't foolish enough to attempt any of the things he threated, or was he? The ferret certainly looked stupid enough. The rat glanced semi-nervously towards the shining saber, imagining all the horrible things Rapshade could inflict upon him, none of which were pretty.

"Mmmph rrrgh mmmmaghf." He managed, shaking his head slowly.


"I'm glad I made you so happy." Petu told Rapshade sarcastically, looking revolted at the idea of torture. He didn't wish such a fate on anybeast, not even this rat who wouldn't bat two eyelids before cutting his throat. The rabbit shuddered, backing away from Rapshade. "You ought to just kill him or something, why bother torturing him?"