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

[Hickory]

A dark figure appeared out of the surroundings and gripped the mouse's arm. A blade was out at the scout's throat as a husky voice whispered in his ear. "Where ye running to, aye? Wot's yer name?"

[Groddil]

"M-m-m-my name is Marble. I'm a s-s-s-s-s-scout for the Vigil. Don't kill me!"

[Hickory]

Asher came into view, locking eyes with Marble. "I'm Asher, and I'm from the Vigil too. Ye've probably heard o' me before. Now, let's take care of those two vermin back there."

He sheathed his knife and nocked an arrow to his bow string. "The one you hit is still alive, so if'n ye hit 'im right on the head that'll put 'im down. I'll take the other one."

[Ashleg]

"I'm Roscoe, an' I'm here cause the Vigil's tryin'a kill me." He suddenly looked smug and did a little wave of his cloak, smirking at the little cluster that had formed around him and Grant. "Indirectly of course. Say, am I famous or something?" The weasel grinned and clicked his teeth. "Because I could get used to this!"

Grant looked Roscoe up and down before ushering him inside and away from the group. He hissed under his breath, "You aren't famous; you're bleeding."

--

Max had never seen a weasel before.
Sliding down Bracklew's shoulders, he grabbed the older squirrel by the paw and tried leading him inside. "Let's go afta dem. Heeheehee!"

--

Duncan grabbed a wooden ladle and started mixing the salad.
He looked like a joke.
"Say, Petu, what's the best thing about this salad?"

[Groddil]

Mortembell scoffed.
"I'm not surprised. What did the Vigil do?"

*****

Stumbly, who had been hiding in Great Hall, noticed Max and Bracklew walk past. The mousebabe giggled as she ran out from under the table and grabbed Bracklew's other paw.
"What's go'n on, Mista Backew?"

*****

Marble stuttered. He shakily drew his dagger and took a step forwards as the stoat rushed them. The stoat swung his cutlass in a wide sweep, slicing Marble down the middle. The mouse stared at the awful gash running across his torso and felt light-headed. He dropped the dagger, took two steps, and fell to his knees. Marble coughed up blood as the stoat moved towards Asher.

[LT Sandpaw]

Allowing himself to be dragged along by Max Bracklew didn't notice Stumbly until she had grabbed his paw. Hissing in pain Bracklew retracted his paw quickly jerking it out of Stumbly's grasp. Not wanting the younger creatures to notice the momentary pain he kept a smile on his face, though his voice was slightly strained.

"Hullo Stumbly don't grab that paw, hold my right paw if'n you want. Me'n Max are following the Abbot and that weasel. Roscoe." Bracklew's eyes narrowed as they followed behind the weasel and his escorts. "I'll have to keep a close watch on him, more work for me." He added to himself.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Hm, that it t'was made by the two best chefs in this Abbey. Or maybe cause it contains over two hundred an thirteen ingredients." Petu guessed stroking the fur on his chin thoughtfully.

[Groddil]

Stumbly began to cry.
"WAAAAAAAAAAGH! I DIN MEAN T'HURT YOU MISTA BACKEW WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"
The mousebabe ran away from Bracklew and Max.

[Ashleg]

Roscoe turned to Mortembell and Fangfang, rolling his eyes dramatically.
"Oh, they only betrayed me, beat me up, an' threw me in a pit. No big deal!"
"How long do you think you'll be needing to stay with us...Mister Roscoe?" The Abbot asked.
Roscoe took in his surroundings and gave a little skip, wiping the snow off his paws as he walked.
The sweet aroma of fresh-cooked food wafted through the hall, causing the weasel to grin.
They're having a feast!
"...Maybe till mornin'..."
Suddenly, somebeast behind him burst out crying. Whirling around, the weasel grasped the hem of his cloak and sized Bracklew up and down just before Stumbly ran off.
"What in th' name of Mossflower did you do t' that kid?!"

[Groddil]

Mortembell raised an eyebrow.
"Betrayed you? You don't exactly look like the kind of beast that One-Ear works with."

*****

Whilst running from Bracklew and Max, Stumbly ran full pelt into Roscoe. Mortembell quickly rescued the mousebabe from falling backwards and held her to prevent her running off again.

[Ashleg]

Roscoe frowned.
"Not yer precious One-Ear. Asher betrayed me--yaargg!" When Stumbly barreled into him, he fell full-force into Grant.
The two looked at eachother and chuckled nervously before Roscoe got up and dusted his paws off.
Fangfang burst out laughing.

[Groddil]

Stumbly broke free of Mortembell's grasp, bawling her eyes out once again. She grabbed Roscoe firmly around the leg and held on tightly.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHH! I'M SOWWEE MISTA WEASEL! I DIN MEANT IT! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

[Ashleg]

Roscoe gasped, glancing down and flailing his arms.
Maxy glared at him accusingly.
The weasel curled his lip and glanced around before attempting to calm Stumbly down by patting her on the head once or twice.
"Shh, sh, shuddap! It's okay..."

[Groddil]

Stumbly whimpered, but stopped crying. The mousebabe sniffled once or twice, then tightened her grip on Roscoe's leg. Mortembell attempted to pry her off the weasel, but to no avail.
"Great. Abbot, how do you usually dislodge persistent Dibbuns?"

[Ashleg]

"Great seasons, has she already taken a liking to him or something?" Asked Grant, grinning widely. "And no, I wouldn't know that, Mortembell. I'm an Abbot, not a Badgermum. Remember? We could always fetch Ava..."

Roscoe glanced down at Stumbly for a while before smirking and ruffling her headfur.
"Eh, she'll get off when she wants to. I don't mind."

[Groddil]

Stumbly grinned mischievously.
"Maybe I not get off eva! Den Wosco has to cawwy awound Stumby alla day an' 'ave t'feed Stumby. I am uncomftable tho. I'm gettin' off now."
The mousebabe released Roscoe, allowing Mortembell to disentangle her from the weasel's leg.