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

[LT Sandpaw]

"I understand mate. Say, I'll go find Brack an' get 'Im to do it. Aye, that's wot he's supposed to do anyway ain't it?" The young otter chieftain clapped Duncan on the shoulder and disappeared out onto the stairs waving one last goodbye at Rayne.

[Ashleg]

"I'll stay until Bracklew comes." Duncan concluded with a short glance in Rayne's way. "Is the ferret badly hurt?"

[LT Sandpaw]

"Not badly, but he needs help. And I suspect he may never walk again properly, but that depends on how he heals." Rayne looked up from her patient at Duncan. "I know how you feel about him." She motioned towards the unconscious ferret. "So if you don't want to stay I'll understand, it not like he's going to go anywhere now."

[Hickory]

With a light kick Asher leapt off the ground and grasped a tree branch firmly in one paw. Dirk hanging loose from the other, he locked eyes with Alfhid before disappearing into the trees. He reappeared next to One-Ear. "Sir, we need to muster everyone and get out of here. The vermin at least match us one-to-one, we don't stan' a chance. I'll take Brush and get Needle and then we can soun' the retreat."

[Groddil]

One-Ear shook his head.
"Everybeast already is retreating. They'll find their way back to Charm and the rest of the Vigil, don't you worry. Just get Needle out of there.

OOC: Sandpaw, there's several crossbow bolts stuck in midair between One-Ear and Grah.

[Hickory]

Asher blinked."Alright. Can you run, or should I have somebeast take you throught the trees?"

[Groddil]

OOC: He's already in the trees, with two squirrels.

[Hickory]

OOC: I know, but maybe he'd like to run instead... Nevermind.

BIC: Needle was still unconscious as Asher brushed aside the loam. He heaved up the body and climbed up into the tree with Brush, narrowly avoiding a thrown vermind spear. He spat at the creature who had thrown it before reconnecting with the rest of the Vigil. He nodded to One-Ear. "Needle's okay, let's get out of here."

[Groddil]

One-Ear nodded, wincing with pain.
"Aye. We'll take a winding path so we don't lead the horde straight to Charm. Once we get there, and the wounded are patched up, we're heading straight for the Abbey."

[Ashleg]

"That ferret should be grateful he can walk at all. He's lucky we let him live." Duncan tugged on his sleeve and stood by the door, waiting for Bracklew.
"But it's okay; I can stay. If I learned anything while in the Long Patrol it's that vermin like him can snap at any time, even if they're down. Fang says his crew called that ferret crazy..."

[LT Sandpaw]

OOC: Muhaha I can mess with time and space

IC:

She nodded accepting that he was going to stay. "I don't know, he never seemed crazy when I was treating him. Just broken." At that moment Bracklew and Aver arrived, the squirrel looked slightly miffed as he stepped into the infirmary and crossed his paws.

"I have to do what?" He asked irritably at Duncan and then Rapshade. "He looks like he's out cold. Why do I need to watch him?"

~*~*~*~*~*~

The first bolt hit a branch right as Grah caught the squirrel. Splintering the bolt under her free talons she swung her helpless prey looking for the beast who dared loose at her. A second bolt flashed though the night and she instinctively held up her prey letting the squirrel take the bolt. As the last spun towards her she spotted the fox sitting in a tree beside two more of the filthy earthwalkers.

Ducking to avoid the bolt she pecked savagely at the dying squirrel breaking its neck. Flinging it from herself Grah launched from the brach gliding towards the fox talons outstretched. "Creeaaah! Earthwalker scum, great Krah's warriors shall grow fat on puff tails' blood!"

[Ashleg]

"While he was a captain, I mean. He is broken." The hare nodded matter-of-factly, looking at the door as Bracklew padded in. When the squirrel addressed him, he shrugged. "Just in case he wakes up. Think of it as helping Rayne." Duncan said as he got up and slunk out of the room, leaving Rapshade with Bracklew and Rayne.

(ooc: Timeskip to MornIng once the Vigil has fled?)

[Groddil]

OOC: I'll agree to that. I can start, if ya want.

[Ashleg]

OOC-
Yiss yiss.
Just make sure not to forget anybody.

[Groddil]

OOC:

BIC:
One-Ear winced as Charm applied a bandage to where the arrow had struck him. The missile had since been removed from the fox's flesh, thankfully devoid of any harmful poisons. As the otter tied the binding off, One-Ear tried to rise.
"It ain't time yet, sir. You, and all the other wounded, need time to rest before we head for the Abbey."
One-Ear waved a paw.
"Fine. Get Asher and Gukom to go ahead to the Abbey and tell them that the Vigil is on its way."
Charm nodded, making a mental note of her task.
"Should I pull Damien out of the pit?"
One-Ear spat into the fire.
"I think he's had long enough. Just check to make sure he hasn't turned yet. If he has leave him, if not, secure him tightly and pull him out."
The otter saluted, leaving the fox to his own devices. She approached Asher and his team, who had also made it back to camp.
"Asher. One-Ear wants you and Gukom to leave for the Abbey ASAP, tell the Abbot what's goin' on and that the Vigil is comin'."

*****

Back at Redwall, Marble had been slowly recovering. The young mouse leaned heavily on a short cane, slowly making his way towards Great Hall. He linked up with Drubble and Stumbly on the way.
"Excuse me sir, where is the creature in charge? I need to speak with him."
Drubble shrugged.
"Yurr Abbotbeast shudd be up in 'is room, unless 'ee came out lately. Oi'd be careful, tho, he don't seem very fond o' yurr koind, burr no!"
Marble thanked the mole, turning on his heel and heading back towards the stairs.

*****

After losing the Vigil's trail, the horde had settled back down. Grenlik sought out Alfhild, dragging Daxian behind him. The weasel kicked the stoat forwards and gave a quick bow.
"Sorry t'trouble you, marm, but I caught the beast that that fox had captured. He says he's one of your advisers or somethin'."

*****

Mortembell flicked her hood back from her ears. She smiled as she noticed the soft glow of a fire beneath a three-topped oak tree. The vixen pulled a piece of parchment from her satchel and studied it. This was the place. That sly old cheat...She invited herself to the fire and sat down on a dry root. The vixen stared through the flames at the owner of the camp, a strong-looking male ermine.
"Well, its been a while since I saw you. Thought you woulda moved on by now."
The ermine spat.
"Doesn't really matter, does it? Why are you here?"