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

[Groddil]

"Fine. But if I get insulted again by Rapshade and that squirrel, you can work it out for yourself. I'm sick of being treated like scum by every woodlander in Mossflower because I'm part of the Vigil."
Marble pushed open the door to the Infirmary and strode inside. Throwing the cane aside onto a bench, he settled into a seat near Rapshade's bed.
"Hello, Rapshade. I understand you were a pirate before you were captured. Bet you would have seen a lot of things over the years. Heard a lot of information..."

[Ashleg]

Rapshade cast a pained glance Bracklew's way when Marble began talking.
"A-aye, Sir... I guess so." The ferret mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

Grant, by the door, eagerly waved his paws for Marble to keep talking.

[Hickory]

Ava appeared behind Grant. "What's all this? Why is... Oh. Why are you having Marble interrogate Rapshade?"

[LT Sandpaw]

OOC: Okay first off we might have made a few logic mistakes. Is there any way that Asher could defeat three of the Krah single pawed. Nope. I've got a few ideas of how to fix this, but ya'll wont like it.

IC:

"Yeah," Bracklew said standing and marching over to the bed. "What's going on Father Abbot?" He recognized the mouse as the one who had dropped in earlier. Had he heard them talking? How much had he heard? Did he go and blab to the Abbot about Bracklew, but what could he have said that would make Grant doubt his loyalty? These questions bounced around in his head as he glared at Marble widely missing the idea that they might be in the infirmary for a different reason.

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

Caught off-guard by the hamster's sudden change in attack the small crow fell back bouncing around fending off the wild attacks. Croaking in pleasure the crow dodged a swing before flapping his wings to fly clear over Gukom's head and land behind him.

"Creeaah," He clucked in pleasure bobbing his head and twisting his wings in a cruel imitation. "Geeh earthwalker squirm, creeaah."

[Hickory]

OOC; Edited.

[Ashleg]

"We want to see what Rapshade knows about a horde that is allegedly in Mossflower," said Grant to Ava, then turning to Bracklew he chuckled under his breath. "No need to seem so skittish."

[Groddil]

Marble returned Bracklew's glare, still not knowing what the problem the squirrel had with him was, and turned back to Rapshade.
"So, in your time at sea, you would have amassed a lot of information, and most likely some of that would refer to rival bands, hordes even."
The mouse cleared his throat.
"There's a horde in Mossflower as we speak. There has to be. The stray bands of vermin are too organized, they're all behaving like scouting parties for a larger group. A group, we discovered, is leaded by somebeast named Alfhild, along with another called Fardan. Have you ever heard those names before?"

[Hickory]

Asher shot off another arrow at the crow attacking Gukom, grazing the bird's cheek. The squirrel bounded forward, grabbing Gukom by the collar and striking out at the crows with his bow. He disappeared into the woodlands. Slowing down slightly, he suddenly leapt to the side, straight into a hollow a log. Releasing Gukom, he apologized. "That was my fault, I didn't think about th'crows roaming around th'woodland. This is one of my safehouses. When I formed my team, we decided that we should create small hideouts so we c'n lay low if we were ever discovered."

Pushing some leaves around, he blocked the entrances. Several small holes strategically placed in the log allowed a small amount of light in, revealing a sizable space inside. Asher peek out through one of the holes, watching the crows awkardly strut past their hideout. "That was close. They probably won't search too long for us, so we should leave for th'Abbey soon. I'll have my dirk back."

[Ashleg]

Rapshade's eyes suddenly went wide as if reminded by some horrible lost memory.
"A-a-a--I thought she was dead!" The ferret exclaimed, beginning to look like he was ready to make a run for it.
The former pirate's voice was racked with fear as he continued, "I haven't h-h-heard of Fardan, b-but...but...what if she comes here? I can't be here if'n she comes here! Help..."

[Groddil]

Marble stood up placing his paws on the ferret's shoulders.
"Calm down. This is the most secure place in Mossflower. If they can keep you here, they can keep her out. But to do that, we need to know what we're up against."

*****

Gukom was breathing heavily after the escape. The hamster gulped, handing the dirk back to Asher.
"S-so...now what? W-w-we need to find our bearings, get to the Abbey."
In his babbling, the hamster continued to pace around the inside of the log. He stepped onto a piece of rotten wood, which his footpaw went straight through and the ground collapsed. Gukom stared around him, there was a small tunnel on either side of him, like he had fallen right in the middle of it.
"W-well...we could see where this l-l-l-leads..."

[Ashleg]

"She was very tricky and cruel...not to mention creepy, sh-sh-she tried t' kidnap Fang 'n' me when we w-were little. She'll do anything t' make sure she's th' one in power, a-and if y' do one thing wrong...you'd be luckier...dead." Rapshade gasped out, squirming and fidgeting to no avail. "And worst of a-a-all," the ferret stammered, "She's my aunt."

[Groddil]

Marble scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"She's your aunt? I'm assuming you didn't keep in touch...But at least you know what we're up against. Tell me, did she still have a horde when you last met? How many creatures were there under her command? No doubt there's more by now..."

[Ashleg]

Rapshade shuddered and shook his head, trying to keep himself calm despite the growing fear that he would have to relive the memories over and over again if he somehow came into contact with Alfhild.
"She was a pirate. Had her own ship...but I'd never counted how many followers she had, because when she came to visit Fang an' I would run and hide or else she'd get us and that's that. She's from my father's side...that's the bad side..."

[Groddil]

Marble retrieved his cane and stood near the door.
"Seems like we're going to need some help if she ever shows up here. One last thing. What's so bad about your father's side of the family? What about your mother..."

[Ashleg]

Rapshade cringed, though his current submissive state was gradually replaced with something quite different. It was as if all the hatred he'd held inside for years was suddenly evident in those striking amber eyes of his.
"This just shows how naive I am if I'm still calling him father." He spat, dancing his way around the question. The ferret ever so carefully edged off the bed, keeping his broken leg off the ground and a paw on the wall for support.
"But what makes y' think I'd tell you anything, Vigil-walloper?"

This was when Grant whispered into Marble's ear, "This is when you need to stop being so nice..."