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

[Groddil]

Marble took a step forwards, blocking the exit.
"Because from the state I'm in, I don't think I'm part of the Vigil anymore. But if you want us to help keep the Abbey, and in extension you, safe from Alfhild, I have to know everything you know. Your father was scum, I GET IT. I want to know about the other side of your family. If they had any link to Alfhild, I want to hear it."

[Ashleg]

"Back off." Rapshade growled, trying to make himself look bigger.
"You don't need to keep me safe from Alfhild. I'll kill her myself." He snapped, scrunching his face up in pain as he limp-hopped his way around the bed.

[Groddil]

Marble grabbed the scruff of Rapshade's neck.
"You really think you'll be able to take on an entire horde alone? With that leg? How about this. You tell me the rest of what you know. When the horde is on its last legs, you can have to honor of dealing with your aunt. Deal?"

[Hickory]

Asher grinned. "Underground tunnel. Well, well."

He broke off a piece of thick bark and some flint and steel. Using some leaves, he got a fire going. "I suppose we could, and I say we will. Which direction d'you think we should go?"

[Groddil]

"I d-d-don't know. Left, right, left...Let's go right."
The hamster took a step back from the entrance.
"You have the t-torch, after y-y-y-you..."

[Ashleg]

"How about no deal." Rapshade mused, chuckling snidely.
"I'm not telling y' anything else and I am taking them on alone. You underestimate me. Now, do us all a favor and let go of me."

[Hickory]

Asher rolled his eyes, not usually something he did. "Alright. Well, we do need to get to th'Abbey, so we can go south and see if it turns east. I honestly have no idea where we are."

[Groddil]

Gukom ducked in to the tunnel after Gukom. The hamster's basket became caught in the narrow gap, so he snatched several scrolls from the basket and threw it back into the log.
"Can always come back to get that..."

*****

Mortembell had grown tired of standing around in Moledeep, and began searching for a way out. The vixen noticed another tunnel carved into the side of a side chamber, and ducked inside. Time to get away from the place before the badger found a way in and find the Vigil. If the rumors she had heard from Marble, her informant, late one night were true, there was a horde on the way. What better place to plan the resistance out of then a forgotten underground fortress? Plus, Redwall could also use the place as a sort of "panic room" if the need arose. Lost in her thoughts, the vixen set off through the tunnel at a steady pace, relieved that it happened to be a lot taller than the first. Soon, she noticed a light further in the tunnel. She quickly blew out her own torch and crouched down, expecting hostility.

*****

Marble let go of Rapshade roughly, staring at the ferret with contempt.
"Fine. Be that way. Although how you plan on taking them on is beyond me, because I don't think the Abbey plans on releasing you. Am I correct, Father Abbot?"

[Hickory]

Asher blinked. "That was another light, I'm sure of it. Hold the torch."

Passing the wood to Gukom, Asher drew his bow and sighted on where he had seen the light. He started to inch forward.

[Ashleg]

Rapshade yelped and crashed down, rubbing his head.

"You know, you are absolutely right, Marble." Grant said.

Rapshade flattened his ears. "I'm not going t' live the rest of my life here without ever leaving. I am going t' leave wether you want me to or not."

[Groddil]

Marble smiled sarcastically at Rapshade.
"Okay, so let's get this straight. You think that you have a hope in Hellgates of getting out of here with a broken leg? After its just been made abundantly clear that that isn't allowed? I'd like to see you try."

*****

The light, which had previously been growing bigger, now stopped its advance. It had to be the badger. He'd seen her, left behind the torch, and was creeping up on her. Well, if he caught her down here, she wasn't going down without a fight. Mortembell silently drew her blade from its scabbard, inching ever closer towards the light. Her eyes caught a dark shadow moving less than three feet away from her, and pounced upon the creature. It was a squirrel, his black fur blending in superbly with the darkness of the tunnel. She withdrew her blade from a position ready to strike and picked herself up, still holding the blade wearily.
"Who are you? What in Hellgates are you doing down here?"

[Ashleg]

"Challenge accepted...sir. Once I'm healed, I'll invite you to come watch." Rapshade retorted, matching Marble's sarcastic smile with one of his own.

[Hickory]

Asher locked eyes with Mortembell. "You must be One-Ear's mother... I'm Asher, I'm part of the Vigil. This here's Gukom, he's... Well, I don't really have a good explanation for his job."

[Groddil]

"Interesting, and yes, I am One-Ear's mother; My name is Mortembell...But if you're with the Vigil, why are you down here? Shouldn't you be hunting down the horde or whatever it is One-Ear's up to now?"
The fox dusted herself off, relighting her torch from the one held by Gukom.

*****

Marble growled at Rapshade as he walked out of the Infirmary.
"Fine, I'd like to see that. Although quite frankly, by the time you're healed, the horde'll have been dealt with. Not so 'Swift' anymore, are you?"

[Hickory]

"We were actually on our way to the Abbey to fill in Grant about the horde... But how do you know about that? Oh, right, Marble."

He peered at the fox. "You don't happen to know where we are, aye?"