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

[Hickory]

Fardan raised his eyebrows. A better fight than he had thought. He pawed the rapier hilt, but continued to just watch.

OOC: Gonna wait for Grodd's response before posting as Asher.

[Groddil]

OOC: They can go down the river or through the tunnels, it doesn't bother me. I'm just saying that Asher wouldn't have found any badger tracks, because he went straight out the surface tunnel and destroyed it behind him.

[Ashleg]

"Aaaaaaaarrgh!" Alfhild snarled, tearing through the air with her own sword as to block the squirrel's blow. There was a loud 'clang!' as metal met metal, causing both swords to vibrate, and the ferret grinned fiendishly. She put all her weight into a thrust that was meant to shove her opponent away and then hopped over to him with the sword raised above her head, the icy blue eyes twinkling dangerously.
Then she slashed downward, cutting through the air as she again aimed for the squirrel's wounded side.

Rapshade found himself grinning and shifting paws excitedly, even betting with the other vermin over who he thought would win.
"Heh heh heh!"

[LT Sandpaw]

Alfhild's powerful cut forced Bracklew onto one knee, his heart rate was slowing down as his body couldn't account for the blood that was caking on his leg. Dark spots filtered across his vision, distorting the flickering torchlight, making Alfhild's dangerous look seem almost comical. He didn't even feel what should have been horribly painful.

Before the squirrel had time to wonder why he was slaphappy Alfhild's second blow sent his sword easily from his grasp. Bracklew fell backwards a giggle escaping his throat. Total exhaustion enveloped him in its merciful misty black; Bracklew had fainted from blood loss.

The crimson life force flowed with fresh abundance from a new wound on his chest, just above the hip. The bone had stopped Aflhild's sword from piercing any vital organs, but it did very little to protect the veins who now bled openly. The horde sat with hushed breaths, waiting for the squirrel to get back up. When he did not one weasel began cheering, whooping and accepting his winnings from a irritated stoat.

[Hickory]

Fardan stepped forward, shoving aside horde members who were in his way. Crouching over the prone squirrel, he examined the wounds. "Believe or not, he's not dead, Alfhid. We can patch him up and find some other use for him," he added. "A bargaining chip, perhaps."

He looked up at the ferret. "You really had to go and cause as much damage as possible?" he said, sounding scandalized, but a faint grin played on his face. "I suppose Vadoma could do something, though."

[Ashleg]

"Oh, something. Not a lot, though, because I'd rather save our supplies for the horde. Vadoma!" Alfhild snapped, nodding when the fox scurried up.
"Take him to your tent and fix anything on him that could be fatal, but leave the rest alone. Anybeast who doubted me has now seen what I can do, so I don't need to stick around much longer. Come, Rapshade!"
She whirled her cloak and marched off to her tent, leaving Vadoma kneeling over Bracklew and inspecting his wounds.

Rapshade was laughing.
Not in spite of either of them or at the fact that Bracklew had lost, but at the fact that the way he had gone down was comical.
The ferret's mood changed drastically when another bout of coughing took him.
He limped up near where Bracklew lay and stared down at him, eyes cold and emotionless.
"Stupid squirrel. You should've known better."
As Vadoma whirled round to say something, Rapshade sped off after his Aunt.

[LT Sandpaw]

He had bet well. The rat officer Fastooth thrust his newly acquired dagger into his belt, following Farden to where the squirrel had fallen. Looking from the wildcat to the fox soothsayer he scratched his ear questioningly.
"Erm, any orders sir, mabbe we ought ter get better ropes to tie 'Im up this time?" He asked, then in a different tone. "Are ye gonna question th' tree-mouse chief? Or will Alfhild be doin' that honor?"

[Hickory]

"I think I should," said the wildcat. "She'll probably be preoccupied with her nephew."

He watched the stretcher bearers for a few seconds. "Post two guards inside the tent where Vadoma'll be treating him, have them exchange shifts with another pair every hour. And double the guard around the camp," he added.



Asher stood up. "This ground's too muddy for any tracks to be here for a long period of time, or at all, so I don't really have a good idea of where he went... Though we can narrow it down by only searching the tunnels big enough to admit a badger."

[Ashleg]

OOC-
Sorry for the long post, but here you can get a better taste of Alfhild.

IC-
Hastily, Vadoma grabbed Bracklew by the tail and dragged him to her tent--though her mind was on Rapshade and how he survived. He was kind of like a son to her, after all.
She pulled off some bandages and began applying them to Bracklew's side wound.
"Chief sure made a mess of you."

--

Rapshade stepped inside Alfhild's tent and gingerly plopped down on a mat when she motioned to it. He quickly wiped the snow off his paws and then glanced at her, not sure how to react.
Alfhild seemed to be sizing him up, in envy almost.
"My, you've grown. A failed pirate captain, I heard? Cut down by measly Woodlanders and taken prisoner by a squirrel who's basically still a child?"
She hushed her nephew as he opened his mouth to protest.
"And I assume you gave in and made a perfect little slave to him."

"It wasn't just Bracklew, 't was all of them..." Rapshade murmured, recoiling when his aunt tut-tutted and waved a paw in front of his nose.
"Aah, but you aren't denying it." Alfhild cooed. "And it looks like you let them beat you, too. Mind telling me what you did, you sick little thing? Not that you have a choice." She mused, poking him roughly in a spot that was obviously still wounded from what Mortembell had done to punish him.
Squirming, Rapshade belted out, "I said a few things. I told somebeast to be careful, an'..."
He was interrupted by rude laughter.

"Said a few things, and they weren't even rebellious! You have no spirit, no strength, and most of all, no self worth. Piteous child! Weak child, sick child, unimportant, insignificant, submissive--you are just like your mother!"

[Hickory]

OOC: *gathp*

[Ashleg]

OOC-
Did Groddil vanish?

[Groddil]

OOC: Yup. Wasn't here for the past 2 days, and the rest of the week I was too sick to do anything. Still am, but I should be active again soon.

BIC:
One-Ear nodded.
"We search the tunnels, and if that fails, continue along the river. Stick something in the wall and tie one end of the rope onto it. That way, we should be able to get out of here if we lose our way. Like breadcrumbs."
He pulled out his crossbow and fired a bolt into the muddy walls of the cave.
"Walls are pretty soft, so this should hold the rope."

[Ashleg]

OOC-
Get well sooooon my dear Grododile.
IC-
"My mother!" Rapshade exclaimed, pushing off from the chair to try and lunge at Alfhild, but he missed and went sprawling on the muddy ground because of his weak leg.
The ferret was fuming as his aunt's laughter filled the air.
"And how about that dumb little friend of yours?" She sneered as she walked up to him and yanked him up by the ear. "He isn't dead yet, is he?"

"Fang?" Rapshade coughed, wincing.
"Not at all. Now let me go, or I'll..." He fell back down, coughing and hacking.
My health's failing!
"G-Get Vadoma!"

--

Vadoma had just finished up with Bracklew and was now trying to wake him.
She'd bound his paws to a pole in the middle of the tent so he couldn't try anything funny if he woke up.
"Come on, stupid addlebrain, open your eyes."

[LT Sandpaw]

 OOC: I've been busy. 


BIC:

Groaning Bracklew came awake, he stared groggily around the tent unable to focus on anything. A blurry gray muzzle came into his field of view. The squirrel narrowed his eyes, squinting to get a better look at the vixen. Eventually the black fields faded and he was able to see clearly, at least enough to realize who was staring at him.

Bracklew hadn't noticed her before, having been far to focused everybeast else. Recognizing the Vadoma, Bracklew looked away closing his eyes rebelliously.

"You're dead, I know it. You died on the ship..." He pulled on his bindings. "Is the rat still alive too? Jetfur, I killed him, if you're alive he can be. I don't know what to believe, I don't want to believe." He licked his parched lips miserably. "Water, please."

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

Stepping forward Aver wrapped one end of their extended rope around the crossbow bolt. Jerking on the cord he nodded in satisfaction. "This'll keep 'er in place. Lead on One-ear, les' find us a badger mateys."

[Ashleg]

OOC-
Vadoma is gray, not orange.  Winkwonk.
IC-
"That's what I thought about Rapshade before I saw him today...the whole '"You died on the ship"' thing." Vadoma grunted, getting up and shuffling over to where she had a cup of water that was meant to be for herself. "I took a lifeboat and escaped. Wether Jetfur's dead or not is no concern of mine...Now drink up, and don't tell the Chief I'm letting you have this." She muttered and went to sorting herbs that lay in a stack in the corner.

--

"Oh, Vadoma. You've always needed her, don't you." Alfhild bottom lip quivered in mock-pity.
Rapshade propped himself up with his forepaws, glaring daggers at his aunt. "What...is it with you?" He rasped. "You love me and you hate me. It's...ack!...."
Alfhild laughed and gave him a pitying glance. "I don't love you, I want you. Nobeast ever loved you."

Seething inside when she came closer, Rapshade shot up from the ground and pulled her down with him. "You want me?! Then here! Have me!"