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

[Groddil]

OOC:

Groddil will any of the Vigil joining them, or Sage maybe some of Asher's team?

OOC: Yeah, Sage's team can. They should do. Charm'll stay there.

[Hickory]

OOC: I wasn't planning on it, but sure:

Ashleg, Asher's wondering where Needle is:

[Groddil]

OOC: Needle is halfway across Mossflower by now, with Seacloak.

[Hickory]

OOC: So much for second in commands.

[Groddil]

OOC: If you read the posts, you'd know he's a spy.

[Ashleg]

OOC-
Read the poooooossts!

[Hickory]

OOC: You didn't get my joke, but I HAVE read the posts, for once.

[LT Sandpaw]

OOC: Is Needle lost in the haystack?

BTW Sage, Fastooth is standing guard outside of Vadoma's tent. And now would be the time for Asher's team to join the search party.

BIC:

Two of Skipper's otters soon had the big gate open and Petu led the way out whistling jauntily. The rabbit seemed to be totally at ease, he believed that Bracklew and the ferret would be wandering around, probably scouting, or discussing battle plans. They'd find them within the day and be back in time for dinner. Putting his paws into his pockets he glanced around trying to think of which way his friend would go.

"I say mates, if I know anything about ol' Bracky, he'll be at that little cabin." He glanced at Ava and smiled brightly. "Don't worry marm, I'm sure he's fine, Brack's a pretty solid squirrel, he'll have kept Rapshade well guarded. Blast, I wouldn't be surprised if he shows up while we're gone looking for him."

Up overhead, far out of sight a single black crow flapped slowly, riding the thermals. His dark eyes focused on the creatures leaving the Abbey hungrily. He had no idea how important this was to the horde leaders, all he knew was that the Krah had ordered him to watch the Abbey, and should any Earthcrawlers leave or enter, the Krah was to know.

Cawing into the morning he flapped off hastily, hoping to catch a few snails on the way.

~*~*~*~*~*~

There was dead silence by the pond as the news of their leader's death sank in. Aver shook his head helping himself to his footpaws, and holding out a paw to help Asher up.

"Sorry mates, there was nothing we could do, e' got trapped behind rocks." Aver said trying to justify the loss to them and himself. He felt torn, having been unable to stay behind and retrieve the body, and it sickened him to think of One-ear trapped somewhere down there, clinging to life, wondering when help would come. Aid that would never come.

[Hickory]

OOC: Alright. (although I thought I had him order two other guards? Whatever) I'll edit my post so Fardan goes straight to Bracklew.

BIC:

Asher watched the search party go. "Aver, I'm going with them. Um, Vigil, I guess Charm is in charge now. Listen to her."

Gathering his team, Asher set off behind the Redwall search party. "Wait up for a moment!" he said. "I'm going with you." The rest of the team hurried up behind him.

[Ashleg]

"Oh, the cabin!" Fangfang said, beginning to run towards it and then stopping to try and look refined. You are an adult.
"Why would they come here, are they crazy? It's really, er, creepy in there."

[LT Sandpaw]

Petu glanced over at Fang, his ear twitching uncomfortably. "Well I can't say fer certain," The rabbit was about to continue when the four squirrels caught up. Turning and walking backwards he flicked his paw at them. "Say there tree-folk, your welcome to tag along, mind it probably isn't going to be much of anything." He spun around so he was talking to Fang once again.
"As I was a'sayin', me n' Brack fixed it up a bit, he seems a bit attached to the place. Now I can't be certain but I think it has something to do with his late friend Mixy."

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

A screech rang out and Krah landed in a whirlwind of feathers and snow. The great crow took her time folding her wings before bothering to look upon Alfhild and Rapshade.

"Creeaaah, who this?" She croaked clacking her beak close to Rapshade's ear. "Earthwalker lunch no good, Krah catch some that not sick for horde leader creah?" The big bird's head shook in humor at her own dark joke, then she tilted her face so one large black eye was focused on Alfhild's visage. "Creeh scout come, he say few earthwalkers leave red house creeaah. Krah go? Kill? Feast?"

[Ashleg]

Duncan's ear twitched and he grabbed Fang by the arm and pulled him away from Petu.
"That's enough of this conversation for now." The hare said flatly, gazing around the area.
"We're almost there."

--

"Rapshade the Swift, Captain of the Shadowcaster. And I eat birds for breakfast." Rapshade said, aiming a light shove at Grah.
He caught Alfhild glaring flames at him from where she was sitting.
She walked up to Grah.
"Kill, feast, tear them limb for limb...I don't care." The Chieftain mused, analyzing each one of her bracelets. Then she got up.
"But I'm coming, too. It's time to let those pathetic Redwallers know that Alfhild's horde can do more than just romp around in a clearing all day."

[Groddil]

One-Ear gulped as the boulder started moving towards him. He drew his blade and backed away. Eventually, he found himself pressed up against one of the cavern's walls. The rock continued to move towards him, as he tried edging along the wall. The fox thrusted his makeshift shiv forwards. The "rock" roared with pain, blood pouring from the large hole in its grey flesh. It uncurled into the shape of a truly massive female badger, its fur completely shaved to reveal smooth, grey-painted skin. Sheba screeched in pain again, trying to crush One-Ear under one of her colossal paws. The fox continued to dodge the creature, who showed no sign of slowing up. He dived back into the water as Sheba advanced on him. The huge badger followed him into the water. With no weapons, he wouldn't last long. Then he felt a thin rope slip around his shoulders, strong paws hauling him out of the water. A small section of cave wall was flung aside, a cunning sheet of grey material disguised to look like the surrounding pit. An old sea otter helped the fox  into the small cavern in the side of the pit.
"Ye mus' be One-Ear. Come wit' me."
"Wait, why are you helping me?"
"Yer mother's in the caves up ahead. She showed up 'ere too. When you was a baby, Threeclaw saved me from some undesirables when I was travellin', an' I owed 'im a favor ever since."
"Where are we, anyway?"
"The Wetlands. Seacloak's domain. Ye just tussled with Sheba, in the execution pit. Yer lucky t'be alive, mate."
"Seacloak...The badger?"
"Mmm, he's still ruler o' the Wetlands. But some want out. Some wants to throw 'im t'Sheba an' run this place wit' a council of elders an' all that. I couldn't care less, but I thinks ye'll want ta help 'em off Seacloak."
"I need to be back at Redwall. There's a horde."
"An' ye think the guards'll let ye out? Ye stick out here, mate. Everybeast knows Seacloak doesn't let vermin inta the town. Plus, if ya helps the rebels, an' ya succeeds, ye'll have an army t'take with ya."
"Good point, friend."
The two creatures disappeared into the dark tunnels.

[Hickory]

OOC: I sense some Martin the Warrior callbacks here...

[Groddil]

OOC: Huh? I don't know what you're talking ab...aaaahhh. heh heh. touche.