Redwall MUCK Forum

Koda was taking a small break from his duties, least for now as he sat on a bench in the hallway.   

Zolomon was , looking for something or someone when he saw Koda and noded "Hello Lad, ya having a good day?"   

The mountain is in a little bit of uproar and chaos mainly because Quinten has turned everything upside down.   

Recruits are busy dusting, cleaning, polishing, store rooms are being emptied and scrubbed and everything put back in after a full inventory has been taken.   

With the bulk of the patrol off with his lordship, the General has decided to make everything spick and span and looking shiny and good for when everyone gets back. He is also laying in a large stock of foods for what he hopes will be a victory feast once his Lordship returns with all the children.   

The DAB are also being made to help out, under the watchful eye of not just their keepers but one of Quinten's chosen lieutenants as well. They made a mess, they can jolly well help to clean it up. Coming upon Koda and Zolomon in the corridor Quinten smiles, "Zolomon, Koda good day to you both."   
   
Koda salutes, to both of them as he quickly stands up "Surs....I was just taking a small break,was I needed?"   

Zolomon salutes, a nod to Quinten "General Q....all is well taday, well almost I was looking for a young leveret..named Alif" He did file a report of the new dibbun hare at the mountain,seemed he likely wandered off somewhere since the Sargeant can't find him.Or maybe he is with the other young ones...   

Quinten frowns, "I am afraid I have not seen anyone, I have been in the kitchens with the chef all morning." he holds his arms, foot tapping, "Koda would you see about helping Zolomon track this little one down?"   

Koda speaks "Maybe he is with the others cleaning some mess.."He is unsure, he was helping dust the library.   

Zolomon nods "Yeah he wouldn't wander out...sides Old Pete would stop that right quick"He smiles, it has been busy around the mountain "I also like ta report, then ya likely knew, had a couple hares help make Xandy and little Ozzy their own room now, so no one is in de infirm now, so I can see on some of the hares 'ere setting about cleaning thar now"   

Quinten turns to look at Zolomon, "Xander, please do show some respect, he is a guest, but I am glad the healers finally released them from the infirmary. I'd arrange an escort back to the Abbey for them but we just do not have the hares right now to maintain the home guard and escort them home."   

Koda listens and speaks "Home guard likely staying ....well here right sur?"
   
Zolomon frowns "Sorry...sur"He gives a nod as he listens "I suppose lots ta jolly well do till his Lordship gets back, dusting and cleaning and all that"   
Quinten says, "Exactly, home guard will be staying here, is why we can't go rushing off to take Xander home as much as I would like too." he frowns, "Have you checked the DAB are not hiding this new leveret?"
   
Koda tilts his head "What...is DAB anyways?" He maybe saw the group once and it was when they were being given a lecture and he only seen that briefly.   

Zolomon says, "Understood, far as I know Xander is doing well, he should have a better cane or staff but otherwise doing better."He hmmms "Not sure, last saw Alif he was with me in the library,then when he fell asleep I took him to where the other dibbuns usually rest.I..might adopt the lad, not sure yet..wouldn't know whom to talk to, me and Keifer had found him...when...."
   
Quinten tilts his ears toward Koda, "Dibbuns against Bedtime, an unruly bunch of dibbuns who got the idea from some of the dibbuns at Redwall... i'd put a stop to it if I could."   

Quinten he then looks at Zolomon, "Adopting someone is no easy thing Zolomon, make sure to think long and hard before you take that route."   

Koda ohhhs..."But bedtime is important."He frowns some at the group and shrugs, he would just avoid them. "So wot all needs done before Lord Ciocan returns?"   

Zolomon sighs "I...I know.."He replies to Koda too"Lots of things..."He doesn't know what all is to be done for sure though"I mean...they jolly well will be back....ummm, when they are back" He sounds a little worried but it is a rescue mission after all.
   
Quinten says, "They will return when they return and the mountain will be ready for them. One thing I need you to focus on Koda is dusting the library, empty a shelf, dust it and the books, put the books back in order, move onto the next shelf" He eyes Zolomon "And you Zolomon, when you have found your missing leveret the tool shed for the garden, needs inventorying"
   
Koda nods as he salutes "I can get right on that sur, right away!" And he is off to do just that as that's a job that will take a while and he will need to locate that tall ladder they use to get way up high.   

Zolomon salutes "Right, I can do that, maybe help weed the gardens some today, seemed like it was a jolly good day today and fresh air is always good.I can also help make sure other things are done if like General"   

Quinten says, "Sounds like a good thing, the gardens need as much attention as the sentry posts," he frowns "Well whilst you are up there the equipment locker for the crater sentry post. Open it up and check it has everything it should"
   
Zolomon nods"My guess is Pete is taking care of any sentry stuff in the main area of de mountain sur...anything else?"   

Quinten taps his foot having a think, "Maybe drop in and scare the daylights out of the DAB, I won't have them messing anything up that has just been cleaned. Otherwise I think that is all for now Zolomon and making sure our guests are looked after."   

Zolomon nods and salutes as he heads off to first tend to those lockers that was mentioned, he can check on the DAB here little later after he gets some other things done.   

Alif had decided to play with some wooden spoons and a bowl.It seemed it was a drum to him and he was more than happen to make noise.   

Zolomon was done organizing the locker by the crater, he also cleaned and organized the garden shed, a couple broken tools in his arms to take elsewhere to be fixed.   

Alif looked up as he seen Zolomon and smiled, druming stops as hr rushes over to hug him "Hey hey...."A soft giggle.
   
Zolomon smiles "Hey little buddy"He dits down the broken tools and picks up the hare to go sit on a bench."Been havin' a good day? I couldn't find ya ealier, where was ya?"   

Alif shrugs "I....I not like other Leviets.....and they was cleaning a large mess....I not make it so I stay away"   

Zolomon hmmms "Welll, yeah "He doesn't mention the DAB."Maybe hang out with me then, least for now and I still want you to be, my son"   

Alif smiles, hugging Zolomon again"You is daddy now...right?" He looks so hopfull.   

Zolomon is unsure how to answer "I would like that yes Alif, we shall see ok? The General may need to ok it"Then again Quinten only said think hard and long on it.He smiles "But I bet he will be happy about it if I adopted you"   

Alif nods, "De one hare is a little...scary"Then he did see him when he was addressing the DAB.
   
Zolomon asks, "Q? Scary?" He chuckles "He isn't scary...unless you're in trouble maybe, then he can be."He smiles "So a snack?"   

Alif smiles "A snack a snack ya!" He smiles more "Cookies?"   

Zolomon replies as they head towards the kitchens and dinning Room, "Lets see...maybe but also some cut up vegetables and cheese, but also a sugar cookie" He smiles and will join the young hare for a snack

Alif chuckles, it's fine he will eat the healthy food and then the cookie.   

Zolomon smiles, he likes cookies too but will encourage food that's healthy as well.He would take a break, a break would be nice as there was a lot of work to be done over the next, likely few weeks.

The heroes have arrived on the island and had a brief meeting with monitors and saw Gorax a few brief moments before he grabbed Felicity, so the heroes had to retreat and plan.Plans are now over and they are on the mission to rescue their friend and the dibbuns by using the tunnels to surprise the vermin, best they can anyways. It is right now night time,so the cover of darkness should help somewhat,and the slaves are inside,but vermin are posted outside guarding.   

Tenzin shared the map with Ciocan but then went on ahead.He found the group he had formed, 0f the 22 former slaves, 15 could fight and the others were led to the ship to wait. Tenzin did his best to stay alert and calm, and basically not rush off as he spoke quietly"Opening up ahead...gets ya to the main grounds, got ta be careful still"   

Ciocan has spent some time with Matilda and Dora coming up with a plan.   

Using Tenzin's knowledge of the tunnels the plan is overall pretty simple, surprise the vermin at night and get as many of their beasts between the vermin and the building the dibbuns and other hostages are being kept in   

It is a risky plan, they need to charge over the vermin lines and then hold the entrances to that building at all costs so they vermin can't try and use the dibbuns as hostages. The badger crouches down near the opening and looks along the lines.   

"Everyone remember why we are here, no duels, no running off half cocked, we get to those doors, we stop the vermin from using the little ones against us and then we can all smash them to our hearts content."   

Rufus has chosen to keep an eye from the air, if a vermin is seen too close he will call out a couple different alerts he has been told to give out, he also has his talons and be to attack any vermin who dares get close to his friends.   

Varus is leading a group of 20 of the most able fighters from the Patrollers brought on the ship. He'd spent hours paw-picking the hares, absolutely certain these hares are the best of the best.   

Gregorian stands with the hares, his ears perked to their surroundings as he keeps an eye on the gloom around them. While the idea of walking into the home of an army of monitor lizards makes some hares a little on edge he was calm, paws resting on his belt next to his hammers as he waited for the order to go.   

Gorax was inside in his, throne room of sorts and had no clue what was about to happen. A couple of slaves were in here, a vole and mouse looks like, to serve him a midnight snack, he waves them off to go find him some wine. Outside monitors pace around, as well as rats, and a couple lone ferret.He smirks as was glad of some extra help, he had slain the vixen, it was her fault he decided that some beasts were near his island but a report came, or so they thought, that the woodlanders had fleed , so he was not looking for trouble,....his mistake.   

Keldorn walked along, careful and quiet with 3 shrews he had befriended in Halyard. " Stay close friends."   

Terrence stands by Gregorian, the hares of his squad following in a single file with Reuenthal and Konner in the rear. "I don't like this. Not one bit." He mutters to the lieutenant. "We should have brought more hares - not that I doubt the fighting capabilities of anyone here, just... eh. Safety in numbahs and all that."
       
This is not the first time DoraRose has approached an enemy fortress that was full of monitor lizards. Actually, that was when they were attacking Stormfeather, her baby sister's murderer, and he had more monitors than this wolverine. So she doesn't look perturbed at all. She just hefts her axe, her sling loaded and ready in her other paw, ready to fire. The borrowed bastard sword is at her hip. However, she is struggling with the whole "don't go off half-cocked" bit. That's kind of what she does, what with having the Bloodwrath and all, and with how angry she is with the Dibbuns and her friend being in there. So she's struggling with that right now.   

Matilda is doing much better at staying calm. I mean, she doesn't have the Bloodwrath, so that's really helpful. However, armies of monitor lizards are not something she has really faced much in the past, so that's causing a bit of extra caution for her. She kneels beside the badger, watching the enemy. "DoraRose's contingent should help once they locate the prisoners."   
   
Donica stayed close to the ship, but she also is here to fight if needed. Meanwhile, the base seems...calm and quiet, that's good none expect the heroes would come back, it has seemed they left after all and they didn't see the ship, which was now hidden. A few rats look ready to fall asleep in fact as they guard the grounds.   

Tenzin takes a deep breath as he stops at one of the tunnels exits and points "See...main grounds..."He scans the area and keeps calm, well best he can anyways he wants to find the wolverine himself but he will wait,he will stay close to his new friends....for now.   

Ciocan glances at Matilda then at DoraRose, "I'd rather your contingency secured the dibbuns," Ciocan said, "Dora is barely in control of the Bloodwrath inside her right now."   

He hefted his hammer, considering his options, "But I think I need you with the monitors more, very well," He raised his voice, "Dora I need you and those with you to secure the dibbuns and other prisoners once we found them." He looks at her, "But I also need you to hold yourself in check, the dibbuns have already been traumatised enough, they do not need to see their heroine lose it to the Bloodwrath in front of them."   

He then stood up and hefted his hammer, "Ok, let's make a start, we have waited long enough but Terrence," He pointed a finger at the hare, "Follow the plan and stay with Major Varus' group, or I will have you busted back to recruit faster then you can blink."   

He then nodded to the Major, "Major you and your hares are with me," He nods to Tenzin, "Tenzin you and your former slaves lead up with Dora, you know the fortress, help secure those dibbuns, Keldorn, you and your shrews form up with Matilda." He then takes a moment to take a deep breath and marches forward and then starts to run, daring into the main grounds of the fortress. He takes three steps and the giant, copper banded hammer smacks one of Mistclaws remaining rats into the air as he bellows the age old battle cry of the badger lords.   
"EULALIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"   

Rufus flies down and knocks down a rat that was about to go inside, not that chaos won't be here soon anyways! He mainly stays out of the way though.

Varus nods wordlessly to Ciocan, and he gestures to three of his hares, who come and dispatch three more of Mistclaw's former rats. He looks over at Terrence. "You 'eard 'im... C'mon."   

Gregorian draws his hammers as he sees an exit to the tunnel coming up "If we had more hares tah bring perhaps we would have...if they'd even all fit on the ship" he looks briefly to Ciocan before he sticks with Varus' group as well "Alright, here we go" He mutters before a deep breath and he grits his teeth, charging after the badger and knocking down another rat with a hammer to the head while it's distracted by the yelling badger.   

Gorax has yet to note any danger, its still on the grounds after all. But a few monitors come awake and go to greet the visitors, one hisses and heads quickly to the main building! Another backs up to head to a smaller building, seems the slaves could well be in the smaller building but it's not clear yet, the vermin are indeed surprised though as some still are half asleep, one rat that was asleep is sadly never to wake again,or sad for the vermin, as the rat is killed.   

Keldorn nods. He and the 3 shrews are careful but also skilled as they carefully scan the grounds,Keldorn looks at Tenzin for an idea where to go.   

There is an ever so slight tightness in Terrence's jaw at the badger's words, and in response to the major, the sergeant simply raises an eyebrow. Drawing his saber, he points it after Ciocan and bellows, "Form two ranks, forward charge!"   

The hares of the Long Patrol, no matter how they slacked on the boat, show no sloppiness as they cleanly and swiftly move into formation, spears pointed forward - and charge. "BLOOD AND VINEGAH! EUALIAAA!" They roar, charging after their leader. Terrence runs with them, scanning the open area for any sign of movement. He's not joining in on the war cries as he's too preoccupied looking for the enemy, but he holds his weapon at the ready.   
   
DoraRose gives the badger a LOOK. "I know what I'm doing," she grumbles under her breath. She waits until Tenzin and his group join her and the badger charges off before she follows, firing off a stone and then swinging her axe at an enemy! "Look!" She points to the monitors running off towards the buildings. "Which one is headed towards the slaves and prisoners?" she asks the sea otter.   

Matilda charges in the wake of the Badger Lord, the Sword of Martin flashing in the firelight. "REEEDWAAAAALLLL!" She makes sure the shrews stay with her, but she can't keep them as safe as she'd like. Such is the way of war.    
   
Rats come awake, some are slain as they wake up. It is dark and so it's hard to see where all the vermin, or also where all the good beasts are. One ferret sees the badger and decides he has had enough of this slaver life and goes to quickly hide towards the smaller building.Another rat gets brave and goes to try and stab a hare who has a spear!   

Tenzin stabs a rat and starts to go to the main building, the grip on his blade is tight, he looks at the mouse and snorts,he really wants to go to the main building but fine, he points to the smaller "In thar lass....you can go ....not me"He ...yeah he showed the way right?Now he is gonna head towards the main building where guess who is.   

Ciocan marches across the central courtyard, hammer swing from side to side, smashing into every vermin who comes toward him. He is marching stoically toward the central building, after his initial cry he is silent, just walking onward, hammer slamming left, right, smashing into anyone who gets too close whilst his hares flank him.   

The badger lord has one target currently and he will not stop until they fall.   
   
Rufus keeps his eyes on the battle below as he scans the grounds, he gives a caw out a couple of times,he sees the one ferret heading to the small building and goes to claw at its back with his talons and then fly upwards again.
   
Varus is following only a few feet behind Ciocan, and he dispatches whichever rats and monitors manage to unluckily escape the Badger's hammer. "Right, Lads! Come on!" He doesn't yell, just efficiently kills the enemy.
   
Gregorian has always been a close combat fighter and he uses his hammers to block weapons in between dodging them and breaking bones. He tries to keep the group moving as one to keep up with the badger clearing the way and pummels a monitor's tail with one hammer when it looks set to attack one of the others next to him "More comin' up on the left, keep togethah" he's yelling more for the benefit of the younger hares who haven't gone this a dozen times before.   

A monitor gets to where Gorax is and makes hissing noises, the wolverine rasies an eyebrow,"What now what is goin on?' He stands and decides to investigate,he growls when he hears signs of battle and goes to get his long sword if there is a battle he is going to enter it."If they get in do....."He smiles at the monitor"Have fun"The monitor bows and quickly rushes off
   
Keldorn slips ever closer to the small building where the slaves seen to be kept." Ok...we be careful now"   

The rat is stabbed by the two hares flanking the hare, Konner, and the formation tightens as they continue to push forward after the badger lord. The hares look almost like a porcupine with all the spears pointed outwards, and any slaver that gets too close dies to the gleaming blades. "Lieutenant!" Terrence shouts, even as he keeps the formation in step as the move forward. "I'm going to take a few hares to protect the flank!" Then, to the hares nearby him, "Konnah, Greenhill, Reuenthal," he lists off the names, "One of you come with me and the othahs paih up. We'll guard the fah flanks; use swords. MOVE IT!" As the sergeant and the privates go quickly to position (Konner and Greenhill to the far right and Terrence and Reuenthal to the far left), they start fending off attacks from the side even as they move with the rest of the patrol. It's hard work as they cut down rats trying to go around the formation, but Terrence's saber flashes, as does the others. Konner and Greenhill make a good team as they move into position.
   
"This is," Greenhill says between striking out at a rat, "You'h first real battle since the toads, right?"   

"Yep!" Konner manages, not really paying attention to her as he slices at another rat.   

DoraRose nods and heads off towards the smaller building, the former slaves who come with her wreaking vengeance upon their former captors. She's been doing a really good job of keeping herself under control -- she deserves a medal! She hacks at any of the enemy who dare to get in her way! Once she gets to the door of the smaller building, she and her contingent slip inside, facing the unknown dangers within...   

Matilda continues to fight with the main body of defenders, slipping in where needed, the Sword of Martin snaking between spears and other weapons, causing havoc and death upon the defenders of the wolverine's compound. Here 1 moment, there the next -- the hedgehog is everywhere!   
   
It seems the slavers know they are here now! And there is fighting all around the grounds.But some vermin are starting to back away and look worried.Others go to try and protect the main building.But many of the vermin are getting slain by the heroes!A ferret frowns "What do we do? I...I didn't sign up for thi, this place was supposed ta be a great fortress!"   

Tenzin is making a beeline for the main door of the main building, and he is likely insane right now to....great he is facing a monitor that guards the main door"DIE!!!" He is a fairly good fighter, but how long can he and a few former slaves fiight the monitor/ Well its getting badly wounded at least, but Tenzin is hurting also.   
   
If DoraRose rescues the dibbuns and doesn't fall into the Bloodwrath, Ciocan will make her a medal, preferably out of Gorax's melted down weapon of choice. He's liable to make medals for everyone when this is over and everyone is back in the mountain. The badger finishes crossing the main courtyard and steps in to end the monitor Tenzin is fighting, bringing his hammer around and crushing the lizard between badger hammer and double doors.   

He then gives Tenzin a nod and kicks the doors open and strides into the hall beyond. A troop of six monitor lizards bar the way just inside the doors but the badger just marches into the midsts of them and seems to dance, hammer whirling all around him in a blur. The middle two monitors are hard pressed to defend themselves and the remaining four are pushed off to the edges, unable to get a good angle on the badger lord, leaving them to turn and face the hares following the badger.   
   
Rufus flies, dives in a vermin's face once and then again gets out of the way.A monitor does manage to swipe a claw at his wing but luckily it only pulls out a few feathers, the gulll can still fly and becomes more careful.
   
Varus strides into the hall after the Badger Lord, younger hares pouring in after him and cutting down the enemy left and right. The Major turns, and calls out, "Gregorian! See if y' c'n find Felicity. Take two othah 'ares wi' y'. Terrence 'n' I will stick wi' Lord Ciocan!"   

"Just don't get cut off!" Greg shouts back at Terrence as he's knocking a spear aside with one hammer and breaking it with the other. He hangs back by the door once they reach the hall, knocking down a couple of lizards to keep them outside before he hears Varus' orders "Sah" he points at a couple of hares "Yah two, with me" and he heads back out on the assumption they're probably not keeping her in the throne room but one of the other buildings.   

Gorax finds his long sword and walks towards the main hall when he hears the doors slammed in! He turns a corner and narrows his eyes "Who dares disturb my island, this is mine...."He stops and studies just who is at the other end of the hallway and growls low, but there is something about them that seems familar, he then smirks"Well....this is most interesting indeed. Oh yes...very much so."   

"I'm working on it!" Terrence shouts back to Greg, and despite the small cut on his cheek the sergeant is keeping up.
   
As door is breached and Ciocan disappears inside, the hares reach the building where the slaves are believed just afterward and clear the immediate area around the doorway of any rats; then quickly take up a defensive position around the door. the first rank kneels and the second rank stands, spears all out and gleaming in the firelight. The third rank of hares with slings and bows do a good job of keeping several of the remaining slavers away.   

"Yes sah!" The sergeant responds to Varus' order, "Greenhill, Attenborough, Reuenthal, with me and the majah! The rest of you lot, there isn't enough room fo'h all of us- keep guard out here and keep formed up 'round that doo'h, don't let any of them in o'h out!"   

Konner takes in a deep breath as he clutches his saber tight, mentally preparing himself for what's inside. As they enter in after the badger, Terrence and the hares with them do their best to hold in gasps of fear as the wolverine appears. "Whatevah you do, stay out of arms reach of that /thing/.' The sergeant hisses to the three privates. "BLOOD AND VINEGAH!" He shouts with them as they attack all at once the nearest monitor. They aren't taking any chances.   

Tenzin manages to finish off a 2nd monior but not before its tail slams him into the door, he is knocked out cold,the former slaves with him gasp,and suddenly get alot braver and kind of freak the monitor out long enough to slay it,one of the former slaves then quickly goes to tend to the sea otters injuries, while the other former slaves form a sort of half-circle around the two, though most of the fighting is now inside the building and likely more inside the smaller building where the slaves are,   
   
DoraRose is still within the smaller of the buildings, where the former slaves said all the slaves and prisoners are kept. Dominik slips off away from the rest of the hares and goes inside to join her and the others with her to secure the captives. Whether he's doing it with permission or not isn't clear to everyone.   

Matilda is inside the hall with the hares and badger, and she gulps when the wolverine shows himself. Oh, he's big! She grips her sword more tightly, mustering up her courage. She steps forward and stabs at a monitor, then steps back, avoiding his claws and tail with skilled grace.   
   
Donica is still close to the ship, as some injuried beasts are brought out now she will help tend to them, while inside fighting goes on. Only now some vermin look near panic, or least what's left of the rats panic.   

Ciocan looks at Gorax and swats the monitors between him and Gorax, he doesn't kill them, just knocks them out of his path, trusting to the Long patrol to deal with them. His eyes are fixed on Gorax, he hefts his hammer then pauses and smiles.   

"Major Varus, Terrence with me, let's dispose of this would be leader of beasts," He's sticking to his own rule, no duels. He's not going to give Gorax the satisfaction of a duel, as much as he might prefer it. He is going to attack them as a team with his hares.   

Rufus stays outside and helps make sure no other vermin get back inside.

Varus nods to Ciocan, and calls out, "Th' rest o' y'... Stay back, 'n' pick off the monitahs. Don't let a single one escape, 'n' take none alive, wot." That's right... Varus ordered no prisoners. He flanks the Badger, his sword held at the ready.   

Gregorian and the couple of hares with him move around quieter, cutting across the grounds around the dead and to the nearest building. A quick peek in through the door and...empty. Some place for making food maybe. Not exactly a priority for the vermin during a battle. On to the next. Greg edges open the door and quickly slams it shut on the hand of a lizard who was waiting ready to pounce and is now scrabbling angrily to get out "Why does he have tah have soddin' monitors" Greg grumbles between gritted teeth as he struggles to keep the door closed on the lizard.
   
Gorax grins as he steps closer to the Badger Lord "It is you, isn't it?" He smiles coldly as he angles his longsword now" Its been a while hasn't it.I remember our last meeting, didn't kill you then, but maybe I can now.....and your new friends too."He grins more as he slides a claw along his long sword"Same blade too...that killed the other badger, I kept the blade you see."He doesn't strike just yet he seems to be trying to get soem sort of reaction out of the Badger Lord, if he can.   

Terrence steps over the unconscious form of the sea otter, paying him little heed. As the badger lord's orders ring out he follows, quietly, having managed to kill and injure two of the monitors inside. The other hares continue onto the rest without their sergeant.   

"Ou'h best bet is to hem the monstah in with ou'h sword points at arms length, Sah," Terrence whispers to Varus as he heads to stand by Ciocan's left, "If he gets any of us with those claws of his we're as good as dead. It isn't that honorable but its bettah than being killed." Holding the saber point towards the wolverine, Terrence takes up a ready stance. The sharp blade gleams in the light from a lantern.
   
Ciocan doesn't react, he just hefts his hammer, holding it in the ready position and starts to walk forward, he is angry, oh so very angry but he is not about to go off half cocked at this or fly into a rage.   

"I am a lot smarter then last time we met, you don't get the honour of a duel, you need know only one thing. Today you meet justice, you die here, in this place. For murdering my wife, for all you have murdered, for all you have harmed, today Justice finds you."   
He lifts his hammer, "Beware his sword, he is very good, Varus, Terrence, make me an opening and then he falls."   
   
Sort of taking charge of the remaining hares, Matilda stabs at a monitor, then slices the throat of another. "Look out, hold up your guard on that side! We can do this, together!" She continues to defend and attack, doing her best to bolster the courage of the younger Long Patrollers she's fighting beside.
   
The rats and monitors outside go to help fight the other heroes that's in the smaller building, but some beasts remain to fight the others.
   
Despite his age, Varus is still an extremely capable swordsbeast. He raises his saber, nodding to Ciocan again, and waiting for an opening from the wolverine. Whenever the opening comes, he lunges forward to slash at the beast's side.   

Gregorian looks to the two hares with him "Alright, on three" he's going to have to let the lizard out and they need to kill it "One, two, ah!" Greg swears as the door's hit hard and he's knocked back, rolling swiftly back on to his feet immediately after he's knocked off of them. Luckily the other two are ready for one lizard and stab him the moment the door's open. They're less ready for the second one they didn't know about and one goes flying before Greg can get back in and bash it in the ribs with a hammer.   

Gorax smiles "Oh..thats who she was...."He looks at the two hares as if deciding whom to try and slay first, in his mind it could be fun if the hare could die first and then the badger!"Who wants ta play...first!" He goes to take a slice at Terrence! In doing so he was not expecting Varus and so a yelp of pain when Varus blade cuts into his side, causeing him to be a little off balance with his swing at Terrence!   

Terrence pokes and prods the wolverine on his other side from Varus. The sergeant leaps back from the swing, doing his best to deflect the large sword safely way from himself - he follows up with a quick and shallow slash to Gorax's arm. The feeling of being a fly bothering the massive creature comes to the bespectacled hare in the moment as he thrusts his saber again, but the image isn't exactly funny to him right just then.   

"Right!" Greenhill follows after the Redwall Warrior, the other already sticking close to her. Konner slashes at one monitor and Reuenthal stabs the same right after; the lizard stumbles back, bleeding.   

Still a lot of fighting elsewhere, but in both areas the fighting does start to lessen, in the main hall it looks to be the wolverine against two hares and a badger. The other 3 montiors in the room are fighting the hares, and the hares are winning.   

"See? Keep going! REEDWAAAALLLL!!" Matilda continues to fight, urging the hares on as they slice and stab at the monitors! The hedgehog is half aware of what is going on with the other battle in here, but she's focused on keeping herself and the hares with her as safe as she can. And keeping their courage up and leading them in the fight is the best she can do. She directs them as needed.   
   
Ciocan stands and waits, watching Gorax go for Terrence and steps forward and spins his hammer, aiming for their sword, not them, with it extended to strike at Terrence and the hare trying to deflecting it the badger goes for his hand and lower half of the sword.   

Three against one is hardly a fair fight but Ciocan is not playing fair, the wolverine must die, justice shall be served and this, this shall be the end of Gorax this day or he will die trying. Even if he can't stop their sword and they dodge the attack it should give Varus an opening.   
   
Having his opening, Varus slashes and stabs, causing Gorax a grievous wound, though not immediately fatal. The wolverine is almost certainly bleeding from the side heavily now.

A few broken ribs sadly don't kill a monitor lizard but it does keep it from attacking one of the other hares with Greg with its claws. The lizard hisses with the pain and catches Greg with a set of claws while he's close sending him flying too but opening up a chance for one of the others to stab the lizard dead. Greg picks himself back up with a little huff before he feels the scratches on his cheek "That'll leave a mark" he grumbles as he catches his breath and checks the other two are fine before they move on to keep searching.
   
Gorax growls, as he is starting to get annoyed, He tries again to stab at one of the hares, then two things happen, when the hammer hits it disarms him of his blade and sends the blade spinning and to the ground,his paw that held the blade is also seriously broken beyond use, then his side is cut more deeply as he snarls now as blood pours from his side and paw.He steps back and his eyes flash at Ciocan,he decides to back up, are they trying to seriously do this?He then lunges at the badger!   

Terrence ducks the flying sword, bringing his saber up to trike at the place the wolverine was a second ago but catches nothing but cloth and fur on the sword point.   

The hares continue their attack with Matilda on the monitors- as Reuenthal parries one of the lizard's blades, however, the tail of the creature is slung catching him in the chest. The hare slams into the wall with a crack, falling down on his paws and knees to cough at the floor. Konner lets out a yip of alarm as this happens, attacking more recklessly than before.   

Growling, Matilda goes to slice up to cleave the lizard in 2! "No, keep your head on, be careful!" she orders Konner, trying to distract the lizard and finish him off before he can hurt the other hare. She'll have to wait to check on the injured hare until all the enemy is dead.   
   
Ciocan watches as Varus hits Gorax and smiles, a wicked grin painting the badger's face as Gorax is disarmed, he pulls his arm back and waits watching and then as the wolverine lunges art him he thrusts the hammer forward with all his might.   

The hammer is aimed at the wolverine's chest and Ciocan steps forwards, aiming to ram his hammer into the wolverine's chest and smash him to the wall and pin him there and end him, crushing his ribs and leaving him wide open for his hares to help finish off. The blow with the hammer may well be fatal but it is best to be sure.   

As soon as the badger smashes Gorax into the wall, accompanied by a sickening *CRACK* of the villain's rib cage, the older buck lunges in again for a second stabbing the wolverine in the chest, and shoving his blade all the way in up to the hilt. "Not so funny now, is it, wot?"
   
Gorax gets a look of surprise as the war hammer sends him lying backards into the wall, he is left within a hairline of death, the blade from varus does indeed help the wolverine the rest of the way to the dark forest. The wolverine is finally dead.....a monitor still alive seems to panic and run, it likely won't get too far with the hares in the room still.   

Rushing forward after the badger and older hare, Terrence makes it to their side as the wolverine slumps to the ground. Letting out a breath he didn't realize he was holding he turns on his heel to observe the wreckage in the room - all but one of the monitors are dead or wounded, with the last one realizing they're alone.   

Greenhill, meanwhile, having heeding Matilda's words more than the buck they were intended, grabs Konner by the color of his uniform and pulls him back safely out of the way of a last ditch blow from the lizard as it turns to flee.
   
"OI! WE GOT ONE COMING OUT!" Terrence calls at the door, running after the monitor - but once again before he can reach the creature it is dead. It ran right into the spear points of two hares who were guarding the doorway from the outside.   

There is still no sign of DoraRose's group, which is a little concerning. Matilda takes a deep, shaky breath. She goes over to the hares she was fighting beside. "You alright? We need to get you to a Healer," she informs the one who got slammed against the wall. Her first concern is those under her more than her own bumps and bruises and little scratches.
   
Ciocan watches Gorax die and nods in satisfaction, then hefts his hammer and brings it down with a thump on the wolverine's head, making extra, doubly sure. He stands for a moment and turns to start moving toward the door, "We are done.... make sure none of the vermin leave here alive...."   

Varus pulls his sword out of the dead beast, and stands back, looking around at the carnage. Luckily, more vermin are dead than hares. No doubt because the enemy were in wild disarray from the surprise attack. "Terrence. Go find Greg. It's time we get outta here, 'n' find Felicity."   

Reuenthal takes a few moments to respond, having fallen further to lie on the floor. Taking in a shaking breath, he manages to get out, "N-no," before coughing again - it's clear the blow to his chest did more damage than it appeared.   

The sergeant had just spotted Reuenthal on the ground next the hedgehog and the hares, and Terrence came rushing over; he freezes at the major's order and turns slowly, pale in the face. "Yes sah." He salutes, but before he says to the two hares, "Go get a healah fo'h him, quickly." Pinching the bridge of his snout Terrence exits the building. The fighting outside is done and its relatively quiet, now.   
"Lieutenant!" He calls out even as he heads in the direction he knew Greg to be (or at least /guessed/ where he was).
       
DoraRose finally exits the smaller building with her group, leading the Dibbuns, other slaves, and Felicity out! The mouse quickly takes in the scene before the little ones can see it, and she frowns. How to get them to safety without letting them see the carnage?

Felicity is staring, staring at nothing. She is just being led by the paw, not resisting, but also not reacting. Squirrelbabe and a mole Dibbun are holding her paws, leading her along. They don't leave her side until they are forced to...   

Matilda stays with Reuenthal, pointing at Konner. "Go, quickly, get a Healer! I'm not sure he can be moved...." She'll stay with the hare until help comes....or he dies...

*I have not always had a who on a log for the TP, this one has one as its slightly fewer beasts not like most of them, so some logs will have a who and others not  ***

Who:

Ciocan-Badger Lord

Tenzin- Sea Otter and Leader of a Group Agaist Gorax

Leigh-GUOSIM Healer

Keldorn- GUOSIM Warrior/Healer

LOG:

Keldorn helped make sure the ship was in a slightly better area, it was a little rocky but it was hidden fairly well under some vines that hung over a dropoff area, and there was still a small sandy beach that looked safe, but was it really safe?   

Tenzin had awoken and of course, he awoke to a headache, that didn't help his mood so he was very peeved off! He had found the captain's quarters with help, only it was likely unwise to tell this otter where the captain was.He was beating on the door with his paws and yelling at the attention of...well most of the ship "Open this door ya striped dog! You oversize....." A couple of hares gasped and one tried to pull him to the side to which the otter punched the hare out and went back to pounding on the door with, well good thing no dibbuns are on the ship yet.   

Ciocan opens the door and catches the sea otter's paw before he has a chance to pound again and glares down at the otter, his other paw simply points to a chair as he keeps his eyes focused on the otter, he clears his throat as he listens to the report how the otter knocked out a hare, "Get them to a healer" He will wait till the otter is inside and close the door, but he won't lock it this time.   

Keldorn looks over and starts to walk over to the otter after the ship is safe and getting anchored.He stops at the door and knocks, "Lord...Ciocan sur?" If he is not allowed inside it will be fine.   

Tenzin yanks his paw free and starts cussing again, wow he has some new words.He gets out "I would of torn him apart...ya see the otter fur cloak....and one of YOUR foul hares knocked me out!"   

Ciocan snorts and speaks "Either you shut up and we have a normal chat or I throw you off my ship personally"He looks to the door and " Enter...." But he is once more focused on the sea otter, waiting for his reply as he has time to listen for now.   

Keldorn slips in quietly and closes the door behind him.He steps to the side and frowns as he rather not witness anything too bad here.   

Tenzin makes a fist like he is ready to try, yeah good luck, to knock out the Badger Lord himself.He then sits and folds his arms over his chest and stares at the floor for a good 3o minutes, YES 30 MINUTES, and finally"Sorry for me...short fuse, but Gorax has....he been.."He takes a calming breath"Been in control of this island many seasons, he came here and killed a hamster clan, all but one..Kash and he's..gone"Tears flood now, "He killed many seals, use to be over 100...now only like 11 and 4 of them is but babes.The otter fur cloak he wears...he killed my father, who was Skipper..." It's clear where the cloak came from now."All my holt but me and 3 younglings or Dibbuns as you call em'...of those only I survived this far, a failed rescue mission is where I lost me, two friends, Kash found me nearly dead and healed me, taught me to speak seal and I was, guess am now..leader of the small group, about 22 random woodlanders,who stay in de tunnels vowing one day to slay Gorax for what he has done"   

Ciocan listens when the otter finally speaks, he nods "So...Gorax came here it would seem"He frowns "I first meet that wolverine seasons ago, right before I was Badger Lord. He was at a small seaside village me and my mate stopped at."He closes his eyes " Martha was killed by Gorax, I arrived too late to save her. Before she died she had managed to untie 5 dibbuns he had as captives. Me and Gorax fought and I remember thinking him dead before I passed out, woke to find myself in some infirmary and that it was not some bad dream, it was real and my mate Martha was..dead."He shakes his head "And now it seems Gorax is alive and I agree, Gorax needs to be stoped, for good this time."   

Keldorn speaks now "But How? Those monitors and who knows whom else. That Vixen is likely still around as well,we did see her ship"   

Tenzin says, "Crimson Tide....yeah tis not her ship, it's Gorax ship."He looks between them "I have vowed ta kill Gorax as well, I be more than happy to have his head on a pike, we can see who gets to him first Ciocan." He adds "And tunnels"He smiles a bit now "All over under the island, some old and a few new ones...they have a history as once Joseph the Bell Ringer and even a former Badger Lord has been in them"He stands "Care to see..."He exits the room and blinks"Whoa....well see ya found our little hidden cove"

The cove is small as the ship takes up a lot of where the water is, but the vines, that also have light and blue flowers blooming, hang from the edge of a drop off and hide it well! There is a sandy beach, even a small tower made of old ship wood, but it's very steady...seems the woodlander group uses it to keep watch, likely how they seem The Ship of Valor and likely the seals helped, it away, to get the ship to this area.   

Ciocan goes to follow, he takes a couple of hares and Keldorn with him, and leaves a couple of other hares in charge till he gets back.   
Keldorn looks around "This place is nice...I do hope those foul vermin don't find it"   

Tenzin walks along and enters the main opening and smiles a bit as he heads down a couple of tunnels"Stay close" He gets to a sort of cavern of sorts. Its there one sees moles, voles, some mice and a couple of hamsters.He sighs as a few come up to him and he just mutters something and walks away"This is...where we stay"
   
Leigh looks up when Tenzin enters and her eyes widen at the new guests, she walks over "Who are...."She glances around "Where is Kash? Is he with other guests or are these the only ones?"   

Keldorn steps into the cavern and whoas "This is quite impressive....."He then sees someone he hasn't seen in a long while and even wondered if she was dead, "Leigh?"   

Ciocan looks around in a sort of awe, "Impressive..where did these beasts come from Tenzin?"
   
Tenzin first replies to the shrew"Kash...Kash is dead, the vermin shot him..down...and no there is others, hares and some other beasts on a ship at the cove."   

Leigh frowns "Kash?" She shakes her head in disbelif...even if she only knew him a short while, she then turns to Keldorn and is just happy to see a friendly face"Keldorn!" She smiles for the first time in weeks, but she is still sad over Kash, she looks at Tenzin "Then who is..in charge of the group if..." Others look to the sea otter now.
   
Keldorn smiles and gives her a friendly hug"Yes it is me....also on de ship is Oswald....as well as Matilda,Dorarose,Caleb.....sir Xander was as well but he got badly injured and is at Salamandtron resting with his son, we managed to rescue him and slay the beast know as Kurgan"   

Ciocan smiles at Leigh"It is good to see you safe...."And a more serious question "Do you know where Gorax and his beasts have the dibbuns?"   

Leigh smiles when she heads Oswald is here too, she sighs at the badger "I managed to grab one...a ferret dibbun, he is good trust me..sleeping right now, sadly the rest are likely somewhere on the island either in a cell or working on the grounds, they are very closely watched."   

A vole walks up with the only other otter here "Some good news sur"He reports to Tenzin "The vixen was slain, seems the wolverine grew tired of her, her and another fox with her is dead and her rats have joined with the wolverine"
   
Keldorn listens to all the info, well it's for sure the right island then so they made it, now to just succeed at their mission.   

Tenzin nods and waves the beasts off"Not the vixen or who possible mate was worried about, Gorax is more a threat oh..Lord Gorax as he calls himself, and having extra beasts just makes him more dangerous, but he could care less of rats at his side, or even the lot more dangerous monitors, he will let them kill and he slips away . He has maybe 1 or 2 close beasts who help him,everyone else is just basically there to make sure he doesn't die, he has been known to grow bored and thrown other vermin off a cliff, he threw many woodlanders off...that's where the group came from beasts whom he tried to kill, we couldn't save all of them sadly...but the ones we could, including Leigh here...stay here to one day take the island back from Gorax and his slimy lizards"   

Ciocan sits down and hmmms "Well now you have more help Tenzin, together we can come up with a good plan and these tunnels will help a lot. Do you have any maps ? Marked are on the map to show where tunnels come out at?"   

Leigh sits down "I want to go to the ship"She says, she has to let Oswald know she is alive.   

Keldorn smiles "I can take her there Ciocan and yes a map and plan be very good, take down the foul wolverine so he never rises again"   

Tenzin seems unsure and then nods as he walks over to a small den he uses and walks back with a couple of maps"The triangles mark where a tunnel entry is , hidden from above so your need to listen and carefully peek out, tis hidden with weeds, one with rocks so that one more a spy hole one can't get to anything, a couple ya can....this one shows the front, this the back of teh fortress...this and this one is inside, this and this one is like lookout places only.The tunnels are safe as my moles make sure of that, and a couple tunnels are new...and tunnels lead to the cove, and a couple of other area of the island, like de cliff Gorax likes so much for example" He looks up finally and hmmms "Leigh can go to the ship,you are her friends and she needs to be reunited with you"He smiles "I am happy she found her friends, I only wish others can be as happy and maybe once Gorax is defeated, they can be"
   
Ciocan nods "Yes..."He looks at the map and listens to where the openings are and tunnnels are "We need to strike soon, perhaps at nightfall, use the cover of darkness to help us, do you know where on the base is the area they keep the slaves and the area where the vermin may stay as well?"   

Keldorn stays off to the side, still impressed with the small cavern they were in.   

Leigh listens quietly before speaking "I can also help, and there is a couple of others here, that are healers if healers are needed."   

Tenzin says, "I would say, healers are always needed Leigh, maybe after Gorax is defeated those who want to stay here can, others can go with you Ciocan...maybe even me" He is no leader really, "I could leave Copper in charge"The only other sea otter steps up "Me...but"
Tenzin just smiles "You would make a better leader than me my friend, but we can discuss that later, first, we need to defeat Ormaz and get the evil off this island"He shows the map again "Also the seals will help, they are down this small tunnel here, in a sort of area that has an underground pool of sorts, they go in and out that way and also talk to us....well me and Copper now, at the cove."

Ciocan says, "Healers are always useful, there is some among my hares here also"He looks at the maps again, "Tenzin could you come back to the ship as well...also any idea where Gorax would keep a captive thats not a young one?"

Leigh says, "The seals are very nice"

Keldorn frowns, he remembered the retreat, all but Felcity got back to the ship.
   
Tenzin frowns "The hare maid? I don't know, Gorax has a rather bad habit of not keeping beasts older than dibbun age, unless he thinks he can..break them, those he can't break...like me, or ones he grows tried of,he kills or attempts to, off his cliff, been some already dead and some not dead, those not dead we saved like half of them and they recovered and joined my..group, has no name its just a group of former slaves wanting to see Gorax downfall and end. Many likely won't really stay here, but I think some...may just to make sure no evil coems again."   

Ciocan nods as he stands, he takes the maps and starts to head back to the ship, if anyone wants to follow they can.
   
Leigh is following for sure, "We need to let the dibbuns know I am alive somehow,is there a way to do that?"   

Keldorn shrugs as they head back to the ship "Prehaps lass, but not sure how.May be wise ta stay on the ship as if Gorax thinks your dead....may be unwise to show him your not"   

Tenzin chuckles "Gorax is gonna see a lot of slaves he attempted to murder be alive, but maybe the ship is best....you lot should keep a couple of healers on the ship and have others that can fight join in on the fight on the grounds and in the fortress, the more seriously injured can be tended to right away, the less serious can be helped to the ship after being tended to briefly enough by healers inside and outside the base,we can even tend to injured in the cavern my friends call home right now, we have supplies...yes we steal them off the vermin, or save them off a ship or two that Gorax has crashed, so far he only crashed a couple, a couple of other ships we sent off, and they gave us some of their supplies before left.We even took all the supplies from that Crimson Tide,not like they plan to leave any time soon now"He smirks "Let the supplies go ta us I say and not to worry, your ship won't be raided,your friends and it seems the ones Kash said would come to finally defeat Gorax"   

Keldorn says, "We want to try that is for sure friend"   

Leigh smiles when they get to the ship and looks around for someone, but decides she can find them later.   

Ciocan nods as he listens and gets back the ship."Now we plan my friends, we defeat Gorax....save Felicity, save the dibbuns and free all the other slaves as well, we rid the island 100% of all evil beasts on it and we don't leave till all this happens"And he is deadly serious.

Ciocan was at the wheel of the ship, carefully eyeing the land as to not alert any unwanted beasts.They seemed to be near the side of the island that looked a lot more wooded and a bit rugged, still, a little ways out to sea also but would be landing at the island within the next probably half hour.   

Rufus stays on a railing near the badger " Is best here ya ya..stll careful, is not so good other side. "
   
Keldorn scans the area as he looks around, on alert for signs of trouble, he seemed to not like this side either, though it could help hide the ship if they were not seen yet anyways."Careful is good, we just need to figure out how to do this."   

Donica frowns, land was good to see but it was the island the dibbuns were supposed to be on "It's...the right island right?"
   
Gregorian is up on deck, watching the island and looking for any signs of life as he makes sure the hares are all quietly getting ready for a fight should there soon be one.   

Ciocan nods "Yes"He says quietly, he had followed the dolphins directions and he trusted Rufus on any details, "Rufus...wot did you see, anything that will help"
   
There was someone watching them but they were staying hidden for now and backed up into some weeds it seemed.
   
Rufus nods " Rufus see some lizards on other side and some other beasties, they no see Rufus though"   

Keldorn frowns "Lizards?"He didn't like the sound of that as he again scanned for trouble "Hopefully we can still use some form of...surprise, or least figure out a good plan"   

Donica backs up a little and frowns, she will likely not be doing much till needed, she has learned to use a spear and staff somewhat but is mainly a healer and there are likely gonna be needing the healers both the ones on the ship and very likely any poor creatures on the island.   

Tenzin was on the island, near some rocks as he had slipped from a cave that lead to many tunnels he and others used on the island, he kept them well hidden too. He keeps an eye on the ship as he slipped along to the sandy area, keeping low as he had a cloak on the color of the sands and rocks, and purposely dirt in his fur, and mud as well.   
   
Ciocan nods "Thank you Rufus, we just need to be as careful as can be"He was not expecting it to be super easy, what was ever super easy? He frowned as he tried to figure out where to safely place the ship.
   
Rufus nods, he though sees movement and tilts his head   

Donica stays still, little worried but staying calm best she could right now.   

Tenzin pose decides to risk it, they look friendly enough as he dives into the water and heads to the ship, he swims around to the frown and motions for them to follow him, likely a much safer area to have the ship be   

Ciocan sees Tenzin and watches him closely, not following right away but after a short, while he does, but he stays very alert, he lets Keldorn take over at the wheel and walks over to where he can better see Tenzin"Friend or foe? Who are you?" He speaks not to loudly but enough to where the otter can hear him.   

Rufus flies down to get a better look, he gets near his face " ifa be badun...I peck u plenty good."   

Keldorn takes the wheel and glances at the sea otter, he stays very alert hoping it's a friend and maybe they know something about the island that could be helpful to the others.   

Donica glances "Its an otter, I think...maybe he is a friend."She hopes so anyway as they get to the shore she gets a little nervous, no trouble yet but that didn't mean much, trouble could pop up suddenly.   

Tenzin waits till they are on the sandy shoreline and , seeing the Gull he backs up and glares "Depends bird...ya friend or some trouble?" He looks up at Ciocan"I need aboard ya ship sur, and friend..this island is bad news, be wise to leave it be.Slavers are on this island, monitors and ferrets, some rats under the leadership of a wolverine."
   
Ciocan motions for a couple of hares to help the otter on board and waits, once he is abe to better speak he does "We are looking for slavers who took dibbuns.According to some friends this should be the island, sounds like it is...so I have no plans to leave, not without the dibbuns."He tilts his head curious "How are you on such an island if its taken over by slavers?"
   
Rufus puffs out but gets back to the ship and stays by Ciocan as he is uncertain of this sea otter right now.
   
Keldorn keeps the ship steady and makes sure what is needed to get it to a safe place is done.He will let the badger handkle Tenzin as he makes sure all is well on the ship.   

Donica looks at the otter but stays where she is.She helps do what is needed for the ship, plus the whole stay alert thing as this isnt just some random island, it would seem its the one they were ment to get to after all.   

Tenzin gets onto the ship and looks at the beasts on board, he frowns "I am Tenzin...."He looks at Ciocan closely, "Others have..tried to fight him and failed...either way we need to make sure your ship isnt seen,they rarely come to this side of the island its why I motioned for you to come to where I was.As for how me and some few others get around"He smiels a bit" Hidden tunnels on or rather under the island, one can spy and not be seen"   

A small figure walks over and looks at the ship, he gets stays on the shore.An eldery cloaked hamster with an odd staff watches them quietly.
   
Ciocan hmms "Tunnels?" He nods to this "That could come in handy, and whom is he? I am guessing some beast that's in charge.We followed a vixen here but it would seem another is in charge and she was merely a helper"
   
Rufus says, "Rufus can spy from air, see um badfurs ya ya"   

DoraRose has been released by the Healers to lift heavy things (FINALLY), and so she has her axe in her paw, in addition to the bastard sword at her side. She leans against the rail. "Well, these others you mention probably didn't have a badger with a giant hammer on their side."   

Matilda comes and stands beside the Badger Lord, paw resting on the hilt of the Sword of Martin. "We won't leave without our Dibbuns. Can we utilize your tunnels to help us in our quest?"   

Felicity is sharpening and polishing her sword, ready to hop ashore at a moment's notice. She gives some pointers to the Private sitting next to her, then looks over at the badger. "I c'n scout, if y'd like, sah. I am pretty skilled at followin' tracks an' keepin' 'idden."   
   
Keldorn stays at the wheel of the ship, even if not sailing he is directing beasts to be prepared and to do what's needed as they anchor here.He glances over at them though quietly.   

Donica asks, "Is scouting wise? "She looks at the hamster and blinks "Whos..whos that"   

Tenzin looks at the hamster and shakes his head"Kash...." He looks to Ciocan"This is Kash a...good friend, he knows a lot of the tunnels and there is paths to scout on if one is careful, Gorax knows nothing of the tunnels...least fairly sure he doesn't"   

Kash studies Ciocan quietly, he mutters something "The hammer....."He looks to Tenzin"You know the tunnels as well Tenzin...we are a small group of maybe 22 assorted beasts, and 12 seals are around, somewhere."   

Ciocan nods as he listens,then sort of tenses up as he stares at the otter and seems to kind of stare off into space before shaking his head, "Who?" He heard the name or maybe he didn't hear it correctly, he was unsure.
   
Rufus yarks as he perns a feather, " we need find where bad furs hide we do ya ya"
   
DoraRose glances at Donica. "We have to do something to, as Rufus said, find where the 'badfurs' are. Scouting from different directions is about the only thing we can do to achieve that goal."
   
Matilda glances up at the badger, concerned. "You okay, Ciocan?"   

Felicity sheaths her sword and walks over to the Badger Lord. She studies his face for a moment, then salutes. "I'm ready t'go whenevah y'need me to, sah. I'll be careful. No mattah who this beast is, I'll find where 'e's keepin' th'Dibbuns an' repoht back t'ya in no time!"       

Keldorn walks over after a while "One should not scout alone or too far, weather its in these tunnels or the land somewhat.
   
Donica nods "Yes something, that's true.I don't know too much on fighting yet but I am here as a healer if needed."   

Tenzin studies the beasts and nods "Your welcome ta scout long as your careful, there is a couple of trails one can see some of the fortress from where your dibbuns likely are."He looks at the badger "Gorax...as he says tis his island, trust me not a beast ta call a friend...he is so called Lord Gorax 'ere..he is in charge, a rather nasty wolverin, him and his stupid monitors, not many but still bad news.He has killed many beasts and he needs dead."   

Ciocan face looks like it pales some, "Gorax?..."He whispers "Impossible......"He blinks as if he just sees Felicity and frowns, "Scouting is needed yes but also being careful, this could be dangerous."   

Kash speaks quietly "Ciocan.....hmmms"Well the name does mean hammer, he watches the badger as he reacts to the name.."Faces of the past...."He mutters and walks forwards "Dangers are on this island yes, but the evil needs to be stoped and maybe your group is just the one to do that"   

Rufus nods as he takes flight " I look a round, Rufus back soon ya" He flies off to spy around   

Stepping forward, DoraRose raises a paw. "I can go with her, Ciocan. I'm pretty good at sneaking around unseen." Felicity frowns slightly. But she always does this sort of thing alone! But she nods. "Aye, sah, I'll be careful. An' if Ms. DoraRose is with me, I know I'll be safe, wot!" Matilda glances at the hamster, then at the badger. Looking back at the hamster, she nods. "We'll do our best, sir. We won't rest until our Dibbuns are safe, and their kidnappers are dead."   

Keldorn frowns "Likely wont stay unseen too long but if we can still have a bit of an element of surprise, that would be good"   

Donica nods "Yeah once they know we are here, it could be bad... we can only hope to do wot is needed and...that's it"   

Tenzin shakes his head but nods "Tunnels are this way, so is a path...as I said its rare for anyone to be on this side." Yeah usually but things do happen and he knows it.   

Ciocan nods slowly finally and clears his throat"The evil needs stoped, we need to plan and find out where things are on this island.We can still be careful. Scouting will be good just not too far and then report what was found"
   
Felicity and DoraRose nod and head to the shore. Once they're there, they cautiously start their scouting expedition, seeming to disappear at times, and being hard for even the people on the ship to see them most of the time. They don't split up, but they are a short distance from each other, making them harder to see and allowing them to cover more ground. They will use whatever tunnels they are offered usage of.   

Matilda nervously taps the red pommel stone of the Sword of Martin. "This island....I have a bad feeling about it. My quills feel all on edge." What she doesn't realize is that her quills actually are standing up a little, making her look a little bigger than she actually is.   
   
Keldorn says, "I don't like it either, let's hope we do not stay here long lass, that we do what we come to do with little trouble to face"   

Donica sighs, she stays by the ship, but on alert, in case they come back injured. She would likely be useless in scouting as she has yet to learn to do it very well.   

Tenzin has them follow as he points to a path and one of the tunnels, very well hidden indeed and not seen at all from the sea, one would need to climb down here to see the tunnel on the land. He grinned a little "Got lost in these first time came here."He listens carefully, a small frown but he keeps going.   

Ciocan frowns as the couple go off to scout, he looks at the other hares, sending one to carefully scout along the beach as he watches the going ons...he seemed tense now and more worried than before but tried to not show it.   

Kash walked slowly back to a tunnel, looking around and listening.Something seemed...off but he couldn't place it just yet.
   
Matilda goes to rest a paw on the badger's arm. "I'm sure they will be fine. And they're both Warriors -- they know the risks. We have to trust in Martin and the fates to keep them safe." Nodding to the shrew, she adds, "Aye, but things usually don't go easily." She still looks nervous, but she's trying to take her own advice and trust that her friends will be okay.   

Felicity continues to follow on her side of the area they're scouting around in, taking in all the information possible, her paw resting on her sword hilt. She, too, can sense that something isn't quite right, but since she's new to this island, she only stays alert. She wouldn't know the way everything is supposed to be.   

DoraRose smiles at the sea otter, but says nothing. Hefting her axe, she continues on her side of the area they're scouting, alert and ready for anything. At least, she hopes she's ready for anything....   
   
Keldorn says, "We are to just be prepared for what ever comes, true we will not get out of this without a fight but hopefuly it can wait, if we know at least some of this island, it will help us""   

Donica sighed, this was her first real mission and she was trying to not worry, things would be ok she decided and there was little to worry on right now.   

Tenzin looked around and then bumped into....he frowns as he quickly backs up and about falls off the small path on the side of the little hill.An arrow from a weasel barely misses him, he growls and punches the weasel knocking them out cold,he looked around as there could be more.   

It's then a couple monitors who was coming, sees the beasts, but has yet to see the ship as the two monitors go in different directions, one heads back to its master, the other towards the hare maid. This can't be a good sign at all. Kash menwhile is heading straight for some unknown trouble that's also on a path.   

Felicity freezes for a moment. Monitor lizards. The first time she was captured was by the monitor that had murdered her uncle. She gives herself a little shake, draws her sword, and ducks, avoiding the lizard. She backs off, trying to draw the lizard to a position from which she has a greater advantage.   

DoraRose sees the fleeing lizard and pulls out her sling, firing a stone at his head with deadly accuracy. Hopefully he won't duck or zigzag or something. Stuffing her sling into her pocket, she then silently charges at the monitor attacking the hare, swinging with her axe to try and chop the lizard in half. "Let's get out of here!" she hisses at the hare and the sea otter.   
   
Donica can't see all that's going on and frowns "You think all is ok, or do they need help you think?" She looks for any movement and tilts her head at some slight movement of some sort   

Tenzin backs up as the monitor gets closer and cusses, he is not one to run though and charges at a monitor to slice at it, only problem is there is likely gonna be more beasts coming and his battle yell likely will not be helpfull.   

The one monitor gets a rock to the shoulder but keeps going hissing something, this sends a beast to run to a group of beasts, one turns to listen.Meanwhile, the other monitor looks ready to grab the hare maid, a couple of other vermin, a lizard and a fox look down , the fox points to the hamster and smirks, he has a longbow and takes aim, he fires at the hamster!   

Kash was almost to a tunnel entry when the arrow hits him, a surprised gasp as he tumbles off the path and rolls a few feet, he starts to try and get up and then stumbles again landing sideways.   
   
DoraRose takes the scene in at a glance. "RETREAT NOW!" She twirls her axe, daring any of the enemies to get close. She hacks at the monitor trying to grab the hare again, then starts trying to herd her friend and ally back to the beach!
   
Felicity stabs at the attacking monitor, lashing out with her powerful hind legs, then retreating back a few steps. "Come on! Le's move!" She fires a slingstone at the enemy, keeping her sword out and ready for battle.   

Matilda frowns, hearing the faint sounds of battle. Drawing her sword, she takes a step forward, trying to see better. "I don't like the sounds of that..."   
   
Donica lays a paw on her healers pack as she starts to edge forwards, but seems unsure, she looks back at Ciocan as if wanting to know what to do, if there is fighting there may be injuries as well.   
   
Tenzin growls and kicks at a monitor and runs, he skits to a halt when he sees..."Kash!!!!" He is then rushing forwards if ssomething is in his way and its an enemy, they are likely gonna feel pain! He will do what's needed to get to his friend, he goes to check him carefully"Kash...kash?" He frowns and looks around "Healer..healer we can find one your be ok...."He will retreat once he has his friend gently in his arms.   

Ciocan frowns as he looks towards where teh scouts went. Meanwhile the monitor is purposely making the hare maid back up and hisses at her.....the hare could likely get away from the haremaid but not another taller, dark fured beast that seems to come out of the very shadows to grab her "Hello.....what is this, beasts visiting my island, how rude I didn't invite..."Says a cold creepy voice.   

Kash groans as he feels himself lifted up and focuses on Tenzin..."Tenzin....."His eyes then flutter shut and he goes limp in the otter's arms.
   
Gregorian has remained with the main group, making sure the hares are all on to land and the ship's secured. He keeps his eye on the island for any signs of less friendly sight but nothing catches his attention until his ears perk to the sound of battle just before Matilda mentions it. He frowns deeply, drawing a hammer as he starts cautiously towards the direction Felicity and DoraRose went "Sounds like trouble"   

Felicity has only just realized that she is being forced backward when she hears the new voice. Turning, she looks up and freezes in terror. She has faced many things -- imprisonment (twice), a sea snake intent on eating her, fierce battles where she thought she was going to die, torture, possibly being turned into food -- but this? This is kind of new.   

DoraRose gasps as she sees the newcomer to the scene. She has faced many different creatures in her lifetime as a Warrior, but this is new to her, as well. She, too, has paused, but she grabs hold of her courage. "You didn't invite us? Sounds like you're the rude one." She tries to distract him, hoping they can get away.   

Matilda scowls and looks to Ciocan. "I think we should go help them. Come on." She takes another step forward, trying to figure out what the scouts are up against.   
   
Donica frowns and goes to see if she can help Tenzin and Kash, if they are close that is as running into battle would be bad, but she will sort of have to do that at some point anyways.   

Tenzin tenses up when Kash is limp and sort of stands there, his eyes then flash as he lays the hamster down and looks towards...oh look on the hill its the wolverine, he looks towards it and slowly starts to head that way...this is likely an insane move on his part since the vermin know they are here now.Least the ship is mostly hidden right now, but the beasts on the beach are not!   

Caleb was standing there, ready and waiting for whoever was going to need him. However he was getting worried with the longer they were gone, eventually taking some steps up to Matilda. He gives her a quick sign. "What should we do? I'm starting to get worried."   

Ciocan nods as he decides to go help, he scans the hilltop a moment before catching up to Donica with a frown, "Take the hamster to the ship..."He then sees......"Impossible...thar is no..way"He seems to sort of freeze where he is and stare at Gorax as if he was seeing some ghost.

Gorax meanwhile has yet to see the badger, the wolverine just goes to knock out Felicity so he can take her back to his base,he says something as a couple others monitors show up to help him get away,"Its time for....fun now..." Gorax says."Among other things...."   

Kash is....sadly dead, the arrow having killed him.   

Gregorian frowns as he soon sees the dead hamster and he's quickly making signals to the hares "Off the beach, get sheltered" if there was arrows soon to be incoming he didn't want them being sitting ducks before they even know where or what they were walking in to. That done he hurries up, catching up with Matilda and Ciocan fast "Do yah see Felicity and the mouse?" he can see Gorax on the hill and him attacking Felicity "Hell" he mutters, moving on forwards.   
   
Matilda lifts the Sword of Martin. "We charge to their rescue," she informs the young mouse, going to lead the way to the fight. Hearing the hare's question, she points with the sword, lips pursing into a hard line as she sees what's happening. "Well....that's fantastic."   

Felicity screams and ducks, dropping her sword. Something in her mind has clicked, and she's starting to freak out. She falls to the ground and hits her head, knocking herself out and cutting her screams short. She'll be easy to grab now.   

DoraRose lunges at the wolverine but is stopped as his minions get in the way. "OI! UGLY FACE! LEAVE HER ALONE AND FIGHT A REDWALL WARRIOR!!" Hopefully she didn't just condemn the Dibbuns with that statement.   
   
Donica frowns and gasps, she gulps a little seeing the hamster dead she shivers, she can't help...she looks to see Tenzin start to walk into danger and frowns more as she backs up a little.Maybe she shoud just go back to the ship
   
Gorax just chuckles and smirks "Pets..." His pets are monitors who look ready to kill as the wolverine walks off with his prize, the hare maid.   

Gregorian is more concerned when Felicity stops screaming. At least when she's making noise she's definitely alive. He grits his teeth and charges up the hill "Get back here yah sack of fur!" he yells at Gorax as Felicity is taken. He's a little slower with the pegleg but it doesn't stop him running towards the danger. He draws both hammers and gets one spinning rapidly on it's cord. Monitors or not he's sure a few pounds of metal to the head will still do the job.   

Felicity is carried off by the wolverine, limp and floppy in her unconsciousness.
   
DoraRose roars in anger and becomes a whirling force of destruction, her axe everywhere, causing death and mayhem. She snags the hare maid's sword and sticks it in the back of her belt. "RETREAT!!" the mouse shouts, trying to charge down the hillside towards the coming rescue, fighting and swiping and battling on with her axe of death.   

Matilda reaches the enemy, swinging her sword. "REEEDWAAAALLL!!" She battles on, trying to join the Gatekeeper so they can get her and Tenzin out to safety!
   
Donica gets back to the ship, any injured beasts they will likely bring to the ship, a couple other hares, privates go to help fight or least help get others back to the ship.   

Ciocan still seems a little...starting off into space, then finally snaps out of it and looks ready to follow Gorax but thinks better of it and makes sure the hares get back to the ship and anyone else.But he does slam his war hammer into the head of a lizard that dares come close to anyone else!   

Up on a hill is the vixen Mistclaw  who had come over to see what was going on, she frowns "Oh no....not them, please say not them"   

Gregorian swiftly dodges a set of claws from the first lizard he comes across then lets the spinning hammer swing in to the side of it's head. He doesn't add his own war cry but he thinks they've drawn enough attention as it is. He's quick to break claws, arms, heads and anything else that comes in range as he fights his way beside Matilda to Dora and Tenzin "Get them back, they still have Felicity" a gang of monitor lizards is apparently not enough to put him off of a rescue mission.   

Donica frowns, she will tend to any injured beast as she speaks "We should just get outta here and back to the ship!"Which she will for sure.   

DoraRose hacks another enemy into 2 major pieces with her axe, then steps in the hare's way, blocking any hammer swings with her own weapon. "There's too many of them! We can't follow him -- it would only end with us being killed, and that would be no help to Felicity or the Dibbuns!" Upon closer inspection, it's clear that she's about to cry, but she'd holding it in until they can get to safety.   

Matilda slices a lizard's head off, then slams the pommel of her sword into Tenzin's head, knocking him unconscious. Grabbing him as he falls, she yells, "We need to retreat! Come on!" She half carries, half drags him down the slope, back to the beach and the safety of their ship.   
   
Ciocan snorts, he steps back some "Everyone back to the ship that's an order!" He kicks one lizard back and then another and makes sure his hares and everyone else that's needed to, gets to the ship. Most of the lizards hiss and back up and go back to their master. But Two of them follow the hares and the badger to the ship and hiss at them.   

Gregorian is disciplined enough to stop his hammer swing before it can come close to DoreRose. He growls but it's in frustration. He can see this probably won't end well but he's reluctant to give in. He turns, guts another lizard with the spiked end of his hammer and finally runs "Get back" he goes to grab Tenzin's other half on the way and help Matilda carry him. Fortunately, the lizards must consider them done for, either that or badger scares them as all but two retreat. Hot on the tails of the retreating group they're lead straight to the ship and that is their final mistake as they're swiftly welcomed by the long patrol with copious amounts of weaponry and don't live to tell tales of the hospitality of hares.   

Matilda is grateful to get help carrying the sea otter. They pass through the hares, and when they're aboard ship she'll make sure to get him to the Healers. She leans on the hilt of her sword, take deep breaths to calm herself down. "This monster has taken far too many of our creatures -- we must stop him!"   

DoraRose scrambles on the ship and slams her axe into the deck, leaving a nice hole there. She shouts in anger, then collapses to her knees and starts to cry. Another beast important to her, kidnapped.   
   
Ciocan watches as the hares finish off the two monitors and snarls slightly before walking to the other side of the ship and just starting off towards the sea, he takes a couple of deep breaths "Impossible...impossible, is no way!" He frowns as his mind seems to think back on something as he actually lets out a whimper and allows himself to sink into a sort of sitting position."How...."   

Gregorian gets a little satisfaction from the lizards meeting their end but he's angry. He tries to bury it as usual and calmly returns his weapons to his belt. He's forcing calm until he sees Ciocan losing it and that makes something snap. His muzzle wrinkled and he tries to contain it and almost manages as he marches to the badger "Sah. We have a force on the island close by tah deal with and they've taken one of our own. Yah need tah take charge of this" he tries to keep quiet but stern as to him they need leadership.   

Once everyone is back aboard the ship, Matilda takes charge, getting them underway and out to sea a little, trying to find a good place to hide a great big ship! She lets the beasts who actually know how to sail be in charge of that portion, but she gets them under way, hoping they can keep from being spotted again.
   
DoraRose yanks her axe  out of the deck and stumbles over to the Badger Lord, wiping her cheeks dry. "Ciocan....I don't think I can handle a wolverine. Did you see him? He's huge! I think you're the only beast who's a match for him." Forget how Rakkety Tam defeated a wolverine. He was Abbey Champion, guided by the Spirit of Martin the Warrior, with a sharpened buckler. Matilda has received no such instructions for defeating this wolverine.
       
Ciocan looks at Greg and snorts slightly, any other hare likely be told off.A couple hares look on as Greg marches over and then seem disappointed when Greg isn't made scub the deck or something. "I..." He frowns "I know....I need time to think."He looks at Dorarose and sighs"I seen him...oh yes close up before...so many seasons..,has it been that long?"He looks away as he looks back out to the sea, "Yes Gorax needs dead...he needs...slain" Wait is he...crying or trying not to it seems, as he looks back to Greg and Dorarose"We..meet briefly, he killed..he killed Martha."Now the tears come"Me and..Gorax fought, but I was too late to save my mate, Martha died...."He walks over to his cabin door,shuts it and locks it, he needs to think, he needs to clear his head, he needs a few hours alone!   

Gregorian glares at that snort. He was already angry. He doesn't need this and if it was anyone else he would be giving them a piece of his mind rather than a reminder that the hares were looking to him. With the story he actually gets angrier. Perhaps later he'll care. Later when a hare isn't in immediate danger. Now was not the time for tears! He says nothing though as he watches the badger shut himself up and Greg grinds his teeth before saying to the hares who had come to watch "Get tah work. Tend tah injuries. The moment that ottah wakes up I want the layout of this island out of him and a safe space tah land. Have lookouts watchin' for lizards" he forces a calm tone but it sounds like it has rage beneath it.   

As the ship gets under way, DoraRose stares out at the horizon, thinking about what she just heard. "Ciocan isn't perfect," she says finally. "He just discovered the murderer of the beast most dear to him is still alive. My baby sister was killed, and if I discovered that her murderer was still alive, even though my brother slew him, I would be in a worse state than he is. Take it from me: his reaction is completely understandable, even if it isn't reasonable." And with that she walks off to get get her own minor cuts and scrapes tended to. She can deal with his potentially angry reaction later.   

Gregorian grits his teeth again as Dora says her bit and he opens his mouth to say something but stops and with a snort looks to the sea instead. Something in his mind puts voicing objections to his Lordship's actions in front of outsiders is like airing dirty laundry. He can't do it.   

Ciocan is meanwhile in his cabin quarters sitting on the bed, a couple deep breaths as he think.He can't let the monitor keep Felicity, he also has to help get the dibbuns back. He closes his eyes to meditate and clear his mind, he likely had some tough days head. He needed to be ready, He needed a clear mind, he could do this, he had his hares, he had friends to help but he also wanted to protect them.The next few hours he will think deeply, get some rest ...but first form a plan.

Who:

Ciocan-Badger Lord

Keldorn- Fighter in GUOSIM

Rufus-Messenger and warrior Gull

LOG:

Keldorn was scanning the seas, a small sigh as if he was starting to get tired of seeing nothing but water for miles.   

Ciocan steps out of his quarters when he been a good deal the past couple of days. He nods to Keldorn,"Greetings Keldorn, anything of interest to see tonight?"   

Keldorn shakes his head "Not yet but I have a feeling we are close, maybe we can send the gull out to see how close and to make sure we are still going the right direction"He smiles "Did you want back at the wheel, you have been in your room a good deal the past couple days"
   
Ciocan looks out to the sea in thought, "Maybe send Rufus, he would know to be careful" He looks to Keldorn "Just have had some , things of the past on my mind."   

Keldorn hmmms"The past can be, at times....well confusing, sad and at other times happy"   

Ciocan nods" Yes" He frowns as he does take the wheel" The sea has brought a lot of memories, me and Martha was at sea when I started to be drawn to Salamanstron, she would of been with me ...."He clears his throat"Had I just...left that night and not stayed an extra day, which turned into a week before I did leave that small sea side village and never went back and don't plan to either"   

Keldorn can't help it, it just comes out as he steps to the side "Martha, who was..is Martha?"   

Ciocan doesn't answer for a good hour, "My mate....she was everything to me and a wolverine killed her, I didn't get to her in time...she died in my arms. The wolverine was slain..." Tears go down his face but he doesn't turn to go back inside.   

Keldorn frowns " Oh....."He lays a paw on his arm"My friend, it's ok to miss someone...I miss my mate as well, yeah I was married once, she died..lost my daughter to the slavers who took the young ones, I killed the one who..slain my daughter..what made it worse is the ferret use to be a good friend and I still have no idea what happen to make him not."   

Ciocan nods "Your....the first to hear of this part of my life, I have told others I use to be a captain of a ship before I became Badger Lord, but...I never shared any other parts of my past, even avoided the hares a good deal but..."He smiles " Some are close friends and I am glad for the friends, they have helped me a great deal and I see all my hares as a big family now."   

Keldorn smiles as he sits on the box by the ship's wheel."I can keep this to myself if you wish, besides if its to be shared....tis best from you,maybe talk to your closer friends, talking helps at times"   

Ciocan smiles some "You know I have given that advice to others"A small light chuckle "Suppose should listen to my own advice hmm"   

Rufus picks now to fly down and land beside the two beasts "Hallo friends,how is you?"   

Keldorn grins, he nods to the bird "Fine Rufus just a late night chat is all"   

Ciocan nods, "Rufus, I need a favor.I need you to see if you can spot that vixen's ship or any land, do not get too close just report back to me once you find it, please. I know we go the right way now and from what my dolphin friends told me, it's not too much more time till we see signs of the island and then we need to prepare. "   

Rufus nods "Yes Rufus help Bunny Lord friend, he will....and good be careful and ready cause badfurs may see your ship too ya ya"   

Keldorn frowns "That is something didn't think of...but just be prepared I say, best we can"   

Ciocan nods "I know..I know...go ahead and rest my friends, I need time to think"   

Rufus nods, he actually salutes with his wing and flies off to scan the seas for land and the Crimson Tide.   

Keldorn nods "Alright Ciocan..."He goes to head to bed with a yawn.   

Ciocan sighs after they go and he is alone at the wheel, he lets some tears fall again as he sails the ship on his course, its course to find the dibbuns and unknowingly run into a face from his past.

Who:

Kash-Old Hamster and Seer

Leigh-Healer Shrew in GUOSIM

Tenzin-Sea Otter, warrior an Healer

LOG:

Kash sat watching the sea from the small little edge of the side of the cliff face that was on this side of the island, the edge was not seen too well from the sea and not in view of any vermin up on the main island unless they tried to climb down but they would likely fall.   

Tenzin came to see his friend "Kash..wot de seasons ya doin'?" He stayed in a cave opening, still shadowed.."Did the Crimson Tide leave? Are there other ships or sumthing?"   

Kash just smiled and turned to the sea otter"Not yet....on both" For a beast so old he was very nimble on the small edges and little places to place a claw, he soon was beside the otter.Kash was a very very old hamster"But something is in the air, something....I am not sure yet what, it's still rather mist covered in my mind but involves faces of the past meeting again and a hammer being in place at the right time"   

Tenzin sighs, he spoke softly "You make no sense sometimes Kash"But he trusted the seer as he had saved his life a few weeks ago." How is a hammer helpful?"   

Kash just chuckled "How should I know....but perhaps it's not what it seems my friend"   

Leigh was up and about and trying to not get lost in the tunnels, she just hoped she went the right direction when she followed the voices and smiled as she seen it was the two that had helped her "Hello..."   

Tenzin snorts "Again....odd" He smiles now and nods to the shrew "Greetings Leigh, good to see your up and about now."   

Kash nods a hello, he chuckles at the otter a little "A lot of things are odd to some but not others"   

Leigh nods "Yes....these tunnels, have they always been here or did the moles make them? Also...I need a way to let the dibbuns that was with me know I am alive,they..they probably think I'm dead."   

Tenzin frowns "Don't know..." He then replies about the tunnels "Tunnels been here for who knows how long...the couple moles here made a new one, fixed some old ones and even collapsed some older ones, the tunnels go all over, and some openings...carefully hidden, ya can view parts of the island and at the same time not be too close to those scum vermin and that...GorAX"   

Kash speaks "We shall see...somethings are best left as they are for knowledge can sometimes be bad if used against one, in some other ways yes...helpful is knowledge if handled carefully"   

Leigh frowns "Gorax, he is that wolverin..isisn't he?"   

Tenzin face darkens as he nods "Yes....he has killed many or had his helpers do so. He grows tried of a slave or thinks a new one is...unable to be broken he kills them, usually by drowning like he tried to do with you, and he knows not all of the beasts he had shoved off that cliff of his hit the water as the tide comes in, some hit rocks.....me and Kash had only saved maybe 1/3 of those he tried to kill_"

Kash frowns"Gorax is so called Lord of this island now, killing the seal tribe that had lived here...out of 100 only 12 now of those seals live, Gorax one day had his helpers take over a ship passing by and went on to slay the crew....except for 7 children with them....of the ones he had planned to slay...we managed to save half of them, and varies others the past 9...or is it 10...seaons now...I dont remember"He smiles at the shrew "And recently you were saved"   

Leigh sighs, "That's horrible..."She folds her paws in her lap"He needs to be stoped somehow"   

Tenzin mutters something "Yeah...me too, Gorax needs dead he killed all of my otter holt when I was but a younglin....me and 2 others surrived and were brought here as slaves, only I am still alive and Gorax has an otter fur cloak" He doesn't share just where the fur came from as he shakes his head, clearly someone he knew.He goes back inside the many tunnels.   

Kash watches him go and frowns"I fear for that boy at times, rage flows throught his viens cause of what Gorax did"   

Leigh frowns, she glances at Kash " A lot most likely hate Gorax."She looks back to the tunnel "How many beasts are in these tunnels?"
   
Kash speaks "Around..20-22 now, and 12 seals,,"He smiles "I can show you my seal friends....me and Tenzin and a couple of others have learned their language"   

Leigh nods "Sure"She remembered the seals helping her when she was shoved off the cliff...she can swim but not when her paws and feet were tied and chained.
   
Kash leads the way through the tunnels to a small cove, he clears his throat and makes an odd sound as he cups his paws to his mouth. It's then seals arrive, not all of them but most of them...11 in total, of the 11....3 are what most would call dibbuns. Kash speaks to the one thats clearly in charge of this small seal group, a frown forms but he says one other thing and motions, Leigh, to come over to stand beside him.   
       
Leigh walks over slowly and smiles a little, she is curious "Why did you...frown once Kash?"   

Kash replies "There should be 4 dibbuns...one is missing and they think one of the slavers from the Crimson Tide shall them...and they are likely a captive but my guess is...worse" He shakes his head "Gorax has monitors...he..."He frowns" If the seal pup was taken, Gorax would not keep a seal around for any purpose."   

Leigh gasps and decides to not ask, she looks at the seals and smiles "I never seen a seal, my Log-a-log spoke of them before."
   
Kash turn to be curious, "A..Log-a-log?" He hmmms"Also you mentioned something called GUOSIM once to Tenzin"   

Leigh nods "A group of shrews I am in from Mossflower...I am a healer and Log-a-log is what the leader is called, its a small group too but mighty fighters...we travel the river moss, never been to the sea but maybe our Log-a-log has and I think Oswald..."She frowns now "Has..."She is quite a little while before speaking in a quiet tone" I need to get home but I....I can't" She looks at the hamster "Not without the dibbuns that was with me somehow, even if it means being here for seasons and it takes that long to get them freed, there...there has ta be a way"   

Kash only nods, "There is always a way..."He hmmms as he closes his eyes and opens them again "Maybe sooner rather than later.....the fog clears some, but he is not the one it's...someone else."He seems to speak to himself.   

Leigh glances at him and blinks "Who is not..what?" She stands up and dusts off "There is a way to maybe...help them?"   

Kash is sort of staring before he replies" I know not....I just at times, see things that are unclear, I have seer powers a little it seems but its never a clear picture......faces of de past meet again and something about a hammer in the right place at the right time, Tenzin thinks it means a hammer but maybe..a name or meaning of a name"He looks at her "When you mentioned whomever Oswald is....something seemed to...clear the fog, but it's not him but he is with..whomever it is"   

Leigh says, "He is a very close and dear friend..."She smiles maybe more than a friend, she also tries to help the hamster and shrugs "I...have no clue, I know no one with a name like that. I am very sure Oswald and others are looking for me and the dibbuns, I heard the vermin on the ship mention losing some woodlanders at the western shore"She frowns, that was almost 4 weeks ago now and so much longer when she was first taken captive" But the sea is so large and so many islands and other lands, direction to go"

Kash nods "You are far from home...many here are." He starts to head on inside "Come Leigh, its near lunch time. " He also needed time to medate on things, prehaps Gorax downfall could truely happen and maybe it seemed.....soon.

*** ***************************
I spoke to Elmef and Dorarose and here is a small little story of Ciocan , before he became Lord Ciocan ...we been told he was a sea captain and had, still has somewhere, a small fishing boat....he had a mate but she died...his 3 children are all grown and far far far away and like never write(how mean )...anyway here it is
************************************************************************

t was a beautiful sunset and more so from the small fishing boat, a female badger stood on deck and smiled "It's so lovely, isn't it...oh we should go to the market at the village, please Ciocan...one of the town's beast said they have Mint Chocolate Scones...Chocolate, I need them"

As soft chuckle behind her "You want them dear not need them, and fine, I was planning to stay one more day anyways" A tall male badger, a lot taller than most badgers in fact.

The female badger turned around to give him a kiss,"I won't take too long dear I promise. Maybe we can find that tea the children like and send it to them."

"Maybe Martha, but for now it's bedtime...though we could stargaze first,"Ciocan said softly, he liked looking out at the stars with his mate beside him, their 3 children were grown now and out of the den and the two badgers could go on their planed sea trip and explore, they had been out on the sea with their children before but now it was just them and their small crew of beasts, Ciocan was the captain of the small crew of about 3 others. A couple of squirrels and an old sea otter.

Bright and early the next day the two badgers went on into the small seaside village, both promising to meet at the tavern for lunch and they planned to get any needed supplies before they headed on to the wide sea, the day was calm and peaceful, but sadly it would remain far from peaceful

It was soon lunch time and Martha was on her way to the tavern when something caught her eye and so she took a slight detour and looked to see a row of 5 dibbuns chained up, crying and scared as they were watched by a weasel who seemed to be guarding them.

Martha slipped into the alleyway and knocked out the weasel with a quick slam into the side of the building and hurried to undo the locks on the chain after finding the key in the weasel's pocket, "Don't worry...I can help you find your parents,are they in the village somewhere?"

The dibbuns were a total of 5 mice. They at first were happy to be free and hugged the badger, but happiness didn't last too long as they backed off whimpering in fear.

Martha frowned as she stood up as she was kneeling"What's the matter? I won't harm you, in fact, I and my mate can help you get back to your parents."

"They belong to me"Said a cold voice from behind the badger."I'll take them back now.

Martha heard the voice and turned around, she stood in front of the dibbuns," No beast belongs to anyone."She looks at the dibbuns"Run..."

The voice belonged to a wolverine, he smirked as he tall, he looked deadly with a blade and looked like the thing of nightmares with his dark blackish-grey fur and yellowish-green eyes with hints of red."You cost me the loss of my slaves." He smiles coldly as he lunged forwards and stabbed her in the chest.

Martha's eyes shut tightly as pain filled her, she shoved the wolverine off her and stumbled out of the side path, she opened her eyes as her vision started to fade and then fell forwards.

"Martha!" Came a voice as another had just arrived on the scene. She was caught in strong arms and heard her name again louder, but at the same time so faint and far away "Martha!"

"C...Ciocan..."It was the last word she would ever say as she coughed up blood and her eyes shut a final time, her breath stopped and her heart stopped as well.

The dibbuns had indeed run and found Ciocan telling him of the bad beast in the alley and how the other badger said to run. The dibbuns were at the tavern now with an otter maid the badger's had befriended.

Ciocan dropped to his knees "No...no Martha...love" Tears went down his lowered her gently to the ground as if she was made of fine china.

"Awwwwww...is she dead? Good, but you seem in pain let me..heal you"It was Gorax as he had his blade ready for what should of been a death blow while the tall badger was seriously distracted.

Ciocan's paw shot up, a deep growl came from his throat and his eyes turned blood red as he didn't give Gorax a chance to strike, he attacked.

The Wolverine was no match for very tall blood wrathed badger, yes Ciocan ended up with a gash on his side and a deep cut to his cheek but he won, and the wolverine laid in a pool of blood.

Ciocan had passed out and woke in some sort of inn room, he sat up and noticed the bandage around his middle and one small bandage taped to his cheek.

"Oh your awake Ciocan, I was worried"It was the otter maid, she was also a healer "The dibbuns by the way, their parents were found."

"Where is Martha?" That was Ciocan's only concern.

The frown said it all, "I'm so...so sorry"

Ciocan frowned, he would be taken to the room she was in, he would hold her in his arms and sob loudly. He refused to eat for about 4 days and finally gave in to hunger and decided he was leaving.

The Tavern owner frowned "The wolverine's name was Gorax, he had started causing trouble the past couple months..."

Ciocan nods"I am..."He frowned he didn't know where he was going, but there was still the dream of some mountain and hares he had been having, but sadly whatever it was he would be going alone now." Thank you for allowing me to stay" He then left and never once had he returned to the small seaside port.

Little did Ciocan know, but Gorax was indeed alive with a nasty scar on his throat and side left by Ciocan, Gorax had managed to crawl away after Ciocan had mourned over the loss of Martha, Gorax was found by his trusted 2nd in command and was hidden till he was recovered and Gorax that day vowed if he ever saw Ciocan again...why he would help the badger be with his mate again.