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LP LOG

Flint- Corporal in the Lp
Rioko-Vixen
Ciocan- Badger Lord
spoofed lizards

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Westen Shore..close to the badger mountain
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Flint was tried, he was out late on a patrol with two privates and it the patrol ended and the rest of the day was free for the three...so what happens, the two privates get drunk and he had to carry them to a room and pay for the rooms and now he has to report why they won’t be back till tomorrow...joy   

Rioko was tired, key word being was. Now she was more panic. She remembered walking into the tavern last night, and now she was waking up here on the sand dunes, bound to a wooden spit with fire lit below her belly. Around the portly vixen were three equally well fed sand lizards seasoning the fox and getting ready to devour her.
   
Needless to say, Rioko screamed. It was quickly cut off when an apple was thrust into her muzzle.   

Flint looks up as he sees the vixen and sighs, any other hare most likely would sit and watch or go on. He gets an arrow and aims carefully, then fires off an arrow towards one of the lizards.   

This is it, thinks the vixen. She should have known she would end up like this one day, pickled, cooked and eaten. At least, she hopes in that order. The lizards are looking hungry.   

One of them grins deviously as he sharpens a knife in front of the vixen. Her heart quickens as he looks for a good spot to stick it in her side.   

And that's when the arrow takes him in the shoulder. The lizard screams, as he falls to his knees. In an instant the other two reptiles are on their feet, armed with makeshift spears and serrated swords. They go rushing for the hare, screaming war cries!   

Flint quickly loads another arrow as he moves backwards and fries it off towards one of the lizard's heads. He has his saber with him in case they get too close, or if one does anyways   

The lizards are, slower than the average lizard. The seasons were perhaps too good to them. One still manages to lift a buckler up in time to catch the arrow. And the two beasts are upon the hare!   

Rioko in the meantime continues to... simply hang there, suspended in the air over a hot flame. She is feeling rather warm...   

Flint gasps and manages to fire off a 3nd arrow and dashes to try and get close to where Rioko is, and thinking on how to get her loose from the ropes.   

The lizard let's out a shriek as a the arrow pierces his chest. It slumps over. The second reptile comes before the hare, swinging a serrated, rusty sword in either paw. He wears a captain's hat of sorts made from the leather of a squirrel. "Die! Hare scum!" He shrieks, stabbing and slashing at the hare.   

Flint goes backwards, he trips  as he swings his saber to slash at the lizard. As he tries to fight off the lizards it starts to rain, lightly at first and then a little harder and the wind howls a little as sand swirls a little   

For such a lazy looking beast, the lizard is surprisingly quick with his blade. Where he lacks the grace of a proper fencer, her makes up for in brute force.   

Rioko spits out the apple and begins to blow onto the fire, trying in vane to put it out. All she can think is, 'I'm going to taste horrible cooked like this!'   

And then the rain starts, drenching the fox and the fire below her. "I'm alive! I'm ALIVE!" She shouts to the hare, "Quit lolly gagging and hurry up and save me!"   

Flint yelps as he gets cut on the leg and kicks the lizard in the face, rather hard and stabs a 2nd in the foot as he then rushes, trips once and gets to Rioko  and starts to untie her as the rain washes off blood from his leg and makes the sand an odd red and yellowish color.   

The lizard with a captains hat, hisses in pain, dropping to one knee after being stabbed in the foot. "It's about time!" The grey fox takes a sharp breath, "Behind you!"   

The original lizard, the one with an arrow in the shoulder, tries to leap onto the back of the hare!   

Flint quickly undoes more of the rope of the fox, she will most likely land on the coals...well least they are wet, maybe still hot though a little. The lizard gets on his back as he goes to stab backwards to try and get it off him as its claws go into his back, luckily not deep “Get off me!"   

Rioko falls flat onto her face with a sharp yelp, rolling off of the smoldering coals.   

The lizard is not so lucky.
   
The reptile's eyes go wide, letting out a gasp as the blade runs through his middle, splitting the scales of his soft belly and skewering his guts. He collapses onto his knees, terror running across his muzzle as he realizes these are his last breaths.   

Flint falls forwards onto the sand and takes a couple deep breaths and crawls a few feet before he gets shakily to his footpaws   

The lizard collapses onto his own spilled belly. He does not get back up.   

The fox on the other hand is on her feet. She steps closer to flint before trying to envelop him in a thick bear hug.   

The remaining living reptile, the one with the captain hat, is slowly trying to crawl away from camp.   

Flint about falls over but manages to stay balanced, just barely. He tenses up in pain as his leg hurts to put his weight on it and his back has a couple claw marks on it, he is lucky they are not deep or he would of been in trouble.   

It's about all the reward that the hare is going to get for saving the likes of Rioko. The fox steps back, nods to him in embarrassment before scowling at the retreating lizard. "YOU."   

She stomps towards him, "You, scaly, sliming cowardly RAT. What? Trying to eat and run?" She gives the beast a swift kick to the rump, sending him falling face first into the sand. "Parlay! Parlay!" he shouts.   

Flint frowns as he watches this "His Lordship wouldn’t like it if..he knew I helped a....a...you" And he passes out falling onto the now wet sand.   

"Oh, now you want to parley?" The fox growls angrily. She glances over her shoulder at the distraction of the hare fainting. In that moment, the lizard leaps up at her with his sword. The fox responds quickly, grabbing his wrist and twisting the blade out of his claws, catching it with her own.   

"W-wait!" He manages to cry before the vixen slashes the blade across the lizards fat gut, spilling his belly onto the sand.   

There was no parlay for this one. Rioko stands there, breathing deeply before turning back to the hare again. "Ah man, now I have to carry you..." With a sigh she tosses the sword away. It was going to be a long walk back to civilization as it was with OUT carrying the wounded hare back. The thought makes her shiver. "Eh, he's be fine." She turns tail and leaves Flint there, not willing to be near the area when other patrol members appear...   

Flint is well...unconcious and bleeding on the sand from his leg and a couple claw marks on his back.   

Ciocan is rarely outside the mountain, he does however go out to practice his war hammer swings and to do some exercise as the mountain celling is sometimes too low for him, he is 8 3/4 feet tall after all and to truly keep in shape he comes outside. What he wasn't expecting to see was  one of his own hares wounded in the sand and quickens his pace to bend down and check on the hare. He also looks at the dead lizards and the campsite.
   

Off in the distance, a plump grey fox can be seen walking away from the camp, a small trail of blood leading from the last lizard to be slain. As she walks her heart grows heavy. The hare just saved her from a grizzly fate. It would have been the stew pot for her if he had not rescued her. The least she could do is help the poor beast to another long patrol... patrol. What do those beasts call their patrols anyway?   

She turns, eyes widening as a badger fills her vision. With a loud yelp the vixen beats feet and dashes away on the sand.
   
Yep, the hare would be perfectly fine. Rioko though? She was having ten different heart attacks all at once!   

Flint is alive, but clearly unconcious. His leg wound is fairly bad and he won’t be doing anything for a good couple months, the back claw marks will heal in a week or so, he groans and stays passed out.   

Ciocan picks up the hare carefully after using a bit of cloth as a temporary bandage for the leg. As he caches site of Rioko his eyes narrow, the vixen may well have some hares after her later and the badger decides to carry the hare back to the mountain and to the infirmary there. Yep..Rioko needs to pray.

==Few Hours Pass==

Salamandastron: Recovery Room
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
This is the recovery room for the Long Patrol. It is the place that, once
initially treated, injured Patrollers retire to convalesce. As such, it is
dimly but pleasantly lit, the lantern light casting a calming light on its
inhabitants. One row of cots have been provided for short term patients,
with a bedside table between each, while the long-term patients receive
considerably more comfortable lodgings. With curtains for privacy, the beds
are larger, they have extra padding, and When in season, fresh flowers are
kept in evidence. A small bookshelf with a rotating selection is kept well
stocked. The other half of the room is devoted to providing therapy to the
recovering Patrollers. All healer supplies are stored in a long row of
cabinets that line the wall from one end to the other, and from floor to
ceiling, while the rest accommodates a variety of therapy tools - light
weights, balls, jumping ropes, and other such strengthening equipment.
Crutches are hung neatly on pegs on the wall.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Flint wakes up slowly, the pain and his tightly bandaged leg, a lighter bandage on his back.   

He will wake to see Lord Ciocan looking down at him, "What happen out there Corporal Flint?"
   
Flint blinks "Your...Lordship?" He will explain, best he can after he gets a little water. Rioko may be in bad trouble...depends on who gets him first, Felicity, some other hare..or worse..the badger Lord himself . Time will indeed tell.

==My trouble maker Mouse Drake has left Mossflower, certain factors helped his decision ==

It was early in the morning and the air was cold, Drake disliked the cold as he stood before a small crowd of beasts.

Xander studied the mouse and spoke “It’s been discussed and the decision is banishment. “

Ferro narrowed his eyes, it shows he rather kill the mouse but stays where he is quietly showing his dislike of the mouse.

Minsc snorts “You should see yourself as lucky, scum like you should be buried to never rise again”

Edson stays off to the side, “ Can we add he tried to feed a couple of the Mossflower Defenders to a pike. I will add the pike is gone now and no longer a problem, good residence I say”

Zolomon nods “I bally well say get lost and don’t come back.”

Drake smirked” Does the leader of the defenders have the authority to say I am banished? Does any beast have that right?”

Xander let a low growl form, “You..you almost caused the death of Novice Cynthia, if beasts had not  gotten there in time she would of died along with the  Head Guard of Ferravale so I BELIEVE BLISA..”He takes a deep breath “I believe Blisa adds to the list of those whom approve banishment from Ferravale, from Redwall, I believe from Mossflower”

Benar steps forwards as he came, only as a request from Xander and clears his throat “Drake, I have heard you caused much  trouble, not only almost leading to the death of Novice Cynthia, you also injured Novice  Caleb and caused many to worry about both. You also were behind the kidnapping of the badger Krisha. I will let Xander decide the ruleing, mine is simple…you are banished from my abbey and from any help from the abbey…now if you will excuse me I need to get home.”

Edson salutes Xander and goes to follow Benar to make sure the abbot gets back to the abbey safely.

Minsc just glares at Drake as he speaks “You are a much disliked beast and I feel no pity for you, no I do not”

Zolomon listens as they talk, he frowns a little hoping it doesn’t take too much longer as these early mornings are getting to him, again he missed breakfast.

Ferro hisses “Disssmisssssss him from our ssssssight.”

Xander takes a calming breath and faces Drake again “You are here by banished from Mossflower, you will leave...now” The last word is said coldly.

Drake smirks as he watches Benar and Edson leave and once more his attention is on the badger “Or what..your sick your pet monitor on me… I am sooooooooo scared” He says in a mocking tone.

Zolomon frowns and starts to walk away” Gonna got get breakfast see ya later!” He is not sticking around to see what happens, besides is he really needed.

Minsc blinks and shakes his head “Worse choice of words in history of choosing words”

Ferro hisses low and lunges at the mouse, it may be best to move and rather quickly.

Drake barely gets out of the way and ends up twisting his ankle as he stands again limping backwards.

Xander eyes widen, first at the words and then at the green blur, “Ferro wait! “He carefully goes to block the lizard and speaks to Drake “Leave now or I let him kill you, if he fails and you get away I will have Dorarose  and him both hunt you down. Choose now and the direction you run is important..trust me”

Ferro narrows his eyes at the badger but he doesn’t try to get around him as he takes calming breaths, his attention clearly on Drake and the look in his eyes clearly says death.

Drake gets a look of horror, would he really let a monitor possible eat him and then Dorarose name, oh he remembers that mouse and he is unsure which is scarier the monitor or the mouse maid. He quickly rushes north and it’s unclear when he stops but its long past north of the river. A crow will watch and report the mouse has indeed left Mossflower and clearly seems to have decided the Northlands is a rather….cool place….to live.

Redwall Log
Leon-Master Healer and Brother in Redwall
Minsc-Hamster  and warrior  in Mossflower Defenders

RW Abbey/: Fire Pit
This is a small strip of land between the pond and the orchards which is bordered on one side by a portion of the Abbey's southern wall. This particular section, while well built and sturdy, is obviously much, much newer than the sections to either side of it. The ground is clear of almost all grass and weeds, and is somewhat uneven, still bearing deep ruts and impressions that have not yet been worn away by the rain. The center of this area contains a large firepit lined with flagstones and encircled with log benches.

Minsc came back fairly late and so sleep in. It’s a wonder he was not bothered yet as he choose to sleep on the log bench by the fire pit, the evening was slightly cold so he had a fire, that has since died down. He mutters in his sleep and tenses up some as he seems to suddenly takes a couple deep breaths and grip tightly a stick he has in his paw. Nightmare maybe?   

Leon walks over to check on some smoke he saw, not much seeing as the campfire is out now but the smell of burnt wood and coals is still there. He slows as he comes to Minsc and bends down "Minsc?" He is in front of the hamster and starts to reach a paw to gently touch his shoulder, maybe check a pulse on his neck as he studies him, making sure he is ok.   

Minsc is still in his dream state, a paw shoots out to go around the mouse's neck and his eyes snap open. It takes a brief moment to see who he has, and he comes to his senses, luckily for the mouse, and quickly lessons his grip and words tumble from his mouth "Brother Leon! OMG I..I am so so sorry..are you alright?" Why does this always come out of a beast mouth at a time like this as he stands up worry on his face, he had not ment to, it was part of his dream and he was mostly asleep. But a dream, a dream so so painfully real. He could of easily broke a neck, easily tighten a grip but he stopped himself before he did and he is glad, though worry is still there.   

Leon was clearly not expecting to suddenly not be able to breath and goes to try and pry the paw off. He gasps a couple times for air and backs up when he is released and coughs "I...I will be fine" A couple more coughs and he rubs his throat.."R..Remind me to not get///get close to you when waking you" He frowns "You were muttering..and holding a stick, your breathing became real fast like...like you were reacting to something."
   
Minsc frowns "Nightmare." He says simply "You sure you are ok, I..I didn't harm you did I?" He is worried, "The dream was so..so real. I sometimes have nightmares and...well let's say yes not always wise to...get too close to wake me, if we had been in the woods..."He frowns, he stops there as he would of had his blade and most likely swung and slit his throat not tried to choke him. "Again I am..very sorry. I also got back late, wanted left alone so came out here to sleep. The fire pit seemed like a good spot and so guess it was"   

Leon rubs his neck again as he nods "I..get the idea. But the abbey is a safe place, no harm would come to one here" He sits down and waits before asking "Talk about it?"   

Minsc shrugs “I...it was about Quade or some of the things he caused anyways. I saw...I was there when he destroyed my abbey and home, I fled with Gorvenalus, he was Abbot of my abbey as most know here. I did my best to keep him safe but Quade tracked us down and decided it be more...fun to keep us like some won prize, he planned to do the same with Benar I think but then tried to kill Benar, Xander saved your abbot that day the Mossflower Defenders found the mine, guess right place right time"
   
Leon says, "well...things like what happen to you most likely give any beast nightmares and make them uneasy. Have you thought more of living here...Gorvenalus was looking for you. He joined the order..took the title Brother Gorvenalus, maybe some could call him Elder....and is the Recorder."
   
Minsc says, "well that’s new to me and I am sure he will do well. As for me staying, I may just do that. It’s my job to protect Gorvenalus with my very life."

Leon says, "And you don’t need to join the order, you can just be a resident, your have a private room at bight for sleeping if you would like"   

Minsc chuckles "I like the great outdoors and sleeping under the stars but in colder months I will accept your offer of a room"   

Leon smiles "I rather have a warm bed any season. I have sleep in a tent on a trip couple times, it...it’s not too cozy really."   

Minsc shrugs "Each his own, then most don't sleep with a dagger under their pillow and..no worries it’s not inside the abbey I know the rules. It does make me uneasy as I was used to it..well till me and Gorvenalus was captive, for way WAY tooooooooo long and then got use to it again when was in the woods or on a path, here...yes it goes to the weapons area. But I do feel safe within the walls here, guess the..holding a stick thing is a part of the need to ...feel something in my paw when sleeping and yeah I know one could harm one even with a stick if done correctly."   

Leon says, "That’s understandable. I..try to not harm but I do know points on the body if pressed or hit, will knock out a beast..I mean it could kill in some places also but always try to knock out not kill.....I did kill a crow once, in self-defense and was very lucky at the time and it was already wounded from another beast."

   
Minsc says, "Where were you if crows were around, you seem like one who would stay outta problem my friend, to stay in these walls at all times"   

Leon says, "On the way to Salamandastron" He remembers "They attack me, my wife and Sister Zinnia, we were letting them know of the new Abbot. See before Benar there was a mouse name Lorimis, he never fully recovered from a bad cold and he..he was very old and he died, Benar took over after that and a group was sent to let the Long Patrol know and we learned they had a new leader too, though unlike Lorimis their leader simple left as another came, his name is Lord Ciocan..freaking tall and not one to make an enemy of if you were a vermin. He has a large war hammer also that he made special for battle only, a separate one he had for his forge."   

Minsc says, "Sounds like an interesting beast and a most intense  trip. I like adventure me self and had a great, now dead , friend who’s life was adventure. I could never step away from my warrior ways my fighter and protect others ways, it’s not in me...sorry, to be peaceful, I get along with friends yes but it takes a while to be my friend but once ya be it no one can tear that apart my friend, no one"

Leon says, "That’s good to know that we are friends"

“But of course….thinking of friends I should chat with Gorvenalus, shouldn’t I?” Minsc states.

Leon nods “Yeah. That would be best…I have to check on some things, have a good day” He  waves and heads off, leaving Minsc to do whatever the rest of the afternoon.

Drake smirked, his plans were great and he had yet to fail. "We hide here till night and then head down river, your learn to love traveling with me"

Cynthia rolls her eyes "Yeah right. Your rude and you kidnapped me, you knocked my husband unconcious also by the way and yet you expect me to just listen to you and peacefully tag along."   

Patch looked at the tunnel and frowned, he remembered this place and gulped a little, "Oh all the places to hide out they HAD to pick here" He edges forwards and makes his way inside.   

The tunnel is an old mine shaft, and there has already been a cave in once that blocks off a tunnel and a small cave in further down, proof this mine shaft is far from stable anymore as ever so often dust or a small rock falls down with any loud noise. There is one way in and one way out and the tunnel smells of damp water and some sort of....like someone died few weeks ago smell further back, may be wise to not venture too far inside. An old oil lamp is here and some old torch. An old open cell of some sort is slightly down a small tunnel and nothing more is there.   

Drake is here with his captive Cynthia, he also isn’t doing too well staying quiet as in his mind it’s a temporary place to sit out the rain, the rain only makes the already rotting support beams...even more unsteady.   

"The tracks lead here, sir."   

Bandit rubs his chin as the tracker stands back up. The fox like the rest of his ten man band of Ferravale guards are soaked to the bone, dressed in heavy blue cloaks. "Are you sure?"   

"I'm sure someone came in here, but I have no idea who." The weasel explains. "If it's not them, we will lose their trail with this rain." The tracks bites his lip, waiting for orders, "It's your call, sir."   

Bandit sighs. If this is a false lead they may never find Cynthia. "Send a runner back to the village, tell Blisa I am checking out the mine. You, take five beasts and keep on the other trails we picked up. The rest of you, with me." The fat fox waves and four beasts follow the head guard into the mines...   

Cynthia sits down and pouts " I rather not go with you Drake, I can sing where ever I want and not interested in being some great star singer on the western shores or some coastal place with your dumb singer group."
   
Patch follows the voices and then ducks behind a rock and peers around it, he also looks back hearing other voices and slips backwards towards the entry of the cave.   

Drake smirks "Of course you do and once you see how popular you can truly be, your thank me for it. Who needs boring old Redwall...besides as I see it, you should be with me anyways and they stole you from me. They made you think I was the bad guy."   

The sound of voices can be heard coming from down the pathway. Pine martens and rats all led by the burly figure of Bandit as they search the mines. "Break out the torches." Bandit calls. A pair of torches are passes through the group before they continue. "Jeffry, Colin, take the path on the left. Call out if you see him. The rest of you, with me." The fox says as the pine martens fall into step behind him.   

Patch almost backs into one of the guards and eeeps before backing up a little. he right away speaks "Not one of the bad ones....but I am spying on the two mice if your curious." He grins, hey he is broke "For the right price I can let ya know where they are"   

Drake raises a paw for the maid to stay quiet and looks to the sound and dim lights "Well this isn’t good" He grabs the touch near him and loosens some of the rocks, and as they fall in cases others to fall and the support beam by the torch to make a creaking noise and bits of rock and wood fall down as the mouse coughs and feels to see if he has a dagger, he does in his pocket and he gets it out.
   
Cynthia gasps as part of the celling fall down and shivers "We...we need to leave...now it’s not safe, I will go with you ok..just let’s leave please Drake....this place makes me feel uneasy"   

"Sir! The timbers!" Comes a pine marten shout.   

"Everyone out! Before the mountain comes down upon us!"   

"Bandit! Look!" One of the guards points down the hall as they round the corner. The fox's eyes flair and his sword is quickly drawn.   

"Drake!" He yells.   

"No, sir! Don't do it! We need to get out of here!"   

Despite his guards telling him otherwise, pleading with the head guard to return, Bandit stomps forward, claymore drawn, anger fueling him forward while his guards stay back. A timber falls between them, "BANDIT! The mine! The mine!"   

Patch frowns as some rocks fall and one almost hits his head"Not..good." He whimpers and decides to get out of the mines quickly.   

The shouting only makes matters worse and more wood and rock start to fall. The mouse has his dagger and narrows his eyes "Back fox and I could care less if the place is caving in, I bet it’s not!" He gets the torch too close to a support beam and the beam burns and sends smoke to the entryway, and yeah weakens the support beam so that it breaks and sends rock,gravel,wood and dust to the ground and makes a LOT of LOUD noise, dust and smoke! ITS A CAVE IN!   

Cynthia screams and barely misses a bit of burning wood from hitting her as rocks fall around her, she tries for the entry and quickly jumps back when a large rock crashes in front of her and a bit hits her shoulder. Most of the rock and wood misses her as she moved, if anything it will seal the entry to the outside and anyone unlucky enough to be right under the beam, well they are most likely dead or seriously hurt.   

"SIR!" The marten's shout is drowned out as a thick chunk of the ceiling comes tumbling down, enveloping Bandit and the room in thick dust. The fox screams and is lost in the rubble!   

Patch barely made it out to the light and coughs as he blinks, it’s raining...raining on his head and he couldn’t be happier to see rain and flowers! He chuckles and dos a cartwheel and then remembers and looks at the now buried mine entry and frowns, “Help....they need help not to worry I SHALL GET HELP!" He rushes off to do just that. Leavening the guards that survived behind.   

Drake falls backwards and gets his tail stuck under a rock and pulls it free and looks around. The touch light was put out with all the dust and he coughs as it clears to show him, Cynthia, and...great that Head Guard Bandit and oh look...one of the three guards didn’t make it out, they died...oh well like he cares as he stands up and looks around. Its pitch black in here and it takes some time to adjust to the darkness as he frowns, no light is bad...very bad, that means a limited amount of air and it looks like he is debating on panicking.   

Cynthia hugs her knees to her chest as she has a cut on her shoulder bleeding and tears down her face as she looks around "We...we are trapped in here, there is no way out unless we move the rocks."   

Drake asks, "Move rocks? You insane..." But he is starting to see how serious this is as he walks over and tries to dig a little and move some rocks, he starts off good and then more pile over top of his work as he sits down and looks defeated, then peeved.   

Cynthia has stopped crying, what good would it do as she looks around “Happy now Drake? You got us trapped in here and we will probably die in here and I won’t ever see my father....or Caleb or my friends ever again. And they won’t see me ever again"   

The ground begins to stir in front of the of the rodents. Like some savage monster out of a cheap tavern story Bandit rises from the debris, dirt flowing off of him. "Drake! C-cynthia..." He manages before falling back down into the dirt. The fox's leg appears to be trapped under a log
   
Drake snorts "Whatever...." He looks at the fox and manages a small chuckle “Your leg is trapped, funniest thing ever" He says quietly and looks for any possible way out and quickly finds none.   

Cynthia glares at the other mouse and then goes to try and dig a little under the rotting log pinning Bandit's leg. "Air is slowly going away and your laughing?" She looks at Drake and shakes her head. "This is SERIOUS"   

"D-drake..." The fox tries to lift himself up, failing miserably he claws at the dirt in front of him. "You insufferable beast. I'll..." his eyes glance to Cynthia. "Cynthia? Is that really you? If you have harmed one lock of fur on her head so help me drake..." Bandit cringes as pain flows through his leg.   

Drake snorts "I could harm you fox. that be fun seeing as you can't move too well right now"   

Cynthia nods "It’s...me. My shoulder is hurt but from falling rocks" She looks at the log and sighs unsure how to move it “The log is rotten...may be able to get it off but will take some time and I am unsure how much time we have or who all knows we are even here"   

The fox growls, he swipes his claws at Drake, striking only air. "Come closer and see how well I can move you-" Whatever curse Bandit is about to inflict upon the mouse is cut short by the sound of breaking timber. The ground shifts and settles and lays still.   

As if for the first time Bandit realizes where they are, "Please tell me there is another way out of here..."   

Drake shrugs as he stands and looks around "I don't think so...." He walks a bit around and returns "Nope....even a couple old cave ins and...well some seriously dead beast down on short tunnel"   

Cynthia says, "There is no way out unless we move a lot of rocks and old wood the support  beam was rotten and all the rain damaged it and then Drakes torch burned it the rest of the way and when it went down so did a lot of rock, dirt and gravel" She coughs a little as its dusty and for now the air is fine, but that won’t last as it will slowly get stale and then.........but they do have a good few hours left
   
The fox begins to chuckle. "It looks like, we will both be dying down here Drake. Soon your blight won't be upon Mossflower for much longer... If that means I die too... I can live with that." The foxes eyes drift to the other mouse, cynthia. Bandit frowns. There is one death he can't live with though. With a sigh he says, "WE need to conser our air. Unless you want this place to be your tomb, someone get me out of here. I can help dig us out..."   

Drake turns his back to the fox and then shakes his head "Dig you out and then what? You kill me?" He says.....but he does go to carefully start to loosen the wood around the fox's leg, he borrows a blade and lifts the board using it like a lever some. The blade off a dead guard, yeah he didn’t make it out while the other two did.   

Cynthia digs a little around Bandit's leg "Maybe someone will get help...if...if they can get to us in time"   

The fox cringes in pain as he pulls himself out. "That is going to leave a mark." He says in regard to his bleeding leg. "Don't worry. They know where we are. They will come save us... and as for you Drake." The fox growls, swallowing his pride, "You have my word I won't kill you once we get out of here."
   
There is the sound of a blade coming free right before Bandit lunges at the mouse with a hidden dagger, "I'll kill you now!"   

Drake was half expecting the blade as he manages to move out of the way, mostly as he bumps into the tunnel wall and glares, dagger ready to stab the fox in the neck if he is lucky.   

Cynthia frowns "Stop fighting ! It will only use up the air faster...can’t we just get along while we are trapped in here" She has tears go down her face, this is scary and she doesn’t want to die, she wants to get out of here. "We can go back to fighting after we are freed" She says calmly after a little while.   

The fox reaches up with his free paw to try and grab the mouse by the wrist before the dagger gets too far. Desperately he tries to rip his own weapon from the wall.   

"Work with him? Do you know what he did? He killed one of my guards! A beast with a family! I refuse to lose another guard to a beast like Drake again!" The fox's gaze turns downward to the marten laying at his feet. His eyes widen as he realizes, this beast isn't on Drake.   

Bandit's slumps his shoulders, falling to his knees. Tail twitching behind him the fox says, "And you're sure... we can't get out of here on our own?"   

Drake drops the dagger and tries to get loose from the grip "Release me stupid fox"   

Cynthia shakes her head "We need....help, we can try and dig from this side too but that’s a lot of rock and gravel. and part of the beams and not sure how safe the rest of the mine is...beasts hopefully will dig on the other side too and can get a lot more than 3 beasts . We all could die too.....who knows, who knows anything"   

The fox looks to Drake, then to his paw. Slowly, and with effort, he releases him. "I'll bandage my leg first. Then help you dig us out. We need to go in that direction. Use the logs to prop up the walls and ceilings as you go." He coughs dust out of his lungs. "At least if we die, we don't have to worry about burial costs."   

Drake eyes widen and then he glares at the fox. Its unclear if he is helping or not "If we make it out your gonna let me leave with Cynthia or else, then again if we do die whatever...like I care" He lies he cares, about himself only.
   
Cynthia feels tears come now as she sits and looks defeated   

The fox narrows his eyes. He chuffs, tearing his tabard to make a make shift bandage. He makes no reply but inwardly says, 'we will see who gets out of here alive...'
   
Drake glares "Yeah...we will won't we...most likely won’t be you, I vote me"   

Cynthia sighs and shakes her head as the two beasts argue in front of her. She looks around for any weak spots, any way out at all and sighs she can only hope help comes ………before it’s too late

==Leon shows up after a short while....===

Log
Leon-Master Healer of Redwall
Bandit-Head Guard Ferravale
Drake-Troublemaker mouse
spoofed Abbey Brother, a rat, a couple Ferravale scouts

Somewhere, behind the backdrop of grey storm clouds, the noon day sun is shining down upon Mossflower. The woods are full of activity as blue clad guards spill into the woods in groups of two and three.

Even the head guard is out looking for Drake. His own party consisting of two scouts along the river of Mossflower. "Sir." one of the scouts says after realizing the swift fox is not keeping up with them. "Is everything ok?"

"Just be concerned with yourself if you don't find that mouse." The swift fox growls. He thinks for a moment. "This is taking too long. If we don't find him before that storm hits, we never will. Split up, search the area and meet back here in fifteen." The scouts nod and depart.

Once the beasts are well out of sight, Bandit slumps forward, leaning upon his sheathed claymore and breathing deeply. "I'm getting too old for this..."  Is a phrase he never thought he would hear himself saying.

Drake is close , but not too close to the river as there is that large pike, for now most likely sleeping after eating two stoats, it would be full a week thank goodness. He had with him a short rat with a bent tail "So...thar be coin involved right?" The mouse nods "Yes”

Little does Bandit know he is close to his quarry. Taking a moment to catch his breath the fox turns to the river. His ears flatten upon seeing his distorted reflection. He never did like how he looked from a side view, it made the fluff of his neck and double chin fluffier, if possible.

Bandit  sighs, there was a time he was a scrawny beast, a real terror of the high seas and valiant skirmisher. Now? Now he looks like a fuzzy pear. His once sleek hide is dotted with scars from battles won, each and every one of them on fire from the treck out here into the wilderness. Heck, Bandit is winded from just the walk between his home and the tavern let alone this beast hunt.

"I really AM getting too old for this..."

Drake rounds a corner and then quickly dives behind a tree, the rat blinks "What ya doin...though ya wanted to get to that abbey place" He looks on down the river at the tall fox and the scouts and rolls his eyes.

The fox finishing his break chooses a path to go down. Bandit uses his claymore as a walking stick to support his weight. "I should have murdered that beast when I had the chance..." He says loudly to himself.

Drake happens to be on that path and slips out a dagger. Watching the fox he lets out a chuckle "Murder me? Gee...looks like someone could easily murder you, too bad the pike isn’t awake he would love to have you over for a meal."

The fox's eyes widen as the mouse appears on the road in front of him. "Drake..." Briefly, Bandit considers calling for help. Surely the scouts will still be with in ear shot.

Instead, the fox only continues to stare at the mouse, fury building behind his eyes. "I would ask you to surrender, but..." Bandit begins to draw his claymore. Tossing the sheath aside he says, "After what you did to my guard, I think we are well past surrender. But if you don't give up now I promise you that there won't be enough left of you to feed even to the fishes..."

The mouse chuckles "Oh...please, what ya gonna do have the monitor come after me, yeah he isn’t that scary" He is lying of course as that monitor was fairly creepy in his face. " Did you know there is a large pike in this river, tried to feed it a frog and hamster but guess failed, they were lucky. You don’t look like you could do much, let alone chase me" A short rat came up beside him and studied the fox "This fox needs a serious diet." He smirks at a joke " And a DIE....it...get it?"

Bandit twitches an eye. They always poke fun at his weight, don't they?

In the next moment the fox leaps at the pair of rodents, his blade seeking to cleave through them both in a heavy swing. "Yes... DIE."

And the rat was not expecting that move and his eyes widen as the blade cuts into his neck and he loses his head, Drake gets a tail tip sliced off and flicks his dagger at the fox.

Bandit hardly has time to react even if he wasn't heavy with fat. The dagger takes him in the chest, stopping short from doing serious damage by the chainmail under his tabard.

He yelps in pain, ripping the dagger out of his armor, its tip red with his own blood, before tossing it /back/ at the mouse. "You know that eel head I have in my office as a trophy? I think I will stuff your head and put it in its jaws after I kill you..."

Drake is curious "Oh what great decoration skills ya have fatty fox..."The dagger hits a tree beside him "I have to get to the abbey...then again it’s not like the lass will stay in the abbey forever..would she?" He then goes to head to the road.

The fox smirks. The fool! Turning his back to Bandit would be the last mistake Bandit ever did. With agility and speed that surprises even Bandit himself he leaps. Sword held high and poised to cut the murderer down his spine.

The fox stops short however, gasping for breath as pain flows through his body. His eyes widen and he collapses to one knee, clutching his chest.

"G-get...get back here y-you..." he doubles over, grasping for breath.

Drake slowly turns and looks at the fox, he then smirks "Something wrong? A Meal disagreeing with you....can't breathe, this is funny I may have to sit and watch...." He is cut short as he hears voices and cusses to himself, wait he knows those voices as he  backs up. It’s a couple other mice..." Well you didn't have to come Brother Fredren, I could of easily of brought the healers here the herbs on my own, they should look into growing more herbs here " "We could help with that " " Yes, maybe..." Drake looks at the fox and then waves "I should go now...bye..."

The fox tries to call out for help but his voice is replaced by a raspy croak. Oh what a fool he had been. If he had called for his scouts the mouse would be in chains by now, but noooooooooo, he had to just go and try and kill him...

"Dr-drake!" The fox calls, paw outstretched before collapsing onto the ground, pain spreading from his stomach to his head, Bandit passes out.

  Drake just waves bye as if it’s just another day and skips away, yes he skips away like some silly dibbun. He is spotted by someone, who does a double take..."Was that..Drake or am I seeing things?"

Leon starts to walk closer when the other order brother lets out a gasp "F..fox...by the river its either sleeping, dead, or unconcious." Leon frowns, its Drake alright but he looks to see what the other order beast sees and gets the look of, is that who I think it is a 2nd time in the past 5 minutes and he goes to take a pulse and study's the fox closer ...."Bandit?"

===TIME PASSES==

The sun was going down by the time Bandit returned to the mortal world. His head was killing him and his body ached, but he was grateful to be out of the nightmare where he was about to be served up on a buffet table to scores of greedy pike.

His tabard and chain mail were folded neatly beside him, replaced with a small cloth bandage wrapped about his chest. There was a camp fire nearby where his two scouts sat warming themselves. The fox fell backward again and groaned.

If his health didn't kill him, embarrassment will

Leon has been beside him, the other order Brother close by as well “He is waking..." Leon walks over and examines Bandit "Bandit...take it easy"

"L-Leon?" The fox gasps. "What in the blazes are you doing out here? Do you know how far away you are from-" The mouse’s words came rushing back to Bandit. "No matter. Take it easy you say, I think that is exactly the problem. I've been taking it too easy for too long. Come, we have to get to Redwall before-"

The fox tries to stand up, cringing as he body won't let him. He sits backward against a log, panting for breath. "W-what happened? What kind of poison did Drake use on me?"

The scouts exchange glances. Poisons... riiiiiiiiight.

Leon says, "I didn’t see any clues about poison and you were stabbed, that was tended too. Your pulse was weak and rapid, your breathing is messed up and one of the scouts said  you may of had chest pains,  also seems shortness of breath.....I seen this before enough to know what it could be"

Then the fox  caught the worried glances his scouts shot him and laughed, "Non sense! It was clearly poison he used! Clearly! I just uh... um..."He shot both scouts an angry glare. They got the hint and gave the fox some privacy with his healer.

After they are gone Bandit quietly admits, "Yeah... it's happened before. Just... never so bad."

Leon listens "Let me guess..."Oh this is so familiar..." Chest pains, hard to breath...if run too far for too long your out of breath? Feeling weaker any time?"

The fox pulled his legs tighter to his chest, curling up into a ball. "It's just stress. There has been a lot to work on back in the village. And we just lost another guard this week." He says quickly.

Leon frowns "Look, Bandit, some may be stress and stress can make it worse also. You ...you may well be having heart problems and if you don’t get a better diet and also start taking something for it...also maybe they and have some 2nd in command or just the guards do more and not always go with them unless its real REAL important. I knew another beast who ignored this same thing...course I was unable to talk to him right away due to the abbey's take over at the time and he almost died from a major heart attack after a fight with a monitor lizard...I am surprised he didn’t die from that but he never fully recovered and then he got worse again and..well he did die after some seasons, but he didn’t die in a fight when he died"

The fox feels his heart tighten, "H-heart trouble?" He tries to laugh it off. "No, no, you are mistaken Leon. Me? heart trouble? Nah, I would be more worried about my liver than anything else!"

Leon sighs "Well maybe that’s an issue also, but you have all the same symptoms that...." He pulses, and then "Zork had and I am sure you know enough of what happen with him."

The fox's color seems to drain from his face. Slowly Bandit looks down, grabbing his tail and fluffing it. "I know. I've been seeing a healer on the outskirts of the village for a while now. It's... worse than just my heart. My liver, my kidneys. Every wound I have just... aches anymore." The fox whimpered, "I... I'm not going to live as long as Zork before... well. Before I go the same way."

Leon frowns "He retired from warrior path and even from being a blacksmith...he did fight like one time I remember but not too major of a fight and he had to recover from it...he died in the orchards after helping gather fruits..he was mediating, maybe after some pains I don’t know...anyways he went to stand and....he fell over and was most likely dead before he hit the ground or like a couple minutes later, his heart just finally gave out and there was nothing I could of done...anyone by then..to save his life. I am not saying retire yet....Just...think on training a replacement for Head Guard now...so you know,  things are ready...Zork managed to train a new Blacksmith" Course the new Blacksmith left and didn’t come back one day....but whatever, they have a couple smith skilled beast to help when needed. "Think about it..maybe less of certain foods can help and I can get you a herbal mixture if needed you can drink in tea once a day...same stuff Zork had in fact"

The fox laughs, "Retirement would kill me just as quick as staying in this line of work. I'm a warrior at heart Leon. I crave adventure. To sit back and... fish or plant gardens, that would kill me just as much as a blade. HA! You would think someone would have ran one through me right here by now..." The fox clutches his bulging stomach, "I keep making the target larger for them."

Bandit sighs, "I don't know what I am going to do. I can't... live with being useless. But I don't want to die either."

Leon seems unsure what to say "Maybe..work in the tavern, forgot who watches that now and I know it would be hard to step down as a warrior..it’s a warrior thing I guess"

Bandit think, work in tavern may be interesting but he also is Head Guard and that’s important, he has a lot to think on. Also “But we need to get to Redwall before Drake does….if we go now…”

Leon sighs “For now rest, you can then maybe look some more.” He looks to the other order beast “ Please tell Blisa that…”

“But..Ferravale…on my own?”

Leon sighs “I will go…”

“But...me...with this fox alone”

Leon finally gives up and just stares at the ground, why him, why now he glances at Bandit as the fox dozes off, but he does check for a pulse…yep the fox is alive still. He sighs and takes a deep breath “Fine…we spend the night here and go to Redwall in the morning…Dorarose will be peeved and worried but that’s ok, it was a good idea you had after all….” He then blinks as the order mouse seems to think, yes go tell the abbey Brother Leon is there till morning,  no way he will face the wrath of Dorarose, that’s worse than a horde of vermin. Leon looks to the two scouts, “Ok one stays and one  report to Blisa..” As one scout stays and one reports to Blisa Leon decides its best to get some rest.

Meanwhile Drake has made it to the walls of Redwall, he knows he can’t get inside…he will have to trick them somehow, but how?…well there is always a way…..always.

In Log:
Leon-Master Healer of Redwall Abbey
Ferro-Monitor and Blacksmith of Ferravale
Krisha-Badgermaid and adopted daughter of Ferro
spoofed-Brother Hale and a couple otters, a couple guards and a novice healer

Leon was on his way back from collecting some herbs in the meadow, just a couple he knew grew there and of course he left some for future use so that it would always remain growing there. He liked to make sure the infirm was well in stock.

Ferro walked along the dirt road, a little slower as he got nearer and nearer to the abbey. He wanted to avoid the woods, even though it did offer shade and he walked in it for half way, but then a hooded cloak and the main road and the hooded cloak in this summer heat and humidity was a bad BAD idea. He looked up through hazy vision and sweat lined his face and paws but it was slowing some and that also was a bad BAD thing.

Krisha walked along quietly and then her concern made her walk a little in front of Ferro and frown as she studied him. She went to make a motion to stop walking.

Leon had yet to see the badger and monitor as he was along the edge of the road and small wooded area by the wall before one sees the meadow.

Ferro at first let out a slight hiss, then noticed it was Krisha  and muttered a sorry before passing out and falling forwards.

Krisha caught him before he hit the ground and got a panicked look on her face. The heat was not good for her either but she knew it was worse for him as she carefully gathered him into her arms and ran the rest of the way to the abbey gates a few short yards away

Leon headed to the gates and stopped when he saw Krisha carrying Ferro and rushed over “What happen, is he ok?” He checked, if allowed, the monitor and also Krisha as he had heard she was in the infirm in Ferravale and even planned to go check on her since no one had heard anything yet.

Ferro was a bit hot to the touch, he also shivered a little and looked pale. His breathing was a lot slower than it should be and he muttered to himself. The heat is not treating him good at all.

Krisha frowned as she let the healer look him over, she was a little out of breath and starting to show some signs of  it being best to get out of this heatwave.

Leon frowns “He needs inside and so do you. Can you carry him inside to the infirmary ok? We will go through the open grounds and to the infirm that way” He starts to lead the way there telling the guards real quick whats going on and then to the infirm without another word.

Ferro doesn’t react too much to being carried inside, it seems he is maybe not aware he is where he is

Krisha carries her father to the infirm and lays him down before sitting down herself feeling a little dizzy

Leon is in healer mode and orders given “Get her water now and wet rags on her wrists and forehead she can lean back in the soft chair…and get that cloak off him…yes he is a monitor but he is not evil. Get a wet sheet over him now! Some water if we can get it down his throat slowly” He sighs is the infirm the best place for the lizard, he is debating “Whats the coolest area in the abbey Brother Hale?” The mouse beside him think and answers “Cellars…but Friar Lacota may dislike it….”  “Then he can complain to me later as unlike other beasts lizards tend to overheat a lot faster and it’s hard to get the temperature back too good for them…they also will freeze a lot faster in winter but that’s another story…so …ok” He nods to two strong otters, ”Ok let’s move”

Ferro is not doing so well at all, he was ill from the heat and much worse than Krisha was earlier.

Krisha frowns and starts to get up to follow them. She sips the water she is given and looks very concern.

Leon nods “Krisha…stay here, he is in good paws trust me please.”

Krisha leans back and nods, she will stay put in the infirm and sip water and cool off.

Leon smiles and quickly follows the otters to the cellar, “In the far back…..and yeah here works “ It’s a cleared out area where a couple extra barrels are kept and a couple broken barrels waiting to be fixed. A sheet is laid down and the lizard onto it with a wet sheet over him to his chin. A helper goes to offer the monitor small sips of water as the master healer sits down to take a pulse and do what he can, which is only so much. Time…..time would tell how well the lizard recovers.

Ferro groans as he is semi awake, enough to sip much needed water as any water he had he gave to the badger maid on his way here. His shivering lessens some as he slips into unconsciousness, but at least he got some water down. If more is needed they will have to slowly get it down his throat themselves. His pulse is weak and slowish.

Leon sighs as a novice carefully drips water into the monitor’s throat and rubs the throat to get the water down. The Master Healer stays nearby as Brother Hale also helped “ So we stay watch over him for now?” Leon nods “Yeah…not sure how long, just keep the sheet slightly wet and a wet rag on his forehead and wrists…get a little water down the throat every 30 minutes also,  it’s all we can do besides wait. The badger maid should be ok in the infirm…I am more worried about Ferro here as he is a LOT worse than she is, a heck of a lot worse as I have seen other beasts get too hot and him being a lizard it’s a lot worse to be in this state.” “Should we inform the abbey of our…guest in the cellar “ Leon nods and adds “And Friar Lacota also should know, it’s the coolest area in the abbey right now and that’s what Ferro needs.” Brother Hale nods and goes to tell Abbot Benar whats going on as Leon stays for now, in a couple hours Brother Hale can take over and keep him updated.

==I play Drake and spoof some vermin==

The woods are quiet, its muggy and hot today and the vermin are restless. A weasel frowns "It’s too quiet...and its hot!" A fox rolls his eyes "Its summer ya fool course its hot outside" The badger is tied to some maple tree and guarded by the other weasel, the stoat looks around "Almost sundown...boss was to be here shortly after that"

Krisha has been quiet, then it’s not like she has spoken in a long while anyways. The summer heat has gotten to her but it’s at least a little shady in the woods. It’s also clear she has been crying off and on.

Ferro has come along. He has with him his mace and a set of 6 throwing daggers, plus he has fangs and claws and the fact monitors are muscle bond as well helps. Also he is very ticked off...and that’s dangerous.....for the vermin.

DoraRose is walking down the path, wearing a lightweight cloak with the hood pulled up so nobody can see who she is.  She has her black travel outfit on underneath the cloak, and her sword strapped to her side.  Blisa and her bodyguards, along with a few other village guards, are coming along in a group around her.  The young cat is whispering to the monitor lizard, "Okay, remember, DoraRose is gonna do her best to get Krisha away from here safely, and we're going to stay here and kill the beasts who did this.  Okay?"

The vermin look when they think they see movement and the stoat motions to be ready as he walks forwards.   

Krisha frowns as she watches the stoat, the stoat scares her more than the others vermin here.   

Ferro hisses low "None had bessssssst harmed her...one hair out of place..or elssssssssee" Then he could care less, the crime is already done keeping her captive and his sentence is....well its death, he could care less these vermin are scums and he is the over protective father.   

Patch is nearby, but he can hide in trees fairly well and climb good also. Nearby and staying out of sight as well is the hare Zolomon, longbow and arrow ready.   

DoraRose continues to walk forward with the group, keeping her hood up and cloak closed. Blisa nods. "I'd be okay with you just killing them outright when Dora gets Krisha away." The guards spot what may be the stoat and let the petite Chieftain know. The cat nods. "Well, we're here, at least." There are a few more guards in the bushes with the hare, ready for action.   

The stoat narrows his eyes as he walks towards what he assumes is Cynthia.."So...this is achally going as planed? That’s unexpected I was sooooo hoping to shed some blood" The fox near him grumbles as he singles for the two foxes to bring the badger maid forwards as he grins "As boss said ya get the stripedog back...if we get the mouse maid for him...."He also notices "The other stripidog isn’t here....guess he is a coward and makes others do the work for him...no matter"   

Krisha looks up startled as the foxes grab her and she struggles a little when they drag her forwards. She is not sure what is going to happen and the fact Xander isn’t here worries her. Also being outside with little water isn’t a good thing so her struggling isn’t as strong as it could be.   

Ferro resist the urge to storm the vermin now, he bares his teeth and grips his mace tightly that his knuckles turn white a little. But he stays where he is, like a spring ready to strike suddenly.   

Patch starts to step out and thinks better of it and snorts as he mutters " Foul mouth stupid stoat" He mutters. Zolomon keeps alert, he won’t fire off an arrow, not yet.   

DoraRose's jaw clenches tightly, but she does not reveal her anger. She won't put the badger maid’s life at unnecessary risk. Blisa waves a paw airily as her group comes to a halt. "Oh, no, he's not a coward. He just thought you pathetic worms were so weak, it'd be pointless for him to come. he'd just squish you all like gnats." Crossing her arms, she continues without pausing to let them respond: "Yes, we brought Cynthia with us, as you can see," (she's a remarkably good liar! It's kind of frightening, how good she is) "How shall we do this? Shall we send the maidens across at the same time? Then we won't have to fight over who goes first." She just takes over things, doesn't she?   

The stoat just rolls his eyes. He just wants his gold "I could care less as I said boss wants the mouse maid...not sure why but seemed important ta him" He looks at the foxes "Make the stripedog go forwards and make sure the mouse doesn’t try to run." One weasel as a crossbow aimed at the badger as the stoat smirks "Any tricks...someone dies..come on let’s get this over and done with we not got all night" And the sun is starting to go lower in the sky.

   
Krisha tenses as one fox shoves her and causes her to stumble, she slowly stands and limps a little but goes forwards towards where the other group is. She looks unsure as she doesn’t know some of these beasts...are they foe or friends, she looks like she rather stop as she starts to slow down and then starts to walk again in the straight line slowly.   

Ferro hisses low. Everything in him says kill...kill these scums now and another voice says grab Krisha and never let her go again, heck leave Mossflower so she is safer maybe, but no he won’t do that, He is patience...he will wait for the right moment, it will come.   

Patch stays low and watches as does Zolomon. Always wise to watch vermin as they can trick you and this seems a little too easy for his liking.   

DoraRose grumbles in her mind, but stays silent. Well, okay.....so she won't grab the badger maid and run away. She walks forward, and when she and the badger come level, she whispers in a tone only Krisha can hear, "Don't look surprised, just go straight to your Dad. We'll keep you safe." She then continues on her way towards the vermin, keeping her head down, hood up, and cloak closed. Blisa is biting her lip. She knows that the Warrior mouse had to change the plans because of the threat to kill the badger. Hopefully, the mouse knows what she's doing.... "When Krisha gets here, get her to laying on the ground so she won't get shot," the cat whispers to the monitor lizard.   

The stoat watches, he is smart but not that smart as he laughs "Woodlanders are such fools" He has won in his mind as he motions the weasel to lower his weapon, they have the mouse maid in front of him and she wouldn't dare run off "So..mouseie...ya ready for my boss to take you to the western shore...well after he gives me the gold he owes me"   

Krisha is already tense and nervous so looking a little more may not look out of place. She doesn’t nod she just walks to the group and looks to see where her father is.   

Ferro would rush forwards and hug her, but his focus is now the stoat or any other beast closer to him that in his mind needs to die. He will strike soon as he knows his daughter is out of harm’s way.   

Zolomon pulls back an arrow, he is aimed for that weasel in case it fires and there is the stoat, he is unsure whom to fire at as the rat Patch has slipped out of the tree, maybe to go report or he is elsewhere.   

DoraRose smiles underneath her hood as she stops in front of the stoat. "Sure," she says sarcastically, then, all at once, she whips back her cloak and draws her sword, aiming to stab the stoat in the chest! Blisa sees this and calls out, "Charge! George, get Krisha out of here!" A small male weasel nods and goes to pull the badger maid into the bushes with him.   

The stoat gets a look of surprise, that he wasn't expecting as he was told the mouse maid was a poor fighter, a weakling...some singer even and the sword hurts for a mere few seconds before his life ends and his eyes mist in death. The two foxes are already on alert, the weasel fires his cross bolt and hits a tree next to the badger maid, the other weasel looks in shock.."T..the boss won’t like....." And then a voice is heard "I won’t like what you fools?" Well well well...its Drake.   

Krisha gasps as she is pulled into the bush, luckily for her as it causes the cross bolt to miss her, just barely as she seems to not want to go with this George, but she decides he is helping, she just wants her father, she wants Xander to come rushing to her side, she just wants out of these woods before all chaos happens.   

Ferro gives no warning as he edges closer to that weasel and springs, his teeth bared and claws out, Mace slamming forwards “Meet death sssssssssssssscum" Yes nothing like a monitor being the last thing you see before you die, if the weasel didn’t die of a heart attack, he is clearly dying in a lot of pain.   

Patch is still close and eeps, ok....stay in the tree, it’s safer there than near the insane monitor...Zolomon takes a deep breath and lets the arrow fly at the other weasel who looks in shock, take him out before he comes to his senses.   

DoraRose swings her sword at the nearest fox, hollering, "YOU CAN'T HAVE MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW!!!" Once the fight ensues, she and Blisa and the cat's bodyguards will be fighting out on the fringes, making sure nobody escapes or hurts the badger maid. The mouse will send a message to Redwall when this is all done, telling them the results of the fight when it's all over....   

Drake narrows his eyes, the stoat is dead and the one weasel is seriously dead. The one comes to his senses long enough to get an arrow in his throat and falls over dead. That leaves just the two foxes and the mouse Drake. The fox barely ducks the blade Dorarose has and goes to kick her, most likely missing any connection which only angers the fox.

Krisha is meanwhile keep off to the side for safety, her breathing is a little off as one of the guards also luckily knows some healing...well somewhat..."I think we need to get her to Ferravale." That’s true...the heat has made the badger maid ill and a healer now rather than later is better as if they wait....she could get worse and die. After a quick message to the main guards, 3 guards quickly led the badger towards Ferravale while others stay and help in the fight, it’s what.....two foxes and a mouse.   

Ferro hisses as he slams the mace into the weasel a couple times and narrows his eyes at Drake...the mouse may be in some serious trouble.   

The hare Zolomon makes sure the 3 guards have a good clear path to Ferravale, then he will come back and help if it’s needed.   

Drake watches the monitor closely, he glares at Dorarose as he doesn’t like being tricked and he has a few, 5, more friends to help him...4 rats and a shrew, yes a not so good shrew who likes gold more than a life as a goodie good woodlander type."Idots will learn you don’t mess with me!"   

Krisha shivers as she manages to limp, but does pass out when almost to Ferravale so hopefully some extra help to get her to the infirm and contact a healer somehow.   

Ferro easily kills a rat, then another  as his eyes look to the mouse as he knows the mouse ordered all this...can a monitor go bloodwrath? Does Drake really want to find out?   

Whats left on the bad side is 2 rats and 2 foxes, oh and a evilish shrew  and the lone mouse Drake. The sun has set but that doesn’t mean the fighting has ended yet.   

==How will this end? Find out in part two coming soon!!==

Redwal log
Leon-Brother and Master Healer of Redwall
Ferro-Blacksmth and a non-meat eatting Monitor

Leon is making his way across the entry from the direction of the open ground as he has a couple scrolls he is carrying that he places in a backpack at his side.   

There is some beasts some reason avoiding the entry...oh there's the answer it’s the monitor Ferro and he does keep his distance from any beast unsure of him, a dibbun gets a little brave and waves at him, he nods as usually his smile isn’t the best to see. He sees Leon and when the mouse is close he nods a hello to him.   

Leon slows and then after a couple moments he decides to speak to him "Hello..Ferro correct?"   

Ferro nods "That izzzz correct. I have zzzet up my shop in Ferravale and been...buzzzy"   

Leon says, "Ferravale can be a busy place yes been there a couple times as I check with them in Spring and see how they are doing on healing herbs and even helped check an herb garden they have now, they do still...same as us, get some healing herbs from the woods or streams, meadow and in the market there may be a rare one sometimes. We have an herb garden as well but not everything can grow in a garden as well or if more is needed of an herb then must go elsewhere""   

Ferro says, "I do not knowzzzz much healing juzzzzt basic and few beasst want to help a monitor, only one zzzzo far was an old hedgehog I helped free....we trust one another now."   

Leon says, "The abbey would help you also when needed...some I know are a little uneasy but once they see your trustworthy but yes your right most monitors are not....well friendly"   

Ferro shrugs "I wouldn't zzzzay....friendly all de time usually avoid beastzzzzz"   

Leon nods "Well....that’s fine. Your welcome to stay a little while as I am sure Krisha is here....somewhere......probably with Xander where ever he is as I know a couple beasts was looking for him"
   
Ferro nods as he listens "Yes...zzzzhe trusts him as he is a fellow badger, zzzzhe trusts little other beast zzzo far but then zzzzhe has followed my footpaws of avoiding others, prehaps zzzzhe should not zzzo much"   

Leon says, "well maybe in time she will make other friends, if she is with Xander she is safe trust me"   

Ferro says, "That izzzz good I am not too worried"   

Leon says, "Its been fairly trouble free on the roads and in the woods"   

Ferro says, "Yezzzzzz......tis true and I may zzzpend a day here then back to my own home and zzzhop"   

Leon says, "Well we do have fish if you’re looking for that...the otters maybe have shrimps if need a meal"   

Ferro chuckles "I am a vegetarian" Whoa big surprise here as yep that gets some stares and attention, he grins and that makes a couple back up at which he shakes his head.   

Leon blinks "Ok...well THAT is different indeed and interesting"   

Ferro says, "We are all different and sometimes have unique things about uzzzzzz....it makezzzz uzzzz.....well uzzz"   

Leon smiles and adjust his backpack "Anyways I need to achally check on something with the healer in Ferravale..see how they are on supplies and we can talk another time" And yes he did ask Gorvenalus to help while he was out of the abbey just 1-2 days   

Ferro says, "Of courzzzze"   

Leon then heads off, he did promise to be there by lunch and it’s just after breakfast

Log

Leon-Master Healer Redwall
Dorarose-Gatekeeper Redwall
Minsc- A Hamster

==Redwall Library==

Leon had fallen asleep in the library, he had not meant to but the past few days he had not sleep well at all and with Angela away he had some extra work to do or so he decided he did and he refused to sleep much, he had his reasons and he had not planned to drift into sleep in the library it just happen.   
Minsc was up here being quiet as it was a library after all, he was reading some history of the abbey, a book on different hordes from a long time ago to now, not the best reading maybe but he seemed to want to learn.   
   
Leon curled more onto the soft pile of pillows, a book of poems in his lap as he seemed peaceful, but then it seemed all not so peaceful as he seemed to shiver and mutter something, twitching once as it a bad dream maybe.   

Minsc looked over at the Master Healer and then back to his own book as he was not one to disturb a beast from a needed nap.   

Leon turns to his side as he been on his back and mutters again about too high up and slipping and his one paw grips one of the pillows as he seems to tightly hold on to the pillow some reason.   

Minsc turns and sits his book aside as he goes to stand by Leon, unsure he clears his throat and speaks softly "Brother Leon...sir?"   

Leon doesn’t respond to his name he just seems to grip the pillow tighter and shiver a little more muttering "No...no no.....high too high.....fall"
   
Minsc looks on concern and frowns as he knees down and reaches slowly out to touch his shoulder "Hey...wake up"   

Leon jerks away and seems to get a bit more upset "Noo...leave alone...friend...gonna fall...no falling....."And a tighter grip on that pillow like it’s some sort of life line and more shivering.   

Minsc looks to the doorway wondering if he should find someone to help or if he should try and tend to this himself, he tries talking "Brother Leon...wake up...no one is falling, nothing is falling"   

Leon just seems to get more into the dream or nightmare it’s clear to say as he shivers and mutters more, lack of sleep makes it harder to wake up fully, he is even sweating a little “Noo nooo!" Well least no one is in the library except them and that’s good!
   
Minsc frowns, he sighs and may hate himself later for this as he grips the Brother's shoulders and goes to shake him awake   

Leon groans but is still not fully awake and seems to even panic when the Hamster shakes him "Noo noo...let go...don't let go...fall..fallling!!"   

Minsc frowns, he tries to calm him down so he doesn't hurt himself or hurt him either as he sighs, he goes to hold him down and speaks "Wake up...calm down...your fine" He frowns, this is not a good day.   

Leon shivers and tries to fight back, "Noooooo.....falll...falll..."His eyes then snap open as he tenses up and gasps, shivering and sweating, he mutters something and looks around, blinking a few times still shivering and stares at the hamster before taking deep calming breaths.

   
DoraRose is right at that moment walking into the Library, her strong arms full of books of various sizes. She can barely see where she's going, much less who's in here. "Hey, uh, Brother Keaton, I found these around the Abbey.....I think DAB stole most of them...." She sets them down with a thunk on the table and blinks. "Oh! Hi....have you seen Brother.....I say, what's wrong?" Her face gets a concerned look as she takes in the scene.   

Minsc turns to the mouse and frowns "I...don't know he was muttering and then having some kind of nightmare maybe, I am not sure said or muttered bout something or other falling"   

Leon still takes a couple deep breaths where he sits on the pile of pillows and just frowns still shivering a little and not speaking to any beast, he normally wouldn’t fall asleep in here, but some lack of sleep made him fall asleep.

DoraRose quickly strides forward and kneels beside her husband. She goes to wrap him in her strong arms if he lets her, saying softly, "Falling, huh? He's afraid of heights, but I don't think he usually has dreams of falling....." She then murmurs in the Master Healer's ear, "Hey, love, I'm here now, you're safe, you're okay. It must've been a terrible dream."
   
Minsc says, "I have no idea unless he fell outta bed or something, not heard of anyone falling....well thar was the one rumor or maybe it happen like 3 weeks or so ago "

Leon allows it and still shivers some and gulps a little as he finally speaks "I...I am ok just bad dream" He frowns and closes his eyes at the memory of falling, he did fall for real and not just the repeated dream of falling and right before hitting the ground waking up!

DoraRose goes to give the other mouse a tighter hug (while still being careful to not hurt him; she is pretty strong). "Tell me about it; I've found telling other about my nightmares makes them less strong in my memory." Turning to the hamster, she adds in a puzzled voice, "What rumor? I don't listen to the gossip all the weak females chatter, so I'm not sure what you're referencing...?"   

Minsc blinks "About all the sparrows whom I avoid as its worm this or worm that...annoying if asked me. I mean someone helps them and they go and try and kill them...I mean come on...then half the sparrows fight the other half...goodgrief"   

Leon half listens to the hamster and Dora speak , he then focuses on Dora and shakes his head no, he catches a few words of Minsc and closes his eyes as he slowly stops shivering. He has lost sleep since that day, a day few know what really happen, well they do but not who...seems sparrows keep it quiet from most beasts as he sighs. He has also hidden a talon mark on one shoulder, yes he has tended to it and made sure it was healing as he is a healer and it did heal very well.   

DoraRose bites her lip. "The Sparra had a civil war? How terrible! I had no idea, or else I'd have offered to help calm things down in some way." Seeing as how she is a terrible diplomat, that wouldn't've been the best idea in the world. "So we have no idea who helped them? Do we know if that creature is okay? Or did the sparrows kill them?" Little do THEY know. She goes to rub her husband's back, trying to comfort him, even if he won't tell her what's wrong.
   
Minsc has his ideas but he won't say it as he just thinks it, "There.....not sure” He mutters "And from what I heard the sparrows want to handle it on their own and wounded were helped in de infirm"   

Leon frowns as he hugs his knees to his chest and listens to their talking "Yeah....fighting birds...but not been fighting for bit as guess healing and gaining friends...something" He takes a deep breath and frowns again, he thinks back on the day again, the backing up...the falling and being caught by the sparrows on his side and gulps as he closes his eyes, he speaks...maybe they will stop talking of it if he says something “They d..didn’t kill the beast...they are ....they are alive"

DoraRose frowns as she listens to the hamster. "Well, hopefully they'll think to ask for help if they need it..." and her attention is immediately upon her husband. "They are? Where are they? Who are they? They were very brave to go up there into the loft....wait, how do you know that they're alive? Were they brought to the Infirmary? Who are they?" And all of the other mouse's hopes that they'll stop talking about it are dashed!   

Minsc just looks at the healer mouse, he is beginning to think he has the answer but lets the healer decide if he will tell or not.   

Leon frowns all the questions that need answers as he frowns "D..Dora...please.." He frowns, he then replies "Yeah one or two sparrows..got them..." He takes a deep breath, stupid flashbacks, brave maybe..the sparrow Henry took him up there. He and Henry were both attacked and he fell backwards...upside down as he shivers again and closes his eyes, he is silent before he speaks" I know...cause...."Deep breath in and out few times..."It was....me"

DoraRose listens carefully, and then her face gets a shocked look as she stares at him for a few moments. "WHAT?!" she finally asks in a shrill, high-pitched voice. "Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you take me with you? You almost DIED and you didn't tell me??!" She looks a little hurt, but mostly just worried and very, very surprised. She goes to grab him by the shoulders and repeats, "Why didn't you tell me????"   

Minsc frowns "You feel from that height and didn’t die?!"
   
Leon frowns, why didn’t he say anything and yeah he almost died he knows and that just makes his shiver and then tears start to go down his face.."I..I didn't want to worry y...y...y...you..s.s.....s..sorry" He frowns "Not s...sleep well n..nightmares ke...keep falling and waking before h..hit ground"
   
DoraRose puts her hurt aside and goes to hold the Master Healer close. "Oh, Leon, darling, I'd rather you tell me and worry me than keep secrets like that from me. I want to help you, but I can't do that if I don't even know that you need it. I'm sorry for being so harsh, and I'm sorry that you're having nightmares."
   
Minsc decides its best to let them have time to talk and he is not interrupting as he slowly walks off.   

Leon nods as tears go down his face and he goes to hug her "I..I’m sorry Dorarose...I was also bust helping sparrows in...in the infirm..s...should of told you sooner." He shivers a little less and maybe, just maybe finally telling her what happen will help ease the nightmare he keeps having "I...I am a healer had to help them after th..they were wounded from Quade's attack"   

DoraRose nods and lets him cry as much as he needs to, just holding him as he needs it. "It's okay...I forgive you....I love you so much.....I'm so proud of you; it was really brave of you to face your fear like that and go up into the loft when they needed your help. I love you so much." She goes to kiss the side of his head.   

Leon smiles a little as he nods "I....yeah..w..wanted to help, someone needed to."He sighs "I need sleep....least the sparrows are mostly healed. There was someone attacked by ravens or...crows, not me...and the birds were killed, the beast is ok wound wise and...well slight tense moment talking to someone else, had to have someone else do that"
   

DoraRose nods and pulls back a little so she can look into his eyes, but she keeps her arms around him.  "Wanna go to the Gatehouse and take a nap?  I'll stay there with you.  I promise."  She gets a hankie and offers it to him (he was crying a little bit).  "Was this beast someone I know, or someone new?

Leon nods "A..nap would be good maybe Gorvenalus could help with some infirm issues for a day or two......and someone new."He is unsure of mentioning the monitor but.."A monitor was here, but he wasn't a threat, a couple beasts freaked out and one though a beast brought in was a captive but she wasn’t"

DoraRose nods.  "Yeah, since Nana is gone for a while, we'll have to recruit Gorvenalus....he's nice.  A wise head on capable shoulders."  Her ears perk.  "A monitor, huh?  Well, Zarok isn't a threat, so why can't other monitor lizards be friendly, too?"  She goes to kiss her husband on the cheek.  "I trust your judgment."

Leon smiles at Dorarose "I...well he did leave when asked and I did find out about the beast that was injured, his daughter....adopted. But I am not sure how to fully help her, some things are...well take more time than others"

DoraRose listens.  "He sounds responsible and mature, to leave when asked without putting up a fight.  How was she injured?  Perhaps I could help.....I have a few tricks that help beasts who have been injured n battle."  Maybe she could even get the beast talking....who knows?

Leon sighs "Ravens or crows by the river...and she doesn't talk, she hears and she didn’t want me even helping her when she woke up....it wasn't till Xander was in the room she even held still, he didn’t get her talking though and he stayed with her till she went to sleep...her name is think Krisha and she may still be in the abbey somewhere"

DoraRose bites her lip. "Hmmm.....is she a badger? I wonder why she is afraid to have a mouse help her? We seem to usually be a safe species, usually...." Shrugging, she adds, "Maybe this monitor lizard can enlighten us."   

Leon says, "She is a badger yeah, I think he was the first she saw of her own kind for a while and...well we can ask, I didn’t speak to him but maybe a word or two."

DoraRose nods, then stands.  "That's sad....maybe, if I see her, I'll introduce myself and see what happens."  She offers him a paw up.  "But you need a nap right now.  "C'mon; let's get you to bed."  She'll wake him up at dinnertime, and she won't leave his side until tomorrow morning.

Leon nods and allows the help to the gatehouse, a day...maybe two off sounds good.

Log:
Caleb-Novice rank 2
Cynthia- Singer and dancer and a cook in Mossflower Defenders
Kurt-Robin and messenger in Mossflower Defenders

RW Abbey: Pond
-----------------------------
The Abbey pond is practically the place to go for relaxation.  The orchards that settle onto one side of the water hole provide decent shade for the more heated months to come.  Various types of wild flowers grow about the edge of the ground that lightly overhangs into the pond.  The pond seemingly invites one into its cool depths, which holds its fish life and multiple species of shrimp and other water dwellers.
The homely pond provides an oasis of relaxation amid the busy bustle of activity that almost always surrounds Redwall Abbey, especially in the warmer summer months when fruit and crops are to be tended to.  A cool atmosphere, added to by the pond, wafts out around the pond area and onto the grass.  The orchards simply extend that cool, providing shade and solace for those who wish to relax a little further from the sport that is usually taking place around the oh-so-popular pond.
A lush lawn, studiously kept, surrounds the pond, all the way up to the orchard edge, even entering the orchard - though tentatively.  Rushes grow in most of the shallower places on the pond's edge, but the clear water prevails, and in most places, only a bit of a muddy bank is visible and no water reeds find hospitality there.  Bugs of all types flit about the surface of the water, testing fate of those who lurk below.  Sometimes a shadow can be seen skulking about the rocks at the bottom of the clear pond, but it could very well merely be a trick of the potent summer sun.
-------------------------------------   

Cynthia is by the pond singing a soft tune and wearing a flower chain made of white and purple clovers   

Caleb walks into the area slowly and watchers her sing from a short distance away and smiles a little. It’s been a while since he heard her sing and he rather missed her voice.   
   
Cynthia doesn't notice the other mouse yet as she finishes her song, she twirls once and that’s when she sees..."Caleb...hi there, you outside taking a break?"
   
Caleb shrugs "I was just getting fresh air, your singing is still just as lovely as I remember, heck even better than I remember in fact" He smiles softly "I missed hearing it"   

Cynthia says, "Your just saying that to be nice " Her voice is quiet as she speaks" Most forget a voice when it’s not heard for a certain amount of time"   

Caleb frowns "I wouldn't lie and I would never forget your voice Cynthia"

Kurt makes his way to the pond, circling once before he makes a landing and gives a hello to the two mice.   

Cynthia sighs softly, she nods to the robin giving a quiet "Hey there...Kurt was it?"
   
Caleb waves at the robin as he has seen him around the abbey the past few weeks. He notes Cynthia's frown and then speaks " Ummm....Cynthia? Would you like to go to the wall tops and watch the sunset tonight...you don't have to if you don't want to, it’s just an idea after all"   

Kurt says, "I am Kurt yes messenger of Mossflower Defenders...no message today though, is sorry"   

Cynthia first answers Caleb "I...sure why not" Then nods to the bird "Alright, and I know the Defenders I am a cook for them and help out in the tavern at Ferravale when I am able to"   
RW Abbey: South Walltop
----------------------------
Trees, trees, and more trees! Little more is visible when looking out from the southern walltop. Elm, beech, and oak pan out in a bushy canopy as far as the eye can see. A few particularly old trees poke out above the others, stretching their gnarled limbs towards the few clouds in the azure sky. In the distance, the dirt road winds its way southward, cutting a snakelike path through the trees.
Below, outside the Abbey walls, lie the grasslands, stretching for quite a ways. Inside, dibbuns frolic merrily in the sun. The south wall radiates heat, oppressing, stifling, and unavoidable. Straining one's eyes through the shimmering air, one might be able to glimpse St. Ninian's church.

----------------------------------

Caleb smiles and goes to take her paw and lead her to the walltops close to the gardens "I like it up here, unlike my father he....well he would never come up here unless it was majorly important. You can see a lot up here the woods, the road....and the grasslands also, it’s also a good place to see the sunset and the stars on a clear night."   

Kurt watches the two mice and then flies off to where ever else he plans to go today.   

Cynthia lets him lead her and listens as he speaks, Yes it is nice up here the view is lovely."   

Caleb smiles, "Yeah...it is" He sits beside her quietly as the sun starts to set watching it without a word.   

Cynthia lets him stay where he is and sighs, watching the sunset “Sort of a good thing for an artist to draw or paint sometime if they can remember the colors, but its slightly different every night"   

Caleb smiles, he is glad of her company as he listens to her speaking, "You know you’re right it is slightly different every time isn’t it, sort of neat"   

Cynthia says, "Yeah...it’s nice by the sea side also"   

Caleb asks, "You are thinking of going back art ya? To the western shores..if so that’s ok but you should stay a little while before you head off again"   

Cynthia shakes her head "No not going back it’s not the best place, not for me anyways I am staying in Mossflower most likely Ferravale somewhere. Help in the tavern and...well just get along with beast best I can."   

Caleb says, "Oh..well I would like you to stay at the abbey and I know ya father would"   

Cynthia asks, "You want me to stay?"   

Caleb nods "Yes, as I said I missed you...a lot more than I thought I would. You just left and never wrote or anything"   

Cynthia says, "I'm sorry...just the last time we saw one another before that...wasn’t the best and you almost died cause of me and...again I am sorry. I figured you never wanted to see me again"
   
Caleb takes her paw in his if he can, "I could never hate you...I..."He pauses "You’re my friend"   

Cynthia says, "I am friend to a lot of beasts"   

Caleb says, "That’s true and they are lucky for it...but your more than a friend to me"   

Cynthia smiles a little "How is someone more than a friend? And I am glad you’re still a friend Caleb and I did miss you too...a lot more than I think...well yeah missed you "   

Caleb smiles" Missed you too. I am glad your back...and I..."   

Cynthia looks at him curiously "And what?"   

Caleb seems at a loss on what to say, he had planned it I mean why ask her to watch the sunset and now it’s almost done and it’s getting dark, he sighs as it was hard enough the first time "I..." He takes a deep breath" I l...love you"   

Cynthia listens and stands there, she seems to search her own feelings and a possible answer “Caleb...." She does smile at least.   

Caleb says, "If I upset you I am sorry but it’s the truth and I want to ask you something but at the same time I am not sure whether I should"   

Cynthia asks, "Ask me what Caleb?"
   
Caleb smiles "Well...ummmm..."He frowns "Never mind it isn’t as....I had something but lost it and even went back to find it and never did. " He goes to walk away and down the steps.   

Cynthia moves forward and lays a paw on his shoulder "Was it this?" She uses her other paw to take something from her pocket on her apron, it’s a small heart locket "I...found it by the tree after you...well fell in that pond...looked for it after made sure you were safe at the abbey infirm with Papa Oz and your dad...I keep it with me" She goes to place it in his paw and backs up a little.
   
Caleb takes the locket and looks at it and smiles "You...keep it safe?"   

Cynthia nods "Yeah I mean it’s yours not.....it’s yours ok and not mine, yours to do with as please I WAS sure you didn’t want anyone else to get it so I keep it, was gonna send it back with a sea gull or maybe with Xander and his friends"   

Caleb holds it and then goes, if able to place it around Cynthia's neck and smiles if he is allowed to let her have the necklace "Its yours..."He says softly   

Cynthia stays still and looks at the locket and smiles "It’s very pretty...but are you sure you want to give it to me?"   

Caleb has gotten in front of her, bent down on one knee and smiling at her, he will wait till she looks his way before speaking again "I am sure...I am also sure on this question but the reply is up to you.....will you marry me?"   

Cynthia eyes meet his eyes and she gasps, she stares and listens replying what he is saying in her mind. He asked before and she was sad to reply, she was also debating on just letting her heart decide and instead she didn’t and she thought and thought of it this past several weeks "Oh...Caleb....I" She goes forwards to hug him and give him a kiss, a real kiss and not just a kiss on the cheek before laying her head on his shoulder with a reply of "Yes"   

Caleb is surprised at the hug and kiss and then smiles returning a hug and kiss of his own, and when she says yes he smiles warmly " I love you and always want to be by your side...or least at your side as much as I can be"   

Cynthia chuckles "You have your novice duties and...well I don’t plan to leave the abbey...well maybe but will only be as far as Ferravale and I love you also Caleb" She steps back again and looks around "We should get inside its dark out now"   

Caleb nods and goes to help led her inside, keeping her safe if needed as they go inside the abbey building.

Log with Caleb, Caleb and Cynthia have a chat for the first time in a while........

   
RW Abbey: Kitchen Path
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A broad path leads down through the short grass of the area. The orchards spread far and wide on one of the sides, near the abbey's outer wall. From this distance the dirt path can be seen winding through the grassy orchards, and along with it many dibbuns eager for the sweet cherries, apples, and various other fruity delights. Nearby the vegetable garden makes its presence known by the plumpness of the fruits and plants. The kitchen wall rests on the other side of the garden path, and the large kitchen door usually sits propped open to ease the heat of the kitchens. Often, a beast can catch tantalizing wisps of the foods being cooked. Beside it is a small breezeway that seems to connect the kitchens to the great hall. The great hall appears still great even in this distance, dwarfing the kitchen structure.
                             
Springing to life after a long sleep, summer is in full force. The beauty of the sun echoes everywhere from the vivacious flowers, eager to dance in hot breezes to the green shoots of grass, swaying as accompaniment to the lead of the flora. Puddles and muddy spots have been chased away by the golden rays of the sun. During the day, it seems as if buttermilk has been poured over the road, changing the dull brown color into something wearing the majestic touch of the sun-- perhaps a path to the heavens.
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Cynthia walks along the path quietly, every so often picking a yellow or blue flower and twirling them in her paw a faint smile on her face.   

Caleb walks from the gardens to take some picked spring veggies to the kitchen when he sees the mouse maid, he first drops off the veggies and then walks towards Cynthia, unsure of a reaction he keeps his distance as he gives a quiet “Hello"   

Cynthia turns and stays quiet as she faces the other mouse, "Hi" she replies but otherwise she is quiet as well, not much to say here it would seem.
   
Caleb folds his paws behind his back "Guess you’re visiting...but still hello it is nice to see you again"   

Cynthia nods "Nice to see you and...no I am back to stay or well maybe stay in Ferravale I do not know yet. I may help cook in the tavern there"   

Caleb nods "That’s nice...you cook?" The last couple words are surprised.
   
Cynthia nods "Yeah...learned from watching father...and a little on my own, and one recipe from you...the rolls with honey"   

Caleb says, "Well...yeah he IS the friar and that’s neat..."He looks at the ground adding "I..missed you by the way, so someone else sleeping or elsewhere since your by yourself...and I can leave you alone if want to stay by yourself"

Cynthia shrugs "I...no I am alone, someone brought me here, no one came with me from Halyard...well just the ones who already lived here or...yeah"   

Caleb asks, "Who got you to the abbey?"   

Cynthia answers "Xander....and a hare named Zolomon and they had this frog named Leafeyes with them, she is funny"
   
Caleb smiles "A frog...that’s sort of neat and I know Xander he was a good choice to get you and whoever else..here safely"
   
Cynthia says, "Just me " She states "Just me, no one else came along besides Xander, Zolomon and Leafeyes"   

Caleb says, "What about..."He sighs "Drake was it, forgot his name....sorry just curious"   

Cynthia frowns but answers "He is....look I could care less where he is" She raises her voice and just shakes her head " He will hopefully stay far off and please don’t ask or mention his name again...ok"   

Caleb says, "umm....ok"
   
   
Cynthia sighs "I...I am sorry Caleb just some things don’t always go good in life and guess I found that out is all didn’t mean to upset you and I am glad to be home and I am glad you’re ok"   

Caleb says, "Why wouldn’t I be ok....nothing has really gone on to harm me and not been ill"   

Cynthia says, "I mean when...I left and you was in that small pond with the ice and the otters got you out, I helped get you to the abbey and your father got you to the infirm"   

Caleb blinks "Oh.....that. I got better, woke up and you were gone but I knew you would be gone and not stay cause you didn’t want to stay" He backs away as tears start to fall and he lets them "You wanted to leave and maybe never come back"   

Cynthia frowns "I...well at the time I wasn’t sure and I did miss every beast and thought of coming back sooner but I didn’t. Maybe I should of but I didn’t   

Caleb speaks softly "Why didn’t you then? You claim you missed beasts and clime things didn’t turn out good but you still stayed away longer"   

Cynthia starts to speak and just frowns "I don't know guess though it would get better but it got worse, but I am home now"   

Caleb shrugs "Yeah...your back but I don’t know what to think of it, I mean last time we saw one another..really saw one another what you said...it hurt, it hurt a lot and..I just.." He then clears his throat and wipes his eyes "I need to go I promised I would help make some pasties" With that he turns and heads inside   

Cynthia frowns as she watches him go and stays where she is, she would follow but that could make matters worse

Caleb looks back towards her when he is almost inside and frowns, he feels he should go back but also he just feels like it be a lost cause but he is also worried as she is a friend..right still a friend? Least he does hope so.

Cynthia walks slowly to the orchards and cries silent tears, this is not a good day so far

Caleb sighs as she goes out of sight and he finally heads inside to help with the pastries.