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** Not all of Quade's beasts that escaped alive got lucky, some got far worse than a bloodwrath badger, hare, or upset woodlander. Now 10 beasts got away with Quade, they are lucky for now....but a small group of 3 rats and a weasel, not part of the 10 with Quade,  that got seprated...welll.....not so lucky. ***

===In the woods...somewhere===

The small group stayed around a small campfire as it was still a little cold at night and they ate a wood Pidgeon they managed to find. When the weasel spoke up "Ok that badger was scary and think aimed us dead"  "Not as scary as that furry hare with the blade" The weasel shrugged "Maybe, wonder what happen to the boss?"

A rat shrugged now" Who knows with all the sparrows and beasts fighting, maybe he died or something"
Another rat just ate the wood Pidgeon and every so often looked around as crickets were one of the only sounds for now.

If they thought badgers and hares were frightening, they have yet to meet the true terror of Mossflower. Drawn to the smell of death, a creature sulks through the wood this night, moving slowly and purposely through the woods, flicking it's tongue to smell its future meal.

Little did the small band of vermin survivors know what was slowly slithering towards them, pausing just outside the light of the campfire. The beast narrows her eyes, grinning deviously as she surveys the scene. Her eyes scanning over the rats and weasel like one does a buffet, deciding which would make the best meal.

The weasel seemed in charge as he had managed to steal a little bit of supplies from a scared mole but only some to bandage a couple beasts worse wounds "Things will be fine, hey we could start our own group and head to the western sea, live in the Halyard place and live it up..lot of opportunities  there boys" The rats seem to think that’s a good plan, well two do as the 3nd is too far wounded to care, "Maybe we could go to the abbey and beg for forgiveness.....we need a healer and they have one..more than one and we have none"

"Perhapsss you sshould beg for ssomething elsssse..." the sound of giggling laughter fills the clearing. It’s hard to place where it comes from exactly.

And the weasel is up with a blade and its drawn as he tries to locate the sound "We don't beg. Show yourself as guessing your some fool Redwall or one of those Mossflower Defender beasts...well come out and die or just hide like a coward" He brushes past the bush the voice is hiding it and stops beside it, listening closely “Well?"
The two rats jump and get nervous as the 3nd rat frowns and starts to try and crawl away leaving a trail of blood from his wounded leg.

The giggling only grows louder until the weasel pushes back the last bush, realing a wide eyed smiling adder staring back at him.

Jusst for that...Ill kill you last." Tulip says sweetly before lunging up and over the weasel, aiming for the nearest rat, fangs out stretched like poison tipped spears.

The weasel eyes go wide as he is too frozen in place to scream and drops his sword. One rat gasps and bolts as the one rat suddenly needs dry pants as the fangs sink in and his world ends as he falls dead to the ground in mere moments. The 3nd rat shivers and tries to play dead, though it may not need to play dead for too much longer as it a struggle to get away he opened his leg wound more and even more blood spills.

The mad giggling stops only because the snake has her teeth into the rats hide, injecting the poison into him even as her fangs pierce his heart. She throws his limp caucus as the fleeing rat before swinging her tail down hard at the wounded beast to put him out of his misery with a crushing blow!

The rat doesn't yell, the already dying rat simply dies, that leaves one rat and the weasel who is just now backing up and looking for a way to flee. The rat meanwhile goes to climb a tree and slides down, before trying again and again before giving up and pressing against the tree "Shooooo....go away!"

"Ssshoo?" The snake would blink if she were capable. Instead she makes a face while going, "Awwww, how cute. You are jussst so adorable I could /eat you up/." Her tail slinks out, seeking to grab the beast by the legs and hoist him high over her open gullet. "I am sso sSSsorry the lasst thing you hear on this green earth iss a pun..."

The rat stares at her and that’s his mistake and seemly his last as he is easily grabbed and now hanging upside down over the snake and the weasel.....well he is gathering stuff they stole and about to get his tail out of the area.

Nonchalantly the snake drops the rat into her waiting maw. CHOMP goes the beast as Tulip gobbles him down without ceremony. Slowly her head turns for the weasel as she slurps down the last of the rat's tail. "See? I told you I would ssave you for lasssst." With a coy smile Tulip begins slithering towards the greedy weasel who should have really, really just left when he had the chance.

The weasel drops the stuff he has "Umm..s..sorry I got to go find my boss" He then quickly goes to run and trips over a lantern and holds his ankle as he twisted it, for a moment the snake is forgotten.

That won't be a problem for long. Still swollen with her recent 'meal' the snake looms over the weasel, twisting its head this way and that as it examines the weasel, "Ooooo, that looksss...painfull. I do sso hate to ssee you sSSsuffer. Perhapss I will put you out of your missery." She begins to coil in a circle around the beast, not wrapping around him...yet, but further keeping him from escaping. "Psst. Thiss is the part where you try to tell me why I ssshouldn't eat you. Go on. Give it a try..."

The weasel is suddenly back in the here and now as he finds himself in the coils of the snake "Umm...ummm you already ate, so why eat more...like your girlish figure and all would be ruined"

The snake snorts in laughter. "Ressorting to flattery already?" The beast begins to tighten her coil. The weasel finds himself with less room to move around. "Go on. You fluffy typesss with your fancy wordsss. You remind me of a pet I once had. He wasss a fine fluffy fox...he ussed to bring us beassts to nibble on...oh how I miss that sssilly little fox..."

The weasel struggles as he tries to escape, he has to think fast "D...did he leave that’s mean of him?"

"Oh, he ran away." The snakes coils tighten now around the weasel himself, "He ran and he ran and he RAAAN. But he could not run far enough..." The beast hisses, her eyes looking elsewhere as she remembers. Tulip chuckles. "Three monthsss I tracked him. Through rain, desssert...sssnow. He took jussst asSSs long to /die/ when I found him." The snake tightens her coils even further as her head leans down to look the weasel eye to eye. "But you are ssmarter than thisss, yesss? You do not wisssh to be eaten...yesssh? How you like me to make you a deal?"

The weasel gulps "W..what sort of deal would that be..madam?"

The snake squeals with delight. "There was a great battle here jussst the other day. Many fluffy vermin beastiesss survived the slaughter. I want you to bring them here...bring them ALL here. Do thisss, and you will live to be a nice old weassel persson." The snakes eyes seem to glow as they reflect the fire light behind the weasel. "Double crosss me and I will hunt you down to the endsss of the earth and eat you /alive/." Her voice darkens.

The weasel gulps again "Battle..oh yeah few hours go..I was there and seen it, and there may be wounded beasts...I could trick a beast or two to follow me...hee hee hey I know where a sparrow with a hurt wing may be even, not far away"

The snake smiles, "Good weassel." She pats the beast on the head with the tip of her tail before releasing him. "Now, off you go. You get bonuss pointss for bringing meaty beassts. Go on. Ssshoo." The snake tries to shoo the weasel by prodding him with her tail. "GET LOSST AND BRING ME SUPPER!" she snarls suddenly.

The weasel gasps and quickly bolts, he is wise and does return with a sparrow tied to the end of a rope, that he ties to a tree and backs away. The sparrow goes on and on about how the weaselworm will die, not that the rope was needed as its wing is clearly torn up, it can’t fly.

By then the rats are but a distant memory. Devoured with their gear and armor tossed uncerimonially into a small pile near the edge of the woods. By the time the weasel returns he finds the snake using her tail to pick her fangs with a short sword. "Oh!" she chuckles, tossing away the sword as she picks herself up, splitfinger towards her supper. The weasel actually came back! She figured she would just have to go hunt him down and snap his spine like the last beast she kept as a 'minion'. Picking up the stick with her tail Tulip jokes, "Ha! I really will ruin my girlisssh figure with you around." She opens her maw wide, but hesitates before scarfing down the bird as she ponders her own words.

Her eyes narrow, unable to get the weasel's words out of her mind. "Blast it all..." In the end she gives the snake equivalent of a shrug, biting down on the beast.

It was so nice to have reliable friends again...

The weasel watches as the sparrow is eaten, the poor bird didn’t see the snake coming till it was too late and chirps loudly, but it’s too late and its snake chow as the weasel backs into a tree and whimpers, he may of been better off working for Quade.

Quade was leaning against a tree and relaxing, unseen nearby were some hidden vermin as he stayed alert. But the vermin worked for him.

Rowtag walked up to him and nodded “Marek knows of the death of his woodlander son now.”

Thunderwing had followed the cat and now watched him from a nearby treetop, he then went to fly down for a closer look.

Quade catch movement out of the corner of his eye and flicked his tail as a rain of arrows fired at the eagle, a group of 5 rats hidden in the trees.

Rowtag gets out his bolas and twirls them around as he waits and watches.

Thunderwing was not ready and caught off guard by the arrows as 3 hit him. One in the wing and one in the side, one in the top of a talon as he goes to flap off and almost crashes into a maple tree.

Quade narrows his eyes, ”Rowtag…bring it down”

Rowtag grins and let loose his bolas in a whirl of death.

Thunder felt the bolas wrap around one wing and his talons and tumbled from the sky and onto the ground. He cawed loudly as he looked ready to peck at anything that came close to him.

Quade was no fool “Attack it” As he said this part of his horde came into view. 5 foxes, the rats who fired arrows again at the eagle, some other rats with blades, a couple stoats, martens, and weasels and ferrets, a good 75 beasts. The other 75 at his base.

Rowtag watched from beside the squirrel, his twin blades slowly drawn .

Thunderwing felt the arrows enter his side and one in his chest as he struggled to get untangled and breathed in and out in fear. His wing was broken and had 2 arrows in it, his other wing had an arrow and arrows were elsewhere in his body as blood coated the ground.

Quade walked up and looked at the bird “Well the great eagle…not so great now are you.” He smiled evilly “Your badger leader is next.” He walked to the cat”Finish it off.”

Rowtag grinned and walked towards the eagle and suddenly stabbed forward towards its throat, with both blade, then after a while yanked them forcefully out again.

Thunderwing breathed in and out and was too weak to peck at the cat as the blades entered his throat his eyes started to dull, and when they slide back out, his life slide away as well.

Close by a rat gasped, and quickly backed up and prepared to bolt.

Quade snapped his fingers and the rat and surrounded as he walked up and studied him"Oh if it isn't one of the stripedog's friends."

Patch frowned and then turned to glare at the squirrel "Ya kill me and ya gonna regret it"

Rowtag smirked "Oh it would be fun, right boss?"

Quade rolled his eyes "Oh? I have an idea, you are my guest till I get my paws on Xander Winters...then I shall kill you in front of him...or maybe you watch him die with the Mossflower Defenders...i will decide later, tie him up Rowtag and take away his weapons"

Rowtag happyly does as he is told and goes to drag the rat away.

Patch glares and then starts throwing cuss words of every sort at the squirrel as he is dragged off.

Quade looked to his horde and grinned “15O Strong, maybe small in some ways but there is ways to still win, I have won with less before. We take out the stronger ones one by one….we capture the  Mossflower Defenders leader and let them watch him get slain and then kill them while they are shocked and distracted.  Half can attack Ferravale and the other half the abbey…they will be mine and then I shall slowly destroy them”

What is Quade planning? Will he succeed? Will he fail? Who knows!

==The woods and the road==

Zolomon ran, he could run fairly fast, the hare maid in his arms. He barely avoided a couple rats, a ferret and had killed a fox that got to close to him.

Jasmine was fading fast and weakly spoke "Zolomon....."

Zolomon could see the abbey and smiled "Almost thar Jassy..." He gets to the guards "Help me.." Blood ran down his leg, he didnt care. blood was on his tunic a mix of his, vermin's and Jasmine's blood. The guards opened the gate and the hare walked quickly to the open ground.

Jasmine barely had her eyes open, "Zol....I..love you" She then let her eyes close and went limp in his arms.

Zolomon frooze and looked down at her "Jas...Jasmine!!!!" An abbey sister checked the hare maid and just confirmed his worse fears, he placed the hare maid on a cot and walked towards the door to the hallway as if in a daze.

Jasmine was dead.

RW Abbey: Cavern Hole
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This room is slightly smaller than Great Hall, but still of a size large enough to accommodate a great number of gathered beasts. A large fireplace is set into one of the walls, and there are a series of small tables and chairs near one end for beasts who are eating late, or simply prefer the smaller tables for their meals. Cushions and blankets have been set in one corner. A short flight of steps leads up to Great Hall, and along the walls of the stairs, going both ways, the word 'Redwall' has been carved into the stone.
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Zolomon walks in, a limp and he has blood on his tunic, he about falls down the steps as he comes from that direction having gone to the infirm, and then left...left after what was said, he finds a chair and sort of falls into it.   

Oz is debating on drinking some tea made, he is leary of tea now and sits the green tea down, he then hears Zolomon and frowns, "Zolomon?"   

DoraRose comes in from the kitchen. Her face is all bruised from the fight the other day, and she has a cut on her nose from where her helmet was pushed into her face by Quade's knock-out punch. She spots the hare and hurries over to him. "Zolomon? Oh my goodness, what happened? We need to get you to the Infirmary!"   

Zolomon frowns, "The cat....he killed Jasmine....didn’t get back in time, too many stupid vermin." He looks at the mouse maid "The other Defenders may or may not be....don’t blooming know"
   
Oz starts to stand and then listens to the hare as speaks.

DoraRose kneels by the hare's chair. "What were you all doing outside of the Abbey? Xander left, and I couldn't stop him; he had his armor and sword. I had duties so I couldn't chase him." She looks at the blood on him. "Is any of that yours, by any chance?"
   
Zolomon shrugs, he frowns as if she looks there is a rather bad one on his upper leg, and a cut on his paw and left ear" We were looking for Quade and found his bird...then Quade and I went in first and Xandy was gonna drag me out but I heard....."He gulped "Quade told the cat to kill Benar...and we like...then sort of Chaos....the cell was unlocked but then the cat woke up and there was a fight, I got separated"   

DoraRose notes these injuries and gets a blanket and sends a Novice to get her grandmother or somebody. "Wait, so you found Quade's base??" She purses her lips. "I wish I could've been there and beaten that slime of a squirrel." She goes to cover him with the blanket. "So you have no idea who's alive or if the rescue attempt was successful?" She is asking this gently, not as an accusation.   

Zolomon frowns as he shivers "I..don't know....Xandy did pick up Benar who don't think was hurt....some vermin died, and Marek was fighting the cat, he might of been bad hurt, don’t know we just ran and my path got blocked so went and found the other exit, a drop off and so held Jas and jumped, rolled down a hill and then limped here..slowly and avoided a really peeved Quade..he....he wants the other Defenders d..dead and has his assassin looking for them and Benar...maybe they are alive but no bl..blooming clue where"   

DoraRose nods. "It's okay, you did the best you could. And he'll find it very hard to kill me; don't you worry." Angela comes hobbling into the room a few moments later, toting her herb satchel. "I took a break from figurin' out that antidote; I trust that beaver fellow. Now where are y'urt, son?" She goes to check on the hare.   

Zolomon frowns "My...leg hurts" He has a cut to the bone on his upper leg, caked blood now on the wound. He frowns "You think Xandy is ok?"   

As Angela immediately goes to work on his wound, Dora frowns, her brow furrowing. "I....I hope so, Zolomon. He's a good fighter and a brave beast, and he is growing in wisdom. I...." she can't finish the sentence, so instead she goes to squeeze the hares non-injured paw.
   
Zolomon mutters in pain and just tries to stay calm as it hurts, he didn’t know his leg was this bad, " Things happen...too fast, no time think"   

DoraRose nods as the old Healer continues to work, quickly but efficiently. "It's okay, Zolomon," the Warrior murmurs, "it's not your fault." A magpie comes hopping into the room and looks around. "Ahem, hem. I-ah bring ah message from Ferravale! Anybeast in charge of Abbeyplace in here??"
   

Zolomon looks at the bird, is that bird friend or foe, he isn’t sure as he is in pain right now. "I'm sorry I can't tell you where the other Defenders are...."   

DoraRose goes to stroke the hare's head. "Hey, you're okay. Don't worry about it." Smiling, she then turns to the bird and stands. "I'm not in charge of the Abbey, but I can take your message to the beasts who are." The magpie fluffs herself up and proclaims, "Blisa Wyrmtamer wants you to know that Benar Abbot squirrel is safe at Ferravale, and is her guest until the evil squirrel is dead." The Warrior smiles. "Really! That's wonderful! Did you hear that, Zolomon?" Angela smiles slightly as she continues to work on the hare's injuries, the worst one having been taken care of.

Zolomon has not heard much of the end of the conversion as he passes out, too much to handle in one day it would seem.

The hare’s injuries are tended to, and Oz decides to carry the hare to the infirm carefully and then do whatever it is he needs to do the rest of the afternoon.

RW Abbey: Entry
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You stand on a grassy sward between two cottages.  To the south you see a small, calm pond.  To the north lies an open space where the Abbey has its feasts in the warmer seasons. To the east is the Great Hall, a massive structure that rises far above the abbey walls and is completed with large towers that pierce upwards into the sky.  The main building is completed with a large, iron banded door that would allow one into the Great Hall. 

Coolness has swept into the air now, bringing with it the autumn leaves of the orchards.  Coating the trails that lace and move through the dying grass and flowers.  Regardless of the death of plants, the area is beautiful in its gold and orange season.  The abbey is sporting the colors in full pride.
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A cloaked figure stumbles into the abbey, a couple guards follow and seem unsure of what to do as the beast mutters something and falls sideways. His right sword paw is gone, the stump looks like it was burnt, hey it was....and he has claw marks on his face and chest, a stab wound on his shoulder and an arrow still in his leg. The claw marks barely missed one eye.
   
DoraRose and Angela are headed towards the gatehouse, murmuring to each other, when the cloaked beast comes stumbling in. As they rush to help, LilyMoore comes from the Bellower and, spotting the confusion, decides to try and help and runs as fast as she can (which is pretty speedy) to the scene. Angela kneels beside the cloaked figure as orders, "Just lay down and let us 'elp you..."   

Marek knows maybe it’s a bad idea to of stumbled into here but, it’s worth a chance, as he groans, now we know why the guards are unsure what to do. He tries to speak and coughs roughly, it’s clear he isn't getting up anytime soon, he is too hurt as he shivers and looks at the beasts before his eyes close, he is alive still but his pause is low.   

DoraRose recoils out of instinct when she sees who it is, but Angela is already working with her trademark speedy efficiency. "'Is paw can wait.....may 'ave to leave the arrow'ead in 'is leg....somebeast 'elp me get 'im into the gatehouse! You, squirrel, go get my bigger herb satchel, an' 'urry!" As the guard runs off to do what she said, the Gatekeeper gets over herself and goes to pick up the stoat as best as she can. She is very strong, but he's also bigger than she is, so she may have to partially drag him. LilyMoore gets close, then screams. "MAREK! NO!" "Help me carry him inside!" Her mother orders, and the sobbing mouse maid does that, trying to stay in control of herself despite the tears coursing down her cheeks. Angela opens the door for them, gesturing for them to hurry.
   

Marek doesn’t do anything to stop them, the mouse maid may need a little help from an otter but is gotten inside. He has loss a good deal of blood and shivers again. Some other wounds are smaller, but they are there as he fought a cat, and only got away when he threw a torch at it, a burn is also on his upper arm, some bruises and maybe a couple cracked ribs, and he will be unconcious a while.   

DoraRose sets the stoat on a couch as the guard squirrel brings the old mouse a haversack. Angela shoos all the guards outside, then closes the door and hurries over to her patient. LilyMoore goes to cradle his head in her lap as she cries. Dora looks at the paw stump. "The burn probably saved his life...." The Healer nods and pulls surgical equipment out of the haversack and starts trying to remove the arrow, having put a pressure bandage on the stab wound to his shoulder. Malchezidek the beetle crawls out of the young mouse's apron pocket and  now perched on her shoulder, trying to comfort her.   

Marek shivers still, he does manage a weak growl when the arrow comes out and some blood drips, other than he has no real clue whats going on.   

DoraRose silently helps her grandmother as best as she can while Angela stuffs herbs here and there and sews up wounds and bandages them. After quite a while, the stoat should look slightly like a mummy from all the bandages wrapped around him, including his face. He will still be able to peek out of that one eye, but he may have trouble talking. Lily wipes her eyes and looks up at her grandmother. "Will he be okay?"   

Marek stays passed out, every so often a shiver and a weak sort of mutter, he might get a fever slowly, but it would go down after a while.
   
Angela shakes her head. "I don't know, Sweet'eart. I'll do all I can." Dora nods. "He can stay here until he's better...." Lily nods. They have work ahead of him....and should probably keep him hidden from like everybody.

Marek is most likely going  to be passed out for a while. Yep.

Quade is walking along the forest path, why do beasts keep coming after him, well cause he is evil that’s why. He just recently got a new captive, some harem aid and while walking came upon a rather annoying Abbot Brother, one Brother Bob..a vole who has yet to know the squirrel is evil." so then..." The squirrel glares "Then you shut up cause you died" the vole blinks "Wha--" Quade smirks as an arrow hits the abbey beast and walks on "I hate the abbey...a lot"
   
Alas poor Bob, his potential avengers are not even aware of his existence as the Head Guard of Ferravale leads a small procession back to his home village. Well, Lead being the operative word. More like Bandit had business with the Abbey and now he is just tagging along with beasts going the same way. Not knowing there is a murderer sulking near by the fox finds the walk back...peaceful, if not a bit awkward. "So...." The head guard finally breaks the ice, "How are things in the Abby these days?" He says to the group with him.   

DoraRose is off again to try and find the evil squirrel! Who knew that squirrel hunting could be so relaxing? Except it's not, because she 1) can't find him, 2) wants to kill him, and 3) doesn't have a gun because they haven't been invented yet. Turning her eyes skyward, she says simply, "Chaotic because our Abbot is still missing and various beasts have been almost killed. How's it been in Ferravale?"   

It's a beautiful day for a walk. Or at least, it would be, if beasts wouldn't keep dying all over the place. And so the otter treks northward through the forest, toward Ferravale, he supposes. It seems, however, that he may soon find yet *another* dead body, one poor Bob, apparently, if he doesn't change direction.   

Quade hears voices, well least it isn’t Bob as he is left on the ground. He goes into a tree and 4 rats, and 2 ferrets stay by the trees watching and listening. He then sees the otter and grins, well maybe he can kill someone else, though other targets would be better.   

"So...business as usual." The fox replies to Dora. "Yeah...it's about the same. The village is nice. A bit cold in the winter. Oh I was also kidnapped by a bounty hunter and then locked away in a dungeon by some crazy fox for about a month, maybe two. And before that a badger tried to skin me for my hide." The fox rubs the back of his neck as he walks, "So same ol' same ol'." The fox holds up his paw, tone growing serious, "I smell...blood." He moves ahead and around the bend catches sight of the limp form of Bob the Brother.   

DoraRose believes that the fox can smell more scents than she can, and so she follows him. Spotting the Novice robes, she ducks into the tree line and goes to get level with the body....unwittingly headed straight into the vermin the squirrel has hidden in the tree line! Talk about walking into an ambush. She can move through the underbrush more easily because she left her axe at home, but you can bet she has her sword with her. She also has some bark armor and a steel helmet on for some reason.
   
Emyuil follows quickly in DoraRose's wake, forgoing his sister's choice of heavier armor in favor of leather and padded cloth for protection to allow more mobility. His black sword is at his side, and his ragged cloak flutters slightly as he moves. He has a bad feeling about this, and it shows as a slight scowl on his scarred face.   

Quade watches the mouse maid and grins wide, he signals for the rats to attack her as he lightly chuckles. Of course there is the other mouse, and the fat fox. He points his tail as an archer he has fire's at the fat fox!   

Lee can hear movement through the brush ahead, and he stops cold, looking around himself slowly. "Idiot!" He sighs, realizing he should have been paying better attention to the forest around him. Drawing one of his smaller daggers, the otter creeps forward carefully, spotting the through the trees up ahead.   

The fox's ears twitch to the sound of a bow being drawn back. He closes his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath as his sword comes free. SWOOSH CLANG!   

With a quick flick of his wrist his sword intercepts the flying arrow, sending it flying into the ground instead. He twirls his claymore around him before taking a defensive stance. "Ok, I admit it. I'm just as surprised as everyone else that worked. That said. ATTACK!"   

"Oh, snap!" DoraRose whispers as they get attacked. Drawing her sword, she attacks, swinging at a rat, then going to behead another one.   

Quade watches as he flicks a dagger towards the mouse maid, he then chuckles as he speaks "How is things at the abbey...your Master Healer or that fool Vixen dead yet?"   

Emyuil draws his sword with surprising calm. He was sort of expecting this. "Here we go," He whispers to himself, lunging forward at a third rat that had his eye on DoraRose, silently swinging his blade down.   

Okay, that is definitely the sound of combat. Lee springs forward out of the underbrush, and buries his dagger in the back of a distracted rat, kicking the vermin roughly, before retrieving his weapon. "DoraRose, wot a pleasant surprise. Wot brings ye out 'ere onna day like this?"   

That leaves the ferret's for Bandit. Perhaps the death of a head guard is a promising target, or perhaps they thought the fox would be an easy mark due to his girth. Regardless, Bandit meets them head on. The fox deflects a spear thrust with his blade, spinning as he brings the sword down on the spear, snapping it half and then throwing his shoulder into the ferret. With the beast knocked down Bandit hovers his sword above his heart, pounding the hilt with his fist before moving to engage the next target. "Surrender. Or DIE in obscurity." He says with more calm than even he thought possible.   

"Squirrel hunting," is Dora's response to the otter. One of the rats she was fighting managed to get only a scrape, and he grins wickedly, but then the grin turns into a look of pain and fear. He screams as the scratch from the mouse's sword swells, and he falls to the ground in convulsions. Oh, yeah, and Angela poisoned her blade without telling anybody. Yay. The Warrior looks horrified, but that quickly turns to rage as the dagger lodges in her chest armor and she hears the squirrel's words. Roaring, she charges the tree Quade is in, screaming, "I'LL RIP YOU APART FOR WHAT YOU DID TO MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER!!!" Meanwhile, the rat Emyuil went after just happened to turn around and scream as he sees the other mouse. Jumping back, he manages to only get a slice to his leg....but then he, too, falls to the ground with convulsions.   

Emyuil is quickly whipped up into a rage similar to that of DoraRose when he hears Quade's taunting. Too angry to really notice the effects of his sword-blow on his opponent, he whirls towards the tree and bull-rushes it, roaring wordlessly.   

Quade almost fall out of the tree and glares down at the mouse maid. He sees Bandit and fires an arrow at him again!   

The fox grins dangerously at the remaining ferret, Raising his sword above his head to cut his opponent down.   

THUNK.   

The fox twitches an eye as his jaws snap shut. He looks like a beast who is about to explode with pain and anger before falling on his side, an arrow appearing in his flank. "GAAAAAAAAAH!"   

Lee nods at DoraRose, as he casually knifes two more rats. These vermin aren't even worth him drawing his sword, he's decided. "Honestly, do they never learn? Ye'd think they would..."   

DoraRose is literally trying to climb the tree. Her eyes are turning red from the Bloodwrath, so she's forgetting how bad she is at climbing trees. Although she seems to be doing well so far. Oblivious to anything else other than her enemy, she slides back to the ground, then tries again....   

Similarly, Emyuil is attempting to leap up the tree to Quade, at least remembering to sheath his sword first--taking care not to slice himself. "I'll kill you," He murmurs to himself, then repeats it as a deafening bellow. "I'LL KILL YOU!" He clambers up aggressively, nearly reaching Quade....   

Quade waits quietly as the mouse maid finally manages to get to him, a cold smile forms and he grins "Hello Dorarose, having a good day?" He doesn't go to push her as she most likely tries to cut him and slides down again. With the skill of a squirrel he jumps down a couple branches and is right in her face and makes a fist and punches her, hope someone catches her as then runs quickly and into another tree and he is gone!   

Lee continues dispatching the few remaining rats, leaving the tree climbing for the non-tree climbers. "Well... That was underwhelming'..."   

DoraRose gets socked in the face with enough force to get knocked unconscious. Her sword falls to the ground and sticks point-down in the ground as she slips from the branch she was standing on.

Screaming in rage, Emyuil hurls himself downward, with no regard whatsoever for his own safety, landing heavily with a grunt and catching DoraRose just before she slams into the ground.   

Lee goes to check on Bandit, as the fight appears to be essentially over.

Quade meanwhile gets back to his base cackling like some insane beast.

Oz had his times he helped in the infirm, this was one of them. He got help to get the armor off Xander and change him into some nightshirt. He also asked someone to be kind enough as to clean the armor, maybe polish it and place in in a safe chest. He then fell asleep in a cot beside Xander.   

Xander whimpered in his fevered sleep, his leg and arm bandaged now and he severed every so often.   

Oz opens his eyes and listened, he sat up and layed a paw on Xander's forehead   

Xander fever was high and he shivered slightly in his faint, not a deep faint but still a faint as he muttered....."Soot...Darien...Powell......"   

Oz gasps slightly at the names, a small frown formed as he layed a fresh wet cloth on Xander's forehead.   

Xander groans, "Where...no...grandfather..."   

Oz stays by his side "I do not know whats going on Xander, but please wake up soon. Please...I don’t want you to leave, your too young yet to leave"   

A ghostly form shows up and a voice not heard in a long while" He's talking to our ancestors...this is something he needs to do on his own."
   
Xander seems to be staying in this faint for a little while, fever not going down as he fights this infection and mutters in his state of half there and half not.   

Oz grips the bed railing at the sound of the voice, he tilts his head " Why are you here...you’re not taking him so leave"   

His voice sighs, "I didn’t take anyone little bro...it was her time." He glances at Xander and back to Oz "It’s not his time...he will recover, if he so choices"   

Xander mutters again and whimpers...."What.....mean...know who am..."
   
Oz frowns in worry and then snorts, "Why?...whats all this have to do with anything?"   

His brother seems to frown, " Can't say....part of some destiny...just be there when he wakes up"
   
Xander shivers a little seeming to slip deeper into his faint, muttering again
   
Oz gets a worried look feeling Xander’s pulse and getting another wet rag for his forhead"Leon is not able to help right now and Angela can't do everything...."
   
The ghostly badger hovers over Xander and walks back over to Oz, " I have to go"
   
Xander whimpers a little, whatever is going on with him it’s hard to say, he seems stressed and then quiet, calm and then not calm.   

Oz takes Xander's paw, "Xander?..Please wake up" He  knows someone is still in the room , he can feel he is still in the room, even without the footpaws.."Zork...?"   

Zork ghostly form looks over at his brother, "Wot?" He asks calmly. “He will wake when he wakes..can't control that same as...told..someone else can’t control what happen, just help with comfort some"   

Xander is quiet but the up and down of his chest and the sounds of breathing show he is alive.   

Oz seems unsure what to say next, then he speaks "Thanks for being there for Zinnia..when she..."He closes his eyes and frowns." Just tell me...Xander will get through this or not....I can’t lose anyone else."   

He is quiet as if he left, then "Your welcome" He looks at Xander and then manages to ruffle Oz's head fur, “You’re not losing Xander Ozzy....one thing I know is when beasts are going to come to the dark forest and he's not on the list.....I knew Zinnia was....sides someone will need to lead the group....till we meet again, goodbye Ozzy" With that is does disappear.   

Oz sighs "Goodbye...Zork" He then lays a paw on Xander's paw and sighs a little, “I am here Xander...wake up when you’re ready ok"   

***** Xander’s Dream*****

== This is sort of cool to listen to as you read the dream part  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibNN2MrtjHM ==

=Quick note the phase at the end of the video is "Have faith and trust in yourself and make the journey"  There is a small typo made it it.==

Xander had been through a lot the past week, feeling like a failure and in his mind messing things up, it was his fault friends were dead and missing, is fault.

Where he was, was  misty and seemly cloudy. Lights here and there but not close to touch, and then some light shows a path, and another path with less light and some rocks and thorns. A voice speaks “Xander Winters..Who are you?”

Xander tenses up and looks around as he frowns “You..you answered your own question.” He walks a little but is unsure of a way to go “Where am I?”

A form shows itself, “That answers what you are not who you are lad.” A badger with wild head fur and has abbey brother robes on.

“Grandfather….your my…Grandfather, well maybe not by blood….” Xander says and walks over towards the other badger.

Zork nods “ Blood…adoption….it’s still family. Zork Winters…Brother Zork…warrior till I set aside me blade to become a Brother in Redwall, and an Elder till my death in the orchards” He watches the younger badger. “ I was a beast who fought and protected his friends, I still protected my family and friends even when I was a Brother in the order, I worked as a blacksmith for the abbey..trained another who sadly left, but they still have Magramba if needed…the abbey mainly makes tools, nails, keys  and sometimes pots and pans…never weapons or armor, even in times of war they rarely fix or make such things unless it’s a last choice and a have to.”

Xander frowns “I..am not even interested in being a blacksmith and..” He looks away “I failed as a warrior…I let anger get to me and cause of that Benar is dead and so are others.”

Zork is silent, then finally speaks, ” Benar isn’t dead…trust me I know who is dead and who isn’t”

Xander feels tears as he keeps looking at the ground, “I don’t know what to believe….Quade said….”

Zork shakes his head, “Mistake number one….letting others tell you who you are, they may help…others just led you on the wrong path…..choose wisely” With that  he vanishes leaving the young badger seemly all alone.

“Grandfather!! No don’t leave me here…don’t…” He drops to his knees and starts sobbing.

A paw lays on his shoulder “Xander….do not cry, get up its time to find out who you are.”

Xander eyes fly open and he is up in a heartbeat going to hug the owner of the voice “Uncle Zee…” If he is able he will hug him tightly and cry into his tunic.

Zee allows the hug and smiles “Hello Xander.” He hugs Xander and then gently  pushes him away, “Why have you forgotten your lessens?”

Xander blinks “Forgotten lessens?”

Zee sighs, “All the lessons you learned while looking for The Blade Of The Northwind Storms…You ever slowly left the right path and now are on the wrong.” He steps away and other badgers appear, all frowning.

Xander is confused and looks around “Who…”

“Shouldn’t you know, or have you forgotten?”

“The boy has forgotten”

“He has forgotten who he is”

“He has let the light of hope become no more than a barely lit spark”

Xander eyes widen.. ”Soot, Darien, Powell….wielders of The Blade  Of The Northwind Storms.”

“Least he remembers his history lessons Uncle Zee….there is hope” Zork says as he reappears.

“Grandfather….I..of”  He looks to Zee “Of course I remember history and I know who I am…I am Xander Winters…”

Zee speaks “That’s a title…what you are, not who you are. A name is a title, it doesn’t say WHO YOU ARE?”

Xander frowns and finally “Then how do I find out..Who I am then?”

Soot walked forwards and pointed down a path, the one with less light.

Xander frowned “But that path looks…bad, why not the other?”

Soot spoke “ Sometimes the right path is not always the easiest one lad”

Xander frowns more and looks at the path and takes a deep breath and heads down it.

The path is misty, dark…voices from the past are heard, past decisions  remembered as if reliving them again.

Xander gasps, he remembers the ship, the storm and whimpers like he rather run off the path but he stays, he remembers his birth father falling off the ship to his death, his mother and himself making it to shore on the west coast hours later only for her to die protecting him from the cold, the waves and the sea gulls. He shivers but then he remembers Zinnia risking her life to save his and getting him inside Salamandastron and adopting him, taking him to Redwall where he Meet Zee and Oz and learned to further read and write and first learned of the family blade. He smiles remembering friends he meet….reliving meetings of Dorarose, Scioto, Blisa, Benar and Marek, meeting Lacota and then members of the Defenders like Zolomon and Thunderwing.

Other things come and go, memories along the path he will see…all a part of him.

Xander almost trips once, but gets back up, he tenses as he feels pain…loss when Zee dies, when Zinnia dies and feeling loss when he thinks others he loves and cares for are dead. He shivers and starts to look loss again. He lays down and curls into a sort of fuzzy ball.

Zee stands nearby “Xander…you have to stand, I can’t make you…you have to choose on your own”

Xander looks over at Zee and feels tears as he stands slowly and shaky and looks forwards, he looks at the other badger. “I’m…afraid…”

Zee answers “It’s alright to be afraid, fear isn’t something bad. Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear”

Xander nods slowly, trying to understand, “I do remember your lessons Uncle Zee…but I wish you could of taught me more, I miss you”

Zee  is quiet before explaining, “….It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”

Xander smiles and looks at his uncle “I am Xander Winters….I train to be a warrior and I am a protector of family and friends, I am a friend…I am a nephew…I can also not let others get to me. I am..me, I don’t need to try and be anyone else”

Zee smiles at this, “You have what you need inside you lad, you just need to concentrate and your find it, the road may be hard..but no one said things were easy in life.”

Xander nods, he rushes over to give Zee one last hug and then runs down the path away from him.

*********End Dream ***********

It’s at this point he groans and opens his eyes, blinking noting he is in the infirm. He reaches out a paw to touch another paw nearby.

Oz wakes up, He has been here  since Xander was brought into the infirm, “Xander…your awake, I was so worried”

Xander weakly smiles and sits up to hug Oz, “I am glad you’re ok Uncle Oz, I didn’t mean to worry you I am so sorry.”

Oz smiles and returns the hug “Your forgiven, now please get some rest, would you like some food or drink?”

Xander nods, “Yeah…uncle Oz?”

Oz gets up and then stops at the door tilting his head “What is it Xander?”

“I love you Uncle Oz” He says

Oz smiles “Love you too Xander” He gets Xander some food and something to drink, staying with him till he falls asleep and then goes to tend to the dibbuns.

Zee smiles as he watches the two  from the dark forest, “Your do fine lad…your do fine”

The rest of the night  is calm, and Xander gets some well needed sleep, some peaceful sleep for the first time in days.

Underground Prison
This is a small prison cell, large enough to fit several beasts. A light comes in from an unknown source above, but the area still gives the feel of dark, damp and death, as if it is meant to extinguish all hope. Whatever beast finds themselves trapped here, is likely to meet their demise within these exact same walls.

Marek was pacing, thinking, and every so often looking at the doorway as he tried to listen to the guards as they talked quietly in the hall, he wasn’t sure what about as he couldn’t make out all the words.   

Minsc pouts "Pacing gets one nowhere stoat, why do it to give one a headache, that one being me"   

Gorvenalus just watches quietly and sighs, he had not spoken for the past week and barely ate much or drank much of the water or little bit of food guards gave the captives. He gave some of it to others in fact.   

Benar frowns, “Maybe sitting down would be better Marek." He spoke quietly, he still had hope of escape and tried his best to keep that hope in others.   

Rowtag suddenly banged on the cell door and sneered "Hope your all uncozy cause the boss is in a bad mood."   

Marek just growls at the cat, "Well how about I make him feel better by strangling  him till he quits breathing?"   

"Now that sounds fun, by to one of you not to me" Quade's voice comes down the hall and now he is in view as he smiles coldly "My mood is not as bad as it was, see my plans are coming along nicely..I have Xander believeing his only living uncle is dead..yes he has other family but who knows where they are, they left at a time he needed them most, he also believes it’s his fault the abbey may never see dear Abbot Benar ever again...Xander ran away, and my bird friend keeps an eye on him...I plan to make his hope die even more, see it’s fun to watch hope fade...." He looks at the beaver “What say you Abbot Gorvenalus?"   

Minsc stands in front of the old beaver “Leave him alone scum or face my wrath" His voice sounds dangerous.   

Gorvenalus looks up and says nothing, his face is an unreadable look of....well nothing, his eyes are even somewhat dim when once they had sparked with hope, but that light seems to have been blow out.   

Benar looks concerned for the old beaver and lays a paw on his arm, he glances at the sleeping Lilymoore and back to where Quade and Rowtag are as he remains quiet for now.   

Rowtag steps aside and chuckles, "SO can I go finish off the stripedog yet?"   

Marek glares at Quade, "You have gone too far."   

Quade shrugs "Not far enough....your tavern may of been gotten back...so what, I plan to burn it down with your stupid mole son in it, or maybe it would be more fun to capture him and let you watch him die in front of you....oh I like the 2nd idea and no Rowtag, we need to hurt him even more and the next part of my plan will do just that....but gonna need Benar for the next part"

Minsc narrows his eyes "Get past me first Quade...you may have my sword, but I can still fight."   

Gorvenalus finally speaks, from not having spoken in days "There is no use to fight Minsc...." He looks at Quade." Why do this Quade?"   

Benar stands up and calmly speaks" I do not know what your plan is Quade, but know this harming me is the worst mistake you could ever make, you have already angered many by making me a captive. "   

Rowtag looks unhappy, but brightens a little at the chance of killing someone, he doesn't seem to care whom.   

Quade just watches them and signals for a couple foxes to come forwards, "I have not gone far enough and oh anger...yes making others angry is fun, it makes them think less and act before thinking...also not just thinking one is dead with tricks....like the blind badgers staff covered in blood...one of my own beasts blood but who would know that, and the staff broken in two....an achally dead body show to....oh let’s say Xander first, then the abbey beasts ...what fun." He nods to the foxes to enter the cell...”Not to worry Benar, I will make your death quick and painless, just hold still. See I say I found you…show your dead body to Xander first and then to the abbey…..and watch hope fade from their eyes”

Marek doesn't step aside, and this is where Quade slips and makes a mistake as for when the foxes enter, one is quickly slammed into the wall by the stoat, the other gets past him though as a snarl breaks out.   

Minsc quickly finds a couple hidden forks, yeah a strange weapon but they are still somewhat sharp and gets in front of Benar, "Stay behind me friend."   

Gorvenalus frowns, he moves to make sure the sleeping Lilymoore is kept safe, if she wakes up he will tell her to be calm and quiet.   

Benar watches the fox get past, he glances once at Lilymoore and then the beaver “If something happens and you are able, get her out of here. I will be fine" He sounds unsure but he is putting other lives ahead of his own.   

Rowtag narrows his eyes "Need some help!" As he speaks 10 rats come to his aid as he grins and draws out a dagger, "Fun time!"   

The fox that is slammed into the wall slides down, then the rats enter and the squirrel Quade narrows his eyes," Don’t let anyone get past you morons!" Well one fox is still alive and so is the rats.   

Marek takes the fox's blade and slices at the rats, beheading one and slicing one in the chest, he takes a dropped blade and tosses it to Minsc, well 2 less rats and then there is the other fox and cat, he quickly goes to fight the fox before it gets the abbot...either abbot.   

Minsc catches the blade and offers the forks to Benar, he looks at beaver "Abbot Gorvenalus...try to get out of here...get some help!" He knows the old beaver can't fight.   

Gorvenalus frowns, he looks to the sleeping mouse maid and as a rat gets up to him he hits them with his tail and knocks them out.   

Benar shakes his head, as a rat goes to grab him he surprises it by flipping it over his shoulder and onto the floor, the rat looks stunned at what just happen.   

Rowtag snorts as a couple rats turn and run, the fox fighting Marek gets stabbed in the chest and falls over dead. The cat sets his sights on Benar and smirks as he goes to slip behind him during the chaos.   

With the two foxes dead, Marek manages to clear a path to the hall "Follow me everyone" And then another rat dies as the stoat goes to start this prison break.   

Quade growls, oh no this will NOT happen as he snaps his fingers and goes to get the path blocked, they can't go too far.   

Minsc goes to help, he looks around which way to go, which way to go.....he picks a tunnel that’s not that safe looking and motions for the others to follow and hey its away from the vermin coming after them.   

Gorvenalus carefully grabs the sleeping Lilymoore, if she isn’t sleeping he would still grab her and follows his hamster friend. "Minsc...this tunnel is not safe please my friend!" He manages to get past him and looks at him "We have to go back...even if it means fighting"   

As if to show just how right he is some rocks fall and bits of dust, this causes 5 rats to flee and run back to where the cell was, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but where it goes is hard to say.   

Benar follows and frowns, "Maybe a different way is better.."   

Rowtag stays where he is and his ears flatten, the idea of being buried is not a good one, then this is just one way out....there is other ways out and that tunnel been unsafe awhile..duhh its why it’s not used, the other end is somewhat blocked and hidden by cattail plants as it’s by the river, so it’s a little muddy also but even if the river flooded the water wouldn’t get to this hideout...would it?   

Marek growls low as he watches the rats rush past, he keeps his blade griped and seems to dare the horde beast to attack him.   

Minsc has a cut on his leg, it’s not a bad one but he does trip and fall, his blade sliding away from him.   

Gorvenalus backs up after turning to see Minsc fall. Three rats lunge at him and he about stumbles backwards as he shields the mouse maid. He gasps as rocks fall and dirt and blots towards the light just as the tunnel collapse and he looks at the blocked entry to light and after laying the mouse maid down he quickly clears the way and picks her up just in time for the rest of the entry to seal off, well no flood worries now as the beaver gasps, he looks around...he has to get out of the area and he is unsure where to go, but he takes the mouse maid and quickly goes upstream a little ways. He may be safe and the mouse maid may be safe but the old beaver abbot is hopelessly lost!   

Benar gasps and avoids any injuries as he and the others are a safe distance from the cave in, he coughs at the dust "Lillymoore...Gorvenalus!"   

Rowtag hisses, well the 3 rats are....yeah dead and under the rocks, he goes to grab Benar, course he could always move out of the way.   

Marek looks in shock and horror and fears the worse "Lilymoore!!"   

Minsc blinks, "Abbot....nooooo!" No no no the beaver, his old friend is not dead, he can’t be! Tears form.   

Benar was distracted long enough to be grabbed, he kicks at the cat's leg and goes to struggle to get loose.   

Rowtag grip tightens as he puts a dagger at the squirrels throat “I have the Abbot of Redwall...."He looks at Quade, "Please...please let me kill him and we can give his head back to the abbey, hee heheheh"   

Quade walks forwards and looks to Minsc and Marek, "Drop your weapons and get back to the cell...or I give the order for my 2nd in command to kill Benar, not that I would not enjoy it...trust me I would...I could care less of that stupid mouse maid or that old beaver."
   
Marek growls low as tears go down his face, he throws down the blade and glares at Quade. "Your pay for this...I will rip your throat out, I will make your death slow and painful...do you hear me Quade"
   
Minsc stands slowly, a couple blades he has he drops and backs away "I agree with Marek....unless I get to you first" His eyes flash a moment in anger, tears go down his own face.   

Benar stays perfectly still, and calm.   

Quade smirks "Good choice...Rowtag let Benar lives for now and place him, Marek and Minsc back in the cell. A guard will be there at ALL times now. Oh don’t worry this area is safe from cave-ins....but as you can see an escape is not a good idea and it seems to have cost the lives of two friends...well Minsc guess I am keeping my promise as I did say I would save you for last and guess what....you’re the lone survivor of your village and land now.....think on that a while hero, you failed them ALL and your fail your new friends as well!" He chuckles evilly and heads down the tunnel, the safe one as his laughter echoes.
   
Rowtag cusses under his breath as he lowers his blade and takes Benar back to the cell and tosses him in, he waits for the stoat and hamster and then he slams the door shut and sneers as he stands guard, as does a marten.
   
Marek glares at Quade as he and the others are placed back in the cell, he takes a deep breath and checks on Benar, "Mr. Benar are you alright?"   

Benar is not hurt as he dusts himself off and nods "I am fine Marek, thank you for your concern." He looks to the others "Let us not give up hope, perhaps Gorvenalus and Lillymoore made it to the end of the tunnel, if they did Martin will help guild them to the abbey, to our other friends and help will be gotten. Quade has not won yet, this isn’t over.”
   
Minsc nods as he wipes away a tear "Benar is correct...there is hope and we shall not let it die or fade, we can’t let it die or fade. We will escape and we will succeed next time, we just need to better plan is all."   

Luckily a little later, the guards do clean up the mess, least that was nice of them but the captives are still trapped in the cell and even more guarded now. A little water is given, but not much food for the rest of the day but they are given more food and water the next day as Quade wants them to stay alive...his plans need them to stay alive....unknown to him the beaver and mouse maid are alive, but Quade does have his beasts, his bird friend keeping an eye out, just in case and they will report back to him any needed details he needs to know, orders are not to attack if they are seen, to just report to him for instructions later

==LATER IN THE EVENING==

Rowtag was still on guard duty, things had calmed down it seemed and things cleaned up. A certain tunnel was blocked off, not that it mattered it was clear it was no longer a way outside.
   

Quade returned and his tail was puffed out, He had cleaned up and changed but he was still annoyed as he offered the cat some wood pidgion, he even ate some and some stolen October Ale.   

Rowtag grins and gets the meat and ale, stopping after a few bits and sips "Ya ok there boss??"   

Quade drained a glass and poured more of the ale and ate half his meal before speaking "No I am not ok Rowtag. I have reason to believe the old beaver and the one mouse is dead, if they did somehow survive that then it will just slowly flood with spring here and drown them....no its that stupid blind stripedog at the abbey, he is getting too curious for his own good, he knows I am up to something but has yet to figure out an answer but I fear he is close and his trust in me is very low to none"   

Rowtag sips more ale, " I could kill him for you. He is most likely helping to look for the other stripedog...then again guess he couldn't well do that being blind"He shrugs "Wouldn't worry Quade"   

Quade asks, "Not worry? are you insane...I need to make him back off"   

Rowtag says, "Relax sir, relaxing is good fer ya and releases stress"   

Quade says, "I don't need to relax.."Then a grin forms "Relax...that's it, what an idea, some relaxing tea maybe...yes"   

Rowtag asks, "Tea?" He makes a face "What ever ya say boss abbey maybe has some, I dislike tea myself its gross"   

Quade says, "The tea wouldn't be for me you moron....its for the blind stripedog"   

Rowtag looks confused "I thought ya hated him, why would you want to give him tea to relax, don't you need it and if he thinks your not to be trusted would he really relax?"
   
Quade groans as he face plams, "Though me having some too would make it less...likely I was up to something...."   

Rowtag sips his ale and finishes his meal "Yeah a nice chat over tea, gain some trust back"   

Quade smirks "Mine would be normal, his not so normal....oh it will surely help him relax, relax permentally."   

Rowtag sips his ale "Permentally?..Oh!..ya mean as in dead that's funny boss...but what if you mix up the tea cups?"   

Quade rolls his eyes, "I woulnd't get the cups mixed up...sides his would be slightly discolored, not that he would notice"   

Rowtag says, "Oh ok...so ya doing this soon?"   

Quade grins "Yes very soon"

The captives are now Benar, Minsc, and Marek. Will more be captive? Maybe or maybe not…more logs soon I am sure!!!

**happens ICLY after THIS log= http://forum.rwmuck.org/viewtopic.php?id=169  **

*** This happens over the day Wednesday (March 22nd)..maybe starting like before or after breakfast as he went straight to his base after looking for Xander a couple hours, then went to look for him again and finds Brookshire the ferret who he tricks into helping him and it ends sometime in the night time hours of Wednesday  (March 22) ***

Underground Prison
This is a small prison cell, large enough to fit several beasts. A light comes in from an unknown source above, but the area still gives the feel of dark, damp and death, as if it is meant to extinguish all hope. Whatever beast finds themselves trapped here, is likely to meet their demise within these exact same walls.
Captives are: Minsc, Benar, Lilymoore, Marek, and Gorvenalus

Quade was NOT having the best day, and it had just barely begun as he stormed over to the captives and narrowed his eyes as he looked in." I am going to make sure you all have as bad a day as I have had!”
   
Gorvenalus frowns as he has been awake for the past hour "Quade we all have good and bad days, no need to shout about it."   

Minsc is awaken as he opens his eyes and looks over at the squirrel and sits up, He chuckles "Quade is having a bad day finally, bout time"   

Quade narrows his eyes and yells behind him to his horde beasts" Bring me that novice!" He glares at the hamster" Not a good time Minsc, trust me..I lost my 2nd in command and I say a death for a death"   

Gorvenalus frowns, he has seen the squirrel like this before, "Quade...do calm down. You know you cannot expect things to always go your way, you have to fail at least sometime" He stays calm best he can.   

Minsc shakes his head “Is no good talking to the crazy squirrel. So how you lose Bolt...he get smart and say I quit?"   

Quade eyes flash battle light, "A stripedog killed him, they killed my 2nd in command and I will make him pay." He then looks over at a couple rats who have some novice who Quade tricked, a very scared looking mouse, "This is Novice Ted..very helpful in the kitchens and oh so trusting of me to help me find my ...so called dear friend Xander, who didn’t find but no matter. I still get to kill someone!" He then slits the novice throat and drops them to the floor dead, "Now the very dead Novice Ted!"   

Gorvenalus gasps and covers his mouth with his paw. He feels tears form even if he didn’t know the mouse.   

Minsc looks ready to strangle the squirrel, "Your be the one who is very dead as doornail pretty soon Quade, mark my words"   

Quade says, "Like I care...That beast is one of many whom will die soon and I do have a replacement..Rowtag is my new 2nd in command and unlike Bolt he will make sure all targets are dead, then I suppose it’s not like Bolt could of went inside the abbey...but no matter the blind fool can't do much and he is recovering from a displaced shoulder..just as painful to put back in place as to get out of place or so I heard"
   
Gorvenalus says, "Quade you need to stop this madness"   

Minsc sits down by the wall "Like telling him that is going to do any good, he don't care"   

Quade smiles coldly "Your right Minsc...I don’t care what others say and I have already injured their Master Healer...made it look like an accident, see he fell down the stairs trying to be in a hurry to go somewhere and wasn’t careful at all, course he will be unconcious for a few days thanks to this" He shows the vile and places it back in His cloak," Same for that vixen, but unlike the Master Healer she is in a lot worse shape and might die."   

Minsc says, "You are insane beast Quade"       

Gorvenalus says, "These beasts are not fools and will find you out in time"   

Quade grins "Thank you for noticing Minsc I have worked on it for seasons, and trust me Abbot Gorvenalus....they won’t, I am their friend, even though my plans were slightly messed up in saving the tavern...that’s fine, that’s fine...that was fixed" He smiles "I am so proud of myself...see one of their warriors who I was thinking a threat could very well be seen as a failure, and I do believe even if somehow they don’t see him as such...he sees himself as such now"   

Minsc shakes his head "You get a kick out of it...don't you? Making a beast feel like he or she failed, as said your insane. I hope their friends talk to them."   

Gorvenalus frowns deeply as he looks at the floor.   

Quade watches the old beaver and smirks "See...that’s what I enjoy, the look of fading hope, the look of defeat. The too far lost to even cry look cause it’s useless to cry and they know it...I aim to get the stripdog to this level"   

Minsc frowns as he looks at his abbot "Abbot...please don't let this fool get to you, you were telling me not to long ago to have faith and hope, to never let it fade"   

Gorvenalus sits down where he is and says nothing, it’s like he is letting his age finally catch up to him.
   
Quade smirks, " Oh he knows...." He looks at Minsc "I bet he dies long before you do and there won’t be any healing supplies tossed inside unlike I did for the stoat, that was a onetime thing"   

Minsc grows worried and then glares hate at the squirrel, , "I hope YOU die soon Quade and that I am there to watch it happen"   

Gorvenalus sighs, "Do not argue  with him my friend, I wish to not see more violence today"   

Quade grins "Aw....how nice he wishes to not see violence...well none today old fool so ya lucky but there will be more in the days to come, trust me and I plan to murder a stripdog myself...keep him thinking he is the cause of some recent pain, oh he ruined any hope of finding Benar or Lilymoore it’s so so sad and then what does he do....oh he runs off." He smirks "I enjoyed the tears and placing some blame and the fact I kicked him out of the Defenders cause...I am leader and can do whatever I want..whenever I want and I want him to suffer...then his defenses and alertness are down and then I kill him or I have my horde wound him badly and let him lie dying for a few hours and I come along, tell him all I have done...oh he will feel ashamed for not seeing it earlier and then...I kill him and I will enjoy it"   

Minsc says, "I am hoping you fail, this is badger we speak of...much stronger than you or most beast"   

Gorvenalus just frowns, he is not in a mood to talk to any beast right now and barely listens.
   
Quade chuckles "He is young and seems to think low of himself...his mother and one of his Uncles is dead, the other uncle was almost killed....should of been killed but another thing to fix....or lie to the boy, there is ways to do this and such fun ways but making him think that by killing Bolt, who posed as the leader of my horde....that he ruined any rescue of captives and he let the rest of the horde escape...3 beasts oh there is much more that 3 and they will find that out soon. He also has no one to truly train him, not that he might need much but he has yet to control some anger issues...again yes they were triggered since Bolt told him he was the cause of his mother’s death...oh well that’s Bolt's fault not mine"   

Minsc says, "You will one day fail..weather that’s soon or not"   

Quade smirks "Maybe, but not if I can help it....now I have a stripedog to find....and his will and hope to break down" He then walks off.   

Minsc watches the squirrel leave and mutters "Good riddance.." He then goes to sit by the old beaver "Abbot..."   

Gorvenalus just frowns and keeps his focus on the floor, he finally speaks "History repeats itself...again...Quade is even more insane now that he was before....it’s hopeless...hopeless" The word hopeless is repeated a few times before he falls into a unpeaceful sleep.   

Minsc stays by the old beaver's side, very worried before falling asleep beside him

=Later in the woods=

Quade looked to be in a foul mood, he looked past the point of being peeved. Yes he injured someone and that helped some but he wanted someone else to feel pain.

Well it's a good thing the beast isn't alone! Not for long at least. Coming up the road from the south there is sight of a traveler. A lone ferret of brown fur with a tan underbelly that hangs over her belt and hips. The heavy set creature pays no mind to Quade as she approaches with her walking stick and conical straw hat. She is too busy lost in draining her cantina of what is presumably water...at least until one gets close enough to smell the wine inside...

Quade stops and watches the ferret come closer and rolls his eyes, and then he smirks as an idea comes to mind and he walks over "Brookshire..where you been?"

As if noticing the beast for the first time Brookshire’s eyes go wide at being recognized...and then wider as she chokes on her wine. One coughing fit later the beast stumbles backward, walking stick held at the ready, being held like a sword, "I don't know what you are talking about! I was nowhere near that robbery...or fire...or robbery and fire and if the monks really didn't want me to impersonate them then they shouldn't have left the robes in places so easy to..." She pauses, "Wait...don't I know you?"

Quade nods "Quade and I need you to do something for me. See I am leader of the Defenders now since Marek has become missing...or passed on to the dark forest"

"Mossflower...defenders?" Brook blinks. "Ohhhhhh, riiiiiiiiiight, yeah, about that. I swear there is a perfectly good reason why I took so long to get back from that assignment, heheheh, I'm sure Marek won't be TOO angry to...wait, he's, missing?" The staff comes down and the beast leans heavily against it, "Since when has Marek been missing?

Quade nods, "You know what all will be forgiven if you go into the abbey and get me something, simple really...I need the blind badger's staff"

Brookshire raises an eyebrow, leaning heavily into her own staff, crossing her limbs over the top of it as she asks, "Brookshire? redeemed? That sounds nice...buuuuuuuuuut, why do you need a blind badgers staff? You know us vermin ain't entirely welcome thar in the abbey. I mean, sure, they let you in all friendly like but if you take something of theirs they...heh. Well, you know the stories..."

Quade takes a deep breath and exhales again, "Its...fine...seee I want to...it’s a surprise please get it" He digs in his pocket and tosses her a coin pouch, if she opens it there is 10 gold.

The squirrel offers the beast the one thing she can't refuse. Money. "Well then, one staff coming right up. I've been wanting to head back to Redwall anyway. I missed their honey oats and pies." Brookshire chuckles. Tipping her hat to Quade she scampers off heading towards the famous abbey...

=A few hours later, in the woods=

It's almost night fall by the time Brookshire returns. Her gait is slow and slightly staggering back and forth as she works her way down the road. Her belly, swollen and taught with a gluttonous meal reveals the reason it took her so long to return. "Qua- (HIC)" Brookshire hiccups with glee. "QUADE! I found yer staff!" She says, waving a familiar staff over her head. One that is not her own....

Quade glares and then motions for one of the foxes to get it, points to the ground and glares at the Ferret "Took long enough..."He flicks his tail and the fox uses his axe and....well he chops the staff in two. Quade then draws his blade and looks at the ferret, "Now should I ask something else or send you away?"

The ferret cringes as the staff is broken in two. It's one thing to steal a blind badgers staff, quite another to break it into pieces. "Well, then, my job here is down. I think I will just let you get on with your-" her voice trails off as the squirrel draws his blade. It's a very sobering sight. Gulping slightly the ferret laughs, "Q-question? Wh-what kind of question?" She says, taking a step away from Quade.

Quade grins, he so wants to kill the ferret, but at the last moment he slices the fox who eyes go wide and falls over dead..he smirks "You get to live, long as you DONT tell what happen today" Yeah let’s get fox blood on the staff,  he is insane right? He then looks at the ferret "For if you say a word...your die and I have archers....now I need to find Xander and..."He smiles coldly "Tell him how Oz went looking for him and meet a horrible death and how it’s his fault for running away as he did....fun right?"

Brookshire by now is merely staring, mouth agape as her fur and clothes are covered in foxy juices. He just...killed him. His own beast right in front of her for no good reason. "Fun? Yes! Very fun! Fun fun fun!" She points over her shoulder with her thumb, "I'll just get right on that and...and tell him that. Fun! R-right?" With a  nervous grin the beast begins to slowly back away from the squirrel until she turns and breaks into a full sprint run. For such a heavy beast Brookshire finds no end of energy to take her away from here...

Quade narrows his eyes, he decides the ferret will most likely hide for the squirrel wants to find the badger first. He motions for the other fox who quickly obeys, to get the staff pieces and he heads up the road, he has a plan. He gets to a clearing and leans on a tree.

Rowtag walks up to him, “Feeling better boss?”

Quade grins “Yes I am, by the way congrats your my new 2nd in command. Stay close and watch how I…slowly take down Xander Winters..did you find him?”

Rowtag nods “Yes he is down the stream…should I kill him?”

Quade shakes his head “No….not yet, see first I want to educate him on loss and pain, make him suffer and slowly feel worthless, to lose hope, make him wish he was dead, see a cunning foe doesn’t attack the body or the mind..well maybe in a way the mind, but the heart, and I don’t mean physically…no mentally”

Rowtag smirks “Oh I get it now…but how?”

Quade answers “He already believes that in killing Bolt he lost any chance to find Benar and Lilymoore…well I will cause him more pain, hopelessness….see the broken staff, the bits of cloth, the blood…this is a lie but I can make it seem so truthful…Oz went out with me to find him after he run off, me and Oz got attacked and…oh dear me the vermin broke the staff and slayed Oz, if..if only he had not left the abbey then Oz wouldn’t of been out with me to look for him on the first place so its Xander fault he died….then Xander will think it’s his fault an abbey beast…a family member…supposedly died and the fake proof, that Oz may not use his staff all the time but lately he does…yeah may have some issues, oh well see I have no clue where the staff is and by the time I get back…I won’t know” He smirks and walks off.. ”Meet me at the base in a couple hours”

Rowtag nods and walks to the base.

Xander is by a campfire, he has caught some fish and stayed here, he can go back in the morning, that’s the plan.

Quade finds him and jumps down from the tree ”Xander…t…there you are” His voice sounds shakie

Xander jumps and then frowns “What do ya want Quade.”

Quade frowns, OH it sounds so real, “Me and Oz were looking for you…and…” He shows a familiar staff, broken in two and stained with blood and some brown and green cloth on it..”I’m sorry”

Xander quickly is at Quade’s side “Uncle Oz’s staff..where is he?!”

Quade looks away “The fox..killed him, but I slayed the fox…but it broke the staff and,…and I was too late..I told him I would find you but he said he wanted to help….he wanted to find you”

Xander feels tears flood down his face “No….NO!!” He drops to his knees and starts to sob

Quade watches and hides a smirk, “If only you hadn’t run off like you did then…the Oz may still be alive..he’s dead cause of you, oh Xander what have you caused first losing us a chance to find Benar and Lilymoore and now…this and Brother Leon was not able to help, Brother Leon had a freak accident, he slipped and fell down the steps and is in a faint…see he was going to go out and help find you as well, bandage the wound on your leg but in his rush he tripped…fell down the stairs and poor Dorarose is so upset, she most likely never wants to talk to you again and what do others in the abbey think I wonder…”

Xander frowns deeply , his leg is a little swollen but he did use his headband as a bandage and did find a small amount of comfrey, an herb for healing. He lays down by the campfire and sniffs, unable to stop the tears.

Quade just walks away, “I should get back…”  He smirks he will leave the badger alone in his depression, his plan is going perfectly, just perfectly.

**Yeah Quade is totally evil. He lied to Xander about Oz since Oz is very much alive..he will just find he can’t find his staff, gee where is it I wander **

RW Abbey:Entry
---------------------------------------------
You stand on a grassy sward between two cottages.  To the south you see a small, calm pond.  To the north lies an open space where the Abbey has its feasts in the warmer seasons. To the east is the Great Hall, a massive structure that rises far above the abbey walls and is completed with large towers that pierce upwards into the sky.  The main building is completed with a large, iron banded door that would allow one into the Great Hall. 
Almost spring
-----------------------------------------

Quade was on patrol, or so he said he  was as he stayed by the entry as if waiting for something.
   
Juliana has been restless as her mother is in the infirm and the caretaker is recovering she has gone to wandering around and getting into mischief.   

Quade watches the dibbun and rolls his eyes.   

Kurt lands by the squirrel and chirps .   

Juliana sees the robin when she looks that direction and gets curious, it’s a new bird to her.   

Quade nods "What news...."He stops when he sees the dibbun and glares at the little fox.
   
Kurt says, "Not much...but Bolt and Rowtag now have the tavern and plan to try and take over another building as well." His eyes look  over at the fox dibbun and frowns, ok this isn’t good."   

Juliana whimpers a little and starts to back up.   

Quade quickly blocks her path and goes grab her arm and put a paw over her mouth "Quite little dibbun"   

Kurt watches "I think that’s the daughter of Flicktail and Rayen.."   

Juliana frowns, she is better at reading lips now and also she has sharp teeth and goes to bite down hard on Quade's paw!   

Quade gasps in pain and holds in a yelp as his paw is bite into by the fox, he then goes to knock her out to get her to let go. He mutters under his breath.   

Kurt puffs out and flies over to a step and stays where he is, watching and waiting to see what happens, he quietly asks "Should I....check on the others...sir?"   

Juliana makes a small sort of yip sound and slumps to the ground.
   
Quade frowns, he looks at his bleeding paw "No...I mean yes and keep me updated" He looks at the dibbun muttering something about getting rid of it.   

Kurt nods, one last look at the dibbun fox and then he flies off!   

Juliana isn’t moving from where she is on the ground.   

Quade looks back and forth and goes to pick up the dibbun carefully, he uses his cloak to place over her and goes to quickly make his way out the gate, he can report her missing later...or just pretend nothing happen, the 2nd sounds more like Quade.

Underground Prison
This is a small prison cell, large enough to fit several beasts. A light comes in from an unknown source above, but the area still gives the feel of dark, damp and death, as if it is meant to extinguish all hope. Whatever beast finds themselves trapped here, is likely to meet their demise within these exact same walls.

Quade walks over to where the captives are and speaks "Any beast awake, not that I care." His paw is bandaged now, but some of it still seeps a little red.
   
Minsc looks over and manages a small chuckle "Your paw get hurt? Someone finally get the best of Quade the so called hero, how about Quade the liar"
   
Quade glares, "None of your concern Minsc, it is not my sword paw and I don’t lie I only twist the truth, for example" He smiles "The cause of this was taken care of and is no longer a threat"   

Minsc frowns at this, but still smirks "Well least they wounded you first. I call that a plus and I hope someone wounds you to your death and I can watch. Your starting to slip Quade and one time it will be a major one and you won’t be able to get yourself out of it so easily."   

Quade narrows his eyes, “I always get what I want, even if it takes some time. For example trust I have gained is worth it....the abbey beasts see me as a friend, a trustworthy beast and the only one that doesn’t so far is in a deep faint and if I have it my way shall remain so and hopefully slip into the dark forest soon."   

Minsc shrugs " Well...I still hope you fail, you have the abbot captive, you have another abbey beast captive, you have the leader of the Mossflower defenders captive and from those 3..I think the stoat was most likely a mistake on your part to put in here...he seems to hate you more than the two from the abbey. And well you already know me and Gorvenalus hates your guts as well"   

Quade smirks as he places another thin layer of bandage on his paw, "It’s called...power, and this place is hidden. As for Marek his group will fall one by one and so will others at the abbey...let’s see...Brother Leon, Friar Lacota and well that Magramba may be a bit harder to take care of, but in the end...they fall and the abbey burns hopefully"   

Minsc listens and just looks bored, he has heard this before and seen it in his own homelands "I hope one of them slays you or least cripples you somehow. Your insane Quade."   

Quade grins, "I know...and I don’t plan to lose..all have a weakness and a strength yes. I have gotten a lot of info about those beasts in charge...from abbey logs and speaking to beast who..=trust me=, you see I am a hero, I am looking for the abbot and just having no luck what so ever..sad" He smirks, "Maybe I can tell them he is dead and watch their reactions"   

Minsc says, "And they would want proof, someone that important."   

Quade shrugs "I have a way of sounding convenseing and there is always knocking everyone out with knockout herbs in the cell, take his robes...course replace them with something more simple.....kill some horde beast I grow tired of...and well place their blood on Benar's robes and tear them up a bit and....oh my goodness gracious it’s horrible, I..I found this oh boo hoo hooo" He smiles coldly.
   
Minsc frowns, he knows that trick all too well, and one never knew if it was a lie or not, but he knows it has tricked others, including himself. "You won’t win....in the end, maybe not in this land but some other land...your end will come"
   
Quade says, "Will it Minsc...will it? You know what I am able to do, you know my skills. How I work and sadly you can’t do a thing about it but hear of repeated history. I take out beasts one by one....I take out those important...sometimes I keep them as guests, sometimes I kill them. Which reminds me...you remember dear Alice, Head Healer of your village. She died...an unskilled healer, well in fighting terms...but see her death helped me still..wounded beasts had less help, got worse and well you know the results."   

Minsc eyes flash battle light, "You’re a murderer."   

Quade smiles "Oh yes she was your mate wasn’t she...snapped her neck and made it look like she fell asleep at her desk, no one knew she was dead till morning...late morning."   

Minsc makes fists with both paws and glares daggers of hate at the squirrel.   

Quade yawns, and then chuckles "Save your energy Minsc, you’re going to need it. Now excuse me I need to go help save a tavern and play the hero...course it’s my own horde that has control of it..Bolt and Rowtag, see they are playing false leaders and I shall run them off and save the day, further putting me on the =good= side you see." He then exits down the tunnel, he decides to have his paw looked at, at the abbey...and of course not telling the real reason for the injury..well fully as he said one can twist the truth.

RW Abbey: Infirmary
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Several beds are lined against the red sandstone walls of the Abbey's Infirmary. An examination table, separated from the rest of the room by hanging blankets, rests against the far wall.  Tucked into a small alcove is a sizeable workbench with various containers for mixing and preparing medicinal compounds.  Against another wall is a desk for use by the Infirmary Keeper.  A curtained off alcove behind the desk hides a locked door to the Infirmary's supplies and linens.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Leon is of course in the infirm, checking on a lone beast in here and making a list of needed herbs for the infirm, and taking inventory of what he already has

Quade enters with his paw bandaged and its seeping blood, it’s clearly temporary bandages "Brother Leon...some assistance please" He offers a weak smile.   

Leon looks over and places his quill pen down and his paper and walks over "Ok what happen?"   

Quade says, "I was attacked by a vermin, almost had them but as a last move they bite my paw, so I ended their life"   

Leon listens and nods as he examined the paw, "Well you don't seem too bad off, you’re lucky I guess. And bandaging it helped" He gets some needed herbs after cleaning it with a rag and adding a couple stitches, healing herbs and rebandages it" Your have to not use it for a couple days"   

Quade nods "Of course Brother Leon...least it’s not my sword paw and thank you for tending to my paw"   

Leon nods and goes to get back to his inventory of the infirmary, "I am the main healer here, it’s my job."   

Quade nods "Well yes of course your very important here"   

Leon looks over and back to his work, "Yes...so was it a fight with one of the vermin from that band you think or from elsewhere?"   

Quade keeps his tone simple "I didn’t ask it...I don’t ask vermin, gee where are you from...one fights when attacked"   

Leon says, "Fine..suppose that would be foolish, any reason it attacked you?"   

Quade says, "Yes it would of. And again why do vermin do anything. I was just chatting with a robin friend of mine, least they flew away but I let them know I was ok and then I got here for you to check my paw, I am not good at bandaging myself, then whom can bandage their own wounds?""

Leon shrugs "Very few, so any luck finding the missing beasts as I assume you been out looking?"   

Quade says, "Yes I been outside and looking around, of course. No luck I am sorry but I am sure something will be found soon am I right?"
   
Leon says, "I hope so, its causing stress and then beasts getting injured or killed doesn’t help either."   

Quade says, "Yes it’s sad. Beasts best be careful then one never knows what will happen...so what are you doing it looks rather important"
   
Leon says, "Inventory "He says quietly "I need to find some plants if I can, some will be around trees and streams and the snow is finally melting now"   

Quade nods "You know walking would be a bad idea...what about that large eagle, maybe he could take you or guard you?”
   
Leon looks at Quade curiously "Maybe, but..well flying and all that"   

Quade says, "I think it would be rather neat, I could tag along and help"   

Leon thinks and shakes his head "No thanks, I can go on my own or if needed with some other beast"
   
Quade says, "You know I have acted as a guard and I am a warrior, in fact I am in charge of the Defenders now"   

Leon says, "So....you are  needed elsewhere. And I most likely will be fine, Thunderwing is an eagle and very protective, also just one beast on his back is fine. He can even look out for trouble and flying with an eagle I wouldn’t be gone long at all"   

Quade shrugs "Whatever you see as best" He then quietly leaves "See you later Brother Leon"

Defenders Headquarters: Training Ground
This is an intricate and well crafted training ground. A large square area has been sanctioned off using large rocks as it's boundary. Inside the area are several wooden practice dummies, a few archery targets, some cloth punching bags and what appears to be a hand-operated rigging system for firing crossbow bolts into the air. A smaller area marked off by stone circles has been quartered off so as to allow for both sparring and paw-to-paw combat training. It would seem Marek has thought of everything.

Marek had an extra crossbow, he destroyed his large one but keep a smaller one just in case something major came up and that something major was now. He keep the crossbow and bolts close and his twin blades were sharpen and ready to go. He worn some armor he got from a beast, as his own was gone and he needed more than just bark leather armor for this fight.

Edson walks up and nods a hello, “So..sharpening a weapon then sir?”

Marek looks up at the hedgehog and stands adjusting a couple  things , he sits the crossbow and bolts down  by the tent before he goes to head back to Ferravale “Yes, so we are ready for battle. I will be back shortly”

Edson just nods and goes to the training area for some sword drills.

Quade watches from the sidelines and then after the stoat leaves he walks over and picks up the crossbow and a bolt and walks away.

==A short time later in the woods=

Ivy was scouting around for signs of vermin, so far having no luck as she sighs.

Quade walks into the area and studies the otter maid “A new member of the defenders…well that’s interesting, isn’t it Bolt?”

Bolt walks out of the woodlands and stands beside the squirrel quietly.

Ivy jumps “Oh your Quade…you scared me a little and yes I am a member of the Defenders.” She frowns at the fox and looks confused “..W…Who is this, why is he here?”

Quade answers “Cause he is my 2nd in command and your time in the Mossflower Defenders has come to an end” He raises the crossbow, bolt he took loaded and fires at the otter maid before she can reply or react.

Bolt just grins and watches, he could of fired off an arrow but there is a purpose to this and so he waits for any orders .

Ivy eyes widen and  the next thing she feels is burning pain and then nothing as she hits the forest floor, dead before she even lands onto the snowy ground.

Quade walks up and double checks her for a pulse and smirks “Dead….”

It’s about now someone shows up, he was to check on his new member and slows when he sees…”Mr. Quade what is the meaning of this and why do you have MY crossbow?”

Quade slowly turns and smirks at Marek ”Oh…is this yours? I will make sure to let the others know it’s your crossbow” He snaps his fingers as a couple foxes, about 4 rats and a couple ferrets come out of the woods. Also a rather tall marten.

Bolt aims his longbow at Marek, but he will only fire if told to do so.

Ivy lies dead on the forest floor, the cross bolt buried in her neck and some blood has coated the snow red.

Marek draws his twin swords and growls low, “You will explain yourself now Mr. Quade and why you have THAT fox there” He recognizes the fox clearly as his eyes flash a warning.

Quade just smiles “He works for me…now as I see it, you’re about to die or maybe I will just have some fun. After all that’s your cross bolt in that otter’s neck, one can’t say it’s not..but who fired it, surely not me why would I kill a fellow Defender..why would anyone?”

Bolt blinks “Cause ya hate them boss, remember?”

Marek looks ready to charge Quade “You..your behind this..this trouble that’s come to Mossflower..” He growls as he barely controls his urge to just rip the squirrel apart “Where is Abbot Benar and Lillymoore, I SWEAR IF THEY ARE DEAD…YOUR NEXT!!” His voice raises and it full of cold hate towards the squirrel.

Quade just frowns “Do control your anger Marek, you’re a little like Xander…he has anger issues lately then who is to blame him…his mother was killed after all, and I plan on killing the blind badger as well…his father had the right idea, to leave the area while he could….that’s one smart stripe dog. See I have a plan even for the Defenders…I will be leader”

Marek shakes his head “Not after I tell them what happen here and what you have done, that you’re the reason for the disappearances….now Take me to Benar and Lilymoore or else”

Bolt stays off to the side, he simply waits

Quade narrows his eyes “Is that a threat?” His voice is dangerous as he raises a paw for his band to attack, “See you won’t be there, and the way I see it I won’t be lying when I say you attacked me…I will take over your precious Mossflower Defenders and one by one..they fall…they die….Xander, Dorarose, Zolomon, Brookshire, Lee, Edson….and that stupid bossy healer mouse, she should be easy to kill….and speaking of healers I think the abbeys Master Healer will have an accident soon, see I can’t have him around healing injured beasts…that reminds me he will most likely be with the eagle Thunderwing, I think I will have that eagle shot down…with Brother Leon on him…fall from that height be rather painful and…deadly” He then lowers his arm and smiles coldly.

Marek right away is charging towards the squirrel, he is stopped by a ferret and quickly beheads the ferret and slices at a fox. He tenses up as he gets a slice to the leg, and one to the side where some armor is loose.

Bolt fires off an arrow towards Marek’s shoulder, no killing yet he wants to have fun first.

Quade watches his beasts attack Marek and then gets in front of the stoat and slices at his leg that’s already injured.

Marek growls as blood forms and then slices at Quade looking to cause a painful wound. He gets a cut on the arm, the arrow in his shoulder and knocked down by one of the martins that showed up, he kicks a rat away and beheads another rat.

Quade  jumps back, but he has a good slice on his lower arm, he then pants and gives the single to stop, “You win Marek I will take you to Abbot Benar and Lilymoore.” He then smirks as he looks to Bolt, whom is hopefully  ready to knock Marek out cold “My way…”

Bolt smirks and uses his fist to punch Marek in the face, hard enough to knock out, but not kill.

Marek pants and growls, its short lived as he is knocked out, he is lucky to not have a broken snout but he will bruise badly and bleed a lot, but it’s not broken. He has cuts on his arms and legs, and one footpad may be broken. He has a cut above his left eye and that eye is swelling shut, when he wakes up he will have one very bad black eye.

Quade sits where he is and pants, worn out “Marek is a good…fighter” He chuckles as he looks around 2 rats and a couple ferrets and a fox is dead, the rest that came is alive. A couple injured as the squirrel signals them to carry Marek to the base as he leans on a tree” Go help them Bolt and meet me at the clearing later…phase two…begins” He limps away.

Bolt nods and goes to make sure the others get Marek to the base and in a cell.

===Near the Ferravale path a short time later==

Xander has on his grandfather’s armor and has his blade at his side as he walks along the path.

Zolomon stays beside him “So ya fought a monitor and truly kicked its tail, in fact you beheaded it I mean how many can say I fought a monitor and won!”

Edson rolls his eyes, “Brag much? It’s not good to brag…its dead leave it dead already”

Thunderwing has tagged along, ever the badger’s guard and has only left his side a couple times or when he was in the abbey. No one touches the badger!

Quade takes this time to limp into the path, right in front of them and falls forwards. Blood soaked his clothing and his tunic is torn up, he has cuts on him in a couple places, one is fairly bad…”He..help me…”

Xander rushes over quickly “Quade?!..What happen?”

Thunderwing lands near Xander and tilts his head, “Squirrel beastie be hurts bad ya”

Zolomon gasps and looks around “We should get him into the village and get a blooming healer”

Edson frowns and nods “I will find one!” He rushes into the village that is lucky not too far away.

Quade shivers “Marek…a…attacked me….bad guy…his crossbow bolt was in Ivy’s neck..s..she’s dead.” He then passes out, and he isn’t faking it he is truly passed out.

Xander looks like he heard that wrong “What…but why would Marek…Quade?!”He checks for a pulse as he at least knows how to check for one “Ok he is alive still”

Zolomon frowns “Mr. M…evil again….but…that don’t make any sense…where is Mr. M anyways?”

Thunderwing puffs up and  looks to be debating on searching but first he makes sure they get to the village ok.

Xander sighs and lifts Quade up and runs on to the infirm.

==An hour or so later in the infirm of Ferravale, Quade slowly awakens==

FV:Infirm:Main Room
This is the infirm. The far walls are lined with simple cots with clean sheets and pillows. The sheets and pillows are mainly white and blue.The room is keep clean and well sweeped. Cabnets are agaist one wall full of healing supplies and herbs,each marked in its own jar. A examineing table is seen and a wash basin.

Quade groans and sits up, a bandaged chest and arm He looks at the beasts in here.

Xander speaks forwards “Where is Marek?”

Edson is there and nods “I agree with the badger…where is he?”

Zolomon folds his arms over his chest “Mr. M is not in the tavern, nor around the village. I blooming asked around no one seen him since this morning.”

Quade frowns, his voice so calm and simple “Dead….he was killed” His voice monotone, he stands “The Mossflower Defenders will need a new leader and since I am most skilled and have had leadership skills before I think I am best fit.”

Zolomon blinks “Well….I suppose Q….I mean I am not interested”

Xander frowns, he is the youngest but he has his own thoughts still “But when the dibbuns were taken you just sat in a tree, and I think you did when we went to find them also….and you were not protecting Benar  too well…..and an abbey beast said you were grabbed too, how did you escape that was never explained.”

Edson shrugs he could care less whom leader is. ”Seems fine to me”

Quade clears his throat “I led the search party, I tracked vermin to the hideout and scouted around. I took the dibbuns home when the others stayed behind and finished off the vermin. And at the river I protected the other abbey beasts,…..yes I was grabbed but not taken too far before I stabbed the one ferret in the chest and he died, I escaped and sadly was too late for Benar and we needed to get back to the abbey as soon as possible to tell them about Abbot Benar being missing. You were knocked out so how would you know what happen and didn’t happen, sides if your trying to say you make a better leader….ha, you’re the youngest member. You have anger issues and don’t say ya don’t. You have recently lost your mother..why any fighting you do may well be for revenge only, a poor thing to have and be a possible leader at the same time, so…” He stands “I take leadership, anyone agasit that?”

Thunderwing shakes his head, but he still seems to dislike the squirrel for saying mean things, ”Thunderwing need fishes” He then flies away.

Xander frowns and looks down, he is near tears as he sniffs and then bolts back towards the abbey, even if its further away.

Zolomon frowns as he looks at Quade “Ok Q…ummm I mean…sir” He then goes after the badger “Xandy wait for me!!”

Edson just shakes his head, “Nope” He then nods, “I will be in the training yard sir, good day and how you recover well from the fight” He then turns to head off to the training ground of the Mossflower Defenders.

Bolt slips into the infirmary, a dark blueish green cloak on, “Boss…Marek is at the base now.” He says quietly.

Quade nods “Good” He makes sure no beasts are around and slowly stands, he tenses up a little from his wounds and “ I am leader of the Defenders now that Marek is…out of the way.He got his wish to see the abbot and his little mouse friend again. Now Bolt I need you to help me plan, each Mossflower Defender to be..sent to the dark forest, one way or another. But also I need to get rid of those 4 at the abbey…Oz, Lacota, Magramba and Leon. Not all at once…no that would just be too bad.” He grins “My main ones to take care of first is the blind badger and the Master Healer, just as I slayed the Master Healer in my former village, so I shall at Redwall…without a skilled healer a lot of wounded beasts won’t be helped as well, some could surely die with a lack of skills…come let’s return to the base while the Defenders are at their stupid  headquarters.” He then walks out the door.

Bolt follows obeying orders as the two head back to Quade's base.

==Somewhere near the bridge going over the River Moss and not too far from Ferravale Path==

Quade was along the river bank speaking to a fox and some rats. "So the plan is simple really. Abbot Benar and that Xander will be by the river to collect clay for making pottery, a very interesting hobby I must say but that’s not important, what is important is capturing the abbot and then me reporting the news of oh captured by vermin and did all I could to stop it"   

Bolt looks confused "But ...wouldn’t you of been the one that...ummm caused it boss?"   

Rayen rolls her eyes as she sews a ripped tunic of one of the rats and hands it back to him.
   
Zinnia slows as she hears voices and looks around, she is close to the ship now, but feels a little uneasy now as she slips more into the tree line and walks along carrying the knapsack she had with her.   

Quade snorts "Idiot...that’s the point to trick them, no one would know I am the villain. I am the HERO after all, no they find out who I really am later on, then it’s too late"   

Rayen is half listening, before she replies "Benar wouldn’t be alone by the way. He isn’t dumb even if it’s just a simple get some clay" She happens to look over at the trees and frowns as she spots the badger but quickly looks away again.   

Bolt pouts, he notes the frown on Rayen "Why the frown...ya see something?" He looks towards the tree line curious.   

Quade nods "I know that’s why me and you would be there to help -guard- him, and any other abbey beasts can be knocked out..no deaths, least yet"   

Zinnia slips behind a tree stump and listens to the varies beasts and frowns, ok this is a bad place to be and she really should just leave and get back to the ship, that or find Xander and Benar and tell them it’s a bad day to get clay, but they would ask why and she is not sure they would believe her but it isn’t like she would lie, she steps back and slips on ice letting out a surprised yelp and a grunt when she slams her elbow into a tree root, her knapsacks comes open and spills some green and red peppers and a couple packs of tea onto the forest floor.   

Rayen looks to Bolt" I saw...." Her ears flatten at the yelp and she goes quiet and remains seated where she is.   

Quade is right away standing and his tail flicks, as it does four weasels and 5 ferrets go towards where the badger is to surround her, a couple rats also stand ready.   

Bolt gets his longbow ready and selects an arrow, but he will wait on a command before he does anything with the arrow.   

Zinnia gaps as she is surrounded and goes to smack a ferret in the face with the knapsack, another one she punches in the stomach but the others manage to grab her and drag her over to Quade, the badger maid looks at him and frowns "I thought..I thought you were a good beast, you’re in the defenders with my son"   

Rayen frowns as she watches and stands slowly as she walks over "Quade, let her go she isn’t much of a threat to you and besides she and her mate and dibbuns are leaving soon" She looks at the badger "In fact leave today...I can even get the twins to you, just...head home, you and Takeo's home"
   
Quade narrows his eyes at the badger maid and then sighs "Sister Zinnia...its interesting you are here but you really shouldn’t get into other beasts business." He looks at Rayen before his attention is on Zinnia again.   

Bolt keeps his longbow drawn "Should I....kill her sir?"   

Rayen puts up a paw "No one has to die, remember what you said Quade...no deaths"   

Zinnia frowns, "R..Rayen? Why are you here...wait your working for Quade..I..I don’t understand, you’re a friend to the abbey Quade, h...how could you...what do you want with Benar or my son or any beast for that matter?"   

Quade frowns "I said not yet Rayen and yes she works for me" He looks at the badger maid and then replies "Lies..twisted into seeming true....it’s just the way I say it, like the seer in Ferravale..creepy yes, but he may know I am a bit...off" He grins "But I always speak the truth...it’s how you word things...a horrible beast destroyed my village, that’s true...that beast was me...I never found my so called friends...that was part way true, they found me and now they are my captives and can befriend Benar, as for Xander...well I do have knock out stuff strong enough for a badger..I used some on Oz when the dibbuns were temporary captured, and tested it on Xander...I have made it stronger since then, just a little...just a little. I just want the abbot gone to form chaos....oh he won’t die, heck the abbot of my village is still alive, along with the rightful owner of Furyblazor"   

Bolt frowns seeming upset he can't kill anything.   

Rayen ears go flat as she listens to Quade ramble on and on.   

Zinnia frowns," Your be found out..."She feels a snarl come up in her throat when he mentions harming Oz and Xander "Stay away from my family!"
   
Quade keeps calm "But they think I am their  friend. You see I have plans and....NO ONE ...no one is going to prevent that from happening."   

Rayen keeps quiet as she listens to Quade and watches Zinnia for a reaction.
   
Zinnia says, "Release me...if I suddenly go missing Takeo and Xander will look for me...if the abbot goes missing as well beast will know something is seriously going on." She glances at Rayen "And Rayen..please...please don’t help him, you...you’re not evil and you really are my friend, unlike Quade here." She looks at the squirrel" And what of the others with Benar...they would see you and report it to the abbey, then what?"
   
Quade frowns "Your smart...so knowledgeable then you were Recorder of the abbey for a while and most likely gathered info to write more on whatever topic." He paces some "Do you know how hard it is to keep this from others, to prevent beast from finding out the truth?" He shakes his head "Very hard and things like this can mess it up and I can’t have my plans messed up when the good part is just about to begin and as for Rayen, she is loyal to me now and obeys me." He nods to Rayen "Kill the badger"   

Rayen gets a look of horror, she raises her longbow and selects an arrow and aims...but then she lowers it "I..I can't...you can just enslave her, I won’t kill my friend!"   

Bolt growls low at Rayen but stays where he is.   

Zinnia eyes go wide as she sees the longbow and then breaths a sigh of relief when Rayen lowers it.   

Quade closes his eyes and then when he opens them he glares at the vixen before turning to face the badger." You know..I liked you, and you could be useful to me, info and all but you most likely wouldn’t give it to me and I would ask over and over again and get tried and moody, it would affect me focusing and I can't allow that to happen either Sister Zinnia, but I also have to speak to the truth and if I killed you and said I didn’t...the seer would know I am lying, and if I told some other beast to kill you and I said I didn’t..another lie...course one don’t have to SAY A WORD." He raises a paw as he speaks "Forgive me Sister Zinnia but as I said I have plans and no one is going to prevent that from happening." His paw then drops to his side.   

Bolt fires off his arrow right at the badger maids chest. His arrow is straight and true on its deadly path and so close a range, it’s not he could miss if he tried.   

Zinnia feels tears come to her face as she listens, as words of a dream come to her again. Seeing Bolt pull back on the longbow she tenses up and fear floods her but something causes her to look away and she seems to relax silently till pain causes her to gasp as the arrow buries itself into her chest and she falls backwards onto the ground. Her vision slowly fades and she manages to take a shaky breath before going still and quiet.   

******This small bit added by request, what Zinnia and ONLY zinnia saw during the pose above**********

It felt like things were going in slow motion all of a sudden, the arrow coming at her, then a quiet voice..”Zinnia…” She looked over to see her father standing there all hazy looking. The arrow hits her and she starts to whimper in pain.

Zork Winters calmly spoke “Zinnia…look at me honey..it’s alright…focus on me “

Zinnia knew she was dying but keeping her focus on her father dulled the arrow pain as she breathed her last and joined her father in the dark forest.
***************** end’s here ***************************************

Rayen eyes go wide " Sister Zinnia!!!!" She rushes forwards not caring what Quade thinks of it. She quickly goes to check for a pulse, for breathing, for any hope of helping her friend.   

Quade just watches calmly where he stands. He allows the fox to check on the badger and snaps his fingers for the other vermin to make sure the vixen doesn’t leave.
   
Bolt smirks as he stays close by “One less stripedog in the world. Hey boss can I kill any others?"   

Zinnia shows no signs of life, a small trickle of blood comes from her mouth and some from her chest wound where the arrow is. Her eyes are misted over now. But oddly don't hold as much fear as they could, slightly calmed a little.   

Rayen feels tears flood down her face, she stands and frowns as she is surrounded and looks at Quade.
   
Quade studies the vixen, “Knock her out Bolt...she did seem to think we needed a captive, well she can be it for now till I figure out what to do with her and make sure she doesn’t try something foolish. I really could use more than a couple archers and you are a good one Rayen. But we need to chat...and in a better location" He looks down at Zinnia and frowns" An order beast has been killed, oh my..but this needs to remain...unfound till I have the abbot..then this untimely death can be told of."   

Bolt grins and sees happy, a little too happy, to do it as he makes a fist and goes to punch Rayen in the jaw, not hard enough to kill but hard enough to knock out cold   

Rayen gets little time to react before she slumps to the muddy ground, clearly out cold   

A short time later

The place...somewhere dark....the squirrel stands with his paws behind his back as he calmly speaks "Do wake up please, we have to escort Benar to the riverbank soon or did ya forget?"
   
Rayen opens her eyes and finds herself tied to a chair and her ears flatten. Her jaw is slightly swollen, "Why would I help you...you going to kill me?"   

Quade shakes his head” “No...one of the others can do that, well if you don’t agree with me see I did say for you to kill the badger..whats to say you were not the cause, now I could make them think you did as well..I didn’t, did I? No.....or you stay quiet and you come help me and if asked what is wrong....your tried but it’s still a good day, yes a good day for I am letting you live, that makes it a good day correct Rayen?"   

Rayen nods slowly "But Sister Zinnia..."   

Quade says, "That can wait....first the abbot is....well show some new friends and then someone can find poor Sister Zinnia, the cold will help...where she is fine for now and if she is found hopefully its after dear Abbot Benar is found out to be missing"
   
Rayen says, "Please...d..don't kill me or have any other beast do it. I will stay quiet"
   
Quade says, "I won't"Quade walks over with a cup "Drink it" He commands. If drank it numbs the throat, just enough to make one unable to talk for a few hours, they can breath fairly well, just maybe not run fast very well. He also nods to a rat to untie her.   

Rayen frowns but drinks the mixture and coughs.."w..w.....-gasp...my voice" Barely a whisper   

Quade says, "Is perfect. Now let’s go and remember...act normal or another beast dies today and oh that would be you..but I am sure that won’t happen" He exits expecting her to follow
   
Rayen frowns but goes to follow him   

==An hour or two later Zinnia is found==

Takeo was out searching, he had gotten worried and he didn’t know why “Zinnia…”He then spots her still form and rushes over checking for signs of life, checking a 2nd and a 3nd time before gently as if she was fine china taking her into his arms and holding her close “Zinnia….please….no..no” Tears flood down his face as he  takes a few breaths as it trying to breath and not being able to and then screams loudly! His cry full of sorrow and pain, heartbreak and lost. He then  wipes away tears and lays a paw on her forehead slowly bring his paw down so her eyes are then closed, from a distance she may look asleep or unconscious, he then gathers her into his arms and heads to the abbey afterwards …he is not sure how long he had been holding her alone by the river, but he knew her family needed to know the sad sad news.

FV:Tavern
Outside a sign swings on a rusty creaking frame above the doorway of the tavern depicting a faded painting of what appears to be three rather rich looking skeletons slumped over a table around a black chalice, perhaps such a thing could be taken as a warning but it doesn't appear to work on the locals. The noise within on a normal day is usually heard before the door is even opened and only rises in volume when one actually steps inside.
There are the typical qualities of a tavern within, from the bar to the chairs and booths and the odd drunk who never seems to move it's the little details which encourage a patron to pay his tab if he likes his fingers. One look at some of the staff or customers might give the impression but the room is decorated to the fiercer tastes with bones, mostly skulls cropping up here and there to fill a gap on a shelf or decorating the walls above the doorways, fireplace and bar, a pair of axes joining the one over the fire with some signs that they've been yanked off to join in a fight a couple of times. Some of the comfier chairs are lined with fur and very rarely one might be found with a few pointed bits of bone to decorate the back. Despite the looks there is entertainment and fun to be had, some form of music usually played on a small stage in the corner and at least one bouncer usually tries to keep the peace while beasts gamble, drink and be merry.
A small door behind the bar leads out the back to the kitchen and cellars while one wall has been opened up in a wide arch to increase the space off into the next room where what seems to be a wooden fence with gates on either end has been set up as a fighting pit as further entertainment and something to bet over.

Xander walks down the stairs and into the main part of the tavern. He slept fairly well he just didn’t remember being brought to the guest room. He looked around the tavern with a slight frown.
   
Marek glances over "Good day Mr. Xander. You are feeling better it appears or maybe not as I am not you"   

Xander looks over and blinks, he shrugs "I guess....ummm bout what I said before I sort of, ummm...passed out?"   

Marek nods "Yes you passed out Mr. Xander and do not worry I have the blade you dropped" He walks over and gets a blade from the back room and hands it to the badger, "And I remember what you muttered about directions and first and last and whatever else it was in Mr. Zee's note"

Xander takes the sword and nods "Yeah and so..I figured" He holds the blade at his side as he finds a key in his pocket and shows it to Marek “You  have...the chest then, the last one right?"   

Marek looks at the key and holds out his paw. Emotionless look on his face as he waits quietly not saying anything right off.   

Xander blinks but hands him the key and then frowns "Why do you want the key for?"       

Marek walks over to a rug and uncovers a trap door. He pockets the key the badger gave him and gets his own out to unlock the trap door and opens it heading down some steps. He returns with a large chest he sits down and then closes and locks the trap door, replaces the rug and uses the key the badger gave him to open the chest. He opens it as soon as the lock clicks   

Inside is The Blade Of The Northwind  Storms This sword has been custom crafted by one of the finest blacksmiths to ever live, the blade is a shining silvery steel alloy that glows in the suns light and seems to bask in its eternal glory, it's double-edged sharpness almost seeming to sing through the air when it swings, and the hilt also made from similar alloy, but covered in a firm leather grip to make the wielder’s paws never be strained, of course a normal beast would be strained at just picking up this weapon. It is a very large weapon and only a badger is capable of wielding it's amazing power.   

Xander gasps and walks over and reaches for it, a large smile on his face.   

Marek slams the chest shut before he gets his paw to the blade and locks the chest back, the key goes into his pocket as he looks at the badger, "Fighting pit...Now" The voice has a commanding tone to it. He walks there and does not  even tell the badger to follow him.   

Xander jerks his paw back and frowns, "Wot the...but the blade..."He follows the stoat   
FV:Tavern:Fighting Pit
The Fighting Pit is a circular ring set in the Ferravale Tavern, though off to the side. Metal railings surround the pit to keep the spectators out and the fighters in. The floor of the ring is set a bit lower than the rest of the tavern floor as the floor of the pit is filled with sand to make impacts a bit softer on the fighting beasts. There are little tables ringing the pit, though lacking chairs for a change. These tables sit at about the height of the railing and are much smaller than the tavern tables, and they are often either used for setting drinks down or for setting money for bets on. The floor just outside of the fighting pit is speckled with bits of sand lost from the footpaws of fighters exiting the ring or when certain fights cause sand to fly through the air out of the fighting pit, though that doesn't happen too much. A good distance away from the fighting pit, set against the walls, are tables like the ones found over by the bar in the tavern.

   
Marek has his blade out as the badger enters, “A question to answer...who forged that blade and whom has wielded it?" He looks ready to maybe fight?   

Xander seems confused "Why we talking in here..and Soot Winters forged it, he was famous in the Northlands in the village and valley of Send...he made it for his brother Dariean Winters who died in battle so it went to his son Powell, who then would pass it down to Zork Winters but he wasn’t of age yet so my Uncle Zee held it for a while and helped train him till Zork Winters earned the right to wield it...when he died Uncle Zee held it again, he would of given it to my mother Zinnia but being a Sister in the order, she didn’t take it so next in line....is me"   

Marek nods "Very good....now earn your Blade...draw first blood before me!" He then makes the first quick move without a warning, aiming to slice the badger on his arm.   

Xander gasps and barely dives sideways and has his borrowed long sword tilted sideways as he frowns "Little warning be nice sir!"   

"When in battle an enemy will not warn you!" The stoat growls and aims another blow at the badger eyes narrowed.   

Xander brings his blade up and blocks the blade with his own and pays close attention to the stoats moves as a crowd forms around the fighting pit to watch now.   

Marek pushes forwards trying to knock the badger down as he snorts, he looks for an opening to slice again and when found slices out with the blade.   

Patch steps over and blinks "Hmmm....I have no clue" He shrugs, sides he is broke he CANT place a bet on a winner.   

Xander moves, his sleeve is cut but the blade doesn't draw blood as he checks and then quickly draws attention back to Marek as he slices at his arm.   

Marek keeps ever alert and goes sideways as he notices no blood drawn he growls and goes to make a slice at the badger's cheek.   

Patch watches "So what this be about?" A ferret shrugs "Beats me but its entraining"   

Xander jumps back and hits the ropes, he groans as he will feel that bruise but it’s just a bruise and no drawn blood. He takes a few deep breaths to settle down his temper before he spins around and slices at Marek's chest.   

Marek watches the badger closely and aims to slice at the back of his shoulder when the badger spins around, the stoat goes to block the blade with his own and misjudges the blade angle slightly. just enough where he feels the blade slice into his tunic sleeve and onto his arm and blood forms and drips down to his wrist. He backs up a little and mutters under his breath.   

Patch blinks but stays and watches   

Xander eyes widen and he almost drops his own blade but he just grips it harder and carefully walks over to the stoat as beasts mutter and talk. some mad and some happy, others just surprised. “Marek?"   

Marek puts his own blade away and holds his arm. It’s not a deep cut as he looks at the badger and walks to sit on the edge of the fighting ring as Zaram rushes over and tends to the bleeding.
   
Patch is silent "So ummm....bad day or something?"   

Xander puts the blade he has at his side and goes to check on Marek "I'm....sorry sir. I didn’t cut you too bad did I?"   

Marek speaks as he is bandaged "You drew first blood...and your fighting skills have improved. You also showed a way to calm yourself in battle, but always pay attention and never let your eyes go from the one you fight, even a second, in some cases a second is all that is  all that is needed for a death blow" He nods to Zaram as he stands" I am fine, it is not deep...it will heal"   

Xander nods as he listens "I know, anger can be back but one could refocus it to help instead of make one less likely to fight well, right?"   

Patch just stays where he is and sighs, well just ignore the rat, that’s right, ignore him.   

FV:Tavern
Outside a sign swings on a rusty creaking frame above the doorway of the tavern depicting a faded painting of what appears to be three rather rich looking skeletons slumped over a table around a black chalice, perhaps such a thing could be taken as a warning but it doesn't appear to work on the locals. The noise within on a normal day is usually heard before the door is even opened and only rises in volume when one actually steps inside.
There are the typical qualities of a tavern within, from the bar to the chairs and booths and the odd drunk who never seems to move it's the little details which encourage a patron to pay his tab if he likes his fingers. One look at some of the staff or customers might give the impression but the room is decorated to the fiercer tastes with bones, mostly skulls cropping up here and there to fill a gap on a shelf or decorating the walls above the doorways, fireplace and bar, a pair of axes joining the one over the fire with some signs that they've been yanked off to join in a fight a couple of times. Some of the comfier chairs are lined with fur and very rarely one might be found with a few pointed bits of bone to decorate the back. Despite the looks there is entertainment and fun to be had, some form of music usually played on a small stage in the corner and at least one bouncer usually tries to keep the peace while beasts gamble, drink and be merry.
A small door behind the bar leads out the back to the kitchen and cellars while one wall has been opened up in a wide arch to increase the space off into the next room where what seems to be a wooden fence with gates on either end has been set up as a fighting pit as further entertainment and something to bet over.

Marek walks back to the front of the tavern and behind the counter   

Xander follows him quietly. well least he isn’t as tried as he was   
   
Marek steps over to the chest and unlocks it with the key. He opens the chest and looks to the badger" Your blade awaits you Mr. Xander, but also remember you still need to learn to wield it well and to pay attention to your training"   

Xander walks over and stands in front of the chest and slowly reaches down and grips the handle and lifts the blade up and holds it. he studies it and goes a test swing carefully. A memory of when he first tries to lift the blade and it wasn’t  too good with it, a frown and tears form as he holds the blade and closes his eyes.   

*ooc info first held blade in this log a long LONG time ago ICLY- http://rwmuck.limitless.org/rwmuck/cont … air-travel     *

Patch blinks and whistles "Whoa....that's Stripy's?"   

Marek nods "Yes Mr. Patch it is and he has earned the right to wield it“

Xander looks at the Blade Of The Northwind Storms and removes the other blade and sits it on the table and places this blade in its case and on his back where it belongs. He nods to the other blade "I am not sure what to do with it now"   

Patch looks at the blade "Sell it....I could" Yeah and keep the coins for himself   

Marek takes the longsword and locks it in the chest instead and looks to the rat "No Mr. Patch, that’s not what will happen it stays in here for now" He looks to the badger "I expect you NOT to miss a training session. You are to always be on time"
   
Xander nods "Of course sir. I will put my full attention into it"   

Patch hmmphs and goes to sit down and get an ale, least he can get an ale once a day.   

Marek nods "Good, your training starts in a week at the Defenders base....and do be ready"