Redwall MUCK Forum

WHO:

Krisha- Badger Mother

Benar-Abbot

Dorarose- Gatekeeper

Lilymoore- Bell Ringer

Angela-Chief Abbey Healer

Velm-Visiting Hare of Long Patrol, Lt. and Healer

Gorvenalus- Recorder at Abbey

Lacota- Friar

Chestnut- Sparra Queen

Some other beasts were spoofed as well by Dorarose and Benar...

LOG:

Benar is standing on the steps of the great hall looking out, peering through the snow, wrapped up in a cloak, "Ok everyone," He says, "We need to tunnel a way to Matilda's cottage and the gatehouse and get our people back to the main building."   
   
Krisha has left the dibbuns with Sister Anna and Brother Rick, also a couple of novices are helping as well "Hmmms, well this is gonna take a while. Let's hope they are alright."   
   
Velm has recovered from being stuck in the storm and has volunteered to help. He frowns as light still hurts his eyes a little but it's a lot better than it was. His uniform is for now still being cleaned, it was dried but they also decided it needed to be cleaned so he has on some simple tunic and pants and his thick cloak he got back from the otter maid he helped "Need an extra paw thar sur? I be glad ta be of service and help on this mission."   
   
Gorvenalus steps over to see how to best do this" Ok, this shouldn't be too bad, unless there is some ice in places."   
   
Benar says, "Thank you Velm." The abbot says frowning, "We need to dig a path through the snow to the Champion's Cottage and then on to the Gatehouse," He shivers and pulls his habit around himself, "I am sure with some extra help from you youngsters we can dig a tunnel through the snow."   
   
One of the beasts helping is an otter that got a bit...snowed in at the abbey "Dig a tunnel or two...sounds like a mightly good plan ya all, I say let's get goin' to it"
   
Krisha nods to the otter and hare "All help as Benar said is welcome" She helps make sure beasts don't run into anything as shoveling begins. She frowns and heads inside..why? It's clear soon when she has found a mole and chuckles "What better than a mole for a tunnel right?"   
   
Velm helps where he can and looks over, he never understood moles too well "Yea got a mole crew lass?" He can clear a path fairly well himself and with the help of those around him, he can make sure it's a ..fairly straight path to the gatehouse and cottage as they are close together, so that helps a lot.   
   
Foremole has come out with Krisha at her request and his crew is carrying shovels and settles in to help out, calling out instructions to the otter and Krisha and Velm, directing them as part of his crew to start tunneling out a passage across the lawn.   
   
The tall otter is doing well, still, a bit of snow falls on top of him and he shakes it off, a mouse maid squeaks and glares at him as he mutters a sorry to her.   
   
Gorvenalus stays close to Benar as the group starts the tunneling, he smiles when he sees the moles " That should speed things up"   
   
Behind the group, at the doors to Great Hall, there is a flutter and a chirp. Butterlcaw lands awkwardly and floofs up his feathers even more than they were. He looks remarkably like a pom-pom with a beak and legs. "Abbeyworms letta Butterclaw in through window. Came to tell Abbotworm Lilyfriend and wormfamily stuck in Gatehouse. Grumpyworm Healermouse has strangeshoes. Says can walk on snow. Doraworm and blackmouseworm trystop her." Sounds like Angela may have snowshoes and her family wants her to not go on an adventure in them.   
   
Benar shakes his head and sighs, "Trust Angela to have snowshoes to hand," he looks at the lawn and the fact the snow is about five feet high, six or seven where it is piled up against the walls. The fact they are having to tunnel through it rather than just clear it out is quite dangerous. "Well Butterclaw I hope she is staying put, it will be safer to wait.... could you fly back and let them know we are on our way?" Foremole calls out to Velm, Krisha, and the Otter, "Burr okay you biggun beasts, you need to use yer backs to push oop against tha roof orf our tunnel, compact tha snow so tha tunnel roof stays good."   
    Krisha nods as she carefully does as the Foremole says, making sure the snow is not gonna fall right back into their path or worse trap them somehow. She lets the moles make sure things go well and keeps an eye out herself the best she can.   
   
Velm ears flatten, he nods "Tis just snow...not as bad as say stone or worse." He says as if to cheer beasts on as he makes the snow-packed good. "So how jolly far do we needa get this tunnel hmmm?"   
   
The otter stays in the back, seems he is disliking the tunnel a bit but for now he keeps following the others "Not that far....right matey? I mean...yeah."   
   
Gorvenalus is still by Benar. " I should go make sure there is warm tea or cider ready and some sort of soup for once they get back to the main building"   
   
The Sparra ruffles his already fluffed up feathers. "Butterclaw SparraWarrior gofly an' tell Lilyfriend. Grumpyworm neverlisten to Sparra, but maybe listen to Lilymouse." He hops back into the Great Hall and heads back to the Gatehouse with the news.   
   
   
Gorvenalus watches quietly as beasts tunnel. He still stays where he is, for now.   
   
Lacota has the massive front door pulled open, and he wheels out two massive cauldrons to the top of the steps that normally descend to the law, but for now, descend to a snow tunnel. One has a thick, hot stew, and his assistant Brad starts passing out wooden bowls. The other cauldron carries hot, spiced apple cider. "Alright, you lot, I brought the refreshments. I heard this little voice in my head, that sounded for the world like DoraRose, telling me to do so, and provide annoying comments... So, here I am..." A blind mouse follows him out. "Is any progress being made?" asks Thomas.   
       
Benar shakes his head, "She will listen to me if she gets Pneumonia or if I have to I'll assign Novice Laurent and Novice Jeremy to the Infirmary for a few months... see how she likes dealing with them."   
       
The Abbot frowns and moves back into the doorway, pulling his cloak tightly around himself as he watches the tunnel, peering in. He accepts some soup from Brad but the steps currently go down two steps then enter a set of snow stairs that lead down into the slick, smooth white tunnel the moles have dug. Down the tunnel the moles in the lead pull away snow, damping it down with the help of Krisha and Velm, all of them working together to get it good and safe as the doorway appears.   
       
Foremole knocks and a moment later Matilda opens it and smiles down, "Hello weary travels, welcome to my home, how are things in the main house?"   
       
"Burr aye they be good Mizz Champion ma'am, lend us a hand Mizz Dora and er family be trapped in yon gatehouse and Miss Angela be threatening to go fer a walk if we dun be going to rescue her caboose before she goes n climbs out yon windows."   

Krisha waves to the champion and smiles as she is glad she is ok, she can help make sure they get to the gatehouse safely and then back to the main building where it is a lot warmer than out here.   
   
Velm steps back and hmmphs "This tunneling should be only left ta moles, no more tunnels that can....cave in if one not blooming careful...use ta stone tunnels with no danger of caving in att blooming all" He frowns "And...I smell food we should hurry lads and lasses dinner may be waiting!"   
   
Gorvenalus is waiting "I do hope all is going ok with the tunnel.."

There is a sparra fluttering around as if looking for something, she glances at the abbey beasts and seems to want to go over to them, but not yet. She also seems curious as to what they are even doing."Odd abbeyworms...paly in snowa?"   
   
Butterclaw flutters back to the Abbot from inside Great Hall, still all floofy. "Grumpymouse listen to Butterclaw thistime. Only because help onway." He eyes the cider. How to get the Friar to give him some? "Friarworm smartworm. Make lotsa yummy things. Best Friarworm in alla Mossflower. Maybe he remind SparraWarrior how good Friarworm is? Appledrink smellnice." He's not sure if the Friar likes him, so he's trying to flatter him into giving him a drink.   
   
Flattery typically works. Even if Lacota knows he's blatantly getting played. Still, he ladles up a mug for Butterclaw. "Here, before I change my mind..."   
   
"Burr aye dun ye be worrying Velm-hare, you jist be doing our following orf tha instructions and we will all be good onwards! Keeping tamping up the yon roof as we dig dig to victory!"   
       
The moles move off, digging toward the gate-house, it is in the lee of the wall so is less buried than Matilda's cottage but the tunnel is still going to end up coming right up to the door as it is buried. It will take them a bit longer to reach however.   
       
Benar sighs nods thanks to Lacota for bringing hot drinks and food and moves back inside. It is too cold for the old squirrel so he moves to sit in his chair by the fire and wait for news.   
   
Krisha chuckles at Velm " Hares always think bout food don't they....well then the sooner we get the tunnel done and get to Dora, the sooner we get inside so keep helping"   

Velm frowns, though the idea of food seems to motive him and he works faster, even looking to help the moles he last few feet"We find this Dora lass and get her inside de main building wot....she is likely starving as we speak as well!" But he will listen to the moles still but as soon as it's clear it's safe and the family is free, he will likely be the first to the kitchens for refreshments.   
   
Gorvenalus starts to head inside to where Benar is. The sparrow seems to decide to fly towards the abbey building, she has a crown on her head as she searches for someone important looking....ohhh the Abbot,that's what a novice calls him as they go inside. The sparrow heads inside and flies over to him and lands on the floor. She stares at him a moment as if waiting to be seen.   
   
Butterclaw accepts his drink happily. He's still not sure if the Friar likes him, but he will accept this token of hospitality, in the very least. He sets his cup down on the floor...and it's a good thing he does, too, because when the other Sparra arrives, he panics slightly. Fluffing up in agitation (there's no way his feathers can get any poufier), he half bows, then tries to hide behind the Abbot, chirping in alarm. Anyone who understands chirps (such as LilyMoore, who isn't here) would know he was asking the other sparrow to not get mad at him, he hasn't been up in the loft to cause problems for seasons!   
   
Lacota retires back into the abbey himself, leaving his assistant to pass out the stew and cider. He can't stand the cold, either, despite hailing from the far north. Thomas comes back in as well, crossing to the fireplace, stepping around the two birds with little trouble.   
       
Thankfully the Abbot also speaks bird, he reaches a hand down to pat Butterclaw's feathery head, "It is ok Butterclaw," He then looks at the unexpected sparra, "Hello there Sparra, how can Abbotworm behelping Sparra today? The loft of the QueenSparra is uphigh above and respected, no worm disturb."   
       
The abbot glances at Gorvenalus and nods to him to record this, it is rare a sparrow comes inside the building and wants to talk so he is being polite. He also motions the Friar over to the fire with them, it is useful to have a couple of beasts on the Council around if he needs some advice.   
       
Outside the moles keep digging, it takes longer to reach the gatehouse but eventually, the space is cleared, especially with Krisha and Matilda and Velm helping to trap down and secure the tunnel roof they reach the door to the gatehouse, and with a thump, Matilda knocks on it.   
       
"OY Angela! Benar says I'm to let you know Novices Laurent and Jeremy have been left in charge of the infirmary whilst you've been slacking off over here in yer little family snug-nest!" The hedgehog then swiftly moves back out of the way of any errant, angry mice healers. Foremole shakes his head and knocks again.   
       
"Burr okey Mizz Dorarose, it be Foremole, we be 'ere ta say tha way to the abbey be open"   
       
Krisha makes sure the tunnel is ok as the Foremole goes to check on Dorarose and the others. She also makes sure Velm doesn't rush off till he is told it's ok to rush off.   
   
Gorvenalus blinks, he has mainly seen the sparrows from a distance, and well of course Butterclaw he has seen a fair amount. He nods and gets a quill pen and paper, yes he keeps these around with him. The sparrow at fist looks at Butterclaw and says a few words...they don't seem too friendly mainly he is clumsy and why hang out with these worms...she then clears her throat to talk to the abbot in the speech they use for speaking with others that are not sparrow "Queena Chestnut noota want come 'ere...but did. Wea notta find missing eggchick...eggchick go outta inna out de snowstuff, biga wind blow offa roof. Eggchick missing...needa fina needa find!" She then calms again and decides to update the abbot on another issue "Also Abbeyworm redhome weather vane falla off roof too...goa flya towards Abbotworms nice gardenplace"   
   
The Gatehouse door flies open, and Angela, all bundled up, charges out in a rage, jabbing at the Champion with her staff since there's no room to swing it. "Ye disrespectful li'l whipersnapper!! Get back 'ere!!" The Healer chases after the hedgehog, fully intent on giving her a sound spanking or something.   

DoraRose exits next, followed by LilyMoore and Emyuil, all bundled up against the cold and carrying haversacks on their backs. The Gatekeeper has another haversack in her paws. "Thank you for getting us out. We had some food and firewood, but that couldn't last much longer."   

Emyuil closes the door, and they follow the rest of them through the tunnel to the main Abbey building. Upon reaching it, Dora hands her grandmother's haversack and her own to her brother and daughter, then approaches the Abbot. Upon seeing the Sparra wearing her crown, the mouse decides to play it safe and bows to her. "My lady. Benar, I have a request, when you have the time."   
   
Upon seeing his best friend, Butterclaw flaps over to Lily and hides behind her, fearfully peering at the other sparrow. He looks positively miserable at her words. Lily just hugs him, giving the female sparrow a harsh look for her words.   
   
Lacota nods to Benar, stands by his side, listening to the Sparra's words. "A lost chick," he murmurs. He's not nearly as versed in their speech as the Abbot, unfortunately. "We should try to search  the grounds when we can..."   
   
"Indeed," Benar says and bows to the Queen, "We shallum dowhatcan to search for lost eggchick, Abbeyworms have manyways with walking the snowplaces of the RedHome."   
       
The Abbot then listened to Dora and murmured quietly for a bit before giving her permission to do was she needed. Of course, it might have to wait, Matilda has locked herself back in her cozy cottage and left the fuming Angela outside in the snow tunnel. So Dora may have to wait to get at her weapons. But the Abbot stands up and bows to the Queen.   
       
"AbbotWorm will collect BadgerMotherWorm and other worms to help search for Eggchick, please wait and enjoy the warm of Redhome." The Abbot then heads off to talk to Krisha about arranging that search.   
   
Krisha makes sure all the beasts get inside and decides to avoid the grumpy Angela, though she is not grumpy with her so that's good. She will head on up the steps to check on the dibbuns and that is where Benar finds her. She talks with him and is right away concern, eggchick...that's a dibbun. She is for sure helping to look.   
   
Gorvenalus writes down what he can and nods. He glances at the sparra as she nods her thanks to the abbot and watches him head off. But staying in the Redhome she seems unsure as she hops back and forth and then starts to head back outside unless she is maybe told....politely to please stay inside as invited to.   
   
Lacota goes back to his kitchen, of course. Dinner won't make itself, after all...   
   
DoraRose nods. She will get her weapons and lock them in a spare chest from the attic. Just in case they get attacked by evil birds again. It happened in the time of Mattimeo, you never know when it'll happen again.   
   
LilyMoore and Emyuil head up the stairs to the room they'll spend the rest of the Winter in. Emyuil is unhappy at not being allowed to have his sword, but Dora will handle it. Butterclaw sticks close to the Bellringer. He'll be avoiding the other Sparra as much as possible.   
   
The Gatekeeper stops by the female sparrow on her way out. "Please, stay. We will help you." She smiles, then goes out to collect Angela, who's busy trying to pick the lock of the Champion's cottage. This will be an interesting Winter, to say the least...

Silverstream decided she would fix the wheel on her own cart, of course, that was prooving hard, and then the wheel rolled away and she screamed loudly in anger at the wheel.

Velm was close by, the wind was kind of cold and annoying, and he had no real clue how close he was to the abbey. Hearing the scream he raced down the path expecting vermin trouble,he was a long Patrol hare and he would stop any vermin or do his best to anyways.

Silverstream was not being attacked, she hmmph as she looked at the wheel she had managed to get from by the tree, a mutter as she went to fix the cart.

Velm walked over slowly and then spoke " Need a paw lass?" He would wait for a reply.

Silverstream looked up to see the hare and shrugged "Know how ta...get a wheel back on an old cart?"

"Umm...nope" Came the reply from Velm as he watched her, he hmms as light snow blew around and the clouds were grey."Where ya headed?"

Silverstream grinned as the wagon was...well fied for now "Maybe de abbey or  Camp Willow be nice, grew up in de abbey as a dibbun and father left when I could have been a novice...worry cause of some stoat...hey the stoat was like slain and so was  like 99% of his band of merry verminkind...but oh no let us leave...well now I am an adult and can be on me own"

Velm just listens and hmmms "You should have a coat, here" He takes off his and replaces it with an extra one he has, though the one he gave her is thicker and warmer. He has a lighter coat and a cloak to wear now.

Silverstream had no coat so it was a good thing to get, a small smile "Thanks hare...or sir. The abbey is close enough"

Velm nods and heads on down a path, the wrong way.

Silverstream rolls her eyes "Yo....tis that away"She points another direction"That path will get ya thar in couple hours."She had her own plans.

Velm blinks "Oh.."And then headed the correct direction "Thanks lass" He then headed the right direction, the right direction.....for now.

==2-3 hours later===

t is cold, oh so very cold today, the temperature has dropped rapidly over-night, the pond is frozen solid and even with fires roaring in every fire-place the abbey is still chilly. Benar is standing in the doorway, his thick tail wrapped about himself as he watches the sky and the dark grey clouds rolling in out of the west.   

Gorvenalus walks over "Seems winter wants to tell us it is here. Do hope no one is out in this weather, its much too cold to much of anything"   

Krisha has kept the dibbuns inside, much to their disappointment, but some extra time in the playroom did help. She now wanders downstairs herself leaving the dibbuns with Sister Anna.   

Benar folds his arms inside his habit and frowns, "Yes... but I do not like the look of those clouds Gorvenalus..." The clouds are thick and black and lightning flickers in them, "Thundersnow.... this could be bad"   

Thomas comes down the main staircase, his walking-stick *tap-tap-tapping* the whole way. The taps continue across the smooth sandstone floor of Great Hall, until the mouse has joined Benar and Gorvenalus at the door. He turns his sightless eyes upward. "I can practically taste the ice on the wind," He says. "It's a storm, isn't it?"

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, having noticed the temperature has dropped so low overnight, Friar Lacota has stoked up all the ovens to keep the burning as long as possible. Currently, he and his helpers are brewing up a massive cauldron of hot spiced apple cider.   

Gorvenalus tilts his head "I have heard of thundersnow but not ever seen it"He smiles a little "We didn't really have..snow in Willowbark much and even though I was..guess in Mossflower before I knew what it was..well I spent almost 8 seasons in an old mine tunnel"   

Krisha walks over to Benar "A bad storm is coming in you think?"   
Xander was helping get some wood for the fire placed where it was needed before sitting down in a chair to take a break, he looks over at the others"Its for sure..cold today if anything else"   

Benar glances at Krisha, "Yes I think so.... look at those clouds," He then looks at Thomas, "I think so Thomas... this looks like a proper Thundersnow.... you can see the snow beneath clouds," He points and down below the black clouds as they roll in a wall of thick grey-white moving toward them.   

Gorvenalus frowns now"Snowstorm.....well least no one is on the grounds"That he knows of. "Though I know maybe a couple of beasts on the wall tops...maybe have them come inside soon"   

Thomas nods his head. "I've been in my fair share of blizzards. Now, this isn't a typical blizzard, but I've got where I can tell when lots of snow is brewing. There's a certain nip to the air, the taste of ice on the wind. Aye, I could tell it was coming."   

Krisha studies the clouds and just frowns"Well least its...warmer in here than out there. I heard of a blizzard a few seasons ago did happen but didn't ask how bad it was"   

Xander says, "Uncle Oz mentioned the northlands always had bad snow but I don't think it would get that bad here...would it?"
   
Benar says, "I have a couple of beasts keep watching for anyone trying to reach the abbey," He turns back inside, "We have had quite a few outlying families come in, several families of rabbits of the plains, a family of otters in from the woods, some more moles. I wouldn't want to be out on the plains when that hits."
   
Gorvenalus shrugs at Xander, he nods to the abbot "Yes I do know beasts stay the winter here sometimes but yes it would be bad to travel in any sort of storm...and this one seems to be...I don't know..worse somehow"

Thomas grips his stick. "At any rate," the mouse sniffs the air, "I can smell apple cider brewing. Spiced, with, mmm... Cinnamon. If someone could direct me to a mug, I'd be quite grateful..."   

Krisha sighs and keeps watching the clouds "Being stuck inside today won't be too bad."   

Benar says, "Well for now I like Thomas' idea, over by the main fire-place Thomas," The abbot turns and tugs on one of the doors, "Krisha be a dear and help me close these would you."
   
Gorvenalus takes another look at the clouds before backing up a bit "A hot drink sounds good and sitting by the fireplace till the storm passes, maybe we will get lucky and it won't be too bad"   

Krisha goes to help the abbot get the door shut that leads outside to the entry, a frown as she notices the clouds do look rather threatening, but then they are inside where it's warm so she is not too worried....ey anyways.
   
Xander smiles "I and some others got extra firewood so there won't be a need to go get any from the storage for a while."He rubs his leg as it's a bit sore from carrying things and keeping his balance,he did surprisingly well keeping his balance.   

Thomas starts his way toward the fireplace. A novice offers to guide the mouse, but he refuses the assistance. "I can find it just fine by myself, thank you very much. I've been in your abbey a few seasons now, you'd think I might know my way around the Great Hall..."
   
Velm is ....of course outside, outside the abbey. It would not be so bad if he was on the road but he is in the woods, not close enough to be seen yet but he is heading in the right direction.   

As the main doors boom shut the Abbot heads on over toward the fireplace and settles down in his chair by the fire and gets warm. Outside the wall of black clouds, the remnants of the hurricane that hit the western shore have made it past the mountains and streamed across the great western plains.   

They have already dumped a metric ton of snow all over the plains but now they are about to hit Mossflower and they still have a lot to give. Outside for poor Velm, it is like the sun has set early as the clouds roll over-head, darkness falls. Inside the abbey it is as if darkness is falling early, the only source of lights the various fires and lanterns as all the windows grow dark.
   
Then the darkness is split by a crack of lightning, a rumble of thunder and the storm breaks over Mossflower, thunder and lightning flashing and booming several times a minute. The grey wall of wind driven snow slams into the walls of the abbey and then folds over them buildings. The bells chime gently as they are blown back and forth and an errant bolt of lightning blasts the weathervane off the top of the main building sending it spiraling down to crash into the grounds.   

Snow falls, the wind howls, and poor Velm will find themselves being buffered by the wind and buried as snow seems to just crash down onto the ground, starting to pile up against windows and walls and roofs of the abbey and gust around trees and bushes of the forest, the ditch alongside the main road starts to fill as well.   

Gorvenalus listens as the thunder rolls and the wind howls,he shivers a little "Well that doesn't sound good at all. It may be unwise to stay on the wall tops right now"But he is certain the couple that is on the wall tops have the sense to come down, carefully and get inside.
   
Krisha frowns, she glances over as Sister Anna comes down the steps so she goes to see what the matter is, it's a couple scared dibbuns, the rest are in the room upstairs likely scared as well but least Brother Rick is up there with them. One dibbun looks outside the window.."Snow Badger being bad...he no get desert later"   

Xander stays by the fireplace as he glances at the one window in here but can't really see much from the Great Hall "I wonder how long this will last or...just how bad it is"   

As the storm rolls in earnest, Lacota and his head assistant Brad roll a cart into Great Hall, carrying the large cauldron filled to the brim with hot spiced apple cider. "Ah, everybeast, one and all... Just what we need on this dark, cold night. My own special recipe, brewed from this past autumn's recent apple harvest. Enjoy!"   

Velm was caught in the snow, mainly as he stopped to help an otter maid with a broken cart,and gave her his thicker coat and that ended up being a bad idea, least for him. Yes, he has a coat but it's not as thick as the other one as he trudges onwards...also he is a bit lost as the snow blows around and the wind makes it worse. He shivers and tries to catch sight of the abbey, any red would help but he does hear the bells and heads that direction, well best he can as he falls on his face once and slowly stands back up.   

Thomas finds himself a chair near the fireplace, and he sets his cane against the arm of the chair. "Sounds about as bad I expected," he murmurs.   

Silverstream was stuck outside but not nearly as bad as the hare, course she gave up on moving a cart and just walks on. She grins when she sees the abbey and gets quickly to the gates.   
   
Benar smiles at Lacota and accepts a warm drink and settles down deeper into his chair as he looks toward the window, listening to the wind and the very faint CHIME of the two bells as they are rocked back and forth. "I am very glad I no longer live in a treehouse... that sounds unpleasant to be out in."   

He glances around at everyone else, "Snow Badger is doing his job," Benar says as he stokes up the fire and invites the dibbuns to sit on the rug, "Sometimes they have made so much snow they have to release it all at once."   

Outside the road is reduced to a world of snow and ice and falling snow, so much snow! As Silverstream reaches the gates she will be stuck with the immobile mass of wooden doorway and no answer to her knocking. It seems like no one can hear her over the snow and lightning, thunder and wind! Upon the walls however the remaining guard keeping lookout is peering ahead through the whirling snow, the mouse clinging to their cloak as they try to make out if the shape they can see is a beast or not.   

Gorvenalus smiles as he gets some cider and sits down. Among the dibbuns is of course Oz, still fairly young as he is getting to talking little more now to.."Snow...badger?" He asks and frowns as if wondering if this snow badger is bad maybe it's the first he ever heard of it.
   
Krisha smiles and makes sure all the dibbuns are cozy and get something to drink also that's good for dibbuns. One dibbun does reply "He brings snows...".."And laters in winter presents"..."Yeah if goods"   

Thomas accepts a mug of cider, which he sips carefully. "Mmm. This hits the spot," the mouse says. Lacota, meanwhile, lets Brad do the cider serving, as he goes over to Benar. "I've been awake since early this morning," he says, wiping his brow. "I noticed the temperature had dropped dramatically, so I took time to further bank up the oven fires. We *should* be able to keep the ovens hot for two or three days, four at the most, should we get snowed in..."   

Xander chuckles some as he listens to dibbuns argue, for now, he stays in his chair and looks towards the doorway"Any idea how long the storm will last?" He is not worried more curious.   

Velm frowns as he tries to peer through the snow, he stumbles once and manages to just keep his balance in the snow. He frowns as the snow starts to mess with his vision and being a healer he has a bad feeling on why. He shivers as he has no clue now how close he is, though the bell sounds are louder. He closes his eyes and reaches out a paw in hopes of touching the wall soon, not like eyes open are helping that much anyway.   

Silverstream muttered as pounding didn't work and backs up a little to see if there is another way inside the place." Good way...ta freeze a tail off!" She has yet to see Velm but depending on her direction she might see him lucky.   

Benar glances across at Xander, "A storm like this? It could last for days, we could be well snowed in or at least cut off from anywhere else by the time this finishes."   

He leans back in his chair and frowns as he sips his drink, then nods toward Lacota in understanding of what he has been told then glances across at the windows, "It's going to be a cold winter that is for sure, I hope we have enough firewood laid in really. But we have more than enough food and we can always go out to get more wood from the orchard."   

Just as Silverstream is giving up the sally port in the gate creaks open and two mice dressed as guards in thick cloaks pause and stare at the otter, "Oh hello you made it good," One of them says, "We saw you on the road just to the north and were coming to collect you, looked like you were in trouble."   

Gorvenalus frowns, he nods "I know some firewood is in the shed outside and some brought in earlier. We should be ok for now and can get more once the storm is over if there is a worry."   

Krisha keeps the dibbuns happy and smiles "The snow badger does give gifts, yes but not for a couple weeks yet, he has to bring snow....maybe too much I suppose" She frowns as she thinks, likely way too much snow,she is only glad they are inside and not outside.   
Xander asks, "So there has not been a storm like this for a long time? Wot bout like Ferravale or some of our allies like the GUOSIM...think they are ok or Camp Willow?"
   
Velm shivers and sways a little as the weather is getting to him, he is cold and still has his supply pack he slips off and tumbles to the side. He forces himself to try and stand and fails as he looks around trying to figure out where he is but all he sees is white all over and closes his eyes again as they hurt a little. He is very close though so it's possible to be seen..or is it?. He grunts and tries to open his pack getting assorted things out, one is a long pole he manages to stick into the snow,only to fall beside the pole shivering badly.   

Thomas sips his cider. "I tell you... I've been out in some pretty rough blizzards," says the mouse, "Not really something I recommend in the least."   

Silverstream nods " I have a broken cart up de road...tis fine I can get it later, some tall hare fixed a wheel and go figure another wheel breaks...bet he is inside all warm and chowing down on vittles."   

The Mouse guard frowns, then shakes his head, "No... we have no hare visitors here at the abbey, none have passed the gate since the Badger Lord left with his Long Patrol, are you sure you didn't pass him on the road?"   

Inside Benar closes his eyes, listening to everyone talk, "Sadly as much as I may wish to be able to do so we can do little for any of our friends during this storm. Once it is over if they need help they will send word but we have no means to contact anyone during this kind of weather Xander."   

He then sets his cider aside and sighs, "It reminds me of the Thundersnow we had about ten seasons back, that was a bad one that lasted for several days."   

Gorvenalus hmmms "I may have to look up that one, read up on some of the worst winters in Mossflower. Was that one worse or is this one worse Benar?"   

Krisha listens "Sounds like something Papa Oz would have seen, my guess...I don't remember a really bad winter. I was in the south....I think or maybe ....yes on the way to Mossflower with my father maybe .  Father disliked going too far north but...well we had our reasons"   

Xander frons as he leans back "Let's hope they are alright then. "He sighs and listens to the weather and frowns, he hmmms "South likely nice this time of year..weather wise"   

Velm is very near the wall now but is sadly unable to get up. Which is very bad seeing as snow starts to cover him and his only protection is his coat and cloak he has on, they help some at least as he frowns managing, for now, to stay awake.   

Silverstream frowns as she stops going in " No hare showed up?" She is concerned and looks around as she speaks." He said he was heading to the abbey....this is not good, he helped me...   
He needs found...now"   

Thomas humms. "I think I came across a reference to that storm in one of the older Recorder's logs, Father Abbot. I had another abbey beast read most of your history to me, seeing as I needed some *help*, in that regard..."   

The mouse guard steps out and frowns, "I saw someone from the wall top... I thought it was you, maybe it was them?" he steps a bit further out, pulling his hood up higher and looks around then points, "There... see that stick near the north end of the wall? That shouldn't be there... we should investigate."   

The storm howls, the doors rattle the windows creak and the CLONG-BONG of the abbey bells echoes throughout the crash of thunder and flash of lightning. Benar shakes his head, "Don't believe it Xander, weather down south in winter can be just as snowy as up here, Southsward snows up something fierce at this time of year."   
Benar sighs and stretches out his hands toward the fire, "I was only a youngster back then but we were snowed in and cut off for the rest    
Gorvenalus listens to the winds and shivers "We will have to try and get a look around the abbey, maybe have the sparrows help if they will"   

Krisha nods "Maybe, the sparrows are friendly to us but I for sure would wait till the storm is over, then maybe have them see what has happen near and around the abbey grounds, only further if they want to"   

Lacota huffs. "Do you know what a pain it is to get up to the Sparra domain? I've been up there once. Even for a squirrel, that's a ridiculous climb..." Thomas chuckles. "You sound my ol' Nan. Course, she wasn't a squirrel."   

Velm shivers as snow covered him more, the pole moves a little and he weakly pushes it back upright and the only thing helping mostly is the snow and the fact...did he just bump the pole into the wall? He kicks it another time weakly before groaning and starting to lose consciousness.   

Silverstream goes over to the moving pole." Got a mole.....never mind back off." She starts to dig into the snow and eeps as snow about buried her.She snorts and keeps trying. " I...HATE...WINTER!"
   

The mouse guard moves to help Silverstream search whilst the other holds the door open and a lantern so they can find their way back. It doesn't take much digging to locate Velm half buried and shivering in the snow, "Damn we need to get him inside!" the mouse shouts as he reaches down to try pulling the hare up onto his feet.   
Inside Benar shakes his head, "No, will you all stop bothering the sparra, the way some of you treat them as if they exist only to carry messages back and forth for us. It is winter, I will not have anyone bothering them or climbing up there to talk them into flying dangerous messages back and forth."   

The abbot glares around at everyone, "They are not our personal message carriers, they are our friends and fellow abbey residents. Have you any idea how many sparrows have gone missing when people ask them to fly messages to the western shore and back? Or are shot down by vermin in the woods because someone couldn't be bothered to make the journey to camp willow themselves? I won't have them being bothered."   

He shakes his head and leans out to stir the fire, "They are our friends if someone volunteers to fly a message that is fine but I won't have abbey beasts asking them."   

The abbot is cut off as thunder booms then he jumps as snow falling down the chimney smothers the main hall fire, "Well great...."   

Gorvenalus frowns as Benar speaks "Benar does have a point, and climbing in this be...well foolish anyways"As the snow puts out the fire he gets up to make his way over to the fireplace to try and restart a fire in the fireplace before it gets too cold in the main room. "We...should check the other fireplaces too.."   

Krisha frowns "I never knew anyone...climbed up there.I have spoken to a couple of them on the ground before their language was easy to learn...unlike a couple other languages I had to learn, like..mole, that's still hard to understand"   

Velm feels himself pulled up and groans falling into a sort of sitting position, he has his eyes half open when he tries to make out who is in front of him.He is wrapped tightly in his cloak so it's hard to see he is a Lt from the Long Patrol.He tries to speak but is too cold to really speak and looks ready to pass fully out.   

Thomas winces, as he feels the sudden rush of cold air. Even a blind beast can tell something unfortunate has happened. "Looks like the wind may have dislodged the cover at the top of the chimney," he muses. "This could prove troublesome." Lacota, meanwhile, nods with Benar. "He's quite right you know. Not that I don't send them up treats every now and then. But Martin's whiskers, I avoid that *particular* climb as much as I can... I typically use a rope, pulley, and a basket to get it up there."   

Silverstream slaps him on the cheek couple times, not too hard but enough to get a reaction. " Hey hey...no sleep you..look I can help ya inside let's go...vittles..hot drink..sound good?"
       
Benar chuckles and shakes his head, "I get a bit passionate about them, they welcome me up there and that climb isn't that bad Lacota, I have been doing it since I was a tiny babe," He grins, "Used to drive the dibbun keepers frantic when I climbed up there...." He frowns at the fire, helping to extract the snow and peers up the chimney, "I think Thomas is right, the chimney pot has been dislodged, we may have to keep an eye on that."   

The mouse guard helps Silverstream get Velm moving, half dragging him toward the abbey and through the gate. Once inside they pull the gate closed to cut off some of the wind and whirling, storming snow, "We should get him into the main abbey building it will be warm in there."   

Gorvenalus smiles, he manages to get a fire again and smiles more "There we go...so how do we fix the chimney issue though?"   

(Lacota huffs. "I prefer trees, thank you very much." He then regards the other squirrel. "I could swear I thought you grew up in Southsward, though. You mean to tell me that I have been grossly mistaken all this time?"   

Xander ends up falling asleep in the chair he is in, he is kind of tired from chores and helping.

Krisha gets a story going for the dibbuns, some are asleep.She starts to say Something to Xander and notices him asleep as well and just shakes her head.She glances towards the door quietly and then goes to sit down in her chair.
   
Velm groans as he manages to make it inside the abbey before he falls forwards semi-conscious now, it's not even clear if he knows where he is right now.He is shivering a little less, which is likely not a good sign.   

Silverstream decides she will let him lean on her" Ok let's go inside...or de abbey gonna get some ice beast statues. "   

Just as the fire is got going again the main doors crash open, wind blows out the nacent fire and snow flows in alongside Silverstream, the guard, and Velm. Benar looks around, takes one look at the frozen beasts and half rises out of his chair. "Oh dear.... well we can talk about this more later, we need to get these beasts something warm and help."   

Outside the snow continues to fall, burying the gatehouse, the champions cottage, the walls, the main building, and blocking all the roads. The drifts at their worst will be a good five or six feet deep. The snow has arrived and will be here to stay! At some point, the wind and weight of snow rip the Dibbun's treehouse out of its tree to crash down into the orchard! The snow sure is going to make it hard to move around for this winter.   

Gorvenalus quickly moves from by the fireplace to help the incoming beasts. He motions for a novice to try and get the fire lit again. "Some beast also make sure the door to the outside is closed again."

Krisha frowns and goes to help get the door shut once every one is fully inside. She looks over at the beasts "Please say no one else is outside in this weather" The dibbuns whimper a little at the cold wind but soon calm again when possible cookies are promised.
   
Thomas startles at all the noise and commotion, and the bitingly cold wind that whips into the massive room. "Good grief, what is it?" he asks. Lacota is one of the beasts that goes over to help push the large door closed again. "There's likely a lot more beasts out there that need help," he says, "I wish we could do something to help them..."   

Velm shivers as he is brought inside and closer to the fireplace, once the fire is relit and a log is added to get the fire roaring again to warm the room up. He shivers under his cloak and again tries to speak and fails. He is lucky to even be alive, had he not been found that likely been another story in another hour or less.   

Silverstream is not too bad off, then she had the hares thicker jacket from earlier. Her paw may have the beginning stages of frostbite but should heal well as she is inside now. She gets the wet thick coat off and sits by the fire.." He...ok? Didn't catch a name..sorry. He helped with me cart...likely ruined cart now, oh well."   

Gorvenalus studies the beasts to see whom is worse, likely the hare as he nods to a couple novice "Blanket....get the wet cloak off him that will make it worse keeping that on..."He blinks as the novice tends to..a hare? He tilts his head studying the outfit and frowns more..."Clean dry robe please.....he needs warmed up....some soup...warm drink, please some beast"   

Krisha makes sure the dibbuns stay where they are as she gets another blanket and walks over to where the beaver and hare is, she frowns a bit "Is he....a hare?" Any wet cloaks and stuff can be set somewhere to dry.She looks at Silverstream "A friend of yours? Where are you two from and why travel in this sort of weather?"   

Lacota is quick to ladle up another mug of the hot cider. "Here, help him drink this," he instructs Krisha, "But do it slowly. Too quickly will be too much of a shock to his system."
   
Velm will, with help drink some cider. He coughs a few times and gets some cider on the blanket. He is still somewhat out of it and shivers a little more as he mutters a little "Wh...where...wot.." He blinks a few times and closes his eyes again as hurts to try and focus on much at all,he likely has a slight case of snow blindness, luckily it isn't too bad and he should recover in a couple of days and see clearly again.   

Silverstream frowns as she sits close by and watches. a little shiver but she is not in nearly as bad a shape as the hare is." Got any Hot root stew? That be great stuff right bout now"   
Gorvenalus looks over the hare "Your safe in Redwall Abbey my friend" He can ask a name a little later as he checks for any signs of frostbite and just makes sure the hare is warmed up, he speaks to the otter "I don't know if any was made....and if you have a cart it can be located later, right now no one goes outside at all"   
Krisha sits back where the dibbuns are and keeps them from bothering the guests as she frowns, they will likely have to have a look around the abbey grounds somehow when get the chance. But that can wait for now as staying inside is better and keeping warm.   
The Friar shakes his head. "Afraid not at the moment, Lass," he says, handing her a mug of cider, as well. "I'll see about whipping up a pot for dinner, though."'
   
Velm has gotten warmer now.He does have some frostbite on his left paw, its not too bad but will need to have an eye kept on it. He seems to be able to talk now that he is warmed up some, though keeps his eyes shut for now.."Abbey?" He frowns, he was one of the many hares the day of Ormaz's almost takeover,he also was badly injured and didn't quite make it inside the abbey...he had ended up in a ditch by the abbey and helped by some random beast.....he speaks again "Found abbey.....joll...jolly good fer...me"He coughs a few times and keeps the warm blanket tight around himself. A frown as his knapsack is where the pole is...oh well that is not a bad lost, it can be found later and things replaced...a life though can't be replaced.   
Silverstream smiles at the promise of soup, "Well I am SIlverstream...de hare, didn't get his name..didn't ask he helpee me s ok me then asked a direction for the abbey...I had planed ta just go elsewhere but..yeah storm soooooo."   

Gorvenalus listens to the otter, he looks at Velm "What is your name sir hare?" He nods to the otter "It's good he helped you...maybe been wiser to stay together.."Then he has to admit the storm did come along fairly fast, and it's likely both just figured they get to where ever they were headed with no issues or very little issues maybe.He speaks to the hare "You have some frostbite....maybe a slight case of snow blindness but your vision should be better in a couple of days and clear up...your lucky as things could have been a lot worse had you not be found when you were. You can rest in the infirm if needed or a guest room"   

Krisha nods "Yes very lucky indeed. Hopefully no one else is stuck in this. Hopefully, friends are alright,we will likely have to wait for news or somehow get some but I am sure news will come somehow"   
Benar returns from looking out one of the windows, the thunder and lightning are dying down a bit but the snow continues to fall and he frowns, "It is looking very bad out there... I am glad you made it safely friend Otter, friend Hare."   

Lacota takes one look at the hare. "Bit of a long way from Salamandastron, son," he says, "Assuming that's where you come from..."   

Velm sits up a little better, he frowns a bit at the couple problems but yeah could of been way worse..." He then speaks " Lt. Velm" Just Velm..this is a first a hare with a short simple name. "Healer..."He frowns as he does have a couple of letters, mainly simple ones.."Knapsack is...likely by ya wall.."A fit of coughing as he leans back a small shiver but at least he is better than he was when he first got inside. As for knowing where he is from...yeah uniform likely helped with that.   

Silverstream blinks " Long Patrol? Hmmm explains de knscksack and such...and ya seem to serious not know your way around Mossflower like good grief"   

Gorvenalus listens as the hare speaks and looks over at Benar "It looks bad outside doesn't it?" He sighs as he decides the hare is ok for now and sits back down where he was earlier"And seems still snowing too"   

Krisha starts to tell the otter to have manners but decides not to, least right now as this kind of weather make any beast moody.She is curious though "Yeah why is a hare so far from the Western Shores?"
   
Benar says, "Lord Ciocan quite often sends us hares to visit," He says as he walks over, "But I was not expecting anyone until spring, when Elbio is due to return."   

Velm nods "Yeah...Elbio comes back then supposed ta, maybe as a Lt." He sounds tired and frowns some, he asked for time off to clear his head..and to figure out some missing part of his past "I...."He frowns again, maybe coming all the way here was a bad idea or maybe a good plan, Velm seems unsure but trying to form words on wanting..closure maybe on that day Ormaz was here and most of that is still sort of trapped deep in the hare's mind,he was listed as missing after all till he showed up at Sala..he shivers a little,a small sort of whimper? "Just....later,explain...later"   

Silverstream yawns, she looks at the hare all curious. " Something wrong? hmmm maybe de cold got to him or something"   

Thomas has been listening, and then he raises his paws, to shoo off the crowd. "Alright, alright, give the lad some space here. He needs a bed, not twenty questions..."   

Krisha watches him closely, she has seen this sort of look before,the slight whimper is heard too "Maybe let him explain later"She says softly   

Silverstream sighs and stands "Yeah yeah..." And she heads off to another room.   

Benar moves back to the fire, letting Velm have his space, "Well we can take stock of what the grounds look like once the storm passes. For now I am returning to my office, I have some... what to do if we get snowed in contingency plans I need to dig out."   

Krisha looks ready to tell the otter how rude they are but....no stay calm as she stands and heads over to Velm, a smile and calm voice"I can led you to one of the more quiet guest rooms Velm, nice warm bed..dinner brought to you and a healer can check on you also. You can talk to Abbot Benar or me when your ready"If anyone dares try to get info from the hare now they have the badger to deal with.   

Velm looks at the badger and at first just remains sitting and then slolwy stands to take her up on the offer, a weak smile "Food...sounds nice..maybe some ale? A nice...pasty prehaps.."Yep food cheers any hare up a little.   

Lacota nods, as well. "Well, I best start planning out our meals for the next few days, and make sure the oven fires are well-stoked. We'll need those to stay lit as long as possible." Thomas, meanwhile, follows Benar. "I don't suppose I could get a paw back up those stairs," he says. He doesn't need the help. Perhaps he just likes talking with the squirrel.
   

Order beasts went around to make sure fires in the fire places burning to keep the abbey warm. The snow fell all night, heavy snow and into the next day till late afternoon. It stoped a short while and snowed a bit lighter for half a day till it finally stoped. Looking out a 3nde floor window, it was found out just how much snow there was, the Abbot of course was told and would come look from the window as well. A plan would need to be put in action, the abbot needed to know how the champion was, he needed to know how his Gate keeper and her family was and he needed to know as soon as possible.  A lot of other things would need checking too and damage found out like the fallen weather vane, the dibbuns tree fort being now in the orchards and any thing else that needed attention. It would be a long winter indeed, a very long winter.

Quinten is standing at the top of the crater, the General is wrapped up in a long, knee-length great coat and is just staring out to sea with a frown as he considers the horizon and the skyline.   

Elbio walks up to the crater, he needs a serious break as his back hurts, his shoulder hurts, his everything hurts from training and it's as if it's double for him or triple as he makes his way up and seems to like the breeze. He notices the general and walks over, a salute "Hallo sur...getting fresh air as well?"   
   
Donica has come out to check on some healing plants in the gardens, all seemed well and what was needed to be done was done or finished as she starts to head back inside.   
   
Quinten turns to look at Elbio and inclines his head then regards the horizon and turns to look at Donica, "Donica, anything in the gardens that is ready to harvest. Take every recruit you can lay your hands on, harvest it, get it stocked in the infirmary and pantry immediately." He looked down at Elbio, "Ensign, go to the main entrance sentry, tell them my direct orders, no one is to leave the mountain, anyone currently out light the signal fire outside to send the recall signal to anyone in sight of it."   
   
Elbio frowns as his ears go back and he gives a nod "Right away sur..."He sounds a little worried but quickly goes to do as he is told. it shouldn't take too long for him to do what is needed.   
   
Donica stops before she heads inside and speaks "I believe all the herbs are gathered, there may be some fruit...."She nods and gives a salute and goes to find some recruits to help her, she even finds a couple of privates who she volunteers to help her. Luckily some work was done the past few days in the gardens so that should help as well.   
   
With Winter upon the mountain, the gardens won't have much left but Quinten wants it inside, frowning at the horizon and the thick band of black clouds undulating toward the western shore he steps down inside the mountain. By the time Donica and Elbio return he is back at his post with a young lieutenant at his side and the Badger lord has been informed.   
   
Elbio looks towards the sea now and frowns "That....doesn't look good at all. I have seen storm clouds but those....ummm....."He frowns, yeah he has yet to see a really bad storm it seems but then he hasn't lived by the sea coast..close yes but not right on the coast it's self he lived in a sort of valley between some large hills.   
   
Donica has found about 6 recruits and the couple privates and got what was left of fruit off the trees, there may be like a couple apples very high up on one tree. Anything and wasn't too much, ready to be inside was gathered and brought inside as she looked around as if deciding it more needed done. She has only heard of coastal storms but has not ever seen one yet, guess she will be able to see one soon whether she wants to or not.   
   
The clouds continue to roil along the horizon, huge and massive and slowly, methodically moving toward the mountain, "Well... this is going to be.... a big one. Donica once that is inside return here I may need you to take messages, Elbio stay here for now." He glances at the Lieutenant, the white furred doe lowers her telescope, "It's big sir, biggest I've seen in a long time."   

   
Elbio nods, he will stay where he is as he looks again out to sea wondering how soon it may or may not be here."Alright...sur." Likely training is canceled for all today.   

   
Donica nods as she helps get the last of what was needed inside, inside and to where it can be safely kept"Some herbs will need to dry out before placed in storage in the infirm but they should be fine where we usually dry them out."   

   
Quinten says, "I think most everything is going to be canceled. That looks more like a hurricane storm front, note the way the clouds are moving left to right but still traveling towards us? This is going to be bad."

Elbio asks, "Hurricane?" He frowns "My...mother talked of those..some reason she never lived by the sea."   
   
Donica frowns "Wot is..a hurricane?" She sounds concerned and a little worried "And...wot will we need to do?"   
   
Quinten says, "A very, very bad storm," Quinten frowns, "Storm protocol, we lock the mountain down, bring in everything we can and shutter the windows. Lord Ciocan is leading that down below right now, our job is to watch, observe, and relay messages as needed."   
   
Elbio nods "I can rely messages sur, I do hope no one is outside in this. Has there ever been a storm like this before?   
   
Donica listens and sighs"Ok...so just stay calm then...and least not too many windows so that's good"   
   
Quinten says, "Yes.. well as long as we keep our heads and take as many precautions as we can it should be well. But this is going to be a very nasty storm"   
   
Elbio says, "I wonder how Halyard will be and if they know, I mean they likely know...they have seen this a lot too, there are nice beasts there and some not so nice, I have yet to really visit the place"   
   
Donica nods, she replies "Halyard is...well some areas are nice, wouldn't go to the docks alone though, the tavern and bakery are very nice"   
   
Quinten says, "Halyard has good sailors, they will be watching the sea, sadly we can't get a message to them in time so they will have to watch out for themselves."   
   
Elbio nods as he looks at the clouds again before frowning "Any messages I should tend to or check on anything sur?"   
   
Donica stays where she is, for now, just waiting   
   
Quinten thinks for a moment and sends Elbio downstairs with a message for the cooks to get on as many hot drinks as they can and to bank up the fires. He then glances at the clouds, "Well Donica this is going to be a lot of not fun."   
   
Elbio salutes and heads off quickly, he will keep relaying messages and going where he is needed while this storm is going on.   

The mountain is as ready as it can be, the windows have been shuttered, the main entrance closed and the hares have done what they can to secure anything on the outside. Upon the Crater, General Quinten is keeping watch with a few more hares as he peers into the approaching storm front. At some point, he retrieved his hat and oilskin great coat and is now watching the rain as it hammers its way up the beach.   
       
Lightning flashes in the sky, the wind is already howling across the mountain, and in a surge of water, the tide-line moves up, the water reaching points much higher up the beach than it usually does. The water retreats then surge back up again as the rain hits the mountain and Quinten pulls his collar up. "Ok everyone, I think we have done all we can, everyone back inside, everyone on lookout duty we take fifteen minutes at most then swaps out with the next relief."   
       
He turned and started back down the stairs, "Hopefully this will blow itself out soon enough, but it could be a few hours before it is clear."   

Elbio nods as he has gotten a rain coat and hat and looked at the clouds again, he then went to tell the next hares it was time for their turn to watch the storm come in.
   
Koda frowns as he has been helping on some watch duty. He has seen a storm before but this one seems a bit worse as he watches a little while longer before starting to head inside as well.   
   
Donica has been inside a little while, she was outside when this started helping double check things up here and making sure the gardens and orchards were gonna be ok during the storm.   
   
Zolomon was inside as the storm came and as it now hits the mountain, he shrugs "Bunch of rain and wind, should be alright....right?" He knows of storms at sea but this one is on shore, there have been a couple of storms while he has been at the mountain though he is listening to the wind of this one so far and it seems a little stronger maybe, he is not sure yet.   
   
Varus is standing in the Third Level landing, conversing with a Private. As he spies Quinten coming down the stairs from the crater, he nods. "Got all th' Leverets moved t' the lowest level o' th' mountain. The Leveret watchahs are with 'em. They should be fine. Also got th' Infirmary on alert. Most stragglahs who were outside 'ave returned, but there appeahs ta be a couple privates missin'."   
   
Rufus is out in this storm, he is not always on his nest on the crater and is known to go off and fly around the beach or even a short way to some tall rocks that are seen near Halyard as some other gulls are there and most dislike the bird, but one does speak to him at least. He too watches the weather "Is bad storm...no safe on high rocks..."And of course, the small group of gulls are no way letting him in the cave, he puffs out and mutters something rude and goes to fly away muttering a cuss word or two.   
   
Quinten nods to Varus, "Thank you Varus, and of course there are..." He glances back up the stairs, the rain is like a hammer currently and flashes of lightning illuminate the sky with stark white streams that are followed up by ear-shattering booms that make Quinten's large ears quiver.   
       
"Well we can't risk sending anyone out, they are Privates, they'll have sense enough to find some cover, even if all they have is the lee side of a dune, they'll get through it."   
       
He looks around the landing and frowns as water starts to trickle down the steps slowly, it isn't much but the rain is falling that hard and quickly it is starting buildup. The last vestiges of normal light bleed away as the storm clouds roar over head and then the hail starts, golf-ball sized chunks of ice start to crash down out of the sky, mixed in with the rain as it starts to really hammer it down.   
       
"Well everyone, it's just a storm and we live in a mountain, I reckon we should be ok."   
   
Koda frowns as he nods "Yes it will pass...well after a while and I hope the two privates are ok sur would hate to get caught in this kind of weather"   

Donica nods "Yes it would not be fun, we are likely a lot safer in the mountain that anyone out in this stuff"She frowns as she seems to think, did she check everything, she decides she did all seemed ok and there is not much on the crater to check.   
   
Zolomon asks, "So we just relax and listen to the rain, and when de storm clears go look for de two missing beasts? And who knows maybe they got inside the last minute even"   
   
Varus mmms. "I suggest we should move away from the stairs, or try an' block th' openin' some'ow." He pauses, as the Private he was speaking to before whispers something, and he nods. "I'm sure they'll be fine... Seems they were off duty, on their leisure time. It can't be 'elped. I'll send mah Lieutenant out t' find 'em aftah this bloody bad weathah 'as passed us ovah..."   
   
Rufus hangs out on the crater. usually and his nest is there . Though his nest is getting a little whipped around in the wind, but it's mostly covered by an overhang so not much rain gets to it, but the gull is not in his nest, he is on his way back to the mountain and is quickly finding out it was a bad idea to try and fly in this.   
   
Koda watches the weather and frowns as the wind picks up, as does the cold rain and hail. "Being out in this would not be fun at all....or likely safe"   
   
Donica shakes her head, "Not at all , luckily all are inside...well guess maybe not a couple privates but maybe they are in a shelter in Halyard maybe? Though can't say it's too safe thar either."She sighs as she looks at the rain starts to pool around the crater and then frowns, there was one other that's usually around as her ears go flat she knows it's unwise to go out and check on something that's all the way across the crater.   
   
Quinten eyes the stares and nods, turning to move further into the mountain as the lightning flashes and the thunder roars! The mountain itself feels like it shudders as a bolt of lightning slams into it hard. Quinten leans on the archway and frowns.   
       
"Yes, let's all go further down and...."   
       
He is cut off as a drenched to the skin hare scampers down the stairs from the lookout, "SIR! Ship in distress!"   
       
The general pauses and curses and puts his hats back on, "Right everyone, let's go see what we are dealing with."   
       
He marches up into the pouring rain and bracing himself against the wind and rain that seems to be flowing almost horizontally through the air moves to the lookout post that looks west. Anyone who follows would see out at sea in the flashing blue-white glare of the lightning a ship. It is riding high against the waves, being tossed from foaming breaker to foaming breaker. It has lost its main mast, the sails are gone but as they watch it rears up and slams down onto the rocks on the beach.   
       
The hull cracks and beasts can be seen clinging to the wood fore and aft as the ship is pounded by the sea and driven further up the rocks, "Well hell...." He muttered, "We can't leave them, we need to try and reach them and get them inside. Varus we need a team!"   
       
At this point the entire mountain was on alert and the news had reached Terrence. With a greatcoat on, the sergeant comes up the stairs carrying more coats for the hares - and followed by various privates and recruits bearing even more coats. "Sah!" He salutes the general and major before offering them the fresh garments. "Thought you might need these." The mention of /them/ has the sergeant worried, though he won't say anything.

Elbio is helping inside best he can as he rushes around delivering messages here and there and moving some things that need moved when told, or simply keeping track of whom is outside on watch, who is inside, and who is doing what as Quinten and Lord Ciocan likes the nice detailed reports.   
   
Rufus just had to arrive now and his flying is seriously off, more like the wind is moving him as he sort of flips in the air and is sent into a sort of div towards the crater...then a bit further missing the crater all together and .....yep crash landing! Just what the hares need, more chaos!   
   
Koda frowns "Wot...wot should I do sur?" He has yet to be in any sort of mission after all.   
   
Varus pulls a spyglass from his uniform pocket, extends it, and looks down at the scene. Seems he always packs a telescope, who knew? "Ah'm seein' quite a few beasts down there... They won't last long." He stows his spyglass, takes the coat, and looks at Terrence. "Right, yahr wi' me. Zolomon, you are, too. Terrence, mustah up a dozen more privates. Bring rope, as much as y' can find... That vessel is at risk o' bein' dragged out t' sea by th' next surge, we'll try t' tie it down if we can, while we get th' passengahs out. Bring along three medics, too. And an axe! We may 'ave t' break down some doors, or th' deck plankin'! Now Go!"   
   
Donica starts to go out and ends up slipping on the rocks here and frowns as her wrist is hurt but luckily it's just gonna be badly sprung as she can't see the ship but she does see something else and gasps as she spots Rufus in his crash landing and stands slowly against the wind and rain "Sur!...The seagull!" But also the ship ..the beasts might need a healer there too.   
   
Zolomon is just inside the doorway as he listens to all the chaos, he waits to see where he may be needed and will go there.   
       
   
Quinten nods to Varus, handing over the rescue mission to him, the General nods in approval as he calls up Terrence and Zolomon, he looks around and points, "Koda, Join up with Varus here, Donica you stay with me I will need your skills," he peers over the crater, "After I retrieve his Lordship's Seagull...."   
       
He looks back down to the ship, a gout of flame is enough expanding from what must be the galley, the flames battling against the howling storm. Through his telescope, Varus would see it is mostly a crew of squirrels and otters with one large squirrel at the wheel shouting orders and trying to rally his crew to evacuate.   
       
The waves however are pounding against the vessel, the lightning is growing worse and the rain is practically blowing past them, "Someone get me a rope, we'll need to lower someone down to retrieve Rufus."   
   
   
Koda frowns and rushes inside he finds some rope after a short time, and there is some rope for Varus and whoever is going with him, and he has a rope he will give to Quinten. He gulps and decides it's time to be brave as he is a long Patrol hare and braves the heavy rain and wind and makes his way over to where the general is.."I...have...rope..."   
   
"Like the General said, someone get that bird!" Terrence points at the seagull, barking out the orders. "Tie it up, knock it out if you have to get it to comply, do whatevah. They can't just be out there." He turns to the major, nodding. "Give me ten minutes, sah." Then with a salute, he goes to get the troops. "Alright, Koda, that's you'h name, right? You've got a fancy title, come along if you're willing and just make sure the good majah doesn't get himself drowned. And Pvt. Donica - " the general orders her to stay "-Nevah you mind. Sergeant!" He has moved on to Zolomon now. "Can I make request that you would kindly go down to the storeroom to get the rope? If you can't find any long enough, just tie shortah lengths togtheh; and make sure it's good knots. I'll get the hares while you're at it." Notably, the sergeant will avoid pressing privates into service for the mission instead favoring the more experienced lance-corporals or corporals, and only if they consent to go. "Where's that blasted Dom when you bloody well need him? And the healahs..." Terrence can be heard muttering as he disappears back down into the mountain.   
   
Donica is soon beside Quinten as she looks over the edge and frowns "Is this...even possible to get to sur?"   
   
Zolomon starts to find rope and then there is Koda with some..well that saves a trip for rope anyways but he can find some non privates to go with Varus as he finds some ...course one hare flat refuses to go out in the weather....yeah they likely have more chores in the future, Zolomon soon finds some hares to help.   
   
Rufus is on a tiny little overhang, one wing is likely broken and he has some feathers that are bent, a couple of feathers fall slowly on down the side of the mountain. The bird is semi conscious and tries to move, soon finding he can't move too well and is also very tired from flying.   
   
Varus peers down over the side again, grimacing at the sight of flames. "Ah, great. Just wot we need. A fire. 'Opefully th' bloomin' 'urricane'll put it out, or that'll make this all ten times more dangerous. He looks down at Koda. "Stay close, no foolish 'eroics. Follow me." He descends the stairs back into the mountain quickly, stopping at the armory himself to select an axe. There will almost certainly be a beast trapped inside the ship that'll need more than brute force to rescue. "Koda," he says to the younger hare, whom he presumes is still with him, "This is yahr first rescue mission. You will do ev'rythin' EXACTLY as I or Terrence, or even Zolomon say. Like I said, no foolish 'eroics. I won't 'esitate to punish y' for doin' somethin' foolish. Undahstood?"   
   
   
Quinten nods to Varus and leaves the Major to it, as much as Quinten would love to run down and help with this his job is to sit at desks and make sure the patrol has what it needs to do its job not go and be a hero. Quinten grew out of those impulses long ago.   
       
Peering over the edge at Rufus trapped below he motions to a Private who comes running with the rope that Koda brought and starts to tie it in place. His fur is soaked, his ears dripping with water as the rain continues to hammer down but they have a seagull to rescue. Once the rope is secure he braces with it and motions to Donica to help as the young private starts down the side of the crater toward Rufus.   
       
Down inside the mountain the lights sway, shadows play havoc, and as Terrence heads down to find beasts he finds quite a commotion going on on the ground floor. Lieutenant Avery has a team lugging stuff up the stairs from the basement and she glances at Terrence, "Basement's flooding, water is surging out of one of the tunnels under pressure."   
       
   
Lord Ciocan comes lumbering up carrying a cask and sets it aside just in time to see the younger hare and frowns, "Terrence, isn't it? What is happening? I thought you were stationed up top?"   
       
   
Outside the rain does seem to be putting the fire out but the creatures on the ship are trapped, though the ship is stuck on the rocks waves are slamming into the hull and the rocks all around it. It is going to be difficult to reach the safer sands without help.   
       
Koda nods as he follows Varus down to the ship "Y...yes....and yes not ever been on a rescue mission..s...s..sur" Ok the Major makes him nervous but he is on his team now and will follow any orders given.   

Elbio is helping carry some things. He then is told by a Lt to help get blankets, more hot drinks and make sure the infirmary is ready and a guest room...or maybe two, he salutes and goes off to do this.

Donica nods and goes to help the private get lowered to the bird, "Just..be careful...please"She knows the bird can be ill-tempered.   

After a quick salute to the lieutenant, Terrence nods once staring in somewhat disbelief at the flood. "Well, damn sah. I'm looking Lance-Corporal Greenhill and the othah veterans at the request of Majah Varus." When the badger lord comes in he snaps to attention. "Sah! I'm down here at the request of Majah Varus. A ship is being wrecked just outside with beasts still on it and the general wants a rescue mission, sah."   
   
Zolomon is heading out with Major Varus, he has some extra rope and whatever else he needs. He glances at Koda "It will be ok just...stay close and alert."   
   
Rufus caws softly and looks up when he sees the private and clacks his beck some, though it's weakly" ...Get.......****.." Yes, he is rude sometimes, got to love this seagull. He has a scrape on his face, his wing is for sure broken and out of place so he won't be flying anywhere for a good while. He is lucky to of landed where he did, otherwise ...welll he would have crashed all the way to the ground and been a dead bird..So he is on the ledge is just barely big enough for the seagull.   
   
As the Major and Koda head down, they meet the same commotion as Terrence. "Wot's goin' on 'ere?" He spots Avery, and then the Badger Lord. "Sah." He lets Terrence get the explanations out of the way. In the meantime, a flood (pardon the term) of wailing and whimpering Leverets are streaming up the stairs, too, being herded by a white doe. "Shh, shh... You'll be all right," she says to one crying child. "Oh, look, see? No more water up here. We're safe here..." Varus passes his wife. "Olivia, I'm sorry... 'Ad no idea th' bloody basements would flood like that..."   
       
   
Ciocan listens to Terrence and nods, "Very well, Lance-Corporal Greenhill should be in the kitchens by now, he was helping move the leverets to the dining hall from the basement after the water started rushing in," The badger glances toward Avery, "I will leave you in charge here, Varus could probably do with a big strong hand."   
       
Ciocan nods to Terrence, "Meet us outside with the others then," he then moves down the corridor toward the entrance, unstopping the entrance and leaning in the doorway, looking out at the pouring, howling rain, the storming sea, and the flashing lightning, "Cheerful..." He waits there for Varus and the others.   
       
   
Up on the crater with Donica's help the Private reaches Rufus' level the seagull will need to be hauled back up to the top and then brought inside out of the rain before anyone tends to their injuries, hopefully the gull will co-operate. Quinten meanwhile has moved back to the watch post and is watching the ship through his telescope, "Oh boy..."   

The one helping to try and get Rufus frowns, it seems they are unsure of birds but they are here to help and help they will as the storm rages with the lightning, thunder, hard icy rain and strong winds!

part 2 http://forum.rwmuck.org/viewtopic.php?id=1905

Who:

Krisha- Badger Mother

Xander- Novice

Zoltar- vermin pest

LOG:

Krisha assured beasts she be alright and would not be too far away from the abbey she could see the abbey from where she was and could be back in like 15 mintues' tops.

Xander was with her as he looked around, he then sat on the log that was here."So why here of all places?"

Krisha smiled as they were close to the clearing, they were beside a small creek that ran along a path in the woods and maybe a little ways off the path, the sounds of the water running over the stones were nice, "Cause it's quiet here and no one to bother us, now I did not come here to  just relax, came to talk of last night. You had a rather bad nightmare and I think you have had them before"

Xander frowned, yes he had and it would not be easy to of found out seeing as most of the time he sleeps in the novice dorms "I...look beasts have bad dreams sometimes ya know"He says quietly as if he rather not talk. The stream noise does seem to calm his nerves though.

Krisha speaks "I have till lunchtime to get back to the abbey...look you were shaking and you cried yourself back to sleep. You were pleading with someone on..well I have no clue what. Please Xanderr talk to me"

Xander just frowns and  looks at the ground, a couple teas fall and he wipes them away "I am fine....sides I am not...not a dibbun you need to comfort"

Krisha sighs and shakes her head, a paw on his shoulder "The Badger Mother does not just comfort dibbuns. I comfort others too...I have even comforted the abbot during stressful times while the dibbuns were away, and during hard times...and helped order beasts, other beasts...I am..basically mother to all"

Xander hugs her and just quietly sighs, but finally, he speaks "I..have had nightmares....not every night, maybe every 2-3...and sometimes they are really bad and sometimes not so bad. Like I had this dream...that all my friends and the hares and...even Ciocan got ate..ship and all  by a monster that was the sea but hat dream eased when they all returned safe. But...still, there are other dreams off and on and...and vermin from the past...sort of haunt my dreams"

Krisha allowed the hug and gives one of her own. "Bad dreams can be hard. I use to have bad dreams..about those monitors from fathers tribe..for 3 long seasons..."She shakes her head to clear it, and offers a smile "But they have stopped"

"How..." Xander asks "How did they stop if went on for so long, and you have spoken of the monitors before, not everything but I never asked you too cause did not want you to like, ya know, relive it"

Krisha smiles "You and Oz did..making friends and falling in love with you"She smiles more "I spoke to father of my dreams but, as I said knowing caring beasts were in my life helped and that the dreams were not real and would not happen, I learned I was safe." She watches him "Same as you..you are safe and you are loved. Whatever happens......I am here...our son Oz is here....friends are" She smiles "And I believe beasts we cared for  still watch over us like Papa Oz, like our parents...friends we have lost watch over us as well"
Xander smiles"I am glad...of family and friends." He sighs "I could talk of my dreams..I suppose it's just...scary and the vermin..Jedrick and Kurgun...kill the ones I care for most and make me watch and then kill me and...then wake up and it's just...."He shivers "Bad and I admit  one time I woke and checked on you..took your pulse to make sure you were...ya know alive"

Krisha kisses him "You not gonna lose me. I am careful, I know how to fight if I need to"

"How touching and sickly sweet." Says a cold sounding voice "I wouldn't make such a promise stripedog. It was Zoltar. And 3 friends...those ferrets again.

Xander smiles and then there is Zoltar as a growl forms and he is standing, steps forwards, and has to lean on his cane a little.

Krisha glares at the wildcat and speaks as calmly as she can "Go away cat, I am not in the mood"

Zoltar simply grins "Well I am." One of the ferrets laugh "So give up any valuables ya got and ....maybe no one gets harmed"

Xander grips the cane and  stands up better, holding it like a weapon "She said leave scumfur"

Krisha folds her arms over her chest "And I am not in the mood for you cat so walk away"A low growl forms in her throat.

Zoltar chuckles "Spunk....well..." He walks closer to the badger mother till he is in her face "I hate spunk....maybe ya should die and help his nightmares come true...."He has his blade and snaps his fingers, the 3 ferrets got to both block and hold Xander back.

Xander's eyes go wide and he goes to swing his cane at the ferrets, 3 against one is normally fine but with his permanent injuries from the poisoning and attack from Jedrick..his reactions are, well simply not so great anymore.

Krisha growls and steps back and goes to punch the wildcat right in the face! She said she was not in the mood and darn it she was right. She looks over at the 3 ferrets and growls low.

Zoltar smirks, the smirk is replaced by shock as he felt the punch and is knocked out cold, he falls backward onto the ground with a swelling jaw.The 3 ferrets look at the badger mother and quickly back away from Xander. They decide to bolt! They sadly leave their boss behind to whatever fate he has.

Xander almost loses his balance and manages to kind of keep it and slowly sit...ok not too slowly and chuckles "I thought...I was ta save you, dear? He smiles at her.

Krisha snorts as the vermin head off and helps Xander up "Well I got to save you for once..suppose we even"She chuckles and takes his paw "Come let's eat brunch on the wall tops in the abbey

Xander nods and lets her lead them back to the abbey.

Lunch is simple..some cheese and bread and a nice potato soup and some juice.