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The_Brony_Marek

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Registered: 2016-11-20

Posts: 212

A Most Intresting Day In The Ferravale Tavern

==This happen a day after Zee's Funeral==

Fv:Tavern
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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.
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.
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Marek was cleaning the counter tops as it was a slow time of the day, some beasts normally here seem to be elsewhere, then again the past couple days have been slow due to the recent passing of a well-known Ferravale beast. He glances at a flagon hanged above the bar before checking on some scones he has in the oven.
   
Xander enters the tavern and looks around with a frown. He has a letter in his paws as he speaks to someone with him “Why would it say to come here and talk to Marek for?"   

Oz shrugs as he follows Xander, he agreed to tag along to get his mind off things "I do not know Xander" He keeps a firm grip on his staff as he listened to sounds around him, it’s clear he rather be elsewhere than here. "I suggest you ask and find out." He says quietly.   

Marek looks up as the two badgers enter and sighs, "Mr. Oz and Mr. Xander, how nice of you to visit Ferravale. If it is  news on Mr. Zee's passing I already know, news such as that travels fairly quickly"
   
Xander frowns and walks up to Marek slowly showing him the letter, there is the short one and one that’s a little longer addressed =Marek Only=."It says to talk to you about a chest"   

Oz makes his way slowly to a new by chair and sits down, "Xander wanted someone to come along with him so I volunteered to."   

Marek glances at Oz before looking over the letters and folding one into his pocket. He then walks over to a storage area and brings out a chest that he sits in front of Xander, "You should have a key Mr. Xander or least your supposed to or this is a wasted trip" He waits on a reply as he stands before them.   

Xander blinks and then pulls one from his pocket and rolls his eyes "Of course I have a key, why wouldn't I have a key, that be dumb to not have one" He takes a deep breath and goes to unlock the chest and slowly opens it only to gasp and blink, then he frowns "I..I don't...where is it?"   

Oz tilts his head "Was something supposed to be in the chest?" He is not sure what it is as he was not told what the badger was to find, "What's not there Xander?"   

Marek calmly stands and remains silent, he does walk around to look into the chest seeing a folded paper “Well there is the paper Mr. Xander, perhaps it explains and it would be advisable to calm yourself"   

Xander seems far from calm “Calm!?" He reaches down to get the paper as he speaks "I can't be calm, where is Grandfather's blade?!" He quickly opens the letter and blinks, it’s a key and a note" Next step....seek Abbot Benar...what??!!" He looks totally confused.   

Oz folds his paws in his lap and listens, he frowns at the yelling though and sighs. Maybe he should of stayed home.   

"Then it looks as if you need to talk to Mr. Benar then and I do suggest you not raise your voice when you do talk to him, he tends to dislike that. I also suggest you sit and calm yourself before you head back to the abbey." Marek nods to a couple foxes who looked like they were going to escort the badgers out, the two foxes back up again and grumble.   

Xander narrows his eyes "I will NOT be calm, I mean why come here if I had to talk to the abbot in the first place, it makes no since at all" He folds his arms over his chest and kicks a chair over before sitting in another one and snorts.   

Oz clears his throat" Xander, it’s not good to be upset or raise your voice in the tavern of all places"   

Marek nods "I agree, do calm down. Perhaps a meal before you head back, for both of you. And no worries on paying, least today. I offer my condolences  on the death of Mr. Zee. He will not be forgotten and will be missed"   

Xander looks at the letter and key and pockets both of them, when Zee is mentioned he lets a tear escape his eye and mutters "Not hungry"   

Oz nods his thanks and speaks to Xander “It would be good to eat something" He goes to lay a paw on Xander's shoulder, “Maybe stay a little while longer before we head back, no need to rush back right away we could wait till morning and be back by lunch"   

Marek goes to get some vegetable soup, a couple cheese scones, some mint tea and a plate of mixed veggies for both of them. “If you do spend the night there is the guest room upstairs"   

Xander just frowns, he stares at the offered food and pushes it away, he also shrugs off the paw on his shoulder.   

Oz sighs, he nods towards Marek "Thank you Marek for the meal and a room to stay in." He tilts his head at Xander "Xander...please talk to me, you been very quiet today" He tastes  the soup and sips some tea.   

Marek looks between the two badgers before he speaks "Mr. Oz is correct, now do eat. It is not good to dwell on sad events too long"   

Xander just keeps silent, he doesn't go to sip the tea or try any of the food. He just leans back in his chair and frowns.   

Oz sits his mug of tea down, "You are not the only one feeling upset over this, I am as well. It does help to talk sometimes but I will let you decide if you want to or not"     He eats a little food and sips tea.

Marek decides to let the two talk as he goes to get drink orders and collect any empty mugs and plates.   

Xander frowns, then he speaks "Don't wanna talk." He glances over at the fighting pit, that can't be a good sign" Talking makes things worse"
   
And the door opens! As the chilly gust of wind sweeps through the tavern, the petite figure who entered helps the taller beast shut the door. As they turn around, pulling down scarves and tugging off hoods and hats, it is revealed that they are none other than Blisa and Ferdinand. The cat glances around the tavern, then approaches the bar, her bodyguard trailing behind. "Good day," She says, then her salutation fades away when she hears the young badger's words. "....bad day?"   

Oz starts to say something else to Xander when he hears Blisa, "Greetings Blisa, how are you and yes the day could be better"   

Marek gives a wave as he serves some drinks. It appears Zaram is still not back just yet. He watches Xander and decides to keep an eye on him.   

Xander stands "The last couple days been bad..."He walks slowly over to the fighting pit, yeah this may not be the best way to get his mind off things.   

Blisa nods sadly. "Yes, I heard of Zee's passing. I attended the funeral, but I....I couldn't come up with.....much to say." Which is code for she would've started bawling had she tried to say something, but they don't need to know that, right? Right. "And I'm....about as can be expected. I have no idea how Daddy managed to run this village by himself. I am so grateful for those who are helping me..." Ferdinand watches the young badger carefully. "What're you thinking?" He asks in a friendly way. And then the door opens again! And a mouse enters, shoving the door closed behind her. Tugging down her scarf, the mouse reveals that she is DoraRose! Visitors from Redwall abound! She stalks across the tavern, tugging off cloak hood and hat, but then she slows as she sees Xander. "Hey, didn't expect to see y'all here, Xander, Oz."   

Oz answers "Xander asked someone to come......with him..."He frowns when he hears Xander get up and walk away "Where are you going Xander?"   

Marek doesn't see the mouse maid right off, he is instead instantly in front of Xander “Stop right there Mr. Xander, no further steps are needed. You will sit down right now, no questions ask so do turn around..sit and eat." His voice is stern as he speaks, oh yeah he didn’t forget the fact the badger is not to go into the fight pit, he then notices Dorarose and nods "Ahhh Ms. Dorarose, what brings you here?" His voice is calm and polite.   

Xander glares at Marek and looks ready to reach for his blade, not the family blade as it’s a temporary one till he finds it, he snorts and takes a deep breath. “No"   

Blisa stalks forward and stands beside the stoat, cloak swirling as she points up at the badger. "You /will/ do as Marek says! He may own this tavern, but /I/ am Chieftain, and I hold the power to have you locked in holding cell. Go sit down, or I shall have to do so; you are on the brink of becoming an endangerment to yourself and to others. SIT DOWN." She be small, but she be fierce. Ferdinand slips silently up beside her, paw on sabre hilt. DoraRose has her axe with her, and she slides up to beside the young badger. "Well, I was wanting to talk to you about somethings, but they can wait. Xander, honey, I can understand that you're angry, upset, hurt, sad..."   

Oz frowns, he rather not hear a fight right now, or explain to the abbot why an abbey beast is locked up.   

Marek stays calm and watches the badger's ever move, a couple tavern beasts look over as the stoat clears his throat" You will sit, there will be no fighting unless you start it Mr. Xander." He is ready to force the badger to sit if needed and keeps a paw close to his blade just in case. He also notes Dorarose's every move as well.   

Xander draws his blade out," Yeah yeah" He interrupts the mouse maid "You guys can chat once he moves!" He angles the blade and looks ready to make a move towards the stoat “I can go in the fighting pit if I want...maybe with you. You and be with weapons"   

Blisa backs up a little. "Guards! GUARDS!" The sound of falling armor can be heard as about 3 guards open the door and try to enter at the same time. Sighing, the cat turns back to the miscreant badger and says, "You have 1 more chance, Xander. Put down your sword and sit, or else be locked in a holding cell for the rest of today and all of tonight. I doubt Benar will be pleased when I have to send him a message saying I had to lock up one of his Abbey beasts." Ferdinand draws his sabre and goes into a fighting stance, ready for if things get ugly. DoraRose goes to disarm the badger with a surprise move, bringing her axe into play. She doesn't look happy.   

Oz rarely gets upset, but he has his moments as he stands "XANDER...SIT DOWN!" Yeah and the staring and gasps are heard now, one rat whimpers and hides under a table.   

Marek eyes narrow at the badger, he doesn't draw his own weapon just yet, he waits as guards come to surround them, he stays calm as Oz yells as his focus is on Xander only.   

Xander starts to swing his blade at Marek's chest, but before he can swing too far he jerks slightly at the sudden yell, wait Uncle Oz never loses his temper. He then gasps as the blade is bumped upwards and spins in the air, it lands in a table and vibrates a couple moments. He looks in shock at Oz, then Dorarose and to the others and frowns deeply. He slowly sits and shivers some as if uncertain what just happen.   

Blisa relaxes and breathes a sigh of relief. The 3 guards come stumbling over, and then shuffle awkwardly as she gesture at them grumpily. As Ferdinand sheathes his sabre, DoraRose kneels beside the young badger and sets her axe on the floor. "Xander, you can talk to us, to me and Oz. What's going on?"
   
Oz takes a few deep breaths and sits down, for now he just listens.   

Marek goes to take the blade out of the table and places it elsewhere, the badger can get it back in the morning or whenever he leaves," Now that, that is taken care of any other talking or discussing can be done." He frowns at the table, well that will need fixed.   

Xander just lets tears flow and lays his head down in his arms, he mutters something and sniffs, it’s unclear what it is he says.   

Blisa shoos the guards away, with the orders to not try to all come through the door at the same time next time. Ferdinand cringes at the sight of the table. Good thing that wasn't a person, yo. DoraRose goes to hug the young badger as the cat goes to get the blind badger. "I think Xander could use a hug now," She whispers, going to help the badger go over there if he needs her help.   

Oz jumps slightly as Blisa touches his arm to led him over to Xander, he sighs and goes to Hug Xander, unless he is pushed away if not he keeps the hug before excusing himself and using the walking staff and any offered help to get to the room upstairs, may be good to get some needed sleep.   

Marek watches from where he is and lets a frown form. He then sits down across from the beasts and just stays quiet unless he is spoken to.   

Xander allows the hug and wipes away some tears as he watches Oz go upstairs with whoever helps him and looks at Marek and Blisa, and Dorarose "I..I'm s..s..so sorry"   

Nightbreath must've picked up on the aftermath of the tension in the room--the Seer enters the tavern with a bit of extra haste in his step than usual, but he quickly slows as he sees that all seems relatively well. His paw drifts away from his sword hilt to rest at ease at his side. He moves to attend Blisa, but nods to any other beast who catches his eye.   

Blisa looks up at her Seer. "We almost had a fight," She explains. "But it's all good now." DoraRose goes to hug the badger in a rather motherly fashion. "You're forgiven, Xander, at least by me. I'm here for you. I won't give up on you, I promise." Ferdinand kneels beside the badger and goes to rest a paw on his arm in a friendly way. Smiling, he murmers, "It'th okay, I'm not angry. You're forgiven." The Ferravale Chieftain smiles, too, but for now stays silent, kind of lost in thought.   

Marek decides now that its quiet down “So what was it you needed to discuss Ms. Dorarose?" He glances at Xander "And your get your blade back in the morning, you can rest in the guest room upstairs with your uncle and if Ms. Dorarose needs a room I am sure she can stay as well if needed" He figures why not, all 3 Redwallers  can stay till morning and then head home.   

Xander frowns as he nods "O..ok. I just...just miss Uncle Zee and I want him back and I am not understanding any of this. This test to find my grandfather's blade....I come here and then the chest just has this note to go to the abbot..why...why come here and have to go all the way back there for?"
   

Nightbreath nods slowly to Blisa. He nearly speaks to Xander regarding the instructions in the note, but then he reconsiders. "So all is well, then," He whispers to no beast in particular. "Other than...this," He says, sweeping a paw vaguely around the room, "How does the evening find every beast?"   

Blisa kneels before the badger. "I don't know.....perhaps he wanted to test your patience and make sure you were ready. Or maybe grow your tolerance and patience and wisdom. I'm sure it'll all make sense, someday. You just need to trust that he wanted what's best for you....like my Daddy did me." She is very earnest, even though she knows a bit more about this treasure hunt (swords are treasure, right?) then she's letting on. Ferdinand nods. "Zee wath a very withe beatht. He knew what he wath doing." DoraRose, seeing that the other 2 have this handled, stands, hefting her axe as she leans on the table. "Well, sort of....except I heard that Marek here has somehow convinced the Abbot to let him back into the Abbey for a trial run." Accusatory voice! "Also, what's this I hear about you starting a do-good group to rid the area of evil doers? How am I supposed to know that you're not just trying to build another army to try and take over??" Suspicious mouse.   

Marek studies the mouse maid as he gets an ale and sips it before speaking "Yes, I am invited to the winter feast by Mr. Benar himself and yes I am starting a group, the Mossflower defenders and I already have some members, including Mr. Xander here." He sips his ale and speaks again " A group to keep an eye out for those who wish to do harm. I am not evil anymore Ms. Dorarose and I will not step paw in the abbey till the winter feast and..."He stops, well he can't say he wasn't barely inside once to get a wound tended to, in the gatehouse of all places, "And I am the leader of said group. Why would I try and do some sort of takeover, this group will hopefully prevent any take over from other sources."
   
Xander nods "Yeah....Marek is good, he is going to help train me to be a fighter" He frowns, it’s clear he misses Zee as a couple tears escape.   

Nightbreath remains silent on the matter, although he disapproves of DoraRose's outburst inwardly. He knows Marek can be trusted now, but old habits do die hard. And sometimes they come back, he adds mentally. He heads over to find a chair.   

Narrowing her eyes, DoraRose purses her lips. "Zee invited me to join....I'm debating about doing so, partly to honor his memory, and partly to keep an eye on you." And partly to get away from the pacifist Abbeybeasts, for the love of sanity and not stabbing people, but she's not going to mention that. "Just because a beast has changes doesn't mean that something can't revert them back to their old ways," she growls, unwittingly echoing the Seer's thoughts. "And I have no idea, whey does any beast try to take over Redwall??! It's not even placed strategically to make a good fortress....it's a better safe haven than anything...."   

Blisa just listens, sitting crisscross-applesauce on the floor, letting the mouse Warrior say her piece. The rodent knows she can stay at the feline's house any time; she doesn't need another invitation.   

Marek says, "The Mossflower defender's headquarters are, or will be, off the Ferravale path. There is already a training ground and there will be meetings in the tavern when needed" He listens " Your skills Ms. Dorarose would be welcomed. Mr. Zee had a good deal of friends here as well and also supported the Mossflower Defenders"   

Xander decides to eat finally, he is hungry and he drinks the tea. He otherwise is quiet   

Blisa starts doodling in her sketchbook as she listens. Ferdinand gets a chair also and sits in it, also just listening. DoraRose stares at the stoat for a few minutes, then nods. "Alright. I'll join. But!" she points a finger at his chest. "If you turn out to be lying, or if you revert back to your old ways, you'll come to know full well why I am able to use an axe." Nightsong the battleaxe is lifted meaningfully. "This doesn't mean I trust you, keep in mind; I'm planning on volunteering as one of the guards at the Winter Feast to make sure you stay where you're allowed." As Gatekeeper at the Abbey, she's allowed to do that, right? Probably. Straightening up, she nods to the other beasts, gives the stoat one more long look, then pulls her hat and hood back on. "I'll see y'all later." And with that, she's back outside, headed for the Chieftain's house. The young cat looks up from her drawing. "Well. That went well."   

Marek listens "Of course Ms. Dorarose" He calmly watches her head out and looks to the chieftain and then the badger.   

Xander finishes his food and tea, he then stands up and silently just heads upstairs slowly without a word to any beast.   

Blisa stands and stretches. "I think I'm going to head home. Good evening, Marek. I hope your Defenders thing works out." Smiling, she leaves, too, putting away her art supplies and bundling up again. Ferdinand follows, waving and wishing the stoat well. Well, that was an exciting afternoon.....   

Marek waves and the rest of the day is fairly smooth, a couple rats fight over a scone of all things, soon all beasts leave, and the stoat locks up for the day and heads to bed just as Zaram returns "Awww Zaram, I am glad you are back.....today was well let me explain" And they both head to their rooms.