05-15-06
Characters involved: Zoe_lang, Torwin, Quickbeak, Keiran, Quinten, Slain, Marsuvees, Kaim, Flaxpaw, Cade, & Gabriel.
RW Abbey: Great Hall
Zoe_Lang arrives by way of the entry. A traveling pack is slung over her shoulder and she's in full patrol attire. The only thing missing is, of course, her weaponry. She's in conversation with another officer who walks along beside her, until the major in question divides off, to tend to whatever task he has.
Torwin looks up after taking another bite and nods, "G'day Colonel" the squirrel greets.
Zoe_Lang's distracted attention is brought around to Torwin and she blinks, then nods. "G'day, Torwin. I was hopin' I'd catch you before we left!" She offers the squirrel a warm smile before her divided attention is forced back in the direction of the entry. "We're preparin' to march, 'least those of us not stayin'."
Torwin ahhs, "I see. Well that's too bad. Been glad to have you mates around. Did you make it out to Urthpaw's smithy?"
A small feathery mass pokes it's head out between the rafters above as Quickbeak looks down at the beasts below with mild curiosity.
Zoe_Lang shakes her head with some regret, looking to Torwin once more. "No - wasn't time. But I've left ordahs with one of those stayin' behind to pay a visit for me."
Torwin hms and nods, "Too bad." He then scratches at the scar on his cheek. "You know I probably can spare one of my falcatas if you like. I'll just have Urthpaw make another one up for me since I'm around here more often. Things have been pretty quiet these past seasons anyway."
Zoe_Lang's eyes widen with pleased surprised. "D'ya say so?" She smiles slightly, her shoulders rolling in a gentle shrug. "I leave it up t' you 'n' how attached you feel to yer weapons, but I'd surely appreciate it. And I would promise t' return it on m'next visit."
Torwin smiles and nods, "Yeah sure. One blade cuts just as good as another. I'll grab it from the gatehouse when your troop is ready to march out"
Zoe_Lang dips her head in a grateful nod. "Ya have m'thanks, mate, ya have m'thanks." She offers a grin, as well. "Also, should ya evah be near our neck o' the woods, don't hesitate t' drop by. You'll be more'n welcome."
Torwin smiles and nods, "Not a problem Colonel. And thanks, might have to take you up on that invitation. My son'll actually be going with you if things work out alright. He wanted to join the order just so he could."
Making an entrance via the library, of all places, Brother Keiran Fletchpaw steps into the Great Hall, a scroll tucked into one of his pouches and sticking out. He spots exactly the hare he's looking for, and hobbles in that direction. "'ello, sir Torwin," he greets to the somewhat familiar squirrel, then bows to the Long Patrol officer. "Colonel Francis."
Zoe_Lang looks amused by this bit of information. She inclines her head, looking pleased. "Aye? Well, he'll be more'n welcome, I assure ya." She hears a horn sound outside at the entry and her ears perk before she turns. "Sounds like my cue." She chuckles, then, and greets Keiran with a nod. "G'day, lad! D'ya have that lettah fer yer brothah? I'll be needin' it now."
Quickbeak shuffles back and forth on the rafter a couple of times before curiosity gets the best of him and he lets himself drop over the edge, which brings him into a glide that has him nicely flutter and land on the back of a chair with a small chirp.
Torwin nods and says, "Alright then. I'll head out to the gatehouse and grab one of those falcatas for ya." He gives a nod and says, "Afternoon mate. If you'll excuse me." He then heads out the main entry
There is a pattering on the stairs and Quinten comes into sight, carrying a small bundle, he weabes his way towards the Colonel and salutes her, hoping she'll notice him before she leaves.
Keiran's paw goes to the letter, pulling it out. "Yeh, I do!" He hobbles towards the Colonel, and gives her the six or so sheets of parchment all rolled up neatly and fastened by string. "Thanks f'deliverin' this. We'll take good care o'th'Recruits f'ya, don' y'worry!"
Zoe_Lang takes the neatly rolled sheets of parchment, tucking them securely away into a flap on her pack. "Keep yer thanks - it gives me an excuse t' check up on him, lad." She offers Keiran a fond grin and turns toward the entry. "I thank ya fer watchin' out fer the recruits. They're a handful, but they mean we-" And then she sees Quinten, and chuckles. "They mean well." She salutes the young buck.
Slain makes his way into the great hall from the stair case, driven by the curiosity of the noise out side, upon seeing the beasts gathered he bows his head to them all in greeting "Good day."
Quickbeak sticks to his chair perch watching the hares moving about and staring at each for a while.
Keiran nods to the Colonel, a quick glance being given towards Quinten as well from Keiran. "S'no problem, Colonel." He returns the grin, turning to greet Quinten, but spotting Slain, too. "Ah, 'ello, g'd evenin', both o'ya!" He waves to the two entering beasts, his staff placed in front of him.
Marsuvees is preceded by his own labored breathing as he steps down the stairs. As he comes into view, he looks worse than he sounds. Dark rings have formed under his eyes and his ears droop slightly forward. Hissing through his teeth, he rubs his cheeks, leaving behind dried flakes of blood from his paws. His eyes are dark and either haunted or angry, but either one isn't pleasant. With a slight hunch, he ignores everyone but Zoe, whom he nods to and says simply, "I'm leavin' this cursed place, Colonel..." before shuffling slowly across the Hall. "Where're me weapons agin?" he mutters to himself.
Kaim follows not long after down the staircase, but doesn't seem to have any immediate affiliation with the creatures preceeding him. The otter's cane rarely needs to guide him through the hall or down the stairs, and is tucked under his arm, the webbed paw of his free arm steadying him.
Zoe_Lang's eyebrows raise at Marsuvees' disheveled state, and so she's quick to nab one of the privates as he runs past, catching him by the collar. She murmurs a few words to them, some of which are "follow", "healer", and "bloody well bettah". And that taken care of, she turns for the entry. "Time t' tend to the leavin' arrangements. I thank ya again fer yer hospitality - all o' ya. I hope the next seasons are good'uns fer the abbey." She turns to Keiran one last time, offers the buck a salute, and then heads for the entry, exiting to join the gathered hares.
Quinten hops from paw to paw "colonel ma'am....wait before yuo leave..." he hurries closer and holds somethign out to her "We...made you this...just a little something to remember us who are staying behind with"
Slain bows his head in Zoe's direction "Safe travel."
Marsuvees pushes through the outer, door, glances at the recruit Zoe grabbed, and frowns slightly. However, he simply leaves anyway. No use arguing with her anyway. Trying to look a little more spry, though, he heads out.
Zoe_Lang turns, surprised by Quinten's approach and by his words. She looks to the object he holds out, reaching out to take it. "What's this, now, I wondah?" She offers the recruit a puzzled smile.
Keiran eyes Marsuvees in careful wonder, but... He seems to be okay, and the Colonel seems to be handling it well enough. Smiling brightly, he returns the salute to Zoe, then has a seat in the Great Hall, watching Quinten from across the table and half the hall.
Quinten smiles and hands her the small wooden object, it is a shield hand carved and inscribed with the names of all those who are staying behind, both recruits and officers "Just a little something i made in my spare time ma'am, to remember us by, we'll see you in a few seasons, ready to graduate and cause you more hell then ever before"
Zoe_Lang reaches out, about to do the unthinkable and ruffle his headfur, but with a grin she restrains herself, shifting the paw to the left to rest on Quinten's shoulder with a gentle squeeze. "I'll look forward t' it, Recruit. I'll look forward t' it." She takes the shield and tucks it gently into a pocket. My, she's accumulating things rather fast, isn't she? Up to three. "Care t' accompany me outside?" She offers the recruit a grin and walks toward the entry, though she slows her pace enough to let him fall into step beside her.
Keiran thinks momentarily, then shrugs, standing up and heading outside as well. Might as well see them off.
RW Abbey: Entry
The flat, open area between Great Hall and the main gates of the Abbey has been kept neatly cleared of the snow which otherwise piles up in drifts about the walls of the ancient building, and the steps leading up both to Great Hall and the ramparts have been painstakingly freed of ice, to avoid sprained spaws that might otherwise slip. Pathways through the snow have also been made for the more well traveled routes of Redwall, most especially to the open grounds and the pond. The gatehouse roof is bristling with icicles. It's quite cold, and your breath is visible in front of your face.
Shadows are lengthening, and the sun has begun to sink behind the western wall.
Exits/Entrances:
[G]reat [H]all [C]limb to the [R]amparts [A]bbey [P]ond
[Ga]te [H]ouse [Leave] through the gates [Open] Ground
[C]hampion's [C]ottage
Torwin chuckles and says, "Well if anything else, at least you wont be able to complain about the food here
Quinten is smiling happily as he follows the Colonel outside, paws folded away inside his habit sleeves, glad he is free to do this, he passed the kitchens earlier and saw Harper head stuck in a cauldron scrubbing it out. It is good to be free from his lessons with Brother Keiran to say good bye to his family.
Flaxpaw laughs and shakes her head. "oh, no, the food's great. an...so's the company. didn't think I'd fin anyone to talk to here, but..."
Torwin chuckles as crosses his arms from where he leans against the arch of the gateway. He holds one of his falcata's loosely in one paw, swinging it idly. "Aye. You'd be surprised the diversity of beasts that we get here." He then looks towards the entry to the great hall, and here comes the rest it looks like
Cade makes his way in from the open grounds, a pack slung over his shoulder. He glances about, looking at the hares and such making their preperations to leave
Here comes the rest, indeed. The Colonel exits the Great Hall with Quinten at her side, and she offers a salute to the gathered hares waiting for their orders. Amongst the hares, there's a small knot of other creatures, all of them looking as if they ought to be wearing habits but dressed in recruit uniforms, instead. Zoe smiles when she sees this and continues forward, limping as she ever does. "Officahs! Are we all ready t' go?" One by one, they respond in the affirmative. The doe nods, as if this is to be expected. She spies Torwin and makes her way toward him, giving the falcata a curious look.
Quinten raises a paw in farewell to the novices leaving to become recruits, wishing them well, he has a feeling it will not be easy for them. He then salutes the hares going home, standing still on the top step of the abbey building, he's going to watch them leave from here and be brave
Gabriel has been hiding in the background for most of this time, but now walks up past Quinten, letting a paw brush his shoulder as she walks by. The rabbit seems to be heading for Zoe, but stops when she sees how many beasts are present. Gabby shys back, but is still close enough to hopefully be noticed.
Keiran follows the colonel, shortly behind, to see her and the rest of the beasts from the Abbey off. "M'hopin y'll all b'on y'bes' behavior, a'righ'? Listen t'th'Colonel an' th'officers o'th'Lon' Patrol. See y'when y'come 'ome!"
Cade stands to the side of the rest of the novices, fidgeting in his recruit uniform. He perks an ear at Keiran as he speaks and nods
Flaxpaw slouches a little against the arch where she leans next to Torwin, trying to find shadows, where she may be missed by the parting hares. "sure there are plenty of good beasts wot come here, sah." she says quietly, watching the ground.
Slain raises a brow ridge upon seeing novices dressed as patrollers and vise versa, a most interesting exchange indeed.
Torwin straightens up as the colonel comes out and shoves off the wall, saying a quick "Excuse me Flax." He waits until the colonel reaches him and then holds the falcata hilt first to her. "Here you go Colonel. If you ever get the chance to use it, I doubt that you'll be wanting to bring it back. Good for slashes and draw cuts."
Marsuvees steps out of the gatehouse wearily, affixing the newly acquired blades onto his arms. Barely noticing the others, he sighs and cocks his head at them tiredly. Taking off his hat, he rubs tiredly at his matted and tangled hair, before scratching once, whipping it on, and scooting towards the main gates. He pauses at the doors, then glances at them, before shrugging and waiting for the rest.
Zoe_Lang takes the offered weapon, hefting it in the the curious but sure manner of a creature long-used to weapons. She gives a thoughtful nod and a thankful nod to Torwin. "I hope not t' have t' test its worth on the journey back, fer the novices' sakes, but I'll test it before long, you c'n be sure of that. I thank ya." She slides it into the presently-empty sword hilt, which will serve for now. Her eyes then sweep those gathered, coming to rest briefly on Quinten from where he stands, and then on Gabby. She offers first one a salute and then the other a fond nod. "Do ya have anythin' fer Endah, deah?"
Keiran stops short of where the beasts gather, ears perked up high as he watches the proceeding hares and abbey novices. Planting his staff firmly in the ground, grin evident on his features.
Gabriel doesn't make eye contact with the elder hare, instead looking over towards the gate, looking more than a little awkward before glancing towards Zoe's chin, a response finally mustered. "You're plenty of-" She breaks off, not the right response, not in present company. "No." Gabby takes a few steps and murmurs something barely even audible.
Cade glances around again and then to Keiran. "Excuse me sir" he speaks up.
Marsuvees sighs as everyone makes their good-byes, before slumping down against the wall, staring listlessly. This is going to take too long.
Keiran's ears flick, and he turns to Cade. "...Yeh, wha' is it?" He smiles down at the beast dressed as a recruit, chuckling. "Y'look good 'n tha', 't suits ya!"
Torwin nods and smiles, "Have a good trip colonel. Good to see you again. I think I'll go say goodbye to my son now." He then walks off towards Cade, but stays back a few paces as he talks to Keiran
Quinten walks down the steps and places his arms around Gabriel's shoulders, holding the doe in his arms and whispering in her ear, he looks up at the colonel and then around at all the hares
Slain continues to watch the proceedings from his vantage point to the rear and out of the way.
Cade looks down to the uniform and fidgets again, "Thanks brothah. Um, if I remember right, I needed to say the creed before I leave right?"
Flaxpaw notices Mars, and as Torwin is occupied with the colonel, she slips over to him, still trying to avoid most of the hares outside. "Evenin, sah." she says as she leans next to the march hare.
Zoe_Lang's eyebrows raise at the rabbit gel's murmured words. She considers inquiring further, but in the present company, she merely nods. "I will, deah. And I'll send him yer love." She reaches out, touching the girl's cheek with a fond smile. "Good luck. I know you'll do jus' fine."
Keiran's ears flick a few times, and he nods furiously. "Oh, yeh! Definitely waitin' til th'las' second, heh!" He straightens, looks towards the beasts due to be leaving soon, and clears his throat. "R'peat aft'me... I, Cade..."
Marsuvees takes a full fifteen seconds to reply to Flax, smirking lightly and muttering a soft, "Hello." A few more seconds tick by before he grunts. "Ready to leave?"
Cade smiles and nods, "This whole thing was kind of last minute" he says. "I Cade"
Flaxpaw shakes her head, looking at the grass. "no, sah. 'm one of those stayin on here." She sighs. "you'll be goin back I s'pose?"
Gabriel almost shakes her head. He doesn't deserve anything, or anyone's love. Mostly, but at least the bugger can think someone cares. She puts her head on Quinten's shoulder for a moment, brief eye contact inadvertantly made with Zoe.
Keiran grins, nodding to the squirrel. "...Promise t'be a Brother o'peace an' goodwill, livin' t'gether in 'aromony under th'protection o'Redwall Abbey, f'sakin' all unnecessary forms o'violence, not only t'Mossflower, i's trees, grasses, flowers, an' insects, but t'all livin' creatures."
Quinten holds Gabriel close to him, gently stroking her left ear and holding her warmly against him, he looks at the colonel and nods once, conveying that he will look after his doe no matter what "We will see you again in a few seasons Colonel"
Marsuvees seems a little surprised, but he simply blinks. "Eh? Oh..." He grins, shifting slightly, offering his paw to her. "G'luck. Mayhap Grace and Hope, along wi' Virtue, will bless you in this place." The March hare chuckles.
"Promise to be a Brothah of peace 'n' goodwill, living together in harmany under the protection of Redwall Abbey, fors..." Cade stumbles a little. "Forsaking all unnecessary forms of violence, not only to Mossflower, its trees, grasses, flowers, and insects, but to all living creatures" he finally spits out."
Keiran chuckles, remembering that he's trying to get him to repeat it, not reciting it himself, and slows down slightly. "T'help an' comfort th'dispossessed, 'arbor orphans an' waifs, offer shelter t'all creatures alike," he pauses here to let Cade catch up... "...Give clothin', warmth, an' food t'anybeas' 'r creature that is deemed 'n need o'such. T'educate an' learn, p'ticularly 'n the healin' arts, comfort th'sick, nurse th'injured an' 'elp th'wounded."
Torwin just stands to the side, smiling as he listens to Cade and Keiran.
Flaxpaw takes the paw, and hold it tight for a second before releasing it. "thank you,sah." she looks at the assembled group and blinks a little. "good luck to you as well."
"Luck's go' nothin' to do wi' it, m'lass." He tips the hat to reveal his eyes as he grins. "Anyway, jus'....make some trouble fer me, but not enough ta get caught." He winks rougishly. "An' don't ferget ta...keep pushin' tha' needle, hm?"
Slain has disconnected.
Cade listens carefully and then starts to repeat the first bit "To help and comfort the dispossessed, harbor orphans and waifs, offer shelter to all creatures alike"' he then listens some more, "Giving clothing, warmth, and food to anybeast or creature that is deemed in need of such. To educate and learn, particularly in the healing arts, comfort the sick, nurse the injured and help the wounded."
Zoe_Lang's ears twitch as Keiran's words carry to her on the breeze. She smiles before returning her attention to the two of the younger generation. She pats her breast pocket, where she's placed Quinten's gift. "Soonah than that. I'll be visitin', you c'n be sure of it." She inclines her head to both, then, and takes a step back before sweeping a paw up to her forehead in a salute. "Remembah, even in this distant place, that ya serve the Patrol. Be true, the both o' ya, t'yerselves and t'othahs, 'n' always, always stand." She drops the salute.
Keiran smiles, nodding to Cade as he repeats him, grinning as he gets it right. "An' finally, t'honor an' protect m'friends an' brethren, only raisin' paw t'do battle when m'life a'Redwall is threatened b'treachery an' the shadow of war;" Again, a pause for Cade to catch up. "...At these times e'ery Redwall creature should show courage, fort'tude an' obedience t'th'Father Abbot." One more pause. "Albeit th'takin' of 'nother life mus' always b'justified an' ne'er carried out in a wanton manner."
Gabriel glares slightly, thinking Zoe might be adressing her as well. "Never was patrol..." She murmurs, mostly to Quinten. Gabby then tugs on him a little. They're leaving, all the two of them can do is keep the group behind. "We c'n spend some time together now, right?"
Quinten salutes the Colonel "I will see you soon Colonel...next time you come to visit us" he hugs Gabby and kisses her cheek "I'm going to climb the ramparts...watch them leave from up there...want to come with me?" he smiles at her and tugs her towards the steps leading to the wall.
Cade continues on, "And finally, to honor and protect my friends and bretheren. Only raising a paw to do battle when my life and Redwall is threatened by treachery and the shadow of war." He then waits for the rest. "At these times, every redwall creature should show courage, fortitude, and obedience to the Father Abbot. Albeit the taking of another life must always be justified and never carried out in a wanton manner."
Torwin continues to listen to his son repeat the words with a smile
Zoe_Lang turns from the two youngsters as they head for the ramparts, making her way over to where Torwin stands watching his son. It seems that almost all of the assembled hares are watching Cade and Keiran, for that matter, either anxious to be off or pleased to be present for such a ceremony.
Keiran grins at Cade, widely smiling as he rocks on his footpaw and staff. "Welcome t'th'Order o'Redwall Abbey, Novice o'th'Firs' Order, Cade!" Stepping back once to reveal the new novice to whoever's watching, he holds the staff to himself, balances against it, and begins to clap.
Flaxpaw smiles softly and nods, patting a pocket. "yes, sah, I'll be sure to make plenty of trouble. and...the needle, yes, sah, won't forget to take time f'r that. thank you, sah." She turns to the sound of clapping, blinking madly, and joins the applause.
Torwin nods to the colonel as she comes up besides him then looks back to cade, and joins in on the clapping too, along with the others.
Cade smiles and says, "Thank you" He then looks around and notices the other beasts looking at him and his ears flatten a little as he gives a nervous chuckle and gives a small wave
Marsuvees grunts softly at the noise, stands and moves out the doors. He'll wait for them outside of this oppressive atmosphere. He waves once to Flax as he steps out, regardless of the fact that she probably doesn't see him with his back turned. Then, he's gone.
Zoe_Lang joins in the clapping, as well, pausingly only long enough to place two fingertips between her lips to provide a shrill and congratulatory whistle to the lot. "Congrats, m'lad!" She looks to the side at Torwin, then, and nods toward Cade. "Ya'd best say yer goodbyes. We're headin' out." She gives a final nod to the elder squirrel and one also to Keiran before she turns, assembling with the other officers, to whom she gives her orders. They start their patrols off through the gates. The Colonel holds back, for the moment.
Torwin then goes up to his son as he finishes and ruffles his headfur, "Congratulations son. I hope you have a good time at Salamandastron. Be good an' all of that good stuff." He says with a smirk. "And have fun. Don't let all of those long-ears get to ya either" the ranger says with a chuckle.
Flaxpaw realises that Marsuvees has gone, and starts back toward the abbey slowly, still avoiding the majority of the hares who are leaving, though she takes a long look at them as she passes them, like she'd rather not see them go.
Cade mutters as his headfur is messed up and gives an annoyed, "Dad!" He then nods and says, "I know I know." He gives a chuckle at the long-ears comment and nods, "I wont. I think I'd better go now. See you later dad." He then picks up his sack and shoulders it, looking around for instruction.
Keiran only stops clapping once it's winded down, and then gets out of the way, returning the nod to Zoe. "Fare well, all o'ya! B'good, b'cooperative! Don' let 'em feed y'too much!" He chuckles, then just rests, watching as the patrols filter out of the abbey slowly.
Torwin smiles and nods, stepping back and watching the hares start to head out. "Safe journey mates!" he calls out to the patrol
Zoe_Lang waits 'til all have filtered out through the gates save the other novices, and then she directs them with a nod. "Go on with ya, m'lads 'n' m'deahs. I'll be along presently." They turn, moving uncertainly onward, awkward in their new attire and clumpy boots. The Colonel turns, raising her paw in farewell. "We'll take good care of 'im! Farwell!" She brings her paw down, then, and gives one final nod before she turns, limping through the gates and out.
Flaxpaw stops before she goes compleately into the abbey, and watches the patrol and novices-turned-recruits leave, leaned against the wall of the abbey, and just stays there, watching.
Torwin smiles and waits as the hares march of a little more, and then turns to head off
