A New Skipper
This is apart of The Great Ones, a Camp Willow plot. Read the [[[The_Great_Ones_Aren%27t_Here|introduction]]] and [[[The_Great_Ones%2C_Part_One%3A_Under_Siege|Part One]]].
Setting:
RW Abbey: Entry
You stand on a grassy sward between two cottages. To the south you see a small, calm pond. To the north lies an open space where the Abbey has its feasts in the warmer seasons. To the east is the Great Hall, a massive structure that rises far above the abbey walls and is completed with large towers that pierce upwards into the sky. The main building is completed with a large, iron banded door that would allow one into the Great Hall.
The blanket of snow is replaced with the vibrant greens of spring. Newly sprung flowers and young shoots dot the path. They hold a promise of color and enhancement. The earth is relatively dry here, and the soil rich for growing, but muddy patches of dirt still can be found. Many Abbeybeasts can be seen tending to the gardens, though some are content with just being out and about, enjoying the warmth of the virgin sun and the pleasent weather. Dirt pawprints are tracked upon the clearing's surface, serving as witness to the fact that the majority of Abbeybeasts are caught up in the "spring fever." Most will will do just about anything, or make any excuse to be outside, eager to watch as spring colors emerge in scraggly clumps.
Characters:
Gaheris, the Skipper’s son
Oz, badger father
Lutea, the Taggerung
Lacota, the Friar
Leon, master healer
Aden, an acrobat
Lee, Abbey guard
Zinnia, Abbey recorder
Benar, Father Abbot
Raisa, Camp Willow cook
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<---->A New Skipper<---->
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It's been a long journey for the group of survivors from Camp Willow. Normally the trip between the camp and Redwall is a peaceful happy one but this time it had been filled with paranoia at every turn and the slow, travelling at the pace of the injured and worry every time something made a noise in the woods. Finally with the abbey in sight as they break from the tree line there's definitely a collective sigh of relief. They were few, they'd found a few other otters along the way but there was still only just over 30 of them, too old to fight, too young, the injured. The few fighting fit stuck to the edges of the group, keeping a close guard even this close to the abbey.
Oz is in the entry for now, a couple dibbuns at his side, most with Sister Jenny playing in the open ground happily. The badger still has his brothers blade on his back for now when out on the grounds. The two dibbun mice stay close to him.
Lutea is among the fit who guard the periphery of the group, her staff clutched tightly in her paws. The Taggerung may be an otter, but trust is hard won amongst the traumatized survivors when one is marked as she is. The Northern accent doesn't help. As they trudge closer and closer to the Abbey, she raises a paw to the beasts on guard - at least, here, she is a little more known. Kicking up her pace, the jill pulls up alongside Gaheris, still frowning even as view of the Abbey raises her spirits. "Made it." She comments, needlessly, still shifting her gaze from side to side as if expecting death to leap from the shadows.
Lacota exits the Great Hall in a huff. "Ring the bells. Ring the bells. Throw open the gates, for Martin's sake. I was told that a group of otters has been spotted on the road, headed our way. So throw open the gates, will you!" The Friar huffs. "Oz. Why are you armed?"
Oz turns to Lacota's voice, “While there is a threat, weapons are allowed and I am to help with security when able to at times like this. I can still do that" He may not be able to see but his hearing is very in tune, he nods to a novice whom he knows are by the gate “Carefully open and be quick to get them inside and then close the gate again, there is no need to ring the bells, but someone can let the abbot know some otters made it here"
Lacota shakes his head. "We need all beasts alerted, Oz. They have wounded, I am sure. We need all able-bodied beasts at the ready."
A number of the group are keeping back from Lutea, the young are quite scared of everything, a few others are uneasy but by and large they seem to at least recognize her as an otter. Gaheris seems not to be bothered "Yeah, thank the spirits somethin' went right" he mutters back to the Taggerung, his eyes also on the trees until they're a safe distance behind. He raises a paw to greet the guards on the walls and hurries up a bit to reach the gates with most of the group and shouts out ahead "We've got injured and a lot 'f otters in need 'f sleep an' food. All quiet in the abbey?" they don't look under siege but he'd like to be sure.
Oz listens as the friar speaks. Whomever is on guard duty does go to help the otters inside as Oz speaks, "It is safe here, and I am sure the friar will be more than happy to cook up something to eat and provide some drinks, and healers can tend to any wounded. “They can also figure out a good place to put.... how many otters? Well a novice can count the otters he hopes and give who ever needs the info on just how many there is.
Leon had been walking in the open ground and now quickly goes over to the main entry, " What is all this? How many otters are there and who all is wounded?" He turns to his son Caleb who is with him "Get some of the healers please" His son nods and rushes off to do so.
Lutea keeps an eye out, eyeing the beasts inside as they are made more and more visible by the widening gates. "I'll 'elp them get th'injured t'the infirmary." She offers, frowning. These are peaceful beasts, not used to something of this... Scale. Permitted entrance, she steps inside with the others, hanging back at the gate to keep a firm view on the tail of their group - now amounting around thirty in numbers. Ensuring that they're all inside, she turns to the crowd gathering... A nice little welcome party. "Ahoy. Need more'n 'some'." She growls to Leon, pushing her way in with the rest and eyeing the healer mouse and the rest of the defenses they've been mounting. These aren't fighting beasts, and it shows.
Oz frowns, he can tell there is a good number of otters and some are dibbuns, "We may need some extra paws helping with the wounded seems like...." Any dibbuns that come over to him will be comforted and he will do his best to calm them.
Lacota goes into immediate action, barking orders to various novices. "Quick, rouse the abbey. Don't dawdle! We need EVERY able-bodied beast, pronto. Tell Angela there will be an influx of injured in the Infirmary. And get the upper dormitory prepared for refugees. Open windows, air it out! Get to it!" Contrary to appearances, Lacota does have experience with this kind of thing.
The injured make themselves known, the promise of safety, food, rest and healers has been on their mind a lot. Gaheris has a few deeper cuts and some burns himself but he makes no move to get a healer's attention, he's busy making sure the others get help "Remnants 'f Camp Willow" he gruffly answers Leon's first question "'ave any other otters turned up 'ere yet?"
Leon sighs "This is bigger than I thought Oz, not use to this many wounded and hurting at one time," He to Lacota curious, “Friar, you should get something prepared in the kitchens for them to eat, it’s hard to tell when they last ate." Some of the healers arrive as Leon speaks to whoever seems in charge "Me and my healers will do their best. There is two otters one named Jake and one named Raisa already in the infirm." He nods to a couple abbey Sisters as all order beasts know basic first aid and thy can tend to injuries less severe, he and the healers can tend to other injuries.
Oz speaks " I don't have to see to know how serious this is Brother Leon" He frowns " Any dibbuns can stay in the dibbun dorms with me, they will be safe trust me. I am Oz the dibbun caretaker here." But if a dibbun wants to stay closer to a fellow otter he will be ok with that, they have been through a lot as he has heard bits and pieces of what happen.
"Jake is still alive, then?" Lutea asks, gruffly. She was the one who brought him in, though. "Good t'hear." She nods, and steps back... Her duty was not one to the Camp as a resident, but to them as an ally. She is not among their wounded, she did not go through the hell that they endured, and as such is not in any hurry to be counted among their ranks - she is only there to help. "Gaheris." She growls, quietly, coming up alongside the other otter. "I'm 'ere, yeah? If y'need me. I'll fight with ye, y'need only call." She claps him on the arm and nods. "May th'currents be with ye." And she turns, moving to help the wounded to the infirmary.
Lacota yells to another novice, "And get those bells ringing! We need the entire Abbey roused. Hurry up!" Turning to Leon, he replies, "Already worked on, Lad. I had an inkling this was coming when the first two otters arrived. Rule number 1. Always be prepared, Leon. Now, somebeast to it that the rest of the Elders and Benar are informed what is happening.
The commotion has a tendency to draw a crowd, and Aden is no exception. The Shield was home, and comes scurrying from the Champion's Cottage at the first sound of trouble, arriving in time to see a tattooed otter hauling wounded away with the healers. "Oh thank goodness." She breathes out - this is a larger group than she expected. She had heard little more than 'they're all dead' for days, so while the numbers may be miniscule in comparison to the original count of residents... Well, thirty is better than two. The silver squirrel bounces into action. "Welcome!" She squeaks out, squeezing her way through the crowd. "Um, is there one of you in charge?" She looks from face to face, her heart sinking with each battered, defeated pair of eyes.
Leon calmly speaks "I do not think we need the whole abbey awake Lacota, and we can let Benar and some others know do calm down please." Is he getting a little mad? He shakes his head as the healers he is in charge of led some of the otters to the infirm, he knows Angela is there to help if needed. He goes to check to wound of an otter who trips and talks quietly with them as he tends to a wound, yes the walking infirmary basically as he has his surcoat of herbs and his pouch of bandages.
Oz holds a dibbun that does come to him and manages to calm them a little, after a few quiet words the otter dibbun has fallen asleep on in his arms.
The younger dibbuns of the group are mostly sticking really close to the adult otters of the group as everything is scary and they're sticking to those they know but Gaheris nods to Oz anyway "They've 'ad a few bad nights, give 'em some time t' know they're safe again an' I'm sure they'll be playin' with the others soon" He frowns at the news that there's still only two other otters arrived at the abbey but nods again. A return clap on the shoulder goes to Lutea though "Yeah, thanks" Aden's bouncy arrival earns an eyebrow raise but he raises a finger to the question of who's in charge "Tha'd be me...Unless the Skipper has been round." he was trying very hard not to ask about his mother.
Lacota shakes his head in disagreement. "Leon, I respectfully disagree." He sighs, looking out over the scared and wounded otters. "They need all the help we can provide, and they need shelter." The squirrel points upward. "We have an entire floor that we never even use. Where else can we realistically expect to house all these refugees?"
Benar makes his way to the large crowd and frowns as he steps forwards. “We do have an unused room on the top floor if needed. We also have some blankets and pillows, a good hot meal and drinks, and injured can be tended to. I welcome you to my Abbey, I am Abbot Benar."
Leon frowns "The couple otters that arrived earlier said the Skipper was dead. I do not know if that’s true or not, I am sorry."
"Why are you only just discussing this /now/?" Aden asks of Lacota and Leon, turning to them suddenly, with wide eyes. That seems like it should have been decided ages ago, and without quibbling. But who is she? To Gaheris, she dips her head, politely. "I'm so sorry for your loss. The Skipper -" But Leon seems to have that covered. "You have the deepest sympathies - and our full support. Our Champion has scouted the area out, we won't be standing idly by." With a deep breath, she steps away, allowing Benar room. "Father." She mutters, respectfully, as he passes. He can go over that, then.
Oz seems glad the abbot is here as well. For now he listens to see what is needed to be done.
"Benar, thank goodness. I'm afraid this situation is worse than expected." Lacota gestures to the refugees. "As for the upstairs dorm, I already sent some novices to get it ready as soon as possible." To Aden, he only half listens. "Sorry. You're correct, it should have been..." At any rate, the Friar starts to assist any injured or elderly otters up the steps into Great Hall.
Benar looks to Lacota. "Frair, would you please make sure there is something nice and hot for our guests please." A couple elders come up as well to help if needed. "We do have a lot of otters to get a meal to after all"
Gaheris closes his eyes for a moment. There went his last hope of his mother being alive. There's a fresh little ripple of despair from the other otters and Gaheris forces the feelings down, he can't do this right now when he has the others to worry about. A deep breath and he looks to the abbot "Father Abbot, thank y'for y' help as ever" he nods to Aden "I'll want t'speak t'ya champion, if he's got a plan I'd like t'hear 'f it."
Lacota nods. "Already on it. I've had the novices working night and day since the first otters arrived. Come, everybeast that is hungry. Cavern Hole is open. We have shrimp & hotroot stew."
Leon meanwhile helps one of the wounded otters, a smile to reassure them as he checks and bandages a wouund after applying the needed healing herbs. A novice healer tends to another otter to tried to walk to the infirm, the Master Healer nods for a novice to get some water.
Benar nods "We are always willing to help our friends in need."
Lee exits Great Hall and looks around, eyes wide. "Oy, it's worse 'n' I thought!" The otter is dumbfounded.
Oz takes the sleeping otter inside and any other dibbuns who want to follow him.
"I can't speak for the Champion, but I may be able to answer a few questions." Aden presses, gently, her ears splayed back as the grief hits Gaheris. Hesitatingly, a paw extends towards his shoulder. "I'm so sorry. If you would like to discuss this when things have... Cooled down a bit -" She waves over her shoulder towards the Cottage. "That is where you may find the Champion when he returns, and if you would like to come and take some time off your paws to discuss the affairs in the meantime, then our door is open."
Zinnia looks around as she heard all the voices and gasps, well it's a good thing she has not updated the abbey records just as she will need to add this to them.
Lacota is still assisting otters into the abbey, and directing them to Cavern Hole, then occasionally yelling at novices. "OPEN THE PANTRY, I SAID. These beasts are half starved. Give them ANYTHING they ask for." He sighs. "Zinnia, good afternoon. Good being a relative term. Could you help me with passing out food? Cavern Hole is becoming crowded."
Benar speaks quietly with one of the abbey Brothers and an Abbey Sister as well. He nods to the Badgerfather as the badger heads inside and sighs as he shakes his head sadly.
Leon says, "Some meals will need to be taken to the infirm as well Friar. Something simple is best and some water to drink would be good as well, or tea maybe for the otters in the infirm."
Zinnia walks up and nods "I can help Lacota. I would be glad to help.”
Lee leaps to action, helping refugees get settled. As he does, he asks around, "Oy... Is there any news of Hallow? Th' Skipper? Is she safe?"
An otter, Rasia walks into the area. She seems half glad and half concerned seeing all the otters. Some she knows and others she does not know as well. As she hears Lee in passing tears form "The Skipper is… is dead sir"
Lacota smiles wanly. "Thank you, Lass. If you happen see any idle novices, too, tell them I need all the able-pawed beasts I can find. These otters aren't going to feed themselves." He also nods at Leon. "Yes, we'll do so." The Friar then turns, and stands to his full height, raising his paws for attention. "Everybeast, listen! Novices will be coming around shortly with food. You may rest wherever you need, and I will see to it that everybeast gets a share."
Leon frowns, he is speaking to one of the novice healers "Well do your best, that’s all we can do." He looks concern that a couple of the wounded may get worse, or not make the night even due to injuries as he stands his paw and robe is blood stained some, even his tail is "Who do I let know how the wounded are doing?" He asks one of the otters close to him.
Gaheris watches the yelling and organizing of everything as the group of otters slowly break up heading for the infirmary and for food. As they tried not to stop for long for fear of being caught they'll probably be otters asleep everywhere soon whether the beds are ready or not. The paw on Gaheris' shoulder draws his attention back over to Aden again and he nods once more "I'll stop by when everyone's settled, if y'champion gets back before then find me" There's a little uncomfortable note from the remaining otters as the Skipper gets mentioned again, a few glances going to Gaheris. He's just glad someone else provides the news. Finally, one of the older otters in the group of survivors speaks up "The Skipper is dead" he gestures towards Gaheris "The Skipper lives. From father t'son like as always" or in this case with a little detour via Gaheris' mother.
Benar watches and listens helping as well, making sure the otters know where to go, he has asked a couple Abbey elders to help led the otters to a place to rest when needed, "Yes find some extra blankets that you Brother Ted." The abbot glaces back to Gaheris and nods "You are the Skipper then, is this correct?"
Zinnia nods to Lacota, she will help of course, she goes to hug Raisa who just sobs into the badger's robes. Well for now she will comfort the crying otter, then help serve some food.
Lee asks, "Dead?" The word is harsh. He's always hated it. Lee wasn't exactly close friends with Hallow, but he'd known her, respected her. She was the Skipper! "Ye... Ye 'ave me sincerest sympathy. She was a wise leader." He bows his head out of respect of her memory, then continues, "When I 'eard wot 'ad 'appened... I never dreamed it were this bad. 'Ow... 'Ow many..." the question dies on his lips."
Leon helps a wounded otter inside he was helping, a novice helps another one "I will be in the infirm if needed." It will be a while till he gets some rest it seems.
Lacota makes sure the novices pass out victuals in a timely manner. So many mouths to feed. It doesn't phase him in the least. "That's it, hurry up, now. Don't forget to pass around the tea, also. And while you're at it, pass out blankets. Chop, chop."
Aden dips her head towards Gaheris, shooting him another sympathetic look. "I'm sorry, again, for the loss you and your people have suffered, Skipper." The mass of preparations going on around them cannot be settling. "I will be getting out of your ways, now. If you need anything, please find me. My name is Aden, I, er, stay in the Cottage as well. The Abbey is here for you, please don't lose hope." The silver squirrelmaid backs out of the fray, tucking herself out of the way of the hustle and bustle as the Abbey rushes around the refugees.
It's like a little extra stab in the heart to remind Gaheris that his mother's dead. He swallows that line of thought down to be another thing to deal with later and focuses on the abbot "Aye. Just call me Skipper" from now until the day he dies his old name is practically irrelevant "We're glad f'the 'elp and we plan t'get the camp back before we out stay our welcome" though he knew such things were impossible in Redwall. For Lee's question on survivors he shakes his head "There might be more still in the woods or prisoners in camp...There's not many made it here yet" he gestures towards the abbey "I should go with the others, makes sure they're alright" He's running on fumes and several night’s worth of adrenaline himself. One more nod to Aden "We'll talk later" and he heads towards the abbey building itself.
Lee listens, and nods. "I should like to speak wi' ye tomorrow... Skipper..."
Zinnia helps lead the one otter maid inside, then she will help pass out meals and drinks.
Groups:
