A Rough Day For All
RW Abbey: Cavern Hole
This room is slightly smaller than Great Hall, but still of a size large enough to accomodate a great number of gathered beasts. A large fireplace is set into one of the walls, and there are a series of small tables and chairs near one end for beasts who are eating late, or simply prefer the smaller tables for their meals. Cushions and blankets have been set in one corner. A short flight of steps leads up to Great Hall, and along the walls of the stairs, going both ways, the word 'Redwall' has been carved into the stone.
Exits/Entrances:
[G]reat [H]all
[Ki]tchen
With:
Leon appears at the doorway and looks to see whom is in here, he walks slowly towards the other doorway.
DoraRose is still in the shadows. She sits in a chair there, deciding to observe and not engage at the moment.
Chud takes a seat as well and continues listening, no need to speak.
Benar seems to be having a rather heated discussion with the Friar now, the pair of them waving their paws about and gesturing, though they are keeping their voices pitched low at least.
Leon sees Benar and starts to walk up to him and stops deciding against it and heads towards the great hall instead.
DoraRose raises an eyebrow at the argument. How interesting. She waves at Leon, but stays quiet....for now.
Benar watches as the Friar turns and walks back into the kitchen and the Elder sighs and places a paw to his forehead and shakes his head, "I... really...." He slumps into a chair holding his head in his hands.
"s'matter, Benar?" Chud asks, concern on his young features as his gaze jerks abruptly to the grey squirrel.
Leon stops his walk towards the Great Hall and slowly goes over to Benar, "Benar?" he asks quietly.
Rowan walks back into the cavern hole with a sigh. "Too many tracks to follow, what did you learn Chud?"
DoraRose frowns, and stands to go over to the squirrel, but is interrupted by a Novice.
"Not much, they're still talking," Chud admits.
Benar looks up and sighs, "I am having a bad day that is all. Flicktail is injured, AGAIN, people are letting dibbuns out of the abbey again! The Friar is having a sulk because I won't give him control of the cellar over the Cellar hog and now the champion is out of action and there is another insane fox out in the woods! So yes... yes I am having a very bad day!"
Leon frowns, "I..tended to Flicktail’s injury the cut was deep but...but it should heal, the only others were Sunbreeze and Cera and they are both back in the abbey..." He frowns a little as if wandering whether to ask anything or not.
Rowan he blinks at Benar's anger filled reaction. "Well I hate to tell you this then, if I fight this fox theres no guarantee that I won't come back unharmed. I usually get hurt when I fight."
Chud jumps to his footpaws. "Hope yer day gets better, then. I'm off t'the Camp t' rustle up a few friends to give us a paw when the fighting starts." He sprints out the door.
DoraRose says VERY LOUDLY, "Are you kidding me?!" The Novice says something else, and the warrior mouse snaps, "Oh my--you've /got/ to be stinkin' kidding me!" she rushes out the door, the Novice hard on her heels, both heading towards where the Dibbuns are.
Benar sighs sadly, "And why did the gate guards let Cera leave the abbey! They should have refused! I am getting sick and tired of them just letting the dibbuns wander out. I shall be talking to Lorimis about this and he can discuss it with Flicktail when he is better." He sighs and slumps back in his chair and nods to Rowan, "I know Rowan, I don't have to like it however... I am a Brother of Redwall, I am dedicated to peace." He watches DoraRose leave and frowns and sighs, "Oh... for...."
Rowan sitting down in his chair he looks over at Benar. "I'm sorry mate I hate the killing too but if I don't do it who is? I hate seeing their faces as the life leaves them and seeing them in my dreams, They haunt me mate."
Leon frowns, "I..don't know, maybe she went out when Sunbreeze did she muttered about following her or something and think Orag was on duty...Benar?" He shakes his head "Never mind, not important"
Benar exclaims, "I don't care if she went out when Sunbreeze did! Whoever was on duty should have stopped them. Sunbreeze is an adult but she is a guest. Not a resident, not someone charged with caring for the dibbuns. Cera should never have been allowed outside!"
Leon frowns.
Benar he then drops back in his chair, "But... sorry I am getting all upset and.. I know Rowan and I respect you for being able to do it. I ... left it all behind me long ago."
Rowan rubs at his head fur thoughtfully. "I'm not sure why she went out but I haven't even had time to grieve for Drake, I didn't know him long and before I know it some fox takes him down."
Leon sighs, "Maybe...speak to Cera, don't know.." He frowns at the mention of Drake and sighs more, he looks down at his footpaws muttering..."F..failed..."He takes a deep breath.
Benar sighs softly and reaching out to touch Leon's arm, "You did all you could..."
Leon pulls away slightly, "Healers are..supposed to save not fail, w..what if I fail someone else." He is trying to not lose it in front of the elder.
Rowan places a large paw on the mouse's shoulder. "You didn't fail, if anyone did it was me for not being around when there was a dangerous beast on the road."
Benar says, "Oh Leon...", And snap, Benar is back, he stands up and folds Leon in his arm, "You are the best healer we have, you did not fail. You did all we could, all any healer could. But there are some wounds that cannot be healed. The fox is the one who failed and he shall be soundly chastised, come... sit down Leon..." Still trying to keep the brother wrapped in his habit, to comfort him he tries to guide him to sit down.
Leon allows himself to be led to a chair, he coughs a little to hold back any tears, "W..what if I failed Flicktail or..or worse..." Ok whats worse, least in his eyes, "D..Dorarose, she going to..to have..dibbun soon, w..what if she and it..dies?"
Rowan Sighs listening to Leon. "You have a job that's on par with mine, We both try to save lives and lives will always be lost, we just have to do what we can."
Benar slides a drink into Leon's hand, "You will not fail DoraRose or your little one Leon, you will not, Martin's spirit is here, he will guide your hands I promise."
Leon takes a couple deep breaths before he speaks he takes a small drink, "I..you sure?" It’s clear he is worried and it would seem he experienced his first loss or least first one trying to save, but couldnt.
Benar smiles at Leon and nods his head, "I am sure Leon... I am here thanks to you, Flicktail is here as well thanks to you. Sometimes a wound is too grievous to survive. But Dora will be giving birth and all will be well."
Rowan lets the two speak while he keeps silent for a bit. "You are both lucky to live a life of peace like this, many beasts would be wanting one equal to it."
Leon nods slowly and wipes away a threating tear, "He..I found him leaning against a tree s..said he was hurt like..hours ago" He sniffs." I..tended to him or tried to, he said to..s..save my herbs, but I wanted to help, stopped one bleeding area but then he was quiet and...I tried to wake him and do something to..but he was gone..Drake was" He adds the last part softly just in case they didn’t know of whom he spoke. "A..And then Flicktail was injured and..and I yelled at him and t..told him to just be quiet and let me work so..so he wouldn’t die too, I was afraid it w..would happen again..I..I didn’t mean to yell or..or be so, so upset as I made sure Flicktail was tended to, even woke in middle of the night to..to see if he was breathing and he was of..of course"
Benar wraps his arms about Leon's shoulders, "It is ok, you tried, you did what you could... it was too late by the time you reached Drake... did... did he at least get to see Sunbreeze before .... "
Leon frowns "No and he..he said he said.." He gets himself together a short while" Tell her love her, I said who..he said Sunbreeze and I didn’t..didn’t give her the message f..forgot was upset and..." And he breaks down sobbing against Benar, probably getting some stress and tension off, which is good and very much needed.
Rowan gulps down a bit as he looks at them. "I have to admit I've never seen an otter fall, um what do otters do when they die? This is one of those things I never learned as a slave."
Benar holds Leon, giving him what comfort he can with his presence, "We can still tell her Leon, do not worry... she is still here we can pass the message on." He looks over at Rowan, "They hold a wake... a celebration of the departed life normally."
Rowan he gives a solemn nod before heading outside
Leon after a while calms and wipes his eyes.
Benar smiles at Leon, "It will be ok, you will see Leon.... you did all you could... we shall hold a memorial for Drake too."
Leon nods "Alright..and I will try to not worry on failing anyone just, just don’t want to disappoint anyone"
Benar says, "You will not Leon, you will never do that as long as you try your hardest."
Leon is listening and nods again slowly "Thanks for listening and, I always try my hardest and maybe even work too hard or long at times" He adds after a short while "Think it will be ok if I take a couple days off, away from the infirm and..the others can tend to Flicktail and make sure he stays in bed and lets the shoulder heal"
Benar says, "I know you try your hardest Leon, you do a very good job. And yes take a few days off, spend them with Dora, relax..."
Leon smiles "I..I will and besides...the dibbun is to be born soon, very soon, so will need to be there for her and may even have her stay near infirm if needed"
Benar says, "I am sure you will be there and everything will go as planned Leon."
Leon gives, if allowed, a hug, "Thanks Benar, this talked and..getting my feelings and worries out helped a lot"
Benar says, "You are welcome Leon, it is why I am here, to help look after everyone."
Leon nods as he stands "I will be home in my cottage, and only if its life theatenly important do I want disturbed" He then goes to his home.
Benar waves to Leon as he leaves and leans back in his chair, looking deep into the fire place...
