A Warning to Friends

Aikuen, Riverdale, Kentar

Location: Moledeep: The Mole Hall

Aikuen is sitting at the big table in the center of hall. Eating his lunch. Seems to be a fishy sandwich of some sort. One of Aik's daughters is with him. Venei by the looks of it. She is also eating a sandwich (just much smaller, then her fathers). Aikuen winks at her as he goes back to eating. Venei just bounce up and down singing a small tune in between bites.

Gusting wind whistles down the entrance tunnel for a moment, followed soon after by the soft rapping of somebeasts paws upon the ground and by the irregular click of a wooden cane. Presently, an elderly fellow hobbles into the hall and shakes himself. A tattered green traveling cloak is pulled around his thin shoulders and a hood conceals his face. Only the rather balding tail indicates that he's a squirrel.

Aikuen takes a big bite of his noms before he feels the pressure change and the whistling. He places the food of the table before looking toward the tunnel, mumbling to Venei, "Go to your mum... Okay?" "...Okay... daddy..." Venei puts her sandwich down quickly before hopping off the chair and running into the sleeping hall. Aikuen looks toward the tunnel intently awaiting for the beast to show. His head goes slightly back at what he sees. Something in his mind clicks. But no real connection yet, "Ummm... Hello?" he stands from the table and walk toward the beast slowly, "May, i help you?" he asks.

Riverdale pulls back the hood and shivers, acclimating to the warmer air inside. "Hello, lad," he smiles warmly and looks with kind nostalgia, through slightly foggy-lensed spectacles, at his ol friend. "Was, ah..." He motions in the direction that Verei fled. "That your daughter? I, ah, while I was at the Abbey, I heard that you... Still, to see it with my own eyes... ah, Aikuen, a father!" His speech is a jumble of half-finished clauses, but his eyes still twinkle with youth. "Oh," he says regarding the otter. "It is good to see you, lad."

When the squirrel removes his hood. The otters mouth drops to the floor. As he brain finally make the connection. To bad it made him lose his speaking abilities, "Eh.. Wha the... its... Its...itsitsits" he smiles softly finally and grabs the old squirrel in an otter sized hug, "Holy crap! It is you! Riverdale!!! My ole matey!" he lets the squirrel finally and nods toward the sleeping hall still with smile streaked across his face, "Oh ayeaye! That was my youngest!" He looks and calls toward the sleeping hall, "OI! Venei!" She peaks her head round the corner after a minute or so, "Dad?" "Venei! Come here and say hello to my old friend!" still grinning up a storm. Venei slightly walks up to the squirrel. She is about 3 seasons old. Has long yellow hair and fur. But other then that looks only similar to Aik. More of her mothers side. Aik is still grinning from ear to ear, "OH Its good to see you to Riv!. I haven't seen you in seasons! No. Ages!"

Riverdale takes a moment to catch his breath, which the overzealous Aikuen squeezed from him. "Ah," he says, after a bit of gasping. "My, you're a pretty one," he wrinkles his nose. "Venei's your name? Well, ah... Well met, little dear. I'm, ah, Riverdale. Or... um, 'Riv'." He winks. The happy look fades as he turns his attention to his friend, fading into a rather somber expression. "Lad, we, ah. We need to talk. I'm afraid... I'm afraid this is not a, ah, social visit."

Venei looks up at the old squirrel. Paws behind her back as she politely says, "Ello Mista Riversdales..." she smiles a bit as her rudder swishes from left to right. Aik motions the squirrel for the table, his face also changing. Oh no. This doesn't sound good. Aikuen looks toward his youngest. She should probably not hear it. Whatever it is. "Venei. Go and get your sandwich and share it with you sister... Alright?" Venei frowns. But nods grabbing the sandwich and heading off back into the sleeping hall. Aikuen sits at the head of the table, "What. What is it Riv? What happened?" he assumes.

Riverdale raises a paw to wave to the departing dibbun. "I... remember my daughter..." rasps the old squirrel, his voice thick. "But," he steels himself, "must not, ah, must stick to the purpose." Riverdale slowly takes a place at the table, setting aside his cane and folding his arms before him. "Lad... I am terribly sorry I haven't visited before. I... that is, my inn, it's not so very far from here." He pauses, lips pursed. "Indeed, that's why I came to you about this..."

Aikuen watches Venei leave, "They are my little angels..." he sighs before looking back at his old friend, "Your inn? Umm... Sagebrush? Right?" he shoots in the dark, "I think i saw it once before..." he shrugs before saying, "Its alright mate. Ive been busy myself and all that. Now. What is it want to discuss with me? Sounds like something big... And can i offer you something to drink as well?" he asks placing his paws in front of himself.

Riverdale presses his fingers together, hesitating. "Ah... Well, a spot of fresh cordial would suit me... Ah... If you have it." He fidgets in his chair. "I..." he makes a few attempts at starting. "My... There've been some... strange folks at the inn of late, lad. I'm not, ah, one to judge, of course. But. Rough folks, you know. I lost my bouncer lately, and it's been... tough to keep order." He scratches at the tabletop.

Aikuen nods and thinks about it, "We don't make Cordial here. So any we do have is... well..." He chuckles lightly, "Its probably a lot stronger now. If you know what i mean..." he then tilts his head, "Rough Folks? Like... Verminy types?" He then narrows his eyes, "Oh aye. Perhaps you might need to get another one then..." he hrms loudly.

Riverdale frowns and tugs at his lip. "Well, we always got, ah... 'vermin', as you say. As long as they paid, lad, well... their doings were their concern and, ah, well. None of mine." He squints at Aikuen. "Oh, I must sound terribly business-like, I know..." He sighs. "Any road, lad, there's... something more to it, I'm afraid. There's been a fellow about... a fox... I don't remember his name. He's been rounding them up, organizing them." He swallows heavily. "Lad, I think he's building an army."

Aikuen pulls at his chin. Looking down at the table, "A fox?" he blinks. Well it cant be the one he is thinking about. Riverdale would know for sure. He then looks back up, "Bu...Building an Army?" he blinks heavily, as if confused, "Like. Army... Army. Not just unorganized trash with spears right? Army army?" he gulps and rubs his eyes, "Thats... Just... swell..." he grunts and looks to the ceiling for comfort.

"An army? Oh great, just what we need now." Kentar says as he comes into the room, sighing to himself as he shakes his head. "A war at home, and now on the verge of one here? I guess there really aren't many good beasts anymore." he frowns. "Hey Riverdale...long time no see."

Riverdale scrutinizes Kentar thoroughly before greeting him. "Lad, I barely recognized you!" The leavened mood quickly deflates again as the old squirrel nods grimly. "And aye, looks like war's brewing... The army, ah... can't say how organized it is, but... I think they've got a target in mind. And they're, ah... Well, they seem to be growing fast."

Aikuen nods a greeting to the stoat as he enters, "Hello Matey. Riverdale came to visit. But not just for fun..." he hrms and then looks back at the squirrel, "Thats just..." he curses quietly, "...What. What is there target then?" he asks.

Kentar sighs and nods slowly as he sits down. "At least Anba thinks we're dead." he says, assuming the army is that fox's doing. "We're safe here." he hums then looks to Aik. "So I guessed." he nods before turning his head back to Riverdale. "Yeah. What's the target?" he asks. "Hopefully they're just making some little club where they all make friends or something." he shrugs.

"I think not, Kentar. This, ah, fellow's been training them. Whipping them into shape, boozing them up." Riverdale shakes his head slowly. "And it's not Anba. I'd know." His jaw clenches. "I just... I wish I knew what they're up to. I have this... deep dread that it'll the Abbey but I haven't heard anybeast mention it." He rests his head on his folded arms.

Aikuen looks back at the squirrel again, "Wait? You think they are going to go after the abbey?" he scoffs, "Don't they read mossflower history?" he sighs, "Maybe its just a whim. But you are usually right Riv. Ever since i have known you... You are always right about these things" he looks back down.

Kentar sighs and shakes his head. "They're going to fail if they go after Redwall. I don't think anything could ever take over that place...never the less..." he looks to Aik. "Remind me to tell Amy she's coming with us on the trip after all." he nods and shakes his head.

Riverdale nods into his arms, "I suppose you're right, lads. They haven't a chance... If that is their target. I... I still worry, though. And, they're in my inn. I, ah. I feel somehow responsible." His eyes widen. "They wouldn't come here, now, would they?"

Aikuen nods, "Oh aye. As much as they abbey is weak. Though always come around again." he nods at Kentar, "Fine. But then you get to argue with Will" he hrms, "Its not your fault Riv. But if you DO hear something about it. Go tell the Camp immediately..."

Kentar hums. "Well, if they do, the outlying area is still trapped. I never took the traps down since the red cloaked beasts came after us a season or two back." He nods. "If they did come, the first group wouldn't make it this far." he thinks. "The second group on the other hand..." he hums. "That is if the traps still work." he thinks and then nods at Aik. "Not your fault at all. Never was." he nods. "And you're more then welcome to stay here if you think its safer. We've got some escape tunnels around here that William dug." he smiles. "He's a molerat!" he laughs.

"Well," chuckles the old squirrel in response to Aikuen's suggestion, "I'm a bit less, ah, nimble than I was. I can still get about in the inn, of course, but ah. The Camp... now where is that...? Well, any road, the reason I came to you was that I didn't have to come too far. Even then, it took the breath out of me." He starts to rise, but his feeble limbs are uncompliant. "And perhaps, ah," he gasps, "Perhaps I'd better take you up on your offer of shelter, Kentar, leastways for the time being. Will. How is he? Still about?"

Aikuen says, "We are safe as we can be. We took every precaution that we could have thought of..." He then gets up when the squirrel tires to get up, "Ummm... Maybe ill get something to grease your limbs and fill your belly..." he bows slightly before heading into the kitchen. Still lost about this news.

Kentar watches the old squirrel try to move and then goes to help before he sits back down. "You're more then welcome to stay as long as you want." he nods and then hums. "Will is doing good. He's just as silly as ever. And married now, too." he smiles a little. "Oh! Before I forget. In a couple of days, we're heading out for a trip." he says. "We wont be here but you, and anyone you're sure that will need a safe place to stay, can stay here. I don't know how long we'll be gone." he hums.

Riverdale absorbs the news calmly. "Oh, I expect I'll be out of your fur by then. I do have my inn to keep me busy, after all. It's named for my grandfather, you know." He seems about to continue, but then he just smiles and changes the subject. "You lads have certainly made a, ah, cozy home for yourself. A bit..." he grapples for the word, settling on "underground for my tastes, ah, but... But, hmm. How might I reach you, if I have any more news?" He watches Aikuen go to the kitchen, "Yes," he calls as the otter leaves, "That would suit me nicely."

Kentar blinks a little bit. "How should you reach us..." he thinks for a few moments. "Sparrow?" he asks. "I can understand them pretty well..." no, he can't but that won't stop him from thinking it. "Yeah. Sparrow. That should work." he nods. "Or some sort of messenger bird."

Aikuen comes shortly back with a basket of stewed scones and a jug of something red, "I couldn't find any good cordial. But im sure this will be alright..." he places the lot on the table with a glass hidden in the basket, "How to reach us? Umm. Sparrow, or bird. aye. We will be on the seas for almost a season. So that would be best, yes." Sitting back down.

Riverdale blinks. "On the seas?" He samples one of the scones, and his eyelids close involuntarily. "Mm, quite nice. Ah," he notes the jug. "Is that, ah, tomato juice?" He extracts the glass and pours some with a hint of trepidation. "But, ah, you were saying... on the seas? I didn't know you were sailors."

Aikuen chuckles, "Ah. No. Its not tomato juice... Wait.." he looks at it and smells it, just to make sure "No. its not tomato juice. Just a bit of fermented berry juice... So, wine!" he snorts and nods with a grin, "Most of us are. Kinda. I was stationed on ship in my younger years. And young Kentar used to be a captain!" he points at the stoat who has stuffed his face with a scone.

Riverdale draws a healthy sip from his berry wine. "Not bad. I, ah," he lifts a fresh scone, "I suppose we never talked much about the past, did we. It was always... Always me and my silly quests." His features take on a cast of sadness that lingers while he chews.

Aikuen picks up his long forgotten sandwich, "No we didn't. Back when i first met you. I was still new in this land. And. I never liked talking about my past. Even. To myself. But ive grown to... accept my past." he reaches over and pats the squirrel with his sandwich, saying through a mouthful, "...Your quests were for a reason. Never let it beat you up" Thinking about the quest he took with him... So long ago.

Kentar swallows down the scone and chuckles. "I'm not as young as I used to be." he nods slowly. "Almost fifteen seasons now." he thinks for a few moments. "But yeah. A captain, a soldier...a father!" he laughs a little bit and hums. "What sort of quests?" he asks.

"I'm sure Aik can tell you about our, ah. Our terrible little quest." Riverdale brushes a few sandwich crumbs off his shoulder. "Didn't get far, did we, lad?"

Aikuen hrms and shakes his head, "We only got about a half a day march south from here. Before... We first ran into Anba... Or has he called himself. Val... First time i ever saw him..." he hrms, "We were following a map that Riv had shown me. After discovering that to look at the map. You look at it crosswise. We were on our way. But then the fox occurred. Brought it to a screeching halt..." he hrms, "I still never forget what happed to Ekho." he sighs heavily and looks away.

Riverdale closes his eyes as if to dam them up. "Ay." He pauses for a long while. "Kentar, though, you helped me say goodbye to her. I... I thank you for that, lad."

Kentar hums and ohs a little as he gulps down a scone. "Oh. Uh. Your welcome Riverdale." he sighs a little. "I'm sorry I asked." he nods, sitting back slowly, shaking his head. "That fox will pay for everything he's done soon enough..." he mutters quietly.

Aikuen taps the table, "He will...He better. I will sleep better when i see his head shoved onto a pike!" he grunts out, "But that was almost... six seasons ago... Still remember it vividly." he shakes his head.

Riverdale bites his lip solemnly. "Rather disheartening that he's still out there... I'm just, ah, glad I haven't seen him again." Riverdale polishes off another scone and pours himself a more generous dose of the wine. "I suppose this is why we don't talk much about the past. Here I am, among friends, with good food... shelter... And all we can talk about is... time long gone, beasts that have, ah... gone to their rest."

Kentar nods and hums. "We've seen him. Many times." He frowns. "Almost killed me on four different occasions." he frowns and then smiles. "Yeah...lets talk about something else." he hums. "Uh. What will we talk about?" he laughs a little.

Aikuen finishes his sandwich, "How about... Have you met Chris? And im sure you haven't met Ella yet. Or... How about my wife? Or Kentars wife!? Those are good topics!" he grins and chuckles.

Riverdale leans back and loosens his vest. "Those sound indeed like good topics." He cradles his wine glass in an outstretched paw. "The future. That's what the past is for anyway, I suppose. Not bad, this wine," he says after another draw. "Ah. Gets better." Despite his cheerier tone, his brow now and again reverts to its wrinkle of doubt. "Mm," he mumbles as if in reverie.

"Yeah. They are better topics!" The stoat smiles. "I got married since we met last, River!" he nods. "And have a son!" he fails to mention the other son that went off to war. "You should meet them some time." he smiles.

Aikuen chuckles, "Aye! And i had two daughters. Twins actually. Venei you already met, and Ella. Both looks like little versions. Of my lovely wife. Fira. Have you met her yet?" Not quite sure of it really, "There... Somewhere around here..." he laughs, "How about you Riv? you said you have an Inn. What made you decide that you wanted to be a inn keeper?"

Kentar hums a little and laughs. "You think they look like, Fi?" he shakes his head. "They look more like silly little mud puddles with legs!" he laughs with a smile. "Sometimes anyways." the stoat nods.

Riverdale replaces his glass on the table and shifts a bit in his seat. "Fira? No, no, we've never met. I... as I said, I did hear of your marriage, but I'm afraid I've never had the pleasure... And the inn. That's rather a long story, lad."

Aikuen snorts and laughs loudly at Kentar, "Yah! Exactly! They look just like Fi! walking mud puddles they are!" he grins and chuckles back at Riverdale, "Ah well. Before you go. You better meet her. Ive told her alot about you" he looks to Kentar then back, "Ive finished my chores for the day. So im free." he smiles.

Kentar laughs and smiles as he sits back into his seat again, nodding. "Yeah. Pretty much!" he hums and then tilts his head. "So?" he asks with a smirk. "I've been done mine all day." in truth, he didn't do them. Neither did Garnet.

Riverdale's eyelids droop. "Chores, eh? Sounds tiring about now. But... ah... Where were we? Oh! Yes, ah, I'd love to meet your families. See what's kept you lads so busy of late. Too busy to visit even for an ale!"

Aikuen laughs, "Well good Kentar! Glad to see your on top of chores today... For once." he grins evilly, "Anywho. We keep busy by maintaining the tunnel. Then going on trips! Oh! We love trips! The ship thing for example" he then snorts, "If i knew you owed the inn. I would have stopped by!"

Kentar chuckles. "Lots of trips!" he chuckles. "We just finished camping a little while ago." he nods. "It was fun." he chuckles and hums a little. "Which inn do you own, River?" he asks, tilting his head.

Riverdale yawns, lifting a paw to cover his mouth. "You speak the truth, lad. I suppose I didn't know myself that I had an inn, until... well, until rather recently. It's the Sagebrush Inn. Sagebrush was my grandfather's name. I... I can still remember him, if I, ah, if the moment's right, and if I try hard enough." He rubs his cheek. "Been a long while, though."

Aikuen chuckles, "I've seen the inn once or twice. But had no idea it was yours or your family's!" he then nods slowly, "You are much older than me. That must have been ages ago. And you can still remember him. That's amazing."

Riverdale laughs. "I suppose I should be thankful my memories haven't fled me. But. Ah, well, he made rather an impression on me, my grandfather." His laughing mouth bends into a frown. "He was... rather ill. When he came back, I mean."

"Your lucky. Im already forgetting things! Just little things. But still!" Aik laughs then looks concerned, "Ill? Sorry to hear that. Is that how he d-..." he clears his throat, "Ummm... What did he have?"

"Ill of mind, Aik," replies Riverdale gently. "He... I suppose he had seen some terrible things. He lost his mind, went wandering the wilds." The old squirrel nods. "I did the same, for a spell. I was lucky to find the Abbey, to find peace of mind within its walls." He becomes agitated again. "Oh, I do hope those, ah, those brutes don't try to destroy it, or loot it. Or. Whatever their plans might be. The one place where a wandering beast might find... relief."

Aikuen nods slowly to the old ones story of his grandfather, "I see. And i never knew. I was told that you were... excentric from time to time. Though i didn't know that." he hrms, "Loot it. If i had to guess. There is a good bit of pricey things at the abbey. At least what i saw..." he smiles softly, "I'm glad the abbey did help you. And me... If not. I wouldnt be here talking to you. In a tunnel with my family and friends." grin grin.

"Oh, yes, my lad. I endured many a season. I managed never to see a soul... never a living soul, leastways." Riverdale's eyes cloud a bit with the reminiscence. "Many strange things, though. You know," he bites his lip, "I, ah... I thought for the longest time that I had... passed. That I was dead. Wasn't till I came to Redwall, met my little friend, that I felt... whole again. Or. More than half, any road."

Aikuen pushes the squirrel lightly, "Well Im glad. Thinking that your half dead or worse. Thats... kinda a bad thing." he nods slowly again, "She built you right up again didnt she?" he smiles a bit, "Good for that too. You have had... A very interesting life Riv. To say the least. But sides from a few big setbacks... How is life treating you?"

Riverdale brightens. "Oh, I do quite, ah, relish running the inn. It can be quite... invigorating work. Keeps me on my toes, you know. Ah, and of course, I meet all manner of interesting beasts. Some of them, ah, not my, er, hotroot soup, but... nevertheless." He grins. "Interesting."

Aikuen smiles, "I bet it does. I hope you have room for 4 Plus otters within the coming season! We might just step by and say, YO!" he laughs and then his ears shoot straight up in the air, "HOTROOT??!?!?" he grins wildly, "Did i just hear those wonderful words from you mouth!" His rudder twitches. Yep. He is an otter.

"Oh!" Riverdale exclaims suddenly, "My chef, Rogue, ah, he's quite terrific you know, an old seafaring otter... I hear he makes a mean hotroot soup." The old fellow winces, his tongue protruding slightly. "Can't bear it, myself, but, ah, I'm sure he'd happily whip some up when you come by. And, yes, there's plenty of room. Ah, a bit full up at the moment, but... well, we can always make room."

Aikuen claps his paws together, "Oh! Thats even more reason for us to visit! We love us a good drop of the ole hotstuff!" he chuckles, "Make alot of room. Fira is as tall as me. And our kids are not little. So we take up ALOT of room! We otters are like that!" he snorts, "And... I, personally, Will make you have a nice big steaming bowl of the soup!" he grins, and laughs evilly.

Riverdale grimaces. "Just as long as it's mild-root soup. I've, ah, got to work my way up to the, ah, concoction you folks seem to love." He yawns mightily and shifts again in his chair.

Aikuen licks his chops, "Boy howdy. I can almost smell it now!" he grins, "Oh come on oldtimer! Live a little! Burn your tongue off! Its not like there is anything tastier than the hottest, Shrimp and hotroot soup... So much with the stuff. Its thick to the bowl!" he laughs heartily before noticing the yawn, "Hey. Would you like me to show you to your room? I mean. If you wish to take a nap or something"

Riverdale bobs his head in sleepy agreement. "I... yes, I think that would be for the best, lad. Don't mean to be rude, but I think I might just nod off any moment."

Aikuen snorts, "Your not being rude. Face it. I was hitting you with my sandwich an hour ago. Now that's rude!" he grins before getting up and heading over, to help him up if needed, "And i will be a good elder and show you to your room. We have a nice space for guests. Laid out in the sleeping hall. Hopefully the kids wont bother you too much... if they find you" More evil grinning.

Riverdale rises with a grown and a quiet burp. "Sleeping hall? You seem to have it all. Enjoy this time, lad," he says seriously, then takes his cane into paw.

Aikuen smiles and nods, "I cherish every minute of it mate." he helps the squirrel toward the hall in the back. Taking it nice and slow, "Its our little home in the ground... Dinner is in a few hours. Ill come get you if you wish to partake. Knowing Garnet, our cook, Its something vegitabley..." he sticks out his tongue a bit.

Riverdale chuckles as he heads to his nap. "Ay, lad. That'll suit me just fine."