Bandit Unknowly Helping the Enemy
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 do just about anything, or make any excuse to be outside, eager to watch as spring colors emerge in scraggly clumps.
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
Safana watches the badger closer from where she is by the path to the pond.
Walking along the entry way from the direction of the pond a very plump brown fox shuffles along with his paws in his pockets, head slumped forward. He has a lot to mull over. While the abbey hasn't outright accepted the cats claim that he is a murder, beasts tend to avoid the fox this morning. Their conversations stop as he approaches and they generally find excuses not to be around him. The fox sighs as he walks.
Zinnia looks up at the fox and frowns a little, she is unsure of him and it shows.
Safana speaks "You should be weary of that one indeed" She steps closer slowly as she walk to the badger.
Bandit hasn't seen the badger or the cat quite yet. He is still trying to process the events of yesterday. Why would Safana do that? Surely no one suspects he could ever harm a dibbun? Right? The fox drifts closer and closer to the steps of leading up to the walls. Maybe the view will clear his head, he hopes. Still, Bandit can’t fully deny what he said and that stings the most.
Zinnia frowns "What?" She seems the fox and makes a fist and backs up a little as she stands, a little unsafe seeing as its stairs.
Safana smiles a little coldly, she is starting to like this evil stuff more and more, “See he comes now and he knows Aster"
With one paw on the stairs Bandit finely looks up. His mouth opens in shock, as if he is trying to blurt out a thousand questions at once. Then his anger returns and he quickly turns away.
Zinnia frowns and glares "You..You know Aster, h..how? If your trying to hurt me get away I am NOT going back never!"
Safana chuckles and looks at the fox "Ello foxy, nice day?"
Still facing away from the pair of beasts Bandit snaps his head around, "What? No! I mean I met her once but..." Once again words seem to fail the fox. How does Wilks do it? Unable to come up with the appropriate response Bandit falls back on the tried and true method of shouting. "Stay away from me you crazy cat!"
Zinnia backs away quickly, she doesn’t know what to believe, she looks at a rock but it’s the abbey she couldn’t throw it, she looks at the gates, she could just leave, but then is it unwise to.
Safana smirks "What I simply told the truth, I am not crazy you are and look you have anger issues also, how sad..why were you heading to the steps where the badger is...looking for slaves?" She smiles at an idea in her mind.
The fox's blood is beginning to boil. Taking a step closer towards the two he growls dangerously, "I've met pirates with more honor than you 'cat'." Bandit is at a loss as what to do also. It is so much easier when they come at you with blades, at least you could defend yourself then. But with words? It would be a pretty poor excuse to twist a beast into a pretzel simply because they hurt your feelings. There was a time though that was all the excuse he needed to do so... "You're getting on my nerves Safana. Leave me alone or..." The fox stops to swallow the rest of what he was going to say.
Zinnia decides maybe the abbey not the best place to be and quickly decides on a walk..on the road.
Safana walks closer to him "Or you will what..attack? You attack abbey beasts and their allies for no reason, yet another reason to stay clear of you and look you made the badger leave..for shame" She chuckles, "I am SO enjoying this"
Bandit narrows his eyes, his ears fall flat against his head and his snout distorts into a snarl. “There was a time Safana... Just be thankful I'm not the beast I was." The fox turns and walks down the steps. The badger has a good idea in the fox's opinion. A walk sounds good right about now.
Safana chuckles, "Whatever you say..your words were said and you can’t lie and your day will only become worse and soon they won’t trust you at all"
Bandit does his best to ignore the cat. Walking out through the gate he has the sinking feeling that Safana might be right...
Safana smirks, no one is around as they all went in to do chores and eat and the cat seems to be liking this, yes let them focus on the fat fox, not her.
--This 2nd part happens on the dirt road close to the abbey, involved is Zinnia, Aster, Bandit, spoofed rats, spoofed ferret and two spoofed squirrels maybe an hour after Safana and bandit chat---
Zinnia is walking along the dirt road, not too far from the abbey and not really paying too much attention to where she is going or who is outside.
Unseen is a group of rats, about 4 maybe and they watch for travelers along the path.
The pudgy fox isn’t too far behind. Bandit has stopped off to the side of the road to take his frustrations out on an unsuspecting bush. "Rasslefrazzle stupid cat frazzin bleedin bazes!" Bandit of course is not saying something so silly but it’s best not to repeat the words he has actually chosen to use.
Aster is also out and walks over to Bandit "Well if it isn’t the fox who owes me a little favor, maybe that favor time is now" Not far from the speaking cat is the badger maid who sits under a tree and sighs, above her a squirrel climbs down, a maid of maybe about 9 seasons and the two start talking, maybe to cheer up the badger.
The group of rats stay close, they follow orders from Aster mainly but do look at the two woodlanders nearby, the badger and squirrel.
Bandit experiences a lot of emotions in the next few moments. First, shock that the cat appeared so close to him without him noticing. Further anger, since there is indeed the possibility she took Lee's daughter. He has the mind to maul Aster with his bare paws. Bandit did not survive this long however by simply reacting to situations that pop up around him. Taking a very deep breath to calm himself the pudgy fox replies, "Bleedin blazes! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" somewhat true actually. The fox continues. "What do YOU want?"
Aster frowns "I am so sorry see, I have been thinking, there is reports of slavers around and I don't want blamed see I dislike them," Partway true as she does dislike Nightfur and she knows he probably don’t like her, "So.." She points to the badger and squirrel, "You could help me get them to a safer place, I know of one where they won’t be found." Well found by the good guys but she doesn’t say that, "Well..help me?"
The rats don’t do much, they are a little closer to the badger and squirrel now, they also know of the trick that’s in play, two of them head on up the road, the other two..closer to the woodlanders.
The fox starts cackling with laughter. He shakes his head and wipes a tear from his eyes. "Wow. That was a good one. Keep them safe? You? Miss 'I hate woodlanders so much I am going to randomly shoot them?" The fox is about to tell the cat she can march the beasts down to Redwall if she wants to prove her 'good intentions' then an idea strikes. What if Aster did take Starlight? If he blows the cat off he might stomp on their one and only lead to finding the dibbun. "Where did you have in mind?.
Aster says "Well I didn’t say shoot them did I no well.." She thinks for a while not sure how to go about this, "Just tell them of the dangers out here and make sure they stay and listen" This well the fox could help her unknowingly and maybe look bad for it hopefully.
Zinnia meanwhile seems to feel better now as her and the squirrel chat, not seeing anyone nearby
The rats stay close, waiting for orders.
Bandit nods to the cat. It's been so long since the fox played a spy for Redwall. The thrill of the chase, knowing that the slightest slip up will tip your hand...it’s a sober reminder as well. "Wait right here, I'll be right back." The fox says to Aster as he goes walking down the road, rubbing his paws together. This is going to be interesting.
Aster smirks as she watches him, the rats are given a single of a tail wag, and she waits for now walking closer herself.
The rats head off, slowly blocking different sides and making sure the fox stays where he is and they where they are.
Zinnia looks up as she sees the fox and frowns, the squirrel maid also tenses, "Why is a fox coming near us?" The badger maid glares and looks ready to throw a rock if needed.
Safana had slipped out herself but stays hidden and only watches the action for now not looking to help either side right now.
Said fox is thinking about how to approach this. He isn’t enough of a jerk to endanger innocent beasts in his schemes but he can't just shout 'run for the hills' either. The fox waves to the beasts as he approaches. He can't quite recall either of their names so instead he begins with. "Hello again fair badger. We...need to talk."
Aster gets a little closer and nods to the rats to circle around as she smirks to herself and waits for the right moment.
Zinnia frowns "Your..you’re the fox I was told was dangerous, talk about what?"
The rats get a little closer and wait for the go single from their boss
Safana watches and smiles coldly, she has a plan and tells a rat that walked over it and pushes him aside to go elsewhere.
Bandit rubs the back of his neck. "Yeah, about that. Listen, I don't have long to explain, only that right now you need to trust me that you are all in danger." While true Bandit wouldn't trust him either under these circumstances.
Aster grins, she nods and the rats go to try and grab the squirrel maid and Badger, the squirrel maid eeeps and of course goes to bolt and the cat laughs and now comes the not so good part for Bandit, “Good job we tricked them now don’t let them run away!" Yeah this don’t look good for Bandit at all.
Zinnia eyes go wide and she kicks a rat and glares at Badit "Lier!" She manages to get loose and goes to try and shove Bandit aside to run back towards the abbey.
The rats attack and chase the squirrel maid who has found her brother, sadly both are grabbed in quick fashion and paws clapped over mouths to lessen shouts, the rats join in the fun,"Yeah thanks sir fox we..are lucky your on our side."
Safana slides out, she stabs a rat and whispers to it before it dies "So..sorry.." She looks at the badger "This way I will help you, quickly!"
Lots of things happen in the next few moments for Bandit. He knew this part was coming and was hoping to have more time. He is about to rush to the aid of the squirrels when Zinnia shoves him to the ground. Before he can react the badger is running off for the abbey. Smart girl. He doesn’t have a chance to see the rat die behind him, the fox is too focused on the rats before him. If he acts quick enough...Bandit picks himself up and tries to attack one of the rats before they gets away.
Aster glares at the fox, she addresses the rats "Get the squirrels to Nightfur now!" She looks at the fox and looks ready to fire an arrow but waits, she instead tosses a dagger at his leg to slow him and quickly is in the woods, one lone rat fights with Bandit to further slow him.
Zinnia frowns, she almost looks unsure of Safana but she did kill a rat, she doesn’t see Bandit is being hurt and decides to trust Safana and runs over towards her.
Safana nods as the badger nears her and looks over the badgers shoulder to see what’s going on, the rats have listened to Aster and get the two new slaves into the woods using zig zag paths and even make a fake trail to follow, it leaves one rat, Aster, and Bandit on the road while she pushes the badger towards the safety of the abbey
Bandit yelps in pain, falling to one leg, "No!" The fox pounds his fist into the dirt as he watches the rats flee before him. This plan has backfired in so many ways. He rolls on to his tail to address the situation at hand, the knife in his lower leg.
Aster smirks as she heads to the trees, the one rat limps off injured but alive still to catch up to his boss, yeah the badger escaped but that’s fine for now as they can get her later.
Zinnia pants as she reaches the gates, shivering as memories flood back and she is clearly edgy now and she was slowly getting over this too.
Safana looks back at the fox and smiles coldly as she leads the badger inside “Come now..I told you he was no good you must tell the others of this, he was helping Aster get slaves, he almost got you and I helped thank goodness..always a helper of the abbey, come dear inside" Her voice is kind and soft now.
