Escape The Toads!(Marek's Revenge TP)

• • • • • Starts in the dark slimy hole in the swamps and ends with freedom by the sea shore!*****

Benar is sat against the wall of their prison hole trying to claw some of the mud out of his tail. It is cold and dank down in the pit and about 10 feet up a heavy wooden grating keeps them well and truly trapped. Especially with the walls being smooth and slick, offering no handholds or purchase for climbing. His habit is a mess as well and the floor of their prison is a good several inches thick of dark mud. It doesn't help that the toads took their packs and their weapons! "I hate... HATE cages.... especially dank ones in the mud!"

Anomen sits, he has been quiet the whole time he has been in here staring at the wall of this place, he finally sighs and looks up a short while as he studies the cage and walls.

Lacota is meanwhile beating at the side of the hole with his fists, starting to lose his composure. "*You* hate cages? What do you think about me? I'm terrified of being caged. It brings back bad memories! I can't stand this!"

Benar sighs and slowly stands up, slipping a bit in the mud and checking on Zinnia and Treesong before sliding over to place a paw on Lactoa's shoulder "Well we won't get out of here if you panic... man I wish we had a mole!"

Anomen speaks "I could of took them on, least killed a few more of them, dumb toads.." He looks at others "So, any plans?"

Lacota flinches a bit, then sighs. "Aye, you're right, Benar... Sorry... I just can't deal with my past, but now is not the time to."

Benar says, "It is ok Lacota... we all have pasts to deal with." he glances up at the cage and frowns. "IF we can get one of us up there after dark...."

Anomen looks up "One of us? You mean to help the rest of us out?" He loos over at Treesong and frowns as he looks back up again, "If you mean lift us out needs to be someone strong but then again we could lift them up there...then we find our stuff and get out of here. Zinnia seemed to think we were close to the dunes and these...things may of got us further threw the swamps, which can be good somewhat." He seems to be thinking some now, "If I at least find my sword I..I could distract them enough..."

Lacota peers up. "Which one of us should go up?"

Benar says, "We can all get out... if one of us stands on Zinnia's shoulders Treesong could scamper up.... but we'd have to be quiet and sneaky, get outside, shift the grate and find something to lower down for us."

Anomen nods, "Treesong?.." He frowns some, "Maybe..vines or something, but she can't fight, and I.." He clears his throat "Ok look she may be able to be quiet I..I don't know"

Lacota asks, "Treesong? She'd have to be very careful."

Benar says, "She would but she is the smallest and I think a squirrel who has spent her life sneaking about the woodlands would be able to creep around some lazy old toads in the dark."

Anomen nods slowly, "She has to be careful, I don't want to see anything happen to her, I..well..." He sighs "Nothing, it’s nothing...yes she has been in that Gawtrybe...whatever tribe and has very good balance"

Lacota nods. "It's settled then."

Benar says, "I don't want anything to happen to her either. But the Gawtrybe are famous for their skills and balance..."

Anomen smiles some feeling some better at that note, "Yes she should be fine, and then after she gets us out we get quickly out of the area and to those dunes, and the Mt."

Zinnia stirs some from her sleep, like one could sleep well in this place, then no one said it was peaceful as she opens her eyes just to close them just as quickly.

It is cold and dank down in the pit and about 10 feet up a heavy wooden grating keeps them well and truly trapped. Especially with the walls being smooth and slick, offering no handholds or purchase for climbing. His habit is a mess as well and the floor of their prison is a good several inches thick of dark mud. It doesn't help that the toads took their packs and their weapons! Benar is crouched near Anomen and Lacota talking quietly.

Lacota peers through the gloom. "Sister Zinnia, you're awake now." The squirrel sighs softly.

Anomen looks up at movement and sighs a little. He looks to Treesong looing worried she is not awake.

Zinnia is mainly quiet, not speaking to anyone and keeping her eyes closed muttering something over and over again but it’s hard to say what it is.

Anomen stays close to where Treesong is watching her and not paying attention to anyone else.

Benar walks over to sit by Zinnia and places a paw on her arm, "Sister we have a plan to escape.. but it needs some thinking about...."

Zinnia whimpers as she is touched, she would scoot away buy she is already too close to the wall, she opens her eyes to look at Benar, "How?. It’s not possible and we are..t..t..trapped and.. " And looking around makes it worse as she cough-sobs and hides her face in Benar's tunic, well if allowed and sobs loudly, "I..f..failed, wish Papa was here...."

Lacota shakes his head. "No, you have not failed. That could not be further from the truth. We can escape, miss."

Benar says, "No no... Zinnia you have not failed... we can escape and you can make it happen!" he hugs her tightly, "You are the largest one here. if I or Anomen or Lacota stand on your shoulders Treesong can clamber up and get outside. She is small and sneaky and will be able to get us something to climb out with."

Zinnia calms as she looks up, "We..can get out?" She sniffs and wipes away tears as she tries to see how tall it is and what's keeping them in also. "Ok..when will we do that? Do try and find our stuff or just....just run after we are out?"

Lacota shrugs. "I do not know, Miss”

.

Benar says, "We'll try and get what we can but we won't have much time.," he settles down against the badger and holds her paw, "It'll be ok though we shall escape!""

Zinnia nods "Yes, I..just got to believe we will, when its darker right or when they are sleeping, they have to sleep sometime"

Benar says, "Yes when it is dark I hope we can sneak out but for now we should rest""

Lacota nods in agreement. "Aye, rest is necessary."

Zinnia nods, “Rest...alright"

Lacota curls up in his corner. "We'll get out, do not worry."

Zinnia nods slowly and gets some sleep, well best she can

Later on

Treesong wakes up to look around having rested some but only a little as she has been very quiet as of late, more so than the others.

Anomen watches her, he has been awake a while "You ok Treesong?" His voice has concern it as he walks over to sit by her.

Treesong frowns and shakes her head “Not liking it here at all, it’s too dark and cold and feels...depressing"

Anomen nods "Yeah but we get out soon" He goes to hug her, if she allows and sighs "We will promise you that"

Treesong allows the hug and snuggles close to Anomen.

Anomen smiles softly and holds her close, "Treesong...I...I want to say.." He sighs he was never good at words and this may be his last chance to say anything.

Treesong looks at him "Say what?"

Anomen blinks "Say..say.." He sighs and just hugs her, "That all will be ok, not to worry"

Treesong nods and offers a smile, feeling safe with him nearby.

With Zinnia awake and feeling better Benar is crouched near the badger and peering up at the dark encampment, "It sounds like they have gone to sleep.. it is quiet up there." He looks at Zinnia, "Are we ready to try this? If I stand on your shoulders Treesong should be able to get up and move the grill and climb out." he looks at Treesong, "Are you ready to try this Treesong?"

Zinnia nods, " Good as time as any to try this" She is standing now as she is ready to try this now.

Treesong frowns, she is be nervous and then nods, "Yes I am ready, now is good as it is quiet now"

Anomen stands where he is looking upwards, he wants out of here too and knows it’s best to let them do this and to just be ready when it’s time to climb out.

Benar says, "Ok then..." He smiles at Zinnia and then carefully clambers up her back and up onto her shoulders, resting his paws atop her head and balancing carefully..... holding in place, swaying with the natural grace of a squirrel. "Ok Treesong....""

Lacota sits nearby, looking up. "Be careful, Treesong! Don't be afraid up there."

Zinnia frowns at Lacota but stays calm and still so no one falls and nods to Treesong to go on up and watches as she does so.

Treesong carefully climbs up and to the top, she is not afraid as she has been higher than this before, she carefully gets the grill and goes to move it slowly so it makes no noise and once she has enough room she swings up and over the grill and is on top. She balances and hops off taking a quick look around before moving the grill a little more and flicks her tail to try and find ropes or vines or something and something to tie one end to as well.

Anomen watches her every move and looks worried but doesn’t state he is as he just waits to see what happens next.

Lacota peers up, not daring to breathe in his anticipation.

Benar says, "Careful Treesong," He murmurs softly, peering up after her as she slides out of their trap, "Try and find some sort of rope or vines we can use.... and be careful!"

Zinnia stays very still and closes her eyes, closed eyes helps her stay calm and it’s not like she can do much if anything too major happens and she listens carefully as well, every so often she will open her eyes but stays quiet as she does so.

Treesong nods and carefully tip toes and walks, her foot paws barely touch the ground as she is use to quiet when it's needed, this time it’s needed and she is ready. She scans the area and does find some strong vines and pulls on them, luckily they are attached to a tree very well already so she smiles and gently and carefully pulls them towards her, one tug makes a long bit of the vines fall on her tail and she holds her breath not to yell and carefully breaths out and moves slowly and carefully, each step done slowly and pokes her head back in the hole showing the vines as she goes to drop them carefully and slowly into the hole.

Anomen folds his arms over his chest as he waits, he paces as he hates this sort of waiting. He then catches movement and looks up again.

Lacota looks up to see if any vines have been found.

Benar holds his breath, waiting patiently, clambering back down from atop Zinnia and watching, waiting.... hoping. Then the vines start to be fed down but before Treesong gets them very far there is a grumbling croak, "Oy... whathca..." From a short distance away and the regular, hopping thump of and approaching toad. "Anomen go..." Benar says, motioning to the vines, "Quickly, quietly!"

Zinnia frowns as she hears the toad but tries to not panic as panicking now wouldn’t be wise, they need to get away from here and now.

Treesong frowns and scoots back lying flat and being quiet. She looks to see if she can find any of their stuff, if not its fine it could be replaced it needed and they are not too far from the dunes and sea shore now.

Anomen jumps up to grab a vine and quickly and quietly climbs, he frowns as he doesn’t see Treesong and worry shows, he looks down at the others and also keeps alert.

Lacota stands nearby, whispering, "Those are strong vines, right?"

The toad hops toward the edge of the pit, shifting the grip on his trident, "Wots dis...." He seems to have spotted Treesong and lifts his trident as if to stab her and prepares to shout the alarm!

Treesong eyes go wide she has to do something quick, she finds a stone and tears a piece of her cloak, placing the stone in it she swings it around and around and releases the stone, the stone flies towards the toads head.

Anomen has made it to the top of the hole now and narrows his eyes at the toad, only thing is he doesn’t have his sword with him so no weapon, he looks around while the toad is distracted, he could use of the toads weapons as there is a couple laying off to the side, really close too so he slowly goes to try and get one, it has two instead of three points but it’s still a weapon he can use.

Lacota's breath catches in his throat, and he gasps. "Look out!"

The stone barely misses the toad as he ducks his head and has to step back. Off balance and wavering he croaks and tries to gather himself but then Anomen has the two pronged forked and the toad has little chance to defend against the sudden attack of squirrel out of the darkness! Easily speared down but his croak was heard and lights are coming on over in the village. Benar scrambles up the rope and peers off into the darkness then looks down, "Zinnia, Lacota come on we must get out of here!"

Zinnia frowns, she lets Lactoa go first and then quickly gets up herself “We may have to leave our stuff, and just run " She gets ready to do so.

Lacota pulls himself up as fast as possible. "I'm coming!"

Treesong gulps, she smiles as Anomen helps her and gasps as she sees the lights ,she goes to look towards some distance hills or...dunes maybe....well for now she does care she is heading towards them carefully and quickly.

Anomen has a two pointed weapon and gets the one from the dead toad handing it to Zinnia “Just take it and let’s go!" He looks back to the coming toads, he does follow the others and at the same time he keeps up any defense they may need.

Zinnia frowns, she sighs and goes to help Lacota so they can get moving faster, she frowns at the weapon "I don't..whatever" She then also goes to hurry after the others.

Benar says, "Yes I agree...." He turns and starts to race away from the pit, heading toward the setting moon and the west. "Be as quick as you can but try to stay together!" The village ends after a few hundred feet and the swamp mud starts but Benar has picked well and a winding path of ridged soil leads the way across the swamp.

Treesong speeds up quickly following them and does brother to look back as it might slow her down, she just runs as fast as she can and jumps over any patches of mud.

Anomen looks over his shoulder and keeps alert, he can move quickly when he wants to and frowns, darn he will need a new sword but he can work on that later, maybe the badger lord has extra?

Lacota runs as fast as he can, but he can't keep up as well without his lost walking staff.

Zinnia picks up Lacota, she is sure he will let her and then picks up speed again, she can run fast and even helps to keep the others together.

The Moon continues to set, behind them the swamp is filled with the croaking and hissing and shouts of the toads who are soon chasing them as they flee faster and faster across the swamp! The moon is setting however and behind them to the east dawn is starting to lighten the sky...

Treesong pants a little but keeps a good pace as she jumps and hops and goes along the path, they can rest soon hopefully.

Anomen narrows his eyes as he looks back again and speeds up close to Benar and Treesong

Zinnia has Lacota and only puts him down long enough to throw that spear thing she has at one of the toads that got a bit ahead of the others and then gets Lacota again and goes faster and faster and catches up with the others

Lacota is picked up and carried along, without much complaint. He is not very heavy at all, in fact.

The sun continues to rise, the toads are getting closer AND closer, one of them goes down when Zinna throws, falling into the mud as it dodges but they are close... very close and then as the party splash through a pool of mud and clamber up a rise they see down below... illuminated by the descending moon the sea and near it the dunes!

Treesong tail flicks as she is happy, it’s the sea and she rushes faster and trips rolling some but it’s only down the hill and ends up helping her go faster, she gets her balance back and jumps and zips faster now.

Anomen doesn’t brother to look back, once they get to the sea they will be fine he hopes as he heads there and looks over his shoulder once and then rushes forwards a little ways as it gets brighter and brighter outside now.

Zinnia didn’t look to see if it hit she is more concern with running and making sure all of them get down the hill, she whoas once as she slips a little but stays on her footpaws fairly well and mutters a sorry to Lacota as she probably held on tighter for just a few seconds when she almost dropped him.

Benar stumbling down the hillside and out onto the packed sand of the dunes he keeps running. The sun continues to rise and as the ragged party of Redwallers get further away across the sand the sun continues to rise and the temperature increases!

Treesong slows just a little but finds a little more energy and jobs a little ahead, slows a little and then a burst of speed again, she shakes her foot paw, o sand is very strange to her but she still runs as the others are running, maybe the toads hate this odd sand. She hopes so.

Anomen slows a little himself as they are on the sand but he isn’t sure how far they will be followed either and he is no way going back into those swamps, he stays with the group and near Treesong as well. He will help her if need be.

Zinnia has never seen the sea or a bench but doesn’t take time to look around too much.

Benar stumbles to a halt half way to the sea and turns back to look... the toads are hissing and shaking their tridents in the air but they do not come out onto the sand... they retreat into the darkness and Benar sinks down. They are mud spattered, tired, without supplies but they are free. "We did it! We.... heh Treesong you marvel we did it!"

Treesong looks around and smiles as she sits to rest

Anomen smiles as its clear they are not followed now and catches his breath, he goes to hug Treesong, he is glad she is safe and the others as well as he looks around "So..where...now"

Zinnia falls sideways and pants, but she is careful to not hurt Lacota and slowly catches her breath herself.."Got away..good"

Lacota rests on the ground, looking around. "How...how far are we from that mountain?"

Benar sits up slowly and shakes his tail and turns to look around then points, "It is there..." And indeed the mountain is looming in the distance, a few days away...

Treesong looks around and smiles at Anomen, before looking at the great sea and just how large it is as the sun is shining now, "This large water place and..odd dirt is strange but also....pretty"

Lacota nods slowly, lying back in the sand. "I'm glad we got away... It was horrible being a prisoner again."

Anomen looks up as Treesong speaks, but he isn’t really paying attention to the sea or the beach or the sunlight of the morning as he smiles "Yeah...pretty, beautiful..yeah"

Zinnia frowns "I didn’t like the place either, we still need a place to stay, make a camp"

Benar says, "Yes..." he sits up and looks down at his habit and then around at everyone else and starts to laugh... chuckling and shaking his head "We... all... look.... atrocious!"

Treesong looks and sighs, "We can clean up somewhere, yes?"

Anomen smiles "No we don’t all look that way Benar..do be nice" He walks over to Treesong and starts to say something and stops "Oh umm..think only water is the sea, unless dew is around maybe"

Zinnia looks at her robes and shrugs "All that matters is we are free”

Lacota looks down at himself. "Yes, Benar, you're right."

Benar exclaims, "The sea will do for me! But let’s move down shore a bit to get further away from the toads!" he starts to walk, "Then rest...""

Treesong nods as she goes to walk further down the shore,

Anomen walks besides Treesong and makes sure the get a good distance some drift wood can make a fire if needed, and there are fish right?

Zinnia smiles following the others as they walk along, they can clean up some soon and get needed rest.

Lacota follows along slowly, looking at the water in awe.

Treesong after some walking she sits and smiles looking at the sea “It’s very very big"

Anomen nods "Yep"

Zinnia says, "Ok need food and..water somehow, besides sea water"

Lacota limps along after. "I need rest, and lost all the food I had brought."

Anomen frowns as he looks around for any large sticks that may of wash up on shore for Lacota to use.

Zinnia asks, "You ok Lacota?"

Lacota shakes his head. "No, I'm not ok. Why do you think I used the walking stick? Old injury from long ago."

Anomen finds a sort of stick and hands it to Lacota "This help any till we get to that Mt?"

Lacota accepts it and smiles. "Thanks lad." He leans heavily and sighs.

The group finds a place to camp, and there is fish and seaweed for food, even clams if they want them. Water was a concern till a small brief shower where they managed to collect a little water in a container they found.