Freedom and Agony

Black Rose Base

Character Involved: Tungur, Longspikes, Jo, Daena, Risha.

- - - The evening isn't cold as such but it is damp, and that seep in through the cloth and fur and sets ritht into the bone. No one can be warm in this kind of weather. The wind howls through the camp, vicious and promising of a storm to come. In the slave cells, Longspikes paces back and forth, his huge feet shuffling slowly as he goes, some grumbling under the breath hinting at his fraying temper.

Tungur is sitting on his cot, arms folded across his chest, watching the hog pace. "Sit down will you, you're making me dizzy...we'll get you out soon enough..." he then pauses, looking up to Jo. "Hey Jo..."

Daena is led back to the cells by some guards, looking *very* tired, her footpaws drag, her head hangs and her shoulders are slumped. She looks about to pass out. Not getting anything to give you energy but still being made to work does that to a beast.

Longspikes doesn't say a word to Tungur, just grunts at him. As Daena is pushed back into the cell, she meets the shovel-sized paws of Longspikes, which hold her up gently by the arm and guides her to her and Jo's cot. "Easy now," he murmurs.

Jo shakes his head and sighs, "I need to get ye' cured as soon as I can love." He looks at Daena worredly. (if that's a word)

Tungur stands up as Daena gets shoved in, watching the hog catch her. "Nice catch." he smiles a little then looks over to Jo. "What's going on? Why is this thing taking so long?" he frowns a little. He wants to get everything done quickly and quietly to keep their secret.

Jo looks at Tungur confusingly, "What thing?"

Tungur rolls his eyes. "That sword of Flicktail's...we know we're getting it. But I was hoping you'd know when." he whispers into the otter's ear so no one who is outside the cell knows.

Jo nods slowly, "Oh tat'." He looks about innocently, looking through the cell door. "Anyone?" He asks the ferret guard. The ferret turns around and walks down the hall, he trots on back and shakes his head no.

Daena pratically falls onto the cot, not really hearing her friends speak, she mutters a slurred, "Thanks Spike....." and nods at Jo, not even realizing that he is back. She is shaking, for more reasons than one, she is soaking wet, it is *frigid* outside where she has been all day, and she probably would be shaking without all those added factors becouse she can barely hold up her own paw.

Longspikes takes a moment to grunt a minor threat at an overly-bundled sleeping beast and pilfers one of the extra blankets off it with little ceremony. He sets it about Daena's shoulders, then continues to slowly trudge back and forth across the cell. "I be done waitin' Tungur. I want out. I want to break things and beasts both. I be strong again... all I need is my mace and freed paws."

Tungur looks to the ferret and blinks. "Is he on our side now or something?" he asks, tilting his head a little before looking to Daena. "I know. But you have to wait. Even when you get free you have to wait until we get everyone." He nods. "If you don't, we're all dead."

Jo heads to Flicktail's cot and grabs the sword from beneath it. "Ye' wantin' to be out, but as Tungur said. We gotta wait."

Daena smiles a little when the sword is pulled out, her eyes lighting up, even if the rest of her body can't do anything. Good, the hedge-pig will finally be free.

Longspikes's great head turns at the sound of the sword being pulled free. Flinty eyes gleam in the cold gloom, and he turns to face Jo. "That... be no mere sword." he says, greta basso voice rumbling, paws clenching into massive fists, causing the iron at his wrist to creak under the strain.

Tungur looks to Jo and then stares at him for a sec before looking to Longspikes. "Longspikes..I will not, and I mean, will not, ever let you go today until you promise me we wait until everyone is ready to leave." he extends his arm out to Jo for the sword whenever Jo is ready to give it. "Understood?" he stares.

Longspikes's eyes flick to Tungur, and for half a second cold black fury shows in them, but quickly subsides to a smouldering anger. "One condition. I want my mace back. I want it back tonight... and then I will do as ye say, until the time comes."

Jo shoos Tungur's paw, "A moment." He slowly draws the sword out, a slight ring resounding as its removed from its case. Jo walks over to Tungur and lets the blade down, holding it out pommel end to Tungur. "Stand steady, Aim, and swing. I don't want Spikes missin' his paws."

Daena dozes off a small bit, leaning to one side, she blinks herself awake and leans back to the normal sitting position, she wants to watch this.

Tungur stares at the hog and then nods. "Deal. But if you disobey and end up giving the rest of us away...I'll kill you." he stares. He has no idea how dangerous that is but if he even so much as risks the safety of everyone in the cell, he'll take the chance." he turns to the sword and takes a deep breath, gripping the hilt firmly before lifting it up. "I'm still alive...I thought that as soon as I touched it, I'd...." he starts to shake violently and lets out a quiet 'aaarrrrgggggh' then falls over, pretending to be dead for a moment.

Jo catches the sword before it hits the floor, "Tungur, get up." He rolls his eyes.

Longspikes watches Tungur collapse into a heap. He rolls his eyes. "Melodrama is not for sea rats. It is like watching a snail try to tap-dance... they aren't good at it and it is just kinda depressing...

Tungur opens one eye. "I'm dead Jo...didn't you see?" he smirks before he does one of those martial arts jumps, getting back on his feet." he then laughs. "True." he takes the sword again. "Thought I'd try to get you guys to jump anyways." he nods. "Anyway. Spikes. On the floor, put the chains up against my cot. I'm not going to try to get the bands off more than one try each incase I fail. But I'll get the chains off where they meet the wrist otherwise." he nods, taking a deep breath. He holds the sword in one paw and stares at it. "Wow..."

Daena chuckles silently at the rat, crazy beast. Wincing slightly when Jo catches the sword, hoping it didn't cut is paws......

Longspikes snorts once and stays standing. He holds out both paws straight before him, big paws clenched into mallet-sized fists, the black iron anchor chain, only two paws wdth wide stretched taught between them. Muscle stands out on the hedgepig's arms like steel chords, thicker around than any other beast's leg. "Swing, rat. Swing, set me loose, and I'll be your beast till I fall dead. My word on that."

Jo stands back, walking over and sitting by Daena. He wraps his arms around her and hugs her close, trying to get her warm. "Don' miss and hit his noggin' either."

Tungur rolls his eyes. "Fine." he frowns. "Stay standing. But if I cut anything off, its your fault." he nods, holding the sword low as he examines the bands and the chains, taking two steps back. "Alright..." he closes his eyes tightly for a moment then aims at the chains. He's going to have to do this a couple of times either way, and now, he's slightly nervous. "Alright, Martin, you dead mouse thing. If you really are watching, don't let me hurt him...too much." and with that, he slowly brings the sword over his head. "Ready Spikes?"

Daena leans against Jo and closes her eyes, ready for the loud noise sure to insure from the cutting of metal.

Longspikes's knuckles crackles softly as the fists tighten. The anchor chain stays taught, each thick around as another beast's thumber, solid iron supposed to be able to defeat even the most dedicated of beasts, no matter the tools brought to bear. Now they stand before a stroke of a single sword... something that all chain would or should easily laugh off. "Swing, Tungur." says the Hedgepig, low and deep. "Do it." Those paws stay held before him, held as if carved from solid granite, unbending, unafraid.

Jo raises a finger and frowns, "Spikes, ye' may wanna let some slack to those."

Tungur pages, "He'll have to do this twice, right? One for the wrists, then one for the ankles as well, right? Or was it just the wrists or something?" to you.

Tungur nods and then takes one, final breath, the rat bringing the blade down as hard, and as fast as his arms will go, crashing the legendary blade on the chains with a grunt, eyes having closed at the last minute for fear of seeing him get hurt, or worse. As soon as that blade doesn't stop though, he stumbles back and then stares at the hedgehog, honestly expecting to see his head roll off or something. Then his eyes grow wide.

- - - The blade of Martin hisses around and down, and connects with the black iron... and parts it as neatly as if it were naught but paper rings. The irons snaps with a dull clanging sound, shards of irons flying into the air, gleaming a dull red from heat, some falling to start smouldering in old bedding, some others bouncing off the Longspikes chest and belly, singing fur, but he doesn't notice. Those arms, massive as tree trunks comes apart, freed from the bonds, and for a long, pregnant moment he stares at his wrists. A slow smile creeps over his face... "That be a sword..." he murmurs.

Tungur watches the shards fly, and one even zips past his head, making his ear flick. "Wow..." he looks down at the sword, running his paw along the blade. "I wonder if Flicktail would sell this to me or something." he smiles a little then some some neat little tricks, showing off by spinning the blade around his back then leans on it like a cane. "Heheheh. How's it feel, Spikes?" he grins.

Jo chuckles, "Ok Tungur, its no toy. Nor is it for sale. It belongs to the abbey."

Daena smiles a little, murming something about the spikeybeast being free, but a beast can't tell what it is.

Longspikes grunts as an answer, the huge beasts seeming to revel in the whole idea by promptly rolling onto his back. Spikes gouge out packed earth as he writhes for a moment, but then it shows that he isn;t just revelling. The massive hedgehog is grabbing at his footpaws, each still bound by iron. His mighty belly makes it a bit difficult, but never one to give up in the face of difficulty he manages to get himself curled up enough into a spiky ball to gran the chain that binds them. "Mind yer eyes," he growls, and then adjusts his grip. Fingers clench and muscles bulge as the hedgepiug starts to pry his ankles apart, a soft snarl accompanying the effort. Muscle shifts and strains like corded wire, and the sound of iron under stress comes to the ear... followed by an almighty *SNAP!* as the links break apart under the unbeliavable strength of the Hedgepig.

Tungur blinks and then shields himself from more iron getting splashed his way. "Nice." he mutters then looks to Jo. "Aw. Oh well." he then slides the sword into his belt, looking to Spikes. "If we're going to go sneak your mace back, we'll need to do it quickly." he looks to Jo. "Mind if I borrow this?" He pats the sword.

Jo rolls his eyes, "Yes, I mind brother."

Tungur frowns. "I'll bring it back. I'm not going out there without some sort of weapon to protect myself with incase we get found out." he shakes his head slowly, drawing the sword and offering the hilt to Jo. "But fine. Leave me totally defenseless."

Daena shakes her head gently, nuzzling Jo's shoulder.

Jo takes the sword by the hilt, reaching down for the case. He slides it back in and chuckles, "Tungur, ye' aren't defenceless. Now put on some chains, though ye' don' gotta lock 'em. If'n we're gonna find tat' mace. It'd be better without 'aven a ton of guards after us."

Tungur laughs and then shakes his head. "I'm not putting on any chains, locked or otherwise." he frowns. "I'm tired of chains." he stares.

Jo says, "ok, jus' we gotta do this fast."

Longspikes rolls back to his feet with practiced ease, perhaps a little too easily for a hedgepig that fat. A broad grin is curling his lips, wide enough to threaten the top of his head falling off. "Tungur, pal," he says, laughing softly out of the pure joy of being freed, his arms opening wide, "I be a livin' weapon in meself. All you ned ter do is keep an eye out..." Longspikes takes a deep breath and stands up tall again, fists opening and closing, the iron bands still tight around his wrists, but now no more than ornament. "Jo, Open the door and get your ferret pal to look the other way..."

Tungur nods. Then hums a little at Spikes, chuckling a little. "Thanks..." he then looks to Jo. "If you're not going to let me carry a weapon, we're stopping by my room so I can get my own stuff." he nods. "Got it?"

Daena sighs gently, she wishes she could go with them... But who is she kidding? She can barely walk!.

Jo nods at the guard, "Walk a ways down and keep watch." He looks back at Tungur giving him a nod, then to Daena. "Love, ye' need a bath?" Jo smiles gently.

Tungur nods at Jo and looks to the hog. "My room first. I think its probably a little closer than where they're keeping your mace." he nods.

Longspikes snorts softly, moving towards the door, moving strangely light on his feet, making little noise, save for the soft clank of a chain link still attached to his ankle. "Right. Let's go..." He eyes the two Otters, "We'll be back soon. You two play nice," he teases, giving them a wink before sidling his bulky out the door, spikes rattling softly on the iron.

[[[ Black Rose Base]]]

- - - Half a dozen grey shadows lurk around a blazing fire, standing in a semi-circle around the heat-giving flame. Their motley grey cloaks and crossbows giving them away as Shar's Longtails... They don't seem to be paying attention at this moment, all their focus given in on the glow and heat of the flame, and the spitted pigeon turning slowly atop it; the scent of roasting meat filling the air.

Tungur blinks and then holds up a paw quickly as he comes out of the cells. "Quiet..." he looks and then blinks. "Oh crud." he frowns. "Why couldn't I have have just gotten that sword...

Longspikes moves quietly up behind Tungur, the great bulk settling in a little. The hug beast is remarkably quiet on his footpaws. He eyes the gathered figures warily, broad head turning slightly to eye the rest of the open ground. "They isn't watching..." he murmurs into Tungurs ear. "Quick and quiet, hey?"

Tungur has his eyes locked on the group then he nods. "Sounds good. Or rather...doesn't." he smirks. "Here. Keep close. I'm good in the shadows." he whispers, starting to move off to the side slowly, keeping extremely quiet, and he's almost invisible to anyone from a distance.

Longspikes is much too big a beast to hope to match the rat's stealth, but he is game to try. Following in the very footsteps, the huge hedgepig follows, keeping his body hunched up as much as he can and thinking bland thoughts.

Longtails murmur quietly to themselves in their monotone voices, one producing a knife with a grunt and beginning to work on the roasting meat.

Tungur keeps quietly, his eyes locked on the fire, not really paying attention to much of anything. He's a good fighter with his paws but if those crossbows get unleashed upon him, he's dead no matter what. His tail flicks out behind him every so often to see how close Spikes is.

Longspikes drifts along only a pace behind, the huge frame casting a flickering shadow in the snow from the fire, a semblance of a massive mobile thorn brush making for a bit of nightmare fuel. His paws fall carefully on thesnow, trying to keep as much as possible to the tracks Tungur himself is casting down, so as to not making that usual crunching noise that he couldn't avoid on his own.

Tungur stops dead in his tracks, putting up a paw again. "Sssh..." he says quietly, pressing a little further up against the walls. "Keep close to the walls and move faster." and with that, he starts up again, ready to bolt if he has to.

Longspikes follows Tungur'd advice to the word, sticking close to the wall and slinking after him, a mobile gorse brush. He glances towards the fire and the raised voices that are floating through the air.

--- A big ermine, fur the colour of freshly cast snow is standing before the semi-circle of greyclad rats and haranguing them for not sharing the delectable meal. A pair of stoats flank him, all three outsizing the rats a good twice over each... but the rats only stare back with their corpse-pale eyes... not saying a word.

Tungur keeps going, but slows after a moment, watching the development. "This is taking us forever." he whispers, looking around for a quicker route, but the only way is through the light. He picks up his pace again, keeping those eyes of his on the stoats.

Longspikes hrmnns softly, little more than a vibration in that big chest. "What ifn we just act like slave an' keeper? They used to the sight, methinks..." he murmurs.

Tungur stops dead and presses his back against the wall, keeping flat. "Do we have any chains?" he asks. "I could pass as a guard taking you to Blackfur...or Shar...by their orders...perhaps. Just incase we get caught or something."

--- The Ermine and stoats are now sitting at the fire as well with the air of superiority in their posture. The greyclad rats have backed off a little, leaving their roasting quarry atop the fire, now being inexpertly cut by the ermine himself. One group looks quite intent on the meal, the others seem intent on the beasts that have stolen it...

Longspikes hrmns, eyes narrowing a bit. His breath blossoms into a puff of mist in the cold damp air, "Nah... but they know what I look like, with me wrists bound together.. ifn I shuffle and keep my arms afront... from here they might take no notice beyond a glance..

Tungur nods slowly. "Alright." he says. "We'll give it a shot I suppose." he looks out. "Besides, they look distracted anyways. I don't think any of them have seen me before in the cells so perhaps we'll get away with it." he turns and moves to take the hog's paws. "Ready?"

Longspikes eyes the group at the fire for a seocnd, then nods and brings himself up to his towering height. What were once iron-bound paws come forward, pressing together at the wrists, clanking softly. "Aye... nice'n easy, we's in no rush, after all..." he says quietly, casting a wink down to the dwarfed rat.

Tungur may be big compared to other rats, but to Longspikes? He's just as tall as any dibbun. "Keep close and above all, don't lose focus." and with that, he starts to move again, this time in the light.

Longspikes snorts a bit, chocking back a laugh as he follows Tungur into the light, shuffling in the slow steps he had come to be used to with his footpaws bound together, his wrists bound tight before him. He keeps his head bowed, trying his very best to look like a defeated giant as the firelight illuminates his hide, the turquoise blue paint in his fur gleaming softly as of alive, swallowing the shadows.

--- Only one of the beasts at the fire seem to notice the duo crossing the lit path, one of the taller Longtails turning his head to watch with those horrible blank eyes for a long while... then turning away, back to the fire and the beasts eating the meal they had been cooking...

Tungur looks over to the Longtail and when he notes the gaze, he tugs on Spike's paws firmly. "Come on, ye' useless lump." he grumbles out, turning again towards the main complex.

Longspikes stumbles conviingly as his massive paws are pulled on... not that Tungur would have much a chance of budging them on his own, but the stumbles does the trick. The rest of the way lies clear, Longspikes peering through the gloom as they shuffle out from the firelight again. "Nice'n quiet..." he murmurs, head rising a bit to eye the windows of the main building.

Tungur leads the 'slave' along and as soon as the's sure they're out of view, he looks. "Come on, lets get in there." he whispers, moving slightly quicker now, letting go of his breath. "Wow..." he mutters and shakes his head slowly.

Longspikes nods and follows along in silence; the huge, spiky bulk following along like some kind of nightmare ghost; a comforting feeling, if you are on his side.

[[[ Black Rose Entry Hall ]]]]

Tungur leads the hog into the hall flumps against a wall. "Wow....that was scary..." he chuckles a little then looks to the stairs. "My room is up there. My stuff should still be there. Where is your mace?" he asks, tilting his head a little.

Longspikes grumbles a bit, closing the door behind him and peering around the place. "Not the foggiest... Let's get your kit first, maybe we'll stumble upon it or some beast that could prove helpful..." he nods towards the stairs.

Tungur nods slowly and stands properly. "Right." he nods, starting to the stairs then stops, turning to the hog. "Heh...bet you're happy Jo turned me, huh?" he smiles a little then turns to continue towards the stairs.

Longspikes chuckles ruefully, "I suppose I am, now. yer cut me chains. Though I suppose you should look on it at that yer should be happy too; now I don't haveta turn you to a pulp when the time comes..." Big footpaws creak gently on the stairs as he climbs after the rat, the edges of some of his outlying spikes rubbing against he wooden walls.

Tungur laughs and then nods. "I am glad." he nods. "I might have killed that badger, but you're actually able to fight me so..." he smirks. "Anyways. Follow me..."

Tungur leads the hog up and then looks around quietly. "Going to have to be even more quiet up here. Shar's room is next to mine." he says quietly, nodding. "If we wake her, we're done for." he motions for the second dorm hall.

Longspikes eyes the narrows walls with some trepidation, but nods. He takes in a breath, rolling his shoulders back to keep his unusually long quills in order. "Right. I'll stay near the doorway here. Be quick..."

Tungur nods slowly. "If anyone comes, whistle." he says with a nod before heading into the dorm hall, and into his room. He grabs his cloak, putting it on and sliding his sword onto his belt. He grabs his throwing knives, attaching them to the special hooks under the cloak and then finally, his old, rusted dagger, wrapping it up and putting that with his belt as well. He looks around for a moment and hums, wondering what else he needs to get.

Longspikes rolls his eyes at the very idea of it; if a beast came along, he'd turn it into a sort of warm paste smeared across the walls, nevermind a whistle. Still, he stays quiet and wtachful, peering at the stairs and looming hallways, shovel-sized paws clenching and unclenching as he hopes for someone to give him the opportunity...

Tungur shrugs to himself and then grabs his lock picks, stuffing it in a pocket before heading out. "Alright. I've got everything, but I'm running low on throwing knives. Lets try not to use them unless I have to." he nods. "Now...where should we look for your mace?" he hums.

Longspikes frowns some, glaring at each of the doors. "I dunno.. maybe SHar has it in her room? Think he's in?" He asks, peering at the door...

Tungur shrugs and looks to the door. "Not sure. Lets give it a shot." he draws his sword. "At least if she is, we'll have her by surprise." he grins. "After you." he motions for the hog to head into the dorms and then to Shar's room.

Longspikes moves through the hall, his frame hunching a bit to keep from rattling on the ceiling. At the door he pauses, casting one look to Tungur, a big grin crossing over his face, showing the broken teth. One big hand grabs at the latch, and pushes the door open.. whether it was locked or not. He pushes through on deathly quiet feet, with the intent o tearing whatever is on the otherside apart limb from bloody limb.

Tungur follows the hog in and looks around, seeing no one in here. "Phew...good. No one here. I'm not in the mood to go up against Shar with a bigger battle on the horizon." he nods. "You look for your mace but leave everything as you found it...I'll keep watch."

Longspikes eyes the spartan room, sniffing once. "There's nothin' here..." he murmurs... and he;s right. The place is bare of even the simplest decoration. The hedgehog moves to one corner, where a second set of heavy iron manacles rests. "Looks like she was ready with more for me, in case I got loose," he muses. He straightens and eyes the bed, which wouldn't have hidden his mace even in a bad light. "Not here..." he says, a growl flavouring the words. "Where did that creature leave my mace..."

Tungur looks out the crack in the door then to the manacles. "Take those." he says. "They could be good weapons for the others." he nods again before peering out the door. "Check under the bed or something." he shrugs.

Longspikes grunts and does as told, hefting the iron rings and chains and slinging them over his shoulders. "Tungur... my mace is bigger than that bed. It ain't under it, trust me." He says with a sigh. "Maybe she put it downstairs or outside... Come on."

Tungur rolls his eyes a little bit. "Right." he opens the door and peers out before stepping out, heading back for the stairs, starting to head down them slowly.

--- A door closes just as Tungur and Longspikes reach the bottom of the stairs and there, not three paces away the small shape of a familiar cloaked rat with her hood cast back, showing her rather pretty face and bright green eyes: Risha the strange young Longtail that had been talking with Daena, a look of shocked surprised crossing her features at the sight of the two slaves...

Tungur leads the hog out and then down the stairs. "Cant we just get you to use that ball and chain of mine?" he asks, tilting his head to the side. "Got to be less dangerous than looking for the mace." And then he spots the Longtail. "Crap." he produces a knife from beneath his cloak, hurling it at her without a second thought.

Risha is a very fast rat, even when surprised, but a sudden knife is even faster. The young rat is caught in the belly by by the spinning blade even as she tries to spin away. A quiet squeak escapes her as she careens off a wall, those bright green eyes wide, turning down to the hilt jutting out from her cloak and the stain of crimson spreading about it... There is no chance to cry out though, because before she can open her mouth, Longspike's massive paw has her around the throat and is pushing her into the floor with a silent snarl. She struggles silently, eyes wide and pleading, clutching at the tree-trunk thick arm, her tail writhing on the wood...

Tungur holds up a paw and moves to get a good look at that rat. "Let her go...just grip lightly...I need information." he puts his paw on that knife in her side, but doesn't move it. He stops though and stares at her. "You're familiar. Where have I seen you before?" he asks, tilting his head.

Longspikes snarls through broken teeth, but does as told, easing back on the pressure a little. The small rattess takes in a shuddering gasp of air, her eyes wide and focusing on Tungur, paws shaking a little. "Bars. Cells. Talked w-with Otter..." she says, her voice shaky and tiny, frightened... which doesn't seem at all normal with the Longtails. "W-wanted to... to understand..." she adds, trying to lie as still as possible. Most beasts would be writhing or crying in agony at the feel of a knife buried to the hilt, but the blood seeping to the floor doesn't seem to register.

Tungur blinks just a little bit and then sighs. "Oh...no." he sighs a little. "You're the one talking to Daena." he frowns. "Let her go." he looks to Spikes. "Trust me." and then his eyes settle back on Risha. "Tell me whose side you're on...Blackfur's or mine?" he stares almost as blankly as she does, his grip on the knife in her side tightening.

Risha's eyes flick from Longspikes' fierce snarl to Tungur. They aren't as dull or lifeless as Shar's, a spark of something lies just behind them, faded but not gone. No tears, no frown, but fear lies there, deep inside. "N-not on side..." she says, keeping as still as possible, even as the steel-vice grip is released from her neck. "M-moth- Shar, believes Blackfur mad... leave... not s-stay..." says the Longtail.

Longspikes scowls, "Should break her neck... save time in the long run if there are less of these rats around." his glares deepens and he leans down, big fist pressing into the floor beside her head; an equal match in size. "Where is my mace."

Tungur nods slowly and then kneels down. He pulls out the knife and then applies a good amount of pressure. "Longspikes. The infirmary isn't too far from here. Get me some bandages." he orders, looking to the hog then to the rat. "Where's the mace?" he asks, still trying to stop the bleeding. "And if you're leaving, when we're done, you go as far away from here as you can. Got it?"

Longspikes glares at Tungur for half a second, then snorts and pushes himself upright. He glances around for half a seocnd, then moves off into the likely-looking room.

Risha doesn't even blinks as the blade is withdrawn from her flesh, though a fresh welter of blood flows from her. She looks pale, her paws starting to shake. Even with the looming threat of the massive hedgepig gone, she looks terrified. "N-not want to... Do not want to be Longtail." And now, tears, little shimmery sparkles in the corner of the young ratmaid's eyes. "Song. Heard singing. Last night... Want to hear..."

Tungur smiles a little bit as he puts just a little more pressure. "You wont be a long tail anymore." he then looks up. "Hurry up, Spikes..." he then grabs part of his cloak and tares it at the end, pressing it firmly to that wound. "Its not bad. You should be fine..." he smiles a little, checking under the cloth once more to get a better look at it to see how bad it really is. "That song?" he thinks for a moment. "That was Longspikes's singing. He'll sing for you when he comes back, I promise."

Longspikes drifts back towards the base of the stairs and the tableau there, a wad of white linen clutched in one paw. "We can't stay long... she know where it is?" he hisses, flinging the cloth onto the prone rattess without much regard for her. "What are you doing?" he asks, seeing the torn cloth pressed against the Longtail's bloody side, eyes narrowing slightly.

Tungur looks up and takes the bandages, pressing once more on the wound. "Sing us a song, Spikes." he says. "Sing that song you did the other day..." he smiles a little, starting to bandage her up, not entirely sure how bad it is, or if she'll die here or not. And he's fighting back a tear or two of his own. Before, he'd never have felt bad about it, but now, Longtail or not, he's getting torn up inside about hurting her.

Risha's big green eyes flick to Longspikes, her whole body trembling now... the bandage quickly becoming soaked through. The big hedgehog glares down at her, then to Tungur... then back again, his brow furrowing. "What...?" he starts, then blinks once. Recognition flips a switch. "Oh..." he says, now going pale himself. "P-please," says the little greycloak, "Sing... once... M-mace is... is in biggest room... Meeting room..." The wad of linens, large enough for even a big wound, are already used up, and the little ratmaid still bleeding from the wound, shaking, tiny and terrified. Even the Longspikes is not so cruel. He kneels down carefully, and in a deep basso voice kept low enough for her, he begins to sing again... slow and sad, deep enough to touch the heart with the words, a song of mourning. As the last words fade, so has her movements... She lies still, terribly still...

Tungur does his best and sets the bandages on in whatever way he can before he realizes there's nothing he can do. He sits back slowly and listens to Longspikes's song before he leans forward, whispering into her ear before she fades. "You're not a Longtail anymore...you're free...." he whispers before watching her grow still. He closes his eyes and lets several tears start to fall, breathing deep.

Longspikes stares the small body for a long while, a confused look crossing over his big face. The hedgehog is taking in slow, deep breaths, something twanging deep inside him as well. But he recovers a little quicker, "Tungur," he murmurs, "Tungur, we can't stay. The wee'un is... she's gone. They'll blame some other beast, but we can't stay any longer..."

Tungur looks up slowly and wipes his arm over his eyes. "I know..." he sighs, leaning down once more. "I'm sorry." he says quietly. "I am, so, so sorry." slowly he stands up. "Give me a minute, okay?" he looks to Longspikes, slowly bending over and picking her up. "Time or not. She deserves something more than to just be left out here." And with that, he heads outside. He's wasting time, sure, but now, nothing will make him feel better. Nothing but giving her what she really deserves.

Longspikes frowns, but only a little. The hedgepig nods, standing and following after... taking only a moment's detour on the way...

[[[ Black Rose Base ]]]

Longspikes follows after Tungur... in his paws a massive length of iron and wood, bigger than most beasts and no doubt far too heavy for all but the very strongest to wield. He holds it close, but instead of the longing touches he had thought to give, he watches the suddenly energizes Tungur, staying close and quiet...

Tungur carries the body outside and off to the side, away from the previous gathering of Longtails, somewhere soft and nice. He clears away anything that's impeding his plans. Gently, he settles the body down and takes his cloak off. The knives get moved to his belt and his lock picks move to his pocket before he carefully wraps her up in it. He grabs all the rocks he can find and gently constructs some sort of structure over her, using really whatever he can find. What he places there is easily removable. "This is all I can do for now. But when we escape, I'm coming back and taking you somewhere nice....somewhere we can give you a proper burial." he turns. "Lets get your mace back."

Longspikes watched the effort with knowing silence, not wanting to interrupt even as Tungur gathered the stones and laid them across the small grey body. When he turns back though, the big hedgehog just shakes his head once and hefts the massive thing he carries; taller than an Otter, the shaft thicker around than the rat's ankle and with a flanged iron head that would look more appropriate on a battering ram. "Twas just inside the door to the one room... Tugur, we have what we need... We should go back. We'll..." he looks to the small stone grave, his frown deepening. "We'll come back for her..."

Tungur looks up and then huhs. "Oh. You've got it." he sighs. "Lets go...I need to get off my feet." he wipes his eyes, her death taking a pretty big toll on his emotions. He may not have known her, but deep inside, after what she said, he wished he could have. And he slips into the shadows, moving back towards the cell.

Longspikes nods his silent agreement and follows Tungur closely. From this angle it is not hard to get around the campfire that the Longtails had been... though now they seem to be settled in around the glow once more, unburdened by the Ermine and the stoats that had been harassing them earlier. They pay no mind, focusing on their food, their grey shapes terrible reminders of the smaller shape that had been buried.

[[[ Black Rose Slave Cells ]]]

Tungur had slipped past the guards and the Longtails, getting into the cells. The first thing he does, is hide his weapons under his cot before he collapses in heap next to it, letting himself just break down. "I can not believe I used to enjoy that..."

Longspikes seals the gate behind them, then glances up at the rafters just above the door, and their shadowy nature and promptly hefts the huge mace up and into them with one paw... Another beast would would ned a block and tackle for such a feat, but he handled it like another might a somewhat heavy stick. "Had it been another of them, you would have... I would have." says the Hedgehog, setting the heavy manacles underneath as well. "She wasn't... Wasn't like them." The words are soft, choking off at the end, strained with emotion. "There's no words that can make this better..." These are said with some kind of dull horror underneath them, a realization of something deep...

Tungur closes his eyes and sort of hugs himself, rocking back and forth slowly. "I know..I know. But...I just can't believe I killed another innocent...I promised I'd never kill another beast that has done nothing wrong...and I broke it." he's obviously a wreck, face completely soaked with tears. "She wanted to leave...and I killed her..."

Longspikes's paws clench and unclench slowly, that broad head glancing from left to right, looking at a loss himself. Longspiks has always been one to hit first, hit second, and not bother asking question later and now... now his friend, the very beast who freed him not an hour past is in agony... "Tungur," he starts, frown deepening. The big shape lumbers a little closer, "Tun, you can't blame yerself, not for this, not for her... you didn't know, not until too late... Ifn it wasn't you, it would have been me..."

Tungur shakes his head. "I shouldn't have thrown my knife...I shouldn't have even left the cage." he sobs, shaking lightly on the floor. "I didn't even know her name. I know...D-Daena was her friend...b-but...n-now I just...just..." he tries to breathe slowly but just can't manage it.

Longspikes sits next to the shaking rat, head bowing a bit. He has never offered comfort to any beast before, and he suspects no beast ever managed to offer any that can work. He just sets one big shovel-like paw onto Tungur's shoulder and stay quiet, his own mind spinning slowly, eating away at the iron-studded stone inside him... flashes of green eyes, or grey fur... that little smile as he sang. In the gloom, tears start to form in his own eyes, one or two trickling down his cheek. No words, no words from him... none could ease what the rat was feeling.

Tungur looks up towards Longspikes, sighing quietly, wiping away at his face again. "I want to get out of here." he sighs, shuddering once more. "When we get out of here..." he says quietly. "I'm never going to kill anyone else, ever, as long as I live." he sighs a little, slowly slipping onto his cot. "I'm never going to sleep tonight."

Longspikes stays seated where he is; no cot could ever hold him. He stares at the floor between his footpaws, head bobbing slightly. After a long while of silence between the two, he speaks, his voice harsh, quiet and pained. "Aye... I think... I think I shall join ye in that." That big head rises, peering at the gloom above the door, where that terrible weapon he has wielded for a dozen seasons lays, old memories kept fresh by every nick and scar and stain upon it. "No more... Not again."

Tungur holds his head in his paws there on the cot, looking down at the hog for a few moments then his eyes follow to the mace. "We have to keep strong for everyone here." he says quietly. "And I'm going to stop those Longtails." he frowns. "And make sure no one gets hurt by them again." and with that, he settles on his back, staring upward.

Longspikes stays still and quiet for a long time, the night wearing on. The two beasts are the only ones awake in the Cells, each staring into their own private world, into their own private hells... and writhing inside. Words are no good now, each facing the memories etched in their minds from hard lives... bad lives. The wind howls, the trees rustle... the night wears on slowly...