Mad Vlad (Thorns of Steel TP)

Some say that ghosts haunt the stones of Saint Ninian's. Whether or not those rumors are true, there is one creature haunting these stones, much more to be feared than any ghost: Vladmir Stormfeather, who drifts from tombstone to tombstone, his gray fur blending in with the stones themselves.

Ragg is leaning with his back to a tree. His laughing eyes slowly die as he barely sees Vladmir. He stays by the tree and looks down at the ground.

In three swift strides, Vladmir is standing directly before the weasel. His blue eyes sweep over Ragg. "Make your report," he says.

Ragg lifts his now very hard eyes to meet Vladmirs gaze "What can I say that your pet bird has not?"

Vladmir's eyes twinkle slightly, in that lighthearted way they always do right before he kills somebeast. "You'd be surprised what a beast can remember when they're ordered to speak by Vladmir Stormfeather."

Ragg gulps slightly than shrugs than he frowns and looks like he is about to ask a question than he shakes his head "well. what do you want to hear?" His eyes look slightly spiteful.

"Everything that you have observed," Vladmir murmurs. He reaches for his bolas. "NOW."

Ragg cringes "ok ok. I have 'obseved' that some beasts there are rahther rich." this may not be important to the fox but to the pickpocket it is wonderfull "also, there leader is a cat. I have not idea what there guard force is, but from what I have seen it is a lot.

Ragg says, """

KRISHSHANG! The bolas smashes against the tree trunk, ripping several low branches from it, and tearing the bark off a large section of it. The metal spheres of Vladmir's weapon whirl around, and smash against a nearby length of iron fence, causing sparks to shower the area. "MORE! Tell me more! Where are the weakest points in the defenses of Ferravale? How strong is their alliance with Redwall? How competent is their leader? Tell me more! Or..." He leaves the threat unfinished, tapping the bolas meaningfully.

Ragg gives a slight yelp "T-they have a strong alliance with Redwall. I have not been around there leader long enough to know how competent he is." His mind races with thoughts that go somthing like this"weaknesses?!? How was he suposed to know?"

"Then find out, you blundering idiot!" The bolas smashes the fence again as Vladmir berates his ally.

Ragg looks very fearfull "d-don't worry." He stutters slightly "I w-will"

"You had better," Vladmir says matter-of-factly, twirling the bolas a bit slower now. "Or it would be most unpleasant for you."

Ragg mutters somthing to himself, but nods "I know, I know." He looks at the ground and gulps.

"I don't think that's true," Vladmir says, in a calm, almost friendly voice...as he plants a footpaw firmly on one of Ragg's and grinds it beneath the heel of his metal-soled combat boots.

Ragg gives a short and very pained scream "I WILL DO IT! trust me!" He grits his teeth. His eyes are no longer shineing with anything but hate

and pain

Vladmir's eyes, however, twinkle almost merrily...Just as they did when he burned, plundered, and laid waste to the homes and villages of countless creatures...Just as they did when he cruelly, slowly executed hundreds of beasts...After a full minute that seems like hours, he removes his paw, pressing down firmly one more time for good measure as he does so. Finally Ragg's paw is free. Unwilling to let a lackey have the last word, Vladmir leans close, so their faces are almost touching, and hisses, "I would hate to be in your skin if you didn't."

Ragg cringes and gulps "m-me to." He trys to reach down to touch his broken paw.

"Have I made my point? Or do I need to tread on your other paw?" Vladmir says menacingly as he stands up again.

Ragg sits on both of his feet paws "Y-you made your point." His eyes looks fearfull

"Good. Because remember, there are many other points I could make..." Saying this, Vladmir rests a paw on the hilt of one of his hooked daggers.

Ragg would have backed up and ran, but his back is to a tree "I-I know..." He trys to make his way to the right so he has a better chance of runing.

Vladmir stretches a paw in that direction, holding the dagger. He makes a tsk-tsk noise, shaking his head. "Naughty naughty, trying to run...When you think about trying a stupid trick like that, remember that I'm always watching..." To demonstrate this, Vladmir disappears into the graveyard once more, blending in with the stones as well as he did before.

Ragg gulps. He inches to the right a littel more even if his leader is watching. He is very nervous.

WHUNK! A hooked dagger slams into the tree trunk, less than an inch away from the weasel. "I wouldn't," a spectral voice calls from somewhere in the graveyard. "Now, be a good weasel and do as I said, or I might have to give you a haircut just above your throat."

Ragg stops moveing and his eyes show fear. He calls out "I never said I would n-not do as you say..." He reaches up to pull the hooked dagger out of the tree

The voice chuckles coldly, the cruel laughter echoing from tombstone to tombstone. "One can never be too sure." The voice is silent, and it seems that Vladmir has left the area.

Ragg is too scared to move. He stays where he is for at least an hour, then he limps away, the dagger in his paws.