Maxtor Found Dead (Bolts of Chaos TP)
Beasts In Log: Zork-Badger, Oz-Badger, Mallory-Hare, Flicktai-Fox, Kelor-Shrike, Tristan-otter, Jarvis-Shrew...Spoofed: Abbey Guard, Maxtor-mouse...
Mossflower - Dirt Road -------------------------
All around, the scent of the forest fills the air. Trees gathering
thickly on either side of the road offer a shaded escape from the dusty
road, and the moonlight's silvery haze.
Stray acorns are scattered across the path, presumably from the
forest. The warm summer breezes rustle the leaves of the forest trees,
causing an uneasy whispering. Countless beasts' pawprints cover the sandy
ground. A rough path leads through the dense forest. Near the edge of
the trees, a stump, covered with countless initials, offers a resting
place.
Exits: [E]ast, [S]outh, [N]orth
Zork walks up the road singing a song, one very off key and even adds skipping to it as they go along the dirt road, "La de la la day!..." He grins at the hare, "Join in, thar be another 20 verses laddy"
Mallory face palms. "I...bally we-SHUT UP! You're annoying as....you're annoying"
Zork chuckles loudly and it even echoes off the trees some as he grins at the hare again and goes right back to the off key song, one he probably made up.
Mallory shakes his head. "How many times do I have to tell you not to sing, it's annoying. When I'm observing graveyards, you sing. When I’m eating, you sing. When I'm SLEEPING, you sing....when we're walking, you sing, even when we're FIGHTING...YOU STILL SING.....YOU AWFUL ANNOYING BADG.....oh my" He sees what appears to be an unconscious beast in the dirt road. "That beast needs our help, Zork. My rant will have to wait" He runs towards the beast, with one hand in his pack to pull out medical supplies.
Zork frowns as follows the hare quickly. He gets more serious now as he gets closer, "I can help some lad, know a tad bit of healing."
Mallory stops. "This....mouse isn't hurt...he's d-dead" He pulls out a crossbow bolt to discover that it is no ordinary crossbow bolt; it has pieces of sharp metal tied to it. "Very...very dead....this is going in my journal"
Zork rolls his eyes not looking at the mouse right away, "Why does everything go into that journal of yours fer,...your de odd one." He then looks to the mouse as he knows they are close to the abbey to make sure it’s not an abbey beast and goes pale as his jaw drops.
Mallory blinks. "Something wrong, Zork?" He pauses from looking at his journal. "Should I stop writing in my journal? Is that wrong?"
Zork seems in a daze, then growls as he scans the area his sword half drawn, he doesn’t answer the hare right away, “This...was murder..his name is Maxtor, we need to get to the abbey Mallory..now"
Mallory nods. "I take you know him then. Very well, I'll finish my journal later" He backs his stuff and puts the bolt away. "Let's go"
Zork walks over to very gently pick up Maxtor in his large arms, anger and depression in his eyes, he makes sure the hare stays close and walks towards the abbey.
Mallory gets up and begins to follow Zork, a crossbow bolt comes out of nowhere and cuts off a portion of his ear, wincing in pain he gets up and runs. "RUN! QUICK.....NOW!"
Zork spins around just in time to see the cross bolt slam into a large maple tree and sink into it almost all the way, he holds Maxtor close and bolts, he already knows the hare moves fairly quick.
Dirt Road
Mossflower - Dirt Road ---------------------------
On the east side of the road rises the main gate of Redwall Abbey, a massive, ancient structure of red sandstone that nearly obstructs the entirety of the eastern horizon. Here the road has been noticeably better cared for--ruts and potholes are few and far between, and the surface is smoothed and kept free of cropping weeds. Despite this, there is the sense of a thousand pawtreads beneath your feet, taken by beasts long forgotten. Only the Abbey seems a constant, unchanging sentinel--worn and battered by the elements, but still standing tall.
Exits: [D]itch, [G]rasslands, Redwall [Gate], [S]outh, [N]orth
Zork makes his way in to the abbey, the dead Maxtor in his arms, he growls and goes to push the guard out of the way.
Leon happens to be outside and blinks “What is..”
Zork growls, “ Just go to de infirm or..outta my way lad!” Yeah he is peeved as he and the hare go towards the pond and the healer goes towards the infirm to wait.
RW Abbey: Pond
The abbey pond is practically the place to go for relaxation. The orchards that settle onto one side of the water hole provide decent shade for the more heated months to come. Various types of wild flowers grow about the edge of the ground that lightly overhangs into the pond. The pond seemingly invites one into its cool depths, which holds its fish life and multiple species of shrimp and other water dwellers.
Spring has come. Due to the rains, the abbey pond is just gently lapping at the edges of the ground. Soon to overflow lightly if the spring rains don't let up soon. Plant life seems to explode here in a variety of colors, sizes and aromas.
Exits: [F]ire [P]it, [R]edwall [E]ntry, [P]ath by the [G]reat [H]all, [Dive] in the pond, [O]rchards
Contents:
South Wallgate
Mallory runs in. "We found a mouse dead on the dirt road, he had this barbed cross bolt in him" He hands it to Flicktail. "Careful with that, Zork can explain the rest, I have to write the contents of today in my journal" He sits down and starts to write.
Flicktail sighs sadly, as death visits him "Aye...thank ye I will..see wot I kin do" Tears begin to run from his eyes.
Zork walks in slowly but at first stays a little ways off, he shakes his head as the hare writes in his journal, "Must ya write now, tis not the time." He glances at Flicktail, “This was no mere simple attack."
Oz glances over at Zork as he and the hare come in but lets them explain what is going on and he listens carefully.
Jarvis blinks, "Death..death is not good"
Mallory looks up at Zork. "But I'm tired after running, and as late as it is I won't wake up until morning and I always write my journal before I go to bed" He continues writing after a few seconds of looking at Zork as if he was stupid.
Zork glares at Mallory, a hint of anger shows, he still has the mouse in his arms and frowns "Going ta..take...infirm, be right back" He glances over at Oz and frowns before he heads off returning a few moments later, he didn’t know really what to do and sits down, he growls softly.
Jarvis frowns a little, “I think I hear..gotta go" He runs off as he is a little nervous of death and angry beasts.
Mallory continues writing. "Let's see. Zork singing very off tune, annoying. Observed the Ferravale Graveyard, needs trimming. Found mouse named Maxtor Dead, barbed crossbow bolt, abbey pond looks clear and calm, a change from last time I was here and.....done" he puts his quill down. "Now what we're we talking about?"
Oz raises an eyebrow at Zork and watches the shrew run off, "That shrew is getting odder every.." He pauses at the name and looks at Mallory, "What was the name again?" A look of worry on his face and a hoping he heard it wrong.
Zork frowns, he has been looking down at the grass silently, half listening to the hare give a summary of the writing, he sighs sadly as he looks up and his eyes are tear stained.
Mallory tilts his head. "Hmm? Oh...Maxtor. Why? Did you know him?.....interesting, would you mind providing a bio for my journal?"
Flicktail composes himself and tries to smile to the group, he then walks off to go get a couple guards if needed, but first gives the bolt back to Mallory.
Oz tenses up at the name and shakes his head, "No...that’s a lie, it wasn’t him I just got a letter from him" He pulls out the letter as if to confirm it, "See..a misunderstanding." He does his best to stay calm.
Mallory frowns. "I know how this works, the first stage of dealing with death is denial. This is going to be a long journey, maybe you can start by aiding me in a bio. I try to write bios on everyone I encounter, I'm very organized" He shows Oz his very neat and extensive journal. "See, and this is already the seventeenth journal I've used, and I'm nearly finished"
Zork frowns, "It was Maxtor, no mistake..I saw him and picked him up, he's dead and in the infirm, I..I didn’t know where ta put him and, he was dead when we found him and whoever it was fired a bolt at us too, it missed, just barely."
Mallory nods. "Yeah, yeah. nicked my ear...now how about that bio?"
Oz shakes his head again, "Not Maxtor..." He drops the letter “No!" He looks at the hare and glares and even glares at Zork, “What happen explain now!!"Anger rises in his voice.
Zork frowns, "I..I am sorry, there was nothing anyone could do, he was dead..a cross bolt to the chest, a very odd cross bolt."
Kelor asks, "Pardon me?"
Mallory blinks. "Or maybe I'll forget the bio" Hee puts the journal in the pack. "Nobody cares about my notes, well except me...but" He thinks for a moment. "OH....we should talk about Maxtor. Ok, well I don't know but he was found dead with a barbed crossbow bolt in him, he picks it up from the ground where the exiting Flicktail accidently dropped it. "Weird huh? I've never seen a crossbow bolt before, much less one like this now I've seen some unique stuff in my day....but nothing like this. Whoever made this is an expert weapons specialist and probably good at forging them too, we're dealing with someone who's going to very difficult to get rid of" After finishing his statistics and rambling he sits back down.
Oz listens and covers his ears "No!!! He's not dead, your lie!" He sobs suddenly and drops to his knees.
Kelor asks, "What is going on here?"
Zork frowns and stands going over to Oz "Oz?...Calm down, please." He looks at Kelor "A beast was murdered that’s what happen"
Kelor peers at Zork, "Whom?"
Oz suddenly shoves Zork away and growls loudly, tears go down his face, "Leave me alone!..This is..bad dream" He sobs again and starts to get up only to fall hurting his already sore knee and takes a few deep breaths “No!!!" He gasps a little and coughs.
Zork blinks in surprise, a rare time he is moved in a shove, if at all.."Whoa.." He then gets concern "Ozzy!"
Kelor says to Oz, "Please try to keep your head on your shoulders. We are trying to help."
Mallory frowns. "It's hard to except, but you must, and then you must grieve, and then you must move on. It is the cycle of things. Maxtor was mentioned by Zork once in our travels, here is a Fried Cherry Scone, I believe he was quite fond of these" he takes a bite of another one. "Hmm...strangely not bad" he turns to Kelor. "A Shrike? Interesting, never seen one" He starts taking notes.
Kelor stants sideways in front of Mallory so he can get a better look at him, "I moved here when my home was taken over by crows. I have little urge to return, in all honesty."
Oz growls low and coughs, he is a bit short of breath mainly due to sudden emotional stress, "G..Get.." He takes a few deep breaths and shivers, breathing heavy for a short while and only calming a little as tears go down his face, "Not..Maxtor"
Zork is concern and speaks "Breath ok..relax and breath normal before ya pass out “He is concern yes, he looks around "There a healer around or...maybe" He waits to see if he improves some first.
Kelor stands there, unable to say a word, not sure what to do.
It doesn't take much of a brain to know that a weeping badger probably means something's going on. In stark contrast to Oz's hysterics, the hooded otter making his way over towards the pond in no particular hurry is completely slate-faced. He stops when he's a few feet away from the edge of the group, clearing his throat a little before speaking in an even tone. "Problem?" he asks, as if it wasn't obvious. He's hoping this will be enough to draw out an explanation without forcing Tristan to speak more than necessary.
Mallory nods. "Yes, a beast has been found dead, with this barbed crossbow bolt, this badger knew him and is in distress"
Kelor turns to the otter and explains, "I believe he was Oz's adopted son or something."
Oz coughs and shakes his head unable to say much but mumble, a healer was called and they and a couple guards help Oz up, at first he fights the help up and then just lets them take him to the infirm, a guard speaks "Going to get Oz to Brother Leon." He then proceeds to do that.
Zork watches as he stands, he looks at Tristan "Maxtor was murdered and course he in distress ya blooming hare!" He shakes his head and makes a fist.
Kelor says to Zork "There is no reason to get angry at him."
Mallory nods. "Yes, I've done nothing wrong. Anyways, we need to inform someone soon, there is a very unique killer on the loose"
Kelor asks, "what evidence to you have?"
Mallory blinks. "We're you not paying attention at all when I showed the barbed crossbow bolt?"
Since Mallory and Kelor seem to be the most level headed of the four and provide him the most information, Tristan does his best to ignore Zork and Oz for the moment. "Just calm down." he says evenly, watching as Oz is taken away. "What do we know?" He looks at Mallory, but the question is directed at any of them. "Maxtor's dead, and we have a barbed crossbow bolt. Anything else? Do you have the bolt? Any witnesses?" Tristan tries to guide them through, hoping to at least approach this in a calm and professional manner.
Zork nods slowly as he calms some "I am sorry for my outburst, I am just upset and worried for my brother, Oz...Maxtor was his adopted son and there was a 2nd bolt fired, barely missed us and hit a tree..north of the abbey, close to the Gull, like north of it"
Mallory shows Kelor and Tristan the barbed bolt. "See...evidence, I was, alas, too late to save his life."
Zork says, "Me and Mallory were on the road, brought the dead Maxtor here...and informed those at the pond, Flicktail, some shrew, and..." He frowns "Oz was at the pond too"
Kelor says, "crossbows are uncommon in vermin arsenals. This fellow was a professional, likely someone with some skill in manufacturing weapons."
Mallory nods. "Yes, so maybe we have a lead" He yawns. "However I am tired, and I already past my deadline after writing my journal to sleep...good night all" he walks off towards the dorms as if nothing happened.
Kelor ruffles his feathers and says, "I like his straightforwardness, but that was rather abrupt.
Zork watches Mallory go and sighs, he looks to Tristan and Kelor, "This beast needs found and soon"
Kelor nods, "As I said, we do have one lead, and that's that we know this is no common criminal."
Zork nods and heads off to infirm “I have to check on my brother, we can talk more tomorrow after a good night’s sleep”
