No one is Safe (Bolts of Chaos TP)

Mallory walks up the road with Zork. "Almost there, we should see Ferravale any time now, then I can trim that graveyard and you can talk to the chieftain"

Zork nods "I suppose ya could, " He grins, "Ya know what de dibbuns love me at de abbey, I am Uncle Zork, isn’t that awesome?"

Mallory shrugs. "I suppose it is, it was an interesting write for my journal, although I did not appreciate the mole barfing on me, I had to take THREE baths that day. Although on a better note, dinner was good"

Zork grins, “Food at de abbey is ALWAYS good my lad, always as nothing beats abbey food”

Scioto is walking down the road, his uniform on and he has some chainmail over his shirt, he also has his sword as he stays alert for trouble, with him is a guard from Ferravale.

Mallory frowns, “But the mold dibbun still…barf” He shivers some.

Zork shrugs "Dibbuns get ill at times, probably mixed too much food or something, "He chuckles.

Mallory blinks, looking onward. "Umm...Zork, you should see this"

Zork slows, "See what?" He looks the direction they are heading in, ready to draw a sword if needed and stays close to Mallory to protect him.

In the distance near Scioto is a large wagon set ablaze, the horse it would seem has run off

Mallory runs ahead to the cart, bumping into Scioto. "Oh sorry sir, Mr. Cat, sir, Mr. Scioto, sir, sorry" He looks at the cart. "Did you see this, it's on FIRE!"

Scioto blinks as he sees the cart, the guard with him speaks, "Sir the cart appears to be burning" The feline blinks and looks at his guard "It is?" He asks in a sarcastic voice, "Gee didn’t notice....come on " The guard follows for a careful closer look. As the hare bumps into him he starts to draw his sword then sees its Mallory and shakes his head, "Yes I ...SEE..It’s on fire, why?"

Zork walks slowly "Careful Malloy not too close, also.." He looks around sword now drawn as he is on even tighter alertness.” Stay alert, ya too Scioto.”

Mallory examines the cart, he pull out a crossbow bolt, burning his fingers slightly. "It appears that the ale in the back of this cart was ignited by a crossbow bolt set ablaze" he noted. Looking around he also finds a note pinned to a tree by another crossbow bolt. He hands it to Zork.

Scioto folds his arms over his chest as he looks at the cart and frowns.

Zork reads the note "It says No one is safe..." He scans it a couple times and growls low.

Scioto walks over to the others, "There were vermin and..think 2-3 woodlanders in that cart, any clue who did it?"

The Ferravale guard examines the cart too and reports “ dead sir, no one survived the attack sir, any orders?”

Mallory shakes his head. "No, but my guess is this is a Slaver Cart, whoever this is sending a clear message, woodlander or vermin. Good or Evil, everyone should fear him. This is one sadistic fiend we're dealing with"

Zork starts to tear up the note and then places it in his pocket" We need to show the note to others, tell them what we found..cross bolt, wonder if it’s the same one who killed a guard in Ferravale and Maxtor"

Scioto raises an eyebrow," Maxtor? Who is this and he was killed? When and how?" He looks to the guard, “Wait for now.” The guard nods.

Mallory turns to the chieftain "Maxtor was Zork's adopted nephew, he was traveling here and we found him dead just a little ways from here with a barbed crossbow bolt in his chest. It may be the same killer or it may be a coincidence"

Scioto says, "My guard had a cross bolt to the chest as well, little ways down the path to Ferravale, was a few days ago"

Zork listens and growls low, "Whoever is doing all this needs ta be found and slayed, sooner rather than later"

Mallory nods. "But finding him and slaying him may not be easy, especially since he is obviously very good with a crossbow, and has access to flint or some other fire-making substance"

Scioto asks, "What else would make fire besides flint?. Even with candles need a way to light the candle'"

Zork shrugs, "Lightning.." He chuckles a little at the joke but then becomes serious..you mentioned ale, ale would of caused it ta be bigger..flammable stuff"

Mallory nods. "Yes, ale, set the whole darned thing on fire" , He pulls out a cup and a knife and pours him some of what's left of the ale and starts to drink. "What it's good....is that wrong?"

Scioto shakes his head, "And why drink it, it could be poisoned hare, are you a fool?"

Mallory spits it out and throws the cup into the forest. "Good point, good point. Anyways, we should let the abbey know about this"

Zork frowns and makes a face,"Ick...gross Mallory, tea or October ale, ummm-from the abbey- only."

Scioto studies the cart before speaking again, "I should head back to Ferravale, you two can tell the abbey of this, I have to make sure all is well in Ferravale and set up some more guards and tell them to stay on alert for a beast with a crossbow"

Zork nods "Right, the more that knows ta stay on alert, de better and yes we can tell Flicktail and Benar too he wanted to be kept up to date"

Mallory nods. "Ok, I'll get back to Redwall then" He bolts off towards the abbey, probably not a wise move in light of recent events, but Mallory's common sense isn't very good, and it will likely not be the last stupid mistake he makes.

Zork shakes his head "I better make sure he gets there safe, talk later" He heads after the hare before anything else happens.