Priory Prowling

Stubb, Amos, Frigg, Viddick, Hactor

Location: Ruingate Priory

Stubb's arm stabs into the darkness of this musty room, which before was lit only in the faint filigree of trespassing moonlight, and all at once, the sharp, bright light of the weasel's flaming torch tears across the abandoned interior. His face, thin and drawn, is next to appear. "Wai' ou'soide, ma'es," he calls back through the entryway. "Oi need you standin' guard. 'Ceptin' you, ca'. Come wif me. Anuvver pair a oiyes 'll help, mefinks."

Following close behind, the shapely figure of a wildcat set a lit by the touch which the weasel leads with into the room. He looks about the room curiously as he enters, ears twitching, "Aye, if ya say so. Anything I's be suppose to be looking for in particular?"

Frigg was told she was coming with the group, so here she is. Secretly, though, this is exactly where she wants to be. Weren't the Redwallers here before, when they were here? She pretends to be innocent, though she's thoroughly lost in this town for certain - she trails behind Stubb, keeping her mouth shut. She has no idea what's going on; she has her own agenda.

Stubb wheels round as if to direct a remark to the shapely wildcat, when his eyes snag on the diminutive mousemaid. He blinks dully. "Oy, where you been hoidin' her, ma'e? Oi di'n' no'ice her tailin' us." His brow kneads at his forehead for a few moments before the weasel lets pass a sigh of surrender. "Foine. Jes' stick close boi, li'tle lady."

Eyes... Eyes are watching all of them. In the dusty darkness, Viddick jumps to the top of another table, wobbling it slightly, just a faint hint of sound like the room was casually occupied and somebody was scooting in their chair after they were done.

Frigg looks at the weasel strangely, "I'll stick as close by as I can sta--" She pauses, hearing the sound, and contrary to her objections, she does move a little bit closer to Stubb. She gulps nervously, bracing for an ambush of some sort. She should have minded her own business!

Amos mews, "Oy, figure we could have her for a bit of snack on the way if she causes any trouble, " He grins at the weasel and then down at the mousemaid, "Ain't not threat, and might as well continue on as it is.. ain't got all night have we?" He stifles a yawn. "

Stubb presses delicately forward into the pools of darkness that submerge the depths of the room. His small, tapered ears quiver gently at the subdued sound from the darkness. "Who's there? Dere's more of us dan you, an a dragon wai'in' outsoide if we need 'im, so oi wouldn' troi nuffin'."

Stubb holds a paw to his lips and falls silent, listening.

Viddick was about to dip below the table, but he's already illuminated by the torchlight and figures he's dressed with some authority. "Ahem, the number of you matters not. You should not be here - the Priory has been closed since relations with the abbey broke down. Apparently they didn't like the sides we were taking." He grins. "Are you from the abbey?" He looks inquisitively, hopping back up on the table.

Stubb squints at the rat, and, after a quick calculation, steps slightly to the side to allow the light to fall on Frigg.

Frigg is relieved to see that it's only a rat, and only one of them. She looks behind her at Amos distainfully, "What did I say about eating, hmm? No mice!" She looks startled at Stubb, and suddenly there's light on her. "I-I'm nobody. Don't mind me at all, sir, whoever you are!"

With all focus shifting towards Frigg the wildcat gives but a hiss in response at the mousemaid, having half a mind to pipe up at the rats query he grumbles. His paw on his hilt though, and he steps forward, "Does it bloody look like we're from the Abbey, and what'cha might you be ol' rat?"

"Well, cat, you have a mouse with you - she looks to be from the abbey. And hadn't you heard, the abbey was taken over by southerners and other of our kind, so you might be them, mightn't you be?" He hops down and strides forward. "Me, though? Isn't it obvious? I'm /from/ here. Hah, fool..." He looks at the mouse with squinted eyes, "Hmm." He gives a quick glance at the others in the party, but returns to the mousemaid, "You're the odd one out, for sure..."

Stubb allows the rat to paw at his new-found toy a bit, moving another step to the side to allow Viddick to approach. His free paw he slides under his vest, and he gestures silently in Amos' direction.

Hactor just sat outside with the Dragon. But he listened intently, and he figured whenever the moment suited his interest he would sneek in.

Frigg looks side to side for support, like 'hey, guys, why am I the bait here?!' and composes herself in front of the rat, "I'm most certainly not from Redwall.. in fact, I'm from farther south a ways... uh... I came here looking for my sons - truth be told, they might have passed through this town. That's all I have to tell - nothing suspicious about me at all, please!"

Amos rolls his eyes but falls quiet, keeping an eye on the rat warily.

Viddick backs away, seeing the others acting strangely, in contrast to the mousemaid. "Well, I don't suppose there's much I can do about you folks myself. I can show myself and ask what your business is, and you can choose to go someplace else for your fun, whatever it be." He tenses his legs, his best evasive tool at his disposal.

Stubb's paw remains motionless beneath the lapel of his vest. "No, dere ain' much you can do. So oi su'jest you step asoide." A wicked grin parts his lips for a flash. "Truf be told, we are from the abbey, an' we're on strict orders from tha warlord hisself to retrieve an artifact of grea' value from dis very spot. An' 'Actor's no' one to be... countermanded."

Frigg is just frightened out of her mind now, but somehow finds the strength to stand up straight. Or maybe... she faints. Yes she does.

Hactor could have laughed as he listens to Subb's words. Whoever this rat was he didn't care but, it was quite amussing to see his name still carried a little weight. Even after his downfall. Halso heard a soft thus but continued to listen.

The rat is slack-jawed, "Hactor, you said? What does he want from us?? There is nothing for us to give him - has his majesty set his sights on this stronghold, perhaps? If so, perhaps you shouldn't have made yourselves known. If I go from here, I will just tell the Regent of your arrival..." The rat edges around the perimeter of the room.

Stubb takes a step backward. "Prop 'er up boi tha wall, ma'e," the weasel says, bobbing the upheld torch in the indicated direction. Looking at the rat, he smiles. "Wha' makes you fink you'll be goin' from here? An' if you do inform your Regent, well. Surely he knows abou' tha Army a that Fox Lord?""

Amos steps out of the way as the mousmaid faints, but otherwise continues to stand impassively and silent with his glaze focused on the rat.

Viddick looks at the mousemaid briefly, but keeps his focus mainly on Stubb, "I assume his Regency knows about all matters of Redwall. We haven't taken this place just to be taken ourselves, though... what makes you think we can't handle a bunch of foxes and a false king? I heard he got most of his power from a fox that's now dead. News... travels fast." Not fast enough...

Frigg starts to come to as she's being moved - not outside, unfortunately. This is too much... has the tension not been resolved even while she was out? She rubs at her head and looks back at the rat.

Just then an old raspy voice was heard saying,"Is this fast enough for you!?" Sudennly the Warlord himself appeares. True he was still dressed as a beggar, but his one good eye glared manevolence and power. With his one arm he pointed at Viddick ands said, "Tell you're masters Hactor is her and he wishes to have deelings with them. I have not travled hundreds of miles in rain and snow to be turned back by some sewer rat!"

Viddick is momentarily surprised and stunned to see the fox. But then.. well, he's just amused. He forgets the danger he's in and sees the warlord... missing an arm? And... "Well.. that begs the question - why are you here, your armlessness? Surely you've brought that fox army with you and I should be packing my belongings post-haste?" He bows, and has a sudden nervous thought. What if he had?

Frigg is just praying to herself right now, to be delivered of this situation in any way possible. Still, she's listening intently for clues.. any and all clues!

Amos leaves Stubb's group and wanders off on his own.

Stubb masks his displeasure with a bow toward his nominal boss. Even he is surprised by the flair with which the old fellow dashes about when he needs to make an impression.

Hactor eye fglints with momentary anger, but insted he laughs a hoars, unpleasant laugh. "Stand aside wormtail," he begins. Now it is his turn to be ammused, "i have had dealings with your masters before. If I were you I'de be more worried about /their/ rath than mine!"

Viddick chuckles. His best bet is to just tell them the truth. Or a half-truth. Partial truth. The rat throws down his helmet and shakes his head, "Fox, I am no slave in this stupid horde that's taken over here - merely taking advantage of the situation, as I'm sure you are." He looks, to make sure his target isn't among them... and continues, "Although you don't blend in nearly as well as I, I can see we might have something each other needs." He steps forward.

Frigg blinks. Well... that seems like a good thing, right? She holds her breath, though. The maid looks faint again, "Excuse me? Should I be hearing any of this? I'd appreciate some fresh air, too, this air is stale and not fit for an old lady like myself... Excuse me?? Anybeast?"

Stubb hands the torch to Amos and moves over to Frigg. "Bes' we ge' you out of 'ere. The lizard'll keep his oiyes on you, so don't troi nuffin'." An unmistakeable trace of affection is present in his voice.

Hactor considers the rat for a moment, stroking his beard. He knew he was bound to be doublecrossed..again! But, his curiosity was peeked, "Go on?"

Frigg almost vomits at the tone of the weasel, but is thankfully removed from the room and sighs a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank you... see, I knew I associated with you kind gentlebeast for a reason." She nearly rolls her eyes, but keeps from doing so, as she's escorted out.

Viddick continues, "Right. Well, this fellow mentioned you had needs of an artifact. Truth be, all these buildings were sacked when the rats came in... what you're looking for wouldn't be here I'd bet, but with the Regent. I might be able to get it for you, since they all think I'm one of them. And... well, you may know about a certain somebeast I've been looking for. I've had my eye on you fellas since you got here, matter of fact. That certain somebeast... might not be all that important to ya, but s... they would be to me and who I represent."

Hactor smerked and folded his ar m behind his back. He asked not hiding his misgivings, "And who might that be? I've been doublecrossed one to many times boy. And believe me, if you're not who you say you are.." He grined evily, and tapped at his eye patch.

"It doesn't really matter, geezer... you can look here all you want for it... but you'd better bring that fox army of yours in and take it by force otherwise. I'm just guessing - they're not anywhere /near/ here, are they? If you had them hiding outside the gates, you'd not be here yourself the entire time. And these chaps here don't look like they've been travelling heavy. That's my educated guess. And you'll just have to guess about me, is all." He folds his arms.

Hactor gritted his teeth and just glared at Viddick. Finalley he sighed and replied, "I suppose I'll keep guessing then." He then whent quiet and continued glaring, deciding to let Stubb sort this out. At least they beleaved he still had an army.

Stubb has been watching the exchange in quiet bemusement, his eyes traveling in unhurried circuits up and down the blustering rat. He steps forward after the room has fallen quiet and grabs the torch back from the wildcat's paw. "Ay, oi fink we'll keep lookin'. Moigh' have been overlooked, even assuming dis fella's tellin' da truf."

Viddick nods. "Don't worry, old boss... I wouldn't mind in the least if you /did/ have your army parked here anyway - I'd simply wait for you to be engaged in the seige and take what I needed from you. This way is much better for you." He looks at Stubb, "Go ahead, friend. Even if it's here, am I really to believe your warlord himself came all the way up here for /one/ item? Seems silly to me..."

Hactor mumbled something under his breath, and pulled his pipe from a pocket. He lit it moodly and said to Stubb, "Let's forget this fool and move along Stubb. He dosn't sit well with me."

Viddick stumbles around the outside of the room, chuckling. "Well, I'll be "at post", so to speak, at the crossing just up ahead, if you should not find any friendly rats willing to steal into the Regent's quarters for you. The rat jumps astonishingly over a pile of overturned tables and chairs to just inside the entrance.

Stubb grinds his teeth. His claws dig at the flesh of his free palm in unvoiced frustration and anxiety, and his smoldering stare follows Viddick across the room. "Amos, keep an oiye on this one, yeh?" He points the wildcat to the door. "Oi ain' leavin' till oi've turned this building over."

Hactor nodds in agreement and turns to Stubb. Even though he was whispering his adgiotation could be easily heard. He only said one word to the weasel.."Explain." And the look he gave Stubb ment just that.

Viddick smiles at Amos. "Hi there. Should I faint as well, if I want to go out of doors?" He looks back at Stubb, muttering to the wildcat, "Ambitious little guy, ain't he?"

Stubb ignores the query and presses on into the darkness of the large room.

Hactor follows but was still irritated with the weasel. He would inquire with a bit more force later. For now he followed quietly.

Viddick waits patiently by Amos at the door. "So, hundreds of mile in rain and snow, eh? Must have been terrible for ye'. I've just been cozy here, past few seasons..."

Viddick finally has enough, "Do you really intend to keep me hostage until he finds this artifact? He asked you to keep an eye on me, and my post is just down the street, come on! I'm not going anywhere." The wildcat grumbles a bit and rolls his eyes at the rat, "Go." He stands just outside, watching the rat all the way to his post, where he's seen conversing idly with another guardrat.

The rat's departure barely registers with Stubb, who reaches the door to the dining hall with a few easy strides. With nary a backward glance, he passes through it, throwing the room behind him once again into deep shadow.

Hactor just continues to follow, cokcing an eyebrow at the door and Stubb's manner. His tail bristled. He didn't like the feeling of this 'expidition' for some reason.

Somewhere above, an errant draft teases at the shutter of an open window, and it clatters distantly in the cool stillness of this large dining hall. Stubb's torch crackles sharply, its rays reaching out to paint hovering dustmotes in splashes of pale white. The weasel treads with due care. He steps over the scattered vestiges of this hall's former function, over broken chairs and smashed pottery, old glasses and paintings knocked from their perches on the walls. "Hmm," he grunts.

Hactor looked around the old hall, with a mixture of distast, and interest. He to stepped carefully, trying to avoid in sharp stones and splenters of wood. "I repeat," he said to his guide, "Pray tell what are we here for Stubb? My patients with your charade are running thin."

Stubb tames his sneer into a look of tempered distaste. "Le's be clear, chum." He turns to look back at the battered old fox. "You'd no' have made it into dis town wifout me. An' you moigh' not 'ave lasted dis long wifout me neiver. As oi see i', you owe me a bi' a patience."

Hactor narrowed his eye, but managed to bottle his rage. With as much self control as the old warrior could muster he bowed and replied, "Of course." Albeit with a hint of sarcasm.

Stubb clears his throat. "You know as well as me we ain' lookin' for no ar'ifact. But oi am. Least, oi'm lookin' for part a one."

Hactor puffed on his pipe a few times, then replied, "Very well. It isn't like I'll be goin anywhere for a while." Continuing to puff on his pipe he continued with a gesture, "After you...masteh." He flashed a toothy grin and waited for Stubb to lead the way.

Old ceramics crunch beneath Stubb's paw as he delves deeper and crosses into the kitchen. The odors of rotting food have accumulated here into a sort of stratigraphic chart of the priory's decay. They strike Stubb's nostrils like a slap, and he recoils, winded temporarily.

As Hactor follows Stubb, he notices the weasel's slite discomfort. The fox laughs harshly and sayes, "You think that is bad? My friend, live the way I've been living for a month and then come to me about stench!" He continued pass Stubb growling, "Come. Lets us find your artifact."

Stubb chuckles, glad to have some relief from the tension of a moment earlier. "Ay, you'll have to tell me abou' your travels, me lord, once we're ou' a dis dank hole." He grimaces and steels himself to plunge further in. With a few strides, he reaches the old hearth, still scarred with ash and haphazardly circumscribed with bits of putrid vegetable. A great cast-iron pot sits to one side, but it is to the base of the old firepit that he now applies his attention.

Hactor chuckled, but followed Stubb's eyes. He stood to one side of the fire pit, and waited on the weasel. In the back of his mind he was trying to figure out what could poisibly be left in this forboding place.

"Hold dis," Stubb says, offering Hactor the torch. They're working together as equals, it seems.

Hactor takes the torch, the flame illuminating his scared features. He stood perfectly still, watching Stubb's work with renewed interest.

Stubb kneels to sweep away the sedimentary ash that adheres in a thick, damp layer to the pit. It takes only a few seconds' effort to unearth the outline of a trap door beneath the pit. It, too, is wrought of cast iron and bears upon it a small ring for opening and closing the door.

Hactor's eye goes wide as he asks, "How on earth?" The fox kneels down beside Stubb illuminating the trap door even further. He looks derectly at Stubb asking, "How did you find out about this?"

Stubb pauses to sit back on his haunches. He looks up at Hactor coolly, a subtle smile playing at his face. "Moi travels 'ave not been entoirely a... er. Product of chance?" The smile blossoms further. "You moigh' say our first encounter--back a' the inn--was no' mere luck eiver."

Hactor cocked an eyebrow at this statement. But only dismissed it with a light chcukle. "Well?" he said nodding torwards the trap door.

Stubb's manner bespeaks relief as matters turn back to the present. "Well, indeed!" The weasel rubs his palms together and shifts his weight back onto his knees. He pulls open the trap door and slides the plate away, revealing a smallish hole that drops off into blackness.

Hactor shines the flame torward the hole, only dimly illuminating the inky blackness. Hactor clicks his tounge and replies, "Well...After you." He offered Stubb the torch continuing, "After all, I'm just a geezer."

Stubb dips the ignited side of the torch into the square hole. He sighs. "Don' fink eiver a us is gonna fi', ma'e." He shakes his head and thinks for a moment. "Know any moice?"