The Battle on the Open Ground

The Characters (in order of appearance):

Tameus, a hare.

Sebastian, a badger.

Skipper Hallow and his otters.

Champion Flicktail and the Order of Redwall.

Benar, a squirrel.

Odilo, a squirrel.

King Nidlorf.

The squirrel regiments of King Nidlorf.

Z'Fingo, a mouse.

Anba Hor's Decoy.

King Quickbeak and the Sparra.

Magramba, a squirrel.

The Torturer. Anba Hor.

The fox conscripts of Anba Hor.

Fae, a fox.

Psamathe, a fox.

Parin, a ferret.

Kisharn, a weasel.

Rotsnout, a fox.

Arevin, a fox.

Rotnose, a fat fox.

Wurstbelly, a fox.

Annavee, a wolf.

Badfoot, a fox.

A volemaid.

Bradge, an otter Novice.

Ferris, a bouncer.

Bartholomew, a badger.

-

-

RW Abbey: Open Ground

It’s approaching dusk, and the fox Anba Hor has promised the Champion of Redwall a battle of epic proportions. Meanwhile, those unneeded for the fight go to try and rescue the creatures Anba Hor has taken prisoner.

-

-

Tameus arrives in the open field from in front of the Great Hall.

Tameus has arrived.

Sebastian sighs and follows, sheathing his sword. "Flicktail." he looks around at the abbey. "If I die today, and you do not, can you please do something for me?"

Hallow arrives in the open field from in front of the Great Hall.

Hallow has arrived.

Flicktail asks, "well at won't appen but wot be it big Stripe dog?"

Sebastian takes out a folded piece of parchment, holding it out. "It's a letter to what family I have left in the south. Could you send it if I die? And i know I wont, but just incase."

Flicktail says, "aye o course Lad". Flicktail takes the letter and places it in his tunic

Sebastian takes a deep breath. "Thank you." he looks to the sky.

Tameus exits the abbey building down the steps from the infirmary.

Sebastian takes another deep breath and looks down, catching Tam out of the corner of his eye. "Hey Tam." he then thinks. "I've got something for you! Be right back." the badger vanishes out towards the gatehouse.

Tameus blinks a little as Sebastian rushes off. "... okay."

Sebastian returns to the open grounds, carrying a sword in a hard leather scabbard. "Me and Magramba made this for you last night Tameus. Spent all night working on it. And I think now is as good a time as any to give it to you, since there is the chance I may not get to later." he smiles, getting ready to pull the blade out. "Want to see?" he grins.

Hallow is just on her rounds about the place, her two guards in tow as ever as she walks round the abbey, spotting the others and heading vaguely in that direction.

Flicktail walks from the wall..looking around for the GOUSIM rep

Benar enter in from the Lower Dormitory..

Flicktail says, "Hallow..ave we sent forces to e Fox's ome..ta rescue e beasts e as?"

A smile grows across Tam's muzzle, ears perking up. "Y' made me a sword?" He sounds uncertain. "That's real nice'a y', Seb..."

Benar steps out of the abbey, paws in his sleeves as he glides along a walk way toward the gardens.

Sebastian pulls the blade from the sheath. The sword itself looks identical to Martian the Warrior's sword. With a few slight differences. Its a little smaller, and instead of 'I am that is' on the blade, it reads 'I Tameus'. Aside from those two differences, its a replica of Flicktail's sword. "Here. Flicktail, Magramba, and I thought you would like this." he holds the handle down to the young hare. "Was my idea to start with, but we all thought it was good." he smiles.

Hallow nods once "Yes I sent a few out this morning to hide themselves, they're awaiting a bird so they know when to move"

Odilo creeps off, unnoticed, as he goes to 'check on something'. He slips behind all the others, towards the east gate... he's quiet and careful not to tell Nidlorf where he's going..

Tameus is a little startled, and automatically glances at Flicktail. He gets a glimpse of the Champion's own sword, then looks back at the replica, blinking slowly a few times - clearly not sure what to say.

Nidlorf arrives in the open field from in front of the Great Hall.

Nidlorf has arrived.

Flicktail smiles to Tam and winks..before heading off toward the east gate,....unseen by any he turns and heads into the Great Hall for a moment.

Benar starts to walk over toward Tam, Flicktail and the others, "What is going on?" he peers at the sword and smiles, "That is a lovely sword Tameus. I am sure it shall serve you well.

Sebastian smiles and keeps the hilt of the sword out for Tam to take. "Its all yours."

Tameus extends his hand to curl it around the hilt, lifting the sword, his brow furrowing. "'s a very nice sword.. but..." He smiles shyly at Sebastian. "Why's it look like Flick's..?"

Sebastian smiles. "Because we both thought that you liked his sword. And since there is only one of them, I made you this one so that you always have one that's identical to his." he smiles a bit. "If you want, I could reforge it after not to look like Flicktail's..."

Z'Fingo arrives in the open field from in front of the Great Hall.

Z'Fingo has arrived.

Tameus shakes his head, looking bewildered. "No.. no 's okay... 's just that, I like his sword not 'cause'a how it /looks/... but. What it /means/." He gives Sebastian a grin. "Thank y', though, 's real nice'a y' t' gimme a present..."

Nidlorf, thinking he's been with Flicktail chatting and planning for the attack, walks onto the open ground with him. He sees the gathering and his eyes widen, looking at the veritable army in front of him, "Wow... guess that fox has no chance at all..."

Sebastian nods. "I know why you like it. But still, I thought it might be nice for you to have one of your own." he smiles, grinning a bit in return. "It's no trouble." he smiles, his paw resting on his sword hilt.

Hallow seems curious about all the sword business but she's content to keep out the way for now. Little glance around and seems Flicktail's wandered off, no matter, starts to watch the sparrows going back and forth up above.

Z'Fingo knows he shouldn't be here, but hides amid the crowd of beasts. He has his hood down, and he's safe among some of the beasts that don't know him. Besides, it feels good to have his hood down, the fresh air hitting his face... Ahh... he eyes Nidlorf, walking with the fox. So, the king /has/ accepted help from a vermin... interesting...

Sebastian looks around and draws his sword slowly, placing the tip against the ground and muttering a few things, driving the sword into the ground and leaning on it.

Benar looks around at the large crowds then turns to Tam, "What is going on anyway? Why are all these beasts gathered outside the main gates? Is something going on?"

Tameus goes on smiling distractedly, lifting the sword, trying the weight of it in his hand. He glances at Benar. "I d'nno, somethin's been planned. Y' better ask Flicktail." He looks around, seeking out wherever the Champion is.

Benar frowns and nods, looking around, "Maybe I should move beasts back into the abbey? If something is planned? We don't want beasts in the way..."

Sebastian looks to Benar. "I'm not sure who is helping and who isn't so perhaps its not such a good idea. You would need to ask Flicktail who to move back inside. If anyone." he looks over the crowd.

F1icktail smiles at the others. Hmm... "Okie... ee be all on 'lert noi, O'ill be sent more of us to 'is foxden, who wantin' to join um?" He looks around, trying to imitate the leader of the woodlanders, "Oi jus' recieved word 'at the fox be thur still... we need more t'go thur!"

Benar nods his head and looks around, "Well I should get myself moved inside then, I'm not a warrior any longer... unless things are that bad you need me to pick up a weapon?"

Nidlorf nods, and decides he'll send his entire regiment to the fox's lair. /He's/ going to be taking all the credit for this one, he just needs the others around to witness his total victory over the evil fox... Ha... "I'll send most of my men, you needn't send any more, Champion."

Sebastian looks up to 'Flicktail' and tilts his head, looking around, deciding weather or not to volunteer to go or not. He then looks to Benar. "If you know how to use a weapon, I would ask you to stay, but it is your choice."

Hallow raises a brow faintly "I thought the plan was to simply wait for him to come here since apparently he's supposed to? We have beasts waiting, pays to be patient, he'll come eventually or he'll look like a fool" she's not seen the duplicate she's just not in a rush.

Tameus's muzzle spreads in a smile as Flicktail reappears, and he slides his new sword into his belt, approaching the Champion. "Flick! Thank y' very much f'r th' sword, Seb jus' gave it t' me..."

Sebastian looks at Tameus then follows, figuring he might as well. "And thank you Flicktail for letting me copy your sword." he smiles.

Benar frowns and looks around, he walks over to a cart and picks up a quiver of arrows and a bow. "I won't pick up a sword again. But I can use this." he looks around and points, "I'll be up there." he nods to the wall above the main gate.

F1icktail umms, and looks down at the hare he doesn't know, "Urr, ye be welcome, young hurr, I be havin' me own' one, in m' belt. Hurr..." He pats the 'sword', which is a crude replica of Martin's sword. Unsheathed, it would be a bit more obvious to tell...

Sebastian nods to Benar absently as he follows the young hare. "Yeah. That's fine Benar." he says before yawning, sheathing his sword again and staring at the ground.

Benar starts toward the steps, bowing to Hallow as he passes, "Skipper Hallow, good day. The skipper does have a point if the plan is to wait here changing it now would be bad."

"I jus' wanted y' t' know how much I like th' present," Tam says, all smiles for Flicktail. His own is a not-so-crude replica, which he touches fondly before stepping forward to hug the Champion.

Sebastian watches Tam hug the fox, laughing. "I think he likes it Flicktail." he grins.

Two sparrows are suddenly landing by the group, Quickbeak plus another "Foxworms roundum redhouse building! Inna wallgrounds. Come this way!" Quick chirps at speed.

Magramba arrives in the open field from in front of the Great Hall.

Magramba has arrived.

Anba Hor, A.K.A. "Flicktail" oofs, and the thought of how much pain the little hare would be in soon comforts him through the duration of the hug. "Ooi, oi likes that 'ee likes it, liddle umm... umm..." What did they call him! Quick! He was in the Great Hall the one time, for that awful play! "Urr, wam, er tam!"

Nidlorf can't stand the little hare either, and interrupts Tam, speaking directly to the fox he thinks is outside the gates, "What are we waiting for, Flicktail? Will this fox show or is he too afraid to make good on his promise, you think?"

Tameus hangs onto Flicktail-but-not-really, giving a little squeeze at the end before letting go. "'m leavin' soon, but.. 'til then, 'm gonn' stay wit' y' an' help y'. 'm real sorry I can' help t' teach y' anymore... But I know y'll do great anyway!"

Benar stops half way up the wall steps and stares, before yelling "Stop chattering like a bunch of house wives! Didn't you hear King Quickbeak! Fox's inside the wall! Follow the sparra!"

Hallow nods once to Benar, a quick greeting before all goes to hell. She does note the slightly strange behaviour of Flicktail. Doesn't sound like him sometimes but the sparrows provide a distraction "Foxes in the abbey? Eh, joy, wall guards got to pot already. Oi!" she yells at the lot in general "To business" getting her bow in paw already.

Sebastian draws his sword and looks to Flicktail then Tam. "Tam. Be very careful, okay? I'd hate to see you get hurt."

Z'Fingo still hides among them, and sees a figure coming out from behind the abbey building, from the direction of the kitchen path... how on earth did he get in through there... it's a fox... but still in the shadow... "Look!" He shouts, pointing, "There's one!!"

Anba_Hor arrives in the open field from in front of the Great Hall.

Anba_Hor has arrived.

Magramba slips out among the defenders from the lower dormitory, sword in paw. What little remains intact of his old armor is worn proudly.

Quickbeak hops forwards a few paces, he'd fly but beasts seem a little slow today. A quick screech when he has more attention though and he does take off, flying off round the abbey towards where he saw the foxes, circle round far above the spot.

Benar turns and starts running around the top of the wall, knocking arrow to bow, bring it up and aiming at the first vermin he sees coming around the abbey building and lets loose.

Anba_Hor's decoy comes out from behind the abbey building, dressed and done up exactly like the fox, with the white and blue paint and all! He carries a cutlass, and some (but not all) of the poison daggers of his master. He grins and tries to sound smart, "Settle down. Your Champion, he wants to fight me alone. Isn't that right? Champion?"

Odilo arrives in the open field from in front of the Great Hall.

Odilo has arrived.

Odilo returns to Nidlorf, conveniently, "Hello, sire... I'm back, er, what's going on?!!" What's going on indeed...

Sebastian looks to the fox. "I vote we all try and kill you fox!" He growls out, grip tightening on his sword.

Tameus blinks a little, slightly bewildered by the unexpected turn of events. His peptalk-thing is cut a little short and he looks up to Flicktail, who he promised to stay with. His ears press back, gaze going between not-Flicktail and not-Anba Hor. "Flick.. Flick I don' think that's a good idea..." he says, tugging on Flicktail's arm.

Hallow follows the sparrows, making a high pitched, ear hurting whistle on the way, get any of her lot that are still on the walls or elsewhere quickly gathered...and there's the fox. She draws an arrow to place it to her bow, not aiming or firing just yet as a little glance goes to Flicktail.

It's awe-inspiring how quiet and swift foxes can be when they *really* want to. A large group of them pads into the area, sticking mainly to the shadows for now - more or less out of site. They bare their teeth, sizing up the Redwallers and palming their assorted weapons.

F1icktail shouts above them all, "No!! Oi be takin' this fox, oi needs to do it, Marthin' said to 'ee in moi dream, Oi'd take im' moiself!" Anba Hor charges at 'himself', fully intending to see how good his decoy /really/ is. If he isn't, well that's just a shame. 'He'll' be dead.

Sebastian absently takes a few steps forward. "I agree Flicktail, you don't know how to fully use that sword yet. He'd make short work of you I'm sure. We need to stick together." he says, still standing right where he is for the moment.

Fae arrives in the open field from in front of the Great Hall.

Fae has arrived.

Tameus makes a grab to try to keep Flicktail from running toward Anba Hor. "Flick! /Stop/!"

Sebastian rolls his eyes. "Flicktail, you'd better be careful!" he shouts out, slowly going after Flicktail. He promised that he would have the champions back whatever happened, and he doesn't intend to make a lying beast out of himself.

Psamathe is among these foxes; she presses herself against a brick wall, peering around the edge to the events unfolding there - she is certainly not going to storm in at the front of the pack. The grumbling male foxes are ahead of her, ready to pounce, licking their teeth. Flattening her ears, Psamathe has to again tell them, ".. shh!"

Anba_Hor's decoy, almost losing /all/ of his nerve, legs shaking, "runs" (if you can call it that) towards the charging Anba Hor. He almost forgets to take out his cutlass! He whips it out at the last second and employs everything his master has taught him. He hopes that's everything he knows!

Benar frowns, watching the goins on from above, another arrow knocked to his bow, "What the... what in the name of season's is that fox doing? Stop him..."

Towards the front of the pack is Parin, shield poised in front of himself for the charge.

The ferret jostles the foxes about him with strange glee.

The foxes aren't quite so hidden from a birds eye view. It's all very well hiding behind things and in shadows but it's not dark and they'd have to hide under stuff as well to avoid Quickbeak's eyes. He has little concern for the Anba/Flicktail fight, he's watching the others.

Nidlorf takes out the Sword of Nidlorf, ready at a moments notice to... send some of his men in. He is standing next to Z'Fingo, unbeknownst to him, and finally notices the mouse. Wow, is /that/ what he looks like without his hood? "Hey, you there, mouse. Arm yourself! What will you fight with?"

Kisharn arrives in the open field from in front of the Great Hall.

Kisharn has arrived.

Sebastian keeps going behind Flicktail. "Flicktail, stop this, we will stop them together, you can't do it yourself!" He maybe following the champion but its slow, since he does have some trust in his ability.

Psamathe's mouth looses a toothy smile, watching the decoy fight the phony Champion. ".. gettim'!" she mutters, fist clenching and tail swishing anxiously about. Another fox,

Rotsnout, sidles up beside her, trying to poke his head around the corner of the wall. She promptly elbows him in the face. ".. shh!" she says again, all though the tod didn't actually say anything.

Fae runs out of the abbey and quckly pulls out her sword looking around wildly

Z'Fingo looks back at the squirrel, seeing the disgusted expression and scowling. He doesn't need weapons. He can steal them at a moment's notice from the vermin should they try to attack. "I'm fine, thanks. Oh.. by the way, that's a fine sword you have, thea'uh... I remembah having one just like it. I'd have it today, if I knew whea'uh it woz..." He /does/ know, now, and plans on taking it at the first opportunity...

Magramba stalks through the gathered defenders of the Abbey, whispering an encouraging word to a shaky mouse, correcting the stance of a nervous squirrel.

Kisharn whips out her sword and eyes Fae and grins evily. She charges at The vixen her sword raised over her head and prepares to bring it down

Sebastian slides the kite shield onto his arm and takes a deep breath, waiting to see what Flicktail does before he attacks as well.

F1icktail hacks and stabs his way into the decoy's defense, who is no match for him... the sword he has may be a phony, but it is much stronger than the cutlass even so. He grins and tries not to look too evil as he fights - his fighting pattern definitely not resembling Flicktail's though. He parries and thrusts but is firm on his footpaws, his sheer strength showing as he brings the blade down again and again...

Arevin remains ready and waiting from her concealed location, safely behind the clandestine group of vermin. She grips her weapon excitedly, lured by the payoff of the task that lies ahead.

Sebastian eyes Flicktail and blinks. "When did Flicktail learn to fight like that?" he asks, quite loudly, rather impressed at the believed improvement. The fox's fighting makes him stop in his tracks, still watching closely.

Anba_Hor's decoy knows he's losing. He wonders why his master would be /trying to win/ if he then had no decoy to do the /real/ dangerous work with. Still, this seems dangerous enough, and he's starting to think he should try to kill the fox if he can, however he can!

Fae looks at weasel and brings up her sword and the weasels sword collides with hers. She uses The weasels recoil to her advantage and stabs for it's abdomen

Flicktail walks out ofthe Abby and walks up to Sebastian tapping him on the shoulder "wot is all is about..Oi didn't order no Attack..Dibbusn are safe

Sebastian looks down at flicktail and blinks. "Your fighting the fox..." he looks back to the fight then blinks. "What!" He shouts, looking at the fox. "How did you...your over there." He growls, raising his sword. He's not sure which one is real, but he has a guess.

"/Flick/!" Tam doesn't draw his sword yet, but bounds after Flicktail - staying just out of the way as the two foxes fight. A look of bewilderment crosses the buck's muzzle already as the Flicktail impersonator fights in a way that the real Flicktail doesn't know how - and then he looks over toward the sound of the Champion's voice, sees him, and his expression reads frank astonishment. "What..."

As every other beast is watching the fight, "Flicktail" takes a breather from the fight, and shouts "Ye'll doi, fox!!!!!" for all of the vermin hidden just beyond the open ground. That's the signal...

Quickbeak doesn't have much patience and after about a minute he dives for the hiding foxes, going to claw at a couple of heads before swooping back up again. He spots Fae and the weasel a second later and dives again but as he doesn't actually know either beast to tell which side they're on he just screeches past loudly.

Kisharn twists her body just in time to dodge Fae's attack and wahcks the fox with the pommel of her sword.

Flicktail Blinks and draws teh sword, it is plainly Martons sword gleaming "REDWALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!"

It's difficult to tell for sure in the dusky light, but Psamathe could swear that there are now *two* of the same fox out there - her attention drawn to the noise of another creature exiting the Abbey, presumably the Champion. ".. wha' in the gods names?" she murmurs, blinking. The fat fox Rotnose is craning his head to see what the commotion is about, but Psamathe promptlu thwaps him in his face again. ".. ge' back!"

Benar stares down at the crowd and frowns, great now there are two flicktails, his bow weaves from side to side, which one to shoot.. which one to shoot... he frowns and as he cannot be sure right now looses an arrow toward the "Decoy" Abna hor, figuring it can't harm to drop one of them.

Fae stumbles backwards a little but soon regains her balance. She brings her sword in an upward slash hoping to cut the weasels side.

Hallow looks between the two Flicktails. Right, disguises. So then. She's not completely certain so she aims her arrow at the fox pretending to be Anba Hor. Considers it to void the little person battle, much like Benar she fires an arrow at the fox.

Psamathe shrieks! She is in the line of fire when Quickbeak soars down at the furtive canines, but the vixen sidesteps and shoves old Rotnose right in her place. He barely catches a claw, which rips some fluff from his ear, and yelps before the bird returns to her perch.

F1icktail stabs his decoy in the chest, and bares his teeth, wiping the white pigment from his cheeks and forehead. He growls in low tones, "you're mine!!" Even after the two clash together, it is too difficult to tell who is who! He swings his blade around in an outright attempt to take Flicktail's head! He won't have any Champions ruining his claim to Mossflower! "Arrrghghh!!!! Dieeeeeeee!!!!"

With an overhand chop of his sword, Parin waves the foxes around him into the fray, leading the charge with his shield cocked up to take the arrow fire.

Sebastian watches and his guess was indeed, wrong. "Eulaliaaa!" he shouts, the badger cry ringing out as it has done for many other badgers. The badger takes a deep breath and goes after the fake Flicktail, feeling quite stupid about being fooled. If he had a bow, he'd shoot at the fake flicktail, or the one he still thinks is fake, but the sword and running slowly will have to do.

Anba_Hor's decoy falls, stabbed through the heart, to the ground. He squirms for a bit, astonished and trying to get up, pushing his legs against the soil and grass, but feeling his energy drain... this... wasn't part of the plan... "Maa...st... uhh." His head falls, he's the first fatality of the battle...

Flicktail's not as trained as Anba, but the blade is much lighter..brining the blade up to try and perry the blad using both hands on the sword, not having his shield and trying to knock the other white fox back from the force

Roughly a dozen meaty foxes barrel into the crowd, swinging their weapons and howling their drunken battlecries. They do every thing they can - every thing they've been told to, at least - to interfere with the Abbey beasts who run to the aid of their Champion.

Kisharn does her best to block the attack and barely blocks fae's attack causing the sword to knick her side. She spins her sword around and lunges at the fox. "dieeee!" she screames

Nidlorf sends his men into the thick of the fray, "Go get em!! Aarrreeevallllee!!!!!" He stays at the back, swinging his sword ferociously, with no plans of using it except when his life is endangered.

Magramba collides heavily with a charging fox, shouting no warcry of his own as he fells the fox, falling to the ground with him, sword through the vulpine chest.

Sebastian stops on his run as other foxes show up. And his target changes to a fox that's much closer. He goes after this one and chops at him carefully, then knocking at the other fox with his shield.

It's fighting time! With all the spying about the place Quickbeak only has five sparrows in the abbey but good enough, a few screeched chirps and they're all in the air, three of them choosing to carry rocks and drop them on the foxes when they charge just before all five dive down to attack heads. Quickbeak goes for Rotnose, not content with a bit of fluff. Going to land on the beast's head for a second to dig in claws, aim a peck at his face then take off again.

Psamathe, meanwhile, is scanning the crowd; occasionally, she side-steps to avoid becoming immediately entangled in the brawl. She is searching for a couple of particular creatures, but, not knowing what they look like, it makes it difficult for her to pick them out. The vixen narrows her eyes, cursing to herself.

Odilo sneaks around back of the mass and goes to find Nidlorf, and sees him swinging that big heavy sword above his head. Figures... he runs towards him, to try and kill the king!!

Benar pulls another arrow, then another, loosing them at the vermin fray in quick succession from his position atop the wall, frowning as he unleashes them down on the vermin below.

Fae quckly jums out of the weasle's way and almost crashes into another fox

Rotnose howls like heck as the sparrow attaches herself to his head. He does his best to run in circles, trying to fling her away - but is unarmed at the moment, as he dropped his dagger upon impact.

Tameus's sword comes out now, and he takes a few steps forward toward the two Flicktails as they start to fight. He turns halfway toward the foxes that suddenly come out of hiding, pausing for just a moment, then bounds forward a short ways, meeting a fox-tod whose blade he ducks, and stabs his own sword up into the fox's abdomen with a double-handed grip on the hilt.

Parin spots a huge thing towering above the rest of the combatants, waving his sword in the air. "To me! Get the badger!" The ferret charges towards Sebastian.

Hallow starts firing off arrows into the charging foxes "Chaaarge!" she yells, the bulk of the otters drawing swords and running for the foxes while the rest adjust to shoot over them.

F1icktail thrusts in at Flicktail, intent upon killing the other fox and taking the sword!! He admired it before, when he was inside the abbey just a few days prior.. that's how he knew what to tell the blacksmith when he went for his own 'Sword of Martin'. He swings that sword low, high, through the middle, trying to numb the other fox's paws and /beat/ the sword out of them!

Wurstbelly, another of the ugly foxes, has set his sites on Fae. "Aye! Lookit' dis lil' vixie wif a sword! Dinks she can fight, she does!" He runs straight for her, swinging a long and sturdy staff. "I'll teach ye' te' fight, lass!" he yells at her.

Kisharn runs forward and almost runs into the wall. She turns around quickly and barrels headfirst into the foxes chest.

Sebastian bashes the fox that he didn't quite kill in the head with his shield after it was on the ground. He then defends himself against an attack that grazes his shield. And then stabs it though the middle. But then, the ferret charges at him. He holds his ground, shield in front of him.

Arevin ducks for cover as chaos ensues and the sparrow attacks the animated mob. She travels in the wake of the blood-thirsty foxes, readily gathering her weapon at her side. She grits her teeth, frantically searching for her victims among the fray.

Flicktail's blade is fast enough to parry...but it is not long befor a bright red slash crosses Flicktail’s (the real) chest as he yips...turning and swinging the sword to try and slash back at the fake flicktail...remembering his lesson not to OVER swing...he pants..but is in good shape not tiring yet

Psamathe slips beside Arevin, nudging her chum - hopefully not startling her too much. ".. s'gettin' ugly," she tells Arevin, lowering her head as a nameless sparrow dives at them. ".. y'know which beasties we're supposeta' reign in?" The vixen looks concerned; ready to complete their task and flee.

Fae oof's as she is knocked the the ground by the weasel who is now on top of her trying to scratch at he face. fae throws punches and kicks at the weasel.

Parin normally relies on his speed and strength to bowl over opponents, but adopts a new strategy for badger-fighting. He aims a hack at Sebastian's shield.

Sebastian blocks the hack with the shield, then thrusts his sword to the ferret's middle, attempting to run him through. Although he's got a sinking feeling that he wont be as easy as the fox he killed a few moments before.

Quickbeak finds delightful amusement with Rotnose and swoops in for another go, this time flying straight at the fox's face and going to scratch those old battle claws of his across it, peck at the fox's eyes.

Z'Fingo has stolen a rusty old thing, a sword if you can call it that... he is swinging the thing around, not feeling sick in the least, not in the midst of battle!! He swings it and chops a fox's head off on the first blow, the mouse is a whirlwind of death, stealing weapons that are bigger and shinier all the while knocking the beasts down. He eyes Nidlorf. He'd like /that/ sword.

"YEAAACH!! AROO!" Rotnose cries, the sparrows claws and beak making contact with his eyes. He shakes her off but falls to his knees, grasping at his bloody face. "I'm blinded! I'm blinded! Mercy!" he sobs.

Kisharn growls and takes the kicks and grabs the foxes throat trying to strangle her

F1icktail snickers as he cuts into Flicktail, now handling the sword in one paw only, bashing down and down at Flicktail. He moves in to try and trip the fox, knowing he /must/ take him hostage for his plan to continue...

Parin bashes the thrust away with the rim of his shield, using his momentum to lend strength to slash he aims at the badger.

It takes a second stab to properly kill the tod, then Tam turns away from him, glancing around - looking at the fighting Flicktails, then Sebastian, and choosing to go toward the former again. "Flick!" he stands just beyond the range of their fight, trying to figure out which is which.

Fae wretches on the ground starting to see spots she reaches for her dagger on the ground.

Sebastian growls and moves to the side, rolling. The blade grazing his arm, making him grunt. "Is that all you've got, ferret?" he asks, going to attempt to bash him over the head with the shield.

Flicktail grunts gasping out "Q..Quickbeat..m..make syue e Gat secure...so ay can't rinforce..ARRHGGGGGGGG!!* the fox cries out as his oppnents blade bites deep into his thigh..flicky going down to one knee..his arms trembling

Kisharn pushes harder on the vixens throat sensing the fox becoming weak

Magramba rolls to his feet and addresses his next foe, letting the fox swing at him, a sloppy overhand chop that glides down Mag's blade as he twists in and skewers the tod.

Psamathe pops up from behind a bush as the Champion hollers, her ears pointed and forward. She glances between the two battling foxes, sizing each up; something is about to happen, and the vixen braces herself for it.

Just as Flicktail is stabbed is about when the leveret decides which is which, and goes toward the fake-Flicktail, growling as he lashes out with his blade toward Anba Hor - trying to intervene and help his friend.

Hallow is still with the archers for the moment, quickly shooting one fox through the neck when he gets too close. Another couple of arrows and she saves the last few for a special occasion, like shooting Anba. Bow works just as well as she breaks a beast's nose with it.

F1icktail takes advantage of the Champion's fall and jumps around the back of him, holding him up with his gimick sword and shouting above all the battlecrying, "HAALLLLLTT!! All of you, or I will kill your Champion!! Cease if you want him to live!!" The fox prods the real counterpart with the sword, to make his point clear!

Parin flings his shield up but is still batted aside. The ferret somehow manages to hang on to his weapons as he rolls across the ground.

Fae splutters as tears roll down her face, and finally reaches her dagger slashing it across the weasels face

Sebastian was about to attack the ferret again but stops and turns to wards Flicktail's. "FLICKTAIL!" He growls out, but does not move.

Quickbeak is in the middle of a battle, there's even the odd screech of "Killeeeee" from him. He's content to leave Rotnose blind and move onto the next beast. Luckily one of his kids is a bit more responsive to the real Flicktail's request about the gate and flies off to sort make sure they're all shut and locked.

Flicktail hangs in the other foxes grip..who is actually bigger then he is..the sword dangling barely able to hold it...his arm numb as he gasps and yipes...red coating his left flank'

F1icktail laughs, "Dear Nidlorf. King. What I have to say goes for you first... your mouse, the one that left you - told me everything about your kingdom, and I have in turn told my buyer the information. Your people will be enslaved within the season. You have failed, even if you kill me! Ha! And the mouse, Z'Fingo, where is he??"

Kisharn screams and falls back grabbing her face blood dripping in between her claws

Hallow pauses, bow still in hand...and quickly knocking out that beast with the broken nose before he can get up. Alright, now she's listening, for now anyway.

Nidlorf growls and isn't thinking... he charges the fox, without regard for Flicktail's life! He runs past his men, past the woodlanders... His rage is unstoppable!!

Her heart pounding furiously, Arevin wastes no time to size up the enemies. She weaves her way in and out through some of the bodies of vermin, coaxing Psamathe along her side as they fruitlessly search. The vixen yelps as she's on the receiving end of a pointy blade. Clutching her shoulder with a free paw, growls in pain while her ears perk at the decoy's announcement.

Z'Fingo takes the opportunity to trip the king! Nidlorf goes falling flat on his face. The mouse steps over the squirrel to retrieve the sword that's been his for the past many seasons. "That is me. What do you have to say, vermin?"

Sebastian's head snaps towards Nidlorf. He thinks weather or not to attack the squirrel to try and save Flicktail. "Are you stupid squirrel! You'll get him killed!" he attempts to step in his way, shield up. Though he may have missed the squirrel entirely.

Tameus's swing at Anba Hor misses, and he draws up short as Flicktail is grabbed, breathing hard, just a few feet from the two foxes. "Y' let him /go/!" he snaps. Yeah, like that's going to achieve much.

F1icktail grins, scowling. "You wanted to know about your brother. Yes, you. /Turmal/... Your brother is with me, and I have all but killed him. You should also know that the king there whose sword you've taken wanted to kill him too. Mayeul Fyrpels. I actually had saved him from sudden death at his paws...

Fae stands up and looks at the two flicktails " flicky!" she screams

Several sizable, snarling foxes surround the fallen squirrel king - once he is stripped of his blade and totally helpless of course. Two attempt to grab him by his shoulders and haul him up to his feet. "Listen when our Master speaks, treedweller!" one snaps, spitting at the squirrel.

Parin gets to his feet slowly, shaking his head to clear the aftereffects of his tumble from his consciousness. The ferret takes the opportunity presented by the lull in fighting to have a seat on a nearby corpse, a fox, as luck would have it. The bushy tail sticking up is used as a towel to wipe the sweat from the ferret's face. "C'mon, let's get on with it."

Flicktail groans hius fingers trying to continue to hold the blade....the wriste he had that was so sor when he practices seemingto hurt him....the nasty gash in his thigh is almostto th e bone

Sebastian stops as the squirrel is stopped. He takes a deep breath and turns back to the two flicktail's. He slowly moves next to Parin. "I agree. I'm in the middle of killing a ferret! Let him go and I might spare you when I'm done with him!" he growls. Again, not going to do much.

Z'Fingo nooos, and backs into Nidlorf, now held by the foxes. His eyes flash with hatred, as he hears this about the king. Inside, he knows that it's the truth... from what he could piece together. He ignores the foxes holding him and stabs him, right through the gap in his armor!! "Die!!! You piece of scum!!!!" The blade goes through and out the other side!!

Annavee arrives in the open field from in front of the Great Hall.

Annavee has arrived.

Kisharn picks herself up her face still bloody stares coldly at fae and spits blood at her feet

The foxes, shocked by the mouse's attack, immediately drop the squirrel and scatter.

Magramba is crouched beside a sobbing mouse, the one he spoke to earlier, binding a nasty wound, shaking his head at the sound of things.

Parin glances up at the badger standing beside him. "Steady on, there."

F1icktail snarls and laughs, "Hahaha!!! Thank you, Turmal!! You've done what I came here to do. And now I can do what else I've come to do. Kill this miserable unworthy fox and claim his sword!!" The fox brings the sword out from under Flicktail's chin to strike down on his head!!

Re-grouping, the remaining foxes (roughly six of the biggest ones) move behind the fake Flicktail - still at a safe distance - ready to back him up should one of the Abbey beasts try to rescue their unfortunate Champion.

Sebastian keeps his eyes on the two Flicktails, but does look down to Parin. "You know, I will take no pleasure in killing you..." he nods once before looking over to the foxes again. "Ficktail!" He closes his eyes, unable to watch what happens.

Flicktail says, "YE..ye know...before oi were champion" Flicky very casually suddenly grips Martin's sword handle and BITES at the other Flicktail's arm "Oi were a VERMIN!" if the bite gets the other to let go..Flicky drops to a knee and using a thrust Tameus showed him tries to thrust thru the other fox's chest"

Hallow draws an arrow once more, setting it to bow and waits for the opportune moment. She's not really paying a great deal of attention to the words. It's not important to her, she doesn't know these beasts. Still, does move to step in with Z'Fingo, going to hit him in the side of the head with one end of her bow, aiming to knock him out sort that mess later before aiming and firing the arrow at the /fake/ Flicktail's sword arm soon as the sword's away from the real Flicktail's neck.

Z'Fingo is shocked. He can't believe he's done what the fox wanted him to. It was probably a lie!! He'll never be able to show his face now... he dodges Hallow and he quickly runs away from the contingent of his men coming after him!! Now he's up against vermin /and/ squirrels!!! He runs towards Anba Hor, "Ahhhh, you'll die, fox!!"

Annavee has made her way into the fray, a deep and horrible growl working through her throat. Some of the guardian mice have had accurate bows. Two small arrows hang stuck in her flank, the pelt there matted with blood. It doesn't appear to have slowed the wolf down. The baskets strapped to her sides rustle.

Psamathe licks her teeth, hungry for more blood - she is just an observer at this point, waiting for the scene to settle to ensure that she and her canine cohorts' duties are fulfilled.

Parin shrugs. "You know, if you all didn't insist on building these big communities and things, we wouldn't have these problems."

Fae stares at flicktail and yells throwing a knife at the fake flicktail and very slowly begins to move over to them

Kisharn watches fae and growls but doesn't move

"Flick!" Tam shouts, and goes forward, more or less heedless of the posse behind Flicktail and Anba Hor. He swings his sword up and then down in a hacking slash toward Anba Hor to aid in Flicktail's attack - if he can get close enough, and isn't intercepted by anyone.

F1icktail's expression changes from hatred and a deep lust for death to sudden shock and confusion. There's a blade sticking out of him, where there was before nothing. He drops his own sword behind him... the blade feels... weird... not like any poison he knows of, yet /something/ is coursing through him. Some... evil? Good? Something that is destroying every last part of him - the fox falls to his knees, level to Flicktail, and looks at him. "Uh... you..." That's all he says, before he's lying back, still on his knees, the point of the sword propping his body up off the grass, arms limp at his sides.

Parin stands and picks his shield back up, securing it on his arm calmly. The ferret takes his sword next, swinging it around a bit. "Well, back to it, I guess." He looks up to the badger. "Ready?"

Flicktail is gasping..tangled with the other fox he calls out "QUICKBEAK! the Wolf! someins movin in teh basket!

Odilo has been wanting to do what that mouse just did. Who the heck does he think he is?! The squirrel charges Z'Fingo with the others, goading them on, "Kill that mouse!! He's killed our king!!" He doesn't see the fox die yet...

The bleeding, wild-eyed foxes backing Anba Hor immediately leap for Tameus. They pause in horror as their leader is slain, but this just seems to rile them up more. The biggest one, Wurstbelly, pounces at the young hare. "Abbey scum!" he yells, baring his teeth and slashing with his claws.

Kisharn charges at fae her sword ready to be thusted through the foxes back

Annavee puts her head low and charges towards the rabble of foxes, her paws thunderously encountering the bloody ground below.

Psamathe cringes as Anba drops, screwing her eyes shut at the rather gruesome sight of the blade that pokes through him. No time to be sightless, though! She opens them again, glancing to the other fox ringleader, waiting for their next move - idly hoping there is a back-up plan that includes this sort of situation.

Magramba has moved towards the front of the ranks and leaps into the group of six foxes advancing on Tam, colliding with them at an angle with the leader. "Run!"

Quickbeak hasn't exactly been listening. He's a crazy little sparrow, he's bad with the listening skills. No, in the meantime he's taken on another fox and got another eye pecked out. The louder yell from Flicktail gets his attention though and he's puzzled. Wolf? Basket? He takes off, headed for the fox and gliding overhead "Whatta want?"

Flicktail exclaims, "Bastisn!" he weakly points to Annavee..and trying to get martin's sword out of Anba_Hor"

Fae lifts sword, point behind her and shoves it into the weasel's chest

Tameus is apparently an easy scapegoat for the foxes, then - or maybe not so easy? He bounds forward against Wurstbelly as the big tod comes at him, sword leveled forward, trying to use both of their momentum to drive it into the middle of Wurstbelly's torso, while the slashing claws come down painfully on his shoulders and back.

Flicktail's paw powining at Annavee for Quickbeak to see

Sebastian looks over. "What!?" he peers at Annavee and then looks back. That's the ferret's chance to attack and wound him!

Anba_Hor, meanwhile, disguised as his decoy as himself, wipes a bit of the fake blood off of him and leans up, grinning. His partner in crime, fluent in molespeak, is now dead... but what a grand performance! The fox makes off towards the east gate via the shadows, his fully black outfit and fur aiding him in the darkness. Nothing could see him, not during battle at night...

A deafening cry comes from Wrustbelly as the sword plunges into his, well, belly! The large fox is still alert enough to weakly slash at Tameus - all though he takes more scratches than he can dish out, cursing the young hare and his entire family as he quickly fades.

Kisharn gasps and looks at the blade sticking in her body. she stares at Fae wide eyed

Parin seizes his opportunity and uses the corpse that so recently was a seat as a stepping-stool to leap and stab at the badger's head. He said he was ready.

Tameus doesn't wait around for Wurstbelly to die. He pushes the tod back, yanking the sword out, and turns, still holding it in both hands, whipping the blade around to slash at whatever fox is closest.

Sebastian turns back to Parin and all he can see is a blade coming to his eye, no time to defend himself. There's an extremely loud cry of pain from the badger as his left eye is ruined and taken from his head forever. The badger stumbles back and drops his sword, paw going over his eye.

Fae pulls the blade out of the weasel's body and swings upwards to cut down another fox and charges at the group of foxes near flicktail and the dead decoy

Annavee's bold charge has won her much in ground. She's reached the two vixens now, Psamathe and Arevin. She rolls her eyes towards them, saliva steadily running from the corners of her mouth.

Flicktail finally frees teh sword, though he can not stand..he barries a bow at Tameu's back from another vermin fox

Quickbeak turns his attention quickly onto Annavee. Basket, right. He flies after the beast, going to land on Annavee, snap his beak at the thing keeping the basket on the wolf's shoulder while digging metal claws into the back of her head.

The closest fox happens to be Badfoot, who, in spite of his name, is quite swift. He is fuming over the death of his comrade and has an arrow fixed straight for Tameus; he looses it, albeit his aim is off due to his charged emotional state - the arrow more or less flies for the hare's foot.

Reeling with the shock of Anba's unfortunate demise, Arevin is, nevertheless, spurred on to continue by pure adrenaline. She gestures Psamathe to follow, as she skirts her way around the treacherous crowd. "We'll figure out a way," she murmurs to the fellow vixen. Suddenly, she takes sight of Sebastian. With the aid of those on her side, she lunges forward at him and Parin... with the intent not to kill, but to take captive.

Z'Fingo is pinned up against the wall, with squirrels all around him!! They're pointing pikes at him, shouting insults and death!! Somebody help! "Back, away you scoundrels, oh I'll tea'uh you apaht with this blade!! The fox is who you'uh aftah!! Kill him, not me!!"

Magramba shouts to Tam. "Quick, back-to-back." Unfortunately, when he moves to do so, an arrow strikes him in the shin.

Kisharn falls to her knees holding the wound in her chest. Her eyes roll back and she falls to the ground.

Tameus makes a lunge at Badfoot to slash at the middle of his chest, then steps back - turning a little, back to Magramba's, deflecting someone else's hacking blow at him.

Psamathe follows suit as Arevin heads for the badger, waggling a paw at the Annavee to come with. ".. c'mon, woofie, we gotsa' get us a badger," she grumbles. Her tail and neckfur bristles as the vixen prepares to fight; she produces a jagged knife from her belt.

Fae turns and runs at the squirrels holding Z and buries her blade in one of the squirrels back

Annavee twists her head back, a snarl erupting from her muzzle that echos over the grounds. Without hesitating, Annavee drops and rolls violently, her back legs and forelegs kicking out wildly for ay creature foolish enough to approach. The leather on her back has remained strong and will require several more attempts to cut free. Her head however is not so lucky. The metal claws rip through the flesh, but now in her manic rolling attempt, she is trying to crush Quickbeak beneath her body least she does not fly away.

Flicktail Calls out pointing a few otters to Z'fingo "Elp at mouse!" the Camp willow swords beast leaping to Z;fingo's side

Nidlorf is groaning on the ground, not dead, but close to it... he crawls along the grass, seeing his men up against the wall somewhere, maybe pinning a fox or weasel down - the fox, ugh... where is he? He has no desire to kill the fox without a sword and wounded, like the coward he is... but he wishes he could get his paws around that stupid mouse! He'll kill Mayeul /and/ his brother before the day's through! "Ughhh.... ow..."

Parin stops to pull the eye from the tip of his sword and place it on the corpse that's been so handy, a parting gift, and spots a huge gang of squirrels! Fun! With a yell, he charges the circle closing in on Z'Fingo, bashing and slashing.

Hallow stows her bow and does indeed choose to help Z'Fingo, lord knows what the story is there but she's not convinced she knows enough of it to let him be executed. Keeps her sword drawn to deal with foxes on the way but she's not fighting the guards just pushing a few back "Get back to the fight! There are foxes still about, you can gang up on single beasts later!" barking off her best military tone.

Z'Fingo sees help coming and laughs, "Ha! You'uh filthy king is dead, aha, good!! Now you will be too, if you don't get away from me with those pikes!" He's forgotten his hood is down for all to see, but he doesn't care! This has been one hell of a battle!

Sebastian's shield slides off his arm. And a passing fox takes the chance to stab Seb in the side, getting another loud cry. But then Arevin is there, the badger unable to fight back at all if they grab him and take him captive.

Fae after killing one squrrel she continues in a frenzy hacking at the others ignoring her stinging wounds

Flicktail Cannot walk as he tries to hobble over to bastian..the blad stabbing at any vermin that tries to engauge him

Psamathe is upon Sebastian now. As he seems rather incapacitated by now, the vixen delivers a harsh kick at the badger's ribs. ".. oi! Poor 'lil stripedog!" she jeers, knocking at him with her mangled hand. She glances around, searching for a crew to help transport the fallen beast - one of their objectives.

Odilo sees the otters charging and attempts to stab one with a pike, holding off their attack... now there's a double arch surrounding the mouse, and it seems he's taken advantage and is stabbing at the backs of his men... as long as the little rat doesn't get to him, he's fine. "Ahhhhrghh, take that you traitors! King killers!!! Arghhh!!!!"

Flicktail stabs up from teh ground at Pasmathe

Sebastian topples over at the kick to the ribs, bleeding badly and now out cold. The badger lands with a loud thud, his armor blood stained and so is his fur.

Quickbeak doesn't abide by getting rolled about, he's a strike fast and get out fighter. Soon as he thinks the wolf is going over he's off again, having to hop to the ground once before he can get airborne and gain a little height again, glide round for another dive.

Magramba takes the time to snap off the arrow shaft, then steps towards a fox, inviting an attack, flinging his sword up to parry, then bringing it down to cleave into the fox's collarbone.

Two squirrels is enough for Parin, who turns back the other way before the group realizes fully who's attacking them. He spots a big squirrel and little hare taking out foxes and decides on a new target.

Psamathe's calf is slashed by Flicktail's attack - she performs a rather rabbit-like leap, which looks ridiculous when done by a fox, and snarls at the wounded Champion; a look of consideration plays her features as she wonder idly whether or not Flicktail is, in fact, the real champion. It has been a confusing battle, for sure! When the vixen finds herself safely out of range, she attempts to round up the remainder of the foxes - those that aren't engaged in battle right now. ".. c'mon!" She grabs at Sebastian's foot, making a rather futile attempt to drag him somewhere. ".. 'elp me!"

Z'Fingo is stabbing and hacking at the squirrels, who start retreating, kingless and in complete chaos as they are surrounded, by wall and otters and Z'Fingo - who was just days ago coughing up a lung!! The mouse would make his mother and father and brother proud!! "Flicktail, are you thea'uh?!" He hopes the other fox hasn't bested him...

Annavee's speed to get back on her feet is incredible. There's blood on the air.

Quickbeak's break in attack is her opportunity. She streaks towards Sebastian, "ThhIisSsss oneeee?" she garbles at Arevin, ropes of drool splashing the ground at her feet. Psamathe's request is honored. She drops her head and tries to take the girth of Sebastian's calf between her teeth, setting her legs in to drag.

A weasel charges at Fae, ploughing her into the wall.

Flicktail Crawls forward trying to get at the vixin "COme back ere..it..it' sonly a flesh would..oi'll bite yer ankles!

Bruised and bloody, Arevin delivers a satisfying blow to Sebastian's head as the badger hits the ground. She barks at the others to keep him alive and hurriedly gathers the bindings to tie him up, but her eyes widen in sheer terror as Psamathe is attacked by the Champion. That's the cue to move. "Hurry! Let's go now!" She attempts to aid

Annavee, but realizes how much she has underestimated Sebastian's girth...

Fae yelps and tries to shake the weasel off but the weasle soon has her pinned to the wall her paws held with one of the vixens paw and a crooked blade at her neck.

Sebastian shifts slightly and slowly opens his good eye, being half awake. His paw reaching towards Flicktail. "Help...me..." but he's out like a light and being dragged away.

Psamathe gawks at the crawling Champion, trying to kick dust up in Flicktail's eyes as back-up arrives to help transport the badger. Apart from the drooling wolf, two burly male foxes are also tugging at Sebastian, slowing heaving him away from the crowd.

Fae growls and tries her best to break free of the weasel but still is held tight

"Eee-YAH!" Parin lunges at the duo fighting back-to-back, shield swinging dramatically at the big squirrel.

Hallow's otters aren't attacking Nidlorf's troops, Hallow wouldn't let them because she doesn't see them as the enemy, just picking a bad time to seek revenge. She continues to try and disband that fight, pull squirrels away and get them back to the proper fight with the foxes, yell orders at them since they seem to be lacking any and all the while trying to get to Z'Fingo and just punch the guy out to make him less of a target.

Flicktail Takes his good leg and tries to leap at the beasts draging sebastion..lunging with the sword

Tameus stays fairly close to Magramba to guard his back, cutting down another fox with a few hard hacks, the last which leaves the vulpine with a chunk of skull missing. He takes a few steps away when he sees Sebastian in trouble, though. "Seb!" He slashes at another enemy while heading toward Sebastian and those around him. Magramba is left behind and he dashes across the open ground toward the badger and those who are dragging him. "Seb, 'm coming'!" He bounds and goes after Annavee with a stab aimed at her side. "Get off'a him!"

Arevin yelps in fright as Flicktail nears. She doesn't dare attack him; instead, she's focused on getting the badger captive out of the Abbey as soon as possible. Should have picked an easier victim to approach, but it's too late now.

Magramba attempts to meet the shield head-on with a shoulder barge, but is knocked aside by the shield.

Nidlorf blacks out, unable to fight the shock of the wound. He looks to other beasts just like one of the dead, other dead beasts piling on top of him. He'll live, but his one arm will be paralyzed for good. His helmet has fallen off, and he's lying there, being stepped on and fallen on. Like he deserves.

Flicktail gasps "DId..I mention..I had the Abby dores...SHUT and guarded..how ya getting out?

Quickbeak doesn't let up his attack for long. Soon as Annavee's attention is on the badger he's diving again, going to follow the same tactic, attack the back of her head and try and break the basket off of her.

One of the chubby foxes carrying Sebastian succumbs to Flicktail's attack. His shoulder is ripped apart by the Champion's blade, which he responds to by punching at Flicky's head with the other arm!

Fae screams as the weasel starts to twist her wrists trying to bite at it

Flicktail's nose bleeds heavily as he grunts his eyes clouding with tears

Sebastian is still losing blood, sword and shield on the ground a ways from him. And he's still out light a light, unaware of what's happening.

Magramba rolls heavily on the ground, tramping on Nidlorf's bad arm as he scrambles back to his feet. The squirrel calls a challenge. "Who's the biggest, baddest fox left? C'mon, now's no time for humility."

Fae finally kicks the weasel down and kicks it's face and charges at the chubby fox holding sebastian and prepares to bury her sword into it's belly

Z'Fingo breaks through the ranks of squirrels and runs towards the nearest fox who is trying to take a fallen otter. "Take this you dead piece of vuhmin meat!!" He slices diagonally /through/ the fox, with incredible strength that he wouldn't have imagined having before this night... the fox just /falls apart/ on the ground, and the otter thanks Z'Fingo, running into the fray with a yell!

Annavee's dark muzzle is split wide with a twisted grin, even with the bloody gauges. Tameus approach is heard. One ear twists back. The creature is mad. It does not let go of Sebastian. Instead it twists it's body with enough force to drag the badger on the ground with her mere strength alone. Tameus sword finds the meaty flesh of her hip instead. But it should be quickly apparent. The more she's attacked, the more her teeth start baring down on that poor badger. Now she's whipping about in a frenzy, her back legs kicking out towards the young dibbun, as fast as a started horse.

The loudest noise yet echoes among the great walls of the Abbey; something thunderous is coming this way! More vermin, in fact. This second line is more foul than than the first, and comprised of more than just foxes. Weasels, rats and stoats flood into the area, swinging with reckless abandon at any who approach them - while likewise being pursued by many beasts from the front gate. The group is barreling toward the wolf and

Psamathe and Arevin; in its clutches, a large two-wheeled cart .. perhaps for badger transport.

Odilo needs to let the foxes out now! He's let them in, and he was the guard for the east gate... if he could just get over there... they'd be free. He wonders where that fox went that was going to pay him! No sign of that evil miscreant, probably he's been set up. "Aarrghhh, follow me men!!" He'll corral the foxes towards that area, for their convenience!

Parin assumes that it's bad for business to have the team /not/ get the badger and would like to seek a bonus for taking out its eye. Therefore, the ferret swings a low chop at the regrettably small hare, aiming for his legs, but, hey, who knows, the leveret's legs are pretty far down there.

Flicktail is also losing alot of blood, though it is not an atrery he tries to clear his vision

One of the chubby foxes screams and clutches his side. and drops to his knees. Fae standing on top of him.

Tameus yanks his blade out of Annavee and shoves it back in, seeking internal organs if he can. He can't do much more damage than that, though, because one kick from Annavee hits him and barrels the buck back away from her. He's actually briefly airborne, and crashes down to the ground on his back, losing his wind, and just barely rolling out of the way of Parin's chopping attack.

Magramba grins as the second line comes screeching around the bend. The squirrel sprints towards the battleline, using a small stack of corpses to leap over the front rank and land in amongst them, sword loping off a head on the way down.

Fae yells and stabs another fox several times before it drops. Trying to hack at another but is kicked and she tumbles to the ground

Parin aims an easy stab at the leveret's gut. Sorry, buddy, but you're out here waving a sword.

Odilo leaves his men once they've been occupied with some of the 'unimportant' vermin, and takes a bunch of the ones that Anba Hor wanted to keep alive for a bit towards the east wallgate. He opens the gate and lets them out, going with them! They all flee south towards the meadows where the fox told them to regroup... He hopes there isn't a trap, knowing that foul vulpine...

Annavee is pierced again in the flank, as her wild dance to rid herself of both bird and hare is successful at least in keeping her alive long enough to get out. She has time to give herself one hard shake before she crouches and then bounds over the cart, landing between the handles. Blood streams from her flank, but she's far from down. The saliva has turned to foam at the corners of her mouth. Quickbeak has succeeded in pecking the basket free. That's one less woodlander they'll be taking. The harness remains, and the rat that attends to her is busy latching her to the cart.

Still dazed from being kicked and landing hard, Tameus reacts sluggishly, twisting, reaching to grab up his sword which dropped from his hand. Just as he gets ahold of it Parin's blade sinks into his stomach and the young buck jerks with a cry of pain, "Aghh!"

Quickbeak is quite happy to have the wolf's attention elsewhere, he still has something else to focus on and he's got the basket free! Latching his claws onto it and dragging it away since he can't really fly with it.

Flicktail is too weak to really be able to direct..he pants confused looking around

Arevin snarls at Flicktail's comment, holding her knife threateningly close to Sebastian's neck. Although she is disheveled and wounded, she still exudes a strong air of confidence that her team will, in fact, get their prize. She shrieks as loud as she can so that the other beasts can hear her despite the confusion. "Any of ya get /any/ closer, the badger dies!" The vixen juts her armed wrist forward, but the motion is not strong enough to kill him. After all, a corpse would be useless at this point. She cackles with laughter, beckoning the others to ready the large beast onto the getaway cart.

Z'Fingo looks around for that squirrel that was leading the others, and sees the east wallgate open! How did that happen?! He runs over and checks it... no sign of anybeast. He closes and locks the gate, with all his strength. Finally, all his exertion has finally caught up with him and he drops the sword, lying against the wall - out of the way of battle, but vulnerable in the open.

Fae tears fall from her face as her vision clouds briefly. She picks herself up slashing another fox down and another. tears still falling

A volemaid tumbles out of the basket as Quickbeak drags it away, shaking furiously. "Th-th-th-thank y---" then she sees the chaos.. and goes right back into the basket!

Flicktail says, "L..Letthem go.... we..know their hide out...they..will want to..trade"

Fae lowers her sword screaming at the fleeing foxes

Psamathe waits anxiously as the underling vermin load up the badger and attach the fuming wolf to the cart. She dodges a couple of incoming blows, but looks eager to exit at this point. The vixen passes a knowing nod Annavee, and the rat by her side, and then begins to retreat quietly in another direction - headed for the east gate. ".. Rev!" she hollers over her shoulder - the battle winding down as those involved grow exhausted; ".. let's bail, aye?"

Sebastian is loaded onto a cart, the badger's eye opening as he wakes up for a few moments. "Tam...Flicktail..." he whispers out, arm extending to their unreachable forms. And yet again, he's out like a light.

Flicktail says, "you..harm him..and..my sword will do to you..what it did to..yer boss"

Magramba is in his element, a bloody butcher in the midst of furious combat. A dozen minor injuries seep blood to mingle with that which has already washed the ground tonight, as the squirrel laughs and slashes ferociously, a windmill of death. However intimidating he may be, he can't outreach a spear. A leering stoat stabs in at him, catching him in the shoulder and baring the squirrel down to the ground.

Hallow rejoins the proper fray, dotting about here and there and regrouping otters while cutting down foxes, the little gang that's gathered heads for the badger and co until Arevin holds the knife to Sebastian's neck and they have to stop.

Parin feels bad, but at this point he'll be doing Tam a favor if he finishes him off. The ferret stabs again at his midsection and brings his shield down at the hare's head.

Flicktail throws a stone at Parin hard "I said GO!

Annavee receives encouragement to run by one of her fellow vermin. As soon as the badger is loaded, the very rat that attached her pulls a club from his side that is soaked in oil. One strike of flint later, it bursts into flame. The terrorized look that overcomes Annavee's face is enough to have the wolf bolting. The cart shrieks with the burden placed upon it and the very speed it most endure. The crazed wolf is making a dash for freedom. One that's likely rattling poor Sebastian's head around.

Tameus's teeth grit, body arching weakly as a second wound is opened in his midsection. A choked noise of pain, half-sobbed, is all that he gets out before the shield comes down against his skull, knocking him out.

Parin ducks the thrown rock easily and makes a dash for the cart, jumping up and grabbing the side as it thunders towards the exit.

Fae leans against the wall catching her breath. She sqeezes her eyes shut and grabs her side almost falling over from the intense pain.

Quickbeak finds the little vole odd but tucks the basket under a bush before taking to the air again. The beasts retreating out the gate are noted but his son already went to deal with the gates she he's keeping a close eye on that lot. Quickbeak instead pays closer attention to those with the badger, sticking to a high height and waiting to follow, rarely do beasts look up and he's too high to do anything about anyway so he just watches, letting them get a little way before he glides silently after them.

Sebastian's head smacks off the cart a few times, until his head dangling off the edge of the cart.

Annavee has not been slowed down by the additional body. The arrows that are peppering her hide from the ramparts are all the encouragement she needs to run faster.

The cart makes its astonishing departure, and it sends off with it the precious badger who will be used for ransom... As Arevin observes that all has gone according to plan, she quickly shifts her role from kidnapper to an escaping fox. Bobbing her head in agreement with Psamathe, she briskly joins her towards the east side, ignoring the throb of her wounds.

Z'Fingo feels faint, but sees a figure running towards him... foxes! He can't get up, really, but he tries to lift the sword to defend himself. No use. The mouse coughs and coughs and wheezes, and just looks up at them, Arevin and Psamathe. It's the one that was after the badger, and another he doesn't recognize - he'd wanted to take the former down, but now it looks the opposite.

Annavee heads to the main gate.

Annavee leaves with: Sebastian

Annavee has left.

Sebastian has left.

Psamathe is out of sight now, long lost to the shadows. From somewhere in the distance, a bone-chilling howl sounds - not a shout of pain or fear; this is a *victory* howl, and far to high-pitched to be that of anything but a fox. It fades as its maker disappears into the night.

Odilo comes back after the first wave of foxes is safely out, and sees Psamathe and Arevin, "Hurry, now... before you're seen!" He's on the other side of the gate, peeking through the narrow opening, and doesn't see Z'Fingo. If he had, he'd have made short work of him. The mouse is a lucky one tonight. "Hurry now!"

Bradge comes down the stairs from the infirmary.

Bradge has arrived.

Flicktail pants feeling sick "Quickbeak will..see where ay go..Hallow..oi can'twalk..kin..ye follow they will wantto ransom..likely fer their lives

Magramba cuts the legs out from underneath the stoat and jerks the spear from his shoulder, coughing a spray of blood before realizing he now has TWO weapons! The remaining vermin circle the squirrel, and he paces about, trying to face them all at once.

Parin heads to the main gate.

Parin has left.

Arevin eagerly follows Odilo's suggestion. She picks up the pace and frantically exits the area, keeping up with Psamathe's long strides.

Quickbeak heads to the main gate.

Quickbeak has left.

Psamathe, off in the distance, exits the Abbey with Odilo and Arevin.

Odilo heads to the main gate.

Odilo leaves with: Aeysin

Odilo has left.

Aeysin has left.

Tameus lays on his back on the ground, unconscious from the blow to his head, and bleeding from two wounds in his stomach.

Psamathe heads to the main gate.

Psamathe leaves with: Arevin

Psamathe has left.

Arevin has left.

Flicktail's bleedingheavily from teh deep slash in his leg andtrembling.....

Magramba coughs blood in the general direction of the fleeing vermin as the group around him dissolves to follow their leaders. "That's right, *gleuack* Run 'way."

Anba_Hor heads to the main gate.

Anba_Hor has left.

Fae walks over to flicktail ripping her shirt and ties is around flicktails leg tightly " are you....ok?" and winces

Bradge comes out to the Open Ground by way of the Cavern Hole, very cautiously, looking if it's safe, ears slicked back to his head. He doesn't see any vermin, as they've all left. "... Oh, Martin..." His paw covers his mouth as he looks at the aftermath.

Flicktail looks up at Fae "Oi...killed beasts,......." he sniffels "oi..feels sick

Z'Fingo is lying unconscious by the east gate...

Kisharn moans and slutters. a pool of blood around her

Nidlorf is lying the middle of the fray, dead squirrels and stoats and foxes piled on top of him, unconscious but alive... barely.

Flicktail asks, "Ye be ok Fae?"

Bradge's teeth chatter for a moment. "...Healers! Oh, please, /HEALERS!/" Bradge starts shouting at the top of his lungs, running full-tilt towards the first body he recognizes. Tameus. He practically slides on his knees to the hare's side. "Tam... Tam!"

Hallow sighs faintly and her sword is sheaved again. She heads for Flicktail first since her name gets a mention "We'll deal with that when we know where they are. Right now we need some healers" speak of the devils. She raises her voice to Bradge "Hey! Can you bring some help...ah good" he's got it.

F1icktail, the decoy, is lying dead on his back, his legs tucked beneath him as he was kneeling when he was stabbed through with the Sword of Martin...

Flicktail says, "Skippa..oh skipp...L..look wot..wot Oi don..oi'm so sorra...."

Fae smiles weakly " yes.. you did but to save all of us...im fine....just an arrow head lodged in my side"

Tameus remains unconscious for now, forehead bloodied from the shield blow against his skull, and abdomen bleeding heavily from the two stab-wounds into his gut.

That spear makes a good prop, as about all Magramba can do is stand there, leaning on it and coughing blood on his clothes. The squirrel trembles with exhaustion, bathed in gore.

Kisharn inhales sharply and sqeezes her eyes shut for a moment. Her face and body are covered in blood

Squirrels from Nidlorf's army, all about, are sullen and beaten, their king dead... nothing to go back to after that fox had admitted his horrific deed of enslaving their loved ones... they all want a piece of the mouse who is now against the wall unconscious, but they are tending to their own wounds, having been attacked by those on their own side...

Hallow aims a light pat at Flicktail's shoulder "Fox is dead, you did good. Just got to round up the rest of them now. Though first sort the dead, save the living" a small little sigh at that thought. She moves off, going to start working her way round to help out.

"...Tam..." Bradge's paws shake, and he starts breathing heavily. "...I... I..." His paws fumble around on his self, as if searching for bandages that obviously aren't there. Tears are already falling from his eyes. "C'mon mate, wake up... Wake up..." He finally settles on the hood of his habit, ripping it off and holding it up to the buck's stomach, the hood covering both the wounds, applying pressure to try and staunch the bloodflow. "...Help me..." He sobs. "...H... Help!" He shouts, just as a contingent of healers come out of the infirmary, rushing down the steps to the open ground.

Fae hugs flicktail warmly "martin's more than likely smiling down at you...he will keep sebastien safe."

Magramba's ears perk at the word 'help'. The squirrel somehow finds the energy to walk over to Bradge and Tam, using his new spear as a crutch. "Oh, great *klueah*..."

Kisharn everything seems to slow and she sees the healers stream out of the abbey. She groans as one on them tends to her wounds

"Nnh," is Tam's not fully conscious reply. Slowly, slowly he comes round, drawing a breath that turns into a groan as pain floods him. Following this are shallow, almost sobbing breaths, tears starting reflexively.

Bradge cannot honestly think of what to do. He just holds the hood there on the apparently lifeless form of Tameus, shaking. "...What do I do...?" He barely finishes the question before two healers, who had heard his cry for help, practically shove Bradge out of the way and start tending to Tameus themselves. "Tam!" When he shows some measure of consciousness, the otter shouts, trying to reach his friend's side again, only to be dismissed and escorted away by another healer, being assured he'll only get in the way if he keeps approaching the hare. So he watches, sobbing.

Flicktail nods "Where...be Z'fingo?

Fae closes her eyes and passes out

Magramba feels his knees give beneath him as he crumbles into a seated position beside Tam, being careful to cough into his sleeve, not onto Tam.

Flicktail look over at Magramba "it...stings" he says

Tameus mumbles a little disjointedly, and one hand curls up tightly. He whimpers, eyes open, staring upward and flooded with tears. "B-bra.. aahh.."

Stretchers are soon produced, and the healers attend to the still living, including Flicktail! A mouse healer rests by Flicktail on one knee, examining the fox Champion's leg, unshouldering his pack in a hurry and rooting through it for the necessary supplies, packing a bunch of herbs up against a bandage. "This will sting for a few moments, sir," is all the warning the fox gets before the herbs are slapped up against the fox's thigh and the bandage is handily wrapped around that leg.

Flicktail YIPS as he's tended....holdingthe sword to him

Benar enter in from the Lower Dormitory..

Bradge's lip quivers. "Tam! Tam, you're gonna be okay!" he shouts, breath and voice both shaky as the healers lift him up and place him on a stretcher to carry him inside to where poultices have been prepared. "You're gonna be okay..." The otter follows Tameus and the healers inside, wiping at his eyes.

Hallow wanders around with a certain detachment from all the dead and dying beasts. Sadly it's something you can get used to. She looks over the quietest beasts first, seeing which ones are dead and checking ones that aren't, mostly she directs healers and helps to move beasts about. Checks the vermin too though she gets the living ones put in another spot and guarded.

Flicktail Groans softly....."where..be..Z'fongo

The healer tending to Flicktail blinks at the fox. "Please, you're speaking nonsense, sir. Try to relax, you may be experiencing trauma symptoms from your injury." It's like he's reading from a textbook. "Does it still sting?"

Benar walks back out of the abbey, a large basket in one hand, he hands the blankets inside over to the healers, the novice then walks around to a squirrel who seems to be loosing the battle to hang on. Kneeling down to hold their hand, talking to them quietly.

Flicktail says, "well..oi won't be dancin fer a day or too...oi...oi can't walk on it...."

the swirrel looks up top Benar and says quietly "I'm scared...w..will Martin....greet me?

Tameus's eyes squeeze shut as he's lifted, a bit of a snarl coming out of him as the jostling exacerbates his pain. His hand releases his sword and it's left on the ground as he's carried inside.

"Yes, that's to be expected, sir. Be grateful that it still hurts. If it didn't, that means we might have lost it." The mouse is very matter-of-fact about it all. A stretcher is dropped near the fox, and two other healers, much more capable of carrying a fox than a mouse could ever be, wait patiently. "Do you think you can lay down on this stretcher so we can take you to the infirmary?"

Benar nods and smiles softly, squeezing their paw, "I would think so, yes... you fought to save the abbey. Shhh rest now..."

Flicktail says, "N..no..get a beast to elp me..oi..oi walk to e infirmer..wi..elp"

the Squirrels tail rustles in the wind as he relaxes back into Benar's paws " I..I hope it is a nice..forest, andthey have,,lost of nuts to gather

Magramba slowly stands upright, leaning heavily on the spear and plucking another from the field of battle. The squirrel uses the pair of poles more like stilts than crutches to assist him to the infirmary stairs.

"I assure you, sir, the stretcher will be /much/ easier and /far/ less risky." The mouse is insisting, here. "Please, get on the stretcher and we can get you better help sooner."

Bradge just keeps following Tameus, alongside Magramba. "D... Do you need 'elp, sir?" The otter looks over to the squirrel fighter, offering his shoulder to make their way up the stairs.

Flicktail says, "go get otherbeasts en..there be others urt worse then oi am"

Benar sighs and stands back up, passing his paw over the squirrel's eyes then draping a blanket across his head. "Sleep well." he turns and pauses, nodding to Magramba, "Tree brother, good day, it is good to see you.." he nods to Bradge as he offers help and turns, looking around to see who else may need help.

Magramba attempts the first stair on his own, but his effort is greeted only by a wracking blood-cough. "Yeah, yeah."

"I don't know if you understand. I've been assigned to take care of you. You are the Abbey Champion. If you die because you are too stubborn to accept help, chances are it will still come down on my head. Now get in the /stretcher/ before I hit you with a /frying pan/ and /make you/ lie down." The mouse has bark!

Flicktail blink blinks at the mouse "Oi am not e important one..just..couse oi be Champion" but he allows hismelf to be put on the stretcher

Benar eyes Flicktail and sahkes his head, "Flicktail, do as your healer says," he looks around the abbey again and sighs. Turning away and walking toward the pond, pausing to help someone tie bandages.

Bradge sidles up next to Magramba, slinging the squirrel's arm over his shoulders and lifting up, supporting a lot of his weight as he makes his way up the stairs to the infirmary as quickly as possible. "'urry up. We don't wanna block the stairs." He sniffs, barely sobbing out that sentence before breaking out in what sounds like a rasped, pained cry: "Tam! I'm 'ere, mate, try an' stay awake!"

Flicktail nods to benar

Flicktail reaches out for tameus sword "oi want at wi me..please

Nidlorf groans in the middle of the dead pile... he's starting to waken!

Tameus climbs the stairs to the infirmary.

Tameus has left.

Magramba climbs the stairs to the infirmary.

Magramba has left.

As Flicktail lies on the stretcher, the two assistants... For what it's worth it's an otter and a hare... Carry Flicktail expeditiously to the infirmary. The mouse follows, picking up the gestured-to sword by its hilt and starting to clean it, following the otter and hare shortly after. Meanwhile, various healers attend to the wounded and dying around the Open Ground.

Bradge climbs the stairs to the infirmary.

Bradge has left.

Benar moves across and looks down at Nildorf, he kneels down and offers him a hand, "Come on, let me help you to the infirmary, can you stand?"

Gradually, as squirrels see their leader shifting in the pile, and tell the others, a crowd gathers around the fallen king. "Somebeast help! Over here, our king is alive!! Nidlorf, y' old faker, I knew it wasn't true!! Quick, before he goes out again! Get him some water!" They hop to their tasks, their own healers taking care of him and putting him on a small wooden stretcher brought from just inside the abbey building.

Flicktail climbs the stairs to the infirmary.

Flicktail has left.

---

-

-

RW Abbey: Infirmary

After the battle, dozens of stretchers and dozens more stretcher-bearers are carting the injured up into the Infirmary. Groups huddle by their most beloved fallen, including the small contingent of what is left of Nidlorf’s army of squirrels.

-

-

Z'Fingo climbs the stairs from the main yard of the abbey.

Z'Fingo has arrived.

Benar climbs the stairs from the main yard of the abbey.

Benar has arrived.

Hallow climbs the stairs from the main yard of the abbey.

Hallow has arrived.

Flicktail looks at hallow "Oi..feels so sick Skippa..will...will oi feel better? not me wounds..oi...Killed a beasttaday

Flicktail pants wincing the leg hurting a deep gash superficial but painful across his chest...his white fur stained red

Hallow is helping bring another otter up into the room, set him down on a bed to be worked on before she heads for the door again, little glance to Flicktail on the way "Hmm? For a good reason, nothing wrong with that. You'll get used to it...May just go check on that beast. With all the disguises and trickery lately" she's mostly concerned about the fox raising from the grave while she wasn't watching.

Benar steps into the infirmary, the novice walks along the side of the beds, administrereing water to everyone as he goes.

Flicktail tries his bestto help other beasts more injuredthen he is.. gently praising a vole who is laying beside him "Benar..over ere..this lad need some

Magramba has left.

Benar glides over stand beside the bed, helping the vole drink a beaker of water, "Flicktail don't you dare try to get out of that bed,"

Z'Fingo groans in the corner. Oh nooo, he's back in here. As he wakes up, he sees only blurred shapes moving about him, tending to this and that, but largely ignoring him for others who are more seriously hurt. Including that king he almost killed...

Flicktail says, "Aye Benar..oi be good" helooks over at Z'fingo "Ello lad...."

Nidlorf groans in his state of half-consciousness, "Whe... re's tha.... tha... mous.... I'll ki... ill... has my...." His head turns back and forth, back and forth... but he isn't in any shape to see Z'Fingo lying right across from him, or the Champion for that matter. "Ugh... mus get...."

Flicktail says, "Oi think ere be..enough Killin..please" he watches Benar "they gonna...pit a nedle in me Benar?"

Benar moves to Z'fingo's bed and offers him a beaker of water, helping him to sit up, "Here we are my young friend. Drink you need to drink."

A group of squirrels tries to set upon Z'Fingo, to grab the sword off of him! They fight the nurses and abbey staff, spilling trays of medication everywhere in an attempt to get the king what he's mumbling about in his semi-wakeful state...

Z'Fingo is about to say hello back to Flicktail, even as weak as he is, but is then set about by the squirrels, "Ahh... ough ough..." He coughs, and puts his paws up, trying to fend off the assailants...

Flicktail exclaims, "OI! oi'll lsay ever beast ere if ye tries ta start violence..men be DIEIN! Stand down NOW...turn yer wapons inta e gate house!"

Some of the Camp Willow otters are quick to action, helping the abbey beasts and surrounding Z'Fingo's bed.

Benar stands next to Z'Fingo's bed, balancing his water cariff, he turns and whacks it upside the head of one of the attacking squirrel's. Other paw moving to secure Z'Fingo and the sword. "Stop this... stop this at once. You are n Redwall abbey. Show respect at once! I will not tolerate violence in the abbey."

Flicktail says, "If oi were you fellows..oi'd not upset Benar......."

The squirrels go reluctantly, herded by some more of the otters and abbey squirrels, to the gatehouse to stow their weapons. The groans and complaints can be heard well outside of the infirmary, as some escape detection and instead peacefully sit by their king. One says to the other, "Lookit how they treat us all, ain't it unfair? After all I heard about this place! Huh! Their leader seems fine! Mere scratches, compared with our king! Lookit, he took a wound right to 'is chest! Our king ain't afraid to fight for us!"

Hallow is within hearing range by now, bringing back a squirrel this time and a little raised brow going to the king and his squirrels "Rather ungrateful lot to the beasts who are going to help save his life for free aren't you? Suppose you missed the part were everyone else was fighting too?"

Benar shakes his head and then sits down beside Z'fingo, "I am not sure what this was about. But pleae show more respect. We appreciate your aid in defending the abbey but this is a aplce of peace and harmony. Our healers are at your disposal tpo help your king."

Flicktail says, "Aye Skippa..especially if wot at fox said be true seeing as wewill elp free ere land"

The squirrels huff indignantly and continue to sit beside their king, glaring over at Z'Fingo occasionally...

Flicktail waits for teh critical beasts to betreated before lookingto Benar "They..gonna stick me wi sewing needles?

Z'Fingo relaxes when the squirrels are off of him and he's safe. "To be.. to be fah, I /did/ almost kill thea'uh king... I /am/ sohrry I... I did it..." He coughs some more and his head falls back down to the pillow. "Ughh ough ough!"

Benar frowns and glances toward Hallow, he then turns to Z'Fingo and places a wet cloth on his fore-head. "Shhhh rest now, do not try to speak."

A young healer mouse comes in "Novice Benar..this was foudn on the evil fox's body, th epoisioner" he hands a clear vial with a cork to Benar..it is wrapped in a paper that says "Z'fingo's life"

Hallow rolls her eyes briefly but she has more beasts to help get in. Happy to leave the otters guarding Z'Fingo's bed. She raises a brow at the mouse and vial though "I would imagine it to be a poison. Certainly doubt it's anything good from that beast"

Benar frowns, holding the vial carefully in his paws, "What..." he frowns and nods to Hallow. he wraps it carefuilly in a velvet pouch and puts it away inside his habit. "I shall dispose of this safely later."

Flicktail says, "BEnar..please..keep it fer now... we may learn from it..."

Benar frowns, "I will need the abbot's permission to keep this... if it is poisin then it should be destroyed" he sighs as the fox falls asleep and sits down ina chair next to Z'Fingo's bed.

Hallow heads back for the door again "So destroy the contents and keep the bottle. Only way we could learn anything from what's inside it to test it on someone and no one's going to do that" and she's off out to keep moving beasts about again.

Benar stands up and inclines his head, "Well for now I need to get back down stairs."

---

-

-

MEANWHILE… OUT IN MOSSFLOWER

The cart of vermin has escaped! Those that Odilo had helped escape through the east wallgate have regrouped with the cart and its passengers; they follow the Black Fox and the new captive back to the Black Gull Tavern.

-

-

Psamathe comes from around the corner of the Abbey, panting heavily. ".. rrg!" She spies the cart in the distance and heads for it. ".. what're ye' doin' waitin' 'ere! Get North! Fast!" she shrieks, breaking into a sprint.

Annavee doesn't need any more encouragement then that, she doesn't want anyone lighting another fire near her. It takes several steps to get moving again, but once they're on flat territory, the cart rolls too fast for most to catch.

Arevin grumbles, "We'll get paid yet!" She trots along, her eyes on the cargo as they make their way up North.

Annavee is trembling with exertion when they finally arrived, and not too far from bleeding out from her wounds. The cart stops beside the Gull. The beast that's carried it drops her head, sucking in huge lungfuls of air.

Odilo is with the tired party on their way back... he doesn't trust a single one of the vermin, and tries to keep a low profile. They should be more thankful than they are! He hated that fox, true, but he hated his king even more... he mumbles, "Can't believe I did that... huh! And for what! Hah, probably'll murder us all in our beds, he will.. tried to kill me once already..."

Parin slips off the side of the cart, arms quaking after their recent exertion. He claps Odilo on the back. "That was great, wasn't it?"

Odilo eyes Parin, “Ay, great if you think the whole thing blowin’ up and almost backfiring is great. Great if you’re /that/ one up there, don’t see what was so great for us…” He points to Anba Hor, barely believing he’s here with all these vermin…

Sebastian slowly starts to wake up. "What...where...am I?" he tries to move.

Psamathe pads over to the hulking, slumped beasts and rests a remarkably caring paw between her ears. ".. not yet," she tells the wolf as she crouches down beside her, staring Annavee in the eyes. ".. we gotsta' gettim' inside first." Her ear flicks at Odilo; ".. shh--let's get this thing inside," she says, jutting a thumb at Sebastian.

Psamathe glances at Parin, vaguely recognizing him from the battle - but otherwise unaware of the ferret's existence. Too many vermin recruits to remember each of them, you know. ".. th' Gull," she clips to him, head nodding at the nearby building.

Anba_Hor hears the disgruntled squirrel and comes up behind him, "And you'll make that twice if you don't shut up. Here we are! There is no going back to the den, now... we will have to hide until I have been given payment for the slaves and you will all have to go your separate ways. I know that makes you all sad." He chuckles evilly, and finally says, "A good job we made of it! You all took some woodlander blood, as did your fallen comrades with them I hope!"

Annavee's ears fold back, but she doesn't snap at the vixen. The battle-rage keeping her so tense is beginning to drain away. The wolf sags her head briefly into Psamathe's shoulder before rising up to her paws again. "Waaaaake." the word is slippery in her mouth. As she's being unbuckled from the cart, she snarls in Sebastian's direction, hackles raising.

Sebastian slowly tries to sit up on the cart, eye opening.

Psamathe promptly climbs on to the cart. She hollers right in the delirious badger's face, ".. dunnae' move, stripedog!" and shows him her crooked teeth. She passes her brief attention to Anba and nods. ".. so. Where's th' money?" she bluntly asks with a glare.

With the groups reunited Quickbeak is up above along with his son, the both of them watching the little scene down below and after a while they carefully circle round, going to come in over the trees and perch in one a few back from the road. Close enough to watch, listen and hide.

Odilo passes Anba, turning around and scowling, "I just want my money, fox... then I'll be outta yore sight for good! You can bet on that... and it better be the other way around too!" He looks at Psamathe and back at Anba Hor, "Yeah, where /is/ this money? We want it now!!"

Sebastian looks around but doesn't listen. He's still a dibbun after all. He panics and tries to punch whoever is closest but then topples over as the wound in his side shoots a jolt of pain through him.

Anba_Hor smiles at all of them, breathing in and out slowly... "We will all have it soon... know that I am as poor as you right now when it comes to that - but you have the word of a beast who /always/ does what he says he will that you will each of you get your just share." He doesn't tell them that what he means isn't money...

Psamathe, having scrambled up on the cart to strut her stuff, was the closest. She catches the brunt of the of the young badger's swing; even in Sebastian's weakened state, it's enough to send her toppling from the cart. An indignant grunt erupts as the vixen hits the dirt.

Sebastian grips his side and looks around to see if Parin is here as well. He's got a thing or two he would love to say to the ferret.

Annavee is injured, but she is heavy and strong. When the final strap is released, she pounces at Sebastian to pin him back against the cart's floor- aiming to use her forepaws to pin his shoulders. Her eyes are wild, the pupils so dilated that the irises have become rims. "Donnfff .. mooove."

Parin raises his voice, a triumphant swell carrying it to everybeast's ears. "Tonight, we have won a great victory. I know this is just a temporary allegiance for all of you, but my band would be pleased to accept any such veteran fighters as yourselves. If you are interested, speak to me, and I'll tell you where you can join this once the fox has paid you."

Sebastian grunts and shakes his head. "I wont...let me...go...I can't move anyways...to...badly hurt." he whimpers out. Its true. Seb can't move. Too badly hurt.

Sebastian looks over at the Ferret's voice. "I guess...you won the battle ferret." he gives a genuine smile. "Was...a good fight." he coughs.

Odilo grunts, "Ha, yeah and if you would've told me that you were going to kill Nidlorf /yourself/, I would have gotten to that stupid mouse sooner and might have killed him. 'Stead of wasting my time with his Highness..." He still hates the fox - he's planning even now a way to kill him, but he's not exactly the smartest strategist.

Annavee snarls as she lowers her muzzle. Poor Sebastian. Slobber shirt time. "Issss it mortal?" she looks genuinely hopeful. Badgermeat's pretty rare. But she's not moving until someone comes over to rope the badger up.

Anba_Hor looks over at the badger, "Somebeast shut that thing up! And we need to get inside /now/! They may have eyes in the sky watching our every move. When we get inside, we'll plan what to do next." Except, he already /knows/ what he's doing next. He just needs to plan what he will do with /them/ next.

Psamathe perks an ear at Parin's offer, but non-verbally declines at the moment - she wave a dismissing paw at him. Her focus right now is Anba - or, more specifically, his promised fortune. A short snort-giggle erupts from her muzzle as the wolf speaks; ".. we can only 'hope," she adds, winking to Annavee.

Sebastian slowly looks at the wolf again and tilts his head. "Never seen one of you before..." he mutters. "And no..." he peers at the wound. "I...ow...don't think so." he looks back to the ferret. He's taken a liking to that ferret for some reason.

Psamathe makes no motion to help transport the badger. It was her duty to wrangle and ringlead the vermin, NOT to haul gigantic children around. She rises up from the ground, dusting herself off, and promptly pads up the stairs and into the tavern.

Parin shrugs at the badger's words. "Wasn't bad. I just wished you'd focused more. You made it pretty easy."

Sebastian nods slowly. "But...you are an honorable fighter...I respect that." he nods. "I'd shake your paw if it wasn't...ow...hurting." he says. "Next time though, I will focus more. Then if you beat me, you can kill me." the badger can't help but to grin. "Ow."

Annavee steps off of Sebastian with a flick of her tail as some of the lackies have arrived with whatever will keep an injured badger from killing them so long as they just get inside the damned gull. Seeing that is being taken care of, she limps inside after Psamathe.

Annavee enters the Black Gull Tavern.

Annavee has left.

Psamathe enters the Black Gull Tavern.

Psamathe has left.

Parin enters the Black Gull Tavern.

Parin has left.

Sebastian takes that chance to sit up, ignoring the pain and fight them! or so he tries. He attempts pitifully to throw himself at Anba but only falls off the cart. THUD. "Ow." Then he's bound and taken inside.

Anba_Hor enters the Black Gull Tavern.

Anba_Hor has left.

Sebastian enters the Black Gull Tavern.

Sebastian has left.

---

-

-

Inside the Black Gull Tavern…

After a bit of a struggle with the badger, they arrive; tired and impatient with their leader, who shows signs of irritation as he plans his next moves…

-

-

Psamathe is mildly sympathetic toward Annavee; if nothing else, at least grateful that the giant canine showed up to transport their prize. She gathers her ale and hops off the bar stool, joining the creature by the fire. A brow raises at the arrows - removing them is not something she'd like to try - and she simply offers the wolf a chug from her mug. ".. might take th' fire outta' the plugs, eh?" she clips, grinning awkwardly at Anna.

Sebastian is dragged in, the badger's nose now bleeding thanks to landing face first in the dirt. "Ow." he keeps saying to himself. Even though he's still a dibbun, he hasn't cried yet.

Annavee pulls them free with a savage jerk of her head, splattering the floor with blood. And, as if the arrows were the little mice who shot them, she snaps them in half between her teeth with disgust before spitting them into the fire. Psamathe's offer is taken up on, her throat working noisily to swallow the chug. She ain't used to it. It foams up in her mouth, but she's licking it sloppily away. Then she belches. Hey, that kinda smells like vole. Probably that volemaid's husband or something. Tragic. "Thanksss. Did you seeee that fox fighting fooor the foouuud?"

Sebastian is shoved roughly into a chair, while the idiots who tied him and dragged him in here wait to be told what to do with him. The badger just grunts and sits there.

Anba_Hor surveys all that is happening in the tavern, but stays well out of the way of it all. He sits on a barstool, elbows on the bar, and orders a drink. He chuckles at all the blood and carnage, all to make possible /his/ goals and schemes. Yet he is barely scratched. Played dead most of the time. He laughs at himself, completely full of his own ego. This must be what that former king felt like all the time...

Sebastian looks up slowly. "So. Now that you have a badger. What do you plan to do?" he grins. "I suggest you...ow...kill me. Would be a mistake if you didn't." he smirks. Someone should really knock him out right now.

Ferris dutifully drags another drunk to the lounge.

Psamathe's grin widens as the wolf belches; she downs the rest of the ale herself, and mimics the burp - albeit hers is somewhat more dainty, if a belch can be dainty. The vixen glances over at their captive, checking to make sure he's been properly secured, then turns back to Anna; ".. all them beasts were crazy," she says, ears flattening. ".. know why I've avoided th' place fer so many seasons now," she drones on idly. As Anba chooses a place at the bar, the vixen wrinkles her nose. She stands, nodding to the wolf, and then boldly slides into the stool beside the tod. ".. so lemme getthis' straight--you were .. not you who was not you .. and you're still alive, right?" That made no sense, but Psamathe is still confused by the battle's events.

".. an' we still ain' got no coin t' show fer it," Psamathe adds angrily.

Annavee snorts, seemingly listening with interest as she works at the most natural way of healing her wounds. Lickin' em! And she gets dinner and a show. Psamathe looks awful angry.

Sebastian still watches them. "Bunch of lousy cowards! You steal a badger and just tie him up. I expected torture. Hah, I guess you are just too spineless..." he spits at them. He figures he's got nothing to lose. So he's just trying to annoy the heck out of them.

Anba_Hor looks over at Psamathe, impatient at her confusion, "You still haven't gotten it, have you? Very well then... I was my own decoy, for my own protection of course. I fell before my 'real' decoy, the one disguised as that other fox, fought the abbey Champion. Got it?" He shakes his head, drinking more of his ale.

Psamathe lifts a paw, gesturing at the bartender for another ale. ".. no, I *gots* it," Psamathe replies, indignant, ".. it's jus' like, so *now* what?" When the new drink is plunked down in front of her, the fox wastes no time and devours a giant gulp. She glances to the tied badger, barking, "Shaddup', stripedog!" Her focus shifts to the vermin who guard Sebastian, and she pleads with them, ".. Gettim' drunk 'r somethin'! I jus' dunnae want to 'ear his snivelly voice no more."

Annavee snarls, "Burrowing rodents." and goes back to work. Tameus' wounds that were delievered will probably need bandages.

Sebastian grins. "Why don't you come over here and make me, huh? Because your a coward!" he grins.

Anba_Hor gives the other vixen a disgusted look... how dare she question him?? What /now/ indeed! He'll tell her the truth about /what now/ if she doesn't stop yappin'! "Yes, well what now is we lay low and wait... what, did you want more action? I could arrange that, for you alone, if you wanted..." He huffs, and sips his drink. Ingrates.

Annavee is now facing an offended rat. "I don't like bein' grouped in wid dem!" he snaps at Anna, waving his mug. The wolf considers and snorts at him. The rat is horrified, and turns away, covered in snot - groaning, "Nooooo."

Psamathe snorts at Anba, staring at him as squarely as she can muster - albeit, this is difficult, because the tod's eyes are quite disturbing. Her attempt to bully him fails, rendering the vixen even more irritated than before. She dismounts the stool, now focused on the young badger, who simply refuses to keep his mouth shut; ".. coward, eh?" she questions, lashing out with a sharp kick at Sebastian's shin. ".. ah'll show ye' a coward." Her knife appears from somewhere, now clenched tightly in her hand.

Sebastian yelps as his shin hurts, now just as much as the rest of him. "Yeah..." he grins. "You'll always be a coward..." he spits at her.

Anba_Hor barks at the vixen, "I strongly suggest you not do that, unless you want those abbeybeasts to have no reason not to barge in here and kill you right now..."

The spittle strikes Psamathe squarely on her snout. Anba's words fall on deaf ears; the vixen is clearly mad with rage by now - frustrated at her recent string of misfortune and lost treasure. She leaps at Sebastion, hollering, "SHADDAP! Ye' filthy nasty stripedog!" Wrathful fists pound at the young badger; it's quite possible that her weight, however minimal, might knock the kid and his stool over.

Sebastian grins and then yelps, the punches actually making him cry. Aside from falling back and smacking his head off the ground, leaving him dazed.

The Male Badger Bartholomew enters the tavern vestibule from outside.

Bartholomew has arrived.

Anba_Hor grabs the vixen by the tail and /yanks/ her off the badger, "Stop this at once!!! Before I skin you right here in front of everybeast!!"

Psamathe halts her punching as she and the badger make contact with the floor. The knife, which she previously dropped, is retrieved by a vehement hand. Lilac eyes narrow as the fox presses her face close to Sebastian's; ".. y'lost an eye, kid - y'know y'got two o' more than jus' *one* thing," she snarls at him, ".. I kin take 'em one by one, 'n y'll still be 'live enough to be worth hangin' on to!" With that, Anba pulls her off - she shrieks as she flies back, but is certainly not dissuaded from continuing her attack. She ignores Anba again and lunges for Sebastian; her free hand grasps his ear, the other with the knife swooping deftly upward. The blade unceremoniously rips through the cartilage, blood flying in its wake! Silly vixen. Silly, angry vixen.

Sebastian blinks and was about to thank Anba but screams out extremely loudly as his ear is severed from his head, tears flowing down his eye, the badger shaking and trying to fight back or at least protect himself but he fails, and ends up screaming, shaking, and crying.

Anba_Hor this time grabs her by the scruff of her neck and points a poison dagger at her throat, "So you don't only /not/ want to be paid, you want to /die/? I can arrange that, and I'm sure none of the others will complain, since that means a bigger share for each of them. What do you say lads and ladies?" He pricks her neck with the point, /almost/ breaking the skin. He breathes close to her, sneering.

The door of the tavern opens, and another male badger pushes his way in. The black and white striped face scrunches at the light change, but his ears quickly turn up at the sudden attack of noise onto his senses. "Hrf," Bartholomew snorts loudly, stepping in as the door closes behind him, his shoulders squaring up to full height.

There's a rousing 'Aye!' from the peanut gallery! "Cut 'er head clean off!! Skin 'er', take both her paws and stick 'em in 'er eye sockets!"

Anba_Hor laughs at the last comment, "Idiot, that wouldn't even work! You're all stupid, if you think your ideas are better than mine... No... all of that seems tame to me. My victims would /love/ that kind of treatment. What do you say, vixen?"

Psamathe's ears drop as regret sinks in; she questions for a minute whether or not she really just did that, but one quick eyeball-roll toward the badger confirms that, yes, she *did* in fact mutilate the poor thing. She's in Anba's clutches now, more or less helpless, and returns her gaze to him; ".. he's *fine*," she tells the tod, ".. ah didnae' take anythin' important," continues her plea. She is unaware of Bart's entry at this point, presently rather concerned for her life.

Sebastian looks up through the stars of the pain that his vision is clouded in, and spies the other badger. "Help...me..." he cries out. "Help me please! They took...me from the abbey...help!" he cries out.

Anba_Hor decides it's not worth his time. He shoves her away from him, but also in a direction away from the badger. "Then keep your head, you... that badger is but a dibbun, and his games will cost him the same fate if they continue." He glares at the badger, grinning hideously and snickering like an insane beast. "I've had fun with badgers before. One is hanging on my threshold right now, keeping my den warm from the elements..."

Bartholomew is... well, caught off guard. He scoots forward, mummering to himself. So much for his drink. "'Cuse me," he says towards the vixens. He, on the other paw, is /not/ a dibbun. "Him. I'll be takin' him off your paws if he's causing you troubles." Bart holds a thick, dirty claw out, pointing at the younger badger.

Odilo just eyes the goings on, trying to lay low in this rotten place. He doesn't belong here, but yet he doesn't belong with those he betrayed. He's in a sad, sad state... but that fox will be too if he tries to pull anything. And he definitely could...

Psamathe's breathing heavily and splattered with a bit of badger blood by the time she hits the floor, stumbling from the force of Anba's shove. ".. aye," she simply says, grateful for his mercy. She sits upright as she realizes there is another badger here now, jaw falling slack; ".. uhr," the vixen stammers, looking to Bart. ".. ye' got *coin*?" she quips hopefully, offering him the most genuine smile she can muster.

Annavee falls asleep.

Anba_Hor stands up and walks over to Bartholomew, "Did I say he was causing us any trouble? No, on the contrary, friend... we /like/ his company. If you enjoy his, perhaps you could join /us/?" He is only half a head shorter than the badger, but he isn't scrawny by any means...

Sebastian whimpers and continues to sob. "He...help...helllp me...please...please!" he begs.

Bartholomew smacks his lips, tossing a paw up to scratch at the back of his ear. "Coin? Maybe I got coin. Maybe I don't. Dunno what it matters." His eyes press closed for a long blink. He leans forward, enough for his breath to his Anba. "You work here, mate?" The badge ignores the other of his kind.

Psamathe tucks her knees under her chin and wraps her arms around her legs, staying out of this for a moment. Their wolf comrade seems to have fallen out by the fire - and the fox is unsure whether Anba, even for his fiendishness, has the strength to take down full grown badger. She sits and watches, firing a look to Sebastian that screams "shut up!," without her actually telling him this.

Sebastian keeps crying. "Please sir! I'll do anything! I can make you weapons or armor for free! Please just take me hooome..." he ignores the look. Seems like the only way shut him up would be to pound his skull until he's out cold.

Psamathe has learned her lesson and refrains from further pounding on the badger.

Anba_Hor snickers, "I /am/ my own work, badger. If I'm here, that means I'm working here. These beasts here just came from a battle, and they are tired and worn... I suggest you ignore them, and the badger with them."

Bartholomew rolls his head back, a smile on his wedge-shaped muzzle. "Good. Don't figure you'd rustle me up a mug of warmed mead, then?"

Psamathe gathers the courage to stand, albeit she casts a wary look in Anba's direction, as if another blow could come at any minute. She slinks back a step and hops awkwardly onto a stool; the fox twists quickly, turning from the crowd to the bar and ordering another drink. With a bit of a grimace, she gestures for the keep to deliver an ale to Anba as well. It is a weak peace offering, but rather profound coming from this particular fox - she doesn't buy just anybody a drink.

Sebastian uses up all his energy on this deafening cry. "HELP ME PLEASE! SOME BEAST! HELP ME!" he cries out as loud as any badger war cry. But as soon as he's done he ends up panting hard and then passing out from the pain.

A rat wanders over to Seb, poking at him with a clawed toe, just to be sure he's out this time.

Sebastian is out like a light, blood still pouring from his ear, stab wound, and empty eye socket.

Anba_Hor nods over at Psamathe, but isn't the kind to ever smile or talk to a beast he's finished with... as for the badger, he ignores his request and goes to his second drink, keeping an eye on that squirrel looking at him. He'll get his, soon enough. The little badger too. The fox sips and looks over at Arevin, who's been quiet since the battle. She'll get over it, whatever it is... maybe she's just unhappy to be back at the tavern she thought she'd left forever?

Groups:

• Order of Redwall

• House of Nidlorf

• Friends of Anba Hor