Who Killed Oak?

--Somewhere close to the Black Gull on the Dirt Road, early evening. Yes it’s short—

The dirt road was quiet, too quiet and a light snow started to fall. A squirrel travels quickly down the road and stops only to catch his breath and it ends up a deadly mistake as the arrow appears in his throat and he is dead before he hits the road. Whomever fired the arrow is nowhere in sight.

About an hour later Scioto comes down the dirt road speaking to a cloaked stoat, “I do not think it wise to let many know your back, but I am curious to know more of what happen Marek, you seem a little, I don’t know, quiet today and your usually talkative”

Zaram is also along with them, he follows Marek wherever he goes.

Marek starts to answer when he sees the figure laying in the road and quickens his pace to get to it and bends down as he checks a pulse and turns the beast over, his eyes full of surprise, “Mr. Scioto you may want to come here” His voice stays calm and collective, but with a hint of shock to it.

Zaram follows Marek and doesn’t even have to look to know Oak is dead.

Duff also is walking along the road and looks up at the gathered beast and being the curious beast he is he edges closer.

Oak is here, dead as a doornail with an arrow in his throat. It’s very clear he is dead with no pulse and no breathing and been dead a little less than an hour.

Scioto walks over and looks down at the squirrel and his good eye goes wide “Oak!?” He looks around and lays a paw on his blade as he is now on guard and even more alert than he already was.

Bramblefur walks towards the black gull, a couple ferrets with him but upon seeing the others he walks over slowly and tilts his head “Oak is..dead?”

Marek narrows his eyes at Duff as he gets a little too close to his liking, “Stay back and state a name. Do you have anything to do with this? See anything? Speak now!”

Duff looks like he is ready to wet his pants as he gulps “I..I..I know nothing. I was j..j..just looking for a good place fer a drink honest. I didn’t kill no squirrel or any beast tonight I swear”

Scioto looks Duff up and down as he states, “I think he speaks the truth, whoever killed oak surprised him and I know Oak well enough to know he was rarely surprised by anyone, usually he was the one that surprised you” He checks Oak for other wounds or clues, “Whoever did this knew what they were doing and may have been following him.”

Bramblefur hmms, “Is there being anyone who hated Oak..Enough ta kill him?” He waits on a reply.

Marek almost laughs at this, “DO you need a list Mr. Bramblefur”

Duff just frowns, he starts to try and edge his way past them not wanting any part of this what so ever.

Oak has little on him, some daggers, his journal, couple rocks, flask of ale, his bow and quiver of arrows that are specially marked by him and the arrow that is in him is a simple made arrow, so clearly not his own. He also has some lint and a loose button.

Scioto looks at Bramblefur, “Yes, you want a list? A lot of beast dislike Oak, some hate him, he had lots of enemies from my understanding. I even disliked him but I wouldn’t kill him cause of it and we already know it wasn’t me, or Marek as he was with me.”

Bramblefur nods and rubs his chin “We be needin’ to bury Oak, but where ?”

Marek stands there quiet and speaks to Scioto as he starts to head back to Ferravale” Ferravale Graveyard sounds good to me, so much for heading to the abbey tonight Mr. Scioto as I believe this requires your attention now.”

Scioto sighs and picks up Oak, after putting his belongings in a knapsack and hands it to Zaram and nods to Bramblefur ”Maybe you and your two ferrets there can look for any clues or find out if anyone is around or an idea who may of done this.”

Bramblefur places an arm over his chest and bows, his show of respect to the chieftain “As you wish Scioto” The two ferrets are given a nod as the wildcat heads south and the two ferrets follow him.

Duff still stands off to the side of road and watches them, he looks around and hurries to and inside the black Gull as it there is a random archer killing beast on the road, he is so out of here as he rather live than die tonight.

Scioto watches Bramblefur head off before catching up to Marek and is soon walking beside him, “Your thoughts on this.” He states quietly.

Marek answers, his voice calm as he speaks, “I do not know at this time, could be a number of reasons as it was said he had many enemies or it could be something much deeper Mr. Scioto, for now I do believe it wise to head back to Ferravale and find a time to further discuss these matters, but after some rest, I require some sleep. Zaram do make some of that tea when we get back.”

Zaram gives a simple nod as he follows them back to the village.

Scioto doesn’t ask what sort of tea as they get back to the village, he speaks with a guard quietly and then takes Oak to the undertaker. As for the squirrel's personal items the cat will put those in a chest in his office for safe keeping for now. The undertaker can bury Oak in the Ferravale graveyard, the cat ears go back in through and then decides maybe he should get to bed for the night as well and so heads home.

Marek and the mole head to their room as soon as they get back to Ferravale. Tea is made and drank and then it’s time to sleep.