RPG Redwall: Lost Hope [M-LV]

[JJ]

Okies, people here we go! Hopefully, this won't flop.. Here's a recap for anyone who is planning on reading this.

[size=1][I]From the Records of Sister Elmst, Recorder of Redwall Abbey, Mossflower County[/I][/size]

[color=silver][size=1]This season has been hard. So many things around the Abbey have been going wrong. All of our strawberries and pears have died due to the extreme heat. Many Dibbuns have been diagnosed with heat stroke, and one or two lay on their deathbed. It has been frantic for Sister Franc, from the Dibbuns, to the heat stroked workers, to the sun poisoned forest dwellers; she has had her hands full. We have sent in as many workers as we could afford, but it doesn?t seem to be enough. The sick ward has overfilled long ago. We now must place our sick in the dormitories and in the large platform beneath the Matthias and Methuselah bells. It takes all the hands in the Abbey just to get water and food to the sick. Even now, I should be helping, but I must document all this so that others may know what befell our Abbey in the Summer of Disappearing Fruit.

Another depressing event in our Abbey concerns our Champion and Abbot. Just last season old Abbot Jericho passed away, leaving Abbot Kende in his place. Kende is a very well trained Abbot, but he too has been hit with sickness. Unlike the others, he has very different symptoms. His fur has started to fall out, and his tongue has turned a dark purple. His tail has shriveled considerably, and his pupils are very small. We fear the worst, and only time will tell. Our last Champion Nedles fell in battle two seasons ago, and he left the Sword of Martin, and is legacy on the shoulders of Leande. Leande is very young, and unlike most of the others, he is reserved and only talks when spoken. I personally believe that someone older should be the Champion, but Kende says that Martin has told him that Leande is the one.

Leande just three days ago left with Farra and Heth, the twin hares, to go to the badger mountain Salamandastron to ask for aid. I fear for their safety, and I also fear for Lady Bowsnap if she refuses. Leande has been very distant and angry these past days, and I think that Farra and Heth are the only ones that Leande won?t kill on sight. They have had the same aura as Leande, although they chose to keep it to themselves.

It seems like the only glimpse of hope we have is that of our friend Gruth. He is a young owl hat found himself a home here. He came about three seasons ago after stoats killed his parents. He could barely fly, and it took Sister Franc about two days before he would eat again. He now has grown into a great asset to our Abbey and has pledged his services to us. He has announced that today he will fly of in search of our various friends: the moles, otters, and Guosim shrews. I have bid him a good flight, and now I sit here telling all you. In all it seems like a dark shadow has fallen over our abbey. I bid you warning good travelers. Stay clear of Redwall, lest you be cast into the darkness that now seems to cloud all our thoughts and actions. I fear for your safety and your sanity.[/color]

OK, since no one signed up as them, the following will be in part be Rp'ed by me.
Moles
Sister Franc
Abbot Kende
Gurth
Farra and Heath
If anyone wants, the Moles and Sister Franc are open.

That's all, so here we go!

[Color=DarkBlue]

Leande hacked through though foliage as he stormed through the wood. He and the twins had been walking for three days, not stopping for more than a quick bite to eat and drink. None of three of them had really spoken since they left. They all had one thing on their minds. The badger. She may or may not be the one thing the Abbey needs.

As Leande stops hacking for a second, he begins to think of the times before the Summer of Disappearing Fruit. He and the twins had been happy and carefree. They would have sparring matches with sticks, more for show than anything. They all laughed and were as cheery as could be. Then, the Abbot passed away, followed by Needles. The Abbot's death hit Leande hardest, because they had been incredibly close. Leande secretly used to think of him as his father. He suddenly snapped out of the daydream as Farra and Heath tapped him.

"Leande, we're almost there, so let's keep going." Heath said, no emotion in his voice.

"Ugh," Leande said in return as he stood up.

He had never forgotten what happened the day he died. The sun was shining, and it seemed like every bird in Mossflower was singing. Leande had been planning a surprise breakfast for the Abbot, on account of his birthday. As Leande carried his homemade platter up to his room, he stopped. He had forgotten the mint tea. He quickly waddled down the stairs and grabbed the jug he had left by the oven. He then continued again up the stairs, knocking on the door.

"Jericho, surprise!" he said as he walked in. He suddenly stopped. There sitting on the bed was not the Abbot. The Abbot wouldn't be lying on the floor, a small pool of blood by his mouth. No, not him. Suddenly the entire platter he was holding dropped, sending glass to every corner of the room. The food splattered all over the Abbot, and Leande suddenly realized the truth. He cried out in a half laugh, half cry. He started yelling at the top of his lungs, hoping everyone knew.

"Oh Discordia! Jericho is dead. Hile, the clearing at the end of the path for him! Hile, the last gunslinger has died!" he moaned as he sat next to the body. He later would hear what he said and dismiss it, calling it ramble.

The sight of his body on floor had hardened his heart somewhat. He never had gotten close to anyone else since his death. Although, he kept his few friends close, no one had gotten close to him since the Abbot's death. As they continued through the forest, the peak of the mountain came into view. Any other time, this would have brought joy to his heart, knowing that he had finally made it, but not this time. He was dreading the coming battle he was to fight.[/color]

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[color=DarkSlateGrey]Abbot Kende sat in his bed sipping the water brought to him by Sister Franc. He had been in bed for about a week now, and he was getting sick of it. There were good beast dying out there, and he wanted to help. He could have cared less about his own well being, because the Abbey always came first. As he continually sipped, he began to think about the past three days. The festivities began with Leande, Farra, and Heath setting out for Salamandastron. Everyone wished to bade them good luck and farewell, but they slipped away in the early morning hours. That alone signaled that not all was well. The second, after about half the Abbey fell ill, the water supply ran dry. They were now drinking water from the river in the woods. The good sisters Franc and Sistine went daily there to fetch water. They sometimes made about ten trips. He feared for them, because once they have fallen the Abbey is lost.

The Abbey's last hope just departed yesterday, Gurth. He had flown in a southerly direction, hoping to cut the otters off at the main stream. From there he would fly northward to the moles mounds. From there east to the Guosim. Hopefully his flight would be successful. Kende took another sip. This was going to take time they didn't have.[/color]

Now, if you?re in the Abbey, you most likely still healthy, so I will monitor your posts. If you over work yourself you get sick. Otters, just be mulling around, shrews same. Hares, you?re currently pent up waiting for a report from a scout sent about a week ago. Now, if there are any questions please, please, please PM me. Thanks.[/size]

[Skye]

[size=1][font=veranda][color=indigo]Kinna broke the surface of the river, shaking her silver and brown head as she laughed. Swimming back to shore, she dropped the three dead fish. She dove back in, washing fish blood from her snout and paws.

Climbing back out, she bellowed to the otters, ?Anybeast up for some herring?? She saw Skipper grin, and shake his head laughing. ?Come on, ye little rascal. Three herring isn?t enough fer a whole band of otters!? Kinna picked up the fish and trotted over to her uncle.

?And? We can eat it. Rutt is also catching some, so it ain?t just me!?

Skipper chuckled. Kinna sat down next to him, flipping out her knife, she started taking the fish apart. ?Can?t wait to be back at the Abbey! Friar Dunsel?s hotroot soup is good!? The otter cook was known for surpassing Skipper in the making of the soup. Kinna dumped the fish into the boiling pot.

Skipper chuckled again. ?Ai, missy, yer right there!?

OOC: Hope its okay with the Friar. ^_^ You didn?t mention one anywhere, so I figured I?d make one up.[/size][/font][/color]

[Ezekiel]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=1]Ferth sat on a stool in the courtyard of the Abbey, the sun shining onto his fur warming him nicely. He chuckled as Dibbuns swung from the end of his tail, trying not to hurt him as they went about their fun.

The young squirrel sighed and stretched, memories kept coming back to him...and they weren't welcome ones. How he wished he could forget Leande's expression after he found the Abbot. It was horrible, but Ferth had a lot of respect for Leande for being able to carry on.

Ferth stood and heard squeals as a couple of Dibbuns toppled over behind him, crashing into the rosemary bush behind. Ferth laughed and ran off before the young Mice could catch up with him.

He strode into the orchid and easily scampered up an apple tree, grabbing at a lone apple hungrily. He looked at it and sighed, knowing that food was short and that he didn't need any now.
He jumped from the tree and searched a while longer, finding a couple more ripened fruits. Shoving them into his deep pockets, the squirrel walked back towards the Abbey to drop the fruit off at the kitchen.

[B]OOC First post done, any problems, PM me[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[liubei013]

[COLOR=Blue]Skipper watched as his niece continued to innocently make the soup. He knew things were getting worse, but like all leaders, he had to project optimism to everyone else.

"Kinna, once you let the soup boil, fill up them buckets over there with fresh river water. Be nice to help out Sister Franc and Sistine with some chores," Skipper called out.

Kinna laughed as she responded, "That's only because you want to be the first to 'sample' vittles in the Abbey kitchens, Uncle."

Skipper expressed a mock look of shock, "Me? Sampling their vittles and all that? Spare me the thought!" They laughed as the day moved along. Then Skipper asked, "Been practicing your slinging?"

Kinna frowned a little, "Somewhat, but you know how it is at the Abbey. They generally discourage that sort of thing."

Skipper drew out his sling and a pouch of stones, "Best time right now. I'll sling first, you try to hit it." Kinna pulled out her sling and whirled it ready. Skipper spun his sling until he let loose the stone in it. It flew up into the air and Kinna eyed it. Then she let loose a stone and it flew straight up at Skipper's. But it missed by about an armlength.

"Aww..." Kinna said. Skipper gestured for her to sling a stone up. She did so and it flew up high. Without hesitation, Skipper whirled his sling around and let fly his stone. It flew up and smacked Kinna's stone in mid-air with a sharp crack.

"Don't worry. Just remember to sling the stone towards where your target is going, not where it is at the moment," Skipper explained.

"Okay, thanks. Oh, the soup is almost done!" Kinna cried out. The two otters laughed as they continued lounging around in a carefree manner.[/COLOR]

OOC: I like your entry, Rhian. No complaints here. ^^

[Skye]

[size=1][font=veranda][color=indigo]OOC: Thanks. ^_^ Yours was good, too.

IC: Kinna sighed. ?It?ll be great to see Juniper and Gabby again.? She laughed, and put on a face, mimicking her mole friend. ?Burr, Mizz Kinna, if?n oi harve to, oi?ll cumm?n git you!?

A thought struck her. ?Uncle, I haven?t been practicing with the style you showed me but?? Skipper looked over. ?What is it, Kinna?? He was still chuckling from Kinna?s impression. Kinna took her sling, and two rocks. ?Watch.?

With that, she put one stone in the sling, the other at hand. Whirling the sling, she shot the stone, and the sling whirled still, the other stone slapped into it, flying behind the first in quick succession. They cracked into the tree one behind the other.

?I have been practicing that.? She turned to her uncle, hoping for approval. Skipper smiled, slightly awed. ?That was amazing, Kinna! That is a really hard thing to do with a sling. I can?t do that.?

Kinna flushed at the compliment, blue-green eyes sparkling.[/size][/font][/color]

[Guest Midnight Rush]

"Colonel Beauregard, sah, the recruits have finished their training and are assembled. Major Fratley has assigned weapons and posts, but I know how you always like to address the green-ies." Corporel Bigwig reported.

Vincent snorted in acknoledgement.

Bigwig saluted, "Will that be all, sah?"

"Aye."

The "Wolfdeath" stretched wearily, donning his campaign jacket and groaning under its ponderous weight. Medals and ribbons of all kinds covered it, leaving no area bare. It was difficult for him to wear anymore, but his intense pride kept him from removing even the slightest honor from it.

Thinking back the the green-ies, he became sour. Only Thirty-five new this season, and after the devastating losses three seasons ago, this was terrible. They were operating with skeleton crews... Patrols had been going out with six instead of 11, and Beauregard new they were in trouble.

Fastening his swordbelt, he lovingly stroked his twin swords, made in ancient times by the Lord Brocktree, the greatest of the Badger Lords. He called them Rose and Lily, in honor of the two hare-maids that he'd been married two. Both were dead. Rose to searats and Lily to the Wolf he was so famous for killing.

He froze for a moment, then his face came alive. He looked as jolly as if he had just won a battle and suffered no casualties. He exuded confidence, and and air of bravado surrounded him.

"I'd give all muah honor for her life back... hell I'd give me own. Damnit Lily, I miss you." The old campaigner whiped a tear from his eye, regained his pompous nature, and strutted down to the mess hall.

He was greeted by cheers and whistles upon entering the half filled room, and even in such suspect times, Le Channay couldn't help but smile. "Welcome ta the Long Patrol! It is my impression that muah reputation precedes itself," Cheers interrupted this thought.

"You there! Whats your name?" He barked happily.

The young female hair hesitated slightly, but regained herself and cheered out, "Private Lupin, sah!"

"Lupin, eh? And you there!?" He said, pointing out another.

"Private Nickelbright, Sah!" The young male hare instantly roared.

"Excellent! Now all of you! Are you ready to begin a career that will bring you the highest of honors?!"

Cheers.

"Are you ready to send vermins to an early grave!?"

Loud cheering.

"Are you reading to kill those who prey on the weak? Slay without mercy those that murder, rape, steal, torture, and enslave?!"

Its a booming roar now.

"ARE YOU READY! EULALIA! EUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!"

All forty-odd hares roared at the top of their lungs the ancient cry of Badger and Hare.

[rokas]

[color=sienna][b][i][font=comic sans ms]Loging was hard. Wayward didn't like that. Loging leaves cramps in your muscles, ache in your back and blisters on your paws. Besides that there is also the sun burning your face, making your head hurt and uncomfortable sweat form under the collar. What was even worse than all the physical problems for this young shrew, were the other shrews seeming not to notice all the troubles and rowing twice as strongly as he was. Wayward was a proud creature, he did not want to let other Guosim shrews see how excausted he felt and keep the pace up . Yet his paws let him down and now he was way behind , barely pulling his own weight. For him this meant that he was weaker than his fellows shrew. This was not a good thing.

He let his head down, his nose almost touching his seat. He breathed uncomfortably hot air in and breathed it out, for a long second it seemed that he might never lift his head up. He would just lay there like this in a ball, taking gulps of steam in to his lungs. Feeling, hot uncomfortable exhausted and weak. Then he felt a shrew behind him take a stroke. He pulled the sculls backwards, bringning his face up to the sun

Back in spring when he left the abbey of Redwall to go loging with Guosim shrews, Wayward felt he had fully grown. However he soon noticed that the Guosim were very different from abbey-beasts. There were couple of beasts in his boat, that barely reached his nose when standing next to each other. Still despite the height any shrew picked at random could have beaten him easily in sturdiness and strength.

However, that's not to say that other Guosim did not feel tha heat at all either. Usualy a cheary folk, loggers were silent. Songs died down, and barely a small chatter would pass the shrews from time to time.

Wayward suddenly felt that heavy feeling on his shoulders that he might not be able to lift his head again. Sudden shouts from a neighbour log, made him snap out of it.

They all docked were branches formed the videst shadows. An unfortunate shrew was brought out onto the dry land, someone wet a cloth and placed it on his forehead. The shre lay there unconcious.

"He was bare-clawed, poor fellow." Log-a-log observed the sunstroked victim. "This heat is not for any beast to log in. From now on we will only go on water in mornings and eveanings and also if we we get any rain sent this way. Oh, lets hope it rain's soon."

Wayward barely heard all that. Straight after they docked, he crawled under a tree gulping air. The last thing he though of before falling asleap, was how lucky he was not to get bare-clawed.[/color][/b][/i][/font]

[KKC]

[size=1][color=darkblue]Rutt closed his eyes as he dove into the cool stream in Mossflower, the water was refreshing as it flowed through his fur. He swam around watching the fish zoom away from him when he came near. For some reason, Rutt wasn't very hungry and abruptly changed his mind about eating some stew.

He crawled out of the stream and shook water from his fur. Breathing in the humid air, Rutt picked up his sling, stone bag, and glaive and fashioned them back onto his body. He trotted over to Skipper and Kinna as she crushed two stones together in mid air. Rutt grined and pulled out his own sling and a few stones. Kinna grined when she saw him.

"No stew for you, huh?" She asked with a bit of concern. Rutt sighed inside his mind, everyone had seemed to suddenly notice his lack of appetite over the past few days. He didn't reply to Kinna's question.

"Rutt, if you don't keep up your strength you're going to come down with something, and I don't want to lose anyone." Skipper spoke grimly as he bowled out some of the stew into a wooden bowl and placed it into Rutt's paws. He smiled, knowing there was no arguing with Skipper, he sipped the broth and devoured a small peace of fish.

"Pretty good shootin' there Kinna. I don't know when something like that'll come in ahndy, but ye' never know." Rutt said, giving Kinna a quick wink, not letting Skipper see it. Kinna blushed and sipped some of her stew. [/size][/color]

[liubei013]

[COLOR=Blue]He watched as Rutt complimented Kinna on her unique slinging technique. Though he didn't see Rutt's wink, he saw how Rutt and Kinna exchanged supposedly subtle looks. "[I]She's getting to that age...and Rutt's as dependable as they come...[/I]" Skipper mused to himself.

Hooo-hooooo...

The three otters looked up and saw an owl approaching them. Skipper recognized the owl as Gruth, who has taken residence at Redwall several seasons ago. "O'er here!" Skipper called out, waving to Gruth. The young owl perched on a nearby tree overhanging the river.

"Ah, gud to have found you, Skipper, Miss Kinna, Rutt..." as Gurth nodded to them all. "I'm 'fraid I ain't here for a social call however...Abbot Kende is ill, but he bade me to find yous all, otters, moles, and shrews alike."

"What? How's the full situation o'er at Redwall?" Skipper inquired.

"Best for you to go there and see for yerselves. The dear Abbot told me to find all of you and to tell you to head to Redwall at the soonest possible moment," Gruth answered. He then unfurled his wings and said before flying off, "Now, if you'll 'scuse me, I must find the Guosim shrews and the moles now."

"Okay, thank you, friend," Skipper called out to Gruth, who was flying further and further away. He then turned towards Kinna and Rutt, "Kinna, break up the camp...Rutt..." With the mere mention of his name, Rutt nodded and dove into the river, swimming down to where the rest of the otters were at.

"Uncle, what do you think is going on?" Kinna asked.

"I don't know...but it be best if we make haste!" Skipper replied with utter conviction.[/COLOR]

[Skye]

[size=1][font=veranda][color=indigo]Kinna flushed at Rutt?s wink, and then looked up as the owl arrived. After getting her orders, she started to break up camp. Soon she saw Rutt and the others doing the same. The otter spared Rutt a glance, before getting back to work.

Once the camp had broken up, Kinna and Rutt looked to Skipper. ?All right, mates, to Redwall!?

Kinna went to the shore of the river, and untied a boat. A couple others did, and the otters got in. It was a smooth, gentle ride for about an hour downstream, and the otters got out to finish the trip on paw. They made good speed.

Around dark, the otters stopped, and made camp. They would be up at daybreak, and traveling again. As the otter?s got ready to sleep, Kinna moved her bedroll out to the edge of the camp. All was silent, except for the crickets and the breathing of the animals. Two guard figures stood out against the fire.

The young otter stared up into the sky, trying unsuccessfully to fall asleep.[/size][/font][/color]

[Ezekiel]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=1]Ferth sat on his window ledge, looking out into the pitch black of the Abbey lake. He missed seeing the young otters splash about, it was always a happy thing to sit and watch, those otters lifted everyone's spirits....especially Kinna.

The young squirrel grinned at the thought of the young female otter, she had such a spirit about her that he just loved, but whenever he tried to make conversation she would leave.
Ferth sighed and dipped his snout, muttering about hormones when he heard the hoot of an owl.

Looking up, Ferth noticed Gruth flying to the roof of the Abbey. He wished he could call the owl to find out about the otters, but that would probably wake the whole Abbey and Ferth wasn't keen on making enemies here.

The grey sighed again and jumped from the ledge, climbing back into his now cold bed. He shivered and pulled his tail up, snuggling into it's soft fur, warming him almost instantly.

[B]"No use in worrying, I s'pose....get home soon..."[/B] he grinned and fell into a peaceful sleep, snoring softly with the chirps of the crickets.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[KKC]

[size=1][color=darkblue]Rutt cracked his neck as he stood guard over the camp with a younger otter named Halim who was new to the group of otters. Rutt looked down at him from the rock he was perched on, he looked half asleep and the javelin he held rattled with his shaking hands. Rutt looked up at the moon, it was a clear night without a cloud in the sky, the stars shined like fireflys on a hot summer night.
Halim's stomach growled loudly, the young otter turned away from Rutt seeming ashamed. Rutt smiled and pulled a biscuit out of a pouch on his belt.

"Ere." He called to Halim, throwing the biscuit. The otter caught it and looked to Rutt with a smile, "You've been on guard enough fer the night, eat tha' and go get some sleep. I can handle it over ere." Halim grinned and then went off to the other side of camp to get some rest.

Rutt looked up at the sky, slightly thumping his rudder like tail on the rock underneath him. He didn't think it nesessary for more than one to stand guard for a night like this, there hadn't been any sight of vermin for two months, and most of them had been killed by Nedles, who had fought to the very end.

Suddenly, a flash of hot white pain ran across the top of Rutt's back. He flinched in pain, falling backwards off the rock, it hurt even more. He bit his tongue and hissed through his teeth clenching and unclenching his paws. It finally stopped and Rutt breathed heavily, cold sweat running from his forehead he loosened his body and looked at the sky, which didn't look so beautiful anymore.
Turning over on his stomach, Rutt slid his clamy paw down the back of his tunic and slightly touched the tip of the scar on his back, it tingled as his paw rubbed against it.

Finding his strength, Rutt pushed himself up off the ground and wearily got back on the rock. He looked behind him only to see Kinna sleeping a few yards away. [/size][/color]

[Skye]

[size=1][font=veranda][color=indigo]Kinna had fallen asleep to Rutt?s thumping, the constant, familiar noise driving her thoughts away. She jolted awake as she heard Rutt fall, and kept her eyes closed, listening. She heard Rutt?s hiss of pain, and finally sat up. Rutt looked startled when she sat up.

The otter-maid?s deep blue-green eyes looked at him questioningly, and she got up, with her sling, to go help. ?Kinna, you should be asleep.?

Kinna climbed up next to him with a shrug. ?Nah. Besides, are you okay?? Rutt stiffened, and didn?t look at her. ?Rutt, what happened? I heard you-? Her head shot up, and she listened for a minute before relaxing. ?Just a squirrel.?

They could hear the chatter of an angry squirrel who had, apparently, been woken up. Turning back to Rutt, Kinna asked again, ?Rutt, what?s wrong??[/size][/font][/color]

[Guest Midnight Rush]

OOC: Sorry Riddler if I rushed your journey too much, we can fix it with flashbacks or simply editing, but I am itching to post in this.

IC:


Bowsnap and Beauregard sat in the Officer's Mess with Leande and his companions. The young Redwallers were silently devouring their meal, and the Long Patroller's waited pateintly for them to finish.

"I say there, you young'uns can really pack it away, eh colonel?"

"Rather! Reminds me of me runnin' days, wot!"

"Alright, whats the problem? We are glad to have you as guests, but the look on your faces tells me that you are deeply concerned. Whats the matter?"

Leande pushed his plate aside and folded his paws. "Redwall is falling to plague. Heatstroke is epidemic, and the healthy are fewer by the day. The Abbott is in terrible health, basically... our beloved Abbey is not only in danger of extinction... but is as vulnerable as an egg on a marching ground."

"Plague, eh? What sort of plague?"

Leande described the symptoms, noting the difference between the Abbott's and the other Abbeybeast's. Lady Bowsnap called for her best healing hare, "Hon' Devlin, report!"

A gorgeous and gallant young female hare entered the room only moments later, saluting her two officers, "Yes, sah?"

"Leande, please describe once more the disease."

He did, and the Honorable Devlin Dillworthy listened intent. "No, sah's and geusts, nuttin' Ah'd ever heard of afore."

"Well thats a right bummer. Rather! I was hoping that'd you'd know, wot." Beauregard chipped in.

Lady Bowsnap rose, her enormous, powerful frame easily the largest of anybeast that Leande had ever seen before. "We will aide your Abbey, young friend. Tonight the Colonel, the Major, and I will decide how."

Sensing the finality in the Badger Lady's voice, Leande and Company let themselves be led off to the guest rooms. "Colonel, please get Major Fratley and report to my chambers immediately."

"Yes, sah!" The old hare saluted and zipped off.

Lady Bowsnap walked up the ancient and worn stairs to her chambers. Once there, she sat in her comfortable armchair and began to think. [I] How can I help them? We are low in numbers as it is... and its searat season. Although, I could lend one patrol to Redwall. They are our allies... I must help them. If I send a Patrol that way, I can give them a double mission: continue to investigate those rumours of evil... Great Seasons, things are getting more complicated every day.[/i]

"Major Fratley, Sah!"

"Colonel Beauregard, Sah!"

The two perilous hares saluted.

"Fratley, Vincent. Drop the formalities for now, we have been together for too many seasons to behave this wall all the time. Frankly, we need to help the Redwallers, but I don't see many ways we can. Slipfang and Kragabrool have been sighted recently, we will need most of our strength here."

" 'S quite a conundrum we are faced with. The most we can spare is... maybe an understrength patrol." Fratley mused.

"That was my thought intirely 'ole Bow breaker. I advise one full strength Patrol. We are pressed, yes, but all of us are able and experienced. We can hold against two lesser captains less one patrol."

"One patrol it is," Bowsnap said. "Who to lead?"

"Fratley," Beauregard said.

"Wolfdeath," Fratley said.

"Well, I guess my vote is the deciding one, eh?" She laughed. "Vincent, we will be sore pressed without you. Both of you are extremely capable, but if there are vermin in the south, it will take a warrior of your caliber to protect those gentlebeasts. Fratley, you will take over command of the Long Patrol in Vin's absence. You may handpick your patrol, Vincent."

Beauregard thought for a few moments. "This is a difficult mission. I will require a perilous patrol, wot! Pennybright, her bow is the deadliest in Mossflower. Bartkin, we served together years ago. Sunpaw, there's no beast under the sun wot can evade his tracking skill. Hon' Devlin, obviously; and Basil, his sword nearly rivals mine. I want Jim, his skills with structures are always useful; Bigwig, he's nearly your size; Prima Glenn 'Survivor' Hardaway; and the private, Lupin."

Fratley concurred with the selections until the last one. "You are going to take a green-ie....? Are ye sick in the head lad?"

"It was my choice. Lupin, she reminds me of a perilous hare. Hopefully she has what the original did, wot!"

"So be it." Bowsnap muttered.

[JJ]

Sorry guys, I have been cut back on Computer time. -_-'
heh. Anyway, things are going freat, and for future refernce, if you want to do anything major, PM me first. Midnight Rush, your post was fine, just PM me first next time ok? :)

Leande sat in the hall with the food. Farra and Heath were still eating, but he had stopped long ago. He was so sick of people being wishy-washy. IT was great that they planed on helping, but this was crap. From what he could tell there would be about ten-twelve people who have great expirence, but they wouldn#t have what he needed. If his plan was going to go through, he had to have the cooperation of everyone.

He slowly opened his mouth, thinking baout saying something when Heath and Farra stood up. Leande nodded and shut his mouth. Their uncle lived here and they wanted to visit. Leande didn't mind, but he sure as hell didn't want to be kept waiting any longer. Hopefully those two knew that, so Leande left it be.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Farra and Heath wove thier way through the halls. They knew where they were going, but there seemed to be a klink in thier step. As they continued down, Heath began to think. It had been a long trail for them. Ever since the Abbot had died, they had been tossed around and run around silly. Leande got things done, but it was always on his time. He never wasted anything. Even now time was of the essence, but they didn't want to leave without saying good-bye.

Slowly Heath lost contact with the real world as he remebered thier last steps to the mountain. As Leande quicly slashed through the foliage, Farra and heath haung back. Heath had noticed that the foliage that hadn't been hacked was bend. That meant that someone was tracking them. As Farra and Heath drew thier blades, a giant shadow fell upon them. They yelled, and Leande turned around. As they slashed at the shasow, Leande snuck up from behind and branded the Sword of Martin. He jabbed the sword into the shadow' back and fell back quickly. The shadow roared and Leande moved in to stab again. The shaow swiftly turned and the two brothers took thier opportunity. They both stabbed with thier swords. The shadow howled again then fell.

Heath slowly approached the body. When he knew it was dead he motioned for Leadne and Farra to help him drag the body into the sun. As it got clearer and clear the threesome were shocked. it was a giant otter, resembling the otters of Skipper's holt. They stowed the body in a fallen log and continued on thíer way.

Suddenly, Haeth was shot back to reality as his brother hit him. They had made it to the door. As Farra knocked, Heath sighed. He still couldn't belive the events that had been.

OK, one thing. No one else knows about the otters ok? Good! Tschus!

[rokas]

[color=sienna][b][i][font=comic sans ms]
Wayward was woken by a flaping sound. He opened his eyes and looked around to see where the sound was coming from.

The campsite has been built while he was asleep. Wayward disliked helping, but the thought that some Shrew saw him laying there while they were working and taking pity on him, not to wake him up... It got on his nerves. There was no campfire since the danger of forest fire was too great, with all the dry wood around. However a clear circle was cleared between the trees. Logs were brought up from the water and turned over to create makeshift tents. some shrews were taking naps or eating strawberries in their shadows. At the end of the camp Log-a-log was talking to an owl.

Wayward was siting by the roots of a tree that was just above the camp. He jumped down and made his way towards Log-a-log and owl which obviously woke him up by flying overhead moments ago. At the same time however Guosim Captain had finished his converstion and made his way to the center.

"Guosim" he shouted out to get everyone's atention. "There are some troubling news from the abbey of Redwall." He retold what he had heard from the owl. Log-a-log wanted for a group of shrews who were more fit to make teir way arround the lizard marshlands to Redwall and help out there how they could while others (Wayward included) would continue to a place where there was more food. Wayward didn't like that[/color][/font][/b][/i]

[KKC]

[size=1][color=green]Rutt blinked as he stared off into space, the question Kinna asked rang into his head like a bell in a canyon. [i]What's wrong...?[/i] Rutt blinked again. What was wrong with him, that scar had hurt before, but not like that. This time it felt deeper, like the pain had come from him and not the scar. Rutt rubbed the smooth mark on his back again, thoughts of how he got it bumped into his mind.

[i]A deep low laugh whispered into his ear as the sound of a blade could be heard rubbing against the side of a scabbard. Rutt struggled to get free, but the ropes were tight, so tight that they were cutting into his skin. Roars emerged all around him as he felt the pointed tip of cold rusted steel touch near the top of his right shoulder...[/i]

"Rutt?" Kinna's voice woke Rutt up from his nightmare. He looked at the ground and then up at the moon, it was now high in the sky.

"It's nothing. Must be back pains, probly pulled sumthin' when swimmin'. My shift is over, I have to wake Skip." Rutt stoof and pulled his glaive out of the ground. Kinna still had a worried look on her face. "Don't worry about me." Rutt placed his paw of her shoulder and smiled. Then walked away to wake Skipper.
------
It had seemed like Rutt had been sleeping for only five minuets when the suns early lights caused his eyes to slowly open. Most otters were already awake and packing up there supplies. Rutt got up off the ground and tossled his fur around and rubbed his eyes. He then pulled off his dirty tunic and pulled a clean balck one out of his pouch. Rutt turned and faced the camp of otters so that no one could see his back and quickly changed. He then put his weapons in their suited place and started to help everyone else pack up so they could start moving out to Redwall. [/size][/color]

[liubei013]

[COLOR=Blue]Skipper wasn't clueless about Rutt's abnomal behavior that emerged on occasion. Rutt did mention a few times about ships and cosairs to Skippe, but never really talked about any details about his own past. Skip knew Rutt was dependable enough that if he wanted to talk about his past or his problems, he will.

----

The mid-morning sun shined down on Mossflower as Skipper and his crew moved through the forest. Skipper halted and pointed at the familiar red abbey in the distance. "We'll definitely be there before noon, so don't you forget your manners," Skipper said while grinning, despite being inwardly worried about the current situation. Everyone else chuckled at that, but they all could sense the tension running through their leader. But, like him, they all knew they shouldn't speculate until they got the full details at the Abbey.

They noticed that the grass and trees near the Abbey were bone dry and striving to survive. This added to their worries as they got closer to the Abbey.[/COLOR]

[Skye]

[size=1][font=veranda][color=indigo]They kept going, and were soon very close. Kinna laughed in surprise as Juniper bounded out of the gate. ?Kinna!? The squirrel maid threw herself at the otter, and knocked her to the ground in a hug.

The otter maid stood up, looking at her friend. The squirrel flashed her a grin, and then bounded back towards the gates, yelling, ?They?re back! They?re back! The otters are back!? Kinna looked over to Skipper, and barked,? Race yah!? Before taking off for the Abbey gates.

Skipper and Kinna raced at the gates, and slid to a stop, panting. The rest of the otters slid close behind them, all grinning. Gabby poked her head out of the gate-keepers door, and said,? Mizz Kinna!? Kinna went over, and hugged her tightly. ?Gabby!?

Juniper was next to them again. ?Kinna, Gabby and I have mostly been out of the Abbey gathering what we could; we didn?t want to get infected.? Her face was, now that they had greeted one another, grave and worried. ?Is it that bad?? Kinna asked in a low whisper. Juniper just nodded. Kinna and Skipper exchanged looks.[/size][/font][/color]

OOC: Tag, anyone!

[Ezekiel]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][SIZE=1]Ferth heard the shouts from his lounging spot in the courtyard. He grinned as he saw the otters march through the grand gates of the Abbey and jumped up to meet them. He smiled at Juniper and Gabby who gave him a thumbs up, banishing the worried looks from their faces.

[B]"A'right, Ferth, my boy?"[/B] Skipper laughed, clapping Ferth on the back, knocking the wind from him. Ferth coughed and nodded, laughing.
[B]"How was the journey?"[/B]
Skipper sighed and shrugged, [B]"Same ol', same ol'. But how 'as it been at the Abbey?"[/B]

Ferth looked worried and folded his arms, glancing over at the bare apple trees in the orchard. He missed picking those fruits; it was something he had always looked forward to each season.

[B]"We'll figure out something, don't worry!"[/B] he smiled, looking over at Juniper, Gabby and Kinna.
[B]"Ah, Kinna! Did you have a good time?"[/B] he smiled brightly, pulling Kinna into a tight hug.
She nodded and smiled weakly, [B]"I've been practicing with my sling..."[/B]
Ferth smiled and patted the young otter on the shoulder, [B]"Fantastic, why don't you show me?"[/B] with that he waved to the others and walked off with Kinna and her two friends towards the Abbey lake.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[JJ]

OOC: Heh, everything's running acording to plans. :) (turns evil) Sadly, it's time that this RP live up to rating. heh, heh....heh. (No harm or pun intended) (heh)

[color=DarkBlue][size=1]Gurth slowly flapped his wings, using the air currents as his guide. He had been flying non-stop for the last three days. The only nourishment and rest he had came when he stopped to speak with the others. Otherwise, he was flapping fast and hard, hoping to help reverse the decay of the Abbey.

As he slowed his pace, noticing that the stream he was following was dying, signialing that the mole's mound lay near. As Gurth landed softly, he noticed that it was incredibly quiet for this time of day. Usually the moles were out and about. The little ones would play in the fresh air, while mothers yelled to be careful, and not to get dirty. Gurth chuckled at that last thought. As he scanned the forrest, he stopped in mid-chuckle.

There hanging was a molebabe, her throat slashed. The blood had dried, and looked alomst like a coat of dirt. Gurth shuddred, fearing to continue. He slowly inched forward, his wings spread. He had hoped whatever did this would be scared by his size, but he doubted it. He suddenly hit something, and Gurth looked down. He immediatly regreted it, as it was another dead mole, this one had no eyes. Gurth suddenly heaved, his small nourishment making it's way upward. Gurth then promised himself that he would not look down again. Once again, he wished he had.

As he approached the mound, a peculiar smell hit him. It was like a mix of thick smoke fire and dead folliage. When Gurth finally approached the mound, he found the culprit. There spinning on a spit was a mole, not very long out of Dibbunhood. Gurth turned and vomited.

When he finished, he aimed towards the entrance to the mound, hoping to find a survivor. As he made his way down the tunnel, he heard a noise behind him. He knew that something big was following him, so he quickened his pace, hoping to get far enough ahead that he could catch it at the next tunnel breakoff. As he came to it he quickly turned, using his momentem to snap his baek close to the stalker. Unlucky for him, this was no ordinary stalker, and Gurth fell forward, his head fell backwards.[/color][/size]


[color=Sienna][size=1]At the same time in the mountain of the badger....
Farra and Heath knocked on the door. An old voice answer, quickly brightening the contanence of the two hares. As the door opened, the two's mouth dropped.

"Uncle Brinbage?" Farra said, shock at what stood before him.

"It was not real, it couldn't be!" Heath thought as he sized it up.

What stood before them was nothing more than fur and bones. The skin was so plastered to the bones that you could see the heart beat. Farra suddenly bolted for the nearest battlement window. He could be heard violently heaving. Heath just stared in horror.

"What? What is it?" the figure cried. Suddenly it reached out for Heath. He reveeled back, throwing out his paw. It connected with the figures jaw, and the entire head fell off.

"Oh my..." was all Heath got out before he ran for the room currently being vacted by his brother.[/color][/size]


[color=Green][size=1]Leande sat at the table that Farra and Heath had left him at. He was currently stirring the soup he didn't eat, watching the ripples. As he watched he got lost in thought.

"I wonder what's happened to the Abbey? Abbot? Dibbuns? I wish I could be there but...." Suddenly a loud crash brought him back to earth.

"WE HAVE TO LEAVE NOW!" Farra said, grabbing his bag.

"Yep he's right." Heath said more quiet than his brother.

"What's the rush?" Leande asked, trying to hide a sniker.

"We'll tell you on the way." Farra said pushing Leande up.

"Hey, I can..." Leande began to say. The giant door which Lady Bowstripe dissapeared behind opened, and she and the hare came over.

"Leande.." she began

"Sorry, do what you must. I have to leave now." Leande said coldly.

"Hey! Bad-form sah!" the hare said.

"Yeah, and what are you doing about it sah?" Farra said spitting out the last word. The hare looked ready to fire back, but the threesome had already gone through the door.[/color][/size]

[Guest Midnight Rush]

OOC: This is long, bear with me!

Beauregard looked at Bowsnap, "Lady, shall Ah foller them?"

"Go in the morning, its only 3 hours till dawn anyway. I had Fratley organize your picks, they are waiting for you in the armory."

"Consider it done, m'Lady." With that the fit old hare sped off to the armoury. When he arrived he noticed his ten elite soldiers formed up in a perfect file. They saluted when he entered, and he returned salute pompously, twicthing his ears in tandem with his paw.

"Captain Pennybright?"

"Here sir!" A mid seasoned haremaid crisply replied. She, like all the others, had a pack of supplies with her, but she uniquely had a longbow and full quiver with her.

"Sergeant Basil Valerian Sinistra?"

"Aye!" The harsh voice of an older hare snapped. He wore a long saber on his right side, and a glove on his left-swordpaw.

"Lieutenant Prima Glenn Hardaway?"

"Here, sah!" A young haremaid responded. Her supplies were supplemented with many odds and ends, presumably for surviving.

"The Honorable Devlin Dilworthy?"

"Reportin' fah duty, sah!" The amiable maid responded.

"Runner Sunpaw?"

"Here." Came the dark response. Mossflower's premier tracker stood before Beauregard, with the air of a merciless hunter. He was a lank and muscular hare, who held a no non-sense appearance.

"Bartkin d'Hofflomeo?"

"Barty will do, sah!" The fat quartermaster/cook chuckled. He wore a brace of throwing knives, and preportadly was decent with them.

"Bigwig Jackson? Ack, Nottin' could miss you, you big hulk of a hare!"

"I'm here, sah!" Bigwig was obviosuly a march-hare, perhaps a direct descendent of Bucko Bigbones himself. Over the years he had dropped the northern accent, but he had kept the almost badger-like size and strength, and the ferocity of his forefathers.

" J. Cartwright Tussock?"

"Aye, Colonel!" A young, spectacle wearing hare responded. He had the air of education about him, but was not an arrogant type.

"Major Dillan Forthnight d'Alfonzo?

"h'Counted fah! Sah!" The enthusiatic response of an ordinary looking hare came fast. His equipment consisted of grappling hooks, various spkies, and a vicious looking battle-axe.

"And finally, Private Lupin?"

No response.

"Private Lupin!" Wolfdeath shouted.

The young hare rushed into the armoury at that second, mumbling apologies and fumbling with his equipment. He was a decent sized hare, but the halberd that Bowsnap had given him dwarfed him. It look absolutely rediculous.

"Lupin, I have selected you because I believed that you had something to give this patrol," He coldly stated, finishing with flair, "Don't prove me wrong lad."

"I am honored to lead this elite Long Patrol into battle. Each of you have been selected because of particular skills or intangibles that you possess, h'and I know that we will return champions! Euliliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!"

They all joined in heartily.

Three hours later this Long Patrol o' Long Patrol's was on the march. They had breakfasted on a simple fare: oatcakes, cheddar cheese and mint tea. Saying no goodbyes, which shook Lupin up considerably, they clipped along the dunes of the shores and into the woods at a briskly rapid pace.

By mind-morning, Sunpaw located the tracks of the three Redwallers. "Sah, I found teh tracks of those mice. They were running furiously, so I dinnae think w'hell catch them until this evening."

"Sunpaw go forward a ways, and report back to me in an hour. We've been marching for a while, and I want to take a flippin' breather, wot!"

The tracking beast saluted, then left without a word.