Of Lies and Cake

[Silas]

Everything was quiet in the early morning hours inside the castle as well as out. The lake did not stir, though it was teeming with pike. The walls stood fast, as they had for countless seasons. The keep was utterly silent. Everything it seemed, was at peace. But what was this? A cake, left out in the bed chambers? Mayhaps a thoughtful servant decided to treat his master to a confection. Or, was it something more than a simple offering...? Sitting on a small cart, with a few plates, forks and a cake knife, it looked rather inviting, almost as if the cake itself called out to be eaten and enjoyed...

[Hans Vermeer (Cole)]

Though everything seemed to be so silent that it seemed nothing was there guarding it. Nay. That was not true. Bowcats was patrolling the walls and the halls. Their foot paws had retractable claws. So there was no taping of claws. Their foot paws never seemed to make a sound.

Hans had a good sleep. That thing had not bothered him at all that night and after that cog accident and having to stretch his forces. He was a little grateful for at lest getting a good night's sleep. Though he wondered about the bowcats and corsairs he had left at the trading dock. Hopefully the Redwallers did not worry much about the Water Rat's next trade being very very late. Otherwise they might come to the dock and than here to cause him trouble. But the thing he would dread far more would be if Long Patrol got involved. But hopefully the pike would be too much for any beast to trying to get to this Island...

He went to his new wardrobe. Before he came to this place. He had nothing more than a Gray Tunic (Viking Tunic.) But now he had countless robes and armor and shirts.

He took out a light shirt to put on, then put the chainmail shirt on (He feared his fur would get snagged on the chainmail.) and than the Gray Tunic. The chainmail shirt showed only a bit on the sleeves and the bottom of the shirt was a little longer than the gray tunic. But he didn't mind such a thing.

He took his Cutlass, breaded axe, dirk and sword-breaker dagger out and finally. The black belt and scabbard. The cutlass was already in it so he just put the belt on, slid the breaded axe handled-first into the belt and the dirk and slid the Sword breaker dagger into his gray tunic. Than he walked out of his chamber. With the monitor Salvador. Who had woken up too and had been checking up on the night guard. Following by his side.

[Silas]

Yet something followed them through the hall, a cart with a squeaky wheel that sounded off at every turn of itself. The cart followed some distance behind Hans, like a wary pet, following in loyalty to its master yet staying a respectful distance away. And on that cart, was the infamous cake. The cart sailed onwards, with no one at the 'helm', looking for all appearances like ghosts were pushing it. It hit a bump in the floor, and sent the cake knife clattering to the floor in a cascade of metallic noise that enveloped the passageway.

[Hans Vermeer (Cole)]

The Arctic Fox turned and looked at the cart. Damn this castle... He thought. Of all the things this castle had. It had to have ramps. Not stairs! Ramps! It did not bother him much but when one of those idiot water rat servants clumsily trip over their own feet and let something like this come down a ramp and through the hallway?! He did not hate the water rats but for the Shake of All Northern Foxes Everywhere. WHY did they have to do stuff like this!? To top it all off! Where the HELLGATES is the rat himself? He didn't even bother to come to get this thing!? Oh well.

He stopped a nearby Water Rat servant and ordered her to take this back to what he thought it was originally supposed to be taken to. The dinning room. As the water rat picked up the knife and walked off with the cart. Hans started to wonder if it was that ghost playing with him again. But he than began to doubt it. Why would a ghost push a cart to him? It had already showed him it was there.

"Oh well. Best to keep thoughts on more important matters." He thought as he entered the throne room.

[Silas]

The throne room was in its usual state, slightly moldy draperies hung about, and the usual set of furniture was in place as it had been.

And there was the cake.

Sitting upon the throne as if it in its supernatural abilities ruled over all. A note was placed next to it, the script written in fine ink. But something more was out of place. A flicker of a cloak, maybe? Or was it just the wind blowing the draperies about?

[Hans Vermeer (Cole)]

Hans became enraged! That stupid ratmaid! How disobedient! How foolish! He growled angerly.

"Ok! This is becoming ridiculous and childish! What short of idiotic prank..."

Salvador. The Huge monitor. Grabbed the foxes muzzle. Quieting him. Two other monitors. Large but not as large as Salvador. Both wielding battle axes. Heard their High King's angry rant and quickly ran into the throne room when Salvador lifted a single claw to silence them and cause them to stop.

The Monitor grabbed the the paper and gave it a quick lick with his tongue. Seeing if he can pick up any scent from it. He than pressed his tongue on the roof of his mouth where there are special sensory cells that detect the scent and allow it to "Smell" The scent.

Salvador finally spoke. "Itz a fox...."

The monitors were surprised. They thought Hans was the only fox here! But there is another one here! But where?

Hans was just as shocked. He pulled out the axe and cutlass and stayed near Salvador and the monitors. Salvador had left his Long Handled Double Headed Axe in his room! But he was just as deadly with his teeth and claws alone! The Large Monitor hissed loudly... Not only hoping to maybe force the fox to leave or back off. But also to alert bowcats.

[Silas]

"I see you didn't bother to read my note." The voice echoed in the chamber. It was from behind them, coming from a cloaked figure, who certainly bore the scent of fox about him if the Monitors checked. He licked a claw, almost casually as he took in the little group, the taste of frosting in his mouth. Indeed there was a sole clawmark upon the otherwise pristine surface of the cake. Dropping the paw to his side, he grinned widely in a 'devilish' manner, apparently basking in the moment.

[Hans Vermeer (Cole)]

Hans looked at the strange fox. Looked a lot like him and the Arctic Foxes. The Ratmaid. Who had heard Hans' angry yelling. Came running in and suddenly stared in terror at the fox. Shaking in fright.

"A M-m-m-marlfox!?"

There it goes. The Marlfox myth again..... Hans thought. Of all the insane rumors and myths he ever heard of. From The Wolverine and wolf hides that gave super power to that stupid Martin The Warrior's Sword that was said to cut anything. The Marlfox myth has to be the most insane and ridiculous thing he ever heard of! The countless books about them he saw at the castle library alone!

Hans looked at the letter to read it. Though he often turn and look to make sure the fox was still there. The monitors were all hissing now. They didn't like the fox at all. All the fox was to them as an intruder. An Assassin even! They stood there. keeping close to Hans in defense.

[Silas]

The note read thus, in flowing script:

To the visitors of Castle Marl, given in good spirit and intention. Please enjoy yourselves...

...For the time being.

-Mokkan

Of course, the fox himself knew Mokkan was gone. He had met him just a few seasons back. He seemed to disappear after that point, possibly dead and leaving his Island to these impostors. He signed the letter in his name just to throw them off even furthur. Still smiling, he said, "The cake is delicious, by the by."

[Hans Vermeer (Cole)]

Hans started to chuckle. He pointed a claw at the ratmaid. Though at first he was talking normally. As he talked. His voice became more and more enraged.

"Your in on this little joke are you? Ratmaid? I mean first you rats go on and on and on about stories like Marlfoxes and Queen Silth and her damned children and than you and this fox come up with this!? Marlfoxes are a myth you fool! He!? He is not a marlfox! He is a Arctic Fox! Just like me! If you want to see your "Marlfoxes" Go to the land of Ice and Snow during the Summer! But keep in mind that when winter comes! We turn from gray to white! Yes i heard those stupid stories about that Marlfox Queen Silth and her litter. Ziral, Gelltor, Predak, Lantur, Zannan, Ascord and Mokkan! But! If i heard correctly from you foolish rats and your stupid stories! Mokkan was killed by a slave and then pike tore apart and ate his dead body! Now! How could he be alive still to hand me a damned letter if he was killed so long ago!? Or maybe this fox was trying to "pose" as a messenger to a long dead beast who nothing but old news and history!? I never knew you rats were this stupid! You think this could fool me!? Never! Oh! And while I'm at it. If you rats called me a "Marlfox King" Or "Your Marlfox Majesty" One more time. Heads are going to roll! " He said holding the letter at the ratmaid. But than........ A Thought struck him.

So it was the rats! They were the ones trying to scare me to death! They just had a fox or two around here to pose as "Ghosts" to scare me off this Island! The Ratmaid was scared. Hans' temper is even worse now. He pointed at the fox.

"What is you name? I want to know now! And don't give me this ridiculous Mokkan nonsense! I'll never believe it!"

[Silas]

"You don't?" The fox smiled even wider. "I never expected you to. But if you're going to order me around like that, I might as well have you thrown out to the pike, unless you learn to control that tongue of yours." He casually stepped forth to Hans, practically ignoring the monitor lizards and their menacing claws.

[Hans Vermeer (Cole)]

The Fox glared. This fox is insane! He is so damn willing to make himself some mythical beast!? Even at the cost of his own life!? Whats wrong with him!?

"Wanting to play a game of savages? Really? Do we have to? I played that game far too many times in the Land Of Ice and Snow and sure enough you had right?"

(What he means by a "Game of Savages" is kind of like the normal life of a Arctic Fox in the winter. Mostly near starving to death. Fighting for survival. Killing everyone including their own kind. You get the picture. Its not really fun to be born in the Land Of Ice And Snow. XD )

[Silas]

"Oh, I'm fairly sure you have, Hans, but I cannot say the same for myself." He walked around them and picked up the cake knife, and however threatening the previous action might've been, he simply carved a piece out of the cake rather than rush at Hans or do something equally stupid. Setting the piece upon a plate, he took a fork and ate a small chunk of it.

[Hans Vermeer (Cole)]

For what seemed like a moment or two past Hans finally spoke

"What do you want? You can not be an assassin trying to kill me. You certainly are not something Redwall nor Long Patrol would put up with. Let me guess? You need a place to hide out till things die down? Was this your home? Something here you want?"

Hans could have grinned. If it was from Long Patrol He would understand. They are a tough bunch. But Redwall? They are a bunch of wacky beasts with a mythical sword. Nothing threatening! Or was it? Indeed. Insane beliefs in things like Gold and Coins and other beasts can cause people to be insanely dangerous...

[Silas]

"If you must know, I have come to greet my guests. But, seeing as they are rude and ill-tempered I don't think I prefer their presence." The fox gulped down another bite of the cake. "Nevertheless, you may sit down wherever you choose, so we may discuss all of this like proper beasts." He then watched Hans, apparently waiting for him to make a decision.