|
Post by `Tex (Snakeh) on Oct 21, 2007 18:40:11 GMT -5
A tall figure, shrouded in some sort of fur cloak and hood, walked slowly along the moonlit path leading to Redwall Abbey. The bushy tail protruding from under the cloak betrayed its species - fox.
But what kind of fox was this? Its eyes, as it glanced quickly up at the nearly full moon and scattered clouds, were revealed to be dark blue. And the tail, plus the face and clothing, were black. Black as the darkest night sky.
The fox rounded a corner and stopped for a few seconds, marveling at the sight before it. The Abbey of Redwall soared up from the ground like a bird, stretching until it seemed to touch the sky. But that did not intrest the fox. Its eyes were drawn by the gates and walls surrounding the huge redstone building. How to get inside? Well, one could always try knocking.
It strode up to the building and threw back the fur cloak and hood. It was a malebeast, from the shape of its face. It - or rather, he - wore a short-sleeved tunic and kilt of black leather. He carried a long, double-edged steel dagger in his belt and an already strung recurved bow across his back. A quiver of black leather, full of arrows, went with the bow. The left ear was missing, leaving a jagged edge behind. There was a streak of dark blue fur along one forearm.
He raised a paw to knock, but paused. What if the creatures that lived here had heard of him? His name had been long feared up and down along the northern coast, from his corsair years. How he went crazy in battle... how he walked silent as death... how his midnight-blue eyes changed to blood-red... how he was the youngest corsair ever to have killed so many... He was only nineteen now, and had been fourteen when he joined the pirates.
But he was not a corsair now. The sight of his old family had jolted him back to his senses, and he had fled, never to see any of the evil pirates again. Two seasons ago, he had heard that his old captain had been killed. Good riddance. He shook his head, driving away the thoughts, and knocked.
"I seek enterance to Redwall." His voice was cold and emotionless. The fox stepped back a pace and waited.
|
|
Silas
Global Moderator
Squirellking*~*Southsward[P:NaN]
Posts: 1,654
|
Post by Silas on Oct 21, 2007 19:36:53 GMT -5
"So you say?"
A male voice, spoken brave and clear, belonged to a tall, russet-furred squirrel upon the walltops who eyed the fox with heavy suspicion. Bow already out and drawn, he only needed to release the string and send his arrow on its course towards the former corsair's head. Deep blue eyes sighted down the shaft, as the breeze rustled his fur and green habit, a borrowed thing lent to him by the kind creatures of Redwall. He was not one of the peaceful folk, and still did not feel completely at home in the abbey. Especially after he let that ferret inside... The thief! He grimaced at the painful memory of his mistake, but held the bow still, as if he were a statue. This is Silas Hawkeye, wanderer and warrior, appointed to wallguard duty just as the fox arrived.
"And why, might I ask, do you want to enter this abbey?"
|
|
|
Post by `Tex (Snakeh) on Oct 21, 2007 20:15:02 GMT -5
The black fox immediatly tensed, ready to jump aside if the squirrel should suddenly release the arrow. But he didn't think a goodbeast of redwall would shoot a creature on suspicion, so he tried to relax. That was a bit difficult though, with a loaded bow pointed straight at him.
"I need a place where I can rest a few days in safety. That is what brought me here. That, and a wish to see this Abbey for myself. It's famous all along the north coast." His voice never changed from its quiet, cold tone. Vortex Deathcall was not one to show emotions. Inside, however, he was relieved. He had been afaid that the legends about him had reached the ears of the Redwallers, under which case he would probably have been taken prisoner or killed immediately.
|
|
Silas
Global Moderator
Squirellking*~*Southsward[P:NaN]
Posts: 1,654
|
Post by Silas on Oct 21, 2007 20:22:39 GMT -5
Still viewing the fox with an air of disbelief at the vulpine's explanation, he lowered his bow, letting the string fall back to its original position slowly. "Uh-huh..." He replied, thinking how eerily similar the fox's answer was to the ferret's just a month earlier. "I don't think you'll find rest here, fox. You may have supplies if you wish, but I simply cannot allow you to enter." Putting the arrow back in the quiver on his back, Silas awaited some sort of persuasive technique emerging from the fox's vocal chords.
|
|
Vrelt
Moderator
[P:0]
Go Seahawks!
Posts: 1,349
|
Post by Vrelt on Oct 21, 2007 21:25:54 GMT -5
Vrelt Darkfang strode out of the shadows, his white left paw resting on the hilt of his long rapier. The tall ferret had watched the fox and squirrel speaking before coming out of the trees, carefully considering what to do. Vrelt tried to appear strong, but a second glance at the ferret would show he was covered with wounds from his own soldiers. He had been betrayed close to the start of his journey through Mossflower Wood by a score of his remaining soldiers. Vrelt's first reaction would have been to walk up to the wall and calmly talk with the squirrel; but he had heard stories about Redwall, any vermin that approached it would be slain instantly and he was an obvious vermin, his fore-arms covered with corsair tattoos and his clothing revealed his was a warrior. Vrelt regarded the fox with a nod and yelled up to the squirrel, "Greetings, I am Vrelt Darkfang Ruler of The Fortress of Riftgard. I have come to Redwall for five things; food, water, shelter, medical attention, and a map of Mossflower Wood." Vrelt spoke in an icy calm tone, not revealing any of the horrible pain that was affecting him.
|
|
|
Post by `Tex (Snakeh) on Oct 21, 2007 21:38:08 GMT -5
For the first time, Vortex showed an emotion. One couldn't see unless they looked closely, but the fox's blue eyes began to flicker purple, and then red. Bloodwrath. "Oh, no," he said, his last words before the Bloodwrath overcame him. He glared at Silas through blood-red eyes, and drew an arrow, laying it to the string of his bow...
...and then, his brow furrowed with concentration, he fought down the Bloodwrath for a few precious seconds and dropped the bow, pulling out his dagger instead. A double-edged knife, one of the edges serrated and the other straight, it gleamed in the moonlight. Vortex shuddered away from it, appalled by what he meant to do with it, but he knew it was the only way to save the squirrel from being shot by him. He plunged the knife into his right side, being careful not to cut his tunic- after all, if he survived, he would need it.
He yelled with pain and then collapsed, everything turning black. Just before that happened, he thought he caught a glimpse of a ferret, but then he knew no more.
|
|
Silas
Global Moderator
Squirellking*~*Southsward[P:NaN]
Posts: 1,654
|
Post by Silas on Oct 21, 2007 22:00:44 GMT -5
Silas had no time to respond to the new arrival as he instinctively ducked, bringing out his own bow and arrow in a flash and aiming it back at the fox, who was now crying aloud in self-induced pain. "What the..." He mumbled before seeing the ferret, frowning inwardly and slackening his bow again. "Wait in line, would ye?!" He called out to the ferret, his features broadcasting his distrust and concealed anger at both of the creatures. Oh no, he certainly wouldn't let another ferret enter Redwall, dead or alive. He turned and called across to one of the other wallguards on duty. "Hey, Tom! Get the others over here! We have company!"
The mouse waved in response and rushed down the wallstairs as if vegtable oil was spread across them, heading towards the main building, returning a short while later with a multitude of beasts, armed with various weapons, and one a medkit. Silas hopped down and opened the gate to let the guards out, and confronted the ferret and unconscious vulpine. "So, ye want some supplies too, aye?" the squirrel said, eyeing the ferret contemptuously.
|
|
|
Post by `Tex (Snakeh) on Oct 21, 2007 22:05:18 GMT -5
((Erm, I can't really post with Vortex as he's unconcious... maybe you could say he got taken to the infirmary and I'll RP him waking up there?))
|
|
Vrelt
Moderator
[P:0]
Go Seahawks!
Posts: 1,349
|
Post by Vrelt on Oct 21, 2007 22:28:29 GMT -5
Vrelt looked at the fox with a look of disgust on his face, "By the fang, what in the world's your problem?" He looked back up at the goodbeast's on the wall, Vrelt opened his mouth about to speak, but he gasped in pain and fell over holding his side where an arrow shaft was deeply embedded. Vrelt was on the verge of unconsciousness, he cursed under his breath as his eyes began to close, but he struggled to stay awake not knowing whether these Redwaller's would kill him or help him. Vrelt hoped they would help him, but the squirrel probably wanted to kill him, maybe someone in the crowd of goodbeast's would help. Vrelt knew it was unlikely.
|
|
Silas
Global Moderator
Squirellking*~*Southsward[P:NaN]
Posts: 1,654
|
Post by Silas on Oct 22, 2007 6:37:46 GMT -5
Silas opened his mouth to reply, but yet again he was cut off as Vrelt met a similar fate alongside Vortex. He kept his bow up, looking about for the attacker while giving orders. "Get back into the abbey! Close the gate!" Two beasts dragged the fox and ferret inside as well, not knowing that they might present a serious threat inside. Well, they were unconscious... Silas hopped up onto the ramparts once again, searching the woodlands for any enemy groups getting ready to attack. OOC: Yeah, Vortex, you'll wake up in the infirmary after a time-lapse. You too, Vrelt. You guys took the easy way in.
|
|
|
Post by `Tex (Snakeh) on Oct 22, 2007 12:59:12 GMT -5
((Should I go make the thread in the Infirmary now?))
|
|
Silas
Global Moderator
Squirellking*~*Southsward[P:NaN]
Posts: 1,654
|
Post by Silas on Oct 22, 2007 15:19:50 GMT -5
((You could, but I'd suggest against it. This thread's too small to be left alone.))
|
|
|
Post by `Tex (Snakeh) on Oct 22, 2007 17:50:23 GMT -5
Vortex slowly opened his eyes, and looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings. He supposed he was in the Redwall building. Strange. Instead of killing him, they'd let him in. He tried to sit up, but was reminded of his wound by a shock of pain. The fox laid back down and looked more closely at his surroundings. He was lying on one of several beds along one wall. A ferret was laying on another bed. On the opposite wall, there was a huge window through which he caught a glimpse of the eastern horizon. It was growing lighter as he watched.
|
|
Silas
Global Moderator
Squirellking*~*Southsward[P:NaN]
Posts: 1,654
|
Post by Silas on Oct 22, 2007 19:33:20 GMT -5
"Finally up, I see."
The same squirrel from the ramparts leaned against the far wall, arms crossed and a mug of some beverage sitting within easy reach of his paw. "You were out for quite some time. If it weren't for Tom ye'd still be out there."
|
|
|
Post by `Tex (Snakeh) on Oct 22, 2007 19:39:34 GMT -5
Vortex said nothing but nodded, emotionless blue eyes resting briefly on the squirrel. He glanced around one more time. His weapons were leaning against the far wall, in a corner. Good. The black fox hadn't expected them to leave his weapons with him, but at least they hadn't destroyed them. He settled himself more comfortably in the bed and noticed for the first time that he was hungry... and thirsty, too. When was the last time that he had had something to eat? Last night, just before he came in sight of Redwall. He'd eaten half a raw magpie.
|
|