06.25.09 - What A Mess

Location: Redwall Great Hall; Dirt Road

Characters Involved: Tameus, Magramba, Flicktail, Travian, Bradge, Darcy, Bottlebrush, Ahti, Oswald

Fae grins " i dunno what do "vermin" usually eat?....heh i'd like a rabbit stew" and chuckles

Roscuro eyes Fae but unexpectedly laughs. "Sorrah, dunna think 'dey serve dat' 'ere." he says.

Magramba pipes up from his seat. "We do, but it costs extra."

"Not man' rabbits 'round," Tam comments as he steps in from outside, in uniform, minus his jacket. Too hot for outer layers. "Plenty'a hare's 'round, though."

Fae chuckles and then awws " heh no...is there still some strawberry cordial in there?"

Flicktail says, "Ello Tam..did ye wontsto Borrow e blade ta practice some?"

Roscuro's ears flick as he hears another voice, the hare peering in the direction of Tameus. "Aha! Another officah...er...liddle short for an officah." he tilts his head before peering back to Fae. "I'll get yah some, yep." he nods.

Magramba swivels at the neck to look at Tam and offers a wave. One eye squints shut as the squirrel looks thoughtfully at the little hare. "Oh! Hey, we got your da back."

Tameus tilts his head a little at Roscuro, glancing up and down the other buck, and taking in his rank. "N' yet 'm not, jus' a recruit. Who're y', then?" he asks with a smile, then gives Flicktail a small nod. "Aye, we c'n practice if y' wann'."

Roscuro ahs and nods, chuckling. "Makes sense. Oi'm Private Roscruo!" he smiles, saluting, the trip to the kitchens seemingly forgotten as he pays attention to Tameus.

Tameus then glances at Magramba, and gives the squirrel a bit of a grin. "Y'r a bit behin' on th' times, I think, Mag."

Magramba returns the grin. "Just letting you know."

Tameus points out, "Y'r not th' one who got him back, either... he got 'imself back."

Roscuro blinks a bit as he remembers his task. "Right...anybeast else want anything while Oi'm in der' kitchens?"

Magramba's grin widens. "I was using 'we' as an all-inclusive term."

Flicktail will let Tameus speak not offering again for now

Tameus tucks his hands in his pockets while holding several conversations at once. He's good at it. The recruit grins at Roscuro. "Nice t' meet y', private! 'm Tam Sade, reckon y' know that though."

Tameus gives Flicktail an apologetic smile. "We'll go'n practice in a bit, Flick."

Roscuro chuckles at the grin. "Aye, but I always imagined yeh...a bit taller." he chuckles. "Want anythin' from the kitchens, Tam?"

Flicktail says, "Oi were oferin e Blade to YE Tam....so YE coudl practice wi it"

Tameus glances down at himself, and shrugs. "I /'m/ pretty tall," he observes, "but not tall 'nough yet! An' no thank y', private."

Roscuro nods. "You'll be tall nough' in no time.' he says, before turning into the kitchens, vanishing. But there's a loud sigh from the cooks when they see a hare.

Tameus glances back at Flicktail. "Oh, I thought y' meant y' wanted both'a us t' practice... Well sure, y' know I love usin' y'r sword, Flick." He grins, extending one hand out.

Flicktail slides the blade out and offers it to Tameus "Glad to trust itto a Long Patrol are Tameus

Magramba raises a paw. "I'll go with you, Tam. Everybody in here's trying to force food on me."

Tameus takes the sword with a grateful grin, angling it up to admire the blade. Then he looks over toward Magramba. "Oh, well, I d'nno if y'll have much fun jus' watchin' me train, Mag, but sure."

Magramba narrows one eye in momentary confusion before shaking his head briefly. "No no, I meant.. together. I fight too, you know." The statement is followed by a grin.

Roscuro returns, jumping forward as there's a clatter. "Haha! Yet again, Roscuro wins." he grins, carrying a tray of food enough for enough for everyone in the great hall, even though really, its all for him. There's a few mugs of strawberry cordial, those, are for anyone who wants a mug. He sits down and digs into the plate of mostly vegetables.

Flicktail gets his Meadow cream and watches Magrumba and Tamus interested as tameus has the bright blade

Tameus holds the sword by the pommel, point downward, head tilted up slightly as he speaks to Magramba. "We'll have t' go out on th' road f'r y' t' use a weapon too."

Magramba jabs a thumb towards Roscuro in confirmation. "See what I mean? It's a wonder everyone in this place hasn't succumbed to obesity seasons ago." The squirrel bounces once on the cushioned chair to propel himself up. "That's fine."

Flicktail says, "Tame we kin go to e open ground, as Champion oi can autho...eAthour...oi kin ive permission ta practice"

Roscuro grins. "Ya'd be 'ungry." nibble nibble nibble. "Iffen you nevah." nibble nibble nibble. "Ate in an hour!"

Magramba laughs. "Well, surprisingly, I can go several hours without even a pang of hunger. Remarkable, I know."

Tameus smiles at Flicktail, and shakes his head. "Th' road's better if'n we're gonn' be sparrin'. Less beasts out there t' worry 'bout."

Flicktail says, "well lets go en......."

"I reckoned y' were gonn' stay in here, Flick," Tam says, "but okay. C'mon." He heads for the door.

Flicktail says, "Oi wanan woch" he smiles"

Magramba follows the sword-toting recruit.

---

Flicktail sits and watches smiling

Tameus heads out onto the road and down a little ways, waiting for Magramba to catch up after getting his sword. He grins at the squirrel. "Reckon y've never sparred a kid 'fore, aye?"

Flicktail watces the Sword is much lighter then a sword of equl size

Magramba jogs lightly after the hare to catch up, sword in paw. "I consider you more kid-/like/ than an actual kid."

Flicktail asks, "Ye knows yer friend ates Foxes Tam?" he asks in way of conversation"

Tameus gives Magramba a grin, swinging the sword back and forth, getting a feel for it again. "What'a y' mean, kid /like/..?" Then, to Flicktail, "Mag hates mos' beasts, he's jus' like that."

Flicktail says, "not Mag...at Hare back ere" he watches the sword flash much faster but Tam's sword arm woudl getweaker if all he does is practice with it"

Magramba circles his arms around a bit, loosening his shoulders. "I don't know, you're not really a kid. Just.. like one." The squirrel shrugs. "Actually, I hate most of 'em too." He points meaningfully at Flicktail. "Not without good reason, though."

"Roscuro?" Tam asks, and shrugs. "He's not really m' friend... 'm sorry he hates y', though." The buck is fairly decent at having a conversation while swinging the sword in first one hand, then the other, getting loosened up.

Flicktail says, "not yer fault.....ye 2 gonna spar or just dance?" he chuckles"

Magramba cracks his neck, first on one side, then the other. "It's understandable, really. Foxes are the source of most of the pain in the world." The squirrel uses his elbows to pull his arms across himself, one at a time, still stretching.

Tameus pauses, and gives Flicktail a grin. "'m jus' gettin' warmed up. 's good t' do 'fore trainin', see."

"Mmmyes." Mag drops to the ground for a few quick pushups.

Flicktail smiles "oi see..." he takes a seat on a stone on the road side watching

From down the road three beasts can be seen walking slowly like they had all the time in the world. When they get closer it becomes apparent that it's three ferrets, one very well dressed and two in light armor, all armed. They seem to be talking amongst themselves quietly, occasionally one would motion towards the abbey.

Tameus slashes at the air a few more times, waiting for Magramba to finish, then drifts a little further down the road from the abbey gates, and into the middle so there's plenty of room. "'m ready when y' are," he tells the squirrel.

Magramba gets back to his feet after doing a complex and interesting-looking stretch and picks up his sword. "Ready to go."

Flicktail sits watching the 3 approach armed with only his sheath, his tail flicks to and fro. his tunic light on his shoulders

"Now what's this then?" the well dressed ferret says when the three get closer to the group in front of the gates. Travian's guards have loaded crossbows slung over their shoulders. One of them grins, "Looks like that little hare's gonna get beat up by that squirrel." All three laugh and stop to watch. Off in the distance in the direction they just came from, a small cloud of dust is visible.

Tameus braces one foot back and brings up the sword, held with one hand gripping the pommel, one lightly supporting the middle of the raised blade - his position almost casual. He eyes Magramba for a moment and then steps forward, bringing it around in a slash toward the middle of Magramba's chest to get them started.

Magramba fingers his vest absently as he sees the ferrets approaching, caught in a brief reverie, but is quickly brought out of it by the gleam of the sword coming at him. The squirrel brings his own up in a quick parry, letting the slant of the blade carry Tam's slash up and away. From there an easy swing is directed towards the recruit, a mirror of Tam's swing, but adjusted for his height.

Flicktail chuckles watching as the Gleaming sword rings with a very clear sound, much like the Bells of the abby. He raises apaw in greeting to teh Ferrets

Travian laughs and rests his paw on the hilt of his scimitar in a nonchalant manner, "Be careful now little hare. Looks like you're outclassed there." His two guards keep an eye on the others, their charge in keeping Travian from harm. One of the guards returns the wave to the fox, but it's half-hearted because he's 'working' right now.

Tameus follows through with the first blow, handling the sword rather smoothly, though he hasn't ever sparred with it before. He plants a foot, pivots, and brings the sword up to block Magramba's slash. He jabs forward but falters a little, distracted by Travian addressing him, and glances at the ferret while keeping his attention on Magramba. "Heh, maybe!" he responds, stepping back, keeping some space between him and the squirrel.

Magramba uses the momentum of the rebound of Tam's block to position his blade upright, catching the jab and giving it an outward shove. A weather eye falls on the ferrets, and the squirrel adjusts his position to hopefully edge Tam farther away from them.

Travian mutters, "Maybe you should play around with sticks for a few more years. You'll end up getting yourself hurt." Then he chuckles, "And by the looks of those notches in your ears and that scar on your cheek, you've already been on the wrong side of someone else's blade." His guards chuckle and relax somewhat, though their crossbows are still readily available. "And the squirrel should feel /real/ big for beating up on one that's still wet behind the ears."

Flicktail smiles his ears perked, watching as tams blade is MUCh faster then a sword that size shoudl be.... the blades spark Flicky pats his shulder as Magrumba parries.... he flicks "at wwere a noice one Tam" he winks to teh ferrets "Gotta learns some times aye?

Tameus doesn't pay much attention to Travian. He's too focused on the sparring match to even realize he's being mocked. Tireless as ever, Tam comes back at Magramba with a slight bound, swinging the sword up above one shoulder, held in both hands and using the momentum of the forward motion to give more power to the downward blow that follows.

Travian's mocking merits a glare from Magramba as he brings his sword up, tilted downward and to the left, to let Tam's blow skirl down and, more importantly, away from him.

Travian looks at Flicktail and shrugs, "Perhaps. But it looks like he's just wasting energy." Then he smirks at Magramba, "What...don't like being called out for beating up on a child? If it's training, don't you think that /maybe/ you should be explaining the finer points of fighting with a broadsword instead of letting him blunder about in such an embarrassing way?"

Flicktail laughs with Travian "ye shoudl see ow bad OI be.... just learning.....well maybe nnot JUSt but well Practice make perfect.

Tameus sidesteps around Magramba a little, blade gripped in one hand, the other touching the flat of it lightly - keeping it leveled out before him, aimed at the squirrel. With another step forward he drives the blade's point in a jab toward Magramba.

Magramba moves his blade only slightly to accept the jab, the angle of the blade directing the jab far enough to the side that it misses the squirrel. He ignores the opening this presents, intending to allow Tam time to recover.

Flicktail looks at the Ferrest "where do ye beasts come from...don't see many beasts wot ave er own Guards...

Travian looks back to Flicktail, "Coming down from Ruingate on my way back home. I'm walking a bit out from my caravan." Then he looks back at the spar and winces slightly, calling out to Tameus, "Come on. Who taught you to fight? Your daddy? Is he dead or something? Because with fighting skills like that, he would have to be. I'm embarrassed for you." His two guards start to chuckle, still keeping an eye on the others.

Flicktail asks, "Ruingate ye say? where be ome? Oi say ye really get into em insults..." he smiles "Be ye a prince mebbe? or a big merchant?"

Tameus comes back around at Magramba with another quick strike, but it falters a little. He's heard Travian and abruptly turns toward the ferret, sword in his hand, gripping it somewhat tightly. "Don' y' say /anythin'/ 'bout m' dad..."

Bradge creeps outside. He heard Tam was out here, so hey, he's out to check up on his friend. See if he needs any... Tea? The otter novice blinks and stops quite a distance short of the gathering, though, frowning to himself. "Oh boy..." His paws fidget.

Magramba sidesteps the swipe, and pauses for a moment before moving behind Tam, putting a constraining paw of the youth's shoulder. "Tam..."

Flicktail moves over to Tam and stds beside him

Travian mutters to Flick, "Jettekstan," but his attention is on Tameus. He smirks, "He would have to be the worst excuse of a hare ever. At least the ones I've met could handle a blade and teach fighting."

Flicktail says, "Don let im make ye lose yer Temper Tam....a beast wot loses is temper stop thinkins"

Tameus pushes Magramba's hand off his shoulder, and starts moving toward Travian, glaring at him. "Take it back," he gruffs out, ears slicked back and quivering. "Y' don' know m' dad. He's th' /bes'/ hare in th' world. Y'r wrong, so take it back."

"Tam." Bradge takes a few cautious steps towards the advancing hare, though he'll never catch him at this rate. "Tam, 'ey."

Flicktail says, "TAM" Flicktail calls out witha commanding voice "at be moy blade Oi gaves ya to PRACTICE wi.... Oi ope Oi have not misplaced me trust...Colonel Zoe lets me ave e 67th fer our expidition...will ye old fast fer me?"

Magramba is staring thoughtfully into the distance. "Not the best fighter, though. Your da, that is."

Travian's guards start to raise their crossbows, but Travian just chuckles and draws his scimitar. "After seeing your fighting, I'd say that he would be better off dead. He's failed you little one. I'd scarcely consider him a /hare/. More like a bunny," the merchant says. His guards move into defensive postures, watching the others closely with their crossbows raised.

Tameus doesn't seem about to use the sword, just holds onto it, tightly, his jaw clenched with anger. He tries to keep his voice level and firm, but it quivers a little. "M' dad's a better beas' than y've ever /met/. Take. It. Back." He stops a few steps from Travian, head tilted up, hard gaze fixed on the hob's face.

"Tam!" Bradge shouts, freezing at the crossbows. "...Tam, back away from 'im. Jus' come on back, ya hear?" The otter frowns, fidgeting with his paws against each other. He briefly glances to Magramba and Flicktail.

Flicktail moves up beside Tam "Lad...Oi aske ye ta come wi me..ye willin ta chance me bein armed....oi be unarmed ye know..over words? The beast be baitin ya......" helook sup at the weasel "Oi aske ye sir, notto bait e lad, ye aveno need o weapons ere..ye ave my word there be no violence

Magramba fidgets with his vest again. Nowhere near as helpful as armor against a crossbow bolt.

Not a good idea fox. One of Travian's guards steps forward to intercept Flicktail with his crossbow pointed at his chest before he got too close to Travian, "Ye'll back th' bloody 'ell off less'n ye want a new hole t' breathe out of." Travian smirks at Tam, then raises his scimitar up just enough to bring the pommel down on top of the hare's head to daze him. The other guard keeps his crossbow leveled on Magramba.

Flicktail looks at the crossbow "Oi be a beast o e abby....an unarmed...all beasts respect e oath oh peaeace" he neother advances nor retreats, waiti to see if Tam will heed him

At some point, a skinny canine figure can be seen approaching from the north. It halts as the large crowd comes into view, reels on its heal and ducks into the grasses. Psamathe crouches low, but, as is customary of her, instead of heading the opposite direction - and to safety - she slinks foward, intrigued by the commotion.

Bradge's mouth is hung just slightly open, his ears pinned back to his head. He appears frozen to the spot, trying to come up with words, actions... Anything helpful.

Magramba points calmly towards the trio and turns his head towards Flicktail. "/This/ is why I hate vermin. For everybody who keeps asking."

Tameus gives a glance over at Flicktail, distracted for a count of several seconds. He catches Travian's movement and jerks, beginning to bring the sword up, but not fast enough to deflect the strike at his skull. He grunts and stumbles, not fully blacking out, but definitely dazed.

Bradge opens his mouth to cry out in defense of Tam, but he barely even moves, and the shout never comes.

The guard smirks, "I done kill't unarmed beasts a'fore. It won' lose me no sleep." Travian steps forward to grab Tameus, counting on his guards to keep the others back. He turns Tam around, picking him up and putting the scimitar to his throat. He kicks Tam's sword over to the other guard, "Patch. Grab that and lets go back to the caravan. Any of you move, and he loses his head. Got it?" The guard keeps the crossbow on Magramba and leans over to take the sword.

Magramba points to the ferret menacing Flicktail. "See? Your little 'don't hurt nobody' code doesn't hold up with these guys."

Flicktail moves swiftly as a shiled otter, used to using a shield...a sudden duck to slap hims body into the crossbow beast, action faster then reaction aattempting to force guard one into Guard two while Flicky forward folls, his hand seizing on the blade

Psamathe is somewhat near now, steadily slinking ever closer. The faint jingling of her jewelry might give the fox away - if it was not for the all the shouts and scuffling. Lilac eyes narrow as they survey the scene, quietly deducing the situation. She is distraught over a lost treasure; it's a long shot, but maybe these creatures could provide some clue to its location. ".. oi," she grunts softly as the situation escalates; idly musing to herself, ".. s'bin a fighty week."

Tameus nearly slumps down to his knees, but he's grabbed up by Travian first. The leveret, half-aware, gives a brief struggle before stilling, conscious of the blade to his neck, and giving a sharp growl. The kid is definitely not happy with this situation, feet dangling off the ground, hands in fists.

Magramba starts back as Flicktail flings himself into action. After a second, the squirrel discards his sword and steps forward, intending to drag the fox away from the ferrets. "Are you insane?! He'll kill Tam!"

Bradge just stares, like a statue, watching all of that happen. His mouth widens a little more, and his breathing increases.

The guard on Flicktail was knocked off balance because he looked towards the sword being kicked and was distracted. He regains his footing after a moment and fires the crossbow at the fox on the ground. The second guard tries to plant a booted foot down on the blade to prevent it from being lifted, still with his crossbow on the squirrel. Travian steps back and away from the others, pressing the edge of the scimitar into Tam's neck to give it a little wet red color, "Apparently you don't believe me fox. Get back. Now."

Magramba grabs for Flicktail's collar to drag him back from the conflict. He's looking pretty annoyed.

Tameus yelps as the blade presses enough to open a cut in his neck - not deep enough to kill him, so far. He brings his hands up against Travian's arm to try to push it, and the sword, away. "Nnhg."

"St- stop!" Bradge shakes his head, his voice barely over a whisper with a slight whine to it. His head turns to see the vixen Psamathe, staring at her oddly. Kind of like, Why aren't you doing anything?!

Flicktail allows himself to be pulled back fo rnow..but remains crouches...but backs off "It be ok Brage.." he moves back so Tam is not hared

Psamathe spews a loud "ack!" as the otter stares straight at her; almost as if she thought she was 'invisible' within the grass. "Why wouldai' do anythin'?" she yells back at him, ears flattening to her skull. ".. I dunnae' even know what is goin' on 'ere!" The fur on her neck prickles a bit.

Magramba keeps one paw clenched firmly on Flicktail's collar and fills the other with the fabric covering the fox's shoulder. "Just stay put," he growls lowly. "There's nothing we can do for Tam right now except get him killed."

Bradge doesn't seem to hear Flicktail's reassurance that it's going to be okay, or at least he's not convinced. Because he starts shaking, his feet still unmoved from where he first froze in place.

The guard that fired the wild shot quickly goes about reloading his crossbow while the second one leans over to pick up the sword. When Psamathe yells out, he turns and aims at her, shifting to Magramba and back, trying to keep them both covered while holding the crossbow with one paw. Travian smirks at them all, "That's right. You don't want this little one dead now do you." Then he speaks to Tam, "And if you keep fighting, it will be the same as if they tried to attack us right now." He starts to walk backwards towards his caravan that was still on it's way, the cloud of dust getting bigger down the road.

Flicktail watches them go

Psamathe promptly drops to the ground, mangled paw clasping over her eyes as the guard fixes his aim on her. ".. not me!" she hollers, ".. ain' no part of this!"

Magramba lets go of Flicktail's shoulder to wave them on, with a shooing motion. "Bye now."

"Wh... Where're you taking him?!" Bradge frowns, taking a step towards the vermin. "Stop! That's my friend!" Another step, and he's walking steadily, his arms raised to show he means no harm.

Bradge room-pages, "AUGH. Read that first part as "Where're you takin' 'im?" instead.".

Tameus would glare at Travian if he could, but in this position it wouldn't really work. His body is tensed up, teeth gritted, but he doesn't struggle, just makes a grunted noise of affirmation at the hob.

Flicktail waits and just snarls "GO

And Travian looks at the advancing otter, again putting the blade to Tam's throat to open the cut a little more, "Might want to stop right there otter." The first guard had finished reloading, and shoots at the ground in front of Bradge to warn him, then reloads as the three ferrets continue to walk backwards towards their caravan and more numbers.

Magramba can't hold back the whole Abbey. "Bradge. Get back here."

Bradge stops immediately, yelping and jumping backwards, falling on his rump at the bolt firing at his feet. "...Stop! Please!" He pleads, apparently frozen to the ground again. Sorry Mags.

Flicktail is MORE ten willing at this point to let Bradge get killed...being completely tired of every beast going stupidly it is about time that those beasts that can not figure it ou perish and raise the I of the Abbey, he doesn't SAY this he simply says "GO

Bradge thinks Flicktail shouldn't have been messing around and giving children the sword of Martin to toy around with and maybe should be more prepared for crisis situations seeing as he's the Abbey Champion, but he doesn't SAY it. He simply sits on the ground, shaking and watching them take Tameus away.

Travian continues to watch the abbey beasts, speaking to the guard that fired, "Next time, go for a kill shot." And they continue on down the road until they're out of sight.

Magramba gives the vanishing ferrets a wave that's almost cheery. "Come back anytime, we'll be willing to /peacefully/ resolve any problems." The squirrel's tone is rather sardonic as he glances down at the fox in his grasp.

Psamathe is quietly crawling away, deeper into the grasslands. This is obviously the wrong party to crash.

Magramba collects his sword from the dirt of the road, and moves to help the stunned Bradge to his feet. "That went well, didn't it."

Flicktail says, "we ave a whole army at redwall to unt Anba Hor...at caravan can't get far"

Magramba squints at the fox. "Uhm. The army is there /to hunt Anba Hor./ And if they see an army following them, how do you think Tam's going to be doing then?"

Bradge's paw reaches up to Magramba to get to his feet. "...Don't get 'im killed!" For all his inaction, the otter seems rather alarmed, eyes going back and forth between Magramba and Flicktail frantically.

Did something just happen? Darcy, oblivious and still sporting a slight limp, steps out of the abbey, and pauses, eyes going to the group on the road. "Uhm."

Magramba pats the young otter on the shoulder. "Exactly." The squirrel sheathes his sword and starts walking back to the Abbey. He waves to Darcy on his way back inside and slows to a halt in front of her. "I'm not sure how to say this, but, um.. Tam just got bunny-napped."

"Darcy!" Bradge spins towards the doe. "...Darcy, they took Tam!" The otter runs towards the hare, stopping halfway. "An' the /sword!/ Darcy, they took Tam an' the sword!" He never does finish his run, simply holding his head in his paws.

Flicktail says, "E won't bekilled...they care to much fer ere own hide...Oi have Long patorl Oi requested ere...Oi ave e Camp Will otter fighter, e Sparra fighters, a Eagle, a Shrike, oi ave King Nidlorf's forces ere, and the GOUSIM"

Darcy takes a few more steps and then draws to a halt. Her ears lay back along her skull, and she looks between Magramba and Bradge. "Wait. 'scuse me. Can you repeat that? .. or better yet, tell me something that isn't going to drive Harper into a tizzy, I kind of prefer him un-tizzified..."

Magramba leans forward to whisper into those laid-back ears.

Darcy lifts one eyebrow at Magramba, expression skeptical. She smirks. "Who's /worried/?" Her head shakes a little, and she exhales heavily, giving Magramba a silent gaze of agreement, the glancing toward Bradge. "You okay..?"

Flicktail finds it iterstingthat Darcy does not notice him

"...They took 'im an' we couldn't even do nothin' about it." Bradge's paws stop pulling at his headfur and drop to his sides, shoulders slumping. "...Reckon I ain't hurt or nothin'."

Darcy's focus is on Bradge, now, who she steps toward, expression a little tense and concerned. "Hey, tell me what happened, then?"

Flicktail waist for when she wants to listen

"I don' even know!" Bradge shakes his head, turning towards the direction of the since disappeared caravan. "I walked out 'ere 'cause I 'eard that's where Tam was an' Tam was jus' walkin' towards some vermin tellin' 'em to stop makin' fun of Brother 'arper an' the vermin 'it 'im an' captured 'im an' took the sword 'cause Flicktail didn't 'ave it an' Tam did instead an' we couldn't do nothin' about it 'cause if'n we tried they'd just 'urt Tam s'more an'... An'..." His face goes to his paws in distress.

Darcy shuts her eyes briefly, looking harried. She rests her hands on Bradge's shoulders, squeezing lightly. "Is he okay, though? What you saw? Was he hurt?" she asks quietly. The doe gives Flicktail a short glance but says nothing to him yet.

"/Aye!/ They 'ad a sword to 'is neck an' they cut 'is neck but 'e was still alive." Bradge's voice gets a tinge of a helpless-sounding whine to it.

Flicktail's never been an angry fox ever..but he is getting there now..his anger growing as he waits paws on his hips

Darcy gives Bradge another reassuring squeeze. "Deep breaths. Just, deep breaths, and calm. You know what Tam's dealt with before, you /know/ he'll be fine." Her voice is a little strained, though.

Ahti comes walking slowly out the entry of the abbey, adjusting his weapons on his person to where they were comfortable and not really paying attention to where he was walking until he almost runs into Flicktail. "Oh...I'm sorry...didn't see you there." Then the fragments of conversation filter through and he gets a confused look on his face, "Um...I'm walked in on something bad haven't I..."

Flicktail says, "only for em long Patrol hares over ere..and e 3 vermin oi just llet go"

"I 'ope so..." Bradge sighs, still kind of slumped, but upright. "I couldn't do nothin'. I didn't 'ave no weapons or nothin' at all, an'..."

Darcy speaks to Bradge in a quiet tone. "No, you didn't.. 'cause you chose to be in the Redwall Order. Same as Tam chose to be in the Long Patrol. He's a soldier, he was born for this kind of thing. So try not to fret too much, okay?"

Ahti raises a brow, "You just /let/ some vermin go?" Then his tone shifts completely and he gets a smile, "And a good eve' to you too." He turns to the rest of them and tries to figure out what happened. "Tameus? Little hare fellow?"

Flicktail taps his foot paw impatientlly waiting for Darcy to get aroudn to him....and offers Ahti some candoed nuts

Bradge nods to Ahti, pulling slightly away from Darcy. "Aye. 'e was kidnapped by some vermin, an' they took Martin's sword, too."

"Well," Darcy reasons, smirking a little, "at least Tam has a potential weapon..." She turns from Bradge toward Flicktail now. "You saw this all happen, then?"

Ahti shakes his head at Flicktail's offer, "No thanks, I was on my way to that new pub." Then when he hears of the kidnapping he frowns and shakes his head, "Must have been quite a few of them to get the sword /and/ kidnap Tameus." He crosses his arms, "I'm glad that you're all unharmed."

Darcy tilts on ear toward Ahti, briefly distracted. "New pub, huh? Word spreads quick." She looks pleased.

Flicktail says, "oh how KIND oh ye ta notice me.....Ye might say Oi noticed..oh I dunno SOME in..being as oi trusted yer Hare we e symbol o redwall and he were baited by a simple vermin loike a fish on a hook...." he shows Darcy Col Zoe's Letter directing the 67th to Aid Drewalls Champion, Flicktail"

Ahti turns back to Darcy, his mood again shifting, "Yes'm. You been there yet? I only heard that there was one. Haven't heard anything about it though." He seems to be a flighty squirrel.

Bradge turns toward Flicktail, blinking in a slight fit of shock. He's silent for now, tilting his head at the fox Champion.

Flicktail Pats Bradge "ye did fine lad. Like she says it will be o.k. fortunately we ave all e forces to humt Anba Hor...we kin catch at caravan no problem....and PLEASe tell Tame f e be quite done Oi'd LOKE me sword back....

Darcy is distracted. Again. Away from Ahti, back to Flicktail, who she gazes at coolly. "... you are really a rotten excuse for a Champion, aren't you?"

Darcy says, "And don't you /ever/ speak of Tameus in such a snide manner."

Darcy says, "/Particularly/ not when his life is in danger."

Bradge cowers back from Flicktail's touch at first, looking uncomfortable at the 'pats.' As for a response, well, he doesn't give a verbal one.

Darcy says, "And I don't honestly give a rat's arse if your precious /sword/ ends up at the bottom of the sea."

Darcy says, "Because the way you're behaving now does not for one second indicate that you deserve to be the beast who wields it."

Ahti nods in agreement with Darcy, "Aye...I'm going to have to agree that Tameus being returned alive is a little more important than the sword..."

Flicktail says, "Kind o ye ta same Marm....no wonder e lad can't control is temper, e whole long patrol is rud and unidciplined....Oi be trying ta save im whie you give insults ta me....Now if ye excuse me, Oi ave beasts ya protect, biout e only think ye said Oi believe is, ye don't care" and he stalks off to start the rescue finding thi sae quite usless insubrodinate and disobeying orders from her on Colonel"

Wincing, Bradge pulls at Darcy's shirt. "Darce..." The otter looks towards Flicktail. "...Beasts're allowed mistakes at Redwall." He nods resolutely.

Darcy lifts her brows with a bit of a mean smirk as Flicktail leaves. "... and I'm not in the Long Patrol either, you damn moron." But he won't hear that last bit.

Ahti taps his chin with a finger and looks up, "I made a mistake once here already. And I learned never to break into the wine cellar, then dance and play the lute on the tables. Not /everyone/ appreciates it."

"Darce!" Bradge frowns, stepping away from the doe for a moment. "'e was chosen to be the /Champion/, Darcy..."

Darcy turns her gaze to Bradge, considering him for a moment. "Well maybe Martin made a mistake, too. /He's/ a Redwaller also."

Ahti looks back at the two, "/Everyone/ makes mistakes is the point. Even that Martin fellow."

"...Martin don't make mistakes." Bradge shakes his head, frown deepening. He turns to Ahti and gives a slight bow. "...Sorry for bein' so rude. Evenin'."

Darcy says, "Martin chose a guy who can't fight, can't lead, can't keep his head in a crisis."

Darcy says, "A guy who blames a /kid/ for whatever just transpired..."

Ahti shakes his head, "That's just no good right there." Then he looks at Bradge, "How many were there?"

Darcy gestures in the direction Flicktail just went. "A guy who cares more about some /sword/ than the safe return of that same /kid/."

Darcy says, "But no. Martin was /obviously/ in his right mind when he made /that/ decision."

"...Maybe it don't look like a good decision right now, but... Martin don't make mistakes. I 'ave faith." Bradge nods, firmly. "...There were three vermin. Two 'ad crossbows, one of 'em 'ad a sword, but there was a whole bunch more of 'em down the road."

Darcy rubs at the bridge of her muzzle, cringing. "Three. Three? /Three/ vermin... and they successfully captured Tam /and/ took the oh-so-important sword along for the ride?" She jerks her thumb Redwall-ways. "Where was /he/ when this happened, picking daisies? Eating /grass/ like a bloody toddler..?"

Ahti raises a brow and speaks in a surprised tone, "Three? There were three?! And those same three, managed to kidnap Tameus and make off with that sword?" He starts to laugh, turning away from Darcy and Bradge and putting his paws on his stomach. When he gets himself back under control he turns back to look at them, "Only three....that's rich."

Bradge clenches his teeth, closing his eyes, his entire body seeming to tense up. "I /TOLD/ you I couldn't DO nothin'!" There. You made him shout.

Darcy wasn't going to laugh, but. When Ahti starts, it brings a shallow snicker out of her, then a short, low cackle of amusement. She shakes her head, stepping toward Bradge, hugging him around the shoulders as the sniggers ebb off. "Hey, relax. None of this is /your/ fault."

Ahti shakes his head, "It isn't little otter fella. It's the ones in charge that should have thought ahead or come up with some contingency plan."

Darcy says, "... or, you know. Done something afterward other than stand around pouting."

Bradge doesn't shy away from the hug from Darcy, but he certainly isn't reciprocating. "...Every time 'e got closer they just 'urt 'im even more," he mumbles.

Ahti lets out a sigh, "Before that? How did he get so close to begin with?"

Darcy says, "Every time who got closer..?"

Darcy asks, "Didn't you say he had a sword to his neck?"

"I don'know. I came out an' Tam was walkin' at the vermin tellin' 'im to stop makin' fun of 'is dad." Bradge shakes his head, getting frustrated, visibly. "Every time Flicktail got closer, they'd 'urt Tameus, is what I meant to say."

Darcy squeezes her eyes shut. "So. There was a /sword/ to Tam's /neck/ and..." She seems bewildered at what is coming out of her own mouth. "And Flicktail.. continued to get closer."

Darcy says, "... which caused Tam to be hurt. By.. the sword. That was against his /neck/?"

Ahti nods as like his point was just made, "And if he was obviously a vermin because he was being mean to Tam for no reason, I'm just assuming that because I've only seen Tam being a nice little bugger, why was Tam even allowed to go over to the vermin? And who let it happen?"

"Well, no, 'e /stopped/ after they started 'urtin' 'im." Bradge mumbles. "Well... The squirrel ended up pullin' 'im away," is mumbled, even lower. "An' I tried followin' 'em an' askin' for 'em to let 'im go an' they just 'urt 'im more, an' I'm real sorry..."

Bottlebrush makes his way out of the Abbey and down the road, the fox streching his arms over his head. He pauses, however, when he hears 'Tam', 'Sword', and 'Neck'. Rather than interrupt, he moves a bit out of the way and listens.

Darcy shakes her head. "What a mess."

Darcy says, "We've got a Redwall kid and Long Patroller.. and the Sword of Martin the Warrior. Both of which have been captured-kidnapped-stolen whatever."

Darcy says, "And the Champion, who should have prevented this or at least be /solving/ it... is completely incompetant."

Darcy asks, "Have I left anything out?"

Ahti lets out a slight sigh, "And when exactly is this rescue going to take place?"

Ahti says, "I haven't heard any call to arms, and I haven't seen anyone moving to go out for one..."

"Will you /stop,/ Darcy?" Bradge actually sounds angry with the doe. Really, really angry. He steps away from her and towards Ahti, shaking outstretched paws at him. "If'n we go after 'im, they might 'urt 'im more or even kill 'im!"

Bottlebrush slips a little closer and tilts his head before he speaks up, "And if noone goes after Tam, how will we get him back?"

Ahti puts his paws out as if to say calm down, "And if they do that, then they will have no bargaining power for their cowardly lives. They would die. I highly doubt they'd kill Tameus if they knew they were being followed." He looks back to Bottlebrush and shrugs, "I'm not sure. You could turn that question to your fearless champion." He gets a comical smirk, "I'm sure he's cooking up a wonderful plan right this moment."

Darcy shakes her head. "A plan that involves the huge army I've seen neither hide nor hair of. He's delusional." She gives Bragde an apologetic glance. "... I know you're upset about Tam. But it isn't your responsibility to prevent things like this from happening. The beast whose responsibility /is/ has shirked that responsibility. Blame where blame is due, and /you/ are not to blame, understand?"

Bradge exhales quickly, emptying his lungs in a sigh. "I don' know, maybe 'e'll escape! I ain't Martin or Father Abbot or the Champion or nothin'. I don't know anythin'. Flicktail ain't even been Champion for a whole season. Martin don't make mistakes. I 'ave faith, an' y'all should, too. G'night." The otter walks towards the Abbey, just then, shaking his dipped head.

Darcy elects to not say anything in response, watching the novice head inside.

Bottlebrush frowns slightly and shakes his head, the fox muttering, "I have faith in FLick.."

Ahti shrugs, "I don't really know him at all. I just have my thoughts from how things went today." He takes in a breath and looks at Darcy, "I just don't think that there is going to be a rescue mission tonight, and I still feel like a drink." He looks off down the road towards the new pub.

Darcy hooks her thumb south down the road. "The Molty Bookworm's the place you're looking for, near Ninian's church. The place that's half-done being painted blue."

The sound of jingling bells can be heard coming along from the south, it is accompanied by a shrew a short while later, wearing the bright head band of the Gousim, he looks over those gathered and walks up toward them, he peers at Darcy and nods his head, "Miss Darcy why it has been a long time lass."

Darcy mutters, "Maybe if we all cross our fingers, a rock will fall on the head of whoever took Tam. That'd be convenient."

Darcy glances upward, muzzle crinkling as she addresses the sky. "While you're at it, please drop an extra large one on our dear friend Flicktail."

Ahti nods and follows her gesture, but doesn't start towards it. "Thanks. I'll make sure nothing is going to happen tonight before I go for a drink though. I'd like to see the...Gousim? Haven't seen any of you in a while."

Bottlebrush crosses his arms and frowns deeply, the fox looking less like a cheerful healer and more like an angry, one-eyed vulpine as he ponders something.

Darcy quirks a brow up at Oswald. "Oh bugger I /forgot/ your name. Uhm. Hi, shrew-thing." She grins.

Oswald grins at Ahti and inclines his head, "There are not many of us around here in Mossflower right now. I'm still searchign for my Log-a-Log. And I am Oswald miss Darcy, I spent a few nights at camp with you and Magramba the squirrel? You where on your way to Salamandastron"

Ahti extends his paw with a smile, "I'm Ahti Piper, nice to meetcha."

Bottlebrush flicks an ear and looks towards the three beasts. Once he is rather sure they are not paying attention to him, the fox slips off of the road and away with a slight mutter to himself, "I'll find Tam..Don't have time to sit on our tails.."

Darcy's nose twitches. "The face is familiar, the name's not."

Oswald grins softly and nods to Darcy, the bells jingling, "Pleasure to meet ya Ahti Piper, and I am not surprised mis Darcy, we did not meet fer long, but a shrew can't help but remember a nice looking lass like you

Darcy gives Oswald a smirk in response. "You've just earned yourself a drink on the house." She pauses. "Really shouldn't do that since business has just started." And another pause. "I should find Harper... You know. Tell him his kid's gone. Again."

Oswald frowns, "Kid gone? Someones kid is missing? That is not good news is there anything the GOUSIM can do to help?" He looks over at Ahti and nods to them, "And a free drink? You own a pub Miss Darcy?"

Ahti looks back at Darcy with the same question on his lips.

Darcy gives a slight nod, and rubs at her muzzle. She looks worn out. "Just opened up. It's, you know... newish. The Molty Bookworm, down by Ninian's."

Ahti starts to laugh, "Well bloody hell. This whole time I've been talking with the owner and never even knew it."

Oswald laughs softly and runs a paw over his ears, "Interestng well I will come along and take you up on that drink Miss Darcy. Now what is this about a missing kid?"

Darcy tilts her head as she gives Ahti a bit of a grin, then turns to Oswald. "Harper's kid, Tameus. I'll tell you as we walk..."