Dibbuns Death Delivered

Location: Redwall Abbey: Great Hall

Characters Involved: Gero, Nicodemus, Francoise, Jennefer, Sinway, Maleficus, Kaikoura

Gero quietly wanders down the stairs for the first time in a while. "Evening Everybeast" he greets everyone before making for a chair next to the fire.

Sinway comes back out a few minutes later with a tea pot a few tea cup incase some one wants any and then poors him self some tea smiling sitting back down

Jennefer chuckles and grins, "Oh? It does now, does it?" She then smiles at Gero, "Oh, evening to you too." With an earperk, she then turns to Sinway and smiles, going to get herself a cup of tea, "Thank you."

Sinway smiles half heartedly then nods "your welcome." he says sipping from his tea "hello gero." he says

Gero quietly sinks into a chair before glancing to the crowd. "Not Interrupting anything am I?" he asks before glancing to Sinway. "Heh...long time no see" he smiles a bit.

Nicodemus turns his attention to the mouse. "Gero, good to see you're up and about. I'm very glad

that Savannah is once again active."

Jennefer Shakes her head as she then goes and sits back down in that chair, sipping on her tea once as she listens in.

Sinway smiles to gero still half heartedly "nice to see you to." he says before going back into thought

Gero glances to Nico and nods with a smile. "Aye...So Am I...I really thought I lost her forever.." he nods with a sigh.

Nicodemus looks at the tapestry quickly. "Thankfully, she was not lost. And I'm glad to have you back as well."

Jennefer's head tilts though she remains quiet. Sipping on her tea, she starts to rock back and forth again.

Gero nods some and smiles. "Thank you..." he says before looking to Martin. "And thank you too..." he says quietly before bowing his head a little.

Sinway just keep sipping his tae till it was gone still in his own little world

Gero just glances around the room before looking back to the Abbot. "How have you been? Well I hope"

Sinway gets up and refills his tea cup before sitting back down sipping it some more

Jennefer sips and finishes her cup of tea, then sighs soft and rocks back and forth in her chair.

Nicodemus nods to the mouse. "Overall. I'm always better when the beasts of our Order are doing better."

Gero nods. "Thats good" he says with a small smile, before glancing to the fire. "I cant believe I drank myself happy..." he mutters quietly before sighing, sticking his paws in his sleeves.

Maleficus had finally arrived at the great abbey of Redwall. The stoat has never been here before, so it was slightly a surprise when the beasts at the gate required of him to give up his weapons before entering. Stepping into the Great Hall, the tattooed stoat looks around, admiring the sight before him.

Jennefer smiles, then gets up from her chair and stretches, "I.. I think I may lie down for a bit. I'm.. feeling a bit uneasy I guess.." She smiles and nods her head to Sinway, "And thank you once again."

Nicodemus nods. "Merry part, Jennefer."

Sinway sighs a small bit before steping back into the real world noting the stoat stepping in he tenses up a little but then looks over to jenne "your welcome." he says

Gero hms and just gives a Wave to the departing mouse.

Nicodemus doesn't comment on the drinking.

Jennefer takes he tea cup with her and slowly heads up the stairs, "Good night all.."

Gero stares to the fire, not Noticing the stoat come into the hall yet.

Maleficus hmms softly, watching the mousemaid leave up the stairs before continuing his almost studying gaze over the Great Hall, noting different things in his head about it, his eyebrows slightly furrowed as if in thought.

Nicodemus turns to the two new-comers. "Welcome to Redwall Abbey. Is there someting I can help you with?"

Kaikoura passes by Jennefer on her way to the great hall. The great hall, as usual, is busy, but Kai knows where she's headed. To the fireplace, quickly settling herself in a chair near it.

Maleficus stands still, seeming at first to not hear or acknowledge the Abbot squirrel before he says in his deep, gravely voice, "Do you know...of a dibbun named Legol?"

Sinway looks at kaikoura wondering if he met her before but says nothing of it he looks over to the stoat the abbot was talking to

Gero Glances up at the stoat then hms. "I do..." he says. "though...you weren't speaking to me mind you..." he sinks back into his chair.

Nicodemus shakes his head. "No, but I hope there's not another runaway dibbun who's set the Abbey as a destination."

Maleficus shakes his head slowly, hearing the mouse, but only paying attention to the old squirrel before him, "Hmm..." then he turns to Gero's direction, "Well, if you know him...it would grieve you, then, to learn that he is dead."

Gero eyes the stoat, face slowly turning from minor annoyance at himself to a sad face. "What...d-

dead?"

Sinway look over to the other stoat not saying any thing not really knowing what to say

Maleficus gives a single, slow nod, "Yes. Dead."

Gero wasn't...really sure what to say to the stoat. "How...who...why?"

Maleficus says, "If I told you how, you would not be able to sleep at nights. Who, I will not say. Why, the stars only know." The one strange thing about this stoat is that even as he talks about a poor dibbun's death, his face remains unmoving, as if carved from stone.

Nicodemus tilts his head.

Gero frowns. "Tell me...I...want to know..." he says quietly, voice a bit shaking.

Nicodemus says, "Gero, you may not want to know. But, I'm curious ... how you happened to be the

messenger?""

Sinway looks at the stoat, the fact that his face is unchanged makes him angry he clinches his fist

Maleficus hmmms, as if thinking if he really should tell Gero what happened, but then Nicodemus spoke and to him, the dark stoat answers, "I was there when it occured."

Gero frowns. "Tell...me...please...." he says. "I do...want to know..."

Maleficus looks to Gero, deciding to tell him since he seems so anxious, his face still unchanged, "His head was severed from his body. Let us hope you can sleep knowing that."

Gero just...stares..."who...did it...tell me right...now..." a mix of anger and sadness in his voice. "now..."

Sinway looks at the stoat still very mad "who did it?" he asks finally speaking

Maleficus looks between the otter and the mouse, his face still straight as he asks, "Do you really want to know?"

Sinway nods a little "its clear we do." he says trying to keep his voice even not doing a good job of it

Gero nods. "Yes...we do...." he slowly stands.

Maleficus nods slowly before he looks between the two once more, being somewhat silent.

Maleficus finally gives off a wicked, dark grin across his muzzle as he states in that deep voice, "I did..."

Gero glares. "WHAT!?" he moves to face the stoat with a growl. "Get out!" not his call to make...>.>

Sinway stands up "you have the nerve to come here." he says facing the stoat "what is this a game,

you come just to bring bad news act like you are just some beast who had nothing to do with it, but it was you."

Nicodemus shakes his head.

Maleficus looks to the mouse, simply grinning that evil grin before turning to the otter, "I never said I didn't. You just assumed I didn't." He looks back to Gero, "Now...let this be a lesson to all of you.

Maybe you should watch your young closer, if they are so dear to you."

Gero Growls loudly. "Murdering a dibbun of the abbey. Heartless monster! You have no right being here!"

Meanwhile, the rest of the hall has gone quiet, all staring at Maleficus and Gero, with a few going to warn someone that a murderer was within the Abbey walls.

Nicodemus sighs. "You have indeed forfeit your right to be here. You've shown yourself weak and pitiful by seeking bragging rights for killing someone unable to fight back. But,then, that's OK, for we will document in our journals what a sad and un-masculine beast you are."

Gero had...actually forgotten the abbot was here...So he just shuts up for the moment, but does get ready to tackle the stoat...he's so angry right now, he shakes and eyes that stoat.

Nicodemus stands, facing the stoat. "Was there anything else you thought necessary to say before you leave?"

Sinway has to hold him self back, keep him self from attacking the stoat "i suggest you get out." he says keeping his voice as even as possible "right now." he looks at the abbot then at gero noting his rage he moves in the way of gero

Francoise enters from the kietchen with a bottle under her arm. Her ears stand at attention and she stops in her tracks as she feels the palpable tension. She follows everybeast's gaze to the unfriendly stoat. Oh, hmm. She sets the bottle down on a bench and inches nearer the group, brow forrowed.

Maleficus looks to Gero and whispers, "Yes. I am heartless. Yes, I am a monster." He then looks to

Nicodemus and reaches in his cloak, pulling out a dagger, just to where the Abbot can see before putting it back, "Work on your guards a little more, old one." He looks to the mouse, his grin never leaving, "I wouldn't do that, mouse. You already know how heartless I am."

Nicodemus says, "I shall take that under advisement. And you don't seem heartless, just cowardly."

Nicodemus shrugs. "But, I guess it takes a coward to kill a dibbun. So, you do fit the bill."

Sinway looks at the stoat "i suggest you leave." he says "you can find that i can be just as heartless, to your type." he says then looks at the abbot

"You're dismissed." Nicodemus sits back down, turning away from the stoat.

Nicodemus says, "Gero, Sinway, please calm yourselves. He's leaving anyway."

Gero slowly walks around sinway, being in front again. "Get out..." he says one last time, before nodding to the abbot absently.

Sinway looks at the abbot then stops the mouse "don't." he says looking at the stoat "be glad we met inside the abbey though vermin." he says

Maleficus nods to the Abbot, "I may be a coward. But only a smartbeast turns his back on a corpse."

The stoat then turns to Sinway and Gero, giving a nod, "You are lucky your Abbot has taken this news so lightly. As for your words, otter, I would love to see you be outside with me." he gives a light bow, then walks towards the large doors of the Great Hall calmly.

The crowd parts before Maleficus, no one wanting to get anywhere near him.

Nicodemus raises his eyebrow at the lightly comment, but only those facing him would see it.

Gero watches. "Just hope I never get a day off..." he growls before just...slowly lowering himself onto his knees, not really sure what to do now...He rubs his eyes with his paws before sighing again.

Maleficus pauses a moment and says, "Oh...one more thing that I forgot...." he turns around, ever so calmly walking to the table before reaching into his cloak, pulling out a piece of paper and laying it on the table, "Here."

Nicodemus says, "Burn it unread, unless you'd seek to play into his game. Your choice, of course."

Sinway smiles "ohh im sure you wouldn't like to meet me out side vermin." he says not turning from him till the vermin is gone

Maleficus says, "Ah, but you would love to read it. It's where I buried to poor little lad. You would love the grave I made for him."

Nicodemus says, "As I said, burn it unread."

Gero glances to the note..."I will burn it as soon as he is gone..." he says quietly and shakily.

Nicodemus nods. "Wise choice, lad."

Maleficus nods slowly, "Your choice. I must admit, though...the lad's going to get quite lonely being all alone out there with nobeast to see him and give last respects."

Sinway looks at the stoat "if thats all you have to say vermin you should leave now." he says

Nicodemus turns to Sinway, "Don't worry, Sinway. Those in Martin's care aren't going to be lonely."

Gero waits for the Stoat to leave, eyes watching hatefully. "I'm sure he'd rather be alone then anyone find him with your help, scum" he eyes.

Sinway nods a little to his abbot. "i know, all i want right now is for this vermin to leave, before i break the abbey code." he says bearly able to control his anger

Nicodemus clicks his tongue, "Sinway, don't let the actions of others cause you to break your own vows. That would give them a victory over you."

Maleficus steps to the doors again and looks to the occupants of the Great Hall, "Now...if you don't mind...I personally would see the poor dibbun's grave. It's the least you could do other than trust a dead warrior to comfort his soul." he then steps through the doors.

Nicodemus shakes his head. "It seems there's no lack of pitiful beasts in this world."

Francoise makes her way into the midst of the beasts. "What happened?" She asks with a sober tone. Obviously it wasn't something good. Ametallic clack can be heard as the plates on her gauntlets

touch, her fingers drumming a tattoo on her hip.

Gero Waits until The stoat is gone before standing, rushing over to the parchment, taring it up into

several pieces, and shoving it into the fire before collapsing into his chair again, not sure what to

do...cry, or just sit there.

Nicodemus nods. "Well done, Gero."

Sinway turns away "sorry, abbot, as a novice wanted to be a dibbun care taker, this just hits close to home." he says frowning

Nicodemus says, "Oh, you've no need to be sorry for your feelings. But you'll want to maintain your bearing when facing evil. Otherwise, evil gains power over you and can control your actions.""

Nicodemus turns to the marten who led him. "So, perhaps you can say why you felt such a beast was a good choice to bring into our home?"

Gero nods to the abbot. "I...I..." he just stares into nothingness, a tear falling down his cheek.

Gero sighs. "Can...we arrange a service or something?" he asks quietly.

Nicodemus says, "Of course, but, Gero, you should consider the possiblity that he was lying completely and that the grave was nothing but a trap."

Nicodemus says, "So, before we hold a service, we should ensure for ourselves the truth of his claims."

Gero nods. "I will. I'll...find him...myself.." He nods before wiping his eyes again.

Sinway frowns a little "at the very least we need to step up guards, there is a dibbun killer out there." he says frowning a little trying to keep his anger under control

Nicodemus says, "And if he truly violated the corpse, there'd be no way to tell if it was the corpse claimed."

Nicodemus turns to Sinway. "Perhaps there is. Or perhaps there's just lies and the intent to do far greater harm to the Abbey as a whole."

Gero sighs. "If...if the dibbun was murdered...I'll look for the wooden figure he had hung around his neck...If i find it...then it will confirm it..." he sighs before standing. "Do you think its safe to go out there?"

Nicodemus shakes hishead.

Nicodemus asks, "Gero, how hard is it to swap a necklace?"

Sinway nods a little "even so if thats the case abbot then we still need to step up the guards." he says "he sighs first my problems now this." he frowns a little

Gero sighs. "I dont care...how hard it is, I need to find out if it was true or not..." he sighs

Nicodemus says, "And, it's as safe now as it was yesterday, Gero. Safety is an illusion."

Nicodemus nods. "Gero, you have my blessing to go forth and investigate."

Gero nods. "Thank you..." he says before thinking. "i'm going to go as soon as I pull myself together..." he nods.

Nicodemus says, "My advice is to be careful and don't give weight to the words of those who claim to be evil, for truth is rarely the evil beasts' habit."

A guard comes walking through the door, "Father Abbot! The stoat, the dibbun-murderer...he said to give you something!"

Nicodemus shakes his head. "We accept nothing from those who do evil. Toss whatever it is into the fireplace."

The guard shakes his head, "No, no sir. You do want to see this..." He extends a paw and opens it, revealing the wooden figure on a necklace...the figure in the shape of a familiar squirrel dibbun.

Nicodemus points to Gero, "Pass it on to Gero."

The guard nods slowly and walks over to Gero, handing it to him, "Here..." the guard seems sad and disappointed at himself as he then walks back outside to duty.

Gero looks...shocked now. "Th...this is his...this is his...I'd know it...i'd know this anywhere..." he takes it and just...breaks down, holding the figure and sobbing away. He liked that kid >.>

Sinway sits down ans sighs a little "im just glad skuld inside, we have to much to worry about, and now this." he frowns a little more then looks at gero going over to him he kneels down and places his arm around him

Nicodemus reaches over and undoes the habit cord from Gero's habit and hands it to Sinway.

Nicodemus says, "I just murdered Gero, here is proof he is dead, this is his habit-cord, as you will recognize."

Nicodemus turns back to Gero. "Do you recall what I said? Lies, not truth, are the domain of evil. Do not assume things; do not let your mind and spirit be guided by those who you know to be your enemies."

Sinway looks up at the abbot, "just because there is no proof to it, doesn't me that the danger is any less, you can't just ignore this just because you did not see it with your eyes, you don't know that its true as well, you keep saying that it could be a lie, well it also could be true you have no idea." he says frowning

Nicodemus says, "I have not said it's not true. I am not ignoring it. I have even tasked someone to investigate."

Nicodemus says, "But, Sinway, do not think I'm going to just trust the word of evil. I am not, and do not."

Sinway nods a little not saying any thing, "and besides, he is not the one i relly have to worry about." he says frowning a little trying to make gero feel better

Gero looks over. "I don't...think a dibbun could leave the abbey during breakfast, Then have this...exact...figure returned...Its not a trick...I carved this for him a long time ago...I know every ding and dent...wood chip and everything.

Nicodemus asks, "Could he be enslaved instead of dead, with slavers waiting at the point on the note, to capture weak and un-armed Abbey beasts frantic to believe?"

Sinway shakes his head "no its not." he sighs a little "but that still brings the fact that its still not safe." he says frowning

Nicodemus stands up. "THINK both of you. There's many layers to water. If you only look and think what you see is where it is, when you grab, you find there's reflections and distractions. Do not trust the word of your own enemies. Go forth and find the truth -- THEN choose how to respond. Anything else is the response of a dibbun, and that's not what's needed here, is it?"

Sinway looks at him "well i can't just GO forth and find the truth, its not safe for me right now." he

says frowning a little more

Gero sighs and nods. "I will then...But this...this is his...I know it is his. I'd just...be risking a trap by going...but i'll go anyways..." he sighs, and sets the figure around his neck.

Nicodemus says, "Gero, you have no need to risk a trap. You aren't rushing in foolishly where brave beasts fear to tread. You have time to plan, to find helpers, and so forth. You are not a slave to the evil,

Sinway nods a little "hes right gero." he says frowning again

Nicodemus says, "So, when someoen or something makes you angry ... that's not the time to act."

Gero sighs again. "I dont want to ask anyone to risk their lives like this..." he says.

Nicodemus says, "That's the time to regain your own balance. So you act at a time that suits you in a way best."

Nicodemus tilts his head.

Nicodemus asks, "You mean, like I've asked you to risk yours? It's no fun having responsibilty, is it?"

Sinway just gets up frowning a little, walking over to sit down "i go, but like i said gero, its not safe for me to leave the abbey right now." he says

Gero sighs and nods. "I know...I know...But...If i'm going to go investigate. I want to do it my way...I...work best in problems like this on my own...I always have..." he sighs again, closing his eyes and thinking.

Nicodemus says, "I'm sure that the warrior hares would enjoy the sport of hunting down the evil bloke and then you'd hvae the means to question him with a bit more control, as it were."

Nicodemus says, "That is, after all, how we dealt with the last murderous beast, the owl."

Gero nods. "Alright. I will...take my time and plan..." he says with a nod.

Nicodemus says, "Our order is peaceful, so we have no warriors. But we do have allies."

Nicodemus looks at the tapestry. "And peaceful doesn't mean weak. A common mis-conception."

Gero nods. "right..." he nods, tears still falling

Francoise has only sttod backed and watched events unfold but now steps forward, facing Gero.

"You'll need someone to help you in case of battle, won't you?" She asks carefully, crossing her arms.

Nicodemus looks at the mouse-maid. "Lass, he'd need someone in the event of battle. As a member of

the Order, he'd only fight in defense of himself or others, which could very well be too late in a real engagement."

Gero hms and glances over. "I can fight if i'm attacked...but yes..I suppose...But I dont want to ask you to risk your life..."

Nicodemus grins to the mouse-maid. "Right, that's my department. I ask beasts to risk their lives."

Sinway sighs a little hating that he feels so useless in this matter "have the hares already left to the mountains again, or did a few stay behind?" he asks

Nicodemus says, "They established an outpost, Sinway."

Nicodemus says, "Also ... you should talk to Flicktail, the Shield Otter."

Nicodemus says, "He's very fond of the dibbuns; you could say he's often tied up in their presence."

Gero chuckles a bit at the abbot before frowning. "If I was to tell flicktail why we were going, I'd break his heart...I dont want to do that...It would be too cruel...you know how he is about the dibbuns..."

Nicodemus says, "I know precisely how he is. Do you htink not telling him, and letting him find out he could have helped and was discarded like dirty diapers will be less heart-breaking for him?"

Sinway nods a little "ya he loves them even more then i do." he forwns a little then looks at the abbot "the abbot is right though." he frowns a little

Francoise glances at Nicodemus, now talking to them both. "I respect the abbey's point of view towards fighting, and I respect you, Abbot. But I elect to go with Gero. Self defense are all very well, but I live and know the woods very well." She smiles, turning now to Sinway. "Who is Flicktail?"

Gero thinks it over for a few moments before nodding. "I will talk to him then..." he then looks to

Francoise again. "If you wish to come, I wont deny the help...just know we may end up in a battle..."

Nicodemus says, "She knows, Gero."

Francoise says, " You can't dissuade me. Just because I'm a maid, does not mean I can't compete with you in toughness.""

Sinway smiles "he is a fox, who calls him self a otter, he used to be a evil fox and a dibbun slaver, but events have happen and now he would do no harm to any dibbun ever." he says

Nicodemus nods at that comment. "My wife, lass, is a mercenary soldier; she has been for longer than you've been alive. You're no less a beast for being a maid, in or out of battle. Anyone who thinks otherwise will learn it to their regret."

Gero hehs and chuckles. "Just making sure..." he looks about. "Is there anyone else maybe I could ask?"

Nicodemus says, "No doubt there is, Gero."

Nicodemus says, "I'd ask them all."

Nicodemus says, "You will also want to bring someone adept at the healing arts; should there be unpleasantness, you'll want the means to patch the survivors. Of both sides."

Gero nods. "I'll ask whom I can" he sighs once more. "anyone in here already who's going to come with me, be ready tomorrow evening..." he says before standing and heading for the stairs. "I've got planning to do"

Nicodemus holds up a paw. "Gero.."

Gero stops and just turns. "Aye?"

Sinway nods a little "i help gero, but me being with you will just bring danger that is not needed." he says frowning again

Nicodemus says, "You are a member of the Order of Redwall. Do your planning for a rescue, and if that's not feasible, to learn the truth. You are nto running a military campaign. Others are more experienced and should that be needed, remember you'll not be leading that.""

Gero nods. "I know...The only thing I'm planning for is a rescue. Incase he's still alive...nothing more..." he nods.

Nicodemus smiles. "That's exactly what the good beasts of Redwall Abbey value and show the world. You're an ambassador for the Abbey. Do us proud."

Gero nods. "I will..." he turns away before proceeding up stairs.

Sinway shakes his head "i must go, i need to make sure skuld is in the abbey,and if not, then i will go out and find her." he says as he walks off "good luck gero sorry i can't help." he says before walking outside

That done, Francoise walks over to the bench and picks up the rst of her items. She listens to the talk about ambassadors, and 'hmphs' quietly to herself, whisker twitching