I have bad news and I have worse news

Bandit breaks the news about Drew's death to his son Anomen.

The infirm has seen quite a lot of trafic today and its about to see a few more. A pudgy brown fox opens the door just wide enough to stick his muzzle through. Having just come from breakfast he had been pacing the hallway thinking about how to break the news to Anomen.

Anomen is awake, but has an off and on headache so is not feeling that great already. He has yet to notice the fox.

Bandit sees the squirrel is in his cot and awake. Blast! That means he has to go through with this. The fox has faced enemies in combat but nothing is as hard as what he is about to do. The fox opens the door. "Morning Anomen, how are you feeling?" Silently he curses himself. Yes, that's right, 'hi kid, how you doing? oh by the way your father is dead.' Blast it! WHere is wilks when you need him?

Anomen smiles "Hey there Bandit..my head hurts and cant eat much, but recovering"

Bandit nods his head, "That's...good." Come on Bandit, THINK! You're a fox, cunning and wit personified. Use that foxy mind to break the news to him gently. "I have...well...I heard you had a rough time this weekend." The fox curses inwardly, Coward get it over with.

Anomen nods "Its..well my father was kicked out, then this thing with someone called Oak..Flicktails sword was stollen"

Bandit rubs the back of his neck, "Yeah...about that." The fox sighs deeply before making a serious reply. "Anomen. I have some bad news about your father."

Anomen looks at the fox, "What about him? Did he get hurt? Did he try and harm you or another?"

Bandit closes his eyes and cringes, how do you tell someone that your responsible for their fathers death? "He...he fell in combat. He died saving my life Anomen."

Anomen is quiet, it seems at first maybe he didnt hear right and then the tears and the sobbing as he turns to face the wall, he coughs a couple times.

Bandit hesitates for a moment then then places a comforting paw on the squirrels shoulder, "It was a random ambush. The bounty hunters were after me, your father could have ran but he stayed and fought. His last words were to tell you that you were a good son and that you were right. He was wrong, wrong about vermin and wrong about Flicktail."

Anomen takes a while to calm, he turns "You mean he..c..changed his ways? He knew Flicktail was good befor he.."

The fox nods his head, "Yes. He had a spark of good in him before he died. Anomen I...I'm sorry." For some reason the fox can't bring himself to cry. He wonders if he should but...can't.

Anomen nods, "Thats good..and him..sounds like he saved you, that was good of him"

Bandit lets his ears droop, "Anomen it was my fault...he...he only died because those bounty hunters were after me." The fox whimpers a little. Even if he had been a bit off edge, to have any beast die trying to save you...

Anomen asks, "How was it your fought? He choose to stay seems, you didnt force him to stay""

"But...they...and..." The fox stammers. He can't really argue with that line of logic but emotion takes hold, "But they were after me. If he had not been there he would still be alive."

Anomen is quiet, "But he did..save you, you could be dead also if it wasnt for..." He sighs "Where is he, my father at? I could see if they would bury him here in teh abbey"

Bandit chuckles dryly, "Here I came to comfort you and you ended up comforting me. You're father is in the guards care. They will be happy to show you where he is." The fox stands there for a long moment wondering what he should say next. He realizes there really isn't much more to say, "Again...I'm sorry for you loss Anomen."

Anomen nods, yes he is sad but he is also glad his father changed his ways before he died.."Thanks" He says softly.

Bandit nods his head. THen giving the squirrel a moment along backs out of the infirm. Out side the fox leans his back against the wall. Flicktail and the squirrel were poisoned. The sword of marten was stolen, and the guards father just died. Bandit does NOT envy the squirrel at the moment. With a disgruntled sigh Bandit stalks out of the hallway down the stairs to the great hall. Today is the perfect day to ruin his diet with some ale...

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Anomen

A tall squirrel with redish brown fur and black tiped ears. He has gotten some muscles since his dibbun seasons and is now a full grown beast. The tail of this beast is bushy like most of his kind and black tipped. His eyes are a kind gentle blue and show kindness and wisdom. He wears a red tunic and green pants and a vest and acorn pin that shows he is a guard of Redwall and one thats hapy to be back.

Bandit

The fox you see before you is young and in the prime of his life. He stands the average height of his species if a bit broad shouldered. Bandit's fur coat is covered in light brow fur while his paws both foot and hand, are deep red up to his elbows and knees. A light yellow colored patch of fur starts at his chin and weaves its way down his neck, across his chest, and down his gut. This patch of yellow also spreads out to his under arms and inner legs.

The fox has a long pointed snout with large hazel eyes. His long triangle ears seem to twitch with every sound.

The vulpine's body is covered here and there by the occasional scar most of which are hidden by his fur. His body is also coated in a thin but healthy layer of flesh. Bandit has a small but rounded curve to his belly, otherwise you could call him trim and in shape.

The fox wears a set of simple but new clothes. A dark grey tunic adorns his chest loosely. The tunic is tucked into the snake skin belt about his waist and then comes out again, the end of the tunic hangs halfway to his knees, the back end is split to accommodate his tail. Over the tunic Bandit wears a brown cloth vest that comes to the bottom of his chest. He leaves it hanging open.

The fox's legs are covered by a pair of dark brown cloth pants that cling loosely to the fox's form. His paws are bare.