Leon's been kidnapped! What's with people and kidnapping Leon?! Oh my cow!! Seriously...
Sorry this got stinkin' long....
RW Abbey: Entry
You stand on a grassy sward between two cottages. To the south you see a small, calm pond. To the north lies an open space where the Abbey has its feasts in the warmer seasons. To the east is the Great Hall, a massive structure that rises far above the abbey walls and is completed with large towers that pierce upwards into the sky. The main building is completed with a large, iron banded door that would allow one into the Great Hall.
The blanket of snow is replaced with the vibrant greens of spring. Newly sprung flowers and young shoots dot the path. They hold a promise of color and enhancement. The earth is relatively dry here, and the soil rich for growing, but muddy patches of dirt still can be found. Many Abbeybeasts can be seen tending to the gardens, though some are content with just being out and about, enjoying the warmth of the virgin sun and the pleasent weather. Dirt pawprints are tracked upon the clearing's surface, serving as witness to the fact that the majority of Abbeybeasts are caught up in the "spring fever." Most will will do just about anything, or make any excuse to be outside, eager to watch as spring colors emerge in scraggly clumps.
Exits/Entrances:
[G]reat [H]all [C]limb to the [R]amparts [A]bbey [P]ond
[Ga]te [H]ouse [Leave] through the gates [Open] Ground
[C]hampion's [C]ottage
Rainwing is high in the sky and is circleing for a landing, he looks downwards and starts a gentle glide onto a clear path in the grass,luckly not many beasts are here, the wings flap a couple times and he folds them at his sides, he scans the area and seems to be calm as he goes to fix a couple feathers messed up in the wind.
DoraRose had been leaning out the upper story window of the gatehouse, shaking out a very dusty rug, when the swan came in for his regal landing. After standing there, half out the window, for a handful of minutes, the warriormouse quickly enters the loft, drops the rug and makes her way downs the stairs and out the gatehouse door. Smoothing the front of her apron, she approaches Rainwing and politely says, "Good day. Welcome to Redwall Abbey. My name is DoraRose Strongheart. Can I help you?"
Rainwing looks down at the mousemaid, "Ello mouse, good day to you least I hope your having a good day, I have flew much in the large sky, soar and glide...see red house and land here"
DoraRose smiles, but can't hide the slightly worried look in her eyes. "Well, let me be the first to welcome you here to Redwall. Would you care for something to eat?"
Rainwing notices the look "I will not harm you, only harm bad beasts..I hurt bad beasts plenty good"
Oz walks in, he doesnt have his staff today and right now no dibbuns, he sees the two speaking and walks over, he nods to the swan and speaks to Dorarose, "Dorarose, greetings I hate to intrupt anything but I need Cera please, I am sure she is learning a ton of things from Leon but she has been with him all morning, it was promised to me it be a short and simple healing lesson,not a long lecture and she missed snack, so if you could kindly have her come out and let her know she is not in trouble just she needs to do other lessons as well"
DoraRose shakes her head at the swan. "Oh, I'm not worried about you, sir, I'm worried about..." she trails off as Oz approaches her, and when he is fineshed speaking she holds up one finger and dissappears into the gatehouse, reappearing a few moments later with a notepad in paw. "I found this on the floor of the gatehouse this morning. It has Cera's name in it. And I haven't seen Leon all morning..." the mouse warrior pales. "He was involved in a fight yesterday...he and a hare had overheard a rat and a falcon talking about having killed Shaz. I wonder...wonder if...maybe, the rat came here and Leon went with him. Would Cera have followed them?"
Rainwing tilts his head as he listens, "Bad beasts around?" He lets the two speak as he was never one to speak unless spoken to.
Oz walks closer and frown, "I do not think they would go willingly and Cera would of ran to get me or another beast, she...well not one to trust many, what of a guard maybe they know?"
DoraRose frowns and nods, then turns to the guards at the gate and begins asking questions. After a short while, a squirrel guard comes, and the mouse asks, "Did Leon leave earlier this morning with anybeast?" the guard thinks a moment, then nods. "Yes, Miss. He left with the little ferret lass, what's-her-name, Cera, that's it! They were in the company of this black rat, Miss. He had a white ring around his left eye, and the eye colour I saw was blue, I think. Does that help you, Miss?" DoraRose nods, then turns a very worried gaze to Oz.
Rainwing listens closely,"I not like rats..rats are bad news"
Oz asks, "Did they say why they went with this rat? Was the rat acting odd?"
The guard shrugs. "Master Leon said they were going to Ferravale. He looked like he wanted to say more, but he didn't. Little Cera was whimpering, I remember now. I don't think the rat was acting oddly..." he trails off as he thinks, and DoraRose takes a few steps towards Oz. "I'm sorry to say our friend here is right...rats are usually bad news. What should we do?"
Oz nods "Well, I was told Cera was to have a healing lesson and not outside the abbey, Leon would of just said another day, I am sure he would of, how long has he been gone and did you heard anything Dorarose?"
DoraRose shakes her head, looking like she wants to cry. "No, no, I haven't. I new something was wrong, I just knew it..." the guard is still thinking of anything else, and is getting frustrated by his lack of information.
Oz frowns, he is worried too but tries to not show it, "We can send someone out to look for them, if they are in trouble they will be found"
The Great Hall doors open to allow a... flash of pink whizz through. Wait, pink? OH. Shandar runs out of the building as fast as she possibly can (which, considering she does a lot of running when she steals things from the kitchen, is rather fast. for a dibbun.) She charges DoraRose, arms open to give her an exuberant hug. "DoooraaaRoooooose!!!!"
DoraRose jumps and stares, mouth agape, at the pink blur comeing her way. Bracing herself, she prepares for impact, arms extended as she hollers, "Whoa, you might want to slow down there, before you knock somebeast over!" Worries are temporarily forgotten in the adrenaline rush of having a Dibbun hurtling at near-lightning speed at oneself. The guard, scared out of his wits, and with no more helpful information to add, quickly gets his tail outa here! (And takes the rest of him with it!)
Oz sees Shandar, "Careful Shandar and do not run please" He sighs and looks inside, snack time is almost over then it will be time for lessons to start with the dibbuns.
Only starting to slow down as she nears DoraRose, Shandar wraps her arms around DoraRose a little lower than the older mouse's waist- as high as the dibbun can really reach. "Sorry Papa Oz!" She grins.
DoraRose 'oofs' and hugs the Dibbun back, sighing and smiling softly. "You need to be careful, dear. You could've hurt someone, and then where would we be, hmm?" Now that she's not scared for her balance or safety, the warrior looks sad and worried again, but she is trying to hide it...it's just not working out all that well.
Oz nods to the dibbun and looks to be thinking, "Ok, need to send someone out to look, and can not be you Dorarose, another beast or two maybe."
Shandar's ear flicks back as Oz talks. Someone lost? Without releaseing DoraRose, she looks up. "Are you ok?" She asks slowly. As she thinks a little more, the questions gradually enter her mind. "Whadda you need to look for? Why are you looking sad? Can I come and help? What's going on?"
If DoraRose hadn't had Shandar clinging to her, she would've stomped her foot. She skips that movement, but still snaps angrily, "Why not me? He's my husband!" distracted by the Dibbun's questions, she looks down and says not-quite-so-grumpily, "Leon. He got kidnapped. And so did Cera. You might be able to help...I don't know. You need to stay in the Abbey and help however you can. Why does everybeast always want to kidnap Leon?" she groans, looking to the sky as if it holds the answers she seeks.
Shandar's eyes widen. She releases DoraRose so she can beg. "Plllleease let me go look for him! It'll be fun! I can take care of myself! We can go and fight evil baddies, and rescue Leon, and be heroic! And then come home and have a grand feast!" While she's getting herself all worked up about how awesome saving Leon would be, she's pretending to weild a sword, jumping and dodging around comically, cutting down invisible vermin.
DoraRose places her paws on her hips, stifling a smile at the Dibbun's antics. "I'm sorry, Shandar, but you have a much too important job here at the Abbey to go risking your neck trying to find Leon. You need to stay here and help Benar and Flicktail and Papa Oz here secure the Abbey...the rat has a falcon, and we need to try and make sure it doesn't hurt anyone."
Shandar stands still for a moment, ready to beg more, but then she straightens up, puffing out her chest and pointing to herself. "Me? That's /my/ job?! Really?! You c'n trust me, DoraRose! No falcon is gettin' into the Abbey while I'm here!" She grins broadly, satisfied with her new task.
DoraRose relaxes slightly. Good. Now that /that's/ taken care of... "Now, my question is, why can't /I/ go?"
Oz frowns"Falcons fly, little harder to avoid by the guards"
Shandar doesn't hear anything else- she's off and running inside, shouting for Casper to tell him of her 'promotion.' The Great Hall doors slam shut behind her.
DoraRose holds her paw out and starts to say something, but Shandar is gone before she can get anything out. Frowning, the mouse murmers, "I should probably tell Benar what I've done this time..."
Oz rasies an eyebrow, "You've done?...look its best you dont go out, much less a fight with...welll" He sighs "Your condition and, it would make matters worse, we will send someone to look for them, if Cera's father learns of what happen, lets just say the rat and falcon wont get too far"
Benar is crossing the lawn talking to one of the Novices who help to run the fields that grow the abbey's corn and wheat and such. The elder squirrel shaking his head and gesturing at some papers he is carrying as he passes near Oz and DoraRose.
DoraRose blushes at the reminder. She hates how good of a reason that is. Seeing Benar pass by, she decides to barely change the subject, and calls, "Benar, we need to talk to you!"
Oz looks at Benar "Benar...we have some trouble"
Benar hands the papers to the Novice and nods and walks over, "What is up Dora? Oz? I've been a bit preocupied today with what to plant for the late harvest"
DoraRose furrows her brows and begins to wring her paws and pace slightly. "It's Leon. I think he's been kidnapped, and I think Cera has been, too. I'm so worried. We need to look for them! Please!"
Benar frowns at the news looking alarmed,. "The Falcon? Was it the bird?" he presses a paw to his forehead and then shakes his head, "Ok, very well, Oz, go find Zork and Flicktail, I'll assemble some volunteers from amongst the order and we'll send out search parties at once." he places an arm around Dora's shoulder, "We'll find them Dora, I promise."
Oz says, "I think it was a rat, but the rat may know the falcon, the guards said they left with a rat, didnt mention a bird""
DoraRose presses the heels of her forepaws against her temples and groans in sheer frustration. "Leon was talking about a rat and a falcon yesterday; the rat called the bird his pet. I knew the rat would follow Leon here, I just knew it! Ouuhgh, I can't stand sitting around doing nothing!"
Benar exclaims, "Why on earth would they leave with the rat! How did the rat get inside the abbey! I gave explicit instructions he was not to be let inside after hearing how he attacked the hare!" He pats Dora's arm, "It will be ok dear, we'll find them I promise," he turns on Oz, "Find out who was on gate duty and bring them to me! If I give an order not to let someone inside the abbey I expect it to be obeyed!" He sounds angry and worried and takes a deep breath to calm himself down, "I will have him found Dora you will see"
Oz nods "Right away Benar" He walks off to talk with the guards on duty now, Oz speaks with them"Who was there then?" The guard ummms.."Ralph was on duty....I will find him" The guard goes off to find said guard.
DoraRose covers her eyes and groans, sinking down onto the gatehouse steps and leaning down onto her lap.
Oz goes over to Dorarose and lays a paw on her shoulder "What you need to do is try and relax and trust all will be ok, stress would not be a wise choice right now"
DoraRose looks up and puts her paws in her lap, saying as a tear slides down her cheek, "How can I not worry when Leon could be hurt, or dead, or something? What if I never see him again? I'm going to go crazy sitting around here with nothing to do!"
Arturo walks into the entry catching parts of what is being said "I say?...What is going on lass?" He has a journal he is writting in and that is put away,"Anything I can help with?"
Oz glances at the hare, "Having some problems with a rat and his bird friend right now, couple beasts are missing now."
DoraRose looks curiously at the hare and sniffs. "You might be able to...my husband, Leon, and a young Dibbun named Cera were kidnapped by a black rat with a white circle around his eye and blue eyes. Leon and a hare overheard the rat and his falcon talking about killing a creature named Shaz, and they were caught. Leon said that the hare had brown fur and glasses...." she trails off. Hopefully the hare has gotten what she's trying to get at.
Arturo blinks, "Well the hare wasnt caught cause,...I am the hare, I know the rat, has a blue eye and a green one, bally well odd, has a large bird that is rather touchy and obeys his commands" He frowns, "The..they were bally well looking for me, weren't they?..Dis mmy fault tis has happen." His ears droop now.
Oz asks, "I wouldn't blame yourself, any idea where they could be, any clue or over heard?"
DoraRose smiles softly and stands, gently laying her paw on the hare's shoulder. "No, no, it's not your fault. I don't know if the rat was looking for you. You have already helped."
Zarok shimmies down the wallstairs and jumps from the last of the steps, landing in a crouch--whump!-next to the various beasts in the entry.
Arturo frowns "Yes he was, they bloddy well chased me threw the woods..the.."He gasps as the lizard lands beside them, "Wot..is that!"
Oz shakes his head at Zarok, "Zarok, please don't scare beasts and he is a friend Arturo"
DoraRose turns and looks at Zarok, a worried look on her face, but she tries to hide it with a smile. "Yes, he's a friend."
Arturo studys the lizard and writes somethig down in his notes, "Odd..don't see many Lizards about"
Oz says, "No they are very few around, most live in deep south think"
Emmit looks up at the sky to look at the weather, decides it isn't bad, and enteres the Entry. He stops in surprise when he sees the crowd in the doorway. Emmit looks over all the beasts present, "Hello! Well, I'm Emmit, who are all of you?"
Benar walks back over from where he has been talking to the beasts on the gate, a frown on his muzzle, "Sorry about that..."
Emmit looks at Benar, "Hello there, good beast. Nice weather we are having."
The growing crowd of creatures is starting to give DoraRose a headache. Sighing, she decides to ignore any comments that aren't said directly to her and sits down on the gatehouse steps, resting her forehead on her paw.
Emmit gives DoraRose a sympathetic look.
Arturo sighs "I could..find the rat and bird, may solve some problems"
Oz frownns, "May be a little dangerous for you to go look for the falcon or the rat,best if others do it"
Emmit looks around at the crowd, and feels very nosy all of a sudden. He turns to DoraRose and asks, "Would you like to go inside with me for tea?"
Benar blinks at the shrew, "I think tea is the last thing on Dora's mind right now, though I think it woul dbe a good idea. You can't sit around frettng too much about it Dora, all will be well you'll see." He then glances at Arturo, "No beast should go out alone. We are putting together some search parties."
Zarok shuffles to his feet and says happily, "That's where I come from!...ssss..." to Artruro. "I go with youzz!" he says excitedly to Benar.
DoraRose shakes her head at Emmit's kind offer, then shrugs noncommittally to Benar. She's just tired of Leon getting kidnapped. This is getting ridiculous.
Arturo nods "J..Jolly well unnderstood, I need to..well ..bally well going inside" He walks inside with a sigh.
Oz watches the hare head inside and for now listens to the others.
Emmit sighs a little bit and says, "Anyone else wondering when supper is?"
Benar points a finger at Zarok. "Not you, you are a dibbun Zarok, I have had this talk with you before. You are not old enough to leave the abbey for this sort of dangerous business. I'll have your word as a warrior to stay here and protect DoraRose. In case the falcon comes back for her." He then frowns at Emmit, "Supper is bean salad with fresh garlic infused bread and rosehip tea or pear cordial with a selection of cheeses to suit." he glances around and shakes his head, "I still can't get a straight answer for how this rat got inside the abbey and was able to just walk out with two of our number. The gate guards should have questioned were Leon was going. Now as soon as a champion arrives he will organize search parties and sort this out."
"Leon told the guards that they were going to Ferravale!" cries DoraRose, hoping someone will listen. She brings her head up and reveals that a few tears have slid down her cheeks.
Zarok stiffens and throws Benar a rigid salute. "I kill falcon and eat itzz eyezz if it comesss, and it'll be buncha blood an' featherzz and _dead_!" He licks his fangs with a long, forked tongue; it's been a _long_ time since he's tasted bird. Then he jerks sharply and turns to Emmit, seeing a lizard skull worn by the shrew...He drops into a fighting crouch and splays out his claws, a menacing rasp issuing from between his teeth.
Flicktail moves from the Abbey, an air of solumness about him, he has reluctantly strapped on Martin's sword and see's the group "I had holed I could deal with this falcon m'self and not have to risk any other beasts...but I think this is more Sensible..in any case I am going along unless Elder Benar decides otherwise" he looks to Benar giving him a slight bow in greeting. He regards Emmet "I am a Fox o my word, if this Falcon and rat is a problem...then I will protect the beasts I can from them." Seeing Dorarose's tears he takes her paw "I am sorry Dora...I did not hear what went before but you know I will do whatever I can to protect Leon... "
Emmit lifts his hand palm-first to Zarok, "Relax, young one. This is not a monitor skull."
Oz looks at Zarok and frowns, "Zarok...calm yourself, the sherw is not an enemy of ours and , do relax and no you will not be going after this bird,too dangerous."
Benar shakes his head and sighs, "I do not undertand why Leon would leave the Abbey, I can only assume the rat forced him to leave somehow. But it would be so unlike the guards to miss weapons concealed on a person they are very good and checking beasts." He moves over to offer Dora his paw, "Lets go inside and get you settled, you mustn't get too upset, think of the baby and Zarok, calm down dear you need to focus and protect Dora and the little one."
DoraRose shakes her head and goes to draw Zarok up onto her lap, more tears coursing down her face. "I though that when we killed Stormfeather this wouldn't happen anymore..."
Zarok strains towards Emmit, hissing, "All lizzzerds brotherzz--my bessst friend a newt, speciez no matter, you hurt one of us you hurt all of us...!" He growls fiercely and thrashes. He freezes suddenly and turns, confused, towards Benar and DoraRose. "Wot little 'un?"
Flicktail looks up..letting DR and benar deal with Zarok "We should not forget, Leon is a Healer..e may have gone to aid a beast as teh abbey Charter...Now who will be goin with me, I can relax now that I know Zarok can protect DoraRose
Miles comes out of the Abbey with a happy swagger, but immediately senses the general mood, and stops, standing there akwardly.
Oz speaks "Zork could go help, he is a fighter, I will stay here"
Benar says, "Dora is pregnant Zarok, she will be having a baby soon. So you need to stay and look after her and make sure she doesn't worry." he nods to Flicktail, "I will leave this to you Flicktail, now I need to go tell Lorimis.... he is not going to be happy about this a week before his Summer feast..." he nods to everyone and heads back toward the main abbey building."
DoraRose sighs. She was trying to keep the whole 'with child' thing mum. She rubs her temples and sighs. "Zarok, I need you to stay here and protect me, please."
Zarok growls again at Emmit and stands up. Most of what Benar said went right over his head, fortunately, but one message sank in from both the Elder and the Warriormaid. /Protect DoraRose./ He nods to himself and crouches again, teeth ready and claws extended, tail lashing powerfully, every part of his being ready to SHRED anybeast who goes anywhere near DoraRose, or even thinks of it, or even looks remotely like they're going to.
Flicktail smiles to Zarok "thank you zarok th smooth" he look up at the others "now where was this rat and falcon seen last..and when was Leon last seen..we must start somewhere" he smiles to Dora Rose "You have my word I will bring im back." Flicktail also says hello to Miles.
Miles felt a bit left out, not fully aware of what was going on. "I'm not sure all of woss 'appenin' 'ere, but if one of us mates is in danger, then I want ter help." He looks toward Flicktail "Could I 'elp in bringing Leon back?"
Oz sighs, "Like said Zork will help, just need to find him"
Zarok remains by DoraRose, silent and savage and stern, for a long time...Emyuil will probably want to accompany Flicktail.
Emmit's stomach suddenly grumbles loudly.
Oz walks off for a short while, he needs to look for someone.
DoraRose looks up at the shrew and smiles softly. "I'm sorry...all this time you were asking about food and we were being rude hosts and not listening. You must be hungry."
Flicktail nods to Miles "this mission needs a couple o otters, I woudl be honored if Our new Friend Miles woudl elp us..." He offers a paw "Join the fellowship
Emmit says, "that I am, miss squirrel."
Zork walks into the entry, "Ello all, so whats going on now?" He rubs his paws together and grins, "Someone metioned help, I offer help"
Miles takes Flick's paw and shakes it heartily. "Thank yer. I can't stand ter have friends in distress. Is it off ter Camp Willow, then?"
Flicktail says, "Well I need to find out where this Flacon and rat is last sceen and trach them down" he looks at Zork "Aye we need all we can get, apparently these verminous beasts took Leon...not sure why so were gonna find them. Some rat is calling a falcon his pet....." he shakes Miles paw "easy there Mate..I need that paw back"
DoraRose smiles a little more. "I've never been called a squirrel before. They are probably serving diner in Great Hall....I can assure you, there will be more than enough food." the mousemaid stands and sighs, still very much worried about Leon and Cera.
Emmit says, "sorry, miss, I am so discombobulated I thought you where someone else. With me, anyone? If you don't come, I'll eat it all myself."
Oz smiles as Zork shows up and then goes to check on the dibbuns.
Miles looks pleadingly at Flicktail. "Are we gonna leave soon? I sort of wanted ter pop in for some food."
Flicktail says, "We can't leavetill we know where were goin...and we shoudl stock supplies...sowe can give teh scots a chance an get where the last place was as we eat.....remember we may have a Healer and a hungry dibbun in distress out there"
DoraRose sighs and looks at the sky. "It's getting late..." she murmers, and that of course adds to her worry. A worried frown creases her brow, and she heads inside the gatehouse, planning on eating in there and going to bed early
Zork asks, "Well thar be clues?"
And then I had to log off...rats. Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for the next log on the subject! ;)
