Militia Dungeon Part 3

Picking up directly after the events of 'Militia Dungeon Part 2', our brave and tragically mismatched heroes attempt their escape. But not all is as it seems, and this underground stronghold has more secrets in store yet...

Rorgan is the first to step forward into the room, looking around with his bow still half drawn. "Raz, you should be able t' find yer weapons in here." He steps further into the room, scanning the area with narrowed eyes.

Raziel walks into the room, happy to be away from the irritable old weasel - though he can't take his weapons while he's holding Derrin. Eventually, the cat spots his bastard sword and spear leaning together in a corner, standing out as both more sturdily built and less flashy than the weapons to either side. "Could one of you take the otter for a moment, so I can grab my things?" He's eager to get his paws on them again...

Hershel takes a moment longer to step down with his wooden paw. The foot is made to move with the movements of his leg, making it a step above the standard peg leg. He stands there for a long moment rubbing his chin, "Huh...wasn't expecting them to put an armory here. I mean we built the exit so we could escape if we ever found ourselves in a situation like this but it would have been foolish to put weapons here at the exit...I wonder if they know about the passage then." The weasel turns his head to the double doors as they fly open. A tall black furred hare comes in yelling, "The Moss flower butcher has escaped! Quick! grab your weapons and armor. It's going to take us all to bring him in." The hare is flanked by three squirrels and a mouse. With a rack of weapons between them and the door they have yet to see the escapees. A pot bellied red squirrel chitters nervously, "Aw man...I don't want to go toe to toe with him. I hear he can rip you apart and feed your own limbs!" The mouse whines, "Dang it, why can't we just take on the weasel. He seems like a push over."

Rorgan looks stunned at the entry of the five beasts, and he puts the arrow away along with his bow, motioning for Hershel and Raziel to get back into the tunnel behind them and out of sight. "I'll handle this," He hisses to the two before walking off towards the five beasts, hoping his companions would trust him.

Raziel is not pleased that he has to wait to get his weapons, but it's not like he can just drop Derrin to get them. With an irritated flick of his tail, he heads back towards the tunnel, pressing himself into the shadows. This plan had better work...

The weasel doesn't quite have the time to make it back into the passage, not with his bad leg and all. He throws himself against the back of a weapons rack hoping that no one notices the sudden hole in the wall. The hare turns around to see the otter appear almost out of thin air, he reacts as one would under the circumstances, by throwing his arms around himself in fear and shouting, "GAH! The Mossflower butcher has come to claim our hides! I...er..." he composes himself with a polite cough. "Where the heck did you come from?"

Rorgan groans, holding his head. "I was in the corner..just woke up, but the Mossflower butcher came in here...h-he knocked me out..." He lets out another groan, pretending to stumble as though he was about to collapse.

Raziel stays out of sight, though he notes that the guards are all absolutely terrified of him. Good...he might be able to use that to his advantage, in a pinch. He cringes at Hershel's less than perfect hiding spot, but there's not much they can do without attracting attention, now...

The militia beasts all take a step back. "The Mossflower butcher was here? In this room? And you LIVED!" The mouse clutches at his mouth as he gasps. The hare shakes himself free of fear at least for the moment. "We have to assume that he is armed and even more dangerous. We..." the hare pauses. He squints in the direction of the secret passage way. "Is...that a door? Where in the blazes did that come from!" the hare takes a step forward towards the passage and the weapon rack Hershel is hiding behind.

Rorgan looks back, doing his best to keep from shaking in suspense. "I found it when I walked in. It seems that tunnel was used fer escape by the butcher and any others with him. I was investigatin' when he came out and knocked me out. I don't know where he went."

Raziel stays pressed against the cold stone wall of the tunnel. If the hare decides to look in here, the cat won't have much of a chance to defend himself, while still holding Derrin... He really wishes he could just hand the otter off to Fargo, and maul the nosy beast...

The Hare turns to the otter, his eye twitches. "A secret passage way...from the cells!? What...why..." he rubs at the bridge of his nose. "BLast it. Quick everyone grab your weapons. Otter, check yourself into the nearest healer. Everyone else, with me!" The frenzied process of the militia arming themselves is over quickly. In two minutes flat they are all departing the scene. After they leave Hershel stands up and scratches his head, "Idiot. It's safe to come out now cat."

Rorgan sighs, rubbing his head with a shivering paw. "That was way too close...we need t' be more careful from here on out." He looks around the room, wondering what weapons he could loot from here.

Raziel steps out of the tunnel, frowning. "We simply need to get out of here. And I'll feel much better about doing that once I have my weapons. Even then, I can't very well be all that stealthy, or prepared for combat while carrying an unconscious otter... When do you think he'll wake up?" The wildcat looks over at the corner his weapons were in. So help him, if those guards took them, he'll /SHOW/ them a 'Mossflower Butcher'...

As if on cue, Derrin lets out a groan, his arm coming up to rub his head. Rorgan raises an eyebrow at the wildcat. "By the sound of it, you won't have t' carry him much longer, though he won't be walking on his own fer a bit yet."

The universe has decided to grant them a reprieve for once. All of their weapons, gear and loot has been stashed here for the time being, assimilated into the Militia horde as training weapons. Save for the felines spear...the hare made off with that. Hershel agrees with the wild cat though, "We need to head out. Any idea where my fellow weasel and your fox friend will show up?"

Raziel gives a low, angry growl when he finds his spear missing. "Alright. That's it. I'm going to KILL these idiotic Militia beasts." He still holds onto Derrin for the time being, but he needs to get his sword if he's to be any help at all. Well...that's not true. He has teeth, and claws, but those are more of a backup plan. To Hershel, he simply grumbles, "No."

The weasel smirks, "Heh, that will make things interesting at least. Tell the weasel to go on a diet the next you see him." The weasel rolls his shoulders before picking up his violin case again. He heads for the doors. "I think its safe to assume everything I know about this place has changed. But the lay out should be the same at least. I know where the guards 'should' place beasts to stop us so I should be able to lead us past most of the check points.

Rorgan raises his eyebrow at the word 'should', but decides to walk after the weasel, brandishing his daggers. "Right...try t' make that should a will Hershel."

Raziel carefully sets Derrin down - he's not sure how to explain why he was carrying the otter anyway, so it might be best if that's not the first question he asks upon waking. The wildcat bends down quickly to pick up his sword, and strap it to it's proper place across his back, before turning back to the rest of the room. "Well...it's now or never. I hope you're right, Hershel."

The weasel rolls his eyes. "There is another passage we are going to take." Hershel clarifies, "With out booby traps I swear." He opens the door and sticks his head out, looking both ways to check if anyone was coming, "Now stick close. We are going to need to move fast. It's going to be a few lefts then maybe a right...maybe three rights? No! two lefts then a right up the stairs and into the kitchens. Yeah that's it!" The weasel gestures for them to follow as he goes through the door.

Rorgan shakes his head, sighing as he follows after Hershel. "Will we find anybeast in the kitchens?" He asks as he walks behind the weasel. This weasel is slowly loosing credibility by the second, but it's their only hope of escaping.

Raziel sees that Derrin still isn't awake, and that the others are moving on without him. The wildcat sighs heavily, and hefts Derrin over his shoulder once more. He really hopes the otter starts walking soon... "Who cares? It's better than mucking about the barracks in the middle of enemy territory..."

True to his word Hershel leads the beasts down corridor after corridor, turn after turn. Occasionally pausing as guards go by. He has to admittedly retrace his steps at least once before coming to a hallway leading to the great hall they arrived in. The room is filled with the activity of beasts who have yet to see the escapees. "OK...so...bare with me. It wasn't the kitchens but the great hall." He walks forward a bit, tapping on the ground with his wooden paw. "Ah, there it is. See that small hole in the floor, there is a latch in side, can one of you unlock it for me please...and quietly?" the weasel whispers.

Rorgan looks down at the ground curiously, kneeling and reaching into the hole. After a moment, there is a soft click, and he removes his arm, standing up. "And wot did that do exactly?" He asks.

Raziel stands a few steps behind - hunched over a bit, so as not to be INSTANTLY recognized by the beasts in the hall. It doesn't help that he's taller than pretty much everyone here. And stripy. And the only feline... "Can you hurry it up, whatever it is?"

There is a loud click as a square section of the brick ground opens up a crack. Unfortunately the noise garners the attention of the beasts in the hall. All heads turn and some beast screams, "It's the escaped prisoners!" Hershel curses trying to pry the hidden door open. "It gets us killed that's what! Blasted spring must have rusted. Quick! Get it open!"

Rorgan eyes widen, and he bends down, his muscles straining to practically rip the hidden door straight off. "Raziel, try t' intimidate them! Keep them away!"

Raziel doesn't need to be told twice. He sets Derrin aside, and draws his sword, marching ahead /towards/ the beasts, fangs bared, claws of his free paw fully extended. "VERY WELL!" He shouts. "Which of you sniveling little Woodlanders TOOK MY SPEAR?!" He growls, the rage completely genuine - if a little theatrical. "Bring him to me, and perhaps I'll only tear /him/ to shreds!!"

The hare that did take the spear has the misfortune to be leading the charge. Interestingly enough the hare is using a saber now. Regardless he and the dozen beasts behind him grind to a halt at the sight of the alleged wildcat butcher. "It's...him! The Mossflower butcher!" The hare gestures fearfully to the beasts behind him, "Quick! Kill him before he can rip us to shreds!" Behind the wild cat the door inside the floor opens up. "Time to go!" The crippled weasel leaps down with a giggle into the hole below, completely ignoring the ladder inside. Like the hallway above the hallway he falls into is paved with white bricks.

Rorgan pats Raziel on the back. "Time t' go Raz. We don't have time t' get yer spear, so hurry up!" With that, he drops down the hole as well, trusting Raziel to get Derrin when he follows.

Raziel ignores the otter, for the moment. He's not leaving without his spear. The cat takes a few steps closer to the assembled beasts, growling. Each step is slow, and measured. "Where. Is. My. Spear? So help me, I will gut every last one of you if I do not see it within the next ten seconds."

The militia respond by sending in two beasts to slash at the wild cat with their short swords. A brave mouse and otter indeed. The mouse swings high then the otter swings low all with the hare behind them shouting, "Get in there and fight!" There are maybe a dozen militia beasts flooding in to the room from behind the hare. At the other end of the hallway the sound of foot paws against the stone floor can be heard.

Raziel blocks the otter's low swing with his sword, and ducks under the mouse's blade - slashing the claws of his free paw across the rodent's neck while he's off balance...sending him down to the flagstones. In the same motion, he spins around to the otter's back, sinking his blade between the beast's ribs; letting him fall to the ground, sliding off of his blade. He stares coldly at the hare. "My. Spear."

The militia beasts all back away from the sudden carnage. The hare gulps as they push him forward. He is the fearless leader after all. "L-luco took it....I...don't know where he is..."

Raziel curses under his breath, but continues forward, grabbing the hare by the scruff of the neck. He lowers his voice, though it's still loud enough for anyone in the immediate area to hear. "Then tell him I'm coming when you see him." With that, he turns his back on the Militiabeasts - though he keeps an ear out to check if any start following. But he doubts it... The wildcat grabs Derrin, and with a final growl in the direction of the hare, jumps into the passageway. That went reasonably well.

Hershel pulls a lever on the side of the wall and the trap door closes shut. The beasts up above can be heard trying to get it open.

Rorgan looks around, trying to figure out where to go. "Hershel, where are we goin'?" He asks, eager to get out.

The hallway below the trap door is both dark, damp, and in as much disrepair as the last secret passage. Aside from the sound of running water coming from down in front of them the only other noise comes from above as the militia try to break their way through the stone door. "This way gentle beasts....towards the sound of running water. Don't worry we forced Percy to not make any traps for this one since it runs under the foundations of the base...heh," he chuckles then pauses, "Or he stopped because he stepped into his own spike trap...I forget which..."

Rorgan huffs, continuing to follow after Hershel. His only real concern at this point is getting Derrin out of this place alive, and he can feel how close they are to succeeding. His twin daggers are out in his paws, held tightly as he continues on.

Raziel grunts as he lands in the tunnel with Derrin, and sees the other two beasts already on their way forward. Of course. The wildcat hefts Derrin again, and tries to catch up. He's still not sure why the otter isn't taking care of the other otter directly...

The old weasel keeps chatting to himself as he walks towards the sound of running water. Mostly trivial things with no purpose. Eventually the party comes to a large interior cave. an underground river starts at the top and comes down in a waterfall running under a stone bridge and onward to parts unknown, there are four giant stone pillars set up on the four corners of the room. The room however is occupied...Dressed in full on plate mail with his signature mouse shaped helmet Luco stands in the middle of the bridge. Large kite shield in his left paw, Raz's spear in the other. "I thought you might take this rout vermin. When I kill you cat I will make sure to..." his eyes lay hold of Hershel and Luco grits his teeth, "Blast it! Why are YOU here!"

Rorgan growls, brandishing his daggers and waiting for any kind of trouble to strike, though truthfully he should be pulling out his bow right about now. However, he readies himself to launch his daggers at Luco, though only if he has a shot.

Raziel sets Derrin down next to Hershel, and snarls as he draws his sword, stepping forward towards the mouse. "Ah, Luco. You finally stopped hiding behind your worthless guards." The cat eyes his spear, his rage growing exponentially. "And I believe you have something of mine, /rodent/. I intend to pry it from your cold, dead paws, for all the trouble you've caused..." The wildcat draws ever closer, steel and claws bared.

The mouse rests his spear on the top of his shield, "You're one to talk cat..." Through the narrow slits of his helmet Luco's eyes burn with hatred, "You're the one hiding behind my father!" The mouse lunges spear first towards the wild cat.

Rorgan's eyes widen in surprise, and he launches his dagger at the mouse in an attempt to stop him from harming Raziel or Derrin for that matter. "Hershel, stay back!" He shouts as he bounds forward, regardless of whether or not the dagger impacts.

Raziel knows how to fight a spear - he fights /with/ a spear all the time! He takes Rorgan's distraction as an opportunity to step out of the way, the spear tip thrusting past him, and brings the metal pommel of his sword down /hard/ on the mouse's wrist. He /needs/ his spear back, and he /wants/ to use it to end this zealous beast once and for all.

The mouse knows how to fight with a spear as well. He curses at the distraction of a blade bouncing off his armor and nearly screams bloody murder when the sword hilt connects with his wrist but he refuses to let go. He ties to bash the wild cat in the face with his shield.

Raziel takes a substantial hit, and the fur above his eye starts bleeding. "Have I mentioned how much I /HATE/ you?!" The mouse doesn't have a much unarmored flesh to stab at, and his lack of a tail only makes that more obvious. Although...that must come at the cost of balance. The cat changes his tactics, waiting for the mouse to lunge again.

Unfortunately, the mouse won't get the chance to lunge as a snarling Rorgan comes barreling into the mouse in a tackle, his own dagger still gripped in one paw. The armor may hurt to smash into, but the attack was likely well worth it as the otter's thought process had gone through the same one as Raziel's.

The mouse growls at the otter and his feet kick up dust as he is moved backwards towards the edge of the bridge but he refuses to go over the edge. "Traitor!" With the otter pinning his spear next to his body he shoves Rorgan off toss the spear sideways at him in the process, mostly by accident. He quickly draws his war hammer in his free hand and strikes at the wild cat.

Raziel would attempt to grab his spear - if he wasn't being threatened by a large chunk of metal on a stick. The wildcat raises his sword to block, having to divert the hammer's momentum along the length of the blade, sparks flying as it slides. If the cat's sword was any lighter, or of a lesser quality...it most likely would have simply broken. As it stands, the cat's arm stings from the impact, but he is alive.

Rorgan stumbles back from the push, close to the edge. However, he catches the spear that was thrown at him. Noticing the mouse's attention diverted, he grips the spear tightly and shoves the point towards Luco as hard as he can.

Luco gasps as the spear catches him in the side. With the armor he is wearing it is impossible to say how deep the wound went into the chink in his armor. Ever the warrior he yells at them, "I will take you to the dark forest myself before I lose to the likes of you." He pushes forward, trying to push Raz, and himself over the bridge and into the swirling waters below. "Luco!" Hershel shouts, paw outstretch.

Raziel isn't about to let the mouse live - and he's not losing his spear. He doesn't move out of the way, letting the mouse hit him...than grabbing the haft of his spear, pushing the blade forward with all his might, even as the armor-clad mouse pushes him backwards, over the edge. They fall, in what seems to be slow motion...before hitting the churning water with a splash, leaving only a spreading cloud of red water in their wake...

Rorgan, who hadn't gotten the chance to release his grip on the spear, is actually pulled straight over the edge with the wildcat and the mouse, though he doesn't make one sound on the way down.

(END)

Or is it...?