One fine morning...

A group of beasts sets off to take the body of wildfire back to Ferrevale. How far will they get when a certain lizard arrives with news about Derrin's whereabouts?

Note: Icly the date is set ambiguously so as not to interfere with other current icly events.

Early morning sunlight fills the great hall with its ambiance. Although the weather outside is chilled the room is warmed by the fire place as abbey beasts go about their business to and from the various rooms attached to the great hall. There are currently two beasts sitting at the table. One is a jet black fox, the other a pot bellied brown furred pine marten. Both are finishing off a healthy plate of breakfast, especially healthy for the pine marten who is finishing off what was once a tall stack of pancakes. For one reason or another the abbey beasts seem to regard both vermin with an uneasy glance as they pass by to go do their chores.

Inside the same great hall, removed from the rest of the action, is an otter similarly colored jet black compared to the fox. The otter is not wearing the armor that he usually wears around, but is instead wearing a green tunic with brown leather pants. The tunic sleeves are missing, which shows more of the bright red tattoo on his right arm that extends up slightly onto his shoulder from his wrist.

The fox idly twirls his fork through the air as he talks, "...and then I said, "So who is next?" And all these militia thugs start to back away from me..." The marten raises an eyebrow, "Really? All these mice were afraid of one story telling fox armed with a knife?" Wilks replies with a laugh, "Well little did I know at the time that the snake had come back to life behind me." The marten chuckles, "I still can't fathom a snake large enough to swallow a fox but, ok."

Rorgan's ear twitches as the conversation goes on, and he looks over towards the pair, standing and walking closer to them. "Wilks? Wot exactly are you talkin' about?" He asks.

Wilks chuckles as he sees Rorgan and waves him over. The fox has also grown a little thick since their last encounter but not nearly to the extend Wilks was during his first visit to Redwall. "Come on over Rorgan. Have you met Liam? I was telling him about our adventure with the snake a while back." The marten nods, "I have met Rorgan, if however briefly." He says with a smile.

Rorgan nods to the marten, his expression turning rather somber, but he brightens as he grins at Wilks. "Ah, you were tellin' him of our encounter eh? Did you tell him how the snake did most o' the work for us?" He asks with a chuckle.

"Heh, I'm just thankful it liked the taste of mice over fox. If Rorgan and Lason didn't come in when they did I would very likely be laying in the belly of that over fed monster." The marten chuckles. "I just hope the snake likes the taste of fox over marten if we ever run into him." Then to Rorgan Liam says in a more somber tone, "Me and Wilks are heading out today to take the body of the Ferrevale inn keeper back to her home town. Our mutual...'friend' Dylan brought her into Redwall a few day's ago. Apparently Wildfire was ambushed by bandits or something."

Rorgan frowns. "Really?! She was basically harmless! What would bandits want with her? Unless it was a random attack....but speaking of Dylan, where is he? I need t' talk t' him 'bout Derrin. He-..." He cuts off, looking down for a few moments silently.

A clawed hand clasps down on Rorgans shoulder. "He needs to what?" Dyaln says with a joyful grin. The lizard had been coming up the stairs from the Cavernhole when the conversation began. He looks to be in good health despite the cold weather outside. Still, the lizard feels almost nervous having to be with out his weapons for more than a few minutes when entering Redwall.

Rorgan turns, breaking into a wide smile as he sights Dylan. "Dylan, mate! 'Tis good t' see you!" He gives the lizard a strong hug before shaking his head as he steps back. "A-Anyway, 'twas nothing. Just..somethin'..."

Liam only shakes his head as the lizard makes an appearance. Dylan isn't quite sure how to respond to the hug. After a lengthy pause he says, "Nice to see you as well Rorgan. I've been looking for you actually." Dylan's grin makes him look like a feral dragon about to tear into his prey. "I got a lead on Derrin." The marten turns away from his unfinished meal and raises an eyebrow, "You found Derrin?"

Rorgan shakes his head. "N-No..." He actually seems quite uncertain about what to say. "I...had a conversation with a patron in the ferravale tavern about Derrin. Somehow, he came to the conclusion that we could be brothers, but I don't quite understand how. I mean, we don't look that much alike, do we?"

Liam shrugs, "You do have a familiar resemblance come to think of it." Dylan laughs, "To be honest I have trouble telling you furry woodland species apart as it is but...yeah. Kind of."

Rorgan frowns, looking between Liam and Dylan. "You really think so?" He asks, like he hadn't thought of the possibility before.

Dylan gives a lizardly shrug, "I guess we will just have to ask him about it when we rescue him." The lizard pokes the otter in the chest with a claw. "You will NOT believe the trouble I've gone through for you. I've had to spend many nights out on the road waiting to be attacked by the militia just so I can ambush them." Crossing his arms Dylan continues, "I finely got a lead on where the militia keep their prisoners...the ones they don't execute out right at least."

Rorgan raises an eyebrow at this, trying hard to hide his excitement. "Really? Wot's the location?!" He asks hastily, more and more excited at the prospect of being able to do something to help his friend after sulking around the abbey feeling useless.

Needless to say Liam and Wilks are both interested in this development as well. Dylan however shakes his head, "I said lead on the camps location. Not the actual camp location persay. I found a small militia outpost in the woods between Redwall and Ferrevale. It looks like some kind of way point for the Militia's supply routs. I've seen them send troops, supplies, even live prisoners through there." Wilks nods to this information, "And you think you can find this...Derren fellow by taking the camp?" Dylan replies with another lizardly shrug, "Sort of. Actually I plan on posing as a prisoner and letting them send me off to where ever the militia keeps their captives. Unfortunately I will need someone to pose as a militia officer and none of my beasts will fit the bill per say." The lizard smiles again while drumming his claws together. He looks to Rorgan with a wide toothy smile.

Rorgan freezes at the lizard's smile. "You can't be suggesting.." He begins before cutting off. Posing as a militia officer was the last thing he wanted to do. His hatred for the group was so strong by now, he knew he would have problems trying to not kill anybeast, but he reasoned that if this was going to help save Derrin, then he had to try, because if he didn't, he knew his friend would likely die or be used as a slave, which wasn't an option. "Fine..how exactly d'ye plan on doin' this?" He asks finally.

Safana walks in from the stairs and stops at the bottom of the stairs

Dylan chuckles, the lizard pats the otter on the shoulder, "Leave all the details to me." He says with a squinty eyed smile that suggests that you should NOT leave all the details with him. He then turns to Wilks as the fox says, "We were planning on taking Wildfire to Ferrevale today. Would you be willing to provide an escort for at least some of the way?" Dylan replies with a shrug. "I don't see why not."

Rorgan shrugs, though also nodding in agreement. His belief in his abilities was still quite shaken after the incident with the lizard cave, but he figured he could try. "I think we can do that. Least I can do fer a friend." He says with a smile at Wilks.

Safana looks at the beasts talking and step the rest of the way into the room

Dylan turns to see the cat enter the room. Yet another beast he needs to talk too but doesn't have the time. Who knew being a bandit would be such a busy task? "Alright. If you are all ready then we should head out soon." Liam nods, "Yes, before the next winter storms strikes preferably.

Rorgan looks between the three beasts, though ignoring the newcomer. "Right, my armor is in the bell tower along with my weapons. We'll stop by there and we'll be on our way."

Dylan claps his claws together. "Capitol! Then let's get started." The lizard leads the procession by heading for the great hall doors. Liam only shakes his head. He will never learn to trust that lizard. Wilks on the other hand is happy to have some kind of escort for a change. The road is a dangerous place after all. Both beasts move off for the doors...

The road to Ferrevale is cold and still covered snow by the time midday rolls around. Thankfully by now most of the snow has been shoved off to the side into the woods around them by travelers. Liam and Wilks both push a small hand cart with the body of Wildfire wrapped in linens inside it. Dylan leads the way while whistling a merry tune.

Beside Dylan, strung bow in paw, is Rorgan, walking silently along the path. After spending most of the journey silent, his curiosity finally got the best of him. "Dylan, how exactly d'ye plan t' get this t' work?" He finally asks.

Dylan chuckles, "WeeeEEEeelll." he begins. "I've been as much of a thorn in the militia's side as they have in mine. I've racked up quite the bounty actually. They are looking for me and any beasts that can give away my location." He gestures down the road a ways where a shape is sitting on a log off the side of the road. As they draw closer the shape becomes clearer. It is in fact the fattest, largest weasel one has ever seen. Dylan waves as they approach. Fargo nervously waves back at the lizard and his party. He has a bag thrown over his shoulder.

Sitting next to the weasel, very noticeably sitting off as far on the side of the log away from Fargo as possible, is an Arctic fox clothed in thin leather armor and armed with twin daggers. Upon the arrival of the party, the fox looks down at the ground. Obviously, he is uncomfortable with these types of situations.

The lizard gestures for liam and wilks to wait a ways behind them before moving forward. "Ah good. Everyone is here. Rorgan, meet Fargo and Toran. Toran is an assassin I picked up to help with this particular mission. Fargo is a merchant that runs supplies to our gang." The lizard adds, "Did you bring it?" The fat black tailed weasel nods, "Yeah, one bag full of militia gear. Right here." He taps the bag on his shoulder, the lizard nods, "Good good. Hey Rorgan, remember how I said you were going to capture me and bring me in for a bounty? I of course ment you were going to do that to Fargo." The weasel blinks once or twice, "What?" he says with a growing air of panic.

Toran's ear twitches slightly as his name is spoken, but doesn't do much else. Rorgan on the other hand frowns at the overweight weasel. "Uh...won't they know it's not you Dylan?" He asks, very confused and very interested in the quiet fox assassin sitting silently on the log.

Fargo is equally interested in why Dylan is throwing him to the proverbial wolves. His mouth hangs agap and unable to speak. So Dylan continues. "Oh, the militia would kill me on sight. Beasts however like fargo they take alive to question. See..." the lizard pats teh weasel on the shoulder, "I've been spreading rumors lately to the proper channels that Fargo here knows something about my whereabouts. That he is infact a high level member of my organization. You are going to bring him in to the camp, follow him to where they are keeping the prisoners while one of my men follows you both from a distance and reports back to me. After that my gang raids the prison camp and rescues Derrin. Toran...well i will let Toran fill you in on what he is going to do."

Toran stands, clearing his throat, very obviously nervous. "W-Well," He begins in a small voice. "I will be making my own way in, and I will be watching you two. Kind of like an escort, but I'll be staying hidden and I'll only be coming out if the mission is in jeopardy."

Fargo begins to whine, "The blazes! Dylan! You didn't tell me this part of the plan! I...I...why would you do this too me? Those militia might kill me!" The lizard laughs, "Fargo, Fargo, Fargo. You need to learn to live a little. Have fun, go on an adventure." The weasel's face becomes a contorted mix of fear and shock as the lizard wraps his claws around the weasels shoulder. "Relax Fargo, i'm sure you will do great!" Dylan adds dangerously, "At least for your own sake I hope you do..."

Toran and Rorgan both raise an eyebrow at this. Toran, for his part, remains silent. Rorgan however, speaks up. "Right, so do I at least get t' keep my bow?" He asks, slightly worried about going somewhere dangerous without his prized instrument of death.

The lizard laughs again, giving the terrified weasel a shake before letting him go, "You can keep what ever you want. You just need to look the part of a militia member." He snaps his claws and Fargo opens the bag at his feet with a disgruntled sigh. The burlap sack is filled with a red bandanna and various other clothing items that the militia wear on occasion. "You just need to look the part."

Rorgan frowns at the clothing on the ground. Well this was certainly going to be an interesting task for him. Bending down, he picks up the bandanna, beginning to tie it around his forehead. "Right, so anythin' else I need t' know?"

Fargo whimpers. He is going to die. He is SO going to die. Dylan ignores the weasel and says, "The camp is a couple of the miles to the west. Follow the dry creek bed, well frozen creek bed until you come to it. Me and my gang will follow you at a distance. If you have any trouble Toran will take care of it. If you find Derrin tie this blue cloth to one of the guard posts, a fence, anything as long as we can see it." The lizard hands Rorgan a large blue cloth and a heavy duty green rag. Both are large enough to see from a distance, "Use the green one to signal us to not attack."

The otter tilts his head in slight confusion. "Now why would I give this signal? If I need more time maybe?" He asks. Toran crosses his arms, studying the black furred otter with his observant eye, though preferring to remain silent. What a fox of few words eh?

Dylan chuckles, "Only use the green one if Derrin is dead." He says bluntly. Fargo timidly raises a paw, the lizard rolls his eyes and sighs, "Yes Fargo what is it?" The weasel gulps, "A-are you sure I'm the best beast for this job? Certainly someone ELSE is b-better at this?" Dylan laughs, "If you don't want to do this I suppose I can convince Zatil back at camp to do it for you." Dylan grins evilly, "I"m sure the monitor lizard would just LOVE for you to explain why he is  going and you are staying back in the safety of the camp." Fargo gulps again and remains silent as Dylan finishes, "Right then. If nothing else are you all ready?"

Toran watches the unfamiliar otter wince, emotional pain very obviously present in his eyes. The fox almost felt a pang of sympathy for the otter...almost..."Right," says the fox. "We should be going then once Rorgan is done getting the gear on." In response the otter waves a paw dismissively. "I'll put it on while we walk," He says.

Fargo sighs. Vivid images of what the militia will do to him are flooding the young weasels mind. Will it be execution by arrow? Hanging? Will his hide end up as a rug in front of someones fire place? Wait, were they not feeding prisoners to a snake not to long ago?! The pudgy weasel clutches at his stomach, feeling very sick. Dylan chuckles at the sight and shakes his head. Leaning closer to Rorgan so only he can hear the lizard says, "Do try to bring Fargo back alive please."

In response, the otter simply nods, picking up the burlap sack and setting it on his shoulder. "I'll see wot I can do mate," he says with a chuckle. Toran, on the other hand, readjusts his belt, checking his daggers and basically trying to busy himself so no other beasts would attempt to speak with such an obviously busy assassin fox who could quite possibly kill them before they knew what had happened. "Is everybeast ready then?" Asks Rorgan.

Fargo states simply, "No." Dylan replies by patting the weasel on the shoulder and giving him a push towards the camp to the west. "Capitol! Happy hunting all." The lizard waves them off then heads back to where the fox and marten are still waiting by the cart pulling the body of Wildfire.

Toran and Rorgan walks off with the weasel. The fox has his paw on Fargo's shoulder just in case he had anymore second thoughts. The trio make their way off towards the specified direction, with Rorgan constantly thinking of his friend in captivity. He had half a mind to throw away the green cloth, as he refused to believe his friend was dead. "I'll save you Derrin.." He whispers to himself.