Travel at Night, Not always wise
Scioto walks beside Astra, his vision still somewhat brothering him but now that it’s dark the light is not around to make his eyes hurt slightly as he walks quietly up the road towards Ferravale.
Astra has been quiet, mainly cause Scioto has been, but she speaks now, “You know, they could of sent a sparrow to let them know you were at Redwall and we could of maybe stayed a few more days not just two days. I rather like Redwall Abbey.”
Scioto rolls his eye, “Well I rather of spend as little time as possible in that place besides I am needed at the village and you should know that Astra.”
Astra sighs and stops walking, “Why do you seem to hate Redwall for? What did they ever do to you Scioto, I mean don’t you have a peace treaty with them?” She waits on an answer and hopes he doesn’t just keep walking.
Scioto stops and turns around and almost glares at the other cat, “Have you not heard what happen over the summer? Was there not rumors going around Mossflower?”
Astra frowns “No I was not in Mossflower the whole time I was away but whats it have to do with anything? Did they do something to anger you?”
Scioto shakes his head “Marek happen, he managed to take over the abbey and I had went to the abbey’s aid and was stuck there for a whole season. I took have my fighting beasts to aid the abbey and ¾ of those were killed by Marek either in battle or later dyeing of their wounds. The other ¼ slowly joined his side. Did I? Heck No I would refuse every single day he asked as I had to report to the great Lord Marek every morning and evening, usually at the pond. At first he keep me locked in some old office and then always wanted to walk with me here or there or make sure a former fighter of mine did. Yes I managed to slip away once or twice and be on my own and slowly started hating the place feeling trapped and my anger grew to the point I was left alone by everyone. How do you think it felt when some of the Redwall beast though maybe he works for Marek as well…it felt horrible. I even grumbled at Lorimis once.”
Astra frowns “I am sorry I didn’t know. I could of took you elsewhere when you had snow blindness but if seemed the best place.”
Scioto shakes his head “Yeah blind for 2-3 days in the Abbey, only made me feel more trapped than I did the one season of the takeover, oh yeah they clearly got the abbey back and I even fought alongside them to help, then I left as soon as I could. And to answer another question yes I have a peace treaty with them and it simply means I won’t attack their abbey. I will not harm any of their order beasts or any I know is from there. There is only a couple I have higher respect for..Abbot Lorimis..Elder Benar..and that head Guard Lee..ok 3 beasts all the others if they annoy me enough will see my grumpy side up close. As for any of those 3 in Ferravale…all others had better let me know they are coming. I will jail Redwall beasts if they disobey my rules and if they get harmed in the village it is not my fault as I cannot watch beasts in Ferravale 24/7..now let’s get back to Ferravale” He turns to head on up the road.
Little had they known their talking has got the attention of a brown furred cat and a weasel. They seem more interested in Astra than Scioto as the weasel takes aim with their longbow and fires off an arrow towards her back.
Astra sighs and moves forwards to follow him when she suddenly gasps in pain as the arrow flies across her side cutting deep into it and she stumbles into the snow holding her side and drops of red start to coat the white snow.
Scioto’s ears go back as he turns around “What now---“ He then looks like he can’t catch his breath as he sees the red and rushes to her side “ Astra!”
The weasel cusses loudly and then follows the cat as they go to finish off the clan cat Astra. The cat manages to slice her ear and the weasel gets a good kick in the gut when he tries to slice her already bleeding side.
Scioto has his blade out as he slashes at the brown cat and attempts to kick the weasel to the side of the snow. A growl comes from his throat and his ears are laid back against his head as if he is able he will get between them and Astra.
Astra lays in the snow and starts to shiver as she bleeds more from her side and her ear, she tries to focus on whats happening and then she passes out.
The weasel is surprised as the kick connects to his leg and he falls onto his bottom. The brown cat gets a cut across his chest and hisses as he goes to stab toward the other cat’s shoulder blade.
Scioto blocks the sword with his own and narrows his eye as he moves back and angles the blade and moves it toward the other cat’s chest again while his sword arm is up, he can’t block that fast most likely.
The brown cat gets a –what the heck just happen- look on his face as the blade of Scioto cuts deep and true and the brown cat falls backwards dead before he even hits the ground. His weasel friend however takes the chance to try and stab Scioto in the back.
Astra remains laying in the snow, right now unmoving, is she alive?
Scioto spins around in time to avoid a rather nasty wound, he gets stabbed in the lower right arm instead and growls in pain, he grabs the weasel by the throat and slams him into a tree rather hard.
The weasel makes a surprised gasp sound as his airway is suddenly cut off and then he flies threw the air and hits the tree breaking his neck and back and falling sideways, he slowly lifts his throwing dagger to try and flick it at Scioto, He manages to flick it just barely and it lands at the cat’s footpaw.
Scioto narrows his eye at the weasel as he calmly walks over, he then stabs into his chest, where his heart is and then pulls a now bloody blade back out.
The weasel tenses a moment and then is dead.
Astra still has yet to move.
Scioto takes a few moments to catch his breath and hurries over to Astra as he rips his cloak sleeves off to use as a bandage for her side and ear, he gently shakes her shoulder as worry is shown, “Astra?..Astra please be ok, please answer me.” He goes to take her pulse and since he is shaky he is having problems. “Astra?..Astra please be alive”
Astra has a pulse, it’s a little weaker than it should be but it’s there and she is breathing slowly due to the fact she is unconcious, she starts to shiver a little from the cold.
Scioto gently as he can picks her up and walks a little ways into the woods and lays her down, he starts to campfire from some fallen limps due to the storm a few days before. He goes to check on her once more even taking off his cloak to keep her warm, “Astra..please.” He sounds like he is near..crying? ” Just..don’t die..I..I can’t go through something again….”
A few minutes later
The night is usually quiet on a night like this, a storm but a few days ago and no one ever clears the road much and just tonight a couple more inches added to this. A campfire has been made a little ways into the woods and on the road the white is stained with red and signs of a fight are seen. A dead weasel as well as a dead cat(no not Astra or Scioto). By the campfire is a very worried looking Scioto kneeling by an unconcious Astra. He knows enough to bind wounds but is not perfect as he speaks "Please,...Don't do this to me."
There is the steady crunch of footpaws coming thru the darkness though you can see no beast and it approaches closer and closer obviously coming toward the firelight.
Astra has a bandaged side and one around her left ear as she has Scioto's cloak over her for extra warmth, probably not a good idea for him, and doesn't show signs of waking right now.
Scioto ears are keen even when upset and he once more draws his blade and stands in a defense pose ready to strike if need be and stays close to Astra.
Oakenpaw appears out of the gloom, his signature walking staff with him and his healers bag, together was a back pack of several blankets
Astra gives a weak groan and shivers a little as the campfire starts to lessen some cause of the wind.
Scioto tenses for a fight when he sees the hare and shakes his head "Do NOT do that Oakenpaw, you could have easily been wounded just now, a move I would of not liked afterwards. But I am glad to see you."
Oakenpaw tramps directly toward Astra "Not to worry Chief, you are not that good ta wound me, I saw ya...you don't think these things on me head are just for good looks wot?"
He kneels down "Wot ave' we got ere', you could have heard that fight a league away, figured someone be hurt." His paws are gentle as he begins tending Astra.
Astra shivers, he side is grazed by an arrow as it slide past her, her ear has a bad cut and she has blood on the bandage on her side now seeping through.
Scioto says, "A couple beasts, who seemed to know her came out of nowhere and attacked us and I am quicker than you think Oakenpaw when it comes to a fight, maybe a slight bit off as my eye still hurts some in the light or reflected light. I had snow blindness and recently got my vision back "
Oakenpaw asks, "Well let’s take a look at this one seeping first, look at the worst wot? Beasts do not die of ear wounds, and this graze....nuttin" He looks at the bandage seeping though.
Astra wound on her side is a little deep in one place like someone maybe tried to deepen the wound with a blade. Luckily it missed anything vital but it will still need stiches here, further down the side is not as deep, but has cut into the skin enough to bleed. Her ear should be fine but does still freely bleed some.
Oakenpaw is tempted to cauterize the wound, but he goes after his needle and thread and gets ready "This thread, the healers call "cat gut" Chief" He chuckles
Scioto frowns "A poor choice of name if you ask me.." He looks at Astra as his worry returns, "Will she..be ok?"
Astra groans weakly as she starts to mutter slightly, but it's unclear yet just what she is saying.
Oakenpaw asks, "From this SCRATCH? oh good heavens Chief, I am a better healer then THAT “ He begins sticking the needle in and suturing "Prob won't even ave a scar"
Scioto says, "That’s more than just a scratch Oakenpaw"
Oakenpaw says, "You exaggerate Chap" The practical hare says "Nothing h ere that need be worried bout" He is pretty quick with the sutures "Throw some more wood on at fire and make sure MATILDA is not part of it"
Astra moves slightly, it is deeper than a scratch where he needs to sew, she tenses up a little at some pain.
Scioto folds his arms over his chest and looks around "I wouldn’t do that and the problem is finding dry wood." He finds a few dry trigs luckily under a fallen tree that’s positioned just right to have snow avoid one side, the chieftain uses his blade to get the trigs and adds them to the fire.
Oakenpaw nods and begins packing her wounds with most moss that stops infection "if the fire be big enough the wood will dry Chap”
Astra starts to shiver a little less as the fire builds back up, she mutters again.."S..Scioto..."
Oakenpaw asks, "Aye, wot would you want THAT dusty old cat fer?"
Scioto sighs and is once more at Astra's side when she speaks, "I am here." He slowly takes her paw in his and stays beside her and says nothing to the hare his focus is Astra.
Astra grips his paw slightly and calms a little, she isn’t fully awake but awake enough to know Scioto is here and it helps her feel better.
Oakenpaw finishes making sure Astra is no longer leaking anywhere and is all bandaged before putting blankets on her and beginning to make a travois to transport her to Ferravale
Scioto watches the hare "Is it wise to head back right away?" He looks around and has stayed on alert for any possible trouble.
Oakenpaw asks, "you would rather she stay out here and be cold?"
Scioto frowns "True and I believe we are close to Ferravale and I have been away 3-4 days we should head back and get somewhere warmer.." Snow starts falling again, "Yes a good idea to head back home"
Oakenpaw nod nods and Loads Astra on and making sure she is both tucked in and secure. He then picks up one side and with Scioto begins trudging back to the town, taking his staff and healers bag with him.
Astra is for now warm since she has extra blankets and the extra cloak.
Scioto makes sure all is well as they walk. No dangers happen on the way just some snow falling a little quicker but they do make it back to Ferravale and the infirm there.
