Treatment

[Rocky]

"Well, that was anticlimatic"

Rocky's head snapped upwards and stared at the ermine. Redwall was nice enough to take him in and he's still acting rude? Rocky stood up and stared at the ermine and walked over to Tirael's side, and laying a hand on his friends shoulder, ''If it was anticlimatic, would you like to leave? Because, in all honesty, I wouldn't mind that, at all.'' His old attitude, the one he threw away when he gained his otter troops back, was re-surfacing. Although Rocky may be regretting it inside, he showed no emotion on the outside.

Then, the ermine spoke once more,

"How long will my leg take to heal fully?"

Tirael had just opened his mouth to respond,

"Well, i-"

... When he was cut off by the ermine...

"Come to think of it, I may be in here for a longer time. In that case, may I request that reading material be brought to my bedside that I may have something to ponder whilst I wait for the healing of my injuries? I ask not for your vital records, but merely for the books of poetry and mighty deeds that I know must be in such a place as this."

"May be in here for a longer time?'' Rocky asked, raising one eyebrow and letting his hand fall back to his side. "In here, you can stay as long as you like... if you show some manners.''

Then, the chieftan took in some more words being told to Tirael. No one talked to Rocky's friend like that.

"I feel,'' Rocky began in a whisper that only Tirael could hear, ''He may be needing something besides books.'' Rocky gave Tirael a little nudge then looked back over to the ermine, ''I'll get your book, sir.''

Now, turning back to his friend, he asked, ''What book would you prescribe?''

[Directed by M. Night Shyamalan]

Farrel stood up, and stretched. He checked his wound, it looked almost ready to go by now. After the arrow head was gone, it was really not much more than a deep cut. Another day and it would be fine. He stretched again, and yawned. e turned to Rocky and asked.

"Excuse me sir, do you know where I could get some food? I am famished." Farrel had heard of Redwall's famous, and infamous foods, and he yearned to try some.

[Tirael]

''He may be needing something besides books."

Tirael gave a quiet laugh that, to anybeast besides the Skipper, would have just sounded like an odd breath. It was nice, having somebeast on his side. He then proceeded to watch the continued interaction between Rocky and Lentil.

''What book would you prescribe?''

The infirmary keeper thought a moment, then murmured, "Look for the recordings of a Sister Rella, it should be a big, dusty old brown volume with white stitching. She has to have been the most longwinded vole in the history of Redwall." Not to mention that absolutely nothing of interest seemed to have happened during her existence, and that she seemed obsessed with describing every irrelevant detail of her surroundings in a way that put you to sleep as well as any medicine.

"Excuse me sir, do you know where I could get some food? I am famished."

Tirael turned, his eyes widening as he saw Farrel standing and stretching. Hurrying over to him somewhat clumsily, he pushed him down to a sitting position with what experience had told him was the proper amount of force and gentleness. "Excuse me for forgetting, I'll have some sent up immediately. But please, I only just stitched you up a few minutes ago, I can't have you up and about yet, or you'll open your wound again and bleed to death!" Walking to the infirmary door, he stuck his head out and was fortunate enough to find a hedgehog and a squirrel walking nearby. "Uhh, could you tell the kitchens to send up two trays for my patients?" They nodded, he thanked them, and they left.

Turning, he walked back into his infirmary, sitting in a wooden chair by a desk. Sighing, he stared at Lentil for a short while, he twitched his snout and asked, "And you? What do you plan to do when you leave here?" His tone had an edge to it; he still wasn't quite ready to be completely cordial with the ermine.

[Directed by M. Night Shyamalan]

Farrel muttered an old curse and sat down. He did not like laying in bed all day. He saw Tirael go out, and come back. In. When he was seated again He asked The Skipper.

"'Cuse me Skipper, but could you watch over my blades while I deteriorate here in bed?" He handed his two swords, and two dirks to the otter. Turning to Tirael, he asked.

"Excuse me sir, when will I be up again?"

[dirgecallers]

"Well," Lentle replied to the otter," Obviously I cannot leave this place for quite some time. My leg needs to heal for starters, and after that who knows how long it would take for me to build up my strength again. Nay, it might be a long while yet. As for what I intend to do? It is clear in my mind. I must go back to my homeland, which obviously I never should have left." Lentle gestured at his injured leg as he said this.

"But the time for jokes is past I think. I fully intend to put as much distant between myself and this abbey when I have healed. There is no sense in me staying here, where no strange beast is overmuch trusted. I have an idea which somewhat involves me and a couple of other beasts, and compensation for this little injury....But I guess you probably knew that already."

Lentle turned to Farrel now and observed the state the marten was in. It did not look like he would be getting up anytime soon at least. If he was right, he and the marten would be staying here for equal amounts of time. A Marten was a rare enough beast these days that was sure. Lentle knew enough about them though to know that their loyalties were almost always clear cut to whomever they were serving under. At least that had been his experience.

"Tell the marten over by the bed" Lentle said to Tirael," That by the extent of his injuries, He will not be out of bed until I am at least. I used to know some facts about these types of injuries, and of this I am certain. Farrel is not likely to be up sooner than that unless a freak acident happens or he is able to will his way up out of bed. Dunno really, some beasts are impervious to pain like that."

(done)

[Tirael]

"Well," Lentle replied to the otter," Obviously I cannot leave this place for quite some time. My leg needs to heal for starters, and after that who knows how long it would take for me to build up my strength again. Nay, it might be a long while yet. As for what I intend to do? It is clear in my mind. I must go back to my homeland, which obviously I never should have left."

"Apparently not," Tirael said.

"Excuse me sir, when will I be up again?"

The infirmary keeper turned to look at Farrel. He didn't understand why the marten was so intent on getting out immediately, but he was obligated to keep him there as long as was necessary. "You'll have to wait unti-"

He could hardly believe it as Lentle cut him off again. He wished fervently that the ermine would heal up and leave already; he seemed to get a kick out of being a know-it-all.

"You may have known it, sir, but in case you haven't noticed, it's my job to know. And if you actually let me speak, maybe I can do that job." He wasn't sure if the ermine was aware of how rudely he came across, but either way, Tirael needed to give him that wake-up call.

[Rocky]

Rocky was about to walk out and grab the book Tirael told him of, when Farrel talked to him, asking if he could hold his blades. "I.. uh..." Was all he managed before the pine marten was holding his blades out for him to hold. Reluctantly, the otter walked over there and grabbed the two swords and two dirks. HE didn'tlike how Farrel had handed them to him before he could object, but, he didn't mind. Just doing another deed, Rocky viewed it as.

He held a broadsword in each arm, and put both the dirks in his belt, figuring it would be easier to hod that way. Rocky looked at the swords, quite intrigued by them. They were quite nice.

He moved over so he was in the area, between Farrel's bed and the ermine's bed. He didn't know the exact reason, probably just feeling that if the ermine were to do something, Rocky, being the only one really capable of fighting seeing as how his friend didn't carry a weapon (not that Rocky knew of), would be the only one really able to stop him.

"Tell the marten over by the bed" Lentle said to Tirael," That by the extent of his injuries, He will not be out of bed until I am at least. I used to know some facts about these types of injuries, and of this I am certain. Farrel is not likely to be up sooner than that unless a freak acident happens or he is able to will his way up out of bed. Dunno really, some beasts are impervious to pain like that."

The skipper was really getting fed up with this ermine. The way he talked, acted, and basically declared everything with a bold attitude was starting to rub Rocky the wrong way.

He turned his head so he was facing Lentle and stare at him, his gaze unwavering. "Are you the infirmary keeper?" He snapped, "No. I didn't think so. Keep your mouth shut. It's not your job. Just lay down, close your eyes and never wake up so you'll do us all a favor.''

His eyes blazed with anger. He finally realized how mean he probably sounded, but didn't care, really. "We're so kindas to let you into our home, and nurse you to help, and this is how you act? Boldy declaring what you need or want? Doing Tirael's job for him? Keep quiet!''

OOC: Sorry about the length and the way it was written, Im in a hurry.

[Directed by M. Night Shyamalan]

"Thanks for holding those blades of mine Skipper." Farrel stretched his lean frame, and winced as his stomach wound poked him. He lay back down in his bed, and rolled onto his back.

"So, Skipper, you've seen many battles?"

[Cluny the Scurge]

Brother Gaelic jumped in heroically "Hey pine martin can I join you when you leg heals fore some cleanin'!" he grinned. He un-sheathed a beautiful sword. It looked plain but it's pomel was of ruby and gold. It's was named Gareth.

[Tirael]

"We're so kindas to let you into our home, and nurse you to help, and this is how you act? Boldy declaring what you need or want? Doing Tirael's job for him? Keep quiet!''

Tirael shrank back a bit as Rocky snapped at Lentle. He had been getting sick of him, too, but asking him to die was going a step too far for the relatively soft otter. Placing a paw on Rocky's shoulder, he said quietly, "Skip, calm down. I don't like him either, but it's my job to keep him safe, no matter what." If the chieftain wanted to kill the ermine, he could wait until he had healed and left Tirael's infirmary.

"Hey pine marten, can I join you when your leg heals for some cleanin'!"

Tirael looked to the door in surprise as Gaelic burst into the room. He wasn't sure how the mouse knew about Farrel's presence (probably gossip), or what his intentions were, but his rather loud entrance, and especially his pulling out his sword, set Tirael's already-stretched temper off.

"Are you crazy!? Put that thing away, I don't even want to see it in here!" It never struck him as odd that he was treating a mouse three years his senior like a naughty child; mainly because Gaelic generally seemed to be a naughty child at heart, good-intentioned but poorly behaved. "And if you even think of going after one of my patients with a sword, so help me, I'll kick you into next season!" He breathed heavily; it wasn't often that his temper snapped like that.

[Rocky]

OOC: Haha Tir. Lmao. And, my next ost will be Skip.. calming down and apologizing.. Hey Dirge, you'll find out that Rocky... does that.. alot. Ask Tir. Ill calm him down.

[dirgecallers]

ooc:okay, Ill make my post after skipper calms down doncha worry

[Directed by M. Night Shyamalan]

Farrel was waiting for his answer when a mouse waving a beautiful sword jumped.

"Hey pine martin can I join you when you leg heals fore some cleanin'!" Farrel looked at the new arrival, and was about to accept when Tirael mowed him down under a barrage of words. Farrel intervened.

"Calm down Tirael, Sure, I'd happy to join you mouse warrior, I\d be happy!"

[Rocky]

OOC: Actually, Dirge, it's your turn to post. React to Skip and the others, then Ill post. Then it's Tir, Gaelic, Farrel, you, then back to me.

[dirgecallers]

Lentle was disconcerted by the repuslion which both otters had shown him. It was true that he had been rather ...blunt. Still, that did not seem like a sufficient reason for being out right RUDE to him. He knew he sometimes gave that impression to beasts whether he deserved it or not. Unless he made some act of reparation, things could get ugly, fast.

"I am sorry if my remarks gave offense to any of you" Lentle apologized. "I never meant to say or give offence to anybeast here, and I am sorry if I have done so." He was really sincere, at least in part, for he did not want to do anything to damage his status here. Who knows how the creatures of Redwall might view his kinds?

He turned to Farrel once again, looking the Pine Marten in the eye."I am sorry if by word or action I have created a discomfort for you. I earnestly did not mean to have my words cause such a stirr as this. If I may, can we forgive this ...unfortunate happening? I have been the first to offer peace."

(done)

[Rocky]

Rocky soon realized how angry he must have sounded. He quyickly felt dad, wishing a death upon someone. ''I'm... Sorry...'' He said to Lentle, looking down at his feet. ''Forgive me.''

His thoughts roamed to several places. Places he'd never wanted to see again. Creatures he'd never wanted to see again. His thoughts drifted and drifted from place to place, never stopping at one point. A shudder passed through the Skipper, and Farrel's words entered his thoughts and he was brought back home.

"So, Skipper, you've seen many battles?"

He was thankful for Farrel's words bringing him back to the present, but unthankful at the question. The question brought him back to those thoughts, of the battles he's been through. THe screams. The blood. He closed his eyes shut tight, as if trying to keep the thoughts out of him.

He quickly opened his eyes, his vision returning to the infirmary. His eyes settled on the marten's face, ''Several. Not many but they were bloody and brutal.. Not all out wars like salamandastron sees and fights in.. We, me and my crew, prefer guerilla warfare. We're not much in numbers, although our skills are good. If we fought in all out war, we'd be wiped out.''

[Directed by M. Night Shyamalan]

Farrel nodded.

"Aye. I'm more of a traveling fighter. My tribe is also a roving tribe, basically, We move around, and destroy vermin bands, going by pawprint or rumor." Farrel paused as he stretched his neck.

"Anyway, I left for awhile, because our custom is a each marten, at the age of sixteen, are sent off with one companion to seek out and destroy vermin. When we become twenty, we return to the tribe. My companion is a squirrel, Riskarrel. My tribe found him in what was left of his home. Some vermin and a stoat called Rotooth, raided the place, killed everyone. Risk barely survived, and we took him in. He lives for killing vermin, and killing rotooth. In battle, he's more murderous than a hive of homeless hornets! But sadly, Risk went after a vermin band supposedly carrying Rotooth alone, and I've never seen him since. Have any of you? He's a rust red squirrel with border accent a silver tail. Carries sling, throwing stars, and a shortsword."

[Tirael]

Tirael felt immensely relieved as the Skipper and Lentle made nice. Well, sort of nice. Whatever, as long as they weren't at each others throats, he could breathe easy. As a conversation began between Farrel and Rocky, the infirmary keeper decided heard a knock at the door. Leaving his friend's side, he opened the door to find the two Abbeydwellers he had asked to bring up food trays. "Oh! Thank you," he said as he set down the trays on a counter near the door. As they left, he brought a tray to Lentle, and then the other to Farrel.

As the conversation had turned to topics he had no idea about, Tirael resumed his work around the infirmary. There really wasn't much to do, and he could easily talk while doing it, but he had no idea what to say, and the work at least prevented him from standing awkwardly and looking weird.

[dirgecallers]

"Skipper, know that I am indebted to you and the fine citizens of Redwall Abbey. Without your merciful compassion, I most certainly would have been left to the mercy of my enemies, and dead by now. If there is anything, I can do to pay the Abbey back for this most kind treatment, let me do so." Thus Lentle spoke, with sudden inspiration. If there was any way to gain their trust, mayhap being honourable was sufficent enough.

He intended to help the Redwallers, if he could. There was certainly no reason to suspect that they had any designs upon him or held malice toward him. True, the Ermine had nearly ruined everything with a few seeiminlgly blunt remarks. Apparently a simple apology was suffiecient to wipe away any misunderstandings given that no real harm was done.

If nothing else, Lentle was safe here for the moment. His old gang could never reach him here, nor likely discover his hiding place. In any event, he could plead asylum, and try to stay here indefinatly. Redwall was not such a bad place, if you fit in. 'Vermin'
usually brought stares enough, but they soon grew to be 'accepted' if woodlanders felt they had earned their trust.

To mistake this change for a shift in his alignment would be a mistake however. Lentle followed leaders, not out of fear, or cowarice, nor even out of some misguided idealogical concept. The only thing that could compel the Ermine to serve under another was the measure of protection he could offer. It was a vicous world, and one had watch out for his own interests. If he failed to do such a small thing, he would amount to nothing, or worse, dead.

Such was the reason for Lentle's next remark, or request.(If you could call it that)

"I cannot but think of one way that I could be of service after my leg heals completely."

"I wish to offer my services to fight for your leader in defense of whatever is required."

(done)