The Redclaw Camp (please join!)

[redclaw]

A thin layer of snow lay on the ground. The trees were blowing in a gentle winter breeze. The leave were all long gone, giving a wonderful view of a magnificent sunset. The clearing would have beautiful, if not for the Redclaw. The evenings glamors were lost on the vermin. As they ran around in their identical black tunics and red capes they looked like an army of red-shelled beetles.

Near a campfire, five vermin sat. They had acorns, and were playing some sort of gambling game. They laughed, shouted, cursed and did anything else possible to disturb the night, as did there follows. The leader, an older dog-fox, sat up suddenly, as did the rat next to him. The other vermin across the fire turned around. They stood up with a gasp. Standing behind them was Valdis Swiftsword, second in command to the leader. The guard stood around him, swords drawn. The five vermin stood up respectfully. "What bad language," Valdis smirked. Turning he walked away. They vermin sat down, looking at each other questioningly. After that, they did quite down a bit.

Entering his tent, Valdis dismissed the guard and sat down. Taking a comb he ran it through his head fur. Though not particularly picky, he believed in good personal hygiene. "At least," he thought, "I'm not as bad as Trysta." Now there was a weasel that could stand there perfecting her appearance for hours. After getting a new cape, as his old one was dirty, he walked outside, and to the central bonfire. The solders sat around singing, cooking, eating, and drinking. Taking a pigeon leg from one of the cooks, he sat down to eat. The beautiful winters night went on outside the clearing.

[Mako]

The pounding feet of over 1000 beasts could be heard as a massive army moved toward the redclaw camp. Rein Skystorm was out in front, leading the massive charge. They've heard of another army in Mossflower, and they came to rid them from Mossflower, for there could only be one army in Mossflower, and that was Rein's.

The tall black fox sprung ahead of the pack and came to the treeline, and held a paw for quiet. He peered through with his second in command, Melroch, and surveyed what was happening. "The army is there." Melroch said slowly. "What will we do sir?" Rein held a paw up and eplained his plan, "First... We gain their trust... Then we attack... Or, maybe thats not my real plan." In fact, the plan wasnt his real one, he was just telling a lie for amusement, but Melroch nodded, "Good plan."

Rein motioned his vast army to follow him as he strolled boldly into the camp, and snatched a piece of bird away from one of the wildcat's horde. He tore a piece from it and threw it off somewhere and approached Valdis. "Where is your leader?" He unsheathed his poison knife and held it at the back of Valdis's neck, "Now before I kill you."

Behind him, Melroch growled at one of redclaw's horde and he looked back to see the army of over 1000 behind him, winding around the area like a large black snake.

"I don't want any cold blood on my hands, but believe me... I can live with it." Rein said slowly.

[redclaw]

Valdis gulped as the blade touched his neck. "The leader?" he asked, "I'm sure Redclaw does not care for the likes of you creep." Turning to the solders he said, "Cover him." A score of bowbeasts quickly turned their aim on Rein. A fat stoat, a gleeful grin on his stood outside the leaders tent. "We got visitors!!!" he roared in a voice than echoed around the camp. The whole Redclaw horde was in action. Scores leaped up everywhere aroused from sleep or eating by the stoats voice. Drawing scimitars, they closed in on the conflict, screeching, hollering, and laughing. They formed orderly lines marching in time.

Zarek Redclaw came out of his tent. What was happening now? The guard outside the tent formed in ranks around him as he emerged. He saw the other horde, and Valdis with the fox. "Not a fox," said the massive wildcat, "I hate foxes."

Valdis grinned at Zarek. "Can you get this scraggy foxy off of me," he said.

Zarek glared at Rein. "Get the knife away from my guard-captain's neck," he said nastily, "or all discussions are off."

[Mako]

"Creep?" Rein turned around at his army with mock sadness on his face "I don't like that word." Rein whispered. He released his blade and sighed, "Why must you all be the same? You think I want to harm you?" He sighed again. Then, his ears twitched as the stoat's cry cut through the air.

"To arms!" Rein roared, drawing his own blade and staring at the wildcat approaching him. Immediaely, all the beasts at his back brandished spears and swords, and Rein pushed a bow from away from his face, rolling his eyes, "Usual mistake by all the hordes." He muttered. He turned to Zarek, and continued, "Tell your soldiers to back down. I outnumber you, and I really dont want a battle." He said in a slow and steady voice. Rein gripped his blade in one hand and walked over to Zarek, "You think you're tough, eh? You think you're a scary feline, huh? Well let me tell you. You're not!" Rein looked up at the wildcat who was only a head taller then him, for Rein was larger then most foxes.

"Now look, kitty..." Rein started, "I dont like you, and i really dont like you're "guard captain", but I come here to negotiate, not kill off you're little therapy group." He sheathed his blade and changed his voice back to normal, "Now. I will call of my soldiers, if you call off yours. Our armies combined can overthrow Redwall or even Salamandastron. We can conquer Mossflower. I bet you like that idea, wildcat."

[Wildrun]

((if you like, I'll leave and delete this and you can forget I bothered you. ^^" ))

"I do like that idea, Sir."

Tataroo Raketail flicked the tip of his scimitar and stepped past a bush, staring disaprovingly of with his black eyes at tangled peice of foliage. Oh well. This place, happily, was not his camp. The two massive armies flooded the area, and his eyebrow inched upwards microscopically to express his opinion of the fact that both hordes were ready to eat each other, and the leaders weren't far from letting it happen. Tataroo flicked a paw in what might have been a dismissive gesture, if only his crew hadn't emerged in a semi-circle behind him from the woods. All stoats, the majority of them were grinning wickedly with weaopns drawn, a few evil snickers and catcallswere heard. Tataroo's nostrils flared and he snapped something at them in a clicking Northern toungue, and the crew fell silent but for the shuffling of paws on the crunchy grass. Some of the grins had vanished to be replaced with a more serious expression, but the weapons remained drawn.

Tataroo's nostrils flared again and his lips twisted, but he let his crew keep their blades at the ready. His head tipped very slightly to one side as he stared intensly at Rein and Zarek, flciking his eyes to Valdis once and then watching them all carefully.

"I do liek that idea, Sir," he repeated finally, after some of the more hyperactive of his crew started to fidget and whisper among themselves. Tataroo nodded his head once thoughtfully. "I like the idea of owning Redwall and Mossflower very much. Salamandastron I do not so much care for, as currently I have no intention of going back to sea." A few sea-deprived stoats swore. Tataroo ignored them. "It's nice to meet more who share my ideas of making Mossflower a...more interesting place to live," he said carefully, slowly, "May I ask, Sir Fox, what your...plans...might be...?"

Perhaps, the stoat's mind whispered, perhaps this could fit in with the ideas of Shadowsleek very nicely, indeed.

((like I said, kick me off if you want.))

[Mako]

(WILDRUN! STAY! XD)

[Wildrun]

(( *saltues* Sah, yes sah! XD ))

[redclaw]

Zarek thought awhile. To rule Redwall, Mossflower, the world! He liked that idea. But, he didn't like the person who had it. "We accept," he said coldly. Valdis was surprised. He never knew Redwall was in the scope of their plans. Zarek also thought about treachery. Once they ruled Mossflower, what was to stop him from turning against the fox? Valdis looked at Tataroo. He spoke smoothly and seemed intelligent. Perhaps they would get along? The wildcat turned to Rein. "And less of the kitty," he smiled, "or I will call you a doggy." Valdis chuckled, that would teach that snobby fox!

The horde beasts complained among themselves. They wanted to fight, not compromise! Sure they would probably all get killed, but the Redclaw were known for there discipline, not intelligences.

[Maxodis]

(( *Poke Prod* Is this going to be related to the Tataroo/Shadowsleek/Noiss attack on Redwall? If so, and assuming that Noiss agrees to help Tataroo and Shadowsleek in their venture, does this occur after the addition of Noiss?

Should I consider making a brief entry, out of sight, to consider the proceedings? The seed of doubt has to be planted within Noiss' mind sometime.))

[Wildrun]

((I have no idea. I think I've raised a freaking ocean of evildoers against Redwall. O,O"" ...Otherwise, yeah, I think this would happen after Noiss gets them in, assuming [and I hate to assume] that Redclaw and Ash/Rocky wouldn't mind joining in?

...Gods, I think I just got myself in way to deep. We'll work it out, and sure, let Noiss catch up...maybe when the leaders call out their hordes to keep Redwall under wraps? We'll work it out and mesh it together with the Fool's Gold plot, if everyone can agree on something. ^^"))

A handful of crewbeasts groaned. No fight? Drat. Tataroo ignored them, keeping his gaze fixed on the three beasts most in charge--Zarek, Valdis, and Rein.

The stoat was following a striaghtforward line of thought, I wonder how this might possibly...come together...Obviously my imbecile crew won't be able to keep the Redwallers under control when we seize the Abbey, and I do not intend to make my stay their a short one. Two other armies...very good...The otter, though, will not be informed. I'll have to tell Madam Shadowsleek, of course. Now, when to set things into motion...?Although, that might only work if these beasts concur...Yes, it would all go very nicely, I should think...So long as no one betrays the others too early.

[Shadess]

(( so wait, we are going to mush this all together? poor redwall, three hordes coming after it all suposivly teamed up together, this is its biggest raide yet! it all really depends on Rou, so well she catches up and IF she joins then she will post here?))

[Wildrun]

((i don't think she'll post here...Redclaw, your turn to post, i think...No, It's Rocky's turn. Drat. DX ))

[redclaw]

(Ya, I'm waiting for Rocky)

[Rocky]

(Silence Wildrun! *thwap* XD)

Melroch stirred uneasily behind Rein. Sure, Melroch liked having the army expand, even if its temporary, but he liked fighting more. Much more. He liked the feeling of slashing a blade into a creature, and the sucking sound it made as he pulled it out. Such actions and ways of thinking made Melroch feared and respected in Rein's army. Now, he's second in command, and loyal to Rein. Still, he guessed it was OK to join armies, and the thought of conquering Redwall really made his day. A smile formed on the large fox's lips and he stared intently at Zarek and Rein. He didn't like the wildcat. He sensed... treachery... Above all, if there was going to be a fight, Melroch was going to fight that cat. No matter what.

Rein looked at Zarek, mentally rolling his eyes, "Better insults, cat. You need much better insults." He smirked lightly, and his eyes locked with Zarek's. Mentally, Rein was plotting... Plotting to assassinate... First, it'd be that Valdis he'd go for. Then, Zarek. Or... Maybe an agreement could form, and they could share the head of the army? No... That wouldn't be good. "I'll wait on that." He mumbled.

Rein looked around him, still staring at Zarek's army, armed and ready to kill. "Call off your troops. Now! Or I kill off your enitire army, then I skin you alive, and stick your head on my spear." He trailed off from hsi threat, and he looked at Zarek with anger in his eyes... He was daring Zarek to attack, then he'd show him who's the real leader. Who's the better fighter, and who'd be his replacement.

[Wildrun]

((Nevarr~...Lol, c'mon Rocky, ya' know we love ya. ))

Matecol, also known as Matey when he was in the mood known as the crew as his 'Ruffian' moments, Was eyeing the two different subordinates of the two different armies with cold, careful wariness and precision that had earned him his place as Tataroo's first mate/second in command. Currently, Matecol was indeed Matecol, not Matey, and his quick, calcuating brain was spinning out the solution to how long a treaty of peace would keep between the three vermin groups.

The answers were not promising.

Matecol flicked his blue eyes to Tataroo, shifting his weight to one side and swishing his tail gently agaisnt the ground. They had no offical code, but Tataroo and the crew understood perfectly well. Matecol didn't think highly of their chances to a peaceful resolution.

...Not that any of teh crew WANTED a peaceful resolution, of course. But apparently Tataroo did. And what Tataroo said goes.

Suddenly the crimson-caped stoat drew himself up to full height, and the shining silver scimitar flicked out of it's sheath, held in one paw and Tataroo slowly raised the other.

"My dear sirs," he said softly, black eyes wide and burning. "I see no reason to let our subordinates tear each other to pieces, especially since your method of doing it..." He eyed Rein with slight contempt, "...is so terribly <i>violent.</i>" Had you replaced the word 'violent' with the word 'messy', it would have meant the same thing just then. The thin lips twitched just slightly into a smirk. "...Besides, my colleagues. I believe we all know of each other's plans of betrayal."

Behind him, the crew stirred, wicked grins once again lighting stoat faces. Matecol felt his own lips twitch and a desire to laugh--Matey was just a good fighter Matecol, but much cruder. As Tataroo's smooth voice ended with emphathetic effect on 'betrayal', his eyes flashed and he briefly smiled.

Whatever happened next, he was looking forward to.

[ferretface]

(I'll just wait for confirmation on whether 'Retchen can join Tataroo's horde (in the new plot thread) before posting, methinks.)

...

('And what's the deal with 'methinks', anyway? Is troll-level grammar really that posh?)

[Shadess]

(XD. Alrighty Retchen good luck in Tataroos horde when and if ye get accepted, For Shadowsleek...she will be ummm....... in her little camp by saint Nainins thinking of plots against Redwall, yes, thats what she will be doing right now ^^)

[ferretface]

'Retchen was the only non-stoat in Tataroo's horde, or at least the only prominent one. He was a ferret mercenary archer, and after the collapse of his old horde, he'd hopped from place to place and had settled with Tataroo. He was near the front of the horde, fingering his bow idly. He was, however, careful to be obscured to any bowbeasts in either of the other hordes. He was picking out all of the subordinates in each of the other hordes so he could take them out at a moment's notice.

Killing was his business, and he did it well.

And yet, he hoped it would not come to bloodshed.
He really hated having to find new employers.

Matecol, who he understood had a twin personality, seemed ready for a fight, though the boss seemed to favor diplomacy, and Matecol's attitude reflected that of the crew. One twitched, and grabbed his sword as if to draw it, but 'Retchen glared at him and he stopped. He may not have ever held a 'high' position in any horde, but he was always someone who you didn't want to cross.

[redclaw]

Zarek glared at the fox. "I don't have time to practice silly insults," he said, "I have more important things to do." Zarek called back the troops, who looked disappointed. Valdis was up to good. Sure he could tell that Melroch and the others wanted to kill him, but what did he care! "Follow me slops!" he yelled to the troops. He led the horde back, until Tataroo's stoats were between the Redclaw and Rein's group. If Rein were to attack, he wanted Tataroo as a shield, no matter how small. Zarek looked at the fox and his second in command. "Well foxy," he said calmly, "if you have anything else to say, say it now. I am tired and would like to sleep." He yawned, smiling down at Rein.

[Wildrun]

"Apparently, violence will not be avoided."

Tataroo sighed, hefting his scimitar higher and shifting to a natural stance--paws shoulder width apart, shoulders relaxed, and ready to either attack or defend. He cast a glance over his shoulder, his eyes roving over the suddenly bristling mass of stoats until he picked out the only ferret among the crew. Good, 'Retchen was ready to fight...so was Matey...they would keep the crew in line if he, Tataroo, ended up dueling with either of the vermin leaders.

It hadn't escaped his notice that Zarek's/Valdis's troops had moved, putting he and his crew between them and Rein's group as a buffer. This wasn't troubling--the middle was often the best place to be if one needed to dodge back...

--Matecol picked out the positions of Melroch and Valdis from among the hordes--

...or jump forward...

--Every stoat in the crew was ready to fight--

...o simply stand your ground and fight. Tataroo waited. The mess that was about to come was nearly inevitible.