A Mercenary Job (Open to anyone)

[Darkhawk Shadowheart]

"So... you got it, merc?" demanded a rat as a group of them stood within the foliage of the woodland. They were looking at a rather strong built, female squirrel that looked rather intimidating. Her black fur was messy and unkept, with what looked to be berrs, pullan, and other little things that gave the squirrel a rugged apperance. The clothing she had, however, were rather nice looking, built for protection, and a little large for her, yet she filled the armor well.
"When do I recieve mi' pay?"
"When you manage to finish your mission."
"So...I be' needin' ta' hope for the best, and that ya' don't betray me?"
"You're a strong looking she-squirrel... a pretty one at that..." said the rat, noticing a glare come from the squirrel. "... Not that pretty, but still... Just do that one little task and the pay is all yours."
"It better...I was 'part of the Serapht...ya'll should know respect..." hissed the squirrel as she wandered off.
"Geez... Stiff kinda' Squirrel... Still... There aren't that many squirrels willing to serve us vermin..."
---
I ain't never had to work for such little pay... Oh well.. I guess I can get ride of the redicules Woodlander ascent...Soon...Soon. The road stood without anyone in sight void of all life and movement. It was quiet, strangely so as a black squirrel landed with a flip silently on the hard stone ground. She stood tall and walked forward along the path, her ears open as a sword hung at her back. She could care less about her job, and barely remembered what it was. She had written it down in a parchment she kept.

[William]

(Hey Darkhawk, we miss you in Halo: The Temple. )

Sighing as his breath rose slowly in the morning chill William looked out across the silent woodland. He shuddered as a fresh breeze stole over his fur as he continued to stand and watch, hopping from footpaw to footpaw to try and get some blood circulation. He wasn't sure why he had woken up this early, he just couldn't get back to sleep once he was awake. Finally smiling as the sun peaked its head over the woodland he caught sight of a shadow on the path. Looking down it seemed to be a squirrel. But he waited until she got closer to see if she wanted entrance...

[Darkhawk Shadowheart]

(I'm lazy...Sorry...)

The squirrel started to hum quietly to herself as she trotted slowly down the road, her strangely booted feet clonking the entire time. They looked rather thick and were a black. Her tail seemed neatly kept...as neatly as a dibbun keep their room when no badgermum was there to keep charge. She had a rugged look to her, as if she were some sort of adventurer. He sword clang against her shoulder paldrons as she slowly looked up to see the 'Great' Abbey known by the vermins as an acursed place, and to woodlanders as a sancuary. Her goldish eyes noticed a mouse upon the wall tops.
Who was this again... Mouse...He looks rather strong, and be strange for a mouse to be up this early... My guess... William, Mouse Champion of Redwall, and protector of the 'Woodlanders' and peace... So... This is the mouse that makes me resort to hired work. She paused after a moment as she reached the main clearing, her humming stopping as she approched.
"Maido!" she called, using a word that she had picked up from her travels. "Many a greetin's'. An' how ar' we today, Sir..."

[William]

Pools of green followed the squirrel closely as she walked toward the abbey. Her rugged look made her looks like a simple traveler. But the armor on her made him think that she might be something else...But she was a squirrel, so no matter what she was going to be let in. Smiling at the squirrel he waved down to her. "I hope we are both doing good this morning. What brings you to Redwall friend?" Now that she was closer his suspicion of this squirrel increased. Normal travelers didn't wear such heavy armor as her. Her appearance was different to. She carried herself different then a humble traveler. She stood allot more tall and powerful. If she was a traveling warrior, she must have had a very hard journey with all that armor. But if she wasn't....what else would need such heavy armor? Shaking his head a little he smiled back down at the squirrel, waiting for her reply.

[Darkhawk Shadowheart]

"Me...Well, I have been travellin' a good distance threw the lands, pickin' up thin's from he'r and there. Sorry 'bout how I look... you see, out side ye' walls is a troubled world...a harsh one at that..." said the black squirrel as she stopped below the shadow of the Redwall Gate.
"My name is Eris Ambrosia, I am a traveller, and if called for, a warrior... but merely to protect myself. And what of ya'? What is ya' name?" yelled Eris upward to the other woodlander. There was a slight sharp pain as Eris looked up do to a knife would that she had inflicted to herself only minutes before she had come in view of Redwall. Being injured will be a sure sign of being allowed into the great Redwall Abbey... I wonder why this, sword of Martin is so important... Oh well... the pay is enough, and then I shall continue my fight as Serapht...

[William]

Will kept his smile as he listened to the squirrels story. It seemed believable enough. Will shook his head slightly. Why was he being so suspicious? She was a squirrel who had traveled far, she needed food and rest, it made sense that she would travel with armor. Bringing his mind back to the squirrel he saw her flinch. "I'm William Slade, Champion of this abbey. Are you hurt?" He asked as he dropped down below the parapet, down the steps and soon opened the gate slightly. "Welcome to Redwall Eris." He said with a smile as the fabled sword of Martin hung from around Will's waist.

[Darkhawk Shadowheart]

"Ah...just a little scrach...not to worry..."
Ah...so my theory proves true...The warrior I saw is indeed William, the Champion of Redwall... Eris smiled as she bowed her head in a graceful and even delighted manner.
"William... I have heard much about the famed Warrior of Redwall... Is it true you could command the clouds to clear if you willed so?" Eris teased as she walked foward threw the gates, laughing slightly as she looked around. It was a lovely place, with a pond, stream, and looked rather peaceful. That was probably because of the fact no one seemed to be up yet. She drew her sword and laid it horizonally on her hands and handed it forward.
"I think it is custom to hand over your sword when entering this Abby...No?" Phase one, complete... now, to gain the trust of these fools will take some time... Expecially with that suspition that he is casting toward me...But I shall give him no reason to fear me.

[William]

Wills eyes still took on a tone of concern as the squirrel spoke of her small injury. "If you insist." He said as he pulled the gate shut after the squirrel had walked in. Chuckling at the squirrels comment he looked toward the sky squinting slightly. "Humm, doesn't seem to be so, such annoying things to boss around these clouds." Smiling he looked at the squirrel as she walked across the abbey grounds slightly, looking at the peaceful grounds. Nodding he carefully picked her sword up from her paws. "Aye, and you'll get it back when you decide to leave, thanks for being so understanding." Holding her sword loosely in one paw he turned smartly and headed for the gatehouse to put her weapon in a safe place. "If you'll wait there I can show you where to get some food and a bed if you would like." He called over his shoulder as he started to climb the steps.

[Darkhawk Shadowheart]

"Of course, sir, anythin' ta' not be a bother..." Replied Eris as she watched William leave before showing a look of annoyance as well as loathing.
By goodness these Abbey-beasts are the most gullible creatures that I have ever witnessed with my two eyes... Pleasent, sickenly so... Like toads in there revoltive aura. No wonder those vermin want to hurt this weaklings... Then again, all 'civilized' kinds seem to forget they live in uncivilized times...
Eris looked away from where William was and waited as he told her to do. The knife in her back was still there until she pulled it out and looked at it for a moment before hidding it in her bags. Blood now was running freely as a few scarlet drops landed on the ground.
I hate these Abbey-beasts already... So kind and nice as if nothing is happening outside there gates... Why do I care? I'd never be one of them... Well, when I am all patched up and I know where I am staying, I'll go raid there food places... get some sleep and then complete my job... Nothing could go wrong.

[William]

Will's trek to the gatehouse found his mind still filled with this new squirrel. It sure was a welcome change that she agreed to everything, and sure she seemed to just want food and a bed....But something about her just made the fur on the back of his neck stand up. He couldn't tell what it was. It was just a feeling. He would have to watch her more carefully. One slip is all it would take. Sighing as he closed the gatehouse door behind him he walked back down to the squirrel. Quickly putting a smile back on his face. "Now if you'll follow me we can get you some food and get that would looked at." He said as he turned away and headed toward the abbey. But he face soon went blank as he thought about this squirrel again. Had that been a glint of something when he turned around from the gate house?

[Darkhawk Shadowheart]

The squirrel was off in her own world for a moment as she stared up to the blue sky. She sighed after a moment and then turned her attention back to the champion.
"Huh? Oh, yes... I am very hungry after my long journey... I'll get my wound treated after I eat somethin'... Thank you..." she said in a kind, almost tender manner as she looked at William. She had a strangely nice look, as if she were not a warror at all. She took off the armor that she hand and placed it against the wall along with her bags. She bowed after a moment, her fist flat against the palm of her other hand.
"Your kindness is somethin' I have been missin'. The world is a violent and turmoil place... It means alot for yar' kindness and hospitality.

[William]

Will still kept his smile as he watched the squirrel. "Its no trouble friend, Redwall is a peaceful place, always willing to help." With that he walked into the main abbey building. Something about her smile made him that that she was putting on a act. He remembered the same look on the ferret that had lead him to the slave line. This new thought only increased his suspicion as he continued to walk. This squirrel was sure a odd one...

[Darkhawk Shadowheart]

This little beast suspects something...Don't act like you mean any harm, Eris... Just act normal... like there is nothing wrong. Eris didn't stop her smile as she followed William, her eyes darting around the place as she looked at everything trying to capture it all in her head, gathering the entire layout.
"I have been to some lovely places across the world... yet nothing compares to here... There seems ta' be no poor beast... nothing ta' take away... lovely... Been to many places yet, none are like this one..."
At least places that are not burned to the ground within weeks of being founded...

[William]

Will still kept his smile as he wandered through the main abbey building. Both beasts keeping up their facade as they walked. "Aye, most visitors say that, it is indeed a truly beautiful place." Here again his suspicion lessoned slightly. She did seem impressed by the abbey, her eyes darting around, like most travelers did. But still....he wasn't really sure what to think of her anymore...

(Should we start a new thread inside the abbey?)

[Darkhawk Shadowheart]

(I don't think new thread, but moving the thread to grounds would be advisible.)

"Really?! And I thought I was the only one..." said Eris in a joking manner as she smiled at the champion. She could feel his uneasyness around her, perhaps it was the way he looked at her, or the look in his eyes. She looked at the finely built structures that she had normally not seen built that way before. She was used to looking at the builds in the empire, or at least what was left of it. The structers there were made of gray or black colored material while here they were red, a lovely red at that. Focus, Eris, the mission... it's about the mission... Come in and take the sword that all... Remember the mission...
"...So... what type of things do they serve for breakfest here?"

[William]

(There, moved it to the great hall, don't want to disrupt the wedding.)

Chuckling slightly at the squirrel William kept walking toward the beautiful smells coming from behind a door. Even though he relaxed on the outside, he kept up his suspicions. Even though she was looking all around at the building she did seem to focus on his sword when she did look at him. Pushing the thought from his head he set his paw on the door handel. "Why don't you find out." He said with a smile as he opened the door, the smell of delicious food almost overpowering.

[Darkhawk Shadowheart]

(Alright)

Eris closed her eyes for a moment, welcoming the glorious smells to float about. They smelt fantastic, something that she had never had before in her life. It was a shock almost as she stopped, opening her eyes as if she was afraid to enter the Great Hall. She showed no emotion on her face but her hand seemed to shake for a moment before relaxing. After a moment she walked in.
"...My appoligize... I am sort of afraid of enclosed areas..." said Eris as she walked in glancing about the Great Hall of Redwall, which seemed to be even more mavelis then outside.

[William]

Will smiled at Eris as she marveled at all the beauty around her. Such was the way with most travelers. They had probably never seen a place like Redwall, and if they did it would normally be under the command of a vermin warlord. Shrugging he followed her. "Its alright Eris, mostly everybeast that comes here is the same. Take your time to get used to it." Looking closer at her he noticed that a small red spot on her clothing was slowly getting bigger. "Are you sure you don't want that wound treated before you eat?"

[Darkhawk Shadowheart]

"I am starving... I'd rather the pain of hunger gone rather then to get this little wound fixed... A little water, and some bandage, and I will be fine." replied Eris as she walked forward a little ways, wondering a little ahead of William, like a child amongs toys. She had never seen such a lovely place, where she was from, it was nothing but chaos, and hectic... fighting, constant fighting, and fear that the evil Scourge-bringers would destroy them. The black squirral walked a few more steps before seeing small creature running about. It might have been early, but Dibbuns had a tendancy to get up at unspeakible hours, run and play about, then fall asleep a few hours later. Eris marvelled at the children.
"...Children...Dibbins...." she sound quietly as she watched them play. "...Playing?...Together...." She seemed genuinelly surprised, as if playing dibbins were an oddity. One of the dibbins ran, not looking where he was going and accedently ran into Eris. Eris gasped in pain for a moment, showing that the wound on her backside wasn't the only injury she had. The dibbin ran off, scared of being punished probably as Eris breathed hard for a moment. The wound at her rib wasn't one of her own making but a different wound that was given to her by her former 'master'.

[William]

Shrugging at Eris he followed her. If she didn't want help then that was her own decision. But his smile returned as she looked about at the wonders of Redwall. Breathing deeply the clean air and the smell of all the different foods as they neared the kitchen Will looked over at some dibbuns ran about. But his eyes widened as one of them ran into Eris and she seemed to be in pain. Walking over he lightly helped her up. "You alright Eris?"