Out at sea

[Toriphess]

Toriphess searched the land next to him. By some ill chance, the ship had floated away on the river currents, and away from the River Moss. The otter corsair twirled his scythe above him and glared at the unfortunate stoat before him.
"You were supposed to set down the anchor before we all settled down to sleep, yes? You neglected, and now see where we are. Miles from our river territory. I don't see much help coming from any other beast, on land or sea. The corsairs that sail the sea will fight as, as will the beasts on land. Why should they care about a ship full of corsairs?" Toriphess punctuated this last sentence whith slamming his scythe next to the stoat's head. "I think not." He said softly. He turned his back to the stoat. "I leave your punishment to the tender mercies of my sister."

['Piper']

The sister was currently leaning against the aft rail. Her black eyes boring into the quivering stoat. Turning to a dusty little creature beside her she muttered a few words. The little rat, as its tail showed it to be nodded, his eyes glemaing, and ran down below into the cabin coming up with a coil of rope. The little rat beamed up at his mistress, who promplty coiled the rope around her arm and strode towards the stoat. She was tired of being made fun of for being merciful to the weasel, twas time to reassurt authority.

"Its fine Phessy dear. He knew the anchor needed a break, and a long one at that, sheesh yesterday the little anchor told me how ths kind stoat had offered to take its job for a day."
Uncoilig the rope out from her armpit she set to tying up the stuopefied stoat. who would start wailing only after he started dragging on the bottom of the river for a piece. She wouldn't kill him, no this part of the shore was almost rock free after all, she was just making sure that the sand in his mouth wouod serve as a reminder to always set anchor. With a grin she stared at the Stoat waiting for a larger beast to tumble him overboard, and carry him to the rail. She was much to short after all.

"The anchor thanks ye mate."
Se taunted. Taking a deep breath of the salty air, such horrid memories the sea did envoke.

[Toriphess]

Toriphess looked at his sister. "Helpless without me I see." He set a large paw on the stoat's trembling forhead. "He deserves his fate though." Toriphess pushed, and the terrified stoat tumbled over the side of the ship and, with a little horrified squeak and a plop, landed in the ocean. He faced foreward, and gestured. His first mate, the fox Steelfur, glided to his side. Toriphess looked at him. "I believe that we might want to hurry up. The sun's going down and we don't want to be caught in the ocean at night." Steelfur bowed with a grin and went down to the belly of the ship, and Swiftraider suddenly sped up. Steelfur came back to the side of his captain. "Lovely day, Isn't it Captain?" a faint shrieking could be heard. Looking down, the Corsair captain noticed a series of air bublles rising from where the rope dangled in the depths.
"It is indeed, Steelfur."

['Piper']

"Yet without my maps, you'd be stranded in the middle of Southsward scratching your brown head. Tall ti may be, directionized it is not."
Tor' replied with a wolfish grin of her own. Beside her the little blonde rat was watching the knot that had adhered their new 'anchor' to the back of the boat. Raising his hand he pointed to it rapidly. The poor Stoat had been down there awhile, and there were odd bumping noises coming from down below. Every one causign a grimace from the female otter, but the beast had to learn after all.

"Phessy go 'elp Bilgey pull him back up here. Little mite probably couldn't do it himself. Also the little slacker stoat can miss a meal."
With a wave of her hand she disappeared below decks leaving the straining rat, and her brother to save the life of a unfortuanate lazy beast. Of course it had been his first mistake, which was the only reason she had pulled him back up so quick. Reaching the cabin down below she paused at al arge chart, stabbing a paw at the mountain Salamandraston, then moving it to the big red dot labled 'Red hell!'. At least that was what the old captain had called it.

Redwall. That's what it was better known as.

[Toriphess]

Toriphess sighed. "Why do I even bother?" He went over to the straining rat and nudged him aside. "Let me handle it." He grabbed the rope in two paws and hauled savagely. The rope flwe up, with the stoat on the end like a piece of bait. He was limp, but his chest moved slowly back and forth. The crewbeast would live. Toriphess deposited the stoat in a passing fox's paws. "Take care of him. Make sure he's up soon." The fox nodded and trotted off. Toriphess turned to his first mate. "Take care of the ship. I need to go down and cunsult my sister.

He entered the navigation cabin(and his sister's room) and went over by her. "Any Idea where we are, sibling?" He looked at the map and tried to distinguish landmarks, but he was never successful at map reading.

['Piper']

"Sorrez Sir."
Bilge replied with a quick salutre, before running off to the other end of the ship. Out of the way of the water, which might get mroe dust on the deck then his dusty blonde coat already succeeded in doing.

Tori sighed at her brother's confusion.
"We're a few clicks west of Salamandraston. At least thats what this old map tells me."
Of course the map was hundreds of seasons old, and what looked like a landmark could be no more then a waterstain.
"Head Southwesterly and we shound happen upon the good ole' moss again. Although I do want to visit Sala."
Of course it he refused she could just revise the map and say she had read it wrong, and end up there anyway. In truth she would muhc rather see Redwall, and find out if the rumors about the place were true, would it be a haven for a good beast with a dark heart or the eternal resting place of the otter-siblings?

"Shouldn't someone be steering?"
She questioned looking up at her taller brother out of the corner of her eye. One hand on her hip and theo ther unconsciously tracing the route to the red dot marking Redwall. Subtlely and, almost begging her brother to changce course, and head for a larger fish to fry,

[Toriphess]

"Salamandastron eh? Not good. I hear that it's guarded by a lot of military efficient hares, and one huge badger. We need to move back to the moss before someone spots us." He saw her paw trace to the red dot, 'Red Hell' and sighed. The fabled Redwall abbey. just as worse. They don't know that we are corsairs, but it's surely obvious." He indicated their outfits. "And I don't plan on leaving my scythe, or my ship, behind. Sorry sis, but we won't be going to either place. Back to the old Moss it is." Toriphess started towards the door.

['Piper']

"We'll see. Oh ho we will. Yo ho Yo ho a Corsair's life for me"
Tori mumbled. It wasn't like she didn't hav other clothes after all. Not to mention the short female otter wasn't rumored to be the most dangerous creature on the Moss. That was Phessy's title, she was for the most part just there. Turning on her heel she followed her brother up the stairs, and broke into giggling fit. Oh hwo she adored Bilge, her little mess mate! He made the boat life exciting!

From the top of the staircase, to where he was now standing at the 'ward rail there was a trail of dark brown footprints, sprinkled with odd bits of dirt and splinters that fell from the mast above. SOmeone had been eavesdropping, she really didn't mind the little fellow though, he wasn't dangerous, or so she hoped.

"Bilgey clean up the deck fore I scrub your to large ears otu with some lye soap matey!"
The little rat went through four shades of yellowy pink before picking up a mop from near the aft, and dipping it in a bucket of water he began to sweep the dust prints away, Of corse everytime he took a step forward the place behind him ended up dirtier then it had been before. This caused guffaws fro mthe rest of the crew, especially the ones in the rigging, wh owere tired, and more then likely drunk.
"I think Bilge needs a bath..."
Tori muttered under her breath, at the word bath though all the vermin eyes turned on her, full of fear .

[Toriphess]

Toriphess went to the hull of the ship. He grasped the tiller and pulled it to the left. The ship turned south, and he held it there while the crew scrambled across the deck, getting to their assigned posts. He drummed his fingers on the wood beneath them, then chanced a look to the left. "Oh no." He muttered "Here comes trouble." He knew exactly what was going to happen, and he dreaded it. But Tori was co-captain. She could do whatever she pleased. He had no authority over her.

['Piper']

"Remind me to give him one eh?"
The female otter replied. Amazed at how many gasps of relief emerged from the crewbeasts. If one beast had a bath then it wasn't long before they were scrubbed sparklin' as well. The short little beast sighed and took the broom from the trembling Bilge's hnads. Patting him on the shoulder comradely.
"I was only kiddin' mate. "
The Little rat sighed. He knew the only reason that he was a second was because Tori felt good having someone shorter then her to order around, but he really did like her the most out of the two captains, she wasn't as scary as her big brother.

Leaning down TRori murmured something into the little fellow' s ears a statement that caused his brown eyes to widen, and his gaze to drift to the Cap'n before looking back to Tori, silently questioning. Soon after he shakily nodded and strode off, to Tori's room to do as she had bade him.

[Toriphess]

Toriphess watched the horizon for any sign of the river. Steelfur, on the other hand, watched the other first mate run off to Tori's room. "Not good." He muttered. He knew there was a small rivalry between siblings, and he didn't complain. But it was his job to prevent, and clean up, any messes that occur from such a rivalry. He sighed, and tapped Toriphess on the shoulder. "Your sister is up to something, Captain."
Toriphess glanced over briefly before returning his gaze forward. "I hope you'll take care of it, my friend."
The fox nodded, bowed slightly, and ran off.

['Piper']

Tori watched as Steelfur ran off, and shook her head. She wasn't a child couldn't she make her own choices? Obviously not when they were on the sea. pretending not to be at all perturbed by the turning tide of rivalry she yelled to the steerbeast.
"A little more southerly matey!"
The River Moss delta lay in that direction, and they would at least be able to glance at the legendary mountain rumored to have once been home to dragons.

Meanwhile
Bilge hoisted a small bag up on his scrawny shoulders, stuffing another one under the female otter's hammock. The real secret was hidden in his floppy shirt, a small scrwdriver like tool, and a map of the interior of Mossflower. Nto to mention the captain's dagger, Tori's anyway. The bag held nothing special, just a few of Bilge's belongings which were very few. Not to mention the female otter had merely told him to collect laundry.

The best thing in his shirt though was a bright green, short dress lik garment. Which had a billowing apron laced up the front.With a crash, and the sound of falling objects the rat hurried from the room, being careful to make the bag clank and not his shirt. They didn't have that long to wait now.

[Skipper of Sea Otters]

((Assuming your still on your ship....))


A dark figure climbed the side of the ship inching its way closer to the railing. It was dripping water from its tunic and had the hood pulled over its head hiding any features that could be seen. As it reached the railing two small daggers stuck themselves in it as an ancorpoint to hoist the figure to the deck. The figure hoisted it self from the side of the ship to the deck with one quick move and landed low on the deck. It quickly concealed one of the daggers placing another in its mouth concealing it under the hood. The black paws of the beast stretched themselves outwards with a cracking sound which signaled more flexibility for them. he looked around for anybeast near. This beast wanted answers...why was the ship in this territory...

['Piper']

Turning her head slightly Tori's eyes landed on the figure. The short otter placed both hands on her hip and eyed him, flames burning from her gaze.
"Don't ya know its polite to ask afore traipsing on somebeast's property?"
Up above n the rigging many of the crew beasts had rushed to vantage points to watch their co captain take on the odd new arrival. It wouldn't be to long before her brother showed up, Tori's fights were much better then her brothers, more witty, and often fought with words rather then weapons.

Tori didn't waver. Hero their paw wandered into her tunic, and her teeth bared in a snarl as she remembered the main reason she had sent Bilge below. Her dagger was own there, that little thing had better hurry his worm-tailed butt back up here, before her brother saved her like any male saves a damsel, and humiliated her in front of her crew. A brisk breeze sent her purple 'shirt' blowing in the wind. Yet hr gaze didn't waver with the bright piece of fabric.

[Skipper of Sea Otters]

The figure turned its head towards the beast, the two eyes that had a slightly red hue underneath the hood burned with a raging yet peaceful fury. The beast didnt reply to the beasts comment but simply began the question he had come to ask. "Why are in this territory..." the tall figure said. The figure was dresses in a long, black, hooded, tunic. It was stained with the of others from which this beast had encountered. The stains looked as if they were poured on, Slung on from blades and other applied from combat actions. The smell this beast was projecting was overpowering and smelled of rotting flesh. Though the figure was a clean beast they would not know it for a while.

[Toriphess]

Toriphess turned his face slightly, and saw a figure talking to Tori. "Oh bloody hell." he muttered. "More trouble." Toriphess called Steelfur over, and relinquished control of Swiftraider to the fox. He strode over to Tori and the newcomer, and pulled out his scythe.
"What are you doing on our ship?"The Captain growled. He faced the creature, holding the scythe in a defensive position. He glared at the new beast, and tapped a footpaw on the deck as he waited for some explination from the other.

[Skipper of Sea Otters]

The figure slowly turned its hooded head towards Tori. Continuing the question in which he had not yet received an answer to he asked again. "Why are you in this territory...is there reason for your presence on this sea-line. Speak or deal with my wrath for your inability to answer a simple question. Should I consider you just another sea-scum that has come to conquer whatever it can or do you actually have a meaningful purpose?" The figure said reaching for somthing in his tunic.

['Piper']

"Can't a lost ship sail wherever it likes? If you wish to think of us as conquering scum without knowing us go ahead."
The hood and robe creeped her out mroe then whatever lay underneath it. In the light of day even the largest monsters lost most of their fear factor in the day. Staring at the creature with her black eyes she reached a conclusion, it was a sea otter, only they could have enough strength after that swim to climb on board their ship. It wasn't a small ship after all. Although they could get on board they woud be tired.

Tori had thought vermin smelled bad, but that garment made her rethink her idea of stench. Right nw even Bilge would smell like a bed of freshly trimmed roses. Scary thought, that was, although he really didn't smell that bad.

Speaking of Bilge the little rat had ran up from below the cabin's depths. Only to almost smack into the cloaked creatures back.
"Tor' what's going on? Who's your ffriend?"
The light colored rat stared up at the covered creature, before pedeling his jingling body until it was sheathed behind Tori's taller back, not that much taller.

[Skipper of Sea Otters]

The figure looked down at the rat. It snarled underneath the hood and looked back up to Tori. "You failed to mention you were lost...perhaps that would have been a reason... And i never compared you with scum...you never told me who you were or why you were here...but this changes things seeing your situation...." the figure pulled the hood back from his head revealing the face of an otter. His fur was so dark brown it could easily go for black. around his neck he had a Blue stoned medallion with gold trimming on a gold chain.

[Toriphess]

Toriphess slammed the bottom of his scythe down and made his face close to the other otter's. "I ask you for the last time. Who are you, and what are you doing on our ship? You are refusing to answer me, and that is a bad mistake. Don't make it your last and answer me!" He snarled. His teeth were shown as he intensified his glare on the otter.

Steel fur carefully maonuvered the ship into the river delta. A sense of relief fell over him as they came back into their normal territory. The river was a familiear and comforting sight. The ship slowly resumed it's normal course along the Moss, and Steelfur lodged the wheel into the forward position. He looked back and saw Toriphess snarling at, surprisingly, another otter. He quickly jogged to his friend's side, and looked to Tori. "What in the name of the dark forest is going on here?" he mouthed.