Shelter at the Eastern Gate

[Stray]

It was late at night and there were dark clouds hovering over Mossflower. A warning to it's inhabitants of the approaching storm. Every creature flocked to it's home all but a frantic mouse on a search for shelter. Maris ran through the woods longing to be out of the maze of trees which consumed him. He imagined himself better off surrounded by vermin with only a twig for defense than being stuck in this situation. He was tired, hungry, exhausted, and worried about his friend.

A strong sound soon came to the mouse's ears, tearing and ripping through the trees a strong rain was approaching. Failing to outrun the downpour the beast was soon being drenched to the bone in water. Taking off his green tunic, he used it as a sort of cover from the rain. It was a horrible shield, but the mouse kept his pace. Determined to find his way through the place that was so set on being the death of him. The beast had been leaning down as he ran, the drenched tunic infront of his view, against the rain. This prohibited him from noticing that the trees were beginning to thin, he had no clue that he would soon be free from Mossflower.

Underneath the tunic was a disaster, water dripped onto the Mouse's head, droplets drumming against the cloth. Suddenly he noticed the drumming had picked up. Breaking out of his trance he realized that the ground was now covered in grass. He was in a field, free of the wretched forest. He raised his tunic to gaze upon a large abbey in the distance, a red building darkened by the stormy night. There was a moment's hesitation as this place could have well belonged to a vermin warlord. However something inside Maris kicked the idea away, telling him to go to the old abbey, and so he did in a head long sprint.

Reaching the structure he stopped to catch his breathe, leaning against the wall he surveyed the area for an entrance. Catching sight of an inlet, he ran towards it only to find a locked gate. Continuing his way around the walls he checked every gate for an entrance. He would knock at each gate even though the storm drowned out any sound that he could make. Eventually the mouse was back where he started, his will to get inside crushed. Making the best of the situation, the mouse used the small arch infront of the gate as a shield from the rain. Ringing out his tunic he set himself down, leaning back against the gate. Covering himself with the tunic he soon fell asleep, so exhausted that the poor resting place could not stop him from giving his body what it needed.

[William]

Another creature was watching as the ominous storm clouds neared the abbey. This mouse though was allot better off to begin with. Already inside the abbey with a warm meal waiting for him when he finished his watch.

Shaking the rain from his fur he sighed as he started to make his way back inside. But as he passed the small gate he heard a small rapping noise. Turning he made his way to the gate and peaked outside. No-beast was there. Shrugging he turned to walk about inside when he saw a shadow run off toward the next gate. Looking back inside the abbey he could see that that would lead the beast to the main gate.

Resting a paw on his sword William walked toward the gate. Opening it slowly he looked out into the dismal afternoon, the rain doing little to help his visibility. Shrugging his paw fell back to his side as he turned around to walk back inside. But a dark shape sitting next to the gate caused him to almost trip. Kneeling next to the shape he could see it was a young mouse, completely soaked to the bone due to the storm. Smiling slightly William shook the mouse lightly.

"Tis a bit to cold to be staying out here mate. Why don't you come inside where it's warm?"

(Welcome to the site, I hope you enjoy posting here )

[Stray]

((OOC: Thanks mate))

For a few moments Maris sat in a still slumber, soon roused into a half conscious state. "Come on Flit...can't I rest a bit longer?" the drowsy mouse mumbled the question to what he thought was his best mate, "I'm glad your back, but I've been looking for you all day." Reaching his paw to the back of his head he rubbed a nasty bump remembering what had happened. Flit and himself being sucked up by the river, blacking out when the current knocked him against a rock, waking up on the shore alone. The mouse could only feel a hatred for the river and all the woods surrounding it.

"Come inside?" Maris mumbled to himself before shooting to his feet. He turned to face a much larger mouse knelt down on the opposite side of the gate. It was a bit of a shock not seeing a weasel or a rat standing there. Even if a goodbeast did have a stronghold such as this one, warlords were always on the lookout for such a place. He decided to pass the thought, figuring these beasts could obviously hold their own. What was the point in questioning their presence when it was to his advantage. He gazed at the mouse for a few moments wondering why he offered shelter with such trust. "I'd appreciate it, but my best mate is still in those woods."

[William]

(Tis no problem. Oh, and I looked at your art page, and your really good, art has never been something I'm good at, but I like you pics.)

Will could not help but smile as the young mouse mumbled in his sleep. He assumed that this Flit was one of his friends. But his smile sank when the mouse mumbled that he was missing. But he smiled again as the mouse finally woke up. But again the smile was forced from his face as the mouse told him that his friend was still out there. Thinking for a few seconds Will looked out at the rain. "Well if hes still out there we could always go look. Or we can wait till this rain passes us by and t'would be easier to see." He said as he stood back up, he just now noticed the mouses black sword, but made no comment of it yet....

[Stray]

Maris caught the strangers eyes as they strayed towards his sword. Wondering if this mouse would still let him enter knowing he was armed. Maris would never let the blade leave his side, even if it denied him escape from the storm. An unarmed beast on the road was a dead one. The blade was merely used to make baddies think twice before plotting out any attack, that and as a prop in his stories.

Looking out into the storm Maris came to realize that he could barely see the woods anymore, the storm only seemed to be getting worse. The urge to look for his friend fought with the logic in waiting till the storm's passing. "Well...is their much we can do now?" Flit was a tough squirrel, there was no doubt in Maris' mind that he was still alive. He could think of a million times Flit saved both of their hides, even knowing this the mouse was still worried for his friend. He turned around to face the stranger again, his body leaning back against the gate's wall. He had to put into consideration how tired, and hungry he was. His legs felt weak, and he haen't had a bite to eat in days. "Maybe we could take him some vittles when the storm passes? Ya know Flit, and I are actors, we can repay any kindness in entertainment."

[William]

Will could see the unease in the young mouse. He could only guess the cause, maybe the mouse had never seen a building such as this before, or maybe he was unsure what would happen to his sword. Pushing the thought from his mind he to looked out at the woods. "Not sure there would be much, I'm sure if hes anywhere around here he'll come here as well, just like you did." He smiled as the mouse spoke of their occupation. "No need for repayment mate, if you need shelter and food Redwall is happy to accept any beast." Smiling at the mouse again he stood up, holding out his paw to help him up. "I'm William, Champion of this Abbey."

[Stray]

Maris was happy to hear that his friend might well be on his way. This was a big place, thus it was probably very hard to miss. If he could find this old place then what was he worrying about Flit for? The thought of it settled the mouse, what was worrying going to do anyway? His attention was brought back to the mouse at the mention of Redwall, figuring that it was the name of this place. "Redwall...if there is a need for gates and walls, then an audience waits inside. It's not like we'd be performing for vermin, now that's a though crowd. Especially when most of yer skits involve fighting a few of em. It's just a small repayment, wouldn't have it any other way."

He smiled as the mouse lent him a paw, offering his own in return. "Nice to meet you Will, I call myself Maris." He took note of the word champion, this mouse looked it. He was much bigger than Maris, not having the washed up traveler look but the look of a warrior. Maris could picture a few events when he needed a beast or two like this one.

[William]

Will shrugged as he helped the mouse up. "Nice to meet you Maris, you can show us your skills later. But first you need some food and a much needed rest." Walking into the abbey past the large doors Will took a few seconds to shut and lock them again. Turning back he nodded to Maris as he walked into the main abbey building.

(Want to make a new topic? Or just keep posting here?)

[Stray]

((OOC: I guess we could move inside, do you want to make the thread since Maris is following?))

There was no way Maris could argue with rest and food after being lost for several days, he was completely famished and overjoyed at the mention of food. He imagined a place like this had all sorts of vittles, beds to sleep in too. It'd been a long time since Maris slept in a bed, long enough that he could not remember the last time. He only hoped that some beast did not suggest he took a bath, which was obviously going to come up if these beasts were civilized. However if it was the price to pay for food and bed then he'd take it. He followed William with the utmost interest in his surroundings, stealing a glance at everything from floor to ceiling.

[William]

(Thread made, called Sheltered care.)