On my own - A new beginning

[Asia Scarbin]

Asia had never seen the Redwall Abbey and so therefore she wasn't sure that she was even on the right road. The path that her footpaws found was a dirt one but at the present it was laced with a freshly fallen snow and getting thicker by the minute. She inwardly hoped that she would find the Abbey soon and if not she'd have to find a place to shelter for the night and that could present a serious problem for a lone female.

The female otter stopped for a second and looked up at the eternal sky. Her dark sparkling blue eyes squint to see just how hard it was coming down, as she pulled her cloak about her slender frame just a little bit tighter. She took a deep breath and then let out a sigh. It looks as though the area would be in for yet another heavy winter snow fall. Normally she wouldn't mind this but since she had no way of knowing if the Abbey was close or not she became a little bit worried.

She girded herself up and continued to walk. Little did she know but evil lurked in the shadows of the wintery dusk. Even the heavy snowfall made it harder for them to be spotted. But Asia did get this chill up the back of her spine. Her subconscious senses picked up that there was something amiss.

Her countenance began to drop, that is until she spotted a rather enormous structure ahead. That must be the Abbey! The pace of her footpaws began to quicken. It was time that her stalker show himself before it was too late, that is until she was safely behind the red Abbey stones. Unexpectedly he heaved himself out in front of her. She let out a squeal and jumped back with widened eyes. "Where's a pretty female like you headin to in such an awful hurry? I was wanting your company for dinner this evening. What do you say?"

[Skipper of Otters]

[[*scratches head* Sorry lassie, I'm a wee bit confused. Who's talkin' to you, and are you at th' gates yet??]]

[Skipper of Otters]

"Anythin' wrong here?"

A group of fully-grown otters exited the woodlands and stepped onto the path near the otter and the rat. The otter crew was led by a particularly brawny male, with the tattoo of a pike on his left bicep. Shouldering a hefty otter javelin, Skipper of otters winked secretly at the ottermaid before glancing at the rat.

"Ahoy there me ratty, is this 'ere cully botherin' ye? We can escort her t' Redwall Abbey and deal with 'er there!"

Greenback, Skipper's right paw, nodded briskly at the ottermaid. "Belay there miss, don't be ransacking this 'ere pore humble rat."

[Asia Scarbin]

Asia was stunned by the sudden appearance of the otter crew. She was even more shocked when they said what they did. Where they joking? They had to be. Asia never heard of an otter maiden, for no reason, attacking the likes of a large male rat! She found herself rolling her eyes. Perhaps they 'were' joking but she wasn't finding it very funny. Asia has traveled for quite a distance and she, until the otter gang showed up, feared for her life.

The wink of the one male otter then sunk into her brain. Everything became clear to her. They were indeed here to save her, and they certainly came packed with a sense of humor as well as many weapons. Once inside the walls of the Abbey she'd be safe and so she gracefully stepped aside and quickly sauntered passed the rather intimidating looking rat. He sneered at her viciously. "Don't be caught outside these walls missy or you'll see what happens to yer pretty face.”

From a safe distance she watched and waited….

[Skipper of Otters]

Skipper and his crew watched as the ottermaid stepped past the rat. Troutfur, the other male otter in his crew, walked to her side and scowled mockingly at her.

"Right miss, come with us. No funny business now!"

Upon hearing the rat's scurrilous comment, Skipper twirled his javelin with one paw and took a step closer to the rat. "Yore lucky we saved ye from this 'ere otter. Be careful 'round here, there be lots of vermin." He patted the rat's head none too gently as his voice sunk to a growl. "And I'm sworn t'defend Redwall against any vermin. So let me know if ye spots any so I can do me duty!"

Upon seeing the fierce battlelight in the otter's eyes, the rat backed off, waving his paws. "Er er, no, I'm just a nice ole' woodlander, wouldn't 'arm a buttyfly, no sir! Good day to 'ee!"

With that he tugged his snout respectfully and set off into the woods at a fast trot.

Laughing uproariously, the otter Chieftan and his crew surrounded the ottermaid, shaking paws all 'round. Skipper winked at the newcomer. "Sorry about that miss, but all's well. Are ye headed to Redwall Abbey? You can come with us! Me name's Skipper o' Otters. That's Troutfur, Greenback, an' Balla, me otter crew."

"WOOOOAHAHAHHAR!!" The brawny female nudged the ottermaid, laughing with a boisterous, piercing laugh that caused the others to wince.

"Belay there Balla, with that chirp of yourn ye'll scare her away!" Greenback said with a stern look.

((Hope you don't mind me writing the rat miss!))

[Asia Scarbin]

OOC- The auto of the rat is fine by me. I'm not that picky.

Needless to say but Asia wasn't accustomed to being around otters that were so... well... loud. Still though, it did warm her heart to see creatures that possessed such a zest for life. She accommodated the male otter with a soft but playful chuckle as she nodded in his direction, her deep blue eyes twinkling with glee. Needless to say but she didn’t mind at all the merriment of the female otter, who was much larger in size then herself. "Well as a matter of fact I was planning on entering the Abbey. I've been searching for it and was becoming rather worried when the snow began to come down so hard."

Asia began to walk beside the leader. She completely forgot her manners. The maiden turned and then spoke to the Skipper. "Oh and my name is Asia Scarbin. ‘Tis a pleasure to meet you." The female glanced down shyly and then up toward the massive walls as they approached. Indeed she was very impressed by its height and grandeur. A small gasp escaped her throat. "I've never been to the Abbey before. My mother has told me many good things about it though. Have you lived here your entire life?"

[Skipper of Otters]

Chatting amongst themselves, Skipper and his crew began walking along the path towards the great redstone building a few kilometres south of them. It looked like a beautiful frosted cake, with drifts of snow spread over battlements and roof alike, looking like meadowcream over red cake.

As they stepped into the shadow of the outer walls, Skipper looked down at the ottermaid. "Bless yer 'eart no lassie, I was raised in Mossflower, though my holt visited 'ere quite often. But we all call Redwall our second 'ome, and we come here a lot."

Troutfur grinned and nodded towards Balla. "Though if ole planktail there could 'ave her way, we'd take up permanent residence, eh Balla?"

"WoooOAHHAH, aye aye Trouty, and I'd eat so much food I'd sink in th' pond! Come on miss Asia, I'll race you to th' gates!" The brawny female otter pounded down the road, skidding to a halt at the gates.

[Asia Scarbin]

Asia displayed a smile that was ever so sweet as Skipper answered her question. The antics of the other female amused her but she was much to worn out to try and keep up with her, though she did try a little. By the time she got to the gates Asia was very tired and out of breath, her knees wobbling from the exertion and her heart racing. Perhaps she was getting sick or maybe she just needed some food and rest. But her heart yearned to see the Abbey. Inwardly she was hoping that someone would volunteer to give her a quick tour.

Her ever blue eyes looked up, her head tilting back in amazement. "Wow... Amazing. I've heard tales but never thought that they were true. I always thought that they were exaggerated, as stories usually are." The grin over her lips lasted and lasted until her cheek began to cramp. It's been a long journey and a long time since she smiled so much.