Fall's Unexpected Arrival (Oliver and Eckolet)

[Eckolet]

"It's not my trainin' that did this to me.. it's that darn curse.."

"Curse? Thou are cursed?" Eckolet was confused slightly. She had never heard of a creature being cursed. Not like that, anyway. She tilted her head slightly and watched him stand, holding out her arms to help steady him. Not that her body would do much for holding him upright.

She glanced back at the forest to see the other squirrel take of again. Ecko sighed before turning back to Oliver.

"Well, lets get to Redwall, shall we?"

"Yes!" Ecko said with excitement. She was finally going to get to see the greatness that was Redwall Abbey.

[Shadow Flame]

Oliver smiled, but heard the ruffling of someone moving. He saw Ecko look back and knew it was that squirrel from before.

"Curse? Thou are cursed?"

Oliver chuckled and patted her back softly, "Yes, yes. You see, I 'ave the badger curse known as bloodwrath, very few get it, but it's mostly warriors or slaves who get such a nightmare put upon their shoulders. It effects us who receive it in different ways; I become temporarily paralyzed, and internally injured for a short period of time. The deeper into Bloodwrath I'm in and the longer it lasts, the worse the negative impact."

"Yes!"

Oliver gave a big smile to her and walked a long side her to the gates. The gatekeeper instantly knew it was Oliver with a guest and he had the gates open. "Ecko, just leave yer bow with 'im, it'll be in good paws, trust me."

[Eckolet]

"Yes, yes. You see,... the negative impact."

Eckolet had no real knowledge of what Bloodwrath was, so she just nodded absently. No one she had ever met had such a thing. Of course, she had not met very many creatures who were not slaves or worse, so she had not met a creature that fought until the otters, who were more playful and peaceable.

"Ecko, just leave yer bow with 'im, it'll be in good paws, trust me."

"Prithee, take care of this," Ecko said to the gatekeeper, handing over her quiver, the unstrung bow within it. "I received it from friends and wish to keep it." She looked over at Oliver and into the abbey. Her eyes widened and she could hardly believe such a large building could exist.

"This...is thy abbey?" she said almost too quietly to be heard.

[Shadow Flame]

The Gatekeeper nodded as he took the Bow and accessories to it, putting it in a safe spot where he could keep an eye on it. Oliver then guided the smaller squirrel into the grounds while the large doors shut behind them.

"This...is thy abbey?"

Oliver's ears twitched for a second at the quiet whisper then smiled as he put together what she might of said. "Yep! This is my beloved 'ome, some of the greatest legends come from this place. It's a 'istorical landmark if ya ask me." Oliver tapped on her head, just in case she was in trance.

"Ecko? Come, follow me fer proper nourishment. I dunno 'bout you, but I'm 'ungry as ever." Which was an understatement since this large squirrel could eat like a hare with his appetites. He gestured his friend to follow as he walked ahead, towards the building.

[Eckolet]

After the light tap to the head, Ecko broke from her trance and hurriedly followed Oliver.

"Ecko? Come, follow me fer proper nourishment. I dunno 'bout you, but I'm 'ungry as ever."

"Yes, I am hungry," she said with a smile. "What sort of food does the abbey serve?" she asked. With the otters, it had been a lot of shrimp and hotroot soup, though she wasn't at all fond of the spicy dish. That and skilly and duff, which was good on cold nights, but not so much on the hot summer days. What she really wanted was a good salad with lots of nuts and some tasty cheese.

[Shadow Flame]

Oliver chuckled and answered her questions the best he could. "Well, Madame, anythin' the Otters served you would be standard 'ere as well, since we 'ave plenty of them who live under our roof. 'Eres some examples of what we make though, besides the Otter specialties. Shrew Bread, Nutbread, Fishcakes an' Salad, Leek Soup, Deeper n' ever pie, all kinds of Fish, Oatcakes, Scones, Turnovers, Candied nuts, you name it. We also 'ave plenty to drink, Ales, Beers, Wines, an' Cordials." He said, looking at the maid before guiding her further into the building.

[Eckolet]

Eckolet smiled as Oliver went on about the food. Most of it she had never heard of, but it all sounded very nice. "Thou are making me very hungry listening to thee." She scampered ahead of Oliver so she could see everything. The small squirrel had a look on her face that spoke volumes of the excitement she was feeling. "What sort of creatures reside here? Are thou friends with many of them? Do any of thy friends live in the woodlands?" Her questions came quickly despite having been struck with pure fright just moments before.

[Shadow Flame]

"Thou are making me very hungry listening to thee."

Oliver tilted his head and smiled, "Well, I'm very glad to 'ear it, yer gonna need that appetite." Oliver continued to walk as she ran ahead slightly, giving him the onslaught of questions, which he didn't mind. He just chuckled and smiled sweetly as she asked. "Well, I'm not sure where one of my good friends are at an' the other..., but it's long story, I can tell you later.. It would ruin the mood.." Oliver sighed and recollected his thoughts before speaking again

"Another buddy of mine, older beast, 'bout thirty in age, lives out in Mossflower. If you thought I was big, wait until you see this one. 'E's an abnormally large River Otter named Rex; woodworker, carpenter, an' design's 'omes, larger buildin's an' ships. One of the most muscular beasts I ever seen too, with the 'eight to boot. 'E grew up 'ere, but moved out an' 'as been travelin' all over the country fer 'is 'ole life. 'E visits from time to time, you'll most likely meet 'im." Oliver continued on, "As fer some of the other beasts, I'm pretty much friends or acquaintances with most of the beasts an' dibbuns."

[Eckolet]

(OOC: Sorry I haven't posted. I'm going to be obnoxiously busy this next week. If I have time, I will post more than a few sentences.)

[Eckolet]

"Another buddy of ... beasts an' dibbuns."

"Bigger...than thee?" Eckolet knew that otters were big, but most were the size of Oliver. She had never met one the size that Oli was talking. "Are there many creatures thine size?" She scampered ahead a bit, wanting to get a good view of the grounds of Redwall. She saw the big door in front of her, and more than anything wanted to go push it open and see inside. But she was taking her time, trying very hard NOT to look like the overexcited youngling.

[Shadow Flame]

Oliver smiled sweetly and replied back to his excited friend. "Yea, the top of my 'ead reaches the middle of 'is chest, that should be a good comparison. Massive beast I'd say. Oh, an' not that I know of, no many creatures I've seen like that." Oliver watched as she scurried ahead and laughed lightly to himself.

"Go on in, I'll show you the rest of the grounds after lunch." He said smiling running up to her side, waiting for her to push open the doors. "Shall I be yer escort fer the day? A fine young lady such as yerself only deserves to be guided by a young beast such as myself~" He said with a friendly wink and with the best gentlebeast's accent he could muster. Her mannerisms rubbed off on him slightly, giving him enjoyment of her company.

[Eckolet]

As soon as the permission reached her ears, Ecko pushed the doors open and looked in. A smile greeted every beast she saw, and she moved inward. A flash of color caught her eyes and Eckolet stopped to stare up at an amazing tapestry that had fluttered in the breeze caused by the open door. She had never seen anything quite like it. "Prithee, who is this?" she asked, pointing to the figure on the tapestry. She looked back at Oliver, waiting for him to approach and answer.

This was, of course, the first time that Eckolet had seen the amazing tapestry of Martin, and she had never heard of him before. Which would seem odd to most creatures living in Mossflower.

[Shadow Flame]

Oliver sighed and walked over, waving to everyone else that knew him, especially to some of the teen aged and young adult beasts, much like himself, that he usually trained. Most of them weren't ready for the early morning session he had in store for them tomorrow. He just gave them a wink and a grin before catching back up to Eckolet.

"Prithee, who is this?"

Oliver's ears perked up as he looked up as well. He found great inspiration from Martin, it was this warrior blood that made him feel similar in a way, as most warriors would. He looked down to his smaller friend and smiled. "This mouse, Martin the Warrior, original protector an' founder of this 'ere Abbey. 'E an' a group of goodbeasts built this place an' named it Redwall fer it's peace and hospitality. Martin's sword is somewhere.. not sure where it's 'iddin at the moment. Only those worthy of being the Abbey's champion will be able to seek out and find Martin's sword. That's all I really know, since I only lived 'ere fer a pawful of seasons. I did read 'bout 'im in the gatehouse though. I love readin' about legends an' 'eroes."

[Eckolet]

"This mouse, Martin the Warrior,... legends an' 'eroes."

Eckolet hung on every word Oliver said. She was excited to hear about such a strong warrior. One who was so good he made a place for other creatures to live in peace. All she had known was the whip and a hard bench for most of her life.

Ecko's paw strayed until it rested upon the likeness of Martin. "To have goodbeasts such as thee to watch over this place..." she said absently, not really talking to Oliver, but to Martin.

[Shadow Flame]

Oliver was half way down the hall, before noticing that his friend wasn't following him. He turned his head over his shoulder and shouted in a light manner. "Oi, Ecko, come come! Foods just 'bout done!"

He stopped walking and waited for her to join back up with him while biting off a loose piece of his bandage that hung off of his forearm. Oliver waved to some of the dibbuns that ran by and their parents that chased after them, it made him think about joking around with his old crew, before the big battle. "I know yer alive at least, Bradley."

[Eckolet]

Echo scurried to catch up, her gaze moving from the figure of Martin to the dibbuns running by, their parents close behind. She couldn't seem to smile at the sight, feeling a sadness that she had never had such carefree moments. With a sigh, she caught up with Oliver and smiled. "Sorry. I have never seen such a creature as thine warrior mouse." She glanced back at the tapestry one more time before moving forward, towards where she could smell a delicious aroma wafting towards her.

[Shadow Flame]

"Yea, Martin's somethin' else alright; such an inspiration." He led the small squirrel through the last part of the hallway and into the large open area that is the Great Hall. It was half empty with creatures telling stories, eating pasties, scones, and living their lives as usual. Not much activity today, but this happened from time to time.

Oliver went over to the table and beckoned Eckolet to follow and sit. Some of the food was already set and fresh to eat. Plates and utensils were set as well as the wooden mugs for drinking. "'Elp yerself, the foods ready to be eaten." Oliver said waiting for her before filling up his own plate and cup.

[Eckolet]

Eckolet had paused at the entrance, staring at the table of food. She had never seen so much before, and there wasn't even all that much left. Hurrying over at Oliver's beckon, she grabbed a plate and started piling the food onto it without much regard as to what she was grabbing. A mountain began to form on her plate, and before any creature could speak differently, she sat down and started eating like a hare going through a seven season famine.

[Shadow Flame]

Oliver chuckled as he saw his friends plate fill up. He took a gulp of his cordial and started to fill his own plate up. "Yer pretty good at puttin' all that food away. You eat as much as me!" Oliver said with an upbeat tone in his voice. The large squirrel started to chow down as well, giving his body much needed nourishment from all the events that happened in the day.

The warrior swallowed his mouthful of food and looked back to Eckolet. "What would you like to do today? Yer the guest!"

[Eckolet]

"Sorry," Eckolet tried to say through the scone she was consuming, but it came out more like "Soggy." She swallowed and looked over at Oliver. "I...er...could thee show me around a bit. After I finish eating, of course." She continued filling her mouth with as much food as she could shovel in at one time.

The creatures around her watched the small squirrel eating. Most were amazed at the amount of food that disappeared into her stomach. Eckolet had not eaten very well on the trip to Redwall, and had barely eaten before then, so this was a rare and unexpected treat for her.