The Start of a New Adventure

[Sigurd]

Three hares had entered the stream, wading towards the ragtag band. They had stripped of their ghillie suits, so all they wore now were plain green tunics. Mud and dirt were were splattered on the three's face, and arms, that that hadn't washed off in the water.

The leader was a tall hare, wearing a kilt along with his tunic, and patches of creamy fur in his pelt. Striding forward, he looked at the big otter, "Och, laddie, Ah thank thee' for takin' tha' appropiate measures. And, Ah'd like ta' mention out of common courtesy, you're still surrounded, ye' ken! My laddies have ye' surrounded. Now, 'ow 'bout ye' beasties explain why there are varmin' in mah' woods, ye' ken?" The hare leader kept his eyes on the big otter. He was in his element. But, he knew his men had an arrow aimed straight for his heart should he try anything.

[Shadow Flame]

He was more than happy to see the other two walking behind him without a second thought. It made him glad to for the two trustworthy beasts to accompany him. The giant muscled Otter looked into the eyes of the tall hare and smiled. "Well matey, no need t' be 'asty now, I lived in these woods since I was small an' I feel that I 'ave plenty o' business bein' 'ere without too much trouble. As fer vermin, I 'aven' seen any vermin 'ere in a few months now, lads."

He looked back to the other two before looking into the Hares eyes again. "I was just teachin' these two 'ere th' art o' travelin'. They are a good twelve years younger than I, so I wanted t' give them some of my experiences as a warrior an' traveler. I don't know if ya 'eard o' me, but I am Rex 'Woodmaster' Irontail. Master boat builder, architect, an' 'ome builder at yer service. I run th' biggest 'ome an' buildin' design ring in all o' Mossflower. I'm afraid I 'ave never seen 'ares such as yerselves 'round these parts, kind of strange fer me t' see beasts from th' north all th' way down 'ere."

[unknownsoldier]

Jellal remained silent after hearing the hare say his questions. So stereotypical, he knew most woodlanders viewed rats, ferrets, weasels and such "vermin". Though there were few good examples on how this could be true, but just because of a few shouldn't mean their whole species is bad. I mean, yes, being a thief and a rat would be considered typical, but in his defense, stealing from other vermin is much more challenging and way better then stealing from woodlanders.

He already had a plan in mind if things go sour, but archers in waiting....that presented a problem. He could probably get away if he caused a distraction, but Rex and Inktail though....Inktail is probably almost as fast as he was....no, he won't abandon his friends. In the guild, this is the most important rule, never abandon friends.

[delerix]

Inktail looks these hares over, nope no way he could take one of them on. In brief loss of composure he winces at being called vermin, sure he's used to it, but it still cuts at him. Listening calmly to Rex, he takes a deep breath and steps forward to speak for himself a bit as well.

"Listen, I know weasels have a less than grande reputation mates, I ain't asking ye ta forget it neither, but I've lived in Mossflower all me life, along the river fer all of it. I'm no warrior, heck I couldn't take one o' you down even if he was blindfolded more than likely. I'm just a fisher beast. Jellal, the rat 'ere, he's new ta mossflower, I helped him outta a tight spot in the river." He smiled widely at the assembled hares, this really is just like introducing himself along the river in a way.

"It's like me matey Rex said, we're just starting on traveling, are ye worrying because there've been troubles with...erm, vermin?"

[Sigurd]

The leader looked over the hare. "Och' meh' lad, Ah'm tha' only 'ighlander 'ere! The rest are ex-Long Patrol, or Fur en' Foot Fighters, ye' ken! Ah' mah'self joined tha' Long Patrol for a short run, but, nay. She was weak at tha' time, and was in transition betwix lairds!" he sadly shook his head.

"Tha' names Commander O'Barukal o' the Mossguard, ye' ken! Ye' not supposed ta' know aboot meh'. Heh, Ah' believe tha' varmints are not dangerous, little runts tha't they be, but, och, Ah'm not 'un ta' trust Ah' varmint!" He was a highlander, where the vermin were very dangerous, so he wasn't going to base these too on their words.

"Och, Mista' Irontail, where are yon fellowship 'eadin' off ta', by tha' way?" he asked.

[Shadow Flame]

"Ah I see, that makes sense t' me! Long Patrol, I 'aven't seen a long patrol 'are in many seasons now. Last time I was in Salamandastron was when I was about twenty seven; I'm thirty three now.' Time sure does fly.." He said before thinking back to the present. "Commander! Well, sir, I don't mean t' be rude, but I don't see no vermin 'ere, these two are good souls!" He said enthusiastically. "I understand yer concerns 'bout these woods, I worry 'bout bad creatures too, I've 'ad t' fight a giant Adder an' almost lose me life, stoats, weasels, rats, you name it, but I learned from these two that bad apples of different beasts can't make up fer all o' them." He said before bowing respectfully to the highly ranked officer.

He stood to attention yet again and addressed Barukal's next question. "Aye, t' my birthplace t' stock up on supplies, t' see old friends an' family. Redwall of course!"

[unknownsoldier]

Jellal hated situations like this. He can't just abandon his friends and leave them to die or anything. He doesn't want to prove this hare that he was just a typical vermin. Its always hes a vermin this, or you can never change that. He hated this view that woodlanders had.

He remembered what his foster father Garrus told him long ago, "Never let the views of others bring you down, you are who you are, no one can change that." He was right though, don't let others tell you who you really are, because they tend to be wrong. He wasn't going to let anyone tell him any different.

[delerix]

Inktail frowned and looked at his paws. It was something of a sensitive subject for him, he did almost end up a raider as opposed to a fisher. Taking a long, deep breath he looked up again, looking out the corner of his eye to Jellal he'll flash his friend an encouraging grin.

Hearing Rex speak up, particularly the line about there not being any vermin 'round here, Inktail's grin widens to its normal proportions and he stands just a little taller. Not about to let something like this keep him down if he can help it.

"Commander in the Mossguard ye say, Jellal and meself were escorted ta Camp willow by a mossguard sort, sir, Field Marshal by rank, Name o' Rewhane Rommel Pier. 'E was a Badger, carried a overgrown blowgun fer darts."

Inktail hadn't meant to go right into that yet, still maybe if the hare knew that they'd already met another of the mossguard he'd show little more courtesy.

[Sigurd]

"Ah', Laird Rommel does exist, eh'?" O'Barukal shrugged. "Och, that explains where tha' laddie's been, ye' ken! But, och', back to tha' matter at hand!" he turned back to Rex, and looked the otter up and down.

"Ye' seem like a' trustworty sort, Irontail, but Ah'm afraid Ah' can't just let two varmin run about Mossflower willy-nilly, ye' ken! Et's been long since our last skirmish, but Ah'm not ta' take any risks. Ef' yon wouldn't mind, Ah'd like to offer two of mah' lads ta' help escort tham' ta' yon abbey. Ah' want no 'arm ta' come ta' tha' dwellers there. Ye' ken understand, no?"

[Shadow Flame]

The large Otter heard O'Barukal loud and clear. He responded swiftly, "Aye, sir. No 'arm done t' th' Abbey, even though I wouldn't let no beast 'arm my precious Abbey. I 'ave too many family an' friends t' worry 'bout. If you insist that we be accompanied, so be it." He looked to the other two and smiled. "Gather yer things, friends. We're off t' visit th' Abbey."

Rex walked over to his sword and sheathed it back into it's jeweled scabbard that hung by his hip. He walked back over to the Commander. "Permission t' leave, sir?"

[unknownsoldier]

"Finally." Jellal said lowly as he used his tail to pick up his dagger from the ground slowly. He brought it up high enough to grab it and sheath it. Took them long enough to give a answer, but a escort....seriously? This was going to be a annoying trip to Redwall Abbey.

"Is a escort really necessary? I mean...it seems a bit much for just the three of us." Jellal says to Rex as he adjusted his backpack. How much of a escort were they going to get though, was the question on Jellals mind.

[delerix]

Inktail let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding, he grinned weakly at Jellal, chuckling with a little less humor than he normally has in his tone as he gets his pack and pulls his good stave free of the earth.

"What do ya mean three of us, it's only yerself and me they're fussing over mate," as he claps Jellal on the shoulder "Obviously we're such imposing villainous vermin they're needin' ta send a fightin' beast ta keep an eye on each of us."

His good humor does start to return as he gets ready to go. He lightly jabs at Rex.

"I still don't believe ye actually picked 'im up and took a flying leap inta th' river like that."

[Sigurd]

"Well, ef' et' shoots ye' both, Ah' ken' kill ye' right now'!" O'Barukal said, cracking his knuckles. "Every 'are knows ah' thing or two aboot' boxin', ye' ken? An', then, Ah' suppose there's tha' archers aimin' at ye' skulls! Och', that will hurt less. Maybe, but et' will definitely be' quick. Och, so, wot do ye' say?" the hare looked down at them unwavering.

Without waiting for an answer, he nodded to the two hares at his side. "Ringo, Gubber, go now, laddies! Escort yon' boyo's 'ome ta' Redwall!"

--

"Aye, sir, wot!" Ringo said, saluting, as he and Grubber made their way to the shore. As if by magic, two javelins had appeared, stuck into the soft earth. Each hare grabbed his.

--

When the three beasts (Jellal, Rex and Inktail) would look back at O'Barukal, he'd have vanished.

[Shadow Flame]

Rex smiled cheeky like at his friend Inktail. "Well in my line of work, I 'ave to make quick decisions an' even quicker actions." He pulled open the top part of his buttoned shirt apart, showing a colossal scar running diagonally on his huge barreled chest. "Don't want t' 'ave accidents like this happen again." He said with a wink before buttoning up his shirt again.

"Oh, we just 'ave t' do what 'e says, Jellal, 'fraid there's nothin' more we can do. They bring th' law in these woods an' no matter 'ow much longer we were 'ere before these beasts, we simply 'ave t' do what they say, at least fer now."

[unknownsoldier]

Jellal just sniffed, "Typical." He said with not much enthusiasm in his tone of voice. Supposed to be a simple trip, nothing more, what stupid luck. He winced slightly from thinking that, don't think bad thoughts or things will get worse. He went over a quick list of what was in his backpack, tools, check, rations, check, water, check. He already knew about the small brownish balls hidden away in a secret pocket. Better to save those for later, never know.

He looked to Inktail, "Believe it, he did pick me up and dragged me into the river." He said while he shuddered slightly from the memory of it. Never again, just.....never again.

[delerix]

Inktail grinned and almost laughed, almost, when Jellal muttered his thoughts about the armed escort. Looking over that scar, and shaking his head, no way he'd have survived taking a wound like that. Listening to both his friend's comments on what Rex had needed to do he nodded, as if having made up his mind on something.

"Well, it's a good thing yer able ta do so Rex, it may just come in handy fer somethin' other than leaving a holt." Placing a friendly paw on the smaller Rat's shoulder, feeling the shudder. "Jellal mate, far as I know we don't need ta be doin' anymore swimming, unless...ya didn' ferget anythin' I 'ope." He winks and playfully shoves the rat gently, just hoping to get him out of the too serious mood.

However his own mood grows somber as he looks over the hares and their Javelins. His grin not faltering as he silently figures the odds of himself and Jellal at next to nil should these hares decide to act out of prejudice and Rex isn't around. He unconsciously moves a half-pace nearer the large otter.

[Shadow Flame]

One of the hares moved from the front, while the other sat at the rear. Rex smiled "No worries Jellal, swimmin' will be the thing of th' past. Let's just follow these brutes t' Redwall. We'll be safe from these two there. All creatures 'ave t' abide by Redwall rule, even ones from Salamandastron or th' Mossguard. That means zero weapons from all five of us. They're t' be kept at th' gate'ouse." He explained.

He noticed Inktail shuffle closer and chuckled. "I'll protect ya matey. I won't let these guys 'arm neither of ya. Yer in safe paws." He said patting the smaller creature on the head.

"Redwall is only 'bout 'alf a 'our walk from 'ere. We will be feastin' in no time."

[unknownsoldier]

Jellal couldn't help but give a small smile at Rex's enthusiasm. At least someones giving off a ray of confidence at this point. Especially with their escorts of vermin-disliking hares dressed in leaves. Still, he should keep that little tidbit stored, he never knew if some situation would call for measures like that.

"Are we ready to shove off then?" Jellal said, trying to at least sound happy for Rex and Inktail. At least he made two new friends, that much was obvious. He felt some pity for Inktail though, considering how much they've been through so far. He secretly hoped this journey would go off without a hitch.

[delerix]

Looking to Rex and then to Jellal, Inktail smiled as he thought about how lucky he was to have met up with them both. Nodding as Rex told him of the rules about weapons in Redwall, "Sounds like a good rule ta me." Then Rex petted him on the head, Inktail is mildly embarrassed at his fear having been seen that easily, but he does appreciate the kindness in it.

"About an 'alf 'our ya say. Haharr, I'm already lookin' forward ta my first Redwall feast." Inktail smiles and refrains from twirling his staff this time, things are looking up for him, and for his two good friends.

[Shadow Flame]

"It will be a fine feast my friend, and Jellal, you will definitely enjoy what we 'ave t' offer at good ol' Redwall. Both of you will, it's a grand time really." Rex said as he followed the hare who escorted them with the other in the back.

It only took some time, but the group had made a long distance already towards the hulking fortress. They made it to Redwall.

Rex approached the doors and gave them a hearty thudding knock. The beast on the ramparts saw the group, saw Mossguard hares, and knew that everyone was clean. He signaled the gatehouse keeper to open the doors." The swung open and showed a beautiful sight. "'Ere we are boys, Redwall." He said with a wide grin.