Quest for the Emerald of Ivaneye
Narrator (3:17:16 PM): Candles flickered in the Cavern Hole.
All the questors besides Silvren were gathered there,
before a council of grim faced redwallers of all shapes
and sizes.
Narrator (3:18:05 PM): Silvren is outside, trying to get past
Loren, the hedgehog guard, while not being caught...
Narrator (3:18:43 PM): "So..." began the Abbot, "Tell us what
you came to say."
Silvren (3:19:00 PM): The black fox circles slightly "Me, an idiot
with a club and a doorway
Silvren (3:19:06 PM): easy enough to deal with
Tarran (3:19:52 PM): Tarran is sitting lazily on a
chair, flicking candied chesnuts into his mouth.
Weston (3:19:55 PM): Weston looks highly confused.
"You summoned us to council, father abbot. What is thy
command?"
Riala Goldentail (3:20:04 PM): Riala sits back in her seat, wary
and listening, and lets otherbeasts do the talking.
Silvren (3:20:17 PM): The black fox moves back to the
shadows, takign something he pruloined earlier, a flask of
wine
Narrator (3:20:28 PM): "For you to tell us why you were so
eager for admittance last night"
Silvren (3:20:55 PM): He lifts the flask and tosses it, in the
hedgehog's view
Silvren (3:21:41 PM): The fox moves whispers "gurd,a drink
Weston (3:21:50 PM): Weston lifts himself out of his
chair and kneels solemnly in front of the abbot. "We have the
Emerald, milord." He holds it up in both paws.
Narrator (3:22:14 PM): "The emerald? You sure it's this one?"
Narrator (3:22:32 PM): "Not...ah, another conspicouously large
emerald?"
Scallin (3:22:40 PM): Scallin shifts in his chair.
Weston (3:22:49 PM): "Are there truly that many, father
Abbot?"
Riala Goldentail (3:22:56 PM): Riala shakes her head in disgust
but remains silent.
Silvren (3:23:09 PM): The fox moves silenty
Narrator (3:23:12 PM): "Weston, one never knows. How did
you come across it?"
Tarran (3:23:23 PM): "Who can tell if it's not."
mutters Tarran lazily. "When do we eat?"
Weston (3:23:43 PM): "That is truly a long story, and
time is of the essence. There is, if I mistake it not, an army
camped outside our walls."
Scallin (3:23:52 PM): "I think youv'e had enough to
eat Tarran." Scallin says to Tarran a bit annoyed.
Narrator (3:24:06 PM): "True, true...except..."
Silvren (3:24:13 PM): "Guard..."
Silvren (3:24:32 PM): "I've come to relive you...your shif tis up
Tarran (3:24:38 PM): "I have not." Tarran flicks a
candied nut into his mouth. "Us mice need our grub."
Sybul (3:24:54 PM): "Zurr H'abbot, Oi surely doan't
think 'ee vurmints will know one sone from another."
Narrator (3:24:57 PM): Outside, loren looks skeptically at
Silvren, "No you aren't, fox. GUARDS! The fox!"
Silvren (3:25:16 PM): "Thtas it...I have been relatively easy up
until now
Narrator (3:25:17 PM): The Abbot sighs. "The time limit is up,
and we await the horde's action...their actions over the
past few days haven't been promising..."
Narrator (3:25:56 PM): "In short, we now doubt that the emerald
would do anything to aid our cause."
Scallin (3:26:09 PM): The otter continues to shift in
his chair.
Silvren (3:26:36 PM): "Hog...get out of my way before I do
something i'll regret
Sybul (3:27:04 PM): "Whot you'm mean, Zurr, 'ee emral'
not doin' anythin'?"
Narrator (3:27:05 PM): Another of the council members - the
infirmary keeper - notes Scallin's shifting. "Something
wrong, lad?"
Scallin (3:27:42 PM): "No, I'm fine... Tis just.... This
all seems insane!"
Tarran (3:27:53 PM): Tarran puts his feet on the
table. "Listen to the molebeast."
Silvren (3:28:01 PM): "Something we both regret..."
Riala Goldentail (3:28:06 PM): Riala shakes her head and waits.
No use arguing with fools. I'll wait to see what
happens...
Narrator (3:28:12 PM): "Insane?" asks the Abbot. "I don't
believe we've had the pleasure of meeting quite a few
of you...care to introduce yourselves?"
Scallin (3:28:13 PM): "At this point what good could
any action do?"
Silvren (3:29:00 PM): "The fox smiles disarmingly...dangerously
Weston (3:29:04 PM): The smile that crosses Weston's
face could have come from Riala. "Then, father abbot, I
wouldst that our only remaining course of action is to fight."
Sybul (3:29:23 PM): Sybul shakes her head gravely.
Scallin (3:29:33 PM): "I am Scallin, an otter from far
to the north who travelled south on a merchant ship. I
met up with these others and decided to aid them."
Scallin says loudly.
Silvren (3:29:35 PM): He brushes past Loren annoyed, "No
reisstance? Good
Sybul (3:29:44 PM): "Foight... Couldn't we troi another
method?"
Scallin (3:30:17 PM): "Other method? No..." Scallin
shakes his head.
Tarran (3:30:42 PM): Tarran stands up and
introduces himself. "I am the thief of a thousand
swords. Slayer of many vermin, and the best cake
scoffer in these woods. Tarran the great am I."
Silvren (3:31:17 PM): "Move...
Scallin (3:31:17 PM): Scallin speaks loudly "I think
that you Redwallers know little about the ways of
vermin."
Narrator (3:31:18 PM): One of the council members - a baker
by the looks of it - groans at "cake scoffer"
Weston (3:31:25 PM): Weston glares at Tarran out of the
corner of his eyes. "Dishonored knave..." he mutters under his
breath.
Sybul (3:31:36 PM): "An' Oi be gurtly toired o' the lot of
'ee! We'm be counsellin' somethin' aportent!"
Narrator (3:31:34 PM): "You have not been here the past few
days. The army...it is terrifying."
Tarran (3:31:55 PM): "Knave, eh?" says Tarran,
testily.
Riala Goldentail (3:32:13 PM): She spins on a calloused heel and
stalks from the Cavern Hole without a further word.
Weston (3:32:21 PM): "Father abbot, just sitting and
waiting for our demise will serve no purpose. We must fight!"
Silvren (3:32:48 PM): Silvren moves into the hall in a rage
Riala Goldentail (3:32:49 PM): She scales the walls with ease and
sets off into the treetops.
Scallin (3:32:57 PM): "If this army is as terrifying as
you describe, then there is no way that they will in
anyway hesitate in the storming of the abbey!"
Tarran (3:33:01 PM): "I can fight." says Tarran.
Narrator (3:33:15 PM): "How? Who? When? Where? None of
us are good with armies and such."
Silvren (3:33:22 PM): Silvren enters Cavern Hole, rage stamped on his
feaures. "Its pathetic really
Sybul (3:33:50 PM): "Zurr h'abbot, cotinue, please. The
rest of 'ee, calm doawn and let 'ee h'abbot talk. We'm need
to know what usn's be oop agin'."
Silvren (3:34:01 PM): "How large is this horde?"
Weston (3:34:05 PM): "Again, father abbot, I would
have to disagree. Thou art not. The elders art not. But the
beasts of this abbey will fight for their freedom."
Scallin (3:34:24 PM): "I suggest that ye' all should
ah leave. We should all leave before they decide to
attack." Scallin continues shaking his head and is
having troublee getting his point accross.
Sybul (3:34:28 PM): "Aye. But first we'm need to know
abou' ee badbeasters."
Silvren (3:34:43 PM): The fox walks over to his traveling
compainions "how large is the vermin army attacking us?
Narrator (3:34:59 PM): The abbot looks around, bombarted by
speech..."And who is the rather venemous looking fox
atop our stairs?"
Silvren (3:35:21 PM): "Silvren. Rather racist to judge me as I'm
a fox isn't it?"
Tarran (3:35:33 PM): "He's a traitorous vermin."
says Tarran.
Narrator (3:35:40 PM): "I judge you by naught but the scowl on
your face, Silvren. Take a seat."
Silvren (3:35:58 PM): "Shut up, Tarran," The fox gives him a
playful smack on the shoulder
Scallin (3:36:20 PM): Scallin looks around the room
at all the other creatures gathered there. "How many
creatures capable of fighting to we even have?" He
mutters to Weston who is sitting next to him.
Silvren (3:36:22 PM): The black fox takes a
seat. "Anyone here ever seen a true vermin horde and fought
against them?
Silvren (3:36:39 PM): "We hhave at least five..." He motions to
the questors
Weston (3:36:55 PM): "Mayhap tenscore, all told,"
Weston whispers back.
Tarran (3:36:56 PM): Tarran is knocked flying on
to the ground by the fox's smack.
Narrator (3:37:10 PM): "We know not the entire size of the
army...it is mostly hidden."
Silvren (3:37:17 PM): Silvren looks concerned "You alright
mate?" he says, helping him up
Scallin (3:37:29 PM): "You have not even sent
scouts??!"
Silvren (3:37:35 PM): "Then they must be smaller than expected
or stealth would be useless..."
Sybul (3:37:53 PM): "You'm done said 'ee bin threaterin'
you'm, H'abbott?"
Scallin (3:38:03 PM): "How can ye' ayven consider
fightin' when we have no idea how large they could
be??"
Weston (3:38:05 PM): Weston smiles a sad smile at
Scallin. "This is an abbey, sir Scallin. They- until recently, even
I- know little about war."
Narrator (3:38:09 PM): "We are surrounded, Scallin...no scouts
have been able to leave the abbey...it's truly amazing that you
got in yourselves."
Silvren (3:38:11 PM): "The solution is one of three, abbot
Tarran (3:38:14 PM): "Stop whacking me, you big
oaf." says Tarran indignantly.
Silvren (3:38:47 PM): "We can assassinate the warlrod and
captains, burn the woodlands to kill them or wage a
defensive war."
Silvren (3:39:36 PM): "As I'm pretty sure I'm the only one
who's ever had to fight a vermin horde..."
Weston (3:39:39 PM): "None of those plans, Silvren, is
acceptable. Thou'lt have to come up with others."
Scallin (3:39:49 PM): "Assasinate?" Scallin
chuckles dryly. "We don't have any assassins, we have
nothing!"
Sybul (3:39:49 PM): Sybul tugs her nose frustratedly.
"H'abbott!" She says loudly, "Wot 'ave 'ee vurmints been
oop to, asoides hoidin'?"
Silvren (3:40:16 PM): The fox smiles dryly. "You have me."
Sybul (3:40:20 PM): " 'Ave theyun's attacked?"
Narrator (3:40:29 PM): "Ah...Sybul...a good question. It has
been most frightening...slinging fires, rasing all sorts of
din..."
Tarran (3:40:42 PM): "Just give them the dumb
jewel." says Tarran, impatiently.
Narrator (3:40:49 PM): "It's barely safe to walk outside."
Silvren (3:40:51 PM): "If they have then we've gotta repulse
them...play on the jewel"
Scallin (3:41:40 PM): "Well, I think you all
underestimate how pwerful thay can be."
Sybul (3:41:40 PM): "An Whoi do 'ee jool be no good
naow?"
Silvren (3:41:43 PM): "Lure them for it...or trick the leader
and murder him"
Tarran (3:42:11 PM): "I told you he was bad."
says Tarran, pointing an accusatory finger at Silvren.
Silvren (3:42:27 PM): "No use for honor if you gt killed for
it"
Weston (3:42:55 PM): Weston's face twitches at
Silvren's last words. "Father abbot. I would ask that you
excuse me from this council."
Narrator (3:43:07 PM): Just then, barely audible, bugles call.
More loudly, the abbey bells start Bing!-ing as many
small objects are thrown against them.
Scallin (3:43:13 PM): Scallin stands up full of
frustration. "I will not stay here, it is not my obligation.
If you choose to fight and die, then I will be faraway
when that happens."
Silvren (3:43:26 PM): "I've seen countless examples of
'honor' getting creatures killed, good friends"
Narrator (3:43:41 PM): The abbot, who had been about to say
something completely different, asked, "What was
that?"
Sybul (3:43:44 PM): Sybul jumps at the bells. "Please tell
Oi that be 'ee naughty dibbuns!"
Silvren (3:43:45 PM): "Scallin...if I may say so cowardice is
definatel ynot the asnwer
Scallin (3:43:55 PM): Scallin shuts up. "What is that
sound?"
Weston (3:44:18 PM): Weston sprints up the stairs to the
nearest window. A moment later his head appears at the top
of the steps. "The abbey is attacked!"
Tarran (3:44:18 PM): "It's something hitting the
bells." says Tarran.
Narrator (3:44:30 PM): "Loren!" calls the abbot. "What has
happened?"
Tarran (3:45:08 PM): "Finally." says Tarran,
drawing his sword.
Silvren (3:45:20 PM): The fox leaps up, drawing his sword in
one swift motion. "Lets kill some enemies
Narrator (3:45:21 PM): Loren is out for a few minutes, then calls
back, "Apparently, there is someone at the gates. All
fancy dressed he is."
Sybul (3:45:44 PM): "That be 'ee Vurmint, Oi'll wager."
Narrator (3:46:01 PM): The abbot looks in shock at the barred
weapons. "Put those away. Vermin or not, we shall not
be the first ones to attack. Now...who has the
emerald?"
Weston (3:46:16 PM): "I, father abbot."
Silvren (3:46:18 PM): "IDIOT!!!!"
Tarran (3:46:53 PM): Tarran puts away his sword,
in a remarkable display of obedience.
Silvren (3:46:54 PM): "If we delay then losses will be
greater!" The fox composes himself "I'm sorry..."
Sybul (3:46:57 PM): "None o' that, naow, Silv'en."
Silvren (3:47:08 PM): The fox's sword remains in paw.
Scallin (3:47:25 PM): The otter stands still watching
the others, and says nothing.
Narrator (3:47:31 PM): "Good, then...we need some white
cloth. Who has a bit of white cloth? And, Weston, can
you keep Silvren in line? A fox walking among scores
of angry redwallers is going to find himself in more
than a pickle."
Silvren (3:47:56 PM): The fox replies "I'll be fine
Narrator (3:47:56 PM): "And that's without having a weapon
out" amends the Abbot.
Weston (3:48:14 PM): Weston nods and moves to stand
next to the fox. "Put thy sword away, Silvren."
Silvren (3:48:23 PM): "Weston...no"
Scallin (3:48:42 PM): "Wait!"
Silvren (3:48:43 PM): With an annoyed snarl eh sheaths the
blade
Tarran (3:48:50 PM): Tarran glares at the fox.
Narrator (3:48:56 PM): One of the council members produces
a length of white cloth - an apron - and the Abbot takes
it.
Scallin (3:49:00 PM): "You arn't sayin' that we are
going to give them the emerald are you??"
Weston (3:49:03 PM): Weston inclines his head. "I thank
thee. Come, let us see what our enemy wants."
Narrator (3:49:06 PM): "Now, Weston, may I have the
emerald?"
Weston (3:49:15 PM): Weston silently hands over the
stone.
Scallin (3:49:24 PM): "No! You can't do that!"
Tarran (3:49:29 PM): Tarran glares at Scallin
"Why shouldn't we give them the emerald?"
Scallin (3:49:40 PM): "That stone be priceless, and
it will not stop their attack."
Silvren (3:49:40 PM): "Thats insane! We cannot give it up!"
Sybul (3:50:03 PM): "Et be o' no value to usn's"
Tarran (3:50:11 PM): "How do you know?"
Weston (3:50:04 PM): "It is nothing but a chunk of stone.
It is not worth anyone's life."
Silvren (3:50:27 PM): "More lvies will be wasted if we give
it up"
Scallin (3:50:33 PM): "Yeaghh....! I have a
confession to make."
Sybul (3:50:50 PM): Sybul turns surprised to Scallin.
Weston (3:50:55 PM): Weston raises an eyebrow at the
otter's outburst.
Scallin (3:50:55 PM): Scallin breathes hard and
looks to the floor.
Tarran (3:51:15 PM): Tarran was already looking
at the otter, so he couldn't turn.
Sybul (3:51:21 PM): "Well?"
Silvren (3:51:24 PM): "What is it, Scallin?"
Scallin (3:51:29 PM): "Te'... only reason I joined
with you with this quest...."
Silvren (3:51:45 PM): "What?"
Scallin (3:51:53 PM): "Was to steal the emerald.
But since then.... things have changed.."
Silvren (3:52:06 PM): "What?"
Scallin (3:52:28 PM): "I am sorry."
Silvren (3:52:44 PM): "Yo...you!"
Silvren (3:52:52 PM): The fox storms ove rto the otter,
sword drawn
Weston (3:52:53 PM): Weston looks steadily at the otter.
"Sorry for what, sir Scallin? Hast thou commited any crime?"
Weston (3:53:06 PM): Weston's poker is out and
between the fox and the otter.
Sybul (3:53:13 PM): "Well, as long as things 'as changed...
Oi doan't see anything wrong."
Scallin (3:53:22 PM): The otter stares hard at the
fox.
Scallin (3:53:38 PM): "But you see... I don't really
belong here."
Tarran (3:53:51 PM): Tarran looks daggers at
Scallin.
Sybul (3:53:53 PM): "We'm need to get a move on et...
'Ee vurmints still be outsoide..."
Silvren (3:53:55 PM): "Move, Weston..."
Narrator (3:54:04 PM): "Why not? Everyone deserves another
chance, Scallin." reassures the Abbot.
Silvren (3:54:08 PM): Raises his sword and slices down
Silvren (3:54:16 PM): He stops an inch before Scallin's neck
Scallin (3:54:30 PM): Scallin draws his sword.
Sybul (3:54:48 PM): "Stop et! We'm not need to foight
each other!"
Silvren (3:54:49 PM): Removes the sword and sheaths it. "If
it idn't wish to kill you I will not..."
Scallin (3:54:57 PM): He holds it at his side, and
stares into the foxes eyes.
Tarran (3:55:17 PM): Tarran draws his sword and
charges the fox. "Nobeast chops my friends unless I
say so."
Weston (3:55:30 PM): Weston glares at the fox. "Thou
art a fool, Silvren. If thou killest thy allies thy only reward wilt
be the laughter of our enemies."
Narrator (3:55:54 PM): Loren opens the door once again, and
comes barreling down to sit squarely in the middle of
any fights.
Scallin (3:56:00 PM): "It is alright," Scallin smiles.
Silvren (3:56:12 PM): "our companionship stops me
Sybul (3:56:17 PM): "Boi 'hokey! Zurr H'abbott? Wot
you'm need done naow?"
Tarran (3:56:17 PM): Tarran stops, inches from
Loren's spiky body.
Scallin (3:56:43 PM): "I know when I am unwanted.
Now if I can have permission from the Abbot, I would
like to leave here."
Narrator (3:56:52 PM): "Ah...Sybul, as always...the moles carry
with them our reasoning. Come, let us go and meet
this messanger at our gates."
Narrator (3:57:19 PM): "You can come too, Scallin. You are not
unwanted by redwallers."
Sybul (3:57:22 PM): Sybul tugs her snout at the rest of the
warriors and leaves with the abbott.
Scallin (3:57:39 PM): Scallin watches as the others
leave the room.
Weston (3:58:34 PM): "Come, my friend... Let us fight
together."
Narrator (3:58:46 PM): The council and questors come to the
Great hall, where a huge mass of redwallers awaits.
Tarran (3:58:56 PM): "Can I watch?" asks Tarran.
Scallin (3:59:05 PM): Scallin unwillingly follows.
Scallin (3:59:30 PM): Having made his confession,
the otter has little left to say.
Narrator (3:59:51 PM): Across the abbey grounds they went,
habits billowing out in the winds.
Narrator (4:01:11 PM): Finally, they arrived at the walls. They ascend the stairs to the top, where they see the messanger, standing on the path at the other side of the walls.
Sybul (4:02:05 PM): "Well thurr 'ee be."
Weston (4:02:15 PM): Weston smiles grimly. "Indeed."
Tarran (4:02:51 PM): "That's a bit of an odd hat."
says Tarran, dubiously.
Narrator (4:03:18 PM): "Ah...once again, time for the demands,
it seems..." mumbles the Abbot.
Weston (4:03:51 PM): Weston leans over the walltop
and shouts down to the messenger. "Who are you, and what
want thou at Redwall Abbey?"
Sybul (4:03:52 PM): Sybul starts to sway at the top of the
gates as she looks down. "We'm be gurtly hoigh oop."
Narrator (4:05:40 PM): The abbot clutched the apron-covered
Emerald to his stomach, and awaited the
messanger's response.