09:01 PM
RW Abbey: Great Hall
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The Great Hall of Redwall Abbey. Countless paw falls have echoed from
these stones, and untold numbers of feasts and merry gatherings have been
held here. A table, not nearly so grand or large as its predecessors,
but quite functional for mealtimes, rests near the center of the hall.
Chairs exist here aplenty, though most of them are obviously not from the
same set. Many of the stained glass windows are broken, and have been patched
with canvas and boards to fend against the elements. The floor is clean
and swept. A fire is kept burning in the fireplace at almost all times
of the day and night, and there are several more comfortable chairs and
cushions set up here, of varying sizes. One looks large enough to easily
accommodate a badger.
The Tapestry hangs proud and tall, and while the rest of Redwall may still bear the scars of natural disaster, this most famous of Redwall's relics remains unharmed by beast, time, or the elements. The figure of Martin the Warrior seems to be watching over his own with an unchanging, kindly gaze.
Red, blue, orange, green...vibrant patterns of color are painted on
the floorstones of Great Hall by the high afternoon sun that is streaming
through the stained glass windows.
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Exits/Entrances:
[K]itchen [St]airs [C]avern [H]ole
[Li]brary [En]try [B]reezeway
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Darklett sticks his tongue in his lower lip, eyeing the stoat. "You're pretty dumb trying to take the blame, you know."
Arvasgalon looks hard at the hare, "You're pretty dumb saying I didn't know what it's like having the responsiblity of a dead beast on my head."
Kevarr's eyes narrow.
"I'm about sick of beasts twisting my words. I said you didn't know what it was like having the responsibility of Posco on your head." Darklett glares. "And trust me, it's hell. Just letting you know."
Jarril pads from the kitchen, scone in paw and munching it slowly. Stopping slightly inside the hall, the hare pops it all into his mouth and swallows.
Arvasgalon says, "Well, I thank you...for giving me advice I already know and making me more like a vermin! You brought disgrace on my name yesterday, Darklett."
Darklett shakes his head. "Whatever disgrace is." He places his anger in check as he sees Jarril. "Oh, hello. I've been looking... everywhere for an officer. I need to make a report."
Jarril blinks at Darklett and nods his head. "Ah, ya do, do ya? Then by all means make the report." Padding over to where Darklett is, placing his paws behind his back.
Darklett nods. "Well, it's a bit of old news, and I apologize for the tardiness, but like I said before, I couldn't find an officer. It's in regards to the events on the open grounds two afternoons ago."
Jarril rolled his eyes slightly. "I was there if it's the incident I am thinking of?" The major's right ear twitches slightly. "But go ahead with the report nonetheless."
Darklett nods. "Yes, it's -that- one. But I was there quite a bit before you, the Colonel, and Rahier showed up; during the violence..." He looks around. "Care if we go a place a bit more secluded? Great Hall's a busy place, usually..."
Kevarr stalks out of Great Hall as Arvasgalon leaves. Her good ear is flattened.
Jarril moving his arms about his chest now, the hare looks around. "And what's wrong in telling me ya report here then?" Head-tilting slightly before nodding his head. "Fine, let's go outside and ya can tell me it there." The major makes his way to head outside.
Rodney makes his way back down the stairs, leaning heavily on his cane now, flinching a little with every step, concentrating wholly on the task of locomotion.
Darklett nods and follows Jarril outside.
RW Abbey: Entry
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This is a sandy area between Great Hall and the main gates of the Abbey.
It obviously gets a great deal of traffic, if one is to judge by the number
of pawprints going every which direction here. There is an obvious path
leading to the double doors of Great Hall. In places that are not so trampled,
new shoots of green grass and budding wildflowers are making their presence
known.
There is a bustle of activity here, and you can hear the occasional
murmur of a passing conversation. The sun is high overhead, and shadows
are small. All is bright.
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Exits/Entrances:
[G]reat [H]all
[C]limb to the [R]amparts [A]bbey [P]ond
[Ga]te [H]ouse
[Leave] through the gates [Open] Ground
[C]hampion's [C]ottage
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RW Abbey: Open Ground
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True to its name, this is a wide open area, with little obstructions.
It is covered by a carpet of soft green grass, grown longer near the walls,
and the occasional patch of wildflowers, especially dandelions. You can
make out the brass lined doors leading to the lower dormitories just to
the side of the stone staircase that crawls up to the infirmary.
There is a ruin here located near the corner of the wall. The stones
that it once consisted of have, for the most part, been moved elsewhere,
leaving only the bare skeleton of the base of the old bell tower as a scar
in an otherwise idyllic setting.
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Exits: [Up] the stairs to the Ramparts, [G]arden of the [L]ate Rose,
[A]long [S]ide the [I]nfirmary, [B]ell [T]ower, [Infirm]ary, Lower [Dorm]itory,
Redwall [Entry]
Darklett looks around and seems satisfied with the location. "Right..." He clears his throat, and points over to the infirmary steps. "Well, I was over there with Kevarr. He was talking to me as a lecture for... That's not important to the situation. Well... maybe it is. I gave a little squirrel Kail a bow, and no matter how functionless it was, I was still receiving punishment for giving a dibbun a weapon, but that's something else completely. Anyway, I was over there and Kevarr was talking, when a fox, Korit approached with the squirrel, Kail on his shoulders. I didn't mind the interruption at first, but Kevarr did. Korit was saying he didn't see the problem with Kail having a bow, and Kevarr tried to explain it to him why not, but he didn't listen... Next thing I know another fox shows up, evidently one of Korit's friends. I caught his name, it was Talek." He swallows, pausing a second to catch up with himself.
Jarril nods slowly. "I see. Anything else?" The hare's ears twitching slightly, still in his folded arm stance.
Darklett nods. "Yes, more. Korit still had possession of Kail, but he abruptly tossed him to Talek. I picked up that it was a kidnapping, so I approached the other fox, not having drawn a weapon yet... Korit told him to run, and he did. This is when I drew both my rapiers and began to chase Talek... I wasn't watching what else was happening at the time, but evidently sometime during the chase, Korit had drawn a bow and started firing arrows, one hitting a beast named Etow in the leg, one striking Kevarr across the cheek and piercing her ear, and another that I only noticed after the chase that landed in my calf, but it was only minor." He gestures to the shoddy bandage job. "But, backing up a few moments, as I was chasing the fox Talek, he almost made it to the gates, but Posco turned the corner, and was therefore in Talek's path. Talek was in desperation to get away, and thrusted his short sword downwards, piercing Posco through." His voice wavers a bit, and he pauses.
Jarril doesn't speak for a moment and listens to the birds singing for a moment. Breaking the silence. "I see. So what exactly is the problem? The fact that ya gave a bow ta a dibbun when they don't get those sort of things here. It's not the mountain doncha know?" Giving a sigh, the major unfolds his arms and shakes his head. "And what was the discussion about before I arrive from the kitchens just now?" One paw slowly resting onto his belt.
Darklett notes something quickly. "Kail is the adopted son of Major Rahier, if that helps..." And in response to the question. "Arvasgalon, the stoat, is attempting to take the blame for Posco's death, when it's indeed my own fault it happened... And I'm offended, on behalf of the late Posco, that he would be so uninvolved with the whole situation, and still try and find himself guilty."
Jarril taking a deep breath. "I see." Going quiet the hare walks about the lawn, thinking quietly then stops. "May I ask ya a question?" Looking at Darklett questionably now with his only eye.
Darklett nods quickly. "Yeah, sure. What is it?"
Jarril nods. "If ya had been in the same situation and someone had shot at another again. Would ya had done the same thing?" Pausing briefly. "Answer truthfully, mind."
Darklett room-pages, "Okay. before I answer that I have to make sure I understand the question... Could you maybe like... rephrase it in a roompage? (feels rather dumb)".
Darklett sticks his tongue in his cheek, thinking for a long time. He blinks his eyes, leaving them shut for a few moments, then opens them, looking at Jarril in his eye. "Yes. I'd protect that squirrel again, if I had the chance to relive it." He nods affirmatively.
Jarril smiles. "Good. Then stop blaming yaself then. No one is ta blame for the death of Posco than Talek himself, wot." Padding nearer to where Darklett is. "So stop putting yaself through the torture rack. Ya did ya duty and ya did it good. I know it's a sad thing that one ends up being killed but it was not ya fault or the stoats. Okay, so ya may have given a bow, right or wrong I may state, wot. But that was just that. A small mistake. Talk ta Major Rahier about that and see what he thinks what the youngster should have or not. But that's all ya are responsible for, not the death though. That was by the one who used the blade."
Darklett shakes his head. "I wish it was that easy. I've forgiven myself, don't doubt that. But..." He twists his face a bit before speaking again. "There are other beasts who strongly believe that I played an integral role in the mole's death, because that scenario would have never happened had I not given Kail the bow. And as for Rahier... I haven't seen him around, it's like he disappeared? Did he leave or something?"
Jarril sniffs slightly. "I'd expect him ta be busy on a patrol or something."
"Ahh. That would make sense." Darklett takes a deep breath. "Well, glad I could finally get that over with."
Jarril gives a soft chuckle. "Ah, don't worry ta much about it. Leave whatever happens now ta the people that live here."
Darklett half-smiles and nods. "Well, no problem with that. Not like I'm that popular around this abbey anyway." Obviously Jarril's not been told of his other... mishaps. XD He decides he'd better keep it that way. "Just... you know, not quite part of the circles that form." Nice recovery.
Jarril nods. "Ah don't worry ta much about it. Some are glad that we have come but there are some." The hare smiles slightly. "That don't take kind ta a big huge hare army turning up. Take the cooks here for example. It's like they get a cook version of the bally bloodwrath when they sight a hare in the kitchens." Stopping himself from saying more, the major coughs. "Anyways, I was thinking on looking for a few officers at some point ta go away from the abbey and do some training in the grasslands. May as well stay trained, wot! Never know when one may need ta use their skills."
"Yeah, never know. I've already had to draw against enemies twice now at the abbey. Three if you count the time I helped with the reformation of the Guosim." Darklett finds it hard to resist himself bragging to the officer... Might as well try to gain favor from the higher-ups in the patrol, if he can't get it from others. Heh.
Jarril gives Darklett one of his looks and replies back, folding his arms about his chest again while tapping the ground with a footpaw. "My, haven't we been busy. I have ta let ya major know ya after his job, wot. See what he thinks of it." Grinning slightly. "Or are ya after Lord Bludstripes?"
Caught! Ehehe. Darklett grins sheepishly, obviously finding himself comfortable, which is a lot better than his first run-ins with other officers. "Err, hehe! That'll get... whoever nervous. Come to think of it, I don't even think I was ever told who my major -was.-" He looks up, thoughtfully. "No... No, I haven't."
Jarril nods his head, thoughtfully. "Hmmm, have ta keep a very close eye on ya from now on then. See what I can find out from others about ya. So who's patrol are ya under anyways? I know all of my officers but ya not one of them though." Rubbing his chin, the major ponders. "But let me have a guess though. Major Triss... Nah, that wouldn't be it..." The hare mumbles slightly, then grins. "Ah, Rahier's patrol that I am guessing anyways."
Darklett shrugs. "Like I said, I don't know who's patrol I'm with. Didn't really have much time to get oriented; shortly after I joined up, we came here." The buck chuckles. "So, as you have figured out by now, I'm pretty new."
Jarril shrugs slightly. "Well, not really as there's ta many hares ta actually get ta know. Only ones I know are those in my patrol and the other majors and colonels. So it's not really that surprising ta be in the mountain for a long time and not get ta meet someone ya haven't seen before. I had that happen once during a battle, funny how things happen like that, wot."
Darklett nods, and his eyes gain a faraway look of respectful wonder... A Long Patrol battle... He keeps himself from shivering. Heh. "Yeah, funny. How long have you been with the patrol?"
Jarril replies back. "Only three or four seasons. Didn't
take long ta get promotion did it?" He grins and starts to walk off.
"I see ya around, got things ta do, wot." The major leaves, quite
glad of getting at least the last brag in on the conversation.