[Closed To LadyAnette]

[Baya]

Amadeus frowned slightly. Her eyes had caught a slight glint of red. He had heard of such tales from several travelers. It was known as bloodwrath. Amadeus quickly hid Sardy across the head with the sheath. He only hit her hard enough to knock her out, and not to cause any severe damage.

"I thought only badgers went through that..." Amadeus muttered.

~ At the house ~

"You may slay me, but know that your lord will not be in power for long. He knows it, and that is why you search every home you can for any hint of rebellion. Every tyrant has his day, and his is drawing closer." The old mouse murmured.

"Aha! Old apothecary Ezekiel is it?" A voice came from behind the other rats. Ezekiel looked passed the first two invaders and frowned. Leaning on the doorway was a raccoon in a brown cloak.

"Allow me a moment with this mouse boys. I am Francis Ringtail, one of the king's many officers." Ezekiel said introducing himself. "Now before these gentlemen separate your mind from your body, I wish to ask you some questions. For one, where are the other residents of this home?" Ezekiel asked with a warm, but fake smile.

"I am the only one that lives in this home." Ezekiel said with a cough. Francis sighed as he rubbed his eyes.

"If it weren't for your delicate age, I'd have you tortured for the truth. Now please, just answer the question. They will be found, and killed regardless. All I need to know is where did they go?" Francis asked as he walked gracefully between the two rats in front of Ezekiel. His amber eyes stared own at the old apothecary, sparkling with interest.

"I am the only one that lives in this home." Ezekiel repeated in monotone. "You can torture me if you'd like, but you'd get that same response." Ezekiel murmured. Francis was getting quite annoyed with this old mouse.

"I see. You know what they call me my friend? You know why the king has me go from house to house to find rebels? It is because I am known as the Sleuth. The hunter. You my friend, aren't my prey. Though you are a milestone, of getting to my prey. I will ask you once more. Where are the others?" Francis asked calmly. Ezekiel laughed, and coughed.

"If you were any good at what you'd do, why would you need me to answer?" Ezekiel asked. Francis smiled devilishly and shrugged.

"Oh well. Carry on boys. I am sorry for interupting this raid." Francis said, humming a happy tune as he left the house.

[LadyAnette]

Sardy twirled around and around and dizzily fell to the ground.

Lilac looked astonished and told Amadeus, Oi have nuver seen the loike before!

==================

Greeneye motioned for two large rats named Fleetscar and Whiptail. Keep an eye on that one, he whispered. I don't like the looks of that un. His name spells trouble. Follow him and report back to me every night, don't let him out of your sight, and I'll reward you greatly. The rats nodded and left.

[Baya]

"Yeah. I don't think you would. I heard only badgers go into blood wrath. It's when your mind is set on one thing, and the creature will stop at nothing to accomplish that one thing. It's a state of raged frenzy" Amadeus explained. "I also heard that if you see a badger going into blood wrath you should probably run. In this case it was just Sardy...so I think we are safe." Amadeus said as he quickly picked Sardy up, placing her arm around his shoulder for support. "When do we leave these tunnels Lilac?" Amadeus asked.

[LadyAnette]

Oi've heard o' mices who had the gurt bloodywraf. Oi surpose Oi'll head oop the turnel and see if they'm gone. Lilac said shuffling off.

Darkclaw had found out the cave. He was thinking of how clever he was as he had slipped out of the crowd of rats and searched the place. He smirked to himself as he said out loud, Ha! Those stupid rats couldn't even see their tails if they were right in front of them! He continued across the dark tunnel. He sniffed the ground and the wall and was rewarded with the fresh scent of mous and mole. Darkclaw got out his blade and put it in his mouth and got out his sling. The sneaky cat peeked around every corner making sure that there was no ambush waiting for him. But unfortunately, a fat female mole ran straight into him and ran screaming off.

~At the house~

Scumface and Whiptail ran through the woods only hearing the splattering of blood and screaming through the window. They stopped by their camp and picked up a few provisions. I suppose you could not have said that they took only a few. They took several pieces of meat, roasted bird, soup, rum, grog and some stale bread. Finally after taking a few bites out of a ripe apple, they quickly picked up the raccoon's trail and followed his every move.

========================

Greenfang was scraping the blood off his sword on the chair that Ezekiel had once sat on. Now, we was slumped on the ground below Greenfang's paws with a creamy white covering his eyes. Greeneye came over to Nosebrain and issued out orders. Nosebrain! Take your crew and search the house! Look especially under mats, behind tapestries, and in drawers for any sort of tunnel or secret hideway. I want those mice found and bring them to me! Don't kill them! Go!
The rats quickly obeyed his orders and started searching.

[Baya]

Amadeus heard Lilac's scream and frowned slightly. He looked forward and squinted. His eyes widened as he saw the cat, and he quickly yet gently put Sardy against the cave wall. He then pulled out the blade from it's sheath with a slicing sound. He panted slightly, feeling his hands grip hard around the iron short sword's hilt. "Protect Sardy Amadeus. Protect her at all cost." Amadeus muttered to himself over, and over again waiting for the cat to take a step. His paws were beginning to get a little sweaty as he glared at the cat. "If you don't get out of m-my way! I'll have to cut through you!" Amadeus warned, with a shaky tone.


Francis walked through the Nobleman's wood looking around every now and again. His ears twitched as he heard soft foot steps behind him, and he chuckled shaking his head. These soldiers were amateurs. It was no wonder the king hired him to hunt down the white mouse, over relying on his own troops.

[LadyAnette]

Darkclaw was no fool. He knew that Amadeus was a trained fighter. He opened his paws out widely to him. Now come on friend let us fight like civilized beasts. A fight to the death. Whoever wins, gets to take the rest with them. In the mean time, they shall have no part of it. Agreed? He asked. Suddenly he jumped to Sardy's limp body and picked it up. He put the knife to her throat and issued warnings to Amadeus, If you make one move, I slit her throat! Little did Darkclaw know the sly wink that Sardy exchanged with Amadeus.

=============

Whiptail was noticing that Francis kept turning around. He turned to Scumface and whispered, Psst I think he sees or or hears us. Stop for a while and take brake sit down here. He motioned sitting in a well hidden bush. Scumface more then agreed and dug into his haversack.

[Baya]

"A soldier of the king using a lady as a shield. How typical..." Amadeus said bitterly. He then noticed Sardy's wink and nodded in a not so obvious manner. "As dishonorable as this method is, it works. Don't hurt her. Please." Amadeus said as he placed his sword back in his sheath. He hoped Sardy knew what she was doing.


Francis continued his way through the forest, noticing that they weren't following him anymore. He decided to sit near an old oak tree, and take a rest. He took out his water pouch, and uncorked it. He took a long drink, and then placed it beside him. The scent of fresh blood was strong in the wind. "If you had just told me where they were old mouse, perhaps I would've let you live." Francis thought to himself, as he rubbed his eyes again.

[LadyAnette]

It all happend in three moves. Sardy twirled around grabbed his Darkclaw's blade and cute his paw off. Darkclaw screeched in rage and tore the blade from her hands. Sardy grabbed for Amadues's sword in success. They circled around each other and blades crashed against blades as they fought. Darkclaw advanced and slashed at her cheek leaving a gash. Sardy screamed and tore at him. Darkclaw acted swiftly, he grabbed some soil in his paws and threw it in her eyes. Temporarily blinded, and knowing this was just the chance he was looking for to hurt her, she stabbed at the air blindly and was rewarded with striking a being. But it was Lilac.

================

Whiptail spied on Francis. Scumface was impatiant.

Aren't we supposed to attack him or something? He asked whie tapping his foot.

Patience, patience. Greenfang told us to SPY on him not to slay him. Whiptail said wisely. He figured to take some stratagy plans. Scumface, get some moss off that ground and take your belt off. Put the moss at the bottom of your foot and tie the belt around your foot. That will muffle our sounds. He advised Scumface.

Scumface obeyed but with a few bad words in the meantime. Now he's sounding like an officer, he complained

[Baya]

Amadeus gasped as he watched this take place, and he looked in horror as he saw Lilac fall in the scruff. The coward had blinded Sardy in an attempt to kill her, but because of that Sardy could not see who she was slashing. Amadeus looked at the cat, and felt his memories go through his mind again. All the screaming, the weeping, and the sounds of throats being slit. Amadeus let out a cry of rage as he tackled the cat and pushed him against the wall. "Sardy. Give me the sword..." Amadeus said darkly. He knew if she opened her eyes she would be horrified at what she had done. "Don't open your eyes though! The dirt might go deeper into your eyes." Amadeus lied. He expected that she would just drop the blade, and he would use it to end this coward's life.

[LadyAnette]

Sardy screeched and opened her eyes in a flash, and slashed at Darkclaw with all her might. Darkclaw screamed and dropped his blade in pain as she tore skin from his body, tore at his mouth, shredded his ears, and stab at his legs. Finally, Darkclaw calapsed. He looked up into Sardy's face and pityfully begged for mercy. Sardy tossed Amadeus's sword to him. Here, you can finish him off. And sorry for doing that, but.....I just had too....... Her face looked in regret from what she had done and thought of the revenge that Amadeus always had wanted. You can kill him in any way you want, let him live, or just tear him to shreads. In the meantime, I must help Lilac! Good thing Ezekiel tought me to be a healer too..... She said as she got on her paws and knees and inspected Lilac's wounds.

Darkclaw looked into Amadeus's eyes. He thought of anything, ANYTHING to save his life. He looked at him, memories flashing in his head of a family, a little white mouse escaping. Darkclaw stuttred in an attempt to live. I--I know who killed your father...uh family.....I will lead you t-t-t-o-o him. Have MERCY master! He begged.