A unique arrival

[Ioalus Rushtail]

Ioalus stumbled through the bushes, finding himself on a road suddenly. Panting and tired, he looked up and down the road, then his gaze fell on a large structure in the distance. Slowly, he started wandering down the road towards it, thinking they could at least save Fenrir’s life. As he approached, he heard a shout from atop the wall and he fell to the ground, unable to go any farther. He turned as he fell so he’d fall on his back instead of his front, where he would crush the fragile cub in his arms. Fenrir mewed loudly, pawing at his father’s nose to try and wake him up as footsteps approached.

He felt someone take the cub from him, making the baby meow loudly in protest as he tried to get back to his father. Weakly, Ioalus forced his eyes open, staring around at the faces that crowded around him, all manner of animals lived in this place it seemed. What happened after that, he didn’t know, as he lost consciousness when they lift him from the ground.

Next thing he knew, his eyes slowly opened and he looked around. Fenrir was curled up on his chest, having meowed nonstop til he was allowed back with his father. Only then would he take the milk offered him. Now the baby boy was asleep and Ioalus smiled a little before looking around to see who had cared for his son.

[Sarin Bowleaf]

Sarin sat nearby, watching the Dibbun sleep. The father woke up and Sarin came into the father’s line of eyesight, green robe flowing as he walked and wooden staff in hand. He was massive – a little bit bigger than a badger, which was a scary thought. A badger being defeated by a creature such as this! It was such a scary thought. He was glad that he had his poisons and staff. He crouched a little ways off from the snow leopard and smiled.

“Hi there! Cute Dibbun you have there. What’s his name?" said Sarin quietly, so as not to frighten the poor beast. He looked half-starved and exhausted. Sarin wondered what fate had befallen these two. The Dibbun looked adorable. Maybe they could stay in the Abbey. Sarin shooed away some of the Dibbuns that had gathered round. Poor beast. Being surrounded by all these strange creatures that he probably hadn’t seen before. He then went back to his crouching position.

[Ioalus Rushtail]

As his head cleared up a bit, Ioalus could see he was surrounded by Dibbuns. They were all staring and chattering as he woke. Concerned, he looked to Fenrir and smiled a little as he saw the babe was still asleep. He looked as though he'd been fed, so he would sleep for a little while longer no matter what happened.

These were odd creatures, some he recognized, some he didn't, then came another voice and he looked up to see a squirrel shooing the Dibbuns away. The creature asked about Fenrir and Ioalus looked down, smiling a little as he stroked his son's fur.
"His name is Fenrir."
He looked over at Sarin, blinking a little to keep his vision clear. He was still weak and needed food, but if all the residents here were herbivores like this squirrel, then he doubted they would get him what he needed.
"I am Ioalus of the Rushtail clan."
He held his hand out for Sarin to shake, hoping they took this as a greeting and not an insult.

[Sarin Bowleaf]

Sarin smiled. Well, at least the creature was being friendly. He had known some beasts that had been less than friendly. Iolaus, huh? Interesting name. Mind you, so was Fenrir but they were nice names nevertheless. Sarin felt a tug on his robe and looked down to see a female mousebabe.

“Can I play with tha’un pwease, Mr Sarin?” she asked, smiling ever so sweetly. Sarin frowned and picked her up and rubbed noses with her before setting her down.
“No, you cannot, Kora. Now, go find Skipper and pester him. I'm a little busy here,” said Sarin, lightly shooing her away. Kora was sweet and a little rogue. The red squirrel focussed his attention back onto the snow leopard and his Dibbun. He shook the beast’s paw and smiled. “We'll get some water for you and....um I'm not sure what food we can give you but we'll do the best we can.”

[Ioalus Rushtail]

He watched the little mouse tug on Sarin's robe and smiled a little at her question. She was a cutie, he had to admit that. She would be a good friend for Fenrir if they remained here. As Kora left, he watched her, then looked over at Sarin as he said they would get some water for him. Then he mentioned food and Ioalus swallowed a bit nervously. What would this creature think of Ioalus' need for meat? Would he be thrown out of this place?
"If... I would be permitted, once I've rested, I can hunt my own food."
Hunt... that was all he needed to say. One didn't 'hunt' for plants to eat. He just hoped they could come to some sort of compromise for him, or he'd starve.

[Sarin Bowleaf]

Did Ioalus just say ‘hunt’? So, he didn’t eat their sort of food then. Interesting. Sarin had never any beast like that before. Sarin merely smiled and then pondered it. Sarin couldn’t see any reason why he couldn’t. As long as he wasn’t hunting them then it was fine. Abbess Forsythia could order him to hunt outside Mossflower Wood if she didn’t feel comfortable with the idea of him hunting within Mossflower. She could send a team, himself included, to be dispatched so that he could hunt without harming an innocent creature.

“I'm sure that Abbess Forsythia would allow you to hunt outside the premises of Mossflower. If you like, I can be there with you when you discuss this with her,” said Sarin warmly. Sarin wanted Abbess to grant permission. He had a feeling that Ioalus wouldn’t survive long on plants. “Inga, please get a cup of water for our friend here.” A hedgehog nodded and did as bidden. Sarin nodded to her in gratitude and held the cup to the beast’s maw.

[Ioalus Rushtail]

He watched as Sarin considered this news and smiled a little as he spoke his certainty that Ioalus would be given permission. He nodded a little when he mentioned restrictions. Of course he would follow them, he didn't want to insult these people, who had rescued him and his son.
"Thank you, I would like for you to be there. I wouldn't want to say something wrong and insult your Abbess."
He chuckled a little and leaned in as Sarin held the cup up. He drank deeply and sighed as he lay his head back, his eyes closing.

Then there came a soft mewl and Ioalus lift his head, looking at Fenrir, who opened his little eyes and looked around. Smiling, Ioalus gently stroked his son's fur. The little cub purred and closed his eyes again, leaning into his father's hand. He looked to Sarin, smiling gratefully.
"Thank you for saving us. I don't know how much longer he would have survived without your help."
There was a twinge of pain in his voice as he spoke on the possibility of his son dying. He knew he would live, he could hunt the beasts of the land to survive, his son wasn't old enough to live on that sort of thing yet. It was a miracle that they'd found this place.

[Sarin Bowleaf]

Sarin pulled the cup away as Ioalus drank his fill. He put the cup out of spilling reach. He didn’t want the Dibbuns spilling it. Ioalus was worrying over nothing. Abbess Forsythia was very understanding regarding certain matters. The red squirrel smiled and nodded.

“No worries, friend. I’ll be there.” Ioalus seemed very friendly and Sarin wondered if he would stay here at the Abbey. Fenrir would have so many friends here and Ioalus could help around the Abbey, though Sarin already somehow knew that he wouldn’t. He didn’t seem like the stay-indoors type. Too bad – Sarin had felt like he had made a new friend. He turned to see some other Abbey-dwellers staring at the new arrivals. Sarin huffed and shooed them away, whacking them every and now with his staff.

“Calm yourself, friend. Fenrir is perfectly fine. He’d be looked after by some good-natured beast if you were gone.” Fenrir was waking up and Sarin smiled. He was such a cutie.

[Ioalus Rushtail]

Fenrir purred happily as his father showed his love. He'd been afraid that Ioalus was hurt and hadn't wanted to leave him. But now he couldn't be happier. Opening his eyes, the cub looked over at Sarin and mewed a bit, standing a little shakily on all fours and trying to walk over to inspect the squirrel. With a chuckle, Ioalus picked him up and slowly sat up, holding the cub gently in his arms.

He set the cub down on the floor and watched as the little one stood, walking slowly on all fours to inspect Sarin. He sniffed the little squirrel a bit, then mewled happily and licked Sarin happily, pawing at him to try and play. Chuckling. Ioalus gently picked him up, holding him at bay.
"He hasn't met anyone his size yet. It's always been just him and me..."
He stroked the Dibbun's fur and looked down at him silently as Fenrir looked up, purring softly. But there was pain in Ioalus' eyes and he was blinking away tears.

[Sarin Bowleaf]

Sarin chuckled at Fenrir’s antics. He wiped the kitten slobber off his cheek and stuck his tongue out at the cub. He wished that they would stay. It’d be so much fun with Fenrir around. The other Dubbuns would love him and the elders would teach him so many wonderful lessons. He could teach the little rascal how to be a Poisonsmaster. Sarin could really see them being happy here. They’d be loved here.

Sarin then noticed the pained look in Ioalus’s eyes and patted his arm in sympathy. So something terrible had befallen them then. He wanted to ask but he didn’t want to pry. It sort of felt rude but at the same time, he needed to know. Ioalus would need to see the Abbess soon, and explain everything. Sarin would be there of course. To look after Fenrir and help out Ioalus. They seemed like good beasts and didn’t deserve to die of starvation.

“What happened to her if I may ask?”

[Ioalus Rushtail]

He sat silently, just stroking Fenrir lovingly. Then his eyes closed as he was asked what had happened to the mother. He looked down at Fenrir and set the cub down, watching as the cub ran off to see something interesting. He didn't want the boy to hear this so young. He pulled one of his legs up to his chest, staring at the floor as he started speaking.

"We were from neighboring clans. We met on a hunting trip, we'd both tried to go for the same goat."
The memory brought a sad smile to his face.
"Her father approved of us being together... Her brothers didn't exactly share his feelings."
He closed his eyes and lowered his head, swallowing a bit.
"We married, left the clans, and found a cave in neutral territory where we could spend a few years alone. A tradition with my people. We spend at least two or three years together so we can decide which clan we want to return to."
He looked over at Fenrir, who had found a piece of string on the floor and was now playing with it.
"Not too long after we got there, she conceived. The tragedy struck when she went into labor. When she was at her weakest. Her brothers showed up."
He closed his eyes, his voice cracking as he spoke.
"Two of them restrained me while the third made me watch as he slit her throat. I lost all sense. What happened then is a bit... blurry. Next thing I remember, they were all dead. I could see Fenrir moving inside her and I had to act. I cut him from her womb... then I had to cut her breasts open for her milk. My heart ached... it pained me to mutilate her like that. But I knew she would want her son to survive. And I couldn't do it without her milk."
He closed his eyes and rest his head on his knee, just breaking down crying as he remembered her beautiful face, her smile, her eyes.
"We wandered... trying to find anyone anywhere who would take us in and at least save my son. I don't know how long it's been, how long we wandered. We ran out of milk about a day or two ago... and I knew if we didn't find anyone soon, he would die. This place is a miracle... sent by whatever gods are out there."
He looked up to the ceiling as though trying to see whatever gods lived above them.

[Sarin Bowleaf]

Sarin listened to Ioalus’s tale of what had befallen the two. It was horrible – what her brothers had done. Poor little Fenrir had never known his mother and poor Ioalus had been looking after the cub all on his own. Such hardships in this world. It was a wonder that anybeast could find happiness. Sarin rubbed Ioalus’s shoulder in sympathy and comfort. These beast had been through so much in the last few months. Sarin felt a kindred spirit in Ioalus.

“Seems like we’re in the same boat then, Ioalus,” said Sarin, looking down at the floor, not blinking. Memories came flooding back, ones that he had blocked out for so long. “I lived in a squirrel clan on some island somewhere, can’t remember where. Everything was good and I thought I was in the perfect place. Tragedy struck when I was twelve. A ship of vermin stormed onto the island and began to overwhelm ua. The Clan put up a good fight but the sheer number of vermin was too much. In the end, we were made prisoners. Some died straight away while some survived – barely.

For three whole years, my fellow clanmembers and I suffered at the hands of the vermin. I loathed the vermin and dreamed for the day when I escaped. Me and a couple of young squirrels hatched a plan to escape but it was risky. It involved all the surviving squirrels to work together. One night, me and my friends tried out our escape plan. The price was heavy though. Our numbers had been decreased to little more than fifteen. We stayed with a kind mole family for a fortnight before moving on, knowing that we were endangering our new friends if they stayed longer.

Two more years passed, and I was seventeen now. During the two years, we had constantly been moving, never staying in one place for than a month. Tragedy would strike again when we were in a village. One night, raiders came and pillaged, killing whoever came in their path. Sadly, it became one, me. I escaped with a hedgehog and a couple of mice. We placed themselves somewhere where no one would find us.We lived in peace for a year before I decided to move on I needed move on.

So, I wandered the place and eventually found myself in Mossflower Wood. I then stumbled across Redwall Abbey and sought shelter there. I found that the creatures did not really know how to defend themselves and decided to stay there, merging with the life there. I took up the position of Poisonmaster and have stayed here for the last two years. Sarin smiled sadly and then blinked before standing up and stretching.

[Ioalus Rushtail]

He stared at the floor as Sarin spoke, saying they had something in common. He looked over at the little squirrel and listened silently to his tale. He was right, they had lived similar tragedies. He reached down and gently scooped Sarin up in his hand, making sure it wouldn't frighten Sarin or make him think Ioalus had ill intentions. He held his new friend gently in his hand and smiled sadly.
"Seems I've found kindred spirits in an unlikely place. Strange... I never thought I'd befriend a creature that I could hold in my hand."
He laughed a little and smiled at Sarin.
"I've decided... I'll remain in the Mossflower. But... I can't stay inside."
He looked around, then closed his eyes and lowered his head before looking back at Sarin.

[Asensia Elmwood]

Asensia had heard that there was some new comers in the abbey and that Sarin was helping them so she decided to see if Sarin needed any help as she always liked to help the squirrel. She wondered down the halls of the abbey wondering what kind of animals they where as she hadn't heard what species they where and was now wondering what the creatures where. Also she could wait to see Sarin. Soon enough she found where they where looking after the new arrivals and Asensia entered to the two arrivals one a small cub and the other adult of the same species. Smiling she went over to stand infront of them as the adult was holding Sarin."Hello Sarin, Is there anything I can help with?"

[Sarin Bowleaf]

Sarin stared in wonder at Ioalus, completely oblivious to the fact that he was being scooped up by the big cat. Sarin hadn’t really seen a snow leopard before and he had been engrossed in talking to Ioalus that he hadn’t taken any notice of the smoothness and warmth of the snow leopard’s fur. Or the hypnotic eyes or the fine-ness of the whiskers. Yes, Sarin was under the big cat’s mysterious spell. It was only when Asensia called him that he came out of it. He blinked a few times and then turned to see Asensia on the Abbey floor while he was in the palm of the big cat.

“Oh my....I hadn’t realised. Hi Asensia. I’d like you to meet Ioalus of the Rushtail Clan. The cub is called Fenrir,” said Sarin, who then jumped down and sighed contentedly. He grabbed his staff, not wanting to be parted from it for long. He twisted to face Ioalus and smiled. “Ioalus, this is Asensia, one of Skipper’s otters."