The Infested Lake

[Fanfarl]

dennis put up his hands to block the knife. filrions sword blow sliced dennis in two. as the shopkeeper cleared up the mess filrion found a purse on the ground containing 250 florins.

[Filrion]

"Sorry about that," said Filrion, exiting the shop. He meandered down the path, musing as to why everyone was trying to do him in. He walked, until he reached a large building. It was made of black stone, and had no windows. The bottom of it was a small storeroom, packed with fish, while a large pillar, with a flight of stairs running up it, made up the rest of it. At the top of the stairs was the nest of Migraw. Filrion began ascending the stairs. After 10 minutes, he reached the top...

[Fanfarl]

A grey feathered sickly looking Migraw geeted him." Krakk' who be you.you look like a squirrel I met before,Songbreeze was her name.but that was long ago,now I'm stuck in my neest with old age and a nasty fever.''

[Filrion]

"Songbreeze was my great grandmother," explained Filrion. "My names Filrion, remember? We met several years ago." Migraw gave another 'Krakk' and a few more feathers came off. "You best 'krakk' be going off. I fear I have the 'krakk' dryditch fever! Krakk!" Filrion left, and as he was walking down the stairs, promised himself he would find a Flower of Icetor, to cure Migraw. As he was walking down the road, he realized, with a pang, that his boat was in ruins. What would he do?

[Fanfarl]

suddenly he heared a shout "deckhands wanted!deckhands wanted!" the otter who was calling stopped when he saw filrion." you look like a strong chap,whatay say you join my crew temporarily.I need to sail to redwall abbey and my crewmates were injured in a tussle with some searats.theyre resting here,while I get some supplies from redwall.i can give you 200 florins to join my crew as we sail to redwall and 200 florins back,that is if you work hard"..

[Filrion]

Seeing as how his boat was in sorry shape, Filrion agreed, dragging the carcass of his boat onto the deck. "What's your name? I'm Filrion," he said, shaking paws with the otter. "By the way, what were these seavermin like?"

[Fanfarl]

"i'm Brawnpaw." he replied,exepting Filrions paw."The seavermin were like any other seavermin, scruffy furred,bearing lots of weapons,they had a realy beautiful ship though,which surprised me. most likely stolen, no doubt she will be a dirty wreck in a week.real shame to se a ship like that go to waste"....

[Filrion]

"Where there any identifying marks? Names? Insignias?" inquired Filrion, helping unfurl the sails, a skill at which he exceeded, due to his agility and climbing prowess, and the fact that he was a squirrel. As the boat, under the name of 'Seaclad' shoved off, Filrion asked about the name...

[NPC]

"Nope," said Brawnpaw. "All rubbed out. Poor ship." He stopped as you asked about the Seaclad's name. "The Seaclad was named for her ability to blend with the water and surrounding scenery. We have alternate sails and such, see? That way those ruddy seavermin can't find her as easy when we have to park her away from port."

[Filrion]

"Ah, very wise. Say, do you know what direction it was headed in? I have a few seafaring friends. If is stopped to gather provisions, I could probably chase after it later." The boat began to shove away from dock. Filrion joined a few other squirrels in trimming the sails, as the Seaclad began to move steadily through the water. He made similar inquireris there. The Seaclad was a somewhat medium sized cargo vessel. Its forecastle and poopdeck were located much higher than the deck, and were accessed by ladders. Below the poopdeck was the captain's cabin, and bunks. The galley was located along with lookout most in the forecastle, and oars protruded from both the port and starboard sides...

[NPC]

"Ehhh..." Brownpaw scratched his head as he thought. "I think it were heading Southwest, Towards Ninian's. Ah well. Not likely to catch it anywho. We'll probably have to stop somewhere around River Moss's North dock. Gotta make sure'n keep the supplies up 'n' well. Got any friends around there?"

[Filrion]

"Well...I made an aquatance with the Guosim up there, although they're probably off fighting some vermin I tracked down. I'm sure the're otherbeasts up there who would relish an adventure though." A brisk wind filled the sails, and the Seaclad sailed out of the harbor. Deckhands, including Filrion, where scurrying about, fixing up minor details, as the ship entered a fast moving stream, which led to the River Moss. Several pikes lept out of the water, frightening a few less experienced sailors...

[NPC]

Later, after the wind died down a bit, Brawnpaw pulled you aside to talk at the luncheon tables. "Heard there was a might' fine of a cook up round Mossflower some'ere. Big black rabbit, they said."

A young looking squirrel who was passing by stopped and looked on quietly, then proudly said "That'd be Marla Black yer a lookin' fer. Greatest soup chef with a carrot I ever did see. Purty good 'gainst them varmin too, with a fork."

Brawnpaw shooed the squirrel away to eat and save up strength for pitching sails. "Don' know how much truth ye can put t' that one's tails. Supposed to be the troublemaker of the crew. Well, I'm sure ye'll find sommat t' do once ye get there. Might be dere fer a couple o' days."

[Filrion]

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