A RedQuest Tale

Chapter 7 - Bloodcrave drops anchor & Otter Chiefs meets the slaves

The Bloodcrave moved across the water quickly as it moved nearer to the land as Bloodstripe stood next to Skiprudder. He looked down at the otter who was staring out at the landscape with a paw over his brow to stop the bright sunlight blinding him. Bloodstripe turned his to where Blackthorn stood and growled softly. "Does this one actually know where this place actually is?"

Skiprudder opened his muzzle to say something under his breath but before he did he heard Blackthorn voice reply back to the large tiger. "Captain, he said that he did but that could be over land and not from the sea."

Bloodstripe growled as he showed his fangs at Blackthorn. "Why didn't you say that beforehand, he is of no use to me. Send him overboard with the rest of those low life's that went overboard yesterday." Bloodstripe began to walk back to where Girn was. "Set the ship back out to sea, we're wasting our time here."

Blackthorn moved over to where Skiprudder was and shook his head, speaking quietly. "I am sorry. There isn't anything I can do for you." He looked down and heard Skiprudder reply back. "I know there is something I should tell you though. Never go near a otter named Skipai. He is my son but he will not forgive anyone who has taken me away. If you can, never let him know who you really are but he probably find out an.." The otter stopped and pointed out. "Wait, there it is!"

Bloodstripe blinked and moved right back to where Blackthorn and Skiprudder was as he moved to the side of the otter and asked in a gruff voice. "This better not be one of your tricks to stay alive."

Skiprudder ignored him while he was pointing out to a far away white reflection behind one of the hills. "No, right there, it's the main tower of the castle." He grinned as he found something at last.

Bloodstripe looked and nodded his head. "So it is." Twirling around he called to Girn. "What lies ahead?" He waited for the rat to call back. "There is a slight turn in the coast and looks like a there could be a cove there. Be more possibility in hiding the ship since there is steeper hills there than were we are now."

Bloodstripe nodded his head. "Make for that position and if it is a cove, then bring the ship in." Bloodstripe turned his head to face Blackthorn. "Get the crew out. I want the sails pulled in as well as the anchor dropped."

Blackthorn nodded and turned around, shouting out loudly. "Alright, I want several on the rig to get ready to pull those sails up. Make sure that we have those available to lower the anchor. If you need anyone, go get them up out of their pits. We're heading for land!"

A loud commotion came about on the main deck as rats moved about quickly to get to their jobs, sorting out the rigging as they moved about. Blackthorn practically jumped down the whole lot of steps to the main deck as he moved about giving orders. Bloodstripe moved to look at the panther move about as he looked to where Skiprudder was. "You two, get up here!" Then he pointed towards two rats with his finger. "I have a job for you two."

The two rats ran up the stairs and saluted to their captain as he nodded his head. "I want you to guard that slave there. Make sure he doesn't try to run but if he does, I do not want him killed or injured. He's to be used later on in my plans." Seeing the two rats nod, they turned and moved to where the otter was standing and with one taking the rope the tiger thought for a moment and called out. "Take him back to his quarters. Find out from Blackthorn which one it is and stay in the room with him." Watching as the rats led the otter away, Bloodstripe smiled and moved closer to Girn. "Girn, do we still have those barrels?"

Girn thought for a moment. "You have to go ask Blacksnout about that. The store rooms are his area since he runs the lower decks but I think we still have those barrels. Why?" Turning his head around to face Bloodstripe but the tiger was already on his way down the stairs. Girn muttered to himself. "Ask me this, ask me that but do I get thanks, do I fuckers like."

Bloodstripe ignored Blackthorn as he made his way into the doorway that led to the stairs that brought him to the slave part of the ship. Hearing the whip being used made the tiger grin with glee as he leant on the bottom step, shoulder against the plank of wood used as a pole and clapped his paws together, making Blacksnout turn around quickly. "Ah, Blacksnout, may I have a word?"

Blacksnout nodded his head as he made his way up the plank of wood, moving past the slaves that were murmuring that the captain had come down to their deck. Bowing his head, the rat smiled. "Good morning sir and what bring you down here?"

Bloodstripe looked at his sharp claws and then turned his head towards Blacksnout. "Come up to my quarters when you have finished here. I won't discuss anything here." Nodding his head, he turned and headed back up the stairs. Blacksnout turned to face Greypatch. "Keep this lot under control, I will be back when I can." Without saying another word the rat followed up the stairs. Most of the slaves looked about at each other as Sam blinked and wondered what that was about, he soon forgot as Greypatch went over and punched the squirrel on the side of the head. "Eyes front, scum." He backed off as Sam turned his head to face Greypatch with a frown. Greypatch backed off and sat back down on the stool.

***

Bloodstripe moved into his quarters as he left the door open for Blacksnout to come in after him. The sound of rats moving about the deck was heard as well as Blackthorn's loud roar when something went wrong. Feeling the ship turn around to the left, the tiger held onto something as he saw Blacksnout move about slightly to the opposite way but caught his footing. Coming into the room, Bloodstripe closed the door behind him and then made his way past the rat. "Blacksnout, please sit down. Want a drink of anything?" Bloodstripe turned his head towards the rat as he reached a drawer on the side of the room, pulled it open and pulled out a bottle.

Blacksnout paused and moved over to a chair and sat down into it. "Er, yes please captain. I have whatever you are having." He looked about the room with his quick eyes and returned his gaze back to Bloodstripe who moved towards him before handing him a mug, while keeping one in his other paw before sitting down in a chair.

Bloodstripe smiled. "How are the slaves behaving?" The tiger took a sip of his wine, all the while keeping his feline eyes on the rat who kept the mug down between his thighs. Blacksnout coughed and took a sip of the wine himself as he replied back. "They're doing fine, working well. They do what I tell them at any rate."

Bloodstripe nodded his head. "Ah, that is good to hear, yes. You know, I have been keeping an eye on you for a long time. I have been thinking on replacing Blackthorn as my first mate. You do know he was a slave within my country?"

Blacksnout nodded his head. "I didn't know that much about it captain but there has been words going about it. I don't hear much about anything being down with the slaves and all."

Bloodstripe ran a claw over the rim of his mug and nodded his head slowly. "Yes, you seem to have ways of catching them as well. Anything from full frontal attack to drugging them, correct?"

Blacksnout blinked and took a deeper swig of his wine. "Yeah, I do have some left. What of it?" He looked at Bloodstripe for a moment and added. "Captain?" Bloodstripe grinned at the rat and leaned forward. "I am going to go visit the castle with Blackthorn and that otter slave I pulled from you the other day. But this is what I want you to do, but keep Blackthorn and the slaves out of it." Bloodstripe leant closer as Blacksnout did the same and the tiger began to whisper very quietly.

***

Snow slowly sipped the hot soup from the bowl as he licked his lips gratefully. "You know, this has to be the best meal I have had in such a long time." The hare shut up again from talking as he slurped at his bowl hungrily. Benjam chuckled as he sat back, already finished with his meal and patted his thin stomach. "Oh I don't know. I am sure we can catch up on all the eating that we have missed over the seasons. Probably by winter we be fat like all old furs are."

Pearl shook her head as she sipped on her soup slowly, looking at the other two who were staring at the old furs talking all the time with smiled on their faces. Snow shook his head. "No, I won't end up fat, I leave it all for you to do that. Eventually you just go splash into some pond and sink right to the bottom and look at some surprised newt who fainted from your bad looks."

Benjam blinked and looked at Snow before poking him on the side. "My ugly looks? Why you big floppy eared bunny. Well, what about you? You're just nothing but something that came into my life and snored all the fish away in the middle of the sleep. We didn't need anyone to shout out if a boat didn't see us. They would've thought you were something horrible from the bottom of the sea."

Snow flicked his ears about and shook his head. "Well, I be in good company then in warning others to go around your big fat belly by winter." By this time the otters looking at them, burst out into laughing while Pearl tried to take in breath before forcing out the words. "I thought you two were friends?"

Snow and Benjam turned to face Pearl and nodded their heads at the same time. Snow was the one who spoke. "Us, yes we're friends but we tend to like arguing with each other. It's what old furs do, really. It stops us from thinking about stuff when we were on the ship." Benjam shook his head and looked at Snow. "And here's me trying to forget about that place."

Snow looked down slightly. "Yeah, it does keep coming up doesn't it but I am suppose some will want answers to a few questions." He looked up at Pearl and nodded. "No doubt you will have questions about what happened."

Pearl placed the bowl down to the side and nodded. "I am interested yes, but it isn't my place. We have sent word to our chief. He may want to see you or wait and for us to go and see him. He probably wants to know everything." She turned her head to Benjam. "I know he want to know about you though, with you being a otter and all."

Benjam nodded his head. "Ah, a chief, gotcha." He looked at Snow. "What do you call your chiefs?" Snow blinked and pondered as he placed the bowl down onto the hard rock floor and shrugged. "Probably the same as rabbits really. Rah's Yeah, that's it. We call them by their name with a rah at the end of them. Old system really but it works anyways."

"And who mentioned a chief." Skipai said as he padded into the cave with Tongra beside him and churred softly to the shocked Pearl who got up from her sitting position and moved over to hug the large otter. "Hello there Pearl, long time no see. How you doing?" Skipai nuzzled Pearl gently. "I hope Tongra here has been keeping you well?"

Pearl nodded her head. "Aye, he's been keeping me well. Stop worrying brother." She moved away from Skipai and turned around. "I like you to meet the two we found earlier this morning. She pointed to the hare. "This is snow." She moved her paw over slightly to the side and continued. "And this is Benjam." Moving to the side, she let the big otter to move past and knelt down in front of them.

Skipai held out a paw to each of them as he shook their paws, both blinking at the strong grip that the otter was giving them. Snow smiled as he rubbed his paw as Benjam nodded his head slowly and spoke. "Nice to meet you, chief." He saw Skipai look at Pearl and she grinned with a nod before turning his head back towards Benjam.

"Ah, I take it she already gave you that little speech. You don't have to call me chief, call me Skipai if you want or Skipper. Whichever you prefer, I will be fine with it." Sitting down onto the rocky floor, the otter placed his paws onto his knee's and looked at the both of them quietly for a few moments before speaking again. "I know you have been through a lot very recently but I do wish to know everything that you can tell me about yourselves and where you came from. Are you up to it?"

Benjam nodded his head as he looked at Snow who spoke quietly. "Could you? Still not feeling that well." Benjam nodded his head and turned back to face Skipai as he began to tell him his tale.

"Well, you see. I came from somewhere that wasn't here I know that much. But I came from an island far away with another otter clan that lived peacefully. We were preparing for our annual mating ritual and had built this huge fire to dance around." He looked at Skipai for a moment and smiled. "The tribe I was from liked to keep with traditions you see. Well, we must've ran out of luck as that night our fire was like a beacon to everyone from afar and it seemed to have brought the attention to something we didn't want to bring attention to."

Coughing slightly, Tongra poured some water into a large clam shell and handed it over to the old otter, who smiled and took a sip before continuing. "Well, it was late at night when we had drank a lot and eat a lot and wasn't fit for fighting a huge number of sea rats that suddenly appeared. It was just rats, nothing else." Shaking his head, Benjam sighed. "They only took the males, all the females were killed. We didn't know why until we were all dragged back to the ship, those that weren't killed that is."

Taking another sip of the water, the old otter continued on with his tale. "I was one of the unlucky ones not to have been killed. I remember managing to kill one of the rats but felt something hard and heavy on the back of my head. The next time I came around was when I was being slapped about by another rat. This one was called Briage. But he only lasted for a few years before being killed in the back by Blacksnout. That's the rat that is in charge of all the slaves now. He came on board a long time after I did but was much eviler than his predecessor."

Skipai nodded and turned to face Snow. "And how did you get to be into this?" Snow nodded his head and thought for a moment. "I come from a place far up north where it is mostly cold and barren but our people managed to find ways of surviving." The hare looked down. "It was only me that was caught but I was young and stupid back then and I never really told anyone this tale ever so this is a first time for everyone."

Snow blinked slightly as he thought back in his head, his mouth moving as he talked. "I was a very rebellious young hare at the time. Never was the one to listen to my elders either. I wanted to explore, to see the world, instead of being stuck in the barren hills, farming and not exactly getting anywhere in my life and so one night, I left my home in secret with only a small parcel of food and made my way to adventure."

Flicking an ear, Snow smiled. "I know how wrong that was at the time and didn't know that a few days which went fine. I began to see more stuff than any other hare and to have the freedom to run like the wind across the vast fields was enthralling to the soul. But I didn't know of the ways of how the world worked and thought that everyone was friendly. I knew that we had rats living near us, land rats and thought that every rat was a friend. So imagine what I did when I saw a fire with loud singing rats one night."

Skipai shook his head. "You went right to it?" Placing a paw on Snow's paw, the otter smiled. "Do not worry yourself with that decision you made back then. You were young and didn't know things. You didn't do anything wrong, stupid yes but you didn't know so it can be forgiven. Please continue."

Snow coughed and nodded his head. "Well, you can guess what happened. I don't think they believed how lucky they were. I mean, they only came out to have fun while their ship was on near and the crew were allowed to have some shore leave and all. So I was offered a drink. And I did drink until I couldn't stand. I passed out fairly quickly, wasn't used to the stuff, you see. Next thing I knew I was chained to a oar when I woke up with a whip lashing onto my back."

Skipai nodded his head as he looked about the cave for a moment. "This may sound strange but I knew that there was a ship about a long time ago and this question is very important to me." He looked at the two old furs with determined eyes that required an answer. "My father used to do what Pearl and Tongra do now at the beach. I know Pearl wishes to continue on with our father's work but one time a while ago he was taken away. We never knew what happened to him or how it did happen. He always went off on his own as he liked the solitary. But anyways." The large otter took both old furs paws into his own as he asked the question. "Do you know of a otter named Skiprudder?"

Pearl leant in closer next to Skipai as she wanted to hear the answer as well. Tongra moved just behind her as Watercress and RapidRudder moved just to the side of Tongra as all eyes were fixed on the two old furs. Benjam looked at Snow, who in turn looked back at Benjam before turning their heads towards the otter looking at them. Benjam answered quietly. "Yes, there was an otter named Skiprudder on the ship. He mentioned that there was an otter named Skipai and P.." Benjam blinked as he finished the sentenced. "Pearl."

Skipai got up immediately and looked about with a determined look on his eyes. "I knew it. I knew that he was alive." He called out. "Come in here!" He saw two large otters come in as Skipai looked at them. "Go make stretches, we're taking these two back to our camp. Also get one to swim back up and let them know I do want to see the chiefs in a meeting. We have it this evening. Now go!"

Turning around he looked at Snow and Benjam and spoke one last time. "What name was this ship and who is known as the captain?" He held up a paw as he shook his head. "No, think of that answer as you will tell everyone tonight. We will also have a feast for your safe return as well before we take you aside to have talks. Try and spend the time thinking on everything you have heard, even the small bits or whispers and rumours. Anything could be very important." Turning around he took Pearl's paws into his own and cried softly. "We get him back, this is the first time that he is alive." Turning around to Snow and Benjam. "He is alive isn't he?" Both heads nodded as Snow replied. "He wasn't with us when they were picking slaves to be thrown over. So yes he is alive still." Skipai nodded. "Then make sure you tell us everything when the time comes. I want to know where I can find this ship and it's crew and make the regret the day they messed with my friends and family."