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Merdez nods at Cassite's words, "And did you lay blows upon my guards, or was the exchange a onesided one?" the foxlord keeps the amusement from entering his voice, but his eyes hold laughter.

Kevarr's tail finally stills, with forced effort. There's nothing she can do to calm her hackling fur, and nothing she'd want to do either.

Caves have many nooks and crannies to hide in, especially ones that an eight-season old mouse can take advantage of. Marie creeps back into the caves again, listening to the fox lord.

"I was unprepared for a fight." The squirrel murmurs darkly, eyes containing anger for what he sees in Merdez's. "...From what I'm told, all I had time to do was get struck to the ground and silenced." His tailbrush bristles, "And what is your second purpose, Lord Merdez?"

Merdez raises one paw, the other still remaining stubbornly hidden behind his back, "That can wait, sirrah Cassite. It is not your business, and I like to deal with one thing at a time." The foxlord clears his throat, "Cassite, I do not have any evidence suggesting that you took any part in the injury and death of my guards. In fact, injury was laid upon you. Therfore you are to be released, and you shall be recorded as innocent of any known crime in the Lawbook of Ruingate. You will be free to leave, once you are blindfolded and escorted back up to the surface. I apologize for the inconvenience."

Cassite pauses, a wave of relief passing over him for a brief time. He inhales, and releases a slow exhale. "...Thank you, Lord Merdez." He could reply with frustration, but he is yet polite. "I appreciate your generousity. I wish only that you had been able to come to this conclusion sooner. I have suffered greatly in your custody."

Kevarr goes completely still now. Cassite will be released. Her heart jumps at that pronouncement. Good. Good, good, good. She keeps her face turned toward the wall. Hopefully Merdez at least will miss her excitement.

Merdez frowns, "That is a woeful thing, sirrah Cassite, and I shall endeavour to see that that wrong is righted. Please, take the best suite available at the innhouse in the city while you prepare to depart. To make the trek to wherever you may go, Noonvale or further, in the cold of winter after poor rations and poorer accomidations would be very bad for your health. Eat and rest freely on my purse during your stay here. I will even provide you with an escort, should you fear my citizen's and their appitites for slavery."

Marie begins grinning in her dark hole at the fox's words. This is good. Very good. Kevarr would need assistance as well though, almost more than Cassite.

Cassite's ears quietly flick. "Lord Merdez, I am a patient beast - but have my companions not also suffered?" He bows his head, and swallows his pride. He lowers himself to the ground in a grovelling position, albeit his arms are bound. "...We want nothing more than to go on our way. Our mission has likely failed by now." He sighs, "I realize it is asking much of your good will, especially with our marteness friend's behavior, but should you release us, I am certain that there will be no further bad will towards your city. Should they simply serve their sentence, I believe you will be looking upon creatures who despise your every pawstep."

...snigger...You're already looking at creatures who despise your every pawstep buddy!

Kevarr's eyes close completely. Her entire body is taut as a wire, and her tail is now almost ramrod straight.

Merdez shakes his head, "I am afraid I cannot do this for you, sirrah Cassite. Your companions doomed themselves to serve their sentance as soon as they struck out against my guards and citizens. I like to think of myself as a reasonable beast, sirrah squirrel, and I think that two months is a very light punishment for a charge of murder, self defense or no. I ask that you understand that I have little wish to punish beasts who have proved both noble and proud, but they have broken the law, and no beast is above the law, not even I." the foxlord bows his head for a moment, before looking up again at Cassite.

Marie makes sure her hiding place is well out of the way of the foxlord's exit path, as she can tell he will probably be leaving soon.

Cassite's shoulders sink slightly. He is disappointed, to say the least. "...Then perhaps I may at the least ask a favor of you." He rises his head to look to the foxlord, murmuring, "The marteness. Do not torment her further. Allow her to serve her sentence somewhere secure but large. She won't survive in any more enclosed areas. I ask you this in good faith."

Kevarr's ears flick back. She chances a glance at Cassite, although her eyes hold no more expression than her face.

Merdez smiles slightly, and it is no dress smile. It is quite genuine. "I believe that I may well be able to grant that request, sirrah Cassite." the foxlord says, pulling a simple piece of parchment from behind his back. It appears this is what he has been hiding. His eyes move to Kevarr, "A letter from the noble Atma Gafgarion...and aquaintence of yours, Dame Kevarr, I believe." he smile is still intact, and while there is some cunning in it, it is still quite genuine.

Atma. Merdez has finally succeeded in drawing her gaze, along with her already granted full attention. Kevarr's expression is incredulous, undeniably suspicious...but beneath that is an obvious longing and a measure of guilt.

Cassite goes quiet for the time being.

Merdez steps over to Kevarr and looks down at her, "Please, Dame Gafgarion, your husband was adamant that I give you this letter, and I must say I am eager to have you read it. It is not right that Family should be cut off from one another." the letter is held in his paw, so Kevarr will have to rise to take it.

Kevarr's eyes narrow. But...he has her where he wants her, at least for the moment. She forces herself to sit up with a grimace of exertion, but from there, she can do nothing else. Her paws are behind her, and her ankles are locked tightly enough that she can't hope to stand. Still, she squints at the paper, trying to make out the words.

Merdez arches a brow, "Shall I hold it before you so you can read it, or shall I speak the words aloud?" he asks.

Kevarr's teeth grit. She tries once again to read it from her position, fails, then turns her head to the side in angry frustration. Her tail lashes once.

Merdez waits patiently, "I need an answer, Dame Gafgarion. I know your husband would want you to read his words as soon as possible."

Kevarr fixes Merdez once more with a murderous glare. She holds that for several moments, nearly half a minute, but...she wants to know what Atma wrote more than she wants to be stubborn. Her lips part, are licked once with an obviously swollen tongue, and then...nothing. Only a raspy breath when she tries to form a word. Her jaw snaps shut and she glares at the ground again, her cheeks reddening.

Cassite raises his head. "...if you would, give it to me so that I may read it for her before I depart."

Merdez glances to Cassite as he speaks, then back to Kevarr, "Is that agreeable to you, Dame Gafgarion?" he asks, dryly.

Kevarr returns her glare to Merdez, but she gives a firm nod.

Merdez nods once then moves to Cassite, letter offered to the squirrel, "Please see that she hears it as soon as she may. The more swiftly it is done, the sooner we shall know whether or not I can grant your request, sirrah squirrel."

Cassite nods briefly. "I understand."

Merdez smiles slightly, "In fact, if it is read now, then I can give you an answer almost immediately."

Kevarr clicks her tongue impatiently. She finds it a fairly safe bet that Merdez has already read the letter. She wants to know what it says.

Cassite nods slowly, and reads the letter aloud, without first scanning over it.

Cassite speaks, "Kevarr..." There is a pause, signifying an obvious break in the letter. "I arrived in Ruingate nearly two weeks ago. Before you jump to any conclusions, understand that I am safe and sound, and have not come across any trouble during my stay here. I came when I had word that you were being tortured, using your fear of the box against you. In protest to this, I swiftly made my way to Ruingate, by way of Noonvale. The children are being taken care of by Nagia and Amethyst, but they are very worried about your state."

Kevarr listens, nearly breathless. Her ears are flattened.

Cassite licks dry lips, "I have bartered with Merdez, and there's a chance I could free you. I understand that you have suffered a great deal, and have been condemned to suffer for yet longer. Please understand...this is not a healthy decision. You will be tormented into madness, and into death. Also realize that your struggles are only making matters worse for us. Kestrel told me before I left that Aksha had told her that you had forgotten about us, and had given up. I hope this isn't true. The Army of Northern Mossflower is ready to storm Ruingate, and I regret to say that the army is willing to let Merdez kill you and the others in order to reach him. If those beasts invade, you will die, since the army does not feel it necessary to save your life, or the lives of the others. I only ask that you stop killing beasts, for one, or you'll only get yourself in deeper. You may be released shortly, and when you are I want you to go straight to Redwall. Don't worry about where I'll be."

Cassite takes a breath and mumbles, "I'll return to you in a few months." He pauses once more, "Atma."

Kevarr's previously reddened cheeks have now gone pale. Her body is now rigid. Atma hasn't pointed anything specific out, but she knows enough of how he thinks to guess at what he hasn't specifically stated.

Cassite blinks. "Ah.. wait, there's a post script..." He clears his throat, "Cooperate, and if you are set free, cooperate with them, so you are not hurt further. I will carry out your sentence in order to keep you from getting hurt, and you are to return to Redwall so that the girls don't think you're dead. Tell them what's become of me, and when I'll be back. This is the best for both of us." He grunts, muttering under his breath.

Merdez smiles as the letters is completed, and his eyes move from Cassite to Kevarr. His look is expectant.

Kevarr's eyes close. The post script is confirmation. Her whiskers quiver, but she offers no answer to the letter.

Merdez frowns, "Well, Dame Gafgarion, I will need your decision as soon as possible. Sirrah Gafgarion will doubtless want an answer as swiftly as possible." he turns to Cassite, "As for you, I will see you are escorted to the surface." his eyes move to the slumbering horse...and he wonders, "I will also have sirrah Ramadi moved with you. Seeing his condition, perhaps Atma will be willing to shoulder the burden of his debt as well."

Cassite quietly bobs his head. "...if it would be alright, I would prefer to wait here until Kevarr.. and with any luck, Ramadi, are released. Otherwise, I shall find myself waiting outside of your gates."

Kevarr's eyes open again. She clears her throat as noisily as possible under the circumstances, and then, avoiding Cassite's eyes, shakes her head. "No," she whispers hoarsely. "I can't let him." That was really hard to say. She's grimacing.

Ergh. She needs sunlight. Something needs to be done about this...

Merdez frowns, "Well, perhaps Atma will be willing to take Ramadi's place and join his wife in the caverns. At least then some part of their scattered family will be reunited."

"/No!/" There was actually a little bit of voice in that, and Kevarr's throat is immediately regretting it. She looks as though her greatest desire at the moment would be to tear Merdez apart with the force of her glare.

Find Atma. Number One on Marie's To Do List.

Cassite eyes Kevarr, looking conflicted. "...Shut up." Cassite struggles up to a kneeling position, murmuring, "I would ask that you disregard Kevarr's wishes and allow Atma to do as he wills. This isn't a choice she's equipped to make."

Kevarr turns her glare full on Cassite. It's probably a fortunate thing she's chained at the moment. She looks as though she might just lunge at him for that.

Merdez looks from Kevarr to Cassite, "I cannot force her to accept this bargain, because it is a matter of family blood and therefore beyond my power to interfere. I suggest, sirrah Cassite, that you attempt to convince the Dame of your view whilst I go and contact the guards to release you when you bid." he scowls, "And I shall have them bring down some decent sleeping mats and food. I am disgusted by the way you have been treated." the foxlord bows, "Until we meet again, sirrah Cassite, Dame Kevarr." Merdez turns and head up a tunnel to find some guards.

She's sitting up, and laying down would be more trouble than it is worth. Kevarr rests her back against the wall, head down and attitude sulking.

Marie watches the foxlord disappear up the stairs, and just to be save she counts to ten after she can't hear anything before she comes out of hiding. Hurrying over to Cassite and Kevarr, she blurts out, "Kevarr, that was a brave decision you made but foolhardy. You're sick!" She shakes her head at the marten. "But what's done is done. I'll find Atma and tell him straightaway, plus any other messages you have?"

Cassite's eyes snap to Marie. "Her health /will/ /not/ /last/ here. She needs to go. /We/ need to go." The squirrel eyes Kevarr pitifully. "What about Mathieu? What about the reason we came in the first place? Do I go alone?"

Marie looks at Cassite. "I was getting to that. I was going to suggest that Cassite and Atma wait just outside the gates for you and I see what I can do to pick those locks. We'll all leave together."

Kevarr's shoulders hunch, causing the chains to rattle. Marie is treated to the same glare she gave Cassite, only slightly less intense. "Tell him to get out of this city," she whispers hoarsely. "Don't wait for Merdez, don't wait for anything, just get out." And back to Cassite. "That goes for you too." She hunches further. "You go alone," she states flatly.

Cassite roughly turns his back on Kevarr. "/Fine./" He narrows his eyes into the darkness and is silent.

Kevarr's ears flick back. She can't bring herself to muster up the effort to turn her own back, but she does turn her head away from both of them. And thus her expression can't be seen, but it is one of stony stubbornness.

Marie steps back, sighing. Nothing more she can say. "Goodnight. I must return to my camp in case the guards return here. I'll return on the morrow after delivering your messages to Atma."

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~ Marie ~