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Salamandastron: Meeting Room
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Here is a chamber with one singular purpose: that of meeting, obviously. It
is rather large - enough to contain the entire Long Patrol, easily. The
format is simple: rows of benches for the audience, and a podium for
whoever the speaker might be, located beneath the only window in the room.
The room is, otherwise, quite barren, and carved from the rock that is so
customary to Salamandastron.
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With: Gregorian, Terrence, Varus & Olivia

Terrence stands over a side table, setting papers down in various piles. The wide room is nearly empty, with most hares of the patrol having gone on long leave or retired as the several seasons of relative peace no longer require such a large force. The master-sergeant rolls his head to one side, trying to get rid of an oncoming headache.

Varus steps into the room, wearing his dress uniform, for whatever reason. After having been brought back into active duty several seasons ago after that disastrous massacre in Mossflower, the old buck had since resisted all suggestions that he might like to retire again... Or to get promoted. He still takes a small group known as the 67th out to patrol the beach from time to time. "Keeps 'em in fightin' shape, wot-wot," he likes to say. Following close behind is his wife Olivia, who's taken a more active role in the Infirmary of late. Olivia takes a seat whilst Varus approaches Terrence. "There y' are, lad. Wot's on th' agenda f'r today?"

"More downsizing, and /a/ patrol, sah." Terrence replies while still sorting. "Beyond that there's nothing, as usual now."

Times of relative peace meant times to catch up with other business. Greg's time was typically split his second job of Forge Master when there wasn't the standard training to be done, being a father, which had taken a whole different turn as his daughter had been growing up and avoiding a certain cook who without something to fight had decided to become a match maker and decided the aging hare had been alone for too long. Greg disagreed and was avoiding her like the plague. Fortunately the meeting room being for officers was highly convenient "Yes, right, anothah time perhaps. Very busy" he muttered to the cook who'd been following him around for a while as he entered, shutting the door sharply behind him before he let out a heavy sigh "...Wot were we here for again?" he asked of the others, hoping he hadn't been meant to be prepared for anything.

"General meeting, captain." Terrence again doesn't look up from the papers. Beyond the two officers, there are only a pawful of enlisted hares and in the back sits the old colonel Locke.

Varus lazily salute. "Greg, good t' see yah again, ol' mate." He looks over at Terrence. "Sounds deadly dull," he quips. "Wot we need is anothah pirate attack, wot-wot." He salutes Locke, as well, then goes over to his own chair. "Is tha' cook still bloody followin' y' ev'rywhere, Greg?" he asks pointedly. Certainly still pretty observant these days.

Blinking and finally looking up, Terrence mutters, "Heavens. It's been seasons." He shakes his head. "Anyway! I think we're all here, yes?"

Gregorian nods to the explanation and throws his own casual salute back before getting himself a seat "No, occasionally I lose her for an hour or two and she actually has tah do some work" he muttered in answer to Varus "She's nothin' if not persistent. That or we're just lackin' in hares. She's been attemptin' tah recruit my sistah tah the effort. Which is a conversation I am not prepared tah have" he sounded irritable. He waved a paw at Terrence though "Carry on. More downsizin' yah said?"

Varus harrumps. "Sounds like a majah annoyance," he agrees. Olivia's been listening, trying not to laugh at Greg's irritability. "Why don't I try t' talk to 'er?" she says to him. "I'll see if I can get through to 'er... Y' know, doe to doe." She nods, then turns her glance back towards to the others.

Terrence nods. "Yes sah. You're officially in charge of the only active unit of the Long Patrol, excluding the Mossflower unit. The rest are all reserves or support... like the cook."

Gregorian throws his paws up at Olivia's offer of help "Be my guest. Yah can tell her I'm not interested. In her or whichevah random doe she's picked this time" he was fed up with it. It wasn't quite as constant as he described but it was enough to bother the not overly social blacksmith. His attention returned to Terrence and Greg paused "Oh" he was surprised and after a second a little sorrowful with the news "The only one?...We've dwindled so much?"

"Not quite dwindled," Terrence says, "So to say. The company's always been the main fighting force these past seasons, so what's been unofficial is finally on paper. And there hasn't been such a need for fighting hares as there was, so most are living their lives, I'd say."

"Mossflowah 'as been uncharacteristically peaceful the past few seasons," Varus murmurs. "An' so 'as th' Western Shore. I only really patrol th' shore t' keep wot hares we 'ave here in fightin' form, wot. Mayhaps we should count our blessin's."

"There are reports of toads harassing traders and caravans to the south east," Terrence shrugs, "But those attacks have been few and far between according to Halyard. It seems they've recovered somewhat, finally, since that whole business with Dom."

Varus leans over toward Olivia. "Remind me who Dom is again?"
Olivia leans over to whisper to Varus so as not to disturb the others.

Gregorian sunk back in his chair, nodding though he looked unhappy "Mm. Uncharacteristically. Peace does come sometimes..." and goes again. Greg was of the old guard too and didn't entirely trust to peace. If anything the news of toads doing what toads do was reassuring "Mm, well, perhaps we can patrol ovah that way soon. Just tah make sure no one thinks we're not still here. I assume we're still plannin' tah train recruits?"

Terrence says, "Ah, yes. Second company is still being used for training, though most get sent to other sections as we haven't many recruits and haven't many losses to replace." He stops himself before he can say thank goodness. "Konner's been acting as drill sergeant more and more these days, which's freed me up more.""

Varus crosses his arms. "I've been overseein' Konnah in addition t' mah patrols. I think it'd do th' lad good t' take a trainin' regiment up th' coast t' tha' ol' Long Patrol outpost which I used t' command many seasons ago. Be a good excuse f'r some reconnoiterin' practice. An' also a good excuse to make sure the outpost 'asn't been taken ovah by any vermin or th' lot."

Gregorian nods once more, a smile finally starting to creep in "Good. The way she keeps eyein' between the weaponry and the calendar it wouldn't surprise me if Grace has a form tah enlist signed and waitin' for her birthday. I'd have hated tah tell her we're not takin' on recruits"

"She's that old now?" Terrence looks incredulous. "Goodness... As for training, though, maybe sending the recruits out to Mossflower come springtime might do them some good? "

Varus humms. "Well, there is still that small patrol out tha' way, headed by mah son." He's completely forgotten again that he's the one that put Lossow in charge of that. "Adrian's a good soldiah. Think it'd do th' recruits good t' see a model Long Patrollah..."

"I might not call it small." Terrence shrugs, "Sah. It's where we sent most of our fighting force, after all. Most of the hares out there came from our company first."

Gregorian pointedly raises his eyebrows at Terrence's question "Somehow yes. I don't know where the years went. I still remembah worryin' about her figurin' out how tah climb trees, suddenly she wants tah know how tah fire a bow" he shook his head at how things had changed before giving Varus a side eye though he says nothing to correct him.

Varus reaches up to adjust his spectacles. "When on earth did we do tha'? Last I 'eard it was just Adrian an' a Leftenant an' a few other fightas." He frowns. "Do we *need* tha' many in Mossflowah, quiet as it's been?"
Varus looks over at Olivia. "Wot was th' Leftenant's name?" "Lossow." "Aye, yes, that was it."

"And Cadwallader's the captain in charge." Terrence adds, face neutral. "As for those few fighters... nearly all of them were from my former squad, sir. As for need, I don't know. But it's easier for us to get more hares here than all the way east."

Varus mmms. "Y' may be right... It just seems tha' we *may* 'ave left ourselves a wee bit vulnerable 'ere on th' Western Shore now. Sure, 'Alyahd is peaceful *right now,* but I don't need t' remind ye wot 'appened t' our base there a few seasons back. Almost as bad as wot 'appened in Mossflowah before *that*."

Gregorian raises an eyebrow skeptically at Varus, not for the first time less than confident in the hare's memory but he seemed better than he used to be "I certainly wouldn't send more hares out that way unless we get word of somethin'. Y'remembah that time when the mountain got over run by vermin before?"

"Most vermin bands from east, " Colonel Locke speaks up, clearing their throat. "I'd say the 67th is doing thei'h bally job."

"Still, sah," Terrence replies, "The only reason we can be so spread out is our agreement with Halyard. Though if that falls through, I think we have enough hares to call upon to reform  the patrol proper."

Varus nods at Greg. "Tha's why I brought up Halyahd. I'll admit I 'adn't realized tha' most of our fightin' force is in Mossflowah now. We need t' ensure we're not stretched too thin 'ere at th' mountain, just in case. Remember, many many seasons ago in time immemorial, when Boar the Fighter only 'ad 10 'ares t' his name. 10! An' if not f'r the 'elp of Martin th' Warriah, the mountain might have been lost then, long ago." He pauses to look over at Terrence. "I trust you know wot yahr doin', lad. Just make sure we don't get down as low as Boar's time."

"And besides," Terrence adds with a shrug, "The hares on active duty, here are all far more experienced than any vermin I'd wager. Certainly have seen their fair share of the fighting."

Gregorian nodded along, feeling like the patrol felt a lot smaller than it used to "On the plus side, of those who have retired or left active duty how many have gone tah live in Halyard? They might not be actively patrollin' but it helps keep an eye on the place"

"When the mountain was attacked," Terrence says, "I'm not sure if we had much more than what Boar had, at least in young hares in fighting condition. But we pulled through all the same." After a pause he nods. "Yes. Most are there, yes... And the younger hares off duty, too."

"Yes, that's where the Swiftbuck family home is located, too... An' has been for more generations than I c'n remembah. An' it's where I intend t' retire again... Eventually."

Gregorian snorts "At one point I considered buyin' their forge shop and takin' my retirement ovah there too. I think we're in a bettah position with Halyard than we used tah be aftah that last attack they had"

Terrence turns back to the table, brushing a paw over a map. "I've not been that way in some time myself, but I hear the town has been doing better itself. Almost back to how it was in the old days, I hear. Or better. They also completed that palisade wall of theirs."

Varus frowns briefly. "The attack that destroyed our base, right?" he asks no one in particular.

"Yes, and most of our fighting force." Terrence doesn't seem to keen on the subject. "We lost half the company and more than that in the others in that fight..." He shakes his head. "That is a disaster I never want to see repeated."

"Every time some of it burns down it does get rid of some of the grime" Greg replied in dry humour. The news of the palisade got a nod of approval "I just hope it helps the next time we get pirates or somethin' tryin' their luck there again" he glances back at Varus but lets Terrence field that one "We've had too many disasters in my memory"

Varus harrumps. "And in my memory, too," he grumps. He still doesn't remember that particular day except fragments. "At any rate... It is good to hear that their new palisade is comin' along. I confess that I haven't been back to our home there in a few seasons now."

"I think it was a failure of our imagination, and strategy." Terrence says, distancing himself from any emotions. "Now though, I hope, with a group of hares to weed out any rising bands in Mossflower any stragglers that do come to threaten us here will be easily dealt with..." He eyes a report. "That merchant group too, the one we had trouble with, also doesn't have as many armed beasts in the area. Though they say they hunt pirates on the sea from time to time."

Gregorian searches his memory back to the merchants and their meeting outside the mountain when he saw them last "Mm. I nevah did trust that lot. Somethin' off about them. Bettah they stick tah the pirates"

Varus hrrms, and rubs his chin. "I agree wi' Greg here. Somethin's smelly about tha' lot. Best keep 'em at an arm's length, but also keep a watch on 'em. Always felt like they're aftah somethin'..." He looks over at Terrance. "Say, lad, 'as there been any news about th' slavahs t' the south? Acid-mania, or wotevah tha' place was called..." "Aclidia, dear." "Yes, that."

"Arc-ad-ia?" Terrence is careful with the pronunciation, though it feels strange still. He's read the name before but rarely if ever heard it spoken aloud. "Not that I know of, no, sah. I /think/ they collapsed some time ago, though..." He tilts his head, picking up the report mentioning the attacks on traders. "Now that I think of it, not sure what else is down south that there be beasts coming up to to trade. Will have to into that now, see if those creatures have dealings with any slavers."

Varus mmms. "Well, there's that delightful squirrel kingdom down south there... Southsward, castle Floret." Remarkably, he says those names correctly. "I did a tour down then when I was but a young Sahgeant routin' out a group o' bandits causin' trouble to th' good citizens there. If I'm not mistaken, Lord Sebastian keeps up regular correspondence wi' their king."

Gregorian nodded in agreement "Aye, after somethin' and not just the peace they were claimin'" the mention of Aclidia makes him squint, having to search his memory quite far to recall anything about that "I think they went quiet. I don't believe we've evah sent a patrol in tah the place though" Southsward and Floret he nods to before correcting "Lord Ciocan"

Terrence doesn't have the heart to say Lord Sebastion hadn't been badger lord since he was a recruit, instead preferring to nod. "Your son and the recruiting patrol went there, some seasons ago now. But to my understand Southward is many leagues beyond our patrol range, yes? At least I never heard of the Patrol actively going that far."

Varus nods. "Aye, t'is true. We gen'rally only go down there at the express request o' their monarch to rout out specific trouble-makahs. I've suggested in the past it might be wise t' keep a small contingent there on a more permanent basis, but... Well, we hahdly 'ave the hare-powah for tha' now, do we?" He pushes his glasses up again.
Varus thinks. "Also, yes, Terrence, it's been a verrah long while since the king of Castle Floret asked for our 'elp..."

"Maybe not the hare power, but..." Terrence looks away. "Maybe not the same /need/ for as many swords and spears, sah? Not every hare'll be so willing to spend their days patrolling a beach and fighting a toad once a season, now."
Terrence adds, with a thought, "And toads hardly need an army to fight."

Gregorian shrugs his shoulder "He's a king with a castle, I can't imagine there's many trouble makers they can't fix. It'd have tah be dire times indeed for them tah need our help. The abbey and Halyard are one thing, they're not military bases. I imagine they have their own army down there...though I nevah have asked...My sistah was at Floret for a numbah of years if we needed any information on the place" he says before glancing back to Terrence "Yah worried hares are goin' tah start lookin' for a fight?"

"Not quite." After a long time considering, Terrence speaks. "Though... I'm not sure where they'd go seeking a fight, not now. I was more," he waves a paw, "Well, I think patrol duties as they are might be a bit much for what we have to deal with. Toads and keeping watch for ever rarer pirates are all we really do now. Having as a force like we had during the sieges and before seems quite a lot... and even last we mustered them in force, with Zol- Anderson, it did not take many hares in the end to deal with that."

"Inaction breeds restlessness," Varus quotes. "Mah ol' Da' said that. An' so did 'is Da', an' 'is Da' before tha'. Wot Terrence says is true, eh wot. We need somethin' to keep the brash young lads 'n' lasses from rushin' off 'eadlong inta some fool'ardy fight."

Gregorian hmms, tapping his claws on the table as he thinks "The patrols may be quiet but wot's the alternative? Sit them around the mountain or send them off tah Redwall tah eat their cupboards bare? We could try some longah patrols. Stretch the trade routes a little I suppose"

Varus smacks his paw on the table. "Aye, that's a damn fine idea, Greg! A good Expeditionary Patrol, wot-ho!"
"The 67th works well enough as sending them to Redwall, and I bet they'll have more training than that place." Terrence says. "Though any plans you might make may have to wait until we have the recruits to send. Going now or this season, I'd say, means we'd take the main fighting force from the mountain, sah."

Gregorian immediately pictures Grace going off on some months long mission when recruits are mentioned and he doesn't look keen "Mmm. Too many hares tah keep busy with the local troubles, too few tah send off without leavin' a poor defence...I suppose the only answer is games. If they need a fight, they're just goin' tah have tah fight each othah...not literally of course, outside of training spars. A little competition might keep them busy though"

Terrence grunts. "And what about those that don't wish to fight toads or go so long a ways form home? The patrol as is may not seem appealing, even with games or the like."

Varus harrumps. "We 'aven't 'ad a propah round o' games since afore the attack on Halyahd, admittedly."

Terrence glances to one side. The lack games /might/ have something to do with him. "I suppose so. I never was one for organising such things, as I didn't see the point, at the time."

Gregorian waves off Terrence "I'm just worryin' about the hares already in the patrol that can't go gettin' bored without wantin' tah look for trouble. If they can entertain themselves without fists flyin' they can do as they like I say"

Varus nods. "I am in agreement. Young bucks with a chip on their shouldah are, like as not, t' get involved in bar fights. We can't let tha' 'appen."

Terrence can't help a grimace. "Last buck under my command to start fights in the tavern ended up thrown out of the Patrol entirely. Thankfully haven't had similar incidents, but that might be because of how much weeding out all the fighting was."

Gregorian thinks back to a couple of notable hares to turn on the patrol and starts to frown "Hm. Assumin' addin' some competition won't fuel some of these hares in tah figthin' more" after two hares turning on the patrol in the past he's concerned.

Varus hmms. "Well, I'll go talk to Sebastian... Ciocan, about wot we c'n do t' quell restlessness, eh wot." He starts to get up from the table slowly.

Gregorian nods along "Mm. Any othah suggestions are welcome" he says before glancing back to Varus "Let me know if the coast is clear tah leave aye? With a spot of luck I can make it back tah the forge without the cook knowin'"

"Yes, sah..." Terrence nods, already pouring through the papers again, as others starts to excuse themselves. "Soon I think I will suggest we track down some of those traders who move south and back, just in case. There'll probably be more information I nether that I've missed."

Olivia stands and nods to Greg. "I'll step out and intercept her. Don't worry..." The doe lets herself out.

Gregorian nodded to Olivia as he got up too, heading for the door "If yah can redirect her focus on tah some other poor sod I'll owe yah one" a final nod back to Terrence "If yah find anythin' of concern let us know" and he's off, carefully looking around as he heads back to the forge.

Sorry I haven't been around basically at all lately. I had a bit of a slump where I didn't feel like doing much and then got very busy. If anyone needs me for something send me a message but otherwise I'm trying to get on top of things and hopefully will be back on at some point.