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A great deal of news concerning the adventures of the Long Patrol within the Kingdom had reached the ears of the castle as the village guards had been advising on the matter. While the King had not personally got involved he was curious and followed the reports with interest. It was just after the conclusion of the Village's problems when he finally sent a castle guard with an official invitation to dinner at Floret.

The King had decided upon dinner in the throne room. Visitors always liked a good throne and it was a huge room decorated with elegance. A table had been set up to stretch all the way down the room with more than enough food for three times the beasts who were there and the servants were tending to their duties around the room, ready to bring anything that was needed.

Before it all King Garheld sat on his throne, quietly talking to a mouse as he waits for the hares to arrive and for the beast at the door to officially announce them when they do get there.

Adrian was quite glad to receive the invitation. The past few days had mostly been spent watching the town, making sure that Gutclaw and his beasts really had vacated the area like they'd promised. With no further signs of vermin trouble, a visit to the castle was well in order. Besides, now Adrian could finally carry out that one small task he had left. Spiffying up his appearance as best as possible, he and the other three hares in his group make their way to Castle Floret, escorted by the castle guards.

Elbio walked slowly, he too had made sure his uniform was cleaned up and even sews a hole near the knee, he seems fairly good at sewing as one can't tell there was even a rip in the knee of the pants. He looks around the castle in awe but keeps quiet and close to the corporal

Monty had been unusually quiet over the past few days, the hare simply following along with whatever it was his comrades were doing, though his usual energy and good humor didn't seem to be nearly as present as it usually was. He too had tried his best to make himself look presentable, and he trails along behind the others as they approach the castle, his gait slower and not nearly as eager as the others.

Garheld leans over as one of the castle staff whispers to him that the hares are here as soon as they reach the castle and he waves the mouse he was speaking to away and stands. He checks the little details like making sure the crown on his head his straight before he signals for the doors to be opened as the hares are led inside by the guards. The guards approach the throne before snapping to attention and the bowing their heads "The hares of the Long Patrol yer majesty" Garheld merely nods his thanks to the guards before turning his eyes to the hares "I am grateful to see you accept my offer of hospitality though all the more grateful for what I have heard was a quite heroic tale of aid towards the Southsward village"

Adrian finds himself brought before the throne, and on seeing the King, he immediately bows. "Why yes, yahr Majesty. There was quite a lot of crime goin' on in Southswahd, wot. We knew we couldn't sit idly by." He pauses, then clears his throat. "Pahdon mah mannahs, though, Sah. I am Corporal Adrian. This 'ere is Private Montgomery, Private Elbio, and..." The hare stops short, realizing for the first time that Yerna is no where in site. Where did she get off to? "...An'... We bear a message from our Leadah, Lord Ciocan." He reaches a paw into his satchel, and fishes out a letter sealed with the official mark of Salamandastron.

Elbio nods a hello as he stands at attention and listens.He stays beside the corporal.

Monty hangs back, giving the King a bow as his name is mentioned, but otherwise, he still remains silent, his expression quite unreadable as he shifts back and forth from footpaw to footpaw. Eventually his paws slip behind his back, and he stands there with his gaze trained upon the ceiling.

Garheld steps away from his throne causing a servant who was going to get the letter for him to pause and back up as the King reaches to take it himself "Then it is quite the special occasion. I don't recall ever receiving mail from a badger lord" he chuckles lightly before gesturing at the table and food "Please, sit, tell me of your travels" he says as he opens up the letter to read it.

The letter is the usual pleasantries from one leader to another. A mention of a possible visit sometime in the future, and a note that Ciocan doesn't send out messages very often, but this was a unique opportunity. On the whole, nothing earth-shattering. Whilst the King reads those pleasantries, Adrian does as requested, taking a seat and eyeing the sumptuous spread. He and Monty haven't eaten this well since the left Salamandastron.

Elbio speaks "Adrian and Monty has likely had more adventures than I...I was recruited by them, as was another hare...but sadly he died, we still have Yerna with us though, think she joined around the same time I did at a mountain with a lot of bats." He does sit though and smiles.He has never seen a feast before so this is..well awesome! Oh and seems no one else is sharing adventures so far, well hopefully the others will also.

Despite her rather unusual appearance, practically entirely covered in fabric with just an eye and one and a half ears on show, Sola makes a good servant. She is quite the expert at silently blending in with the furniture and then suddenly appearing when required. She's been watching since they arrived and waiting for the king to get past the usual formalities involved with greeting guests. As they sit though she steps forwards with a tray of drinks to offer. Obviously she presents one to the king first but after that she moves on to the hares and tries to bring up the nerve to say something.

Garheld knows the usual sort of thing leaders pass between each other about as well as other beasts know how a conversation about the weather goes. He sits as he finishes reading and tucks the letter into his tunic as he takes his drink and listens to Elbio "A mountain of bats? I believe I read about one of those once though I do not recall where. Clearly you have travelled far. I am sorry to hear of your friend"

Adrian accepts a glass of what seems to be wine from the doe, and he nods to her in a friendly manner, before overhearing Elbio. "Ah, yes, Bat Mountpit. I was *very* glad t' get away from th' bloody place..." He sighs, thinking back to the hare they lost there. "But anyway... Monty 'n' are on a sorta... Recruitin' expedition, you could say, Sire. Th' Patrol suffahed a majah setback this past autumn in Mossflowah while 'elpin t' protect Redwall Abbey. It was a stunnin' turn of events, wot. We left Salamandastron about... Four, five months ago, I believe. An' we're headin' even furthah south, too, before we 'ead north again..." The whole time he talks, the hare is setting about getting himself a plateful of food.

Garheld tilts his head curiously at the news of the 'setback' "Really? Why whatever happened? Alas if I could point you towards the location of a group of hares eager to join I would. Though I have no doubt were there such a thing in Southsward we would likely have employed them already. You must at least stay the night here. Enjoy a comfortable bed out of the elements before you travel on. It will provide me with time to write a proper response back to your Lordship"

Elbio is listening as he gets a drink and some food, he had not heard too much of things before he joined up after all. Yeah he had heard a little of that seige where they lost so many but since it made the others sad he didn't ask more on it.

Monty goes about getting himself a bit of food as well, and upon retrieving said food he sets himself down at the table, beginning to eat quietly. His eyes remain on his food, ear(s) perked and listening to the conversation, though he doesn't seem to be really keen on adding anything of particular interest to it. Once their experience in the bat mountain is mentioned, a frown slips upon his muzzle and his expression darkens, the small hare picking at the food on his plate, pushing it around distractedly with his fork.

Sola builds up a little bit of nerve as she places drinks on the table for the hares. She nods briefly to Elbio as she'd met him before but she's aware he doesn't have answers for her. She wouldn't dream of interrupting in to the King's conversation so she hovers around the other silent hare for a moment. She hesitates, takes several seconds of indecision but finally goes to tap Monty on the shoulder once "Excuse me" she's very quiet "You come from the mountain, Salamandastron. Is that correct? You have been there?"

Adrian eyes the doe in his peripheral vision, but pays little mind for the moment. He's mostly fixated on the food and relaying their experiences to the king. "It was an ambush, wot. We shoulda known bettah, an' it bit us in th' collective butts... 'Owevah, we did prevail in the long run, and protected Redwall... We're s'posed t' swing by there when we get tha' far north, because I'm also carryin' a message f'r th' Abbot..."

Garheld looks appropriately mournful at the news "While I am pleased to hear you prevailed it is always a great tragedy when good beasts die. Their loss is always felt for years to come but their deeds will always live on in the beasts they saved" he pays no attention to Sola whatsoever. She may as well be part of the furniture "Perhaps if you would permit it I may send with you a letter to the abbot myself? While historically our kingdoms are old friends it has been quite some time since we have spoken to any official party from the north such as yourselves"

Elbio nods "We can take another letter to the Abbot."He has never been to the abbey so he is excited to be there and visit when they, well..get there.

Monty's attention is fully on the leftover food on his plate and how it makes little trails here and there as he pushes it around with his fork. The frown remains upon his muzzle as his attention begins to drift from the conversation, the particular topic really not one he wishes to discuss, either. His shoulders slightly lifting and falling in a sigh, the hare suddenly feels someone tapping him upon shoulder. He jumps a little, having not expected it, and his gaze shifts over towards the doe who is standing beside him. He blinks, staring at her quietly for a few moments, his eyes taking in the various visible details of her apparent injuries. When he finally speaks, his tone is quiet. "...er, yes, ma'am, that is...correct. S'where we live, as a matter of fact." He does his best to allow a smile to flicker upon the corners of his lips.

Sola withdraws her paw quickly when Monty jumps but she's quiet, she accidentally sneaks up on beasts quite frequently. She's also had to get used to the stares, she's hidden as much of the damage as possible but nothing makes her look normal. She waits silently for him to adjust and speak. She sighs quietly with slight relief when he says yes. That's point one taken care of "I wished to check on a hare. My brother had..." she'd rehearsed this and now it was gone "I..I'm not sure if he made it there..." her eye flicks briefly to Adrian with concern as she'd been listening about the trouble they'd had "Or if he still lives"

Adrian nods his head. "We'd be honahed to, yahr Majesty." His sips his wine, casting a glance toward Monty and Sola, hrmming, but doesn't remark on it.

Elbio seems to notice Sola now and smiles at her and nods a hello "Hi Sola...."Yeah he meet her in the village briefly"I..I remember the name she mentioned ....lets see started with a G.."He frowns did he forget?" Ummm..Grant...no..Garfield...no...oh...oh yeah..Gregorian. That was it"

Garheld glances briefly at the others since Sola doesn't tend to talk about herself much but he doesn't look for long and refocuses on Adrian "Then that is settled. We shall have rooms prepared and you shall stay the night. Anything you may wish for will have. I shall write a letter for your Lordship and to the Redwall Abbey for whenever you are prepared to leave. If you require supplies, fresh equipment for your journey just say and I hope you may have more, happier, tales to regale us all with while you are here"

Monty doesn't appear to be visibly put off or affected by Sola's mysterious visage. To him, the scars merely pointed to the fact that the doe likely led a difficult life up to that point, and he cannot hold that against her in the least. His attention fully turns towards the doe, and he hmmms quietly. He quickly attempts to reassure her, "Oh, er, I'm sorry ma'am, I'm not...I mean, I don't mean to...y'know...stare...it's just, I...well, I mean...your ear...an'..." Welp, there he goes. Awkward Monty hadn't made an appearance in at least a couple of seasons now, but there he is once again, on full display. Upon hearing her question, he sighs inwardly in relief. "...oh, er, well, your...your brother. What is his name?" he finally manages. He really hopes he'll be able to give good news. It would certainly help his mood, at least. He doesn't hear the name that Elbio mentions.

This is outside of Sola's comfort zone and she sounds flustered to as he mentions staring and her ear "Um. It's alright. It was, um...well I don't like to talk about" she gestures at his ear "Oh, but, um yours is too...which is" oh dear lord stop talking. She takes a deep breath and holds it for a second. Ok, she's stopped. She nods quickly to Elbio, moving on quickly "Yes, erm. Gregorian. He went there...some time ago. I fear I lost track"

Adrian nods his head, and smiles. "We are 'umbled by yahr generosity, Sire. We 'ave been runnin' low on supplies the past couple weeks, so we're most grateful f'r th' 'elp, wot. A nice bed t' sleep in will be a most refreshin' thing as well. Thank you."

Garheld sips from his drink to hide his bemusement at the other conversation going on "Well it is the least we can do after you all uncovered some plot against the country and put a stop to it when you were just passing through. If anything it makes me wish that your patrols came through more often. Not that I deny the fine work our guards do or indeed approve of the trouble I heard you got in to with them when first you arrived"

Elbio frowns, yep he remembers that as well, he clears his throat "Any fines due were paid."

Monty gives a shake of his head, the hare chuckling, "S'okay, miss, usually I don't like talkin' about mine either, so I totally getcha. S'fine though, it looks...totally fine..." He does his best to be as polite as possible. "Is...fine. Got used t'mine, already. Is a badge of honor, it is..." He does brighten up at the mention of Greg's name, and he nods. "Oh yes, Greg is indeed there! Doin' quite well though too, I gotta say..."

It's hard to tell Sola's expression under all the fabric but her eye definitely doesn't have a look of pride to it when she glances down at her paw and it's missing fingers. She perks right up when Monty says her brother's alive though. There a heavy sigh of relief "He made it? He never got caught too?" she closes her eye and laughs quietly as that's a big weight from her shoulders "All this time. Thank you...and I'm sorry to interrupt your meal. Thank you"

Adrian blanches slightly, and he chokes on his food. "Ah, err, Yahr Majesty... I, ah... I take full responsibility f'r that, I apologize. We 'ad a misunderstanding', I'm afraid, eh wot. But we got it smoothed over, I think... Once again, Sire... Our apologies..."

Monty is certainly cheered up a little more as he sees Sola's expression changing as she receives the news that Gregorian is indeed alive. "Aye, miss, it, um...it seems like 'e did make it, yeah..." Monty gives her a grin. "I mean, unless th'cranky ol' hare that spends 'is time in th'forge is another hare named Gregorian...." he jokes. "Y'never know, weirder things've happened y'know." Eh, Monty trying to cheer others up when he himself doesn't really feel the best is amusing.

Garheld chuckles at Adrian's distress but waves off Elbio's words, reactions like that were a perk of his job "I am not going to spend my time going against the word of the village guard in this matter and as I understand it they considered it closed. I do hope the rest of your stay is without further misunderstandings of course" and his tone suggests they should ensure that they don't cause further trouble.

Elbio nods as he relaxes some now and looks around the room quietly.

Sola has a million questions she'd like to ask but she doesn't like to intrude so she started to back off until Monty speaks again. There's a little flash of confusion in her eye as she pauses and tilts her head slightly "Cranky?" that clearly doesn't sound right to her "He was the most irritatingly optimistic pain in the scut you could ever meet" she sounds a little louder and boulder as she's mildly insulting her sibling "Now working in a forge I can imagine. Banging things together all day and making a racket would suit him but he'd never stop his jabbering long enough to think let alone get considered cranky" her eye frowns a little with a slight bit of concern "Whatever did you lot do to him there?"

Elbio shrugs he has no clue, it's not like he been to the mountain "Only..Monty and Corpial Adrian been to the mountain I have yet to see it"

Monty grins a little at Sola, "Well, mebbe I kinda, y'know, over exaggerated a bit...but, I mean, when it's dinnertime an' 'e doesn't get 'is food right away, hoo boy. The plates start flyin', they do..." It seems Monty's gotten a little more comfortable than before, the odd doe bringing him out of whatever previous funk he'd been in. The reasoning behind it would likely be a discussion for later. "Oh, uh...I'm Montgomery, by the way. Or Monty f'short. I'd give ya th'whole name, but we'd be here all evenin'..." he winks.

Adrian lets out his breath. That's certainly a relief. "No worries, Sire. We'll be as quiet as dormice. Which are pretty quiet..." He glances to the left, offers a wave to Sola. "I'm Adrian... Greetin's, marm..."

Garheld chuckles once more at Adrian "I have known only one dormouse and I believed him to be more trouble when he was silent but I will take your word on the matter" he finally looks at Sola and gestures towards the table "Sola, please, sit. This is clearly important. You wouldn't even speak to us about your family in the years you've been here"

Elbio chuckles a little on quiet but otherwise is, well quiet. He lets Adriando most of the speaking.

Sola hesitates but sits as she's been instructed to. She nods at Elbio "Yes, I recall when we met in the village. It seems a very long way to go" she tilts her head at Monty again "Well, he has kept his appetite then I suppose" she laughs lightly at Monty's joke about having a long name "Oh, the long names. I'd forgotten about them" she bobs her head politely to both Monty and Adrian though the King has already introduced her "I am Sola and I do thank you for visiting. I'd thought of writing before be was sure the answer would never have been good news like this"

Elbio says, "We can take a letter to Gregorian, ummm..right sur?" He looks at the Corporial now as he asks."Even if its a while till...get there"

Monty's brain is brimming with all sorts of questions as Sola takes a seat at the table next to him. Most of them, he figures. would likely make her uncomfortable..he did notice her reaction when he mentioned her ear and whatnot. So he keeps them to himself, for now, instead going the casual conversation route. "So, er...Sola, is it? May I ask how exactly you managed to end up in this place?" He waves a paw to their surroundings.

Adrian nods his head. "Yes, yes. We'd be more th'n 'appy t' carry a lettah f'r Greg, wot. Jus' let us know, an' we'll wait f'r y' t' write it..."

Garheld is interested himself which shows just how little Sola has talked about herself. He briefly gestures to Elbio "Ah, so you were recruited along the way and aren't from their mountain? Quite the adventure to pack up and move to somewhere entirely new"

Elbio nods "Yes sir and a hare maid joined too..close to where some bats lived and the bats ate a lot of mushrooms and crickets and there was also ..."He frowns "There was one other recruit but he..he sadly died."

Sola pauses at the offer to take a note before she slowly nods "I...yes. Thank you. I should write...something" she frowns a little "I wouldn't even know what" she's distracted though by Monty's question and she pauses again before quietly explaining "He, Greg that is, he always wanted to go to your mountain. He'd constantly fake your accent until it stuck, he gave himself a longer name, it was all he wanted to do...I told him he was an idiot. We lived on the southern cliffs, it was a very long way to go. Well, he ran off to do it anyway..." she takes a deep breath "I followed to bring him back before he got himself into trouble..." she looks down and her paw fidgets with one of the spots where she's missing a finger "I ran into trouble instead...there was vermin on the mountain when I tried to cross it and caught me and...took me inside. A whole city carved inside a mountain and they..." she pauses and looks uncomfortable before skipping ahead "Something happened, I don't know how long it was but I got out and...ended up here and never left"

Garheld nods slowly to Elbio "So the quest has had some success in recruiting hares but also some sorrow. It is a hard journey to take" he listens to Sola's tale with some interest but he doesn't interrupt for fear it will make her stop.

Monty leans back in his chair, listening to Sola's story with interest, his expression flickering with the occasional random emotion as he listens. When she gets to the part about being captured in the mountain, Monty frowns a little, nodding his head slowly. Finally, after a few moments, the smaller hare sighs, then gives Sola a smile. "Well. All of that is in the past, Sola. You made it out safe, and that is wot matters in th'end, yeah?" Monty himself has quite a few visible scars, including that ear, but he doesn't really seem to let it bother him too much. "And hey, don't worry about anyone judgin' you, Sola. Y'have scars, sure, but that just shows yer a strong hare, and y'survived a lot of bad stuff. That's a positive mark on you, y'know?" he gives a light shrug. "So, I don't meant t'offend the king..." He gives him a smile, before looking back to Sola. "...but, have ya enjoyed yer time here?"

Adrian has a good idea what mountain city Sola's discussing. He decides not to comment on it. "Y' survived, wot. An' I'm sure Greg'll be glad t' hear it..."

Sola looks down again "I find them more a reminder of a time I wish to forget. Nothing good came from them. I am sure yours were at least earned doing something worthwhile, something that helped others" she looks back up suddenly when he questions if she liked it here. Her eye softens, she might be smiling "Of course" she bobs her head briefly at the king "They have been kind and patient even when I was not quite myself anymore. Slavery was not enjoyable and being a servant may seem of little difference on the outside but I assure you I am not trapped here"

Garheld is learning all this for the first time himself so he's listening carefully. At Monty's question though he chuckles "She may speak freely for herself and I'll take no offence" he glances to Adrian "It has been some years and I had no idea of this tale or I would have seen that this Greg of yours was contacted sooner. Alas it sometimes seems to take some time to get past these things"

Monty waves a paw to Sola, "Aw, phooey. Got these injuries fightin' toads, was my first mission in the patrol actually. Was nothin' any more noble than anyone else's done, really..." he shrugs. "And hey, I understand if th'scars remind ya of when stuff was bad, an' I apologize if I made it sound like it was a good thing. Just tryin' t'find positives in a negative situation..." The hare tells himself that he is totally blowing it right now, though he keeps the smile upon his muzzle, though it's a little on the twitchy side. "And, uh, that's...that's great. That you like it here, uh. Yeah, that's....super...excellent. M'glad they treat ya good here! Is...better than...not bein' treated good...n'bein' treated bad..." He fiddles with his fork. Oh dear.

Adrian facepaws as he listens to his friend stumble so badly. Why is he so bad with does? He looks away, and smiles politely, sipping his wine... Oh, looks like he actually finished his wine. Well, he'll sip from the empty glass, anyway.

Sola tilts her head "But toads kill beasts don't they? That seems noble" Alas she was supposed to be looking after their drinks and she had become distracted by Monty instead. Adrian's glass remains empty. She looks thoughtful for a moment about the scars but doesn't say anything until Monty starts to blither again. She glances to the room, grand as it is "Yes, it is undoubtedly better than being treated bad" she says with a hint of amusement before she carries on "I used to help care for the princess, the king's sister, when I first arrived. She, erm, grew up however and there are no more royal children currently so...well, the furniture will not dust itself. It's nothing as grand as travelling and...well, whatever it is you all do aside from, um, travelling and fighting..." she seems unsure what they really actually do all day.

Garheld is left silent too but amused by the turn that one of his quietest servants is suddenly so chatty. It may be the easiest 'entertaining of visiting delegations' he's ever done.

Blithering is kinda a Monty thing, really, at this point, and sometimes he really doesn't seem to realize when it is happening....especially when it happens to be around a doe. The looks he gets from his companions, however, seem to tell him that he's likely doing something very Monty-like, and so his gaze drops, ear flattening upon his head as he stares down at his plate. "Well, yeah, I guess it might be just a little noble. Toads are 'orrible, y'know." He scratches the tines of the fork back and forth on his plate. As what they do outside of questing and fighting is brought up, Monty thinks of something that might be of interest. "I work in the mountain garden!" he blurts out, perhaps a little too loudly, as he suddenly lifts his eyes and grins wide, as if that is the coolest job in the world. "I mean....yeah, I...I work...in th'garden. At th'mountain," he repeats, a little calmer this time.

Elbio has just quietly listened to the chatting and enjoying the food, the food here is great

Adrian sets his glass down. "Monty is a good ahtist, too. You should ask t' see 'is sketchbook, which, of course he 'as wi' 'im, wot." Yes, Adrian's going to double down on embarrassing his best friend.

Sola doesn't really understand why he's suddenly staring at his plate but as she glances around she realises they basically have an audience and she gets a bit more uncomfortable. She looks quickly back at Monty when he suddenly blurts out about the gardens and then Adrian for the drawing "I...we, um. The castle has gardens...I, or, um, any of the servants that is, could show you...you could draw flowers?" she glances between them awkwardly before she suddenly frowns remembering something "Oh. Except it's winter. There are no flowers...They have, um..." what else do people draw? "A fountain? Or you can see quite far from the walls...if it's clear out"

Garheld is no help whatsoever in saving Sola from this and just smirks "We have quite the number of paintings if he has a more professional eye" he says to Adrian because he's not interrupting this but will happily offer Adrian information in case it can be used to further this entertainment.

Elbio hmmms, he manages to hide a yawn as he is a little tired but they will get to rest for the night and then head on to whatever next.

Monty does seem to perk up as it is mentioned that the castles have gardens. "Really?" he almost squeaks in an excited tone, a grin upon his muzzle in the process. "I mean, um, nice. That's...really super good. Gardens...are good. If, y'know, y'like...places where food grows. Sometimes. Cuz...it...usually doesn't when it...gets cold...outside." Covered all the bases there, Mont. As Adrian brings up his drawing ability, Monty goes to subtly kick him beneath table with a footpaw, giving him a severe look that totally says 'dude I am gonna kill you in your sleep'. When Sola brings up visiting said garden, and possibly being a guide in said tour, he smiles. "Yeah! Yeah, that'd be, uh...great. I mean, I do draw flowers, but um, I can pretty much try n'draw anything, I guess...." he gives a light shoulder shrug. He glances at Garheld, "Oh wow, paintings? Really? I...kinda wanna see those, y'know. It's like...way bigger versions...of what I do, y'know. Kinda."

Adrian goes "Ow!" louder than he intended, then he looks at Garheld sheepishly. "S-sorry, Sire... But, you see 'ow artistic mah friend is, wot... And a tour o' the gahden would be lovely..."

Sola looks surprised at Monty's enthusiasm and jumps when Adrian goes Ow. She gives him a long stare before deciding he's probably fine and looking back at Monty "They are, um, well, some of the garden is for food. I was thinking of the more...decorative part. The paintings" a glance to the king. She can't decide if he's helping or not "Are inside...of course" because it would be stupid to keep them in the gardens "There are rooms of them...Perhaps a tour of the castle..." she glances back to Adrian "I'm sure one of the scholars could do it and provide all the history for everyone..."

Elbio hmmms softly,sips some drink and just seems to listen but he will go on a tour, sure. A tour would be nice before bedtime, get supplies in the morning and head onwards.

Garheld also looks at Adrian but just laughs as he realises what must have happened "I clearly see the passionate interest! I tell you what, I'll show you both around and Sola here can show your friend the gardens first"

Monty gives a nervous laugh, the small hare nodding his head enthusiastically. "Oh yeah, yeah o'course th'paintin's are inside! Cuz if they were outside they'd get all wet from th'snow n'rain n'things. Is a brilliant idea, really, it is. Geniuses, I tell ya." He grins wide, "But yeah, tour! Would totally love a tour. Haven't really seen much o'th castle, so like, a tour would be totally perfect." He glances at Adrian, and the king, before looking back to Sola. "Tour. Yes."

Adrian nods his head, and pushes back his now empty plate. He did have five helpings, though, true to hares' reputation for capacious appetites. "Shall we staht th' tour now, eh wot? I'm itchin' t' see th' paintin's..."

Sola laughs quietly as Monty points out the obvious reasons why paintings are kept inside "Yes. I can only imagine how many were lost before they decided to bring them indoors" was that a joke? She made a joke! She quickly looks at the king, her eye widening slightly when he suggests her doing the tour alone for Monty "Um, yes, of course..." because she takes and suggestion as an order. She looks back to Monty, pauses and then finally stands "Alright, erm, a tour. The gardens are, um, this way"

Elbio will of course follow them during the tour, not much else to do and he likely would get lost.

Garheld claps his paws together and stands too "Excellent! Paintings, towers, statues, lots to see" he says as he goes to usher Elbio and Adrian off the other way for an exceedingly long tour around the castle.

Monty is then left alone for the aforementioned tour, and he watches as his friends are led off in the other direction, leaving only he and Sola. "So. Um." He chuckles softly. "Gardens. A tour. Um, so...you said...they were this way?" He slides out of his chair and stands, moving to take a step before his foot gets caught on the inside of the chair leg. It makes a loud scraping noise as he stumbles, before quickly attempting to straighten himself up again. He dusts off his uniform. He totally didn't just do that. "So...like...that way?" he points a paw.

Adrian wanted to see the gardens, too! But you don't argue with the SquirrelKing. He'll ooh and ah at all the artwork, long into the evening...

Sola startles slightly at the chair scraping but then laughs very quietly at Monty's attempt to pretend it didn't happen. She nods to the question "Yes, this way" she says as she leads on with a quick glances back to the other group going the other way as she wasn't entirely certain what the king was doing. She was not the type to question however so of they go to the gardens and a tour through the castle afterwards.

Elbio quietly looks around as they walk.He smiles sometimes and just enjoys the evening and will for sure enjoy the cozy bed later and sleep well tonight.The hares will likely get a slightly late in the morning start,but that's ok as they will have some good supplies to last a while and its onwards to the next adventure they go!

==Well the hares are off onto the next adventure. Will the next one end well? End Badly? Stay Tuned!!!!!!====

*** Just  a fun  little log and shows the GUOSIM are still very much alive!!! *****

who:

Vilfred- Log-A-Log

Berwin- Cook and Fighter

Leigh-Healer

Lyra-Fighter and Vilfred's Mate

About 2-3 Spoofed GOUSIM shrews also in the group!

LOG:

The woodlands looked like a winter wonderland. Snow was all over, the bare trees still had a few leaves of red and yellow clinging onto them. There was a thin layer of sparkling ice on the river, the snow even sparkled in places when the light shined off it just right. All was calm and peaceful this afternoon.

And then…..it wasn’t!

A loud sort of slight insane victory laugh was heard “Ha ha hahahah…I got you good! I did…the look on ya face is priceless!” There standing was a shrew in a brightly colored headband, they had just throw a snowball at another beast and seems hit their target.

Berwin snorted and brushed the snow off his thick cloak “You got a lucky shot in matey, that’s all.”

Vilfred was nearby and watched, he smiled as he was enjoying today and why not even a chieftain can have a fun day once in a while, a day to just goof off and not worry about things. He made his own snowball and searched for a beast to throw it at.

Lyra was sitting on a log nearby and stringing some holly berries to make a decoration for the camp, she hummed a soft tune as she worked.

Leigh chuckled as she managed to hit another fellow shrew and then hid behind one of the many trees by the river bank.

Most of the tribe was having fun it seemed, a couple did just watch though as they still made sure to keep alert for trouble, the tribe was still small, just under a dozen now, but that didn’t matter they were small BUT mighty!
Berwin shakes his head, he always seemed the grump of the group “Least tis a snowball fight and not a real one.” He then gets a snowball but what is this? He loads it into a sling and fires it off with a grin, so maybe he can have fun sometimes after all!

Vilfred grins “This is being fun and I am..liking it” He walks closer and throws a snowball at Lyra!

Lyra was finishing up the string of holly berries and then gasps as the snowball hits her smack in the face, she glares at Vilfred and goes to try and tackle him.

Leigh blinks as she watches peeking around a corner, a snowball barely misses her and hits the tree so she moves to another tree and again giggles. ”We should do this more often, it’s fun”

Berwin shrugs “Hey Log-A-Log look out ya angered her!” He grins as he says it and just offers no help as he sees Lyra charge, good thing that’s not an enemy!

Vilfred is alerted too late as he falls to the forest floor and blinks up at Lyra, he gets the breath knocked from him a couple moments and then grins and goes to touch Lyra’s nose, “I am seeing ya be like winning love..I am surrendering so what now?”

Lyra chuckles as he touches her nose and just smiles, she gives him a quick kiss and slowly stands, offering to help him stand as well “Ya do huh…well then. I say we take the rest of the day off and just do nothing, no chores or anything, just relax…we can tell stories around a campfire and roast some of those left over apples we got and we have some candy chestnuts and nice green tea to share”
Leigh walks over, ”I like the idea of a whole day to relax for once, we don’t do that very often as there is always some chore or thing to check on or make sure this or that is fine.”

Berwin nods “I can get out  the food and drink but yes a day off no worries …as we are all good now on supplies, even firewood and the log boats are just fine…yes one needs repair but repairs can wait a couple days. We are good on supplies of food, drink and even the infirmary is well stocked just in case. And yes a lot of firewood to last well into the cold weather and we can get more….but get more later in season as we are good now so it’s time to relax….right Log-A-Log?”

Vilfrad smiles and nods as he stands and dusts off “Yes relaxing time my friends.” He sits down as a campfire is made and the food and drink is brought out, a day off is good sometimes.

WHO:

Vilfred-Log-A-Log

Leigh-Healer

Berwin-Cook and Warrior

Lyra-Warrior

Mavis-Scout

3-4 other GUOSIM shrews..

LOG:

Vilfred is in branches of a tre. Fairly high up as he watches the woods and paths quietly chewing idly on a piece of straw.

Lyra has taught herself to climb the tree and soon sits beside the shew”So..on watch duty are we dear?”

Vilfred smiles “Ya be making much noise on way up, but getting better Lyra”He grins.

Lyra chuckles “Come down ok, time for dinner”

In the newly finished Mess Hall is Berwin sitting out rolls, shrew bread and some smoked fish and salad.

Leigh gets some  juice to drink “I am glad the  roof of the building is done now, less worry for when the snow comes”

Mavis speaks “Snow can take its time, like come later ya know”

Vilfred chuckles as he enters “Snow will come when snow wants to friends”

Berwin grins “Log-A-Log is here, we can eat dinner now...got plenty of smoked fish and dried fish, some normal fish..a lot of apples and pears too.”

Leigh nods and waves “We should be find for winter..even have shrimp, rice cakes even and wild onions and potatoes..we got some wheat from the abbey and sugar,and salt too.We can still trade some fish for something if we want.”

The storage has apples,pears, other fruits and veggies. Smoked eel and pike,smoked fish and even some shrimp.wheat,sugar and other spices and herbs for cooking,maybe not a lot of choices but it's the first winter here.

Mavis smiles “I like this new home, it's nice”

Other shrews in the room agree as they eat dinner.

Vilfred smiles as he sits down “But don't always need to be waiting on me to have meal, info for the next time yes?”

Berwin chuckles “Of course” He sits down as well”Though every so often we should try and get something different for meals, just sometimes.”

Lyra sits and looks around “I say we have done well for the first couple seasons here so far..Summer and Autumn..it's been good even with a couple problems like the Pke and unexpected company one day, we handled it well”

Mavis nods, “And Log-A-Log getting lost one day but he was found and we became friends with Camp Willow...so allies and allies are good to have all the time”

Berwin chuckles”Friends are always good to have.”

Vilfred smiles and raises a mug of ale “To Allies, friends and...family” He says and takes a sip as he  starts to have dinner.

Lyra smiles “I agree”She gives Log-A-LOg a kiss on the cheek and smiles”I am also glad we found one another and have a new home, and not just any home one by the River Moss again and even Log Boats.”

Leigh smiles, a nod “The river is important to us shrews after all.I also like to let you all know the herbs for the healing needs are in good shape, main ones in storage and the few we may need I am sure the abbey or..if needed Ferravale has, Ferravale is a friend as well right?”

Berwin nods “Ferravale is on the list of friends “

Vilfred nods “Yes they are being friends as well to us indeed. We may not go thar much at all but still are being the friends yes”

Mavis nods in agreement.

Lyra smiles “Life is fairly good right now.Which..brings up news since we are doing all these updates.”

Leigh looks over and listens as she sips some juice “News of what?”

Berwin hmmms “Good news I do hope”

Mavis tilts her head “Good or bad...both maybe?”

Vilfred smiles as he stands “Good….me and Lyra are going to ask Abbot Benar to.perform a wedding, me and Lyra’s...it some days ago when I asked Lyra to be my mate and she had said yes and a wedding will make it official but a wedding needs one to perform ceremony...a simple one nothing fancy.”

Lyra smiles as she stays beside Vilfred the Log-A-Log.

Berwin grins “Well sounds like a good plan and again many congrats”

Masvis nods “I like it..short..simple...nice”

Leigh smiles at this “Simple is always nice..no need to have  anything big and fancy...short and simple and at home is good. Or even a small one at the abbey maybe...well maybe the abbey”

Vilfred nods “Yes, yes it is but as said dont need a lot of beasts, hmmms maybe just me and Lyra ask the abbot to do small ceremony and then shrews celebrate once back at camp ...if anyone else wants to say congrats maybe at Winter feast as knowing they are not having autumn one but that is ok still”

Lyra smiles, a sip of ale as she listens to the others, then speaks “We can ask dear but not today or tomorrow..still some things to do before the cold weather fully sets in”

Berwin nods “Yeah like make the rest of the smoked fish for us and anyone else who wants some”

Mavis speaks “I can see if the abbey wanted any smoked fish”

Vilfred nods “For now we enjoy dinner and chat.Then rest as yes still some things to do before cold weather comes.”

Which might be sooner than the shrews think but for now they are happy, ready for  winter and will have lots of firewood collected soon, they should be ready for colder weather…...right?

**The first part of this I got off logger as it was important.....Log-A-Log and his shrews show up a little later in log **

WHO:

Vilfred-Log-A-Log

Berwin-Coook for Guosim

Lyra- Scout and  Warrior in Guosim

Leigh- Healer in Guosim

Cynthia- Visiting Abbey Sister

Oswald- Warrior in Guosim

Ferro -Blacksmith  of Ferravale

Krasnaya- Stoat...guest?

Mack- Hedgehog and guest

LOG:

Krasnaya could not believe the spitefulness of the rain. It had come down upon her without warning, striking angrily down upon her as she searched for cover amidst the dark riverbank, mindful of how it soaked her already. But it seemed the night was not without its own salvation - the spirit of the river smiled down upon she, and out of the dark a dim light did shine, promise of warmth and shelter in the cold darkness. Stumbling forwards, the wayward stoat clumsily entered the old den, all suspicion of its seclusion and the dark path she took lost in the promise she had been given. To anyone inside, her sudden entrance must have come as no small shock, as she made no effort to hide her approach, or diminish her sudden entrance.

Ferro is by the wall, oddly....paws tied behind his back.He speaks before he looks up "Your back I sssssssssssssssee...Of coursssssssse"He blinks slowly as he looks up and studies the stoat "Your not Anwir....who are..you?" His voice is sort of raspy and deep, he also sounds weak and looks a little thin.There is a small fire in here , not too warm though. The only other creature in here, far in a corner is a hedgehog.

Krasnaya is initially seemingly oblivious to the captives, most concerned crouching close by to the small fire to take in its warmth. There is an awkward delay before she finally glanced back up to the awake lizard, as if only now seeing him for the first time. "Anwir? Is that his name?" The stoat looks thoughtful for a moment, pondering the identity of her spirit guide, before frowning suddenly. "Why are you tied up? Were you sent here too?"

Ferro speaks "I am hisssssssssssss captive, he..hatesssssss me' He coughs a little and sighs, great he seems to think, likely just some random beast,"I usssssssse to me in hisssssss tribe, but no more"

Krasnaya blinks, then looks away, suddenly very despondent. "I see..." It seemed this Anwir was apparently just a mortal beast, like herself. Her guide remained unknown. "So," she says, glancing back at the lizard, as though now unsure of what to do. "He is no river spirit, then."

Ferro tilts his head "River....ssssssssprit?" He seems confused and shakes his head "He is..inssssssssssane...he will likely eat unexpected..company" He seems to have little energy to try and escape,"sssssssurprissssssssed he hasn't ate the hedgehog yet"

Krasnaya actually laughs, a sudden reversal of emotions. "Well, it is not beyond the nature of the gods to devour such beasts as we..." The stoat rubs her paws together, pleased with herself, and enjoying the small comfort of the fire. A moment later, and she remembers the lizard once more. "What was your name, again?"

Ferro frowns "Ferro...Blacksmith..."He frowns "Or I wasssssssssssss......"He has no clue if he will get out of here or not, "I am jusssssssssst glad he hassssssss not got my daughter yet...he isssssss after her."

Krasnaya looks at the lizard more critically. "Ferro... Blacksmith." Idly scratching her scarred muzzle, the stoat considers her options. "Your kind - born of sunlight - I suppose it makes sense you would be good with flame... You want to escape from here, yes? Go back to being a blacksmith? See your daughter, maybe?"

Ferro looks at her, he seems unsure of her and it's clear he has been here a few weeks now"How?"He asks simply, quietly, he looks around, back to her as he coughs a little.

Krasnaya giggles lightly. "With me, of course. I had hoped to stay warm here, to take shelter from the rain. I thought the river or the moon had offered me this place, but I can see now I was wrong." She smiles, certain of herself, like a beast who has just solved a complicated puzzle. "It was the sun - trying to make right with me after all this time..." The stoat takes her knife from its sheath, creeping over towards the bound lizard, though not yet making as though to free him, lost as she is in her own thoughts. "It makes sense, doesn't it?"

Ferro hisses at the knife, then right now he is leary of anyone who gets too close to him.He listens as she speaks and tilts his head to the side, maybe he is that tried that he is hearing jumbled words,he isn't sure as he frowns but still keeps a close eye on her.

Krasnaya frowns at the response. She supposes it would be too much to ask for every instrument of destiny to understand their place in the great order of things... Still, the stoat continues closer despite the lizard's hissing, cutting the binds that keep Ferro's paws behind his back. "There you are, lizard. Free as a summer breeze... though not quite so warm." Seemingly despondent once more, the stoat sits back, watching to see her lizard companion's reaction, and what state he is in for escaping.

Ferro hisses, then the paws are free and he looks surprised, he tries to gets up from sitting only to stumble back to the den floor as he frowns,he glances at her and speaks "You..untied me...but there isssssssss sssssstill getting away to...to"He frowns he doesn't even know for sure where he is, he snorts slightly as he had been knocked out and woke here.His bounds were better then just ropes before, but his brother knows...he is weaker so why bother with the chains from before.

Krasnaya looks on the struggling reptile with a blank expression. "You said you were a blacksmith, no? From some big village I bet. I came here from the road, the only shelter I could find from the rain. An impossible light in the darkness and the tall grass..." The stoat trails off, almost losing herself in her thoughts of spirits and destinies again. "If I can take you back to the road, do you think you could find the way back to your home?"

Ferro listens "Village...Ferrvale issssssssss where I live."

Krasnaya shows no reaction to the name of the place, placing her knife back in its sheath. "I don't suppose you're going to be able to walk there with me, are you?"

Ferro does try to stand again and fails, it's been some, well weeks since he walked around much and part of the time he was captive he used a lot of energy to try and escape"My..energy is very low...I don't even know where we are"

Krasnaya actually laughs again, amused by the combination of his own failure to stand, and by her own knowledge that she herself knew little of their location. After watching him struggle, she herself stands, offering a paw down to him for him to pull himself up with. "You can lean on me, and we will find a way, won't we? I have been offered this much good fortune so far, haven't I?"

Ferro nods as he can still crawl and manages to slowly stand, a frown "We may need to...move quickly, Anwir will look for usssssssssssss trussssssssst me." He frowns "Well....look for me anywayssssss"

Mack wakes up with a groan, headache as he opens his eyes and scans the room, frowning as soon as he spots others...friend or foe? He isn't sure .

Krasnaya is surprised by the sudden movement from the other captive, and looks back to Ferro. "A friend of yours? He seems to be coming around - do we take him too?" Shuffling under the new weight of the lizard she is supporting, she considers her ability to support them both in escaping.

Ferro looks at the hedgehog, he nods "He...cannot sssssssstay here, unlesssssssssss he is fine with lunch...in wordssssssssss, being lunch"

Mack eyes go wide, "And wot if you want lunch....huh?" He takes a mental note on how weak the monitor looks and studies him and the stoat"Free me before that other gets back...I need to find Nardo before that...thing gets him"Yes he means the other lizard, he isn't sure of Ferro but right now he knows for sure the other one is not good to see.

Krasnaya mumbles to herself "One has a daughter, the other has a Nardo.." Crouching back down, slowly as not to drop Ferro, she comes around back to the hedgehog, cutting his binds with her knife once more. "The two of you will be quite the trouble - I hope the spirits do not jest with me, setting you two in my care..."

Ferro frowns, he seems concerned that someone will show up,"We leave...now"Where to he isn't sure just away from here.

Mack stands and nods "Thanks...."He is not too edgy around vermin, though....the monitor...but thats in understanding as one did capture him as he walks slowly over to Ferro and studies him"Your...a captive?!" He is curious and that will have to wait as he goes to offer some help,"Nardo is a ferret and...I don't know where he is..my pub it caught fire....and in the chaos this...well another...no fued lizard grabs me. drags me here"

Krasnaya giggles again, without much care for the seriousness of the situation or the talk of arson and kidnapping. "I wish I was a ferret sometimes." She grins, though this expression falters as she shoulders Ferro's weight once more, supporting him as she rises to stand again.

Ferro nods , yes he is a captive, he noness "I will not...eat you, do not worry....Anwir....will though if we...ssssssstay here"

Mack is still unsure but nods ok and will trust him, for now "Ok..lets get outta here"

Krasnaya doesn't really understand the hurry, but complies with the general mood of the rest. Carefully, she walks with Ferro out through the den entrance, into the dark and continuing rain. The weather is hardly pleasant for her, having only just dried off inside, and the lizard is no source of warmth against her, but she trudges on with him, hoping to find the trail once more.

Ferro leans into the stoat and Mack if both are helping.

==On to The Camp Of The  Guosim==

It is raining, that cold, drizzly, autumn is in full swing and winter is not far away rain that is sometimes the most miserable of rain. It causes the large bonfire in the center  of the camp to spit and fizzle but Oswald is there, gallantly piling on more logs to keep the fire roaring and bring some heat to the covered logs circling it as seats. The shrew isn't that bothered by rain, humming to himself as he heaves another log onto the flames to keep it going.

Cynthia had found the path, she had been brought to the pathway by the champion and promised to be careful and not gone too long as the champion did have a couple other things to check on and of course get back to the abbey.

Lyra had been in her cabin a lot but since the rains have slowed she now ventures out and more towards the main camp.

Vilfred is close, having been outside in the woods patrolling a bit when he sees the mouse  and speaks"Greetings to you, company is nice,at times as long as it's being friendly company ands that you seem to be"

Oswald looks sup as Lyra comes out and raises his tail at her in greeting, "Miss Lyra, good day..." He stands as close the fire as he dares, the shrew warming his hands over the flickering flames, "Good to get this going, camp can get mightily cold in this weather, a roaring fire is just wot we be needing."

Cynthia jumps a little and then sees Vilfred as she speaks "Not nice to suddenly come up on a beast.."She makes her way the rest of the way into camp and looks around.

Lyra says, "It is starting to be cold sometimes but least no snow yet, but we should have a few weeks till snow shows up"

Vilfred mutters a sorry before he walks on into camp and smiles "Our main camp, is nice yes? Still have few things to do, but not much now"

Oswald says, "Aye I think we are still a few weeks away from snow or really cold weather," He turns at the sound of Vilfred and someone else and he smiles, "Cynthia lass, good ta see you, I heard you and your family where back at the abbey."

Cynthia smiles as she goes to hug him, if she is allowed and smiles "It's good to see you also Oswald, it's been a while and yeah back to stay now"

Lyra nods and waves to the mouse as she sits down"I think the camp should be ready by winter, or least hope so"

Vilfred says, "Ready is the plan yes, we shall see but not too much to do, we did get some help couple weeks ago, maybe will get more help soon""

Oswald hugs Cynthia back and smiles, "It sure is good ta see ya lass! Welcome back ta Mossflower," He gestures at the other shrews, "And I am back with the GUOSIM to stay also! Which is good fer me, it be good to be with me people again."

Cynthia says, "I seen some of the shrews when I first got back, they showed me the right path to the abbey when me and Caleb got a little lost, lucky not too lost"

Lyra smiles "We do know the way around Mossflower or least a good part of Mossflower"

Vilfred grins as she finds a good place to sit down and relax, they have been fairly busy the past few days"Yes looking around, had to find a beast....but was found so now can relax"

Oswald exclaims, "Aye mossflower is good and welcoming, it is nice ta be home!" He sits down by the fire and pats the log, "So what brings you this far from the abbey Cynthia? Can't be just to say hello to this old minstrel.""

Cynthia chuckles"I got permission to come not to worry, and to say hello yes but also to show how I have improved over the seasons with music, I always practiced a lot and even was in a traveling show, for a short time, stayed in a village and...well missed ..Redwall, Redwall is home to me"

Lyra says, "Redwall Abbey is nice, we were there for a feast and helped them out a couple times."

Vilfred says, "We seen a village near that church..forgot its name now"

Oswald says, "Well by all means Cynthia dear, settle down and show us what you can do, I'd love ta hear how your music has come along," He smiles softly, "I am sure we could all enjoy some music around the fire and yeah Lyra, the abbey are good beasts.""

Cynthia says, "Not the one I was in, me and Caleb were in one a lot further south of Mossflower."She smiles and does have a lier with her, that and harp is two things she is good at playing, she plays a soft tune and smiles, humming a little tune she uses sometimes.

Lyra smiles as she listens to the music"Music is one thing we rarely rally have around here, we need to try and have it more often in fact"

Oswald says, "Aye that is my fault, I have been too focussed on helping to build up the camp to break out harp or lute and sing and dance... mayhaps now we are nearly ready for winter I can bring more music ta tha GUSOIM!" He then settles down to listen to Cynthia play"

Vilfred smiles "Music would be good as we have worked very hard, even helped find a missing beast..we have things built for the camp, maybe a little more work on a couple roofs, but that is all...and well some other supplies but not much in supplies we need now"

Leigh steps into view now as she listens, "A break would be nice, time to relax even"

Cynthia smiles, she sings a tune that her and Caleb has sang together before, and plays the lier too...."Right by ...your side...through all....friends."

Oswald grins and stands up and moves to his hut, coming back with the large oiled case that contains his harp, he unlocks it and pulls it out into his lap, the bells in his dreadlocks chiming as he settles down to join in with Cynthia's song. Listening to her words as his fingers pick up the tune, his harp strings thrumming quietly.

Cynthia smiles, she still sings her tune, a song about staying by a friends side, no matter the troubles and staying their friend.She has improved in voice and music making.

Lyra smiles, liking the tune and the music.Even chuckleing once as it's good to have fun once in a while.

Leigh watches Oswald as he plays and a smile forms, she han't know he could play an instrument at all as she walks closer and sits down by the group of shrews as she listens to the song and music made.

Oswald keeps playing, his claws plucking at the strings, weaving his song in and out around Cynthia's as she sings, humming along, a low deep voice, pitched to add a little extra harmony to Cynthia's song, keeping the music flowing around the crackling flames of the fire.

Cynthia smiles, adding another verse as she smiles, she plays a little more of the lyre and finishes soon as she smiles"It's...been a while since played and sang, well in front of a crowd anyways"

Lyra nods "I think it was very nice, very nice indeed"

Vilfred nods "Maybe sing and play music again soon, maybe even at a Redwall feast, plenty of time to be thinking on it yes"

Leigh smiles "I liked it....and I liked your music as well Oswald"

Oswald works his fingers along the strings, putting a quiet counterpoint to the ending of the music and smiles, "There... that was fun," He throws his hair back over one shoulder and grins at Cynthia, "That brings back nice memories, it's been too long since we had a good time playing together." he carefully packs his harp away and closes the case, "And I am glad you like it Miss Leigh."

Cynthia smiles "I...will think on it, but as for the abbey that is up to Abbot Benar or Mother Krisha..."She frowns a little "I do hope the abbot id able to go to the winter feast"

Lyra nods "I heard. some about the abbot,not much"

Vilfred nods "From what I heard......he is resting and recovering, did not visit the abbey...hmmms perhaps should,get more info"

Leigh smiles at Oswald and listens a little as the others talk.

Oswald asks, "Well can they even have one of their feasts without their abbot? I don't suppose he'll order one if he can't go," He grins at Cynthia then glances over at the other shrews, "Fires dying down, should we think about putting on a GUOSIM stew for our Abbey guest?""

Cynthia smiles, as for the question "I..don't know, they may wait till he is well enough to go"

Lyra nods "I say make some dinner, our food is just as good as the abbeys and some of it...even better just don't let de abbey know of that"

Vilfred chuckles at the mention the food is better or least some is, he nods "Yes...true.But also do hope the abbot is recovering well from accident or...whatever it was that happen"

Leigh nods,"Always good to help a guest feel welcomed after all"

Oswald exclaims, "Well that sounds good ta me! Let's cook something nice and show our guest that GUOSIM food is as good as Abbey fare."

Cynthia chuckles,"I think I like it here, I was thinking of staying a couple days if I could, I can even help with something around camp and in 2-3 days someone can walk me back to the abbey"

Lyra smiles"I am sure we can find something that needs done, lucky no heavy lifting or least hope not since we...sort of lost that help at the moment"

Vilfred says, "Help is alway welcome yes"

Leigh smiles "We can make stew and maybe some small tarts of some sort as well"

Oswald says, "Well lass that'd be up ta our Log-a-Log but I don't mind walking ya back to Redwall in a day or so.""

Cynthia smiles as for now she relaxes"It's been fairly quiet, for the most part on the roads and woods"

Lyra says, "And not too much happens once winter sets in, in autumn a lot are getting ready for winter but yeah always wise to not travel alone either way"

Vilfred says, "She is right and we can be finding things to help out with...small repairs here and there and we even have chores we do as the abbey is not only one who is doing chores""

Leigh says, "Maybe a river ride before you go, there was a pike but it's gone now"

Oswald asks, "Well then," He stands up and picks up his case, "I will put this away and then we can get cracking with the cooking, Leigh lass help me with the cooking stuff?" He heads off back to his hut.

Leigh nods as she goes to help Oswald and smiles

Cynthia nods "I can help with chores, I do chores at the abbey"

Vilfred nods "Then chores but tonight we have good meal and maybe more music even, perhaps dance"

Lyra smiles as she waits, "I am glad we are almost ready for winter season"

Mack is a little turned around, all he could think is away from that place, away from that den and maybe some river mud will dull their tracks, he sniffs the air.."I smell campfire and...food"

Vilfred is with his shrews and a visiting mouse and indeed there is good! Some stew, some apple tarts and even some salad as he grins. There is not many shrews as the group is small..but fierce if needed. It is slowly growing though.

Leigh is helping a shrew named Oswald to make the food"Dinner is just about ready and think we have apple cider, tea or water to drink"

Krasnaya is not blessed with a great sense of smell, owing largely to the old injury to her muzzle. But after the hedgehog's remark, she too taste the scent on the breeze, and after such time spent travelling, it is more than a welcome surprise. Quite the blessing for a good deed, she thinks, making a mental note to pray thanks to her ethereal benefactors. Tired, she puts an extra skip to her step regardless. "Lead the way, hedgehog - I could go for something to eat.."

Cynthia is at the camp, she smiles "I could play some more music after dinner"

Ferro looks ready to pass out as he looks around, tried but going wherever they led for now

Mack nods as he makes his way to......the camp or the entry as he glances around, oj this could end well or bad, "Errrr....elllo thar...shrews umm...room for..3 more?" He adds "We...come in...peace"

Lyra turns and stands up quickly, ok a hedgehog is fine but two vermin whom she doesnt recognize and she has a paw on a sling.

Vilfred quickly alert as he sees the new guests, a couple others shrews stand beside him "I am..Log-A-LOg, whom is being you?"

Leigh frowns, ok there is a monitor and she tenses up as she backs off a little"Ummm...oh...."

Cynthia takes one look at the monitor and screams rushing to hide behind one of the logs by the bonfire, she meet one monitor, she is about to meet another!

Krasnaya sees the gathered shrews and mice and laughs, finding the absurd twist of fate amusing. So be it- the stoat's paw is on her sword hilt in an instant, ready to meet the possible threat, but in doing so she elbows the semiconscious Ferro as she attempts to draw the sword from its scabbard, throwing herself off-balance and sending the two of them crashing forward in a heap, the monitor's weight atop her before she can spring back upright.

Ferro groans as he looks at the shrews, the mouse as he focuses on the mouse ..abbey robes as he grunts "P...Pleasssssssse.....hesssssssss...g...gonnna..."He coughs and looks ready to pass out "Need..find...Krisha...."And he passes out totally.

Mack frowns "Find..who wot...wait why is that name familiar.."

Vilfred keeps a close eye on the stoat and the lizard and blinks , he is still on guard and alert "Finding who?" He frowns as Ferro passes out and edges forwards slowly."WHo is being every beast?"

Leigh frowns, she is a healer but stays where she is, if Log-a-log looks it he will go forwards and offer help, but are these guests safe?

Lyra waits to see what to do, it's up to their chief as she looks at the stoat, hedgehog and lizard..an interesting group indeed

Cynthia frowns as she watches him,She steps out as she listens "Mother Krisha.....you know the badgermoher?" She frowns wait..she spoke of him"Ferro?"

Krasnaya unceremoniously crawls out from under the lizard, barely noticing his sudden unconsciousness. The woodlanders, however, seem to be largely passive regarding her presence now, so she makes no attempt to draw her weapons again, though she remains crouched by the lizard's side rather than stand again, saving her own energy and waiting to see what would happen.

Mack frowns as he steps forward and about trips..."There is another monitor who likely by now notices he has less...well no guests, he is gonna come looking for captives, namely me and..guess Ferro, if that's his name...look the monitor here is too weak to do anything and the stoat...don't know her name..helped us. Not sure..why but....also umm..."He points to the food and smiles a little "Also I got to let me friends know I am..ok, somehow"

Vilfred listens as he looks at them closely"Names..."He looks at the food and them and seems to think, he studies the lizard and puts away the weapon but he is still on high alert "We tend to injuries and offer food and drink...and you will stay put and answer the questions asked soon"

Leigh is not sure how to help a monitor and is still edgy of it and the stoat as she nods , first seems the lizard for sure needs aid "A..anyone else need a healer?"

Lyra stays quiet and simply watches, she sits down to try and relax...well good thing they have enough fish stew, salad and tarts for company.

A shrew, Named Berwin walks closer and stops close to the new guests and frowns "Someone said...Ferro was missing...where has he been?"

Cynthia is still uneasy "W..what now?" She frowns "Wait another monitor...where?" Ok now she is freaking out "Me and Caleb seen one, a flaming spider tattoo"

Krasnaya draws her paws further from her weaponry, mirroring the action of the chief shrew, and keeping a watchful eye on the female, shaking her head at the offer of healing. This is a period of possible crisis, and her furtive mind works overtime developing a plan to escape with her life should things go awry; the stoat does not have a history of universally mild conduct in her dealings with lone woodlanders. Luckily, they appear to be more disturbed by the monitor lizard, and at this Krasnaya almost smiles - Ferro the blacksmith seemed hardly a threat to anyone in his condition. Amidst the discussion of her captor, putting her worries to side for a moment, she decides only to ask what was on her mind. "There is food here, right?"

Vilfred nods, he nods the ok to offer the new guests some food, he is still not fully trusting yet"Other things need know?"" He keeps a close eye on them, a guard will be around them at all times and she is free to go whenever, but he will now be alert for other...guests.

Berwin helps also to get  dinner  passed out to all.

Mack sighs as he speaks, he smiles at the offer of food and drink,even tea is good"I..am not sure..Ferro was not mentioned....but Xander mentioned Krisha..seems Ferro knows her."He will take a break to eat and drink, but speak between mouthfuls "IN fact...Xander and wherever Narso is need ta know I got away from..well the other lizard as said the stoat helped, my name is Mack by the way Pub...well former Pub owner...suppose homeless now"

Leigh checks the lizard and if needed the hedgehog for wounds as she listens to them speak.

Cynthia looks over, a little less jumpy as she eats dinner herself, they were about to have it after all before more company came."Xander and Krisha are mates...."

Krasnaya wordlessly helps herself to some of the stew she was graciously offered, monitoring Mack and his interactions with the other woodlanders. She was out of her element here, amongst so many shrews, and knew Mack and Ferro only by their names and former occupations. Amidst the hedgehog's brief explanation of her actions, however, she speaks up briefly. "I'm called Krasnaya, by the way..." The stoat almost continues, but thinks better of elaborating on the belief of guidance to their location by sun spirits and the like.

Vilfred nods, he sits down after getting some food, he speaks quietly "Maybe help find way to Ferravvale...."

Leigh sits after making sure any healer needs were taken care of and stays close to Oswald now.

Mack nods"Ferrvale?" He is curious now, ok so not all know what Ferrvale is.

Cynthia says, "Ferravale is close..the chieftain is Blisa...and I can let the abbey know about Ferro...and Mack also""

Krasnaya listens carefully, taking note of the names and locations mentioned. She remembered Ferro talking about the village in particular. "The lizard is a blacksmith from Ferravale," she says, in-between her food. The stoat is famished, having eaten little in the time travelling before she had even ran across the two captives.

Vilfred nods, he makes a metal note they will need more fish later on, but thats later as he hmmms"I am..seeing yes..village will need Blacksmith for sure"

Leigh sighs as she stays where she is, a couple other shrews seem to get her to ask "So...plans Log-a-Log?"

Mack looks at the shrew as he listens "Wait...Log-aLog?....the Guosim, your the famous Guosim!!"

Cynthia every so often looks at the stoat and monitor, she is a little less on edge now, she frowns "The one monitor...the other one is scary.....likely dangerous...what if he followed them?" Ok fear is back.

Vilfred smirks "If other monitor comes with teeth and claws we offer to him death"

Leigh says, "I don't want any bad company....have you ever fought a monitor? Does he have friends?""

Mack frowns "I think....we may of hopefully lost him...and the river path was very muddy and the rain would hide tracks and wash then away"

Cynthia starts to hum, a soft tune and takes a deep breath going to sing a simple song"Right by your side...right bu your side...no matter what..." She gets her lyra and plays, something to calm herself and maybe others, no need to stay all on edge after all and she did promise more music earlier.

Krasnaya is surprised by the sudden humming from the mouse, momentarily forgetting her food and the discussion as she listens to her begin to sing. It has been a long time since the stoat had heard a proper singing voice, longer still with instrument accompanying it. It brings a smile to the stoat's scarred face and she looks towards her pleasantly. "You have a lovely voice, mouse. I'm envious."

Vilfred finally eats, drinks and listens.Every alert and seemly calm, or looked calm anyways. He was the leader here after all, it was his job to keep everyone safe and he was truly serious, even dangerous, when needed. Ever on alert he is, he speaks with some of the shrews quietly.

Mack hmms as he sighs "SO..where would a guest...sleep?" He looks at Ferro and back to the shrews, its likely they are usually warned for company.

Cynthia smiles, she finishes her song"Thank you..." She is not sure herself where guests would sleep. So she will let the shrews answer that and decide.

Vilfred speaks "Is thinking.....is staying?" He asked as he looked at the hedgehog and stoat, the monitor he decided could be close to the fire, he called over a scout and whispered to them and they nodded and left the camp. He was still gonna guard the stoat and ...likely lizard, just in case.Then the hedgehog was with them, he sighed thinking.

Mack speaks "I.....think least tonight staying"

Krasnaya thinks about it. She didn't even know where they were right now, and it seemed riskier to wander off by herself after rescuing captives than to stay under the shrews' watch. "I'll probably stay the night as well."

Cynthia was staying a couple days and decided to go to sleep after a little more lyre playing, she quietly went to find a place to sleep for the night, of course staying in camp.

Vilfred nods, he will make sure a guard keeps an eye on her, and a couple guards make sure no others come to the campsite.He speaks "Fine..is fine...in morning can head off, maybe to Ferrvale"He hmmms as he looks at Ferro, likely he can't leave as easy so...he is unsure of him yet as he sighs.

Mack speaks "Maybe...Ferro can stay, he is weak and needs a healer..unless you find a way to get him to that abbey maybe"

Vilfred looks at the lizard, well he is blacksmith of that ferravale and ferrvale had a peace treaty with the abbey, he nods slowly.

Mack yawns "Alright...so umm...gonna sleep now"He was used to sleeping outside at times, even when he had the room in his pub.

Krasnaya watched the rest go off in their own directions, to sleep or otherwise, until it was just her and the shrew chieftain. "So you're the famous log-a-log?" She scratches idly at her scar, pondering her next words. "What's it like?"

Vilfred looks at her and raises an eyebrow "I am being leader..protect, lead..make sure all is alright"He has his moments of being funny yes, sad moments and even has been afraid as he does seem less..worried but still a little worried as he watches her closely, will he get sleep tonight? That's not clear.

Krasnaya nods. "I can't imagine it. I used to be part of something, and we had a leader" she says, omitting the nature of the group, but leaving the implications that might have come with its vermin nature. "He wasn't like you, not at all. Perhaps that's a difference between our kind." The stoat trails off, her claw idly trailing the burn scar across her muzzle.

Vilfred hmmms he just listens and keeps watch, he can sleep later or maybe his 2nd in command can keep watch here soon.

Who:

Vilfred- Log-A-Log

Lyra- Healer of Guosim!

some spoofs of assorted     Guosim! shrews

LOG:

Vilfred is up in a tree by the riverbank just sort of stareing down at the water quietly and has been up there a while now.   

Lyra wanders over and looks up, the tree pointed out to her by a couple other shrews.She calls up "Log-A-Log!"   

Vilfred looks down and then climbs to the ground and stands before Lyra "What..I was being busy"   

Lyra says, "Yeah busy doin' what..sitting in a tree is busy?"   

Vilfred frowns Thinking...helps to be in tree as no one bothers me...thinking on tomorrow"He frowns "How will go..will Pike leave...die...will we..die"   

Lyra frowns and steps forwards "I have faith in you, no one will....I am sure you can make sure no one dies or least have few deaths but one cant say no death or injuries at all...that thing is...a monster"   

Vilfred sighs as he looks at Lyra and frowns "You should go back to your..father, your likely safer thar than with me and the Guosim.."
   
Lyra frowns at his words "I..no"She takes his paw "I am a Guosim. I am a warrior..one of your warrios and I will stay at your side"
   
Vilfred manages a small smile and then sighs as he holds her paw now "But...I....I dont want to lose anyone, espcially you Lyra. I..can..not.."
   
Lyra listens and tilts her head "You can not what? You are Log-A-Log...you are a great leader and so far have handled things well from what I seen.....and heard of before I found you again."   

Vilfred smiles "I am....yes..."He studies her and lifts her chin up slightly, a smile "I..missed you being around. I looked for you and felt I failed...Maybe I should of tried..harder."   

Lyra smiles at him "We found each other now."She steps back and then goes to hug him, laying her head on his shoulder.   

Vilfred smiles and hugs her gently. He is quiet a long morment..."Lyra I have..question..fer you"
   
Lyra looks at him "What question is that?"   

Vilfred smiles, he seems nervous and clears his throat "I..have not a ring or...anything but..well me.."He chuckles "Lyra..would you..like to help me led the Guosim....as my wife?"   

Lyra hears the question and looks at him to see if this is a joke, she smiles and gives him a kiss and hugs him, "Yes.."She says happyly, "A 1000 times yes"   

Vilfred grins and chuckles happlyly, going to swing her around if he can a couple times and hugs her again.   

Then...a couple "ALright"

.."Bout freaking time"

.."Ya Log-A-Log and Lyra!"   

Lyra chuckles and smiles, then looks at the others "Umm...we are not alone it seems dear"   

Vilfred looks at the shrews gathered around and shakes his head.He then smiles "WOT.....yes me and Lyra be together now.wedding another day but..."He smiles "Soon"   

Lyra smiles "Yes..sometime soon"   

Vilfred smiles , he looks to the camp and nods "Alright...we all need to be ready for tomorrow..when Pike is dealed with. We all stay together no matter what for together we are strong and alone we are weak"   

There is nods, there is a yes here and there, all the shrews agree...they are Guosim!!

Who:

Deniz- Boat Builder, wood worker Camp Willow

Aqua- Healer Camp Willow

Gaheris- Skipper of Camp Wllow

Melody- Infant daughter of Aqua

a couple spoofed otters

LOG:

It had been quiet along the river, too quiet and sort of boring so Deniz went exploring around the area and looked around. It was also windy today, the wind was annoying and ended up blowing someones paper they were writing on into the river, the otter snorted and Deniz decided to be helpful "I will get it"
   
Aqua was watching, her daughter  beside her learning the joys of crawling as she glaces at Deniz "Hey...just let it float away...Skipper said to be careful around the river"   

Deniz makes a dive and gets the paper and grins "Its a little..ruined"A sigh from the other otter "I can rewrite it...great now gonna recount supplies..." Deniz shrugs and grins at Aqua "It's not been seen for like a week maybe it left"
   
Aqua frowns "Means...nothing and if it did leave..good"   

Deniz grins "Its fine..."Then it's not fine as...oh THERE it is! A gasp as he quickly starts to go to shore."Never mind!!!!"   

Aqua gasps, she doesn't know whether to call for help or what, she does go to the shoreline and goes to help pull Deniz onto the shore, hopefully that goes well.   

Deniz gladly accepts the help and almost trips onto the shore and wide eyed looks back at the river as he gulps "Ok..ok...umm its still thar"
   
Aqua frowns as she looks at the river and pulls Deniz back a little, she looks at the other otter "Are you ok?"   

Deniz frowns, and the pike is there, sort of swims back and forth and then dives under the water, so much for lunch today. Deniz lays down and gulps "Umm...yeah...not ate..I am fine...it just bumped into me..ok..yeah..that thing is scary and big and it has teeth"   

Gaheris has no idea of the dangerous situation that was going on as he walks towards the inlet from the main camp. He spots the pair pretty quickly and frowns as Deniz looks wet "Don't go swimmin' in the river right now!" he warns, not aware that the pike is right there.   

Aqua glares a little at Deniz and then oddly hugs him before moving back and looking back to where her daughter is crawling and picks her up "Don't do that again I don't CARE if a lot of papers fall into the river..wot if you like died..."ANd then she sees Skipper finally and frowns.   

Deniz sits up "I..." he blinks at the hug and then looks at Skipper "Umm...yeah the pike is still around..just seen it, it like brushed up agaist me when I went to get this paper that fell into de water"   

Gaheris looks alarmed and hurries over to the edge of the docks, getting his bow off of his shoulder on the way "Wha'? Where is it?" he scowls at the water. He fires an arrow off when he sees some movement even if it's unlikely to do more than irritate the fish "Are y'alrigh'?"
   
Aqua sighs "I'm fine" She is a little grumpy now and maybe worried, another look at the river "Well I guess the wish for it to be gone is out of question."   

Deniz nods, he frowns..the arrow does cause some splashing  but the pike is smart its not gonna come up to the surface, not if someone is dumb enough to enter the water then yeah it will move a not more, as a quick flick of a fish ell like tail is seen and then it disappears,..some splashing is heard a little ways off as it seems it found ...a wood pidgion that was fool enough to land on a small bit of driftwood in the river, well the pike will not bother anyone least for today. Deniz frowns "LETS hope de plan goes ok tamorow.....there is still a plan right?"   

Gaheris watches the splashing and keeps looking for the fish to surface but it never does. The Skipper doesn't relax again though and keeps his bow ready "I'd rather know it was dead than 'ave it just vanish t'come back at any time. Aye, the plan is still for tomorrow. Tomorrow we kill the blighter. Good thing we know it's in the area now"   

Aqua nods, she keeps her daughter close now "Yeah its still around clearly....and I am all for it never being able to come back, that thing is dangerous and seems to just wait till something or someone is in the water near it"   

Deniz says, "It didn't attack right away, took a couple minutes and...."Ok he got lucky to of gotten out of the river "Its sneaky..hate to think how we get it to the canal...""   

Gaheris frowns at Deniz "Don't go in the water until we know it's dead" he says very firmly before shaking his head at the water and finally backing off from the edge "It's still a fish, it ain't tha' smart. It doesn't know wha' we're plannin'. It can't. Might just 'ave sensed there was somethin' swimmin' in the water an' took a couple ah minutes t'get 'ere"   

Aqua says, "I will be nearby in case a healer is needed and if a healer is needed lets hope its only for bruises and maybe a small scrap, nothing really bad"
   
Deniz frowns "Yes sir...no water got it and no exploring till then either" He looks to Aqua again "I will be staying outta de water, will try and help hold the nets "
   
Gaheris walks off towards the old fisher's buildings in search of more nets to fix together and strengthen "We do land an' we got a pond y'can wander them all y'like. All goin' well the river will be ours again tomorrow"   

Aqua smiles "That will be good Skipper."
   
Deniz nods, he looks at Aqua and smiles "You were really worried bout me..but at the same time mad..cause ya hugged me and then you glared at me   

Aqua speaks "I...your a friend of course I worry, and I have very few friends and want to keep my few friends and not have them die I list too many friends and...and lost.."She starts to cry and lays down the now sleeping Melody.
   
Deniz frowns, he scoots over and slowly offers a hug "I am...sorry Aqua I didn't mean to bring up any like...past"He frowns and sighs but a hug is a hug if she wants one, hugs help one feel better usually.   

Aqua accepts it "Thank you Deniz" She cries on his shoulder for a few moments and then sniffs as she gets Melody and stands "We should get to dinner.."   

Deniz nods and stands, he smiles at her and follows.