Redwall MUCK Forum

I got the log up! Sorry about the delay. Kept thinking "Oh yeah i need to do that - eh, later" XD

So tonight I will be online at 5pm MST (my time)/6pm CST/7pm EST/12am GMT to do some RP before Saturday. I might be online tomorrow night as well, but I am unsure. I will let people and encourage people to get online tomorrow (Thursday) and RP regardless of me being around or not.

As for the books - since them middle of July I've been living in a very temporary space with most of my stuff in boxes/messily stacked, but the past week I've finally been able to move back into a personal space and for the first time since 2017 really I've been able to set it up to my liking. Which includes a large bookshelf where i can put my history books from uni and the other books i've collected/been gifted over the years, like my Tolkien books

Alright, good to know!
I am going to be online for the next few hours (from about 7pm- 9pm EST)however I'm moving furniture, books, and other odd ends around so I'm semi afk

Alright, so I can't guarantee I can be online on any of those days, but luckily terrence isn't exactly important to the wedding XD

Regarding plots and stuff, Catgirl, I have absolutely nothing planned until at least after New Years (and hopefully after Zolomon is resolved), when I'll do another mini-plot continuing off of the story threads left in the Snake in the Sand plot. However, I'll still be online and RPing on Saturdays and weekdays as I'm sure most people will be as well, so there will be semi-regular RP - just not planned by me or really anyone; so it'll be more slice of life RP in Salamandastron as winter settles in so things will be a little more chill

(except for what Oz/Cole has in the works with the hunt for Zolomon, but I'm kinda just along for the ride with that and don't know much )

Alright, so I'm busy today and tomorrow however I'll try respond - but I will probably be inactive until Saturday after this reply, so please be patient with me.

I wish to say several things.

An important distinction to make. It has never been my intention to ban players from Halyard, please understand that - only characters temporarily and purely in character (IC). Some might not see or even care about the difference, but it does matter to me.

The LP characters- in IC -  would be barred from the town temporarily until January. The reason I'm going for 'banning' characters from Halyard is because I wanted to create conflict and stakes without fighting and killing off characters and it seemed the easiest way to do that. Plus it gives the LP a reason to do secret missions sneaking around in the dark trying avoid being caught by certain groups in Halyard which I thought would be fun RP (which i should say nothing as of now has to be done in secret), but that's besides the point

As for what is happening inside Halyard:
I've always thought the relationship between Salamandastron and Halyard to be more like a warlord over seeing a village in say the 7th century - the LP and Halyard don't really have complicated governments. Also, Halyard has a mixed population of vermin and woodlanders and the LP has a rather strict no vermin policy, which I doubt helps things between the Mt and the village.

Over the past few years of RP - which I have spent a lot of time RPing as Terrence in Halyard possibly more than anyone else in the LP - a common theme has been slavers, pirates, and other villainous creatures running rampant in the place, and that Halyard itself has been doing really, really badly and basically falling apart. If people want, I'll add the relevant logs later via an edit.

This past winter the LP went to fix up Halyard which was somewhat successful, but it was undercut by how a sergeant - a hare in a position of power - repeatedly aggravated Halyard citizens and tried to start fights while drunk as well as some of the villagers expressing their dissatisfaction with the LP with a rat heralding the end of days. After that, in May, all that work the LP did was more or less undone by the vermin horde that took over the place and forced the LP and villagers to flee. I assumed that not all of those villagers returned and settled elsewhere.

In that TP the LP lost a lot of hares - over half the number that was in Halyard (which was around 100). For the past few years, since my character Terrence has been more or less in charge of training the LP, I've been trying to keep my RP consistent that the LP has slowly been rebuilding to around 200-300 active fighting hares, and we lost around 70-90 in May between the attack on Halyard (around 50) and the Siege of Sala (around 20-40) that took place afterwards. So I've been assuming that now the LP has around 150-200 hares fit for duty.

It would be reasonable to assume that some villagers are semi aware of this and some feel the LP can't do much to help Halyard any more

Also also while I have made vague references to the mayor I didn't want to do anything more than that because Elmef controls him.
I fully admit it did not occurred to me until now that I could have asked to do something with the mayor, but that's on me.

Now, the LP has not done much in Halyard since May/June and that's mostly because we all were semi inactive (at least I was), and I was inspired to use that time gap in this plot. Some citizens of Halyard started grumbling the LP hasn't really helped much in their recent troubles and some feel that one of the main reasons Halyard was attacked in May - regardless of the actual reasons - was simply because the LP was nearby. Halyard is not of one mind on this and nearly every beast that has joined the group that has shown up in Halyard did it is mainly for protection that many feel the LP can't really provide now. Others have done it for money and better trade options, and others have done it to gain a bit of power, while others have signed on because of pressure from the beast around them. Some others simply have been disgruntled by the past few years.

Now the group that controls Halyard - they don't quite yet, at least not in the traditional sense. They are not really lords - they've presented themselves mainly as merchants, inviting the various merchants in Halyard to join them for things like better trade over the sea and access to foreign goods like spices and stuff like that (as well as bribes in a few cases, but that is kept under wraps).
Some of this information was revealed to the LP by the baker, but he didn't know everything and was a bit distressed at the time so some of his stuff was exaggerated and some was hidden.

Also, the vast majority of the mercenaries are more or less native to Halyard or at least known to them. Some are (or were....) characters like John who helped defend Halyard, some are clearly former pirates, and some are vermin looking for a new start. But the reason there hasn't been much pushback against them is because they ask very little in payment and do their job well. Merchants and shop owners who sign on to this group have been doing better for themselves with so far few problems - except for now the LP. Nothing really has happened yet but tensions have been rising, and I have been intending to address how Halyard feels about all of this.

I've had this group (not necessarily the name) in my head for years, and have made references to them since around 2018. My vermin character, Atticus, has been an agent/scout for this group in nearly RP he's took part in (including his involvement with the plot up by Noonvale and Marshank (that IC'ly takes place last spring), and he might make an appearance on the Western Shores in January as someone who has encountered the LP before...).  The group is not in control of Halyard, yet - and has been doing a lot to try and convince creatures in Halyard that a lot of this stuff is their own idea. The LP's attitude also has not helped much.
Over the next few months depending on what happens and how hostile the LP is the group might openly try to take over or they might back off, or they might become friendly with the LP and try and work together (for now).

The reason I've not really explained much on what exactly I intend in IC on the forums is because in most of my experiences in RP, when players know something OOC they tend to not be as engaged or interested in finding out IC'ly - I've been trying to avoid that and I was experimenting with that this plot.

There's probably a lot of stuff I've missed but I can't really think of anything else to say in the moment, but I'll try and answer questions and concerns on Saturday, hopefully. But please understand my main goal in all of this has been to provide an interesting and hopefully a bit unique jumping off point and situation for players in the LP to roleplay.

Log XVII. (17); The Lieutenant Wakes!

11/22/21
Pvt. Cole, Lt. Elbio, Msgt. Terrence, & Pvt. Zywie
+ LCpl Burnfield (spoof)

Elbio has been unconscious since he was brought to camp, even before that. It was touch and go a couple times as the healers were not sure if he would stay alive, but he did stir slightly in the middle of the night and then was still again till the afternoon rolled around. He choose now to slowly open his eyes... or eye and blink a couple times. The other eye still bandaged, he may or may not lose his vision in his left eye so it stays covered  to heal more. He moves his fingers to feel the sheet and blanket  and tries to get an idea where he is, he feels pain so it's not the dark forest.

Cole has been cleaning, and decided to peek at Elibo, he was expecting him to still be, well unconscious, but he thought he saw movement and then walked over to see the Lt. was clearly awake. He then quickly went outside the infirmary tent to find someone, anyone would do really.

On the edges of the camp, far from the healer's tent, Terrence is inspecting the current guards at their posts. No one has yet come for the fox visitor but still the double guard has remained in place just in case. The master-sergeant meanders from picket to picket, idly chatting with the hares when they report nothing.

Zywie was just getting to checking on the infirmary tent and about crashes into Cole. She snorts and mutters "Like watch where ya walk Cole." She shakes her head "Why de rush anyways?"

Elbio tries to sit up, and too much pain so he just stays laid down. He takes a few moments to get a better look around seeing he is in a tent, voices  let him know it's the LP camp,  just not where  just yet. He gives a soft groan of pain and coughs a little.

Cole backs up and normally would glare back but he instead just speaks, rather quickly and "He's awake and he moved, he isn't talking or anything and I have no clue how long he was like awake but he is awake and I didn't mean to almost crash into to you I was looking for Lt. Velm, or maybe Sargeant Felicity... Master Terrence or even Cpt. Greg would work cause someone needs to like go in the infirmary tent for Lt. Elbio..." And then he finally takes a breath. "But yeah he is awake or sort of...."

A healer, a lance-corporal by the uniform, notices the lieutenant's movements around the same time as Cole. They rush over, trying to push Elbio back down on the bed, "Sah! Try not to move around so much." They murmur, quietly. "But now that you're awake, can you kindly tell me where you are and what you'h name and rank is?"

Terrence, meanwhile has finished his rounds around the camp and is making a bee-line for the mess tent. He's not eaten since before dawn that morning.

Zywie blinks and nods "Okay... talk slower..." She can't really order him to but she ask... "Can you maybe? I can check on the Lt." And she heads into the infirmary tent to see how Elbio is doing."Ummm... Lt. sur?"

Elbio blinks up at the healer, brief glance at Zywie as he replies... "I... infirm tent?" He coughs a little from dry throat. "Lt Elibo Hans Reed..." He sounds tired but he did just awaken from a deep faint he has been under for the past almost two weeks.

Cole frowns, a sigh as he looks around and then makes his way to the mess tent, seeing Terrence he strightens up "Sur! ...Thar is news sur."

"Very good, sah," The old lance-corporal smiles, "Just needed to check you're aware of you'h surroundings and who you are and all that." She glances at Zywie. "Ah, private -  if the lieutenant's feeling hungry, could you do me a favou'h and fetch a bit of broth soup from the mess? I'm worried giving ou'h lieutenant anything more might upset his stomach. We 'ave wateh 'ere enough, so no worries about that." As if to prove the point, the lance-corporal pours a glass and offers it to Elbio.

"Careful now, you've been out fo'h oveh a week at this point. You're lucky to be alive."

Terrence stops mid step. "At ease, Cole - what is it?"

Zywie nods and heads to the mess tent. She quietly asks the cook for some broth, she glances at Terrence and Cole as she heads back to the infirm with the soup broth. She will just let Cole update the Master Sergeant.

Elbio nods slowly. He takes a couple small sips of the offered water. Able to speak a little better... "That... long?" He remembers most of the fight, a frown and concern... "Is... Teddy?" He doesn't want to say dead, even if that's the case. He is hoping the coproral was just elsewhere

Cole manages to relax and speaks "No... not any intruders no, and no danger... tis the Lt, Lt. Elbio.... he is, is awake sur just a few moments ago or least he was when I left the tent."

The lance-corporal can't hide the way her face falls at the mention of the late corporal. "Unfortunately, sah" she begins, slowly, watching Elbio closely, "Corporal Teddy didn't make it. I'm sorry. His body was recovered when they found you. Me and him were in the same class of recruits, and he was a good 'are." When Zywie returns with the broth, the hare is thankful for the distraction. "Ah, here's private Zywie with some broth fo'h you, sah, if you're feeling up to it."

"That's good-" Terrence mutters at the no danger part. But then the news hits him. "Just now?" He looks the private in the eye, intent on the information. "Is he alright? Does he remembe' anything? Anything at all of what happened to him?"

Zywie stays nearby the door after handing over the broth, she waits on any further orders given.

Elbio frowns, he closes his good eye and then reopens it. "Yeah... sure, some broth be good."

Cole tenses up "I... yes he is awake and I don't know if he remembers or if he... knows anything I just sort of went to find someone  to let them know he is awake and a couple hares, I think are thar and I didn't speak to him sur, I am sorry sur... I should of sur."

Terrence is already rushing for the healer's tent, not really listening to Cole once he gets the gist of the information. "Right then, come on private!"

When the master-sergeant his head inside the tent, regardless of Cole him or not, the lance-corporal gives a salute. "Mastah-sergeant, I suppose you wish to speak to the lieutenant now? Please don't push him too hard, he's only just woken up."

"Uh, right ...Burnfield," It took a moment for Terrence to recall the healer's name. "Thank you."

The healer lance-corporal nods, turning to Zywie. "Private, I trust you can look afteh Lt. Elbio while the mastah-sergeant speaks to him? I need to go check on ou'h othah patents. Addahsmith's seems to 'ave caught a cold."

Zywie nods "I can stay in here if needed sur"

Elbio has manages to get  little broth down, he glances over at the Master Sergeant, he gives a weak "Hey..." as he stays laid down, still tried after all and not much energy.

Cole follows after Terrence as best he can, he avoids crashing into anyone luckily and then makes it to the infirm tent and stays off to the side, least for now he stays off to the side.

The older hare lets a small grin appear on her face. "No need to call me sah, Zywie. I'm only a lance-corporal." Turning to the NCO and CO, she gives a salute. "I'll take my leave now. Don't push you'hself too 'ard now, lieutenant!" She gently adds before leaving.

When Burnfield is gone, Terrence looks the lieutenant over. "Hello. So, how're you felling, lt. Elbio? I have a few questions fo'h you that I'd like answers to, if you can answe', of course."

Zywie sits down as she goes a little further into the tent, she will stay close by and wait, letting the Master Sergeant and Lt. talk more privately in case it's info few should know.

Elbio sighs... "Pain... pain means I'm alive. I can... try and answer, yeah." He doesn't try to move as moving hurts.

Cole looks over quietly. He has been worried about the Lt. He was also worried about who may, or may not, be hunting down hares or maybe it was worse. He stayed quiet and listens, if he is allowed to.

Terrence bows his head slightly. "Well, that's good you can feel. Very good..." He sighs. "Well, no sense in beating 'round the bush then - can you recall what happened to you and Teddy?" Neither Cole's nor Zywie's presence in the tent is objected to - in fact, the master-sergeant's eyes flicker to Cole. "Private, can you write down my questions and the lieutenant's answers, please?"

The lance-corporal Burnside comes back over rather quickly, as if she had forgotten something. She stops right in front of Zywie, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear. "Private Zywie, I forgot to mention this... but remembah that when it comes to the 'ealth of ou'h patients, 'ealahs out rank everyone - including mastah-sergeants and lieutenants." She says, rather pointedly, "So just in case ou'h good mastah-sergeant Cadwalladah 'ere tries pushing the lieutenant too 'ard o'h upsets lt. Elbio, you 'ave full right to kick the sarge out of the tent so Elbio can rest."

Face going slightly pink, Terrence mutters, "Don't worry, I'll be careful..."

Zywie gives a nod and looks over where the questioning is being done. She will watch carefully to see if the Lt. seems to be getting tired or not.

Elbio frowns "Wot... happen... yeah, sadly a lot of it." He sighs again, "He just... suddenly turned up, he attacked before we... before me and Teddy could do much, he's..." He frowns "He killed... Teddy, and... said he killed... Slaw..."

Cole gets a quill pin and paper  to write down whats saiid, he glances up when Slaw is mentioned, he starts to ask who but decides not to as he focuses on writting, writting this info is important.

Burnside departs just as quickly as she had returned. After she left, Terrence turns his full attention back on Elbio.

"Who do you mean by 'he', lieutenant?" He questions, leaning forward slightly with his eyes narrowed. "Who was it that attacked you?"

Zywie keeps an eye on things, making sure this doesn't upset anyone too much. She is curious as to who started the trouble though.

Elbio clears his throat. "I... I d... don't think" He coughs a little, waits and speaks more "He is causing trouble in... in Halyard, but he admitted to, to killing those 4 rats..." He shakes his head, he is at a lose as well, as to why a fellow hare would do this. "He's... dangerous Terrence, he is bit insane..."And then a name "Zolomon..."

Cole almost drops the paper and quill pen. His eyes widen as he looks at Elbio... "D... did... did he say... or maybe heard it wrong, or was it not heard... wrong, it was heard r... r... right?"

For a moment or two, Terrence barely reacts to the name, though his jaw does tighten. Then the master-sergeant seems to deflate, falling back and covering his face with his paws. He manages to collect himself quickly, however, lowering his paws and keeping his eyes on the bed-ridden hare.

"Privates McBrim, Cherrywood," he speaks firmly, using their last names and not looking away from Elbio, "What you hea' in this tent is not to leave this tent fo' any reason, unless given the okay by a superio' officie', is that understood? And Cole Cherrywood-" he adds, "You are not to go afte' Zolomon by yourself fo'h any reason whatsoeve', that is an orde'."

There's a long moment of silence before he opens his mouth again. "Elbio," his voice is barely a whisper, "A-are you sure it was him?"

Zywie tilts her head, "Who is... Zolomon?" What she never meet the beast in her life, she may of heard his name mentioned once but was before the whole lets try and help Halyard mission. She stays still to make sure no one gets too out of hand. She listens to the orders, "Yes sur" She will not share the info from the tent, she will tell others the Lt is awake but just that info only.

Elbio nods "Yes... he had some... some sort of greenish brown cloak, and... a gold earring in his... his ear. It was him, he even  listed off beasts who... supposedly betrayed him."

Cole seems to be thinking, he takes a couple deep breaths  muttering something about murder and how a shark  should eat the former protroller. He looks at Terrence and his ears flatten, some tears show. He sniffs and then "Yes... sur" He says quietly.

Terrence eyes dart around the room, searching for a chair. Finding one he pulls it near to the bed and sinks in it, letting out a long breath with his eyes downcast.

"Zolomon..." The name is barely audible anyone but himself. "Zolomon." He repeats. The master-sergeant shakes his head and looks back up, sparing a glance to Cole when the hare sniffs. "Private, if you need to, you can dismiss yourself fo'h the rest of the day- just please stay in camp, will you? O' you're welcome stay and listen, if you feel you're up to it."

He turns back to Elbio. "Lieutenant, I don't suppose you recall who was on his list, do you?"

Elbio frowns... "Just... ones from his trial. How they... betrayed him, the abbot, champion and Badger Mother... he also said he hated everyone in de patrol." He is managing to speak, though he is getting tried. But there was more... "He... he has Slaw's saber..."

Cole resits the sudden urge to leave and walk, walk a lot. A whimper escapes..." ZOL... he needs found... and... something." It's taking a lot to stay put in his chair, a couple deep breaths.

"No mention of me?" Terrence can't help the mirthless chuckle that escapes him. "I don't know whethe' to be relieved o' sad..." A stone was forming in the pit of his stomach as he thought back to the last time he saw Zolomon's face - and the words that were exchanged by the ex-sergeant, himself, and Felicity. Perhaps she was right in the end.

"We will find him," the master sergeant waves Cole down. "Don't you worry about that. He's a danege' to any beats he meets, and we should have done something about him long ago - banishment seems to only push the problem onto innocents, like Slaw, Teddy - o' that otte'. But it's not fo' us to decide what happens now," he lets out another sigh, a hint of bitterness in his tone, "That'll be the highe' ups decision. As fo' the sabe'," Gritting his teeth, Terrence allows anger to well up. "We'll get that back to you, Cole. You have my word"

Elbio speaks "He... just seemed... to hate the abbey beasts, at the time..." Maybe he isn't fully remembering some other names, he is unsure. "I... did try ta... arrest him...then.."

Cole nods "Okay... we find him.  And... and then wot?"

"I can imagine what happened next," Terrence's voice is dry. "But that was the right thing to do, lieutenant, even if you were unde'-hared. Brave as well. Very brave..." He shakes his head again. "Alas fo' Teddy and Slaw!" Closing his eyes, the master-sergeant stays quiet and still in his chair.

"Then what?" Terrence muses. "Then what..." Taking in a deep breath before he speaks in a louder, clear voice, he says, "Eithe' the accursed beast is killed in the fight o' we drag him back to the depths of the mountain, were he can rot away fo' the rest of his miserable life in the darkness."

Elbio is tired... but speaks "He isn't... allowed back in de mountain... could be... bad idea if did..." He trails off as he ends up drifting into sleep. He still has a long while before he can fully recover, even before he can be moved.

Cole frowns "But wot... wot if he like... kills someone else? Wot if he escaped and sneaked up on others as they sleeped?" He gasped as a thought, a really bad one came to mind "Wot if he tried to kill his Lordship?"

"There are many deep cells in the mountain," Terrence replies, pointedly, "And I doubt you, Cole, will make the same erro' that led to the creature breaking free last spring." He shrugs. "No, I doubt there will be much dange' if he's brought back. It's bette' than simply killing him, perhaps, and certainly bette' than banishment." He trails off as he notices Elbio falling asleep, and mutters to himself, "I should speak to command about banishments, actually, and have them stopped. Zolomon isn't the first hare to go off murdering beasts afte' being banished from the mountain, no, but I hope he shall be the last...."

Cole sniffs, he feels like crying but no, no he will not, least in front of others. He stands slowly "Can I... go to the mess tent... sur?" His ears flatten and he speaks "I will stay in the camp sur, I know the dangers of not listening."

There's few seconds before Terrence replies as he was lost in his own thoughts. "Hmm...? Eh, yes, of course, Cole, you're dismissed." Standing, the master-sergeant moves way from the now sleeping officer. "You have the rest of the day and tomorrow off duty, if you feel you need it, but remembe' to stay inside the camp, please. I can't stress that enough - it's not safe fo' you o' any othe' hare to go off by themselves."

Log XVI (16); The Visitors & the Informant

11/20/21
Pvt. Cole, Rct. Ciana, Sgt. Felicity, Pvt. Konner, MSgt. Terrence, & Pvt. Zywie, hares
+ the Badger Lord Ciocan & Rioko the unfortunate fox

Cole had asked to go back to camp, but of course one can not go alone so he is with another hare, as well as Ciocan himself. Beside Ciocan is a smaller hare who stays close to him.

Zywie was tending to some things in the infirmary and about to go get a snack but then she sees the Badger Lord and eeps slightly. She dusts off her uniform and gives a salute once he comes closer to the camp.

Felicity is actually off duty, in a way, at the moment.  She just got off sentry duty and is headed to her bunk with a snack in paw.  She spots the approaching group and changes her course, coming to stand by Zywie and saluting when the badger gets closer.  "M'Lord Ciocan, what brings y'out 'ere?"  Meanwhile, in the distance, a creature can be seen approaching camp from the dunes, although it's too far away to see what species it is just yet.

The badger Lord clears his throat "I was checking to see how Lt. Elbio is doing, some info mentioned he was going to remain here till he recovered enough to be moved to the mountain." He looks to the side "Also I may let Private Cole here come back to camp to..."

The badger is interrupted by a recruit, it's Ciana as she rushes forward "Where is my father, is... is he any better I want to see him... I" The other hare, a Lt. looks like lays a paw on her arm to gently pull her back, which makes her frown.

Zywie blinks and speaks "Father?" ...She then takes a guess "Lt. Elbio,  I don't fully know. I am sorry. I check on him but Lt. Velm is the main healer in camp and he is likely, busy right now." She sighs, what to say as she wants to update Ciocan but also not frighten the recruit.

Felicity takes the situation in in a moment.  "'Ey, 'twill be alright."  She goes to put an arm around the Recruit's shoulders and guide her to the mess tent.  "I'm no 'Ealah, but I do know that they're doin' everything in their powah t' 'elp 'im.  I promise.  We just 'ave t'keep 'opin', because where there's life, there's 'ope!"  The distant figure continues to come closer, coming straight for the encampment.  They're still a good distance away, though.

Cole stays where he is and frowns slightly. Ciocan nods for Ciana to go into the mess Hall and for the Lt. to follow her as he looks at the others, it seems no one sees who the figure is just yet.

Zywie listens as she stays quiet, a nod "Yes always hope."She sounded unsure but keep her tone as hopeful as she could. Then once the recruit was gone, a frown "No change but also, not getting worse. Lt. Elbio just has yet to wake up from his deep faint"

Felicity goes to lead Ciana to a chair and sit, nice and out of earshot of the conversation.  "I didn't realize Elbio 'ad a daughtah.  What's y'name, love?  I'm Felicity...I'm a Sergeant, but right now, let's no' worry 'bout ranks an' such, alright?"

Ciana watches as Ciocan goes to sit by a few hares whom at first don't notice Ciocan and then suddenly, they do and well if anyone was goofing around they are surely behaving now and even getting the Badger Lord something to eat and drink. The private looks at Felicity and sees to... "You're...familiar..." She then sighs" Ciana..."

Cole meanwhile sits down quietly and just gets something to drink.

Zywie smiles at the Private "I am Zywie, a healer... well one of them anyways, I know a good deal and learning more at my lessons"

Felicity thinks for a moment.  "Ciana....oh, I think we may 'ave met befoh.  You're from Redwall, aren't you?"  The figure is still coming closer, and it's now clear that it is a plump female fox who looks very tired.

Ciana nods "I live... lived thar I guess and I am not of age to be  a recruit for the Long Patrol." She still seems worried "Did they find out  yet who hurt my ...daddy?" A frown, she is feeling so much younger right now.

Cole just sis some water, a frown as he  likely wouldn't be much help right now. He still getting over his twin Brother's death.

Zywie happens to look out towards the sands and then lays a paw on her weapon "Ummm...... Sargeant ....thar is a fox, getting close to camp"

Felicity goes to rest a paw on Ciana's shoulder, but before she can say anything, Zywie gets her attention.  Immediately the camp is on the alert, and the Sergeant quickly gets to where she can view the approaching figure.  After a few moments, the Sergeant suddenly looks a lot less concerned and a lot more annoyed.  "Oh, goodness, if tha's really 'er..."  Having noticed the hares getting all up in arms, the vixen starts waving her paws in the air frantically, either surrendering or asking to be shot.  Probably not asking to be shot.

Cole looks over and stands up, he is on alert but he has not yet asked for the okay to come back to camp and stay, but if there is danger he is gonna help. Ciana gasps a little, seeming a little panicked at first and then confusion "You....know the fox?"

Zywie keeps her paw on her weapon "Wot do we do? Are they an enemy?" There has been trouble so of course she is on edge. It's not like many vermin to just head to a camp full of hares.

The vixen is now within arrow range, and Felicity grunts.  "Aye, I know 'er.  Don't shoot 'er!  She's m' informant."  The portly vixen comes straight to the Sergeant, falls to her knees, and wraps her arms around the Runner's legs.  "Felicity!!!!  You have to help me!!!"  Felicity puts her fists on her hips, looking more annoyed and embarrassed than anything else.  "Rioko, whot were y'thinkin', comin' t'our camp like this?  'Ad I been alseep, y'prob'ly woulda been shot!"  Rioko the vixen wails.  "You don't know what it's been like these past few months!  Everything has fallen into ruin!!"  The portly fox starts crying unashamedly.  Felicity scowls.  "Would y'please let me go an' stop this ridiculous display?  Y'not a Dibbun."

The fox is not un noticed by a certain badger, who now stands from his chair and walks over to where the vixen is. He comes to be right by Felicity and looks down at the fox as he towers over her. "Who are you and what is it you need?" Oh and yes he has his hammer, for now at his side.

Cole sits back down, yeah things are about to, well, the situation is likely handled. The recruit Ciana just stays where she is, not knowing if the vixen is friend or foe, she just wants to see how her father is but she has yet to be able to.

Zywie still has a paw on her weapon, she looks from the sergeant to the vixen and back and then Ciocan is there, yep this could get interesting real fast.

Rioko takes one look up at the badger and screams, scooting around Felicity so the hare is between them.  She hasn't released her hold on the Runner's legs, however.  "My... my... my n... name's Rioko, and.... and... and I have information and please don't kill me!!!"  Felicity throws her paws in the air in exasperation.  "Would y'please let go o' m'legs!"  Looking up into the badger's face, Felicity adds, "She's prob'ly th'lease dangerous vermin in th'area.  Th' most we really need t'worry 'bout is makin' sure she doesn't eat all our food, wot!"  The vixen peers up at Felicity's face.  "I'm not that bad."
"Oh, yes, y'are!"
"No, I"m not!"  They're arguing more like old friends than anything else.

"Oh, lord Ciocan, SAH!" Terrence had just come out of a tent a few moments ago, only half processed the scene in front of him, and rushed forward. If Felicity was defending the fox - and the vixen looked harmless enough - that was good enough for him to move into action in case things got HAREy. Get it. (I'm so sorry) Please don't brain the poor creature, sir Terrence silently prays as he bounds over.

Konner stood nearby, looking unsure and pointing his spear at the vermin.

"Weapons pointed up! Quickly now!" The master sergeant bellows as he slides to a stop before the badger and fox, giving a hasty salute. "Sah!"

Ciocan takes a deep breath and clears his throat "What sort of information?" A lot has gone on after all. Meanwhile the Lt. who had come with the badger decides it's best Ciana isn't here and leads her to see how Elbio is.

Cole walks over slowly and stops, still quiet and waiting to see what happens, hoping to maybe even stay at the camp but  the badger lord does have the final say so in that.

Zywie relaxes, slightly, as there is enough hares and a very tall badger in case things got out of control, she frowns "About the snake thing with fur?" Course other things have mixed in with that's been said, such as someone was out to get hares, a snake, no a sea monster, and that mystery group too being around and something about not being allowed in a bakery. SO MANY THINGS.

Rioko still adamantly clings to Felicity's legs.  "M... m... my information?  Oh, right.  Um... well, this squirrel by the name of Grove... McTree?  Mc... something, anyway, he left Halyard a few days back with no explanation.  Um... a one legged hare and a hare with glasses got themselves banned from the shops in Halyard.  Um, um, I lost all my money in a gamble?  And now I'm starving to death?"  She's quite portly, so saying she's starving is a bit of stretch.

Felicity glares at her.  "Y'lost all tha' treasure we got back foh you again?!" 
"It's not my faaaaaauuullllt," the vixen whines.  "The taxes from that weird group are just so high, and this weasel betted me he could do better rolls than me..." 
The hare is furious.  "DO YOU 'AVE ANY IDEA 'OW MUCH WORK 'TIS 'ELPIN' YOU?!" 
But Rioko isn't listening.  She's staring at Zywie.  "Oh, the monster.  Nope, don't know anything, don't want to know anything."  She hugs Felicity's legs a little tighter.

Sparing a moment to glance at Ciana as she passes because he's never ever seen the young hare maid before in his life, Terrence then turns to his fellow NCO - who is yelling at the fox. Wonderful. "Sergeant Rosinbloom," his voice is loud, but calm, "Do you vouch fo' this vixen," his eyes dart down  to the pitiful fox, only half paying attention to her wailings - banned? - while trying to recall the name the creature said. "...Riko, was it? That she's no threat to the Patrol and not malicious in he' intent to speak to us?"

As the badger lord hadn't quite relaxed yet, Konner and several other hares only slightly make themselves appear less threatening, unsure whose example to follow.

Ciocan raises an eyebrow at the vixen as he studies her, he seems to relax but is still on alert. He came mostly to check on Elbio and see if there was any updates. He glances at Cole who is nearby and makes sure the hare Ciana is okay, she will have to go back to the mountain with him when he heads off from camp.

Cole straightens up, at alert if need be "Sur...." He says quietly. "I... I would still like to stay, and... help, if I am allowed back on this mission... s... sur..."

Zywie decides things are fine here, there is enough hares so she excuses herself as she does have a  healing lesson or she thinks she does.

Felicity scowls.  "Oh, aye, I vouch foh this idiot.  Rioko 'as no ill intent in speakin' with us."  The vixen nods vigorously, eyeing the weapons surrounding her.  "I just need food," she squeaks, still clinging like a limpet onto Felicity's legs.  The Sergeant adds, "She'd no' a threat t'anybeast, really.  She c'n barely 'old 'er own in a fight, an' she's m'informant in 'Alyahd.  I trust 'er."  Felicity doesn't add that they trust each other with their lives.  No point in rocking the boat that much.  Rioko looks pleadingly up at Felicity, Terrence, and Ciocan.  "I'm not sure it's safe for me to go back to Halyard, though....I think I was seen coming here..."  Felicity facepalms.

Terrence gives a single nod, his eyes now entirely focused on the fox. "Understood -" He glances at the badger. "Lord Ciocan, by your permission, I'd request the hares stand down with their weapons - I doubt Riko," he still wasn't sure of the name, "Needs to be more frightened by us. The hares did a good job." He tries a slight grin, turning back to the vixen. "Right, on your feet then, we can get you tea o' something, if you'd like, and then we shall have a hopefully pleasant chat about the happenings in town and your, uh, unpleasant situation, if you'd be so kind to enlighten us."

Ciocan nods, he clears his throat "At ease... but I still want some on guard, just in case the vixen was followed." He doesn't think she was, but then again the camp always has guards on alert at all times. He looks down at Cole "Pvt. Cole... you may stay, for now, the camp will need some help but I expect you to be at your best if you're going back on duty."

Cole nods as he salutes "Yes sur... I..." He straightens ups now "I wanna help my fellow hares, be thar for them and..." His ears flatten but then perk up "They need me, and... and Slaw wouldn't want me to mop at the mountain and do nothing while friends possibly risk their lives"

Rioko releases Felicity and leaps to her feet with surprising agility from one so chubby.  "Tea?  Lead on!"  The Sergeant almost loses her balance, but quickly regains it and grumpily follows the vixen as she in turn follows Terrence.  "Well, if any of my fellow Halyardians knew I was an informant for the Patrol, I'd be hanged... or worse!  And now with that mercenary group around..." the vixen leaves the sentence hanging, but her intent is clear: nothing would go well for her if she was found out.  "Hopefully they think I just came to commit suicide by hares, heh.  Where's this food you're offering?"

"Very good, sah," Terrence bows his head to Ciocan, before turning sharply on his heel. "Pvt. Cherrywood, Pvt. Attenborough!" The master sergeant barks Cole's & Konner's last name, "I want you two to organize fou' squads of hares - double the usual- to be on guard duty. I'll have you lot relieved afte' sunset, and I'll have you resume the post in the morning. Keep an eye out. Quickly as you can, understood!"

"Understood!" Konner manages, glancing at Cole with surprise.

"Now then, you..." Terrence had given up on getting Rioko's name right. "If the badge' lord wishes to join us, I'll arrange fo' the kitchen staff to have tea and othe' refreshments brought to us in the command tent - if you and sergeant Felicity wish to follow me, of course. It's fa' more comfortable than out here, I can assure you." He gestures to the tent, the master-sergeant being as polite as he can manage.

Cole nods "Understood surs..." He then salutes and heads off to do as he is asked. Ciocan watches them head off and nods "Lead de way Sergeant Terrence"

Rioko hurries after Terrence.  When she gets whatever food they offer, she will prove that she can eat as much as any hare, just with fewer manners.  Felicity follows behind, intent on keeping an eye on her friend as much as possible.  What more information the vixen shares is basically what the Patrol already knows.  Now to find a place for her to sleep since she's staunchly refuses to go back to Halyard, bewailing the fact that her fellow vermin will kill her on sight...

Terrence will listen intently, writing down nearly everything the vixen says, even if it's just confirming information they already knew. 'McGorve' must be the squirrel 'MacGarran' he figures. At least it seems the meeting the other day was not just the squirrel trying to trick them or make the patrol sit for hours in the muck, which admittedly was little comfort to the master-sergeant.

In the end, a storage tent is rather hastily fixed up to act as hopefully 'temporary' quarters for the fox, the best the Patrol can manage in the camp as none of the hares really wanted to bunk with Rioko the various barrack tents of the various squads.

Ciocan would listen, tell Terrence to keep him updated and take Ciana back to the mountain after he checks on Elbio.

Eventually, Terrence recalls what he'd told Cole & Konner. Quietly excusing himself from the tent, the master-sergeant spends the last bit of light in the sky to wrangle enough free hares for the nightshift to relieve Cole, Konner, and the other hares of the four squads so they can retire for the evening.

In the abbey graveyard, there is a grave marked Josiah that claims they were abbot in 2008. Maybe that's the Joshua? Interestingly the next grave, Keiran, also says the were abbot in 2008.

In other news, I had a fit of insanity and spent waaaaaay more time than I probably should have compiling every IC Abbey Record that is on the wiki onto a single page, and I've made Spruce be the one who IC'ly compiled it all. I've thrown in one or two notes that might act more as kindaeaster eggs more than anything else.

Anyway, here's the page link:
https://www.rwmuck.org/wiki/The_Abbey_Records

Log XIV: A Meeting, a Gull, and being banned from the Bakery

11/18/21
Pvt. Donica, Cpt. Gregorian, Pvt. Rhonwen, Msgt. Terrence, Lt. Velm, & Pvt. Zywie, hares
+ Rufus, a seagull

The day was pleasant enough, for what it's worth. In the command tent near the center of the camp, Terrence paced back and forth - he was hoping for the chance to discuss the events of the past few weeks in detail, and come to a decision. Since the attacks on both Slaw and now Elbio, most hares in the camp have been subdued, worried that whatever seemed to be targeting Patrol hares might come for them next.

This has not been helped by the rumors spread after the encounter with whatever is was Konner, Rhonwen, Terrence, Velm, and Zywie saw in the night under the docks. The scouts who stayed to study the area couldn't make sense of the tracks as they went right up to the water's edge and disappeared, at least by what they saw before the high tide washed away any other sign of the creature.  And of course there was the matter fo the letter addressed to the Badger Lord and the Long Patrol bearing the strange seal - and whatever happened to the squirrel. According to more scouts and many villagers, no one had seen him for several days as if he simply vanished into thin air.

All these things made Terrence unsure of what to do now, a bout of nervous energy having engulfed him as he started pacing.

Velm has arrived at the tent, having spent some time tending to Elbio and talking with the two sea otters that had been at camp, the sea otters had gone elsewhere but still Velm got some info  before they left, at least of what they saw when seen Elbio.

Donica sit down quietly to wait, she was where ever she had been asked to be.

Zywie paws folded, she waits and slightly frowns.She has no clue what for sure was below that dock, but it was something and something a bit spooky. Usually she likes a good scare, but only when she is telling some scary story and now the... large eyes under the docks seems to be the scary story right now, perhaps after its figured out she may well use it in her own scary story one day... well maybe.

Gregorian was in what was best described as a mood. The worse things got the more the older hare tried to compensate with defences. With only so many hares though everything was feeling stretched very thin, the more they put on to guard the camp the smaller the investigating groups had to be. He'd been up late covering a night watch himself so he stirred late too, finally leaving his tent as he tucked his hammers in to his belt. He spots Terrence easily on the way towards the main gathering of hares "All quiet?" he was hoping the answer wouldn't be that eve more things had happened now.

Rhonwen slips in and sits down close to the doorway of the tent, it was a meeting for all in camp right?

"Fo' good or ill, yes," Terrence shrugged absent mindedly, at first, then added uncharacteristically late: "Sah. Nothing these past days is worth reporting beyond simply the absence of anything to report. No word of Elbio's attacke' or that squirrel." He gestures to the letter that had been left on the table. "And then there's that of course... Halyard isn't too happy with us, it seems. Or at least some of them aren't. Very few are willing to speak to us, and the attacks haven't helped one bit."

Velm frowns, he decides to speak "I don't think... Lt. Elbio's attack was caused by the same beasts or beast we are looking fer since it was further upshore... Slaw... no clue, slaw and the 4 rats WERE by Halyard, Lt. Elbio and..." He frowns... "Corporal Teddy were... upshore, thats where the two sea otters found them and helped us get them to camp. The only clue from that is a gold ear ring and black fur was on the ear rring, of course lot of beasts have black fur... the docks... that was, its something else"

Zywie swallows as she whimpers "Sea Monster with big large eyes was under the dock.... snake maybe, snakes do... do... don't have fur, unless it wears it to trick....us....I don't want a snake to show up, snakes are bad."

Rhonwen has been thinking and then speaks "Snakes don't wear rings, they don't have ears.... do they?"

Gregorian makes no complaint about Terrence's first offhand response and just grunts to the news that there thankfully is no news. For a moment he stares that the letter while he's thinking before he points at Velm "Remind me tah have a look at that earring" he'd sold some jewellery in Halyard before, he was curious "No they do not" he just confirms for Zywie "So we eithah have a group, multiple attackers or we don't have a bloody snake at all" he kept his eyes on that letter even while he was talking, pausing afterwards before he suddenly just grabbed it "Oh forget it" he wanted to know what else was going on so he went to open it, protocol or whatever be damned.

"Well, we possibly saw a snake the othe' night, captain." Terrence supplies, eyeing the letter in Greg's paws, "And I'm not sure what else it could have been fo' something of that bulk. No tracks beyond grooves in the sand, wot. But I doubt it's the attacke' of our hares, as I don't see how the bloody hell it could use a bow or sword without, you know, arms or legs. Unless it's a creature we know nothing of, of course..." He trails off, watching the letter. He'd been curious about what it said ever since it was handed to Donica, but he hadn't dared touch it.

The seal is large, marked with three tails of a mouse, a lizard, and some sort of vermin. The parchment inside is expensive and on closer look one might be horrified to see it might possibly be made from skin, not the traditional grass and wood. The lettering is flowing and written in expensive ink, reading:

'Transcribed and translated on the Fifth Day of the Fisher, Sixty-Eighth Season of the Lizard, the Band of Merchants of the North and West Sea writes to the Badger Lord of Salamandastron, commander of the Long Patrol of the Shores of Mossflower Country:

Many greetings. It has come to the attention of our leaders that many assets in the Town of Halyard were lost or damaged in the recent summer wars with the wildcat known as Zoltar. Several of our protected citizens were killed or injured in the fighting and the following looting by the vermin band, as well as at least six ships of our ships, amounting to fifty tons worth of goods, being lost.

In response, several figures in the town of Halyard, who half of which wish to remain anonymous, reached out to us seeking protection and more substantial trade. As Halyard is one of the only north-western ports leading to Mossflower Country, it is in our interest that the town becomes fully under our protection.

For the past season we have been working tirelessly towards this goal despite the great distance between Halyard and our main places of operation. As such, we have hired many local mercenary groups, supplemented where we can by our own agents, to act in our stead. We hope these groups do not come into conflict with the Long Patrol, and to this end we, including now several citizens of Halyard, request the immediate and total withdrawal of the Long Patrol from the vicinity of Halyard.

Halyard will be henceforth protected against external threats by our forces and those that work for us, without the involvement of the hares of the Long Patrol, and further activities of the Long Patrol in the Town of Halyard is highly discouraged. Such efforts shall be met with resistance should the Long Patrol prove uncooperative and antagonistic.

We look forward to your cooperation,

Signed,'

Here, several paw prints of woodlanders and vermin alike with strange letters are listed, followed by several names local to Halyard.

Velm looks over, curious of the letter also, "Looks... odd ta me, is it like a threat or warning or sumthing?" He sighs "I don't think this... wot ever attacked our hares either, something else maybe is causing us trouble also... wot, no clue. Private Slaw and corporal Teddy was killed, Slaw where the 4 rats were... and..." Yeah those rats were a little too dead... "And Teddy and Elbio's attack was upshore just...odd. Nothing stolen from the rats, Slaw does have a missing saber... and just some food missing from a pack Teddy and Elbio had, and Teddy and Elbio was not even on this mission, they were heading ta Mossflower"

Donica frowns, she had seen Elbio as she is a healer. "Someone clearly didn't like at least Teddy and Lt. Elbio, and Private Slaw may of just been in the wrong place at the wrong time... he was killed with a cross bolt. He couldn't of killed the rats... or least all of them."

Zywie says, "What would someone dislike de Long Patrol, we... we help beasts and... and Halyard was glad we helped after that horde was around, and the Tavern liked us... didn't they? Maybe it's a trick, ya know to make us go away so like... someone can attack the town easier""

Rhonwen sighs. "I agree, I mean... so many suddenly hate us? Kind of odd... maybe beasts were forced to sign this letter?" She frowns, she has a couple friends in the village and hoped they were okay and wondered... did they hate her now?

Gregorian rubs his thumb over the corner of the parchment as he realises what it's made from "Lovely" he mutters with sarcasm before skimming over the contents and then reading it out quietly for the group. He huffs a little sigh of irritation afterwards and pauses to think and resist the urge to crumple the whole thing up and toss it away "Not bally likely" he finally mutters. He wouldn't be kicked out without a fight if he had any say in the matter "Band of Merchants of the North and West Sea" he repeats thoughtfully but with irritation "...Never heard of them" he looks back at the seal again and then the list of names "Beasts hate us all the time but they're usually vermin"

Terrence draws a blank too. "Nor have I." Peering closer at the letter, his eyes narrow. "Say, isn't that L. Clearwater that otte' who owns the general store? And Kerny, the baker?" And then he notices what it's made of, recoiling and looking slightly green. "Gah."

After a moment or two to collect himself the master-sergeant pointedly avoids looking at the letter. "The group which handed us the latte' was a mix of vermin and woodlanders. No hares, though. As fo' the dead corporal and private, I'm not so sure that's related - the squirrel - er," he glances at Greg apologetically, "Meaning that John fellow who handed us the lette' in the first place, said that the attack on Slaw and the fou' rats weren't their doing, as the rest worked fo' him - well, them. The 'Merchant Band, blah blah blah and all that."

Velm says, "Thar was a rat... Cleareye or... something, he seemed... scared of maybe John like he didn't want to be around John... odd." He then seems to remember. "Also, those two sea otters who found Teddy and Elbio, they said thar were prints but somewhat faded, but those prints went a little upshore so yeah... who ever  attacked... ambushed maybe Teddy and Elbio was somebeast else... but who, who would hate those two or maybe hate the patrol... just... odd, " He sighs, the main focus is this trade gang "I will ask Lt Elbio who attacked him and Teddy when he wakes up..." He frowns "If he wakes up"

Donica frowns, she frowns at the letter "Maybe a... group wants to take over Halyard. We should look for more clues or... try to get some to talk, the rat wanted to and then seemed, not allowed to talk at all"

Zywie just listens as they talk, she frowns but doesn't really have any ideas right now. She frowns "Is Lt. Elbio gonna die  too?"

Gregorian stares at the letter for another minute muttering things like "Well transcribed, good ink, mercenaries. There's money behind it" before he finally sighs and folds the letter back up again "We don't know if they're related wah the attack on any of the hares yet or the snake, creature, thing. The shores have always been dangerous with ambushes, it might be unrelated... Though if Elbio could wake up and tell us that would make my life easiah" he nods to Terrence's question about Clearwater and Kerny "Aye and I'd like a word with them" he shakes his head "Lt Elbio will be fine if the healahs have any say in the mattah"

"Lt. Elbio'll pull through, don't worry, private." A lie through his smile. When it comes to hares Terrence considers resilient the injured lieutenant is not high on the list. "But if- when he wakes, perhaps that would be a could time to move him back to the mountain so that the main heale' staff can look afte' him. Hopefully he can answe' the question of who it was that attacked him and murdered corporal Teddy. Maybe it is connected the lette' and Halyard... Kerny, the baker, has always been polite enough to me. I'm not sure if hate is the right word. Distrust, maybe? Dissatisfaction?"
"Sah," he glances at the captain, "Are you suggesting we ask those two some questions, because we should move quickly then, before news of it can spread outside the camp. The squirrel John had wished to speak to us, and he's seemingly disappeared into thin air right before the meeting- not a peep from him or even a hair remains in town of him. I don't wish that to happen to the baker and Clearwater."

Velm says, "For now the Lt. stays in camp, afraid to move him ta tell de truth and a healer is with him at... all times" Yes he was worried too but tried to not show it. "We focus on this, who ever may of made this letter and had beasts or maybe  forced beasts ta sing"

Donica says, "And someone is always at the camp, to guard the camp"

Rufus decides to swoop into camp, a guard at the tent entry screams, something about death from above and then a voice "Rufus is not death... Rufus friend to the bunnies, why bunny scream so loudly?"

Zywie had been quiet and listening, then the scream makes her tense up and... yeah she is moving to another chair, this chair is too close to the entry.

Gregorian had seen enough hares die in his time but he trusted the healers to do what they could. He nods "As soon as they say it's safe tah move him we'll send him back tah the mountain. Until then we'll just have tah keep him safe here" a moment of thought and then another nod "Yes, we need tah go and see them as soon as possible. Just a friendly chat tah find out who these people are and what's been going on" he barely has time to finish talking before the bird's appearance suddenly breaks the peace and Greg automatically pulls out his hammers with an irritable growl "Because yah land in a patrol camp without care or thought tah announce yah presence or request permission!" he yells back at Rufus. Greg never has liked gulls.

Terrence pinches the bridge of his snout as he hears the scream and the bird speak, recognizing the voice. "So much fo' camp security," he mutters to himself as Greg shouts at the gull. Other hares can deal with that he feels.  But... "Perhaps we should be careful speaking openly around the bird, sah," Terrence whispers so that only those directly around the table can hear. "Rufus might be a bit loose with his beak, if you understand my meaning."

Velm sighs as he looks outside the tent and frowns.He starts to speak but decides to just let Greg and Terrence  deal with it as he is starting to get a headache.

Donica ears go down when she hears the seagull, she has seen him before." Rufus is.... well he isn't an enemy at least" She isn't sure how well he would be quiet with stuff though.

Rufus puffs up and lets out a large "YARK!" at Gregorian, but doesn't try to attack, he mutters.... "Tell Rufus off... bunny is grumpy bunny, bunny neeeds nice calming tea, maybe bunny neeeds nice calming nap ya ya"

Gregorian twitches an ear to Terrence's warning "That's all we need" he mutters back irritably before he steps away from the tent "Aye, grumpy, very grumpy! Yah got a reason tah be here bird?" he asks but he at least puts one of his hammers back in to his belt.

Velm sighs, he excuses himself as a private tells him he is needed in the infirmary tent, he walks around Rufus and heads on to the infirmary tent.

An idea occurring to him, Terrence takes a bit of parchment and ink to write a rather lengthy note explaining the days events, as well as those of the past week or so. "We should move out soon then. The rat," he purposely doesn't name the baker, "Might be best to start with. Donica, you willing to accompany us?" He's still writing as he speaks, not yet finished. "As fo' our intruder here, maybe he can make himself useful by brining the lette' and the report here when I'm finished," he gestures to his note, "To the Badge' Lord and General Quinten."

Rufus tilts his head and blinks, he preens a wing feather, he looks at Terrence. "Terrence bunny have job for Rufus?"

Donica watches Velm go, a small worried frown but then she is focused on the meeting again. If they are heading out soon they will need to know what healers to take and whom to leave at the camp.

Gregorian looks somewhat reluctant to admit the gull might be useful but ultimately nods "Alright, yes, good idea. Provided he goes straight back with the lettah, no distractions" he says as he points at Rufus. Last thing he needs is the message falling in to someone else's paws on top of everything else "Then we'll go see the rat"

"Terrence bunny does, yes." The master-sergeant says with a forced smile as he looks up from the note for the first time since starting. He seems to be finished. He holds the explanatory note out to Greg in the case the captain wishes to check over or add anything of his own to the paper. "As the good captain said, it would be wonderful if you could bring this lette' here and report to the Badge' Lord and othe' higher ups as quick as you can."

Rufus nods as he listens "Rufus will do... take letter to Bunny Lord yes ya ya." He looks at his wings, "Need room to fly off... and Rufus need letter" He points his beck at a special made pouch on his side, special made so he can still easily fly.

Gregorian takes the note to quickly read it over but doesn't add anything, satisfied Terrence has the situation covered "Hopefully it'll be the last thing we need tah report aside from a successful end tah this" though he really isn't very optimistic for that. He waves hares out the way when Rufus says he needs room to take off "Alright! Move yahselves, clear a path!"

"I hope so..." Terrence puts both the note and the letter in - returned to its envelope - in a new, bigger envelope, sealing it as quickly as he can with the mark for important and handing it off to the seagull, who, once the hares have made room, takes off.

"Well that's done with, at least. Now fo' Kerny and Clearwater." The master-sergeant moves to pick up his gear from where he'd set it by the edge of the tent. "We might have a bette' chance of speaking to eithe' of them with fewe' hares, as I imagine tramping in with a troop of us might tip them off... Though regardless of our numbers, I feel that if we speak to one, we shan't have the chance to speak to the othe' freely."

Gregorian watches the gull go with a small sigh of relief. Friendly or not he definitely has a thing against seagulls. Looking back to Terrence he nods "Safety in numbahs is one thing but we're nevah going tah get anywhere if we all march in tah speak tah him. Bettah to go the non-threatenin' route" he says as he draws his old metal cane out of his belt to walk with that and a bit of an increase to his normal limp "Start with Kerny I'd say"

"Right then. Konne', Addersmith, Flightfoot, Weedwill!" Terrence lists off to the hares still gathered around. "You fou' go keep watch on the general store and Clearwater, pay attention to who goes in and out and where the otte' goes if he leaves his shop. Stick togethe' as pairs at least." As the four hares salute and go get their things, Terrence turns back to the smith. "Well captain, shall we set out then?"

Gregorian nods his approval to the group sent off to watch the otter, throwing a quick salute back before he starts his way in to town as well. He's alert before he even sets foot in to Halyard, ears and eyes scanning for every hiding spot as he walks slowly. The cane off sets a lot of the otherwise tall, angry, muscled and grizzled old fighter vibe that Greg could give off and set more focus on his missing leg so there was some method to his ways. He was trying to avoid intimidation "Yah know Kerny well?"

"Not particularly, no." Terrence replies with a shrug. Halyard is mostly empty at this time of day, with half the homes and shops boarded up and abandoned. However, those places that remain open seem to be doing rather well for themselves - including the bakery. "I've been in his place a few times while on leave and on patrol, and I know his good are popular with the hares, but I've maybe had one conversation tops with him in my entire life."

Those few beasts that are out and about on the street pay little mind to the two hares, though a few clearly avoid them. "Here we are. Still open thankfully." The master-sergeant pauses in front of the door. "He seems to being quite well fo' himself." Indeed looking through the windows at the baked goods on display - cakes, pastry, custards, and the like - it's hard to reconcile the fact the building next door is a burned out ruin, abandoned the previous May. "Can't tell who exactly is behind the counte' out here."

Gregorian notes the few beasts which seem to avoid them even though he barely looks like he's paying them any attention "Mmm. I knew the previous ownah bettah. Problem with a place like this, the beasts change" half the beasts he used to be friendly with in town were dead or gone over the years. Rather than the tempting display of food when they arrive there it's the burnt out building next door which earns Greg's look "The fightin' really took things down this time" he muses quietly before heading inside after a quick glance through the window "Suppose we'll have tah find out" he says as he opens the door, going inside "Mornin'. Kerny around?" Greg asks sounding perfectly pleasant and friendly.

"Hullo- Eh?" The beast behind the counter is not a rat and after quickly hiding the look of worry at the arrival of two hares in the Patrol uniform - all of whom still have a reputation for eating establishments out of house and home - the rather plump hedgehog points behind him to a door. "Mr. Kerny's in the back, on break. Can I get ya two anything?"

Terrence glances sideways at Greg. The three aren't alone in the shop, as leaning on the left wall is a burly stoat armed with a rather expensive looking side-sword. "That small strudel there will do fo' me," he points to a pastry behind the counter. "But any idea when Mr. Kerny'll be back?"

"Can't really say. Maybe an hour, maybe five minutes. Can't really blame him, though..." The hedgehog closes his mouth at a look from the guard. "But anything for you, sir?" The creature smiles at Greg with a bit too much teeth showing.

Gregorian doesn't look at the stoat but he's noticed them and the slightly odd behaviour of the hedgehog. He just smiles, acting as if everything's fine and that's just what he wanted to hear and like Kerny was an old friend "Excellent, I didn't think I'd catch him. It's been ages since I had the time tah come on out here" he says as he ignores the hedgehog's objections to him making his way behind the counter and heading for the back room.

A small group of rats and hedgehogs stop in their baking as the master smith bursts in. "Wha-" The room is cramped and hot, with the back door open to the outside. "Friend...?" The hedgehog certainly hadn't expected Greg to just waltz past him. Terrence follows quickly in the moment of shock the captan's brazenness causes. "Wait, you're not allowed back there!" squeaks the hedgehog, hoping off a box to try and stop the two, but he's too late.

"He's not back here, they're all too spry." Terrence murmurs then points to the open door. "Might be in the alley to escape the heat."

The stoat had begun moving, getting over his momentary shock. "OI! Kerny didn' ever mention y' 'efore! Stop!" He can't fit in the small kitchen though, as the hedgehog is in the way and the rest of the beast inside are just trying to make room for the two hares passing through.

Gregorian is never afraid to ignore rules and burst his way through while everyone is too busy wondering what the hell he's doing to stop him. Life's too short sometimes. His ear twitches to Terrence's words and then flicks back as the stoat starts yelling "Mornin'. Just lookin' for Kerny" he pleasantly greets to the kitchen crew on his way past to the back door to stick his head out and picking up the pace a little because of the stoat.

The stoat's paw is on his weapon though to his credit he does his best not to just shove the hedgehog aside. "What for?!" The stoat winces as he tries to squeeze past the beast. The alleyway is full of old crates and glass, alongside a cart. In the cart, fast asleep on at least a dozen sacks of flour, is the middle aged rat that is presumably Mr. Kerny.

Terrence tries his hardest to get out of the small bakery, turning with a smile to the beasts inside and fully prepared to slam the door in their faces if need be.

Gregorian completely ignores the stoat's question, he's already got the feeling he doesn't want a conversation with them anywhere around "Lock the door behind you" he mutters to Terrence on the way outside as he heads for the rat saying "Oi, Kerny" as he goes to poke the sleeping rodent with his cane while he flops down to sit next to them "Need a word" once more he completely ignores the awkwardness of interrupting the beasts sleep and offering a paw in greeting instead "Greg. Used tah do business with Greylout before the place got robbed few seasons back" Greg used to sell jewellery to a ferret called Greylout, it made him a tidy little retirement fund even if he'd never retire again to use it if he had his way. He was trying to draw attention to that instead of the uniform "Wot's with the pastry guard?" he asked, looking curious as he gestured his head back to the door inside.

"Wah- who - huh?" The rat sits bolt upright when poked, looking around wildly. First seeing Greg sat right next to him then how Terrence uses a broom and a barrel to block the door against the protests of those still inside, Kerny shrinks into the sacks of flour. "What - what do you want?" He asks in a shrill voice. "I didn't steal from Greylout, if that's what you're getting at! He was one of my regulars, he was, and if you really want to find the robber I'd look into that Cleareye fellow, right sneaky sort, he is. If he's still around, of course..." The rat babbles on and on, ignoring Greg's question.

Terrence raises a brow at the captain.

Gregorian chuckles quietly, still acting friendly but he does of course make a mental note about Cleareye. At the same time he wanted Kerny to keep talking and being confused and tired would probably help with that so he talked fast to try and make sure the rat had to try and keep up "Relax mate, I know yah didn't have anythin' tah do with that" he of course didn't know that but it was a reassuring lie "Yah wouldn't do somethin' like that tah him. I was just wonderin' wot's going on with all the pricey lookin' guards out there and figured yah'd know"

"Cleareye was never an honest beast, never an honest beast!" But the last question gets through.

"Oh, the help."

Kerny's demeanor shifts, narrowing his eyes "Why're you asking about him? You can't have a shop anymore without a way of er," he pauses, "Eh, keeping out the rabble, if you understand me. There's a new guard every week. Don't ask me where they come from, I dunno. I simply pay the monthly fee - cheaper than paying the mayor's taxes, I'll add. But why do you care?" For the first time he takes in the uniforms. "Oh. OH." His eyes wide, he tries to hop off the cart and dart down the alleyway.

Terrence moves to block him if Greg doesn't already stop him. "Sah, we simply wish to talk, no need to rush off."

Gregorian was expecting the rat to clue in to that eventually. If time hadn't seemed of the essence he would have changed but as it is he just suddenly snaps his paw out, going to grab the rat's tail to pull him back without getting up "Like I said, relax mate. This isn't official business or anythin', I'm just interested for Greylout" he really does lie very smoothly "Maybe he could have done with it. How do yah pay them?"

The rat lets out a yelp as he's tugged by the tail, tear forming at the corners of his eyes. "I'm not supposed to say, but not much!!" He squeaks, "Cheaper than what I'd pay cleaning up after YOU lot again!" He adds, trying to wriggle free of the captain. 

"OI! LONGEARS!" The shout came from the end of the alleyway. The stoat had gathered a few friends - including some of the bakers wielding rolling pins and frying pans - to circle around back. "Leave Kerny alone if ya know what's good for ya!" The others shout similar threats.

Stepping forward quickly, Terrence places his paw on his small sword as the group advances towards them. "Sah, perhaps we should run fo' it," he hisses, "And eithe' let the rat go or bring him with us. I mean, we're probably already banned from the bakery at this rate so kidnapping won't make things worse."

Gregorian's grip on the tail is firm "Easy mate, I'm not tryin' tah hurt yah here, I'm just tryin' tah undahstand wot's goin' on. Now I asked yah how, how're yah handing them the money?" he says softly before they're interrupted and he calmly looks up to the mob. There was no fighting that and Greg didn't want to start a war with the locals either "It's worse than gettin' banned from a shop if they all turn on us" he mutters back to Terrence as he stands "Get the door" he was intending to use the shop as their escape route since the kitchen staff all seemed to be out back now "Relax, we were just talkin' there's no danger here" he says calmly to the mob as he puts a paw on Kerny's arm to hold him still just long enough to drop the rat's tail just so the rodent won't fall over in the process of squirming around "See? Everything's fine" he says as he raises his paws to show he's not holding any weapons, just the metal cane.
"But if yah insist, we'll take our leave" he sounds so calm and then a split second later he drives the cane down hard on top of a bag of flour suddenly sending a big white cloud of it puffing in to the air. Improvised smoke screen deployed he snaps around to head for the door after Terrence "Go go go"

"Fine! A friend comes and collects from all the shops for them," Kerny gets out, when he's let go, "Happy?" The mob isn't listening to a thing Greg says, at least not the ones armed like the stoat. But luckily there's a good thirty paces at least between them and the two hares when the improvised smoke screen explodes into the small space - Kerny starts hacking, disoriented. 

"Won't argue with that, sah!"

Terrence holds his breath for a moment as he kicks aside the barrel and tosses the broom away- yanking the door open to reveal the plump hedgehog.

"Excuse us!" Terrence isn't going to think twice once the captain's moving behind him. As gently as the tall hare can manage, the master-sergeant shoves the creature to the side. "In a hurry, sorry!"

"Where'd they go?!" Someone shouts behind them as the flour begins to clear. "Wait- the SHOP! OI!"

Terrence is already in the main room, charging the front door, hoping Greg is keeping up.

Gregorian follows fast, also getting around the hedgehog as best as he can "Comin' through" he says as he kicks the door closed behind him to slow the others down but doesn't take the time to try and block it, just following after Terrence "Try tah lose them then get back tah camp"

"I'm regretting keeping the uniform on," Terrence slows slightly to keep pace with Greg. No one was coming out of the shop yet. "Can't imagine they'll be happy with the Patrol afte' this." He nods to a side street, already turning. "Down here - we'll have a bette' chance of losing the stoat and company this way. Doubt the bakers'll keep up to show them the right way!"

Someone bursts out of the bakery, shouting curses after the hares.

"Aye" Greg grunted, keeping up well enough for now "But we could have done worse" no one was injured or dead for a start, that was pretty much a win some days. He follows Terrence down the alley, ducking out of sight just before the bakery door opens again.

Hey, I'm going to be online for about the next 3-4 hours as Terrence!

Yes, that is what I meant, whoops! a small typo on my end

And alright - the next RP will hopefully be on the 18th at 2pm EST/7pm GMT