A Snake in the Sand - LP Mini Plot

Ol'random · 2021-10-17 12:36:12 AM

Log I. The Mission Briefing - 10/16/21

Company A is assigned to investigate rumors and keep the peace in Halyard!

Pvt. Cole,
Pvt. Donica,
Sgt. Felicity,
Cpt. Gregorian,
Col. Locke (Spoof),
Rt-Lt. Olivia (Spoof),
Pvt. Slaw,
MSgt. Terrence,
Mjr. Varus,
Lt. Velm,
and Pvt. Zywie

Velm had gotten a couple days rest and seen the notice of the meeting and so decided to attended it.

Cole pokes his head insoe the room,he sighs "Another boring meeting,cwe should leave" His tin Slaw just shrugs "could be important wot,csides maybe we can sneak a nap in later." Both hares chuckle and find a place to sit down and wait.

The faint smell of charcoal accompanied the arrival of the Captain. Since the forge was on the same level as the meeting room Greg had been working in there right up until the last minute. He slipped in quietly, still wiping a bit of soot from his paw as he headed for the other officers.

It was a few hours before luncheon when the old officer made his way into the room, brandishing a pile of notes and old reports - anything relevant he could get his paws for the meeting ahead. Setting these items neatly on the podium the colonel begins to neatly arrange them (and other papers put there) as he saw fit while humming an old tune quietly to himself. Barely looking up as hares begin filtering in - including the lieutenant, the two trouble maker twins (that Locke wasn't quite sure if he could tell apart. Their names were Sloan and Coal, if he recalled correctly), and right behind them, Terrence - Locke waits patiently at the head of the room as the creatures start taking their seats.

"If you ditch this, you two," Terrence hisses at the brothers, having heard the comment and following laughs, "I'll have you both busted back to recruit and set pvt. Dominik to knock some sense back into you. Do I make myself cleah?"

Donica had already been here, she looked over at the twins and sighs, those twins were always annoying to most hares in the mountain.

Velm sits up better as the meeting is about to start and simply waits to see what it is about.

Both twins glace at one another and decide it's best to pay attention to the meeting as it suddenly got a bit interesting.

Gregorian doesn't seem to have noticed the brothers, or possibly he'd started to learn to tune them out. Settling in to a seat he turns his attention to the podium and tries to look like he's paying attention rather than the reality where he's running his to do list through his head. He'll pay attention when the talking starts, until then he seemed distracted.

Clearing his throat, the colonel raises a paw for silence before beginning: "Right then, I suppose ye're all wondering why I called ye all here today." He nods to the captain and lieutenant as he seems them for the first time, "And it's concerning Halyard and the lands surrounding. Last winter, as ye know, we made an effort to reestablish a presence in the town, but that was undermined by both forces without and, sadly, within." He lets the words hang in the air for a moment before continuing. "Since the sacking by that vermin band in the summer we've had what hares we can spare patrol the town, but it's been clear t'us for some time that this isn't enough to clean up the place - simply put it's a mess right now."

Scanning the crowd of hares he continues, "Company A - with either Captain Harthwill or lieutenant Velm in active command, I leave that at yer desecration who - is t' go up there as soon as they're able and make camp near t'the town, and once there I want ye all to begin patrolling the area - all of it, if ye can manage - and spay extra attention t' the townsfolk. There's been rumors and worse flying about that mention everything from slavers and pirates to monsters on the prowl. We know there's a few mercenary groups in the area, little more than brigands I'd guess, and they might have connection to such beasts. So investigate what ye can, but remember-" he leans forward on the podium, trying to eye each hare present, "If any of ye, and I mean any, actively start trouble with the locals - vermin or not - there will be hell to pay. Self defense is one thing, but picking fights is beneath ye all, the acts of a fool. Understood?"

"Now then, if there are any questions, me and Cadwallader here," he gestures to Terrence," can answer any ye might have."

Arriving late to the meeting is a certain discombobulated Major, who still doesn't seem to know what he's doing here, but he heard there is a meeting. His wife trails behind him, trying in vain to talk him out of barging into the meeting chamber. "Y' didn't wait f'r me, y' young whelps."

Donica is paying attention, she looks at Varus as he enters and then attention back to the Sergeant.

Cole tilts his head and snorts "No such things as monsters, right Slaw?" Slaw nods "Tis so true brother, maybe tis just a poor beast needin' a good bath"

Gregorian's eyes move on to the colonel as the meeting starts properly and frowns a little sadly even at the first mention of Halyard. His ear twitches when his name is mentioned though and he nods to the orders "Yes sah" before he glances over to Velm to give him a nod. Looking back to Locke again as the meeting goes on Greg digs in to his jacket to find some scraps of paper he hasn't completely scribbled things all over so he can note some things down "Any specifics tah the rumours tah watch out for?" he asks as they open to questions, pausing only to glance back at the door when Varus arrives.

"Ah, the rumors-" the Colonel stops as Varus comes in, a brow raised at the words. He's at most a couple seasons younger than the major and isn't sure how to take the "private's" words. Terrence meanwhile is wide eyed and gently covers his mouth with a paw. "Ye're late." The colonel says flatly, turning back to the rest. "Sergeant - ye answer the good captain."

"Yes sah," Forcing his attention away from Varus, Terrence steps up to address Greg. "Captain, sah, there's three maj-" his eyes inadvertently flicker to Varus, "Big ones. Firstly, there's been evidence of a black market sprouting up, with prices rocking up. That we've heard from even some of ou'h own hares when they visit Halyard - it's hard to get anything nowadays there without the price being at least triple what it's worth, be it bread, wine, o'h screws. The second thing to keep an eye out fo'h is the a mercenary group that's been hired by all sorts of citizens fo'h 'protecting'. That may be all well and good, but some say at least half thei'h ranks are pirates, marauders, and worse - and we're not sure if they're up too any good, wot. And the last thing...." He trails off, looking at Cole and Slaw, "Apparently there's tell of something lurking in the area. Some claim it's some sort of... montsah... I'm not sure if these are true, obviously."

Olivia looks apologetic at the other hares, and mouths 'Sorry' to the Colonel. "Come on, dear, let's just sit down and listen." The two move to a couple of unoccupied chairs near the end of the table. "A monstah?" Varus asks. "Sounds preposterous, though I've 'eard th' rumahs last time we were down there. Didn't we, Olivia?"

Donica listens carefully "I wonder if it's... just some way to scare beasts perhaps? Someone said was this... monster and then rumors flew and no one wants to check... well till now, wot is going on." She adds "Also if an extra healer is needed I can go, if needed."

Gregorian notes things down, scribbling just the key words to remind himself "Halyard has always had a black market. It's just gettin' worse. At a guess it's probably undah new management" he grumbled. The old black market wasn't exactly common knowledge but Greg had been around for a long time and knew the old faces. He didn't know the new ones though and that displeased him. He quickly glanced up to Terence "Prices at the tavern risen?" that apparently was an important question to him. Mercenaries he jots down on his paper, nothing out of the ordinary to him. He listens to the others denying the monster with a snort of slight amusement "I said that about the ghosts. Still not sure wot they were but creepy definitely fit the bill. Could be worth a look"

"An extra, ye say?" The colonel, surprised, turns his gaze to the hare maid. "Private Donica, ye're one of the only healers in the company after Lieutenant Velm. Ye're no extra."

Terrence squints, thinking. "To be honest, sah, I'm not sure. I certainly didn't hea'h any complaints from the quartermastah aftah that training race, so I'd guess not much - at least not in a noticeable way, but I don't know. And that leads into anothah point: the reason the company's being sent is to answah and check in on what we don't know now. As fo'h ghosts, I feel safe to say it won't be quite that. My thoughts are that if there is anything to the monstah story, Vermin tend to love thei'h creepy looks and it might just be a rogue band of them scaring the populace. Still dangerous perhaps, as they'll be armed no doubt, but I'm not ready to commit to a flying sea serpent just yet, you know? But as captain Greg said, still worth looking into."

Cole looks at his brother and speaks "So like...who all is goin' on this mission, some haf ta stay here too ya know"

Varus leans forward in his chair. "Sah, I'll volunteah t' lead an expedition t' root out this bloody "Monstah". I reckon two shakes of a Squirrel's tail that it's nothin', like y' said. I know Halyahd like th' back o' mah own paw, 'cause I was born there." Olivia is shaking her head. "Now darling, don't you think..." "Don't "Now dahlin'," me, Olivia," Varus replies, looking at her. "I c'n take care o' mahself, regahdless o' mah...accident."

Donica frowns "Then...I will stay here, Lt Velm is likely going with you." She glances over at Varus and frowns, she is so use to him being in charge of a group and not him thinking he is a private again, she clears her throat." Everyone, needs to be careful... who ever goes.The Long patrol takes care of everyone, we are a family and family takes care of each other, It is always good to have someone helping keep an eye on you..just in case."

Cole pouts, he listens a little as others speak. It may also be wise not to let both twins go, one should stay behind as the two of them in one place at the same time, usually is far from wise.

Gregorian twitches his whiskers at the news the tavern may be the same "Still hope for the place then" he judges the state of the village by the state of the tavern "Wotevah the case we'll need tah check it out. If it is just vermin usin' the stories tah keep people away then wot exactly are they keepin' everyone away from?" he says before glancing at Cole "A full list will be available in time" ie, he didn't know yet "Or was that a volunteer?" he asks before Varus actually volunteering makes him pause. The hare was a superior officer, Greg really figured only a healer or an even more superior officer could really tell the Major he's not going but the Captain does frown about it.

Zywie arrives a little late, but she did have a good reason since she just recently became a Private and had a couple things to do before slipping into the meeting.

"I'll remind all," Locke's mouth is drawn into a thin line as his eyes go from private Cole to Donica, "It has been stated Company A - which, while in practice has been a more messy than anyone meant for it to get and a cry from being what's on paper, is still officially commanded by captain Harthwill with lieutenant Velm as the second in command, and includes the pair of ye, Coal and Donica - will be going, excluding those on leave or on other assignments. Master-sergeant Cadwallader will be coming as well," he pauses, looking at the major and considering him for a beat. "...And so will Varus, who has volunteered to go. Cadwallder, it's yer job to make sure he doesn't go and get himself into trouble, understood?"

Eyes widening again, Terrence snaps to attention and says, "Yes sah!"

"Now then," Locke goes on, "if any of you wish to remain here, please take it up with yer officers. We have more than one company in the Patrol and hares who's main job is to guard the mountain, so don't ye worry about staying behind."
Zywie's late arrival goes unnoticed by the colonel and Terrence, who are both preoccupied.

Cole nods, "Yes sur..." Slaw seems to pout on having to stay behind, but its likely he will still have a lot to do at the mountain.

Olivia frowns. She's officially retired, only around to make sure Varus doesn't get himself hurt. But this new development... "I will go, too," she says. "If only as an unofficial observer. Thank you." Varus nods to the Colonel. "Right-ho."

"You don't 'ave t' nursemaid me," Varus protests.

Donica hmmms "Who will....stay here as Healer sur? "She is curious and maybe a little concerned on the matter but she will go where she is told to go.

Gregorian pulls a face when Locke tells them Varus is going that says 'Are you sure that's wise?' without Greg actually voicing it and questioning the judgement of the colonel. A bit of a grimace and Greg adds to his notes...and then adds more when Olivia says she's coming too "Listen tah yah wife or yah'll end up hopin' there really is a monstah" he mutters to Varus objection without really thinking about it. He does notice Zywie's arrival but the Captain just glances at her, silently questions her lateness with a raised eyebrow but then says nothing, not drawing the attention of the other officers to it.

Zywie is unsure weather to speak or not, she starts to and then just sighs and goes quiet, its rude to talk out of turn after all.

"Private," Locke raises a paw, "Ye do not have t' worry about that, as we're not in any pressing need of healers at the moment. The standard mountain doctors can manage without you for a few weeks, I'd say. In fact, I'd be more comfortable with the more healers that go," he nods to Olivia, "With the retired lieutenant here, that makes at least three."

"Fou'h sah," Terrence gently corrects, "We recently got a new healeh called Zywie, and I think she's around here somewhere."

The colonel nods. "Four healers. The mountain can spare four healers, don't ye worry. As fo'h Varus, captain," He arches a brow. "Perhaps it's not wise, but feel free to order him t' stay here if ye think he'll listen, wot. The company is part of his battalion, after all."

Zywie stands up at her name." Hallo... surs, am I... needed?"

Varus doesn't overhear Greg, fortunately, though he looks at Terrence with a frown. "I assure y' Lad, I may 'ave taken a knock t' th' noggin, but I'm perfectly fine now." Nevermind that half his memories are still missing. "I know Halyahd bettah 'n' most, y' know tha'."

Felicity has been in here this entire time, taking notes, nodding when her company is ordered to Halyard, grimacing when Varus volunteers, and secretly planning what to do to Cole should he do something ridiculous. When Zywie stands up, the Sergeant smiles at her, then turns back to Locke and raises her paw to ask a question.

Gregorian frowns at Locke, still looking concerned but he wasn't going to argue. He does look back to Varus though "Wot rank is it yah think yah are now?" he asks bluntly.

As the attention has shifted back to Varus, Locke waits expectantly for the major's answer. Terrence of course, having said little yet his major still addressed him, raises both paws, "Sah, with all due respect I was not the one to suggest - oh, nevah mind."

Varus levels his gaze at Greg. "Tha's a bloody impertinent question, wot. Y' know I'm a Sahgeant. Now c'n we get down t' th' business at paw?"

Felicity blinks. He's a Sergeant now? Oy vey. How can she be expected to keep all this straight? The actual Sergeant decides to just go with the flow, and asks her question. "Sahs," she stands, all business. "Concernin' th' monstah -- do we 'ave any idea whot th' beasts who've reported it 'ave actually seen? Could be 'elpful in figuring out whot t'do 'bout it."

"That's a bloody impertinent question sah" Greg correction Varus firmly "Until such a time as yah recall enough tah rise above ranks yah'll do as yah told because I'm yah Captain. Undahstood?" if the Major is going to think he's a lower rank Greg is going to make the most of it to keep things under control "Don't need questions of who outranks who in the field, so long as we're clear on everythin' before we set out we should be free of problems" he says as he looks back to Locke. He thought it probably wouldn't work, specially not with the privates but he'd at least try to establish some sort of order.

"Very well then, sergeant Varus," Colonel Locke says, "And t' add on t' what the the captain's has already said: with ye are going along with Gregorian's company I want t' make it double cleah t' ye ye're t' be a special attachment t' observe and aid alongside the master-sergeant and lieutenant Olivia, and ye are not t' be in charge of any of the hares unless specifically and explicitly requested t' do so by either the captain Gregorian or lieutenant Velm- no one needs ye supplanting sergeant Rosinbloom's job, am I understood?" He turns back to the rest of the hares. "The monster, eh? We don't any first pawed accounts. The reason the company is going t' Halyard is t' investigate whatever is going on, and hopefully ye can find a beast who has seen it first pawed, if there is such a creature. Though," he waves to Terrence, "He knows more."

The sergeant clears his throat before speaking, "The accounts that are told are of something in the dead of night, usually around the full moon, that sticks to the shadows. Something big, possibly hairy. Some say it has wings and scales, others say it's a big knat - point is, we don't have a bloody clue what the thing is, if it even exits. So we'll have to check to find out- which again, is one of ou'h objectives..."

Varus seems to gloss over what Greg said as Locke speaks. "Undahstood. I know Lord Sebastian still thinks mah headaches are a cause f'r concern, but I'm glad yahr lettin' me get outta 'ere again." He pauses at the description of the "monster." "Wings 'n' fur almost sounds bat-like," he muses, "But there ain't any bats tha' I know of 'cept at Bat Mountpit, an' tha's pretty far south o' 'ere. I seem t' recall an expedition there many moons ago when I was a Private. Migh' be worth askin' th' Recordah t' check th' records if tha's wot it is."

"Ciocan, dear," Olivia whispers.

Felicity blinks. "Sebastian? 'E stepped down from being Lord when I was a Recruit...oh..." The Sergeant rubs her forehead, then jots down all the information that's being tossed around the room. She can feel a headache of her own coming on. "But why would a bat be terrorizin' th' town? Bats are usually friendly creatahs, stayin' in their mountain 'omes an' 'elpin' travelahs in need..." She studies what information she has so far. "Did y'say 'tis usually near the docks? Could it be a mystery creatah from 'cross th' ocean, escaped from pirates? May'ap 'tis more scared than scary." She's mostly just thinking out loud, as might be apparent from the fact that she's almost mumbling.

Gregorian sighs heavily as he presses a paw to his face and runs it down to rest on his muzzle. This was going to go so badly and be utter chaos he could already tell. There was nothing he could do though "Could be anythin. Don't get a lot of sea creatures with fur, not that I know of anyway. Could be nothin'" he says after a moment, trying to focus on the monster instead.

"That may well be, but whatever it is," the colonel shrugs, "It's yer job t'find out. Though frankly I'd be more worried about the blackmarket ring and pirates - those we have more than hearsay on, at least for the most part. And that's what I'm more worried about." The officer begins tidying up his things, adding, "T' reiterate - the main goal of this mission is t' investigate the rumors first and if any trouble comes of it, put a stop t' it- in addition t' patrolling Halyard more actively. If there aren't anymore questions, that'll be all."

Varus nods his head resolutely. "I c'n ask around th' tavern wi'out arousin' suspicion. Hannah's an' ol' friend o' mine, an' she's Patrol, so she'll know wot's up..." Olivia shakes her head, but declines to note that the tavern has been under new management for several seasons now. "Well... Wi' yahr permission, o' course, Greg."

Felicity looks at Varus. "Which tavern are y' talkin' 'bout? Th' one I go to th' most when I'm there is right next t'th'bakery, an' it's nevah been owned by a woodlandah. They're really quite nice; always give me cookies foh m'sistah when I drop by." She then salutes Locke. "I think I'm good, Sah, thank you. I c'n ask th' Mastah Sergeant any questions I come up with." She sits down and finishes up her notes, looking back over them just to be sure she's got everything. "Oh, one last thing: when do we leave?"

Another small sigh from Greg "The tavern has been run by a couple of hares in the past with links tah the patrol" but that was in the past "Take Terrence and Olivia with yah. No one goes anywhere alone" he replies to Varus with a nod. Someone was going to have to check the place out anyway "I can talk tah some of the merchants I know. Whichevah ones survived everythin'" he threw a quick salute to the colonel as well "No furthah questions currently" he says before looking to Terrence after Felicity's question "How soon tah get everything ready tah march?"

"As soon as the company is able, as determined by the captain." Locke returns the salute. "If there's nothing else, dismissed."

After the colonel is gone, Terrence glances back at Greg. "I'd wageh we can probably get them all up and ready to go by nightfall, sah- though a morning march might do bettah." His gaze falls to the ground, adding in a quieter tone, "And I can request a squad of skirmishers I've trained to stand by in case there's fighting in the town, if you'h worried about that, sah."

Olivia nods. "We'll be ready," she says, whilst trying to get Varus to leave. As she passes Greg and Terrence, she pauses. "I'm...sorry. The healers say he's perfectly fine, aside from the headaches and memory loss... I'm hoping getting back to active duty will make him come all the way back, but I apologize for the burden on you both..."

Felicity nods. "I c'n get th' patrol ready t'march by dawn tomorrow, no problem." She stands and goes to head out the door, pausing as Olivia voices her apologies. The lower ranking hares file past the Sergeant as she thinks. Then, glancing at Terrence and Greg, she says, "She's there foh 'im all th' way...but who's there foh 'er?" before walking out the door to get everything ready to leave at daybreak (unless Greg tells her otherwise, of course).

"Mornin'" Greg agrees. Partly because marching off in the middle of the night was good for no one both for safety and moral. Partly also because though he didn't like leaving with such short notice for his daughter. Olivia he nods to, offering a small smile "Don't worry about it, we'll keep him out of trouble" He considers the idea of skirmishers for barely any time before he nods to Terrence and mutters "Probably wise but they're not tah step in without ordahs" they were told not to look for a fight and he'd try to avoid it but the village had a lot of trouble lately, he'd like to be prepared. Standing he took his bits of paper with him "Tah work then. Gathah yah things and get a good nights sleep, we leave in the mornin'"

Not sure what to say to the retired lieutenant, Terrence simply nods, glancing to Greg, "Right then sah, I'll go notify them. See you lot at dawn, wot."
And the master-sergeant ducks out of the room.

BlisaMarshmellow · 2021-10-31 08:43:10 PM

Log 2: http://forum.rwmuck.org/viewtopic.php?id=2195

Log 3: http://forum.rwmuck.org/viewtopic.php?id=2201

Log 4: http://forum.rwmuck.org/viewtopic.php?id=2203

Log 5: http://forum.rwmuck.org/viewtopic.php?id=2206

Ol'random · 2021-11-02 06:02:56 PM

Thanks Blisa

Now for the next log:

Log VI. Evening Visit & News; "I think it's well understood this shouldn't leave this tent, don't worry..." - LP Log 11/2/21

IC'ly takes place in the last week of October

Pvt. Donica, Lt. Elbio, & Msgt. Terrence
+ Konner and an unnamed lance-corporal as spoofs

It was a late October evening in the dunes outside of Halyard, with the wind blowing from the north bitter and promising worse to come. As he paced in the command tent, Terrence drew the collar of his coat against his neck to ward off the chill. Nothing had happened in the week or so they'd been here, and there was little news anyone in the village was willing to share with them - of the snake, or the pirates, or even if the citizens have enough food! It seems they wished to stick to themselves no matter what dangers might or might not exist; a problem the master-sergeant was trying to figure out a way around.

Donica was at camp, after all at least one healer remained there and others tended to other things, taking turns when to be at camp or elsewhere. Luckily no one needed anything major in healer needs.

Elbio had seen the campsite, at a distance but he decided to go straight to the mountain, straight to the Badger Lord with news, news that likely was only shared with the General for now. The Lt. just delivered it, rested and decided to visit the camp to see how beasts were doing.He sighed as he dreaded the...so how Mossflower question, but he would reply.

As the command tent was a large square shaped thing, the wall facing the open ground - more or less the center of the camp - was pinned open, allowing a good view of the hares gathered there around campfires, as well as the mess tent (were hares could always be found at the the tables eating) beyond. Of course, as Elbio approached the pickets, a guard called out as another guard steps out to block the lieutenant's passage.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

Terrence looks over at the open ground and spies the healer. "Private Doncia!" He waves her over. "Would you mind coming ove' fo' a moment?"

Donica nods and heads over to Terrence. She gave a salute and nod,"Yes sur wot did you need?" She had just finished checking some supplies. She has yet to notice the Lt.

Elbio stops as he glances at the guards "Lt. Elbio, here for a visit. His Lordship mentioned the camp close to the village so figured may as well visit a few days perhaps before I head back to Mossflower."He grows silent, "Maybe get some news, share...some news even" It was important to know he decided or least mention it as they would find out sooner or later.

Returning the salute quickly, Terrence answers, "I wanted to ask fo' your report of the past week, if you o' anyone else have had any trouble o' seen anything out of the ordinary."

The guards, a lance-corporal and private, salute. The private, the one blocking the way, glances at the lance-corporal. "Go on Konner, step aside." The l-cpl murmurs, and the hare does. "It's good to see you lieutenant, we had no idea you were back, not one clue! The command tent is near to the center of the camp, were you'd best find the officers to share your news with, I'd say."

Donica replies "Not too much sur. Most of Halyard seems they rather avoid us, one ferret said to get lost and...oh thar was one sea rat I had to help after they cut their paw on a broken ale bottle. No other reports of wot ever this..snake is sur. But if I may...if it is a snake it likely won't be out too much in colder weather or least wouldn't think so."

Elbio nods, a sigh "Yeah it's news oh right." He mutters and walks towards the command tent and stops at the entry after coming just inside. He decided to wait in case any talks the others had was important. He caught a few small words and tilts his head when snake is mentioned as it wondering what the heck was going on if a snake was possibly around.

"If the snake exists, of course..." Terrence mutters to himself. "But no matte', thank you fo' the info, private. On a less official note, I'd like to ask you how the hares are doing in the camp. Are they ancey at all? O' in good... spirits..." Trailing off as he sees the officer approach, Terrence gives a formal salute. "Lieutenant. If you don't mind me asking, what brings you out all the way from the bloody abbey?"

Donica answers "So far they seem okay sur but we have only been here a week and a half. The only night thar was lack of sleep was when Private Zywie told a bit of a spooky story. A couple hares seemed to want to avoid sleep, likely regretted it come morning when chores was needed done." She sees the Lt. and quickly stands up straighter, of course a salute is given before her paw goes back to her side.

Elbio listens, a small smile "I don't think snakes live near de western shores, I could be wrong so don't totally take me word fer it." A soft chuckle. then a sigh."Brought some news to his Lordship from Mossflower, he needed to see it first before I...well shared the news with others. First, no tis not some vermin invasion...Mossflower and the abbey are doing very well in fact, as is that village a little north of them." He doesn't say, yet, what the news is as he already knows any reactions are likely gonna be interesting."Hope things are well 'ere"

The expression on Terrence's face shifts at the mention of news, though he makes himself busy by studying the map on the table. "To answe' your question, things are about as fine as they ever are. At least one of ou' new privates," he glances at Donica, "Called Zywie seems to be handling her first mission well, and getting along with the others well enough. Even if she spooked them." He laughs a little, shaking his head. "Though," he begins again, cautiously, "Invasion o' not, I cannot fo' the life of me imagine that you came all this way just to tell the badge' lord Mossflowers all well and good, right?"

Donica quietly sits down to listen to what the Lt. has to update as he seemed a little distracted. She folds her paws in her lap and waits for what he has to share.

Elbio takes a deep breath and exhales, "No..." He glances around, ok just the Sergeant and the private, fine he decides and speaks "I am...unsure where ta start. And I only had de official letter for his Lordship...not made a report for others, not sure how to..." He shakes his head, wonderful this was going well, " Ok...a former Long Patrol hare has gonna himself banished from the abbey...and Ferravale and...well all of Mossflower. Where he is at de moment, no clue...not too worried...well maybe a little but not majorly worried, wot he did was.....not forgivable."

Terrence's eyes flicker to Donica. "Private, I'm ordering you to not repeat anything you hea'h o'h learn from the lieutenant about this subject to anyone until furthe' notice, understood?" Then, turning back to Elbio, he says, "I believe I can guess who it is you're speaking of. Well then," the master-sergeant can't hide the sigh in his voice, "What unforgivable act did he do this time?"

Donica frowns, she then nods "I.....heard nothing sur that needs shared." She can keep quiet on this, and quietly listens to what is said.

Elbio sighs, a long pause "Yes..." The name, he manages to get out but it is very clear he has serious dislike for the hare now... "Zolomon.....it could of been, less of a problem but he made it more of one..." He frowns, "An otter...old one named Errpeal...he's dead, Zolomon killed the otter and the otter didn't attack him, nor had a weapon. He almost killed a guard in Ferravale too, knocked out a couple guards...he had a trial and banished." There, news is out and he seems relived of the fact it's told. "The abbot seen it as important to get the news to the shores, before rumors started."

"Good." Terrence nods to the healer. His mouth tightens as Elbio relates what happened, ending with a sharp intake of breath. There's a long pause before the master sergeant speaks again, and when he does it's in a voice barely above a whisper.
"So the worst came to pass, eh?"
Shaking his head, he continues, "There's no need to say his name again, lieutenant, we don't need hares accidentally hearing that and letting rumors fly... But the otte', Errpeal, he's been around the western shore, yes?" Leaning over the table as he thinks allowed, he murmurs, "It seems the hare's rathe' adept at breaking out..." Pushing himself off and turning to face Elbio fully, he speaks in a clearer voice.
"Lieutenant, than you fo' telling me. As you probably already intend, I would request do not be free with this information. Only tell the officers here - the captain Gregorian and lieutenant Velm - if you see them. Otherwise I will relate the.... Incident. Though." He tilts his head. "Perhaps this is not my place to ask, but - what exactly was the badge' lord's reaction to the news?"

Donica frowns at this news "He did...wot?" She then calms a bit. She will not share the news but does speak when the otter is mentioned "Errpeal...yes he is...was around and helped some after that horde was defeated, he was a seer."

Elbio sighs "His Lordship mentioned that the banishment was still in effect for the shores of course and stood for life...which I suppose includes the result if ...well the hare did some reason show up.And yeah I remember the otter being in Halyard...they knew the haremaid Vonda and was visiting her when it happen...the haremaid left after that...after ending a umm....well lets just say thar was a wedding planed for autumn feast and that was quickly canceled."

"Thank you, I recall now - he wasn't a creature I eve' spoke to really myself, but he seemed the decent enough sort." Pinching the bridge of his snout, Terrence bows his head. "A bloody shame. His death - well," he grits his teeth. "The otter's death is on ou' paws, I should say, nearly as much as it is the fault of the traito' and murde'. Banishing him - like the Hanzi incident - served only to push the Patrol's problems onto innocents, and the otter's dead fo' it." He catches himself, shaking his head. "Forgive me. I shouldn't speak so... But I will bring to the lordship himself the issue that we cannot leave Zol- the hare free. Not afte' what he's done."

Letting out another long sigh, he rolls his shoulders. "No, I think it is ou' duty to eithe' capture him, and lock him up in the mountain's darkest hole fo' the rest of his miserable life, o' to kill him fo' his crimes if need be. As we should have done since the beginning."

Donica listens still, she isn't sure what to say right now. "We should, make sure this recent news doesn't get out past...well the patrol anyways."

Elbio frowns "His Lordship clearly wasn't happy with the news and he does agree.....that yes, Zolomon is a murderer." He shakes his head "I know if he is seen in...Mossflower he is to be killed, so...I assume here as well. The last I seen him was when he was banished and dragged away and...the look on his face...yeah that..hare is dangerous in my opinion."

"I think it's well understood this shouldn't leave this tent, don't worry, Doncia." Terrence shrugs, "The Long Patrol as a whole should learn of this from lord Ciocan himself, not from me o' you, wot. As fo'h were the cursed beast is now, furthe' banishment again only serves to send him to potentially harm more beasts... Perhaps they should have executed him, and be done with it. But no matte'." He shakes his head. "Perhaps, lieutenant, you and I can make a request to command to send with you a few hares to aid in the event more problems arise in Mossflowe'. Plus it would help you send messages back to us safely, with one hare at Redwall at all times. I have a couple in mind who could do with the extra work, I'd say."

Donica nods "His Lordship likely will call a meeting my guess, or a couple meetings even." She nods "I agree with the Master Sergeant, also his Lordship did always say to always travel with a fellow hare to places"

Elbio nods "Sounds wise and I did come on my own, sort of." A small nod "The patrol has a new recruit...Ciana, my daughter is at the mountain now. She is of age to be a recruit now and came along with me. A couple hares with me on the way back...likely be wise and after I get back they can always come back to the mountain, no need to really have them stay at the abbey with me" He chuckles "Sides...the Frair would likely dislike having extra hares around the abbey too long"

"Perhaps," Terrence nods, "Though I was thinking about sending with you a veteran tracke' in case you need help hunting something down, in addition to a regula' private. Afte' they make it to the Abbey with you, they can go on to 67th's camp we have there- o' what remains of it. I know several officers have expressed interest in reestablishing a presence there, so perhaps that'll help ou' case. Regardless of what the fria' might say, I can tell the hares to lay off the food if that's really an issue. And..." Terrence raises a brow. "Congratulations, I suppose... I neve' knew you had a daughte'. Hellsgates, you're younge' than me! Though I suppose I am getting on in seasons. Bloody hell. No doubt she'll do you proud, wot."

Donica decides she should get back to her healer duties. She will not speak of this recent news that has came up, she will busy herself with other tasks.

Elbio hmmms "It could be good to have some hares near de abbey. I know a couple members are...on some sort of mission, not heard much of when they will be back. We still need hares here on the shores as well, maybe take some recruits who are to be promoted to Private soon." He smiles "Ciana is adopted, she was one of them that was taken captive when the slaver took the dibbuns from Redwall the one time, her birth father was killed so...I adopted her"

"Ah, I see." Terrence nods. "I may remembah he', then. As fo' what hares might go - I'd suggest Lance-Corporal Flightfoot. He's an old tracke'. Redwall might serve him well, and you might like him. I should warn you though - off the record, of course - that if one of the intentions is fo'h the 67th's base of operations to be reinstated, my moth- I mean, the retired-captain Barcid-Cadwallade' might attach herself to your command. Fo' seasons now she's wanted to go out to Mossflowe'. Not sure how that'll work out, though."

Elbio nods"I suppose we will see. For now I need some rest...we can talk more later and I will let you update who needs to know of the...news I brought." He then goes to get some rest as he seriously needs a nap.

"Of course, Lieutenant, and if I don't see you again -" Terrence raises a paw in a small wave, "Good luck, and farewell."

Once Elbio is gone and he's left alone, the master sergeant plops himself in a chair and lans forward, his head bowed.. "Zolomon..." he whispers to himself, "Your actions seemed to have finally caught up to you."

Last edited by Ol'random (2021-11-02 06:04:38 PM)

Ol'random · 2021-11-04 09:21:28 PM

Log VII. This is why you don't wander off

http://forum.rwmuck.org/viewtopic.php?pid=6330

BlisaMarshmellow · 2021-11-06 02:15:32 PM

log 8: http://forum.rwmuck.org/viewtopic.php?id=2211

Ol'random · 2021-11-07 08:11:11 PM

Log IX. Private Slaw - 11/6/21

Pvt. Cole, Pvt. Donica, Lt. Elbio, Sgt. Felicity, & Msgt Terrence, hares.
+ John (a squirrel) & an unnamed ferret

It was midday, Terrence guessed as he looked up at the cloudy sky. While most hares in the camp could be found gathered in or around the mess tent for luncheon, the master-sergeant was pacing in the open space nearby. So far things had been surprisingly calm in Halyard with very few incidents - something that Terrence didn't know to be relieved or worried by. Whatever the exact rumors floating around the village were they were hard to pin down regardless of if there was truth or not to them. All in all, it appeared Halyard wasn't in as much dire straights as anyone had thought.

Elbio walks towards Terrence "Sargent, did you get the news of our missing Private?" He had hoped he had been told earlier, a frown but also he lets him know "I am gonna be around a few days to help, before I head off back to Mossflower"

Donica had done what duties she needed done around the camp and had yet to hear of, well any news yet. She only knew some in the camp seemed a bit...stressed and decided to not ask. She knew of some other news but has kept quiet as she had been told to do.

Cole sits eating some of his lunch, slowly and sort of pokes at his plate as if not interested in eating right now and just slides his plate of half eaten food away.

Halting, Terrence pinched the bridge of his snout. "No, lieutenant, I have not hard." Always something, he reflected bitterly. At least he didn't say things were going smoothly before. "Who's missing? Cole?" Except the private was in the tent with the others, eating. "Neve' mind. He's right over there."

Elbio frowns "A couple hares was sent from the mountain, looking for Private Slaw. I had been at the mountain briefly and didn't see him, and he is not here. A runner went back to the mountain about the news...as to where he could be, no clue"

Donica looks over at Cole and walks over"You ok Cole, you seem distracted and your quiet."That's odd in her mind and clearly a red flag."Did something happen?"

Cole sighs, he speaks after a while "Slaw missing... and... worried" He jabs his pasty "He went on some... adventure with a haremaid... but not me... but now he is missing..." Clearly he is worried.

"Slaw?" Terrence glances to the mess tent for a moment. "Wasn't he supposed to remain at the mountain....? No matte'," he shakes his head, turning back to Elbio, "When and where was he last seen?"

Felicity has been around doing her duties, checking on everyone and making sure the camp is running smoothly. So far, so good. She's taken a couple Corporals into Halyard with her a few times to check on her informants, but so far they haven't told her anything useful. Right now she's ready for lunch. On her way to the line, though, she notices Cole definitely NOT eating. "Private Cole," the Sergeant addresses him as she stops. "Are y'feelin' alright? 'Tis no' like y't'not clean y'plate." She missed him telling Donica the news.

Elbio makes a report. "From wot heard ealier, he was with a Private Renee and in or near Halyard and was supposed to report ta the Mountain last night but didn't and when he wasn't found here... well he's clearly missing for one reason or another." He sighs "Sorry to have to bring even more... not so great news onto you."

Donica frowns, she looks at Felicity and stands up straight, a salute "He said his brother was reported missing."

Cole looks up and frowns. He is quiet and this hare will talk forever sometimes and it's hard to get him to shut up, his brother is worse and together they will drive one insane, they even gave the Badger Lord a headache so bad once he made them clean the mess hall and the rec room!

Terrence grunts in response. "It's most likely the missing private is recovering from a hangove' somewhere in town." He shrugs. "I doubt it's anything more serious than that. Still, I suppose we should look fo' him, yes?" The master-sergeant steps toward the mess tent. "Sergeant Rosinbloom! Would you mind gathering up a squad of your hares to help search fo' the missing private?"

Felicity gives a quick salute back to Donica so the other maiden can relax a bit. "Slaw's missin'?" She looks towards Terrence as he calls for her. "Certainly, sah." She turns and starts roaring out orders, and hares scramble to obey. Within short order a half-dozen hares are ready to go, although some of them are still hurrying to wolf down their lunch. Good thing today's food was pasties. The Runner grabs a napkin and fills it with pasties, quickly eating as she looks her squad up and down. "Good, quick turnout. Jolly good show. We're ready t'go when y'are, Sergeant."

Elbio nods "Always wise to do so. And if he is drunk somewhere he will have some serious chores to deal with." He glances over at Felicity and gives a nod. "Should I go as well?"

Donica steps back and waits to see if she is needed as well, she is a healer if he is injured or even drunk she can, sort of help somewhat.

Cole frowns as he stays seated for now, unsure if they want him to tag along or not. He looks around to see if Private Renee is helping, if she is here and Slaw is not... yeah he worries more.

With a nod to the sergeant, Terrence waves a private over. "Konne', please report to the captain that we set out to look fo' the missing private around noon, and we expect to be back by sunset. Understood?"

"Yes sah!"

Glancing sideways at Elbio, the master-sergeant shrugs again. "You are the one who offered to help, lieutenant." Then, clearing his throat, Terrence address the hares Felicity gathered. "Alright then, private Slaw failed to report back to the mountain last night, with the last time anyone saw him was nea' to Halyard. He probably forgot the time o' had one too many drinks last night, but we still need to find him- which we'll be setting out as soon as everyone is armed. Is that understood?"

"Sah, yes, sah!" The hares answer in unison. They all double check that they have everything they need. Felicity glances at the trio of hares near her. "Tha'd be a 'elp, Lieutenant. I say we take Donica along, too. Nevah know if we'll need a 'Ealah." She walks over to Terrence and whispers so only he can hear. "Should we take Cole? I fear 'e'll get sick with worry if we leave 'im be'ind."

Elbio nods "Then I am coming along to help, besides the more there is looking the better in case we run into some trouble."

Donica listens as the news is told "Well hope thar isn't any trouble." She gets a healer's bag and stands ready to go, being a healer she is always prepared.

Cole stands and walks over, he looks ready to look and if needed he can run fast, maybe not as fast as some runners but he also isn't the slowest either.

"Cole and Donica are in your company, Felicity," Terrence matches her quiet tone, "So that's your call to make." Slinging a large sword wrapped in cloth over one shoulder, he nods to the others. "Right then, on your command, sergeant."

Felicity nods. "Cole, y' comin' with, but y'will do exactly as I say, no mattah what we come across, undahstood?" The Runner checks her own sword, sling, and stone pouch, then nods. "Right. Lieutenant Elbio, please take left flank. Terrence, you an' I will lead." She then leads them off at what she thinks is an easy march, but she's going a bit faster than the non-Runners will be used to. Oops. "Should we check the beach or th' dunes? Cole, which way d'y'think y'brothah would've gone?" The Sergeant is not above making this a team effort.

Donica follows them and stays very alert for any troubles. She has a sling and dirk and small pouch of rocks by her healer's pouch.

Cole speaks "I...I don't know. Maybe by de... these rocks, not sure someone said he.." He snorts, why does his brother get the girl and not him "He was going sumwhere with Private Renee... wot does he see in her huh, she is like... ummm annoying and I am not annoying, am I annoying... I think not." Yes he is rambling again.

"Didn't ask fo' your personal assessment of private Renee, Cole." Terrence says dryly from the rear. "But as fo' the rocks-" he points, "Halyard's close' to the sea. What would he be doing out here?"

"Y'only annoyin' when y'ramble, Cole. Normally I ignore y', but right now, if there is dangah out 'ere, y'incessant natterin' will attract it towahds us. So I ordah y't'be silent, startin' immediately." Felicity calls a halt and stares pensively at the rocks. "I dunno, but 'tis the best clue we got, Terrence. We'll surround th'rocks an' approach 'em from 2 sides. You lot, go with the Lieutenant and th' Mastah Sergeant an' circle 'round t'the othah side, searchin' as y'go. Th'rest of you, with me." Donica has been put with Terrence, and Cole is with Felicity. She signals, and the 2 groups split up to search around the rocks.

Donica looks around quietly as they walk, at least it was daylight still and it did seem most things were more during the evening hours, or some of the more serious activity anyways. Some was during the day but no reports of much today except the one Private who had gotten a broken toe, she forgot to ask how he broke his toe, she had been tending to some other things. She listens to any directions given and is very carefully, just in case.

Cole starts to speak and then quickly shuts up and frowns, a nod as this is the 2nd time today he has been ordered to be quiet and it's clearly hard to be quiet.

Terrence motions for everyone in his group to be silent, pointing upwards. "Gulls." Indeed, circling over a spot out of sight from the group are four of the birds, their wailing ringing out. Though as one swoops down it just as quickly darts up, driving off by something. "I doubt this has anything to do with ou' missing private," Terrence mutters as he creeps around the stones, "But still - prepare weapons and be ready to advance." As he speaks he unslings the blade from his shoulder, unwrapping the long Spadone to wield it with two paws.

Two voices can be heard in conversation as the hares get closer, but what is being said can't be made out. What ever beasts are speaking and what drew the seagulls attention is still hidden from view.

Felicity leads her group around the side opposite that of Terrence's, signaling them to silence. She loads a stone into her sling, also noting the sea birds. She leads them on a silent and stealthy creep through the rocks, slowing as the voices become more distinct the closer the hares get. The hares are doing quite well at staying quiet and being sneaky. One of the birds has noticed the hares, and starts calling to the other birds, although since they're speaking in the gull language, probably nobody will know what they're saying.

Donica frowns and has a sling, she dislikes gulls or least most gulls. And none of those gulls looked friendly to her. She tries to listen to what is being said and why did the gulls seem to back off slightly. She waits for any orders that are said. Otherwise she stays very quiet and very alert.

Cole edges long all quiet like and peeks around. He is alert as he knows when to be serious. He might soon see or catch a glimpse of just what those seagulls were after. There is a dead rat with an arrow wound, couple broken arrows and... to the left another very dead rat, another rat beside them... gee, someone really hated these rats. A frown as he can't see anything else yet and maybe thats a GOOD thing as... is that a hare? It's not 100% clear yet. But near the body is another rat with a crossbow kind of to the side of them, if one gets a closer look a crossbolt is in what will soon be clear is a hare, just not who just yet.

"I'd heard longears were good fighters, I did," Said the first voice - coming from the lanky form of a ferret that stood over the hare's remains. "But I wouldn't think they could do... this."

"Och," came the second, from a beast crouched by one of the rats. "Ah'm none-tae-sure it were jus' him alone, Ah'm nae. Someone shot th' beast, they did, then must 'ave finished off our lot. Besides, wasnae aware our lot used crossbows." By the bobbing red tail it's clear this other creature is a squirrel. They stand. "Well, cannae jus' leave them tae th'gulls."

Ear flattening at the sight revealed, Terrence clutches his sword. He looks across to the other side were Felicity and her group must see everything as well.

Felicity takes a deep breath, then steps forward. "But we'll be taking the 'are, thanks. That's one o' our uniforms, after all." She holds up her paws to try to be non-threatening, even though she's holding her still-loaded sling. "We're not 'ere t'pick a fight, we're just out 'ere lookin' foh one o' our own who's missin'. Look like y'may 'ave found 'im foh us." She tries to peer at the dead hare from where she is, hoping to look like she's not attacking. A gull dips down in its flight, and the Sergeant glares at it, ready to shoot it with her sling.

Donica stays alert, she frowns as she doesn't have to, go look, it's clear the hare is dead. She gulps a little as it's also clear... that's probably Private Slaw. She will help get him back to camp once they are able to.

Cole peers over the edge and frowns, he still can't see....but he hears bits of the talking. It indeed is poor Private Slaw and he has been dead a few hours. Who ever one of the rats are they did have the crossbow, sadly taken from them and used on, not the rat but the hare. The arrows are... well that's another question but it's not Long Patrol arrows, these are simple make arrows, very simple made with sharpe bits of broken blade maybe as the arrow heads.

As the sergeant steps forward and speaks, the squirrel whirls around to face and drawing up from under his cloak a crossbow. There's a moment or two that he looks ready to shoot.

"Well, Ah'm nae looking fore nae fight, either." He lowers the weapon, gesturing to the private's body. "So 'e were a patroller? Th'lot o' them must 'ave been 'ere since last night, at least."

Terrence steps out, the spadone still in paw. The ferret eyes the hares emerging all around him warily but has enough sense to stay quiet for now.

Felicity takes a few more cautious steps forward, gesturing for her group and Terrence's group to stay where they are. The Runner can sense how tense the situation is, and doesn't want it escalating more than necessary. She gets a good look at the dead hare, and she is filled with sorrow. "Aye, tha's 'bout right. 'E was s'possed t'repoht back t'th'Mountain last night, but nevah showed. Cole, come 'ere, please. We need y't'identify th'body." She glances at the squirrel, then peers at him. "...John?"

Cole peers over and a small weak whimper is heard, a couple deep breaths are taken. He stays close to the sergeant and looks ready to scream, or bolt, or... well something. It's taking everything he has not to rush to his brother's body. Tears start to rain down and a hiccup... he goes to bury his face into the side of the sergeant.

The squirrel's eyes narrow at the sergeant. "We met before?" But as the distraught hare berries his face in Felicity's side, he averts his eyes, feeling the situation is incredibly awkward. "But aye, Ah'm John. Fought alongside ye lot in Halyard, Ah did."

Terrence does lower his sword, vague recognition on his face - he recalled the rather stubborn squirrel from last summer. But his eyes finally fall on the dead hare and he kneels alongside him. "So, if it weren't the rats that killed him, o' even if it was the rats - who killed the rats? Slaw has -" he stops himself, continuing "Was only in a pawful of fights, and while he was a good patrolle', I doubt he'd be so... brutal..." The master-sergeant trails off.

Felicity wasn't expecting that from Cole, but she takes it in stride and goes to wrap her arms around him, stroking his back and ears in a soothing way. She remembers when her brother died. She knows how hard this is. Nodding, she says to the squirrel, "Aye, I remembah tha'. Thought Zoltah's 'orde 'ad killed y'. Glad t'see y'still alive." She turns to Terrence, lips pursed. "I would bet m'scut Slaw could nehav do this. 'Onestly, 'e coulda killed maybe one, but 'e would've been tryin' t'get away. I don't think th'rats oh Slaw were t'blame." She glances at the ferret. "Didn't mean t'eavesdrop, but I couldn't 'elp over'earin' tha' y'don't recognize these rats. Did y'find any clues as to who they were?"

Cole shivers a little, it's clear he is sobbing and manages to calm down a bit. Enough to where he will allow himself to be lead back to camp. He just sort of... let's others lead him back and is so very quiet everyone in the whole camp will likely wonder what the heck is wrong but after seeing Slaw... they will know, they will have their answer to why the chatty, hardly taking a breath as he rambles on and on and yes on....is suddenly... mute, quiet, and just... there in camp.

"Zoltar...?" The squirrel, John, clearly doesn't immediately recall the name. "Och, ye mean th'cat, ye do. No, 'e didnae kill me. Left tha' work tae his underlings."

The ferret clears his throat. "No, they worked for us, they did. Though to everyone who does it was made clear they shouldn't start trouble, with the patrol least of all." He shrugs. "But they were former pirates, so you never know if they'll listen."

Terrence nods slowly at Felicity, not moving from Slaw's body. He's silent.

"Th' arrows an' crossbow th' bolt in th'..." John glances briefly at Cole, "Th' deceased's throat didnae come from nowhere, Ah'd wager. An' Ah doubt looters came o'erwise all th'gold in h'rats ears would 'ave been picked clean, they would. Noh, some beast must 'ave 'ad a vendetta against our rats, an' mayhaps yore 'are got caught in th'middle. Either way, Ah donae much care fore leaving th'bodies out fore th'sun an' gulf to clear, Ah don'."

Felicity winces inwardly, although she doesn't show it. She must've misheard them. It's probably the gulls' fault. She frowns. "Well, sounds like we both 'ave a murderah to search for. Although I do agree, 'twould b' best t'get our dead friends out o' 'ere afore much longah." She calls a couple hares forward, and they make a makeshift stretcher for Slaw's body. She puts a Corporal in charge of keeping Cole safe. "If y'don't mind, we'll look foh a few clues befoh we go. But I 'ope our teams c'n wohk t'gethah t'solve this. Please come find us so we can." When the stretcher is all ready to go and the hares who looked for clues are done, Felicity nods politely and leads her group off, back to camp.

Ol'random · 2021-11-15 04:07:37 PM

Log X: A Short Meeting with Ciocan

http://forum.rwmuck.org/viewtopic.php?id=2213

Log XI: The Letter

11/13/21
Pvt. Donica, Pvt. Rhonwen, Msgt. Terrence, & Lt. Velm, hares
John, a squirrel, & Cleareye, a rat

The skies over Halyard were cloudy and overcast, reflecting the general mood in the Patrol. Since the body of Slaw had been found the security had been tripled both at the camp and the mountain: the main byproduct of this being that no hare was allowed to step foot in Halyard unless they had official business, and no hare could take leave in the town (unless they already lived there). Not that those in the camp had to worry about leave - they were on duty until the mission was finished.

So, the only way for most hares now to get into the village was via patrolling, which is where we find a squad of them now. In the rear of the group, passing through a deserted side street in town, Terrence is there to mostly observe and enforce the 'no-going-anywhere-alone' policy the LP has, though he had the intention of investigating the mercenary group today if they could.

Velm came along to help, even though he was a little tired from escorting Cole back to the mountain. He stays alert as he looks around the streets, a small frown forms.

Rhonwen has mainly been at camp but found out she can't always be at camp so, she needed to go on a patrol as she hasn't been on a true patrol yet for this mission.

Donica walks close to the others, staying alert for any troubles and alert, though slightly tense since not many are around "This could be good, or bad"

Halyard as a whole is rather empty, especially compared to the way it was before the summer attack and occupation. Turning the corner does reveal some life though - a small market of shady looking stalls with venders of various species standing by them. Some respond to the hares by packing up their wares and closing shops, others plaster on smiles and begin trying to sell to the hares, while others still continue on as they were.

"Oi, y'there, 'are maids, fancy a genuine gold necklace?" says a surprisingly plump rat, holding up the piece of jewelry to Donica and Rhonwen. The gold looks....... almost real.

"I'll give ya a fair price, y'ave me word."

Another vender leans out to Velm with an apple in paw. "Sire," The weasel speaks, "Would you an' yer hares care for some fruit? Freshly delivered from the southland, they are!"

Velm shakes his head as he is on duty and being extra careful as he is on duty. He makes sure the hares stay close together as he walks along, he is not intrested in any buying today just making sure there is any trouble going on.

Rhonwen blinks, she does sort of glace at the necklace and then sighs, she best stay close to the others she decides as she catches up to the other hares.

Donica does smile at a more friendly looking beast, a nod to another as she is shown something "Not today, maybe another day.." She speaks quietly "Well least not all the streets are deserted."

The weasel's face falls when Velm passes, and it's not just him that can be heard grumbling about the 'Longears' as they pass.

"Least ye could do is at least BUY somethin' while ye lot parade through the streets!" Somebeasts shouts from the small crowd of village beasts, a motley collection of woodlanders and vermin- all of whom are clearing out from the road itself, avoiding being close to the hares.

Many are nodding and shouting their own agreement. "Yeh! Least y'could do instea' o' struttin' about!"

A third of the stalls have guards, mostly vermin armed with a collection of cutlasses and spears, though a few carry expensive sabers, lances, and more unique arms. Just where they got these weapons is anyones guess, though among the crowd a squirrel is pushing his way through to eye the hares.

"I'm not sure if that's a good o' bad thing, private." Terrence mutters to Donica, his paw on his weapon. "Lieutenant, perhaps we should pick up the pace?"

Velm nods in agreement "Yeah, sounds wise." He does make sure his weapon is close "Its gonna a lot rougher lately than it has been. I say... sometimes we could buy something but not today. We still need to find out who attcked those rats just outside of town, and if... Private Slaw was killed by the rats or... some other beast"

Rhonwen turns and starts to say something to a rat and then thinks better of it and decides to just be quite and not say anything as it likely be rude. She sighs a little, likely missing her friend Private Renee... or is that Recruit Renee now.

Donica frowns, she then speaks "Thar was a nice ferret the other day, selling some sea shells and some candies... he was very polite and nice, and yeah some others are... not so nice"

Since the bodies of four rats had been found next to that of a Patrol hare, rumors and speculation had spread like wildfire in the small town. The four rats were known to a good third of the population - with at least half the place blaming the deaths on the Long Patrol, regardless of what actually happened or what beasts said.

They pass by the ferret who sells sea shells, who avoids making eye-contact with any of the hares. It's clear the general mood has shifted against them. A stoat spits on the ground in front of the hares.

"Indeed. But speculation'll do little fo' us now, I'd say." Terrence had sped up to fall instep besides Velm. "I doubt anything'll happen, though just to be safe- let's head down here." he points down a wide street leading to the main square. "Most of the shops along this way are still open, like the bakery, and it's a bit nice'."

Velm nods as he leads the hares towards where the bakery is "We still should try and find clues, it will help... well hopefully, to find out wot be going on. I have not heard much more of the possible snake or one rat called it a were rat maybe even that comes out at night. I would like to see the village least respecting us a little better some how."

Rhonwen frowns a bit and speaks "You... you don't think that, ummm, some beast is out to like take out hares do you?" Okay she is worried, then it was four agaist one in the fight or so she heard so its possible the rats attcked and outnumbered a hare,or something worse is out there in the shadows.

Donica says, "I am not too worried, a snake would soon have to go underground... and a wererat... maybe wolverine? Could be around. I do hope we find out wot is going on, I... don't think the same beast causeing trouble killed cole or those rats, I think we may have two different problems which... well is not good of course"

"No," Terrence shakes his head, "The beasts 'round here are ratha' tight-lipped, and I'm not sure us asking about such things has helped. And whoeve' it was that killed Slaw, Rhonwen, there are fou' dead rats and only one of ours." He stops, silting his ears towards the healer-private. "And what makes you think that, Donica?" He's genuinely curious.

The street is less crowded than the last one, though plenty of villagers are going about their day. A rat peers out from an alleyway at them, seemingly trying to catch one of the hares' eyes discreetly and wave them over.

Velm hmms as he looks over at the rat and arches an eyebrow. He whispers at Terrence about the rat who seems very interested in talking to them. "Always good to be alert of course, on any day and any where"

Rhonwen frowns but is, ok a little jumpy at a noise but is ok again after a moment.

Donica speaks, she doesn't see the rat. "Well, they are seem more... tense after Private Slaw died and they were so tense before and also , well... no one tried to kill one of us and suddenly one of us is dead, I know Slaw was off duty at de time but still... did the rats attack him? Did he attck them? ..do we know, sadly no"

"Perhaps Donica," Terrence shrugs. but perhaps the reason none of the patrol died was because they couldn't get one of us alone, until Slaw. But regardless, that rat there-"

When the hares don't seem to want to come over, the rat tries another tactic. "Longears! Git o'er 'ere!" He hisses loud enough for them all to hear.

Terrence raises a brow. "Well, Shall we see what he wants?" Without another word, the master-sergeant strides over. "Yes?" He asks, as politely as he can manage.

"Er," The rat glances over the tall hare towards the others. "Got somethin' t'tell ya, I do. Though-" he looks up and down the street as if searching for something, "I don't want t'say 'ere. Too many eyes an' ears there are." Indeed, the conversation had drawn the attention of quite a few beasts by now - including the squirrel from earlier.

Terrence turns back to Velm. "Well, lieutenant?"

Velm takes a deep breath, "We could just stay alert" He tells Terrence as they walk over. He stays alert, they are in a group so it is safer.

Rhonwen is a little slow, but keeps up with the others as she glaces around as if to make sure all is okay and lets the higher up hares see what is going on or what is needed to know.

Donica frowns "Yeah, Slaw was... alone, no idea why either... Private Renee was with him a short while." She has not heard of what happen with Proivate Renee or if she is even still a Private or in the patrol.

Terrence grunts, casting a look at Donica as she speaks. "Perhaps we should set that aside fo' now, leastways until we're back in the camp."

As the hares are prepared to follow him, the rat points down the alleyway. "This way, if ya please..."

"Hang on - why can't you say what you need to and be done with it?" The master-sergeant isn't all that eager to head down an alley, not with his history of them. "O' even one of the shops here. We even could step into that groce' if you require privacy."

The rat bites his tongue. "Well, truth b'told I got a few lads that wanna meet some o' ya. Down this way." There's something in his demeanor that makes it clear he's afraid about something in the area. Perhaps he's scared of the hares.

Velm frowns slightly, a paw to his weapon as he seems to debate on following the rat. "Meet us...why?" he asks, he looks around slightly and back to the rat. They do need to find out what is going on in the village but at the same time be careful. He will fight if need be. "Thoughts Sarg?"

Rhonwen studies the rat but she will follow any orders given to her as if its follow she will follow and if its stay here she will stay here.

Donica nods "Right." They can speak of other matters at camp, for now they needed to see what the issue with this lone rat and his possible friends were. "I say we stay together wot ever we do"

The master-sergeant regards the rat and the alleyway for some time before speaking, "Daresay I'm not eage' to follow the rat, howeve' I still wish to hea' what he has to say."

"Well, Longea- I mean, 'ares," the rat quickly corrects himself, shifting his weight from paw to paw, "Ya'd be mighty interested, I think, in what m'friend 'ave t'say t'you, sure as day."

"Och, Cleareye," cuts in a voice from behind the group, "Ye seem nervous, ye d'. Cat's got yore tongue?" The rat's eyes go wide and he backs into the alleyway. "Donnae be like tha', friend," Continues the squirrel, advancing forward and ignoring the hares. "Me an' ye need tae have a few words, we do. So if ye wan'tae make this easy on yoreself, let's just go fore a wee walk, aye?"

Velm looks between the rat and the squirrel and clears his voice "Do you, know one another?" He does put the name to memory in case they do find these beasts that want to chat.

Rhonwen frowns, getting a little worried now "Maybe... maybe you... friends? ....can talk later or something or..." Okay she is being quiet the rest of the patrol here.

Donica stays very alert but trusts the Lt and the Master Sargeant on what to do next, she does glance at the squirrel and "You... seem... sound familar"

The squirrel pays little attention to hares, throwing an arm around the rat and starting down the alleyway. "Come alon', now." He calls over his shoulder to the hares. It's clear to see the rat's terrified. "We donae got all day, we don'. Let's meet these friends o' Cleareye."

"Lieutenant..." Terrence murmurs, "I think that squirrel might end up murdering the rat. I'd rathe' we don't go, but the rat-"

"Are ye lot comin'?" The squirrel shouts from the alleyway.

Velm tries to think, one of those try to make the right move sort of thing. A deep breath as he speaks closer "I think... Cleareye can stand by us, he seemed less... nervous around us and maybe he can catch up to you later sur" He likely has no plan to but, "And maybe we can... let ya know if tis important or not... sur"

Donica is unsure and edges a little closer to the rat and squirrel, just a little closer as she stays alert and careful as she can. She rather not see anyone hurt.

"You don't call me sir, lieutenant," Terrence whispers as quietly as he can, keeping an eye on the rat and squirrel until they disappear around the corner. "I'd like the chance to ask the rat a few things, but's your call eithe' way. "

Velm had been trying to speak to the squirrel and nods "We need info and that rat and his friends he spoke of have it I think. I say we try and see wot we can find out, but be alert and very careful and make sure we all stick together."

Donica is alert of course, to what is around them and the dark alley. A frown as she looks to the others to see what is happening next a paw near her sling and she has her medical pouch too if one is hurt.

His face going slightly pink as he realizes Velm was addressing the squirrel, Terrence falls in step in the rear without another word. The squirrel pokes his head around the corner. "Ye lot comin' ore no'?"

When they turn the corner they see a few beats mulling about, with the rat and squirrel already turning down another alley. After several twists and turns the hares will come across a small group of beasts - the same sort of mix of vermin and woodlanders that was around the market - in front of an old warehouse. "If ye'd like tae step inside, yore welcome tae." The squirrel says, already over the threshold with the rat. "Yore in nae danger 'ere, long as ye donnae go sayin' something stupid, yore no'."

Velm is still careful, still alert and scaning the area for any signs of trouble. He hmmms softly "Stay together" He says quietly as together is best, it's never wise to get sepreated even if it is so called safe here, he remains unsure. They are here to hopefully get some info on whats going on around the village.

Donica stays close and looks around.She relaxes a little but as a patrol hare she knows to never let her guard totally down, she even makes sure some of the others listen on the stay together thing.

The beasts don't seem too pleased with the presence of hares in the Long Patrol uniform.

When they step inside, they discover that t least half the old building has been converted into a makeshift barracks. More creatures - mice, rats, ferrets, stoats, squirrels, otters - are all over the building and armed, all looking the unsavory sort and all eyes on the hares. The squirrel forces the rat into a chair as two guards step behind the hares and block the doorway, and finally the bushy-tailed creature turns to face Velm and the others.

"Righ' then." The squirrel grunts as the beast start surrounding the hares, "Now that's done with, suppose Ah shoul' set a few things straight, shouldn' Ah? An' put tha' away," he adds sharply to Terrence, who'd begun drawing out his blade, "There's a nice hare, there is."

Velm stays calm as he has been through a lot worse than this. He speaks "Set wot right? And I remember ya now, you're John from de..." A deep breath "That big battle with de horde"

Donica stays close to Velm, she is a little worried when they are surrounded and then looks over at the rat, the rat did ant them here and now he seems like he rather not be here, so what is up. She is quiet and listens and stays of course alert, she lets the Lt. and Master Sargeant do the talking.

The squirrel, John, gives an exaggerated bow. "Th'very same, lieutenant. An' th'sames th'sergeant there met when we found th'bodies o' our rats an' yore private." He nods to Terrence, who frowns.

"As fore why ye lot are here, well, a fair few clients o' ours, meanin' many o' th' concerned citizens o' Halyard, 'ave wished ye lot tae leave th'village alone. They seem tae believe ye an' yore ilk are in part responsible fore many o' their woes in recent memory. So we're here tae kindly ask ye tae leave, as quick as ye like. Ye see, they donae feel th'patrol has done much tae help in th'grand scheme o' things, they don'."

Velm listens as John speaks, "The patrol wants to help. To try and prevent any future... attcks by possible hordes. I know some of the villagers do not get along, some do I know. The horde was defeated and yes lives were lost on both sides." He thinks a moment "Maybe we can help one another somehow" He looks at Cleareye "Maybe... ya can let Cleareye speak as well, on his thoughts." He knows the village use to be fine with the hares, and some do want them to stay, but this group for some reason... don't, and he wants to know why. "Wot are some of the things that have happen, since the battle with the horde?"

Donica frowns at this, she knows the patrol gets supplies threw the village same as the village does, from the sea ports mainly. She has friends here and knows a hare that lives here.

"Th'slavers an' pirates who have always moved through town fore one," replies the squirrel with a shrug. "An' th'trouble 'round th'docks when yore lot were fixing them. One o' ye were hell bent on starting trouble, an' not many have forgotten, they haven't. But what help can ye give, really? Th'patrol's stretched thin enough as it is, an' ye an' Ah can both tell from th'recent attack some here're willing tae resort tae violence. Nae one wants that, Ah can swear on tha'. Cleareye'll stay put, an' ye should know better than trusting rats urgin' ye down alleyways, ye should." He gives the rat an incredibly dirty look; the rodent shrinks further into his chair. "An' even if Ah wanted tae negotiate, that's none o'me business, it 'tis. Me- our job is tae rely th'wishes o' our clients."

Terrence has been slowly turning to face the door, taking in the beasts around the hares. "Count at least twenty." He murmurs to the others, "Bad idea to fight our way out, I'd say."

Velm is trying to keep the calm, he looks at John "You seem, in charge them hmmm?" He knows a fight would be bad so he is trying to avoid it, as John speaks of the recent attck "The 4 rats... we would like ta know who as well, who ever it is killed one of our own who was off duty." He tries to remember who tried to start trouble before, he frowns. "Maybe we can gind out who it was that killed the 4 rats and out Private, look for clues... together. As for wot the patrol can do, I don't know... but I do know we can try and find out who killed the 4 rats and the private and make sure they don't get a chance to do it again, even if it means..." Death he thinks, "You looked as well, were they... clues? I know arrows and de crossbow which may of been taken from another, seeing as it was left behind."

Donica gulps a little, okay so maybe here was a bad idea but they are learning at least... some things. She decides to speak "Slaw would... not harm anyone, he sooner talk non stop to a beast or... or play jokes on them,not... kill and... I dont believe he killed those rats... someone else had to of, and maybe... maybe Slaw knows who and they killed him to make him stay quiet." She is just thinking, yes out loud but she knew how Slaw and even Cole was, jokers and clowns and if they seem trouble they likely would run not charge to it. "Please... we should, we need to... figure this out together ...to make things better."

John narrows his eyes. "Ah can tell ye th'arrows were crudely made, an' not ours. Nor d' Ah think they're yores, less yore budget's been cut. O' course, wouldnae be all tha' surprising, considering th'patrol's recent difficulties. But nae matter - Ah didnae bring ye here tae chat about tha', Ah didnae. Nae, Ah've already told ye what many want. Th'patrol tae leave th'town well-enough alone."

Terrence isn't quite so sure of Donica's assessment of Slaw, as he remembers his actions during the siege in May. But he keeps that to himself. Instead, he clears his throat. "If I may, who exactly are your clients?"

The squirrel's tail twitches from side to side. "As Ah said, citizens, a few concerned parties, tha' type. An' Ah willnae be sayin' more on tha'. Nae," he steps forward to the closest hare - Donica - and shoves a letter in her paw. "Give tha' letter tae yore lord, if ye would." He waves to the guards blocking the door. "Ye lot can go as ye please, but be mindful what ye heard today. Our clients are very eager tae see ye gone."

Velm isn't so sure of this or if it's the truth. "So why is the rat Cleareye so nervous if your friends?" He looks at Terrence and whispers "I don't trust this squirrel one bit,something is up... we need to find out wot."

Donica frowns, she looks at the Lt and the Master Sargeant quietly. She looks at the rat cleareye and looks around the room slowly, this has to be wrong somehow. She peers at the letter slightly, she will get a better look here when they srart to head to the doorway.

"If tha' were yore business tae know Ah would tell ye," John offers a smile that does not reach his eyes. "Ye have me word. But it's not yore concern, no' one bit."

Terrence replies in a similar tone, "That may be, lieutenant, but perhaps we should make our escape while we can, yes?"

If she turns the letter over in her paw, Donica might spot a tiny scrap of paper tucked neatly into the letter - but it's clear that John or whoever else put it there wanted it to be kept hidden from all the beast in the barracks.

Donica catches sight of it and places it in a safe place in her uniform for such letters, her frown stays as she speaks "We... we will deliver the letter as you said"

Velm takes a deep breath and a nod to Terrence "We should go Sargeant." He says in a flat tone, still being alert for trouble.

Bowing his head in a polite manor, John says, "O' course ye will." Then without another word he turns his back to the hares, his attention shifting wholly onto the rat Cleareye. What he begins murmuring to the rat can't be made out by any of the patrollers even if they strain their ears.

Terrence doesn't need to be told twice, and truth be told he was already inching towards the door. "You heard the lieutenant, let's go."

No one blocks their path or hinders their progress, and they can safely make it back to the main streets.

"So..." Terrence begins. "That was... something."

Donica is staying silent, she is tense but she was tense before this and frowns.She says nothing,nothing at all till she knows they are far away, a good distance from the group. She catches up to Terrnece and Velm and clears her throat, once and only once they have walked a fair distance... "Surs..." She gets out the letter slowly, again ONCE they are away from what ever that was back there.

Velm shakes his head "Yeah, it... was... not sure wot to make of it, least no fight happen to which I am glad of." He is making sure they do indeed get away from the area, all of the hares and he will punish any that stay behind. He sighs and his ears perk, he looks at "Donica... are you ok?" his voice concerned, he can't help it, she and him are to get married in a short few weeks, well hopefully with things being so annoying busy.

"I'm not sure, eithe'. No' am I too keen on- hmm?" The master-sergeant glances back at the private. "What is it, Donica?"

The letter itself is in a fine envelope, the wax seal bearing three crossed tails of a lizard, a ferret, and a mouse. But the little scrap of paper beneath the letter is easily readable, despite being hastily scribbled:

"In two days time, come to under the docks after midnight. Be careful to not be seen."

Donica lets Terrence have the letter, or rather letters and then goes to hold Velm as she is a little tense, she speaks quietly "I just want to get back to camp." She will calm staying close to Velm and be quiet the rest of the way to camp.

Velm of course holds onto Donica a little while and nods, keeping her close beside him as he looks to Terreence and speaks,"Wot is it Terrence?"

Terrence makes a point of looking past the two hares' display while on duty, giving a small cough into his paw. "It seems it's a meeting." He holds it out to Velm. "What for and with who it doesn't say, though I imagine that John might be involved, considering he was the one who handed this to Donica. "

Velm nods as he leads them back to camp, he will stay alert and make sure all is well.He nods and once at Camp they can relax more or lest try to relax.

"Well," Terrence says as the reach the camp, passing by the sentries, "I'll go and tell the captain about today now. Lieutenant." He salutes quickly, before heading off down the rows of tents.

Last edited by Ol'random (2021-11-16 09:43:42 PM)

Ol'random · 2021-11-16 09:41:10 PM

Log XII: Before Dawn Wake Up Call

http://forum.rwmuck.org/viewtopic.php?id=2214

Log XIII: Eyes in the Dark

11/15/21

Pvt. Rhonwen, Msgt. Terrence, Lt. Velm, & Pvt. Zywie

The general mood of the camp was a quiet nervousness - Elbio's rather unexpected and quick return in the early hours of the morning had shocked most hares, and the following dispatches to investigate what happened have yet to return even by nightfall. Very few knew exactly what happened... But regardless, Terrence stood with a small selection of troops getting ready to set out.

"Be ready to set out in a few minutes - I want to get there before anyone else might arrive, dig in, and watch what happens and who shows up."

Velm had spent time making sure Elbio was, well stable, there wasn't much else he could really do. He walks forward and gives a nod to Terrence.

Rhonwen frowns as she is among those chosen "Wh... where are we going sur?" There had been so much talk in camp of this and that, she is just a little confused on who is checking what and when.

Zywie adjusts her small pack, she was ready to go where needed and stood quietly. She got some needed rest during the afternoon and now was about to follow the Master Sergeant on the latest mission. "I am ready" She replies softly.

Looking at Rhonwen as if seeing her for the first time, Terrence blinks. "Er, right." After a moment to let the hares gather there things, he steps up in front of the group. "Right then. Two days ago we encountered a group of locals who were armed and wanted the patrol to leave - one of them handed private Donica a lette' with a message attached, asking us to meet in two days time - meaning tonight - at midnight unde' the harbo' docks. The astute among you might have noticed only a few hours past sunset, with hours more until the middle of the night. That's because the majority of you - squads a & b - will be finding spots to dig in and watch, in case it's a trap."

He pauses, casting his gaze over the hares. "It is important that none of us are seen, due to both the message implored us to keep hidden and ou' own mistrust of whoeve' we're supposed to be meeting. So, in short: we'll be spending the night ankles deep in wet sand and mud to watch fo' someone who may o' may not be trying to kill us. Understood?"

Velm nods in understanding,hey can't be worse than a snow storm. "Sounds good, also be alert." He sighs, maybe a bit concerned over other matters but this was important as well.

Rhonwen nods and gives a salute to show she understands. "Right sur." She is not to worried, not yet anyways but there was a small rumor that someone clearly dislikes hares, whether this someone was from Halyard or elsewhere, the keep alert truly has a serious meaning.

Zywie asks, "Yes sur, a long night is not too bad and a patrol hare needs to be ready fer anything, right sur?"

Nodding, Terrence turns on his heel. "Hares, forward march!"

With the order given the master-sergeant leads the small group of hares out of the camp and into the dark towards Halyard. It's cold this night with the moon hidden behind clouds - perhaps the lieutenant may have goaded fate by thinking of a snow storm... Eventually, they make it to Halyard, giving the town a wide berth until they get close to the docks. Once there, Terrence waves for silence before creeping forward as quietly as he can. The wooden structures of the harbor loom in the darkness with under the docks being even blacker than the night air.
"No fires, keep swords and othe' blades covered."

Velm nods as he listens and acts as a sort of back guard, just in case. He listened carefully and watched for any movement in the area that wasn't a hare, but he did keep a mental note on where each hare was as well. After that unexpected wake up call, he was unsure what was happening.

Rhonwen frowns but was good at being quiet when needed. The idea of no fire was upsetting but it made since and any possible enemy likely would not have a fire going either. She keep her weapon hidden,but her paw close to it at the same time. She stayed close to the group she was in.

Zywie was doing well in the patrol,this being her first real mission to be on, yes she had been in a couple marches but this was different. She slowly scans the area and listened for sounds, she was alert as well and moved slowly, carefully with the group.

There was no movement or sound beyond the waves gently lapping at the wood and sand. As Terrence crept into the dark, with the other presumably following, he finds a spot under a ledge to kneel down. "Pvts. Zywie, Rhonwen - you're up on first watch. Keep an eye out fo' anything fo' the next hou'. Konne' and Addersmith'll take you' place then."

Velm keep watch where he was, luckily he managed to get a little rest before coming to help. He stayed quiet just watching and listening.

Rhonwen nods, she gives a quiet "Yes...sur" and goes to carefully kept watch for, well anything really. She watches the water and the sand, even looks up every so often.

Zywie does as she is told, sitting quietly once she is where she needs to be. She frowned at some cold wind but once they were done with this, they could go back to a nice fire at the LP camp.

There's nothing to note under the docks, at first. After the hour is nearly up, though - there's something. Something is moving on the far side under the docks, something that can't quite be made out. Terrence is unaware, as is the rest of the hares, all trying to pass the time and not doze off.

Velm blinks, wait movement? He frowns and edges a little closer to watch, there was indeed something and he needed to let another hare know but also stay hidden so the wrong beast don't see them.

Rhonwen is awake, well half awake but this is a little boring but her watch is up soon, right...

Zywie frowns at any small movement and is slightly spooked by a crab, but she holds in any urge to make a sound luckily. She tilts her head, was the a trick of the light or was something, someone close by. She frowned and keep silent, she needs to alert a higher up... somehow, how though? She can figure it out.

Standing, Terrence stretches. "Alright, you two," He mutters, "All I need is your report and that'll do fo' now - Konne', Addersmith, get up here!" He hisses into the dark. But there isn't an immediate answer...

Whatever had been creeping around in the dark had gotten closer, and closer.

"Here, sarge!" Konne' squeaks, crawling forward. It's rather lucky the dark hides how half his face is red from falling asleep against a pillar. "Addersmith's right behind me."

Velm frowns,he edges closer to the others, slowly so he is not seen. He has noticed the movement and is being careful. He frowns though when he loses sight of it. He singles to a Private to be extra quiet and careful,there could be someone in the dark.

Rhonwen gives her report quietly so Terrence can hear and no one else "Zywie may of... seen movement once sur or it was the moonlight and shadows playing tricks, I... don't know sur" All said in a whisper, a quiet whisper so only Terrence hears.

"I see..." Terrence murmurs. "Rhonwen, go make sure the rest of the hares are up and at the ready, as quietly as you can. Konne', Addersmith -" he turns to glare at the two. "Get up here and keep your eyes open. There might be movement."

The rest of the hares haven't noticed the fact Velm has moved forward. Some are sleeping, some are having hushed conversations- three are playing cards! Whatever it is that both Zywie and Velm saw has stilled in the dark, though the large bulk of it stretches behind, formless in the dark.

If anyone looks closely two eyes can just be made out, glowing ever so slightly.

Velm frowns as he scans, his ears go down as he then moves along.He shakes a couple of the hares and makes a shhh motion and points behind him, he gets closer to Konnor... "Konnor..." He whispers. "Something... behind" He mouths once he looks at him.

Rhonwen frowns and slides down a little and sits, she will wake anyone if needed,She does tense up a little when she sees... oh it's just the Lt., wait why is the Lt closer to them and not umm... like way in the back? Okay now she is a bit worried.

Konner can't see what Velm is mouthing to him - it's too dark. "Lieutenant, sah...?" He questions, his face creasing. "What is it?"

"Shh-" Terrence hushes, "I think I see it too." He hadn't moved from the watch spot. "Two points, twenty yards away. Doubt it's the creature who wanted to meet us- still an hou' at least to midnight."

The two eyes just stare at the hares, unblinking and unmoving.

Velm studies it for a moment, and frowns a little from where he is. This seems... odd. He keeps a paw close to his weapon and is starting to not like these eyes one bit.

Rhonwen frowns and ear ears flatten, she looks at another hare. "Wot... wot if its... I think it... sees us" Or least, some of them anyways as she flattens down now trying to not shiver, good thing it's dark.

The eyes haven't moved in all the time they've been talking. "Well, it's looking right at us, sah." Konner can't keep the slightly shrill note from his voice. "What is that?"

Terrence shrugs. "Suppose it'd be a rathe' poor idea to get a close' look, wot. Howeve'- Konne', Rhonwen, you stay here. Addersmith, go get the rest of the hares to fall back outside the docks. We'll make some noise if we need you lot."

And then - the eyes moved, accompanied by a shuffling sound. They winked out of existence as it seemingly turned away...

Velm frowns and wraps a paw around a weapon and stays very still, very quiet, and very alert. And listens to sounds. This could be a trick, or it could be something dangerous.

Rhonwen stays where she is told to stay as others slowly and carefully fall back in case needed.

As the last bit of the thing disappears into the dark towards the sea, Terrence lets out a breath he'd been holding. "That was something. And hopefully it won't be back tonight. Still, keep an eye and ear out in case it returns - if it does, we move out. I don't want us to tangle with whateve' that is."

After whatever it was left beneath the docks was left quiet and empty once again.

Velm frowns, he still alert as he frowns. It seemed snake like, but snakes in the water seemed odd, unless some sort of pike maybe... again those are in fresh water. He can make his thoughts known once back at camp.

After the encounter with whatever that was, nothing else happens that night. The distant grey light of dawn was beginning to grow before Terrence stood again, rolling his shoulders.

"Well, this was a bust it seems. At least the light can show bette' the tracks of that thing, hmm?" He steps out from under the ledge to the large grooves which had been formed the night previous. "Snake, maybe? Overweight lizard?"

Velm frowns, "Maybe... no one was to meet us, we just needed to see wot ever... that was, maybe it appears at de same time every night. Reptile like eyes... are thar such a thing as sea snakes?"

"Perhaps." Terrence doesn't sound all that convinced. "I'll orde' some of our scouts - who've no doubt been sleeping soundly this whole time - to take a close' look today while the rest of us head back to camp." He turns, heading for the open beach and the group of hares beyond. "That thing may have been ou' ghost snake we've been hearing about, o' something else totally unrelated - to both the rumors and the message." It's clear the master-sergeant is thinking allowed more than anything. "Perhaps we should find the squirrel and have a chat? Yes... That could shed some light, maybe. Though how to get him to talk..."

Velm shrugs and frowns "De rat too?" There was a rat, if it's still alive that is. He keeps watch and makes sure a path back is safe, yeah he needs some rest "Let's hope... nothing else happens, no other surprises."

"The rat?" Terrence looks momentarily confused. "Oh, yes - if we find him, that'll certainly help as well." He blinks in the morning light as the sun rises over the far mountains. "But fo' now, we should head back. Perhaps check on Elbio..." He clears his throat, stepping among the mostly sleeping hares who'd spent the night on the beach.

"RISE AND SHINE!" He bellows, "We're marching back to the camp now, up and at 'em! Breakfast, then bed- if you lot aren't already rested enough."

Last edited by Ol'random (2021-11-16 09:44:28 PM)

Ol'random · 2021-11-18 11:00:17 PM

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.

BlisaMarshmellow · 2021-11-19 09:29:31 PM

I can't read Roman numerals, so i have no idea what number this is: http://forum.rwmuck.org/viewtopic.php?id=2217 but there's the next log

Ol'random · 2021-11-20 07:36:42 PM

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.

Last edited by Ol'random (2021-11-20 07:53:24 PM)

Ol'random · 2021-11-22 06:59:25 PM

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."

Last edited by Ol'random (2021-12-07 06:17:19 PM)

Ol'random · 2021-11-24 04:50:19 PM

Log XVIII. (18); More than Broth, please

11/23/21
Pvt. Donica, Lt. Elbio, Msgt. Terrence, & Lt. Velm
+ Lcpl Burnfield (spoof)

Elbio has been awake off and on the past day and a half. A healer checks on him a number of times, also they are making sure he drinks some water, and has a little broth, nothing too major just yet. His wounds were healing good, and he was more aware of the here and now than he was yesterday when he first woke. He drifted off to sleep a good bit yesterday but he did manage to get out some important news, shocking news in fact and it's unclear if any others know the news yet .

Donica has yet to hear much news, of course most knew by now that the Lt. had awaken, but besides that nothing else, or least she didn't know what happen to the Lt., just that he was awake since yesterday.

No recent excursions to the village had been made - not since the vixen had run into camp. Many hares spent the first day after she came waiting for something, anything to happen.

But it didn't. By now, the third day hence, most hares had moved on. Yet the orders to remain in camp with double the usual guard remained and had no sign of lifting. Of course, Elbio waking up has spread rumours like wildfire throughout the place which had distracted the hares; many said the lieutenant was attacked by a monster - some describe it like the creature spotted a week ago, other's claim it was a seven armed fox, and still yet others claimed an evil badger lord long since forgotten had come back to take his vengeance on the hares of the Long Patrol.

The actual facts of the matter were known to around pawful of creatures - nearly all of them the officers present in the camp. Desperate for nows, some hares linger around the healers' tent to catch a glimpse or overhear a conversation, which has resulted in the healers requesting a guard to be posted outside the tent to turn away any non-healers who weren't officers.

Elbio hasn't done too much talking since yesterday, but at least he has a bit more energy and isn't as tired as he was the day before. He half sits up, okay pain so that's a bad idea as he lays the rest of the way back down. A soft sigh escapes him.

Donica walks over as she hears the sigh "Hallo, did you need something? I can get you some water or maybe something to eat?"

Elbio smiles slightly "Sure, just..maybe something besides broth, if that's... that's possible?"

Donica hmmms "Maybe some soup, but it would still have broth and maybe finely cut vegetables, you should still take it easy the next few days."

Elbio nods "That's... fine.Taking it easy won't be too hard thar is still pain and no energy to do much of anything yet."

Donica excuses herself and heads off quietly to get the mentioned soup, and some water as well.She will likely be gone a few moments.

The tent guard, a private with the last name of Harolds, barely glances at her as the healer leaves. The lance-corporal healer from yesterday is still around in the tent however- keeping an eye on Elbio and the other hare that's in the tent (placed on the opposite side as far away from the lieutenant as possible), that Addersmith who caught a cold.

Elbio goes to sit up, at least a little so he can better eat and drink something. He hated being stuck in the infirmary tent but at least he was alive. And being alive was good, he did scare the others at least once though, but then he finally woke up.

Velm enters the tent, a nod to the beasts inside and goes to check on Addersmith first,"Hallo..feeling any better lad?"

Donica returns with the soup and some water to take over to Lt. Elbio. She glances over at Velm and sits down to help Elbio if he needs any help eating the soup and she will hold the cup for him as well. "Still small sips, small bites for now... if you do well with this we can see about something a bit better in a couple days"

Addersmith makes a low groan, answering with a sneeze. "'E's fine enough, sah, even if 'is voice is shot." The lance-corporal says as she floats past the officer. "'E'd pulled to many all nightahs is my best guess."

Elbio does need a little help, he eats better today, still slowly and small bites to make sure he doesn't get ill. He does glance over at the others quietly. After eating the soup, drinking most of the water he leans back to relax again, nodding his thanks.

Velm nods "A cold is easy enough to get over...." He watches Elbio "It could be worse after all." He will slowly make his way over to where Elbio is.

Donica nods a hello, a quick salute and steps back a little "Lt. Velm is doing better, course he still has a long way to go before he is up and about"

Elbio glances at Velm, "Hey thar.... didn't plan ta be back at camp so soon.... then again didn't know was gonna be ambushed either by an insane beast." He frowns now, still trying to figure out why even, a sigh as it was not likely he would get to help much, if at all for several days.

Velm frowns, he heard of course who and what happen when the officers had a private meeting. "You're lucky those two otters was nearby... otherwise..." He decides to not think on it, he looks back to his fellow Lt. "You just take things slow, no rush to recover... this will take time to heal, very likely your be stuck with us for de winter season, you won't be fully able to travel before winter hits and, well tis worse in Mossflower than here in winter." A smile then "Sides... maybe you can be there for me and Donica wedding, its should be right before winter starts, well hopefully"

Donica smiles, "Likely after this issue with Halyard is worked out." Other things could be worked out after the wedding she hoped and a good feast and something to be happy about would do the hares some good before going off on yet another mission.

Elbio looks between them, a smile... a weak one but a smile "I will, try my best to be thar, even if it's on crutches."

Velm says, "Only if your well enough Elbio. You should be by then, least enough to attend a wedding and likely feast."

Donica sits down now as there is not much to do in the infirm, that was a very good thing in fact as healers don't want to have a lot to do in the infirmary, not on a mission for sure.

Elbio chuckles, thjen tenses up... "Owwww.." He mutters, laughing hurts ,pain gain is a good sign of being alive. He soon let's some tiredness overtake him as he goes back to sleep, rest is also needed to recover and he likely will get a lot of rest .

Velm stands "We should, let him rest. Rest is best fer him. Make sure he eats and drinks something, check on his wounds and that sort of thing." He will leave the infirmary tent.

Donica follows after Velm, "Its been quiet the past couple nights. I wonder when we will do another patrol close to the village."

The lance-corporal, Burnfield, salutes. "Of course, sah."

As the lieutenant steps out of the tent, however, his name is called. "Lt. Velm!" Terrence is striding over, holding a report in his paws. "Do you have a moment?"

Velm nods, he motions for Donica to go ahead to the mess tent and turns his attention to Terrence "Wot is it Sargeant?"

"Yesterday," Terrence begins once Donica is out of earshot, "I had a copy of my conversation with Elbio sent to both you and the captain - and I wanted to make sure it reached you." He offers the paper. "The information is of a sensitive nature fo' now, so please be careful about speaking of it to others, lieutenant."

Velm nods "I know." He looks around and shakes his head "Something has ta be done, thats fer sure but least we know at least some of the attacks was not this mytsery group of beasts."

Donica is out of ear shot as she enters the mess tent to have something to eat and will try and relax till she is on sentry duty.

Terrence taps the page, his voice low and face stern. "Elbio told me who attacked him - and who claimed to have killed Slaw and those rats, lieutenant. It was Zolomon, Velm. Zolomon Anderson."

Velm ears go flat, a deep calming breath. "Zolomon..... on the shores? That can't be fer a good reason, he was banish and it was no easy task half dragging him back for his sentence." He keeps his voice low as he speaks to Terrence. A sudden frown "He is also a deadly archer, and he was one of the fastest runners in the LP... an archer like him is dangerous and if he is... trying to make possibly us targets..."

"Yes, o' so he always boasted." Terrence mutters, "Should've snapped that bow when he was first arrested..." The master sergeant shakes his head. "But no matte' now. Even if a beast is banished, they can simply choose to ignore that - the Patrol can't watch every inch of the shoreline." A realisation dawns on him, and he eyes the lieutenant carefully. "Lt. Velm, are you aware he was banished from Mossflowe' as well, fo' the murde' of several creatures?"

Velm says, "I heard something about that but not the details as to why he was..." A slight worry "Who... killed more tha one.... beast..." He makes a fist and then calms himself. "A murderer should be hunted done and taken out if need be." He had heard about the otter. "He killed Errpeal... didn't he?"

"Yes." Terrence confirms, his voice still little more than a whisper. "I expect we'll be called back to the mountain soon so the news can be broken to the entire patrol - and then I suppose we'll have to figure out how to hunt the cursed beast down."

Velm nods "Carefully, we are dealing with an archer, not just a simple fighting beast." A sigh, some concern "Zolomon has skills of a patrol hare, tis not a good thing fer us.He is likely still around somewhere too, I am sure Lt. Elbio and Corporal Teddy still got some good hits in on him."

"There's no doubt about being careful, Lieutenant, but," Terrence counters, "But he is only one creature - and we have many archers of our own. Bette' trained, no doubt. Zolomon was..." He shakes his head, "Well, it always seemed to me that if he didn't much care fo' it, he didn't pay attention all that much. It also won't be the first time we've had to go afte' a Long Patrol hare. You had to find Varus, and seasons ago myself, the captain, and Zolomon even - we had to track down the private Dominik in the swamplands. He liked to leave toad skulls in hares' tents and cots, he did. But we found him the end."

Ol'random · 2021-11-30 07:54:05 PM

Log XIX. (19); Harbouring a Gambler

11/27/21
Pvt. Donica, Sgt. Felicity, Rt-Lt. Olivia Msgt. Terrence, Lt. Velm

The past few days with Rioko have been... interesting. Felicity has moved into the tent with the vixen to bunk with her for a number of reasons. Keeping her safe from the other hares (some of whom have been side-eying her this whole time). Keep their food safe from Rio's midnight snacking. Trying to make this all less scary for the vixen. Trying to reassure everyone that there's nothing to fear. And, yes, to help herself feel less lonely. Since she broke up with Terrence, Felicity has been feeling unsure in her friendships, so hanging out with the fox is soothing that.

Right now Felicity is getting food for herself from the mess tent, having just gotten off of guard duty -- she believes that if the higher-ranking officers aren't willing to do something, they shouldn't make the lower-ranking hares do it. And so she takes turns doing guard duty. Rioko is in their tent, lounging and reading in a book, silent for a change. In the distance, coming from the direction of Halyard, a small group of figures can be seen. The day is breezy, which is just accentuating the chill in the air. The sun's out, at least.

Velm walks into the Mess Tent quietly, gets himself something to eat and drink and sits down. A sigh as he seems to be thinking, and is also a little stressed right now as well. He had been spending some time in the infirmary tent with Lt. Elbio, and one hare had a cold and, oh yeah Private Kenny... the poor hare cut the tiny tip of his finger off slicing vegetables and then fainted. Velm was so hating today so far.

Felicity spots Velm and walks over to him, smiling. "Lieutenant, y'seem stressed. Are y'alright?" The figures from Halyard are coming ever closer, although they're still too far away to discern what species they are. The Sergeant sits beside the Healer to eat her food.

Velm slowly looks over at Felicity, a nod "Sargeant, and just a long day is all." He isn't sharing news he heard, "Lt. Elbio is doing better and once he is more stable, I will take him to the mountain infirm."

Felicity can tell there's something more going on, but she doesn't pry. "I'm glad Elbio woke up," she says instead. "I was gettin' mighty worried, wot!" Rioko is still reading in her tent. The group is close enough now that it's clear there are 5 beasts in the group, and except for one, they are all obviously heavily armed and not happy.

Velm nods, "Yeah he is awake, but he needs rest and not... "He starts to say questioned, "Bothered, he neeeds rest lot's of rest" Rest is true of course but thats not the only reason he wants hares to stay out of the tent.

Donica not in the mess tent right now, she is looking around the camp and making sure all is doing well.

Varus is keeping to his tent currently, the his wife steps out, and makes her way to the Mess tent. "What's all the commotion outside?" she asks Velm.

"OI! Be aware," The shout rings out over the camp from one of the many sentries, "We got a group of beast coming this way from the north - armed!"

Stern faced, Konner tightens his grip on his spear as he turns his attention back to the approaching creatures.

Felicity leaps to her feet at the sentry's shout. "Rio, stay where y'are!" The vixen needs no second bidding, and indeed flops onto the ground inside the tent, looking terrified. The group of 5 beasts, an assortment of vermin and woodlander flanking an angry-looking weasel baker, stop a few paces out of spear poking range. The baker shakes a rolling pin in the air. "Where's that good for nothin' vixen Rioko got to?!" One of the armed guards, a mouse, adds, "We're lookin' for a fat female fox, dressed up like a gypsy. She owes a large bettin' debt." Felicity convincingly feigns ignorance, praying and hoping that all the other hares follow her lead. "Vixen? This is a Long Patrol camp, we wouldn't welcome a vixen 'ere. I certainly 'aven't seen one 'ere."

Velm stands and frowns, a paw on his sabre "Wot now?" He says quietly, he speaks calmly "May be wise ta find Terrence or Greg, one of em'"

Donica backs up as she sees the angry beasts as well. She looks at the guards and back to the village beasts. She has no clue where Rioko may be, so she stays silent but very much alert for signs of trouble or danger.

Olivia frowns, but declines to go call her husband. She's one of the oldest hares here, so she steps out behind Felicity, and hopes to bluff her way through with her age and apparent seniority. (The beasts need not know she's officially retired.) "We harbor no love for vermin. The vixen you seek is not here. You can take my word as a Patroller."

"Velm, you're currently the commanding officer on duty at the moment," Comes Terrence's tired voice from a tent. The master-sergeant emerges, fur ruffled as he was napping, and he's still buttoning up his uniform. "You make the calls in these situations when the captain's out of commission, wot."

Spotting the beasts he shifts slightly, ready to step in - but it seems he wishes Velm to take charge. As the retired lieutenant speaks to the vermin, he hides a wince. Lying isn't his favourite tactic. But he says were he is for now.

The rat in the group turns on the baker, snarling. "I tol' you they wouldn't let a fox into their precious camp! Why'd you think she'd be out 'ere when she was spotted runnin' off into the dunes??" The baker points straight at Felicity. "Because I think that hare gets her info from that... that turncoat of a vixen!" The 4 creatures with him turn to stare at the Sergeant suspiciously. The Sergeant looks nervous, very nervous, as the baker continues, "And that hare has a soft spot for all creatures, woodlander and vermin. SO WHERE IS RIOKO?!" The Runner gulps. "Even if I knew where she is, I'd nevah sell 'er out! Whot would y'do t' 'er if y'found 'er?"
"SKIN HER ALIVE!!"
"We would NOT skin her alive, idiot!" The mouse and the baker glare at each other. The weasel baker obviously is more than a little angry at the vixen.

Velm takes a deep breath, great today of all days he has to deal with this. He looks at the villagers and speaks "No one is skinning anyone alive today" He says in a stern voice as he steps closer.H e has yet to draw his blade as he rather not start a fight, he wants to avoid a fight. "Wot is needed is fer everyone to calm down."

Donica frowns as she stays very alert on what is going on, she will help if needed to fight or even use her healer knowledge.

The hare guards shift uncomfortably, staying where they are with the ditch between them and the Halyard group. Terrence for his part, is biting his tongue - for the most part.

"Sergeant," he quietly says as he stops next to Felicity, "Perhaps you should help the hares organise themselves and leave the negotiations to the lieutenants..."

Felicity gulps, her ear twitching as Terrence whispers to her. Oh, right, she has an actual job. She had forgotten that. As Velm steps forward and starts negotiating, the Sergeant takes a shaky step back and starts weaving amongst the guards, murmuring encouragement. She looks very rattled that the baker suspects her of getting information from Rioko. She's now worried about her other informants.

The baker, meanwhile, has only gotten more angry. He's almost dancing with rage now, shaking his rolling pin in the air. "DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN, Y'STUPID BUNNY!! THAT FOX OWES ME A THOUSAND SILVER COINS, AN' IF YOU LOT DON'T KNOW WHERE SHE IS, MAYBE THAT SERGEANT OF YOURS COULD BE GOOD BAIT TO DRAW HER OUT!!" Rioko, still hiding on the floor of the storage tent, claps her paws to her mouth in alarm.

The rat smacks the baker upside the head. "We ain't threatenin' th' bunnies, dolt!" The weasel baker turns on him, swinging his rolling pin, which the rat barely is able to dodge. "I'LL THREATEN WHO I WANT!!" The mouse glares at the hares, but says nothing. The other 2 beasts in the group, both ferrets, watch the hares, and especially Felicity, with great suspicion.

Velm narrows his eyes, "Stop swinging that pin around before ya hit one of ya buddies thar." He still has yet to draw his blade, he rather not BUT if threatened he will. "I have not seen no fox or vixen or vermin today. "It is true, he hasn't see Riko today."And do NOT threaten any hares in this camp"

Rufus is flying and happens to see what he sees as a threat, he hears the word threat and, well, he dives towards the bakers head with a loud "YARK!!!!" And circles around to look at the two groups, "No harm de bunnies, if harm de bunnies Rufus harm YOU, plenty good yark YARK!!!!"

As soon as the bird arrives Terrence mutters a curse under his breath. He can't watch anymore. "HARES!" He steps forward, "Keep spears pointed up to the sky - avoid aggravated the Halyard beasts. RUFUS!" He bellows, a hint of anger colouring his voice, "I will pluck you if you don't take off RIGHT NOW!"

The master sergeant turns to the Halyard creatures, his voice turning on a dime to a pleasant, almost sweet tone. "Forgive us, if you would, but how about we invite you to have some tea, so we can discuss your hunt fo' the vixen?"

The baker shrieks in terror and falls flat on the ground, dropping his rolling pin and covering his head with his paws. The 4 guards duck and scatter, hollering in consternation and fear. As Terrence starts to holler, they come back and pick the subdued baker up off the ground. The mouse points at the hares in a sweeping gesture. "We'll take our leave, for now. We thought the weasel had good reasons to believe the vixen was here, but now we see it was all based on speculation. We will continue our search elsewhere. The vixen will pay with blood once we find her." The 5 Halyardians turn and head back home, warily watching the hares and the gull the whole way. Once they're out of sight, Felicity starts to tremble a little.

Velm watches the group leave, he also glances at the circling gull and frowns, looking away as it just makes him dizzy. He keeps an eye on the group that's leaving. Alert and ears listening.

Rufus circles and then flies towards Terrence with a yark of disapproval before flying towards the sea, only to return with a smelly fish to drop on the Master Sergeants head, it could miss though, it's not a big fish, one of those kind of smallish ones.

Olivia lets out a sigh of relief. "That could have gotten ugly," she whispers to Terrence. "Harming townsbeasts would definitely not be us putting our best foot forward." She looks toward the tent where Rioko is currently hidden. "That said, I think we had better have a "chat" with our guest, wouldn't you agree?"

"Indeed, ma'am." Terrence nods to the retired lieutenant, then steps forward.

"Alright hares, stay alert, but go about your business again." Terrence orders loudly enough for no hare able to argue as the group departs back to Halyard. His eyes linger on Velm for a moment... But his attention shifts

"And I wonde' what the hell that Rioko did." He mutters to the various officers as the hares start dispersing. "I'm not so sure your friend, sergeant, is the most moral upright citizen to have riled them up THAT much. Bloody hell. But..." Terrence neatly steps aside as the fish lands at his feet, glaring up at the sky. "But- Felicity, if I could have a word with you, privately?"

Rufus lands, puffs up a little and perms a wing feather. "Alla bunnies needa be calm..... threaten Rufus pretty feathers, they Rufus feathers only... annoying Terrence bunny" He then flies off before someone is ordered to indeed... take his feathers.

Felicity is still shaking a little. She jumps slightly, then nods. "Aye, we should talk wi' Rioko. Although from whot she's said, she jus' 'as some gamblin' debts, an' tha' was all tha' bakah was mentionin', so may'ap 'e just needs some angah management classes." The Runner looks quizzically at Terrence, then steps aside so he can talk to her without anyone else hearing. "Aye, whot's wrong? I know Rio's no' th' best charactah in th' wohld, but I still trust 'er. She's saved my life numerous times."

The older doe watches the assorted beasts heading back out toward Halyard, but turns to Terrence again. "Well, I'll leave you to that. I better get back to see how Varus is faring." She starts to head back toward their shared tent, unless somebeast stops her on the way.

"Of course, ma'am, then perhaps we must have that chat with Roko!" Terrence calls over to Olivia, but soon turns back.

"Sergeant-" his voice is a whisper, "It doesn't have to do with the vixen- at all. Howeve', I am explicitly ordering you to take the rest of the night off and tomorrow if you need it. But you will be expected to fulfil your role as a sergeant beyond that, do you understand? The Patrol can't spare any hares." The master-sergeant is carefully watching her face as he speaks. "And you are forbidden from mentioning this subject unless a commissioned officer gives you the okay to speak. I can give you all the details at a late' point, if you wish it, but I cannot stress enough that this needs to be secret, fo' now. I'm telling you because you're the company sergeant." He sucks in a breath. "But - well, when lt. Elbio awoke, he identified his attacke' who also claimed to be the same beast that murdered Slaw." He pauses for moment, still debating if he should tell - but he pulls the pin anyway.

"Felicity, it was Zolomon..."

Felicity blinks, looking completely shocked. A direct command to take a break? That's rare. "O' course...I try t'always do m'duties, evah since m'parents died, y'know that." It's true, too. Even as a Recruit, she poured herself into her duties as a Patroller and as a big sister, even when her parents and brother died. She continues to listen, nodding when he calls for secrecy. It must be serious if she's being sworn to be so quiet about it. Her eyes widen when he tells her that Elbio identified his attacker... but it's only when she finds out who it was that she fully understands.

"No..." The doe claps a paw to her mouth. Her knees buckle, and she has to take a step forward to catch herself, and she'll lean a paw on Terrence's chest if he lets her. Tears trickle down her cheeks. She believes everything he told her, but she doesn't want it to be true. A sob wracks her body, and she turns and jogs off to hide in the ditch surrounding the camp, where she can mourn in relative solitude.

She definitely takes the evening and all of tomorrow off, barely eating, barely sleeping. The next day she's back to work, doing everything she's supposed to (including eating, albeit robotically). But an air of deep loss, regret, and melancholy hover over her, affecting everyone around her. And she can't tell them why.

BlisaMarshmellow · 2021-12-04 09:56:34 PM

A Calm In The Storm

ICly occurs November 28, 2021.

The camp after the disgruntled Halyard beasts left had been left in an odd mix of nervousness and excitement. On one hand the fact that a mix of vermin and woodlander were so willing to express their anger and aggressiveness to the Patrol was disconcerting, but on the other - since the camp security had been tightened and the excursions into Halyard lessened, the incident was the first interesting thing to happen for DAYS.
And making good on his word Terrence stood by the storage tent where the fox's makeshift quarters are, waiting on other hares to join him for some questions.

Gregorian was a stubborn sort of buck. His reaction to the latest events after all that had gone on these last few days had been to go and get lunch before it gave him a headache. It was a brief and welcome break but didn't last long. There was still work to be done. Still with a sandwich in paw he makes his way through the camp towards the storage tent, nodding at Terrence when he gets close "Anythin' tah report?"

Felicity is still off duty, this being the day after she learned that Zolomon is the murderer of Slaw and others. She is currently huddled in the protective ditch again, privately and, for the time being, silently mourning. Whispered questions of what could have sent her into that state are starting to circulate throughout camp. Rioko herself has gotten worried, and right now exits her quarters, stretching and carrying a crudely wrapped gift. Unfortunately, the vixen isn't the best at watching where she's going, and if he doesn't move, she's going to run smack-dab into Terrence!

Rhonwen finishes up a patrol of the camp and nearby and comes now to take a small break if she is able.

"The Halyard creatures haven't dragged the vixen off yet," Terrence shrugs, "So there's that, captain. And," The master sergeant glances around, his voice dropping, "Did you have a chance to look at that, er, message I sent you, capt-"
The buck had taken his eyes off the tent and hadn't seen Rioko until it was too late! He stumbles back for a moment, too shocked for words.
"/Excuse me/?" He says, incredulously, as he regains his footing.

Gregorian read the message. It was the primary reason he was in a /mood/. He's about to say something when the unobservant fox bumbles in to Terrence and earns Greg's most frustrated of growls and a death glare. He's on edge and quick to temper "I read it" he says through gritted teeth, his eyes never leaving the vixen "I take it this is the fox who's suppose tah know so much"

An undignified squeak escapes Rioko as she flails to keep her balance and not drop her present. She manages to catch herself, giving the bucks a nervous chuckle. "Heh, sorry, I, uh, do you know where Felicity is?" The death glare makes the fox cower slightly, and she ducks behind Terrence (who seems less scary) as she continues. "She just seems so /sad/ and she won't tell me /why/ so I was wanting to give her a gift and /please don't hurt me it was an accident I'm sorry/."

Donica glaces over at the vixen quietly,she will let the higher ups be the ones to deal with her, but she is still there if needed.

Rhonwen frowns "Why is a fox still in the camp?"Hey she is curious

It takes a moment for Terrence to understand Greg's first words, distracted as he was. But the vixen is the more pressing matter at the moment. ".../Yes./" He answers, collecting his thoughts and eyeing Rioko, "Yes she is - and a debt evade' if the ferret & company is to be believed." Taking a step to the side so as to block the fox in case she tries to run he finally answers the fox. "There are enough hares 'round here to look afte' the sergeant fo' now, if need be. But /you/, Riko," he still hasn't got the name down, "We would like to have a little chat about our recent visitors. They seemed to want to mount your head on a pike, I'd say."
The words are loud enough to hopefully answer Rhonwen's question somewhat.

Gregorian grunts when Rioko hides from him, the response was at least satisfying. He backed up a little but still loomed "Because we have questions and the town seems tah want tah kill her" he says bluntly to Rhonwen's question before directing his next words at the fox "How about yah start with tellin' us what in hells blazes is goin' on around here" he raises an eyebrow pointedly. Somewhere in the back of his brain though he does however also take that moment to wonder where Felicity is too though.

Looking between the 2 bucks, Rioko gives a whine. "It's not /my/ fault that stupid baker doesn't have any other /friends/! He thought /I/ was his friend and then finally lost it when he realized I'd never pay back my gambling debts. He's /fiiiiiiine/!" She tucks Felicity's gift into her belt pouch and waves her paws emphatically. "I never did anything to him! And I don't know how he got those stupid mercs to come with him! Other than maybe they hate you hares," she adds with a shrug. "But he's always been like that, short temper and all. He beat one of the helpers in the bakery to death once because they cooked some bread for too long. The loaves weren't even burnt, and he lost his mind!"

As the fox isn't running - yet - Terrence steps away from her, not liking being used for a hiding place. As Greg has started the questions and the fox starts answering, the master sergeant waves the other hares watching over. "I'm not that worried the vixen'll make a break for it, but just in case, and to save us all a headache of a chase, form a loose ring around us and I give you full permission to tackle her if she bolts. Understood?"
He turns back to Rioko, his eyes narrowing to slits. "And you - he beat a creature to death you say?" It's clear from his tone he fully believes this to be a gross exaggeration. "I suppose we should ask why we shouldn't just toss you back to them, so you can share the same fate of that poor bakery helpe', eh? If you're simply here to avoid retribution fo' swindling creatures and know nothing else, of course."

Gregorian growls quietly again when the vixen whines, he doesn't like the noise but he lets her speak. He glosses over the part about her gambling debts and why they want her dead, he wants something positive to fix on, a win or something he can work with. He fixes on the mention of the mercenaries "Where did these mercs come from? Was he the one in charge of them all?" his jaw does harden at thought of someone being beaten to death over bread but Terrence sounds skeptical so he holds his temper back over that.

Rioko looks shocked and a little offended that Terrence doesn't believe her. "It's /true/! Ask anybeast in Halyard who's still friendly with the Patrol, they'll tell you!" She wilts again under Greg's interrogation, but continues to answer, although she's considering hiding behind someone again. "Uh, um, most of the mercs are from this area, already, actually, and just wanted jobs or to, uh, help out around town. Uh, they don't get paid enough from us Halyardians to live off of, but, uh, it doesn't seem to bother them any." She gulps, eying Terrence. "But....if he /knows/ I'm one of Felicity's informants, he'll kill me for sure! Same with Felicity!"

"He, meaning the bake', o' someone else?" Terrence cast a sideways glance at Greg. "I doubt the sergeant is in immediate dange'." He looks down at the vixen. "Though they did shout about /you/ being informant to the Patrol. How'd they find that out, and why would they be angry?"

"They probably want hares dead eithah way" Greg pointed out with another grunt. He assumed Felicity and all of them were targets regardless of who they'd been talking to. He stopped to think which actually calmed his mood a little as it was giving him something to think about other than parting Zolomon from his head "Happy tah be undahpaid" he mutters at Terrence "Workin' for the pleasure of standin' against the patrol or gettin' something else out of it?" he mused.

"Of course the baker! And of course they'd be mad, y'dumb bunny -- nobeast likes a spy!" Rioko snorts, then cringes slightly as she realizes what she just called him. "I mean, kind and merciful, um, Sergeant, uh, Corporal, uh, yeah." She's not the best with their ranks, but she tried. "I have no clue how they could have found out. Felicity and I are always careful. Maybe he guessed just because he's seen us talking, although we talk of other things out in the open, and Felicity is just friendly with everybeast in Halyard." Seeing that Greg believes her, the vixen adds, "They're bosses are just foreign merchants who've been coming for /ages/. They just have once a month meetings, I think. Oh, one of the local bosses went missing recently -- dunno where he went. Maybe he got eaten by that port monster thing." She shuffles slightly. "Can I go see Felicity now?"

Terrence doesn't immediately answer. "It's probably something else, I'd wage'. Regardless of them taking up residence in old buildings, the weapons, clothing, and helmets they all have had is fa' too pretty to be paid simply from Halyard, I'd say. That band of merchants could be helping to pay fo' things, of course..." He looks around, thinking - but catches sight of where the sun is in the sky. Ears shooting up, he gives a hasty salute to Greg. "Captain - if you'll excuse me, I'll have to eave you and the vixen to continue the chat on your own. I have to check in with the sentries and patrols at the moment; I'm filling in fo' sergeant Rosinbloom while she is, er, indisposed due to the, well," he makes a vague wave to the east, "The news that has us all in sou' moods, if you understand my meaning, sah."

Gregorian just makes a noise of agreement at Terrence's words "Backers with deep pockets" he frowns for a moment, just trying to think about what exactly he's supposed to do about it all. Take out every leader in the merchant group i his first though but then Greg hates this stuff, give him an army to charge in to and something to punch any day. He nods to Terrence as the hare leaves to attend to duties "No" he finally answers Rioko's question "Stay in the tent. The less beasts that see yah here the less likely they are tah come back tah finish the job...I'll find her myself, she can come tah yah latah" he wanted to check on her himself really too and that said he turns to go and ask around to find out where she went.

Rioko whines slightly, but sees the logic behind his order, and so dejectedly reenters the tent. She'll just have to give her friend the gift later. Felicity is well hidden in the protective ditch, just staring at nothing as a few tears slip down her cheeks. She's bundled up nicely -- perhaps Rioko made her do that since the doe seems very out of touch with everything. She barely slept last night, she didn't show up to breakfast, she barely ate anything at dinner last night or lunch today.

It doesn't take long for Greg to find some hare that knows where she went given how many sentries they have on guard right now. A small sigh as his ears fold down and he carefully heads down in to the ditch, going to sit down next to her. He doesn't say anything at first, he has no good words. There probably are none but anything is probably better than the uncomfortable silence "So this has all turned tah hell"

Felicity doesn't move, and there is a pause after his words that makes it seem like she didn't hear him. But finally she whispers, "I tried t'talk t' 'im....tried t' 'elp 'im...when 'e 'elped me get back t' th' Mountain aftah I got injahed durin' th' attack on th' fort at th' port. 'E thinks th' whole world's out t'get 'im. An' now...." Tears start trickling down her cheeks a-fresh. "Now 'e's really an' truly gone, even though 'es still breathin'."

Gregorian stares at the ground, thinking "There's nothin' yah could have done. Yah were good tah him but he's made his choices" he hesitates slightly before going to rest a paw on her shoulder "It's not right but there's nothin' we could do tah stop this...I didn't even see it comin' tah think anythin' like this would happen" he sighs heavily, shaking his head "...It's Hanzi all ovah again" he couldn't help but think of the other hare who'd decided to turn against them.

Felicity shakes her head. "Hanzi was evil from th' staht. Zolomon....Zolomon was so kind an' fun. 'Is 'eart jus' got broken fah too many times, an'....an' I think 'e got lost in 'is own 'ead, like I did. But th' path 'is mind went on....I don't know 'ow we could get 'im back." She takes a shuddering breath. "I feel like there ought t'be more I coulda done...I've lost a deah friend, an'..." Her tears choke off her words as she starts crying in earnest again.

Gregorian shakes his head "He wasn't, he..." another sigh and Greg drops the Hanzi subject. He'd tried to steer the lad right at least once, he didn't like to think about it. There's another long pause before he speaks again "There's no goin' back for him, not aftah wot he's done. Wotevah is out there now it isn't the Zolomon we knew, he's gone. All we can do now is make sure he doesn't kill anyone else"

"I miss 'im," Felicity manages to whimper. "'E was so much fun, even wi' 'is stupid cahtwheels an' ev'rythin'." She curls up into a tighter ball. After a few more minutes, she adds, "I won't fight 'im. I don't care if 'tis a direct command from Ciocan 'imself an' I end up court marshalled, I won't fight Zolomon unless 'e attacks me first, an' even then I'll only defend. I refuse t'try t'kill m'friend, even if whot made 'im m'friend is gone." She still is filled with unspeakable sorrow, but there is a steely determination running as an undercurrent through that declaration.

Gregorian had forgotten the cartwheels, he generally didn't like such random enthusiasm but right now the reminder was a depressive punch in the gut. He moved his paw again, going to try and put his arm around her, just trying to awkwardly comfort her "Aye...I'd forgotten that. The races on the beach I was rememberin'...Yah don't need tah worry about that. I wouldn't make yah fight him. Yah undah my command, anyone who wants tah force that can argue with me. I wouldn't make anyone. Someone will have tah but that's not a battle I'd want tah force on any beast, not with a fellow hare"

Felicity lets him hug her. "I don't want t'talk about killin' 'im anymoh...." She says brokenly. After a long pause, she whispers, "Yeah, we're both th' fastest. Tha' was a fun race...an' when 'e talked about Redwall an' 'is friends thah. An' tha' one time th' DAB outsmahted 'im..."
Gregorian doesn't feel as if the conversation was helping him considering he might have to go and hunt down the hare to kill him one day but if it was helping her he'd live with some guilt. He says nothing more on the killing part, trying to focus on the old Zolomon "Heh, was it him they tied tah a chair in the dining hall or was that someone else?"

Felicity thinks for a moment as her tears slow. "I think they did it t' 'im an' t' somebeast else on 2 diff'rent occasions. I think 'e got covahed in soup...oh they were gonna make 'im int'soup..." The silly memories do seem to be helping her, seeing as how she's relaxed some. If only a little.

"It happened twice?" Greg chuckles very faintly at that, still sat in a ditch at the edge of the camp by the doe "Those dibbuns know wot they're doin'. Must be more coordinated than half the patrol somehow"

Olivia makes her way out to same ditch, and stops beside Gregorian. "Ah, there you are. I've been looking for you," she says to Greg. "I've been looking over some old maps, and wanted to ask your opinion of something."

Felicity actually smiles a tiny bit. "M'sistah is pretty good at leadin' 'em...I feel she may be a Majah someday...as long as she leahns t'obe ordahs, y'know?" Ever since Terrence broke the news to her yesterday about Zolomon, she's been spending most of her time here in the ditch, mourning privately. She's barely eaten since yesterday afternoon. She grows silent as the Healer approaches, her smile fading back to misery as she gets lost in her mourning again.

Gregorian tilts his head briefly in agreement "Sometimes I think it's best that her and Grace don't team up tah cause trouble" though he still wished they didn't fight. He glances around when he hears Olivia "Wot about?" he asks, not getting up but moving the paw that's not around Felicity's shoulders up to offer to take the maps. He does give Felicity a quick glance afterwards though and he could see she was slipping back again "I wondah wot they're up tah back at the mountain without us right now" he mused, trying to distract her with something else to think about while he looked at the maps.

Olivia points to a circled spot not too far from Halyard on the map. "An old Patrol outpost. You know, the old 23rd." She taps it with a finger. "It's been abandoned for awhile now. But Varus used to be one of the commanding officers there... I think you can guess where I'm going with this..."

Felicity blinks, then smiles just a teensy bit. "'Opefully nothin' too crazy." She stands, hunched and looking as if the world were crushing her, but still she stands. "I...I think I'll get some...food or...somethin'," she says, which is good since she hasn't really been eating. "I'll...I'll see you....yeah." And she heads off, ignoring the sentries and others asking if she's okay.

Gregorian worries but it's progress seeing her get up and going to eat. He nods, staying sat down for now "Yah to do that, and the ah, vixen in the storage tent was askin' aftah yah" he doesn't recall the fox's name but it's not like there's multiple in the camp. Finally with that done he focuses on Olivia and squints at the map "I haven't heard of that place in years. It's still there?...I assume yah want tah take him, see if it jogs his memory any"

She nods her head. "Precisely. I was hoping to take him there, but because everything's so...unsettled, of late, I'd prefer if we could have a Private or Corporal come along. Just for a few days." (Olivia)

Gregorian runs a paw over his beard. With everything that's happened he's reluctant to add the possibility of more problems but at the same time he'd really like Varus back. For a start it would mean this whole mess was someone else's problem. He nods after a long pause "Take a couple. If yah can make it there and back in a day I'd prefer it" the faster he knows something's gone wrong the more chance he might have to do something about it "Hell if we could sort everythin' before yah go I'd be even happiah but...just watch out for snipers, snakes and well, half of Halyard is angry so I'd steer clear of it"

Olivia nods. "You know I'm careful. Varus has it in his head that we're going for reconaissance, so, eh... Anyway. Thank you, Greg."

Gregorian nods along and finally starts to get back up off the ground, which is a bit of an ungainly maneuver for him with the pegleg "I know, there are hares I'd flat out refuse but yah know wot yah doin'...I just hope it helps"

Olivia holds out her paw to offer the buck help in getting up. "Just so long as he doesn't hear about Zolomon," she remarks. "Let that be forgotten." She sighs. "Young Felicity is taking it hard, I see..."

Gregorian accepts the help, he stopped being too proud and refusing help with things like that many years and numerous infirmary stays ago "Mm. The less said about that the bettah but I worry he might still be in the area. Mind yah don't run in tah him, he was always good with a bow" he glances back towards the camp in the direction Felicity had left in "They were close once. Time might help but it's hardah tah mourn a friend when they're not fully dead yet"

She nods, her jaw set grimly. "Aye, I know how 'tis. Even harder when it's family." She says no more. "We'll be careful. Perhaps Terrence can come along. He's a bright lad with a good head on his shoulders. If the camp can spare him, that is..."

Gregorian doesn't ask, he merely nods along. He's had enough betrayal from within the ranks for a life time. He starts to walk back towards the camp tents "Ask him, I'm sure he'll know bettah than even me if he can spare the time...Just don't go and get captured" he jokingly pleads "Or attacked or bewitched by snakes or, I don't know, run away tah sea. We've got enough goin' on as it is and I don't need the extra papah work"

Olivia nods again, and gathers up her maps. "I'll speak to him later this evening. With him along, I *know* we'll be fine..."

Ol'random · 2021-12-19 05:26:26 PM

Log XXI. (21); Unexpected Report

http://forum.rwmuck.org/viewtopic.php?id=2223

Log XXII (22); The Serpent

Pvt. Donica, Sgt. Felicity, Cpt. Gregorian, Pvt. Rhonwen, Pvt. Slaw, MSgt. Terrence, & Mjr. Varus

To the north gulls wail incessantly, their cries having started just after dawn (much to the chagrin of the hares) and have been growing steadily louder. The sentries have just finished switching and with them is a change of pace. Nothing has happened for days at this point, not since the band of debt collectors came for the vixen - who is still condemned to her repurposed storage tent - the rumour spread from the earliest risers in the mess tent that several beasts had been seen lurking about during the night and that a fire had been spotted far off once the chill night air (presumably) became too cold to go without.

To add more fuel to the fire Msgt. Cadwallader has volunteered to take the morning watch with the other sentries; he left orders for the enlisted hares to continue on with their day as usual and enjoy their early morning meal.

In the mess tent most hares are now gathered around the tables eating, drinking, laughing, & waking up. A clatter followed by loud swearing comes from the far end of the tent as a sleepy-eyed Konner bumped Pvt. Harold's freshly brewed tea pot to earth, but the grumbling directed at Konner from the now tea deprived table is muffled somewhat he offers to fetch another fresh pot with a multitude of mumbled apologies

Zywie is doing her usual walk around the camp, check on things and then goes to head to the mess tent for some food. She gives a way to the others nearby as she finds a chair to sit in.

Rhonwen glances over as tea is spilled and snorts slightly,"Who drinks tea so early, that's jolly well more an afternoon drink, with some scones on the side."

Donica has been a little quiet since Velm had headed back to the mountain with Elbio, perhaps he had been asked to stay for a while ,that was fine since if he camp needed a healer they had her, they had Zywie and there was one other healer hare at the camp as well.

On the far end of the beach some gulls hang out, not odd as sea gulls sometimes are around on the beach, not near those hares though as most gulls dislike the hares, a couple brave ones every so often may try and get close to those on watch duty if a bit of food is dropped. Only one gull doesn't hang out with his fellow gulls, Rufus, and Rufus is no where in sight right now.

Gregorian was not a morning beast but the job required it so up he was. His limp was always worse in the morning and his mood stiff so he was silent as he went to get food. The clatter of noise made him grimace while he was still waking up and he muttered a few choice words under his breath but carried on to get himself breakfast.

Rhonwen's comment earns the hare several dirty looks from the table. As he passes by her with the pot Konner shrugs, saying over his shoulder brightly as he weaves around Zywie, "Lot's of hares!"

"We can't all have the grace of being bright eyed..." Harolds mutters from the table.

The noise to the north-west is slowly moving - as if it's creeping closer. Over the sound of breakfast though it's difficult to hear over the clamour of hares beginning their meal.

Zywie chuckles some, hey she likes tea so there. "Tea is nice." She left another private on sentry duty as she was told to take a break.

Rhonwen frowns, "Wot ever" She mutters a little and just gets some water, she is a little tried still also so a bit grumpy, not too much at least.

Donica sort of notices the noise but also its noisy in the camp. A sigh escapes her and she just decides to focus on the here and now, not any worries she may or may not have.

Gregorian is trying to pretend he can't hear the clamour of hares all around him. He was entirely failing at it too. There was a reason he normally had breakfast alone. He hasn't noticed the noise in the distance either, too focused as he is on trying to get hold of the possibly mythical toast that isn't burnt or under done.

Varus pushes his way out of his tent, looking serious and he stares down various privates that don't salute him as he passes, on the way to converse with Terrence. Olivia follows shortly behind, looking beyond stressed by it all.

Felicity has been back on duty for a while, but her air of melancholy still lingers, affecting everyone around her. She has taken Rioko some breakfast, and now the sad Sergeant is in line getting her own food. She has not allowed her sorrow to affect her duties, although she is a little less harsh when correcting the hares under her. But she hasn't smiled since Terrence told her the news.

The hearty laugh Rhonwen's response earns from Konner is quailed as he sees the looks around the table - so he quickly deposits the tea pot and makes his excuse to sit somewhere else, ending up at near to the master smith.

"Captain, sah," he begins ventures as he spies Varus making his way through he camp, to "Is it true what they say 'bout Majo- eh, sergeant Swiftbuck? About how 'is memory is really... gone?"

It will be hard to miss further from the mess tent and eating hares the noise of the birds - and something else. Terrence stands on one of the pickets, peering over the defensive trench with a lance-corporal by his side. In the rising sunlight, it's difficult to see the outlines of the gulls flying in the distance and the dust kicked up below them by vague shapes.

"Seems least a league out still, I'd say." Terrence murmurs. "Not sure if it's coming ou' way yet, though."

Zywie sips her tea and looks around. She is finishing her breakfast and, right now anyways, in a good mood.

Rhonwen yawns, yep tried which may not be a good thing. She straightens up a little and smooths out her uniform after a while.

Donica decides she may as well get something to eat and drink before she does anything else today. She can be told when Velm is back, if he is back soon.

Some gulls fly around, a couple nearby fight over a fish they caught, but still no Rufus around, then he is always on his won doing his own thing .

Oh dear, someone wants to talk to him, how inconsiderate this early in the day. Greg looks up, a passable it of toast in his paw as he looks at Konner "Hm? Wot?" he processes the question while he glances around to spot Varus as well "It keeps comin' back tah him" and judging by the look of Varus and Olivia he had to guess the Major had remembered something and trouble was stirring. He leaves the breakfast line to head that way just in case.

Varus passes Greg and Konner by, as he heads out toward Terrence's picket. When he eventually gets there, he says, "Mastah Sahgeant Cadwalladah, any news tah report, wot?" He peers out over the trench as well, looking to see if anything stands out. Meanwhile, Olivia pauses by Gregorian. "Oh, good morning. Though you look rather put out to be up this early..."

Felicity has gotten her food and looks around. Seeing Konner, the doe decides he could use some company and makes her way over there. "'Ave y'gotten breakfast yet, Private?" She asks as she sits down, forcing herself to function semi-normally. She's technically not on duty -- her shift on guard duty begins when Terrence gets off. Meanwhile, Rioko has finished her breakfast in her tent and has settled down for a nap.

"Wait, sah?" Konner hadn't expected Greg to just leave, and he gestures to the abandoned food as the officer heads off. "Captain, sah, did I say somethin'? You 'aven't finished your food yet..." He trails off once it's clear the master smith is preoccupied and decides to look for conversation elsewhere - and the sergeant present herself. "Hullo Sarge! Oi, Donica! Zywie! Rhonwen! If you 'aven't found seats yet, this table's mostly open!"

So taken with whatever is happening to the north west, Terrence had not heard the officers approach behind him. Turning sharply on his heel and startled, the master-sergeant takes in the sight Varus before him as the lance-corporal salutes. His ears wiggle slightly as he tries to puzzle out the best way to treat the major, his eyes darting to Olivia's as if seeking some guidance there. "...Lieutenant, sah." He nods, hopefully a happy medium. "Gulls to the northwest," he turns back, his attention shifting back to the disturbance. "Looks like something large - o' many beasts - are making a ruckus up there," he points. "They don't seem to be heading straight fo' us, though, but I'm not sure yet. I was about to have lance-corporal Flightfoot go inform the captain."

Zywie nods "I have a seat already" She then smirks "And tea, hee hee"

Rhonwen is also sat down and just waves off the invite to sit anywhere else as things are, well basically calm for how it usually is this time of the day.

Donica sighs "Sure, why not just wandering when Lt. Velm will be back, he did take Lt. Elbio onto the mountain, said he be back after that, suppose he has reports ta tend to and all most likely, guess updating his Lordship on wotever been happening here"

Gregorian existed in a constant state of trying to put out fires before they had the thought of lighting around here. He didn't give a second thought to rudely walking off when he was distracted. He pauses by Olivia, cautiously eyeing Varus "I don't like mornings" he grumbled in response to her. Bit of an understatement really, his leg always ached worst in the morning while medication kept it livable the rest of the day. Though he didn't even like mornings back when he had two feet "Wot does he think he is today?" he quietly asks Olivia before Terrence's words make his ears perk and he frowns "I want eyes on it, we don't need more surprises"

Varus stares at Terrence like he's grown a second head. "I am th' Captain, Cadwalladah. An' don't y' f'rget tha', wot." He turns, to look off toward the northwest. "I think we should send a scout, wot say you, Sahgeant?" He looks toward the younger hare. "Flightfoot would make an ideal choice, wouldn't y' say so?" All this said before Olivia can answer Greg, "The Captain, I'm afraid. He thinks he's in charge here..."

Felicity raises an eyebrow, then gives Konner a look. "Y' 'aven't answered m'question, Private. 'Ave y'eaten yet t'day?" She starts in on her own food, staying calm even though there's obviously something happening that all the other officers are antsy about. She figures if she stays calm, maybe everyone else under her will, too.

"Oh - Konner begins to stand, "I actually 'aven't - gonna fix that right now." But as he stands he glances at Donica. "But that reminds me, the L.T. isn't coming back then? Lt. Velm to camp, that is... Though suppose now that means we're all undah the sarge's and the captain's command again, then. Just like old times..."

"Captain!" Terrence had finally seen Greg, saluting. But his eye twitches slightly as Varus speaks. "Of course, sah. But I was meaning captain Harthwill here, who I didn't see before." He gestures to the northwest again. Now more than just the wails of gulls can be heard- shouts and something like warcries can be made out, an excited whooping. But the dust cloud kicked up is keeping towards the late line. "As fo' scouts, I'd advise sending more than just one. The hares just finishing breakfast might be a bette' pick, considering Flightfoot's already on guard duty and needed here, wouldn't you say, sah?" He looks pointedly at Greg.

Zywie blinks, was that some sort of whooping or shouting? She stands and wanders over to where the ditch is slowly but stays near the camp "Wot is that... noise?"

Donica shrugs "I don't know when Lt. Velm will be back, maybe something important came up at de mountain"

Gulls, well... couple fly around still, couple go over the sea... most are elsewhere.

Gregorian sighs very heavily. He'd been dreading the day Varus promoted himself enough to argue. At least while he thought he was lower in rank Greg could issue orders without question "Varus. He means me" he said even as Terrence clarifies, trying to keep his tone calm not irritable despite the morning as he points out the rank on his uniform "This is my command by ordah of his Lordship" he pauses then, his ears, even the one which normally half flops over, suddenly very alert and perked when he hears what sounds like a warcry "One hare, fastest scout we have, now. Get the rest of the camp raised and ready" he was very concerned and fearing the worst.

Whatever else was about to be said is forgotten as the warcry is clearly heard, and Varus turns to peer out to the distance. "A surprise attack? Now?" And then he's turning on the lower ranks, who are still milling at the breakfast tent. "Right, y' 'eard th' Captain, prepare f'r a possible attack."

Felicity is definitely distracted now. "Dunno, Konnah, we'll 'ave t'see..." Fortunately for everyone, she has just finished her breakfast, and having heard what Greg said, she steps forward. "I'm th'fastest 'are in th' Patrol. I volunteer t'go scout it out." She tightens her sword belt and gets ready to go the moment she's given permission.

Felicity glares around the tent. She knows most of the hares are still confused about what's going on with the Major, and so she decides to use her authority to help back him up. "Y' 'eard Varus, MOVE!" She then turns back to the commanders, waiting upon their orders.

"Hmm...? Whooping...?" Konner had returned with his plate full of food. "Whatya..." His ears perk. Even in the mess tent the sound are unmistakable.

The master sergeant salutes. "Understood; private Mcbrim!" Terrence is already moving into the camp as he speaks, barely sparing Zywie a second thought - "You take my position as sentry until I return. HARES, HARES!" He bellows as he slides to a stop in the open space in front of the mess tent at the heart of the camp. "At the ready! Prepare fo' a fight, quickly now - potential foesbeasts to the northwest. Sergeant Rosinbloom!" She had already begun to order the hares, which he was thankful for. "I need you to pick out your fastest runneh and go to the north picket - the captain needs a scout, I'll brief them on the way there. Get your hares ready!"

The gulls have stopped making so much noise now, but they remain in the air high above. One comes swooping down a hundred yards from the camp edge, giving a weak squawk, and topples over. It's hard to tell exactly from the distance, but there's no blood visible.

The cloud of sand and dust has moved more to the west now - avoiding the camp it appears. But the shouts and now screams are VERY clear.

"SWISHTAIL, GET BAC- AHGH!"

"WE ALMOST 'AVE IT NOW! KEEP IT FROM TH'WATER!"

At the centre of the commotion something colourful glints in the early morning sun, like fish scales.

Zywie frowns "Umm... I... okay" She is not so sure she wants to know what is near the water, but okay guard duty is okay she supposes.

Rhonwen looks over at all the yelling and quickly gets ready for what ever is going on, any attacks or what not. She is ready and now a lot more awake than she was before.

Donica frowns, a lot is suddenly going on and she dislikes it. A deep breath and she makes sure she has her sling, and makes sure she has any needed medical supplies just in case.

Gregorian squints out, trying to see what's going on and confused after the bird falls out of the sky "Go" he just says to Felicity's offer to scout it out. He was armed and ready for a fight already, there was the urge to march out immediately but he waited for the camp to be ready and he didn't want to send everyone in blind.

Rufus is heading towards the camp, but he has yet to get there as he glides towards the camp.

Olivia had already gone back to the tent she shares with her husband to retrieve her medical back, figuring that a healer will be needed soon. Varus also readies his spyglass, as he returns to where Terrence and Gregorian are standing. "So wot does it look like?" he asks. "Seems that they're bloody well avoidin' us, wot, but they can't 'ave expected us not to see it." Squinting through the spyglass with one eye, he tries to get a better view of the colorful mystery item or beast.

Felicity hesitates when Terrence speaks, but Greg outranks him, so she goes with that. "On it! YOU LOT, GET INT' POSITIONS T'DEFEND TH' CAMP! LISTEN T'VARUS AN' CAP'N GREG AN' SERGEANT TERRENCE! THIS AIN'T A DRILL NOR A DAISY PICKIN'!!" Then she's off at a run, leaping over their defensive ditch in a single, powerful bound, landing in a roll that evolves into a run as she stands up out of it. She heads for the commotion, stopping to check on the fallen gull briefly before heading on her way. She bobs and weaves, doing her best scouting thing just as she was trained. And she really is the fastest hare in the Long Patrol. The only one who ever matched her was Zolomon. Felicity pushes away all memories of their race and focuses on her task.

Rufus is soon seen and he soon sees all the, well it's kind of chaos and he flaps a little in place and frowns best a bird can and scans for his favourite hare, it's Terrence! He soon finds out where he is in all this chaos and flies towards him and almost lands on his head, he circles around and lands on a post nearby "Bunny Lord say alla bunnies needs return to mountain, I saya quickfast cause he say tellum, tellum all nowa come, come and no wait rounds.Alla bunnies needa listen now ya ya..." He also he a bit nervous as to what ever that thing is by the water "Rufus go now... comma now back nows and go get eatten by thing neara water, quicka fast... bye!" He is out of here!

"Donica -" Terrence had spotted the closest private to him while he was retrieving his gear, "Tell your squad - Konner, Zywie, Rhonwen - and any hare that looks like they don't know what they're doing, to met me and the officers at the edge of camp, to be on stand by if the scouting goes wrong and the sergeant needs support, understood?" Without waiting for a response he's rushing back to the picket, catching sight of Felicity hoping the ditch. "Captain," the master sergeant's slightly out of breath from all the running and shouting, "The hares should be ready at most in five minu- WAH! RUFUS!" The hares stumbles back as Rufus lands in front of him. "...R-Return?! NOW?" But the bird is already taking flight again. "THE HELL WAS THAT ABOUT?!"

The first thing Felicity will see when she's passed the fallen seagull is the long, long trail of carnage. Several shapes are lying very still, a mix of woodlander and vermin alike, with one or two gulls - some of the creatures are mangled, while others seem to be sleeping. All surround a large groove in the sand that stretches all they back to Halyard. In the dust cloud a group of beasts all armed with spears, poles, long hooks, and the like are surrounding the long form at the centre - a massive snake, striped with rings of gold & red on black. It has in it's jaws what looks like the body of a stoat or ferret, but it's hard to tell as the creature thrashes its tail into the crowd around it, sending a mouse tumbling head over heel.

"QUICK! GET IT TO TURN INLAND!"

Zywie frowns, "Wot is with de bird?" She frowns more at all the noise.

Donica listens and nods "Alright every one, ya heard the Sarge... come over here..." She listens as Rufus speaks and blinks "It seemed a message from his Lorddship to come back right away to the mountain, we may haf ta sur? Maybe tis important?" After learning just what is on the beach, likely others will be all too happy to head back to the mountain.

Rhonwen walks over and scans a little best she can "Wot has them all scared I wander? Do we..." she hmms "Do we help or wot? Or some help and others...?" She is only a private so what ever she is told, she will obey.

Gregorian's paw immediately goes to rest on one of his hammers as Rufus descends on the camp. The order from the Badger Lord is met with a confused frown "Now?" he turns his head back towards the sound of screaming, the frown turning more determined "We're marchin' out" but not towards the mountain, Greg headed towards the exit of the camp, heading towards the sound of screaming. It sounded like beasts attacking something, like beasts in trouble not ones mounting an attack on them. Orders be damned he was going to help.

Varus lowers his spyglass when the bird lands. "We c'n hahdly go back now," he points out. "There's civilians in dangah, an' it's our sworn duty t' do somethin'." As has happened at least once before, when the adrenaline got pumping and an emergency was unfolding, it's like the older hare has a clarity of mind again. He marches back toward the lower ranks. "Konnah, Rhonwen, Lucius, Zywie, Petra, an' Stewaht... Yahr wi' me. That's an ordah, y' louts. Stand up straight, chin out, we're followin' Gregorian. On th' double!" He's barking out orders now.

Felicity checks some of the 'sleeping' creatures for bite marks as she spies the groove. Her hackles raise as she gets closer, and she stops dead in her tracks when she finally sees what all the commotion is about. She remembers back to the other coral snake she and Rioko met that one time... but no, this is a different individual. The stripes are different. But she can tell it's still just as dangerous. She turns and sprints off, racing up to her remarkable top speed as she rushes back to camp. When the Sergeant meets up with Greg and the others, her fear is fully evident upon her face. "Sah! 'Tis a giant sea snake they're fightin'! I'm no' sure th' villagahs can win against it! 'Tis a monstah, big as Asmodeus, per'aps!"

There's a moment after Varus orders the hares to follow & squads to mix that Terrence's eye twitches again, but he draws his spadone without a word and follows Greg into the sand. The badger lord would have to wait, after all.

The gulls have for the most part left with only a few now circling high above like dots. The Halyard beasts around the snake are made up of half mercenary group, half villager - but they are putting their all into it. They keep prodding and pushing the giant snake forward and away from them, with nearly all avoiding the area of the snake's head and the fangs below. They learned their lesson...

An otter stumbles towards Felicity from the mess left in the serpent's wake, clutching at a bleeding arm wound. "Oi, 'ares, 'elp...." He manages unsteady on his feet for few paces then falls on his face.

Zywie gulps when the snake is mentioned and backs up, at first till the order to go help is given. Another gulp and she nods "R... RIGHT... we havea help em."

Donica is ready to help with any healing needs, she also has her sling, it may help some at least, if anything they could get it away from some of the beasts if nothing else.

Rhonwen says, "But tis a... snake su... sur... snakes, wot if it eats us all?!" Okay she is freaking out now, she hates HATES snakes, she seen one from a distance and rather not see one from close up.

At the mention of a snake, Olivia is out, and she's one of the first to reach the collapsed otter. "Heavens above, he's been bitten. DONICA, OVER HERE!" she yells. "We need to stop the spread of the venom!" As she says this, she's turning him over, prepared to take drastic measures. Varus, meanwhile, looks back at Rhonwen. "Buck it up, Private, an' tha's an ordah! We 'ave to 'elp those villagahs. They can't stop that monstah on their own."

Gregorian picks up the pace once Felicity tells them what they're dealing with and he starts to see more of the carnage now they're out of camp. Suddenly the gull make more sense "Damn it" he mutters before yelling at the hares "Range weapons fire at will, keep yah distance, keep it from the watah and don't let it bite yah! Any wounded drag them back and away from the thing!" that includes the otter that collapses before them. Grabbing a spear he charges towards the creature "Charge!" going to try and stab it in the tail to draw it from the villagers.

Zywie will follow any orders, help best she can at what she is told to do. She will even manage to save a fellow hare and help a weasel also get out of the way. She avoids any snake bites, one bite just freaking barely she avoids.

Felicity is terrified, and rightfully so. However, she gathers her courage and grabs a polearm from a fallen mercenary. "FO'ARD TH'BUFFS! NO QUATAH, NO SURRENDAH! EULALIAAAAAAA!!!" She charges forward beside Greg, doing the first thing she can think of: "Oi, you, y'big ugly excuse foh a stick! I bet y'mum was an eahthworm an' y'fathah was a wet piece o' rope! Y'ain't a snake, y'a candy cane!!" If that and getting stabbed in the tail don't get its attention, then probably nothing will.

Even with the attention of the healers on him, the otter's breath is slowing, then stops - the venom had acted quickly. As hares gather the rest of the wound, a quarter are likewise bitten and soon dead. The rest were simply struck by the tail or the thrashing of the snake itself - dangerous and often fatal wounds, but they won't die of venom today.

There's a wave of surprise as the Patrol arrives: not many realised how close they had gotten to the hares' camp, but few complain about the help. The tail of the great beast rises wand swishes at what it thinks is a insect bite and not the captain's spear, savagely striking the sand with a great THUMP, the tail sweeping outwards at the rats of the shouting bugs. As the woodlanders, vermin, and hares all regroup around it the creature stops its fleeing, coiling to avoid the barrage of stones, javelins, and arrows clattering against it - some have gotten through its scales, the blood dripping to the sand below, but most are harmless. The body of the vermin is tossed at into the throng, freeing the snake to hiss; a strange sound, even to those who have heard snakes before, and the white fangs flash in the sunlight at those who dare stand between it and the sea.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY!" Terrence shouts, wielding the great blade as a pole arm more than a sword, poking at the creature.

"DAMMIT!" Olivia curses, a rare thing for the doe to do. She'd just tied a tight tourniquet around the unfortunate otter's arm to cut off circulation, but it was all for naught. Watching the otter die before her eyes makes her angry. She's seen death before, of course, but it never gets any better. After that, she turns her attention back to the other wounded. Varus, not far away, comes crashing into the fray with his sword. "Oy, yahr a great big worm, ain't ya? I've seen adders that look more impressive 'n' you... An' they were all dead."

Donica goes to help the otter best she can, at the same time try and make sure nothing gets too close to her and the otter.

Rhonwen whimpers, ok time to be a brave Long Patrol hare like she is supposed to "Okay... together we stand after all." She decides to try and use humor to calm down "The bigger they are de harder they fall and such"

Gregorian could see the lashing out of the tail coming, he was expecting it and yet getting out of the way was a lot harder. He times it though and with a lot more agility than he's usually assumed to have though the Captain jumps. He doesn't quite get high enough to get completely over the tail, he steps on it instead and ends up springing off the tail, landing with a roll on the other side "Keep back, keep it pinned in!" he yells as much at the hares as he's also yelling at the villagers.

Cole has been helping where he can, he has proven to be a good hare. He can dodge and weave fairly well, he may talk too much but right now he is focused on the mission they are in at this moment.

Felicity dodges the snake's tail, and as it curls up, she hisses back at it. "Y'sound like a kettle 'bout t'boil! Can't y'even speak? Hah! Addahs an' grass snakes are mohe impressive than you! At least they can speak Common!" In the back of her mind, she is wondering why everyone is trying to kill the snake. What did it do? But now it's too late to be trying to salvage the situation. It's do or die.

Not all creatures were as quick as Greg - a rat takes the tail in the chest while Konner get nicked by the very tip; both are sent flying. The hare manages to stir with a groan when he comes to a stop, but the rat is out. Likewise at least two others are caught by the serpent's teeth, screaming as it tosses them with a flick of its head into the rest of the beasts. The taunting is ignored - it can't understand what the shouting means and it all blends together. It just needs to reach the water...

Terrence sucks in a breath as he sees another hare and village group get taken out. "OI!" He practically screams to be heard over the clamour of the fight, "GET BACK! NOW! DON'T PRESS TOGETHER - Leave space! o'- !" His warning is too late for several beasts as the tail sweeps down again, crushing at least one mouse and knocking others down. "HARES, grab the Halyard beasts and fall back to a safe' distance! Pull them away if you have to!"

Donica is still helping the otter, but maybe they can carry the otter further away, she frowns as maybe they need to just totally back up and leave the beach, but at the same time they need to try and save as many beasts as possible also.

Rhonwen asks, "Where did it even come from? Do ya think it will dry out from not being in de water maybe?"

Varus overhears Terrence, and he nods. "Right, fall back," he says to privates that came with him, "Get the civilians back." He's starting to suspect the better tactic would be to make an opening and let the beast escape to the sea. "Gregorian!" he calls out, "Might I suggest a change o' plans..."

Cole grabs a crying otter dibbun before it can be hurt, another otter dibbun latches onto his leg for safety, it seems the mother was killed by the snake or is elsewhere in the total chaos right now. A tall weasel throws a spear at the snake,"Cough up me brother ya scalely pest!"

Gregorian keeps dodging the tail and stabbing the snake as many times as he can as he growls. He's loath to let it go but they were losing a lot and making very little progress "Get them out of here!" he yelled back at Varus though Greg stayed in the fight, trying to keep it occupied while Terrence is ordering the fall back of beasts.

Felicity manages to avoid getting smacked by the tail. "Why can't we jus' let it go? Somebeast explain to me why we can't jus' let it go, why do we 'ave t'kill it?!" She leaps over the tail as she tries to help Greg keep the snake away from everyone else. She was already here, up close, same as him. She deemed it too dangerous to try to retreat right now.

While half the Halyard beasts have the sense to follow the hares, some are still trying to fight even as the serpent enters the shallows. "NO!" A weasel shouts, punching the hare trying to guide him from the snake, "We can't le' it get t'tha water! IT'LL GET BACK TO THE TOWN!"

Terrence splashes into the water after the weasel, his spadone still in his paw - the snake coils once again, the great colourful head rising high into the sky with venom dripping from its dagger-like teeth. For the first time many can clearly see the distant, almost alien-like black eyes - focused on the weasel, Terrence, Gregorian, and anyone else nearby.

Donica frowns, maybe they could start throwing spears or something! She frowns deeply this day has gone insane.

Rhonwen whimpers, she finds a fallen spear and manages to throw it at the snake, maybe hurt it some and least get it distracted away from the main group so they can safely retreat better.

Varus normally is of a mind to kill some snakes, but this is something that certainly requires a bigger army at the moment. He turns on several of the village beasts, and bellows at them, "Back off, now! All o' yah!" He stops to look over at the shouting weasel.

Cole frowns, okay so this snake seems to not want to die,"Hey snake, ya ugly and I bet ya mama is ugly and why ya like de water, huh huh uh? You a coward snakeie huh, yeah ya are... ugly snake face, ugly scales... scales are so not in right now, nope... de villagers needa grill ya up for supper, with sale and pepper and maybe some lemon even and ya know wot they likely wouldn't even help...."
A nearby rat glares at the hare "Shut up! How bout you stop talking!"
...Cole frowns "No..."
The rat grumbles "Yes.."
This goes back and forth a little while till both just snort and hmmmph annoyed at each other. But he will retreat and grabs the rat's tail so it is pulled back before it's smashed or something.

"Do yah see the trail of death followin' it?" Greg snaps back at Felicity. The pleads from the weasel to keep the snake from the water he ignores, there didn't seem to be a way to stop the thing. He growls back at snake when it coils up before he takes his spare and just throws it at one of the creature's eyes.

"Bu' tha' was aftah it stahted bein' attacked!" Felicity hears the shouting weasel, but doesn't react to it. "Whot're we s'possed t'do, then? Nothin's workin'--AUGH!" The Sergeant doesn't jump quite soon enough and gets clipped by the tail. She lands on her back, her polearm clattering to one side as she strives to get air in her lungs again. She sees the reptile's angry face and has an idea, but as of yet she can't share that idea with anyone yet. She is right near Greg, though, so she, too, is under its baleful gaze.

One of the 'village' beasts is clutching a halberd and wearing a kettle hat; a rat who snarls back at Varus. "An' who h'hell are you supposed too be, long ears? Given' us orders like that!"

The weasel in the water is clearly of some importance to the Halyard creatures - he's wearing a brigandine and it seems his helmet was lost in the fray. He stumbles, and Terrence reaches him, catching the vermin and keeping him on his feet. The large sword is held resting the flat of the blade against the master-sergeant's shoulder as both weasel and hare gaze up at the snake above them the eyes holding some sort of recognition of the hares it saw that night weeks and weeks ago, and then -

The spear strikes true. Snake makes a sound as if it was screaming in pain, but its not dead.

With a last, vicious thrash, it strikes down blindly at the closest beasts.

Terrence barely has time to throw the weasel forward and bring the spadone up to try and use it as a brace- the weasel is caught by the serpent's fangs in the side with a scream, piercing the armour easily. The hare is thrown back into the water, the jaws of the snake closing around his sword like a brace, the fangs sticking through the still screaming weasel barely missing him. The weasel, trapped between the flat of the blade and the teeth, is now shrieking louder than ever. Terrence blinks back tears as he feels part of his left paw sheer away by the sword blade and the saltwater in the fresh wound - and above all the pressure of the snake trying to rip him apart.

"Greg, dammit! We can't beat this monstah wi'out a full army be'ind us," Varus yells, from the other side where he's STILL yelling at beasts to get back. "Think o' yahr daughtah. Don't be a bloody martah." It's about the most lucid thing that Varus has said in months. He also glares over at the weasel again. "Wot's yahr best suggestion, mate? Because if ya ain't got two eyes t' notice, we're kinda ovahpowahed 'ere." And then it all goes to hell. "TERRENCE!" he yells, running forward with his sword raised, ready to attack the distracted snake like a beast possessed. He slashes at the snake with little regard for his own safety.

Donica makes sure the weasel is safe and in stable condition before she finds a dagger and throws it at the snake "Leave the Sargeant alone!" She also grabs a spear from a weasel thats froze in fear and goes to jab the snake in neck or the eye or what ever is closer!

Rhonwen backs up, keeping a pawful of villagers away from the snake, she gulps a little she isn't sure what to do now, this in insane.

Cole eyes go wide as he backs up quickly and shivers, okay he has lost that sudden courage as he backs up more "We are all......... GONNA DIE!" He then faints, luckly close to someone who can pull him to safety.

Gregorian didn't expect the spear to kill the snake, hell he barely expected it to do anything at all. If he lived he'd have time to be surprised about hitting it later. If it had disappeared in to the sea he'd have let it go but it didn't and there always seemed to be someone in danger from the thing still so he'd rather the thing attacked him than them. He snarled when Felicity was hit but he couldn't really do anything about it, he had to dodge himself. Terrence and the weasel go in the water though and "Damn it" he mutters as he charges on in a short distance away from the creature's head. He was a good swimmer, he was going to at least try to get the hare away.

Felicity rolls to her feet, sucking in air. "Terrence," she's barely able to whisper, her body still aching from being slammed into the ground. Deep in her heart, she does still care for him, even if she hasn't shown it or even acknowledged it. Grabbing her polearm, she staggers forward, darting towards the snake's head. "MOUTH! GET IT IN TH' MOUTH OH TH' EYE!" She stabs with her weapon near the creature's mouth, trying to get it to open up and let go. The moment it does, she is going to leap forward and try to drive the polearm through the roof of its mouth! If it doesn't open up...well, she'll keep stabbing at its face until something happens. Hopefully something that will turn the tide in their favour.

The spear used by Donica, Varus' sword, and Greg's hammer all serve the same purpose.

Nothing seems to pierce the snake's scales, but the battering proves too much - especially now the great beast is blinded in one eye and now the assault on its remaining eye and mouth. It twists away in the water, moving far swifter now, the whimpering weasel still in its jaws and dragging Terrence up into the air as the great sword is caught. His strength fails and the master sergeant falls limp to into the shallows, his sword still trapped in the serpent's fangs with the weasel.

With a last flick of its tail lash out at the danger as the snake slips into the water, the sound of weasel is cut off when he and the head slide under the waves. The seafoam is red along the shore, especially were the great serpent disappeared; but that soon fades.

Donica gasps, she hurries over as she is a healer and first will make sure Terrence is out of the water, unless someone else does first. She will still quickly check on his wounds and do what is needed to stop any serious bleeding.

Rhonwen almost trips as the snake disappears and grips her weapon as if expecting the snake to suddenly return and attack all of them. She glances left, right, down and some reason up as if the snake was gonna appear from the sky.

Varus is caught square in the stomach by that last tail lashing, and sent sprawling back into the surf as the great beast flees. The old buck is left winded, and a bit dazed. "Damn..." is his only spoken word as he just lays there.

Zywie glances at the beasts she and others helped get moved away from the snakes path, a frown still as there was still a lot of damage left from the snake and she hopes it just goes off to finish dying.

Gregorian is already in the water, the weasel was bitten so he assumes they're already done for and he just focuses on Terrence. The swirl of the water as the snake leaves doesn't help but he reappears near the master sergeant and goes to drag him back to shore to let Donica take over while he tries to catch his breath.

Donica does the best she can to tend to Terrence wounds, she asks another private to see if anyone, even some villagers are healers that want to help to please help the wounded, her focus is Terrence right now.

Felicity throws the spear after the retreating snake, then turns, still sore from her tossing. She stumbles after the others, pushing through until she gets to the Master Sergeant. "Terrence!" Once he's safely on the sand and being cared for by the Healers, she goes to stroke his head, trying to stay out of the Healers' way while also trying to comfort him. "Terrence, look at me. Y'no' allowed t'die, y' 'ear me?"

While the patrol hares are moving about, the Halyard creatures are mostly in a state of stunned silence. The snake had left as quickly as it had appeared for them.

"Cap'n Lawel," A rat ventures, staring at the spot the snake and weasel disappeared. "It got 'em..." There's grumbling from the others. "The snake got away!"

Terrence shows no sign of dying yet - the largest injury is his paw where the palm had been cut away with parts of his fifth and fourth fingers. He was alive and, while dazed, was awake. He certainly is happy to be out of the cold winter sea.

"Where'd-" his teeth clatter as he looks around at all the hares as his head clears. "W-where'd the blasted thing go...? Di' you get it?"

Olivia pushes in between all the other hares to attend to Terrence. "Out of the way and back up, all of you... Give him some space." She begins to bandage that paw. "You're lucky you didn't lose your whole damn arm." Varus, meanwhile, pushes himself up after a bit, still pretty winded, and minus his sword. "Th' blightah got away. My official recommendation t' Ciocan will be that we organize a much largah search pahty t' make sure tha' beast 'as gone somewhere t' die."

Gregorian resting his paws on his knees slowly gets his breath back and eyes the beasts from Halyard already wondering if there's going to be more trouble. He finally straightens up "Aye, we need a runnah back tah the mountain. We're not goin' anywhere until the healahs have done their thing" he replies to Varus, his gaze uncomfortably slipping to Terrence afterwards.

Felicity is genuinely offended as Olivia shoves her to the side, but she decides to let it go. "It go' away. I'm sorry, Terrence.... I... I tried t'stop it..." she's starting to ramble, the shock of how frightening the situation was, as well as the horror of the carnage and the fact that she almost lost some (more) dear friends is starting to get to her. The look on her face should be recognizable to everyone who knew her after the Dibbun rescue mission when her mind cracked. She needs a little jar back into the present.

The thin lipped look Terrence gives the retired lieutenant is perhaps a sign that he's exhausted and countenance is fraying. "Bette' an arm than the venom." He mutters but otherwise is compliant.

Konner had managed to stumble over, holding a rag to his bleeding forehead. "Maybe the damn serpent can go meet th'mystery beast 'unting ouh 'ares, wot, and they can do us a favah an' kill each othah, eh, sahs?"

Some of the Halyard beasts step back when the captain looks their way, but others remain defiant. "So you lot are going back t' yer mountain hole?" A hedgehog standing beside the rat who spoke early - the same hedgehog from the bakery - tilts his head. "Well, erm, still, thanks, for the help."

"But cap'n Lawel- the longears left him!"

The old healer finishes her work, and sighs at the Master Sergeant. "I've seen too many brash young hares get themselves maimed or worse. Just... Be more careful. I may be retired, but the chief medic back at the mountain is a good friend of mine, and I know he'll back me up in this... Sergeant Cadwallader, I'll be making the recommendation that you take at least a three week leave until this is properly healed. Don't argue about it." She sighs, and turns to bandage Konner's forehead next. Her husband nods to Greg. "Aye, I concur..." He looks at the other hare intently. "We shoulda retreated soonah, though. There was no way we coulda taken that beast down wi'out more back-up."

The death and injury seemed to do nothing to Greg. He'd seen it too many times and he was very calm for going through yet another near death experience. He went to tap Felicity on the shoulder though because he knew that look "Organise the troops and we need someone tah send work tah the mountain" he was trying to give her something to do to distract her. After that he looked back at Konner but he doesn't clue the hare in, looking to the Halyard beasts. From context he assumed Lawel must have been the weasel "He was bitten" he says as he shakes his head "There was nothin' tah be done" Finally Varus gets a glance "We'll discuss it latah" he mutters back. He wasn't in the mood and there was a lot to do. Besides, he could beat himself up and build up a healthy amount of guilt even without the help.

Felicity blinks, then nods. "Aye, sah. Organize th' troops. Run back t'th'Mountain wi' th' news. On it." She only pauses long enough to look Terrence in the eye again. "We'll talk latah....when...when y'feelin' bettah, wot." Then she's up and back, shouting commands at the hares and letting the higher-ranking officers handle the understandably upset Halyardians. The Sergeant gets makeshift stretchers for the wounded from both parties, getting the Healers to help all of the wounded, not just the hares.

Then the wounded hares are carried back to camp, where they discover that, in her terrified state, Rioko ate almost all the supplies. They only have enough food left for two more meals. So that's fantastic. After giving the vixen the greatest chewing out of her life, Felicity runs back to Salamandastron with Flowerheart. They have a lot of explaining to do. Including the fact that a chubby vixen may be accompanying them when they all come back...

"You'll find no arguments here..." Terrence shrugs, settling down. "Though I could have sworn the chief medic had been planning on retiring last month. And I'm pretty fine, Felicity, all things considered!" He adds after seeing her face there. He'd genuinely missed that she was right there. "Feel like I got hit by a boulde' though. Nothing short bloody artillery could've stopped that thing, I'd say."

The rat closes his mouth, muttering something dark under his breath, and turns away. Some of the other beasts linger to watch the hare healers - especially those that are dealing with the injured Halyard beasts. But most are turning to deal with the carnage left behind - nearly all the dead are non-patrol beasts save for two hares; it seems that without the Patrol being there, things could have gone much, much worse.

The hares follow the sergeant's orders - those not dealing with the causalities that is - and begging readying to return home the next day. None of the hares wanted to stay in the camp at this point and they were glad to return home - ESPECIALLY now that the supplies was more or less gone. Felicity might have some extra work to do when she returns, keeping the vixen safe and alive from here mob that now looks positively murderous.

"We should have fed you to the snake!" Is one of the kinder things shouted by the hares.

On the way back, Olivia takes Terrence aside, whispering to him about the little trip she's already okayed with Gregorian two days ago. Varus, for his part, seems fine, and all too eager to get back to the mountain.

"So much for the three weeks of leave, then." Terrence can't help but mutter as he looks up at the sky.

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#1 2021-10-17 12:36:12 AM