07-26-05 1

Characters involved: Slain, Keita, Dosu, & Zeraph.

Western Shore

Slain is training a but far up the beach compared to usual, he still carries one of the wooden staves he had with him the other night and once again is minus his sword, he moves the long piece of wood about his body in a fast rythmic motion, his shirt lays folded up on top of his boots and gloves, the setting sun seems to bring out the odd pattern of grey scales on his back that seem to form the shape of a dragon.

Following a track of partially faded foot prints in the wet sand down close by the waterline, Keita doesn't seem to be heading in any particular direction except onward. Her sandals are held in one paw whilst her other paw is tucked in her pockets. Slain, from his spot further up the beach, is not immediately noticed. She's... not exactly the type to be observant. Heh.

Slain continues his training, not yet noticing the hare either.

Dosu slowly walks at the hare's side with shoulders drooped and paws in his pockets. He spots Slain quite some ways ahead on the beach, he remembers him well for its hard to forget a beast such as Slain, but decides to say nothing for now in keeping the silence.

The water rises up and covers Keita's footpaws, but she doesn't seem to mind. She /does/ finally look away from the sea long enough to notice Slain further down the beach. She squints - ah, yes. The lizardy type from the other day. With a small grin, she raises the sandal-holding paw in a wave.

Slain comes to a stop, close to out of breath as he notices the two travelers, he raises his staff in a greeting to them.

Ah, so it's a peaceful beach scene is it? Delightful. Zeraph suddenly emerges from the water, some kelp dangling from one of his ears and sloshing towards the shore, snorting the the liquid out of his nose and coughing lightly. The buck grins as he sees the others though, despite having one eye closed. "G'day." He greets, then begins shaking his pants to help get water out of them.

At the sight of a sopping wet Zeraph, Keita laughs. "So... when exactly'd ya decide t' try out bein' a sea ottah?" The still distant lizard is forgotten for the moment.

Slain watches curiously as the hare emerges from the sea, he's no doubt very confused by this.

Dosu grins lightly at the sight of the soaked hare. "....Good time for a swim, eh...?"

Zeraph waggles his stump tail rapidly, to get rid of excess water, then his footpaws in order. "Oh..curious you should say that..I've been thinking about it for a while now.." The hare pulls the kelp off of his head, then nods to the marten. "Very good time.." More coughing and he rubs his eye.

Slain starts to makes his way down the beach towards the others to find out why a hare just came out of the water.

Dosu notices the lizards approach and gives him a slight wave, "....Good day Slain. Long time, no see..."

Keita smirks at the buck's response, but as Slain approaches, her attention is drawn to him. After all, he was interesting the other day - who knows? He might be again today.

Zeraph seems at least a little relieved to have the attention gone from him as he wrings the bottom of his tunic out and his ears go back. A smile is sent towards Slain in greeting as well, then he starts wringing out his pants.

Slain bows the group when comes within range of them "Good day to you all."

Zeraph inches away while the group's attention is elsewhere and then hurries back to the mountain, sand clinging to him easily because of his wet state.

".... And what would you be doing all the way out here? If you don't mind my asking....", says the marten as he places his paws back in his pockets. The questions directed towards Slain.

Slain smirks a bit "Seeking new challenges as always and seeing what I can do to help free Halyard."

Dosu grins lightly as he looks out to the sea, ".... A noble cause, Slain...."

As another wave comes in, Keita steps up and out of the water's path, and finally puts her sandals back on. You know, after brushing the sand off her feet. She is actually listening, though. Just not contributing.

Slain leans a bit on the staff "If you can call it noble, I just do what I think I should."

Dosu grins lightly. "...Aswell as I..."

Slain asks "You're here to help as well Dosu?"

Dosu shrugs lightly, still looking out to the sea. ".... If my help is needed, then I shall give it.... I've already helped out with teh escape from Halyard.... No sence stoppin now...."

Keita rolls her eyes and smirks. Vermin or woodlander, any mention of "noble" always gives Keita a tickle of amusement. She stops in her fidgeting and turns to give her full attention to the subject at hand.

Slain nods while questioning again "Tell me, did any of the Bloodthirsters spot you during the escape?"

Keita snorts rather loudly at this question. Stop him? You might say that.

Dosu gives a sinister looking grin, filed teeth in full view. "...Ohh... A few... But you could say they were already dead as soon as they decided to attack....."

Slain decides not to dwell on this fact and continues "I've made it in to the town on many occasions and even earned the trust of a few guards, it would be nice if I had a little help with another escape plan."

Keita glances sharply at Slain. "Did ya not hear the patrol types the othah day? They're goin' in with a whole /army/, jus' leave it to them."

Dosu nods lightly, "...Yes it would... But I couldn't tell if one of the Thirsters saw me helpng with the escape or not....."

Slain replies to Keita with a bit of a smirk "And the abbey beasts want me to give up my sword for a quill, that does not mean I will."

Dosu chuckles lightly at Slain's response before turning to Keita. "....He's right, you know.... We've come much to far in life to just drop our arms and give up....."

"Look, that's /my/ village 'n' /my/ friends... I don't want you riskin' their lives with yer foolishness." Keita looks to Dosu for some support, but at his reply she merely frowns at him. "Don't get me wrong, I appreciated yer help gettin' out, but /then/ we had the element o' surprise. Slain's already said they've increased their guard. The Patrol has the necessary amount o' force t' go in 'n' get them out without any more fuss. Ole lizardy type here's just goin' t' go in 'n' get folks /killed/..." Scowl.

Dosu sighs lightly as he pulls the massive sword from his back and shoving it into the went sand to stick it up before sitting down beside it. ".... Both are excellent arguments.... And perhaps both are right, in their own aspects....."

Slain nods, lowering his head "Yes, that is a risk, but if they stay in there, then there's a chance that they may be killed anyways."

Dosu shrugs lightly, "....To be honest, I think marching in there is a bad idea.... The best plan of action would be a night raid.... Archers would come in handy aswell...."

"Both may we righ', but those're my friends in there and I'd rathah trust them t' the patrol." Keita shakes her head slowly, her lips formed into a thin frown. "An' they're not stayin' in there - I just told ya - the patrol's goin' in t' get them out."

Slain says "A pair of vermin types like us could walk in there as opposed to a whole army of hares."

Keita points to Dosu. "First off, he coulda been seen. /He'd/ be stupid t' go back in there like nothin' happened, 'n' he'd definitely be puttin' folks at risk if'n he did."

Dosu sighs lightly as he looks up over to Slain, "....She's right, you know....". He then turns his tired gaze back to the hare, "... Thats why I suggested a night run...."

Slain replies "There are risks no matter what happens."

Keita frowns. "And how d'ya know that's not what they've got planned?"

Slain shakes his head "I don't know what they have planed."

A faint smile forms acrost Dosu's mouth as he lays back on the sandy beach. ".... I have an idea... Slain... I'll send you and another marten friend of mine into Halyard... He said he would do anything to help out... You two can dig up some information from some of the Bloodthirsters....."

Slain nods "I'm already doing that, but I don't mind a partner."

Keita throws up her arms in frustration, turning away from both of them. She wanders back towards the water's edge, at which she kicks. Though spraying water doesn't seem very good at relieving stress. Hm.

Slain watches her with a raised brow ridge "What? I'm not talking about waging one beast war on them any more, just spying."

Keita glances back over her shoulder. "And if they catch on t' yer spyin'?"

Slain shrugs "Then I disappear."

Keita just shakes her head and looks generally unhappy about the whole situation as she continues into the water 'til she's knee deep in it. Apparently Zeraph's sea otter aspiration is catching.

Slain sets down not too far from the marten "These hares are so temperamental..."

Dosu shrugs lightly as he turns his tired gaze back out to sea. ".... I guess so... But it'd be nice to have something so dear to yourself to wish to protect it like them....."

Slain nods with a slight smile while staring at the sea too "I know what that feels like, I feel I've found that in Ana."

Dosu grins lightly before it slowly fades away. "....I am heppy to hear that, Slain....."

Slain continues to just stare out to sea "So am I."

Dosu sighs lightly before turning back to Slain. ".... The beast I know goes by the name of Gecko.... He's a sickly marten, but can more than handle himself with a sword and has alot of heart to boot.... Last I heard he set up camp near the Bacl Gull Tavern near the Redwall Abbey..... I'll try and send word to him as soon as I can....."

Slain nods in agreement "I just hope he gets here before this all ends."

Slain chuckles a bit "I know she'd want to but I doubt I could use Ana for spying on them, I think they'd suspect an otter maid."

Dosu chuckles lightly. ".... Don't worry about Gecko... He's as fast as a hare.... Shouldn't take him long to make the journy...."

Slain smiles "Good to hear it. Any thing you want me to pry for?"

Dosu turns back to Slain, "....Guard shifts... Gatherings... Areas of sleep.... Anything that can help us when the time for action comes....."

Slain nods "I know the tavern has become very active since the escape, but only from walking through it. Guard shifts will be very hard to find out, but sleeping areas and gatherings might be easy to get."

Dosu sighs. ".... Good to hear.... Just make sure you don't come back empty handed...."

Slain smirks a bit "You sound like you're talking to an amateur friend."

Dosu chuckles lightly. ".... Who's to tell me your not....?"

Slain stifles a laugh as he tries to look hurt "Well, I'd expect that attitude from these hares but you?"

Dosu grins lightly. "...Hey now, don't be draggin the hares into this...."

Slain nods "Yes, I suppose they should be left alone, I apologize, don't you worry good old demon of the mist, I'll gather every bit of info I can."

Contrary to what they might think, Keita's been listening with those big, hare ears of hers. Finally, she wades back out of the water and stops near the two, arms crossed over her chest as she looks down at the sand. After a brief, thoughtful silence, she looks up. "Would you mind tellin' me anythin' ya find out? And... ah." Frown. "If ya see a doe - light fur, average height, goes by the name o' Rory? Tell me."

Slain's expression changes to a serious one as he bows his head lowly to her "This will be my highest priority milady, I swear it."

Dosu grins lightly as he looks back out to sea. ".... Make sure to pass on the same information of her friend to Gecko, Slain.... And by the way, the Demon's not that old....", he says with a chuckle.

Keita nods her heads in reserved thanks. "'Tis appreciated." She shifts her weight uncomfortably from one footpaw to the other and looks from one to the other.

Slain says to the hare with a smile and a pleasant tone "I will find her, no matter what."

Keita watches Slain go with a small, thoughtful frown. "I don't know what t' think of him."

Dosu grins lightly as he stares out to sea, not bothering to watch the lizard go. ".... Over prideful, maybe.....?"

"Mayhaps," Keita concludes as she turns to look towards the sea, again. "You'll be joinin' the fight whenevah it does come around, then? Imagine they - well, /me/ fer that mattah - could use yer help."

Dosu shrugs lightly, still looking out to sea. "....As I said before.... If my help is needed... Than I shall give it...."

Keita nods. "I think it'll be needed... dunno if the patrol'll agree, but you just stick t' my back, jus' in case I need some carryin' again." Grin.

Dosu grins lightly as he turns his gaze from the sea back to Keita. "....Sounds like a plan.... And to be honest, I rather stick by your side than join some military group....."

Keita grins wryly. "Ya sure? I tend t' draw accidents." The doe is still all too aware of her poor showing during the escape, as her ribs often remind her.

Dosu chuckles lightly as he lays back down on the sandy beach. ".... All the more reason I should acompany you.... You'll need the help...."

"True," Keita muses with a half-sheepish, half-amused grin. "And if you lose any limbs, I'll sew 'em back on fer ya."

Dosu chuckles lightly as he stares up to the now darkend sky. "....Never have lost one and don't plan to, but thanks for the offer...."

Dosu sits up and looks over to Keita, "....So... Where is this Salamandastron I hear all the foaks at Halyard talking about.....?"

Keita looks to the side at Dosu and then turns, pointing in the direction of the fire mountain. It's hard to miss. "Oh... there abouts." She chuckles.

Dosu grins lightly. "...Ahh... I see... Built inside of the mountin... Sounds just like the Taciturn Weald.....", he says with a sigh.

Keita chuckles, nodding. "Righ' inside, aye. Quite the little thing, 'tis. Bit... eh. Closed in, though." She grins, and gestures around. "Much prefer livin' in an open area like this - like Halyard."

Dosu chuckles lightly. "...Yea... I know what you mean...."

Dosu sighs lightly as he climbs back up to his feet. "....Don't worry about it.... We'll have ya back servin drinks in the tavern in no time....."

Keita nods and actually manages to look a little bit hopeful. "I know... I'm jus' not sure what'll be left when everything's ovah with." Hm. She glances back his way. "What're you goin' t' do when this is ovah?"

Dosu shrugs lightly as he leans back against his sword stuck in the ground. "... Maybe have a drink at the Halyard tavern.... Say my good byes.... Don't really know past that.....", he says with a sigh.

"So you'll be leavin' us, then? Yer welcome t' stay s'long as ya want, so ya know."

Dosu grins lightly as he looks back out to sea, still leaning against his sword. ".... No use for a monster like me in a peacful little village like yours.....", he says in a some what tired voice.

"I wouldn't exactly call ya a monstah," Keita counters. She gives him a long look.

Dosu shrugs lightly, still looking out to sea. ".... No good shall come from a beast named the 'Demon'...."

"Kept me alive - I'd count that s'good." Keita shrugs, "Ya think differently?"

Dosu chuckles lightly as he turns his gaze back to Keita. ".... One good deed can't make up for a thousand bad...."

"One atta time, one atta time..." Keita smiles faintly. "It's what ya do now that mattahs, not what ya did then."

Dosu grins lightly as he looks out to the darkened sea. "....Maybe your right...."

Keita grins. "'Course 'm right - always am." She looks back to him and winks, then looks back towards the mountain. "Got a place t' stay t'night? I could prob'ly sneak ya int' the mountain without too much of a fuss from the sentry-types."

Dosu shrugs lightly as he looks back to her, "...Was gonna sleep in the forest... But if your offerin, it would be nice...."

Keita waves this away with a paw. "'Course 'm offerin'. C'mon." She turns to head for the mountain, glancing back to make sure he's following.

Dosu sighs lightly, standing infront of his massive sword and reaching over his shoudler to grasp the long handle if it, fulling it from the ground and onto his back. His shoulders droop as he places his paws in his pockets as he slowly follows behind Keita.

Keita leads the way, and after her first glance back, she continues on in silence.

Dosu watches her lead ahead. A few moments later he walks up to walk beside her.