09-05-05

Characters involved: Nadenka, Lesperance, Udat, Nadia, Taye, & Nivik.

Western Shore

Nadenka nods and goes to take the clam to look inside

Lesperance shrugs a bit. "Indeed," he watches as the newt demonstrates. "But not amiss, really." he chuckles, softly. "She is also a guest of the mountain."

Udat blinks, giving Lesperance a curious look as he offers the dagger back. "A guest of the mountain... A Soulslash?" He scratches under his chin and chuckles. "Well, that does indeed sound intriguing."

Nadia looks at the open clam now carefully

Lesperance chuckles, softly, "Indeed, even moreso that she is traveling with me.." he shrugs a bit, looking around, keeping an eye on th ekits.

Nadenka pokes the clam meat curiously

Out for a run on this fine evening, Taye finds himself approaching the mountain's guests. With a curious brow wrinkle she raises a paw in greeting, calling out. "Hullo!"

Udat nods faintly. "And...what brings the Lady Soulslash to this mountain, pray tell? Other than you, perhaps." He chuckles, glancing back at Nadenka. His attention is caught by the hare's approach, however, and he offers Taye a slight nod in greeting. "A 'hello' to yourself as well, Sir."

Lesperance has a campfire up, and a blanket spread, upon which sleeps the vixen. The hob himself is munching some sort of meat off of a small thin metal spike. "Ah, Private Taye, good evening to you."

Nadia offers the clam to Les "Can you cook it?" There are no pearls in the clam of course.

Taye slows a short distance from them and walks the rest of the distance, nodding to them all but Lesperance in particular. "Evenin', sah."

Udat glances from Taye to Nadia, answering for the Exile. "Indeed they can be cooked...takes a little time, and a little care... I've never been one to bother cooking them, though."

Lesperance tilts his head to the side, then looks at the clam. "And.. we didn't bring the required things to cook them in, just a bit of meat and these skewers." he looks at Taye, "So what brings you out and about tonight?"

Taye grins. "Was just about t' ask you the same question..." Taye drops down into a crouch near the fire, looking around at the gathered beasts. "Just goin' fer a bit of a run."

Nadenka nods and shrugs and goes back to poking the clam, "What do they taste like?"

Nadia looks at the clam curiously and says "Yah."

Lesperance nods, "Ah, I see. Well, Lady Veronica had an urge to spend the night outdoors, under the stars, and so I was obliging." he looks at the two, then to Udat, letting him answer.

Udat chuckles. "What...you want to know why I'm out here? Well, the annoyances of the sand aside, I enjoy fresh air... that should say enough." He looks back at Nadenka and Nadia. "They taste like...a kind of fish, really. Salty."

Nadenka giggles and smiles, "Kay"

Nadia giggles "Kay."

Taye looks to the two kits and smiles at their like responses. "Well, I hope ya don't mind my stealin' some of yer fire's warmth." He addresses this to the two adults, of course.

Lesperance shakes his head, "Not at all, truely. Always welcome to my fire, since the Long Patrol so welcomed me." he smiles, going back to eating off of the skewer."

Taye inclines his head in thanks to Lesperance than deposits his pack onto the sand. Lifting his canteen, he unscrews the cap and takes a long, much-needed drink. He then looks to Udat, with a thoughtful ear-twitch. "Did you resolve the supply issue, sah?"

Nadia sits down by the fire and stretches

Nadenka sits by her sister and listens to the hare

Udat says, "To a degree....if only temporarily. Also spent a fair ammount of time assisting in the infirmary. Your...companions seem to have been hit hard by the fighting for that village." He glances back at Lesperance. "And, of course, it is always intriguing to run into certain Exiles here...so I've been catching up on old times."

At the mention of the fighting for the village, the young buck rubs self-consciously at his forehead. "Aye... but the fight was worth it, to restore Halyard's freedom." At mention of exiles, he glances to Lesperance then back to Udat, his brow wrinkling. "Exiles, sah?"

Lesperance chuckles. "I was Exiled from Ruingate, awhile back. Treason." he smirks. "For telling a lie to the Lord Regeant." he shrugs a bit. "Likely didn't help that before that I was his Advisor.

"

Nadia looks into the fire listening quietly..

Nadenka does the same as her sister

Udat nods. "Oh, quite... Lesperance here was rather involved in a plot to undermine the ruling family. Up until his Exile, he was a part of a supported group known as the Sword Dancers...very skilled fighters, assassins, and murderers..." He snorts. "Bad for business, they never left too many alive." The newt looks less than pleased. But then again, this is a discussion regarding death.... "I've called him Exile since then, a term of endearment, if you will..."

Taye eyes Lesperance with considerably renewed interest. Actually, it nears shock - what with finding out that he's not just an ordinary ferrety type. Right. "Murdarahs?" It's not really apparent which of the two he's addressing.

Lesperance rolls his eyes, "A complete overdramatization. The Dancers were, for the most part, a mercenary group, open to all beasts. We hired out to protect, defend, or if needed, fight. Several were, yes, skilled assassins. But, their secondary duty, as it were, was for the training of those that wished to learn, whatever weapon."

Udat says, "You should have seen the torture cells that Darkmane managed in the basement...." He idly starts making himself some tea. "When the Regent learned, Exile, that you had taken up residence in this area, he wanted someone to make sure that, at the very least, the local freedom fighters were aware of your history." The newt pushes himself up to stand, brushing some sand from his robes. Since I had business in this region anyway..I was assigned the role as messenger. The Regent would be terribly upset if, especially after the losses from the battle for Halyard, someone were to take advantage of Salamandastron in its weakened state...."

Nadia moves to climb onto Les's shoulders with a giggle

Nadenka does the same as her sister on the other shoulder

Taye's eyes widen imperceptibly at the present, rather unexpected, conversation. He looks silently from ferret, to newt, and back.

Lesperance smirks, ever so slightly, looking at Udat. "I believe, should you have such a message indeed, it should've been perhaps delivered to one of the Colonels or higher. But, seeing as I didn't send word to Merdez that I was even coming to Salamandastron until I was several days on the road, I suspect you were already here, and he merely sent word to you by bird - if he sent word at all." he smiles at the kits, but gently removes them from his shoulders, setting them on the ground. "And should you wish to dishonor Darkmane's name - then you should do so in his presense, as he is currently residing in Mapleleaf." a smirk, "And there was a point he free'd one of those taken captive by the Dancers. I can accept insults to my own honor, as I have not led a straight path in life - but to dishonor my friends who live peacefully, this is another matter indeed." he stands, slowly. "Since we have, indeed, been speaking of old times, then I will allow you this one chance to walk away."

Udat blinks, giving Lesperance a cold, level gaze... "I am no stranger to threats, Exile... I speak truths, whether you deny it or not. My message has been delivered...and unless you plan on silencing Private Taye...then that is good enough for me. I am no combatant, I am a healer. I carry no weapons." He clasps his hands behind his back at the wrist. "The Dancers were a blemish on the ideals held by the Regency... Torture, slavery..." He snorts. "Yourself, Darkmane...however many others still remain alive... If Darkmane is indeed residing in Mapleleaf, perhaps an envoy will be sent to warn Matrim as well.

Nadia sits calmly where she is sat and then lays back smiling

Not knowing whom to trust, Taye keeps a ready eye on both of them, just listening. Listening, and keeping quiet. His ears have nearly flattened back against his skull.

Nivik returns from seasons-knows-what-activities, appearently alerted by the sight of a group of beasts. He's staying low, using his coat and clothing as a primative sort of camoflage, the tattered wastelands-wear serving somewhat on the beaches as he noses about at some distance, beginning to observe.

Lesperance shakes his head, slowly. "Thus are the tools of the Regeancy. Lies and deciet because we were not loyal unto him, but to the Warden, who many times spoke more of peace than war - of using the skills to entertain and protect." he returns Udat's gaze, just as cold, violet eyes turning to hard amethysts. "I have no need to silence Private Taye, in fact, I will urge him to remember this night, to recount it to the Colonel. I have come, journeying with kits and a vixen, to let the kits experience something outside of Mapleleaf. As for Matrim - he accepts me, and is not even the mayor any longer. Your information, Udat, is outdated. Send word to Loial, who has succeeded him, and asked me to train his guards for him. I, who defeated the eagle, Dark - who preyed upon the village for some time. Risked my life when an archer started shooting at the square to remove the threat. No, Udat - no torture went on. Were the Dancers slavers? At one point, yes we were. When we left Ruingate - our slaves were paid, freed, and offered places amongst us - or escorted to homes and families."

Udat says, "You keep company with a Soulslash. One of the Regent's own kin...one who departed Ruingate in self exile because she feared that her own treacheries would be discovered. In spite of countless extensions of good will and forgiveness on her brother's part, she's yet to return." He shakes his head. "Slaves, regardless, are still slaves. You can pay them, you can house them...there are stories of very generous slave owners indeed. You may have had a change of heart, don't get me wrong, Exile...but a beast cannot change what he is. Eventually, they fall back on what they know best.""

Nivik stays stationary. Listening. Watching.

Lesperance's smirk turns into a lazy smile. "Ah, Udat - but you forget there is her side of the story. I for one believe she left Ruingate to get away from Merdez, afraid of what he might attempt. He recalls troops from the gull, why? Many rumors abound, truely, most of which involve Mapleleaf. To trust the Regeant of Ruingate is to put your life in the paws of a depraived beast, whose only goal in life is to extend his domain and control as far as he can. And shall I add 'self-proclaimed' Ruler of the Broadstream, hmm?" he smirks. "If Kevarr were still alive, you could ask her what misfortunes she suffered at the paws of the Regeant, exploiting her fear of enclosed spaces, leaving her in a covered pit to suffer for days as punishment. Do not seek to put the blame of Ruingate on the Dancers, Udat, for it shall fall on the Regeancy."

Nadia closes her eyes and yawns..

Nadenka yawns a bit too but sits there quietly still

Taye listens to this back and forth with ears a-twitch. Slowly his paw creeps to his dagger hilt and grips it, though from the way it looks, it's more for the comfort than any actual intent. He clears his throat, quietly. "E-excuse..." He clears his throat. "Uh - excuse me, sahs?"

Udat says, "She 'suffered' time in prison for murdering guards within Ruingate, not because of affiliation or prejudiced hate. The lawful run that has taken place in Ruingate is unique, something I don't expect you to understand, Exile. Merdez has never attempted to expand his domain, merely expand his allies. He offered aid to the abbey in a time of need, responding to the murder of Kevarr outside the Abbey gates, as well as countless attacks that rendered the dirt road unsafe. The Abbey requested he leave, so he withdrew. Mapleleaf is far from endangered by Ruingate. We hold a peaceful alliance with them as well...a cooperative existance." He glances towards Taye, falling quiet."

Lesperance, having heard Taye before, and, paying no mind to Udat, likely talking in the midst of his speach. "Sorry, Private." he smiles, lightly. "This is likely a conversation likely held with those of more rank than yourself, no offense of course. But it is likely that Udat will not care to thus repeat himself before them. Speak your mind, friend."

Taye returns Lesperance's smile with an awkward - almost apologetic - one of his own. "In... in light of circumstances, I must take it into my paws to revoke yer welcome to Salamandastron." Hastily, he adds. "Until a time when you c'n speak to one of the Colonels, and I c'n delivah a report of tonight's... tonight's happenings."

Nadia slips off to sleep slowly..

Nivik stiffens...and stands, expression less than pleased, "Y' mean to tell me that we just got kicked outta the one place filled with decent, non-idiotic woodland sorts?" He puts one paw on his hip, the other on his strung bow, whose end sticks in the sand, "Just my pike-chawed luck."

Udat flickers a glance towards Nivik, then to Taye. "If need be, Private...I will relay what I know, readily, to those who need to hear it. I've no qualms with that. After all, it is what I was asked to do." He lets his gaze shift from Nivik, to Lesperance, and back again, a slight shiver hitting him. Outnumbered...bleh.

Lesperance nods a bit, looking thoughtful. "Understandable, I suppose. If you would take word to the Colonel Zoe Lang that I would like to speak with her, and will be delivering her my own accounting of tonight?" he turns his gaze to Udat. "Well, Udat, I would say mission accomplished, I suppose. Do give Merdez my appreciation at the stroke of brilliance that seemed to hit him."

Taye looks around at Nivik, his ears flattening back further with an inexplicable guilt. "I - I'm sorry. If ya wish, the kits c'n remain in the mountain fer safety's sake until this has been sorted out..." He returns his attention to Udat and Lesperance, though it is to Udat in particular that he addresses himself. "With all due respect, sah... Ruingate is not an ally of the Patrol. You should have spoken yer true intentions when we met at the entry." Looking extremely uncomfortable he stands and steps away from the fire, looking around at all of the creatures. Psht. Udat feels outnumbered?

Nivik snorts, "Lovely. Woo'landers continue to dissapoint meh, an' vermin turned diplomatic an' lawful like. Ev'ryone wants me outta business and bored on my fluffy butt in a stupid robe somewhere, fighting wrist cramps an inkstains." He lifts his bow, looking at it, and sighing, "I remember when beasts actually shot each other up when things got unpleasent. All this word stuff is really startin' to get at me." He looks at Taye, and twitches his whiskers, "Kits nothin'. I want fed an' a decent pallet in a place where they'll let me put the bow under it, 'stead o' checkin' it at the door. Flea-festerin' flower-sniffin' loons."

Lesperance nods once again, "I was just about to inquire, friend, if such could be arranged." those are his only words for the moment, but he looks at Nivik, giving a faint shake of his head. Both paws raise, making what would be some rather strange gestures to another beast. He sighs a bit at Nivik's words, but smiles as well, letting his paws drop.

Udat says, "Keep in mind, these...intentions changed without notice. My true intentions were, and still are, to open a supply line for supplies I need to carry out my job as a healer. And, while not allies, the Regent would still dislike anything to befall the mountain fortress... I trust you understand such." He gives Nivik a glance...and just shakes his head. "Flea-festering...? All due respect, but...you're the one with fur.""

Taye's nose wrinkles up and he looks from one beast to the other, and from the looks of things, he's more than slightly flustered by the back-and-forth. "A'right, so... I'll take the kits, then." He eyes the two little ones and then looks around at Nivik, as well. Fluster!

Nivik waves his paw low in a sort of dismissive gesture, looking to Udat, "Ah. But you're not a woodlander, so you don't count there. You fall under diplomatic lawful vermin. Which is possibly more insulting, since it's unnatural, not just a case of idiocy." He grins, "I dislike most woo'lander communities. They're very catered-to an' incapable of living like a woo'lander should, off the land. Bu' a large vermin force primarily comprised of the classically woo'lander mindset, rather than the preditorial values they shoul' have...it's simply wrong. Nature should've never allowed such a thing. I like real vermin...wha' Merdez wants'd put me clean outta business." The squirrel shakes his head, snorting, "Imagine a united north, wes', an' south. It'd eliminate all the flavor from life...I mean, farmin' vermin! What a stupid picture."

Udat furrows his brow and shakes his head. "Dare to call me vermin...?" He shudders at the thought. "Lizard is far better a name than that blasphemous title..." He glances around the beach and sighs. "I do...suppose I shall be hunting out lodging, a place that supports a big fire too, no less...."

Lesperance sighs a bit, gazing over at Taye. "Indeed, I'd not bother the Colonel a this time of night with such business. Easy enough to spend another night out of doors, but I'd have the kits safe, as well. I won't keep you further, Taye -the night grows darker and the kits tire. I'd not have you attempting to carry the two of them back alone, and I'm sure you need some rest yourself."

Taye looks gratefully to Lesperance in all this. He nods to the ferret. "Thank ya, sah. I hope this sorts itself out 'n' yer allowed t' return." The young buck moves over to the two kits. "A'right, you two... Off we go."

Nivik shrugs smoothly, "If one doesn't fit into a certain classification, 'e gains t'e one based on where 'is loyalties lie, where 'e lives, and who 'e works for. That makes you a verminy sort, wouldn' it?" A grin, "Dig. Good, easy-packed sand 'ere. Very suitable for lodging, if you c'n avoid cave-in." He stretches, and mmphs, "Thankfully, 'm a proper woo'lander...may not be so cozy, but up the beach a l'il more inland where the grasses start an' you won't drown sleepin' on the surface."

Nadenka looks over at Les then up at the hare and says, "I don't wanna go.."

Udat glances at the sand... "Well, while that may work for you, Nivik, it will not work for me. The cold would put me worse off than most would think. I'll most likely wander north a little ways and find a spot further away from the oceanfront where I can start up a fire."

Taye crouches down next to Nadenka and the other, smiling, strained though it is. "We'll have us a nice big snack from the kitchens when we get there. Would that be a'right?" Nope, not bribing them, not one little bit.

Lesperance looks at Nadenka, "Please, Nadenka - go with him for the night. Tommorow I will see you again, to get things sorted out." he glances at Udat, then to Nivik, again making some strange gestures with his paws. "And should things turn against us, then we will all proceed onwards."

Nivik ahs, and nods, flicking his tail, "I recall. I don't recall getting the opprotunity to thank you for your assistance with Tabasco, the hawk, a season or a few back. Yer knowledge of toxins served well ta save 'er." He gives Lesperance a bit of a look following his words, tail flicking slowly in measured time.

Nadenka looks frustrated and then, just gives up, "...Fine.." She stands up and dusts her self off, waiting for her sister before she looks up at the hare, waiting for him

Udat quirks his brow slightly. "Ah...yes, Tabasco...I am glad to have done what I could." He grins... see, once a healer, always a healer, regardless of loyalties. His gaze shifts to Lesperance, and he snorts softly. "Well, Exile...a shame you tried to hide your past. You should have known it would catch up to you eventually."

Taye stands as Nadenka does, though he too waits for Nadia before moving off. All the same, he's keeping an eye and an ear on Udat and Lesperance.

Lesperance rolls his eyes. "Don't make your camp fire too large, Udat. Things like that have a way of doing things unexpected, like catching a beast on fire should he sleep too close." he smirks. "And I have never hid my past - I have always let it be known I am a beast of weapons, and settle my .. issues.. accordingly."

Udat says, "Your veiled threats, Exile, are quite humorous indeed." The newt's tail twitches faintly, and he glances at Nivik. "I ask one favor...that you keep your friend here in check. If he is trying to impress the mountain hares, then...well, he'll need all the help he can get at avoiding a mistake. Killing an unarmed healer is...well, not very sound, politically.""

Nadenka follows Taye off, looking back at Les for as long as she can

Nivik clears his throat, "I think I'll accompany our friend Taye to the mountain, and perhaps sleep in its shadow, so the mornin' doesn't bother my eyes when I get up. If that's permissable..." He nods to Udat, "Sadly, this comes to a difference of interest in my eyes. I owe you both, so I'm going to remove myself from it...entirely. I elect ta disavow myself of any involvement with anythin' that happens 'twixt the two of yeh. That way, at least, /I/ won't be 'unted down or anythin'...should Lesp choose, to, eh, be Lesp."

Having started off with a small shake of his head, Taye nevertheless pauses at Nivik's words. In response, he nods. "That'd be fine, chap." He then half-turns, in a slight hint-hint to be moving along.

Nivik moves to follow Taye, unstringing his bow, seeing as it's unlikely to be needed tonight. ^^ He instead uses it to keep a good footing in the sand, footpaws not as suited to the shifty environment as the broader and longer ones of the hare.

Lesperance watches the quad of beasts depart, turning to gaze at Udat, waiting, silently. "Can I have my dagger back?" very aware that he hadn't asked for it back since loaning it to the newt so he could demonstrate the opening of the clam.

Udat keeps his gaze on Lesperance...he doesn't trust the ferret any further than he'll throw a spear. Which...well, considering he's never thrown one.... Said dagger is, of course, glanced at... "I might need this for my own personal protection tonight... One never can tell what thieves or murderers might show up in the night."

Taye's ears twitch in mild annoyance as Udat and Lesperance's barbs continue to drift to his ears. As soon as Nivik moves to follow he starts off again, keeping an eye to the two kits to ensure that they're keeping up. "Ya mind tellin' me what I've gotten m'self int', here?" His words are a low mutter, for the present party's ears only.

Lesperance smirks. "And I don't think I want to see your face after this in order to retrieve it from you. How about you hope you make it back to your quarterstaff, wherever you might've left it, hmm?" the hob waits, though his left paw resides behind him, and the right hangs down near his right thigh.

Nadenka keeps quiet, really not sure whats going on as she follows Taye

Udat eyes the dagger and shrugs, letting it drop into the sand. Not much else to say, he's done what he came to do... Turning, he starts northward, trudging through the uncomfortable sand.

Nivik chuckles, and shrugs, replying in a similar mutter, "I'm no' quite sure...all I know is tha' Ruingate an' Lesperance 'ave troubles, an' Udat there lives in Ruingate. There's some suspicions on Lesp's side of plotting and the like on the newt's part, but 'e's done me an' a friend good turns in the past. I used ta bunk up in Ruingate, y'know...just to see if I could fit in. I did alright, seems. But now I'm all tangled in a political nightmare of sorts tha' I don't understand. Mapleleaf comes into it somewheres...the worl' don't make sense no more. Wish'd I was still an infantry bowbeast, or even section commander...still less complicated than this stuff."

Lesperance waits until Udat has moved some distance away before he retrieves the dagger, dusting sand off of it and out of the leather wrap around the bone handle. Sheathing it, he continues to watch the newt walk away, quite distrustful of the beast as well. "Scrawny lizard." /might/ be heard before Udat gets out of range, but its quite low uttered as Lesp moves to the fire, putting it out.

Taye runs a nervous paw through his headfur and sighs, a bit raggedly. "Nothin' personal, chap, but I wish the lot of you'd stayed righ' clear of Sala. Now I've got t' report all o' this crazy mess to Majah Jarril, 'n' then probably one o' the Colonels, 'n' I don't even undahstand it m'self. Yer right - war's easiah than this nonsense." With another small sigh, he trudges on in silence.