A Storm Is Coming Part 2

FV:Town Hall:Holding Cell

This is a simple strongly made cell for holding a captive. There is a good size bed and enough room to walk back and forth in if one wants to pace a tiny bit. No windows and only one way out and that leads to the chieftain office.

Exits: [Out]

Scioto has been outside muttering and looking around "Storm ..storm whatever.."

And just then one starts, one of those mixes of ice and snow and the cat grumbles and heads to his house when a guard stops him "Umm..sir, you may want to come to the holding cell."

Scioto rises an eyebrow "Why?" The guard just umms and the chieftain follows "Fine"

Inside the cell is none other than Marek, seated with a strange blue clad mole both in the process of making a cup of tea. "Greetings, Mr. Scioto. The weather outside is quite awful, do come in; we have things to discuss"

Scioto looks surprised and lays a paw on his sword "What are you doing around again?" He looks at the mole and the guard "Why is the mole in here?" The guard just shrugs "He was..with the stoat sir." Scioto just sighs and looks at Marek again, "Heard you were up at your fortress in the north woods"

Marek nods. "I was but then....things happened" he sips his tea. "Ah yes of course, you're probably wondering about this mole. Scioto this is Zaram. Zaram this is Mr. Scioto". The mole turns to Scioto and smiles. "'Ullo Zirr, mizzer Scioter. Noice to meetz ya"

Scioto decides Marek isn't a threat and looks to the mole and back to Marek, "You have a mole working for you?" He knows it’s not a slave as Marek is against slavers and he knows this, "What things happen?" He decides not to mention seeing Oak earlier.

Marek puts his tea down. "Those events I am not quite ready to discuss at the moment. But suffice to say returning to my home is....not an option at the moment". He turns to Zaram. "Yes, I do have a mole working for me. He is my personal assistant. He is paid quite well I assure you. Anyways, back to the matter at hand" he takes a deep breath, as if every word coming out of his mouth from this moment forward has an extreme amount of weight to it. "I came to tell you that something is going on, Scioto. There are figures who are plotting the downfall of us all. Figures that care nothing about life or laws. Figures that care nothing about taking over land. Figures that exist to sow chaos. Something is going on, Scioto. I am not sure what it is. But a storm is approaching"

Zaram frowns. "Oi dun loike Storms, zurr"

Scioto listens and hmms "Someone mentioned some things happening North, they didn’t seem to know what though." He watches Marek closely, "You are in the cell as my guards remember my words of if they ever saw you again to arrest you and take your weapons, which are in my office. And it seems you went along peacefully to the cell. I am just surprised they let the mole..well Zaram come into the cell as well and..how are you even making tea in there?"

Marek almost chuckles. "Tea leaves are not weapons, Mr. Scioto"

Scioto takes a deep breath, "Did I SAY they were Marek?" He shakes his head and paces and then stops and asks "I am debating on what to do with you, some here dislike you. Some A LOT."

Marek rolls his eyes. "I am aware of my less than stellar reputation here, Mr. Scioto. But nonetheless the situation calls a different approach then usual". He turns to Zaram. "Zaram, get the thing". The mole begins digging inside a bag, for......the thing?

Scioto tilts his head and unlocks the cell, he walks closer to Marek, "What is he looking for Marek?" He nods to the guard to stay put at the door as he turns back to Marek and Zaram.

Marek again rolls his eyes. "There are no weapons for him to search for, Mr. Scioto". Zaram finishes searching and pulls out a diagram which has mainly squiggles, shapes and the occasional of what seems to be gibberish if read in the wrong order. These are clearly a draft of one of Marek's plans, but it is quite clear that Marek is the only beast who can properly read them. "You see" Marek said he pointed with a twig Zaram handed to him. "A particular group of travelers, led by a mouse by the name of Irinevok had proceed down from the Northlands". He pointed at other squiggles, which it would be best not to even try to comprehend. "According to intelligence from Oak, this group had been ransacking villages and picking off various leaders, They did not seem like much of a threat until they got to me, gained my trust, and incapacitated my leadership". He pointed to several places around a poorly drawn map. "Now, according to our squirrel acquaintance, there are several places around and further north from my fortress that they have yet to attempt operations. And adjusting for breaks in operations, I'd say we have a best case scenario that they will appear in Mossflower within six months". Marek waves his hand Zaram and fetches something else from the bag. "Scone?

Scioto does listen but looks totally confused as to the drawings, "I..see. So guessing he has control of your fortress now.." He looks at the scone and shrugs "Sure.." He goes to taste it, yes he trusts Marek's food as he speaks "I am going to trust you as I know you’re a beast that tells the truth and wouldn’t lie on something like this, but. You will not be able to stay at the inn so that leaves either my home or a special guest room above the tavern and yes you would get your other things back." He hmms "And I am guessing the mole would stay with you as well?” Scioto adds after some thought "I..saw Oak earlier today in the Tavern and then he disappeared, he didn’t say too much"

Marek hmms. "Interesting. And yes, Zaram will stay with me. But if you need his assistance or mine we will ablidge". He immediately jumps back as it has become apparent that SOMEONE has entered the room.

Indeed someone has, the ominous and uncanny Markalaway makes his appearance inside the cell. How he got all the way to the cell without making a sound is beyond logic, but nevertheless he has. "Two omens in one day, hmmm, this is not be taken lightly".

Zaram passes out at the sudden appearance of the one eyed rat......I'm sure he'll be fine later.

Scioto turns as he looks at the Ferravale Undertaker and nods slowly "I..why are you in here?" He asks in a calm voice, yes the rat freaks him out a little.

Markalaway stares on indifferently. "I was....listening. But I came to file a complaint on the wood merchant here in Ferravale. His workmanship is shoddy, and the graveyard suffers for it. That is all, although I warn that our....guest will not receive as much indifference from others as he does from me"

Marek does not look Markalway directly in the eye. The rat scares him, and a scared Marek is a rare occurrence to see. "I am aware, Mr. Undertaker, but nevertheless there are more important matters then others....opinions of me".

Scioto speaks to the guard and looks down at the mole, then to Marek "You and Zaram can stay in the room above the tavern, only I or those I say , can go to the room you would be..less noticed there Marek and whomever this mouse is let’s hope he keeps his distance "

Marek nods. "Of course and I...." he notices that Markalaway has simply vanished as eerily as he appeared. "Where did he go? How.....How does he do that?"

Scioto frowns "I am unsure, he usually stays in a creepy one room hut off the graveyard most of the time and comes out rarely and when he does its usually late and you what Marek?"

Marek clears his throat, looking around, not convinced the rat is actually gone. "I make mutual assurance of my trust here. I will assist you in important matters if it comes to it. And Zaram is here as well". He pokes the mole. "Although it will be quite some time before he is awake"

Scioto nods, he nods to a guard to carry the mole to the guest room, he then nods to another guard" Give Marek back his things and lets go to the tavern guest room shall we?"

The words of Nightbreath and Marek echo through Scioto’s head as they walk to the guest room. A storm is coming. The very shady, uncertain future sends a shiver down Scioto's spine.