A Vacation turns into a Nightmare: Prologue
Characters: Kentar, Garnet----- Aikuen, Robin
Location: The Village, Ship, The Shoreline
The stoats have left the otters alone today. And the older otter family is watching Kluner, who they've taken a liking to. Kentar is walking along with Garnet, Robin, who is carrying Chris. "So...its a beautiful place...Its...amazing here...Everything is as I remember it..." Kentar smiles. "Where first love? Things you want to buy!? Take in the sights!? What!??" he asks his wife.
Garnet nods slowly at Kentar. Her arm is wrapped are his as they walk. Then she chuckles at him, "Calm down Kentar! Plenty of time to do everything..." she mmms for a minute before saying, "Lets take in some of the sights!"
Robin laughs then Kentar chuckles. "I'm just so...excited!" he laughs. "Well...lets see. The docks are a good place to start. Follow me!" he grins, and leads them down a path. When they get to the middle of the path, there's a beautiful view of the ocean and a nice big ship, sailing towards port. Really a sight to see.
Garnet and company, follow Kentar as he leads them. She grins faintly as Kentar shows them the docks. Garnet wows to herself at the ship coming toward them, "Thats so... Wow..." she chuckles, and grips his arm.
Kentar smiles and nods. "Yeah...it is..." he chuckles then grins, pointing to another ship. Bigger. Better. "See that one?" he asks. "The one with the black hull. I helped build it. And not only did I help build it...it was mine for a while. Up until I left." He smiles, going down the steps to the dock itself. "Hey!" he calls out to a beast on the top of a ramp that leads over the water and onto the ship. "Can we come aboard for a look!?" He asks. The rat nods then vanishes. Kentar grins and goes aboard. "Wow...this brings back memories." Robin follows, with Chris.
Garnet nods, "Really? You did?" she chuckles at her husband. She follows him, as they approach the ship. She is at first hesitant at going onto the ship, but then shortly follows, running up the ramp and not looking down into the water. She ecks as she jumps onboard and lands on the deck. She looks around quickly.
Kentar chuckles and nods. "Yeah..." he smiles. The stoat looks around then slowly opens the door that leads into the ship, stepping in. Robin stays behind with Chris. "Come in side love..." he smiles, starting to step down the stairs.
Garnet blinks around at everything for a minute before looking to Kentar. She is not so sure about going into a ship that belongs to someone else. But she trusts him enough, and after a small nods, walks on after him.
There's no one in the ship. Not on this level anyways. Kentar smiles as he walks into the mess hall, looking around. "Wow. This place seems just a bit bigger." he chuckles. In the back, dead in front of the door, is a large painting. Of Kentar in some pirate's uniform. Still, handsome as ever.
Garnet walks in just behind Kentar, and looks around the mess hall. She has never had a previous mess hall to compare it too. So she will just have to take his word for it. Then she espies the painting, and she slowly walks forward, "Oh wow..." and she chuckles lightly.
Kentar chuckles and walks up next to here. "Yeah. That was me. Before I lost an eye. And before I was all scarred up." he nods a little. "There's a painting of my family in the hall of the fallen at the barracks." he says. "And a painting of me and my first wife..." he hrms a little. "I know you hate me bringing her up. But the painting...is nice." he nods and chuckles a little.
Garnet frowns slightly at the mention of his first wife, and she just ignores it, "Certainly a lot of paintings of you..." she hmms in her, less than bouncy voice. Obviously displeased.
Kentar sighs. He didn't really mean to upset her in anyway. "Yeah. Mostly my father. When he died, I was supposed to take over. But I left." he says. "And you know what..." he goes to take her paw gently. "I'm so glad I did..."
Garnet scoffs lightly, "Well good then!" she retracts her paw and grins at him, "OR else you would not have found pretty ole me! and where would you be... Silly stoat!" she chuckles before leaning up to kiss him, before going to take his arm again.
Kentar chuckles. "I'd still be an evil pirate." He smirks and just as he was about to give her a kiss, there's a scream from out on deck then a splash. That scream was Robin. After a few moments, Chris is heard, crying nice and loud. The stoat's head quickly turns to the door. "Stay here..." he doesn't expect her to stay with her son screaming. The stoat darts up the stairs and pushes open the door. Robin is no where to be seen but there's blood on the deck. And where Robin was standing, is a rat. Holding Christopher upside down by his ankle, who is squirming and screaming. "You let my son go!" He growls, drawing a throwing knife and throwing it. The rat is killed, and Chris lands with a hard thud on the deck.
Garnet will not stay. Duh, she is a mother. As soon as she starts to hear Chris crying, she pretty much vaults up the stairs. She just makes it when the rat is killed, and when Chris lands on the deck. She runs over to him, to scoops him up in her arms cradling, the out little one. He did not need that, at such a young age! She slowly starts to weep where she picked up Chris. As she doesn't know what's going on. But knows its bad.
There's another throwing knife in Kentar's paw quickly after he let the other one hit its target. The stoat rushes over to his wife and crying son. "We need to get out of here..." There's a bit of a pause. "Too late for that now, stoat." Says a voice from a ferret as a group of beasts, stoats, rats, ferrets, so on and so on, come up the ramp to the ship, weapons drawn. He puts himself between his family and growls. "What is it you want!?" he asks. "Her...but since your with her...you and your son too...I...ugh!" splash. Another knife down. "Run!" he orders his wife. But the only place to run is into the ship.
Garnet is still in very much shock, and then another beasts dies in front of her. She is breathing irregular now, and then the beasts start to climb the ramp. Must keep from breaking. When they say they want her. She blinks and looks at them. Oh no. She gulps and when Kentar says run, her first instinct is to jump off the ship, and into the water. Bad idea, as there is a chance she could hit the dock on the other side. Have to make a split decision NOW! She blinks a runs off back down the stairs.
There's a few more thuds, the sound of knives hitting beasts. And then a loud grunt from Kentar, and another thud. "They ran in there! Follow 'em!" A voice growls and then the sound of beasts rushing down the stairs fills the stairwell.
Garnet is hiding under one the tables in the mess hall. Too afraid to try and go to a lower deck. Or try to fight them. Or do anything. She has to protect Chris. The little one is still crying and she rubs his back to try and calm him, "Shush Chris... Please Shush..." he places him against her chest as the beast approaches from the stairwell. Where is Kentar?
Chris just can't stop crying. And its loud. Its very loud. "They're over here!" A few beasts come in. Two stoats, a rat, and a ferret. The ferret looks around. "Here...puppet..." they grin to themselves before the rat kneels down and looks under the table "Haha...here they are!" And with a quick, and very violent motion, he yanks Christopher from Garnet's grip.
If you have never seen an angry mother. Look now! As soon as Chris is ripped from her grasps. She growls and bites heavily down on the ferrets arms, and as soon as he lets go of Chris, she kicks him hard in the groin. She spits out the ferrets flesh, then takes Chris and runs across the room, protecting him as best as she can, but she wont be able to for long.
The ferret yelps and then rolls around on the deck, groaning in pain. A rat, tries to knock Garnet over the head with a HARD smack with the hilt of his saber, wanting that stoatmaid to just give up already. He's not getting paid to get hurt, after all.
Garnet tries to dodge the hilt, but cant, and is smacked hard on the head. Before her vision begins to fade her last thought is to hold on the Chris, never let go. And she is out, slumped on the floor in a heap. Chris crying, being tightly held against her mothers chest.
"Finally!" The rat mutters then looks to the, now knocked out, ferret and shrugs. "Leave him..." the rat takes Chris and drags him off by the ankle, not caring about the kid too much. Good thing he didn't get hurt yet. Two beasts drag Garnet off, up to the deck down the ramp and off. A long way off. With Kentar and Chris. Robin, who had been pushed off the edge of the ship, slammed onto the docks and then into the water, was watching his...parents...get dragged off...he couldn't do anything really to help them so he waits till the coast is clear and when it is, he limps off to find Aikuen.
Somewhere else in the Village.
Aikuen waves a bit to his wife and her belly, before closing the door softly behind him. He loves her so much. He slowly makes his way down the stairs. He has his cloak on, but does not have the hood up. So he is the black otter today. He waves a bit to the otter family before heading for the door. They drop their food that they were nibbling on, and the husband tried to say something to him. But Aik is already out the door. He hums to himself as he makes down the street, "Lets see... Fish. Some veggies, and fruits. A bit of a biscuit. Maybe a scone if i can find a baker... food for the future mum!" he laughs, "Oh and tea. Cant forget tea!" he will pick that back up last from the market. So its piping hot. He makes it down the big street and gets to a corner, wondering which way to the bakery.
"Aikuen! Aikuen!" Comes a voice, shouting across the crowded village center. Robin is too...too...hurt and scared to really care about the fake name thing. "Aikuen!" he cries out again, the stoat finally collapsing. No one really notices. "Help! HELP!" If the otter comes over, he'll see Robin. His left arm is broken, his right shoulder dislocated, blood pouring from a head wound...a dagger in his side...and a broken nose.
Aikuen blinks a few times as his name is called. He doesn't know its Robin yet, so he tries to look inconspicuous against a building. Wondering how they found him so quick. But then he notices it is Robin. He blinks a few more times and runs over to stoat. He gives him a quick check and shakes his head, seeming quite calm. Time for Aik the field medic. "Holy moley matey... What happened to you..." he flips him on his front and says, "Don't move..." he pops back in his shoulder. He then flips him on his back, and examines his arm. He is not wearing the healers belt or pouch. Must make do, with yah he got. He removes the dagger from his side and places it between the stoats fangs, "Chomp down... This is going to hurt..." he takes the broken arm and set the bone back into place forcefully, before removing the dagger. He rips a bit of his cloak and makes a makeshift splint with the dagger, the cloth and his arm. Then he examines the other parts. He takes the rum from his cloak and starts to pour it over the wounds on his side and on his head. It almost sizzles. He then stanches the flow of bleeding by more rips of cloth held there by the otter. And last. He pops the stoats nose back into place, "Come on mate... that'll keep you alive until we get you to a healer..." and he grunts as he hefts the stoat over his shoulder jogging over to the hut.
Robin is no stranger to pain but he yelps when the shoulder is popped back. The dagger removal also makes him yelp loudly, the stoat visibly shaking. His teeth grip the dagger blade tightly and then almost passes out from the pain of his arm being set like that. The rum on his wounds really makes him shake, closing his eyes tightly and grunting, not ever wanting to have to do this again. "Wait..." but his noses is already popped back into place like that, making him shudder. He doesn't really know where he's going yet. Not until they're actually in the hut and he's set on a cot. "Oh? Beat up another one I see?" The healer eyes Aik for a moment. He goes to look over Robin, but the stoat pushes him away. "Kentar...Garnet...Chris...taken..."
Aikuen frowns a bit at the healer, "No... I found him on the street like this. Som-..." and then Robin begins to speak, and he runs over to him, "What about them... Taken? What do you mean taken? Where?" he almost growls at Robin. He knew coming here was a bad idea.
Roscuro Robin shakes his head a few times. "I don't know where...beasts...stoats...rats...a few ferrets...came, attacked me...fought Kentar...dragged Garnet and him off...Chris too...down the beach...that's...all I know..." he pants out. He's soaked in both sweat and sea water from having been knocked into the ocean but really, with everything else going on, it doesn't really stand out on either him or the otter now.
Aikuen eyes begin to twitch now. And he frowns a big ole frown. He growls loudly and punches the wall forcefully, "DAMMIT!" he pulls his paw from the now cracked wall and pop his claws back into place. H goes over to the table and looks at Robin, fire in his eyes, "How soon can you move..." he is not asking when is lunch time, or nappy time. No. He wants to know when the stoat is able to wield a sword again. The otter is now showing his fangs as he growls when he breaths. This otter is ticked off. This was supposed to be a vacation. NOW LOOK!
"You've got to be kidding me!? He won't be moving for..." WHAM! The healer was out like a light from a punch from Robin's good fist. "Soon..." he says. "Very...soon. Use the supplies he has..." he's panting hard, out of breath still. "Patch me up...leave gold or something...then we'll go..." The wounded stoat sighs. He feels like a failure.
Aikuen looks at the healer who fails in a heap to the floor. Good. He drops his bag of gold on top of him, before going over to the cabinet and pulling out a few things. He then heads on over to the stoat and says, "Don't move..." he removes the makeshift splint and creates a more professional one with bandages and wooden sticks. He tosses him an arm sling, "Put that one while i seal you..." he one of the vials and pours it over his side wound, before sticking hum up. Same thing with the head wound. Aik then cleans the dagger before shoving it into his belt. More the merrier, "There is nothing else i can do... wait..." he pulls out the rum of his, "Drink a huge gulp of this. But only one... DO IT!" he growls out and begins to pace, "There, I've done all that i can... quickly and effectively... Hurry..." he frowns.
Roscuro grits his teeth as the arm is put in a sling and splinted proper. The stoat eyes the otter and then the rum for a moment. He has NEVER been able to hold alcohol proper so a big gulp could get him drunk as anything...but its a risk he needs to talk. He takes a big glup, only one before handing the bottle back shaking his head a little. "Yeck..."
Robin grits his teeth as the arm is put in a sling and splinted proper. The stoat eyes the otter and then the rum for a moment. He has NEVER been able to hold alcohol proper so a big gulp could get him drunk as anything...but its a risk he needs to take. He takes a big glup, only one before handing the bottle back shaking his head a little. "Yeck..."
Aikuen just places the bottle with the healer, putting it in his paw. Give him something to think about when he comes around. He looks to Robin, "That'll ease the pain while we are getting battered and bruised... Are you all set to move out?... There is something i need to do before we move out... so if you need to do something... do it now..." he growls out.
Robin nods a little and then stands up. "Right..." he then nods again. "I'm ready..." he then tilts his head. "What is it you need to do?" he asks, the stoat growling slightly. He just wants to go and beat someone up right now.
Aikuen is thinking the same thing. But first things first, "I must tell my wife, and my unborn. That i love them... I have to tell her I'm saving my best friend... something i should have done when he was captured by that fox... But i was stupid and let him die. I will not let that happen again..." he growls out before running out the door, and up the street toward Kentar's cabin.
The stoat nods slowly. He gets that Fira's pregnant. He sighs slightly then stands and walks off. But he returns to the hut...with soldiers. And Jasper. All armored and armed, waiting. Help, is something he figures they can use. He waits for the otter's return.
Aikuen the otter soon returns. Off with his cloaks, and on with his fighting gear. At least what he brought. Several daggers, and his sling now adorn him. He washed off the soot past except to put lines around his eyes and on his chest. He looks very tribal. He also wrapped cloths around his knuckles so they don't pop out anymore. And a bandana around his brow to keep the sweat and hair out of his eyes. He is a fighter through and through. He glares at all the beasts present, and nods to Jasper, before going over to Robin, "We all set to move out..." obviously getting that the soldiers are here to help.
Jasper was in the middle of talking with the group before Aik arrived. Everyone, accept for Robin, of course, stopped, went to attention and saluted. "We're ready." Robin smiles a little. "I thought they'd do well helping..." he nods before starting to go off. "Follow me." He says to the crowd. )
Aikuen double checks all his weapons, and licks all his blades before falling in just behind Robin, "Aye... good thinking..." he looks to the others as they march on, "Check your gear. Watch your back. Keep together. And don't be a hero. Hero's are the first to die..." he growls out before tuning around to keep following Robin. He doesn't care if it was stupid sounding, coming from a beast that they don't know. He knows how to battle.
Everyone double checks what they have before they follow Robin and Aik. Robin sighs a little and looks to Aikuen. "I'm sorry for shouting your name across a crowd..." he says as they go towards the docks.
Aikuen shakes his head keeping his focus in check, "Worry about that later. Keep a clear mind. Foggy minds die quickly. Just lead us where we need to go. We will talk later."
Robin nods. "Yes sir..." he says in reply. Soon enough, they arrive at the docks where the fight and capture happened. He points to a blood trail that leads down the ramp of the ship and then down the beach. "They went that way..." he points.
Aikuen nods at the blood trail and bends down. He takes a bit of it and rubs it between his claws before giving it a lick. He shakes his head, spits, and wipes the rest on his chest in a cut like manner, "Very cold, and thick... Long gone..." he looks to the soldiers before looking to Robin, "They know how to march double time?" he points a thumb to them.
Robin nods. "Yeah. They do." he says. "They'll be quick...but...the way the others were moving...was fast...so..." he takes a deep breath. "Lets hope they can do the same." he mutters quietly.
Aikuen eyes Robin, "Alright... let me talk to them..." he steps forward and walks in front of the soldiers. He nods at Jasper before talking to the crowd, "I've been told you know how to march double time... well its time for a crash course in triple time. Sprinting in step. First, sheath your blades, don't want to kill any friendlies. Next part is simple. Run as fast as you can as the beast in front of you. If at any time you get tired, fall out of line, and back of the troop. Catch up if you can. But no falling out, or you have to deal with my blade..." he growls, "Beasts in front, best know how to run fast... We need to save one of our comrades before the enemy does away with him... we cant let that happened..." he frowns and stops pacing, "Any questions?"
Robin has been told Aik is a skilled commander but hasn't even dreamed of seeing him in action. The crowd stays quiet. And so does Robin. There's no questions. Not a one.
Aikuen eyes the crowd for a minute before licking the ends of his claws, "Good...Now..." he moves out of the way of the troops, and next to the first line of them, "... That there is no questions...Lets turn up the sand boys..." he nods to Robin, "I believe we are ready..." he falls in line with the rest of them, "Keep up!... Give them blood, vinegar, and hell boys!... Lets move out!" he whistles, and starts to sprint off in the direction of the blood trail, staring the pace. And hopefully the beasts behind him will follow.
There's a bit of a pause but then Robin leaves after Aikuen, then the rest of the group does too, none of them seeming to fall back. And Robin keeps up with Aikuen as if it was a second nature to him. His voice is kept silent as he goes, not wanting to lose breath or anything.
This is second nature to the otter. Leading troops in the face of a battle. Running, is a favorite of his. He looks behind him quickly and smiles as they keep up. He gingerly increases speed, as they run. The blood trail get thinner and thinner as they run. The splotches soon are shrinking. Hopefully they will get wherever soon.
The thinning blood kept going and going but then...without warning...it stopped. Dead. It didn't fade. It just. Stopped. Stopped completely. Robin stops and looks at the blood. "How can something just...stop like that?" he asks.
Aikuen is already bent over the last of the splotch examining it, "Either he healed, got healed... or... they put him on something and he is bleeding on that..." he stands up and wipes his paw of sand, "He is not dead, or else they would have left him here..." and he looks around to see if he can find any sign of anything, that they were here.
There's nothing. Absolutely nothing. No paw prints...no piles of sand made by walking beasts...nothing. At all. Robin seems baffled. "Where...are they..." he whispers to himself hanging his head in his paw and starting to cry...just a little. He feels like he failed them. Failed them more then anyone could fail anyone.
Aikuen walks up to robin and slaps him, "Buck up. NOW! We will find them. I will not rest until we do..." he looks to the others and yells, "Search the area... Report back anything that is out of the ordinary, of a shoreline... anything! NOW!" he growls before going off to look around.
The soldiers salute and go off, searching. Robin blinks as he's slapped and then he nods a little. "We will...we...will." he sighs and rubs his eyes. "I'm sorry..." he stands and starts to search too.
