An Afternoon In The Archery Range (LP LOG)

Later in the day after http://rwmuck.limitless.org/rwmuck/content/picnic-cut-shortlp-log =

Salamandastron: Caverns - Archery Range

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

As the training room cannot fit a truly adequate, large enough archery range, this large room, down in the caverns of the mountain, has been converted into one. It, in itself, is rather cavernous, and is more long than it is wide. The furthest wall from the entrance is lined with archery targets, at least a ten, and they are each separated by a few feet. Along the closest wall to the door, barrels are placed, containing arrows as well as bows, to practice with. Further, the walls are lined with torches, though the ones behind the archery targets are protected by metal grates, of a sort. The room is relatively well lit, and is usually a moderate temperature.

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

                 Visible Exits:

[C]averns

Flint has come down here, and for once no one is practicing and that seems to suit him as he needs some practice as he aims and fires the arrow, it hits in the circle under the center one as he frowns and lowers his longbow, this is NOT getting his mind off things.

Windrose enters quietly and watches Flint before she speaks"You..Feeling better?" She waits on a reply.

Flint jumps slightly and turns to see the other hare and shakes his head, "No...n..not really, tried to get my mind off it and I can't, I mean I know it was just a dream but it was like reliving that day, ya know? D..Days off are bad" He fires off another arrow and seriously misses the target and sighs.

Windrose says, "Days off can be good, and you’re supposed to relax not be down here doing archery practice"

Flint frowns, "T..That day..was also a day off and...turned bad..me and Pete should never of tried ta fight that group of vermin , then he wouldn't of died and I wouldn't of ended up some slave to toads for over 3 seasons...and..." He drops the longbow and sits down closing his eyes to stop any memory of the event.

Windrose carefully lays a paw on his shoulder," You and him were freeing those 2 otters from slavers, and when I got back those slavers were dead except for the one that took you and Pete into the swamps and from wot you said those two weasels died. You guys did free the otters..you helped some beasts"

Flint is listening, or maybe he isn’t as he opens his eyes. That day has been replaying in his head over and over again lately..."Maybe but...but wot about those toads, Me and Pete got away from the weasel slaver...it...it got stuck in quicksand and panicked..sank. But the toads...they were far enough away, and me and Pete were lost, I mean how does one get lost when your barely in somewhere?..He was hurt bad already and told me to run when those...things came and the killed him and they caught me" He shakes his head, “I wasn’t found for 3 seasons..do you know how that was for me?"

Windrose shakes her head "I..wouldn't know, but I can assume horrible. They looked for you for like...weeks, they found books and your broken longbow, it was assumed you were.." Her ears droop..." Dead..."

Flint nods slowly and shivers as if cold as he sits there."I...." He frowns..." And the day the...wildcat was around, sort of...reminded me some of the day and....on the beach when you were almost killed...reminded gain..." Great, post stress or whatever call it.

Windrose frowns "Flint?..Its ok Flint I am fine and wasn’t hurt. Flare.....he saved me" She watches him concerned.

Flint right now only half hears her, taking a few deep breaths and having a bit of a memory problem, or rather remembering something he rather not.

Windrose frowns and looks uncertain and then goes to shake him as if trying to shake him awake “Flint...flint!"

Flint seems temporarily not here and at first an odd panic grips him when she shakes him and then he seems to slowly come back to the here and now. He frowns as he has sweat on his face and shivers..."W..Where...wot happen?"

Windrose frowns as she gets him to calm down, "Its..ok and I don't know you sort of zoned out on me and was muttering and then you panicked when I was trying to get you to snap out of it"

Flint frowns, he looks around just now knowing where he is it seems as he steps back a little and still seems to shiver some.

Windrose watches him, "Maybe archery practice can wait till later, and you see if you can get a couple days off to just relax, like do NOTHING but relax"

"Oy, wot's goin' on in here, eh?" Adrian asks as he enters the room. "Gettin' in a spot of archery? Jolly good sport, wot."

Flint takes a couple relaxing breaths and sits by the wall now and folds his paws into his lap. He looks up and manages a nod to Adrian.." Yeah...a little"

Windrose nods a hello to the entering hare, "Yeah, then Flint has ta stop for a little while, I told him he needs a couple days off."

Adrian glances at the buck in question. "Eh, Flint? Not a bad idea, probably. Rest is good. Things 'ave been rathah crazy, wot."

Flint frowns, "I..don't need a day off. Long Patrol hares don't take days off." He sounds tried and still sweating a little as he rubs his forehead, darn headache.

Windrose folds her arms over her chest" Yes they do, days off..they help and you NEED ONE, you zoned out on me, you...I was worried"

Flint looks up at Windrose from where he sits, "I'm...sorry" He doesn’t even really remember having the flashback but the headache is still there clearly.

Adrian frowns. "Just wot 'appened 'ere, Windrose? Flint, ya don't look too good."

Windrose decides to answer, least best she can, "I am not sure, he was taking about wot happen 3 seasons ago, he seemed fine before that...well he was a little off center on the target and one aim was way off. Then he sort of dazed out of or something on me and I had to shake him to get him to snap out of it."

Flint is sitting by the wall as the others talk, he has some sweat on him and he was shivering. His longbow is on the ground close to him where he dropped it. "Just...bit of a memory..bad one" He rubs his forehead as he has a headache, seems he had a rather bad flashback." And...maybe still not use to being or feeling safe" He closes his eyes "Being a slave can do that to you, when your one for....3 seasons...."

The door clicks open and a hare strolls in quietly talking to a younger recruit. It's the recorder Quinten, he pauses in the door way when he notices Flint sitting against the wall and dismisses the recruit, "Good afternoon everyone,"

Windrose is still concerned, "I..do know he had like a nightmare or something earlier, but didn’t want to talk." She nods a hello to Quinten, "Hallo"

Adrian salutes the older hare as he enters. "Aftahnoon, Sah." He glances back down at Flint. "Oof, that's rough, wot. Sorry."

Quinten says, "Afternoon Adrian, Windrose, Flint, lots of practicing going on in here I see wot. Did you quit when you heard I was coming to avoid being shown up by an older hare?"

Flint manages a weak chuckle, a very weak one and seems a little surprised "You...know how ta use de longbow sur?"

Windrose sighs "I have to do some jogging, I will talk to you later Flint" And she heads off after excusing herself.

Adrian raises a paw. "Per'aps, sah. I'm not so bad with a bow, though. Lots o' practice."

Quinten chuckles and walks over to offer Flint a hand to help him up, "Of course I know how to use a bow wot. I passed through that same training as all of you to join that patrol. My place may be here as part of the home garrison but I keep my eye in."

Flint allows the help up and slowly stands, he then gets his longbow off the ground and straightens up. He nods "I do remember that as a recruit sur, I am trying to get back to wot I was ...." He frowns " Before the....well toad..thing happen"

Adrian remains by the door for now. "Yah seem like a fascinatin' charactah, sah."

Quinten says, "Aye Flint and it is admirable" He looks over the racks and then walks over to a locker and unlocks it with a key and removes his own longbow. "If we can help we will wot. We're all part of that same patrol after all." He then glances at Adrian and grins, "Aye ahm nah that interesting I promise, I’m just tha recorda"

Flint nods slowly, "I just...still have nightmares and flashbacks sometimes. I worry I will...will fail someone I care about if I am truly needed, I could of gotten killed when I went on a patrol not too long ago, I..I just got lucky...could of been a lot different..." He sighs and looks to the major "Maybe I should request a few days off..unless that ...not be good to do, I wouldn’t want to anger upset anyone"

"Again, I say, yah ain't any use ta the Patrol if ya ain't in top form, wot. It is not impropah ta request a leave of absense if ya really need it." Adrian, glances toward Quinten for some confirmation.

Quinten inclines his head, "Indeed, I see no reason why you can't take some time off Flint, if ya think you need it the Colonel won't say no. Not after all you have been through."

Flint nods, "And..I know to keep top form on my archery..just" He frowns" I am happy to be back, even got a new uniform just maybe will wait a couple weeks ta....ya know, get back into real patrolling"

Adrian nods his head. "Good idea, wot. T'is good ta have ya back, though. It is always good ta get a lot Patrollah back."

Quinten says, "I could have a word, ask you to be assigned to duties in the mountain for training purposes, until you feel ready ta go out on patrol again wot." he nods to Adrian, "Like Adrian says it is a good idea ta get back on top of eveyrthing.""

Flint nods, "Yes....I.." He sighs, "I still feel..bad not being able to fight off a wildcat better, yes my arrow got him..but I wasn’t aiming for his shoulder I was aiming for his chest....I ended up needing help...just....it doesn't make me less of a patroller does it? WH..When I need..basically saving?"

Adrian shakes his head. "Not all, wot. We all need 'elp, at one time or another."

Quinten asks, "Against a wild cat? No I think that doesn't make ya less lad, I don't think there are many patrollers who could take down a wildcat on their own."

Flint shakes his head,"No, most likely not. I may of slowed him down some. The wildcat was taken care of but you probably already have that report "

Adrian asks, "When was this?"

Quinten says, "Indeed and from what I read you slowed it down long enough for Lord Ciocan and a patrol ta reach you and dispatch tha cat. I'd say you did a jolly good job of it."

Flint nods, "Then..I did help "

Zinnia has taken time to look around the mountain, she has also spent some time in the library reading some of the history books and when she heads voices she finds her way down here and peeks in the room.

Adrian nods again. "Quite so, yah bally did 'elp, ol' chap. Very usefully, I might add." Spotting the badger maid, he waves a paw. "Hello there, miss. Join us, please."

Quinten says, "Indeed, you helped a lot Flint, so never think that you didn't… ah" He raises his ears, "Ambassador Zinnia good day ta you ma'am"

Flint looks over at the badger maid and waves, "Hallo." He smiles a little as talking does indeed help. He turns back to Quinten, “So...sur were you going to show us your skills with the longbow?"

Zinnia walks the rest of the way in slowly, "Hello...I was just looking around your.....mountain some, am I interrupting?" She has starting talking more than she was when she first came here, not nearly as much as she could but least it's a start.

Adrian exclaims, "Yes indeed, show us ya best, Sah!"

Quinten picks an arrow out of a barrel and shakes his head, "Not at all ma'am, you are our guest,," He turns to look at the targets, draws the bow, sights along the arrow and lets it loose, watching as it slams into the target at about the midway point to the bullseyes, "Hmm still pulling ta tha right wot"

Zinnia watches as Quinten fires off his arrow, she stays quiet as she watches .

Flint grins "I say it's still good." Yes he is feeling better, but he is still taking a week off or least not doing too much and sticking to things inside, not outside.

Adrian claps approvingly. "Jolly good shot, wot! Top hole!"

Quinten laughs and draws out another Arrow, "Not that good Adrian, top marks for the enthusiasm though, let’s see if I can do a bit better wot."

Zinnia still watches, "I...think I would fail, then I never really learned to use any sort of weapon."

Flint looks a little surprised but shrugs, "Well, all beasts have different skills." He goes to watch Quinten as he gets ready to fire off the arrow.

Adrian leans forward, watching with interest. "It wasn't 'alf bad, though. This one'll be bettah."

Quinten says, "My dear you are a member of the Order of Redwall, I would be surprised if you knew how to use a weapon at all." He picks up another arrow and aims along it "Now then let’s see if I can get back into the swing of things"

Zinnia watches Quinten go to fire off another arrow before responding to the question.

Flint watches curious to see how well he does, and looks at the arrows just in case he goes to fire off an arrow as well.

Adrian crosses his arms. "This'll be a great shot, I wagah."

Quinten chuckles then draws in a breath, holds it and looses the arrow, it thumps into the middle of the target and the recorder nods his head, "Nah bad I say."

Zinnia blinks "That's...very good." She says "And no, I don't know how to use a weapon.....I did hold a large sword, it was a little heavy and even more so if you swing it some. ..My uncle has my father's blade for now, to...keep it safe, but I don't ever see me learning to use it..even seasons from now."

Adrian claps again. "See? Wot did I say? It was really a lot bettah!"

Quinten says, "Thank you Adrian," he shoulders his bow and grins at the younger hare, "I try my best, not that I've needed to shoot at anything living in quite awhile." he looks at zinnia then and nods, "Thank you, I was lucky and a family blade you say?""

Zinnia nods," Yes...a...guess great uncle made it, passed it to his brother....who passed it down to, well wait he didn’t get it right away my Uncle Zee keep it till papa was ready to wield it, then papa had it till he...." She frowns. yes talk of history gets her talking but sad history can also make one cry, she goes on after a short pause ."Till he...had to lay aside his warrior days.He..became a brother in the order and...shortly after that an elder...in...." She pulses and goes on as some tears go down her face "He died at the beginning of harvest season...in...in the orchards.."

Flint has been listening and frowns, he stays quiet out of respect.

Quinten frowns at Zinna and inclines his head to her, "It sounds like he will be much missed Ma'am, I am sorry for your loss."

Zinnia nods, " I....was fairly upset and at first thought avoiding others was the best idea or..being alone..but it made matters worse....I know now being alone was not a good idea"

Adrian nods his head. "Very sorry, Miss. I'm sure 'e was a goodbeast."

Quinten says, "Well Ma'am I hope your time here on the coast will help you to put his shade to rest wot. You need to remember the good times."

Flint says, "Very good advice"

Zinnia smiles a little, "I..I know and being here has helped me some, and the welcome feast was nice as well. It..cheered me up some."

Flint grins "That was a good feast, good food too..."

Quinten says, "It was a nice evening yes, it has been recorded properly in our log as well"

Zinnia nods "I..been reading some of the history in the books in the library, some of it is very interesting."

Adrian asks, "It really is, isn't it?"

Quinten says, "Oh my yes, the library has an extensive collection, I only wish I could let you into some of the more interesting and older files."

Zinnia looks interested "Maybe...you could ask Ciocan. I know to be very careful with books and old scrolls, I could..." She smiles brightly now “I could fix some of your old books maybe if there is any need of repair, I would love to help with that in fact."

Adrian leans forward. "Ooh, now yah got mah attention, too, sah. I like ta read history."

Flint listens some but is getting tried it seems.

Quinten says, "Well the history is open ta all members of tha patrol but there are some records I can't let non patrollers into."

Zinnia nods "Thats..ok, I would still very much like to repair some old books maybe"

Flint yawns as he goes to put his longbow and arrows away to where he keeps them “I am gonna go ask about a week off..or least not any patrolling...excuse me" He heads on out.