Lost and Found

Rorgan returns to Silver Valley but finds his family has already left.

Today in Silver Valley is a hot day, and Rorgan cannot say that he is having the best of days. All he is armed with is a tribal dagger and sword, but all he has for clothing is the same tunic and pants that he had when he had been imprisoned. Having already checked his parents' house and finding them gone, he now roams Silver Valley, looking for some clue as to what to do next.

The city is surprisinly busy with vermin milling about making it easy for the otter to blend in with his surroundings. There are no militia in sight except at the mines where they seem to be having trouble keeping a large, rowdy group of vermin at bay. The occasional shout of 'Strike!' can be heard. Those not involved in riots or protests are just going about their day, especially if it involves the ale and mead. A second large crowd of beasts have gathered around the main street, coming in and out of the many taverns and gambling saloons in Silver Valley.

Rorgan swerves into an alley, mostly to avoid being caught in a riot. The last thing he needed right now was to be arrested by the militia yet again. Leaning against a rickety wall, he sighs, sliding to the ground. There is absolutely nothing he can think of to do now. Where would they possibly have gone?

The otter is far from alone. A gold furred fox is laying on the ground next to him. The smell of Ale is heavy with this one, prehaps it runs through his veins. His portly beer belly has grown too large for his tan shirt to cover it. He looks to be sleeping soundly with his tounge hanging outside his mouth, but not from too much ale. There is a bruise ontop of his head and he has a black eye. Its saddly a common occurance here in Silver Valley to find beasts mugged of their belongings. Even as the otter sits down a beast is thrown out of the nearbye tavern. A black furred pole cat dressed in a wool trench coat. The pole cat lands face first in the mud. Turning around he shouts, "Ye blasted dogs! It's the dealers fault I had five aces not mine!"

Rorgan looks up as the pole cat hits the ground, curious. Well, if he wasn't going to get anywhere, he could at least distract himself for a little bit by speaking with this interesting cat. "Five aces, eh?" He asks, raising an eyebrow quizzically. He decides to leave his sword and dagger on the ground next to him for the moment, though still close to paw if he should need it.

The pole cat turns to the otter and smiles. Picking himself up out of the dirt the beast dusts off his coat and trousures. He wears no shirt under the coat making it possible to see that he has a dark furred belly with light orange sides. His face is has a white patch save for across his eyes, "Sneaky things, Aces. They sneak into the darnest places sometimes."

Rorgan chuckles softly, shaking his head slowly. "I've got t' say, I've never tried playin' cards afore. Far too many beasts involved that are willin' t' kill ye." He shrugs, letting his head sit against the wall. "But I'll tell ye th' truth, I'm very tempted t' try it out."

The 'cat nods his head, "I can tell you at least one place that you should probably not try cards at." The polecat moves towards the alley way. "You look like you are having a fine day yourself. What is an otter doing in a place like this?"

"Really! Me too!" The pole cat says while taking the offered seat, "Save for the part about family, and having no where to go." He points to the tavern across the street. "As far as finding good food, lodging, and good card tables the Fat Dragon Saloon is also a place beasts go for information." The polecat extends a paw, "I'm Rick by the way."

Rorgan sighs, looking at his own paw before letting it drop. "Again, it's a long story, an' I don't even know the entire story myself." He shakes his head slowly, looking frustrated. "If I knew where they had gone, this would be so much easier, but...I was away, an' I don't know where they went or specifically why."

The polecat gives the otter a sly smile. "Then it looks like you finaly found a stroke of fortune my good otter. I guess you can call me a jack of all trades. A card player, smuggler, tracker. I have on occasion found beasts for others...for a fee of course." He narrows his eyes at the last part, looking very much like a shark having a lively chat with a round bellied seal.

Rorgan's eyes also narrow, and he stares the polecat down with a gaze that looked like it could melt iron. "Has that fee ever been something along the lines of doin' it t' save yer own hide?" He asks slowly and dangerously.

Rick smirks, leaning away from the angry looking otter, "No no, of course not. I was thinking more along the lines of coin or..." his stomach growls loudly, "Food for starters. Business has been a little slow here...with the militia and all and with the Bushfolk attacking travelers on the road lately."

Rorgan's eyes suddenly widen. "The bushfolk..." He whispers, and he bops himself in the head with an open paw. "Of course! That's where they would've gone!" He exclaims, standing up with his weapons in his left paw. "Thankee fer yer help. I hope things go better fer ye," He says to Rick before taking off at a run out of the alley.

The pole cat reaches out a paw to call after the otter, "W-wait! What about my..." he sighs, ears falling flat against his head, "...fee." Rick sighs before shaking his head. Picking himself up the pole cat begins to walk away in the oposite direction with his paws in his pocket. Looks like he will just have to find a card saloon that won't kick him out tonight...