Nearly Home

Characters: Aikuen, Skuld, Will, Fira, Garnet(spoof)

Location: Fang and Claw, Dirt Road, Black Gull Tavern

Morning raises on the Fang and Claw. Aikuen woke up early, not being able to sleep very well. Mostly because of his injured knee, but some because of loss of Kentar. Even though he still believes that he is alive, the chance of him surviving is very slim, and this otter knows it. He is slumped over the bar, though he is not drinking, he is still angry at everything... and the bartender knows it... With many smashed up flasks, and his knife plunged into the wood. He grumbles, as he drinks from the flask.

Skuld is actually over in a corner with a small group of some other patrons. Two weasels and a rat, in fact. Her bag is on the table that the little group has occupied, and coins can be heard occasionally. A long with some enthusiastic and appreciative conversation. Apparently, she's reading fortunes.

Will comes in looking for food and Aikuen, mostly food. He sees Skuld and notes the coins on the table. He shakes his head but leaves her alone. The rat also notes the damage the otter has done as he gets closer to the bar, "Do you need t be thrown in th pond or are you just mad?" he asks the otter sitting down two seat from the otter just to be safe.

Aikuen finishes off his flask, and grips it tightly, breaking it in his paws. He looks to Will, wiping the glass and a bit of blood on his paws, "Just... cheesed off, I guessed..." He holds up a claw to get another flask, "And no... Throwing me into the Pond, will not work... cause im not drinking..." The bartender places another flask on the bar, and walks away quickly, "Order what you want... Im paying..." He glances to Skuld, and scoffs.

There's a final chink, before, with some drunken murmuring among themselves, the three move off, and Skuld starts her way, coins in paws, towards the bar and the others

Garnet quietly comes into the tavern and slowly sits down at the bar, she's quite tired and has been crying again, however she's not crying anymore, now she's at the 'quiet stage'.

Will orders something for himself and while he wait on his meal he says, "Alroight yurr not drunk. Good, but could thrown ya in anyhow." Looking over at the approching cat he asks, "Get a good haul?"

Skuld dumps the coins on the table. Each one is silver. Though there are only four. She shrugs. "I don't know if this is good or not. I've never had to use money, yet... But they had some sort of tradition about fortunes and silver... We could give these to that fox? So he'd give Kentar back?

Will's food arrives and he starts to eat, "Mmm. It's an idea but don't think the fox would go for it, he likes what he does /very/ much .... and Kentar wouldn't much like being bought either. But it's still an idea and one more than we have already." He looks over to Aikuen, "What /are/ we going to do .... are we /really/ going to go after th fox?"

Aikuen looks to Skuld, "Four silver coins will not be enough... a couple thousand gold pieces might..." He sighs and looks to Will, and says, "Not sure mate... He is very dangerous... We'll need a small army to go against him... just because of him and his little daggers of poison... Though i would love to hunt him down, for hurting four of my friends, i... just... cant do it..." He growls a bit, and goes back to his flask.

"Why...why don't we trade someone for...Kentar? I...I could...t-t-take his place?" Garnet offers.

Skuld frowns. She leaves the coins on the bar for now, pushing at one with a claw. "Why not... Why not fight him with poison? He mentioned... jellyfish and snakes... So. Perhaps he doesn't know about plants? All we would need is the right plant, a hollow stalk and a dart to carry the poison..." And then she turns to frown at Garnet. "But then Kentar would get himself killed anyway trying to rescue you...

Will is starting to wish he hadn't invited Kentar along and says, "Better plan .... but somebeast would still have to go find him and kill him without getting caught ..... They'd have to get in kill him and get out again ..... Mayeul was going to try and get Kentar out but we wouldn't know if he had unless they met us at th Abbey or something after they got out. .... Does anyone know where the fox's den is .... /other/ than me?"

Aikuen says, "Val would do it, and then kill you both... its not about the hostage... its about the fun of killing...And, Skuld... He has an antidote to everyone of his poisons, and he probably has used plants before...If not i have some lovely nightshade to give him" He looks to Will, "I have fought with him before... but i don't know where it is..."

Garnet just sighs and rests her head on the bar. If she hadn't spent all night crying, she'd be sobbing again.

The kitten frowns and continues to push at the coins with a claw, then. "Too many beasts know of nightshade... It's not a difficult one to have an antidote for... Beasts even use that as a painkiller..." She looks thoughtful.

Will sighs, he figured it'd come down to this sooner or later. "When we get back to the Abbey maybe we could get some of the beast from there to go with us .... maybe? I know where it is and if I could just tell you how to get there and back out I would but it's all twisty and hard to explain right ..... I barely got out the first time ..... but if I had to I could do it again or try to do it again anyway ....... If Mayeul wasn't Zen's uncle I wouldn't care so much /what/ the fox did to him!" the rat growls losing his prior good mood.

Aikuen growls, "You will not go there again... You can teach somebeast to go there... but i will not let you go there... and let you lose another eye... or killed..."

Garnet takes a deep breath. "I can...I can go!" she offers.

"Stop volunteering yourself..." The cat mutters at Garnet. "We already explained this part..." Her attention is still on the coins though. "F-find someone who can sh-shoot a bow, maybe?"

Will closes his eye upon hearing the stoatmaid and chews on his lip some, "It'd have t be somebeast that can shoot well and th only beasts I can think of either won't do it or have sworn never to touch a bow ever again and are both in th Order."

Aikuen says into his flask, "Benar might... If Flicktail tells him too, since he is the Champion now...Who is the other?"

Will nods, "Maybe, if Flicky told him, but Flicky'd have to tell him to first. The other was Brother Jullian, he always has his bow and stuff when he's on th wall."

Aikuen nods some, and reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pouch. He takes out nine gold coins and places them on the bar, and says to the Bartender, "Sorry about the mess..." He pulls out his knife from the wood, and sheaths it. Then walks over to the others, "Don't think Jullian would... but we could always try..."

Skuld gathers up her four silver coins and turns to watch the others. "What's the fox's place like? An open air camp? Underground? A cave behind a waterfall?"

Will leaves the bar having finished his food sometime ago. "It's in th grasslands. Not a good place even th- Sooner that fox is dead th better," he mutters remembering Zen lives in the grasslands as well. "It's in th grasslands ... there's a ditch with spikes in it .... there's a cave with a badger pelt for a door and inside ......" he hisses remembering the route, "inside there is the fox and the shackles and the dead beasts and ....and he needs to be stopped!"

Aikuen goes over to Garnet and leads her to follow Will, and then follows himself, "Aye he does..." but he doesn't want too himself, "The sooner we get to the abbey...*sigh*... the better..."

Skuld nods a little. "The ground is earth? If it's in the grasslands, I guess so?" She's got a little furrow above her one eye. Very thoughtful right now...

Will walks out of the tavern and goes over the route as much for himself as for the cat, "It's south of th Abbey through the grasslands over th hill and through th thick grass. Watch out for the ditch full of spikes you'll fall into on th other side. Follow th ditch left and out to the open grounds ... he's in th cave ... when you try to get out remember to duck. That's all I can really tell you. the way out twists and I can't really tell you how to get out except there's a trick to it."

Skuld shakes her head. "I meant. Could we get a bird to fly to it? A mole to dig through it? That sort of thing... It sounds difficult for the way we move..."

Aikuen nods to himself, as Will names out the route. And then looks to Skuld, at her question.

Will growls, "Dulce isn't going. They're's biting things in the plants and a pit of mud in front of th door .... I don't know if they could or not. A bird big enough to carry Kentar and Mayeul wouldn't be able to fit into the fox's den very well to go get them ...... I don't know."

Skuld shrugs. "Dulce? ...Alright. I don't know what the place is like apart from what you tell me... I am just trying to think of ways to help though. What do we know about the fox? I've seen him, but... Only that once...

Will says, "Sorry forgot I'm th only one here that knows what th place is like ....," he shakes his head, "I got lucky is all. He didn't have be in th shackles that one time .... he went into his little room like he does and I saw my chance to get out .... but he's not likely to make that mistake again and not use th shackles .... There's only one way in or out of the cave and one way in from th grasslands and as far as I know only one way out and away from there. .... We could ask Dunplume or one th other sparrows to fly over it and see if there's another way in or out ...."

"Scouting with the little birds could work. Sparrows. Hm." She makes a very concious effort not to lick her lips. "Small enough to be hard to spot, and with wings... I think that's a good idea..."

Aikuen sighs, "Well if it can work, lets do it..." He goes off toward the common room, "If were gonna go... Ill wake Fira, so we can get on the move..." He enters the Common room, and is lost to sight.

Will nods, "Yeah .... Dunplume would do it if we paid her well enough and I think she said she lived in th meadow near there anyway .... Haven't seen her in a long time ...." he muses quietly as he waits of the otters.

"What does she take in payment? Do birds need money? I know they like shiny things... Or, most seem too..." Skuld nods. Shiny things make good bait, sometimes.

Will nods, "Not money though I'm sure she'd take that too but she's paid with food, usually candied chestnuts .... lots of candied chestnuts. She's very greedy. Didn't like th Abbey very much but she's nice for a bird I suppose."

Privately the kitten might be thinking that the bird probably tastes quite nice too. But she knows she mustn't eat the help. Maybe one day. "The abbey has a lot of candied chestnuts...

Will nods, "Don't know how much she'll want though ..... don't want to take em all but it'd be worth it if it helps."

The two otters come in from the common room. Both of their packs are ready to go, and Aik with a bandage on his hand. Their both quieter, then normal, but Aikuen smiles a little when they enter the room.

The party reaches the area around Anian Metals. Aikuen needs to get something from the inside, but cant let Fira know. He grabs her paws and gives her a kiss, "Ill be right back...uh... Need to get my armor reseated..." He mentally remember the size of a certain claw, before entering the store.

Will and Skuld follow the otter in not knowing what he's up to.

Garnet and Fira are left to themselves outside the shop.

Aikuen enters the store, and goes over to the jewelry counter, and like last time, taps it to get the attention of the keeper, "Oi! Im back... and i need something!" The squirrel comes from the back room, and chuckles at the otter, "Well, well... A repeat customer, Aikuen is it? Welcome... what can i do for you today..." Anian looks to the counter, then back to the otter, "Need a necklace or something? These are not really your type of jewelry, more for like the Feminine variety..." He goes behind and leans against it, "So what will it be?"

Aikuen smiles a little bit, "Hello, Yes its Aikuen, your armor is great by the way" He taps the pad, "Well anyway, im not here for weapons or more armor, i need to have a ring made... and your the best i know to do that sort of thing."

Anian takes the piece of quartz, and looks at it, before placing it on the counter. He pulls out a small box and digs around for a gold ring, the size that the otter specified. He looks to the otter and asks, "Like anything else on this ring?" Aikuen sighs and leans in closer, and whispers, "Yes i would like an engraving on the Inside, I would like..." He looks outside, and makes sure she isn't looking, "For love that is deeper then the ocean. My love, Fira" He sighs and backs away, seeming uncomfortable all of a sudden.

Will talks with Skuld as they look over the belts and dagger sheaths on display. The kitten selects a belt and sheath and it's paid for. She leaves, the rat continues to look at the displays and listen to Aikuen.

Anian chuckles a little bit, but he has seen this type of thing many times before. He takes the quartz and the Ring, into the back room, saying back, "The Inlay may take a while, and a little bit longer for the cut... Wait just like time, I'll be done soon..." He disappears, and leaves the otter and the rattling, in the room by themselves. Aik is still uncomfortable as he leans against the case, and smiles weakly too Will.

Will smiles back, "We're nearly home .... once we get to th Abbey ... no I guess first we'll find Dunplume or some sparrows to see if there's another way to the fox's den .... then ask Benar and Jullian and Flicky if they'll go kill the fox or something like that ...... and you an Fira'll be fee-on-say-ed or whatever it is to each other like Miz Layne and Brother Lucas were when we left."

Aikuen nods vigorously too Will, "Aye, We will be engaged, hopefully..." He sighs and smiles a bog ole' smile, "So we're going to... where first... to get... eh, Dunplume and the sparrows to help us find what we need... Then back to the abbey."

Will says, "Something like that. Though Dunplume doesn't live at th Abbey with those sparrows she lives over in th meadow by the grasslands if I remember it right. We can use the sparrows at th Abbey too or instead I don't care which we use really.

Aikuen shrugs, "It doesn't really matter to me, whatever is faster to saving Kentar..." There is a bit of grunting from the back room, then there is a bit of laughing, but then is silent again. Aik blinks a few times but just ignore it, "If Kentar is still alive...

Will nods, "Dunplume might be faster to start with. We'd have to pay her ... not sure if we'll have to pay the other ones or not ... But one sparrow flying by would be less noticable and she may know something already since she lives near there ..."

Aikuen says, "Alright, Well ask Dunplume first, like you said it would be better, and i bet the sparrows at the Abbey, they'll want some sort of payment also... What does she take?... Not gold right? But something shiny nonetheless..."

Will shrugs, "She probably would take gold but usually she asks for food .... candied chestnuts most times."

Aikuen laughs, "Like a sparrow to ask for candied chestnutters..." He looks around and says, "Sense you know the way, till us where to go, when we get near... oh master of direction and all that..." He chuckles a little bit, "We'll tell her to do what we ask, and then she can get the nuts, after its done..." There is so more grunting, then the door opens letting the squirrel in. He hands a small wrapped package to Aik, "All done..." He goes back to the counter and begins to write a bill for the otter

Aikuen unwraps the package and smiles. He re wraps it and goes over to the counter, "Can i get a small ornamental box for this please?" Anian smiles and brings out a box, "Already got one ready! Already added it to the bill... Which is total comes too 65 gold coins." Aik sighs a little bit and pulls out his pouch, "I don't have that much... Well this work as a trade?" He holds a gold ring with a diamond on it. The squirrel looks at it and nods, "Aye... It'll just about do it..." Anian places the ring in the cabinet, "Thanks for your business... Please come back soon!" He smiles and stands there.

Will nods, "She might want some kind of payment before she starts though, we'll need a lot of chestnuts for her."

The rat sees the diamond ring change paws. "She better say yes." he mutters to himself, doubting the otter will be able to trade back very easily.

Aikuen takes the packages and places it in the box. He pockets the whole thing, and begins to walk out the door. He looks to Will and says, "Well i got ... like a bag of it... If we need more... I know the abbey can supply... hmm..." He exits out of Anian metals.

Will nods some and follows the otter out.

Night is beginning to set, as the group begin to plod along a familiar road. The otters are once again in the back, leading a very quiet Garnet, and Skuld just after her. Nobeast asked what he did in Anian metals, and that's just the way he wanted it. Fira begins to yawn as the sun sets in the west. Aik, getting the hint asks, "I think its about time to stop for the night..." to the group.

Will is in the lead but slows down when Aikuen mentions stopping. "Are we setting up camp?" he asks.

Aikuen looks to Fira, to Garnet, to Skuld, then back to Will, "If there is another place to stop... I don't mind..."

Will nods, "There's one other tavern before we get to th Abbey if we want to spend th money."

Aikuen shrugs, "As long as it doesn't cost two-hundred like last night... i don't mind paying for us..." Even though he spent a lot today anyway, "How far is this tavern?"

Will points to a building a short ways farther down the road, "That would be it, nothing else out here."

Aikuen looks to the pointed object, and squints, "Oh... Well, okay then..." He gives Fira a playful shove in the direction, she smirks and walks that way, with Aik right beside her.

The group walk up to the Black Gull Tavern and enter it.