News on the Wing
Stubb, Rayuwil, Amos, Darkmane, Adyna, Frigg
Location: Northern Bank of the Broadstream (near Ruingate)
Stubb is up early, though no earlier than usual. He sits quiet sentry on a small outcropping of rock that stands forth from the lip of the cave and imbibes the morning sunlight. It looks to be a fine day, and even now the accumulated snow of two days past relaxes into delicate drops of crystalline water that tap out a stuttering rhythm on the ground. The weasel brushes an idle paw through the long strands of fur on his neck, no longer evincing any notice of the wound on his leg.
'Sorell' the squirrel, who by now has been awake since long before, is approaching the weasel timidly, making his way slowly, footpaw next to footpall, down the other side of the hill to where the cave is. "Morning, lad. News for news? I have some, if you do...?" He smiles innocently, bowing. He looks back at 'Odilo', who is climbing down slowly only to stay in pace with his king. "Sire, the bat..." "Hush, and let us see if there is anything on the whereabouts of our mouse." He turns back to Stubb, "Hmm?"
Long before the dawn Amos was up, keeping watch on their camp and tending to his weaponry and belongings. He has gathered some melted snow, uses it to wash his maw and neck before grabbing his tunic and pulling it over his head. At the chattering of voices he turns to watch the conversation between the squirrel and weasel curiously.
Stubb is slow to respond, as if returning from a great distance, and his head swivels only after a pause that, underscored by the silence of the hibernal landscape, seems interminable. "News?" he says in an abstracted voice that gains clarity as he echoes himself. "News? An wha' noise moight oi be expected ta have? Ain' a single beast passed frough 'ere since dose unlucky blokes yesterday." He slides forward enough to let his paws crunch in the snow. "Sa no. No news. Oi can' say oi fancy si'tin' abou' waitin for it ta come ta us, dough."
"Oh, just wondering. I don't know if you had somebeast aflight, as I have, to relay information. What would be helpful is an owl, right about now. Just go in and scoop her up. Tehehe..." He smiles and just stares at the weasel for a while, and looks back at Clarino, "Odilo, would you care to go get the bat ready? She's had a short rest, but such is the life she has chosen." The king looks back at Stubb, "Well, we're ready when your group is assembled."
Darkmane comes into view running at full speed along the bank with a mouse holding onto his neck and back for dear life, his gaze quickly surveying the area as he moves after signs of his group "They should be nearby" his voice fairly soft as he speaks to Frigg
The latest riser of the group, Adyna finally appears out of her night-time hiding place to shake herself off and pull a damp cloak around her, muttering. Everyone else is already up and about.. seems like. Mph. She trudges toward the weasel, still grumbling.
Stubb is poised to respond to Sorell when the noisy galloping of the horse reaches their ears, and he slides further down the outcropping and onto his paws. "Den again, sometoimes i's worf da weigh'." He points at Darkmane, then looks back at Adyna and Amos. "Bout toime you two was up. Seems our ol pal de enforcer ain't got imself killed. Guess oi owe you a beer, cat."
Having just pulled his pack over his shoulder, and checked to make sure he has everything he's crossing over to Stubb as the noise of Darkmane's return reaches the camp and grins, "I told ya he'd be fine, ain't nothing gonna stop that stubborn horse from rescuing his bloody hare."
Rayuwil turns around and hears the horse, waiting to see him pop up over the hill (silhouetted by sunlight, no less). "Ah, well that /is/ good news. We can get the search underway. Well, you can keep her in your care, weasel - we don't need to see her yet." The king puts his hood up, as does Clarino, who then goes to see to their little bat scout who is back a ways.
"Don' need ta see 'er yet, eh?" Stubb takes a couple steps toward the king's retreating back. "No, no, oi fink oi'd loike ta see da reunion. After all dat trouble an all, after we been waitin' abou' an foightin' off horderats when we should a been well clear a here. No, Sorell, oi fink she'll be appy ta see 'er ole friends." He shouts, "Take your cloaks, off, eh? Tha li'tle lady 'd loike a look at you, oi'm sure!"
Frigg has her eyes tightly shut... this wasn't a good idea. She'd rather be back in that prison.. maybe. The mouse clings to the horse's back, red robe frayed and rippling in the wind created by the speeding equine. She agreed to go for two reasons - one, to find that sweet haremaid, and two, because she was forced.
Darkmane having heard the voices of his friends and the not yet friends alters his course directly toward them without skipping a beat "Aaah, there they are now, seems your friends are still around as well" his lips quirking slightly as he starts to slow down once he gets closer to the camp, no need to collide with others after all.
"Fin'ly foun' 'er, did y'?" Adyna asks, at the appearance of Darkmane and Frigg. She gives Darkmane a wave, and a gentle call of "Greetin's an' salutations to ye!"
"Very well..." The king knows there's little chance of recognition, and he grins and bows. "I am just thankful for such quick delivery. We must do business more often, I think. Let us quickly go, now, though. Your horse is a loud beast, no doubt about that - we should be sure to ask him if he was followed. Odilo! What is the status of our little friend?" He sees the horse crest upon the hill and shields his eyes, unable to see the mouse as yet.
Frigg can clearly see the others, though. "/My/ friends? I still don't have a clue wh...at..." She squints, shaking her head. "I don't think I know... well it can't be who I think.. I.. hmm." She frowns, as the horse rides into the camp and slows. Why are they all looking at her?!
Stubb looks up at Frigg. He smiles broadly and bows with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Dere you are, our li'tle darling! We was worried dat you'd been chomped up boi some big ole beast!"
Amos grins at the new arrivals as they enter the camp, looking to Darkmane, "Took you long enough, " He jests, "Welcome back mate, she ain't no trouble was she?" He gives the mouse a glance over curiously.
Darkmane comes to a full stop as he bows gracefully before kneeling so Frigg can get off easily "Darkmane's rescue and retrival returning from a sucessfull mission" his voice somewhat amused as he dips his head "you name it, we get it" his gaze then surveying the camp and those in it"Good to see everybody still alive and well, has there been any information about Dangeon while I was gone"
Rayuwil just watches the first reunion unfold, paws tucked into his robe, as Clarino comes back, whispering into his ear, "Si- er, Sorell... the bat, she's..." The king pushes him away, "Not now, just stand with me."
"Well no, I don't think s... where is Angus? I ran down into that awful prison... I didn't get to see where he went off to! Poor dear..." She sighs and blinks at Stubb, "I heard something awful - Darkmane told me about that rat that had been stalking us inside... and a fox." Her eyes go wide, "...that a fox took Dangeon." She's completely confused by it all, but she looks briefly over at the squirrel standing by Stubb. "I don't think we've met... yet I'm told you are my friends... hello." She bends down to try to see into the king's hood. "Well, nice to meet y-you, again?"
Amos shakes his head at Darkmane, turns to watch the others curiously.
Stubb confirms Frigg's story with a sober nod. "Ay. The 'are is gone." With this, he turns his face to Darkmane. "If dey know where, dey ain' told me ye', ma'e," he nods in the direction of the squirrels, a mild apology in his voice. "Uh. So how'd you get out a dere anyway? Din fink dey'd let you frough so easily dis toime aroun'."
Rayuwil puts his paw out, "Sorell; yes, it is. You might not remember... I knew your husband for a short time. I have word on his status, far far from here. We - my companion and I - wanted to make sure you weren't going on any unneccessary missions to find him." He bows, grinning under his hood. He turns to Stubb and Darkmane, "We know, and we have only to follow the messenger who has come back to us on wing. With haste, we will find this fox."
"Should really take off your hood when addressin a laydy, or so oi hear," Stubb mumbles. "Can' say oi've known many loike dis fancy, foisty one."
Frigg's eyes tear up, and widen. She steps forward, taking the paw tightly at first.... but then lets go of her grasp and wraps both paws about the king's shoulders, hugging him the way a mother and wife would her whole family. "Oh!! Oh thank you! B-but, I wasn't even searching... for... I thought he was d.. oh, thank you! Thank you..." She's crying, tears streaming down her cheek and onto the king's cloak. "Oh, I'm sorry..." She sniffs and brushes the moisture from his cloak, "I owe you everything, then, although I am sorry to say I don't remember my husband telling me of you." She's smiling and wiping her eyes. "Oh, enough of me! There are still lost things to be found!"
Darkmane gets back into a proper standing position in silence as he gives a slight nod and after another quick survey heads toward the area they moved his stuff to get it all ready so they can move on
Amos crosses over to join Darkmane, smiling at him as he approaches, "We'll find her mate, don't'cha worry!"
Rayuwil looks over at Stubb, annoyed at his persistence, "You'll forgive an old squirrel if it's terribly cold out here - my ears are quite sensitive." He looks at Frigg, "You owe me nothing at all - I am happy to help your friends here find their dear companion. This fox, too - he offends my senses, the way he brutally took those rats' lives. Rats are rats, but... well, it's just not right to let him have his run of the place!" He looks ahead to see if Clarino is having any luck.
Stubb looks at Amos and makes a jerking gesture with his paw, then, with a wink, points toward Rayuwil.
Adyna shakes her head, eyeing the scene a little longer before she turns back to her stoathole to get her things together. The occasional grumble follows her.
Clarino, meanwhile, is leaning over a rock and reaching out to the bat, who is dancing and playing around a lonely beetle. "Naaaah-haaaaaawwwwwwww... schtill tire' mishter Odd-lo... wanna go back to schleep, affa I eat 'tis beeter!" She squeaks as it flies a short distance, giggling. "No wanna play foll' lead'! Dunno what I'd be foll'ing!"
Clarino grits his teeth and berates her, "Out of there now, you little sqeaker! You don't need to follow anybeast you daft little bat, just fly us back to your little mouse friend! I'm growing impatient with you, now get! Get!"
Amos nods at the weasel and casually moves to get behind the squirrel and tug at his hood.
Darkmane shakes his head slightly as he watches everybody interact while packing his gear muttering quietly to himself about having chosen the wrong line of work
Rayuwil is oblivious to the wildcat, and fails to see his shadow, which is being cast north, as they head south toward the river. He calls over, "Odilo, speak to her nicely or you'll find me growing impatient as well." Suddenly his hood is off, "What in the name of--!" He spins around, glaring.
Amos grins toothly, releasing the hood, "Ya reallly should take ya hood off for the lady, " Echoing Stubb's comments earlier.
Stubb returns his attention to Darkmane. "You look terrible, ma'e. Don sappose you go' much rest while you was in dere." He's put off by the horse's extended silence. "Fink you can press on wif da rest a us? No' so sure oi trust dat pair, but maybe dat bat is our only hope a foindin', er, what we're lookin for." His gaze is wrested away by the suddenly bare head of the squirrel, the sight of which Stubb greets with a sneering chuckle.
Frigg, travelling next to the king, glances over and frowns. "That was awfully rude, but I wouldn't put it past these gen..." She looks at Rayuwil and squints. "Hm.. Sorell - I'm sorry, you must know my name already, but it was rude of me not to give it anyway. You wouldn't happen to have news of young Turmal or his older brother, would you?" She watches his reaction intently.
Darkmane gives a slight snort "Don't have time for sleep, only small naps from time to time" his head nodding slightly to himself "You'll find out when i'm to exhaused to follow by the sound of me falling over and snoring" his lips quirking upward slightly "So don't worry about me, i made sure to have a full meal at the tavern before leavin town"
Rayuwil keeps his calm, and is flustered... but doesn't appear to be affected by Frigg's question at all. He takes a deep breath, "Madame, I know not of either of whom you speak. Was it for these two that you have travelled this far? They have a brave mother, to be sure..."
Amos chuckles at Darkmane's comment, moving away from the squirrel and back over to the horse, "He'll be fine, hasn't let us down yet has he?" He grins at the horse to which he's referring.
Clarino looks back at Nidlorf and then back at the bat. "Okay, look... you'll get some more of Sorell's tasty treats if you fly us like a nice little bat back to Zen! I promise! Here..." He reaches and picks up the beetle. "We can have breakfast on the go, see?! Ow!!!" Poppy squeals with joy as the squirrel leaps around sucking at his finger. "Hahahaha, y'funny mist'Oddolo! Oki... I'll fly to frien' Zen.." She climbs up high onto a rocky face, Clarino craning his neck to watch her, "Good girl! Yes!"
Frigg stops, as the others keep going. "I never said that I was their mother. They could be the names of my husband's friends. I swear I know you... you're weren't sent by King Nidlorf, were you? The more I look at you the more you look to me like one of them. My son..." She starts to break down again, pointing her finger at the king.
Rayuwil shakes his head, "No no no, whatever gave... no, you see I assumed. I'm sorry I did - I seemed to have hit a nerve, oh... don't cry please!" He moves to hug her, taking advantage of her vulnerability to reinforce himself as one of the good guys, "No no, there... I'm sure it was awful, what this king must have done... awful... just.... awful..." He pats her shoulder, looking also up at the bat. Good.
As interesting as the drama is, Stubb's eyes, too, are soon drawn upward to the launching bat. The weasel leaves Darkmane's side and steps up to Odilo. "Oi sappose she knows somefin abou where da fox as got to?" He shifts his bag, restless to be on the move again.
Looking towards the sky the wildcat has a raised arm against his brow as he watches the bat take off. Turning to listen to Stubb's words.
Clarino looks at Stubb, "Well, yes. She's our life-line to the squirrels tracking the fox. Listen, I don't know what your hawk friend eats, but he better not be in the mood for bat. I've seen the relationship those two have when they mix, and it wouldn't be good for dear hare, right?" "That's it sweety, go as high as y'like... wow! You're a good climber! That's it!"
Frigg wipes her eyes, "Oh, listen to me! Accusing somebeast that's not only my rescuer but a friend to my husband... shameful of me, a wise old mother. I'm not usually this hot-headed sir..." She steps back and nods, "Let's follow the others, before we lose your friend - you have such faith in her; I can tell she is young even from here..."
Rayuwil nods, "I.. can tell talent when I see it. It is one of my few good skills... I am used to finding purposes for beasts, I was.. a recruiter for a time, for a group of squirrels in northern Mossflower. My last battle almost saw all of my comrades completely wiped out. I was taken prisoner, though, and that is how I met your husband." He continues walking, as they approach the river. Hm. "Odilo, do you have a plan for crossing back over, lad?"
Stubb continues to watch the soaring silhouette. "George ain' moine ta command," he says to Clarino. "E's Actor's bird, if 'e's anybeast's. Still, oi don expect e'll be a problem. The ole fox as got George on a little mission of 'is own, from what oi can tell." He sniffs the cold air. "Well. The snow is meltin'. Oi don' fink we'll be foindin' our way over da river so easily." He says this as much to Rayuwil as to Clarino.
The other squirrel stops at the edge of the river, "Could we perhaps salvage this cart? Make it into a raft? It's only big enough for a h--, for uh, an average-sized beast." He gulps at looks over at Darkmane.
Stubb's restlessness finally gets the better of him, and he stalks off to the northwest. "Fink oi'll scout upstream a bi'," he says and disappears without further explanation.
"Oh dear-- is he still? In captivity?" She looks frightened past the king at the rocks next to him, staring off into empty space. At the ground now... "Well, I will not bother you too much about him... had things turned out just a bit differently, I suppose I never would have known. I'm almost regretting knowing..." She continues with the others, looking doubtful at the 'cart'.
Frigg blinks as Stubb disappears.
Amos calls out to the weasel before disappearing, "Aye!" Turns back to minding himself as he watches the squirrels and the others.
Rayuwil looks at Frigg, grinning to himself and arrives at the cart with Clarino, "No, you fool - we'll wait for the weasel to find a way across. That thing wouldn't hold half a beast in its soggy, splintered condition. There has to be a crossing somewhere on this busy route. Wherever that fox got that boat, for instance - there probably are more boats."
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