Orel - 21 02 2009 - Prophecy

Halyard Tavern: Main Room

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Halyard Tavern ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Warmly lit by torches along the walls and lanterns set upon the many tables

scattered around the room, the main room of the Halyard Tavern is an often-

populated area. One corner of the tavern is taken up by a stage, about a

foot or two higher than the rest of the floor, where live entertainment

performs, while circular tables, both large and small, are set up in front

of the stage, spreading out into the center of the room. Meanwhile, around

the perimeter of the tavern, booths are set, and, of course, the obligatory

bar rests against the far wall, a bartender or barmaid always on duty.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Late evening, drawing closer to closing time then anything else. it is pissing it down with rain outside but inside the tavern it is warm. There are a few patrons still about and of course Orel. He's always in here until closing when Kieta turfs him out. He'll either wind up in an alley way someplace or stagger back to his dilapadated shack on the outskirts of the village. He's quite happily drunk at this stage of the evening but is still quite merry, ranting off the odd prediction to one of the other late customers, using one of the variety of superstitious charms he wears about his person.

Victor wanders into the tavern, getting a drink of ale before plopping himself in the corner. The rat just drinks away quietly, paying NO attention anything else but his ale.

Orel sniffs the air and tilts his head, the ragged rat in the faded sea-washed purple sash peers at Victor with bleery blood shot eyes. He points a paw and then with a grunt he heaves himself up and staggers over to the other rat taking his tankard with him. It is late night and chucking it down outside, the tavern not too far off closing time as Orel plonks himself down opposite Victor, peering at him with blood shot eyes. "Evenin Matey.. mmm" he peers at the rat through the stone that hangs around his neck, it is circular and has a large hole in it. "mmmm yes there is alot about you isn't thar matey. No Corsair are you."

Victor glares though his one eye and frowns at the other rat. "No...who said ya' could sit there?" he asks with a small growl. If its one thing Victor Likes, its to be alone.

Orel growls back, baring his yellowed teeth. "Ah said I could... tha's who.. not see many rats in Halyard... an a big un like ya..." He chuckles and drops the stone so it hangs around his neck once more, stroking his lucky rabbits foot. "I prefer tha company o all sortsa beasts but rats alwaus be ma favourite."

Victor looks /down/ at Orel and growls. "out of my table rat...or die" he then takes a long drink of his ale. "Go...Now"

Orel peeers up at victor again and starts to chuckle, standing up. "I seen thousands like you! Your death won't be pleasent... oh no no no.. when Dark Forest calls for you it will be on a Woodlander's weapon!" he shakes his head and sways over to the bar.

Victor frowns and slips one of his throwing knives, aiming it for where Orel is heading. ZIP! The knife flies though the air, embedding itself into the bar.

The knife gets the rat a glare from the Barman, Orel squeaks and cringes away from it and turns to stare at the rat. "Don't ye be throwing knives at me!" The barman pulls the knife out of the bar and drops it out of sight. "Weapons do not get used in here. Or you can sling your hook vermin and not come back."

Speaking of woodlanders, here comes one now. A rather petite rabbit doe at that. Salem enters with not a care in the world, tying her hair up as she goes with sweeps of her hands through the dark locks. Oh, but what's this? The sound of the dagger embedding into the bar catches her attention and she straightens, dark eyes widening in a curious expression while both ears stand up rigidly. A huff of breath blows a strand of her bangs out of her eyes as she lowers her hands from her head. Hm. Rats seem on edge today.

Victor growls at Orel. "You don't order me around Shorty..." he then glares at the barbeast. "You neither..." But then the doe gets a small grin as he sits back down, watching Salem quietly.

Orel snorts and buries his muzzle in his tankard, drinking over half of it and glaring at the other rat. "Ah ope yer death appens soon rat... try an start somethin wid me an aye'll show ye aye still ken use this." he pats his morning star as it hangs from his waist. He then peers at Salem and lifts his stone. "Mmm a gentle one this un... soft and fleeting... beware the tides of spring lassy! Dinnae stray into rock pools in spring!"

The doe eyes them uncertainly before she is offered the grin by Victor, which she returns in the form of a pretty little smile before making her way towards the bar. Well, even if they /are/ slinging death threats, at least they seem to not be throwing knives around anymore. Salem comes into closer proximity to Orel just about the time when he starts speaking to her. A curious expression crosses her face. ".. alright. I'll have to remember that." Then her attention turns to the bartender.

Victor room-pages, "skip me for a few, my foot just started throbbing for some reason".

Orel is actually clean, well mostly clean, it's only been a couple of days since his enforced bath at the hands of a badger. Normally the beggar and vagabond of a rat is not the worlds most hygenic creature. He peers down at the doe, "Wot yer havin missy! Let ole Orel buy it fer ya! Got some good grog this oplace as!" he hiccups, "Mmm good stuff!" he bangs his empty tankard down and wipes foam off his whiskers.

Both ears flick curiously in Orel's direction and the rabbit tilts her muzzle around at the same time, brushing some of her hair away from her cheek. "Grog isn't... /necessarily/ my drink of choice." Salem states gently before going to slide herself up onto the stool nearest to her hip. "Then again I can't hold that much alcohol."

Victor just watches the two for a few moments quiet, taking drinks of his ale every now and then. "Heh...dont worry...be only tryin' tah' yet yeh drunk" he laughs

Orel eyes Victor and snorts, "Noothin wrong wid bein drunk! is... ow ah like tae end me evenins!" he pats the bar, "Mmm grog fer me! N one o them fancy woodlander drinks fer tha girlio!" he peers down at her. "Wot brings a tiny thing loike ye tae a rough ole sea-side town like this place?"

The doe gives a glance towards Victor as well, then smiles disarmingly at him. "Oh, well I don't think he will. Thank you." She's not sure if that was real concern or what, but Salem acts like it was just to be on the safe side. As Orel orders for her she crosses her ankles and settles in, leaning against the bar to watch the tender go about getting her drink. Oh and it has a slice of lemon in it. How cute.

Victor eyes Salem for a few more minutes before getting a refill of his ale. The Rat just sits in the corner quietly, drinking and watching.

Orel tilts his head and watches the bar-hare waiting for his tankard, "Ewww fruit as nae place ina drink! Ah'll ave tae talk tae me sweet'eart aboot tha! Tis shameful! led me fish it oot fer ye girlio." he offers, wriggling his grimey claws towards her glass as he takes his fresh tankard.

"I don't know. It looked kind of pretty to me.. a nice place to rest." Now a more thoughtful glance is given around the tavern, before her drink is set onto the bar. That is when the doe sweeps it casually out of Orel's reach, grinning sweetly at him. "But I'm a rabbit, silly. We /love/ fruit." At least she doesn't cringe at the grimey fingers near her cup. Good for her.

Victor yawns and stands up before heading to the bar, plopping his mug down and sitting to the other side of the Doe quietly. Though, since he's badger sized, he's quite easy to notice

Orel eyes Victor and squeaks,, slurping the foam off his tankard and nodding. "Well... heed me words missy! Soometimes wot ah say be wot I see! Ah cud tell yer fortune by examinning me runes! An ye shud na'er let ya shadow touch anudder persons! Is bad luck!"

Salem nods her understanding to Orel, letting him talk while she takes a sip of her drink. It's not too strong and has more of a pleasant, fruity taste so the girl is approving. She keeps it close while watching the sea rat before a glance is sent towards the larger rodent on the other side of her. Her thick dark lashes partially obscure her eyes as they half close, the doe seeming thoughtful. ".. do you believe that?" She questions casually, then looks to see if his shadow is near to hers. Then again, he's large enough for her to be completely /in/ his shadow.

Victor laughs. "The rat is dumb...empty headed...haha...Nothin' he say's bout luck be true" he laughs loudly.

Orel's shadow is quite safely not touching anyones. He glares at Victor, "Lies! Ye dinnae know wot yer saying! Luck is tha most important!" he waves his lucky rabbits foot under Victor's snout. "It is true an important! I never git ill because I know ow tae out-fox tha pox! I ken read tha future in tha lines o a paw n predict tha weather! I see tha truth through a stone an in tha cast o runes! Dinnae ye be callin me empty headed!"

Anything that Salem was about to say is cut off by the sea-rat shouting.. and then waving a rabbit's foot in front of her to get to Victor on the other side. One wouldn't think that a white doe could blanch, but she does a fair job of it, both ears sinking to the sides as she gazes at this object. Her nose twitches uncertainly as she pushes back instinctively away from this. Nothing is stated.

Victor tries to snatch the rabbit's foot from the other rat. "Give it here, empty head!" He growls loudly.

Orel jerks back and falls off his stall. "NO! Don't touch it!" He all but shrieks which makes the bar man bang the mug he is cleaning down and glare at the three. "Don't you dare set him off! Don't you dare!" Orel is scrabbling backwards across the floor, the rabbit's foot stuffed inside his sash to keep it out of sight. "Death stalks you dark one! The blood of woodlanders drips from your claws, a hero to all our kind but death stalks you! Run lass before he adds your bones to his strew pot." he throws his head back and starts to cackle madly.

Oh dear. Salem looks concerned as she watches the would-be oracle, looking more uncertain about him and his rabbit's foot than the rodent that sits beside her still. Nothing is said though, cause she jerks when the bar man slams the mug down and shouts. Her brows furrow, then the girl ducks her head to go back to her drink.

Victor laughs. "Why would I wish to add her bones when I have my sights on you hm?" he asks. "Don't worry Lass. I wont hurt ye" the rat grins

Orel scrabbles under a table and cowers, "Come for Orel and death is closer... Orel will not go to sleep the sleep of the dark ocean depths yet.." he peers out, "Beware rabbit! beware! Orel has seen the fate of pretty maidens come and go, up and down and in and out."

Another glance is sent over her shoulder at the screaming rodent and then the doe turns back to her drink with a troubled huff. One ear twitches in Victor's direction and more of a worried expression is sent up to him, her dark eyes large. Salem takes in a deeper breath through her nose. "Alright." Though she is a bit unsettled by the yelling insanity.

Logan steps into his, "Favorite place" from outside and jerks his big shoulders to clear them of the snow that had fallen on them He takes a slow glance around the room then, minding his own business, strides over to the bar and orders the usual.

Victor was about to say something when Logan walked in "ohh...I bet this one has lots of death following his shadow...muhaha..." he laughs before standing and heading out

Logan gives a glance toward the rat, raising his eyebrows but keeping silent, taking a small sip of his drink he gives a mannerly nod to the doe, ignoring the others. "G'mornin' tae ye, Miss." Then back to the glass.

Orel is currently under a table, he does not re-emerge until after Victor has walked out. With shaking paws he moves back to his bar stall and sits on it. Staring into his half empty tankard and shaking, hugging his tail in one hand and playing with one of his talismans with the other paw.

Salem watches the rodent as he goes to leave before she sends a look in Orel's direction. ".. well he's gone. You don't have to hang out under the table anymore." She states with a soft tone. For a moment the doe just watches him before turning her attention back to the bar. Oh well. A glance is sent to Logan and she offers a smile as both ears raise from their pinned positions. "Hello." When Orel returns to his seat near to her, the rabbit goes to pat his hand calmingly.

Well, just as the day before, Saug re-enters the tavern but this time he's alone. Closing the door behind him, he walks over to the bar at one end and leans onto it. "Ale, now." He says as a coin is flashed before placed onto the top, his tail shifting about slightly behind him.

Orel freezes at the pat to his paw and shivers, before hanging his head, "Sorry... sorry.. jist.. sometimes... sometimes it all gets too much fer poor Orel.." he whines in a pitiful voice, "Jist a beggar.. want be left alone... drink n n.. see things.. see things all the time. Nonsense things."

Logan finds a barstool and lowers himself down onto it, crossing his arms while still holding his drink, he offers a small smile to all except Saug and asks: "Woos there a wee bit 'o trouble, aye?"

Aw. Poor rodent. Salem tries to be reassuring, smiling at the beggar while brushing her hand away from his gently. "Hey. I'd figure it'd be kind of nice to see things sometimes. I mean, you can help other beasts. Isn't that what you try to do?" She flashes a pretty grin at the rat before drinking the rest of her shallow drink, settling it down and then taking the lemon from its rim. A glance is sent to Logan, who she nods to. "They'd just been arguing with each other is all."

Orel nods his head, "Sumtimes.. ah try.. sumtimes it fails... sumtimes I jist see tha darkness an tha deaths.." he peers at Saug and his ears perk up a bit as he nods glumly to the other rat. "Greatness... gud day."

Saug doesn't even look at Logan, the rat getting his ale and slipping the coin over before taking a sip, then frowns to himself as he looks to the door and then back to his mug again.

Orel nods his head, "Sumtimes.. ah try.. sumtimes it fails... sumtimes I jist see tha darkness an tha deaths.." he peers at Saug and his ears perk up a bit as he nods glumly to the other rat. "Greatness... gud day." He peers up at Logan then, "An you agin! 'ello... we was avin a discussion aboot useful things! Was warning tha girlio ere tae avoid tha other rat, it wants to cook er! Ah saw it!"

The boxing hare's ears go back a little and he addresses Saug crisply, his usually pleasant tone not in his voice. "Soo, wha' do the'y call ye greatness?" He glances to the other rat and nods a little to show he heard him but turns his gaze back to Saug.

The head turns and Saug just looks at Logan for a moment in silence, sizing up the hare as he replies back. "Thought y' lot weren't allowed t' talk t' us vermin? Or has standing orders been changed?"

Hm. Maybe too much trouble here. The doe takes in the two that are now talking before glancing over to Orel, nursing at the lemon that she took off of her cup. One ear flicks in the sea rat's direction while her eyes narrow thoughtfully. Now Salem lowers the fruit from her lips, speaking to the rodent nearest to her once more. ".. so you said you would tell my fortune in your runes?"

"Ah'm not a patroller. Ah dinnae got orders." Logan rumbles. "But Ah cinnae argue wit ye being vermin." The hare doesn't like rats. No duh.

Orel tugs his ear at the other rat respectfully and lets him talk with Logan, he's better equipped to deal with giant hares. Orel would rather not get in a bar brawl tonight. He sneers at the lemon and then nods. "Yes'm... lets.. .table." he points at a vacant table and wanders over, seeming to relax a bit now he is not sat inbetween his greatness and the hare asking for death.

Going to slide from the bar stool means that Salem gets a handful of her skirt just to make sure it stays in place with this sideways motion. Soon the raven-haired doe is following after Orel to meet him at the table, unbuttoning her jacket as she goes and then sliding it off of her bare shoulders. This is dropped on the back of a chair and she settles in more comfortably.

Logan shoots the rat and icy glare but ignores the thrust. "Soo, wha' do they call ye greatness, vermin?"

Orel leers at Salem and licks his claws, before he takes a washed-leather pouch from his belt. He starts to rattle it. "Anythin ya pretty made want's ole Orel tae look intae? Or does she want him jist tae see wot might be oot thar fer er?" He tilts his head to one side and smirks at what Saug says, he seems to think that is a point on

Saug gives Logan a sly grin as he seems to have hit on something here. He turns around to face Logan and takes a swig of his ale, wiping his muzzle with a hand. "Why? We going to do the niceties here? Very well. It's Saug, Lord Saug so what's it t' y'?"

"Oh, nothing in particular." The brunette states while sweeping her hair back again and twisting it off to the side so that it rests over one bare shoulder, exposing the opposite side of her neck. "Just whatever you see, I guess." Salem states while smiling more warmly, then glancing back only for a second to the hare and rat.

"Because oot strikes meh funny th' a rat i' callin' hi'mself lord." Logan snarls, taking another drink and ending the discussion by turning his broad back on the rat in a gesture of scorn, watching the other rat and the doe as he sips his drink.

Orel shakes the pouch and has another good leer at the rabbit before casting the contents of the pouch out on the table. They scatter and clatter. There is an assortment of bones, rune engraved stones, semi-precious stones and the odd twisted piece of metal. He sniffs and peers at Saug and grins, raising his tankard to him and his victory before he turns back to Salem. "Mmmm something... yes... mmm see tha triangle of deception... n.. tha opal be turnwise! Ya... ah be seein a gud future fer ye, if'n ye remember tae nae always ide be'ind ya gud looks an find companions."

Saug just smiles at Logan. "Well, maybe it's beyond y' then, thinking wise. Anyways if y' don't have anything better t' say, I'd like t' just have my ale." And with this, the rat turns his head back to his tankard and takes another swig.

The boxer shrugs off the rats last comment and saunders over to the other rats table, actually looking interested in what he was doing even though he really didn't believe in it. He gave a small smile. "Could ye do tha' tae meh once ye were doone wit' th' lass, friend?" He asks the rat cheerily.

With his face hidden from view, Saug smiles around the rim of his tankard as he sips his ale and then goes and makes an order for something to eat.

The doe gazes over the cast objects in a thoughtful manner before leaning forward more to tilt her head sideways to take in one in particular. She says nothing about it while straightening up in her seat. "Mm." Salem seems to be pondering something before grinning across at the rat. "Well. What else do I have besides those, right?"

She teases before looking up to Logan when he comes in closer to the table. Nothing is stated to him, since he is speaking to Orel.

Orel sniffs at Logan and grimaces, he peers through the stone with a hole that hangs around his neck. "Roasting and stews on dark nights... " he nods and turns back to the runes, sniffing at them, examining them slowly, his eyes slowly glazing over as he rocks a bit. "Sand n sun, a boat on tha ocean, a long summer followed by a short autumn, a love affair that ends with tragedy and the secret of tha moon n salt n mountains dancin in yer veins."

The more thoughtful and pleasant expression fades from the girl's features as the rodent continues, a darker, more serious look taking over her eyes. She watches Orel without saying anything, silent and relatively still and letting him continue as he will. Salem isn't sure if it is over yet, that is.

Saug smiles as a plate of roasted seabird arrives and a side dish of bread and cheese. Nodding his head, he reaches and pulls out a few more copper coins and hands them over. Reaching towards his belt, the rat pulls out a small blade and uses it to cut the bread into thick slices and cuts the cheese as he allows for his bird to cool down.

Orel sways back wards and forwards for a bit more and leans forwards. "Run no further." he whispers in a sing song voice, "Or the trail of falsehood that led to this life will stick tae ye. Believe in the power inside n remember ya ancestry! use it n make a home n future. Diamonds in the sky n sand, willow, rowan oak n beech."

He sinks back in his chair, the filmy, vacant look in his eyes lingering as he stares at the rabbit then his head sinks down to his chest and he snorts, seeming to come to himself as he blinks his eyes clear. "Wot... huh."

Salem looks serious now while watching Orel, up to the point where the film has cleared from his eyes. The girl is tense but it eases as the rodent comes back to his senses and the doe smiles in that same pretty manner at the sea rat before going to push up out of her chair. "Thank you." The raven-haired rabbit states before giving a glance to Logan. It is only when her attention returns to the oracle that the female speaks again. "Do I owe you anything?"

Logan crosses his arms over his chest, after setting down his drink, a small grin on his muzzle, he is enjoying this.

Orel wipes drool from his chin and blinks at Salem, he gathers up all his runic items and drops them back into his pouch. "Four coppers! Fer a readin... if'n tha kind rabbit wishes tae pay o course... tae elp a poor rat ged by."

Rip goes the wing of the bird that Saug is eating, the rat holding it before taking a bite, a happy bemused smile on his muzzle as his ears listen into what's going on in the room before he takes a swig of his ale and washes it down.

Charlotte is coming down the stairs from the overhead rooms. The patrol recruit stops at the bottom and peers around. She rubs a paw over her face and sighs, heading for the bar. She speaks with the bartend, ordering a water and something to eat. "Never drinking again," she mutters, sliding onto a stool.

The doe nods her head and goes to reach into one of the large pockets of her jacket to collect something from there. For a second Salem just works her hand in the pocket before pulling out what she needs. "Here." She goes to set the coppers in his hand. "Thank you for the drink as well." Now the small doe goes to turn from the group to head for the door without saying anything else. Her jacket is only slid back on when she is about to exit. A glance is sent once more to the occupants of the room before she disappears through the door.

Logan glances over to her with a small smile, "Goo day tae ye, Miss. Why ain't ye drinkin' noo more, if ye dinnae mind mah asking?"

Orel clutches the coppers and smiles, "Miss rabbit.. stop by me shack soomtime k... we'll.. talk!" he leers after her and then looks around the bar. "You want me tae read the bones tae bunny?" he asks Logan peering up to him, he tilts his empty tankard. "Fill me oop first."

Saug twists his head to the side and looks down the bar to where Charlotte had taken her seat and just smiles over the words before he returns to his task of devouring the cooked seabird, pausing to take a swig of his ale.

Logan scowls deeply at the rat for his first comment then shakes his head, disgusted. "Forget i', bub." He rumbles then goes over to the bar and orders another drink.

"Because... it's just. Bad," Charlie mutters, glancing to the side at Logan.

Wormbait walks in from the entrance.

The huge boxer chuckles and sits down, taking a sip of the spirits, knowing better than not to question more.

You exclaim, "Then aye'll give ye this fer free! Ye will nae join tha patrol!" he peers at the hare and twitches his nose, "N if'n ye do, yer doom will be tae end oop loike tha!" He points at Saug's plate and chuckles to himself before slinking to the bar to buy his own refill. He's quite tipsy already but doesn't care."

It takes all that Saug could do to not burst out laughing right there and then, the rat clearly amused by it as he rips another part of the cooked bird apart. The sound of the door opening again, does make him turn his head around and he smiles. "It's about time y' arrived." The rat motions Wormbait to approach him at the far end of the bar.

Wormbait is a typical rat - large, and with brown fur that fades to a tannish underbelly. Her nose, inner ears, tail, and paws are a sickly pink and her eyes are beady and a depthless black. She is no young thing straight from her mother's lap, but rather in the prime of her adult life, hardened but not yet weakened by the passage of time. She seems to have taken an injury to one of her ears fairly recently - it is nearly cleaved in two and the half of it dangles, uselessly. Her garb is typically verminish, tattered and wrong-sized and dull.

"Outta the way," Wormbait mutters as she pushes past a pair of ferrets by the entrance. She's looking for someone and her eyes scan the room, finally alighting on that beast - Saug. She raises a nod in greeting, approaching his table. She turns a chair around and sits, draping her arms over the front of it. "Oy," she greets. ""N' how's it goin'?" Pause. "Got here s'quick s'I good."

Charlotte receives her food and drink - which is water - and hunkers over it, eating quietly. She, of course, is /not/ eating bird.

Saug gives a nod. "Good, so how's things back home since I've left? Anything new I

should know about?" The rat looks up and pulls one of the tavern's workers. "Some drink and food for my friend here." He turns his head back again to Wormbait. "No problems getting here I hope?"

Orel plops himself down on a stool next to Charlotte and grins, leering at her. "Owdy missy! Ye been at tha grog agin ah see! Tha water won't elp ya none!" He turns his head and peers towards Wormbait, peering through his stone, he sways back a bit and shudders, "Loyalty deep inside her! Deep and burrowed in, hooks in the heart holding her!" he nods and seemingly absent mindily goes back to ordering a drink.

Wormbait snorts, shakes her head. "No problems t'speak of. I-" And her head jerks around, eyeing the other rat. Her eyes narrow. "Who's the idjit?" She shakes her head. "... Got a new 'shipment' t'other day," she resumes speaking to Saug.

Logan leans his elbows on the counter, thoughtfully sipping his drink quietly until he glances over and sees that the doe is a patroller and he asks. "So, is i' 'ard tae get in th' patrol, Miss?"

Charlotte's ears flick. She glances around at the unfamiliar buck again, shakes her head. "... Nope. I can't tell you how hard it is to get promoted, though. I just started."

The buck nods a little and downs the rest of his drink. "Ah'm Logan." He states in way of introduction then gives her a small smile. "Nice tae meetche."

Orel shakes his head, "Do not trust the hare from the land of Snows and Mountains! He comes with filth and disease in the depths of his heart." He then pats Charlotte on the back, takes his tankard and looks over at the other two rats. Watching them curiously.

Saug leans over and whispers into Wormbait's ear. "He's .... re.... an ...."

Saug leans back in his seat and nods his head to the other bit of news. "So no problems with the last shipment then?" The rat lifting up his tankard and taking a swig.

Orel can see the other two of his kind are busy so he shuffles away from the hares and sits back at the table he was at before. Staring Vacantly into nothing as he idly draws patterns on the table top with claws dipped in his ale.

Logan smiles a little more at the doe, "Pardon meh for ah second, Miss." then shoves his huge self off the seat and heads toward Orel with a frown on his face. Laying a massive paw on the rats shoulder he rumbles lowly. "Kindly keep yer words 'o wisdom to yerself, eh? I dinnae pay ye tae run yer face tae me. Aye?"

Wormbait smirks. "Well-now, we had t'cull a few, now didn't we?" The rat female rolls her shoulders indifferently. "Not s'bad as the last'un, though. Kept 90% o' the stock." She then looks around, eyeing Orel curiously. Logan doesn't even get a glance - it's as if /he/ doesn't exist.

Charlotte turns around in her chair, eyes following Logan. She quirks a brow, listening in.

Orel shrugs and tries to push the hares paw of fhis shoulder. "Foine... dinnae listen tae me! On yer ead be it /hare/ leave me alone if'n ye going tae be loike that." he lowers his voice and mutters something.

Saug frowns slightly but it only lasts a moment as he nods. "Ah well, probably be for the best, they'd have caused trouble no doubt that we could do without." The rat leans back in his seat and smirks. "Been busy myself, seem t' have annoyed one or two stripe dogs. Don't think they like me, don't know why, haven't really done anything yet..." The rat sips his ale as he finishes speaking.

You whisper, "Orel mutters to Logan, "Dinnae touch me 'are... ah see wot ah see. Ne'er touch me.."" to Logan.

Logan smiles without humor. "Thankee." He turns around and walks back over to his seat and orders his third drink. On someone his size he doesn't feel it very fast at all and can drink rather a lot. He glances over to the doe out of the corner of his twinkling eyes. "Sory 'bout tha, 'e 'asnt shut up ye'."

"Aw, not like /you?/" Wormbait snorts, downing some of her drink when it finally arrives. "An' ya've got such a /winnin'/ smile," she teases. Smirks. "So when ya comin' home, aye?"

Orel has gone back to idly drawing patterns on the table top, eyes filmed over as he mumbles to himself, idly sketching in the table-top without really watching. Just staring at the hares, especially Charlotte. "Corsair's Bane.." he mumbles at last and sighs, blinking his eyes clear and peering at the table-top with a frown.

Charlotte looks up from her plate once more. She glances 'round at Orel at Logan's mention of him. "Aw, he's not so bad. He says I'm-" and she points. "Yeah - that. Corsair's bane. Not bad, eh?" She grins.

Saug gives this some thought as he looks about. "Depends on what I learn here." He lowers his voice. "Thought I'd check out the owner here but not sure if I could do business with the hare." He looks at Wormtail and adds quickly. "I know I know but she's not exactly all the way on the good side, not as far as I can tell anyways. Besides wouldn't mind getting some of this ale delivered that this tavern makes."

The hare grunts in the way of a short laugh. "Dependin' oon 'ow ye look a' it." He says, he heard it in a different tone but whatever.

What do you want to whisper?

"Weeeell, y'just watch yerself, eh? We c'n get ale! Dinnae have t'deal with a tunnel diver fer that." Wormbait regards Saug over the rim of her mug.

Charlotte grins a little bit and shrugs. "True." And she falls silent, returning to her meal. She's nearly finished.

Orel has settled back into happy silence for now, eyes glazed over and idly not staring at anything. After awhile he stands up and walks over towards Saug and Wormbait. "Ken ah join ye, yer Greatness?"

Saug nods his head. "Y' know I'm always careful, besides best t' keep all options open really." the rat looks about and then back again. "But aye I be heading home as soon as I hear my business is conclud.." Saug looks at Orel and nods his head with a smile. "Hmm, safety in numbers, aye, we rats have t' stick t'gether." He looks at Wormtail with a slight toothy grin.

"... What'm I, chopped liver?" Wormbait smirks, eyeing the other rat.

Orel sits down with a thumb, running a claw through his brown chest fur and then he sips his tankard, eyeing the hares. "Noice tae meet ye matey." he tugs an ear at Wormbait. "An ye ave ta roight oh it Greatness! Gotsa stick togedder!"

Saug just grins. "Ah, don't worry. They won't try anything, never did yesterday..." The rat looks to where Wormtail is and speaks. "Do y' have the list of what we actually got? I'd like t' take a looks at it?"

Orel swirls his tankard and downs the last of it and then scrubs his whiskers dry. "Mmm they brew a nice drop o grog in this place. That beaut who runs tha place. She knows ow tae stock a pub." he sinks back into his chair. "But ignore me.. yer gud ye business."

Wormbait smacks her paws over her various pockets, frowning thoughtfully. Then the frown clears and she pulls a parchment out. "'Ere. Made out nice. Lotsa big'uns 'n' young'uns. Best o' both."

Saug leans over and takes the scroll, before leaning back in his chair and begins to read the list. He looks over the top of it and looks at Orel. "Why don't y' give Wormtail here one of y' readings." Then he goes back to looking at the list, his tail making slow movements along the floor behind him.

Wormbait leeeans back in her seat, eyes turning curiously to the seer. "Readings, eh?"

Orel peers at the other rat and twitches his snout. "Sure ye greatness" he takes his leather bag from his belt and lays a stuffed rabbit's foot in the middle of the table, shaking the bag before sending the contents spinning across the table witha clattr. Bones, pieces of glass and semi-precious stones, runes and pieces of twisted metal forming pattenrs on the table.

Saug looks over the top of the scroll and arches a brow before he shakes his head with a wink at Wormtail and goes back to reading the bottom of it before he slowly rolls it back up again. "Hmm, aye definately done good this time around Wormtail." The rat pockets the scroll and pats where it is before he looks at Orel.

Wormbait's eyebrows arch delicately. She observes this display with piqued interest, eyes briefly shifting to Saug before returning to the odd rat. "... Thanks," she finally acknowledges Saug's compliment.

Orel sways from side to side slowly, lowering his head, peering over the contents of the table, eyes glazing over once more as he sways. "Hooks... deep hooks... tight and tugging. Loyalty from the cradle, tugging at yer heart! Mmmm guide... a guide tae bring beasts tae their true life! Tae those they be born tae serve..." he trembles nad grips the table tightly. "Children... screaming, yellin, slobering, ungrateful... drowned in ale n water an flame an fire! 2 to keep.. the albino and a grey.. keep an raise em high an teach em well..." He groans snout pressed to the table as he stares up at Wormbait. "Watch the setting sun... avoid the shadow of the forked oak in the season of whirling winds!"

Saug grins as he hears what Orel has to say and then he looks up and gets up. "Excuse me a moment." The rat leaves them both alone as he makes to where someone has entered the tavern and pulls the stoat into a dark corner, quietly conversing with as the rat looks about from time to time to make sure no one is in ear shot.

Wormbait's eyes go a little wide as she listens. Her eyes flicker briefly towards Saug when he rises and then rest back on Orel. She... tilts her head when she's finished. "... I /like/ you. Can we keep you?"

Orel stares vacantly at Wormbait for a bit, before lifting his head, "Yer a real beaut ya know.." he slurrs at her, his eyes clear again as he wipes drool from his chin. "Ye wanna keep me? Nae ones wanted this beggar since me ship went doon! Aye gut a shack oop north end a toon! Ye ken coom visit me if'n ye like!" He peers into his empty tankard and sighs. "Drunk it all..."

Orel's pronouncement gets a look that is both pleased and amused. She turns, calling Saug's way. "C'n we keep him, Saug? Please? I haven't had a seer t'play with in /seasons/!"

Saug comes back as the stoat leaves again and the rat sits down with a grin. "It's done." He simply says to Wormtail. "I c'n leave whenever y' ready t' head back?" He looks at Wormtail and Orel with a questionable look. "Hmm, I had plans but I suppose I could change them. Aye.." He looks at Wormtail. "We need to talk but not here..."

Orel pushes his tankard away, "We cud go tae me shack! Is private n quiet an tha villagers leave me be! Or we cud go tae me favourite alley, tis girmy an dark n dank."

Wormbait immediately rises, forgetting her half-drunk ale. "Let's go, then." Loyal from the cradle indeed! She gives Orel a look, which is kind of fond and indulgent. He's like a puppy!

Saug nods and gets up, but moves to pay for Wormbait's meal nonetheless and heads back to them. "Okay. Either is fine by me, Orel. Lead on."

Orel's Shack

This small dingy shack lies sandwiched between two warehouses on the northern outskirts of Halyard. Unlike the nice neat cottages of the woodlanders who live in Halyard this shack is shabby, dilapidated and built from various chunks of Driftwood at the front and back, closing off a space between the warehouse walls. The roof appears to be the keel of an old rowing boat placed up there and fixed in place with a lot of tar and nails.

There is a rickety door blocking off one of the walls to let the occupant come in and out. The floor is covered in a pile of half mouldy, old cushions and a couple of natty looking blankets. There is a fire pit in the centre of the room and an old battered sea chest against the wall, closed by a sturdy brass lock it looks to be quite heavy and to once have been bolted to the deck of a ship.

It is not a very clean place, the floor is mostly mud, be it dry or wet and the roof leaks at the sides where the curve of the keel meets the warehouse walls and the tar is not as thick as it should be. It smells of smoke and rat and there are strange sigils carved into the wooden walls and pendants and chains and strange circles woven of twigs and twine and feather dangling from the ceiling, old sea rat superstitious pendants for luck, fortune, health and a variety of other less pleasant charms.

The sea-rat leads the other two out of the tavern and across the town, once outside of the lighted tavern he stands up a bit straight and stops wombbling. He glances at Saug and Wormbait and knuckling his fore-head leads them north, to the outskirts of town were two warehouses stand, he leads them down a dingy alley between them, a rikkety lean-to blocking off one end. He pulls the door open and steps inside, gesturing Saug to the cushions. "Me ome... it stinks.. but it's mine."

Saug makes himself comfortable though the rat is used to more better accomodation back at home, it'll do for now. He looks about and waits until everyone is comfortable and remains quiet for the time being.

Wormbait finds herself a spot and just crouches, for the time-being. She waits for Saug to speak.

Orel sits himself down on the ground and tilts his head, looking to Saug, "She wants to take me someplace?" he sounds less mad here, though his body language is still twitchy, the over the top show he puts on for the benefit of the woodlanders dropped, and for now his head clear of his strange extra sight. "You wanted me to stay here and watch andlisten? Cap'n."

Saug clears his throat as he pulls out his small blade and plays with it with his fingers. "Now, if y' want Orel here t' come back with us I'll have t' change my plans." He looks up at Wormbait and considers for a moment before he continues. "I did think that I could use Orel here on finding out information on what the village and the mountain is doing but I don't think even though his act is good." He looks at Orel and nods before returning his gaze to both. "That it won't fool those patrollers. So I've come up with another plan." He looks at Wormtail and adds. "He's taken the corsair oath, he won't break his word on not passing anything onto anyone." Nodding his head at Orel.

Wormbait looks between the pair, seeming a bit uncertain about having interrupted Saug's plans. "It's not for me t'change /your/ plans, Saug..." But that's all the objection she makes, leaving Saug to explain this new plan.

Orel holds out his left paw, it is wrapped up in a blue kercheif. "He be me Cap'n an nae Corsair will betray a cap'n if he be a rat. He makes tha plans."

Saug reaches over and gives Wormbait a gentle pat on her arm as he replies back. "Y' haven't. I trust y' with my life and y' know it Wormbait. I just had a change of heart on my plans that's all." He pauses and looks at Wormtail still. "What we need is an insider, we need a hare that we can trust, someone we've melded who they won't suspect and welcome with their open arms. We need t' find one and put them in the patrol, then we know what they're up t'."

"I dunno many hares'd do tha'... not 'less you get somethin' over on 'em. Kidnap their family or sommat?" Wormbait shrugs, subsiding once more.

Saug nods slowly. "What about one of our trained slaves that we've had from dibbun age? They've been brainwashed enough t' accept our word is law?"

Orel sits back and chews idly on his whiskers, "No.. no bad idea. They would eventually crack and tell the other hares. Ye need a hare you've had as a child..." he stops and cringes, as Saug says what he had been saying, "Good idea Greatness..."

Wormbait's ears flatten and her lip curls. "... I wouldn't trust 'em. Can't trust a woodlander n'matter /how/ good ya been t'em."

Saug looks at Wormbait and smiles. "I know y' don't like it, but think of it this way. He or she is a slave, working for us. And what better t' know what those dirty tunnel diggers are up t' so we can plan attacks on them. Remember, Danforth has never been discovered as we've always knew how t' hit our most hated enemies, this will be no different." The rat gives a frown. "Besides there's a stripedog that has crossed the line with me." He throws the small blade into the ground. "And I know she'll end up with them one day."

Orel tilts his head and squeaks, "No ye can't trust em, but get em young n they serve." he grins wickedly, "We used tae train tha wee ones tae serve cabin.. noice obedient things." He frowns, "Tha odder stripe dog... needs tae die too... but.. wot did ye want me tae do Greatness? Stay ere in tha village?"

There's uncertainty in Saug's return gaze, but it quickly flees and she nods, a firm thing. "Yer right... yer right." And then she looks to Orel and then back to Saug, awaiting his verdict.

Saug looks at Orel and then Wormbait. "Y' stay here until Wormbait finds a suitable hare and makes sure he or she knows what has t' be done." He turns to look at Wormbait. "I take it that even y' can train a hare in basic combat to even fool those idiots in that mountain?"

Wormbait rises from her crouch with a smirk. "I'll manage." And then she takes a step towards the door. "I'll head back t'Danforth. Get t'work. Aye?" She looks back to Saug for permission.

Saug nods his head. "I'll be heading back myself shortly as well." He looks at Orel. "Unless y' have any news I should know of since yesterday?"

Orel nods his head, "Yes greatness..." he sits back and idly sets about cleaning his ears with a claw, he stops and stares idly at nothing much. "Brown with ears as long as yards, swift and small, rolling dancing dodging young.. taken from mother at birth, ta make the spy." He flicks away a glob of earwaks. "I'll stay here an do wot ah do best." he carries on speaking.

You say, "Oh and well since yesterday, there is alot, and I mean alot of traffic back n forth between tha mountain n here. They travel alone most o tha time, or in pairs.""

Saug nods as he gets up. "Then for now I bid y' farewell. Me and Wormbait had best head back. Just keep y' eyes and ears open." He nods for Wormbait to head out as he gives Orel another look. "I'm sure y' meet her at some point but be wary of a badger named Astrid, she's not that easily fooled I fear."

With a final nod, out Wormbait goes.

- End Log