Quinten Log 130 - 15 06 2006
Old 67th HQ: Infirmary
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Here rests the infirmary of the 67th. To the casual glance, the room would seem hectic and a bit overwhelming, but on closer inspection, a haphazard sort of organization can be seen. It is true that cots seem to lie in the most unpredictable places, but this is simply to save space, and well defined paths have been made to negotiate ones way around them, anyway. Along the perimeter of the room, there is a preponderance of shelves and cupboards, as well as ample countertop space, though the countertops are usually quite in use, covered by various things. In one corner of the room, there is a door, and this leads to a small storage closet, filled with various things of need. The room often is seen with various healers roaming about, as well as a few injured occupants in cots.
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The 67th Infirmary is pretty empty, but then so is most of the HQ with the patrol out looking in the woods for the missing Recruit Jakk. Quinten is knelt on the floor dressed in plain white clothing and he's got a bucket of water and a scrubbing brush. Slowly moving his way back towards the doorway as he scrubs and cleans the floor.
Silent as ever, Jarril has been in the room for a few minutes watching the recruit continue on with his punishment, a thoughtful look on the face of the major. With one arm resting on the doorway frame, his arms crossed he gives a slight frown but removes it as he gives a cough. "Well, I can see how ya lot were attacked if ya can't even detect me standing back here."
Quinten's ears go stiff and the buck freezes, he glances back at Jarril and then looks away his eyes are red and his muzzle fur is not in the best of conditions. "Sorry sir....i saw them sir before they attacked...i wasn't fast enough."
Jarril replies back. "I see.." He looks about the room as he returns his gaze on the recruit. "I've decided that since ya were involved in this problem that ya should at least use that head of ya's and come help find ya friend." Pushing himself off from the doorway the major fixes his uniform. "I really wish ya lot would understand that it's not all fun and games in the patrol and that I am only being hard as I can so that things like this won't happen. I think I need ta up ya training a bit more. Anyways, get up and get rid of that stuff."
Quinten nods his head and stands up picking up the bucket and the brush he salutes the Major "Yes sir....do you want....my report on what happened to? and....thank you for letting me help." He moves to the corner of the room and where his uniform is draped and disposes of thhe water in the bucket as well whilst he is at it.
Jarril quirks an ear. "Well, since I've already read some of the report before something turned up, I never finished it." The major looks at Quinten with a slight concern look as he thinks back to breaking the door on his wardrobe. "Aye, I think it be best ta tell me it."
Quinten nods and carries on changing back into his uniform whilst he reports. "Well sir Jakk wanted to come down to the 67th and train some, i said i'd come with him and we asked the Lt. if we could go. He said yes so we headed out." He pauses to pull a clean shirt on, his voice flat and emotionless as he speaks. "We moved down into the woodlands and we got to talking. Jakk demonstrated his skill with his knives and i was trying to impress on him the importance of not always walking in a straight line."
Jarril holds up a paw. "I see..." He does frown at Quinten now. "I also see that ya nevah listened in my lessons back at the mountain. Ya just don't talk while in the forest like ya could inside the abbey or at Salamandastron. The whole area has ears. I am surprised ya didn't attract more." He pauses. "Go on.."
Quinten was turning into another Darklett over here in Redwall" (Group chat: Long-Patrol)
Quinten takes a deep breath and nods "Yes sir...sorry sir, anyway i saw the trees ahead moving and caught a glimpse of a javelin. I moved to try and get Jakk off the path but.." He pauses and frowns, "I don't know what he was thinking but he elbowed me in the stomach sir, we could both have easily run for it but he winded me."
Cleaning the infirm floor isn't that bad enough ;)" (Group chat: Long-Patrol)
+ Jarril doesn't see why other hares out at the moment have to risk their lives. Though if you want Zo.. Can spoof a colonel and give Quinten some hard time while out and about. :) Or another 67th NPC hare. Have some fun >:) (Group chat: Long-Patrol)
Jarril listens until he holds up his paw. "Enough, that's as far as I got last time around." The major's voice is hard sounding. "You're on very thin ice at the moment Quinten, this helping ta look for Jakk isn't a decrease in punishment. I decided that since other hares are out there looking for our recruit in possible danger from being attacked by whoever has taken him. That ya shouldn't be in here in safety. So go get whatever ya need for a patrol and meet me outside." Not saying another word, the major heads out.
Quinten watches the retreating Major and swallows nervously buttoning up his tunic he runs out of the room, going to collect his weapons and what supplies he made need for an extended patrol in the wilderness. His ears remain draped down his back the whole time and he refuses to meet the eyes of anyone else.
- Change Scene
Mossflower Woods
The woods are dense here, but for a well-hidden path that snakes through the underbrush. The trees sway softly in a light breeze, and you hear the sounds of the forest all around you. Dappling shadows and patches of light dance across the forest loam, formed by the intricately interwoven canopy above. To the east, the woods seem still denser, darker, and far more intimidating.
The hidden doorway to the 67th hinges open and Quinten hurries outside, he's got a fresh uniform on and is dressed ready for an extended patrol. Sabre at his side and a large pack on his back, he edges away from the door and then comes to attention standing rigidly outside and waiting for someone.
It is a few minutes before Jarril is able to get everything in order within the outpost, make a few quick reports, get his own gear together and eventually he comes out and into the open himself. Not looking at the recruit, there is still a very stern look in the hare's face. He simply says. "Right, let's start where this actually happened shall we?"
Who's he waiting for? Harper approaches the 67th from the direction of the abbey, his uniform not quite as fresh and only a pack, bow, and quiver of arrows serving as his walking companions. His answer as to what Quinten is up to is answered when Jarril comes into view.
He straightens and walks the remaining distance to the pair, stopping just short in order to salute. "Sah?" He sends an uncertain glance at Quinten.
Quinten looks towards Harper his eyes are red and they flick from Harper to the Major nervously, finally the recruit salutes the Major and nods. "Yes sir, i can take you right back to where it happened...was on the path a short way to the north."
Jarril gives a look at Harper and says something. "Ah, Harper. Can use ya help on this but ya have a choice." He looks at Quinten and frowns before continuing. "Looks like we lost a recruit, Jakk to some vermin. I am sure Quinten here can explain more." He looks around again and nods his head. "Aye, that be a good place ta start. Now if ya don't know I'll remind ya again. If talk has ta be done, keep it low and quick. If we so much as attract vermin this time around I'll kill ya myself."
Choice? Psh. Harp bobs his head in a ready nod, stepping forward and stringing his bow as he goes. "Yessir." He sends another glance to Quinten, eyebrows going up slightly as he falls into step beside the other recruit. "What's going on?" he mutters out the side of his mouth. The whole 'kill ya myself' bit's tipped him off that something might be. Heh.
Quinten stiffens at the Major's words and his head whips around to look directly at him. He lowers his paw slowly and nods, "Yes sah." He all but whispers before beginning to move into the trees, he speaks out of the side of his mouth at Harper as quietly as he can manage. "Me and Jakk got set on last night on our way here....was my fault didn't save Jakk am...in alot of trouble again Harp, aye'm sunk." He goes silent and picks up the pace moving towards the trees intending to get back to where it happened quickly.
Jarril keeps silent as he walks behind the two recruits, the hare listening out and having no doubt that they may bump into a few other hares from the outpost along the way, pretty much of the whole platoon is out looking for any signs of Jakk. A few hares had their rest and relaxation cancelled because of this. Turning his head around to check on things he keeps an look on the recruits as well as to their performance.
Harper's words are a hissed whisper. "What were you doing outside the abbey, Quint? You know what Jar said..." Uuuugh. He gives a short shake of his head, turning his eyes back to the back of Jarril's head. "... Honestly, Quint."
Quinten flicks his eyes to Harper and looks back at the Major, "I..we had permission to come here ok Harper, if he'd not elbowed me in the gut we could have run for it." He turns his eyes front and ducks under a tree not looking forwards to running into anyone else at all considering all the havoc this has caused.
Still not saying a word, Jarril is in full concentration mode as he looks about the forest, making usre he's removing anything that the recruits are leaving behind as tracks. Swivelling his right ear to the sound of a bird flying overhead he stops for a moment and then mutters. "Its okay, keep going."
Having paused at the sound, Harper relaxes at Jarril's words and continues on. "Permission? Jarril said ya weren't supposed to leave the abbey. I heard him. How'd ya get 'permission'?" Pst. He sounds like he just maybe doesn't believe Quinten, here. XD
Quinten shakes his head, "Lt. said i could bring Jakk down Harper..." He sighs and goes silent moving ahead to where the trees start to thin out, the dirt road coming slowly into sight, not wanting to talk any more about it if he can avoid it.
Jarril comes to a more alert state when he see's the dirt road up ahead as he listens to the quiet conversation being made between the two younger hares. Keeping a paw hovering over his short sword the hare ventures out after the other two and looks about from outside of the forest.
Harper takes the hint. Leaving Quinten alone, he continues along at a good pace, head and ears forward. When the road comes into view, he reaches over his shoulder, his fingers brushing over the fletching of the arrows until he seems to decide on one and draws it out. Pointing it and the bow downward, he nocks the arrow and continues forward.
Quinten moves his paw to grip the hilt of his sabre coming to a halt just inside the tree line before the path. "It happened a couple of miles north of here sir." He looks back at Jarril, "I believe the body of the weasel Jakk killed should still be there, unless the patrol moved it."
Jarril mutters something. "Won't be there now, other vermin would've taken it." He looks about. "Maybe a snake or a lizard, one of the meat eaters..." He comes to a stop and listens again for a moment and then marches up ahead of the two recruits, hold up a paw. In the distance popping in and out of a few bushes along the road, there's the slightest glimpse of a few heads, hare heads coming along their way.
In turn, Harper sights each of these heads along the path of his arrow, only missing one particularly talented runner. He continues to keep his silence. After all, this is Quinten's show. Harp's just along for the ride.
Somewhere on the muck, Audri has connected.
Quinten sighs and moves up behind the Major, he really is not looking forwards to meeting anyone else. "The weasel that got Jakk took him off eastwards sir, i think i can show you the spot. Kaelin went after him but i came down to get help."
Jarril nods to Quinten's words as he waits for the other hares to get closer and makes his way over and off the road, slipping into the undergrowth. Giving a nod of his head to Whitepaw, Jarril nods, turning his head back towards Quinten before returning his gaze back again. "Anything good ta report?" Whitepaw shakes his head. "No, no tracks. I tell ya Jarril, these recruits of yours are really starting to be a right pain for us." While Jarril talks to the other major, two of the other hares in the patrol head off to where Harper and Quinten are.
Quinten shifts uncomfortably on his footpaws, fingering his sabre hilt and tilting his ears forwards to listen to the Major and Whitepaw. He looks up at the approaching hares and his ears wilt down the back of his head. "Why does this always happen to me Harper? Why can't things ever go as planned
Harper's only immediate response is a grunt and a shake of his head. He looks ahead to the approaching patrol hares, looking grim. "'Cause ya let it, Quint. That's all." With another shake of his head, he loosens the slight tension he's placed on the bow string and steps forward to greet the privates. He salutes. "Seen anything?"
The hare on the left, Buckthorn shakes his head. "Nothing, we've been all over the bally place. Even our major tried ta speak ta some of our spies in the forest and they've not heard anything of Jakk popping up to the usual places that vermin hang out. It's not looking good." A much larger hare than Buckthorn, named Groundsel nods his head as he replies back. "No it isn't." Pointing a paw at Quinten. "Anything else you like to throw at us? Maybe a huge forest fire, slavers. What are you doing out here anyways? Thought you were scrubbing the floors?"
Meanwhile, Jarril and Whitepaw are talking out of earshot, with them both nodding there heads from time to time.
Quinten shifts his paws and looks at Groundsel, "Major decided Scrubbing floors, said if your all out here risking your lives to find Jakk i should be out here too.." He pauses and tilts his ears back. "And he's right you know, I should be helping to find him Is my fault we lost him."
Remembering Buckthorn, not much older than himself, from his early days as recruit, Harper separates off with the private, going to return with him to the main body of the patrol. They exchange a few words as they go, Harper seemingly choosing to ignore Quinten at this point. Or at least disassociate himself from the other recruit.
Replying back, Groundsel just snorts at Quinten. "Well, thanks to you, we're all out and looking for one of your lot again. Turning around to leave Quinten the hare pauses and turns back. "Why don't you choose another profession, seems you're not good at being a long patroller. Save us all the bother then." The hare storms off leaving the recruit on his own.
Nodding his head, Jarril walks back towards Quinten as he shakes his head. "Nothing is left at the point where it happened. Morning dew has wiped away any tracks as well, so we're not exactly sure where they are at the moment." Turning his head back he looks at Whitepaw now talking to Groundsel. "And they're not happy about the situation either." Moving his head back to Quinten. "I've a good mind not ta wait and demote ya right now, but I've decided ta leave the colonel come ta a decision. Let's hope she be in a good mood when she reads the report. If not, could be explusion from the patrah. If she is, it probably be a demotion. Ya had enough chances."
Quinten blinks and hangs his head ears pinned flat to his back, "Ok sah i understand.....wot can i do to help?" He raises his head again and shakes his head. "I don't care wot you do ta me but i want to help find Jakk at least before whatever happens, happens.....i should never have come to Redwall."
Jarril shakes his head. "No, these things happen, though at the moment it seems ta revolve around ya. We have ta see what happens. We don't know where ta search at the moment. I think it will be best if ya head back ta the abbey and stay there for the time being."
Quinten nods his head and shuffles his paws, "Ok sir...an i'm sorry i'm such a dissapointment, i was trying honest. I jsut wanted to come down here and train some, forget all the book learning for a bit."
Jarril holds up a paw. "Now look, enough of that. This is another problem. Mistakes are made, but they do carry consequences. I've given ya chance after chance hoping ya would improve ya game. Perhaps being demoted may make ya work even harder. It's out of my paws now anyways. I have ta follow whatever the colonel sends back ta me in a couple of days."
Quinten hangs his head again and sighs, "But this wasn't my fault....i just was coming down here, if Jakk hadn't been acting like a fool we'd have been able to run away."
Jarril nods. "Oh Jakk will be getting a word as well but ya been amongst whatever problems lately. It's either ya and Flaxpaw, ya and Jakk. And ya wonder why ya get into trouble. Recently ya started ta gain some attention, wrong attention mind." Crossing his arms over his chest. "Playtime's over. Ya either going ta be a full patroller or a recorder. At the moment ya not selling yaself as being able ta go down both paths at the same time. I fully expect much better from ya right now, even with whatever punishment comes ya way. You're hanging by a thread now recruit. Either mope about it and do nothing ta improve that situation or buckle up and show us how wrong we are." Unfolding his arms. "Its up ta ya. I am not going ta mother ya anymore."
Quinten just nods to the Major's words and salutes, "Permission to not go back to the abbey sah....i got some thinking to do and i'd rather concentrate on Long patrol training." He lays a paw on his sabre and sighs. "I think i need to make a choice sir and find my path. I just wish this stuff would stop happening to me"
Jarril nods. "Okay. Ya ta stay at the outpost until word comes back from Colonel Lang. Ya won't be allowed out at all, under no circumstances. If ya break that one, I'll put ya under arrest and ya can face charges. But that's the best choice ya made so far. Take ya time on it as well. No rushing with this choice as it will form what the rest of ya life will be. With it being in the patrol or not."
Quinten salutes and about turns starting back the way he came, "Yes sir...i'll get back to those chores of mine Shall i? And i'll not rush into things sir....but i want to be a patroller or i'd not have joined."
Watching the hare head off, the major replies back quietly to himself. "Aye, but sometimes the path is laid out differently from what we want." On those words, Jarril fixes his eye patch and gives a small smile. "Even though ya may not like the results...."
Quinten obviously doesn't hear the majors quiet words and ducks out of sight under the trees running back towards the outpost as quickly as he can.
- End Log
