Reunion between old friends!

The day was a cool one. A startlingly cold breeze blew, though Rorgan didn't quite mind it. His fur was a tad thicker, and the black color certainly made it easier to absorb the heat of the sun, making for a relatively comfortable situation for the otter. He had been on the road towards Ferravale, having meant to stop in there to visit a few friends before heading further off down the read. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he mused that he would need to go visit Camp Willow again at some point. The otter sighs outwardly, shaking his head. So many things to do.

Along the trail, just out of sight of the road a figure sat with his back against the tree. A shadow of his former self, Dylan Locke struggles to tighten his belt around his waist. A year ago that would be because he was too fat for the belt to wrap around him, now his waist was too skinny. His clothes hung off of his gnarled emancipated form like tents. And then there was the cold. The horrible bitter cold. "This is your last winter boyo." He chuckles to himself. "If you don't find a place to hole up you are going to die hee hee hee, oh yes you are. You need to put some food in your tummy, find a nice dry place to hold up for winter, heh." He finishes his work, clutching his stomach as hunger pangs over take him. "Just...just got to be patient...some beast will come along." His head swivels around to the sound of paw steps along the path. People! Beasts! VICTIMS! This was it, do or die. Drawing his sword Dylan presses his back against the tree, taking deep breaths. He wastes no time with fancy words this time. This time he just attacks, leaping around the tree yelling like a mad beast and charging at the beast. In his delirium he doesn't even recognize who the beast is. He just swings madly with his sword!

There was a slither of steel as Rorgan's quick reflexes saved him from certain death. There is a loud CLANG as both swords connect, with the otter's sword giving Dylan's sword a push in the direction it had been swinging as he sidestepped, allowing the blade to swing harmlessly through the air with a lot more power than Dylan had originally put into it. Even Rorgan had to take a moment to look at the lizard. He looked familiar...he looked... "Dylan?!" He exclaimed, shocked. His friend/business partner had changed dramatically, and definitely not in the good way.

The lizard hesitates as his name is said aloud. Then hunger takes over the red scaled lizard and he belts out a hiss, stabbing and swinging the long sword with both paws. Originally meant to be a fencing blade Dylan swings it like a club, either in desperation, or perhaps starvation has drained him of his usual strength. He attacks the otter like a mad beast...each blow steadily becoming weaker than the last.

Of course, Rorgan didn't have many issues keeping Dylan back. Each swing was blocked with an ease that progressively became more apparent. "Dylan!" He shouts, having figured out by now that the lizard wasn't in his right mind. "Dylan what's wrong with you?!" Blocking the latest attack, the otter's free paw placed itself on Dylan's chest as one footpaw positioned itself directly behind the lizard's legs. Then the paw on that reptilian chest gave a shove.

The lizard swings his blade high over his head. Combined with the force of the shove the added weight drags him down, tripping over Rogan’s leg. Dylan tumbles and falls, landing on his back. The lizard curls up into a ball, paws over his eyes, and begins to cry.

Rorgan stood there, staring at the lizard on the ground for a few moments, unable to comprehend what he was seeing. What actually had happened to Dylan while he was gone? "D-Dylan?" He asked. He wasn't even sure if the lizard recognized him anymore. Sheathing his sword, he slowly knelt down, putting a reassuring paw on Dylan's shoulder. "Dylan, talk to me mate," He said, trying to get some kind of response.

The lizard shudders at the otters touch and shy's away, unwilling to look at Rorgan Dylan responds, "Ro-Rorgan? Is that really you?" His tail curls around his legs. "Of course it's you. How else could this day get any worse right?" He tries to laugh but falls to tears again, "I'm so sorry, I didn’t mean it. I didn't mean to attack you I just...just..." He curls tighter into a ball, tail over his eyes.

Frowning slightly, Rorgan retracts his paw a bit. "Listen mate, it's alright. Just get up, and we can talk, alright?" To be quite honest, he'd never dealt with anything quite like this before. He and Dylan went back a good bit, and it wasn't like Dylan was a saint or anything, and neither was Rorgan, but the lizard was still a friend. He would at least try to help. "What's going on? Why are you even out here?"

The lizard peeks over his tail. This is what rock bottom looks like. It was not something he wanted others to see him in but, what choice does he have now. Collecting himself together the reptile sits up on his hauches. "What do you think I'm doing here? I'm doing my job! Keeping the road ways clear of all these pesky travelers." He chuckles, "Business...business has hit what you might call a slow peak. One that has lasted for about a season now." Dylan forces a smile. "Sorry about, well, trying to stab you Rorgan. I thought you were just another traveler and well..." his voice trails off.

Crouching with the lizard, Rorgan listens to the explanation, nodding slowly. He looked a good deal different from the last time Dylan had seen him, not including the new sword and clothes. His right ear had three studs lining the edge, and there was another stud on his right ear. When he spoke, every trace of his former accent was basically gone. "I see," He says finally. "Well I've got a deal for you. You come with me to Ferravale so we can get you some food, and then we'll go from there. Sound good?" He held a paw out, grinning. "From a friend to another friend?"

The lizard sniffles again. Only able to nod his head he takes the offered paw, bringing himself to his feet. It seems the universe was throwing the poor lizard a bone for a change. "Alright, but if anyone asks, I totally kicked yer tail..."

Chuckling, Rorgan nodded, patting the lizard's shoulder. "Aye," he said without hesitation. "You kicked my tail and showed my poor self mercy. Sounds like a pretty good story to me!" He laughed, patting the reptile's shoulder again before letting his paw drop. "Do you have anything you need to take with you?" He asks, ready to go himself.

Picking up his sword the reptile sheaths it. He then adjusts his hat, "Nah, I left all my worldly possessions with my pride for safe keeping a long time ago. But I still go my hat, so all is good." The lizard takes a wobbly step forward, "I can have meat, right? And cake? I haven’t had cake in a long while." His eyes hold a pathetic pleading quality to them.

The otter simply gave his friend a smile. "You can have whatever the tavern offers mate," He replies warmly. He was just glad to have gotten to Dylan when he had. "Maybe even a few drinks. Let's get going. We've got a little bit of road to go before we hit Ferravale. No sense dawdling." With that, the two made their way off down the road. A few minutes later, a soft hiss crept through the air. "I sssssssmellssss them...." Slowly, from the foliage, a frighteningly large snake crept out, his tongue flicking this way and that. "Woodlanderssssssssss...”