Swordbearer (Thorns of Steel TP)
Benar is sat in his chair frowning at his papers, shuffling through them slowly and shaking his head as he reads things and makes various notes.
Shandar creeps in quietly. Well, she tries to be quiet. her forehead bandage slips and covers her eyes, causing her to trip and fall on the fall. She sits, a little startled, then hops up and goes to Benar's chair, tugging on his habit. "Hello, Brother Benar."
Benar looks up from his writing and sighs, "Shandar dear... what are you doing out of the Infirmary?"
"One of the sister's let me out. I'm better now." Shandars bandage falls again, and she pulls it off, twisting it around her paw. her head cut doesn't actually look that bad, but it is clear that her old scar, having been re-opened around her mid back, is bothering he. She doesn't put all of her weight on it. probably why she keeps falling. "What'r you doing?"
Benar reaches down to pick up the little mouse and puts her in his lap, "I am going over the inventory, making sure we have enough food for everyone"
Shandar always has another question, like most dibbuns. "But how do you know how much we have, and how many beasts are here?" She gives him a hug.
Benar chuckles and hugs her, glad to see she is recovering albeit a long way he is sure from being a normal mouse. "It is my job to know little one. So I foud out."
Shandar leans against Benar, looking at his papers, though not making much sense of them. "Do you have any other jobs?"
Benar says, "Oh many, I make pottery too." he scritches her ears idly a she tidies his papers away, "Like bowls ande vases and things out of clay. At least I did before my kiln was burnt down.""
"Did you make anything in here?" She leaves his papers and surveys the room. With one paw, she rubs her back, shifting the bandages a bit.
Benar says, "Oh yes my Kiln was here in the Abbey Shandar, it was out back but it sadly got damage during a Raven Attack.""
Shandar fiddles with the brother's sleeve cuffs. "The attack with the big fire?"
Benar says, "Yes the attack with the big fire and the explosions... it was not a nice attack but we survive and we can rebuild""
Shandar looks up at Benar's face. her paws are still, but stay resting on his sleeve. "I was there. At first they wouldn't let me out, but I ran out at the end and helped Saf'na and DoraRose to put out the fire in the laterose garden, then I helped them get better in the infirmary."
Benar says, "Well you should not have been outside at all Shandar, fighting and fires and battles is no place for someone your age Shandar. It is not healthy you are going to get yourself killed, you must promise me not to get involved in any more fights here in the abbey.""
Shandar looks ashamed for a moment, but perks up. "Ok...I'll try not to get involved...can i have my sling back?"
"A pity. She showed promise in the fight with the ravens," comes a voice from the door, as Darkwatcher, heavily armored by his standards, enters the Great Hall. "Actually, Benar, I needed to ask you something."
Benar looks up at Darkwatcher, "No she didn't, what she looked like is a 2 season year old mouse almost suffering a heart-attack." he then looks back at Shandar and shakes his head, "No, you cannot have your sling back, you know the ABbey rules no weapons. Only warriors appointed by the Council or the Champion may carry weapons and that is when they are on duty on the wall or guarding the gates and grounds. As you are not doing any of those things Shandar you may not have it back." he then looks at Darkwatcher, "What do you need?"
Gildor walks in close behind Darkwatcher, but falls back and stays by the door. He seems to ponder what was said about Shandar and grins wryly as a thought crosses his mind. Would Darkwatcher recruit the dibbun to be in the Nightblades?
Shandar turns towards the doorway, and her eyes grow big when she sees the fox. She jumps down from Benar's lap and gives Darkwatcher a hug. "i'll do sentry duty...Wildefray said i could join her. And if i go outside, then I need to be able to defend myself." She looks up at DArkwatcher. "Will you still teach me to shoot when I'm older?"
Scioto walks back in after having to walk out ealier, he stays by the doorway from the area of cavern hole.
Darkwatcher shakes his head at Benar. "Just wait a few seasons. You'll see. Perhaps not the strength yet, but she has the ferocity." He is a bit taken off guard by the Dibbun's hug, but he laughs. "Definitely." Glancing to Benar, he adds, "In safe conditions, of course." He pauses before saying to the squirrel, "Benar, do you know where Martin's blade is?"
Shandar smiles. The compliments are nice, but she likes archery lessons better. Especially archery lessons from the best archer there is. She stands next to Darkwatcher and waves at Gildor and Scioto.
Benar says, "You may not do Sentry duty Shandar, no one can invite you to join them, not Darkwatcher, not this Wildefray, I will have your solemn promise now not to leave the Abbey at all until this is over or I will make sure you never get that sling back." He looks down at her sternly, "I will have your word as a Little Warrior Shandar or I will tell Flicktail you have been disobeying the Elders in a time of war.""
Gildor raises an eyebrow at Darkwatchers laugh. He didn't know Darkwatcher laughed out of pure pleasure! A knew sound to his ears for sure. He galnces at Scioto, but seeing no reason to speak, keeps his mouth shut.
Darkwatcher opens his mouth behind his newly re-donned mask to say something, then closes it, deciding to see how this plays out.
Scioto stays off to the side and listens, watching quietly.
Shandar is cowed. completely. She is tempted to say that she wont stay inside, and she wants her sling back, or she can make a new one, but she doesn't. She bows her head and promises. "I promise not to leave the abbey or use a weapon until you say i can Brother Benar." She shuffes her feet awkwardly.
Darkwatcher nods approval quietly, murmuring, "A fighter must learn that obedience, even when disagreeable orders are given, can be the difference between victory and defeat," to the Dibbun.
Benar stands up and pads over to kneel down before Shandar and places a paw on her shoulder, "Thank you Shandar... these fine beasts who are protecting us must be able to focus on their duties. I am sure you noticed in our last battle how I had to use your Mandolin to beat back those Ravens you did not see because you are still so small?" He offers her a paw, "If you keep your promise I will speak to Flicktail personally and ask him to train you to be a true warrior, to take you on as his apprentice when you are old enough."
Darkwatcher nods once more, then says, "Benar. Where is Martin's sword?"
Shandar smiles broadly. She is very happy, though still a little bummed that she has to stay inside. Though now it's worth it. "Would you really!" She can barley comprehend this, but through her happiness, she hears Darkwatcher. "I think it's in father abbot's room..."
Gildor looks a bit surprised. Is this the voice of the peaceful abbey speaking? He shrugs and smiles, feeling excited for Shandar.
Scioto in and sits down now.
Benar says, "Ah sorry Darkwatcher, you really must be patient I was dealing with Shandar," he pats her head, "Yes I will Shandar I promise, me and you can negotiate what is old enough later.. I think Five seasons at least." He turns back to Darkwatcher, "I will go and get it if you need it, we stored it someplace safe just incase any of the ravens tried to dive through a window so we put it someplace other then the Abbot's chambers."
Darkwatcher nods. "Thank you. Flicktail wanted me to bring it to the mouse warrior DoraRose." As he wonders where it's hidden, a brief grin forms behind his mask. "Is it under the matress?"
"Why would it be under tha matress?" Shandar wonders out loud. She giggles. "he must wake up sore every morning."
Benar asks, "It is not under the Matress," he stands up and shakes out his robe and smiles at Shandar, "Look after our guests for me will you? I will be back soon." he nods and starts across the hall toward Cavern Hole. "I'll be back soon.""
Scioto frowns as he doesnt do too much, he hasnt spoken even just watching the group talk.
Shandar leaves Gildor and Darkwatcher and goes to Scioto, giving him a hug. he seems sad, or lonely, or...something.
Darkwatcher shifts slightly, awaiting the squirrel's return.
Scioto sighs, as he is hugged he blinks and looks down at the dibbun mouse, normally a hug would have one smile, well..this one seems to do the oposite, tears start going down his face.
Shandar is startled by the tears. She reaches up and wipes some of them away. "Oh, I'm sorry, Scioto...what's wrong? i didn't mean to make you sad.." She would normally give a crying beast another hug, but since her hug started the tears, well...
Benar is gone for about twenty minutes and when he returns he thanks the moles with him who trundle off. In his arms the Squirrel is carrying the scabbarded and familiar sword of Martin the Warrior. "Here we are Darkwatcher, do you think you can catch up to her in time?"
Without hesitation, the blackfurred slayer nods. "I travel quickly, and I know this region well. Don't fear."
Benar holds out the sword to Darkwatcher, "Then carry it safely to DoraRose for the Abbey"
Scioto frowns, course he will wait till Benar doesnt have the sword, when the sword is out of Benars paw he gets something else in his paws, a mouse dibbun.."T..T...Take..." He quickly leaves the room not wishing to stay and clearing crying, his footpaws speed up and he is out of the room to be alone somewhere.
Nodding solemnly, the fox says, finally returning to his characteristic low, emotionless, calculating undertone, "This blade will reach the warrior safely. This I swear on my honor, which cannot be bought." Taking the sheathed sword, he admires the workmanship of the scabbard for a moment, before laying a paw on the hilt and looking to Benar. "May I?"
Shandar is startled by how quickly that went down. she hugged Scioto, he cried, and somehow now she's off the ground, and feeling quite furry...oh. Benar is holding her. That's ok.
Gildor is content to watch the present happenings in silence. He looks at the sword as it goes from the squirrle's paws to Darkwatcher's paw and he can't help but be impressed by the fine craftsmanship of the shining blade.
Shandar looks at Darkwatcher. She can't see his eyes, but she knows about where they would be behind his mask. "Good luck. Martin'll be with you."
Benar shakes his head "Best not to Darkwatcher, Martin's Sword should only ever be drawn when it is to be used. Carry it safely and with honour"
Darkwatcher nods at both Shandar and Benar's words. "Thank you," he says to the Dibbun. "I have a feeling I'll need both if this plays out how I think it will." Then, to the Elder, he says, "Well said. I will do so." Buckling the sword on over his back, tucked between his back and his longbow's quiver, he turns and departs, the sunlight sihouletting his form as he passes through the doors.
Shandar twists around in Benar's arms to watch Darkwatcher leave. She hopes that he'll complete his mission and come back safely.
Benar watches Darkwatcher go and then sinks back down in a chair, setting Shandar in his lap and sighs, "Well I think I had best go see about dinner...."
Darkwatcher turns, still framed by sunlight, and offers a last wave to the Dibbun with a guantleted paw before turning around once more and gradually moving out of sight.
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