The Drunken Dragon Debacle
- Location: The Thorn And Shadow (Collinsel)
- Participants: Trace, Amos, Dangeon, Scaith, Angus (Trace Spoof), All Collinsel Soldiers/Guards Mentioned (Trace Spoof), Darkmane, Hactor
It's sort of assumed that everyone is still getting ready to head out at this point. It's still the night of the big announcement about Stubb's troubles and the need to get out of town. And while there's certainly a level of haste to be expected, the situation is just weird enough that everyone's still working on getting ready and figuring out the plans. Trace, however, had gotten ready a bit quicker than the others. It's with a quick stride that she heads back up the stairs, looking for some of the others. Shouldn't Angus be back by now? All he had to do was grab the kid and go. And he's an awfully big target to miss. "Amos? Dangeon?" She pauses in the hallway, frowning. "Hactor? Where in bloody blazes did everyone go?"
In the confusion Amos had gotten ready earlier and waited downstairs with Dangeon passed out on his back. At Trace's call he moves upstairs, blinking, "Where everyone go? Thought we were going to group up downstairs?" He shrugs.
"I think they're all in the bar..." Says Amos' back, apparently. One hare ear twitching up. "Let's go there, " Dangeon suggests familiarly.
"We were just there, ain't seen anyone down there, " Amos shakes his head to the hare on his back, "Was waiting on you guys, and ya can walk!" He moves to offload Dangeon, ditching her quickly as he undoes the strap holding her to his back.
"They weren't down there a minute ago," Trace remarks, looking back down the hall and then back to the cat and the.. ear.. twitching from his back. And then when Amos' words echo hers, a severe frown crosses the rat's features. "They could be waiting outside. Let us take a look." And with a quick turn that seems almost to hint at her military past, the rat moves to go back down the hallway. They're fine. They're FINE. Everything's totally fine.
Dangeon shakes her head, frowning a little as she's let down. "Maybe.. And, fine, fine... I'll walk." The hare mutters, moving to follow Trace. "I bet the bally lot 're just outside... Planning or plottin'... Or whatever they keep doin'."
Amos rolls his eyes and follows after the two.
Trace walks down the stairs
They exit to....
East Front Street (Collinsel)
Outside, the group is met by... well, the street. And silence. And Trace stamps her foot in anger as she looks out at the darkened alleyways of Collinsel. "They couldn't have left without us. I swear to you, I /told/ Hactor I would feed him to that dragon if they left without us." There's a flicker of sound from somewhere down the road, an echo of a skirmish that seems to go unnoticed for the moment, at least by Trace.
"Except we seem to be missing both of them, can't bloody well feed him to the dragon when we don't got one!" Amos grumbles, "Where Angus get off to now, hope he hasn't gotten into anymore trouble."
Shrill shrieks of sadness and ire swell from the throat of a distraught figure; in the darkness the form is hardly recognizable, but the voice pierces through the night from somewhere down the road. The beast has fallen to its knees, nose full of snot and sniffles as it grasps for another form in vain-- cloth slips through fingers as the woeful silhouette is kicked square in the chest. "Yeu'll be goin' wiv'im, if y'keep on keepin' on wiv dis! Do y'self a favor an' scram!" another beasts announces. "Not without my Angus!" Scaith returns.
"He's a dragon... Er, one o' 'em is anyway. He can breathe fire, right?" The hare twitches an ear at the skirmish not too far away. "Erm... Do you think that's got summat t' do wi' them all missin'?"
"What a bloody mess of things," Trace curses, no one really missing the sound of the skirmish at this point, as she turns around to see Scaith shouting out in the streets and .. what looks to be a few beasts promptly dragging away a gigantic dragon that can only be Angus. Trace jerks her gaze back to Amos and Dangeon with a paw raised to halt them. "Please, a minute. I'll take care of this." Head held high, the rat then makes her way toward the group, stating in her 'sternest' tone, "Excuse me, sirs. I believe you've taken our dragon. We'd appreciate it if you'd return him to us promptly."
Amos scoffs, "Nah, Angus ain't that sort of dragon, " He blinks, "I don't think so anyway, and I reckon ya might be right, " Amos turns to the ruckus, still a bit tipsy, he makes a point of not waiting as his friend is dragged away. He rushes after the rat, hissing, "That's bloody right, he's our friend and ya ain't taking him!"
Dangeon paws for her sword and pats it, reassured as she walks slowly after the rat and cat. "Well, he might jus' hide it well. Though... if he does, then he'd bally well ought use the fire thing about now..." She then nods. "What those two said!"
The soldiers don't seem to really care a whole lot at this sudden protesting from a multitude of beasts. If their answer to Scaith has anything to do with their mood at the moment, it should be a hint to the new group. Angus is still drunk, stumbling around and shouting as several soldiers work at hauling him off to the dungeon or the jail or wherever it is they plan on bringing him. And two of the soldiers step forward, almost threatening the group with spears held before them as they eye the trio. "He's disturbin' the peace, and you'll do well t'remember that!" one of the soldiers states sharply, and Trace almost reels back with surprise. "How /dare/ you speak to me so sternly!" she snaps back, the ferocity in her voice causing the soldier to step back as she moves forward with a finger pointing toward his face. "You will NOT speak to any of us in this manner. Just who do you think you are, anyway!?" The other one just kind of stares, and then gestures toward Dangeon and Amos with his spear. "Off with you, then!"
Amos hisses, glaring at the spearbeast, "Off with me, ya gonna point that at me and say off with me!" He snarls, making a fist, "I have every right to be on this streeth ya thugs!"
Dangeon eyes the spear... fairly calmly. "Aft' the last few months we've had... That's bally well unimpressive. And, honestly... we're friends with a dragon. Only reason you're not crispy is that he's bein' merciful. Dragon: that means bally well fire-breathin', y'know."
"Are all these beasts flippin' crazy like this?" one of the soldiers asks, the one pointing his spear at Amos and Dangeon. The one dealing with Trace is just speechless, not really quite sure how to react. After all, Trace is yelling at him a bit like an angry mother scolding a child. And while it's sort of working, ultimately, they have a job to do. So the soldier talking with Trace finally just lifts his spear, gesturing back and actually pushing her back a step with the wooden part of it, while the other soldier steps forward, gesturing with a few quick jabs toward Amos and Dangeon. "He's not your concern right now! Now get back, a'fore we bring /all/ of you in!" Trace allows herself to be pushed back, if only for the fact that she's still stunned anyone would speak to her this way. "Excuse me!?" Do they have a plan B? "He is most certainly our concern and we are not 'crazy'!"
Amos hisses and continues to scowl, "Mates we need ta regroup, ain't no sense us all being hauled off." To the guard, "Yeah, waht she said!" Motioning to the hare.
"Make 'im too angry and 'whuff'!" The hare exclaims, gesturing for emphasis. Which would probably be better if she didn't smell of alcohol. "The whole city. Up in flames!"
Darkmane steps out from the shadows where he had been watching the going ons with a wry grin on his lips "Bring us all in, and why would you do that if I may ask?" the equine's head tilting slightly to the side as he speaks and cracks his knuckles "From what i understand there has been no crime committed as of yet"
Is Trace the only sober one here who thinks this is absolutely ridiculous?? "Regroup? Amos, if you haven't noticed, we /are/ the group." What, with Stubb gone and Hactor possibly already gone off with him. Though Trace finds herself backing off, looking between the hare and the cat, before just offering a shout of, "Hold in there, Angus! We'll get this straightened out. Please do /not/ point that spear at me or I swear to all that is holy I will break your arm right off." Hey! It's prison-key-Trace, popping out. And then there's a horse. And she points him toward the group. "Yes! Please talk some sense into these blokes." Or stomp on them. Whatever works. The guards have already begun to back off, ignoring the others' shouting, so long as they're not right up in their faces anymore.
"Yeah that's right so ya better let him go, least ya want flames!" Amos backs the hare up. The rat of course has a point, and as the horse appears the wildcat grins confidently as he changes his tune, "Ain't like you aren't causing more of a ruckus anyway, and do ya really want to do all the work of dealing with that dragon and us?"
"Hello Sweetie!" The hare grins, incredibly pleased, as the horse steps forward. She backs up a little toward him. "Bloomin' well in trouble now, eh? Fire-breathin' dragon an' a giant now." She adresses the guards again. "An' we haven't even really discussed Miss Warrior rat there, Ol' Demon Claws the cat an' myself; y' should see what I can do wi' this sword. Y' should, but you'd be dead 'fore y' could even see it."
Darkmane quirks his lips slightly as he smiles down at Dangeon "Heya sunshine" his gaze then turning to the guards "Now lets make this simple shall we, your 'weapons' are less then impressive and i am fairly sure your wages would not cover the healing of the kinda of injuries trying to arrest or mess with us would cause, so could you please just answer the questions that was asked earlier" The equines lips twisting into his most innocent smile which considering the circumstances likely looks a lot more intimidating or creepy then innocent.
Hactor walkes out of the tavern, his good eye darting to and fro. He has his hood up, and the same is said for his gaurd. Under the cloak he has a well hidden short sword he nicked off of a sleaping patron in the bar. "Well," he begons to the group totally unaware of the current ill circumstance. "Shall we be off then?"
The guards are starting to get fidgetey.. Mostly since three of them have already begun carting Angus down the road, leaving just these two to deal with the now-growing crowd of angry beasts. "What questions!? You have a problem, you take it up with.." Who? The guards? The guards don't really seem to be enjoying this situation all too much, and continue backing up to follow after their companions. Trace, for her part, points a finger at Hactor and growls, "No! Can't you see we have a situation here? God above, what is /wrong/ with this town?"
"Aye, 'ow can we be off if our dear ol' 'gus is being thrown in the drunk tank?" Scaith worries aloud. Her mysterious reappearance is yet unexplained, but she seems too overwrought to begin to elucidate.
Amos grins as he double looks the hare, seeming half amused but continuing to back her up, "That's right, now ya gonna give our mate back?" The fox! He notices the fox and marten but continues to try an intimidate the guard, "So whats it gonna be, " He growls.
This information sinks in quickly when Hactor sees his reptilian cohort being carted away. "OY you!!" he growls marching up to the gaurds in a very official manner. "Do ye know jast who yer medalin with? I suppose ye don't other wise you wouldn't be doin such foolishness. Now tak our advise and drop im, before I things get /very/ nasty."
Dangeon grins. "And that ol' wizard is ours too!" She announces at the sight of Hactor. Personally, she thinks he'll be more intimidating with a little bolstered rumour than as he is. She's a lot bolder with Darkmane and a larger group of allies, even going so far as to draw her sword. "If y' want to bally well live, y' should call y' friends with our dragon back."
Darkmane shakes his head and decides to opt for an old trick just to see if it works and inhales deeply before bellowing out in his best sergant/trainer voice "GUARDSMEN, ATTEN-SHUN AND STOP" the equine quickly approaching the group of guards "What kind of sorry outfit is this, have you no pride in your work as a guards" his head shaking sadly "You are all tasked with protecting and serving and you sorry lot are currently not protecting but fleeing with your tail between your legs, nor are you serving since you are ignoring what worried people are asking you" a low growl escaping his throat "So I will make this easy for you worthless excuses of skin, you will hand him over into my custody as an enforcer or I will make sure that the next time this town is in serious need of aid that none will be arriving" his iron gaze on the group "HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR"
Hactor lookes at Darkmain, startled a bit by the horse's sudden out burst. In fact Darkey plays his role so convincingly, the militaristic fox nearly stand at attention himself!
How can anyone /not/ be startled by the horse's outburst? All Darkmane really has to do is sneeze and he'll have the attention of half the city. The guards (all of them, including the ones moving Angus) pull to a stop rather abruptly, one of them even starting to salute before he is smacked in the shoulder by his companion. They stare, a spear quivering in one of the beast's paws as they all stare at the horse. Though it's just as one of them is starting to state back, "Clear, sir!" and as Trace is starting to storm forward to get Angus back, one of them squeaks out, "But we have to take him in! It's been ordered!" Gosh. It's almost sounding better to let the lizard go at this point. It WOULD probably keep the peace a bit better than this!
The horse has Amos' full attention and he unconciously straightens himself as he backs up the horse, "Ya will release that lizard now!" he growls.
Dangeon resists the urge to snuggle up and totally ruin the scary horse image. After she's jumped just a little bit, of course. "Love it when y' do that..." She states instead, grinning as she stands next to him, one paw on her hip, sword in her right still.
Darkmane folds his hands behind his back and surveys the guards much like an superior would. "Who gave that order guard?" His gaze having settled directly on the one who stated it had been ordered. "Not that it really matters, You *WILL* hand him over into my custody this moment and if whoever gave the foolish order disagrees then tell them to come speak directly to me to justify it" his voice retaining its commanding tone except for the fact he is not yelling at them.
Hactor now stands next to Darmane, his good eye narrowing wickedly. He keeps silent, but it's obvious that some gaurds are as intimidated by his hagard, grizzily form, than the large hulk that is the horse. He looks to the gaurd closest to him, their eyes meeting. Hactor smiles threatningly, crypticly tapping his eye patch.
Wait, who needed to speak to who? A voice breaks through the crowd at this point, a loud bark of, "Why does the monitor still remain on the streets!?" as the Captain of the Guard and a regiment of about six other soldiers make their way down the road as reinforcements. The first guard still continues staring at Darkmane with a deer-in-headlights look in his eyes. And then, in a pretty pitiful manner, he just points toward the Captain, a large fox who strides forward, parting the sea of guards as he strides right up to the group and sizes up everyone. Including Darkmane. The guards spread out at this point, forming a half-circle around the group. "Does someone care to tell me why my soldiers are not doing their DUTY and this monitor is still here!?" the fox growls out. There's now eleven guards. And the Captain. The odds are slowly lessening, even with three of the guards continuing to watch over Angus near the back of the pack.
"Mates, I don't think we can win this one, " Amos laments, Angus now seeming completely out of reach as he eyes the horse and hare, "Suggestions?"
Dangeon is eyeing the new, authoritive fox. "We could still take 'em right? We can' jus' let 'em take Angus... Or us... Any of us." She still has her sword in paw for the moment, eyes sliding to Trace and then to Darkmane... And finally to Hactor. Two people who seemed... persuasive before, then the ex-warlord who happens to be a fox too... Surely counts for something.
Darkmane turns his gaze to the captain and bows respectfully but keeps his tone "They have not removed the Monitor because I counteracted your order" His head tilting slightly to the side. "On what grounds have you ordered him arrested if I may ask, as he is quite vital to a mission I am working on" His arms crossed infront of him.
Hactor still remains silent as the grave, his gaze going to the Captain. He releases a low, doggish growl, and his tail bristtles. But besides this, he desides to let Darkmane do the talking, wanting to see where it leads.
"He'll spend a night in jail, sober up, and we'll send him on his way," the Captain drawls almost boredly as he looks over the group. Really, this isn't anything to be starting a fight about, a random drunk on the street. He doesn't really know what the crowd is all worked up about. And finally, Trace just deflates at his words, Angus' form disappearing back into the streets as she eyes the rest of the group. "I suggest we stay another night," Trace remarks, looking back to the group and pointedly offering a glance to Hactor at her words.
Amos eyes the soliders and grunts, "Aye, guess there ain't much else to do, " He turns to the captain, "We'll go peaceful, but ya better not leave a mark on that dragon of ours if ya know what's good for ya!"
Dangeon looks from beast to beast, noting Trace's suggestion and nodding a little. One night isn't too bad, after all. Besides, there seems to be a small army now. She sheathes her sword and gives, what she imagines to be, a curt little nod toward the guard-fox. "Aye, we'll go. But w' can be bally troublesome if y' hurt our friend!" She then eyes Darkmane "If'n we're staying another night... Bar time?"
Darkmane bows gracefully to the Captain "A wise leader listens to those in his command, as such it seems we will be accepting the hospitality of your city for another day, tho if our quarry escapes i will be returning for some words" his lips quirking slightly as he looks over at the original group they argued with and bellows out "GUARDSMEN, DISMISSED" he then turns around and scoops Dangeon up in his arms "Bar time it is sunshine" head lowering to give her forehead a gentle kiss and mumbles quietly "we have a lot of bottles to inspect for quality"
Hactor quirks an ear at the mention of quarry. As far as he knew /they/ were the quarry. But in anycase he only continues to glare at the captain and gaurds as they begin to cart Angus away. The fox feals very uneasy. Another night here only raises there chances of getting spoted. Worse yet, what will Stubb do? In anycase the fox is determined not to sleep a wink tonight, and to keep a dagger under his pillow. Just like old times!
Trace doesn't look all too happy herself, even as the guards salute in unison and begin filing out at Darkmane's dismissal. The Captain looks over the group briefly, before snorting and moving after his soldiers. "That's right!! File out!" he agrees with Darkmane, as if it was his own suggestion. Trace has a sour expression on her face, and she's heading back to the bar.. probably planning to do anything but drink. Getting drunk is the last thing any of them need right now.
Dangeon grins happily as she's scooped up. "Quality.. Yes!" She nods. "... But I'm goin' t' drink a lot on top o' m' inspecting. It's a hard job aft'r all..." The troubles seem to have melted right off her as she's carried toward alcohol.
Amos stares after them as the guards start to leave, grunting he pushes off towards the bar disappointed.
