Visit from Byron

Byron, Fiagai and Galah are played by Dylan

        Obviously I play Derrin and Rorgan :D

The sun shines on Arundal, the birds are signing, the insects are buzzing, and the mob gathering around the county jail is armed with pitch forks and clubs. Ever since Arundal's mayor has been arrested on charges of treason, rackiteering, bribery, conspericy to commit murder, and mass murder the town has decended into chaos. And with out a leader to reign it in the town is boardering on anarchy. The mining village of Silver Valley is no worse off but to be honest the vermin town is already in a state of uproar that a few more fist cuffs between beasts goes largely un noticed.

Making his way through the maze of shanti houses and dirt roads a lone figure in a thick brown wool cloak arives at a simple house in the center of town. Although no matter what Byron wears to disquise himself it will never truely disquise his form. The fox knocks on the door where the sounds of joyfull mirth and laughter pause. He knocks again, this time more forcefully while nervously glancing about the street before the door opens, The otter inside sighs and rubs her eyes, "And what do /you/ want?" Galah says, contempt barely withheld in her voice.

Almost instantly standing by this otter's side is another younger male otter who shares his mother's stern look. "Mother...are you sure we should even be talkin' t' him?" He asks cautiously, watching Byron with his cold gaze. Inside the house, this otter's brother and their father sit at the table. "I think you would really love t' meet Ink, pa. She's very nice, an' she even has skill with a bow..." He pauses for a moment, thinking. "I think so anyway..."

The fat bellied fox gives Derrin a hurt look. "But I thought we were friends! Remember that time, I lead you all into a trap at arrow point and was givin the order to kill you all but didn't? Or that time I saved your life from my guards out of the kindness of my heart?" Galah sighs, "Byron, just say what you want." The fox responds cheerfully, "A place to stay...just for a few hours..." The fox gives them a pleading look with large puppy dog eyes. It's almost hard to believe that this fox would ever be the enforcer for a corrupt mayor...almost. Inside Fiagai replies, "Well then go on, tell me about her! Who is she, what is she like? What happened to her last husband?"

Rorgan laughs at the last question. "Well she hasn't had a husband or a mate afore that she's told me, but she's a black otter too, an' she's absolutely beautiful. Lookin' at her is like starin' straight at the most brilliant of suns..." Just thinking about it causes the otter to begin daydreaming, smiling to himself. Back at the door, Derrin scowls. "An' wot d'ye need t' stay here for?" He asks with a hard tone.

"Probibly from that angry mob I hear in the city. Is that your name they are calling to hang by your tail?" Galah teases merclessly. The fox chuckles, "Yes yes, the woodlanders and vermin have finely put asside their differences and come together to lynch me, it's hilarrious. Now can I /please/ come in? The longer I stay out in the open the more chance I will get an arrow in my back." Galah sighs again as the fox looks about nervously, finely she waves the fox in, "Fine, but only because you asked nicely." At the table Fiagai chuckles, "Sounds like you got bit by the love bug pretty bad, now you..." he narrows his eyes as Byron enters, "What is HE doing here?"

Derrin simply shrugs, giving the fox a distasteful look as he walks back to the table to sit down. "The rest of the city has decided they want t' lynch this pathetic excuse for a fox, an' now he's crawlin' t' us fer protection. I say we tie him up an' put him outside the door." Rorgan raises a fist in agreement. "Aye!" He says.

Byron narrows his eyes and crosses his arms, "I should probibly remind you both that that whole lynch mob is your fault. In case you forgot I could have easily ordered my men to slaughter each and every one of you, sure Tavis would have entered and killed us all for doing so, but hey! Look! You're all not dead!" The fox smirks, "I figure you owe me at least one favor." Fiagai stands from the table, "We don't owe you a blasted thing fox. It's your own fault the town wants to lynch you. Or did you forget all those times you roughed people up for their 'tax' money."

The twins simply growl in reponse, knowing that what their father is saying is true, as they had seen it firsthand. "An' if this mob figures out we're hidin' you here, wot then? I hope you don't expect us t' keep you here if the mob comes askin' fer you." Rorgan's tone is rather hard like his brothers, but with more of an icy edge to it, as though he wouldn't hesitate to follow through with whatever he threatens.

The hefty fox sighs, rubbing the back of his grey furred neck, "Listen. I got this far in life being able to 'read the wind' so to speak. I can see my life here is over. All but a pawfull of my deputies have fled, the town is in an uproar without a leader, and there are plenty of beasts here itching for a chance to settle some scores. The only reason Edwin hired me in the first place was so the vermin couldn't complain about 'not having enough voice' in the towns afairs...most of the vermin here are probibly part of the lynch mob by the jail." The fox's tone turns back to pleading, "But I can't just walk away either, Tavis has his militia goons waiting at the exits, just waiting for me to step outside of town. I know I can't stay here, but...please, can you help me get out of Arundal?" The fox whimpers as he taps his paws together.

Dylan room-pages, "feel free to leave him hi and dry or help him out, its your choice :D".

Rorgan narrows his eyes along with Derrin. Clearly, neither otter trusts the fox, but Derrin finally looks at his mother, then to his father, asking, "Should we really help this furball?" Rorgan snarls in response, shaking his head. "I don't think he deserves a single bit of our help."

The fox whimpers and whines, "If you can live with that, then so be it. You should also keep in mind that he has to be pretty desperate to come to US for help, isn't that right Byron?" The old otter raises an eyebrow to Longtail and the fox sighs, "I...don't have anyone else to turn to. I kind of lost all my contacts and hide outs when I helped you turn the mayor in. I guess that little act of beastly decency has done me in...right?" He laughs nervously trying to hide away his growing fear and stress.

Derrin watches the fox evenly, making sure to let no emotion show in his gaze. "I do s'pose arrestin' the mayor gave you some redemption after all..." Rorgan looks over at his brother. "You can't seriously be suggestin' that we help this fleabag, can you?" He demands.

Byron yelps with joy. He wags his tail as he envelops Derrin in a giant foxy bear hug. "I knew you guys were the best! Oh thankyouthankyouthankyouhankyou."

Derrin makes a terrified meeping sound as the fox wraps him up in a rather tight hug. "Ack! Agh...alright, you can show yer excitement widdout touchin' me, thankee."

Byron lets the beast go, patting him on the shoulder, "Sorry, me wolf blood got the better of me there. Did I ever tell you I was related to wolves?" Galah shakes her head and laughs, "Oh don't start that again Byron. Just because you say it enough doesn't mean its true." Then to her sons Galah replies, "So now that you have both decided to save the sheriff, how do you plan to go about it? Where will you take him? How will you get there?" Fiagai laughs as he approaches his wife and gives her a hug from behind as Byron nods his head and replies, "That...is a good question, I know Tavis doesn't have THAT many beasts with him, but the few he does are watching the exits to the north and south of Arundal, in Beggar's pass."

This is certainly something the twins need to think of for sure. They had known saving the sheriff would be difficult, but it would take a large amount of thinking to find a way to sneak Byron out of this place given his size. "We'll need t' think about it.." says Derrin slowly. Suddenly, Rorgan snaps his fingers in revelation. "Wait! Do you have a cart?" He asks, looking at his parents.

The fox grins deviously, "The old smuggled out in a cart trick eh? I like it." Their parents shake their heads in unison. "No, but we have friends in town who won't ask us too many questions if you were to borrow one." Galah still trapped in a hug by her husband replies to her husbands comment, "Speaking of friends. How is Variken being treated in jail?" The fat fox shifts his weight to the side and sighs, "Him? Oh he's fine. Along with Elise and that other fox that lit up the warehouse. You should hear the shouting matches Variken and Edwin have between bars. Either they will lose their voices first or else I will lose my hearing."

Rorgan looks down at the ground guiltily at the mention of Elise. He felt responsible for her father's death, which he obviously was, but no matter how many times he told himself that he had done the right thing, he could only think about that look of pain in Elise's eyes and about what it must be like to watch your father get murdered right in front of you. Derrin chuckles softly, not quite noticing his brother. "I can just imagine Variken an' Edwin shoutin' it out!" He puts a paw to his ear as though he is listening to something. "Ah, tis music t' me ears."

The fox chuckles, "If music were a screaming match between two beasts seperated by iron bars then yeah, I suppose it is." The elderly otters look between each other. "Music to my ears will be not be having to listen to this fox anymore." Fiagai says as he lets go of his wife. "I'll know the tavern keeper here in Silver Valley, I'll go talk with him and ask him if he is making a run out of town today. Meet me at the tavern in an hour."

Derrin nods to his father. "Alright. I trust you'll be comin' with us?" He asks. Meanwhile, Rorgan suddenly makes his way to the door, where he exits without a word. He simply needs time alone, and he knew it wouldn't help to tell anyone about why.

Fiagai raises an eyebrow to this and sighs at the look his wife gives him. It wasn't easy for them to watch their son go to battle with Henri either. Oh he deserved what he got but to watch their son kill him, it wasn't exactly the most pleasent memory they will have. "I'll go talk with him." He says, following the otter out. Byron stands there, paws on his hips, wagging his tail. "So...what are you having for lunch?" He asks as the door is shut behind Fiagai

Derrin curiously watches his father walk out the door, but decides against questioning his mother about it. "Well we haven't quite planned fer that yet, but we were just gettin' around t' that, so I s'pose it's up fer discussion." Outside, Rorgan turns as he hears the door open behind him, and he sighs as he spots his father. He had no wish to be rude to the older otter, but he really wished to be alone more than anything else. Silently, he turns back around, walking through the maze of shacks.

Fiagai follows his son, falling into step with him, "Hey boy, wait up. You can fallow me to the Fat Dragon Saloon. He owes me and Galah a few favors, we can borrow the cart he uses to go to market." The otter continues to walk forward, "It never gets easy, taking a beasts life I mean. But I have a feeling you already know that."

Rorgan sighs, looking straight down at the ground. "I do...an' it's never bothered me before, but the look Elise gave me before she was led away.." He shakes his head. "I can't get the image out of my head."

Fiagai nods his head, "Good. The moment it doesn't bother you to take a life is the moment you know that something is wrong with you." The otter sighs, "I was a forrester, I hunted bandits for a living in the woods. Some beasts found the job easier if you just few vermin as...vermin. Sure, they are a different species, and I can guarrentee that those I didn't bring back alive got what they deserved...sometimes. Sometimes I relive the moments in my head and think, what could I do differently. The feeling never really goes away...but it does get better."

Rorgan can hardly think of anything to reply with. "I know it does, but still...I've gotten so used t' killin' that it's not much of a problem fer me or Derrin, but..." He stops, at a loss for words. "I know wot I did was right, but I can't help but see Elise's face every time I try t' tell myself that."

Fiagai raises an eyebrow, "What makes you think it was right? Somebeasts kill for food, other for self defence, and the list goes on. In the end a beast loses his life, a family loses a son, a son loses a father, a brother loses his brother, and a village loses a friend. Even the worst warlord has a mother and father. But you simply didn't have a choice this time. Henri would have killed you if you hadn't killed him. It doesn't make it right, it was just the lesser of two evils in an impossible situation." The two otters arive at a run down saloon. "Wait here son, they know me in there but, the beasts here don't take kindly to woodlanders."

Rorgan narrows his eyes at the saloon for several moments, but he nods finally. "Alright." He says. After a moment, though, he suddenly calls, "Da!" scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

The otter pauses at the door with it half open, "Yes Rorgan?"

Rorgan suddenly runs forward, wrapping his arms around his father in a tight hug. "I'm..uh..really happy I found you an' ma, an'..er..thanks fer the talk. It really helped."

Fiagai stands there awkwardly. He isn't sure what to do in this situation until fatherly instincts finely kick over and he returns the hug, "I'm glad too." He breaks away, "Now wait here, I won't be long." The otter disappears into the saloon. True to his word ten minutes later he appears again around the corner of the tavern waving Rorgan to follow. Behind him is a small push cart filled with straw and its owner. The large green scaled monitor lizard stands behind Fiagai with his arms crossed over his chest. The lizard perhaps is just about as portly as the sheriff, but filled with muscle and a grizzled look that says he ain't afraid to crack some skulls when needed.

Rorgan quickly jogs over to where the lizard and his father are waiting, showing no signs of being cowed by the presence of a lizard, or any reptile for that matter. He had dealt with many lizards in his time. Far too many in his opinion, but at least he had ample experience. "Are we goin' back t' the house first then, or do we have somethin' else we need t' do."

The old otter chuckles, "It would look kind of odd if we brought it to the house. Tarloc here is going to send a runner out of town to gather supplies shortly, you and Derrin can smuggle our fine fat friend out then." The heavy set monitor lizard holds up his claws, "I don't want to know what you are planning. If I don't know, I don't have to lie for you. Just bring my runner back in one piece." The large reptile lumbers off back towards his saloon.

Rorgan watches the lizard leave for several moments before turning to his father. "He said t' bring his runner back in one piece...are we escortin' somebeast?" He asks curiously, itching for some action to distract his guilt-ridden mind. "Not that I have a problem with that," He adds hurriedly, forcing a smile.

There is a loud voice from the tavern, "Hey Shrimp! Comm'ere." There is a shrill yell as a small lizard comes flying out of the saloon doors landing on his face in the mud. The reptile is smaller than Rorgan by a head, he has red scales and a black underbelly. He has some weight to his brown sackcloth clothed middle but he has slimmed down considerably since the last time they met. Trsk rubs at his head as he mutters, "Stupid...lizard...treat a king this way...I'll hskrs hsss hisck and boil tail in soup!" he shouts in english and his own language. He looks up at Rorgan and his eyes widen with jaw dropping terror.

Rorgan simply cannot stop his own eyes from widening as well. "Uh...are you the runner?" He asks, trying hard not to make it too aparent that he knew the lizard at all. He had already told his father about his adventure in the lizard tunnels, sure, but he certainly hadn't expected it to follow him here.

The little lizard points a shaky claw at Rorgan, "You! What are you doing here!" Obviously the beast has learned how to speak beastly languages, if a bit rough at it. He is wearing a brown sack cloth shirt and pants. Gone are his gold, his jewels, his kingly appearence and well fed body. Fiagai raises an eyebrow, "Friend of yours?"

Rorgan looks rather caught off guard rather than mad or anything else. "Uh...remember that story I told you about the lizard who helped me out of the lizard tunnels when this tribe was goin' t' eat me?" He asks, hoping that would answer his father's question.

The otter nods his head, "Oh! This must be hrsk. Pleasure to meet you little guy Im..." The lizard makes a loud hiss, clutching at his head, "Don't Say Name! Hrsk is hated brother! He ran me off thrown with new king! Was going to make me into stew!" The otter nods his head again saying, "Oh." This time in completely different context, "THAT lizard."

Rorgan chuckles lightly, looking ready to run a knife through the lizard's throat. "Aye, that lizard. He figured eatin' me would give his beasts my 'strength', but Hrsk helped me out of there."

The tiny lizard cross his arms, turning away and sticking his tounge out at the otters, "You would have given them indigestion." He sighs, "It...doesn't matter anymore. Hrsk came back, back with new king, new champion. Big wild cat beat my champion...I am no longer king...I am no longer Trsk, I am..." he sniffles, "Shrimp." A loud voice calls out from the saloon. "Hey Shrimp! Are you done lolly gaggin or what? Get a move on!"

The older otter just shakes his head, "I'll go collect your brother and Byron." He stiffles a laugh. He almost wishes he was going with them...

Rorgan pats his father on the shoulder. "Bring ma too. We're goin' t' find a place fer you guys when we get back to Mossflower!" He sounds almost excited, like he was expecting his parents to join them.

The otter pauses in step, "Son..." this is not the time or place for this particular problem, "Not this trip, ok. We can talk about that later. Now that Edwin is behind bars we don't have to hide anymore...and one doesn't just leave everything they own behind on a whim." He laughs, "But yeah, me and the wife have talked about moving. Now you wait here and watch the cart while I get your brother, and you, Trsk, don't try to eat my son while I'm away." Trsk hrumps and crosses his arms, muttering something in his own language.

Rorgan looks almost taken aback, but he sighs and nods. "Alright. I'll be right here." He sighs again, leaning against the cart with his arms crossed. "An' Trsk...try t' eat me, an' you'll be missin' yer throat."

The lizard yelps and quickly disappears around the corner of the wagon. Silver Valley may be a maze but it doesn't take long to walk through especially for one who knows it well. Byron is not one of those beasts however and he seems to stick out like a sore thumb even in his cloak as he nervously walks through the streets towards the tavern.

Derrin doesn't quite feel that comfortable walking next to what was basically a fugitive out in the open like this. "Don't act so nervous, Byron. It only makes you look more suspicious, " He says to the fox.

The fox snaps back, "Nervous? I'm not nervous! Why would I be nervous? I'm only walking through an entire village that has decided to disown me and threatened to decorated the south wall with my hide if they ever had the chance. No, not nervous at all!" The fox looks around, rubbing at his paws, "So...we all set?"

Derrin nods in reply. "Aye. Da said that Rorgan is waitin' at the tavern with Trsk an' a cart. We're goin' t' put yer fat hide in there, an' see wot happens." He cracks his knuckles casually, chuckling. "It should be quite entertaining."

The fox sighs, the things one does to save ones own hide. He briefly wonders what would have happened if he had killed them all like he originally planned. ...then Tavis would have come in a moment later, and killed them all. Lovely thought. It almost makes the events of the week bearable...almost.