The Lost Fortress

[Nadia Darkon]

*Nadia had been scrambling along the bottom edge of the Easter Cliffs ever since breakfast. She had never been out this way and it didn’t appear as if many other creatures had either. The cliff face was amazing, riddles with cracks and small ledges. The cat had no intention of climbing the thing, especially when there was no one else around in case she got hurt. No, she was content with just looking. Spying a particularly large crack in the cliff face ahead, she padded over to it. It could easily fit a creature inside it. Nadia squeezed through it, finding herself in a cave that was large enough to hold several creatures.*

I say, what’s this?

*Nadia talked to herself whenever she was out alone. Sometimes she even carryied on an entire conversation with herself. At the end of the little cave was a hefty door made of wood and iron. She knocked on it with her paw, making dust fly as the sturdy door gave a slight tremor.*

Let’s see if we can get you to open.

*The cat spotted a crack and dug her claws into it. She pulled, but the door would not open. What could be back there? Whatever it was, it’d take more than just her to see. Whiskers quivering with excitement, she popped back out into the sunlight, snatched up her pack, and trotted back towards the fort. With any luck, she’d be able to have a notice up on the board outside of the mess hall before dinner started.*
…………………………………….

*Nadia was up early the next day, swallowing a quick breakfast and then out and waiting at the front gate. On her notice, she had said that anyone interested should come to the front gate just after breakfast. She had also made sure to stress the tools needed and that whatever was behind the door could be anything, from a caved-in mine tunnel to an ancient dwelling.

The cat was dressed in her usual clothing. She also had her cloak with her, seeing as the morning was a little chilly. Erring on the side of caution the cat had slung her sword across her back along with her pack. Inside her pack she carried vittles, fire starter, a torch, water, rope, and a pry bar. It had been ages since she’d actually had to pack stuff in the old thing, and doing so had brought back memories of her trip from her home in the southeast to here. For good measure, Nadia had also thrown in one of her old books. This one was the journal of a squirrel named Falor the Wanderer. He claimed to have traveled extensively around and beyond the cliff region. There was a chance that his journal might be able to help them.

The small feline squinted her green eyes up at the still rising sun. Her tail swished impatiently in the dirt as she waited for those who might join her.*

OOC: So basically, after we all get together, the trip to the cave/door is going to be very very short, probably a post or two per person, as the majority of the action is going to happen beyond the door. And, if you decide to bring yourself and an alt along, please try to keep both active in the thread. Trust me, this will not be boring and yes, there is a sort of planned ending.

[Sandegar]

The bright morning sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the dust motes floating lazily about in the air. The light cast odd shadows on Sandegar's face as he rolled over onto his stomach with a grunt, kicking his thin blanket away. Yawning, he hugged his hard pillow and propped his chin up on it, letting the sun warm his bared back as he stared at the familar patterns in the wood of his headboard. The sleepy hare listened to the complaints of his grumbling stomach as he blinked away the sleep from his brown eyes, wondering why he'd woken up so early.

Suddenly the answer hit him, like lightening striking an old tree in the middle of a vast, grassy plain. He tumbled out of his messy bed and landed face-down on the wooden floor with a loud thump, cursing his faulty memory. Muttering under his breath, he pushed himself up and crawled over to his old, worn, soldier's trunk, sitting open at the foot of his bed. Filled with all sorts of possessions, from clothes to weapons, it was brimming with stuff, and the hare flinched at the messiness of it all.

Sandegar sniffed the pale yellow tunic lying on top of the pile before shrugging, picking it up and throwing it over his head, pushing his arms through the elbow-length sleeves. Rummaging through the trunk, he drew out a wide, black belt, stretching it and testing it before buckling it around his waist, not loose but not too tight. Hurriedly he kicked off his loose trousers and donned a pair of not-so-tight turquoise breeches grabbed from the pile, jumping up and about energetically as he tucked them carefully under his tunic and belt. As he rotated on the spot, hopping from foot to foot, his eyes swiftly scanned the room, searching for his black fold-over boots and finding them sitting next to the table with his weapons.

Skipping over, he kneeled down and pulled on the boots over his slim footpaws, tucking his breeches in while admiring the combination of greenish black and turquoise. Once done, he lost no time in springing up, straightening his back proudly as he laid his paws on the table, eyes scanning the nine items lying there - a longbow, a quiver of arrows, a sabre, two knives, a pair of gloves, a bracer, and a loaf of leftover bread. As he examined them, he quickly contemplated the way he would carry his equipment, thinking ahead and imagining the long trek to the eastern cliffs, where he had fought Tritan for the lieutenancy.

He smiled bitterly as he remembered how hard it had been to gain the position, and how easily he had lost it, momentarily dwelling on the memories. Thrown out of his reverie by the sudden trill of a bird, he shook his head and reprimanded himself, telling himself to focus on the task at hand. Quickly he donned the black gloves and buckled the bracer over his sleeve, tight enough to exert a little pressure on his left forearm, his bow arm, where faint scars remained from when he had begun archery. Moving on, he swiftly picked up and hooked his simple sabre and its equally simple scabbard to his belt at his left hip, tugging it slightly to check that it was secure. Without even considering the probable uselessness of his ranged weapons, he quickly picked up his black, arrow-filled quiver, belting it over his shoulder and across his chest, finally looping it through his black belt before buckling it carefully. His elegant longbow was strapped to his back similarly, crossing over with the quiver belt midway across his chest.

He looked at the three remaining items thoughtfully. His long ears twitched, and he reached out, picking up both his sheathed knives and holding them lightly in his paws, as if weighing them. Grunting, he bent down and slipped each combat knife into a special pocket in the inside of each boot, shifting them around until he was relatively comfortable, though he felt them pressing against his legs. Glancing out of the window at the sun and determining the amount of time he had left, he straightened up once more, hastily grabbing the hard loaf of bread, tearing a piece off and hungrily chewing it as he looked around the room for further equipment. His eyes finally settled on a length of rope trailing out of his trunk from under the pile of clothes.

Sandegar strode over hurriedly, digging the rope out of the chest and coiling it around his paw. Suddenly he grinned as his paw came in contact with an old pouch as it rummaged about, finding it buried under something hard and crumbly that the hare suspected was stale bread. He pulled the pouch out with a guttural grunt, checking to see if it was empty and reaching out to pick up his water canteen, lying empty and forlorn in the middle of the room. Tying the canteen and the coil of rope to the pouch with a strip of material kept solely for that purpose, he strapped it to his belt at his right hip, to balance the sabre at his left.

With a final glance at the room, the hare turned on his heel, pulling the door open with gusto and sprinting down the corridor and to the stairs, heading to the Mess Hall with the impressive speed of a hare. He entered the hall with a slightly flushed face, energy bubbling through him as he looked around, the sight and smell of food causing his stomach to gurgle excitedly. Chuckling to himself, he untied the canteen from his pouch and unscrewed the lid, walking across the large room to the loaded table by the kitchen doors.

There he located a jug of water, immediately picking it up with his right paw and filling his canteen, careful not to spill a single drop of water. Only when the water went almost to the brim was he satisfied, twisting it securely shut and strapping it to his pouch again. His keen brown eyes looked over the table, searching for the food that he took on every outing without exception - hardtack. He eventually found a basket of the stuff, already neatly wrapped in cotton cloth; compact packages of vittles perfect for any traveller. Sandegar helped himself to two of the parcels, packing them tightly into his pouch while complaining to himself about the weight of his water canteen. His stomach grumbled again to remind him of his current hunger, and the hare picked up an apple to eat on the way.

Finally content with his supplies, he strode across the hall confidently and headed out to the main yard of the fort. He bit into his apple as he crossed the court, munching happily as he headed to the front gate, where he saw the distinctive figure of a cat - the very feline who had called for volunteers to go on this journey. He knew her name to be Nadia Darkon, but nothing more - he considered this new adventure he was about to embark on as a chance to properly acquaint himself with her. Seeing no one else with her, he slowed his pace and picked his way over to the front gate with leisure.

Sandegar eventually stood before the cat, half-eaten apple still in paw, his ears perked up in anticipation of the journey ahead. Placing his footpaws at shoulder-width, he gave a flourishing bow and an elaborate salute, taking care not to poke his fellow Guardian with his longbow. He grinned at her and noted with a little surprise that his height was roughly the same as hers, even without his long lagomorph ears. Clearing his throat with a small cough, he faced the feline, and mimicking the accent of his Salamandastron cousins, greeted her.

"Absoballylutely lovely morning, wot?"

[Raiden and Zahi]

**Thump**

Ow!

**Raiden, like usual had rolled into such a position that his uper body fall off the bed, waking him up. Standing up after pulling his lower half off the bed, he threw on his staple cloathing; Tattered crimson tunic, and a recent addition; A black and dark-blue checked kilt with a dusty-white trim. Tightning a sword belt holding his main-stray sword; The one that was once a claymore, round his waist, he set off to the door. Before he left he wrote a note in runic telling Zahi that he was going out, and took an apple. Down the hall he walked, missed the ladder that was replacing the half-rebuilt stair case, and fall down one floor to the ground level of the barracks.**

Ouch... Ah well, something to finish doing I guess...

**Having found that his armour was too heavy to climb the ladder in, he had taken to leaving it in a room just off the enterence hall. Suiting up rather quickly for one who just fell over twice his hight straight down, he left the barracks in time to see Sandegar and Nadia.**

Morning to ye both.

[Finnerator Rudderbow]

*Finnerator opened her eyes as sunlight streamed in through her window onto her face. It would now be impossible to sleep any longer with a bright light in her eyes, so the sea otter resigned herself to the fact and, stretching lazily, dragged herself out of bed. She glared at the window as she did many mornings when the summer sun persisted to wake her up earlier than she'd prefer. Someday I'll have to put some proper curtains up there. The ottermaid thought as she moved to the wooden chest at the foot of her bed to look for something to wear. She donned her usual clothing; a dark green pair of breeches and a tan colored shirt. After belting on the breeches, Finnerator pulled on her boots, which were laying on the floor by the bed*

*Now ready to start the day, Finnerator strolled out of the barracks and made her way to the mess hall to pick up something to quell her growling stomach. As she entered, the otter glanced over at the notice-board. A new message caught her eye and walked up to read it. Immediately the sea otter's former annoyance at waking up early was dispelled as she anticipated the adventure that could be had. But first, she had to get to the front gate before the others left*

*The ottermaid left the messhall without another moment and sprinted back to the barracks. Once back in her room she went to the small table by her bed and belted on the dirk that was sitting on top of it. Leaning against the same table was a quiver of about twenty arrows and a longbow. Finnerator belted on the quiver next, then grabbing the bow and a haversack, she left the barracks at about the same speed in which she entered them and headed back to the messhall*

*Placing her haversack on the table, the otter filled it up with enough hard tack for two people and added a few apples for good measure. Next she took out two empty canteens from the sack, filled them both up with water, and packed them again. Satisfied that she had enough for herself to last a few days should an emergency happen, the ottermaid slung the pack over her shoulder and exited the mess, this time at a more leisurely pace more befitting a captain and head ranger*

*She met the others by the gate. Apparently they were still waiting for others for nobody seemed to be making a move to leave just yet. Finnerator recognized the hare and mouse immediately, but the cat who would be leading this was a new face. The otter walked up to her and introduced herself* Good Morning! I'm Finnerator Rudderbow.

[Nadia Darkon]

*Nadia had been starting to worry that nobeast would show up. She shifted on her paws, suddenly feeling a little foolish for standing alone in the gate. Then, a hare had stepped purposefully out of the mess hall, striding over to her. Her spirits jumped. She had always liked hares, this one didn't seem to be any exception. As he bowed, she tried to stifle a small laugh. The ears always made her want to laugh.*

Absoballylutely lovely morning, wot?

Indeed it is. I do hope you're here for the expedition.

*The cat cast an eye over the hare. If she was to judge from his pack and the fact that he was carrying weapons, he probably was. The excitement started to build inside her like a wave. Now, now. None of that. Nadia glanced around again. If it was going to be just her and the hare, that was fine with her. She thought they'd be able to get the door open together. Still, it'd be nice to have someone else along. You know how awkward you are with creatures you don't really know.

Her fears were instantly pushed aside as Raiden came out. Her eyes widened. She had never seen him in full plate armor. She had to admit, he sure looked different in it. She shielded her eyes as the sun glanced off the metal.*

Hello, Raiden. You coming on the adventure? You never know what we could find.

*Little worries kept nagging at her. Yes, you could find the old buried fortress of your dreams. That would be nice. Or, it could just be an old collapsed mine, or an abandoned store house, or a forgotten little hole. Nadia grimaced as the list of disappointments got longer and longer inside her head. She shoved them out. No. She wasn't going to think about that.

Her thoughts were broken as another creature pulled up next to the group. It was a female otter, one that Nadia had yet to meet. The unhurried voice soon put her to rights.*

Good Morning! I'm Finnerator Rudderbow.

*Nadia gulped. Rudderbow! She had heard that name. The name of a captain in the Rascaram. Nadia hadn't been expecting any of the officers to join her on her little trip. Well, you did put that sign up for everyone to see. The cat cleared her throat, making her voice as stable as possible. The presence of Raiden helped her somewhat as she calmed herself down.*

I'm Nadia Darkon. But then, I guess you'd know that since you obviously saw my poster.

*Nadia nodded twards the ottermaid's haversack. She flicked her green eyes upwards at the sun. It was just past breakfast. Time to get moving. Everyone seemed to have taken the precaution of bringing a haversack and weapons along. Squaring her shoulders and hitching her own haversack up onto them, Nadia took a step towards the gate.*

We should get going. If anyone else was going to join us, they know where we're going and can catch up.

*Nadia took a sniff of the morning air. It was fresh. Thankfully, the path was not dusty yet, the morning sun not having the chance yet to dry up the dew. Her footpaws hit the ground in a steady pace as she headed for the eastern cliffs, taking the same route she had taken the previous day. At this speed, it wouldn't take that long. Probably only three hours.*

[Zachary Crosstree]

The light poured in through the window, illuminating around the room. The sun has come up, wake up! Zachary could not listen to himself, and he squeezed the pillow, turning lazily onto his back with his paws under the pillow. The Barracks was too empty for this early in the morning. He was new, but he knew when things were missing. The mouse was gone, as was the cat, and the hare that some called lieutenant. Odd, he thought, Didn't they call that Tritan fellow the lieutenant? Shrugging it off, he tossed and turned in his bed. What was his mother say? He remembered in aggrivation the words of his mother, when he needed to wake up and help with the field work: "Och, remember Zach, ah'm not gonna be with yah foreve', be responsible."

How could he defy the words of his mother, who was now old and immobile, sitting in a little cottage in the Northern Mountains? "Och, ah remember the Nae Mountains. Pleasant memories." The squirrel said, tossing over to get out of bed, in a sarcastic voice. He put the light, brown tunic over his body and slipped the moccasin boots on. Yawning, he stretched out, lifting his arms above his head. Walking slowly out the door, he pushed the oaken entrance slowly and put his left paw up. The sun was bright and right into his eyes. With the other paw, he reached for the weapons barrel. Finding his bow, he took and wrapped it around his shoulder.

After that, he got his quiver, stock full of arrows, and placed it around his back. The moccasin belt around his brown tunic already held his hunting knife, so he was finally ready. Walking down the little steps from the Privates' Barracks, Zachary cocked his head toward the gate. Ah've never been to the Eastern Cliffs, why not? Shrugging, he walked out the gate, nodding to the Guards as he exited the Fort. Happily, the squirrel strolled through the woods, heading east. It was not a long walk, so it would take no longer than twenty minutes. In a joyful mood, he climbed a spruce tree real quick, and began to hop from tree to tree real fast, like only a squirrel could do.

Spotting bodies in the distance, he came up closer. Hopping down from the lowest branch of a pine tree, Zachary glanced with his soft brown eyes at the creatures standing near the entrance to a cave. Indeed, it was the people who were missing from the Barracks when he woke up. *I'm Nadia Darkon. But then, I guess you'd know that since you obviously saw my poster.* The cat said to the otter, and Zach paused. Poster?! It would have been much if he had seen the poster. Spotting them walking through the path, the squirrel sprinted quickly toward the cat. "Ah'm comin'! The name's Zachary Crosstree."

Walking over to the otter, he nodded in a military manner and saluted. "Captain Rudderbow, ah'm Zachary Crosstee." The adventure was beginning - Zach was anxious, a bit too anxious for his own good. The squirrel got very excited when adventures were starting, and he rambled on and on. The ranger turned to Nadia, grinning. "So... What exactly are we searchin' for? Ah've been outta the loop for quite some time." Chuckling, he kept walking. Finally, an adventure!

[Sandegar]

((OOC: Rai, I don't mean anything by Sandegar's thoughts, just so you know. He's just an unforgiving character.
And please, forgive the awful and cheesy RPing. I still haven't figured out how I'll work dialogue into my stuff.
Finally, Zachary, nice to meet you, unless I've met you before, and might I ask what cave you were talking about when you said you saw the little group "standing near the entrance to a cave"?
I'll properly edit it in the morning, it's midnight already. ))

"Indeed it is. I do hope you're here for the expedition." The cat replied with an unexpected answer, and Sandegar frowned a little. He was about to indignantly point out how his garb should have made it clearly evident to her that he was, indeed, there for the expedition, but a sudden interruption stole the words from his tongue.

"Morning to ye both." It was a familiar voice, and one that the hare was not too pleased to hear. He knew Raiden, not very well, but well enough to know that the warrior mouse was a little temperamental, and that there was a little bad blood between them. Nodding stiffly in acknowledgement, he looked away somewhat haughtily, slightly annoyed and rather impatient, with a stomach still growling moodily.

Sandegar crossed his arms and leaned back on his heels, his ears twitching involuntarily to convey his irritation and agitation to the world. His dark brown eyes swept over the scene as they waited, bored by the dull scenery that was so familiar to him. However, he started as he saw his Captain come striding towards the little group, and a flurry of thoughts entered his mind. Finnerator Rudderbow, he thought, Captain of the Rascaram and Head Ranger. The head of his profession, and a captain of his division; his predecessor as lieutenant.

"Good Morning! I'm Finnerator Rudderbow." She said, but Sandegar did not immediately reply. Reminded of his failure to serve properly as a lieutenant and as a leader, guilt and shame consumed the young hare as he glared down at the dirt beneath his boots. However, realizing that he was only further disgracing himself by not acknowledging the officer's presence, he uncrossed his arms and saluted the captain, straightening his back into a posture more befitting of a proud fighter hare.

"I'm Nadia Darkon. But then, I guess you'd know that since you obviously saw my poster." Sandegar lowered his salute as Nadia spoke once more, hesitating and looking around before going on. "We should get going. If anyone else was going to join us, they know where we're going and can catch up." The hare nodded in silent agreement, striking out after the cat with vigour, in eagerness to forget the shadow that had momentarily passed through him.

As he strode down the path steadily and automatically, his boots hitting the hard path with quiet thump sounds, he gazed at the distant cliffs. Hearing his stomach growl again, he wondered how long it would take to get there, and if his hardtack would be enough to satisfy his gluttonous appetite. Not daring to think of what would happen if he ran out of food, he focused on striding after Nadia, and did not hear or see the squirrel following them until he heard his yell.

"Ah'm comin'! The name's Zachary Crosstree." The squirrel cried as he ran up to them, and as Sandegar's eyes scanned the newcomer, he wondered who he was, finding that he had never seen him before. Another thought that the arrival of the squirrel inspired was the realization that the hare had not bothered to introduce himself, and he grew a little angry at himself for assuming that he was well-known enough not to have to introduce himself, when even Finnerator had done so.

"Captain Rudderbow, ah'm Zachary Crosstree." The squirrel announced to the Captain before turning once more to Nadia and eagerly spoke to her. "So... What exactly are we searchin' for? Ah've been outta the loop for quite some time." Haven't we all, Sandegar thought, his mental tone not altogether very nice, annoyed for no reason in particular. Somewhat discontent with his company, but brushing away his irrational complaints, he marched along quietly behind Nadia, his eyes fixed upon the cliffs in the distance.

[Zachary Crosstree]

OOC: Nice to meet you, too, Sandegar! Um... I thought I had read Nadia standing near a cave entrance, but I suppose I mis-read. Sorry.

[/size]

[Crystal M. V. Rosepaw]

((OOC: Kawah, working on an RP. xD But Riki is like, uber weird. xD So it takes a while.))

[aeroflyte]

Wherearetheywherearetheywherearethey??! Angry thoughts racing through his head, Aeroryde hurriedly ran around the fort,
searching for the group that was supposed to be exploring this "cave"
that Nadia had found. They've probably left already, he thought wryly, And I've missed them because I've overslept! Muttering under his breath, he dashed outside towards the Cliffs she had mentioned after stuffing his rucksack full of provisions.
Finally after a few minutes of running along the cliffside, he saw what looked like several vague shapes along the horizon. Finally catching up to them, he gasped, " Sorry I'm late. I overslept. Am I too
late?"

[Nadia Darkon]

*Just stepping out of the gate, Nadia was once more stopped by a squirrel who came running up, introducing himself as Zachary. She'd never met him, but then again, she had invited anyone on this little trip. She gave a small nod to him, giving a short reply to his question.*

We're going to see what's behind a door I found at the Eastern Cliffs.

*Nadia didn't feel like saying anything else. They had a march to get started. She set our down the road, the rest following her. She noticed that Sandegar, the hare, stayed up front. She was quite pleased when he didn't seem to be in the mood to chat like most hares she had encountered. When traveling, the cat liked to stay quite, thinking her own thoughts and not feeling obliged to share them with everyone else.

The cliffs were getting closer, as the sun climbed a little in the sky. It was barely lunch time when Nadia finally stopped at the crack in the cliff face. Running a paw down it, she turned back to the others.*

Here it is. I think there's enough room for all of us inside.

*Chucking her pack and tools through, the cat prepared to squeeze her way through. She paused, seeing a small cloud of dust being raised from where they had just traveled. It was another creature.*

Sorry I'm late. I overslept. Am I too late?

*The newcomer was an otter. Nadia twitched her wiskers at him.*

You're not too late. We're just getting to the interesting part.

*Personally, Nadia didn't like late beasts. Whenever she had to be somewhere, she always left with pleanty of time to spare, and usually got where she needed to be early. Still, she equated timeliness with respect. Of course, she didn't say any of these things to the otter. It wouldn't be polite. Not that she really ever went out of her way to be polite, only when she just met someone for the first time.

Turning her attention back, the small cat wiggled and twisted herself through the crack in the cliff face. It was just as tight as it had been yesterday. Raiden's probably going to have a little trouble getting through. In fact, most of the larger beasts will. Platemail could come in handy, but it was very cumbersom. Popping out into the small cavern, Nadia dusted herself down, calling to the rest outside. She unslung the torch she had brought, lighting it with some flint and tinder she fished out of her pack. She set it up in an old-fashioned wall sconce that was next to the sturdy door. Once more dusting her paws off, she started exploring the crack where the door met the stone wall of the cliff with a little more detail, waiting for the others to come in.*

[aeroflyte]

After sizing him up and acknowledging him with a curt "You're not too late. We're just getting to the interesting part."
, She slid into a small gap in the rock face, the group following after a while and Aeroryde tagging behind. Inside, she lit a small fire. Hmmph, Aeroryde thought, glancing at the others. Nice warm welcome.
He padded over to see this "door" Nadia had found. She was already exploring the crack where the door met the rock. Looks pretty solid, he
mused. She was right. This is going to get interesting.

[Raiden and Zahi]

Quest? I was going on patrol...

**It didn't matter what his excuse was, he was just glad to be doing something that day. Presently, several others arrived, including Finnerator Rudderbow and the party set off. Reaching the cave, Raiden gave the gap a look over.**

Sweeping pauldrons 'ul have a tight squeeze through that. Good job I can just slide them off.

**Putting action to words, Raiden swung his sword round on his belt so it was against his back and dropped the shoulder guards down to his paws. Squeezing through sideways, Raiden joined the others in the small cavern while sliding the pauldrons back up to the top of his shoulders.**

So what now?

[Finnerator Rudderbow]

*The sea otter’s introduction seemed to surprise the cat at first, but she recovered quickly. Perhaps it was because of Finnerator’s status in the Guardians of Mossflower, but it might’ve been something that happened before the ottermaid even arrived on the scene. Either way it didn’t really matter so Finnerator didn’t point it out*

“I'm Nadia Darkon. But then, I guess you'd know that since you obviously saw my poster.”

*Finnerator nodded, smiling. She had caught the name, though she had only quickly looked it over*

*If the otter was surprised by Nadia’s reaction, Sandegar’s was even more so. At first he didn’t seem to notice her, next thing you know, he’s saluting. Although Finnerator returned the salute, she didn’t want to be recognized as the leader in this case. As far as she was concerned, this was Nadia’s mission and it would be more than unfair to take over* At ease, Sandegar. Nadia’s in charge here, not me. *The way the otter said it sounded kind of dumb to her, but she couldn’t think of anything to say. Ordinarily, she might have made a little joke, but he didn’t seem to be in a very friendly mood and she didn’t want to antagonize the hare*

“We should get going. If anyone else was going to join us, they know where we're going and can catch up.”

*The captain nodded taking up the rear behind Nadia, Sandegar and Raiden. Not too long after leaving the fort, a squirrel came running up to them. He first stopped in front of Finnerator and saluted. As he turned to Nadia, the sea otter wondered how it was that beasts she’d never met before in her life knew her name. She pondered these thoughts as the marched out towards the high cliffs*

*Soon they had arrived and so had another beast, just barely making it in time. Nadia lead them all to a crack in the face of the cliff and squeezed though it. The cat was soon followed by the new beast and Raiden who surprisingly, was able to fit through the small crack. Since the other two in the party didn’t look like they would go next, Finnerator decided it was her turn. She first threw in her quiver, bow and haversack to make it easier to fit. After that she had little trouble getting to the other side*

*The ottermaid now found herself in a small cavern, lit by the torch in the wall sconce. The flickering flame revealed a sturdy wooden door, which Nadia was studying at the moment* Well, this is interesting. Who would’ve thought? A door in a cliff. Any luck with opening it? *Finnerator asked Nadia, wondering what the plan was now that they were in the little cavern*

[Nadia Darkon]

Well, this is interesting. Who would’ve thought? A door in a cliff. Any luck with opening it?

*Nadia shook her head at Finnerator's question.*

No luck. I tried yesterday, but I didn't have any tools or anything with me. But now...

*The cat's voice trailed off as she finished running her paws around the door crack. Whatever was behind that door was sealed in tight. What was back there? Well, she was about to find out. Bending down, she unfastened one of the two crowbars she had tied to her pack. Setting it in crack between the door and the rock, she gave it a slight push, just to see if the door would give any. It didn't.

She sighed. Well, maybe she wouldn't be in there as soon as she thought.*

C'mon guys. Stick one of these bars in the crack and lend some muscle.