Rinafera Woxwitty III
Ret. War Commander
Head Boundary Guardian
Head Boundary Guardian && Retired War Commander
Posts: 696
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Post by Rinafera Woxwitty III on Jan 7, 2008 23:17:48 GMT -5
OOC: The first few paragraphs are an over-view of the plot. *nodnod*
... Thus, the Guardians return.
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It had been the Summer of the Setting Sun when War Commander Darter Seastreak officially left the Guardians of Mossflower. He had been in a drunken fight in the Tavern, and decided it would be best for him to leave before he further ruined his reputation. Perhaps it been for the best, but many of the Guardians were unwilling to make such a change, thus leaving soon after Darter did. Commander Marie Blue-eyes, Commander Rosie, Commander Laylark, Lieutenant Sandegar, and Lieutenant Tritan all left, practically splitting the leadership. Only Captain Finnerator remained with some of the loyal Guardians. Even privates and some soldiers had left, but a few were more loyal to the Guardians' and the Pledge than to one leader.
Captain Finnerator took over command, but because there were only about nine Guardians, it wasn't much to lead. However, when it seemed that the Guardians of Mossflower were reviving well, vermin entered Mossflower. A massive horde led by Warlord Burde Throatslash were prowling about, but no one knew this until Nadia Darkon saw them while out in the woods. She had hurried back to tell Finnerator, but there was no way to prepare for the coming onslaught. Mostly foxes and ferrets made up the army, so they had size, but Burde was a Great Rat, and was a formidable foe even without the rest of his horde! Finnerator decided to stay at the Fort, hoping they would pass. If they didn't, they would fight there way out until they could evacuate.
Rinafera and Daisyblade had a child, Rinafera Clysul Foxbane Woxwitty IV, and so Daisyblade evacuated to Redwall Abbey to protect the young one. Rinafera, a Sargent at the time, was compelled to stay, but he promised Daisyblade: "If you jolly well believe in anything, believe in me, and believe in our fight." Burde's Horde did come, and they had trebuchets, battering rams, and all of the vermin were armed to the tooth. Finnerator and the rest fought off the first wave, but they sealed the gate as shut as they could and hauled it from a trap door, leading underground. This had been dug-out by moles on request of Darter when the Fort was first built, and it turned out to be in handy. Enough supplies were taken, and all of the Guardians split their separate ways.
Rinafera moved to Redwall for the time being, and until a GUOSIM (Guerilla Union of Shrews in Mossflower) scout came to the Abbey and reported Burde gone, he was almost not going to return. The hare moved into a cottage near the Fort just to make sure the area was safe, and then he returned to Redwall. He had little to no communication with the others, so he didn't know where they were or if they were coming back. It had six seasons since the siege, and it was now the Winter of the Golden Ponds. Thus, Rinafera decided to venture deeper into the woodlands with his 13 season-old son who he called "Fourth," and Daisyblade, his wife.
***
The sun, a golden orb against the overcast sky, lifted above the trees and gave the woodlands light. A dark, dusty path was suddenly lighten up through the canopy of thick trees, and the hare was much more clear now. His wife, Daisyblade, yawned and threw down her knapsack. "Rina, I'm beat, can't we take a break, wot?" Rinafera's son, Fourth, nodded vigorously in agreement. The old hare removed his monocle, found a patch of dry grass (for it had rained the night before), and sat down. He smiled at his son and yawned; cloudy dawns always meant that the day would be pleasant. Fourth eyed his father's sabre, which was wrapped in a silk sheathe and finely polished, with awe. He scratched his head and wiggled his ears, nodding to his dad and then pointing to the sabre.
"Father, when am I going to get my own blinking weapon, eh, wot?" Rinafera chuckled, combing his mustache with his paw. The old hare sighed, and responded in a 'as a matter of fact' way. "Well, Fourth, I'll tell you wot. I will teach you for a jolly well couple o' seasons, and then I'll let you sign-up with the Guardians' and give you the weapon of your own bloomin' choice." Fourth smiled and pushed his ears out of his face.
"I'd love that, father! I'd bloomin' well love that, wot wot!" Then, the young hare took on a thoughtful, pondering gesture and combed his whiskers as if he had a mustache like his father. "I'd like to learn how to use a flippin' sabre, eh, just like you, wot!" Rinafera chuckled, nodded, and patted his son's head. He was one of the only Boundary Guardians who passed training from ten seasons before, and he wanted to see his other Boundary Guardian friend, Raiden. His whiskers, or a rather dignified mustache wriggled as he looked up, took a swig of Elderberry Cordial and then put it down to stand up. He picked up his knapsack and nodded nicely to Daisyblade. "Come on, we need to get jolly well moving, eh, wot!"
The three ventured off, and as they trekked, their feet grew tired. Fourth moaned about his stomach, but Rinafera gave him the "Warriors protect and finish the job before snacking." This was one of the reasons he left the Long Patrol a many seasons before; some of the recruits and even officers would stuff themselves before a battle or a mission. Sometimes it even interfered. However, they finally reached the clearing, and Rinafera knew exactly where he was.
A stretch of grass had been cut and all trees had been chopped down from that area. It was a perfect lawn, and it was still just as good, right in front of the Fort. The wooden fort stood just as it had before, but the door was splintered and broken, not to mention open. However, no one was there. There was no one in the fort or outside it. Rinafera pushed his way through the broken wood and found the Fort a mess. Broken plates and bowls were around, bones of fish were tossed about, and it looked like a group of vermin had a feast in their Mess Hall. The hare frowned, but at least they had left. Everything was either dirty or broken, and a group of bees made their hive in the corner of the Kitchen.
He weaved his way through the Fort, gazing around the inside. Finally, he was positive that there was no one there. The hare unsheathed his sabre, and Fourth watched in amazement as he took down the bee hive without disturbing the bees. However, little did they know that he was carrying them to the back pond. The hare saw the back lawn and sighed. This used to be an archery range and practice court; he even fought Songwind Oakbrush in a semi-finals spar here! It was littered with blood, food, berries, and other fruits. Rinafera tossed the hive in the pond and shuddered at how dirty it was. Guardians of Mossflower would have to do a lot of cleaning before they came back officially.
Rinafera came back to the front to see Daisyblade and Fourth. "Our quarters were the flippin' second door on the left of the second floor, wot. That's where you were a dibbun, Fourth, eh, wot wot. You all can go unpack your bloomin' stuff, chap and chapess." With that, Sargent Rinafera Clysul Foxbane Woxwitty strolled outside to the Front Lawn, and stared around the woods. Even if they couldn't hear him, he would yell out for all of the Guardians to return. "Guardians of Mossflower, come jolly well back! The flippin' scum have left, and we're ready to return, wot! Eulaliaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Fourth and Daisyblade came down to see what caused the commotion and they nodded, standing beside Rinafera as he desperately awaited his comrades' return.
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Post by Nadia Darkon on Jan 8, 2008 21:55:04 GMT -5
A feline padded her way down what had once been the well-kept road towards the fort or the Guardians of Mossflower. Her footfalls were silent as if intentionally so, but her eyes were not even on the road. They were gazing off into the distance as if thinking or looking at something that was not there.
This, in fact, was precisely what Nadia was doing. She’d been on this road when it had been kept-up. It had been the starting point of many of her scouting trips and patrols. Then had come that awful vermin leader and that horrible siege. The road that night, the night she and the rest had slipped out into the darkness, had been trampled by the footpaws of the horde and strewn with broken wheels and deep ruts where the war machines had passed. It had been completely ruined. Now as she padded down it, the ruts were still there, but softened by the grass and small flowering plants that had overtaken the whole road. It looked rather beautiful in the state of disuse that it was in now.
The five seasons that had passed had been ones of great change for Nadia. She had not gone to Redwall or another established fort as some of the Guardians had done. Seeing the place she had called home defiled by vermin had caused the feline to not want to attach herself to another place. She didn’t want to have to go through that again, and so she had struck out on her own, traveling northeast. It had been a hard journey, and, in retrospect, probably one of the most stupid things she had ever done. Going of by oneself into the more inhospitable parts of the world was not generally considered a sane action. In all those seasons she had never settled down. Things had happened to her. She was no longer the young, eager and slightly naïve cat she had once been. She no longer saw life as a thing that might have something astonishingly good around every corner.
More had changed than just her attitude. Her appearance and the way she carried herself had also changed. Although she was on the road, the femme stuck to the edge, avoiding the patches of bright sunlight and sticking to the shadows. Caution and stealth, while once only abilities she had used when scouting, were now ingrained into her every move. Her fur had also grown longer and had taken on a shaggier appearance, much more like a wildcat’s fur. Nadia had puzzled over this the season it had happened, but had finally come to the conclusion that there had been a few wildcats in her ancestry and that the genes had only now decided to manifest themselves. Her height had also increased. It wasn’t a drastic change, but she was no longer part of the shorter end of the feline height scale.
Nadia’s sword was also not to be found on her. It had, through several unfortunate occurances, been taken from her. She had replaced it with a lighter and more concealable weapon: a poisoned whip. It went with her old dirk perfectly. Besides the dirk, the only thing she still had with her from her time with the Guardians was her purple cloak. However, it had seen so much wear and tear that it was now a muddy black color.
Her ears twitched and she pulled to a stop as the walls of the fort came into view. The new of the horde’s desertation of the place had been music to her ears. But what will it be like now? Will anyone else have returned? Five seasons was a long time to have to wait around. No doubt many of the former Guardians had started new lives, lives they could not root up and move to a place that would obviously need some major work done on it.
”Eulaliaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Nadia threw herself into the bushes as the call ripped out from the main gate, disappearing from the road with barely a rustle. A few moments later her head poked cautiously around a tree trunk she had climbed. Loud noises had always meant it was time to hide. That’s the hares’ battle cry. Forcing herself back onto the path and resisting the urge to sneak in through one of the side doors to scout things out, the feline once again started down the road. You’re not in harsh territory anymore. You can walk in the sunlight. It took some doing, but she finally stepped into a patch of brightness, emerging from the shadows a few yards from the open gate.
The shaggy femme in the dark cloak looked inside what had once been her home. One…Two…Three! There were three hares standing there! Not only were they friendlies, they were obviously a family! Her mouth cracked into what she called a grin, although it also meant that her fangs showed themselves more prominently. She took a few slow steps inside until she was under the arch of the gateway.
“Rina?”
It looked like him, but the incredulity in her voice belied the fact that she was thinking this was too good to be true.
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Finnerator Rudderbow
Ret. War Commander
Ret. Head Ranger
Also known as Fishtail Dirkslash
Posts: 298
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Post by Finnerator Rudderbow on Jan 9, 2008 21:12:17 GMT -5
Finnerator Rudderbow trekked confidently through the woods of Mossflower. The sea otter was in high spirits, lifted even more for the sunshine filtering through the branches overhead. Five seasons have passed since the otter was last in Mossflower, yet in five seasons the otter had not changed very much. She was a little older, in her late twenties by her estimation, but she was still in the prime of life as she would be for many more seasons. Her fur was still the same copper-like color that it always was and her blue eyes had lost none of their confidence and determination over time. Her clothing was simple as always. A dark green tunic and pants of a shade of brown suited her needs just fine, as did her worn in leather boots. Her choice of weaponry was unchanged as well: she carried her longbow and quiver over her shoulders and at her hip, the dirk with the emerald pommel stone was sheathed.
It had been close to six seasons since the otter had last trod this particular path. Not since the siege… Finnerator’s mood was slightly dampened by that memory. It was a sad time for the Guardians of Mossflower. When Darter Seastreak left, many followed leaving the woods and the fort unprotected. Burde Throatslash and his horde made easy picking of the weakened Guardians. The warriors stayed as long as they could, but defeat was inevitable. Thus, the renowned Guardians of Mossflower unofficially disbanded, each going his or her separate way.
She herself had returned to her homeland, Ruddering. Still, the former Captain and Head Ranger of the Guardians could not easily give up her sense of duty to protect fellow goodbeasts. Accordingly, it is understandable that once in Ruddering, she soon gained command of a ship and used her experience to thwart the thieving corsairs. For five seasons, Finnerator has helped patrol the seas to keep it safe for others. Recently, one such patrol took her by the shores of Mossflower. It was here, while restocking the ship, that she heard from a traveler that Burde Throatslash and his evil ilk had left Mossflower for the warmer clime of Southsward.
The exciting news prompted her to sail up the River Moss towards the now abandoned fort. With the vermin gone, the Guardians of Mossflower could rebuild. Then perhaps they would be strong enough to stop Burde before he could do to Southsward what he did to Mossflower.
That is why she was now marching through the woods on a bright winter day. After leaving the ship and crew to return to their duty, Finnerator was now determined to return to hers. The path she trod was much the same as it was six years ago since it was a direct path from the fort to the river and the vermin had probably used it as much as the Guardians had. And so with the relatively good path and her deliberate stride she was soon approaching the fort. It was then that a loud cry rang out over the trees.
“Eulaliaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”
Finnerator started a little in surprise and stopped her steady pace for a moment. A wide grin spread across her face as she recognized the war cry of the Long Patrol. The sea otter struck out again at a faster pace, hoping that the shout meant what she thought it did.
It was not much longer before she reached the fort and the source of the battle cry. A very familiar clearing opened before her and the path ended. In its place was the fort of the Guardians of Mossflower. It was battered with neglect, abuse, and time, but the sturdy wooden walls still excited the warrior. More so because immediately she recognized fellow Guardians near to them.
Standing in front of the fort was a wildcat wearing the famed purple (more or less) cloak. On the battlements stood three hares, one of which was the face to match the strong voice that just carried though the winter air. It seemed that as fate ordained that the Guardians should be divided, it likewise brought them together all on the same day. Feeling both amused at tricks of fate, excited to return, and gladdened by seeing old friends, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“Ahoy there, friends!” she called out, still chuckling as she stepped out of the tree line, “I don’t know how we all got here, but by Hellsgates, I’m happy to see all of you!”
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Post by Raiden and Zahi on Jan 10, 2008 5:30:34 GMT -5
AVE ADDO OF MORTIS! AVE NOX NOCTIC ADO!
**Raiden's shout echoed from the trees as he ran. Even though he'd been away for the tournamnet, his platemail was as imaculate as ever. His twin swords were belted to his waist as ever, but he'd picked up a kite shield from somewhere. Horus and Zahi had left months ago to return, but he didn't know how they fared... He'd find out shortly though. For that, his mind would be more at ease.**
What ho the fort! Returning warrior here! Open the gates!
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Post by Tasna and Willowtail Riverend on Jan 12, 2008 18:07:24 GMT -5
Two otters crunched through the overgrown path. Tasna Riverend wore her usual attire-a dull orange tunic, long brown pants and brown boots. The only new item was a brown hat with a single feather protruding from the side. As usual, her cutlass hung by her hip along with a dagger that was stuck hidden in her boot. Her slingshot was attached to her belt, next to a small pouch of perfectly sized pebbles. She knew she could find more where she was headed. Tasna had changed immensely since she had been forced to leave the Guardians of Mossflower. Feeling defeated after the siege, she had become far more tense and serious along with the new fact that she didn't smile or laugh as much as before. She had matured over the six seasons and the vermin invasion had hardened her. Tasna had always dislike the filthy look of vermin, but now she loathed them entirely/ Just the sight of a band of vermin would drive her to mass killing. She usually kept a stern expression on her once calm and enjoyable features. Strangely, at the moment she looked anxious and her eyes that squinted against the sun were filled with begging hope and wonder.
Following Tasna's lead was her husband, Willowtail Riverend. The tall, dark brown otter was well built and strode alongside her with confidence and complete trust. His black boots thumped softly and his brown tunic was half hidden by a grey vest with pockets of small knives. The black belt on his grey pants held his scimitar and hooked his whip at his side. He had a less harsh look on his face than Tasna, but didn't like to take certain situations lightly. Willowtail looked at her. He had noticed her sudden change in feeling and emotion. He had been concerned for awhile, but soon realized that she knew why she had changed and what caused it. Tasna told him the entire story when she had come back to their village. Ah, the village. So peaceful and there were rarely vermin attacks. It was a strict place, which he figured was why Tasna had left it all those seasons ago. He and her friends and family were overjoyed when she returned, but knew it would last long. Tasna told him that she would leave as soon as possible. She didn't realized how long she would have to stay-just long enough that the vermin could leave and she could go back to the fort-which was a surprising six seasons.
They walked for what seemed like an eternity-slow and frustrating. Tasna was always looking straight ahead, hoping that the fort she used to call home would come into sight. For hours, it never did. Willowtail kept a sharp eye out for vermin or other enemies while she kept her eyes far ahead along the path. In the quiet woods, they both jumped at the yell.
"Eulaliaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Willowtail stopped in his tracks, but Tasna broke into a run. It was the battle cry of the hares, and strangely enough, she could recognize the voice within the strong yell.
"Rina!"
Completely caught off guard, Willowtail stood dazed a moment, then went off to catch Tasna. He saw that she had finally halted so he himself stopped ten paces from her. Her gaze was up at the top of the pillaged fort gates. "Tas?"
Tasna looked up at the hares, recognizing two of the three. Her green eyes filled with amazement at how she had picked the date to journey back-the same as her old friends.
"Rinafera Woxwitty. Six seasons and I come back on the same date as you and Daisyblade."
Tasna lowered her gaze to the arch below the hares. A long-furred cat stood there looking up at them. "Nadia! Who else is here?" Amazed at all this, Tasna was unaware that Willowtail was now standing next to her, arm around her shoulders, glad that she had relaxed a bit. Tasna stood staring inside the gates, now horrified at its state of being-ransacked and plundered. She shook her head and looked back at Rinafera.
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Post by Raiden and Zahi on Jan 12, 2008 19:10:38 GMT -5
Tasy! Good to see you!
**Raiden saw Tasna comming down the path next to the one he was traveling as he caught her voice. Running that little harder, he rached the gates themselves just after her and her companion.**
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Post by Nadia Darkon on Jan 16, 2008 19:58:46 GMT -5
“Ahoy there, friends! I don’t know how we all got here, but by Hellsgates, I’m happy to see all of you!”
This time Nadia was able to stay herself halfway in and out of the shadow cast by the gate. Stop it! She was too jittery, too cautious. She needed to relax. These were friends she was reuniting with, beasts she had fought with. Shouldn’t this be a happy day? It was, sort of, but the femme couldn’t seem to shake the attitude of gloom that she had acquired.
Turning back around to face the land outside of the ruined fort, Nadia’s ears perked up at the sight of Finnerator. The appearance of the otter who had once been leader of the fort seemed a signal for other beasts to start popping up all over the place. First came another otter that she recognized as Tasna, accompanied by a dark male who placed his arm around her shoulders. Dating? Married? Things changed so much.
Then, of all beasts, Raiden chose to come running down the path. Nadia had been wondering what had become of the reckless mouse. She had journeyed back to the fort alone after the tournament, seeing as Raiden, Zahi and Horus had all said they had a few things to take care of along the way. She shook her head at the kind of mouse who would get distracted for five seasons. Truth be told, she was actually mad and resentful towards him. Yes, her mouth did finally break out into a grin as he arrived at the gate where everybeast seemed to be converging, but the grin was rather distant. Where had he been when he had been needed? He hadn’t even been present for any of the siege.
Deciding that these feeling were things to work out later, Nadia stepped back out from under the gate onto the path.
“Commander, Rai, Tasna.”
She reached out a paw to each as she greeted them. Wilderness living had not led her to forget her manners. She came to the male otter beside Tasna.
“And sir, it would be a pleasure to know your name.”
The cat waited for a few moments and then turned back towards the fort, looking in through the broken gate. She was apprehensive about going inside. It was most assuredly safe seeing as Rina had his wife and leverlet with him. Still, she didn’t want to see the damage that had been done by the vermin. She hung back, waiting for another beast to go first.
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Post by Raiden and Zahi on Jan 17, 2008 14:58:15 GMT -5
Oh... Er... Wow? Did I miss a wild party or was there a roving band of vermin while I was gone?
**Looking passed Nadia, Raiden spied the broken gate... Just ment no-one needed to open it to let him in.**
Nadia, have you seen Zahi or Horus since the tournamnet? I kinda got... Sidetracked... The day I left a village not far from where the tournamnet was held, I was approached by an otter asking me to help hit a group of vermin who were profiting from the slave trade... Needless to say I spent four seasons chasing them, and found myself a season away from here...
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Finnerator Rudderbow
Ret. War Commander
Ret. Head Ranger
Also known as Fishtail Dirkslash
Posts: 298
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Post by Finnerator Rudderbow on Jan 17, 2008 15:30:31 GMT -5
*Finnerator couldn't stop smiling as she walked over to the group that was forming in front of the gate. I guess I missed this place more than I thought I did, she thought to herself as she heartily greeted Nadia with a pawshake. The cat seemed to have changed a lot over the seasons. For one thing, she looked far more like a wildcat then she used to and for another, the wildcat kept sticking to the shadows, seeming reluctant to be out in the open. Finnerator might have pondered this more under different circumstances, but there were other old friends to greet*
*The sea otter spotted Tasna coming out of the woods next along with another otter whom she did not recognize. Tasna herself had changed as well over the seasons. She had matured and looked more confident and more serious than the carefree young ottermaid that left the fort six seasons ago. Tasna had a look of horror on her face as she looked upon the abused fort. Finnerator followed her gaze, but didn't get the same feeling. True, it was a shame that the vermin ransacked the building and took away its glory, but wood and stone could be replaced. Lives couldn't. Finnerator was just glad to see her old comrades alive and well*
*Finnerator had been approaching the two otters with Nadia while the thoughts ran through her head. Now she reached out a paw to clasp Tasna's firmly* Tasna DeRud! It's great to see you again! *She was about to ask about the tall otter standing next to her, but Nadia beat her to it by asking him directly*
"And sir, it would be a pleasure to know your name."
*Finnerator shook paws with him and introduced herself. The sea otter was then momentarily distracted as Raiden came off the path just behind Tasna. She waved to him and smiled* Raiden, how've you been? *The mouse at least seemed just as he always was; he was fully armed and ready for anything as he ran up to them at the main gate. Finnerator wondered where Zahi and Horus were, but she figured that could wait until they were all safe inside the fort. Plus, the sea otter wanted to greet Rinafera. It had been many seasons since she saw him, like the others*
*The others seemed hesitant to enter the wrecked memory of a fort, but Finnerator did not have the same feelings. They would rebuild in time. The facade of the building never really reflected the Guardians of Mossflower anyway; the beasts who were a part of it were the real Guardians, not the building. Perhaps she was just detached to physical places anyway, having traveled from place to place all her life. No matter what the reason, the otter took the initiative of marching through the half open gates, broken in places from the vermin battering ram*
*The rest of the fort was not much better than the doors. The horde had taken no effort to preserve it, but rather used up whatever they could and simply discarded what they couldn't. She stood by the gate for a moment with forepaws crossed, looking at the mess as an impracticality. The first thing they would do would be to bring this place back to its former luster*
*She nodded as a plan formed in her mind, then she strode up the steps to where Rinafera was standing with his wife and son. The hare looked older and looked more dignified, especially with the moustache that he grew. Finnerator held out her paw to shake* Rinafera, how are you? *She smiled and looked over at the other two hares, neither of whom she had met* My name's Finnerator Rudderbow, War Commander of Guardians of Mossflower.
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Fishrudder
Private
Fishy=Rascaram Terrapa=Spirit of the Remnent!c!Default
Posts: 39
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Post by Fishrudder on Jan 20, 2008 22:48:40 GMT -5
A young bedraggled otter skulked in the forest near the fort when the loud and fearsome Eulalia rang out. The otter literally hit the ground, when he was on the ground he half unsheathed the old sword he carried as a weapon and dropped the makeshift sharpened walking stick he had made and carried. He quietly observed his surroundings, looking for some kind of beast. He had no clue where he was, he had been wandering around for seasons, all he knew was he was in Mossflower.
Roughly ten seasons ago his brother had gone insane, killing his family. The otter escaped with grievous wounds, he was found by an old shrewmaid, who for some reason took a shine to him. She nursed him back to health and sent him on his way. He went back to his holt and found his Father's old sword. He took it and thrust it through his belt. He quickly made a sheath out of wood, which ended up pretty much being a hollowed out block which was far to large for the sword. For a long time he stumbled over it. But for now he was okay with it. He would mostly rather get out of the trouble than fight through it.
Now, he was stumbling through the woods when the eulalia hit him. He had just gotten up and started walking again when he parted a thorn bush with his staff and stepped through it. He was in a large clearing. He hated being in clearings, too much chance of being seen and getting hurt or being found by his maniac brother, Sharkrudder. In the center of the clearing was a large fort in horrible disrepair, he sat and watched a couple of otters and a mouse, and what he thought was wildcat, though it was more of a shadow. Thankfully his ragged black clothes and fur hid him well in the shadows, so he thought no one had seen him.
Once he saw that no one else was coming, he slowly ventured out into the clearing, ducking, dodging and weaving things he had learned during his sneaky life. He continued up to the fort. Not wanting to go through the front entrance, he looked around for a side entrance. He finally found one and slipped in it. It made a small creak, he put his back to the wall as quickly as he could, but he saw no one. So he continued on through the fort.
He skulked around for awhile in the main building. He found a few weapons and a new sheath, which he took, leaving his horrible wooden one on the spot. He also found a worn out sling, taking it he went back to where he had come in, finding a couple of large pebbles. He quickly made a pouch by tearing off a section of his ragged shirt, now there was nearly none left. Over the seasons he had used it for wounds and other things. Now it was nearly gone, leaving a band around his shoulder. His skinny stomach, with the bit of muscle on it was showing and of course, so was his skinny chest. Though his shoulders were broad, showing he would be large if he could eat continually.
He decided to go to the front of the fort. So, he re-entered the building, going towards the front where there was a door off it's hinge. He headed towards it and poked his head around the corner, standing in the courtyard were the beasts he had seen entering the fort, a cat, probably a wildcat, a couple of otters, a hardened mouse in beautiful armor and a family of hares, which he hadn't seen come in. He continued watching them and listening to their conversation, his sword in his paw opposite the door just in case.
OOC: Nadders, Finn, how was it?
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Post by Nadia Darkon on Jan 21, 2008 17:23:13 GMT -5
”Oh... Er... Wow? Did I miss a wild party or was there a roving band of vermin while I was gone?”
“Yes Rai. You missed an invasion.”
Nadia didn’t look the mouse as she spoke. The wildcatess shook her head at the question about Zahi and Horus and then stopped listening as Raiden went on to explain with his absence. She did not want to talk about that right now. She was still getting used to the idea that she was actually back at the fort and that there were actually creatures here who wanted to rebuild it. She watched Finnerator enter the ruins before slowly following.
The gates were totally gone. The courtyard was no longer grassy. The barracks were no longer weather proof. The kitchens existed in only a primitive state. The training grounds were not longer smooth and flat. The parapets were grimy. The windows were broken. There was also a new addition: an execution block that was covered in dried blood and was attracting flies. Nadia knew this could all be repaired and that the Guardians who had returned would gladly do the work. She would too, but for now she would let Finnerator decide what was going to happen. The femme gave a slight smile at the way the otter introduced herself to the two hares with Rina. War Commander of the Guardians of Mossflower. After all those season it still had a nice ring to it.
Nadia split off from the main group, wanting to see what had happened to the rest of the fort, the parts that could not be seen from the courtyard. She padded along the broken walkways. She circled around the main barracks before finally entering it from the back. Stuff was strewn everywhere. There were patches of light here and there where broken windows let in the sunshine. She avoided those. All in all, the inside of the building was dark. There were no lanterns and none of the wall sconces were lit. A quick tour through the sleeping quarters told her she’d be spending a few more weeks outside on the ground. The floor boards were dirty, the beds all broken, and she wasn’t about to trust herself to the possible bugs that might crawl into her bedroll.
The wildcatess was walking towards the front door to rejoin her friends in the courtyard when a movement caused her to stop and slink back closer to the wall. She peered through the dim light until she made out the outline of an otter standing in the doorway, silhouetted in the sunlight. The torn shirt and slightly emancipated look didn’t create any sympathy for him. The thing she was focusing on was the sword that he held in his paw in such a way that if anybeast from outside chanced to look at the door, they wouldn’t see the weapon. She crouched, her paw going to the whip stowed under her cloak.
It used to be Nadia would never have attacked without reason. But now, she always attacked anybeast who didn’t show themselves. It was just good sense. The femme silently loosened the whip, careful not to touch the tip. She wouldn’t hit the otter with it seeing as she wasn’t about to kill him. She would just make a loud, sudden noise before rushing him. The only place he had to go was out into the sunlight on the courtyard and towards the other Guardians.
Crack!
The sound echoed through the stone building as she snapped the whip next to the otter’s ear. Her fangs showed as she followed up the crack with a pounce, landing neatly behind the stranger with and audible thump.
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Fishrudder
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Fishy=Rascaram Terrapa=Spirit of the Remnent!c!Default
Posts: 39
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Post by Fishrudder on Jan 21, 2008 17:45:03 GMT -5
The otter was standing there, watching the going ons, nothing was really happening, he was just about to turn and leave when a crack emanated from behind him. He jumped and turned, it was the wildcat he had seen earlier, he nearly jumped out of his skin. He sheathed the sword and bolted out of the door, straight towards the group. The second he had started running he had dropped his staff, he turned to the right and headed around the building, hoping he could get to water somewhere. Or at least hope to lose her in the forest.
He headed around the building at full tilt, only to nearly run straight into a brick wall, he should have looked around better before he started watching, it was foolish of him. He turned, there was no escape from the vengeful wildcat. He looked behind him, there was a dark corner. Maybe if I curl up and close my eyes she'll miss me He darted into the corner and curled up into the smallest ball he could possibly make. Which wasn't that small, with the sheath hindering him. He frantically removed tried to remove the belt to make himself smaller....
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Post by Tasna and Willowtail Riverend on Jan 22, 2008 17:27:15 GMT -5
Willowtail had kindly accepted the pawshakes with a light smile as he also introduced himself. "I am Willowtail Riverend. Glad to meet you all here together." He stared into the ransacked fort. It didn't look like much, but from Tasna's description he figured it must have been a magnificent place to live. The tall otter looked at Tasna who was preoccupied with the outside of the fort. Shrugging, Willowtail walked through the cracked doors and into the courtyard. Looking around, it seemed like the bunch of them would have to work their hardest for a long time before the fort would be 'de-vermined'.
He watched as the cat, by the name of Nadia, went into the barracks. Willowtail frowned at the execution block she passed. After a few minutes of debating with himself, he decided to check out the gorey wood. Just barely taking a few steps towards it, his keen ears picked up a cracking sound, one similar to the sound his own whip made. Reaching for his whip he turned quickly on his heel as a figure darted along the wall. It quickly vansihed around a corner. "More vermin?" He thought fiercely to himself. He darted over to where the figure had disapeared and looked around, not realizing the sneak was just yards from him, hiding in the shadows. He scanned the area around him while loosening his whip.
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Post by Raiden and Zahi on Jan 25, 2008 17:31:17 GMT -5
**Smiling at Finnerator's question, Raiden flicked his frigne out of his eyes before answering.**
Same old, same old ma'am. Not insane nor sane... Always up for a fight...
**Catching Nadia's reply, Raiden's face hardened.**
Couldn't be helped on my part... 'cause, I'd not have fallen back or fled... Then I'd have missed you all for good. But since I'm still alive and here now, I'll fight for what I have to...
**Watching Nadia, he excused himself from the others to follow her... Which meant that he saw Fishrudder and followed him quietly until the otter hid in the corner.**
Come out of there, Nadia's not a foe, she's from here before the invasion.
**Though he knew the otter wasn't a threat, it didn't stop him from freeing a third blade he had slung across his back where a polearm had once rested. The mid-length broadsword would have been at his waist but there currently wasn't room for it there, but the steel blade had been light enough not to hinder his progress when across his back so that was were it had gone for the moment. Shimmering slightly in the light, the blade was accompanied on the right by the shield. Raiden's left paw protected by a full basket hilt decorated with shards of semi-precious and precious stones held in place by the wire of the guard.**
Just who are you anyway?
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Fishrudder
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Fishy=Rascaram Terrapa=Spirit of the Remnent!c!Default
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Post by Fishrudder on Jan 25, 2008 18:27:15 GMT -5
Fishrudder cowered as far back, drawing his old sword as he saw the mouse in shining armor
Come out of there, Nadia's not a foe, she's from here before the invasion... Just who are you anyway?
Fishrudder responded "Not a vermin, what about you?" Fishrudder was nervous, this wasn't how it was supposed to happen, it was supposed to just be a quick look through the fort, he didn't plan on being captured. He quickly looked around, looking for an escape route, he found it in a small gap in the wall, he tried to slip through it, but he scabbard got stuck in the gap, he was stuck. He slid back through the wall to face the mouse. Now what was going to happen?
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