Restoring the Old Fort

[Rinafera Woxwitty III]

The cold wind blew sharply into his fur and he shivered, wrapping his cloak around his body. The grumpiness that came along with old age was becoming more evident; he was snapping at his son more, and now even his soldiers. Only Daisyblade, his wife, remained free from the voracious attitude he took about the Guardians. The hare turned away and strolled back up the Parapet. He scanned the horizon, waiting for sign of any other Guardians who wished to return to the Fort. Already, it had been tiresome, as two of the Guardians had been bickering; he soon put a stop to that. Finally, his eyes saw a familiar face; an otter stepped into the clearing.

"This isn't a good time, then?"

The hare recognized the otter from long ago, but it was most likely the time before he was the War Commander. Rinafera hurried down the steps and into the clearing, nodding to him. He blanked on the name, but he gave a smart salute. "Wonderful flippin' time, actually, soldier. I apologize if I can't remember your name, or rank, but you are?" Almost as soon as he had finished, another familiar face arrived. The War Commander almost forgot his rank as he saw Scratchfur.

Scratchfur Blackleg reportin' fer duty, sir. 'Tis been a while, bu' I foun' me way back 'ere as fas' as possible.

Rinafera chuckled at the rat; yes, it had been a while, but he couldn't forget Scratchfur! The hare shuffled to him and saluted, making sure that the insignia on his breast was visible; he didn't feel the need to tell everyone that he was the new War Commander. He felt that it was simple enough for them to just look at his badge. "Scratchfur! Wonderful to see you again. I need everyone to tell me their ranks as quickly as possible; pretty soon, after the Fort is in better condition, we're going for a march. However, I need to take inventory of the troops, food, etc. I fear that as we have fewer numbers, we will begin to rely even heavier on trade for other villages and the like, wot."

Finally, the hare turned back to Crystal and nodded He approached her softly and spoke in what was barely more audible than a whisper. "Crystal, I have no officers besides Shard right now, and when Raiden arrives, he will be one, too. But I need you to act as Lieutenant, if only temporarily. You've served here just as long as the rest of us, since your childhood! Please do me this favor, Lieutenant."

[aeroflyte]

"Wonderful flippin' time, actually, soldier. I apologize if I can't remember your name, or rank, but you are?"

Teylan chuckled. "It's alright. I wasn't really anyone you would remember. Me name's Teylan, though. Teylan Slingpaw, at yer service, though I'm only a private. Used to be a ranger, and in the Rascaram, if that's of any credence,"
He glanced at the badge that the hare sported. "Sir."
"So, name what ye want me for and I'm yer mate. I wanna get a move on things round here..."
He shifted slightly, allowing Rina to walk past him to a rat who had just arrived through the brush.
"I need everyone to tell me their ranks as quickly as possible; pretty soon, after the Fort is in better condition, we're going for a march. However, I need to take inventory of the troops, food, etc. I fear that as we have fewer numbers, we will begin to rely even heavier on trade for other villages and the like, wot."
OOC: sorry for the short post. Couldn't see much to do, so...

[Scratchfur]

*Greeting the new War Commander, Scratchfur threw a proper salute back to Rina with the utmost respect. Realizing that Rinafera was now in charge of the Guardians made Scratchfur a little easier, as a familiar face would be in charge. Making one of his not often grins, the sea rat replied back to the hare as much as a friend as was possible.* 'Tis gud te be back, aye. An' con'rads on yer promotion, Comman'er. I 'opes tha' ye c'n get sum gud troops un'er yer comman' soon. *Hearing that Rinafera needed to get the ranks of everybeast that had returned or just joined up so that proper training could once again commence, Scratchfur began to look through some scrap parchment that he had carried with him on his long trek and, to his dismay, was unable to find that particular one that reminded him of the rank he once held as a Guardian. Sighing at this temporary setback, the rat decided to go with the easiest approach that was possible to take.* Eh, Comman'er Rina, I don' seem te 'member what meh rank wos when I lef' 'ere. All I know fer shure is tha' I wos a medic.

[Tass, Nathan and Brine]

ooc:I changed my posts so I did not call you Rinafera.

**Tass looked at his feet**Sorry sir , I did not mean to call you hare. I am sorry lieutenant Rosepaw mam , captain Zaoorah sir.**tass reaches in his bag , pulls out A stiletto and hands it to Rikian.**I noticed you like daggers sir , have my stiletto sir.**Then Tass walks over to Rinafera , salutes and makes his report**Sir , we have enough food for three days , enough water for two days. I am private first class Tass Mclearn and my friend is private first class Nathan Steelhammer. I am A warrior , he is A blacksmith sir. Sir we have expanded the armory of the guardians but armor is scarce , but Nathan can make more once he gets peoples fittings. We are in no fit state to march sir , mainly because we have little food , if I might make A suggestion , I think we should send out foraging party's to find food and water Sir.

[Songwind and Brawn Oakbrush.]

OOC: Ummm...Song is down on the ground stilll......

[Tass, Nathan and Brine]

OOC: Then come on up!

[Crystal M. V. Rosepaw]

"Then I cannot refuse, sir," the vixen smiled sadly, looking at the broken fort, the now-bleeding-again cuts on her paws, and the meager group that had joined them. She also look at what she thought was Rinafera's first mistake; promoting her. She was little more than a child, really. She cast a glance down at herself, glaring at how her right leg stuck out oddly as it came to her body, crippled from a old wound remade several times. Rinafera himself had started the chain of events that had forced the medics to think she would never fight again, which was one of her passions. As soon as she could run, however, she fled the scene, hid herself away in caves unknown to many but the bats, and worked up her ways of therapy and exercise for herself. She had made it; here she was today, and could look down upon the battlefield she'd last did her unmerciful dance upon.

She thought if she stared to long, she'd lose her mind again as she had done in that battle. Hardly able to hear Rinafera IV, the new War Commander's son, calling to her for help. Calling that his father had been struck. And when she had heard it, she had hesitated; she had had to look between the enemy and the wounded and decide which to pursue. She had came to Rinafera's side, crying bitterly that she was not god enough, but none of them knew the inner turmoil she was under to say such a thing. Everyone else thought it was because she hadn't been fast enough to defend Fourth's father. But that was not it at all. It was because she'd almost chosen to stay in the battle and make sure they were all dead, all that apposed her. Not for the wounded, no, but for herself; her pride.

It made her sick. As did the many healed cuts that covered her, more visible now, with tunic and shorts, than with her normal dress, but they were always still there. She suddenly realized that she had forgotten the old bandages that she felt had needed dearly to cover her arms, to hide the numerous thin, tiny marks. She didn't move to show this, hoping that nobody would notice if she didn't point it out.

So many broken promises now.

She looked back at Rinafera, this being the third and not the son, and spoke softly, "I can only hope Shard and Raiden arrive soon. I cannot see myself holding power over the Guardians when i can't even hold power over the progressing of time..." or myself. The last bit was stated inwardly, to prevent more doubt. She knew how to hold power graciously.

She just didn't want it or deserve it. But she'd travel to the gates of Hell, even through them, and back out if the elderly hare asked her too. She owed him that much. she turned away, suddenly recalling seeing something odd down on the ground. A squirrel looked back up at her; well, not her in particular, but the group forming.

"Hey, uh, Song!" Crystal called down, blinking her eyes once to make sure she got the name right, "you can get in you know. The main gate hasn't closed right since the last battle the Guardians saw. There's a bit of a gap, you should be able to get up, eh?" She waved her paw in a beckoning motion, then turned back to the group, standing between Rinafera and Rikian, unsettled.

Rikian, however, was amazed. The person that had just a few moments ago been about to challenge him was now handing him a blade? He couldn't believe it; it had to be a trick of some kind. He took it carefully in his claws, as, even if it was a cruel trick, he was never one to pass up something that might be a value, making sure not to touch the blade. He still wasn't sure how the Guardian's worked. There were no laws on the open ocean, and on his ship, the rules were few. He made it a rule on his decks that if he was to be overthrown, every one of the crew had to vote against him, or the one person that deemed themselves good enough to be Captain to fight him. To the death. One had challenged him like this as he took leadership, handed to him by the old captain, and had not had to fight again for many, many moons. The next time, he had only to show his blades, and the opponent visibly quaked with fear. He pointed this out, and the crew had decided that he was more fit than a coward to lead.

Not to mention, the coward was left next time they went to dock.

But he was always ready for a trick, and as he took the blade and looked at it, as if trying to decide if it was better than his current daggers, and held it near his face, he took a cautious breath through his mouth, trying to taste the reek of some kind of poison on it. He found none, but was not convinced. He tapped the blade soundly with one claw, then, touched the claw to his paw pad. Nothing. Just metal.

Satisfied, he simply bowed his head and listen as Rinafera asked for rank of each member. Each fox fell hard into thought. Crystal had stared Boundary Guardian training, then decided against it, putting her back as... what? Rikian had never, he thought, even been given a rank. Crystal chewed her lip for a moment, then stated, "Pretty sure I was a warrior, an' Riki'd do the most good as a rouge. I'm a Lieutenant, an' Riki's just starting off, right?"

"Right." He said simply.

ooc; Oh crap. Didn't realize it was this long. D;

[Tass, Nathan and Brine]

**Tass extended his hand to Rikian** My name is lord Tass Mclearn the third , but you can just call me Tass. The stiletto I gave you has my monogram on it , show it to any squirrel of the Mclearn clan and they will help you.**Then Tass remembers something and turns back to Rinafera.** Sir , my friend Nathan and I are working on A secret project that will help the offensive and defensive power of the guardians. And that completes my report on the fort sir!

[Brisk Balvayne VI]

A lone figure walked toward the parapet and the group of beasts, a blade a grass sitting in his mouth. The beast was also carrying two load, very large traveling packs. Unamused the feline, a lynx leopard mix continued his path toward them, his eyes wandering the area, remembering what he was told.

" Its an old run down place, but rumors are its being revived and they can use all the assistance they can get...I'm not quite sure how much they'll pay you if at all, but who knows, maybe they'll be able to help you."

Rolling his eyes at the rat's words, he removed the blade of grass, spat to the side, and then placed it back in. Furthermore, upon reaching the battered parapet, he dropped the bags and glanced around at each beast.

"Which one of you is Rinafera Woxwhats'isname the third?" The skilled assassin asked everyone, glancing around at all of them. " Nothing against yer name, just, not quite sure what it is." Brisk said, hiding a coy smile. Okay, so he did know the name, but fortunately Brisk was a master of lying as well, and kept his cool.

He studied each individual long and hard. He kept his eyes locked on Crystal the longest, for whatever reason, he examined her from a distance. She reminded him of someone. Her current gaze and everything said it all. Remaining silent though, he glanced about again still awaiting his answer as a light breeze embraced each and every one of them.

That fool'd better be right, 'cause I swear if walkin' all the way down 'ere wasn't worth it, well, then there'll be Hell to pay, I can promise that much. Brisk thought, the handsome youthful feline crossing his arms impatiently. If only he was as patient as he was on a job.

[Tass, Nathan and Brine]

**Tass heard the shout and looked over the parapet , he gestured to the hare in the group of people.** That is war-commander woxwitty , who are you may I ask and why are you so bold as to address the war commander in the way you addressed him. More importantly , whose side are you on?

[Brisk Balvayne VI]

Brisk sneered and gave an odd smile. Perhaps the lynx mix was amused. Perhaps he was more intrigued than ever. Whatever the cause of the sneer, Brisk still held his ground and remained calm, his odd misplaced sense of superiority kicking in.

He gave a small chuckle.
" Perhaps the question is, who are yew, to address me in such a manner? Furthermore, who's side are yew on eh? Answer me that 'un." Brisk continued giving snicker. " Besides, I wouldn't call it bold, I was asking a question. I had no idea he was War Commander, I just 'eard there was some sorta' escapade goin' on 'ere, and well, I was right," Brisk basically mocked them, not losing his ground one bit.

The feline walked around a bit, glancing at the sky, before giving a smile and glancing back up at them.
" Besides, my allegiance is to whoever can give me a job, and by the sounds of it, the most desperate place in need o' someone o' my skill capacity is well, 'ere. So, with thus being said, I am Hades, The Ghost, The White Wolf of the North. For simplicity though, ya can call me by my birth name, Brisk. Anyway, sometimes friends of those who go against my allies' goals slip away and my reputation breaches down to areas such as this. If you have knowledge of my reputation, good for you, it'll let you know how to treat me, if not, well, let it be a good story for you to learn." Brisk said smoothly, starting to articulate his words more normally. Overall, he was really inconsistent, depends mostly on how intelligent or intimidating he feels like seeming. The odd thing was though, his reputation did go far. He was actually feared in some cities because they believed he was some immortal assassin.

He gave a short pause, looking to Rina'.
"And ta' yew, I think you'd be honored as much as I am to work for you, to have me workin' for yew." Brisk finished, looking to his two bags, a smile on his face, as his cold eyes scanned everyone once more. "I am willing to do any assassination, scouting, or basically any sort o' combat job yew can 'andle me with, 'specially if it has to do with any sort o' stealth. Some say a fallin' feather makes more sound than me." He basically advertised himself with a wink.

Well, the one is quite insolent, and the war commander is nothing but an old worn out hare...oh well, that means I'll prolly get more jobs workin' here. Besides, supposedly with age comes wisdom 'n if 'e is experienced than that age surely is a symbol of it.

[Rinafera Woxwitty III]

OOC: Now that we've restored activity, feel free to make threads wherever you wish. This thread is pretty pointless now, but if you'd like to keep role-playing here, just know that Rinafera will be elsewhere. Please start making new threads. Thanks! ;]