define('WP_CACHE', true); Chapter 11: Unwelcome – Crossed Paths – Logs

Mar 16

Chapter 11: Unwelcome

Chapter 11: Unwelcome

In Which A Mouse Tries To Block The Pair’s Path.

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Arrin says: He leads her through the cave. “So back to the house? Or to the gold?”

Catamount says: The ferret shrugs. “I wouldn’t know which way to go for either anyway.  Though I suppose, since we’re here…”

Arrin says: He nods. “Alright, just tell me when we get to the fork in the path again.”

Catamount says: Jozra nods. “Okay.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He continues leading the way through the tunnel, giving a slight shiver once and a while.

Yazeth: Now and again, Jozra rearranges the damp clothes in her hands, trying to keep the wet parts exposed to the air and the dryer parts near her paws.

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins towards her. “I don’t know about you, but after all this I could go for a dip in that hot spring…”

Yazeth: The ferret laughs. “Aye, that would be wonderful.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. “And a nap on those rocks…”

Yazeth: Jozra nods exuberantly. “And a hot lunch to go with it…”

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. “And a nice warm drink…”

Yazeth: She squeezes her eyes shut for a second. “Yeah… This conversation is making me hungry but I feel warmer anyway.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. “It’s all in your head, think warm thoughts.”

Yazeth: Jozra sighs and then pricks her ears. “What’s that up ahead? Something seems to be glowing a bit…”

Arrin Woodgreen: He frowns and thinks. “I don’t remember anything glowing… Hello?”

Yazeth: The ferret peers ahead, trying to bring it into focus. Her paws stray instinctively to her tiny, concealed throwing knives.

Arrin Woodgreen: He grips his staff and calls forward towards the glow. “Hello?”

Yazeth: Jozra’s eyes widen as the glow moves, yet makes no noise.  She puts a slightly restraining paw on Soquan’s shoulder. “Who’s there?”

Arrin Woodgreen: He stops as Jozra’s paw grips his shoulder and perks his ears up, listening.

Yazeth: The ferret listens hard but hears nothing. The light, on the other hand, wavers a little.

Arrin Woodgreen: He steps forward a bit. “Is anyone there?”

Yazeth: Jozra stoops and fumbles around in the darkness for a pebble.  She finds one, stands and throws it in the general direction of the light.

Arrin Woodgreen: He stops as he hears the pebble whoosh by, waiting.

Yazeth: The pair are rewarded by the clink of the pebble against a wall, the echo of said pebble striking wall, and a startled gasp from a third beast.

Arrin Woodgreen: He frowns and waits.

Yazeth: The ferret moves her paw to the hilt of her long dagger. “Oy! We know you’re there, who are you?”

Arrin Woodgreen: He crouches, ready to spring.

Yazeth: The sound of someone shuffling greets their ears as the light fades slightly.

Arrin Woodgreen: He turns towards her. “Should we follow?”

Yazeth: The ferret sets her jaw. “Yep. Too curious not to.” She walks towards the light cautiously.

Arrin Woodgreen: He does also.

Yazeth: The two soon approach a bend.  The ferret slows a bit and peeks around the corner. “Gah!” She jumps back, temporarily blinded by the brightness of the light.

Arrin Woodgreen: He steps ahead of her, staff ready.

Yazeth: The mouse in the side tunnel squeaks frantically. “Please don’t hurt me!!”

Arrin Woodgreen: He frowns. “We mean no harm…”

Yazeth: Jozra paws at her eyes trying to clear the floaties away. “Who is it?”

Arrin Woodgreen: He tests the air. “By the smell if it, it’s a mouse.”

Yazeth: The mouse shivers and looks at the otter imploringly. “Keep her away from me!”

Arrin Wodgreen: He chuckles. “Who? Jozra? Don’t worry, her bark is much worse than her bite.” He nudges her a bit. “Ain’t that right?”

Yazeth: The ferret tries to grin as genuinely as possible.  She has more success in saying in a chipper voice. “Yep!”

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins and throws an arm around Jozra’s shoulders, waiting for the mouse’s response.

Yazeth: The mouse glances fearfully between the two mustilids. “What… what do you want?”

Arrin Woodgreen: He shrugs. “We were traveling through the tunnels when she saw your light. We got curious.”

Yazeth: The ferret nods. “We were rather surprised to see a light and decided it was best to investigate. Just in case, you know…”

Arrin Woodgreen: The otter nods as well. “Yeah.”

Yazeth: The rodent seems to grow a little bolder now. “Well… well okay then.” He narrows his eyes. “What are you doing here, though?”

Arrin Woodgreen: He frowns. “What do you mean by here?”

Yazeth: The mouse gestures around impatiently. “Here! In the cave!”

Arrin Woodgreen: He shrugs. “We’re exploring, I used to come in here when I was younger, and I’m just showing my friend around.”

Yazeth: Jozra nods eagerly. The mouse continues to frown. “Well, I would thank you not to come down this tunnel.” He turns and walks away in a huff.

Arrin Woodgreen: He frowns. “And why not? This isn’t private property.”

Yazeth: The mouse stops and walks back towards the pair. He takes care not to approach to within reach, though. “THIS tunnel is.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He frowns. “I don’t remember it being private, and I’m pretty sure of what you’re hiding.”

Yazeth: Further down the tunnel, a slight clanking sound can be heard. The mouse’s ears flatten against his skull for a second before replying, “It is now.” Jozra cocks her head and tries to peer past the blinding lantern light.

Arrin Woodgreen: He gives a low growl. “Look, we’ll be in and out, there’s a passage off of that tunnel that leads somewhere I’m looking for.”

Yazeth: The ferret glances at Soquan, slightly surprised at the growl. “We won’t be long.” The mouse, on the other hand, seems to stand more firmly in the middle of the path.

Arrin Woodgreen: He stands up to his full height. “Let… us… pass…”

Yazeth: The mouse begins to quiver again. “No…”

Arrin Woodgreen: He takes a step forward. “What are you going to do if we pass?”

Yazeth: Unexpectedly, the mouse breaks into a run and sprints down the corridor yelling his head off. “Intruders! Intruders!” Jozra stares after the mouse. “Err… I wasn’t expecting that.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He seems startled and his ears perk up, staff ready. “We’re about to have more company…”

Yazeth: “It would seem so.” The ferret replies as the sound of many running feet begins to become apparent.

Arrin Woodgreen: He stands beside her, waiting for the inevitable group of beasts coming.

 

Jozra

1 comment

  1. Well, this is an interesting turn of events.

    By the by, read the backstory post, and have to say it was a lot of fun to read despite its first-draftyness. Some very interesting information in there. ^_^

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