define('WP_CACHE', true); Chapter 12: The SteamSpring Mining Company – Crossed Paths – Logs

Mar 16

Chapter 12: The SteamSpring Mining Company

Chapter 12: The SteamSpring Mining Company

In Which Soquan Encounters An Old Friend.

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Yazeth: Jozra stands tall next to Soquan. Again, her paw strays to the hilt of her knife as the first of the mice begin to come into view.

Arrin Woodgreen: He readies his staff, turning towards her. “I wonder how scruffy we look to them. We might look frightful, damp, dusty, and travel worn…”

Yazeth: The ferret sizes up her companion in the growing light. “You’re right. That cold bath we had did little to remove the road dust. Not only that, we’re pretty muddy.”

Arrin Woodgreen: His ears flick this way and that as he listens to the approaching beasts. “Not to mention skinny from watching our rations while we were snowed in.”

Yazeth: “Aye… We’re a pretty raggedy pair.” She peers down the tunnel. “They seem pretty heavily armed.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. “Okay.” He frowns. “I wonder what they intend to do to us.”

Yazeth: The ferret flattens her ears slightly. “Hopefully they won’t do much.” She trails off as the first of the mice get within hearing range.

Arrin Woodgreen: He readies himself, picking up on the mice’s closeness.

Yazeth: The first of the mice shouts a challenge. “You’ll leave if you know what’s good for you, vermin.” Apparently he isn’t close enough to tell that one is an otter.

Arrin Woodgreen: He shouts back. “Vermin yourself, what are you doing ganging up on two honest travelers?”

Yazeth: The mouse returns the shout. “Trespassers, more like it!”

Arrin Woodgreen: “Trespassers? As far as I can remember this tunnel has been open to anybeast. What gives you the right to say otherwise?”

Yazeth: The spokes-mouse puffs his chest out.  Behind him, Jozra can see the first mouse. “The SteamSpring Mining Company, that’s what!”

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins suddenly. “The SSMC? Let me see your supervisor.”

Yazeth: The spokes-mouse falters for a second, startled by Soquan’s reaction. “Erm, hold on a second.” He whispers into the ear of a nearby mouse who passes the message back.  Jozra maintains her silence.

Arrin Woodgreen: His grin remains and he places a paw on Jozra’s weapon paw.

Yazeth: The ferret glances at Soquan before relaxing her stance.

Arrin says: He lowers his own weapon, waiting for word to get back to them.

Catamount says: Again the ferret glances at Soquan. She’s not so sure about this but the otter appears to know what he’s doing. Soon, the press of mice begins to part as an older mouse approaches the travelers.

Arrin says: His ears perk up and her grins widely. “Trey mate! How are you?”

Catamount says: Jozra smiles at the older mouse in a friendly manner.

Arrin says: He embraces the mouse in a friendly manner. “What have you been up to?  I thought you guys weren’t coming this far to the surface.”

Catamount says:The ferret stares in obvious confusion. The mouse chuckles at his friend’s companion’s reaction.

Arrin says: He frowns at the mouse. “Can you tell me why this tunnel is so strict entry now? After all, we both found it.”

Catamount says: Trey chuckles. “New discoveries, my friend.  Of course, if I had known you would be visiting, you’re welcome certainly would have been warmer.”

Arrin says: He chuckles. “Your front guard was a bit too sketchy.” He puts an arm around his shoulder and the two head down the tunnel, Soquan motions for Jozra to follow.

Catamount says: The ferret shrugs in helplessness at the first mouse, who scowls in return. She follows the pair as they make their way down the tunnel.

Arrin says: Slowly yet surely, gold begins to line the walls.  Not as much as first, then quite heavily.

Catamount says: Jozra stares in amazement, but notices the other mice closing in tightly behind her, blocking any exit.

Arrin says: The otter and mouse chatter away friendly, laughing loudly.

Catamount says: The ferret maintains her silence. She’s convinced Trey means to have no harm come to his friend’s friend, but the other mice don’t look so happy about her species.

Arrin says: He removes his arm from around the mouse. “Where are my manners? Trey, this is Jozra, a very dear friend of mine.  Jozra, this is Trey, we’ve known each other since childhood.”

Catamount says: Jozra smiles at Trey and shakes his paw. “Pleased to meet you, sir.”

Arrin says: He grins and stays quiet, letting the two talk.

Catamount says: Trey grins at the ferret. “Any friend of Soquan is a friend of mine!”

Arrin says: He smiles. “We just found the gem chamber, and the pool inside.”

Catamount says: The ferret laughs self-consciously. “Hence our, ah, rather bedraggled appearance…”

Arrin says: He nods. “Aye, plus we were snowed in at the low cave by the springs for a while.”

Catamount says: Trey’s eyes widen at the pair’s tales. “Sounds like you two have had a heck of a journey!”

Arrin says: He nods. “It was originally just supposed to be a day trip to see this place.”

Catamount says: The ferret chuckles. “Turned out to be quite an adventure all its own.”

Arrin says: He nods, yawning loudly.

Catamount says: Trey smiles at Soquan. “You two look rather tired. Fear not, our field office is just ahead. We can get some food into you guys there.”

Arrin says: He grins lopsidedly, throwing an arm around Jozra. “ Sounds good, doesn’t it?”

Catamount says: The ferret smiles. “Aye, that it does.”

Arrin says: He yawns sleepily and continues to follow Trey’s lead.

 

Jozra

1 comment

  1. Oho, so Soquan was an intrepid explorer in his youth, eh? This is a pleasant turn of events. Nice to know nothing bad will be happening to them. Not yet, anyways.

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