define('WP_CACHE', true); Azrun – Crossed Paths – Logs https://crossed-paths.com/logs The Story Thus Far... Mon, 03 Feb 2014 01:19:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.6 Chapter 92: Love, Forgiveness, Loyalty https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/405 https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/405#respond Mon, 14 Jul 2014 11:00:55 +0000 https://crossed-paths.com/logs/?p=405

Continue reading]]> Chapter 92: Love, Forgiveness, Loyalty

In Which The Refugees Maybe Get the Wrong Idea.

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Chris: Holst wakes to a mumur.  He holds still, slitting his eyes open and noting the outline of a crowd gathered around him. His eyes open wider, stunned to find all pairs of eyes fixed on him.

Yazeth: Jozra’s eyes crack open as she finally wakes from a finally deep and dreamless sleep. She’s just as perplexed as the fox, though, when she realizes that the slowly waking crowd is staring at the three of them.

Arrin: Soquan wakes at the stirring of his companions and stretches out with a yawn, blissfully unaware of the staring. “Morning guys.”

Chris: Holst sees that they’re standing at the foot of a large granite statue depicting three beasts standing in rather heroic poses.

The fox, mightily barrel chested, looked on with a softness in the eyes and face finely crafted by the sculptor, the word ‘LOVE’ engraved in large letters at his feet.

The otter, puffing out a stout chest, was posed with determination and given solid proportions.  Below his feet the word ‘LOYALTY’ was engraved.

The ferret looked on with the softest look of all, one paw placed over her heart, the other paw stretched out as if awaiting a companion’s paw. The word ‘FORGIVENESS’ was engraved beneath her feet.

It was worn as if it had been there for ages. Longer than their lifespans by a long shot.  All Holst could muster was a gulp.

Yazeth: Jozra’s eyes widen in astonishment as she takes in the statue. She glances back at the staring refugees and then to the statue again. All she can manage is a hoarse, “Err…”

Arrin: Soquan blinks a few times to make sure he’s seeing what he’s seeing, then casts a glance back at the mob, then back at the statue again. With a loud sigh, he places his head in his paws and very quietly mutters a few choice words.

Chris: Holst shrugs and plasters a nonchalant look on his face. He pats Soq’s arm. “Alright, look it says

‘LOVE’ for the fox…” he points to himself, “Really? Come on, can’t be. It’s ME.”

Yazeth: It’s too much for the poor ferret. The combined comments from otter and fox make her snicker. Grinning – because now she can’t take it seriously, it’s just too bizarre -  she moves away from the statue, stretching and trying to ignore the looks the refugees are giving her. “I think we need to find out about breakfast very soon.”

Arrin: Soquan rises with Joz and hefts his pack. “Something tells me that means something, maybe we should talk with Alvasia tonight?”

Chris: Holst shudders. “I really hope it doesn’t. Either it’s a lot for me to live up to, or the state of love in the world is very sad.” He flashes a quick grin in front of nervous eyes and begins to follow Joz.

Yazeth: Jozra’s response to the otter is a barely intelligible, “Mmm.” She heads towards the main door, stepping around the small campsites set up by refugees and trying not to feel too weirded out when said refugees withdraw in what seems almost like reverence. “I wonder where Trendorn is. He probably knows how to feed everybody.”

Arrin: The revered looks the trio is getting weirds the otter out, and out of habit he finds himself resting his hand on the ferret’s forearm, despite his visual capabilities at the moment. “I wouldn’t know where to start, really.”

Chris: Holst shrugs, his nervousness obvious. “Beats me, although I wonder if he’s feeding himself. Maybe we should just start looking and… go somewhere else?”

Yazeth: Her companions nerves are catching and the stares of the onlookers is just creepy enough that Jozra picks up the pace, muttering to the closest of these onlookers, “Gonna go find you guys some breakfast,” by way of explanation.

The great doors are reached, shoved upon, and soon the trio are standing alone on the cobbled path leading to the door. Jozra takes a breath of fresh morning air. “Whew,” she says, meaningfully.

Arrin: Soquan lets out a sigh, scrubbing a hand through his headfur as he looks around the area in search of the elusive hare. “That was… strange.”

Chris: Holst shudders a bit, trying to shake the feeling off. “We’ll probably find him where the food is if I know my hares. How’s your sense of smell now that your sight is back Soq? Think you can lead us to the kitchens?”

Yazeth: Jozra laughs at Holst’s comment, finally breaking the chilly feeling creeping up her back. “Fantastic idea.”

Arrin: The otter grins at the fox. “I’m sure I can. My nose hasn’t failed me yet!” With that the otter lifts his head, testing the air. For a moment, all he can smell in incense, then… there, the smell of cooking eggs and meat. “This way!”

Chris: Holst follows Soq with a will, happy to have a goal in mind. The thought of the statue still gnawed at the back of his mind. He could figure out his and the otter’s meanings, but the ferret… forgiveness?  Maybe it would be a good time to watch his back.

Yazeth: With the otter in lead, they’re soon close enough that the ferret can start picking up hints of delicious breakfast as well. Her stomach growls happily in response but the beginning of a frown tugs at a corner of her mouth. “We arrived so suddenly, what if they don’t have enough food for everyone?”

Arrin: Soquan pauses in his sniffing in order to reply, but continues down the corridor. “Well, Trendorn did say they’d be able to accommodate all of them. Maybe it’s taking a while because they have to cook so much?”

Chris: Holst rolls his sleeves up. As they draw closer they hear a frantic hustle and bustle in the kitchens. Pans clattering, voices shouting, and the occasional painful smash of dropped plates. As they look upon the scene, only one word could describe it: chaos.

Holst rolls up his sleeves. “Well, might as well help out.”

Yazeth: Jozra’s eyes widen at the sight. The temple was big, sure, but it didn’t seem like it was big enough to accommodate such a kitchen. She catches sight of the hare calmly giving directions amidst the mayhem and winds her way through the crowd to him, following Holst’s suggestion. “Can we lend a hand?”

Arrin: The hare is grateful to have some extra paws amidst the chaos, and the three are sent to different ends of the kitchen. Holst is pointed towards the dishwashing station, Joz is directed to go cut up some meats, and Soquan is shuffled into an assembly line of sorts.

Chris: Holst’s ears droop a bit at the mention of dishwashing duty. He mutters to himself as he begins to shuffle over to the sink. “Wish I could show them how to make pancakes proper…”

Yazeth: Jozra doesn’t quite realize how terribly appropriate her job is until she’s well into it. She suppresses a shudder and coaxes her mind back into mundane things, like the fact that this is a kitchen and the cook next to her apparently likes to use lots of fire.

Arrin: Soquan’s ears flick this way and that while he helps assemble some sort of breakfast… thing. He can’t quite tell what it is. A wrap of sorts? He does his best to keep tabs on his companions as he works, the separation in the chaos making him uneasy.

Chris: Holst gets fed up washing dishes and seeing the pancakes being made so poorly. He walks over to a mouse and motions for him to let Holst take over. “I’ll show you how I used to make them at the camp.” He adds fuel to the fire, bring it up to a higher temperature.

Yazeth: Fortunately most of it is fish, something Jozra’s used to preparing. Unfortunately this also means her paws and forearms are now speckled with shiny scales. There’s a pause where the ferret cranes her long neck, looking for her companions but she only catches a glimpse of Holst before another basket of fish arrives.

Arrin: It’s a good hour before the hare in charge declares that there is enough of the food prepared and soon the trio is set to carrying out trays to the large foyer. Carefully as to not upend anything from his own large tray, he makes his way through the crowd to Holst and Joz’s general direction as they’re shuffled out the door.

Chris: The trays are laid out on large tables for the refugees. Luckily the hare had directed that portions be already placed on platters to lessen the chaos. As onlookers notice the trio, Holst gets nervous once more. “Don’t really know how we should address this.”

Yazeth: Jozra gives the crowd an appraising, if concerned, look. “Let’s just try to get through breakfast first,” she murmurs, hoping to completely avoid addressing it at all.

Arrin: As he sets down his tray, the crowd gets a once over from the otter as well. “Maybe we can ask Trendorn about this,” he murmurs. “It’d be faster than waiting for nightfall to see Alvasia.”

Chris: A male and female weasel approach Soq holding a small bundle out to him. The mother speaks to Soq. “Please sir, after saving us, and the miracle this morning, we would be honoured if you blessed our son…”

Yazeth: Jozra nearly fumbles the plate she’s handing out as she hears the weasel couple address Soquan. She bites her lower lip, straining to hear what Soq might say, unsure how he should, and how she would, handle the situation. At the same time she tries to act nonchalant, just passing out food to the refugees. It’s not working.

Arrin: The otter freezes mid-motion at the request and for a moment his mouth works soundlessly as his brain scrambles to come up with a reply. Finally, he manages a soft reply: “I’m no deity, I’m flesh and blood just like everyone else here. I have no power to bless your kit.”

Chris: The weasel mother falters and looks to her mate. Her mate nods and there’s a pause. The weasel outstretches a paw. “Then may I shake your paw and take your name as his middle? I will tell him that you and your friends are why he lives and breathes when he is old enough to know the value of life.”

Yazeth: Jozra breathes a quick sigh of relief at Soquan’s, and the weasel father’s, handling of the situation. She shoots a small, quick smile in Holst’s direction and returns her full attention to what she’s doing, and just in time too as she narrowly avoids colliding with another server.

Arrin:  Soquan finishes placing down the platter before gently grasping the weasel’s proffered hand gently. “My name is Soquan, and I would be honoured for you to give your son my name.”

Chris: The weasel family gives their many thanks to Soquan and this gesture catches the attention of many of the other beasts around. Holstadt pats Soq on the arm. “Handled very nicely I think.”

Yazeth: Jozra shoots a small smile over her shoulder at the otter, nodding in agreement with Holst.  As she does so she catches sight of a small fox with big ears and tries to beckon him over. Azrun gradually meanders over, eating a breakfast cake out of his hand.

Arrin: “I sure hope so.” The otter gives his two companions a small smile as they settle in step with one another, and as Azrun approaches the trio, he offers a wave in greeting.

Chris: Holstadt watches as the fox approaches, noting that he might have to do the same thing Soquan did in the next few days.

Yazeth: Azrun dusts crumbs off his whiskers and then smirks and mocks, “So here’s the saints I’ve been hearing about all morning.”

Jozra glares at the kit fox. “Don’t cause trouble. We’ve enough of that already.”

Arrin: Soquan groans in response to the ribbing, wearily scrubbing a paw across his face. “Really. Honestly, blessing kits? What’s next, curing the sick and injured?”

Chris: Holstadt sizes up the fox and decides to let it go. He thinks briefly, about his time in the work camp, about the souls he saw suffering and those surviving beatings and hardships as he watched through gratings and could do nothing.

A barrier shattered in his mind and heart. “We’re giving these beasts hope right now and that’s all they have. Maybe we don’t have what they expect, but maybe tending to wounds and trying to mend broken spirits is what we should be doing.”

Yazeth: Jozra nods slowly, what Holst is saying makes a lot of sense. Azrun brushes it off with a flippant wave of his paw as he selects another small corn cake from one of the recently delivered trays. “Whateffer,” he says as he stuffs it in his mouth and saunters away.

Jozra narrows her eyes in thought as he walks away. Something about her fellow Scorpion is not quite right, not what she remembers, and he has the same haunted eyes of the other refugees.

Arrin: The otter watches Azrun walk off for a moment before replying to Holst. “I’m all for lifting spirits. And I don’t mind being looked up to, if it’s for something I did. But I am not a deity, just because I woke up under a statue of one.”

Chris: Holst nods, calming a little bit, and looks out over the destitute masses with a faraway look in his eyes. “I don’t think we should get caught up with whether we’re magical or gods for real. I guess…” Holst pauses, quelling a quaver in his voice. “…maybe a god isn’t about blessings or magic. Maybe it’s just about caring and helping. And maybe, we can be ‘gods’ for them in that sense.”

Yazeth: Jozra bites her lip, still very uncertain about the sudden mystical turn everything has taken. The deities of Oparanth are fierce, and best avoided. “There’s so many of them,” she says, pensive. “Where are they all going to go? I don’t think Kodan’s big enough for all of them.”

Arrin: Soquan watches the refugees descend on the food table en masse while he replies, a vaguely concerned expression flickering across his face. “Perhaps once we find our missing hare, we’ll have a better idea what to do, but I think for now we may just need to keep our ears open and put the word out once we set off again.”

Chris: Holst nods as if finally deciding on something. He smiles at his friends. “Love, eh? …really?”

Yazeth: Startled, Jozra looks up at Holst with a “Huh?” just in time to catch a pair of tall ears moving through a crowd that parts, muttering. She gestures in the hare’s direction, “There he is!”

Arrin: Soquan’s head turns to the direction of the ferret’s gesturing and he sets off towards the hare, confident his companions are behind him. The hare’s name is hollered through the din of the crowd and the trio arrive just as the hare turns towards them.

Chris: Holst notes the noise level and relative exposure of the group. “Maybe we should go somewhere more quiet?”

Yazeth: Trendorn inclines his head, his long ears swivelling around to lay flat against his neck and shoulders as he does so rather than accidentally whap any one of the trio with the tips. “This way,” he says, and leads the three to a small office with walls of bookshelves and tiny skylights set into the ceiling.

Arrin: The trio follow the hare and Soquan offers a small smile as they settle around the room. “Hello again, Trendorn.”

Chris: Holst grins as they enter the room. “Pretty nice.” He leans against one of the bookshelves. “So we’ve come this far, but keeping this lot fed and sheltered is going to be a tough job.”

Yazeth: The room has a broad table, overcrowded with books both open and closed in a manner that suggests someone has been doing some research. The only other furniture is a comfortable armchair with good lighting and a few stools meant for the table.

Trendorn gestures to these in an invitation to sit but remains standing himself as he tucks his paws back into his sleeves. “Of course. Our resources are thin as well, the loss of the bridge has limited our trading opportunities until recently. I’ve begun to gather messengers to approach other communities about the possibility of taking in many of the refugees.”

Arrin: Gingerly perching on one of the stools, Soquan nods approvingly as the hare speaks, shooting a glance at his companions before speaking. “After what they’ve been through, these beasts deserve a nice place to stay.”

Chris: Holst nods, thinking a bit before adding, “The thing I wonder is how we keep it from happening to them again.”

Yazeth: Jozra crosses her arms and leans against one of many sturdy shelves. “I have… thoughts on that.”

The hare inclines his head slightly in the ferret’s direction. “I’m sure you do. And,” he adds, facing the fox again, “there are a few towns I can think of that will be sympathetic to their plight and vigilant against pursuers. Though they may not be enough.”

 

HERE ENDS CP-ALPHA.

To be restarted…

]]> https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/405/feed 0 Chapter 90: More Mouths to Feed https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/401 https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/401#respond Wed, 09 Jul 2014 11:00:35 +0000 https://crossed-paths.com/logs/?p=401

Continue reading]]> Chapter 90: More Mouths to Feed

In Which We Keep Ending Up Back Here.

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Catamount: The next few days were filled with constant walking, following the trail to the north. Though there were no signs of hares following behind them, the refugees moved as fast as possible, stopping only when necessary to sleep for a few hours and often eating on foot.

The grasslands swiftly give way to woodlands and at a fork in the trails, Soquan and Jozra advise taking the westerly most one, hoping the bridge to Kodan has already been completed. Despite their exhaustion, the refugees press forward. Even though the hares don’t seem to be a problem any longer, supplies are running low. In the ghettos of Afrin, ‘all you can carry’ is not enough.

Arrin: The refugees race along the riverside trail in the late evening, the sound of rushing water filling their ears. Ahead of them, is the light at the end of the tunnel, those with seeing eyes can spot the lights of the city of Kodan shining faintly though the trees in the distance across the river. Soquan grins ruefully and turns to address Jozra beside him. “You know, it seems that no matter how hard we try, we keep ending up back here.”

Chris: Holst cocks an eyebrow at them, realizing there still wasn’t all that much he knew about the pair’s past. “Really now?”

Catamount: The ferret chuckles, “Yeah.” Turning to Holst, she explains a little. “We passed through here on our way south and had some… adventures with this safe-house we’re heading for. And then when leaving we had some troubles and I…” She grins sheepishly, “…kinda fell in the river and we had to come back.” She shrugs it off. “It probably makes for a better campfire story.”

Arrin: Soquan reaches out to clap the fox heartily on the shoulder. “Don’t you worry, you’ll hear the whole story soon enough.”

Chris: Holst chuckles a little bit and shakes his head. “I’m sure I will.”

Catamount: Jozra peers ahead as a small tan shape races back towards the three. The image quickly resolves itself as Azrun. “Found the bridge you were talking about up ahead, Joz. Looks passable. Zander wants you guys up in front since you’ve been here before.”

Arrin: Soquan nods at Azrun and turns to the ferret. “Shall we head upfront then, Jozra m’dear?”

Catamount: “Might as well. I’d pay to see the look on Kirrian’s face, actually.” She gestures to Holst. “You’d better come too if you want a chance at seeing steam boil out a vixen’s ears.”

Chris: Holst cocks an eyebrow and gives a crooked grin. “All you had to say was vixen.”

Arrin:  Soquan chuckles and shakes his head “C’mon lover boy, maybe your smooth moves will settle Kirrian’s temper a bit.”

Catamount: Jozra chuckles as Azrun smirks and rolls his eyes. “Looks like the front of the pack may have reached the bridge already. Let’s go.”

The four start trotting towards the front of the group of refugees, quickly catching up as the new bridge, while complete, is only wide enough for a single cart, slowing the tide of weary beasts. Azrun takes off again, working as ‘trail sweep’ while Zander, Jozra, Soquan and Holstadt approach the city of Kodan.

Most of the buildings are dark, as the owners have gone to bed, but a few lights glow here and there. And as the group begins walking up Kodan’s streets, more lights flicker on.

Chris: Holst’s eyes flick left and right to each light and movement that he happens to catch. His grip tightens around his chain.

Arrin: While the group treks tiredly through Kodan’s streets, Soquan looks at Jozra with a sleepy smile. “Remember where the place is Jozra?”

Catamount: The ferret glances at the otter with a wry grin. “I’d rather forget, actually, but yes.”

She leads the group deeper into the town, ending up at the front of a large house. Jozra eyes the house with a mixture of satisfaction and dread and then looks backwards, noting the tired and hopeful faces of the refugees. She hesitates just a moment and then walks up the front steps and raps on the door with several heavy blows.

“…that should wake them up.”

Chris: Holst appeals to Soq with a shrug. “What am I missing?”

Arrin:  Soquan grimaces. “We aren’t exactly on friendly terms with the owner of this place. Forcefully ejected from the building last time actually. Joz and I will tell you the story later.”

Catamount: Jozra’s statement may have been a bit of an understatement, for no sooner had Soquan finished speaking than several lights throughout the house flickered on, and a just a few moments later the door was pulled open by a concerned, then astounded, then near furious Kirrian with Sola and Dawn right behind her.

Chris: Holst blinks at the scene. He takes half a step forward, sensing the tension in the air.

Catamount: Sola gave a startled “Yeep!” at the sight of Soquan and Dawn glared icy daggers at Jozra but Kirrian, perhaps surprisingly, actually saw past the otter and ferret and noticed the dog-fox and rat beside them as well as group of weary beasts behind them.

Arrin: Soquan tries to diffuse the situation quickly before the whole town awakens due to Kirrian’s yelling. “Look, we don’t want any problems Kirrian, but as you can see, we have a lot of tired beasts here that need a soft bed and warm food. You were the first beasts that came to mind and I hope whatever grudge you hold against Joz and myself won’t cloud your judgment with these others.”

Chris: Holst clears his throat as his brain registers the vixen. “Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated, we’ve come a long way from Afrin.”

Catamount: The vixen gave first Soquan then Holst long, appraising stares before finally shifting her gaze to Jozra. “I should have known you would be back.”

Kirrian’s charitable side is too large to let her rivalry get in the way however, and she sighs, relenting. “I don’t have nearly enough room for all of these people. Did you honestly think we could take even a quarter of them? I think we can make enough room for the very young and the very old and the sick, though. Sola? Go get the kitchen running again. It looks like we have more mouths to feed.”

]]> https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/401/feed 0 Chapter 89: Holst’s Confession https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/399 https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/399#respond Mon, 07 Jul 2014 11:00:35 +0000 https://crossed-paths.com/logs/?p=399

Continue reading]]> Chapter 89: Holst’s Confession

In Which the Fox Speaks the Words of Innocence and Broken Pride.

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Chris: Holst brings a forearm across his forehead to pull the sweat away from his brow.  The sun has set but their will to be free has pushed them past the sun’s ability for the day, but they were starting to lag.

Catamount: The low, rolling grasslands they have been fleeing through are flat enough to let them put quite a bit of distance between the refugees and Afrin but strenuous enough that even the seasoned Scorpions in the party are feeling exhaustion creep up. Some of the younger escapees have already fallen prey to it and are carried by some of the sturdier beasts.

Arrin: Soquan plods along side Jozra, one of the children perched on his shoulders while he carries the small kit from Afrin in a sling across his torso. He sends a weary grin her way. “Should be just a few more days to Kodan if we keep this pace up…”

Chris: Holst tugs the foxmaid a bit and she keeps her weary pace up. His heart sinks a bit and he looks to Soq and Joz. “Guys… might be best if we pitched up camp soon. I don’t know how much longer these kiddos can take it.”

Catamount: Zander, the unofficial leader of the group, has also fallen behind, his limp getting worse as the day wears on. He overhears Holst’s statement and nods in agreement. “The elders are stumbling too. And I’ve been hearing bellies rumble.”

Arrin: Soquan gives a short nod shifting his load just a little bit. “Just a few hours rest would sound wonderful. We could recharge before our mad dash to Kodan.”

Chris: Holst turns to the both of them, a wry smile shows his fangs. “Well I’d suggest a place to set down, but this city-beast wouldn’t know a good place to camp if he was sleeping in it.”

Catamount: Jozra chuckles and then waves Azrun over to the group. “Here we have a famous runner” She grins mischievously at the kit fox, “I think he should scout a place for us to camp.”

Azrun quirks an eyebrow and then sticks his tongue out at Jozra. “Your just jealous because I always beat you in foot races.” With that he takes off at a jog up the road and is soon out of sight in the swiftly approaching full darkness.

The group continues to plod on and the twilight is mostly gone by the time Azrun returns. “Found a place just up the road and off the trail. It’s not perfect but it should do for a few hours.”

Arrin: The otter nods at Azrun. “I suppose it’s that or nothing. A few hours will do everyone some good.”

Chris: After pushing his sore muscles a bit more, Holst reaches what he figures would be the spot and half-collapses to the ground. The foxmaid allows a bit of a laugh while Holst is merely glad for her happiness at his expense.

Catamount: Azrun’s discovery is a dip in the landscape. Large enough to fit the entire group and then some; deep enough and far enough away from the trail that it cannot be easily seen from the trail.

The tired beasts settle down in relief. Some falling asleep where they land, others pulling out supplies for a meal. Jozra and Azrun disperse about the camp, warning the refugees not to light any fires.

Arrin: Tiredly, the otter picks out a spot for the night and heaves the kit off of his shoulders with a groan. He places her gently on the ground and sends her off with the others before sinking gratefully to the ground.

He looks down at the babe in the sling, who had, surprisingly enough, stayed quiet during their dash. The marten kit’s eyes flicker open, and blue eyes meet brown and an odd feeling swells in his chest.

A tiny paw reaches up, grasping at the shell around the otter’s neck, he smiles. “I suppose I better scrounge something up for you, eh kiddo?”

Chris: Holst heaves to his feet, his instinct to keep a watchful eye over the proceedings winning over his tiredness. He pats the foxmaid on the shoulder. “Get some sleep yeah?” He walks over to Soq. “How’d the babe fare?”

Arrin: He gives the fox a grin. “He’s fine, just a bit hungry for the moment. Probably needs a change too…”

Catamount: Jozra finally meanders back over to the spot Holst and Soquan have claimed, bearing a few hunks of bread and cheese. It’s not much, but it’s enough for the three of them. She sees the babe and winces. “I probably should have brought some more for the foxmaid too, huh?”

Chris: Holst smiles and takes his portion, his mouth watering just at the sight of the morsels. “I’ll give mine to her.” He gives a bit of a chuckle, “I’m used to not eating all that much these days anyway.”

Arrin: He waves off the ferret’s worry, although unable to speak with the bread in his mouth. He rummages though the bag he had been carrying along with his pack and produces a bottle. He gives it a slight wave in front of the ferret to show his point, and once he’s swallowed his mouthful, he proceeds to feed the kit.

Catamount: Jozra chuckles at the otter’s actions and takes a seat, taking a bite of her portion as well. After a moment she eyes Holstadt with a mixture of concern and curiosity. How to ask about his stay in Afrin’s ‘labor camps’?

Chris: Holst returns from giving the food to the fox maid, sitting down next to Joz and grinning along with her.

Arrin: Soquan, for the time being is content just to sit with his friends, happy to be in comfortable silence of both of their company.

Catamount: All too soon the food is gone. Zander hobbles by with Azrun at his heels. “Any of you willing to take a watch at some point? We only need a couple more volunteers.” The woodrat shoots Jozra a quick look that she reads as, “Not you.”

Chris: Holst merely nods.

Arrin: Soquan nods as well. “Sure, if you need me.”

Catamount: Zander nods and makes a little note on a piece of parchment he’s carrying. “Alright. We’ll send someone when it’s your turns, though we might get enough people for tonight.” He gives a preoccupied wave and hobbles off, Azrun trailing him and rolling his eyes in amusement.

Chris: Holst smiles broadly as the two are off.  He turns to Joz. “I’m surprised you didn’t take a shift.”

Arrin: He shoots Holst a look. “Joz hasn’t slept right for two nights now. Zander and I wouldn’t have let her.”

Catamount: The ferret chuckles somewhat sheepishly. “Yeah, I could use the rest. I’ll probably take a watch tomorrow night.”

Chris: Holst shrugs. “I didn’t mean any disrespect, just curious.” He glances over to make sure the foxmaid is sleeping soundly.

Arrin: Soquan shifts the small babe in his arms. “Why don’t you go get some shuteye Joz, maybe go catch up with Zander and Azrun?”

Catamount: The ferret stretches and looks around their area. “Seems to me Zander and Azrun are pretty busy right now. This might be the better place to get some sleep.”

Chris: Holst merely nods. Then, after a pause, sighs. “It all happens so fast you don’t have time to question it… but now I wonder; what are we doing exactly?” He grins a bit at himself.

Arrin: The otter looks at Holst, “What do you mean? Like, where are we going?”

Chris: Host nods again, halfheartedly. “I know the name, it’s just that… What’s our goal?” He sighs, “Maybe I’m just thinking too much.”

Catamount: Jozra smiles slightly, though her eyes keep a seriousness. “We need to get these people to safety first. After that…” The ferret is conflicted. She knows what she must do after that, but it’s another one of those Things she can’t tell to her friends.

Arrin: Soquan picks up the silence. “After that, the three of us will have a little talk and well see where we go from there.”

Chris: Holst nods, satisfied. “I can accept that.”

Catamount: “Holst…” Jozra hesitates, acutely aware of her own secrets, but she’s been curious about this for most of the day. “…did you have that tattoo before?”

Chris: Holst’s eyes fall to the ground and then to his outstretched forearm, his tattoo visible even under the moonlight. “It’s from long ago, I’ve just become accustomed to covering it up since it carries so much shame. But if I told you it represented some part of me left behind I would be lying.”

Catamount: Jozra’s brow wrinkles in concern and curiosity, though she dares not pry any further, her own secrets clamoring for freedom.

Arrin: The otter remains silent during Holst’s explanation, and gives a slow nod at his explanation, not pressing further.

Chris: Holst sighs. “Normally I’d stop there, but…” He brings his eyes up to meet theirs hoping that they held some depth. “After what you’ve done for me, you deserve to know.”

He pauses, fighting his urge to swallow the emotion; and then he broke free. “I was a hit man. Applied to me, that term meant I was a murderer willing to accept bribes.”

“I never stopped to ask myself why. I was good at it, but more importantly, I simply didn’t care.”

He prods his tattoo. “This is a mark of that trade, but only the center part. The cross, heart and wings came later as I proved time and again how cold-blooded I was.”

He stroked the wings. “I passed the final test as far as the syndicate knew, but inside was a different story. “

“I wanted to prove to them that I was the best. All I had in my way was one final test. A foxmaid just like her…” His hollow eyes roamed over the maid in question to check her regular breathing.

“I choked the life out of her. She didn’t know why, the question begged in her eyes even as the life faded from them. I never asked myself until then, when she went limp in my paws.”

“To this day I ask myself and I remember her eyes.” He looks over at the unnamed foxmaid. “They were just like hers. And when she looks at me maybe she finds comfort.  Maybe… I can say sorry.” His eyes sink again, worried that he might’ve lost the only friends he’s ever had.

Catamount: Whatever judgment Jozra has been building up against Holst as he told his tale were quickly shattered as her mind’s eye reminded her of a snowy night filled with fire and screams. She reaches for Holst’s paw and clasps it, though she finds her voice somewhat hoarse when she speaks.

“If redemption is what you’re seeking, this…” She gestures around the now mostly quiet camp as exhausted beasts try to regain strength for the next day. “This is the best way to do it.” She smiles sadly at the fox.

Arrin: He nods in agreement with the ferret, clasping the fox’s shoulder in his paw, “Joz couldn’t have said it any better.”

Chris: Holst nods grasping Joz’s paw tightly and patting Soq’s shoulder. He allows one tear to stain his cheek. “That is the only tear I will ever allow.”

He smiles at them both, relieved after the years of his guilt torturing him. He would care for this foxmaid’s life, his friends, and the hundreds of beasts around him. He would care.

]]> https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/399/feed 0 Chapter 88: Escaping Afrin https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/397 https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/397#respond Fri, 04 Jul 2014 11:00:16 +0000 https://crossed-paths.com/logs/?p=397

Continue reading]]> Chapter 88: Escaping Afrin

In Which Our Heroes Get the Show on the Road.

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Chris: Holst trots back into the building they came from, tossing the key ring into the yard on the way. “I’ll take us past the infirmary first.” After threading down a few halls, across a courtyard, into another building, Holst opens a door bearing a red cross.

Arrin: The otter’s eyes sweep the room briefly before they fall on the only figure in the room, a small figure curled into a fetal position on one of the beds. Slowly, the otter approaches. Soquan freezes as he hears a babe’s cry, and with a questioning look towards Holst, he moves again.

Chris: Holst stays at the door with the foxmaid. He merely shrugs at Soq.

Arrin: Soquan arrives at the female’s side, placing a gentle paw on her shoulder. Her head snaps up wobbly, and after a hushed, serious sounding conversation he stoops slightly to retrieve a swaddled bundle from close to the female.

He looks sadly at the female for a moment, giving her face a comforting stroke before his paw goes to the kitchen blade at his belt. All it takes is one quick movement and the female is gone, her head lolling to one side. His face grim, Soquan leaves the blade at the bedside and strides past Holst and towards the door, his voice full of emotion as he speaks. “Let’s go.”

Chris: Luckily, Holst had anticipated something gruesome could have happened in that room and had kept the foxmaid in the hall. He was surprised at his own feelings however.  Truthfully, not what kind of feelings, but the fact that he had begun to have them.

He nodded, closing the door behind them.  After countless doors and passageways the two arrived to the yard and began heading to the guard house.

~

Catamount: Azrun and Jozra had met up with Zander soon after leaving the compound. Not that he was hard to find with his huge entourage of freed prisoners.

The woodrat had managed to get the people organized and they were gathering together supplies for the upcoming trek to Kodan. The group of children are quickly able to incorporate into the larger group, many meeting up with estranged parents and other adults taking others under their wings.

Mission completed, the three Scorpions quickly have a short conference and then Azrun and Jozra head off to the guard house.

~

Arrin:  Soquan fusses slightly over the small bundle in his arms. “He’s so tiny… how could anybeast hate someone this small and helpless?”

Chris: Holst merely shrugs. “Sometimes it’s not hate. Sometimes it’s just a lack of remorse coupled with orders. Since those giving the orders are distanced from what they’ve created, terrible things can happen.” He squeezes the foxmaid’s paw unconsciously as he leads Soq out of the yard and eventually to the guard house.

~

Catamount: Azrun and Jozra arrived at the guardhouse before Soq and Holst. Had the otter and red fox approached a little quieter, they might’ve caught the ferret and kit fox acting almost like kids let loose in a toy shop.

Kids with the intent to take the toy shop with them.

Azrun opens the door as the others approach, quickly looks them over and beckons them inside. “Good, we’re going to need some help carrying all of this to the mob.” He gestures to the weapons bundled up and strapped together, ready to move.

Arrin: Soquan motions briefly to the babe nestled in one arm. “I’m afraid I can’t be too much help, but I’ll carry what I can.”

Chris: Holst releases the foxmaid’s paw and walks into the structure with the intent to help. His eyes, however, catch a glint from something hanging on the wall. He walks over and almost ceremoniously dons his black duster, placing his chain across his shoulders before turning the collar down over it.

With a final touch he removes his gloves from the breast pocket, donning them as well. A thin smile spread across his face as he turned back to his companions. He paused almost as if to wait for compliments. “Aw come on…” His fangs showed in a crooked grin. “You know you missed me.”

Catamount: The ferret chuckles, knowing the feeling. Almost of their own accord her fingertips brush the top of the hilts of both, both! her knives. Azrun is already wearing his bow and quiver like they’re a part of him.

“Here’s your pack,” Jozra hands the bag to Holst and then eyes the foxmaid. “Do you think you can carry some things for us?”

Chris: Holst slings it over his shoulder and stoops to pick up a few things. He is delighted to note the foxmaid nods and stoops to pick up more than he had initially.

Catamount: Jozra smiles encouragingly at the foxmaid and then hefts some more items to carry herself. “We only need to get this to Zander’s group. If we run into any… trouble, we’ll need as many beasts with weapons as we can.”

Arrin: Soquan picks up a few bundles of weapons, carrying them neatly under his arm. “Good idea, Joz.”

Chris: Holst walks outside with the foxmaid in tow. A rather diverse collective of beasts throng about randomly. He wades through the sea of beasts and comes upon a group of stout beasts dragging sledges. He sets his weapons down, grateful to strain his muscles on his own accord.

Arrin: The otter relinquishes his load as well, careful not to jostle the sleeping babe. He pauses a moment to adjust his cloak into a sling-like state before heading back for another load.

Catamount: Jozra and Azrun deposit their loads and as the kit fox heads back with the otter, Jozra approaches Zander. “Are we about ready? I think we need to be on our way as fast as possible.”

Chris: Zander ticks a few digits as he collects his thoughts, ending the process in a nod and a bit of a grin. “We’re ready to move as soon as the sledges are full, which should be …” He watches as the kit fox and a few others return with bundles. “Now.”

Catamount: Jozra chuckles. “Lets get this show on the road, then.”

Arrin:  Having been following the conversation between the small group, Soquan hops onto a boulder nearby that gives the otter enough leverage to look over the swarm of beasts. “Alright you lot, can I just say a few things here?”

The otter doesn’t shout, but he manages the make his voice carry over the rabble of beasts. The chaos stops and eyes turn towards him. “We’re about to get moving here, and we’re going to be moving HARD and FAST. I know you’re all tired, hungry and overworked, but those hares will be riding our asses the whole time and we can’t afford much lagging. Now, you don’t have to come with us, although it’d be best if we all stick together.”

He pauses to look over everyone again. “We’re heading north, to a city called Kodan. Now, this probably won’t be a permanent home for most of you, but at least it’s away from here. Now, are we all ready to go?”

Chris: A hush settles over the crowd. Then, waves of confused and discontent conversations roll across the beasts. Holst notes this and hops up onto the rock, placing a paw on Soqs shoulder.

“Friends, I too slaved away at the paws of these hares. This brave otter, however, I am proud to call a friend. He speaks for us. He is with us. Without him our escape would not have been possible. Trust his judgment as you would trust mine.”

Arrin: Soquan turns slightly to grin at the fox before turning back at the group. “I don’t presume to be a leader, I really am just trying to help. All I know is that Kodan is the closest city that I know is safe.”

Chris: The crowd’s spike of conversation and discontent returns to a hush as the collective ruminates on what was said. Though it is obvious Holst’s words have turned their suspicion of Soq.

Catamount: Standing near Zander, Jozra has a good view over the heads of the mob and what she sees towards the city proper, she does not like. To Zander she says, “We need to leave.”

To the crowd, “Look, if you’re going to stay, stay. If you’re going to go, we need to go NOW.”

And with that, she hops off the rock and starts walking towards the city gate.

Arrin: With one last look at the group the otter hops off as well, falling in beside the ferret. “Quick and straight to the point, I like it.”

Chris: Holst hops off the rock as well, trotting up to the duo. “I hope we can keep this up, we need all the help we can get.”

Catamount: Jozra nods. “I saw tall ears massing in the city. We need to get away before they can start a fight.”

Arrin: Soquan hefts his pack. “I wonder how long they’ll chase us for.”

Chris: Holst reflects a moment on Soq’s comment. “Not too long, order in the city is paramount. We’re scum to them, not worth too much a chase.”

Catamount: Zander nods in agreement. “They’re not organized enough to do both at once.” His words are punctuated by a sudden flare shooting up over the crowds and back towards the city.

Jozra and the woodrat freeze for a moment, the image bringing back unpleasant memories. And just like her nightmares, there’s Azrun, nocking another flaming arrow.

Arrin: Soquan follows the arch of the arrow as it lands on the tinder-dry rooftop, causing it to go up into flames. “I suppose that means we need to move.”

]]> https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/397/feed 0 Chapter 87: Freeing The Children https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/395 https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/395#respond Wed, 02 Jul 2014 11:00:38 +0000 https://crossed-paths.com/logs/?p=395

Continue reading]]> Chapter 87: Freeing The Children

In Which Freedom is a Very Good Thing.

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Chris: Holst takes the lead, figuring he knows the facility best of the three. He pads up to his cell block and down the corridor, stepping over the hulk of the hare he had fought earlier and opening the door at the end of the hall. “This way!”

Catamount: The ferret follows quickly behind the fox, hands idly checking the now dual hilts at her hips.

Arrin: The otter is right behind the ferret peering around the encampment as they move swiftly.

Chris: Holst winds them through more corridors, the destruction less and less evident as they move away from the cell blocks. They were now in the administrative section of the compound. He leads them down a hallway to a door, a small rectangular window letting light flood in. “It’s right through here.” He opens the door and walks through.

Outside, the massive sides of what could be called a cage shone dully in the morning sunlight. Inside, were ramshackle structures that appeared as if they would crumble in a strong breeze.

Holst plucks a key ring from the wall of the building they just exited, walking to a gate on the cage and unlocking a massive padlock. “They kept them away from the rest of us…” The rusty gate shrieks open, the sound reverberating in the heavy air. “…so that we couldn’t give them hope.”

Catamount: A shout goes up as the gate creaks open quickly followed by a muffled sound of scurrying. The ferret looks through just as the stragglers hide inside the shacks or stand in small groups, looking entirely too innocent. A moment later and the children realize that these were not the wardens they thought the three were.

Arrin: The otter peers around in the gloom, his heart wrenching painfully and his gut churning as he takes in the conditions these poor children were kept in. A soft, unrestrained sentiment escapes his lips. “Oh the poor dears…”

Chris: Holst takes a step inside and walks toward one of the scattered groups, they back away fearfully. His eyes soften slightly. “You’re all free… Although, I know some of you don’t know what that means, trust me, it’s a very good thing.”

He pauses to settle the quiver that had begun in his voice. “We would just like to know if there’s an Azrun present.”

Catamount: Jozra steps through after Holst, looking at the small groups of children watching the three distrustfully. Another moment and a movement catches her eye.  A small, wide-eyed sand colored fox with overlarge ears and loosely fitting clothes moves a little away from his group. He squints at the ferret and looks taken aback. And then in a voice not at all like a child’s he says, “Jozra?!”

Catamount: The ferret grins a little. “Figured we’d find you here, Azrun.”

The grin fades though as she looks around the enclosure again. “We need to get out of here, fast. Zander’s getting everyone organized outside.”

She hesitates. “We know of a safe place…” She sort of gestures at the groups of children.

Arrin:  Soquan takes this as a cue of sorts and turns a soft smile towards the children. “Alright kiddoes, you lot want to head off with us then? Once we’re safe we can track down your mums and da’s. That sounds like a good idea?”

Chris: A lot of the children look to each other. A few of the children cheer and begin to come forth. Most of them just look confused.

Holst places a paw on Soq’s shoulder. “For those of you who don’t have them… there’s warm beds and lots of good food.”

By now the children were gathered around the three, expectant faces pointed upward.

Catamount: Azrun chuckles and shifts his posture a little, the childlike appearance melting away save for his own smallness and the oversized ears. “They’re smart kids, they know what’s good for them. “

He winks at a couple and they grin back. “Lets go, shorties. Auntie Joz says we need to move fast.” Jozra just gives Azrun a dirty look at the last bit.

Arrin:  The otter gives a short laugh at the ‘Auntie Joz’ comment before turning to the pair. “Why don’t you take the kiddies to Zander, Holst and I will do another sweep of the area to be on the safe side.”

Chris: Holst fights the uneasiness of parting from his companions and nods, looking to Joz for confirmation.

Catamount: Jozra pauses a moment, unsure, and then slowly nods. “We’ll meet up at the guard house. They have our stuff there.”

Arrin: Soquan sends an affectionate smile towards the ferret. “Stay safe.”

Chris: A child tugs on Holst’s shirt.  He bends down to listen as the child whispers in his ear and points to one of the huts in the cage.  Holst’s expression turns to bewilderment.  He nods and addresses Joz. “You remember the way back?”

Catamount: The ferret nods. She’s long since gotten back into the habit of crafting accurate mental maps. “Yeah. And the guard house, it’s hard to miss. It’s the first place they took us.”

Arrin: The otter nods. “We’ll see you there.”

He turns to Holst. “Where to first?”

Chris: Holst gives him a bit of a grin. “Give me a moment.”

He trots over to the hut the child pointed at and opens the makeshift door. Inside, huddled on a scattering of straw, was a foxmaid.  He pauses as her deep eyes set on him, the fear behind them all too evident. A pang hit his heart, his tattoo feeling as if it were tingling.

“I know you’re scared of us… I know this all you’ve known.  All I can tell you is that it’s better, much, much better, outside of these walls.” He reaches out a paw for her to take.  Painfully slowly, she grasps it. He leads her to Soq. “Just had a straggler.”

Arrin: Soquan offers the female and a friendly smile. “Hello there.”

Chris: She waves timidly, still clutching Holst’s paw. Holst addresses Soq. “We should probably get going.”

Arrin: He gives a wave of his paw. “Lead on then.”

~

Catamount: Azrun looks back out at the children, most of them looking at him expectantly and with more trust. “Alright shorties, lets go.”

He turns briefly to Jozra and under his breath, quiet so only she can hear, “Strike hard?” “Strike fast,” is her answer.

]]> https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/395/feed 0 Chapter 38: Slipping Away https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/291 https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/291#respond Mon, 10 Mar 2014 11:00:25 +0000 https://crossed-paths.com/logs/?p=291

Continue reading]]> Chapter 38: Slipping Away

In Which Blades Fly.

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Arrin Woodgreen: He drags himself upstairs a while later slipping quietly into the room in case she’s sleeping.

Yazeth: Jozra is not exactly sleeping, curled on her bed. She’s not exactly awake either.  She’s spent the past hour or so since she finished packing — in which she spent several minutes trying to make a decision on the scorpion pendant before placing it safely back into her bag — drifting in and out of consciousness.

Arrin Woodgreen: He crawls quietly into bed without a word to the ferret, closing his eyes to sleep.

Yazeth: One moment Azrun is yelling violently as he fires arrow after arrow into the town, the next the arrow shafts fade into the grain of the wall Jozra is facing. She sighs and rolls onto her back, a little more awake now, and stares at the darkened ceiling. A moment later flames creep around the edges of her vision and she tosses violently, startled to complete wakefulness as one of her tiny daggers thud into the wall she had been facing before.

Arrin Woodgreen: The otter is now snoring softly in the bed beside hers, unaware of what’s going on.

Yazeth: She stares at the dagger for a bit, perturbed at the knowledge that she can throw a dagger in her sleep. After a while, she stands and wiggles the knife out of the wood wondering blankly at what to do with it.

Arrin Woodgreen: The otter turns over in his sleep, mumbling something inaudibly.

Yazeth: The movement rouses the ferret from her reverie — she recalls for a second that she once stood exactly as she is now, only many miles away — and she puts the dagger away. Peeking outside through the curtains she can see the sky beginning to lighten.

Arrin Woodgreen: He murmurs again, curing up in the now warmed blankets.

Yazeth: She glances almost sadly at the otter before making up her mind. She takes some of the gold, much of which has long since been converted into useable currency, to provide her with something to use during her travels. As quietly as possible, Jozra moves to the door and opens it, wincing as it squeaks a little.

Arrin Woodgreen: The door doesn’t wake the otter up, but suddenly there’s a loud ruckus from outside that does. He sits up, rubbing at his barely rested eyes. “Wha?”

Yazeth: The ferret curses softly as a pair of shrews argue vehemently with the inn keeper just below their window. She mutters to the otter, “Go back to sleep.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He continues to paw at the sleep in his eyes. “What time is it?”

Yazeth: “Too early. Go back to bed.” The ferret starts out the door.

Arrin Woodgreen: He frowns. “Where are you going then?”

Yazeth: She sighs. “South.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He wakes up a bit more, looking towards the ferret as he sits up. “What do you mean ‘South’?”

Yazeth: Why did those shrews have to pick that moment to argue? “South. Home.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He frowns. “You were going to leave without me?”

Yazeth: The ferret grimaces and nods sharply, catching herself when she remembers that he can’t see the gesture. “Yes.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He stands, taking a step towards her. “Why?”

Yazeth: Jozra sighs and looks away before muttering, “Because I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He frowns again. “Why would you worry about me getting hurt? We’re both travelers, we’re bound to get hurt…”

Yazeth: The ferret shakes her head slightly. “I’m afraid I would hurt you…” Oh the melodrama.

Arrin Woodgreen: His frown remains. “Why would you hurt me?”

Yazeth: The ferret is silent for a long while. Finally, knowing she can’t leave without giving him some sort of explanation, she says hoarsely, “I attacked the wall last night.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He moves closer to the ferret. “So?”

Yazeth: “I was asleep when I did it.” She nearly chokes for a second but continues roughly. “If I had been facing the other direction I could have killed you.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He frowns at this, resisting the urge to rush forward and comfort the ferret as he catches the hitch in her voice. Instead he takes another step towards her. “But you weren’t facing the other way.”

Yazeth: She steps away, avoiding the otter. “But I could have been. And what if it happens again?”

Arrin Woodgreen: He thinks for a moment before replying. “Put them in your pack then when you go to bed.”

Yazeth: The ferret blinks, surprised she didn’t think of that after having it beaten into her head to never be unarmed.

Arrin Woodgreen: He quirks an eyebrow. “Well?”

Yazeth: She looks deliberately away from the otter. “It’s not just that.” She catches herself before making any sort of comment as to the real reason she’s heading South.

Arrin Woodgreen: He steps forward again and tilts her chin up so she’s looking up at his face. “If it’s not that, then what is it?”

Yazeth: The ferret shakes her head out of Soquan’s paw, retreating another step. Oh lots of things. You see I’m not what I say I am and I’m off to do the bidding of a secret group of spies for a government nobody’s heard of… It’s all she can do to keep from barking out a harsh laugh. “What if those beasts yesterday decided you were more of a threat? I got you into trouble there and you could have been hurt bad.” It’s lame and she knows it.

Arrin Woodgreen: He gives her a lop-sided grin. “I can look after myself well enough,” the grin fades, “besides, I need you. Things have been going so much better for me since you came along.” He pauses a moment. “I think you need me too. For your nightmares I mean. Who’ll keep them away if you go?”

Yazeth: Jozra looks into Soquan’s face for a while, a troubled expression on her own.  Too tired and disturbed to keep arguing she concedes his point. Heaving a sigh she says, “I suppose you’re right.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins and gives her a gentle hug. “Atta girl.”

Yazeth: She grins weakly. “If it’s no trouble with you, I’d still like to leave as soon as possible. I’d rather not stay longer in this town than I have to.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. “Can we sleep a bit longer? I swear I only just climbed into bed five minutes ago.”

Yazeth: Jozra nods. “I don’t think I’ll be getting much more sleep though.” She re-enters the room and sets down her pack to ease the otter’s fears of her leaving without him. “How about I go downstairs and come and get you when breakfast is ready?”

Arrin Woodgreen: He smiles. “Tha’d be wonderful.” He grins again. “If you get too tired don’t hesitate to come back up here okay?”

Yazeth: She nods again before exiting the room, closing the door softly behind herself.

Arrin Woodgreen: He moves towards the bed and flops down in the covers, falling asleep almost immediately.

Yazeth: Jozra remains just outside the door for a bit, thinking over their conversation. He needs me? She shakes herself and slowly navigates downstairs.

]]> https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/291/feed 0 Chapter 35: Turning The Tables https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/285 https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/285#respond Mon, 03 Mar 2014 11:00:34 +0000 https://crossed-paths.com/logs/?p=285

Continue reading]]> Chapter 35: Turning The Tables

In Which A Little Action Is Better Than Words.

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Yazeth: Kirrian, true to her word, is rather tired and returns directly to her room while Sola, Dawn and the cooks begin distributing meals throughout the house. Neither of them see fit to update Jozra on the situation, however, when they deliver her meal and the two of them take their meal with Dysa in the hallway leading to Jozra’s room.

Arrin Woodgreen:  He sighs rises, beginning to pace the room restlessly. After a while he climbs on top of one of the crates and settles down to rest a bit, ignoring his meal.

Yazeth: Deke and Nolan, who had scarfed down their meal quite quickly, allow the otter to roam. What’s he gonna do to a store room anyway, right? Jozra eats, albeit quite mechanically, returning Dysa’s previous skull-boring stare. Unfortunately, the rattesses set their table a ways a way and any conversation they have is held in hushed tones.

Arrin Woodgreen: He closes his eyes and allows his mind to wander as he begins to drop off.

Yazeth: Jozra has finished her meal long before the plates are cleared. This time, Sola and Dawn remain behind, but Dawn is quickly called away to speak with Kirrian. She returns a few moments later with a determined look on her face and something in her paw. Poking her head into the ferret’s room she says the first thing Jozra has had directed at her in hours. “Goodnight, Jozra. Sleep well.”

Jozra glances at the rattess curiously, realizing too late what Dawn intends to do as she closes the door firmly and clasps a lock on it. The ferret is on her feet in an instant. “HEY!”

Arrin Woodgreen: He’s soon fast asleep, dreaming of being somewhere far off away from here.

Yazeth: The ferret slams her fists down on the door, not that she expects to get through the solid piece of timber. Dawn calls from the other side. “Get some sleep! This is for your own protection. The lock will come off in the morning.”

Jozra merely growls softly in return as she hears Dawn pad off down the hallway. She stalks across the room, resuming her pacing route but is quickly irritated by it. She flings herself down on the bed, thoroughly disgusted with herself for getting caught, for Dawn and all of her stupid well intentioned friends, for, for, ergh!

Arrin Woodgreen: He mumbles something in his sleep and rolls over, an arm flopped over his face and the other over the side of the crate.

Yazeth: Exhausted by her frustration and the sparring the night before, Jozra falls asleep before realizing what she’s done, and where her proverbial ‘safety blanket’ is.

Arrin Woodgreen: He mumbles again, his whiskers twitching and his tail giving a slight wag.

Yazeth: It begins surprisingly innocently enough. She’s talking to Azrun, wrapped in a cloak and sitting perched on a rocky overlook.

“I don’t like this. I don’t like this at all,” the archer-fox says. Jozra shakes her head darkly, “None of us do, Azer.”

She frowns in discomfort as she spies a mole staggering in the streets of the town, obviously infected and very delirious. This momentary distraction is enough for a young mouse the pair hadn’t noticed earlier, and he darts from the edge of town. Azrun spins and draws in the same instant, loosing his arrow but narrowly missing his target. Jozra hits him, though, and the mouse falls with a thud. The two cringe in shame and the ferret mutters through gritted teeth, “I HATE this.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He shifts again, adjusting the shirt pillowed beneath his head.

Yazeth: The scene shifts, in that way that dreams do, taking a roundabout psychedelic route through conversations and slain villagers to a council of the Scorpions assigned to this distasteful duty. The council where the Nine hesitantly reach the conclusion that the town must be put to the torch. Azrun looses a flaming arrow, Lysiz flings a torch from a precipice to the roofs below, Jozra and the others cut down the escapees. A child shrieks in terror and the noise manifests its self in the real world.

Dawn jerks into wakefulness at the scream. Jozra is startled awake. She blinks and wonders, “Who?”

Arrin Woodgreen:  The otter jerks into reality as his ears pick up the sound of the Jozra’s scream. He practically flies towards the door, trying the door to find it locked. He pleads with the other two males. “Please let me go, she needs me!” There’s no short-temperedness or anger in the in the male’s actions any more, only severe worry.

Yazeth: The ferret groans as she realizes, due to Dawn’s frantic scratching at the lock on her door, that it was indeed herself that had screamed. Tired, irritated and frustrated, Jozra resolves to get herself, and Soquan, out of this situation post haste.

Nolan, who was jerked out of a doze at Jozra’s scream, looks wildly at Deke who is staring at Soquan, obviously confused.

Arrin Woodgreen: He sighs and rams his bodyweight into the door, surprised as it breaks easily.  He pauses only a moment to get his bearings as he darts towards the origin of the noise.

Yazeth: Jozra stands as the door finally bangs open and Dawn and Sola rush through, halfway through comforting words and phrases before they actually see the ferret standing there looking, well, irritated. Their confusion is nothing compared to Nolan and Deke’s, who stare dumbly at the shattered remains of the store room door, still trying to process what just happened. It is this delay that gives Soquan the head start he needs to find his way to the stairs and up them.

Arrin Woodgreen: He stumbles around for a few moments before he finds the stairs.  Once this is achieved he darts up them as fast as he can without endangering himself.

Yazeth: Dawn, who is only slightly put off by the fact that the ferret is not, in fact, whimpering and crying as she would have expected, enters the room and puts a kind paw on Jozra’s shoulder, attempting to lead her back to the bed. “There, there… I had a feeling something like this might happen. Don’t you see why we had to separate you from the cause of your pain? “

Jozra, much to the rattess’ surprise, shakes the paw off and glares at Dawn coldly. “You don’t know anything.”

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan suddenly bursts into the room, panting slightly from his run. Going into ‘protector’ mode, he snarls at the two rattess’. “Get yer paws off’o’er!”

Yazeth: Much to her own surprise, Jozra crosses the room quickly and clings tightly to the otter. She mumbles a rather inadequate explanation by way of, “I hate those rotting things…”

Arrin Woodgreen: He wraps his arms tenderly around the female, he rubs her back gently, being careful of her bruises. “I know.” He nuzzles her gently, his muzzle bumping gently at her collarbone, neck and jaw. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here, I don’t like you having these nightmares any more then you do.”

Yazeth: The jaws on the rattesses drop, but Dawn’s eyes glitter in frustration. Such a naive girl… she thinks, though the thought process is interrupted by the arrival of a very indignant Kirrian with Deke and Nolan almost immediately at her back, looking rather sheepish at letting the otter go.

Spurred on by the arrival of her superior, the rattess takes a step towards the couple glaring fiercely at Soquan. “You take your hands off of her!”

Before the words are barely out of the rattess’ mouth, Jozra moves and a little black dagger soars through the air, shearing the whiskers on one side of Dawn’s face and thudding ominously into the headboard of the bed.

Arrin Woodgreen: He stands there, a bit confused at what happened, but cannot mistake the sound of metal into wood. “Jozra, be nice, they were only trying to keep you safe from the big, bad, female beating otter.” He gives her another slight nuzzle.

Yazeth: The ferret, however, has had enough of her would be ‘rescuers’ company. As Dawn stands stark still, utterly frozen by the turn of events, Jozra reaches past her to retrieve her blade. Muttering softly to Soquan, she pulls him by the arm towards the door, glaring at those blocking their path. “Lets get out of here.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He allows himself to be pulled behind the ferret, it’s the fastest way to move without his staff. “I’m right behind you.”

Yazeth: Deke and Nolan stand firm behind Kirrian, but Jozra draws herself up to her full height, which is just a hair taller than the slight vixen, and stares the head of the house in the eye. Each word she says is its own sentence. “I. Am. Perfectly. Capable. Of. Taking. Care. Of. My. Self.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He stands behind the ferret, his arms crossed as he listens.

Yazeth: To her credit, Kirrian does not flinch nor look away. She frowns and glances at Dawn, checking to make sure that the rattess is alright. “You have attacked one of my members and thus are no longer welcome in my house.”

The vixen gestures and Deke and Nolan stand aside, finally comfortable in their current role of ‘bodyguard.’

Arrin Woodgreen: He speaks from behind the ferret. “What about the stuff you took from me? Her extra set of clothes and my staff.”

Yazeth: Sola finally speaks up. “I put them in a crate just inside the kitchen, the door right next to the store room.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods and strides past the small group to retrieve the things.

Yazeth: The pair quickly find their way downstairs and in the kitchen with a small group of followers who mind their distance. Jozra grabs her spare set of clothing and places Soquan’s staff into his paws.

Arrin Woodgreen: He smiles faintly. “Thank you.” He shifts the staff to his unbitten paw. “Back to the inn then?”

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