define('WP_CACHE', true); Tanya – Crossed Paths – Logs https://crossed-paths.com/logs The Story Thus Far... Mon, 03 Feb 2014 01:25:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.6 Chapter 1: A Rescue https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/48 https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/48#comments Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:32:17 +0000 https://crossed-paths.com/logs/?p=48

Continue reading]]> Chapter 1: A Rescue

In Which A Ferret Happens Across Some Robbers.

——————————————————————————————–

Arrin says: Somewhere to the east, an otter lays on his back, trying to protect the blows coming from his own staff, which is now held in a rat’s paws. A ferret maid now holds his money. Near unconsciousness from the beating, his blocks become weaker and weaker.

Catamount says: Somewhere, not too far away, a lone traveler hears the commotion.  Curious but wary, she keeps her blades close at paw and pulls a hood over her head, hiding her features and species.  She creeps closer and observes the altercation for a bit.  She has seen this rat before, and she has no kind feelings for him.  Once again he has shown himself to be a brutal thug, but not much more than a bully.  She stands and approaches.

Arrin says: His consciousness finally leaves him and the small group of beasts continue to beat him.

Catamount says: She speaks sharply, catching the rat’s attention.  “Dromb!” The rat turns and scowls at the newcomer.  “This is nona yer business!” He spits. He is about to resume beating the unconscious otter when a glimmer of warning appears in his mind. “‘Ow doyer know my name?”

The cloaked one grins ferally and replies,  “Oh you know me. I see you’ve picked up some new henchmen since last we met.” The rat stares, trying to pierce the shadows created by the hood.  He makes a small signal with his tail.  Though a bully, and rather stupid at that, he does have a few good plans and this was one of them.  Dromb’s cronies began to slowly, almost unnoticeably, approach the newcomer.

Arrin says: The rat makes his way close to the creature, staff held tightly in his paws.s

Catamount says: Suddenly, the hooded one smiles wickedly at Dromb and flicks her wrist.  The stoat that stood as look out before hand falls to a small, black blade piercing his throat.

Arrin says:  The rat moves closer, staff raised in a harmful intentioned manner.

Catamount says: The hooded one smiles.  “What’s the matter, Dromb? Don’t recognize me? I felt sure Tanya would…” The ferret maid jumps at her name.

Arrin says: The rat’s eyes widen. “Jozra! You’re back!”

Catamount says: Jozra laughs. “And I see you’ve learned nothing from our last encounter.  Picking on helpless creatures again?  What loot did you find?”

Arrin says: The rat shrugs. “Just some coin and a staff…”

Catamount says: The ferret allows the hood to fall back; it’s point now moot. “And was it worth it?”

Arrin says: He shrugs again. “We got experience…”

Catamount says: Jozra frowns. “Experience ganging up and beating a lone creature?”

Arrin says: He brings himself up to full height. “He’s an otter! You’ve heard stories about otters beating up three beasts at once just as much as I…”

Catamount says: She grins. “That is true. But then, it doesn’t look as though you three suffered much damage yourselves. Well… “ She grins wickedly. “At least not until I got to your new friend…”

Arrin says: The rat harrumphs.

Catamount says: The ferret cocks an eyebrow at Dromb. “Tell me, do you remember what I last told you?”

Arrin says: He shakes his head. “No.”

Catamount says: Jozra frowns. “I figured as much…” She sighs. “I knew I could have made a bigger impression on you…” She scrutinizes the rat for a bit. “You do at least remember why I left?”

Arrin says: He shakes his head again. “No.”

Catamount says: The ferret sighs. “Well, it has been a while…” She suddenly turns to the side and nails the other ferret in the stomach with her foot. “Now Tanya… What did I tell you about sneaking up on me?” Tanya just clutches her stomach and groans.

Arrin says: The rats eyes widen and he backs up.

Catamount says: The ferret bares her fangs. “Apparently neither of you learned a thing.”

Arrin says: The two remaining beasts suddenly run for escape.

Catamount says: The ferret sends another blade zinging after them, hoping to at least wound one of them.

Arrin says: The rat yelps but they continue running.

Catamount says: Jozra snarls then turns to the still unconscious otter.  She glances at the dead stoat and feels a small pang of regret.  Glancing back at the otter, Jozra grips the stoat and pulls him into the bushes, dumping his corpse down the embankment into a muddy ditch, but not before pillaging anything useful.

She returns to the clearing and gathers up the stuff the others dropped when they made a break for it.  Jozra wrinkles her nose, returns to the spot where the stoat had died and does her best to disguise the bloodstains and the smell.  After a last check of the clearing, she approaches the prone otter and begins tending to his wounds.

]]> https://crossed-paths.com/logs/archives/48/feed 1