define('WP_CACHE', true); {"id":104,"date":"2009-03-16T22:02:01","date_gmt":"2009-03-17T06:02:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/?p=104"},"modified":"2012-06-28T21:58:32","modified_gmt":"2012-06-29T05:58:32","slug":"chapter-12-the-steamspring-mining-company","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/archives\/104","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 12: The SteamSpring Mining Company"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 12: The SteamSpring Mining Company<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In Which Soquan Encounters An Old Friend.<\/em><\/p>\n

——————————————————————————————–<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He readies his staff, turning towards her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wonder how scruffy we look to them. We might look frightful, damp, dusty, and travel worn\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret sizes up her companion in the growing light. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re right. That cold bath we had did little to remove the road dust. Not only that, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re pretty muddy.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: His ears flick this way and that as he listens to the approaching beasts. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not to mention skinny from watching our rations while we were snowed in.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Aye\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a pretty raggedy pair.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She peers down the tunnel. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They seem pretty heavily armed.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He frowns. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wonder what they intend to do to us.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret flattens her ears slightly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hopefully they won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do much.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She trails off as the first of the mice get within hearing range.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He readies himself, picking up on the mice\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s closeness.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The first of the mice shouts a challenge. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll leave if you know what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s good for you, vermin.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Apparently he isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t close enough to tell that one is an otter.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He shouts back. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Vermin yourself, what are you doing ganging up on two honest travelers?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The mouse returns the shout. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Trespassers, more like it!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Trespassers? As far as I can remember this tunnel has been open to anybeast. What gives you the right to say otherwise?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The spokes-mouse puffs his chest out.\u00c2\u00a0 Behind him, Jozra can see the first mouse. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The SteamSpring Mining Company, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins suddenly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The SSMC? Let me see your supervisor.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The spokes-mouse falters for a second, startled by Soquan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s reaction. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Erm, hold on a second.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He whispers into the ear of a nearby mouse who passes the message back.\u00c2\u00a0 Jozra maintains her silence.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: His grin remains and he places a paw on Jozra\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s weapon paw.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret glances at Soquan before relaxing her stance.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He lowers his own weapon, waiting for word to get back to them.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Again the ferret glances at Soquan. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not so sure about this but the otter appears to know what he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s doing. Soon, the press of mice begins to part as an older mouse approaches the travelers.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: His ears perk up and her grins widely. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Trey mate! How are you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Jozra smiles at the older mouse in a friendly manner.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He embraces the mouse in a friendly manner. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What have you been up to?\u00c2\u00a0 I thought you guys weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t coming this far to the surface.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says:The ferret stares in obvious confusion. The mouse chuckles at his friend\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s companion\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s reaction.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He frowns at the mouse. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can you tell me why this tunnel is so strict entry now? After all, we both<\/em> found it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Trey chuckles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153New discoveries, my friend.\u00c2\u00a0 Of course, if I had known you would be visiting, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re welcome certainly would have been warmer.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He chuckles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Your front guard was a bit too sketchy.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He puts an arm around his shoulder and the two head down the tunnel, Soquan motions for Jozra to follow.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: Slowly yet surely, gold begins to line the walls.\u00c2\u00a0 Not as much as first, then quite heavily.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Jozra stares in amazement, but notices the other mice closing in tightly behind her, blocking any exit.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: The otter and mouse chatter away friendly, laughing loudly.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret maintains her silence. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s convinced Trey means to have no harm come to his friend\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s friend, but the other mice don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look so happy about her species.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He removes his arm from around the mouse. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Where are my manners? Trey, this is Jozra, a very dear friend of mine.\u00c2\u00a0 Jozra, this is Trey, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve known each other since childhood.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Jozra smiles at Trey and shakes his paw. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Pleased to meet you, sir.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He grins and stays quiet, letting the two talk.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Trey grins at the ferret. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Any friend of Soquan is a friend of mine!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He smiles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We just found the gem chamber, and the pool inside.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret laughs self-consciously. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hence our, ah, rather bedraggled appearance\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Aye, plus we were snowed in at the low cave by the springs for a while.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Trey\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes widen at the pair\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s tales. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sounds like you two have had a heck of a journey!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It was originally just supposed to be a day trip to see this place.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret chuckles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Turned out to be quite an adventure all its own.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He nods, yawning loudly.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Trey smiles at Soquan. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You two look rather tired. Fear not, our field office is just ahead. We can get some food into you guys there.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He grins lopsidedly, throwing an arm around Jozra.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153 Sounds good, doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret smiles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Aye, that it does.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He yawns sleepily and continues to follow Trey\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lead.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 12: The SteamSpring Mining Company In Which Soquan Encounters An Old Friend. ——————————————————————————————– 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. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wonder how scruffy … <\/p>\n