define('WP_CACHE', true); {"id":242,"date":"2014-01-17T06:00:26","date_gmt":"2014-01-17T14:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/?p=242"},"modified":"2014-01-15T23:43:49","modified_gmt":"2014-01-16T07:43:49","slug":"chapter-17-ssmc-lodgings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/archives\/242","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 17: SSMC Lodgings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 17: SSMC Lodgings<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

In Which\u00c2\u00a0There Are Beds.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yazeth: Parts of the tunnels look familiar while other parts do not. The ferret mentally kicks herself for not being alert enough to create a mental map. Granted, she was tired, hungry and cold at the time and they are in friendly territory, but her tracking teachers would have been quite disappointed all the same.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He turns down another hallway. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think we’re almost there…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah. This looks quite a bit like where we were just after we left his office.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Sure enough, a few moments later, they come to a door with Trey’s name on it.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Here it is!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The door is only slightly ajar, so the ferret knocks lightly before pushing the door open a little further.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan follows.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Trey is sitting at his desk, hunched over a parchment, furiously scribbling figures with a quill. He doesn’t look up as he murmurs, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Come in. Come in.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ears swivel a bit. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you’re busy, we can come back later…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret hangs back slightly as Soquan approaches the desk. Trey scribbles some more and speaks slowly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nooope… Almooost done here…\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 There. Just as I thought.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He underlines something and scratches a quick note before pushing aside the parchment to dry, setting down his quill, folding his hands on top of his desk, and looking up at the pair.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He sits down in one of the seats. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Were you able to get the gold?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Trey nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They’re bringing it up as we speak. Have you eaten?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jozra nods as well as she takes the other seat. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Quite delicious.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The mouse smiles.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Aye, it was wonderful after what we’ve been eating for a while.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Trey grins again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Glad you enjoyed it! Maybe I can convince my cooks to rustle up some grub for you two to take along with you when you decide to leave.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That would be nice.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He turns to Jozra. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do you think?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret can’t help but grin. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think we would be foolish to decline your offer, Trey.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He laughs, leaning back in his chair. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Aye, so true.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Trey appraises the two mustelids for a moment. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They should be here with your gold soon, Soquan. In the meantime, is there anything else I can do for you? I must insist that you two stay the night as it is so late already.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods, grinning toothily. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153A place to sleep for the night would be nice. What do you say Jozra?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret agrees with the otter. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Aye, a fresh start in the morning would be better than trying to find someplace to camp in the dark.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods again and perks up suddenly as he hears some beast approaching.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Trey smiles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ah, that must be them.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d There is a knock on the door. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Come in!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He turns his head towards the door.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Several mice enter the room, bearing the requested gold. They deposit it on Trey’s desk and then leave. Their last task of the day.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That’s it I take it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The mouse nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That’s it. If you like, you can leave it here and pick it up in the morning.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That sounds good.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Trey nods and stands. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153In that case, I’ll see if I can get someone to lead you to spare quarters.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods yet again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Great!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Trey sticks his head out of the door and calls to a mouse walking down the corridor. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ren? Can you set these two up with rooms for the night?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sure I will.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Trey clasps Soquan’s then Jozra’s paws. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’ll see you two in the morning then. Goodnight.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Goodnight Trey.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He follows Ren as he begins to head down the hall.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret follows, this time making a point of creating a mental map.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He leads them to two rooms. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153There you two go\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 \u00c2\u00a0One for the each of yeh.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra nods at Ren. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thank you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Aye, thank you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: After the mouse leaves, the ferret opens the door of her own room and peeks in. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Looks comfy, if maybe a little small. See you in the morning, then?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods, groping for the other door handle. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Aye. G’night Jozra.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 17: SSMC Lodgings In Which\u00c2\u00a0There Are Beds. \u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Yazeth: Parts of the tunnels look familiar while other parts do not. The ferret mentally kicks herself for not being alert enough to create a mental map. Granted, she was tired, hungry and cold at the time and they are in friendly territory, but her tracking … <\/p>\n