define('WP_CACHE', true); {"id":271,"date":"2014-02-17T03:00:08","date_gmt":"2014-02-17T11:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/?p=271"},"modified":"2014-01-29T22:12:40","modified_gmt":"2014-01-30T06:12:40","slug":"chapter-29-sparring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/archives\/271","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 29: Sparring"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 29: Sparring<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

In Which\u00c2\u00a0A Little Practice Is Good For You.<\/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

Arrin Woodgreen: A week and a half later, the pair are trudging along a little used side path. Soquan turns to the ferret, yawning slightly as exhaustion kicks in. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153See anywhere to stop for the night?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret peers ahead in the dimming light. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Looks like there’s a nice little hollow near those pines a little ways ahead. Maybe not the best campsite, but it’ll do.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good, I’m about to fall asleep on my paws any second.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don’t fall asleep on me just yet, it’d be a ways to carry you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He chuckles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’ll try.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He trudges onward.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret grins again then frowns briefly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I hope we reach that town of yours soon. Arrin might have packed us a lot but we’re starting to get rather low. Plenty for another day or so, but after that…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We should be there tomorrow.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra breaths an overly large sigh of relief and chuckles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And here we are at our campsite. It looked better from a distance, but it’ll do.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The ferret guides the blind otter into the hollow, mindful of protruding roots, before dumping her pack. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Plenty of firewood about though.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She begins to gather branches together.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He puts down his pack and basically collapses. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Never mind that. Unless you need it of course.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret chuckles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153At the moment, I’m more hungry than exhausted. Thought some warm food would be good.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods, rapidly dropping off to sleep.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra soon has a cheery little fire blazing. She toasts some of the smoked salmon and warms up the last of the rolls. The ferret decides to let the otter sleep. If he gets hungry during the night, he knows where the food is.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He does indeed wake up in the muddle of the night with his stomach grumbling. \u00c2\u00a0He checks if his companion\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s still up. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Joz?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret wakes, and blinks in the light of the dying embers of the campfire. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He rubs sleep from his eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How long have I been out for?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra gazes as the stars for a bit, marking their positions. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153About four or five hours, I would guess.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He pauses. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Did I wake you up?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret smiles in the darkness. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, but that’s alright. You hungry now?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods, rummaging through his pack. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, very much so.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra chuckles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You want the last roll? I can heat it up pretty quick.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She sits up and stirs the fire with a stick.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tha’d be wonderful.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He unpacks a bit of fish and his last roll.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: She tosses a few twigs onto the fire, rekindling it enough to put another log on. She takes the roll and spears it on the same stick she used to heat her own roll.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He spears the fish with a stick and puts it over the fire also.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: After a moment, the roll is warm and she hands it over to the otter. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Gives it an interesting smoky flavor, heating it this way.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She pulls the severely depleted bag of nuts out of her pack and places it between them. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nuts if you like.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She takes a small paw-full for herself.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He takes the bun and breaks it into two pieces. He puts the fish in between both of them and takes a bite. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mmm… So good.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00c2\u00a0Jozra grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That’s what I thought to myself, oh, about five hours ago.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He chuckles softly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well I was sleeping, so there!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He sticks his tongue out at her.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra grins again and selects another nut, popping it into her mouth.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He finishes the bread and fish and begins to eat some nuts as well.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret stretches and leans back, resuming her star gazing.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He leans back as well. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, I’m wide awake.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra nods and then gazes at Soquan appraisingly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Something I’ve wondered for a while but never got a chance to ask… How well can you defend yourself with that staff?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Pretty well, I woulda been able to kick that rat’s tail end if his goons didn’t step in.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra laughs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, I’m afraid I can’t simulate a pair of goons but if you’re game we can spar a little. I need more practice fighting in the dark anyway.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You’re on.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He rises, picking up his staff.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra takes a discarded linen and wraps it about her long knife, blunting the edge.\u00c2\u00a0 She stands and does a quick couple of stretches. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ready?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods his consent. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ready.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret pauses for a second and then quickly assumes a fighting stance, looking for an opportunity to dart in and rap the otter’s knuckles with the flat of her blade.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He stands ready, waiting for the ferret’s attack, his ears swivel this way and that, listening for any sounds.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00c2\u00a0Jozra feints to the left and spins around to the right, still looking for her window. \u00c2\u00a0She jabs towards Soquan’s left arm.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He hears the feint then whirls around to face her, his staff going to knock at the paw coming for his arm.<\/p>\n

Yazeth:\u00c2\u00a0 The ferret ducks and dodges away. Taking a slice at Soquan’s back as she moves out of range.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grunts as the blunt blade hits and swings his staff around at Jozra’s back as she moves.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra, being rather out of practice, is grazed by the staff. She spins and darts back in, ducking the staff again.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He uses a foot paw to lash out at her as he brings the staff in close again.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: She sees the foot but not the staff. Jozra leaps to avoid being tripped but the staff catches her good on the left shoulder. She drops and promptly rolls back to her feet, bringing up the blade to block the staff.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He lashes out again, this time with his heavy tail.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra grins. Ooh, a challange. She leaps backwards, out of range again, and performs a backwards somersault before charging back into the fray.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He hears her charge and sidesteps, bring his staff around in a maneuver that should land hard across her back and shoulders.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret is caught by surprise but is able to dodge enough to soften the blow. This doesn’t stop her, though, and she lands the butt of her blade on the otter’s chest.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grunts and instinctively strikes out at her hard with his free paw, the other paw bring his staff around again.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra is shoved hard but she manages to avoid the staff. She hits the ground and rolls to the side, springing up and seeking to land another blow across the otter’s back.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He rolls to avoid the blow mostly and swings the staff around at her back again as he rolls.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: This time the staff catches her good just below the shoulder blades. She ‘oofs’ slightly but doesn’t let the blow stop her. She leaps and rolls in the air, bringing her hilt down on Soquan’s shoulder as he gets back on his feet.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcows\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and aims an elbow to her midriff.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra weaves around the elbow and aims another blow at Soquan’s arm.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: The otter has kept moving, avoiding the blow. He once again lashes out at her.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Soquan catches a glancing blow on Jozra’s side but she kicks out with a foot at his chest.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grunts as the foot makes contact and swings at her again.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra ducks into a forward roll and aims a slice at the otter’s leg.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He gives a low growl and lashes out with a wild, whirling attack.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret rolls away, avoiding all but a few of the blows, one of which catches her in the ribs. She leaps and flips backwards over the brunt of the otter’s attack and lands a foot in the small of Soquan’s back.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: The otter grunts and brings his staff around again towards her exposed side.<\/p>\n

Yazeth:\u00c2\u00a0 The ferret skips backwards and catches her foot-paw on an exposed root. She rolls into the fall but is still rather battered by it. Jozra leaps back to her feet and slices towards Soquan, hoping to land a hit on his side. At the last second, a flash of reflection hits her eye and she diverts her blow away from the otter, landing in a heap. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hold!<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: \u00c2\u00a0He does his best to stop his staff mid-swing, but the staff still grazes across the ferret’s ribs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry, is everything alright?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra chuckles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, but I nearly got you too good. Seems the wrapping on my blade came undone. Didn’t even notice till I saw the reflection from the fire.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He chuckles, rubbing his bruising shoulder. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Shall we call it a night then?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret nods as she removes the wrapping completely and sheathes the knife. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Suppose so. We’ll never cover any ground tomorrow if we keep at it anyway.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He chuckles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You’re right. Do you want me to dig out a place for us to bed down?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra shrugs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Where we were sleeping before was fine.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He shrugs and stretches. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Suit yourself.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He returns to his previous place, laying down in the slight groove he found.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret grins and stokes the fire before returning to her own sleeping place.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: It takes mere moments for soft snores to come from the sleeping otter. He smiles slightly in his sleep, soaking in the warmth of the fire.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra chuckles quietly to herself as she stargazes for while yet. Eventually, she too drifts off to sleep.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 29: Sparring In Which\u00c2\u00a0A Little Practice Is Good For You. \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 Arrin Woodgreen: A week and a half later, the pair are trudging along a little used side path. Soquan turns to the ferret, yawning slightly as exhaustion kicks in. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153See anywhere to stop for the night?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Yazeth: The ferret peers ahead in the … <\/p>\n