define('WP_CACHE', true); {"id":351,"date":"2014-05-16T03:00:07","date_gmt":"2014-05-16T11:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/?p=351"},"modified":"2014-02-01T19:20:11","modified_gmt":"2014-02-02T03:20:11","slug":"chapter-67-river-crossing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/archives\/351","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 67: River Crossing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 67: River Crossing<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

In Which\u00c2\u00a0A Fallen Tree Will Do.<\/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: The ground mist soon begins to dissipate and the sky lightens. Sunrise is imminent and Jozra, perturbed by her dream and what it might indicate, decides it’s time to get it up if they want to get across that river this morning.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: After a while longer, the otter shifts a bit, going through the motions of slowly waking up.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra slips out from under the cloak-turned-blanket and stands shivering a little in the brisk morning air. After a moment, she moves to a clear spot in their campsite and begins the stretching routine all Opars learn as children.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan stretches out stiff muscles and sleep dissipates from his mind as he moves towards the packs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hungry Joz?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret pauses mid-stretch. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Definitely ready for breakfast, Soq.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She finishes the simple stretching routine and then eyes the ground before her, cautiously testing how she feels physically. After a moment she kicks it up a notch and does the Scorpion’s version of the Dawn Greeting, beginner style. Although she stops short of the backward flip, concluding with a gentle backwards roll instead.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: It takes him a while to whip up breakfast, but once he’s done, he presents her with a type of breakfast sandwich. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra looks at it curiously and takes a tentative bite. She should never distrust Soquan’s cooking as the breakfast sandwich is absolutely delicious. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mmmm… That’s really good Soq!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d And then she proceeds to absolutely demolish it.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan beams in her general direction. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I appreciate the complement.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He begins to pack up their things while munching on his breakfast. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You ready to cross that log?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret nods as she dusts crumbs off of her whiskers and paws. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, just as soon as we break camp.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Shouldn’t be much longer then.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He stuffs his cloak into his pack and hefts it onto his back.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra finishes packing up and clearing the camp, soon hefting her own pack onto her back. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This way, then. Back to the trail.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan nods at her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lead on then m’dear.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The pair travel a little quicker than the previous day as they begin to settle back into their traveling routine. It’s only a little before mid-morning by the time they reach the area where the construction crew indicated the log crossing would be.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan turns to Jozra as they approach the log. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You wanna take the lead or should I?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra eyes the log critically. While sturdy, it’s a bit slick and she can’t decide who should go first. Whether it’d be better for her to go behind, incase the log proves difficult for Soq to navigate, or in front, incase she herself slips off. Finally, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You go first, Soq. I can talk you up since the footing looks a little tricky.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Alrighty then.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The otter heaves himself up onto the slick log and turns to Jozra slightly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You need help getting up?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret clambers up but finally proffers her paw for help to get over the last ‘step.’ \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just a boost here, Soq.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She may be feeling better, but she knows she’s not well enough to vault that part like she would have otherwise.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan pulls her up, and once he’s sure she’s balanced, he turns back towards the length of the log. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ready?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra nods determinedly, already feeling a little apprehensive about the cold waters rushing by beneath the log. She squares her pack on her shoulders. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let’s go.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan nods and moves forward along the log slowly, feeling it out in front of him before taking a proper step and digging his claws into the grooves in the wood.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra uses Soquan’s approach to tackling the log, concentrating only on crossing safely.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Several heart pounding moments later, Soquan reaches the other side and climbs to the ground with a sigh.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Not a moment later, Jozra settles herself on solid ground. The daunting river finally crossed.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He gives a shaky laugh. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How’re your nerves doing, Joz?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret grins at the otter, readjusting the straps on her pack. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not too bad, Soq, though I’d rather not do that again. Ever.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He beams at her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’m sure next time we’re up this way, the bridge will be done.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra sets out again, picking out the thin track that surely leads back to the main trail. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I sure hope so.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan easily falls into step beside the ferret. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So where to now, Joz?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret pauses to hold a branch aside for Soquan. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153On South, Soq. I thought you knew.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She chuckles a little.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He snickers and gives her a little shove. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know what I mean. Like a nearby town or something we’re shooting for.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He shoots her another smile. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Baby steps m’dear. Baby steps.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra shrugs as they continue down the narrow footpath. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’m not quite sure, actually. I wasn’t this far West when I first headed North.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He gives a nod, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Alright, Southerly it is then, until we get directions.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 67: River Crossing In Which\u00c2\u00a0A Fallen Tree Will Do. \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: The ground mist soon begins to dissipate and the sky lightens. Sunrise is imminent and Jozra, perturbed by her dream and what it might indicate, decides it’s time to get it up if they want to get across that river this morning. Arrin … <\/p>\n