define('WP_CACHE', true); {"id":366,"date":"2014-05-30T03:00:43","date_gmt":"2014-05-30T11:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/?p=366"},"modified":"2014-02-01T22:36:35","modified_gmt":"2014-02-02T06:36:35","slug":"chapter-73-holstadt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/archives\/366","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 73: Holstadt"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 73: Holstadt<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

In Which A Ferret Happens Across Some Robbers.<\/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

Catamount: The road south from Doxfron is somewhat better kept than on the road in. It’s evident from the width of the road and the small trails that frequently branch off to possible farms or even small communities that this area of the world is a bit more populated than the forests Soquan and Jozra had been traveling through.<\/p>\n

Chris: It’s been a day or two. He doesn’t know, he didn’t really sleep. It was time to meet them. Holst takes a small path leading to the one the travelers are on and tries to time it as best he can.<\/p>\n

Arrin: Soquan, at that moment, leans over from his strolling gait alongside his companion to murmur quietly to her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You hear something?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount: Jozra’s ears perk up as she strains to pick up on what Soquan is hearing. Once upon a time she would have felt insulted and incompetent as a Scorpion to have someone else notice something before her, but she’s long since learned to trust the otter’s far superior hearing. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she mutters, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153but where is it coming from?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: Holst pads his way to the arterial road with a nonchalant gait. What should he say?\u00c2\u00a0 Why was he doing this? Why did he abandon his post?<\/p>\n

Arrin: The otter’s ears swivel, and he listens for a moment. Not wanting to give away the element of surprise by pointing, he murmurs quietly again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If we were heading north, its west-northwest.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount: The ferret nods, more to herself than for anyone, especially Soquan’s, benefit. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So, behind us…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she says under her breath. Really, it could be anything.<\/p>\n

They hadn’t seen very many people at all since the tavern but that didn’t mean they weren’t out there, traveling and going about their day. Still, she surreptitiously touches the hiding place of a small yet wicked black knife, reassuring herself of its presence.<\/p>\n

Chris: Holst breaks step onto their path, inwardly cursing himself for showing up behind them.<\/p>\n

Catamount: At this point not<\/i> looking would be suspicious, so Jozra hazards a casual glance over her shoulder and manages to size up the fox in the process, noting the chain.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s just a glance, though, as the two continue walking down the path.<\/p>\n

Chris: He curses again, he didn’t think he’d have to break the ice too! \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Excuse me\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin: Almost casually, he goes to look over his shoulder at the fox. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes? Can we help you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: Holst’s eyes flicker, there was something about these two. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, no not really. Just wondering where you two were headed and if maybe traveling together might be wiser?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d That’s the best I can come up with?!<\/i><\/p>\n

Catamount: Jozra had actually turned to talk to the fox. And to be prepared for anything… sudden. But that was a given. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We’re going South, to visit my family.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Where was she \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcfrom\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 again? Oh yes… \u00e2\u20ac\u0153…Bracate.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: The fox nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’m heading that direction if you wouldn’t mind a third beast. Got my own rations and I’m trained to take a watch.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He was too tired to be cool and confident, he just wanted a soft place to close his eyes.<\/p>\n

Arrin: Soquan shrugs his shoulders at his companion. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153S’up to you Joz, I’m just tagging along too remember.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount: Jozra eyes the otter at that comment but quickly resumes looking at the fox. She’d say no for many reasons, all of them practical and very good reasons but… there was something about that fox. Something familiar.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well… If the rumors I’m hearing about the South are even the slightest true, it would be nice to have a third.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’ve heard them too.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He laughs a bit, lying through his teeth. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s actually why I asked to join.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin: The otter, half turned to the fox, flashes him a smile. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Welcome aboard then I guess.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: The fox cocks a crooked grin and extends a gloved paw to the ferret. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Holstadt.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount: The ferret takes the paw and gives it a shake. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Jozra.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin: Soquan gives a kinda half wave in greeting. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Soquan.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 73: Holstadt In Which A Ferret Happens Across Some Robbers. \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 Catamount: The road south from Doxfron is somewhat better kept than on the road in. It’s evident from the width of the road and the small trails that frequently branch off to possible farms or even small communities that this area of the … <\/p>\n