define('WP_CACHE', true); {"id":48,"date":"2009-03-10T16:32:17","date_gmt":"2009-03-11T00:32:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/?p=48"},"modified":"2014-02-02T17:25:28","modified_gmt":"2014-02-03T01:25:28","slug":"chapter-1-a-rescue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/archives\/48","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 1: A Rescue"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 1: A Rescue<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/strong>In Which <\/em>A Ferret Happens Across Some Robbers<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Arrin says: Somewhere to the east, an otter lays on his back, trying to protect the blows coming from his own staff, which is now held in a rat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s paws. A ferret maid now holds his money. Near unconsciousness from the beating, his blocks become weaker and weaker.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Somewhere, not too far away, a lone traveler hears the commotion.\u00c2\u00a0 Curious but wary, she keeps her blades close at paw and pulls a hood over her head, hiding her features and species.\u00c2\u00a0 She creeps closer and observes the altercation for a bit.\u00c2\u00a0 She has seen this rat before, and she has no kind feelings for him.\u00c2\u00a0 Once again he has shown himself to be a brutal thug, but not much more than a bully.\u00c2\u00a0 She stands and approaches.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: His consciousness finally leaves him and the small group of beasts continue to beat him.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: She speaks sharply, catching the rat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s attention.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dromb!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The rat turns and scowls at the newcomer.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This is nona yer business!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He spits. He is about to resume beating the unconscious otter when a glimmer of warning appears in his mind. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcOw doyer know my name?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The cloaked one grins ferally and replies, \u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh you know me. I see you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve picked up some new henchmen since last we met.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The rat stares, trying to pierce the shadows created by the hood.\u00c2\u00a0 He makes a small signal with his tail.\u00c2\u00a0 Though a bully, and rather stupid at that, he does have a few good plans and this was one of them.\u00c2\u00a0 Dromb\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cronies began to slowly, almost unnoticeably, approach the newcomer.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: The rat makes his way close to the creature, staff held tightly in his paws.s<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Suddenly, the hooded one smiles wickedly at Dromb and flicks her wrist.\u00c2\u00a0 The stoat that stood as look out before hand falls to a small, black blade piercing his throat.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: \u00c2\u00a0The rat moves closer, staff raised in a harmful intentioned manner.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The hooded one smiles. \u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the matter, Dromb? Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t recognize me? I felt sure Tanya would\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The ferret maid jumps at her name.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: The rat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes widen. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Jozra! You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re back!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Jozra laughs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And I see you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve learned nothing from our last encounter.\u00c2\u00a0 Picking on helpless creatures again?\u00c2\u00a0 What loot did you find?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: The rat shrugs.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just some coin and a staff\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret allows the hood to fall back; it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s point now moot.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And was it worth it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He shrugs again.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We got experience\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Jozra frowns.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Experience ganging up and beating a lone creature?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He brings himself up to full height. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s an otter! You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve heard stories about otters beating up three beasts at once just as much as I\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: She grins.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That is true. But then, it doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look as though you three suffered much damage yourselves. Well\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153 She grins wickedly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153At least not until I got to your new friend\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: The rat harrumphs.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret cocks an eyebrow at Dromb.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tell me, do you remember what I last told you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He shakes his head.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Jozra frowns. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I figured as much\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She sighs.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I knew I could have made a bigger impression on you\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She scrutinizes the rat for a bit. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You do at least remember why I left?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He shakes his head again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret sighs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, it has been a while\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She suddenly turns to the side and nails the other ferret in the stomach with her foot. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Now Tanya\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 What did I tell you about sneaking up on me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0Tanya just clutches her stomach and groans.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: The rats eyes widen and he backs up.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret bares her fangs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Apparently neither of you learned a thing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: The two remaining beasts suddenly run for escape.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret sends another blade zinging after them, hoping to at least wound one of them.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: The rat yelps but they continue running.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Jozra snarls then turns to the still unconscious otter.\u00c2\u00a0 She glances at the dead stoat and feels a small pang of regret. \u00c2\u00a0Glancing back at the otter, Jozra grips the stoat and pulls him into the bushes, dumping his corpse down the embankment into a muddy ditch, but not before pillaging anything useful.<\/p>\n

She returns to the clearing and gathers up the stuff the others dropped when they made a break for it.\u00c2\u00a0 Jozra wrinkles her nose, returns to the spot where the stoat had died and does her best to disguise the bloodstains and the smell.\u00c2\u00a0 After a last check of the clearing, she approaches the prone otter and begins tending to his wounds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 1: A Rescue In Which A Ferret Happens Across Some Robbers. ——————————————————————————————– Arrin says: Somewhere to the east, an otter lays on his back, trying to protect the blows coming from his own staff, which is now held in a rat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s paws. A ferret maid now holds his money. Near unconsciousness from the beating, … <\/p>\n