define('WP_CACHE', true); {"id":54,"date":"2009-03-10T17:14:28","date_gmt":"2009-03-11T01:14:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/?p=54"},"modified":"2014-02-02T17:27:35","modified_gmt":"2014-02-03T01:27:35","slug":"chapter-2-companions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/archives\/54","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 2: Companions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 2: Companions<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong>In Which Soquan and Jozra Decide to Travel Together.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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

Arrin says: After a while the otter groans, shifting slightly.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Jozra mops the otter\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s brow with a damp cloth she salvaged and tries to get the otter to drink a little from her canteen.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He groans again.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No more\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 Please stop\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret looks at the otter quizzically then speaks. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re all right now. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re gone.\u00c2\u00a0 You do need to drink something though.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: The otter\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mouth opens slightly and he drinks the water.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret smiles encouragingly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153There. Feel better?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: The otter nods slightly.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good.\u00c2\u00a0 Will you be okay while I get a fire started?\u00c2\u00a0 Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s see if we can get some food in you\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He nods slowly before falling asleep.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret watches the otter for a bit then begins gathering firewood.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: The otter curls up slightly, brow furrowed.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Catamount says: A few minutes before dawn the ferret wakes.\u00c2\u00a0 She checks that the otter is still sleeping then scouts about their meager camp.\u00c2\u00a0 There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no trace of the others except for the dead stoat in the ditch.\u00c2\u00a0 Fortunately, the body hasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t begun to stink yet.\u00c2\u00a0 She returns and begins making breakfast as the sun rises over the trees.<\/p>\n

Arrin says: The otter groans and shifts as he wakes up. He sits up slowly, his ears perked up slightly.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hello?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret looks at the otter quizzically for a second.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good morning. I have some breakfast if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re hungry.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He frowns. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who are you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret dusts some crumbs off of her muzzle and replies.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just a wanderer.\u00c2\u00a0 My name\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Jozra.\u00c2\u00a0 Who are you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He gives a gruff grunt as he rises.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122name\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Soquan.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Jozra indicates the other breakfast cakes.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well then, Soquan. You hungry?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He nods.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153A bit.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret frowns slightly but says cheerfully.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, I have breakfast over here near the fire. Help yourself.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He rises to his paws, and slowly begins to feel his way towards the fire.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Jozra cocks her head quizzically and then realizes something. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see very well, can you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He barks a laugh.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Smart one, aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you?\u00c2\u00a0 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m blind\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret shrugs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not like it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s obvious until you start feeling around\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She stands and brings some of the cakes over to the otter and presses them into his paws.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Here.\u00c2\u00a0 Breakfast.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He nods his thanks and munches on one of the cakes in silence.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: A thought suddenly occurs to the ferret.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think I gathered all of the stuff your attackers dropped when they ran\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He nods again.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thank you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: The ferret resumes eating her breakfast cake. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No problem.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He goes back into silence as he finishes his meal.<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Jozra begins cleaning up around camp.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 If you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mind my asking\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 How did you get into that situation anyway?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He shrugs.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153They jumped me, stole my stuff, and beat me up\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: She scowls. She knows exactly what Soquan is talking about but doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let it show.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re gone now and they left behind a money pouch and a pack of supplies I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m assuming is yours.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He nods.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, it is\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6they didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t happen to leave behind a staff, did they?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount says: Jozra raises an eyebrow. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, they dropped one when they ran off. I thought it belonged to them but\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She retrieves it and passes it to the otter. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Here it is.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin says: He grins as he receives the staff.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thanks.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Finishes cleaning up the camp and hoists her own pack.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re quite welcome.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He rises to his feet, groaning as the bruises all over himself complain loudly.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I guess I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll head off on my way then\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra eyes the otter and furrows her brow in a concerned manner. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Where are you heading, by the way?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: The otter shrugs slightly, leaning heavily on his staff as he flexes a leg experimentally. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nowhere in particular.\u00c2\u00a0 Wherever my paws take me I guess, what about you? Where are you heading?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret smiles sardonically to herself but says in a cheerful voice, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153South! I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m off to visit my family. Or at least see if the farm is still there.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She pauses, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I could use a traveling companion\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods gratefully. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It would be a lot better to have someone watching my back\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 Especially this far north\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6I heard that wolves live up here\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra chuckles, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That they do, but they tend to keep to themselves. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re more likely to have trouble from roving bands of brigands\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 err.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He chuckles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I guess I found that out the hard way\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 Well Jozra, we better head off if we want to cover a lot of ground today.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret hefts her pack a little higher on her shoulders and straightens some folds out of her cloak. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Right.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She leads the way to the path going south, taking care to avoid going to close to a certain ditch.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He follows, his brow furrowing, as he smells the beast in the ditch. He doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t say anything but he hefts his pack.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So how far do you think we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll get today? Three, maybe four miles?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra frowns slightly but then considers the conditionals, as well as the fact that she is slightly ahead of schedule.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Perhaps that. We can take it slow today, if you like. Give you a chance to recuperate a bit from that beating.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Once again, the otter nods gratefully. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I appreciate that\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d His nostrils flare slightly as he sniffs the air again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m guessing you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a ferret, am I right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra chuckles again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re right. Forgot to tell you that when we traded names and such.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He chuckles also.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, you did. So what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a southie like you doing this far north?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Aw, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a long story of youthful foolishness and a genetic predisp\u00e2\u20ac\u2122sition to wandering.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Actually, in a nut shell, I got bored of the farming life and wanted to see the world. I suppose I was also hoping to strike it rich.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

She bends a crick out of her neck and continues, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Heard there was riches for the taking up north and struck out that way at first.\u00c2\u00a0 Never did get wealthy and I finally got homesick, so here I am, walking home.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He laughs.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The riches are supposed to be much further than this\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gold in the mountains\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 I can show you to them if you want\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6I used to live in the area\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret glances at the otter, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Really? I had heard there was this mining camp and so I went there first only to find the whole place devastated by plague.\u00c2\u00a0 I wandered for a bit after that but I ended up more on flat, snowbound tundra.\u00c2\u00a0 Must have missed those mountains of yours\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Really, there is\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 you want to go?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret mulls it over a bit, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Perhaps someday soon, but I really would like to see how the ol\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 family is getting on.\u00c2\u00a0 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m actually kind of worried about that plague spreading, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why I spent two seasons in the wastelands. To make sure I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not contaminated.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He shrugs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Suit yourself, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a pity my sister would of loved to meet you\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he stumbles over a root, grabbing Jozra for support.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret pauses to steady the otter. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No problem.\u00c2\u00a0 Besides, who says we can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make our way back up north?\u00c2\u00a0 If we make it home about the first of summer, well, my home that is. But that gives us a whole season to travel south and if we leave not to long after, we have a good season and a half before the possibility of the deep snows setting in.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jozra shrugs and continues. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Or, if not, we could always start out north again next spring.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seen my sister in a long time\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 I think we can get north quickly, we can make it in a couple weeks of traveling, stay there a couple days and head back down\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 I think we can make it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret lifts her eyebrows. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Really? I hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t realized it was so close.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0She chuckles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Considering how far north I think I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been, I must have assumed you meant very north.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen:\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You must have missed it. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not directly north, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s to the west\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: She thinks for a moment and then nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s probably what happened. I was traveling in a rather easterly direction, now that you mention it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Come on then, lets get going, we need to travel fast. I think I can speed up a bit. You just need to be my eyes\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret grins as well. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Alrighty.\u00c2\u00a0 To the west and north then?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods and waits for her to change direction. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yep.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra alters their direction and leads the way. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Any particular landmarks I should look out for?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He chuckles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll see the mountain tops, they sometimes look like they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re clouds. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just cold weather coming in.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hehe, alright, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll watch for them. Oop, watch your head, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a low branch right here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She raps the side of the branch, hoping the blind otter can pinpoint the location by simply listening.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He ducks his head as they pass by the branch. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thanks Jozra\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 2: Companions In Which Soquan and Jozra Decide to Travel Together. ——————————————————————————————– Arrin says: After a while the otter groans, shifting slightly. Catamount says: Jozra mops the otter\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s brow with a damp cloth she salvaged and tries to get the otter to drink a little from her canteen. Arrin says: He groans again.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No more\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 … <\/p>\n