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| Duran Swiftpike | Aug 11 2008, 10:58 AM |
High Commander
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As it would be, the High Commander had been strolling along the wall top with his daughter. Every once in a while the two would walk the ramparts together, when the day was a nice one and they could take themselves away from their duties for a short time. Today had been perfect. Duran had just completed checking an inventory of the supplies in the East Tower and had nothing else on his schedule for the day save for supervising a training session in the South Tower and meeting with Commander Skahr about the ship that was nearly complete in the harbor. Those two appointments were not until later in the day, and the vole happily pushed himself away from his desk and made his way promptly to the infirmary to see his wife and retrieve his daughter. Moments later Avirly had appeared on the walls alongside her father. It was their time together as father and daughter, where Duran would tell stories of great warriors, battles, and other adventures from his life and the life of her grandfather. Avirly took everything in with eagerness and asked many questions. It was their time when Duran talked to her of life and love, counseling her on character and integrity. The guards on wall duty paid them little heed save for nods or quick salutes as they passed. All but the newest of fort beasts knew that this was a special time for their commander and his treasured daughter. They had been making their way from the North Tower to the East Tower when the call to hail was heard by them both. After exchanging curious glances they continued their stroll at a slightly quicker pace and nearly made it to the gate as Kani was opening the large oaken structures. Avirly’s eyes grew wide at the sight of the great badger. His frame nearly filled the vast opening of the gate. There were just inches of space between the top of the gate’s frame and the tip of the badger’s ears. The young vole maid took a half step back in astonishment, but her father quickly put his paw on her back and kept her moving forward. “None of that now, don’t lose face.” Duran’s voice came in a slow and steady whisper, so that only his daughter could hear him. “I know this badger, and so should you. He is loyal to Lord Thickstripe and has doubtlessly been sent here on his orders. Keep your chin up, and if he looks at you be sure to meet his gaze. He is a badger of tremendous strength and valor—but remember that you are a vole of honor and bravery yourself, my dear. You quail before nobeast.” His words were kind and served to support Avirly’s wavering self esteem as they came to stand before the great badger and his two mighty Salamandastron hares. With one paw Duran loosely held the hilt of his rapier, while his other rested upon Avirly’s shoulder in a protective, fatherly way. “Thank you, Kani, for greeting our guests and opening the gate.” The commander smiled warmly at the rabbit, whom he clearly remembered from the promotion ceremony last week and their conversation last season in the Hall of Remembrance. He still had trouble understanding her odd speech from time to time, but was growing to like the young recruit. “Commander Russet, I would be very obliged if you would join us here. I may be in need of your assistance.” At last the High Commander turned his attention to the badger and his companions. It was an interesting sight to see him standing before the great warrior. As a vole, Duran barely came to Uriah’s waist, though by the way he stood and the air that was about him one would hardly think he was anything but equal height to the powerful beast standing in the gate. “Uriah Thunderpaw, it has been far too many seasons since I was last able to greet you. Come in and tell me how we can best assist you in whatever duty has brought you to us.” |
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High Commander of Black Arch Fort | |
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| Thunder On A Bright Day · Archives | |
5:49 PM Nov 28
