| Viewing Single Post From: The Kestrel's First Hunt | |
|---|---|
| Tallulah Maris Skahr | Aug 30 2008, 01:22 PM |
West Tower Commander
|
Sitting in a comfy chair before Duran’s desk, Tally pressed her paws to her forehead, ignoring the tap of her sharktooth earring connecting with a claw. The small squirrel beside Duran was watching her warily, casting quick glances to the side once in awhile to check her baby, whom Laurel was handling with long experience. “Well, this is certainly not good, sir.” Tally muttered, sitting up and meeting Duran’s eyes. She quirked a slight, strained smile, but it soon vanished. A pirate fox, a whole village dead…this had too much semblance to Tally’s own past for her to play the joker. “Indeed.” Duran watched her, paws clasped beneath his chin. “How is the progress on our ships, Commander?” Tally frowned thoughtfully even as her fur prickled with excitement. He couldn’t mean… “Well sir, the Lark is only half-complete as of yet. The Kestrel, however, is nearly finished. Only a few trimmings and sails to be fixed up, so it will probably be finished in the next couple of days, sir.” “And you have experience with such crafts on the open seas, I believe.” I was right! Tally crowed inwardly at Duran’s matter-of-fact statement, a slow grin stretching across her face despite the seriousness of the situation. She squirmed, already feeling the sea breeze ruffle her fur and tasting the salt of the ocean as waves licked at a ship’s sides. I’m going back to sea! Duran’s lips quirked at Tally’s squirming as he began to outline her orders. “Commander Skahr, you are hereby tasked to gather a group of guards from the Fort to man the Kestrel. You will sail as soon as the Kestrel is readied and provisioned. Due to the suddenness of these actions, your crew will be made up of volunteers from all four Tower Guards.” Duran’s voice hardened and Tally sat up straight. “You will sail along the coast to this young squirrel Hazelrose’s village. Learn what you can about this fox corsair. If possible, find his trail, follow and destroy him. He and his crew must not be allowed to continue their rampage.” “Understood, sir. I’ll have the volunteer list posted outside the West Tower this afternoon.” Tally stood and began to salute, but Duran held up his paw. She stopped and frowned. I get the feeling I’m not going to like this… “One last thing, Commander Skahr. Hazelrose has decided to accompany you as a guide. She assures me she has experience at sea from fishing expeditions, and will be acting as your cook.” Tally froze, finally turning her full attention on the young squirrel. Hazelrose, now holding a sleeping Juniper, straightened her back, meeting Tally’s incredulous gaze with barely a quiver. “Permission to speak freely, Commander?” Tally asked tightly, ears twitching agitatedly. Duran sighed and nodded, leaning back into his chair. Tally took a deep breath, and exploded. “Are you insane? You are a noncombatant, a mother with child, and you want to enter what will definitely become a warzone?” Tally planted her hands on her hips, looking like nothing more than a mother scolding a fractious child. Duran chuckled inwardly at the image even as Hazelrose stiffened, arms tightening around Juniper. “We’ll be at open sea for days, possibly weeks, no land for miles in any direction. Fishing boats don’t go out of sight of land for more a day; can you handle a true sea voyage?” Tally stared at Hazelrose, trying to convince her of her foolishness. “Are you ready for blood? For seeing your comrades wounded, perhaps killed?” Tally’s eyes narrowed. “Are you prepared to kill an enemy yourself? Can you take a weapon in your hand and snuff out a life? This will not be fun or easy, Hazelrose. It will be hard, dangerous, with every possibility that none of us may return. I will not have a liability on my ship. If you have a misplaced sense of revenge, if you want to kill the fox, see him destroyed by your own paws, or whatever you may be thinking revenge-wise, you have no place in my crew. However, if you truly want to help in order to keep this bloodthirsty band from harming others like they harmed you, then you may accompany us. Just realize what you are getting into, Hazelrose. Think of yourself and your child.” Tally’s shoulders suddenly sagged and she looked at the sleeping babe with a wistful smile, surprising even Duran. “A family is the most precious jewel you own; don’t throw it away for a petty reason.” The office was silent. Tally met Hazelrose’s shocked gaze once more, then turned and gave Duran a crisp salute. “I will attend to everything immediately, sir.” “Very well. Your orders will be drawn up and sent to you presently. I assume Mac will be left in command?” “Yessir. He’s no good with ships anyway; gets seasick even on a shrew logboat.” Tally snickered, her mood switching instantly. She bounded out the door, already yelling for her twin sergeants and teasing a passing guard about his armful of paperwork. Hazelrose blinked in shock at the sudden mood change. “Is she…always like that?” “Rethinking your plans?” Duran asked curiously, smiling slightly. Hazelrose glanced at him, at Juniper, and at the door. Her eyes hardened. “Where might I find Commander Skahr?” “Her office is at the top of West Tower.” Laurel chirped cheerily, sweeping Juniper from Hazelrose’s arms into her own. “Off you go, now, dear. I’ll take care of this darling.” Hazelrose hesitated, but whirled and marched out the door, heading for the courtyard. Laurel and Duran watched her go. “She’s going, isn’t she?” Duran nodded and busied himself with drawing up orders for the Kestrel and her crew. “Of course.” ((OOC: Hey guys, just letting you know if you want to join this thread, you need to post within the next five days. After that, the Kestrel sails and no one will be able to catch her.  )) |
|
This otter smiles when plotting; therefore, she is always plotting, as she is always smiling. Beware the smiling otter. Tallulah Maris Skahr West Tower Commander  Click If You Dare… | |
 |
|
| The Kestrel's First Hunt · Archives | |
5:53 PM Nov 28
