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| The Kestrel's First Hunt | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 30 2008, 01:16 PM (338 Views) | |
| Tallulah Maris Skahr | Sep 5 2008, 08:02 AM Post #11 |
West Tower Commander
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Tally's attention was dragged from Riptide to the door as Roe bounded in; Tally sighed inwardly. She never had been able to put that bucket of red dye back up over the door...a pity. She hadn't managed to dye Roe yet. "I heard you'll be going to visit some foxes, Tally. Need a tracker?" "You want to come?" Tally blinked at Roe in some surprise, then grinned. Knowing Roe, she had already gotten Duran's permission. And knowledge of Mossflower's coast would be much appreciated... A knock on the door cut off Tally's next words; another otter stood in the doorway. "Commander?" Tally's grin stretched wide and she waved a paw. "Come in, come in! It's getting to be a regular madhouse in here. Roe, welcome aboard. You sir, have you come to volunteer as well?" |
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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… | |
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| Orion Fulcry | Sep 5 2008, 01:58 PM Post #12 |
Level One Writer
  ![]](http://209.85.117.197/static/1/pip_r.png)
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"Ah, yes. I think so." As the pair walked, Orion found himself watching Hazelrose out of the corner of his eye. He hardly noticed when Commander Sungold hurried past them. "So, uh...What happened to your village?" he enquired, hoping feverishly that he didn't just offend her. By that time, the two squirrels were approaching the base of the West Tower. Taking hold of the door handle, Orion swung it open and waited for Hazelrose to enter. As she walked pass, they locked eyes, and Orion's breath caught in his throat. When had it suddenly got so warm out? Swallowing, he followed after, pulling the door shut behind him. |
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Lieutenant Orion Fulcry (((  )))Life + Universe + Everything = 42 Alt: Amos Charp | |
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| Tallulah Maris Skahr | Sep 6 2008, 10:47 AM Post #13 |
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West Tower Commander
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Hazelrose's ears drooped at the question. She headed for the stairs, remembering Laurel saying that the commander's office was at the top of the Tower. "My village is gone. The fox destroyed it." She shook tears from her eyes and headed determinedly up the stairs. She was going with the expedition. She would make sure of it. ((OOC: Hey guys, the Kestrel needs to sail, so we're probably sailing tonight some time.)) |
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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… | |
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| Orion Fulcry | Sep 6 2008, 12:54 PM Post #14 |
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Level One Writer
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((Okeydokey)) Orion's step faltered. He could feel a familiar rage beginning to build up within the core of his being. Vermin! The scum of the earth. Fit only to be impaled by arrows. Or any other various assortment of pointy objects. Brooding silently, he didn't speak for the rest of the climb up to the top of the tower, almost forgetting Hazelrose was even there. Before he knew it, they were standing before the open door of Commander Skahr's office. Those inside could clearly be heard. For a moment, he stood there, unsure of whether to enter. Finally, mouth set in a grim line, he rapped on the door frame and stepped inside. |
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Lieutenant Orion Fulcry ((( )))Life + Universe + Everything = 42 Alt: Amos Charp | |
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| Tallulah Maris Skahr | Sep 6 2008, 09:24 PM Post #15 |
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West Tower Commander
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Tally's ears perked at another knock, and the squirrel Orion Fulcry stepped in. Tally was ecstatic to see another volunteer. "Fulcry! Well, we're certainly getting a lot of volunteers..." The otter commander trailed off as another squirrel appeared from behind Fulcry. Tally groaned inwardly when she saw the determined look on Hazelrose's face, but outwardly she straightened, though her smile became a little strained. "Miss Hazelrose. You've made a decision?" Hazelrose met Tally's eyes stubbornly, ignoring the others in the room. "Yes. I'm coming too. Juniper will be perfectly fine in Ms. Laurel's care." Tally looked at her for a long moment; Hazelrose gulped, but stood her ground. Finally, Tally sighed and nodded. "Very well, Hazelrose. I see you won't change your mind." Hazelrose smirked and nodded. "I won't be a burden, Commander Skahr." Tally waved a paw airily. "I'm sure you're a good cook, so the job won't matter, and if we get attacked...well, I'll have someone teach you how to use a sword. In fact," Tally eyed Orion Fulcry, "I think the lieutenant here would be more than willing to help, right lieutenant? Now, everyone has their orders. Report to the Kestrel tomorrow at dawn. Dismissed!" |
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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… | |
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| Tallulah Maris Skahr | Sep 6 2008, 09:37 PM Post #16 |
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West Tower Commander
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"Oh dear." Xavier tsked as Blackfang saluted him. "Really, Blackfang, you are soaked." The weasel smirked, well mindful of the blood that covered his tunic and dripped from his claws. "Sorry fer th' mess, Cap'n." Xavier waved a negligent paw, the strange golden paint on his claws catching the sun. "Never mind. Where is their leader" Two of his corsairs stepped forward, dragging an elderly hedgehog. Several other hedgehogs, together with some mice and squirrels, huddled within a snarling ring of Xavier's crew. The village's small fighting force lay strewn on the ground around their smoking houses, gutted and torn apart by the corsairs' savagery. Xavier smiled winsomely at the old hedgehog, straightening the lace on his sleeves. "What is your name?" The hedgehog growled. "None o' yer business, vermin." Xavier's grin merely widened, his golden eyes sparkling with mirth as he flicked one of the hedgehog's headspikes with a glinting claw. "Now now, should you really be mouthing off? I hold your life and the lives of those you hold precious within these paws." With a smirk, he flicked his claws and scored a thin line down the hedgehog's cheek. Blood welled and began to drip from the old creature's chin. Blackfang sniggered. "Ye won't live t'see what'll happen t'yer precious village, spikepig. Ye've been marked by Cap'n Poisonclaws." Edited by Tallulah Maris Skahr, Sep 6 2008, 09:38 PM.
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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… | |
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| Tallulah Maris Skahr | Sep 6 2008, 09:54 PM Post #17 |
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West Tower Commander
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Tally stood on the deck of the Kestrel, breathing in the salt air and feeling the ship rock beneath her feet. It was a beautiful day; the sun was shining, the sky was blue, and the smell of breakfast was wafting from the galley. Tally took a deep breath and grinned. Yes, it was a beautiful day. Of course, it would be better if we could get a sign of the fox's ship. The trail has gone cold... Tally shuddered as she remembered landing at Hazelrose's village. The corpses of the squirrels had been torn by the beaks of crows and were filled with maggots, but even that had not been enough to disguise the marks of brutal tortures. Even the babes had died horrible, painful deaths. Hazelrose, though white and shaking, had informed Tally that she had counted the bodies. Several were missing; Tally assumed they had been taken for slaves on board the corsair ship. Rage clouded Tally's mind and began to edge her vision with red. Vermin...must kill...evil...destroyed... Tally snarled and pushed the rage aside. It was no time to lose herself... "Commander!" The lookout shouted down from the crow's nest. "I see smoke off the larboard bow!" "Smoke?" Tally bounded to the rail; sure enough, a thin trail of smoke rose from the direction of the coast. "All hands to stations! We're heading toward land; be ready for anything!" ~***~ It was a village. Tally stared as blackened house still belched smoke, some beginning to crumble to the ground. Corpses, still with weapons nearby, littered the streets and outskirts. An older guard, a mouse with graying whiskers named Kalvin, knelt next to a hedgehog. "These must have been their only fighters, Commander. But where are the civilians and Dibbuns?" "Everyone spread out and search." Tally ordered. "Look for anyone who may be alive, for clues as to who did this. We need everything we can find!" Edited by Tallulah Maris Skahr, Sep 6 2008, 09:55 PM.
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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… | |
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| Roe Sungold | Sep 6 2008, 10:32 PM Post #18 |
South Tower Commander
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Two villages burned, destroyed, murdered. Roe had walked through Hazelrose's village with a stoic mask; what use did it do to show her emotions, to scream and weep and grind her teeth? The squirrels were long dead, and all Roe could do now was hunt, hunt their killers. The Kestrel's deck had seemed almost selfishly clean and crisp as they set sail again, leaving the poor graves and broken village behind them. Roe kept to herself, talking to Tally occasionally, discussing new routes and likely attacks from the vermin. Listening to the crew's chatter at night, Roe heard more than one younger creature speak of feeling guilty, of being so privileged to have life and health and food, when they had witnessed such dreadful destruction. Roe had said nothing. It was not her place to talk to them, to tell them what they didn't want to hear. They would have to learn for themselves, and they would grow through it. It surprised Roe, the sheer force of sudden burning anger when she saw the column of smoke, a few seconds after the lookout. She didn't hear Tally's orders, but stood still at the railing, staring across the verdant green, peaceful forest to the single marker of death, destruction, murder. She had spent the majority of her life walking through these woodlands, had seen all there was to see of vermin and their ways. She had fought, in her wilder days, at Fort Ruddler, waged war against Marshank and Cold Bay and Fort Tatterack. But this, she couldn't quite place. Why burn now, why feel such furious rage when she already knew what she would see? Glancing across to the helm, Roe saw Tally's expression. The younger otter was not one to hide her thoughts, control her anger. Roe sighed, and went below to collect her gear. It was time to do what she had volunteered for. She would track these vermin to Hellgates and back. *** The village was as bad as Roe had expected; worse, even, in the ominous absence of Dibbuns. Slavers were common. She heard Tally's command and automatically moved forward, adding her own words. "Don't touch anything, don't touch anybeast. Just look, and tell us what you see." Roe took a deep breath, the vicious tang of death mixing with fresh moss, salty smoke and the cooler, crisp autumn wind rustling through the breeze. Another smell, something faint and unkind on her whiskers. She couldn't quite place it. She stepped forward, following the smell around, behind one of the burning huts; the flames were dying down, wattle-and-daub walls holding out the fire better than most huts. The otter stopped, and stared down at the sight behind the hut. She had found the Dibbuns. Young creatures, clutched in their dead parent's paws, eyes open and staring. Creatures who had died mid-scream, innocent woodlanders looking for nothing but a way through their life in peace. Peace was long gone from this place. Roe turned, dark eyes unchanging in their impassive assessment of the scene. She walked back across the village, side-stepping as one of the other Fortbeasts pushed past her toward the Dibbun's slaughtering ground. A second pile of bodies caught her attention; lying in a row, eyes closed - no, not closed but squeezed tight shut, lips drawn away from teeth in permanent grimaces of pain. Roe bent over them, sniffed. The smell was stronger here. There was no blood; no wounds, that she could see. And yet ... "Tally," she said, not raising her voice, "Look at these creatures. They've died in great pain, but their only would is across their faces. The same wound. Barely a scratch. This doesn't make sense." She paused, glanced across at Hazelrose, and added in a lower tone, "The Dibbuns and older creatures are behind that hut." |
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Roe Sungold South Tower Commander  Juno Springleap Tower Colonel
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| Riptide Ruva | Sep 7 2008, 02:10 PM Post #19 |
Level One Poster
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Riptide’s joy of being at sea was short lived. The slight spring to his step, the easy way he smiled and laughed with the volunteer crew of the ship—all turned to somberness as they approached and landed at Hazelrose’s destroyed village. A lump stayed in the sea otter’s throat the entire time they surveyed the damage, and he stuck close to one of the younger guards that had come along. In his mind he told himself he did it to look out for the younger creature, to be there for them as they witnessed their first real glimpse of the death and havoc that vermin wrecked across the land. He was there for the recruit as the young lad stumbled to the shore and promptly lost his lunch. “There now lad, don’t you worry. No one else is even lookin’ our way, and everyone understands. I still toss my cookies sometimes, it’s alright now. Gather yourself, take a deep breath, and I’ll stick with you as we head back in. We’ll be back at the ship soon, matey.” Rip was true to his word and stayed with the young recruit as they finished their survey and heard the report of Hazelrose. The big sea otter shook his head in a mixture of remorse and thankfulness. At least Hazelrose had made it out, and with her young child as well. Two lives, at least, had been spared. As the squirrel fell into silence Riptide glanced at the young recruit beside him. He pretended, like all the others around, not to notice his muffled sobs. The crew began to prepare to return to the ship, and Riptide realized they did not have the time to bury the dead. A deep pang struck his heart at this thought, and he was about to open his mouth and inquire about it when a high pitched whistle broke the silence. Members from other guards jumped and grabbed at weapons, but Riptide knew what it was. It was a shrill, a small wooden whistle used by members of the East Guard. The otter fumbled for a moment with a cord about his neck and quickly dug out his own whistle and placed it to his lips. He blew a series of notes, announcing to the patrol where they were, and in a matter of minutes the Wide Patrol had arrived at the scene. Talyn led them, and her face was as stony as Riptide had ever seen it. She looked across the village at the carnage with an emotionless face, though he could see the deepness in her eyes that told him she felt just as every other beast there did. It was a sickening sight, and Riptide was still grieved that the creatures would not be able to receive a proper burial. “Commander—“ The otter was cut short as Talyn cut through the air with her paw, a signal for him to be silent. Many of the volunteer crew had their eyes on her, and she seemed to be mentally calling for their attention. “Duran has sent us; we are here to bury the dead,” her voice rang clear and strong as she looked directly at Hazelrose. “They will be honored as the fallen should be in full upon your return. For now we will lay them to proper rest to await your homecoming, when full respects can then be paid. Those that remain at the fort wish for you to carry on without guilt that you are leaving the fallen disrespected behind you.” And with that the Wide Patrol, Riptide included, knelt as one before Hazelrose in silent tribute. As they knelt, Talyn whispered privately to her second in command. “I’m leaving two runners with you. Send them to me if you find any other villages like this, and we will tend to the dead there as well.” As much as Riptide hated to think of this destruction happening to another village, he knew all too well how likely it was. He nodded without a word as they got to their feet again and parted ways. ~~~~ When the crew again went to shore to survey the ruins of another village, Riptide obeyed his orders from Talyn and sent back on of the runners she had left with him. It was the only thing that gave him any comfort as he looked at all the death and suffering around him again. And again he stuck near the young recruit. He held up slightly better this time, though Riptide recognized the blank look on his face. Again, Riptide told himself he was sticking with the recruit out of kindness and compassion. Deep in his heart, however, he knew his actions were selfish. He stayed with the young guard because he was terrified to face it all alone. He was torn from his thoughts as he heard the recruit burst into very loud sobs. Slightly taken aback by the behavior, Riptide sprinted over to the small hut the lad had been sitting in to give his eyes and heart a break from all the death. Crying was as normal as throwing up when one got their first taste of war, but not wrenching wails and sobs quite like this. When the brawny otter lurched into the hut, however, he soon understood the recruit’s cries. He was on his knees with his arms thrown about the neck of a young mouse who was alive. From the look of the scene the mouse had been in an old trunk that was half buried in debris from the hut and had been torn open by the young guard. Blood dripped from his fingers as he clung to the babe, sobbing out of sadness and relief to have found a living being amidst all the death that surrounded them. However, the child was so terrified it held completely still, and its eyes were wide with fright. It looked no worse for wear physically, but Riptide quickly stepped in and removed the recruit from the babe. “There now, Telm, let him breathe. Good work, good work.” With one paw Riptide patted Telm’s back, while in the other he scooped up the dibbun and held him to his muscular chest. “You run back to the shore and fetch Jema, alright? She’s the second of the runners Talyn left with me, you’ll find her.” Telm was soon gone, still with tears streaming down his face, and the moment he was out of sight Riptide turned to the young one in his arms. He set about calming him down and doing all the things one was supposed to do with a Dibbun in this situation. Thankfully he had a piece of travel bread stuffed with dried fruit that he offered the young lad, and once he got to nibbling and knowing Riptide was big and strong and friendly he opened right up enough to be cajoled into playing a game. The “game” entailed the otter carrying him out to his ship where he could play as the captain and Riptide would be his deck swabber, and he could make Rip swab the decks for him all day. The only catch was the Dibbun had to keep his eyes closed until they got to the ship, because it was a surprise. They were also going to sing sea shanties as part of the game, nice and loud just like sailors did. It was in this manner that Riptide managed to get the young mouse to the ship and sparing him the sight and sounds of all the carnage that was left of his village. He made sure to get Tally’s attention as he passed her, pointing to the dibbun and clearly indicating he was a survivor he had found. ((I promise my posts won't always be this long!)) |
Lieutenant Colonel Riptide Ruva Profile | |
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| Tallulah Maris Skahr | Sep 7 2008, 04:04 PM Post #20 |
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West Tower Commander
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Tally stood beside Roe, staring down at the small line of creatures who had died those abnormal deaths. She had gone cold, cold all over...this was no time for blind rage, her anger knew. No one had ever seen the genial Commander like this before. "It could only be poison, but it's like no poison I've ever seen." Tally muttered softly, crouching beside the elderly hedgehog's body. She inspected the scratch with icy eyes, careful not to touch in case some poison might be left. "Such a tiny scratch would have let in only the tiniest dose of poison; it must be very potent." Tally glanced up, and suddenly her heart stopped. Riptide strode past, pointing to a wee bundle in his arms that had it's eyes scrunched shut. A Dibbun. A survivor! "Merciful heavens. Ruva found a survivor." Tally breathed, dropping her head into a paw. Giving herself a moment to pull herself together, Tally shook her head and stood. "Ruva's already sent a runner for the Patrol. Don't let anyone touch these creatures. We need to organize a detail to gather the dead, and I need to find Ruva and speak with the babe he found." Tally glanced around and bellowed. "Crew, listen up! Gather the dead and bring them here; lay them out neatly. The Wide Patrol will be here within the next few days for the burial." Tally stared at the bodies, a glint of something mad buried beneath the sadness in her eyes. "Let's make it a little easier on them." ~***~ When Tally finally made her way to the ship, she found Ruva and two others, a recruit named Telm and an East Tower runner named Jema being ordered about by a tiny wee babe of a mouse. Tally didn't know where in the world they had found a wooden sword, but there it was in the Dibbun's paws as he squeaked out little orders at the three guards. Tally snickered and stepped forward, giving the tiny mouse an elaborate bow and a large grin, her grief subsiding at the sight of the babe. "And who might you be, my lad?" "Biffle da Cap'n!" The mouse giggled heartily and waved his little sword. "Who are you?" "Well, Captain Biffle, I'm Tally." Tally plopped down next to the Dibbun; her grin softened into a sweet smile that, she was sure, shocked the guards watching. "I'm a captain too. I have some questions. Do you think you can answer them?" Biffle dropped down onto his behind, letting the sword clatter to the deck and grabbing his tail like a security blanket. He looked at her with huge eyes. "About da baddies?" "Yes, I'm afraid so." Tally scooped up the lad, settling him into her lap. "You see, we're chasing them so we can stop them from hurting people. Can you tell me what happened?" As Biffle screwed up his face in thought, Tally gestured carefully for the other three to come closer. The more beasts around that he trusted, the more Biffle might say about his experience. "Biffle was playin' hide an' seek." Biffle whispered, curling into Tally's shoulder and staring at Riptide, his ears twitching. "Was hidin' in da big box, an' then ev'ybody started yellin' really loud and there was lots of bangin'. Biffle was scared, so Biffle stayed inna box. But two really big stoats opened da box and pulled Biffle out, so Biffle bites dem." Biffle made a face, wiggling his nose. "Tastes icky. Da meanie stoats put Biffle back inna box and lock it. Dey were laughin' and sayin' Biffle would die b'fore dey reach Lost Moun--mount--" Biffle pouted. "Can't say it." "Lost Mountain?" A slow grin stretched across Tally's face. "Captain Biffle, you were marvelous. You were so brave! Now, go tell Telm and Jema that the starboard deck needs swabbing." Tally whispered mischievously. "And make sure they do their work, okay?" "Okay!" Biffle jumped up, grabbing his little sword and ran after Telm and Jema, burbling with laughter. Tally watched him with a smile, then turned to Riptide, excitement gleaming in her eyes. "We know where they're heading, now, and we can cut them off. Ruva, send the Dibbun with Jema to the Fort. I think Biffle should be sent on to Redwall; without his parents that would be the best place for him. I'll leave giving Jema her orders to you. Once everything is done here, we're sailing. They've got a full day ahead of us; we need to sail faster than the wind." Lost Mountain. Tally could remember it from one of her early voyages, a lonely stone peak rising from the sea, just off a line of giant white cliffs. Tally rubbed her paws together with an strange gleam in her dark eyes. The enemy was within reach. |
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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… | |
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1:29 PM Nov 25
