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| Peace Restoring | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 3 2009, 10:12 AM (406 Views) | |
| Duran Swiftpike | Aug 3 2009, 10:12 AM Post #1 |
High Commander
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During the Winter of the Silver Sails a cold Northern wind brought snow and sorrow to the gates of Black Arch Fort. The Midwinter celebration had barely begun when the bells rang out the warning. A vermin horde, led by the vicious Skarndor, had attacked. The Compass Point Inn and all its inhabitants had already been overtaken, and Skarndor was quick to set up his base there and encircle the fort with his vermin. The first battle was one of the worst the fort had seen since its founding. All thoughts of celebration were abandoned and the night was spent preparing for the fight ahead. Dibbuns, civilians, and travelers took refuge in the caverns beneath the fort. Healers began to ready the infirmary for the flow of injured that would doubtlessly arrive. Duran and the Tower Commanders held a council of war and hastily threw plans together. As dawn broke the first cries of battle filled the air. The Battle of Midwinter Ruin had begun. Three days later marked the end of the battle, with twenty-eight dead and more wounded on the side of the woodlanders, and who knew how many vermin. But it was only the beginning of a brutal war. Skarndor and his remaining forces had found Black Arch to be too much trouble, and had retreated to the East. High Commander Duran Swiftpike had then made a very difficult decision: Skarndor would be pursued, and his horde destroyed. Black Arch stood for more than just protecting its own walls. It was charged with being a stronghold of peace for woodlanders in the entire area. With Skarndor still in command of a sizeable horde of vermin the land was not safe. In order to protect the peace-loving woodlanders, Black Arch Fort quickly readied itself for war and within ten hours of winning the Battle of Midwinter Ruin was in pursuit of the fleeing horde. The young, the wounded, and the majority of the civilians stayed behind. A skeleton guard was left to defend the walls as the army marched off into the snow. As Duran led the weary fighters Eastward he felt rather than saw the two pairs of eyes on the wall top that followed him out of sight. His wife, Laurel, and the dependable gatekeeper, Teltoli Riverbuck, had been left in charge of the fort until the warrior’s return. . . - Avirly and Jade were walking along the wall tops enjoying the summer sun, as the two friends often did. They stopped to talk to and encourage the wall guards, carefully avoiding the subject of when their companions and family members would return from hunting Skarndor, and if they would ever even return at all. The vole and the otter slowly came at last to the main gate, where they met Teltoli Riverbuck in his usual place. The three spoke of the weather, of what the kitchens would be serving for lunch, and of other such lighthearted things. Soon silence fell upon them, leaving them to their own thoughts, which were surprisingly similar. “Do you hear that?” came Jade’s soft voice, dispelling the silence. “Hear what?” Avirly said. “I don’t hear anything except the waves on the cliffs.” Before the blind otter could respond, a shout arose from the Southern corner of the walls: a huge band of creatures was coming up the road toward the fort! In a manner of seconds the tranquil fort was set into motion as orders were called through the air and bells began to ring commands. Laurel raced from the gatehouse to join her daughter on the walls, and Teltoli quickly got the guards in order. They were preparing as though the travelers might be approaching vermin, but everyone’s heart was hoping the same thing, that it was instead the warriors coming home at last. No one dared uttered this hope aloud, however, as they gathered, fully armed, on the ramparts, each gaze riveted on the dust cloud that drew ever closer. Finally a tense quiet overtook the watching guards, and a few eyes turned to Jade, who was standing on the walls and gripping the flapping banners that marked the main gate. Her ear was bent toward the travelers, and a concentrated look dominated her face. Suddenly a huge smile split her features and she turned excitedly to Teltoli. “Open the gates, let them in! I can hear them singing! Hurry!” And no sooner had she said it than the cloud was close enough for the words of their song to reach the wall. Over and over they sang the same verses, and by the time the line of warriors was five hundred feet from the open gate their words were at last distinguishable over the sound of their running paws and clanking supplies: Four towers of Black Arch unite Rise together, join the fight Bells are ringing, voices singing Gather in growing might O, banner flying, proud and true Pledges we have made to you Battle roaring, peace restoring Mossflower born anew Mountains by the North are near Hold back chaos, war, and fear Walls defending, never bending Raise up your shield and spear Sea and sands the West watches o’er Waters of the ocean explore Pirates defeating, quests completing Ready for storm or war Farther lands the East does survey Map, patrol, protect the way Battle’s living, unforgiving Far from their home they stray South Tow’r bears the messengers load Guarding wall and gate and road Words connecting, paths protecting Where bravery and hope are sowed Four towers of Black Arch unite Rise together, join the fight Bells are ringing, voices singing Gather in growing might O, banner flying, proud and true Pledges we have made to you Battle roaring, peace restoring Mossflower born anew |
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High Commander of Black Arch Fort | |
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| Canall Nyosiphkitz | Aug 3 2009, 11:03 AM Post #2 |
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[[OoC: I'm working on getting Canall's family bio written up, but I'm going to do part of this post with them -if that's okay.]] IC: Oakrose, civilian and wife to West Tower Guard Canall, was busily cleaning the dormitory. She was always dutiful and helpful. She worked, hard and long, focusing on her job so that she didn't have time to think about her husband. The squirrel couldn't help but picture his face -not handsome, but strong and kindly. She had been surprised when he stopped working as a carpenter to join the Guard; she accepted it and wished him luck. It had been worse when the attack happened. It was his first real battle, and he came to her, silent. "It was the most awful thing I've ever seen or done," he'd said, gently holding a sleeping daughter. "Then quit. No one would judge you for it. Some beasts aren't made for war," Oakrose had replied, cradling their other Dibbun. He looked at her sharply, shaking his head no. "I've seen what they do, Rose. I couldn't sit by with the knowledge that if I don't fight they'll kill you and enslave our children. No. I have to. It's my job," Canall then answered. And that was it. He left, promising to return. He kissed their daughters, Byre and Nyvia goodbye, before embracing her, whispering quick, sweet I love yous, before pecking her cheek and filling in the formation. Oakrose felt tears well up in her eyes. She wiped them away hurriedly. A pack of young ones came in, shouting loudly, "Marm, Miz Oakrosey, there beasts comin' up the path!" Then the squirrelmother, heard the bells and orders. She was no good at defending or weaponry, so she helped look after the Dibbuns. "Come, let's go down stairs and on the lawn. Then we'll see who it is!" she exclaimed, feeling joy bubble up. It had to be the soldiers! She swept a pair of young mice into her arms, and ran from the second floor of the keep, down below and out the doors with the Dibbuns on her heels. She stopped, waiting, listening. The guard on the walls stood firmly and for a second she thought of vermin, but the otter's cry. She set the two young mice down, then ran faster than she ever had in her whole life, up the stairs. Nyvia, eleven, saw and grabbed her four-year old sister Byre and made her way up. She squeezed next to her mother, eyes wide. "Is it Daddy?" she asked, looking out. "Yes, yes, yes it is!" Oakrose cried out, tears in her eyes. "Then what are you crying for, Mum?" Nyvia asked. --- Canall sang loudly, especially on the verse pertaining to the West Tower. He wanted nothing more than to run out from the rest, into the now open gates. He stayed though, marching in proper military fashion. The squirrel searched the ramparts madly for sight of his Oakrose. He saw her and smiled widely as he sang, his eyes firmly locked on hers. He was home! |
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Canall ; West Tower Guard Squirrel | |
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| Sceotend Russet | Aug 3 2009, 12:46 PM Post #3 |
 
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Sceo thought she had forgotten how to sing. It had been too long since she had tried. The pursuit and final defeat of Skarndor had drained something from her, whether or not the squirrel would admit it. She had hoped never to see that much death again. She had hoped there wouldn't be any other hordes to fight in her lifetime. She had hoped the walls of Black Arch Fort would be enough. Her hopes hadn't been realized, but then, if she was honest with herself, she knew better than to expect that they would. She sucked in a deep breath, and started on the next verse, half closing her eyes as she marched. She felt her bow and quiver beat against her back with every step. She felt the smoothed grain of her spear's shaft beneath her paws, a much different feeling than the polished rough that had met her paws when they marched out that winter. Her clothes were thin. Her footpaws were calloused. She had all but forgotten the taste of a meal cooked in a proper oven in the security of a permanent kitchen. If it weren't for the hospitality of the few settlements they passed, she wasn't sure she would have remembered at all. Battle roaring, peace restoring Mossflower born anew. Sceo smiled - it was a smile, and not a grin - as the last lines broke from her lips. Mossflower had been reborn. All the pain was worth the reward. "Hail Black Arch!" She lifted her spear above her head and let out a shout. The gates were open, and she couldn't wait to feel the familiar paths beneath her footpaws once more. |
 Is most definitely one to argue. | |
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| Teltoli Riverbuck | Aug 3 2009, 02:33 PM Post #4 |
Gatekeeper
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The faithful Gatekeeper smiled as Avirly and Jade walked towards him. He had spent a quiet morning on the ramparts above the gatehouse, his eyes roaming over the lands. Every day Teltoli watched and waited for the return of the band that had gone to seek and destroy the hordes of the wildcat lord Skandor. Truth be told the ruddy hare would have trekked along with the best of them. He was a campaigner at heart and had spent many long seasons on the road. However, Fates had seen to keep him from such journeys this time around. He was a stalwart beast and quite capable of holding the gates of Black Arch Fort. For this reason Duran had chosen him to watch over the fort until his return. "Aye, quite sure brekkers will be nice as ever wot!" Tel chuckled and bit into an apple slice had had pulled from his pocket. "Duran took most of the best fighters but there's still pleanty 'er who know 'ow teh slice a carrot 'n make pasties fer us!" The hare twiddled his ears and smiled at Jade though he knew the blind otter would not be able to see it. "Don't you twiddler yer ears at me you 'ol gate wholloper!" Jade reached up to pat the hare's shoulder and smiled. "Nevah know 'ow ye do it marm... yeh read me like a book without so much as a glance at me wot!" They continued to banter for a while until Jade fell silent, her blind eyes turning to gaze up the road. "Do you hear that?” came Jade’s soft voice, dispelling the silence. “Hear what?” Avirly said. “I don’t hear anything except the waves on the cliffs." "Aye, neither do I marm..." Tel responded quietly. Not long after all three knew there was a large group coming up the path. At first they could hardly have been heard much less seen aside from the large cloud of dust being kicked up. But then the song of Black Arch began to waft in. "Tis the fighters returning from battle! Don't know how you spotted them so soon on Jade!" "Open the gates, let them in! I can hear them singing! Hurry!" Tel, realizing he had become a bit flustered over the whole thing, twitched whiskers that had recently been waxed into a mustachio and grinned hugely. His expression changing in an instant as he bellowed commands to the guard. "Fighters returning wot! Get the bally gate chains crankin' wot! Flankers on the walls! Hoist the banners! Front guard on the pathway! Welcome our warriors in style mates!" The hare patted the rapier at his side fondly. "Next time me beauty. Next time I hope the bally commandah sees fit teh put me on the trail wot!" Tel smiled at his friends and beckoned them to follow him. "To the path mates! Can't wait teh see the faces of our returning friends!" Edited by Teltoli Riverbuck, Aug 3 2009, 08:23 PM.
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Teltoli Rifflappin Riverbuck  South Tower Commander and official Gate Keeper of Black Arch Fort Rayden Sharptalon South Tower Air Division Captain | |
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| Eva Temaro | Aug 3 2009, 09:05 PM Post #5 |
Level One Poster
  ![]](http://209.85.117.197/static/1/pip_r.png)
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Ah...what a journey. Eva squinted at the wall tops as the joyous warriors finally made their way home. The journey had taken a lot longer than Eva had expected, not that she would complain. It had been her choice to join the warriors, even though she had been at the fort for only a short while. The call to arms and action could not be ignored. Once a Salamandastron hare, Eva knew the importance the duty and honor. With the young, the old, and the wounded locked safely inside of Black Arch Fort, she had felt obligated to follow the other warriors to drive the vermin away from their shores. The journey had not been easy. Eva was still a young hare and learning how to work with her blades as well as with other beasts. Near the end of the battle, she had made the mistake of exposing her side to an opponent. Her folly left her with a broken arm and one less blade. Fortunately, Duran had made the wise decision to bring the wounded warriors to Redwall where their hurts could be mended. Eva could scarcely remember an elder squirrel holding her down so he could add a splint to her arm. She'd later learned his name was Flashpaw Brighteye. He, along with his mate Rosefern, had been very helpful in the mending process. Eva flexed her right paw, a slight smile on her muzzle. At least the bone had healed nicely. She still had to wear a brace from time to time just to be safe, but she could finally pick up a sword again. The hare's large ears perked as the song rang out from throats of the warriors. She considered joining in but settled for humming along with them instead. Eva looked around at the warriors and fought back a sigh. Many would be returning to family members or friends. Eva really didn't know many beasts at the fort yet. While she'd formed tentative bonds with some of her fellow fort members, she still didn't fully feel like she belonged. No matter. Eva was at home and in one piece. What more could she ask for? |
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*~* "I dreamed a thousand new paths. . . I woke and walked my old one.” *~* *~* Do not anxiously hope for that which is not yet come; do not vainly regret what is already past” *~* ************ Eva Temaro ************ | |
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| Orion Fulcry | Aug 4 2009, 02:49 AM Post #6 |
Level One Writer
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Orion was as tired as any from their long journey, a permanent limp in his step from his wounded left leg. Nevertheless, he marched along with the rest, footsteps falling in steady cadence. Normally, such a debilitating injury would have sent him spiraling into depression - and for a time it had - but the run-in with that band of slavers changed everything. Amongst the bedraggled and starving slaves, amongst the sweat and blood and stench, Orion had found one of his sisters. He couldn't keep himself from constantly glancing at her, reassuring himself that it really was her. The gaunt squirrel quietly padding along beside him, timid eyes staring at the ground, hardly looked like his bubbly younger sister of so long ago. But on the one occasion that she smiled at him, things were settled. Her grey eyes so like his father's, her smile so like his mother's - all doubt was washed away the instant he saw them. So much of his life had been spent searching for his two sisters, and now one walked beside him, not a foot away. He should have been elated - ecstatic even. Instead, Orion found himself unsure how to act. He had never thought ahead to what he would do when he found his sisters; he had never stopped to consider what it would really be like once he had them back. Gone was any kind of idealized notion that everything would be as it was when they were young. They had both led harsh lives, and yet completely dissimilar. Attempts at conversation became awkward and stilted. Orion would struggle for something to say, and his sister would cringe and apologize, never meeting his gaze. Finally, the long journey reached its end. Beneath the singing and cheering as the group passed beneath the gates, Orion spoke quietly to his sister. "Here we are, Acorn. Black Arch Fort." |
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Lieutenant Orion Fulcry (((  )))Life + Universe + Everything = 42 Alt: Amos Charp | |
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| Jelal Waveskimmer | Aug 4 2009, 08:24 PM Post #7 |
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Level Two Poster
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"Aye, Black Arch! I almost forgot what it looks like." Jelal Waveskimmer planted the butt of his spear into the ground (he had picked it up along the way back) and leaned upon it as he looked at the old fort. Still a sorry sight if he ever saw one, reaching up blunt and proud as though openly defying the crashing waves of the surf below. It filled his heart with a pride he hadn't known in a long, long time. The defeat of Skarndor had come at a heavy cost, and though Jelal knew about high prices all too well, the almost year long effort to wipe out the evils of that great horde weighed heavy on his mind. At least now they could truly rest, being back home where they all belonged. Home... that was a word he had never thought to hear again! He tramped up the path alongside all the other singing warriors, wondering what it would be like to be able to sit down and get a proper meal. Perhaps a bit of hotroot soup next to one of the braziers in the Keep, or even in the South Tower, cramped as it could be. He wanted a bit of peace and quiet after all the lunacy that he had been through in the intervening months. Tramping through raging Northland snows and watching comrades freeze, or the fury of combat on the Eastern Sea's shores. That was something that he did not want to repeat again for a while. He had joined up to keep the peace, not get killed for it after all! and yet, somehow, he had been blessed to come out of it with comparatively few injuries. A couple new scars to talk about for sure, but chain mail and a trusty shield had saved his life. After all the bloodletting, the trial of that terrible winter, it was good to be back at a place he could call home. He wondered if Avirly had grown much since they'd left? He and the young vole had been on speaking terms, or so he liked to think. Hefting his supply bag, he passed through the threshold. "Huzzah an' victory to the conquerin' heroes!" he said over the final tumult as they reached the gates, lifting his own spear to the sky. Now for the serious business of celebratory feasting, yes? |
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| Duran Swiftpike | Aug 8 2009, 11:34 AM Post #8 |
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High Commander
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((Canall, great post! Please feel free to continue writing with us in this thread.)) The words to leave the walltop and head to the path had barely left Teltoli’s lips when Avirly grabbed the hare’s paw and near dragged him to the stairs. She was so excited it seemed she bounced with every step, and as she bounced she chattered excitedly to her mother. Laurel refrained from bouncing, but a smile plastered her face that looked like it would never leave. She also began to talk with her daughter in a rapid manner, her voice quivering slightly the closer they got to the now open gate. By the time mother and daughter made it to the bottom of the stairs they were both in a dead run and shouting at the top of their voices. Duran, thankfully, saw them coming. He dropped his spear just in time to pull his wife and daughter into his arms, laughing as he did so. Oh how he had missed them! Tears rolled down Laurel’s cheeks as she broke away from the hug and immediately began to inspect her husband to make sure he wasn’t hurt. The High Commander chuckled and assured her he was fine, that he had a few scratches that had been patched up at Redwall, that no serious harm had come to him. As the family continued to hug and laugh and swap information the returning guards continued on past them, meeting their own family and friends. “Teltoli!” Duran managed to yell at last. The vole, with Laurel’s paw firmly held in his, began to wade his way through the crowd toward the gatekeeper. “Teltoli, from what my wife tells me you’ve done a great job of keeping the place in order while I was gone. What do you have to say about how well she performed her duties?” Duran grinned and winked at the hare, clearly expecting a humorous response. Avirly had eased away from her parents, thrilled as she was to see her father again, in order to give them some time to themselves. She knew that Duran would find time for just the two of them later. The young volemaid had also spotted another face she had been missing— “Jelal! Whee, you’re back!” Once again Avirly leapt at one of the returning warriors, her arms spread wide to hug her friend. “Great heavens, you look a mess! Your clothes are nothing but tatters. We’ll have to get you a new uniform. And is that the pack I made you for Midwinter! I say, it looks like it held up pretty well! I sure hope it did. I’m so glad you’re back, Jelal! I missed you a lot. We have so much catching up to do. You have to tell me everything that happened. Things were so boring here. I think I read almost every book in the library while you were gone!” |
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High Commander of Black Arch Fort | |
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| Riptide Ruva | Aug 8 2009, 12:06 PM Post #9 |
Level One Poster
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Jade, along with the rest of the group that had been on the ramparts, had made her way down to the gate. Unlike everyone else she hung back instead of rushed forward, though she dearly wished to find her brother, Riptide. After a few moments of waiting the otter began to worry. What if Riptide had been hurt? What if he had been separated from the group and had not returned with them? What if . . . ? The blind otter strained her ears for a sign of her brother. She turned her head back and forth, allowing herself to long for the days when she could see. Creatures continued to race past her, buffeting her as she stood still against the frame of the gate, now clutching the wood in her worry. Sounds of young dibbuns being swept up into their parents waiting arms mixed with the shouts from friends that went out across the crowd. Calls of news and good tidings and cries for a feast to be prepared filled the air. But slowly the world began to quiet for Jade. Her hearing focused on the sound of a single pair of pawsteps that were coming directly toward her. They were light, not the heavy pawsteps of her brother. “Miss Jade?” It was the voice of a young medic who traveled with the Wide Patrol, a mouse whose name she could not remember. “Miss Jade, I’m ‘fraid I have some. . . some news for ye, abou’ yer brother.” For the first time since her brother had left for war, the knot of worry in Jade’s stomach was replaced by burning fear. Instinctively she reached out and grabbed the medic’s shoulder, as though she had to prove to herself that some part of this was real but all the while hoping against it. The paw holding her driftwood cane began to tremble as she turned toward the young mouse. Her voice was the only thing still strong about her. “Where is he?” “We don’ know, Miss Jade. And I’m no’ really supposed to tell ye. Duran tol’ the whole East Guard that he would tell ye his self. I just saw ye standin’ here—“ Jade’s grip on the mouse’s shoulder tightened painfully and she seemed to tower over him. For a split second the medic worried the blind otter was about to pick him up by his collar and throw him against the wall. His eyes widened in surprise at the strength in her paw, and he wondered fleetingly if she was a warrior. But the thought left him quickly. Jade was blind, after all. “Either you tell me what happened to my brother or you take me to Duran.” |
Lieutenant Colonel Riptide Ruva Profile | |
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| Jelal Waveskimmer | Aug 9 2009, 04:11 PM Post #10 |
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Level Two Poster
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"Whoa, whoa!" Jelal barely had time to drop any pointy objects he might have been carrying before he found a volemaid launching into his arms, sending even the sturdy otter stumbling back a couple paces, laughing aloud at Avirly's enthusiasm, barely even able to keep up with her questions. Something about messy new uniforms and catching packs for Midwinter? He nonetheless returned the hug without shame, finding it very refreshing to see at least somebeast was glad to see him home again! It would have been terrible to just walk through the gates and find that he just had his bed to go back to. Though, considering what they had been through, his bed did seem very welcoming at the moment. The thought that a lowly sergeant like him was actually smiling and laughing with the daughter of the fort's commander didn't even cross his mind. "Hold on there missy! You'll make a poor otter's ears fall off with such a verbal assault! Aye, I kept the sack ya' gave me. Served me well, I managed ta' wallop a vermin or three with it," he said with a wink and a grin. "And o' course we got a lot of catchin' up ta' do! In fact I got three, count 'em, three new scars, an' a tale for each one. What do you think of that, eh? Meanwhile you can be tellin' me about all the fun, magical times ya' had stuck up in this big dreary castle." He grinned and threw a paw around her shoulders. Most of his forearm was conspicuously still bandaged. "So what's the fort got planned for the victory celebration, huh?" |
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