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| Peace Restoring | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 3 2009, 10:12 AM (403 Views) | |
| Riptide Ruva | Aug 24 2009, 11:24 PM Post #21 |
Level One Poster
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"Ms. Jade? Is everything all right?" Jade’s grip on the unfortunate medic’s tunic loosened slightly at the sound of a familiar voice. Thoughts pounded in the blind otter’s mind as she stood there as though frozen in time. In the forefront was Riptide, the thought of him injured, dying, and alone was unbearable. But the voice of Marabell slipped past the rising panic in Jade’s chest and caused her to release her victim. The medic stood in shock for an awkward moment before he scurried away. The otter turned toward the spot where she had heard Marabell. Her face was grim, and her sightless eyes brimmed with tears. “Riptide has not returned. Marabell. . . what. . . what will be done about those that haven’t come home?” The sound of joyous cries and welcomes seemed hollow to Jade as she stood alone. For the first time in her life she was in a crowd and yet felt lonely and vulnerable. Any moment she expected to hear her brother’s laugh, to have him race up behind her and wrap her in a huge bear hug, joking all the while. She kept straining her ears for any evidence that what the medic had told her was not true. And if it was? What would she do? Duran would explain everything. . . surely. . . and he would say that Riptide was alright, just not with the main group. That must be it. He had just been separated and Duran was going to send out a patrol to find him immediately. . . |
Lieutenant Colonel Riptide Ruva Profile | |
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| Duran Swiftpike | Aug 25 2009, 12:18 AM Post #22 |
High Commander
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Avirly was thrilled her friend was back at last, and the idea of a feast to celebrate the return of the guard made things ten times better. The volemaid skipped circles around Jelal as they moved with the rest of the crowd toward the Keep and the dining hall. As she skipped she chattered away about the plans the rest of the fort had made in preparation for the warrior’s return. “It was my mother’s idea, mostly, though Jade, Rubena, and several others pitched in a lot. We’ve had our cooks ready to get a feast ready at a moment’s notice for over a month now. You should see all the barrels of cordial and fizz and wine that’s been brought up from the caves! And tons of dad’s cheeses, ready to be cut and served. I’ll bet at least ten cooks are getting a huge pot of hot root soup ready as well. I know that’s your favorite! Remember last feast we had? It was my first time trying that hot soup! Figures we’d have it now, I was just starting to get my taste buds back!” Avirly’s storm colored eyes danced as she and Jelal were the first to reach the dining hall. A cheer rose up from the kitchen help as they were laying dishes out on tables. Not everything was ready, but a number of salads, fresh bread, and bowls of fruit had been placed on the tables. Smells of twenty different dishes came from the direction of the kitchens and two mice were tapping a barrel of pear cordial in the corner of the room. The volemaid nimbly made her way over and filled two beakers. By the time she turned the rest of the crowd had joined them in the hall and she had to wade her way back to Jelal. Quickly she handed him a beaker. “Whoop, here you go! Did you find us a seat? This place is going to fill up fast!” - As his daughter ran off to see her friend, Duran had remained with Laurel. The vole’s arm felt like it would nearly fall off as he waved it at everyone who had remained at the fort. It was so good to be home! “Duran, is that Jade over there about to strangle one of my medics?” Laurel’s voice was low as she steered her husband’s gaze to the otter. She was near the gate, and the tall otter did indeed have a firm grip on the medic in question. As the voles watched Jade released him and turned to talk with somebeast that was out of their line of view. Laurel gave her husband a concerned look. “Where’s Riptide?” Sadness filled Duran’s eyes as he faced his face. With one paw he caressed her cheek and softly told her what she knew was coming. “He has not returned with us. He survived the battle with Skarndor, however. Better than survived, really, it was he, Talyn, and Roe that managed to take Skarndor down between them. A few bumps and bruises and a busted pike was the worst that happened to him, which is more than we could say about Talyn. She took the worst of that assault. After the battle we gathered our wounded and recovered at Redwall. Lost a few on the way, lost one there, and at least a score we left behind on the battlefield. “On our return to Black Arch we came across a roving band of slavers. They gave us little trouble, and we managed to free all the slaves. The majority of the freed slaves wished to go to Redwall and live there, away from all the fighting here in the Northlands. Riptide headed the small patrol that went with the freed slaves to Redwall, but he never returned to catch up with us. Abbess Valerose had one of the abbey sparrows accompany us to act as a messenger for when we returned to the fort, but I sent her back to see that Riptide had arrived safely. Word returned that they never reached the abbey. We have no idea where they are or what happened to them.” Duran sighed, and slowly he removed his arm from around Laurel’s shoulders. “I have no doubt you’ve arranged for a feast to be held the moment we got back; in fact I can hear the cheers in the dining hall now. Go, see that the celebration continues. Instruct the commanders to send the families and friends of those who have not returned to my office. I’ll get cleaned up and meet with them there, then we will join the rest of you and feast. This is a happy day, but also a day to remember and honor those who sacrificed for us, so that we could return here.” Laurel watched as Duran left her and went immediately to Jade’s side. The volewife could not hear what her husband said to the blind otter, but she knew that it was comforting. He appeared to invite Jade and Marabell up to his office. Laurel took a deep breath, willing herself to save her tears for the fallen for a more private moment. Right now she was needed at the feast. |
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| Jelal Waveskimmer | Aug 25 2009, 07:00 PM Post #23 |
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Level Two Poster
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Jelal smiled and laughed as Avirly garrulously went on about everything they had prepared, his stomach growling. It was good to hear a friendly voice that wasn't speaking in clipped, military tones for once! He licked his lips at the thought of the spread being described, especially when it came to hotroot soup. Now there was something that absolutely made "Just now? Well, perfect timing! Now you can burn 'em off again by tryin' out some extra hot hotroot I picked up from the Skipper o' Redwall itself!" He grinned as he pulled out a small burlap satchel, shaking it around before replacing it in the sack that Avirly had fashioned for him. It certainly did seem a little worse for wear, but it was more... traveled than actually worn down. Broken in, one might say. As he went to get them both a seat, he went along picking out fruits and bread samples from all over the dining hall, hardly even bothering to put most of it into a plate. He had an armful of food before Avirly got back with the drinks. He had practically cleared out a small space just from the multitude of plates he had gathered! The otter gladly took one of the beakers of cordial. "Right down 'ere, little missy! I'm 'opin this place fills up! Nothin' like a lotta companionship ta' wash away the terror of battle." He shook his head in sad silence for a moment. "Noticed miss Ruva an' a few others 'avin a hard time of it. I'm glad ya' didn't come along, Avirly. Your father wouldn't 'ave wanted you seein' what we did." He shrugged and smiled again. "But enough a' that! It's time ta' celebrate the life we still got, eh? Wonder if anybeast'd be averse to a song..." Edited by Jelal Waveskimmer, Aug 25 2009, 07:04 PM.
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| SilverRose Brighteye | Aug 25 2009, 09:47 PM Post #24 |
Level Two Poster
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"I'm Hi'm quite sure they would 'ave me little warrioress! Nobeast stands before the flippin' sword of a bally fighter such as yerself! Narika giggled and hopped from one footpaw to the next happily. She didn't know what she would have done if Teltoli had gone with the other warriors. She positively adored the hare, and not just because he was her papa's friend. Her ears perked when he got down to his knees. Suddenly, she grew serious, as if they were having a discussion that could mean the difference between life and death. "Now make yer choice lassie. Would yah rathah cross blades with yer uncle Telly or let 'im scoop you up and toss yah in the air?" "Hmm," Narika seemed to think for a moment before she suddenly threw herself forward into Teltoli's arms. "I'll cross blades with you another day, uncle Telly!" She laughed merrily and held onto the hare when he stood. At Sonia's introduction, the maid dipped her head politely and grinned. The jingling chimes on Sonia's ears made Narika's smile grow even wider. Oh, if only they were a little closer, she could bat at them. "Any friend of uncle Telly is a friend of mine!" she exclaimed then grinned at her mother. SilverRose fought back a chuckle as she watched her daughter's antics. It was difficult not to grow attached to the squirrelbabe. She had the air of innocence around her, and while she was a trickster at times, she was typically a well behaved child. The healer bobbed her head to Sonia and drew her paw back after they shook. "Sonia Windburnt at yer service. Former valiant scout'n soldier of th'Firemountain, recent righter-of-wrongs and wanderer West of River Moss, 'n current visitor t'yer grand ol' Fort. Pleasure's all-flippin-mine, wot?" "Ah, I was wondering if there were several hares from Salamandastron at Black Arch," SilverRose smiled. "I know a few of the warriors there. Maybe you know them as well." Before she could say much more, Teltoli mentioned the one thing that got Narika's stomach rumbling. Food! A feast! The dibbun whooped while SilverRose chuckled and nodded to the pair. "A feast sounds wonderful." Winking, the mother squirrel walked beside the two hares and her bouncing daughter. **** Marabell was more than a little relieved when Jade let go of the medic. She nodded to him, hoping that would comfort him. She knew what it was like to have beasts grab at her tunic purely out of stress or grief. The maid was afraid to hear what was troubling Jade, and she didn't have long wait. “Riptide has not returned. Marabell. . . what. . . what will be done about those that haven’t come home?” For the first time, Marabell was glad Jade was blind. The maid's mouth dropped and her eyes grew wide in horror. She made certain not to make a sound, knowing that would tip Jade off to her reaction. Riptide hadn't returned? Oh poor Jade! Surely he was still alive...he had to be alive for Jade's sake! The shrew glanced around, wishing that someone could explain the situation to both of them. Obviously that was all she had gotten out of the medic, but what about...oh there was Duran. The maid relaxed a tiny bit as Duran made his way towards them. Wanting only to comfort Jade, Marabell drew forward and took the otter's paw between hers. "It'll be all right, Ms. Jade. I'm sure Mr. Swiftpike will know what to do. He's coming to us right now. I'll stay with you...if you'd like." Oh, she wished she was better at comforting beasts. She didn't know what the fort did about missing soldiers. Did they send out a search party? Was Riptide dead? She just didn't know. When Duran drew even with them, she bowed her head politely then glanced up at Jade when they were invited to his office. While she was not related to Jade, she wanted to be there for the blind otter as a friend. |
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~~ SilverRose Brighteye Kurosawa ~~ "The petals of a rose may be soft, but beware the thorns." ~~Marabell Ambersong~~ | |
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| Dale Stormbreak | Aug 30 2009, 01:59 AM Post #25 |
 
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"Guess my stomach has a one track mind. What say we pick up our feet and pounce on the feast before it's all gone eh?" Dale grinned broadly. He liked this hare already; a lass who wasn't afraid to laugh. "M'thoughts exactly, Miss Eva!" As the pair merged with the crowd of woodlanders streaming into the Keep, he had to raise his voice to be heard. "So what kind o' grub d'ya fancy? It looks like they'll be pullin' out all th' stops on this 'un." He eyed a platter moving their direction. Unfortunately, it was still several yards away when it was emptied. This called for drastic measures. The whiskery sea otter leaned and whispered in Eva's ear. "Tell yah what, how abouts yah snag us a seat an' I'll load up some plates for th' both o' us, aye?" A half full plate of rolls floated by. Seizing the opportunity, Dale surged through the crowd, crying out excuse me's and pardons. It was just like swimming. He was swimming through an ocean of unfamiliar faces. The last thing he wanted was for them to see the sadness he harbored deep inside - the sorrow that scarred his heart. And so he pasted on the largest, friendliest grin he could manage, eyes bright and twinkling. As Dale passed the nearly-empty platter of rolls, he grabbed the whole thing with a friendly apology and continued on his way. Arms raised high, he moved from table to table, politely nudging his way through those seated to nab a bit of food here and there. Finally, he caught sight of Eva sitting at one of the outlying tables that had yet to receive food. There wasn't much room, but there was an empty spot next to the hare. Filling two mugs with pear cordial, he headed that way. Plopping the heaped platter on the table, he winked. "Here we are, mateys! Special delivery, aye?" The occupants of the table cheered and started eating. Dale sat and passed a mug to Eva. "Fine spot yeh got, Miss Eva!" He swigged from his cup and beamed. |
 _____Dale Stormbreak
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| Eva Temaro | Sep 7 2009, 06:47 PM Post #26 |
Level One Poster
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"So what kind o' grub d'ya fancy? It looks like they'll be pullin' out all th' stops on this 'un." Eva followed Dale through the dining room, ducking now and again to avoid servers or beasts rushing to grab food. It was a bit of a battle field in here, but what was she to expect? The warriors had finally returned, and their families, free of stress, could fill their bellies with the delectable meal. Her own stomach was starting to rumble loudly, and in answer to Dale's question, she swept her arm across the vast room. "Anythin'," she chuckled. Eva reached out towards a platter at the same time as Dale and came up empty pawed. The hare snapped her claws together then blinked when Dale told her the battle plan. "Tell yah what, how abouts yah snag us a seat an' I'll load up some plates for th' both o' us, aye?" "H'all right then. I'll hold down the fort, wot!" Eva smirked and watched the otter trundle off to capture some food. In the meantime, the haremaid made her way around the tables and benches, trying to find a free spot. She located a few open seats beside a few hungry looking beasts. Under normal circumstances, the hare probably would have grabbed a plate and sat off in a corner alone, or returned to her room in the East Tower. However, something about Dale's personality was a bit infectious, and she suddenly decided she didn't want to be alone quite yet. The hare jumped past a beast and scooted underneath an empty platter before landing nimbly on the edge of the bench. It wasn't a moment too soon. Dale resurfaced with a mountain of food and two mugs practically dripping cordial on the ground. Eva shifted to give the otter more room and took one of the mugs before he could drop it on the floor. "Here we are, mateys! Special delivery, aye? Fine spot yeh got, Miss Eva!" "Fine scoff you've gathered, wot!" Eva said, smiling. She took a deep sip of the cordial then put on the table before snagging a scone. "Haven't had food like this since Redwall. Lovely place, matey, though not a place H'I'd like to settle in, no sah." She swallowed a chunk of the scone then tilted her head at Dale. "So, ya said you haven't been here long. Are you planning on staying?" She licked her muzzle and took another sip of cordial. Well this certainly wasn't bad at all! It was rare when she felt like she could enjoy the company of others. |
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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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| Dale Stormbreak | Sep 23 2009, 03:32 PM Post #27 |
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"So, ya said you haven't been here long. Are you planning on staying?" Mouth full of pasty, Dale began to say something, but all that came out was "Nmph shmph!" Swallowing heavily, he cleared his throat with some more pear cordial, and tried again. "Not sure. Really only came here t' check up on an ol' friend. 'Aven't talked to 'im for some time. I 'eard 'e was 'ere, so I came t' see!" The otter tore a chunk from a warm roll and peered at the other tables. "Don' see 'im right now, but I saw 'im earlier. Figured I'd better wait 'til he's reunited with 'is family fer a bit, an' things calm down." He shrugged and turned back to Eva. "'Ow 'bout you, then? 'Ow'd you end up 'ere?" |
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_____Dale Stormbreak
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