Lookin' Out

[Stoakly Centurio]

*The harsh summer sun beats down on the Terralux. A cool breeze is wished for by the residents, but Stoakly is more worried about other things. Standing on the rampart wall, Stoakly gazes out upon the plains. The wooden gate is closed, but awful pictures came into his mind. The gate would burn, fall, and the great armies of Burde the Cruel would enter. Burde's Horde has taken over the southern regions, the Great Plains, and they took over the trading routes. The ferret knows they are coming. He just knows it. However, the Guards of Terralux has recently been assigned to attack a vermin band in the woods. Captain Centurio has stayed; he has a hunch about it. Thus, the new beast, an otter named Swillen, has gone in his stead. Stoakly hopes Ashnel has stayed, and likely, so has Terragon. He could also use Lonas, but seeing Regen would be odd. The ferret hasn't seen his squirrel friend since the day he killed Adoni. Sighing, Stoakly continues to look out at the plains. Burde is coming.*

[Tinsy Stormsight]

*Panting slightly in the heat, Lonas scrambles up a ladder, doing his best to ignore the burning sun.*
C'mon Lonas, your little bro' is stronger'n you are. How's that make ye feel?
*Berating himself fiercely, Lonas clambers onto the new wall, then stops to gasp and look around. The golden squirrel soon spots Stoakly nearby, and wanders over curiously.*
*Hey mate...what's goin' on? *He glances out at the horizon, trying to spot whatever Stoakly's looking at.*

[Stoakly Centurio]

*As soon as he clutches the wall with his left paw, he feels a presence. But before turning back, he hears the voice. Lonas. The ferret turns, the same look of distance in is eyes.* Burde... *He pauses, taking a deep breath.* Burde's Horde is coming - we are the last defense before they completely take over the Woodland Plains. *Stoakly glares into the pirate's eyes.* We're not waiting this time. We're going after them. The battle will not be fought here, but there. Once I have approval from Terragon, I'm taking a betallion of the best soldiers out and we're fighting back! *Stoakly places a comforting paw on his comrade's soldier.* You don't have to come with me - this betallion is supposed to weaken the enemy, and then we'll probably die. By the time they arrive here, however, they will be too weak and the other defenders of Terralux will be victorious. I'm willing to risk my life for Terralux and Mossflower. Will you come with me? *He stops, wishing that the squirrel he has recently met but still started to befriend is coming with him. This will be a battle for the history books...*

[Terragon Scrufftail]

*Ashnel hears voices - one slightly raised, as though debating or speaking with passion - on the ramparts and looks up, squinting against the sunlight that greets him. he glances quickly away again, blinking. Two figures stand upon the ramparts: a squirrel, who, but for the brightly-coloured clothing, might be Regen and a ferret. Lonas and Stoakly. Ashnel never has considered himself one for eavesdropping, but he listens all the same, catching only Staokly's last few words. He stops, wondering whether to greet the other two and admit spying on them or to continue on his way to Starsett Hollow House. But at this moment, the pollen from the summer-flowering plants that surround the base of the ramparts cause him to sneeze loudly three or four times. With a sigh, Ashnel looks back up at the walls.*

[Tinsy Stormsight]

*Lonas nods. *Aye, I mean to. This is my 'ome too, ye know.
*He pauses, looking slightly northward. *I reckon if I send a note t' Regen, he'll be comin' with some troops. He's at one of Blackstar's outposts now....waitin' fer word.

[Stoakly Centurio]

*Stoakly sighs.* Alright, you may come. *He looks his friend in the eye, and recently promoted Head Woodland Captain, he now has the authority to make these decisions.* Lonas, I wouldn't want to be out on the battlefield in less I knew you had my back. We will probably not return, but spending my last moments with true friends is all I'll ever need. *The ferret points down the ladder.* Now, let's go tell Terragon our plans.* He shuffles down the ladder, until he saws the dark squirrel under them.* Hello, Ash'. Now, since you heard all of that, would you like to come, too? *A smirk on his face, he looks serious until he chuckles and climbs down the ladder. Motioning to Ashnel and Lonas to go to Starsett Hollow, Stoakly laughs and walks to the hollow of their fearless leader, Terragon Scrufftail.*

OOC: Terri, you should have the next post and write as Terragon and Ash', I guess.

[Terragon Scrufftail]

*Terragon sits on the rooftop of Starsett Hollow House, her footpaws hanging over the edge. From this height, she spots a ferret - Stoakly, Terralux's only ferret, of course - and two other squirrels, the dark-furred one Ashnel, no doubt.*
*Ashnel is walking next to Stoakly, having laughed quietly, agreed to come and insisted he hadn't meant to eavesdropped. Now quiet, the squirrel regrets agreeing to come. He'd intended to give any warlike traits for good this summer and yet, without thinking, Ashnel has just joined what looks like Terralux's fiercest battalion yet... he hears Terragon hailing him and the others and nods to the leaderess.*
No, we'll go to you, *The squirrel insists as Terragon begins to climb to her footpaws, glancing at the other two to make sure his decision has not angered them or seemed like an act of bossiness.*

[Tinsy Stormsight]

*Lonas follows quietly, a bit suprised. In fact, this was about the first time somebeast had been glad he was at their backs.*
Odd how things turn out.
*On the way, he paused by the Dragonfly tree and left a note with one of the insects, sending it off with a few directions.*

*Now the squirrel nods a bit, panting from his jog to catch up.* That's fine.

You are out of shape, Lonas.

[Stoakly Centurio]

*Stoakly turns, noticing the absence of Lonas. Finally, the squirrel arrives, and the ferret looks up at Terragon. Walking into Starsett Hollow, he climbs up the little ladder from near the door and up on the roof. He sits down next to his leader, his eyes gazing over the ground below. Stoakly then relates the story of Burde and their soon arrival, as well as his plan to stop them (OOC: I don't want to type that up again. xD BIC:). Once he is finished, he looks back at Terragon Scrufftail.* Thats why I, as Head Captain, wish to recruit a small, half a score betallion to give up our lives to weaken the troops just enough and give the beasts back here some time to defend the fort. I believe Lonas and Ashnel are coming with me, and Lonas has written to Regen to send troops from Lord Blackstar to defend the fort. With them here, and the enemy weakened from our skirmish, Terralux will stand to fight another day. *Placing his right paw near where his heart is, he nods, as if giving an oath and repeats the last part of his final sentence.* Terralux will live to fight another day.

[Terragon Scrufftail]

*Terragon has been beginning to frown as the ferret speaks and now her expression is almost... Ashnel thinks it's disappointment, but it's been so long since he's been able to tell. She won't meet his eye as she answers,* You're leaving with the intent of not returning? *The leaderess doesn't need or wait for an response to this.* I can't stop you, can I? *No reply's wanted here either.* But, can you promise me that you won't ask Terraluxians to join you. Make your mission known and accept volunteers. *Ashnel looks away as Terragon tries to meet Stoakly's eyes instead of his. Why did you ever assume she could be told what to do? What will you say to her before you leave? What will you say to Ayeny for that matter? Or maybe I should leave and be the Pine Wood Captain like Julia wants... or I could stick with this path until the dead-end. Literally.*

[Tinsy Stormsight]

*Lonas leans back against the tree, watching the other squirrels and the ferret quietly. He decides not to mention that he's had the note ready for a while - it might ruin his calm look.*
*Regen should be here in a day or so..it takes a while to get even one group of troops ready t' leave.

*He ignores a faint sense of foreboding - Blackstar might decide not to send troops. The wildcat has problems of his own, after all, and Regen can only follow orders.*
Perhaps it's best not to mention that Regen's returned to duty, either. Ashnel's not likely to be pleased about that.

[Stoakly Centurio]

OOC: Advancing quest to the recruitment. xD Bad post, but it's late... Yeah, that's my excuse. ^^
BIC:

*Stoakly looks through-out the village. His puzzled face turns as he sees the otter standing near a cottage, but the silly thing is, he looks evil. The ferret walks over to the otter, who immediately raises his paw.* Yeah, I 'eard a rumor ye were lookin' fer troops. I'm Erks'a, an' I'll join ye. *Stoakly nods in thanks and points to the gate, where the recruited soldiers are scheduled to meet.*

[Tinsy Stormsight]

*And, over by the gate, there is a small commotion. Sombeast appears to be trying to get in - several beasts, in fact. A hare, an otter, and...Regen.*
*The three, including the familiar squirrel, are wearing familiar uniforms - gold tunic, blue cloak, and sash. However, the hare and otter wear gray sashes, where Regen is in blue - a sign of rank, likely.*
*Spotting Stoakly, Regen grins and trots over, shifting his helm under his arm. *Hey, Stoakly...where's Terragon? And Ashnel? And Lonas, of course....although he's less important.
*The otter, a tall, dark female, and the hare, who appears to be of Salamandastron descent, stand behind him, looking about in an amused manner.*

[Terragon Scrufftail]

*Walking quickly, at most beasts' jogging pace, Ashnel and Terragon approach the group at the archway, talking in low voices. However, at the sight of Regen, Ashnel breaks off mid-sentence and completes the last few yards in a half-run, stopping in front of the other squirrel to throw an amused salute.* Regen! Ambassador Regen. *Ashnel takes in the uniform and the otter and hare accompanying the other squirrel. He grows serious, his voice quick and business-like.* Did you receive Lonas' message? *If it's just the three of them then we're dead already. But it won't be. These are just representatives I'm sure. And Regen.*

[Tinsy Stormsight]

*Regen grins and salutes Ashnel back, looking quite pleased to see the other squirrel. *Ashnel! I got the message yesterday. These are two of the unit commanders for the troops Lord Blackstar sent - we've got about thirty in all.
*He pauses, then nods to the otter and the hare. The hare salutes sharply. *Major Rab Bir. This is my second, Captain Morian. She's also our defense expert.
*The otter salutes also, although much more casually than the hare, and grins, still looking quite amused by something.*

*Regen glances around. *Uh...we have Major Jack Cimber, who's a stoat, with us too. He stayed with the troops.


*Lonas comes rushing up a moment later, shakes Regen's paw heartily, thumps his brother on the back, and pauses in front of Terragon. *Uh, we're gonna need another source of water...th' lake's outside the walls, as you know. Cisterns or something might work.