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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Aug 16, 2007 10:13:47 GMT
*Ashnel nods and offers a paw to the otter, while commenting to the hare,* Major Rabbit. A pleasure. I'm Ashnel Alashia, Captain o' Fortification within Terralux. *He continues his original conversation with Regen.* Cimber? He was there at the skirmish by the lake last summer, yes? The battle where Seastar Quickrudder - *Ashnel barely hesitates.* - lost his life? It'll be an honour to have Cimber with us again, I'm sure. *Terragon frowns, considering this for the first time.* Fair point, Lonas... *She mutters quietly, to give her more time to think.* I - I don't suppose you'd mind going to the Tavern and finding either Olivha Tuscaro, or - if not him - Danniar Anglafellen. The barmaid. *She adds unnecessarily. Let's hope Lonas doesn't feel he's playing the Dragonfly, because we'll need all the help we can get if Stoakly's right... which I hope - just for once - he isn't.*
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Post by Tinsy Stormsight on Aug 17, 2007 0:49:08 GMT
*Lonas nods and runs off, shooting Regen a last grin. The younger squirrel grins back at his brother, then nods at Ashnel.* Aye, that's him. He took over Patrol 4 when I resigned. *Bir frowns slightly at Ashnel, while Morian shakes the other's paw, grinning. *Pleased to meet you, sir. *Apparently, she's decided that Ashnel is the leader here.*
*Regen stands for a minute, kicking at the ground, then ventures, *Er - I should probably go back with them to where the troops are. I returned to duty - there's a good reason for it! - so I'm kinda in charge of this whole operation, as far as Lord Blackstar is concerned.
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Aug 17, 2007 9:20:55 GMT
*Ashnel sighs at the ground - the mud beneath showing from Regen's kicking - but as he looks up again, a faint smile is forced.* It's good to see you, *Ashnel finishes.* I'll try not to detain you then. But, *He glances at Terragon and makes an offer, partly for her sake.* Would you and your officers care to come to Starsett Hollow House tonight? *Terragon stays, only to wait for Danniar or Tuscaro. Seeing Regen in the uniform of a mercenary reminds her of another beast - two other beasts. She waits.*
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Post by Tinsy Stormsight on Aug 17, 2007 11:52:35 GMT
*Regen glances over at Bir, who nods. Morian just kind of shrugs a little, figuring she'll be the one to stay with the troops tonight.* Unless they can get some lieutenant wanting promotions to do it.
*Regen nods his acceptance. *Right then...that should work out. I'll talk to Cimber when we get back.
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Aug 17, 2007 15:40:39 GMT
*It's only now that Terragon appears to notice the settlements' guests and approaches to bid them farewell. She holds a paw out to the otter and hare, giving her name distractedly as, "Terragon Canopy," assuring them that she's pleased to meet them both and finally hoping them a safe journey. Then she comes to Regen and stands awkwardly in front of the squirrel mercenary.* Welcome back, Regen.
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Post by Tinsy Stormsight on Aug 18, 2007 0:35:01 GMT
*Regen nods to the other two officers. Bir, taking the hint, strolls away towards the gate, followed a moment later by Morian.* *The squirrel smiles at Terragon, also a little awkwardly. *Uh, yes. Nice to be back - glad to see you got that wall up. *He glances around, then releases the breath he was holding in a sigh. *Ah, mates, rejoining Lord Blackstar's army was the only thing I could do t' stay out here. See, an old girlfriend of mine - somebeast who was supposed to marry me - is coming on again, and th' only thing I could do t' avoid it was t' have a prior commitment. I don't wanna move back t' the Arkains, especially not with Amy. *He looks hopefully at Ashnel, hoping the other squirrel will understand the excuse.* My whole family's after me t' marry her...even the Stibrens. I had t' do something.
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Aug 18, 2007 18:38:45 GMT
*Ashnel gives a guilty smile as he speaks. Maybe he genuinely doesn't mind, Terragon murmurs silently.* I've done the opposite of what you've done b'fore, *The black-furred squirrel admits, without the grace to look ashamed.* I've used the excuse of having family - *He and Terragon exchange nods and smirks.* - and spouse here in Terralux to avoid having to move back to the Pine Woods. *Terragon, whether strategically or not, decides to intervene.* Lord Bla- Tervin Blackstar won't be gracing us with his present, will he, Regen? *I think I've only met him once, when he came here with those Mossflorian Knights at some unearthly hour more nearly two autumns ago...* Anyway, *Ashnel continues.* Like I said, I don't blame y'.
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Post by Tinsy Stormsight on Aug 18, 2007 22:15:14 GMT
*Regen looks relieved. *Oh, good...no, I don't think Lord Blackstar will turn up. He's gonna 'ave his own problems with Burde's Horde anyway. In fact, he wasn't even gonna send troops until Tinsy Stormsight got on 'im...
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Aug 19, 2007 9:29:56 GMT
Good for Tinsy, *Terragon replies carefully which Ashnel wonders what Terralux has ever done for Lord Blackstar. He decides now is not the time to ask. Before an awkward silence can become fully fledged, Danniar hurries up, wiping her paws on her apron, which she holds in one paw, but does not wear.* Mist'r Tuscaro sez 'e's runnin' a Tavern down there an' can' be - Regen? *She didn't intend to use his first name.* Welcome back! *Danniar ignores the squirrel's uniform and switches her attention back to Terragon as the leaderess begins to speak.* Danniar, I need Tuscaro to do me a favour and if he doesn't agree, then I need you to do it anyway. Understand? Terralux is about to be... Terralux is preparing for a siege and we couldn't include the lake within the boundaries of the walls we've put up. *Danniar nods for Terragon to continue, which she does.* Now, I know every inch of Terralux and you can tell Olivha Tuscaro that I no perfectly well that there's a spring coming right up into his courtyard. For Terralux to survive, he's going to have to let us build aquaducts and make use of that spring. Can you tell him this, Danni'? *If y' lose y' job, i' won' be the firs' time. I wouldn' worry. B'sides, no Terralux 'ere an' y' back ou' on the stree's wi' your accen'.* O' course. I'll do tha' righ' away. Oh, and, Danniar? *Terragon calls after the other, as Danniar dashes away, apron swinging from her paw.* If you're not working, come over to Starsett Hollow t'night. *Speaking now to Regen and Ashnel again, she mutters a single word.* So...
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Post by Tinsy Stormsight on Aug 19, 2007 15:06:43 GMT
*Regen nods to Danniar, obviously happy to see the barmaid. *Miss Danniar. Nice t' see you too! *He watches the rat run off, then smiles vaguely. *Yes...uh, I should probably be going back. See you t'night, then?
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Aug 19, 2007 15:21:04 GMT
Call it seven o' clock, *Ashnel agrees, while Terragon looks happily surprised to hear Regen will be joining them too. One extra, plus Danniar and anybeast else won't be too much hassle.* See you then.
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Post by Tinsy Stormsight on Aug 19, 2007 15:25:18 GMT
OOC: Advance quest?
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Aug 19, 2007 16:00:31 GMT
OOC: Uh-huh. I'll post later.
BIC: *All the spare lanterns in Starsett Hollow have been lit and between them, Ashnel and Terragon are frantically, but cheerfully, attempting to prepare for the guests.* Is Regen bringing those other two with him? The hare Major and Lonas, I think. Danniar's coming, did you say? Should be here soon. I'll go and get changed then, if that's fine with you.
*Terragon shruggs and doesn't turn to watch Ashnel leave the room. The leaderess sets out six glasses on the vast wooden table - left to her by her grandfather, (a carpenter) - then, as an afterthought, adds another three. Just in case Geordie, Ayeny or Robin are around this evening. The same number of plates follow, succeeded quickly by the knives, forks and spoons. Ashnel drifts back into the room in more formal clothing and Terragon leaves wordlessly to change also.*
*A minute or so later, Ashnel looks up, hearing the creak of the rope ladder outside. Somebeast pauses outside the door, while Ashnel approaches from the other side, and, after what seems like an age, the creature on the outside knocks clumsily on the weather-beaten wood. The dark squirrel unlatches the door and nearly gasps in surprise: Danniar stands on the doorstep, still wearing her apron, her face bruised and bloody and one eye swollen. The rat, who had been leaning, breathless, against the doorframe, falls forwards and Ashnel barely manages to catch her, stumbling too.* Danniar? Danniar?! Can y' tell me what happened? *The squirrel pulls the tiny rat into the house, kicking the front door closed behind him. He slumps Danniar onto one of the chairs grouped around the table and repeats his question.* Ashnel? *Terragon has heard his urgent voice.* Ash', what's the matter? *She emerges from her room, fur groomed, a black dress slipped over her shoulder, a celtic knot-work belt around her waist and a worried look nearly ruining the image. Terragon hurries over and crouches next to the chair as Danniar begins to mutter something, barely understandable.* Tuscaro didn' li' the idea o' aquaduc's, Terri. He also found ou' tha' I'd allowed Ashnel int' the Tavern. Didn' wan' t' 'ear the name, "Alashia." *An ugly gash on the rat's ear has begun to bleed as she explains.* 'E was 'alf-drun' anyway an' made all the custom'rs leave then star'ed shou''in', cursin' an'... well, yeah.
*At this moment, Ashnel tenses and, taking a kitchen knife - his sword elsewhere - he crosses the room to the front door again, certain he hears somebeast else outside...*
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Post by Tinsy Stormsight on Aug 20, 2007 0:04:17 GMT
*A knock comes on the door, and a voice calls out, *Ashnel..Terragon? Ya there? *It's Regen's voice. After a moment, he pushes the door open tentatively. Two beasts are standing behind him - a brackish-colored stoat and the tall otter Captain, Morian.* *Seeing Ashnel's knife, Regen immediately, and unconciously, reaches for the hilt of his sword. *Hey, what's goin' on?
*The other two, meanwhile, notice their leader's paw drop to his hilt and reach for their own weapons, the stoat actually half-drawing his. *Colonel? What's goin' on?
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Aug 20, 2007 9:41:43 GMT
*Terragon hurries to the door and relieves Ashnel of the knife, hissing something thankfully audible to only him.* Sorry... *Ashnel mutters distractedly, to Regen more than to Terragon.* Danniar's been injured - attacked - You better come in, *Terragon interrupts.* I'm sorry. This must be a pretty poor welcome. *Both squirrels draw back, the red returning almost instantly to Danniar.*
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