A Lazy Afternoon

[Trista]

Trista was once again wandering. She had recently left the Guosim to spend more time exploring, but kept close to the River Moss, staying in the tree tops so as not to be seen by vermin. This was as such today. The squirrel rogue was laying against the tree's trunk on a high, sturdy limb, watching the river calmly. She had even put a few of autumn's brightly-colored, dead leaves in her bandanna. Those who known her well would be certainly surprised to see that she was in such high spirits, that she even hummed a small, but lively tune. Certainly out of the ordinary.

[Rak]

Nodrah Kichi Attogi had been walking though the forest listening to the angelic voice. He decided he would show himself for he had been without companionship for many months and was beginning to miss the sounds and smells of others. Slowly as not to surprise her Nodrah slipped out of the forest and looked up at the squirrel maid.
"Konnichiwa." he said and waited for her reply.

[Skipper]

Skipper was out sailing along the River Moss yet again, and, just as the last time, his trip would have to be cut short...again. For the majority of the day, the sky had been a clear, light shade of blue, but a familiar white, mist-like gathering of clouds had shown itself along the horizon that morning, just when the otters of Skip's crew were boarding their boats. He didn't know why, but this seemed to always signify the approach of a storm later in the day. Thus far, the signs had been frustratingly consistent, and surely enough, an almost mushroom-like cloud appeared in the distance. This was the thirty fourth time Sister Rhun had been right in her predictions -- Skip would never hear the end of it when they returned to the Abbey.

As if on cue, one of the otters of the crew turned to Skip. Was that a storm cloud over there? Yes it was. Didn't Sister Rhun tells us th--? Yes, yes she did. Wouldn't that be th--? Yes, that would be the thirty fourth time.

The jovial otters abruptly halted their singing as they became aware of the giant approaching, darkening the sky as it raged. At this rate, Skipper thought, they wouldn't make it to Camp Willow in time for their meeting with the Guosim shrews. The meetings held between the otters and shrews didn't much differ from the seasonal feasts at Redwall Abbey, except for the updates concerning the River Moss, and various parts of Mossflower. Nothing very much changed between meetings, considering vermin were a rare sight in Mossflower these days. But it was tradition, something otters and shrews valued highly.

It was raining hardly when Skipper had ordered all the boats to shore, and even harder by the time the rest of the otters organized themselves. They would have to travel the remainder of the way on footpaw if they were to reach Camp Willow. Even so, nobeast had the intention of turning back.

((I apologize if this post seems a bit confusing.
You should have plenty of time for introductions with each other, because my post takes place some time before yours, though once it does start raining, Skipper's crew shouldn't be too far behind you.))

[Trista]

The squirrel jumped lightly at the sudden voice, looking down at the red panda suspiciously. "Greetings..." She murmered, ears perked and fur bristled. She was certainly uneasy around the fellow, for she hadn't seen one of his kind here before. She was silent for a moment, looking him over cautiously and never leaving her perch on the high tree limb.

[Rocky]

A fox had merged with the group of Skipper's crew. He figured he would be able to blend until he could get a word in with the Skipper, seeing as how he wore a hood that made his species unidentifiable. An otter stumbled and fell into him but the fox just turned and helped him back up, until he was on two feet again. Nodding at the other otter, the fox moved up in the ranks, easing his way through the crowded group until he was half way there.

Then, it caught his eye: A rat... With a bow... The rat couldn't kill Skipper. Skipper was the fox's target.

Changing his pace to a jog, the fox picked up speed with every step he took, until he was right behind Skipper. Then he jumped on the SKipper's shoulders and hoisted himself over the otter and charged at the rat. He jumped over the bushes and pulled up his sleeve, and with a hidden blade, the fox stabbed the rat in the throat, and took him to the ground as the fox's weight was added to that of the rat's. Standing back up, the fox turned his head at the Skipper, bore his teeth, and ran straight into the forest of Mossflower, hoping the otter would chase after him, if not at least send some otters after him.

[Rakingclaw]

Nodrah seeing the Squirrels suspision quickly said "Much pardon for scaring you pritty risu, I hear whistling and wanted to see who make it, your voice very good." The old beast bowed and took off his hat "Nodrah Kichi Attogi you may call me."

[Skipper]

As the hooded creature propelled himself past Skipper, the otter chieftain instinctively struck out with his walking stick -- which he always had readily at paw on such travels -- missing the creature by but a hair. The hooded one struck down somebeast behind the brush of the forest with a concealed blade, which Skipper could identify despite the rain, due to the dull glint of light coming off of the metal -- it was clearly not one of the crew. It turned to Skipper, bared its teeth, then darted into the thick trees. A fox? But how could a fox keep itself hidden in a large crew of otters? It was by sheer luck that it had not been found out by this point, Skipper thought.

Already, some of the otters were examining the area behind the bushes. One returned. A rat? Skip decided to find out for himself, approached, and scanned the scene. Some of the arrows had slid out of the quiver, but one lay under a now-dead paw. Skipper knelt near where the rat must have knelt, and surveyed the area. There was nobeast in sight except for those of the otter crew. Skip had only one guess. It was an attempted assassination. Skipper was the foremost of the otters both by location and by rank, making him the perfect target. A real assassin wouldn't risk killing the wrong beast, and the skill with which the rat had managed to conceal itself marked it as such an assassin.

Skipper sent two, very experienced otters to search for the fox. There was a four percent chance that either of the two would be killed. At the very most, one might return with a small cut, but these two were as, if not more, fitted to the job of tracking a dangerous beast than Skipper was when it came to such situations. As the two departed, Skipper reorganized the crew once more, and began yet again toward Camp Willow, as everybeast's wariness increased by tenfold. They would not, however, enter until one or both of the two trackers returned. Meanwhile, Skipper thought.

For what reason would a fox attempt to blend into a group of otters, then kill a rat who intended to murder the leader of that group? Mayhap the fox simply intended to kill the rat, but why hide in the midst of the otters? Why not simply sneak up behind the rat in the forest? The fox clearly wanted something with one of the otters of the crew. No, this was about Skipper; if it had wanted any other otter, it would not have bothered to save Skipper's life. Taking into consideration the concealed blade it carried, the fox must have had either the intention of assassinating Skipper, or threatening him for however long, for whatever reason. It was nice to be appreciated.

((Try not to kill the trackers just yet. I'd like to have them respond to whateveritis you're planning.))

[Trista]

Trista blushed brightly at the words that the red panda had said, and smiled slightly. "Thank you kindly, sir...A pleasure to meet you, Nodrah." She swiftly climbed down from the tree, bowing before the panda politely.

[Rocky]

((I wouldn't kill another RPers NPCs unless they say I can. So don't worry.))

The fox quickly scrambled up a tree and sat there, waiting. Ever waiting. Then an otter tracker passed by. Excellent. The fox pulled down to reveal the face of a black furred fox. This was no ordinary fox. It was a marlfox.

Vorai silently dropped from the tree, and caught his balance expertly then crept up behind the tracker. Creeping up until he was right behind him, Vorai stood up straight, grabbed the otter from behind by the neck, and held his hidden blade at the back of the otter's neck. "One move and I'll kill you." Vorai hissed.

The blade at the back of the otters neck was made of a fine steel, and at the spot it was, if Vorai stabbed straight and slightly down, he would seperate the neck from the sprine, killing the otter almost instantly. "Tell me where your Skipper is heading."

~~~

Meko the river otter had blended with Skipper's crew. Some of them knew who he was, but others haven't seen him. Motioning the otters to be quiet, Meko snuck up behind the Skipper, spun him around and grasped him in a hug. "How's it goin'?" Meko asked.

~~~

A fox lounged idly in a tree, "You sure do know how to impress someone, eh, Nodrah?" The fox asked. "Sorry, I heard your name, so I addressed you in that manner, sir."

Dropping from the tree, the fox introduced himself, "Call me Zephyr. My last name is of no importance. Do not worry, friends, I am not here to harm you." Zephyr explained. "I also go by the name of 'Blade', so feel free to call me that."

Holding out a paw to the Nodrah, and the other to Trista, Zephyr chuckled, "I've never seen you around these parts, Nodrah. Of what species are you?"

[Rak]

Nodrah bowed politely in return, the said "Much pleasure in meeting you risu I offer I disagreeistance in helping you find your destination. What may I call your name?"
The foxes presence had not been unnoticed by Nodrah, but in case the beast was an enemy he had decided not to announce that he knew the fox was hiding. So when the beast spoke and dropped from the tree Nodrah quickly stepped in front of the squirrel
"Hello kitsune Blade, pardon my bluntness but how long have you been following the risu and I? and as for my race I am Kaji Kitsune."

[Skipper]

The otter breathed calmly, keeping the tone of his voice steady. "He's going to a meeting with the Guosim shrews," said the otter simply. Nobeast other than the otters and the Guosim knew where Camp Willow was, nor how to find it once near it, for it was hidden within a massive, nearly soundproof willow tree, and only the greatest of swimmers could enter, that is, otters. To gain entrance, an otter would swim under the willow tree, and back up through a sort of passage, and would surface into the, large, hollow center of the willow tree. Shrews were helped in by a group of river otters that lived nearby. Despite the swiftness of the otters' swimming, some shrews would come up unconscious due to lack of air for such a long period of time. The otter tracker was certain that even if the fox learned of this, he would never be able to find his way in. Even still, it was against otter tradition to speak of Camp Willow unless within Camp Willow. He would rather die than let this fox know of it, whereas the other otter would rather kill the fox. The soft, quiet, whirring sound of a readied sling emanated from somewhere behind the fox. "Drop the blade," came a whispered command. If the fox were to kill his hostage, so would the fox lose his life.

***

"Meko!" Skipper greeted the wanderer, startled, but not surprised, "It goes well, mate. Haow hae ye been yerself? Whaur is Rocky?" The two, Rocky and Meko, had been virtually inseparable since before Skipper ever met them, and it was a rare occurrence to find one without the other. And while on the topic of separation, Skipper attempted to free himself from the bear hug, whilst trying to keep walking, so as not to fall behind the crew. Hugs weren't something Skipper was accustomed to, and this made him uncomfortable -- it was actually quite comical.

A sharp pain, like a needle, shot through Skipper's head -- a familiar sign. He hoped they would reach Camp Willow soon.


((Although you have permission to kill the first tracker, I wouldn't necessarily advise it. ))

[Rocky]

((Alrighty. We'll see what I do. ))

"Oh tha' beastie? Oh he be's at Redwall Abbey. I was just doin' a little investigatin' abou' my family. Family line and all tha' stuff." Meko explained. "Where ya headin', mate? Mind if I join in?" Releasing the hug on Skipper, Meko looked up at the skies, "Nice day, eh? I wish it were rainin'. I like the rain, Skip."

Then an otter surfaced from the water and stood up, grasped Meko in a playful headlock, then hailed the Skipper, "How goes it matey?" The otter asked. Meko escaped the headlock and hugged the newcomer, "Ah, Rocky. We were just talkin abou' ya, matey."

~~~

Vorai breathed calmly, not wanting to make a false move. Kill the otter and risk his life, or attempt to kill the one behind him. Vorai couldn't decide what to do. He liked to kill, but the beast behind him could be a badger, but he didn't know. Possibly the other tracker...? With a movement of his wrist, the hidden blade snapped back into its place underneath his wrist. Then Vorai acted fast; He pushed the otter in front of him forward and down to the ground, and turned quickly and dropped on his back and kicked out at the newcomer.

~~~

"Followin' ye? What do you think I am? A tracker?" Blade asked with mock astonishment. "I only just appeared here, mate." Then Nodrah stepped in front of the squirrel, "I told you, I am not here to harm you."

Blade's facestarted to itch, right at the spot where he first got his juska tatoos. The wave under his right eye. "Don't worry, I am not a juska anymore." Blade explained.

[Skipper]

((It is raining, Rocky.

Just to clarify, considering my first post here wasn't too clear, my first post takes place both before and during Trista, Nodrah, and Blade's introductions. We can just assume that the rain is moving toward you three, I suppose.))



"Aye, woold ye mind accompanying the rest o' the crew tae our Autumn meetin' wi' the Guosim?" he asked, to both answer Meko's question, and to be polite to Rocky, "We coold use the company." Although he mentioned not a word of Camp Willow, this implication was almost always caught by otters and shrews.

***

The second otter tracker stumbled backward a bit, and the stone loaded in the sling slipped out as he attempted to regain his balance. The first tracker quickly stood, and attempted to bring his friend away from the fox. They needn't stay any longer, but the other stubbornly refused to leave. He reloaded his sling, and waited for the fox to make a move. "Wot's yer name?" he demanded.

"Redpoint, let's go, we've no more business with this fox!" Redpoint's brother persisted, only to be ignored.

[Rocky]

((Psh, I knew that))

"Not at all, mate. We'll go." Rocky said, answering for both of them. "So, how long 'till we get to where we're goin', Skip?" Rocky asked.

~~~

Vorai stood there, whiping a small trickle of blood from where the stone from the sling hit him in the lip. Staring at the one called Redpoint, Vorai smirked, something he usually did to cover up when he was thinking. "I go by many names." He eventually said.

Then, in one fluid motion, Vorai snapped the hidden blade out with a flick of his wrist, and jumped in the air towards Redpoint, his hidden blade seeking Redpoint's neck. Seeking blood.

Vorai hadn't killed an intended target in a long time. A feeling he never really felt before. He wanted that feeling again. The feeling of assassinating. Killing silently, without being spotted. Hopefully, Vorai would get that opportunity again today.

[Skipper]

((Trista, Rak, are you going to post?))


Redpoint, having never killed another living creature before in his life, had not intended the fox significant harm, and therefore was completely vulnerable to the fox's attack. It had come as a surprise to him, and one that, if expected, could have saved his life. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Chab, his brother, watched helplessly as Redpoint went down. Without thinking, he loaded his sling, and swung it like a club at the fox. Just as Redpoint, he didn't intend to kill the creature, but he couldn't leave Redpoint there, dead or alive.

---

"So, how long 'till we get to where we're goin', Skip?" had asked Rocky.

"I' canae be much farther, noo..." he said absentmindedly. Despite his attempts to keep the growing pain hidden, he placed a paw to the side of his head. He hoped dearly that they would find Camp Willow before he lost consciousness. At least to Skipper, there was nothing much more embarrassing than passing out in the middle of a travel whilst leading a group of otters to a meeting with a well-respected leader. It seemed that his timing was terrible all around, lately.

Had Skipper's thoughts been focusing on the surrounding area, he might have noticed sooner the three creatures they were coming upon.


((Sorry, not my best. There's this terrible flu going around right now, so I'm not thinking as clearly as I should.
I plan to have Chab carry Redpoint back to Skipper as soon as Vorai is out of the way, if that's alright with you, Rocky.))