East Meets West (Open)

[Rakingclaw]

The night was hot and humid, thick with the buzzing of insects and the occasional far off screech. The moon stood full and bright, casting flickering lines of shadow across the darkened bog. The brackish black water churned around Nodrah's feet as he struggled through the thick clinging mud underneath the surface. The tall swamp trees seemed almost to reach out for him, trying to wrap him in their long leafy tendrils.

"This cannot be the way to the Redwall, I must climb and see where I am." Nodrah Kichi Attogi thought to himself.

He had been walking for hours through this godforsaken swamp and so far had seen no other signs of life save the large swarms of insects. Sloshing to the nearest tree he dug in his claws and with surprising speed climbed up the side. Reaching the top branches he peered out over the moonlit swamp and far off in the distance he could almost make out the walls he so desperately sought. But it was many miles away and it was to dark to travel any farther. He curled himself into the branches of the tree, rested his head on his large bushy tail and closed his eyes.

He had not had them closed for more then a mere moment when he heard a noise, the faintest scraping like wool in stone. His large eyes opened wide shining a glowing amber in the darkness as he brought up his spade. It was that quick reaction that saved his life for at that moment a large serpentine mouth closed around the haft of the weapon instead of his unprotected head. He looked deep into the cold predatory eyes of a seven foot viper, its iron hard scales and glistening fangs glittering in the full moon. Kicking backward he launched himself out of the tree and back into the swamp. The icy cold of the water stopped him from passing out as his head slammed into a unseen root or rock. He struggled to his feet as pulsing red spots clouded his vision, and his head threatened to split in two. The large snake seeing an easy meal slid down the tree, taking its time savoring the meal to come. This beast would taste so much better then those accursed lizards and frogs it thought. Its sweet meat would fill its belly for weeks.

"Kami guide its strikes, and my hand as you will, I submit to your grace." Nodrah whispered as he waited for the strike that was bound to come.

[dirgecallers]

The night air was cool to the senses. Ah, to be out and about on such a night as this as this. It made one feel young again, and the feeling of raw strength was here. Badir Jall had not felt like this in quite some time, so he had resolved to make the most of this opportunity. Let there not be any wasting of such a rare offering as this powerful night.

Now was the time for hunting, over one of his favorite hunting grounds. The huge bat purveyed the swamps for any suitable prey to whet his ferocious appetite. His echolocation had confirmed that there were, indeed, tasty meals to be had here. Now, all that remained was to seek them out.

What was that? Sillohuted against the moon, Badir Jall could clearly see two figures struggling. The one he could not make out, but the other was plainly an adder. It was a huge beast,but it also looked as if it would attack the prone beast. Badir wasted no time in his response.

As swift as lightening and the autumn rains, the giant bat swooped down to the battle scene. The adder, huge as it was was caught completely off gaurd. With a quick bite to the neck by Badirs powerful jaws, the snake never got to fight back either. That just left the poor beast trembling on the floor, no doubt confused by hus sudden salvation.

Leaving the dead snake lying, the giant bat brought himself up to full height. Now, the beast would have a chance to see his savior and prove his character. As per the rules of ettiquite, Badir spoke first.

"Pray beast, speak your name to your creditor. But first tell me what business you had when yonder snake attacked you. Speak truly and mayhap you wil lfind favor with Badir Jall, last of the Bat Lords."

(done)