Constance smiles very, very faintly at this first, replying, "Yes, Sir," in that same even tone. "I don't know, Sir. We came in to find a dead otter downstairs, and a rat told me that the Lady had been injured by him. I came up here to find pretty much the scene you walked in on, and tried to clear the room. I got one of the cat's to leave with the Prince, Sir, but she was nearly as difficult."

Slitsnout suddenly perks and motions to try and gain the attention of the large wildcat. Glancing around, he finds a parchment and scribbles on it. Scribble. My Master saw the entire thing, sir. He hands the note to Bane timidly.

Seringo left ear flicks back...otter's dead. Good, he didn't feel like hunting the blighter to the end of the world. His jaw tightens a little, eyes narrowing at nothing it seems. Before the looks fades back into a passive appearance and he stands...turning to address Bane with a steady salute, "I can also report, sir...when you are ready to hear it. Though I only walked in a little behind the proceedings that started it." If he knew what the note said...likely he'd not worry bout it right now, but he doesn't...so well :).

Bane snorts as his mouth draws taut. "I see," he says lowly then looks to Raven then a parchment before him. His head snaps to Slitsnouth, teeth gritted and fur on the back of his neck raised high. It slowly lowers as he notices its Slitsnout. He closes his lips as he narrows his eyes, snatches the note from him then scans the parchment. "Did your master try to...stop this attack?" He hands the parchment back as his growling lowers in volume.

Slitsnout wiggles his nose and shakes his head.

Constance takes a step back and stands at parade rest, one arm across her waist in front, the other across her waist in back, legs slightly apart.

Bane asks Slitsnouth with perked ears. "Did he take any injuries?"

Slitsnout, again, shakes his head.

A guard pokes his head in, saluting sharply to Bane. "'s Lady Eboriel. She's want'n t'talk t'ye, sir."

Bane lifts a brow as he glances over his shoulder at the guard then raises a paw. "Tell her in moment. My paws are full at the moment. As soon as I can secure Lady Raven's status, I will speak with her." He then waves his paw to dismiss the guard.

Seringo assumes that Bane heard him and figures the Slaughterthane will take the report when he's good and ready. For now the tod turns back again and sinks back to his original position. He even plants his bum on the floor now, making himself comfy. He plans on staying...obviously, long as no one orders him out.

"Yessir," mumbles the guard, and pops back out into the hall.

Bane's ears perk then his head turns to Seringo. "Seringo. Do you have anything new to add to this report?"

The healer shakes his head and looks up to Slitsnout. "She's jus' unconcious," he smiles. "No need t'worry. Th'lady jus' needs t'rest." He then reaches into his satchel and pulls out some herbs and hands them to Slitsnout. "Put these in sum hot water like tea 'n bring th'brew ore 'ere. We'll use them t'aid in th'ealin' process."

Slitsnout scurries off to get a pot of water. The tavern kitchen probably all ready has one.

Seringo erk...a few of the battered spots with bruises tweak a little as he swiftly pushes himself back to his footpaws at being addressed. He moves forward a little away from Raven and nods, posture straightening to attention as he makes his report, "I entered the tavern just in time to see the otter downstairs.." Presumably the only dead one down there, "moving to assalt the lady." He pauses...head bowing to lower his gaze to the floor, "I'm sorry, sir. I wasn't swift enough to stop him from his first stroke...I put him down long enough for the lady to get away then left the otter badly wounded for the Countess Eboriel and a second companion who was helping to ensure he met his end so that I might come check on the Lady Regent."

Eboriel remains waiting outside in the hall. We can all assume she's dropping eaves, though.

Slitsnout comes back, hot kettle gripped in cloth swathed paws. Setting it down near the healer, he sniffs the leaves, identifies them, and places them into the kettle.

Eboriel ventures, a little loudly, "Lord Bane..!" And then one of the guards snaps at her.

Anigh knocks on the door softly.

One of Bane's fists' ball and then slam on a nearby table rattling all that's on top of it. He just snorts, draws his paw back slowly as he regains his regal composure, folding his paws behind his back. He nods to Seringo. "And what of Lord Callide? Was he this second companion?"

Bane suddenly turns and shouts "I shall be out in a moment. Guards! Let NO ONE IN!"

Anigh steps away from the door, half-scowling.

Dhanvanti enters, carrying Leonidas.

Slitsnout glances from beast to beast, before directing his attention on Bane.

Constance's eyes flick toward the door, but she remains standing at parade rest.

Seringo twitches just a little as Bane's fist hammers the table. Well...it didn't aim at him, good sign he'd say. He shakes his head slowly, "No sir...it was a tod. He made certain the stairs we're guarded while Lady Raven climbed out of reach then joined us in handling the otter. Though there was a second tod also who looked ready to help them kill the otter while I was retreating. Neither of them we're familiar to me. I'm afraid I don't have names for either. I did not take note of Lord Callide during the ruckus...but I was distracted trying to keep my skin whole." A matter evident by the wounded shoulder and the blood caked around it and all over his right paw and forearm from the wound.

The healer stands and looks to Bane. "She'll b'fine. She jus' needs sum peace 'n quiet. Rest'll do her wonders," he then looks to Slitsnout and smiles. "Jus' dab th'cloth in tha' brew, lad, and lightly blot th' Lady's wound t'clean it."

Eboriel eyes Bane from just outside the door. "I saved them," she says quietly, tail lashing near her ankles. "You can't lock me out."

Slitsnout nods and does just as the healer describes. Luckily, the poor vixen isn't in pain at the moment.

Constance slips out of parade rest just long enough to nudge her shoulder against the door, intending to close it.

The healer then turns to look at Seringo. "Oi! You too, eh? Baaaaah! T'pieces y'all are," he says as he works on Seringo's wounds.

Eboriel presses her palm up against the door, leaning her weight on it to keep it open. "I'll deal with you later," she shoots at Constance in an undertone.

Slitsnout watches the other healer, but doesn't see anything he doesn't know. He wonders if there are any other beasts in need of minor repairs.

Dhanvanti stretches an arm forward and places it next to Eboriel's on the door. "/We'll/ deal with you later." She corrects, then nudges Leon against Eb's shoulder. "He insisted."

Eboriel glances at Dhan and Leonidas, then nods.

Constance shifts her weight, and shoves the door this time. "Kindly move your pampered arse, Milady," she hisses acidly.

Leonidas's eyes are teary, with damp patches all down his cheeks. A good amount of his long black hair has escaped from his ponytail, and his clothing is in a slight diseray, as well. The little fox is looking utterly stressed out and miserable.

Bane narrows his eyes as he lowers his eyes and rests his chin on his fingers. As Eboriel speaks, he looks to her. "Lady Eboriel. Solider Constance is doing her order, which was handed down by me. I shall be at your disposal in a moment, please, my lady." Dhanvanti is given a nasty look. He snaps his eyes to Seringo then storms off towards the door. "Constance. Please take a step back,” he then reaches for the doorknob to jerk the door open. Brows narrowed sharply as he curls the edge of a lip.

Constance steps back /swiftly/. Angry wildcat.

Dhanvanti, too, steps back from the door. No need to get run over with a foxcub in her paws. Bane's nasty look is met with an upraised brow.

Seringo brows raise a little as the healer steps toward him and he starts to murmur vague protest, "Really...it's alright...arg.." The healer sets to starting to clean out the wound and even his well disciplined attention stance is slightly hindered as he shifts uncomfortably. His left paw curls up into a tight fist as the left shoulder is being messed with...causing pain to ripple out from the location. Though otherwise he just clamps his muzzle tight and endures.

Bane swings the door open wide to slam against the wall behind it. "Miss!" he says to Dhanvanti. "I know NOT of your name, station, or anything else other than you are rude and disrespectful to the guard of Ruingate which is a direct insult on the Regency's authority,” his brows narrow. "/I/ am the one who orders the guards, not you. /I/ am the one who is in charge, not you. And /I/ am losing my patience with your childish outbursts. So if you would, PLEASE go back down stairs, and I will be more cordial with you there."

Eboriel's lesser weight is shifted back a little, and she looks relieved when Bane opens the door to her. The look towards Dhanvanti is noted. "She's my cousin," she says quickly, gesturing to the calico. "Natai's daughter." Introductions over, the blackcat leans up against the doorframe, closing her eyes. "I killed Razvan. Seringo and me got between him and Lady Raven and Leonidas, and were fighting him, but then Seringo left once Lady Raven was upstairs.. and I killed him. That's sort of how it went."

Leonidas looks startled by Bane. But his eyes shift past the wildcat, to his mother. He promptly starts squirming again, "I wan' my Muver."

Callide glances at Bane from his position in the Hallway.

Constance resumes her previous stance, as if nothing else in the world were more interesting to her than standing at parade rest near one side of the room. Her expression is neutral and bland.

Dhanvanti's brow stays where it is. "Well, if you'll excuse me, /you/ weren't exactly there to prevent the lady from getting injured now /were/ you? Forgive me my pang of concern, but I wanted to make sure the lady was well cared for after I managed to get her upstairs. Which is a lot more than your /Regency/ managed to do. They were more concerned with the disposal of her attacker. Now before you go about spitting drivel about rules and regulations, the lad has requested to see his mother." Dhan sets the little tod down and allows him to do whatever.

Eboriel jerks her thumb towards Constance. "She was trying to throw me out of here, and I wouldn't have it..." She coughs once and rubs at the scratches along her throat.

Eboriel says, "/Dhan/. Stop. Not now."

Leonidas promptly bolts to slip past Bane.

Slitsnout glances at Eboriel and gives her scratches a look over from the distance. He's not sure if he should offer his services. She'd most likely not appreciate them.

Dhanvanti turns to Eboriel and hns. "What, does everybody from Ruingate walk all over people without a rank? Bloody sparrow bits, what ridiculousness." She offers an arm to the blackcat. "Come downstairs with me?"

The healer rubs down the wound to make sure it's good and clean, Seringo turns his eyes toward the other side of the room. Don't think about it...dont' look at it....he flinches sharply as the healer digs in a particularly tender spot and there is a light growl but he takes a deep breath and offers the healer a vague smile. Known as ‘I won't bite you I promise’ type smile...since the healers eyeing him now. But the beast continues his work none the less, applying some salve.

Bane looks to Leonidas. "Go to your mother, Prince." He then looks to Eboriel. "My lady--," his golden eyes widen as his head looks to Dhanvanti. He snarls as his eyes narrow. The Slaughterthane steps before her and reaches a paw up to the feline's jaw to hold her jaw cupped in his paw firmly. He leans down to look the feline in the eyes. A low growl raises from his chest. "Get out." His claws slowly unfurl to show his intentions. "Best keep that tongue under control while it still resides in your /mouth/."

Leonidas heads straight for his mother's bed, quickly trying to scramble onto it.

Constance offers Leonidas a brief, respectful nod as he passes, which is likely passed over in his haste.

"Don't touch me." Dhan says levelly, pulling her face away from the large cat's grasp. Gold is met with defiant blue. Eboriel is glanced at. "You keep strange friends, cousin." With that, the calico moves downstairs.

Waving Dhanvanti's invitation away, Eboriel turns her gaze back to Leonidas and Raven, squinting towards them with the eye that's not glued shut by dried blood. "I need to watch over--" Her ears pin back. "Dhan. Just go. Please. Now. /Please/" She presses two fingers against her temple, lashes fluttering for a brief moment beore she manages to regain herself.

Bane rolls his shoulders back as he growls, filling the door way then looks to Eboriel. His ears lower. "Please. Come in, Lady Eboriel." His eyes snap back to Dhanvanti if she's still in the hall then he slams the door shut, promptly locking it.

Seringo stands for the most part stock still with enduring patience as the healer finishes applying the salve and has him lift his arm so that he can wrap the shoulder. Once done the tod rubs lightly at the new wrap moving the arm gingerly as a little test to see how usable it's gonna be for the next few days. He tosses a look toward the bickering that continues by the door. Then looks down at the floor and sighs, shaking his head as he turns back to look thoughtfully toward Raven. The worry has faded quite a bit...the healers both agreed she'd be alright. Good enough.

Leonidas makes it onto the bed, crawls over to his mother, then quietly curls up against her.

Eboriel's gaze slips up to Bane, and she shuffles inside, a hand on the doorframe to help her balance. "I'm sorry... I did all I could," she murmurs, groping around for a chair and sagging down in it.

Slitsnout feels very, -very- out of place in the room full of beasts larger than himself. By no means is he a coward but...healthy fear.

Bane looks to Slitsnout. "Sir. Rest assured that your caring for Lady Raven will be reported to the Lord Regent. You may leave now if you wish." The Slaughterthane looks to the healer. "Please check Lady Eboriel, healer." His fur lowers as he starts to relax. Finger pads press against Bane's forehead then rub as he leans back on the table he pounded earlier. "Was there any /reason/ for the attack on Lady Raven?" he asks to no one in particular.

Slitsnout wiggles his snout and ducks out.

The healer motions at Eboriel. "C'mere, Mi'lady. Let me check y' over."

Seringo watches Leonidas curl up next to the lagy Regent and that actually does bring a very faint smile to the tod's maw. Faint indeed after the day's dreary events...but still there. He lingers for a moment, his brush tail giving a few sharp swishes from one side to the other and a thoughtful look coming to his maw. He looks down at his still blood caked right paw from clamping it on his own wound then turns and offers another salute to Bane as he asks, "Permission to take my leave, sir?" He figures there's enough beasts here without him taking up space.

"Permission granted," Bane says as he offers a dismissal salute. He then looks over at Leonidas as his brow furrows. "And Seringo," he says as he looks over his shoulder at him. "Good job, today. I shall inform Lord Merdez of you deeds."

"He was drunk..." Eboriel answers, massaging at her throat. "He started raving, and spun his dagger on the bar, and it pointed at Leonidas, so he went after him.. but Lady Raven tried to protect him, so Razvan attacked her instead." She coughs again, waving the healer away and splaying her ears down. "I should have just…arrested him. I didn't know I had it in me to kill." She brings her knees up against her chest and tucks her nose against her arm, closing her eyes.

Constance's muzzle twitches, as if she might want to say something. She keeps her tongue firmly anchored however.

"Oh, come now, y' got scratches all over yer face, Milady," the healer states firmly. "Let me take a look at 'em."

"Tomorrow," Eboriel wheezes. "Just let me rest. Please. I'm tired.."

Bane asks, "Was anyone else present when this Razvan spun his dagger?" He looks over at Constance then back to Eboriel. "My Lady, your wounds need to be tended to."

The healer moves forward again, rummaging about in his satchel. "Yes, right, y' don't wan'em ta get infected."

Constance shakes her head once. "I wasn't, Sir."

Seringo nods his head in acknowledgement of the compliment to his behavior and responds in his usual quiet toned fashion, "Thank you, sir. It is my pleasure to serve." With that he moves to the door...sliding the bolt lock out of place and stepping out, pausing only long enough to give Bane a brief glance. The look little more than a mild reminder to the Slaughterthane to lock it again once he steps out, then he closes it behind him and moves off down the hall.

Seringo has left.

Eboriel flicks her ears back. "I'm not sure. Lady Raven and Leonidas... I'm not sure..." she shakes her head at the healer again, tucking her head down. "Bane. Please. I need to sleep…"

The healer snaps his bag closed. "Very well." He bends at his middle to Bane. "Lord Bane? May I take my leave?"

Bane catches the looks and walks to the door to lock it once more. As Eboriel speaks he sighs then nods. "Very well." He then walks over to Leonidas and Raven. He kneels at the bedside and reaches for one of her paws, cupping it then resting his other paw atop it. "Yes you may, healer. And thank you for your services once more. You are vital to the Regency." His attention turns back to the royalty. He looks from Raven to Leonidas. "Are you alright, Prince Leonidas?"

The healer leaves quickly. He just wants to leave and get to bed.

Leonidas peeks up, tensing and hackles raising ever so slightly as he sees how close Bane is. He speaks in an agitated tone, "I'll bi' 'f you try to take me 'way."

Bane's brows raise as his eyes narrow. He half smiles. "I promise to not take you away from your mother. I just want to make sure you do not have any wounds on your body."

Leonidas relaxes only a little, still not looking very much at ease, "M no hur'. She skished me when she go' hur', bu' m no b'udy. She din' le' him ge' me. Ev'yone here wan's a ge' me."

Bane squints one eye as Leonidas speaks. "Then you need a personal body guard to be with you at all times." He looks over his shoulder at Constance. "Soldier. Have you been assigned to any position yet?" Bane stands and faces Constance. "Then I am hereby assigning you to be Prince Leonidas Soulslash's personal body guard until further notice." He folds his paws behind his back. "Do you understand this duty that has been handed to you?"

"Yes, Sir," Constance replies. "What about--" She motions toward the sleeping Eboriel.

Bane lifts a brow. "Hmm? What about Lady Eboriel?"

Leonidas snuggles closer to his mother, clearly upset. He continues talking, whether or not he's listened to. It seems to even make him feel a little better, "I jus' wannid to be with her 'n make sure she was kay, an they wudn' le' me. They din' lissen tha' I wannid to be with her. I wouldn' may her worse."

Constance says, "I was informed several times of her duty to watch over the Lady and the young Prince. What shall I do if we come into conflict?"

Bane's ears perk high on his head as he cocks a brow. "Duty?" he snorts. "The Countess might be honor bound to the Prince as family but not as personal guardian. She is a noble. A Lady of the court. A countess. Not a body guard. Her life shall not be Prince Leonidas' shield. Her love and care perhaps, but it would be absurd for a noble to be a body guard," he snorts and shakes his head. "I shall speak with the Regents on this matter. Fear not. Your order still stands."

"Very well," Constance says.

Bane looks to Leonidas. His ears lower as he kneels before him and Raven. "Prince. Fear not. Your mother is going to live," he smiles faintly. "If you want her to wake up, you have to love her with all your heart and she will live." He bows then stands and heads towards the door. "Please report to me any developments with Lady Raven," he then salutes and is out the door.

Bane opens the door. "Oh yes. And lock this, please."

Constance salutes in return, then crosses to the door to lock it as Bane exits.

Leonidas grows silent again, unhappily watching Bane leave. His eyes then shift warily toward Constance.

Constance attempts a very slight smile in Leonidas' direction. "It looks like I'll be staying around for a while, Prince Leonidas. Are you alright?"

The Black Gull - Narrow Hallway ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the upstairs hall of the Black Gull. Like the tavern below, it's dimly lit and sparsely decorated. There is a blue threadbare carpet running the length of the hallway. Along the south wall is a yellow door, a green door and a black door leading to Valerian's private quarters. The north wall bears a red door, a blue door and a violet door leading to the lounge where Black Gull employees often sleep. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dhanvanti has been sitting on the top step for some time. Well, one of the top ones. She's at least downstairs from the main room of interest, anyway. As the green door opens again, she turns. "Ebby?" She questions, but then falls silent as the wildcat emerges. Her tear-streaked features immediately sweep from him.

Bane exits the room and stands just outside the door as Constance locks it behind him. He grunt/sighs as he looks at Dhanvanti. "Lady Eboriel is asleep. Tired from the quarrel, no doubt." He stays standing where is his for a moment, watching the feline from the corners of his eyes, then turns his head to regard her fully. He sniffs the air. "Why are you crying?"

Felldrow climbs up the stairs, muttering. "Where'd that idiot ge' too?"

"I /hated/ keeping the lad from his mother.. I couldn't let him go to her until she was stitched fully. The sight would have scarred him for life. It was difficult enough for him to have to be there while I tore her dress and bandaged her, I didn't want him to see a surgery atop it. Careless fools, these local beasts." She fumes, rubbing an arm over her eyes crudely. "And your dismissal didn't exactly help, either. I've got a caring nature and I was there to see her well treated. Imagine, a mother wounded while protecting her offspring.." Dhan sighs.

Misae walks back out of the Lounge confusion on her face. She looks around and recognizing the Thane she walks toward him

The sound of a cane tapping against the wooden stairs sounds out in the narrow hallway. "Have any of you...Oh, Felldrow, there you are. Get downstairs."

Felldrow nods. "Yes Master." "Nature of the beast," Bane says blandly as he walks towards the steps, paws behind his back. "It is only natural for a mother to protect her child at the cost of her very own life. Lady Raven is a wonderful woman and an even more extraordinary mother and ruler. Prince Leonidas will learn the depths of his mother's love from this." He then stops on the top step. "As for your dismissal, it was completely in order. If it hurt your feelings, then learn to watch your tongue. I did my duty and that was to secure the situation. Questions will be asked later." One of his ears twists towards Misae as she emerges from the lounge. A glance is tossed up at Felldrow then his full attention turns towards the direction of Callide's cane and voice.

Callide tips his hat up with the handle of his cane. "Oh, Lord Bane, I'll assume you heard of the idiocies that transpired downstairs."

Misae watches Bane leave as she listens with interest. Finally she is putting the story together.

Bane says, "Lord Callide. I will need to speak with you in regard to your side of the story."

"I'll watch my tongue when it's presence is in the wrong. You had no crucial reason to be so careless." Dhan protests, despite her current mood and state. "Ask whatever questions you will, my answers will be true."

Callide lick his nose and glances at the others briefly. "I was merely a spectator, but I -did- see the entire little escapade unravel."

Bane slowly turns to look at Dhanvanti. "'No crucial reason to be so careless,'" he repeats. "First of all, I was not careless. Once you have dried your eyes and improved your vision, THEN with those eyes you can see how your hot headedness and fowl temper led to the tongue lashing you received. I would appreciate it if in the future, you would keep your remarks about the Ruingate guard to yourself until a crisis has been resolved. Secondly, you were wrong to order my guards around. Once you hold the title of Slaughterthane, then can you and will you be listened to by the guard. I understand that you are no commoner, but noble or not, you were wrong to speak as you did back there," his tone is calm and level. Bane looks to Callide. "That is what I hope to hear from you, sir."

Callide smiles, his cane tapping once or twice. "And you shall have it, Bane. I'd be more than happy to."

"Eboriel ordered them. I followed the ladies requests. And if I gleaned ranks and titles correctly, the lady outranks your guards. To the wounded Lady I obeyed." Dhan points out, standing slowly on the step. "And I'm no noble. My cousin is."

Bane turns his head towards the direction of Dhavanti but doesn't regard her. "If memory serves me correctly, when you were orignally removed from the room, you spoke to soldier Constance, You. Outside. You had words something or other to speak with her. And to understand that correctly, that was an implied imperative," he then looks to Dhanvanti. "Was it not?"

Bane taps his chin as he looks up thoughtfully. "Follow me outside," he repeats. "Yes, that's /exactly/ what was said."

Misae looks on in awe and stands back along the wall

Callide flicks his eyes from the Slaughterthane to the unknown cat. "My, but what a fight," he says, chuckling lightly.

"I had the lady's hand in mine and Constance or whoever she was was trying to /rip/ me away. She could have injured the lady, had I not gotten away from her. With so little warning, I might not have let go. What words I reserved for your soldier were merely educational. A healer would have reprimanded her for the same thing." The calico states. "Whatever else you may think I would have said to her is constructed by your own imagination. A bit of care on her part was all I would have requested." Dhan finishes.

"'You. Out in the hall with me. We'll talk there,'" Bane raises a brow as he smirks. "I'm /sure/ it was educational. Regardless. If they need education, it comes from me. And I do remember ordering everyone out. You did not heed, so force was used. The Lady would have been fine, regardless of what your own imagination constructs," he quotes as he grins then turns to look at Callide extending a paw towards the downstairs. "If you will, Lord Callide," he says then looks to Dhanvanti. "You may join us as well, if you are done pouting, that is." He then heads downstairs. "I would love to speak with you Miss Dhanvanti."

Callide smiles and taps the cane once. "Indeed. You first." He waves a paw at the stairs.

"You're reading too far into it." The calico replies, shaking her head with a sigh. It's no use talking to hyped up militant hairballs. "According to you, I'm in the way. Why on this green country plain do you want to speak with me? And call me Dhan."

Bane looks over his shoulder. "You have eyes that have witnessed this event. I am Xerxes Bane Vasilis. Slaughterthane of Ruingate. A pleasure, now, Dhan." He then passes Callide and twists his ears behind him as he walks down stairs.

-End