Salamandastron: Leaders' Corridor

-------------- Salamandastron --------------- Here is a corridor that is walked by the leaders of the Long Patrol, and those with business with them, as well. The leaders' dormitories, office, and lounge is located here, in a corridor of winding length and simplistic design: cherry wooden doors, staggered torches for light, and a floor, ceiling, and walls of stone. -------------------------------------

The mountain is quiet today, most people have gone up to the gardens to enjoy the sudden warm weather. Quinten however is walking slowly down the corridor, paws holding a scroll in his hands as he moves towards the leaders lounge.

SLAM Well, it would seem that Jarril has in-fact managed to notice that something was in his pocket, the letter still within his paw as he begins to make his way out of his own dorm, striding down the corridor with a foul look on his face, muttering. "Of all the darn cheek, please go sort out... Who does he think he is.... Bally well should ..... sort him out, wot...."

Quinten pauses in mid stride, paw half way towards the lounge door as the Major leaps out. The private leaps about three feet back down the corridor with a yelp, dropping the parchment he was carrying which flutters to the floor. "Major!" What do you want to whisper?

Not stopping, Jarril mutters something else which is a few well chosen bad words for the sender of the letter in his paw before turning around. "What is it?"

~Major Jarril~

I do hope this package has reached you safely I was assured that your Private was more the adequete for the job of delivery. I fear I have been most remiss in my duties in keeping you informed of the situations in and around your mountain.

Regardless i digress and feel it my civic duty to inform you that whilst our attentions are diverted elsewhere it is not without the realms of reason for me to inform you that the toads and reptiles of the swamps to the south and east of your little fortress are beginning to grow ever bolder in their forays onto the western shore to waylay travellers and passengers alike.

Do be a dear and send one of your famous patrols down to deal with the ruffians it would be remiss should any of your young ones be harmed by toads due to a lack of action on the behalf of the Long Patrol.

Also in news that may interest you, The trade agreement between Lord Merdez of Ruingate and the Empire of the Isles is flourishing with their new northern trading port flourishing. Your son does you proud at the abbey of Redwall with his training and his advancement, you should feel most proud in him and his acomlpishments though I am sure I shall remember to forwards your messages from Harper at a more convienient date.

Should you wish to at any time speak to my representative or leave a message for myself, just have one of those strapping young hares who do your bidding to leave a message in one of the stone urns outside of dear old Lady Apple's smithy. I mean really now I thought better of your patrol then to have badgers murdered in the halls of the badger mountain because they disagreed with how you handled that horrible bussiness with the Pelt Reapers. I mean to claim she attached your hares and she didst need be killed is ludicrous when none of your hares where harmed. We all know if she had truly lost it to the blood rage you would have had corridors of dead hares before you brought her down.

Though I must now sign off i should warn you that if any harm or incarceration befall my messenger and representative then I shall be most wroth with thee after sending thee my warning. And you do not wish to engineer my anger against thee or those you hold dear Major Jarril, now I shall bid you a good day and hope you act swiftly upon my warning before a sad fate befalls the peace of your mountain and lands.

Please give my regards to your lady Colonel and pass on my greetings to Taye, I wish him well in all his endeavours.

Yours in good faith, Lord Inelgard.

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Quinten shakes his head bending down to pick up the parchment, "New life at Sala sir, Colonel has me put a copy in your lounge as well as ours sah." He salutes standing at attention.

Jarril still shaking with anger, nods slowly as he takes a deep breath in before releasing it slowly. "Sorry lad." The major recomposes himself as he looks at the younger hare.

Quinten remains stood at ramrod attention, paws at his side and back straight. "No appology needed sir." he says softly.

With a ear twitch, Jarril snorts and looks at Quinten for a moment. "I want ta know something, please tell me ya weren't polite ta that messenger on ya travels?"

Quinten looks puzzled, "I met him in the street sir, so of course I was polite, I had no way to tell who it was at first."

Jarril pauses for a moment as he looks down to the tightly held letter in his paw, then hands it over to Quinten. "I just hope those runnahs that went off last night know ta be careful out there." There's still a strained calmed tone to the Major's voice though; as though something wishes to explode out of him.

Quinten unrolls the letter and his eyes widen in shock, "What on earth..." his ears stand up straight and quiver, "Well of all the cheek...who does he think he is?"

There's a dangerous dark look in Jarril's eyes as he looks at Quinten. "He threatened harm to Harper..." The hare's paws tightening as he says this, before he took a step back and leant gently against the rock wall. "I didn't read this until after I sent off the message. I only told Harper ta be careful and watch his back, as well as Flaxpaw's. Nothing else, glad really as I ain't sure if that message will get there unread by this lot. I may put him in more danger by saying there's someone there, well, ya know, spying or whatever they do.."

Quinten shakes his head, "How do they know so much? I mean....about everything....and we have no way of rooting out these spies?"

Jarril nods as he takes the note from Quinten again, folding it up before placing it into his pocket. "I'm going ta have a word with the colonel about this, someone here is spilling information. That will warrant the usual trial and death if they're found guilty of it. Then again if I catch them, I may forego the first bit." Looking up and down the corridor. "As for this dealing with the toads and all. Pah, we have ta check it out nonetheless. I want all recruits nowhere near the swamp areas. Halyard is the other way so they should be okay but don't want any heading down south."

Quinten nods his head, "Ok sir, are we sure it is someone here? I mean they could have picked up most of this information from Halyard."

Turning his head, Jarril see's another Major come out of his own dorm, giving both of them a nod before heading off as he turns his head back to where Quinten is. "I'm keeping my mind open on this at the moment, need ta think." Giving Quinten another look, the Major nods again. "Can't say anything more than that."

Quinten nods his head politly, "As you say sah." he offers the parchment he is carrying, "My report from the patrol north as well sir. And life at Sala too, gibve it a read and take your mind off things for an hour or two."

Taking the scrolls, Jarril nods his head. "Right and oh Quinten." The major gives the younger hare a look. "I want ya ta keep Taye from mentioning this ta Darklett, my side. I don't want him ta go on some quest or something. Ya friends with him. I just want nothing ta happen until I know what ta do with this one. Not for my safety, mind..." His voice trails off in thought for a moment. "But aye, I do that. I see ya around." Without saying anything else, he heads into the room where the leaders rest, closing the door behind him.

Quinten salutes as Jarril walks away and turns to start back down the corridor, paws behind his back and a frown on his muzzle.

Riku is walking around the corridor idly looking at every thing "wow its sooo big." he says to him self as he stops to look bihind him

Quinten's ears perk as he hears Riku and moves over towards him, "Hey there." he raises a paw in greeting, "You must be one of the new beasts the Major was talking about."

Riku looks over to the hare and smiles rubbing the back of his head "um if you mean by just got here kind of new then yes." he says

Quinten smiles broadly and holds out a paw, "Well welcome to Salamandastron, I'm Quinten nice ta meetcha."

Riku nods and takes his paw to shake it "well im riku sea eyes, cause my eyes are the color of the sea." he says smiling at the friendly hare "are all hares friendly, you are the first hare i have ever met."

Quinten chcukles, "Of course we are friendly, who wouldn't be now what say we go the otherway? This is the leaders corridor, we don't want to disturb the officers in their lounge or they'll sentance us both to dish washing duties downstairs."

Riku laughs "how can they do that, i just got here, not like i know better." he says "well i am lost could you help me git around?"

Quinten laughs and claps your shoulder then starts down the corridor, "Ahhh they would do it trust me, come on we'll go up to the rec room and get a drink."

Salamandastron: Level Two -------------- Salamandastron --------------- You are in a medium-sized circular room from which several passages branch off. Each passage fades off around a twisting corner, winding around in the bowels of the mountain. One passage, however, hardly more than a short, straight hall, ends abruptly with a large wooden door - the forge room. -------------------------------------

Quinten laughs and claps your shoulder then starts down the corridor, "Ahhh they would do it trust me, come on we'll go up to the rec room and get a drink."

Riku nods as he starts to follow, not saying any thing

Salamandastron: Recreation Room -------------- Salamandastron --------------- The recreation room for the army of the Longpatrol. Here soldiers come to relax after a hard day's work and the officers come for a game of cards or a quick drink by the fire. The room is quite large, having to deal with a lot of hares at one time. Along one wall there is a large worktop with some cuhsioned stools lining one side of it. On the other side of the worktop there stand many kegs and bottles, lined so that they can be easily opened by someone standing on the inside of the bar but well out of reach of the rowdy hares on the other side. There are a few woollen cloths on the bar and mats in front of each stool. The next thing nearest to the bar are the round tables, each with 4 chairs around and a lantern in the middle of each one. There are a couple of slightly larger oval tables with 8 seats around, obviously for larger crowds. The other end of the room is littered with armchairs, comfortable armchairs, each pair with a small table in between. The armchairs are near the fire, used to heat the room and provide extra comfort for the relaxing soldiers. -------------------------------------

Quinten leads the way through the maze of corridors and upstairs into the Recreation room, there are a few hares sitting at tables and a hare behind the bar but mostly the room is empty."

Riku walks in and looks around, after a few minutes he moves to set at the bar and yawns What do you want to whisper?

Quinten moves over to the bar and joins you, "So how are you enjoying the mountan?"

Riku yawns "its ok, i mean i just got here, the only reason im here is cause i herd a rumor that my brother came here." he says

Quinten frowns nad taps his paws on the bar as he orders two drinks, "What was his name?"

Riku yawns "eos emerald eyes, i was takin away for a slave after our mom and dad were killed." he says

Quinten frowns, "Well that is not good, I am glad to see you managed to escape that is a life no one deserves."

Riku nods "yes, so now im looking for my brother, i had a feeling he was alive at redwall, don't ask why, so i went there and they said he was coming here." You ask, "Well what is his name then? We cuirrently have a otter novice from Redwall staying with us.""

Riku shakes his head "he would never be a novice i know that much, and i told you eos."

Quinten nods his head and frowns, "Well i've only been back home about three days but well let me think." he waves down the bare hare as he plaaces to mugs of butter beer before us. "Hey has there been an Eos here?"

Riku looks at the mug but doesn't take it just yet

The bar hare nods his head, "Yes there was an Eos here, but not seen him for a day or so, think he left again."

Riku nods "well im not going to run all over the world looking for him." he says as he takes a sip of the beer "im sure he'll be back here, i always had to hear about how he wanted to come here im sure he will be back."

Quinten lifts his own tankard and takes a long pull, "Well i am sure you are welcome to stay, can probably even find a job if you are so inclined."

Riku yawns "what kind of job are we talking about?" he asks as he rest his head on his paw

Quinten shrugs, "I'd not be able to say, i'm just a private in the patrol, but they are always looking for beasts to help out in the kitchens and the library and the bar and gardens."

Riku nods and takes another small sip of his beer "ok." is all he says as he yawns

Quinten smiles, "You seem tired you should think about going to rest."

Riku shakes his head "no if i sleep now i wont sleep tonight." he says

Quinten chuckles, "True that, thankfully i'm still on a few days leave so do not have to worry about night duty right now."

Riku smiles "whats it like bing in the patrol, not that i can join just want to asks"

Quinten smiles, "It is hard work but it is a good life, lots to do and see."

Riku yawns "i see, any thing else?"

Quinten smiles, "Sweat, mud and blood defending innocents working with some of th ebest officers in the world."

Riku laughs "sounds fun, but i think i like it better at camp willow, so ill go back there in a few weeks if my brother doesn't come back soon." he says as he takes a long pull on his beer

Quinten nods his head and smiles, "Indeed Camp Willow is a nice place, i have been there before though not for long, this life is not for everyone

Riku smiles "yeah i guess its mostly for hares huh?" he asks as he finishes his beer

Quinten nods his head, "Aye there are currently no non-hares in the patrol>"

Riku yawns "do they even let other beast in the patrol?" he asks

You say, "They do, on special occasions sometimes. I do not know all the details though, as I said am just a private.""

Riku nods but doesn't say any thing

Quinten drains more of his beer and wipes his whiskers clean with a paw.

Riku yawns "any more, as a otter im not one who only takes one mug." he says with a small laugh

Quinten grins and raises his tankard, "Fill em up i say."

Riku smiles "so whats going on, i could help but hear what you were talking about with the other hare"

Quinten raises his head to look at you, "I do not know the full details, just that the Major got a disturbing letter. I'm not meant to talk about it."

Riku nods "i heard some thing about a spy or something so i can uderstand not being able to talk about it." he says

Quinten frowns at you, "well I would ask you not to repeat that to anyone."

Riku nods "i wont." he says

You say, "Thank you, I have a feeling it could turn into something bad and the less people know the less chance of people hearing.""

Riku yawns "well i wont say any thing, just hope no one thinks im spying." he says more to him self then the hare

Quinten chuckles, "all happened before you arrived so do not worry abnout it."

Riku nods "thats good.' is all he says as

Quinten smiles, "Unless of course you want a tour of our holding cells." he winks at you

Riku laughs "ohh yeah i heard its the best spot to be here." he says in a joking voice

Quinten grins and winks, "Well I am sure I can arrange it, damp stone walls and no windows."

Riku laughs again "ohh i love it when can i go."

Quinten laughs, "Why let me just call some more privates over and we'll hook ye up wid ye own room."

Riku shakes his head "nay, lets not for now." he says Quinten chuckles, "Well if you are sure old bean."

Riku looks over to him "but i may have to if you call me old bean, if you know what i mean." he jokes

Quinten grins and winks, "Steady on old chap we can't be having you exert yourself wot."

Riku smiles "i wont if you don't ever call me that again." he says still joking

Quinten chuckles and raises his tankard, "Well aye say sport don't it so hard, tis just a name, of course aye could always call ye "river-dog instead wor."

Riku laughs "fine and ill call you longears." he says

Quinten chuckles, "You call that an insult? Why I do declare this one needs to do some learnin. Long-ears? Why that is nothing compared to fish breath."

Riku laughs "but with otters fish breath is a good thing mister big belly." he says

Quinten chuckles, "Did you hear that chap." he pats his flat and muscled stomach, "He's as blind as a hedgehog too."

Riku smiles "i know you don't have a big belly and hedghogs are not blind its bats who are." he says

Quinten chuckles and nods his head, "Ok just have to say."

Riku smiles "so then is it true that a hare can out eat any beast?" he asks

You say, "Oh yes of course it be true.""

Riku smiles "just asking cause i only heard about hares never met one before, you would be the first hare i have met."

Quinten grins, "Well I hope you have enjoyed meeting me."

Riku laughs "yeah right, injoy meating you never." he says in a joing voice

Quinten laughs and grins, "Well I never if ye are that insulted by my ears you can leave." he winks at you

Riku smiles "no i don't want to leave." he says

Quinten stands up and stretches, "Well I need a bath, later Riku." He waves his paws and heads on out to bathe.

• End Log