Redwall Quarry TP (4-17-04)
The Redwallers and the Long Patrol have planned a small survey outing to the sandstone quarry.
4-17-04
Characters involved:
Zoe_Lang
Rahier
Kevarr
Kail
Atma
Shadowbow
Rurun
Kylie
Cassite
Ramadi
Posco
RW Abbey: Entry
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This is a sandy area between Great Hall and the main gates of the Abbey. It obviously gets a great deal of traffic, if one is to judge by the number of pawprints going every which direction here. There is an obvious path leading to the double doors of Great Hall. In places that are not so trampled, new shoots of green grass and budding wildflowers are making their presence known.
Shadows are lengthening, and the sun has begun to sink behind the western wall.
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Exits/Entrances:
[G]reat [H]all [C]limb to the [R]amparts [A]bbey [P]ond
[Ga]te [H]ouse [Leave] through the gates [Open] Ground
[C]hampion's [C]ottage
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Currently standing amongst a small group of chatting hares, Zoe waits along with the rest, though an occasional glance is sent towards the gates. Impatience, or excitement, it all comes out to the same. She sends a glance Rahier's way, but doesn't speak.
Rahier waits quite patiently, actually. His posture is straight, paws clasped behind his back, as he quirks a brow at the group of nattering hares. The buck chuckles, before returning Zoe's glance.
Kevarr walks in through the gates. She has an old cloak over her shoulders in place of the nicer one she usually wears.
Kail is stood next to Rahier. His cold passed, the li'l squirrelhare dibbun emulates his parental figure, paws behind his back and posture straight...he even tries to raise a brow, though he just manages to look very surprised as both brows raise.
Atma follows Kevarr at a gradual pace, his paws folded neatly in front of him. From the pond area, the squirrel Nagia makes his way into the vicinity, adjusting his large hat and wearing a grin of excitement.
Shadowbow sees the large group and walks over.
Rurun stays silent absentmindedly twirling his cane eyes searching the crowed for farmiler faces eyes finally resting on rahier he slowly makes his way through the crowed to the majors side. He smiles slightly as he nears the major wanting to be near the front of the crowed. He continues to twirl his cane expertly.
Kylie skips into the entry a grin on her face. Stopping to look around at the beasts she stays near the Great Hall doors just watching quietly.
Zoe_Lang snorts softly and looks away from Rahier and sets eyes upon the marten pair. She moves to walk over to them, leaving the small group of hares behind. "Just about ready t' go?"
Shadowbow leans on the wall, sarcasticly saying "I wonder where the long patrol is."
Kevarr crosses her arms and glances past Zoe to the gathered hares. "Aye. Ready whenever your lot are."
Kylie looks at Kevarr interested. "Tan I tome?" She speaks loudly almost at a yell.
Rurun finally reaches the major throwing a hastey saulute and stands behind him.
Kevarr grimaces slightly. "Ah. I think it would be best, this time, if the younger beasts stayed here."
Zoe_Lang glances back over a shrugging shoulder. "S'pose we're ready, aye."
Rahier turns his ear toward Zoe and the martens, giving a small nod at Kevarr's reply. The major turns to the gathered hares, raising his voice. "Alrigh', you lot, get it t'gether. Smartly, now!" He gestures towards the gate. Hares ready to march. ;p
Kylie starts putting on her poutty face. "Bu' I t'n 'ewp..."
Kevarr shakes her head. "Not this time." She turns smoothly and begins to make her way back out through the gates.
Rurun quickly gets into position as close to the front as he can leaning lightly on his cane.
Kail certainly isn't young. Not in his view, anyway. The dibbun inspects the lined-up hares, trying to emulate their postures and paying a lot of attention to copying their expressions.
Kylie nods her head still poutting. "'es I t'n! I t'n cawwy wo's o' stuffs!"
Kylie sees Kail and goes to run in line behind him and copy as he does since he is bigger than her, and he looks ready to go.
Atma sighs a little. He follows Kevarr wordlessly.
With a nod to the martens, Zoe drops back to her own lot. A glance is sent to the side at Kail and the other dibbun. "You two stay behind, now, eh? Ya mind me, lad." This last is said with a nod to Kail.
Kail stops emulating (Snes9Xing?) and shakes his head to Zoe. "Wanna go! Be a shoulder like Daddy!" he protests.
Kylie watches Kail smiling a bit as he keeps his spot so all hope can't be lost for her. "'aa! I wan' 'ome do!"
Zoe_Lang doesn't speak any more to the dibbuns, but sends a significant glance to 'daddy'. Ahem. She then continues forward, walking towards the gates.
Shadowbow follows intrested.
Kevarr has already stepped out.
Kylie watches Kail hoping he won't give up. "We t'n do wigh'. We's t'n 'ewp.." Her words sent Kail's way hoping he agrees.
Rahier coughs, turning to the two dibbuns. "Colonel's orders, y'know." How can he fault that? ;p "Y'two should stay."
Kail looks to Kylie at first, even her fellow dibbun having trouble understanding her. Even so, he looks up hopefully to Rahier. He pouts, however, at the reply he recieves. "Don' care bou' no Kernel!" he huffs, kicking dust into the air with a footpaw.
Kylie watches Kail and nods. "'a! Do' cawe 'bou' no Kewnew!" She to copies his 'example' and kicks at the dirt kicking some dust into the air.
"Then do what I tells ya. Stay here." Rahier places his paws akimbo, looking between the two dibbuns. "..Why don'tcha go'n play in th'hall or summat? 'Twould be fun too."
Kylie shakes her head. "No' fun...'s nuffink a do in vuwe. I t'n 'ewp, I t'n bwink s'uffs few 'oo." She crosses her paws infront of her as she continues to pout.
Kail puts paws on hips...just like Rah. "Hall's bawin'. Wanna go inna woodes an'a qu...qu...qwies." he stammers.
Making his way down from the main hall, the pony is fairly silent, only glancing toward those gathered briefly before his gaze fixates past the gates. Mm- best start walking.
Kevarr pokes her head in through the gate. "The answer is no, children. Now behave and mind your folks."
Kylie sticks her toungue out at Kevarr and shakes her head again. "I's go' no' fow's. On'y be! 'n' I t'n 'ewp so vewe!"
Kevarr says, "Whatever you just said, the answer is still no. Come on, you lot."
Kail's tailbrush starts waving - the sign of an agitated squirrel. "Mean wermins." he mutters rather audibly.
Rahier squints. "M'word's final, Kail." But he does stoop, lowering his voice. "'Ey. How's about some chestnuts later, aye? I still got some left over from th'mountain.." With that, he gives Kail a parting pat on the head, and begins walking for the gate.
Yarr. The voices of the dibbuns travel forward to her, and her ears twitch with slight annoyance. However, she continues on through the gates, with a good few of the hares following behind.
Kylie swings her tail around front grasping it into her paws still poutting just mumbling to herself. "I t'n 'ewp...I's no' 'iddwe...No' faiw..."
Kail simply turns and stamps away towards the building. However, after a hesitation, he returns, but only to try and pull Kylie after him. Hm.
Ramadi's ears perk when he spots Kevarr, and the horseknight steps around the whining children, ignoring them for the moment. "What's to be done again this afternoon?" he asks, a brow arching.
Rahier follows after Zoe and the rest of the lot, casting a parting glance to the two dibbuns. Frown. Oh well. Out he goes.
Sort of surprised at the pulling Kylie hesitates for a moment before letting herself be pulled along by Kail.
Kevarr was just about to go too. "We're going to the quarry," she murmurs over her shoulder. Aaaand. Out.
Dirt Road
--------------------------- Mossflower - Dirt Road ---------------------------
To the south sits the immense form of Redwall Abbey, casting its shadows across the wide dirt road. The Abbey, once thought to have been untouched by the passage of time, now shows its age. At this angle, you can see that the great bell tower has fall into the inner feilds of the abbey. The great red stone of the abbey is now beginning to appear crowded by the onset of the great Mossflower woods on one side and the miles of yellow grass on the other.
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Exits: [W]all, [S]outh, [N]orth
Kevarr leads the way north at a brisk pace, with her ears flattened.
Zoe_Lang doesn't mind the brisk pace. She's impatient to get there, after all. The Colonel keeps to the head of the lot of hares, along with the other leaders along for the march to the quarry.
The other leader being Rahier. He keeps easy step with Zoe, not glancing but sparingly at the rest of the hares. Even at a brisk pace, he's rather unhurried.
Dirt Road
------------------------- Mossflower - Dirt Road -------------------------
Sandy pawprints are tracked upon the road's surface, as stray greenery
emerges in scraggly clumps. The road stretches north and south to the
horizon, offering faint glimpses of buildings in both directions. On
either side of the road, the trees appear more thinly distributed than
they do farther north, and southward the trees dwindle entirely. A
well-traveled dusty path leads west to an impressive structure; walls
very much like a castle's in design. A trail of flowers lines the path
to the building, straight as though planted, yet no sign of present
civilization is offered. With the sun's glow reflecting off the
leaves, the summer landscape is pleasurable enough.
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Exits: [C]learing, [S]outh, [N]orth
Without bothering to glance to the side first, Kevarr turns off of the road and slips into the clearing. She's very familiar with this territory.
The horseknight is a little offset from the others, and is travelling at a bit more of a leisurely pace, though he easily keeps up. A wary eye remains settled upon the surroundings, however, an ear ever perked.
As is prone to happening lately it would seem - the expedition is being shadowed as they branch off into the woods. For today, there is no breeze, yet the trees are asway. The stalker is out of sight, using the trees to hide its progression as it looks on with intently curious eyes.
Shadowbow starts to walk ever more silent feeling wached.
Zoe_Lang continues on at the set pace and without much comment. Occasionally, her paw reaches down to pat the sheathed dirk at her side, because of course it's possible that it might not be there the next time. Heh. Nervous habits. She glances to Rahier, "The dibbun'll get ovah it, don't worry."
Clearing
The forest seems to have abruptly ended. In front of you, you see a road! It stretches seeming endlessly as you look to both sides of you. The forest looms behind you, and seems to line the road for a distance as well.
Exits: [L]arge [P]ath, [R]oad, [I]nto [M]ossflower [W]oods
Kevarr crosses the small grassy clearing and slips into the forest.
Rahier shrugs in return to Zoe. Hmm-hmm. "I ain't worried. He's a tough 'un. An' used t'bein' away from us, no less." He keeps on walking.
Ramadi follows silently, seemingly paying little attention to those around him.
"Aye.. stubborn like 'is dad, though." Zoe continues on in silence for a moment, with the occasional glance sent ahead to Kevarr. But, then: "Yer startin' up the healah trainin' tomorrah, righ'?"
Sandstone Quarry
The sandstone quarry is a gigantic, oval-shaped thing, looking as if a huge paw has scooped out a big chunk of earth, leaving this desolate pit. The stony walls are banded with different shades of sandstone, and you would guess that the red stone of the abbey come from here. Only a few shrubs survive in this near wasteland, not a pleasant place on the whole. The going is quite rough and uneven, as there are many piles of sandstone throughout the pit. One of these, a rather thin slab set against the wall, seems a little unusual. You could try to (lean) your weight against it.
Exits: [S]outh Into Quarry, [N]orth Into Quarry, [M]ossflower Woods
Kevarr finally comes to a stop at the edge of the quarry. She looks out over the stone pit with a dark frown. Everything below seems silent and unmoving.
Rahier chuckles. Takes him a second to realize she means Furnier, and not him. Heh. "Aye, I am. Hope we get a good turnout, at any rate." As they reach the quarry, he holds up a paw as a signal for the rest to halt. The buck peers at the pit, quirking a brow. "Cheery place."
Following up behind Kevarr, the ponyboy pauses by the edge, as well, his head lifting, a casual eye sweeping over the quarry. Indeed .. things are silent, unmoving, and near dead-like. Though, the horseknight only exhales quietly, a touch of a smirk edging across his muzzle. "Terribly so," he replies to Rahier.
Pausing beside Rahier, Zoe too looks down into the quarry with a small frown, distracted from any further discussion of the healer training. She snorts softly, glancing to the side at the horse. Another checking pat is given to her weapon, just in case. "Looks just about like any quarry I've evah seen." Squint.
Rurun looks around staying quiet.
Kevarr rubs her arms for a moment, as if cold, and then begins making her descent down into the quarry, picking a path down the wall.
Posco comes trudging behind at the very tail end. Poor lad, shorter legs and a heavier load. A small cart bounces behind him, full of large blades and other things. Huffing he halts and the small cart squeaks to a stop. "Burr! Not as lung ah walk as oi hud thought." He remarks, scanning the quarry.
Alas, in the area around this place, trees are scarce. Their 'stalker' has emerged from the trees now, quietly walking upward until he's equally betweem Kevarr and Ramadi, ears slicked back at the noises the cart makes as it treads over the rough terrain. Cassite is simply quietly tagging along.
The horseknight tilts a glance at the squirrel before he follows after Kevarr. He seems to be all but ignoring the squeaking cart, for now. He picks his path carefully, the grit beneath his footpaws crackling as they make their way down the sandstone.
Rurun slows slightly eyes flickering around.
Kevarr begins to speak as she makes her way down. "We're going to need to construct a few more carts. We're bound to be low on any kind of stone working tools as well. And we're going to need to protect any convoys moving to and from the Abbey, as they'll be tempting targets." Her ears perk. "And we need to make sure this place is empty."
"Why wouldn't it be?" the horse grunts in reply, pausing. His footpaw slips a little, sending a shower of grit down the side of the slope. ".. it's not like this is the most inviting place to stay."
Kevarr says, "The last time I was here it was the home of a band of particularly unpleasant woodlanders. I'm hoping they've moved on."
Zoe_Lang follows Kevarr's example, stepping down into the quarry. "Our hares c'n protect the convoys. How many hares t' each group?" The doe pauses, kicking a booted footpaw at some loose rubble.
Cassite grunts. "Rock quarrys aren't exactly the most inviting places for us, but this place has always been known as a good nesting ground for snakes - even before the White Glove took it over." He tucks his paws into his pockets.
Posco looks down the path and then back at the cart. Hmm. Now this was a puzzle! Posco hmmped and left the cart, deciding he would scout of the area before returning for the make-shift tools. "Hurr, best boi caurful en h'anycase." He advises as he catches up with the rest.
"Four t'a cart?" Rahier suggests, following after. "That'd leave some t'watch th'quarry itself. F'crazies o' snakes, whichever group rears its head first."
Kevarr points. "We're going to need some way to haul the rock up there too. A ramp or something." She rubs her chin.
Ramadi snorts quietly, and doesn't seem terribly unnerved by the last bit of information. "Easy enough. A rope. Take the wheels off one of these-" he nudges the cart with his foot, "- and there you have it. Just need someone stout enough to get it up there." He tilts his head back toward the lip of the quarry.
"Aye, four'd be good." Zoe ventures further into the quarry, though Ramadi is sent a glance. "A ramp'd be bettah." She squints. "Few levels, back 'n' forth. Less steep that way. Easier t' pull 'em up."
Rurun looks around not moving his head eyes scaning for the slightest sign of movement outside of the group.
Posco lets his eyes follow back to the cart. "Burr, et wuld boi h'easuy tah do wid rupes /en/ ah ramp...." He says and trying to solve the problem using both ways. You'm wuld get extra wurk done, wid half 'ee effurt."
Kevarr taps her paw, nodding to both Zoe and Ramadi. "I'll leave it to the beasts who know better. Though, Colonel, if you haven't already, I'd have two of your Runners planted on the road up past the Black Gull. Active rebuilding efforts may well attract some unwanted attention from the north."
Earperking, Cassite murmurs, "I could monitor the road - the woodlands are where I belong." The squirrel eyes the quarry with disdain. "I'm not built for lifting and hauling."
Rurun seems to relax a little loosing his grip on his cane he breaths a sigh of relief that they were the only ones in the quarry.
Kevarr turns her head to look at Cassite. "You belong in Redwall," she murmurs very, very quietly. "But I'm not going to tell you what you can and can't do to help."
Cassite's ears slick back, and he merely silences. Brood.
Ramadi tilts a somewhat annoyed glance at the squirrel. "Menial labor is not below anyone. If you don't want to get your paws dirty, then maybe you should be back in Redwall." Though, his attention is distracted, and he nods to Zoe. "It would take longer, and require more time to build. But with the amount of able bodies we actually have, it may be more productive to go the less strenuous route."
Zoe_Lang nods absently, with a glance sent Cassite's way. "I'll have majah Jarril assign a couple o' hares t' help." She then crouches down, plucking up a small rock. She frowns thoughtfully, glancing back at Kevarr. "You'll want t' keep the shifts light. Spread 'em as much as possible fer each beast."
Kevarr says, "Even so, we're going to have some idiots that will insist on working themselves out. Best get a round the clock healer rotation working too." She slides down to the bottom and looks around. "One last thing. Bolt holes wouldn't be unreasonable. Just in case. There were some prize boobies near Redwall yesterday, of the winged variety.""
Cassite's ears remain slicked back, and he says nothing to Ramadi, though his cheeks redden with obvious embarassment. It takes a great deal of effort and self-control for him to simply bow his head and grit his teeth rather than turning on his heel and storming off as he would like to.
Rurun moves nearer to the colonel his eyes never still as he looks around.
Posco holsd up his paws. "Burr! Oi sudgest we'm scout 'ee h'area... look fur gudd places en 'ee rock, en make sure thurr boi no udder creatures ah'bout." He pipes up, hoping these arguments would die down.
Ramadi arches a brow, but doesn't reply, for now. He only nods to Posco. ".. that would probably be wise."
Kevarr walks forward carefully, squinting. "Well, Posco, if I can just remember where...there was a tunnel here. At least, a few seasons ago there was a tunnel here. The earthquake may have collapsed it."
Standing, rock still in paw, Zoe follows Kevarr with her gaze. "Where's the tunnel lead?"
"I'll do whatever I'm needed to do." The squirrel mumbles in a resigned tone. Cassite is not pleased at the moment - his ego, small as it is, is reeling.
Posco nods and walks quickly to catch up with her. "Burr, thut moight hulp. Jues' thoink Kevurr! Thus boi whurr Martun 'en all 'e udder beasts came tah get 'ee rock. Thuy wurr standin' roight whurr you'm en oi stand roight now!" He says happily, letting his eyes soak in the surroundings.
Kevarr smiles very slightly at Posco, but it doesn't really reach her eyes. She answers Zoe's question next. "I don't know. I didn't go back all that far. It wasn't exactly...ah. The most pleasant of places." She begins rapping her knuckles very lightly against stone outcroppings.
Ramadi tilts an ear, looking over. "What exactly do you mean by 'not pleasant'?"
Kevarr says, "I mean it was a small tunnel with no light, and very strange carvings."
Posco shuffles to a certin out shoot of rock, seemign non-pulssed by the marten's lack of comment. Not suprising, afte spending about five seasons with the marten, her attitude was commin place. Pressing up against the rock it seems the mole listens for a moment. Pulling himself away, the mole brings his large digging claw up, and presses it into the rock. The claw prevails and some rock crumbles away. "Burr! Oi tought so. Moi ol' claw nevur failed oi." He says happily. "Now iffen h'only we'm 'ad mure molers!" He says with a shake of his head.
At this point, both Kevarr /and/ Posco are receiving odd looks from Zoe.
"Carvings?" Questions Rahier, tilting his head at the marten. Huh. "Like what?"
Kevarr says, "Like snakes. Lots and lots of snake carvings and paintings on the wall." She looks at Posco. "What's that?"
Ramadi rolls his shoulders in a light shrug. "Carvings and paintings can't hurt you." And, he, as well, tilts a glance to Posco. ".. mm?"
Kevarr's ears twitch. "I know that..." Ahem. c.c
".. Snakes?" Ergh. Zoe's nose wrinkles slightly, and she takes a small step back - barely noticeable, really. Where there are snake paintings, ther are actual /snakes/, more often than not.
Posco flex his claws, digging a small cube out of the rock. "Burr, oi'll boi dunnin' sume diggun tah'day, oi thunk." He says and nods. "But snakes... burr! Loike rock, they do. Keeps 'um warm en 'ee day 'en noight. Culd bludded beasts!" He says with a shiver. Looking about he takes his cube of rock and moves to a fat rock surface. The mole starts making some marks.
Rurun stays rather quiet.
Kevarr keeps moving, apparently still looking for the tunnel opening.
The squirrel has sulked long enough. Though he's still mildly grumpy, at least Ramadi has him pissed off. And generally, it takes that much to fire the lucid squirrel into action. "Tcha. Well, what are we standing around blathering on about serpents for? Let's just get started." He ties back his headfur, and rolls up his sleeves so they bunch up around the shoulders, exposing slender arms. Hey, he's /really/ not built for this, but he's still going to help, durnit. "Let's just haul some rock."
Ramadi looks over to the squirrel, not having much to add at the moment. c.c
Posco chuckles. "Hurr hurr. Thurr boi ah guud. lung prucess ah'fore we'm wull hull h'any rock, Zurr!" He says cheerfully at the squirrel. "But you'm h'arr ah roight smart beast, Cassute."He compliments, motioning the squirrel over. "Oi do bah'leve you'm wuld boi much beddar fur 'ee head o' 'ee plans 'en 'ee loike." He says wisely, tapping a claw on the make-shift plans he had prepared on the rock face. Posco gave another glance at the squirrels build. No, this was not a beast for manual work such as this. But Posco could still save Cassite's pride!
Hmmm. Zoe walks up behind Kev, as she continues to poke. "Kev. Compest has an eagle in 'is ranks... d'ya think he'd send her t' the mountain? If'n I could get word t' Lord Bludstripe, 'e could fashion us some handy stone-workin' tools 'n' send 'em back with a patrol. Yon mole ovah there could no doubt come up with the designs." She shrugs, looking to Posco and then back to the marten. "They'd be a bit in arrivin', but.."
"That's a good idea." Kevarr frowns. "But I haven't seen a sign of Compest or his army since the season started." She taps the stone. "Still, there are enough birds around..."
"It'd just take twice 's long travelin' if we sent a runnah up.. but we could do it, if'n we have t'." Zoe frowns, thoughtfully. "But I s'pose we could send anothah bird.. d'ya know any we could trust t' get the job done?"
Rahier grunts. "What about those ones that're always 'round th'abbey? Those.. sparrows."
Kevarr shakes her head and leans closer to one particular slab. "A hint, though. Don't trust them if they're covered with metal, or have a rat with over a score of knives strapped to him."
Kevarr says, "if you can convince a sparrow to do it."
The darksquirrel blinks his eyes to Posco - he's not been around moles very much, so the molespeak is all but incomprehensible to Cassite. c.c He discerns at least that the mole agrees with him, but he seems not to pick up on the suggestion that he 'Oversee'. Besides. Cass is a grunt when it comes to this sort of thing - not a leader. He just moves down and begins lifting rocks and dumping them onto the cart. Nyeh. Heavy. ;.;
"Where does Compest usually hold up with 'is army?" Zoe peers over at Cass as he begins the rock-lifting.
Posco turns to the rock and begins sektching the plan with more detail. Once again the mole seems quite fine with the fact of being ignored. In anycase insults and being ignored seemed to be the order of the Abbey, and one can take that however they wish. ;) Letting his eyes avert from the rock for a second, Posco gazes over to the others. "Oh Martun, you'm sure do wurk en strange ways." He says and with a chuckle turns back to his work.
Kevarr grunts. "Near Redwall. But they may be near Noonvale, if the stupid mice haven't driven them insane." She pushes a little harder on the slab. "Hmm. Now hold on..."
Ramadi watches the squirrel for a moment, still undecided, before looking back over to Kevarr. ".. eh?" He steps over, dodging around the working squirrel. c.c;
After about the tenth sizable rock is settled down into the cart, the squirrel notices that...there are only now ten rocks in there. Looking around in vague disbelief, the darksquirrel taps his footpaw. "...am I missing something? Did we come here to have tea instead of gather materials?" He mutters to himself and just continues working, stubborn as he is.
"A'right.. The eagle's been t' the mountain, so I'd trust 'er, if'n I c'n /find/ 'er.." Her gaze shifts to the working Cassite, again, and a small shudder runs up her spine. She looks back to the others. "Righ', well.. think I'll head back t' the abbey. Ah, ya know.. try 'n' see abou' arrangin' a patrol t' sniff out Compest. Whole army oughtn't be hard t' find." Her ears perk at Cassite's words, but she backs away from the lot nonetheless. "Righ', well.. I'm off." Fidget-fidget. Eventually, she turns, moving beyond the small gathering and off towards the edge of the quarry.
Kevarr puts both arms against the slab and pushes. It makes a loud grinding noise, but nevertheless swings inward. "Found it." She looks back curiously at Zoe. "Er. What's with you?"
Cassite flops overtop of the cart, eying his minimal progress, and feels almost compelled to whimper. His arms feel like falling off after this little time, and no one's helping him. He's half-inclined to just flop down into the cart and take a nap - except with his luck, they'd begin to work and crush him to death.
Ramadi pretty much ignores the squirrel, for now. But then, he doens't recognize Zoe's departure, either. "This the tunnel?" He steps over, stepping around Kevarr, and places his hand on the wall, leaning inward. It's dark, musty, and silent, for the most part. "Doesn't look like anyone's been using this place for a time."
Rahier peers warily at the tunnel. Eep. Rahier looks upward after Zoe, then turns to Kevarr. "She prob'ly jus' wants t'..tend t'business, y'know. What about this tunnel, eh?"
Unhesitatingly, the horseknight steps inside. Go pony go. c.c
Posco watchs the progress of the tunnel and thinks. Rushing back to his tool cart, Posco grabs two wooden torches from the front. Digging into a bag next to them, he finds some flint. He rushes back, waving a paw. "Hold oop now! Oi gut light, oi do!" He says nodding to the torches. Iffen wurr gunna h'explure, we'm shuld do et roight. H'arevn't yeh beasts evur been under grund ah'fore?" He says with a chuckle and lights a torch, holding it out.
Zoe_Lang stops, aaaand.. slowly turns back 'round. Awr. She clears her throat, lightly, "Nothin'." She shifty-glances away, and takes a step.. back towards them. "S'pose it could wait," she mutters.
Kevarr doesn't exactly look thrilled about going into the tunnel. It's. Small. And creepy. But she steps in after Ramadi anyway, ears flattened.
Ramadi pauses as Posco calls out, turning his attention back to the mole. He reaches out to get the lit torch from him, bringing it back inside and holding it out. The flame on the flickers and crackles noisily on the fuel, but at least it's light.
Cassite stubbornly remains outside. "I'll watch your backs. Or something." He grumps.
Argh!death. Zoe looks around the quarry once more and, without furhter ado, she moves at a quick jog, after the rest. Ickickick, go away, quarry.
Quarry-Large Underground Tunnel
The room is high and broad enough to allow three beasts of medium height to walk side by side comfortably. The very little light they have is dim, coming from the entrance. It is cool but not damp in the tunnel, though it has a musky smell. Though the tunnels were obviously naturally always here, the sides of the tunnels have strange signs and symbols scraped into their surface, most signs of reptilian nature. You can see these tunnels must have obviously been used by countless generations of serpents by the number of adderskins littering the floor. There is a slab of sandstone here at the end of the tunnel. You could try to (push) it.
Exits: [U]nderground [C]avern
The pony moves forward through the narrow tunnel. The light provides guidance, but not much; at least it allows them to see a few feet ahead. The snake skins rustle underfoot, but for now the horse pays them no heed. ".."
Kevarr is hugging her arms. Her face is set and blank, but it's pretty obvious she's not at all comfortable. She's making a great effort not to touch the walls, and her neckfur is raised.
Posco follows in the rear, holding his the torch clutched in his paw. He moves close to Kevarr, hoping the light will comfort you. "Now now, mizz Kevurr. 'Baint 'hany diffurnt thun 'ee H'Abbey cellurs." He says calmly, letting his eyes roam the area.
Ramadi pauses, looking to the walls and shining light upon the carvings, reaching a hand out to run his fingers over the stone thoughtfully before shifting his gaze ahead and pressing onward.
Quarry-Underground Cavern
This is a large cavern, so large the Great Hall of Redwall would fit into a corner of this colossal structure. At its center is a vast shimmering lake that glows with a pale phosphorescent light. You hear the dripping of water somewhere within the cavern. The droplets of water are coming from somewhere high in the dark recesses of the roof; they drip steadily down and break the surface of the subterranean lake, causing a continuous ripple. You notice numerous other caverns and tunnels leading from this large cave.
Exits: [S]mall [T]unnel, [S]mall cave, [L]arge [T]unnel
With:
Rahier has his paw on the hilt of his weapon. "This's familiar," he jokes, lightly, to Kevarr. "Only this time there ain't no water.." Eh heh. ;P
( No it isn't. It's cold, and damp, and slimy, and /small/. Very, very small. Kevarr grimaces, showing her teeth. "It's small," she mumbles as explanation. Rahier receives an earquirk. "I didn't enjoy /that/ very much either." )
Only once he steps into the open does the horse take real pause, stepping out of the mouth of the tunnel into the larger room, to give the other beasts room to step out. It's empty. Very empty. Though, the horse seems almost enthralled, gazing about, sweeping the light over the room.
Zoe_Lang has her paw on her weapon, as well, and she looks none too comfortable - but it's mostly residual from the earlier freak-out. After all, she ought to be used to caverns. ".. 'M not too sure you'll find treasure in here, eithah."
Posco looks about, amazed. "Small?" He questions, shaking his head. "Kevurr, you'm culd fit 'ee h'abbey en hurr four toimes over." He says in a whisper, yet his voice still carries enough to echo.
The dripping of water is especially ominous here - offering very little comfort that this is where the assembly ought to be.
Kevarr nearly bumps into Ramadi. Gah. She blinks at Posco's words, and looks around for the first time. Aie. "..."
".. don't follow me," the horse murmers, looking to the assembly at last. And then, he heads back to explore further. Wheee.
Kevarr snorts, feeling a little better now that she's not quite so closed in. "Like hell." And she follows.
Rahier chuckles quietly, brushing a bit of water from his nose as it drips down. Bleh. "An'.. th'eels, o' course." Probably shouldn't have said that. Hee.
Posco wrinkles his nose. "Ah horse advisun ah mole tah stay put.. unnerground?" He says, almost laughing. "Whoi, moi h'uncle'd nevur bah'leve thut!"
When he hears moving feet, the pony grumpily moves back to head Kevarr off. ".. I mean it," he grumps, then turns back and heads back inside. o.o
There is the ominous echoing of moving stone from further up in the tunnel - back the direction they came from. Loud, skittering, grinding noises.
Zoe_Lang stares in disbelief as half the group breaks off - or tries to, anyway. Grunt. She glances back to Rahier. ".. 'M thinkin' we ought t' stay here. Won't do t' get lost."
Kevarr scowls at Ramadi. "Five minutes, horse, that's all you have."
Kevarr takes a seat on the floor, still hugging her arms.
Posco jerks the torch in the direction of the sound. He mole steps back a pace and snorts. "Hurr, we'm b'aint boi 'lone..." He says in a hushed voice.
A Kevarr scowls, ready to attack.
Rahier turns toward Zoe, placing his back to the tunnel wall. "Fine by me. I don't wanna become a permanent resident any more'n you." He too, glances back up the passageway. Huh.
Posco holds out the torch for Zoe, nodding. "Hurr, take thus. Moi eyesoight boi beddur unnerground thun h'any o' yurrs." He says, almost shuddering. "Oi'll go'en soi whut thut zound wuz." He gulps.
Kevarr shakes her head. "Stay here, Posco."
Kevarr says, "It has to come out into the wide open to get at us here."
Er. Zoe glances around, her paw tightening around the hilt of her weapon. Heh. ".. Aye. Would rathah not end up meetin' with that sound." She takes the torch with her free paw, and then glances to Kev. "Might want t' set this place off limits, set up a guard.. Wouldn't want somethin' attackin' the quarry workahs."
Kevarr says, "It could be nothing."
Zoe_Lang arches a brow, "Ya want t' be the one t' investigate 'n' find out?"
Posco sets his eyes on Kevarr. "En if et's somethung thut shuldn't boi h'attacking h'us thun oi dun' want et tah get h'at you'm." He says, moving further away. "Thurr boi few beasts h'adgile as ah mole unnerground."
Rahier grunts. "We should seal this thing up permanently affer we leave."
The ambient noises from inside of the system of tunnels only seems to get louder in the otherwise silent atmosphere. The drops of water seem to make far more noise than they were before - and it is in such a silence that the shifting and grinding noises intensify. Louder. Closer.
Kevarr's ears perk up. Geh. "Posco, get back here before I drag you back here." Her voice is a harsh whisper as she stands up.
CRASH. Bang. Clatter. Quite the ruckus can be heard from the direction the horse went.
Posco draws his short cutting knife. Lately it had been used for the kitchen chorse, and Posco dearly wished that would all it would ever be used for. The mole steps out of range of the torch in Zoe's paw. >:)
Kevarr scowls darkly. "That does it. Colonel, Rahier, stay here, I'll be /right/ back." She sprints after Posco, fully intending to snag him and drag him back, as threatened.
Tempted to step back at the increase of the sounds, Zoe nevertheless steps forward, drawing her dirk half-free of its sheath, the other paw still holding the torch. "Kev, Posco.. might want t' get behind Rah 'n' I." Heh.
Rahier's ears swivel this way and that against the grinding noise. Yeep. He turns himself down the tunnel, slowly drawing the short sword he carries. "Bloody 'ell, get back here, y'two! Posco!" He turns his head to Zoe, who holds the torch, then back to Kev and the mole. Erk.
".. aaagh! Bloody snakes!" That's definately Ramadi. o.o
Siiigh. Zoe rolls her eyes, drawing her dirk free of its sheath. A cutting glance is sent Rahier's way. "/You/ stay. 'Tis their own damn fool fault if'n they get eaten at /this/ point." She flicks a glance towards Ramadi's shout. Argh. Her ears twitch irritably. Fools.
Backing out of the tunnel, the horse looks decidely agitated, his fist clenched tightly around the sword hilt, the blade half drawn. His ears are slicked flat, and his gaze is unwaveringly held on the room he exited from.
Posco slinks along the wall of the cavern. The mole is almost literally invisable, his black coat mixing in perfectly with his surroundings. Shaking his head silently his ears pick up the voices of the others. Evidently no one had been around a mole in his prime. Posco halted, his small eyes seeing the cavern now for what it truly was. Even the torches could not highlight this. Sniffing, the mole picks up the scent of snakes. Oh yes, they were in trouble.
Slowly, Ramadi begins edging backwards, features tightening more and more, nostrils flaring. ".. it's coming out," he murmers, voice tense. ".. it's following me."
Rahier looks to Ramadi, then back to Zoe. "So we're surrounded. If we stay here, they'll both close in on us."
Kevarr blunders along behind Posco. She's utterly blind, but she does have smell, and she's practiced being without sight before. Still, it takes all of a minute for her to realize she's in a /dark/ /small/ /tunnel/, and she freezes up with a little strangled gasp. Arghargh.
A long moment passes, and Ramadi slides backward, slowly, ever so slowly, as, now, the shifting grit under the belly of a dirt-crawler can be easily heard.
Argh! "Rah, you try 'n' get out, a'right? 'M gonna try 'n' get t' Kev." And then, Zoe plunges ahead, as well, both dirk and torch held out weapon-style.
Posco turns and touches the furry form of Kevarr. "Burr, yeh gurt H'Abbess beast! H'ordering moi 'round! Get back! Get back! To 'ee light!" He points to the dull light of the torch. "Oi'll hold 'ee snake off. Go go!" He urges, pushing her gently to the light. Posco turns, intent on going after the snake.
Unfortunately, this does not have the effect Posco intended. Being touched by Posco in the dark results in Kevarr frizzing, and immediately reaching forward to latch both arms tightly around the mole. Her breathing at this point is pretty audible. She's practically gasping.
A long, tense moment. And then, the creature emerges. The beady eyes of the reptilian flicker as the head of the beast sways back and forth-- and, the noise from the beasts inside cause the snake to recoil and immediately coil, head curling back defensively, ready to strike. All .. eight inches of him. x_x
Posco gasps, being choked by the silly jill. "Hurrrguu!" He manages to get out, struggling against us. "Yurrgurrnagedaaboffkulled!" He groans, his eyes almost popping. Posco sights the snake and grunts, tying hard to push Kevarr off of him.
The voice of Posco reaches back to Zoe, and she plunges ahead, practically running at this point. As she gets nearer to the two, she slows, staring at the sight of a mole-clinging Kev. "/Kev/.. c'mon!" She has yet to spy /any/ snake, big or small.
Rahier grips his sword. What? Run away? Into the blackness? Ah.. not going anywhere without the torchlight, thank you. He turns to Ramadi, raising his blade to.. the tiny snake? Rahier pauses, sword tip lowering to the cavern floor. "...That's it?"
Kevarr nevertheless begins dragging Posco bodily backwards. Or what she thinks is backwards. She's no really clear idea which way she's going. She's blind. And her teeth are grating so hard it's audible above her sudden, building growl. Drag, drag, drag.
Ramadi is still agitated. "That thing poked his nose right in my bloody face!" he fumes, sulking. Meanwhile, the poor little snake, which could almost be George's brother, is swaying back and forth frantically, opening its mouth threateningly at any who look at it.
Posco's foot paws drag painfully across the floor. At first Posco thought her going after him was a sign of friendship, but Posco was not quite sure about that anymore. "Merrff!" He groans, not daring to dig at her arms with his claws. He was, however, gettign short on breath. "Yurrgunnekulloi...gurrf!"
All hints of the grinding noises have stopped - there is once again only the dull echo of water dripping its way down into the water in the central cavern's subterranean lake. And, of course, the hissing fury of Ramadi's 'monster snake'.
The little snake, flabbergasted, finally starts slithering ever so slowly backwards, still threatening, still coiled. It's a tiny, green harmless thing. A Moss Snake, if you will.
Rawr. Zoe crouches, setting the torch so that it leans precariously against a small boulder, sheaths her dagger, and jumps forward, trying to grab hold of Kev to drag her off of Posco, none too gently. "Yer /stranglin'/ 'im, Kev." Yarr.
Rahier snorts, snickering quietly. XD "Yeh, it's.. jus' a baby! That worm couldn't hurt nobody." The hare grins, and turns back towards the light of Zoe's torch.
Kevarr yelps as Zoe grabs her, and releases Posco right away with a fit of shaking, mumbling, and seizing breaths.
The soft echo of the cavern is interrupted by a sharp yelp, followed by a loud, distinct noise. SLAM.
Posco tumbles to the ground where he lay, gulping down the life-giving air. He lay flat for a moment, then weakly staggers up, letting his eyes focus on the baby snake. "Gurf." Is all he manages to get out. The eyes turn towards the noise.
The noise, it may be noted - came from quite far off, but in the echoes of the deep caverns, it's impossible to tell quite from where.
Ramadi fumes, shoving his blade forcefully into the scabbard. "Dammit, he seemed--" And then, the noise. THe horseknight pauses, gaze immediately jerking to the origin of the noise.
Yarr. Zoe /doesn't/, however, let go of Kev, but instead attempts to pull her up bodily, whilst speaking gruffly in her eyes. "Kev, get ahold a'yerself. /Need/ ya t' try 'n' calm down." She'll only release her if she shows some sign of doing that.
Kevarr doesn't, really. Not yet anyway. She's pulled up without much resistance beyond gravity, but she seems to have just stupidly gone to pieces. All she can do is shake violently and swallow several times in a row. While wheezing through her nose. How helpful.
Rahier snorts again, though this time, it's more in exasperation, at this latest noise. ;p "Okay. What's it -this- time?"
There is once again only the dull echo of water dripping its way down - the distant noise was a secluded one, and does not offer any explanation.
Zoe_Lang is paying little attention to the noises at this point, as she's got a Kev on her hands - literally. She keeps arm around the marten's middle, as it'd be rather preferable if the marten /didn't/ run off in a panic. She flicks a glance to Rahier, "Get the torch 'n' let's get /outta/ here." A glance is sent to the others. "'Less ya'd like t' do s'more "explorin'?""
Ramadi just grumps. ".. getting out of here is fine with me."
Kevarr wheezes, ears flattened. Argh. She's completely rigid.
Rahier nods, agreeing with Ramadi. ;p He makes his way over, sheathing his weapon and hefting the torch, holding it aloft. "...Let's do." He looks to Kevarr. "Can she walk, or d'we gotta carry 'er th'rest o' th'way?"
Posco sits quietly in the dark, completely forgotten. Ah well, he wasn't listening anyways. The mole rubs his throat.
"She'll walk, or she'll drag well 'nough." Zoe snorts and takes an experimental step back.
The horse tightens his grip on the torch. "Whatever. Let's just go. Bring her along if you have to, but I'm getting out of here." He heads over to Posco, urging the mole to rise. "Come on, now." And then, he looks to Rahier. "Follow up the back. I'm going on ahead." And with that.. he goes. Yes. o.o
Kevarr does both. She drags her feet, but she moves with Zoe.
That's good enough for Zoe. She sends one final glance to Posco, and then begins backing slowly out towards the entrance.
Rahier holds up the rear, following after all the rest.
Posco grunts, his voice shot. Getting up slowly, the mole looks around. Even with the snake scare the little mole would rather inspect these tunnels. How they were made, what kind of rock did they hold amongst the sandstone. Posco pauses, letting his gaze linger on the formations.
Kevarr is just fine with being pulled along until they get to where the cavern becomes the tunnel again. Argh. Argharghargh. She suddenly tries to scramble backwards out of Zoe's grasp.
Zoe_Lang clamps her other arm around Kev's middle, as well, though it's still quite a struggle to hold on. "No ya don't, Kev.. not havin' ya get lost in /here/." Struggle-struggle. Drag.
Kevarr's resistance is violent. Fortunately she's not clear headed enough to use her claws, but she digs her feet into the grooves on the cavern floor and puts all her strength into pulling away.
Rahier doesn't stop up as Kev attempts to, helping Zoe with the pushing and the marten-carrying by placing his paws against Kev's back as she strains to get away.
Posco marvels at the beautiful cave before turning his attention to the struggling marten. Hustling up the the front. Posco tries his best to calm the marten now. "Now now, thun Mizz Kevurr. En 'ee tunnel you'm go. You'm cin't git lost in hurr, you'm know." He says amd places his paws against her. "Think o' Redwull, think o' Atma, think o' lil' Kesturul." He reminds her and moves towarsd the exit.
Claws are bad, but a disappearing Kev act is worse, so Zoe holds on, though the three - now four, with Posco - are basically at a stand-still, with the pushing and pulling and scrambling. "/Kev/, we're tryin' t' get ya /out/. T' the /outside/. Ya know? Fresh air? Open sky?" Awr. She links her arms together tight.
"Nonononono!" Kevarr wheezes and strains, but two hares and a mole are rather beyond her ability to resist. "It's too small, it's too /small/..."
"Close yer eyes. Picture the abbey. Picture /anythin'/." Draaaag. The group starts to move again, into the tunnel and closer to exiting.
Posco sighs, looking at the tunnel. "Hurr burr. Dunno iffen oi cin dig et h'any biggur.." He wonders aloud. "Mizz Kevurr, you'm gunna h'arve tah do thus."
Kevarr is duly dragged. Once in the tunnel she locks up again, however, this is an improvement over the active struggling. She's just going to play the dumb shaking basket case for a while more.
Yarg. Frozen marten. "Jus' carry her," Rahier grunts, about to do just that.
"Grab 'er feet, then." Zoe's already got the upper body, after all. Awr. Soooo close to the exit. So close.
Rahier wraps his arms around Kev's feet, and.. carries. XD
Posco bustles forward, now eager to get out, pushing rocks and pebbles from the path, Posco provides a safer way. His voice floats back, soothing the marten. "Now now, oi cun't waoit tah be en moi ol' comfuy bed back at 'ee h'abbey, cin you Mizz Kevurr? Roight gudd et'lll full, eh?"
Kevarr is thus carried. She covers her eyes with her arms and shudders.
Sandstone Quarry
The sandstone quarry is a gigantic, oval-shaped thing, looking as if a huge paw has scooped out a big chunk of earth, leaving this desolate pit. The stony walls are banded with different shades of sandstone, and you would guess that the red stone of the abbey come from here. Only a few shrubs survive in this near wasteland, not a pleasant place on the whole. The going is quite rough and uneven, as there are many piles of sandstone throughout the pit. One of these, a rather thin slab set against the wall, seems a little unusual. You could try to (lean) your weight against it.
Exits: [S]outh Into Quarry, [N]orth Into Quarry, [M]ossflower Woods
Posco tumbles through the slab, quickly craning his neck back to see if the others got through.
Zoe_Lang stumbles out next, nearly tripping as she steps out backwards, Kev-torso still in her arms.
Kevarr has her eyes still covered by both arms, crossed over the muzzle. She's busy trying to do an earthquake impression.
Rahier holds Kev's other half. Once out, he shakes his head, getting rid of some of that dripping water. Yech. ;p
Once out fully, Zoe nods across to Rahier and moves to lower Kev to the ground. "/Kev/.. we're out. Open yer eyes. Look! We're in t', ah.. quarry, again." Twitch.
( As they all exit from the tunnel, it becomes rather apparent what the shrieking noise and the loud slam was. Well, apparently Cassite has decided to do exactly what he had been planning on doing - taking a nap in the cart. However, as he dozed off, he apparently shifted his weight in such a way that it dumped over and upended the cart. The cart is propped slightly up off the ground by one of the rocks it dumped out, but there is a squirrel tail hanging out of the gap, twitching and thrashing in annoyance. )
Posco gets up and tries to brush himself off. Those caves had turned the mole an unheathly sandstone red. Slumping over, he scoots closer to Kevarr, placing a paw on her forehead. "Mizz Kevarr. DO wake oop. Oi dunno what'd oi say tah yurr familee iffen yeh don't!" He jokes, smiling down at her.
Ramadi makes his way out of the tunnel, slightly disgruntled-- though, it all fades the minute he sets sight on the squirrel tail. Omigawd. XDD Pony nearly dies laughing, here. o.o
Kevarr's muscles relax, and she fairly flops as she is lowered, curling quite immediately into the smallest possible ball she can think of. She misses Cassite's predicament, poor, poor, poor squirrel.
Huh? Laughing? Rahier does set Kev down as she relaxes, so he can turn his quizzical look to Ramadi. Then to the overturned cart, and.. thrashing squirrel tail. The hare laughs himself. XD
The upturned cart /growls/.
Ramadi's laughs die down to the occaisional titter as he makes his way over the the squirrel, peering into the upturned cart. "Problems, there?" XDD
Posco sighs, getting up. "Oi bust go foin ah way tah block thut oop. May'haps not furr gudd, though... oi'll go back, 'un day!" He says and walks to his cart, looking for tools.
Cassite's tail lashes, and the squirrel miserably (and muffledly) mumbles, "Laugh it up." His voice is short and grumpy.
Rahier walks up beside the horse, stlil snickering up a storm. XD "I don't think we should be lettin' y'near th'carts anymore."
Laughing isn't such an option for this doe. In fact, she looks to be absolutely jumping with annoyance and bother. She stands from Kev's side and backs a couple of steps. Her attention shifts to the laughing Rah. Grr! No laughing! "Rah. Take care o' Kev. I've got t'.. t' get back t' the abbey." And /now/, apparently, because the doe turns, and this time when she attempts to leave, it's at a jog, and up the side of the quarry she goes.
The pony titters, once again, though he does start getting the rocks off the cart. "No, I don't think so, either. Whoever knew carts were a natural predator for squirrels?" XD
"You know, when I get out from under here, I swear." He pauses. "All of you. Arrows." His tail continues to thrash.
Kevarr is the useless lump of trembling fur.
"Arrows? What are you going to do, pile them on top of us?" The pony actually snickers, though he does get the final rock out of the way and pushes the cart over, freeing the squirrel.
"Better leave 'im unner there, then." Rahier snickers, and.. Zoe. Righto. He walks his way back to Kev, kneeling by said useless lump of trembling fur. ;p "Ah, Kev? .. We're out, now." Master of the obvious! "'Tis alrigh'."
Kevarr's only reply is a very loud grinding of the teeth.
The squirrel is grumpy and his pride, after tonight, is heavily wounded. "Beh. Hiding out in a cave for forever while I'm suffering out here. Bloody practical jokers." He snorts.
A hand reaches out to roughly ruffle the squirrel's ears, sending up a cloud of dust. o.o ".. mm. Could've been worse. You could've been pinned under a cart, or something." The horse's mouth twitches. XD
The squirrel's eyes twitch, and he flexes his paws in irritation. ;.;
"We got out o' it, jus' like we got out o' it last time. C'mon, take some deep breaths an' look around." Rahier unfolds his paws, offering one to the marten. "Stand up?"
Ramadi smirks a little, and he moves to the pair. "Aye .. come on, Kevarr," he urges. "You need to get home."
Cassite just. Stalks. Away. x.x Freaking jerks.
Kevarr is curled up in a ball as yet, and the paw offer isn't seen. Wheeze.
Rahier places a paw on the marten's shoulder. "Kev. Slow down.. deep breaths. Y'/safe/."
After a moment, Ramadi heads a little distance away, to watch out for the pair. Yis.
Kevarr hisses, "Too...small...."
You say, "We're out in th'quarry, now. 'Tis big an' open. Jus' look up. If'n y'uncurl, we can walk on outta here, to th'open road. How's that sound?"
Kevarr rolls onto her stomach and wraps her arms more tightly around her face. "Geh..."
Rahier folds his paws again as she rolls. "Uhm. Well. Won't be gettin' any better till y'move."
Kevarr doesn't reply.
Rahier grunts, falling back onto a sitting position. Grunt. "..How 'bout a drink?"
Kevarr brushes a trembling paw over her snout. "Just leave me alone," she mumbles weakly.
Rahier leans forward, shaking his head. "Y'know I can't do that. Orders. I'll carry y'back t'that abbey, if'n I have to."
Kevarr says, "I'm not part of the Long Patrol. I don't care what your orders say."
Kevarr says, "Just go...go away."
You say, "No."
Kevarr opens one eye. "That wasn't a request," she says, a little sharper now. "I want to be alone."
Rahier quirks a brow. "Zoe told me t'take care o' you. If y'don't mind me sayin', y'ain't lookin' exactly ship-shape."
Kevarr grumbles, "Zoe Lang isn't my mother."
Rahier grins. "Someone has t'be."
Kevarr says, "No. Someone doesn't. Now go away. Or I'll go away. One or the other."
Rahier hops to his feet. "Well, okay. Let's... go back t'th'abbey, an' y'can be alone.. there. S'that work? She'll kill me if I don't see y'back."
Kevarr pushes herself upright. Her posture isn't exactly err...great. But it will do. She hugs her arms again as she begins walking wordlessly toward the edge of the quarry.
That works, too. ;p Rahier follows.
RW Abbey: Entry
--------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a sandy area between Great Hall and the main gates of the Abbey. It obviously gets a great deal of traffic, if one is to judge by the number of pawprints going every which direction here. There is an obvious path leading to the double doors of Great Hall. In places that are not so trampled, new shoots of green grass and budding wildflowers are making their presence known.
The abbey grounds are dark, though there are torches lit near the gates, and there is a glow of firelight coming from the windows of Great Hall. The walls are a darker shadow against the sky.
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Exits/Entrances:
[G]reat [H]all [C]limb to the [R]amparts [A]bbey [P]ond
[Ga]te [H]ouse [Leave] through the gates [Open] Ground
[C]hampion's [C]ottage
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It's a rather long walk back. Kevarr is slow, and very droopy, and quite obviously sulking about something or another. Her tail is practically dragging on the ground. However, eventually they reach the gates, and she passes right inside.
Rahier trots dutifully behind. As long as she doesn't suddenly keel over or something, he's doing his job. XD
Kevarr pauses in the entry, clearly uncertain as to just where she wants to sulk off to. She makes a step toward the gatehouse, seems to think better of it, and instead turns toward the pond.
Rahier watches her walk off. Shrug. The major turns to have a word with the guards at the gate. You know, the usual, 'make sure she doesn't leave and run off, et cetera.' :P And he goes his separate way.
Characters involved:
Zoe_Lang
Rahier
Kevarr
Kail
Atma
Shadowbow
Rurun
Kylie
Cassite
Ramadi
Posco
RW Abbey: Entry
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This is a sandy area between Great Hall and the main gates of the Abbey. It obviously gets a great deal of traffic, if one is to judge by the number of pawprints going every which direction here. There is an obvious path leading to the double doors of Great Hall. In places that are not so trampled, new shoots of green grass and budding wildflowers are making their presence known.
Shadows are lengthening, and the sun has begun to sink behind the western wall.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Exits/Entrances:
[G]reat [H]all [C]limb to the [R]amparts [A]bbey [P]ond
[Ga]te [H]ouse [Leave] through the gates [Open] Ground
[C]hampion's [C]ottage
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Currently standing amongst a small group of chatting hares, Zoe waits along with the rest, though an occasional glance is sent towards the gates. Impatience, or excitement, it all comes out to the same. She sends a glance Rahier's way, but doesn't speak.
Rahier waits quite patiently, actually. His posture is straight, paws clasped behind his back, as he quirks a brow at the group of nattering hares. The buck chuckles, before returning Zoe's glance.
Kevarr walks in through the gates. She has an old cloak over her shoulders in place of the nicer one she usually wears.
Kail is stood next to Rahier. His cold passed, the li'l squirrelhare dibbun emulates his parental figure, paws behind his back and posture straight...he even tries to raise a brow, though he just manages to look very surprised as both brows raise.
Atma follows Kevarr at a gradual pace, his paws folded neatly in front of him. From the pond area, the squirrel Nagia makes his way into the vicinity, adjusting his large hat and wearing a grin of excitement.
Shadowbow sees the large group and walks over.
Rurun stays silent absentmindedly twirling his cane eyes searching the crowed for farmiler faces eyes finally resting on rahier he slowly makes his way through the crowed to the majors side. He smiles slightly as he nears the major wanting to be near the front of the crowed. He continues to twirl his cane expertly.
Kylie skips into the entry a grin on her face. Stopping to look around at the beasts she stays near the Great Hall doors just watching quietly.
Zoe_Lang snorts softly and looks away from Rahier and sets eyes upon the marten pair. She moves to walk over to them, leaving the small group of hares behind. "Just about ready t' go?"
Shadowbow leans on the wall, sarcasticly saying "I wonder where the long patrol is."
Kevarr crosses her arms and glances past Zoe to the gathered hares. "Aye. Ready whenever your lot are."
Kylie looks at Kevarr interested. "Tan I tome?" She speaks loudly almost at a yell.
Rurun finally reaches the major throwing a hastey saulute and stands behind him.
Kevarr grimaces slightly. "Ah. I think it would be best, this time, if the younger beasts stayed here."
Zoe_Lang glances back over a shrugging shoulder. "S'pose we're ready, aye."
Rahier turns his ear toward Zoe and the martens, giving a small nod at Kevarr's reply. The major turns to the gathered hares, raising his voice. "Alrigh', you lot, get it t'gether. Smartly, now!" He gestures towards the gate. Hares ready to march. ;p
Kylie starts putting on her poutty face. "Bu' I t'n 'ewp..."
Kevarr shakes her head. "Not this time." She turns smoothly and begins to make her way back out through the gates.
Rurun quickly gets into position as close to the front as he can leaning lightly on his cane.
Kail certainly isn't young. Not in his view, anyway. The dibbun inspects the lined-up hares, trying to emulate their postures and paying a lot of attention to copying their expressions.
Kylie nods her head still poutting. "'es I t'n! I t'n cawwy wo's o' stuffs!"
Kylie sees Kail and goes to run in line behind him and copy as he does since he is bigger than her, and he looks ready to go.
Atma sighs a little. He follows Kevarr wordlessly.
With a nod to the martens, Zoe drops back to her own lot. A glance is sent to the side at Kail and the other dibbun. "You two stay behind, now, eh? Ya mind me, lad." This last is said with a nod to Kail.
Kail stops emulating (Snes9Xing?) and shakes his head to Zoe. "Wanna go! Be a shoulder like Daddy!" he protests.
Kylie watches Kail smiling a bit as he keeps his spot so all hope can't be lost for her. "'aa! I wan' 'ome do!"
Zoe_Lang doesn't speak any more to the dibbuns, but sends a significant glance to 'daddy'. Ahem. She then continues forward, walking towards the gates.
Shadowbow follows intrested.
Kevarr has already stepped out.
Kylie watches Kail hoping he won't give up. "We t'n do wigh'. We's t'n 'ewp.." Her words sent Kail's way hoping he agrees.
Rahier coughs, turning to the two dibbuns. "Colonel's orders, y'know." How can he fault that? ;p "Y'two should stay."
Kail looks to Kylie at first, even her fellow dibbun having trouble understanding her. Even so, he looks up hopefully to Rahier. He pouts, however, at the reply he recieves. "Don' care bou' no Kernel!" he huffs, kicking dust into the air with a footpaw.
Kylie watches Kail and nods. "'a! Do' cawe 'bou' no Kewnew!" She to copies his 'example' and kicks at the dirt kicking some dust into the air.
"Then do what I tells ya. Stay here." Rahier places his paws akimbo, looking between the two dibbuns. "..Why don'tcha go'n play in th'hall or summat? 'Twould be fun too."
Kylie shakes her head. "No' fun...'s nuffink a do in vuwe. I t'n 'ewp, I t'n bwink s'uffs few 'oo." She crosses her paws infront of her as she continues to pout.
Kail puts paws on hips...just like Rah. "Hall's bawin'. Wanna go inna woodes an'a qu...qu...qwies." he stammers.
Making his way down from the main hall, the pony is fairly silent, only glancing toward those gathered briefly before his gaze fixates past the gates. Mm- best start walking.
Kevarr pokes her head in through the gate. "The answer is no, children. Now behave and mind your folks."
Kylie sticks her toungue out at Kevarr and shakes her head again. "I's go' no' fow's. On'y be! 'n' I t'n 'ewp so vewe!"
Kevarr says, "Whatever you just said, the answer is still no. Come on, you lot."
Kail's tailbrush starts waving - the sign of an agitated squirrel. "Mean wermins." he mutters rather audibly.
Rahier squints. "M'word's final, Kail." But he does stoop, lowering his voice. "'Ey. How's about some chestnuts later, aye? I still got some left over from th'mountain.." With that, he gives Kail a parting pat on the head, and begins walking for the gate.
Yarr. The voices of the dibbuns travel forward to her, and her ears twitch with slight annoyance. However, she continues on through the gates, with a good few of the hares following behind.
Kylie swings her tail around front grasping it into her paws still poutting just mumbling to herself. "I t'n 'ewp...I's no' 'iddwe...No' faiw..."
Kail simply turns and stamps away towards the building. However, after a hesitation, he returns, but only to try and pull Kylie after him. Hm.
Ramadi's ears perk when he spots Kevarr, and the horseknight steps around the whining children, ignoring them for the moment. "What's to be done again this afternoon?" he asks, a brow arching.
Rahier follows after Zoe and the rest of the lot, casting a parting glance to the two dibbuns. Frown. Oh well. Out he goes.
Sort of surprised at the pulling Kylie hesitates for a moment before letting herself be pulled along by Kail.
Kevarr was just about to go too. "We're going to the quarry," she murmurs over her shoulder. Aaaand. Out.
Dirt Road
--------------------------- Mossflower - Dirt Road ---------------------------
To the south sits the immense form of Redwall Abbey, casting its shadows across the wide dirt road. The Abbey, once thought to have been untouched by the passage of time, now shows its age. At this angle, you can see that the great bell tower has fall into the inner feilds of the abbey. The great red stone of the abbey is now beginning to appear crowded by the onset of the great Mossflower woods on one side and the miles of yellow grass on the other.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exits: [W]all, [S]outh, [N]orth
Kevarr leads the way north at a brisk pace, with her ears flattened.
Zoe_Lang doesn't mind the brisk pace. She's impatient to get there, after all. The Colonel keeps to the head of the lot of hares, along with the other leaders along for the march to the quarry.
The other leader being Rahier. He keeps easy step with Zoe, not glancing but sparingly at the rest of the hares. Even at a brisk pace, he's rather unhurried.
Dirt Road
------------------------- Mossflower - Dirt Road -------------------------
Sandy pawprints are tracked upon the road's surface, as stray greenery
emerges in scraggly clumps. The road stretches north and south to the
horizon, offering faint glimpses of buildings in both directions. On
either side of the road, the trees appear more thinly distributed than
they do farther north, and southward the trees dwindle entirely. A
well-traveled dusty path leads west to an impressive structure; walls
very much like a castle's in design. A trail of flowers lines the path
to the building, straight as though planted, yet no sign of present
civilization is offered. With the sun's glow reflecting off the
leaves, the summer landscape is pleasurable enough.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exits: [C]learing, [S]outh, [N]orth
Without bothering to glance to the side first, Kevarr turns off of the road and slips into the clearing. She's very familiar with this territory.
The horseknight is a little offset from the others, and is travelling at a bit more of a leisurely pace, though he easily keeps up. A wary eye remains settled upon the surroundings, however, an ear ever perked.
As is prone to happening lately it would seem - the expedition is being shadowed as they branch off into the woods. For today, there is no breeze, yet the trees are asway. The stalker is out of sight, using the trees to hide its progression as it looks on with intently curious eyes.
Shadowbow starts to walk ever more silent feeling wached.
Zoe_Lang continues on at the set pace and without much comment. Occasionally, her paw reaches down to pat the sheathed dirk at her side, because of course it's possible that it might not be there the next time. Heh. Nervous habits. She glances to Rahier, "The dibbun'll get ovah it, don't worry."
Clearing
The forest seems to have abruptly ended. In front of you, you see a road! It stretches seeming endlessly as you look to both sides of you. The forest looms behind you, and seems to line the road for a distance as well.
Exits: [L]arge [P]ath, [R]oad, [I]nto [M]ossflower [W]oods
Kevarr crosses the small grassy clearing and slips into the forest.
Rahier shrugs in return to Zoe. Hmm-hmm. "I ain't worried. He's a tough 'un. An' used t'bein' away from us, no less." He keeps on walking.
Ramadi follows silently, seemingly paying little attention to those around him.
"Aye.. stubborn like 'is dad, though." Zoe continues on in silence for a moment, with the occasional glance sent ahead to Kevarr. But, then: "Yer startin' up the healah trainin' tomorrah, righ'?"
Sandstone Quarry
The sandstone quarry is a gigantic, oval-shaped thing, looking as if a huge paw has scooped out a big chunk of earth, leaving this desolate pit. The stony walls are banded with different shades of sandstone, and you would guess that the red stone of the abbey come from here. Only a few shrubs survive in this near wasteland, not a pleasant place on the whole. The going is quite rough and uneven, as there are many piles of sandstone throughout the pit. One of these, a rather thin slab set against the wall, seems a little unusual. You could try to (lean) your weight against it.
Exits: [S]outh Into Quarry, [N]orth Into Quarry, [M]ossflower Woods
Kevarr finally comes to a stop at the edge of the quarry. She looks out over the stone pit with a dark frown. Everything below seems silent and unmoving.
Rahier chuckles. Takes him a second to realize she means Furnier, and not him. Heh. "Aye, I am. Hope we get a good turnout, at any rate." As they reach the quarry, he holds up a paw as a signal for the rest to halt. The buck peers at the pit, quirking a brow. "Cheery place."
Following up behind Kevarr, the ponyboy pauses by the edge, as well, his head lifting, a casual eye sweeping over the quarry. Indeed .. things are silent, unmoving, and near dead-like. Though, the horseknight only exhales quietly, a touch of a smirk edging across his muzzle. "Terribly so," he replies to Rahier.
Pausing beside Rahier, Zoe too looks down into the quarry with a small frown, distracted from any further discussion of the healer training. She snorts softly, glancing to the side at the horse. Another checking pat is given to her weapon, just in case. "Looks just about like any quarry I've evah seen." Squint.
Rurun looks around staying quiet.
Kevarr rubs her arms for a moment, as if cold, and then begins making her descent down into the quarry, picking a path down the wall.
Posco comes trudging behind at the very tail end. Poor lad, shorter legs and a heavier load. A small cart bounces behind him, full of large blades and other things. Huffing he halts and the small cart squeaks to a stop. "Burr! Not as lung ah walk as oi hud thought." He remarks, scanning the quarry.
Alas, in the area around this place, trees are scarce. Their 'stalker' has emerged from the trees now, quietly walking upward until he's equally betweem Kevarr and Ramadi, ears slicked back at the noises the cart makes as it treads over the rough terrain. Cassite is simply quietly tagging along.
The horseknight tilts a glance at the squirrel before he follows after Kevarr. He seems to be all but ignoring the squeaking cart, for now. He picks his path carefully, the grit beneath his footpaws crackling as they make their way down the sandstone.
Rurun slows slightly eyes flickering around.
Kevarr begins to speak as she makes her way down. "We're going to need to construct a few more carts. We're bound to be low on any kind of stone working tools as well. And we're going to need to protect any convoys moving to and from the Abbey, as they'll be tempting targets." Her ears perk. "And we need to make sure this place is empty."
"Why wouldn't it be?" the horse grunts in reply, pausing. His footpaw slips a little, sending a shower of grit down the side of the slope. ".. it's not like this is the most inviting place to stay."
Kevarr says, "The last time I was here it was the home of a band of particularly unpleasant woodlanders. I'm hoping they've moved on."
Zoe_Lang follows Kevarr's example, stepping down into the quarry. "Our hares c'n protect the convoys. How many hares t' each group?" The doe pauses, kicking a booted footpaw at some loose rubble.
Cassite grunts. "Rock quarrys aren't exactly the most inviting places for us, but this place has always been known as a good nesting ground for snakes - even before the White Glove took it over." He tucks his paws into his pockets.
Posco looks down the path and then back at the cart. Hmm. Now this was a puzzle! Posco hmmped and left the cart, deciding he would scout of the area before returning for the make-shift tools. "Hurr, best boi caurful en h'anycase." He advises as he catches up with the rest.
"Four t'a cart?" Rahier suggests, following after. "That'd leave some t'watch th'quarry itself. F'crazies o' snakes, whichever group rears its head first."
Kevarr points. "We're going to need some way to haul the rock up there too. A ramp or something." She rubs her chin.
Ramadi snorts quietly, and doesn't seem terribly unnerved by the last bit of information. "Easy enough. A rope. Take the wheels off one of these-" he nudges the cart with his foot, "- and there you have it. Just need someone stout enough to get it up there." He tilts his head back toward the lip of the quarry.
"Aye, four'd be good." Zoe ventures further into the quarry, though Ramadi is sent a glance. "A ramp'd be bettah." She squints. "Few levels, back 'n' forth. Less steep that way. Easier t' pull 'em up."
Rurun looks around not moving his head eyes scaning for the slightest sign of movement outside of the group.
Posco lets his eyes follow back to the cart. "Burr, et wuld boi h'easuy tah do wid rupes /en/ ah ramp...." He says and trying to solve the problem using both ways. You'm wuld get extra wurk done, wid half 'ee effurt."
Kevarr taps her paw, nodding to both Zoe and Ramadi. "I'll leave it to the beasts who know better. Though, Colonel, if you haven't already, I'd have two of your Runners planted on the road up past the Black Gull. Active rebuilding efforts may well attract some unwanted attention from the north."
Earperking, Cassite murmurs, "I could monitor the road - the woodlands are where I belong." The squirrel eyes the quarry with disdain. "I'm not built for lifting and hauling."
Rurun seems to relax a little loosing his grip on his cane he breaths a sigh of relief that they were the only ones in the quarry.
Kevarr turns her head to look at Cassite. "You belong in Redwall," she murmurs very, very quietly. "But I'm not going to tell you what you can and can't do to help."
Cassite's ears slick back, and he merely silences. Brood.
Ramadi tilts a somewhat annoyed glance at the squirrel. "Menial labor is not below anyone. If you don't want to get your paws dirty, then maybe you should be back in Redwall." Though, his attention is distracted, and he nods to Zoe. "It would take longer, and require more time to build. But with the amount of able bodies we actually have, it may be more productive to go the less strenuous route."
Zoe_Lang nods absently, with a glance sent Cassite's way. "I'll have majah Jarril assign a couple o' hares t' help." She then crouches down, plucking up a small rock. She frowns thoughtfully, glancing back at Kevarr. "You'll want t' keep the shifts light. Spread 'em as much as possible fer each beast."
Kevarr says, "Even so, we're going to have some idiots that will insist on working themselves out. Best get a round the clock healer rotation working too." She slides down to the bottom and looks around. "One last thing. Bolt holes wouldn't be unreasonable. Just in case. There were some prize boobies near Redwall yesterday, of the winged variety.""
Cassite's ears remain slicked back, and he says nothing to Ramadi, though his cheeks redden with obvious embarassment. It takes a great deal of effort and self-control for him to simply bow his head and grit his teeth rather than turning on his heel and storming off as he would like to.
Rurun moves nearer to the colonel his eyes never still as he looks around.
Posco holsd up his paws. "Burr! Oi sudgest we'm scout 'ee h'area... look fur gudd places en 'ee rock, en make sure thurr boi no udder creatures ah'bout." He pipes up, hoping these arguments would die down.
Ramadi arches a brow, but doesn't reply, for now. He only nods to Posco. ".. that would probably be wise."
Kevarr walks forward carefully, squinting. "Well, Posco, if I can just remember where...there was a tunnel here. At least, a few seasons ago there was a tunnel here. The earthquake may have collapsed it."
Standing, rock still in paw, Zoe follows Kevarr with her gaze. "Where's the tunnel lead?"
"I'll do whatever I'm needed to do." The squirrel mumbles in a resigned tone. Cassite is not pleased at the moment - his ego, small as it is, is reeling.
Posco nods and walks quickly to catch up with her. "Burr, thut moight hulp. Jues' thoink Kevurr! Thus boi whurr Martun 'en all 'e udder beasts came tah get 'ee rock. Thuy wurr standin' roight whurr you'm en oi stand roight now!" He says happily, letting his eyes soak in the surroundings.
Kevarr smiles very slightly at Posco, but it doesn't really reach her eyes. She answers Zoe's question next. "I don't know. I didn't go back all that far. It wasn't exactly...ah. The most pleasant of places." She begins rapping her knuckles very lightly against stone outcroppings.
Ramadi tilts an ear, looking over. "What exactly do you mean by 'not pleasant'?"
Kevarr says, "I mean it was a small tunnel with no light, and very strange carvings."
Posco shuffles to a certin out shoot of rock, seemign non-pulssed by the marten's lack of comment. Not suprising, afte spending about five seasons with the marten, her attitude was commin place. Pressing up against the rock it seems the mole listens for a moment. Pulling himself away, the mole brings his large digging claw up, and presses it into the rock. The claw prevails and some rock crumbles away. "Burr! Oi tought so. Moi ol' claw nevur failed oi." He says happily. "Now iffen h'only we'm 'ad mure molers!" He says with a shake of his head.
At this point, both Kevarr /and/ Posco are receiving odd looks from Zoe.
"Carvings?" Questions Rahier, tilting his head at the marten. Huh. "Like what?"
Kevarr says, "Like snakes. Lots and lots of snake carvings and paintings on the wall." She looks at Posco. "What's that?"
Ramadi rolls his shoulders in a light shrug. "Carvings and paintings can't hurt you." And, he, as well, tilts a glance to Posco. ".. mm?"
Kevarr's ears twitch. "I know that..." Ahem. c.c
".. Snakes?" Ergh. Zoe's nose wrinkles slightly, and she takes a small step back - barely noticeable, really. Where there are snake paintings, ther are actual /snakes/, more often than not.
Posco flex his claws, digging a small cube out of the rock. "Burr, oi'll boi dunnin' sume diggun tah'day, oi thunk." He says and nods. "But snakes... burr! Loike rock, they do. Keeps 'um warm en 'ee day 'en noight. Culd bludded beasts!" He says with a shiver. Looking about he takes his cube of rock and moves to a fat rock surface. The mole starts making some marks.
Rurun stays rather quiet.
Kevarr keeps moving, apparently still looking for the tunnel opening.
The squirrel has sulked long enough. Though he's still mildly grumpy, at least Ramadi has him pissed off. And generally, it takes that much to fire the lucid squirrel into action. "Tcha. Well, what are we standing around blathering on about serpents for? Let's just get started." He ties back his headfur, and rolls up his sleeves so they bunch up around the shoulders, exposing slender arms. Hey, he's /really/ not built for this, but he's still going to help, durnit. "Let's just haul some rock."
Ramadi looks over to the squirrel, not having much to add at the moment. c.c
Posco chuckles. "Hurr hurr. Thurr boi ah guud. lung prucess ah'fore we'm wull hull h'any rock, Zurr!" He says cheerfully at the squirrel. "But you'm h'arr ah roight smart beast, Cassute."He compliments, motioning the squirrel over. "Oi do bah'leve you'm wuld boi much beddar fur 'ee head o' 'ee plans 'en 'ee loike." He says wisely, tapping a claw on the make-shift plans he had prepared on the rock face. Posco gave another glance at the squirrels build. No, this was not a beast for manual work such as this. But Posco could still save Cassite's pride!
Hmmm. Zoe walks up behind Kev, as she continues to poke. "Kev. Compest has an eagle in 'is ranks... d'ya think he'd send her t' the mountain? If'n I could get word t' Lord Bludstripe, 'e could fashion us some handy stone-workin' tools 'n' send 'em back with a patrol. Yon mole ovah there could no doubt come up with the designs." She shrugs, looking to Posco and then back to the marten. "They'd be a bit in arrivin', but.."
"That's a good idea." Kevarr frowns. "But I haven't seen a sign of Compest or his army since the season started." She taps the stone. "Still, there are enough birds around..."
"It'd just take twice 's long travelin' if we sent a runnah up.. but we could do it, if'n we have t'." Zoe frowns, thoughtfully. "But I s'pose we could send anothah bird.. d'ya know any we could trust t' get the job done?"
Rahier grunts. "What about those ones that're always 'round th'abbey? Those.. sparrows."
Kevarr shakes her head and leans closer to one particular slab. "A hint, though. Don't trust them if they're covered with metal, or have a rat with over a score of knives strapped to him."
Kevarr says, "if you can convince a sparrow to do it."
The darksquirrel blinks his eyes to Posco - he's not been around moles very much, so the molespeak is all but incomprehensible to Cassite. c.c He discerns at least that the mole agrees with him, but he seems not to pick up on the suggestion that he 'Oversee'. Besides. Cass is a grunt when it comes to this sort of thing - not a leader. He just moves down and begins lifting rocks and dumping them onto the cart. Nyeh. Heavy. ;.;
"Where does Compest usually hold up with 'is army?" Zoe peers over at Cass as he begins the rock-lifting.
Posco turns to the rock and begins sektching the plan with more detail. Once again the mole seems quite fine with the fact of being ignored. In anycase insults and being ignored seemed to be the order of the Abbey, and one can take that however they wish. ;) Letting his eyes avert from the rock for a second, Posco gazes over to the others. "Oh Martun, you'm sure do wurk en strange ways." He says and with a chuckle turns back to his work.
Kevarr grunts. "Near Redwall. But they may be near Noonvale, if the stupid mice haven't driven them insane." She pushes a little harder on the slab. "Hmm. Now hold on..."
Ramadi watches the squirrel for a moment, still undecided, before looking back over to Kevarr. ".. eh?" He steps over, dodging around the working squirrel. c.c;
After about the tenth sizable rock is settled down into the cart, the squirrel notices that...there are only now ten rocks in there. Looking around in vague disbelief, the darksquirrel taps his footpaw. "...am I missing something? Did we come here to have tea instead of gather materials?" He mutters to himself and just continues working, stubborn as he is.
"A'right.. The eagle's been t' the mountain, so I'd trust 'er, if'n I c'n /find/ 'er.." Her gaze shifts to the working Cassite, again, and a small shudder runs up her spine. She looks back to the others. "Righ', well.. think I'll head back t' the abbey. Ah, ya know.. try 'n' see abou' arrangin' a patrol t' sniff out Compest. Whole army oughtn't be hard t' find." Her ears perk at Cassite's words, but she backs away from the lot nonetheless. "Righ', well.. I'm off." Fidget-fidget. Eventually, she turns, moving beyond the small gathering and off towards the edge of the quarry.
Kevarr puts both arms against the slab and pushes. It makes a loud grinding noise, but nevertheless swings inward. "Found it." She looks back curiously at Zoe. "Er. What's with you?"
Cassite flops overtop of the cart, eying his minimal progress, and feels almost compelled to whimper. His arms feel like falling off after this little time, and no one's helping him. He's half-inclined to just flop down into the cart and take a nap - except with his luck, they'd begin to work and crush him to death.
Ramadi pretty much ignores the squirrel, for now. But then, he doens't recognize Zoe's departure, either. "This the tunnel?" He steps over, stepping around Kevarr, and places his hand on the wall, leaning inward. It's dark, musty, and silent, for the most part. "Doesn't look like anyone's been using this place for a time."
Rahier peers warily at the tunnel. Eep. Rahier looks upward after Zoe, then turns to Kevarr. "She prob'ly jus' wants t'..tend t'business, y'know. What about this tunnel, eh?"
Unhesitatingly, the horseknight steps inside. Go pony go. c.c
Posco watchs the progress of the tunnel and thinks. Rushing back to his tool cart, Posco grabs two wooden torches from the front. Digging into a bag next to them, he finds some flint. He rushes back, waving a paw. "Hold oop now! Oi gut light, oi do!" He says nodding to the torches. Iffen wurr gunna h'explure, we'm shuld do et roight. H'arevn't yeh beasts evur been under grund ah'fore?" He says with a chuckle and lights a torch, holding it out.
Zoe_Lang stops, aaaand.. slowly turns back 'round. Awr. She clears her throat, lightly, "Nothin'." She shifty-glances away, and takes a step.. back towards them. "S'pose it could wait," she mutters.
Kevarr doesn't exactly look thrilled about going into the tunnel. It's. Small. And creepy. But she steps in after Ramadi anyway, ears flattened.
Ramadi pauses as Posco calls out, turning his attention back to the mole. He reaches out to get the lit torch from him, bringing it back inside and holding it out. The flame on the flickers and crackles noisily on the fuel, but at least it's light.
Cassite stubbornly remains outside. "I'll watch your backs. Or something." He grumps.
Argh!death. Zoe looks around the quarry once more and, without furhter ado, she moves at a quick jog, after the rest. Ickickick, go away, quarry.
Quarry-Large Underground Tunnel
The room is high and broad enough to allow three beasts of medium height to walk side by side comfortably. The very little light they have is dim, coming from the entrance. It is cool but not damp in the tunnel, though it has a musky smell. Though the tunnels were obviously naturally always here, the sides of the tunnels have strange signs and symbols scraped into their surface, most signs of reptilian nature. You can see these tunnels must have obviously been used by countless generations of serpents by the number of adderskins littering the floor. There is a slab of sandstone here at the end of the tunnel. You could try to (push) it.
Exits: [U]nderground [C]avern
The pony moves forward through the narrow tunnel. The light provides guidance, but not much; at least it allows them to see a few feet ahead. The snake skins rustle underfoot, but for now the horse pays them no heed. ".."
Kevarr is hugging her arms. Her face is set and blank, but it's pretty obvious she's not at all comfortable. She's making a great effort not to touch the walls, and her neckfur is raised.
Posco follows in the rear, holding his the torch clutched in his paw. He moves close to Kevarr, hoping the light will comfort you. "Now now, mizz Kevurr. 'Baint 'hany diffurnt thun 'ee H'Abbey cellurs." He says calmly, letting his eyes roam the area.
Ramadi pauses, looking to the walls and shining light upon the carvings, reaching a hand out to run his fingers over the stone thoughtfully before shifting his gaze ahead and pressing onward.
Quarry-Underground Cavern
This is a large cavern, so large the Great Hall of Redwall would fit into a corner of this colossal structure. At its center is a vast shimmering lake that glows with a pale phosphorescent light. You hear the dripping of water somewhere within the cavern. The droplets of water are coming from somewhere high in the dark recesses of the roof; they drip steadily down and break the surface of the subterranean lake, causing a continuous ripple. You notice numerous other caverns and tunnels leading from this large cave.
Exits: [S]mall [T]unnel, [S]mall cave, [L]arge [T]unnel
With:
Rahier has his paw on the hilt of his weapon. "This's familiar," he jokes, lightly, to Kevarr. "Only this time there ain't no water.." Eh heh. ;P
( No it isn't. It's cold, and damp, and slimy, and /small/. Very, very small. Kevarr grimaces, showing her teeth. "It's small," she mumbles as explanation. Rahier receives an earquirk. "I didn't enjoy /that/ very much either." )
Only once he steps into the open does the horse take real pause, stepping out of the mouth of the tunnel into the larger room, to give the other beasts room to step out. It's empty. Very empty. Though, the horse seems almost enthralled, gazing about, sweeping the light over the room.
Zoe_Lang has her paw on her weapon, as well, and she looks none too comfortable - but it's mostly residual from the earlier freak-out. After all, she ought to be used to caverns. ".. 'M not too sure you'll find treasure in here, eithah."
Posco looks about, amazed. "Small?" He questions, shaking his head. "Kevurr, you'm culd fit 'ee h'abbey en hurr four toimes over." He says in a whisper, yet his voice still carries enough to echo.
The dripping of water is especially ominous here - offering very little comfort that this is where the assembly ought to be.
Kevarr nearly bumps into Ramadi. Gah. She blinks at Posco's words, and looks around for the first time. Aie. "..."
".. don't follow me," the horse murmers, looking to the assembly at last. And then, he heads back to explore further. Wheee.
Kevarr snorts, feeling a little better now that she's not quite so closed in. "Like hell." And she follows.
Rahier chuckles quietly, brushing a bit of water from his nose as it drips down. Bleh. "An'.. th'eels, o' course." Probably shouldn't have said that. Hee.
Posco wrinkles his nose. "Ah horse advisun ah mole tah stay put.. unnerground?" He says, almost laughing. "Whoi, moi h'uncle'd nevur bah'leve thut!"
When he hears moving feet, the pony grumpily moves back to head Kevarr off. ".. I mean it," he grumps, then turns back and heads back inside. o.o
There is the ominous echoing of moving stone from further up in the tunnel - back the direction they came from. Loud, skittering, grinding noises.
Zoe_Lang stares in disbelief as half the group breaks off - or tries to, anyway. Grunt. She glances back to Rahier. ".. 'M thinkin' we ought t' stay here. Won't do t' get lost."
Kevarr scowls at Ramadi. "Five minutes, horse, that's all you have."
Kevarr takes a seat on the floor, still hugging her arms.
Posco jerks the torch in the direction of the sound. He mole steps back a pace and snorts. "Hurr, we'm b'aint boi 'lone..." He says in a hushed voice.
A Kevarr scowls, ready to attack.
Rahier turns toward Zoe, placing his back to the tunnel wall. "Fine by me. I don't wanna become a permanent resident any more'n you." He too, glances back up the passageway. Huh.
Posco holds out the torch for Zoe, nodding. "Hurr, take thus. Moi eyesoight boi beddur unnerground thun h'any o' yurrs." He says, almost shuddering. "Oi'll go'en soi whut thut zound wuz." He gulps.
Kevarr shakes her head. "Stay here, Posco."
Kevarr says, "It has to come out into the wide open to get at us here."
Er. Zoe glances around, her paw tightening around the hilt of her weapon. Heh. ".. Aye. Would rathah not end up meetin' with that sound." She takes the torch with her free paw, and then glances to Kev. "Might want t' set this place off limits, set up a guard.. Wouldn't want somethin' attackin' the quarry workahs."
Kevarr says, "It could be nothing."
Zoe_Lang arches a brow, "Ya want t' be the one t' investigate 'n' find out?"
Posco sets his eyes on Kevarr. "En if et's somethung thut shuldn't boi h'attacking h'us thun oi dun' want et tah get h'at you'm." He says, moving further away. "Thurr boi few beasts h'adgile as ah mole unnerground."
Rahier grunts. "We should seal this thing up permanently affer we leave."
The ambient noises from inside of the system of tunnels only seems to get louder in the otherwise silent atmosphere. The drops of water seem to make far more noise than they were before - and it is in such a silence that the shifting and grinding noises intensify. Louder. Closer.
Kevarr's ears perk up. Geh. "Posco, get back here before I drag you back here." Her voice is a harsh whisper as she stands up.
CRASH. Bang. Clatter. Quite the ruckus can be heard from the direction the horse went.
Posco draws his short cutting knife. Lately it had been used for the kitchen chorse, and Posco dearly wished that would all it would ever be used for. The mole steps out of range of the torch in Zoe's paw. >:)
Kevarr scowls darkly. "That does it. Colonel, Rahier, stay here, I'll be /right/ back." She sprints after Posco, fully intending to snag him and drag him back, as threatened.
Tempted to step back at the increase of the sounds, Zoe nevertheless steps forward, drawing her dirk half-free of its sheath, the other paw still holding the torch. "Kev, Posco.. might want t' get behind Rah 'n' I." Heh.
Rahier's ears swivel this way and that against the grinding noise. Yeep. He turns himself down the tunnel, slowly drawing the short sword he carries. "Bloody 'ell, get back here, y'two! Posco!" He turns his head to Zoe, who holds the torch, then back to Kev and the mole. Erk.
".. aaagh! Bloody snakes!" That's definately Ramadi. o.o
Siiigh. Zoe rolls her eyes, drawing her dirk free of its sheath. A cutting glance is sent Rahier's way. "/You/ stay. 'Tis their own damn fool fault if'n they get eaten at /this/ point." She flicks a glance towards Ramadi's shout. Argh. Her ears twitch irritably. Fools.
Backing out of the tunnel, the horse looks decidely agitated, his fist clenched tightly around the sword hilt, the blade half drawn. His ears are slicked flat, and his gaze is unwaveringly held on the room he exited from.
Posco slinks along the wall of the cavern. The mole is almost literally invisable, his black coat mixing in perfectly with his surroundings. Shaking his head silently his ears pick up the voices of the others. Evidently no one had been around a mole in his prime. Posco halted, his small eyes seeing the cavern now for what it truly was. Even the torches could not highlight this. Sniffing, the mole picks up the scent of snakes. Oh yes, they were in trouble.
Slowly, Ramadi begins edging backwards, features tightening more and more, nostrils flaring. ".. it's coming out," he murmers, voice tense. ".. it's following me."
Rahier looks to Ramadi, then back to Zoe. "So we're surrounded. If we stay here, they'll both close in on us."
Kevarr blunders along behind Posco. She's utterly blind, but she does have smell, and she's practiced being without sight before. Still, it takes all of a minute for her to realize she's in a /dark/ /small/ /tunnel/, and she freezes up with a little strangled gasp. Arghargh.
A long moment passes, and Ramadi slides backward, slowly, ever so slowly, as, now, the shifting grit under the belly of a dirt-crawler can be easily heard.
Argh! "Rah, you try 'n' get out, a'right? 'M gonna try 'n' get t' Kev." And then, Zoe plunges ahead, as well, both dirk and torch held out weapon-style.
Posco turns and touches the furry form of Kevarr. "Burr, yeh gurt H'Abbess beast! H'ordering moi 'round! Get back! Get back! To 'ee light!" He points to the dull light of the torch. "Oi'll hold 'ee snake off. Go go!" He urges, pushing her gently to the light. Posco turns, intent on going after the snake.
Unfortunately, this does not have the effect Posco intended. Being touched by Posco in the dark results in Kevarr frizzing, and immediately reaching forward to latch both arms tightly around the mole. Her breathing at this point is pretty audible. She's practically gasping.
A long, tense moment. And then, the creature emerges. The beady eyes of the reptilian flicker as the head of the beast sways back and forth-- and, the noise from the beasts inside cause the snake to recoil and immediately coil, head curling back defensively, ready to strike. All .. eight inches of him. x_x
Posco gasps, being choked by the silly jill. "Hurrrguu!" He manages to get out, struggling against us. "Yurrgurrnagedaaboffkulled!" He groans, his eyes almost popping. Posco sights the snake and grunts, tying hard to push Kevarr off of him.
The voice of Posco reaches back to Zoe, and she plunges ahead, practically running at this point. As she gets nearer to the two, she slows, staring at the sight of a mole-clinging Kev. "/Kev/.. c'mon!" She has yet to spy /any/ snake, big or small.
Rahier grips his sword. What? Run away? Into the blackness? Ah.. not going anywhere without the torchlight, thank you. He turns to Ramadi, raising his blade to.. the tiny snake? Rahier pauses, sword tip lowering to the cavern floor. "...That's it?"
Kevarr nevertheless begins dragging Posco bodily backwards. Or what she thinks is backwards. She's no really clear idea which way she's going. She's blind. And her teeth are grating so hard it's audible above her sudden, building growl. Drag, drag, drag.
Ramadi is still agitated. "That thing poked his nose right in my bloody face!" he fumes, sulking. Meanwhile, the poor little snake, which could almost be George's brother, is swaying back and forth frantically, opening its mouth threateningly at any who look at it.
Posco's foot paws drag painfully across the floor. At first Posco thought her going after him was a sign of friendship, but Posco was not quite sure about that anymore. "Merrff!" He groans, not daring to dig at her arms with his claws. He was, however, gettign short on breath. "Yurrgunnekulloi...gurrf!"
All hints of the grinding noises have stopped - there is once again only the dull echo of water dripping its way down into the water in the central cavern's subterranean lake. And, of course, the hissing fury of Ramadi's 'monster snake'.
The little snake, flabbergasted, finally starts slithering ever so slowly backwards, still threatening, still coiled. It's a tiny, green harmless thing. A Moss Snake, if you will.
Rawr. Zoe crouches, setting the torch so that it leans precariously against a small boulder, sheaths her dagger, and jumps forward, trying to grab hold of Kev to drag her off of Posco, none too gently. "Yer /stranglin'/ 'im, Kev." Yarr.
Rahier snorts, snickering quietly. XD "Yeh, it's.. jus' a baby! That worm couldn't hurt nobody." The hare grins, and turns back towards the light of Zoe's torch.
Kevarr yelps as Zoe grabs her, and releases Posco right away with a fit of shaking, mumbling, and seizing breaths.
The soft echo of the cavern is interrupted by a sharp yelp, followed by a loud, distinct noise. SLAM.
Posco tumbles to the ground where he lay, gulping down the life-giving air. He lay flat for a moment, then weakly staggers up, letting his eyes focus on the baby snake. "Gurf." Is all he manages to get out. The eyes turn towards the noise.
The noise, it may be noted - came from quite far off, but in the echoes of the deep caverns, it's impossible to tell quite from where.
Ramadi fumes, shoving his blade forcefully into the scabbard. "Dammit, he seemed--" And then, the noise. THe horseknight pauses, gaze immediately jerking to the origin of the noise.
Yarr. Zoe /doesn't/, however, let go of Kev, but instead attempts to pull her up bodily, whilst speaking gruffly in her eyes. "Kev, get ahold a'yerself. /Need/ ya t' try 'n' calm down." She'll only release her if she shows some sign of doing that.
Kevarr doesn't, really. Not yet anyway. She's pulled up without much resistance beyond gravity, but she seems to have just stupidly gone to pieces. All she can do is shake violently and swallow several times in a row. While wheezing through her nose. How helpful.
Rahier snorts again, though this time, it's more in exasperation, at this latest noise. ;p "Okay. What's it -this- time?"
There is once again only the dull echo of water dripping its way down - the distant noise was a secluded one, and does not offer any explanation.
Zoe_Lang is paying little attention to the noises at this point, as she's got a Kev on her hands - literally. She keeps arm around the marten's middle, as it'd be rather preferable if the marten /didn't/ run off in a panic. She flicks a glance to Rahier, "Get the torch 'n' let's get /outta/ here." A glance is sent to the others. "'Less ya'd like t' do s'more "explorin'?""
Ramadi just grumps. ".. getting out of here is fine with me."
Kevarr wheezes, ears flattened. Argh. She's completely rigid.
Rahier nods, agreeing with Ramadi. ;p He makes his way over, sheathing his weapon and hefting the torch, holding it aloft. "...Let's do." He looks to Kevarr. "Can she walk, or d'we gotta carry 'er th'rest o' th'way?"
Posco sits quietly in the dark, completely forgotten. Ah well, he wasn't listening anyways. The mole rubs his throat.
"She'll walk, or she'll drag well 'nough." Zoe snorts and takes an experimental step back.
The horse tightens his grip on the torch. "Whatever. Let's just go. Bring her along if you have to, but I'm getting out of here." He heads over to Posco, urging the mole to rise. "Come on, now." And then, he looks to Rahier. "Follow up the back. I'm going on ahead." And with that.. he goes. Yes. o.o
Kevarr does both. She drags her feet, but she moves with Zoe.
That's good enough for Zoe. She sends one final glance to Posco, and then begins backing slowly out towards the entrance.
Rahier holds up the rear, following after all the rest.
Posco grunts, his voice shot. Getting up slowly, the mole looks around. Even with the snake scare the little mole would rather inspect these tunnels. How they were made, what kind of rock did they hold amongst the sandstone. Posco pauses, letting his gaze linger on the formations.
Kevarr is just fine with being pulled along until they get to where the cavern becomes the tunnel again. Argh. Argharghargh. She suddenly tries to scramble backwards out of Zoe's grasp.
Zoe_Lang clamps her other arm around Kev's middle, as well, though it's still quite a struggle to hold on. "No ya don't, Kev.. not havin' ya get lost in /here/." Struggle-struggle. Drag.
Kevarr's resistance is violent. Fortunately she's not clear headed enough to use her claws, but she digs her feet into the grooves on the cavern floor and puts all her strength into pulling away.
Rahier doesn't stop up as Kev attempts to, helping Zoe with the pushing and the marten-carrying by placing his paws against Kev's back as she strains to get away.
Posco marvels at the beautiful cave before turning his attention to the struggling marten. Hustling up the the front. Posco tries his best to calm the marten now. "Now now, thun Mizz Kevurr. En 'ee tunnel you'm go. You'm cin't git lost in hurr, you'm know." He says amd places his paws against her. "Think o' Redwull, think o' Atma, think o' lil' Kesturul." He reminds her and moves towarsd the exit.
Claws are bad, but a disappearing Kev act is worse, so Zoe holds on, though the three - now four, with Posco - are basically at a stand-still, with the pushing and pulling and scrambling. "/Kev/, we're tryin' t' get ya /out/. T' the /outside/. Ya know? Fresh air? Open sky?" Awr. She links her arms together tight.
"Nonononono!" Kevarr wheezes and strains, but two hares and a mole are rather beyond her ability to resist. "It's too small, it's too /small/..."
"Close yer eyes. Picture the abbey. Picture /anythin'/." Draaaag. The group starts to move again, into the tunnel and closer to exiting.
Posco sighs, looking at the tunnel. "Hurr burr. Dunno iffen oi cin dig et h'any biggur.." He wonders aloud. "Mizz Kevurr, you'm gunna h'arve tah do thus."
Kevarr is duly dragged. Once in the tunnel she locks up again, however, this is an improvement over the active struggling. She's just going to play the dumb shaking basket case for a while more.
Yarg. Frozen marten. "Jus' carry her," Rahier grunts, about to do just that.
"Grab 'er feet, then." Zoe's already got the upper body, after all. Awr. Soooo close to the exit. So close.
Rahier wraps his arms around Kev's feet, and.. carries. XD
Posco bustles forward, now eager to get out, pushing rocks and pebbles from the path, Posco provides a safer way. His voice floats back, soothing the marten. "Now now, oi cun't waoit tah be en moi ol' comfuy bed back at 'ee h'abbey, cin you Mizz Kevurr? Roight gudd et'lll full, eh?"
Kevarr is thus carried. She covers her eyes with her arms and shudders.
Sandstone Quarry
The sandstone quarry is a gigantic, oval-shaped thing, looking as if a huge paw has scooped out a big chunk of earth, leaving this desolate pit. The stony walls are banded with different shades of sandstone, and you would guess that the red stone of the abbey come from here. Only a few shrubs survive in this near wasteland, not a pleasant place on the whole. The going is quite rough and uneven, as there are many piles of sandstone throughout the pit. One of these, a rather thin slab set against the wall, seems a little unusual. You could try to (lean) your weight against it.
Exits: [S]outh Into Quarry, [N]orth Into Quarry, [M]ossflower Woods
Posco tumbles through the slab, quickly craning his neck back to see if the others got through.
Zoe_Lang stumbles out next, nearly tripping as she steps out backwards, Kev-torso still in her arms.
Kevarr has her eyes still covered by both arms, crossed over the muzzle. She's busy trying to do an earthquake impression.
Rahier holds Kev's other half. Once out, he shakes his head, getting rid of some of that dripping water. Yech. ;p
Once out fully, Zoe nods across to Rahier and moves to lower Kev to the ground. "/Kev/.. we're out. Open yer eyes. Look! We're in t', ah.. quarry, again." Twitch.
( As they all exit from the tunnel, it becomes rather apparent what the shrieking noise and the loud slam was. Well, apparently Cassite has decided to do exactly what he had been planning on doing - taking a nap in the cart. However, as he dozed off, he apparently shifted his weight in such a way that it dumped over and upended the cart. The cart is propped slightly up off the ground by one of the rocks it dumped out, but there is a squirrel tail hanging out of the gap, twitching and thrashing in annoyance. )
Posco gets up and tries to brush himself off. Those caves had turned the mole an unheathly sandstone red. Slumping over, he scoots closer to Kevarr, placing a paw on her forehead. "Mizz Kevarr. DO wake oop. Oi dunno what'd oi say tah yurr familee iffen yeh don't!" He jokes, smiling down at her.
Ramadi makes his way out of the tunnel, slightly disgruntled-- though, it all fades the minute he sets sight on the squirrel tail. Omigawd. XDD Pony nearly dies laughing, here. o.o
Kevarr's muscles relax, and she fairly flops as she is lowered, curling quite immediately into the smallest possible ball she can think of. She misses Cassite's predicament, poor, poor, poor squirrel.
Huh? Laughing? Rahier does set Kev down as she relaxes, so he can turn his quizzical look to Ramadi. Then to the overturned cart, and.. thrashing squirrel tail. The hare laughs himself. XD
The upturned cart /growls/.
Ramadi's laughs die down to the occaisional titter as he makes his way over the the squirrel, peering into the upturned cart. "Problems, there?" XDD
Posco sighs, getting up. "Oi bust go foin ah way tah block thut oop. May'haps not furr gudd, though... oi'll go back, 'un day!" He says and walks to his cart, looking for tools.
Cassite's tail lashes, and the squirrel miserably (and muffledly) mumbles, "Laugh it up." His voice is short and grumpy.
Rahier walks up beside the horse, stlil snickering up a storm. XD "I don't think we should be lettin' y'near th'carts anymore."
Laughing isn't such an option for this doe. In fact, she looks to be absolutely jumping with annoyance and bother. She stands from Kev's side and backs a couple of steps. Her attention shifts to the laughing Rah. Grr! No laughing! "Rah. Take care o' Kev. I've got t'.. t' get back t' the abbey." And /now/, apparently, because the doe turns, and this time when she attempts to leave, it's at a jog, and up the side of the quarry she goes.
The pony titters, once again, though he does start getting the rocks off the cart. "No, I don't think so, either. Whoever knew carts were a natural predator for squirrels?" XD
"You know, when I get out from under here, I swear." He pauses. "All of you. Arrows." His tail continues to thrash.
Kevarr is the useless lump of trembling fur.
"Arrows? What are you going to do, pile them on top of us?" The pony actually snickers, though he does get the final rock out of the way and pushes the cart over, freeing the squirrel.
"Better leave 'im unner there, then." Rahier snickers, and.. Zoe. Righto. He walks his way back to Kev, kneeling by said useless lump of trembling fur. ;p "Ah, Kev? .. We're out, now." Master of the obvious! "'Tis alrigh'."
Kevarr's only reply is a very loud grinding of the teeth.
The squirrel is grumpy and his pride, after tonight, is heavily wounded. "Beh. Hiding out in a cave for forever while I'm suffering out here. Bloody practical jokers." He snorts.
A hand reaches out to roughly ruffle the squirrel's ears, sending up a cloud of dust. o.o ".. mm. Could've been worse. You could've been pinned under a cart, or something." The horse's mouth twitches. XD
The squirrel's eyes twitch, and he flexes his paws in irritation. ;.;
"We got out o' it, jus' like we got out o' it last time. C'mon, take some deep breaths an' look around." Rahier unfolds his paws, offering one to the marten. "Stand up?"
Ramadi smirks a little, and he moves to the pair. "Aye .. come on, Kevarr," he urges. "You need to get home."
Cassite just. Stalks. Away. x.x Freaking jerks.
Kevarr is curled up in a ball as yet, and the paw offer isn't seen. Wheeze.
Rahier places a paw on the marten's shoulder. "Kev. Slow down.. deep breaths. Y'/safe/."
After a moment, Ramadi heads a little distance away, to watch out for the pair. Yis.
Kevarr hisses, "Too...small...."
You say, "We're out in th'quarry, now. 'Tis big an' open. Jus' look up. If'n y'uncurl, we can walk on outta here, to th'open road. How's that sound?"
Kevarr rolls onto her stomach and wraps her arms more tightly around her face. "Geh..."
Rahier folds his paws again as she rolls. "Uhm. Well. Won't be gettin' any better till y'move."
Kevarr doesn't reply.
Rahier grunts, falling back onto a sitting position. Grunt. "..How 'bout a drink?"
Kevarr brushes a trembling paw over her snout. "Just leave me alone," she mumbles weakly.
Rahier leans forward, shaking his head. "Y'know I can't do that. Orders. I'll carry y'back t'that abbey, if'n I have to."
Kevarr says, "I'm not part of the Long Patrol. I don't care what your orders say."
Kevarr says, "Just go...go away."
You say, "No."
Kevarr opens one eye. "That wasn't a request," she says, a little sharper now. "I want to be alone."
Rahier quirks a brow. "Zoe told me t'take care o' you. If y'don't mind me sayin', y'ain't lookin' exactly ship-shape."
Kevarr grumbles, "Zoe Lang isn't my mother."
Rahier grins. "Someone has t'be."
Kevarr says, "No. Someone doesn't. Now go away. Or I'll go away. One or the other."
Rahier hops to his feet. "Well, okay. Let's... go back t'th'abbey, an' y'can be alone.. there. S'that work? She'll kill me if I don't see y'back."
Kevarr pushes herself upright. Her posture isn't exactly err...great. But it will do. She hugs her arms again as she begins walking wordlessly toward the edge of the quarry.
That works, too. ;p Rahier follows.
RW Abbey: Entry
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This is a sandy area between Great Hall and the main gates of the Abbey. It obviously gets a great deal of traffic, if one is to judge by the number of pawprints going every which direction here. There is an obvious path leading to the double doors of Great Hall. In places that are not so trampled, new shoots of green grass and budding wildflowers are making their presence known.
The abbey grounds are dark, though there are torches lit near the gates, and there is a glow of firelight coming from the windows of Great Hall. The walls are a darker shadow against the sky.
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Exits/Entrances:
[G]reat [H]all [C]limb to the [R]amparts [A]bbey [P]ond
[Ga]te [H]ouse [Leave] through the gates [Open] Ground
[C]hampion's [C]ottage
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It's a rather long walk back. Kevarr is slow, and very droopy, and quite obviously sulking about something or another. Her tail is practically dragging on the ground. However, eventually they reach the gates, and she passes right inside.
Rahier trots dutifully behind. As long as she doesn't suddenly keel over or something, he's doing his job. XD
Kevarr pauses in the entry, clearly uncertain as to just where she wants to sulk off to. She makes a step toward the gatehouse, seems to think better of it, and instead turns toward the pond.
Rahier watches her walk off. Shrug. The major turns to have a word with the guards at the gate. You know, the usual, 'make sure she doesn't leave and run off, et cetera.' :P And he goes his separate way.