"The Most Humbled of Victories"
Shrews Involved: Belliger, Trynt, Johnathon, Lassik, Micas, Cadogan, Coe
Others Involved: The Rogues' Guild, Thunderstrike, Ruval


Thunderstrike looks around. Shrews. "What is this place, a shrew-for-all?"

"Well, it /is/ a shrew camp." Trynt pipes up.

Coe snorts at the comment and wanders off from the lizard as things do seem to have calmed down x.x

Belliger rolls his eyes. "I tol' ye, i's th'camp o' th'-GUOSIM- shrews. Th'Guerilla Union Of Shrews In Mossflower. Shrews."

Thunderstrike frowns. Paranoid, mebbe? "Oh. Guerilla Union of Shrews in Mossflower. What exactly does this 'Union' do?"

Belliger eyes the lizard cynically. "Take care o' vermin activity in Mossflower. Guardin' innocent beasts from 'arm. Makin' sure suspicious beasts..." He slightly leans forward and raises an eyebrow as he says this. "Don' do anythin' they'll regret once they're dead."

Thunderstrike just stands there, and blinks again. "Ah. And by what standards do you judge "vermin"? Species, what they do... what?"

Trynt shrugs. "Actions, mostly, I suppose." he says, choosing his words carefully.

Trynt adjusts those gauntlets. Ouch. He wagers his paws have barely any fur left.

Belliger chokes on the first word of his answer as Trynt responds. He simply nods. "Aye. Actions."

Trynt looks to his superior with a sorry look for interupting. At least he's eager though.

Thunderstrike shifts his lance to the other paw, he takes a step forward and look about more. "Mmm... Do you have some leader or something?"

Belliger nods. "Aye, th'Log-a-Log. Why ye want ta know so much 'bout us, anyway? I don' like ye snoopin' round like y'are..." Yeah, that's right. He's specist. Deal.

Thunderstrike snorts softly. "Just curious. Been down south such a long time, not sure what new stuff is going on. I don't know if my old horde could've turned on me, or a horde before that hated me could've moved in the area."

Micas walks timidly out from the camping grounds. He's the latest recruit, and the youngest warrior, not more than six and a half seasons. But he swore himself into the Guosim, so here he is. He notices there's a small grouping of shrews, so he stands over there, still staying near unnoticeable in his silence.

-------------------
Likis glances about anxiously and licks his tongue across his scimitar, giggling stupidly.

Kanyn offers a swift kick to the weasel's behind as he stalks up from behind, "Put yore bloody blade 'way, foo', want them shrews to see it glintin' off the sun? Buggers got beady lil' eyes, they do." He hisses quietly, glancing about as he laces his arms across his chest.

Ethereal glances towards Likis and Kanyn, "Aye." she whispers, "We're most likely going to be outnumbered, and there is no telling what happens. Luck be with you mates... Everybeast ready now?"

Merrick is humming a tune to himself then stops. "Outnumbered! Aye! The best ballads are made of such odds!"

Likis shoots Kan a glare and smiles as Ethereal steps in and readies everybeast, so he keeps his scimitar out and offers quiet giggles.

Reina stands by Ethereal arms crossed, staying silent and looking over at her sister expectantly.

Ethereal takes a deep breath, "Right then... let the fun begin." she starts towards the Guosim camp, paws resting ready on the hilts of the dirks at her side.

Merrick follows after Ethereal, hoisting his staff up as he picks up his pace to a stride/run.

Kanyn unclaps the bolas at his side and begins twirling them with a paw, a small grin tugging his narrow snout as follows as well.

Reina follows her sister closely, getting in front of Ethereal before they reach the camp to lead the battle.

-------------------
No sound has come from Ruval's direction in some time. The shrike is hidden by the foliage, and could quite possibly be taking an afternoon nap.

Thunderstrike is standing near the middle of the camp. He glances at Micas for a moment and looks back to Belliger. And turns around, looking about the camp curiously. "Mmm."

Belliger exhales. "Well, i's good talkin' t'ya, mister lizard. My break's over, now." He looks to Trynt. "Want a rematch...? Without th'gauntlets, this time?" He chuckles.

Thunderstrike simply nods over his shoulder. He idly takes out a flat stone and begins to sharpen the blades in a circular motion. Ah. Wonderful sound of metal on rock. c.c

Trynt nods, cheerful enough. "Alright. I'll be able to fight a bit better if I know I won't cause that much damage."

Thunderstrike continues to sharpen his blades, occasionally looking up and about.

Micas clears his throat, and goes to sit by the fire, remaining quiet. The backwards shrew waits for somebeast to address him, instead of involving himself.

A voice rises from the muddy bank as a staggering darkened figure rises over it. "Et fortuniaaaaaas," the song note is held with trained accuracy. A marten comes to light and he looks....quite drunk, sloppy muddied sides as if he has slipped and fallen in the mud a few times. He staggers towards the camp then collapses on the ground. He raises a paw with a grin, eyes half lidded. "A song. A /sooong/ is what I neeeeed...HAHA!" He looks towards the camp. "And a nuth'r..drink, perhaps. Oh Dioyness, bless my lips with your sweet red blood which flows from grapes under pressure!"

Likis appears quietly from the opposite end of the camp, scimitar in paw as he gazes out rather casually. The weasel offers a crooked grin as he stands there.

Trynt's ears twitch, and he looks over at the muddy marten. He nudges Belliger. "Lookit that. Drinkin', o'course. At least I can handle /my/ drink." hehe. "Shall we 'elp him?"

Belliger chuckles at the sight of the marten. "Aye, I guess, we should 'elp 'im. Don' want 'im stumblin' inta th'fire, I 'eard martens 'ave an awful smell when they burn."

Thunderstrike looks suspiciously over to the entering marten. In his usual paranoi-ic fashion, he slips away his stone and places both claws on the shaft of his curious weapon and stand in an odd position. He glances over to the sparring Belliger for a moment and back to the marten. He then flicks off a bit of dirt on the blade and snorts. "Bah. I thought I got all of it off." He slips out a small cloth from his belt and wipes the smudge off. Shiny blades. His tounge flickers occasionally as he does this, but out of the sudden he stops. He turns from the waist up to his left and quirks a browridge. A low growl emits from his deep throat as he glances to the marten again. Narrowed eye expression. "I guess I was followed by more than _one_ beast." The monitor snorts. "Bah. I just can't keep alone."

Ethereal strolls into camp from the same direction Likis came from, paws on the hilts of the blades at her sides. She doesn't draw them yet however, she glances around the camp at the shrews and monitor, "Hmm, since when did shrew associate with the likes of monitors..." she says more to herself than anyone else.

A stirring in the trees signals Ruval's awakening. The shrike hops to a branch less obscured by the foliage, so she can watch the scene, but is hard to spot from the ground.

Watching the shrews from within some foliage just above Ethereal, Flare lies sprawled comfortably on a branch, paws propping her chin up. "Probably since they're both rather shrewd," she replies softly, grinning at her pun and shrugging. It wasn't all that funny, but anywho. Ah, look. A birdie!

Belliger's ears perk as he hears voices from the other direction. He turns around. "'ey, lizard. Ye know these folks?" And the paw finds its way to rest on the hilt of the short sword again.

Thunderstrike snorts. "No. If I did... well. I don't know." He tucks the cloth into his belt and turns around. More beasts. "Are you with Auculan?"

The marten rolls over on his back to look up at the sky. He laughs and starts to sing once more, stopping as he laughs. Flopping over on his stomach then presses his paws into the dirt to rise. The marten sways as he half way stands up, looking down at his walking staff, reaching for it then collapsing again on it.

Trynt looks around. Hm. Multiple subjects. "Are they just travellers?" he asks of Belly, practically his mentor now.

Likis hms and offers his scimitar a twirl, glancing side-long to Ethereal, "Mm, I think they noticed us." He whispers, turning his narrowed glance back to the gathering of shrews.

Belliger shakes his head. "Trynt, some'ow I doubt that. Travellers don' sneak up on ye, wieldin' weapons like they did. Wot's yer business, 'ere?"

The marten stands with his staff and staggardly walks towards the monitor, looking up at him. "Eh taas uni, oh no ferr-Ah-go. A sa mek a nar-eh....," he grins as he continues to sing in a smooth tone. "Koot-ah na-ah re." An eye squints as he points to the monitor. "I should like to hear...a ../monito/...sing..," grinswaystumble.

"Well y'gotta be cautious..." Trynt mutters, a little embarrassed.

Thunderstrike quickly turns around, tongue flickering wildly. Snort, spat. He retracts his lance and points it at the marten. "You need to stop drinking. You reek."

"Ooooh!" the marten mock shrieks as the lance is pointed at him. He turns his body to the side with his paws curling around his chest. He staggers a step back. "I wouldn't taste good on a skewer," blink blink.

Thunderstrike blinks and follows the martens motion. Planting both footpaws, he slowly extends his lance. "No. Especially one filled with alcohol. Won't taste too good."

Belliger takes a few steps towards Likis and Ethereal. "Answer me!"

Trynt is rather apprehensive, and he looks it. Nevertheless, he steps forward along with Belliger, hitching up those manystudded gauntlets.

"No...?" the marten sways a little as his arms reach to his sides, the right holding his left side the other on the other side,. In a quick turn the marten draws his short sord with is left paw and knocks to parry the lance as it extends to him.

The marten's fur riles up as he grins. "Should taste all the more elegant!" RAA! Merrick side steps just in case he misses the parry and as he steps to the side, he back slashes.

Swallowing nervously from above Belliger, Flare remains absolutely still, hidden by the foliage and not making a sound. All together undetectable by any means of sense, a paw rests on the pommel of her archer's knife, its blade black steel for this exact situation.

Thunderstrike places his left claw underneath the shaft of the three-headed lance a few feet from the head. Down the shaft he places his other claw palm down, elbow bent. He quickly steps back, thrusts the lance forward, straight towards the shortsword. He quickly twists up the lance by raising his right arm and following with his elbow. The Marten's paw movement would come in contact with the left foot blade, and his shortsword, if coming into contact between the blades, would be flung from the marten's paws.

Belliger spins around to see the commotion between the lizard and marten, and quickly spins back. "Are ye 'ere t'cause trouble?" He threateningly flicks the blade of his short sword up and down. "If'n tha's so, I suggest ye do tha' someplace else!"

Merrick's eyes grow wide as he spies the left blade twist at his blade, he releases the blade and rolls backwards across his shoulder to stand at this foot paws again. Off he darts to the staff which is not too far from the marten now. He turns an ear back as he runs for the staff, rolling across the ground as he does so.

Some beasts are real heavy sleepers. Somewhere along the wey, the Log-a-Log has woken up- and, noticing more than a few strangers in her camp, she watches for a while before making a decision. Lassik strolls out from her tent with two large dirks- fashioned by non-shrew paw- sheathed at her sides, and eyes the strangers warily, particuarly the lizard and the inebriated marten. Her right paw is on the hilt of one blade, ready to draw it out in a moment's notice. "Oi. Wot's goin' on 'ere?"

Thunderstrike lunges forward for the marten to get the lancehead in between him and the staff. Though monitor are big, they arn't slow. "Freakin' drunkard."

A bit belatedly, Reina jobs up behind Ethereal, "Sorry I'm late." she says quietly to her.

Trynt remains at Belly's side, ready to defend himself if need be...Belliger seems on edge, so it's obvious that Trynt is suspicious too.

Micas looks up from the fire to see everything around him. He obviously hasn't grasped the high risk situation yet, so he stands, unsheathing his rapier and pointing it at the first non-shrew he sees, this being Merrick. He starts walking towards him, overconfidently. "Hey. Get on outta here."

Merrick leaps over the lancehead with grace and ease, he grins as he looks over at the monitor in the air. "Don't I wish I were, my friend," he then lands and scoops the staff up.

Thunderstrike swings the lancehead towards Merrick as he begins to speak.

Merrick flattens himself then shifts his footing to leap back from the monitor. "Aw...shall we dance?"

Lassik clears her throat loudly, and her right paw grips the hilt of the blade solidly. "I suppose ye didn't 'ear the first time." She takes several steps towards them while repeating, "Wot's goin' on 'ere?"

Thunderstrike follows through his swing by stabbing forward, this time for Merrick's hips. The shaft of the lance slides forward a half foot in his grasp purposely. He remains silent.

Belliger shouts to the Log-a-Log. "We got some visitors, an' I don' think they mean well." He keeps his attention on the vermin before him.

Reina glances nervously at Belliger, then Trynt, then to Ethereal, then back to Belliger, before dodging off to the side behind a tent. Going around the tent, she appears to be making herway towards Merrick.

Merrick thrusts his hips to the side and hops up into the air. His staff in both paws, he sets the middle of the staff's length on the side, to block his body from head to toe. He presses off from the lanceto gain some ground from the monitor.

As Merrick rises back from the monitor he smiles. "I take it you are the silent type that doesn't dance."

Micas bounces a bit, looking frustrated. "Hey! I thought I told you to get on out of here!" He keeps the rapier pointed right at Merrick, simply walking straight for him. "Go on! Go!"

Thunderstrike lunges forward _violently_ while twisting the lancehead at an angle while Merrick goes to place his staff on the lancehead. The staff would land mostly on the top edge of the lancehead - possibly uneavenly.

Trynt continues watching Ethereal and Reina warily. He isn't really sure if he should do anything at all, first real conflict and all, so he takes a few steps forward. Maybe if he's civil. :D "Um...'Scuse me."

Johnathon comes walking onto the scene, attracted by noise. He looks around at everybeast gathered, hesitates, and then begins to walk back the way he came...

Ethereal backs up a bit from the two shrews, "Ah... erm..." she appears to be at a loss for words. Pawing nervously at the hilt of her swords at her side, she seems a bit unsure of herself.

Belliger notices Ethereal's fumbling. "Nuh. Nuh-uh. Don' e'en think about it." He follows this with a couple more flicks of the blade. He watches Reina disappear behind the tent, and as soon as she's out of sight, she's out of mind.

Merrick does indeed land it evenly and that extra momentum throws him back and to the left. "Gah," he sighs, disgusted but not irritated. He lands on his shoulder and flops over to his feet, clumsily. "Light on paws..," he says to himself as his smile returns. "Not bad for a 'drunk' eh?" he laughs, flicking his tail behind him, readying for an attack from the monitor.

See! Trynt had thought that maybe they were travellers. It seems he was right. "It's alright." he offers the apparently nervous Ethereal, "It's just, armed beasts strollin' inta camp is a bit, y'know, suspect." he's walking over, but turns to Belly questioningly as he speaks.

Having tracked the rogues up here, being a tad late... Appointment to keep..., Oyur now appears in the camp. Steadily he makes his way towards Ethereal, no weapons out yet. "Good day marm!" He calls.

Thunderstrike takes a step back and redies himself in a fighting positiong. The lancehead is - strangely - lowered to the ground, flat. He glances at Ethereal. "You better explain what the heck you are doing here, before I give your friend bloody hell."

Suddenly launching off the branch and making her way through the trees to where she last saw the shrike, Flare pauses a few leaps away, glancing back at Belliger and Ethereal. Clinging to the side of the main of a tree, she scans the foliage for the bird.

Lassik grunts, rubbing her forehead irritably. She takes a stand on one of the split logs around the fireplace, giving her a bit of added height and maybe just some authority. Hey, shrews are short. "Lissen... this is the Guosim camp. All of yer, state yer business, drop yer weapons or get lost. I don' want a fight on my terr'tory, but if a fight's wot y'want, ye'll get one."

Reina comes to a stop not far from where Merrick and the monitor is fighting. She doesn't draw a weapon just yet, turning herhead she looks expectantly at Ethereal.

"Trynt, stop movin'. They're still armed, e'en if they don' seem dangerous," Belliger advises, keeping his short sword extended. He hears the Log-a-Log's ultimatum, now, and tilts his head back. "Ye 'eard 'er."

Thunderstrike snorts. "Took someone long enough to say that."

Johnathon is not far from his tent now. Just a bit further and he could hide this whole thing out... But then... He notices Reina, off from the others a bit it seems. Being a little.. um.. suspect himself at times, he watches her suspiciously. Heh, maybe she's a thief after his precious bag!

Merrick sets a paw on his hip and grins to the monitor. "How about, bloody heaven instead," he lifts his bow and sets it across his shoulders as he sings once more, something in a foreign tongue.

Ethereal sighs, "As you wish... We'll be honest" she draws both blades, holding them out in front of her in a defensive fashion, "We've come to rob you. Let us take what we want and we'll leave without any further trouble." Bold or foolish, Ethereal states their true motives for coming into the camp.

Trynt...steps back, looking at Belly and shrugging. "Um...okay...so you were right. So?" he says, putting up his glves as he backs up.

Oyur sees Ethereal draw blades and immediately follows suit. Rapier out, grin on features. Who's first then?

Thunderstrike blinks. "Wow. That's it? No really, ferret. You must be joking. That's _hilarious_."

Ruval has moved slightly, and from a higher up branch, a short, scornful sound comes.

Distracted from Ethereal's bold statement, Flare looks up at the scornful sound, narrowing her eyes as she peers through the leaves and branches of the trees. Come out, come out, wherever you are!

Merrick takes a few steps away from the monitor and towards Reina.

Lassik growls, and all semblance of politeness evaporates. The dirk comes out of its sheath, and the shrewmaid faces Ethereal and begins to advance on the ferret. "Las' chance t'run, vermin!"

Johnathon ears flicked when that ferret said 'rob'. But still, Reina, Merrick, Thunderstrike... Very interesting... He watches.

Merrick grins as he looks over at the monitor.

Reina seem a bit taken aback by what Ethereal said but as Merrick moves towards her she glances to him, then to the monitor and nods slowly. She too then draws her blades, "Bah, let's get it over with then. 'nough talking."

Merrick's eyes slip as he looks over his shoulder at Reina with a serious look then smiles.

Belliger nods to Trynt, and afterwards his head bobs back and forth. "Aye, I was." And Lassik starts advancing. "Trees're movin' o'er there, Lass." He flicks his head back towards where Flare and Ruval are.

Ethereal shrugs lightly, "This is your last chance to hand over your valuables without a fight, shrew." she eyes Lassik coldly as she says this, speaking the word shrew as if it was an insult.

Ruval takes flight, making sure to keep out of range for the time being, and lets out a loud shriek. Enough to cause a momentary distraction among the less experienced fighters.

Oyur stands rather idly, dangling his rapier lightly as he listens to Ethereal. The stoat keeps a close eye on those shrews, eagerly awaiting the result of Ethereal's words.

Trynt might be a bit hesitant, but he's quite a prideful shrew. That, and he wants to defend his camp. That, and maybe he wants to impress the leaders. So as Ether speaks, he starts advancing rather quickly. Let's hope those sword-blocking techniques hold up.

Lassik distractedly nods slightly without facing Belliger, and her eyes narrow on the ferret. She draws the second dirk, one in each paw. "Yer asked for it, vermin," she says, and spits on the last word. Without warning, she charges, with a resounding cry of "LOGALOGALOGALOGALOG!"

Johnathon jumps at the shout and nearly runs for the tent, but he manages to compose himself and draw his sword for defence more than attack...

Thunderstrike retains his position, eyeing Merrick. He glances at the nearest shrew. "Go for the other."

Merrick grins as he flips his staff around into an en guard pose, both paws on the staff and sectioning it into three equal lengths. "You," he looks down his bo at Thunderstrike. "Would make an excellent leather belt."

Belliger charges as well, short sword at the ready. "LOGALOGALOGALOG!"

Thunderstrike replies. "I don't take requests from drunken Martens. Oh. And by the way. That little act was amazing you pulled. The Alcohol even smelled real. Why don't you be a bard or something?"

Merrick bows. "I already am," grin. He did have a drink earlier, though he merely wanted it on his breath. "And I am glad you like my song." The marten shifts to his right to circle the monitor, slowly circling in towards the lizard.

Planting her paws firmly in the ground, blades crossed defensivly in front of her, she watches the shrews, awaiting their attacks. With the odds three on two, Ethereal hopes Oyur proves to be an invaluable ally in this fight.

Micas jumps at the cry, and turns around, springing towards Ethereal as well.

Thunderstrike sighs and makes his way to the woods. "No thanks, I think I'll keep to being alone. Besides, this ain't my fight."

Lassik continues her advance on Ethereal, her haphazard charge closing the distance quickly. As she nears she prepares for a feint with the left dirk, to follow up with an actual strike with the right.

Oyur holds his blade ready. He waits to see which shrew comes closest to him before he goes into attack one though.

Merrick twirls and rushes to the back of Ethereal's assault group. "Rouge-arouge-arouge-arouge," he mocks as he laughs.

Trynt has to duck to avoid the charging Lassik. Just as he was gonna attack! He eyes Oyur instead. Hm, a rapier. He can handle a rapier wielder.

Reina seems a bit disappointed that the monitor left, but turns she rushes to her sister's aid coming up behind the shrews like Merrick.

Johnathon continues to watch, sword drawn. His eyes follow Merrick then go back to see where Reina's got too. He is, of course, visibly nervous. Sword paw shaking a little.

Merrick lifts the staff before him then turns his back as he runs, gaining momentum as he twirls back around to swing the full length of his bo at the back of the others.

Belliger attacks Ethereal from the other side, keeping himself guarded until he's close enough to make a forceful horizontal swing towards Ethereal's midsection.

Wonderful. A distraction. Shifting her position wary of the shrike and dropping to the ground behind some bushes, Flare unsheathes her blade and clenches it between her teeth as she steals into the main tents of the camp, glancing at Ethereal and the rest of the group.

Oyur steps in to block Belligers attack on Ethereal with his rapier. He frowns, a little suprised at the force in the blow and is actually knocked back a little. "No yeh don't shrew, you gotta get past me before you get to her"

Ethereal falls for the feint, moving one blade to block it she fails to see the real attack coming until it's too late to react, sucking it her breath does very little good. Lassik's blade slices through the thick material of her robe and into her flesh, red blood seeping from the wound out onto the white of her clothing. She moves her left paw, a blade still in the paw, down instinctively to the wound, keeping her right blade up for defense.

Trynt, then, is apparently not defended against, and aims to give Oyur a good sock with those studded gauntlets. Muahaha.

Johnathon is, of course, interested much more in little details about which won't result immediately in a fight... He sees Flare move off, but ah, he was watching Merrick and Reina. He just stands there for now... Unsure what he should do...

Belliger scowls as he's deflected, and goes to swing instead in a powerful vertical strike, aiming for the top of Oyur's head.

Oyur is rather painfully struck with a gauntlet and gasps, he spins and crouches a little in pain. Therefore, Belligers sword actually cuts his hat. Hmm... A quick stab and stab at the pesky Trynt and then a spin and a swing at Belliger. "That was my favourite hat..."

Lassik tries to destroy any advantage the ferret may have of longer limbs by taking a diagonal step that takes her closer to Ethereal's right side, going for a light jab in the midriff with the left dirk while keeping the other at ready to defend herself.

Collecting numerous shiny things and whatever that are deemed valuable, Flare shoves them into her haversack, ears perked ready and attentive for any creatures intruding in on the steal. Finding a few interesting weapons, she tests them quickly, tucking an undecorated short sword in her belt, and putting the rest of the decorative weapons into her bag. Ah, that should be enough. Next!

To anyone cautious enough to look to the sky, the shrike can be seen circling, looking for the perfect moment to strike. In an unplanned dive, she could just as easily impale herself on a blade as do any good in the fight.

Trynt dodges Oyur's stab just in time, but the blade goes through the side of his shirt, like a hook to a fish. Undeterred by this restricted movement, Trynt tries another hit.

Johnathon gasps. His bag was left unprotected in his tent! He begins to run hurriedly towards it. The tent. With the bag in.

Ethereal takes a step back, bringing the blade in her right paw that was up defending her down to deflect the latest blow.

With her left she stabs out in the general direction of the shrew, not really aiming and not really with much force because it is her left paw after all, and her right is dominant.

Bolting out of the tent, the flaps flying, Flare glances at John running towards her. Or so it seems. Tightening the straps of the haversack, the squirrel leaps backwards, noticing a slight shadow fly over the tent in the movement. Uh oh. Damn that shrike! Spinning on a tail hair and sprinting towards the woods, she steals a glance over her shoulder and then at the sky.

Belliger moves his sword down and across to deflect the rapier to the side, placing extra force on his heavier weapon to try and disarm Oyur.

Hm. Well, since the squirrel is running away from her, the shrike sees an opportunity to not be impaled there Ruval folds her wings partially to her sides, descending at an angle to close the distance that isn't vertical between them.

Oyur only just managed to avoid that other gauntlet hit and now his rapier his being forced out of his paw! Argh... Cursed shrews! He pulls his blade down fast and then sweeps up at Belligers face, before jumping back, trying to grab Trynt and hold the blade to his throat... Whoo... Energetic stoat...

Johnathon legs it into his tent and starts scrabbling around in there. Rummaging might be heard.

As inexperienced as he is, Micas stands around, looking back and forth between quarreling parties, holding his rapier aimlessly. He decides to sprint towards Ethereal again, this time seeing an opening to 2 v 1 the vermin.

Trynt has the reflexes of a shrew, and the speed of a...shrew. As Oyur tries to grab him, there's a bit of foul play in that Trynt tries to bite the empty paw before the armed one can get to his throat. Panic!

Lassik is a bit slow on defending herself. She attempts to sidestep while drawing back the deflected dirk, but Ethereal's blade still cuts a long but shallow gash in her left side. Instinctively she drops the dirk in her right paw to clamp it to the injured side. Oops- she's right-pawed, and stooping to grab the dirk will leave too much of an opening. She switches paws with the dirk she still carries so that she has a single dirk in her right paw, allowing the blood to flow freely from her side and ignoring the pain as she takes a couple steps backwards, allowing the ferret to go on the offensive this time.

Belliger leans back just in time to avoid the slash at his face, and leans forward just in time to see Trynt's predicament. Needless to say, he doesn't advance on the potential hostage situation.

Reina scowls, looking around for a victim. Seeing Micas she heads him off, stepping in front of him to block his path, blades at the ready, "Where ye headed there?"

Ethereal is also injured, so she doesn't attack either. Holding her blades up in defense, "You fight well, shrew." she says while glancing nervously at the other shrews around her prepared to defend herself, this time shrew isn't spoken as an insult.

Oyur frowns as a mouth comes towards his empty paw. Ah, problem fixed! Turn that paw into a fist. Now a mouth is coming towards a punch :D Blade paw is forgotten for just a moment it seems.

Sparing a glance upwards at the shrike about to come down on her, Flare adds an extra burst of speed on her run. C'mon, c'mon...

Micas halts as Reina steps in his path. The young shrew has a ferocious-as-can-be scowl on his face as he brandishes his rapier fiercely. Leaving no time for small talk, he leaps forward, jabbing haphazardly at Reina's stomach.

Yowch! Trynt staggers backward as his jaw and upper teeth collide head on with a stoatfist. A couple of his teeth feel just a bit looser, and he quickly tries to gather his wits.

From the tents a rather angry shout sounds and then out storms one really annoyed shrew... Corwardly Johnathon now looks pretty deadly upon finding his bag stolen. Rapier is held up, paw shaking with rage though, not cowardness. He lets out what could well be a growl and charges towards the vermin. Not any particular one, just any vermin will do. Very. Angry. Shrew.

Belliger sees that it's not a hostage situation anymore, and runs forward, short sword aimed to slash down at Oyur's unprotected back.

Lassik's mouth twitches, and she huffs a few times, catching her breath. "Thanks. So d'yer, vermin." However, under these circumstances she's not one for idle chit-chat. She swings her blade in a wide arc towards the ferret's right shoulder.

Reina hasn't time to block the attack, so merely swings one blade around to deflect it. Though the shrews blade misses her stomach it slides over the blade which was meant to deflect it and slices into the top of the arm holding the blade. She scowls and aims a hard kick at the shrews stomach in retaliation.

As Belliger runs to attack him, Oyur is running to slam his fist down on Trynt's head. He then side steps to grab said shrew and Belliger's sword slashes down on his left arm and side. A grunt of pain and he whirls, aiming to take Bell's head with the rapier.

Ethereal brings the blade in her left paw up to block it, and succeeds but the force behind the blow jars her paw, causing her to release the blade. Again on equal footing with Lassik, with one blade each. She doesn't like having only one blade against such a ferocious little creature. So, she glances quickly around to see if there is threat from other shrews before she crouches down in attempt to retrieve the blade, not taking her eyes off Log-a-log. Holding the blade in her right paw ready to try to block any blows Lassik might try whilst she is in this awkward position.

Trynt, is of course a much smaller beast than a stoat, so a stoat hitting him full force between his ears makes him feel like his head has been pummelled into his shoulders. If only the young recruit hadn't gotten overconfident, he wouldn't be laying unconscious now...

Micas is too busy rejoicing that his strike hit to notice the kick headed for his stomach. He's sent sprawling backwards, winded, clutching at his stomach, and crouched on the ground.

Johnathon is slashing kind of wildly at beasts. Vermin! Slash! Shrew! Sla- Oh no... wait.. Now vermin...

Lassik grins, and swings her sword in an arc directly at Ethereal's sword in an aim to deflect it to the side, while taking a forceful leap directly at the ferret in an attempt to knock her backwards.

Belliger's fury is stopped quickly as the rapier comes whirling around. His head isn't taken off, luckily enough, as he uses his short stubbiness to duck under the rapier, and lunge forward to stab Oyur through the stomach.

Reina scowls, "Gah, you bloody little rodent!" Stepping forward and standing over Micas, one blade pointed down at him, a murderous glint in her eye, "You'll pay for thay with yer life!"

Micas stares up at Reina, eyes wide and rapier shaking in his paw. He's petrified, obviously. "Pl...please don't..."

Great... Now the shrew is going for his stomach... Oyur has trained for these sorts of events, but still, he's slow enough to get another gash in the side as he leaps back, quick as he can. He goes to grab Trynt to hold as a shield...

It is all Ethereal can do to hold onto the blade in her right paw though it is knocked forcably out of the way. She falls backwards, her right arm now hurting due to the last blow from the shrew, she quickly snatches her other blade and scrambles backwards, not bothering to stand just yet.

In his strange revenge-ish state, Johnathon whirls wildly, looking for an opponent. Scary looking when angered...

Lassik lands rather clumsily, rolls to her dropped dirk, and collects it, now once again armed with both. She leaps to her feet and whirls, facing the ferret, not attacking just yet.

Trynt is picked up, the unconcious shrew oblivious to his new role as a bodyguard to the stoat.

Ethereal manages to get to her feet, casting a hurried glance around the camp. About time for a hasty retreat, got what we came for... yeah.. She backs up further, "Come on Oyur, let's get out o' here. Hey Reina, come on!" she yells to her sister across the camp.

Skidding to a screeching halt and dodging to the left, Flare hits the woodlands, glancing at Ethereal yelling at Reina. Pack full of whatever she had found, she scrambles up a tree and glides towards Ethereal, dropping the sack in a low lying tree branch and sinking the short sword she had found into the bark to mark to spot for the Rogues to find easily. Sprinting back to where Ethereal orders a hasty retreat, she bursts straight through, heading for the other side of the camp...

Not so fast. Lassik's eyes narrow and she swings both blades in an arc, one aimed for Ethereal's right shoulder while the other sweeps towards her midriff.

Oyur edges back. Carrying Trynt. Retreat? Heh. He's way ahead of you there... He backs further and further away, ready to run...

Johnathon begins to recover from his crazy state and looks around with some shock... What to do now...?

Ethereal can only manage to block one of these, she brings both blades to block the blow aimed at her midrift, she's been hurt there enough already. Doing this though, causes her shoulder to come forward a bit seeming to meet the blade, at the shrews blade digs deep into her shoulder she lets out a cry of pain. That move was a big mistake. Bah, forget this. Sheathing the blade in her left paw she brings that up to her shoulder, holding it on the wound, as blood pours forth. She then stumbles away in an unhonorable retreat.

Reina spits, "You've not seen the last o' me." She turns on her heel and runs to her sister to help her away.

Lassik stands triumphantly, sheathing one of her blades and raising the other mockingly. "Aye, maybe ye'll think twice afore messin' with the Guosim next time!"

Micas gets up and starts chasing after Reina... He's an awful quick one, he's catching up with her! "Graaaah!" He lunges forward and leaps, trying to jab his rapier through Reina's back.

Had it not been for his yelling, it would have possibly been the end of Reina. But on hearing the yell, she turns to see him charging. Sidestepping neatly she swings her blade hard to meet the charging shrews neck.

Oyur cannot help but wince a little at this scene, although it seems the wince is just for show. He enjoys it really... The stoat hurries to leave with the others, carrying Trynt with him.

Micas is stopped in the air by the blade in the back of his neck, and falls to the ground. "A... C..." And after a deep exhale, the shrew's body lay lifeless on the ground.

Trynt is carried off, oblivious to the loss of life and property of his comrades.

Watching the retreat and feeling rather good about herself, Lassik doesn't notice the charging shrew until it's too late. So much for no casualties. She bites her lip and remains silent.

Belliger turns away from the escaping vermin, and sweeps his head around to take stock of the scene. "...Trynt. Ah, wot th'... BLOODY 'ELL!" Belliger takes his short sword and throws it into the ground. "Lass, they took Trynt with 'em. They took 'im!"

Johnathon sits in shock on a log. He's not used to this...

Lassik blinks. "They... wot?" Then, realization sinking in, she attempts to charge after them. However, the adrenaline rush that gave her the ferocity and strength to oppose the ferret has left her, and she suddenly finds herself stumbling, in slight shock by the loss of blood from the long cut on her side. She clenches a fist while holding the other to her side, trying to staunch the flow of blood, and turns to Belliger. "Aye, I think... we need to rest up a bit. Tend to our wounds. But they ain't gotten away fer good, not by any means."

Belliger just now notices the body of Micas. "Ah... Ah, no they didn'..." He walks towards the shrew's lifeless form, and kneels beside it. He looks at the dead shrew for a few seconds, then falls from his kneel back into a sitting position.

"Those... vermin ain' gonna get away with this. No..." Belliger stands up, and starts walking towards the main part of camp again. "They ain' gonna get away with nothin'."

Johnathon just sighs and stays sat where he is... Eventually, he sleeps... Where he is.

Lassik says, "O' course they're not..." Lassik heads for her tent for some bandages, limping slightly because of the pain in her side. "We'll get 'em back."

Belliger notices Lassik's state as he's walking back, and he changes direction to go towards her. "...Lass, are y'a'right?"

He curses under his breath, inspecting her as she walks. "They did a number on ye..."

Lassik glances back at Belliger. Both of her blades are sheathed now, one paw still grasping her injured side. "Nah, I'm... I'm alright. Vermin only got me once. She's got more t'worry about'n I do..." The shrewmaid chuckles slightly.

"Now what in blood'n'ashes happened in here??" Cadogan comes walking back into the camp, carrying some supplies. Following him is another shrew, a female carrying a dibbun. The new shrewmaid doesn't say anything, she just looks at Cad and stays behind him.

Lassik answers with one word: "Vermin." And disappears into her tent.

Belliger goes to collect the body of Micas. "Damn... vermin."