Part 1 - Update

Well my friends it has been much too long since I was able to sit down and put pen to parchment and write. I'm writing this in Halyard at the moment whilst on leave managed to get four days off from the Major so me and Helen up sticks and came up here for a bit. Is quite peaceful here at the tavern and there is less chance of having our time together interupted.

So where to start, i've been on one patrol after the other for the last few months now going here and there about the country side. I was on a long patrol up to the North which took nearly two months there and back.

I got several chances to try out my various fur dyes and their application in different situations. Patrolling our northern borders was quite interesting, i had never been that far north before and so got to see several new sights.

It was also different, being away from the shore and going further inland, it is alot greener inland which makes it harder to not be noticed in the forest being various shades of brown and sandy blonde makes one stick out like a sore thumb in the woodlands and meadows.

We did have one interesting meeting with a group of foxes must have been about six maybe seven of them in total. The laid on the friendly gentle-foxes routine but there was just something about them. Smarmy smiles and being overly fawning and ingrating. The lietenant must have felt the same way because after we left their camp and moved on we made camp for the evening in a small stand of trees.

After building up a nice fire and setting up a few bundles to look like us all sleeping we clambered up into the upper branches of the trees to wait and watch. Sure enough around about midnight those foxes slipped into camp and started to lay into the "bundles" that where meant to be us. You should have seen the looks on their muzzles when we dropped out of the trees and engaged them, they did not stand a chance, murdering vermin like them don't deserve to live as all they understand is how to kill and maim and torment.

The next day we returned to their camp and searched around and found a family of hedgehogs being held captive by them as well as an elderly shrew lady. We escorted them back to their homes and stayed for their thank you dinner. Lieutenant did the polite thing at first and attempted to decline but he soon caved into pressure and accepted their invitation.

After several weeks of trail rations that was a welcome and hearty meal indeed and enjoyable too. We stayed for about two days helping to repair the damage done by those foxes before we moved on again.

We did not run into anything else whilst on patrol except for a brief encounter with the GOUSIM who gave us a lift down a river for a few days. Remind me NEVER to volunteer to help row one of those confounded log boats again. I spent all day soaking wet and shivering whilst the shrews had a great time, they thought it was the best of times.

Still their food was warm and welcome and we ranged out each morning and evening into the surrounding country side to see if we could find anything. After leaving the GOUSIM the lt. turned us west and we travelled across country and through some swamps to the shore we did see a few toads and newts in the swamps but they did not bother us.

Once back on the shore we turned south and started to head for home, we saw the occasional ship out to see and once we saw a huge gallion flying the flags of Sampetra and the Empire of the Isles but it did not put into shore.

After another week of steady journeying we came back within sight of the mountain and home grateful after the long journey to see our friends again. I'd even managed to pick up a few gifts for Helen, you know the doe who works in the kitchens? I've been stepping out with her since just before I left, very down to earth and sensible lass, am really lucky she puts up with me.

Anyway that is about it for my long extended patrol across the northern ranges of our lands. It was interesting and if you ever get the chance to volunteer for a long patrol northwards do so, it is well worth it.

Part 2 - Back Home

I've not been back long, little more then a week in all which is why i have had the time off, Master Skipai was nice enuogh to grant Helen a few days as well and so we upped and headed for Halyard to relax.

Interesting little experience though whilst in town, I was stopped by a pine marten who handed me two very strange bundles to be given to Major Jarril and Taye. Tiny bundles made from hare fur and the buttons off of a patrol tunic.

Now as you can imagine this alarmed me somewhat so I raced back to the mountain to deliver them to the Major. Turns out they are from the person who captures the Major and Taye last summer and spent a few days interogating them then dumped them on the shoreline. It is very worrying but the Major said he knew what it was about and would deal with it though his warning to us all is to steer clear of the Pine Marten and his people so keep your eyes open, report any strange vermin or new vermin in the area and steer clear of trouble.

I think that is all my news from this issue of Life at Sala, i realise i'm going to be a bit out of date in the mountain from being away so any new recruits or patrollers drop by and say hello you'll know me when you see me. It's hard to miss me, i'm the short Private with the tip of their left ear missing, Quinten by name or just Quin, see you all soon.

Private Quinten - The Writer -