A River-bound Summer ((open))

[Django]

Nik Lagdo stood with some of his Guosim tribe members along the banks of the River Moss, humming a work-in-progress river shanty to himself. Down in the water, more of the Guosim were working to free a log boat from the dead branches of an overhanging tree. The Log-a-log could barely see his tribe members amidst the tangle of vines and tree limbs; the most he could see was the tree swaying back and forth. He chuckled as he heard a curse or two issue from the mouth of one of the workers.

Nik's deputy, a younger shrew named Ban, waded out of the water and addressed his chief. "S'not comin' out right quick, is it, Nik?" he remarked with a grin. Nik smirked back and kicked Ban right in the gut, sending the smaller shrew tumbling back into the shallows. When Ban resurfaced, Nik was wading out into the water to help his tribe members.

"Log-a-log Nik," the chieftain called over his shoulder. Ban always forgot Nik's title. Well, it couldn't be helped. They had known each other since they were little ones.

Arriving at the wreckage, Nik assessed the situation, shaking his head as he inspected the wedged-in watercraft. Not only was it tangled in tree limbs, river weed, and other plants, but it had a decent-sized leak and was submerged in about three feet of water. And the thick river mud was not helping. "Couldn't've done that if we tried," the chieftain muttered.

Ban, meanwhile, had just climbed out of the river and shook himself off, wringing out his bright blue headband. The other Guosim warriors had dispersed to help free the boat or help get lunch started. If the boat wasn't free by noon, Nik would call for a break to eat and then begin work on freeing the boat once more.

After a long hour of work, Nik arrived on the shore again, all four paws covered in river mud, his fur dripping wet. "T'would take a team of otters t' pull that'un out," the shrew chief said, breathing hard. He flicked one ear in the direction of a noise, but he thought little of it, his mind focused on the situation at hand. "Tell every shrew t' get some lunch," he ordered after a moment's thought. "We'll try agin later."

[Treble Tiderunner]

"T'would take a team of otters t' pull that'un out,"

“Really? Excellent!”

A head popped out of the water. It looked very enthusiastic about life, the otter lass opened her mouth to spout more when another otter emerged from under the river and clamped a paw on the back of her neck. He looked to the shrews on the riverbank, his scarred and lined face lighting in pleased recognition. “Logalog Nik! How are ye, me ol’ rivvermouse?” He cast a glance at the young otter in his grip as others appeared around him.

“I hope Serim here hasn’t been much bother.” The young otter didn’t seem much put down, she grinned at the shrews and started chattering away. “Hey Skipper did you see that boat they’ve got?

Rather strange place for a boat, under the water, haha! And downriver I saw some pretty fish, all rainbow colored and there was this cool little pool with little froglets and then there was the pike he was a big’un all hook jawed but I steered clear o’ him and I saw a kingsfisher and then there was a heron with a big trout, and I saw these pretty berries but I didn’t eat any because Tirael yelled at me last time and I was sick for a week and finally I saw these strange spiky mice and that one kicked that other surly one over there into the river and--” A paw covered her mouth. Alec glowered.

“Ach, missie. Do ye ever shut up?”

[Django]

“Really? Excellent!”

Nik whirled to face the river, surprise written on his face as he noticed the otter maid pop out of the water. He waded back into the shallows to greet her, trying to place her face and name in his mind. Did he know her? He couldn't remember. "Weren't 'spectin' no beast ta answer me, but--"

“Logalog Nik! How are ye, me ol’ rivvermouse?” He cast a glance at the young otter in his grip as others appeared around him.

"Oh, Alec!" Nik exclaimed, up to his waist in the river now. "I'm doin' jus' fine, mate. 'ow 'bout yew?" It had been awhile since the shrew chieftain had conversed with the otters.

“I hope Serim here hasn’t been much bother.”

Nik shook his head, chuckling. "Nay," he replied. "She only jus' popped up afore yew did, an' I--"

“Hey Skipper did you see that boat they’ve got? Rather strange place for a boat, under the water, haha! And downriver I saw some pretty fish, all rainbow colored and there was this cool little pool with little froglets and then there was the pike he was a big’un all hook jawed but I steered clear o’ him and I saw a kingsfisher and then there was a heron with a big trout, and I saw these pretty berries but I didn’t eat any because Tirael yelled at me last time and I was sick for a week and finally I saw these strange spiky mice and that one kicked that other surly one over there into the river and--”

Nik had tried to get a word in edgewise during the maid's long anecdote, but all he managed was a few syllables now and then. He felt winded himself when Alec finally clamped his webbed paw over her mouth. Ban came up beside the chieftain just then, sniggering.

"She saw yew kick me into th' river, Nik!" he snorted, having, surprisingly, kept pace with the otter maid's speech. Nik glowered at his deputy, shoving the younger shrew beneath the surface.

"T'ain't yore Serim 'oo be th' real nuisance 'round 'ere, Alec," the Log-a-log sighed, releasing Ban. The younger shewing came up gasping for breath, shouting, "Log-a-log Nik! I meant Log-a-log! Fer th' love a' Mossflower, ye can never let that'n slide, can ye, chief?"

Nik elbowed Ban roughly and turned to face the otter once more. "Ennyways, I were jus' sayin' 'ow it'd take a team of otters ta pull me boat out," he explained. "An' it seems I've said th' magic words." He glanced around at the other otters with a wide grin. "Whaddya say? Willin' ta 'elp me yank out a log boat?"

"Free Guosim cookin' fer th' willin' participants," Ban added with a cheeky grin of his own.

[Treble Tiderunner]

Alec traded a long look with Skipper. The younger otter had fit easily into the ottercrew, after long years of searching for his sister, he finally had found her, and a new place to live. It was a comforting feeling, to be part of a crew again, even if they didn’t sail the salty main.

“Oy, Serim.” Skipp sighed, gently prying Alec’s paw from her mouth but keeping a grip on her shoulder. “Lass, could ye do a little less o’ the chatter and a little more swimming? Swim farther upstream for me, come back in an hour and tell me what you find.

“Sure thing Skipp!” She flashed a large grin and disappeared under the water, shooting easily around the shrews struggling with the boat.

"Ennyways, I were jus' sayin' 'ow it'd take a team of otters ta pull me boat out," he explained. "An' it seems I've said th' magic words." He glanced around at the other otters with a wide grin. "Whaddya say? Willin' ta 'elp me yank out a log boat?"

"Free Guosim cookin' fer th' willin' participants," Ban added with a cheeky grin of his own.

Skipp offered a paw to the shrew leader. “Sure matey, we’ll ‘ave yore boat outta the water in no time, or me name’s not Skipper o’ otters!”

The small band of otters swam towards the place where the logboat had gone down.

[Django]

Skipp offered a paw to the shrew leader. “Sure matey, we’ll ‘ave yore boat outta the water in no time, or me name’s not Skipper o’ otters!”

Nik accepted the proffered paw, his smile never wavering. "Thanks, matey," he replied. Wading back to the lodged log boat, he clapped his paws together loudly, shouting, "Oy, Gousim, git off ye rumps an' come 'elp these kindly otter folk pull our craft out!"

The shrews answered his call on the double, splashing into the shallows around the boat and taking up positions as Nik called them out. "A'right, mates," the shrew chieftain called, addressing the otters. "If'n ye could come up 'neath it an' try pullin' it free a' th' mud. Guosim," he turned to his tribe, "Untangle them vines sharply now!"

As the otters dove beneath the boat, Nik ordered the shrews to grab the sides of the boat as the river foliage came untangled with the help of rapiers and knives. A loud sucking sound was heard as the otters pulled the boat free of the thick mud. Nik smiled in satisfaction and barked out the order for his shrews to heave the boat up.

The watercraft came up easily, and the shrews carried it to the shore, most of them thanking the otter crew profusely for their help. The Guosim knew their chieftain would not have been kind to them had they lost a log boat. Nik shook paws with the Skipper again, expressing his gratitude almost as profusely as his tribe.

"T'were a good thin' ye came 'long, Skipp," the Log-a-log said, shaking off his fur. "Don't know what we'd a' done 'thout ye." He nodded approval of his shrews, who were just finishing setting up camp. The cook waved to Nik, a big smile on her face, and the shrew chieftain smiled wider.

"Vittles're ready!" she shouted cheerfully. The Guosim cheered wearily and hurried to grab their food, but Nik halted them with a sharp whistle. Every shrew had frozen mid-step, looking longingly at the food, and then turning to their chief.

"Where're yore manners?" Nik barked. "We got guests. They git vittles first." The Guosim muttered assent, and, reluctantly, stepped aside so the the otter crew could go first. Ban trudged up to Nik, a look of pure reproach on the younger shrew's face. Nik just smiled in satisfaction, hanging back to allow the otters to get their free meal.

((Sorry if that went a bit too fast.))

[Promatera]

((OOC: Not for sure if this thread is done or not, but may as well give it a shot))

The sun bore down on a thriving, busy day in Mossflower. At the River Moss, after helping move a logboat stuck along the banks, otters and shrews sat down for a meal.

However, not far from the banks where lunch was being served, a small mouse sat quietly within the undergrowth of the forest. Dandelion Darrel was observing these beasts. After a month of travel in search of Redwall and relying on mostly berries and the small amount of rations she had packed for the journey, she eyed their meals hungrily. Growing up in the North where food was quite scarce, it was quite a sight to see so much available.

This was not what Dandelion was here for, though. She needed to find that abbey. It had been her goal since she left the north and she could not be distracted now. She had never seen an otter or a shrew before, but she was willing to trust that they were good creatures and show her the way. If they tried something, however, they would meet a nasty shock with her halberd, "Blitz".

Reaching into a satchel she had brought with her, she pulled out a small doll. The Small, round eyes reflected her own eyes, which almost glowed with determination. Tenderly she held it to her chest and took a deep breath. She was ready. Stowing away the doll she strode straight into the midst of the otters and shrews.

Expecting the worst, she stepped in carefully, eyeing everybeast with suspicion. Her father had told her for years that Redwall was no more, and she doubted these beasts would tell her otherwise, but something deep within her pushed her forward. What if these beasts did know?

[Treble Tiderunner]

With a whoop, the otters charged the chow line, the shrews falling in behind them. Once everyone had their bowls filled, the members of both crews found spots suitable for sitting and settled in, laughing and chatting through their meal.

Skipper leaned against a wide old tree at the edge, watching the younger creatures. There wasn’t anything he liked better, he decided, than seeing them so happy, after so many seasons of strife. He wasn’t in his prime any more, but he felt younger with the new peace on the woodlands.

Suddenly, a young mouse stepped into their midst. With a practiced eye he noticed her hesitation, she didn’t quite trust them but she would take the chance. She clutched a halberd in her paw, and her gaze was the focused one of a warrior.

“’Ey, Logalog.” He nudged his friend, indicating the lass. “Ye’ve got a friend.” Raising his gruff voice to reach the middle of the group, where she stood, he addressed her.

“An’ wot can we do fer ye, lass?”


(((Sooo sorry this took so long folks! )))

[Django]

Nik sighed in content as he settled down beside the Skipper. The shrew admired the older otter in so many ways. He hoped he would be able to lead the Guosim as Skipper had led the otter crew. There was nothing the young shrew wanted more. And as he observed his shrews happily sharing lunch with the otters, he vainly wished every day could be like this one.

“’Ey, Logalog.” He nudged his friend, indicating the lass. “Ye’ve got a friend.”

Nik looked up from his meal and noticed the mousemaid. As Skipper addressed her, the shrew chieftain stood, offering his best smile. She seemed shy as she stepped int the midst of the happy shrews and otters, but Nik would make sure she would have no reason to fear them.

"Ahoy there, Miss," he called. "Yore jus' in time for lunch." No sense in withholding the fine shrew cooking from a friendly wandering soul. She might just be passing through, but Nik wanted to present the option to stay so she would know she was among friendly folk.

((No worries, Skipp. I haven't posted on this site for awhile. ^^' ))

[Promatera]

As she stepped in to the clearing she was soon surrounded by otters and shrews happily sharing lunch. Dandelion was quickly overwhelmed by all the creatures present. It was then the pleasant aroma wafting from the food set out by the cooks passed through her nose. She was hungry. Though she tried to not think about it, her supplies were close to running out so she had to ration what remained. She paused for a moment totally stunned by all the sights and smells surrounding her when a voice called out to her.

"Ahoy there, Miss," "Yore jus' in time for lunch."

Turning towards the noise, she made out a rather hardy looking shrew calling to her.

“An’ wot can we do fer ye, lass?”

Right beside the shrew was a large, rough looking otter. She readjusted herself and decided these two would be the best beasts to ask for directions. She guessed they were leaders of the otters and the shrews as they seemed to oversee all the other beasts. After pardoning herself and meandering around more otters and shrews, who took particular notice of her halberd, she reached the pair beside a large tree.

Dandelion curtsied and replied, "Thank you for the offer, but I must know if either of you are familiar with Redwall?"

((OOC: Sorry for the late post xp))

[Treble Tiderunner]

Skipper stood as the young mouse approached, acknowledging her curtsey with a solemn nod. He wasn’t a lord, to go around bowing, but her respect deserved to be returned. He held out a rough, calloused paw to shake hers.

“Skipper o’ Otters, miss.”

"Thank you for the offer, but I must know if either of you are familiar with Redwall?"

His polite smile grew into a grin. “Aye, me’n my crew are just come from Redwall.” He motioned around the rough noon camp. “Take Log-a-log up on his offer, lass, an’ we’ll take ye there after lunch, if ye so wish.”

[Django]

"Thank you for the offer, but I must know if either of you are familiar with Redwall?"

Nik smiled wider, impressed with her polite curtsy. No lass ever curtsied outside Redwall nowadays. He was about to answer her inquiry, but the Skipper beat him to it.

“Aye, me’n my crew are just come from Redwall.” He motioned around the rough noon camp. “Take Log-a-log up on his offer, lass, an’ we’ll take ye there after lunch, if ye so wish.”

"There be plenty a' Skilly'n'Duff t' go round," the shrew chieftain agreed. "Don't fret none, Miss." He whistled sharply at the Guosim cook. "Oi! Fix up a bowl fer our guest, eh?" The cook nodded cheerfully and obeyed, bringing the delicious-smelling vittles up to the mousemaid.

"Hope ye like shrew cookin'," the chef said in a nasally voice. She offered the mouse a wooden spoon along with the bowl. Nik stepped up to the mouse once the cook had returned to the campfire.

"Log-a-log Nik Lagdo, at yore service," he greeted. He then gestured to the crowd of shrews behind him. "Those shrews be the Guosim, Guerilla Union Of Shrews In Mossflower. Yon otters be th' crew belongin' t' that ol' river dog yonder." He indicated the Skipper. Ban came up just then, grinning widely at the mousemaid.

"I'm Ban," he said brightly, elbowing Nik out of the way. "Dep'ty a' the Guosim. Wot's yore name?"

((So so so so so sorry for how late this reply is, guys!))

[Promatera]

((OOC: Obviously this post is very late in coming XD Sorry about that!))

“Skipper o’ Otters, miss.”

“Aye, me’n my crew are just come from Redwall.” He motioned around the rough noon camp. “Take Log-a-log up on his offer, lass, an’ we’ll take ye there after lunch, if ye so wish.”

"There be plenty a' Skilly'n'Duff t' go round," the shrew chieftain agreed. "Don't fret none, Miss." He whistled sharply at the Guosim cook. "Oi! Fix up a bowl fer our guest, eh?"

Dandelion was amazed by these two goodbeasts' hospitality. Her father had always mentioned how helpful goodbeasts were, but it was still so foreign to her. Growing up in the North was a harsh experience, but in Mossflower it seemed like a completely different world.

"Log-a-log Nik Lagdo, at yore service," he greeted. "Those shrews be the Guosim, Guerilla Union Of Shrews In Mossflower. Yon otters be th' crew belongin' t' that ol' river dog yonder."

Dandelion turned to find both of the crews happily eating and laughing together. Could creatures really live in such harmony? She had never seen so much good will.

"I'm Ban," he said brightly, elbowing Nik out of the way. "Dep'ty a' the Guosim. Wot's yore name?"

Dandelion turned to find a slightly smaller shrew (in relation to Nik) happily greeting her. It caught her by surprise and for a moment she just stared at him, unsure how to respond.

"D-Dandelion," she replied regaining her composure and shouldering her weapon, "Pleasure to meet you," she curtsied again.

She then turned to the skipper and log-a-log.

"Your kindness is wonderful," she answered with a weak smile. "I cannot thank you enough for helping me."