Planning a rebllion

[Rocky]

Rain fell. Great. Just what Jakk needed. He sat in his room on the bench, thinking of how to rebel, whe rain entered his train of thoughts. The stupid "patter" of the drops made it hard to concentrate.

He remembered that had an encounter with two slaves, both otters, one a male, the other a female, slightly older then the male, but probably around Jakk's age. Why was he acting like this? Why did he care about slaves so much? He just had some anger at slavery. But what was the reason? It may seem obvious to others, but days of staying up at night thinking about the true reason showed him that that was not the reason. "N'Tashi." He growled angrily. "One day... I swear I'll kill you. Then I'll rule."

The fox drew one of his two prized possessions: One of his curved blades. He held it up so it reflected the moonlight that passed through his window, the light reflecting off it and bouncing on one of the many slave tents.

He was re-playing and re-playing over and over in his head how he was going to kill N'Tashi, when a small bankvole slave walked up to him after knocking on his door, carrying with her, some stew. She stumbled over words, "H...Here you g-go... S-sir." She handed him the stew, and Jakk looked down to see leeks, carrots, thick broth, turnips, onions and some other edible foods. Jakk wasn't in the mood to eat, so he offered it to the little bankvole, "Here you go, miss. I'm not hungry," He said in the kindest voice he could manage. Were the days of being in here, looking down upon slavery making him soft? Well, if so, he'd have to change that when he fulfilled his oath and took over this place.

The bankvole looked up at him, and smiled a smile that made even Jakk smile. Well... Not a full smile... More of a smirk. "Th... Thank you... s-sir..!" She said, then grabbed the bowl and walked off, out of his room, then to her sleeping quarters, he imagined.

Jakk sat there on the bench still thinking of a reason as to why he hated slavery so much, and thinking of how he was going to kill his... "leader".

His room was decorated with weapons, dressers and cupboards, and a bed. All the things he needed, N'Tashi had said. What he really needed if he was going to kill N'Tashi would be a full suit of armor to get past the stoat's elite guards. "Il loot the armory later." He said to himself, grinning. The only armor he had now were his leather bracers, but they only protected his elbows to his wrists. He needed something light, but protective, so he could move fast, but still be protected greatly. He'd have to bring that up with the armery sergeant next time he passed. Then again... He could sneak in and steal N'Tashi's armor... He wouldn't need it. The stoat was way too fat to fit in it.

Jakk smirked, slid his blade into his sheathe, and crossed his arms behind his head, propped his feet on a chair, and leaned back. For now, he needed some rest. He cleared his thoughts, and allowed the, now soothing sound of rain enter his thoughts.

[Treble Tiderunner]

Lorna strapped her wrist guard on, tugging down her sleeve fastidiously so that it was even with the opposite sleeve. She checked the hidden sheaths of her daggers and strapped on the saber she’d gotten as a signal of her rank. She snorted, a rare unlady-like action. Like she needed a sign of rank. Nevertheless, she had learned quickly and was now proficient in its use.

Lorna stared out her window a moment, tapping her claws to the sound of the rain. She had spent many weeks preparing for this, and she now knew exactly who to approach. The weapons were a precaution, she was almost completely sure she wouldn’t need them, but Lorna had not survived as long as she had by being careless.

Giving the windowsill a last tap, she turned and left the room. Sauntering down the hallway, she paused at a door, placing her ear against it. No sounds indicating more than one occupant. Good. She straightened her fur one last time, and knocked on the door.

[Rocky]

"Ah. I got it!" Jakk said to himself, quietly. "I know how I'm gonna do it!" He laughed inwardly, grinning like a dibbun who just got candy. "Life can be good sometimes." He said, still holding that grin from before.

Then, a knock on the door. Who was it at this time bothering him? He groaned then stood up, brushed off his clothing, and strapped on his bracers just in case, and walked to the door, alowing some string of curses to escape his lips. "Why are you bothering me at this hou--" He stopped short as when he opened the door, he found himself looking into the face of no other than Lorna. One of the more prettier hordebeasts. "Well, well, well. Captain Lorna. What brings you here at this hour, oh pretty one." He said, grinning.

"I hope you come to do business with me, and not make me do work."

[Treble Tiderunner]

"Why are you bothering me at this hou--"

"Why not?" Lorna said, sliding past Jakk and into the room. She looked around, it had basically the same layout as her own room, although a lot more crowded. She had thrown out a good deal of her furniture, and kept things as tidy and shut away as if she was still on shipboard.

"Well, well, well. Captain Lorna. What brings you here at this hour, oh pretty one." He said, grinning. "I hope you come to do business with me, and not make me do work."

"That, Jakk Shadowclaw, depends on what you call work." Lorna seated herself on a dresser, half-curling her tail around her and waving the last third in a lazy manner. She regarded him through half-lidded eyes.

"Word in the horde is that you are not exactly happy with N'tashi." She said finally. Actually, word in the horde said nothing on the subject. More her own crew, who she had set to spying duties.

[Rocky]

"Why not?"

He had to admit, she had a point. N'Tashi's guards were done patrolling except for the ramparts, so they had nothing to worry about... Unless she was secretly working for N'Tashi? He sighed rather loudly, letting it known that she may be his higher in rank, but in his quarters, he was the boss, "Off the dresser, ma'am."

"You know..." He started up again, "We're of the same rank, you and I... I and you..." He said, his tail flicking in the moonlight, shadows dancing on the walls. "So, technically, you cant boss me around, but, in these quarters... I can boss you around." He merely shrugged, then added, "Just thought I'd letcha know." He winked at her, hoping that he would start annoying her. Another thing that jakk didn't have the true answer for.

"That, Jakk Shadowclaw, depends on what you call work."

"Really?" He mumbled to himself.

The fox sat on the bench he was previosuly occupying, and crossed his arms behind his head, leaned back, and grinned.

"Word in the horde is that you are not exactly happy with N'tashi."

Just when she said that, Jakk became serious, for the thought of her true alignment buzzed through his head. Was she with N'Tashi? OR was she on his side? Should he be serious and tell her his intentions?

"That may be true. Who wants to know?"

Guess not right now...

[Treble Tiderunner]

"Off the dresser, ma'am. You know..." He started up again, "We're of the same rank, you and I... I and you..." He said, his tail flicking in the moonlight, shadows dancing on the walls. "So, technically, you cant boss me around, but, in these quarters... I can boss you around."

Lorna arched an eyebrow, still perched on the dresser. She shifted, straightening a crease in her trouser leg.

"Just thought I'd letcha know."

“Well, let me let you know something, Jakk. You do not boss me around. Even if you were a captain for longer than myself, which I doubt, you will never be my equal.” She said, still smiling, but in a dangerous way now. She stared Jakk right in the eyes for a long moment.

“But that is the wrong tone to set what I came here to do.” Lorna released her stare and flicked her fingers, as if shooing a fly.

"That may be true. Who wants to know?"

“I do, silly boy.” Lorna said, landing lightly on her feet off of the dresser. She took two steps to stand in front of Jakk, tapping her claws lightly under his chin to prove her point.

[Rocky]

(Slight gmod. Ill change if you want)

“Well, let me let you know something, Jakk. You do not boss me around. Even if you were a captain for longer than myself, which I doubt, you will never be my equal.”

Jakk instinctively reached for his blade, allowing a growl to pass his lips, "You want to see who's higherthan the other right now?" He snapped. Not worth your life, Jakk. He heard his father's voice saying in his head. That was odd for him now. He rarely heard his father's voice, never since...

“I do, silly boy.”

He didn't get to finish, for her voice cut through his thoughts like a knife through warm butter. He closed his eyes as he felt her claws under his neck, and breathed deeply.

That name... It's familiar... He thought deeply. The love of his life called him that in the days when the village was there. He remembered the day:

She grabbed his wrist and pulled him to the open area and she said to pick the daisy. Of course, Jakk picked up the wrong flower, and asked, "This one?" She laughed then said, "No, silly boy."

It was as if she were right in front of him now. "No..." He whispered to himself. The illusion shattered, and he came back to the present.

He suddenly opened his eyes then gripped her wrist with his hand and squeezed none too gently, "Never call me that... again" Jakk released her wrist then looked her in the eye, "Never" He said again, assuring her that he wouldn't be as kind if she did it again.

He masaged his temples and motioned her to go on, "So? What? Do you want N'Tashi's head now?"

[Treble Tiderunner]

"No..." He whispered to himself. The illusion shattered, and he came back to the present.

He suddenly opened his eyes then gripped her wrist with his hand and squeezed none too gently, "Never call me that... again" Jakk released her wrist then looked her in the eye, "Never" He said again, assuring her that he wouldn't be as kind if she did it again.

Lorna narrowed her eyes as Jakk grabbed her wrist. The female fox pulled her paw from his grasp, peering into his eyes with a frown. “Something hurt you, did it?” She asked softly.

"So? What? Do you want N'Tashi's head now?"

Lorna hardened her expression once again, taking a seat on the bench facing Jakk. “I want my freedom. I want that disgusting excuse for a stoat dead.” Lorna very much wished she could just walk away, but she couldn’t do it with her crew. Cruel and harsh she may be, but she was loyal. “I especially want to be free. It was a mistake to come here.”

[Maxodis]

A solitary flame fluttered within the darkened room, small enough to give light, but not enough to drive it away. The dim glow from the almost ephemeral existence brought definition to the impenetrable blackness, giving the imagination a number of indefinable shapes with which to base pointless fears. Shadows stretched from crevasses in the old stone, across the folds of the small bed, along the cold floor. The only tangible thing in the semi-darkness was the longbow that hung suspended in the air by the iron pegs set in the wall. It was of a simple design, and held no embellishments, no carved runic symbols, no patterns. The lack of decoration, while categorizing the weapon as simple, also served to make a point that this weapon was not created for dress and show. It's creation was based on an equally simple concept.

Kill.

In this light, the weapon took upon a sinister cast. The resolute dedication to death that was represented by this weapon caused it to have some sort of fearful aura. Those who were less perceptive failed to recognize the grim vibe that emanated from the bow. Those same creatures learned the hard way.

Vsevolod couldn't help but smile with sick pride at his beloved weapon. It was deceptive and graceful, yet quick and deadly, much like himself. One of the lessons that he had learned when he was first beginning to learn to shoot a bow was to become one with your weapon. There was no bond greater between the ferret and his bow. They were one and the same.

He shifted slightly, recalling that this was the appointed hour of his meeting. He felt the paper of the bluntly-stated note between his his forefinger and thumb, considering once more what event might take place that night. Oh how easily others could be manipulated, how easy it was to show them what they wanted to see, to blind them to all else. He held the note to the small flame. The resulting burst of fire briefly illuminated the slight smirk on the ferret's features.

He dressed quickly, despite the low amount of light in the room. He was not paying much attention to the task, his mind was excited at the onset of the challenge ahead of him. Vsevolod did not hold any personal grudge against N'Tashi. It made little difference to the ferret who controlled what. No, his only drive was to gain military control. With that, his dream could be achieved. He was paused in his thinking by a physical anomaly. He realized that he was attempting to put one of his boots on the wrong footpaw. Quickly fixing the small issue, he let his mind go back to considering the circumstances that had brought him to this critical point.

Having served in the horde for more than 15 years, having been a Captain for 13, little went unnoticed by the ferret. He was of no greater rank than the other captains, but he had been in the position longer than most, and commanded much respect and power as a result. By rank, he was not entitled to any more than his fellow captains, but the information that Vsevolod often had a part in planning N'Tashi's strategical moves was not an unknown fact. Vsevolod had always been faithfully loyal to his lord, patiently waiting for the opportunity to gain what he sought.

An unexpected catalyst shifted his thinking slightly. These two new captains, the senior of which had not been with the horde for more than two years, were not exactly good at disguising their own dissension. With the renewed subdued hostility of the younger slaves and the agitation of two of the commanding officers, rumors of rebellion were abound. Had N'Tashi not secluded himself to his quarters, there was no doubt in Vsevolod's mind that the torture machines would be rebuilt, those captains would be the first victims. However, for some reason, the warlord had been troubled by something and remained ignorant of the events happening around him. This was the time to act. It was no great effort to affect the same sentiments of the two captains, though Vsevolod made a point of being a bit more cautious about it. His life could be in serious danger, but he only felt a wild exhilaration. A short while later he received an invitation to a private meeting in the later hours of the night. This couldn't be anything other than a plot for open rebellion. He lured the two captains to his bait with ease. The only large task ahead of him now was to convince them of his supposed sincerity to their purpose, to convince them that his assistance in this venture would be invaluable to their cause. He would have to tread carefully. To be placed in such a trusted position in such a short time spoke of their superior ability in whatever it was they specialized in.

With this thought, he found himself standing outside the Fox Jakk Shadowclaw's quarters. A brief appraisal of the noises coming from within could only mean that his conspirator was also within. A slow smile spread across the ferret's face, this would be simple. Dangerous though they may be, and unarmed as he was, there was little doubt in the ferret's mind that he might not leave the room alive. This thought only served to force his blood to pulse faster with thrill at the thought of his death. No, this would be far too easy. They were young, hardly grown. They would be as easily impressible as they would be irrational and unpredictable. This would be entertaining.

Taking a deep breath to slow his racing pulse, Vsevolod straightened his clothing and composed himself. The smile remained where it was, though he had altered it slightly. The causal, easy grin concealed completely the sinister glee that was slowly fading. He knocked softly on the door, once, twice, thrice.

The dance of death had begun.

[Rocky]

Jakk Shadowclaw stared at Lorna, rolling his eyes mentally. Like all vixen, he sighed. Except for his one love.

“Something hurt you, did it?”

"Yes." His answer came slowly and clearly, and he kept his eyes locked on Lorna. Why had he let her words hurt him? His love was a thing of the past, and his heart was empty. He cared for no beast, and by the time N'Tashi was done, he could murder any of his family without doubt. Even his love. The question of "why" stayed in his mind and burned in the back of his head. It was as if he had an itch he could not scratch.

I want my freedom. I want that disgusting excuse for a stoat dead.”

"Thats not nice. 'Disgusting' I mean." His expression changed to a smirk and he leaned back idly and kept his eyes on Lorna. Did he trust the fox? Not at all. Did he need her help? Possibly. But what good would she be if she proved to be a traitor to him? That was another question burning in the back of his head. "But we share the same goal."

especially want to be free. It was a mistake to come here.”

"It was a mistake to be here." Jakk said againm this time changing his stance so he was leaning forward, hands folded. "You're right on that one." He contined. "I dont want to lead anymore. I want to leave here. And soon. I want to go back to being a bandit. and especially, I want to be a mercenary again. Sure, being a captain here has its beneifts, but the food here sucks, and all the rules suck. But Im making it a priority to get the slaves freed." He would've continued, but the knocking protruded into his thoughts like an arrow out of nowhere.

He motioned Lorna to be quiet and to hide herself in case it were any guards, "There's a cupboard if you need to hide." He whispered sharply. He stood up slowly, and grabbed a knife from his cross-vest and walked slowly to the door. He hid the blade in his sleeve and walked closer to the door, and when he was there, he grabbed for the handle, and opened it slowly. "Great." He muttered silently to himself. "Vselvod." He'd heard about vselvod but never really met him. He'd heard that the ferret was a hardcore, no nonsense type.

"Captain Petrenko, right?" Jakk said slowly, "State your business." He figured it was part of planning a rebellion, for Jakk had many eyes and ears around here, and though not much was said, his aquaintances felt Petrenko shared the same goal as Jakk and Lorna.

[Treble Tiderunner]

"Thats not nice. 'Disgusting' I mean. But we share the same goal."

“If anybeast ever told you I would be nice, then they were sadly mistaken.” Lorna shot back, eyes sparking. She stood abruptly, pacing across to the window, where she stared out at the ending rain. Lorna tapped her claws on the sill, the picture of idleness.

"It was a mistake to be here." Jakk said again this time changing his stance so he was leaning forward, hands folded. "You're right on that one." He continued. "I don’t want to lead anymore. I want to leave here. And soon. I want to go back to being a bandit. and especially, I want to be a mercenary again. Sure, being a captain here has its benefits, but the food here sucks, and all the rules suck. But I’m making it a priority to get the slaves freed."

Lorna frowned, considering his last comment. Free the slaves. Lorna was pretty much neutral on the subject of keeping slaves, and she opened her mouth to tell him so, but a knock interrupted her and she snapped her mouth shut. She had been beginning to wonder if he would actually show up.

"There's a cupboard if you need to hide."

“I can see there’s a cupboard.” Lorna muttered and hauled herself gracefully up onto the wide windowsill.

"Captain Petrenko, right?" Jakk said slowly, "State your business."

Lorna remained silent, eyes appraising the ferret in front of her. Herrick had said the captain was around 32 or so, and she now judged his guess to be pretty much accurate. She also saw he was a cautious and calculating beast. Russetfur leaned back against the corner where glass met stone and half-lidded her eyes in a lazy manner.

[Maxodis]

"Captain Petrenko, right?" Jakk said slowly, "State your business."

The casual smile remained unaffected by the fox's cautious antagonism. That was to be expected, considering the circumstances that surrounded the occasion. He appraised the younger creature briefly, unsurprised at the practical garb Jakk wore. This was no naive fool, this was one who certainly understood the extraneous nature of florid items. Here was one who understood the practicality of simplicity. Momentarily recalling his contemplation of his longbow previous to this visit, Vsevolod began to wonder if he had underestimated the younger fox.

No matter, the time would come when his suspicions about this fox would be proven. His current task was to see to it that the appointed time came to pass.

Still smiling warmly, Vsevolod shook his head dismissively. "Please, let there be no formalities among comrades. You may call me Vsevolod, though this leaves me considering what I should call you." He chuckled softly for a moment as he considered how he would answer the question.

Affecting a serious face, Vsevolod looked directly into the eyes of the younger fox. "I have received letter of invitation from Captain Lorna. The letter requested that I arrive at this room at this hour." His features melted back into the casual friendliness that had pervaded earlier, serving to mock the grim severity of his former statement. "I believe it was an invitation to a drink among comrades. Surely you will oblige me?"

Vsevolod shifted his weight to his other footpaw, feigning polite agitation at not having been let in. He had no real desire to drink, but it would fit in his plans nicely.

((Short post is......short :<))

[Rocky]

Jakk nodded slowly at Vsevolod's words, taking in all the words and expressions of the older, and most likely more skilled ferret in front of him. Jakk had heard of Vselvod. HE was not one to be trifled with, and as he heard from a guard on one of the grounds, Vsevolvod's mood was, in the guards words, "legendary", and considering this ferret appearance, he didnt want to test it.

"Please, let there be no formalities among comrades. You may call me Vsevolod, though this leaves me considering what I should call you."

"No one said we were comrades." The words shot out before Jakk properly took the time to think of what he would say. He would've apologized, but Vsevolod probably took that as a sign of weakness. He looked at Vsevolod in the eye, and not showing emotion, added to his previous statement, "Well... Not yet." With his last words came a smirk, and he extended his paw-- another action not properly thought of.


"I have received letter of invitation from Captain Lorna. The letter requested that I arrive at this room at this hour."

"So the letter remained... un-tampered with. I suspect it was hand delivered?... Lorna?" His words weren't so much as a question as they were a statement, but even so, Jakk wasn't taking chances. He looked at Vsevolod with a slight shine in hsi eyes, not really knowing what it was, but considering this ferret's past and skills, it was probably respect.

"I believe it was an invitation to a drink among comrades. Surely you will oblige me?"

Jakk smirked again, laughing lightly for no apparent reason, "Possiby. Come in, make yourself at home, just dont sit on my dresser." He smiled weakly and walked back to his seat. "Close the door." He said to Vsevolod sharply, for he didnt want any other guards seeing this meeting and suspecting something. Jakk took his seat and sat in his former stance, leaning forward, hands folded, laughing, "Now... Let's discuss, eh?"

[Maxodis]

Vsevolod, perceptive creature as he prides himself in being, could not miss the slight alteration in Shadowclaw. What had previously appeared to be a cautionary guise in the fox now appeared to hold some sincerity in it. As he shook the fox's extended paw, Vsevolod found himself wondering once more if he had judged the younger creature correctly. It was likely that the fox's current behavior was yet a deeper guise with the intent of luring Vsevolod into a false sense of security. At the same time, it was just as likely that the younger fox, obviously not knowledgeable about formal behavior, judging by the way he reacted, sincerely trusted a near complete stranger in such a dangerous venture. Regardless, Vsevolod reasoned, extra caution would be required with this young enigma.

When prompted, Vsevolod strode slowly into the small room, taking his time to observe the various weapons in their placeholders and multiple articles of furniture. His drifting eyes fell upon Lorna in the windowsill. He made an eloquent bow at the waist, adding with a slight flourish of his paw.

"Captain Lorna, it is good to finally meet you in person."

(( Could add more, but it would be extraneous :x ))

[Treble Tiderunner]

"So the letter remained... un-tampered with. I suspect it was hand delivered?... Lorna?"

“Yes?” Lorna asked, raising a delicate eyebrow at Jakk. She processed what had just been said behind a mask of simpering indifference. “Oh yes, I do believe I had my first mate deliver a note…” She slipped off the windowsill, freeing herself for any antagonistic actions on the part of the ferret. Though he did not seem to be carrying weapons, that was always misleading and even weaponless she bet he was dangerous.

Ignoring the byplay between Jakk and Vselovod, she smiled a warm, welcoming smile that never reached her eyes beyond first-look deep, and curtsied neatly to him in response to his bow. Who needed a skirt to curtsy? Captain Lorna Russet certainly did not.

"Captain Lorna, it is good to finally meet you in person."

“Oh, the pleasure is all mine.” She purred in a tone that could have meant anything. She beckoned to the furniture. “Take your seats, gentlemen.” She perched neatly on the dresser she had previously occupied. “Now, Jakk, why don’t you continue?”