Well this is a set back....

[lorki]

Soko stared wide eyed at all the creatures who had, by some strange stroke of luck or a miracle or.... a hallucination mouse, had gathered at Camp moss. So many of them seemed so important, the badger that had lead in the hares... Soko had never even laid eyes on one before coming to the camp and the size of the beasts still awed her. There was the new otter crew as well, as if the camp needed any more of those, she thought wryly. Their leader was intimidating, perhaps more so than the badger just by means of bulk and... tattoos. They had their purposes, where as she was the named champion or a place that as of yet was still 'Fort N'Tashi, perhaps soon to be 'Fort Lorna' and in no clear future would be 'Redwall.' Oh and that sword, the one she could wield like an amateur and maybe if she was lucky cut a few branches off a tree.

But Soko, the small out of place Sable, had never thought herself a fighter. She liked to think her job here was much less a violent one and more of a planning, talking... understanding one. She knew what she would have to do, if anything, to put this plan into motion. If course full now a full blown attack was less than possible, what with Tirael being held prisoner, but a meeting was still in order.

She slid down off of her low perch in the dead oak tree and landed softly on the ground. Her sharp eyes scanned the area for Skipper. She spotted him over the crowds and darted into action. She sped along past makeshift tents and tiny circles of conversation until she reached him, "Skipp," she said softly, still worried about his current emotional state, "I was thinking we might want to meet up, you and me, Lady Ryn and that... uh.. Other Skipper."

[Treble Tiderunner]

[[Hallucination mouse, lol.]]

Skipper tapped his fingers on his chin, staring out over the camp from his perch outside his tent. The clearing was rudimentary at best, but at least the foodstuffs and drinks sealed in airtight barrels had survived, ottercrews had worked hard in the water-logged Camp Moss to salvage what they could. He had to admit, despite the Skipper's hot-tempered tendencies, he and his crew worked just as hard as his own crew.

"Skipp," she said softly, still worried about his current emotional state, "I was thinking we might want to meet up, you and me, Lady Ryn and that... uh.. Other Skipper."

"Soko." He turned on his stool to face the sable. "Hi." He smiled welcomingly, while her swordfighting was coming along a little slowly, (what was to be expected, it took years sometimes to master a sword) He considered her idea, coming swiftly to a decision. "Yes. Lady Ryn, Skipper of Sea Otters..." He mused through names of those who might be wishful of being present. Or who might be useful. "Probably Lady Carwyn as well, and maybe Enon and Brush." His mind worked swiftly. "I assume you wish to plan a subtle attack on the Fort?" he asked in a manner that made it clear he was looking to her to take up the responsibilities and rights a Champion was privy to.

"Where do you want to hold your meeting, Champion?"

[Elicia]

The Lady Ryn was walking swiftly, pacing back and forth. Her shadow, Elicia, was sitting on the ground nervously, watching the spectacle intently. She had tried talking to her Lady, but Ryn had always brushed her off as if the hare was merely a fly. But Elicia wouldn't give up. "MARM! Wot in Dark Forest's name are ye doin'? We've got a bloody war t'fight, and yore pacin' and sulkin' like some....some... some recruit, marm, t'be honest! This isn't like ye!"

Ryn cast a shadowy glare over at Eli before returning to her pacing. "That is just it, my friend. There is a war to fight, and I don't want to fight it! I don't want to see all of those Patrollers and other goodbeasts strewn out on the battle field! Excuse me if I am trying to save your life, Elicia."

The hare sighed, and leaned back on her elbows. "I'm not tryin' t'be rude, marm, but even when I've fought in battles wit ye yore calm an'level headed! I don't understand it, marm! Wot are ye trying t'do, eh?"

Lady Ryn just glared at the hare. "Leave me alone and go boss the new recruits, why don't you? It'll be more productive."

Elicia sighed. "Wit all due respect, marm, I'm not about t'go and snap at some recruit b'cause ye want me t'leave ye alone when it's jolly well clear that that's the last thing that I need t'do right now!"

The badger lady paused for a moment, staring at Elicia. "Do you have to do that? Because we both know that I won't say no when you do."

Elicia simply shrugged, looking pleased with herself. "Yes marm! If I didn't, ye'd be dead of overwork and bloody stress seasons ago, wot!"

Ryn just rolled her eyes and went back to pacing.

[lorki]

"I assume you wish to plan a subtle attack on the Fort?"

That would be easier if it weren't for Tirael's predicament... but that's what the ferret who kept lurking about along the edge of the camp was suppose to be dealing with... She didn't like thinking about it, it worried her too much. But at least it forced them to wait and to plan, hopefully it would go over as smoothly as possible. "I suppose planning, yes... I just assume, there are so many different beasts here... we ought to all get on the same level."

She turned and glanced across the camp, spotting the Badger Lady along with that dedicated hare lieutenant of her's that never seemed to stray very far. She'd yet to do much but greet the two of them... "I'll go ask those two to join in, If you'd like to find some others we can meet... hmm... how about at that far tent, I think there is a table back behind it, out of the way, y'know?" She didn't wait for a response, rather she stepped away Skipper, anxious to get the meeting underway, "I'll see you there soon," She offered before bounding off through the camp again towards Ryn and Elicia.

She slowed as she neared them, the two seemed a bit rough with each other... although it was in a friendly manner... they were loud, as Soko had observed most Salamandastron beasts to be. She smiled, emerged from the gathers of others and into the Badger and hare's pacing space. "Excuse me," she said softly, holding up a paw, "I'm sure we've met, but I'm Sokana, the champion of... well of the camp for now I suppose, I was hoping you... well both of you wouldn't mind joining me and the Skipper for a meeting about how we ought to go about dealing with Fort N'tashi?" Softspoken words from a creature who ought to be a warrior... but Soko, thus far, certainly was not.

[Elicia]

Elicia sighed as Ryn returned to pacing. "Why won't ye stop that, marm? There're better things for ye t'be doin', ye know! There IS that blasted war comin', marm, and ye don't wanna be caught unprepared, now do ye?"

Lady Ryn gave up. "Be quiet, won't you? I'm trying to think here! Yes, I know there's that war coming-I was the one that mentioned it in the first place! Yes, I know this is 'only wearin' a bloody 'ole in th'ground, wot!', but I don't care! Would you rather have no leader, or one that paces?" The small badger shot Eli a questioning glare.

Eli took her weight off of her right arm so as to shrug in response to her Lady's question. "T'be honest, marm, I'd rather have neither one of the blighters! I'd rather have ye-a calm Badger Lady that knows what she's doin', wot!" The hare wasn't going to give her point up without a fight, and Ryn knew it. There was no way that Eli could lose-she knew that Ryn had a soft spot for her. Ryn knew it all too well-and regretted it.

"I don't think that's an option this time around, Eli. This is fight to rescue the future of every single beast here, including you and me! If we fail now, then we shall never win!"

"I don't think ye get the flamin' point, marm! If ye are yore normal self, then we've got a bloody good chance of winnin' this here battle. But if ye aren't, we don't. Get it, eh?"

"Do stop."

"Never, marm!"

"Stop."

"Sorry, marm, but no!"

"Remind me why I promoted you, Eli."

"Something about 'Boundless potential, a fighting spirit, fiery passion, and a sword that makes the foe quail.', marm."

"Oh yes, that was it, now wasn't it?"

Eli rolled her eyes so that her superior couldn't see it. "Yes marm, those were the blasted reasons that ye promoted me, wot!"

Ryn looked slightly surprised and worried. "Why do you say that? I thought you liked being Lieutenant Colonel. You sound like you're tired of the position already."

The hare nearly fell over forwards-which is very hard to do-reassuring the Badger Lady. "No, marm! That's not it! That's not it at all, wot! It's just that I don't partic'larly enjoy bein' yore pers'nal psychologist all the time, marm!"

Ryn was about to send some particularly nasty comment back at Elicia when Soko came up. "Ah, yes, Sokana! I've seen you around! Pleased to finally meet you! Sorry, I should have introduced myself earlier more formally. For the record, I suppose, then? I'm Lady Farryn Silverclaw, Lady of Salamandastron. This is Elicia Pittney, my Lieutenant Colonel of the Long Patrol." Elicia hopped up and saluted sharply.

"Of course I'll be goin' wit m'Lady! I wouldn't go anywhere else, wot wot!"

Ryn looked skeptical. "Sokana, are you really sure that you want Elicia along with us? She's both noisy and stubborn..."

Elicia looked wounded. "Marm! Surely...."

The badger rolled her eyes. "Surely you're capable of getting a joke when one's told, Elicia. Come on, Sokana, we should get started right away." Lady Farryn hurried away, her silver claws glinting in the sunlight.

Elicia just stood there rather spell bound for a second before following at a more subdued pace. "Joke.....marm? That was a.....joke?"

[Arturo]

Dropping out of the trees at the edge of camp, Brush straightened up and began searching for the Skipper to make his report. Nodding his greeting to various other Camp denizens as he looked for the otter chieftain, the "Official Fort-Watcher" felt a bit of dread at making his report. However well Skipper seemed to be taking this latest family drama (aside from his brief loss of composure when he first heard), Brush hated being the bearer of bad news, even if it was just an indirect reminder.

"Skipper!" the squirrel called when he saw the aforementioned otter. Falling into step alongside him, Brush made his report as usual. "Looks like the guard complement's been beefed up a little over at the Fort, maybe two or three extra per wall. We're seeing less of Lorna Russetfur, too, I think she may be delegating a bit more." Pausing, he finished, "Nothing other than that. You...need anything?" It seemed like something was up, and with the overall tenseness after the flooding, Brush was anxious to do something. Anything.

[Treble Tiderunner]

"I'll go ask those two to join in, If you'd like to find some others we can meet... hmm... how about at that far tent, I think there is a table back behind it, out of the way, y'know?" … "I'll see you there soon,"

Skipper nodded, standing with a leisurely stretch for his stiff muscles. “I’ll meet you there. See if you can find Skipper as well.” He paced off through the crowd, dodging children and adults still keeping up the daily run of things.

"Skipper!" the squirrel called when he saw the aforementioned otter. Falling into step alongside him, Brush made his report as usual. "Looks like the guard complement's been beefed up a little over at the Fort, maybe two or three extra per wall. We're seeing less of Lorna Russetfur, too, I think she may be delegating a bit more." Pausing, he finished, "Nothing other than that. You...need anything?"

Skipper nodded hello to Brush, but stayed quiet, letting the squirrel report. Delegating more… He sighed, rubbing his neck. “Yes, we’re having a meeting. Can you find Enon, I’m on my way to find Lady Carwyn.”

[lorki]

Soko chuckled at the Badger and Hare duo. It was nice to get a bit of a break from the solemnness that had swallowed up what seemed to be every beast in the camp, herself included. "We will be meeting over there," she gestured to the tent and table, perhaps they would need to find more seats, what with so many creatures coming together. At the corner of her vision the gray ferret continued her pacing at the edge of the camp. She shot a quick smile to the two of them, "I'll see you there soon,"

She turned and began to walk stiffly towards Sleet. She'd heard why the creature was there, she'd sulked along the edge of the camp since Tirael had been taken and occasionally disappeared into the woods but so far, had always returned. Soko watched the ferret, she still walked with a limp and kept fidgeting with her massive amounts of blades. What an unfriendly looking beast.

But, friendly or not, Soko knew why Sleet was there- not waiting for Tirael so much as she was waiting for her brother and the two of them had been just as helpful as any other beast... in a sense. "Excuse me," she muttered softly as she approached.

Sleets head shot up, ears pointed forwards with a surprised and displeased look on her face. "Oh," the anger faded off her face, "I thought you were another healer..." How many had sleet had to chase away that day alone? Oh, no matter. "...Uh, hello."

Soko uneasily held out a paw, "I don't think we've met correctly, I'm Sokana. Um... we are having a meeting about what to do about the fort.... perhaps, because of your brother, you would like to join?"

Skeptically Sleet took the extended paw and shook it slowly, "Sleetfang," she said curtly, her eyes glancing the Sable over quickly before going past her to the area where a small group seemed to be gathering. Her eyes flicked over the Badger Lady and Elicia. "Um... Thank you, eh, well.. will i be able to trust your judgment call?"

Soko stopped then, glanced backward with an uncertain expression, "Listen, if something goes wrong no one can tell your brother from anyone else in that place. You should really come over."

Sleet, understanding the inclination, nodded miserably. "Alright then," she agreed, mentally reminding herself that of course you would never trust a hare and a badger with any beasts life.

[Skipper of Sea Otters]

The Skipper of Sea Otters and his crew sat idle a quarter of a mile away from the rest of the group. So far it had felt that their services were welcomed. Why wouldn't they be? They were only drowning in a death trap. Things had gone bad from the second they stepped in this forest. The Skipper didn't mind the land, but he was so used to the sea that nothing could make him happier than to be back there...Snug in his own cabin...The sea spray against his fur...Running a Rat through the throat with his cutlass's...The spray of blood on his fur...

He prodded the fire staring at it remembering his encounter with the Spirit of Martin the warrior. ...to die for the innocent... he hoped it wouldn't come to that...but then again he wasn't scared of death after all he and his crew had been through. He looked about at the rest of his crew. They were spread out over a considerable distance amongst the camp they had made for themselves. The were mainly sharpening their weapons ready for what would happen next, making sure they had everything they needed in case they had to move. This was a well prepared crew of otters, no doubt.


The Otter's tattoo's caught the light of the fire defining each and every curve and edge. They were with him to his death. And he wouldn't have it any other way. It reminded him who he was and why he did what he did. It struck fear into those who would fight him or even think about it. The simple design of them was odd enough to wonder what they meant.

Blade, The Skipper's First mate, walked up to him. "Skip, Tha' crew is wonderin' what our next plan is. Whatever it is they are by your side...as am I...I know its not the best situation we could be in...but we follow you..." The shorter otter reminded. "I, know..." The Skipper said, pulling his gaze from the fire. "We wait fer orders..."
The Skipper was hardly one to say that. He didn't like to take orders or wait around on anybeast. It wasn't him. But this was a different circumstance...

[Elicia]

Eli blinked as Ryn hurried away, focused on the job at hand. Wot a funny creature, eh, me gel? For a minute she's stressin' out about this bloody war, an' then the gel's off t'go fight it! I don't pretend t'understand badgers, but this is beyond what I thought I knew, wot! I've known th'Lady for so long.....I though I knew everythin' about her there was t'know. But.....I s'ppose that sometimes yore friends can surprise you, eh? She smiled ruefully at the thought. "I'll be there, marm. Ye can bet on it-but if'n ye don't mind I'd like t'just watch ye for now. I'm only a Lieutenant Colonel, marm, and yore a Badger Lady." Eli shrugged. "So it makes sense that I shouldn' have th'same sway as ye, wot!"

Ryn spun on one heel, walking backwards. "Really, Elicia? That surprises me."

Eli looked startled. "Err, marm, I'm 'fraid I don't see how, wot!"

The badger shrugged as she turned back to face the area that Soko had indicated. "You just always seem to have so much to say, you know...I thought for sure you'd be jumping at a chance like this."

"Not partic'larly, marm. Well, I mean, I would like t'join in, but it doesn't quite seem right fer me t'talk with such impor-Marm, are ye even listenin' t'me?"

Ryn gave Eli a quick backwards glance. "Honestly? No. I wasn't listening to a word you said. Now get over here and get ready for the discussion."

The hare sighed inaudibly, and followed her Lady at a slow trot to catch up. "Where're the rest of them, marm? I thought there'd be at least somebeast here, wot wot!"

[Tirael]

“Yes, we’re having a meeting. Can you find Enon, I’m on my way to find Lady Carwyn.”

Brush nodded and, after a brief glance around the camp, went off to find Enon. Hmm...she wouldn't be out patrolling right now, I know Dannik's covering her route... After a minute or two of searching, he realized he didn't actually have any idea where she might be, though a couple of mice pointed him toward the northern end of the camp. How like her, to be so out of the way.

Sure enough, there she was. "Enon!" Brush called, holding up a paw briefly so she'd know who was calling to her. "You busy? We're doin' some planning again, we could use your help." Gesturing in the direction of the meeting, he started off, making sure Enon was already following as he did so.

[[Huh...writer's block]]

[Treble Tiderunner]

"Enon!" Brush called, holding up a paw briefly so she'd know who was calling to her. "You busy? We're doin' some planning again, we could use your help."

“Hey Brush.” Enon greeted, standing up rather stiffly, she found herself feeling awkward around the ivory squirrel once again; the easiness of their friendship eclipsed by her weakness. When Brush went on to explain they needed to find the SoSO, she nodded, turning to point towards where she knew their camp was. They walked together, but Enon was the one to break away first as they neared the Skipper.

“Skipper, sah.” She greeted him in her northern brogue. “Skipper ‘as sent us to h’invite ye ta a meetin’ o’ th’ leahders. It is a strahtegy meetin’ concernin’ th’ bloody fort and wot we will be doin’.”

[Skipper of Sea Otters]

“Skipper, sah.” She greeted him in her northern brogue.

Immediately, everybeast in the area turned their head towards the voice (minus the Skipper's). Those that did drew their weapons and faced the voices as they approached. The Skipper turned his head seeing Enon and waved the crew off. "It's fine..." he said rubbing the stress from his face. He was quite a bit stressed with things at the moment. Decisions. late night visions he didn't have until he was visited by the Spirit mouse. Voices in his head. And worst of all not being home...at sea... Technically he should have been living in the forest, being a River otter and all but the sea had salted his heart...for good...He wouldn't be able to stay here...

“Skipper ‘as sent us to h’invite ye ta a meetin’ o’ th’ leahders. It is a strahtegy meetin’ concernin’ th’ bloody fort and wot we will be doin’.”

A meeting...he was to be included? The Idea was nice enough...but he would rather storm in and take the place by force...if there was a place to be stormed into. The Skipper nodded. "Fine...but I'm bringing two beast with me..." he said, not really knowing if they would object or not. He wouldn't go without them. Blade and Undertaker were always included in any planning he went about and were hardly left out of the loop....Blade at least...

Blade walked up beside the Skipper. He was slightly shorter than the Skipper was and was leaner as well. The Skipper himself was pretty well built and was a little taller than the average otter. His shoulders and neck were covered in strange and quite evil looking tattoo's. He was quiet fierce in appearance and with the Twin cutlass's, it was an added bonus. Undertaker on the other hand was at least 5 inches taller than the Skipper was and was much more heavily built. He wore a black tunic and carried a massive meat cleaver behind his waist under his cloak. His eyes had a milky white look about them and almost appeared to glow in the darkness. But it was an illusion. His bloodline was known to have that feature. Any light would reflect off the inner part of his eyes. Undertaker had no emotion on his face at all was he approached. He never did in fact...ever...If anything it was a calm yet stern look. He was quiet menacing to simply be around. He didn;t have to do anything for a beast to fill uncomfortable.

It was obvious these were not your average band of otters...Each of them had a dark or sad past. There was more behind then than one would think just looking at them. "These two...they come with me..." The Skipper said crossing his arms.

[Tirael]

"These two...they come with me..."

Brush just shrugged and said, "Alright, nobody's objecting." This whole air of not-quite-hostility had to stop. He understood that some beasts were cautious by nature; it was a necessity for some, and it could easily save their life. But this Skipper didn't even seem to trust his own allies, and it was starting to grate on the squirrel. After all, he hadn't done anything to warrant distrust, and these otters were pulling weapons on him.

At least they weren't using them.

As the group headed toward the temporary encampment, Brush decided to end the problem. "So...your crew does know we're not enemies, right? It'll be difficult to work together if they're grabbing their weapons whenever we're nearby." He gave the otter a pointed glance and then looked away, continuing to walk toward Camp.

[lorki]

Soko didn't try to strike up a conversation with the ill tempered ferret that followed her, she knew when it was better to leave things be. Although she could have sword she heard the ferret hiss audibly as they neared the meeting point and the few beasts gathered there, including the Badger Lady.

Sleet was indeed uncomfortable, she spent a great amount of time tormenting the mountain fortress. Naturally the very sight of the pair lit an angry fire in her chest and she had to consciously control her jerk reaction to retrieve a knife. If they were anywhere else right now...

Sensing the sudden uplift in animosity that seemed to seep into the air from the brooding ferret, Soko thought that perhaps this plan had been a bit of a mistake. Turning quickly, with hopes to diffuse Sleet -who now looked as if she was trying her hardest to conceal a snarl- Soko offered a large grin, "so... ah... what did you say your brothers name was? Oh, and lets sit... over there." She pointed to the farthest available spot from the Badger Lady and her Hare friend.

Sleet tore her dark glare away from the pair and followed Soko's direction, shortly answering "Kutenai," as she sat and looked purposefully away from the Salamandastron Beasts.