Arriving [Open]

[Treble Tiderunner]

Enon McKie, that famed warrior from the North, honorary Salamandastron hare, traveler of roads less traveled, squeezed through the crack in the willows and dropped lightly to the cave floor below. No torches burned here, so she paused a moment to gain her night-sight and then walked forward. She took the tunnel to the right out of familiarity, and soon arrived in the large dining hall.

It was bustling with activity, to be expected as it was just coming onto time for lunch.

[Tirael]

Coming into the dining hall right behind Enon were Brush and Tirael. The otter went off to the infirmary to restock his bag; a good deal of the contents had been used patching up Meko. Brush remained with Enon in the dining hall, as he knew that a war council was about to begin. This Enon seemed to be a useful creature when it came to war, so Brush said, "If you'd be so kind to join us, I believe it's time to discuss exactly what we're gonna do about N'tashi and the slaves."

He sat at his usual spot at the table, which was occupied only by the warriors of the camp. Those who wouldn't be fighting had agreed to eat elsewhere; the air in the room was that of business.

[Treble Tiderunner]

"If you'd be so kind to join us, I believe it's time to discuss exactly what we're gonna do about N'tashi and the slaves."

Enon nodded, taking a seat next to him at the table. She looked around, the hall was emptying of non-fighting beasts, and the fighting beasts were taking places at the long main table.

---

Skipper entered the room helping to carry a large pot of hotroot soup. It was placed in the center of the table, and Skipper took his place at the head of the table.

"Dig in mates, we need food afore we talk of business." The burly otter exclaimed, dishing himself up a bowl.

[Brooke]

Violet saw Skipp bring out the Hotroot Soup.

"Dig in mates, we need food afore we talk of business."

"Aww, Skipp, I hope you didn't over season it."

Violet looked at the big pot with distaste. Oh well, its food she thought.

She grabbed a small bowlful,

"Now, we need to talk..." she never got any further because the Hotroot had burned her mouth.

"Wata, I 'eed wata!" she exclaimed. Her eyes started running as she fanned her mouth.

---

Brooke sat down by Violet. As she helped herself to some soup, Violet jumped up and started fanning her mouth. Brooke rolled her eyes. Only Violet...

"Wata, I 'eed wata!" Ignoring Violet, she turned to Skipp

"Can I have a roll please?" She started eating and thinking of what little battle strategies she knew that had even a slight chance of working against the Fort.

[Maxodis]

Danol, being seated next to the spice-sensitive mouse, was the first to react. Deftly, he took the small bowl out of her paws and replaced it with his own mug of water, "There you go marm, I'll just take this off your paws.". Downing the sharply spiced soup, he grinned widely, smacking his lips in approval. By an otter's standards, the amount of seasoning in the soup was perfect, though he kept his silence out of respect for Violet.

Quietly, he observed those around him, seated in the cavernous chamber. Many, like him, were not particularly experienced in combat, but were able and willing to assist in the effort. Still, they had a determination and resolve to succeed that was infectious. Danol found himself filled with pride that he was a part of this effort. His wandering eyes suddenly met Brookesong's. Feeling his face flush unexpectedly, he quickly turned away.

[Rocky]

The two otters who could be none other than Rocky and Meko materialized into the dining room, Rocky mutering apologies, "Sorry about bein' late, mates... We had a... Nevermind..." He winked at Meko and sat down. Judging by their appearances, they could've come out of a warzone, but also seeing as how Rocky had a cut on his arm, and Meko had one above his left eye, they clearly came from a fight... "Vermin." Meko growled in hatred.

Rocky took a seat next to Danol, and Meko stood next to Rocky, preferring not to ever leave his friend's side, no matter where they were. Rocky patted Danol on the back, "Good job. I like seeing a creature who cares for others." He winked at the young otter, stood up and grabbed some soup. He noticed the head otter in the room, and couldn't help but let a smile pass his lips, "How's it been, Skip? Haven't seen ya in a while, mate. Everythin' fine?"

Meko followed Rocky up to the large table, but as Rocky struck up a conversation, Meko grabbed a large bowl of soup. The way he saw it, a large bowl was needed for a large otter. If Meko was ever asked about why he ate much, he'd simply shrug and respond with something about maintaining muscle. He'd always laugh after that for no reason. Probably just from his past.

Anyway, Meko grabbed his bowl of soup, and held it to his lips, breathing in the sent of his favored meal. He took alarge sip from it, making sure to take much shrimp with it. He chewed a bit and swallowed and let out a breath, and soon a cough. He squinted his eyes and breathed in deep. He coughed once more and pounded his chest lightly, "Went down the wrong way." He coughed out, chuckling lightly.

[Treble Tiderunner]

"Aww, Skipp, I hope you didn't over season it."

Skipper looked innocent. “O’ course I didn’t, Violet.” The otter chieftain was downing his soup quickly, it tasted perfect to him, so he didn’t understand why the mousemaid was hopping about yelping about water.

"Can I have a roll please?"

Skipper handed Brooke a roll, winking at Danol. “Don’t let it go to waste now, matey.” He ate another bowl while he waited for the rest of the creatures to finish eating. He noticed a black squirrel half-way down the table, she looked familiar, but the scar down her face, which he had seen when she turned her head to speak to Brush, threw him off. He decided she was a stranger and sat back, paws on a full belly, and waited for the hubbub to die down.

"How's it been, Skip? Haven't seen ya in a while, mate. Everythin' fine?"

“Eh, can’t complain.” Skipper shrugged.

“Now, down to the reason I’m here.” Enon stood, having finished her soup with no signs of needing water to cool her mouth. “Some of you may remember me. Just a little less scarred.” She motioned, as if tracing the gray-pink scar crossing her face.

“Let me tell you of a place, a place of warriors devoted to protecting others. Salamandastron.”

[Tirael]

“Let me tell you of a place, a place of warriors devoted to protecting others. Salamandastron.”

A murmur ran through the room; nobeast was sure what to think of this. Most hadn't heard of it. Brush had, however, and raised his eyebrows. He had been told of the great mountain fortress on the Western Shores, though he always questioned whether his sources were accurate. He had been intent on verifying the mountain's existence for himself, but his travels never swung him that far west. He would have ended up at Salamandastron had he not gotten caught up in the plight of those at Camp Moss.

Gesturing for the others to settle down by waving his paw a bit, he nodded toward Enon. "Go on, everybeast's listening." He looked around a bit pointedly as he said so. There was no time to waste by needless chatter, at least not to him.

[Brooke]

Violet took the water gratefully. Her head shot up as Rocky and Meko entered. A black squirrel stood up.

“Now, down to the reason I’m here. Some of you may remember me. Just a little less scarred.” She motioned. “Let me tell you of a place, a place of warriors devoted to protecting others. Salamandastron.”

Violet sat up attentively.

---

Brooke finished her soup just as an unfamiliar black squirrel stood up.

“Now, down to the reason I’m here. Some of you may remember me. Just a little less scarred.” She motioned. “Let me tell you of a place, a place of warriors devoted to protecting others. Salamandastron.”

Brooke made no move to show she was listening. She was always up for a tale, but she was trying to figure out what she thought about this squirrel...

[[Sorry, not my best]]

[Rocky]

Rocky nodded, "That's good, my friend. Glad everythin's goin'good for you." He gave Skip a pat on the back, then grabbed his soup and walked back over to Meko, shaking his head, "Vermin are up and about all over, and you're making it a habit to wipe 'em up. You can't keep doin' that, Meko." Meko shrugged carelessly and just slowly nodded, "I'll try." Rocky looked at his friend with pity gleaming in his eyes, for his friend's past was not one Rocky would want to go through. "Meko..." He said in a low tone so no one could hear, "A lesser beast would not have been able to make it through what you saw... But since you made it this far, don't throw your life away so carelessly."

His friend stared at the ground, and a tear fell from his eye. Rocky nodded slowly then patted his friend on the back, "It's alright my friend. We share our defeats just as we share our victories. And remember, I'm with you to th end."

“Let me tell you of a place, a place of warriors devoted to protecting others. Salamandastron.”

Rocky's head looked up slowly, and he stared at Enon. "Aye... The fire mountain, led by a badger, and inhabited by hares. Fightin' hares known as the Long Patrol." He nudged Meko lightly, a smirk crossing his face, "Me and Meko have been down there in the past. The Badger Lord's a generous one. You know of him?" His question was appointed to Enon, but anyone could answer if they so pleased.

OOC: Shortness... Sorry... In a hurry.

[Treble Tiderunner]

"Go on, everybeast's listening."

Enon nodded respectfully towards Brush, who was sitting next to her. She waited for the buzz to die down before she continued, giving a concise history of her involvement with the mountain. She finished with a final statement.

“I believe a group of woodlanders should visit Sali and ask Lord Melroch for ‘is ‘elp, wot!”

Brooke finished her soup just as an unfamiliar black squirrel stood up.

"Aye... The fire mountain, led by a badger, and inhabited by hares. Fightin' hares known as the Long Patrol." He nudged Meko lightly, a smirk crossing his face, "Me and Meko have been down there in the past. The Badger Lord's a generous one. You know of him?"

“I spent eight years as a member of the Long Patrol, otter.” Enon said, regarding him curiously. This berserker otter knew the badgerlord? “Ye sound as if ye knew the Badgerlord.”

[Rocky]

“I believe a group of woodlanders should visit Sali and ask Lord Melroch for ‘is ‘elp, wot!”

"Sali?" Rocky muttered, an odd look on his face. No one's ever called it that before. "She's makin' Salamandastron sound like a female name." He whispered to Meko. Meko nodded lightly, laughing a bit, "Aye, and she thinks she's a hare..." he said, then added "...wot." at that Rocky laughed a bit louder then he intended. Oh, well...

“I spent eight years as a member of the Long Patrol, otter.”

Otter. Meko looked up sharply, his eyes turning cold, his features going straight, except for the slight growl on his lips. Rocky put a hand on his friends shoulder, but that didn't calm Meko, for the large otter stood up, knocking an empty bowl on the ground, "Does that explain why you think you're a hare, rodent?" Rocky stood up and muttered something to his friend, but still, that didn't calm his friend, "Is that also why you think you're so tough? Sitting there silently with that look on your face?" Now Rocky muttered something again, and Meko calmed lightly, but still stared sharply at the squirrel. "I dont like that squirrel." Meko muttered to Rocky.

Rocky ignored him and just put a restraining paw on Meko's shoulder.

“Ye sound as if ye knew the Badgerlord.”

"Aye..." Rocky started, looking at Enon, "As a matter o' fact, we do. Lord Melroch winterpaw. Big badger. Black furred, save for his one paw. 'E has longer fur then a usual badger, and no stripe. He's fair and just, but gets the bloodwrath worse then others I've seen." Rocky ended his sentence, and thought deeply, but then added to what he said, "He carries a sword, and he's the brother of the previous lord there."

Rocky looked down again, then back up at the squirrel, "Was it a problem?"

[Tirael]

"Does that explain why you think you're a hare, rodent? Is that also why you think you're so tough? Sitting there silently with that look on your face?"

The meeting instantly dissolved into a crowd of warriors chattering angrily; at first it was just about Meko's outburst, but it soon spread to everybeast arguing about that, whether to believe Enon, whether Salamandastron was real, whether they would bother to help, and seemingly anything that could be debated. Brush's tail rose stiffly; this was ludicrous! Banging the butt of his javelin on the table, he yelled above the racket. Thonk thonk thonk! "Everyone, be QUIET! We're here to discuss a plan of action, not argue like children! The slaves are never going to be freed if you go on like this! SILENCE!!!"

The sound reverberated around the cavern, causing a pause in the room. Most of those in the room looked a little embarrassed; a few gave furtive glares at their opponents before settling back into a rather moody quietness. Brush looked around none too happily before turning to look at Meko. "The enemy is out there, not here. Stay quiet unless you have something relevant to say." He didn't dislike Meko, and he didn't want to be a jerk or anything, but he couldn't stand others disrupting something so important for something that seemed so trivial. Turning to Enon after a moment, he said in a calmer voice, "Go on, please." With any luck, the rest of the council would go on without any more...delays.

[Maxodis]

”Dont let it go to waste now, matey.”

Danol nodded graciously to the charismatic Skipper of Otters before serving himself a larger portion of the remarkable soup; one bowlful was simply not enough. An unexpected paw patter him on the back as he was downing the contents of his second bowl . ”Good job. I like seeing a creature who chares for others.” Caught up in the process of swallowing the heary soup as he was, Danol failed at any attempts to communicate his thanks to the elder otter. Instead, his throat decided to make a series of gurgling noises before begrudgingly allowing the rest of the spicy soup to complete its one-way trip to his stomach. “Thanks” He said, with an embarrassed smile.

Sipping at his a new glass of water, he returned to his observation of those around him. It struck him that an overwhelming majority of them were far beyond his years. Suddenly he felt very out-of-place. The meeting was for ones of more experiennce, who could adequately take that experience into account and use it to contribute to the meeting. He became sharply aware of his relative lack of experience, of what little help he could possibly be to the assembled creatures. Rather, it was likely that he would only get in the way. The only reason he was allowed to be a part of the meeting was because he was a willing volunteer, no more. Dismally, he sunk into his seat: he would satisfy himself with merely listening to the proceedings.

His resolve to shrink into obscurity faded as he listened to the black-furred squirrel speak of the mountain. While dubious at first, the squirrel spoke with such convicion and strength that Danol could not help but believe her. A fire mountain, Badger lords, a trained legion of fighters...it sounded like something from out of a legend, truly a wonderous concept. Danol found himself filled with awe.

”Sali?”


Though uttered quietly, the single word still managed to cause Danol to blink in surprise, bringing him back to reality. He realized that he was no longer attempting to shrink into non-existence, rather, he was eagerly leaning forward to hear the black squirrel's words better. Distracted, he swiveled an ear towards the source of the sound. Though he couldn't make out the words of the two otters seated next to him, the concurrent laughter verified the intent clearly enough. It was all Danol could do to not stare at the pair incredulously. What disrespect! Was this not a meeting at which a creature could speak without fear of ridicule? Who did these two think they were, anyway, to treat another guest in such a way?

Danol's agitation only rose as the larger of the two rose aggressively to his feet. His anger flared at their impudence. His black-furred companion made attempts to calm his friend, with little notable success. Danol had opened his mouth to give the larger of the two otters a piece of his mind before it was startled shut by the sharp rapping of Brush's javelin. "Everyone, be QUIET! We're here to discuss a plan of action, not argue like children! The slaves are never going to be freed if you go on like this! SILENCE!!!"

Danol sunk back into his seat, fur bristling in agitation. Brush clearly held a valid point, but his logic didn't make the young otter feel any better about the two seated next to him. Swallowing a majority of what he had intended to say, Danol simply settled for mumbling "Di'n't your mother teach you manners? Show a little respect, huh?"

[Rocky]

OOC: Im just gonna bring in Arel here, and post small with Rocky and Meko... Seems like Meko agitated some... heh. >.<

BIC:

Rocky's head turned at Danol's comment, and just muttered, "Now's not the time, young one. Hold your tongue till he calms down." The 'he' was obviously referring to Meko, and looking over, Meko seemed to not here Danol, or just chose to ignore him. It was probably didn't here, because if Meko heard Danol, there'd be more anger.

Then suddenly, Meko gave an agitated sigh and stood up and shockingly apologized, "Sorry... Er... Friend... I didn't mean wot I said." Meko gave a weak smile then walked towards the door.

Rocky gave his own sigh and nodded to Enon as if confirming that Meko meant it, though, Meko was often unpredictable and sometimes he said things he didn't mean. By now, Rocky was up and following his friend, and his friend was out in the raging snow by now, and Rocky hastened his walk, but just when he was at the doorway, a large beast, taller then Meko grasped him. Rocky noticed the garb straightaway, and the blade on his back could be none other then Anglachel, blade of Arel.

Arel embraced his friend and muttered something that no other could here, "Let 'im blow off some steam, mate. 'E'll be fine by hisself. He's a good warrior." Rocky just stared at Meko's retreating form outside and a feeling of agitation welled up inside. Rocky and Meko were always together. Inseperable. "Trust me." Arel added. Rocky stared at Meko's back before it was lost to view then gave a slow nod and walked back to his seat.

Arel however, stood where he was and looked around. He hasn't been here before, and his reason for coming here would be explained in due time.

The sea otter pulled his hood off his head revealing a kind face, and a long beaded beard. Arel held up his paws to show he meant no harm, and he felt that if some didn't know him, maybe they would know his blade, Anglachel. The black blade with white edges that gleam like stars. Either way, he didn't care really if anyone knew him, hated him, or loved him, he just wanted in on any conversation and just felt like dropping in and saying hi to a friend he hadn't seen in over two years.

Arel took a slow look around, oddly neglected the soup favored by otters, and took a seat in an isolatd area, but still in hearing distance of any conversation. "Well... What'd I miss?" He called out. It wasn't meant to be a question, more to brighten some damp spirits due to his other friend probably by the way he looked as he passed out of the cave like room(s).