Collision ((Vaygen, Tobias & Jaroah))

[Django]

Nik strolled through the camp, tossing an obsidian black stone idly in one paw. He walked as though he was absorbed in his own thoughts, when in reality, he was completely focused on the bustling Guosim camp. His Guosim camp. It felt strange to think of it that way, now. Pawsteps alerted him of another shrew behind him, and he turned to find his best friend Ban.

"'Ey, Nik, wot d'ye need me t' do for ye?" Ban jogged alongside his new chieftain, trying to keep pace with the older shrew's quick strides. The deputy was excited, for Nik had finally accepted his position as Logalog just two weeks ago. The Guosim camp was in celebration mode, and Nik couldn't walk past any shrew without receiving condolences for the death of his father, and congratulations for his rise to leadership.

Nik gave his younger friend a shove, sending him sprawling. "S'Logalog Nik, now, Deputy Ban," he reminded his second in command with a smug smile. "An' I need ye t' take a patrol 'round th' river up west. Been 'earin' things 'bout up that way."

Ban scrambled back to his feet, saluting smartly. "Aye, aye, Logalog Nik!" he replied with a wink, spinning around to gather a patrol force. But he stopped, whirling around on his heel again with an embarrassed smile. "Oh, an', since I didn't tell ye win it 'appened, happy birthday, chief!" 

"Little late on th' draw there, young'un," Nik called as Ban dashed off laughing. Nik's birthday had been two weeks ago. He was twenty-one now, and Ban was eighteen. They enjoyed poking fun at each other's age. Chuckling to himself, the young chief checked up on the camp. 

Many of the wounded were still recovering from the battle that had taken place a month prior. And others, mainly wives and children, were mourning for lost warriors. Nik grieved for the fallen as if they were his own family, as he treated every Guosim shrew.

Walking up to a fallen log, he placed a paw on the shoulder of the forlorn shrewmaid who sat there, clutching a bright red headband to her chest. She had once been the wife of Tyro, a brave shrew warrior who'd died defending his tribe. She looked up at Nik's gentle touch and sniffled. She'd obviously been crying a lot lately.

The Logalog had no words to give her, but she seemed to understand that he shared her sadness. Tyro had been a good friend of Nik's. With a final sad nod, the chief left her to her mourning and moved on. 

He was glad the camp was finally clean of the leavings of battle. This was a good spot, right next to the river, a large clearing for campfires and such. He didn't want to move the Guosim just yet, unless given good reason to. Right now he wanted to focus on his new responsibilities. 

"Logalog," a young warrior hurried up to him, saluting in a rush. Nik nodded to the younger shrew, recognizing him as one of the new recruits. Nik was pretty sure his name was Kris, or something similar. "Dor's coverin' fore me now, but I got no beast to take the nex' shift for sentry. Y'know 'oo could take it?"

Nik thought for a second, glancing around camp. "Uh, dunno if'n we got a active fighter for ye, son," he replied. The many who had been wounded were still recovering, and they had lost an unsettling number of warriors in the battle. "Where yew posted agin?"

"On the west end a' camp, by th' river," Kris answered. Nik nodded again, still thinking. He might as well take the position himself, and if he was needed, he could have Kris cover for him.

"Tell ye what, lad," the chief said. "I'll take th' shift, but if'n some beast calls me back t' camp, yew come back fer a bit, eh? I know t'ain't fair t' be on sentry this offen, but we're short on fighters. Arright?" 

Kris nodded eagerly, clearly elated to be helping his new Logalog. "Aye, chief," he saluted again and scampered off. Nik chuckled lightly, recalling how he had been the same way at that age. If his father simply nodded in approval, Nik felt on top of the world. 

-----

Nik stood quietly on the riverbank, fully alert as he watched the surrounding forest. He felt sixteen again, on his first sentry duty, every muscle and nerve tensed for battle, even though that particular night had been one of the quietest he'd ever seen in his career.

Today was no different. Autumn was settling in, and with it came cooling breezes and red-tinted leaves in the river. The young chieftain strolled along the bank, sticking close to the edge of camp, but far enough away that he could do some quiet thinking.

Thinking was a new hobby for him. Well, new as in he'd only picked it up little more than a month ago. Before certain events, he rarely thought about anything more than his fighting techniques and the next patrol. But now his entire life had changed, and he thought about a lot of things. Mostly, his father's death.

He flicked an ear in the direction of a noise and pulled himself out of his thoughts. Thinking could wait. It was a time-consuming hobby, anyway. Unsheathing his rapier slowly with the glorious ring of metal on metal, the chieftain twirled the blade expertly, pacing along the riverbank again. He made some quick, idle swipes in the air before him, ready for anything.

[Promatera]

Bon Vaygan was strolling along a riverbank. Every so often he made excursions to the river. When he visited the river he was always reminded of the night he escaped from the horde. That served as one of the catalysts of his life as a rogue. The sense of freedom he felt was something he would never forget, which was why he returned to the river every so often, just to try and recapture some of the euphoria.

As he walked along the riverbank he kicked a small rock into the water flowing alongside him. With a plop it disappeared from sight. Just then Bon Vaygan heard something that sounded like metal. Alarmed Bon Vaygan stopped to listen for any other sounds. It sounded as though somebeast was coming towards him. Bon Vaygan was about to jump into some nearby bushes when he noticed there was a familiar shrew headed in his direction.

"Nik?"

[T-Bone]

There were three cards. Tobias watched them intently as they shuffled themselves on the table. They stopped moving, and he picked one up. Not that one. He picked up another. Not that one. He picked up the third. Not that one! He placed them back onto the table, face up. All jacks, no lady. But the lady was there. She was somewhere. . .

Tobias took a step. On either side of him stood tall stone walls, overgrown with vines and foliage. Underfoot was flat, grassy earth; overhead were dark, thundering clouds. He held onto his hat, trying to think. Where was he?

Something caught his eye.

There, standing at the end of the corridor, was a lady. Dressed in red. She laughed and began to walk toward him. Tobias tilted his head. But she halted abruptly and ran the other way, dodging into another corridor.

Tobias ran after her. He took a sharp left when he came to the place she had stood, but it lead to a corridor nearly identical to the first. He glanced around, looking for the lady, but she was nowhere to be found. So, he tried a corridor. And then another. And another. He eventually found himself standing right where he had started, and it struck him that he was in a maze. But wherever he turned, the lady was nowhere to be found. Where could she be?

. . . He stopped, looked up at the stone walls. He had an idea.

Slowly, but surely, he scaled the wall, using whatever imperfections in its surface that he could find. Finally, he clambered up and onto the top of the wall. He rose to his footpaws and looked. There she was, standing right in front of him. She hadn't been in the maze at all. . .

~~~~~~~~~

Thunk.

"Oww. . ."

Jaroah rubbed his head indignantly. That tree really should have looked where it was going. What was a mouse like him to do? He couldn't even stare at the candle in his paw as he walked innocently through Mossflower, minding his own business, mind you! Oh, the injustice of it all.

Taking care to step over the next fallen tree, Jaroah considered his game plan.

Three days earlier, he and Tobias had stumbled upon a tribe of shrews. The "Goosum," or something to that effect. Tobias suggested that, to help get their minds off of the Victiore incident, they lighten their mood with a little fun. A contest, to be exact. Which one of them could steal the most stuff in a day? Of course, they would have no use for anything they obtained, since they were already carrying double supplies, so they figured that, after they had had their fun, they would hold another contest to see who could return the most stuff without the owners noticing.

Two contests. One day. And Jaroah didn't even have a plan yet. He knew Tobias would have one already -- he always did. Jaroah had to think of something quickly. .

That's it! He would. . . No. . . Or maybe. . .

His brow furrowed. What could he do? He didn't know anything about shrews. If they were vermin, he could easily play a fiddle game, host a copper game, or implement the classic pigeon drop. But he was fairly certain shrews were goodbeasts. Perhaps it would be best to simply meet one and glean as much information as possible. Then, he could choose a strategy.

As if on cue, the sound of metal rang in the air, followed by a voice.

"Nik?"

Jaroah glanced around a tree to find a shrew standing on the bank of the river, rapier drawn. Craning his head, Jaroah managed to follow the shrew's eyes to a weasel standing not too far away. Well, this was convenient. Maybe he could learn all he needed to from this little encounter. Crouching low to keep as hidden as a mouse his size could, Jaroah watched the two.

((Thank goodness I already had most of this written before the wreck yesterday. I'm still not up to writing...))

[Django]

Nik twirled his rapier a final time as the weasel cautiously walked up to him. He smile disarmingly and slid his blade back into its sheath. It had been a month since he'd last seen this weasel. It was nice to see a familiar face.

"Nik?"

The shrew nodded, holding out a friendly paw to shake. "Aye, Vaygen," he replied. "'Tis good t' see yew. Bin doin' well, eh? 'Ow's 'at store a' food 'oldin' up?" He was just glad it was Bon Vaygen, and not a more unsavory intruder. Any other vermin, and Nik might have their head already. He was full of nervous energy, perhaps too much. This Logalog thing was definitely going to take a lot of getting used to. "Oh, uh, Tyro's wife asked me t' thank ye for . . . what ye did."

Though he was more than happy to see an old acquaintance, the chieftain's focus was still halfway on his surroundings. He was on sentry duty, no matter what visitors came by. Shaking the weasel's paw heartily, he rested his own paws on the hilt of his rapier, taking a casual stance, even though his every muscle was tensed for action.

One ear flicked towards the woods at the sound of a light thump, but the Logalog ignored it for the moment. His grip involuntarily tightened on his blade hilt, but he made no further movements. He knew it wasn't the patrol, they had only left an hour ago. He shouldn't expect them back until later tonight at the earliest. Two days or more at the latest. Though after one day, he'd probably go looking for them himself.

[Promatera]

"Aye, Vaygen," he replied. "'Tis good t' see yew. Bin doin' well, eh? 'Ow's 'at store a' food 'oldin' up?"

"Great to see you again," he smiled shaking paws with the shrew, "my food store has held up so far."

"Oh, uh, Tyro's wife asked me t' thank ye for . . . what ye did."

"I appreciate that," he replied.

Bon Vaygan's ears perked at an odd sound from the woods.

"Mossflower can be awfully...eerie," he responded keeping his face towards the shrew. He had a feeling they were being watched and did not want to let on to the otherbeasts that they were aware of that.

[T-Bone]

The shrew nodded, holding out a friendly paw to shake. "Aye, Vaygen," he replied. "'Tis good t' see yew. Bin doin' well, eh? 'Ow's 'at store a' food 'oldin' up?"

"Great to see you again," he smiled shaking paws with the shrew, "my food store has held up so far."

Jaroah tilted his head. So. . . The shrew and the weasel were friends? Maybe shrews were ver--Red. Red nose. Very red nose. . .

"Oh, uh, Tyro's wife asked me t' thank ye for . . . what ye did."

Focus, Jaroah, focus.

"I appreciate that," he replied.

. . . Did he get to play any of the other reindeer games?

"Mossflower can be awfully...eerie," he responded keeping his face towards the shrew.

Jaroah shook his head. That was a dramatic pause. It meant the weasel knew something was off. Whether or not Rudolph knew where Jaroah was hiding, however, the mouse did not know.

Right, so, shrews were vermin. Elsewise, they wouldn't get along with a weasel. So, the best course of action would be. . . Hmm. . . What had Tobias said? Something about the word "con artist"-- that's right! He had said something like, "The word 'con' means 'confidence,' because you play off a beast's confidence in himself. You let the mark fool himself." And vermin were perfect, because they had qualities such as greed and hatefulness -- more so than goodbeasts. But what con to play? Oh! Right, the three main greed cons were the Fiddle Game, Follow the Lady, and, um. . . the Pigeon Drop!

Jaroah frowned. The Fiddle Game needed two thieves to work, and Jaroah didn't know how to play Follow the Lady. That was Tobias' thing. Well, there was always the Pigeon Drop. Maybe he could get the shrew to run away from his own. . . er. . . What was he stealing again?

((Not much, I know, but I'm short on time. Uh, just keep having a conversation between those two. Jaroah wouldn't reveal himself this early anyway. You can do whatever you want. I might be able to add more to this later today if you guys don't post first. In that case, I can give you more to do.))

[Django]

"Mossflower can be awfully...eerie," he responded keeping his face towards the shrew.

Nik laughed, punching the weasel lightly on the shoulder, trying to keep the mood light. "S'matter, Vaygen?" he taunted good-humoredly. "Even vermin git scared a' th' woods? Didn't think yew was that yellow." He waved a paw, giving the weasel a smirk as he beckoned for them to walk along the river banks. Yes, the chieftain was aware of the other presence, but it may or may not be a threat. He couldn't jump to conclusions just yet. But all these nerves were screaming for him to search out the bloodthirsty, murderous band of evil vermin his mind had concocted from the sound of the rustling.

"Naw, I'm jus' jestin'," he said amiably. "Mossflower ain't the quietest, eh?" He walked with his paws closed behind his back, watching the pebbly banks ahead of them, his every nerve ending on edge. Was it really this easy to set him off? "What brings ye down t' th' river, mate?" he asked. He hoped conversation would calm him enough to act sensibly if an emergency did present itself.

-----

((T, if you want to add more to your post, go ahead. I can add more, also. Like if you want me to bring in Ban and the patrol, just let me know.))

[Promatera]

"S'matter, Vaygen?" he taunted good-humoredly. "Even vermin git scared a' th' woods? Didn't think yew was that yellow."

Bon Vaygan laughed along with the shrew. However, for some inexplicable reason he suddenly had a violent urge to insult somebeast. He wondered why that would pop up now with Nik, it only ever happened if somebeast kept staring at his nose. Dismissing the impulse Bon Vaygan returned his attention to the shrew and began to walk alongside him.

"Naw, I'm jus' jestin'," he said amiably. "Mossflower ain't the quietest, eh?"

"Very true," he responded, "It's as though there's always the unknown watching you."

"What brings ye down t' th' river, mate?"

"I usually make a trip to the river every once in a while, it reminds me of the day I left the horde," he replied. "But enough about me, what about you? What brings you to the river, Nik?"

[T-Bone]

Nik laughed, punching the weasel lightly on the shoulder, trying to keep the mood light. "S'matter, Vaygen?" he taunted good-humoredly. "Even vermin git scared a' th' woods? Didn't think yew was that yellow." The weasel laughed too.

"Naw, I'm jus' jestin'," he said amiably. "Mossflower ain't the quietest, eh?"

"Very true," he responded, "It's as though there's always the unknown watching you."

Jaroah rolled his eyes. Either the weasel was just trying to announce his awareness of Jaroah's presence without alerting the shrew, or he was just a really bad actor. Jaroah decided he would go with the second one.

"What brings ye down t' th' river, mate?"

"I usually make a trip to the river every once in a while, it reminds me of the day I left the horde," he replied. "But enough about me, what about you? What brings you to the river, Nik?"

Okay, now would be a good time to get himself into position. He disappeared further into the woods, intending to swing around and meet the other two from the north. The question was "Which alias should he take?" Of course, that all depended on the type of con he wanted to pull. And that depended on whom he wanted to steal from. And that depended on what he wanted to steal.


~~~~~~~~~


The rapier. It was perfect. He should steal the rapier. . .

Tobias chuckled. It would be too easy. Follow the Lady was a classic con. He wished Jaroah were working with him on it, but no. He was on his own this time, and he would just have to make it work. Why did cons always require two thieves? Couldn't there be some ingenious plot for a single conman? Then again. . .

Tobias smirked.

. . . That was his job.

The thief touched the brim of his hat thoughtfully, and into the current he swam.

His shoes took turns propelling each other forward. The shrews were grouped together by the river, talking amongst themselves. Tobias began to emerge from Mossflower, approaching his marks. But then something happened. They turned around. Tobias slowed a bit. Somebeast had just called for their attention, apparently.

---

((Glarg (It's made-up-syllables day.) Sorry for the wait and the quality of all that. I've been distracted by Broden's profile. And life. Mostly life.))

[Django]

"I usually make a trip to the river every once in a while, it reminds me of the day I left the horde," he replied. "But enough about me, what about you? What brings you to the river, Nik?"

The young chieftain drummed his claw tips on the hilt of his rapier. "Not all th' warriors bin healed up yet," he answered. Healed from what, he didn't think he had to say. Bon Vaygen had been there. He knew. "We're short on sentries, an' Ban's leadin' a patrol out west t'day, so we're even shorter on active fighters." He paused. "I tol' yew Ban were my deputy now, right?"

-----

Speak of the devil, Ban himself was stuffing provisions into a bag, helped by one of the warriors he'd picked out to join the patrol. She was a slightly older warrior than he was, though only be a year, whose name was Day. Yes, she did indeed have a twin sister named Night, thanks for asking.

"Day, yew ask Kale iff'n 'e got th' res' a' th' supplies, will ye?" the deputy requested, dropped a load of arrows into his quiver. The female warrior nodded wordlessly and sped off. Ban tied a short length of cord to his belt, and on the end of this he attached a compass. You never knew . . .

Strapping his quiver onto one shoulder, he gathered up his longbow and the bag of provisions and made his way over to the group of shrews waiting down at the riverbank near a logboat. "Oi!" he called, getting their attention. They looked up, none of them noticing the mouse just emerging from the underbrush behind them. Ban flicked his ear at the newcomer, but ignored him for the moment.

"Make shore ye got food an' weapons now," he barked. "If ye don't, ye'll jus' 'af'ta leave it be'ind. Anchors outta yore britches, now!" He dropped his bag of provisions in with the rest of the supplies as Day hurried up to him and reported that everything they needed had been gathered. Ban nodded to her and finally turned to the mouse.

"Greetin's, mouse," he called, fixing the bright blue headband he wore. "Wot brings ye t' th' Guosim?" The patrol shrews paused to see the newcomer, a few of them eyeing his hat with envy. The Guosim shrews had a thing for head coverings . . .

((That . . . was a tad longwinded. Sorry.))

[Promatera]

"Not all th' warriors bin healed up yet," he answered. "We're short on sentries, an' Ban's leadin' a patrol out west t'day, so we're even shorter on active fighters." He paused. "I tol' yew Ban were my deputy now, right?"

"Oh the shrew who turned me in?" he responded. "Yes I'm sure he would make a fine deputy," he added with snark. After the whole incident from the month prior Bon Vaygan realized that had Ban not told the Guosim of his odd friendship with Nik then he may not have been put on trial and forced to endure a brutal battle that soon followed. Obviously they were not on friendly terms.

"In any case, it sounds as though you have a small security issue on your hands," he replied. "Hopefully the injured shrews get well soon. That battle must have taken quite a toll on your tribe."

[T-Bone]

The young chieftain drummed his claw tips on the hilt of his rapier. "Not all th' warriors bin healed up yet," he answered. Healed from what, he didn't think he had to say. Bon Vaygen had been there. He knew. "We're short on sentries. . ."

Jaroah's bare footpaws tread over the rocky bank of the River Moss. He was walking toward Nik and Vaygan now -- those were their names, right? Aye, probably. That was what he remembered them saying, at least.

He stopped. What alias should take? Gah! He didn't know! He didn't even know what he was stealing. Well, maybe he would figure it out. By the sound of it, Nik was a sort of leader. He looked tough enough, anyway -- it would probably be best not to get caught by that one. If he met Nik, he could probably direct the conversation just right to get the shrew to lead Jaroah to the rest of the shrews. Once the grifter had that information, he could finally start his thievery-spree. Jaroah grunted with dissatisfaction, because, chances were, Tobias had already found the shrews.

~~~~~~~~~

"Greetin's, mouse," he called, fixing the bright blue headband he wore. "Wot brings ye t' th' Guosim?"

Tobias hesitated. Everything was out of rhythm, dang it. He collected himself and answered the shrew who had addressed him. "Er, sorry, m-my name's Bryne," he began. Just a precaution. "I-I, uh, jus' wanted t-t'know; are you all headed out w-west?" This shrew seemed to be the one in charge, so it seemed like the right question to ask.

Tobias' eyes flickered for just a moment. He noticed some of the shrews eying his hat. Without really thinking about it, he placed a protective paw on it. Vermin or no, Tobias didn't trust shrews. They'd probably try to steal his hat, so he would just have to steal from them first. . .

~~~~~~~~~

"Excuse me?" Jaroah's voice called out from further along the riverbank. His expression displayed pure confusion and a hint of desperation. "Ah'm sorry, but, uh, have either o' ye seen another mouse aboot this haegh?" He held a paw up to his chest. Tobias' height. "Ah cannae find 'im anywhere." Jaroah smirked inwardly. He had his alias.

[Django]

"Oh the shrew who turned me in?" he responded. "Yes I'm sure he would make a fine deputy," he added with snark.

Nik threw his head back and laughed, remembering the day of the 'trial' before his father. "Aye, that'un," he replied through his mirth. He decided it was not best to press the issue. Ban was still not happy with the situation, and made a point of saying so whenever the subject of vermin came up. Clearly, Nik's two friends were not on good terms, or even speaking terms.

"Excuse me?" Jaroah's voice called out from further along the riverbank. His expression displayed pure confusion and a hint of desperation. "Ah'm sorry, but, uh, have either o' ye seen another mouse aboot this haegh? . . . Ah cannae find 'im anywhere."

Nik turned to greet the newcomer and discovered a mouse nearly twice his height. "Ahoy, mouse," he called back as the other creature jogged towards them. The chieftain thought back over his morning. He hadn't seen many other creatures besides shrews today, with the exception of Bon Vaygen and this big mouse. "Nay, I ain't seen no other mouse 'round 'ere 'sides yoreself."

Meeting the mouse halfway along the bank, he offered a paw. "Nik Lagdo," he said. "Logalog a' th' Guosim. . . Where d'ye think ye lef' yore friend, eh?"

-----

"Er, sorry, m-my name's Bryne," he began. Just a precaution. "I-I, uh, jus' wanted t-t'know; are you all headed out w-west?"

Ban offered a friendly smile and a nod. "Aye, gonna be on patrol furra few days out that way," he answered. "Wot d'ye need?"

He noticed some of the shrews had stopped loading the boats to watch the exchange. The deputy shot them a glare. "Oi, did I say stop?" he demanded. "Quit gawkin' an' finish up smart now!" The shrews resumed packing supplies, half their attention still on the mouse and the deputy.

((Guh, not happy with this, but oh well.))

[Promatera]

Nik did not have a chance to answer Bon Vaygan's question as an above-average sized mouse stumbled into view.

"Excuse me?" "Ah'm sorry, but, uh, have either o' ye seen another mouse aboot this haegh?" "Ah cannae find 'im anywhere."

Nik was the first to respond to the newcomer.

"Ahoy, mouse," he called back as the other creature jogged towards them. "Nay, I ain't seen no other mouse 'round 'ere 'sides yoreself."

Bon Vaygan followed Nik to meet with the mouse. His curiosity was piqued by the mouse's sudden appearance.

"Nik Lagdo,"

"-and I am actor extraordinaire, Bon Vaygan; master of the dramatic arts," he replied bowing. He enjoyed introducing himself this way as it made him feel very unique. After all, few creatures in Mossflower were actors so it certainly deserved such grand presence.

"Logalog a' th' Guosim. . . Where d'ye think ye lef' yore friend, eh?"

"Just catch your breath first so that you can tell us what happened," Bon Vaygan added

[T-Bone]

"-and I am actor extraordinaire, Bon Vaygan; master of the dramatic arts," he replied bowing.

Jaroah would have rolled his eyes. "Extraordinaire," my--

"Logalog a' th' Guosim. . . Where d'ye think ye lef' yore friend, eh?"

Jaroah nodded and accepted the pawshake. He took notice of Nik's paws. The shrew was a boxer. Well, that made things a bit more complicated, since vermin typically didn't have friendly sport. Maybe Nik was a goodbeast? But then, why was he friends with a verminbeast? Maybe vermin boxed with flaming gloves. . ?

"Hh'we were bein' chased by a fox," he told them in a northern dialect -- a dialect he'd wanted to use for weeks, "The-- er, we split oop somewhere aroound, uh, soouth o' here, an' we agreed tae meet oop at this river," he pointed at the ground he was standing on, "but Ah-- Ah cannae find 'im anywhere-- 'e ne'er showed oop -- the fox-- he, he didnae get lost, Ah ken-- the fox had tae hae foound..."

~~~~~~~~~

Ban offered a friendly smile and a nod. "Aye, gonna be on patrol furra few days out that way," he answered. "Wot d'ye need?"

Tobias scratched the back of his head -- or hat, rather. "I--I was just, er, I n-need t'get to Redw-wall. M-my friend an' I were s'posed t'meet up there, b-but I got--" He coughed, cleared his throat, and shook his head. There were still bugs in Mossflower this time of year? "--aghem, h'er, uh, I got lost." Well, there it was; the backstory. See, Tobias wasn't just going to steal from the shrews. No, they had given him a much better idea. . .

He was going to steal Redwall!

[Django]

"Hh'we were bein' chased by a fox," he told them in a northern dialect -- a dialect he'd wanted to use for weeks, "The-- er, we split oop somewhere aroound, uh, soouth o' here, an' we agreed tae meet oop at this river," he pointed at the ground he was standing on, "but Ah-- Ah cannae find 'im anywhere-- 'e ne'er showed oop -- the fox-- he, he didnae get lost, Ah ken-- the fox had tae hae foound..."

"Easy, lad," Nik said levelly. "Th' river be a big'un. Yore friend oughtta be comin' 'round soon, eh?" It was clear that the big mouse was frantic. Nik probably would be, too, if it had been Ban or one of his other fighters. He once again thought back over his day. He really hadn't seen any other mice, or had been too preoccupied with his shrews to notice one. The young chieftain tried to think of a way to help the mouse more. But he still needed a sentry out here. Was Kris still at camp?

"Tell ye wot, lad," the chief said. "Why don't yew come back t' camp an' wait fer a spell? I'll sen' a lookout to keep onna river fer yore friend. Yew look like ye could use a break, eh?" Kris or Dor would be more than willing to cover for him, especially since the patrol was headed out.

-----

"I--I was just, er, I n-need t'get to Redw-wall. M-my friend an' I were s'posed t'meet up there, b-but I got--" He coughed, cleared his throat, and shook his head. There were still bugs in Mossflower this time of year? "--aghem, h'er, uh, I got lost."

Ban's smile brightened, and gestured to the boats. "Need'a ride t' Red'all, eh? No trouble," he replied. "Always plenny a' room. Well, not plenny, but we got room fer a lost mouse." He beckoned to Bryne and called out to the warriors. "Oi! Find a spot fer our friend 'ere, eh?"

The shrews finished loading and boarded the two boats, leaving a seat open for the mouse towards the aft of the second. Ban moved to take his place in the first boat but stopped, turning to Bryne again. "Can ye row?" he asked.

((My shrews are so naive.))

[Promatera]

Bon Vaygan wondered if the mouse was looking at his nose when his thoughts were brought back to the situation at hand.

"Hh'we were bein' chased by a fox," "The-- er, we split oop somewhere aroound, uh, soouth o' here, an' we agreed tae meet oop at this river," he pointed at the ground he was standing on, "but Ah-- Ah cannae find 'im anywhere-- 'e ne'er showed oop -- the fox-- he, he didnae get lost, Ah ken-- the fox had tae hae foound..."

"Easy, lad," Nik said levelly. "Th' river be a big'un. Yore friend oughtta be comin' 'round soon, eh?"

The mouse was going on so fast and in such a foreign accent Bon Vaygan almost lost what the creature was trying to say. He was glad Nik could understand the mouse.

"Tell ye wot, lad," the chief said. "Why don't yew come back t' camp an' wait fer a spell? I'll sen' a lookout to keep onna river fer yore friend. Yew look like ye could use a break, eh?"

"A break would certainly do him good," Bon Vaygan replied, "I can hardly understand the beast at all!" Bon Vaygan gave the mouse a cursory glance before returning his attention to the beast's face. He was big for a mouse, larger than Nik, but still shorter than Bon Vaygan.

"Now what did you say your name was again?"

[T-Bone]

"Easy, lad," Nik said levelly. "Th' river be a big'un. Yore friend oughtta be comin' 'round soon, eh? Tell ye wot, lad," the chief said. "Why don't yew come back t' camp an' wait fer a spell? I'll sen' a lookout to keep onna river fer yore friend. Yew look like ye could use a break, eh?"

Jaroah nodded and tried to slow his breathing. It occurred to him that he hadn't done the out-of-breath voice in a while, and he made a mental note to practice it a bit more later. Not that he needed it today.

He smiled half-heartedly but gratefully at Nik. "Thank ye, sir." But now, this was all messed up. If shrews were vermin, why would Nik offer to help a lone mouse? Hmm... Perhaps the weasel was a goodbeast. Heavens, a good weasel -- that would be something.

Jaroah was preparing to follow Nik to the camp, or whatever, when Mr. Clownnose spoke up.

"A break would certainly do him good," Bon Vaygan replied, "I can hardly understand the beast at all!" Bon Vaygan gave the mouse a cursory glance before returning his attention to the beast's face.

Jaroah's eye twitched. This red-nosed weasel rubbed his fur the wrong way. He didn't know why; usually, Jaroah got along with most beasts, but this one. . . This one irked him.

~~~~~~~~~

Ban's smile brightened, and gestured to the boats. "Need'a ride t' Red'all, eh? No trouble," he replied. "Always plenny a' room. Well, not plenny, but we got room fer a lost mouse." He beckoned to Bryne and called out to the warriors. "Oi! Find a spot fer our friend 'ere, eh?"

Bryne nodded politely to the shrews as they loaded and boarded their boats. Tobias tried to keep up the awkward persona he had put together. Huh, he wasn't a bad grifter himself, was he? He wondered why Jaroah always complained about how hard it was. It wasn't that hard. Hah, no sir, this was cake!

Ban moved to take his place in the first boat but stopped, turning to Bryne again. "Can ye row?" he asked.

Tobias froze. "Uhh-er. . ." The question had caught him off-guard. He stammered for a few seconds before finally blurting, "Ble--duh--Aye!" A few of the shrews in his boat laughed. Bryne blushed and tipped his hat down to cover his face a bit more as he picked up an oar clumsily. He berated himself inwardly. How stupid he was! The question wasn't even a hard one!

~~~~~~~~~

"Now what did you say your name was again?"

Jaroah blinked. Oh. Right. An alias. Umm... "Dandin MacFurl." He tipped an imaginary hat to Nik. He glanced at the weasel. "Frae the moontains oop north." He laid the accent on thick. He did love it so.

---

((Bleh. Sorry-- it's not all that great. But it's something, so....))

[Django]

"Dandin MacFurl." He tipped an imaginary hat to Nik. He glanced at the weasel. "Frae the moontains oop north."

Nik grinned, leading the way back to camp. "Up north, eh?" he repeated, his paw on the hilt of his rapier still. "Thought I recognized that accent. Pleased t' meet ye, Dandin." He chuckled at the none-to-pleasant silent exchange between Bon Vaygen and Dandin. Well, Nik hadn't gotten along with the weasel at first, either. 

As they arrived back at camp, a few of the warriors instantly recognized Bon Vaygen and averted their gaze. Many of them still did not trust him, but the weasel was Nik's friend, so they said nothing. Kris, the young recruit, came rushing up to Nik, another shrew his age racing behind him. Nik guessed the second one was Dor. 

"Ahoy, boys," the chief said. "Mind takin' me shift down near th' river agin? We got some guests wot need some good ol' shrew cookin'. An' keep yore eyes peeled furra mouse, will ye? Same size as me. Seems one a' our guests lost 'is friend. There's good lads." Kris and Dor nodded eagerly, saluting their Logalog smartly as they dashed off in the direction from whence Nik and his company had come. "Nice boys," Nik murmured to himself.

"Oi, cooky, me gel," he called into the camp. An older shrewwife looked up from a large cauldron and grinned. Nik smiled back. "Do oblige us wid a few bowls a' skilly'n'duff fer our guests, eh, me beauty?" The cook nodded cheerfully, setting about her task. Nik gestured for Dandin and Vaygen to take seats on a couple of fallen logs surrounding the campfire. 

He remained standing, finally taking his paws of his rapier hilt. Gods, he was so edgy today! He had to keep reminding himself that the Guosim could take care of themselves if something bad happened. "Sorry if I seem, uh, nervous, mates," he apologized, lighting a small pipe. "I ain't quite used t' all this, yet."

-----

Ban smirked as the mouse stammered out a nervous reply. Some of the shrews laughed while Bryne picked up his oar sheepishly. Taking his place in the front log boat, Ban got out his lucky compass, twirling the twine around his finger as he barked out, "Right, ye scurvy river mice, we're headed west. Hope ye said g'bye t' yore gels 'cos we ain't comin' back fer a few days!"

And then they were off. Each shrew handled his oar expertly as the boats raced down the river. Ban laughed as he balanced in the prow of the first boat, drenched in moments by the river water. To keep the pace, he started a paddling shanty.

"I'm a grand ol' Guosim shrew!
Here's me blade, a fine how'd'ye'do!
I learnt t' paddle afore I could walk!
I learnt this song afore I could talk!

I'm a perilous Guosim fighter!
Show me a vermin, I'll end th' blighter!
I learnt t' fight 'fore learnin' t' read!
I slew a weasel 'fore I got me teeth!"

And so on it went for about half an hour or more, each verse faster than the last. Until finally, Ban called for a halt. The Guosim were all as wet as if they had swum this far, and laughing their heads off. They tied off the boats near a wide, clear patch of shoreline, immediately tending to the setting up of camp.

"Not bad, Bryne, mate," Ban congratulated the mouse, clapping him on the back. "We'll make a Guosim out of ye yet!"

-----

"So, Dandin," Nik began. "This fox ye said were chasin' ye . . . Think 'e's still on yore trail?" The chief wanted to know in case he should have Kris and Dor on the lookout for a fox as well as Dandin's friend.

((Wow, I type too much . . .))

[Promatera]

"Dandin MacFurl." "Frae the moontains oop north."

"I see..." he replied.

It looks like you are from the North too. He had to bite his tongue to keep from saying that. For some reason Bon Vaygan had the feeling that he was going to have a tough time getting along with Dandin. For some reason he always had a tough time getting along with others. How could anyone have a tough time getting along with him?

Bon Vaygan followed Nik to the shrew camp and was not surprised to find that many shrews avoided looking at him. He could remember the shaky protection Nik's father placed him on, it only meant the shrews wouldn't kill him, they didn't have to like him. Nik led the mouse and him to a arrangement of logs surrounding a fire. As host, he had arranged for a meal for them and let them sit first. Nik seemed on edge and tense.

"Sorry if I seem, uh, nervous, mates," "I ain't quite used t' all this, yet."

"Nor am I," Bon Vaygan chuckled as he noticed the odd glances he would get from passing shrews.

"So, Dandin," Nik began. "This fox ye said were chasin' ye . . . Think 'e's still on yore trail?"

"Oh yes, back onto the subject of the fox!" he answered as he returned his attention to Nik and Dandin. "Why is the fox chasing you and your brother again?"

Bon Vaygan failed to recall if they had gone over this, but it was always good to make sure one knew what they were getting into before giving assistance. For all he knew the fox could be justified for chasing the two.