Did I make it? (open)

[Tulian Solum]

There were a few creatures he had to hand it to this night as he slowly trudged along.

He had to hand it to the shrew tribe that he left a few days ago for providing him with good directions and food, lots of that too.

Also had to hand it to whoever decided to make this mountain their stronghold. If there was a way to get to the top of the mountain they would have a view of nearly everything for miles and it would be nearly impossible to sneak up on the mountain. Also with all this sand it would make any army go slow unless they were all very lightly equipped, which unfortunately he wasn't

Finally he had to hand it to himself for deciding to continue to walk toward the mountain after a whole hot day when now would have been a much better time to when it was dark and cool. But with his goal so close now he may aswell keep going now.

Breathing deeply as he got to the top of another dune he plomped down on top of it and gave himself a little breather. It was silly of him to wear all his armor except his helmet but after he left the shrews his bag got nearly torn in half by one of the running horde beasts he ran into. Taking the last bit of water from his canteen he put it in one of the small undamaged pockets with his other one, would need to get that sorted soon.

Sighing to himself as he looked at the large shadow of the mountain against the night sky it still seemed a good distance away to the ferret. Setting his bag off to the side he layed back against it was he looked out over the moonlit sea. It was calming to say the least, the steady slosh of the waves against the shore, the anger of the close water then the mirror stillness of the water further out.

Smiling as he was soon almost mesmerized by the beauty of the sea he failed to look around and be sure he was alone, which being this close to the legendary fortress probably wasn't true.

[.:Fawn:.]

Sighing to himself as he looked at the large shadow of the mountain against the night sky it still seemed a good distance away to the ferret. Setting his bag off to the side he layed back against it was he looked out over the moonlit sea.

The mountain wasn't the only thing with a large shadow, unfortunately, and this particular shadow had claws. For a few moments, Braythe felt his heart pound gleefully, the days of his vermin-hunting coming back to him the instant he'd spotted the lone, armor-clad ferret gazing out across the sea. The darkness had aided the brownish-black badger all too well, the dunes and sparse brown grass his camouflage, the beast having crouched down like a cat waiting to pounce once Seig had stepped into range.
Lifting up the relaxing vermin by the back of his armor, Braythe held him in mid air, allowing the dangling ferret to slowly spin around until they were face to face. The territorial badger grinned.
It was not a 'hello, how are you?' kind of grin.
It was the kind of grin a shark gave a school of tuna.
"This isn't your lucky day, ferret, but I'm in a good mood. So tell you what? I'll kill you now and spare yer miserable hide the trouble of explaining why a one-vermin army is relaxing in front of my mountain."

Lifting up his other hefty paw, Braythe poked the ferret in the chest, watching him swing back and forth like a leaf on a windy day. The savage couldn't hold back his grinning. Let him be a rude, obnoxious little pile of fox dung -- this'll be more fun that way!
Braythe hoped Seig was the vilest of vermin, because we all know it's no fun to torment decent vermin, now is it? Even if Braythe didn't have much of a conscience, not even he would be cruel enough to pick on an unarmed vermin.

Oh wait, yes he would.

[Tulian Solum]

Seig soon found himself slowly drifting off to sleep as he watched and listened to the sea. A peaceful time like this was rare for him, and he would do well to capitalize on it when he could. Closing his eyes and sliding down his bag he took a deep breath of the cool sea air before drifting off to sleep.

But soon he was drifting off in the real world as he looked down to see his sabatons dangling above his bag and the sound of breathing behind him. Doing his best to stay still as he was slowly turned around Seig soon found himself looking into the eyes of a fully grown male badger.

Needless to say his heart was soon pounding against his chest as he was held in the air by this massive creature but he did his very best to keep calm as the badger spoke. It didn't go well. The badger could probably clearly see the fear in the ferrets face as he straightened his body as best he could and stood to attention, in the air.

But before he had a chance to speak the badger poked his armor, making him slowly sway back and fourth in his grip as Seig did his best to keep standing at attention as he looked up at the badger. His mountain...so he was the Lord, very well. But the ferret stayed quiet for a few seconds as he thought about what to see, he needed to be careful with his word choice, or the badger could just poke him harder.

"My Lord....Sir I apologies for trespassing onto your land." He thought about asking to be put down, but that probably wouldn't happen, so he continued on, skipping that part of his mental word list. By now the ferret had stopped swaying back and fourth from the poke and was just hanging, metal boots clicking against each other quietly as he slightly trembled. But nothing else came out of Seigs mouth as he watched the badger, frozen in terror by that grin as he gulped visibly.

No-one told him about this resident of the mountain...

[.:Fawn:.]

While Braythe had been staring into the terrifed face of the vermin he'd captured, he'd been silently contemplating just how many skips he could get in if he chucked him across the sea... He was betting on eight skips before Seig plummeted to his death thanks to all that armor. The inner dibbun in him squealed with dangerous glee -- vermin skipping! Now there's a sport he can endorse!

"My Lord....Sir I apologies for trespassing onto your land."

Braythe nearly dropped the ferret in surprise. What the hell? A polite ferret? Was he dreaming? Glancing around to confirm that he was the only one hearing this, the unnerved Badger Lord stared at the ferret as though expecting him to bust out laughing and barrage him with an array of insults -- not apologizes and formalities! Ugh!
"....what's wrong with you? Were you raised by rabbits or something? Dropped on your head as a babe?" It was a serious question, the mystified badger poking the ferret with a bemused expression on his face.
Of all the rotten luck! He'd captured a nice ferret, the kind that called him 'Lord' and stood to attention like a sprightly new cadet back at the mountain. Braythe ground his teeth together to suppress a groan. And to think...he'd taken a nice stroll to get away from everyone calling him "Lord".

[/size]

[Tulian Solum]

Erping as the grip on his curaiss collar loosened and then tightened, jerking up down then up Seig blinked at the surprised look on the badger lords face. Surely he had been called Lord before? He had a army of hares at his command and was the leader of a fortress, a lord. So why did he look so surprised?

Watched the striped face look this way and that Seig soon found himself swaying back and fourth again over his ripped backpack as the badger continued to poke him. Blinking again at the badgers question Seig's saluting arm fell to his side as he tilted his head a little.

"Uhh...Not that I'm aware of Sir. My mother never told me about any dropping and there were no rabbits where I grew up. They did however teach me soldiering and to show respect to those that deserve it, and you certainly seem to Sir." He gulped again as he felt his left boot get loose from all the swaying and jerking as he looked back up at the badgers face, his tongue failing him again as those eyes pierced him.

But unfortunately the constant swaying soon made his left armored boot slip off his foot paw and head right toward the Badger Lords foot...

[.:Fawn:.]

CLANG!



That was the sound Seig's metal boot made as it collided with the Badger Lord's foot -- however, surprisingly not a sound followed it, the crickets halting their chirping and even the waves crashed a little less loudly. The whole world seemed to be holding it's breath for a bellow the likes of which could blow the ferret's fur off.
But it never came.
Why?
Because Braythe hadn't noticed the boot hitting his foot at all.

"Uhh...Not that I'm aware of Sir. My mother never told me about any dropping and there were no rabbits where I grew up. They did however teach me soldiering and to show respect to those that deserve it, and you certainly seem to Sir."

Ew, he was using flattery now? Braythe bit back the words 'what ARE you?', and instead set the ferret down, still examining him as he lifted his arms, tugged at the armor and gave his tail a slight pull as though expecting this fake ferret suit to come undone to reveal some cheeky little mouse or shrew thing... The Badger Lord finally stopped touching him, straightening and instead folding his arms across his chest, his savage eyes glaring down at the vermin. "I usually don't give a damn, but where are you from? And stop calling me sir! It's weird."
It was weird.
Nothing like having a ferret call you 'sir' to make your day seem a little less...normal. The last time Braythe checked, he was a Mountain Lord, not an OVER Lord.[/size]

[Tulian Solum]

Shutting his eyes and gritting his teeth as the metal clang sounded out Seig gully expected to feel the badgers other paw over his head to crush it or some other horrible death. But then there was silence. Opening one eye and then the other he watched the badger just stare blankly at him before finally putting him back on the sand.

But it clearly wasn't the end as the Badger began to examine him over, first his arms, then his armor, then a sharp tug on his tail. Biting his tongue so he wouldn't ask what was going on he just managed to stay standing after the pull before straightening up, ready to stand to attention again. But then the badger spoke, and he wisely thought against it. But then what was he supposed to call this badger?

Biting his lip a little he thought over all the other names he had for beasts in power, though it may have seemed like he was trying to think of an elaborate lie to spew out. Holding his paws slightly out from himself to show he meant no harm he looked back up at the badger, making sure to look between his eyes so he hopefully wouldn't find himself speechless again.

"I hail from the frozen north Si....My Lord." He said, scrunching his eyes that lord was the best he could come up with before continuing. "From a fortress called Taruli where I trained to be a fighter before I, uh, left there eight seasons ago. Anything else you wish to know?"

[.:Fawn:.]

"I hail from the frozen north Si....My Lord." He said, scrunching his eyes that lord was the best he could come up with before continuing. "From a fortress called Taruli where I trained to be a fighter before I, uh, left there eight seasons ago. Anything else you wish to know?"

The Frozen North? Braythe himself had hailed from the coldest, harshest parts of the North, and had wreaked holy hell upon those lands that had once belonged to Rurik the Savage... Braythe, however, had never heard of a fortress called Taruli, but he had savaged many a fortress in his time spent up North. If this ferret hadn't heard of him, he'd be extremely surprised. He'd been the hell hound dogging after Rurik's heels for quite a bit of time, and when he had finally caught him, he'd robbed him of his life and his name and stuck his head upon a stake as a warning to all who entered those frigid lands.
Beware, for death awaits any and all who threaten the freedom of the creatures living there.

"Tell me about Taruli -- before Braythe the Savage shows just how savage he can be."
This statement, growled low from the badger's throat, had been a test, to see if this ferret had indeed hailed from the North -- instead of weaving some elaborate lie. Anyone who hailed from that frozen wasteland would know the name of Salamandastron's resident Badger Lord. The only ones who didn't were the youngsters and dibbuns, creatures far too little to comprehend what his name might mean to them.
[/size]

((XD way to toot your own horn, Braythe. Excuse him. He thinks quite highly of himself.))

[Tulian Solum]

(Hah, it's alright, shows his character .)

Seig watched the badger closely after he had finished speaking, he seemed to be deep in thought about whatever it was that was playing in his mind. The ferret could only hope it wasn't about how many Punch's he could withstand before he was reduced to a mangled mess on the sand.

Looking back up at his face as the badger spoke again Seig frowned a little at the name. It seemed familiar but it wasn't jumping to the front of his mind. Clearing his throat he decided to think more about it later, holding his paws a little more out to hopefully not have the badger follow through with his second part of his statement. All the while doing his best to not collapses under the badgers growling.

"Taruil resides on a plateau My Lord, with two paths leading up the small mountain to get to it. It was garrisoned with four score warriors, two score farmers, and around fifteen smiths and forgers. The walls are dull grey, though with the snow they were often just white against the mountain. We were generally peaceful with anyone that would come across us, offering a place to rest and mostly keeping to ourselves. But that doesn't mean their wasn't conflict. We've been attacked by raiders and a small army with a odd looking banner but both were driven off. Unfortunately with the highness of the fortress the winters would horrible, the chilled winds all day caused a lot of death...."

He was silent for a few seconds as his eyes slowly widened. Looking the badger up and down he took a few steps backwards as if the badger was growing in his vision. Tripping over his bag he fell onto his tail as he gazed up at the badger, mouth agape as he slowly pointed a gauntleted finger at Braythe. "W....hite Death!"

(Hope that's alright :>.)

[.:Fawn:.]

(( Oh that's fine, I'm glad his past has started catching up with him! ))



"Taruil resides on a plateau My Lord, with two paths leading up the small mountain to get to it. It was garrisoned with four score warriors, two score farmers, and around fifteen smiths and forgers. The walls are dull grey, though with the snow they were often just white against the mountain. We were generally peaceful with anyone that would come across us, offering a place to rest and mostly keeping to ourselves. But that doesn't mean their wasn't conflict. We've been attacked by raiders and a small army with a odd looking banner but both were driven off. Unfortunately with the highness of the fortress the winters would horrible, the chilled winds all day caused a lot of death...."

The odd looking banner must've been Rurik the Savage's, Braythe realized, listening intently to the ferret's tale. So there was a fortress not even that wicked sable had been able to conquer, eh? How interesting... What sort of creatures lay in the fotress of Taruli if they were able to drive off the likes of the Warlord Rurik? That sable had commanded scores upon scores of vermin.

Tripping over his bag he fell onto his tail as he gazed up at the badger, mouth agape as he slowly pointed a gauntleted finger at Braythe. "W....hite Death!"

A flood of pleasure hit the badger ruler upon recognition of his old nickname, the moniker the likes of which had struck terror into the hearts of any and all vermin who heard it. Braythe chuckled. White Death... I might not be white any more, but the second half of the name's correct! Oh yes, Braythe could always promise death in all seasons, be he brown, black, beige or purple.
"Who is the beast that rules the fortress you call Taruli? Speak!" The badger's thunderous voice rose above the crashing of the waves, a terrible sound to anyone the receiving end of it. But Braythe was used to raising his voice, especially to get information of armor-wearing ferrets of the jumpy sort...[/size]

[Tulian Solum]

The ferret seemed to be slowly shrinking into the sand as the badger towered over him. All the stories, all the obliterated allied fortresses they had scouted and survivors that had made it to them. All because of this badger. This one badger had caused more death then the entire force of Taruil had as long as he had been serving. And now here he was, alone, completely at the mercy of this killer, who seemed no less powerful then the stories said.

Cringing lower into the sand the ferret raised his hands in front of his face as the badger roared his question at him. Although he was a trained brave soldier this was different, this wasn't a creature of flesh and blood that stood before him this was a creature of myth. An unstoppable juggernaut that had cleaved his way across the north, luckily avoiding his home for some reason. It was this legendary status that turned the normally calm and collected Seig Averi, into a cowering child.

"L...Lord Kiteil Si...Sir! Warrior Wolf of the north!"

(Poor Ferret . Gah, cant seem to get thse to a good lenght >.<.)

[.:Fawn:.]

"L...Lord Kiteil Si...Sir! Warrior Wolf of the north!"

Braythe's eyes darkened, the badger looking straight through the ferret at a few flashes of his memories, one of which recalling a tidbit of information he'd heard when stalking Rurik the Savage like a hound from hell.
The only thing Rurik had ever feared, was the wolf.
No wonder Taruli had never fallen. The sable warlord would never have dared to attack a stronghold commanded by a warrior wolf. Frankly, to be honest, Braythe would've have either. The fight with the wolf in the Northlands had nearly cost him his life, and the badger lord wasn't too eager for a repeat performance. But none of that was important...what was important, however, was why this ferret had wandered onto Salamandastron, dressed to the nines in expensive looking armor. "What purpose do you have here, on Salamandastron's shores?" The badger asked, keeping a civil tongue in his head as he noticed Seig quivering before him. No need to threaten the life out of him now that he was already scared out of wits.
Hopefully not too scared to answer further questioning from the humongous Badger Lord.

(( ^^ oh that's okay, the shorter they are, the easier they are to reply to.))

[Tulian Solum]

(Well alright .)

Thankfully the heavy foot or paw of the badger did not descend on him as he lay on the sand. Opening one eye to peak through his fingers at the badger he seemed to be deep in thought again, and not really paying him much attention. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves he lowered his paws back to his side and sat up, not wanting to try and stand until the badger told him too, or was at least paying attention to him.

So instead he took the time the badger was thinking to reach forward and grab his fallen sabaton back and begin attaching it to his foot once more. He had just slid his footpaw in when the badger spoke again, this time in a much more calm voice thankfully.

Seig didn't look up at first, instead took the time to make sure he boot was securely on before he looked up at the badger, just managing a weak smile before he spoke.

"I came just to see your fortress M'Lord, there has been a lot of tales told to me on the road to this land and I just wanted to see if it was true...And after leaving my home I've been looking for another." He added at the end, though it was quiet, as if he wasn't sure he should tell the badger lord that. But he kept looking up at him, not wanting to dare look away unless he got mad again.

[.:Fawn:.]

"I came just to see your fortress M'Lord, there has been a lot of tales told to me on the road to this land and I just wanted to see if it was true...And after leaving my home I've been looking for another."

........Braythe blinked, his attention back on the armor-clad ferret. So...he'd come to Salamandastron just to sight see and look for real-estate? The Badger Lord threw back his head and laughed, the thunderous blast of sound shooting out in all directions, momentarily drowing out the crashes and rolls of the waves. The badger laughed until a tear leaked down out of the corners of his eyes, a hefty paw raising to brush it away as he sniffed, grinning maliciously. "Oh that's good. That's a good one. I'll give you this one ferret, you gave me a good laugh. sight seeing and home-shopping... Oh that's rich." The Badger Lord, heavily amused, gave the ferret a rough pat on the head. "It's a good thing most vermin aren't as clever as you are, ferret, because for a second there, I almost believed ye." Perhaps because he wanted to remember this meeting, or perhaps because he hadn't thought to ask earlier, Braythe inquired about his name. "What do they call you, ferret?"

Oh this was hilarious. The Brigadier and the General would never believe him if he told him he'd bumped into a polite, armor-wearing ferret shopping for seaside real-estate and a glimpse of their beautiful mountain home. Braythe sneered. It was with much delight that he would be telling Seig all about just how high the 'cost of living' at Salamandastron could be....

[Tulian Solum]

Frowning a little as the badger laughed uproariously at his answer Seig wisely kept his tongue less the badger loose this jovial mood. At least him laughing was better then growling and threats. Beginning to stand up as the badger laughed he was swiftly slammed back into the sand as the large creature 'patted' the top of his head.

Looking up through hazy vision at the now two large badgers before him Seig grabbed his head in a effort to stop the ringing. Gritting his teeth as the world was spinning he only slightly hear the badgers next word and only really heard his last question. Waiting until his head stopped ringing for the most part he still held it still as he looked up at the badger. Trying not to look hurt as he so casually laughed off what had taken him seasons to acheive. And now that he finally made it to the legendary mountain the resident Lord was just pushing aside his hard work, thinking it was all a joke.

Three seasons of looking for this mountain in Mossflower. Truding through dangerous bogs, rock mazes, and woodlander settlements. Doing countless favors for information or some food and a place to stay. Fighting through reptile, vermin, and even goodbeasts who tried to stop him. And after all that the Lord of Salmandrastron was laughing at him for it.

"Seig Averi M'lord...I take it this means you want me to leave?" He asked, managing to keep his voice level despite the massive depression that was slowly creeping over him as he now beleived it had all been for nothing...

[Cross]

Victiore Fawn was exploring the great mountain fortress known as Salamandastron. It was quite a trip! She'd spent most of the morning on the upper floors alone. Finally, the echoing, cavernous halls had become too big for her, so she had found her way outside. Autumn's Ghost, the ocean was beautiful!

And of course, it made her feel small. She had never seen it before, and so could not have imagined its vastness. As the waves lapped at her paws, she smiled, happily accepting her smallness in contrast to the magnificent sea and the monolithic mountain. She had come to grips with quite a lot these past few days. It was a lot to take in, but she could do it.

Wading through the waves, the white mouse noticed Badgerlord Braythe up ahead. He seemed to be speaking with somebeast. Or, perhaps, trying to throttle somebeast. She couldn't exactly tell what was going on, but it didn't seem like Braythe's conversation partner was enjoying the exchange.

She scurried up the wet sands, wondering if there was any way she could help. After a talk with Braythe, anybeast would need a healer's assistance. "Excuse me, Lord Braythe," she called, offering a pleasant smile. She hesitated once when she noticed the other beast was a ferret in full armor. Heavens above! Was there a war going on? But, then, why wasn't Braythe carrying a weapon of some sort? This vermin must have gotten separated from his horde or something.

"I-I'm sorry to interrupt," she murmured politely, keeping her distance. This would not end well for the ferret.

[.:Fawn:.]

"Seig Averi M'lord...I take it this means you want me to leave?"

”Leave? No, I want to invite you in for tea and cookies!” Replied Braythe, tone thick with sarcasm. Reaching for the metal-glad ferret, Braythe lifted him clean off the ground, as if he had every intention of answering his own question – you know, the one about how far he could skip Seig before he sank...but just then, a soft, quiet little voice interrupted the Badger Lord's new sport.

She scurried up the wet sands, wondering if there was any way she could help. After a talk with Braythe, anybeast would need a healer's assistance. "Excuse me, Lord Braythe," she called, offering a pleasant smile. She hesitated once when she noticed the other beast was a ferret in full armor. Heavens above! Was there a war going on? But, then, why wasn't Braythe carrying a weapon of some sort? This vermin must have gotten separated from his horde or something.

"I-I'm sorry to interrupt," she murmured politely, keeping her distance. This would not end well for the ferret.

Turning to stare at the little white mouse in front of him, Braythe resisted the urge to smile. Vicky! The one who'd healed Newt! Anyone who cared as much for his pet as he did was alright in his book. "What do you want? Is Newt okay?"
Not caring much that the ferret was still held up in the air, Braythe waited for her answer, dark eyes focused on the satin mouse. Ferret skipping could wait for a bit.

[Tulian Solum]

His sadness only deepening at the badgers words the ferret sank a little more into the sand as he looked up through his still hazy vision. Only seeing a dull black blob come toward him Seig wasn't that surprised to find himself dangling in the air, again. Glancing down at the arm gripping him once his vision cleared a bit he noticed that the badger could almost wrap his entire arm around his chest. And he was fairly certain that if the badger really tried he could crush him with one hand...hopefully his curaiss could stop that with the expression on the badgers face.

After his vision had cleared fully he slowly looked to the side as a little mouse walked up to greet the badger. By now Seig had given up hope of getting into his destination and had also decided that this would probably he his last night with how much the badger had shouted and picked him up. But he still managed a little salute and a quiet. "Mam." After that weak reply he went limp in the badgers grip, head tilted back so he could look at the stars.

He had no idea about what they were talking about, who this Newt was. But right now he didn't care at all. All he cared about now was how cruel fate could be to him sometimes. Not only had fate decided he shouldn't stay at his old home anymore but now she was saying no to this fortress aswell. If what had happened so far was to be believed aswell the badger would soon get bored with him and kill him, just like all the other poor norther soldiers before...And poor Lexie would never even know who he was. Sighing as he flopped in the badgers grip Seig closed his eyes, imagining a tall vixen laughing at him from the top of a small plateau.

Lady fate could sure be cruel somtimes...

[Cross]

"What do you want? Is Newt okay?"

"Newt? Oh, yes, he's fine," Vicky replied absently, a worried look crossing her features as the ferret's head lolled to one side and then the other. Summer's heat, this vermin looked like something had tried to flatten him! . . . Oh, right . . . Braythe. "I let him sleep for awhile, but he'll be right as rain when he wakes up, I'm sure."

She didn't quite catch what the unfortunate creature murmured to her. Tapping a finger against her lower lip in concern, the little mouse's green eyes darted from Braythe to the ferret and back again. "Uh, Lord Braythe," she said. "Did I interrupt something?"

((My posts are short today. Dunno why.))

[Stryker]

Newt was okay? That was excellent news, and Braythe would very much like to keep it that way. What Braythe didn't understand, however, was the concerned look she was giving the armor-clad ferret. Pffst, what she worried about him for? He was going to get a never-before-seen look at Braythe's rock-skipping abilities.
"Interrupting something? Nahhh. I was just getting ready to throw this lousy, lying, flea-covered ferret into the ocean -- wanna see how far I can make him skip before he sinks?"
Braythe grinned, eager to show off a little now that he had Victiore's full attention.

The saddest part about the Badger Lord's statement was that he was probably going to carry out his little game. Was he going to feel guilty for tossing this weird vermin into the ocean? Well, not really. The only good vermin was a dead vermin. Or...you know...a vermin you could turn into an exciting new sport. Maybe he'd build a giant catapult from his bedroom window, and start launching the vermin from it?
5 Points if he makes it to the dunes, 8 points if he hits the beach, and 10 points if they land in the water!
He could call it Vermin Flinging. Braythe chuckled. Maybe the cadets and younger officers would wanna play too?

((He's just a big overgrown kid. xD lol!))