An Army to March (Vladimir & Ocutrum; Plot)

[Ocutrum the Scourge]

On the edge of Mossflower woods, a large campsite stood, fire-light shining out in specks on the land. A Large stream stood to one side of the campsite, cording slightly into it. The campsite was filled with Rats, stoats, weasels, ferrets, and the more odd creatures here and there. A small squadron, composed of squirrels for a few odd tasks, another composed of four ermines, each huge, vicious, and very loyal. Walking forward on an over-rising cliff, he looked over the land, From the slope to his left that rose up to the hill into Mossflower woods, to the river, he looked at his army, his tail swishing side from side behind him.

As his heavy tail barb hit a tree, he heard minute rustling behind him. His barb was forged out of solid blackened steel, with a rounded cone base. The Tip was a sharp point, with several spikes running on the cylinder, and he knew how extremely deadly it was, seeing how it was covered in a poisonous tar, of which he coated all of his weapons in. He was dresses in his barbaric war finery, a cloak made of bat wings, trimmed down the middle with a badger spine. The Spine was connected with a few pieces of metal, and rope cords, straight to his helm, which was the badger's skull, its teeth sawed off, turned into a finer and easier to wear helmet. Not only did it protect his neck, but it helped to keep his helmet on.

As he turned slowly to the sound, he saw his Second in command, a solid black Sable that had earned his 'trust' from a week long tournament he had held in the further north. He then spoke calmly, as he turned back to his huge army. "Vladimir, how goes the latest recruits of our army? It should be going smoothly enough, even though my other captains are idiots in smart..... They do know their fighting, you must admit."

[Mista P]

But of course, they never were anyways.

Passing through the camp, no one ever noticed that there was somebeast behind them, walking so close to them that he could have yanked out their whiskers. He heard every word they said, watched every move they made, but none saw him. They never did unless he made his presence known.

And Vladimir liked it that way.

Now he stood in the shadows once again. Watching, waiting for the right time to announce his presence. Ocutrum the Scourge, his boss, wearing his battle armor, was watching over his troops. Vladimir rolled his eyes. Oh how he despised Ocutrum. And this whole plan about capturing an Abbey? What was the point? To prove you could do it?

Vladimir had been listening carefully when he wandered through the troops and picked up on several conversations about the Abbey. Many said it was cursed, others clammed that the beasts that lived there were crazy and would kill you on the spot. But all of them agreed that who ever led an attack on the Abbey, never came back alive.

Vladimir didn't care for Ocutrum's plans of revenge. He just enjoyed the possibility of ruling over a bunch of simple headed creatures that could be easily manipulated. That's what Vlad strives for, the power. And if Ocutrum was going to die like all the rumors said, then Vladimir would be ready. He just had to be patient.

Stepping out from the shadows and rustling his tail in the leaves to make his presence known, Vladimir watched as Ocutrum swung his deadly tail-barb at a tree. Vladimir knew of it's poison and knew well enough to stay out of it's range, for he had watched other beast die by it's terrible blows. In fact, the tail had been swung at Vladimir at least once, but nearly as a warning.

Vladimir was sure that Ocutrum didn't trust him, as he turned around to face him, then turned again to face the troops. Which was a good thing for Ocutrum. For in fact, Vladimir didn't even trust himself, because he knew all to well what he was capable of.

"Vladimir, how goes the latest recruits of our army? It should be going smoothly enough, even though my other captains are idiots in smart..... They do know their fighting, you must admit."

Vlad bowed slightly, his right paw placed upon his sabre hilt, but not twitching with anxiety like he was about to use it. Upon straighting, Vladimir replied, in the calm, slick, almost sarcastic tone he was famous for.

"As you say my liege, it goes smoothly enough, for recruits. They however have much to learn if they are ever going to be the true quality you demand of them. And as for your Captains, well..." Vladimir smirked. "They can fight...to an extent."

[Ocutrum the Scourge]

Ocutrum turned around quickly, his tail snapping deadly on several branches with his speed. His paw was held at his sabre-hilt on his back, of which he mostly used in face-to-face combat. He looked dead on at Vlad, his single eye dark and deadly appearing in the dark tide of night. He stared at the Sable, who was quite shorter than him.

"Vlad, they are not on the level of you or I, but how many idiots can actually fight in that Abbey? They have only a few fighters. I remember hearing of their warriors of the past. Matthias, who slew Cluny; Martin, the founder; And then Mattimeo, Who fought against Slagar the Cruel. There were others that fell, yes but only by lucky instances. They will have no more than ten warriors, with a few outside fighters. It doesn't matter how good they fight, as long as they are talented to a degree. You should know we can take that abbey, and I will see to it they do. Understood?"

Turning back, he gazed over his army again. He drew a dagger from across his chest, pointing it to a large section of camoflouged tent. "Vladimir..... You suggested I hire them. They are odd rats, and you have dealt with them in your past, yes? Well..... Bring me there leader and half a score of them. I wish to...... Confront them before I leave for a bit of time."

He then walked back into his campaign tent, sliding it shut. "Oh, and Vladimir....." He said, his voice dripping with lust, "If you attempt to kill me...... You will find yourself saying hello to your tail."

[Mista P]

Vladimir remained completely still and calm as Ocutrum spun around quickly, his barbed tail breaking a couple branches in the process. Ocutrum glared intimidatingly at Vlad, his size adding on to the frightfulness of his appearance. But Vlad, who was only an inch or two shorter than Ocutrum, wasn't frightened. He matched Ocutrum glare with his golden eyes.

Vlad knew of Ocutrum's strength, but he was not worried. For he was in his element. It was night, and everything was dark. All Vladimir had to do was take a few steps back and he could disappear. In fact, even now, standing in front of his leader, it was sometimes hard to see him. Let Ocutrum do what he wanted, for he would never be able to catch the shadows..

"Vlad, they are not on the level of you or I, but how many idiots can actually fight in that Abbey? They have only a few fighters. I remember hearing of their warriors of the past. Matthias, who slew Cluny; Martin, the founder; And then Mattimeo, Who fought against Slagar the Cruel. There were others that fell, yes but only by lucky instances. They will have no more than ten warriors, with a few outside fighters. It doesn't matter how good they fight, as long as they are talented to a degree. You should know we can take that abbey, and I will see to it they do. Understood?"

Vladimir kept his mouth shut as his mind went over what he would have wanted to say.

Never underestimate your opponent. Always overestimate. If you think their are few fighters, bring more than you think you need. If you think they can't fight, bring the best fighters you have. Expect your enemy to be better. Don't listen to stories. If you have a doubt, bring all that you would need, and more to over power that doubt and fight it if it is true. And don't say that you can until you have already done it.

However, Vladimir said none of this. Instead he kept his cold, confident glare. "Of course sir."

Ocutrum turned back to face the army and pointed with a dagger toward a group of tents.

"Vladimir..... You suggested I hire them. They are odd rats, and you have dealt with them in your past, yes? Well..... Bring me there leader and half a score of them. I wish to...... Confront them before I leave for a bit of time."

Yes, he suggested that Ocutrum hire Mudear and his crew. But only because he knew that they were brilliant creatures of camouflage and he knew that they more more afraid of him then they were of any beast else. He "dealt" with them when he was hired to kill their leader. Of course he succeeded, but he could see the potential in them and appointed Mudear as the next leader and warned then he would return to call upon them.

And when he did, the crew was even more afraid of him then they ever had been. He persuaded them to come and ask to join Ocutrum's army. Their talents would be useful, but even more their loyalty to him.

"Of course sire, I shall bring Mudear to you at once."

He then walked back into his campaign tent, sliding it shut. "Oh, and Vladimir....." He said, his voice dripping with lust, "If you attempt to kill me...... You will find yourself saying hello to your tail."

Vladimir smirked as Ouctrum entered his tent. Quietly to himself, Vladimir spoke. "Oh yes sir. I would never attempt to kill you." He chuckled, and looked down at his silky tail that brushed across the ground. "Hello tail, good you see you again..."

And with that, Vladimir stepped into the darkness and disappeared.

___________________________________________________

Mudear was a burly rat, not as big as Ocutrum, but strong none the less. His fur was a blackish blue, but none could tell, he was covered in dirt and mud. In fact, his entire rat crew was practically dressed in mud.

The mud gave the crew an advantage. It made them seem bigger and more powerful then they were and it gave a fairly good grip at camouflage. Especially low to the ground, hiding among the mud and dirt.

From their hiding spots, the crew would attack travelers along the side of paths, but their motis operandi changed when the Nightshadow entered their lives. He killed their leader, made Mudear the leader and disappeared saying he would return.

The entire crew was frightened out of their wits. This Nightshadow, as they called him was a thing out of their darkest dreams and they would do anything he said, for they knew how he killed and were petrified.

So when he reappeared, the crew was quick to obey his orders and try to join this large horde.

They had set up makeshift tents where the Nightshadow told them too. From what they could see this horde as good living! There was a lot of meat and fire and warm places to sleep. The Nightshadow told them to stay in the tents until he called them.

Mudear was munching on a roasted fish in his private tent. Being leader had it's advantages, he thought to himself as he scarfed down the fish. He was so focused on his eating that he did not notice that Vladimir had entered his tent.

Drawing his sabre, Vladimir tapped the tip on the back of Mudear's neck. "Enjoying ourselves our we?" His slick, deadly voice made Mudear drop his fish and freeze in fear.

"Aye, Nig'ts'adow sira. Wea just doin' whats yer telling us ta be a dooing yerr sira." Mudear's voice trembled.

"Good, my friend. Now, grab a half score of your rats and follow me, we are going to be meeting your boss. You understand me Mudear?"

Mudear nodded profusely as he jumped up from his seat in his tent and rushed out, not even wanted to look back at Vladimir in fear of not being able to ever see again.

____________________________________________________


Mudear and his crew trembled as the approached Ocutrum's tent. If the Nightshadow was this scary, how scary was his boss going to be? How many of them would return back to their tents?

Vladimir stood in front of Mudear. Hearing the gnashing of teeth, Vladimir turned around. "You all aren't afraid are you?"

The crew looked at themselves nervously and shook their heads no.

"Good." Vladimir smirked, his smile sending a shiver down Mudear's spine. "Now stay here, if any beast runs, I will personally see to his death myself."

Turning back to the tent, Vladimir approached the entrance and called out. "Sire, they have been gathered, just as you requested."

[Ocutrum the Scourge]

Ocutrum sat quietly at his small table inside his tent. He had always acted slightly dumber than he was in front of Vlad, for he knew what he was capable. In the past, he had defeated many excelled combatants, with his single sabre. He chuckled to himself as he ate the rest of a roasted bird he had started earlier that afternoon. His numbers were far greater than Cluny's...... Ten times larger, in fact! But he knew the Abbey-Dwellers fought harder than most of his Horde-Rats. He knew that they would put up a long fight...... A hard one too. Thats why at first entering the land of Mossflower, he had sent a scouting crew to get recruits. He knew the more beasts, the better. And the odd non-vermin types he had.... Well, they were some of his most valuable aspects. They worked as spies, and much, much more.

Standing up as he heard footsteps, he looked forward, his terrible tail lifting up behind him, lifting over his head. He grasped it like a whip, and he knew the image they saw. His tent made him appears as a huge black shadow, a deadly barbed whip in his hand. His voice hard as steel on flint, his lamp flickered as he spoke. "Ah, so they are here. Gmm.... What was their leader's name...? Oh yes! Mudear. Tell him to come in." He dropped his tail with a smirk, and turned around, attending back to his lamp, leaning down.

He knew how useful fear was in negotiations. And against a group of imbusils as these..... Well, he would be able to frighten them out of there wits. He would plan to make himself appear small, and weak, even. He had hid his tail, and hunched over in order to appears smaller once he walked inside. While now, they would still see the large, dark, imprint.

[Mista P]

"Ah, so they are here. Gmm.... What was their leader's name...? Oh yes! Mudear. Tell him to come in."

Vladimir nodded. His golden eyes hard and cold, turned upon Mudear, who withered under the stare. Even in the dark, Mudear could feel the intensity of the glare.

Reaching out, Vladimir pulled back the tent cover door and bowed with one fluid movement. " You now may enter."

At first Mudear did not move. It appeared he was frozen in fear, but a deadly glare from Vladimir hasten him along as he hurried into the tent with his crew at his heals; none of them wanting to be left behind with Vlad in the dark.

The tent looked like the average horde leader's tent. Lavish and full of what ever Ocutrum desired. There was even pieces of a cooked bird lying around. Everything was grand, but the leader didn't appear as grand or as furious as he was talked about. Or so Mudear thought. He looked, week, small even. Mudear felt a wave of confidence flood into his body. This chief was a wimp! He wasn't scared of him! Of Vladimir, yes he was terrified, but this pathetic leader! No way!

As Vladimir followed the rats into the tent, he rolled his eyes. Ocutrum was playing with the rats and he knew that, but of course, Vlad had to play along, as usual.

Taking up the edges of his cape, Vladimir flourished about, as a show. "Now, cower, before the master of fear, the lord of terror, the horrible Ocutrum the Scourge." And with the last flourish of his cape, Vladimir became enveloped in his cape and the little shadow in the tent caused by the fire. Apparently disappearing to the untrained eye. But to tell the truth, Vladimir simply retreated to the darkest corner of the tent to watch the show.

[Ocutrum the Scourge]

Ocutrum cackled. His Plan was working! Before long this dumb-minded rat would be frightened out of his wits! He turned slowly, still hunched, his ginle eye looking small, seeing as he only let him see part of it. Smiling wickedly, he shot his tail out, wrapping it around the rats left paw. He paid attention not to strike it with the Barb, and then rose to his full height. He then drew one of his daggers strapped scross his chest, and smiled. "So..... You're the on they call Mudear??" He said, his voice sly, thick, and powerful, "Now you'd best get the Mud Out of your ears and listen to me."

Pushing the other rat into a chair, Ocutrum sat down opposite to him. "Look, I soon will be leaving my army...." He said, pausing. Motioning to the shadows for Vlad to come out, he turned back to Mudear. "Vlad here will be in charge. I know how frightened you are of him....." Flicking his wrist, he then thrust the dagger a fraction away from Mudear's footpaw, "....So Instead of staying here..... I'll give you and half of your group a chance to help me. You all will be my guard. As powerful as I am, I am nought but one...... So, If I am to come upon any greater numbers, your band shall protect me, got it?" He glared at mudear for a moment then, and released his paw from his tail.

"Oh, and as for your people outside right now....." He grapped his dagger handle from the ground with his tail, flinging it back into his paw as he caught it by the end, "They will do one, and one thing only. They will stay guard at this camp, and I will send Vlad here a message to kill them if You mess up in any way. Is that clear?" He put his dagger back in the sheath across his chest, standing up once more. "Now leave me."

He then walked outside of his tent, by the back entrance, standing by the fringe of the woods. Earlier, he had heard a far off cawing. He knew it was the foraging party, and now he could hear then getting closer. Soon, a stoat sumbled out of the foliage, holding a dead robin. He stood still at the sight of his captain, and spoke with a quiet voice. "Is t'ere ane'ting I kin do for yeh, Cheif?" Ocutrum then pulled out a scroll, handing it to the stoat, and nodded. "Yes. Give this to Captain Blarge. Tell him to meet me in my tent....." He then turned around, smiling, "And tell him, leave his Grog Flask."

[inkmusic]

((OOC: Nice, Ocu. Okies. Do you want me to come in now?))

[Ocutrum the Scourge]

((Yes......))

[Mista P]

Mudear watched as this pathetic rat cackled and turned to face him. It took Mudear a second to realize that this was no pathetic rat, but by then it was too late....

A long tail whipped out and snagged Mudear's left paw in a tight grip. Gasping in shock, Mudear's instinctive reaction was to try and rip the tail from his wrist in fear, but as the now very large rat pulled out a dagger, Mudear froze.

"So..... You're the on they call Mudear??" He said, his voice sly, thick, and powerful, "Now you'd best get the Mud Out of your ears and listen to me."

Before he could nod profusely, Mudear was shoved into a chair as Ocutrum seated himself in a another chair. Mudear began inching away from this large rat in hi seat. The less time he spent with this large rat the better, for Mudear could see the same look of death that Nightshadow had in his eye in this rat's eye.

"Look, I soon will be leaving my army...."

Vladimir watched as Ocutrum motioned him out of the shadows. Sighing to himself and rolling his eyes, Vladimir moved through the shadows and "appeared" on the other side of the tent. The rest were throughly spooked as well as Mudear, but Vladimir did not change his deadly glare, but stood calmly behind where Mudear was seated.

"Vlad here will be in charge. I know how frightened you are of him....."

Vladimir nodded, facial expression unchanging. Finally! He would be in charge for once! Now things would actually get done around here! He thought to himself.

Mudear flinched in fear as the knife in Ouctrum's paw flew through the air and bearly missed hitting his paw. He was really starting to get freaked out now and the rest of his crew in the tent was getting rather nervous as well, but after a delay glare from Vladimir they all quieted down and remained still. Mudear choked down his fear and continued to listen, wary of Vadimir that lingered behind him and of this new scary rat in front of him,who's tail was still tightly wrapped around his left wrist, keeping him still.

"....So Instead of staying here..... I'll give you and half of your group a chance to help me. You all will be my guard. As powerful as I am, I am nought but one...... So, If I am to come upon any greater numbers, your band shall protect me, got it?"

Mudear nodded, his head bobbing up and down very rapidly. Ocutrum tail released itself from his wrist and Mudear clutched it close to himself, rubbing where the tail had started to cut the circulation from his paw.

"Oh, and as for your people outside right now....." He grapped his dagger handle from the ground with his tail, flinging it back into his paw as he caught it by the end, "They will do one, and one thing only. They will stay guard at this camp, and I will send Vlad here a message to kill them if You mess up in any way. Is that clear?"

"Aye uh, yesa sira. Yerr can bea countin' ona usa sirra. Ye'll a keeps yerr safe a sirra..." Mudear babbled. His eyes following the dagger and tail.

"Now leave me."

As Ocutrum stood and left the tent, Mudear still sat n the chair, frozen in fear.

Vladimir pulled his sabre from it's sheath slowly. "You heard him, Mudear. Get your insolent tail moving!" Mudear jumped from the chair and fled from the tent. He had enough! He wasn't dying tonight! Vladimir called after the rest of them as the fled the tent. "Back to your tents and stay there you sniveling simple headed toads, or you'll feel the back of my blade!"

Pftt, Vladimir thought to himself. What a bunch of ninnies. Turning around to face the back tent door, Vladimir sheathed his blade and waited quietly for Ocutrum's return, standing silently in the middle of the tent as still as a statue.

Waiting...

[inkmusic]

((OOC: *Dramatic fanfare*))

It was not a very good day for Captain Blarge.

First off, the chief had wanted him to check on the ermines. Crazy things, they were. It didn't make much sense that the chief would want them checked on. They were doing the things they usualy did--snarling and snapping at their cages, frothing at the mouth. Blarge shuddered at the thought of them.

Second off, Vlad was in a bad mood. One could say that Vlad was always in a bad mood, provided One could actually read Vlad's mood was hard to do. But Vlad was in an exceptionally bad mood today. And Blarge tried to avoid Vlad like the plague, except, well, they were both officers. And it was hard to avoid him when the chief kept calling meetings where they both had to be present.

Third off--and this was the worst one--Blarge was out of grog. Stumbling around camp, waving an empty grog flagon in one hand and his sword in the other, he bellowed at anyone in the general vicinity:

"And nobeast'll offer to *hic* sell their poor cap'n any grog. Stands to *hic* reason that the chief hates the lot o' ye. Where're the varmints who *hic* drank the grog reserves, anywhooo? I'll fight 'em, with one paw behind me....." He pondered that word. What was it, started with a B, it was behind him--that was it.
"...fight 'em with one paw behind me back!"

Finally, he went down with a bump, still staring into his empty grog flagon. Empty. What a horrible, hollow word it was. Empty meant not a drop left, not one drop....
Blarge fell backwards with a bump, his eyes watching campfire smoke waft lazily up to the cold blue sky.

"Er...Cap'n Blarge?" A Voice was speaking, nudging Blarge with a small, annoying footpaw.

"Wot?"

"I've got a message for you, Cap'n." The Voice continued, apolegetically. "From Lord Ocutrum. 'E says to meet you in 'is tent, cap'n. And to, er...."

"To wot?" Blarge asked laboriously, rolling over to face the messenger. It was a stoat. One of Ocutrum's lackeys who did odd jobs around camp and waited on the Warlord.

"'E says yore to not bring yore grog flagon." The stoat finally got out, looking more and more apologetic by the minute. "I'm sorry, cap'n, but the Chief says...."

"All right...all right....I'm up..." Blarge said, staggering onto his footpaws. "No grog...no grog flagon....EMPTY!" He bellowed. The stoat winced, waggling a paw in his hear.

"Er, right, cap'n. I'll just be leavin', then...." He said hopefully.

When he got no reply, he dashed off. Luckily for him, this was one of the days where Blarge was too drunk to run through anybeast who looked the wrong way at him, never mind deliver a disagreeable message from Lord Ocutrum the Scourge.

Blarge managed to get up the hill to Ocutrum's campaign tent. Half-falling, half-stepping through the flap, he murmured,

"I'm 'ere, m'*hic*lord."

[Ocutrum the Scourge]

Ocutrum smiled as the stoat dissapeared, and then he let out a large sigh. "Ahhhh..... Ocutrum, How will you handle this? You have No idea what is out there... Nor how pathetic that tribe of Rats were. Or how your army will fare..... Oh well..... Its worth a gamble......" He said to himself, his tail stuck into the soft moss and grass, "The place of Sandstone will be mine..... Redwall will be taken..... I.... Will.... AVENGE YOU! CLUNY THE SCOURGE!" He yelled this, his eye bulging. Lately, he had attained visions in his dreams from his long-dead ancestor...... He had gotten excellent plans and visions.... He would conquer them. He would.

Stepping forward, he pulled out his tail with a mighty thug, the barb still attached. He then opened his flap, ducking his head as he entered. He noticed that Vlad was in front of him, yet he was turned. He was looking at Blarge, who had recently entered the tent. Placing a paw on Vlad's shoulder, he smiled. "Well, Vlad, you know Blarge, don't you?"He said, his other paw motioning to Blarge, "And Blarge, you know Vlad? Good then. Lets see...." He said, turning around, letting go of Vlad's shoulder, "Ah yes. Vlad here will control the horde while I am gone. He will give ou a few tips on training the soldiers. You will obey him, and do so. Also..... You are promoted to temporary Second-in-Command while Vlad is leader. Now, Vlad, meet me back here....." he said, walking outside of the tent.

[Mista P]

Vladimir stood still, his arms crossed in front of his chest. His black ears twitched slowly, his golden eyes staring at the back flap to the tent by which Ocutrum left and by which he knew he would return. As Vladimir listened, he couldn't exactly tell what Ocutrum was saying, but he could tell that he was yelling to himself again.

"...AVENGE YOU! CLUNY THE SCOURGE!"

Vlad smirked to himself, Ocutrum thought he was so smart, but he was yelling to the dead? What could the dead do? Nothing. That's just it. They are dead.

Vladimir's ears flicked, he heard someone stumbling up to the tent. He rolled his eyes. Blarge was drunk again wasn't he. Who else would be coming? Blarge, Vladimir didn't know where Ocutrum found the mind to make him a Captain. Sure he was obedient, had a lot of brute strength, and was fairly good with a blade, but Vladimir could take him and defeat him in the blink of an eye (or so he thought). But surely there is some other beast like Blarge who could at least think for himself without ale or grog. Yes, it was defiantly Blarge. Vladimir could smell his grog.

As Ocutrum reentered the tent, Blarge stumbled through the front flap.

"I'm 'ere, m'*hic*lord."

Vlad's silky tail twitched back and forth on the ground as Ocutrum had approached him, and his muscles tightened as Ocutrum gripped his shoulder. Vladimir fought hard to keep his instincts down and to keep his body calm. Now was not the time. Not yet, soon, but not yet...

"Well, Vlad, you know Blarge, don't you?"

Tilting his head, Vladimir gave Blarge an annoyed, and deadly look, but turn his head back to Ocutrum calmly and continued his bored calm glare that he had come to learn to master when listening to Ocutrum talk.

He said, his other paw motioning to Blarge, "And Blarge, you know Vlad? Good then. Lets see...."

As Ocutrum let go of his shoulder, Vladimir let his muscles relax.

"Ah yes. Vlad here will control the horde while I am gone. He will give you a few tips on training the soldiers. You will obey him, and do so."

Vladimir looked over at Blarge with a smirk and a look of vengeance. Finally, Vladimir would have control, and Blarge would have to do everything he said, not that he didn't already have to do so, but now it was even better. He would be chief pro tempore and he would enjoy every minute of it.

"Also..... You are promoted to temporary Second-in-Command while Vlad is leader. Now, Vlad, meet me back here....."

Vladimir nodded and followed Ocutrum, his paws making no noise as he cross over the ground, as he pushed back the tent flap, Vladimir gave one last smirk to Blarge, this was going to be too much fun. And with a flick of his wrist, Vladimir sent the flap rippling in time with his black cape as he exited the tent, like a flickering shadow...

[inkmusic]

((OOC: Errgghh...posts in these threads are so long. Prank, I love you! Vlad is so beautifully evil!!!!))
"Well, Vlad, you know Blarge, don't you...He said, his other paw motioning to Blarge. "And Blarge, you know Vlad? Good then. Lets see...."

Knew him? Oh aye, Blarge knew him well enough. It was enough to make him slightly less drunk, although not by much. He nodded nervously to Vlad, trying not to look into his cold, dead eyes. The truth was--although Blarge would rather die than admit it--he was scared to death of Vlad. Beyond that, even.

...turning around, letting go of Vlad's shoulder, "Ah yes. Vlad here will control the horde while I am gone. He will give ou a few tips on training the soldiers. You will obey him, and do so.

Blarge could not miss the look that Vlad had given him, and he quivered in his proverbial boots even more. Oh, he was in for it now. Vlad would be watching him, watching every tiny move he made, ready to correct him, to humiliate him. What did Ocutrum think he was doing, leaving such an ambitious sable in charge?

Also..... You are promoted to temporary Second-in-Command while Vlad is leader. Now, Vlad, meet me back here....."

Only after Vlad had left, did Blarge let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. The flap and cape both rippled menacingly, and blarge looked down at his empty paws. No grog bottle, but what did that matter, if the bottle was empty? Oh, the world could be a cruel place some times, and make no mistake.

[Ocutrum the Scourge]

Ocutrum did not falter his expression of pure smugness as Vlad came out of his tent. He stared him straight in the eye, and held his tail like a whip. His voice was now layed with layer after layer of menace, each layer thinner than ice, ready to snap and break, to become raw anger. His eye was now contracted, and made him appear even darker in the gloomy twilight. "Vlad, you are playing a dangerous game here. If you attempt to get an orginization against me, assasins will pour from the trees to kill you. You will die if you attempt it, on my tail.

"Now, If you abuse your powers while i'm gone, you will face me, alone. In broad daylight. Do you think you will win? Now, I suppose you could get by with a small amount, but if you try me, your going to die. Now, You are dismissed."

[Mista P]

Vladimir's black cape fluttered silently back to it's natural position as he stood in front of Ocutrum. In the dark, it is almost near impossible to see Vlad. But of course, his jet black fur, dark clothing, and shifty behavior didn't help his case. The only reason why he could still be seen was the light from inside the tent. It shone bright enough through the tent to outline Vladimir's sleek, black form, giving him an eerie appearance.

But he was not the only who looked creepy in the dark....

Vlad's golden eyes watched Ocutrum as he spoke. He held his glare with Vlad with a smug look on his evil face. His long, deadly tail was held in his paw, and as he spoke his voice became sharper and sharper.

Vlad, as self confidant as he was, wasn't afraid and stood firm on his feet. His face was lit with an evil smirk, his golden eyes glittering with hidden laughter.

"Vlad, you are playing a dangerous game here. If you attempt to get an orginization against me, assasins will pour from the trees to kill you. You will die if you attempt it, on my tail."

His ears twitched lightly, as Vlad kept his jaw firm. He struggled to keep his tongue in check, although he did his best in not showing outward signs that he was. Of course he was playing a dangerous game. Life was a dangerous game. And Vlad didn't have to get an organization against Ocutrum. He had enough influence that he could do what ever he wanted. He was simply waiting.

"Now, If you abuse your powers while i'm gone, you will face me, alone. In broad daylight. Do you think you will win? Now, I suppose you could get by with a small amount, but if you try me, your going to die. Now, You are dismissed."

"Yes, my liege." Vladimir replied bowing elegantly. With a gentle sweep of his cloak, Vlad swept into the shadows in a fluid movement, his mind busy at work.

A challenge by Ocutrum? Now that would be enjoyable. In broad day light, now that would be a set back. But, only a minor one. He could win. He would just have to be careful, and prepared.

Settling among the shadows on the edge of the forest, well out of sight in the dark of the night. Even if a creature was not as well versed in camouflage has he, it would be very, very hard. However, it would not be that hard to hear....

So Vlad was a quiet as possible. The crickets were louder than he was. Vlad waited in his silent, crouching pose. He wanted to see what Ocutrum was going to do next......


((Ooc: Sorry about the wait for all of this guys. And Thank you Ocutrum. ))

[Ocutrum the Scourge]

Ocutrum snorted as he watched Vlad enter the woods. He turned away, walking back into his tent. He new Vlad was not a coward, and wouldn't attack him with an arrow, nor dagger. He knew he would only kill him face to face, If he ever could. Ocutrum was still in the early of his prime, and Vlad was getting old. His second in command couldn't defeat him... Or even hold his own for long. He could sleep sound for longer...... Especially with his horde. They might all fear Vlad, yes, but... They still feared him. And he soon would make an example. But now, sleep.

So, he walked to his bed inside his tent, and had already told the guards to not admit anyone, even if one of them was a captain. So, he slept soundly. His dreams clouded and filled with images of war of a great redstone house, rats, and a huge beast......

[[Thread End]]