The Thief ((OPEN))

[Promatera]

"Me bes' mate, Ban," the older shrew said simply. "Who were s'posed t' wait outside for me." He shot the younger shrew an angry glare. Ban smiled roguishly.

"Yew allas do th' fun stuff 'thout me, mate," Ban objected. "I wanted in on it. Didn't know ye was 'elpin' a vermin, though. T'were news t' me ye was weasel-friendly."

Weasel-friendly? Bon Vaygan would have to disagree and the evidence could be seen by his wrecked form. He knew from the moment he stole the rapier shrews would be the end of him, but he would not have guessed it would be many years later. Just one of life's ironies perhaps?

"Ah, shuddup, pondweed," Nik spat. "If ye don't like yon weasel, then go git the food I lef' outside. Give me a moment's peace, eh?" Ban winked, mocking a salute and scurrying up the tunnel. Nik snorted, turning back to Bon Vaygen, keeping his eyes one the tunnel entrance. "Ban's harmless, mate, trus' me. I didn't wanna bring 'im 'ere, but 'e can't leave me be." His gaze focused on the weasel. "Don't worry. I'll give ye th' food I promised an' me an' 'im will be on our way."

Bon Vaygan nodded a bit. He was in a state of shock and looked winded. "Thanks, Nik," he replied slipping back onto his bed. It was clear his mental state was unstable and he shuddered as it dawned on him that he had almost died.

First shrews, then snakes, what next? It was all because of that barn. He just had to hide away for the night. All he wanted was to wait out the rain, but he was quickly denied that. Just a few moments ago, his peaceful slumber was disturbed by a snake that nearly killed him. All he wanted to do now was just crawl into his bed and lay there. He didn't care if it was for a few hours, a few days, maybe even a few weeks.

[Django]

"Thanks, Nik," he replied slipping back onto his bed.

Nik nodded in reply, watching the tunnel entrance expectantly. Ban was due back any moment. It didn't take this long to retrieve a sack of food. After five minutes, Nik swore vehemently and climbed back up the tunnel, muttering something about bad moods.

Emerging from the earthen tube, Nik cast about for Ban, but the younger shrew was nowhere in sight. Nik cursed again, searching for the food sack instead. But it was also gone. "Ban, don't do this t' me," Nik growled quietly.

Kneeling down, he could barely make out shrew tracks leading away from the hollow. Exhausting his vulgar vocabulary upon the woodlands, Nik yanked on the ivory vines of the burrow until they fell back into place. He didn't want to leave Bon Vaygen unprotected again. He then sprinted into the trees, following the tracks.

It didn't take long for him to catch up with Ban, who was hobbling along on his good leg, lugging the big bag of food behind him a few yards away in the dense undergrowth. "Oi, yew liddle t'ief!" Nik raged, tackling Ban to the ground. "Wot's th' meanin' a' this?!" Expertly pinning the younger shrew beneath him, Nik knocked the food sack out of his friend's paws.

"I ain't helpin' no vermin, Nik!" Ban protested, struggling in Nik's iron grip. "T'ain't natural! T'ain't right for no Guosim shrew t' be helpin' th' enemy!"

"I'll tell ye wot t'ain't right, yew sorry sack a' fur," Nik spat. "Yew refusin' food to a starvin' beast! Bon Vaygen ain't got no food a' his own, an' I ain't lettin' no friend a' mine go 'thout food!" Ban's expression was one of shocked fury.

"Yew--yore friends with a weasel?" he yelled. "Yew admit it?! How can yew be friend's with that piece a' sh--"

"Bon Vaygen proved he could be trusted," Nik barked. "An' if yew don't like him, then go back t' camp!" He rolled off of Ban and grabbed the sack of food, storming back in the direction of the weasel's hollow.

"The Logalog won't like this one bit!" Ban called lamely. Nik paid him no heed as he found his way back to the ivy wall. Instead of pulling the curtain open, he shoved his way through the thick plants and reentered the burrow.

"Here's yore food, mate," he announced, dropping the buldging bag on the floor. He was suddenly aware that Bon Vaygen might have been able to hear his argument with Ban. They hadn't been too far away from the hollow. But Bon Vaygen was probably too tired to care.

[Promatera]

Bon Vaygan rested as best as he could, but he was soon reawakened by arguing outside of his hollow. It seemed that Ban and Nik were not getting along. As Nik stormed into the burrow he dropped the bag of food on the floor.

"Here's yore food, mate," he announced,

"Thanks," he yawned. Somewhere Bon Vaygan knew it was amazing that this shrew was still sticking up for him, but instead he felt only guilt. Nik had stood up for him and even saved his life, but he had hardly done anything in return. Before his guilt vanished Bon Vaygan came up with a proposition.

"Will you need to hide for a while?" Bon Vaygan asked. If the other shrew explained to their tribe what Nik had done Bon Vaygan knew he would be punished. The least he could do was offer safety.

[Django]

"Will you need to hide for a while?" Bon Vaygan asked.

"Hide? I--" Nik stopped himself. He turned back to the tunnel entrance. If Ban told the Logalog, Nik would have some serious explaining to do. He knew the Guosim's beliefs about vermin were set in stone. As had his own been before the previous night. The tribe would ridicule him to no end, and the Logalog would punish him as he would a traitor.

Nik knew he would have to face it all sometime, but in all honesty, he was exhausted. With a resigned sigh, the shrew braced one arm on the wall of the burrow. He wasn't just exhausted. He felt betrayed, somehow. Cheated, almost. His best friend was about to report his treason to the tribe. His new ally was the cause. But Nik couldn't pin everything on those two.

He had willingly formed a bond with Bon Vaygen, even if it was shaky at best. Nik had risked his life to save the weasel. That counted for something. Ban obviously couldn't accept how readily Nik trusted the weasel. But Nik had a new perspective on his tribe's views. True, many vermin deserved the bad reputation they were given, but it wasn't as though every single one was a bloodthirsty killer. The Guosim were simple-minded, which was helpful in most situations. But life was more complicated than slay first, questions later.

"Ah, yeh," Nik murmured finally. "Yeh, thanks." He felt like such a coward, running from his problems this way. He strove to resolve conflict as soon as it arose. But this just seemed daunting. Leaning against the dirt wall, Nik slid into a sitting position. "The Gousim will have the rest a' me tail fer this. . ."

[Promatera]

"Ah, yeh," Nik murmured finally. "Yeh, thanks." "The Gousim will have the rest a' me tail fer this. . ."

Normally Bon Vaygan would have pointed out that Nik had hardly any tail left, but at the moment he felt terrible. Devoid of energy he had a hard time focusing on anything but himself.

"Alright, help yourself to the food you brought," he replied not even moving from his spot on his bed. "I'm sure you'll be fine here so make yourself comfortable."

Very slowly Bon Vaygan's eyelids had begun to droop and soon sleep had overcome him. Though any other beast would be weary after a near deadly encounter with a snake, Bon Vaygan could care less at the moment.

[Tulian Solum]

(Hope you guys don't mind )

Clambering over a fall tree trunk a certain ferret sighed and finally admitted it to himself. He was lost, completely and utterly. Whatever path was to the legendary mountain he was pretty sure it did not involve a forest on the way there. Taking a second to place his armor filled backpack on the ground and stretch his back Seig took stock of his green surroundings. Biting his lip a little he soon forgot the way he got here, just like yesterday, and the day before. Two days of wandering through this forest and now with no idea how to get out.

Taking some of the now sparse rations from his backpack he chewing on the herbs as he slowly slid into a sitting position against the tree, his Halberd across his lap. He would have to eventually find someone to talk to, and then hope that they knew the way out, and would draw him a very detailed map. Lest he got lost, again. Cursing his terrible sense of direction he sniffed the refreshing forest air a little, but then pulled a face. Since when was the great forest smell full of blood?

Swallowing the herb he picked up his weapon and moved toward the smell. Soon the sound of steady rustling and hissing reached his ears as he peaked over a clump of bushes. His eyes went wide as he could see a snake, who appeared to be badly wounded, slowly making its way through the forest. Quickly clamping a paw over his mouth to make sure he didn't draw attention to himself he just watched. Almost transfixed by the rolling coils of the snake, and the gaping wound, snake wouldn't last long with that. He mused in his head until the snake had gone and only the sound remained.

Still a little on edge he edged backwards toward his backpack. Looking back to make sure his sword and armor were strapped securely and all the pockets were closed he hoisted it over his shoulder and set off at a fast jog away from the snake. Tucking his halberd under one arm he made a running vault over the fallen tree branch from before, hoping to distance himself from the snake.

It wasn't until he was in the air when he heard the mutterings of a shrew below him who was heading down the path. Unable to stop himself or even shout a warning he almost landed right on the poor creature. Luckily his halberd head missed the shrew but it was knocked from his loose grasp in the ensuing tumble. Finally stopping Seig found himself looking up at the sky with his bag next to him. Blinking a few times he decided to wait for the world to stop spinning before getting up and seeing of the other creature was alright.

(May brighten Ban's day a little :> )

[Django]

"Alright, help yourself to the food you brought," he replied not even moving from his spot on his bed. "I'm sure you'll be fine here so make yourself comfortable."

Nik wasn't hungry, and he could tell Bon Vaygen needed sleep. Considering he hadn't gotten much rest himself the night before, Nik decided to follow the weasel's example. Leaning his head back, the shrew closed his eyes, wondering what his father would think of him after all this.

(MEANWHILE)

Ban trudged through the woods angrily. A veritable stream of curses left his mouth with each step until he ran out of cuss words. Then he started insulting Nik with a few choice words. The young shrew did not, in any way, agree with what his friend was doing. No vermin deserved the friendly treatment Nik was giving to that weasel.

"T'ain't right," Ban kept muttering. "No, jus' t'ain't right." He would tell the Logalog the whole situation, and then Nik would . . . Well, Nik would probably be punished. Pausing for a moment, Ban considered what the punishment might be. Nik was more or less a traitor for helping a vermin, since vermin were the enemy, but--

Ban cried out in shock as a heavy weight suddenly crushed him. He struggled beneath the weight, but he couldn't get it off. Pushing and shoving, he discovered that the thing that had fallen on him was a ferret. Redoubling his efforts to freedom, the shrew tried to draw his rapier, shouting, "Gitoffa me, vermin!"

[Promatera]

Bon Vaygan did his best to fall asleep, but he was tormented by his past. Why would it not leave him alone? How could the past continue to haunt him like this? Bon Vaygan groaned as he opened his eyes. It was still light outside as shafts of sunlight had broken through the ceiling. Hunger pangs had begun to demand Bon Vaygan get food. With little haste, Bon Vaygan lifted himself out of bed and left to the food bag Nik had brought back.

"Near impossible to sleep," he muttered as he opened the food bag and took out some crystallized fruit. He took a small bite before digging into the bag for something else. He pulled out a few oatcakes and went to eating them right there as he was too 'tired' to put the table back in place. After taking a bit of an oatcake he remembered Nik was still in his home.

"Nik?" he asked, "you want anything?"

[Django]

Every time Nik closed his eyes, he saw his father, but the expression on the Logalog's face was unreadable. Is he disappointed in me? Nik thought desperately. I was only trying to help an ally. He tried to call out to his father, but the elder shrew would simply turn away and disappear into the blackness of Nik's mind.

With a frustrated groan, Nik woke himself up, craning his stiff neck forward with a sharp hiss of pain. He rubbed the back of his head, taking stock of his surroundings. Dirt walls, tree roots poking through the roof . . . oh, right, Bon Vaygen's hollow. Nik grunted softly, massaging his neck.

"Near impossible to sleep," he muttered as he opened the food bag and took out some crystallized fruit.

Nik looked up as the weasel started eating. He waved away the second offer of food and simply sat where he was. His attention was drawn to the tunnel entrance, as if expecting the ant ire Guosim force to come charging down it any second. Why did Nik feel so torn? He was a simple shrew, like the rest of the Guosim. But, after everything that had happened to him, perhaps he wasn't as simple as he thought.

He had his honor, he had his pride, and he had his responsibility to the tribe. That had been his entire life, really, with the exception of a year or so when his priorities had changed during courtship. But nothing had ever been complicated. Now, he didn't know what to think. He'd never been in this situation before. The night before, he would have slain Bon Vaygen on sight, and now he was offering the weasel food. Vermin were the enemy!

But not anymore, apparently. At least, not all vermin. Nik sighed, wondering yet again what his father would say. Would he understand Nik's kindness to a forest hermit in need of food? Or would he punish Nik's aiding the enemy? The Logalog was a difficult shrew to understand, sometimes. Perhaps not all the Guosim were as simple as Nik once thought.

"Yew ever disappointed some beast ye loved, Vaygen?" the shrew asked quietly. He needed some outlet for his confusion.

[Tulian Solum]

Looking up from his position on his back Seig was relieved to see that the shrew seemed unharmed. But the shrew didn't look at all like he was happy to see him. Understandable, Seig mused as he rolled over and began to get up, he had landed on him after all.

Opening his mouth to offer an apology to the shrew he stopped half way through a breath when the shrew drew his blade and shouted at him. He glanced at his backpack where he sword was strapped and mentally chided himself for letting it get to far out of his reach. His polearm was a little closer but the shrew could still probably get a hit in before he grabbed it.

Trying to smile a little he held out his paws to show that he was unarmed and meant no harm, luckly his armor and helmet were in his pack or he would not look it at all. But he held his ground, just out of rapier reach from the shrew as he tried again to speak with him.

"Sorry about my entrance sir, but the snake yonder made for a good reason to leave quickly. If you would just put your blade down we can keep this civil." Of course Seig had no idea about the shrews in Mossflower and their hatred of his kind, but he assumed they were beasts that would be up for talking....he hoped.

(This should be fun )

[Django]

"Sorry about my entrance sir, but the snake yonder made for a good reason to leave quickly. If you would just put your blade down we can keep this civil."

"Vermin don't know th' meanin' a' th' word 'civil', thick'ead!" Ban growled, his rapier held tight in his paws. "Gimme a good reason I shouldn't kill yew right 'ere!"

All second thoughts banished from his mind, the young shrew was ready to deal with this ferret the way he would deal with any vermin. Slay first, ask questions later. There was no way he was lowering his weapon, especially when he had an apparent advantage over the ferret. He had no weapons, but Ban had his rapier. The thought brought a smile to the young shrew's face.

((Most vermin don't know the meaning of the word civil, and, unfortunately, neither do -any- of the Guosim. Also, sorry for the short, late, lame post, guys.))

[Promatera]

((Meanwhile in Bon Vaygan's hollow...))

"Yew ever disappointed some beast ye loved, Vaygen?" the shrew asked quietly.

Bon Vaygan swallowed as silence reigned for a moment. He had never told another living beast what had happened years ago and he never planned to. However, Nik had saved his life and opened up to him, Bon Vaygan knew better. His father had taught him better.

"Yes," he replied solemnly. "My father was an amazing creature, but I failed him," he sighed.

"Over a decade ago I was a young and rash beast with grand ideas. That was when I lived with my father's troupe. One day I yelled at some of the other performers and my father tried to quell my zealous pursuit of perfection. I retaliated by leaving. I never knew it would be for good though," he paused as the memories brought back the anger and anguish he had felt as a younger weasel.

"By the time I realized my mistake, it was far too late," Bon Vaygan paused once more. His memory of the discovery was still intact. He slowly walked into the clearing the troupe had been only days before. There was no sign of anyone. Bon Vaygan shuddered as the memory returned, but for some reason, it was worth it. After bearing his burden for so long, it felt great to finally share it with another beast.

[Django]

"Yes," he replied solemnly. "My father was an amazing creature, but I failed him," he sighed.

Nik nodded. He was pretty sure he knew the feeling. And if he didn't, he probably would know it very soon.

"Over a decade ago I was a young and rash beast with grand ideas. That was when I lived with my father's troupe. One day I yelled at some of the other performers and my father tried to quell my zealous pursuit of perfection. I retaliated by leaving. I never knew it would be for good though," he paused as the memories brought back the anger and anguish he had felt as a younger weasel.

Nik didn't reply. He could tell Bon Vaygen had been holding this in for some time. There seemed to be some sense of release about the depressed weasel as he shared his story.

"By the time I realized my mistake, it was far too late," Bon Vaygan paused once more.

The shrew remained silent for awhile. He honestly didn't know how to reply to a story like that. However, he got an inkling of why Bon Vaygen had these "blue state" attacks every now and then. He felt guilty. Would Nik feel that way if he disappointed his father, too?

"Sorry mate," the shrew said finally, reaching for a loaf of bread sticking out of the sack. "Ye've . . . seemed to 'ave 'ad a rough go, eh?" Nik wasn't good at consoling, obviously.

[Tulian Solum]

Seig worst fears were confirmed after the shrew spoke. Staying silent for a few seconds he carefully considered his options. If he didn't pick what he said next carefully he had no doubt the shrew would run him through without a second thought. Biting his lip a little he took a step back from the shrew, unfortunately that also meant a step back for both of his weapons. But for now he had to keep his eyes on the shrew, looking at his own weapons could make this creature jumpy, and he needed to keep him calm or a fight would soon break out.

Holding out his paws a little further he tried again. "Sir, there is no need for this. I am sorry for landing on you, but we should both leave before that snake comes back." It was a long shot but it may just spook the shrew enough for him to accept a compromise. He took another small step back and grimaced as his back hit a tree. He was now back into a corner.

The smile on the young beasts face did not bode well for him, younger creatures were prone to act rashly. Gulping a little he tried again to calm the shrew down. But he couldn't think of anything else to say, so he just tried to smile, though it came out weak. Seig though had the idea that it would not work, so while he was backed against the tree he crouched ever so slightly in case the shrew decided to strike.

[Django]

"Sir, there is no need for this. I am sorry for landing on you, but we should both leave before that snake comes back."

Ban paused, but he did not change his stance. "Wot snake?" he asked harshly. "Did it 'ave a big wound in its side? Ha!" He laughed scornfully. "That'un's a dead snake soon, ye dumb ferret." He sneered. "I know cos me bes' mate gave it that wound. An' no snake lives arter mess in' wid me bes' mate."

He leaned forward, his rapier touching the pinned ferret's throat. "An' no vermin lives arter messin' wid me," he added threateningly. "I ain't inna partic'lar good mood, ferret, so, I ask agin. Gimme one reason I shouldn't run ye t'roo."

[Promatera]

"Sorry mate," the shrew said finally, reaching for a loaf of bread sticking out of the sack. "Ye've . . . seemed to 'ave 'ad a rough go, eh?"

"Yeah..." he sighed, "I've been like this ever since." Bon Vaygan handed Nik the loaf of bread and took another bite of crystallized fruit. The pair continued to eat in silence until Bon Vaygan broke it. Something had been bugging him for some time.

"Nik?" he asked, "We've argued, fought, and laughed together and it has me a little confused. Are we friends or enemies?" Bon Vaygan wanted some clear answer as to how he should view Nik. Were they friend or foe?

[Django]

"Nik?" he asked, "We've argued, fought, and laughed together and it has me a little confused. Are we friends or enemies?"

The shrew took a bite out of the loaf of bread, using the time to think of an answer. He kept his eyes down when he finally spoke. "Depends, I s'pose," he replied. "Wot d'ye want t' be? My friend? Or my enemy?"

Nik hated to settle for shaky alliances himself. In fact, if Bon Vaygen couldn't make up his mind, Nik would probably decide for him. But the shrew had, somewhat, begun to think of the weasel as an ally, at the very least. Some beast he'd be willing to trust if push came to shove. And friendships were not made by simply deciding.

((God, this thread has some violent mood swings. XD ))

[Tulian Solum]

As soon as the blade touched him Seig knew that talking would not work. Any other reason he could give would not be enough for this particular shrew. Whatever reason he had for hating his kind so much would overrule any reason he could give to be spared. But even so he would have to be careful in this next move, or one of them could be killed.

Taking a deep breath and crouching down a little lower, looking like he was giving up, he quickly swung both his arms up to brush the rapier away to the left with his forearms before moving in closer to the shrew. His arms now over the rapier he swung his elbow into the side of the shrews head while moving that arm toward the hilt of the rapier, his other arm holding the flat of the blade between his body and his arm. Once the shrews grip had been loosened by the strike he grabbed the hilt and gave it a sharp pull. Now holding the weapon for himself he jumped toward the dazed shrew and shoved him hard onto his back. Flipping the rapier around he rested the point against the shrews chest as he breathed deeply.

"Now, sir, lets talk about this shall we?" He said between breaths, but due to the action he didn't hear the sounds in the woodland around him. Or see the eyes and blades watching his little show.

(Hope that's alright )

[Django]

"Now, sir, lets talk about this shall we?"

Ban glared up at the ferret, his eyes burning with rage. Mentally berating himself for being caught off-guard so easily, the shrew held his silence. He didn't answer to vermin. Breathing hard as he lay on all fours upon the ground, Ban thought hard on what to do next.

Fortunately, he didn't have to think much. A dozen or more Guosim shrews emerged from the undergrowth, bows and slings aimed at the ferret. The leader, a burly shrew wearing a blue headband, stepped forward into the ring of shrews, his blade held out towards the vermin.

"Unhand th' Guosim warrior, ferret," he ordered in a gruff voice.

"Tyro, thank heavens," Ban breathed, grinning up at his companions. "I got one helluva report fer ye!"

((Sorry for shortness, I wanted to let Seig react to this situation.))

[Tulian Solum]

Rolling his eyes at the shrews silence and look of murderous rage Seig tapped the flat of the blade against the shrews chest. He had no reason where this rage came from. It was as if this particular shrew had been attacked every day by a bandit group full of his identical twins. Opening his mouth to chide the shrew he looked back as he heard the bushes part behind him and some of the shrews comrades emerge. Ahhing a little as they circled him he moved the blade off the shrews chest and looked back to see the apparent leader step fourth.

"Yes sir." He said simply as he stepped sideways off the shrew and set his rapier down beside the prone shrew. Taking another step away from the shrews with his back facing them he dropped down to his knees and held his paws behind his back. While on the outside he may have seemed very calm inside he was getting very worried. If that first shrew was anything to go by he would soon find a blade across his throat. But even if he had tried to run they would bring him down with stones and arrows.

Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves he listened carefully to all the shrews behind him, wondering why the young shrew suddenly sounded so happy. He guessed it was something other to do than him or the shrew would instead be shouting for his execution. Letting the breath out he straightened his back and kept looking straight ahead, he had to be respectful or he would have even less chance to live...