Teachers Meet ((OPEN, Just ask))

[Shadow Flame]

The calm serene scene of Mossflower wood had beasts of all ages and sizes feeling lazy. One in particular, a large squirrel named Oliver, who's usually seen working hard, took the advantage of this midday beauty. He felt increasingly lazy as the warm breeze blew his headfur about. The surroundings were quiet with families of different good-beasts taking a stroll, soaking in such a wonderful day.

Oliver made sure to escape the monotonous kitchen duties and even take a break from his daily battle training. He felt that it was a good change of pace from the daily grind of Abbey life. He had no regrets of any consequences the Friar had in store for him if he was seen shirking on his duties.

Oliver put his head on his paws as he laid back onto the soft green grass next to his favorite climbing tree. A large Red Oak that had the same wood as his battle staff, which was tied tightly to his broad back. He felt that it could not get any better than this. It made him flash a toothy grin while his eyes were closed.

[unknownsoldier]

Lance had regretted on taking two students from day one. They had been trouble from the start, and get on his nerves almost every second. He would be relaxing in the shade today, but his two students, a mouse and otter named Zeph and Leon, wouldn't have it. "Lance, Lance! Teach us some more battle moves!" Zeph kept asking the tired ferret while still walking.
"Zeph, hes just going to keep telling you no." Leon says as catches up.
"Why shouldn't he though?" Zeph says in a annoyed tone.
"Maybe because your not experienced enough yet?" Leon says in a know-it-all tone and crosses his arms.
"I'm getting gray fur from you two." Lance mumbles.
He soon stops and leans back on a big red oak tree. He still had his hood up and was panting slightly.
"Why are we stopping Lance?" Zeph asks while sitting on a log.
"Maybe because I'm not as young as you and as energetic?" Lance says calmly, keeping his emotions in check. Leon sat down on the same log with Zeph.

[Shadow Flame]

"Lance lance!"

Oliver's ears twitched; he was beginning to fall asleep, but the sudden noises caused him to grumble. He opened an eye and sat up accordingly, stretching his muscular limbs. As soon as he stood up, he heard another beast sitting against the Oak tree, on the other side of it's wide trunk.

"Zeph, hes just going to keep telling you no."..."Why shouldn't he though?" ... "Maybe because your not experienced enough yet?" ... "I'm getting gray fur from you two."

The squirrel warrior smiled a bit at what he had heard from the three voices nearby. He slowly walked over to the other side, enough keep from startling the newcomers.
"'Ello there!" Oliver said, waving a paw in the air with a cheery voice. "Wonderful day t'day isn't it? Th' warmth of it all sure can put a smile on a beast's face." Oliver was always in a good mood, few things caused him to be unhappy.

He was slightly shocked seeing a Ferret traveling with a Mouse and an Otter. Most Ferrets that came by this way were always up to no good, trying to kill or pillage others living in this side of the woods. Still, he didn't mind, not feeling any bad vibes coming from the trio.

[unknownsoldier]

Lance wasn't surprised by this...squirrels entrance. He gave quick glance of this new arrival. Big, obviously, even for a squirrel, and relatively harmless. But looks can always be deceiving, as he learned in his line of work. Zeph was surprised enough from his entrance that he fell backwards off the log with a squeak. Leon laughed heartily at the antic. "Having trouble staying on mate?" He tried hard to keep a straight face.
Zeph pointed a accusing paw at him. "It was your fault!"
"My fault? Oh please, like its that hard to push you off, and even if I did, you would have been too easy anyway." Leon said his statement.
"Take that back!" He says just before attempting a tackle on Leon. Leon saw this coming and leaned to the side. Zeph flew past and landed on the ground face first. Lance just sighs at this.
"Yes, sure is. Unless these two interrupt you."Lance says calmly to the squirrel.

[Shadow Flame]

The large squirrel noticed that the Ferret was much older than the two he was with and that he was much older than himself as well. An experienced traveler it seemed.

"It's no trouble at all mate." Oliver said as he glanced at the two fighting. He let out a chuckle from the antics of the Mouse who tried to tackle his Otter friend. Oliver looked back to the Ferret and introduced himself properly. "I am Oliver Swiftstream of Redwall."

Oliver looked back over to the other two indicating that he was introducing himself to them as well. He smiled calmly awaiting for their replies.

[unknownsoldier]

"The names Lance, the two young ones are Zeph," points to the mouse on the ground," and that is Leon." He finally points to the smug looking Otter. "They are, unfortunately, my students." Lance says with reluctance. Zeph tried again to tackle Leon, but leon leaned dodged it again, Zeph fell onto his stomach.
"Hold still!" Zeph says angrily.
"I am, your just not good enough to touch me." Leon says confidently.
"Yes, my name is Leon, Oliver Swiftstream. I am a student of my teacher Lance Drifter. My fellow student, a novice, is Zeph." Leon says calmly.
Zeph got up and wiped the dirt from his green habit. "Looking for a fight?" He was throwing punches, eagerly wanting to fight.
"Out of the two, Leon is the most behaved. Zeph, on the other paw..." Lance says while giving Zeph a look. Zeph stopped and bowed politely to Oliver.

[Shadow Flame]

"Ah! Students, I 'ave a few students myself. Not as young lookin' as yours though." Oliver gave a smile. "Pleased t' meet you Leon, an' you too Zeph! You 'ave a fine warrior spirit Zeph, I can see it in you." Oliver said. "An' Leon, you look like a very fast learner, make sure you two listen t' your teacher, Lance. 'E's very well seasoned lookin' an' you both can learn a lot from a beast like that."

He saw Zeph bow and he gave a polite bow back in return. "So, Lance, what brings you an' your friends t' this side of Mossflower? Comin' t' visit Redwall?" Oliver said with a joyous tone. He loved when new guests showed up in Mossflower, especially ones that looked friendly enough. He liked the politeness of the beasts.

"I also do a bit of my own trainin', like I said, I am a teacher too. Been traveling, trainin' an' fightin' for a good seven eight now. I started young like those two, not as young, but I was sixteen when I started. I'm twenty four now an' the time sure does fly.." The fighting squirrel smiled as he trailed off on his words.

[unknownsoldier]

"Redwall? I haven't exactly know much about it." Lance says honestly. Redwall, Redwall......hes heard the name before, but thats it. Though from how Leon and Zeph look, they know more about it then he does.
"R-really? Your from Redwall oliver?" Zeph says in awe.
"Yes Zeph, he just said hes from Redwall." Leon says calmly, but equally amazed. Lance looked interested when Oliver mentioned he was a trainer as well.
"Were just traveling and wandering. Interesting that your a trainer. What kind of training do you do exactly?" Lance asks him politely.
"Is the food at Redwall really good like I heard?"Zeph says excitedly.

[Shadow Flame]

"Redwall's a wonderful place, we can get you three bite t' eat an' some rest." He said to Lance.

Oliver smiled as the two younger beasts spoke, showing enthusiasm in their own ways. "Yes, I am from Redwall my friends. You are all welcome t' go there!" Oliver said, before looking back to Lance.

"Yes I am a trainer, I specialize in wrestling an' paw t' paw combat. I also teach spear throwin' an' staff fightin'" Oliver chuckled before continuing on. "I also 'ave advanced obstacle courses, logs swingin' from th' trees, boulders falling down th' hills. All dodging an' weaving for those." Oliver scratched his head as he thought, knowing there was one more thing in his training grounds.

"Oh! I also 'ave a greased rope climbin' course. Rock throwin' an' liftin' courses for strength. Plus a log press an' squat area for hind leg an' upper body strength." Oliver said with a great excitement.

[unknownsoldier]

"Staff fighting you say?" Lance says with a small smile. The two students groaned slightly. They already had memories of his unique punishments and his smile. Zeph did not like the smile the most out of the two of them.
"I was starting to like the guy to. Sad day." Leon says as he lays on the log.
"Man....I hate that smile of his." Zeph says as he takes a seat to.
"I kinda have a old hand in staff fighting of sorts." He says while twirling his wooden staff experimentally. It had carvings from bygone days.

[Kaspiyan]

"Boss, we're lost. You know it and I know it. The others don't know it yet, but give 'em time and they'll figger it out. Not quite the sharpest bunch they's not, but a few more days of meandering t'rough the bush and they'll get the picture."

"I know that captain. But I'm worried how they might react to such news. We haven't had a proper meal for a few days and morals been running low. I wouldn't go so far as to question their loyalty, but things may get nasty if they find out I don't have the mitest idea where we're going."

"C'mon boss, it wouldn't that awrful. Sure some tails'd be flustered, but they trust yah sir! Why, just the 'udder day I 'eard Muddy saying-"

The conversation was cut short by sounds of chatter drifting through the air.

"...I'm twenty four now an' the time sure does fly.."

"...from Redwall oliver?"

Both beasts were down in a flash, crouching in the foliage instinctively. One of them -a stoat dressed in a drab olive green tunic and cloak- tightened his grip around the sharkskin handle of the beautiful basket-hilt claymore at his side. Neither said a word, both staring intensely at the direction of the conversation. Dead-still for a time, the stoat ventured a whisper. "Theys don't be sounding like travellers boss, theys natives of these parts oi'd wager. Listen to 'ow they talk with such f'miliarity." He turned his head to face his companion. "Oi'd say we go ask 'em for direction, or a map or sumthing. Get the lay o' the land and all."

"Aye, we will do as you say. Paws off weapons, let us not come off as a foe." With that, they stood up and strode strongly through the bushes to the source of the voice, the stoat tailing behind him. The voices grew louder, then quiet for a moment as the bushes parted and the two stepped forth; the stoat and his companion who was a feral cat. Not large like a wildcat, about the size of an otter. He was dressed in the same plain clothes as the stoat and had a curious looking long sabre at his side. He was black and grey furred, and when he spoke it was clear and modest. "Greeting there my fellows. Peace, we mean you know harm. My name is Kaspiyan, this is my companion Risky. We are new to this country and are wandering lost. You are the first beasts we have met in this journey, and we wonder if you could provide us with the lay of the land? A map, or some landmarks, any thing of that sort." He tried to sound friendly through his deception. There was no need to tell them about the catspaws. He just wanted to get his orientation.

[Shadow Flame]

"Yes, staff fightin'! It's my weapon of choice when travelin' an' it comes in 'andy durin' battle too." Oliver said excitedly, seeing that he wasn't the only one who fought with a staff. "'What made you want t' practice with the staff?" He asked with an interested curiosity.

Oliver heard movement in the foliage, seeing two creatures pop out. Oliver, at first, became weary of the traveler's looks while eying the sabres gingerly. He relaxed a bit when he heard a polite and proper tone from the Feral Cat. The large squirrel knew not to judge by looks, but to go by instinct. He felt they weren't looking for trouble, which put him at ease.

Greeting there my fellows. Peace, we mean you know harm [...] A map, or some landmarks, any thing of that sort."

Oliver smiled and pulled out rolled up parchment that had the layout of the immediate area. "'Ello friends. I am Oliver Swiftstream, an' I think I 'ave just th' thing you're lookin' for." He walked over to the two beasts and unrolled the map drawn on the parchment.

[unknownsoldier]

Lance automatically did not like the looks of the feral cat and his stoat friend. The weapons gave themselves away and the cat himself. Lance in his line of work heard about a group of mercenaries called the catspaws. He didn't say anything of course. He moved closer over to his two students.
"Hey lance, can I-"Bonk,"Ow!" He says from getting hit in the by lances staff edge.
"You got your answer, happy now?" Leon says to Zeph.

[Kaspiyan]

In clear sight, Kaspiyan took in the creatures before. The ferret was the most eye-catching one though, yes an interesting beast indeed. While most vermin were skulkers; snivelling beasts with shady characteristics and little backbone, this ferret was none of that. He carried himself straight and confident, solemn and suspicious. He had a well-used lance with him, and a professional look to his stance. He bore the standing of a proper fighter -a soldier of fortune perhaps? Perhaps, perhaps a potential recruit?

"'Ello friends. I am Oliver Swiftstream, an' I think I 'ave just th' thing you're lookin' for."

A overtly-friendly squirrel stepped forward welcomingly, offering a map. Bowing his head in gratitude, he took it gracious from Oliver. "Thank you friend, this is a great asset to us, we are thankful." Raising his head back up, he turned to look at the ferret. "I know the bearing of a soldier when I see it, comrade. From what parts do you hail? For what banner or chief do you pledge that lance of yours to?" He inquired, gesturing to the potent polearm.

[Shadow Flame]

Oliver bowed back politely before stepping back to let them look at the map. "It's not a problem mates. You can keep it for yore journeys."

The large squirrel warrior noticed Kaspiyan as the Cat looked towards Lance. His thoughts were correct after he listened to Kaspiyan ask Lance some questions. Oliver didn't know much about being in certain lines of work. He was just a fighting warrior for one side only. In any case, the large squirrel stood back and just listened.

[unknownsoldier]

After hearing the feral cat Kaspiyan asks his questions, he answered him. "I'm from the North, and I am not pledged to a banner or chief. I am only a teacher." For the time being anyways. "If your looking to recruit me, no is the answer." He says flat out to Kaspiyan as he twirled his staff experimentally. He had the lance tip in his backpack, and other things.

"Lance-"Bonk,"Ow! Stop doing that!" Zeph says from getting hit in the head again by Lances staff edge. A perk of being a teacher. Lance thought to himself and smiled lightly.
"Well, maybe he would stop if you stopped asking stupid questions." Leon says to Zeph.

[Kaspiyan]

"If your looking to recruit me, no is the answer."

Firm. Capable. A proper looking fighter in his own right. Kaspiyan bowed his head in deference.

"Very well then, if that is your choice." Drawing the map out to take a full look at it, he traced a sheathed claw over some of the roads, quietly murmuring habitually to himself. He paused, pointed something out to the stoat. "what do you make of this?" He inquired. The stoat shook his head.

"No clu' boss. Heart 'bout it though, that's for shor'." Kaspiyan looked back up to the travelers, pointing out the mark on the map.

"This is a place called Redwall, here on this map. What of it? I've heard tale of it from lesser beasts, that it is some manner of fortress or bastion in these lands?"

[Shadow Flame]

The large Squirrel warrior raised his bandage wrapped paw and answered. "I know of Redwall.. I live there. You could say it is a fortress. It 'as large walls, ramparts, battlements, you name it, it' 'as it." He said bluntly and quickly. There wasn't much more to say about the red sandstone fortress.

He looked back to Lance and walked beside the older Ferret. He whispered very quietly into his ear. "What do ya make of these two, Lance? I've been in my fair share of fights and seen many different creatures, but I'm not too familiar with a Cat. I don't know 'is intentions with Redwall." He spoke softly enough for Lance to hear his words faintly.

[unknownsoldier]

As soon as heard the stoat call the cat boss, he gave it all away. Lance now knew who the cat really was, Kaspiyan, leader of a group of mercenaries called the cats paw was it? He could never remember the name right. He then noticed and heard Oliver whisper to him.

"Aye. I was wondering who he was, and now I'm certain. I heard on my travels about a certain cat leading a group were making a name for themselves. Pretty good fighters from what I heard, the cat himself especially. What their intention with Redwall though, I have no clear idea. What you want to do next is up to you. He whispered quietly back to Oliver. Lance knew the cat's group aren't too far off. He thought best maybe if they left quickly and quietly.

[Kaspiyan]

Redwall, Redwall... Kaspiyan had heard whispers of a fortress deemed cursed by lowly vermin, an impenetrable fortress that had withstood countless sieges. Was it ruled by a warlord? A mighty king? The cat was interested, he slid the map away into his rucksack, and noticed the two whispering to each other. He couldn't make out what was being said of course.

"Do tell, is this Redwall fortress ruled by a warlord? A mighty chief or some such sort?" He asked, then quickly bended his head over to Risky, snarling out a curt, quiet command in the Heroes Tongue -native language of the southern cats. The stoat nodded and headed back into the woods silently. Kaspiyan rerturned his gaze to the travelers. "Actually, do either of you know anything of chiefs or warlords in this area? Any, creatures of power and influence?"