Tales of Deadly Daring Do

[coolcoyote]

Ooc

This is the site for the future thread, Deadly Daring Do. Whixh is a continuation of a pm rp that will be posted at a later date.

The role play centers around the kidnapping of the Gilmar Princess.

The Gilmar kingdom is OC and probibly wont appear in any other story thread. They are one of many smaller kingdoms in the snowy north, one or two settlements under the protection of a near by Castle.

This rp takes place roughly one to two years ago from current ic events, IE cavern crew, scratch my back and I scratch yours, from vermin to good beasts.

The plot will be open to all. If anyone wishes to join, don't worry, you dont need to know much about the kingdom other than it's ruled by a slightly corrupted weasel king, and that a tribe of deadly shrews occasionally raids villages to the east. And that on occasion they had border skirmishes with...just about everyone around them

If you wish to join in as either
A. Part of the Gilmar Army / royalty

B. An alt or npc out to rescue the princess for either honor or glory...or cash

C. As one of the kidnappers. They would have been in Dylan Locke's gang for about a week if you want to toss an alt or npc here.

D. Part of the shrew tribe.

E. Anything else really that I have NOT thought of.

Please send me and pillar a page mail or oocly message here for questions, concerns or joining the game.

Please do not actually post yet, at least not until I make the first post ^^.

[coolcoyote]

Once upon a time many seasons ago in the north lands...

The crackling of fire longing to free itself from the fire place was the only sound eminating in the room. The room itself was obviously an office, one of lavish design.

Red velvet rugs scowered the stone floor. The walls were filled with pictures of spring time forests and rivers running through sunny fields to combat the bitter chill of winter outside the glass window.

In the center of the room, looming over the large oaken desk is the stuffed body of a wild cat, arms out stretched, teeth snarling as it the creature was ready to leap over the desk and devour those who dared enter.

It was a sight that always terrified Poppin, but none so much as the one who sat under the once deadly creature.

King of the mighty, if very small, Kingdom of Gilmar, Serano composed himself as one who knew he had the right and authority to rule even as age greyed his wiskers and thickened his waist band.

A weasel with dark golden fur and a light brown mask that highlighted his infamous terrible gaze. Every member of the castle had learned early on to avoid the king when he had that gaze set about his face. Beasts died when the king had that look to him.

Today it was an especially terrible gaze, and with good reason!

Poppin gulped as he entered the room. Not only did he have to give the king bad news he had to do so knowing that the previous advisor Poppin had inherited the job from was now sitting ontop of the kings sboulders, as a ferret hide covering the top of his purple cape.

The king looked up from his desk, waiting patiently for the beast who interupted him to speak. Patient for him at least. Two seconds past before he let out a gruff shout, "Well? Get on with it!"

The red furred fox yelped nervously, almost jumping behind the cover of the door. Poppin adjusted his glasses over his snout and adjusted his vest that didnt quite fit over all of his corpulant form.

One tended to fatten up when they expected each meal to be their last.

Advisors didn't last long in Gilmar...

"I...I'm sorry sir. There...there hasn't been any..."

"Any WHAT?" the king said through clentched teeth.

The fox gave a low whine. This was it. He was going to die. Horribly. Possibly stewed, after his execution...if he was lucky. "No news sire on the whereabouts of your...daughter." the fox hurridly replied again, "But no news is better than bad news and..."

Poppin's yelped and cowared behind the door as the king threw his paper work against the far wall. He let out a serious of insults and curses that would have made even the most vile vermin corsair blush.

"Two weeks. Two blasted weeks since my daughter went missing. One week since we got a ransom note from some one who obviously has no sense of spelling."

The fox cringed but forced himself to resist the temptation to run as the king stalked over, wrapping his arm around Poppin's shoulders. "Poppin. You appear to be a good fellow. Much smarter than your predisessors. I have a task for you."

The fox's ears went flat at the mention of a 'task'. The last advisor met a rather grim fate after the king assigned him to a task.

"I think we are going about this all the wrong way Poppin, these are not our standard run of the mill kidnappers. They are smart. Crafty! We need to start thinking like them." The weasel's grip tightened upon the fox. "I want you to get me the meanest, nastiest, most ruthless and cut throat beasts you can find. Bounty hunters, mercenaries, murders, assassins, thugs, I don't care. Tell them they will have their weight in gold for the safe return of my daughter. You have permission to use them to any means to get my little flower back."

The fox couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Wait, you want ME to go with THEM?"

"Some one has to supervise a miscriant lot like that." The weasel released the fox, adding, "Someone who values their hide enough to get the job done right."

Poppins felt stunned, like he had just been offered a death sentence. He had the same look the last head of the guard had shortly before telling the king that searching every house with in the three villages under Gilmar's control came back with no results.

"You have one week Poppins. I don't care how much it costs, how many rules you have to break. Just bring my daughter home safe."

The fox let out a pitifull cry, "But that...that's not enough time to find her!"

"It will have to be. If she isn't delivered to the leader of the Vol'fin to be married to his son in one week, they will do business with our neighbors." Sereno cast his gaze back to the fox. "And I will NOT be happy about that."

The fox swollowed. The Vol'fin. More of a tribe than a band of mercenaries. They found they were good with combat and decided there was more money in mercenary work than bandetry and raiding villages. The local duchies, villages and self proclaimed kingdoms all paid them money under the table to not attack them. Those who paid the less than other kingdoms suffered the consiquenses. Sometimes they could even be paided to attack the enemies of the state.

And this time the leader wanted a bride for his son.

One that never arrived.

"Ill get right on it."

"See that you do. And Poppin, don't underestimate this foe." Sereno turned with his paws behind his back towards the window. "These are not your normal villains. Only a beast of unresound intelligence, cunning and wit would ever dare cross 'me'....


----


"BULLSEYE!"

Agreat cheer came up over the tavern as the dart made it's mark. The beasts, mostly vermin with a few woodlanders shouted praise for the marten who made the shot, and laughed at the poor beast who couldn't.

"Alright mate. Ten coppers." The rat hissed as he practically tossed his money bag at Dylan. The marten then spent the money wisely, on more food and another ale.

Two weeks had passed. Two weeks since the botched robbery that nearly got them captured by shrews and even an eagle. Two weeks since they came to the small woodland boarder town of Dar'vin.

The village was small, and mostly abandoned due to lack of intrest by good common folk. The population was in reality mostly woodlanders. These however were not your normal peaceloving woodlanders. These were the ones who lived on the edge of a a vermin kingdom and several small vermin tribes.

They were a hardy folk, the fifty or so who lived here in Dar'vin. Most of them living off the cash brought in by travelers...sometimes even through legal means.

It was the perfect place to stash a stolen princess. It even had an abandoned mill by the river just for that good old cliche value. No way Dylan could pass that up.

Tonight Dylan though had two goals. Recruit more beasts from Ye Local Taver for his nafarious deeds, and to fill his belly with ale until it explodes...

[unknownsoldier]

Not much of a haul split from that last job he did a week ago. The slightly fading, russet brown furred ferret grunted in displeasure as adjusted his dark green hood and pack. So much for whatever honor among mercenaries their was to be found, whatever, at least he was rid of that stupid fox for good now. Maybe a nearby tavern will have a much better prospect for him now, what was the town called again...oh yes, Dar'vin. It wasn't that far away and usually had a gang or two looking for sellswords to hire for whatever reason, which mostly involved fighting, most of the time. He soon reached aforementioned town and located the tavern easily as he walked in with his untipped lance, which to all intent and purposes, looked like a staff to the untrained eye. He soon located a open seat not too far from a marten drinking lots of ale, and just waited for opportunity to seek him out this time.

[Caterpillar]

While Dylan was winning his game with darts, Knar sat on their table, his gaze moving around the tavern impassive but sharply. In a manner that didn't invite open-hearty anyone even to try sat besides the giant marten, even though the tavern was quite crowded with only few places where to sit.

The warrior too had objectives for the night. Firstly he needed a good weapon. A week ago he had left his sword behind, as it had fallen with his dead opponent from the top of the tower. Knar wasn't happy of losing his weapon like that, but at least it wasn't embarrassing to admit how he had lost the sword. It wasn't everyday tale to tell he had pierced it through an eagle's throat and was forced to abandon the weapon when the tower top had collided under the giant bird's weight. But still - it had been a good sword. It had been in his possession from that very day when he had acquired it as a cut-throat bandit. And even though his promotion to the position of third-in-command had forced him to switch to a sword more fitting for his rank, he had kept his old weapon.

Knar wasn't a sentimental beast - though the sword had been his many, many year, he viewed it as a just a weapon nothing more. Losing it wasn't a big deal, it only had been a mere tool for him to survive. Thought, deep down in his mind he was glad that at least he had to leave the sword in the flesh of an eagle. An opponent like that would be honorable resting place for the weapon.,,

Knar's thoughts returned to the tavern.
...But he still needed a replacement. The dagger he still had with him wasn't nearly enough. The problem was, he didn't have money afford to buy a new weapon and as things were -- Dylan wanting them to keep as low profile as possible while hiding in that old mill -- it was unlikely the group would commit any raid or robbery anytime soon.

So the only option left for him was to steal one, in a way or another. Aand since Knar wasn't a pocket lifting type, it was going to be a beating-up-robbery in someplace where third party didn't interfered. As it maybe would be necessary to even kill the weapon's owner, just in case so there wouldn't be any eyewitnesses recognize him afterwards. As he didn't know how long Dylan was planning they would stay near this particular town. So better play it safe.

It didn't bother marten's conscience the slightest to think thoughts like that while his eyes moved over the tables and beast sitting by them. After all, he had been a bandit in his younger days: splitting somebody's throat to get what you wanted was very normal procedure among the thugs. More than once Knar had killed for a pawful of food - so why would he hesitate kill for good weapon?

Up until now he already had picked out a few decent looking weapons. For example that mace didn't look too bad -- and that short sword over there clearly was made with craftsmanship, though the weapon might be too short for his liking. Knar was skilled in various weapons, so it didn't have to be a sword... a mace, a battleaxe or even spear would do... But the sword would be the best option since he was most familiar with it...

The second objective was much less personal: he had come to help Dylan to spot capable candidates to recruit in bandit group. For various reasons they were in need of more members so Knar had come. In many means he wasn't a scouter, but he could tell apart beast who was used handling weapons from those who weren't. And he has spotted some beast that looked capable - and desperate - enough to take up of the offer.

Knar turned his eyes to Dylan as the younger marten returned to his seat, carrying so much ale with him like he was planning to drown himself in it. The amount of liquid made the warrior lift one of his eyebrow. If Dylan was going to drink all that, in end of the night he would be so drunk he probably would try to persuade barrel and broom to become part of his gang.

"I thought ya came here recruit mor' members", Knar noted. Now could see why Elena hadn't wanted Dylan to go his "recruiting mission" alone and had insisted someone to accompany the younger marten.
"Did ya even look for 'dem?"
As he talked, Knar's eyes traveled to another table. At the first glance all there was just a ferret with ridiculous long staff. But Knar had been years an army's Master of Arms, so he could tell apart a staff, spear and lance. And that was exactly how long lances were when missing their tip... And that was the reason why the ferret had picked Knar's interest.

If someone carried a lance as his weapon, it could only mean he knew how to use it. And it wasn't easiest weapon to wield, as they were much more longer - and of course heavier - than ordinary spears. For controlling a weapon like that you didn't only need strength but also skills. And Knar figured Dylan would have use for some skill.
"How about 'im?", Knar didn't turn his head, but his eyes made a movement towards a hooded ferret sitting not far from their table

[coolcoyote]

The bandit leader twisted in his chair in such a way it would make a non mustulid cringe. With his elbow resting on the table Dylan took a long swig of his many drinks. Prehaps it was a bit excessive but the marten needed it to wash down the pie he had for desert.

And the wood pidgion, the rice, the potatoes and the roasted lizard kabobs. For a city populated mostly by woodlanders Dar'vin was known to cater to vermin tastes. They even knew how to cook a decent steak if one had the coins for it.

Best woodlanders...ever.

Most of the vermin here were travelers of one brand or another. Dylan himself was a youthfull marten with a lithe figure broken only by a belly gorged with food. He wore a red cloth and leather vest which he left open to expose his yellow underbelly.

His head was covered by his signiture wide brimmed hat with a red feather plume. These days it also had a red eagle feather in it, snatched from their feather friend as he fell off the tower.

The pine marten tilted his head this way and that before turning back to Crookeye Knar. "He look's kind of old." He replied after another long sip, "But beggar's can't be choosers I guess. If he manages to meet your standard of approval with out having a heart attack then I don't see why he can't join."

The door to the tavern opened wide, allowing a chill breeze to flow through the small confines of the building. The fox that entered had pur white fur with a black tipped tail. She was a scrawny vixen who's ribs showed under her fur. Prehaps a little less after two weeks of rest in Dar'vin.

She wore a bright red tunic that had been cut in half to show off her midriff. She also wore a squirrel fur vest over her cest with loose fitting trousers across her waist.

The fox trotted across the dirt floor to where Knar and Dylan were sitting.

"Elena! Arn't you a sight for sore eyes?" Dylan chittered happily before his tone became serious. "Arn't you supposed to be guarding our 'you know what'?"

The vixen waved off the marten's concerns before snatching one of his many drinks for herself. Planting her tail firmly in a chair and kicking her muddy paws onto the table she replied. "New guy's got a handle on it." She took a long swig. "Besides...if I had to endure another minute of his blathering I would have tossed myself off a bridge."

Dylan cringed. He had hired the rat in more desperation than anything else. After a week of constant talking and chatter Dylan was ready to toss himself off a bridge as well.

"I'm afraid to see what Kacy would do to him after she get's back from delivering that ransom note." Elena continued. "It's been a week. Sbouldnt she be back by now."

Dylan quickly took a drink of his ale. "Right...right." he said nervously.

"Dylan..." Elena narrowed her gaze. "What did you do?"

"I may have...told her to meet us in the wrong city." The vixen gasped in shock as the marten quickly explained in a hushed tone. "What else was I supposed to do? She was was going off the deep end even before our last adventure." Dylan leaned back in his chair, "It was either cut her loose now or wait to do it after she turned one of us into a coat..."

[unknownsoldier]

Lance already could tell a certain pair of eyes was looking over him. Just one of the benefits of wearing a hood, no one could tell if he was watching or not, and it suited him just fine. He already knew what it meant though, opportunity presented itself to him and probably best to not pass it up at the first chance anyways. His last haul was nearly gone already and this marten interested, especially once the white furred vixen came in. Obviously they were part of the same group and thankfully he knew a little bit of lip reading thanks to a stoat he worked with sometime ago. Word does certainly travel far and...how luck can be so cruel at the same time, this was a dangerous he can play, not one to be taken lightly. But...its a cruel land anyway, only the strong survive here and take whatever chances they can just to survive the next day. He waited patiently though, knowing theres always a time and place for everything, best to let them initiate then come forward first. As to almost emphasize this, he took a relaxed posture, knowing where the lance tip was hidden on his person and dagger as well, can never be too careful of course.

[Caterpillar]

"'ere aren't many single beasts to take a pick on ", Knar said back to Dylan's words and was quite right in that: the majority of this Tavern's customers were groups and it would be impossible to hire just one beast from them.

Knar turned towards Elena as the vixen sat down in their table.
"You left the Kinktail with the girl and the boy?", he said, like trying to point out the unsaid question 'And you thought that was a good idea?'
Well, it would be an interesting return back to the old mill where self-centred weasel boy, snobby Princess of Gilmar and chatterbox rat had spent couple of hours in each other's company... They really should hope the three of them would pester each other to the exhaustion, and it would be peaceful once in awhile.

Yes, in the passing week Errot had finally overcome his illness and was acting more and more like his old self again. It was relief to see weasel back in his spirits, but in the same time you almost missed the moments the pup had been too weak to argue... But only almost. Knar rather had Errot back in his eccentric himself as he could now resume back to the weasel's training. The only downside thing was that the boy was almost as bad the princess what came to sharp tongue. Knar had wished the boy could keep his charming personality under the lit, but it seemed like the boy just couldn't behave after being bedridden for so long.

Well, he and Errot could leave this group before they were chased out (thought Knar didn't believe it would happen anytime soon as Dylan was already in desperate situation of needing more members - nothing else explained why the gang leader had hired that overly-talkative rat who undoubtedly possessed an extra lung so he never needed to stop talking because he was out of breath)

After all, Knar had joined the group only to get food and shelter so Errot would get better. And now he had. But Knar discarded the thought right away.It wasn't his habit to leave things unfinished - what he had started, he would also see till the end. This mission - thought it had changed radically along the way - was still unfinished and he wouldn't leave before it was completed. Only after that he would feel like he had done part of his share.

Moreover Knar felt like he owed a debt. In some aspect Dylan had saved his life and Knar was a beast that always repaid his depts. And speaking of the younger marten...

Elena wasn't the only one who looked at the Dylan as the marten confessed what kind of cheap trick he had played on Kacy. Knar also stared at the gang leader, though his eyes weren't narrowed or judging like the vixen had. The bigger marten just stared. And resisted the urge bury his forehead to his palm - because of disbelieve or amusement, he couldn't tell anymore. From all the beast Knar had worked under, Dylan was the strangest one. In the word's every sense. Dylan was coward and yet he wasn't. At first he seemed like an utterly idiot who liked his own voice way too much... And then you found him using that slippery tongue and fancy words rather cleverly. And you could swear there wasn't any sign of backbone in such a wimp until he would surprise you with the out of blue emerging determination to get things done - in the hard way if necessary.

Long story short, you just couldn't figure Dylan out and quite frankly, Knar had given up of trying. It caused more less headache just go with the flow and not be surprised of anything anymore.

Sure, Kacy was a nutcase, but at least she was a nutcase who knew how to fight. An useful quality if facing a multiple enemies at the same time: you just needed to turn the she-otter to their direction and let go. Kacy would jump on them with childish glee and leave chopped pieces to be collected afterwards.

Nevertheless that enthusiasm was dangerous when otter turned his blades towards her friends. Though Knar doubted Kacy never had viewed Dylan or the rest of the gang as her "friends". In fact Kacy had made it quite clear she wasn't going to get qualms for killing his fellow group members. So it really was hard to say if Dylan had made a wise decision or not when sending the otter away. Time would tell...

But back in the task in hand. If Dylan approved his suggestion, the next thing up was to actually meet the potential recruit. To find out if the lone beast really was looking for job and would fit in the group.
"You gonna go talk to 'im?", Knar asked, as talking seemed to be the thing Dylan liked the best. "Or will I fetch 'im for you?"

[coolcoyote]

The marten finished one tankard of ale only to begin on the next. "I don't see why not. It will pass the time as I wait for the rest of my dinner too..."

As Dylan spoke the hare barkeep placed a plate of wood pidgeon on the table. Thin tendrils of steam still wavered into the air from the sizzling flesh of the bird. The marten's eyes widened and his mouth began to water.

It was his second bird over two hours of 'recruiting'.

"Then again, no reason he can't come to us for a job, right. How about you go and I will stay here and finish up my dinner. I'm starving!" The marten said as he tied a bib around his neck. He grabbed his fork and knife, a look of positive delight crossing his face before stabbing at the bird with his fork.

The wooden fork however hit nothing but the wood table as Elena quickly snatched the plate from him. "H-hey!" The marten was too stunned to yell propperly as he watched the fox grin deviously back at him.

"Hey yourself." Elena replied. "All you have done since we got here was sit and eat in this tavern." The fox picked up her own fork, jabbing it towards the marten's engorged middle, making him yelp and launch himself from the seat. "You keep this up and you'll be getting fat and lazy. So I'm putting you on a diet." The fox picked off the drum stick of the bird and began to feast.

"But...my dinner..."

"MY dinner now." The vixen wagged her tail happily as she tore the bird to peices, not even bothering to use a fork and knife like civilized beasts. Juices and spices splattered all over her muzzle as she devoured the bird the way natured intended.

After dealing with two royal pains in the tail and a rat would could not shut up if his life depended on it, Elena found comfort in the simple things of life. Stealing food from her boss right in front of him. "Now go on, shu." Elena shooed the marten off with an idle wave of her paw. "You can drink yourself to death after you hire someone. Someone good for a change."

Dylan opened his mouth to protest but closed it after a moment of thought. Head held low the marten turned for the potential employee, dragging a storm cloud over his head as he went.

"Come on Crookey. Let's leave the butterball vixen to her feasting."

The vixen waved Dylan good bye, cupping her paws to shout, "Beast's in the northlands consider roundness to be a sign of good health!" Before turning back to her meal.

Dylan just grumbled. Making a bead line to the ferret he slammed a paw down on the table. "G'evenin Old Timer, I couldn't help but notice you were drinkin alone tonight." Dylan spun a chair around so the back was pressed up against his stomach as he sat down. It was an old habbit he developed when stiiting with strangers, allowing him to leap back from danger on a moments notice and put some wood between him and a possiblt blade to the gut.

"So I thought I may keep you some company...and maybe offer you a job..."

[unknownsoldier]

Lance just sighed, the temptation to break this martens was very strong indeed from his words. Usually, he would be breaking and re-breaking all the bones in this fat martens body right now, or whatever bones he could find that is. He held his malice in check and kept a calm tone, "Lets cut to the point, you and your gang are obviously looking for new hires. I don't care what it is, as long as the cut is good, I'm in. Simple, no?" He would've corrected the marten by telling him he wasn't even forty yet, and break his nose as well, but hes not the first he had to keep his temper in check against. "Now, do you want me to wait here with part of your group then, or go meet the rest of them with whatever your vixen friend was supposed to be looking after? As I said, before you decide to do something stupid, I don't know what it is, and frankly, I don't care." The hooded ferret said flatly and straight to the point.

[Caterpillar]

Knar batted his eyes. It took the marten a whole a few moments to comprehend the fact he had just gotten a new nickname
Crookey? -- Crookey!? Oh, now Dylan was pushing it... Needless to say Knar wasn't feeling too enthusiastic. The marten shot Dylan a glare, but obviously the bandit leader was so distracted about the lost of his meal, that he didn't notice it -- or he noticed but was too pissed to care.

Knar didn't know why Dylan thought his presence was necessary when in meeting the ferret, but order was an order and the warrior rose from his seat, without counterargument. While tailing the gang leader to the ferret's table the giant marten pondered if Dylan was going to arrange a same kind of bedlam he had thrown at the night the when Knar had first time met the bandit.

The bandit leader had wanted to make sure if he really was a capable swordbeast and started a tavern-fight for Knar to show his skills. The outcome from the whole situation was that the place had fallen into rampage-raving chaos (in vermin populated tavern's one small fight could easily ignite whole scale all-out-and-everybeast-against-everybody-fight) and in the end of it, the tavern had been caught up in fire.

If Dylan was planning to pull out something like that again in here, it would be kiss-goodbye to the "keeping the low profile" plan. And Knar didn't know if he would step in halt the marten (as sometimes it was up to subordinates to stop their leader if he was about to carry out something unfavorable) But on an another hand a fight might present him the opportunity get a weapon he so badly needed...

Dylan sat by the Ferret's table, but Knar stood, staying arm's length behind the bandit leader, a bit on the side of his chair. Now he could take a better look at this russet brown beast. As he had noted afar, the Ferret had a body-built of fighter and he had many scars proving the fact. As Dylan had noted, the Ferret looked old, but that was his face, not his body... It was too muscular to be feebled by age. If Knar had to make a guess, he would say that the Ferret was about his age, over or under.

And speaking of the age... Dylan made his grand introduction and Knar shot his eyes to the ceiling above him. Well, suppose that was the one way to start the conservation... By insulting the other party you were bound to have some kind of verbal response, not just a cold shoulder. Or you could get much more - like a punch right up your muzzle. And to be truthful this way of interacting was quite common among the vermin when meeting up new faces.

The Ferret answered with feisty attitude - and same time he revealed he somehow knew what had been talked in Dylan's table. That made Knar cautious - as the Ferret couldn't possibly have heard the conservation, since the tables weren't that close each other. On top of that the tavern was full of other noises, chatter and laughter, so it was hard even hear what the companion next to you was talking.

[coolcoyote]

The younger pine marten leaned back at the ferrets rather blunt outburst. Dylan had that effect on people. Maybe the marten had some grand scheme to test the ferret's skills by annoying him into action. Or maybe he was just a jerk with too much ale in his belly.

It could go either way in all honesty.

"I see you don't beat around the bush." Dylan grinned mischeviously as he leaned forward again. "M'name's Dylan. This here is Crooky." It was probbibly a good thing Dylan's back was turned to Knar...then again maybe it wasn't.

"You seem like a beast accustomed to combat. As long as all those scars arn't from battles lost, we could use that." Standing up the marten adjusted his hat, running a paw across the rim, "We can also use brave and loyal beasts as well..." Dylan paused before adding, "And sane. Sanity would be greatly appreciated as well."

Then with a shrug Dylan gestured for the door. "I can't go into details here. But know this, if you come with us there is no turning back. At the end of this job you will either be very rich, or executed for your troubles. Either way, it is very likely you will never be welcome in this country again. If that doesn't bother you, meet us outside."

Dylan started walking for the door pausing along the way to pass Elena a few coins, "Stay here a bit and keep your eye out for more recruits." The fox held a surprised look. Getting to stay behind and relax in a tavern was one order she didn't plan to argue with.

Continuing on his way the marten whistled a merry tune. Everything was coming to gether finally. He had given the local King a week to come up with the funds to pay the rather bold ammount of the ransom and both to give himself time to aquire enough fighting beasts to make back up that bold ransom.

He wasn't lieing when he told the ferret they would be either very rich or very dead by the end of this job. For now it looked like they there chances of landing in the 'rich category' was increasing.

Dylan gave them a 20/80 chance of success.

It seemed bleak but it was far better than the chances he gave them before tonight...

[unknownsoldier]

"Not the first time, probably third time from my count." He said with a shrug before getting up. He turned to look at the other marten called Knar, "From what I can tell, you know this isn't a staff, do you?" Lance said with a small smile before heading out to meet with his new boss. How interesting these turn of events have become, both martens gave away everything, especially that younger marten. He had found the group that kidnapped this country's princess, he wasn't really surprised when word can spread so quickly in such a small kingdom. Besides, he was getting tired of the northlands anyway, even if he was born here up north quite a ways near the mountains. As a hushed comment as he walked past Knar, "What good is a soldier if he doesn't have a sword?" He said in a hushed tone to the marten before leaving out the tavern after Dylan.

[Caterpillar]

Yeah, Dylan was seriously pushing it... Knar actually considered should he smack younger marten's snout to the table right there and now... But decided otherwise. After all, they were in middle of recruiting a new member and it would lessen Dylan authority as the leader in the Ferret's eyes, if Knar would all sudden sweep the table with Dylan's face.
"Crookeye", he corrected, crossing his arms over his chest. And if the Dylan was paying any attention he would take the hint. The first time he could forgive. The second could still be downplayed... But if there would be the third time, he and his "boss" would have a serious talk when it would be just two of them...

Dylan didn't beat around the push either - quickly he laid down some serious facts about the job he was offering and he wasn't lying a bit when he described both the prizes of success and pricesof failure. And - much of surprise - the Ferret was even quicker to accept, as he rose from his chair and followed them. Knar had thought the Ferret would at least take some time to think it over.

Knar had followed Dylan a few steps behind and was soon caught up by the Ferret. Who
leaning

It happened so fast that it almost felt like it didn't happen at all. The Ferret had hardly finished his sentence when Knar had subtly drawn out his dagger. The Ferret being so close and Knar being so big the weapon stayed hidden from other beasts eyes between their bodies. It touched only slightly the lance-beast clothes, not even intending to do anything more than that. But its presence there was point-make-clear enough as the dagger was still a very, very close the Ferret's stomach, telling the russet brown beast that a blink of eye would have been sufficient for the blade bite into Ferret's guts.

If the marten would have wanted.

"A good soldier", Knar answered back with lowered tone, emphasizing the first word, "can kill without one"
The Ferret stepped pass him and in same time Knar's dagger withdrew as quickly as it had appeared and the two beast parted their ways like nothing had happened at all.

Normally Knar couldn't care less what the others thought about him or what they talked behind his back -- as long as it didn't interfere in his duties, it really didn't matter to the marten. But he really hadn't liked how the Ferret had talked to him. Trying to imply that juts because he didn't have a sword he wasn't no-good. Well, in that belief the other was very wrong and maybe he had made the Ferret see the error in thinking of a beast without a sword a less dangerous than one wielding it. If someone thought he could just walk past him that close - so close he could use hushed tone as he spoke - and call him incompetent, they had one more thing in coming. He didn't care what they thought or talked behind his back - but if they were stupid enough to slander him right in front of his face...

Knar followed the two beast outside.

[coolcoyote]

Little did the pine marten know that he very likely combined an unstopable force with an unmoveable object when he hired the new ferret. Blissfully unaware of the potential fight brewing amomg his ranks the marten led them both away from the tavern, leaving Elena to her meal.

Maybe the fox would have better chances with hiring new beasts...


----

"I'm doomed." Poppin's whined as he bit into the pork chop. It was his last night in the capital and there fore probbibly the last chance he would get to have a propper last meal. A decent one at least. So he planned to make the most of it.

The capital city of Owensburg was the heart and center of the country of Gilmar. It was a small, but noble village under the shadow of castle keep resting ontop of a large hill.

It was a surprisingly clean village with a rather surprising amount of honest beasts, but even so every village had a 'bad' neighborhood.

The local area here was actually located just out side of town. Serfs had set up a makshift shanti town just on the otherside of Snake Creek. It was generally known for its poor reputation of being populated by thieves and thugs and even the occasional mercenary.

All of whome would eventually arive at Snake Creek Inn.

Place next to the bridge that spanned the river to the west it was named for the inn was a seedy hive of villainy and scum but with a fair ammount of class.

The tavern was a multi story building with plaster walls and a nautical feel. Sea shells and modle ships decorated the walls. As did one very large skeleton shark head.

Poppins had decided to sit with his back facing the horrible beast. Unfortunetly the onoy seat with that possibility available was directly under the open maw of the shark, a position the fat fox decided was even less comforting.

Tonight Poppins was dressed in a less than fancy outfit, both due to functionality and to keep a lower profile.

His upper torso was covered by a thick blacl wool waist coat. Under the coat Poppins wore a light grey vest, one which left a sliver of fur exposed around his waist and up his rounded middle where the vest buttoned.

He wasn't a gluttonous beast persay, its just that when one worked for a King like his weasel overlord, one came to really appreciate life's finer things like fine wine and good food.

Any meal could be his last...

Behind him stood a rather tall stoat. Like the fox Basil Locktree was dressed to keep a low profile. A waist coast and vest with a small chain mail vest sown into it.

It wasn't quite as effective as it sounded but the King's enforcers found the makeshift body armor to hold it's own against knives and clubs.

The stoat felt for the fox, he really did. But the only reason poor Poppins was assigned to this was because the king had already executed everyone else competent enough to pull this kind of a job off.

Basil was here for a number of reasons. One, as a body guard. Two, to help guide the vulpine in matters of leading and hiring effective combatants. And three, to administer swift justice should Poppin fail...or flee, or make snide remarks about the king or pick his nose the wrong way. The king had left a very broad and spacious list of reasons to execute the fox and bring him his tail as proof of the deed.

In retrospect prehaps the fox would have done better with out the stoat there to help, and potentially kill him should he fail, but as the kings Enforcer was merely just following orders. Besides, someone had to make sure the fox wouldn't run at the first sign of trouble.

So far it didn't look good for poor Poppin. Counting himself and the assassin stoat behind him the party number was brought up to a whopping number of two.

It seemed like all the villainous vermin the king wanted to hire to rescue his daughter were already out looking for his daughter.

Light help Poppin if they should actually succeed with out him...

[coolcoyote]

Ooc who ever wants too can spoof the windmill ^^ its not central to the plot.

[coolcoyote]

Meanwhile back in Dar'vin the party had reached their hide out. The windmill had at one point been used to thresh grain.

Located just out side of town the building had long since been abbandoned from its origional purpose. It shifted to its side on an unstable foundation. One of the blade to the wind mill had been lost, the other two were in a horrible state of disrepair.

Not too far away the river snaked through the country side. Across the road that ran past the wind mill was a feild of wheat.

"Home sweet home." The lizard said, gesturing to the wind mill.

[unknownsoldier]

Lance had kept silent after that little incident the bigger pine martin pulled at the tavern. It wasn't meant to be a insult, but his social skills, weren't exactly up to par he'll admit. Once he saw their hideout on the other hand...not much, but it was decent as least, relatively speaking of course. It served its purpose well of course, to hide whatever this group had valuable that they stole, or kidnapped. Probably a bit of both, but why question it anyways? "Not much to look at." He said as a comment on the windmill.

[Caterpillar]

The night was cool and streets were covered in the shadows, which wrapped the whole town into the sleep. For robbers it was an ideal environment, as they could easily hide in deep dark shadows of alley-ways and from there jump onto unsuspecting victims. But this night two marten and one ferret walked through the town without any those incidents. Even most desperate robbers weren't that stupid they would try their chances against three strong looking beasts...

Soon they left the town and stepped the on the road which lead past the wheat fields. Knar wished he could have stayed in the tavern, in hopes get a weapon he was needing, but right now following Dylan and the new recruit had seemed like better idea. After all, there still was no guarantee if the ferret could be trusted. Knar had pointed him out for Dylan because the ferret had seem like a capable fighter - but there was nothing to tell about his loyalty. Ferret hadn't yet heard the rest of the details - it was a possibility that his resolution would waver when he heard what kind of job he had taken.

And then Knar would have to kill the ferret. There was no taking a chances that lance-beast wouldn't spill the beans if they would allow him go.

The marten walked behind ferret and Dylan as the three beasts were almost at the mill's door when it opened with sudden yank which tossed the door wide open.

In the doorway stood a young weasel boy, dressed in brown tunic and wearing a vexed expression all over his face.
"Crookeye!", the boy said, crossing his arms. "About the time you got back!" he waved his hand, pointing demandingly his finger inside the mill.
"I want you toss her into the river! Like, right now! She's getting in my nerves!"

Knar said nothing, just shot his eyes up the sky. And here he had hoped it would be a peaceful night...

[coolcoyote]

Poppin was curshing his ill fortune for a peacefull night. It seemed the tarvern legendary for its seedy climate and host to all sorts of villainous thugs and bandits was filled with actually normal beasts for a change.

Very few of the vermin here were armed, even fewer looked capable of putting up a real fight. There was even a family of squirrels, SQUIRRELS! in the far corner peacefully nibbling away at their meal.

"I'm doomed. You do know that right?" The fox said, waving the wood pidgeons drum stick in the air as he talked.

"I would agree. A diet like yours would probibly kill even a horse eventually." Basil said with a coy smile.

"Oh hardy har har." Resting his elbow on the table and leaning upon it the fox stripped the flesh from the drum stick before tossing it onto the plate. "This whole plan was doomed from the start Basil. We have one afternoon to recruit a band of cruel and mercless mercenaries and expect them to work together towards a common goal. And so far its just us..."

"One should not question the kings wisdom." The stoat said with an edge to his voice, making the foc whimper slightly. His demenour however calmed when he gave Poppin a pat on the shoulder. "Cheer up fellow. The night is still young, and we put up fliers all around town. Surely some loyal citizens will come to our aid."

The fox sighed deeply, "Assuming they can read..." he said off handedly.

---

The inside of the mill was not exactly well maintained. It was a large room with wooden walls and a stone floor. Several boxes worth of supplies were stacked along the wall. In front of the boxes several blankets had been set out along the floor along with several pillows.

To the left there was a small stair case leading down to a cellar. Sitting ontop of a box next to the stair case was a small brown furred rat.

Living up to his name the rats tail had two noticable kinks near the end. His grey tunic was sleevless and tucked through a rope belt around his waist and hung down to his knees. His clothing hung loosly upon his skinny frame. Around his head he wore a red cloth head band.

The rat waved to Dylan as the marten brushed passed Crookeye Jr as he less than affectionetly called the little weasel...when neither he nor his terribly fierce body guard could hear him.

"Dylan! Welcome back! How the recruiting go? Did you see Elena? She threatened to roast my tail and feed it to me if I didn't shut up, I told her that rats were better boiled and stewed, not roasted. Silly fox."

"That's...nice...I think?" Dylan raised any eyebrow. "So how is our..."

The rat though continued to talk, "Reminds me of the time I was with this group of corsairs. A weasel, a fox and a ferret and me were all stranded at sea. Running out of food they decided to eat the lowest ranking member of the party, which was me of course..."

"That's nice but..."

"They planned to rost me raw which just isnt done! Have you ever had raw rat? Nasty taste."

"Kinktail, focus. Focus..."

"So I tells them, i tells them that..." before the rat could jtter another word Dylan clapped his paws around the rats muzzle. "Kinktail..." he said slowly, "How is the princess."

[unknownsoldier]

Maybe a beast did know how to read, but not a loyal citizen though. From how he looked, he was obviously from the north, yet a outsider though in their kingdom. The ferret that entered the tavern was obviously different from everyone else, he wore a black, hooded, long sleeved shirt, with his hood up, that no one could see his face. Though the mask along with the hood hide his face well, he also wore a brown belt with pouches on it as well around his waist. On his back hung his longsword and a small travel pack of sorts along with his sword and a dagger stuck through his belt as well. He headed straight for the table the portly fox sat at along with the stoat and took a seat, "I heard and saw some fliers saying the king needed some...help per say?" He said in a business like tone, but from the tone though he sounded a bit young.
---
Lance noticed the martens reaction to the young weasel appearing before them. He couldn't but smirk, maybe not too bad of a job after all. "I'll you two alone then." He said to Knar as he headed inside after Dylan. Once he heard the talking the rat started on about, that rat was lucky the marten covered his muzzle, otherwise he would've knocked him out cold with his tipless lance. Once he heard Dylan mention the princess, he didn't even budge, not even a little. It would've been so much easier if he just told him flat out they took the princess, that would've saved time for him, all he did was shrug. As it stood though, once he took a job he did it to the letter, no matter what.