Vrelt
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Post by Vrelt on Jun 15, 2009 22:07:53 GMT -5
General Drask Darkfang left the dining room in a bad mood, after all that happened at the feast with Krauser he was ready to tear that stoat to pieces. Only the fact that Moll would not have liked it if he attacked one of her guests, even if it was just a crazed stoat. The general strode along one of the many hallways that ran throughout Moll's palace, his face reflecting extreme displeasure because of Krauser. He was headed to his chambers that were located right next to Queen Moll's, planning to go and sleep off the effects of all the wine he drank.
Alexander marched beside the general, also heading to his room. Knowing he wouldn't get a reward now, but he wasn't very concerned, he had never spotted another Pine Marten on Sampetra anyway. The major wished that his species wasn't so rare.
Renak was taken to the barracks by one of the guards, for he didn't know his way around the palace yet. The tough looking weasel was immensely disappointed at not receiving a reward tonight, he knew he would have better luck with getting one if he kept up his loyalty to Drask. Being on the good side of the general or any other beast in high position was a quick pathway to success, and Renak knew he was on that path right now.
Zahn wasn't not headed to his room at this time, however. The fox didn't not drink a lot of that wine like Drask or Krauser, he drank only a little of the intoxicating beverage. He was going to take a walk around the outside of the fortress to release some of the tension he felt after the feast. Zahn took one of the many back ways through the palace, this particular route took him through the vast kitchen. . .
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Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Jun 15, 2009 22:51:39 GMT -5
When Callista and Moll were talking in private in another room. Krauser had been using his cruel sense of honesty while they were gone, digging the fact that Renak nor anyone else was gonna get anything at all now. Because Drask here would much rather break all but one of his promises, the one he had with a DEAD beasts! A beast who is nomore than sand crapped out by fish. Nothing more. A pile of fish waste was more worth to keep a promise over than living breathing beasts like himself and Renak. He let those words run as deep as they can right into the two beasts Zahn and Renak.
After the feast. Krauser was pretty sure that maybe Renak would like to take up his offer with him to meet him somewhere about two or three weeks later. He never said what but it would be something better than broken promises and nothing like Drask's offer. He said in it words and i quote "A good guarantee for power, females and wealth."
Krauser, Callista and Mako were all thinking the same thing. Rebuilding they're once powerful army secretly and when they all meet. That will be the first thing they will talk about..
The stoat was now back in his room and this time when he comes back out, he would bring along his larger blades just in case something like The feast ever happens again...
Callista was planning on helping Moll. Mainly because she was disgusted at the fact that she let her own forces walk all over her and tell her what to do. That never happen in any decent kingdom. The only beasts who suggested and made you do things were your mate, your strategists or your advisers. No other beast! Callista had given the Moll two choices. She could either allow her a promotion to advisor to teach her to rule properly. Or she can be a easily manipulated pawn to her lackeys and she made it clear that being one of the Royal Family that those were truly the only two choices you got.
She was in a hallway, passing by a pair of trident guard to her room. She would talk with Mako and Krauser later. Even though Krauser was not to far away and Mako was just about to leave...
Mako was leaving soon. Not off the island though. He had no room for him in the Palace. So he would have to forget spending his gold and silver on females and drinks and buy a home instead. He passed some Monitor guards to the palace exit gates.
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carabadgermum
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Post by carabadgermum on Jun 16, 2009 14:41:28 GMT -5
A silent figure watched as the stoat arrived in his room. She had let him know in no uncertain terms that she wouldn't be given to him as a reward but that didn't mean she wasn't interested in rewarding him herself if she found him worthy. She knew the reason she should have been here was to keep an eye on Krauser to make sure that he wasn't planning any action against Moll. Larka's motives however were not nearly so noble.
Now that the queen and her guests had finished their feast Stella and the other kitchen staff were finally able have a meal of their own. The air was generally more calm and jovial with the stress of preparations out of the way. A few of the serving staff who had actually been in the dining room did impressions of the queen's guests for the enjoyment of those who had been stuck in the kitchen.
Stella laughed along with the others but she was mostly concerned with finishing her food quickly and cramming what she could into a napkin to bring as a treat to her son. He would already be in his loft bed at the mill but she would sneak up and find him awake and awaiting her stories from the palace.
One of the serving maids looked curiously at the vixen. "You're not going to run right home early tonight, are you Stella? You should stay with us and celebrate. Queen Moll did complement your soup and your desert." The Squirrel maid sounded sincere enough, but Stella was sure these creatures were more concerned about where she ran off to every night than they were about sharing the excitement of her possible promotion.
"Well thank you but I really think I should probably be getting home," Stella answered as graciously as she could.
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Vrelt
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Post by Vrelt on Jun 16, 2009 22:53:44 GMT -5
Zahn had already considered the words of Krauser, and almost immediately made up his mind not to help the stoat. It was clear to him and many of the officers at Sampetra that Drask Darkfang was playing at his own game, while carefully putting the image of a general that wasn't fit to lead and quick to wrath out to all other beasts. Apparently Krauser was unable to see through Drask's cautious planning and plotting, that ferret was several steps in front of the stoat and all the other beasts here at Sampetra. Zahn believed that the general was the better beast to follow at this time, instead of Krauser or any other. The fox knew that Drask would carry out his promise of a reward for both him and Alexander eventually, though the same loyalty would not be shown to Renak or the stoat.
The fox moved through the hallways quickly, taking all the quick routes to get out of the palace. He finally arrived at the kitchen and shoved the door open, briskly marching in the direction of the other side of the vast room, to one of the doors leading out, the very same door that Stella was edging toward. Zahn kept his gray-blue eyes locked straight ahead, ignoring the lowly servants that were gathered there, enjoying themselves with their own version of a feast. The fox always tried to look taller, his armor helped in doing this, as well as keeping his shoulders held back proudly, though he was still a bit shorter than normal in comparison to other male foxes. Zahn would have ignored the vixen trying to get out of the room just like he did to the other servants, but something caught his attention; the bright amber eyes that met his as he placed his paw on the handle of the door. The fox was silent as he failed to stop himself from staring into Stella's eyes, was this the vixen that Queen Moll mentioned?
Unlike Zahn, Renak firmly believed that he would end up better off with Krauser and his promise of "A good guarantee for power, females, and wealth." The word of the stoat meant more to Renak than the empty promises of Drask, those three things were all that the weasel desired. He planned to meet with Krauser around two or three weeks later, supposing he managed to stay on the general's good side during that period of time. But this didn't mean he would follow the stoat blindly, he planned on playing both sides during these next few weeks, in order to measure which beast was better for him to follow, currently, Krauser held that spot. Renak would just as easily go and tell Drask about all of this, and that would surely get a reward, but he decided not to betray the stoat, not until he was certain he could trust him or not.
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Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Jun 17, 2009 0:12:02 GMT -5
Krauser pulled one of his larger blade off the wall and did some swings with it, it was made of light, but powerful metals. Allowing bigger blades to be made in the Far East Jungles. Lest thats what he believed but he never saw many blades of this size. Though he never really cares around those facts though. All he cared about is that it's a weapon and a lethal one at that.
He knew Zahn was too much of a baby suck up to tell him what he told Renak. The only thing the puny fox heard is what he had said in public about Drask being no more than a beast of broken promises and lies. He never told the fox about his meeting plans at all...
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carabadgermum
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Post by carabadgermum on Jun 17, 2009 10:28:02 GMT -5
Stella knew that look. She was not unfamiliar with the staring eyes of male beasts but she was finished with catering to their whims. A glance back at the other servants was enough to let her know that they were still watching her closely, trying to figure out what to make of her. She didn't want them telling tales about her. Her past would give them enough fodder to get her thrown out if it was to get back to the queen, she was sure. And now here was this little dog-fox who had ran into her accidentally or not. What would they make of that?
Her jaw tensed into an anxious frown. "Excuse me, I was just on my way out." She looked over his attire, suddenly recognizing him as one of General Drask's creatures and quickly added, "Sir."
She knew what they'd think. They'd think this was no chance meeting; that she had planned to meet this male here at this time. That of course would be why she was in such a hurry to finish her meal and go. But it wasn't true. A few weeks ago maybe but not now. This was a good job, better than she could have ever imagined. She was finally be able to provide for Troy without having to lift her skirt for some sailor.
She heard a laugh behind her and then the squirrelmaid called out, "Oh well, have a nice evening, Stella."
Clutching the stash of food in one paw the vixen pushed passed Zahn, thinking only of getting out as quickly as she could, "I really must be going." Out the door and into the night, her hurry brought her to her knees when she tripped over an uneven place in the cobbles. The little parcel of food few out of her paw as she struggled to catch herself, spilling it's contents across the path.
Larka stayed in her place in the shadows watching every move the large blade made as it was swung. In her mind she parried the blows and even planned out what her own offense would be against such a weapon. She was so enjoying this mental battle that she did not even really think about drawing her own sword and meeting the one that suddenly entered the shadow where she was hidden. It was the metallic clang and the weight of the larger blade against her own that alerted her that this was no longer a duel fought in her own imagination.
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Vrelt
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Post by Vrelt on Jun 17, 2009 16:28:55 GMT -5
The corporal stepped aside to allow Stella to pass through the door, he made no move to follow the vixen, who was in great haste to get away from either him, or the other servants. Zahn turned his gaze to the servants gathered around, and addressed them with the authority that came with being one of Drask's officers. "Don't stand around staring, go do something useful, eh?"
Zahn pulled open the door, confident that the vixen was given enough time to get away from him or what ever beast she was running from. Normally, the fox would have introduced himself, but seeing as this Stella was anxious to escape, he decided not to say anything to her this time. Though he knew he would meet her again, for they would both be here at Sampetra for a time, as long as Drask didn't station him at the garrison at Akkladia. Maybe then she would be in less of a hurry to get away.
The fox went through the door, and immediately caught sight of Stella, who had apparently stumbled just outside, dropping the food she was carrying with her. Zahn initially ignored her and kept walking, stepping around Stella without a single glance; but something prompted him to stop and turn. He could at least show a bit of manners to the beast who needed help to get back on her paws, his training along with Drask had taught him that much. Otherwise, the former land pirate of Mossflower would have kept going. Zahn stepped in front of her and offered his paw; this time he didn't blatantly stare at the vixen, and merely kept his eyes locked on his footpaws.
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Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Jun 17, 2009 20:40:37 GMT -5
The stoat was slightly surprised he accidentally struck Larka's blade in the shadow, but that didn't show on his face, only a serious and annoyed frown and glare. "What the hell do you want? Wanting to rub something in my face or coming to kill me yourself so i don't end up chopping Drask into shark chum? If i remember correctly Alex DID say something about me and him battling it out after the feast. If your trying number one, your stupid. If your doing the second one than your both brave and stupid. I killed more beasts than you, your parents, your grandparents and your great grandparents. I suggest you leave now..."
Mako was outside just like Zahn and Stella were. Though he still didn't even bother to notice them at all. He only continued along down the road into the taverns and homes. Just maybe there is a house there for sell..... Maybe.
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carabadgermum
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Post by carabadgermum on Jun 17, 2009 21:09:47 GMT -5
Stella was so busy trying to scavenge the food that she had dropped that at first she didn't notice the proffered paw. When she did she was embarrassed to see the beast who held it out to her. She glanced back at the kitchen door from which she had come and thought she could see the shadow of somebeast standing in the doorway. Oh well. The damage is already done. She might as well accept the help that was offered with some dignity.
"Thank you," the vixen whispered as she took Zahn's paw and stood.
"I was curious," Larka answered as she brought her sword around to the next movement in the practice series he had been doing. It was a series she had memorized from her own years of practice. "At dinner it seemed as if you wanted something from me. I was just wondering what that might be." The smile never left her face as the stoatmaid chatted calmly.
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Vrelt
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Post by Vrelt on Jun 17, 2009 21:53:29 GMT -5
Zahn held her paw momentarily after he helped her up, looking up to meet the vixen's eyes, then he let go her paw as he spotted the beast watching them. Those servants needing to be working instead of wasting their time observing something that didn't concern them, and the corporal was close to going back and giving the beasts stern orders instead of a simple reminded like he just did.
The fox returned his eyes to Stella, keeping a calm expression as he spoke. "I tried to allow you time to get away from those beasts. The path had other ideas, I suppose." Zahn stepped back, planning to start his walk, but he spoke once more, "Pleased to meet you, Ma'am. Enjoy the rest of your evening." The corporal started walking, but once again he turned, this time finally introducing himself. "By the way, I'm Corporal Zahn Vetrund, at your service. Oh, I have to warn you to watch your step on your way to wherever you're going. Sampetra isn't a safe place to be after dark." Zahn didn't keep walking after that, he waited to see what her response was to his warning, though he guessed he overstayed his welcome in the presence of Stella. The beast watching from the door had seen plenty enough to speculate about what was going on with the two foxes.
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Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Jun 17, 2009 22:25:21 GMT -5
Krauser facial features slowly turned to a smile as he spoke. " Let me guess? Poison dagger? Bow beast out infront of my window? Spit of poison? Or just what i like to do. Suddenly attack and kill without warning? That's not the real reason why your here and allow me to make it clear for you. Nothing is stopping me from taking Drask out of his misery when we do have to fight. Besides, don't you have to constantly follow and protect Moll or something? Why Drask?"
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carabadgermum
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Post by carabadgermum on Jun 17, 2009 22:56:04 GMT -5
Stella answered him just as calmly and with and edge of humor, "Yes, the path can be quite dangerous on a moonless evening. Those cobbles can jump out when you least expect them." She looked down at the treacherous walk way and then back at Zahn. "I'm Stella, Stella Ambersight and again I thank you for your service. I am accustom to these roadways, though. You really needn't worry about me."
"My coming here has nothing to do with Drask I can assure you," Larka grinned. "He may have kept my neck off the chopping block once but the information I gave him in return more than covered that debt. And believe it or not I'm not here to kill you either." Parry, thrust, she continued the dance with a graceful spin and then her sword met his again.
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Vrelt
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Post by Vrelt on Jun 17, 2009 23:42:39 GMT -5
"I wasn't referring to the roadways, just the beasts that frequent them." Zahn gestured in the direction of the taverns, "There are to many of those pirates running around for my liking." As he spoke to the vixen, he was debating whether to ask to escort her to wherever she was going, at this point, she appeared that she didn't need his help. Stella probably knew he way around here better than he did anyway, including how to deal with those pirates, but then again, anything could happen. Zahn waited to see what she would say this time, that would help make up his mind whether to escort her or not. He didn't want to make Stella think he was after her, so he kept his expression calm, and his eyes locked with hers, instead of anywhere else on her. Zahn spoke once more, "You're welcome, Miss Ambersight. It's been my pleasure."
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Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Jun 18, 2009 13:33:45 GMT -5
Krauser rolled his eyes and spoke "I'm considered crazy. Not stupid. Well. Maybe so with Drask. Though this is straying from the subject. So if you are not armed with any concealable weapons. Than why don't you.... prove it?" Finally smiling back at the female stoat.
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carabadgermum
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Post by carabadgermum on Jun 18, 2009 14:54:12 GMT -5
Stella wasn't unaccustomed to being on the receiving end of such chivalry. She was glad now for the darkness that hid from this 'knight' the blush that had risen to her cheeks under her fur.
The vixen was well aware of the pirates Zahn spoke of. She knew some of them more intimately then others. She was sure she would be able to handle it if one or two of them came up asking why she wasn't around anymore but it would be much better deterrent if she was already accompanied by a male on her walk through the town. She didn't want to ask him for help, to appear weak, or to give him the idea that he could expect something in return when he left her safely at the mill but she found that she liked his company and wouldn't mind getting to know him better.
"There are some suspicious characters around," The vixen looked around. "That stoat ,or was it a weasel," she shrugged, "who passed by us a bit ago, looked pretty shady. Maybe I should walk with you a ways so you'll feel safer." She smiled offering her arm in what she hoped was a more friendly than romantic gesture and then looked on down the path towards the taverns. The stoat/weasel beast was still within sight and she was glad again for Zahn's presence.
"Prove it?" she mouthed the echo rather than actually saying it aloud with one eyebrow raised. She gathered his meaning immedately but waited a beat before she nodded at him with a little smirk. Drawing her second sword she bent down and laid both of her weapons crossed at her footpaws. Then she stood back up and released the clasp of her cape at her throat letting it fall to the floor behind her. Now standing before him in her formal tunic, skirt and silver breastplate, she lifted her paws innocently. "Now do you believe me?" It was a game, a dangerous game, but that's what made it fun. If he wanted her she was going to make him ask, nicely.
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