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Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Apr 6, 2008 11:11:13 GMT -5
Shatrunjay had been on the move since the Pine Martin ambushed him. Not because he was scared. Mainly because he had been encountering more and more snakes. Most small and harmless but there were quite a few of big or deadly snakes like adders. Mainly taking the teeth of the snakes as part of his collection course. The rest was either left to the three other creatures that followed him (For food or to make clothing. He didn't really care what they did with the bodies.), or to nature too take care of.
He has now sat up camp, its getting dark now. Not idea for traveling unless you wish to end up shot or robbed. As good a warrior he is. Even he knows that fighting blind gets you killed instead of killing the enemy.
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Post by blackfox7 on Apr 6, 2008 11:30:42 GMT -5
Nilansh stumbled through the bushes, using his javelin like a weedwhacker. The mongoose had always stayed a good twenty paces ahead of them, making it hard for the fox and two stoat brothers to keep up. Nilansh had to stop every now and then to make sure the two other vermin were even going the right way. He snorted bad-temperedly; why couldn't all vermin be as clever and resourceful as foxes? It would make his job so much easier. Nilansh noticed that Shatrunjay was stopping for the night, which relieved him. Bhagavad and Yana pushed their way out of the bushes to his right, still carrying the skin and meat of a smooth snake between them. Nilansh sneered.
"What're you carrying that thing around for?!" Yana looked up, confused. "Hi thought we cudd eat et..." Bhagavad backed him up. "Yah, an' w'iz not s'possed ta leave de meat on de groun'. De mongoose says we can eat et." Nilansh gave up, too tired to argue. Boldly he flopped down within three steps of the snake-killer himself, crossing his arms behind his head as if extremely relaxed. He wasn't really; the mongoose scared him somewhat still...
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Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Apr 8, 2008 20:29:53 GMT -5
The mongoose had already started his camp fire and was roasting a bird he had killed on their travels. He seemed more concentrated on the fire than the fox. The angry frown almost seemed like a permanent scar. It rarely ever changed. His mace and chain, his polearm and his scimitar was placed on the ground next to him along with the pack he carried. He never let those weapons alone for to long. So it was a waste of life and time to try to grab them. His swiftness would not allow any beast to touch those weapons but himself. Even though those eyes were on the dead bird and fire, His other senses were always alert to what was near him…
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Post by blackfox7 on Apr 8, 2008 20:48:02 GMT -5
The fox soon got bored of the silence and propped himself up on his elbows, taking a quick check of the two stoats to make sure they hadn't screwed something up yet. Nilansh glanced secretively at the mongoose's spetum, but didn't dare try to examine it. Eventually though, curiousity overcame his good judgement:
"You got some fine-looking weapons there, mate." Nilansh grinned at Shatrunjay in a friendly way, hoping the mongoose wouldn't react too badly...
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Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Apr 9, 2008 17:09:16 GMT -5
At first, the mongoose swiftly grabbed the nearest weapon beside him, the scimitar. But when he turned and noticed the fox was not anywhere near his weapons, he let his grip slide off the handle. For a moment or two, he was silent; than he spoke “I used them all in the battle arena. Always kept them sharp and ready to spill blood, a fighter always does so. I’ve slain almost every species of beast you could think of with them.” It was strange. In their travels, the mongoose always spoke in a mean tone and it often took more than a few attempts to get a reply out of him. But now he was starting to get used to this small but constant company. Even replying to them right off the bat sometimes, even the most antisocial beast would not stay alone forever…
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Post by blackfox7 on Apr 16, 2008 6:15:54 GMT -5
The fox jumped a little when the keen edge of the scimitar swung his way, but relaxed a little as it did. Nilansh swallowed nervously as the mongoose explained the weapons' fine state to him. "Aye, they're some good things to have around..." The fox trailed off awkwardly. The two stoats came over to the fire carrying sharpened sticks with a piece of snake-meat skewered on them. They sat down opposite of the mongoose and fox and held the meat over the fire's edge. The two brothers had become giddy and beamed with pride at their ingenuity, and that loosened their tongues. "'Ey, Nilansh, whooz bein' de clever one now, eh?", Bhagavad snickered. "Yah, tat's funneh; 'e wuz so quick ta tell us not ta bring de meat. 'Ey, foxy, H'wodder yoo eatin' tanight?", Yana joined in the poking fun. Nilansh sat irritably, stung by the teasing. For a moment the anti-social mongoose was forgotten.
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Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Apr 16, 2008 15:09:18 GMT -5
Shatrunjay tore a chunk out of the roasted bird and chewed, when he swallowed and heard the stoat brothers teasing the fox. He was quick to let his words be known. “Hey! You two! Quit your crying and eat up. Going to be a long day tomorrow! Snake Hunting and for you guys. More weapons training!”
Although the mongoose was tough and strict with them. There was one thing they might notice by now. No savage beatings, No extremely cruel curses and insults, No threats of death or taking off limbs. This was likely already better than being with that Pine Martin they had followed before.
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Post by blackfox7 on Apr 17, 2008 18:12:28 GMT -5
The two stoats nearly dropped their snake-meat into the fire as Shatrunjay berated them. Slumping ashamedly, Yana and Bhagavad tore into the mostly-cooked flesh and kept their eyes out of contact with the mongoose's. Or the fox they had just made fun of. Nilansh was not entirely out of luck; the red fox realized he'd been lying directly on an edible root and scooped it out of the earth. Cleaning off the dirt, he slouched moodily and crunched away. "Phaw. Nasty bitter thingie. Better'n nothin'..." Nilansh pulled a face, and Yana could not suppress a snigger. -------------------------------------------------------------- Away from the mongoose's camp and across a thin brook, Shardear plotted her revenge. The wounds that fearsome vermin had dealt her were still throbbing. Two newts slithered up to the scarred pine marten. The marten sneered and threw them a trinket made of gold and silver. "Alright, ya slimy divvils, tell me how ye can help me." On newt gulped fearfully as Shard lowered her spearpoint to his eye level. The haft was in two halves, but the red-dyed point was as sharp as ever. So was the wicked vermin leader's cunning...
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Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Apr 18, 2008 19:34:23 GMT -5
The mongoose gave Yana a glare. It was a little difficult to keep this small group under control or to keep them from making fun of each other and making each other feel bad. They were cowards and bullies to each other. But his tough training ideas are going to fix them all up good. If these guys are going to stay with him. Than they better at lest stay as brave warriors and not cowardly bullies….
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Post by blackfox7 on Apr 18, 2008 21:49:01 GMT -5
The female newt came forward, a nasty look plastered on her face, and waved a webbed hand at the brook. "Yerrrs... All inna yon brukk iz mai mayt und I'z legionss...They wayt ferr orderss t' 'ttack th' mongusss..." Shard leered at the two and glanced at the thin trickle of a creek. Slowly a sly smile spread across her ugly features. "Show me, Gratimm, and I'll tell ye what ye need t' know." The newt named Gratimm waved her tail as a signal to the hidden creatures. Out of every rock crevice and pool crawled forth many more newts, all armed with small knives and some sharpened stakes each. From the brookside vegetation came a variety of lizards, snakes, rooks, and jackdaws. A few sneaky-looking watervoles joined them from a nearby bank. Each of them carried a shortbow and a quiver of barbed arrows. Shardear bared crooked teeth in a full fledged evil grin, thoroughly pleased with what she saw... ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nilansh could not help himself;the red fox was still feeling talkative: "So what is the deal with mongooses, eh? Is there some big reason you guys go around slayin' snakes?" The fox bit off a hunk of the root. Yana and Bhagavad gaped;they had thought Nilansh knew better than to be cheeky to their new master.
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Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Apr 22, 2008 9:24:58 GMT -5
Surprisingly, Shatrunjay was not angered. He was not enraged. But he did answer. He answered without a hint of rage. He answered without that mean tone even. But he indeed answered. “It is a long story, but if you would like to hear it. I will tell you. But I am a little surprised your kind would be interested in such things…”
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Post by blackfox7 on Apr 23, 2008 20:21:26 GMT -5
The fox shrugged. "Sure, I'll hear the story. We ain't got much else to do tonight." Yana cut in with a glib reply. "Mah mutha tol' meh storeez abou' de mongooses. Budd Ah don't know ef dey be troo." "We bedda lissen to da storee den. SHH.", Bhagavad chided, and all three vermin quieted down, expectantly awaiting Shatrunjay's answer. -------------------------------------------------- Shapes slithered through foliage in the dark night, led by a pine marten. Above the canopy dark birds circled and flew close to the trees. The watervoles snuck through the branches of low pines and spruces. Shardear's new horde was on the move...
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Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Apr 30, 2008 18:39:41 GMT -5
The Mongoose was about to start his tale when he suddenly heard branches moving. Not too loud but just enough for him to pick it up. “We need to leave right now….” *He quickly kicked dirt over the camp fire to put it out and cover their position in complete darkness. He spoke to them with a whisper. “I heard something. We are moving. Now! Get your stuff and make sure you grab mine and each other’s tails. Unless you want to wonder blindly in different directions…” He had already got his weapons and his pack. Hopefully the stoats and the fox did too. Though he was more hoping that they would keep quiet and not give away their position. He was already starting to move….
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Post by blackfox7 on May 1, 2008 17:28:55 GMT -5
Reluctantly Nilansh reached out and grasped the mongoose's tail, snatching his javelin from the groud as he went. In a blind gamble the stoats were hoisting up their weapons and snatching hairs from the fox's brush. "YOWWWL!", Bhagavad had made it, with Yana clinging to his brother's tail with both hands.
But the loud yelp of the startled fox had alerted the forerunners of the horde; a newt and one of the rooks looked at each other and shared a wicked grin. "Yakka! Killa-time, yes???", cawed the rook. "Greehehehe! Lessss gittim!"
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Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on May 9, 2008 21:52:41 GMT -5
First thing the mongoose wanted to do was to turn around and punch that fox so hard in the mouth that all his teeth would fall out! But he knew he would never have the time to do that. So instead he bolted in a random direction More than likely taking all of them along with him! He did not care if he had to drag all three of them behind him with his tail! He was NOT staying here to be overran and outnumbered by a horde of cowards or bandits! He could tell it was a horde just by hearing the now masses of noise made.
He had one advantage still though. The yelp had been made in complete darkness! More than likely that will be the first place those beasts would charge at. So the smart idea would be to bolt in a entirely DIFFERENT direction than ahead of them! Those fools could charge on and on into the dark night catching nothing. He and whoever happened to be with him would be safe running in a different direction. He did not know were that direction would take him. But it would be he and his band’s only chance!
What he did not count on was that birds were in this attacking Horde. But still. Maybe they will not notice. Maybe they will not spread out in search while the ground beasts were charging ahead.
(What im planning on is that he ends up near either Redwall or in the dunes near Salandastron.)
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