Redwall Abbey

       The green of the pines had been a welcome sight, and were now nearly within reach. After spending a couple of hours in the blustery white desert, some protection from the cutting wind would be a greatly appreciated comfort. Even so, the greater respite might be the dulling of complaints from some of the less experienced travelers. Liten took another head count, peering over the hilt of the sword he'd taken responsibility for on this venture. They only appeared to have lost one the entire way from Stormbreak to the woodline, not a bad run really. Even so, he could feel the onset of an incoming storm, making them even more fortunate to have made cover at such a time. The wolf turned to address the entourage behind him, walking sideways so as not to leave out the odd one or two rambunctious members scampering around in the front, "We're 'boot to make the treeline, but in case ye've ne'er run the wash before, safety's best found near a 'alf mile inwards away from the breeze. Keep yer wits on ya' 'till we've pitched a camp." He returned to his previous stride, eyes scanning the shade of the approaching trees. Caution had been his friend of many years, and followed him even to the southern outskirts of the great North.

Maeus silently followed Liten towards the treeline. Trekking in the cold wind had drained his capacity for conversation; speech was an option, but survival was necessary. He didn't want to miss a word of guidance, as inexperienced as he was.

Tergen kept pace with Liten, striding slightly behind the wolf leader and to his right. He checked his pace as he began to move ahead, aware of the long journey ahead.
Better to stick to a slower pace that could be maintained over a long period of time than to rush ahead and use up all your energy within a short amount of time. Tergen reminded himself, recalling the countless times he'd heard the advise during his time in the army.
Hearing Liten's words, he felt slightly relieved. Fit as he was, it had been hard going and the squirrel's paw was starting to ache slightly from the cold.
Not showing an outward sign of emotion, he nodded. The wolf wasn't particularly large for his kind but he obviously had experienced plenty and he had a good head on his shoulders.
"Aye, I wouldn't say it'd keep oos from the breeze but it'll keep most of the weather oot. I dare say we'll all be grateful fer a rest when the tahm cooms."

Thrun stumped along in the snow, a little behind the others. The reason for this became apparent as you drew closer: He had pulled a small pine cone-on-a-stick out of one of his pockets and was swinging it from side to side, mesmerized by the smooth arc it made through the air.
Hearing Tergen's remark, Thrun began to speed up so as to draw level with the rest of the party. He swung the pine cone one last time, not even noticed as it slipped from his grasp and hurtled through the air towards Maeus's head.
"When th' cold comes, nought can stop et. Not even me trusty Fuggle'ir." He stumped off in Liten's direction, pulling his quilt tighter about him.

Barely feeling the pinecone hit his neck, Maeus turned around, glancing at it on the snow. He briefly glanced at Thrun before rolling his eyes and slogging on. 'That Thrun is an odd one, no doubt about it. but Liten has him along for a reason.' he thought to himself.

Lieseil had been traveling in about the middle of the group, keeping quiet for a while so as to get a feel for her companions. After Tergen spoke, she snorted. "The trees will block some of the wind, more than out here, anyway, and if it gets bad we can build a windblock." She adjusted her cloak as she grumped at the young squirrel. The otter had never really enjoyed the company of those she perceived to young and cocky, and squirrels almost always fell into that category.

Thrun twisted around slightly, quilt slipping from his shoulders and effectively lashing his arms to his sides. He, however, did not seem to care, or even notice. "I 'ave a windblock." He then proceeded, by some miraculous means, to pull a small iron cart wheel from one of his pockets. It was rusted and riddled with holes. "It ain't keepin' no wind out, though."

Tergen reduced his pace slightly till he was walking beside Lieseil, studying the otter briefly before replying.
It was unusual to see an otter in these parts, though Tergen had come across their species on occasion. Apparently, this otter had taken a disliking to him.
"Aye, they'll block soom o' the wind oot boot not all of it. There'll still be a breeze and it'll be a culd one. Still be better than this though."
Tergen increased his pace again, deciding to reserve judgement on the brown-furred swimmer until he got to know her better. The keening, biting wind and heavy atmosphere could try anybeast's patience.

Maeus could barely hear what the others were saying to each other, and he didn't quite care. Of all of them, he'd probably talked to Liten the most since electing to go, and he figured when they made camp he could acquaint himself with them.

  Plenith was soaked.
  It was not only his boots and gloves that were wet, but his pants and coat as well. He had been the last to reach the trees to escape the small avalanche they had barely dodged, and had been covered in snow in that process. That snow had melted, and found its way through his clothes down to his very skin.
  It was all he could think about, and wished everyone else would be quiet so he could be miserable in peace.
  The pine marten travelled behind everyone else, and off to the side, since Thrun seemed to be intent on being in the back of the group as well. He eyed the fox critically as he spun the pinecone around and let it fly off carelessly toward Maeus Plenith would need to keep an eye on Thrun.
  He chose to stay silent and watch the others as he picked his way after them, trying to think of the nice fire they would be able to make once they stopped for the night.

Tergen sped up a little more as a stray gust of wind blew cold air down his collar. It would be a cold night, even with more shelter than this.
His mind strayed back to his time in the army. Cold... hungry... alone... wounded.
He shook his head to clear the memories, reminding himself the of good things he'd learnt during the experience. He would always be able to find the good in a situation.
He'd slept out in the cold before but this time he'd at least have some food and probably a fire, plus some decent company.

Thrun could feel sweat beginning to gather on the back of his neck, and was grateful for it. Pushing a heavy iron cart wheel through at times knee-deep snow was no mean feat, and it was hard, hot work. A blessing in this cold.
Thrun tripped over one end of his quilt, falling backwards. Sprawled in the snow, he felt a rare sane moment coming on. He hauled himself to his feet. The cold soaked through his boots and into his knitted socks, but he took no notice. In a minute or two, the memories would come rushing back, and he would be mad again. He had a minute or two of sanity. A minute or two of freedom.
Thrun approached Plenith. He had one shot at this. One shot at making a friend before he was trapped again.
"Um... Hello." Thrun licked his lips nervously. On sudden impulse, he spoke again. "How d'yer like plum 'n turnip pie?"

Hearing muttering behind him, Maeus turned 'round and noticed Thrun talking to Plenith. He then glanced back to Liten, Tergen, and Lieseil. Sighing to himself, he trudged on; He'd ask when they made camp.

       The branches began to pass overhead as cover was finally a reality, not that it provided the relief Liten wanted. He could still hear the varying conversations and arguments behind him, not the worst he'd ever had by any measure, but a nuisance out in the bush regardless. He trudged on, finally reaching the depth he was looking for he turned, "Seems we're 'ere now, drop anythin' ya don't need 'an we can get something akin to a camp put together. I'll go dig up some shambles for a' fire, somebeast 'aught to drop some ah the branches off a pine or so, makes for good shelter... Oh, 'nd don't go killin' each other while I'm gone." Ignoring his own advice, he stepped away with everything still on his back, enjoying the semblance of peace now afforded by his distance from the others. Quiet, gently swaying forest was a welcome change after an entire day of the complete opposite. The wolf offered up a sigh to the wind as he forced himself to stay on target, making good on his word to gather the fragments of wood that would be their warmth later tonight.

Maeus dropped his pack and started searching for branches thick enough for a windblock. He had almost decided to accompany the wolf, but figured he might be more of a liability in the strange climate. Sure, he had made it to Stormbreak, but that was almost purely luck. After collecting some pine branches, he leaned them against each other. "Maybe some cloth would help?"
Turning to Lieseil, he asked, "Would some cloth work for the windbreak?"

Tergen held his knife in his teeth as he quickly climbed a tree, pausing to cut a branch down whenever he found a suitable one. He noticed the branches on the north side were all battered by the wind, while the branches on the south side were more healthy.
Judging that he'd taken enough branches from this tree, Tergen slid down, landing in time to hear Maeus' question.
"Nay, we daon't 'ave enoogh cloth fer that. Stack the branches thick and coover them wi' leaves and pahn needles. Ah'd suggest puttin' the shelter awn the sooth sahd of a large tree."
The black squirrel set about making his tepee, following his own advice and propping his branches against the pine tree he'd cut them from.
Tergen's tail disappeared up another tree and more branches fell down, followed by the squirrel as he busily prepared his tabernacle and covered it with leaves and dry pine needles.
"Thah we go. Doos anybeast else woont soome help or should Ah build a fire?"

  "I've never had it," said Plenith, stepping a little further away from Thrun. The fox was strange. "Look, I don't know you. I don't wanna talk now."
  He was momentarily saved from further discussion by Liten announcing it was time to stop. The pine marten gratefully threw his pack down, clearing some snow that had fallen through the trees. Instead of making a shelter, he began straightaway on finding dry tinder on his own before making a shelter for himself.

Lieseil had been lost in thought while gathering extra wood for the fire when Maeus spoke to her, and she blinked back at him before rolling her eyes. "What he said, unless you've got enough cloth in your pocket," she griped. She hadn't really appreciated Tergen butting in but hopefully that mean the conversation would be shorter. Lieseil supposed they could have used their cloaks or something similar, but they'd get too cold and it would defeat the purpose. And she wasn't giving up her nice, warm, dry cloak for everyone else! The other grumpily readjusted the load of wood in her arms and stalked off, to place it in the middle of their makeshift camp before going to gather more branches for the windblock.

After he finished building his shelter, Maeus searched for the intermediate firewood. When he came near to Plenith, he called, "So what did the fox ask you? Nothing too jarring, I hope."
"If the pine marten and otter didn't want to talk, they could have stayed home," he thought while filling his arms. "I have to tell them before nightfall anyway."

Tergen looked at his 'companions' and shrugged, crouching to arrange some stones in a ring formation.
"Ah guess ah'll build a fire than." he muttered to himself, stacking the smaller sticks into a tepee and laying the bigger ones to the side, ready to be added once the fire was underway.
Evaluating the amount of wood they had in reserve, Tergen rose to his paws and tramped off into the woods.
"Joost goin' t' get soome more wood. Ah'll be back soon."

Thrun retreated to a quiet corner of the makeshift campsite and sat, back against a towering pine. That hadn't gone particularly well. Of course, he should have expected it. He was strange. He knew that.
Realizing that the others were passing their time far more productively than him, Thrun resolved to pull himself out of his miserable stupor and lend a paw. Except before he could, the memories flooded back.
Fire. Screams. Red... Nothing.
Thrun rummaged through a velvet-lined pocket, pulling out a little metal disc with sharp edges. He wandered over to Liten and held it up. "Th' Claw ones be comin', an' this's th' only thin' that'll put out th' rain. Wan' a go?" Thrun tossed the disc into the air, his 'normal' self once again.

  Plenith was no less in the mood for talking to Maeus than he was to Thrun. This wildcat seemed temperamental. But he answered him anyway. "Asked me something about a pie." He turned back to getting wood, hoping to show Maeus that he was too busy to be bothered anymore.

       Liten cursed himself inwardly, the voice was near impossible not to know at this point, having been really the only one talking outside of a complaint for the entire trip. The beast was clearly off his rocker, to put it lightly, but it wouldn't do to leave him at this point either. He pondered the strange statement of the fox's for a brief time, back still to  the mad beast. The wolf's head turned over his shoulder to offer something of a response, "I've got my own ghosts ta watch for, but we shan't get a drop 'a rain this far North, so ah'll pass." He'd gathered a fair amount by this point, and returned to the campsite. He dropped his findings near the block, ignoring those who'd chosen to construct their own shelters as he dug out a shallow pit for the sticks he'd been gathering.

Maeus stifled a growl. He could have gone on this journey with paving-stones for the sake of conversation. Still, he had Tergen and Liten. Thrun, he figured, wouldn't be able to help much, but if he was the last option, Maeus would take it. He carried his bundle of firewood to the camp.

After laying down his load, Maeus glanced around for Tergen. He spotted the squirrel and rose to follow.
"What d'you think of this crew, eh? Not much for conversation, are they?" He said while gathering another bundle of firewood.

Tergen shrugged, studying his companion as he replied.
"Noo, though ah'm sure they'll warm oop as tahm goes. In the meantahm, silence can be good fer a beast's mahnd, or you could talk t'me."
Tergen added another piece of wood to the pile in his arms and headed back for camp.
"This should be enoof wood t' last oos a whahl."

  Plenith had come back to his chosen spot and sat down, looking around at everyone else. No one had a fire going yet. The pine marten took from his pack some flint and tinder, and busied himself with catching a spark in the charcloth. The only thing that had saved the tinder from being soaked was the small wooden box it was stored in within his pack. But that did not make it any less frustrating when he could not seem to get a spark to light it. Finally, however, after several strikes with his knife on the flint, the cloth smoldered, and he bundled it up in a pile of dry moss, blowing on it until it burst into flame in a flash. Plenith relaxed a little. At least he would have a fire going in a few minutes.
  He set the burning pile down and added bits of wood to it, gradually getting a small fire burning, enough to warm the claws and possibly dry out some of his clothing.

       Firepit now complete, Liten set about propping up a second fire near where the majority of the group would be sheltered. Noticing that Plenith had managed to get a spark and subsequent flame, he walked over with a small stick, setting it alight with his companions fire, nodding his appreciation. Upon returning to his own work, he simply dropped the small flicker into the ball of pine needles at the center of his construction, quickly flaring up. The wolf spied Maeus returning again with yet more wood, easily collecting enough to supply the group for the night. He spent the next half hour or so tightening looses, sometimes quite literally, until everybeast seemed to be settled in. As the others wound down, he stood from warming at the fire to briefly address his cohorts, "Ah'l take first watch, switching every hour an' 'alf is likely best. If nobeast volunteers I'll pick one of yeh at random come the time. I'd advise stayin' out the firelight, back an' ears ta'y the way we came lookin' across ta the path afore us. He turned to take his self-appointed post, hoping they figured something out behind him, and more so that nobeast would try to volunteer Thrun.... at any point.... ever.

Tergen glanced up, shrugging.
"Ah'll take second watch. In the meantahm, Ah'm goin' tae git soom sleep. Goodnaht."
Tergen settled down in the shelter he'd built, taking a few minutes to look after his weapons before falling into a light sleep.

When Tergen claimed the second watch, Maeus stared at the evening sky, occasionally glancing at the fire. After a few moments, he rose and walked over to Liten.
"Liten?" he asked, "Why don't I take your watch? You prob'ly need the sleep, and besides, it's best to enjoy the fire while it's still warm."

OOC: I'm going to PP a bit here making assumptions based off of character personality, assuming no objections. BIC:

       Liten saw the approaching wildcat, and found the first opportunity to really analyze his fellow traveler. His eyes casually scanned Maeus, seemingly genuine enough, nothing much out of the ordinary, "Yoo seem somewhat wary of my presence... A fair stance tuh be shoore." He stopped talking over his shoulder, turning to face the other before continuing with his gravelly voice, "Ah appreciate the offer, but I've a couple a' personal reasons ta go first... Aside from tha', I'd much prefer yeh take last." The wolf glanced back toward the fire, gauging everybeasts distance quickly, "Can't say teh much at the moment.... but.... the wind's been arguin' with me." He gave the wildcat one solemn look for mere moment before melting into the darkness.

He melted into the darkness rather quickly for Maeus, who got out "Li--" before realizing the wolf wasn't there. Maeus glanced around; everything was dark, except the fire. He strode toward it, thinking, "'Last watch', he said. I could trade fer Tergen's..... but it'll be too late by then."
Maeus reached the fire pit, where the others were discussing their shifts. "I got last watch," he announced. "Liten doled that out."

       Predictably, nothing of note happened during Liten's watch, though this did not serve to set him at ease either. He resolved to let the issue go for now, lest he needlessly drag anybeast else into his personal squabbles. The wolf nudged Tergen awake wordlessly, scanning once more before the other took his post. The fire was soon stirred up again, and he finally took the time to eat, having realized that some of the party might be unsettled by his choice of poultry. With nothing else to take care of, check, or clean, the night was all but over.

OOC: We can move to next morning.

Lieseil had taken one of the earlier watches and woke up earlier than the other travelers. She rolled over onto her back and quietly sighed to herself. The day before had been a very interesting adventure, and she wasn't very optimistic about their journey. After a moment's deliberation she decided to sit up and get moving. She nodded to Maeus, not speaking so as not to disturb those who were still sleeping.

Maeus waved at the otter while walking around the camp. There was still enough firewood from the night before to warm up the camp before getting back on the trail, but he doubted Liten would wait long enough to get the fire going. Things were not as bad as he thought they were the night before, and he chided himself for getting anxious. Maeus finished his circuit and leaned against a tree, waiting for the other beasts to wake up.

Tergen twitched his nose and turned over, burying it in the soft, cold snow which had accumulated since he'd gone back to sleep after his shift on watch. The dry, powdered wetness jolted him out of sleep instantly and he sighed and sat up, looking around at the peaceful morning outside his sparse shelter, belying the evidence of the furious storm that had raged during the night.
Tergen mentally shook himself and crawled out of his hut, shaking himself physically when he got out into the open and stretching luxuriously.
Looking around, Tergen nodded a silent greeting to Maeus and... what was the otter's name? Liesil or maybe... Lieseil, that was it.
"Good mornin tae ye. Slept well, Ah hoope."

Maeus nodded at Tergen after a moment and decided, with two other beasts awake, to start building the morning fire. As he trudged off into the snow, he heard Tergen ask Lieseil a question. He chuckled, remembering everyone's curtness the night before. "Think you're going to get an answer?" He thought with a smile, "You'd have better luck talkin' to your pillow.

Lieseil had been preoccupied with stretching out her morning stiffness when Tergen spoke up. She couldn't help a quick nose wrinkle, Great, a chatty morning beast. Just what we needed to make everything pleasant. The thought flitted across her mind before she could stop it and she chastised herself. There was no need to be overtly rude, and so, with a determined air of civility, she replied, "Good morning. I can't say I can complain much, all the circumstances considered. How about yourself? Rest well?"

The corners of Tergen's lips tilted upwards and he nodded.
"Aye, Ah rested well. Mah stoomach tells me it's breakfast tahm. Ah woonder whoot's the menu this beautiful mornin'."
He gazed up at the snow-laden peaks of the trees, the winter sun glinting off them so they sparkled. Aye, it was indeed a beautiful morning. In such scenery as this, sleep was overrated.

       Liten was helping stir the fire back up for the morning, no need to rush the others, not yet at least. A decent flame was not difficult to rekindle now, and with the warmth returning, the wolf addressed the small crowd, "Ah don't suppose tha' anybeast'd 'ave much experience wi'the south? Ah've seen a map er two, but I must confess tha' I've ne'er seen it fer meh'self. Best ah know we'll find more mountains or muck, and to level with all ye, I'd rather take'a hike than catch my feet in the sog."

Tergen left off admiring the countryside and turned to listen as Liten addressed them, shaking his head apologetically.
"Ah grew oop on the sooth sahd of the moontains boot Ah haven't been far enoogh tae say Ah have experience wit' the sooth. Mah fam'ly moostly kept to themselves."

"I come from the south. Some areas I'm not as familiar with as others but I know my way around a bit." Lieseil replied, looking up from the fire. Her family had always been travelers, and she'd grown up in the more southern areas. This was her first time up north, and she was more than happy to be having the chance to go back so soon.

  Plenith woke up to the sound of people talking. He groaned and turned over. It was barely bright out, but he knew it was getting later in the day. With a sigh, he sat up and she'd his blanket, shivering from the cold. The Marten stood up and stamped around, trying to adjust to the temperature. His fire was out; he would need to start it again to use someone else's. With a glance at the others, he decided to silently rekindle his own.

Dropping the firewood off to the side of the main fire, Maeus pondered Liten's question. "I've done some traveling down in the south, but I've never been good with a map, meself." "I'd be happy to be back down there though," he thought, glancing back at Plenith, working on his fire, and Thrun, still fast asleep.

Tergen finished his frugal breakfast and stood up, stretching and then heading back to his stick shelter to get ready for the day. He didn't bother with nightclothes while traveling but he didn't sleep with his belt on. The squirrel disappeared into the shelter, emerging a moment later and springing up onto a low branch of the nearest tree.
"Ah'm ready tae get gooin', whenever ye want tae do thaht."

OOC: I got poked by Lass, who apparently was told to do so by Corn. I suppose I should pass the favour on? *pokes @Verdauga *

OOC: Sorry everyone, I've been putting this one off, we'll move on without @Jarky Thistlebrush for now. BIC:

       Liten waited to see if anybeast had much else to say, but talk was light all around... Funny, one would think the hare-. The wolf's ears locked and his gaze scanned the immediate area, turning up no sign of their more vocal comrade. Nobeast seemed to have noticed his disappearance either, or perhaps it was simply an unspoken agreement not to bring the subject up, an agreement to which he found no reason to question. Standing, he pushed to get a move on, addressing the otter, "Assumin' nay ferther concerns, could ye confirm the existence of said mountain an' muck? Ah've also heard tell o' inhabitants in those regions, an' the descriptions did'ne endear them to me. Any al'ternative routes miss aaaah."

Lieseil had glanced at everybeast else as they were talking, but her gaze swapped back to Liten as she was addressed. "When I came up North I sailed up the West coast with a crew of otters. I saw some mountains in the distance, aye, but there was a passable stretch of coast there, with some empty caves. I don't know about muck or marshes, we never ventured far inland when we came ashore, but I can tell you for certain there's ways to go back down without passing through the mountains."
It hadn't been too terribly long since Lieseil had ventured up to the North - about a full season - so there wasn't a chance of new terrain popping out of nowhere. The otter just hoped there wasn't any other obstacles she didn't know about. Liten seemed to trust her knowledge; she appreciated that and wanted to keep it that way.

Maeus shrugged at Liten's question. After Lieseil finished, he added, "I made my way through some of the lower mountain passes on my way up. Somethin' tells me you want an easier path to travel." His input finished, Maeus glanced at the other beasts, waiting for their ideas, or Liten's decision.

  Plenith raised his head, listening in on the conversation. He had never gone travelling before. . . He did not know anything about the lands they were going to except that they were warm, and bountiful. The stories of the "lands of sun", and similar names, were all he had to go on.
  For a moment, fear gripped his heart. Would he make it? Was he strong or willful enough to go into those strange lands?
  Well, that's why he went with the group, wasn't it, he reminded himself. If he was going to leave the north, he would not be able to do it alone.

  Tergen watched silently from his branch, waiting for the rest of the group to stir themselves and get going. Listening quietly, the squirrel didn't feel there was anything he could add to the conversation besides mentioning the few rumours he'd heard over the seasons that said basically the same thing as what had already been said. They were all vague and generally second or third paw information anyway, not particularly interesting or important. Best not to add to uncertainty and confusion anymore than was necessary.
  Twitching his nose to rid it of a fleck of snow that had fallen from the branch above, Tergen sunk down on his haunches, lifting an eyebrow at the other beasts.
  "We maht as weel start. The soon's not goin' tae wait aroond fer oos."

  "Yeah, let's go," said Plenith, shouldering his pack. "Which way, fearless leader?"

       Liten was a tad miffed he hadn't gotten a name from the otter, but such was not worth tarrying over. No further comments, and a day and a half later, the entourage found themselves at a river with a fair current and width to it. The peaks of mountains could easily be seen on the other side to the southeast, even straight south held some rather harsh hills. Sure enough, signs of the coast could be seen in the distance to the west as they trekked along the riverbank. Sounds of some minor argument or other could be heard behind him, but his ears had long since tuned out. They were in the midst of some moderately sparse forest, plenty of shade, but with relatively uninterrupted sight lines. The leisurely walk felt... nice, an odd feeling really, a welcome break from the cold pines. Being able to roll up his top layer was a new outdoor experience for the wolf, and though his cloak stayed on, it felt, refreshing? Perhaps, it was a hard description for him to pin down. He stopped looking at the river, the thought of fish not so easily avoided while he chatted with Maeus, "Anyplace on the way? T'wouldn't be th'e worst idea ta keep a known path, fairest winds come with'a friend at yeh back an all."

OOC: I would recommend trying to get in touch with another player or two and thinking about how your characters bounce of of each other and interact. I would've liked to have given you the previous day, but I feel it would've been far too dull. I'll be kicking things up a notch soon, so feel free to try and develop your characters a little bit more (if even only for yourself). Verdauga, let me know if you have any issues with the random "prompt," (and it;s associated PP) my thought was that the two were just talking, Liten asked what Maeus knew about our target area, and Maeus slipped and mentioned the woodlander friends he had.

OOC:No problems here. It's kinda likely, actually. I just have to figure out where they'd be ;D

BiC:
       The warm weather lifted Maeus' spirits, and he remembered a few of the notable places he had wandered to. His reverie was interrupted with Liten's question, but it forced him to study the countryside. "Any place to rest? I typically travel farther inland from the coast..." But he was beginning to recognise some of the landmarks of the area. Delighted with what he knew, Maeus blurted out, "Actually, yeah!There are some friends nearby, though it's a few hours. Their cabin is just a little to the southeast, there!" He pointed to a footpath. Perhaps he should have kept his emotions in check, but he was overdue for a visit. Turning back to Liten, he added, "I know it's out o' the way, but they probably know the area better than we do."

  Tergen gave the otter beside him a sideways glance, curious. Otter's weren't common beasts to come across in the frigid mountains and the young squirrel wondered what had made Lieseil choose the colder lands, rather than living further south in the warmth.
  Regardless of his curiosity, Tergen wasn't particularly impressed with her. She seemed grouchy and short tempered, altogether argumentative, and not that logical, either, as far as he was concerned.
  "Ye can't joost expect stoof lahk that tae happen! It's lahk sayin' ye can joost chop soom trees down und expect 'em to build themselfs intae a hoose. Well, maybe it's nout exactly lahk thaht, boot verry similar."
  Tergen made a paw gesture to further his point. Some beasts had strange ideas.

OOC: So, not really sure what we're arguing about here, Corn. I'm happy to edit my post, if this doesn't work.

       Lieseil scowled at the younger squirrel walking next to her. She'd been talking about some of her adventures sailing the seas, in particular one trip where her crew had been sailing in tropical waters and see fish that flew. Tergen, however, refused to believe that such creatures existed. "Flying fish are something I saw with my own two eyes. I even threw some back into the water. It is not that ridiculous, really, considering all that we don't know about the waters yet."

        It didn't seem so incredulous to her that weird creatures existed in the oceans and seas, when there was so much left unexplored. Not that Lieseil wanted to explore the seas anymore, those days were over for her, at least for a while. That was why she had headed up North, she wanted a change of scenery.

       Beasts like Tergen who wouldn't open their mind to new things irked Lieseil, and she adjusted her backpack strap on her shoulder. "There is a lot of things about the North that I'm sure would shock me, yet you do not see me turning up my nose and laughing at them." She sniffed haughtily and stared a few steps ahead to where Maeus and Liten were discussing something.

   Tergen frowned. Lieseil was right, to some extent; the sea was huge and nobeast knew the extent of its borders. Some beasts even said there were huge monsters in the dark waters, sometimes even bigger than ships. If that were true, flying fish wasn't so far fetched after all. Still, Tergen was fairly certain the stories about huge monsters the size of ships weren't true, and many beasts had claimed to have seen them with their own eyes. There wasn't much point in antagonising a beast, however.
  "Ah soopose ye could be right. We doon't knoow mooch aboot hoow things work. Ah guess there maht e'en be flyin' squirrels soomewhere in th'world."
  Tergen chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief at the idea. Strange things happened, but not that strange. The squirrel, who most certainly couldn't fly, increased his pace to keep up with everybeast else.

        Lieseil shrugged, "I suppose that's within the realm possibility, if fish can fly." The world was so vast and with so much that no beast dared to yet explore. Who knows what's out there? Maybe even moles that swim.

       Even with as lost in thought as Lieseil was, she caught a snippet from the tail end of the conversation between Liten and Maeus, and her ears perked up. "Sorry, didn't mean to eavesdrop, but are we turning more inland for a bit?"

OOC: Just a short little post to keep this alive.

BIC:
Looking back over his shoulder to Lieseil, Maeus nodded. "I have some friends there, and they'd be 'appy to help us out. O' course, only if Liten wants to head that way." he added, shrugging.

       Liten sighed, he didn't like being seen as the leader of a group, the sensation was rather... off putting. The fact that Maeus's friends were across the water was a bit of a problem, he hadn't expected anything so near. Walking to the edge of the water, he threw a question over his shoulder, "Ah Don't suppose ya kno'h this river very well? Fords, shallows, what et's like on tha other side?" Paw outstretched to brace against a tree, he was pulled from his questioning by an arrow that wizzed past his nose and into the trunk next to his hand, "Scrap tha'ht! Haull yer scuts! Moove!" Already at a full sprint, he chanced a single glance back to check... nobeast. A grunt was all he could offer his own question at the moment, as time to examine the arrow pulled from the tree was not available for now. There were just enough trees to slip between while running, though given their pursuers choice of actions so far, an active chase was unlikely. The edge of the treeline came into view, giving way to plains that soon after developed hills. The wolf could only guess that sand came not long after given the sudden disappearance of trees. Further beyond, however, a large structure barely managed to scrape into view. He halted near the end of the forest, if it could even be called that at this point, "What say yeh? Throw ou'rselves intae the river, or a mad dash out in tha open? Whe git trees if we make the swim, but  we'd be 'ard ta chase if'n we make the hills.... I might know tha place tou.... somethin' with a 'guard' in it? Met a few residents tha'h seemed reasonable enuff should it be the place."

  Plenith needed no second bidding after the first arrow flew, and he ran with all the rest, not caring where they were going as long as it was away from their attacker.
  "Spirits below!" he cried as he heard another arrow whizz by his head. He slid to a halt into Maeus's solid back, hurriedly looking behind him with his heart beating faster than it ever had in his life. Nobeast could be seen.
  "I can't swim!" he said in reply to Liten. "I didn't come all this way to drown."

       Lieseil had been examining the river when the first arrow thwacked into the tree by Liten. She glanced up, alarmed, and then took off after him and Plenith, following closely behind. She grimaced, "I don't really want to run across plains without cover so soon after getting shot at." Sizing the pine marten up, she added, "If you can hold your breath long enough I might be able to get you across the river. Not the most preferable choice but I wouldn't let you drown."

       The otter had known many beasts who couldn't swim over her life - It was decently common for sailors to not know how, as odd as that seemed to Lieseil, and it wouldn't have been the first time she'd taken someone across a body of water.

  "Are you crazy?" Plenty cried. He didn't want to get in the water at all. Water was cold, wet, and a river could whisk a beast away and smash them against rocks.

  All thoughts of flying squirrels, flying fish and swimming moles vanished from Tergen's head as he ran with everybeast else. Instinct told him to climb the trees and leap from one to the next, but the arrow that thudded too close to him as he tried contradicted that and he stayed on the ground, scampering along with everybeast else.
  Into the water or out in the open? Neither option sounded particularly delightful. Tergen had tried swimming a couple of times and hadn't been terribly good at it, to put it lightly. His tail had a habit of soaking up water like a sponge and pulling him down, while his paws were too small to be much good as paddles.
  "Woold ye rahther get drahditch fevahr or fahght a coople o' aangry badgers?" the squirrel muttered, shrugging his shoulders.
  "Theey booth soond as bahd as the oother. Ah'll jist goo with ev'rybeast alse."

The sudden onslaught of arrows had more or less forced a conclusion on Maeus. Turning around, he placed a paw on both Tergen and Plenith, pushing them forward while yelling to get into the water. He realized he had to keep them afloat when he saw them struggling in the water"Lieseil told Plenith she'd help him swim," Maeus thought, hoping that aid would come soon. Liten and Thrun were still on the banks, too; everyone was still in danger.
Grabbing Tergen and Plenith, Maeus  braced himself against a root to withstand the rushing current.

  The river it was. Tergen only had a few seconds to try and shove Maeus' paw off, an effort the proved unsuccessful. His paw catching on a rock, the normally athletic squirrel went head over footpaws into the river. No more time for protest or reflection, it was time to learn to swim. Best to make as much progress as possible before his tail felt like a boulder.
  Fighting the current, he turned towards the opposite bank and tried to pull himself along using his paws as small paddles and doing his best to keep his head above the water. He couldn't reach the bottom. He began to sink as he got into the faster bit of current, then, before he could be whisked away, he felt a paw on the back of his neck, gripping the soaking wet fur and keeping him afloat.
  The bedraggled beast relaxed slightly, allowing himself to be held up by Maeus and the current. Maybe he would survive this after all.
  An arrow nicked his ear, then splashed into the water and disappeared.

       "Bunch'a blitherin idiots!" Liten growled under his breath as the choice was rather unceremoniously made despite any wishes otherwise. The wolf wrapped both his sword and the wrapped one into the straps of his pack. With a quick spin for speed and a grunt, the bag sailed easily over the gap, closely followed by it's owner as he dove into the current. Prioritizing his own crossing over anything else, he swam straight through, ignoring the wanton splashes scattered about. Supporting himself was one thing, but his experience with swimming, or even water for that matter, was rather limited, he would be far more useful standing on the opposite shore. Being capable enough to cross himself, but not stopping for the others, he was first to make land, turning around to pull in anybeast that got close enough. His size allowed him to stand earlier than most, subsequently giving him a fair reach out into the stream after finding a rock to brace against.

  Plenith screamed as he was pulled into the river, and his mouth filled with water. Coughing and spluttering, he splashed about in a panic, trying to get back to land even with Maeus holding him by his shirt. The otter said she would help, but it was obvious she was going to let him drown.

        Lieseil watched, aghast, as Maeus pushed Plenith and Tergen into the river. Maeus was a true fool for shoving two beasts into a river knowing that at least one of them couldn't swim and she muttered as such crossly to herself as she also tossed her pack across the river, something else Maeus had neglected to think about.

        Jumping into the river as quickly as possible, the otter swam straight for Plenith. Tergen appeared to be doing alright but the pine marten was going to drown all three if he didn't stop flailing. Lieseil reached out and grabbed Plenith from behind, "I've got you! It's alright, we'll be across in a moment."

The otter had come to help. Maeus loosened his arm around the root and pushed Plenith across to Lieseil. Once she had a firm enough grip on the pine marten, he could let go of Plenith and get Tergen across, since the drenched squirrel had already relaxed.
He couldn't tell whether any more arrows had been loosed, but whoever shot them would likely still be around.
Not that they were any safer getting out of the water.

  Tergen felt his paws touch the bottom and moved cautiously out, seeking cover from any stray arrows, then shaking off, pulling his tail in front of him to wring it out.
  "Thanks, Maeus. I would have preferred being given a choice, but you didn't let me drown, so that's something. What's the plan now?"