The Winter Wonderland

[Hickory]

OOC: Begin! Don't forget! The only rule is to survive... and please don't initiate large slaughters. Also, the main villain can be considered the wolverine raider Captain, Dige.

[Romsca]

It was late at night. The tavern was just beginning to close. Brooks saw a mysterious stranger, a rat, in a dark corner with a map, talking with a stoat. He became curious, and walked over and sat at an adjacent table. The stoat left. The rat looked Broooks in the eyes. Brooks had been at this tavern many times, and at this particular one, there usually was a typical crowd even though the city was large. This rat was foreign, and wrapped in too many furs for the Huvin weather. Although he was a wildcat of few words, Brooks was curious at who this stranger was.

"Where did you come from?" he asked.

"The land of ice," the rat replied, whispering, and laid a map on the table.

"Anything interesting there?" Even though he had been in Huvin for much of his life, he was beginning to feel claustrophobic and his gang of thieves was getting too big to manage. There was a new weasel who the gang members felt was a better leader. Brooks wanted to get away from the stress of it all.

The rat dropped his voice even lower. "Wolverine treasure." He rolled up the map and left.

Brooks went back to his house for the night, thinking about what had just been said.

[Hickory]

Dige was hunting.

The wolveine had come from the north, seeking better catches for him and his bretheren. It was pure luck that he came across the  Abbey. He and his raiders had looted the kitchens, taken all useful things and set up headquarters. It was a good place. Many settlers stayed a small distance from the Abbey, and whenever he had a mind to they became the victims of his savagry. But supplies were running low, and Dige, with a couple trusted accomplices,  choose to go farther than before. Close to Huvin. Dige was no fool, though; stealing from Huvin was to dangerous.

The docks of Huvin were packed tight with merchants, guards, and sailors. A late shipment of food had arrived in the night, crates packed full with wheat, fruit, and vegetables. The guards, mostly foxes, made sure the crates were well guarded. But their keen eyes missed the dark shapes flitting between the crates... bandits!

[Eulaliaaa!]

Stashi shivered, wrapping her cloak around herself tightly, "Darn ice, gonna be the end of me." She complained under her breath, watching the busy town from a distance. Food supply was running low, and that town had food for her. She began moving forward, her keen eyes glittering dangerously, "Night, I'm going to find food, I'll be back." She called over her shoulder as she pulled the hood of her cloak over her eyes, a small smile playing across her face. This was what she was good at, stealing and lying.

OOC: what is the land around Huvin like? Is it snowy and cold or warm?

[Romsca]

Brooks was unable to sleep, so he packed everything he owned and got ready to leave. He stayed awake, contemplating whether he should leave then or wait until the morning.

[LT Sandpaw]

OOC: I guessing its chilly but not frozen, however I could be wrong.

BIC:
A lone rat named Fiver leaned the wall outside a tavern watching the creatures leaving and entering carefully. His eyes were narrow hidden under the hood a thick traveling cloak giving him a half asleep look. At his hip a simple basket hilt rapier hung in a plain black scabbard. Touching the hilt threateningly whenever any beggars came too close he pulled a small piece of paper from a punch and studied it. Five names had been scrawled in small neat writing across the paper.

Three of the names had been crossed off while two remained still clear to read. The name was Hulmar, Fiver could still remember him and the beatings the weasel had inflicted. The long days of seemingly endless labor before being sold like a slave. Fiver gritted his teeth glaring with hatred at the name before folding the paper and slipping it into his pouch.

Hulmar may be well off and well guarded however Fiver always had the last laugh. Flicking a small copper coin at a passing mouse beggar Fiver could almost taste the revenge.

"Another like it for the location of the weasel Hulmar." Fiver said flatly tossing a second coin into the air and catching it expertly.

"Hm, mite take a likkle more'n that." The mouse said cajolingly biting the coin greedily. In a flash Fiver's sword was at the mouse's throat, a few creature that were standing nearby moved away quickly to avoid the possible conflict.

"You could do it for nothing." Fiver warned pricking the mouse's neck softly with the sharp point. The creature gulped pulling away from the sword.

"He lives down by the docks'n the richer part o' town!" The mouse said quickly catching the second coin Fiver tossed him before scurrying off with his prize. Fiver made no move to stop him and returned his sword to its scabbard before disappearing into the darkness.

[Eulaliaaa!]

Stashi slipped into the crowd like a shadow, weaving expertly through them as she searched for food. The docks always had food, but sometimes they were too well guarded and she would have to wait for hours, days even, before she could slip behind the guards and take food. She ran through the crowds, making her way to the docks. She hid behind a wall, watching the guards pace back and forth, she would have to wait. But no, she was too hungry, she needed food now. Her eyes strayed over to one of the houses, this was the richer part of town, surely one of these houses would have food. She crept over to one, glancing up at the open window above her.

[Wot, wot!]

Night smiled, knowing that her friend would be safe. If anyone could steal food from the town and make it back safe, it was Stashi. She shivered uncontrollably. The bitter cold air hung low in the evening sky, leaving any creature left out in it without fire completely miserable. Night wobbled into the forest and started picking up small twigs with her beak. When she had collected enough, she sat down, dropping the load in front of her. "Brr. I  Wish fires would start themselves," she murmured to herself, then leaned forward with two twigs in her talons and started rubbing them together. She was rewarded by a few sparks which she blew on gingerly, determined to get a flame.

[Hickory]

Stashi shivered, wrapping her cloak around herself tightly, "Darn ice, gonna be the end of me." She complained under her breath, watching the busy town from a distance. Food supply was running low, and that town had food for her. She began moving forward, her keen eyes glittering dangerously, "Night, I'm going to find food, I'll be back." She called over her shoulder as she pulled the hood of her cloak over her eyes, a small smile playing across her face. This was what she was good at, stealing and lying.

OOC: what is the land around Huvin like? Is it snowy and cold or warm?

OOC: In between. At freezing temp.

[Eulaliaaa!]

OOC: thank you, I wasn't sure if it was covered in snow or not.

BIC: Stashi jumped up, grabbing the window and pulling herself inside. She unsheathed her daggers, looking around the room and inching towards a box in the corner. Maybe there was food there, not much, but it would still feed her. She tried opening it, but it was locked. She smiled slyly, picking the lock and opening the box slowly. To her disappointment, no food was inside it. But one thing did catch her eye, a small sheet of paper that was neatly folded. Picking it up, she unfolded it, her eyes darting across the paper excitedly. It was a map leading to something. something important, by the looks of it, she thought. There was a sound behind her, she whirled around with her daggers, putting the map in her cloak. There was a weasel, pointing a sword at her, "Die, fool!" He said, bringing the blade down. She jumped to the side, throwing herself out the window. She landed neatly, running through the busy streets with the weasel' s yells sounding in her ears, "Stop, stop that thief!"

[LT Sandpaw]

With silent steps Fiver walked down the edge of a main street avoiding looking at guards and citizens alike. Searching constantly for a large burly weasel Fiver walked purposely up too a group of guards gathered around a small fire pit.

"Where can I find the weasel Hulmar?" He asked keeping his face hidden beneath his cowl.

"Over that'a way." The guard replied tossing a paw over his shoulder unhelpfully. Fiver turned away knowing he would most likely have to wait the entire night for the town to reawaken when the weasel presented himself.

"Stop, stop that thief!" There was Hulmar swinging a sword and yelling about a thief. Fiver grinned, the street runners were more helpful then the guards. Pacing slowly up to the weasel ignoring the guards that were running past chasing the thief Fiver tapped the irate creature on the shoulder.

The weasel turned sharply glaring at the rat and pushing him away. "Leave peasant I have problems that need solving." The weasel grunted before turning away.

Fiver tapped him on the shoulder again. "What don't you recognize me?"

The weasel turned holding up his sword. "Of course I don't, I haven't the blazes who yer are but you aren't getting anything from me so beat it." Hulmar growled dangerously waving his sword threateningly. "Now leave or I'll call the guards on you."

"What guards?" Fiver asked innocently glancing around, the street was now guard free all of them having raced off after the thief.

Hulmar held up his sword glaring daggers at the insolent rat. "No matter I'll skewer you myself if you don't leave and that's a promise."

Fiver's own sword was already out and held at the ready. "Let us see then." He said before moving in sword point forward.

Hulmar didn't stand a chance swinging his sword wildly Fiver dodged the blade and came up thrusting forward ending the duel just how he liked it, quickly. With the weasel laying dead on the street Fiver wiped the blood from his sword and left, not even looking back. It was time to celebrate, he knew where a popular tavern was located.

[Romsca]

Brooks heard commotion in the street. He decided this would be a good cover for him leaving. He didn't want that usurping weasel to find out. He left carefully. To his surprise, there was that same weasel, lying in the street, freshly dead. Now he wouldn't have to worry any more about being the leader of the gang! However... his gang may have already lost respect for him. He briefly considered staying in the town, but he decided it would be better to leave. He had already gotten everything together anyway. He left for the outskirts of the town.

[Hickory]

OOC: I just want to say that the guards ar NPCs. Just so you know.

BIC: Nyu peeked out of her house. It was a cold day, once again. The female badger chose to haed to Huvin, she needed some food anyway. Putting on the dried grass coat she always wore, Nyu began the trek.

Shortly after leaving, she encountered Night by the fire. "Hello, friend. Mind if I share the warmth for a little bit? I'm heading to Huvin.

------------------------------------

In Huvin, a guard patrol had heard the commotion caused by Stashi and the weasel. Blowing a few sharp blasts on a whistle, the guards broke into a run. Most of the patrol were squirrels, and the were nimble and quick. Never did their eyes leave the backs of the weasel and Stashi. As the two rounded a corner, they were encountered by five more guards blocking the way. One of them stepped forward. "Halt, fugitives. State your business, an why you are up at this time."

OOC: If you want to escape, we can say a nearby ladder leads up to a roof.

[Eulaliaaa!]

OOC: the weasel' s dead, Fiver killed him...

BIC: Stashi had turned just in time to see a rat killing the weasel. She smiled slyly, one less enemy to deal with. She took off running as guards came after her, taking all the shortcuts she knew. These squirrels were fast, but she had gotten away from the. before. She turned a corner, coming to a sudden halt as she nearly ran into five more guards. She watched as one came forward, "Halt, fugitive. State your business, an why you are up at this time." They said. She laughed, spitting scornfully at the guard, "None of your business, bushtail. Lissen treemouse, don't stand in my way, bad things happen to those who mess with Marlfoxes." She snarled, scaling up the wall at an alarming rate. By the time guards made it to the roof, she had disappeared.

Stashi walked down the street, watching guards search the rooftop for her. She smiled with a twisted joy, the fools would never find her. She made her way to one of the more popular taverns, maybe she could find a bite to eat there. She was leaning against the wall, waiting for a chance to snatch some food, when she saw a rat. He was the one who had killed the weasel, maybe he was looking for the map. She watched as he came closer, uncertain of what to do.

OOC: it doesn't have to be Fiver if you don't want that, I can change it.

[LT Sandpaw]

OOC: Its cool Fiver was heading to a Tavern.


BIC: Fiver stamped his feet to get rid of the cold, throwing back his hood he carefully scratched Hulmar's name from the list with grim satisfaction. Noticing a fox approach Fiver was about to turn his face away but decided against it recognizing the creature.

With unseal good humor Fiver held up a small sack of coins winking at the fox knowingly. "H'i know you, picked this up off our little weasel friend not too long ago." Fiver said in dark humor pulling two coins from the pouch. He slapped them down on the bar calling to the tender.

"Two drinks, best you got, for a little celebration." Passing one of the flagons over to the fox Fiver took a long swig looking her in the eye. "What's your name foxy?" He asked suddenly.