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Post by deathwind on May 24, 2010 18:35:01 GMT -5
Deathwind was not one that enjoyed the idea of going down to the sandstone quarry. Even in this day and age, there were still whispers that it was the den of monstrous snakes and other dangerous beast.
Silently, the black-furred assassin crept along the edge of the wood. the one that had contacted him for his services was supposed to meet him here soon, but that was no excuse to stay out in the open. Not when the trees still supplied good cover.
Deathwind watched as a familiar figure climbed out from the quarry and headed toward the forest edge. Keeping one paw on his knives, Deathwind waited for the white-furred ermine to get close to the trees before emerging behind him.
"I've come, as promised, ermine," Deathwind spoke in a voice barely above a whisper, causing his white-furred visitor to jump.
Spinning around, the ermine scowled at the fox in response, but restrained his harsh tongue. "So you have, fox," Snarled at the vermin as he gestured toward the quarry. "My lady waits us in the caverns. She's the one in need of you..."
Deathwind looked toward the caverns. He hadn't lived this long as an assassin by being stupid, but the caverns did offer ample hiding spots should this be some sort of trap...
"Be warned, Frostfang," The assassin spoke again. "You'll not last if this is a trick."
No other words to be spoken, the ermine lead the fox toward the quarry's maze of caverns.
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Post by Silver Sweetfur on May 24, 2010 21:15:44 GMT -5
Deep in the cavern two dark rats cringed before a silver screen or more importantly the figure behind said screen. White smoke from incense billowed and wafted from stone bowls and distorted any movement the shadow made. “You are my scouts you were chosen to go ahead of others and map the way yet you shied away from trees?”
“your whiteness” one of the rats stammered out “the mice in the village we killed, they had stories of warriors and monsters”
“FOOLS!” roared the shadow jumped as the figure stood “The only monster in the world is the Ice Sovereign, and the only warrior you should fear is me. Prisoners about to be executed will say anything” She waved a paw and a large stoat stomped over
“have them thrown in the brig overnight… They can have all the water they want, but since they didn’t do their job they don’t get to eat” the shadow settled back down and waved her paw as the rats were dragged away. “Is that him Frostfang?”
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Post by deathwind on May 25, 2010 14:02:36 GMT -5
"Yes, Amarabette," Frostfang answered, standing straight at attention. "This is the one that the locals spoke of."
Deathwind slipped silently from behind Frostfang, his face expressionless as he tried to get and idea of who was behind the screen. Judging from the faint silhouette, it was most likely a weasel or an ermine.
"So," The black fox spoke. "What need have you for Deathwind the Assassin?"
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Post by Silver Sweetfur on May 25, 2010 22:26:27 GMT -5
From under the screen a pure white paw slid some ink, and quill pens all rolled up in blank sheets of parchment.
“what I need is a detailed map of Mossflower woods. I want you to scout the woods including the number and type of creatures living there make a map and bring it back to me. And if I heard right you’ll want to discuss your fee now?”
The shape paused and considered “for this job all I can offer is about 100 bounds by 50. The bonus is you can pick it’s location, is that agreeable?”
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Post by deathwind on May 25, 2010 22:29:12 GMT -5
The fox looked over the map-making equipment with some disdain.
"I was under the assumption I was to be hired as an assassin," Deathwind wondered. "Not as some meager scout."
Frostfang bit his lower lip nervously. Very few dared to speak to Amarabette in that way.
(ninja edited for typo)
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Post by Silver Sweetfur on May 25, 2010 22:50:35 GMT -5
“If you turn down this offer then you are a fool, fox” The graceful figure of Amarabette emerged from behind the screen her silver white and dark clothes made a striking image much as if some divine deity had de-saturated almost all the color out of her. In her home up north where she and frost lived it was both camouflaging or dramatic when needed, here surrounded by the ruddy stone some of the effect was lost but not all of it by any means.
“you are getting a nice chunk of choice territory for little work, just because my scouts chose to believe some babe’s bedtime stories … what is all this nonsense about a ghost warrior, a monster with poison, and a undefeatable fortress about anyway?” she sat in a nearby chair and began polishing her short bladed sword, watching the fox’s reactions.
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Post by deathwind on May 26, 2010 20:40:35 GMT -5
Deathwind did not appreciate being called a fool. And the offered job definitely was not his usual line of work.
However, Amarabette had raised a point. A nice piece of territory for his own little hideout wouldn't be too bad, and all that was required was some no-risk scouting. Plus the advantage of possible future job offers.
"The fortress and ghosts are as you say, nothing more than stories. As for your generous offer..." Deathwind responded, picking up the mapping supplies. ".I never said that I wouldn't do it. Most beasts just don't hire and assassin for scouting work."
Deathwind turned on his heel and started toward the cave entrance. "It won't take me long to complete the task. A week at most," He announced.
Having lived in Mossflower most of his life, the black fox had much of it memorized.
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Post by Silver Sweetfur on Jun 7, 2010 14:33:40 GMT -5
it had been some days After Amarabette had made the deal with Deathwind the assasin. Since then things had gone from bad to worse in the vermin camp.
Amarabette had made her self irreplacabe to the former ice soverign by being his right hand, she organized scouting patrols (even led alot in her youth)and guard shifts, planned ahead and rationed food, even watching drills promoting or dismissing soldiers.
The result of all this was that every time her master had gone to war he had found a large horde filled with fit warriors and cunning, cruelminded captains. They never had to resort to canibalism because supplies had never run out and his maps were acurate in every detail.
Now with the new leader in charge she was here in the southern lands, trying to establish a pawhold from which to launch a masive invasion. Worse yet, instead of paw picking her own troops personally, the assorted vermin she had underneath her had been assigned to her. Instead of capable soldiers (including her sister) who would have had this area scouted and subdued by now, Amarabette had common rabble.
Right now the Ermine sat in what seemed to be a face palm as a small silver rat cringed and read some reports.
"My.. my l-lady, someone stole about 20 rations worth of food, the midnight guard change never showed up on shift last night and Captain Windsnap said that he only got half the scheduled drills done because he had to personally go collect those who tried to skip out oh and Halftail, ashfur, 5 other rats, and 2 stoats are missing. No one has seen them since last night" the rat, whos name was cralwer, gave his report as Amarabette had taught him too; With as much detail as was possible.
Amarabette sighed loudly "Crawler, im not angry at you... but get out before i throw something at you" Her voice came out as an angry hiss. As she watched the cowardly rat scramble away she threw a side glance to Frostfang.
"go help the captain will you, please? and keep an eye out for the assasin"
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Post by deathwind on Jun 8, 2010 20:30:00 GMT -5
Frostfang nodded to his mate as he left the cave. Ever since arriving in these woods she had seemed on edge, and the insubordination spreading around the camp certainly didn't help. Everyday brought forth more soldiers whispering about giant snakes and ghost warriors, with barely any work getting done.
Frostfang was mentally going over the best ways to snap these vermin back in line, and was therefore surprised as he stepped outside and saw Halftail tied with a sturdy rope, being led by Deathwind.
"This one promised a reward for being escorted back here," Deathwind explained, jerking the vine and causing the rat to stumble forward a few steps.
"Oh did he now?" Frostfang sneered, motioning for the fox to follow him. "We'll see what Amarabette has to say about this."
With the white ermine leading the way, the trio headed back to Amarabette's chambers. This day was suddenly promising to get much better.
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Post by Silver Sweetfur on Jun 8, 2010 20:54:43 GMT -5
Amarabette had gone behind her screen and slipped her cloak down her shoulders. A large patch of glossy brown fur covered the back of her front haunch, ever since arriving here some of the ermines white fur had fallen out to be replaced by the brown. Suddenly she jumped as Frostfang came back in accompanied by the fox and dragging halftail.
“Well now, love what have you brought me?” she grinned a public display would put the troops back into their place
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Post by deathwind on Jun 8, 2010 21:35:38 GMT -5
"Seems Deathwind found our missing soldier," Frostfang grinned, taking the vine and tugging Halftail forward.
"A deserter then?" Deathwind guessed glaring at the rat.
"Afraid so," Frostfang nodded.
"Then I take it that reward he spoke of was a lie," Deathwind sighed, one paw resting on his dagger.
The fox didn't like to be lied to. Depending on Amarabette's actions, he might need to mete out a punishment of his own to Halftail.
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Post by Silver Sweetfur on Jun 8, 2010 22:56:44 GMT -5
“Oh I’m sure we could find something for you, Deathwind” Pulling her cloak back into place Amarabette stepped into view of the others. The female ermine stalked toward the group and began pacing back and forth. “Halftail, Halftail… what am I supposed to do with you?”
“Please, your whiteness! We was only scouting, we’s heard you were let down by the scouts we thought you would be happy!” Halftail normally didn’t fear the ermine, a lot of the soldiers just thought of her as the old sovereign’s clerk, But Halftail’s father had had stories about how cruel she was and right now those details were running through his tiny brain.
“I would be happy if you and your mates had shown up for guard duty, I would be happy if you hadn’t each taken 4 days worth of rations…”
“But we di…”
“you don’t think I remember the last campaign? When you spent a week in the cells for thieving food?”
Realizing he was caught Halftail began shivering. Amarabette looked in his eyes as if trying to read the rats thoughts.
“where are the others Halftail? Save yourself some pain and give them up”
“de…dead m-my lady” the rat stammered wincing “there were these woodlanders, we tried to get the upperhand but they went and fought back”
“So you deserted your duty stole food and led several other able body soldiers to their deaths? Frostfang have him staked outside and get everybody assembled… we are going to teach them all just who is in control around here” she looked at deathwind after giving her order “How would you like an officer’s position? You would get a share of the plunder we collect and only have to answer to Frostfang or myself”
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Post by deathwind on Jun 9, 2010 20:41:41 GMT -5
Deathwind considered the generous offer. It wasn't uncommon for horde leaders to pay him with positions of power in their armies, what was rare was for the army to last long enough for his new rank to do him a lot of good.
Still, Amarabette seemed to be running a tight ship here judging by the way she was treating Halftail. The promise of the spoils was too good to pass up, and if things went south for this horde (as they had for others) then Deathwind knew all the best spots to lie low until things quieted down.
"I would be honored, Lady Amarabette," Deathwind said, bowing to the ermine. "Of course, I still have the small matter of those maps to attend to. I'm afraid Halftail set me back a bit."
Frostfang had a deep frown. He wasn't quite willing to trust the fox. Then again, Amarabette usually had plan in advance. She either thought Deathwind was trustworthy, or she had a way to deal with him once they no longer needed his service.
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Post by Silver Sweetfur on Jun 20, 2010 9:59:38 GMT -5
“Good, the only thing you will need to do to keep your rank is round up deserters when you see them” she paused when Deathwind mentioned the maps. “Actually I want you here for out little demonstration. You standing next to frost fang will show your rank to the troops”
At the mention of a demonstration Halftail began whimpering and Amarabette looked to her mate who still seemed to be standing there even though she had given him an order.
"Et tu, Frostfang?" the female ermine asked as she gave her mate a stern look.
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Post by deathwind on Jun 20, 2010 22:31:52 GMT -5
Frostfang grimaced. He didn't like the idea of making this stranger into an officer, but that was Amarabette's decision, and she never made decisions lightly.
Besides, there was the matter of troop loyalty and morale to attend to first. Still, no reason to take eye off the assassin.
"He'll make a fine officer, I'm sure," Frostfang said, trying to hide his reluctance. "Come along then, Deathwind."
The fox watched as the ermines lead their prisoner from the cave and fell into step quickly. The idea of going out in front of a crowd of horde-beasts to announce that he was now an officer was not striking him as a good idea. He felt a small twinge of panic at the idea of the large crowd that would probably gather outside.
Taking a deep, silent breath to steady himself, Deathwind kept pace with his employers.
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