02:41 AM

Salamandastron: Crater
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
You are on the very top of the mountain of Salamandastron: a large, bowl-
shaped crater.  The crater is not smooth, quite the contrary in fact.
Numerous boulders and large chunks of rock are strewn around randomly,
making the crater top just as craggy as any of the mountainside.  The
crater provides an outstanding view of the surrounding country.  The sea
sprawls off to the west as far as the eye can see, and north and south
along the endlessly rolling sand dunes.  In the distant east, a tinge of
green is just visible from this height, marking the vegetation in the
foothills of the Western Mountains.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
                  Visible Exits:
[N]ortheast [M]ountainside          [Down] to Third Level

Invictus is standing on top of a large boulder, the massive hare shading his eyes with a paw as he looks out over the country side. The wind whistles accross the cragging mountain, stirring his snow-white fur. Invictus, Warrior of the Frozen Wastes has come to Salamandastron... And found the fortess to be truely grand, if  somewhat understaffed.

Triss creeps quietly from the passage to the crater, a sketchpad and little bundle of drawing pencils under her arm. Oh look! Something to sketch! The haremaid manages to take a seat out of sight of the buck, but still to see him. She flips the pad open and begins, glancing up at odd intervals to the new hare...

Invictus squints into the open air, sighing softly as he watches the sea of mooshed up color beneath him extends beyond oblivion. Stepping backwards, he hops off the large rock and turns about to begin walking towards the way down. Near the base of the mountain was a well stocked larder... and the trip was *long* and *wearysome*.

Triss curses quietly as the subject of her not nearly finished drawing. He moved! Shaking her head she flips the pad closed and leans back against the sun-baked stone of the mountain crater. A cool breeze ruffles her fur, sending thin whisps of auburn headfur into her face. The setting sun creates a cascade of colour, reflecting in the endless waters of the seas...and the sound of seabirds and crashing waves echo along the shore. Hmmm...

Invictus stops, as ears slowly swiveling towards the barely registerable sound of a notepad being closed. His head turns to point in the direction of his ear, his eyes squinting against the failing light as he struggles to defines any shapes against the stones. " 'Ello? " He calls out aloud in a thick Northern accent.

The sounds of paws padding up the stairs to emerge from the walkway to the crater.  The black tipped ears poke out before the head of Jarril comes into view, nose twitching slightly as he catches the various scents and stops for a moment and looks about.  Spotting what he is looking for, he comes out and places his paws behind his back and takes a look at Triss before turning to face Invictus and coughs to try and get his attention.

Triss nods silently to Jarril as he emerges from the mountain. Realizing she's never seen this hare before, Triss instinctively keeps a paw somewhat near her weapon. "Good day, chap..." she says quietly, padding down from her perch and taking up a position behind Invictus. With a quick salute to Jarril she eyes the white hare, "I say, don't think I've seen you about, wot..."

Invictus follows the blur as it pads around in an attempt to flank him. Female, He judges from the voice. And a hare at that. Or smells like one, anyways. " Auch, Weel naow. Whit do we 'ave 'ere? " he states curriously, cocking an ear. " Nae. We an I 'ave traveled quite some time to come 'ere. " Waggling an ear, he sniffs the air. Theres another one nearby. " D'yew own this 'ere rock? "

Jarril watches the other hare for a moment, his eyes un-blinking in the sun before the first signs of his whisker move.  "That depends on what sort of answers ta my questiosn, don't it, wot?"  He pads forwards slightly and stands still again.  "Like how did ya get past the sentries on this mountain?"  Frowning slightly, he makes a mental note to find out who was on duty and have a friendly chat.  Relaxing his facial features again as he adds.  "And may I enquire what ya bally name is as well?"

Triss keeps her place, standing behind the new hare, a paw still near the small knife she carries around the mountain. Instead of staying behind him (a place where he can't possibly escape, for the edge is there) she moves to his side, looking up to the big hare's face. "Aye, name..." she trails off, looking over the edge of the crater at the two sleeping sentries at the entrance to the mountain and smiling ruefully at Jarril.

Invictus blinks a few times, perking his ears forward to the pair. The second one is male. Tensing up under his fur, he puts on a disarming smile- A smile who's disarming qualitys are disarmed by the fact that the large hares teeth are filed and nastily sharp. " Weel Sirah. We an I be named Invictus Isa Uruz Thurizad Teiwaz. " He announces grandly, offering somthing of a backwoods bow at the waist. " And we an I got here by puttin' one paw in front o` de other. "

Jarril headtilts and looks at Triss for a moment, noticing the smile, nodding at her before turning back again to the newcomer.  "I see."  He moves his paws to his front and crosses them across his chest.  "And ya business being?"

Invictus hmphs loudly as he notes the male hare crossing his arms across his chest. This one must be some kind of special person in thier tribe. Leaping powerfully up on top of the rim, he fluidly sweeps his battleaxe off of his shoulderstrap and swings it slowly, dramaticly inland.... Pointing vaugly to the east. " We an I have seen the horrors that have befallen ye kind southerners. " He states, crouching down as his axe clanks against the stone, held in a loose grip. " We an I have seen vermin prace aboot like th' lairds of th'wood- Carryin' they filth and impurity to the guid and kind people o` de wood. The great red fort has fallen... " He pauses, baring his 'fangs' angrily. " An we an I 'ave come for help, Guid Sirah. " He adds, looking back over his shoulder at the pair.

Triss jumps back a few paces, whipping out her knife at he draws his weapon. She won't relax, either, until her puts it away. Her hazel eyes watch him carefully..."I do suggest you put that axe 'way, sah, afore y'get the whole blinkin' patrol out 'ere after ya..." The haremaid relaxes only a fraction, her knuckles white around the hilt of her knife... she knows a knife is no match for a battle axe if it came to it...

Jarril raises his left furred brow as he listens and nods his head slightly before replying back, his paws moving down to his sides but still instinctively keeping near to his own blade but not touching the weapon.  "Then let me tell ya on exactly what ya have done and why I and others are being a bit wary of ya now, wot."  He lets his ears stand tall and looks at Triss for a moment.  "At ease, Triss."  Taking a deep breath.  "Allow me ta introduce myself.  Name's Major Jarril Black Fleetpaw and ya on top of Salamandastron, wot."

Taron walks up to the crator stretching  as he reaches the top "Well, I hope I havent been missin the sun set, he looks over across the ocean and says "oh I be have'n lots of time now." he looks towards the three and thinks for a  moment, the healer raises an eye brow and says "now whats bally go'in on here." he takes a look at Triss with her dagger out and

Taron walks up to the crator stretching  as he reaches the top "Well, I hope I havent been missin the sun set, he looks over across the ocean and says "oh I be have'n lots of time now." he looks towards the three and thinks for a  moment, the healer raises an eye brow and says "now whats bally go'in on here." he takes a look at Triss with her dagger out and his paw falls on his sword hilt and he thinks for several moments.

Invictus notes the flash of the failing light off the small knife and then casts a glance down at his weapon. " Aye? " Rolling his shoulders, his ears skew this way and that. Apperantly, these hares are nocturnal. Wasnt a single one up and about just moments ago. Not wanting to be seen as a foe unjustly, he cusually, slowly replaces his weapon on its thong and turns about, still crouched to face the growing throng. Nodding his head, he rests his arms on top of his knees and squints hard, frowning. " A pelasure to meetcha, Guid Sirah. And We an I is glad to have made it here. As ye can see, I mean ye or yuir people narry any harm.... Blasted light. " He mutters, squinting even harder.

Triss blinks, lowering then sheathing her weapon at Jarril's order(?). Still a bit wary of the big white hare, she keeps her paw looped into the belt next to the knife's sheath. "An' I'm Trissiliah Fleetpaw De Longfellow Swiftwind...Or Triss...as most call me, doncha know," she smiles ruefully, watching his axe. "Welcome ta good ol' Salamandastron, wot..."

Taron just stands there even more confused at the situation, he scratches his head fur and watches the odd hare, his hand drops back to his side and he just remains quiet, his face showing a great look of confusion.

Jarril pads a bit closer now, slowly.  "Nay, no one will hurt ya Invictus.  But one bit of warning though.  Some."  He stops for a moment.  "Actually make that most hares here are quite edgy when it comes ta anyone unsheathing their weapons, especially some stranger.  So I bally well advised that ya keep it sheathed while ya here.  Don't want anything ta happen ta ya, doncha know."  He looks at Triss for a moment, going to say something but stops and concertrates on Invictus for the time being.  "I take it that ya are hungry and all from ya travels?"

Invictus's eyes widen considerably at the female hares name. Strange one, that. " Aye. " He returns, blinking rapidly as the red, ruddy light fades away to the gentle twilight of evening. The perpetual squint in his eyes fades and the crinkles in his fur smooth out as he opens his eyes- The previously hidden orbs a bright red. An albino hare? Not unheard of... " Aye. Welcome indeed. " Afixing his gaze on Jarril and nods. " We an I are a guest to yuir tribe, Sirah. We'll follow yuir rules an not wield me weapon in yuir home. " Nodding his head, the hares stomach makes a loud agreement for him. " Yes, Sirah. Food is precious scarce in the sands. "

Taron sighs and shakes his head turning to the edge of the crator towards the ocean and walks towards it muttering to him self. "I be needin to get out of that bluddy infermary more often." he sighs and leans against the edge

Jarril watches Triss go off down back into the mountain quickly before turning his gaze upon the visiting hare.  His ears twitch to the sounds coming from within him.  "Well, I hear that ya are.  So let's go down below and see how ta fix that while I inform the others of why ya here, wot."  He turns his head to Taron for a moment.  "Coming down ta catch something ta eat before it's all scoffed?"

Taron ears twitch at the sound of scoff,  he stands up strait and does an about face and bows his head to the side with smile. "Aye, That I moight." he walks toward the stairs and waits for the others..

Invictus slips off the rock and pads quietly over to stand beside the official hare, Invictus looking down at the few remaining. Hmm... The female must have left before it got dark. Shrugging his shoulders, he resigns to follow.

Salamandastron: Dining Chamber
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
This is the dining chamber for the mountain of Salamandastron.  It is a
veritable cavern, the necessity of feeding so many hares making the room
so big.  Dominating the room is a huge banquet table made of solid oak.
Nobeast knows how such a venerable object came to be here, but its
presence is undeniable.  Smaller tables skirt the outside of the room,
each sitting near a large torch burning brightly in its sconce.  The chair
at the head of the table is different from the plain maple chairs that
occupy the rest of the room - it belongs to the Badger Lord.  The massive
object is graced with a carving of the very mountain it is in, with the
sun setting over the sea.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
                  Visible Exits:
[Out]                                 [K]itchens

Jarril enters still ahead of you, as the loud noise from the dining chamber fills both ears.  He smiles before turning back.  "I hope ya quick and all, wot.  Most have just finished their duties for this shift and are quite hungry."  He moves to the side, picking up a plate and knife and fork before making his way back.  "Just get a plate and cultery and come over ta sit down.  He then leaves, making for a empty place on one of the long tables and sits down, promptly putting stuff onto his plate as soon as possible as other hares continue to talk between mouthfuls.

Invictus travels along with the hare, his eyes squinting nearly shut as they travel past torches. A perceptive hare would note that the albino seems to have some problems with light hurting his off-colored eyes. Perhaps that would explains his apperant lack of keen sight durring the daylight hours. Grabbing one of the plates and a fork, the huge hare sits down near Jarril and seats himself in the masterfully made, if somewhat small chair there. Setting his plate down, he blinks a few times and peers around the table. A frown quickly crosses his muzzle as he shakes his head. Doesnt look like there is a scrap of red meat here to be had. No wonder they are all so small and puny. Snarling at a young buck who is helping himself to some shellfish, he wraps his fingers around the serving dish of steamed limpets and muscles, pulling the tray of flesh over to himself. " Rather large blighter... " The buck whispers to the doe seated next to him. " Quite. " She replys tittering with a grin. " You shoulda seen your face when-

Invictus - grabbed those muscles. Looked like you were ready to fetch new britches. " TO which the buck raps her paw with a fork playfully. Invictus just eats in silence.

Jarril may not be strong but he's quicker than any on the table.  Seeing something that he wants,being the last bread bun on a plate, his eyes catch onto the other hare, a low ranking fighter staring back at him and the breaded bun.  Smiling he looks at the hare, before with a flick of his wrist, the fork flashes to get the bun and back onto his plate before a whisker could be twitched.  Picking it up and cutting it in half.  "Hard luck there, wot."  He begins to pile on lettuce and other food items.

Taggerung pops out of the doorway. "Ahh! A jolly well good cookin' I do lickin' with my eyes, wot!"

Invictus hunches over the serving tray of shellfish, warding off any that would try for a bite or three rather unsuccessfully. The hares to the right and to the left of him snag muscles and limpits on thier forks when his hands are busy stuffing food into his muzzle, Invictus long having abandoned the use of the fork. Still, He takes the 'stealing' of his meal in good stride. At least the southern hares have one thing in common with the northerners. They can all eat like a Wendigo. Surrendering the last few bits of meat to the young hare across from him, he leans back and looks around the room, squinting hard against the torchlight as he licks gravy and bits of cooked leaks from his whiskers and paws. "...barbaric.." Is whispered about him, as well as the occasional: "...savage..." And "...new chap?..."

Taggerung grunts. "An evil act of snuffling food down yore snuffler! Ye ain't doin' it jolly well right!"

Jarril ears catch the words being spoken and he looks about, surprisingly some of the words being said vanish to other topics of the day.  Turning his head to Invictus.  "Don't mind them.  They're.."  He pauses and looks to where the door is.  "If ya excuse me for a moment."  Getting up from his place and slowly makes his way to the doorway where two other hares have just came in.  Jarril, makes a gesture for the two to come towards him, his body language doesn't exactly say he's pleased to see the two.

Taggerung cocks a brow. "Wot?"

Invictus finnishes cleaning his paws and leans back further in the chair, looking over his shoulder at Jarril padding over towards the doorway. Blinking a few times, he pulls his hood low over his face to afford him a better look.... Could be someone he's seen before, or someones. Hard to tell.

Jarril looks at Taggerung as he see's him at the door and gives a polite nod in greeting, before turning his head to other business at paw.  "Could ya tell me on why a hare managed ta get into the mountain without permission?"  This conversation continues in the corner of the room, away from the others as Jarril listens to the excuses of why Invictus was allowed past without them knowing.  At one point, he points to where Invictus is sitting, his voice coming over the other noise in the room.  "That hare there.  So what were ya doing?  Triss saw ya sleeping away.  That's not a good thing ta do while on duty is it, wot!"

Invictus hmphs and snickers to himself, picking bits of the tasty meat out from between his fangs as he watches, activly turning about to face the trio. He might not be able to see all that well, But his hearing and smell is second to few. This Jarril bust be a Jarl of the tribe... They smell as though they fear... respect? Mebe both him. Stretching his arms high over his head, he folds those limbs behind his hood and stretches his legs out, Focusing in on the trio over the comotion of the hares eating.

Jarril continues to go at the two.  "And just what do ya think would happen if Lord Bludstripe found out about ya napping, eh?"  He looks at the two and see's that word definately got the point across, arms folded across his chest, ears twitching as he looks at the two of them.  "So tell me again what happened and the truth this time around."  He begins to listen to the truth now and nods his head.  "Okay, out.  Ya not done enough work ta get anything ta eat tonight.  Let's see how ya work tomorrow."  He steps aside and watches them begin to move and stops them again.  "And I maybe new ta this rank but don't think I can't notice ya mumbling as well."  He watches them go and sighs, turning around to pad back to the table.  "Hey, come on, chaps.  Leave some trifle for me will ya, wot."  Sitting down again, putting trifle onto his plate, his body language changed again rapidly to laughing as he licks meadowcream from his spoon.

Invictus looks to be pretty much done with eating, the large hare slowly pulling himself up to his feet. Without uttering a single word, he quickly makes his way out of the hall... disapearing back into the halls of Salamandastron.