06:49 PM

Salamandastron: Western Side
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The wind blows by as you gaze up at the tall and mysterious mountain. There is a red glow at the top of it. To the north stretches more coast as well as to the south. You notice a small cave at the base of the mountain. Some beach stretches between the mountain and the waves of the sea.
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                  Visible Exits:
[T]owards [M]ountain                Circle around [N]orth
[W]est Towards Sea

It seems like it's been a while since Zeraph left Halyard, moving down the beach as he holds his paws over his eyes, just gazing up at the mountain looming steadily closer. He squints, with a half sigh, but then a smile forms, actually happy that it is rather cool upon the shore.

Quinten is jogging down the path from the main entrance heading down towards the approaching Lieutenant, he jogs up close and Salutes "Welcome back Lieutenant,....i saw you coming from the sentry room, do you need any help?"

Zeraph flicks his ears, glancing down upon the young buck when he jogs towards him. Not quite used to the salute at the moment, however the smile stays upon his muzzle and he shakes his head. "No. I don't think I need any help. Thank you, Quinten." Yeah. He remembered his name.

Quinten slows down so he can keep pace with the lieutenant "We thought someone should come down incase you needed elp, we heard you were injured sir, glad to see your back safe and sound"

"I....am." Raph grunts and lowers his paws from his eyes when they enter the shadow of Salamandastron. "But nothing like running around to make you get over it." He smirks, going for the entrance at a steady pace.

In the distance a hare otherwise known as Jarril is running full speed about the beach, closely fullowed by two other younger runners behind him, another normal day for runners training which can only be done outside of the mountain itself.  There is a wake of sand dust behind the small group billowing in the air.

Quinten watches the two runners and the Major running past, he's enjoying the excuse to be outside fighter recruits don't generally have any reason to leave the mountain. "Well it is good to be outside sir and to o bet your glad to be back too,"

Zeraph's focus has turned from the mountain as the sand cloud billowing catches his attention. He squints towards Jarril and the recruits, with just a 'hmm' being given to Quint in response. The runners are always fascinating to watch.

The three hares come to a stop near the edge of the beach where the sea starts and stands there for a few moments before Jarril takes something out of the backpack and nods his head.  The two other recruits run back up the beach as the major just stands there for a moment and once the other two are into position, sets off running again quickly with one paw holding a package while the other keeps hold of a weapon.  It doesn't take long before he reaches the first one

Quinten stands next to the lieutenant watching the runners with a puzzled frown "What...are they up to?"

"Runner training." Zeraph smirks as he gazes at it. "Rather amusing at times." The officer folds his arms and just observes the Major do his thing, surprised at how fast he is when he needs to be. "It's good to be back."

Quinten nods to Zeraph "Oh...i guessed that much sir but i can never work out just what it is they're doing..."

With ducking and weaving out into all sort of positions, Jarril passes the scroll quickly to the hare who had popped out from nowhere and moved on again in another direction.  Jarril runs off in the position that has always been done as the first recruit heads off towards the second recruit.

Zeraph points towards Jarril, while his other arm remains crossed over his chest. "They're relaying the message down the 'line'. It's often done like that. Not just one runner will be used for these assignments." The officer is happy for the distraction.

Quinten nods his head "oh i see...so its like a message line...one of them runs the mesage to the next one and so on.....hhow do thhey manage to blend in so well....i could never manage that"

The first runner had reached the drop off point and not stopping running he tosses the scroll into the air as it vanishes and carries on running.  After a few moments, the other hare pops up and runs off in the other direction....

Zeraph smirks at the move. "Well, it's not as if they were born knowing how to do it. If you had signed up as a runner, you'd have been taught how to maneuver like that as well." He nods. "And the Major is a great instructor."

Quinten nods "I know...i've been in several of the Major's classes inside, we just never get practical instruction off him, not his department as you say...i signed on ta be a fighter as thats what i seem best at" he frowns at the antics of the hares "What....why did he do that?"

"Decoy." Is all that Zeraph states in explanation, ears beginning to tip back against his head now, loosely. He goes to sit down right where he is.

Coming up from nowhere, Jarril pops up in front of the second recruit and nods his head, turning his head around and calling out to the first as all three meet together.  Looking like he's giving some words but too far to hear the two recruits nod their heads before they come jogging towards the mountain again slowly.

Quinten nods and leans on the Javelin he's carrying watching the Major "Oh....right....decoy..." he says, how is that meant to explain anything but he stays quiet for now

Zeraph doesn't know if it explains anything, doesn't seem to bother with it either. He remains seated in the cool sand for the moment as he watches the two runners jog towards them, his arms rested upon his legs.

Jarril comes up with the other two and grins.  "Ah, so ya finally back."  He turns to the two hares and nod.  "Okay, brief rest before we carry on with the next lesson.  Make sure ta bring some practise weapons out that we need or and get me some water as well while ya in there."  Seeing them nod, the two hares enter the mountain leaving the major to look at the other two.  "Fine officahs they be.  Nearly finished their training.  Hard ta believe they started it three seasons ago..."

Quinten smiles and salutes the Major "Good morning sir they did seem vry good, i could barely follow what you were all doing"

Zeraph watches the runners as they move inside, then he stands, knocking sand off of his pants. "You can always tell the experienced from the beginners." He brushes his paws together just to make sure it is all off as he smiles at the Major. "Glad to be back. Left Halyard this morning."

Jarril nods.  "They're good enough ta get some proper ordahs I think."  The hare looks at the direction before turning his head back to Quinten.  "It was just basic training that runnahs have ta do all the time.  Which is what ya learn in the future.  The closer ya get ta proper rank the more training ya have ta do so enjoy the free time that ya have now."

Quinten nods and salutes again "Yes sir i will sir" he smiles softly "And i'm happy to report i've been the first one to all my classes cept one...this week...i've been going to bed early all week." he glances after the retreating runners "And it sure looked complicated sir"

Jarril gives a smirk.  "Mabbe ta the fightahs but they get basic runnah training anyways in their second year."

Quinten says, "We do....oh ok then didn't know that sir..." he looks at the Major "Is that with you then sir?""

Zeraph has fallen into a calm silence, glancing towards Quint as he speaks about being early for his classes. One brow is lifted a little, then he smirks towards Jarril.

Jarril ponders.  "Maybe, maybe not.  Depends on if I am patrol or something..."  He looks at Zeraph for a moment and doesn't say anything but nods.  "Ya be trained by whoever.  Though usually most in a patrol of a majah gets trained by the majah itself or the Lieutenant."

Quinten says, "Oh ok then sir will just have to see, still got to finish the first year of training""

Jarril nods.  "I won't be doing much of the exams for that.  Only dealing with the runnahs for the first year.  Ya have ta speak ta a fightah majah about those."

Zeraph flicks his ears up, not sure what silent communication he just had with the Major, but..better not ask right now. The Lieutenant appears somewhat tired for the moment.

Quinten nods "I know sir, but i'm not even going to ask to be considered...not yet anyway"

Jarril nods.  "Well, I hope ya get some more weight on ya if ya serious about being a fightah though.  Keeping up with ya trainer exercises and all?"

Quinten smiles and looks down at his body "I'm still small....but i'm getting stronger sir....been following the exercises every day"

Zeraph just now begins to gaze over Quinten when this topic of conversation comes up. His brow furrows thoughtfully. "He looks to have put on more than when I first met him." The buck nods. "I think he'll be fine."

Jarril nods.  "Ah well, can't help a runnah in trying ta get more.."  He see's the two recruits come back out and nods, taking the water.  "Okay, practise running fighting.   I be keeping an eye on ya from here."  He see's the two run off as he smiles.  "Yep, they're well into their advanced training."

Quinten watches the older hares run off doing as their told, eyes following their movements, he glances down at Zeraph and smiles "Thanks sir,...is all the weight lifting and boxing i think that does it"

Zeraph smiles at Quinten. "Just keep doing well." He states quietly to the recruit, before his attention turns to the runners as they head off to start practising again. "Are you looking at them for your patrol than?"

Jarril grins.  "Maybe but I'll have stiff competition for them from the other majah's.  Though they may decide ta move ta another patrol like my other star pupil."  The major looks at the two recruits as with two wooden swords, they begin to weave in and out of position, quickly heading to each other with a loud crack of wood before weaving and ducking again.  "But aye, I am looking at them, only want the best for my patrol anyways."

Quinten listens with halff an ear to the two officers talking, eyes watching the bobbing and weaving runnah recruits with what could be awe at the way they move and bob about

Zeraph gives a scowled look a little as he thinks about this. Finally, after a moment of just observing, he clears his throat. "Taye?" A glance is given to the Major as he asks this quietly.

Jarril doesn't look at Zeraph but nods his head as he watches the recruits carry on training.  "Aye, he transferred while ya were recovering.  But I should've seen it coming, he was with Darklett's patrol anyways then.  Said he wanted a change so I let him go.  Nothing I could do about it anyways."

Quinten turns his attention back to listen "Taye switches patrols?"

Jarril coughs.  "He's switched patrols.  Paperworks done and all, he's with Darklett now but this happens in the patrol anyways. Things change, people move from patrol ta patrol, some retire when not needed anymore."  He smiles at some move the two recruits do in the distance and continues.  "Even I'll become unuseful eventually.  It happens."

Zeraph gives an understanding nod as he turns back to the training, ears pinning. /He/ hadn't seen that one coming. "I'm sorry about that." He shifts the belt that is across his chest a little, to get the weapon on his back into a more comfortable position. "Well, I think I'm going to head inside. Get checked out by a healer, as you wanted." He gives a nod to Jarril. "Sah." A half smile is given to Quinten. "Quint." Before he goes to leave.

Quinten smiles and nods to Zeraph "Good day Lieutenant welcom eback sah" he chuckles "Gonna have to get used to calling you sir now"

Jarril nods and looks at Quinten.  "Well, I best get back ta it, ya should get back ta ya duties as well, hmm?"

Quinten nods and salutes "Yes sir going right back to the training room, right now sah" he begins to jog up the path towards the mountain

Jarril grins and then runs off in the direction of where the other two runners are as the major gets back to his daily work once again.