The Southern Marches (Shall We Dance at the Lawn?): Free RP

[Inkling]

The cold and ice have arrived here, as well, and the ruins of grape vines and other cultivated plants litter the ground. Only on the Dancing Lawn itself is there any sign of recent occupation. Hoofprints stand out against the snow, though there are no fauns in sight. Further down the path, in the main settlement, several hovels have been constructed close together. The roofs bend under the unaccustomed weight of snow, and it might be lovely if it weren't so cold. Someone has at least cleared the roads for now, and all of the fauns' animals have been brought into barns so that they don't freeze.

There is also the faint sound of music; it seems to float down from the mountains just beyond the small village.

[Inkling]

OOC: Logically, that makes sense.

[Copperfox]

( I deleted the post which "made sense," as no longer needed. )

FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANYONE WHO HAS NOT FOLLOWED THE "PASS TO ARCHENLAND" THREAD:

I pick up at a point in time less than 24 hours after "onstage" action began: thus, on the first _night_ of the roleplay storyline. Ninecatcher the Talking Tigress is plowing through snow, an environment utterly strange to her--for she was born and raised outside Narnia, in a remote southern territory called Limtal, to which all the original Talking Tigers migrated centuries earlier, though some in the intervening generations drifted back north. Aslan has commanded the Limtalian tigers to come up and create an "underground railroad" to smuggle humans out of Narnia to safety. Ninecatcher and her husband Gripstone were the advance party, making contact with Archenlandish authorities to coordinate efforts; but Gripstone was hurt when doing most of the fighting as the couple faced four Minotaurs. So Gripstone is out of the action for a time.

Continuing on her own, the Tigress has acquired her first "customers" for the escape operation: a human girl named Harmony, maybe ten years old, and a young Faun whom nobody has named yet. (I'm inclined to call him Laertes.) With these two riding on her back, Ninecatcher is pouring her strength and will into a mighty effort to put distance between herself and any possible pursuers. It is most likely that at the moment of "entering" this thread, the three fugitives have NOT yet come close to the village which Inkling mentioned in her introduction of the thread. My feline heroine's aim is to get to the seacoast and follow it down, bypassing the mountains to bring her charges into Archenland.

[Lil Princess]

OOC: Go ahead and name the faun.

The girl shivers and clings tighter to the faun. "Are we almost near a stopping place?"

[Copperfox]

"Do you need to relieve yourself, Harmony?" asked Ninecatcher, slowing to a halt. "One spot's as good as another." The girl realized she did in fact need to answer nature's call; but while she did so, Laertes the Faun remarked to the Tigress, "I think she is thinking of eating and sleeping."

"Alas, we have scant safety for those things," replied Ninecatcher, getting back as much of her wind as possible. "Laertes, when we get moving again, I want you to take extra care that she doesn't fall off. But first, a little warming up for both of you."

When Harmony was done with what she had to do, Ninecatcher pushed most of the snow away from a large patch of ground, then lay there on her back. At her invitation, the two smaller beings lay close together side by side on the Tigress' upturned chest and belly, so she could wrap her forelimbs around them like embracing arms, giving them the greatest possible benefit of her body warmth for several minutes. Then: "I'm sorry, Harmony, but we must continue farther; for your sake, we need to build a good lead on our foes if we can."

And they were off again. Ninecatcher was ravenously hungry by this time. Harmony and Laertes were in no danger from her no matter how hungry she became, for the lives of all thinking beings who were not clearly devoted to evil, were sacred to her. But if she didn't feed fairly soon, she would no longer have the strength to carry the little ones overland at speed.

[Lil Princess]

The Centaur and dwarfs and Faun discuss it for awhile and get rid of some stuff and they start to head out. Marius leaves tracks and trails that lead nowhere except back to the cave again.

OOC: moving us here.

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

Snuggled in the Tigresss's arms Harmony warms a little amd is nearly asleep before they have to move on.

[Copperfox]

Thoughts of the cubs she and her husband had raised helped Ninecatcher to transfer her motherly instincts to caring for Harmony and Laertes. Thinking of them as her own young--at least, hers for awhile--brought forth new strength in the Tigress. Strength to keep on plowing through the snow, which was even more uncomfortable for her than for them. Strength to go without food for some hours longer, at least until daylight had returned and the small ones would be in less danger of freezing while her warm body was away from them. And added strength to do, if need be, what she had already planned to do if the need came: to fight to the death in their defense.

[Lil Princess]

Harmony starts to fall asleep on the faun's back.

[Inkling]

As the night wanes, a full moon allows the snowy ground to be visible for miles. A figure trudges the roads leading to the village where the fauns traditionally make their home. Her outline is clear against the road, which is a ribbon of moonlight. In her arms, she cradles an infant, wrapped tightly and covered by her cloak against the cold.

She stops short and draws in a hard breath when she sees the tiger, bearing the little faun and the child on her back, holding the baby against her protectively. Her eyes are wide.

[Copperfox]

Ninecatcher had already picked up a trace of what seemed like human scent from up ahead; and in the present conditions, ANY human could be considered friendly. It remained for the Tigress to show that the friendliness ran in the other direction, too.

As soon as she caught sight of the frightened woman, she spoke in her most human-like voice: "Fear not! I serve Aslan; I am a friend to all creatures of good will; and I am a mother like you. I am called Ninecatcher. Please tell me what this place is."

[Inkling]

The infant lets out a small, mewling cry, and his mother rocks him tenderly in her arms, soothing him as best she can. She herself is nearly blue from the cold and, though she may well have been pretty once, the strain of the winter's privations has made her rail-thin and there is the look of illness about her.

She keeps her voice just above a whisper. "Do you not know? This is the Southern March, and that settlement ahead belonged to the fauns...before..."

She glances around, trying to pierce the darkness with her gaze. Her posture hints at anxiety. "It isn't safe to talk here...even some of the trees do her bidding. My own people are just a little ways up the road. They will be expecting me, though I found little enough to offer them." Her tone hints at the bitterness she surely feels. "Will you follow? I can offer you little but a cold, scant meal, but...but somehow I believe you do not serve /her/."

[Copperfox]

"The two I carry still have a bit of rations for themselves," Ninecatcher told the woman; "and I trust I shall soon have a chance to kill some meat for myself which is morally permissible for me to kill. But first: if there is any distance to go to your friends, you look as if you could stand some thawing out. Laertes, Harmony: off my back, dears. I invite all of you, _especially_ that baby, to gather around and take what warmth you can from my body."

[Inkling]

The woman, Goewyn, looks to the tiger and then to the youngsters. She nods, slowly, apparently satisfied that Ninecatcher means no harm to herself or the babe. Extending a hand to Harmony, she tells the child, "Come, little one, you must be half frozen. Sit with me."

She clears a place for them and is seated, spreading out her cloak to cut the chill rising up from the earth itself. To Ninecatcher, she says, "I have a flintstone, but the wood is far too damp for a blaze to catch. But we should not linger anyhow, and 'twould not be safe to have a fire. There are ears everywhere."

Though she reclines on the ground, her body is tense, alert for the slightest movement. She continues to hold her son close.

[Lil Princess]

The woman, Goewyn, looks to the tiger and then to the youngsters. She nods, slowly, apparently satisfied that Ninecatcher means no harm to herself or the babe. Extending a hand to Harmony, she tells the child, "Come, little one, you must be half frozen. Sit with me."

Harmony nearly asleep takes the woman's hand, and sits next to her, cuddling against Ninecatcher. "I want mama."

[Copperfox]

OOC: Is everyone still afraid of Ninecatcher, or is it just that no one read her offer to warm the others WITH HER BODY, which is definitely the warmest thing anywhere near?

[Inkling]

OOC: I meant to imply that Goewyn did accept Ninecatcher's offer. Consider that she's settled her cloak beneath them and will help to warm Harmony...as a mother, she's drawn to the little girl. She fully expects to make use of the tiger's warmth, and I'm sorry if that wasn't clear; she trusts her.

Looks like Harmony's cuddled against the tiger as well. :D

[Copperfox]

As she tried to ensure that everyone with her was absorbing a share of her body heat--heat she would just have to replace by more exertion soon--Ninecatcher said to Goewyn, "I am one of a number of Narnian-descended Talking Tigers who have lived outside Narnia for generations. Aslan called on us to come back and help mankind in this dreadful time. I'm the first one into Narnia; the mountain passes are already guarded by those who hate humans.

"Sadly, there is no question of simply defeating the enemy here and now. Only when Aslan intervenes, which is in the far future, will the evil be destroyed. So all we can do is evacuate humans, and others who are in particular danger, to places out of reach of the enemy's power. Which leads to the practical point. You, human sister, apparently belong to a human community? The only aid I can offer you is aid in getting OUT of Narnia; and that, you urgently NEED to do."

[Inkling]

Goewyn looks slightly startled that Ninecatcher knows her name, and she tilts up her chin as she responds.

"You are asking us to abandon our homes. The land our families have died to settle...you cannot imagine it will be an easy decision. To leave all to such as /she/..." Goewyn nearly spits out the last word.

The babe begins to cry at his mother's agitation, and she comforts him instinctively, her mind elsewhere.

"Yes," she says slowly. "There are twenty of us left in my village, after cold, hunger, and her forces have thinned our ranks." She wipes a single tear from the corner of her eye.

[Copperfox]

OOC: That was a mistake on my part. I have deleted Ninecatcher addressing the woman by name, as she had no way of knowing it.


" I'm sorry to bear bad news," lamented Ninecatcher, "but it's the truth. Narnia is already lost. It is most _especially_ lost for humans, who are the only species that the enemy definitely intends to annihilate in any place she has power over. That Aslan has not altogether deserted us is proven by the fact that He does not _permit_ her curse to reach beyond this land's borders. But too many humans had become proud and complacent, with hearts wandering away from the Lion even if their mouths pretended to honor Him; that is at least part of the reason why _she_ is allowed to prevail for a time--longer than the life of any Child of Adam now living.

" I cannot offer you hope of beating this enemy by force of arms; no such effort will succeed until Aslan returns to command it. All I can offer you is my help to get your people out of the Witch's reach, to live in safety elsewhere. THAT much is doable; and that much I _will_ do for you, to my last breath."

[Inkling]

Goweyn sighs, resignation and traces of despair in the sound. "We would not think to stand against her. We only wish that she would leave us in peace..."

She shakes her head. "At any rate, I cannot speak for the others in my village. The elder will want to have his say and hear what you can relate to us...If he decides to hold out and stay...then I and my child will remain as well."

Her color has returned to normal, and her baby reaches up and tangles a fist in a strand of her hair. She holds him against her.

[Copperfox]

" If everyone is thawed out," said Ninecatcher, "we can move. Laertes, do you feel up to walking this next little way on your own hoofs? Because if you can do that, I believe I can manage to carry all three humans present on my back. And in case the villagers have met any UN-friendly tigers, it should put them at ease if their first sight of me offers such a tame aspect."

" I can walk," the Faun assured his protectress.

[Lil Princess]

Harmony climbs on the Tigresses back.

[Copperfox]

Once Goewyn and her baby were also mounted, Ninecatcher started forward as vigorously as she could without risking her passengers falling off. This task she had accepted was giving her a deep new respect for horses.

Because it was now known that Fauns were a familiar sight to humans in the immediate area, Laertes moved a bit ahead of the burdened Tigress (but not out of her sight), having in mind to be first to announce their coming to Goewyn's friends.

[Inkling]

OOC: My dear Valjean...though you know me, I'd still prefer to let even my NPCs make their own decisions, since Goewyn would have chosen to walk. Doing otherwise is autoplaying. ;)

Goewyn, somehow convinced to ride on the tigress's broad back, uses one hand to hold herself upright, clenching so tightly with fear that her knuckles are white. With her free hand, she secures her child, who unlike his mother is peering out with interest and clearly is unconcerned with this unusual mode of travel.

They arrive at the village, and Goewyn swiftly dismounts, letting out the call which will tell the others that it is safe to come out. Slowly, the ragged sons of Adam and daughters of Eve emerge from their hovels, peering curiously at the new arrivals. One gaunt man steps forward slightly. Since his garments are slightly less tattered and mud-encrusted than the others', it would be reasonably deduced that he is the leader of the settlement.

Goewyn dips into a humble curtsy. "I have brought the Tigress Ninecatcher and her charges. She wishes to speak with you..."

[Copperfox]

~ ~ Sorry, Ma Belle, I somehow got the impression that Goewyn was agreeable to riding.

Once unencumbered, Ninecatcher spoke to the man. "To be brief, sir, I am one of a number of Talking Tigers trying to help humans escape the clutches of the conqueror. Though not everyone seems to understand this yet, I must tell you that Narnia is already lost to you. Children of Adam and Eve who wish to live will need to get out. I was making for the coast, to bypass the mountains and bring those with me into Archenland that way, when we encountered the woman Goewyn."

[Inkling]

OOC: Quite all right. ;)

Goewyn nods her affirmation of the tigress's words, handing the baby to her elder child, a girl of approximately ten years. She stands silently by, seeming to soak in Ninecatcher's every word.

The leader of the settlement introduces himself as Master Aeddan. His voice is cultured and he has obviously been educated.

"I have heard, of course, of the Talking Tigers, and we know better than any the devastation the so-called Queen of Narnia has brought to this land. Can you truly guarantee my people safe conduct to Archenland? And we would be beholden on others for charity, since it is unlikely we can bring much with us...how will we support ourselves?"

He strokes his well-cultivated beard, thoughtful.

[Copperfox]

While the Tigress conferred with Aeddan, Harmony was cheered up a little by the sight of Goewyn's daughter who was about her age. Both Harmony and Laertes the Faun moved quietly to introduce themselves to her.

"Guarantee?" said Ninecatcher. "All I can guarantee is that we must face the adventure Aslan sends us...that the Archenlanders already plan to integrate you into their society the same as natives of Archenland...that you also have an option of migrating farther, to the mixed-race colony I came from...and that I will exert my every effort, up to and including the sacrifice of my own life, to conduct you to safety, because Aslan has commanded me to do so."

[Lil Princess]

"H-hello-o," Harmony says, her teeth chattering. Her poor rags provide no protection at all from the cruel wind. "M'Harm-m-mny. What's your name?""

[Copperfox]

Without preventing her from speaking, Laertes moved in to hug Harmony close against him, giving her some warmth.

[Lil Princess]

Harmony smiled the tiniest bit of a smile and waits for the girl's reply.

[christianrocker505]

OOC: This entry is while all of the posts beforehand are going on.

Libertas grunted in pain and realized that whatever had saved him from his death wasn't very concerned in his future health. There were three large scratches on his back and about five puncture wounds that probably came from claws. He sighed and shifted into a warmer and more comfortable position. That was another thing. Even though it was frezzing back in Northern Archenland, it was colder here in Narnia. Libertas dare not start a fire since he was in the White Witch's land. Besides, he had heard that even the trees bowed down to her.
He groaned in got up. He had to keep moving to keep from frezzing to death. Packing up his tent into his pack he surveyed his surroundings. He was in a small clearing about ten feet in diameter surrounded by many trees. He knew there was a small clearing not far ahead of him because he had heard creatures moving through there all during his rest. Throwing on his pack, he wrestled against the trees to get through to the clearing.
About a minute later, Libertas walked into the clearing. He wasn't suprised to find tracks of all kinds in the snow. There were large prints for minotaurs and such creatures. There were hoofed ones for horses, unicorns, and centaurs, and there were clawed prints for cats and their whole slew of family members. One clawed track that took up his attention was a set of tracks that came from the south and headed towards a small cloud of smoke and the sounds of music north of here. They were together with human tracks and the were fresh.
Throwing all caution aside, Libertas headed towards the smoke and music, hoping that there were Narnians to help him find his way.........

[Copperfox]

~ ~ If no Mod has a problem with this:


At a pause in conferring with Aeddan, Ninecatcher swung her head around to sniff the air. "I think I smell an adult male human coming this way," she said generally to all villagers in hearing. "Are any of your men unaccounted for here?" She was not worried; again, any human was a friend in this situation.

[Inkling]

Goewyn's daughter is shy as she introduces herself to Harmony, tugging at the other girl's hand in a clear sign that she wants Harmony to sit near her.

She whispers into Harmony's ear, "I'm Bellyn. Weren't you /scared/ to ride on the back of that tiger?"

Aeddan, who has been considering what Ninecatcher related to them, gives a small shake of his head. "What men were left to us, those who did not take up arms against the Witch due to age or infirmity, are all here..." He glances into the darkness. "We must prepare for anything, in these times."

[Copperfox]

"No, I wasn't scared," Harmony replied. "Before the trouble came, one time a Talking Bear gave me a ride too. And Ninecatcher is a mommy, only her babies grew up."

Meanwhile, the Tigress was saying to Aeddan, "There is no alternative but fleeing. I was making for the coast because I already know the inland passes to be guarded. The reason my husband isn't with me is that we met four Minotaurs in one of the passes. Gripstone--that's my husband--slew three of them, as he stood in front to protect me; I accounted for the last one, but Gripstone was hurt. Archenlanders are tending to him, until he is able to rejoin me. Those Archenlanders know what's up; and if my Gryphon friend got through, there will be help coming up the coast to meet us as we go down the coast."

[christianrocker505]

Libertas sat in a small alcove of trees watching the scene unfolding. He wasn't sure if he should advance with a weapon out or not. He checked his crossbow to make sure it was strung and loaded. He drew a deep breath, and stepped out of the trees, his crossbow in his hand................

[Copperfox]

When the Tigress noticed Libertas, she called to him, "You must be the man I smelled! I was unconcerned, because in these times, ANY human being is by default a foe of the Witch. You might as well come join the evacuation."

[Lil Princess]

Marius lead the little band through the snow. He spots them and points them out to the group. "There are the Ninecatcher's prints into the snow." And still they march on. Finally he stops them in the shade of some trees and and a rock outcroping for a morsel and rest.

[Copperfox]

OOC again: On the other hand, there's nothing to say that Marius can't see the trail Ninecatcher left as she went east carrying Laertes and Harmony. It was said that the Tigress has no skill in hiding her tracks across the alien (to her) environment of winter.

[christianrocker505]

Libertas was obliged to follow the talking tiger and company.........

[Copperfox]

OOC: Note, Ch-rocker, that they're not actually travelling yet.


"Are you a native Narnian human," the Tigress asked, "or an Archenlander? If an Archenlander, you must already know that efforts are being mounted to help humans escape from Narnia; if a Narnian, you must know that escape is needed!"

[christianrocker505]

OOC: sorry, I though Lil Princess said something like that.

"I'm from south Archenland," Libertas replied. " I can see why humans need to escape Narnia, for I have heard of the great evils of the White Witch. I came to Narnia to help anyway I could."

[Copperfox]

OOC: What Lil Princess wrote was about a different group of characters from the ones Libertas can see. Ninecatcher WAS with Lil Princess' group earlier, but then headed off with the characters she was carrying on her back. Lil Princess' group is now entering the territory covered by this thread, but this doesn't mean that they're right next to Libertas.


"Aslan surely sent you!" Ninecatcher exclaimed. "I have been trying to persuade all of your fellow humans here to flee from Narnia for their lives, for Narnia is already as good as totally conquered, and no humans will be allowed to live here, EVEN IF they try to surrender. You and I, human warrior, must be shepherds to these others you see. They must be convoyed into Archenland before the Witch gets around to making an end of them."

[christianrocker505]

Libertas answered with a smile,"Very well, I'd be glad to join your group."

[Copperfox]

"Good man!"--and Ninecatcher did a face-rub against Libertas' side, like a gigantic housecat being friendly. "Now, let me introduce you. This man with whom I was talking is Aeddan, the headman of the local village. That woman over there is Goewyn, who was first from the village to speak to me. We have only begun to discuss the escape."

[christianrocker505]

Startled by the tiger's friendliness, Libertas was speechless for a moment. He regained his composure and warned,"They're are increasing numbers of the White Witch's forces down near the bridge, so it would be very dangerous to go that way. However, there is no other way that I know of to get back to Archenland. Once we get through it won't be hard to find a safe haven for these villagers. The Archenlanders may not show hostility to the White Witch but they hate her on the inside."

[Copperfox]

"My plan," said Ninecatcher, "is to bypass the mountains entirely, by going down the shoreline. But it remains to confirm that the villagers [controlled by Inkling] will entrust themselves to me--now, to US."

[Inkling]

Aeddan strokes his beard, thoughtful. He makes a place by the fire for the newcomer.

"Very well, Ninecatcher. There is very little here for any of us, now. What else can we do but trust to you?" In a voice that carries through the group, he announces, "We will go."

He points out two of the villagers who are particularly familiar with the territory, indicating that Ninecatcher should review the route with them. Meanwhile, Goewyn begins to help the villagers assemble the few paltry possessions they have left.

[Copperfox]

While the Tigress was conferring with the prospective pathfinders, Laertes the Faun introduced himself to Libertas, explaining to him, "Although only Children of Adam and Eve are marked for death as a group, I myself was known to be friendly to humans and so was in danger. Tigress Ninecatcher carried me, and that girl over there, to this village; now we will be part of the larger emigration."

[Driad54]

Bryan remarked, "I used to enjoy the snow, and everything that came with it. Now it is a real nuisance", as he sunk into a snowdrift. Dusting the snow off himself, he lifted both dwarves and the faun out of the same snowdrift. Noticing the teeth-chattering of Eglamor, he suggested, "Let's get a fire going." He sent the dwarves out to recover some dry wood, if possible, and some kindling. Bryan pulled away some loose stones from the earth, and set about creating a ring, clearing out the center of all debris.

[Lil Princess]

Marius watches in gruff silence, but when Bryan be gins to make a ring of stones for fire, is compelled to speak. "Do you wish to leave a permanent note of habitation here? No. A fire cannot be put off, ashes can easily(I hope) covered by the the snow. We must move in haste, and twill not be time to move them or the time to wait till they cool. Leave them to be." (in the ground.)

[Driad54]

"As ya wish", Bryan chucked the few stones he had gathered away, and reburied the disturbed rocks. The dwarves came back with wood, and set up a fire, that was quickly aflame. After a long time, they were thoroughly warmed and all of their garments were dried through.

[Lil Princess]

Marius was quite as he gazed up at the stars. "I'll take the Second watch."

[Copperfox]

Meanwhile, at the village, Ninecatcher was asking the leader Aeddan if there were any people here literally unable to walk any distance; "...and if so, have you any means of transporting them? I heard no horses or donkeys crying out in panic when I came into the village, so I imagine you have none. But perhaps a sledge or travois could be built, which I could drag; just as with a horse, I could move much more weight in that fashion than carrying people on my back."

[Inkling]

Aeddan sighs. "We lost most of our livestock to the cold. But most of us will walk to Calormene if necessary if it means that we will not see our little ones perish."

The others nod firmly. Gaunt they may be, weakened by cold and hunger they certainly are, but they are resolved. "We will follow, and you can carry the few who are weakest. It may slow us down, but that cannot be helped."

[Copperfox]

" Then I repeat my suggestion of a sledge. Do you have such a thing, or the means of making one? I cannot possibly carry more than two adult humans or four children on my back at one time, but _dragging_ a sledge, I believe I could haul more than twice that weight."

[christianrocker505]

"I too, with the help of one other person, could drag a sled." Libertas spoke up. "However, it might be slower and more dangerous to make and travel with sleds. Plus it would delay our leaving time. What if we could move them in groups across the border?"

[Copperfox]

" Dividing them up is out of the question," replied Ninecatcher. "We have to go the long way around, because the passes are held against us. It will take days, and _anything_ might happen to those left behind before we shepherds made it back to them. It must be all together, all at once."

[Inkling]

Several of the villagers unearth what appears to be some kind of a sledge, though it is bent with age and caked with dirt. They begin to brush it off and ready it, as much as possible, for the journey.

[Copperfox]

" I should be able to drag that with as many humans as it can hold," said Ninecatcher to the villagers working on it. "Not terribly fast, I expect; but Emperor-Over-Sea willing, we have a sufficient head start on any hostile seekers. The next question is, are there _more_ feeble ones here than _can_ fit onto the sledge?"

[Driad54]

Marius was quite as he gazed up at the stars. "I'll take the Second watch."

"I'll be on first then." He stood up and made rounds around the perimeter, stopping once or twice to stare at something mysterious, but nothing seemed threatening. He found a sleeping Marius, and lighting prodded him awake, cueing him for his watch. Laying down, he pulled his overcoat around his shoulders, and was quickly asleep.

ooc: With the sled dilemma, would this be a good time for some sort of decoy?

[Lil Princess]

OOC: Do Centaurs sleep? They seem to watch the stars all night, then work by day? No offense Driad, but please let me dictate what Marius does.

Marius had been resting his eyes, but not fully asleep when Bryan came to"wake" Marius for his. For a bit he starred at the stars, "Aslan," he whispered. "Is there something you want me to tell them?" Then he began his circuit around the camp.

[Driad54]

ooc: Upon Marius' que, it might be a good time for a mod *wink* *wink* to come in and play as Aslan?

[Lil Princess]

Not nessesarilly. He was just praying.

[Copperfox]

OOC: But some _event_ in the nature of a sign could happen about now.

[Inkling]

OOC: Haven't you heard? Aslan isn't a tame lion. We're not going to have much in the way of Aslan directly speaking, and if we /do/, then Ephinie or I will bring him in. ;)

[Driad54]

OOC: Haven't you heard? Aslan isn't a tame lion. We're not going to have much in the way of Aslan directly speaking, and if we /do/, then Ephinie or I will bring him in. ;)

ooc: Alrighty then, yeah maybe Marius if you could draw inspiration from the stars, but I believe thats the extent of this little segway.

[Copperfox]

While Aeddan's people were making their logistical preparations { and assuming that she did at SOME time get an answer to her question about the NUMBER of invalids }, Ninecatcher apprehensively trotted a mile or so westward on her own back trail, to look, listen and smell for any signs of approaching hostiles. There were none; but there was a mostly-eaten deer carcass off to the right, the sign saying that wolves had killed it two or three days ago. There were only shreds of meat left, but they were better than nothing to the famished tigress. And even old, the venison scraps tasted far better than goblin. "Alas, a top predator reduced to scavenging!" Her hunger diminished somewhat, Ninecatcher headed back to the village.

[Inkling]

While Ninecatcher is sating her hunger, the villagers, such as they are, assemble in the center of town, carrying those few belongings they cannot part with. There are perhaps four of them, weakened through age, hunger, or disease who cannot cover the distance under their own power.

Aeddan leads them, his bearing proud for as ragged as he is. Goweyn holds her daughter tightly by the hand, cradling her infant son against one hip.

"And so it begins," Aeddan calls out as the tigress returns.

[Copperfox]

Once her passengers were loaded on board, Ninecatcher inserted herself into the harness prepared for her to pull the sledge. Giving a trial tug to get the feel of the burden, she said, "I can manage this; but if there is rough terrain on the way, I may need some of the healthier humans to push from behind. Not you, Libertas; as a warrior, you need to be unencumbered, ready to react instantly to any threat, to buy time for me to get out of harness and join you in the defense." She looked next at the young Faun. "Laertes, as far as your endurance holds for it, I want you to make short scouting excursions BEHIND us at intervals, to look for any signs of approaching foes. Just a little ways behind; don't endanger yourself needlessly."

[Aravis_yanes]

After several hours that Retaw spent with Gripstone (ones like felt like just minutes) he went back with his friends and see how he can help.

[Copperfox]

After some days that Retaw spent with Gripstone (ones like felt like hours) he went back with his friends and see how he can help.


Although many days have passed in the real world since we began this, for my Tigress character and also the Centaur Marius' party less than 24 hours have passed. I suggest you say that Retaw didn't linger after delivering his messages; then he can be back on the Narnian side of the mountains on the second morning, which won't force you to wait very long in real life.

[christianrocker505]

Libertas nodded his head in agreement. He checked his crossbow's string and bolts at his side. If they were attacked, he would need to pull it or his sword out at a moment's notice. He sighed and waited for the party to start off.......

[Copperfox]

And start off they did. Once Ninecatcher got the feel of the sledge, she grew more confident, saying to adult humans within hearing, "If need be, one or more of those infants being carried could also be placed on the sledge, to be held and kept warm by the elders there."

Laertes, meanwhile, took very seriously his commission to scout behind. He made his first rearward foray before the vacated village was even out of sight.

[Driad54]

ooc: still awaiting for Marius to return, but I'll take a little lee way.

Night passed quickly, and then they were on their way again. The little band of 5 moved much faster with the much needed rest. Despite their increased speed, LtCapt. Bryan never lowered his guard. Filtering out the crude jokes from the Dwarves, he intently peered out among the forest. It was such a beautiful country, but there was no doubt that there was an underlying evil. Masked, quietly slipping through.


FUTURE EDIT: Stooping down, he noticed tracks of some sort. Brushing away excess snow, he identified them as wolf tracks. He called to the others, "Keep your eyes open for a wolf. These tracks are a day or so old, but that doesn't mean she's not near by." Strange, he thought, a lone wolf, wheres the pack?

[Copperfox]

The convoy of refugee villagers was helped by the fact that they were fleeing over agricultural land. It had already been cleared of most obstacles generations ago, so the sledge moved at a good rate. Speed was paramount now, since there was no hope of being able to HIDE from trackers the fact that a large crowd had passed this way.

Ninecatcher asked Aeddan over to her side as she hauled away in harness. "Sir, do your townsfolk possess any means of making fire? Or better yet, a firepot protecting fresh coals? If hostile beasts assail us, torches could help to slow them down at least a little from falling upon the helpless, giving Libertas and me more chance to strike back."

[Simetra]

One of Sennulf's scouts reaches the now abandoned human village. He first sniffs the air, and certain that he is downwind of the travelers, he scours the village for stragglers and food. It seems the humans were low on food themselves... only a few mostly empty sacks of sugar and other inedible things remain.
He does, however, find something to his advantage. Among the ramshackle dwelling places is what appears to be a rough toy made for a child. It is a longish plank of wood, perhaps large enough to carry two adult humans, three if they were tightly packed. At the front is attached a fairly thick, strong rope. The Wolf works hastily, moving a few planks of wood and some tools onto the makeshift sled, and then runs it back to his pack.
Upon seeing his scout, Sennulf looks pleased. He gestures for the Wolf to drop the sled, and sends him back out to keep guard, and keep check on the direction of the wind. Having done so, he indicates two remarkably large Wolves to approach him. They obey, and discuss the sled for several moments. Sennulf finally leaves them, and as he goes on to speak with another section of his Secret Police, the two Wolves shift in shape, making a gross transformation which leaves them in vague resemblance of humans. They work on the sled, and quickly assemble two runners and a way to attach the rope to a pair of Wolves dragging it.
Sennulf observes the finished project and gives a gesture of approval. He even looks almost pleased. That finished, he designates two creatures to sit upon the newly constructed sledge. They are not particularly formidable looking, but they are terrible nonetheless.
The Captain blends back into the pack. He checks with his scout, and finding himself still downwind of the rebels, he commands they continue on their way, careful to cover tracks and stay out of the path of scent.

[Copperfox]

OOC: The following has been modified to reflect the wolf scout having been ahead of his pack.


Laertes the Faun came running up alongside Ninecatcher and Aeddan. "They're close!" he panted. "I found a rise of ground from which I could look back to the village, and I saw a wolf nosing around. Where there's one, others will be near. My vantage point was off the line of the wind from him, so he won't have caught my scent as anything distinct from our general spoor. He was dragging away what looked like scrap lumber, not something wolves would normally have any use for; so they're clearly up to something more subtle than only a straight chase. But I made it back here in no more time than they're likely to have taken to do whatever they were doing with that wood."

"Thank you, Laertes," rumbled the Tigress. "Even if we all die tonight, Aslan will still reward your faithful efforts--with a FAR different reward than what the Witch can look forward to for eternity." Now Ninecatcher turned to Aeddan. "Since your people DO have some firepots, you need to get together anything that can burn...especially anything which, while burning, can be hurled ONTO an enemy. But that is for the final extremity, when we have nothing to lose by selling our lives dearly. Before that comes--can anyone say if Glasswater Creek is frozen solidly enough to support the sledge? I believe I could make better speed if I were pulling the sledge on ice, with my claws to give me traction."

[Simetra]

Sennulf sniffs the wind. "Move to the north. The wind's changing."
The Secret Police follow his orders efficiently, as a unit, swift now that the werewolves have shifted back into wolf form. The pack consistently surrounds the freakish figures on the sledge, as if the pack were not the predator, but the prey, protecting its young. Nonetheless, they move swiftly, gaining ground between the rebels and themselves. Although it seems as if they could be moving even more swiftly and attacking the rebels, they do not. They stay just enough distance behind to remain unheard, and hopefully unseen. It is almost as if they don't plan to attack... and they don't consider surprise their most important advantage.

[Copperfox]

OOC: West, you say. Cool, I'm delighted to have you move west. My party is travelling east.

[Simetra]

ooc ... duh, Sim. Sorry, I'll fix it.

[Copperfox]

Oh, no hurry about that, you just keep them going west as long as you like. :D

[Simetra]

ooc hehe. It's fixed now. ;)

[Josh]

From the trees of the dark woods, into the marches emerged a blind man, who was in his 20s. He had no cloths on and he fell clumsily on the ground. To avoid tripping, he started to crawl.

[Copperfox]

~ ~ Is that supposed to be within sight of Ninecatcher's party?

[Josh]

ooc: Near by it. It will make sense later on.

IC: "Can someone help? Please...Is anyone there." the blind man said, shivering in the cold.

[Copperfox]

Numerous members of the fugitive party heard the piteous voice. " I'll investigate," Laertes volunteered. "It sounds like a human voice...but if it isn't...I'm not as important as the Tigress, or Libertas, or Aeddan or Goewyn."

The young Faun, armed with a hatchet the villagers had come up with for him, trotted to the source of the voice: either a blind Son of Adam, or an amazingly good simulation of one. Moved to pity, he took the risk of crouching beside the stranger, with his hatchet stuck in the carrying sling he had rigged for it, not held ready for use.

" I am a friend, Faun Laertes. Can you stand up if I steady you?"

[Josh]

"I...I think so." said the human. "W..who are you?"

[Copperfox]

Silently asking Aslan to _make_ this be the right course of action, the young Faun braced himself to help the stranger get up. "I am Faun Laertes," he repeated. "Friends of mine are nearby. We are travelling in some haste just now, but we could not leave a Son of Adam to perish."

[Josh]

"I hope I don't slow you down. What haste do you speak of?"

[Copperfox]

" The same haste you must be in, to flee naked and alone," replied the Faun, striving to guide the stranger smoothly. "Careful, we're about to have to step over three fallen logs in close succession....easy....step higher on the last one....good. We are fleeing from the White Witch, of course. When Aslan takes pity on us and returns, He will make an end of her; but for now all human beings, and those too friendly to humans, must flee."


Before the pair had come up even with the main body of fugitives, Ninecatcher's nose told her something was out of the ordinary. She held a hurried conference in whispers with Aeddan and Goewyn, who then hurried to tell several others what the Tigress had told them. No one was to panic or assume the worst, but all were to keep a watchful eye on the stranger now approaching with Laertes. Ninecatcher made sure she could get out of the simple sledge-harness in a flash if she were needed suddenly in her fighting capacity.

[Josh]

"The White Witch? Aslan? Who are they?" said the man with a cough.

[Copperfox]

Laertes could see that the majority of eyes in the ragged convoy were turned in his direction, appraising the stranger. Just a few were looking in other directions, in case the subtle enemy tactics Laertes himself had guessed at were already starting. Aloud he said, "What a marvel that you made it this far being unable to see. Were there others with you, who lost track of you?"

Many of the Faun's friends heard this, as Laertes intended them to. Aeddan silently gestured for the Faun to lead the stranger to a certain spot--which was covered by the crossbow of Libertas. { This is merely consistent with the role that Christianrocker's character has already taken, as our "first responder." } The human warrior, however, was not at the point of shooting, only standing by.

As soon as the stranger was near, the woman Goewyn--staying out of the crossbow's line of fire--came up to him, carrying one of the many large quilts that had been warming the invalids on the sledge. " You poor man, in this chill air! Let me wrap this around you; at least it's some covering." She tied the makeshift cloak in place with a cord; this, not by accident, offered some hindrance to the man's use of his arms. "Has anyone got any shoes he can borrow?"

"Let him use my boots," called an old man on the sledge. "I'm sure not using them for now." The village girl who had befriended Harmony brought the boots to the stranger, saying. "Let me lift your feet to put them in the boots...this foot first."

Ninecatcher spared a glance at the sky during this--wishing that her Gryphon friend would appear there, coming to help. They certainly could use him now.

Laertes now answered the question that had been put to him. "Aslan is the True King. The White Witch is a thieving, murdering usurper. We must flee from the Witch for now; but the day will come when all who serve the Witch will flee from Aslan."

[christianrocker505]

Libertas shivered as the faun spoke of Aslan. He still wasn't sure of the excistence of this creature that ruled the world. He wished it were true....but he had no way of knowing for sure. Shifting his crossbow to be at a point where he could shoot at the man or whatever enemy came to attack them. Poor man, he looked younger than some of the villagers, but why was he wondering around Narnia with no company or clothes.

[Simetra]

Sennulf snarls quietly as he hears the young man's cries. He motions for the pack to stay still and silent, lest the Human or the Faun who goes to help him hear. As he listens for their voices, he leans into the wind and takes in the human scent. Strangely, his lips stretch into a pleased sort of grimace.
He stays silent until the Faun and Human are out of range.
"Our friends have picked up a Werewolf," he remarks to his second-in-command.
The other Wolf snickers.
Sennulf straightens and calls out across the pack to the Wolves closest to the sled. "How much longer?"
The Wolves part to reveal the two ghastly humanoid creatures still sitting there, unaware of the goings on of the world about them. Between them has been built an infernal sort of fire, separated from the wood of the sled by stones. They mutter over it, tossing in various awful things and swaying. About them is a small unearthly glow. "Close, sir," remarks a Wolf.
"Excellent."

[Copperfox]

OOC: Time out! I want Aravis-Yanes to have a chance to be available here. Her Gryphon should have been back by now.

[christianrocker505]

OOC: sorry but it seems weird that simetras wolf could smell that it was a werewolf but copperfox's tiger couldn't. (Sorry I didn't remember your character's names.)

[Copperfox]

~ ~ That part stands to reason, because although Ninecatcher knows of the existence of werewolves, she has never before in her life been close to one.

[~Lava~]

OOC: I have a question, if Sennulf smells the werewolf, why is he smiling? He would be able to identify the specific scent of this particular blind were and know that his mistress conciders him a nuisance and a traitor. Is it because he gets to beat up on him? Is it because he gets to exalt over Blackclaw for a failed job? Perhaps it is too far off for him to pick up the specifics of him and so he thinks he will find a friend?

[Simetra]

ooc Here is my thoughts: Drainor's human form, though still werewolf-y smells somewhat different than is wolf form. Although Sennulf would be familiar with Drainor's human form, Drainor kept in Wolf form most of the time when around the White Witch (this is part of why, I assume, he considers his human form safer). This, in addition with the fact that he is farther away and mingled with the smell of other things, could lead Sennulf's senses astray.
However, I haven't quite decided if he would recognize him or not. If he does recognize him, there is still reason to be pleased-- firstly, because yes, he gets to beat on the werewolf. Secondly, because of the poetic irony that the Werewolf would escape Sennulf's companions only to fall into Sennulf's hands. And finally, because although Drainor is considered a traitor, he is still by nature evil. This means that he could well pick off some of the rebels and/or wear them out before Sennulf has even shown his face.

And yeah, Copperfox is right-- Sennulf has been around weres (as evidenced by the fact that he has two in his pack).

And okay, I'm cool with waiting.

[Driad54]

Moving on from where Bryan spotted the tracks, they stopped for a quick breather. Rations were divied up, and the dwarves were soon found passed out, snoring as loudly as anyone can imagine. Quickly, Eglamor kicked them with his hooves, whispering "Shhhhh! We don't need to be alerting our presence to the whole world!" Bryan nodded appreciatively, but found himself wondering what damage was already done.

[Copperfox]

Meanwhile, having been healed faster than he could have hoped by means of a mysterious potion obtained for him by his generous Archenlandish hosts, Gripstone was on his way. In fact, farther on his way than he had originally intended.

He had come up the coastline from the Archenland side, as instructed by the message from Ninecatcher. But when he found no sign of her OR of human refugees in the area where he had expected to meet them, he had felt in his heart that he must go farther up their likely approach route. He had paused for food only once on the way into the southern Narnian interior, slaying an overconfident non-intelligent mountain goat which had not thought he could climb up after it. He had carried a leftover haunch with him, not so heavy as to slow him down, but enough to give him strength when he finally needed to eat again.

By now, that haunch also had been eaten, and Gripstone forged ahead with the iron will of a husband who cannot bear to linger in safety while his wife is in peril. It was morning now....and the Tiger's straining ears were sure that they were hearing Ninecatcher's beloved speech-voice ahead. She lived!--and Gripstone resolved that they would complete their mission together, or go to their reward in Aslan's Country together.


OOC: This much still allows for easy adjustments in other matters, e.g. the question of whether the Gryphon Retaw is in the vicinity.

[Josh]

"The White Witch is a traitor you say." he said with a cough. "Hmm. I don't remember much of anything about my life since before yesterday, so I wouldnt know. Do you by any chance have any cloths for me....Its quite cold."

[Copperfox]

Laertes used the blade of his hatchet, gripped at the head, to rip armholes in the quilt already wrapped around the stranger, then guided the man's arms through. Now, belted by the cord, it was a roughly serviceable robe. The girl Harmony gave up her old scarf, to be put to less dignified yet necessary use as a loincloth. "With the boots, I'm afraid that's the best we can do for you now," said Aeddan. "All of us are poor--which is also the doing of the White Witch. She loves to take what is not hers, loves to see others deprived."

After they had gotten moving again, the Tigress startled everyone by beginning to sing. Not that her voice was bad, but no one would have expected her to do anything so cheerful in their current predicament. None of the resident Narnians there had ever heard this song, nor could they make any sense of the words. But after singing it for awhile, Ninecatcher whispered successively to Aeddan, to Libertas, to Laertes and to Goewyn:

" I sang words in a kind of speech never heard in Narnia: a tongue that survives among some far southern humans. Thus I could say what I chose, and be understood by no spy, even trees. My husband is upwind of us, and he knows that speech. Now he will know our peril, and be as prepared as possible."


Up ahead, Gripstone had made out enough of Ninecatcher's message to get the general idea. Realizing that the enemy was downwind of him as well as downwind of Ninecatcher's party, the massive Tiger selected a massive snowdrift alongside his route of advance...and _burrowed_ entirely inside it, staying under snow for as much distance as he could, to help obscure his departure from the optimum line of scent. Upon emerging, he advanced again, with as much tiger-stealth as he could apply in these alien conditions. He would know when he came even with his wife and her friends; but whether he showed himself at once would depend on circumstances.

One thing he had caught of the warning was that the foe had some sneaky trick brewing, not only plain violence.

[Josh]

The man put the scarf around him as directed. "This White witch seems like a terrible person...maybe we should try to stop her....um....whats your name again?"

[Copperfox]

" My name is Laertes," the Faun said. "And it is beyond the power of any of us here to overthrow the Witch herself. All we can do for now is to flee to a place where her power cannot reach us."

"And speaking of fleeing, new friend," said Ninecatcher to the blind man, "you look strong, despite being blind. If you were in the harness I now pull, with some others helping on either side of you, I think you could pull the burden I now pull. You would be guided so you would not fall, and the exertion might warm you. No one will force you to do this; but it will be a great help if you can do it. The harness is not complicated or confining..." And Ninecatcher was anxious to be out of it, so she would not be trapped like a sheep if an attack occurred. If they were to perish today, she intended to make sure that many of the attackers also died.


Gripstone, meanwhile, was stalking closer, keeping a distance off the track which he hoped was enough to keep any foes out of line-of-scent with him, at least until he was so near to them that body-scent distribution would be omnidirectional. All his senses kept watch for danger from any quarter.

[Lil Princess]

Moving on from where Bryan spotted the tracks, they stopped for a quick breather. Rations were divied up, and the dwarves were soon found passed out, snoring as loudly as anyone can imagine. Quickly, Eglamor kicked them with his hooves, whispering "Shhhhh! We don't need to be alerting our presence to the whole world!" Bryan nodded appreciatively, but found himself wondering what damage was already done.

The dwarves simply grumbled and turned over.

Marius took watch scouting the camp. He scouted to the west some and found more wolf tracks. Warning, the faun and Bryan, he lay down for a short while. His watch ended. The next morning, Marius lead the party further in search of Allies. They stopped for a lunch and then were on their way. Soon the Marches began to give way to forest and the Great Woods.

(Leaving for the Great woods thread.)

[Copperfox]

~ ~ Waiting to see if Josh agrees to pull the sledge.

[Josh]

"I think I can pull it...in the meantime, I think we should come up with a name for me." he said this as he pulled the harness over him.

[Copperfox]

"Seeing how well you can stand cold," said Laertes, "we could call you Snowman, meaning no offense."

Ninecatcher soon was free of the harness, and stretching herself to get limber again. Two of the strongest, or least feeble villagers took hold of the traces on either side as the newest member of the party assumed harness, both to exert as much pull as they could, and to prevent "Snowman" from falling over. To Libertas and Aeddan, the Tigress quietly said, "Steer for the most open ground; concealment helps our foes."

Then she sang again in the foreign speech, telling the approaching Gripstone that the only additional fighter on their side was one human warrior; otherwise, it was essentially all up to them. She added that she loved him, and would love him still for eternity in Aslan's country.

[Josh]

[FONT="Georgia"]"Seeing how well you can stand cold," said Laertes, "we could call you Snowman, meaning no offense."


He laughed. "Well its different, but I like it. Snowman it is!"

[Copperfox]

Gripstone still was on the wrong side of the breeze to learn anything by scent about his wife's pursuers; but he had some knowledge about Jadis, if only about her career as a wilderness marauder in the centuries before Narnia had become vulnerable to her. She was known to favor using the most unnatural creatures--obviously including Minotaurs, like the ones he and Ninecatcher had slain in the mountains. There was no being certain what else might be with the wolves; he could only try to be ready for anything.

If the enemy gave any sign of having detected him, Gripstone would take to the trees. A tiger could easily leap from one tree to another, which would give him a mobility unimpeded by what the enemy on the ground could do. Well, _maybe_ unimpeded; it would depend on the enemy's capabilities.

He was even with Ninecatcher's party now. About _them_ at least he could now take in sensory data. By the sounds that reached him, the majority of the humans were too weak to do much to defend themselves. This only stiffened his resolve to fight for them.

[Josh]

Snowman continued to pull the sledge when he thought he heard something. He stopped and looked around. He turned to Laertes "Did you hear that?"

[Copperfox]

Laertes quietly told Snowman, " I'm afraid you're probably hearing our enemies overtaking us. That's why we asked you to pull the sledge with the weakest ones on it--so our strongest ones are free to fight if it comes to it. I'm sorry that being with us is so little improvement over the situation you were in. At the worst, at least you'll die knowing that there were those who wished to help you."

A feeble old great-grandmother on the sledge beckoned the Faun over to her. When Laertes was near, she whispered to him, "We are near a spot where I played as a girl. There's a vertical rock chimney climbing up a rocky spur of the foothills. It's too narrow for an adult human or humanlike thing to climb, and being solid stone it could not be dug wider. But a Faun, and perhaps the smallest of children, could get up there, and find a way to higher ground not easily reached by pursuers. We're almost even with it. I think you will have just chance to grab one child with you and make a dash for it. I don't envy you the choice."

[Simetra]

One of the Werewolves call out to their leader. While he is not quite shouting, the level of volume is surprisingly loud for a group of stealthy spies. "It's coming, Sennulf!"
Sennulf turns swiftly and lopes with alarming speed to the sled. He growls at the Werewolf, "You couldn't keep your voice down?"
The Werewolf protests, "You had to know right away. Anyway it won't matter be-" His words are proved right before he can even give them.
The scene that follows makes even some of the more experienced Wolves lie flat in fear.
The two figures on the sled, now recognizably Incubi, since they are no longer so closely guarded by Wolves, finish their chant in one lifting drone. Neither is aware of the goings on around him-- the spell is, at the moment, their entire beings.
The unearthly glow between the ghastly figures has grown unnaturally tall and thin-- taller than the Werewolves were in Human form, and yet not wide enough to burn either of the Incubi-- if they even can be burned. It is entirely white and gives off no smoke... at first. But even as the Werewolf is giving Sennulf his excuses, smoke billows from the fire, far too much smoke for the size of the flame. It rises upward for a moment and then shoots toward the rebel party, surrounding them and a small perimeter around them.

After several moments in which most of the Secret Police stares after the inexplicable phenomena, the Incubi seem to awake. One, the taller of the two, approaches Sennulf. He seems drained, but pleased.
"It went well," he reports. His tone does not hold the warm timbre that life gives the vocal chords. "You should find that your rebel party's muscles and minds have slowed considerably. They will be as asleep, unable to motivate their limbs or their thoughts to work against you." His thin lips stretch into a gruesome smile. "I do not think you will find they protest much to your approach."


Let it be known that this pose was checked out by mods beforehand and the inclusion of the word "should" in the incubi's report designates it as not an autohit. I did my best to give you all room to respond as you liked while still being true to how magic would work.

[Copperfox]

~ ~ That's cool, Simetra, I don't mind if the bad guys overconfidently THINK their spell can't be resisted by persons already conscious that some unknown deviltry is afoot. And they knew to expect the unexpected even before what I now write:


From where Gripstone was scanning, he could see a hint of what seemed some kind of artificial lighting in the probable direction of the enemy. It couldn't mean anything good; and he felt now that he had better change his plan of staying apart as a surprise reserve. He would feel better facing what came _with_ his mate, anyway.

When he came bounding to join the others, Ninecatcher lovingly rubbed faces with him, and they said to each other: "Here, or in Aslan's Country!" Then Gripstone spotted the one human warrior, and the apparent human leader, and told them, "The enemy is doing something that makes a light shine, I have no idea what. But assume foul trickery. Let's keep moving as long as we can, but keep our eyes open."

"_Must_we hurry?" complained one of the villagers assisting Snowman with the sledge. "I'm tired, and I'm starting to wonder if the Witch is really that interested in killing us."

[~Lava~]

OOC: Simetra, do you know what an incubus is? I don't think they are very family friendly. I think it would have been better to have hags. There is a reason that Lewis only mentions them once.

[Copperfox]

OOC: I think it's all right, because I'm sure that Simetra never had any intention of depicting an Incubus practicing its main "specialty."


Gripstone saw now that several of the humans were setting their bundles of necessities on the snow, as if seeing no reason to continue the march. Even Ninecatcher looked a little bit less alert and on guard, though only a little bit. It crossed the male Tiger's mind that, if the eerie light he had glimpsed had some connection with this most untimely apathy, its power must have been taking effect _before_ Gripstone had joined the others.

He could tell that Ninecatcher was resisting the spell, if a spell it was; so he bounded over to Libertas and Aeddan, telling them, "If something is trying to make you give up, or to make you forget our peril, you _must_ fight it! Think of Aslan, and hold on to the facts!"

[Simetra]

Copperfox is right, and Ephinie said it was probably okay since the lethargy spell is a loose interpretation of incubi while still being family friendly.

[Copperfox]

Laertes, as a Faun, shared the awareness Fauns have of magic which controls and influences. He was quick to shake off the lethargy effect--but dismayed to see the girl Harmony seeming to give in to it. He said to her, "Daughter of Eve! Don't forget the evil which robbed you of your family! Never give up your will to THAT!"


~ ~ Inkling, will you write Aeddan's and Goewyn's response to the spell? And Josh, Drainor/Snowman's response? Christianrocker, Libertas' respose? Frankly, though this is too much to ask for, I think it would be neat if, like an accidental effect of combining two prescription drugs, the weakening spell would _weaken_ the petrifying spell on Drainor, giving him his eyesight back.

[Little Otter]

Frankly, though this is too much to ask for, I think it would be neat if, like an accidental effect of combining two prescription drugs, the weakening spell would _weaken_ the petrifying spell on Drainor, giving him his eyesight back.

OOC: Throwing in my two cents here. Nope. Healing is generally categorized under good magic, and evil magic plus evil magic can't produce good magic. Jadis might choose to revoke her spell, but I don't think an accidental magic-reaction would produce something like that.

[Copperfox]

~ ~ I said it was too much to ask for, didn't I? :rolleyes:

[christianrocker505]

Libertas felt tired but tried to focus on the stranger bounding into tent. As soon as he understood what was going on from the male tiger and faun he shook his head to clear it, but the magic pulled him back into a clouded trance. He remembered what the tiger said about Aslan and silently prayed, "Please Aslan, for the sake of these poor humans." Suddenly he felt as if a load was lifted off of him and his head was cleared. He sighed and tried to help the villagers not fall in to the trance.

[Copperfox]

" If we can get onto a rise of ground," muttered Gripstone to Libertas, "at least we might he able to force the enemy to come at us uphill. But I wish I knew if they have anyone able to shoot arrows at us. Libertas, have you got any kind of shield to block biting attacks?"

[christianrocker505]

I have none but if we lead the villagers to a safe place like a hill, I could use some of the sled as a shield and also use my crossbow more productively against them.

[Copperfox]

The Tigers could hear hints of movement just out of sight. " It'll have to be the first upslope we can reach," growled Ninecatcher, now herself again. "They're not going to give us much time." She glanced at the sky, wishing that Retaw would appear there.

" How are you holding up, Snowman?" asked Laertes. Meanwhile, Aeddan was tugging at a straggler.

[Inkling]

Temporarily locked until I have a chance to run an idea by Ephinie.


All right. We have decided that magic, from here on out, will be used in much the same way as combat would, with an objective third party determining how effective the spell was. Since it is obvious that battle is imminent, I'll remind you to make sure to post in the combat thread Ephinie created, and let's start lining up two or three judges who aren't involved. If you want, I can be one of them.

Copper, since you're doing such an admirable job with the human NPCs I created, I'll bequeath them to you.

[Josh]

" How are you holding up, Snowman?" asked Laertes. Meanwhile, Aeddan was tugging at a straggler.

Snowman felt fairly good, though noticed that he was feeling a bit more tired then usual. "I'm holding on fine, but-" Snowman paused to gasp for breath "Never mind".

[Copperfox]

The sledge didn't get far up the chosen slope before the men helping Snowman to pull it lost all interest in what they were doing. Laertes laid a hand on the blind stranger's arm. "No point in pulling farther; let me help you out of that harness....There, now stay with me. I'm sorry that we weren't able to get you to safety. Right now, all we can do is get farther up the hill--make way for those who CAN fight, to fight. We are in the grasp of Aslan's divine will, whatever happens."

At least the rise of ground was so formed that the enemy would not easily be able to come up from more than one direction. Gripstone placed himself on the right, Ninecatcher on the left. Libertas would thus have clear space to shoot between them in the first onset.

Aeddan and Goewyn had contrived to coax and bully the rest of their townsfolk as far as being uphill of the tigers; but most of them looked utterly indifferent to their own fate.


OOC: Note my recent entry in the Battles thread.

[Josh]

"I can fight! I just..." suddenly he fell to the ground.

[Copperfox]

~ ~ IF DRAINOR / SNOWMAN IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE VERY PROCESS OF TRANSFORMING, DISREGARD THIS POST.

Laertes was leading the girl Harmony with one hand as he tried to help Snowman up with the other hand. " Frankly, we have nothing to lose now by letting a blind man fight. Here, just a little farther, there's a space between a boulder and a tree trunk. Let this girl shelter in behind you, and I'll give you a club. Anything which doesn't speak to in a voice you've heard among us, swing at it for all you're worth. As I say, we have nothing to lose. I'm going to be throwing rocks."

[Josh]

ooc: No, the spell is beggining to work on him.

[Copperfox]

Seeing Snowman's unresponsiveness, Laertes yanked at him, trying to make him stand up. "Come ON, friend! Even if you don't feel you can fight, get into that space anyway! At least they might _think_ you might be able to resist, and might hesitate. And for every moment we gain, Aslan may yet choose to bring deliverance. Don't just give up!"

The Faun snorted when Snowman did not immediately arise. " Never thought I would think such a thing," he said to Harmony, "but I almost wish our friend here were a werewolf; then if he changed shape, he might break out of this spell!"

"What, to eat us?" objected Harmony.

" That's why I said, _almost_ wish."

Meanwhile, Aeddan was making what preparation he could. Besides commending all their immortal souls to Aslan, in Whose Country Jadis and all her evil could be laughed at, he was readying a very _warm_ surprise [as has been discussed before now] for the first wolf that would get near the sledge.

[Josh]

Snowman then collapsed to the ground, unconsious.

[Copperfox]

Aeddan hustled up to Harmony and Laertes. "Some evil fate thwarts our best intentions; but perhaps not all need perish. Look there--more to the right--how that tree grows right up alongside that crag. No wolf can climb there, and if you go now, you have a head start on any foes who can climb. See the ledge near the top of the tree? It may lead to a way of escape. Go now! I'm glad I met you, even briefly."

As the Faun and the orphan girl struggled up the tree, Ninecatcher and Gripstone were watching for the first plain sight of the enemy. With so few of the humans resisting the spell, the two Tigers faced the wrenching realization that even in the best conceivable outcome, they would not be able to protect each individual human from being murdered. The best they _could_ do would be to reduce the _number_ of murderers...and that, they _would_ do.

[christianrocker505]

OOC: Is Liberats going to use some of the sled as a shield in the battle? It would help him against the wolves.

IC: Libertas checked his sword to make sure it was sharp and bright for battle. Looking at the steel surface, he couldn't help think of his father who had died fighting some of the White Witch's raiding forces in Archenland. His father's sword was the only thing that came back because the raiders had taken his body and most likely eaten it. He blinked in suprise as he realized he was crying hot, angry tears. He wiped them away and sheathed his sword. He then checked his crossbow one last time and loaded it? Leaning it aginst the log he was sitting on, he wished he had better protection against the enemies. He had a backpack, but the frame was wood and the actual pack was made of deer skin. Sighing, he stood up and walked over to the male tiger.
"Where are they?"

[Copperfox]

" They could appear at any moment, because they ARE nearby," Gripstone told him. "Still nothing to fend off teeth? There are some fallen branches around; even one of those might help some, interfere with an attacker's jaws long enough for you to get in a killing thrust. But I urge you to move back up to the sledge. The mere distance will help you get a shot or two off before it's close quarters. In fact, standing behind the sledge at the start may enable you to hide the fact that you HAVE that crossbow. And by the way, if you see a Gryphon in the air, DON'T shoot at him!"

[christianrocker505]

Libertas nodded and came up with an idea. Grabbing some rope out of his pack, he took some stout branches and lashed them together. Taking the rectangled group of sticks, he tested it and felt a small bend but not very much. Bending a small but strong stick, he improvised a handle on the back and came up with a makeshift shield. He then grabbed his belongings and crossbow and upended the sled to form a small wall. He crouched behind it waiting for the action to begin.

[Copperfox]

It can be assumed that the four village invalids were already off the sledge before Libertas overturned it. Meanwhile, Aeddan had managed to whittle a point onto the longest, sturdiest stick he had been able to find, making a crude spear. Goewyn had taken charge of the combustibles. Exactly one other villager seemed both healthy enough, and sufficiently in his right mind, to offer any resistance to the foe: a fiftyish man named Kelbosk, who now hefted the one full-sized axe the fugitives had among them. All these, with Goewyn's children, remained near Libertas and the sledge and the feeble oldsters. The Tigers continued to stand by as the first and chief line of defense.

[Simetra]

Sennulf, despite his trust in the incubi's word, is too seasoned a warrior to rush in unchecked. Rather than risk his police unit to an ambush from the Tiger he knows is among the rebels and the centaur he believes is with them, Sennulf calls an older, sly-looking Wolf to him.
"I want you to scope out the rebels. Report back how fully the spell has settled in. It should last plenty of time for our purposes, but be swift. And be unseen. Do not kill unless you absolutely must to remain undetected. If you are attacked and you find their strength greater than we expect howl, long and loud, even if it will bring more of them upon you. Word of their condition is imperative." More imperative than the preservation of your life, he seems to be saying.
The Wolf dips his head and lopes off, staying low to the ground among shrubs and trees and disturbing not a twig despite his relative speed.
Sennulf turns to two other Wolves. "Remove the incubi to safer ground. If it comes to battle, the Queen will not be pleased to learn that they were among it." The Wolves also nod, and one goes in search of shelter while the other goes to aid the incubi, weakened by the strength the spell required.
Sennulf indicates that yet one more Wolf come to his side. This one looks like a rather new recruit-- he still does not have the muscles of an experienced warrior. It is clear that he would not be much help in a fight.
"If it comes to battle, you are to go north. There is a Peach there that is on Her side. Have her pass word that we are in need of aid, and have her pass word to the Queen as well."
The Wolf nods nervously. "And now, sir?"
"We can only wait."

[Copperfox]

The failure of the enemy to appear sooner had given Gripstone time to do what he had been thinking would be impossible: round up the humans who were made apathetic by the unseen spell, which was the majority of the villagers, and at least herd them to a place uphill of their defenders. With this done, and still no attack forthcoming, Gripstone took the chance of going downhill to where a tree stood.

Swarming up this tree, the Tiger tried to see over the other trees for any sign of the foe. The wind direction still was against him where smelling them was concerned; but his eyes did spot some kind of movement in the foliage.

Dropping hastily to earth, he told Ninecatcher, "They haven't gone away." He said as much to Aeddan and Libertas before assuming his defensive position. Meanwhile, the villager Kelbosk had dragged some logs near to where the Tigers were standing by. "If our pursuers have any archers with them," he explained, "crouching behind these will give you some protection."

Other villagers remained unhelpful. Some of these, in fact, began complaining like petulant children. "Why did we have to leave the village?" "No one is attacking us." "Are you so sure the Witch is evil?"--and so on.

[Simetra]

The scout comes within viewing distance of the party, barely far enough away to keep his scent from reaching them. He observes Gripstone directing the villagers uphill, and their lethargic, complaint-ridden responses. Hidden in his crouched position, he sees the Tiger meet with another Tiger, both of whom seem unaffected by the incubi's "successful" spell. If anyone were observing him they would see a sneer of disdain at the failure of the useless incubi. He waits a few moments longer, observing the movements of the Tigers and their positions of defense. He is about to turn away when he stops short and peers again at the party of rebels.
His eyes are riveted to the sleeping humanoid figure. He watches it closely for several moments, and then makes haste back to the waiting Secret Police.

...

Upon the scout's return, Sennulf hails him and commands a report.
"Two Tigers, waiting in ambush. They don't seem slowed at all. A Faun, too, and one of two of the humans, seem unaffected."
Sennulf growls. "Two Tigers?" He calls the young Wolf to him. "To the Peach. Now." As the recruit scurries of, Sennulf looks back to the scout, who is apparently some kind of Second-in-Command. "This is more than we bargained for. Those incubi are worthless."
The scout sneers, "There's more."
Sennulf waits, not one to be egged on to suspense.
"Drainor is among them."

[Copperfox]

No attack having yet occurred, Laertes postponed a little longer his last-resort flight with Harmony. He could not get his mind off the strange amnesiac blind man.

Returning to the side of the fellow they had dubbed Snowman, Laertes thought about the lore Fauns possessed about magic. Some Fauns were even able to use a few spells. Laertes had no magical talent; but he did remember a little song he had learned from his mother, the She-Faun Lanajee. Every time she had sung this song at sunrise, every Faun hearing it had sprung awake fully alert, even if sleeping off a revel with Bacchus. There certainly was nothing to lose by trying it on Snowman:

"Good morning, good morning, good morning, it's time to rise and shine!
Good morning, good morning, good morning, I hope you're feeling fine!
The sun is up above the hill--another day for us to fill!
Get up, get up, you sleepyhead; come on, get up, get out of bed!" *


* (c) Janalee Ravitts

[Lucy but Taller]

as she flys up above,she notices bright orange against the white snow.She swoops down,hearing the song of a wake up call in the distance.

[Copperfox]

Out of the corner of an eye, Ninecatcher saw something moving in the air above. Hoping for an instant that her Gryphon friend Retaw had found her, she turned her gaze directly toward the movement--only to see an entirely unfamiliar sight.

The villager Kelbosk also saw what was approaching from the sky. "What is that?" he asked his headman, but Aeddan was equally baffled.

Laertes was paying no attention to the sky; he was too exasperated at Snowman still not waking up.

[Simetra]

Sennulf growls as he sees a shape above them.
"Flying Horse." He snarls at the others. "Battle. You are not to kill unless you must. The Queen will want captives." He picks 8 of the Wolves, about half. "You will go up the west side, keeping in cover. There is a male Tiger there. Attack him. We will follow, in case you need help. The Horse should have landed, so it will not see us. Do everything you can to keep the Tiger from notifying the others."
The selected Wolves lope ahead, deadly silent. The rest of the Secret Police run not far behind. Sennulf blends into the pack, looking indistinguishable from any other Wolf. It is not long before the first quadrant is upon the Tiger.

[Copperfox]

~ ~ One thing the wolves cannot do is enjoy surprise in the actual attack. The tigers chose a hill that gives them a clear field of nearby view, as I thought I made plain.

[Lucy but Taller]

she flys ddown gracefully upon the spots,to find they are tigers,along with a werewolf asleep.She will try to help them,for aslan.

[Copperfox]

"A winged horse! That is a creature of good!" exclaimed Headman Aeddan. He and the widow Goewyn hastily dragged the two little girls--the orphan Harmony, and Goewyn's daughter, the latter with her baby brother's carry-sling now hung over her shoulders, and the former clutching a baby girl who had been handed to her--to the beautiful pegasoid.

"For Aslan's sake, rescue these children!" sobbed Goewyn. "Take them to some refuge! Then we can die knowing not all were lost!" And in a trice, the children were mounted.

[Lucy but Taller]

Of course,the poor souls were mounted.In a minute they were in the sky,and were brought to safety.She felt sad for these young ones,and was happy ahe was helping them.

[Josh]

Snowman opened his eyes, not that it would do much and spoke wearily to Laertes. “We are trapped on this hill aren’t we? We are all going to die!”

[Copperfox]

Snowman opened his eyes, not that it would do much and spoke wearily to Laertes. “We are trapped on this hill aren’t we? We are all going to die!”


"Not without many of our foes also dying!" the Faun assured him. "Before you collapsed, I was trying to lead you into a defensible spot. Will you move there with me now, and make the enemy pay a price for our lives?"

[Josh]

“Nay! Leave me here. As a blind man, I will only slow you down!”

[Copperfox]

"We're not moving now anyway," the Faun replied; "the wolves are too near. The best we can hope for is to inflict enough damage on them to make us too costly a prey for them. So your doing as I say won't make us any worse off! Come on, Snowman, let me help you into position."

[christianrocker505]

OOC: Is the hill completely surrounded?

IC: Libertas knelt behind the upturned sled and set the crossbow to his shoulder and balanced on the sled top, ready to fire at any attackers at a moments notice.

[Copperfox]

OOC: No, it's a ramplike formation leaning into a ridge of the foothills. If we didn't have weak, defenseless people to care for, we could climb up where it would be difficult for wolves to follow us. We're waiting for Simetra to decide his tactics now that he understands the terrain.


Laertes positioned Snowman in the sheltered crevice, gave him a club, and said, "Strike at anyone you hear who doesn't speak in a voice you've heard among us. Remember, we have nothing to lose; may Aslan be merciful to you!" Then the Faun took his stand with Libertas, Aeddan, Goewyn and Kelbosk, the only humans who were capable of useful action. At least the children were in the clear now.

[Simetra]

ooc I am a she. ;) And still working on my pose, sorry.

[Copperfox]

~ ~ My apologies for the gender error. And take the time you need.

[Inkling]

OOC: As I said...No RPing Aslan. Not no way, not nohow. I allowed Copperfox's mission to stand, but that's as far as I'm willing to go with that one.

If He's needed, I or Ephinie will bring Him in.

[Josh]

Snowman heard something running near him. He quickly grabbed a sword.

[Inkling]

Grizzle, intent on his mission, moves as silently as it is possible for a rather stocky, bulky dwarf to do. He positions himself on a slight rise just behind where Sennulf's force is, and his eyes narrow as he takes in the situation at a glance.

Oh, she will not be pleased with this...it is nearly time.

[~Lava~]

Longtail comes to the end of the pass and finds the area littered with paw prints. They all look like wolf prints. He decides not to follow them exactly but strike out further toward the northeast. Keep the trail of the wolves in smell distance but not in sight.

[Inkling]

OOC: Okay...I did /not/ approve a faun/satyr (same thing, by the way) with a sword. So...I'm deleting from there on.

Copperfox: how do the tigers KNOW the force is right there? I still haven't seen Simetra post anything that would explicitly draw attention to their presence.

Also: SLOW IT DOWN *headdesks repeatedly* Please don't make me do it for you...I know it's exciting, but give people time to respond appropriately.

[Simetra]

Sennulf looks upward soon enough to see the Horse flying above them with children on his back. He barks a command to a Werewolf. "Run back to the sled, transform, and use the rope to sling rocks. Bring it down." The Werewolf glances up at the sky and obeys.
Silently, silently, the first half of the pack moves up the slope to the first of the formidable Tigers. They flit behind boulders and brush, the first of them virtually invisible even to those in the back of the pack.
With alarming speed, considering their caution, the Wolves reach the male Tiger. Immediately, two leap for the throat on either side. Another attempts an attack at the tender but crucial tendons of his left hind leg, and a fourth leaps for his muzzle in an attempt to keep him too occupied to sound the alarm.
The remainder of the first rush remain at the ready, aware that the first four are likely to die, but also aware that the sacrifice of these Wolves will make the job of the others much simpler.

[Copperfox]

~ ~ Trying to be fair to Simetra, I admit to having misunderstood the new retroactive botanical scheme on the hill. No trees. But I do insist that since Gripstone (1) WAS expecting an attack any moment, and (2) IS able to make prodigious leaps, he should be able to dodge the first lunges, long enough to shout a warning (or just roar, which in the circumstances IS giving an alarm), before the attacking wolves can do anything to prevent him. This done, Sennulf's forecast of probable death for the first four wolves is indeed still a likely one.

[Lucy but Taller]

didn't I put what happened to the children?:confused:I thought I did.

[~Lava~]

OOC: You did dearest. In fact, Simetra should have noted that you had said you were already safely away.

IC:Longtail is in more open ground so he can move more swiftly. This he does, he moves swiftly but with caution. He tries to stay where the wind will not be carrying his scent in the direction that the wolf tracks are taking. He has been out of the pass for about an hour when he stirs up a non-talking stag who had bedded down in what looked to be an abandoned agricultural field. Having not eaten since leaving Archenland, the tiger sprang into action and had quickly caught the stag and proceeded to eat it. After his meal, he continued on.

OOC (again): I would like to note that since my tiger is following the wolf trail at a distance through scent, the wind in that area must be blowing toward the tiger. He may not even see the abandoned villiage due to the fact that he is staying as far away from the tracks as his nose will let him. He wants to find people, not wolves. I don't know if he would have the information that wolves are considered to be on /her/ side. It would depend on how much the Archenlanders that he talked to knew. Also, you will note that the wolves kind of mussed any traces of the other tigers' path by the fact that Longtail only saw wolf tracks. He is not expecting to find Gripstone and Ninecatcher. He is following the wolf trail because it is a symbol of habitation.

[Josh]

As he traveled down the hill, Snowman sensed a wolf approaching. Appearing as a helpless blind man gave him an advantage. "Please, please don't kill me! I have no intention of betraying the queen!"

The wolf came closer. "You've already betrayed the queen. Now you will die, blind fool!"

Snowman raised his eyebrows. "A fool am I? Only a fool would be so easily deceived by appearances." Suddenly, Snowman yanked out his sword and with a quick swipe, knocked the wolf's head off. He then stood up and gave a prideful smile.

[Copperfox]

Unavoidable OOC: As I had written things--if this part isn't also being changed--the spot Laertes found for Drainor to have a chance of defending himself was far uphill of where the wolves would come up against the tigers. So if a wolf has already gotten as far uphill as where Drainor is, does that mean that still other wolves are already attacking Libertas and the other humans plus the Faun?

If it is declared that a wolf or wolves got clean past Ninecatcher--and I certainly don't begrudge it to Drainor to have killed one!--can we suppose that Ninecatcher's side of the approach was left passable because she sprang across to help Gripstone against the first open attack? If it is both tigers against the first four wolves, those four wolves _really_ should be wiped out before they can accomplish much. Some compensation for other wolves getting farther uphill; but again, we need it to be established to _what_ extent the defense is breached.

(Whatever else happens, at least one wolf _must_ get shot by Libertas' crossbow. CR505 has exhaustively established that Libertas is just waiting for a target.)

[Josh]

ooc: Snowman (or Drainor) was running down the hill to where the people were fighting. The wolf didnt go up to the top.

ic: Snowman continued to run, slashing wolves while doing so. Left and right, heads, arms, paws, and legs were flying through the air as Snowman was dominating on the battlefield.

[Simetra]

ooc Sorry... guess I wasn't very clear. If you read back a ways, there are only between 15 and 20 Wolves, and they are stealth attacking, so hacking through a battlefield of them seems unlikely... also, they know that Drainor is there, so they are unlikely to be deceived by appearances (unless you mean that the Wolf is deceived by appearances into thinking that Snowman is weak... which is possible, though I pictured him as strong-looking. That's certainly something that is up to you). Keep in mind that these are not the orcs of the LotR movies that can apparently be slashed down by the thousand, but skillful and wary Wolves who know their business.
Also I am not sure where Drainor got the sword... but if we're going to hash something out, that's a lesser issue for me.

[Copperfox]

~ ~ The sword must have been dropped by an unknown person in the past--maybe a resisting human, whose animal slayers didn't bother about his sword once it was no more threat to them. I'm certain that what Josh meant about appearances was that it was a mistake to think Drainor was helpless because he was blind.

My best rationale for Drainor having the occasion to face and slay a wolf is that Ninecatcher went to her husband's aid, letting one or more of Sennulf's wolves--whom she had not yet spotted--get past her position. Once the lead four wolves at Gripstone's position are slaughtered, my two tigers will probably want to go bounding back uphill--while NOT neglecting to look out for more threats from downhill--to close up the gap in defense for the humans.

This is my best judgment to reconcile everybody's posts.

[Josh]

As the battle continued, Snowman feared that they might be overtaken.

[Josh]

OOC (Inkling):This is what's known as a 'no-seeyum' post. I'll leave it, because it's a perfect example. It is impossible for anyone to react to a character's thoughts or feelings when they are not explicitly demonstrated.

All right, /how/ does 'Snowman' show what he's thinking? Is he gritting his teeth stubbornly? Does he shake a bit (probably not)? Is there anything that he says or does that another character might see or hear? He's likely not standing completely still.

Again, I say this because you're not the only one to go this route, and it makes for a good time to remind the others of this too.

Inkling, I was trying to bump the thread so people would respond, I wasnt really trying to go into detail on Snowman's worries.

[Copperfox]

The following is, hopefully, specific enough in intent, while still giving Simetra plenty of freedom of action:



Ninecatcher, not immediately assaulted at her own initial position, had sprung to the support of her husband. Both tigers fought fiercely but intelligently: staying close enough to each other to be able to help each other, yet far enough apart that each could maneuver, and it would be harder for the wolves to mob them both at once. Assuming the Mods would let them slay enough wolves to get a clear break, they would retreat partway uphill, closer to the humans, so that the humans would not be entirely deprived of their protection against wolves getting close.

To that end, as soon as Ninecatcher had slain her first wolf (and no one can tell me that a tiger would be unable to slay ANY wolves), she hastily shouted to Drainor, "Snowman! Get uphill!"--before putting her teeth back to work.

[~Lava~]

Longtail continued on his trek. He smelled the trail. They seemed to be following someone else but he could not catch the scent. In the distance, he saw several darker figures off to his left.

OOC: I will let Lucy but Taller decide whether I am seeing her horse and the children or I am seeing some other creatures that would be NPCs.

[Josh]

To that end, as soon as Ninecatcher had slain her first wolf (and no one can tell me that a tiger would be unable to slay ANY wolves), she hastily shouted to Drainor, "Snowman! Get uphill!"--before putting her teeth back to work.


Snowman obeyed and immediatly started running uphill. Unfortunatly, he stumbled upon a rock and fell to the ground. "Aaaah!" he yelled as he began to roll down the hill. He felt himself getting cut by the rocks, stones, and dead bodies lying on the ground. He sensed some wolves running towards him. He gripped his sword in case he would get attacked.

[Copperfox]

~ ~ The following is written in light of Simetra having had days in which to change the tactic of four wolves first, and not changing it.


Thanks to not being surprised and thus being able to call Ninecatcher over to his assistance, Gripstone had with his mate been able quickly to slay all four of the first wolves attacking. Both tigers had bite wounds, but none critical or crippling so far. They managed then to fall back partway uphill before additional wolves charged them.

With the wolves' attention on the tigers, and with Libertas' crossbow covering them, Laertes and Kelbosk ran down to Snowman. Laertes shouted, "Snowman! It's us, your friends!" Watching in case any foes came their way, they helped the blind warrior to his feet and hustled him up the slope.


~ ~ Simetra, you still have plenty of freedom of action; I've just joined Josh in getting things in motion again. You have yet to deploy your own werewolves--who of course are a formidable threat, though still not MORE powerful one-to-one than a tiger.

[Simetra]

The first four Wolves having been slain, the other Wolves attack as a well-practiced unit, going for all different point on each Tiger so as not to be easily thwarted in one blow. Some go for Gripstone's thigh again, others for Ninecatcher's throat. One manages to get behind the female Tiger and attempts to make a debilitating tear at her vital thigh muscle from there. Another leaps at Gripstone's shoulder blade, teeth bared. The Werewolves maneuver to high grounder, shift shape, and each find a good boulder to push down the slope. They wait for the opportune moment, wary of any attackers.

Lower on the slope, it is Sennulf himself who has followed Snowman. Upon seeing one of his Wolves slain by the blind Werewolf, he has retreated to take care of the problem on his own. Two of his Wolves have come with him, and since they are behind the others, they leap on the faun and the man from behind.
Sennulf snarls, his eyes shifting between their target and the nearby threats. He circles the Werewolf. "Are these rebels as blind as you, to mistake such a mess for a human? The Queen will not be pleased to learn of your survival. Luckily, she won't have to." He doesn't leap immediately, however. Instead, he moves silently back, and switches the direction he is circling. Suddenly, he leaps for the Werewolf's wrist, in hopes that his hand will become mangled enough not to hold the sword. Even if not, the force of the leap might knock the Werewolf over.

[Copperfox]

The intentions of Libertas having been thoroughly and openly established by CR505 long before now, and Libertas not being blind, the first Werewolf up the slope falls dead with a crossbow arrow through his brain. This is not unfair auto-hitting, because CR505 had said what he would do, and the Werewolves did not take precautions against it.

The tactics of the Tigers against being hogpiled having also been put on the table before now for anyone to see, Gripstone and Ninecatcher both do rapid rolls, changing the location of their own targetted body parts, and lashing out in various directions with ALL their claws, before coming to their feet again in different positions. I don't mind Simetra saying that the Wolves evaded the claws, but that also means that the Tigers are able to get a little farther uphill before melee resumes.

[~Lava~]

OOC: Since Lucy but Taller has not decided to comment on my earlier post, I will assume that the figures I see are not the horse and the kids.

IC: As he closed in on the figures, Longtail saw two young men, almost boys, (ooc:yes, they are human not weres) with bows. They were not dressed well for the weather. They also showed fear when they saw him. Longtail said to them, "Peace, children. I have come to help you escape to a place that is safer for humans. Where are you going?"

[Josh]

Sennulf snarls, his eyes shifting between their target and the nearby threats. He circles the Werewolf. "Are these rebels as blind as you, to mistake such a mess for a human? The Queen will not be pleased to learn of your survival. Luckily, she won't have to." He doesn't leap immediately, however. Instead, he moves silently back, and switches the direction he is circling. Suddenly, he leaps for the Werewolf's wrist, in hopes that his hand will become mangled enough not to hold the sword. Even if not, the force of the leap might knock the Werewolf over.

Snowman dropped the sword. "Sennulf, it would be foolish to kill me. Why do you think I have been hiding among these humans? To overthrow the Queen? No, that is impossible. I have been trying to obtain information about their plans to attack Jadis, and where their resistance is hiding. If you kill me, I won't be able to help you."

[caspianfreak414]

thats just so cool

[Inkling]

All right. Ephinie has spoken, and so I am hereby unlocking this thread. Everyone involved in the battle, I expect that you'll read and comply with her post in the "Duels" thread.

You will find it in the "Everything but the Kitchen Sink" subforum.

http://www.narniafans.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1835772#post1835772

[Josh]

Snowman came running back into the Marches. He wasnt going to run. If he could convince the Senulf to believe he really was on his side, he would be safe.

[Copperfox]

Ninecatcher and Gripstone were doing the only thing they could do--which was to keep using their combination of greater strength, greater leaping range and greater number of natural weapons, to try to kill or disable every wolf who came near them, while guardedly retreating up toward the parked sledge for mutual support with their friends. Gripstone at one point scooped up snow with his forepaw to fling in a wolf's face, when this offered a chance to get in a killing attack sooner.

[~Lava~]

OOC: After this post if anyone would like to pick up my NPC boys it would be appreciated. I would like to RP with someone instead of just posting my progression toward the scene of the battle. For now, until someone takes them over their actions will be in green. This post is going to be long. It also will establish something that may need to be changed based on what LO has to say. It kind of establishes what must have been one of Jadis's first acts in her rise to power.

IC: It was obvious that the boys had never seen a white tiger before because despite their fear there they seemed to show a great curiosity in this Cat that was talking to them... they were literally staring at him. Longtail noticed this and said, "Don't be afraid, come on and touch me. In fact, I dare say that travelling close to me would help keep you warm. How is it that you came thus without proper coverings to keep you warm?" It took a couple more minutes for their curiosity to overcome their fear but finally the boys came to the tiger, "Sir, we were out hunting one day and when we returned to our village, we found it ripped to shreads and there were several statues that looked remarkably like our neighbors the fauns in the area. There were also bodies. Since then, we have been wondering around trying to make sure that we do not meet the same fate as all of our kin. You are the first thinking being that we have encountered face to face since that time. Our clothing has suffered from our wandering."Longtail was saddened by their narrative and tried his best to keep them warm; he said "Come with me."

[Inkling]

The black dwarf scowls, but he does not break stride even to assist the Witch's forces, even with the axe strapped to his hip. Instead, he gives his attention to his mission, hacking at some of the shrubbery with what seems to be willful destruction as his aim.

He sneers, which is what passes for a smile in him.

Little do they know what is coming. Who would expect harm from a /unicorn/?

[~Lava~]

OOC: I guess none of yet have taken me up on taking these two NPC boys. Any actions I post of theirs until some one takes them off my hands will be in Green.


IC: Longtail tells the boys that they had best get on the move again. They are strong enough to be able to keep up a good pace on their own so Longtail doesn't decide to have them ride on him. He does wish that he had kept some of the deer skin to help his young companions with the cold. Obviously they had not had the luxury of getting large game in their hunts. They did have a few rabbit skins wrapped in among their clothing though. He starts to smell the air to get him back on the trail of the wolves. The boys stay close to the tiger because he is large and warm. Longtail is rather pleased that he finally has started the main part of his mission: bringing humans to safety out of Narnia.

[Copperfox]

SORRY FOR THE DELAY. BESIDES HAVING THE RENFEST TO BE AT THIS WEEKEND, I THOUGHT I HAD TO WAIT TO SEE IF SOMEONE DISPUTED MY OUTCOME FOR THE DUEL.

================================

Backing up in time just a little:

The survivors of the refugee party, realizing that one Wolf was unaccounted for, knew that this one might be able to summon still _more_ evildoers for a fresh attack. Something would have to be done to try to throw such foes off the trail; but it would have to be _after_ tending to the three most badly hurt of the victorious defenders. In order from worst hurt to least hurt of the three, these were the barely-mobile Gripstone (who had taken the brunt of Wolf attacks and had a Leopard to deal with besides), Ninecatcher (who was wounded in both forelimbs), and Aeddan (who had several bites and a broken shinbone). Seeing that Laertes and Goewyn had "Snowman" covered, Libertas made it his first priority to bandage Gripstone's many wounds, using pieces of the clothing of those villagers who had frozen to death and would not be needing their Narnian clothing in Aslan's Country.

Finding that the Wolves had yanked out three of the major pinion feathers in his right wing and one in his left, Retaw used his beak to pull two more pinions out of the left wing, restoring aerodynamic balance between the wings. Thus he would still be able to fly, though slower until new feathers grew. His first new piece of flying was at short range, determining that no new attack was coming immediately. Landing again, he lent his claws to assist Libertas' grim work of salvaging fabric for bandages.

Gripstone's bleeding was stopped in time to save him from immediate death. Still, he was unable to move anywhere faster than a crawl, dragging himself along with his forepaws.

Retaw, on his short flight, had also spotted the nearest mountain trail that looked as if it could be useful to them. He had in mind to airlift all the surviving humanoids up to that trail, so that there would be no visual or scent trail from the battleground to reveal to enemies that they had gone that way. He also had in mind to move the corpses of some of the perished villagers in such a way as might put hunters on a false trail.

But he could not discuss this idea with Libertas while the young man was binding Ninecatcher's and then Aeddan's wounds; so he went to take over from Goewyn and Laertes the job of watching Snowman/Drainor. This allowed Goewyn to replace the first hasty bandaging on the Faun's right hand (which had lost its third and fourth fingers to Sennulf's teeth), then give Libertas back his crossbow and go to see how she could help the other surviving humans.

It was upon this tableau that the new Tiger came.

[~Lava~]

"Excuse me, sir. Before you finish binding those wounds, might I offer some of this medicinal ointment that an apothecary in Archenland gave me. He said it will help heal wounds completely. It will not immediately enable him to walk but it will help ease the pain and it will help him heal faster." The tiger nudged the cord at his neck with his paw to indicate what he was talking about and then stood very still and waited for a human to take off the vial.

[Copperfox]

Libertas had been told by Ninecatcher that other Limtal Tigers would be coming north to help rescue Children of Adam and Eve; so in his weariness--and correctly--he accepted the newcomer at face value. Removing the precious medical product from the white Tiger's neck, he loosened the bandages on Gripstone and began applying the salve-like substance as instructed.

Retaw, seeing that help had come, called out to their new friend, "Are there others with you, good beast?" But he did not drop his guard concerning Drainor, who still was not making his intentions known.

[~Lava~]

"Yes, there are two boys over in the underbrush over there. I will go fetch them out." Longtail went back to the place where he had last seen the two boys and found them there. "Come, boys, we have met up with some more of your kind." With that the boys came out of the brush and walked with the tiger back toward Libertas and the rest.

[Copperfox]

Ninecatcher, in better condition than her husband to respond, said, "Greetings to you, Sons of Adam. I pray that you fare better than did many of those whom Gripstone and I tried to protect." Then she addressed Longtail:

"I remember you now, Longtail. Thank you for coming to overtake us, and for the lifesaving gift you brought. Alas, we have lost many of our human friends in the course of repulsing an attack; yet without us Tigers and the other ones mounting the defense, ALL the humans with us would have died.

"I am bursting with questions. What sign have you found of the enemy force we defeated? Have you observed other, separate groups of evildoers? Have you met the Winged Horse who evacuated four human children out of reach of the Wolves? Do you know anything of a Centaur named Marius and an Archenlandish warrior named Bryan? And are there more of our Limtal folk on their way?"

[~Lava~]

"Ninecatcher, I have neither seen nor heard from a winged horse nor from the Centaur in question. As I was coming up, I smelled a very rancid smell and the way I found you was following the tracks of the wolves that you say attacked you. But I have seen no other evil forces, I will say that one of the wolves did not follow the group but ran off toward the northeast instead. I know for a fact that at least three other tigers have come this way. My two companions are what is left of a whole human village."

[Copperfox]

Aeddan, the village headman who had lost most of his village, was strong enough to speak. "That escaped Wolf is doubtless bent on bringing reinforcements. He was badly wounded by our warrior Libertas; but he has friends whom we never saw, friends who did us more harm with foul magic than the Wolves and their friends were able to do with fangs. All but one of the deaths on our side were indirectly caused by the weakening spell the unseen ones cast. Whatever the sorcerous beings are, they doubtless will help that wicked Wolf to survive and carry his report."

Goewyn, meanwhile, had come near. Looking at the two boys who had come with Longtail, she said, "I know you lads! You come from the village with the pear trees, northwest from our own village! Back before the seasons were disrupted, my daughter joined in the last fruit-picking from your orchards. It saddens me to hear that your village is even more destroyed than ours!"

[Ephinie]

Hey, let's not continue until we know the results of the duel, since the results will affect everything that happens afterwards.

[Inkling]

Hey, let's not continue until we know the results of the duel, since the results will affect everything that happens afterwards.

EXACTLY what I was going to say, Ephinie. The judges have been selected, and they'll render their opinion shortly. Thanks for your patience. :)

[Copperfox]

Well, I _was_ waiting for days, and then I saw that someone else had resumed posting.

[Josh]

ooc: JUST PICK SOMEONE TO WIN THE DUEL!!!!!!!! ITS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2 MONTHS AND I AM SICK OF IT!!!! lol, okay I'm overacting

IC:

Snowman sighed. This wasnt looking good for either side. He had yet to decide which side he will stay loyal too. "There are too many tough choices in life." he thought.

[Copperfox]

Everything on this thread from Post 188 to here is nullified. Somebody decide what HAS happened, and who's where now.

[Admiral Halsey]

I offically nominate myself 'Somebody' and so thusly post the following -


The Aftermath of the Battle -

If anyone were to stumble upon the site so recently occupied by the forces of the White Witch, and so they might, for the brave forces of good were allready closing upon the region, they might find a most disturbing scene.

The ground was thick with blood and corpses, perhaps a dozen wolves lay dead about the field, some killed from battlefield wounds, others with their throats ripped out once injuries have brought them low. At the center of the open space, lay the corpse of a great wearwolf, it's blood staining the ground around it, very dead. But it was not only the bodies of the wicked ones that littered the area. For those that knew him, an armed man was slumped over a little way away from the central bloodied battleground, a man formerly known Kelbosk, but now he had no name, for he had died a hero's death and would now rest peacefully forever more. Further still away a cluster of frosted men and women lie, huddled together in a futile attempt to stave off the cold that had claimed their lives too.

But not all was as quiet as it might appear. In the distance, little more than a dark shadowy outline upon the top of a giant tree, a subtle winged creature watched over the aftermath, eyes saddened by one who had seen to much. His name was Retaw, and beside him in the branches, concealed from casual eyes were two others. One was a human female, an old Lady, called Goewyn, and beside her was the Faun, Laertes, hooves keeping him somewhat unsteadily balenced in the branches. Only they knew the terrible fate that had befallen the villages who had remained through the battle and not died of the cold, and only they knew what had become of Gripstone, allthough a clue existed within the heavy sled tracks that lead away from the area, the snow around the fading tracks marred with many footprints, the signs of Jadis' renforcements that had arrived and overwealmed the brave tiger as he gave his freedom in exchange for his mate and the survival of but a few other brave souls. It was difficult to know if he was alive or dead, such grevious wounds had marred his form as Sennulf dragged him away as that even if he had been alive, he might not be for long. With him had gone the surviving village refugees, with the exception of the children, who's innocent lives had been saved long before the titanic battle had come to it's unfortunate conclusion.

One last figure lurked in the evening darkness, Ninecatcher. Wounded beyond her ability to fight, within her heart lurked a dangerous and rightous anger. Taken from her had been the people she saw to protect, and the one she held dearer to her heart than any other beyond Aslan himself. She had remained hidden from Jadis forces, her husband had seen clear to that, and she was now waiting for others to find her. In the confusion of the escape, Retaw had lost sight of her, and part of his moonlight watch from the tree was to search for signs of the female tiger, who he knew had not been carried away like the other.

The battle itself had transpired not 3 hours previously, the evacutation of the captured by the Incubi, Sennulf, and the renenforcements had finished not an hour ago. To many for the crippled tiger and the Gypon to face alone, it was not insurmountable odds if more warriors rallied to their cause, and a lead of an hour, burdened as the evil forces were by the sled, prisoners, and tiger, was not very much of a heartstart at all.

Rescue was still possible... If anyone had the heart and strength to take the risk.

[Copperfox]

OOC: Is the second Werewolf (the first having died by an arrow) alive? Is the Leopard alive? Where is Drainor? Does Goewyn still have Libertas' crossbow? Simetra, as a victor enjoying the spoils, will you answer these questions?


Libertas, the Archenlandish warrior, had been kept intact once he was disarmed, in order to drag a litter on which the incapacitated village headman Aeddan rode. But he was as oppressed as if by bodily wounds: oppressed by the despondency of being defeated NOT merely by numbers. An unseen evil power, apparently somehow originating with Jadis, had been unnaturally helping the enemy, always and only the enemy, all along.

Sennulf, whose name Libertas now knew and who was clearly in charge, was enough illustration of this advantage the evildoers enjoyed. When Sennulf's face had been set on fire beside the sledge, it had already been remarkable enough that he found the presence of mind to use his own flaming head and neck to ignite the sledge. But that had been the _least_ of it. The act of setting fire to the snow-moistened wooden sledge from the small fire-source which Sennulf represented had required the Wolf leader to stay pressed against the sledge, doing nothing else, for not less than five seconds. A hundred-year-old man with a knife should have been able _easily_ to finish Sennulf on the spot in that vulnerable window of time. Yet Libertas, right on top of Sennulf and aiming a sword-thrust directly at the Wolf's vitals, had not been able to _make_ his sword hit its defenseless target. And later, when he had gotten his chance to kick Sennulf's wounded shoulder, Sennulf had not even been slowed down by this, and so had been able to knock Libertas off balance before the kicking foot could be set on the ground again.

Apart from the toll taken by Gripstone, almost _everything_ had gone incredibly, profoundly in favor of the White Witch's forces.

The young man could not even bring himself to pray for the moment, for his mind was filled with the thought: So, _this_ is the way Aslan rewards those who are faithful to Him? Abandoning them to their foes, to HIS foes, without caring at all? If this thought was not really originating in his own mind, Libertas had not yet realized it.

{ Filling in as Libertas with the approval of ChristianRocker505 }

[~Lava~]

OOC: Enter Longtail and his two young men (I still make this stipulation: I think that I will make the stipulation that Longtail carries on a cord around his neck some sort of medication to be used in healing wounds.) I am re-doing my entry scene to reflect the new developments.

IC: Suddenly, Longtail pulls himself to a halt. He is getting close to the end of the wolves trail. He smells blood and tiger and human and there is a fowl stench of something he cannot recognize(ooc:he smells where the incubi have been, they are not there when he shows up). There is also a gryphon. He thinks that he may have stumbled onto a battlesite. He gets closer, telling the boys to have arrows ready to fire lest they have come upon hostile victors. Creeping through the undergrowth, Longtail recognizes the smell of the two tigers as ones that he is familiar with, though he is not sure who. For a moment he loses his caution and runs out onto the hill. The two boys did pull out their bows when the tiger told them to, however they stayed in the underbrush when the tiger rushed onto the hill.Longtail searches around, trying to find the other two tigers but finds only heavy sled tracks. He also finds the dead humans and is deeply grieved by their sight. He smells around until he finds Ninecatcher. "Ma'am, I am deeply grieved at finding you in this state. Is there any way I can help?"

[Copperfox]

"Look over my wounds quickly, good kinsbeast," said Ninecatcher, for she recognized Longtail by scent and voice. "If in your best judgment I cannot recover, then waste no more time on me. Go in pursuit of the Wolves and other evildoers who have taken away my husband and the survivors of the Humans we were trying to shepherd away to freedom. Then if my husband lives, tell him that I die loving him, and will await him behind the sunrise in Aslan's Country."

The sound of voices finally alerted Retaw to Ninecatcher's whereabouts, and suggested to the Gryphon's keen ears that the newcomer was someone friendly to his Tigress friend. Getting Laertes and Goewyn perched on his back again, he descended toward the voices. "Ninecatcher! It is I! Who is with you, another Limtal Tiger?"


NOTE THAT LIBERTAS CAN BE CONSIDERED POSED OUT TO GREAT WOODS.

[~Lava~]

"Yes, fair Gryphon. I am another Litmal Tiger. My name is Longtail." then addressing Goewyn, "Quick woman, take the salve from around my neck. It may yet save her. I don't think, Miss Ninecatcher, that you are yet to go to Aslan's Country. Your wounds, though serious, do not appear to be fatal at this time. This salve that the Daughter of Eve is using on you is not going to immediately cure you as some of the Archenlanders can do with magic and potions. But you will heal, and I think it will be a full healing."

[Copperfox]

Goewyn wasted no time on words, but began applying the healing salve. Laertes did the thanking, after which Retaw spoke again:

"This places me in a bind of differing obligations. Ninecatcher has become a most precious friend to me, and since she is too heavy for me to carry any great distance by air, I ought to stay by her and protect her while she recovers. The Wolves which we and Gripstone slew will give us a meal or two before scavenging beasts and birds pick their bones. But Goewyn and Laertes cannot easily survive in this wilderness; and Goewyn is mother to two of the children who were carried to safety by the winged horse. My frailer friends ought thus to be evacuated if possible. Meanwhile, most of our surviving friends are being taken toward the White Witch, may Aslan smite her.

"Do you have any suggestions, Longtail?"

[~Lava~]

"Gryphon, perhaps, we can build a litter that I may bring her and you to a safer spot. There are two strong young men in yonder brush that may help with it."

[Copperfox]

Retaw himself needed no transportation, but he was deeply grateful for all help given to his friends. With Longtail and the human youths at work to move Ninecatcher, Laertes and Goewyn, the Gryphon took to the air, in order to look around from a high altitude and see if he could find some sign of Libertas, Aeddan and Gripstone (in addition to checking for any new danger to his own party, since wild beasts might come to scavenge the dead).


* * Retaw thus transits to Great Woods, at least for awhile.

[~Lava~]

Longtail and his two young friends worked hard on the litter in which to carry Ninecatcher and at least Goewyn. Thankfully, there were a lot of downed branches near by and also some cords to bind them together. They also found the harness that had been used earlier half buried in the snow near some of the dead humans. It took a while, but, in time, it was sufficient enough to carry the tiger and the woman.

[Copperfox]

Laertes the Faun said a prayer over the dead villagers. "Almighty Emperor-Over-Sea, forgive us for not having time to pay greater courtesy to the bodies of these, Your human children; but we trust that they already live again in Your Kingdom. In Aslan's name, give us the strength and the means to help those yet living in this world. All to Your glory."

Then he looked at Longtail. "Did the Gryphon say how soon he would return?"

[Mozart the Meerkitten]

Midnight and Flower made their way from the wood into more open land.

Flower stayed low in the undergrowth, she didn't want to be spotted by unfriendly eyes.

"Where'd you think Retaw's friends are, Mid?" asked Flower, trying to keep her voice from sounding as near terrified as she felt... Flower had never been out of the woodland home she grew up in, and was very frightened to be somewhere unkown.

"Not sure Flower, lets look around."
"As long as we don't split up..." mumbled Flower.

The two walked on.

[Copperfox]

~ ~ They should have no problem at all. Retaw said simply to go the reverse direction along the Wolf troop's trail, a trail that should be obvious due to the human prisoners.

[~Lava~]

"Nay, I did not hear him give a time. Can you help me get Ninecatcher on this litter?"

OOC: Mozart is Ster still with you?

[Copperfox]

"Here, I can do that much," the Tigress grunted, and used her less-injured forelegs to drag herself onto the litter. Meanwhile, the Faun noticed that being cold wasn't all bad; the blood had frozen in the wound on his hand, which would promote healing.

[Mozart the Meerkitten]

OOC: Mozart is Ster still with you?

OOC: I don't know for sure, but unless he followed Mid and Flower, no.

And I meant the kittens don't know the exact location of the tigers and anyone else with them.

IC: Flower sniffed the air carfully.

"Somebody 's about Mid." she said, "Nearby too."
"Let's hope there friendly then, eh Flower?" said Midnight softly.

Creeping forward the two stopped near where the party who had escaped the wolves were. Sitting upwards so their heads show above a bush, the two watch the procedings carfully.

[Copperfox]

Laertes was audibly saying to Longtail: "I wish the other resistance fighters were here; we might be able to muster a big enough party to kill the surviving servants of Jadis, and still get the remaining villagers to safety after all."


~ ~ Mozart, you did see my VM about passage of time, didn't you?

[Mozart the Meerkitten]

~ ~ Mozart, you did see my VM about passage of time, didn't you?



OOC: yeah I saw it, why?

[Copperfox]

~ ~ The reason I wrote that OOC was, without trying to tell you what to do, to encourage some kind of speeding up in good guys meeting each other, so that the bad guys don't have the advantage of getting two or three days' worth of action done, then coming back at us when we've only done one day's worth of action. Because Simetra HAS moved the bad guys forward in time.


(I don't mean to say that anyone will intentionally cheat; but let's say that confusion of time could be overlooked, with results detrimental to us.)

[~Lava~]

OOC: Since we seemed to have changed days I will move us up to the next morning.

IC: Longtail did not bring little party far that day, they only moved out of the open. To Ninecatcher, he said: "Miss Ninecatcher, that salve should be working soon. The man who gave it to me said that it would probably start to work in a couple of hours with full healing in two-three days time. Tomorrow you may be able to at least walk." To the others, "We need to build a small fire for the night. I would suggest you little ones sleeping between us tigers. I will lay awake and keep watch."

The Night passed and when they awakened, Longtail smelled some small creatures near them. Leaving as dawn was still rising, Longtail went hunting. It did not take him very long to over take a non-talking stag which he brought down as quick as he could. He then dragged it back to the camp.

[Mozart the Meerkitten]

Midnight and Flower followed the tiger on his hunt. Just before he had gotten back to the camp Midnight stopped the creature. Popping out in front of Longtail he spoke,

"I've come from other parts of Narnia following a wolf trail back here, I will not tell you more until I know for sure if you are a friend, but I was told by a creature loyal to Aslan that I may find friends down here." Midnight mentioned no names and had told Flower to stay hidden, for he didn't want to endanger his friends.

[~Lava~]

"If you are loyal to Aslan, you are welcome. Come share this meal with us. If not then, you will find no friend in me and I defy you."

[Copperfox]

* * Since Mozart and Lava have not covered a huge amount of probable time, the following should be able to happen before Sennulf's party is actually inside Jadis' castle....


Out of the sky came Retaw, carrying Libertas. The young man was not alarmed at the sight of a new tiger and a smaller cat, as the Gryphon had told him about these enroute.

As soon as Libertas' feet were on the ground, he said, "Is Ninecatcher safe? And where are my weapons?"

[Mozart the Meerkitten]

"How many are left in Narnia that we haven't seen or made friends with I greatly wonder and think it must be few." mumbled Flower.
Midnight rolled his eyes at his hidden sister and said, "For those of you who we haven't met, we are servants of Aslan and were directed to this place by Retaw here. I'm Midnight and my sister..."
Flower stepped out, "And his sister Flower."
Midnight sighed and asked "Are there more of you nearby?"

[Copperfox]

Goewyn was able to give Libertas his crossbow back, along with nine retrieved bolts. The young man's sword was missing; so he decided for the time being to salvage the dropped axe of Kelbosk. Perhaps in a trained warrior's hands, this axe would yet claim some vengeance for its former owner's death.

[~Lava~]

"For the two new cats and the new Son of Adam, I am Longtail. I have two young friends with me, Dar and Mathan who are Sons of Adam. The rest can introduce themselves."

[Copperfox]

"Flower...Midnight..." groaned Ninecatcher, "I am Ninecatcher, a Tigress of the Limtal colony. I may be a widow now...I simply don't know. My husband took on himself the main force of the attack made on us, and he himself slew no fewer than six Wolves, and possibly a Leopard...before numbers pulled him down...Even if this healing salve completes restoring me by tomorrow morning, and even if Gripstone my mate still is alive...I don't know that I will be able to save him. We need more help!"

[Mozart the Meerkitten]

"We could get help!" cried Flower, "Back in the forest my brother Midnight and I grew up in, there's a good number who are loyal to Aslan that were headed to Archenland. They probably are still in the wood, since Mid and I traveled all night to get here. We could probably get them to help or something." she said, for once the little cat was trying to be more than a trouble-maker and actually help.

"And they are part of the resitance anyway." added Midnight, who was a bit suprised at his sister's suggestion.

[Copperfox]

Ninecatcher looked at Flower. "Was there a Centaur named Marius among the ones you met? Or an Archenlandish human warrior named Bryan? Retaw and I were with them for awhile."

Listening to this exchange, Retaw's mind was churning. He could hurry back after Sennulf's troop and harass them further, trying to slow their progress; or he could fly in search of the potential helpers; but he could not do both at once. If only we had even ONE more flying creature with us, he thought; that Winged Horse who evacuated the children, for instance....

[Mozart the Meerkitten]

This time Midnight answered,
"Flower wasn't there so she wouldn't know, but yes there were those two." he said.
"We ought to be able to find them at least," said Flower, "There's enough I'm suprised them wolves who were going though the woods didn't notice the tracks."

'Well we hope they didn't.' thought Midnight.

[Copperfox]

Libertas, aware of Retaw's quandary, asked the small cats, "Do you have ANY friends who can fly? Even small Talking Birds? If someone else could fly as messenger to lead Marius and the others to the scene, then Retaw and I could get back after those accursed Jadis wolves and delay them."

[Mozart the Meerkitten]

Flower bristled slightly.

"We could just go on our own, Mid and me. We're fast when we want to be."

Midnight sighed.

"You'll have to excuse my sister who can get a bit touchy on some things. We don't really have any flying friends though..."
"And we are perfectly capable of going ourselves." stated Flower firmly.

Midnight shook his head and racked his brain for anything that could be of a solution.
'If we could fly everyone would be happy.' he thought.

[Copperfox]

"We can only use the abilities and resources Aslan grants to us," Ninecatcher said. "Flower and Midnight, please do go as fast as you can and find our allies. Tell them about my husband and the villagers being taken toward Jadis, including how long [assume this is known] they have been enroute. Perhaps it is not too late to counterattack the Wolves before they are safe in the Witch's castle.

"Longtail, if the young men with you have woodland skill, perhaps they could remain here to help Goewyn, Laertes and me survive while my strength is returning. You, Longtail, could then set out at your best speed to follow our enemies. Libertas could possibly ride on Retaw's back to shoot at them from the air. Whatever the three of you judge to be best."

"I am hurting some from this arrow-graze," remarked the Gryphon. "I was able to carry Libertas here, but I don't think I should press my luck flying a long distance heavily encumbered. I suggest that Libertas rides on Longtail's back in pursuit, while I fly that much faster to get after Sennulf's troop. Stones to drop on them, I can find close at hand."

[Mozart the Meerkitten]

Flower and Midnight do not hesitate, within moments the two are gone, running to the woods as fast as they can.

OOC: Probably my next post will be in the Great woods thread. So the kittens have left for now.

[Copperfox]

Laertes was unable to write because of his mutilated right hand; but finding a piece of fabric that could be written upon, he directed Libertas in using blood from the beast Longtail had killed as ink, with a stick as a pen, to write:

"Don't bother threatening to kill the captives. We know you already plan to kill them anyway, so they have nothing to lose. But YOU will pay for what you have done."

Libertas, understanding the intent, used a length of tunic lacing to tie this note, writing-side inward, onto a piece of wood. "Here, good Gryphon, you can drop this love letter to Sennulf; the stick is small enough that you may be able to drop it WITH a rock you send at them."

[~Lava~]

"With good will, ma'am. But, stay, Gryphon, let us put some of this salve on your wounds too; quickly." After this was done, Longtail, lay down so that the Son of Adam could get on his back more easily.

[Copperfox]

Thanking Longtail for remembering to offer the salve, and knowing that the Tiger and the Archenlandish warrior would have no difficulty following the enemy's tracks, Retaw took to the air once more, carrying the note which he planned to drop when he attacked Sennulf's troop.

[~Lava~]

Longtail, with Liberatas safely on his back, took off toward the woods following the trail of the sledge.

[Copperfox]

Ninecatcher looked at the human youths Dar and Mathan. "Let me tell you brave boys more of what is going on. Although Jadis, may her name be blotted out, is being allowed to rule for a time, Aslan has not forgotten us.

"Many generations ago, the original Talking Tigers migrated out of Narnia, to form a colony in the south together with Talking Koalas whom they befriended. Most Talking Tigers have remained there ever since; but now Aslan has commanded us to involve ourselves in the affairs of the old homeland once more. My husband Gripstone and I, followed by Longtail whom you know, are the first of the Tigers to answer Aslan's call. Our purpose is not to try to overthrow Jadis, for Aslan decrees that she is to survive until He Himself slays her in the future; but we seek to transport Narnian humans OUT of Narnia, to places beyond the reach of the White Witch's magic. Thus, when Cair Paravel is one day reclaimed by Children of Adam and Eve, the offspring of the escapees can restore a human population in Narnia.

"Gripstone and Libertas and I, eventually joined by Retaw the Gryphon, were trying to shepherd the survivors of the next village from yours to the seacoast, where we would have bypassed the mountains and reached Archenland. But alas, our charges could move only very slowly; an evil enchantment made them slower still; and a great mob of enemies was able to corner us in this place, which as you can see is not the most ideal of defensive positions. You can also see that we still took a toll of our enemies; but my husband, and the remaining humans, were carried away."

[Josh]

ooc: I apparently missed a lot as I've been gone for weeks. WHats happening?

[Copperfox]

JOSH: Simetra and I both figured your character must be in Sennulf's custody. Both Werewolves who were with Sennulf are dead--one slain by an arrow from Libertas, the other mauled by the Gryphon. The prisoner convoy of which you are now a part is in "Great Woods," and has been on the move for more than twenty-four hours. Medical help has come for Tigress Ninecatcher (who is NOT in Sennulf's clutches), and fresh good guys are seeking to converge on Sennulf's troop before it can return to Jadis' castle. Retaw the Gryphon is trying to slow the Wolves down with harassing actions. If you need more detail than this--


READ THE POSTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[~Lava~]

Longtail trudged forward out into the plains.

[Copperfox]

The magical salve had by now restored to Ninecatcher the ability to walk, though not yet to run and leap. Laertes, Dar and Mathan had wanted to bury the bodies of the dead villagers; but Ninecatcher had reluctantly advised against it. She had explained that the curse of winter was interfering with the ability of animals to obtain food--which would make starving non-intelligent carnivores more of a threat than ever to all vulnerable intelligent beings. Thus, if the dead were left exposed, the eating of their corpses might for a while distract some wild beasts from hunting Narnia's people. And indeed, the small party had already beheld non-intelligent dogs, foxes, weasels, crows and so on tearing at the corpses. (For her own part, Ninecatcher had eaten her share of cold wolf-meat.)

"Our departed friends are living in new, immortal bodies in Aslan's Country," the Tigress assured her companions. "The old bodies which they no longer need are performing a last service to Narnia. For the same reason, if I die here, my body should be left to scavengers."

[~Lava~]

It was not long before Longtail could move with the sledge much more easily. The snow had been thin in the woods, out on the plains it was nice and thick. Snow this deep was rather novel to him because Limtal was so far south and this was a very unnatural winter. Had he not been burdened by the sleigh and his mission, he may have chosen to play in it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dar and Mathan, who were not burdened by a sleigh, were playing in the snow a little. They had been able to get a couple of rabbits and had used the skins to make some sort of mitten. Though they knew that they were not out of danger, they felt much safer in their new company. They were still young and they had to find something to do while they were waiting to move.

[Copperfox]

"Dar, Mathan, come back now!" called Ninecatcher. "I smell the scent of two Tigers, and one is my husband, ALIVE!"

[~Lava~]

Dar and Mathan stopped playing and came back to Ninecatcher's side.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~

Meanwhile, Longtail knew that he was getting nearer to Ninecatcher and the two boys. "Gripstone, I think we are getting close. Mayhaps, your wife already knows that we are on our way."

[Copperfox]

Ninecatcher, since she was not yet up to serious climbing, asked the youths, "Have you found any place that a human can climb, which would give you a high enough lookout point to spot Gripstone and Longtail returning? There are other scents coming with theirs, and it would be well to know for sure that I am only smelling their companions--not pursuers."

[~Lava~]

"We can try that tree over there, it is not too bad of a climb."

[Copperfox]

While Dar and Mathan were attempting reconnaissance, Ninecatcher could hear the nearby Laertes addressing Aslan:

"Lord Aslan, You want us to have faith in You; will You pardon my mentioning that You haven't made it easy for us to do what You demand? You allowed us to think we were all on our way to safety--and then You allowed those Wolves and Werewolves to overtake us, which we now know from Retaw led finally to almost all the humans with us being murdered! On top of that, all our efforts to practice grace and mercy to that creature we called Snowman came to nothing.

"If what approaches us now is MORE enemies, the Tigers being present only as their helpless captives, I don't see how I'll be able to avoid concluding that You don't care piffle about Your own people. This is not something I wish to believe; but the fact is, You haven't DONE much to make me feel any other way."

Ninecatcher sadly gave the wounded Faun a gentle nuzzle, not condemning him for his doubts. "Try not to give up hope yet, little friend. Our human friends who died ARE in Aslan's Country, where all their suffering is wiped away forever; and I believe that what comes to us now is only good."

[~Lava~]

Dar helped the fleeter Mathan into the tree, then Mathan climbed as high as he safely could climb. Mathan called down from the tree, "I see Longtail hauling a rough sledge with another tiger lying on it. With them is a faun, the man, Libertas, and about six foxes. Since Longtail looks almost happy, I don't think that they are captives."

[Copperfox]

Ninecatcher immediately uttered a hailing roar--which, to non-Tigers, would not seem to convey any precise communication; but she knew that Gripstone, and almost certainly Longtail as well, would recognize it as her own roar, just as clearly as they would have distinguished her speech-voice.