Bounty Hunt!

So this is my first log since getting my account here :D Dylan and I decided to do this as a fun little thing. Basically it was a story that we decided to do that wouldn't affect the muck story-line at all, meaning it was really more of a 'what if' adventure. With that being said, read and enjoy! :)

The Black Gull Tavern is usually a gathering ground for beasts of every type, though today, many vermin are gathered around one weasel who seems to be holding a piece of parchment to the wall along with a mallet, pushing a nail into the wall to hang up the parchment. When he steps away, the vermin beginning chatting among themselves at the contents. On the page is a sketch of a rather evil looking black furred fox, along with the words, 'Wanted Dead.' written in big lettering.

Rioko is leaning back against her chair, feet propped up on the table, one arm slung over the side of the chair, the other paw resting on her horribly distended tummy. The grey fox is snoring loudly until some idiot starts pounding a hammer. She looks up groggily and growls, "What is with all this racket!"

An otter sitting at the bar, drinking a mug of ale, looks over at the parchment for a moment before replying, "There's a fox wanted fer..." He stops for a moment, reading the list of crimes. "...a lot of things it seems." He finishes slowly.

Rioko picks herself up from the table and stretches. Grabbing her halberd and resting it on her shoulder the fox strides across the bar not caring about the beasts ducking out of the way to avoid being slashed by her careless weapon. She pauses and stares at the parchment. Giving a low whistle she states, "That IS a lot of crimes."

Rorgan finally stands, having finished his ale. "Aye...an' I bet that'll fetch a good bit of money won't it?" He asks slowly, his paw sitting on the hilt of one of his daggers. An idea is slowly forming in his mind, and there's a possibility that he could get this to work, though he would need to really convince the vermin that he's worth listening to.

The fox just shakes her head glad her face isn't up on there, "Crazy foxes these days. Sounds like a lot of work..." She does admit the bounty sounds lucrative though. That would by her plenty of meals at the local tavern…

Rorgan hesitates for a few moments, feeding the idea in his head. Finally, he steps up onto a table, stamping his paw on it to gain the attention of the vermin. He had no guarantee that this would work, but at least he had a chance for this to work.

About to leave the tavern the vixen stops to turn her head lazily to see the otter standing on the table. Now that he has the fox's and every other beasts attention she waits to see what will happen.

Rorgan takes a deep breath, almost unable to believe what he is doing. Of course, he had been in enough fights here that some of the regular patrons knew him and some of his abilities. "By now, I'm sure you all have seen the wanted poster fer the fox called Radion, an' that reward is quite the hefty amount." His logic is that playing on the reward will hopefully persuade most vermin that hear him. "So I'm startin' a party t' go hunt this fox, an' we'll split the reward. There's enough t' make a few members of a group very wealthy fer a very long time."

A posse? Rioko must admit that would be ironic, a member of the juska forming a posse to hunt down a wanted fellow vulpine. She shrugs, "Why not? My coffers are all but empty. I'm in."

Rorgan nods to Rioko, then turns his attention to the rest of the vermin. "How about the rest of you?" He asks expectantly, though no answer comes from the crowd of vermin. This doesn't seem to put Rorgan off, and he instead shrugs, jumping off the table. "More fer us it seems," He says casually, walking over to Rioko as the vermin begin to start talking among themselves again. They may not have wanted to join Rorgan's squad, but the suggestion gave a few other vermin the idea, and already, deals were being made and teams formed.

Rioko sighs, "Great, now we have competition." Shaking her head the vixen adds, "So otter, I hope you have an idea on where to find my fellow fox, I will be very /disappointed/ if you don't." She plants the halberd on the floor waiting for her new fearless leader to reply

Rorgan crosses his arms, his mind working quickly to think of an answer. "Aye, I think I've got somethin' of an idea, but it'll involve us both riskin' our lives. I think it'll work quite well though, if I know foxes like him as well as I think I do."

Rioko tilts her head to the side, she doesn't raise the question of how the otter knows how foxes think and instead asks, "And pray tell what is this master plan of yours?" She pauses, "And what do you mean risking our lives?"

Rorgan grins, though the grin is more of a morbid one than anything. "We're goin' t' pose as travelers. Travelers who are absolutely defenseless and have no way of fighting back against a fox who might, say, want t' rob them?"

Rioko stares at the otter blankly for a long moment. She turns on her heal, "Yep, you're nuts." The vixen stops at the door remembering what she said about coins and coffers, "Ah what the hey, why not. I'm up for a little adventure."

Rorgan chuckles, walking straight past the fox. "Alright then, mayhaps we should be headin' out then afore the rest of the vermin in here get coordinated." With that, he continues straight out the door, eager to get started before the rest.

Rioko sighs and follows the otter. The things she will do for food and ale…

About an hour later, the two bounty hunters are walking along the main road, heading north towards the bridge. The days had been getting warmer, and a cool breeze is blowing, making for quite the nice day. Rorgan is dressed in a dark green cloak, his armor and weapons hidden underneath the fabric. As they walk, there is a nagging feeling for both beasts that somebeast is watching them.

Rioko not having much time to grab much else The fox is wearing a cloth jacket. The long sleeved garment is black and fits a little snuggly since the fox has started to flesh outward. A sliver of yellow fur can be seen down the middle where the vestment laces up. She still wears her regular gear underneath it.

As the two walk on, several shapes seems to flit along the shadows in the woods, though they are too fast to actually be sure if they were real. After several minutes of this, a figure seems to make his way out of the woods, though too far down the road to make out what species it is, though it is very obviously a black creature of some kind.

Rioko nudges her traveling companion in the side, "I hope you know what you are doing otter...remember i am unarmed here." Indeed it is hard to hide a halberd under a jacket and so the fox is traveling without it. To the black creature thing she calls out, "Evening mr. creepy..black furred...thing. We are but two humble travelers out on our way to yonder village!" The vixen might as well play the part, no matter how bad a part she plays.

Rorgan nods slowly, watching the fox with keen eyes. "I know wot I'm doin' fox. I've done things like this afore." The figure turns at the foxes voice, and quickly begins to walk towards the two. As he approaches closer and closer, it is soon very apparent that this creature is a fox...a fox with a very evil grin and two blue eyes burning with malice. Rorgan gives a small laugh. "Here we go mate," He says softly before calling out, "Nice day isn't it sir?" In an innocent tone.

Forcing herself to smile, the vixen presses onward. "Just know that if I die I will eat you." She waves to the fellow vulpine, "Hows it going! Nice day for a bit of a walk eh?"

The black fox grins maliciously as he nears them, slowing down as he does. "Aye, I suppose it's a nice day for a walk, though there are always more...productive things to do." With that said, he motions with a paw towards the woods, and five vermin step out of the trees, all wearing green and black clothing to blend in and all of them holding bows. "Perhaps you can also be so kind as to give me any valuables you've got with you for the moment."

Rioko practically hisses to the otter next to her, "The wanted poster said nothing of him having a gang!" She whispers into his ear then turn remembers that she has to act the part of a frightened traveler which, in all fairness, she is, "You wouldn't really rob a fellow fox now would you sir?" She eyes the other beasties wearily.

Radion shrugs, looking quite smug. "I would if you have something I want. You, otter, give me any valuables you have." Rorgan chuckles softly, but he makes no move to to what the fox says. "Mayhaps you should come take them from me," He says smugly, trying to get the fox closer to him.

The fox contemplates her chances of survival. Six to one, three for each of them. She can't tell for certain how much of a fight the cannon fodder will give but she has a feeling the fox will be the most trouble. The vixen always thought she would die belly up with too much ale or pie. Oh well, at least she can claim she went out with her boots on. "I'll take the beasts on the left if you take the ones on the right...." she whispers.

Rorgan continues to look straight at Radion as the fox comes closer. "Just stay where you are..." He whispers. As the fox gets within arm's length, Rorgan's arms suddenly move within his cloak, and in the blink of an eye, Rorgan suddenly has an arm around Radion's neck, a dagger prodding his side.

Rioko for her part howls at the other beasts, "Back! Back or you leader gets a belly full of knife." The vixen takes a fighting stance. Even unarmed she still has claws, and teeth, and a whole lot of guile to toss around.

Radion snarls in rage, though he's unable to do much with a dagger prodding his side. "Hold your fire!" Shouts the fox, cursing under his breath. Rorgan chuckles as the archers slowly lower their bows. "Aye, now you've got quite the bounty on yer head Radion..." He tightens his grip around the fox's neck, and Radion growls, his paws vainly gripping Rorgan's arm.

Rioko gulps as the archers lower their bows. She would try to knock the fox out but even if she did then they would have to drag him to safety. Instead she goes around and goes to take the vulpine's weapons. Better than being unarmed right?

Radion attempts to struggle against the superior strength of the otter as his twin daggers are taken, though his bow is pressed against Rorgan's chest. "Now you're goin' t' come with us fox, an' you'll be gettin' us a lot of money,” says Rorgan.

The vixen stuffs one dagger into her belt then examines the other, she never was a 'duel wield' kind of fighter. "Nice set of knives. I might keep one for myself." Rioko keeps her sights then on the archers. "Ok otter, time to start heading out. I strongly suggest you tell your men to stay put if you want to survive until trial.:

Assuming there would be a trial. Rorgan nods, slowly dragging the fox backwards with him. "Aye, we'll be puttin' you on 'trial' fer everythin' you've done." Radion makes a cutting motion with his paw, and the archers fade away into the forest silently, leaving no trace that they were ever there. Rorgan sighs in relief. "Alright, now lets go back t' get our bounty.

Rioko snickers, "Heh, easiest bounty I ever collected." She pokes the fox in the shoulder, "Your wanted poster was scarier than in person ye big lug."

Radion simply growls lowly, remaining silent as the otter drags him along. Rorgan chuckles, nodding in agreement. "Guess you ain't as scary as others think you are mate." Just as he says this, however, Radion's legs steady underneath him, and the fox's head slams back into Rorgan's, making the otter release his grip and stumble back, gripping his nose. "Get him!" He shouts to Rioko urgently.

Rioko yelps in surprise, spoke too soon she guesses and moves quickly to strike at the fox's arms. The key to knife fighting isn't so much scoring a fatal blow on your opponent but wearing them down over time.

Radion lets out a loud yelp as the dagger pierces his arm, and blood spurts from his arm, though his free paw comes to smash into Rioko's muzzle in an attempt to get the fox away from him. This certainly wasn't something he had been planning on when he had thought of his escape.

The fox makes a yipe as she spins around in the air and comes crashing face first on the ground. The vixen struggles to get back up.

Radion stares at the dagger stuck straight in his arm, and the blood running down its blade, and now Rorgan makes a small groan, recovering and advancing towards the fox. Radion's ear twitches as he hears the groan and he turns, a sneer appearing on his muzzle. Rorgan lets out a snarl, throwing a punch towards the fox, who sways to the side and counters with an uppercut which lands solidly on the otter's jaw, sending him a few steps backward, only to charge back at Radion again.

He won't be alone this time. Pulling out the dagger she still has Rioko's ears fall flat and she growls at the fox. She rushes forward trying to slash at his belly and leg.

Radion blocks the incoming punch from Rorgan, slamming a fist into his gut, though the blow is stopped some by the presence of the otter's armor. Turning his attention back to Rioko, his eyes widen in surprise as she rushes at Radion, slashing at his stomach and leg, both of which she scores hits on, but only minorly, causing cuts on both areas. Instead of trying to get away, he steps in, rearing his leg up to kick the other fox.

The vixen chuckles as she knocks the leg to the side then, with a flick of her wrist, sends the fox's own dagger towards his belly. She plans to gut him like a fish. "Your pelt will make a fine coat foxy!"

His kick being blocked catches Radion off balance, and so he has no way to block or evade the incoming dagger, which catches him directly in the stomach. For several moments, Radion just stands there, staring down at the dagger sticking out of his stomach before he slowly falls to his knees as the now recovered Rorgan comes up behind him, placing one paw on his chin and one on the back of his head. With a deft twist, the fox's neck snaps, and he falls sideways, dead.

Rioko retrieves the dagger from the fox's middle, "Well the bounty did say dead." She kicks at the fox with her paw. "Unfortunately now with him dead, his cronies have no reason to come at us..."

And that would be a very bad assumption on the fox's part. One that could end up being fatal in this case. A little further down from where the archers had first disappeared, the same five beasts reappear...backed by another ten archers behind those five. Rorgan quickly notices this, and his eyes widen. "Uh...mate..I think you might get yer chance..." He says slowly, watching as the archers quickly realize that the dead beast on the ground is their leader and begin to pull arrows out of their quivers.

Rioko twitches an ear at the sight of so many beasts drawing arrows at her. The vixen realizes that if she runs backward, she's dead, that if she runs forward, she's dead. Oh well it was nice knowing the otter while she did. She quickly leaps behind rorgan, trying to grab him by the throat and hold him there as a beasty shield.

Rorgan quickly twists even as the vixen leaps behind him, using an arm to thrust Rioko out in front of him just enough so that she could instead be a meat shield for him. Hey, just because he's a woodlander doesn't mean he has morals! Meanwhile, the archers, oblivious to whatever they're doing, draw back on their bows. This is followed by a loud shout, and suddenly 15 arrows are racing towards the two like so many delivery tickets straight to dark gates.

Rioko yelps as her ploy is worked against her. She whimpers and closes her eyes not wanting to see the arrows as they pierce her tummy, chest, arms and...what ever else they might have pierced as they missed them both completely. Barely, but completely. "Let go you idiot and run! run like the wind!"

Rorgan is honestly quite surprised that they hadn't both been killed, but it as likely because of the distance between the two would-be bounty hunters and the archers themselves. Turning tail, he sprints away, unbuttoning the cloak to let it fly off, though if Rioko had the same reflexes as Rorgan, she would likely face a small obstacle in the form of a dark green cloak flying at her face, driven by the breeze, which had picked up a bit.

The Vixen is so distracted by the flailing cloak that when it wraps around her head she yelps and continues to run headlong into a tree. The fox falls backwards onto her tail dazed and confused.

Rorgan continues to run straight off into the woods and out of sight while the group of archers reload and release another volley straight at the fallen vixen, taking the opportunity to try and finish at least one of the beasts who had killed their leader.

The fox throws the cloak off in time to meep and curl herself into a ball. Arrows thud to the ground around her. With a yelp she gets up to run and is cut short when she realizes one of the arrows has pinned her tail to the ground.

What a stroke of luck for the archers, who are being hard pressed to hit the vixen from that far away. Yet again they reload, and yet again another volley of arrows go shooting through the air towards the vixen.

The fox makes another terrified yelp as the arrows think into the ground and tree around her arms, limbs, and torso, effectively pinning her to the spot. "I...I surrender...yeah." The fox whimpers.

For a final time, the archers reload, slowly this time so as to let the fox suffer for as long as possible. Another loud shout rings out, and the arrows are on their way, a black cloud which quickly covers the vixen's vision before it finally goes black.