Quinten Log 90 - 06 04 2006

Salamandastron: Western Side

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

The wind blows by as you gaze up at the tall and mysterious mountain. There is a red glow at the top of it. To the north stretches more coast as well as to the south. You notice a small cave at the base of the mountain. Some beach stretches between the mountain and the waves of the sea.

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No doubt word has got about with the notice up in the recreation room with most of the first recruit runners that are looking a bit nervous at the moment. The gorup of hares are waiting outside of the mountain as they can hear Jarril's voice talk with another hare deep inside. "Aye, we set it all up in the dark. No chance of them knowing where the badges are then. I want them inside the mountain that night as well." Coming into view, Jarril smiles as he looks at the recruits. "Ah, so we have some fightah recruits this time around then. Welcome ta runnah training, this will be a learning experience for ya lot no doubt." The major gives off a very sly grin after saying that.

Flaxpaw grins admiringly at her hero,and nods, looking around at the runner recruits.

Quinten is stood to one side of the runner group shuffling and looking nervous, he's never had to do this before and he is quite sure he will be terrible at it. He salutes the major "Afternoon sir.." he says quietly and looks down, being the shortest there he is quite sure he'll not be able to keep up

Jarril nods. "As you all know, this is one of the final lot of training before ya big test and I assure ya that I have made all preperations on making sure that ya have ta work for ya private rank." Placing his paws behind his back. "Therefore we will see just how much ya have learnt so far." Pausing slightly. "First we do a warm up and because we have fightah's here for the first time, I will cut back on the number of laps. Five times around the mountain if ya please ta loosen up. I be running with ya." Nodding his head for the group to run around the mountain anti-clockwise, the major begins to slowly trot off.

Quinten perks up at that, laps around the mountain he can handle, he starts to follow at the back of the runners, though his cheerful disposition soon ends when he sees how fast they are going, he tries to speed up somewhat but is still not moving very fast.

Flaxpaw runs next to Quinten, and flashes a smile, "well, won't be all bad, will it? just hope this lot don't leave us fightah types too far behind. She tries to pace herself to Quint, not wanting to pass him as they seem to be speaking again.

Leading the way, Jarril is up front with the usual top of the class runners. Smiling to himself, the major having last night did a secret run to test his leg worked out fine, he's in a happy mood as he leads off his class around the mountain.

Quinten struggles over the sand and looks at Flaxpaw and nods "Well....if they...all run this fast...i'll wind up a lap behind" he stares at the last runner, at least two hundred yards ahead of him now.

Flaxpaw nods, getting winded herself. "us fightahs don't have a chance with them, but we stick together, eh?" she looks at him, then around to be sure no one's in earshot. "Quint, about mister Ender...I'm sorry, know you're mad."

Jarril keeps setting the pace as he's now reached the other side of the mountain, moving down slope once more. Mentally, the major is marking possible positions for ambushes for the recruits.

Quinten looks at Flaxpaw and shakes his head "Forget about it, lets not discuss Mister Ender, we've made out positions clear and lets leave it at that." he looks ahead and curses as he now can't see the recruits, his breathing is laboured and he starts to slow down "I..can't keep this pace up..." he moves back to a comfortable lope, still moving at some speed but no where near that of the runners

Flaxpaw slows to keep pace with Quinten. "sure, Quint. Um, Gabby told me she's going." she cvasts him a worried look. "you alright?" She looks down at the sand, considering exactly how bad this is going to look to the major when he knows she's faster, but determined to stay with Quint.

It isn't long before Jarril will be in a position to notice the ones that are behind. Coming past the entrance to the mountain, the group of runners continue to move on as the faint sound of their paws comes up from behind alongside the sound of waves from the sea.

Quinten is now behind the mountain, at the downslope stretch and he puts on a bit more speed as they are moving down hill now "Well Flax...i'm hoping ...to ask the major...if i qualify to go..." he looks at her "i think...it'd be good....for me....." his breathing is laboured and he's puffing again as he goes faster

Flaxpaw looks thoughtful, matching his pace. "good, hate to see the two of you seperated. she notices something as they run, and stops, leaning down, a small grin, to pick up a small round reddish rock, which she deposits in her pocket before starting back up again.

Getting ever closer, Jarril is sticking to his speed as the runners carry onwards with their second lap.

Quinten has made it back to the entrance and slowed down again to the easy pace "I...can't keep going that fast...go ahead Flax i'll be fine i am sure" he waves a paw "no need for both of us to get an earful"

Flaxpaw looks indecisive, shaking her head a little bit. "think we should stick together. wouldn't leave you behind on patrol." she shrugs. "Majah won't notice, I don't think, not if there's two of us."

And there is Jarril in sight now behind both Flaxpaw and Quinten. Smiling slightly, he puts on a bit of speed, edging away from the recruits and comes back to a slow trot. "I say, you're not quite used ta this are we?"

Quinten turns his head and sighs dropping his hhead low and keeping to his plodding pace, "no sah...this is about the best i can do, without getting out of breath....sorry sah" he looks at flax with a /i told you so/ look to his eyes before looking at the Majuuor again "not much of a runner am i"

Flaxpaw shrugs at Quint's look. Major's not shouting, is he? And turns her attention to said major, sataying quiet but waiting for anything he may say. unlike Quint, she's caught her breath now, and is enjoting the jog.

Jarril grins slightly as something pops into his head. "Ah well, can't have that. Come on, chop chop. Let's get these laps done shall we." He looks back and then see's the other runners go past them. "Don't make me run behind with my sword out, wot."

Quinten puts on an extra turn of speed, stumbling along across the sand, breath coming in ragged gasps as he tries to go faster, to keep up with the other recruits who are by now looking at the two fighters, Quinten stumbles on a rock and falls flat on the sand and lays there panting for breaht.

Flaxpaw shoots her hero an admiring look, he misses nothing, and puts on speed, then stops as Quinten stumbles, reaching out a paw. "c'mon, up again." she looks at the major, obviously considering a remark, but keeps it to herself, for now.

Jarril shouts out. "Alright stop!" He looks at Quinten and shakes his head. "Ya know, ya could've said this wasn't a fair decision on my part." Looking at the other runners coming back towards him he smiles. "Right, here's a canteen of water." Handing it to Quinten. "Maybe next time ya will state ya can't do the full training, hmm?"

Quinten drinks back the water and frowns up at the Major and once he's caught his breath speaks up "I could easily do laps around the mountain sir, but not at this speed, i was quite happy going at the speed i was going at, you had no need to force me to go faster." he stands back up looking upset, "but i just spent the last several months learning to obey orders, not question them, i can't run as fast as all of them" he waves a paw at the recruits, most of them looking amused, "Or even flaxpaw, i'm just not fast enough" he stands straight and looks at the major "I've got to do this training and i'll jolly well do it sir, but i can't do it as fast as all of them, not yet anyway."

Flaxpaw looks between the two of them, torn between friendship for Quinten and a desire to impress Jarril. "Quint, majah's just teachin a lesson. right, sah?" she offers quietly.

Jarril nods. "I was testing ya, besides who said that ya had ta keep up with us? As long as the laps are done I would've been happy. Ya can't blindly follow all ordah's now, especially ones that ya can't do, it was an unfair ordah and hopefully next time one is given out ya will question it." Pausing for a moment. "This is what ya will do. I want for the beginning four laps in the morning and in the evening done. Ya got a lot of strength for fighting but we need ta get up that stamina strength. Rest here for a bit and come to where we are when ya ready." Looking to the rest. "Right, evasive running tactics. Let's get back ta the entrance and I'll say who's on what side."

Quinten nods his head and salutes smiling somewhat now "Yes sir....i'll do me best" he offers the water flask to Flaxpaw and sits on the sand, stretching, reaching out to touch his toes, first on one leg then the other, letting his muscles recover from him pushing them so hard.

Flaxpaw takes the flask, and sips, bouncing in place a bit, and watching Jarril lead the others off. "majah knows wot he's about, doesn't he? imagine, trying to get us to argue with his orders." she shakes her head admiringly.

Coming back to the starting point, Jarril begins to hand out wooden poles. "Right, ya need some last training on this. How it will go. Ya will split off into pairs where for a time one will run up and down past the other who will try and stop the other hare from running past. Please be aware that this is runnah against runnah. It will be much harder when there are fightah hares doing this during the exam. So no slacking here, wot."

Quinten stands up and strethces at length his back cracking somewhat "Flax, that was a down right nasty way to go about it, he must have known we'd not argue with him....but he has a point.." he looks over at the Majah as he lines up the others "Think he'll let me go to redwall when he goes? I'm not even sure if i qualify"

Flaxpaw considers, then smiles. " 'm sure he will. he's not so bad, been nicer than I thought he would be when I've talked to him. ready to join back in? An yeah, it was a bit um, mean, the way he taught the lesson, but...he wants the best, you heard him, an maybe that's how we become the best." She shrugs.

Jarril gives the other half a wooden sword each as he continues to speak. "Now remember, the trick here is ta get past very quickly, the sooner ya are past the less chance of ya being hit and fail the exam. I'll give ya some pointers. Ya need ta trick ya way past though if ya want ta fight then ya can do that. But remember my lesson on getting a message back, that's what ya must do, nothing should get in ya way at all. So keep an eye on the other hare shoulders, the pole and the feet if ya can. They be doing the same ta work out which way ya going ta get around. Let's see if ya practised faking a move. I be watching."

Quinten looks at Flaxpaw and nods "Aye we don't become the best by being coddled" he starts to walk back over to the Major and salutes "Im ready to go on sah, sorry about early, i spoke out of turn, what do you want us to do now?"

Jarril grins at Quinten and Flaxpaw with a pole in one paw and a sword in the other. "Pair off. One will be trying ta stop the other from getting past, the other will be showing some evasive runnah techniques." The major looks at Quinten. "I believe ya were watching a session once, yes?"

Flaxpaw watches the runner recruits begin to drill out of the corner of her eye, and waits for the next action required from her.

Quinten smiles and nod shis head "yes sir i was... i think i can manage this alright" he holds out a paw letting the major decide which one to give give him.

Jarril smiles and hands Quinten the staff. "Right, go and stand at one part of the beach and get yaself ready. Flaxpaw here will be running towards ya, this will be fast paced, think of it like a boxing match while running or fighting while running. Ya have ta think fast on this one. After a few goes, swap over." Pausing for a moment. "Oh one more thing, try not ta injure one another, it's just practise." Jarril hands Flaxpaw the wooden sword with a smile. "Show him how it's done."

Flaxpaw takes the wooden sword, and grins. "yes, sah." She waits for Quinten to be ready, then starts, running at an even pace towrds Quinten, sword held ready.

Quinten jogs off down the beach a ways and ducks out of sight behind a humped sand dune, he knows how to do this...at least he hopes he does, holding the pole in one paw he finds himself a place to watch for Flaxpaw from.

Jarril grins to himself as he watches, noticing one of his runners and a fighter come to him he nods and looks out. "Come out for the show? Okay, so who do ya think will succeed more out of say, Quinten or Flaxpaw?" The major talks as he continues to watch the two fighter recruits.

Flaxpaw approaches the sand dune, slowing a bit, and looking thoughtful, maybe a bit distracted, her weapon drops just a tad, not really thinking about the exercise, and not entirely aware where Quinten has gone.

Quinten comes into sight, now atop the sand dune and before flax, if se wants to get past him she eiter has to go around the sand dune or over the top, and from up here he can see waht she is planning on do.

Flaxpaw blinks a little, then remembers what she's doing, and puts on a little speed, trying to pass around the dune, eyes on Quinten, and practice sword back up.

Jarril continues to watch the other recruits that have picked the flat parts of the beach and raises a brow as one runnah is tripped up, flying into the air as she lands onto the wet sand. "Oh that's going ta hurt, wot."

Quinten watches Flaxpaw coming towards him and races down the front of the dune, angling off to meet her at te bottom, pole held level and pointing forwards,

Flaxpaw stops, ready, and waits for the pole, practise sword down, intending to dodge the tip, and duck around him.

Quinten smiles and flaxpaw and drives the pole into the sand at the base of the dune, digging it in, letting the momentum swing him up and over, aiming to go above Flax's lowered guard and hit her in the chest, bare her to the ground and keep here there.

Jarril continues to watch as time goes on and nods his head. "I think ya have ya work cut out, sure ya be able ta stop them?" The major turning his head to the large hare who just smiles. "Don't worry sah, it won't be easy for them."

Umph. Flax's eyes widen as the breath is knocked out of her, and she blinks at Quinten, trying to roll out from under him, maybe bring the sword up if she can. reflexes quite slow from the surprise.

Quinten leans down atop Flaxpaw, putting his weight into holding her, his paws moving to grasp her wrists and hold them "I think i got you"

Flaxpaw squirms a little, not really willing to admit defeat yet, then nods. "yeah, you seem to have." she grins. "didn't expect that move, Quint, thought you'd just charge."

The runner on the other side of Jarril speaks. "So who ya going ta ask for ya patrah?" Jarril smiles as he thinks. "Let's just say I have my selection, but keeping that ta myself though. I'd rather if they come and request it themselves, then I know they want ta be part of a patrah." Calling out. "Okay, one more go and then report back here please!"

Quinten smirks and stand sup, offering a paw to Flaxpaw to help pher back up "Lt. Zeraph used that on me once, can be quite a surprise if your not expecting it, your turn to stop me i think" he looks back at the major and then picks up a sword.

Flaxpaw takes the paw, still grinning. "good trick." she takes the pole, and looks around, "I'll just go back a bit closer to majah, then you come, ok?" she dashes off, also ducking behind a dune.

Jarril nods as he see's some of the runners now heading his way, finished with the training as he waits for them to come in slowly as each pair finishes at a different time.

Quinten starts to run towards where he knows Flaxpaw vanished keeping his sword up and his paws in close, pounding across the sand running towards the major

Flaxpaw has gone around the dune, and waits, stepping out when Quinten is almost to her, pole darting out at his flank.

Jarril grins as now that he has most of the hares finished and standing around him, he waits for the two newcomers to the class to finish.

Quinten yells in surprise, he'd not been expecting her to be there, he thought she'd ave tried to circle around, he drops the sword as it hits his arm and drops, rolling away from her

The fighter see's it and calls out. "She got ya Quinten. Come on in."

Quinten sits up and dusts off his fur "Ahhh ye got me damn it" he smirks at Flaxpaw nad stands up beginning to move towards the major "Lucky shot Flax"

Flaxpaw stands the pole up, and winks at Quinten. "not lucky, just well-timed." she grinning. "these dunes are, um, a little difficult sometimes." she looks a little thoughtful, and heads back to the main group.

Jarril who has the whole class in front of him, coughs slightly and places his paws behind his back. "I couldn't notice some rather worried looks when I first came out here. So while ya were all training so well I thought I would give ya a little talk." He see's some look worried. "Do not worry, I won't keep ya that long from having something ta eat."

Quinten chuckles at the Major's mention of food, he's quite sure they are not worrying about being late for lunch, he folds his paws behind his back and stands waiting to hear what the Major has to say.

Flaxpaw rolls her shoulders, especially that pesky left one, and settles in. /she/ at least is hungry, and a tad sore.

Carrying on, Jarril speaks softly. "I have known most of ya several seasons ago when ya first joined the recruit training. Most of ya didn't know if ya wanted ta be a fightah, a runnah or a healah. However, times have changed." Pausing for a moment he coughs and carries on. "Every single one of ya are fine recruits, the best well trained recruits I could ever ask for. I know some of us have crossed paths before. You know who you are..."

Quinten shuffles somewhat and looks around wasn't expecting the major to say things like that, but he's sure they're directed at his recruits, the runners about to make private, so he listens politely to him/

Flaxpaw looks around at the runners, wondering who the major is talking to. Hasn't spent much time getting to know many of them outside lessons.

Giving a smile. Jarril keeps on talking. "You've been through countless chores, written entries, ya all work hard in ya training and been in the infirmary. Ya even passed the written and verbal exams and ya only got one more hurdle ta go before all those chores.." He paused. "Well, most of them anyways." The major getting a few chuckles. "and classes will be gone, ya be patrah'ing with other privates. Ya ready, I have no doubt that ya will do me proud and the patrah when ya take this exam just like the hares before ya and those that will follow in ya shadow." Giving a wider smile. "That's all I have ta say, don't worry ta much about it and now I dismiss ya so ya can get something ta eat." Nodding his head, the major moves to the side to let the recruits past.

Quinten smiles and watches most of the recruits trail off towards the mountain, he's sure they'll all be wearing privates lapel pins in no time, not to metion off patrolling with the others. The short buck wanders towards the major himself, he's got a question or two.

Flaxpaw knows what Quinten is about to do, and leaves him to talk to the major, wandering off, not back to the mountain, but arounf the side a bit, lunch forgotten for a moment or two, much more needing time to think before she re-joins the others.

Jarril turns his head towards Quinten. "Ya want ta speak ta me?"

Quinten nods and scuffs at the sand "Yes sir...i know i'm not much of a runner but well i need to learn these skills, is there anything else i can do to help me improve me stamina?"

Jarril ponders for a moment. "That depends. Not all fightah's have the stamina, it's all about finding the right balance. I went for the runnah side of things, I don't fight that well. I am not built for it as I don't do extensive fighting training but I do train from time ta time. Most fightahs are the opposite but there are a few that have chose ta share both training and can do both but can still be outrun or outfought by another hare." Looking at Quinten for a moment. "I believe the answer lies within ya. Exactly what type of long patrah hare do ya wish ta become, that is a path for ya ta decide lad."

Quinten nods his head nad frowns starring at the Major's feet "hmm well ic an fight well sir but i figure as i'm so short i should be able to be quite fast too...its hard to decide" he looks up "There was something else as well"

Jarril nods his head. "I won't say which way ya should go, mainly as my answer would be biased, this I am afraid no matter how hard it is, purely a decision ya have ta work out for yaself. But if ya want ta run a bit faster and longer, I would suggest running training a bit more in ya free time. A bit more every day. Though if ya want ta be a fightah then I would do extra training ta build up ya strength instead. It will help ya ta run just as fast as me anyways but not for prolonged time that I can do so." Nodding his head. "And the other question was?"

Quinten tilts his head to one side "it was about the exchange programme sir....am i ellgible to go?"

Jarril blinks. "Hmm, why the sudden change of mind? Of course, ya a recruit in training. So yes ya are allowed ta sign up if ya so desire."

Somewhere on the muck, Audri has disconnected.

You say, "Well sir and i'll tell you straight now, Gabby is going to redwall for a bit and she's been badgering me to go...though in the end that's not what made me change my mind, i just figure i need to learn all i can whilst i'm a recruit and before i start patrolling full time, and there is alot i can learn at the abbey, especially about writing""

Jarril gives a smirk at Quinten. "Please tell me ya not criticising one of the upper ranks that teaches writing?"

You say, "of course not sah, but i want to learn more if possible, recording mainly.""

Jarril hmms. "Thinking on becoming a recorder for the mountain. Actually that isn't such a bad idea, we need a new one soon come ta think about it. Our one is getting old in seasons. Now who is it?"

Quinten shakes his head "It's Lt. Merribell sir, she's been thinking of retiring away and as i've been writing my life at Sala article, i thought..maybe if i got better at recording i could aim for the job."

Jarril nods his head. "And so this would actually mean training for that and not ta become a fightah or a runnah. Well, not as extensively but if that is the path that ya want ta take then I will put ya name down. I make sure ya have all the time ya need in talking ta the Abbey's recorder if it is allowed but no doubt ya do what he or she says."

Quinten salutes "Thank you sir...and i'd still want to patrol sir, even if i was recorded....didn't join up to sit at a desk all day."

Jarril grins. "That's what Lt. Merribell does though. Have a talk with her about it mind. Anyways, make sure she is happy about it and if so, take some lessons from her also. Dismissed recruit."

Quinten smiles and salutes "Yes sir, and thats what she does now a days" he grins "She used to patrol, or so she says, but i'll talk to her Major, thank you...erm when do we leave for the abbey? after the festival?"

Jarril replies back. "Not got a clue, hadn't had chance ta speak ta a colonel about that, I know as much as ya do at the moment." The major begins to make his way into the mountain anyways after finishing what he had to say.

Quinten starts to walk along beside the Major and nods his head "Ok sah, well i'll see you later sir, i should go get something to eat before its all gone"

Jarril grins. "Ah yes, me I have some put back for me, privilege or rank, doncha know." The major not in any hurry at all, walking with his paws behind his back. "You though, I'd run off ahead, may get lucky or not." Grinning on that thought.

Quinten shakes his head "You sah...are a bally tease ye enjoy putting us recruits through hell, aye'm sure of it" he waves his ears and starts to race towards the mountain

Jarril grins as he watches Quinten run off, speaking back more to himself than anything. "Of course, makes life interesting, besides it balances it out from the reports we have ta write about ya." With a happy lope, the major slowly walks into the mountain.

End Log -