The Healer and the Warrior...and an extremly enigmatic Seer

FV:Infirm

This is the infirm. The far walls are lined with simple cots with clean sheets and pillows. The sheets and pillows are mainly white and blue.The room is keep clean and well sweeped. Cabnets are agaist one wall full of healing supplies and herbs,each marked in its own jar. A examineing table is seen and a wash basin.

Exits: [H]ealer [D]orm [H]all, [B]ack

Leon is here helping a rather grumpy rat, the rat grumbles as Leon finishes wrapping the rats paw as the rat growls low, "Gonna stab him in de paw next time." Leon sighs and finishes as he answers, "Well maybe he felt he needed the drink more than you did." The rat glares at Leon,"Are ya done." The rat gets a tired yes and then it walks out the door muttering about stabbing someone's paw,it was his ale blah blah, Leon sits down and shakes his head.

DoraRose enters the infirmary shortly after the rat leaves, with a Redwall guard trailing her. Upon catching sight of Leon, she signals for the guard to stay by the door. He does so, and she aproaches the other mouse alone, a concerned look on her face. "Leon," is all she says.

Leon is tired and doesn't look up right away, but does answer, "Yes may I help you?" He says quietly, he stands to put some things away not fully seeing whom is at the door just yet.

DoraRose gently grabs his arm. "Leon, it's me, DoraRose." Her concerned look is a little clearer now.

Leon finishes putting the last item down when he feels her arm on his and slowly turns around, he blinks a couple times and then sees who it is, "Dorarose, you..you came here," he looks over her shoulder to see the guard,though the guards back is turned to them, he looks back to Dorarose and smiles a little.

DoraRose stamps her foot a little. "Of course I came here! I..." she hesitates. "I care about you, Leon, and I was worried about you, and you left without saying good-bye or even leaving a little note, and then I find out that the ferret that tried to kill you is at the Abbey, and Flicktail is starting to trust him, and I don't, and he threatened me, and...and...oh, I don't know!" she sits down on a bed, and covers her face with her paws, having let out all that she had been holding in for the past week or so.

Leon frowns at the foot stamping and sighs, "I..."He stops as she speaks more, he nods "I knew the ferret was there, I usually stayed away from him...threatened you?" He is now the concerned one,as she sits on the bed he walks over and goes to gently hug her.

DoraRose leans against him as he hugs her. "Not exactly. You see, I've got a funny feeling about him, and I was asking him questions, and he said that if I didn't stop, beasts would be in alot of pain." she turns to Leon, adding, "Is it true that he's been banished from Ferravale? Will you be safe here?" her brows are knitted in concern. "I don't know..." she trails off and looks away, blushing slightly at whatever she was about to say.

Leon smiles a bit better as she leans agaist him, he nods "Yeah he can't come in here, the village,..and I was only planing on being away a couple weeks. I am sorry I didn't say anything on leaveing sort of decided to come last minute.", He keeps the hug a moment longer, "Just be careful about the ferret, I..I wouldn't want you to be hurt cause I.." he seems unsure of weather to go on.

DoraRose turns back to Leon and smiles. "You what?" A strange look is in her eyes -- trust. A very rare thing for this mousemaid.

Leon looks at her, seeing the smile makes him smile as well, "I care about you..alot and I should of said it the other day but, I..I don't know it didn't come out and sorry for that." He smiles again feeling better than he has the past couple weeks.

DoraRoses' smile widens into a grin. "It's alright...at least you said it." The guard coughs uncomfortably, which makes the warriormaid giggle. But she becomes serious after a moment, saying, "I would've come alone, but Oz insisted. He said there are slavers in the area. I still think I could've come alone and been alright." Stubborn little maid.

Leon nods, "Hopefully the slavers are taken care of soon, Oz brought me here, not sure how happy he was on that as sort of asked him to take me here on...real short notice." He looks at the guard and back to Dorarose, "I am glad you made it here safe."

DoraRose rests her head on Leon's shoulder, making the guard flush scarlet and quickly turn away. "I'm glad you made it here safely, too." She lets her gaze roam around the room and changes the subject. "The last time I was in here was quite a few weeks ago. I had gotten in a fight and came here to get fixed up. I met that ermine -- what's-his-name? Night-something. Any way, I never really got a good look around." She seems very curious.

Leon thinks and nods "Umm...Nightbreath,think he is like a seer or something, only seen him once at the tavern,but he was talking to the chieftain at the time." He smiles again, "So how long are you staying here?"

DoraRose shrugs. "I'm not sure. I really hadn't thought that far ahead." she seems happy -- a nice change from her usual, slightly depressed self.

Leon listens, "Alright, I will be here another week or so,unless end up needed some reason."

DoraRose smiles. "I think I could stay a week." The poor guard is standing in the doorway, looking out into the hall.

Leon smiles and hugs her close to him, "You would be safe here and I am sure the chieftain would not mind, and you can meet Oakenpaw, he is the master healer here and he seems to help in the tavern some" He glaces at the guard before looking at Dorarose again, "I am glad you came Dorarose."

DoraRose gazes into Leon's eyes, then hugs him back. "So am I." she whispers almost inaudibly. She closes her eyes, contentment, peace and happieness on her face.

Leon smiles, he likes the hug and the fact he was able to tell her he cared about her, "And we can head back to the abbey together." He says happy now.

DoraRose nods. "Sounds like a good plan to me." she opens her eyes and asks tentatively, "Could you teach me some healing tricks? I only know the basics -- I was always more interested in fighting when I was growing up."

Leon says, "I could maybe teach you some, I only know a little on fighting, can fight some with a dagger but not an expert at it, only other thing I was great at is swimming,which comes in handy sometimes."

DoraRose sits up all little, eyes bright and twinkling, smile bright and sunny. "That's an idea! I'll teach you how to fight, and you'll teach me some healing techniques." she hugs him again. "What a wonderful idea!"

Leon chuckles some, he is happy right now,"This is turning out to be a good day so far."

DoraRose jumps up, enthusiasum and happieness giving her energy. "Which should we do first, fighting or healing?" she grabs his paw, smiling eagerly.

Leon smiles again,he is glad to see her happy, "I am not sure really."

DoraRose starts tugging on his paw. "How about healing first for a little bit, then fighting?" she starts to walk over to the cabinets.

Leon nods, "Alright, what would you like to know about healing? What herbs do what?"

DoraRose nods and goes to leads him over to where the herbs are. "That sounds like a good place to start."

Leon nods,he looks at the herbs as he speaks, "One herb I have used can be made into a tea,good for low fevers and headaches, Willlowbark..Feverfew is also good for fevers as well."

DoraRose nods, repeating what Leon says under her breath. She looks at each herb as he names it.

Leon says, "Different herbs for like infection and swelling,also herbs to help a cold and cough, some can be taken by mouth and some are just placed on a wound and not taken by mouth."

DoraRose nods, still repeating the information under her breath. She suddenly gets a look of recognition on her face as she picks up a plant. "This is marshmallow! My Nana told me that if you put this on a wound, even after it's scabbed over, it will heal faster. It also helps with intestinal problems."

Leon smiles, "You know some on healing it looks like, I also learned when sewing a wound you can numb an area a little with a dot or two of peppermint oil, course it hurts again after a few minutes but its enough time to sew a wound shut, peppermint tea can also calm nerves and helps like stomach aches some, though I rather dislike it,tried it once."He chuckles slightly,"I also been learning more hands on training to treat wounds here,like earlier a rat got in a bar fight with someone else,guess over an ale or something,got stabbed in the paw...the rat did."

DoraRose smiles into Leon's eyes. "What happened to the other creature?" There is her ever-present companion again : curiosity.

Leon shrugs, "I don't know, guess he wasn't hurt,the one who came in here seemed to want to go...stab his paw, my luck will meet the other and bandage his paw too." He smiles, "I..tend to get along with most here, and the ones I think its unwise to, I avoid them."

DoraRose puts down the peice of marshmallow and looks at Leon with a now steely gaze. "Then I guess it's your turn to learn now. Which do you want to learn how to use; battleaxe or bastard sword?" she pauses, then adds, "Or both?"

Leon blinks, "You can use a battle ax thats impressive, maybe a sword would be good. Hopefully never will need to use a sword."

DoraRose looks away, the mask that she so carefully wears to hide her pain back again as memories flood through her mind. "I bugged my father until he taught me both. And I also hope that you will never need to use it."

Leon gives her a gentle hug, "You ok Dorarose?" He can tell she is sad,he rubs her back a little to try and help her feel better.

DoraRose sighs and absently strokes a jar lid. "I'm...not sure. I'll tell you later." she straightens up, wipes something from her eye, then turns to leave the room. "I'll go see if they have a spare bastard sword in the armory that you can use." and with that she's gone, along with the guard, who follows her like a shadow.

Leon frowns slightly as she heads out the door, "Dorarose wait, I wanted to say something else..I..." he sighs as she heads out,looking a little worried if he upset her or not and sits down slowly and is alone for now, he whispers the last couple words, "Love..you.." He stays here and waits,trusting she will return and if not he can always go look around the village for her on his break or maybe even before.

After getting the sword, an her way back...

FV:Entry

The scent in the air notably changes within the village compared to the sweet fragrant flowery smells outside the east gates. Stale air, rotting food and the occasionally not particularly pleasant smelling inhabitant all assault the nose until it gets used to things. Mercenary guards patrol the high wooden palisade wall separates the vermin village from the outside world, the only break in sight in the form of the main gate to the village to the east. North of the path one of the few stone buildings in the village stands a little run down, now an inn it butts up to the side of the tavern and boasts many beds available, at least that's probably what the sign says, much like the building it's old and the beast who wrote it has probably died of old age long after the paint was last touched up. West finally buildings begin to spring up everywhere and the path widens into a large clearing at the centre of the village.

Exits: [F]erravale [Inn], [T]avern, [Back] to gates, [W]est

DoraRose is walking back to the infermary. She has gotten the sword for Leon to use, and she is holding it like it is an extention of her arm.

Suddenly her path is blocked by a cloaked figure, its face obscured by the gray hood, but the necklace of fangs and pouch containing bone dice are both visible. The beast simply says, "Greetings. I have been looking for thou." That distant-sounding voice is distinctive of one certain ermine.... (Nightbreath)

DoraRose halts and glares at the ermine. "I don't want to talk to you." she turns and tries to walk around him.

Due to the circumstances of when they last parted company, Nightbreath is unsure of how to continue, but then the urgency of whatever's on his mind makes him speak anyways. Lowering his hood, he sighs. "Aye, but thou must. This is urgent."

DoraRose does walk past him, pauses, then continues, calling over her shoulder, "Then you can say it on the move. What is it?"

"The fates have spoken to me...Come." Nightbreath turns west and heads in the direction of his home. "This is not information that should be shouted carelessly upon the streets."

DoraRose marches on, not following the Seer. "I'm not going to your house. A...friend of mine is waiting for me at the infirmary, and it's important."

In a blur of movement (and fluttering silver cloak) Nightbreath is at the mousemaid's side. He whispers, "This could be truly important. A life from your past..."

DoraRose freezes, then turns to Nightbreath. "What...How so you mean?" She still doesn't trust him, but she really doesn't trust very many beasts, anyway.

"We should go somewhere else," Nightbreath says. "Your call."

DoraRose hesitates, then says, "Um, your house? But," she seems to remember something now, "Leon is waiting for me, how will he know to look...where to look for...me?" she is blushing now, and glances away from the ermines' face.

Nightbreath chuckles lowly as he reads her concerns like a book. "Come. My abode is not far away, and it is the only place where I can absolutely guarantee that none will hear our discussion."

DoraRose narrows her eyes suspiciously, but then nods. "Alright." she still has a good grip on the spare sword, and her sword (wich is in much better condition) is strapped to her side, so she probably feels pretty safe and well defended.

Nightbreath is not unarmed either. Equilibrium is stowed in the folds of his dark robe, as well as the dagger that took the life of the badger slavedriver, Balnor. Without waiting for his reluctant companion, he strides west.

And the warriormaid follows the seer...

FV:Nightbreath's Home:Main Room

You enter into the main room of the home of Nightbreath. As you push the door open, you notice that its frame is carved with intricate, twisting symbols. You look around the dimly lit room, and notice that in the center there is a large oaken table carved with similar markings. A fireplace nearby is also carved with those symbols. Over the fireplace a long, jagged, katana-like sword in a leather sheath is hung on pegs. A lantern on a side table keeps the room lit, and on a shelf there are several strange objects: A skull from somebeast, several pouches tied tightly shut with cord, a small clay pot that strange herbs and plants are growing in, and an additional lantern. Although the lanterns serve their purpose well, and flames crackle in the fireplace in the back of the room, the atmosphere in here is still dark and menacing. However, this is a Seer's home, and it is supposed to be that way.

Exits: [S]leeping [Q]uarters, [O]ut

Contents:

A mysterious carving on the wall

Nightbreath enters with a slow, measured stride, and sits down at the table after lighting several incense burners and glancing at the carvings on the wall.

DoraRose follows close behind, but freezes after taking 3 steps inside. She looks around -- then screams and drops the spare bastard sword to the floor as her gaze rests upon the katana-like sword hanging on the wall.

Flinching at the sound, Nightbreath winces. "My apologies. It has been many moons since another beast entered here, and I have forgotten how...arcane...my taste in decoration is. Sit." He points to the other chair.

DoraRose doesn't sit. Instead, she turns an angry glare at the ermine. "You said you didn't work for Stormfeather! If that's the truth, then why do you have a sword like his?!" and with that, she points at the katana.

The Seer's eyebrows raise. "He bears a Starblade?" (Nightbreath)

This does nothing to improve DoraRose's mood. "He bears a /what/?" she demands, her voice raising to a yell.

Nor the ermine's mood. "He bears a Starblade, I gather. The blaspheming worm! Blades such as /that/" he says, pointing to the katana, "are sacred weapons for the use only of the servants of the Great Light. He must have slain one of my fellow Seers..." he trails off into dark mutterings

DoraRose crosses her arms. "I don't know what you're talking about. All I know is, Stormfeather used a weapon like that," here she points to the katana again, "to murder my sister. And," she adds, rather proudly, "my father could make them."

Now Nightbreath's fury is replaced by intrigue. "Really? Fascinating. But let us return to the matter at paw." He sighs, closing and opening his eyes slowly, and says, "Last night I retired at an...unseemly hour, due to a danger within the village. But as I drifted into slumber at last, the fates came to me and spoke. What they said," his carved teeth flash in a half-smile for a moment, "You will find interesting."

DoraRose stays standing and half stares, half glares at the ermine. "What is it?"

Nightbreath's eyes do not mist, for this is a memory. "They said to me, /When trees burn and dark comes, and the storm rises on raven's wing, search for river's stone turned rat but only half./ They spoke these words again and again, and I called to them, asking for them to say more, but they did not, or could not, respond further. Then I awoke."

"I believe that there is a connection," the Seer concludes.

DoraRose mouths the words, then gasps at a pair. "River's stone!" With a clatter and a slam, she is out the door, leaving behind the spare, rusty bastard sword.

"Wait..." Nightbreath shrugs and decides against following. If the mousemaid has figured something out from the words, then his work is done. He rises to his footpaws and picks up the sword, deciding to take care of it until she returns for it.