There is no Toll...

Characters: Windhunter, Jericken, Madison, Sebastion

Location: Old Stone Bridge, Camp site, Jericken's Tent

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Windhunter walks onto the bridge

Jericken is leaning against the railing alone, looking east into the river moss. He sighs a few times, as the sounds of his troops setting up camp north of the bridges fill the air. He takes the poster from his pocket and glances at it with his good eye. Then the sound of paws hitting the stone bridge intercede. He looks toward the squirrel quickly, and sighs, as its not him. He puts the poster back in his pocket, and stands in the middle of the bridge. He holds a paw up and says, "Hail traveler... Halt... Oh... Umm Windhunter is it?" and he puts his paw down.

Windhunter had been walking along, letting his mind wander and enjoying the view of the river. Upon seeing the otter he began to approach him to greet him, but stopped just sort of him as the otter ordered him to halt. "Aye, the names Windhunter." He looks past Jericken toward the path beyond the bridge, slightly irritated at Jericken's order. "Is the bridge closed," he asks sarcastically, not expecting the answer to be yes.

Jericken tilts his head, "No... the bridge is not closed, i just wanted to talk to all those who pass here about something... You can go on ahead..." he points behind him with a claw, "But mind the archers... the tend to be edgy when somebeasts pass without my permission..." he grins. And holds out his mutilated paw toward the squirrel, "Hello, the name is Jericken"

Windhunter lightens up a bit after the otter introduces himself, although the mentioning of the archers puts him on edge. He shakes Jericken's paw. "Ah yes, I believe I've seen you a few times around the Abbey. So what is it you want to talk to me about?" He looks past the otter again, wondering just how many warriors Jericken has with him.

Jericken grins back at the squirrel, "Oh Yes... The abbey... Well maybe since were not there anymore, i can ask you..." he pulls out the scroll*, and holds it toward Windhunter, "At the abbey they frowned at me...that i was even mentioning this aloud... But im looking for a beast, he is wanted for crimes against the emperor... Have you ever seen an otter like this?"

Windhunter looks at the poster and his eyes go wide. He is unsure what to do for a moment, but since his shock is obvious now there is no point in denying it. "Aye, I've seen him," he says curtly as he takes another look at Jericken's soldiers. "Crimes against the emperor, you say?"

Jericken takes the poster back, and puts it back in his pocket, "Oh yes... His crimes are numerous... and... you woodlanders would call 'Evil'... Mass murder, conspiracy, assassination, false documents, piracy... the list goes on and on. But they main thing is that, This... 'Aikuen'... tried to murder the king while he slept. It was stopped thankfully before that..Bas-" Nice curse here, "... fulfilled his plan... but now, we are looking for him. If you have any information leading us too him, we will pay you handsomely for it..."

Windhunter says "you don't say..." softly as he ponders what the otter has said. He looks over Jericken's shoulder and nods in the direction of the soldiers. "You really need a score of beasts to track down this one fellow?"

Jericken raises a brow at the squirrel, "I thought you said you knew him... Yes, well actually we are under recruited... not a lot of beasts wants to hunt down this mad beast..." He looks behind him and points to a ferret, "See that one... tried to hunt him down with only 7 beasts... wiped out his entire squad without breaking a sweat..." he sighs and looks back at the squirrel, "Aikuen fights like a mad beast... a badger, in otter form..." he smiles, "Anyway... You hungry?"

Windhunter thinks for a moment, and decides to try to learn more about the situation. "Aye, I've been traveling for a while now, I could eat. So when you were at the Abbey, did you ever talk to the fox Flicktail about this otter?"

Jericken points off toward the tent, "Come with me... Ill have someone bring us some vittles..." he leads the squirrel, "Flicktail? Sadly no... The Champion was unavailable when i went to question him... and soon after i was...Ahem... Booted from the abbey... so to say... I could not speak with him after" he starts to pass the troops, who are setting up fires and little tents. They eye the squirrel before going back to what they are doing. The sea otter continues, ignoring the troops "But what i have heard from the abbey when i was there. They are... most unwilling to part information about Aikuen..."

Windhunter walks along with Jerick. "I see. Rather ironic for the Abbey beasts to be harboring a criminal. Tell me, how long ago did Aikuen do these things?"

Jericken gets to the largest tent and holds open the flap for Windhunter to enter. Jericken smiles at Windhunter, "Please enter to my humble tent..." he then turns sharply to a passing mouse, and barks out an order to her in another language. The mouse drops the bag she was carrying and gives a quick salute before running off toward the fire. Jericken then smiles again and says, "Some food and wine will be brought shortly..." he enters the tent and motions for the squirrel to sit on one of the cloths. The otter sits down cross legged and says, "I thought so too... maybe they don't know that he is a vicious criminal... Aikuen would try and hide it from them... until..." he makes a motion across his neck, and laughs. He then thinks for a moment on the last question, "The attempted murder on the Emperor was... almost 5 seasons ago... that was the last we have seen of him..."

Windhunter sits down across from Jericken as he looks around the tent. "And have you been looking for him ever since then?"

Jericken shakes his head, "Regrettably... No... Only in the past season have we pin pointed his location to here. With only traveling merchants selling on the island to ask where he went... its quite difficult to locate a single otter... when he can use the whole world as his hiding place... But with some... persuasion... we managed to find out where he is ... Mossflower." he smiles, "The ferret i pointed out before... just confirmed it before we sent a battalion here..." The female mouse returns and places a tray of food between them. Looks like some sort of bread, with a several jars of wine. The mouse salutes, "Anything else Commander..." "No... you may leave Rioun..." The mouse salutes again, and runs out of the tent.

Windhunter takes a bite of a piece of the bread and chews it quickly. When is mouth is no longer full, he asks, "So have you ever met him, or did he ever say what his reason for murdering beasts was?" He takes another bite out of the bread.

Jericken was drinking a little bit from the wine when he hears his question. He puts the jar down slowly and frowns with a growl, "Met him... Oh... I've met him..." he holds up his disfigured paws and points to his missing eye and the large scars, "Aikuen... did this to me... During the war... He mutilated my body... and left, without fully killing me..." he growls again, "I was never the same after that... he ruined my life..." he sighs and shakes his head before looking up with a smile, "That happened about 6 seasons ago... Its all in the past now... and i have managed... and done quite well for myself since then..." he snorts at the last question, "Oh yes, always 'In the name of the South!'...Even after the war, he still fought against us like it never ended... Started the rebellion apparently, and killed hundreds of Northern's... while they slept..."

Windhunter strokes his whiskers in thought and nods as he contemplates all this. He is very confused, and wants to go ask Aikuen about this straight away, if only he knew where he was. He mentally berates himself for giving away that he had seen Aikuen, and he doesn't know how Jericken will react to him trying to leave without giving him any information. He continues to sit there, chewing his food.

Jericken sits there drinking from the jar until the silence gets to him, he smiles and holds to wine out to the squirrel, "Well anyway... the reason why i brought you in here is for... You said that you know him... Please tell me..." he reaches into his pouch and pulls out a bag, of something metal sounding. He drops the bag on the ground in front of him and continues, "Tell me where i can find him..."

Windhunter clears his throat after swallowing a bit too much food at once. "Oh, I am sorry for any misunderstanding. I believe I said I had seen him, not that I know him. As far as I know he left the Abbey at least a moon ago and hasn't been back since. However, I find all this deeply concerning. If you would like, I could return to the Abbey and speak with Flicktail about this. Perhaps he can come and meet with you and discuss the matter."

Windhunter regrets his deception, but could not see another way to get out of here without giving away his friendship with Aikuen.

Jericken eyes the squirrel for a moment, and then says, "Ah well... Rotten luck i suppose..." he moves the other bread toward the squirrel, while bringing the bag back toward him, "A moon you say?... Hmmm.... must not have gotten very far then... And don't trouble yourself with the Champion... or yourself for that matter" he stands up, and dusts the dirt off him, "The emperor does not wish the denizens of Mossflower to... be concerned with the matters of him and his battalion... But it is in our orders that should the time come, to... ahem... recruit more beasts to our cause... then we must..." he makes for the tent and holds the flap, "Thank you anyway Windhunter, If there is anything you wish to use here... go right ahead... we have a smithy stall... and archers stand... And please take the bread for your information..."

Windhunter steps out of the tent with the bread and turns back to Jericken. "Thank you, but I've got all the supplies I need. I will accept the bread though, it is very delicious. Good as Abbey bread. As for Flicktail, I hope you don't mind that I feel I must at least inform him of what you have told me, in case Aikuen shows up at Redwall again."

Jericken eyes the squirrel again, "If... you must tell him... i have no right to stop you... But tell him to not concern himself too much..." he goes back into the tent, for a second before returning, "But if the Champion wishes to help our cause... tell him... that we need him alive... and in talking condition... Follow me please... our archers are on stand by right now..." He walks to the middle of the camp and stands perfectly still.

It is then that a new figure steps upon the bridge. Cautious as to the camp set up around it, this figure has at least observed the conversation enough to see that there is no immediate danger. The figure is dressed in a simple brown leather jerkin, with a dark, leaf-green tunic beneath made of dyed barkcloth. A bow is slung over one shoulder, and there is a quiver also, but in one paw is a stave. This is clearly a squirrel, but the tail is much thinner thanks to shorter fur. Despite the masculine attires, this is clearly a female who looks upon the bridge and its occupants.

Windhunter sees the newcomer approaching, and decides to try to hear what she might say to or hear from Jericken. He goes down to the left of the bridge to wash his face in the river.

Jericken is talking to one of the lesser soldiers, a stoat. The otter sounds very angry about something, but you cant tell what it is has he has changed languages again. The soldier looks down, and looks very put down until Jericken stops yelling. The soldier whistles quickly and in succession. Four green covered archers drop down from the trees and head over to the stoat. The stoat mumbles something and all five head off into the woods. Jericken sighs and makes to go back to his tent when another whistle stops him, one of his scouts in the trees. He blinks a few times and heads over to the bridge and holds up a paw to the newcomer, "Hail traveler... Halt..."

Madison doesn't claim to be the best field traveller around, though she certainly has the look as she walks along the bridge. The squirrel has a limp - very slight, but noticable when she steps onto the bridge itself, ears flicking at the whistle as she had not expected scouts. She stops, fair enough, but is silent, carrying an expression that one might wear if a lying beggar were spinning tales to her for money, not a fearsome-looking sea otter.

Jericken walks up to her and stick out one of his mangled paws, "Hello traveler... My name is Jericken... What is yours..." he seems calm enough at the moment, "Sorry for stoping you... but i have done so, to every traveler for a while now... If your asking, the bridge is not closed... nor is there a toll... I just need to ask you some simple questions... then you are free to... go about your business..." He looks behind him then looks back at her, and blinks his one eye at her.

Madison doesn't take the paw. It could be because she's being difficult, or simply because she's busy adjusting the bow on her shoulder. Her expression changes at the mention of no toll, but returns to that suspicious, impatient expression at the idea that she will be quizzed. "By you wording, you seem to imply that I am currently /not/ free to go about my business."

Jericken points behind him, "You are free to go whenever you want...Its just that our archers tend to be edgy to new beasts in the area... and they do tend to like target practice..." He is not being as nice as he was to the other squirrel, but he has his mind on other things right now, "All i'm an asking is that you listen to my quetions and answere to the best of your knowlodge..."

Madison folds her paws. Despite her dress and the current state of her tail she looks a lot healthier, younger and, well, prettier than she has her whole adult life. "That doesn't sound very nice. Why don't I get a bribe like the other squirrel?" ...Though of course, her quick wit is always present.

Jericken eyes her for a moment with a frown, and then he smiles, "You heard... Well... If you are smart as you are pretty, then you will listen to what i have to say..." he takes out the poster from his pocket and opens it up to show her, "I am looking for this otter... he is a criminal, and evil... to all around him... And if you do mange to help us, we will pay you greatly..."

Madison watches as the poster is raised and unfurled, a moment of suspense where she hopes it isn't a certain rat. It isn't. Glossing over the compliment of her looks, she hrm's. "What did he do that he needs a whole squad to track him down?"

Jericken rolls the poster and stuffs it in his pocket, "This otter, he goes by the name of 'Aikuen'... he is wanted for Mass murder, conspiracy, assassination, false documents, piracy... the list is endless of the atrocities that he has committed..." he points over to his troops, "You have probably never have met him if you don't understand why we needs all these beasts... Aikuen is not... how you say, normal... he fights like a mad beast... A badger, in an otter form..." he points to a ferret soldier, "His entire squad, of seven beasts, was wiped out by the otter. And he didn't even break a sweat..." he sighs, "For his capture, i think we are under recruited..."

Madison seems impassive, paws remaining folded. Only her eyes flick to the indicated ferret. Ferrets, stoats... she doesn't like this situation. Not to mention that if this bad creature HAD been to Redwall like she overheard, well, it would have caused a stir. "Well I'm sorry to hear that." she says, monotone.

Jericken eyes her again, "Don't be... will manage somehow..." he points off toward camp, "Would you like something to eat... I'm sure we can accommodate you. Please join me" he bows slightly and heads off toward camp.

Madison simply eyes in return, as the otter turns his back. She's learned a few things lately though, and can tell that this is likely is an invitation in name only, and he probably wouldn't take her refusal well. So the squirrel falls in step, following toward the camp, seeing if she can spot the hidden archers.

Jericken is generally trying to be nice, and he genuinely wants her to join him in some food. They walk into camp, and the redcloaked troops eyes the newcomer again. Their tents have been set up mostly and the fires have been lit. The smell of baking bread, and fish feel the air. Jericken gets to his tent and opens a flap up for her, "Please, come inside and make yourself comfortable... food will be here shortly..." The archers are very well hidden, they are trained to not be seen, until need be.

Madison stops as the tent is held open, hesitating, looking this way and that... but what else can she do? Besides, if he really does mean to offer hospitality, fish will work as she lacks the patience and know-how to fish for herself.

Jericken smiles at her and closes the flap. There is now yelling... loud, angry yelling coming from outside the tent. The otter barks out orders left and right to any beast that pass by. Of course this is all in a different language, but its angry. The otter steps back into the tent, with a smile, "Sorry about that... the troops were getting restless... I hope fish and stew bread is all right..." he goes to sit across from her, "So... " he passes her a jug of red looking wine, "Tell me about yourself..." he takes his own jug and drinks daintily from it.

Madison hrm's as the yelling happens, and not in a language she recognises. Very suspicious. At the question of herself, the already withdrawn squirrel becomes even more reluctant. "I thought you wanted to know about that otter, not me." Not that she knows the otter, but still.

Jericken nods slightly and puts down the jug, "Fair enough..." A female mouse in uniform come into the tent bearing with her two plates full of Fish and what looks like bread with carrots backed in with it. She places them in front of each beast. The mouse then salutes, "Anything else commander?" "Yes, How about some peace Riona..." The mouse salutes again, and is off, out of the tent. Jericken takes a bit of the bread, and takes off a hunk to nibble on, "So... What do you know about this otter then... tell me all you know..."

Madison agh's. So she got the focus away from herself but... doesn't know the otter in question. She leaves the meal, using her reply as an excuse. "I know that unless she was at Redwall very recently then he wasn't there at all."

Jericken nods slowly again, "I see..." he sighs and runs a claw over the tops of the jug and licks it, "Not very surprised most beast have more... of a reaction when i show them the picture of him, and say he was a criminal. Like that... Windhunter... He knows Aikuen more than he lets on... but he wont get very far from here... But your answer does confirm that he was not at Redwall recently, at least that is... something..." he eyes her and smiles, "But you, didn't have that, so i assumed that you didn't know him, and... i was right..." he glances between her meal, and his, "Its not poisonous... go ahead, its real good..." and he continues to eat his.

Madison shrugs, "Sorry I couldn't help more." is all she says and, with a final pause, tucks into the meal also.

Jericken smiles and nods, "Its alright, your information has been worth more than you can imagine... besides you are one of the first beasts to actually have information... at least... gave willingly..." he grins, and polishes off his meal, "And for that... what would you like in return?... Gold, food... supplies... whatever you need..." he looks at her with his one eye.

Madison narrows her eyes a little again in thought as the time progresses. "...Why /are/ you being so generous? I'm curious. You'd give me gold just for that?"

Jericken tilts his head, and grins evilly, "I'm being generous because the way to make beasts talk is easier with your wallet then with your sword... I didn't say that it would be a lot, just enough to thank you for the... 'information' that you provided..." he hmms, "The sword can only get so far... and you might kill them... But for a thousand gold... a beast will give up the location where their best friend is... Its happens..." he laughs.

Madison looks confused. First he's making her dinner, then he's making thinly-veiled stabby jokes. "You're... so odd." An observation, not an insult.

Jericken grins, and holds his paws in front of him "I'm a Professional Military Torturer... And there is more than one why to get information..." he taps the whip at his belt, "Then with pain..." he smiles, "So... how was dinner?" Yes he is odd, he can go from talking about torturing to food without even thinking about it.

Madison takes the news with only half surprise, but that's surprise enough. She could tell he wasn't a hundred percent "good", after all. But the way he goes from "ways of gathering info" to her food makes her stop and look down at it again suspiciously.

Jericken laughs, "I promise you that there is nothing out of the ordinary in your food... Believe me... if i did something to it... you would know by now..." he chuckles.

Madison has heard of all kinds of drugs and serums... heck, she's taken most of them. Either way, she shrugs and pushes the plate aside. "I'm... full either way, thank you."

Jericken eyes her for a minute and nods, "Okay... Please take the bread with you" he takes the untouched loaf, and place it aside. He then stands up and barks out an order. The same mouse comes in and takes food away, leaving the jugs of Wine. The otter smiles at her, "Your are quite welcome... Please let me escort you out of the camp... safely..." he holds the flap open.

Sun is beginning to set over Mossflower, and Jericken continues his control over the bridge. The troops to the north have begun to settle down, after eating and doing their chores. Two mice hold torches on the north end of the bridge. other then that there is nothing that close to the sea otter. He looks over the side of the railing and stares at the water, as his lookouts will keep him in check of beasts on the bridge. He hums a small battle song, as he waits.

Sebastian has been out and about from the abbey now for a few days, the badger geared up for what possibly could be war. He's got half a breastplate on, the other half had been broken in the battle where he lost his eye, an armor gauntlet, and his long sword to his side, heading north. Not really paying much attention, he fails to see the otter, stepping onto the bridge and walking onward.

Jericken blinks as two sharp whistles are heard from the south. The otter looks south, before he barks out an order to one of the torch bearers, who immediately goes to stand next to him. The otter continues to look south squinting into the darkness. He blinks a few times as all he can see is the outline of whoever. He holds a paw up and stands in the middle of the bridge, "Hail traveler... Halt..."

Sebastian stops dead in his tracks, the badger looking up and frowning. "What?" he asks. "Oh. You. Get out of my way." he frowns. "I've no time for you." The big beast starts forward.

Jericken is still a good bit in front of the badger, and he tilts his head, "I wish... just to ask a few questions... stop now... I do not wish to trouble you..." he whistles what sounds like a song. Twenty or so beasts stand up and come to formation at the head of the bridge.

Sebastian stops again, eyeing the beasts. "I already told you at the abbey, I have no intentions of helping you. So either get out of my way, or I'll continue through you." he frowns. "I'm on urgent business and can not be delayed." That part is mumbled quietly.

Jericken is not scared of the badger, at all, "OH... you... Sebastion i think it was... How are you?... Oh... Continue through us?... Please... Don't make me laugh..." He obviously remembered what happened at the abbey, "If its so urgent to go to the north, then you will go south... head west for a click... and then walk across the river moss... its very simple and WE will not stop you..." he whistles again and each beasts pulls out a long sword and goes into a triangle formation on the bridge. Green archers pop up from the trees, though there strings are not taut at the moment. All the soldier eye the badger, unmoving. Jericken grins.

Sebastian doesn't see the archers, mainly because his only eye is focused on the otter. He draws his sword slowly and holds it at the ready. "If my best friend dies because of this delay, I personally will rip you limb from limb, and then use your fur as a rug." he growls. "Let me pass. You really don't want to fight me." he easily towers over the otter, but its not size right now that Seb has on his side. Its the fact that he's going to try to save a friend. And if Jericken gets in his way. His mistake really.

Jericken is not dumb. As soon as the badger towers over him he smiles, "You remind me of a badger lord i once knew... got slain on a petty errand... to head strong... thought he could take on the world..." he turns and walks back toward the group. The torch bearer quickly puts out the torch and walks along with the otter. Unseen in the darkness, "Pity, never saw his son grow up..." he whistles another little tune, and each archer pulls back at steel arrow pointing at the badger, "Listen friend... don't make the same mistake he did... Go around... Save your best friend..."

Sebastian eyes the otter for a moment, no longer seeing that mouse. Which makes him extremely uneasy. He hears something in the trees, but can't be sure what it is with only one ear, so he carefully points the sword to the otter. "What is it you want to ask, vermin?" he growls. "I'm not stupid..." he's not sure if the otter is bluffing or not, in fact, he's almost positive he is. Never the less, sword raised, he takes one, long, but slow step forward.

Even in the darkness the archers are dead accurate. They quickly set off five arrows in front of the badger in a neat row. The otter hears this and turns around, "Vermin? Oh yes... That is what you Mossflower beasts call 'Evil'... I'm not, really... I know your not stupid... and a smart beasts would do what we say..." he mumbles something, and the torch is relit. Half the beasts in the formation are now gone, and are nowhere to be seen, "WE... are looking for Aikuen... WE are ordered to hunt him down and bring him back to our island... And you have already made it clear that you don't want to help... so i'm telling you... go around... then go north... or..." he grins, "If you give me information on where Aikuen is... i let you pass... unharmed and unscathed..."

Sebastian steps back quickly and lets his eye fly up to where the arrows came from. He see's nothing but knows they are there. "Alright then. I'll tell you where he is." he nods. "He, my vermin friend, is somewhere. Somewhere I simply don't know. If I knew, I probably would have told you to save my friend. After all, the life of a beast I've never met is not as valuable to me then the life of really, the only true friend I have." he's totally bluffing. "I do not know where he is. I will not help you find him, but I'll make you a deal. If I learn anything, I will tell you." he thinks for a moment, lowering the sword, but takes another few steps forward. Slowly, and very carefully, ready to jump back if there are more arrows.

There are no more arrows, even without disregarding orders. The otter nods slowly, "Very good Sebastion... For that... i will let you pass... unharmed and unscathed..." He walks to the north, and barks out an order. Half the beast in formation from before, appear behind the badger on the south side of the bridge soaking wet, "And if you keep your word... i thank you... and you will be payed when the time comes..." he eyes the badger for a second, "You will follow me out of our camp... Now no funny business... Lets go..." and continues on north.

Sebastian eyes them, and then the beasts behind him, still keeping his sword out. The bluff worked, and for that, he mentally laughs. Slowly he steps forward again, following Jericken. "You leave your beasts here, or I'll do no such thing." he says simply. "I have what I want, and have no reason to fight anymore." he lies, following extremely slowly.

Jericken turns back and laughs, "Is that an order... oh my..." He chuckles on contiunes on. The beasts on the south side do not follow. The otter places his paws behind his back and continues on, "The beast will stay where they are... My troops on the north side... The archers in the tree.. And... any other beast that i may have in the woods... ready to fight at a mere whistle..." he grins, "They will stay RIGHT where they are..." he laughs.

Sebastian eyes the others and speeds up a little, catching up with the otter. "Fine." he mutters quietly. He's now in a great attacking position, but has to wait before he does anything. He really doesn't want to be blamed for anything when he returns home, nor does he want to have broken his promise to his father all the seasons ago. As soon as he thinks the other's are far enough away, he takes a deep breath.

Jericken continues on. As they past the troops on the north you can see there faces. Assorted beasts, woodlanders and vermin alike. each one with grim look on their faces as they pass. Archers align the the treetops in the camp, each with a bow string taut pointed straight at the badger. But true to the otters word, not a beast has moved. When they get to the middle of the camp, the otter turns and points north, "Go... leave... I kept my promise..." aware what might happed. But he is trained in this sort of thing, and looks the badger up and down. The otter looks no different than usual, but he is in a stance...

Sebastian watches each beast as he passes before stopping next to Jericken. "Before I go...what is it you want this...Aikuen...for?" he asks before blinking and pointing towards the trees, not where the arches are. "Oh my word, what is that!?" Hey, it worked seasons ago.

Jericken tilts his head at the badger, "Aikuen is wanted for crimes... Against beastkind... Why we want him alive is classified..." he keeps his gaze on the badger at the pathetic attempt, "If its something that i should look at... my scouts would have told me..." he points behind him, "Unless your going to do... that... again, i suggest you leave..."

Sebastian laughs. "Ah, I tried." he smirks before tilting his head. "Oh? What crimes? Surely you can tell me that. Maybe...I can help hunt him down or something..." again. Another lie. Get them to trust you. Not working so well. Fight them...Not happening yet. This badger is slow.

Jericken sighs, as he will answer that. I mean he has been saying it to everybeast that has passed by here since a week ago "Aikuen is wanted for mass murder, conspiracy, assassination, false documents, piracy... the list goes on... and on..." He then points behind him again, getting a little tired of the badger, "We don't want too... interfere with the lives of the denizens of Mossflower... Now, you had a friend you just had to see... So...Please...leave..." The sounds of swords being drawn can be heard from the woods.

Sebastian eyes him very closely and then nods. "Oh. Very interested charges. I..." he pauses at the sound of swords. "No, I don't think I will leave. Let you hurt some probably innocent beast..." he then gives a quick swing of his sword downward to the otter, preparing to attempt to dodge the arrows he knows will be coming.

Jericken sighs and steps to the side, out of the way of the downswing. Completely expecting something like that "Pity..." he whistles two odd tones, and runs backwards as a downpour of metal arrows pelt where the badger is. Jericken barks out orders as the sounds of beasts stampede toward the badger, swords drawn and the tell of battle in their eyes. Jericken prepares to repel the badger again with his own sword. They are all soldiers, experienced... and well trained in their art of combat.

Sebastian was trained by his father, many seasons ago, but recent injuries sort of...ended his warrior life. Which means this next move, really hurts. He jabs his sword into the ground and rolls out of the way of most of the arrows. All but three. One of them grazes his arm harmlessly, leaving a long red cut going down his arm, one nails him right in the shoulder, and the other, right through his left arm, making him yelp loudly. He hears beasts run at him and quickly gets to his feet, grabbing his sword, ready to hold his ground, even with his one arm. Failing to realize that he's in front of a field of arrows and broken arrow heads, he steps forward, right onto an arrow, yelping as he does so, balancing on one foot for the moment until he pushes the pain from his mind, standing his ground again, wincing still every so often.

Every sword beast circles the badger, their swords held like pikes toward the badger. They might have not been fully able to so this, if the badger wasn't preoccupied. They stand a good distance away, out of the way off of his sweeping blade, but close enough to prevent him to roll away from the arrows. They keeps their distance as they show no fear in their eyes at the larger beast. Jericken barks an order and every archer in the tree aims right at Sebastion, but they do not fire. Jericken laughs and steps into the circle, "Listen... Vermin... WE were going to give you free passage out of our camp... now look..." he looks around, "I do not wish to harm innocent beasts... You attacked us first... who is innocent..." he sighs, "We can heal the arrow wounds... then escort you out... or..." he holds a paw in the air, and everybeast hooays and steps forward, "Your call vermin..."

Sebastian eyes them. He was in pain. But he's not sure he wants them to heal him up. Knowing he's out numbered, he growls and drops his sword, the blade digging into the ground, sword standing up. "The first option sounds..fine to me. But I am warning you now." he says. "I will kill you if I find that you've hurt, or captured the otter you're looking for." he nods once. "I've known a so called...king...and I know enough that all kings...are liars." he says simply, eyes moving around the beast who have him surrounded. If this was a good day for Seb, they'd be laying face down right now.

Jericken nods, and slowly drops his paw, "Very good choice... Were not here to harm anybeast besides Aikuen..." he barks out an order and a mole steps forward to retrieve the badgers sword quickly before returning to the circle. Jericken barks out some more orders and the circle turns into a semicircle opening toward the north. Jericken stands in the opening, "You can make all the idle threats you want... we will find this otter... we wont hurt him... just... capture him, return him home... so he reep the benefits of being a criminal... The... Emperor... Demands..." he grins, "Now go north..." the soldiers keep there 'pikes' toward the badger. Even if it was a bad day for the badger, the only way the badger would make it out... is death...

Sebastian eyes the mole but then protectively stands in front of his sword. "I'd better be getting that back." he growls. "Or I really will rip your head from your body." he says in an angry voice. What do you expect? His father made him that sword and boy, he'd die before he let it leave him.

Jericken nods and similes, "Of course... it was just merely a precaution... as you can no longer be trusted... Unlike me... who has not broke his word yet..." he bows slightly, "Now... please follow... Your sword will be right beside me... Ready to give to you at your... departing..." he barks out another order and the mole plus two sword beasts run forward and stand behind the otter, "And since you can no longer be trusted..." he snaps, and walks toward the north, with the others and the sword behind him. The sounds of moving beasts are heard behind the badger.

Sebastian mutters to himself and slowly shakes his head as he limps along where they told him to, making a mental note to find this 'Aikuen' before they do. That's secondary anyways, his first duty is to his friend, not to some beast he doesn't know. "Just give it back when I leave." he mutter.s

Jericken nods as he continues on, "Oh you well... don't worry, you can trust me..." the entire troop, and the badger, walk forward for a very long time, several miles north of the camp. Jericken stops and asks for the sword, "Hefty ole thing ain it!" he laughs and places it on the ground, "Now, don't move Sebastion... when we tell you too, you can retrieve your blade... as we will be long gone... and you can go about your business..." the four beasts make a wide berth around the badger, stepping back to the main part of the troop.

Sebastian eyes them. "So much for healing up the arrow wounds." he mutters, watching them. When they're back enough away, without waiting at all for any word, he retrieves his sword quickly and sheathes it. "If I see you again, you'd best hope that your asleep to cause you less pain." he grumbles, turning away and starting to limp. After a few minutes of walking, the badger falls down to his knees, breaking off parts of the arrow, then painfully yanking what's left through his arm and shoulder. After starting a fire, he heats up the blade of his sword and takes a deep breath before burning each wound carefully on his arm and shoulder, yelping as he does. After placing the sword on he ground, he pulls off one of his boots and pulls out an arrow head. "OW!" he growls. He just bandages the foot rather then burning it. "Darn...vermin..." After a little while, he stands, and continues on his way, much more painfully, just glad the areas where he burned himself are not visible under his tunic.

Jericken watches as the badger leaves. He turns quickly back on his troops, and barks out an order. they all salute and march double time back to the camp. When they return to the empty camp, there is a beggar, a rat, held up by a soldier, "Commander... saw this one hanging around our camp... Claims to know about Aikuen..." Jericken come wide eyed and approaches the rat, "Tell me... and the awards will be great..." The rats blabs everything. Jericken smiles and says trying to hold in his excitement, "Very good... Please... reward him..." the soldier cuts the rats neck and he starts to writhe in pain on the ground before dying. Jericken barks out orders and grins to himself, "He has been seen to the east... break camp... we move in 5 minutes..." In 6 minutes, the only thing that remains of the soldiers in the area.... are a few arrows and a dead rat.

• Wanted Poster: This, small scroll, is a poster for bounty hunters, to capture those on them. On this poster, there is a very good complete drawing of an otter. The otter in the picture is tall and muscular. Has a sword tied to his belt at the back. He has daggers tied to his body in several places: His left calf, his right shoulder and over his chest. Also across his chest is a large looking black sling. The otter is wearing a pair of brown shorts, held up by a broad belt. On he left arm, he is wearing plated armor with metal greaves. And on his right forearm is a blue sleeve cuff, with the gold letter 'A'. Words surround the picture, written in some language that is not common. At the bottom are the letters 'GC'