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Travels
Feb 13, 2009 16:20:03 GMT -5
Post by jaydjasmyn on Feb 13, 2009 16:20:03 GMT -5
Oh yes... the rocking of the sea only proved to make Jayd even more sick. With each day her sickness grew but even more so in the mornings. The femme ate lightly, crackers were about all that she could keep down.
Ladorak entered their cabin and of course Jayd made it seem that she was just fine. By the time he got to her she was sitting on the edge of the bed and he was lighting a candle. She must have looked a sight.
The femme chuckled lowly as she answered him. "If you don't mind I would like to come along. Perhaps I just need to get my feet on solid ground again. I think that I may have picked up a bug on the island." Jayd stood and began to dress. "I'm sorry. I'm ruining your vacation by being sick. I promise that I'll get better." A promise that she could not keep indeed but she just had to say it.
Jayd approached him and kissed his lips softly. Her gaze was loving but she was also searching his face for expressions and watching his lips for a response. Truly she longed to go with him. Her desire to be with him was growing unceasingly.
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Travels
Feb 13, 2009 16:40:51 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Feb 13, 2009 16:40:51 GMT -5
"Alright.....if you feel up to it. I'm almost tempted to have you remain on board just in case but.....well I'll let you come with me. Just remember....I expect you to follow my instructions when I sail off to war alright? You'll be permitted of course to come with me....but I don't want you on the warship when we engage an enemy." He smiled firmly at her, offering her a paw to get her to stand. "Carnavon will come with us. I might not trust him, but he'll be useful I think in this instance. He looks....just....too much like another weasel I know." he said disconcertingly.
"We'll slip in close. There's a hidden apartment that not many know about. I have a feeling we'll find Caden there......Sken had always said that....at least to me....that this place was safer than her manor. I don't think I'd be able to get in to her manor anyways.....that place has gotta be sealed off tightly. Come on....let's go...." the acrid smell of the candle filled his nostrils as he passed by the burning wax and snuffed it out. No use leaving it lit while they would be away.....
**********
The outskirts were dark....hardly any lights were burning. This wasn't a good part of town, most certainly not for a female to be wandering about it, but the three were stealing in and out of the shadows. It was easy enough for Ladorak to do....he used to be called the Shadow for a reason after all. This Carnavon fellow seemed to be doing a good job as well. It almost as if...he were used to sneaking about.
Trying to remember which building it was, the ermine brought them at last to a seedy looking building. It was built on stilts, being close to the water, and had a second story that served as the main building whereas a stable was built underneath, providing partial support. Well.....better than nothing. May as well start here. Ladorak kept his blade in its sheath. No use in getting......too carried away here. There was just one minor problem he'd have to deal with......
Telling Jayd and Carnavon to stay back and away from the door, Ladorak rapped his paw upon the aging wood, hoping to not have to take on.....her. The door opened, and of course she was standing there. "Yes? May I help you?" came the gravely reply.
"Hello Helandria." Ladorak replied to the ratess standing in the doorway. Her fur was gray, wild, and very unkempt.
"And you are.....?" the ratess asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well....Ladorak Fugate.....former Captain of the Guar....ACK!" his words were cut off as her fingers shot out and wrapped around his throat. "Wh...." he gasped out, but wasn't able to get much more out. She had caught him off guard, and pushed him backwards towards the railing. His back struck it, but the railing didn't break, even though it felt like it could. "Hee...lan....dria....!" he managed to squeeze out between his teeth. She wasn't stronger than he was, but she was feral, wild.
However Carnavon had come up and struck her upon her back, and this gave Ladorak enough momentum to shove her off of him and into the wall of the building. Gulping in precious breaths of air, Carnavon's paw flashed, a small dagger being drawn. "Wait! Wait!" Ladorak held up his paw. "Don't kill her......"
"Are you mad?" Carnavon hissed.
"No....she knows who I am."
"Yes....and I know why you're here." Helandria eyed the ermine darkly, but wasn't about to make a move...not unless Carnavon let his guard down. He wasn't dropping the knife however. Not a chance. She fought dirty....and wouldn't hesitate to kill if the need arose. "Whose the wench?" she asked of Jayd. Ladorak looked over at Jayd, shrugging and motioning for her to come closer.
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Travels
Feb 13, 2009 17:26:03 GMT -5
Post by jaydjasmyn on Feb 13, 2009 17:26:03 GMT -5
Jayd nodded cutely to Ladorak and then followed him to where he wanted to go. Of course she would honor her agreement to listen to him and to do what he wanted her to do.
It didn't take long for the trio to find trouble. Jayd didn't like this! Not one bit! She gasped when Ladorak was being assaulted. She wanted to go help him but she remained at a distance. It almost killed her but she did it anyway.
Needless to say but she was relieved when it was over and Ladorak was motioning her over. The femme stoat wondered why he didn't tell her right off that Jayd was 'with' him as a prospective mate. This put her off a little but she still approached them.
Without missing a beat and as if Jayd purposefully was punishing the female rat for calling her a wench she bent over and vomited on her feet. Of course by the expression on her face she did not do that on purpose.
The female clasped her paw over her mouth and began to apologize....
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Travels
Feb 13, 2009 18:00:39 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Feb 13, 2009 18:00:39 GMT -5
"YUCK!" Helandria recoiled, wrinkling her nose and shuffling her foot paws back as best she could. What was...this female DOING!? Hissing, she moved forward to attack, but Carnavon threw her with a push of his paw. This of course got them in to a scuffle as Helandria naturally tried to fight back, but Ladorak helped to restrain her and get her cooled down. "What do you WANT Fugate? You left when Sken needed you the MOST! How could you have abandoned her like you did!?"
"I Know that......Helandria....I know." Ladorak hung his head now, the ratess bending down cautiously to wipe her footpaws clean. She glared at Jayd, scowling at the female. "I know....but I was forced out by my enemies behind my back. You know that....I made mistakes too...and perhaps...it did in fact cost the Minister her life. But....that's partly why I'm here.....to help her kit....to help Caden."
"What do you want with Caden?" Helandria growled darkly.
"To take him in....to get him away from here....it's too dangerous now....and I DON'T want that....well I don't want certain beasts getting their paws on him."
"I can manage just fine." Helandria scoffed, shaking her head. "The Minister left him with ME, and I've been raising him, training him to fight, that's what she wanted. You CAN'T have him!" she barked.
"Maybe....but training to fight could be arranged....IF that's what she really wants. I could take him with me. I'm in the Galdean Navy now, and well.....he could be brought up on a warship. Of course.....it would be a hard life, but it might make a proper male out of him yet. I can give him things you can't after all....you have to live here in hiding. You can't even bring him out in daylight without hiding him....can you?" the ermine challenged her. He eyes widened at this.
"So what?"
"You KNOW that's no way to raise a kit....even one as....wild as Caden. He needs PROPER discipline and care. Do you honestly think that you can provide that? You're welcome to come with us but.....I don't want him living here."
"That ain't your choice stoat." she hissed savagely.
"No it's not...but please......I encourage you to..." but noises in the street caused Helandria to quickly look away.
"Get in...GET IN!" she yelled, dragging Ladorak by his wrist and pulling Jayd by her arm. Carnavon sniffed and followed inside, letting the door shut behind them. "You'll expose us....now listen.....don't speak loudly. He's sleeping...keep quiet." she motioned to a room off the side where the albino pine marten kit was dozing....looking rather angelic, unlike his usual waking self. Ladorak's heart leaped a bit at seeing him. Excellent!
He wandered over there before being blocked by Helandria's arm. "No! Absolutely not! I will NOT allow you to see him!" Ladorak frowned.....but then an explosion outside rocked the foundations of the house, causing dirt to tumble from the rafters and knock the house all about on it's stilts. What in blasted hellgates was that!?
*********
It was in fact, a warship, a warship of Galdea commanded by a close associate of Ladorak's in the Navy. Commander F. Cadigan of His Royal Highness King Poynt's Warship "Valor" had cut in close to shore, having been assigned to the area to be on the lookout for a particular vessel....a vessel carrying an illegal cargo. His orders were to destroy the ship at ANY cost and send it to the bottom. He had lain in wait for hours in the darkness, waiting for the target to set sail....and now that it finally had, he ordered his warship to cut her out.
Cadigan was a damn good officer, but shooting at night was difficult, and after the first few volleys went wild and crashed in to the seaside residences of some unfortunate Bully Harbor residents, Cadigan decided the hell with it. Chances of them identifying his vessel in the darkness were next to nothing, and even if they DID....what could their navy possibly do? Galdean warships used cannons......Imperium warships used ballistae. Cadigan would win any fight he got in to, and besides, the current Imperium government was quite corrupt. A nice fat paycheck presented to the Emperor by the morning would clear things up, even if some civilians were killed.
Cadigan therefore ordered his vessel to find the range and keep firing. He had orders, they couldn't be disobeyed.....and this ship HAD to be sunk. He told his crew to check carefully to make sure they didn't shoot wild, but firing in the dark at a moving target silhouetted on a black city scape was NOT easy....though the highly trained Galdean gunners quickly got the range. Like thunder Valor's cannons roared out...and one wild shot...the last in fact, had the misfortune of plowing in to the Freemont safehouse........
*********
The house's sea wall blew out around him, and splinters flew everywhere. Ladorak was knocked off his feet and thrown to the floor, coughing and hacking as dust filled his lungs. He couldn't see at first, but fortunately the shot had not been a shell, and did not explode. It just took out a good chunk of the house's wall.
Blinking, Ladorak discovered he was lying on his back. He could hear....distant cannonfire...and wondered what in bloody hell was going on. Looking around him, he thought immediately of Jayd. Oh PLEASE let her be alright! She was behind him so...hopefully she'd be fine but...."Jayd?" he called her name out, looking around the room rapidly as his eyes refocused. He didn't.......feel injured, which was good. He could see Carnavon, also looking unhurt. So far so good but.....
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Travels
Feb 13, 2009 19:36:18 GMT -5
Post by jaydjasmyn on Feb 13, 2009 19:36:18 GMT -5
Jayd felt extremely bad about throwing up all over the place but at this point the others would just have to get over it. The femme was becoming in a rather foul mood, especially after being physically dragged into the house.
This was not fun, not fun at all. Jayd felt out of place and still very sick to her stomach. The only thing that she wanted was to get the male and leave so that they could be on their way. She would just love a nice soft bed to sleep in right now and perhaps the only thing that would make it better would be Ladorak's arms wrapped around her, also slumbering in the land of dreams.
But no... Here they were... Trying to get a child that would clearly be in better paws with Ladorak and Jayd but all the rat-tess could do was resist! This was a very frustrating situation indeed.
Things could change in the blink of an eye and it certainly did! Their arguments were halted by a blast that took a large chunk of the building away. The only thing left to see was dust, rock and splinters of lumber being thrown throughout the room. It was so hard to breath.
From a distance Jayd could hear Ladorak's voice. The femme was dazed and confused and her vision was dim. For a few minutes the stoat-tess was knocked out cold but was beckoned by Ladorak's voice to come back to reality. She sat up, rubbing her head and feeling the warmth of blood seeping over her forehead and down her cheek. Her voice was crackled but she managed to blurt out softly. "Ladorak?"
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Travels
Feb 14, 2009 0:03:53 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Feb 14, 2009 0:03:53 GMT -5
Ladorak's senses were slowly coming back to him. Carnavon was getting to his feet, and Ladorak started to slowly follow suit. He was stunned....but appeared to be physically unharmed. "Jayd?" he asked again, looking around and seeing her behind him. Oh...it looked as if she had some sort of laceration on her head....but he couldn't be sure.
Crawling over to her, the stoat could see....Helandria, having been struck by a rather large splinter from the wooden wall. Oh.....blast it.....it was just like on a warship. Splinters were the biggest killer...and from the looks of it, this one, about a foot long and around 5 inches or so wide had buried itself in her backside, and she was lying in a bloody mess in a pile of rubble. The cannonball's shot had struck at the area where the dividing wall between Caden's room and the main room ran in to the outside wall, and this was very bad for Helandria, as she had been standing right by this wall, which had suddenly exploded behind her. She had probably taken the missile meant for Ladorak....but that was already over and done with. Too late to do anything about it now.....she was still alive....but barely.
Carnavon was shaking himself off and looking around, clearly dazed by what had happened. Caden, for his part, had been awakened by the fracturing of the building....or had he? Ladorak couldn't tell because the marten kit was lying off to the side of his bed on the floor, looking unharmed by quite possibly unconscious from the concussion of the strike. Well...probably for the best. He was breathing, and there was no blood around him, which would be otherwise easy to see due to his white fur. The only difference was that he was face down now. Ladorak would have to get to him in a minute.
By now Ladorak was over Jayd's body, looking her over. "Jayd." he called her name again. "Are you alright....can you move? Are you hurt?" the questions were fast and yet slow at the same time, being enunciated but coming in rapid succession. Too many things were going on at once. Helandria was probably dying over there, and Caden well....was either unconscious or hurt in some other way, and the situation just wasn't one Ladorak had wanted to get in to right now.
The distant cannon fire was dying, as whatever was happening was coming to a conclusion. Commander Cadigan had succeeded in sinking the cargo ship and preserving the peace of Galdea at the possible cost of a ratess. That ship had been a pirate anyways, and was not subject to international law. The Valor was wearing now and coming about, getting ready to vacate the area....but that didn't mean that the problems of the group inside the building were by any means over yet. Even as grievously wounded as she was, Helandria knew that inspectors would be heading their way....and that would be bad if they discovered Caden.
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Travels
Feb 16, 2009 13:32:16 GMT -5
Post by jaydjasmyn on Feb 16, 2009 13:32:16 GMT -5
Her vision was still a little fuzzy but she wasn't about to tell Ladorak that. Instead she sucked it up and tried her best to endure it, even though she was still feeling rather sick to her stomach. Blasted flu! "Yes... Yes I'm fine." She wanted to ask him what was going on but instead she asked him another question as she rubbed the still running blood off of her face with the back of her paw. "What do you want me to do? Should I check on Caden?" Jayd would do what ever Lad wished for her to do.
Ugh! Her stomach was not getting any better. As a matter of fact she was feeling rather faint earlier and the bump on her head did not help matters in this regard. But still! The femme bit her bottom lip and persevered. She would not give up! Ladorak couldn't do all of this by himself and the stoat-tess knew this. Even if she had to stop to vomit and then move on she would do that.
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Travels
Feb 16, 2009 17:27:12 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Feb 16, 2009 17:27:12 GMT -5
"If you can move, head over to him but....you honestly don't look so good. I think you should just stay there for a minute. I'll be back to help you. Try to stay awake if you can." He told her, crawling over to where Helandria was. He finally stood up, and Carnavon was looking about the room. "Jal Carnavon, help Jayd up if she can manage it please."
"Of course Ladorak." was the weasel's reply. He went over to her, looking down at her with slight....amusement it seemed. "Here Jis, do you need help getting up?" he offered her a paw, more than willing at least to lend her assistance in rising to her feet.
Helandria meanwhile was not doing too well. Blood was seeping out of her mouth, and it was quite clear that she had suffered internal injuries. He tried pulling her out from the rubble, but he was afraid to move her too much. "You...." she spat some blood out, and he tried shifting the planks of wood, taking a look at her impaled backside.
"That....doesn't look too good Helandria...let me help you...." she shoved his paws away though.
"No! Don't.....you don't have time! The Fogeys will be out soon! Whatever that was.....they'll be looking to assist beasts....and if they find us.....find Caden......they'll know he's still alive! You must not....let anybeast discover him! You must take him.....and flee! But..." she now grabbed hold of Ladorak's jerkin quite roughly, yanking him down in close to her. He could smell the blood about her. It was a sickening smell. Something he was used to in battle....but not in situations like this. "You must promise me to protect him.....and raise him......to.......fight......" the light left her eyes, and she breathed her last, right in to Ladorak's face. He wrinkled his snout, shaking his head sadly.
Knocking her paw off of his jerkin, the ermine stood up, looking over at where Caden lay. He was still breathing, and just seemed to be unconscious. Oh the little kit wouldn't be happy when he woke up far from home.....that would be sure.
But yes...they had to get out of here! The sooner the better. Bending over, Ladorak hefted the small kit up in to his arms. Poor thing....he looked so peaceful when he was asleep.....but when he woke up.....well Ladorak would have a lot of explaining to do....and probably some discipline to enforce as well. Walking over to where Jayd was, he held Caden tightly in his arms. "Do you need help Jayd? Can you move on your own?" he asked the female, willing to support her first and foremost and give Caden off to Carnavon if the need arose. It was strange....but the warmth of Caden's body felt....good to Ladorak, and he was rather gladdened to see the albino slumbering so soundly in his arms. To think.....what his life would be like with this kit living with him.....but first things first. They needed to get back to the Red Lotus before they could do anything else.
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Travels
Feb 17, 2009 8:55:05 GMT -5
Post by jaydjasmyn on Feb 17, 2009 8:55:05 GMT -5
Jayd nodded toward Ladorak and gave him a smile, one that was genuine but still she knew that he could not be fooled. The femme knew that he knew that she was in pain but she was also not greedy. Jayd knew that there were others that needed his help much more then she at this very moment.
After Lad left Jayd let out a soft groan. For some reason the release of throat noises always made one feel a bit better. Perhaps the sound released some sort of comforting hormone throughout the body; Jayd didn't know. Perhaps it was all physiological. Who knew?
Soon the weasel was above her. Indeed the stoat-tee caught sight of his gaze of amusement. It sickened her, so much so that she denied his paw of helping. This was the last straw. Jayd was now in a very foul mood. She was peeved about this whole situation, peeved about the weasel in whom she did not trust, not one bit. The fem was peeved about her present condition. She was sick and could not figure out why and now she was wounded and unable to function the way that she wished. Her heart wished to help Ladorak.
Jayd slapped his paw away. "Get away from me weasel. Back off! I can assist myself. I don't know what your scheme is but I'm letting you know right now.. I don't trust you!" By this time Ladorak was back over to her with the child wrapped up in his arms, perhaps hearing the last bit that she said, she hoped not; he had enough on his mind. Yes Jayd caught sight of the femme rat dying. Oddly enough it didn't sadden her. Maybe it was because of her bad mood but another reason was because... well... she just didn't like the female rat. Jayd got bad vibes from her from the very start.
The last thing that Jayd wanted was for Lad to think that she was being rotten and so slightly she smiled, if only because she noted his helpful disposition and the kit that looked like an angel as he was laying in his arms. Another reason could be because the male stoat looked rather nice with a child in his arms. And so if anything else Ladorak's presence was the only thing that soothed Jayd.
"Do you need help Jayd? Can you move on your own?" The fae shook her head and then gritted her teeth, her jaw-line clearly clenched and tightened with determination. The fem did NOT want the weasel to hold Caden! Jayd ambled to her footpaws, her body trembling and shaking but she managed to do it without assistance. Her eyes then peered into Ladorak's. Now was not the time to break down. She MUST remain strong and determined. "Let's get out of here and be on our way." Without waiting for Lad's permission the fem brushed past him. Her destination was to have a look about to see if there was any pending danger so that they may exit.
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Travels
Feb 17, 2009 12:30:01 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Feb 17, 2009 12:30:01 GMT -5
Ladorak was a bit surprised at Jayd's resilience. Carnavon too, though all he did was narrow his already beady eyes at her turn away. "As you wish." he said dismissively. Fine....she wasn't going to cooperate than so be it. He only needed them until he got to Galdea.....
Ladorak could sense that there was...tension between Carnavon, and though the weasel DID seem shifty, it wouldn't help to be polite right? Jayd got to standing, and Ladorak breathed a sigh of relief. "OK good....we'd better get out of here. There's nothing for us...here......" he trailed off as Jayd moved right past him to look outside to see if the coast was clear.
The were shouts and and the distant sound of pawsteps. It would probably be best to get back to the launch and back on the Red Lotus as soon as possible. Ladorak wasn't sure what that had been about. Someone had fired on the city, but whatever it was was absolutely none of his concern. This would be the last time he EVER set paw in this place again, he made a silent promise to himself then and there.
Looking behind Jayd, he gave her a tap on her leg with his tail to let them know it was safe to start moving. Ladorak stayed close to Jayd, ready to steady her or catch her if the need arose. He could easily hold Caden in one arm, and use his other to support Jayd if need be. Carnavon followed behind them. They were heading to the waterfront but the sounds of Fogeys running about could be heard in every which direction. This....wasn't good. They would need to evade being seen.
"Carnavon!" Ladorak whispered to the trailing weasel. "I need you to watch our backs. Make sure any Fogeys that are out there stay off our tracks." The weasel nodded, some light coming to his eyes. At long last.....some fun. "Jayd, I know you're sick, but can you untie the launch and get ready to cast off? I have to make sure Caden is safe. If you need help, just let me know, I'll be right here." the ermine told her reassuringly, and he never strayed more than a few feet from her side, his tail swishing nervously back and forth.
It was at this point that Ladorak looked back to where Carnavon was. The weasel was pressed up against a building's wall. Caden stirred down in Ladorak's arms, and the ermine was momentarily distracted. "Hold it!" came a stern voice. Looking up, Ladorak could see that a Fogey had seen them. A weasel of sorts, mustelid of some kind, Ladorak couldn't be certain. Either way it wasn't good. "What are you doing there? What's all this?" the Fogey could clearly see that Caden was a marten kit, and well Ladorak and Jayd were stoats, and this immediately sent some warning bells off in his mind.
He began to draw closer to them, warily, unsure of himself. "Look....we're just helping this kit to safety...."
"I need to see some papers...." the Fogey stated, taking note that Ladorak had a blade at his side, though not the Midlight Hammer. Just a regular sword. The stoat was also carrying what appeared to be....a pistol! One of those newfangled contraptions the Imperium had not been able to figure out yet. Ladorak was a horrible shot, and had only brought the thing as a deterrent.
"Papers....right.....well....." the Fogey was drawing closer....but didn't see Carnavon right behind him. With his paw on the hilt of his blade, the Fogey was suddenly attacked from behind, Carnavon bringing a paw up over his mouth and stabbing him viciously in the back, his eyes alight with a dark light and his mouth twisted in to a wicked grin. The Fogey had barely enough time to realize what was going on. He struggled, but Carnavon withdrew the blade and stabbed again, much to Ladorak's disgust. "Carnavon! Enough!" he called out to the weasel, who finally let the Fogey fall to the ground after giving a quick twist to the poor beast's neck, snapping it and rendering the creature dead where he fell.
"What?" Carnavon asked, wiping his dagger off on the dead officer's clothing. "If I had knocked him out he would have remembered seeing you. Best to silence these buggers eh governor?" There was something....decidedly dark now in Carnavon's voice, almost as if he had had no problems with what he'd just done, taking another beast's life without any remorse. "Best to slip away unseen."
Ladorak turned away, thoroughly upset over what he saw. "Jayd.....are we ready to go?" he asked quietly, knowing that rather than stand here and argue with Carnavon, it was best to shove off and get away from these shores as quickly as possible. THEN Ladorak could take up the matter of confronting Carnavon. No use in arguing with him now...it would make too much of a ruckus. They needed to be....stealthy for now. His eyes were strangely reserved and yet sad as well as they searched the female for her answer.
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