With Samerson (Cadmus) Dain (Shane) Aryel The White Mouse (Tzolkin) Christopher (Timothy) Nicholas (Matthias) Moya (Cedric) Xavier, Blue (Mandy) and Harle (Zohar)

The huge but incomplete log of the Mouse Colony Exodus. I'm posting it here to give people some ideas of future plans, and it will hopefully be completed in the near future.

The remnants of the devastated Mouse Colony flee to Thorn Valley in a ragtag caravan.

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“It was another cloudy day as the small Caravan trudged it's way through the next forest it had managed to find itself in. Most everyone walked along on foot, with only the weakest or youngest traveling on the makeshift carts the Mice had managed to bring along. They had supplies of food and water stocked well enough, true, but they had few weapons, and less spirit to fight with them. Samerson could only walk ever forward, bags set deep on his eyes. They had had to lose a night of sleep to make it safely across the Farm. Not that he had gotten much sleep during the night anyway, what with the nightmares that still haunted him... The worst part about it all was the blame. Everyone wanted to know why the Guard had failed so badly. Everyone wanted to point the finger at everyone else. It was almost...maddening. He casts a glance over his shoulder, weary gaze scanning over his doleful company.

Dain trudges along wearily, without any spirit or emotion shown on his face except for a strange fusion of shock and exhaustion. The young boy had been forced to walk alone, having all his friends and family...he shudders, red eyes blinking back tears. Nightmares had become daydreams, haunting every corner of his thought, causing erratic twitching and sudden shouts pealing through the air, causing several others to turn, and give him the look of pity that he despises. A quick glance behind him tells that they think that even now, about the filthy orphan boy... With nothing better to do, he jogs up to the nearest guard, tugging on his sleeve. "Sir? How much longer 'till we get there?"

On one of the few carts carrying the food supply, a small white mouse sits, huddled against the supplies. She looks no more than 6, barely old enough to have been in the colony's school. Having given up on looking for her mom and dad, the small creature shivers and buries her face in her paws, her fur still matted and dirty from the ordeal.

Samerson snaps out of his reverie for the moment as he feels a tug on his shirt, looking down to view over the rather sad sight of this small mouse. He swings his rifle over his shoulder, twitching his muzzle as he looks the boy over, a measure of sorrow in his eyes now. "Kid, I can't say. Could be tomorrow, could be by the end of the week. We've got enough food to last us the journey, or at least -I- think so!" He suddenly shouts over to another guard, earning himself a look of pure loathing. He can't help but hear the sound of rustling from one of the carts, his eyes sweeping over to view the white mouse sitting against the food stock, his look becoming even more sorrowful.

"You t-think?!" Dain's eyes widen, staring in dumb horror at the guard. "But when that's gone..." He drops back, shivering again and whimpering quietly. What then? Will they have to eat themselves? He stares around at the ragged company, hazel eyes shifting from one rodent to the next, wondering what they'd think of him as an appetizer, head sliced off and body gutted...it's too much. He claps a paw over his mouth, bile starting to rise. He leans against a food cart trying to steady himself.

Christopher seems to be going through the motions at this point. One foot in front of the other, whiskers drooping, fur damp, matted and dirty, eyes tired and red from tears that finally ran dry. Nothing really seemed to matter anymore, not after he found a bloodstained scrap of Sarah's clothing--all that he could find in the rush to leave. And the headcount confirmed his suspicions... his love did not make it out with him. Passing by one of the carts, a patch of white catches his eye. A small thing, perhaps, but enough to rouse him out of his morose state. He blinks a little when he sees the small mouse with her head buried in her paws. His ears splay back a little, but his medical training overrides his sorrow, and he can't help but ask his next question. "Are... are you all right, little one?"

The little white mouse sniffles a bit. She'd tried to be strong, for what good it's done her. But now the reality of her situation is starting to weigh on her tiny shoulders, and she huddles tighter against the food cart, hiding her now damp face from view. "I.. I'm fine!" she squeaks at the other mouse, turning away from him.

Samerson reaches a paw out to Dain, placing it upon his shoulder, though he cannot even give him a reassuring smile. "Relax, kid. We've got enough supplied. If we're careful with the rationing..." he says. His eyes look over to Christopher, seeing that he's giving that white mouse some company. His temper suddenly flares for the briefest moment as his eyes lock in on the mouse, eyes narrowing as he mumbles, just loud enough for him to hear, "Wonder where the hell you were, -doctor-..."

Christopher blinks at the strong reaction from the little white mouse; he hoped he didn't make things worse. "Oh..." He looks away briefly, half considering just dropping back before he did something that made her cry. Before he can address the girl again, he hears Samerson's insinuation, giving him a cold look. "Patching up soldiers. Only so much two paws can do."

The little white mouse is of course certainly -not- fine. The panic of the last few days of the colony plays through her mind every time she closes her eyes, and so she hasn't slept for days. Now, when the other mouse had spoken to her, those emotions had began to surge through her again. She makes a small wretching noise, clinging to the front of the cart as she stands shakily on all fours, just in case her stomach betrays her.

Dain moans quietly, looking through bleary eyes between the two mice. They seem to know each other, but don't seem to like it. He shakes his head, re-focusing on the second mouse, the one with the girl. "You're a doct'r? Can you give me anything f-for...for..." He heaves, eyes closing tightly as he grips the guard next to him involuntarily.

Samerson gives a slight jolt as Dain suddenly grips him, though his eyes do not leave Christopher as he tightens his paw upon Dain's shoulder. "You were, huh? Doesn't look like you were really trying to me, seeing as how many damned men we lost." he says, bristling with anger. His eyes move over to the white mouse again, his anger almost abating at his want to comfort her. Almost. "Wonder if you ever really cared..." He shoots to Christopher, before turning his back on them both

Christopher's attention is drawn away from Samerson by the other two mice. In fact, he pointedly ignores the angry mouse, deciding he's not worth dealing with right now. Or possibly ever, but we'll see if his tune changes next time he gets an injury or comes down with something. "Anything for what, uh... kid? Stomach not feeling well?" He still glances over to the white mouse from time to time, but he figures he'll start with the one more receptive to treatment first.

The little white mouse shivers, closing her eyes tightly as the tears she's been desparately trying to hold back flow freely down her cheeks. "My mommy didn't want me.." she sobs, too young and confused to understand what had really happened.

Dain glances over at the white ragdoll, unable to clearly interpret her ramblings. He eventually shrugs, lokking deploringly at the mouse that adressed him. "Mm-hm, my tu-stummch feels - hrgk!" He releases the guard, clapping both paws over his mouth, which has started to ooze...what /is/ that? It's definitely not saliva. His eyes start to roll back in his head.

Samerson can only huff an annoyed breath at Christopher, bringing his rifle down into both paws as he slowly backs away from Dain; not out of revulsion or fear, but simply to give him space in the likely event he loses his lunch. "You gonna be okay, kid?" He says gently, his anger genuinely subsiding at the sight of the mouse, watching his eyes roll back. He can't help but move forward to grip both of his paws on the boy's shoulders, laying his rifle down nearby. "C'mon, it's gonna be alright..."

Christopher's ears flatten as the white mouse sobs. "I... I'm sure that's not true...," he begins, but before he can try to do anything for her, Dain loses whatever sustenance he'd managed to choke down over the past little while. He unslings his backpack and rifles about in it, pulling out a small root-like thing. "Ginger. It should help with the nausea." Seeing that Dain has managed to grow faint, he also pulls out some smelling salts, waving the first in front of the boy's nose until he's satisfied that he's revived. He offers the ginger to the boy to chew on while he checks his temperature, eyes and nose.

The little white mouse squeaks, shaking her head vigorously. "No, it's true! She told me she'd be back. She told me to be strong. But I couldn't! I just ran! I looked for her, and for my daddy too, but..." she explains before trailing off, voice manic and sobbing. She curls up into a little ball on the cart.

Dain looks blearily back at the doctor, bloodshot eyes half-closing with every chew of the ginger. He allows the mouse to poke and prod him, not fully connected to the world. He calls up to the small mouse, "Why'd y'run? She said she'd be back..."

Samerson lifts his paws from Dain's shoulders, seeing as how he's being looked over by the doctor. He takes his rifle back in his paws, striding off to his usual post near the front of the Caravan. He gazes ahead with tired eyes, his ears perking at the conversation going on behind him

Christopher nods a little to Dain once he's finished checking him over. "Well... looks like it was just the nausea. Still, you'd better ride in the cart for now." He hoists the mouse up into the same cart that the white mouse was in, then sits down next to the little female. "Did you find them?" he asks quietly, knowing what the answer must be, but wanting to be sure.

The little white mouse suddenly stops sobbing, her anger flaring. "SHUT UP!" she screams at the sick mouse, her fur bristling. She looks like she might bite the Dain, especially when he's placed closer to her. She doesn't answer Christopher's question, apparently not hearing it.

Dain shivers, looking over at the other mouse on the cart with sickly confusion. "B...but sh' said...?" He sits up, inching away from the young one. "I don' understand."

Samerson looks over his shoulder at the three other mice at the sound of the white mouse's shout, and whatever anger he may of felt towards Christopher is suppressed as he looks over the two younger mice. "Look..." He says to Christopher, his eyes full of concern, "Is there anything at all I can do?" He stands closer to the cart nonetheless, though his eyes also glance around the forest, wondering what might lurk within the branches of the trees...

Christopher squeaks at the white mouse's outburst, attempting to rest a paw on her shoulder to comfort her. "Shh... calm down, all right? He didn't mean anything by it." To Samerson he nods... "Could you keep an eye on... What's your name, son?"

The little white mouse grrrs at Dain, seeming willing to bite him for even insinuating what she thinks he did. She startles with a squeak as her focus is broken by Christopher's paw on her shoulder, recoiling into a corner where she huddles, ears folding back. She breathes heavily, gritting her teeth. "What happened? Wh.. where's my mom and dad?" she suddenly says, looking around frantically.

"Dain...m' names Dain." He looks over at the mousegirl, eyes full of sympathetic annoyance. He turns to Samerson. "Tell her...she'll attack me if'n I do," he murmurs in earnest.

Samerson grimaces at Dain, not sure what he could say to the white mouse to comfort her. He gives a nod to Christopher, though, silently agreeing with him. "Miss...your Mom and Dad are..." he grimaces again, biting his lip just slightly, "are fine. Bet they're waiting for us at the Valley, too..."

Christopher nods a little. "Dain, then. I think he's okay, but I'd like someone to keep an eye on him in case things get worse." Hearing the mouse girl's question, he seems at a loss the tiredness and the pain of the last few days seeming to bear down on him once again. "I... they're... they're--" He blinks when Samerson answers for him, feeling a wilting in him as Samerson lies to the child. He's not sure what he would've said himself, though. Looking back to the mouse, he gauges her reaction... perhaps... it'd be better to delay the heartbreak until they were safely with the rats?

The mouse girl's ears perk up, and she stands up, peering up at Christopher and Samerson with her bright blue eyes. "They are?" she asks, a tone of relief and a little bit of excitement building in her voice.

Dain shakes his head, staring at the guard in horror. "No, you..." Liar, he mouths, horror melting into abject dolefulness, tears welling up in his eyes. "She's going t-too...oh /no/." He puts his face in his paws, sobbing silently with pent-up rage and sadness at the loss of his own parents and the utter disregard for the truth.

Samerson can only turn his head to Dain, lightly pressing a finger to his lips as his gaze becomes wracked with intense guilt. He turns his head back over to the white mouse, hoisting a false but hopefully convincing smile upon his muzzle. "Yes...yes they are. And we'd all better be strong if you want to get to the Valley. They won't want to see you sad when they see you, will they?

Christopher feels a lump form in his throat, his ears folding back at the girl's excited reaction to Samerson's... statement. Though, who's to say that they hadn't escaped with some other group? Perhaps... Sarah made it too? Dare he believe? He leans back a little and sighs, rubbing his eyes with his paws and sniffing a bit. Looking over to the mouse girl with glassy eyes, he finally speaks. "They would want you to be strong, with or without them, I'm sure." He bites his lip a little.

Samerson trudges a little ahead of the caravan, a few hours having passed since his tense, guilt-ridden lie to that little mouse girl. She had since fallen asleep, with even Dain having drifted off after awhile. Both now lay tucked snuggly in one of the warmer wagons, the light of the day slowly beginning to fade as the convoy made its way ever onward. Samerson swung his rifle over a shoulder, squinting into the rapidly growing darkness as one of the forward scouts returned, panting a little as he grasped at a strap on his backpack. "We've got running water up ahead, fresh." he said, holding out a filled canteen. Samerson nodded, waving a paw as he turned around and looking back at the trail of mice behind him. "Finally...looks like we're almost there. Go and inform the Council, I'm sure they'll want to hear of this." With that the mouse sprinted off, leaving Samerson alone to peer at the other mice nearby.

Christopher, satisfied that the girl will be all right asleep where she is, has moved forward to join Samerson, a rather cross look on his face. He's just in time to hear the report of the scout, and he waits for him to finish and leave before falling in step next to him. "That was uncalled for," he says, his voice matching his expression.

Nicholas had just awoken, but somehow he still felt dead tired. Trials aplenty had been thrown at his feet throughout the previous weeks, his own capacity and that of his men tested thoroughly by every subsequent challenge. He had guided the remnants of their colony by the feet of the humans, past the dens of predators and beasts, amidst dangers both natural and artificial. His face felt heavy, worn by their travels and their troubles. Nevertheless, he was bound to present confidence with he was sorely lacking. Such was the burden of command. "Samerson!" he calls out, clad in his wilderness uniform. "Anything new?"

Moya watches Christopher going towards Samerson and sighs as she guesses why he would be going towards him with a look like that on his face. She decides to get up and join them to back Samerson up. "Listen, a lot of us lost friends and family to the Staggs. Do you know what it would do to a child to hear their parents have been killed?"

Samerson's eyes find themselves looking to the side at Christopher, momentarily taken aback at the harshness of his words and the look on his face to match it. He walks on a bit, shifting his rifle as his face falls into a more defensive, adamant expression. "I did what I had to do. How would -you- have answered?" he replies, craning his head around at Nicholas. "All's well, sir. Scout just reported we're nearing running water, so we can't be too far off!" he shouts back, turning again to face Christopher. "We all have to do things we don't want to." he nods to Moya, watching her come up beside them both of them. "My point exactly. We have to keep moral up one way or another."

Christopher remains unconvinced. "Yeah, and then break her heart once she reaches the valley and sees that her parents still aren't there... Look, you could've told the truth and said that you didn't know. Heck, even *I* don't know. I assume they died, but I didn't see them get killed. If you want to sugar coat it and say that they might even be at the valley, sure, but practically promising her something like that... If you had kids of your own, I'll bet you'd think differently."

Nicholas is content to hear this somewhat positive report. "Good. Then, it's almost over..." he muses. He knows little of what exactly transpired earlier between Christopher and Samerson, but he keeps a keen eye out in case anything goes overboard. Besides, he can probably guess. "Tell the sergeant I want a scouting party assembled. Let's see where this river goes.." In according with procedure, he produces a slip of paper with his signature and signet of rank upon it, certifying his authority

Moya tries to keep her temper with Christopher, "I know she will be crushed when she finds out the truth. Do you want to further crush all of her hopes now or wait until some things go right for her to do it? At least this way she may know that she is in a safe place when she finds out, and later maybe more of us can take the time to comfort her about it. But now is not the time to do so."

Samerson narrows his eyes at Christopher, looking over the sheet of paper with indignant eyes. "Will do, sir." He looks sternly back at the doctor, mulling over his next reply. "Don't kid yourself. No-one survived that blaze. Anyone who was outside the colony when the attack hit is dead, and you're a damn fool if you believe otherwise. My mother is in a terror-induced trance, my father is dead, and my brother is as good as... the best that girl has now is that one hope, as false as it is. And as horrible as it sounds it's the one thing keeping her going in this God-forsaken hell. And she..." he points to Moya, "...is the only one who seems to agree!" he half-shouts, breathing hard through his nose and politely ignoring Christopher's last words. "What's that..." he says suddenly, ears perking high as he walks on, "I hear water."

Christopher scowls at Samerson. "Fine. But mark me, nothing good will come out of this. Once the false hope is dashed it will plunge her even further into depression than she was before. And make her trust adults less to boot. I hope you're proud of yourself." Not waiting for a response, he drops back again, simmering. He's had just about all he can stand of the mouse, and raw nerves flaring into a fight is the last thing they need now. He seems a little mollified when he hears the water as well; they certainly could use some.

Nicholas furrows his brow as he observes the conflict. He wasn't one to interfere in personal business, but nevertheless he kept watch; this mgiht impact their duties and plans, after all. Silently he retreats into the background and sits against the tree, waiting for the next report. He seems, as usual, reluctant to talk to anyone about anything outside of his job

Moya's face is almost red with anger at Christopher, "Just what is his problem? If we told her the truth now she would have given up all hope and let herself die by now." She smiles at the sound of water, "At least something is going right."

Samerson clasps his paw tight around his rifle, bringing it down into both paws and needing a good deal of restraint to not bring the butt of the gun into the mouses muzzle. "Fine, you think what you want to, and I'll do the same. Now why don't you go make sure no-one is sick, hmm?" he quips, turning back to Nicholas with the look of a mouse trying very hard to calm himself down. "I'll get a few more scouts sent along once we're at the stream, sir. I think it will be wise to restock our water supply first, permission to carry the order out?" he says, with a much more formal, soldier-like voice. This softens, however, as he looks back at Moya. "Let him think what he wants, I don't care about him right now. Glad -someone- has some sense around here, though." he says to her, the first tantalizing wafts of fresh water meeting his nose. "God knows some nice cold water will do us some good, though..." As he says this, the first faint glimmer of water can be seen through the trees, the sound of a rushing stream growing louder and louder.

Christopher thinks he knows more about child psychology than any of them put together, but honestly, he doesn't care about them either. He hopes he can undo some of the damage done, though he's admittedly not sure how. As all of the sick people are as stable as he can make them already, he begins to wander a bit towards the river, though he's careful not to get too far from the caravan.

Xavier has been keeping a post out by the stream for the last several weeks. His long range scouts, while having not seen or heard the rumored convoy themselves, word does travel fast. With a few educated guesses, Xavier had somewhat put his eggs in one basket with a bet if they were coming, they'd find the faint, but distinctly existant trail. Having grown tired of being stuck in his office, and the accumulating paperwork, he finds himself seated in a conveniently L shaped rock, or perhaps, group of rocks along the banks. As the water begins to glimmer through the trees for the mice, his ears perk, its impossible to hide the sound of that many feet, let alone rattling wagons. He springs over the back of the stone and up the short bank, darting in along brambles and trees, trying to catch a glimpse of the noise before, hopefully, revealing himself.

"Personal supply only, Samerson," orders Nicholas. "We'll send the water-carriers as soon as the survey is done." As much as he would like the supplies to be refilled himself, he needed to prioritize the safety of the colonists first of all, especially with only a few squads remaining that were accounted for. He was terribly glad that enoguh officers had survived..

Moya nods, and decides it best she go and vent away from the others. She starts to make her way a fair distance from the rest of the convoy, but still close enough to be within sight of it.

Samerson looks after Christopher a moment before fixing his gaze on the steadily-growing stream, shouldering his gun once more. "Sir, yes sir." he replies to Nicholas, moving forward a little more. "With your permission, sir, I'd also like to lead the scouting party when it sets out." he adds, turning back once more as he follows Christopher reluctantly towards the stream, watching as Moya begins to move off, lingering around somewhere just within sight. "God I hope this journey was worth it..." he mumbles to himself, his ears perking just slightly at a faint, almost inaudible noise he hears in the trees. Attributing it to nothing more than a lonely branch swaying in the darkness, he makes his way, finally stopping after a few minutes walking at the bank of the stream. He heaves a heavy, relieved sigh, staring at his dark, silhouetted reflection in the water. "We're finally here...it's almost over."

Christopher reaches the shoreline, hunching down and taking a small pawful of water to test it out; it seemed clean enough, and the taste was good. With their rations of water running low, this was almost enough to make him forget his sour mood. He doesn't seem to notice Samerson approach, and if he hears him, he makes no sign of it.

Xavier having spotted the convoy through the brush, Xavier had silently motiond his accompanying scouts to Fan out and take up concealed positions. A fant curse under Xavier's breath is utterd as he too hears the sound of a stray branch to his left, knowing exactly what, or who, rather, it was. The scouts hold still as the mice approach. THeir gaze shifts between the approaching mice and the caravan, watching their surroundings closely, even as the mice push by through the brush. Their scent distinctly screams of the city as one of the pair pass considerably close by. Xavier's brow furrows lightly as he watches carefully, taking particular interest in Christopher's interest in the water before letting out a subtle whistle in the sound of a bird cry, prompting himself, and his pair of scout to emerge from the scenery, postured in a arc, seprating the mice from their caravan and trapping them along the edge of the water. "Ahem" he lets out "Long trip?" he asks casually, his expression straight for a moment

Nicholas blinks and stares at Samerson briefly. "...All right, then, carry it out...and aren't you going with the scouting party anyway? They're not two different tasks." He watches as they all depart, taking that moment to get some rest, to be alone. He stares out into the distance, suddenly aware of...strangers. His whiskers twitch violently. *shit!* Grabbing his own rifle, he quickly dashes towards Christopher's position

Samerson jerks around with a massive jolt, paw flying towards the trigger of his rifle as he faces the rat in front of him. He stares up at him, rifle aimed and ready as he tries to get a good look at his face. "Who the hell are -you-?!" he says, backing up steadily, "Yes it has been a damned long trip!" he adds, looking quickly back at Christopher to make sure he is okay, contrary to whatever he'd said to the mouse. He fingers tensely with the trigger of his rifle, breathing hard. "Explain yourself! Now!

Christopher looks up, quickly getting to his feet as he sees that they're not as alone as they'd thought they were... though, as jarring as it is to see that they'd been found by rats, he feels instantly relieved when he sees their clothing and weapons. /We've made it. We found them. Or they found us./ His eyes widen when Samerson begins acting all threatening. "You idiot, put that away! These are the Rats of NIMH, the ones we've been trying to find!"

Xavier chuckles lightly and takes a half step back as Samerson swings around, and immediately fingers his trigger "Woah there, Trigger." he says lightly "I /think/ we've been waiting for you... I'm Xavier, Captian of the Thorn Valley scout" he says, introducing himself. His brow quirks as Christopher chimes in and nods with satisfaction, and his arms unfolding lightly. "Your friend is rather clever. If you are who we think you are, I don't see why there isnt plenty of warm fires, food and beds waiting for you... if you care to return the introductions, and perhaps a bit of insight?" he asks, before one of his scouts draws up beside him, their posturing relaxing as the scout alerts Xavier to the incoming mice. "Stand down." he mutters back to the scout before moving to the side, giving the mice clear view to eachother.

The forest was a quiet place, much quieter than the city with all of its noise. Harle had grown accustomed to the ever-present rumble in the sewers, and all ready missed it. Nothing lasted forever, though, and she knew this more than most anyone. In the middle of the stream, on a skiff made from a flat incense burner of balsa wood, a white mouse in a dark green hooded cap sang an eerie, wordless song, hood lowered at the current time. At the stern, she subtly pushed a long pole down into the water. It was a shallow place, thanks to the beavers, and made her journey to where ever the stream to her easier. She had no destination. For all she knew, she was the only talking mouse left in the world after seeing the colony she lived near destroyed, and fleeing few odd creatures that attacked it. One she did manage to kill with her wiles, a spear thrower and a spear that is. As she floated down the river, she heard the commotion along the banks, voices. Huh...imagine that. Not so much her problem, although she did look toward the seen with another push of the pole. This mouse wasn't a colony mouse, that's for sure. Across her brow was a tatto of an all seeing eye over her half open gaze. Her left ear appeared marked by a brand, but it was too small to make out from the distance

I'll take care of this, Corporal, Private," says Nicholas, approaching the crowd of rodents. By now several of the night watch has been alerted to the presence of the rats, those nearest the water's edge shuffling uneasily in the distance. "I am Captain Nicholas Oaks, commander of the Guard...or what's left of it." He grimaces, preparing himself to provide the grim facts. "I'll be direct: our colony has been destroyed, annihilated in a Stagg invasion. We burnt it to the ground to keep the humans from finding it, and then we came here looking for you

Samerson breathes hard for a minute, rage welling within his mind at Christopher's words, lowering his gun as he nods at this rat, replying with a bit of willpower. "Samerson Vordmen. One of the remaining Guards of the Mouse Colony." he says, turning to Christopher with a look of pure hatred. "And you...can shut your god damned mouth. Give me one good reason I should sink my fist into your gut!" he says, losing all sense and reason for a single terrible second. He freezes for another second, eyes wide as he regains his senses, tearing his eyes off of the mouse he wants so badly to strike. "As the Captain said, everything is gone." he says to Xavier, bitterness dripping from his words as he finally gets his emotions under control, "We're probably all that's left. The Staggs just...attacked. We failed to stop them, and they took everything from us in just one night... So, finding Thorn Valley is the only hope we have left, and it looks like we've at least had the fortune to do that." Out of the corner of his eye he spots a strange, small shape drifting along the stream, unable to pay it much attention given his current state of mind, despite his growing curiosity

Christopher actually takes a step back from Samerson; only a fool could fail to notice the rage kept barely in check. He silently nods deferently to Nicholas, standing back to watch for the moment... though out of the corner of his eye, he notices some slow movement in the water... It's dark enough that details are harder to make out, but it looks to him like something is floating on the water

Xavier hmmms lightly and nods to the mice as they introduce themselves. The scout shifts himself into leaning on his staff lightly. "Kind of hard to believe the mouse colony is gone." he murmurs. "I visited a couple times" he adds, rubbing his chin lightly. "But I dont think this is the place to do much exchanging of information. By the looks of things, you have plenty of injured, as well as women and children with you." he says, pausing a moment to glance between the mice, gaze lingering on the most militeristic of the two. "I suggest we get your civillians safe and comfortable and your soldiers rested and relaxed before doing anything. I know how long a journey it is." he says as he stands himself up, and steps forward, offering a paw to each of the rodents in turn. "its good to meet all of you, we'll guide you the rest of the way, so please... try to relax." his last words are filled with a little concern, especially given the stressed and heated exchange between the mice before him

For the first time in a log while Nicholas emits a sigh of relief. "Thank God...thank God, we found you at last." He gives a tired nod to Xavier. "I'll set up a perimeter. Do you know of any safe places for the colony to rest nearby?" Although his focus on Xavier, the Captain is definitely keeping an ear on Samerson's and Christopher's brewing conflict. He was going to ahve to deal with that soon..

Samerson finally calms himself down, breathing hard through his nose and lowering his rifle at last, turning his back blatantly to Christopher and apparently trying very hard to ignore him. "I suppose that's good to hear..." he murmurs, walking towards Nicholas and saluting him. "Awaiting your orders, Sir, just tell me when you need me to head out." he says in a far more proper and ordered tone, though his eyes still contained lingering traces of anger. He turns back to Xavier, giving him a little nod. "I apologize for my earlier behavior, I meant no harm.

Christopher frowns slightly, blinking his eyes as whatever he'd seen in the water seems to vanish. He looks back to the others, though again, he doesn't feel particularly adequate to deal with diplomacy and all that. Something has him on edge, perhaps, and Samerson didn't help matters. He wanders back to where he'd left the mouseling earlier, wanting to check on her.

Aryel is curled up asleep in one of the wagons, an ear of a hind paw twitching every now and again. She's been asleep for a while now, which given her lack of rest for a fair portion of the journey, that's probably a good thing

Little feet swung from the back of a wagon. The little black and white mouse they belonged to held onto the side in case it moved again. Blue was too young to really understand how all this had happened or how it would effect everything, but she knew her life was being upheaved and that was bad. Her large green eyes trailed to where some of the guards were heading back..Followed by a few rats? She hopped out of the back of the wagon, curious, and looked up at them as a few of them drew closer. She hadn't ever seen a rat up close before, so this was interesting to her.

Xavier grins lightly to Nicholas and nods. "We're a ways off from the colony, but there should be plenty of space to set up there, we have a fairly large parimeter ourselves. Doubt it'll be permanent accomodations for safety precautions, but still..." he explains to the mouse before Samerson steps up, his attention shifting momentarily to the other mouse, a light smile crossing his muzzle at the improved tone and nods back. "No harm, no foul." he says with a shrug, a light impish grin crossing his muzzle. "...Not even an owl." he quips lightly, and perhaps shows a bit of his true nature. His head turns lightly as he notices Christopher's attention, and a moment later, apparent confusion at the water, prompting the scout to glance over his shoulder but he too notices nothing out of the ordinary. As Christopher turns away, he turns to one of his scouts. "Go with him, and share the supplies I had you bring among the most needy first, we'll distribute the rest when we get there." The scout nods and trots the short distance after Christopher and explains Xavier's instructions. Xavier turns back to the remaining mice and smiles. Take your fill of the river, we're close, but its still a bit of a trek for the weary, and its not good to be exposed at night." he reminds, before motioning back toward the caravan. "shall we?

"We'll move on your signal, Xavier," says Nicholas, "and we'll tell the colonists the plan as well." He motions to one of the sergeants, who quickly relays the order to his section. Other orders are passed along in a similar manner, with few words but much understanding. Whatever his own faults as a commander, Nicholas presided over a highly effective military unit, a quality in possessed much due to his own efforts. "Samerson, may I have a word with you?" he whispers, approaching the corporal

Samerson nods to Xavier, catching every word as his eyes, too, sweep momentarily over that spot off in the water, getting the same result as Xavier and Christopher before him and noticing nothing out of the ordinary. His head turns to look briefly at one of the children walking along the caravan, one with black and white fur, affording her a weary smile and as kind a look as he could manage before turning to face Nicholas, his brow furrowing curiously. He leans his head in a bit to hear him, replying, "Sir, yes sir. What did you need, sir?" He couldn't help but give just one more glance at the departing Christopher a moment later, though he soon returns his full attention to Nicholas

Christopher smiles softly at Aryel, glad that she's sleeping so peacefully, though a pang of guilt passes through him as he remembers what makes her sleep so peaceful. Heseems startled when one of the rats come up next to him, though he recovers quickly enough, nodding a little to the scout. "Oh, uh... Food's the main concern... for the children, especially; the rest of us will be okay if there's not enough. Don't suppose it'd be too much to hope for medical supplies too?" He blinks when he realizes that another black and white mouseling was watching them, and he smiles for her sake

Aryel stirs a bit in her sleep, and her blue eyes gradually blink open. She peers up at Christopher, tilting her head as she stretches, yawning. "Are we there yet?" she murmers

Blue smiled back at both guards and slipped behind a wagon to watch the rats with interest, peering under the wagon and between the wheels to watch their feet and hopefully hear something interesting.

Nicholas takes Samerson aside, far from the curious ears of others (or so he thinks), along the banks of the river. "Sam, I understand that there's some kind of...controversy between you and Christopher, is that right?"

Samerson allows himself to be led back to the bank of the river, too focused on Nicholas to notice the attention of Xavier's keen ears. "I... Yes, you'd be right, sir." he says in a firm voice. "I don't see eye-to-eye with Christopher on his views. For now he can think what he wants, I frankly just don't give a damn." He glances into the water, fingering a little with the cap of his canteen and stooping down for just a moment to fill it and straightening back up afterwards. "We'll sort it out once we're at the colony, I'm sure. One way or another.

Christopher blinks and nods to Xavier, looking exhausted... certainly, it's a very big relief to get the supplies, and the knowledge that they're nearly there doesn't hurt either. Still, they're still not out of the woods yet, and judging by the amount of supplies... well, it'll ease the hunger and a bit to spare, but unless they had more, it wouldn't last long. "Thank you," he murmurs. "And it's all right, we're a mess anyway, and it won't hurt anything." He gives the adults nearby instructions to gather together the children and females first for food rations, while he peeks into the wagon Aryel is in. "Not quite... but there's some food," he says, unable to help a smile as she wakes. "You hungry?

Aryel nods shyly to Christopher, yawning again before getting to her feet and peeking over the edge of the wagon. "Yeah!" she says, suddenly realizing how hungry she is. She then tilts her head. "But.. what's going o--eeek! Rats!" she squeaks, ducking into the corner of the cart.

Blue darted out from behind the cart, but seemed to start thinking better of it about three quarters of the way over. She slowed down and finally stopped, looking Xavier over suspiciously, then creeping over to him and carefully slipping her hand into the bag of fruits. Her Mama always told her not to steal, but it was tough not to when food was being waved around and she was hungry. She stuffed a berry into her mouth and then looked up at the rat who had let the bag drop to her level, examining him thoughtfully

Xavier grins to Christopher and nods. "We'll spare what we can, might be tight for awhile, at least until we can compesate our crops, I'll wager, but its really not up for me to decide. We brought the supplies for you, so use them as you deem fit." he says. "Word of your movement has preceeded you. You're more than welcome." he adds and nods to Christopher, shifting his weight a little, grinning as he notices movement under the cart, and even shifts to lean against it slightly, grinning as he feels a slight jostling in the pouch, letting the first go, until the next, his paw tightening around the bag, trying to catch a paw within before looking down. "Find something you like?" he laughs with a friendly tone, and glances back toward the pair at the waters edge, unable to hear them at the current distnace.

Samerson ends his conversation with Nicholas, nodding at him as he walks back towards the caravan, rejoining the group gathered there. "I suppose we'll be heading out soon, then?" he says to no-one in particular, though he does smile guiltily as he notices Aryel is awake, even chancing a little nod at her. He cannot, however, help but chuckle at Blue's antics, smile widening upon his muzzle. He needed a good laugh after all of this was over. He looked at Xavier, however, letting all warmth drop from his face. "You, Xavier is it? Can I ask you something?" And at these words he adopted a half-curious, half-angry tone, "Can you tell me how my good-for-nothing brother Cadmus is doing? I want to know if the little traitor made it or not.

Christopher meeps a little as Aryel ducks into a corner; he climbs in after her, unable to help a bit of a chuckle. "No, it's all right little one. These rats are friendly. They even brought some food for you.

Aryel blinks at what Christopher says, an odd mix of disbelief and wonder on her muzzle. Biting her lip, she gets up, venturing to the edge of the cart for another quick glance over the side. She peeks out slowly, nose twitching as she spots Xavier, then quickly ducks back into the cart. "Are they really friendly?" she asks Christopher, looking to him with her ears perked in anticipation of the answer.

Small ears tuck back; Blue was a child who had been caught doing something she shouldn't have. She nods a little at the question, ears picking themselves up at the laugh, "Yussir." She replies, pulling out a dried cherry and watching him cautiously as she eats it, just in case

Xavier quirks a brow lightly as Samerson and Nicholas approach again, his ears perking again, just in case, his attention shifting to them, and then to Samerson as the Scout is regarded. "As soon as we can, once everyone has their spirits lifted a little. Morale is a powerful thing." he says with a smile. His brow quirks as Samerson's expression turns cold, a hint of wariness settling into Xavier, half expecting some sort of attack, if anything out of precaution. He nods as his name is issued before responding. "Yes, that's me. You can ask, but I can't guarantee an answer." he responds with a light chuckle, head tilting lightly lets Samerson speak, brow furrowing in thought, before letting out a light 'Ahh!' in recollection. "Yes, Been here awhile, I believe. He came into my office looking to join the guard." he answers, not offering much more than that, feeling slightly reluctant to give more, given the way it was asked. Noticing the calming of Aryel, he stands slightly and leans forward, letting Christopher calm her a little first before offering a paw. "I'm Xavier, it's very nice to meet you." he offers with as friendly a smile as he can muster without seeming too demanding of reciprocation. He chuckles down to Blue with a smile and nods. "At least you're honest when you have to be." he says with a wink and releases the paw and shifts the pouch in his before offering it out to her. "I'll give you the whole bag, if you promise me one thing, alright?" he asks, reluctant to relinquish the pouch before she agrees

Samerson nods his head lightly at Xavier, his expression not softening at the re-assurance that his brother was alive. "So, he's joined your Guard? Always knew he was a traitor..." he says, looking out to the distance, "Can't wait to meet him again, I've got plenty to say..." He trails off a little as he walks slightly apart from the group. The children keep his mood from totally dropping, a kinder look being offered towards Aryel and Blue

Christopher nods to Aryel, offering a paw to help her out of the corner. "Yes, they're just fine. Here, I'll stay with you, if it'll make you feel better." He smiles over to Xavier and then to Aryel. "See? Friendly." To Xavier, he adds, "Mind getting some food for her? Think that'll help warm her up to you.

Aryel nods quietly to Christopher, before looking over at Xavier, tilting her head and just looking him over for a moment. Then, she tentatively reaches out her small paw to the rat, "X-ayvi-er?" she pronounces slowly, "I'm Aryel." she offers, timidly.

Xavier smiles to Samerson and nods, despite his expression not softening at the news. "From what I understand, yeah. Accompanied me on a couple training missions, in fact. Good fellow. Was rather insistant to serve, in fact." he elaborates a little more, as if trying to redeem Cadmus a little. Though the traitor remark gets a little under his skin. "Considering he's on duty for, what is essentially to be your new home, I /trust/ you'll cut him a little slack." he says, emphasis sounding more like a strong suggestion than innocent remark. He lets the rest slide as he turns back to Aryel, and Christopher, chuckling lightly "Oh you want me to resort to bribery?" he asks crookedly at Christopher, but does as suggested, whistling for one of the scouts with the pack of rations. Reaching into the pack the other scout tosses him a personal-sized pouch of mixed goodies and tugs it open. "We're here to help, really" he offers, grinning as the child seems to respond even before the offer of food. He takes her paw in a gentle, finger-tip shake "Its a pleasure to meet you Aryel." he says, before releasing her paw and placing the small pouch into her paw "This is for you, alright?" he says warmly

*TO BE FINISHED*