Expedition [Urk Climax #1]: The Long Watch

[Duchess Dusk Rainblade]

Tultow turned as Silvertongue spoke up, and he approached the officer quietly, his voice lowered. "My apologies for the 'sulking' jab," he said quietly. "I had to be seen getting even for your little insubordination earlier." He sighed before addressing the fox straight-on. "We're in a bad situation now. This encampment is a terrible strategic position; while we have line of sight around us, so do the shrews, and they have the high ground on us, plus territorial advantage and, soon, the cover of night. We can't count on the Minister and his group to return before nightfall, which means that, as soon as it gets dark, we're likely to be under siege from all sides.

"In such a scenario, morale can make or break an army," Tultow continued. "You, more than I, have an innate sense for it, and how to inspire the beasts around you. You were right about the the kit, Barrett is taking care of it now, hopefully that keeps the crew content for the time being, but when night falls and the shrews are upon us, it'll take more than one orphan kit to keep us from collapsing. Can you do it? Can you help us hold the line?"

 

[FinnianBrightfur]

Finn's eyebrows pinched together as he pieced together what had affected Piper so. The foxkit carefully accepted the shrew as best he could -- though, this resulted in him holding it gingerly at arms length, which only made it wail harder. Helplessly, he looked up at Barrett, who opened the tent flap to usher him in. "Uhm, Miss Piper, could you come in and help me?" he asked gently.

Inside the tent, Piper taught Finn how to change a nappy -- and though she showed him twice, Finn was uncertain he could replicate the intricate dance. Then there was how to actually hold a dibbun. The biggest obstacle to overcome there was getting Finn to stop holding the shrewbabe like it was going to shatter into a million pieces if you looked at it wrong. Once Finn learned he could jostle the babe ever so slightly, he felt much more comfortable.

Piper guided Finn over to a spot where he could sit down comfortably. The foxkit nestled down -- propped up by a rolled up blanket, and fed the bottle to the hungry shrew. But by the time the bottle was halfway down, Finn was starting to look sleepy himself. The fox had easily been up for about thirty hours by now, and sleep was catching up to him. As the shrewbabe finished the bottle, it nodded off on his chest -- and Finn was right behind him.

 

[Duchess Dusk Rainblade]

Piper methodically instructed Finn on all the intricacies of caring for an infant, occasionally having to stop and blink back tears, taking a moment to compose herself. By the time that the kit was all fed and Finn was nodding off, she'd calmed down significantly, seeing how caring with the kit Finn was. Piper carefully lifted the kit from Finn's arms, holding it close to her shoulder and patting its back gently to burp it. Then, as the kit started to drift off to sleep, she placed the kit in a makeshift crib made from a basket and a blanket.

"They'll be fine," she quietly remarked to Barrett, observing where Finn slept next to the crib. "They both just need rest, poor things." She blinked back tears again, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "Thank you," she quietly addressed to the surgeon. "I know you didn't want to, but... I'm so thankful you had mercy."

 

[Arthur Barrett]

As Piper instructed Finnian on all things dibbun related, Barrett took his leave to arrange the infirmary. There were still cots to setup, lanterns to trim, and even a little fire to stoke just outside the tent. It would be absolutely bitter cold tonight, and Arthur had already dealt with enough hypothermia patients to last him quite a while.

It didn't come as much a surprise that Finn fell asleep feeding the shrew. Barrett had him up the other day around five in the morning -- then there had been the initial skirmish with the shrews, and the influx of wounded. He'd tried to banish Finn to bed so he'd have some energy for today, but the kit went out and roused his friends to devise a way to save Morgan. Exciting as it was, Finn got no sleep -- and Barrett was running just as ragged. Though, in his old age, he seemed to need less sleep.

The pine marten drew up near Finn, and began unlacing the kit's boots to tug them off. "No use getting trench foot on the first day..." he muttered quietly, while Piper laid the shrewbabe down in an improvised crib. Finn stirred a little on the cot, and Barrett took the opportunity to sit the foxkit up long enough to pull his jacket off. "There. You'll sleep better out of your uniform..." he said, before covering the young fox in a blanket.

When Piper spoke to him, he turned to listen. "...my condolences for your loss, Corporal." Cold as he was, the pine marten wasn't heartless. He looked at the shrew, and... he still seemed frustrated that he'd yielded to the crew's demands. "Truth be told, Miss Piper, I didn't want to turn you away. It's hard to choose inaction when something could be done. But these are extenuating circumstances... hard decisions must be made."

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

Tultow turned as Silvertongue spoke up, and he approached the officer quietly, his voice lowered. "My apologies for the 'sulking' jab," he said quietly. "I had to be seen getting even for your little insubordination earlier." He sighed before addressing the fox straight-on. "We're in a bad situation now. This encampment is a terrible strategic position; while we have line of sight around us, so do the shrews, and they have the high ground on us, plus territorial advantage and, soon, the cover of night. We can't count on the Minister and his group to return before nightfall, which means that, as soon as it gets dark, we're likely to be under siege from all sides.

"In such a scenario, morale can make or break an army," Tultow continued. "You, more than I, have an innate sense for it, and how to inspire the beasts around you. You were right about the the kit, Barrett is taking care of it now, hopefully that keeps the crew content for the time being, but when night falls and the shrews are upon us, it'll take more than one orphan kit to keep us from collapsing. Can you do it? Can you help us hold the line?"

"A fight... Are you certain?" Silvertongue asked. As much as he loathed the idea of a conflict, he knew it was likely going to happen. They had destroyed the shrews village after all. Anyone would want revenge. Silvertongue wondered, why were they any better than pirates right now. They had come in and essentially raided the place. Ruined the lives of these creatures, and for what? He couldn't let such thoughts linger in his mind. If the shrews were going to attack, they simply would have to defend themselves.

"Of course, sir." He nodded. "I'll do my best to keep everyones' spirits high."

 

[Duchess Dusk Rainblade]

Piper sighed deeply from her chest, the tears threatening to return. "I understand," she informed Barrett, her voice barely above a whisper as she looked at the sleeping pair. "Part of me knows that this is foolish, that I'm probably making a mistake, but..." She pressed at her eyes with her palm, trying to clear away the tears. "I keep thinking of how devastated I was, when I came back and found out... I know her mother is probably dead," she allowed, "but I suppose I thought that, maybe, if she did survive, I could spare her what I went through. Even if they're cannibals and murderers, being a mother is a universal experience. Someone loved this kit dearly, took care of her, fed and clothed her, sheltered her through the bombardment. I... I couldn't live with myself if I disregarded a mother's love for her kit."

---

Tultow looked to the course of the sun over the sky. This far up north, the days were shorter; they had less daylight to make the most of. "Good lad," he said softly. "When the fighting starts, they'll need a leader to believe in." He hesitated before putting a paw on Silvertongue's shoulder, lowering his voice even further. "If the worst should happen," he advised, his voice little more than a whisper, "and someone dear to your heart should fall, then hard as it may be, you need to steel yourself and carry on, lad. Fight through, mourn later. If you break in the midst of a fight, you'll only lose more beasts from it." He gave the fox a small, sympathetic squeeze of the shoulder.

 

[SwifttailTheFox]

Swifttail blinked, watching the marble-furred fox process his question… and for once, not answer with a long-winded metaphor about gears or family dynasties or valves.

He hadn’t expected that.

The cold wind tugged at his coat as he stood quiet for a moment, then gave a soft exhale through his nose.

“Sorry,” he muttered, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Think I let the last day get the better of me. Between the cold, the panic, the… everything, I’ve been a bit touchy.”

His ears lowered, tail flicking behind him. “Didn’t mean to snap at you like that. You’re just tryin’ to make sense of a place that don’t make a lot of it. Same as the rest of us.”

He looked toward the hills, then gave a sheepish little chuckle. “I don’t always get what you’re on about, Kaii. But I reckon that’s on me, not you.”

A pause.

“…I wandered off a bit farther than I meant to.”

Swifttail gestured lightly with his paw, a ghost of a grin forming. “Mind showin’ me the way back?”

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii nodded considering the words Swifttail had spoken. Albeit the overall feeling that all he achieved was to upset his friend, at least he wasn’t as blue as beforehand.

“Naturally I can lead you back. Follow me and mind your steps.” He stated, starting to slowly pad back to the camp, using still unscrewed pole to gently lift the leaves that masked the traps to check if the rollers were still ready.

While doing so, he continued speaking to his platinum companion. “You have no need to apologise. I can see you are tense. And objectively I am bad at this, despite my sincerest efforts.“ He wanted to wash that bit of shame off himself and also potentially try one of his theories.

“Do not feel pressured to answer but… did someone hurt you?” Kaii tried with somewhat hushed tone. Curiosity was a factor but he also saw earlier that this meeting arose some intense feelings for the two. ”I didn’t pry, but I could hear you speaking with Silvertongue about something… delicate. If you were to share, I swear upon my name I would try to assist you.”

Continuing to navigate the trapped area Kaii led Swifttail close to the camp. Awaiting if he would be willing to share. Kaii was taught that it was what friends are supposed to do and thus he tried.

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

Piper sighed deeply from her chest, the tears threatening to return. "I understand," she informed Barrett, her voice barely above a whisper as she looked at the sleeping pair. "Part of me knows that this is foolish, that I'm probably making a mistake, but..." She pressed at her eyes with her palm, trying to clear away the tears. "I keep thinking of how devastated I was, when I came back and found out... I know her mother is probably dead," she allowed, "but I suppose I thought that, maybe, if she did survive, I could spare her what I went through. Even if they're cannibals and murderers, being a mother is a universal experience. Someone loved this kit dearly, took care of her, fed and clothed her, sheltered her through the bombardment. I... I couldn't live with myself if I disregarded a mother's love for her kit."

---

Tultow looked to the course of the sun over the sky. This far up north, the days were shorter; they had less daylight to make the most of. "Good lad," he said softly. "When the fighting starts, they'll need a leader to believe in." He hesitated before putting a paw on Silvertongue's shoulder, lowering his voice even further. "If the worst should happen," he advised, his voice little more than a whisper, "and someone dear to your heart should fall, then hard as it may be, you need to steel yourself and carry on, lad. Fight through, mourn later. If you break in the midst of a fight, you'll only lose more beasts from it." He gave the fox a small, sympathetic squeeze of the shoulder.

Tultow's words struck him harder than he had anticipated. The stoat was right, of course. But his mind wandered. Greeneye, Swifttail... he found himself flashing back to a few years back... his father.

In his mind, he was whisked back to that cursed beach. The wretched mountain looming over him. Along with the badger...

Silvertongue started to panic, panting rapidly and gripping his chest, doubling over. "I-I... I-I'm not strong enough- I'll never be strong enough- or brave enough- I was a coward then and I'll just be a coward now!" He exclaimed.

 

[Duchess Dusk Rainblade]

Tultow squeezed his shoulder tightly. "You aren't a coward, lad," he said, his tone fierce. "I saw how you dealt with them shrews, how you kept your head in the water. Having fear doesn't make you a coward; 'Gates, you can't be brave unless you're afraid. Being brave is being afraid and doing what needs to be done anyway. Being a coward is having the strength to do what needs to be done, but running from it to save your own skin. You aren't a coward, and I know, when the lives of those you care for most is on the line, that you won't let them down."

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

Silvertongue seemed to be lost in his thoughts for a moment. After a few minutes, he snapped out of it, and let out a shuddering sigh before standing up straight once more. "You're right... I need to pull myself together. For everyone else's sake."

 

[Greeneye]

Meanwhile. Greeneye was sitting by the campfire that had been set up, staring into the fire. He heard the arguing coming from the tent, and the crying babe.

"I told 'em not ter look, but did dey listen? Noo, and now we gotta deal wif dis stupid shite. I tried ter save us the trouble by not mentioning it." He muttered to himself. "Should've just smothered the damn thing and been done wif it."

He knew that Silvertongue would likely want them to keep the babe, and he seemed to the moral compass of, well, almost a majority of the crew. Whatever he said, they were likely going to follow.
Greeneye pulled out his cigarettes, holding one out over the flames until it was lit, before quickly pulling it back and taking a deep puff from it. "Hell's Teeth... what a damned mess."

 

[Duchess Dusk Rainblade]

"Good lad," Tultow commented, patting the fox's shoulder. "Now, go get ready. As soon as darkness falls, we'll be in for a hell of a battle."

 

[Arthur Barrett]

Piper sighed deeply from her chest, the tears threatening to return. "I understand," she informed Barrett, her voice barely above a whisper as she looked at the sleeping pair. "Part of me knows that this is foolish, that I'm probably making a mistake, but..." She pressed at her eyes with her palm, trying to clear away the tears. "I keep thinking of how devastated I was, when I came back and found out... I know her mother is probably dead," she allowed, "but I suppose I thought that, maybe, if she did survive, I could spare her what I went through. Even if they're cannibals and murderers, being a mother is a universal experience. Someone loved this kit dearly, took care of her, fed and clothed her, sheltered her through the bombardment. I... I couldn't live with myself if I disregarded a mother's love for her kit."

Barrett appeared to be unmoved by what Piper said -- though after a moment, he reached into his breast pocket to retrieve a hankerchief for her. The pine marten found a cot for himself and sat down on it, and rubbed his face in his paws. Weariness was catching up to him as well. Though Barrett had long conceeded the argument, he still felt as if he did so under duress. He wanted to continue to argue, but motherhood was a force to be reckoned with. It transcended reason, and went on to touch something far deeper -- though Barrett himself struggled to comprehend this.

"Once the captain returns with Gyles, we'll have to pack up and return to the Hide. And there, if the seasons preserve us, I expect Mr. Brightfur will be more than happy to offload care of the shrewbabe back to you." Stretching out alongside Finn, Barrett tucked his paws behind his head, and let out a soft sigh. "For now, however, we've been up for nearly thirty hours straight... it may benefit us to get some rest before night comes. You'll have to excuse me, corporal, I need a little shuteye. Would you see to it that Tultow knows of our condition? Should there be any need for us, please don't hesitate to wake us."

 

[SwifttailTheFox]

Swifttail slowed as they neared the edge of camp, then reached out with a paw to gently stop Kaii just shy of the tents and watchfires. His ears flicked, eyes casting briefly toward the familiar silhouettes of crewmates moving between shadows. Still out of earshot. That was good.

He rubbed at the back of his neck, tail swaying low behind him.

"Silvertongue gave me his gloves," he started, voice quiet. "Right off his paws. Told me… he loved me. He even ki..."

A long sigh.

"And the truth is… I do too. I’ve been pining for that bard harder every day."

He looked at Kaii, the corners of his mouth tugging into a weary, self-deprecating smile.

"But I’m not a fool. Greeneye’s already got him. And I’ve seen the way that beast looks when his hackles are raised. I can’t risk that. Not for a crush. Especially not while we’re stuck in the same hull and breathin’ the same air."

He exhaled again, heavier this time.

"I just want things to go back to normal between us. That’s all I can really ask for, right?"

His eyes drifted toward the firelight again.

"I miss my friend, but I can’t have the rest. Not without makin’ enemies I can’t afford."

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

Silvertongue nodded and he headed back to the camp, and he stood by the main tent. His mind raced. His paw lingered on his rapier. A fine blade, gifted to him by his father. Like so many other things of his own. He loathed the thought of it. The weapon was a cursed thing in his mind. He wished nothing more than to be rid of it, but the very idea of casting it aside caused his heart to ache. How could he get rid of anything his father had given to him?

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

When Kaii was stopped he did not expect the words he would hear from Swifttail. His ears dropped along his tail while he listened to the revelation. Following Swift’s eyes he looked at the light with a twitch of an eyelid.

Love was… unfamiliar topic for Kaii. Mostly since he kept his emotions frozen. He had no experience nor thought in this matter.

So he resolved to the most brazen idea, he spoke what he felt.

“Swift. You speak as if you can’t have a friend in him anymore because of the feelings you’ve shared. From what I hear, he shared your feelings. Talk to him.”

KaiI looked into his eyes. Determination kindling within his blue, sad eyes.

“You are afraid of Greeneye. I know not much of him but fear is what stops one from getting better. And even if you can’t have love you want, Silvertongue isn’t one to leave you hanging.”

Kaii put both his paws on Swifttail’s shoulders.

“I think you still have your friend. They can be more, but they aren’t less.”

 

[SwifttailTheFox]

Swifttail placed his paws on Kaii’s shoulders in solidarity. His eyes locked with the marble fox’s, brimming with emotion.

“I ain’t plannin’ to treat Silvie any different,” he said quietly, but with conviction. “He’s still my friend. Always will be.”

His ears twitched as his gaze drifted, and his voice grew more uncertain.

“But… I am worried he’ll treat me different. Or do somethin’ reckless.” He looked back at Kaii, a shadow passing behind his eyes. “What if he slips? What if Greeneye catches wind?”

He gave a helpless little laugh, full of worry, and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Silvie’s got a heart too big for his own good. He leads with kindness, but sometimes I think it blinds him.”

His paws dropped from Kaii’s shoulders, falling to his sides.

“I just... I don’t want to be the reason Greeneye lashes out. Silvie doesn’t deserve that.”

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

"You are right about him having a bleeding heart. But that is exactly why you ought to tell him that. He will try otherwise too hard to appease your needs." Kaii responded, looking at the camp. His expression now stoic once more as he recomposed himself and fixed his fur.

Grabbing his blade from his belt, he kneeled to pick up the pole and started screwing them together again. "You and Silvie both share this trait. Appeal to it. Don't make him choose but let him know what you expect of him."

Kaii the did a few long slashes through the air. Ensuring the blade was screwed on properly to the pole and that the latches held the pole from folding. His glaive was once more complete.

"And more importantly. I think that should Silvie speak about it to Greeneye in his earnest and he lashes out. It doesn't bode well for Greeneye's intentions." His tail curled by the end. Kaii finally got hold onto his own emotions and his snout, face and even ears came back to stoicism as he once more delved into logic he found in his words.

"Do not be afraid of him. By the blood of my ancestors and whatever authority my name wields, I swear upon you that I will try to protect you and Silvertongue." He extended his paw standing with anticipation. He was not afraid to enter a losing fight for the sake of those he held dear.

 

[SwifttailTheFox]

Swifttail didn’t answer right away.

He kept his eyes forward, the sea breeze brushing over his fur as Kaii’s words settled in. At first, he stood motionless, then his shoulders tensed just slightly, and a quiet breath slipped from him.

His eyes began to sting.

He turned his head a fraction, paw lifting as if to scratch his cheek, but really just to hide the first glint of moisture. It was ridiculous, he told himself. Beasts had died. Others had suffered worse. He should be stronger than this. But the way Kaii spoke to him gently, earnestly, like he mattered beyond what he could fix or fetch or carry...

It broke something open.

He sniffled once, blinked hard, and let the tears come. Not sobbing. Not shaking. Just… letting them fall. Letting himself feel the weight of everything that had been piling up since this whole mad voyage began.

After a moment, he wiped his face with his sleeve, chuckled weakly, and turned back to the marble fox.

“You’re a good friend, Kaii,” he said, voice thick. “Thank you. I mean it.”

He glanced down, then out across the coast again. The ruined huts. The smoke curling lazily upward. The distant crash of waves.

“I’ve been tryin’ to keep it together, but... Vulpus, it’s been a lot.”

He took a breath. Nodded.

“I’ll try to be honest, like you said. Maybe... maybe that’s what I need.”