Brutus' Notes: This one is mostly by Firnen with a bit here and there from my other ZnD players. Thanks to EliteShade and CaptainKelrin for their characters of Zorroth and Anthony respectively. Rose, Hazel and Elaine are mine but I wrote nothing of this story.
As the caravan approached, the group of mammals on it could see Amaris Village in all its splendor.
Amaris was a multistoried tree house village. Designed for the feline inhabitants by the only canine who ever lived there. The late husband of the Elder of the village. The ramp that allowed the wagons onto the central platform was made from living wood that moved according to verbal commands in a language none of the travelers could understand. A magically hidden language that can only be used or understood by the initiated.
Kittens and their mothers watched as the caravan parked, and then brought feed for the great lizards who pulled the carts.
"Oh wow. I've heard tales of this place, but they just do not beat seeing the real thing." A bunny sorcerer named Zorroth, who was driving one of the wagons, said in awe.
Anthony looks around the village with his mouth agape. The bobcat had seen castles of great size and strength, as well as feats of engineering that could be described as miracles but never had he seen such a village so inviting to him. The design and architecture lit a fire in this little cat's heart with how he just wanted to explore and climb every path he could find. "Hazel you are one lucky kitten to live here."
"It's a really nice place, as long as you don't step in anyone's tail and avoid getting in trouble with the villagers." A wolf said while looking at the buildings, remembering the first time he set foot on this village.
. . .
Two years ago.
Rustling leaves and the clash of metal against metal were the only sounds heard in the forest while a white wolf was being chased through it by a pair of younger tigresses.
'I really should learn to see where I walk.' The white wolf thought as he was moving from side to side, evading the sword swings from the youngest tigress while blocking the attacks from the other one with his shield.
"Hit him Elaine! He must pay for assaulting grandma!" The younger of the two shouted after her last attack was dodged by the wolf.
"I'm trying Hazel, but this one knows how to fight." Answered Elaine, who, if his nose was correct, was having too much fun while fighting him.
"I did NOT assault anyone! It was an accident!" Exclaimed the wolf as he continued backing away from the pair.
"Don't lie to us!" Said Hazel as she charged again at the white wolf, but he moved to the side and avoided her attack. "We heard her shriek and curse, and when we hurried to her you ran away!"
"I just stepped on her tail!" The wolf tried to explain. "I was distracted looking at the amazing buildings and didn't see her, then I fled because I panicked when you two came running at me hissing and brandishing your swords."
"Now put your weapons down before someone gets h-'' He jumped back to avoid the next attack from Elaine, but on the landing, the wolf stepped on a branch and lost his footing. Falling to the ground and banging his head against a rock. "Hurt."
'Thanks the gods I'm hard-headed.' The white wolf grumbled with his eyes closed. Feeling the edge of a sword against his neck, he opened his eyes and saw the pair of tigresses standing next to him. He gulped and smiled sheepishly. "Hehe, looks like I stumbled. Too late to give up?" Not getting an answer he folded his ears back and sighed defeated. "Fine. Make it quick."
When the tigress holding the sword was about to finish him, an angry roar was heard coming from the village, making the three mammals turn their heads in that direction. They could see a tall and older tigress walking toward them.
"Grandma Rose! You're fine!" Said Hazel happily and pointed with her sword to the wolf on the ground. "We caught the wolf who hurt you!"
"He knows how to fight, and has a shield and a longsword. He is dangerous." Elaine said without moving her sword from its position against the wolf's neck.
Rose's eyes went from her granddaughters to the downed wolf studying him before looking back up. "And pray tell, what were you two about to do to a young wolf who I presume only used his shield to defend himself, without even unsheathing his sword to fight back?" The Elder tigress said barely hiding her anger.
"Ahh... but we... hmm..." Not knowing what to say, the younger tigresses sheathed their weapons and ran back to the village.
"It's okay, it was my fault. I shouldn't have run away the way I did, it surely seemed suspicious from their point of view." He said while getting up. "Thanks for not letting them... you know. And sorry again for stepping on your tail, I will try to pay more attention in the future."
"No harm done." She observed again the unfamiliar white wolf with gray eyes. "I don't remember seeing you around the village before. What's your name young one?"
"The name is Firnen Crow-" He stopped himself, making her raise an eyebrow. Then, thinking that lying, even by omission, to this old tigress was a bad idea, he finished while looking at the ground. "Firnen Crownguard, at your service."
"Crownguard, eh? That's a name I haven't heard in a long time." *She saw how the right ear of the wolf twitched nervously. "Let's head back to the village, I feel that there is a really interesting story about your reasons to be so far from your lands, and I enjoy good stories."
Surprised at not being shunned back to the roads immediately, Firnen smiled and followed the Elder tigress. "I don't know, you will have to be the judge of it."
. . .
Back in the present.
Firnen shook his head as he finished remembering his past encounter with the tigresses of Amaris, and repeated his warning to his comrades. "Seriously…"
"...don't step on anyone's tail."