::It Get's Thicker..::

A/n: Hope you guys are HAPPY! Another big chunck of edited stuff.

*

If there was one thing that could describe Daleria's expression right then, it would only take four simple words. Totally, crazily, madly hilarious. If it could, her jaw would have fallen down ten meters under the ground. She was staring in blank undisguised shock at Rapieratce, who could not help but chuckle at the highly... Amusing look that had been imprinted on her face. Sitting back totally at ease, arms folded and eyebrow quirked, he watched, amused, as Daleria began to try to speak out loud, only resulting in a few spluttering noises as she looked at Rapieratce hysterically as if he was insane, which was partially true. If not for self control, Rapieratce would have been rolling on the floor in laughter. The colonel had, never, ever seen such as half enraged half disbelieving part of the hare captain, and he found it extremely comical, as the look on his face clearly stated, which only helped in infuriating Daleria up another notch. Rapieratce swore that if he did not laugh he was going to turn purple right then. Finally, after a few moments of rather amusing silence, Daleria managed to get a legible word out of her agape mouth, still staring at the colonel as if he were mad. Rapieratce was looking relaxed for the first time in a long while, though, as if a burdern was being lifted off his back.

'WHAT?'

Chuckling slightly, which was starting to drive Daleria up the wall, the colonel went on to try to further infuriate her by replying in a increasingly annoying steady tone. Dalerai did not seem to care that it was merely his temperment at work. When he irritated her, he irritated her.

'I know that you bally well heard me, captain. I am going to follow you. Surely you understand the meaning of that? Or need you take further classes in language?'

Daleria had to restrain the rather strong urge to stand up and strangle Rapieratce's still smiling face off his neck. Struggling to sit up, she shot back at him.

'Of course I do, colonel. And yes, I do understand that you are going to follow me. But why on Mossflower?'

This only seemed to amuse Rapieratce even more, for some odd reason that Daleria could not possibly fathom. He seemed to think it very funny that he and Daleria were on such casual terms that she was going to the point of trying to attempt murder on him. Laughing softly, he sat back and simply looked at her, not even attempting to answer her question, which was starting to really, really annoy her. Really. After watching her for another few moments in silent laughter, he went on.

'So are you bally well simply going to sit there and gape at me, captain? And do you think you could ask the sergeant to stop hiding behind the infirmary door and come out along with the rest of your patrol?'

Daleria's train of sight shot from the amused colonel to Longrunn, who had emerged from behind the infirmary door and was staring at the colonel's back, as stunned as Daleria was that he even knew that he was there in the first place. Longrunn would have it thought that nobeast had known they were there. The rest of her patrol sheepishly revealed themselves one by one, and Rapieratce had to resist the urge to simply howl with laughter at the very situation. The situation to him was very amusing, it seemed. Not to Daleria, though. She looked ready to throttle the first beast that came into attacking range once she got out of the massive tangle of white sheets that were currently the only restraint from her and the chuckling colonel, who was, according to her, in serious trouble once she was out of there. Rapieratce had better hope that his running skills were fast. Daleria was already formulating a plan on cornering him and throttling him in some dark corner where nobeast would notice. Longrunn was still standing, struck dumb, not knowing where to go from there, simply looking from Daleria to the colonel and back again. The colonel went on to irritate them even more by asking in a annoyingly smooth voice,

'Have all of you chaps lost your voices or something? One of you respond, for crying out loud!'

Giving up on speaking, Longrunn had decided to cover up by going off to drag a few chairs over, leaving Daleria and the rest of her patrol at the colonel's mercy. Fleetpaw was shaking her head in confusion, while Lieutenant Dallaw was trying himself not to laugh out loud at both his commanding officers actions, and stood aside to avoid falling into the death list of Daleria's. Rapieratce spoke again.

'So, are you going to be bringing this lot along with you?'

Rapieratce lightly tilted his head to the group that was still standing behind him. Daleria managed to get out something that sounded relatively like "Surely he has gone mad" or something in that manner before properly raising her voice and answering.

'I suppose that I have no choice now, do I, colonel?'

Shaking his head, Rapieratce was still desperately trying to contain his laughter, which was threatening to boil over right then.

'No, I do not suppose you do. So when will you be leaving?'

'What makes you even sure that I will be, sah?'

At this, Rapieratce could hold in back no more, and laughed out loud, though quietly as not to disturb the others in the infirmary. It took him quite some time to get his laughter under control, and by then Daleria looked furious enough to do more than murder. Shaking in silent laughter at the captains indignant voice in the background that seemed to be objecting to him laughing, Rapieratce took quite some time to compose himself fully before putting in,

'You? Not leave the mountain at a blinkin time like this? Surely you joke, captain? If I know you, you would not stay in this mountain unless we chain you to it, as recent events have clearly shown.'

Trembling in laughter, the colonel had to forcefully choke back a few more bouts of laughter before finally managing to fully compose himself enough to listen to Daleria's say.

'I suppose that you are right, sah, but is there really a need to burst out laughing in front of everybeast?'

'No, I suppose that there is not. But this situation is way to funny to pass without laughter.'

'I do not find it very amusing, sah.'

'Do you, know?'

Daleria was once again restraining herself from going there and chopping his head clean off. Fine, there was that minor detail that she did not have her sabre with her at the moment, but Rapieratce's rapier would do if it came close enough to paw.

'No, I do not. I suppose, then, that I will be leaving as soon as those filthy foxes come close enough, if I manage to get past you and Consellariel.'

Feigning comical innocence, Rapieratce pointed to himself.

'Me, captain? Why would I stop you?'

'Stop trying to be funny, 'Atce, you are only helping in increasing the urge for me to murder you.'

'I am sure that you shall be able to manage that, captain.'

'When I get my hands on you...'

'I feel scared, captain, very much so.'

Daleria really, really wanted to chuck him off the mountain right then. It was astoundingly annoying at how Rapieratce managed to remain completely dignified while joking at her in the most annoying and persistantly controlled manner. Instead, she settled for asking him even more questions.

'You will not be stopping me, then?'

'Stopping you? I am joining you m'gel.'

'The lady will not be happy.'

'I know.'

'She will stop me, if nobeast else will.'

'We will just have to bally well not let her, then.'

Sinking backwards into her pillow in silent disbelief for the second time that day, Daleria looked up into the green eyes of the colonel, and saw in complete shock that he was completely serious. There was no laughter in them, and anybeast could tell that he meant what he said. It was also as if the rest of the room had simply frozen completely. Nobeast was moving, and the rest of Daleria's patrol had turned and were all staring at Rapieratce with their mouths agape.

This is most difinitely not the Rapieratce I know. He would never, ever, not in Mossflower ever say what I think he just said. Somebeast slap me.

All further disbelieving thoughts, however, were quickly put off by a sentence from his mouth that made her blood freeze.

'Marm? So you are here. I had hoped it would not end this way.'

MARM? What on Mossflower? Consellariel? SHE is here? But! He cannot be serious!

From out of the door, the massive frame of the badger lady could be seen entering the infirmary. Everything and everybeast really did freeze this time, and all the hares jumped to attention, aside from the captive Daleria. All, that is, except for Rapieratce, who instead got up slowly. Very slowly, as if contemplating something. It looked as if he was forcing himself out of the chair, pushing himself up with the chair's support. He kept his face deceptively calm to the untrained eye, but Daleria could clearly see strain and stress behind the mask that he was putting on. She had known him long enough, all right. But not long enough to anticipate what he was going to do next. To be truthful, nobeast in history could have foreseen what he would have done next, save for Consellariel, probably, who was also looking extremely grim. Things were not looking good.

The badger lady signalled first for everybeast to resume their normal activities, then got a chair from Longrunn, who was still acting usher, and slowly sat down, on the opposite end of the bed, so that she was directly facing Rapieratce. Somehow, Daleria felt as if she was just about to be squashed smack dab in the middle of a extremely tense argument of some sort, no matter how rare it was for the two on either side of her to quarrel. She fought the urge to sink deeper into her pillows and hide. However, the electricity between the two was clearly depicting the calm before the storm, and something very, very big was brewing, and nothing was going to help evade it. Daleria felt it, and fear, for no reason, coursed through her veins, and she suddenly sensed dread settling over her. Her pulse quickened, be it for an unknown reason, and she kept darting anxious glances between the two. Something was most definitely not right.

The badger lady's eyes were hard that day, a far call from the usual softness that usually accompanied her brown eyes. Her brow was slightly furrowed, and on her face was graveness that was stone cold. Consellariel was unusually tense, even in this kind of situation, and she looked very frustrated that day. Not a good sign. Rapieratce on the other hand, kept his look of calm about him, as he usually did, but if one looked deep enough into his green depths, there was unrest and turmoil blended in with a whirl of other unidentifiable emotions that seemed to be straining him greatly. He looked ready to announce something huge or some matter along that manner, and Daleria could feel that he was struggling with himself for self control. That worried her very much as well, since tense situations had to get really intense to get the colonel reacting in that manner. One way or another, Daleria felt very trapped and very small in the middle of the two most important figures in the entire mountain. Swallowing, she waited for what was to come.

*

[Quick switch to Rapieratce's point of view]

Are you sure, 'Atce?

Why wouldn't I be?

This is insane. No single Long Patrol hare in history has ever even thought of doing what you are about to do.

I know. I do not have very much to regret, however. I cannot tear myself between duty and self conscience any longer. Something has to be done, even be it at personal sacrifice.

This is a pretty big personal sacrifice here, 'Atce, even by your standards.

My standards do not rank very high.

Yes they do. You would have never got as high up as you have if they weren't.

If they were, I would not be in the position I am in right now.

It would affect you greatly. Why are you even doing this in the first place? You could wait for the battle to blow over and get it without risking death.

She would leave the mountain with or without it. I do not wish for her to get herself killed out of foolishness. The regret and guilt would be too great.

Guilt and regret? It would not be your fault.

Partially, it would, knowing that she would have done it and yet not stepping in the way.

Meddlesome hare, aren't you.

Sentimental purpose.

Sentimental purpose? You hide it from yourself even now. Funny to realise it that a hare like yourself who would not flinch from a stabbing could be so foolishly cowardly when faced with a situation like this.

As I said before. Sentimental purpose, nothing more.

Sentiment purpose indeed. I do believe this kind of action falls quite accurately under the category.

It does not.

In your brain, no, in everybeast elses, yes. Why don't you have the bravery to simply admit it?

Bravery to admit something that is not true? You imply that you wish for me to lie?

You know that it is the truth, 'Atce. You deny it, refuse it, and evade it, yet you never want to consider it, even to your own conscience.

With the amount of babbling my own conscience does at the back of my mind, I would have thought it would spew out all my personal details against my will, and thus the need to not consider and block it off. Release me from your captivity. I need you not.

Oh, trying to use the seriousness against me, are you, 'Atce. Nice try, but no thanks. I'm a conscience that is fully dedicated into showing unbelievably blind people what the truth it. Face the facts 'Atce. You're not simply doing this for that reason that you stated. It's way too sacrifical on your part. Your motives run deeper than that, of this I am verily sure. You do not wise to lose her, do you? You think that if you get her out of this and survive yourself that you would have a chance, don't you? Do not say it's not true, 'Atce. Do not conceal from your heart what is your heart. You would find it useless. Can't you see that you are acting the fool?

I cannot seem to understand why myself. But maybe you are correct, up to a certain extent. But I fear that I would have to disappoint you by putting all these foolish affairs down once everything has blown over and I have more time to sort out details and correct wayward consciences that are set in misleading my currently foggy mindset and heart.

[Back to Third Person point of view]

Rapieratce looked intently at Consellariel for a few moments, and the two simply sat there for a few moments before he finally broke the silence.

'Marm. You know what is bally well already going on.'

Consellariel looked slightly startled that he had reacted as soon as he did. If he was going to do what she thought he was going to do, the badger lady would have thought that he would have drawn it out more. Much more. Yes, she would have expected him to contemplate over the matter for a much longer perioud than that, and it surprised her slightly. Concealing it, though, she went on with a answer.

'I do, though at first I did not want to believe that it was for real.'

'The flippin' evidence is already overwhelming, marm.'

'Very much so, Rapieratce. You and I both know that this will not end up as a happy ending.'

'Nothing really ever does, marm.'

Daleria was now officially confused. Ending? What ending?

What on Mossflower is that crazy colonel talking about?

Consellariel went on, unfazed at Rapieratce's frank commentary.

'No, it does not, does it? But this ending is unlike most others in itself already.'

'Sometimes, endings do not bally well go the blinkin way that you would rather them to, marm.'

'Even by that, this is absurd.'

'No, marm. I do not think of it that way, at least.'

Consellariel stared again, the silence going on for another few uncomfortable moments. Daleria swore that one of the two would eventually simply get up and maul the other, at the rate that they were going. Finally, the lady moved on.

'You have greatly changed these few seasons, Rapieratce. I barely know you anymore.'

'I barely know myself anymore, marm.'

'What do you mean?'

'Recent events have already held their positions in my life, marm. Things change, with or against our wills.'

Rapieratce had already begun to regret mentioning that sentence half a second after saying it. His conscience was creating a celebratory fanfare at he back of his mind already, and the thought he felt Daleria jerk slightly on the bed. He cursed himself repeatedly before bringing his attention back to Consellariel.

'But everybeast has control over what they become.'

'Sometimes a beast must end up doing something... Off the beaten track to save something else.'

'She cannot leave without it, then?'

'She could not even survive, marm. You already know that.'

'So you decided that since you knew that I would never accept your... Proposal... that it would boil down to this?'

'Yes, marm.'

'So this is your decision? You know that if you do this that when you return, if you ever do, that I will not simply just accept you to your former position?'

'I fully know that, marm.'

'You are willing to sacrifice that?'

'It is better than sacrificing another beast's life.'

Consellariel shook her head sadly at him.

'Even if you do manage to get yourself out of it, you know that you will be starting at the bottom, unless somebeast manages to somehow sway my decision?'

'You decision is not easily swayed, marm.'

'And yet you still want to?'

'Yes.'

'Working from the bottom is never easy, Rapieratce.'

'It never was.'

'You should know, then?'

'I got where I was through it.'

'And you are willing to do it all over again from scratch?'

'If it saves the situation, yes.'

'It would be sad to lose a hare like yourself.'

'It must be done.'

Nodding to the badger lady, Rapieratce got up shortly. The lady did not move. No other beast had caught on to what they were saying. None, that is, save for Longrunn. The sergeant immediately moved by and blocked the passage out the infirmary from Rapieratce. In a hushed but fierce voice, he muttered to the colonel.

'You cannot be serious, sah! Nobeast has ever done something this insane!'

'Move, sergeant.'

'You know that I would not let you, sah. Daleria would be furious if she knew what you are going to do! It would kill her to know that another... Friend.. would have possibly perished due to her!'

Sighing, Rapieratce had to force the stubborn Longrunn away from the door, but the sergeant's last sentence struck him rather hard. Would he truly affect Daleria that badly? She had gone through enough, and he knew it, but surely Daleria could not and would not think of it like he was commiting suicide? He was, most definitely, doing something rather risky, but it had to be said that Rapieratce had a good chance if anybeast had at this kind of operation. He was the colonel, after all. Daleria looked extremely confused at them, while Longrunn could only watch in pained distress as Rapieratce walked to his dormitory. The colonel reappeared soon enough, carrying something long and slim. Daleria gasped when she saw it.

He is not! This is madness! He can't just leave m-.

Daleria check her thoughts, thinking incredulously why she had just thought something like that in the first place. Her conscience came back not a second after.

See! You are beginning to accept it already! Face it! You lo-.

Daleria delievered her mental alter dimensionate self a hard punch and shut it up. She refused to admit it, and turned instead to the on going scene. She could not, though, help but feel her conscience may just have been slightly correct... Daleria nearly felt like slapping herself for that, and so went to completely delve herself back into the going on.

Carrying his sheath, Rapieratce walked up to Consellariel and laid it onto her paw. Daleria could not keep quiet any longer.

''Atce! What on Mossflower are you doing?'

Paying her no heed, Rapieratce looked up at Consellariel.

'Would it be possible for me to reclaim it if I manage to make it back, marm?'

Looking down at him, she answered.

'I cannot promise you anything, Rapieratce.'

The colonel looked torn. His blade was... Turning silently, he looked down at Daleria, quietly muttering to her.

'You cannot battle, not while you are in this condition. I am going to try to attain the cure. I cannot promise you anything. I am no longer your commanding officer, Dale. I had to do it. I could not leave if I did not. If I ever even possibly return, maybe I would be able to work my way up, but I do not know. It is highly impossible.'

Daleria paled.

'You cannot survive weaponless! You have had that rapier with you... Longer than I care to even remember! That thing is probably older than me!'

Sighing, he shook his head grimly.

'It is, m'gel. I have a spare, one not as strong and not badger forged, something my old family gave to me. I will survive one way or another. You cannot help me any more, Dale. I am not one of the Long Patrol, not now at any rate. If I live, I will rejoin, but until then, I am simply a sole hare that is trying to help you out. No other beast can do it, Daleria.'

'But...!'

Shaking his head one last time, Rapieratce turned and walked out of the infirmary, of out her life, and out of Salamandastron.

Rapieratce walked out of the infirmary with slumped shoulders and walked slowly up to his dormitory to clear it out. Hastily avoiding any hare that came his way, he strode dejectedly over to his dormitory. Almost running, he entered his room and looked sadly around.

This may be the last time I'll be looking at this place... But it would be worth it.

Throwing his stuff into a box and shoving it into the spare closet so as not to clutter up the next colonel's place in the room, he cleared all his belongings before taking out a long slim box. Dusting it off, Rapieratce withdrew an old rapier of his, his first. It was given to him, too long ago for him to remember. The sheath was barely even worn, he had not used it very much as he had trained with his given rapier from the beginning. The blade was not as keen, but still valid enough or good use. Silently strapping it on, he closed the case and set it into the spare closet with the rest of his things, hoping that he would live to reclaim the stuff. Packing a haversack, but not really paying very much attention to what he was throwing in, he absent mindedly thought back to what Consellariel had said about his rapier.

I cannot promise you anything.

What did that mean? Wistfully, Rapieratce was dearly hoping that she would keep it from anybeast else or melt it down or do anything terrible to it . He had had the blade... for so long. Way back when he was only a regular hare, not even a galloper, he had that thing strapped onto his back. His old blade felt unnatural to him compared to the familiar sensation of the other sheath that he once had. Sighing, he knew that he could do nothing. Slinging the pack over his back, he walked out and closed the door softly, looking at it one last time before turning and walking away.

I will see this place again. I will see this place again. I will see this place again. Repeat.

You know that you may not, 'Atce. The odds are against you.

It does not mean that it is impossible.

It comes close.

Rapieratce realized that he was approaching the infirmary only when he heard the sounds of heated quarrelling between what sounded like Consellariel and Daleria.

This is most definitely not good.

From what he could hear, the conversation was going along the lines of:

Marm! You can't just let him leave like that! He won't survive out there! Not alone!

It was his choice, captain.

It does not give him leave to simple walk away and practically kill himself!

The ex-colonel cringed and thought to himself,

Speak for yourself, Dale. I had to stop you from doing that more than a few times.

The argument went on,

I cannot help what he thinks!

You could have stopped him as you stopped me!

He chose it himself! I had no right in saying no to him!

YES YOU DID! You told it to me yourself so long ago!

That was a different matter, Daleria!

No it is not! All the matters are because of ME and all the matters involve somebeast being endangered because of ME!

It does not matter!

Yes it does! Do you not see that he WILL NOT SURVIVE?! You are allowing him to go on a suicide mission?

I am not sending him on anything! He is no longer of the Long Patrol and I HAVE no control over what he does!

Rapieratce risked a look into the infirmary. It looked like Daleria had finally managed to escape the grasps of the white sheets, and she was burning up. Standing directly in front of the standing badger lady, both were shouting at each other in rage. The young captain was practically sneering at Consellariel. Things were getting very heated, mayhap overly so.

You are afraid to admit it, then, marm? That he is never truly gone? Even though he left, it does not mean he is gone. Not from us.

He is gone captain. That is all!

You are a fool to believe that, marm.

It was not going well. Never before had there been such a direct argument against a badger lady from a hare.

He left of his own will. You see this a proof.

Consellariel lifted up his rapier. Rapieratce cringed at the very sight of it.

THAT! Marm, you could have at least left him a weapon!

You heard him, Daleria. His has another.

Do not be obstinate, marm! That rapier has been in his use and possession longer than I have been alive! The one he now wields is probably damaged or blunt!

That is his problem, captain.

Rapieratce cringed again. Daleria looked ready to explode by then. What she did next was probably the most daring thing any hare in the Long Patrol had ever done in the face of a badger lord or lady. Reaching up, she snatched his rapier out of Consellariel's paws.

This,

She snarled, menacingly,

is going back to its rightful owner.

Consellariel was too shocked to do anything. In fact, every otherbeast was also stunned at the captain's actions. Before anyone could do anything, she ran out of the door, only to be stopped by Rapieratce.

'Rapieratce!'

She held out the rapier, but slowly, Rapieratce shook his head. To be truthful, every part of him wanted to take the rapier and flee, but he knew better than to do that. Daleria looked at him as if he was crazy. Rapieratce shot her a look that said a few million things that even he himself could not interpret, and let it linger for a while. He could tell that Daleria was not unwilling to keep the gaze up either. Then, his common sense and sensibility kicked in, as did Daleria's, and both of them cursed their consciences for letting them take over for the briefest moments. Rapieratce tore his eyes away. Firmly forcing her to turn around, he marched he straight back into the infirmary and handed the rapier back to Consellariel. It took every bit of effort to let it go. Refusing to look the badger lady in the eye, he quickly turned and began to walk away. He was stopped by a number of hares whom had all gathered in the doorway. In the lead was Remora.

'What on Mossflower are you doing, sah?'

Rapieratce winced at the title. Still refusing to look anybeast in the eye, he started to push his way through the crowd, but was instantly held back. Turning his head away, he tried again, only to be blocked again. Remora asked again.

'Where are you going, sah? And why-'

Rapieratce winced again and held up his paw to stop her. Softly, he said.

'Please, don't call me that. Just move away.'

Remora looked extremely shocked. The brigadier stared at him, as said,

'What? Don't call you what, sah?'

Wincing at the title again, he said still staring at the floor and refusing to look up.

'That. Don't call me sah. Just, please, just move.'

Remora was by then completely stunned. Stubbornly refusing to move away, she only pushed him further back into the infirmary.

'So what I heard was true? That you are leaving?'

Rapieratce just stood there, completely silent and unable to answer. Consellariel decided to add in.

'Do not act that way, Rapieratce. It is not as if you are doing anything wrong.'

Softly he replied.

'Not doing anything wrong, marm? Look at me. I am not exactly the best example of a Long Patrol hare at the moment. By Mossflower, I am not even a Long Patrol hare at the moment.'

A collective gasp came up from those at the door, and a buzzing of chatter went up. All of them did not want him to leave. Most had refused to believe the rumours alone, therefore deciding not to come up to the infirmary at all.

'Do not be imbicilic, sah.'

'I already told you, Brigadier, to stop calling me that.'

'I do not think anybeast will listen.'

Rapieratce just looked away.

'Just let me leave.'

Standing to take his leave, he was again stopped, this time by Daleria, who had once again snatched away the rapier from the inattentive Consellariel. She thrust the leather sheath with the rapier into his paws. It was evident, though, that both of them took special care not to look overly close into each others eyes.

'Take it, 'Atce. You know that you want to take it.'

Looking sadly down at her, he shook his head.

'I could not take it even if I wanted to. You know that I cannot.'

Turning dejectedly, he forced himself again to place the rapier back into Consellariel's paws. But she did not accept it.Consellariel did not accept the rapier, but simply settled for silently watching him, arms crossed and quiet. The ex-colonel could not tell if she was angry, amused or simply doing that to infuriate him. Daleria was watching him in stunned silence, and she looked somehow offended. Remora was still glaring at him in disbelief and Longrunn was wearing a look on his face that clearly read "I told you not to do that". Rapieratce was surrounded on all sides, standing there struck dumb holding his old rapier not knowing what to do at all. Remora behind him, Daleria on one side, Longrunn on the other and Consellariel in front of him, he could not escape from them. Furthermore, the entrance was blocked by a horde of hares that was heatedly arguing over him leaving. There was no way he was getting out of this with a clean sheet.

No escape. Oh, by Mossflower, how did I get myself into this bally mess?

Looking at Daleria and pleading with his eyes, he implored her to move. She looked back at him with a look that clearly meant "You got yourself into this. Don't look at me". She turned her head away immediately after that, not wishing to have any further contact with him. Turning his head to Remora, the brigadier was looking at him, arms crossed and waiting for an explanation. No help there either. Consellariel was ruled out, and Longrunn was not going to move even if Rapieratce tried to force him. He was stuck. As a last resort, he looked up at Consellariel, raised an eyebrow and asked,

'Marm?'

Consellariel looked down at him grimly. Rapieratce shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.

'Can I go now?'

Rapieratce felt like jumping off the mountain, hiding beneath a rock, anything to save him from the situation. Desperately hoping that Consellariel would only discuss petty matters and let him self, he formulated as many excuses as possible that would get him out of the predicament that he was in, he looked at everybeast around him. Trying to ignore the fact that he was cornered and the centre of attention, he waited for an answer.

'Sit.'

Swallowing, he shouldered past two of the hares and sat down on a nearby waiting chair while the other three got their own.

Save me now. No, kill me now.

Dearly hoping that he would get out of this affair alive, he waited out the agonizing moments and piercing glares from all four of them. Only training in keeping a straight face saved him. Silently thanking his ability to cover up his emotions relatively well, he cocked his eyebrow again and tried to act as nonchalant as possible. Finally, the badger lady spoke up, to his intense relief.

'I am beginning to have misgivings on allowing you to leave the service, Rapieratce.'

Stunned, the ex-colonel nearly spluttered out an answer to that question.

'What?'

Daleria was starting to enjoy the situation. It was not very common, catching Rapieratce off his guard and finding him loosing his usual composure. Sitting back comfortably in her chair, she watched as the play unfolded before her eyes. She was really starting to enjoy the dilemma Rapieratce had just been placed in.

'You heard me very well, Rapieratce. I am not sure as to whether or not to retract your request. I have had a... discussion with ah, a certain hare, and your idea may not be a very good one.'

'You already pointed that out earlier, marm. Why are you stopping me now?'

Consellariel looked directly at him again, her eyes boring deep into his. Longrunn watched grimly from the sidelines, and Remora was patiently waiting the outcome of the situation. Daleria was obviously trying to contain her amusement over the matter, but something seemed to trouble her and keep her amusement bottled up. Rapieratce now knew how she felt when he was doing the same thing to her.

'You cannot do this alone.'

'I have survived this long already, marm. You know that I am fully capable of saving myself out in the wild.'

Sighing experatedly, she looked at him, clearly telling him not to make life difficult for her. Clearing her throat, she went on,

'You cannot survive through this alone. You know it.'

'If I do not do it, and if I cannot make it, nobeast will, marm. Force will not work in this situation. You know that it will not.'

'It may not, but one beast will not get you anywhere either.'

'Why on Mossflower are you trying to imply, marm?'

Sighing in frustration from his left side, Remora said,

'What she means, sah,'

Rapieratce flinched at the title, but the brigadier pretended not to notice him and continued on anyway.

'Is that you need some help, albeit only a little... You know that even if force will not work that one solitary hare running around is bound to be stopped one way or another.'

'Marm?'

Nodding her head solemnly, she signalled her agreement with the brigadier.

Oh, the badger lady is not thinking what I think she is thinking...

'In that case, Rapieratce, I might just be withdrawing your request for leaving the Long Patrol.'

A soft cheer came from the door. Rapieratce felt himself burning up. Remora was grinning, and Daleria was nearly acting herself once again, being the sarcarstic and witty hare that she had always been. Mentally groaning, he thought,

Here we go again...

Rapieratce simply looked at Consellariel, asking through eye contact whether she was serious. It looked as if she was. Daleria's argument must have had great effect this time to change the badger lady's mind so easily and quickly. Consellariel was never one to be easily swayed once she had made a decision, especially one of such major impact such as this. With no way of saying no or objecting to the overruling of his idea, and he simply stood there in silence. But groaning mentally, Rapieratce thought to himself.

Argh. They just had to do this to me, didn't they? Why on Mossflower do they do this for? Is tormenting ex-colonels their favourite pastime? For Daleria for one it most probably is. Same should go for that confounded brigadier. I never knew Remora could be so annoyingly stubborn. Longrunn should learn to let go one of these days. But Dale... Oh no. No no no. Back off conscience. Don't even think about it.

They seem to like doing that, 'Atce. Well, I like to, if nobeast does. Besides, you do want to admit, you have to confess, that you honestly do want to admit that you l-.

If groaning mentally had volume, Rapieratce would have groaned four times louder than before. It looked like his conscience had decided to pay him a friendly visit that day. He shut it up before it could complete the sentece.

I thought we had parted ways already.

Not a chance.

Sighing, Rapieratce nodded, and an all out applause broke out from the door. Rapieratce swore he was going to blush. Daleria was acting hardly like a captain right then, and Remora had a look on her face that badly needed to be wiped off, in his opinion. Longrunn, at least was keeping his face straight. Consellariel had closed his paw over his rapier, and finally the four let him leave.
The minute he had managed to get past the crowd outside the door, which resulted in much pushing and shoving, he ran all the way up to his dormitory. Repacking most of his stuff and gladly throwing his pack back into the storage cupboard, he threw his old rapier off in relief.

Sitting down on the bed and lying back, the hare took a moment to gather his wits about him and analyse the situation properly. Though not exactly happy that Consellariel was going to risk more than one hare in the mission, he was still greatly relieved that at least one matter was off his back. Startled out of his thoughts by a knock on the door, he quickly jumped back up and answered.

'Who is it?'

The door slid open slightly and a head poked its way through,

'Sah?'

'Ridgefur?'

Ridgefur was one of the sentries, and if Rapieratce was not mistaken, was the sentry for the current shift at the moment. Motioning for him to come in, the colonel asked,

'What is it?'

The sentry slipped in and stood to attention, as was regulation with those not as acquainted with the colonel as some others. Waving the sentry to ease, the colonel raised an eyebrow and signalled for him to continue.

'Sah, there has been a delay with the vermin. One of the patrols managed to find out that they had been pulled back because of some injury or another. To the hostages or not I do not know.'

Not good. Hopefully nothing has happened to those five.

Not showing his anxiety, the colonel asked again.

'Anything else?'

Nodding his head, Ridgefur continued,

'Lady Consellariel wishes to see you in the forge along with the brigadier, sergeant Longrunn and captain Daleria, sah.'

Nodding, Rapieratce dismissed Ridgefur, who turned and walked away. Pondering on why Consellariel would want him up in the forge he walked towards the staircase leading up, meeting Daleria there by chance. Nearly groaning out loud, Rapieratce had the urge to turn and walk away there and then until she disappeared, but too late. The captain had already spotted him and would no doubt be teasing him to no end. Pay back was not the nicest affair when it came to Daleria. She was already grinning.

Save me now.

Hoping that the captain would let him off easy, Rapieratce knew, however, that Daleria would do anything but let the matter rest.

'So, Rapieratce, looks like you are not going anywhere now.'

'Let the matter rest, captain, please.'

'Acting uptight and righteous so quickly already?'

'Don't do this to me, Dale.'

'Revenge is sweet, sah.'

Rapieratce was practically itching to say This is one of the times when I would gladly kill you, captain, but shut his mouth and walked ahead. Daleria was only too happy to catch up.

'What does the lady want us for?'

'I do not know, m'gel.'

'You should lighten up, 'Atce.'

'Lighten up, captain?'

'Take a break, sah, you look like you need one.'

Not that I can afford one at this time.

They had made it to the fourth floor by then, and found that Remora and Longrunn were only just ahead of them. Quickening their pace to catch up with the sergeant and the brigadier, the four made their way to the door. Daleria had decided that she had had enough fun in teasing the colonel and finally let the matter rest, deciding instead to discuss random matters that Longrunn and Remora had brought up. The colonel kept silent in thought, as he usually did. They all arrived at the huge forge door simultaneously. Rapieratce knocked softly. Consellariel's voice responded, telling them to enter. Moving themselves into the massive forge and standing to immediate attention, they awaited for her orders.

'Since you few are already at the heart of this matter, I have decided on you four to go on this errand. Even you, Daleria. Since it is already such a risk trying to attain the cure, I might as well send you as well to make sure that these three do not get intercepted on the way back. I dare say that your swordmanship will be on par with all here, even the colonel.'

Resisting the urge to grin at the colonel again, Daleria nodded. Rapieratce twitched.

'But I am still not taking any chances, even if the vermin are being delayed by three days or no. There will be a one on one training session in an hours time for you four.'

Nodding, they all stood silent.

'Very well, dismissed.'

Leaving the forge, nobeast spoke. One on one training were known to be the most intense of all the known types of training provided on the mountain. Not everybeast got these trainings very often. The amount of aggression and hazard put into it required extreme reflexes and fast reaction time. There were many known cases of injury during these the one on one training. In fact, Taremin had stated that she got more injuries out of one on one training than any other. And since the situation they were going into was not the most simple, the training was most definitely not going to be a very easy one. Rapieratce was grim again. Having been on his own fair share of individual expeditions out in the country alone such as this, though not as serious, as a captain way back when, he knew how gruelling the training was. Remora too was also grim and silent. Longrunn looked too distant for comfort. Daleria, having the least experience in the area, saw from the others looks that the day was not going to be the most easy going she had ever seen. Swallowing, she followed them down, breaking away at the second story to make her way back towards her own dormitory. So the four made preparations for that day. Intense training indeed.