Disclaimer: Not mine.
*
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". 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. 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.'
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.'
'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.
'Is that you need some help, albeit only a little...'
'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 jumpy. Mentally groaning, he thought,
Here we go again...
