Mission: Mossflower

[Django]

Cordin had dunked himself into the river after he'd finished off his soup. What a rush! He'd washed himself long after Ripley had finished her own rinsing, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable. He didn't know her sensitivities, and didn't want to find out the hard way if that was one of them. 

He watched the moon's reflection knead the black waves, humming quietly to himself as he scrubbed the sweat and dirt off his legs. Every now and then he took a long, cooling drink of the river water, still endeavoring to wash down the hot pain of the hotroot. But it wasn't that bad. He just didn't want to end up hoarse, or worse, with no voice at all, considering the damage that spice had done to his throat. He'd promised himself to go easy next time. And to smell what he was given before consuming it.

He walked up the shore out of the water, dried himself off, and slipped into his breeches. The night was warm, so he forewent even his undershirt. After one last good shake of his fur, he joined the few beasts remaining at the fire. He caught the main points of Ripley's conversation with Joggo, saying nothing. He realized he was too sleepy to make commentary, and as he noticed Ripley battling back sleep, he had to disguise a yawn as a deep breath.

"Thankee, Joggo," Cordin murmured. He gave Ripley a quick pat on the back, smiling. "Think I'll be off to dreamland, eh? Goodnight." He stood up to go find his bedroll, and Joggo stood with him.

"I'll keep first watch, mate," the otter said.

"Aye," Cordin couldn't stop a full yawn this time. "Wake me for next."

Joggo laughed. "Nah, don't think yore up t' that. Sleep tight, laddie. This is our holt. Ain't no beast wot's gonna mess w' us." With that, the otter disappeared for his patrol. Cordin yawned again, clumsily unrolled his bed, and was out before his head hit the ground.
_________________________________________

Morning sunlight peaked over the mountains after Cordin had already awoken and packed his things again. He was nibbling at the core of an apple, watching the river. He had woken up confused at the sights and smells around him, unused to being outside the mountain. Memory had started working before he had gotten too confused, and so he'd busied himself with packing up, knowing Ripley would want to move on quickly. 

One of his new otter friends, Gura, approached him, holding out a paw to shake. "Pleasure meetin' ye, Cordin. You take good care of our Ripley out there, will ye?"

Cordin stood and shook the proffered paw, chuckling, "Oh, Rip won't be needin' any protectin' by li'l ol' me, mate. Best I can do is bloody keep up." Gura laughed.

"Ah, 'tis true, mate," he said. "Don't let 'er outta yer sight then, eh?"

"Speak o' the gel," Cordin noticed his companion and waved. "Mornin', Rip!"

[Tracy]

Ripley had been up for a bit, eating breakfast as she had promised with her otter friends, who were slightly less bright-eyed at this hour than the haremaid. The scout usually fell asleep early and easily at night, and often took mid-day naps, but made up for it by being a bundle of energy all throughout the day, early morning being no exception. It was why she spend her mornings running, although that was an activity she obviously forewent when she had a day of traveling ahead of her. The pent-up energy she used for her morning runs made her a bit bouncy in the morning.

"Morning Cordin! Gura!" she smiled as she walked over, belt and scabbard in her paws. "Sleep well?" she asked her companion as she put on the belt with her rapier, sliding on her silver belt buckle. "Should get goin' soon," she went on, looking behind them at the river, where it went up a bit in elevation as they left the valley pass behind. Ripley was practically bobbing on her feet in anticipation. They would be heading into Mossflower proper today, and the Wood would be buzzing with activity this time of year.

Gura looked between the two briefly, shaking his head finally at Ripley. "Don't ye wait a whole year t'visit us, eh?"
While they spoke, Joggo was sneaking quietly up to the group from behind the haremaid, beckoning the others into silence. Ripley smiled at Gura, "To the best of my ability, it won't be a whole year," was the closest promise she could give. "If you've any news, we'll be following the river until the South Path."

At that moment, the big burly Joggo swing his arms out to grab the little scout, finding himself grabbing nothing but air as Ripley quickly ducked and jumped away. Swinging around, she gave the river otter a grin. "You really think I'd let you do that twice in two days?"

Joggo gave the haremaid a cheeky wink. "Nex' time, then, Rip'."

~~~~

As they made their way up the river, leaving the small holt behind, Ripley looked over to Cordin. "So we've checked river otters off your list then. Let's see if I can't introduce you to more beasts you definitely should have met by now."