Lovely Outing

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

Rockpaw was stressed.

It wasn't the kind of stress one usually saw on his weathered, beaten face. It wasn't the squinting, peering glance he usually gave everybeast when he was commanding the fort. No, this was a different kind of stress entirely. He was on a mission, but not even that could account for it, he went on missions almost all the time, and was well aware of all the danger that could accompany it. He hadn't been general of the fort for seasons by being a milksop coward. In fact it was his worrying and his constantly feeling stressed that kept him on top of the ball. Unfortunately, on this particular mission he had something extra, something more to worry about.

His wife had joined the expedition.

It had all started when a new township had been set up north of Salamandastron. Through messages relayed overland by the hares, Brooke had set up a trade route with this prosperous new settlement, which was discovering valuable new metals in the hills surrounding it. Of course, Rockpaw had not dabbled too much except to handle most of the negotiations, sharing in Brooke's correspondence to get a route going that would supply them with the means to craft weaponry for the fort. Yet somehow, there had come the strange idea that Brooke was entirely in charge of Emerald Bay, and Rockpaw was 'merely' a general. Somewhere along the way Rockpaw had suddenly become little more than a hanger-on to "Mrs. Briar" and his position as her husband was not so important as getting her approval for the route. Apparently the mayor of the town, a rather vain and extravagant mouse named Chirchid, very much enjoyed having esteemed guests, and to celebrate his town's growing wealth and to draw attention from potential settlers and miners, he had decided that Brooke Briar Steeleye, along with several other village leaders and one or two hare dignitaries from Salamandastron, would make up just the perfect guest list for a celebratory feast. They had been encouraged to bring their retinues and entourages.

Rockpaw didn't even really know if he had an entourage, and had decided since it was Brooke's name on the list, he would be taking her. Though the way the invitation worded it, she was technically taking him. Needless to say, the venerable and authoritative Rockpaw did not enjoy the thought of constantly demurring to his mate. They shared the duties of the fort equally!

And yet... in the end, Rockpaw found himself acting less the stern general and more the concerned father. Brooke was his treasure, his life, his love. To have anything happen to her, at all, ever, was a thought he couldn't bear, and in spite of their "equal" positions, Rockpaw had made entirely certain that she would have the best treatment on the trip north.

They had decided the Ocean Spray was the best choice. His Wave Stalker was hardly a comfortable passenger vessel, being designed as a slick, fast vessel that would dart in and out of enemy waters. Seeing as the Ocean Spray was their "communications" vessel it stood to reason it would ferry their message of support for the new town. His eldest son Logan would also accompany them, since it was time he went out on more official dispatches. Currently they were out at sea, on the third day of their journey, getting close to their destination. Rockpaw had spent most of his time worrying, following Brooke around, and making sure she was never uncomfortable, as well as keep the ship in running order, leaving Logan to keep to his father's side and follow his example in how to run a ship. The older otter currently had found a way to distract himself: looking over the maps on the upper deck and showing his son how to use a sextant. The rest of the crew was doubtlessly fretting on how to present themselves once they got to this high falooting shindig... those not concerned with keeping the ship going, at least.

"Now then... raise up the angle a bit... that there... is noon. Note, how we translate that finding onto the map..." Rockpaw went on instructing his child, hoping and praying nothing terrible would happen right when things were at their most peaceful.

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Brooke was done with the hardship of getting things organized to set out on a trip. Finally she was out on the Ocean Spray and ready to do anything and everything that her mate told her to do. She, being the commander and founder of the Fort, never thought of herself as a ruler alone. Ever since she founded the fort she never thought that she herself was the one that kept it organized and running. Brooke always thought that their efforts were joint and never did she think of herself as greater then her mate.

A couple of days has now passed that their home was aboard the Ocean Spray. Brooke didn't mind except for the fact that she 'did' find that being on the ship made her a bit more sea-sick then usual. She woke in the Captain's Cabin a bit upset in the tummy, the accommodations that she has grown quite accustomed to considering her present position in Fort Emerald Bay.

Brooke sat up in bed and pressed her paw to her stomach. She wished that she had only gotten morning sickness but it seemed to last until after noon. Slowly she planted her back-foot-paws to the wooden floor boards as she let out a sigh. At times she wondered if all of the sickness was worth it but soon enough her motherly feelings set in and told her that it was.

After her face was washed and her headfur combed Brooke made her way to the ships stern. She looked a little worse for wear but still managed to keep her external appearances up with regards to being the commander of FEB. Rather harshly she swallowed as she greeted her mate and their first born child. "Good morning my loves. How are we all this morning?" Softly Brooke groaned as she placed a paw on her lower tummy. By now she thought that this would be a better feat to accomplish, the bearing of children that is.

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

"Mom! Lookit this, I'm navigating!"

"Focus, Logan," Rockpaw said, turning the young otter back towards the horizon, keeping his sextant in his paw and making him focus on his duties. He needs to learn these things and having lessons interrupted are lessons that are always half-finished, and Logan needs to learn to focus in spite of whatever's around him. The stern otter knows how to keep a level head even when he's under stress, after all, and he wants to impress these same lessons on his eldest son. But of course, he knows how to handle a sextant, so he's able to cut himself off and turn to face his mate with a smile. He reached out and wrapped a paw around her waist, nuzzling the crook of her neck and kissing her cheek. He didn't care if the crew saw them when they did things like this. They all knew they were mates and in love with each other very much. Their growing army of children was testament to that.

"My darling," he said quietly. "We're doing just fine. Logan here was being taught how to use a sextant to navigate, finding the sun and using it plot our coordinates on that map there," he said, gesturing behind him to the table, which he also laid his own sextant down on."

"Yeah, I'm getting real good at it," Logan said with a grin. "Dad says I might as well be piloting the ship!"

Rockpaw coughed quietly. "Er... well, not in so many words," he said to Brooke, and Logan went back to surveying, fiddling with the controls to figure it out for himself. Rockpaw had to tend to his wife.

"Now, Brooke. What's this?" He gestured to the way she was standing, the way she was holding herself. "Are you not doing well? If you'd like we could put down anchor and get into some inlet at the shore..."

Yes, Rockpaw was ready and willing to stop the entire ship and delay the whole journey specifically for the purpose of letting Brooke handle her tummy ache. That was just how he was, of course. He would do his best to stop the Earth rotating if he knew that it's spinning was giving his beloved a headache. And who knows, perhaps he would even succeed!

"If you're feeling badly I can get the ship's healer to look you over," he insisted, still doting on her. "Did you sleep well? I'm sure this ship is much more comfortable than our last outing on the Stalker..."

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Brooke laughed. It was just like Rockpaw to notice that she was feeling a little ill. She could hardly ever fool her mate. Not that she wanted to but she was sure that she would try later because when it came to her being pregnant and carrying his child he got to be a mess, literally.

But docking for a little while did sound like fun. Then again Brooke would hate to break up the teaching session between Logan and Rockpaw. She frowned a little, swallowing hard because of feeling her upset stomach. "Oh no my love! I don't want to take you away from Logan. I can see that he's thirsting for knowledge from you." It broke Brooke's heart to think that Logan might be upset if they docked. Their son really needed such times with his father. Rock was such a good father.

Brooke nodded. "Yes I slept well. Thank you for your concern my love. But yes... I do think that I would like the healer to give me a check up... just to make sure that everything is all right. I don't recall feeling this sick when pregnant." She probably was that sick but once giving birth the kit has a way of taking all that negative stuff from one's mind.

The blond otter gave her mate a cheek-kiss and then nuzzled her nose into his neck. "If you have a good reason to go to shore then I wouldn't mind it. Maybe we need some herbs for my sickness. With the healers help I could forage for them on shore once we get there. My mint tea supply is low and maybe the healer could suggest some other morning sickness remedies." Brooke's guilt was to great for her. She felt so bad to have to stop the entire ship just for her. A female had the right to change her mind... Didn't she? "Wait... No... Let's just keep going." Brooke was never one to have beasts fussing over her. Surely Rockpaw would know that.

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

Rockpaw watched his mate vacillate between staying or going. Personally he wanted to get this trip done and over with as soon as possible. He didn't like the idea of being away from the fort, especially with Brooke pregnant (again). Not that he didn't mind her being pregnant. Making the children was half the fun after all! And he too wanted as big a family as they could have. Five, ten, twenty, who cared how many it was? Rockpaw would love them all. He had promised himself when he married Brooke that any of their children would be valued with as much love as he could muster for them. He felt whole when he was with her. To have children was just to make that wholeness even more complete. Looking down at Logan, growing and thinking and developing, a new little otter in his own right... to make a whole new life was a privilege that astounded him even more every day. He kept his arm around Brooke as she went back and forth between decisions, letting her work it through herself. Getting some fresh herbs might be a good idea, but the need was not particularly pressing, and he knew the stores on their ship would do just fine.

"If you think it's a good idea then," he said with a smile. "We'll keep going, but be sure to have the healer get a good look at you. We have plenty of herbs on this ship... I had them stored specifically as part of your requirements for the trip. You can check the ledger if you like," he said with a grin, and nuzzled the space between her ears. He had personally overseen providing Brooke with everything she might need on the boat. Everything from herbs to specific foods to changes of clothing were packed and carried aboard, all to make sure that Brooke had what she needed. There was no way he was going to let his own mate go without on a long, boring boat trip!

Some might say that Rockpaw was overdoing it, that he was even being too protective. That he wasn't letting Brooke take care of herself. But he only believe that he was doing the duty of a good husband. What was the point of saying he loved her if he were not willing to go out on a limb? He'd wade through rivers, cut through jungles and dig through deserts if that would make her happy. Knowing she was smiling and well cared for was one of the few things that made him absolutely calm in life, after all.

"The instant we get to port I'll get you all the mint tea you can drink," he promised her. "The place we're going is supposedly a thriving commercial center, after all. I hope they can provide for us once we get there. At least, the letter made it seem like they would."

Yes, Rockpaw did have his reservations about going to this strange, new city. It wasn't as though it were across the ocean, but it was far enough away from home that he had his doubts about the creatures there. For one thing the mayor seemed to have it all backwards and believed that he was completely subservient to Brooke, which was not the case in the slightest... not that he didn't enjoy being underneath her, of course. But something about it all seemed off. He never trusted beasts that were too happy with themselves, too proud of their accomplishments. Some strange feeling was making his tail itch, and he was certain it wasn't just his worry that some handsome otter dignitary would come and try his charms on Brooke. If anybeast tried anything of the sort, he'd rip their jaw off. No, this was something else... but he'd worry about that later.

"In any case we are sailing full speed. The Ocean Spray is a good ship and will bear us along quickly enough. The sooner we get there the sooner we can get home... I just hope the twins don't give the nanny too much trouble. I'd hate to think of them getting bored while we were away. But they shouldn't be too much trouble."

"Kinda like how I was when I was younger?" Logan remarked cheekily.

"Well..." Rockpaw said with a smile. "Hopefully they're not quite as much of a pawful as you turned out to be."

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Brooke nodded her head in agreement. She was a tough femme otter. Of course she had to be with everything that she's had to endure her entire life. It wouldn't take much for her to get through this trip. "I'm sure that I'll make it to our destination just fine and I'm sure that the foreigners will be very hospitable enough." Rockpaw's reassurance was more then comforting to the commander. It comforted her in her delicate state, even though Brooke denied ever being delicate, not that she wasn't very feminine. Her manner must be a pleasant torment for Rockpaw Steeleye. To her end she loved to keep him on his toes. Perhaps this was what made their relationship so interesting and still thriving and growing.

The blonde otter turned into his nuzzling and placed a warm paw on her mate's broad chest. Brooke knew that he was a worry wort. Even though he would comfort her and spoil her Brooke still sensed that he was stressed about something. Soothingly she rubbed a circle upon his chest and then looked up at him. "I can't wait to see my husband in action." It was clear that the founder of FEB had full confidence in Rockpaw. She would allow him to take the lead in this and happily she would do so.

"In any case we are sailing full speed. The Ocean Spray is a good ship and will bear us along quickly enough. The sooner we get there the sooner we can get home... I just hope the twins don't give the nanny too much trouble. I'd hate to think of them getting bored while we were away. But they shouldn't be too much trouble." Brooke laughed. She knew that the girls would be a pawful. They were curious female's, there were two of them and they have been growing increasingly active. Indeed the nanny would have a time trying to keep them in check but Brooke didn't say anything about it. She didn't want to worry her mate even more.

Brooke kissed fondly the crook of Rock's neck and gave his waist a snug. "You continue to work with Logan. I'm going to find the healer and get my check up. I'll return shortly after so don't worry. I'm sure that the baby and I are in tip-top shape!" Brooke giggled and then stepped toward Logan to give his headfur a raking by her blunt claws. She then turned to her mate and stood upon paw-tip to award him with a slightly sensual kiss. Brooke was forever bating her husband. He knew what she was doing, which was why it was fun. She parted from him with a sly grin. "I'll see you in a little bit. Keep our son safe." Brooke parted and disappeared into their cabin.

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

The sailing was smooth for most of the journey. Rockpaw had a good feeling that the weather would hold steady, and it did. There were always reliable winds in this area, something he was always thankful of. He and the rest of the crew bustled about while Logan kept an eye on his father. Rockpaw made sure that Logan understood all the ins and outs of the ship they were sailing, even sending him up into the rigging and apprenticing him to the ship's pilot. Logan went about it all with stoic willpower, for which Rockpaw was proud of. The young otter had no qualms about working hard, since he was so endeared towards the idea of taking control of the fort when Rockpaw ever stepped down. Rockpaw almost longed for the day. To have an heir to his command was something that he had never thought he would have, but Logan seemed ready and able to do it.

Rockpaw meanwhile, as the ship cut easily through the water, did his best to make sure that Brooke was completely comfortable. He even had one of the crewbeasts devote most of his time to organizing everything so nothing she brought along became messy. He knew she liked to bring along some of the comforts of home (along with a few other private items) and what with her expecting again he wanted her to know that he cared as much about her own comfort as she did. If she couldn't relax, nobeast could.

And, all too soon, they were at their destination. Rounding a corner Rockpaw could see a large pier with a small fishing village clustered about it, and farther up the sturdy wooden walls of a small town. On a cliff overlooking the sea farther inland stood the manor house of their benefactor, the one who had invited them all here. Two other ships were already anchored at harbor, one with a flag of the Long Patrol, the other holding the standard of an otter stronghold that had overtaken Sampetra. Several others would have come from inland.

"Look, Logan," Rockpaw said with a nod. "That's where you'll be at your first diplomatic meeting. We'll be talking to several beasts about how we can make the fort a better place."

"Aye, father. Is it as boring as you say?"

"Hopefully not," Rockpaw said with a shrug. "But we'll find something for you to do. I'm sorry this doesn't involve anything interesting, like ship piloting, or tracking, or what we usually do. But it's important nonetheless. You'll need to know how to talk to creatures. Sometimes they'll be dangerous. But this is fairly routine. You'll be able to follow it easily."

He turned back to the town and thought about what awaited them. Relaxation for the crew that came along to be sure, song and dance and fun things. But also business. He closed his eye and breathed in deeply. Business sometimes brought unpleasantness. But, hopefully, nothing would go wrong. He and Brooke would enjoy themselves while they were here, in this gentle, small, cozy place. It would be fun, to have a ball. They hadn't been to one in some time, or organized one at the fort. To dance serenely in the moonlight, surrounded by light and laughter. And then later... he chuckled. First things first.

They were here, and it was time to drop anchor and put in. At the dock waited a small party of woodlanders waiting to greet them. A tall, official looking hare stood at attention there.

"Welcome ta' Stillport!" he announced as they came ashore. "Ma' name is Severan, an' I'm Chirchid's right-paw beast. H'I assume you're from Emerald Bay, judgin' by the ship's flags!"

"That we are," Rockpaw said with a nod. "I am Rockpaw Steeleye. Commanding officer of the fort. And this is-"

"Missus Brooke Briar Steeleye!" Severan said, completely ignoring Rockpaw as he swept forward to shake Brooke's paw. "You're one of tha' last to arrive, wot! Welcome, welcome, all of you! You've been eagerly awaited."

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Brooke managed to stay comfortable enough on the trip. It wasn't the longest trip that she's ever made but she didn't really like traveling while being pregnant, especially with this pregnancy thus far. She was far more sick then usual. The evenings worked out the best for her.

Soon she emerged from their cabin. She was resting while her husband was again teaching their son and attending to Captain things. Brooke felt 'very' safe with him in charge of the ship. If it had been another beast in charge Brooke would have declined to come along.

Once up by her mate and Logan, to her surprise, they were at their destination. She let out a sigh and smiled wide. Now she was glad that she didn't insist on docking the ship, it would have taken longer for them to get there.

Brooke grabbed her mate's paw and walked forward, being greeted by beasts that she's never seen before. It was comical how they kind of ignored Rockpaw and fussed over her. She smiled and shook their paws politely. "Thank you.. Thank you. We've been eager to finally get here. Have you met my son Logan Emeric Steeleye?" Brooke smiled and gestured toward their son. It was good to get him accustomed to doing things like this. After all one day he 'could' be running the fort.

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

Rockpaw blew out a sigh as the hare went straight to doting over the valued commander of Fort Emerald Bay. Obviously, this was not going to be the tactful, subtle diplomatic talk he had hoped for... all of his worst fears were already coming to life, exemplified by this odd creature before them who seemed all too eager to make sure their guests were welcomed. Logan stared up at the creature with wide, curious eyes, apparently wondering how such a flamboyant beast ever got anywhere truly important. Severan shook Brooke's paw heartily and nodded several times.

"Yes, yes, we've heard quite a bit about your burgeoning operation, wot! Ha ha, quite a wonderful thing it is ta' be in charge, eh?"

He knelt down to Logan's height and extended a paw, ears flapping comically. Logan stared at it in silence but after glancing to his father, who nodded once, he reached out and took it with a smile, shaking from how strongly the hare shook back.

"W-we're ple-eased to m-meet you!" the young otter said, as polite as could be. Rockpaw smiled at the level of calm his son was exuding in the presence of such a strange and new place. He was certain that his own touch attitude was rubbing off on him, and it would serve him well when all the talking started in earnest. Most of this was just a pleasantry, but even simple things like trade agreements could go south in a hurry, and there were so many things for them to keep an eye on...

"A bally pleasure lad, a bally pleasure," Severan said with a wide grin, showing off his pearly white buck teeth which seemed to glisten in the sunlight. He had gone out of his way to look presentable. Standing up again he waved his way through the assembled honor guard and led them into the small village, which had been prettied up for the arrival of its high profile guests. While Brooke was regaled of the town's history and said to over and over again what a pleasure it was to have them here, Rockpaw investigated with a critical eye the state of the town. Not a single dusty, dirty farmer to be seen, all the windows clean and the streets cleared of rubbish. Rockpaw noted that the buildings, while a bit ramshackle, were still well-made and had some polish put into them. The ones that lived here obviously enjoyed it.

"Like I was sayin'," Severan babbled on, "we've got such a lineup for you all ta' meet. Representatives from up an' down the coast, an' we've spared no expense ta' make sure this will be a wonderful visit. Ahh... Chirchid does expect some recompense in the form of good business, of course," he muttered to Brooke out of the corner of his mouth. Rockpaw noticed this. Of course, the whole point of such glamorous exercises was to curry favor. Brooke was being doted on because they wanted her agreement with whatever they wanted. Influence from one of the most beautiful, diplomatic otters in the south would be really something, after all. "We're certain Emerald Bay will be happy to show its pleasure in the form of... material goods an' services, eh, eh? We are of course a growin' trade town and, well, business must stay good!"

He led them through the straight, narrow streets towards the hill where a carriage awaited them at the bottom, waiting to carry them on up to the manor house and small keep that was situated at the top. Rockpaw noted that even their mode of transportation had been prettied up. The young male badger towing it wore a fine tunic of embroidered glittery cloths, and the carriage was polished to a fine sheen. Severan waved them onto it quickly.

"Chirchid an' the rest of the guests await at the top. Spit spot, no time to dilly dally, all the action is up at the keep after all!"

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Brooke noted how well Logan was doing as far as being respectful. Of course it was probably due to Rockpaw's coaching and indeed his nodding of his head. Still though the femme otter was glad that he was doing so well, even if the hare was shaking the heck out of his entire body. Brooke just hoped that Logan wouldn't say anything silly. So far though he was doing well and Brooke was proud of him.

Then they moved forward. It was as if the family were being paraded through the town. Brooke was never very political and all and so she 'would' leave that up to Rockpaw. She whole-heartedly hoped that her mate would chime in when he needed to. Brooke had a feeling that he was put off by the fact that she was being the most catered to. After all this whole trip was Rockpaw's baby.

They still had a bit to walk. Brooke found herself winded and feeling a little ill in the stomach. She did her best to try and hide it though. The otter didn't want them to think that she was sick, like as in disease sick. And she really didn't want to inform everyone that she was pregnant. It wasn't really any of their business, or so that was the thinking of Brooke Briar Steeleye. "Fine. Let us precede please." She didn't want to lead on that she was feeling like she was going to fall on her face.