Post by Marabell Ambersong on Mar 12, 2010 21:15:54 GMT -5
"I know which way I'm going this time!...I hope."
Marabell Ambersong stopped for the third time that day and looked at the little map in her paws. Five times in the past week she had wandered up the wrong road hoping to find Fort Emerald Bay. In most cases, the beasts she asked for directions were very kind, but she had been so twisted around yesterday, that the barkeep had actually laughed at her. The nerve! Here she was, a poor, lost maid, and the hare had laughed!
The young shrew scratched her neck and pushed aside the colorful scarf wrapped around her black headfur. Her obsidian eyes went from the map to the road she was on, and she sighed loudly. "I'm lost..." she muttered to herself. Frustrated, she plopped down on a nearby rock and sat there for a few minutes to rest her aching footpaws. The map fluttered to the ground beside her as she dropped her chin onto her paws. "SilverRose made it sound so easy," she complained to herself. "Follow this road to this fort, then this road to this fort, and it'll appear beyond the horizon. Humph, I wonder how many times she got lost."
The moment the words were out of her mouth, Marabell regretted them. She shouldn't be so harsh to her former teacher. SilverRose had only been trying to help Marabell's education by suggesting that she visit Emerald Bay, which seemed to have one of the largest infirmaries, short of the one found at Redwall. Marabell was eager to meet the famous Brooke Briar and Rockpaw Steeleye, but she doubted she would be that fortunate any time soon. Of course, SilverRose had also spoken highly of the gyrfalcon...Kel was it?...so perhaps Marabell would have some luck.
The shrew looked at the map and swiped it up gently in her paw. "All right, footpaws. Can you go a little further?" She wiggled her toes, causing herself to giggle quietly. Despite her frustration, Marabell fought to remain optimistic. She would find the fort, even if she had to leave her footpaws behind! Marabell hiked up her colorful skirts (which she had learned were not conducive to traveling), and hurried along the dusty path.
It was another hour before the spirals of Emerald Bay came into sight. Unwittingly, Marabell unleashed a shrill squeal and clapped her paws joyously. Finally! Though the fort was still far in the distance, Marabell bustled along, tempted by the herbs there were simply calling to her behind closed doors. Unfortunately, by the time she reached the gates, she was huffing and puffing and nearly doubled over.
The maid dabbed her brow with another scarf and peered up towards the ramparts. This had to be Emerald Bay...otherwise she was going to march herself all the way back to Black Arch Fort and give SilverRose such a kick that she wouldn't be able to sit for a month! Marabell stared at the portcullis then bit her lip. Well, now that she was here, what was she supposed to do? She tapped her lip then called up in a tentative voice.
"H...Hello? Goodbeast requesting entrance, here....Please?"
Marabell Ambersong stopped for the third time that day and looked at the little map in her paws. Five times in the past week she had wandered up the wrong road hoping to find Fort Emerald Bay. In most cases, the beasts she asked for directions were very kind, but she had been so twisted around yesterday, that the barkeep had actually laughed at her. The nerve! Here she was, a poor, lost maid, and the hare had laughed!
The young shrew scratched her neck and pushed aside the colorful scarf wrapped around her black headfur. Her obsidian eyes went from the map to the road she was on, and she sighed loudly. "I'm lost..." she muttered to herself. Frustrated, she plopped down on a nearby rock and sat there for a few minutes to rest her aching footpaws. The map fluttered to the ground beside her as she dropped her chin onto her paws. "SilverRose made it sound so easy," she complained to herself. "Follow this road to this fort, then this road to this fort, and it'll appear beyond the horizon. Humph, I wonder how many times she got lost."
The moment the words were out of her mouth, Marabell regretted them. She shouldn't be so harsh to her former teacher. SilverRose had only been trying to help Marabell's education by suggesting that she visit Emerald Bay, which seemed to have one of the largest infirmaries, short of the one found at Redwall. Marabell was eager to meet the famous Brooke Briar and Rockpaw Steeleye, but she doubted she would be that fortunate any time soon. Of course, SilverRose had also spoken highly of the gyrfalcon...Kel was it?...so perhaps Marabell would have some luck.
The shrew looked at the map and swiped it up gently in her paw. "All right, footpaws. Can you go a little further?" She wiggled her toes, causing herself to giggle quietly. Despite her frustration, Marabell fought to remain optimistic. She would find the fort, even if she had to leave her footpaws behind! Marabell hiked up her colorful skirts (which she had learned were not conducive to traveling), and hurried along the dusty path.
It was another hour before the spirals of Emerald Bay came into sight. Unwittingly, Marabell unleashed a shrill squeal and clapped her paws joyously. Finally! Though the fort was still far in the distance, Marabell bustled along, tempted by the herbs there were simply calling to her behind closed doors. Unfortunately, by the time she reached the gates, she was huffing and puffing and nearly doubled over.
The maid dabbed her brow with another scarf and peered up towards the ramparts. This had to be Emerald Bay...otherwise she was going to march herself all the way back to Black Arch Fort and give SilverRose such a kick that she wouldn't be able to sit for a month! Marabell stared at the portcullis then bit her lip. Well, now that she was here, what was she supposed to do? She tapped her lip then called up in a tentative voice.
"H...Hello? Goodbeast requesting entrance, here....Please?"