"How long were Whiskers and I missing? Time... froze in those webs, even more than it has out here in the snow."

"No, I experienced no vision, Ranger Fierypaws. It was His Golden Eminence, Armand. Four of his goldcloaks brought the news last night, and I confess I feared the worst for you. Of course, the Townsguard spread the rumor as gospel."

His Golden Eminence has risen in popularity, despite his sun deity seemingly having abandoned the far north. He tells the townsmice stories of hope, while the Mouse Guard is stuck with the grim reality of survival and defense. The Mouse Guard is depleted, patrols losing guards to storms and predation, or not returning at all.

The Townsguard, safe within the boundaries of the town, does not face such attrition, of course. Armand has usurped authority over the Townsguard, and recruits the best into his personal guard, the Goldcloaks- at least that is what everyone calls them.

Speaker Nimsy, Mayor of Lonelywood, still commands the Mouse Guard, but her power wanes as the winter persists and resources become more and more scarce.

"The cape is not Guard issue. Do with it as you see fit."

To Anspec, he replies: "Your patrol was due back five days ago. I am glad you and Whiskers are still with us. You will be with Blackbur and his irregulars, now."

"Blackbur, Hurdrak, stay. The rest of you, stay close, and rest up. Do not venture from the barracks alone. Dismissed."

"Healer Heidi, I hope you will remain here as our guest, and tend to our Pika ally?"

"Of course, Captain, though ye might need to throw the wee ones in the brig for a spell." The more observant members of the patrol might catch an unexpected familiarity in the quick wink she gives the Captain. She recognizes that he wishes to speak with the two remaining guards alone, and leaves the office.

Hurdrak kept to the side and outskirts of the group while they talked with the captain.  He remained still, at attention and respectful as was expected, however, it was also due to the nature of things.  A a spider himself, he often felt judged and feared by the community.  It was only by the grace of the captain that he was even given the chance at some modicum of respect.  Though, when the story of the spiderlings comes out, he fears a new round of persecution may come about.

Instead, he pondered on the implications of the vision.  While bits of it may have been true others were not.  He wondered what was actually seen, what was misinterpreted and what was distorted with each telling.  Maybe it was that, a simple mistake but he loathed to think that the vision had been twisted for some sort of political power move.

Snapped out of his thoughts by the Captain, he simply says, "Sir" with a salute of one hand.

The listener goes completely silent, not even showing any interest or making any attempt at asking further questions about the last part of the vision. Crossing her arms in front of her torso she waits for the party to move on...her facial expression exposing the inner turmoil of dark thoughts.

Instead of going directly to the outskirt of the barracks, Dixie decides to wait for Blackbur and Hurdrak outside the chamber, pacing restlessly across the space and deliberately refusing herself the warmth of bedrolls. Her curious set of eyes try to search for Heidi and if she finds her she might want to ask her about the Chwingas. "I swear it has nothing to do with the brig or the wink. It's about the little elemental folks. What happened to them?"

Mistral has a warrior's instinct for getting rest whenever he can and finds himself a dark roost in a corner of the barracks.

Blackbur politely ignores the undertones from Healer Heidi, and stands at attention for the captain. 

“We are at your disposal, sir. How can a poor mouse be of service?” With a bit of distinction on the mouse, notably not including Hurdrak.

Captain Trevil searches their eyes. Which is a bit disconcerting in Hurdrak's case, but the experienced officer conceals his slight unease well. He is committed to this project, for the needs of the Guard. But he cannot let his wishes blind him. He decides to take the cue from the patrol leader, and quickly dismisses the spider.

"Tenderclaw Hurdrak. I noted you keeping to the back, a bit apart from the rest. I expect you to integrate with the rest of the patrol, just as I expect the others to respect my initiative to recruit you, and accept you into their ranks. That is all, you may go."

The Captain brooks no further discussion of the matter, at this time.

"So what has not been said, Blackbur? For a patrol that has reached safety, following a harrowing assignment, there was enough tension in this office to slice with a sabre. Is there more I need to know? I will let you handle it, if you prefer, but it is my duty to ask you."

Heidi pays no heed to Dixie's opening remark, but answers the following: "I've not seen them since we were beset by the wraiths. They mostly seem to disappear in a fight. Breaks my heart, Kilmorrow and Erhard, such brave lads, and so young. You should keep that cape, you know. I'm fair certain it is imbued with magIc, made Erhard near disappear in the snow, if he wasn't moving."

Blackbur sighs, relaxing a bit now that they’re alone. 

“Hurdrak nearly killed us all. I’m no spider lover, sir, but this was something worse. I can’t deny the usefulness he has. But he’s not like us mice.”

Dixie puts on the white cape carefully securing the attached thread near her neck, then she strokes the feathers to adjust some of the rebellious strands. "I appreciate your decision, so far so good"- she speaks to the Healer while nodding in unison. "Now, let's bid goodnight to these lads"- she playfully bows before the mouslings, then she lifts her head slightly to poke their noses with a gleaming smile. With a brief exchange of waves, she leaves the place, almost blending in the white backdrop of snow.

"This is far worse news than I had anticipated. In your opinion, does Hurdrak's usefulness as an asset warrant a second chance? Do you believe he placed your lives in danger knowingly? Or just recklessly? Though either, of course, could mean disciplinary action or discharge. And lastly, do you believe him to be loyal to the Guard?"

Captain Trevil twirls his whiskers, as he listens to Blackbur's responses.

"Leave me. I must consider this. I will be sending you back out, and soon. Now I must decide if our arachnid ally should accompany you. Dismissed."

“Uncertain... he’s a Tenderpaw. Reckless, and eager. I felt it was important to inform just how serious it is. It’s not a simple mentorship.” 

After being dismissed, Blackbur will salute and exit. 

Whiskers will return to his bunk in the barracks and will spend some time meditating before trying to get some rest in. The last couple days had been particularly taxing, and he wanted to be rested and ready for the next venture out of the town.

Anspec finds his bunk, following Whiskers, and plays his lute quietly for a while before putting it down and resting.

Hurdrak gave the salute and left as ordered.  He slowly walked towards the barracks while deep in thought.  Maybe the Captain was right.  He was always on the fringe, never getting close to the others.  Did he do it because it made them uncomfortable or did it just make him uncomfortable.  Did not fully integrating with them subconciously put them as a suitable risk in his mind?  No... he was dedicated to his craft, his swordsmanship, plus the guilt for hurting them still stung.  

Before he realized it, he was back at the barracks.  He stripped of his gear, set about cleaning it,  and decided a good sleep would be great.  He crawled into his bunk, curled his arms up and tried to calm his mind to rest.

Distant sounds of footsteps and vague laughters are heard near the wooden structures with frequent nods of acknowledgement or recognition from the patrolling guards. The idea of moving incognito seems peculiar at this setting but Dixie attempts to draw less attention than usual. A bit tired but nowhere near the condition 'incapacitated'! The outside of the compound has many things to offer, and juicy gossip is one of them which possesses the power to distract a trained ranger, enough to get her bumped into a bunch of novice recruits.

Blackbur will go to find Hurdrak in the morning after a night with his thoughts (just throwing it out there before the DM moves past my chance)

"Oi?! Watch where you're going, feather-neck!"  The young recruit speaking spins and draws a smallsword halfway out of its jeweled scabbard, and seems in no way interested in continuing down the lane. 

("Careful, she's a ghost!"  "She's a Ranger, just saying..")

The mouse shrugs, undaunted, despite the warnings of his comrades. "Seemed solid enough when she crashed into me. What have you to say for yourself, longears?"

Dixie recalls stories at the barracks, that the banned practice of duelling has been making a comeback, in the long winter nights. So long as it has led to no fatalities, it has been overlooked, even encouraged, amongst the bored recruits. The Townsguard look the other way. And upon closer scrutiny, these recruits do not belong to the Mouse Guard, but indeed the Townsguard!

Sirithal returns to his room, in need of solitude to digest and analyse recent events. He makes sure to lock the door.

Curiosity killed the cat. But Dixie ain't no cat! It's been a mistake to look out for additional information about His Great Eminence Armand and his minions without prior arrangements. Look who's in trouble now! "Alas! I thought you were one of the cottontails, a half-grown yet spiffing bloke that I knew"- she blurts out a perfect lie as she doesn't want to start a brawl or something. "That wonderful compliment from your friend has blown away the nonsensical assumption, a ghost you say?"

"Mistook me for a cottontail, the daft bunny says!"  This generates laughter amongst his cronies, as they warm to the prospect of a fight. It does not matter if he believes Dixie's explanation or not- he is obviously spoiling for a fight. 

The three bravos fan out, attempting to surround her, though only the ringleader draws steel. "That did not sound like an apology, so I will have your blood instead!"