Quest One- by Keera
Quest Two- by Jassa
Quest Three- by Greeneye
Quest Four- by Brook
Quest Five- by Greenfeather

Quest One- by Keera
Some erosion has been occuring by one of the cloisters within Zoren Castle. It is damaging the cloister and must be dealt with.

The otters went diving for plants growing at the bottom of the pond. They came up with two fishing nets full of it. The mice inspected the plants which the otters called fish fixing. They found out it was sticky, and once it was dry it couldn't come of no matter how hard you would pry, also it would not erode, and would blend in with the surroundings.
The mice and otters lugged the nets back to the castle. Once they got there they put the plants in buckets of water so it wouldn't dry out. Then they got right to work. The carpenter mice dipped the plants in water, filled the cracks with it, and waited for it to dry. Soon the eroded walls looked as good as new.
The mice and otters then sat in the cool shade of the dining hall and enjoyed the strawberry cordial and the blueberry pies as an in-between meal snack.

I couldn't help wondering why the merchant hadn't known about the wallyoopusez. They were famous throughout the mountain country and surely the king of Euchachilla, who's castle was seated on the border of the greater and smaller mountains must have known about them. Meanwhile, a was doing my best to please this merchant who, being more stuck up than any members of Zoren, was doing his best not to be pleased.
All the same, he did happen to have some manners. I surveyed his equipment and found some damage. Claw marks and tears lined his packs and tent, while his pack horse and his riding horse were nervous and bore a few scratches. The merchant himself, wasn't in such bad order, but he was worn thin with long hours and was in desperate need of undisturbed sleep. So, directly after a quick supper of my packed trail rations, he flopped down and fell asleep, just like that. He hadn't said anything about keeping night shifts, so I cleaned up the camping site, untacked then picketed the horses and stayed up. I was too filled up with nervous energy to do much else.
I decided to keep my mind on the present situation- which proved more difficult then I had expected. I didn't want to pore over the possibilities of being mauled by a clan of wallyoopusez, failing this quest, being caught in an unexpected blizzard or something worse. The Mountains were not at all predictable, as many knew. I hit upon a decision. We, meaning the merchant, all the horses and I, would not wait for the wallyoopusez to come. We would come to them. Skip, my riding horse, was naught but a colt, but if he could speak, I had no doubt he would agree to the plan immediately. He was the adventurous type to the fullest. It'd be pointless to ask the merchant for his opinion, he'd disagree immediately, but I would tell him anyways. So the night passed uneventfully; I drowsed and kept the fire going, the merchant slept, occasionally muttering something unintelligable about nashing teeth and snarling beasts and Skip making himself a nuisance to the two sleepier, older horses between snoozing and nosing his feed.
The morning sky promised good weather, of which I was relieved. At least we couldn't be taken by suprise. According to the map of the Placido Mountain Range, a whole neighborhood of wallyoopus clans were stationed not far from out camp site due west. As I'd expected, the Euchachillan merchant did not think it was a good idea at all, but followed along with numerous mumbled protests which I couldn't understand and didn't try to. I was vaguely annoyed with the amount of cargo he'd brought, and more so when he started on plaintively about letting some of his load onto Skip. Nearly fed up, I agreed, snatched his little money box, stuck it in my saddle bag and mounted. On second thought, I dismounted and piled up some of his load onto Skip when I realized his horses were going to suffer. He clapped his gabbers shut then and enjoyed the scenery while we started for the wallyoopus neighborhood.
We reached what was supposed to be the borders of the wallyoopus territory. The crossing point was marked by a row of mountain scrub. Once we passed this point, the Euchachillan merchant tensed up a bit. Nothing happened. We topped a rise and descended. Nothing happened. The horses slithered a little over a frosty patch of rock. Nothing happened. We went round a thick knot of mountain shrubbery. We were surrounded by approximately thirty wallyoopusez. The merchant exhaled uncomfortably loudly. The horses and I winced in reply. The wallyoopusez did not move. They were weather hardened, fit and wary of the horse's shodden feet. They'd clearly seen more than enough of the sort. I cleared my throat and attempted a friendly and none threatening tone as possible.
"Would you take us to your..." I trailed off a little. "chief, please."
"Yes please." the merchant said hollowly and for no particular reason.
The wallyoopusez strode forward, testing our packs and horses with scent. I had a little difficulty trying to keep Skip from giving the nearest wallyoopus a quick 'let's be friends' nip. The merchant and his horses were quite terrified. I couldn't blame them, being in the cold Placido Mountain weather with wallyoopusez attacking you was not exactly the most pleasant situation you could be in. But this merchant kept his horses still. Two wallyoopusez who seemed to be pretty much in charge of the goings and comings huddled whispering and occansionally looking over to us. Possibly trying to keep us out of trouble. But as things were, we did not try. One of the two wallyoopusez beckoned for us to follow, and we did.
The going became harder and harder as the tribe of wallyoopusez made for higher land. Skip chomped nervously on his bit when we came to a point that was littered with wallyoopus tracks and smelled strongly of the same. The merchant's horses were faring worse and his riding horse almost shied and fell backward on the slippery surface. The packhorse was chomping her bit as well and rolling her eyes. We were getting close. The mixed party went along at a brisk pace until we came upon an impressively large cave entrance. According to the horses' reactions, this was the lair of the wallyoopus tribe. The number of wallyoopusez we walked past within the cave by far surpassed the normal number of a single tribe. I estimated at least half the whole population of wallyoopusez in the western area of the mountain range inhabited this cave presently. Then we saw them. Two wallyoopusez that were larger than any the none wallyoopus members of the party'd seen so far. A male and a female. Two sets of eyes glittered in the dim of the cave. These eyes were questioning when they lit upon myself and Skip, and hardened when they saught and found the merchant and his lot. I decided I wasn't be particularly anxious to be the Euchachillan merchant right this moment. A few nervous shuffles of his horses shod feet and him in his saddle confirmed their discomfort. I again, cleared my throat and aimed for a civil tone.
"Greetings, your..." my voice trailed off again, amplified several times over by the space. "lord and ladyship." It was the best I could manage at the moment. Wallyoopusiship didn't sound right. The wallyoopusez waited for what seemed to be ages before the larger, male one spoke in a clear booming voice that the cave amplified- for the merchant's benifit I suppose.
"I accept your greeting and return it. Please state your name, rank, homeplace and business."
This wasn't really encouraging, but at least the wallyoopusez didn't seem angry. Yet.
"I am Jassa GreenTree, soldier of Queen Streakcat's Zoren Castle and have come here to assist this merchant from Castle Euchachilla through the Placido Mountains." I didn't mention the attacks, correctly assuming that the wallyoopusez would bring that up.
"Queen Streakcat, yes, yes. Fine, fine. You know something at least about that 'merchant' ? And that we were attacking him?"
"I do."
"Splendid."
I almost said "It is?" but stopped myself. I waited for the male wallyoopus to continue. He did.
"Well, what're you going to do about it?"
"What do you want?"
The wallyoopus stopped and looked us over again. I didn't suppose he'd expected that answer. He gestured with an elegant wave of a large, threatening looking paw after a moment of thought.
"His goods. And for him to get out of the Placido Mountains when his business with Zoren is done, and yourself, our territory."
The merchant looked starstruck for a moment than opened his mouth,
"But-" He was saved by myself. I said through the side of my mouth, "Stow it."
I don't know how he felt about being told to "Stow it." from somebeast of which he thought had lower rank than his, but he did. The wallyoopusez had either not heard or thought it beneath them to look as if they had. He sighed audibly.
"Very well."
"Done. Splendid."
"It is?"
I elbowed him sharply and he stowed it again, with the sigh. I was glad the wallyoopusez had decided to ignore the remark. With a cool nod from the female wallyoopus, a small lot of wallyoopusez detatched themselves from the others and made their way over to us. I watched them unload the merchant's packs, including the ones on Skip. I cleared my throat again.
"Could you tell us your names, please?"
"Lady IceSky and Lord Fireclaw." was the brisk reply from the male wallyoopus. I stored this information in my head and watched the finishing of the unloading in silence. When they finished, and tugged the packs down the hallway, Lady IceSky spoke for the first time, in a voice that was much quieter than Lord Fireclaw's, but louder than my own. It was cool but friendly, like a river rushing by.
"We will escort you to the entrance."
She gave a quick teeth- bare which I took for a smile and padded off, as the others cleared out of her way. Me on Skip followed, then the merchant and his newly unloaded horses. Lord Fireclaw took up the rear, which the merchant and his horses didn't find comfortable.
We finally reached the entrance. The number of wallyoopusez adorning the cave was far less than it had been. I wasn't sure if that was good or bad and decided I wouldn't have to know. Lady IceSky spoke.
"Please give Queen Streakcat our highest regards, and I thank you very much for visiting us." I couldn't be sure if this was a 'visit' but I didn't say so. Her ladyship continued,
"It's been a pleasure doing business with you." She pointedly looked at me alone and not the merchant. I dismounted and bowed and looked sideways at the merchant who hastily did the same. Then I gave her my best smile.
"Thank you very much for having us, I agree it's been a pleasure doing business with you. Please accept Queen Streakcat's best wishes."
The pair of wallyoopusez nodded, apparently satisfied. The merchant and I mounted and made off into the cold atmosphere and went on a fast walk right past the border, regardless of one passing night and into Zoren Castle's drawbridge. After sending the horses to the stables, we brushed up, changed and went to the Throne Room. I bowed along with the merchant to Queen Streakcat, thinking, I'm done, whew.

There was much commotion in the stables as I made way to the queens throne room.
"That didn’t sound to good," I thought, " Maybe that’s what she wanted to talk to me about."
As I made my way into the throne room I noticed that she that she seemed worried over something. That was real odd. She was almost always coolheaded over something. When she saw me she said,
"Greeneye, I’m sorry to say this but I need you to do a very hazardous mission for me."
"Shoot."
"It has come to my attention that one of our horses has caught rabies I would do myself but my foot is still sprained from the accident. I was hoping that you would help us with this problem."
Oh good a chance to use my sniper skills. When I told this she just shook her head and told me it wouldn’t happn the horse could dodge arrows. I told not to worry this wouldn’t be a problem. I lied through my teeth this was going to be a big problem. I was not worried , I was terrified. But I thought I had a good plan. Going up to the infirnary I asked for some wolfbane juice. I figured that anything that could kill a wolf could kill a horse. Taking the wolfbane with me I proceded to go to the armory. Finding a nice stout shield I took a spike and hammered it into the shield so that the sharp end protruded outword. Grabbing my saber and my crossbow(just in case) and went to the stables. Fortunatly the stables were located in the courtyard. Telling everyone to in the courtyard to leave and lock the doors I went on top of the stables’ roof and opened the door with a stick. The mad horse came out of the stables like a wildbeast. Foam was spurting everywhere. Taking a quick glide into the tree in the midle of the courtyard. I made my weapon ready. Poring the wolfbane juice over the spike and my saber I got my self prepped for something I will never forget. I leaped down and soared over to the horse shield first the spike connected to the rear of the horse but the horse just semed to get madder and kicked me with both legs. As I flew a good ten feet I knew I had just about broken a rib or two but it didn’t hurt as much as it usually did and I think I tore the skin that lets a flying squirrel fly. I couldn’t breath and when I tried it felt like my lungs were exploding. The horse came at me and almost instictivly I brought the saber up to meet it. The horse got struck ran back and charged again. I knew I was dead. Just as it nearly bit me the horse’s neck spasmed I assume the wolfbane finally started working. It kept on spasming all over the ground until I found my crossbow. Hoping the spasming would keep it from dodging I shot and blacked out from something. I woke up in the infirmary. They told me I had cracked two ribs on each side . I also wouldn’t be able to leave the bed for another couple days. I am an unbelievably quick healer so I don't thick I would be out for more than half a month.

The mouse gingerly picked her way stealthily across the broken, rocky terrain of the Placido Mountains. Suddenly, she stopped and bent close to the ground. In the sparse and light dusting of dirt, Brook saw the faint outline of a fox's left paw. It was obvious that the fox, or one of his friends, had tried to cover their tracks, but this print had escaped their notice. Brook smiled grimly. Skipping over a gray stone that had recently been kicked over by a frustrated fox, the mouse began the tedious and painstaking project of tracking the foxes back to their hideout. With the sun sinking behind her, it would soon become even more difficult to follow the foxes. Moving swiftly, Brook crested part of the mountain and found herself gazing over a small, well hidden valley. A figure at the bottom, it's species unidentifiable at the distance, walked from an outcropping of rocks to a cave. Brook dropped to the ground instantly, fearing discovery if the creature looked up and saw her silhouette in the fast-fading sunlight.
The fox disappeared into the cave. Brook heaved a sigh of relief. She got up, a plan forming in her mind as to how to bring the foxes back to Zoren Castle. It would be difficult, perhaps even disastrous if she faltered. Stealing herself, Brook walked boldly into the camp of the foxes, paws empty, her sword still in its sheath and hanging on her back.
"Hey! What're you doin' 'ere?" shouted a slim, red fox, running up to her as soon as he spotted her.
He certainly was as evil looking, and sounding, as Streak had described him and his fellows to be. One ear was ragged, as if something had chewed it to shreds. His clothing appeared to be in the same shape, holes gaping in his not-quite-white tunic. The smell that wafted from his clearly unbathed body was strong enough to wither any plant at close range, if there had been any on the barren slopes of the Placido Mountains. Brook wisely held her breath in check while she dealt with the unpleasant fox. She bowed low. "I have come to offer a great treasure to the leader of this fearsome and dreaded band of foxes," she said. I can't believe I'm saying this! she thought to herself. I must sound like an utter fool.
Bah! It would take an utter fool to swallow this story! Contrary to her thoughts, the fox, giving her one last untrusting and wary look, led her into the dank and fetid cave where the leader of the foxes was. When Brook found herself in the fox leader's presense, she suddenly wished that the first fox had been the leader, for this fox smelled and looked ten times worse than had the first one. She nearly gagged. The grey fox grinned evily as he studied the mouse in front of him.
"Why have you come?" he asked, his voice rasping horribly. Brook nearly winced at the sound.
"I am Brook and I have come to offer you a great treasure, O mighty leader of these foxes," she said. I only hope that he believes this pack of lies, she silently thought. v "And what treasure might this be?" the leader said slyly, thinking that he might be able to get the better of this foolish mouse.
"The treasure of Zoren Castle! The creatures of Zoren Castle will be gone to Silverpeak Island for a Midsummer Festival and the place will be only lightly guarded. I know where the treasure lies and can take you there. My only reward that I ask for this is a part of the treasure."
"You do me so great a kindness!" the fox cried. "In return, I will let you stay hear out of harms way, with my best fox to guard you from any wandering warriors. I will return with the treasure and give you what you deserve."
The fox clearly thought himself clever. Brook didn't believe a word of it. She could tell that what he was really saying was that he had just taken her prisoner and would get the treasure himself. She decided to play along though.
"Thank you for your generosity, great leader. The treasure we both seek lies in the throne room of Zoren Castle."
She proceeded to tell the fox how to get there. The fox nodded, congratulating himself silenlty for getting the better of this stupid mouse. As soon as the fox leader and his three other lackeys left, Brook proceeded to knock the fox, who was rather inept at both guarding a prisoner and fighting, out cold. She then quickly dashed back to Zoren Castle. Gasping out what she had planned, the Fighters of the Glade soon had the halls cleared and ready for when the foxes came. With great trepidation, the fox leader came through the silent halls of Zoren Castle. The mouse had spiken true when she had said the the place was deserted. He was in for a surprise when, upon entering the throne room he and the three other foxes with him were promptly seized and brought before Queen Streakcat.

"So, now what are we supposed to do, Greenfeather?" Keera asked, narrowing both eyes and wrinkling her nose.
"All we have to do is slay a dragon. It can't be that hard, can it? Besides, we have a big, experienced sea otter with us, right?" Greenfeather replied, winking at Lutra. He sighed and shook his head.
"I might be experienced out on the waves, mates, but I never slew no dragons. I say the best way to go about doin' this is to get ourselves a plan."
"I," Keera said, nodding in an all-knowing way, "have a perfect plan. This is what we do. We'll sneak up on him, then Lutra can distract him while you slay him." Keera grinned and fluttered her eyelashes, then curtsied. "I always think up good ideas!"
"That would be a wonderful idea," Greenfeather said, "except for the fact that Lutra would probably get hurt by the fire from the dragon's mouth before I could slay him. We would have to work very quickly and it is still highly risky. No, we have to find a fool-proof way. I'm not saying you're a fool or anything, of course, but..." she shrugged. Keera took on a look of injured innocence.
"Me, a fool, how could you ever think of me as a fool? I've never-"
"I didn't say you were a fool, I simply..."
"You simply suggested it, right?"
"Girls, girls, would ya quit quarreling like a pair of dibbuns? We have to think of a plan 'afore that dragon kills somebeast!" Both of the female otters looked sheepishly at the big, strong sea otter before them and mumbled apologies.
That night, the three otters were still wracking their brains for ideas. Keera, being as she's a jester, decided to cheer them up. Before long, she had the two friends rolling on the floor with tears streaming down their faces.
"Oh, hahahahaha, stoppit!"
"Heeheeheeheehee, come on, Keera, you're makin' me stomach hurt!"
All of a sudden, Greenfeather sat up. "I've got it! I know how we can kill the dragon!" Wiping her face free of tears, she tore off down the hall toward the barracks. Lutra glanced at Keera and they both took off after her.
"Wait up!"
"Come on, Feather, what's the great idea?" By the time they reached barracks, Greenfeather was sitting at the desk, sketching on a scroll of paper.
"Okay, look here's the surrounding country. We've figured that the dragons den is right here." She pointed at a black scribble on the paper. "This, is Castle Zoren."
"So, what's this got to do with your plan?" Lutra asked.
"Let me show you, this is what we're goin' to do..."
The next morning at the crack of dawn, three shapes were seen heading to the southwest. Each carried a rucksack with food in it and a pike. Keera, hopping along in front, carried a sling also.
"So, let me go over this one more time," Keera said as she skipped along. "When the big ole dragony thing goes out to get his mornin' drink, I pop up in front of him and start throwin' some casual remarks about how big and fat he is. If I can't get 'is attention, I sling a nice big stone at 'is toppyknot. He gets all riled up and sloshes into the water after me. You two are positioned on either side of 'im and jump out from be'ind your hidin' places and spear the big blaggert in the heart. 'S that right?"
"Yep. That's why we got these two big pikes," replied Lutra.
By mid-afternoon, the three friends had reached the dragon's cave. They set up camp in a little wooded cove around the bend and awaited the next morning. At sunrise, Keera slipped away from camp and splashed into the little lake where the dragon got its water supply. Greenfeather and Lutra concealed themselves in the bushes off to the side. About a half hour later, Lutra spotted smoke coming form over the horizon.
"Keera," he called. "Get ready, mate! The big dragon is coming this way!"
He was a huge creature with green scales and gigantic nostrils. Two smoke tendrils wafted upward from the twin holes in his nose. "Great seasons!" Greenfeather gasped.
The creature was up to his knees in water when Keera jumped up in front of him.
"Well, there, old chap, don't ya think you've gulped enough water for one day? If you drink much more, there won't be much left for me to swim in!" The dragon's great head jerked up out of the water sending waves splashing up against the bank.
"I say," Keera said, bobbing on the waves, "there really won't be any water left! By the way, me 'earty, I suggest you go on a diet. If you lost a few pounds, you wouldn't send great tidal waves around." The dragon bellowed and torch of flame at Keera. She ducked out of the under the water and popped up a few feet away. "Couldn't do any better than that? That's okay mate, I understand. Luggin' around that great stomach would probably slow mw down, too!"
That was all the dragon could take, he plunged into the lake flapping his tiny wings and breathing fire.
"One, two, three!" A loud battle scream came from both of their mouthes,
"Zzzzzzooooooorrreeeeeennnnnn!" Lutra and Greenfeather hurled their pikes at the same time, each on different sides. Both aimed for the tender area under the wings and both pikes hit their mark. Greenfeather's penetrated deeply, but Lutra's, him being the stronger of the two, punctured the heart. With a bubbling squawk, the great beast slumped into the water.
"We did it!" Greenfeather shouted. "Wait, where's Keera?" Lutra and the other otter dove into the water, searching for Keera. However, there was no trace of her.
That night, the two otters sat by the campfire in the woods. They had won against the dragon, but lost something even greater: the life of a fellow otter.
"Why did it have to take Keera?"
"She was such a kind one, too. Always made beasts laugh," Lutra said.
"And I intend to keep doin' that, too, mates!" A voice came out of the night.
"Keera! You're back!"
"I never knew I was gone. I just had a little nap under that great dragon's wing. I figured you'd come back for me, but I had to find my own way home! Some friends you are!"
The three friends fell together in a heap, laughing and crying like madbeasts.