Baba was no stranger to being known as somewhat of an oddity. As mice went he was a strange fellow, spiritual to a point that he never really fit in with his family, their trade or their expectations. Joining the Guard had not been high on his priority list but it had given him the chance to travel on a regular basis, even if he had to do so with a patrol of mice. Travelling made him happy, he loved to visit the towns and walk the trails, getting lost in nature and foraging for new and exciting healing herbs.<br/><br/>Absent mindedly he patted the pouch at his waist, sighing contentedly to feel it full to the brim of his special herb mix. Their latest stop in Shaleburrow for the Morten-Harvest festival had given him a chance to replenish his supplies read for their next journey.<br/><br/>"I'm getting too old for this" he mumbled light heartedly to himself as they sat in the Hearth & Ladel. Navin, the tavernkeep, stood behind the bar tapping his foot and singing along with Mawgwa's crooning while the Guardmice laughed and egged him on. "I'm definitely too old for this."<br/><br/>Their patrol had been together since the Spring, travelling and fulfilling various duties on the road for the good of the territories. It wasn't an easy life but it was interesting and Baba enjoyed the opportunities it brought his way and the friendships he had made.<br/><br/>Everyone seemed oblivious to the letter that was passed to him. Without drawing attention to himself he read the scrawl a couple of times before folding it and slipping it safely into his belt. The rest of the patrol seemed to be having a merry time in the Hearth & Ladel so Baba took this opportunity to sneak out into the crisp Autumn air. He shambled away from the town and into the woods, still able to hear the murmur of voices, laughter and movement from the tavern as he wandered into the woods.<br/><br/>Finding a small clearing he dipped his paw into his pouch and grabbed a pinch of herbs, popping them into his mouth to chew. The trees and foliage around him began to warp out of focus and he lifted his staff, waving it around in the air wildly so the totems jangled and clanked as he chanted and wiggled on the spot for the ancestors to guide him and help him discern the weather for their latest duty.<br/><br/>Around him the blurry images of old ancestor mice came into his view, stepping out from the very plants themselves, called by his ritual chanting and ready to advise him. As quickly as they came, however, they disappeared as Baba's attention was pulled away by a sound behind him in the woods. Without a second thought he darted into a bush just moments before a raven hopped into the space he had been occupying. It cocked it's head, peering at it's surroundings before eventually hopping off in search of other food.<br/><br/>Baba sighed in relief and frustration. His ritual had been ruined but at least he was still alive, it was a gift from the ancestors and he muttered a prayer of thanks for the warning as he wandered back to the village.<br/><br/>"Where's Baba?" He heard Mawgwa ask with a slur to his voice and a sway to his enormous body. The patrol were looking around the square outside for him having finally noticed his disappearance.<br/><br/>"Taking a leaf out of your book, Mawgwa" Lea teased, they all knew only too well that Mawgwa had a habit of wandering off without notice for his own mysterious reasons.<br/><br/>"I'm here...I'm here..." Baba hollered gruffly. "It's time to go," he explained, pulling out their latest orders and waving them in the air as he approached. "We have a grain peddler to find on the trail between Barkstone and Pebblebrook before the season turns and his supplies spoil." He looked over the mice, they all seemed ready and in understanding if a little disappointed to be leaving Shaleburrow.<br/><br/>"Mawgwa, Lea, DeeDee... time to move out... and in the name of the Ancestors, try to sober up quickly." He said with a grin, bringing up the rear and ambling after the others at his own pace as they started on their way.