[NEXUS] Clearing in the Countryside II

[happyturtle]

Outside

"It isn't your cabin. You didn't build it." Hope says defiantly. "There are wounded people there. I will not allow them to come to harm."

[Shadowcaller]

Outside

"We not want to wage war on pig people tribe, we just be going to great Kaluuth like we have sun circle after sun circle, but no other people but us here! That make cabin ours. No one else wanted it." The gnoll counters.

Then it puts the staff into the earth, "But we be merciful, how your tribe wounded?"

[happyturtle]

Outside

"Wounded in mind. They were captured by slavers. They escaped, but still are fearful and need protection." Hope says. "Kaluuth - that is the solstice? The longest day?"

[Shadowcaller]

Outside

"Ah! Yes! All tribes go together with good sacrifice to Adalus." The gnoll replies with a nod. Hearing the word "Adalus" also seem to make the rest of the pack to nod and yip in agreement.

Once again the gnoll looks closely at her, "But we have no sacrifice, big lizards too big and egg too small. You know good sacrifice, hm?"

[happyturtle]

Outside

"Too big for gnoll tribe. Too big for pig people tribe. Maybe not too big for gnoll tribe and pig people tribe working together," Hope says with a smile. "I am a huntress of Kuori. If we hunt together, we can capture a giant lizard for your sacrifice."

[Shadowcaller]

Outside

The gnoll looks thoughtful for a moment, "You pig people think we can take live big lizard?" It sounds quite doubtful. "Sacrifice must be alive. Otherwise no sacrifice!"

[happyturtle]

Outside

Hope thinks about it. Taking a giant lizard down, with the help of a pack of gnolls would not be difficult. "No, taking it alive... I don't think that would be very easy. Let me go and speak to my tribe."

She'll make a sign to Michicora to stay and watch, and, unless the gnolls stop her, will head back to the cabin.

[Shadowcaller]

Outside

"We want to stay there at nightfall!" The gnoll demands but doesn't attempt to stop her as she go back to the cabin, instead they just walk after her. They know where the cabin is after all.

The elf will sign for confirmation.

[happyturtle]

Cabin

Hope knocks, and is presumably let in (because who wants to waste a post on that ).

"There is a tribe of gnolls nearby," Hope informs them.

[UncleWolf]

Cabin

"We were packing anyways." The Wolfen tells her, gesturing at the pair of packs on the table. He's found a pair of hatchets, kept on his waist, and has a small bundle of bread in his arms.

[happyturtle]

Cabin

"That simplifies things," Hope says. "Where do you intend to go?"

[Gullara]

[Cabin]

Renetta is already hefting her pack onto her back. "Gnolls?" She asks fearfully. She knows what gnolls are most definitely, which doesn't make her feel at all better.

The elf shakes her head. "We don't know." They don't even know where they are.

[happyturtle]

Cabin

"They seem peaceful, but they may not remain so. They want to use the cabin." Hope says. "To the north is forest for many many miles. To the south is mountains. To the east is a river that leads to a city, known as Riverside. I have never been there, but I have heard terrible stories - of dead that walk, and feed on the living. To the east, there are smaller settlements, and, eventually, a great and strange city on the sea. It is said that it is a place where all realms come together."

[UncleWolf]

Cabin

Waterstrider puts on his pack, and will try to take Renetta's as well. "It's your choice." He tells the elf with a slight smile. "Except for where the dead walk. That doesn't sound like a good place."

[Gullara]

[Cabin]

Clearly Riverside is a terrible place. Better not go there.

Renetta lets him take hers. She should be taking it easy anyway, but it makes her feel a bit useless. "To the city, I guess." They don't exactly have a lot of good choices.

[happyturtle]

Cabin

"Will you accept our help as you travel?" Hope asks.

[UncleWolf]

"I think we'd appreciate it." He tells Hope as he pulls on the second pack. "And..." Waterstrider starts with a sigh. "Do you have some money you could loan us? I don't like to ask, but we have nothing of our own."

[Gullara]

[Cabin]

Nothing but what they stole from the cabin. >.>

Renetta nods to Hope. They could sure use the help. The elf picks up the piece of bread she was clearly nibbling on before. She still doesn't have much of an appetite, but knowing she's pregnant has prompted her to try and eat.

[happyturtle]

Cabin

"Yes. But you don't need to return it to me. Return it to someone in need, in a time when you are better off," Hope says, as she hands over a small pouch of coins.

When they step out of the cabin, she gestures to the east. "I will go and speak to the gnolls to make sure they will not follow. Move to the east, but stay in low ground. If you see any prints that look like this, be wary." She draws a sample of the gorgonops print on the ground. "They nest in the hills, so if you stay in low ground, they should leave you alone. Michicora and I will rejoin you soon."

[UncleWolf]

Cabin

"Thank you." He tells hope sincerely before putting the gold into one of the packs. He watches as she leaves, unable to think of another question, before looking at Renetta and taking her hand to give it a squeeze. "Ready to get out of here?" He asks.

[happyturtle]

Outside

Hope goes to speak to the gnolls again. She trusts that if there's any trouble, Waterstrider will be able to protect Renetta until she and Michicora can get there.

[Gullara]

[Leaving]

The elf nods, taking his hand reaching across to put her free hand on his arm. "I'm ready." She gives him a smile.

[UncleWolf]

Leaving

Waterstrider will leave with her, heading the direction Hope told them to, watching carefully for any gnolls. After a bit though, he looks down at his companion, a few thoughts brewing in his mind. "Did you earn your name?" he asks.

[Gullara]

[Leaving]

Renetta leans her head against his arm as they walk. She's feeling alright at the moment thanks to Hope's magic. "Earn my name?" She say questioningly, looking up at him. "No, my parents just picked it when I was born. You have to earn your name?"

[UncleWolf]

Leaving

The Wolfen nods. "We each start with a "Child's Name" as you'd call it, but when we come of age, we are given the name we've earned. I'm called Waterstrider because I can swim better than most I've come across." He tells her. "You can earn more Names too. For great feats."

[Gullara]

[Leaving]

"Huh." Much different than anything Renetta's heard of before. "I guess you must like swimming then? I used to swim a lot. There was a lake by my home growing up."

[UncleWolf]

Leaving

He offers her a slight smile. "Maybe we can swim at the next river or lake we find. It'd be nice to be able to do it after so long."

[Gullara]

[Leaving]

She returns the smile. It's marred somewhat by poorly hidden sadness. "That would be fun." She returns her head to its place resting against his arm. "I was wondering, do you have a last name? Like, a family name? Or is that different too?"

[UncleWolf]

Leaving

The Wolfen shakes his head a bit. "No, just Waterstrider. We just remember our family lines, and those of the people of our tribe. Fur patterns tend to run through families too. You may have noticed that my brother is tan as well. To distinguish us to outsiders, we got our furred dyed to match our names somewhat." He tells her, gesturing to the blue markings on his chest.

[Gullara]

[Leaving]

"Well my last name is Oronar by the way. It's not really important, I guess, but my father always thought it was. He'd always go on and on about the importance of the family line and how you have to mix blood with the right people. He was actually planning an arranged marriage before I was..." The elf trails off emotion choking her voice. Whether it's the reminder of her family or the ordeal she went through is unclear.