| Logs |
2011 May 24
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Taps Logs |
Walk the Path of Danger Hand in Hand
Calm. Dominic focuses on calm. Pearl is more frightening than anything that he has faced, in no small part because she came at him under his guard. But before he can assist his freedom, he must master his fear. His mind sinks into the earth even as his body clutches at same, trying to be like a chameleon when stalked by a predator.
Out in the night, Suraksha quietly murmurs a code phrase as the well-lit, tightly connected little group slowly moves through the fog, letting the other warriors know what the hopeful plan is for capturing and/or slaying the entity. After that she continues calling Dominic's name, glancing around worriedly at the thick fog. Chanticleer doesn't nod; that might be too obvious. He is, however, alert and focused and more than a little eager to skewer this thing. But... Suraksha said 'capture and/or slay,' not 'eliminate from the history books.' So he will not be too quick with his sword.
As they creep through the darkness, the fog begins to swirl around them -- first one direction and then another. It muffles noises, making things seem oddly flat. At the same time, flashes of light appear in several places around them: some seemingly high, some very low to the ground, moving erratically and disturbingly. With the lights come moaning howls and the baying as of some otherworldly hound. Suraksha grins internally, but obligingly squeaks and jumps whenever the special effects are particularly close or loud. Despite that, she makes sure to keep a hand on Alg, and that everyone in the little group remains in contact. Chanticleer narrows his eyes. Another trick 'Pearl' has up her long lanky sleeves. Alg is going along fine for quite a while, but suddenly comes up still, snuffling at the ground and muttering to himself in his grumbly snarling voice. "Can't smell... something else covering it." He raises his head and tries sniffing the air, trying to pick up an airborne scent.
Suraksha nods and murmurs reassuringly, "Take your time, sweetie." When Alg starts moving, it's more slowly and carefully. His head is up and his nostrils wide as he tries to separate out the pony's scent from that of everything else that's out here in the prairie night. The swarming of the balls of light and the agonized howling both intensify as Alg follows the scent of the panicked horse that had been Dom's mount. Suraksha keeps the little group moving slowly but steadily towards their target.
Dominic's plan works better than he could have hoped... not only does his self-control get better, he sees and becomes one with the earth at a level he had never managed before. For the first time, he understands how the road feels different from untrod ground, and he can sense where it is in comparison to where he is now. Here the earth is rich and fertile, and for a moment he just wants to feel it all around him, and realizes that maybe he can just sink into the earth and escape. But for now he holds still, so very still except for his breathing, waiting for his moment.
Pearl hisses. Her voice no longer sounds even vaguely human as she spits, "They cheat! They cheat!" One clammy hand reaches out and wraps around Dom's ankle, tugging on it as if she means to drag him further away. When he doesn't budge an inch, she howls in frustration. Dominic's heart leaps when he hears Sura calling out for him. "You wanted them to come... and Suraksha never plays by anyone else's rules," he murmurs. He was going to wait... but when Pearl panics he realizes he can't take the risk she can bind him. Now, he thinks to himself, asking the earth to hold him...
Pearl's voice slides out of the other howling sounds and the caravaneers can hear her cursing at Dominic, "Let go! Let go of whatever you've got hold of! You're my hostage! Mine!"
Suraksha smiles slowly, although it doesn't reach her eyes. She murmurs softly, "I think we're near. Chanti, Poly, Pippa, alert. Alg, remember to guard Del, yes?" With that she releases Alg and darts forward two or three running steps, calling out, "Leave him alone, monster! Dominic? Dom, call out, dear! Are you there?" She makes sure she's not blocking Alg getting the group directly to Dominic as quickly as possible; she's sliding ahead to bait the creature away from the young man. Chanticleer nods to Suraksha, holding his bow tighter, and his hand drifting to his belt where he has a few pouches of salt.
Dominic smiles. "I am not yours. I am a child of the Mother, and she protects her own. You will not take me," he murmurs, and then calls back. "I am well, Lady! And so glad to hear you once more. My hostess has been very demanding!"
Pearl is yanking on Dom's ankle and howling, trying to drag him along and finding she simply can't. Suddenly her face is right next to Dom's and she's baring sharp, crooked teeth, "Bad man! Cheater!" She tries to pry his hands away from their grip on the soft earth. Both her voice and Dom's are quite audible to the search party.
Suraksha calls out steadily, "Dominic! Dommie, we're coming!" and heads towards where she's hearing the voices. She won't go more than ten steps, however, before she pauses and continues calling -- she's better, closer bait that way. Alg snarls, but keeps following the scent of Dominic's panicked pony, straight towards where Dominic is. The rest of the party stay close and tight with the goblin.
The storm of howling and the swirling of fog and ghost-lights is getting more intense as Pearl gets angrier. She's clawing painfully at Dom's hands, trying to get him to let go. The bright thing would be to cut and run, but she's enraged and intent on taking the still-scared Dominic with her. The young man realizes he is by no means safe, and those cruel fangs thrust at him reminds him of this. But he looks back, eyes of stone, keeping his voice even. "You're the one who tailors the ground to have the advantage. Are you scared of a fair fight?" He will not let go, even as pain lances into him. "Face my Lady or flee, monster. There are no other options," he breathes.
Suraksha is a bit surprised the monster is so enraged, but perfectly willing to take advantage of it. When her party actually catches up to her, she grins and shrugs at them, then waves Pippa to one side of the party and Chanticleer to the other -- they're both carrying salt, and Pippa has the rope. Poly tailgates, with the oxen and Del in the middle, following Alg and Sura -- who has palmed her small steel blade again. Chanticleer narrows his eyes; he can hear the monster now. Excellent; she sounds enraged. He hopes it's not because she's exhausted Dominic- he puts that thought from his mind, moving in the direction Suraksha indicates. In the fog, he can see the creature -- what looks like her true form. He has no doubt it's what she really looks like; grimacing, he burns that image into his memory, no matter what appearance Pearl might take as they close.
Through the pea-soup fog there is an outline of something down on the ground. There is something profoundly wrong with the shape of one of the figures: too many limbs, or limbs that are too long -- it looks insectile and unearthly. It's still only a silhouette, however. Dominic does not cry out. He's sure Sura can hear the monster fine without him, and he will not give Pearl the satisfaction. He bears the pain like a statue, forcing this creature to reap what she has sown. Pearl starts beating at Dominic's hands and head, trying to break his grip or his concentration, howling at him in a clicking and trilling tongue. Suraksha snaps quietly, "Pippa, circle now!" The Amazon's pony is already bursting forward as Sura adds, "Chanti, salt!" She closes a hand on Alg so he doesn't leap forward suddenly. Chanticleer pulls out the salt instantly, moving to circle the creature with it, rushing but making sure there's complete and unbroken circle of it on the ground.
Pearl realizes she's being encircled just a moment or three too late. She lets go of Dominic and darts at a gap, only to howl and fall back, finding her way blocked by the salted rope. By the time she whirls to look for another opening the circle has been closed. Suraksha steps into the circle with Chanticleer, and the Amazons and Del scatter out equidistant around the outside, setting out lanterns. Alg leaps neatly over the salt and crouches near Sura, snarling angrily. Sura's voice is cold, "Get away from him, creature," as she heads over to Dominic, crouching next to him. She keeps the steel blade palmed, but with her free hand she gently brushes back Dominic's hair from his face, "Dommie, sweetie, speak to us, please? Are you all right?"
Dominic lifts his head, watching Pearl, trying to understand what's going on -- and then, though he cannot see how, he realizes the why of it. "You should have run when you had the chance," he says thickly... and then Sura and Chanti appear, and he smiles through the cuts and bruises. "I'm fine, now that you're here," he mumbles.
Chanticleer bares his teeth in satisfaction then, slowly drawing his sword -- but past that he does not move. "I came back as quickly as I could, just like you wanted," he says bitingly to "Pearl."
Suraksha sighs in relief at Dominic's mumble, "Thank Goddess! Come, dear... let's get you out of this circle. Chanticleer, Alg, cover us please?" She tries to slide an arm around Dominic to help him rise. Dominic can release his hold now, rising to a knee as he takes Sura's arm and gets to his feet.
The fog has thinned around them. In fact, it has almost dissipated inside the salted circle. Pearl is there and she doesn't look a thing like a little girl any more. Her limbs are far too long and move as if they have too many joints or no joints at all. She snarls at Suraksha, showing broken and yellow teeth, "Cheating! You cheat!" The corpse-pale creature rushes at Suraksha, moving like the bastard child of a sidewinger and a spider. Suraksha's eyes widen at that, and at precisely the same instant Alg shrieks in fury as she roars and lunges protectively over Dominic's body. Pearl rushes at Suraksha and Dominic, howling unintelligibly -- it's obvious she's furious and not in her right mind. Her eyes are bulging and tinged the sickly green of foxfire. In the shifting, dancing firelight there's suddenly the flash of teeth, claws, and sword -- Chanticleer, Alg, and Suraksha in tiger-form are all leaping instantaneously at the monster, while outside the circle the Amazons both have steel-tipped arrows nocked and drawn, waiting for a clear shot.
Suraksha can't get in a good strike, since her primary concern is to bound over Dominic and shelter the young man. She swings back defensive claw-tipped paws once she's in place, while the screeching goblin springs straight up, trying to land on the monster's back. Straggly hair flies around Pearl's face as she swipes her hand at Sura, missing completely -- but also leaving herself open for Alg and Chanti. Chanticleer doesn't hesitate: there's a time to be chivalrous and a time to put down a threat. He learned that the hard way on the bloody battlefield of Glenndagda, where his brother... the sidhe lunges with the sword. There's no battle cry, no challenge, no shout of anger: Just a straight lunge at the creature.
For a moment everything moves in slow motion for Dominic: the dark, wild Pearl-monster coming at him... and then Sura is feline savagery defending him, Chanti is charging in like a white knight, and Alg pounces like a feral beast defending its home. Dom backpedals, trying to put some distance between him and the melee -- and Del hollers, "Don't cross the circle! Stay put!" The creature cackles as Suraksha misses and it thinks it has ducked the attack -- but unfortunately for her, she's now directly in the path of Chanticleer's sword. It slices through her side and her howls of rage turn to pain; they only get louder as Alg bounds in and lands on her with a gleeful cackle and sharp, slashing claws.
Suraksha keeps her massive bulk between Dominic and the creature, rearing up to pounce on it and bear it down under her weight. The young man, rescued but trapped, watches the attack. He's not going to try to dive in with so much better warriors there, worrying he might get in the way... but maybe there's something else he can do? Pearl isn't trying to attack now -- she's just figuring out how bad her position is. She ducks under a swipe of Alg's claws, only to have both Chanticleer's and Suraksha's blows land. The huge tiger snarls triumphantly as her pounce connects just right -- and bears the flailing monster down to the ground, pinning it with her own weight. If she can hold it down long enough the others can slay it, she hopes. Chanticleer growls a little in his throat as he reaches for Pearl with his sword again, trying to make brass and that thing's body intersect once more.
Dominic quickly throws out any attempt to try to pin Pearl, not with everyone right up against her -- his own prowess is too unreliable. His muscles tensed, he watches very carefully, hoping Pearl stays hemmed in... but in case she gets free he readies himself to try to dive away from an attack. He does pull his blade free from its sheath, though; she's not going to be able to deny him a chance to fight back again. Chanticleer's blade not only finds flesh, but strikes home enough to make the creature howl and sob with pain, struggling to get free of the pinning tiger. Pearl's inhumanly long limbs push and clutch at Suraksha, trying to shove the huge entity off of her -- she's very strong, but she's also quite wounded.
Suraksha digs in her claws and reaches down to sink her teeth into the creature's neck -- or as close as she can get on the flailing monster. She chews grimly, forcing Pearl down hard against the dirt as Alg and Chanticleer flash in and out in attack. Chanticleer takes in a quick breath as he sees Pearl pinned. Even though the creature sought to kill one of their own, even with his own anger towards it, even though he knows the sob is likely just another affectation the creature adopted as a survival mechanism... he doesn't want to draw this out any further. He takes half a step back, calculating before he brings the sword down on the creature's neck -- to hopefully end this quickly.
Once they've got her down, it doesn't take long for the caravaneers to finish the creature off. It's only moments before she stops struggling and goes limp and heavy beneath the tiger's weight. Blood seeps into the grass around her as Chanti's sword parts her head from her body. Suraksha lifts her head, panting, although she doesn't release her strong pinning of the monster. She growls through bloody jaws, "S'dheel 'n sal'dh 'er. Be shoor."
Granted, the creature's head is already off, but the Amazons both fire their steel-tipped arrows into the body with twinned thkk! sounds. Alg cackles as he tosses a double handful of salt over it as well, and as Del steps into the circle with a pouch of salt she says, "Who has a steel knife on them?" Dominic finally breathes a sigh of relief when it seems the battle is over and done, nursing his wounds.
Suraksha tilts her head towards her shredded wrap, growling, "In wra'bh." Chanticleer pants a little from the stress and exertion. With the creature's apparent death, the anger and fury fades and his shoulders slump a little. One eye on the body, he watches to see if the fog is lifting.
All around them the fog is beginning to thin. It has already cleared completely inside the circle and looks to be clearing away completely in the surrounding area, departing with preternatural quickness. As he sees it dissipating, the sidhe sighs in relief and moves to Dominic. "Dom? Are you okay?"
Alg does a gleeful little goblin dance, "Alg mighty, mighty hunter!" The big tiger's jaws part in a grin as she watches him -- then her head swings around at Chanti's comment, and she listens with worry-pricked ears for Dominic's reply.
Dominic reaches over, gripping his comrade by the shoulder. "Somewhat the worse for wear. But I'll heal. Thank you for bringing the cavalry," he says with all sincerity.
Suraksha grins and sighs at that, with a small chuff of relief. Chanticleer smiles wanly, "I'd have rather not to have left you, to be honest... but I couldn't deal with her alone."
Once they start laying steel and salt on the creature, the body begins to shrivel and even hiss as if it were being burned with acid -- or maybe just burned. It's like watching instant mummification: in minutes there's nothing but leathery skin and far too many bones. Suraksha sighs again, even more relieved as her paws thump through to the ground. She straightens, shaking herself vigorously from head and shoulders, all the way down her body to her tail... then glances down at her paws and grimaces. "Yu'gh." After that she pads over to Dominic and gently bumps her stripy shoulder against him, "Good cho'bh, Dommie. Good cho'bh, all."
Dominic's brow knits, shaking his head. "Chanti. You did what you had to. She was holding all the cards, and one of them was a helpless me. You had to leave, to win. Don't beat yourself up over it," he asserts. He beams at the friendly tigress, showing her relief as only a cat can. "Thank you for proving her wrong, Lady," he says solemnly.
Del goes back to the horses and, along with the Amazons, gets out a couple of camp spades. Suraksha swiftly licks her paws and chops clean as Del and the Amazons tidy up the mess; Del even pours holy water on the remains, since they don't dare burn it during a drought. Chanticleer helps the others to pack up the scene, leaving the remains of the creature here. He covers it with a light covering of soil and stone, less a cairn and more something to just keep it from being stumbled upon. After that Poly shrugs out of her outer coat, holding it out to Suraksha when the huge tiger shifts shape back into the slight, nude woman. Sura grins up at Poly and thanks her, shrugging into the jacket, then beams at Dominic, giving him an impulsive hug, "I don't know what she said to you, sweetie, but if you weren't worried that we'd return then you're absolutely right!'
Dominic smiles shyly. "I was afraid of her, Lady. Never that you would not come for me," he assures.
Suraksha beams up at Dominic again, gently patting his cheek, "Good for you! You're too dear to the family to let you get eaten, you know." She hugs everyone else too, thanking them with clear relief, "I'm so pleased this went so smoothly! Come, let's all get home. Buddy will have hot food waiting for us all, and Suze will check you over, Dominic." She happily loops an arm through Chanticleer's, and Pippa grins and boosts Dominic up onto her pony, regardless of any protests. Dominic would normally protest, but he submits to Pippa's mothering; he's in no shape to argue. It helps that the Pearl-thing is dead. He'll be glad when he can get back to the assured safety of the caravan, though, and he hopes his words reassured the unhappy sidhe knight. Suraksha adds proudly, "You were all wonderful!"
The journey back to the caravan takes somewhat less time than it took to get out into the fog -- predictably enough, since once they can see the caravan's lights it's a simple and straightforward trip back. Chanti bit by bit recovers his usual humorous mien as they return, now he isn't harboring what a mortal might call a 'grudge.'
Once they heave in sight of the caravan, they immediately see something isn't right: the wagons are all there and there's no more smoke than would be normal, but things are just a little too still and a little too quiet. Once that is noticed, the string of unfamiliar ponies picketed alongside the road is easy to spot. Suraksha pauses, wariness flaring in her eyes. Softly she murmurs, "Alg, girls?" Pippa gives Dominic an apologetic pat on the shoulder as she helps him down from her pony; Del takes Dominic's arm to assist. The goblin and Poly are already casting off into the night to circle the caravan and see what's up.
Chanticleer frowns and loosens his sword in the scabbard. "Now what?" he murmurs unhappily. Suraksha puts a slender finger to her lips in the 'shh' gesture, gently urging everyone back. Dominic, whose own humor was returning, sinks into himself a little when he notices things are off. He accepts Del's help, and takes a moment to carefully, quietly tear a strip from torn clothing, bandaging his hands. Suraksha murmurs softly in Chanticleer's ear, "Hopefully not too bad, or Fantine would have sneaked out to us. Thank Goddess they didn't cut our salted rope, though."
It doesn't take long for Poly and Pippa to come back with Alg from their little scouting mission. They look quite serious as Poly says, "It's the local tribe. They've got most everyone gathered up together, but they don't look like they've hurt anyone."
Suraksha looks puzzled, "They... came onto the neutral road?!" She thinks a moment... then simply nods, "We've removed a threat to their domain, and we're allied with the Warlord. We should have nothing to fear; let's continue openly so we don't seem to be sneaking up on them." She adds puzzledly, "Why on earth would they come onto the neutral road, too? Usually your people hate having anything to do with it."
Poly shrugs, "I know. They feel comfortable enough to picket their ponies, at least." Chanticleer lets go of his sword, and forces himself to keep his hand away from it. This is an altogether different threat. He wonders if killing the creature might have not crossed a local taboo. But that makes no sense; they would have known about such a stricture before.
Suraksha hmms thoughtfully, then nods once, "Maybe they need help of some sort. Come! Let's get poor Dominic to Suze." She heads on in with the others, cheerfully calling ahead, "Halloa, the camp! We're back safe and sound, and with Dominic!" Dominic doesn't want to leave Sura's side... but he waits to see what's what, before tending to his own injuries or not. Suraksha strides on in without concern, calling for Suze and glancing around to see the demeanor of the caravaneers here.
Everyone in the caravan seems to have come in -- even the normal guards. Suze steps forward from the group gathered behind Buddy, Ohkwa, and Sna'tha. The minotaur, the manitou, and the sidhe are sitting on the ground, facing three fierce-looking women who are backed by a small entourage of their own. Sna'thaid stands when Suraksha arrives, and the middle of the Amazon women does as well. She's got steel-gray hair and bronzed skin that shows crows-feet at her eyes and lines around her mouth. Her chin and broad forehead speak of someone with self-possession and a regal attitude. Suraksha looks around curiously, then smiles at the three Amazons. As Poly and Pippa silently flank her, she offers courteous and correct greetings to them in their native tongue. Del quietly heads the two yokes of oxen back to join the rest of the livestock. Dominic merely remains very quiet, trying not to draw attention in worry these warrior women might consider it insult or attack.
The fierce-eyed woman returns Suraksha's greeting, then switches to the common tongue, "You are the leader here?" Her eyes flick toward the shield-sisters, taking in their dress and markings.
Suraksha nods as she says courteously, "I am. Welcome, sister, to our clan; we offer you bread and water." She nods to Buddy, not watching the minotaur as she adds, "It is only our having defeated a monster which causes us to be unprepared for the pleasure of your visit. We invite you to stay for dinner." The small woman is still wrapped only in Poly's outer coat. Chanticleer frowns; this is clearly something Suraksha needs to give attention to. He gently guides Dominic to Suze. Hopefully Suze can bandage Dom up quickly enough that they can come back and see if they're needed. Sura adds quietly to Dominic, "Go with Chanticleer, dear, to Suze. Get bandaged up properly." Dominic does not hesitate, and goes quietly to Suze at his Lady's confident suggestion. Suze clucks over Dom's wounds and gets them poulticed and bound quickly so everyone can join back at the central area.
In the meantime, Suraksha settles cross-legged across from the other Amazons, adding relaxedly, "What is the news in your lands?" That's the most polite way she knows of to ask if they're in need of aid, without causing them to possibly lose face.
The Amazon woman inclines her head and says, "We thank you for your hospitality." She remains standing as she says, "My scouts told me some of you had left the road and we came to warn your people that you would likely not return." Once Suraksha sits, the Amazon woman sits as well, sinking to the ground with the grace of someone half her apparent age.
Suraksha nods gravely to the woman, "We thank you for your kindness in thinking of us. It may be we have good news for you also, as the monster we just managed to slay appeared to have some mastery of the fog." She grins cheerfully as she adds, "We had thought to feast in thanks to the Lady for our success. Would you celebrate with us, honored mother?" Dominic can't help but smile at the Amazon's comment... clearly, she doesn't know their people well.
The woman doesn't smile, but she does relax marginally, "We have been trying to track this creature for weeks, but have not been able. The fogs have been causing people to leave the road and come to grief, and not all of it at our hands." She touches her chest and says, "They call me Boudica. We would be honored to celebrate with you."
Suraksha beams and touches her chest, "They call me Suraksha Nightmane, Bond-mate to Tomyris Warlord and bond-mother to Hippolyta Tomyris-daughter and her shield-sister Philippa. Our caravan is the Corbett clan, and the clan of Tomyris is our honored ally. Welcome to you and your clan, honored Boudica!" Boudica doesn't seem surprised at that, although there are a few raised eyebrows amongst her people. Suraksha adds to the rest of the caravaneers, "We have returned safely, and we have good reason and good company to celebrate tonight! Let us feast and party!" Chanticleer lets out a breath. [Oh, good,] he thinks, [not another crisis!]
Boudica turns to her people and says, "Our territory has been cleansed of the threat that has been haunting it -- tonight we celebrate with these, our allies!" There's a general cheer at that, and the caravaneers all move into action. They're hardworking folk and they almost all enjoy a good party -- it just happens to be better when there's a really good excuse for one! Buddy bellows for his helpers and the fire is built up as the chuckwagon starts creating yet more delicious food.
Suraksha bounces lightly to her feet, beaming and clasping hands in companionable greeting with Boudica and whomever she's introduced to, along with Sna'tha and Ohkwa, as well as the Amazon sisters and whomever else wishes introductions. When she can politely do so, Suraksha slips away to quickly clean up a bit and put on some clothes; then she comes back out and checks on Dominic. Ohkwa and Sna'tha look over the supplies and find a barrel or two of beer that can be used by the celebrants. The Amazon women relax as they realize no one is looking fearfully or askance at them.
Suraksha is quite relieved Dominic's injuries were comparatively minor. She calls for musicians and dancers, and the caravaneers respond enthusiastically. A comfortable place is made for the guests to sit if they wish, and they're welcomed to dance as well. Suraksha also quietly checks with Sna'tha and Ohkwa: is everything all right? There were no problems with the visitors' arrival? Ohkwa and Sna'tha assure Suraksha that the arrival of the Amazons was as easy as can be expected. There was some nervousness and worry until Boudica proclaimed they came under a flag of peace. Dominic does not dance, but he does eat! He is quite hungry, and glad to be alive. He seems in good humor for now... only time will tell the lasting effects of his time in the grip of fear. Not even the presence of the Amazons can put a damper on his current fortune. That said... if anyone embraces Dominic unexpectedly, there is a momentary flinch -- understandably so.
Once they relax, the Amazons are actually quite jocular and even flirtatious in one or three cases. Those that dance do so with zeal and enjoyment. Poly and Pippa are pressed for news of their tribe as the local tribe figure out the connections between the two. Suraksha is very pleased; now her concerns are alleviated she's happy to throw herself wholeheartedly into celebrating as well. She also asks Chanticleer and Dominic to tell the story of their adventure, when the crowd demands to know what happened!
Once people are fed and relaxed, Boudica tells Suraksha and those around her the story of what's been going on. There has been a drought, as is obvious, so when thick fogs began rising up on the prairie the Amazons knew something was wrong -- there wasn't enough moisture in the air or the ground to produce such things. When scouts began going missing, they realized that whatever was wrong was also dangerous. "Eventually someone made it back with stories of phantom lights trying to lead her astray. She did the smart thing and frightened her pony into heading back home. After that, we began to patrol the road." Suraksha nods thoughtfully, clearly impressed with the clever scout. Boudica explains, "If these lights can fool my people, the people that travel the road would easily be misled. Not two days ago we found a circle of wagons with bodies all around it in the prairie. We took them back to the wagons and set fire to it all after we used their water barrels to wet the grass. We wanted to make sure whatever had killed them wasn't lingering over them." Suraksha glances inquiringly at Dominic and Chanticleer, wondering where they found the monster.
Chanticleer is a little reluctant to retell the story; it wasn't what he would call an exciting adventure. In hindsight and looking back on his emotions, it rather sums up in part why he's in no rush to return to the courts. But he tells the story regardless, and with as much zeal as is expected. After all, they want to hear about the creature, and storytelling is still a cherished art amongst the fey -- even if it seems like the storyteller has given way to the gossipmonger in the Courts. Dominic is uncertain at first... but with cheerful prodding, and him seeing that they're trying to help him past his trauma, he helps Chanti with the story, lauding much praise on Chanti's part in a further attempt to sooth his ego for having to leave him at the hands of the monster. Dominic explains the part of the story Sura missed. "The monster was there, waiting for us. Disguised as a helpless child, hiding in the wreckage."
Suraksha nods thoughtfully again, smiling at Dominic for filling in that part of the small mystery. Boudica nods solemnly, "It was a trickster. That makes sense. We were patrolling the road when the fog came again. Luckily we had spotted your caravan before it got too thick. We were blessed to reach your people." Suraksha calls Zachariah forward, asking the nervously blushing young man to relate his story of the strange things from the edge of the civilized lands on the other side of the Rockies, near San Francisco, so the Amazons understand what the monster was. Bouddicea takes in the information and nods, "We thank you. We owe you gratitude for ridding our lands of the creature."
Suraksha grins in clear relief, "We are greatly pleased our mutual enemy is defeated; thank you for your warning!" She cheerfully adds, "Thank you also for staying and celebrating to Her with us. We're happy to ally with you, and we'd gladly trade with you as well for any goods we might need?"
Bouddicea agrees to the trading, "But let us leave that for tomorrow. For now..." her face shifts into a smile, and it is a bright and lovely thing, "We celebrate to the Mother of All."
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