Anastacia's eyes flicker green fire at Pruett. "If we had, you can know there was good cause for it." Snaps the cleric. Then she adds in a more reasonable tone: "Probably as Lord Wilhelm says. They must be looking for Shimmerscale."
"What happened between Shimmerscale and these kobolds? I think I might have missed something."
"So lizzard folk and gold lozzard friend friend? What lizard mean kidddd.. nap..? Ikit not too sure sure" he asks peaking out from behind the back
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The black kobold listens to Pruett and Fharn relaying Wilhelms words. He doesn't seem to calm down, but he also doesn't demand his followers attack either.
"Me no believe human honey words! Queen go to human lands, say talk for kobolds. Queen no come back when supposed to. Queen send us her amulet, with markings say how she be prisoner of new Human King. We give Human King chance to give back queen, or else we kill Human King!"
With Pharasma's magic translation, Anastacia can understand the kobold.
"Someone else must have captured Shimmer, we certainly did not." Anastacia directs this comment at Pruit, it is spoken in common, as she speaks no Draconic, not even the broken version the kobolds use.
Pruett speaks to Wilhelm in Common, "Er, yes, well, the kobolds are certainly agitated. They claim to have an amulet from their Queen stating that she is a prisoner of a "Human King", which they believe to be you, Wilhelm. They want their Queen back, or else they aim to slay you. Mayhap this amulet they claim to possess will reveal clues?"
Pruett clears his throat and addresses the kobolds in Draconic, "Oh, mighty kobolds, kin of dragons! We implore you to believe our innocence in the imprisoning of your glorious Queen! We are not your enemies! May we see this amulet, that it might provide clues in determining the identity of the true villains?"
Gorruum scratches a patch of dry skin, finding the kobold language even harder to follow than the hoom language. But he gets a little idea of what is going on when Pruett speaks and he nods enthusiastically. "No see gold kobold. Wilhelm no catch her. Wilhelm friend of gold kobold. Black kobold be nice or big trouble."
Natalie curses herself for not having learnt draconic yet, she wishes to be able to understand most of the races living in Brevoy and surrounding nations. "Truely an unfortunate turn of events. Our friend went home never to return, but to even being captured by a rival and frame us, in order to make the kobolds attack us weakening both forces for them to just swoop in."
Wilhelm looks crestfallen as Anastacia and Pruett translation makes it clear that his cousin is missing and likely in danger. His color rises as the threat from the kobold is raised, but he restrains himself. "Offer to help them in finding the kobold. Perhaps also explain that before she became Shimmerscales, Felicia was Felix Orlovsky and my cousin. I would not kidnap family. For now lets see if they can be reasoned with." Despite his mollifying words, Wilhelm warily watches the kobold for signs that he will not agree to reason.
"An interesting situation. I am willing to bet a sizable chunk of my fortune that we have our 'dear neighbour' to the east for this..." Fhârn comments and sighs. Then he attempts to convey Wil's word in the most amendable way he knows.
Ikit looks around,
"Ikit help help. Any way. Bombs or other liquids. Ikit help new friend friend!" he tries to add in a friendly tone
The black kobold looks the group over, and then shakes his spear....
"You no kidnap queen, you surrender and come back and prove it! Be prove Kobold law rule Kobold Land, like promise when Kobold pledge support before you kidnap queen! Let Council rule innocent or guilty!"
The surrounding kobolds all hoot and hiss in apparent support for whatever the black kobold said.
Pruett mutters something under his breath that sounds like it may have been rather vulgar. He then addresses Wilhelm in Common, "Yes, well, all right. The good news is that they don't want to kill you right this second. Apparently these kobolds are rather litigious. That is to say, they want their council, under kobold law, to rule you innocent or guilty. This is assuming that you surrender to them. I know a bit about kobold law, but...well...I'm sure you'll make the wisest decision." Pruett clears his throat again.
Anastacia frowns. "They want us to surrender and be placed on trial before their council." The cleric's hand draws near to the haft of her mace. "I have no confidence in their sense of justice. None at all."
"Case in point, they simply don't have enough evidence against us to even justify an arrest warrant, yet they want to take us in. They're saying we need to prove that kobold law rules kobold land..." Brow furrowed, Anastacia wonders: "Was that a concession that Felix gave them?"
"Surrender. To little lizard." A few strangled croaks that must be a boggard choking down laughter escape Gorruum's throat before he composes himself and waits to hear what Wilhelm will have to say.
"Ikit no like like giving up, not again" a frown on his face. He didnt lie this idea at all
"Maybe invite to us us?"
Wilhelm's jaw sets as Pruett translates the kobold's demands and he eyes the black kobold warily. "Thank you, Pruett. I am glad to hear they no longer wish my head on a spear, for now. I share your discomfort and doubt that any trial would be fair. I'm also reluctant to shed blood if it can be avoided, but we are quickly running out of options. Hopefully they will see reason. I don't recall it as a concession, but we had discussed their kingdom having a degree of autonomy and self-rule. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding."
Wilhelm thinks for a long tense moment, then asks Pruett, "Can you ask them how we could prove we haven't kidnapped Shimmerscales from within their lands? If we held her, she would be in one of our castles. Ask what would suffice as proof and perhaps we can provide that instead. Ikit's idea also has merit. Perhaps they will agree to a hostage exchange of sorts so that a group of kobolds can tour our city and see that we do not hold Shimmer. I would suggest trying the first idea before mentioning the second."
"It got a tiny bit better, however I still don't like this situation. I'd hate to see your head on a spear." Natalie says looking worried at Wilhelm.
"I don't really know much of their history with these Kobolds to offer any real advise, but I will do what's in our best interrest." "I don't know if the kobolds can be trusted, but I rather not show them the entire city, so they can plan against us. Best case we can try and figure out what happened to Felix and save her, I would have to send some of my best spies and trackers on the case then. I don't think these kobolds would ofer a fair trial, they have probably already decided the outcome before we are brought before thier council.
In any case I trust and will follow your decision Wilhelm."
"My Lord, you have it backwards. It is up to them to show proof of their accusations. It is not for us to prove our innocence, but for them to show our guilt." Anastacia turns to Pruett. "Tell them they need to show us what makes them so sure we kidnapped their queen. We can't just take their word for it. Surely they can understand."
Fhârn nods when the cleric has made her suggestion. Pulling up the reins of his horse - but not quite pulling a weapon yet - he eyes the kobolds cautiously. "Indeed. I agree with Anastacia. And as you say - we can hardly solve the situation from their realm can we? Us as hostages might be useful for them *if* we actually had Shimmerscale. But since we don't neither of our sides are served by it."
Pruett says in Common, "I wonder if the kobolds think our yapping is as annoying as we think theirs is?" Pruett then seems to realize that he said that out loud. He blushes, clears his throat, and then turns to face the kobolds.
Putting on his best game face, Pruett says in Draconic, "Oh great and wise kobolds! How could we prove to your council that we did not kidnap your Queen without some sort of evidence? Pray tell, how could we prove a negative? Please show us your evidence that we are guilty of this! I say again, we are innocent of this crime! You say that you have an amulet with markings telling of your Queen's imprisonment. I beseech you, let us see it! We will find the true villains together!"
The kobold spits to one side, in annoyance. Then speaks to those around him, more talking to the kobolds all around than Pruitt. The kobolds around begin to chant and clash their weapons to their armor.
"Long shanks be as stupid as legend say. Would not have thought long shanks would be stupid enough to send out proof of guilt with guards who go to capture criminals. Must make it easy be crook in long shanks land, just kill whoever come to arrest you, destroy evidence of previous crime because guards have it on them." He spits again. "Council demand 'Pretend King' be caught and appear for trial. Gold scale queen promise Kobold Rule in Kobold Land, and Long.. Humans would obey Kobold Law in Kobold Land. Kobolds see how much Human word worth now... Council will have proof of lies of Humans now. Even if cost my life, will obey orders, bring pretend human King to Council or die trying."
The other kobolds begin to clash their weapons and chant. "Humans Lie! Kobolds Die! Humans Lie! Kobolds Die! Kobolds Fight! Humans Die!"
The lead kobold raises his sword. "Ready yourself, coward human. You and your kind lie, always lie. Knew could not trust Human words. You may kill us, but we will die with honor, and all will know how worthless Human promises are!"
The lead kobold seems to be both on the up and up, and also appears to be ready to die for whatever he said. (those that can understand draconic understand he's ready to die to fulfill his mission).
Natalie looks uneasy "I don't think your graceful wordplay eased the kobolds but rather agitated them. Did you say something wrong?" Natalie says holding her hand over her rapier, ready to draw it at a moments notice.
Gorruum doesn't understand everything Natalie says, but the tension in the kobold speaker is clear. A dire look crosses his face and he readies himself to charge into battle with Ubagub if hostilities commence.
Pruett whips around to face Natalie. "Did I say something wrong? Yes, it must have been when I called the leader's mother a whore. It's a common diplomatic faux pas."
Pruett pompously harrumphs, and then turns to face Wilhelm. "My lord, they called you 'long shanks', and claim that requesting to see the amulet is a ploy to destroy it in order to erase evidence. Furthermore, they refer to you as a 'pretend king', and say that refusal to be arrested for trial is proof of human disregard of kobold law, and a rejection of kobolds ruling their own land as promised by the 'Gold scale queen'. Lastly, these kobolds will give their lives in combat in an attempt to obey their council's orders to capture the 'pretend human king'."
"They want to die, it seems." Anastacia's eyes glitter with fury.
Her next words show that see is wise enough to not let emotion rule her choices.
"Ask them if it would be suitable for us to accompany them, but not as prisoners. If you would, please, Lord Lebeda. That way, they can accomplish their mission, sort of, and maybe not have to die just yet."
"No need to get touchy Lebeda, I simply asked to know what happened. I don't understand this hiss language they talk." Natalie says clearly annoyed by the lord's responds.
"This bard has rather easy to anger and snap at people, I'll need to keep an eye on him to avoid future trouble."
She turns to Wilhelm "My lord, I fear you might have to give an order to attack soon, or maybe a tactical retreat. They seem intend to sacrifice themselves for their cause, which would be a waste."
"Yes yes... run run. No fight fight." Ikit agrees. Better run now and fight later
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Pruett's shoulders slump in dismay at the escalating hostilities, as he knows the fault lies entirely with the diplomat.
Pruett turns to face the kobolds once more and says in Draconic, "Please hold! We have no wish to do battle with your mighty personages! Let us come with you to meet your council as friends, not as criminals, who seek to right this wrong that was done to you by another party! Furthermore, we would gladly allow kobolds to search our prisons and find that your Queen is not in any of them!"
"Indeed. Battle will help neither of us; you won't come closer to finding the Queen and we can't really help you regardless of outcome. Now - your absence of physical evidence is indeed merited - are you at least willing to share its nature and why it would point to us?"
Fhârn attempts to aid in the pacification of the kobolds but end up rambling on towards the mystery of the disappeared queen herself; which indeed was quite interesting but not perhaps the right time and place ...
Gorruum shakes his head slowly at Ikit's admonishment to run, but withholds his words. He waits to see if Wilhelm will move to attack or offer another option, but anticipates from the body language of the kobolds and the desperate, but unconvincing demeanor of his companions that a fight may not be far off.
Ikit waits with bated breath to see what happens. Fight or run. He was ready to stand with his friends if needed
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"It seems they are not willing to listen to reason and they are behaving more like bandits then officers of law. I think you've hit the nail on its head, Natalie, and there's little else that we can do here. Let's leave them, on guard against attacks, and warily. They ambushed us here, and given the stories I've heard, it's likely they may have other traps in place to guarantee their ambush succeeds. We'll have to search for my cousin when we're safely away." Wilhelm looks at the leading kobold mournfully. I respect your conviction, but we are no criminals.
"As you say, M'Lord.' Anastacia imagines that the kobolds would have to have had the fore-site to predict the death of Aroden, to be able to predict that they would meet Wilhelm's group just here, exactly. She is not too concerned with traps, though caltrops and such were a possibility. Anastacia does not disagree with Wilhelm's orders, at any rate. Better to withdraw for the moment. The kobolds clearly need a show of strength to bring them back into line, but it must be carefully orchestrated. Here was not the place and now not the time.
"Shall I summon an archon to cover our withdrawal?"
"I wise choice M'lord. Let's not spill kobold blood today, and instead go and find Felix. Shall we make a run for it?" Natalie responds preparing to turn her horse around.
"As death shrouds life, so let fog shroud the light. As Pharasma wills it!"
Anastacia gestures and a thick fog quickly coalesces around her, forming a largish cloud.
"If Wilhelm orders attack, everyone hit the line on our left. They want to envelop us, we'll turn their left flank and take the high ground."
+
The black kobold, seeing Anastacia casting and begin hit by a bolt, hisses in anger. "Seetha!" He draws a short bow from his back and releases an arrow from it with one motion.
+
Then the black kobold bounces back and down off the rock, using it for total concealment.
Several Kobold Spear throwers launch their weapons...
The spear sails over Ubagubs head, missing cleanly. The one intended for Wilhelm clangs off his armor as it hits at a bad angle.
One of the spears thrown at Anastacia misses cleanly, but the second slams home.
As the spear's blade sinks into her flesh, there's a 'clack' sound and something inside the spear triggers. A burning sensation fills Anastacia's body.
Gorruum gives Ubagub a squeeze of his legs that directs the slurk to the west.
Natalie moves the horse closer to the kobolds who hasn't acted yet and shoots her sling after the one directly ahead of her.
Natalie's sling whirs and a stone slams into the kobold with the crossbow held ready, but her attempt to hit the Kobold's jugular fails as the Kobold's shoulder moves slightly and covers the vulnerable spot just in time.
Anastacia turns her horse and rides back the way she came.
The kobold who shot Anastacia reloads.
Four other kobolds fire their cross-bows...
Only Wilhelm's bolt finds a chink in armor...
+
Wilhelm watches in agitation as the kobold's do not seem to calm down and he reacts quickly, covering his surprise, as Anastacia covers their escape. Suppressing a grunt as the two bolts slam into him, he calls to his companions, "Fall back in good order! There's no reason to stay where the ground favors them. If we can escape, we will, but stay together and be ready to fight free." Laying a hand to his chest, he chants to Iomedae and the trickling of his wounds slows even as his armor takes on an unusually stonelike appearance.
He wheels Triumph around as he draws his earthbreaker.