Cole’s running translation for Rehil adds a constant bass background to the conversation. It really only breaks when Kuoori mentions the meaning and means of his team’s success over the dinosaur in the pit.
“Meaning is not a fixed thing.” Cole says without preamble and in Galifarn. “And we bested your tribe’s beast because we were stronger,” Cole looks around at the lizardfolk, seeing which of those present reacted as if they understood his Galifaran-tongued interruption.
At Rehil’s nudge and whisper, Cole nods. He has to work incredibly hard to keep his own rumbling whisper from carrying across the small hut’s space.
Wultram's questions of intelligence about the Chief draws Cole into the draconic conversation. "And if we accept and succeed, will his death be sign enough for his braves to stop fighting? Or will we need to worry about defeating all whoa re loyal to him?"
"As my soft-skin companion says, we require additional information. As we shall be far away from my tribe's homeland, and my companions know not the land as well as you, locations and maps would aid us greatly. Then, we shall do as you ask."
Rehil asks, in common, "Why do we have to kill Jageela too? Isn't it enough if the chief dies and Irret becomes the new chief?
"You have seen Ylyeshshi," replies Koouri, "He is feared, not loved. There are few who would fight for him memory."
"As for Jageela, it is best if he dies," add Zejj once the comment is translated. "The reaction of Haka'torvaak cannot be guaranteed, and it would be difficult to simply expel him without giving offence. But should Jageela be 'accidentally' killed he will be less able to sow discord once Ylyeshshi is gone. In any case, you are unlikely to be able to get to the chief without dealing with Jageela first."
Scowling, Rehil straightens up. He still watches the exchange and listens, and waits for Cole's translation.
Cole continues his translation, making sure none of the conversation is lost to Rehil.
When a chance presents itself, he comments to the crew in Galifaran. "Killing their Chief serves our purposes, I think. He's not good for anyone ... especially our survival. Jageela and his lapdog I'd do even if Koouri hadn't asked. I owe them for Portforged." A thought seems to occur to him, "Maybe part of the deal is that if we do this for them, they will help us secure the airship for our own purposes?"
He leaves it to Wultram and the others to give the final answer.
"I control most of the guards - they will be elsewhere when you go to meet the chief," says Irret. "But he still has some personal retainers and close companions. And Jageela and his retinue will be there also."
Koouri turns to Eshsheth and mutters something. He nods and leaves the hut. She continues, "Ylyeshshi's chambers are within the Great Mound," says Koouri. "I have not been in them for a while - Ylyeshshi trusts few, and that does not fully include me. But they start beyond the meeting chamber you were in before."
Eshseth returns with several large, awkward bundles. He places them on the floor of the hut and unwraps them. Within are the weapons the group surrendered earlier in the day.
Zejj says, "It will be dark soon. Prepare yourselves - the time is nearly here."
Cole looks to Irret, his tone respectful as he switches to Draconic, "Should we know anything of his compound? Any information of warfare value? Escape routes? Any halls he can use as choke points?" He stoops to reclaim his weapons, "Or is there a path we can take within that will bypass many of his warriors?"
"Less immediately, how are you planning to fill the power vacuum left by his demise?"
Rehil speaks up, "They're still playing us. We are the most identifiable and unpopular people in camp, if we kill the chief there's nothing to keep them from turning on us, or letting the mob turn. Get a peace bond from all three."
Nalverren claims his weapons and listens intently on the attack plan.
The elf continues in common. "I'm not against taking Jageela down, but if we're fighting him, we're fighting his big black horse too. Put them together with the chief and a couple loyal guards and we're talking a major fight. Are the chief and Jageela joined at the hip like randy goblin-twins? Is there no time we can get them apart? It would be a lot easier to beat them alone than together."
"Then there's a few more questions we need answered. Ylyeshshi doesn't favor Jageela because of his good looks. What's the Jageela's appeal? And how did he get to his position with Hakatorvek? He's god-touched, isn't he?"
"And there's Oula. He owes us blood. So if we hold up our end of the bargain, you've got to pry him out of the Poisondusk camp. "
"And I want to know what you have been doing all afternoon. Why wait hours to bring us in on this?"
He looks directly at Zejj, "And one last thing is driving me crazy. I've got to know, why haven't the Cold Suns learned to shoot bows?"
"I do not know how Chief Ylyeshshi has arranged his quarters. However, I believe he and Jageela have separate quarters. If you are quick and stealthy you should find them apart. I am also not aware of any entrances or exits other than the way through the meeting chamber, but such things are not inconceivable," says Koouri.
Zejj grunts at Vaard's question, "Leave those matters to us. There should be no vacuum once Irret becomes chief."
As Rehil's comments are translated, Irret replies, "The binding truce between you and the Finbacks was broken by our chief. It cannot be remade now without his agreement. But when I become chief you have my word as a warrior that you will be given the binding truce and will not be harmed."
"I cannot offer a truce," says Zejj flatly, "We are not in Skinwings lands, it is not mine to give. As for Jageela, he is quite mortal. Why he is in the position he is in is something you might need to ask the lord of Haka'torvaak, should be unfortunate enough to meet him. And Ouala is not your primary concern, though should he fall to you tonight I shall not be mourning him."
Koouri offers magical aid to heal the group's wounds.
"Should we scout first? I think that runs a decent risk of giving our intentions away."
"Nalverren's right about scouting. We won't blend in, so that's too risky. So we need more information from our Finback friends.
"What is Jageela? Will he be calling lightning down on us or wrapping us in the roots in the walls? And will his big black horse be with him?
"Every fight since the house on the river has wrongfooted us. This one at least we should be able to prepare for, a little.
"And why did they wait hours to spring this on us? So that we'd have our back right up against the wall and no time to plan or think.
"What happens after? I trust Irret's word, but she's not a schemer and the other two are. Maybe they'd be happy to play Jageela while she's the new Ylyeshshi, but maybe she's a tool just like us."
The elf throws up his hands.
"And why don't the Cold Suns use bows? Vaard, Ashshar? Zejj won't answer. Do you have any idea?"
"There will be no time for scouting. We can bring you inside the Great Mound to the meeting chamber without creating suspicion, but after that you will be on your own," says Irret.
"Are you ready?" asks Koouri.
"Bows...we avoid bows due to the arrow heads...
they get stuck in the flesh of the deceased. Not a good thing to do to a body."
Elves are probably a bit squeamish about some of these things, thinks the cold sun.
"I am as ready as I will be for this."
Rehil laughs at the responses, "Good answers all. But the Poisondusk make them work. And if them, why not the Cold Suns?"
The elf stoops to the pile of gear and eagerly retrieves his curve blade, bow and dagger in that order. He strings the bow and tests its pull. The he sorts through the two quivers to put his best arrows, and the iron one, in one.
He is a little uneasy, but stands for Koouri to heal the ragged bite mark left by the dimetrodon. He even thanks her quietly.
26 of 37 hp
Cole gladly accepts Kuoori’s healing, and augments it with his own repair attempt as the group continues the conversation.
Cole stands back to his full height, listening curiously to the discussion of cold sun ranged combat tactics as he resettles all his gear. Wultram's comment about javelins gets an appreciative nod. All the while, he tests his now-repaired hip joint. Nodding in satisfaction, he thanks Kuoori.
“There is little else I can do to prepare.” He shrugs, “and I’m not exactly the most stealthy, anyway.”
"Not long."
Cole looks over at Otto, "Is that what you did in the pit? I wouldn't turn it down, though in confined spaces, it would make Rehil more dangerous with that blade of his."
Irret leads the group out of the hut. The tropical night has fallen swiftly. A few bonfires flicker and the dark shapes of a few lizardfolk move about them, but other than that the village is quiet. Irret heads towards the entrance to the Great Mound.
Inside, she walks through the twisting tunnles to the meeting chamber. There are distant sounds but they meet no one. Flickering torches light the way. Soon they reach their destination.
"I must go," says Irret. "May the dragon-gods watch over you." With that, she leaves.
Cole follows along, his heavy footfalls making a constant, recognizable K-THUNK K-THUNK K-THUNK as they enter the compound. His unblinking eyes watch the series of lifeless chambers, and—as Irret leaves— the warforged looks around, his tone wary.
“Why is no one here?” He looks to Rehil, “Scout? Or should I lead?”
"Not sure. If I can see without light, I'll lead with about a 60' head start. If it's too dark then Vaard or Ashshar should lead. Light will give us away, but at least they look like they belong."
Cole looks up at the balcony, "That way?"
He looks ready to follow Rehil ... at Rehil's requested distance.
Rehil positions Cole at the junction of the wall and the balcony façade.
"Hold out your hands like this." Rehil interlaces his fingers to make a cup, letting his arms hang.
Rehil steps into the warforged's hands, unto his shoulder and grasps some roots and a tiny ledge in the wall to pull himself up.
Rehil shrugs and climbs the wall using roots and tiny ledges and foot holds.