"I don't see why we shouldn't!" Selena smiles, even if a bit wary of the kobold. They had a conflict going on with that Yarls: with how ambiguous he was, that could have been either a good or a bad thing.
Of course, we could just end up stuck between a rock and an hard place...
The Kobolds head twitched the side as it listened. "Peaceful? Yes. We have no wish to harm you. Nor wish to be harmed by you. We have been wronged!" The small creature hissed in agitation.
Hopping down, the red and gold creature blended into the landscape surprisingly well. "This way!" It bounced off, north along the shoreline.
Azri narrowed her eyes, keeping a sharp lookout as she moved - but she did move forward, shrugging slightly, and followed the kobold to wherever it was leading them.
Mihara leaps after the Kobold, visibly floating more than running, her long hair and broad sleeves floating in the wind behind her.
Selena stretches her wings as she follows after the kobold.
Wronged? Why do I have the suspicion that that Yarls is involved?
The Kobold leads you to a ruined building, the rubble of which was either shaped or just happened to form a small ramp down into it's basement. Through a small archway is a camp. It looks obviously temporary, but the Kobolds have a small entryway here, with crossbowmen covering the entrance from behind cover. Beyond them stands a taller figure, possibly reaching a whole 4 feet of height. The tall figure's scales are the colour of polished obsidian, but between each one spills a dim, glowing orange light.
And behind the figure sits...something, curled up in a ball like a huge cat. The same dark scales gleam in the torchlight, with the same ruddy light shining out between them.
The tall figure speaks, a surprisingly deep voice emerging. "You are the ones who see the titles, yes? What business with thief Yarls?"
Azri held up one hand. "What is it you believe they stole, and do you have any evidence that it was not theirs to take?" she inquired. "I'm not doubting your name for them, but remember that we don't know the history between you and the Yarls. Some thefts are accidents, some are intentional - I'd like to know which applies here before I form a judgment on the matter."
...Oooooh, this was interesting.
"Azri, I believe we ought to introduce ourselves and meet our host before asking any questions of them." Mihara suggests politely.
She turns to the leader of the Kobolds and offers a polite smile. "We thank you for inviting us to speak with you."
Mihara gives a polite bow, introducing herself and her companions in turn. "We would be most honored if you would grace us with your name."
"Our business with Yarls was one of investigation. As we seek to restore Khalharum to its former glory, it is but our duty to speak with all who currently reside within its ruins. Likely, we would have sought you out, had you not found us first."
"If he has wronged you, please let us know. We seek to help Khalharum, and any would-be-allies will be welcomed with open arms."
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Ayreth smiles at Mihara's ever-present grace and politeness. It suddenly strikes her as oddly humorous that Mihara had excluded herself as a member of their new family. If people can have no family, why can't they have two? Clearly, we're sisters. Mihara is the Good One, Selena is the Wild One, Azri is the Scary One... so, I must be the Pretty One. And of course, Nigrum is the Hairy One! Ayreth quickly stifles a giggle behind her hand.
Ayreth manages to contain her peculiar thoughts, then nods in response to her own introduction, and waits for the kobold's reply since Mihara covered it very well.
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"To be fair" Selena chimes in "We tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, but that Yarls guy did sound a little fishy."
The small creature listened, orange eyes gleaming dully in the dim light. "Proof? What proof do you accept? Empty space on altarnest not proof something was once there, simply that altarnest is empty." The Kobold titled his head. "I am Ixen Ternock. Firescale. Dragonrider. Chieftan of Bekilk Kobolds." The small creature did as close to a bow as his knees would allow.
"Yarls steals...Uthrix di Shio," The Kobold pauses, before rattling out the Draconic name, which could be translated as 'Birth of All'. "He believed it to be Key to the city. He was wrong. Nothing to do with this place. But it is powerful, valuable. Realizes mistake, but keeps it. Fled our wrath. Hides in stone walls too thick to burn." The being behind him snorted at that. "Killed some in the taking. Killed more in the keeping. Do not wish to loose more yet in assault."
"I accept any reasonable proof, and I have magic that can guarantee truth-telling - which I would use in any situation like this one, not just because you're involved." Azri said. For her, it was important to maintain a stance of unbiased neutrality. "We have come to reclaim this city under its ancient laws, and we will deal fairly with its inhabitants. If the Yarls have indeed stolen from you, then we will do what we can to see that your Uthrix di Shio is returned." She didn't even pause in pronouncing the name - she was, after all, quite fluent in the tongue of dragons. "I am Azri, Chieftain Ternock. And your companion there is...?" she inquired, looking back towards the curled-up form of the dragon.
"Magic to ensure truth?" The Kobold Chief looked vaguely impressed. "Then cast it when you wish, and hear the truth of our words." Glancing over at the dragon behind, he answered, "Azri Towerseeker, this is-"
"Irsa Valignat." The Magma Dragon raised it's scaly head and fixed you with it's own orange eyed gaze. "And how do you propose to force Yarls to return what is ours?"
"We've only just heard your claim - it's a bit early to be asking for a detailed plan." Azri said, kindly but firmly. "However, I am considering communicating to them that making an enemy of the city would be unwise, and that if they give it back now, there will be no further trouble. I may also imply the... lack of foresight... in irritating one such as you, Irsa Valignat." Which wasn't nice - but then, neither was she. In all seriousness, though, angering anything with a long lifespan was usually a bad idea, and dragons had been known to wreak terrible vengeance when the mood took them. Sometimes, all it took to dissuade people was reminding them of that fact, especially when what they'd taken wasn't what they'd wanted anyway.
She was also carefully avoiding committing their group to any course of action - there was no need to make promises here and now, not when they could talk things over at their leisure and decide as a team.
Finally Nigrum thought it was time for him to speak. He had fought the man, while he did not claim a better understanding of him, he did know his abilities better due to his first hand experience.
"We recently gained information from him by proposing stakes in a challenge of battle. He lost and gave it to us as the winners. Forcing it from him would not be easy, of that I am sure, nor will the cost in blood be light. That you already know of I believe. Perhaps we could find a more round about method as we did before. Would you be willing to give us more details on what he took and why he would value it. Considering that it has made him an enemy that is both unneeded and persistent if it has forced him to go to ground."
He was interested in the kobolds and their plight, it could be an advantage to them in many ways. Yarls had shown some honor in admitting his defeat, yet his information was unconfirmed and his actions according to the kobolds did not give credit to his word or honor overly much. A honorable enemy was worth more to him then a dishonorable ally or mercenary. Yarls could have simply admitted defeat to hide his weakness from his men or to trick them into taking care of an obstacle for him. Only to steal it once they did the job for him and were weakened by an enemy he could not defeat himself.
"I don't know if that would work..." Selena says after Nigrum "He only gave us a vague hint that may not even be true: doubt it'll give back something more valuable.". The half-succubus turns to the obsidian-scaled kobold "I, too, think that we should just convince him that angering you is not worth the effort, and that leaving each other alone would be best."
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Ayreth continues to watch and listen, feeling somewhat overwhelmed. We've only been here a couple of days and already we've met our third dragon. Something about that tugs at a memory within her, though the feeling that is not her own memory pervades her thoughts. What a place of wonder Khalharum is turning out to be. Dragons, and dryads, and ghosts! Oh my! While one hand rubs at the ring on her thumb, the other affectionately rubs at the dilapidated wall.
Ayreth's eyes roll gently back as she tries to get a sense of the city, past, present, and future. They had seen what she was; and they could see what she is by looking around; and just for a moment, a vision of what Khalharum could be flashes through Ayreth's mind. Seven whole towers gleaming in the sunlight, different species and races crowding her streets, dragons and gryphons flying through the air. It felt like... home. Her eyes return to normal, if a little mistier than usual.
Ayreth gently whispers, "Yth geou seilor youwei harkt." Though if one were to ask her in the moment, even she wouldn't be certain if she were speaking to the kobolds and dragon, or the city itself.
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Aibek's dark eyes flitted about in curiosity. Having been raised in woodlands with shifters, Aibek was used to be surrounded by unusual to most creatures, but Khalharum seemed to attract a higher concentration than the witchwolf had seen elsewhere. Something else to ponder and investigate...later.
After pulling their thoughts to attention and listening to the others, Aibek quietly spoke "Convincing does seem the best idea, some of ours are very persuasive..." said, motioning towards the others. "Since their numbers and place and how little we know of them makes assault unwise and stealth unlikely - though yours seemed to be doing a pretty good job of it when we were there, I'd hardly spotted them moving to the roof through a whole and were well in place when we left...though the duel may have helped with that." dark eyes flitting between the Chief and Magma dragon.
"So you will persuade him to give it back? An interesting notion." Irsa's scaled head titled to the side. "And we will give what details you need. But this begs another question: What do you want from this?" The great creatures head swung towards Ayreth. "All things shall be set right, and we wish no debt in this."
Ixen looked at Aibek. "Bekilk Kobolds not usual. Used to sun. Used to light. Been in the sands for generations. Blue, green scales gone. Red, gold survive better. Good at moving with the light and the shadows now." The shorter creature snorted.
Azri tapped her staff on the ground slightly. "We have come to rule this city in accordance with its ancient laws. If you choose to remain in Khalharum - and I hope you do, actually - then we will treat you as we will treat all citizens: Fairly. If you are unwilling to accept us as the rightful rulers of the city, then all we ask is that you leave in peace - indeed, we may even be able to help relocate you to a place more suitable for your race. If you choose to stay, then you will have all the rights, responsibilities, and privileges of citizens. Imagine stalls at the market with which to enrich your tribe, guards who keep order and ensure your homes are not disturbed, and everything else of a responsible, well-run city. Perhaps even a place on a council of advisers, though we have not settled on a form of government just yet - I cannot promise anything in that regard. You do not have to decide right now - just think it over. There are benefits to both staying and leaving, so all you really need to do is figure out what would be best for your tribe."
Aibek half grinned at Ixen's comments. Listening to Azri response, Aibek mused, "Personally, I'd be happy to work towards retrieving what is yours in exchange for opening lines of communication, if you were up for that. With as long as you've been here, you likely have many stories and information that could prove interesting if not vital for the plans Azri is talking about. I guess that depends on how long you would foresee an amicable relationship with us being what yours would want..." Aibek glanced around, unsurely, not having much experience with kobolds...
The Dragon and the Kobold Chieftan looked at each other, orange eyes meeting orange eyes for a few moments. Ixen broke of and looked over your group. "The city is not our place. Our tunnels lie to the east. We come to reclaim what is lost But...communication, trade, these things we desire. Our people, we are craftsman. It is why we are on this island. Slavers brought the ancients to here. Went...badly."
Ixen tilted his head. "An alliance, the foundation for an alliance, this is the prize you wish from us? We can accept this. You stick to the laws. We respect that." The Dragon chuffed softly. "Well," Ixen amended, "I respect that."
"We are honored that our proposal pleases you," Mihara smiles and nods politely. "May our people prosper together."
The Kobold Chieftain glanced around quizzically. "An Escort?" he enquired.
Azri nodded firmly. "We won't object if you want to come with us, though please stay out of sight while we're negotiating with them." she requested. "They may be more amenable to discussions if they don't think you're present or planning an ambush."
"If we are entering some sort of alliance, temporary or otherwise concerning this matter. I would ask for an accounting of your current forces for this. As well as those offered details about what he took. If we have any chance of obtaining it without force then the more we know the better. If force is needed I would rather not be surprised. Yarls is in my range of skill, if he has something that gives him a greater advantage on top of that."
He let those words hang, more for the benefit of his comrades then the kobolds. It was not their problem and both groups were not currently their enemy. They could walk away, if they choose to commit themselves so be it. But it would be with a clear view of things, not over some trinket or petty squabble that could cost the lives of some of their number or bring conflict to those had already sided with them and were their responsibility.
"I think it best we go in with all the facts."
Ixen made an odd choking sound it took a moment to identify as laughter. "For temporary alliance, you can know our forces here. Not give up defences to our tunnels and nests to people we barely know!" The Kobold chuckled again. "You defeat Yarls? Interesting."
The Chieftain clicked his tongue. "We bring two score scouts, Apocolypse Bodyguard, two scale-casters, me."
Azri wasn't entirely sure what an Apocalypse Bodyguard was, but it sounded tough, at least. "That should be plenty. The easiest fight is one that doesn't need to be fought at all, and we will be trying to avoid combat." she said, turning and heading towards the door. "No time like the present, right? Come join us outside when you're ready."
Daaaamn, Apocalypse Bodyguard sounds terribly cool...or terribly pretentious.
"Azri's right: the first we resolve this, the better." the half-succubus nods.
I do have a bad feeling about this, though.
The Chieftain nods. Quickly he assembles the troops he has with him - 5 heavy looking Kobolds with heavier sets of scales growing over there usual ones and longer, stronger teeth and claws. A handful of more normal looking Kobolds also accompany you, with armour and spears.
Your group returns to the Arsenal with haste and no trouble. As requested Ixen and his party hold back, allowing you to approach the building.
Yarls sits in the entrance, apparently perfectly at ease. There are no signs of any of his troops...but there is a lot of rubble and many hiding places. "Back so soon? I imagined the temple would take you longer. Ah! But you made some new friends. I imagine they've told you a tale to bring you back here?"
Azri smiled faintly at Yarls' words. "I'm not sure that 'friends' is quite the right word." she said. "Actually, in a way, you might be in need of more help than they. Are you prepared to listen to an offer?" Self-interest was usually an excellent motivator - most people would prefer to negotiate rather than risk their lives versus a largely-unknown group, after all, and she hoped that would be holding true here.
Mihara stands by Azri, giving further weight to her words by a simple act of presence without adding anything herself.
"Yup! Already back!" Selena waves friendly to Yarls, hiding her tension behind a smile.
Ugh, this feels so weird...I got good at talking with people, but it's the first time I use it for negotiation. If someone told me that 2 months ago, I wouldn't have believed him.
"Yup, we got to have a chat with the Kobolds: really hospitable, I've got to say, and much less murderous than I imagined. They've asked us if we could act as middlemen between you and them to get back something that they call an Uthrix di Shio, or something like that: I don't talk Dragon." the half-succubus starts, conveniently glossing over the part about Yarls stealing the thingy, whatever it was.
"Apparently, you thought it was a Symbol of Authority, but that isn't the case: you have no reason to keep that, no? Well, actually" the half-fiend adds conspiratorially, taking a step forward "it would make sense if it was worth a pretty copper piece, but I'd advise you against that. You know, Khalarum is chock full of stuff: not to mention that golem in the temple, I bet there's a lot of weird s**t sitting on a pile of stuff. The thing that you have right now, though, was of the Kobold's. Kobolds are sapient." the half-fiend laughs and holds her hands up to stop Yarls before he responds. "Don't worry! I'm not going to get all philosophical on you, how it's wrong and stuff! You seem like a practical guy! No, you know the cool thing about sapient species? They can hold a grudge." the half-fiend raises the back of her right hand in Yarls direction, showing him the symbol of Calistria that was her mark of authority "I know a lot about grudges. And let me tell you, dragons have a lot of time to hold one."
"What I'm getting at is: I think antagonizing the kobolds isn't worth it. They just want their stuff back and be left alone. I bet you won't have any problem finding something that doesn't belong to a magical lizard that can wait live for hundreds of years and eventually exterminate you and all of your family! Trust me, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."
He didn't know how Yarls knew, perhaps it was an ability of what he had taken. Or he could have had a scout on them, then again their was always magic if he had a spellcaster hidden in his ranks. It may have been a mere guess even. Whatever it was, he did not like it or that his comrades gave so much away. Yarls had gained much with a simple sentence without effort. His comrades had a way with words but they lacked the understanding of dealing with the likes of Yarls and those of obscure natures. Something his occupation of bounty hunter made a regular encounter. But he threw away such thoughts, what was done was done. He studied Yarls for a moment before taking a step forward, prepared to react to any hostility on Yarls part but not giving off any of his own.
"Yarls, I would hear your words on the matter before taking any course or forming any judgment. I would also remind you that more then simply your own fate will be effected here. You have your own comrades to dwell on. It would be wise to consider them as well."
His impression was that his comrades were sellswords and the like. But he could not be sure. If they were sellswords then Yarls position was not secure for their loyalty was only to gold and that meant nothing to dead men. If they were true comrades then his position was strong but he would not throw away their lives lightly. If he did find a way to deceive comrades in such a fashion then he would make sure that Yarls would die before all others. Words were better for all.
"I am aware of the object you speak of, yes." Yarls didn't rise from the sitting position he was in. "I believe there may be a possibility that we accidentally acquired such an object, yes. Whether it is worth the trouble or not? Well, that remains to be seen, I suppose. Few object to taking such things from Kobolds but...these aren't the usual Kobolds, are they? You know how they came to be, do you not? It's a fascinating story, although not especially relevant." The big man chuckled. "But...you have an offer for me to hear? I will merrily hear it."
"I would think the offer simple enough. You return what is theirs and they no longer pursue you and yours. That would be the end of it. As you have not only admitted you have it but that you took it, as well as knowing it's value and ownership from the start."
He was no fool, Yarls wanted something. But he was not going to make it easy, nor did he have any reason to care what it was. Yarls was letting his pride get in the way or grasping. He had wronged the kobolds unprovoked and gave no excuse for it. He had no right to get anything more then he has already loss, considering it was the life of his comrades and not his own for his actions. He was already ahead in his mind, the man should be thankful for the chance to end things without paying in blood or grudges.
Azri nodded at Nigrum's words. "I can understand wanting to pursue wealth and prizes - I've investigated a few ancient places myself." she said, a bit disconcertingly cheerful. "One thing I learned, though, is that some prizes really aren't worth the trouble they'll bring, not when there's easier and more effective ways of getting what you want."
Aibek held back closer to the kobolds, watching once more from a shadow. The witchwolf trusted the others at being better at negotiation, and if shifting was needed then Aibek preferred not to do so in front of so many unknowns. Resting in a crouch in a shadow ready to spring if needed, Aibek began pulling shadows into hand to once again form a shadowblade. Watching the group closely, Aibek looked for any sounds of things turning for the worse...
Yarls chuckled. "Very well. You wish the egg? You are sure you wish to return something of such power to the Kobolds? Then you merely need to take it." The man rose slowly and walked to the side. "The Birth of All is within the Armoury's vaults. No need to fear my people - once we realized someone who could breach these walls was around and potentially hostile we left via some tunnels we...added. They are...elsewhere. With my superior."
Yeah right. Tell that to someone else.
"Uh...why did you left now trough this tunnels? I mean, last time we got here today there were people guarding the place. Something happened?" the half-succubus feigns to ask innocently, not really believing what Yarls told them (what was he, anyway?).
"Simple," Yarls replied, "Kobolds are expert miners, but they take time to mine. It was relatively simple to knock a hole from the basement of the Arsenal into the remains of the sewers. My troops may not be miners, but they are excellent with a hammer. The Kobolds on my roof didn't see where they went, and therefore you can't follow. Not easily at least."
"As for why? Yarls chuckled. "A consolidation of forces. You are...strong enough. Strong enough to be dangerous to our goals. Now, even with all your powers and gifts, you will not be able to destroy my superior. Too many people around him, too many forces. My first loyalty is fulfilled. And we left the Kobold's egg behind so there grudge remains here too. Of course, if they can't get it, we can always retrieve when our forces aren't required elsewhere."
Selena raises an eyebrow at Yarls, noticing his odd behavior. "Are you okay? What's this about loyalties and superiors? And why the Kobolds wouldn't be able to get their egg back? You said you and your buddies were leav-Oooooh." the half-succubus stops abruptly, putting what Yarls just told them together.
He said his guys left, leaving us to run around the place, but said that we may not be able to take the egg (so it's an egg?) back...
"There's something-or someone-else in the arsenal right now, correct?"
"I assure you," Yarls replied, "There is no one within the Arsenal to my knowledge. But you don't think a building designed to build and store the weapons of a city would be left undefended? This city was build to last, I will give it that much."
"Indeed." Azri mused. And if it didn't last in the sense of "letting in a recognized authority figure", i.e. "someone with both symbol and seal", she was going to have some words for it. What kind of words? That depended on how things turned out.
She'd also decided that she didn't like Yarls very much. His attitude was... grating. "Well, I can assure you that so long as I am alive, the city shall not forget those who come to it... neither its friends nor its enemies." ...Said the immortal lich girl. She didn't like his talk of a superior, either, and was looking forward to the day when that issue was... resolved. Permanently.
"Something's off about him. I mean other than everything. There's a scent on the air, and I don't like it." Mihara whispers to Nigrum. "Be on your guard."