Although, covered in his own blood ruins some of the effect
A quick glance at Qhude is all the acknowledgement either man gives him, but many of the gathered Bandu seem to be getting twitchy. Qhude doesn't recognise this particular Bandu but in the chaos the dark-skinned warrior could easily have numbered among them.
The old man snarls at the upstart-
You deserve not to speak his name. Seize him he orders the other Bandu. But there is hesitation among them for a moment, and then some move to apprehend the offender and others move to defend him. It looks as though a fierce disagreement is about to start when the old man shouts for calm, gesturing to the warrior.
Angazhan be damned? Very well, young fool. Prove your ascension beyond his teachings. Face those I name as his champions.
He turns to the pair of you as he finishes the last sentence and makes his proposal.
Armed combat- the two of you against our outspoken warrior and his second. Here and now- and should you win, you may take your woman back with you. Should Angazhan favor you; hold the killing blow back. Our patrons will have other plans for them.
Put on the spot by the old man, the dark-skinned warrior agrees readily to the proposal, calling for one of the younger camp warriors to fetch his spear.
Rising back to his feet, he pounds his fist to his chest and nods assent to this proposition. In a low voice for Qhude, "Well Brother, we could not ask for a better deal. I hope we make our ancestors proud this day."
If terms are agreed Qhude will then turn to N'Bellocq and clasp his forearm in a warrior's grip "Fight well brother" before releasing and giving the amulet around his neck a kiss and turning back to their prey. Qhude lays his backpack to one side, and readies for the combat.
Jakob climbs up from his would be bug filled grave. Looking for acid burns on his spear he carefully wipes away the icor with a rag. A rag that starts softly smoking after he tosses it aside.
"This is why I love nature. No end of suprises." then less scarcastically. "No screaming yet. Qhude must not have started yet. Might be best to hang back a bit. I'm sure we won't miss his signal.
Qhude-
N'bellocq-
Tebati-
Kieran-
Ansha-
Jakob-
Jeggare-
Upstart
Second
The old man shrugs as though Qhude's additional condition means little to him. Its apparent to both of you that your now being used in the old man's plans to save face in front of his doubting Bandu- but if it means you can get Bethany back ithout fighting the whole tribe...
The two of you prepare for battle as the two men approach. The two tall, muscular and extremely dark-skinned Bandu pause, their own weapons in their hands- and the crowd has moved a respectful distance back to leave room to fight. All four warriors are poised on their feet, awaiting a signal for the bloodletting to begin... The two men facing Qhude and N'bellocq are garbed with similar armour and weapons to the raiders, although the angry warrior who agreed to the duel wields a longspear. With a wave of the old man's hands a whistle is blown, a clear sign to begin the informal duel.
Round 1
Ordered Initiative-
Second- 21
N'bellocq- 19
Qhude- 10
Upstart- 5
Map-
Notes-
Action-
The warrior's second is the first to react once the whistle is blown, in motion before N'bellocq can string an arrow. He surges forward, hurling his net over N'bellocq at point blank range- but his eagerness ruins his aim, the weighted trap sailing over N'bellocqs head and narrowly missing his head as it flies towards Qhude. The man is left without a weapon in his hands, although his hand is already moving towards his spear.
Everyone but Jakob hears the sound of a signal whistle being blown in the encampment below, a rather ear-piercing sound. The commotion around Qhude and N'bellocq seems to have attracted the entire camp and it looks like a fight is beginning to break out. At this distance its difficult to make out the details, but you distinctly see a Bandu run at N'bellocq...
N'bellocq spins away from the thrown net and comes up with an arrow nocked (5' adjust to AP-32).
Taking advange of his unarmed foe, he launches another arrow, with similar effect.
N'bellocq's attacker's relief is palpable as both arrows imbed themselves into his leather armour after he fails to dodge either of them, both no doubt leaving bruises but the armour having saved him.
Slamming a foot down to halt, the low point of the guisarme is brought up in a brutal crosswise slash across the front of his opponent. The head of the polearm aims for groin then stomach as it flashes upwards...
Qhude's horizontal slash is almost an outright finishing blow, the although the cut is deep and leaves a spray of blood trailing in the wake of the deadly blade, the Bas'o doesn't quite disembowel his foe. Feet unsteady from the brutal charge, the Bandu retaliates with his longspear, thrusting the point into Qhude's leg and collapsing moments after delivering the blow.
Round 2-
Ordered Initiative-
Second- 21
N'bellocq- 19
Qhude- 10
Upstart- 5
Action-
With his honour on the line, the second does not give up. He moves around N'bellocq and engages Qhude with his own spear, screaming a curse in some demon tongue as he attacks- he loses his balance and footing as he lunges and is forced to make a hasty recovery.
The Bas'o roars as his weapon tears hungrily through his opponent's flesh, barely feeling the Bandu's spear as it marks his leg. Sensing the other approaching behind him Qhude continues the upward motion of his polearm, sending a fine spray of blood outward in an arc. He turns on his heel and brings the guisarme scything down at the remaining foe with a grunt...
Power Attack Bardiche: for
...taking a visceral pleasure as the head of the polearm tears a crimson track across the Bandu's chest.
N'bellocq chases after his foe and slams his elbow into the back of the Bandu's head with lethal force- the warrior staggers and begins to fall only to be swept up by Qhude's new guisarme, lifted bodily by the slashing blow and sent several feet through the air to land in a bloody heap. In mere seconds, Qhude and N'bellocq stand victorious. The old man cackles with glee as he uses magic on the outspoken, defeated warrior-
As I told you, my children... They are champions of Angazhan!
The rebellious Bandu, seeing their representative defeated so handily, nod eagerly, their faith restored. The old man turns to Qhude and N'bellocq.
A good deal. We now have our sacrifice he gestures to the fallen warrior we shall return your woman to you.
A shaken looking Bethany is released from her bonds, sobbing as she runs to N'bellocq.
And a token, as you asked for.
He tosses a metal image hung upon simple leather on the ground before you- the image appears to be an ape's face, twisted in rage and anger.
Now, leave us. We have a sacrifice to prepare.
You spot Tebati and the others approaching the camp from the other side- still a few hundred feet away but closing fast.
As the second opponent falls bleeding, Qhude turns to the Bandu baring teeth and hissing. Chest rising and falling with deep breaths despite the short fight he stands silent and watches as the old man speaks. He nods to the words and watches Bethany safe into N'bellocq's care. Replying to the old one, Qhude extends the bloodied blade of his polearm to hang silent and foreboding extended to his side "The deal is done..." padding forward slowly to the thrown talisman and picking it out of the dirt. Holding it in his left hand much as he did the slaver's severed head Qhude begins to back away slowly. He roars at the assembled Bandu holding the token high
Intimidate:
Continuing to back away from the Bandu slowly and with intent, not letting his eyes stray from either the tribe... or his umkhaya approaching from behind...
Perception:
You race down towards the fight and towards the rear of the Bandu camp, but the fight is over in mere moments; and it seems the rest of the Bandu stood and watched rather than joined in. Your now a few hundred feet from the camp and you can see Qhude and N'bellocq cautiously moving away from the gathered Bandu.
Seeing that the fight is already over, with Bethany freed and her two Mwangi compatriots withdrawing more-or-less unharmed, Ansha slows down her pace even further. She calls to the others, now ahead of her by a handful of paces, "Hold up!"
Assuming that everyone stops in their headlong dash toward the camp, she continues, "Well, I don't think we're needed any more. Let's withdraw before they notice us, yes? Circle around to the south."
With that, she starts heading that way herself, giving the camp a wide berth.
Tebati halts her approach only reluctantly; she goes from leading the group's advance by several lengths to hanging near the back as they retreat, looking over her shoulder every other step to be sure that N'bellocq and Bethany are still proceeding unaccosted and unpursued.
You reunite with Qhude, Bethany and N'bellocq some distance away from the celebrating Bandu camp, although you note that they have two warriors keeping an eye on your group in case of treachery. You do find yourselves wondering how long it will be until they notice the sentries are missing...
After he is reasonably sure that the Bandu will not take chase or engage with his umkhaya, Qhude turns his back on the camp and focuses on the walk. Adrenaline still pumps through his body and his hands shake for a few minutes before he is able to bring himself under control. A quick check of the gash on his leg shows that it should not give him too much trouble once tended. He turns the guisarme vertical and uses it as a makeshift walking stick to ease some of the weight he must place on the injured limb.
He looks to N'bellocq almost speaking before seeing Bethany clutched tight to the Ijo for security. Remembering his appearance and recent actions he holds his tongue, so as to not further upset the woman. As the rush of combat ebbs further his face shows some of the relief he feels, as well as satisfaction.
As they rejoin their umkhaya Qhude raises his hand in greeting, leather corded token still clutched within.
"It would seem we have missed all the fun, you two," Kieran remarks with an exaggerated sigh as the group reunites with its two triumphant warriors, the wink aimed at them a clear enough sign the half-elf is being his usual joking self.
"Ah well, perhaps next time then," he continues as he greets both Qhude and N'bellocq with a smile. "Besides, the damsel-in-distress, as well as you two, seem relatively unscathed, so all is well."
"We have pulled a lamb from the crocodile's jaws. A feat I did not....well, it has ended well. And Bethany is safe, although she may need some ministrations for being so frightened."
He looks down at the woman latched around his ribcage, a little uncomfortable now that the trill of battle was fading.
He pats her awkwardly on the back, "You are safe now. Back among friends. I would not...I mean, we would not have allowed anything to harm you."
Jakob smiles as he approaches the valient N'bellocq and Qhude.
"Well now I know how you felt when we sailed into harbor. Well done. Fortune seems to favor the wild scheme this season. Let us hope it holds." There is a tiny extra emphasis on the final word as Jakob notes the firm grasp Bethany has on her gallant.
"Speaking of things holding I think we should get back to the caravan and make haste before our new friends over there start to think too much about what just happened."
As the group circled around the Bandu camp to rendezvous with Qhude and N'bellocq, Ansha's gaze remained warily fixed in the direction of the Bandu. As the two groups meet again, Ansha glances at Jeggare and then at Bethany, looking for anything subtly passing between the two--gestures, facial expressions, body language. A moment later, her gaze shifts to N'bellocq, offering the Ijo a flicker of a smile in welcome. She winces as her gaze alights on Qhude's warlike visage, though, thinking, It's so...savage. Although the way it accentuates his muscle definition almost makes up for it.... "Good idea," she says in response to Jakob.
As the party begins its trek back to the caravan, she falls in beside Bethany and attempts to strike up a conversation with the girl. "Are you alright? she asks quietly, reaching out to take one of the girl's hands in her own as they walk and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Cousin!" Tebati welcomes N'bellocq with relief when the two groups have reunited. She embraces him as best she can with his encumbrance of damsel. "Are you hurt?"
Heeding Jakob's advice, she keeps walking, falling in next to N'bellocq as the group continues its triumphant retreat.
Shrugging his shoulders to Kieran's words Qhude states "There was little fun. Their inkosi set us against two of theirs for her life." pausing a few moments "They were weak... we were not." Qhude takes a moment to look down upon his blood and paint daubed frame. There is no water or time to cleanse... back at the caravan perhaps.
He nods at Jakob's words, not smiling or joyful - but accepting some of his statement as truth.
As they set to walking, Qhude tosses the demon ape token to Jeggare "If you believe the old one that was their inkosi that should ward your caravan from any further attack of the Bandu."
:
:
Ansha's emerald eyes follow the token Qhude tossed to Jeggare quickly, and the elf's expression hardens almost imperceptibly. Still walking with Bethany, she quietly murmurs a short arcane phrase and studies Jeggare--and the object he now holds--more closely.
A SM
Bethany nods gratefully to N'bellocq and Qhude and continues to hold onto the former slave tightly as you make your way away from the Bandu camp. She speaks very little, seeming rather shaken from her experiences. Jeggare pats her warmly on the back and welcomes her "back from the brink" but Ansha doesn't read anything into it; it seems the Caravan Master is simply loathe to leave his crew behind.
Jeggare catches the token and grimaces, but nods in thanks to Qhude. He seems ill at ease, hefting his loaded crossbow and keeping his eyes peeled for further threats. He does pause for a moment to mention to Qhude and N'bellocq-
Mister Jakob gave a damn fine account of himself when we fell into an Ankheg sinkhole. Wounded one of them and slew the other in a single blow. I think Miss Tebati's magic had something to do with it though. Wish the military wasn't so tied up at Kalabuto... The Bandu are becoming more aggressive every month that some show of force is not given. We were lucky it was only a small tribe.
Ansha recognises the item as a depiction of the demon lord Angazhan; a popular deity among the Bandu and the entire Mwangi Expanse, but she knows little about his religion, alignment, lore or practices. Tebati knows rather a lot more and recognises the object as an unholy symbol.
CE male demon lord of apes, jungles, and brutal tyrants.
Unholy Symbol: Demonic Ape Face
Temples: Jungle glade, ruined city, ziggurat
Worshipers: Various intelligent ape-like humanoids, jungle warlords, the Bekyar
Minions: Fiendish dire apes of immense size, jungle monsters, ape-like humanoids
Angazhan appears as a towering, blood-red ape with six long fingers, tusk-like teeth, and relatively small, bloodshot eyes. His worship is strongest in the Mwangi Expanse, where his chattering brood, the simian charau-ka (known also as ape-men) hold court in jungle-choked ruins and feast on the flesh of human chattle.
Angazhan’s presence in the Mwangi Expanse is of particular note for its exceptional length—explorers have encountered his minions for thousands of years, and the general consensus is that Angazhan has held power in the Expanse for far longer than humanity has ruled nations on Garund. His favored agents are known as the Gorilla Kings—although only one Gorilla King rules in the Mwangi Expanse a time, there have been hundreds of these violent jungle tyrants over the centuries, each reincarnated into its simian form by potent artifacts.
You know that many demons also swear allegiance to him in his demonic home plane, but the type of Demon that is particularly associated with him escapes your memory.
Qhude hears of Jakob's exploits and has a slightly raised eyebrow in surprise, though accepts it at face value. Continuing to limp along with the support of his newly respected polearm Qhude muses "They are swift and the wagons are slow. Perhaps if we survive the task laid before us I could convince the induna to lend spears." thinking back on the threat / promise given to the Bandu when his blood was ascendant after the duel.
"Jakob slew the one, but Kieran's blade struck the killing blow on the other," Tebati corrects, with a mild glare at Jeggare for leaving him out of the account. As her eyes are on the caravan leader, she takes note of the token Qhude provided, and her glare hardens. "I do not seek, nor will I accept, the protection of the Ravenous King," she snaps. "He is the most ancient enemy of the Mwangi peoples, and his charau-ka have farmed humans for labor and food since long before even Old-Mage Jatembe ascended."
Qhude's brow furrows in confusion at Tebati's words "It is a piece of metal... How does it matter what it is a picture of if it results in less death for the wagons?"
"Is my holy symbol only a piece of wood?" she counters Qhude, wrapping her fingers around her blessed driftwood. "Just as, if we were to meet a tribe of Bonuwat wary of our intentions, I might show my symbol to prove that I worship the same goddess and count myself their sister, to show that sign to the Bandu is to imply that we worship their lord of tyrrany and cruelty and would be pleased to join them in sacrificing an innocent for his pleasure. You may see it as a clever bluff, if you wish, but I am sworn to Shimye-Magalla and cannot seek the protection of another. If she turns her face from me, I will fight and die alone before bending my knee in submission to Angazhan to save my own life." She shrugs. "But I speak only for myself. In another's eyes, it may seem a fair bargain to make for protection."
"Thank you for the praise caravan master but I must attribute any success far more to luck, Kierans blade, and Tebati's magic, than to any skill of mine. In fact as it turned out we might as well stayed with the wagons. After all we did little more than fall in a hole and bruise our backsides."
"N'bellocq and Qhude walked into the midst of a very hostile band and won back not only our fair maiden but returned with a trinket that might make our passage smoother. Unpleasant though it is to sail under false colors. We are neither seeking nor accepting that foul thing's protection. We are instead exploiting its blindness. We are a cuckoo in its nest. Relying on our own unified strength and shielded by our foe's stupidity we will steal into the Ravenous kings hearth and steal its treasures. By the time that thing wakes and realizes the threat we cuckoo's pose, with any luck, it will be far far to late for the Starving king."
"Now, lets get this road clear. I have little wish to see more of either bug or Bandu."
Qhude nods simply at Tebati's first question, before finding out that it was rhetorical and listening to her words. Confusion has crossed his face and it is clear that he struggles to comprehend the importance that Tebati has placed upon the simple leather corded medallion. There are traces of frustration also as he continues "Sangoma, I had but... thought of... When the inkosi named the terms, I demanded as our inana the woman and that he submit a token that would give safe passage through the lands of the Bandu to he who held it." flickers of anger mix with the frustration as Qhude mutters in Polyglot "As there is guilt in innocence..."
Eyes flickering to the guisarme won earlier in the day he holds it forward between himself and Tebati "Is this tainted by the slaver's arms who wielded it? Is it isenzobi to reclaim it for my own?"
"Do not be fool enough to think him blind," Tebati warns Jakob. "Angazhan ruled this continent not only before your people arrived but before mine had learned to farm and build cities. The earliest stories, passed down from before we had a written language, tell of the depradations of the charau-ka and their brutal tyrant, how they farmed people as cattle and butchered them to roast for their feasts. He is not blind; his eyes roam Garund still today, as do those who follow him. He glories in death and destruction," her eyes flicker toward the Bas'o, "and Qhude has attracted his attention. He will not look away as long as he is pleased with what he sees."
"You accepted the token in innocence and with good intention," she continues to Qhude, her tone more gentle. "In your hands, especially looking as you do now, covered in blood and painted like death, it would serve its intention: to tell any attacking Bandu that you are an ally to be respected rather than prey to be harvested, that the rest of us are your property and chattel. I doubt it would do the same in the hands of a civilized colonial. The Bandu would be more likely to assume the prize was looted from the dead body of one of their shamans and attack the more furiously. It is your might we look to for protection, Qhude, not, as you say, a piece of metal."
Tebati runs her eyes over the guisarme, looking for any runes or symbols. "I doubt this is anything but a fine weapon, fairly won," she tells him, "but in the morning I can ask Shimye-Magalla to open my eyes to any taint of evil it might bear. Today, her power in me is almost spent." Remembering the wand, she retrieves it and hands it back to Jakob. "Thank you for entrusting me with your valuable," she tells him. "Praise the goddess that she smiled on us and we found no pressing need for it."
Ansha presses her lips into a thin line as the story of the symbol of Angazhan comes out. Her gaze sweeps over the guisarme in Qhude's hand, still concentrating on her cantrip. After a few moments, she curses softly. "I don't need more attention from demonlords in my life, Qhude. I really don't," she complains, a bit melodramatically. She looks at the demonlord's symbol. "We should get rid of it as quickly as we can."
As the party continues its trek back to the caravan, Ansha says quietly to Bethany, a smile on her lips, "Some god is smiling on you today. I'm sure many others have not been so lucky as to be rescued by dashing heroes"--she says the word 'heroes' very drily--"against the odds."
Her smile turns self-deprecating as she adds, "And at least it wasn't your own family trying to sacrifice you."
Qhude's mood calms, but also darkens as he heeds the words spoken to him. I have been played a fool. Talking into space he mutters "Destroy it then." before returning the guisarme to it's duty as walking stick and limps onwards, pacing himself so that he is slightly ahead of the others and looking into the land ahead of the group.
Jeggare and Bethany contribute nothing to the discussion of the unholy symbol, although Jeggare seems to recognise it. Both of their spirits are raised by Jakob's lightheartedness as you make your way back to the caravan. Now you are no longer tracking, it takes you only a bit more than an hour to reach the caravan. As you approach, the soldiers begin to clap their hands in applause, a sound then taken up by the other caravan staff upon seeing Bethany alive and well. Spirits are high and its clear that Jeggare's caravan crew are unlikely to ever forget this day.
Albert and his soldiers smile warmly and greet you with hot bowls of soup as you approach. Mengak seems to be envious and more than a little jealous that he didn't accompany you, but the other soldiers are just amazed you all came back.
Qhude allows himself to hear the applause, though his mind is clearly still weighed down with thoughts. He accepts that his part in rescuing Bethany is being praised... though cannot help but notice the way that his still-painted body gives some pause. Refusing the soup for now he instead asks Albert for his armor and rope, given that it was left in his keeping when he left with the slaver's head. Glancing towards the side of the caravan where the honor duel with the slaver was fought, he revisits what was but hours ago but seemed like days to him now... the rush of battle, the white heat of his blood, the isehlulelo he gave the slaver... and the look on the faces of those who watched...
Touching a hand to his pendant he looks to find Unwe among the wagons. Approaching the mwangi woman he asks her "Inyanga... I would wipe clean my skin... Is there cloth and water?.." the look in his eyes betraying not just an interest in wiping off the paint of death... but of talking with Unwe alone.
Warming up to the praise quickly, Ansha smiles and waves at the caravan guards and camp followers. Despite her initial reluctance to participate in the rescue, she seems to be quite enjoying the accolades its success has brought the group--and by extension, herself. Now that the dust of the road is momentarily behind them, she walks over to the wagon assigned to the party and shrugs her backpack off, wincing in relief as the weight is relieved from her delicate shoulders.
She murmurs another short arcane phrase and closes her eyes for a brief moment. As she opens them again, a faint green radiance spills from the emerald orbs, and she looks herself over. One hand running parallel to her form as if pushing off grime despite her hand never touching her skin or clothing, she slowly cleans herself of the dust of the road. As she finishes, she releases her hair from its ponytail, the pale blond mane spilling out of its confines to cascade over her shoulders like a cloak. She utilizes even greater care as she concentrates and her hand runs over her locks, until the dust is gone even from there.
Hearing Qhude's request for water to clean himself off with, she turns around to offer to help--but seeing that he is with Unwe, she smiles faintly and goes to find Jeggare instead.
Tebati finally allows herself to relax, smiling in relief as they regain the relative safety of the caravan. She leans her head against Kieran's shoulder and whispers teasingly, "Listen: the applause of the crowd. Time for you to take your bows and bask in their accolades?"
N'bellocq gets used to the closeness of Bethany as they walk. He gives her the time to recover her senses that he knows she needs.
When the camp comes into view, he takes a moment to pause and explain to her. [b]"See. All is back as it should be. I know how you felt back there, alone and afraid. I have been there. But just know, that having gone through that myself, I will never allow you or any of the others go through that again. I am here to protect you, and will always live up to that pledge."[b]
He then resumes walking and lets her companions rush to her in joy. Leaving him to image the reunion he might have had as a child with his family.
"I suppose it will do for now, at least until we can find a larger audience," Kieran replies, his tone equally teasing, as he lightly caresses Tebati's cheek. "As far as taking a bow is concerned, would you join me if I did? And as for accolades, I find that perhaps they are less important to me than I had thought, especially lately and when compared to other things."