Ruika nods, she understands the leader. 'This is how a leader has to be in the desert. Decisive, intelligent and ruthless. If you seem weak then others will crush you.' Though she has reservations for Dashki, but if he's with them at least the main caravan will be safe.
"When does caravan leave for Kelmarane?" She asks trying to ascertain when their own mission of revenge should end.
Almah shakes her head. "The caravan itself won't be getting within a mile of Kelmarane. Not until the gnolls are all killed or driven out. This camp was to act as base from which we would launch guerrilla attacks on them, without drawing too much attention to ourselves - their numbers are far greater than our own. However, after tonight's incident... it has become abundantly clear that the Sultan's Claw is far too exposed for our purposes."
"But that is a matter we can speak more of once this matter is settled."
Solemnly Ruika nods her head understanding; she looks to her fellows from the original train. "Yes, follow pugwampi tracks. Reap vengeance and keep the caravan safe." despite her harsh words there is an underlying tone that she cares for these people.
She puts a gloved hand upon Jaykae's shoulder in appreciation. The other tickling the soft ginger fox under the chin. Ruika awaits to see if Alik has any more pertenant queries; before she leaves to prepare.
As Almah's irritiation with him comes out, Alik looks away from her and bows.
"I meant no offense. I was just frustrated that our enemy is slipping further away from us and instead of being allowed to pursue, my time was wasted with unnecessary action."
He holds the bow until Almah or Garavel acknowledges the show of respect.
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Garruth looks towards Alik and shakes his head "Ahhh well my friend, I'm afraid my eyes aren't really that good in the dark, but I can make some light for us if that's helpful."
He watches Garavel leave to get things ready, and looks towards Almah, he doesn't have any questions at this time, at least not relevant to the task, but can hardly just walk away from the princess without at least making sure she remembers him.
"The catman is at your service my fair lady" Garruth bows, and will take Almah's hand to kiss her fingers if she allows, turns his eyes towards hers and smiles "Though if you prefer you can call me Garruth. We'll find the villains responsible quickly and be back as soon as possible. I'll be sure to report to you personally" There a hint of a low purr in his voice that hopefully only Almah can hear. He straightens and only now releases her hand, unless she pulled it away earlier. "Well we'd best be off, the sooner we set out, the sooner we can return." With that he turns to head for the entrance of the tent.
Jaykae listens intently and considers what creature they have indicated, trying to drudge up her knowledge of nature.
Nature Knowledge
Since she cannot figure it out she nudges her sister to whisper.
[spoiler=Keiko]"Hey Kei? What's a pugalumpa?"
When Ruika puts her hand on her shoulder she jumps a touch, startled until she notices who it is and smiles at her trying to make her realize that she had not been startled by who it was but because she didn't know who it was who touched her.
"So hunt them down and return. Right. We will do our best, ma'am." She says while using a bit of diplomacy while bowing a bit to try to make the woman realize they are sincere that they would do their best; however, little Lyssa is not happy with her bowing so yelps, "Sorry Lyssa, sorry."
Diplomacy check:
As Ruika leaves she does so as well figuring her sister would come at the same time.
"The necessity of your actions is for me to decide," Almah tells Alik curtly, "But your judgment in this matter is correct. Act now and failure will be of no concern to you."
The merchant princess raises a brow when she offers Garruth her hand, slight hesitance in her action. "You certainly lack your companion's modesty," she responds plainly, though there is discernible amusement in her expression.
The flap of the tent suddenly opens once more as Garavel reenters. Seeing the catman kissing Almah's hand, he glares at Garruth disapprovingly. Doing nothing to interfere however, the majordomo directs a nod at his charge. Almah gently withdraws her hand, before nodding at your group in turn.
"The night is still young, but be on your guard. Good luck."
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Outside of the tent, you all find Dashki standing nearby, his staff in one hand and a lit torch in the other.
"I'm ready to go whenever you are," he says gruffly, sounding not at all happy.
Corneilious questions Dashki:
"I trust the Mercenaries will NOT be accompanying us?"
Dashki looks over towards the campfire where the mercenaries sit and lets out a strange sound that could only be a laugh.
"Them? Heh, no. They were just hired on to guard the caravan, but they mostly just carry stuff around."
Ruika leaves the tent with the twins; "A second, we not taking camels?" she half wonders half states. With a flick of her wrist the cowled figure indicates that she'll be back in a second.
Trotting quickly across the sands towards her camel. Retrieving first her back-pack and then reverentially picking out a bundled cloth before putting it atop the pack. Her hands touch the majority of her food before she decides not to slow them down.
Subsequently trotting across the sands back to the others she states; "Ready." in her hoarse voice.
"Them? Heh, no. They were just hired on to guard the caravan,
Corneilious' eyes grow wide as a look of surprise takes his face.
Wait! You mean they were actually hired on to do the heavy lifting?
Alik's eyelids flicker when Garruth suggests he cannot see well in dark places.
When Almah speaks to him again Alik raises to full height and nods in acceptance of her words. Leaving the tent, he gathers his gear and returns. Seeing Dashki waiting Alik approaches the tracker.
"My heart is gladdened that we will have you with us. While this task is not desirable, it is certainly necessary. It will be good to have one who understands our enemy with us," Alik says to the man with a smile.
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Garruth chuckles softly and nods "Yes, I must admit modesty has never been one of my strong points." He might have said more, but Garavel's return interrupts, and he glances towards the man. Judging by the glare it was probably safe to assume Garavel didn't think Garruth should be fraternizing with the merchant princess. He was probably right, but that never stopped the catman before.
"Ahh sir Garavel good that you have returned, we must be ready to set out."He follows the others out of the tent, but looks over his shoulder and smiles as he leaves "We'll be back soon."
Already having his small pack with him Garruth doesn't need to gather anything, he looks towards Dashki and asks "You wouldn't happen to have something with our quarry's scent would you? I'll leave the tracking to you, but if I know the scent I can at least tell when they're nearby, and possibly how many."
Jaykae watches as others go to get their packs and feels relieved that she normally carries hers with her. Usually she never needs a lot and most of what she carries is not that heavy.
She pads along while whistling a tune while they are in the camp but once they are out she quietens and only thinks of her tunes in her head, "How fast are these puggy things?"
"Heh, no such luck," Dashki says to Garruth, shaking his head, "They're light on their feet, so they can get around real quick. But pugwampis never stray too far from their nest. Not alone, at least."
'So someone must therefore have brought them here. Someone commanded them, it seems Almah is correct about saboteurs.' she thinks to herself. 'And Dashki is either leading us to get rid of us or the evidence, elsewise he is innocent....of this.'
Ruika moves over to Jaykae; "May I? I not take advantage." she motions to the small fox, if the musician wishes to hand the fox over.
With everyone in the group gathered together, Dashki proceeds to lead you out of the camp, following the tiny footprints that Alik had found earlier. Venturing out into the wilderness, you see that the terrain takes an unfamiliar turn. The rugged, rocky hills ahead are a stark contrast to the smooth hills you ascended during your journey to the Sultan's Claw. As the loose dirt beneath your feet transitions to hard, cracked earth, the trail seems to run cold. Nonetheless, Dashki leads on, looking to the ground as though the footprints never vanished.
"We're lookin' for a little humanoid creature, much smaller than a halfling," he explains to your group in a hushed tone as you traverse the scrublands, "It's got light fur, sharp claws, and a little head like a jackal's. You'll know it when you see it."
After following the trail for several hundred feet, you all suddenly hear a sharp sound - not unlike the brief cry of human child - from the darkness ahead.
The walk is hard but with her vision and fortitude she takes it in her stride. Following after the tracker she gives him a grudging respect. 'Jackel head? Like a gn...' she cannot even finish her train of thought.
Alert Ruika turns to the others and moves towards the sound; she fumbles with the package in the back of her backpack putting it under one arm. She moves softly forward, not sacrificing speed for silence however.
"What was that?!" whispers Keiko harshly, surprised at the sound, rushing forward to see what's going on.
"Not sure, sounds like child." Ruika whispers softly as they move, her voice holding such a note of concern and softness it not longer seems the gruff orcish dialect. "Near the trail." Lyissa pokes her head out of the backpack and looks around mewling slightly.
Corneilious debates weather or not a light spell would be appropriate but decides that that would probably give up their location. Instead he walks along, keeping pace with the others quietly humming a religious hymn from the book of Ragathiel in a soothing low voice.
"Hmmmmm Hmm Hmmmmm Hmmmmmmm HmmHm Hmmmmmmmm Hmm...."
She moves down the trail, her movements fast but quiet. 'What would a child be doing out here? Could it be the goat, who knows - but it sounds in distress.' Keeping her eyes open, her vision wanders like her mind. 'What's like song he's singing? I recognise it, but it isn't from the village.' Ruika looks across to the stout humming man.
"I'm 'ere, it's alright. Ruika calls softy as she slows her pace moving ahead; the darkness drawing close.
"Bring the light here." she whispers authoritatively. Slowly moving forward...
Jaykae looks up at Ruika and Lyssa makes a little mewling sound which seemed to indicate to the young woman that the fox needed to go back to her person, "She's a good girl but I think she wants her mom." Jaykae smiles and hands the little one over.
She walks along with the others while beside her sister and watches the landscape as it goes by but when there is noise and Keiko rushes ahead she immediately runs with her sister, so used to being with her sister that she sticks to her like glued.
As you progress in the direction of the sound, the local cacti grow more and more intense, until finally you find yourself before the edge of a dense thicket of the prickly plants. At this proximity it becomes apparent that the sound from before is doubtlessly the bleating of a goat. From where you stand you can clearly hear that the continued cries of the animal are coming from somewhere deep within the cacti. From their timbre, it is easy enough to tell that they sound pained. With a grunt, Dashki holds up his torch and peers into the thick growth.
"Hmph. The tracks lead into here. No idea how the heck a goat might've gotten in there though..."
Peering into the gloom, the dark robe being lightly pricked by the cacti. 'Poor goat, lost and alone.' Her soft sandals stop upon the gravelled path.
Ruika holds out a dark gloved hand, "Lantern." she asks.
A wave of apprehension flows over her. 'No, do not be so scared. Reminds me of the days before you my dear Lyssa. When I was in my tent, revered for my pale eyes and skin - as one of the lost tribe. However I knew I was different, that they could turn on me... not that they would. My family.' She shakes her head in remembrance; 'At least we have each other little one.'
The cloaked witch feels her heart soar remembering their first meeting. 'The morning you came to me... Ruika looks to the saddlebag, where the fox resides licking her paws unconcerned. 'You were sat on the table as if you belonged there. I tried to shoo you away, our eyes met....my other half.' In the darkness of the cowl and of the night she smiles so richly and tenderly, that one might think she is in the embrace of her lover. 'Responding only to that strange lyrical language, that she's half forgotten upon the morning dune mists. I suppose now I amongst the lands of Men, I should find out what language it is.'
Lost in a reverie the cloaked figure reaches a free hand to pat her backpack, reassuring herself as she steps further forward to bring light into dark places...
Keiko shrugs at Ruika and then comments, "If anyone needs me to make more light I can do the whole 'magicky lighty' thing..." She starts off towards where she thought the sound was, drawing her rapier.
Jaykae taps her flute against her cheek and follows along with Keiko knowing that her sister would be ready in a moment and her sibling showed her that her thoughts were not without validity as she drew her rapier.
The twin is careful, her eyes moving side to side in careful observation.
Perception:
Alik has been silent this whole walk. His eyes and ears alert for any sign of their quarry. His hands were wrapped tightly around his naginata.
Ruika holds out a dark gloved hand, "Lantern." she asks.
"If anyone needs me to make more light I can do the whole 'magicky lighty' thing..."
"Ummm lantern?" When Keiko talks about magicky light he smiles "Oh you need more light? I can do the magic light thing too." He fishes out a coin.
Corneilious casually makes his way over to Ruika's side. He takes The Bastard of Blackwall and carefully points the tip of the mighty sword to the ground and with 2 hands cautiously drives the blade into the earth so that it may stand on its own.
"The others make good offers but I suggest you take this one friend. The magics they offer are of the Arcane variety. The power of faith is stronger than the power of Will. It is for this reason that the light of Ragathiel burns brighter than the light of the Arcanists."
Corneilious reaches into his cloak and pulls out the holy symbol of Ragathiel which is fastened to a cord around his neck. With his other hand he reaches over and touches the sinch at the top of Ruika's cloak while simultaneously performing the proper motions and speaking the magic words. Magic light from the holy symbol radiates outward through Corneilious' body as he directs it into the sinch.
"In our travels I have not heard you make any mention of faith. Have you any or do you believe in harnessing your own power like these other Heathens?"
The steel clasp shaped as a simple leaf, found when her tribe discovered her, flares into life with Cornelious' spell. Her watching eye's glint reflecting the light like a cat's just for a second.
Inside the hood there is a hint of tanned flesh, there's a soft inhale as she considers the words. Never one to speak too quickly, Ruika picks her words; "I believe that the dead are never truly gone. Where power comes from, I know not my tribe believed it was from their patron." Inside the pocket of her pack there is a soft whine of denial from the fox.
Ruika turns and looks to her familiar curious, they had never discussed things like this. "I suppose our tribe, had our patron God...." she pauses, omitting something. "The Ka'La taught me to revere Nethys, as I am one of the pale ones." her statement is definite but barely more than a whisper.
"Where does your power come from?" she wonders openly, realising she has talked too much about herself but hoping to get the quiet man to open up.
"My power comes from my faith in both Ragathiel and Heaven. I am a conduit in which am blessed to have their power to flow through."
Corneilious tucks his holy symbol back underneath his cloak and pulls The Bastard of Blackwall from the earth. He keeps the mighty sword gripped in his right hand in case of attack.
"We all have a path in life. I have only just begun mine. When I have accomplished what I need to do I will pass on to the next life and join the Legions in Heaven as a solder. I am not ready yet however. I still have much to learn and grow before I am ready. My power is still in its infancy. Over time you will see me accomplish many things as I'm sure I will see you do the same. There is one key difference between me and the rest of you who draw your magics forth from within however, and that is that you will accomplish what you need through tireless study and practice. My measure of power is based upon my worthiness in the eyes of my chosen Deity, and for that I will need to work much harder."
Corneilious continues to study the darkness for threats.
"Nethys is said to be the god of magic. Perhaps with a little faith you would be able to expand your powers far beyond your current limitations."
"Or join my brethren." she says softly to herself.
Ruika inclines her head as she mulls over the words; "So you seek validation for your existence from your God? Trying to pray and act your way into his graces?" Her guttural words hold a coarse wonder.
"I know how amazing I am, perhaps you should look to me to be your guiding light." she says playfully. "Follow the Pale Orc." Gently she moves forward touching the long and spiked brush.
'I have so many questions about my abilities, but now may not be the time to raise them.'
"The magical lights thing is something I could do since I was just a little thing. I didn't really study it. I just knew it... Jaykae is better at it than me, though. I'm surprised that you think me a heathen, though. It's a bit of an assumption, I suppose," says Keiko.
"I like to think my existence IS validated as a result of my faith. My life was fulfilling before I found religion but is now improved as a result of having it. I no longer lac direction. My path is chosen in this life and the next. Do you feel complete in this life? Do you know what you will do once your spirit departs this body and moves onto the next stage of existence? Not every afterlife is a good one."
"For all we know you could be my guiding light. Perhaps you are the key to my success in this path."
"I do not wish to force my beliefs among anybody. I merely wish to help people find faith who do not have it, whatever it may be..."
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Garruth frowns listening to Corneilius as the man claims his magic to be superior simply because it is given to him by his deity, and implies that the others have no faith. He watches as the man lights up the clasp of Ruika's cloak "Hmmm it seems your boasts are unfounded sir. Your light does not appear to be any brighter or stronger than mine. Because your magic is given to you rather than attained through practice and hard work does not make it superior. You should be careful of such assumptions, underestimating an enemy in the same way and you could end up dead."
He nods towards Keiko when she talks of her magic lights, and the assumption that they're heathens "Indeed, we may not have the same faith as you, but it is unreasonable to assume we have none. I can feel Cayden Cailean's smile upon me often, but he knows I have magic of my own and can share his with those more needy."
Corneilious looks to Garruth.
"Perhaps it is the light you cannot see that shines the brightest?"
"My light is the light of Ragathiel which burns brightest in my heart. Through your eyes my light may appear less luminescent, in the same way I may see the light of Cayden Cailean shine dimly through mine. You do have faith however, and in being truly faithful, I may assume that my words are as applicable to you for yourself as they are to me?"
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"Light that we cannot see is not very helpful in the dark, that kind of magic seems quite limited if it's only fully effective on you."
Garruth turns to look at Ruika "Speaking of light... please be careful my dear... the light will help us see, but also with it attached to your breast makes you a clear target if there are enemies nearby."
He shrugs his shoulders talking again to Corneilious "Some of your words apply of course, but your claim that your magic or path is superior to ours or that you work harder than we do seems to me as arrogance. I may work very hard to achieve what I have, I do not think this makes me superior to you who had his magic given to him, or Keiko who may just naturally have magic. I don't see any one of us here better than another regardless of the path they've chosen."
Despite its density, when you peer into the thicket, you see the furry white form of a goat some 30 feet inward. You can also just barely make out what appears to be a hairy, knotted length of rope, tethering the animal to a small scrub brush. It paces back and forth in its enclosed space.
As you talk amongst yourselves, the goat's pained bleats suddenly erupt into full-fledged brays of fear.
Dashki frowns in the direction of the noisy goat, hardly pleased by its disturbance. "Bloody thing might scare off the pugwampi at this rate," he mutters, before looking to your group, "So, what you gonna do now?"
The hood turns towards Corneilious with a slow nod; "When I die, be with family." her voice small holding a note of sorrow. She turns and starts to pick her way into the spiny laden vegetation.
To Garruths words she replies; "I will." The tone soft and grateful for his concern, something few show in the harsh desert climate. 'Not too surprised, he probably expects everyone to be staring at my chest. But he has a good heart.'
Making a soft clucking sound to reassure the panicked goat as Ruika enters.
The spines gently catch the dark material, plucking at the strands of her dark cloak. She advances towards the goat looking for any injuries...
Eyes watching their surroundings, Alik attempts to calm the frightened animal. He slowly walks towards it with one hand outstretched making his way through the bushes. His other hand holds Freaksfire ready to swing at any opponent who attacks.
Alik makes a clicking sound with the roof of his mouth and tongue, hoping to soothe the goat's anxiety.
"Proceed with caution Alik. If I wee going to spring a trap, this is where I'd do it."
With the immense thicket obstructing your line of sight, it's all but impossible to see anything within the bush itself. You do not sense anything particularly out of the ordinary in the open area around you, either.
Alik's efforts seem to bare fruit - the goat's bleats gradually regress to their previous volume as it calms down.