"No argument there, Teniel." Mlinzi replies. "This may be a big confusion, but they did attack us unprovoked while we were trying to sleep, so I think it's fair that we get to keep their weapons. Still, maybe if we can convince them we're friends, we could bargain with them for supplies."
Tavros nods, pleased that he was correct in his interpretation of the goat's behavior.
"Did we want to leave them here or take them back to their village?
"I'd prefer back to their village. There's a good chance they'd take anyone they downed from our companions home, so we can 'exchange prisoners' as it were, and return all of them home!" Makoto suggests, tails flitting excitedly.
At the suggestion that they feed the now-prisoner, Miyu snatches up a fish in his muzzle and carries it over to the goatling. It's somewhat blackened by the fire, but if the goatling sheers off the scales (Or doesn't mind eating it whole), it should be moist on the inside.
The goatling takes the offer of food solemnly and actually somewhat reverently, and eats some of it, not much, perhaps because it isn't part of its regular diet, but maybe it doesn't want to offend.
Maks nods encouragingly as the goat eats and then takes a bite, herself, from another fish.
Swallowing, she asks the group, "I should probably finish patching us up, then we can finish resting. Do we want to patch the goats up, or just leave them stable?" Then she takes another bite.
"I say heal 'em. Wounded and unarmed, they shouldn't pose much of a threat to us, and it'll be easier for us to transport them if they can walk. Plus, it might show that we don't mean them any ill will." Mlinzi points out, collecting javelins, spears, and quivers from the prone goatlings. "Shame about the big guy, though. We should have him carried back to wherever these guys came from so they can give him a proper funeral."
Silently, he sends up a quick prayer to Nethys for the soul of the departed goatling.
Maks would wait for rebuttal (haha, goats) before doing the healing thing. She'd make sure if she did heal them to take their time waking each individually, so that the situation would be understood.
"I'd be careful—they could lead us into any sort of trap—but without their weapons, I think we can handle them in another fight, and the prisoner exchange is an important point."
"Maybe if we found someway to tie them up with vines in case they try something?"
The group heals up nicely, away from the fallen goats. The goatling watches you curiously as your wounds wash away. At one point it bleats "Blaa-kasha."
Ok, that goatling is healed to full, and appears relived/thankful.
During his watch Mlinzi attempts to teach the goatman how to play Mancala. He may not be the most charismatic person in the group, but he knows that showing kindness and bonding with this one should help build trust.
Makoto will rest and recenter... she spent a lot of energy on that fight. Effectively all of her healing, in fact. Once she's energized once more, she'll see if anything has come to her on how to make things work a little better.
During her something-akin-to-meditation, she spends a bit of time conversing with Miyu in a hushed voice. They seem to be speaking about her innate chakras, and using them to enlighten others.
The group spends time at the camp. It is still very early morning, and some of you go back to sleep or rest, and others tend the fire. Mlinzi continues to work with the goatling, who seems reluctant at first, but eventually curiousity gets the best and it tries to communicate. The mountain air is still quite cold, and there will be the issue of food soon enough.
After meditating on what Miyu had said, the two sit in quiet contemplation for a few hours... whether they are sleeping or simply lost in thought is anyone's guess.
Near the end, Miyu bursts into flame, and when the white flames die down, his fur has thickened considerably.
"Yes... this will do nicely." he says, as he heads off into the woods to attempt to find food for the goats (staying nearby; he kinda has a leash).
Makoto moved to sit in front of the goatling, the flaming rune still dancing over her Ajna Chakra.
One of her hands moves up above her head, to rest two fingers on her crown. Activating her Sahasrara Chakra, and speaks in Celestial once more. ["Unity"]
She moves up to the goat, the two fingers still held up, and leans down in front of him. She motions to herself, then to her hand, then him, asking if she can touch him by way of pantomime.
If able Lucina would spend her watch practicing her unarmed strikes, it's been a long time since she'd fought a real person before and it had shown in the last fight and if they really where going to save Goodwin there was likely a lot more fighting ahead of them.
She would try to talk either to whomever was on watch with her or just aloud as she trained."We'll need real armor if we're going to survive many more of those, we took too many hits."
"Yeah... or we'll need everyone to stand behind Mlinzi."
"On the upside, if Makoto can translate for that goat now... he can teach us their language properly, which will help me, at least, unnerve any more we're forced to fight."
The group spends some time working through what they have learned since their arrival. Not long after the initial battle Jovar and several others from Tolheimia's camp stop by to make sure everyone is ok. They don't stay long but relate that their group had an exceptionally large battle, but suffered no fatalities. They also are working to communicate with some of the goatling captives. They move on after learning the group has things well in control and are happy to convey any communications to the other groups if you are willing.
Their group was composed of (in addition to Jovar the Homunculous):
Ania, also a Goodwin golem, often considered Tolheimia's 'little sister' although such familial relations make little sense for the created race.
Borthas a Boggard sorcerer and ranger
Klimdon a skinwalker, Werebear, a powerful melee combatant
Shiepas a Mite, quiet and reclusive, but skilled sneak rogue
"Definitely keep us apprised." she nods to the others. "And we're happy to share what we learn. We were lucky and unlucky to find civilization so quickly."
"If the others were attacked that means the goat's force has to be huge but it's good to hear the others made it out fine."
"Don't know if I'd call this "civilization" or just tribes. But I think I have some experience dealing with a primitive forest culture, and we'll keep you informed as we learn more."
Mlinzi makes sure to tell Jovar to greet the others for him, and sends instructions for how to make the pine needle tea, and its importance in warding off disease. He's not sure how useful it will be anymore, now that they've made contact with something resembling civilization, but he'll feel better knowing everyone has that information.
He spends some time alone, meditating and practicing various martial arts forms, and after a few hours, he feels stronger and more capable than he's ever been in his life.
Jovar notes all the information with its emotionless demeanor. The group leaves and moves on south along the shoreline.
"Let's talk to the goatling, then. Maybe he'll be willing to act as a translator for us to the others. If they have a simple written language, I can mirror written words in the air, which might help them believe we're saying what we're saying."
The goatling accepts the Share Languages spell.
"You can understand me, now... right?" Makoto asked, tilting her head, ready to move backwards if he acted out at the sudden revelation that she'd taught him a language by touching him.
"Right, then. Who are you, where are we, and why did your people try to murder us in our sleep?"
Makoto looked to Teniel, eyes narrowed at him. Which was rather comical, since shew as a fox, and it just made her look more pleasant. Then she turned her attention back to the goatling.
"What my rude friend is trying to say, is 'My name is Teniel, it is a pleasure to meet you, why did you try to kill us?'. Oh, and I'm Maks, this is Teniel," she motioned to each in turn, "Lucina, Tavros, Mlinzi, Pamburu, Miyu, and Sora. Teniel's other friend is somewhere, but I haven't kept track of them."
"They did try to murder us in our sleep," Teniel points out to Makoto in Celestial, "Polite barbarians are supposed to threaten you to your face before they kill you for trespassing. And I think they're expecting us to act at least a little scary, deadly as we are."
Makoto takes the time to respond to Teniel in Celestial,
The goatling looks back and forth and replies. "Our people come to this lake yearly to do battle and participate in the Ceremony of the Lake. This year we discovered your fires and knew that our ancestors had sent spirits to test us in our skills of battle, stealth and cunning. Sadly we now realize we were mistaken, and did not know you were flesh and blood. Our shamans collected us at a central camp and we kept quiet until the early dawn, a fortuitous time. We attacked but have failed and the spirits of our ancestors will look poorly upon us."
The goatling asks "Where are you from. It seems odd now that you are not spirits and come here with nothing to sit at this lake." His eyes narrow, "Is this another test?"
Maks's tails tuck slightly. "No, we are definitely of flesh and blood. It is possible that your ancestors sent us, all the same... but I do not speak for them, nor am I a test." she acknowledges. "There are many questions that we have. If you do not mind, Teniel already asked of where we are, and who you are. I would like to add to that list a few of my own: Are our other companions safe? Once you found that we were made of flesh and blood would you have stopped before you killed us? What is the consequence of failing your ancestors, if indeed that is what has happened?" she looks to the others, giving them a chance to ask their own questions.
The goatling seems to have a good rapport with Makoto. Whether its the aura she eminates or good luck or perhaps the goatling is as curious about the group as they are of it.
"We live in the valley below this mountain area in the mountains and hills. We come to these lands occasionally, but they are for the most part wild, no one else lives in this plateau. Our people keep to the alpine regions, although we sometimes battle with the humans and other races downriver. They have better weapons, like you do, and often we lose, but we are skilled in battle so we retain our lands. We have an uneasy truce. We are a proud people and do not shy from battle or death. If we show fear or cowardice, our ancestors will punish us with weak sons and daughters. But, if this is not a test, then I cannot tell, only the shamans will know, or Golden Ram."
"I can only guess at the outcomes of your companions. If you are all as powerful then perhaps our brothers have lost as well."
He adds as an afterthought, "I am Bowki."
"Tolheimia's group already checked on the others so they should be fine, Would you take us to your shamans? We aren't invaders but we are lost and in need of help and maybe we could help with the peace talks once we get adjusted?"
Teniel thinks before chipping in. "Our home is lost, and we fled here—it may be fair to say we came from the sky, but started on the ground. Of all our companions, we were the most interested in seeking peace and trade in this unfamiliar area—if your brothers met the others, they may have fared far worse than your company did."
"We can heal the others' wounds, if you think you can keep them calm, though you should understand that we must hold on to your weapons for now. We would be willing to bring you back to your people, though it would be wise to first learn what happened to all the others."
Tavros nods politely when Makoto points to him. His ears then perk up as the goatman is speaking. "Golden Ram? Who is Golden Ram?" He wonders briefly if he could use 'Silver Bull' as his stage name once his dancing career picks up.
"What is this 'Ceremony of the Lake'? Does it involve dancing?" Almost as an after thought, he adds. "I could help carry your friends back to your camp if you want."
"It does appear there has been some confusion and misunderstanding. Our people are very battle minded. Everyone fought bravely today so there is no shame in the outcome. If your homes are lost, perhaps we can see you from this valley to a new place. Where was your home?"
"We can return to our base camp and you can speak with our leaders there. I am sure that my brethren would thank you for healing their wounds, and it makes sense to hold our weapons, although I am never truly unarmed."
"Golden Ram is our chief, the most famed and skilled warrior and wise leader. The ceremony does involve some dancing, have you some knowledge of it?"
Maks provided a big doggy grin to the fact that he was asking Tavros if he knew anything about dancing... and then moved over to wait near the comatose goats, tails swishing, waiting to make sure everyone was ready before she started to awaken the goats. It would be much better to get done with the questions before waking the others, after all.
"We... are all performers, of a sort."
"Makoto, would you like to wake up the others? Your healing seems the most efficient."
Mlinzi remains quiet, listening as the others ask questions and the goatling responds. Just as it seems the others are ready to leave, the Vanara speaks up. "We're sorry about killing your friend Bowki. We didn't know what was going on, and we were trying to protect ourselves. We can help carry him back to your village for burial if that is your custom."
"Please make sure they know that we don't mean them any harm right now... and we're not a test of strength. Perhaps more a test of compassion."
A slow grin starts to spread over Tavros' face. "Yes. I dance." While his words are simple, he almost seems to be humming with excited energy. He starts to fidget, clearly eager to reunite this goatman with the rest of his clan (and completely oblivious that they might not take too well to the group. After all, they've made peace with Bowki, so clearly they're done fighting all the goatment, right?).