Rumble in the Jungle: GM of the Ape's Serpent's Skull (Inactive)

Game Master R0B0GEISHA

Ferratal stepped back. He crawled through the brush, making only a few rustlings. When he was far enough back, he stood and run the remaining quarter mile to where Marenya stood.

"Four visible. Two patroling, two stationary."

Marenya nodded at the report. She quickly pointed and motioned to several of the other elves. They split off and disappeared into the thick growth of the jungle. Six remained, including Ferratal and Marenya. Marenya looked at each of the others in turn. They each responded to the wordless question with a bare nod. Finally Marenya turned to Ferratal, "Stay hidden. Watch." Ferratal nodded. He had been lectured long on this and knew how important Marenya found it. Ekujae began their training as scouts. If he did well, he may be alowed to progress to warrior, but seeing comes first.

They slowly crept back to the edge of the cleared area. Ferratal stayed and watched as the others slowly made their way into the compound as previously planned. Things seemed fine at first. Ferratal watched in awe as one guard then another fell with no alert being called. That was when he saw the troop sneaking out a door and around one of the buildings behind Marenya's group. To Ferratal's growing horror, Marenya did not see the guards.

Ferratal stood and yelled, "Behind you! He had not realized he'd decided to join the fight until he was halfway across the field with a branch in hand. Ferratal through the stick aside and pulled his belt knife out, though he was barely trained in its use.

He yelled, and let that yell propel him forward. He could see other Ekujae charging towards him, though in this battle haze he couldn't distinguish who. Ferratal was faster. He clashed with the men of the Aspis Consortium and found himself quickly outmatched. A sharp pain in his wrist. A dagger thudding to the dirt. More yelling. More men. The rash bravery Ferratal had felt crossing the field left quickly as he found himself drowning in this battle.

Though he could not follow how it had all happened, Ferratal found himslef shepherded into one of the buildings, bruised, bleeding and confused. The heat that assaulted Ferratal did not help and he nearly passed out--he guessed it would probably be the second or third time. The men carried him a little farther then threw him to the ground. Ferratal heard a clang and snap. He tried to stand up, but hit his head on the cold iron bars above him. The sounds of fighting and the light through the windows began to swirl and fade again. One thought swirled with his head, I'm in a cage.

******

Ferratal woke it had been many years since he'd dreamed of his capture at the hands of those foul people. The Aspis Consortium had kept him and worked him hard--likely harder than any of his masters since. Anger filled him again at the thought, but he dropped his arms, deliberately pushing the anger away. He looked through the window, a dim light just followed the edge of the horizon. It would be another hour before the sun peaked over those hills and Ferratal was expected. He began to dance. Though he moved fairly fast, he was careful with the placement of his hands, feet and the way in which he moved, drawing power from the ground to the end of his fingertips, allowing him to put the full force of his body into a single touch. His mind drifted, almost as if he were dreaming, but this time it was peaceful drifting. He could hear Old Man--he never let Ferratal call him anything other than that--teaching Ferratal this dance, and how it could be used to great effect in a fight. Ferratal could smell the wood as he carved at the walking stick, bringing it into balance so he could use it as a weapon. He could see Tolanya, the elf he had fallen in love with, then been separated from when he'd been sold. He could taste the salt of the sea as he worked on one ship after another at the bequest of his most recent Masters. Things flashed through his mind in seemingly random patterns. He took note of all, and judged none.

After some time Ferratal finished his dance. The sun was just starting to reach over the hills. It was time to go.

Ferratal walked out the door and down the stairs. He stood straight-backed in the corner, waiting. After some time Master Woolworth finally approached him, "A ship called the Jenivere is leaving tomorrow. You will be taken to it, and that is where you will work till you've reached Eleder. They will turn you over to our offices there."

Ferratal nodded. He went back to pack his few small belongings then came downstairs again. Master Woolworth simply pointed to two men in the door. Ferratal followed into the overbright morning.