The tribe has gathered together above ground from the den, getting together the child, a makeshift cart to carry her in, and a hardy dire weasel to pull her along, as well as the rest of the group's supplies. Kobolds yip and yap in Draconic as they debate, argue and collude on the wisdom of this venture. None dare speak out against it though; Athraaz has yet to be wrong, and to question him would be borderline treasonous.
Speaking of the wrinkled old kobold, Athraaz calls the group together on the side of the main congregation. Pulling them in, he taps at the ground with his staff, speaking in raspy Draconic. "I can't stress how crucial this child's survival is; it's not just her future that's important, it's her very blood." Athraaz pointed at the infant calmly being loaded into the little wagon, seemingly calmed down and more interested in taking in all the sights of the kobolds around her.
"She's got our blood in her; dragon's blood." he said grimly, emphasizing her importance. "I can't say how, but she does, and it's potent. She needs to be delivered to the bigger races; they should know what to do with her. Follow the river north through the forest until you reach the fork in the waters. From there, head to the west, through Argithul's territory; it's not ideal, but it's the fastest way to the human village. Oh, and one last thing..."
Athraaz reaches into his cloaks and pulls out a set of red kobold scales, pierced through with leather loop. "Take these; they're scale tokens. I've tried to replicate the 'feather tokens' those bigger races make... and I've succeeded! (...mostly.) They're magic! I made them to try and help us with digging tunnels, but they're only able to move a little earth at a time. Still, they should be useful. Keep them handy, you never know when they'll help." Handing them to each kobold, Athraaz stands back, pulling his wrinkly scales into a smile.
A scarred kobold with a solid physique steps forward. His eyes show little emotion as he speaks.
"Noble elder." He calmly states with a deep bow.
"I, Gurlzick, would be honoured to take up this task. I have fought and lived in the forest for many months and may be of some service to the tribe in this task."
The kobold draws himself back up to his full height and casts a glance at the child. He emits an instinctive low growl in spite of himself but quickly clears his throat as he recognises his lapse.
"The child will be returned to its tribe safely. I vow it."
"Thank you, sir. I won't let you down!"
Don'tlethimdowndon'tlethimdownDON'TLETHIMDOWN! No, its okay. I've got this. Just calm down, Jayik. BREATHE.
Draz scurries forward and ducks his head as he accepts his scale token. As usual, 'the Hatcher' is swaddled from head to toe in a wide cloak with a hood, his hands, feet and tail (the only parts of him that project out from under the dark cloth) lightly wrapped with bandages.
"I obey, Honoured Elder," he yaps, his posture subservient. "Draz will take care of the mammal hatchling until it -- she? -- can be handed over to her kinfolk. I obey."
Ducking his head again, 'the Hatcher' scurries off to the cart, to make sure the 'mammal hatchling' is being handled correctly, and to clamber in with her once she has been secured.
'Dragons... Always sleeping around with the other races. It doesn't surprise me so much that this hatchling could have dragon's blood in it. It happens with us, so why not with mammals? The blood sleeps, it slumbers, and then it suddenly wakes up for reasons of its own.'
The Hatcher is careful not to say any of that out loud; he is despised enough already. Instead, he quietly -- and very carefully -- tickles the hatchling under her chin and makes a purring noise at her. 'Hopefully, this works as well with mammals as it does with Kobold hatchlings...'
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Draahzin attends the meeting dressed in his salvaged scale armor and listens to the debates. Hearing the girl has Dragon Blood he sees the child with more interest than just a tasty meal. Dragons after all are sacred beasts to the Kobolds and thus someone descended of the dragon is to be respected.
Draazhin gives a bow when the elder addresses him and says, "Draahzin Greyscale of the Dragon Order is at your service great Athraaz. There is honor in defending a heir of the Dragon and I shall do my best to see to the child's safety on this journey. I shall make sure that the child is delivered to a worthy human who would best nurture the child for greatness."
Draahzin thinks to himself, 'A task such as this could bring great respect from the Dragons. Such shall be a moment of glory for our tribe. The great Dragon Gods shall give great favor by protecting one of their spawn.
Draahzin gives a grin on his face looking forward to this adventure.
Zapzap lurked on the edges of the gathering, fingering the hilt of her sword. She eyed the child, found it more or less boring and pink, like most humans, and then piped up.
"Take Zapzap." Never one to over embellish her speech Zapzap shouldered her way closer, jaw set.
Late to the scene as ever, Sidgiwick scrambles to catch up with the group, having said his goodbyes and packed everything he could conceive of being useful into Bentham's saddlebags, the scruffy kobold philosopher and his scruffier dog come to pay their respects to the tribal elder and take their leave.
"Farewell everyone. I know we will do our best. I am honored to be given this task. This is a great opportunity for our tribe, and we will make it clear to the humans that we kobolds deserve to be respected members of the greater community. We will rise to greatness through this simple and generous act of kindness; not to mention the greatness to come from a good relationship with this dragon-blooded human as she grows in power and wisdom."
Sidgiwick guides Bentham to follow the dire weasel as he waves goodbye with a big grin on his face, having never felt such excitement, nor had he ever suspected his fellow kobolds capable of such good; he's swelling with eagerness and pride as he follows everyone out.