"We were too late. I think it was Zorgg. The beast carried him off that way. There is too much blood here. There is no way he survived." She points off into the thick wood, indicating the path of the tiger as it carried something off. She shakes her head and turns away, heading to help set up the camp.
The many trees roots were exposed and pushed bricks and stonework outwards, creating a natural and very secure alcove. A perfect place for a den for wild animals. You don't see any movement yet, but you can definitely hear odd noises coming from in the den.
Target shook his head slightly, "Nah lass, we were fools to think that these ruins were safe yet. Wild life seems to have made this place home. It's just unfortunate they targeted the smaller ones." He knelt beside her, removing some bandages and began dressing any wounds his last spell did not. Luckily his spell stopped all the bleeding, but her wounds were not completely healed yet. "I'll tell the others to do some game hunting around here, try and secure the place a little. Maybe get some nice leathers at it." When he was done dressing any wounds he laid his thick calloused hand on Breewyn's shoulder. "Let's get ya back to the camp now. Can you walk?" He would carry her if she couldn't walk, but he didn't want to shame her by picking her up without asking first.
Jietin does a good job tracking the creature, leading them to the ruins. He frowns and narrows his eyes, weapon out. "Think we should go in?"
Tsakua eyes the ruins suspiciously.
He could see that there was more than one creature in there, but size couldn't be determined. He did know that there was one larger creature, and he didn't like the idea of charging into a dark room, not knowing what to expect. If they were lucky, whatever animals were in there would be sleeping. "Dunno. We may be outnumbered on this one, but we may be able to take care of all of'em at once." Tsakua began examining the crumbling ruin itself, hoping to find some way to collapse the building on whatever would be inside.
Breewyn looked up at Tar. "I- uh, I don't know. Let me try. She slowly shifted her legs under and stood up carefully. She winced some, standing on her shaky legs, only shaking more furiously. She stood straighter, moving a couple of steps, but when she stopped moving the severe shaking hit her again and she almost fell completely, leaning hard against Tar. She looked up at him, "I can walk a little, but I can't seem to stand well." she admitted, sadly. Her usual smile was nowhere to be seen, as she had almost seen her life flash before her eyes.
Tsakua pulls Iraldia and Jietin back, downwind of the den but still within sight. "Wait here, I'll get us some firepower. With any luck, we'll give Zorgg a funeral pyre he'd die for." Leaving with a grim chuckle, Tskaua hurried through the woods back to camp. Getting back to the campsite was easy, and now that he knew where he was going he could make it to the den quickly.
Stopping in the camp only to grab the barrel of gunpowder, supplies, and any other essential members of the party, he hurried as quickly as he could to get back to the den.
Octavian returned with Bree and the dwarf in time to see Tsakua making off with the last time barrel of explosive powder. He frowned as he let Targen down and eased Bree down with the help of the dwarf. Once that was finished he spurred Acteon and cut in front of the half orc. "Where do you think you are going with that barrel?"
Jietin has a grim look on his face. His life was snuffed out so quickly. Like it was meaningless, a random act of death. He exhales sharply and shakes his head. Life truly isn't fair. Anybody that says anything else is delusional. He leans on his polearm, standing guard at the front of the entrance should the tiger choose to leave early.
Tsakua looks up at Octavian, his face stormy. One arm was wrapped around the barrel of gunpowder, but on his free arm, his hand was tightening into a fist. For a moment, it seemed like all he was about to strike Octavian. Then, he looked up and grinned, his eyes bright as he set the barrel down.
"I've no desire t'talk with ye today, friend, and I've no time t'give ye the education ye've been beggin' fer these past days."
Reaching up, Tsakua pushed Octavian's foot out of the stirrup closest to him with one hand. With the wizard off balance on the horse, Tsakua grabbed Octavian's arm and pulled him sideways until he could grab both shoulders, throwing him off the horse, face first into the dirt.
"Ye can come and help us honor Zorgg, but ye'll not speak to me like that again," Tsakua tells Octavian. Speaking to Luca while reaching for the barrel, Tsakua added, "Keep our friend here, unless he decides he wants t'mind his manners."
Octavian picked himself up off the ground and dusted himself off. He stared at Tsakua and smiled slightly. "I'm not going to let you make an idiotic decision and waste a valuable resource on revenge. We've got a wagon full of weapons and more then enough people to start securing this area."
He stepped back out of Tsakua's range and raised a hand, swirling blue energy forming around it. Suddenly a glob of water appeared over Tsakua and the barrel and fell, rendering it useless and soaking the bully. "And I'm tired of people challenging me simply because they do not understand my logic or dislike me. Everything I do, I do for this group. Every thought I have, it's for this group. Find another way."
Tskaua felt the water hit his back. Grabbing the barrel, he dove forward, headfirst, holding the barrel in front him. Turning in the air, he landed on his shoulder, planting the barrel and using it as a pivot so he could tumble, supporting himself on one knee, the other foot firmly on the ground. Standing, he hefted the barrel.
"Ye're one t'talk of selfish plans and revenge. I respect yer strength and yer fight, and aye, even yer logic, disagree with it though I might." Glancing down at the barrel, Tskaua notice it was a bit damp, but not soaked. He, on the other hand, was covered in water. Looking up at Octavian, their eyes met.
"We've found the lair of the beasts, and 'tis not revenge we're after, though they took Zorgg from us. 'Twill make this place safer fer us all if we destroy the monsters in their lair. Or do ye wish t'risk the life of another of our party?"
"We only have one barrel of blasting powder and no way to make more. We have dozens of weapons and several fighters, channelers of divine magic and mages. Zorgg is dead and the animal that killed him did not do it out of maliciousness, it's just a hungry animal. Nothing we can do will bring him back and wasting a precious resource just so you can avoid a scratch is silly. We knew coming here that this might be a dangerous, dirty and hard job we have taken on ourselves. Would you use a trebuchet to kill a fly?" Octavian countered. Though he had been dumped into the dirt and threatened he couldn't seem to remove the smile from his face and just leaned on his spear.
He knew in a stand up fight that many of the caravaners could beat him senseless but that didn't mean he was afraid of them.
"Aye, if it were one of the beasts, then we'd not be usin' this, but 'tis more'n that, 'tis the lot of'em - 4 or 5 of'em by my count."
Then, with a grin, Tsakua set the barrel down. "And if 'tis more blastin' powder ye want, I've a place we can get more, and more t'join our company t'boot." Tsakua begins recounting his conversation with Briatha, about Black Mines and the bastion the humans planned on building.
"One barrel of powder won't get us inta a fort like Black Mines," Tsakua finishes, "but if we can rid ourselves of these beasts, we'll not need to leave as large a group when we head out t'raid the caravans and the mines fer more goods."
Picking up the barrel, Tsakua set it off to the side, then scratched a line in the dirt between him and Octavian with his foot. "If ye disagree, I'll not hold it 'gainst ye, but I'll not see ye waste yer precious resource out o' spite fer a plan ye didn't come up with. Any quarrel ye have wi' me c'n be settled between ye and me. Tsakua stood, his knees bent, muscles waiting like coiled springs. If there was going to be a fight, it'd be between him and Octavian, the other caravaners staying out of it.
"I'm not going to fight you idiot. Think with something other then your muscles for once!" Octavian snapped. "What else lies in these ruins? What other beasts lay in wait for us? Have you actually SEEN what lies in wait? Or are you basing this theory on your extensive knowledge of all the creatures in the forest to formulate this brilliant plan!?"
Octacian stepped further back away from the line and used Tsakua's move to throw a hand out and cast another blob of water on the barrel, thoroughly soaking it. With the brawler setting it to the side to square off some kind of fighting arena he had put the barrel out of his reach and would be unable to shield it again.
Once that was done Octavian threw his spear to the ground and boldly stepped forward, intentionally obliterating the line as he dragged his feet across. He held his open hands to the side, weaponless and defenseless. "Go ahead! Strike me down! Prove to all of us just how powerful you are, how you don't stop to think of anything beyond the moment! Break my teeth, blacken my eyes, snap my bones, shred my skin! The only way you will ever silence me is through death!"
The wizard was done with bullies and dictactors. He had been done with them for 20 years and NOTHING was going to scare him away ever again.
Diving once more, Tsakua grabbed the barrel just as the water was forming above it. The half-orc was now drenched, covered in mud, water, and leaves. "Aye, thinkin' with th'muscles may be all I c'n do, but 'tis thinkin' nonetheless! While ye'd throw yerself inta the pits of hell and drag us with ye, just t'prove ye're brave, or smart, or whatever ye've lost." The half-orc was starting to see red, and began to believe that Octavian was truly going insane. Standing again, and adopting a mocking tone, he called back at the enraged wizard, "Is it because ye didn't come up with a plan of yer own? Oh, it must hurt, knowin' ye c'n do nothin' fer the death of a loved one or friend!"
"Friend? What have you done other then belittle me, mock and insult me!?" Octavian shouted. He wasn't angry but was getting tired of people calling him amoral and unfeeling. He took several deep breaths to calm himself and stepped back to pick up his spear. From there he raised another hand that swirled with deep blue energy and cleansing waters. "I don't want to fight you Tsakua. I'm not a monster and I'm getting tired of being called that. Do you know what I plan for this place? I plan on using my abilities to craft adamantium picks and chisels. With those stone can be crafted at four times faster then steel tools. I plan on using the wood we can obtain to create homes. Farming, blacksmithing, building...with the tools we've got, we can do all of that!"
He reached into his robes and removed the scroll case he had found in the knight's belongings. Opening it up he pulled out the messages pertaining to the group the caravan was supposed to ally with as well as the rumors of what was supposed to lie deeper into the ruins. "Read these and maybe then you will understand some of my reasoning."
Breewyn was watching the exchange between the two of them. She bit her lip, speaking softly. "I don't feel like I have been treated like a tool..." She sniffled some, her eyes watering a bit. She buried her face into Tar's chest, not wanting to show she was crying. It wasn't long though before the wracking sobs began. She was muffled by Tar's body, her fists clenching Tar's tunic as she did so. I never wanted any fighting to come of my actions, it's all my fault. She hiccuped some as the tears flowed freely.
Tsakua takes the papers, eyeing them suspiciously. He stares at them, then back at Octavian, then back at the papers. Almost sheepishly, and grudgingly, he hands them back to Octavian. "Cn't read," he mutters. "When ye're a slave fer life, they don't care if ye c'n handle letters, only a shovel or a bucket, or the corpses of those that used t'work next to ye."
Looking up at the wizard, Tsakua stares him in the eye. "Ye wish t'lead us? Tis fine by me, and a strong leader we'll need for those fine dreams, but ye'll need to learn ye can't jest order us about."
Motioning to the camp, Tsakua continues "If ye wish t'lead, do ye know who ye're leadin'? Have ye talked with'em? I've not seen ye do much but order us about. And now ye command me t'understand yer reesonin'? Tis brave ye surely are, and since I can't read yer words, I'll listen to ye this once and we can decide from there. I'll hold my fists if ye hold yer magic, agreed?"
Seeing the group around them, Tsakua rolls the barrel over towards Bree and Tar. "We'll let the others hold the barrel, neither of us moving towards it. Idiot I may be, my honor I treasure above all. Afar Angathfark!" he finishes, holding out his hand to Octavian. This wasn't a handshake of recompense, rather a recognition between strong individuals, both willing to die for their convictions.
Ishak had been watching the exchange all along. Just keeping by in case things got too out of hand, but for a moment he it thought it would. Though luckily it was not seeming to be that case.
This argument good. Find structure. They should find it. Make them stronger. Ishak nodded his head to himself as he found a little rock that had tumbled from the ruins and crouched upon it, his tail flicking behind him as he continued to watch the two. He would only step in if the argument came to blows but he was pleased they were moving to work things out.
Kobolds often let the fights progress, letting it come to non-lethal blows if need be, but it was the way all Kobolds understood one another if their was a disagreement. Sometimes actions let words flow, sometimes confrontation helps the fracture settle and fill, mend to form a stronger bond.
The blue glow around his hand vanished as Octavian took the letter's back and shook Tsakua's hand. He understood the brawler's words and accepted that he also had much more to learn about the people of this new village. Stepping back he unrolled the letters fully and began to read loud enough that anybody trying to listen could hear it clearly.
King's Orders:
By this order of the gods above, I pass on to thee. You are ordered to travel north into the Brethan Mountains, guard a caravan leading to resupply the outpost. When you arrive at this outpost you are to take command and lead an expedition into the surrounding forests. There are ruins in these woodlands that must be explored and captured. There is an item I wish that the god's above have told me of. A gem that the gods had signed that I must have in my possession. This is of great importance that I can only trust in you Sir Nubric Longwood.
Knight's Journal:
By the kings orders I have been assigned to search the ruins of what lore I could find reference it as the "Lithurgarian Temple". It would be that this... temple holds artifacts that have not be unearthed in ages, maybe centuries before the High Kings reign and crusade. I'm eager to see what lays in wait that not even tomb raiders have been able to get through. There have been records of some groups going into the temple only to never be seen again. Is this a tomb more then a temple now? I have recruited several dungeon raiding specialists that should help me get passed any traps that may lay in wait for us. They are suppose to meet us at the outpost shortly after I arrive. I may send some of these slaves in our company as cannon fodder for the traps that may be solved by just throwing some flesh at it.
Once he was done reading the wizard looked around at the group gathered around him. "We stand in the bones of myth and legend and are being given a chance. Long ago there was a war called the Lithurgarian War that shaped the world as we know it. Many epic legends and myths surround this ancient war but little else is known about it. Somewhere in this ruin is a gem of power that the human emperor wants to get his hands on. We must claim it before he does or he will become all that more powerful."
Targen shook his head, a hand being placed on Breewyns head. The dwarf wasn't too sure of what was going on in the argument but it did not matter to him at the moment. He took the barrel with the other and set it to the side before turning his attention to the crying gnome. "Nah lass, if it wasn't you, it was gonna be another poor soul. You are not a tool and I'm not sure how you think that." He chuckled light heartedly, "A tool is used for working, like a pick or hammer." It was an attempt to cheer the gnome up but he wasn't that great at it. Though he continued to pay attention to the discussion unfolding before him.
The argument had gathered a few more of the caravan as they began to get curious as to what was happening. Gwendalla being among some of the spectators.
When the Kings orders were read aloud, it caused murmurs in the gathering crowd. Some of the group turned and looked at each other and frowned, Gwendalla looked particularly perturbed at the notion of the human tyrant becoming even more powerful.
Breewyn managed to calm down, and she was wiping her eyes as she listened to Ocatavian read the notes. She didn't know what kind of gem would give the king so much power, but she did know that if it did, then no non-human would be safe. When she finally managed to compose herself fully she turned see the reactions of the others, still holding onto to Tar's large calloused hand. Tar's hand in a way it comforted her, reminding her of a time long ago.
Tsakua thought for a moment before saying anything. "Seems there's nought but death 'round us. If we get this stone, that'll give the king more reason t'come fer us. We wait, we get caught by then comin' from behind. And, who knows what lurks in these trees?". Tsakua had started walking while talking, looking around the group. "These be lofty foes t'be set 'gainst," he went on. "And talk of farms and tools'll do little to soften the blows ahead."
While walking, Tsakua had been fiddling with something. Closer inspection would see it to be a dagger he had picked up from the wagon. "Ye've told is no plan yet, and I've heard no reasn'n t'stay my hand and do what I must.". Stopping, Tsakua stood in front if Octavian, dagger ready. There was silence for a moment as Tsakua stared at Octavian again. Then, suddenly, the dagger flashed, and blood dripped on the forest floor.
Tsakua raised his bloody palm in the air. "Tis no love lost between me and ye, Octavian. Expect no quarter from me, and give none in return. But if ye're t'lead us, we must be united, even as brothers," Tsakua proclaimed, eyes scanning the small group, "and sisters."
Turning back to Octavian, Tsakua offered him the dagger with one hand, and his bleeding palm, the other. "After all," he said, wry grin on his face, "blood is thicker than water."
Iraldia leaned back against the stones of the ruins, watching the fight. As it came to this resolution, she eyed the blood dripping from Tsakua's hand, "If we do this, we need to agree on a course of action. We must know what our goals are. Currently, we're facing the wrath of a dragon, the zealotry of a merciless king and his armies, and who knows what down there," she points below the ruins, "All we have done up to this point is make more and more enemies. That's not to mention the predators that have already attacked. We need a home and a community and it seems that every place we try to hold up is of interest to someone. I say we fortify this place, find whatever relic the tyrant wants as a bargaining chip, and learn how to defend ourselves in this place." She cut her hand with an arrow head and offered it.
Breewyn was watching Tsakua and Octavian with quiet anticipation, still holding Tar's hand. She looked back and forth between the two of them, listening to Tsakua, trying to gauge his emotions, his feelings. She gasped softly when he pulled the dagger and cut his hand to form a blood pact.
She then turned when she heard Iraldia speak up it caused her to jump a little from surprise. When did she get here? She thought in silent awe as Iraldia offered her own opinions on the matter. Watching her cut her palm as well, a kind of twisted smile tugged at Bree's face.
She muttered softly, barely audible to even Tar standing next to her, as she looked down at the ground, "That's not very sanitary..." She pushed on a loose stone in the dirt, kicking softly, as she frowned a little.
The wizard was amused by the brawlers tribal antics and watched in silence as Tsakua spoke. As the blade flashed across the half-orc's palm the wizard's eyebrows rose in surprise and wariness as the blade was turned in his direction. For a moment he shared Tsakua's stare as if trying to see directly into the man's soul while remaining completely still.
He slowly reached out and took the knife from Tsakua's hand before flicking the blade to clean it of blood. He slowly drew the very tip across the palm of his hand, glowing white blood beading up in the slight wound. He suddenly lashed out and slammed his cut palm onto Tsakua's and gripped it tightly.
"Thus do I swear an oath of blood, to you and ours will I ever bond, till darkness overtakes my soul will I ever relinquish, ultimate destruction will I face if my bond is broken." he said calmly. Releasing Tsakua's hand he handed the knife to the nearest person and waited.
Ishak watched and waited until Octavian accepted the gesture. A pleased chortle rose from him as jumped down from the ruined block he was perched upon. Walking up to the pair as the ritual was complete, he accepted the blade and turned it against his own palm. Thick crimson blood rose where the blade traveled.
He rose his hand up and spoke, quite coherently this time, "Ishak bonds with the group. Upon this blood oath, I swear my partnership as of my own clan. I will dedicate myself to the groups efforts." His eyes took a little blue glow to them as he spoke his words, taking his hand he smeared a bit of the blood onto his snout before reaching out to grasp first Iraldias hand into his own, locking eyes and giving a slight downturn of his head, "I fight with you". He would do this in turn with Octavian and Tsakua and then any others who wished to share in the moment.
The crowd had seemed to have waited until the wizard accepted the gesture of the half-orc. It was a moment that needed to happen, the solidifying factor of the entire group. By this time the rest of the caravan was there, watching it all unfold as the wizard slashed his palm, and gripped tsakuas. A murmur of agreement rose from the crowd of onlookers now. Targen being one of them.
The dwarf moved to accept the blade, making the same motions as everyone else before him. Drawing the blade across his palm he moved to accept a firm handshake from all those before him. "You have my heart, mind, body and soul. I will never falter and will be the stone that forms the base of this mountain!" He spoke out with a hearty tone. He would pass the blade to the next one.
All of them took the blade in turn, slashing their palms and reciting their own words of dedication, of acceptance, of trust. All of them vowing to begin this new life together, to support eachother and to give themselves a fighting chance against the humans. They will all commit to this new goal, to this new life. A new beginning.
Soft mewls rose up, questioningly. Cubs, and very young cubs at that were in the den.
Breewyn hobbled over, sighing softly as she watched everyone perform the blood oath. She looked at the knife, wincing, and then she merely unwrapped one of her tiger wounds and used that to make her oath. "Good thing the tiger helped, huh?" She gave a soft chuckle, then winced again, holding her side. She went over near the rock that Ishak had perched himself upon earlier and climbed carefully onto it, sitting and letting her legs swing freely.
Iraldia took Breewyn's hand firmly in hers, letting the blood smear in their palms. She held the gnome's gaze for a sincere moment,"By my blood, I swear to do my best to protect you.". The kitsune then dropped to a knee in and pulled out some loose strips of cloth to wrap around Breewyn's hand and other wounds.
"I'm glad I got to you in time. How are you holding up?" She applied what field medicine she could for the time being.
She looks up at Iraldia. "I've been far better to be honest." She gave her a weak smile. "Thank you again. If it weren't for you... She drifts off in thought before shivering and looking back. "Well I wouldn't be here." She grinned, and then looked around the caravan of all the others still making their blood oaths and pacts. She thought they were quite the gathering. Different kinds of people, young and old, men and women, all from different backgrounds and far off places. Can we actually overthrow the king? Maybe... Sometimes it was difficult, but she couldn't help but be hopeful for what their futures might hold.
Ira shakes her head, "You've saved my life already. I was returning the favor." She watched the gnome peer around, a glimmer of hope in the otherwise sad eyes. The kitsune recognized that look and knew how fleeting it was, "I have to be honest. I don't know what's going to happen now. The future has always been...a second thought for me. I've never been great at planning things through. But for the first time in a while, despite those we've lost and the wounds we've endured...I feel content. Content to have our kin so close, to not feel isolated." She sighed, "We have a duty now, to protect and help these people. We all will have our part to play. And I'm glad that you're still here to do so." Ira smiled, "Your wounds will heal but not if you don't rest." She calls over to a couple of the others and requests that they help Breewyn to a bed to recover, "try and get some sleep, hun."
After taking care of Breewyn, she puts out a call to some others who may want to hunt for some game and to collect wood for shelter and fires. Hopefully, with a few volunteers, they could nab some food and supplies.
It wasn't hard to grab a few volunteers top help gather firewood and everything else. Wood for a fire was easy to get, the game itself was sparse, but will help supplement all the food that was captured in one of the wagons. Small game such as deer, hares and other things were easy enough to find.
Breewyn nodded at Iraldia's request and followed those she called over. I could definitely use some rest. She then stumbled, almost falling, as the sudden fatigue kicked in. She didn't realize just how tired she was from her ordeal with the tiger and needed the help of others just to walk again. When they arrived at the place where beds had been set up she thanked those that had helped her. She then laid down looking up at the sky, feeling a little calmer as tiredness overcame her fiercely.
Tsakua clasped hands with all that would come forward, swearing his honor and life in their support. "Afar Angathfark, bin mog g'thazag cha."
As the rest of the party trailed back to the main part of camp and began going about their duties, some hunting, some setting up camp, Tsakua turned back to Octavian.
"We've different ideas on respect and how it's earned," he said. "That ye c'n fight, and well enough, I know, and ye've got the nerve t'continue on yer course."
The tall half-orc pondered for a moment, trying to find the words he wished to say. Well, neither of them were perfect. Who was he to expect the Ilidarian to be a perfect leader when he had his own flaws? "'Tis enough fer me." Unsure of what to say next, he waited to hear Octavian's response.
Iraldia and her hunting party, which consisted of two elves and one of the kobolds, along with Ishak. The group finds themselves surrounding by larger ruins, most of these have crumbled away, but you find a road that is still withstanding against the forest encroach. This road is at least thirty feet wide. Why would such a road exist? Who ever built it had a reason but that reason had ever since been lost to time.
The road went northwest towards the valley hills, climbing slowly through the tiers of the city as it slowly stepped up along the hill side. This road, if followed, would come upon a tunnel into the mountain range. This tunnel was as tall as the road was wide, along the walls and face of the tunnels old stonework clung to it, showing it was once fortified. To the right you can see a few ruined large buildings, with what looked like more ruined towers. Even this deep into the city you find the forest just as thick as where the caravan was.
The tunnel looked like it went deep into the mountain side as all you could see was about only 40 feet in before pure blackness blocked any sight.
The hunting party seemed a little uneasy. Something seemed to hold you there, something pulling you closer and closer to the tunnel.
Ishak was a little in awe with what they stumbled upon. The instinct in him was to explore the tunnel and go deeper into the ruins, but something stayed him. He glance uneasily to Iraldia then the rest of the group that went hunting with her.
"Uh... Something not right. We should go back. Away from this place..." He spoke in a low tone, feeling eyes watching him with ill intent. They were crossing in somethings territory and it felt like they were in some danger.
He could feel something pull at him but he did not move, in fact he took a step away from the entrance of the tunnel. "Come... it's getting dark..."
He only hoped the others wouldn't be snared by whatever was trying to convince them into the dark tunnel.
Jietin comes back into camp looking mighty put off. "What the hell Tsakua, I had to leave them tigers alone!"
Ira felt the chill, but only attributed it to the feel of something tugging at the back of her mind. It coaxed her to come forward, to enter the darkness beyond. She straightened, her keen eyes searching for some sign of the threat but saw none. The tracks...something went in and something came out, but she wasn't sure that she wanted to know what. She leaned back, trying to resist the pull, unsure if she could.
"Then tis yer own fault fer not followin' the huntress back, grampa. Yer ears must be gettin' hard of hearin'." Giving his usual, friendly joshing, Tsakua quickly realizes that this is no time to be teasing Jietin. He explains to the tiefling what had transpired among the group, from his initial tussle with Octavian, through the wizard's goals, to the swearing of the blood pact. Finishing his tale, Tsakua reopens the cut on his hand before offering the dagger to Jietin.
"It's as ye said the other day. Wwe've a need to stay t'gether or die alone."
Jietin scowls. Another bout with the wizard. He's too proud for his own good. "Aight then, suppose there's no point gnawing on old bones. I'll help you out with this."