The lizardwoman takes a step back as Saph approaches. When she explains that they are headed upstream to fix the water supply, the skittish reptilian takes a nervous step into the shallow water of the edge of the stream. She nervously asks, <So, you will kill whatever fouls your water?>
Hedy holsters her pistol. "Sounds like we are close to an accord. Ask them about what is up the river. What is it that is fouling the water?"
Sapphire can see the lizard-woman is ready to bolt. She turns to Hedy—and notices she’s holstering her weapon. “Or she’s close to bolting—but yes, Cap’n, holstering your weapon is a huge help. She’s clearly not a coward. I have a suspicion of what’s fouling the water, which explains her nervousness. I will try to calm her and get an answer.”
Saph’s tone is gentle, and the concern in her voice is genuine. <Please don’t run away. You see the captain already put her weapon away. But I suspect it isn’t your own life you are running for. It’s your children, isn’t it?—your unborn people. I’m only guessing, but… am I right? Is it your people’s eggs fouling the water supply?
<If it is, we’ll find a solution that keeps them safe.>
<But we have to work together, okay? If you know what’s fouling the water, please tell me. If it’s eggs, or anything or anyone you care about, then let me help find a solution that causes no harm.>
<The ocean is fouling your water...> the lizardwoman answers with a mixture of fear and sadness. <We are taking part of the river to make a home for our queen... without it the ocean is coming towards us, farther than it ever has before.>
Saph relaxes. <Then you have nothing to fear.>
She translates the exchange and says to Hedy, “I don’t know how the ocean can foul a river, but I believe she’s being honest with us.
“I also am beginning to think that lizardfolk see us the way humans who wrote history books see them.
“Anyway, I’d like to tell her we want to go upriver and see for ourselves, and promise no harm to their people. Y’know… standard safe passage deal.”
"The ocean is fouling... saltwater, I assume." The raven-haired captain worries this task isn't going to be that straight forward. "If they don't attack us, we won't attack them." she says, adding a for now in her head.
Saph tries to get everyone moving upriver again. “Safe passage is easier if she walks with us. If you don’t object, Cap’n, I’d like to walk upfront alongside her. There’s gotta be more to it than the ocean.”
If Saph has any guesses about how the ocean could naturally foul water that’s upstream—or whether rerouting a river could temporarily dirty the water, she’ll share her knowledge.
She speaks to the lizard woman:
If the lizard-woman agrees to walk and talk, Saph lets the others know we’re ready to move, then continues her Draconic conversation.
<We only need to go upriver and do what we need to get clean water to the villagers. That shouldn’t interfere with you getting water to your queen.
<I am curious about how the ocean is affecting the river so far inland. Is there something more we should know? You asked earlier if we were going to kill whatever fouls the water. Well, I am a pretty formidable fighter, but I can’t defeat the ocean.>
What Saph is really wondering is: do the lizard people have an enemy from the ocean? Do they want our help? Saph would help, and suspects Hedy would agree to it if the end result is completing the job and getting paid.
Saph’s no pacifist. She just wants the guy on the wrong end of her fist to deserve a beating.
"stay sharp everyone. Sounds like we'll have to go through their village before we know what we're dealing with. A village full of Us eaters. Better to get through with words if we can, but be ready with blood and fire if we need otherwise." Hedy's pep talk was spoken quietly as Saph distracts the lizard woman.
Everyone worked on farms where Vadoma had grown up, including the daughter of the local chandler, therefore Vadoma had a fairly good idea of what they were talking about once she heard the translated conversation. "If the trouble is brackish water I think I know a way to solve it. But I will need to look at the area first."
The lizardwoman remains skittish, and won't allow the blue-skinned woman within arm's reach of her. When Saph draws near, she actually moves into the water. She doesn't swim off (yet) but moves through the water, ten feet from shore, matching the party's pace as they begin to move forward again. <It is the ocean that fouls your water,> she insists, <but it comes because we are stealing part of the river... You will not kill us for it though? You said you will work with us to fix your water and do us no harm...>
"Looks like a real problem. Well if'n they mind their manners this could go good, else I gotta sharp axe."
Saph says to the lizard woman, <I meant every word. I always tell the truth, if for no other reason because I’m usually the only blue-skinned person in town. If I’m a blue-skinned liar, my reputation will spread faster than I can travel, and no one will take me seriously. I’d rather be known for meaning what I say.
<The woman who spoke believes she will know what to do once she sees how the river was split. Until then, please understand that I respect you. I won’t hurt you, nor will any of your people be punished for ‘stealing’ part of the river. I do wish you’d walk beside me so your warriors will see we are communicating… but if you prefer I keep this distance, I’ll give you that space.
<Call me by name when you’re okay with me coming closer. ‘Sapphire’ will do.>
Saph translates the gist of what she said to the lizard-woman, though she refrains from translating the call-me-‘Sapphire’ bit. Maybe it’s clear she’s trying the get the lizard-woman to relax enough that her warriors won’t see a party of six following an intimidated woman. That could undo everything, she fears.
Hedy gives Vadoma a grin "Excellent then. You will be the teacher, Saph the speaker, the scaley ones can be the labor, and the rest of us will supervise." she says, knowing though that it is unlikely to work out that way. Still it is a nice idea.
We're pirates, not engineers! Murillo dutifully trudges forward through the jungle at the end of the line. These lizards better prove worth all the trouble.
The pirates trudge along with the lizardwoman swimming to their right for another twenty or so minutes when suddenly she swims forward quickly then stands up and waves her spear. A trio of lizardmen emerge from the jungle a hundred feet from the party and she calls out, <These scaleless ones have promised to fix the river without harming us!>
The lizardmen turn and converse too quietly for the group to hear, then slip into the river and begin swimming upstream and towards the other bank.
Saph translates the lizard-woman’s words verbatim. “I didn’t catch their reply, but it sounds like the woman with us wants the river fixed, and to avoid carnage.
“Captain, I’m happy to take point so I’m the easiest target if I’m misreading the others’ reaction, but I think as long as we don’t show signs of hostility, we can get the paying job done without a fight, and with free labor following Vodama’s instructions as you said.”
She says to the lizard-woman, <If your people start pointing weapons at us, turn their attention to me and help me keep everyone calm.> She translates what she said to common, adding to Hedy, “You understand if we ever one day raid a slave ship, I won’t work this hard to keep the peace unless you order me to.”
Unfazed by the additional lizardfolk, the party continues upstream. Passing by a handful of small tributaries, the river begins to narrow. The bank also begins to widen and there are signs that the water level is abnormally low. Nearly an hour after encountering the other lizardfolk the party rounds a bend and the cause of the problems comes into view: the river forks where a large tributary joins the main branch of the river and just downstream of their juncture heaps of wood, stone, and earth have been pilled into a makeshift dam, a hundred or so feet across. There is some water spilling over the dam or around its sides, but clearly nowhere near the volume that would normally pass through here.
"Right. So, where's the flood?
At first glance Vadoma can't figure out what the problem is but after looking at the structure for a few minutes she gets the issue sorted out. "Most likely further up stream. Ask her if the eggs right behind this dam."
Saph helps Doma figure things out, if she can.
In addition, she says to the lizard woman, <I believe I was mistaken about eggs being in this water, but the woman just asked me. If there are eggs of your young behind this dam, please let me know so we can fix the water problem without causing tragic accidents.”
<We lay our eggs on land...> the lizardwoman answers, <they would not be hot enough underwater, and they might drown when they hatch...>
Looking around slightly nervously, she adds <you will fix the river from here?>
Saph says, <I am certainly strong enough to handle what labor is needed, but the woman who asked of the eggs is the expert… and the bearded man as well, it seems. Let me ask. We may need to move further upstream to solve the problem.>
Saph translates the lizard-woman’s reply and likewise will translate any words to the lizard woman…
…and words from her.
In addition, she says, “I’ve wrestled in mud, so don’t let my clean clothes fool ya. If you need me to do some hard labor due to the lack of lizardmen, I’m ready to finish the job and collect.”
Murillo looks over the lizardfolks' handiwork.
"Captain, this dam's the damn problem, and it's obviously here on purpose. Regardless of what this one says," he motions at the lizardwoman, "I'll bet you my hat if we tear it down now they'll just rebuild it - right after butchering us for our troubles."
"Sapphire. Getter to tell us what the dam is floodin. Why do they need the dam?"
Saph nods. <I understand your people wanted to get water to your queen to build a new home. And… now you asked me if we can fix the river from here. So I have a question for you.
<Do your people still need water redirected to your queen, or have you already built her new home and no longer have that need?
<If we can just make the river as it was, then I believe we can—as you said—fix the river from here. I just want to make sure we do not take the dam down, only to cause problems that result in your people rebuilding.>
Hedy frowns at the damn "Aye, why build the damn... Damn. What's does this 'Queen' need it for? They did build it right?" she talks as she waits for Saph to ask the questions. "If the lizard's built it, we could still blow it to pieces, and it'll take them long enough to rebuild we'd get paid anyway... but next time we need ole Rickety he'd be soured for sure..." she pauses "We could try killing enough of the builders they'd find a wit or two about them to leave off this place for good. But we don't know how many of fighters this tribe has."
She shakes her head "Cream, go look and see what's past this heap of dirt and sticks." the owl pecks the side of her head once hard, but flies off. "Talking is still our best bet until we know more."
The lizardwoman grows agitated. <No,> she pleads, <if you break the dam the queen will punish us, and make us rebuild it again. Without it her homes will dry out. You fix the river here, without breaking the dam.>
The translation has Hedy's interest. "Ask her more about this 'queen', dear Master Linquist of ours."
Saph translates, posing the question to Vadoma.
She then says to the lizard woman, <Tell me something about yourself. Specifically I’m asking… are you a slave? There’s no shame in that. I used to be a slave myself.
<I mean no disrespect if this queen is someone you’re loyal to. But please, be honest with me. Your queen will never know what words you said to me, and I think you’re a better person than a queen who would punish you for something that wouldn’t be your fault.
<Know that I was loyal to my master. I accepted my place, until I had a chance at freedom. It all started with an honest conversation.>
<I’d like to tell you about the conversation, but it’s a story I will only share with a fellow slave. So, are you one?>
The lizardwoman weighs her words carefully, then answers, <our queen became queen by force. She killed our shaman, who used to guide us, and told us that we follow her now. We are not bought or sold like slaves, but we must obey our queen or we are punished.>
Saph says, <Close enough. Let me translate this to my captain. And bear in mind, I am true to my word.>
After translating. “Hedy… I like this girl. How about we f&#& up the dam and the damn queen?”
Vadoma looks over the dam as she listens to the conversation. Hearing that the Queen will punish the lizard lady gets her attention. "Hold on, she declared herself Queen? Gave your people no choice? I can appreciate a show of force but the idea that she did it without the backing of the tribe is wrong. We take the dam down, after that this one at least, " Vadoma points to the lizard lady who has been their guide for this odd unofficial expedition, "gets to decide if she stays or goes."
"That definitely makes things easier... in a way at least. The Queen took it by force... is she a normal lizard? Has magic? Just a great warrior? Find out more." she tells Saph.
To Vadoma "I agree" then to her and the others "So options and thoughts? We could hack the damn open, then hide until people come looking, could be lucky enough it is the queen herself, but doubts there." she shrugs. "If nothing else we'd have a good shot to widdling down their numbers. Option two go in and kill her, either with the deception of 'talking' or hard and fast, hoping the confusion does the job before we take off her head." the raven-haired captain looks about to her officers and the newbies to see if there are preferences or other options.
When Saph relays the captain's questions, the lizardwoman shakes her head and replies, <No... she is not like us at all... she is like a huge snake, with a face in between mine and yours. She is a powerful warrior and she has magic.>
Saph smiles at the lizard woman. <She is clearly not ‘your people.’ So what happens if we attack the snake-woman directly? Will your people stay out of our way?
<Is there an elite group, whether lizardfolk or serpentine, that would protect her? You don’t happen to know if she detests the cold, do you?>
Given that her companions may know more about snakes and magic than Saph does, she follows her translation with: “I can coat my punches and kicks in ice, by the way. Oh… and I’m also really good at breaking things. If her home is a wooden structure, I can make ‘hard and fast’ work.”
<What is your que—I mean… the queen’s home like?>
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"A naga, huh? Naga-na stop us from killing her, but it sounds like we may have to trick her out onto land first. If she's flooding her homes she's aquatic, and fighting her in the water's a bad wager.
"Maybe lure her out to 'parlay' with promise of tribute? We'd have to hook her first try, though; she'd be a fool not to bolt underwater once she knows our game."
Hedy wavers for a moment between chuckling at or hanging Murillo for the 'Naga-na stop us' comment. She agrees though "Worth the risk to try the hook with flattery than to bust the damn only to see her slither off." Hedy checks her weapons again. "We'll go in to chat. Saph here on point. If the snake is on dry land, we hit her hard, ignore any of the lizards if you can, they don't rightly matter in the end if we cut the naga down... hopefully." she'll look around for any more opinions before nodding to Saph. "Tell her we'll take down the queen for them and they take down this pit. Tell her to get as many of her people away from the slithering queen when the fighting starts, and we'll do our best not to hurt them."
Saph nods. She translates Hedy’s words, then asks a couple questions:
<Does the serpentine queen know any languages besides yours, such as the human’s common tongue?
<And will you kindly tell me your name? Should anything happen to me, I at least want to know who I died for.>
She says to the others, “Should the queen attempt to swim away, I can fight underwater easily.” A caress of her fingers calls attention to the blue fist-shaped amulet resting atop her cleavage. A religious scholar might note its similarity to Irori’s symbol, but His blue hand would be open, not clenched. “I can also take an undine form like Hedy’s to swim faster.
“Or, what if you offer me as a new slave girl? I can appear as a lizard-woman, and of course, I will be unarmed. I don’t lie, but technically if I say he-said-she-said before I translate your bluff, I’m technically telling the truth.”
"Yes!" Padrym exclaims "A real adventure! An no more lizard politics great!"
The lizardwoman seems slightly overwhelmed with the flurry of questions, but she does her best to provide answers... <her homes are pools that form in low areas that have flooded... there are some who believe her strength will lead the tribe to glory; if she is winning they might join the fight but if she is losing they will not... she speaks our language and the water-tongue ...>
"Ah good, then at least I'll be able to understand that one." Hedy says after water-tongue is translated. "Saph, if you can hold that form long enough, it is a good ruse. Just stay close to that one." pointing at the lizard woman. "And don't say anything. They naga sounds pompous enough she probably won't even know you are new. Might give you a suprise attack on the serpent. Also, have her tell us when we are near the village, so any of us who need to can cast or drink. Remember negotiation with the thing is just to get her out in the water, and then we kill it. Any questions?"
Saph says, “Like I said, I’m not a good bluffer, so yeah… you speak her language I’ll save my breath. Aaaand I can only hold an altered form for about five minutes.”
To the lizard-woman, <You get safe when the fighting starts. I want no harm to come to you. Understand?>
As for questions: “Any particular signal we should watch for? I suppose someone just plain attacking would suffice, but thought I should ask.”
Hedy grins "Blood, explosions, loud cursing coupled with a few screams... just the normal kind of signal."
When asked how far it is to the queen's homes the skittish lizardwoman answers, <I can swim to our village in two or three minutes from here, but for all of you to walk there will take, I think, ten or so. And, when we draw near, I do not know which home she will be in... the closest we will reach before the village, but the farthest would be maybe five minutes more...>
Saph says, <Please, walk with us. I fear you will be in grave danger if you travel ahead of us. Remember an hour ago? The others didn’t seem excited when you spoke of fixing the river.>
She reminds the others of the lizardmen who whispered and ran off. “So they’ve heard the truth of our plan to fix the river, before we were aware of the tyrant queen.
“Maybe your bluff can play off that. We’re simply looking for a way to fix the river without diminishing the queen’s water. Or we found a way already. Whatever gets her to come out, or reveals which home she’s in so we can kill her.”
"Or we could just fight the dam b#!@& and geddit over with. Just don't get bit, an keep'er distracted from castin spells. We can tak'er down, specially since you two can swim fast. Let's cross the river where it's narrow. We might be able to use a rope to help guide folk who can't swim, savy?"
"Yes, if she is out of the water, we simply attack. Otherwise, we try to lure her out before attacking. The rest makes sense as well, though any pirate worth their beans should be able to swim."
Saph plunges into the water.
Is it cold? She can’t tell. She just loves the feel of the water, and the current is nothing to her—though Hedy and ‘Lizzie’ can swim two or three times her speed.
“There are many ways to make this work. If we know which home she’s in, I’ll kick down the door if you want me to. I’ve broken through a wall to enter the ring—scared the hell outta the couple in the cheap seats!
“As for the problem of the naga being submerged, lemme ask Lizzie here how deep the water is.” Saph does ask, in addition to reiterating her question of Lizzie’s actual name.
"Swimming and fighting giant cursed she-serpents while swimming aren't exactly the same. Even if the water's only knee-deep there's but few of us will be able to keep on her. Now I'll splash about with this would-be queen if need be, but I'd prefer to fight her on dry land if possible.
Never let it be said a Murillo fought fair when there was opportunity to fight otherwise."
"Here here to that. What's a murillo?
But you got me a weird idea. I've got a grapplin hook. What if we hooked'er and pulled'er onto shore? We could send Saph to do the hookin, while the rest of us pull."