Elendor
Suspicion
Tet'nak walks into Carac's camp and finds a less than warm welcome
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Wilderness - Dunland
Game Date: 11 of September in the year 3045.
Description:
Wilderness - Dunland
Thick trees spread all about the area. Most timber collected by Dunland is done here. Though, it is quite obvious very little lumber is actually cut. There is no obvious path through the woods in any direction, though, to the east the forest thins, and to the west the forest thickens. The ground is soft, causing many vines, brush, and other foilage to stand underfoot to make traveling extremely difficult.
Obvious exits:
West and East
===============================================================================
Dunland Time and Weather Forecast
===============================================================================
Real Time is: Mon Dec 15 14:34:14 2008
IC weather is: Wind: - Clouds: clear
IC Moon is: Not visible
IC time is: Before Dawn
IC date is: Sunday, Day 11 of September in the year 3045.
===============================================================================
[Finnian(#23897)] It's the next morning and the camp hasn't moved on yet, but it's still early and the sun is only beginning to rise above the mountains, casting long shadows that keep most of Dunland bathed in pre-dawn darkness. Finnian is just waking up, which is an accomplishment in itself after the threats that Halen laid on him the evening before. He yawns and sits up, brushing aside some of the pine needles and other bits of dirt clinging to his clothes.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Resting against a tree, outside of camp, is a figure that has not yet made himself known. He has been watching for the better part of an hour, displeased with the lack of guards posted, and how easy it would be to creep in and slit everyone's throat.
He continues to wait, not yet approaching, even as the darkness flirts with breaking away and restoring the day that is coming.
Brev is propped against a tree - awake or asleep, it is hard to tell in the darkness. Then comes a hiss of breath as he shifts position - awake, then. His good hand slides to his knife and away again as he catches sight of a watchman gazing out into the darkness that, alas, hides the silent observer so well. Quietly, carefully, his lips shape words directed to the seated Finnian. "When do we move?"
[Halen(#9388)]
Halen is nearby- seated upon a rock, awake and whittling away at a small figure with a carving knife. At Finnian's stirring, he smiles widely.
"Sleep well, friend?"
Finnian brushes back loose locks of hair that have fallen into his eyes, then covers a yawn. His gaze flicks to Halen and that same wariness is in his eyes, but he simply nods. Tavish slowly rises and moves over to kneel next to where Brev is sitting. "Don't know.. it be soon I think. Thirsty?" He pulls his water skin from his belt to offer to the injured man.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Standing from his place, and slowly walking toward through the darkness toward the stirring camp, the man begins whistling. "Are you all awake yet?" he asks, still not close enough to be seen.
His feet can be heard, but, it does not seem more than one man if sounds are to be believed.
Brev grunts and reaches his good hand toward the waterskin. "Aye-" His arm jerks back before he can take it, and clamps round his knife hilt instead. Stiffly he tries to use the tree at his back to push sleep-stiffened limbs to a standing position without either using the arm that hangs loosely by his side or the hand now brandishing a knife.
Soundlessly, several bows are trained in the direction of the whistling, ears serving where sight cannot.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] The same voice asks, "What, not trumpets, bards singing my praises!" Laughter.
Finally, the man steps close enough to expose himself. He is dressed in a dark hood and cloak, and for those that have seen him before, know it is likely Tet'Nak. "I am glad I have found you here, and not rotting into the ground such as half of these trees."
Finnian stands sharply again, his reaction only a trace behind Brev's as he draws his own knife and looks through the trees searchingly. "Who be announcing themselves before they be attacking?" Tavish whispers softly towards the injured man.
When Tet'Nak steps into view, Finnian's tension eases and he holds the knife at his side with a faint frown on his face. "We be awake -now-.." The man answers the earlier question with a smirk.
The archers looks round for orders, their bowstrings slackening slightly.
The knife does not leave Brev's hand, nor does its point waver. "Which did you expect to find? Dead heroes or live bargaining chips?" The man's voice is hoarse, his face a pale oval in the half-light.
[Halen(#9388)]
Halen remains seated upon the rock, still whittling away at his amateur carving. He raises his dark eyes as the figure identifies himself and squints.
"The last time we had such a visitor to our group, he was a spy. Pardon the men with bows trained upon you, they are not so trusting," says the youth.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Eh?" Tet'Nak quips, walking straight into camp. "Oh, do you see a simple old man? I am called Tet'Nak." He looks around, "Where is Carac?" he muses, "Alive I hope?" He clears his throat, peering around idly.
"Do not kill me!" he screeches, laughing afterward again, "No, please, no!" He shakes his head and lets out an audible yawn.
Finnian glances over at Brev, one brow lifted. He slides the dagger back into it's sheath and leans down to swipe up the water skin. He's not going to get into what looks like another brewing argument.
Brev ignores Finnian, even though it means losing out on a drink. "I see no old man," he answers. "I see a fox, swift and and sharp and cunning." A moment later, though, he snorts, and the harshness in his voice eases. "Kill you? What's the point in trying? You'd just return again. I've heard too much of men risen from the grave of late." The light is growing now, revealing that one side of his mouth is twisted in a wry half-smile.
The archers, after glancing to Halen and away, do not dip their bows.
[Halen(#9388)]
"He is alive, but away," answers Halen guardedly.
"What's your business?"
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak shakes his head to Brev, "It is good to be immortal!" He grunts, his laugh fading as he notices there are a few men still training their bows on him. "Lower those, why don't you?" He cocks an eyebrow, then shifts his eyes to Halen. "Uh, who are you, whelp? A startled youth ready for fistycuffs?" He sighs, "Why must I always deal with fools." The man does not appear to be in a forgiving or understanding mood. "If Carac is away, you had better go find him and ask that I do not spank your bottom. I am no mice that a Hawk can claim." He turns, "Now. Where was I ..."
Finnian hooks the water skin to his belt again and seems mostly disinterested in what are becoming regular squabbles in this group, though he does remain by Brev's side.
[Halen(#9388)]
"Carac is alive, but away," says Halen. Again.
"Can I take a message?"
"If," Brev places an emphasis on that first word, "Carac wants to see you, he'll find you. I think you were about to tell us why you were here and what you were wanting us to do?" The hoarseness is beginning to creep back into hsi voice, and the hand holding the knife is trembling as it lowers to his side.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "I will wait. I have plenty of time left, seeing how I was just hatched yesterday." He actually sits down, whistling again, and stretching out with a groan. "I have walked quite a ways," he says, "My legs are a bit on the stiff side, if you get my meaning ..."
Finnian seems to be the only one that isn't on edge, but there's a faint expression of confusion on his face. "You be traveling here from Forthunn?" He asks of Tek'Nak, reaching up to pull out the band that's holding his hair into a ponytail, the locks spilling free around his face.
[Halen(#9388)]
"How is the mighty Shadrack these days?" asks Halen offhandedly, his eyes flickering from Tet'Nak to the carving he has resumed whittling.
[Saffron(#15443)]
The archers -- most of them belonging to the Hawk clan of Halen's -- glance at Halen. When no sign comes from him, they keep their arrows pointed at Tet'Nak.
"Less stiff than this bloody arm," Brev mutters sourly. This time he does not add to the queries of his fellows, merely sighs as he leans back against a tree-trunk.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Shadrack?" Tet'Nak muses, "Could not say," he comments. "I did not decide to stick around or attempt to enter Forthunn with a Stag force five hundred strong between it and I." He looks over to Finnian, "Ah, it is you, making yourself useful I see. I won't make you give me back the bread I gave you! Ha!" He sighs, "I think I should take a nap. Aweful walk from there to here."
Finnian runs his hands through his hair a few times, working out the tangles, then reties it smoothly. He scratches his chin next, then begins stretching his arms behind his back, working out the kinks from sleeping on the ground. Tavish lets his gaze stray back to Tet'Nak and grins, "It be difficult to return, I fear.. seeing as I've long since eaten it."
[Halen(#9388)]
"Ah yes, the army," says Halen.
"Quite an inconvenience."
[Saffron(#15443)]
The pauses between the conversation is punctuated by the creaking of the bows.
Brev starts to lift his good hand to push the dark curls away from his face - then stops at the realization he is still holding a knife. He settles for blowing instead. "Whose force? Shadrack's?" For the first time interest colours his tone, lending urgency to the words. "And how did you find us? There's an awful lot of forest between there and here ..." He lets the words trail off, and flicks his gaze toward the bowmen. "Excuse us - without a shepherd, sheep keep right on doing what they're used to." His throat is dry.
[Halen(#9388)]
And hand motion at last from Halen, with a wary look towards Brev, and the bowyers are bid to lower their weapons. He continues on carving.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Heh," Tet'Nak grunts and laughs in the same instance, "Not Shadrack's. He does not have that many men."
"Funny thing about that," he says, probably to Brev, "Is that my friends and I were hiding out from that same force. Caught up with some friends you had made." Just then, about twelve others walk out from where Tet'Nak was, some holding bows, their arrows nocked and pointed at the camp in general.
He turns his head, peering in the light creeping in, exposing the men, "They do not like people pointing weapons at me."
[<#23897>] Finnian gives Brev another sidelong look, and is just reaching for that water skin again when Tet'Nak's men step out of the forest. His dark eyes widen and his hand strays near his knife again but he does not draw it. Tavish asks in a soft voice, 'I thought we be fighting for the same thing? Why don't we all be calming down?' And he speaks in a quieter tone for Brev, "We don't be needing to be corpses for Carac to return to.."
[Halen(#9388)]
"Your men are quiet as mice," remarks Halen, sitting up from his post upon the rock at last. "Let us hope that they do not fight like them as well."
Brev's knife does not need drawn, but it seems to lack a target, for all that Tet'nak himself is within easy reach. "And I don't like being used. Come now, don't spoil the tools. Tell us what you want, or go and do your business without us." He shifts position against his tree-trunk support, then murmurs in Halen's direction without taking his eyes off the bowmen, "Thought Hawk were supposed to devour mice?"
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak does nothing to provoke the action, but the men lower their weapons and simply walk forward. Perhaps they now see that the Hawk's own weapons have been lowered, as the darkness finally starts breaking up.
"Very quiet," Tet'Nak agrees. "They know how to take orders. I tell them do not move, they do not." He looks to Brev, "What? Since when am I not one of your leaders?" He smiles, "I am simply coming to aid you. Here I am, joining up with my friends." He waves his hand about without reason, "Now, my friends join your friends, and we have greater the force to do battle against our enemy if necessary." He shrugs, "Is there something that says I should do otherwise?"
[Halen(#9388)]
"What a great force of friends we have assembled," remarks Halen dryly.
Finnian lets out a soft sigh as the new men dip the weapons to the ground, relaxing. He gaze goes towards Halen again but there is little beyond blank interest on his face for the comment. "Hopefully Carac be back sooner than later..." Tavish murmurs softly to no one in particular as he turns his attention back towards Tet'Nak.
Brev does not answer that first question. "How do you intend to aid us? Perhaps answering our questions would have been a start." The huskiness in his voice is more pronounced now, and he sends a single longing glance towards Finnian's waterskin.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "What question was asked?" Tet'Nak returns, sitting up. "I have answered." He frowns slightly, "Forthunn is either under siege, or reinforced. There was no violence when I left. I took the trails west to avoid that force, and I catch near twenty Stag. It was either fight or die, and, obviously, I fought. The only information that was gleened was that they were seeking Carac and his band." He rolls his eyes, "Did you not understand that the first time I spoke it? Or do I -- need -- to -- speak -- ve--ry -- slow--ly?"
Finnian notices Brev's thirst again finally and pulls the water from his belt, pushing it at the man without comment. Then he kneels down to retie the laces of his boots, tightening them as he continues his preperations for the new day ahead with the immediate threat seemingly past.
[Halen(#9388)]
"You snuck into our midst with men in hiding and tell a tale that we cannot say is true or not," says Halen impassively. "I know of your name."
"You were present when Shadrack told Carac of Iron Jaw, and the Stag knew of that trip. I hope for all our sakes that Feent has gone to reinforce Forthunn."
"Because if he marches to battle upon him, then the traitor stands in our midst." He pauses. "But these are matters for Carac to think upon, not I."
"You didn't speak it," Brev answers hoarsely. In the growing light it can be seen that his features are white and pinched. "Merely traded insults and asked for Carac." At Halen's speech he falls silent, scowling but not elaborating on the Hawk's words further.
As Finnian pushes the waterskin at him he sighs and nods. He glances from the knife in his trembling hand to the sheath at his waist, then grimaces and instead sticks the blade in the ground before reaching one-handed for the skin. He manages to swallow some of the precious liquid without spilling too much when he is done he wordlessly holds it out to Tet'nak, before sliding back down the tree.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak lifts a hand to Brev, "Many thanks, but I am not parched." He jerks a thumb at Halen, "You are not thinking clearly. If I had wished you dead, you would be, if you indeed 'know my name', you should know I would not have come walking into your camp. In the dead of night, my men, they could have shot into the camp, I suppose, if I so wished it." He shakes his head, "Why would I put myself in jepordy, walking amongst you, simply wish a spot of rest, eh? Because I thought it was funny?"
He stands back up, "Tell Carac to come speak to me. I grow tired of speaking to pea-brained fools." He turns, walking away from the camp, "I shall be scouting a head. Doing something useful. You can sit here and feel sorry for yourselves if you wish. I have not the time for such women's-talk."
[Halen(#9388)]
Halen sits back down upon the nearby rock.
Finnian continues watches the exchanges in silence, rising again and reaching to take his skin back as Tek'Nak declines it. Brev is given a long, measuring look that's full of unspoken questions. There is tension around Tavish's eyes that doesn't show in the rest of his posture. Finally after Tet'Nak has moved on, Finn asks, "You be wanting me to go look for Carac?" He gazes sweeps between Brev and Halen both.
Brev makes no effort to go and do something useful. Instead he sits at the base of the tree with eyes half-closed, and mumbles, "Kiern, my head's swimming. Someone wake me when it's time to go, eh? I've no fancy for more target practise."
As Finnian speaks, he reaches out his good hand to tug the man down to his level, if he can, and murmurs to him softly, "It was not Shadrack who told us of Iron Jaw."
[Halen(#9388)]
"No," says Halen to Finnian.
"He will return when he is ready."
[Saffron(#15443)]
"Should have just shot a hole through him," Alroy mutters, looking after Tet'Nak. "It would have been funny."
[<#23897>] Finnian drops down to one knee next to Brev, looking on him with more concern now. He has little knowledge of healing, but reaches a hand to check Brev's brow for a fever. "No? Who be the one, then?" He asks softly, reaching to try and steady the younger man's trembling hand that still clutches the knife. He speaks further in the whispering tone. "They be accusing me last night, and I told them you be the one that told me about the little I knew."
Brev's brow is hot to the touch, but such is only to be expected after injury and exhaustion. It furrows at Finnian's words. "I'm not about to die yet," he growls irritably. "Help me put this away, will you?" 'This' being the knife.
Under cover of the request, he murmurs only, "It was him. Tet'nak." Then, explanation given, he closes his eyes and attempts to sleep, or at least rest.
Finnian helps Brev get settled, taking the knife and sheathing it. Then he rises and moves to walk away from the camp, "Refilling my water.. if I can find a creek.." Tavish offers in explanation, mostly for Halen's benefit.
Wilderness - Dunland
Thick trees spread all about the area. Most timber collected by Dunland is done here. Though, it is quite obvious very little lumber is actually cut. There is no obvious path through the woods in any direction, though, to the east the forest thins, and to the west the forest thickens. The ground is soft, causing many vines, brush, and other foilage to stand underfoot to make traveling extremely difficult.
Obvious exits:
West and East
===============================================================================
Dunland Time and Weather Forecast
===============================================================================
Real Time is: Mon Dec 15 14:34:14 2008
IC weather is: Wind: - Clouds: clear
IC Moon is: Not visible
IC time is: Before Dawn
IC date is: Sunday, Day 11 of September in the year 3045.
===============================================================================
[Finnian(#23897)] It's the next morning and the camp hasn't moved on yet, but it's still early and the sun is only beginning to rise above the mountains, casting long shadows that keep most of Dunland bathed in pre-dawn darkness. Finnian is just waking up, which is an accomplishment in itself after the threats that Halen laid on him the evening before. He yawns and sits up, brushing aside some of the pine needles and other bits of dirt clinging to his clothes.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Resting against a tree, outside of camp, is a figure that has not yet made himself known. He has been watching for the better part of an hour, displeased with the lack of guards posted, and how easy it would be to creep in and slit everyone's throat.
He continues to wait, not yet approaching, even as the darkness flirts with breaking away and restoring the day that is coming.
Brev is propped against a tree - awake or asleep, it is hard to tell in the darkness. Then comes a hiss of breath as he shifts position - awake, then. His good hand slides to his knife and away again as he catches sight of a watchman gazing out into the darkness that, alas, hides the silent observer so well. Quietly, carefully, his lips shape words directed to the seated Finnian. "When do we move?"
[Halen(#9388)]
Halen is nearby- seated upon a rock, awake and whittling away at a small figure with a carving knife. At Finnian's stirring, he smiles widely.
"Sleep well, friend?"
Finnian brushes back loose locks of hair that have fallen into his eyes, then covers a yawn. His gaze flicks to Halen and that same wariness is in his eyes, but he simply nods. Tavish slowly rises and moves over to kneel next to where Brev is sitting. "Don't know.. it be soon I think. Thirsty?" He pulls his water skin from his belt to offer to the injured man.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Standing from his place, and slowly walking toward through the darkness toward the stirring camp, the man begins whistling. "Are you all awake yet?" he asks, still not close enough to be seen.
His feet can be heard, but, it does not seem more than one man if sounds are to be believed.
Brev grunts and reaches his good hand toward the waterskin. "Aye-" His arm jerks back before he can take it, and clamps round his knife hilt instead. Stiffly he tries to use the tree at his back to push sleep-stiffened limbs to a standing position without either using the arm that hangs loosely by his side or the hand now brandishing a knife.
Soundlessly, several bows are trained in the direction of the whistling, ears serving where sight cannot.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] The same voice asks, "What, not trumpets, bards singing my praises!" Laughter.
Finally, the man steps close enough to expose himself. He is dressed in a dark hood and cloak, and for those that have seen him before, know it is likely Tet'Nak. "I am glad I have found you here, and not rotting into the ground such as half of these trees."
Finnian stands sharply again, his reaction only a trace behind Brev's as he draws his own knife and looks through the trees searchingly. "Who be announcing themselves before they be attacking?" Tavish whispers softly towards the injured man.
When Tet'Nak steps into view, Finnian's tension eases and he holds the knife at his side with a faint frown on his face. "We be awake -now-.." The man answers the earlier question with a smirk.
The archers looks round for orders, their bowstrings slackening slightly.
The knife does not leave Brev's hand, nor does its point waver. "Which did you expect to find? Dead heroes or live bargaining chips?" The man's voice is hoarse, his face a pale oval in the half-light.
[Halen(#9388)]
Halen remains seated upon the rock, still whittling away at his amateur carving. He raises his dark eyes as the figure identifies himself and squints.
"The last time we had such a visitor to our group, he was a spy. Pardon the men with bows trained upon you, they are not so trusting," says the youth.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Eh?" Tet'Nak quips, walking straight into camp. "Oh, do you see a simple old man? I am called Tet'Nak." He looks around, "Where is Carac?" he muses, "Alive I hope?" He clears his throat, peering around idly.
"Do not kill me!" he screeches, laughing afterward again, "No, please, no!" He shakes his head and lets out an audible yawn.
Finnian glances over at Brev, one brow lifted. He slides the dagger back into it's sheath and leans down to swipe up the water skin. He's not going to get into what looks like another brewing argument.
Brev ignores Finnian, even though it means losing out on a drink. "I see no old man," he answers. "I see a fox, swift and and sharp and cunning." A moment later, though, he snorts, and the harshness in his voice eases. "Kill you? What's the point in trying? You'd just return again. I've heard too much of men risen from the grave of late." The light is growing now, revealing that one side of his mouth is twisted in a wry half-smile.
The archers, after glancing to Halen and away, do not dip their bows.
[Halen(#9388)]
"He is alive, but away," answers Halen guardedly.
"What's your business?"
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak shakes his head to Brev, "It is good to be immortal!" He grunts, his laugh fading as he notices there are a few men still training their bows on him. "Lower those, why don't you?" He cocks an eyebrow, then shifts his eyes to Halen. "Uh, who are you, whelp? A startled youth ready for fistycuffs?" He sighs, "Why must I always deal with fools." The man does not appear to be in a forgiving or understanding mood. "If Carac is away, you had better go find him and ask that I do not spank your bottom. I am no mice that a Hawk can claim." He turns, "Now. Where was I ..."
Finnian hooks the water skin to his belt again and seems mostly disinterested in what are becoming regular squabbles in this group, though he does remain by Brev's side.
[Halen(#9388)]
"Carac is alive, but away," says Halen. Again.
"Can I take a message?"
"If," Brev places an emphasis on that first word, "Carac wants to see you, he'll find you. I think you were about to tell us why you were here and what you were wanting us to do?" The hoarseness is beginning to creep back into hsi voice, and the hand holding the knife is trembling as it lowers to his side.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "I will wait. I have plenty of time left, seeing how I was just hatched yesterday." He actually sits down, whistling again, and stretching out with a groan. "I have walked quite a ways," he says, "My legs are a bit on the stiff side, if you get my meaning ..."
Finnian seems to be the only one that isn't on edge, but there's a faint expression of confusion on his face. "You be traveling here from Forthunn?" He asks of Tek'Nak, reaching up to pull out the band that's holding his hair into a ponytail, the locks spilling free around his face.
[Halen(#9388)]
"How is the mighty Shadrack these days?" asks Halen offhandedly, his eyes flickering from Tet'Nak to the carving he has resumed whittling.
[Saffron(#15443)]
The archers -- most of them belonging to the Hawk clan of Halen's -- glance at Halen. When no sign comes from him, they keep their arrows pointed at Tet'Nak.
"Less stiff than this bloody arm," Brev mutters sourly. This time he does not add to the queries of his fellows, merely sighs as he leans back against a tree-trunk.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Shadrack?" Tet'Nak muses, "Could not say," he comments. "I did not decide to stick around or attempt to enter Forthunn with a Stag force five hundred strong between it and I." He looks over to Finnian, "Ah, it is you, making yourself useful I see. I won't make you give me back the bread I gave you! Ha!" He sighs, "I think I should take a nap. Aweful walk from there to here."
Finnian runs his hands through his hair a few times, working out the tangles, then reties it smoothly. He scratches his chin next, then begins stretching his arms behind his back, working out the kinks from sleeping on the ground. Tavish lets his gaze stray back to Tet'Nak and grins, "It be difficult to return, I fear.. seeing as I've long since eaten it."
[Halen(#9388)]
"Ah yes, the army," says Halen.
"Quite an inconvenience."
[Saffron(#15443)]
The pauses between the conversation is punctuated by the creaking of the bows.
Brev starts to lift his good hand to push the dark curls away from his face - then stops at the realization he is still holding a knife. He settles for blowing instead. "Whose force? Shadrack's?" For the first time interest colours his tone, lending urgency to the words. "And how did you find us? There's an awful lot of forest between there and here ..." He lets the words trail off, and flicks his gaze toward the bowmen. "Excuse us - without a shepherd, sheep keep right on doing what they're used to." His throat is dry.
[Halen(#9388)]
And hand motion at last from Halen, with a wary look towards Brev, and the bowyers are bid to lower their weapons. He continues on carving.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Heh," Tet'Nak grunts and laughs in the same instance, "Not Shadrack's. He does not have that many men."
"Funny thing about that," he says, probably to Brev, "Is that my friends and I were hiding out from that same force. Caught up with some friends you had made." Just then, about twelve others walk out from where Tet'Nak was, some holding bows, their arrows nocked and pointed at the camp in general.
He turns his head, peering in the light creeping in, exposing the men, "They do not like people pointing weapons at me."
[<#23897>] Finnian gives Brev another sidelong look, and is just reaching for that water skin again when Tet'Nak's men step out of the forest. His dark eyes widen and his hand strays near his knife again but he does not draw it. Tavish asks in a soft voice, 'I thought we be fighting for the same thing? Why don't we all be calming down?' And he speaks in a quieter tone for Brev, "We don't be needing to be corpses for Carac to return to.."
[Halen(#9388)]
"Your men are quiet as mice," remarks Halen, sitting up from his post upon the rock at last. "Let us hope that they do not fight like them as well."
Brev's knife does not need drawn, but it seems to lack a target, for all that Tet'nak himself is within easy reach. "And I don't like being used. Come now, don't spoil the tools. Tell us what you want, or go and do your business without us." He shifts position against his tree-trunk support, then murmurs in Halen's direction without taking his eyes off the bowmen, "Thought Hawk were supposed to devour mice?"
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak does nothing to provoke the action, but the men lower their weapons and simply walk forward. Perhaps they now see that the Hawk's own weapons have been lowered, as the darkness finally starts breaking up.
"Very quiet," Tet'Nak agrees. "They know how to take orders. I tell them do not move, they do not." He looks to Brev, "What? Since when am I not one of your leaders?" He smiles, "I am simply coming to aid you. Here I am, joining up with my friends." He waves his hand about without reason, "Now, my friends join your friends, and we have greater the force to do battle against our enemy if necessary." He shrugs, "Is there something that says I should do otherwise?"
[Halen(#9388)]
"What a great force of friends we have assembled," remarks Halen dryly.
Finnian lets out a soft sigh as the new men dip the weapons to the ground, relaxing. He gaze goes towards Halen again but there is little beyond blank interest on his face for the comment. "Hopefully Carac be back sooner than later..." Tavish murmurs softly to no one in particular as he turns his attention back towards Tet'Nak.
Brev does not answer that first question. "How do you intend to aid us? Perhaps answering our questions would have been a start." The huskiness in his voice is more pronounced now, and he sends a single longing glance towards Finnian's waterskin.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "What question was asked?" Tet'Nak returns, sitting up. "I have answered." He frowns slightly, "Forthunn is either under siege, or reinforced. There was no violence when I left. I took the trails west to avoid that force, and I catch near twenty Stag. It was either fight or die, and, obviously, I fought. The only information that was gleened was that they were seeking Carac and his band." He rolls his eyes, "Did you not understand that the first time I spoke it? Or do I -- need -- to -- speak -- ve--ry -- slow--ly?"
Finnian notices Brev's thirst again finally and pulls the water from his belt, pushing it at the man without comment. Then he kneels down to retie the laces of his boots, tightening them as he continues his preperations for the new day ahead with the immediate threat seemingly past.
[Halen(#9388)]
"You snuck into our midst with men in hiding and tell a tale that we cannot say is true or not," says Halen impassively. "I know of your name."
"You were present when Shadrack told Carac of Iron Jaw, and the Stag knew of that trip. I hope for all our sakes that Feent has gone to reinforce Forthunn."
"Because if he marches to battle upon him, then the traitor stands in our midst." He pauses. "But these are matters for Carac to think upon, not I."
"You didn't speak it," Brev answers hoarsely. In the growing light it can be seen that his features are white and pinched. "Merely traded insults and asked for Carac." At Halen's speech he falls silent, scowling but not elaborating on the Hawk's words further.
As Finnian pushes the waterskin at him he sighs and nods. He glances from the knife in his trembling hand to the sheath at his waist, then grimaces and instead sticks the blade in the ground before reaching one-handed for the skin. He manages to swallow some of the precious liquid without spilling too much when he is done he wordlessly holds it out to Tet'nak, before sliding back down the tree.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak lifts a hand to Brev, "Many thanks, but I am not parched." He jerks a thumb at Halen, "You are not thinking clearly. If I had wished you dead, you would be, if you indeed 'know my name', you should know I would not have come walking into your camp. In the dead of night, my men, they could have shot into the camp, I suppose, if I so wished it." He shakes his head, "Why would I put myself in jepordy, walking amongst you, simply wish a spot of rest, eh? Because I thought it was funny?"
He stands back up, "Tell Carac to come speak to me. I grow tired of speaking to pea-brained fools." He turns, walking away from the camp, "I shall be scouting a head. Doing something useful. You can sit here and feel sorry for yourselves if you wish. I have not the time for such women's-talk."
[Halen(#9388)]
Halen sits back down upon the nearby rock.
Finnian continues watches the exchanges in silence, rising again and reaching to take his skin back as Tek'Nak declines it. Brev is given a long, measuring look that's full of unspoken questions. There is tension around Tavish's eyes that doesn't show in the rest of his posture. Finally after Tet'Nak has moved on, Finn asks, "You be wanting me to go look for Carac?" He gazes sweeps between Brev and Halen both.
Brev makes no effort to go and do something useful. Instead he sits at the base of the tree with eyes half-closed, and mumbles, "Kiern, my head's swimming. Someone wake me when it's time to go, eh? I've no fancy for more target practise."
As Finnian speaks, he reaches out his good hand to tug the man down to his level, if he can, and murmurs to him softly, "It was not Shadrack who told us of Iron Jaw."
[Halen(#9388)]
"No," says Halen to Finnian.
"He will return when he is ready."
[Saffron(#15443)]
"Should have just shot a hole through him," Alroy mutters, looking after Tet'Nak. "It would have been funny."
[<#23897>] Finnian drops down to one knee next to Brev, looking on him with more concern now. He has little knowledge of healing, but reaches a hand to check Brev's brow for a fever. "No? Who be the one, then?" He asks softly, reaching to try and steady the younger man's trembling hand that still clutches the knife. He speaks further in the whispering tone. "They be accusing me last night, and I told them you be the one that told me about the little I knew."
Brev's brow is hot to the touch, but such is only to be expected after injury and exhaustion. It furrows at Finnian's words. "I'm not about to die yet," he growls irritably. "Help me put this away, will you?" 'This' being the knife.
Under cover of the request, he murmurs only, "It was him. Tet'nak." Then, explanation given, he closes his eyes and attempts to sleep, or at least rest.
Finnian helps Brev get settled, taking the knife and sheathing it. Then he rises and moves to walk away from the camp, "Refilling my water.. if I can find a creek.." Tavish offers in explanation, mostly for Halen's benefit.
Players: Finnian, Tet'nak, Brev, Halen, Alroy
Located in: Dunlending
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