Souls of Arhosa

[skydragonknight]

Ebony nods and reaffirms Red's statement. "We are here to save you. To save you all."
The look of fervor in her eyes suggests that she speaks the truth. Or at least what she believes to be true.

[Stratovarius]

The gates creaked open enough that one old man, so old he needed a walking stick merely to make it to the distance between the gate and Red, could stagger through. As he approached agonizing step by agonizing step, he had to tilt his neck and head higher and higher to keep Red’s face in view, almost causing him to stumble at least twice.

Finally, only when he was positioned what he thought was a safe distance away but within polite conversation range, did he halt. His voice was the guttural mutter of someone with no education who had spent too long in the fields and eaten too poorly for many years.

“You need something from us?”

His tone was more querulous than confrontational.

[Raineh Daze]

Red at least made the man's job a little easier, tilting her gaze to follow his. Of course, this meant that by the end she was fairly staring straight down at him--but then, that was the natural order of things. She looked down on everyone, completely without any malice, just because they were all so small.

"Information. We heard there's Kier in the area, and we've come to put a stop to it," Red says, looking down at the Flonha and her expression... and the notable lack of the dog she had started with... "Possibly the chance to buy livestock, if you have any to spare."

Just because they had to die eventually, no reason to kill off all the nearby peasants. Someone needed to supply food until they were finished.

[Stratovarius]

The peasant's eyes roamed from Red to Gwaedwen and Ebony and back. "We've a few livestock we could part with...". Red could see the phrase "for a reasonable price" die on his lips without ever being uttered.

"As for the Kier..." The old man shook himself, almost like a dog trying to remove water. "We'd like them gone. Beyond that..." His eyes closed, briefly. "They eat what they kill, if you don't know that. Anything they kill. Slay them all."

[Skyrock]

Caedwen beams at Red at the suggestion of purchasing livestock, then vigorously nods at the elder's suggestion of selling them some. Could that be, a Llethu who not only not pulls her hair to discipline her, but actually takes care of her needs?

"We'd be very pleased to acquire some. It would be very helpful in our noble quest to relieve you of your Kier problem."

Once again, she flashes her sweetest shark grin.

[Raineh Daze]

"Oh, they'll be dead to a last. But... point us in the right direction, will you?"

[skydragonknight]

Ebony stays quiet and looks around, assessing the village for valuables they could use as payment for their 'acts of heroism.'

[Stratovarius]

At Red's question, the old man's arms flailed in the direction of the forests. "They've raided from every angle. They take what they want, eat it in plain sight, then leave. And come back later to do it all over again."

"As for the livestock... few pigs, couple sheep, couple cows. Not much left after the Kier have been through... but, well, there's less mouths to feed too. And if it kills a Kier, it's all worth it."

[Omck4heroes]

Jarn maintains his pacing at the back of the group, letting the others handle the diplomacy---such as it is. He is clearly listening, however, as his eyes track towards the woods when the old man gestures. His pupils widen and his eyes narrow as his keen vision sweeps over the area

[Skyrock]

Caedwen beams, and her eyes shine at the offer.

"Oh, it will kill plenty of Kier. There will be deaths galore. And you won't even need to go hungry on our behalf, the flesh will still be good after Drancedigaeth has taken what is due to him."

[Raineh Daze]

"Every angle? Well, I can see we'll need to start looking from around here, see if we can find tracks or catch them coming in," Red says, looking thoughtful and looking over her shoulder at Jarn, "Think you could find where the Kier might have headed off from their last attack here?"

[skydragonknight]

"If I were a Kier, where would I be..." Ebony ponders, before realizing she really knows nothing particularly useful. Would they have to lay in wait for another attack?

She hears Red's comment and also looks at Jarn. It would be good if they could go to the Kier. She was hoping to offer some souls to Drancedigaeth today.

[Omck4heroes]

The Gyntaf stopped his pacing at Red's question.

"I will look"

With no other word, he set off at a slow jog, eyeing the ground as he makes a circuit of the village. Every so often, he stops and glances up, scanning the treeline before continuing.

[Stratovarius]

Jarn's circuit of the village spotted obvious signs of the depredations of the Kier - missing livestock, burnt and damaged buildings and smallholdings, newly built graves, but try as he might, he did not spot sign of the Kier and where they might have gone.

[Omck4heroes]

Jarn returns from his circuit, and walks up to stand beside Red. Pitching his voice such that only Red can hear, he says

"Kier walk too soft for me to find them. We should wait, let them come, then take them while they are busy with the village"

[Raineh Daze]

The Llethu's response is muttered--not enough to carry to the villagers, but anyone around her would have no trouble hearing: "If we let them get to the villagers, they'll just take what they need to eat and scatter. We'd be better served using them as bait, or..."

Red's eyes light up as she looks back at the ranks of villagers. Poorly armed, yes, but armed nonetheless, "Maybe with a bit of direction, they can help us out."

"You, farmers! The Kier have covered theit racks and will be coming back. But, we'll kill them when they do. Now... do you want to be bait, or do you want some revenge?"

[Stratovarius]

There was a good deal of muttering and conversation that flowed back and forth between the villagers, until it simmered to a murmur.

The old man spoke for all of them when he said "We tried fighting. We lost."

[Raineh Daze]

"Ah, but do you not see the important difference?" she asks, putting aside the Arbalest and spreading her arms, "This time, you have us on your side. The support of Drancedigaeth, a warrior of my stature--and some skill as a tactician. The Kier no doubt think you a soft target, but with our strength and tactics, then we can get back at them."

That was the carrot, the stick was a bit more blunt: "If you don't wish to fight, then hope desperately that the Kier don't merely go around us and pick you off one by one, without resistance."

[Stratovarius]

"How do you propose that we fight these creatures, then?"

[skydragonknight]

"Are any of you trained with the bow or crossbow?"