Several of the Blue Llama folk are now riding close by, interested in the altercation.

The Seza fixes Melock with a long look "Perhaps you could tell me the answer to that Raven?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:31, Mon 04 May 2015.

Amara raised an eyebrow at all of the others, so quick to divorce themselves from the decisions when she was going to refuse it and allowed herself to be persuaded. "What is done, is done. It was the only way to be healed at the time. I did not have the luxury of having a foreigner with his own magic to call upon to have it healed. I had to resort to what was available at the time. Not a preferred choice, but the only one available." She stared at her brother evenly "If you think that is enough to leave me on my own, then so be it." she dismissed her brother "There are more lunars out there than grains of sand all around us. They cannot all be killed. They are invaders, but our numbers are small and cannot overcome an entire lunar garrison brother. Be reasonable. We will see many more lunars when we go to Pavis. Is your intent to kill them all? If it is then I will mourn you now so I do not have to when your suicidal path leads that way."

"Hmmm," he looks thoughtful, "maybe its because when he tried to call Raven back at the camp, he used the Blue Llama's children to help and something went wrong? So he ran to stop their leader Cantlas killing him?"

"I agreed with Amara getting her hand regrown by the Priestess in any case." Tarnessh added. "And I have had no reason to regret it since. The Lunar's might be Chaos-Friends, but Amara has been nothing but straight and true. She tore through Broo like a whirlvish just a few days ago. I know that you are her brother, Greeshar, but she is oath-bound like the rest of us are, and if you try to impugn her honour further, then I will resist you, even though I know you can defeat me."

In reply to Tarnessh Listens-To-Silence (msg # 48):

I'm sure I saw Grumpfy get stung and with that many scorpion men around it seems mad to believe that one bison could kill all of them. Something else intervened I'm sure, but what I don't know as I didn't think Waha would act to save one bison.

Hearing Greeshar's shout Henal looks over and speaks up Without a hand could one of us stay as a Wandering Ranger. The wastes are dangerous enough when you are whole and fit let alone injured or weakned. We encouraged Amara to get healed and the Lunar priestess was the only way it could be done. There are so many of them that we can't just act like all must die, better to bring them to the true gods against chaos.

Greeshar listens to the truth in his sisters words and is somewhat mollified. "I just feared for your safety" he adds gruffly, before suddenly breaking into loud laughter at Tarnessh's words.

To Henal he nods "I hear you fellow Thunderbird and though I disagree with you all I shall not bust any heads today."

In reply to Kobal's enquiry about Ohanzee he says "Well I shall help you kill him Kobal. He's nothing but trouble and it's time Raven got a beating."

Melock is fixed with a look and it seems that Greeshar's about to wink when he spots Delenda. He'd face palm if he knew how.

Then looking around at everyone as if they're mad he kicks Hidden Strength hard in the flanks and rides off in a cloud of dust towards the front of the herd and Akala....

Amara swore as she remounted his rhino "It seems as though a brush with death is not enough to keep him from his suicidal tendancies."

Amara stood on top of Thunderfoot, as he started to gallop to the front. "SHE IS UNDER MY PROTECTION" she shouted, drawing her javelin, her words resounding across the area with the noise of thunder. "Reign in or face my wrath."

"Aye, today we are re-united," says Kobal, looking at Greeshar.  "Brother, we faced a cursed choice.  Your sister had lost her hand, and the only one in the area who could help was a Lunar priestess.  Amara looked pale.  She had lost much blood.  We did not even know if this priestess would help.  As Henal has said, the Wastes are hard enough with two hands, let alone one.  To let your sister lose her hand would have been a slow death sentence.  The Elders had charged us to scout out the land, and the Moon Worshippers, in any event.

"Greeshar, you follow the Storm Bull.  You are taught to sense the taint of Chaos.  Look at your sister.  At her hand.  Do you sense any Chaos in her?

"I hate the Lunars as much as you.  Amara does too.  But sometimes (rarely, I know) the best action is not to kill them immediately.  Think of it this way: they have re-grown her hand.  She will survive and grow stronger.  When the time comes, together we will drive out the Moon Worshippers.  And Amara will be there with us, using the very hand they healed against them!  The stupid Lunars have helped us to defeat themselves, haha!"



Kobal watches with Amara as Greeshar rides off.  "And we haven't even told him about the sorcerer yet.  I wonder if he noticed Ohanzee's blue arm..."  Though I have misgivings about that sorcerer too.  Not the ways of the Wastes.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:31, Tue 05 May 2015.

Akala listened to the conversation with interest, as most of the things discussed had occurred before his arrival.

It was actually the first he had heard of Haraat, and the description of his death seemed...odd.

Akala listened to Kobal intently as well.  He had become more and more impressed with the man's thoughtful nature and political tongue.  Gifts needed by any true leader.  He nodded at the man as he spoke, his manner showing his support for the Bison rider's words.

When Amara stood atop her Rhino, Akala looked about in confusion.  He did not see enough new people around for such drama to matter, and the gesture itself felt overly extroverted for his tastes.

His face said as much, and he shook his head at his cousin in admonishment, adding in a low voice, "Are you going to do that again when we reach the rest of the Clan?"

The Stoneface's eyebrows had shot up, and his eyes were almost comically wide, "Never cut what can be untied, Little Spark.  Save your wind for when it is needed- if it is even needed.  A simple conversation might gain greater results.  You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar."

He glanced over at Kobal, "Perhaps the one with the Golden Tongue should make Delenda's introduction, as it may be more favorably received."

The Big Brave sighed, his tone softening, "None of us want any harm to come to Delenda, but tact can make such undertakings easier...or much more difficult."

He gave his red-haired cousin a weak smile, followed suddenly by a few quick, dry cough into his hand.

Akala looked at his hand, his face unreadable, and wiped the hand on his trousers.

Amara turned to Akala a stern and angry expression on her face. "Akala you've been gone for too long. I fully expect Greeshar to try to kill Delenda." She pointed towards Delenda "It was I who brought her into this group and I that freed her when none here would speak to her. If it were not for her, how many of you would not be riding beside me? It was me that fought for her to be here and Greeshar who thinks not with his head, but only with his heart rides towards a sable princess, when a sable rider killed our parents....and you think I am the one for being foolish when I try to divert him from his action? You've no idea how he has changed."

Amara prepared to throw her javelin. Greeshar wouldn't listen. He didn't listen to anyone, though she hoped her voice and the clamour of the storms might cause him to listen.

Greeshar nods at Kobal, and unusually for him pays attention to what Kobal says. He shakes his head at his sister "Our parents were killed by these people....And your arm....Well you seem to have had no other choice...I will say no more."



Once he is away from everyone and if Akala follows he asks "So Akala how have you been since we last met?....You are looking well. Despite my mood and what has just happened I am happy to see you again. With you at our side we become strong again. I heard about the death of your father.....I....Well you and I both know how that feels."

"These last few weeks I have been with those others of our Clan that we have discovered since Moonbroth and as you obviously now know we are allied with these Bison folk. Camped at the Bison Khan grasslands they are well and our Rhino's healthy. The Prairie Thunder Clan have been joined by the Black Shield clan. They seem good people and are already making wedding plans between the families. There is talk of raids and glory and regaining their grazing lands across the river. I sense war is coming..."

Delenda rides up next to Amara "It's okay and to be expected. I did not know my people were responsible for your parents death. I would be the same and to be honest I am humbled that you have shown me so much friendship."

Whispers from the Sky nudges on her Rhino so that she now rides next to Emesh-Ga, the ancient Green Age spirit shimmering in the morning sunshine. He bows to the shaman and walks next to her as she rides.

The sounds of animals bellowing, bleating and lowing soon replaces that of raised voices, and as one the women of the Blue Llama clan begin to sing, praising the land and all that ride upon it....

Vegetation begins to appear, not much at first but enough to draw the attention of the Blue llama folk who point each new shrub or leafy tree out with glee.

Soon enough the scrub increases, with the addition of wild sage and the occasional stand of trees. It's not much but certainly an improvement on what was here before.

There's sign of game too. Bush Turkeys and tracks of small herds of impalas dot the ground as do the occasional corpse of a Bison. They bear the same marks as before and have been left alone by scavengers, no tracks anywhere near them.

Up above Tulox is having a field day as he captures bird after bird to eat.

There's marmot burrows and tracks of Ostrich, and the Agimori come back with several large lizards slung over one of their pikes, with reports that they found tracks of a group of Bisons running parallel to their path and have seen signs of Morokanth travelling to the North.

Salen and Peat chase down several Impala, their dogs cornering two within a collection of high rocks, where they find a partially buried amphora jutting from the sand. It's stoppered and when lifted out of the ground a sound of metal comes from within.

Hoskar paled at Amara's words to Sand Fox and Nixa; as tongue-tied as he'd been since things soured with Krakka Rumble. As the three braves ride along later, occasional snatches of conversation can be overheard.

Would have offered more privately if I'd thought...

...wouldn't be comfortable to own that which was not won...

...the sages in the city trade knowledge and share books - they call it a library. Our trade is more in combat...

...what? Library? City habits aren't for us...

...like putting a friend's bull to your herd to improve the tribe's stock...

...don't want to see your insides again...

...win our own one day...

I'll honour you either way: independence is good, prudence is good too is Hoskar's final word from the snatches of conversation to be overheard; the three still talking but in lower tones after that.




Still quiet and lost in thought, Hoskar has been listening in after making his greeting to Greeshar and reverencing the Seza. When Akala makes his suggestion, Hoskar smiles nervously.

Goldentongue? You seem to be playing my tune there. Think you mean me. I don't have a good track record with Sables, but will gladly speak up for this one if that Rangers want to put me at the fore in it. My familiar tells me we owe her much I did not myself witness.

As he sees Delenda ride up, he averts his eyes but adds The story of her honour and my shame; her grace and her strong fight against chaos after my rage may do much to build bridges. I'm not sure my words would be welcome to our...our guest, though.

Akala looked as if he was about to say something, but then stopped himself, looking at Greeshar, with one eyebrow raised.

Finally, he looked back at Amara, slowed to ride next to her, and spoke to her in low tones, his face and manner softening.


Then, after hearing Amara's reply to what he had said, Akala saluted his cousin and announced, loud enough for all to hear, "You are a truly magnificent warrior!"

The Stoneface rode forward to catch Greeshar and speak with him.



Akala nodded in thanks, "We survive and we continue to fight, it is our way.  Thick skin and a hard head, as all rhino's have," A small grin crept from behind the corner of the Big Brave's mouth.

"As to my health, I will be fine, but I do need some rest, and perhaps some attention from a healer to oust this damned chaos poison from my body," another dry cough came unbidden as if to punctuate the meaning.



Akala's eyebrows furrowed at Greeshar's words, "Regaining their lands from whom?  Lunars?  Chaos? ...I do realize there is a fine line there, but there is a difference."

He spoke to Greeshar some more, in hushed tones, glancing back over his shoulder from time to time.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:36, Tue 05 May 2015.

Tarnessh is awestruck along with the Blue Llama folk. He had heard about the greening of the Finger Holes, but to see it with his own eyes was very different.

...sidles towards Melock and the Seza as nonchalantly as can be achieved on a laden, easily-exasperated rhino.

Wouldn't mind a chance to see Ohanzee before the shouting starts he observes worriedly. Still hoping there's a good explanation for everything. Is there a way to get ahead on this?

Amara watched her brother carefully, before sitting back down on her rhino's back, satisfied that Greeshar wasn't going to just outright kill Delenda. She leaned across to Akala "Akala, I am just about the only person that greeshar would ever listen to. He has no self control. If he sees or perceives something as hostile, he will strike at it. He's killed over petty things and will do so again.... unless something has changed. Perhaps he's found love, I cannot tell."

Finished with Akala, she turned to Delenda "A season ago, I would be the one killing you. I have as much anger over what happened at Moonbroth as he does. What we are trying to do is much more important then our anger, Delenda. It gives me the strength and courage to extend a hand in friendship....and I am glad I did. I no longer judge someone by the beast they ride, but by who they are, and you have proven yourself more than worthy. By actions and by words. You are welcome wherever I am whenever you so wish."

Amara turned to Cantelas wondering what he and the other blue llama people might make of what had happened, before realising he probably just wanted to beat sense into Ohanzee.

Melock looks down at Hoskars mount, "Not on that," he chuckles, "We'd have to push hard to get there much before anyone else," he yawns as he looks down the line of people and animals in front of them, "Ohanzee can look after himself, it's not as if he's going to stand with open arms as half the group charge towards him. We could try to make to the front so we are among the first to get there, at least that way we can try and make people listen to what he has to say."

In reply to Melock (msg # 74):

Hoskar grins back, and winks. Ram might be a bit elderly, but he can still charge if he needs to - just takes a bit of working up like when Taya punctured his arse.

Still, you're right. Sneaking about won't make anyone think better of anyone now. I'd quite like one of us to be at the front to say something first, though. He'll be better able to explain himself if someone's opened up with "Cantalas is mad as hell you tried to summon Raven and everyone got hit by chaos while we were out looking for you" and he knows what he's facing instead of someone just stalking up and yelling, "What the hell were you doing?".

His grin broadens.

And I can think of a few people who might want to put him on the spot. Some born angry, some having had anger thrust upon them. I'd have slapped him myself when Kor got hit, but I've had chance to come off the boil on the ride here.

Soon smoke trails can be seen in the distance, coming from a score or more fires. It looks as if the Giant Finger Holes are busy....

Cantalas reins in his mount to ask those nearest him

"Who are you expecting to meet here? It looks as if there are many folk ahead..."

It's still a couple of kilometres to the earth complex.

In reply to Hoskar Feather (msg # 75):

"I'll head to the front then, should help keep me awake as well." He yawns again, then calls over to Delenda, "I'm heading to the front, do you want to come with me or are you happy to stay with Amara?"

Hoskar likewise heads forward; Melock's yawn proving infectious as eyes sag after a hard night's work.

If she joins us, I'll put you between us: I imagine I'm not as popular as you are in that quarter.