At the earliest opportunity to do so, having paid his own respects to Cantalas, Hoskar slips off the still-poorly Kor and rearranges his limited goods on Ram such as to accommodate a rider. Not what you expected, is it old chap? he coos soothingly to the older beast; pressing his forehead almost lovingly against the horn of his father's mount for a moment before jumping onto the rhino's back; intoning half-playfully where once there was a garden, we ride to restoration...if you'll let me old man.

Ram, resenting this unfamiliar intrusion, is not best pleased and for a couple of minutes it's all Hoskar can do to avoid a humiliating fall until he's joined by Four-Paws who leaps gracefully onto the rhino's neck to ride in her usual spot. How it happens, Hoskar's not quite sure; but the touch of his new friend's paws soothes the rhino's tetchiness and from then on he allows himself to be ridden peacefully while Hoskar rubs his bruises; even when the cat jumps off again.

He looks around the Rangers to spot Nixa and Sand Fox, having been hit overnight by a thought which should have come to him some time earlier. I've been noticing our sizes and we look about the same. Should have thought of this sooner really. Now I've got this metal stuff, either of you want to use the wyvern hide armour? I'm keeping the old helmet - that closed-in tin pot is suffocating - but I can't use two hauberks at once, can I?

Melock looks like he hasn't slept all night, but he is still awake enough to greet everyone and offer his condolences to those who have lost someone. He watches with quiet amusement while Hoskar settles Ram down and then wearily takes up his usual spot at the rear, helping herd the bison.

Nixa and Sand Fox thank Hoskar profusely but both decline the generous offer.

"Ours will do until we can win ourselves our own armour."

As Tarnessh rides past, a sack tied to Grumpfy's saddle bag begins to kick. It's the two Jack Rabbits that Melock had asked the Sun Hawk brave to look after.

Amara voiced her opinion. "Are you or are you not wandering rangers? These things were won in battle by wandering rangers. A battle won by one of us, is a battle won by all. You should wear this armour with pride, for it makes us all stronger. You have many accomplishments as part of our group. We do not grudge you it, which is why you were offered it."

"Oh hey!" Tarnessh said in surprise then recognition as the jackrabbits began kicking. He had Grumpfy trot over to Melock and Tarnessh passed the bag over to him. "Here you go. I almost forgot about these ones."

In reply to Tarnessh Listens-To-Silence (msg # 8):

He looks at the bag with half asleep eyes, "Taya didn't get to eat much last night and I think Ohanzee would kill me if she ate them. Could carry them today? I'm sure you can get Tulox to leave them be and hunt something else."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:49, Fri 01 May 2015.

Tarnessh shrugged. "Sure, shouldn't be a problem. I just feel kind of sorry for them, trapped in a bag like that."

In reply to Tarnessh Listens-To-Silence (msg # 10):

"Cheers, it wont be for to much longer. Once we get to the Giant Finger Holes and find Ohanzee, he can choose which one he wants as a familiar and let the other one go." He looks over to Delenda then back at Tarnessh, "I take it there's a reason she got a weapon on her?"

"Maybe because if I hadn't your little golden bird here would be Scorpion food. You can try and take it off me if you'd like...."

A big grin cracks Melocks face, "You were saved by a Sable rider?" He starts laughing, "That's going to haunt you for a long time" Still laughing he turns to Delenda, "You've made my day and you have my thanks for saving Firestorm. If the others aren't worried about you having it, why should I be?"

It wasn't just a sable rider that saved Tarnessh, though the way Delenda fought was worthy of a Thunderbird. Henal says puffing himself up.

"The others were too busy falling off their Bison to care..."  Delenda winks at Melock, surprisingly upbeat for someone who is a hostage.



"That is true you fought well Henal Longgrass. Have you opened the hide roll that was found with the scorpion men yet?"

In reply to Melock (msg # 13):

"Hopefully I won't get knocked up and nearly eaten a third time. I try to almost be dinner only once a year, at most."

Really? you'll have to tell me what happened, that sounds like a story that I need to know" He smiles back at her, while doing his best not to show how uneasy he feels about her having a weapon.



"So who fell off then? You've always been good in a fight Henal, which, I'm guessing is why you where chosen by Thunderbird."

Akala offered his condolences to the Agimori and The Blue Llama's.

The Big Brave also attempted to pick over the Scorpion Men's remains in the morning, looking for coin and- most importantly- some more of the sweet smelling antidote Melock and Hoskar had found.

Later, he chuckled at the story of the Bison riders falling from their mounts. He looked admiringly at Delenda, wondering what the future might hold for this fiery young princess.  The mere concept of a Sable rider riding into battle with Bison Riders and Rhino Riders... After Moonbroth... Seemed inconceivable.

And yet, was this not one of the tasks the Wandering Rangers were to perform?  The unification of the tribes?  Akala would have thought the Sables the most difficult to reach (outside of the Morocanth), but here it was, an opportunity to build such a bridge.

Akala looked away, thinking If only I hadn't killed the opportunities brother..."

Amara smiled pleased that Delenda had grown in stature enough to joke with the others. It seemed to Amara the Delenda had found her place in life. The woman had never seemed to be happier and sharing jokes with people even the day before that had hated her. Both her fellow braves and Delenda could now be more at ease, they'd shared blood in a fight. She nodded once, smiling to Delenda as a gesture of well earned respect and approval, before sitting out on the left where she preferred to be. It was good to let Delenda absorb the goodwill of all around her.

Amara passed her respects to the agimori and Blue Llama peoples too, acknowledging their courage and sacrifice in the fight against the common enemy of all. As they started to approach the giant finger holes Amara started to relax, wondering how the group would approach. She wondered when the Blue Llama people would notice the changes in the Earth around them that signified the changes that had taken place. They seemed so evident to Amara, but to someone who did not pass this place often they might seem as nothing.

It is well known amongst the group by now that both brothers joined the group partly because of Amara.

Sand Fox listens to the brave say her part and then replies

"Shut up Amara. This is between us and Hoskar. You do not need to give your opinion on everything."

Nixa nods in agreement.

"Aye this has nothing to do with you or Rangers and everything to do with us as braves."

Akala finds that the scorpion men have been picked clean, with any wealth having been distributed between the Blue Llamas and Agimori.

As he asks if anyone has an antidote, one of the Eirithans explains that for one to work it must be administered straight away.

On a brighter note he discovers that Melock had found a good haul of coins as well as a gem, some nomad jewellery and another potion of some sort.

The rescuers' find was also shared, Hoskar pointing out that the hide was from a cow and that the writing was Sartarite, the language of those from far to the West. He said he'd examine it in detail when he had some time.

Soon the Rangers have begun their descent to the plain below, travelling down a zig zagging trail, both steep and precarious. It goes without mishap and those who reach the bottom first find two Rhino Riders waiting for them...

It's Greeshar, Amara's twin brother and the Skywatchers' shaman Whispers from the Sky.

Henal takes the heads from the cowhide and puts them onto a funeral pyre before they leave camp, taking time to comiserate with the Agimori and Blue Llamas for their losses.

Let Delenda continue to bear arms though she is still under ransom. I did need her help in the battle with the scorpion men as Kobal and Salen's courage did not fail them but the darkness made them stumble in the charge against the scorpion men.

In reply to GM (msg # 23):

Acknowledging Greeshar with a salute Henal speaks Greetings Whispers from the Sky. What brings you here to meet us?

"It has everything to do with your stupidity and nothing to do with your being braves. Do you not think the foes we face are above the normal ones you do as a brave. You're not a brave any longer, you're something more special a ranger. Do whatever you must, cast lots, have a contest, but one of you should be wearing the better armour to help us." She made an agitated gesture with her fingers "Until then, as you've requested, I will leave you alone and have nothing to do with either of you."

Amara needed the time on her own out on the left to lower her anger at the two. Perfectly good armour and they were trying to fight without the best protection possible. Who would have to tell their mother if they fell. Amara knew who it would be. It would be her.

Distracted by her irritation by both Sand Fox and Nixa, it took her longer to recognise it was Whispers and Greeshar out in front. Her eyes widened as she set Thunderfoot into a gallop towards them. "GREESHAR" Amara shrieked with glee as she rode "Whispers!" It was good to see her brother and arguably best friend and Greeshar looked to be better!

Akala rode over the crest eager to see what the Giants Finger Holes might behold.

Upon seeing his cousin The Big Brave exclaimed "Greeshar!  Coz!"

He moved to embrace the man after Amara, inspecting him to make sure he was well.  The Stoneface grinned, looking sideways at Amara, saying, "Little Spark has grown to become wildfire!"

Akala then took a moment to introduce himself to the other brave as well.

Greeshar returns Henal's salute and then Amara is upon him. Immediately he's checking her arm "Ohanzee said...By the Great Spirits what happened?"

Whispers from the Sky smiles, dismissing her perpetual look of shyness momentarily. Before she can reply to Henal she spots Akala

"I did not foresee this...Is that Akala Stoneface?"

The immense brave sees that it is little Whispers all grown up. He'd heard that she'd been apprenticed to old Koka, their clan shaman, but hadn't seen her since before Moonbroth and Koka's death.

And here she is a full blown shaman herself, emanating power and surrounded by barely seen spirits. She's sat atop Below Me a huge Rhino with a renown ferocity and deep intelligence.

Flicking back her long fringe off her pale face, she then studies the large group now approaching

"Blue Llamas...Hmmm and a Sable brave and a good sized herd of Bison. So things have been going well?"

In reply to Henal she adds "We are duty bound to meet the Earth Witch like yourselves and this is the only way down for many leagues. I divined that you would be here...Yesterday or today. You were beaten by Ohanzee, by a few hours...."

Greeshar fixes Akala with a wary look.