Midday

With Bright Treasure immediately above them, the Rangers are once more gathered about their mounts, gear already loaded, with enough food to last the journey there and back, and water to at least get them to where they were going. For the first time the braves had more than the usual Bison and Rhinos, joined now by three High Llama riders and a member of the Impala Nation.

The new braves looked proud as they mingled with their new colleagues, some shy, and others with chests stuck out.

Greeshar grumbles as he vaults on to his Rhino, happy to be leaving the Oasis, which to him was just a hotbed of rivalries, hidden motives and stupid politics.

"Come on lets go. Always the bloody Ravens that hold us up..."

Ohanzee slips the covered item he had recovered into the pack on his saddle before he likewise vaults onto his own mount. Grabbing at the opening left by Greeshar, always happy to try to wind up the bully "That's us Ravens, always there to hold you up when you would otherwise fall."

"Don't be too hard on them, Greeshar. Ravens are better tricksters then some others I've heard of. Apparently the strange Orlanthi's trickster is a terrible madman." He looked at Ohanzee and Melock. "Besides, our Ravens have never shied away from the consequences when the situation required it. They've both been more acquainted with death then they should be at our age."

Having accompanied the Rangers back to their camp above the Holes, the shaman readies her own Rhino, announcing that she will accompany them on their quest.

Her mount is laden down with interesting looking gear, fetishes, bundles of feathers, rolled hides and two extra large wobbling water skins.

The Blue Llama clan members come to say their farewells, promising to watch over the Rangers' spare herd beasts. Cantalas is there and does his best to avoid Ohanzee, thus averting any last minute problems. Hugging his son the elder passes over a tightly bound package into Peat's hands.

"Take care and use it wisely my son. May Foundchild guide your way."

Reining in his impatient Impala, Leaper hollers above the noise of the assorted animals "So north to Hoofcrack aye?"

Approaching his companions Sand Fox announces

"I just found out that a party of my people have set off for the Sandstorm Hills first thing this morning before dawn. Loyal men of the Shaman."

Ohanzee makes sure that he stays clear of Cantalas for the same reasons, no desire to add to the swellings and darkened bruises covering him, many of which are visible on his face only now that he has his gear back. On hearing Sand Fox he frowns. It irks him greatly that the shaman has sided with the Sun against the Rangers, especially given that Raven himself has shown the importance of the disk. And what only adds to this is that he has earned not only the gratitude of the foreigners but also the Earth Witch!

"Do you know what business they have there?" he asks his fellow Ranger "They left before the trouble over the disc so it can't be anything to do with that unless Banyak Bulu had prior knowledge about it or the Sun Domers."

As usual Salen quietly goes about his business, making sure everything is gathered and in place on Kohana. He doesn't need to worry about Mordy, because that mutt is always barking at something. Time to go skewer some scumbags, for Melock...

"It has nothing to do with the Yelmalions, they leave now towards the South. The Shaman's braves are heading to the hills where the Harpies are nesting. They plan to beat us there" answers his brother.

"Why?" Tarnessh asked as he started riding Grumpfy in the direction of Hoofcrack after making sure that the cowpeckers on Grumpfy's back were happy. "He already got what he wanted, and it doesn't make sense for the Earth Witch to geas two groups to compete with each other to do the same thing. Then we might fight and neither of us actually get rid of those damn harpies."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:26, Tue 09 June 2015.

"I think they plan to show us up" growls Greeshar, who has fallen in next to his Seza, Whispers in the Sky.

"Get there first and take all the credit."

"This has nothing to do with the Earth Witch."

When Cantalas comes to see them off Tarosh salutes him from atop Carross and says his farewell to his fellow Blue Llama's.
Looking down from his High Llama, "If the stories about you lot are true, it'll be them that's shown up." Thinking Kobal is the leader of the Rangers, he asks him, " So, where do you want me while we travel?"

Ohanzee nods "Makes perfect sense to me, the shaman hates us Rangers. Not sure why, but maybe because of the killing of his teacher, the Mad One."

"Whatever the reason he had me brought to him person like, had my rhino hidden in a tent to keep it secret and had me beaten too, more personal treatment than other slaves get."

"And if he hates us then his personal war party does too, anything says is law with them."

He pulls alongside Leaper, happy to look down instead of up all the time "It'd be nice to rescue them when they cock it up." and then a dark look comes over him "Be even nicer to take some fresh slaves!"

Amara said nothing as Ohanzee spoke, only looking thoughtful as he mentioned his treatment at the hands of the shaman. "We don't need to rush. The weaker the shaman is, the less his influence will be. If some of the shamans braves get there before us and kill some harpies then I see no need to rush in ahead of them. Our geas will be complete and the Red Thorns will have done all of the work. We're not in competition with the Red Thorns to aid the temple." she added.

Seeing everyone turn to Kobal, she headed out riding on the left of the main group as was her preference.

"Make a change from you cocking up won't it" laughs the Rhino brave.

Looking up at Tarosh Long Neck he growls

"You have the markings of a Thunderbird, which makes you okay by me. You seen much action?"

Kobal straightens after tending to Black Hoof and nods at Amara's words.  "Yes, I was thinking the same.  If the Red Thorns do some of the work for us, it might not be such a bad thing.  As long as they don't take all the glory...

"Sand Fox, Nixa, thanks for this news.  We must make good time to the Hoofcrack oasis, and then the Hills.  My grandfather once told me a story of the Hoofcrack, from his time searching out Chaos.  It is said that there the blood of Malia fell upon the Earth and scarred it.  My grandfather said that the people of that oasis are Chaos friends.  I don't know why then, the Earth Witch has suggested that we seek the help of the shaman there..."



Kobal turns to the llama brave with a smile, and looks up.  However, when he speaks, he raises his voice to address all present, particularly the new Rangers.  "Tarosh Long Neck, among our band we normally sort this out among ourselves.  Take whatever position you feel comfortable with.  However, I think it would be a good idea when we start out for new Rangers to mix with the veterans.  Let's not have all the llama riders together.  In that way, we'll all get to know each other better."

Then he walks to Cantalas and offers his hand.  "Cantalas, our thanks again for your help and hospitality before and now at these Giant Finger Holes.  We'll see you again in a few weeks.  May Waha and the Earth watch over you and you people."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:05, Wed 10 June 2015.

He nods his head, "Plenty!" he has a smug grin on his face, "Before we ran in to you lot, we raided some river folk, who were on their way to trade in that cursed place by the river," he spits, "I killed 3 of them. They thought they were safe, spending the night away from the bank, I wont forget the look of surprise that crossed the guard's face when he looked over and saw Carross," he pats the neck of his llama, "wading through the water with me standing on his back, the water was half way up his flank. Mind you the next thing that crossed his face was my axe."



He looks a bit shocked, "How the hell does that work? Who takes the blame when things go wrong?" He looks round at the Rangers, trying to choose who to ride with, a bit baffled by the sudden choice, "I think it would be better if the ones that have been here longer than I decide that."

As the Rangers are departing they find their way through the Oasis blocked by a small knot of Morokanth: Three females that Amara recognises from the High Holy day and the three males encountered hanging out under some bushes whilst watching their small herd of Gern. The same herd that are currently feeding on the shrubs and bushes about their owners now.

Also with them is Brinna, Salen's aunt.

"Rangers, these are your travelling companions and guides to Hoofcrack."

Six pairs of dark eyes watch the approaching braves and the small herd of Gern stop what they're doing, instead crouching down defensively.

Amara watched the Morokanth between narrowed eyes. "We both know there are differences between your clan and ours. Our mission and what we are doing for the Earth is more important than our differences, and I do not blame you personally for what was done to Kaonu. I blame Zakeen Two Thumb. It might not be today, or even in a moons time, but some day, if he dare shows his face around us, we will extract our revenge from his hide for what he did to Kaonu after we spared his life. We spared it once and it cost us dear, that mistake will never be made again." Amara paused for only a moment "If you need to tell him to run that we do not kill him, then please do so. I'd prefer not to spoil what we do in the name of the Garden with the blood of the kin of those we work with to restore it." Amara took a deep breath, cleansing her spirit, not realising and surprised how much anger she held towards Zakeen for that act of betrayal.