When there is only one thing to do, Hoskar at least knows to do it. Having finished his earlier respects, he turns to leave; angling towards Kobal as he does so. There's a damn good explanation. Tell you later he mutters.

The Rangers are escorted to the edge of the Oasis, the warriors following them fanning out along the edge of the vegetation where they stand and watch as the Rangers head back towards the welcome fires of their nearby camp.

Still wearing a bland expression, Hoskar raises a hand in farewell to the watching morokanth, then turns away; face puckering to a grimace. Shit, I feel dirty. Reckon we'd better scram before he realises he won't be seeing Dark Claw again.

You're probably wondering what in all that's unholy came over me back there. Explain shortly, but I for one need a drink first. He hastens on to Ram in search of a skin of kumiss with his name on it.

"Been a few Morokanth sniffing about, asking where we been and what we been doing. Managed to keep the harpies unseen...I think" says Leaper who'd been on guard.

"Unfriendly bunch. If I didn't know better I'd say they were scoping us out for our defences...."

Once they get back to the fires the Rangers get their first proper look at Greeshar

His face has the remnants of recently healed bruises and cuts. It looks like he's been fighting.

Whispers looks okay though she seems withdrawn.

Hoskar drinks deeply from a skin of kumiss. That should get the taste out of my mouth then tries to get the attention of his comrades; especially those, like Salen, Kobal and Greeshar who he thinks were angriest.

I've not gone insane.

Look at what we got: two rhinos returned, back here without fighting and maybe dying, and one well confused Morokanth. He'd have enjoyed killing us and peaceful though it was to be dead, we'll be no use for the green like that. Somehow having been dead helped too: it's like something didn't make it back here with me.

Who knows when it'll be useful that the bugger isn't sure I dislike him, or that he might think I remember Krakka fondly? Might help us nobble them one day to have them off-balance. Silly sods might even reckon they can use the soft-as-mud little trader boy for their own ends and let me help them...to come a cropper. Remember, us outsiders fit in the cracks.

He chuckles, then winces, then swills his mouth again.

So I paid out today in self-respect and in some loot. Just a sour-tasting investment.

Anyone thinking I'm disloyal might want to ask our beloved Sun Hawk how honest I've just been.

He looks around the Rangers for their reactions, clear-eyed and without a hint of the uncertainty that used always to tinge his mien.

Akala claps his heavy hand on Hoskar's shoulder

"You did fine. I for one am happy we walked away from that."

"You were right to keep him off balance like that, which is why I followed your lead." He walks over to Leaper, "So they might attacks tonight? I think we're better of staying here cause at least its defendable." He looks round for Kinamasi, "What happened while we were gone, where's Broken Claw?"

"I'm not sure. Zakeen came back two days ago and there was much Balagan...Trouble....I have not seen Broken Claw since you left."

There is talk that the Morokanth are gathering...Why I don't know."

Whispers sits down by the fire with a sigh and then sees the Harpy Queen and her companions, the harpies having hidden themselves behind the mounts

Standing with a shocked look on her face, she gasps

"What is this?"

Theres the sound of drawn bronze as Greeshar loosens his sword.

"That's why you were waiting here," he says with a smile, "How long had you been waiting? Do you know where the other oasis folk will be hiding?" When Whisper and Greeshar react to the Queen, he runs between Greeshar and the Queen with his arms spread, "Wait! they are friends." he half turns to introduce them to each other, "My Queen, Hilimaz Mushen, may I introduce Whispers from the Sky and Greeshar Longhorn"

"Your Queen?" roars Greeshar angrily "You go fight chaos and come back in the company of them!"

He sniffs the air, but obviously detects nothing amiss "Pah I've been wrong before...Explain yourself!"

He turns to Kobal and the others

"Well?"

In reply to Greeshar Longhorn (msg # 83):

Glad of the distration, Hoskar turns to Greeshar. She's as chaotic as you are, and I'd still be dead if she'd not brought me back. The Rivals recognised her, you know.

He shakes his head sadly at some of the Rangers.

Just try not to fall in love. There's a lot of it about right now.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:19, Fri 04 Dec 2015.

"It appears as though there are two distinct types of harpy. One corrupted by chaos which is the one we're all familiar with, and the other. Harpies as they were originally before Genert left us. Guardians and protectors of the Earth. We're taking the Queen to the Earth Temple." Amara looked at her brother and whispers "Now....precisely what happened when we were gone?"

"The Seza helped heal those that were sick. All was good and then Zakeen came back. It's seems that Broken Claw had been scheming behind his Khan's back and he got in trouble for this.

We were swept up in it and I had to fight to protect Whispers from some over zealous braves."

"How do you know they're not chaotic...How did they get clean...It's impossible."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:03, Fri 04 Dec 2015.

The Seza turns from the Queen, whom she'd given the briefest of greetings, and hugs Amara

"It is good to see you Amara. It looks as if no one was hurt. I'm relieved you all made it back" as she speaks the shaman eyes both Hoskar and Gloaming....

"Are you sure we should stay here then if you think they plan to attack?"

The Queen nods at the two new comers, though it seems neither nomad is affected by her charm. For now she says nothing, her harpy companions pressing close to protect her.

Sand Fox approaches Kobal, Salen and Henal "What do you reckon? Do you think they'll attack?"

The brave looks concerned. Not surprising after all that they've been through over the last season and especially now that they were on the way home.

Amara greeted Whispers with a hug, smiling to see her. "I think we've all been hurt, but we survived and the Green is closer as a result. We have a lot of news to share...but I suspect Zakeen and his braves may become a little ambitious when they head out our way. We can survive without water for a day. I think we should just pack up and move on immediately." after the hug she walked to her brother hugging him just as much "I am glad to see you recovered....but the harpies we know..., we could ask the Queen, but I don't think they were ever chaotic. I don't think anyone can be cured once they turn chaotic...this is why we burn their bodies."

"Salen. You have history with this Khan. Do we need to kill him?"

The Condor brave finds Gloaming has come to stand right next to him, his face mere inches from his own , the new death rune on his face slightly imposing, lent menace by the High Llama brave's height.

"I feel the urge for bloodshed...To wet my sword before the night is through."

"This is good. I mean leaving here that is" replies Whispers who follows Amara, keeping close at all times.

"Ohanzee, you are well too? I hope you agree that we should leave before they over run us. There are many of them, at least a fifty braves were in the Khan's war-party."

The dark haired oasis woman averts her gaze shyly  "I have waited here each day. My people are in the Oasis. They are not hiding."

When she gets the chance she holds Tarosh's arm tightly and asks in a frightened voice "Who is that? He scares me."

She indicates Greeshar.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:12, Fri 04 Dec 2015.

In reply to Kinamasi (msg # 94):

"He is Amara's brother, a follower of Stormbull. From what little I know of him, he's a good fighter, but quick to anger, like all followers of the Bull. Just stay out of his way and you should be fine." He looks round at the others, while keeping hold of Kinamasi, "Surely they're just as likely to follow us and attack us once we leave here. We wont be able to out run them in the dark, unless anyone here can see in the dark to lead us"

"Even if they follow us, they are on foot. On our mounts, we can outpace or outfight them. A few arrows sent in their direction if they catch up will encourage them not to follow too closely...then when we get to the Gouge, it is us that will have the advantage." Amara shrugged "Though you're right, it would be helpful to see in the midst of this darkness."