And just before I go into the smoke, I shout to Kobal "Kobal, we take you out of there, we shall fight outside all together !"

Waha, please help us. I know we are foolish to penetrate the lair of such a beast.

To the North of the rocks the two Rhino riders, brother and sister, sit astride their beasts, lances pointing at the cave entrance, from which smoke billows in big, choking clouds....

From within comes the sound of fierce fighting, Kobal's voice being joined by the muffled voices of others of his clan.

On the other side is Fireborn, weapons at the ready and stoking the belching fire....



It's pandemonium, as smoke swirls this way and that, spaces filled with gnashing teeth and slashing bone blades, as Kobal suddenly finds at his side Melock and Hacha Lor, the latter appearing from a low tunnel to his left, his own sword flashing with power.

For a brief moment the three braves stand side by side, toughened skin shining in the weak torch light as they face their enemy.

United...

But then it happens....The Leaping bear dodges a thrust by both Hacha and Kobal and dives under Kobal's shield, dagger like teeth clamping on his leg.

The brave goes down, being shaken like a child's reed doll in the creature's maw.

With a roar Kaonu arrives, spear lancing down to miss by a fraction, but this gives Melock the chance he's been waiting for and he stabs his sword into the creature's shoulder, making it drop the unconscious Kobal, whose leg is a shattered, bleeding mess...

The torch drops and goes out.

Total darkness, except for the weak glows of various passages leading to the outside.


The beast roars and is gone....






To the North, out of the smoke charges a beast from nightmares, a lithe, heavily muscled, blood soaked creature, with matted dirty hair and a dog like head.

And teeth....you've never seen such teeth....

It screams with rage, skidding to a halt as it sees the two Rhinos, and then turns to jump up the rocks behind.

The Rhinos erupt into action, spurned on by their excited riders, both charging straight at the creature as it leaps.

Greeshar misses, his lance striking at where the creature was crouched a second before, but Amara pins the Leaping Bear to the rock, lance ignoring it's toughened hide like a needle through Rhino grease.

The beast tries to turn, claws tearing chunks from the rock, but is stilled for ever by a perfectly aimed lance thrust from Greeshar, through the back of it's head....Killing it instantly.

Silence.

As the combat rages inside Fireborn senses that the Tamarisk trees are listening too, almost bending the better to hear....

Askuwhetu, the Tamarisk Man....

In reply to GM (msg # 197):

If it makes sense, I first use first aid to stop bleeding -or may be Melock knows a healing spell ? I am not a shaman, but I know a friendly fertility spirit which may be able to heal Kobal: I call Checheh the Melon Boy and ask for his help and am ready to listen to the price he wants for it.

In an attempt to staunch the bleeding, Hacha will use rope to tie off the bleeding stump of Kobal's leg.

In reply to Kaonu Windspeaker (msg # 199):

Melock will suggest to Kaonu and Hacha lets get him out in to the light so we can see what we are doing, anyone good with healing charms? please don't tell me that Kobal is the only one who knows them Melock will keep his sword out just in case there is a second one about. sounds like Greeshar and Amara got it though so unless its got a mate we should be safe for now

MR 11-12

Kaonu and Hacha Lor's quick thinking applications of aid, manage to staunch their friend's blood, though nether are able to heal any of the horrific damage.

It's too dark and smoky, and even Hacha Lor's ability to see in the dark is suffering.

Their friend moans softly as they work.

All three men know that they must work hard to save their friend's limb, time is the essence....

Hacha will help Melock and Kaonu move their wounded companion out into the light.

While applying the first aid to Kobal, I say: "OK, I propose to bring Kobal on my bison, while calling the Tamarisk spirit (my bison is close to it). You look for herbs and call the Tamarisk as well. But none of us is a true chaman [or am I wrong ?]. If the spirit does not manifest until I'm on Yellow Wing's back, we rush to the melons: I think we'll have a chance to call Melon Boy there, since we made an alliance. Did anybody of us take a melon in his bag ? This may be enough to call Melon Boy without going abck to teh melon field ?

In reply to Kaonu Windspeaker (msg # 204):

When they get Kobal out of the cave and next to a bison, Melock will tell Hacha and Kaonu get him to melon boy, I'll scout round for some healing herbs

As the beast lay at her feet, Amara smiled at her brother, between them they'd managed to defeat the beast. Although the beast was dead, she cut its throat as a symbolic gesture. She smiled to her brother as she wiped her blade clean.

"We should skin it. The hide will make some good clothes and serve to show of all of our victories today." she paused looking at the best "I thought they mentioned that there were two of these beasts" she looked closer at the beasts head "Someone very powerful does not like one or both of our clans."

Raising her lance from the ground she frowned as she looked at the rune embedded on the beasts skin. "Maybe there's a spirit nearby that saw the marking being put on the beast. In the meantime we should prepare for a second leaping bear."

Fireborn quickly went to his bison and snatch his skin of kumiss. He lets ome pout ontot he base of each tamarisk tree then poured some into the fire giving rise to a puff of kumiss scent steam...

Oh tamarisk, so curly, curly and young,
Under you, little tamarisk, no poppy is blooming.
Under you, little tamarisk, no fire is burning -
No poppy is blooming -
Pretty maids are dancing a circle dance,
about you little tamarisk, they are singing your songs songs.
Please Aksuwhetu, our brother has fallen!

Kaonu joins Fireborn and claps his hands to give the rythm
[I try it in English...]

Aksuwhetu, blood has been spread,
Aksuwhetu, the beast is dead,
Aksuwhetu, help our brother,
we’ll dance for you at the camp fire.

And I give 3 POW. More if this does not work enough.

Amara started skinning the leaping bear, cutting off the claws and head as trophies to display later. She frowned as she heard the singing, but the voices were too distant to make out much, so she continued seperating the beast from its outer layer.

In reply to Kaonu Windspeaker (msg # 208):

Melock joins in with Kaonu and Fireborn, whilst collecting herbs great Aksuwhetu mighty are your trees, Oh great Aksuwhetu we killed an evil beast, Oh great Aksuwhetu our brother has graverly wounded, Oh great Aksuwhetu please help him
This message was last edited by the player at 16:43, Fri 13 Sept 2013.

In reply to Amara Brightsky (msg # 209):

When Melock as finished singing he will shout Greeshar and Amara, come quick the beast has done great damage to Kobal

Kobal is placed beneath the Tamarisk trees, the shade protecting him from the Sea Season sun and the rocks from the South Westerly wind.

It's peaceful...

And the song is powerful...

Blood drips upon an ancient root...

Braves begin to offer up their spiritual essence, hoping to draw out the spirit of the trees.....An ancient and benevolent being, who though often stubborn, was a wealth of knowledge when it came to surviving in the Wastes.

The smoke begins to swirl about those kneeling by their friend, cloaking them in it's now sweet embrace.

Salt. The air fills with it's bitter tang, contrasting with the burning sap in the wood.

Askuwhetu is close.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:56, Fri 13 Sept 2013.

In reply to GM (msg # 212):

Melock will drip some of his blood on to the tree roots, and then collect a handful of bison dung (with his uncut hand) and place some round the base of the tree oh great Aksuwhetu please except this gift of fertility for your tree

Hearing the commotion from over the hill, Amara ran up the side to have a closer look at what was going on. She could see someone was hurt. Cupping her hands to her eyes she could see that Kobal was placed at the Tamarisk trees and the haze of smoke growing around them. "They will be needing tribute" she spoke mostly to herself.

She looked back down at her brother. "Greeshar we are needed." Amara clambered down the back of the hill and cut the claws off the leaping bear with her axe. As the claws dripped blood she started a jog towards the trees and the others calling for the Tamarisk man.

Greeshar's blood begins to boil as he hears the roaring and shouting from the cave. The mighty Stoneskin bellows as he picks up on his rider's excitement. Practically twitching, the young rhino rider shouts when he sees the foe, urging his mount into a lumbering charge, his sister Amara at his side! Long lances leading, the brave feels a thrill of pride in his sister's strike. Maneuvering for another attack, he sings out when his own lance strikes the foe as well.

“Sister! We are mighty! Sing of victory!” He shouts in exultation, bringing his mount around in a lumbering circle for joy as Amara dismounts and slits the beast's throat. He takes a moment to scan the horizon, looking for signs of the thing's mate. But he sobers quickly, his joy turning to indignation and disgust at the thought that someone deliberately set this beast mad.

“As much as leaping bear is our foe, it was wrong to change its spirit and make it other than it is. Indeed we have an enemy.” Gazing at the tops of the twin trees, showing beyond the rocks, he adds, “Perhaps Askuwhetu has seen. It is a good thought to ask him.”

Nodding approval as his sister begins skinning, Greeshar says, “Our lances have done little damage to the skin; it is good. I'll watch while you take care of it.” He brings the mighty Stoneskin around again, using his prod. The faint sound of singing comes from over the rocks, their bison companions. “It is meet that they sing their victory; can it be that they have slain this one's mate?”

Then it is that Melock's voice carries through the singing, calling to them. “Amara, we should go to our fallen companion. We can return and finish the skinning after, if the vultures don't do too much damage. Agreed?” Greeshar holds a hand up and shouts, “We come!”

He'll give his sister a moment, then begin urging the mighty Stoneskin to move.

The trees begin to shudder slightly, blown by a wind from another place....

Smoke parts to let the Rhino riders join their brothers in arms...adopted family....blood companions.

A sacred time begins.

In aid of their fallen friend.

ANd here it comes...A voice borne on the wind, creaking, the sound of branches rubbing.

"Blood is split on my roots....

Young braves in need....

Why should I help...?

Why should I care....?

You disturb me....

Burn my wood....

Why....?"

Riding up to the tamarisks, Greeshar's skin begins to prickle. Spirits, ahh, he thinks to himself, and dismounts. “Stay,” he says to the mighty Stoneskin, and kneels at Kobal's side.

Thinking quickly, the rhino rider knows they have but little time. He attempts his basic skill at first aid, while speaking firmly to the spirit. He says, “Askuwhetu, He who endures! He who can be torn down, but springs back again! I carry the Harmony rune upon my wrist,” and he indicates a leather bracer he wears. “This brave, Kobal of the Bison people, fell driving Tripanandar's child from your roots! But even more, the leaping bear was disfigured with the Disorder rune! Now you may have Harmony once again. This we have given freely to you. And we bring you Fertility, and Power,” he adds, noting the blood, kumiss and dung offerings. “All this given freely. And all we asked was some of your wood, used to aid you! But now I offer you a bargain!”

Speaking quickly, he goes on. “You know we have little time to heal our comrade Kobal, so that he may walk and ride again. This is my bargain. I will use the Harmony rune to try and heal Kobal's leg, but my mastery is weak! Not like you! Lend me your magic in my attempt! And in return, we will feed you the carcass of the leaping bear, and swear to hunt down the one who used the Disorder rune and spoiled your Harmony! Hear me, Askuwhetu! My time passes, I must try. Lend me your strength!”

Concentrating as he never has before, the young would-be warrior focuses his power through the Harmony rune and attempts to make Kobal's leg right, hoping Askuwhetu will lend his aid.

Everyone beneath the tree feels the presence of the spirit, though unlike Melon Boy, Askuwhetu is not visible. He is the trees, leaning closer, the salty tang in the air and the scent of burnt sap in your noses...

"You speak with honesty and love for your friend, but why should i care?  I go on....My roots drink deep.....What you offer is not enough for me too stir....."

Greeshar and his companions can't help but notice that the voice has lost some of it's original roughness.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:22, Fri 13 Sept 2013.

In reply to GM (msg # 218):

i will pay homage to you on this day every season for the rest of my life if you will help Kobal with this Melock will add more of his blood to the roots

In reply to GM (msg # 218):

Our brother risked his life to protect the bisons herds and kill the beast which was massacring them. Bisons do not eat tamarisks but feed them with their dunk. You and us need the bisons, and need our brother Kobal to continue to protect the herds from which our children eat. And he has been marked by Thunder Bird, who brings the rain from which we all live. But you're right, I have a debt since I cut your branches. So please accept a gift as payment, a part of myself, just like I took a part of yourself. And I cut a part of one of my plaits, which is a big gift from a warrior, which I attach to the tamarisk, giving all the POW I can.