Zion: Light of the New Moon Part 2, Ch 2.2 Shrad
Zion - Light of the New Moon, Part 2 Chapter 2.2
Shrad The Lawless Wilds
The party is going to let Allin come with, but at this point apparently he is going to be given over to Tolen's care. Based on the party's event arc, the following modifiers on this chapter are + Luck, + Willpower, + Treasure if successful or - Luck, - Willpower, - Treasure if they fail.
The otter shook his head, "I just can't get over their problem with Allin watching after you." the guardsman took a seat across from the hyena. Sten had spent his time inspecting the security of Tollie's carriage ever since the group had stopped, but it was the first chance he'd had to actually enter it, "You'd be safer with a dedicated bodyguard."
"You do not have to worry about me, Mr Sten," Tollie offered, resting his staff across the bench next to the guardsman, "I am fine, really."
"You don't have your sister looking after you anymore." the otter stated, "Which means someone else needs to be here for you."
The hyena smiled faintly, "You are a good man, Mr Sten... that is one feature that attracted Majh to you."
the otter's rounded ears perked, "She... talked about me?"
Tollie shook his head, "No." he explained, and pulled his tunic off, rolling it up and placing it at one side of the carriage bench.
Sten was confused for only a moment, "Right... she didn't actually have to SAY anything..." he chuckled faintly.
"I have caused a lot of trouble in this group for the very same reason." Tollie turned his back to the otter and unbuttoned his breeches, leaning down to lower them. Sten licked his muzzle; the hyena's body was perfect; his fur was smooth; the curves of his form were feminine and, in a way, reminded Sten of the boy's sister, though more feminine. The otter never sought men for companionship, but he was far from reluctant if the opportunity--
"Thank you." Tollie noted, tail lowering immediately, ears splaying out in humility, "I..." the hyena's ears reddened, "didn't realize I was--"
Sten coughed, his own ears clamping down around his skull as he felt his entire body burn in embarrassment, "I... uh... sorry... that wasn't supposed to be an aloud thought." he pulled at the collar of his tunic, "Just ah... uh... comparison to--"
"You thought she's more male than I am." Tollie stated, sitting down on the bench opposite the otter, completely nude.
"It's not an insult!" Sten quickly defended his thoughts.
"Of course not." the hyena cocked his head to the side with a faint smile, "I know it is not."
"Majh was handsome... but very attractive in a female way too." the otter commented, pulling at his collar again; he hadn't exactly planned on getting into a discussion of that sort with her brother.
"You do not think I am handsome." Tollie stated. The words weren't spoken as an accusation; they were an assessment.
"Not in the... er... traditional sense, no." Sten admitted, "But you're far more beautiful than she was."
Tollie smiled, "That's what she thought too."
"And..." the otter pressed, "How did you feel about that?"
The hyena shrugged, laying down across the bench, using his rolled up tunic as a pillow, "I did not have to feel any way about it... things are as they are."
"As they were." Sten sighed, lowering his eyes as he realized yet again that he had to think of Majh in the past tense.
"Mr Sten?" the hyena inquired.
"Yea, Tollie?" the otter didn't bother looking up.
"Was it love?"
The question pulled Sten's attention immediately and he paused, looking at Tollie. He opened his muzzle to speak, but was unable to say anything as he stared at the perfect, beautiful body of the hyena stretched out on the bench across from him, reclining casually as if he didn't realize the effect he was having on the confused, emotionally frustrated guard. "I'm going to keep watch outside." the otter finally spoke, and showed himself out.
Sten closed the door behind himself, exhaling a held breath as he slumped back against a carriage wheel. The guardsman didn't know if what he and Majh had shared was love, but, more than that, he was even less sure about what Tollie wanted from him. Despite himself, he had a strong feeling that the seer had planned it that way. "You've left me in a bit of a bind here, Blackpaw." the otter chuckled to himself. He rubbed his wrists absently, "Kind of like our second morning together." and he simply shook his head, bemused at the insanity of the situation.
* * * * * *
Loric paced around inside the substitute carriage, which was far too cramped for his liking. He realized that it was only marginally smaller than his real transport but, aside from that having been destroyed, the fox was really just looking for a reason to complain. He had quite a few reasons at that point, but one more made little difference; his mood was sour and he was quite content to add more lemon juice to the mix.
Lord Kriabnish's eyes kept finding their way back to the hiding place he had created for his 'personal effects', the box that his now-dead servant had been mindful enough to rescue for him. Whenever the fox had an issue to deal with his mind always went back to that box... his 'problem solving' tool kit. The largest roadblock to enjoying that kind of solution, however, was that the group's situation didn't make that entirely feasible.
The fox continued pacing, grumbling to himself about the completely impious demands too many members of the group were making. Loric didn't know why Tollie demanded the slaves be freed, but he assumed it had something to do with the hyena's visions. Were that the case, Loric pondered, why didn't the seer foresee that the group would browbeat him into surrendering the Blade Slave to Tolen? Loric snorted, "Or is there more here than meets the eye?" he asked aloud.
The fox finally took a seat, pondering the significance of that thought. A smile slowly began to creep its way across his muzzle as he started to look at the events of the day from a greater perspective. "Oh, Tollie, you amazing creature..." he chuckled, fighting hard against his admiration for the hyena. It was too early to tell if Tollie's mind was capable of such a ploy, but, if it was, Loric may have discovered his new favorite friend.
Lord Kriabnish's mood improved significantly after that moment. He pulled out his hidden box of 'supplies' and began joyfully polishing glass, cleaning needles, sharpening blades, and inspecting seals and stoppers. He even whistled merrily to himself as he considered what fun an ally like Tollie could be if he, Loric Kriabnish, were required to stay on his toes in anticipation of seeing one of the hyena's masterful plans come to fruition. On the other paw, if Loric were overestimating the hyena, then it would make his own plans that much easier. Either way, it was a win-win for the fox.
* * * * * *
"But, I REALLY don't want a slave, Shadow." Tolen explained, seated on his cot as he looked across the covered wagon to the large, black wolf.
Shadow let out a breath, ears lowering slightly, "I know, Tolen, and I'm sorry... but out of everyone here, I trust you to treat him fairly."
"Why didn't you take him?" the fox asked plaintively.
The wolf shook his head, "Tolen, neither of us are slavers, which means either of us could do the right thing... but think of it this way: do you think Loric would have agreed to ME controlling Allin?"
"He agreed to me," the healer made a disgusted face, "...owning him."
"Loric sees him as a powerful weapon, not a person." Shadow explained, letting out another sigh, laying down on his cot across the wagon from Tolen, "You aren't a warrior. Your tools are bandages and kind words, not soldiers and swords."
"I'm just not sure I'm ready for this." the fox admitted, moving over to sit on the edge of Shadow's cot.
Shadow propped his head up on the pillow, laying on his stomach as he faced the wall, "And that's why I think you're the best one for the job."
Tolen's ears reddened slightly and he slowly, tentatively moved his paws out to press down on Shadow's back, "I wish we could just free him." His fingers slid through the black wolf's fur with expert skill, thumbs moving between the warrior's shoulder blades to ease away the tension from his muscles with a touch.
"We'll think of something." Shadow acknowledged, letting out a breath as the healer helped lessen the large amount of tension from the day.
"Why didn't we just let Tollie handle him?" the fox asked. He pulled his paws back the moment the tension returned to the wolf's muscles.
Shadow rolled to his side, regarding Tolen critically, "I don't trust Tollie, Tolen. He may say he has the best intentions but he's not exactly being honest with us."
"He hasn't exactly lied..." the healer offered hesitantly.
"No, but he reminds me too much of his sister..." the black wolf glanced down at the ground, hackles raised slightly.
"Tollie?" Tolen inquired, ears up, "He's NOTHING like Majh."
"Not on the surface, maybe," Shadow acknowledged, still gazing at a spot on the ground, "But they both seem more caught up in their own wants and needs and plans to think what their actions are doing to others around them."
"He saved Allin's life." the healer suggested, though the comment came out weak.
Shadow said what was on both their minds, "By practically killing him just to make a point."
"It..." the fox fidgeted, "it worked though..."
Growling to himself, the black wolf stood up, pushing past Tolen, "The ends don't justify the means."
"Maybe it's hard for Tollie to understand the means." the white fox offered, "He seems to be trying to do right, but he hasn't had a lot of experience with people... remember?"
"He's Majh's baby brother... that doesn't exactly help matters." Shadow put on his vest and grabbed his sword belt.
"Where are you going?" Tolen asked, looking up at the standing wolf.
"Out." Shadow responded, resting his paw on the hilt of his blade.
"It's almost midnight... you--" and the healer's words were cut short as Shadow pushed the canvas flap aside and hopped out, "...should get some rest."
* * * * * *
Nori swung his hammer, bringing it down with both hands into the loose dirt along the side of the highway. He'd created over a dozen similar impact sites, using it as a way to bleed off some of the energy generated by his frustration without any great noise. The muffled *whump* was accentuated with a comforting shake of the ground, but the ferret knew that neither the sound nor the vibration would be detected at any great distance. He was apparently wrong.
"Enjoying yourself?" Gaerid questioned. Wyse trotted up beside the bounty hunter and sat down, gazing noiselessly at the ferret, almost hungrily.
The Wild Lander hefted the enormous hammer back up and rested it on his shoulder, "What do you want, Gaerid?"
"The same things I always have." the rottweiler stated, "What do YOU want?"
"I want some of these Shradians to lift their tails and remove their heads from their asses." the ferret grunted, and brought his hammer straight down on a new section of ground. *whump*
"But you're content to settle on putting holes in the earth." Gaerid's comment was bland and unemotional.
"Better than killing someone." the young ferret countered.
"Is it?" the bounty hunter asked.
"What do you want, Gaerid?" Nori turned to glare at the rottweiler.
"The same things I--"
"Cut the bullshit." the ferret cursed, "What do you want with me?"
"Why would I want anything from you?" the rottweiler asked simply.
"Because you came out here from camp," he motioned to the ring of wagons several dozen yards away, "and you're talking to me."
"That means I have to want something?" the bounty hunter questioned.
"I said cut the bullshit." Nori scowled, hefting his hammer, "Or I might decide to start hitting something other than the ground."
"You're not very good at threats, are you, Nori?" Gaerid inquired flatly.
"I'm better at action." the Wild Lander stated, "Now why did you come out here?"
"I came because Wyse wanted to." the bounty hunter stated.
Nori's gaze slowly migrated to the feral dog, sitting where he was when he first arrived. Wyse's eyes glinted green in the half-light, that same, hungry stare evident in them.
"W-why?" the ferret asked, pulling his eyes from the dog's gaze before returning them to Gaerid, "Why did he want to see me?"
The bounty hunter shrugged, "I didn't ask." and, with that, Gaerid about-faced and headed back toward the wagons, leaving the ferret alone with the dog. Wyse licked his muzzle and continued staring. Nori felt even more uncomfortable. The dog stood slowly, and took a step toward him, the move far from casual; for a moment, Nori was almost given the impression that he was being stalked; he could see Wyse, and he knew Wyse was aware of it, but didn't seem to care.
"Wyse." Gaerid called, and the dog stopped. Wyse looked over his shoulder at Gaerid, then back to Nori, and took a step nearer. Nori took an involuntary step back, the hammer suddenly feeling too large... too heavy... too slow. "Wyse." Gaerid announced again, "You've seen him... enough." The feral rottweiler stopped and slowly about-faced, though he kept his eyes on Nori even as he trotted back toward the bounty hunter.
Nori's heart was beating rapidly in his chest. He was left confused by the interaction. Was Gaerid threatening him? Why would the bounty hunter threaten him? Was it some kind of corrective action like he might use with his dog? Did Gaerid think he was some kind of pet to be disciplined? What did Gaerid mean by 'Wyse wanted to.'? Was the bounty hunter suggesting that his dog had some kind of interest in him? Shivering to himself, the ferret returned to his wagon; with the image of the hungry eyes staring at him, it was hard for him to deny the thought that he might already know the answer to that last question.
* * * * * *
Part two of Shrad's second chapter focuses on discussions between Tolen and Shadow as well as Tollie and Sten. Gaerid and Nori have a 'talk', and a glimpse of Loric's planning and thoughts fills out this post.
Things are going to get really interesting really fast, however, as the group is going to be meeting with bandits in the very near future. The voting time frame for this post has already expired before it was brought to SF... no need to vote. ;)