Zion: Light of the New Moon Part 2, Ch 2.3 Shrad
Zion - Light of the New Moon, Part 2 Chapter 2.3
Shrad The Lawless Wilds
This chapter will pit the party against a large number of brigands. At this time, they believe that intimidation will be in their best interest... let's see how that turns out. 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.
Shadow Darkfang marched his way through camp as everyone was getting ready to continue their journey. The freed slaves had headed northward, which left the caravan survivors traveling south on their own. The thought didn't bother the wolf in the least, knowing that the freed slaves were given the best chance they could hope for at starting a new life. Shadow's smile was reserved, however, and it disappeared altogether the moment he heard Tollie speaking to Allin.
"And so you see, Allin," the hyena noted calmly, sitting down on a rock across from the likewise seated Tamaskan, "that is why it is important that you do such a thing."
"What's going on?" Shadow demanded immediately.
"Good morning, Shadow Darkfang, I am sorry you did not sleep well last night." Tollie offered with a well-meaning smile. Shadow didn't particularly like it.
"I slept fine." the wolf countered.
"You were displeased with your cot." the hyena explained, "If you wish, we can exchange tonight and you can use mine... the third tie-down on the right is secure so it will not droop."
"I asked what's going on." Shadow questioned in an attempt to refocus the conversation.
"I am asking Allin for help." Tollie explained, motioning to the blank-faced dog.
"If you're not his master, why should he listen to you?" the wolf leaned against the nearby wagon, gazing down at the hyena.
"Shadow... Allin is a man... not a thing." Tollie rested a paw on Allin's, "He has common sense... creativity... ingenuity... understanding... to suggest that he would not listen to reason would suggest that he is devoid of intellect."
"Obviously." Shadow gnashed, "Which is why I suggested he be set free... because he's a person... not a belonging." the black wolf took a step closer, the colored markings on his fur glowing faintly with his ire, "Now what are you telling him to do, boy?"
"I am not telling him to do anything, Shadow." Tollie offered amiably, "I am just asking him to help us when the time comes."
"If what you say is true, I think it's Tolen's job to ask for that." Shadow crossed his arms over his chest, eyes boring into the seer.
"Of course." the hyena nodded, "But I can not ask Tolen to ask Allin for me."
"Why not?" Shadow demanded, then paused when he saw the familiar evasive expression cross Tollie's muzzle, "You know what? Never mind." he fumed, "I'm going to get Tolen and have him come collect Allin... I have no idea how you even took him without Tolen kno--"
"He gave me permission, Mr. Dark Fang." a pleasant smile spread across Tollie's features.
"Why all this secrecy, Tollie?" the wolf demanded, "And no side-stepping my question. I want an honest answer, Goddess damn it."
"It is hard to--"
"Now." Shadow interrupted the evasion.
"We will encounter bandits on the road today." Tollie explained.
"And?" the wolf demanded, "There's more."
"There is." Tollie acknowledged.
"What else?" Shadow insisted.
"I cannot say." Tollie began pouring sand onto the camp fire.
"Yes you can." the wolf reached down and pulled the hyena up to a standing position, staring into his eyes, "What else?"
Tollie let out a breath and lowered his gaze. "I cannot say."
"Yes. You. Can." Shadow snarled, "Enough of your mystical shit. I want answers, and I want them n--" and the wolf's voice got caught in his throat. His eyes widened and he took a step back. Tollie followed him, arm still in Shadow's grasp. The hyena was saying something, but the wolf's ears were filled with shouts, screams, cries, and the sound of metal-on-metal.
"Mr Darkfang..." Tollie spoke, his voice barely cutting through the visions and sounds, "it is alright... it is not happening... Mr Darkfang!"
"No!" Shadow exclaimed, "Tolen! Get down!" the wolf shouted, throwing himself to the ground and taking Tollie with him. The hyena let out a cry of pain as his muzzle impacted into the dirt, but he quickly covered it with his free paw as he was pulled along the ground by the hallucinating wolf.
"Let go of me, Shadow... please!" Tollie pleaded.
Shadow rose to a knee, reaching down for a sword that wasn't there. He thrust it upward into the air as if to block and rose to his feet, snarling, "You'll pay!" the wolf roared, tears streaming down his cheeks, then suddenly went rigid. The warrior glanced down, eyes wide as he finally let go of the hyena to move his paw to stop a fountain of blood that wasn't really there-- and then he just froze. The wolf's wide eyes went from his empty paw to the hyena laying on the ground, paws covering his injured muzzle.
"What...?" the wolf murmured, staring at the hyena with disbelieving eyes.
"I..." tears came to Tollie's eyes, "was going to tell you..."
"That we're all slaughtered?" the wolf whispered.
"If I said the wrong things..." the hyena nodded slowly, "yes."
Shadow backed up slowly, stumbling once before turning away, "Get away from me." and the wolf disappeared into camp.
Tollie covered his face and let out a shaky sigh, remaining where he was until a paw came down to rest on his shoulder. The hyena looked up at the steely eyes gazing down at him, "I will do it." Allin noted and, with that said the Tamaskan walked off to to Tolen's wagon. The hyena smiled... just a little, and brushed the dirt off of his nose.
* * * * * *
Allin walked beside his Master's wagon. His Master had given him no specific guidelines, so he did what was best; he remained close by looking for trouble. Tollie, his previous master had explained what was to come and told him his part in it. The Tamaskan had no doubts as to the truth in the hyena's statements-- his was not a place to question.
It happened exactly as Tollie said it would; the bandits rose from their places on either side of the road just before noon. Allin waited by the side of the wagon as Tolen emerged, "What is it?" the white fox asked.
"Bandits, Master." Allin answered, "They are attacking, as Tollie foretold."
"If he knew this was going to happen, why didn't he tell us about it?" his Master asked.
"Tollie said that everyone would die because the decision they would make would bring it about." Allin explained, "He said that the mistakes would not happen if less people knew about it."
"Who did he tell?" Tolen asked.
"Me." the Tamaskan answered, "And Gaerid."
"Okay." the fox acknowledged simply. Allin took great pride in his Master's ability to grasp situations and take them at face value; few of his masters ever had. The two waited patiently as Shadow, Sten, and Loric moved to the front of the group to parley, exactly as Tollie said they would. Three bandits awaited them on the road while another two-or-three-dozen remained in place to either side.
Once the bandits explained the situation to the three, Shadow suggested bluntly they find easier prey. Allin noticed that the wolf seemed distracted by one of the bandits, a cat woman with a red scarf around her neck; his paw kept moving back to his abdomen and rubbing it-- he was paying particularly close attention to her sword.
Whatever Shadow said obviously was met with deaf ears. The leader of the bandits laughed. Allin had a knack for identifying who was in charge-- the knowledge was second-nature to him.
"Silence your lieutenant." the otter guardsman named Sten warned the brigand who was not leader, "We have a priest of Shrad among us and he will not accept such impudence." It seemed almost strange to Allin that everyone else was so unaware that the bandits had an underling pretending to be their leader, but he knew they simply didn't see things the way he did.
"You think we're scared of priests?" the cat woman asked. Shadow took an involuntary step backward as she reached into her tunic, but, instead of a weapon, all she drew out was a necklace... of fingers, "We've killed six in two years." and all three of them laughed.
The silver fox that was not Allin's master laughed along with them. Loric Kriabnish, he was called, and Allin knew that the fox was used to wearing the mantle of leader. Once the laughing subsided, Loric spoke candidly and openly... or, at least, did a good job of pretending to, "What a coincidence... our Priest has only killed one."
At the confused expressions of the brigands, Loric straightened up and motioned toward Tollie's wagon, "Our Priest was at odds with High Priest Armenius Tenge." the fox chuckled, "It seems that the city takes poorly to seeing their High Priest bested and then mercilessly slaughtered."
The comment caused the bandits to falter then pause, before the leader-in-disguise-as-a-not-leader spoke up, "You're lying." he accused.
"That's what the last group of bandits thought too." Loric nodded thoughtfully, "But it's a good thing that our Master always collects trophies." and he glanced back toward the wagons, "Master Tollie! These brigands wish to see your battle trophy!"
The door to Tollie's wagon opened. Allin knew that Loric had no way of knowing that Tollie knew he would say just that, but, as Allin had come to see, the hyena knew many things others did not. Tollie emerged from his wagon casually, and walked up to join the three of them as they addressed the three bandits.
"What... this little thing?" the cat bandit woman questioned, pointing at Tollie disdainfully, "How could he have killed someone like Armenius Tenge?"
"Slowly." Tollie offered casually.
"Talk is cheap, little man." the bandit's true leader said from off to the side.
"Indeed it is." the hyena acknowledged, "The last group of bandits that slowed us down said the same thing." and Tollie snapped his fingers.
Allin grabbed hold of Tolen by the scruff, "I am sorry, Master... I will not hurt you, but you must trust me on this."
"What?" Tolen demanded, "What are you--?"
"I can protect you if you let me." Allin explained, "This is a plan that will see us through."
"A plan?" Tolen questioned, "What--?"
"It is Tollie's, Master." Allin's paw shook slightly, "Please let me know I can do this."
"...alright." Tolen relented.
"Thank you, Master." and Allin pressed a dirty thumb to Tolen's cheek. The Blade Slave recoiled inwardly as he saw his Master's face contort and swell; although it was only an illusion conjured by Tollie, the magic was very convincing, and it hurt Allin to see his Master in such pain, even if it was fake. By the time Allin arrived at the front of the wagons, the rottweiler Gaerid was already there, and he had hold of the ferret named Nori by the scruff of his neck.
"Nori Bahn?" the real bandit leader questioned, "By the Goddess! I NEVER thought anyone would finally get you out of my way."
The ferret spat at the bandit leader, "Fuck you, Navier. If I had my hammer I'd be happy to take a few more of your teeth."
"This boy isn't even a bandit." the bandit leader announced, pointing a finger at the ferret.
"Bandit... priest... unfortunate child..." Tollie explained calmly, "It does not truly matter what a man is, or what a woman is..." he looked to Nori, "or what a boy is..." he met the bandit leader's eyes, "If they are against me, then they are all the same thing." and he looked to Gaerid with a nod.
The rottweiler nodded and pushed Nori to the ground. He planted his boot on the ropes tied around the ferret's wrist, "Wyse." he announced, and drew his sword. Gaerid's feral dog obediently came closer and the bounty hunter slid his sword along the side of Nori's tail, and pulled; the ferret's pants came off with the single movement. There was no blade, and the pants were still in place, but the illusion was convincing.
"Those who oppose me die the same way as Armenius Tenge." Tollie offered, and the brigands all took a step back as Wyse mounted Nori from behind. The ferret screamed and struggled as the dog obediently began his ordered task. Many of the observers were forced to look away and Allin mindfully turned his Master's head as the illusion became even more gruesome, blood spraying freely as the bandits were led to believe that Nori Bahn was raped to death. The ferret's convincingly lifeless body was ultimately dragged off by the content four-legged dog, still stuck to him.
"You are one sick, sick creature." the cat woman stated.
"Do my methods bother you, my lady?" Tollie asked calmly, "You are not required to stay and watch." he snapped his fingers, and that was Allin's cue. The Tamaskan dragged Tolen to the front and stood calmly, holding Tolen by the back of his robe.
Tollie turned to regard Tolen, "This creature was not among the brigands... no..." he reached up to touch Tolen's face; Allin remained impassive as the hyena's thumb caused one of the illusionary bruises to rupture, pouring blood down the already stained fur. "Sadly, I must confess, he was once my personal healer... but I found him providing aid to the bandits we left alive." Tollie sighed, "A grave mistake, I fear."
The bandits took another step back as Tollie reached into his robe and pulled out a decapitated bear's head. The white fur was yellowish, in the pre-stages of rot, and the bear's eyes were already rolled back in his head, "You wanted proof, I understand?" Tollie questioned, tossing the head to the ground with a thump, "You're welcome to stay and watch how I did it." and, with that, he drew out a small, curved knife no longer than his little finger, "It shouldn't take more than an hour... and the screaming only lasts for a few minutes."
Rather than answer, the three bandits went into a huddle while the rest of their number remained in position awaiting word. "We should put him down and save the world from a monster." Allin's astute ears heard the cat woman's whisper.
"Are you fucking crazy, Cidan?" the underling-pretending-to-be-a-leader rasped quietly, "That little hyena KILLED Armenius Tenge!"
"We could get him with an arrow and then cut the rest of them apart." the cat woman suggested.
"No." the actual leader, the human Nori called Navier noted, "They're not worth it."
"I can't believe we're just gonna let em walk." the cat countered.
"Toll-em?" suggested the underling. The other two nodded, and all three turned to face the group.
"We're busy people, my lord." Navier noted, "Thank you for the invitation to watch you cut off this man's head, but if we aren't working then we're starving." he offered with a suave smile.
"Completely understandable." Tollie acknowledged.
"So... we'll be on our way, but, if I might make one request?" the bandit leader requested.
"One isn't unreasonable." Tollie noted, crossing his arms with a look of impatience.
"The hammer." Navier requested, "The ferret's hammer... I would very much like it as a trophy."
Tollie nodded, "Done." and he motioned to the weapon where it lay on the ground. Gaerid picked it up and, without a word, handed it to the human.
"Good journey." the bandit leader announced, and motioned to the rest of his men, who pulled away from the road and disappeared back under cover.
"Goddess..." Tolen noted once the group was well past the bandits, "I can't believe that worked."
"I can't believe you talked me into this." Nori noted, walking back from one of the wagons, loosening the rope from around his waist, "I've never ridden a dog, much less get tied to one."
"Be pleased that it was THAT kind of tied and not the other kind." Gaerid explained.
"You are one sick person." Shadow growled at Tollie, "To even think of something like that."
"I did not." Tollie answered simply, "That was Gaerid's suggestion."
"So you told HIM, but not me?" the wolf bristled.
"He was to know..." the hyena explained, "and you were not to."
"That sounds almost perfectly arbitrary..." Loric grinned, "I love it."
"So YOU thought up that rope-thing with Wyse?" Nori asked of Gaerid.
"I did." the rottweiler confirmed.
"That was..." the ferret glanced between the bounty hunter and the dog, "...original."
"Oh... not at all." Gaerid shrugged, "I've done it before."
"Had an illusion of your dog fucking someone to death?!?!" Nori asked, eyes wide open.
"I do not usually make use of illusions." the bounty hunter stated casually. An uneasy silence settled over the group, and they continued onward.
The silence remained in place until Nori came seeking out Tollie, "You gave that fuck-tard my hammer?!?!"
"No." Tollie denied.
"But... Shadow said--"
"It appeared as though I gave him your hammer." the hyena acknowledged, "You will find the real one in your wagon."
"Then what did--"
"Nori," Tollie asked calmly, "are you familiar with the term 'disinguous perfidy'?"
"Is that some kind of dessert?" the ferret questioned.
"No." the word was punctuated by a distant explosion, "Disingenous perfidy, Nori, is what you show to a group of bandits that will follow after you once letting you go and then slit your throats in the night."
The Wild Lander watched the mushroom cloud slowly rise far behind them, "Oh."
Not very far away and easily within listening distance, Shadow Darkfang scowled.
* * * * * *
Post 3 of Chapter 2 for Shrad.
This is the actual chapter of which the censored version was posted on FA. Considering Gaerid's capabilities of making people uneasy it is not too much of a stretch to consider all the horrible things he could come up with the intimidate the brigands into leaving the party alone. Due to FA's ToS I had to edit this post, as Nori is under age.
Contributing Readers have until midnight on the 22nd to vote on the following options:
1) It looks like Tollie handled that so there's no need to go back. Time to move on. (-Treasure, -Delay). 2) There may be survivors... go back to finish the job. (+Favor, + Delay) 3) They probably have a camp nearby, which means there are most likely valuables. Let's find that! (+ Luck, + Treasure)
This chapter is marked Adult due to the level of violence and extreme description of heinous acts.