At first glance, the cage would appear to be a series of rough branches bound together, like I would do if I was trying to create a trap. However, closer examination proves that the branches are in fact grown together. The only weak spot of the cage is its door, and even that would prove difficult for most creatures to deal with, considering that the vine bindings that act as its hinge and latch are difficult to reach from inside the cage. Difficult to reach by a creature which is trying to use its own claws, that is. Fortunately, I have a knife.
It calms my panic down to know that I have a way out if necessary. I remind myself that I’m not defenceless: if the worst happens and River betrays me, or is for some reason unable to help me, I can still get out of the cage. And then when out, I’ve still got a number of decent weapons within reach.
I want to ask River about its construction, but my thought is interrupted before I even properly form it. One of the Path-walkers beckons River over and he obeys, albeit with a quick glance at me first. I dig back into my Bond with the lizard-man to make sure that I don’t miss anything.
Tell us more of this prey. Where did you find it? Were there any other items with it that were left at the site? Fortunately, we’ve already discussed what to say, the bare bones, at least.
It was resting near the river, my Bound starts. I saw it using the bowl to drink water and I was curious as the bowl seemed to be made of earth, yet was clearly not falling to pieces. There was a flurry of interest.
It is an Earth-Shaper, one of the Path-walkers says, its spikes flashing triumphantly. What an excellent find. We have missed our Earth-Shaper’s skills since she passed.
If it is an Earth-Shaper, why would the spear have such a construction? snaps another of the Path-walkers. It could have simply Shaped the head onto the shaft, not using...what it used.
Then how did it succeed in shaping the head at all? argues the first Path-walker.
Sisters, a third slim lizard-kin interrupts. This one is the most ornately dressed, its neck barely visible for all the woven vine necklaces encircling it. Sisters….maybe they’re important and female, then. We have already discussed this matter and come to no conclusion. Runs-with-the-river, please continue your story.
Yes, honoured Shaman, River says lifting his chin again, higher than the last time. My focus narrows on the creature which has just been identified as the mastermind behind the plot to attack Kalanthia, steal Lathani, then kill and enslave her soul. My rage raises hot within me and the vine bindings creak as I unconsciously put pressure on the door. River darts a look back at me, concern flowing over the link.
I probably only feel it because I’m still deeply within in order to understand the conversation, but his concern cuts through my fury. I push it back down, reminding myself that there will be a time to even scores later when Lathani is safe and back with her mother. River is speaking as I tune back into the conversation.
...so I thought that it would be better to capture the prey rather than kill it and potentially lose important crafting secrets for the tribe.
You chose well, the shaman says again, its spikes rippling with colour in a way that denotes pleasure. Are you not proud of your apprentice, Herbalist? This last is directed at another lizard-kin nearby.
I would be more proud if he had managed to gather the herbs I’d sent him out for, the herbalist grouses, though the latter’s crest is rippling with yellow and orange, revealing the lie to its words and indeed showing pride. It seems your prey gave you some trouble, the herbalist continues, raising a clawed paw to gently trace one of the cuts on River’s face. We’d decided that us both appearing pristine might arouse suspicion, so had intentionally given each other a couple of marks which were more show than anything else; nothing a quick Lay-on-hands won’t cure if they prove burdensome when we make our escape.
River shrugs the comment off with a flick of his tail.
Mere scratches, master. The prey came off worse.
Nothing that could impede its ability to replicate these items for us, another Path-walker says pointedly.
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I was careful to bear in mind the uses I suspected you would wish to put it to, honoured Wood-Shaper. It was surprisingly easy to subdue; it does not seem to have any natural weaponry of its own. No claws, blunt teeth...once I had separated it from its weaponry, it was practically helpless. I glare at River. That wasn’t part of the script.
Whether I accidentally project that to the lizard-man or he picks up on my emotions through the Bond, I don’t know, but a moment later he sends a wordless thought to me. It’s an image of a Warrior approaching a small snake in the grass...only to be surprised by the fact that the small snake is in fact the tail belonging to a much larger and more dangerous beast. Maybe he’s saying something about underestimation being a good thing… Well, perhaps. Though the knowledge that without my weapons I am pretty defenceless doesn’t sit well. I suddenly wish I’d taken Stun as my level one Skill. What use is Fade when I’m in a cage in the middle of a lizard-folk village?
Does it understand your words, Runs-with-the-river? asks the Shaman, looking at me curiously. I grit my teeth and glare at the lizard-kin which is first on my ‘to kill when I get the chance’ list. River hesitates, also looking at me. I send a feeling of negation down the Bond, hoping he’ll understand my message.
I do not believe so, he says finally. Though it proved most docile once I had subdued it. He shrugs with a wave of his tail again.
Perhaps it could learn, muses one of the Path-walkers who had spoken before.
Any creature can learn given the right...motivation. The shaman says with a tail-shrug. Leave it there for a few days; when it feels the bite of hunger and thirst, it will be properly motivated to please its new masters. I hadn’t thought I could dislike the shaman any more than I already did after find out its plans for Lathani, but I’ve just been proven wrong. If looks could kill, the shaman would be dropping dead, but unfortunately, I haven’t learned that Skill – yet, anyway. The heavily adorned lizard-kin watches me for a moment, a predatory look in its eyes, then turns back to the others.
Runs-with-the-river, you have brought the Tribe a gift, the shaman says, her tone shifting to something with more formality. What reward do you desire? River hesitates for a moment, darting a look back at me.
My weapons, I tell him. He sends confusion back to me. Ask for my weapons to keep. Then bring them with you when we escape. And stop looking at me, for heaven’s sake! He quickly obeys, instead looking at the weapons consideringly.
May I have the prey’s weapons for my use? he asks finally. Seeing the shaman hesitate, he quickly continues. If the honoured Path-walkers wish to investigate the weapons more at a later date, I will of course yield it to you for that time. It is merely that I do not think such tools should be languishing, covered in dust and grime from lack of use. The shaman’s tail waves gently from side to side.
What say you, sisters? she asks finally. There’s a chorus of responses, some ayes, some nays. More of the former than the latter, fortunately. Turning back to River, the shaman indicates for the other Path-walkers to pass the weapons to him. Very well. Your reward is to have this spear and stone-headed club. We shall keep the earthen bowl for further inspection: knowing whether the prey is an Earth-Shaper or not is an important discovery.
Thank you, honoured Shaman, River says, his tone grateful, his mouth almost pointing towards the sky briefly as he shows his throat.
Mind, we shall need the weapons present in order to indicate our wishes when we instruct the prey. That will not be a for a few days yet, I suspect. Plenty of time for you to test their power. River’s crest flashes in submissive agreement, and then the shaman flicks her claws in dismissal. He ‘bows’ once more and then walks away, my spear and mace held tightly in his paws.
He doesn’t look at me, but I sense his attention turning clumsily to the Bond, to the sense of my presence within him.
What do you wish me to do now, master? he asks, pausing near one of the round and thatched huts to ‘inspect’ his ‘reward’. My mind ticks over the possibilities.
Actually, we’re probably in the best position I could have asked for, considering everything. River has got my weapons and has been dismissed. I’m in this cage, which isn’t ideal, but from what the shaman said, I’m likely to be ignored for at least the near future, which is great. It’s significantly better than having been attacked the moment I walked in or being kept under heavy guard. Hopefully, that will all make the rest of the plan much easier.
Do you have any duties you’ll be expected to do now? I ask my Bound. He takes a moment to think them through.
It’s too late to go into the forest for herbs now. My master...former master, he corrects himself with a pang of regret and guilt that I ignore, will expect me to help her prepare herbs for a number of concoctions. I will need to feed the cub later. Other than that, not much.
I had discovered through my discussion with River earlier that Lathani is being held in the shaman’s hut. She’s given food and water morning and evening, and a herbal concoction four times a day. This latter is apparently supposed to make her spirit easier to bind and more powerful than it would otherwise be. Being only the apprentice and not the master, my new companion wasn’t completely familiar with all the details – apparently making the concoction itself is beyond his skills – but that’s what his master said it would do. Something about drawing on Lathani’s future potential to enhance the present. Either way, the idea of her being force-fed anything has me gritting my teeth in helpless rage once more. I push it away with the thoughts of how we’re getting her out – tonight.
Right then, I tell him, the plan gaining details in my mind. This is what I want you to do.