The heat of the day was trying on all four women. Having came from cooler, wetter climates, none of them were physically used to the difference.
"Qheria, is there more water?" "Lwyn, don't over-drink the water. It will do more damage to your body in the long run." Mhyl ensured Lwyn took proper care of herself. Having knowledge of these circumstances, she knew what to do. However, her own body questioned her logic, she herself craved more water. Mhyl scolded her own weakness, having endured worse in Earth. This wasn't even a desert, this should be easy, amateurishly easy. Should be.. no problem...
"Mhyl!" Lwyn ran to help the fallen Mhyl, who had been pushing herself far beyond her limits. The others were around to assist. "Mhyl, are you okay? Have some water." "Oh Mhyl, stop pushing yourself so hard. Elves can't keep a human pace." Qheria shared some of their water supply. Mhyl was suffering heat exhaustion, trying to do exactly what Lwyn had scolded her for. Thanrie checked the nearby surroundings. "The hills offer a bit of shade just over that way. Maybe we should make our way there and stop for a break."
Everyone agreed that a break would be the wisest course of action. They helped guide Mhyl over to the chosen spot, and set down their supplies. "I've got lookout this time, you two look after Mhyl." Lwyn volunteered to keep watch, scampering up the hill. "Let's hope Lwyn isn't pushing herself too hard as well." Thanrie reflected on how Lwyn had a tendency of being over-protective of Mhyl when it came to elven matters. However, Lwyn was herself partly an elf, and would need to take it easy as well. She let the matter drop, also recalling that posting an elf on a hill made for a better lookout then any human could.
After a time, Mhyl began to recover. "Thank you.. " Mhyl thanked them both before breaking into some coughs. "Thanrie, I've got Mhyl here, you bring some water up to Lwyn and make sure she's doing okay too. We don't want two elf-kinds going through this." Qheria handed Thanrie a small bottle of water. Thanrie took the bottle and went to check up on Lwyn. "So, everything doing okay up here?" "Oh, yeah, I'm fine. I've put myself through plenty back at the Inn." Lwyns confidence started to worry Thanrie, in case Lwyn was doing the same thing Mhyl was. Lwyn understood the concern. "Don't worry, I'm serious, I probably could have lasted at least three more hills before falling over. And yes, I've been taking it easy up here too." Lwyn took the water from Thanrie, finally getting the share she had asked for earlier. Thanrie had remembered that as well, and started to calm down.
"So, I've been watching. I'm not sure if you can see, but over there, those are tents. The yellow is pretty smart, given the surroundings. I think I've seen some motion, but it's hard to tell, there might be people there. Mhyl probably would have no problem seeing at this distance." Lwyn passed her report to Thanrie, who herself saw nothing but a tide of yellow. Thanrie nodded, still in appreciation of elven eyes, and made her way back down the hill.
"Something the matter?" "Lwyn says she's found something, though I couldn't see a thing for myself. There is no hurry, but she'll need Mhyl's help when we're ready to go." Qheria made sure to collect Thanrie's report. Mhyl looked up the hill, curious at what Lwyn had spotted. "I should be good for now. No really, I should be more than twice as good as I should normally be now. That should make up for any not-as-good as I might be because I'm an elf, right?" Mhyl's train of though almost made the two humans dizzy, so they let her go.
"So, what are we seeing?" "Over there." Lwyn pointed in response to Mhyl's question. "I'm certain those are tents, but I can't figure out if there are people there. What do you see?" "Uh.. oh! Yeah, people. Most are carrying weapons. Hmm... OH! There is a commotion going on. Something's happening." "Something good or bad?" "I have no idea, but most of them have that same bandit feeling as from the cave. Maybe some infighting?" Mhyl shared what she could figure out from this distance, which was still much more than Lwyn could put together.
Thanrie had showed up to hear the tail-end of the conversation, while Qheria was packing up. "We probably shouldn't get involved, but we should definitely figure out what is going on. Moving into the area, knowing the ways of the locals is going to be kinda important." Her tone heralded a return of dark Thanrie, carrying a sense of natural political awareness. Lwyn left to report the situation to Qheria.
Qheria caught up soon after, also then aware of the situation. "If we have any interest in learning about a local dispute, we should hurry. Weapons have a history in resolving problems with potentially a lot of speed. However, we should also take a lot of care to not be noticed, so that we don't get involved ourselves. Mhyl, Lwyn, you both have excellent vision, make use of it so that we can spot them before they would spot us, while also trying to pick up any of the situation from a distance. Mhyl, let me borrow your atlas, just show me a page with a half-decent map. I'll use it to plot us an advantageous position. Thanrie, you just keep your weapons ready. We need someone ready to react if something goes wrong." Qheria was quick to come up with a plan.
All four of them set the plan in motion, and quickly made their way to a nearby location, overlooking the discovered camp. They had no problems getting into position, as everyone on site was already otherwise preoccupied. Their exact location was obscured by the tents themselves, and were then close enough to hear what was going on. Mhyl put away her atlas after being returned it.
"Zyuixqs, cut with the games. Give us the elf brat, and maybe we'll return you to your father in one piece. Don't make this harder on you." "Foul knavery. I shan't stand a moment of your brigandage. Have at you." The first to talk appeared to be a sort of leader for the bandits, using a pretty substantial amount of slang in every sentence. The second, the guy named Zyuixqs, held his spear fast against the bandits, while a boy hid behind him. Both were talking in Izhaethyx. The leader brought his maul to bear, laughing at this foolishness. "Look who is talking. We're in the Hyxir.. heck the Hyxir of the Hyxir, there's nothing here except thieves and cutthroats. Ye got one behind ya, in fact." Hyxir effectively meant 'out-lands', but the term 'Hyx' implied something beyond natural order.
"Look, kid, that brat took something of ours, we're just taking it back. There is just a matter of consequence to look into, the brat has to learn who you don't steal from. But, if you're plan is to steal him from us... well, it might mean you've got a lesson to learn yourself. I don't rightly care who your father is, but I suspect I know someone who might. Maybe we should send you to the fortress instead, that would put you in line pretty good, huh? There is a pretty good bounty on everyone in your petty rebellion, after all, would net us a really decent reward, actually." The leader passed his threats to Zyuixqs.
One of the other bandits spoke up. "Wait, why would one of them 'bellion fend for a brat. Ye think the brat is one of his own?" The leader's eyes narrowed at this insight. "Ah, is that it? Ye came to stand fer one of ye own people, that's why yer here. That makes sense now. This is perfect. Everyone, I have some wonderful news. It seems we have before us not one but TWO bounties. We gift wrap them, ship them off to the fortress, we'll get a nice fat return that will gladly make up for this trouble. No reason to play nice anymore, box em both up rough as needed. Ye people are nothing but dirt, anyhow." The others started to grin with glee.
Qheria was livid. She was raised as a knight, to stand for the defenseless, and this was a brutal slash against everything she believed in. She twitched at both references to 'ye people'. A shieldbearer does everything for the people. Thanrie was next to Qheria at the time, watching her first draw her shield, then her sword. "Qheria, what happened to not getting involved?" Thanrie quietly whispered her own English concerns, to no avail. Qheria started to advance, so Thanrie gave up. "Oh, f~~k it." Lwyn made sure to ready her own bow.
Also futile, Zyuixqs stood ready against the leader, and parried the giant maul with his spear. The spear couldn't hold it's own against such a powerful weapon. Zyuixqs took a blow to the side and went flying into the face of the hill, not far from where Qheria appeared. The leader spun his maul in welcome to the new guests. "Ah, some Hyenzaelni. Welcome to the Hyxir." Hyen was a word that meant 'new', but applied more to a newly created or newly founded, when something is given shape, such as smelting a new sword. The phrase Hyenzaelni in that way translated to 'new blooded'.
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"As yer welcoming committee, I'm obligated ta let ye know ye should be careful with whom ye get associated. Ye don't want ta make enemy from ta fortress, after all. Should let ya know, we're pretty friendly with ta fortress, if ye come here makin a mess, yul just find yerself with a bounty on yer own head. So, if ya were smarts, ya would just wait until we finished with our business, then we could give ya a tour and get ya well acquainted with how things work around here. Sounds good?" The leader passed out his introduction as a few of the other bandits started forward to deal with the two uninvited guys.
Qheria replied wordlessly, stepping forward into the path of the bandit moving towards Zyuixqs, to slam him across the head with his shield, sending the bandit crashing into a nearby tent. The tents were apparently metal-reinforced, so it didn't collapse, but the metal had a human-sized hole in it now. Another bandit, the one progressing on the elf, turned to stab Qheria, only to get a visit from Qheria's own longer sword. One of the bandits picked up Zyuixqs' spear, in an attempt to throw it, and instead got a knife in the forehead, this time the blade was in the right direction. Another bandit got an arrow in the shoulder before they could do more than draw an axe. More bandits arrived on the scene.
"Hey, over here, come this way!" Mhyl experimented by calling out to the elf in Elaethyx. The elf boy took the invite of a rescue and ran towards Mhyl. A bandit tried to follow, and got a book to the face, a side swipe with the side of the book. Somehow, this drew blood, slashing the bandits face as he went sprawling, already unconscious.
Qheria blocked one bandit with her sword as a second approached, who got the edge of her shield slashed across his torso. Three more were on intercept, faster than she could react. Thanrie's sword came down hard on the first, then cleaved through the other two. "I'm serious, you have this sword and shield thing backwards." "Thanrie, you're slow." Both spoke in Izhaethyx in the heat of combat, Qheria taking out the one she blocked with a follow-up slashing blow from her shield.
Lwyn was trying to keep up, but there were too many. "If you are done over there, I think it's time to go." Three more bandits went down, one a knife through the chest, one with an arrow to the knee, the last with an arrow in the arm. Qheria turned back, picking up Zyuixqs on the way passed, Thanrie felling two more to cover her with a sweep of her sword. Thanrie reflected on the scene as she fell back. "Lwyn, you said you were good with a bow. Your aim is lacking, unlike whatever games you've had in the past, no one is ever taken out by an arrow to the knee." Thanrie might have had rougher terms to express her opinion, had she instead been using English.
The four girls withdrew with their two rescues. The bandits moved to follow, but their leader stopped them. "It's too late, let them go. Da hills are a rats den, dey will escape easily enough. Prepare a message for da fortress, lord Khaexyn will be wantn' ta know dat we found some weapon-trained Hyenzaelni who are falling in wif de 'bellion. He'll make em learn."
As they fled, the elf they rescued took them on a detour that lead... into the hill. It seems the boy was familiar with some hidden passages in the area. They went a short distance along the tunnel, then stopped for a break. Their elf companion collapsed in exhaustion, clearly worn out from the proceedings. It probably didn't help that he was an elf. Their other rescued companion was still unconscious., but was going to be okay. Mhyl set after looking into Zyuixqs' injuries.
"Will he be okay?" The elf was inquiring on Zyuixqs, possibly feeling obligated for the injury. Mhyl confirmed she had everything under control. "He'll feel it for a while, but he'll be fine. Just give me some time, I'll make sure he gets better." Mhyl was the effective party healer, she could still get that job done. Lwyn followed along with the discussion, impressed at seeing Mhyl at work, and able to hold such confidence in her own abilities. Up to this point, the only combat abilities Mhyl had shown was with a book, so Lwyn had almost forgotten she was the party healer. She thought back to that last encounter, where Mhyl had drawn blood using a book. Maybe they needed to find her another book to weaponize, that atlas was pretty important.
Thanrie and Qheria were left with awkward circumstances, being excluded in an Elaethyx conversation. They figured that this must be what Mhyl had been worrying about during their travels. "So, uh.. yeah, I don't suppose our new elf friend knows Izhaethyx?" Thanrie tried to find a way around the awkwardness of their current circumstances, though the Elf didn't react. Lwyn repeated the question in Elaethyx.
"Oh, uh, sorry, no. I've learned a few words here and there from some of the others, but I haven't gotten very far." After hearing these words from the boy, Mhyl turned to him and gave him a big sympathetic hug, finally finding someone else who understands her own hardships. "It's awesome to meet you, I'm Mhyl, by the way." "Oh, uh, likewise? Mine is Chyurae. We don't see many elves around here." Chyurae was getting shy around Mhyl.
Qheria coughed, reading the room gave her little need to know what was going on, but she asked Lwyn for clarity. "I'm guessing some introductions were in order, do we have a name?" "Oh, yes, he introduced himself as Chyurae, though hasn't said anything more." Lwyn passed forward the name, Chyurae jumping at his name being spoken by someone else. "Wait, are you an elf too?" Chyurae's question put Lwyn in a really tight spot, so Mhyl came to the rescue. "Lwyn is just very good with both languages, she's been my translator as we've traveled. The other two are Qheria, who was speaking earlier, and then Thanrie, the one who is being unexpectedly quiet.." Mhyl completed their introductions.
"I heard my name there! What's going on, what is everyone talking about! Plum-leaf!" Being forced to speak Izhaethyx, Thanrie spontaneously had thrown in a normal word in place of her usual curse words. The limitations of her own vocabulary clearly frustrated her right now, only made worse by a whole other language she was excluded from. "Ah, there, now she isn't being as quiet." Mhyl remedied her previous description, giggling. This only frustrated Thanrie more.
Hearing the commotion, Zyuixqs regain consciousness. "It.. it appears I'm being swarmed by the ladies again. Veritably, my apologies for not being properly receptive to four beautiful young women. It pains me that you had to find me in such a disheveled state, un-befitting of a gentleman. Pray tell, did you find an elf around as well?"
Thanrie went stiff for a second, before responding to Zyuixqs. "Yes, we've found both of you. So now please stop talking and just get more rest." Her tone held a subtle fury, which only got worse as Zyuixqs replied. "Many thanks mi'lady. Your gentle kindness speaks volumes of a remarkable beauty that would only befit one as refined as yourself." Zyuixqs complied, completely missing Thanrie clenching a fist. Thanrie was trying really hard to hold herself back.
"Mhyl, I'm sorry, but I'm kinda tired too. Would it be alright if I had a short nap?" Chyurae asked his question of Mhyl, but it was Lwyn that responded. "Sure, take a rest. I'll be keeping watch again. I think everyone needs the chance to relax a bit." Lwyn then passed on the same message to Qheria and Thanrie.
A while later, after some rest and recovery, Mhyl had also prepared dinner. They took it easy over dinner, keeping for the most part quiet. After dinner was completed, the conversation resumed. "I feel so blessed to be cared for by four beautiful women. Don't worry, for I shall endeavor to return this kindness in the future. It would only be right for a gentlemen to protect a lady from harm, and four ladies isn't too much for a gentleman like myself." Zyuixqs' speech brought Thanrie back to her irritated state. "Please don't worry yourself over it. Don't worry, us four are really good at looking after ourselves."
"You don't understand, it is the way of men to look after the ladies, we are obligated to do so. I know, as a lady, you would not truthfully understand the ways of men, but rest assured.." Zyuixqs was immediately cut off by a fist to the face, as he went sprawling into the wall behind him. Thanrie was still clenching her fist, the rage seething over her. Listening to him talk had been putting her on edge as it was, suddenly being told that she 'does not understand the ways of men' brought to light a couple days worth of additional intense frustration, pushing her well over that edge. Zyuixqs was unconscious again.
When Zyuixqs eventually reawakened, he decided against saying anything further. While waiting for Zyuixqs, Chyurae had shared with them the location of a nearby underground hideout, where they could get some proper sleep. Tomorrow, they could discuss things further, and decide on an appropriate course of action. They didn't originally expect to become suddenly so involved in the matters of this region, but they were in need of a home, this was just a step in that direction.
Packing up, the six of them headed off to the location of the mentioned hideout. The rumors of beds being found there made the invitation incredibly tempting.