Subject: Re: The Chase; Out of the jungle and into the woods

Mission hopes that Rennick has mentioned food for Promise in all that mash of halfling-speak. But he says nothing.

Subject: Re: The Chase; Out of the jungle and into the woods

Nukaru seems surprised and genuinely pleased when offered the cat's pelt. He gets up off his chair and walks around the fire to stand before Rennik. "This gift is accepted by those who follow the Great Mongoose, and with honor." He takes the pelt from Rennik's hand, and places it over the back of his chair before sitting down again. He then listens intently to the rest of Rennik's story.

When Rennik mentions the child's lack of food, Nukaru gestures at one of his men, who slips quietly out the door.

"He speaks truth, First One," the druid says when the story is over. Nukaru nods, "Even when we fought as bitter enemies, the Chorrdath always acted with honor. I did not expect lies from one of their hunters who has given his bond." He leans forward with a smile, "I was first blooded in battle as a young man when the great Chorrdath war-chief, Tannik Whiphand, gave me this." He points to a nasty scar over his left eye. "He would not remember me, I was but one of many he defeated that day, but I will never forget him. He was lord of that battlefield, and his greatness was undeniable, even to his enemies. I had never seen anything like him before, and have not met his equal since. Ever since that day I have tried to live as I thought he might. And it was I that sent the emissaries with offers of trade and marriage to your people so that we might cement the uneasy peace we had forged."

He stands up. "I tell you this so that you know I speak as a true friend to the Chorrdath. I can spare you no warriors or hunters. We have lost too many people, and heard too many stories of entire villages wiped out. My first duty lies here, though if the nameless ones pursue the child that alone makes it my fondest wish that they never find him.

"On the morrow, I leave with half my strength to meet an equal force from the Chorrdath and Logi tribes. We will march in numbers to the edge of the jungle and set a picket through which no nameless one may pass. And we will remain there until they no longer try. If need be, we will march through the jungle itself and burn their vile villages to the ground. One way or another, we will know if their black god is stronger than the forest spirits. We will not let them take us one by one.

"But this morning I heard a disturbing report, that only now makes sense. Our Belnath reported that a large army of men and walking dead left the base of Ice Dagger (Rennik guesses Ice Dagger means Kessel) and began marching south west. We could not understand where they might be going, but I think we know now.

"They send harriers to harass your heels while you flee, but their main strength marches on Overlook, which is your destination. They intend to trap you between your pursuers and an army of undead."

Sa'id quietly translates for the group, but before everyone has finished digesting this new bit of information, several more halflings come through the doorway. A small and plump halfling woman walks over to Mission and smiles at him. She says something in her tongue, and reaches for Promise. Mission instinctively pulls the child away, but Sa'id says, "She wants to feed him, Mission." Mission slowly hands Promise over to her, and she immediately sits down and pulls open her blouse. She must have an infant of her own, because her breast is heavy, and in seconds Promise is suckling happily away while the mother halfling sings quietly to him. It is a scene of such quiet peace and domesticity, but in Mission's mind it is overlaid with memories of Promise's conception, and later of a pure white flame and a terrible scream that will echo in his head forever.

Along with the halfling woman, a small Kalama scout has come into the room, and stands quietly at the back, hand nervously playing with the hilt of a knife. "Speak," says Nukaru. "First One, our hunters have slain the Nameless ones who pursued these, though we lost many." The scout answers.

"How many? You were three times their number, and on your home ground! How could they take so many?" Nukaru asks incredulously.

"First One, the Nameless fell quickly, and did no more than wound one of us. But while we fought, great demons burst forth from the forest! When we turned to face them, black demon whips burst from the ground and began grabbing our hunters. Many fell to the whips."

Subject: Re: The Chase; Out of the jungle and into the woods

Rennik nods gravely at Nukaru's words. They would stand and fight the armies - but at least they would have the aid of allies and the cover of the woods. He said a silent prayer to Mielikki for their victory, and for her protection in the forest.

When the scout arrived, Rennik listened intently to his words before speaking.

Kal'tenn Nukaru, if I may speak." He waits to be acknowledged.

"The demons and demon whips are the weapons of their flying devilspawn witch. The demons themselves are mere illusion, a distraction tactic meant to confuse. I saw one and believed it real, but it never engaged us in combat - it only took our eyes from the woods long enough for our enemies to launch their ambush."

"The black whips are spawned of the abyss that birthed the witch, grown from the soil itself and poisoning the forest. She flies above the trees and weaves her vile spells. Two good archers at treetop level should be able to shoot her down, or at least give her something else to worry about. If it weren't for my companion Caller Farron" he motions toward the wizard, "and the eagles that responded to his call for aid, she would have surely destroyed us as well."

He considers a moment.

"Do your scouts know any way to bypass the army in our path so we can arrive safely at Overlook?"

Subject: Re: The Chase; Out of the jungle and into the woods

Aside from his translations, Sa'id remains largely quiet, unsure of speaking protocols. His thoughts whirl at the news of the army headed for Overlook, though, and finally he is unable to contain himself.

"Kal'tenn Nukaru, if I may speak," he says in the halfling tongue, waiting for acknowledgement before continuing, "...if there is an army bound for Overlook, we should consider going to Nesalin instead." He then translates quietly for the group.