Plotting Courses|Beastlands

[Kender Bard]

((^_^'' Not feeling inspiration for titles today.))

Thavan did his best to keep up with Sloan. Ocassionally, despite his best efforts, he'd stumble; tripped up on a hidden root or sudden dip in the ground. Everytime he mistepped he flushed with anger and shame, but silently dusted himself up and doubled his speed to catch up to the great elk affinity. He was starting to get a touch winded though, having never traveled fast and far; he was used to a slow stalking pace or fast sprints.

[Toyoll]

The ex-Beleg clanner wasn't really impressed by this small water type, but he did give him credit for trying. He knocked him roughly on the shoulder and gestured to the horizon, "Look, water type, there is Poldora..."

In the distance, nestled in the sea of golden elephant grass, a small ring of earth-colored tents and huts was the great Clan itself. Charcoal smudges of fire smoke rose lazily into the dusty azure sky.

A few lazy warriors stood outside the Clan's village, looking quite unimpressive. Sloan couldn't help but smirk, these weren't the real guards. These ones were on break. The General's trained eye could spot them hidden among the grass and trees.

"So Tharam, water type, what do you think?"

[Kender Bard]

Thavan scratched his cheek in thought. "I don't know what to think honestly," he said. "I've never seen anything like it." In truth he thought it looked rather crude and primitive in comparison to the fluted spirals and delicated designs found in Ronduin. But then... "I think it looks really homey," he finally decided, with a smile. "Like a lot of hard work went into. I bet everyone who made these houses are really satisfied."

[Toyoll]

Sloan snorted, he seemed to do that a lot, but didn't say anything.

As they continued their way toward the village, Sloan could see and hear other warriors in the grass. Thavan was safe, however, unless thoroughly provoked, Poldora clanners generally leave non beasts live their own lives.

When they at last reached the outskirts of Poldora, a large leopard affinity met them defiantly, "Sloan, what is the meaning of this? Dragging this puny non-beast flesh here?" as he said this, more warriors clad in their proud garbs melded into the small clearing, surrounding them. "Sloan couldn't hunt on his own? He needed the help of this week little mud-whelp to catch his berries?" the feline taunted.

The elk rounded on the warrior, "You forget your place, Rolzar!" he bellowed. "Until I die, I am General!" Sloan mock-charged and simply knocked Rolzar to the ground and kicked him viciously with an iron hoof. Yelping in pain, the cat scrambled away, pride bruised and ribs broken, cursing and swearing.
Sloan stood for a moment, waiting for others, but when they didn't come, he relaxed a bit. The General looked into the hard faces of his warriors, "Thavan Water-type is here on business. I will say no more now. Go back to your posts."

Sloan turned his hard gaze onto the water elemental, "Thavan hedgehog will be submitted to the same treatment, should he ever join Poldora...Come, my hut is there."

[Kender Bard]

Thavan swallowed hard; maybe... this was a mistake. He kept his gaze steely and strong though and gave a firm nod, following Sloan into his home.

[Toyoll]

Sloan waited for him to enter, "Sit." he said gruffly. He stepped outside for a bit and said something to a warrior wandering by, she snapped a sharp salute and bounded off. The elk re-entered his home.

Inside the hut was warm and cozy, filled with rich, warm colors and rustic, yet strangely elegant curtains strung the walls. There was no bed or chairs, but a low lying table and a mass of pluffy cushions and fur blankets, many leather rugs covered the dirt floor. This was obviously the home of a noble.

Sloan lowered his large frame onto a small mountain of pillows, sighing deeply, so what now?, he thought.

[Kender Bard]

Thavan took a seat, feeling a bit out of place, but marveling at the level of luxury to be found here. "So what now?" he asked, unconciously echoing the elk's thoughts. "Are you going to try sweeping the forest or talking to animals or what?"

[Toyoll]

Sloan looked up to the water elemental, "First, we will call canine affinities, they may help find a trail. And yes, we will be sending word to our brothers. They travel far more than we."

He out a ragged breath of frustration, "If we find those poachers...." Sloan's face melded into a vicious snarl, his fists clenched so hard that his fingers cracked, "We will skin their sorry hides."

The elk turned to Thavan, "What Sloan wants to know, Thavan Water-type, is what you will do."

[Kender Bard]

"Whatever you tell me to," he was quick to reply. "I trust your judgement; you seem like a competent leader. If you wish not to give me anything, though, I'd like to help those who are going to scout the trail. I'm not too bad at track reading myself, though I admit I'm new to the profession."

[Toyoll]

The corner of Sloan's nose twitched, "Very well."

Before he could say more, the warrior who the elk mumbled orders too lifted the tent's flap, giving a brief salute "Pardon me, General Sloan, but the scouting party you requested is ready to head out." The vixen affinity made another, more proper, salute and backed out.

"Come, Thavan. I will test you." Sloan got up onto his powerful elk's legs and walked out, not waiting for the water elemental.

Outside, a decent sized group awaited them, all had canaanite affinities, surprisingly, most were female. Sloan took a breath and used his commanding voice, "Aakel, you're first warrior." The vixen took her place at the head of the group. "Edanah, Ruurl, you're scouts." the wild dog and the collie dog took off into the bush. "Janus, you're trailer." the wolf, one of the mere 5 males, went to the back. "Thavan, you will be header with me."

But just as the unit was about to leave, Rolzar, still clutching his side, stepped into view, a murderous snarl set on his face. He spat at Sloan, "What in the name of Worg are you doing, elk?! This is no hunting party!"

[Kender Bard]

Thavan's hand clenched reflexively as he prepared for a fight on near instinct; he recognized when someone was out looking for blood. To his surprise, an anger bubbled up in him at this impetuous man; how dare he? Still - Thavan knew his place, and it wasn't to defend Sloan. He fixed Rolzar with a glare and waited for the elk's response.

[Toyoll]

"Keep your nose out of others' dens, lest you get bitten, Rolzar! This does not yet concern Rolzar or any other beast until Sloan says otherwise!" the elk shouted.
He walked up to the leopard until they were nose to nose and said more quietly, but with deadly intent, "This is not a hunting party. This is a scouting unit. And Rolzar would do well to keep out of it."

Rolzar only glared defiantly at his leader. But his face soon became contorted in pain as Sloan punched him in the gut. Sloan backed away and walked back to his group. The other villagers looked at their leader expectantly. He nodded to them and in an instant, pounced on Rolzar and they dragged him away. The leopard was crying in agony.

Sloan shook his head and gave the order to march out. The elk turned to Thavan. "If the bristly hedgehog grows too bold, he will be run through." he said, as if to remind him of something.

[Kender Bard]

Thavan nodded at the advice and said, "That's what I thought. I learned to pick my battles before ever coming to the Beastlands." And these guys certainly could make short work of me I feel; at least, at close range. Still, he was a part of something important now and that made him feel good. Smiling a little he shifted the bow on his back and struck forth with his comrades with a head held high.

[Toyoll]

The unit traveled for a long while, the two scouts that Sloan has sent forth had not been seen or heard of for just as long. Eventually, the group came upon the clearing the elk and the water type inspected earlier. Sloan looked up, the sun was already hanging quite low in the sky, it would be evening soon.

The elk snorted, then turned to the halted warriors. He lingered on Thavan and chuckled inwardly, he looked so out of place. Not only by element, but by even the clothes he wore. They were good for travel, but were ill suited for the Beastlands and it's way of life. It often grew very warm during the day and his garbs looked hot.

Sloan tilted his head slightly, if he payed no attention to Thavan's clothes or his element, he looked like a native of his clan, the same pride was there, the same glint in his eye.

The General righted himself and pointed at the place where he found the flecks of dried blood, "Everyone is to scent this and then fan out. Sloan wants to know about this person and if there is a trail." he gestured to Thavan, "Thavan water-type is here for insight. Ask him the questions, not me. Aakel, start a fire. The sun will die soon."

The vixen's brow furrowed, "General. Why wont we travel home tonight?"

Sloan leered at her, the obvious reason is that they were beasts. Thavan was not. He could not see as well at night and if Sloan didn't stop to rest, he would collapse. And although he wouldn't care less under other circumstances, they needed Thavan's information. He may be a stranger to the Beastlands, but he knew more about the other elementals than any beast in this unit.

"..Because I'm tiered." came the General's flat reply. Aakel shook her head, knowing that there was more to it.

The warriors did as they were told, even the scouts, who finally came back, went right to work. And as they were busy working in the grass, crouching, sniffing, searching, Aakel gathered some wood. She lifted her shirt a bit and touched her second sign, flames sprung up in the dead husks of once healthy saplings.

Sloan, dispassionate watcher, looked on without betraying a single feeling or emotion.

[Kender Bard]

Thavan was more than grateful for the rest. He held in the urge to sigh in relief as he sat down and shut his eyes for a few moment, reveling in the chance to simply stop walking. While gazing at the spot of the attack, and replaying the scene in his mind over and over, he suddenly had an epiphany. Looking at Sloan with wide eyes, he asked, "Sir, how much do you know about Fire types?"