A Lesson in Humility|Clan Char | Naurorod

[Kender Bard]

Once the new additions to the clan had been settled and looked after, Char sought out one of his family, or Mal, intending to have a long discussion with whomever he came upon.

[Deleted]

Malcamon and Alexi were tending Ghara, Lars and Kallsu, Charii strapped to Mal's back as they worked. The closer Charanth came, the clearer their discussion became.

"I still think if we got enough fruit in trade, and set up a nice barrel of some kind, the heat of the desert would distill some really nice quikal," Alexi was saying as he tended Kallsu's hooves.

"I'm not arguing with that, m'boy, but it takes time for a proper fermentation and distillation to work," Mal reasoned, brushing out Lars's mane. "And with our nomadic lifestyle, we might not get the process done right. Where did you learn about quikal, anyway? We never served it at Rest A Spell."

"Master always had some around when I was his apprentice," Alexi explained, grabbing a brush now that Kallsu's feet were all right. "I had some one evening while he was out."

"What did it taste like?"

"I don't remember. But judging by the hangover and the punishment Master meted out, it must've been some damn good booze."

Malcamon gave a long sigh. "Charii, dear, do me a favor: Never start drinking."

"Okay, Unca Mal," Charii answered, not really understanding, and went back to playing with Mal's ponytail.

[Kender Bard]

Charanth felt some of the tension flow out of him, a knot in his stomach easing up just a bit. The warmness of the scene served to soothe frayed nerves. "Good, I can see you both are here together," Charanth said by way of greeting. "I was hoping I could have a word with one of you, but two of you is just as good. I'm afraid that we have a bit of a political mess on our hands." He looked abashed. "Half of which is my fault."

[Deleted]

Alexi dropped the brush. "Did you just admit to f--king up?" he asked incredulously.

Mal waved at his nephew to shush. "What is the problem, Charanth?"

[Kender Bard]

Charanth have glares at Alexi, gritting his teeth. "Yes," he says grumpily. "I did. I was taking some of the men to capture Clan Pyre. Tres and Fira were there too. I offered to split the land and people half with her. She tried to take more than that, making some silly claims about lack of food or something." He rolled his eyes. "At any rate, I.. Reminded her that we were the biggest clan, for good or for ill. She took it as a threat, insulted me, and we parted on bitter grounds."

[Deleted]

"Is there truth to her claims?" Mal inquired.

"And if there is, she oughtta take half and trade with us when we come around seasonally," Alexi stated.

Mal gave his nephew a wide-eyed look. "Did you just say something sensible?" Alexi chucked a brush at him, which was dodged. "Watch it, I'm the one carrying your daughter here."

[Kender Bard]

"We took half and half," Charanth said, crossing his arms, fingers drumming against his bicep as he considered Alexi's suggestion. "But that doesn't sound bad. The people have already been assigned. It is the land that we are quarreling over, the hunting rights and such. Would you be willing to make the proposal to Tres, Alexi?"

[Deleted]

Alexi shrugged. "Couldn't hurt," he said. "I ain't the most diplomatic person in the world, but I'll try."

Malcamon smiled proudly.

"You be great, Daddy!" Charii announced, clapping her hands.

Alexi puffed up. "Of course I will, Princessa."

[Kender Bard]

"Better than me," Charanth admitted ruefully. "If you're unsure, you could have Charminei go instead. Woman to woman or something like that." He shrugged, the mysterious of the female mind beyond him. "I just know if I go dancing up to their border, they'll take it as a sign of invasion or something silly and war will erupt."

[Deleted]

"I'll do it. 'Bout time I did something Elder-like," Alexi volunteered.

"I shall help if needed," Mal decided.