A wanderer arrives.|Clan Beleg, Beastlands

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A sweet tune fills the air, and following it is Hod. The youth is slightly more ragged and considerably thinner then when we last saw him, (or, you know, didn't see him, doesn't really matter) but is still alive and in one piece. He still carries his panpipes, however, and is playing them at this very moment. These, at least, are still as shiny and new-looking as they were a year ago. And so, oblivious to the fact that he's wanderingh through what is likely hostile territory, the blind youth plays his tune loud and clear, a song of summoning for anyone and anything.

[Northen Light36]

(Hey! Hod's back! I was just saying a few weeks ago it was a shame you and Hod had seemed to vanish.)
A young cat-affinity girl growls softly as she peaks at Hod from her perch in a tree. "Intruder!" she hisses, her white cat ears pressed flat on her head.

[Deleted]

(Yeah, I kinda drifted off for awhile, but decided to return. And I meant it this time!)

The tune stops and the youth who was playing it smiles and tilts his head. "It would seem I've wandered somewhere I don't belong. If you would be so kind as to point me in the direction that would lead me out of here, I would be happy to walk that way." Hod's tone of voice is pleasant, but he begins to curl his left hand into a fist.

[Northen Light36]

The girl creeps down from the tree, growling, but ready to run if she needs too. "You're in Clan Beleg's lands," she snarls. "Turn around and run. You might last until my tiger friend gets bored and lets you go." Despite her words, the cat-affinity is desperately hoping Hod won't call her bluff. She's barely seven and the only creatures that usually respond to her calls are kittens.

[Deleted]

"I'm afraid that I can't turn around and run away, and if the consequences are me having to deal with your friend, so be it." The smile hasn't faded from Hod's face and his voice is still pleasant, even slightly appologetic. His left hand also relaxes slightly. "You sound rather young, though that doesn't mean you are not to be feared." The youth's smile broadens. "Tell me, have you killed many travellers?"

[Northen Light36]

The girl hesitates then replies uncertainly. "Um... yes?" Realising that was hardly frightening she adds, trying to sound older and braver, "I've killed hundreds!" She follows this lie with a poor attempt at a fearsome sounding growl.

[Deleted]

Still smiling, Hod relaxes his hand all the way. "And I'm sure that someday soon there will be songs about you, telling of your fearsome deeds. Now, as mighty as you are, surely you could let me go without consequence? I won't disturb your homeland, I'm merely passing through. What am I, a lone blind man to you, a mighty young woman who will someday soon have songs and stories in her honor, who's name will be whispered in fear by all?"

[Northen Light36]

The girl hesitates, uncertain. Most of the warriors of the clan are gone, off to fight in the war, so she can't run to one of them for help... But intruders aren't allowed to pass. Growling and stalling for time, the small girl snatches up her make-shift 'spear' (in reality a stick with a slightly pointed end) and pokes at Hod. "You're not allowed here. The adults will eat you for dinner. Go away!"

[Deleted]

"Well, then the adults will eat me for dinner, but I'm afraid that what I seek does not lie behind me, so thus I must go forward. Surely you can let a blind man pass? After all, what threat am I to you and your clan?" Hod's tone is still friendly, and he still wears a kind smile, but his left hand curls slightly once again. He truly doesn't wish to hurt a child, but if left with no other choice he will at the very least incapacitate her.

[Northen Light36]

The girl considers that for a moment, growling under her breath. "Well, all right... But I gotta come with you and make sure you leave. If you try anything dumb I'll eat you!" she growls at last.

[Deleted]

"Of course." Hod says, and his hand relaxes all the way for the first time since he heard the young voice. With that done, he begins to head down the path, one hand groping in his pocket for his panpipes.

[Northen Light36]

The cat-affinity walks with him. "What's your name?" she askes after the silence gets to be more then she can take.

[Deleted]

"Hod is my name. May I ask what yours is?" (gah, sorry, short reply, can't think of much else to say here.)

[Northen Light36]

"I'm Ann," replies the girl simply. "I'm going to be the greatest warrior in all the Beastlands too. If you're blind, why are you out here? How do you fight?"

[Deleted]

Hod merely smiles at her introductions, and walks in silence awhile before answering her questions. "I'm on a force quest to right a wrong I commited. As for how I fight...well, I've been blind all my life, and I've learned that sounds can work almost as well as sight, especially if you know what to listen for."