Negotiations (Solo/Flashback)

[Massacre]

Negotiations Timestamp: Winter 18, 494 AV Location: Along the North Kabrin Road It had been a harsh year for Massacre and his tribe and their numbers had dwindled lower than he could ever remember. Totaling at only 18, including six children, things were looking bad. Their best warriors were down to two with most of them having been killed off during a conflict with human warriors several days back. To top it all off, food was even proving scarce and the Zith were forced to choose between venturing deeper into human territory or further into the wilds. Despite all that, they held on, and luck proved to be with them when one of the younger Zith came flying into the tribe shouting about a group of humans heading their way. They only had two guards, several horses, and even a few children with them. Scouts were sent out to verify the claim and as soon as they returned plans were made. The humans were staying at one of the traveler shelters along the road. They had two armed guards with them as the child had said, three children, two women and one man. With them was also a wagon and a large guard dog. All in all, they were ripe for the picking. No knights were in sight and if they hit quickly, they could be done before daybreak. "Okay, Cairn and I will take out the guards," The Zith who went by the name of Shade directed. "Massacre, you take Arri and Razor. Take out the dog and grab any children you can. Leave the adults for negotiations." The plan was set. Cairn and Shade, the tribes two best warriors, would lead the attack and take out the guards. Massacre, who was the most experienced of the hunters, would take out the dog while his partners would try to grab two of the children. Simple enough, but things could always go wrong so the tribe had to be careful. With their numbers so low they couldn't risk losing anyone else. The rest of the tribe would wait until all the threats were eliminated, and then they would begin negotiations.

[Massacre]

Massacre circled the traveler shelter, along with the others who were to take part in the plan. Both the guards were awake, sitting outside and drinking the strange brown liquid humans were so fond of. The dog was laying next to the wagon, keeping a watchful eye for any who might approach it. The rest of the caravan was likely sleeping inside the shelter. If they could take out all the guards quietly the people inside might not even hear. Cairn and Shade both dove, signaling the start of the plan. The two guards didn't stand a chance, and only the dog alerted them to any danger. The beast jumped up and started barking but the guards, drunk as they were, paid the dog no heed and only shouted at him to shut up. Cairn and Shade both swooped down and snatched the guards by the shoulders, plucking each of them from the ground and flying them away. Massacre knew they would drop them at some point and if the fall didn't kill them, they would make short work of the guards. He did not have time to watch, as much as he wanted to. Following suit of the two warriors, Massacre dove for the barking dog, but the beast somehow knew he was coming and turned his way. Massacre flexed his claws and the dog bared it's teeth. Just before he hit the dog lunged and both collided mid air, landing in a rolling mass of wings, fur, claws and teeth.

[Massacre]

The dog latched onto Massacre's arm and the Zith shouted in pain, but he wasn't about to let a dog take him down. Massacre grabbed the dog by the back of it's neck and dig his claws in. The animal whimpered in pain and let go, trying to get away from the Zith. Massacre did not let go and instead pulled the dog back to him and into the claws of his other hand, grabbing it by the throat. The dog struggled and whined, snapped and barked, growled threateningly, but Massacre didn't let go. Digging in deeper he watched the blood seep around his claws and trickle down his hands. The dog kept struggling but Massacre balled his hand into a fist, slicing through the dogs throat with his sharp nails. The dog gave out one final whimper before falling still, and Massacre finally let it go. He had a nasty bite wound on his left arm, but other than that he would be fine. The Zith turned when he heard a scream from inside the cabin and knew that his companions were inside. He stood and waited, licking the blood off his claws, until the first of them came out. It was Razor and he had a small struggling little boy in his arms. As soon as he exited the building Razor spread his wings and flew away. It took Arri longer to follow, and Massacre felt a slight tinge of worry in the back of his mind, but before he had a chance to investigate Arri burst from the door and flew away. She was followed by a screaming woman who chased after her a few yards before spotting Massacre and slowing to a stop. "Please.. don't hurt my babies. Take me instead, I beg you."

[Massacre]

Massacre stared back at the woman. It was not his place to negotiate, he knew nothing about talking to humans, and that was the job of the elders, but he still felt the need to say something. It wasn't pity that drove him, but rather a desire to shut the woman up. "Go back inside," he responded in common, "You're children will be fine if you do as you're told." The woman wailed and cried some more, and another woman and a man crept to the door, but ducked back inside upon seeing the Zith. Eventually the woman did go back in, and after she did Massacre shut the door behind her and stood guard until the others returned. It didn't take long, and soon enough the warriors returned. Cairn had taken a wound to the shoulder, but it was nothing that wouldn't heal up. "They're all inside," Massacre said when they looked at him questioningly, and Shade nodded to him and approached the door. "Go and check the wagon, we will watch them until the rest get here." Massacre complied, though he would have preferred to stand guard in case there was any action to be had. But that was what the warriors were there for. He knew he couldn't question that, but one day he would be one of them and then they would show him some respect. When Massacre looked inside the wagon he couldn't help but smile. It was full of furs for trade and, more importantly, food enough to last the family the journey between cities. It wasn't the most appetizing of meals, mostly trail rations though there was also some dried fruits and jerky. Combined with the horses, the dog, and the guards it was enough to last the tribe a good while even without the rest of them. It was a good haul and the tribe would be pleased.

[Massacre]

The rest of the tribe arrived and the humans were ushered out. The third child was pried from her crying mother's arms and taken to the side. The man, presumably the father, tried to grab the child back but was met with a slash to the face by one of the Zith. He staggered back and one of the women started to wipe the blood from his face. The other woman, older of the two, stepped forward and shouted, "What do you want from us!?" Shade stepped forward and the woman cowered. He was the strongest of all the warriors, and was soon to be considered an elder, which meant he had the privilege if handling all negotiations. "We have your children. If you want them to live you do as we say, or all of you die." Massacre licked his lips in anticipation. It didn't really matter if they complied or not, tribe was going to have a feast and possibly some fun with the females that night. Shade continued, "Your women are ours too. Man, you may leave. If you want them back go to your city and bring back enough food, meat, to feed us all until the end of winter. You see our numbers. Take a horse and go. Or die." Negotiations were over, the man had but to decide. The younger of the women pleaded with him, but he was afraid the Zith would not keep their word. She told him she didn't care, it was their only chance. Finally the man agreed and was given a horse. As he left the women and children were loaded into the wagon, along with the two dead guards and the dogs. Leading the remaining horse by a rope they left the shelter and ventured into the wilds, traveling until sunrise. Sentries were set at the shelter to wait for the man's return, and the Zith feasted on the dead and the food from the wagon for the rest of the night. END

[Templar]

Massacre: Unarmed Combat: 2 - Observation: 2 - Stealth: 2 Lore: Attacking Caravans - Fighting dogs Additional remark: If you have any complaints or feel you have been mistreated. Please send me a PM with your complaint and I will address the issue. - Terribly sorry for the massive delay. I only found this thread in Secret's office long after he vanished.