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Celeste and Nuyok approach the sentry carefully. Soon they are standing within plain sight, though they know Leckchock covers them from the trees. Faliol waits tensely behind, bow drawn and arrow nocked, but not yet raised. At the caravan, nervous hands rest on weapon hilts.

Nuyok's senses can see the sentry plainly, though he has very good cover from his height. The top of the overlook has a number of glacial boulders to hide behind. There is at least one more somewhere in the jungle, much like the hidden Leckchock.

Finally the sentry speaks, "Hail, travellers. We know your number, but not your names or purpose. Who are you?" His voice is an canyon-deep bass that travels easily through the darkening evning.

Nuyok will quietly note to Celeste the presence of a second sentry in the jungle, and respond to the sentry saying in a somewhat friendly voice "Hail yourself. We are just who you say we are, travellers, merely merchants traveling to Tallon. If you know our number, then you have seen this?," Nuyoks asks rhetorically. "And who are you?"

The voice rings out:
"Appearances deceive. 'Vigilence is Survival.' If you are as you say, you are welcome to share the camp of Ranak's Roughs of A Company, Devil Merks."
The mutant scrambles down the high point. He stands very tall and broad. He would be scary to meet in battle. His teeth are pointed and sharp. Although his weapons are sheathed, he shows disicpline and readiness.
"Advance, if you wish shelter."

"Vigilance is indeed survival. We would welcome shelter, but we would need to ensure the safety of the camp. May we approach to do so?"

If allowed or escorted, Nuyok (presumably with Celeste) will head up the path to their camp, casually avoiding the snare (quietly noting its location to Celeste on approach), to examine the camp for its nature and numbers to ensure it is mercenaries and not brigands (though they may be one and the same...).

The mutant nods knowingly. "Right then. Come along. I'll give you time to let your party know where you are going. I will also leave a devil to check out your people in return."
He calls out in a strange low ululation that obviously has words, but is unintelligible to you. In response comes another call, followed by one of the scouts you were aware of.
The first says to the newcomer, "Stay with the folk of the wagons. I'll expect a report before we let them in. You merchants. Roko here will be pledge of your comrades' return, OK?"

Faliol murmurs softly to his bow, "Sorry old girl. Looks like you get unstrung again. What? I know you are bored. I know it isn't easy riding on my shoulder day after day with nothing to do.... ?!?!? No, I will not shoot Roko! They haven't done anything suspicious...yet. That would be very rude and I would get into trouble. Maybe I can take you hunting after we make camp. ?!?!? No, I do not love the sword more than you! One time, in anger, I said that and you never let me forget it! Shhhhh, here they come."

Hurts when it comes out your nose!

Nuyok will call back to Faliol, "We will return shortly from their camp. In the meantime, please make the guest comfortable with our caravan."

Whispering, "We will continue this later, Betsy."

Wincing at the bow's parting words, Faliol yells out "Sure thing!"

To Roko, "My name is Faliol. Some call me "Red". I will show you around. This way please..."

Nuyok will head toward the camp, watching for any ambush along the way, and taking a critical eye over the camp itself for anything out of the ordinary.

Spirit Sense, 13-
[3D6]:
Roll: 5, 6, 5 = 16 STUN, 4 BODY Tuesday, November 9, 2004 05:57:59 AM

Detect Hostilities, 11-
[3D6]:
Roll: 5, 3, 6 = 14 STUN, 4 BODY Tuesday, November 9, 2004 05:58:39 AM

Nuyok and Celeste are led on a long trip past the sentry post. You remember just how far off the path the campsite is. Much of it is through narrow passage ebtween tall vine-encrusted cliffs. Your guide doesn't speak, but occasionally stops inexplicably as if waiting for something. It occurs to you that you are being monitored and he is waiting for some kind of recognition.

Nuyok, though you detect no hostilities, you are surprised at how hard it is to detect these hidden sentries. Once or twice you catch a vague glimpse of them, but not often and never clearly. Some mutant ability? Some unknown skill?

Eventually, the two of you are led to the clearing. It stands bounded by high cliffs and sheltered by a deep overhang many meters up. It is a natural fort. There is a small stream running through it. There are perhaps a a half-dozen devil merks visible, all male, all armed. The camp is ringed with additional fortifications. Saplings have been sharpened and braced in a perimeter, and low berms have shields emplaced upon them, affording an excelent spot for archers to lie and face the path. It is now getting dark and the best light comes from the fire.

Celeste, you are impressed with the discipline and orderliness of the camp. These are not warriors; they are soldiers.
(Nuyok, do you wear your lumina openly or have it lit?)

Nuyok's lumina is open and lit (for better or worse).

OOC: I figure Nuyok usually has his lumina open and lit, unless stealth is needed, or as it gets to night-time, so he isn't a target at camp. Since it was getting toward night, but not yet night, he probably still had it open and lit.

En route to the campsite, Nuyok will quietly point out to Celeste about the watchers in a few instances, so she is aware. Upon arrival at the camp, Nuyok will glance toward Celeste, and quietly say "so, what do you think? They do not have the look of brigands to me..."

Celeste looks about the encampment assessing the fortifications the 'devils'have made. "No, they do not seem to behave as common brigands, but rather as disciplined soldiers, and their camp has a more military feel. He did refer to the group as 'A' Company. I wonder who their leader is?"

"Good question," Nuyok looks around for anyone evidently in command or a command tent.

OOC: Is the sentry leading us anywhere?

The sentry bids you wait outside the perimeter while he signals one of the larger devils inside. The huge brute walks out on cloven hooved feet and nods.
"Greetings. I am Tarn Ranak of A Company. We are travelling southward on the Lizard Road.
"You lot are merchants? Where from and to? And what do you carry?"

He says the word "Tarn" as if it were a title or rank.

"Greetings yourself, we are merchants traveling from Fort Lizard to Tallon, carrying spirits. Are you en route to employment? The road behind us was recently cleared by the Tallon army, so your passage should be safe, though I would expect you not to have much trouble," Nuyok finishes with a friendly smile, glancing meaningfully at the encampment.

"Oh, and your sentry mentioned about our caravan camping here, is that acceptable?"

Tarn Ranak looks slightly puzzled for a moment. "Ah," he says finally, "That kind of spirits."
He considers you carefully. "I have been informed that my sentry offered your group shelter. I'll have to discuss with him the making of promises and the nature of security. Still, you look harmless enough. A couple of questions."
[for brevity's sake, you can assume these are asked sequentially, but can respond to them in a single post.]
"You're walking the Road, which menas you most likely hail from originally Adala or Tallon. Which?"
"I was not aware the tree-men had stonetalkers--adepts that is. Are you stone folk or tree folk?" directed at Nuyok
"What assurances can you give that your caravan won't disrupt my encampment? I run a tight op here. I don't want any surprises." His tone here indicates he wants something more than a vague promise of good behavior.

OOC: I thought you'd like the "spirits" response

"We are originally from Tallon, returning from selling silks in Adala, so soon we reach our starting point."

"I am neither, I hail from Tallon and do not know the distinctions. I may have the appearance of tree folk, but I am not of them."

"Assurances? We have brave warriors," Nuyok gestures toward Celeste, "who are also disciplined, as are the rest of the caravan after the journey to Adala and back, and they know well the need for a strong camp defense and vigilance. And we can camp in an out of the way section, to minimize any disruption. Besides, camping with you would probably be less of a disruption, where you can observe us, rather than camping nearby if we were disruptive. And I'm sure our caravan leader can spare a fine bottle for you," Nuyok finishes with a conspiratorial wink.

"Those sound like fair conditions. On all points. Have Udan Rothar return you to your caravan and lead them back here. We'll leave the area next to the cliff for you."

You may post to the others

Nuyok will politely thank the Tarn and take his leave with Udan.

OOC: Does Udan seem to be a title, like Tarn, or a name?

The Devil Merk named Roko is left with the Caravan while Nuyok and Celeste go to the camp.
He is tall and broad, with blood red skin. He looks savage as all hell, but does not act aggressively. Instead, he asks, "Are you lot Tallonite or Adalan?"

"Me? You could classify me as Tallonite I suppose. Most of us are from all over the place, but many call Tallon a temporary home. What about yourself? Ah, we have arrived. Allow me to present Merchant Beka Hamilton, leader of Hamilton-Ricocco. Miss Beka, this fellow is named 'Roko'. Nuyok is touring their camp while Roko tours our caravan."

Jareek," Riccoco whispers to the elederly Beast. "Few worse folks could we be runnin' into, too." Riccoco shifts from one foot to the other, sheathing the saber he'd gotten from the Yaraza. "Still hard to be worryin''bout such folks with the good business sense... Ol' Riccoco be wonderin' whose coin be gettin them to the Lizard..."

"As he said, I am Beka. I am a merchant of Tallon. We traded cloth in Adala and are on the return. Let me introduce you around. (Beka introduces all available) Are you mercinaries for a merchant or coming for the Tallon army? Are we at war and I don't know it?"

"I can't talk about jobs or employers, but as far as I know, Tallon is not at war right now." He says this with the attitude of one who expects this sort of situation to change with regularity.
"Leastways, not with humans. I hear they have problems with gators."

"Doesn't everyone?" she says with a smile.

"Not if their gold is the right color," he replies with all sincerity.

While the Devil Merk waits for word from the encampment, he asks, "The army of Tallon supposedly sent a sweep through here a while back. How is the road ahead?"

The road is open and in good shape all the way to the fort. It was not in very good shape on the way out but they cleaned it up quite a bit.

Lekchock stares at the red bull-man, springing all around him taking him all in, from the the sounds he makes it appears that he has too many questions and can't figure out which to ask first.

Nuyok, Celeste, and a devil merk Udan Rothar emerge from the dark trail ahead to reunite with the caravan. Nuyok looks to take notice of Roko, and glances to the treetops for Lekchock. Nuyok speaks up, "well, thanks to Udan Rothar's initial offer to camp, Tarn Ranak has agreed to allow us to camp with them, for but a bottle of good wine, so long as we do not serve as a disruption to their disciplined system. I hope that bargain was acceptable? If so, we can camp alongside the cliff." Nuyok waits for a response, and if amenable, facilitates the organization of the caravan and travel to the camp site.

... and into a Devil Merc camp," Riccoco exclaims, moving to help Angilak to get the cart moving. "Is it jus' Ol' Riccoco, or do things be getting worse? This group o' folks be puttin' on spiders to be gettin' rid o' the bitin' bugs."

"From bad to worse," the gloomy-gus mutters with finality.

OOC: Nuyok intentionally neglected to mention the raccoon stew the devil merks were having...

"I can provide a bottle. Will you be joining us?" she looks pointedly at those not in her direct employ.

The caravan begins to arrange itself for travel. Brother Cadbury looks wiling enough, but Angilak looks like he is expecting danger. His fur bristles, though he keeps attempting to brush it flat. Wickersticks is unreadable.
Assuming no one objects, the party moves onward with their guide, Udan Rothar.
You all recall (except for Lekchock) just how far off the track the campsite is. Most of it is through narrow passages flanked by vine-encrusted cliffs. Eventually you reach the camp itself.

Continued next thread

Thinking to himself, "Why is Miss Beka looking at me that way? Like she expects a little liquor to make me forget my manners and start a fight or something!"

(then an unwanted memory of a gravy-sodden missile narrowly missing its intented target only to land with a disgusting 'splooch' forces its way into the fox kit's seldom used brain)

His ears turn downwards. He looks at his hind paws, and states outloud, "There is no gravy for miles around!"

"I tink I can make sum in no time, if ya want" Lekchock says with a smile and a nudge to the fox.

Faliol's ears perk up as his head swings towards Lekchock.

"Really? Great! White or brown? I can dig out the napkins..."

"I was looking to see who was going to kick in for the cost. I'll gladly pay for Hamilton but I am a merchant still. However, I hope there will not be gravy. I don't think we would fare as well this time." she says with a smile.