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Nuyok has looked all about the camp before settling with his back against the apprehensive merchant caravan and asking, "Tarn, if you have any suggestions with how I can help, please let me know."
At this statement some of the devil merks assume an aggressive posture. Angilak bristles and Riccoco blurts out, "It won' be comin' easy, though!"
The Tarn faces the caravan, all seven feet of muscled and red-skinned warrior. His face is grim. Slowly, he draws a sword, long and thick as a fencepost. It is not the shiny and gleaming prop of a parade officer, but a notched and well-used tool that makes death. He eyes it carefully, as if contemplating a weighty matter. The tensions grows. Finally he speaks.
"Unfortunately, I cannot see any way out of our present dillema, Stonetalker Nuyok. We have accepted a fee and must deliver the terms. You and your companions must die." Though he says this, he has given no order to release the merks.
They stand nearby, obviously ready to leap at his slightest signal Several large bows are ready to nock and bend as well. Angilak is growling low and dangerously. Others of your party are preparing weapons.

Both of you have backgrounds in military or barbarian groups. This makes you wonder why he didn't order you killed in the middle of the night. Why is he allowing you time to arm and prepare yourselves?

Unloosening her falchion, but not drawing it from the scabbard, Celeste walks to stand by Beka and Cas. She listens without speaking to the parties conversations.

Angilak is muttering between growls, "killum. Choppemup. rrrRR..."
You know from experience that he loses all eloquence just before entering a killing rage. He is about to leap and trigger the fight unless restrained somehow.

Ricco is glancing around. His blood was up and he was ready to stand for his own, yet there was the part of him that realized the Hamilton group had little chance of defeating these Devil Merks. They hadn't started the killing, so there must be something they were waiting for.

And, it wasn't for Angilak to go into a Berserker rage... Swallowing his better judgement, the diminutive 'Coon slipped up beside Angilak, "Be holdin' steady, Angilak. It not be thie time for diein' yet. Miss Beka be workin' to let us be walkin' out come morn."

Cas will defend Beka with her life. Under _NO_ circumstances short of death will she be more than a shoulder distance form Beka.

"Tarn, we have also paid a fee. To you for a safe night here. I expect you to honor that as well. Let us sit and have our meal and discuss this situation we are in. It is quite clear we are not going anywhere. You need honor your bargain with us as well."
Beka has her sword sheathed and is standing in the open.

Edited on Tuesday, December 7, 2004 05:46:24 PM by Susan Dwyer

Does Nuyok detect hostility from just the Tarn/merks, or any other source?

Detect Hostility, 11-
[3D6]:
Roll: 3, 4, 5 = 12 STUN, 3 BODY Wednesday, December 8, 2004 07:00:30 AM

"Who paid this fee, and are they present now?"

"That is not an appropriate question... at this time." Beka look at him, pleading with her eyes.

"Don't kid yourself, you already know the answer to that question Nuyok."

The Tarn considers all statements carefully. "Clients sometimes demand anonymity. I will not reveal the name.
"As for yourselves, you are correct. Hospitality has been bought and paid for. Your deaths have also been bought and paid for. Honor demands the fulfillment of both contracts. Thus, the word 'dillema'."
At this point there is some whispering from the 'coon. Those who can make out the words hear, "Be holdin' steady, Angilak. It not be thie time for diein' yet. Miss Beka be workin' to let us be walkin' out come morn."
It is obvious to all however that the Udan is not happy with the current state of affairs, "Tarn our word is our--"
Ranak silences him with a gesture. "Your council I have heard. Let us hear what the merchants have to say." Still, no weapons are lowered and no one has backed down.

"I've been in situations like this before," Cas says trying to hopefully fox her way out of death. "Perhaps if you told us the terms of your other contract we could find a solution to this dilemmna."

"That sounds reasonable. We should know why we are dying. Also, Is it the whole caravan or just the Hamilton group? These othersshould be allowed go if they were not included in the price. Please ellaborate as much as you can on this contract and we will see if we also have information that you need inorder to fulfill all your obligations."

I think I have some skills that would help here but I can't get to my character right now. Trading? Conversation? Anything? How about I make some rolls and you apply where applicable?
[3d6]:
Roll: 6, 6, 3 = 15 STUN, 5 BODY Wednesday, December 8, 2004 11:02:48 AM
[3d6]:
Roll: 5, 1, 3 = 9 STUN, 2 BODY Wednesday, December 8, 2004 11:02:48 AM
[3d6]:
Roll: 6, 1, 2 = 9 STUN, 3 BODY Wednesday, December 8, 2004 11:02:48 AM

Beka speaks more forcifully.
"It will be known to everyone that you and yours,"
she indicates all the mercs present,
"are Oath Breakers if you don't honor our bargain! Nuyok, my stone walker, blessed by Promethius, will himself let all be known even after his death so your names will be no more than common dogs! "
She spits these words out with venom and turns to face the Tarn full on taking one step towards him.
"You say SOME clients ask for anonymity but I know for a fact that this one has asked you to tell me who has engineered my death. I know Vance would want me to know it was him so his betrayal of my father and my family would be complete. I also know that he has paid with my own family money for this which makes it even sweeter! I know the report he will give my father as my own father weeps at what he has done wrong and how he lost his little girl, the only part remaining of his dead beloved wife. I also know that he will gladly step in and take over the business for my distraught father even to the point of taking his life in the process."
She whirls around and takes two steps back toward the wagon.
"Take what you will Oath Breakers. If you accept contracts to kill an entire family just to profit someone else who has been trusted and accepted as much as if he were my brother then take my life. Those with me need not be a part of this deal. That is simply to see that the evidence of the treachery not go beyond this glade but it will go out, Nuyok's spirit will not rest easy and all will be known. If you are to be the cause of family betrayal, so be it!"
Beka lays out her bedmat and lies down.

PS Merchant 15-
To show I know who and why bought the contract
[3d]
Trading 15-
to bargain our way out
[3d6]:
Roll: 1, 2, 6 = 9 STUN, 3 BODY Thursday, December 9, 2004 04:33:51 AM
Acting 14-
to show over the top emotion in my words
[3d6]:
Roll: 5, 6, 2 = 13 STUN, 4 BODY Thursday, December 9, 2004 04:33:51 AM
Gambling 12-
on the fact they will not want to be oath breakers
[3d6]:
Roll: 6, 4, 6 = 16 STUN, 5 BODY Thursday, December 9, 2004 04:33:51 AM
High Society 14-
to make it seem like everyone knows Adepts are fully capable of doing what I said
[3d6]:
Roll: 5, 1, 2 = 8 STUN, 2 BODY Thursday, December 9, 2004 04:33:51 AM
Lip Reading 12-
to see what conversation goes on between mercs
[3d6]:
Roll: 1, 6, 6 = 13 STUN, 4 BODY Thursday, December 9, 2004 04:33:51 AM

[3d6]:
Roll: 4, 4, 4 = 12 STUN, 3 BODY Thursday, December 9, 2004 04:35:47 AM
then I wrote it wrong!

Edited on Thursday, December 9, 2004 04:35:47 AM by Susan Dwyer

Faliol saunters over to something he can brace on. Then he draws the nocked arrow and aims at Tarn.

"You go ahead and give that order to assassinate us, Devil coward. You will die the second you give the command. No more sending others to do your dirty work while you lounge in a tent. We will depart this world knowing we had the satisfaction of sinking an arrow in your left eye socket."

Faliol wants to brace, aim, and use extra time to eventually negate the called shot penalty for shooting that devil jerk somewhere vital and unarmored. The longer Beka haggles, the better chance Faliol will drop the bastard.

"You be tellin' 'im, Foxkit!"

"Devil Merks be damned. Thrice cursed Oath Breakers, the lot o' 'em!"

The Devils look somewhat impressed by Beka's Tirade (tm). There are a few chuckles, even when the term "oath-breakers" is used. Some appear a little uneasy at the ritual Nuyok is performing, but the Tarn appears unflustered.
As soon as Faliol makes his threat, four heavy bows are immediately centered on him.
The Tarn does indeed look a little peeved at the term "coward", especially since he is also standing there in plain sight holding a sword.

"Coward and Oathbreaker? Name-calling and threats are your solution?" Even the Udan, who had looked a little chagrined at the state of affairs looks angry now. The Tarn however still does not release the soldiers.
"I think you are laboring under a few false impressions. First and foremost, I do not think it breaches our contract to say that this is not about you, Merchant Beka is it? I never heard your name until today. Our target is the Stonetalker Nuyok. And unfortunately for you, 'any and all companions.' "
He pauses to lat that sink in.
"The second misunderstanding is that you are somehow capable of defeating a full squad of Devil Merks. It might cost us a casualty or two, but you and all of yours would surely perish. Some of you obviously know a thing or two about which end of a sword to hold, but the outcome is not in doubt.
"The third is that we are somehow ignorant of Stonetalker customs. In twenty years of campaigning, I have never seen an... adept with the powers you are describing. Believe me, I have seen enough adepts who would dearly haved loved such an ability."
"Lastly, you have called me a coward and oathbreaker. You are correct in this at least: the "oathbreaker" bothers me much, and it is only because I am loathe to do such that you did not die without warning. It is precisely because of this that you are alive. And believe me, nothing would be simpler than to just kill you all and have the problem die with you. None would survive to spread the tale."
There are some muttered agreements from the soldiery. It is obvious to some of them that this is the sensible course of action.
"Oh, cease your prattling Stonetalker. If you have such a power, you have used it by now and nothing will change it. If it is pretense, then it has outlived its usefullness.
"For the second title, 'coward'," he laughs now, a big barbaric laugh that is slowly picked up by his troops. "Shoot, fox. Go ahead. But know that the arrow will cost you your life. And not only yours, but every heart that beats within your caravan. It will be the flashpoint, the signal flag, and every drop of blood will be upon your head."
He strides forward, so as to prevent a better target. "But if you can live with that for the few seconds which will remain to you, shoot! Shoot!"

Beka sits full up. "What? Nuyok? Who? What the stones for?Oh Demon Kings! This is ridiculous! I'm not going to die for something I KNOW he didn't do because he never does anything wrong. Alright, who wants you dead?" looking a Nuyok, "and why us too?" She gets back up and goes back to the wagon shaking her head.

"Thanks for making your eyeball a bigger target. You plan to kill us anyhow, why shouldn't I shoot you now? It is not like you have given us any alternative... Certain death now or certain death in 30 seconds...humpf...some choice."

Faliol holds the aim...for now.

OOC Unless a second choice is offered up real darn quick, Faliol IS going to shoot sooner rather than later.

Vagrant finally lifts himself from his corner log. He shakes his head and stumbles over to Faliol and attempts to lower the kit's bow if he is allowed.

"Where I come from, folks that look just like you are some of the most hated and evil creatures to ever exist. Their job is to convince the innocent down the path of sin and take their souls for all eternity. There is no honor with these monsters but I must admit that your hesitation to kill us shows some moral code that I would never in my wildest magination would come from a devil like you. You certainly seem more complex then a devil from my lands. Certainly none of them would ever speak of honor. That said, your actions seem far more simple. Bare with me as I just want to understand another creature of this land. So, if I give you money to kill, you will kill? So, the details of why are unimportant?"

Vagrant's gravel-filled voice finishes as he waits to see how a Devil's mercenary could explain having any kind of moral code to worry about.

Faliol cannot maintain his aim with Vagrant pawing at Betsy...

He lowers the upset bow. "Dammit, James! Betsy doesn't like to be touched by anyone but me! Now I will have to hear her complain for the rest of my life! Which isn't a very long time, as things stand."

His left ear swivels towards the bow, "Let me die in peace, fickle weapon!"

Celeste, who has been silent most of the trip out from Fort Lizard, turns to Beka, "I may have a solution, though I know not if it will be acceptable to the Merks. You cannot 'buy' their honor, but you can win it from them. I propose single combat, that is: your champion against theirs. If we win, we leave the clearing alive and they promise not to hunt us down and kill us...or Nuyok. If they win...," she shrugs her shoulders. She has an unusual look in her eye. "Anyway...I beleive that I match them closest in height and sword skill, I volunteer myself to be your champion."

Faliol turns from the harping Betsy towards Celeste...muzzle dropping open in surprise.

He moves to Celeste and grabs her hand.

"No...don't do this. There must be another way. We have faced worse odds and found a way to win..."

A minute ago, some part of his brain knew they were all going to die (including Big Sister), but having to stand around and watch Big Sister die seems infinitely worse.

First reacting to Vagrant, the Tarn replies, "Moral code? We have no moral code. Perhaps that is a city thing. We have no hesitation nor reluctance to kill. Indeed our fullifillment is in battle. We have been made as killers; to deny this would be to deny the maker of creation. We do however have an ethical code, if you understand the difference." Some of the devils are beginning to get a little impatient with all this talk, but they do not seem inclined to attack without orders.
"Make no mistake, we do not have any reluctance to fight. We have a reluctance to break our word."
At this, one of the younger devils breaks silence and calls out, "Tarn, let us return the wine and spill their blood!"
"Silence!" snaps Ranak. "Your request, and your lack of discipline, are both noted Arrago."
At this point Celeste makes her offer and Faliol expresses his displeasure with the idea.
The Tarn looks interested. "Hmmm... this might work. It is not ideal, but it does have the smack of honor." You get the idea his concept of honor is more in the realm of honoring contracts, bargains and promises, not a lofty ideal of just action.
"If your company can agree, we will abide by this. Champion to Champion. If a Devil remains standing at the end, the blade will fall and battle will be done. If your champion emerges victorious, we will hold our bargain with you to be superior to our other contract."
He pauses, "Unless we should meet again, of course. We will withold pursuit until dawn, for our promise to you was a safe campsite. If you hurry, you might even make the walls of your city before we engage you again."
Some of the devils brighten slightly, anticipating a quick combat followed by a full engagement. They seem pretty confident of victory.

"That deal sucks! You act as if you have a right to our lives! You most certainly do not! You are no better than thieves, trying to take that which does not belong to you! I say the members of Hamilton-Riccoco live and die as one! We don't offer up sacrifices to assassins! Miss Beka, tell him to shove it where the sun don't ever shine!"

Turning to Faliol and taking his paws into her hands, Celeste replies, "Little Brother, do not fret so. I do not offer myself up as 'sacrifice'. I would not make this offer if I did not think I had at least a fair chance against them, and I do not make it lightly. There is every chance that the Merk would prevail and we would all die. Beka's responsibility is for the safety of the caravan, as is mine when I signed on as guard. Trust me when I say, this is the only way to win our freedom. I have seen the face of death and I am not afraid. However, I wish to spare my family and friends that experience if I am able." Turning once again to face the Tarn, "Tarn, if you find my offer acceptable, I ask only this: If I win, you hunt us no further, tomorrow or ever!" And she gives him a bow, "Please choose your champion."

Faliol knows she is right, but hates that fact. If standing around while his sister fights for her life isn't bad enough, his kind have an instinctual disdain for being prey in a chase. This situation most certainly couldn't get any worse.

He hugs Celeste to him and whispers, "Use their over-confidence against them. You won't be able to surprise him twice, so make one blow count. Feign injury, lure him in, and gut the bastard."

Then he walks over to Tarn, "Someday, somehow, I will kill you. You don't mess with my family and live."

"If you wish, the day can be today, Fox," replies the Tarn. "Like most city folk, you have the idea that your life is your own. All life belongs to whoever is strong enough to take it. To pretend otherwise is to deny reality."
To Celeste, he replies, "the bargain is as I have offered. I have compromised beyond all reasonable limits already."
He pauses for an agreement, before a devil merk champion is named.

"I understand. As you have said, the terms are not ideal, but considering the alternatives, they are acceptable. Your people are not unlike my own,Tarn. You should hope to never meet them in battle. I will need but a few moments to prepare." Celeste bows low to the Tarn before withdrawing to an area away from both parties. She goes through a series of movements not unlike Tai Chi (24 Form) At the end of the movements,she returns to where the Tarn stands and bows once more.

Removing her boot knife and looking the Tarn in the eye, she draws a thin red line across her chest. It bleeds freely but not profusely. She replaces the knife in her boot and reaching back, draws the falchion. "I am ready, Tarn. Please choose your champion." To those with heightened sense of smell, the scent of blood is on the air. At no time does she look back and make eye contact with her companions. Her world now holds nothing but herself, the Tarn and a void to be filled by the Merc champion.

Beka prepares for battle as the situation slips through her fingers. She looks at Celeste and tries to get ther to take her offer back but sees she will not. She takes her sword in hand and watches as the battle begins.

He walks over to Jareek and gives him all his money (what little remains). Whispering, "We won't have time for this later. Goodbye, Pops. Stick with Ricco or Celeste and be sure to warn Mr. Kent. These Devils may come after him." He looks Jareek in the eye, "I HAVE to follow a path that involves no return. I lived a good life. Everyday since you rescued me has been a bonus."

OOC Forgot to edit out the part to Ricco

Edited on Monday, December 13, 2004 03:45:30 AM by Bozimus

Faliol stares daggers at Tarn then moves to Jareek. He passes the old fox a small pouch and whispers to him while Celeste gets ready to fight.

All of this is well and good, but Ricco would fear the chances of the Merks keeping their word. And, what if Celeste looses? During the commotion, Ricco is going to try and slip away, making ready to help get them out of their if she wins, and possibly escape with his life if she doesn't.

PER 15-
[roll]:
Roll: 10 Monday, December 13, 2004 08:20:00 AM

Any possible methods of helping out visible?

Stealth 14-
[roll]:
Roll: 12 Monday, December 13, 2004 08:20:00 AM

Just checking!

I saw it, I just was holding off responding until I could put it to use. There's no obvious way of helping out at the moment, but should one arise, I'll keep your rolls and intentions in mind. Likewise, if the riven hit the reavers, I'll keep in mind you want to scarper off.

What kind of things might Celeste have observed from watching these guys spare (last thread line)?

You are unlikely to be surprised by their fighting methods. You know what weapons the prefer (Sword, Spear)
You haven't really studied them long enough to gain any sort of advantage, though.

I don't believe I have spent my experience points yet, but I'm not sure. Do I have any that I could pump into skill levels, and will you let me do that this close to combat. If so that's where I want them to go. Regardless (irregardless???) I will be accepting the terms offered by the Tarn. How it turns out is anyone's guess. Too bad I didn't buy berserk, but I felt it was more important to keep my shrewd cunning wits about me. Lay on McDuff!!

Do I have the points, and will you let me spend them???

I'll spot you a combat skill level, just in case. If I'm wrong, we can offset it with your Rivvie earnings next week.

Vagrant spats on the ground and continues, "Personally, I think your ethical code is bullshit. You promised us a safe camp and that should not include a fight with our champion to keep it. You are every bit of what I think a devil should be. An evil and trapping cheater you are Tarn! If you truly were this ethical creature you say you are you'd honor your safe camp and give us some rest and safe passage out of here. Pursue us at dawn if you like. Then you'd at least be living by the code you spout at me. Course, I'm comfortable if you do not. I see you nothing other then the deceiver that your form makes you out to be."

Vagrant is amazed that he is ignored and taunts the leader one last time, "It's difficult to answer to the truth isn't it Tarn? Fine, call upon your champion and try to best this woman. You impress no one but yourself with your lies and cheating. Just spare us your ethical code bullcrap and get on with it. You are just playing a game to settle your blood-thirsty crew. I've seen it before."

OOC: Sorry, I missed this among all the other insults being hurled at these nice folks who only want to kill you.

---

The Tarn begins to lose his composure a bit. He scowls. "You and the fox are beginning to annoy. Do not presume upon my temper overmuch. Insult is an acceptable provocation to a fight, and a cause to withdraw hospitality in any case, word or no. I will brook no more insolence. Keep a civil tongue if you wish to have a head to keep it in."
He does not need to glance meaningfully at the great hulking brutes at his command, the threat is implicit: continue to insult me and I'll forget all the polite crap and start a-masacree-ing.

"James, concerning that part I said about 'appearances can be deceiving'? I was completely, totally, one hundred percent wrong. First time for everything..."

"I am speaking truths. If you are insulted, perhaps, I am getting through to you. What you are doing is wrong. This is no honor in going against your word of a safe camp. Let us go and finally go against the norm and resist the path that your creator forces you down. Then just maybe you'd have some ethical code we could really believe exists."

"No, I am not getting through to you. I will explain this one last time so that you will understand your position. We have made two promises. I am doing you a favor and giving you a chance with your lives. I could just as easily hold you hear and kill you in the morning and still be true to my word. Or I could return your wine and slaughter you now. I am showing you respect, since some of you understand a warrior's way." He indicates Celeste, standing blooded and ready. "One of your own has enough sense to understand what is going on here. The decision has been made. My word is final. If you persist, I will have you slain you for insolence."
The devils around you don't seem to mind this alternative.

Vagrant stands looking at the Tarn. Rigid with anger Vagrant holds his tougue and turns away from his new enemy. As he passes Celeste he stop and stares at her for a moment. He says nothing and whatever emotion crosses his face is covered by his hood. Then he continues to take a position just beside Faliol.

After a brief silence he says, "This place changes me, Faliol. If my gun worked I would shoot that mother fucker."

As Vagrant passes by Celeste, there is no indication that she is aware of his presence. She stands relaxed but entirely focused on the Tarn.

Lekchock moves closer to his "twin" gripping the handle of his long bladed knife and speaks softly:

"Dey got us in here good. Der not much room and less places ta go. I might coul' make it out, but da res got no chance. I follaw chou True Eyes, you call."

Taking a cue from Beka, Nuyok will sit down in a contemplative position, reciting some arcane ritual he learned in Tallon which developing his abilities, as if to convey that the spirits will indeed be disheveled if an untoward end comes to him.

OOC: Nuyok will begin preparing a fireball to center on the devil merks

I missed the OOC line the first time.

I always try to see where the fireball might be coming from...

BTW, I wonder if you meant this to go to John...

Not that I mind this OOC kibitzing between friends. Makes me feel closer to good old, Keith. Like the old days, before you became a father and prattled on with me about nothing!

Ricco clanks the edge of his sabre on the side of the cart, applauding Beka's soliliquoy. Taken up in the heat of the speech, Ricco reitterates his earlier conviction, "Yeh Blood Money won' be comin' easy, either!"

Nuyok shoots a glare toward Beka, apparently thinking it is more than appropriate, but quickly relaxs and focuses back on the devil merks.