Kiah frowned.

The massive hole wasn't natural; dirt and bits of foliage and roots flung this way and that. The Caenthian folded her arms and sighed heavily, swinging her tail to wrap it securely around a branch while she leaned further out to investigate more. The tunnel had collapsed and that was what had led the Guardian to this point and as she sped her way through the forest tree tops she had arrived at the edge, in time to see the final cloud of dust settle. Kiah didn't like the look of this... she had heard of the tunnels in the plains but not in her forests nor the forests of her brethren. The roots had stopped whatever was making them, but not now. With this new development Kiah feared for her land, her trees, the tunnels could easily endanger them. Over time they could erode the banks down and make the forest destroy itself.

Landing gracefully as close as she could on stable ground, Kiah peered into the dirt and rubble with her eyes glittering in self contained anger. Unknowing to herself, she slinked forward, her body low to the ground as her natural instincts told her to be wary and cautious. The only thing keeping her knives in their sheaths was a comrade just inside the the lip of the cave. Amidst the brown and green flashed purple and blue as a poisonous frog sat calmly on a rock. Kiah let out a small call, and the frog answered quickly. So, the maker wasn't home at the moment.

"Good..." Kiah muttered then was about to stand up straight when the frog let out another call. An Eirin?

Further down within the tunnel, an Eirin wandered, torch in hand, his jacket over one shoulder. He admired the craftsmanship of the walls, the innate structure that held its own, entirely without extra supports or posts. He wished he could accurately replicate their ingenious design. He had misstepped on the land above and had tumbled down into the tunnel on accident, but now he felt it was quite a lucky find. He quickly formulated that these cool, damp tunnels were invaluable, especially under the wet, stifling, and inhospitable jungle. Dimly in the foreground he could see the light had been obstructed by some kind of cave-in, but streams still poked valiantly through in sizes that suggested that even this barrel-chested merchant could fit through without too much difficulty. He approached the rubble carefully, lifting a makeshift torch up to see the exposed roots of the trees above. They were thick and long, which strongly suggested to the perceptive Eirin that the tree was old and large. They formed a kind of archway between all of the rocks and clumps of damp soil. Thrusting the torch before him, he slid narrowly through it, unsure of where it lead and uncertain of its stability. He sidled through it with some difficulty, evading two very uncomfortable shifts in the soil, and soon stood on the other side, dusting off his vest and pants with some displeasure.

He lifted the torch to the rest of the tunnel. In the distance he could see a small figure crouched against the ground. "Hallo!" He shouted in self-defense. "Is this your tunnel?" He asked politely.

Kiah was slightly puzzled, why would a Caenthian live in a tunnel? "No..." She called back, tilting her head as she relaxed. He sounded friendly enough but she could only see a small spot of light in the darkness, not the figure speaking. She sighed softly again, stupid girl... keep your anger in check, the Eirins will never simple go away. Gathering up her scarf, Kiah stood her full height while tossing the other end of the clothe over her shoulder and folded her arms under her breasts, "I am a Guardian, state your business."

"Ah--yes," The Eirin jogged forward to close the distance between the two of them. He slowed to a walk when he thought he could close the gap in the breadth of a sentence or two. "I'm quite honored, Guardian. My name is Turq Mehina, I'm a merchant. I was just passing through here when I, er," a soft chuckle of embarrassment interrupted his phrase, "quite literally stumbled across this fine tunnel, and I thought I might indulge my curiosity and follow it to its end." He was now close enough to see in the faint light from the tunnel's entrance. He admired her small warrior's stance, and took his coat from his shoulder to over his arm to be more respectful.

Glaring at him as his eyes caught the full sight of her, "I was just investigating this also." Kiah admitted after a moment of seizing him up as well. This Turq seemed very polite for an Eirin. Their two races were the ones mostly feuding and Kiah had no room for being nice, perhaps he was trying to catch her off guard. "I am Kiah." She said simply, "Welcome to my forest, harm or take anything and that grace will no longer be given to you." Although she had only met a few of them, Kiah didn’t trust them one bit, even if this one had the most heartfelt smile.

She blushed and made herself keep her steel gaze on him. For an Eirin, he was handsome enough and well built, another thing she must guard herself against. For one of her rank it would be against their laws to even have a thought filled with the desire for the opposite sex, and even more for another species. So, keeping that consideration in mind, she made an observation and nothing more than that.

Turq knew full well the animosities between their two peoples, and so was sure to be twice as courteous as not to offend her. "Ah, well, thank you," He made a slight bow, "It is a heartening thing to be under any grace when one is so entirely out of his element," he laughed again at his own expense. He was now only a few feet away from her, and stepped forward, offering his hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Guardian Kiah. I'll not betray your generosity," He said seriously, fully intent to keep within her people's laws as far as the forest was concerned. As for her..? Strange as it was, he had spent years building a fragile trust with the merchants of her tribes and had grown an appreciation for the female Caenthian's natural grace and strength, and as a Guardian, Kiah was well-endowed with both.

Kiah, still facing the tunnel suddenly paled. The forest's once noise disappeared into silence and her face tilted as if looking up at a tree. Instead however a creature towered above them, having a similar likeness to a snake but thicker and more armored. The thing's mouth had elongated teeth that could be seen on a crocodile but its set of two legs with bone scythes on the ends chipped from cutting through rock and root. Kiah couldn’t see it's eyes, but for some reason, she doubted it would need them.

Turq gave her a puzzled look and dropped his hand, following her gaze. His breath caught in his throat and he blanched, one hand finding its way to the handle of his sword. He cleared his throat nervously, stepping back to Kiah's side and waiting for her decision. It was, after all, her forest, and if he could avoid fighting, he would. "He a friend of yours?" He muttered to her.

She shook her head as the thing's head opened its massive maw of teeth and swung its neck back and forth. "Don't... move..." Kiah whispered as soft as she could while still remaining audible and looked from her daggers, to his blade, then back to her daggers. In a suddenly burst of strength she grabbed him with both arms around his hips and bent her legs like a pair of springs, pulling him into the dirt for a split second. The next instant they were flying into the air, Kiah aiming for a thick bough behind them. With the collective weight however she almost missed, but managed to get him to the branch safetly.

Kiah couldn't have picked a better off action for the beast's gaping mouth had slammed into the ground where they had been a second later. She grimaced as she landed at the base of the tree and glanced up at Turq... and popped her shoulder back into its socket. Making a mental note to let him know he should lose some weight, however, at the speeds she moved him whiplash had been bound to happen. At least her legs weren't injured.

The beast lifted its head and shook the earth from itself before turning back into its tunnel.

Turq made a coughing noise as the air was knocked out of his lungs and clung to the branch that he somehow found himself at. He hadn't caught a lot of what Kiah had done, he only knew he was on the ground, and he was now in a tree. He scrambled to keep his balance on the thick bough and stared down at Kiah, quite impressed that such a small woman could move a man of his build so far and fast. "Powerful little lady," he muttered. He watched the beast slink back into its tunnel and a shiver went up his spine. He'd been wandering that tunnel for who knew how long, and that thing had been behind him the whole time? It was a scary thought. He took note of its behavior. If he wanted to use the tunnels for his own purposes, he would have to have them taken care of.

He stared at the mouth of the tunnel, then at Kiah, then the tunnel, then back at the Guardian. After a long moment of silence, he spoke. "I wouldn't suppose you know what that was?" He called down, feeling a little awkward.

She turned her glare back to him, "Definitely not a friend. But I can assume from it's lack of attack it could have been protecting something." Kiah winced as she knelt to leap up beside him and paused. Something was oozing down her back and the Caenthian scrunched her eyes closed as some pain hit her.

"I guess I did not come out of this unscathed as I thought." Being careful and using her tail as a fifth limb, the Guardian made it to where he was, her breathing haggard by the time she got to him. By the way her breast wrap had loosened slightly she could tell she was cut on the middle of her back.

Turq attempted to be appropriate and not stare at the curves underneath her loosening garment. He saddled the branch, squeezing it between his legs to keep his balance. "Let me see." He stretched out his arms and gently turned her around by the shoulders to see the gash on her back. It was long, but not too deep. "It's not so bad," He said. He pulled out a handkerchief from his jacket pocket and cleaned the wound carefully. He beat the handkerchief against his leg, cleaning it off as best he could. Tucking the handkerchief into his fist, he turned his jacket inside out. The lining had been kept clean. He pressed the handkerchief onto the wound while holding the two sides of the wound together. He spoke as he worked. "I knew this fellow who had a cut from his neck to his pant line--nasty business, that, but he made it through just fine. I must say, I hadn't expected to be flung into a tree today by someone your size. You wear your strength very subtly. This will sting a bit--there! Beautiful. Hold on a moment, let me just get this about you," He blanketed the wound with his inside-out jacket, keeping the wound pressed together with one hand until it was held down effectively. The jacket was so large around Kiah that he was able to wrap the sleeves twice around her, barely buttoning the jacket cuffs together so that it fit tight and snug. "That should hold you, I think."

"Thank you." She was slightly unnerved by his hands on her but appreciated the care of which he had administrated to her, "It helps having these legs to do all the hard work... by myself I can leap twice as far as I managed to get you." Kiah stepped away from him, the blood returning to her face as she retied her scarf. Fingering a small cut in the fabric, "I need to warn the other Guardians..." A thought formed in her mind, what would they think when she brought him with her, and in his coat nonetheless.

"Not at all," He murmured, acknowledging her gratitude with a smile and a nod. He sat with his hands on his thighs and raised his eyebrows appreciatively at her abilities. He glanced away out of courtesy. "Of course. They'll want to know." He looked back at her when he estimated she was decent. "I was actually on my way to a village to buy and sell--I had my attendant go ahead of me, he will be waiting there."

"I shall accompany you." Kiah replied, testing her ability to move before adding, "I will contact the other Guardians and let them know of this new... threat. As far as I know these things have never been spotted before." With her brown eyes staring off in the distance, "Will you be able to get down without my assistance?"

"Um," Turq looked down to see the height he was at and considered his options. "...Yes," he said assertively. "I'll be fine, thank you," He gave her a smile and scootched over to the trunk, wrapping his strong limbs around it and climbing down awkwardly. When he stepped down on the ground, his shirt had come untucked and his vest was a mess. He brushed himself off and tucked his shirt back in. "Well! I haven't done that in a good while," He said, mostly to excuse his sorry state. He smoothed back his hair, pulling the string holding it together further up his tail. "You'd best lead the way, I suppose--I couldn't tell heads or tails of a path or marker in this forest if it stood up and struck me in the face." He smiled and shrugged sheepishly, his hands checking his knife and sword to make sure they were still there.

Careful to keep her torso straight Kiah simply dropped to the ground, her tail splaying out to keep her balance and she hissed slightly as the movement. Standing slightly hunched, Kiah started forward wordlessly, trying to keep her mind on the situation at hand. A brightly colored tree frog landed on her shoulder once they started walking, only to leap back into the foliage a minute later, "I will take you to Fathnry, it is the closest."

"Ah! Fathnry! That is only a stone's throw from Kuro, is it not?" Turq said enthusiastically, walking next to her. "I have never been, but I have customers there, and good friends to trade with. Caenthians from Fathnry, they have light blue markings, yes?" He gestured at his shoulders and arms.

She glanced at him as they walked, "Blue and purple, yes. Kuro has more green then blue." Kiah's own people were all nomads of the forest, some even taken to the plains as their more earthen colors help them to hide in the dry grasses. A little edgy since the villages they were going to were near the plains, Kiah continued forward without showing weakness.

Turq nodded, pleased that he had remembered correctly. "Yes. Quite beautiful markings, actually. I've seen in Kuro women who make art on their skin based on their patterns--very strange, but not altogether unattractive," he rambled. "I once had the opportunity to sit and watch one such lady have her skin mottled. It looks very painful, but she was very strong and hardly even made a sound." He illustrated his words with his hands as they walked. "Certainly, I've seen similar rituals in Eirin towns, but only in the highlands. It's taboo to mottle or design on one's skin, which I find a bit of a shame. But I suppose that's born of lacking the good fortune to wear such colors naturally." He paused. "Your own patterns, if I may be so bold, are quite beautiful, and no Eirin lady could wear them near as well as you."

"That is very bold, to say such a thing to a Guardian." Kiah nearly growled, but blushed anyway to his compliment. She had to remind herself of her position; even for letting him touch her to dress her wound could get her land taken away for some other more determined Caenthian.

"I can't help it," Turq said easily, "I'm too honest not to say so." He felt a little triumphant seeing the blood readily rush to her face. He paused. "But if I have been too forward, I apologize. Far be it from a humble merchant to consort with a Guardian." A puzzled look formed on his face. "I am a bit ignorant of some Caenthian customs--tell me, what is a Guardian's duties? How does one become a Guardian?" He asked, genuinely interested.

"One must be a true warrior of the frog. Many young Caenthian dream of owning and protecting a piece of our land, they train at young ages to be able to deal with any threat and the council have plenty of options in case a Guardian... needs replaced. We have strict rules that require us to be chaste and have minimal contact between members of the opposite sex." Kiah cleared her throat, "This issue may be ignored in the face that a Guardian is walking with an Eirin, and a male at that." She glanced at him again and a painful knot started up in her stomach. Getting closer to the village made her want to turn back. If she didn't let them see her with him, her Guardianship might not be revoked.

"Oh," Turq said, his heart falling into his stomach as he understood. He frowned. "That would be quite suspicious, wouldn't it?" He muttered. "I could follow some distance behind," He offered. "After all, it's not unlikely an Eirin wandering these forests would be caught and captured by a Guardian."

"No." Kiah stood up straight even when the cut on her back smarted, "As a Guardian I must be truthful to my superiors." She didn't mention that the frogs would have already been talking amongst themselves and it would be no use trying to hide the fact.

"Honesty at any cost? That's quite admirable," Turq said reverently, though secretly he added, 'and foolish, and not a little naive.' He chided himself for not being realistic; she's not an Eirin, she's Caenthian. One couldn't expect her to be clever. "I certainly hope your elders are gracious enough to overlook this discrepancy. I would hate to have cost you your livelihood."

"That is the way of my people..." She replied quietly, "Besides, there were plenty of witnesses." No one can hide from the truth in these forests. The path they were on twisted and a braided length of vine hung from a tree, evidence of a Caenthian village nearby. A coiled snake with dark scales and several red spots on it's head lay under the marker, watching them pass with a bare flicker of it's tongue.

"Witnesses?" He cocked an eyebrow, glancing around. All he saw were leaves and trees and small frogs and snakes. "Fair enough," He resigned. Of course they spoke to frogs. No doubt he would be punished for consorting with a Guardian. He started to wish he hadn't met her, but couldn't help looking at her. If it was true and she was revoked her Guardianship, he could hire her as a bodyguard. It would do nothing but improve his credibility with the other races, and she needn't go with him to his own towns. Besides, she had the additional benefit of being very easy on the eyes.

Feeling his eyes on her made her skin crawl and Kiah scratched her arms, just slightly agitated. Of course her of all Caenthian had to meet up with an Eirin right before a creature creating the troublesome tunnels showed up. It took her a few minutes of walking in silence to realize that she really wasn't surprised; her luck had held for her entire length of being a Guardian. By now it was time for that luck to be given to someone else. A flash of blue startled her into drawing a dagger... but it was just another Caenthian. This one was an adolescent male wearing a sleeveless coat, showing off his bright spots on his shoulders. "Welcome Kiah, Guardian." The young adult glanced to Turq but did not say anything and let them pass.

Turq lowered his eyes and bowed his head to the Caenthian, striding with his hands folded behind his back. His eyes flashed about, looking for his attendant; a young thing, slim and wiry, riding an ass pulling his cart. With any luck, the mercenary guard will have followed him, but he didn't count on it.

Not far from the small houses the trees thinned out and Kiah's sharp eyes could see the plain grasses. Here, more then just Caenthian wandered through the various stalls, for this happened to a main market place, right amongst the trees. One minute all you would see would be trees, the next, a village.

Groups of Wildamin were off to one side, an odd Eidolon floated around in the sky and a few Taurians were conversing with a local Caenthian merchant. So many people, Kiah scratched at her arms, a little uncomfortable with so many species around her.

Zabrie lounged on her wildebeest in the shade, picking at her teeth with a small tooth pick. The Wildamin woman noticed Kiah and Turq entering the marketplace. She nodded her head to them, a teasing grin on her face, "What's shakin'?" Eya, the beest, shifted his weight slightly, turning his snout away from the incoming strangers.

Ark and his wildebeest were lying under a tree near the entrance and although the wildebeest, Naboo, was asleep the wildamin was wide awake. When he saw Kiah and Turq walk in together all he could think was I can't say I've seen two so different races travel around together. He kept to himself for now unless things got more interesting.

Turq greeted Zabrie with a smile. "Good day. Have you by any chance seen a wiry young man with a cart pass by?" He asked, expressing the man's height with his hands.

Suppressing a glare, Kiah looked around the natural clearing, keeping an eye out for a member of the council, or a representative. Before she had a chance to look to the right Kiah stiffened when she heard a voice call her name, "Guardian Kiah!" An elder Caenthian beckoned her forward and she took one last glance at Turq and disappeared into a larger hut then most there.

Ark was a bit shocked to hear Kiah was a guardian. As he watched her go he was starting to think that this would definitely be interesting. Just then he remembered something, so he walked up to Turq and said, "Sorry to ease-drop but I think I saw the guy you’re talking about. He was here looking for something, or someone."

"Oh, not at all," Turq excused, pleasantly surprised. "Did you see where he went?" He turned to face Ark, hands clasped anxiously.

"I believe he either left town or he's at an inn around here. If there is one, I haven't seen one around this area." Ark said looking around in case there was an inn around that he didn’t see before. "May I ask why you are looking for him? He seems clumsy to me."

Zabrie lazily watched Kiah leave and kept a passing interest as Ark answered the question for her. "Clumsy or not, he was headed thatta way." Zabrie lifted an arm and jerked her thumb to her left. "By the way he was outfitted, I'd say he skipped town." She leaned forward, sitting up on her wildebeest. "But why look for men with their carts, when you can have a woman with a beast? Seems odd to me." She brought her tanned hand to her chin, miming a thoughtful pose. "What do you think, little Wildamin?"

Ark coughed when Zabrie caught him off guard with that. "Well unexpected but you’ve got a point." Ark said with a wink. At that point Ark’s wildebeest was right behind and snorted making shivers go down his spine. "Oh, hi Naboo." He cleared his throat and said, "I’m Ark Reylos and this is Naboo. So may I ask who this lovely lady and her wildebeest friend are?"

Turq found his reply overruled by Ark's interjection, but was not offended. "Aye, that's the question of the hour," he said easily, stepping forward closer to Zabrie, hands tucked in his vest-pockets.

"The name's Zabrie." The wildamin uncrossed her legs and slinked up to her feet. She leaned an elbow on her wildabeest, "And this is my partner-in-crime Eya." A glint of her eye and the corners of her lips became a flirtatious grin, "And who might this Eirin be, standing before Ark, Naboo, Eya and myself?"

"Ah yes. If we may be so bold as to ask what your name would be our, taller friend." Ark said looking up at Turq's face. Naboo just sat down and appeared to yawn. Lazy wildebeest Ark thought seeing this out of the corner of his eyes.

"But of course! Pardon my rudeness, I've left you both at a disadvantage," Turq said, turning from Zabrie to Ark to include him. "I am Turq Mehina, merchant by profession, traveling here from my home in the grand city Salvaros to the west." He offered his hand to Zabrie. "It's an honor and a pleasure to meet you."

Without a moment's hesitation, Zabrie swiped Turq's hand in a high five and held it for a hearty handshake. "It's always good to meet a good man. Or in this case, men." She made steady eye contact with both Turq and Ark.

"Aye, and tis a rare thing to find such a strong grip in Caenthian territory!" Turq grinned, returning her handshake. "Good to meet you." He released himself from her grip and turned to Ark. "Always a pleasure to find wildamin and their beasts on these our fair lands. It is good to meet you," He offered his hand. "The reason I ask is that the wiry, clumsy young fellow in question is my attendant, carting my wares--I, perhaps foolishly, charged him with my wares when I stumbled across a cavernous tunnel and my curiosity got the better of me. Having explored the tunnel to my contentment, I was hoping to catch up to him."

Ark gave him a strong handshake and responded, "A tunnel is in the forest? Naboo and I have seen dozens all around but I didn't think they were in the forests too. Well I'm sure it's nothing to serious to worry about for now. So, how's about me and Naboo help ya find that wiry, clumsy friend of yours. We don't have much to do here anyway; we are just traveling around so we're game for anywhere. What do you say?" Ark was going to go with Turq whether he wanted his company or not but it's still common courtesy to ask.

"It would be a pleasure to have your company, Ark," Turq replied, smiling widely. It wasn't like he was able to stop a wildamin from going where he liked. Travelling with such company in Caenthian territory was not as good as travelling with a Caenthian Guardian, but it was better than wandering alone in a field of enemies. He turned to Zabrie. "Would you attend us? Perhaps we can serve as an amusing diversion for an afternoon."

Zabrie contemplated Turq's question for a moment. She glanced back at her pack as they feigned disinterested in the affair. The wildamin woman narrowed her eyes - she knew they were eaves dropping, absorbing every word. Worse than women, I swear! thought Zabrie. She turned back towards the other two. "I suppose my boys could get along without me for a bit. They could use a little vacation." Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw her wildamin rejoice quietly. She turned to face the pack. "ALRIGHT, MEN!" She hollered in an authoratative voice. Each man jerked into attention, "I'm out for a little gallivant. Now, I don't want this crew to fall to ruin while I'm gone." She peered at the men, her nose scrunched up in analyzing. "Thetlin, you're in charge while I'm gone. Don't screw it up." She turned on her heel, ignoring the slight commotion stirred up by her choice. "Shall we get going, then?" 

"Aye, let's away!" Turq said gallantly, turning on his heel and walking through the busy crowd, ensuring that his new companions were closeby. Once they reached an area that was not quite as loud, he found himself between the two wildamin, and asked Zabrie, "So, what brings you and your pack to this fair little town?"

"Sometimes, a little day at the market is, dare I say, a little fun.." said Zabrie, looking up at her tall companion. But height had never intimidated her. "The goodies to eat around here are great." She demurely ran her fingers through the hair around her face. "And what brings an Eirin into these parts? You do know it's Caenthian Territory, don't you?"

Turq stared at her, eyebrows raised, a small grin trying to force its way through pursed lips. "Goodness me, is it really? My word, I am quite lost!" He said good-humoredly. "No, I have spent the last few years building a working relationship with some Caenthian traders. You see, all manner of Caenthian goods are craved in every territory, even in my own, prejudiced Eirin cities, and I thought it a terrible disadvantage that any race might trade with the Caenthians but the Eirin. It has taken much time and effort and money on my part, but the relation and monetary reward has and will continue to reward me for my trouble. Not to mention it is surprising how many Caenthians will pay good money for Eirin goods of guaranteed highest possible value and quality--and who best to supply it but an Eirin himself?"

"That's all good and well, Turq," began Zabrie, her flirtacious grin replaced with a puckish smirk, "but are you insinuating that Eirins are the only that should be permitted to trade, on the grounds that they're the best?" She cocked her head to the side, as if her remark were a lunge in a fencing match.

"Hardly!" Turq parried with a disarming smile, his brow furrowed to dismiss her misconceptions. "Every race is imbued with certain individuals whose gift it is to find common ground with even the most hostile of traders and hunters. Caenthians, Taurians, the Eidolon, your own people are blessed with extraordinary skills and talents. It is the merchant that makes for good trade, not his species. The Eirin, however, are honored with the duty of being jack-of-all-trades. Our only wish is to pursue innovation in every field, international commerce not excluded." He illustrated with his hands. "We are above no other race--we strive merely to be their equals in this world of extremes. I merely felt it unfair we should have an area of commerce denied us, which is why I pursued trade with the Caenthians."

"'Equals in this world of extremes.' Well put. But we can't all be good at everything." Her lips pouted playfully, "Some people will always be the best at something that no one else can do." She leaned forward, "Don't you agree, Ark?"

"I suppose you are right but I have to wander if you are insinuating something with that remark." Ark answered with one eyebrow raised. "As I see it everybody is on equal grounds. Race doesn't matter as long as you are good at what you are doing. For instance I've found out I can think more strategically then many Eirins and yet the race of Wildamins seem to be made for strength and fighting while the Eirins are said to be a more intelligent race. That's one reason why I see race as just a way to describe someone's appearance not as a generalization of who the person is." Ark explained calmly. 

"Precisely!" Turq agreed with Ark, offering him an open hand. "However, it cannot be denied that we as species have noteworthy differing attributes. For instance, I, an Eirin, do not belong in a forest. I am not built to be a hunter or a scavenger. I am a social animal, and I thrive in the center of culture and commerce, which is why I live and move from city to city. You, my friend, are excellently adapted to living on the plains, gifted with the deep connection between the Wildamin and his beast. But, this advantage that serves you well in the vast plains will help very little in the crowded and narrow stone streets of Salvaros. Now, I don't mean to say that you would not be able to survive, or even thrive in a city," He explained. "But economically, you would not reap the maximum benefits of your innate attributes, like an Eidolon running a quarry. Certainly, he can, but instead of suffering his incorporeality, why not strive to make the most of it?"

"Of course." Zabrie said, stretching her arms up over her head. "But I must say: you are quite talented...at letting people get under your skin." She winked at Turq.

"Ohhh.. Well, what do we have here?" Tea murmured to herself, watching from up above. Being of the curious nature, she couldn't help but to watch the others and inspect their ways. She didn't want to admit it, but she was also on the look out for anything that... Shimmered.

"Truth be told, I enjoy iterating my opinions on any subject, so any listening ear that worms underneath may quite happily live underneath my skin," Turq said, a tinge of something similar to pride under his smirk. He pulled a chain on his vest and came up with a metal ovular object. He shook it lightly and held it up to the light, letting its shadow fall on his hand. Satisfied with the information gleaned, he tucked it away and continued. "But I would not mind getting under yours," He winked at Zabrie.

"I'm sure you wouldn't." replied Zabrie, raising her eyebrows in confidence. "But smoother merchants than you have tried." she teased.

"I am neither surprised nor discouraged," Turq replied with a chuckle and a wry grin. "It's only natural for a gorgeous and powerful woman to be so pursued, and, of course, never kept. Such is your way." He smiled, a real smile this time.

"And I can see your way is with words, Turq Silver-Tongue." responded Zabrie. "But it's going to take more than just words to get under my skin. Even the flattering kind." She always loved playful banter, and it was something she couldn't get from her pack. In a way, this wasn't just a vacation for her crew, it was a vacation for her, as well.

"So what exactly would get 'under you skin' Zabrie?" Ark said with interest peaked again. He was just listening before but when something sparks his interests he can't help but to come into a conversation.

"That's for me to know," said Zabrie, coming between her two companions and putting an arm around each one, "and you to find out."

"Sounds like fun." Ark said with a smile as Naboo kept an eye out for him. They both have a tendency to let their guard down from time to time but when isn't ready the other is. They've adapted to this life style from traveling together and still trying to have fun when they can.

"More fun than you could imagine." replied Zabrie, using her hands as if to describe something just on the horizon. She then gave both companions a hearty clap on the back and kept walking.

Tea pouted. She could see absolutely nothing of interest among the people down below. Now they were well ahead of her hidding place, so she lept down, deciding that perhaps she should head back to her 'home' (if one could call it that) and call it a day. She made a mistake, though. Tea made the landing alright, but was surprised when she took her first step and tumbled forward, tripping herself over a rock.

Zabrie's ears pricked at the sound of something thunking against the ground. She spun on her boot heel. "Hello...what do we have here?" She squinted her eyes, walking towards where Tea fell.

Uh-Oh. I've been caught... Tea brushed the hair from her face and turned around so that she was sitting, and facing Zabrie. Tea couldn't help but to blush at her ridiculous blunder. "Umm.. Hi?"

Zabrie cocked an eyebrow at Tea. "Looks like you've had quite the fall." She held out an arm to the girl, "Are you alright, sweetie?"

Tea was slightly surprised. Most people took one look at her and thought her to be a ghost (though she was also fairly certain that ghosts didn't fall flat on their faces as she just had) but she took the land offered to her anyway. "Thank you, I-" Tea looked sharpy to her side, her eyes suddenly searching for something that she had seen. She wasn't sure what it was, but something shiny had caught her eye...

"You...?" Zabrie looked expectantly at Tea. "Maybe the fall was harder than I thought..." she muttered to herself. She cleared her throat. "My name's Zabrie. Did you lose something?" The girl was obviously looking for something, with the way her eyes were shooting around.

Tea's eyes shot back to Zabrie, and she smiled. "My name is Tea." She blushed a little more, then added, "N-No, I didn't loose anything, I just spotted something shiny is all."

"Something like this?" Turq pulled the object from his pocket again and held it up by the chain, letting the glass-and-metal device glint in the sunlight. Its real purpose was to cast a shadow that would tell Turq, and anyone else who could read it, the time.

In almnost an instant Tea had moved past Zabrie, and was up close and personal with Turq's object. Tea's eyes seemed to glint as she studied it. "Ohhh.." She breathed, simply infatuated with the way it caught and reflected the light. She seemed to not notice anyone or anything else around her. She reached out a slender finger to touch.

Zabrie looked at Ark and Turq, and twirled her finger on the side of her head - Tea was something special, and perhaps a bit touched in the head.

Turq drew it back, unable to help toying with the poor girl. Eidolon had always amused him immensely with their infatuation with shiny things of all shapes and sizes. A playful smile formed on his face as he kept the timepiece just out of reach.

Tea's eyes narrowed to slits, and her lips became thin. She tried to ignore the shiny object, but alas, she could not. Her usually incredibly short attention span was now intently focused on the shiny timepiece he now held just out of her reach...

Ark simply watched with a lackadaisical countenance and thought to himself, "If he keeps it out any longer I think she might take it and Eidolons are hard to get when they run away with a shiny object." He remembered chasing one but it made an illusion so he would be lost in a jungle when he was actually just aimlessly walking around in the plains. He shook the memory from his head and kept a watchful eye just in case.

A loud crack sounded in the air and nearby a puff of smoke filtered up through the grasses.

Ark's hand instinctivly went to the hilt of his concealed sword as he turned to see what was wrong. Naboo simply turned his head to see what was happening.

Zabrie's hands slide to the crossbow on her back, releasing it slowly. As she held it in her hands, she moved slowly, apprehensively, towards the smoke.

Ark walked slowly towards the smoke which had a sort of hypnotic hold from his curiosity. He check to see if anyone else noticed and saw Zabrie to his right so he started to get closer again.

Turq jumped at the loud noise, jolting the timepiece. He tucked it back in his vestpocket quickly and followed Zabrie, one hand clutching the hilt of his strangely curved sword. He scanned the area quickly, looking for any sign of his attendant, or anyone malicious.

Ark's steps get smaller as he gets closer but Naboo comes from behind and pushed him forward so hard that he trips and falls. Right infront of it. He gets up quickly and carefully examines what it might be.

The sudden noise frightened poor Tea, and she jumped and quickly moved to hide behind Zabrie, glancing over the girl's shoulder. Thoughts of the pleasurably shiny timepiece shifted to the back of her mind as she waited, expecting the worst to appear...

Zabrie continued to approach, holding her elbow out to make sure that Tea stayed behind her. She came up alongside Ark, inspecting what this thing could be.

There was a burst of heavy coughing and grunting from the pit as the dust rose in lazy billows from the collapse. After a few seconds, as the view cleared, the silhouette of what appeared to be a small horse rose from the dust. In an instant, the form had bounded up on powerful legs from the steeply sloping pit, swinging its battle axe to stop just in front of the small group of travelers. A Taurian, slightly shorter than average, but no shorter than any humanoid being, bleeding from at least a dozen wounds (some much more severely than others). He was panting hard, but his eyes were fierce and collected as he stared at each individual in the strange troupe. "Who are you?" he demanded somewhat hoarsely, stepping forward as he pointed the tip of the massive halberd at Zabrie's neck, little more than a foot away. He had learned long ago to never underestimate the enemy's appearance, and although his own mixed opinions formed on why a Eirin and Eidolon traveled with two Wildamin, his hold on the axe did not falter.

"Umm.. Confused?" Tea said, now staring intently at the end of his axe. She was once again mystified by the shiny gloss it had, though Tea had no want for the object that was pointed so rudely at Zabrie's neck.

"Usually men don't point their spears at me upon our first meeting, honey." Zabrie joked, keeping her head up high and showing no fear of the weapon. Her own had been raised at him instinctively. "All you need to know is that I'm Zabrie. And you're in no position to be threatening." She accentuated her point with a meaningful raise of her eyebrows and gave each member of her group a glance before returning her gaze into the stranger's eyes once more.

"At the risk of being redundant, you are wounded, and we are no enemies of yours," Turq spoke, stepping forth. "Not to be rude, but were you followed?" It was good tactical information.

Instinctively, the Taurian glared at the Eirin for daring to speak to him as if they were indeed friends. He forced himself to let the prejudice go, and hesitantly lowered his weapon to the ground, letting it fall heavily with his weakness despite his efforts to show none. He felt suddenly very tired, and knew it would be useless to attempt a confrontation, even if one was necessary. "No...no, you are not my enemies," he acknowledged, his golden eyes falling on Zabrie, who seemed to have somewhat taken lead of the group. "I am Kriaro, of the Probatso clan. I followed these tunnels from my home territory, in the plains. I was followed--" he glanced at Turq-- "and attacked by something...I could not see it, nor fight it, and so I fled." Without noticing he had been staring at Wildamin woman the entire time he had spoken. At last, he spoke directly to her. "You say your name is Zabrie? You seem...familiar." It was a simple enough conversation, but somehow its end reminded his body of the blood it was steadily losing, and he swayed slightly on his legs, his eyes fluttering briefly.

Zabrie lunged forward, taking Kriaro into her arms for support. Her magnetizing green eyes returned his gaze, a reassuring smile on her lips, "There's a chance we may have crossed paths. Be it as friend or foe, we meet again as friends." She looked up at everyone else, a joking smile now in place of the reassuring one, "I'm not used to sweeping men off their feet."

Tea giggled lightheartedly, then turned back Turq, looking him in the eyes as if she had been hurt or wronged. Tea wanted that timepiece, and she wasn't about to loose it to someone else just because they were taller and happened to be the rightful owner.

Turq cocked an eyebrow as Tea filled his view. He could faintly see Zabrie and Kriaro behind her. "I knew that was a bad idea," he muttered. "I'll trade you my shiny for a lanky boy pulling a cart," He told her.

Kriaro only vaguely acknowledged that Zabrie had caught him, and generally ignored the rest of the group. He mumbled something that was meant to be his thanks, willing himself to stand on his own, if a little shakily. With another quiet groan he grasped his side, where a rather long gash spilled his blood forth easily. Slightly trembling hands opened the pouch that hung by his side, sifting through cloth and herbs and handmade medicines. "Do...you have water?" he asked thickly, trying to focus only on the task at hand as he pulled forth a small branch of orange tinted flowers and a long piece of cloth for the wound. Kriaro was used to bandaging himself in a hurry, and found no difficulty in it, but he suddenly felt very wary of the strangers surrounding him--a situation he rarely dealt with.

"Right here." Ark said to Kriaro raising his canteen. "Zabrie can hold him steady." He asked before helping Kriaro with the bandage when he needed another hand.

Kriaro eyed the other Wildamin carefully as he took the canteen from his hands. "I can steady myself," he responded defiantly, more strongly this time. Letting the water spill into the open wound, he hissed quietly at the familiar pain that came to him. Then, grinding the frail leaves and petals in his hand, he pressed them along the wound, holding them in with one hand as he placed the cloth over it. Still wary of these new but seemingly well-meaning individuals, Kriaro accepted Ark's aid in bandaging his torso, pulling the fabric taut to one side and tying it tightly. Already a small line of blood was forming into the bandage, but it could not be helped. "I thank you, Wildamin," he said, an attempt at a more light tone, as he handed back the canteen. "It was my...good fortune to meet you here." He thought about what to say for a momwnt, gathering the thoughts that had been scattered by the attack. "I wish our meeting was in lighter terms and times than these. You do not plan to enter the tunnels, I hope...?"

"Well first off I'd like to say that my name is Ark." Ark said politely. "Secondly despite my intrigue of these tunnels I did promise my Eirinian friend Turq," He said gesturing towards Turq with his thumb, "that I'd accompany him to find his how did he say... wiry assistant." He said with a smile. "Even if that does just so happen to mean going into one of the tunnels." He said with obvious intrigue in his voice.

"Why don't you join us?" Zabrie chimed in, hands on her hips. "The more the merrier, I say. Besides, you're in no condition to be left to yourself. Come on, what do ya say?" She playfully gave Kriaro's arm a jesting punch.

"Aye, your company would be more than welcome," Turq said, clearing his throat. One hand stroked the hilt of his sword nervously at the thought of going in after whatever messed up a Taurian so badly. But whatever anxiety he had about the tunnel he showed none of it in his eyes, gazing calmly and unashamedly at Kriaro. This was not the first time he met a fellow who questioned his character based on his species, and it would not be the last time.

Kriaro almost managed to smirk at this carefree woman, but the seeping pain prevented it just enough, and he was strangely glad for it. He scowled inwardly for his weakness around these strangers, people he did not trust in the least and didn't plan on doing so anytime soon. With a moment's thought, however, he remember his logic and decided that it would do him no good to continue on his own with these injuries. Hefting up the fallen heavy axe onto his back, he gave the group a nod, purposely ignoring the Wildamin woman now. "I think your offer will benefit us both." After a pause, he extended a hand to Turq. "I apologize, Eirin, for my judgments. Long years on bad terms with your kind have softened my logic, but I see you are of a different breed." He briefly bowed his head with somewhat forced respect that he had trained himself to perform over the years.

Turq smiled and took his hand firmly. "Dwell not on it," He said. "An understandable misconception, and I don't hold it against you." He bowed his head also, finding Kriaro, weighed under his wounds and axe, to be shorter than himself. He glanced at the tunnel before letting go, saying, "But perhaps we should get moving."

"Ah yes onward to.... I forgot where we're going." Ark said feeling his clumsiness showing again. Maybe not in his movements but he tends to forget things that he doesn't have a constant reminder of.

While Turq had been making conversation with Kriaro, Tea stealthily snatched up the timepiece, walking away from the group a bit as to inspect it closer, her eyes shining with glee at her victory. She seemed to ignore the newcomer completely at this point, almost as if he weren't even there.

Kriaro, however, did not forget the Eidolon's presence. He had never much favored the strange and rather skittish species, had in fact done his best to forget their existence in the plains he called home. Letting his mouth twitch in a sort of half smirk of annoyance as well as amusement, he nodded at the quiet thief as he met Turq's eyes. Then, as if he hadn't noticed, he tilted his head upwards to the sky and took in a deep breath, forcing himself to forget the pain welling inside him. "Aye, we'd best be going before the day has run short," he agreed, stepping to the side respectfully to allow Zabrie and the others to enter first.

"The Wildamin complies." said Zabrie with a fake air of arrogance. She smiled up at Kriaro as she passed. "Let's go, guys." she hollered over her shoulder to the rest of her group.

And Tea stood still, as if she hadn't heard anything. Tea was more for.. traveling on her own. She didn't spend a whole lot of time around other people, and didn't really consider herself a part of the group. She finally looked up from 'her' new shiny object, a pout coming to her lips. "You're... leaving?"

"Aren't you, sweetie?" replied Zabrie. She kept her pace.

Tea shifted her weight from foot to foot, chewing on her lower lip in thought. She hadn't ever really traveled in a group before.. People tended to frighten her... But what else was she to do? Wait in ambush in the trees all her life? That was a fairly silly notion, that one could be content hiding in the trees all there life.
A smile suddenly broke across Tea's face, and she nodded her head enthusiastically, hurrying to cat up with Zabrie. She had decided, and her life wasn't ever going to be the same. But Tea didn't mind. For once, she was going out on an adventure.

Turq would not be a very good merchant if he wasn't quick-witted enough to catch pickpockets, but at least this would allow the Eidolon to quit fawning over it while it was still in his possession. After all, it was just a timepiece. He was quietly glad that Kiah had taken his jacket; in this weather it would only get in the way. He walked in stride with the others, a small smirk on his face.

Ark shrugged and started walking behind Zabrie and after a while Naboo realized that everyone had left but after following Ark's scent he quickly found the group again. "... Where exactly are we going again? I tend to forget things."

Eya snorted in annoyance. The beast made sure to keep to the outskirts of the group. "Oh hush," Zabrie said to him. "We're off to find Turq's long lost little friend. Though, I think the mission's been expanded to include some side adventure." she added devilishly at the end.

"This is no game," Kriaro commented, glancing briefly at Turq before following the two Wildamin into the tunnels he'd all too recently escaped from. "These tunnels are forming everywhere, without warning and with hardly a trace of their makers. Whoever is responsible is extremely strong in either body or mind, or perhaps both, and I intend to discover him." He watched Zabrie, realizing he was probably wasting his breath, as he tended to do in the wrong company (which tended to be any company). "Do not take the situation lightly," he finished bluntly, folding his arms over his chest as they walked.

"Who said I was taking this lightly?" asked Zabrie. "Holes in the ground are serious business, you know, and I intend to get to the very bottom of it."

"It may take some time to get to the bottom of these tunnels. I've heard of some that go for miles underground. All the people that I heard that from were also the only ones of their group to make it back because of some monster that they couldn't see or even attack." Ark said as walked along. "I think that the cause may be whatever is attacking people in the tunnels although it's just a theory for right now."

Tea slipped the timepiece into some hidden folds of her clothing, turning and looking at Kriaro. She looked him over carefully before moving from Zabrie's side to be right next to him (albeit a bit too close, but Tea didn't seem to notice). She examined him carefully, her brow furrowing, her eyes dancing with curiosity.

"Oh," Turq said, dread dropping his heart into his stomach. There, lying on its side with its contents strewn across the tunnel floor, was a brightly painted cart with "Turq Mehina: Merchant Extraordinaire" emblazoned in fanciful writing across the side. "That's not good."

"Well he might still be okay. Although we'll need a torch if we want to go any further down and actually see what we're doing." Ark said as he squinted to see into the deepening darkness of the tunnel.

Zabrie turned a couple of objects over with her foot. "Well, at least you know he's not off selling your things for his profit." She rummaged through her pack on Eya, fumbling around through the poor lighting. Eventually, she procured a stick, the tip wrapped in cloth, and two flint stones. "I've got only one on me. Anyone else have anything?"

Turq righted the cart, placing things back to where they belonged with delicate care. He rifled around in it, producing two gaslamps and a box of long matches. He struck it against the wood of the cart and it leapt to flame. Using it to light one of the lamps, he offered it to the group. "Complementary lamp, anyone? It's on the house," He jested.

"I'm good," Ark said as he took out at torch and lit it. He held it in his left hand and his sword in his right hand. "Blade and blaze, that's how I like it." He said with a smile. Then he said, "Well grab a lamp and lets get going. If the guy is still alive down here we have to move quick, he could be in trouble. After all no one quite knows what's down here." He started to walk forward and Naboo opted to be a rear guard so he waited for everyone else to start moving.

"Now that we've got our lights, let's get to it. Come on, Merchant boy." Zabrie smiled crookedly at Turq before falling into step with Eya towards the front of the group.

Turq had difficulty keeping things in the cart. He swore under his breath, trying to keep it together, then noticed a chunk of the floorboards was missing. He left it there, hoping no one would bother it until he returned for it. He grabbed a few of the more practical items and tucked them into his belt, putting one of the lamps back. He laughed nervously at Zabrie's nickname for him and fell into step behind her, having no desire to be among the first to encounter whatever made these tunnels and made off with his assistant. Patches of soil were damp and streaked with black liquid. The knuckles clutching the pommel of his sword turned white.

"Take it easy there, slick." Zabrie noticed Turq's white knuckles. "It's just a sword, not some sort of grail."

Tea hummed a little, not too frightened. If anything threatened her, she'd create an illusion for her escape. She'd be alright.

"Yes, well, regardless, I would rather not use it," Turq said a mite uneasily. He'd already had the problem of his cart being wrecked, and whatever it was had more than likely done something heinous with his assistant.

Kriaro walked in silence a pace or two behind Truq, arms crossed over his chest as he tuned his ears and eyes to the darkness and echoes of the caves. There was no need yet to unsheathe his axe again, and the weight would be awkward and painful now. Though he knew he wouldn't be much help if something large were to attack him again, he would be sure to do his best to protect the group; they were, after all, his protection now, an asset he didn't intend to lose anytime soon. "We'd do best not to raise our voices here," he commented, voice quieted and deep. "The sounds echo. We could miss our chance to attack from our carelessness."

Arks nose started to twitch and he whispered over to Turq who was well behind him, "I hope that smell isn't your friend but it's definately rotting flesh." Then Ark went back to the front of the line ready for an attack from anywhere. His ears twitched at the slightest sounds.

Zabrie also assumed a position in the front of the line. She wondered fleetingly if Ark had gone to the front, thinking that she couldn't handle a sudden attack. She crinkled her nose momentarily at the thought -- she had always had a chip on her shoulder about things like that, about being a girl. No matter - she wasn't really certain if that was his intentions anyway. Zabrie could definitely smell the rotting flesh, though. She held her crossbow at the ready.

Tea frowned. She didn't like the smell in the place at all. For herself, mostly, she created a prettier scent to fill her nostrils- even if it wasn't real. She sighed, happy now that her mind wasn't fogged by bad scents.

"Oh, gods," Turq sighed, his voice filled with dread. Up ahead was a gangly body, ripped to shreds. "Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him well."

Ark ran to the body and stuck his torch in the ground hard enough for it to stick in there and he examined the body. "Well, sorry to say, he's dead. Although these wounds. Some are the same as umm... Kriaro's injuries. I hope I got your name right." Ark was never very good with remembering names.

"It doesn't seem he was able to come out as gracefully as you did, though." Zabrie added on to Kriaro. "Sorry about your loss." she patted Turq on the back.

Ark looked over the wounds and it was some blood was still running. He made sure his sword was still in his hand and asked, "So do we explore further or go back. These wounds are fresh so I think this thing could still be close." Ark said grabbing his torch and facing further down the cave in case they were attacked. He always had a strong urge to protect so he wanted to be sure no one snuck up from that way. Naboo was bringing up the rear in case of an attack from behind.

Tea shuddered. Oh, how she hated blood... The smell that filled her nostrils, the errie shade of red.. She shuttered, leaning back against the walls of the tunnel, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Gods, I knew his parents," Turq said. "Such a bright young man..." He shook his head mournfully, realizing he had no time for grief. He followed Ark, his eyes reluctant to leave his companion's body.

"Turq I'm still with you if you want to find what did this or if you want to leave and take the body it's up to you." Ark said with a calm tone to Turq keeping his attention focused on anything that might attack more than the answer.

"No, I...I will continue with you," Turq decided. "When we return I will take the boy and the cart back to Salvaros." His fingers traced the pommel of his sword as he thought. He would need white linen cloth for the body, and some sanitary way of transporting it safely through the miles between Caenthian and Eirin territories. "But wait a moment with me," He asked of them, returning to the cart which was not so far away and bringing back a patterned cloth. He wrapped the body in it so that it would not rot as quickly in the damp heat of the forest. He carried it back to the cart and placed it within, closing the door and returning to his group without another word.

Ark turned around with a smile and said, "Well it looks like me and Turq are going down. Zabrie, Tea, Kriaro, you coming with us to find out exactly what is down there or are you going to back down?" Ark didn't notice that he said that with the air of leadership in his voice but it was very apparent. Naboo simply rolled his eyes knowing he would have to come just in case Ark got into a big fight.

The corner of Kriaro's mouth twitched. He hated those that thought themselves above others simply because they could be, and didn't appreciate this Wildamin's sudden urge to claim leadership. "Speak lightly, young Wildamin," he said calmly, but not without the faintest threat in his tone. Knowing there was no need to say more on the matter, he nodded, finally drawing forth his massive halberd and letting rest balanced on his shoulder. It pained him somewhat, and he had to resist the urge to grimace as his side and ribs ached under the pressure, but already he felt some of his strength returning. Whether it would be enough to aid him well in battle, he would discover in time. "I will not retreat. Its only fair I repay the beast that attacked me."


Zabrie grinned mischievously. "I was going to keep going, regardless if anyone came with me. It seems this creature could use the ol' Zabrie touch. So let's not dawdle."She walked past both Ark and Turq into the oppressing darkness. Zabrie didn't care who claimed themselves leader of this pack; she wasn't going to follow anyone's orders anyway. Only she decided what she was going to do. Eya followed his companion past the others, eventually falling in step alongside her. He could take or leave the others, but adventure was just as much in his blood as it was with Zabrie's.

Naboo walked to Arks side and nudged him. "Fine, fine, Well Tea is the only one I don't know about but it seems Naboo wants me to go now so I hope to see you guys down there. Ark quickly caught up with Zabrie and let her take the lead guessing that she would appreciate that.

There was a deep rumbling from within the tunnels, as if a giant door was being opened and some strange whisperings echoed from somewhere and no where. Another rumble sounded in the air... getting closer.

Kriaro recalled the sounds from earlier, shortly before his sudden attack in the darkness. His brow furrowed in thought and concentration and he shifted the axe over his shoulder a little, ready to let it swing and fall into his foe when it--or they--approached. "Seems they've decided to investigate," he mentioned to no one in particular. "Ready yourselves for battle."

"Finally," Ark said now tired of waiting. He twirled his sword and got ready to use his sword and torch to fight. Even if he couldn't see his opponents he'd still hear them coming first.

"Let's do this." Zabrie's crossbow was at the ready, locked and loaded.

Turq swore some foreign expletive, drawing his long, curved kukri from its sheath. He only hoped he didn't have to use it. He kept his lantern clutched tightly in one his other hand.

Ark stood in the light of his torch right by Naboo and the only thing he could hear was the fires flickering and he could feel beating of his heart more than ever.  "So where are they?" He asked no one in particular.

The sound of cracking echoed soon after Ark had spoke, the ceiling letting down dust and the sound of something heavy dropping down to their level shook the ground beneath them. A deep roar. Several splatters of spit and mucus hit the group as the large snake head of the familiar burrower from Turq'a encounter came within torchlight.

For a fraction of a second, Zabrie gave the creature a baffled look. But she knew hesitation was a fatal thing, and immediately her crossbow sprung into action, aimed at the slimy creature.

The thing roared and reared up, protecting its head with its huge scythe-like arms as it lashed out with its armored tail.

Kriaro shouted something indiscernible as he leapt forward to stand in front of Zabrie, axe raised high as he reared onto his hind legs just as the tail thrashed out, letting his blade fall with full force into the armored flesh, and grunting as he fell just as heavily to his feet. If this was what had attacked him, it was no wonder he had only barely made it out alive with luck and strength on his side. The tail may be an easy obstacle to dispose of with the right timing, but the fierce massive claws he could make out in the dim light would be another matter entirely.

Although not too thrilled to see Kriaro get hurt when he stopped the tail it was the perfect opening. Ark quickly got to the tail and jumped on, then he ran up the tail using one hand with the torch to look out for the claws and the sword to try and block any attacks. He was doing this more for a distraction though; he doubted he'd actually get up to the head to get a fatal stab.

With its body tensing up, it brought its deadly arms in and began a death roll, within the tunnel this did not allow much room but it was enough. In a death roll its head would be vulnerable, but it wasn't that smart to think about that.

Zabrie had, at first, a look of shock on her face, which was soon replaced with one of anger. "Why would you do that?" she demanded of Kriaro. "You could have died." Her head snapped back to where the action was. "I'll deal with you later." She shot an arrow as the creature engaged in his death roll, taking careful aim to avoid Ark in the process.

Kriaro shook his head as if with a sudden sense of impatience. "Aim for its head," he said firmly, his breath heavy and rasping even as he never let his defenses (or his axe) down for even a moment. "Quickly, Zabrie, while its guard is down." If needed, he would attempt to strike again, but he would much rather allow Zabrie to kill the beast from afar. He had done his part; now it was a matter of his survival, which took priority even over revenge and pride.

As he spoke, Zabrie took aim at the head, releasing an arrow aimed squarely at the head.

Her aim was true and the arrow struck home, landing in the small space between the armor plates. The eyes couldn't have been used but it was still a weak spot. With a keen of pain the thing stopped moving, took a weak swing at the group and collapsed, moaning.

Turq kept his distance, watching as the others took down this huge monster. He held up the lantern to illuminate the scene, gripping his kukri tightly.

"Now that was a fun ride!" Ark said as he jumped off the beast he had a cut on his right arm but he bandaged it up quickly. "So what the heck is it?" He said looking at the almost dead beast as he put his sword back in his scabbard.

"I've never seen the likes of it," Kriaro commented after studying the strange creature. He prodded one of its long blade-like arms with the tip of his axe, grimacing when it twitched under the touch. Letting out a quiet grunt as he placed his weapon on back in place on his back, he glanced at Zabrie wearily. "Are you alright? You were nearly hit a moment ago," he asked, but the faint concern in his voice was concealed under the heaviness of his breath and the strain of pain of the short battle. Pressing a hand to his side, he saw that the wound had torn once more was was again openly bleeding, coating his palm with deep red.

"I think the bigger question is if you are alright, honey." replied Zabrie, she put a concerned arm on his hand. "You've got to take it easy for a while."

The thing lifted it's nearly eyeless head and let out a death keen and collapsed for the final time... and a new rumbling started anew.

Kriaro peered at Zabrie, but didn't answer at first. As the rumbling vibrated through his body, he turned his attention back to the tunnel, growling quietly in the back of his throat. His hand never left his side, and even with the pressure on the wound the blood began a slow trickle down his side. "I am still weak from the first attack. I'm not certain...that I can take another," he decided, never taking his eyes from the tunnel as he spoke.

"I can give you something for the pain," Turq offered--the cart was less than thirty feet away, he could easily run and come back before the next enemy presented itself.

"That's okay. Just fall back and keep out of the fray. We'll take care of the rest." As she spoke, she loaded another arrow into her cross bow.

Kriaro was silent for a moment, then, "I don't need an Eirin's tonics. I will stay to the side. If needed...I will be here." He glanced at Turq with little expression, neither distaste nor thanks. With a weak exhalation of breath he stepped back twice, staggering slightly, and leaned against the wall of the tunnel, once more pulling forth his heavy axe and using it more as support than anything. His piercing gold eyes stared into the darkness ahead, and even in his weakness and the increasing blurriness of his vision he never once completely let down his guard.

"Caenthian, actually," Turq corrected. "Although Eirin surgeons swear by it. Nevermind, then, I'm sure your pride will ease your wounds better than any mixture a merchant could offer," He said, following him. He was little help on the battlefield. Back here he could help a little, if anyone would let him.

Ark moved in front of Zabrie and Kriaro with his sword out again. "I mean no disrespect to either of you by going in front but you use a crossbow and you have an injury. I'll keep its attention and leave it to you two to kill it." He ended with a wink and turned back to the darkness of the tunnel thinking, eventually we'll have to go further...

This time, a creature, slightly smaller but with the same type of build slithered into their view. The mate of the fallen beast had no eyes at all and its mouth was a jagged mess of spiked teeth set upon a long neck. Instead of scythes it looked to be holding itself up with columns of armored flesh. Only the smaller tail was bare, almost looking like a tubeworm from the deep oceans and just as white. It hunkered down next to its dying partner and snuffed at it before its muscles went taunt and it let out a silent scream; well, maybe not silent... the sound was so high pitched it was bound to annoy the wildebeest.

Setting itself even closer to the ground, it dared them to strike. With their attention on the predator before them, the odd twenty dark shapes on the ceiling of the tunnel went unnoticed.

"Wait, stand down! Everyone stay still..." Ark said before anyone moved and he kept his sword and torch out. He didn't notice when some bat droppings landed on his shoulder and hair. The smell would definitely let him know he had been fouled soon. Without eyes the beast could be using echolocation to see, or by hunting their smell.

Kriaro watched the beast coolly, standing very still between Turq and the solid rock. He sniffed the air lightly, eyes glancing briefly left and right. A strange new scent--not the kill of Eirin behind them nor the slain beast before them, but something new he didn't recognize. The eyes of the two wildebeest darted as his did. "We are not alone," he warned, voice quieted. He was certain there was some other being very close, perhaps even several beings. The animal side of him could sense the presence before he even knew what it meant. His slightly curved ears twitched faintly. "Something...very near." A low growl rumbled in his throat, evidence of his hate and annoyance that he had been injured this way and could not fight, and even more so that his first instinct was to run, to play the defensive and safe way in his current condition. But he couldn't run, and wouldn't even if he could. Instead, his pride took over as the adrenaline began to pump in his veins and Kriaro readied himself to fight again, even if it would only damage him further.

Zabrie nodded. "I bet there's more where these two came from." She looked around, her hands still on the crossbow. Eya was very much not at ease, his beady eyes searched around, looking for the unseen. He knew not to cry out, that would only make things worse.

Turq hated waiting in the dark for things to come and rip him to shreds. He wished they would hurry up already or else go away. He twirled the kukri, letting out some nervous energy.

Ark took a sniff and said to himself, "Oh lovely." Then he put his torch in the same hand as his sword and started to brush off the droppings from his shoulder and hair. "Ya, that's just great..." He said as put his torch in his left hand again. Naboo was sitting in the back of everyone keeping a keen eye on the spots the people might not look although nothing yet.

The thing took a step forward, smashing one of the legs of its make before roaring again at them, still daring them.

Tea tried to make herself as small as possible. She shrank back, putting her hands over her ears. Tea was anything but a fighter. She couldn't believe what she had gotten herself into..

"Standing around isn't going to get rid of it." said Zabrie, narrowing her eyes. She released the arrow from the crossbow and sent it flying towards the creature's head - right between the eyes. "Attack or be attacked." She knocked another arrow into her crossbow with rapid fingers.

"There's always a rash way of doing things I suppose." Ark said finding himself next to Zabrie with his sword out in case it got to close for a crossbow. He didn't want to go in front of Zabrie and make her angry again.

The arrow simply bounced off of the creatures carapace... however it made it more angry then it already was. Moving so fast it was a dim blur, the creatures stump feet were actually its knuckles, as it grabbed Zabrie in its hidden hand, roaring triumphantly.

When the hand came up to grab Zabrie Ark sent off in a flash after the hand. When he got the chance he would try to slice the beasts wrist to set Zabrie free if she couldn't do it herself.

Stomping around, with Zabrie clutched in it's hand, the thing made the very ground shake by its movements. All the while its thick and armored body moving unnaturally quick and the pale tip of its tail, seemingly like a worm was held high in the air.

Ark kept moving over the shaking ground and he barely noticed the tail but something that did notice the tail came striding along side Ark. It was Naboo and Ark jumped on while still moving and he rode standing on Naboo gaining more ground towards the hand. When he caught up to the hand he would try to cut it off.

Eya snorted and dug a hoof into the ground. Zabrie squirmed the beast's hand. If she could just get one arm free, she could reach back and jam an arrow into a joint...or some other weak point. The beast had a tight hold on her, and getting anything free was going to be a struggle, but even already she could feel a little progress in her movements. Dust swirled off the ground from Eya's breath. He narrowed his already beady eyes...then charged straight at the creature.

With hidden speed the creature swung a fist at the beest, knocking Eya to the side like a ragdoll.

Kriaro ground his teeth as he watched from the sidelines beside Turq , his body beginning to coil like a spring ready to jolt forward at any moment. His eyes, now adapted to the dim light, searched back and forth for something--anything--that could be used to present a weakness in the apparently impenetrable creature. The thing seemed to be made of solid living rock...except... The Taurian's gold eyes focused on a pale moving thing. The tail... Hefting the halberd onto his shoulder once more, he growled and leapt forward, running light and fast despite the harshness of the uneven rock on his feet, his gaze trained solely on the tail's near-white tip. Picking up speed, he hopped agilely onto a bulging rock face from the wall, then another hop, launching himself upwards toward his target. Then, heaving the giant axe over his head, he aimed mercilessly for his mark.

The tail was cleaved off cleanly, and the thing in response let out a squeal of pain. Its innards shot out from this wound, spraying the cavern behind with smelling viscera and bits of flesh. The head whipped this way and that, but its vice like grip was released and it slowly sagged to the rock floor, dying.

Kriaro landed easily on his feet, panting hard, and had to trot a few steps sideways to barely avoid the spewing mess. He slowly stepped backwards, trying to keep himself calm enough to strike again if need be, but the creature slumped to the ground in an almost pitiful and smelling heap. It slowly grew still, its claws releasing the captured Wildamin. Once Kriaro sensed it was safe enough, he moved to her, limping badly with newly-opened wounds. His voice was rough and winded as he spoke. "Are you injured, lady?" he asked with a barely-managed but practiced touch of respect, swaying on his feet subtly as he leaned forward to her.

Zabrie wiped the beastial sludge from her body with a wrinkled nose. She held her hand up and watched the gooze slowly slide off her fingers. "Nothing a good bath couldn't fix." she said as the beast's blood dripped to the ground. "Are you going to hold up, Kriaro?" She gave him a concerned look, bracing herself in case he fell forward onto her.

"I have endured worse," Kriaro answered with a thin smile, placing a hand over the opened gash in his side and belly. It wasn't too deep, not enough to be fatal, but a fair stream of blood trickled through his fingers. He stepped back to look at his kill, staggering backwards as his eyelids fluttered, then peered up at the ceiling of the cavern. He sniffed the air. "There are others here. I can smell them."

Ark got closer to the dead beast and looked it over. "Well, if there are more of them than this place could either become really fun or really dangerous. So, what should we do, stay and fight, or run back to the surface?" He asked anyone willing to answer.

"Do you think we could take them?" Zabrie replied, rushing over to steady Kriaro. "We seemed to struggle with just the one. I don't want to risk anyone from our team." Eya lugged over slowly, limping. He came up beside Zabrie before letting himself slide heavily onto the ground to rest; dust flew up. "Either way, I think we need to tend to the injured, stitch up Kriaro's wound."

Ark closed his eyes and sniffed the air, "How bad are the injuries?" He asked as if they were pressed for time. The stench of the beasts was now close enough for him to smell it and even Naboo was getting on edge as he walked over to Ark's side.

Kriaro breathed deeply with a grimace and allowed himself to lean on Zabrie for support. "A firm bandage will do, for now. I doubt we have time enough for more than that."

Ark walked over to Kriaro and bandaged him up, quickly and as best he could with little time. He looked down the tunnel at where the beasts would come from and then the way they came in, he couldn't see the light at the end so he wasn't sure if they would all make it, even if they did run. Ark pulled out his sword, ready to fight if need be. "So, we good to run?" He asked everyone.

"No one... is going... anywhere." Replied a sickening slurching voice, as several 'pops' sounded. Suddenly, they were all surrounded by slug humanoids, all with stunted dorsal fins pierced with giant thick rings. Their fists were curled back like the beast they just killed, and they pulled themselves forward with their knuckles. The stink was getting unbearable.

Ark coughed because of the horrible stench. He covered his mouth and nose with one hand and held up his sword with the other. "Who the heck are you?" He said in a demanding tone, acting like he was in the position to know. Ark's eyes moved to each one watching their movements to make sure he wasn't caught off guard.

Zabrie whipped out her crossbow and knocked an arrow in it, keeping it at the ready. "And why do you wish us harm?" she tacked onto Ark's question. The smell was one of the most terrible she's ever had the displeasure of inhaling, but she couldn't afford to occupy her nose with an arm in place of her weapon. Eya narrowed his eyes at the newcomers, his head lowered and hoof dug into the ground.

"We mean no trespass here," Kriaro assured thinly as he stepped forward, voice ragged but monotonously honest in its strange way. The halberd raised briefly as he tilted his hand upwards, but remained limp against the rocky ground. He could manage to attack once more if he must, but he was beginning to think that once more might be all he had left in him. Any tactic to avoid another confrontation would be in his best interest. "There is no need to be hostile."

"Host... tile?" One of the slugs, no one can tell which repeated the word, but a slug man in the front coughed and it's throat expanded. A glob of spit hurtled from it's deformed mouth, catching the lone Eirin in the face.

Turq screamed and ran around as the spittle caught fire, then rolled on the ground to try and put out the flames, but to no avail. In short order a smouldering skeleton left streams of hissing smoke rising in the air, leaving the acrid smell of scorched flesh for everyone to enjoy.

"That will... happen to you all... If you resist."

"Resist what, exactly?" Questened Zabrie, still on the defensive.