TROSHammerSession2

Session 2: A Night in the Forest

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A night in the forest - from the perspective of Thunders Rumble.

Having dispatched in a most efficient manner the 2 wasp soldiers and their mounts, Thunder thought it prudent to send word to the spring encampment that there was company coming, looking for us. Asking Peregrine to make the flight to the encampment and to find 'Talks with Lightning', he was ordered to deliver word of my return and the urgency of the situation. Flying off, Peregrine promised to deliver the message (though I suspect it was with a bit of reluctance)

Disposing of the bodies as best we could, Night Hawk and myself proceeded to double time towards the northern winter encampment with the intent to lead the wasp soldiers astray. While not really hiding our trail, we were making enough effort to try and 'conceal' the trail as to make it look like we are not wanting to be followed. Shortly, we were startled from our task by 3 members of our husband tribe, 'Sweet but Painful'. They were out foraging for honey and have come to learn that the wasps were looking for us. After explaining who we are and the reason why we were being followed, particularly around the none too bright theft of the Cougar's Spirit amulet, the Sweet but Painful were both amused and in full agreement to the need for our haste. I asked Clark Gable, the senior Sweet but Painful tribesman in their group, if they could help either conceal our trail or create additional false trails, but he was confident in Night Hawk's ability, to the swelling pride of Night Hawk!, and felt that he was sufficiently masking the trail as to ensure the soldiers diversion.

Leaving us, the 3 Sweet but Painful members promised to keep a watch over the movement of the Gezag troops and report back on any changes. they also gave me some honey comb (whatever do I need this for?) and the female of the group brazenly asked me to be a member of the next husband ceremony. Horrified and embarrassed I murmured some reply, just wanting to be away! how the times have changed and the traditions have eroded in my absence!

During this time Perigrine returned and reported back. From him we learned that "Talks to Lightning" and "Dawns first light" both met with him, and Perigrine reported what I had asked him to say. Thank my lucky stars, Dawn remembered me, and asked about me! Talks to Lightning also seemed to remember me, though evoking my fathers name helped vouch for Peregrine's authenticity. Frustratingly, I did not learn if the tribe was going to move away, if the message was received with enough urgency or anything else. Apparently another person reached Talk and Dawn which spooked Peregrine enough for him to just fly back to us... now I'm going to have to verify the message was received and they are doing something about it.

Making haste towards the camp, we proceeded to continue the false trail several miles past the winter encampment to make the trailing soldiers think we are headed for the small town to the north. Once satisfied that the 'clue' was unmistakable, we cut and Night Hawk most competently hid our trail as we back-tracked to the encampment. As night settled in, turned late, and the next day slowly came we found ourselves on the outskirts of camp.

Walking into camp, Night Hawk is recognized immediately, I hold back not knowing the kind of reception that I'd receive. After a minute or 2, I begin to recognize the older chap who seems to be carousing with 2 younger tribesmen as Elm's Bark - an old friend who we used to play together as children. Speaking his name and mentioning the fall from the tree breaking his arm convinced him of my identity, and was warmly embraced back. Once settled, I begin to relate our story, how certain individuals (glancing at Night) seem to be unable to restrain their libido, especially with avowed enemies, and the trouble caused with the theft of the Cougar's sacred spirit pendant. Laughing at the follies and serious when the threat to the tribe was explained, all 5 of us agreed that it was important come first light to send warning to the spring encampment and force them to move.

Throughout the course of this conversation I learned a number of startling facts, such as 'Talks to Lightning' is not the Elder Aunt of the tribe, but has been usurped by another Maple Seed Swirling who has always been an apologist to the Gezag - while never actually siding with them, she does recommend a course of least resistance, that in itself disgusts me - the worst possible outcome, for at least with a traitor they have drives and passions equal to my own, but someone who just accepts their fate.... never again! The tribes also apparently have a means of communication which involves speaking to squirrels and sending messages that way. Warning the tribe that a large force is coming, that they should leave the encampment because of our theft and that I have returned and vow to protect them should be sufficient... I hope.

Peregrine during this time just seemed to disappear into the trees and was out of eyeshot the entire night. that didn't bother me any and I'd not have to tell my tribesmen about him. Falling asleep I'm not sure if I dreamed this, or if it actually happened, but at one point, I saw Peregrine walking around Night Hawk, flapping it's wings, squawking and making various noises and finally touching his amulet.... then he just flew off as if nothing happened... strange...

In the morning, we were once again totally surprised by the appearance of the tribesman from Sweet but painful who comes bearing news of dire import. Turns out that not only are the wasp soldiers looking for us, but there is an army of employee soldiers and regular troops also making their way via boat. The tribesman feels that they are heading towards our spring encampment. We must hurry. I asked a favour of the tribesman if they could harbour our people during this time of trouble. Their reputation of being able to hide in plain site and can slink through the forests without anyone known surely will be a boon to my tribes chance to survive. He promised to speak with his elders and meet us at the encampment very shortly. One final comment he makes. Supposedly the elder aunt of Sweet but Painful is living in a town called Overlook and has sent word that she wants to speak to Peregrine. Not speaking for him, I told them that I'd convey the message and let him decide. They were satisfied with this.

Making double time towards the encampment, Peregrine and myself came up with a plan of action. We'd go to the encampment and do whatever was necessary to protect the people and have them flee this oncoming threat. Once satisfied that they were taken care of, we'd then make our way further West and head towards the town where the elder aunt resides - I am now curious as to what she is on about to know of Peregrine. Normally, a trek of this magnitude would take more than 14 hours, but pushing the younglings we were on track to make it in 7. My old body just isn't what it used to be and started feeling the ill effects of trudging through thick forest armed and armoured. Surprisingly, so too were my other companions, they all seemed winded and ready for a break. The people have grown soft in the years away. My father and my fathers father could have run this without stopping. Generations ago, this would have been a normal run for our people. Feeling that our mission was of utmost importance, I proceeded to cajole, impress and demand of them a higher level of effort. To give more than they have given before, because our people are at risk and we are the only ones who can save them. The 2 younglings were quite taken by the pep talk (ahh the ignorance of youth) while Elm both appreciated the talk and grizzled enough to know what I was on about. Reinvigorated, this stalwart band continued making excellent time and near nightfall came within the sentried lines of our spring encampment.

Before asking Elm's Bark to enter this encampment, I presented him with several hard truths to mull over. First asking him if there are any Gezag collaborators in town, he was neither willing to accept that possibility or I just failed to convey the insidious nature of the Gezag and how they 'control' native populations. Tthe final though I left him with was asking him how come I was picked to become a slave soldier and not him? Who makes these choices? Why me and not you? As we were both equally strong, stout and of the same age.. Troubled immensely with that thought, he left to enter the village and tell "Talks to Lightning" to meet me in secrecy at a well known landmark...

to be continued... --199.243.212.34 10:32, 25 September 2006 (PDT)