Otataral, 956th Year in the Time Dying

[albatross]

Ora nods, "Yes, we should travel together until we find the pickets. If you are flying you should be able to signal us to stop when we are a good ways off."

Getting everyone moving again, especially the camels, takes some time. It was the first real stop they have had in months.

Eventually, they make their way along the mountain trails following the bandit trail. As they go along, Ora attempts to teach the blood hawk how to track. The old war bird snaps at the camels sometimes, but in the presence of Aki the mean creature doesn't actually hurt anyone.

The night hawk flys next to Starlighter and Bellephobe, chattering with Starlighter occasionally. Both creatures have high animal intelligence, and are able to communicate much like dolphins.

After a couple days walk for the camels, Starlighter spots a scouting party for the bandits. The night hawk immediately returns to the rest of the group and conveys this information. The meddling bird is difficult to understand at times, but everyone can decipher the basics. "..... enemy sighted... attack!"

Ora looks at Bellephobe and Starlighter and says to the bird, "Appreciate the message, we will keep our own counsel as to when to attack. We aren't quite sure they are enemies yet." The night hawk chirps in annoyance and wheels away to check the bandits position.

[thorley]

As it seems nobody else wants to take the initiative or give any advice, Bellephoebe says

"Well, I guess it's better to approach a small band than the main mass. I'll head there to meet them, if something goes wrong you'll probably notice."

Bellephoebe will fly over to the group (staying out of range) and wave to them, signaling her intent she'll approach slowly to land. If they seem like they are going to attack she'll retreat out of distance.

[shiivster]

'come feathered brother. let us go watch and make sure the big sister is safe' Aki speaks to the old warbird and then tells the camels to stay put until directed by their riders. she moves ahead of hte otehrs on foot and doesn't seem to care too much about discussions just now. she just wants to see the country side with the big bird and get its thoughts on the creatures living there . . and if she could 'ride his wings' one time when he goes flying, as she's never been flying before.

*she trusts that her inate ability to be aware of her surroundings will help, but for now? .. she simply wants to see the world a little apart from those that have lost their touch to nature itself.

[albatross]

Bellephobe and Starlighter (and Romidus?) Approach the scouts or pickets or whatever the outlying bandits are.

The bandits scowl, but they are wary of the gryphon and rider. They call out some indecent proposals, but their heart doesn't seem in it. After a while they wave her over to find out she wants. They don't have their weapons out, and they seem relaxed. They probably think Bellephobe would be a tough opponent but they don't think she would attack... perhaps for the same reason they don't attack her. Too much work, not enough reward.

[thorley]

Assuming Romidus stayed behind (or did he?) Bellephoebe will approach the riders, ignoring their cat calls she'll simply say.

"I'm with a group of travellers, and while scouting I noticed your band seems to be occupying this territory. Do you have any objections to our passing through?"

[albatross]

One of the men grins. "Anything to pay as tribute?" Another glances at the gryphon, but frowns, probably thinking it isn't big enough to carry many goods.

[shiivster]

Aki stands apart from the others by about 100 yards with the large warbird, and her gaze takes in the side and sandy areas.

JIC [dice=20]
JIC [dice=100][rand=6009793759485100452703675073579164526504251528047663531385004125]

[thorley]

Bellephoebe answered "I wasn't planning on paying tribute. No offense, but I think we could fight our way through your territory if we had to, but we'd prefer not to. You don't seem to have anything we want, and it would slow us down. I figured it was easiest to just ask to pass through rather than showing up and starting a brawl that wasn't going to benefit anyone".

[albatross]

The men stare at Bellephobe as if she is from another planet. After a moment one them speaks, "Maybe you could fight your way through and maybe you couldn't. This is our territory. Offering to attack us.... Hard to trust you enough to let you pass through the heart of our lands." The man shakes his head.

"If you don't want to fight, then you pay tribute."

[shiivster]

Aki squats and inspects the ground for things of interest. stones . . maybe old shells that were overlooked? interesting pebbles or insect casings or wing covers . . maybe even finding some horse droppings to see how long ago someone was there

[thorley]

Bellephoebe sighs and says "Okay, okay, watch this then. You've seem bows and arrows, and you've seen munitions right? Well let me put this into perspective"

Bellephoebe takes her modern combat bow with a flourish to show she's, not going to attack them shoots a Naruni Plasma cartridge arrow into the ground a ways off by probably still visible which does... lots of damage and probably leaves a crazy sized crater.

assuming it works as planned and they are going "OMG" then says "I hate to be a bully, but the differance in power between us is not a small one. I have complete confidence we could end your entire people if we had to in order to travel through your territory... and no, we are not going to offer you our weapons in some kind of trade, that would be idiotic not to mention irresponsible... I do however understand your position and I suppose to avoid being totally unfair I can spare something" She'll toss them one of the gold ingots and then say "I figure that's pretty valuable, and more than worth the passage of such a small band".

Bellephoebe hopes they respond the right way to her performance and offer, the less delay, the sooner she can get out of this hellish dimension. By making the display of force first, she's hoping to dissuade the potential "Ooooh they have gold, let's attack them and steal their money" reaction.

[albatross]

The man squints at the ingot, and one of his companions moves forward and picks it up and tests it with a fingernail. Nods. "This is acceptable tribute," the man says formally. "I'll send a messenger ahead. Bring you companions here and I'll lead them over the pass."

[shiivster]

Aki pockets the one or two small pebble objects that caught her attention and returns to the camels with the warbird following. her fingers rub at the crest feathers gently. her heart goes out to this one. it has seen much in its life, but it is getting tired and crankiness is its right.

[thorley]

Bellephoebe will nod to the scout and then return to the rest of the group.

"It appears they have consented to guide us through their territory. Obviously this is not without risk that they will attempt to ambush us anyway, but we knew that when we tried this. We should get ready to go, and be on our guard. I doubt being wary will upset them, it's not exactly a situation coming from long standing trust and friendship, after all I blew a massive crater into the ground before I paid them"

[albatross]

Ora shrugs and smiles as if the prospect of an ambush is amusing. "At least they took the money. Did you curse any of them?"

Away in the distance they can see a man leaning against a tree waiting to lead them over the pass.