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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 7573390" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Chapter 264</p><p></p><p>Morning brought with it a sharp wind that blew in off the ocean, swirling through the jungle and causing the dense greenery to sway as it passed through. Gray clouds streamed ashore to the south, though it looked as though they would not come close enough to threaten the expedition as it set out in pursuit of the creatures that had captured the survivors of the <em>Gull’s</em> crew.</p><p></p><p>The companions made their way single-file through the jungle, though they remained close enough to offer reassurance against its unseen dangers. Rodan took the lead, staying far enough ahead that he might detect a threat before the loud trudging of Quellan and Bredan reached it. It seemed a foolish hope; to the tiefling’s ears, the sounds made by the others sounded only incrementally quieter than a herd of elephants. Glori and Xeeta remained near the center of the line, ready to unleash their spells against an adversary that threatened the group. Kavek brought up the rear, the sailor tightly clutching a dagger loaned by Glori.</p><p></p><p>They had no difficulty following the trail. The dragon-men might know their way through the forest—the longer he followed, the more Rodan respected their woods-lore—but the prisoners they had brought clearly had no such skills. They kept their eyes open for things that they might have dropped, or other signs left behind to help guide pursuers. They didn’t find anything like that, but they found plenty of bloodstains, as well as places where heavy burdens had been dropped or shifted.</p><p></p><p>“It looks like they had a rough time of it,” Glori said as they examined one such spot where the surrounding jungle had been matted down. She pointed to a broad leaf that was spotted with tiny points of red.</p><p></p><p>“Let’s just hope that’s from the bodies they were carrying,” Quellan said.</p><p></p><p>“It does not bode well that they made them bring their dead with them,” Kalasien said.</p><p></p><p>None of them wanted to ponder the significance of that thought, but it became inescapable just a short while later. Rodan had paused along the trail, staring into a small depression that had formed between two large trees that had grown almost together.</p><p></p><p>“What is it?” Bredan asked. He didn’t wait for a response, but came forward to take a look.</p><p></p><p>The warrior had come a long way, seen a lot of things since leaving Crosspath, but he still grew pale as he looked into the dell. He stared until he heard Glori and Xeeta coming up, then he quickly turned and moved to block them.</p><p></p><p>“What…” Glori began.</p><p></p><p>“You don’t want to see that,” Bredan said, shaking his head.</p><p></p><p>Quellan came up with Kosk and took a look. The cleric briefly went forward into the dell, and came up a minute later with a grim expression on his face. “There were two of them,” he said. “I believe they were killed in the attack on the camp.”</p><p></p><p>“I <em>hope</em> they were already dead when the dragon-men decided to stop for dinner,” Kosk said. “I imagine it had quite an effect in terms of motivating the rest of their prisoners to cooperate.”</p><p></p><p>“How far behind are we?” Bredan asked.</p><p></p><p>“They came through here yesterday, probably before nightfall,” Rodan said. “We probably won’t catch them before they get to where they’re going.”</p><p></p><p>Bredan nodded. He’d already thought as much. “Let’s get moving,” he said. “I don’t want to linger here.”</p><p></p><p>They pressed on, their mood darkened by the grim discovery. At the few places where they came to a breach in the jungle canopy, they saw that the sky had become overcast, making it difficult to tell how far the day had progressed. Quellan had reserved a portion of his spells to create water for them, relieving them of the need to search out fresh sources, but they had already encountered several streams along their course of march. Most of those were small enough to step over, but they were still wary of any local wildlife that might be stopping by for a drink.</p><p></p><p>They came to another waterway a few hundred yards after their encounter with the victims of the dragon-men. This one was a stream that had worried out a shallow gully about twenty feet across. At the moment, however, the softly gurgling brook was only about four feet across.</p><p></p><p>“Good thing we didn’t come during the rainy season,” Glori said.</p><p></p><p>Rodan had started forward toward the stream but came to a sudden halt. “What is it?” Bredan asked.</p><p></p><p>“We’re not alone,” the tiefling said.</p><p></p><p>The others all reached for the weapons. “Dragon-men?” Quellan asked.</p><p></p><p>“I don’t think so,” Rodan said. “They wanted us to know they’re here.”</p><p></p><p>“Who?” Glori asked.</p><p></p><p>As if in response, the growth on the far side of the gully stirred, and a figure stepped out into view. It was one of the cat-men. Its coat was a deep brown tinged with gray. It wore a sort of wrap with a leather harness that carried several spears across its back. A wooden spear-thrower that could have doubled as a club in a pinch hung from a throng at its side. It held up hands that were empty, but the gesture also highlighted the slightly-curved claws that tipped its fingers.</p><p></p><p>“Nobody make any threatening moves,” Quellan said.</p><p></p><p>“It’s not alone,” Rodan said, careful to keep his bow at his side.</p><p></p><p>Bredan stepped forward, almost to the edge of the stream. The cat-man didn’t react, but there were faint rustles all along the far rim of the gully, enough to suggest that the creatures at least matched the companions in terms of numbers. “Careful,” Glori whispered.</p><p></p><p>“We mean you no harm,” Bredan said. He held up his hands in an echo of the creature’s gesture. “We are looking for some of our people who were taken prisoner. Do you understand?”</p><p></p><p>The cat-man regarded Bredan for a long moment. Then its lips drew back and it hissed, “Mrrrhrrr, rawrrr.”</p><p></p><p>“I’m going to take that as a no,” Kosk said.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 7573390, member: 143"] Chapter 264 Morning brought with it a sharp wind that blew in off the ocean, swirling through the jungle and causing the dense greenery to sway as it passed through. Gray clouds streamed ashore to the south, though it looked as though they would not come close enough to threaten the expedition as it set out in pursuit of the creatures that had captured the survivors of the [i]Gull’s[/i] crew. The companions made their way single-file through the jungle, though they remained close enough to offer reassurance against its unseen dangers. Rodan took the lead, staying far enough ahead that he might detect a threat before the loud trudging of Quellan and Bredan reached it. It seemed a foolish hope; to the tiefling’s ears, the sounds made by the others sounded only incrementally quieter than a herd of elephants. Glori and Xeeta remained near the center of the line, ready to unleash their spells against an adversary that threatened the group. Kavek brought up the rear, the sailor tightly clutching a dagger loaned by Glori. They had no difficulty following the trail. The dragon-men might know their way through the forest—the longer he followed, the more Rodan respected their woods-lore—but the prisoners they had brought clearly had no such skills. They kept their eyes open for things that they might have dropped, or other signs left behind to help guide pursuers. They didn’t find anything like that, but they found plenty of bloodstains, as well as places where heavy burdens had been dropped or shifted. “It looks like they had a rough time of it,” Glori said as they examined one such spot where the surrounding jungle had been matted down. She pointed to a broad leaf that was spotted with tiny points of red. “Let’s just hope that’s from the bodies they were carrying,” Quellan said. “It does not bode well that they made them bring their dead with them,” Kalasien said. None of them wanted to ponder the significance of that thought, but it became inescapable just a short while later. Rodan had paused along the trail, staring into a small depression that had formed between two large trees that had grown almost together. “What is it?” Bredan asked. He didn’t wait for a response, but came forward to take a look. The warrior had come a long way, seen a lot of things since leaving Crosspath, but he still grew pale as he looked into the dell. He stared until he heard Glori and Xeeta coming up, then he quickly turned and moved to block them. “What…” Glori began. “You don’t want to see that,” Bredan said, shaking his head. Quellan came up with Kosk and took a look. The cleric briefly went forward into the dell, and came up a minute later with a grim expression on his face. “There were two of them,” he said. “I believe they were killed in the attack on the camp.” “I [i]hope[/i] they were already dead when the dragon-men decided to stop for dinner,” Kosk said. “I imagine it had quite an effect in terms of motivating the rest of their prisoners to cooperate.” “How far behind are we?” Bredan asked. “They came through here yesterday, probably before nightfall,” Rodan said. “We probably won’t catch them before they get to where they’re going.” Bredan nodded. He’d already thought as much. “Let’s get moving,” he said. “I don’t want to linger here.” They pressed on, their mood darkened by the grim discovery. At the few places where they came to a breach in the jungle canopy, they saw that the sky had become overcast, making it difficult to tell how far the day had progressed. Quellan had reserved a portion of his spells to create water for them, relieving them of the need to search out fresh sources, but they had already encountered several streams along their course of march. Most of those were small enough to step over, but they were still wary of any local wildlife that might be stopping by for a drink. They came to another waterway a few hundred yards after their encounter with the victims of the dragon-men. This one was a stream that had worried out a shallow gully about twenty feet across. At the moment, however, the softly gurgling brook was only about four feet across. “Good thing we didn’t come during the rainy season,” Glori said. Rodan had started forward toward the stream but came to a sudden halt. “What is it?” Bredan asked. “We’re not alone,” the tiefling said. The others all reached for the weapons. “Dragon-men?” Quellan asked. “I don’t think so,” Rodan said. “They wanted us to know they’re here.” “Who?” Glori asked. As if in response, the growth on the far side of the gully stirred, and a figure stepped out into view. It was one of the cat-men. Its coat was a deep brown tinged with gray. It wore a sort of wrap with a leather harness that carried several spears across its back. A wooden spear-thrower that could have doubled as a club in a pinch hung from a throng at its side. It held up hands that were empty, but the gesture also highlighted the slightly-curved claws that tipped its fingers. “Nobody make any threatening moves,” Quellan said. “It’s not alone,” Rodan said, careful to keep his bow at his side. Bredan stepped forward, almost to the edge of the stream. The cat-man didn’t react, but there were faint rustles all along the far rim of the gully, enough to suggest that the creatures at least matched the companions in terms of numbers. “Careful,” Glori whispered. “We mean you no harm,” Bredan said. He held up his hands in an echo of the creature’s gesture. “We are looking for some of our people who were taken prisoner. Do you understand?” The cat-man regarded Bredan for a long moment. Then its lips drew back and it hissed, “Mrrrhrrr, rawrrr.” “I’m going to take that as a no,” Kosk said. [/QUOTE]
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