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"Out of the Frying Pan" - Book I: Gathering Wood (reprise)
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<blockquote data-quote="el-remmen" data-source="post: 57688" data-attributes="member: 11"><p><strong>Session # 6 (part IV)</strong></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Anulem, 14th of Ese – 564 H.E.</strong></span></p><p></p><p>Cold air pressed down on the hills as Kazrack, Jana, Jeremy, Chance and Beorth led Ratchis and the wainwright down to the Mountain Door road where the wagons had broken down. The air still had a dampness to it that made it easier for the cold to find its way down to the bone. Only Ratchis in his long coat of beaver fur, and Kazrack from pure dwarven stubbornness were not shivering. </p><p></p><p>Even before they saw the saw the road they could smell the cooking fire, and came over the hill crest to see that the wagons had been dragged off the road to a grassy spot just south of it. The tents of Crumb’s boys were haphazardly scattered on the muddy field, and camp fires were burning here and there; the boys huddled over them wrapped in blankets to stay warm. </p><p></p><p>Kamir came up the road lugging a bucket of water, a blanket tied around him as a makeshift toga, his brown hair plastered to his forehead by sweat, despite the cold, and the roundness of his face beginning to dwindle from the sparse meals. </p><p></p><p>“Hey!” he cried. “You guys made it back! I’ll go tell Crumb!” </p><p></p><p>He ran off, the bucket banging against his leg, spilling a trail of water behind him. </p><p></p><p>The party met up with Crumb outside of his large tent. </p><p></p><p>“I see you have succeeded. I was worried maybe you’d deserted,” Crumb laughed and elbowed Kazrack with forced playfulness. “We already had one person run off.” </p><p></p><p>They introduced Warren to Crumb and the leader had Deet show the man the wagons and what needed to be done. </p><p></p><p>“Well, how much did he need as a deposit?” Crumb asked Kazrack. “Is there any of my money left?” </p><p>“Actually, the burgomeister paid for the wainwright in return for some help we gave their town with a wolf problem, so we did not have to use any of the money you gave us,” Kazrack replied. </p><p></p><p>Jeremy sighed loudly and walked off. </p><p></p><p>“Well, that’s great. Let’s have it,” Crumb said. </p><p></p><p>Kazrack gave him the pouch of coins. “However, I was thinking that you might share some this saved money with us as we did do this favor for you and the caravan by retrieving the wainwright, and risking ourselves to help the town of Tallow’s Post in order to help you.” </p><p></p><p>“Well, the contract does state that you must be willing to do anything within reasonable means to help the group arrive in Gothanius. You were only doing what you agree to do by signing the contract,” Crumb replied in his deep voice, combing his mustache with a finger. </p><p></p><p>“Well, what we had to do was a little more than reasonable, I think,” Kazrack said with obvious frustration. </p><p></p><p>“But you did do it, that is all that matters and you have not only my appreciation, but that of all these boys. They all look up to you and your companions. Money cannot buy that kind of reward,” Crumb said. </p><p></p><p>“But if we had gone strictly by the contract and considered what we had to do unreasonable we would have just come back and then what? “ Kazrack’s voice grew louder. “Without incentive to do more than the bare minimum why should we do more?” </p><p></p><p>Crumb’s voice grew even deeper, and an undertone of anger and exhaustion came into it. “Listen, Kazack, you do what you want to do. You want to do the bare minimum. You decide what you want to do and you live with the consequences. If you had just come back without the wainwright, we would have figured something out, probably marched hungry and without supplies to the next town or wherever we could purchase new wagons – but that’d be on your head.” </p><p></p><p>“It would be on yours,” said the dwarf. </p><p></p><p>“Would it?” Crumb said, paused, and then he lowered his voice back down. “I run my operation the way I see best. If you don’t like it… well, you signed the contract and that is that.” </p><p></p><p>“So you are saying you’d rather I do the bare minimum,” Kazrack asked. </p><p></p><p>“No, you are saying that,” the fat man paused. “Is there anything else?” </p><p></p><p>“I guess not,” said the dwarf. </p><p></p><p>“Then I will take what you said under advisement and that will be the end of this topic,” Crumb’s vision fell on Ratchis who was standing a bit behind the companions. </p><p></p><p>“And who do we have here?” asked Crumb, putting his smile and good humor back on. </p><p>Ratchis stepped forward. </p><p></p><p>“I met up with Kazrack and the others near Tallow’s Post and I wanted to join your group that is going to Gothanius,” the tall woodsman said. </p><p></p><p>Crumb looked him up and down, “Heh, well do you know what you’re getting into? You know what we’re supposed to be doing?” </p><p></p><p>“Yes, helping Gothanus with a problem with a dragon or something,” said Ratchis. </p><p></p><p>“That’s right,” he paused. “Well, we could always use another warm body. Deet! Bring us a contract!” </p><p></p><p>Ratchis was handed a contract. He looked it over and then made a swiggle with the quill he was handed. </p><p></p><p>“Please make an X,” said Deet. Ratchis complied. </p><p></p><p>“Now remember, this thing says you won’t brawl with anyone, and will obey all the laws of the places we pass through or you will be left behind,” said Crumb. </p><p></p><p>“Okay,” said Ratchis. </p><p></p><p>“Kamir!” called Crumb, but it was as if the boy were already standing beside him waiting for orders.</p><p></p><p> “Find uh…” </p><p></p><p>“Ratchis,” rasped Ratchis. </p><p></p><p>“Yes, Ratchis, a place in one of the tents and tell him about meals and such,” Crumb told Kamir, who nodded his head with great enthusiasm. </p><p></p><p>Kamir led Ratchis towards the tents. </p><p></p><p>“Let’s see who should I put you with?” said Kamir thinking aloud. “I guess I could put you with Markle and Devon and the other guy. There are only three totheir tent, and the tents can hold five in a pinch. Maybe you wouldn’t like them…” </p><p></p><p>Kamir looked at Ratchis, “They aren’t very nice people, especially Devon. By the way, I’m Kamir. I help out around here, but I’m going to go fight the dragon too, and if you need anything at all don’t hesitate to ask.” </p><p></p><p>They came to the tent where Devon and his short ugly companion sat on a log by their campfire.</p><p></p><p>---- </p><p></p><p>Meanwhile the rest of the companions had returned to where they found Kamir had set up their tents in anticipation of their return. Kazrack removed his armor and began to inspect it for broken scales and other weak points, finding a few broken wolf teeth wedged between the scales. Chance crawled into the tent he shared with Kamir and Jeremy and went to sleep. </p><p></p><p>As Jana was walking to her own tent she was approached by Markle, “Do you mind if we speak in private for a minute?” He gestured towards her tent. </p><p></p><p>“Sure,” she said and let him go in first and followed. </p><p></p><p>“Hey look,” said Jeremy to Beorth, seeing this happen. “I wonder what they are doing? Let’s go have a listen.” </p><p></p><p>“It is none of our business,” said Beorth, walking off to go pray. </p><p></p><p>“Of course it isn’t,” said the blonde Neergaardian, as he began to creep towards her tent. However, as he approached, he stepped on a stick which made a loud crack, and stumbling fell against the side of the tent with a yelp and the loud panting of someone who almost fell on their face. </p><p>“Who is out there?” Markle said within the tent. </p><p></p><p>“I think I know who it is,” said Jana. “Jeremy!” </p><p></p><p>“Uh, nope, it’s uh, me Chance,” said Jeremy in a horrible imitation of the Wallbrookian’s accent. “I wus juss walkin’ by. I, uh, I’ll see ya later.” </p><p></p><p>Jeremy ran back to his tent, leaving Markle and Jana to whatever secrets they might be discussing. </p><p></p><p>---------</p><p></p><p>“What in the name of Set’s Realm is that ugly thing?” Devon declared looking up at Ratchis. </p><p>“Uh, this is Ratchis. He’s new and is gonna be sharing your tent with you,” said Kamir nervously. </p><p>“I have said it before, and I’ll say it again, only three people in this tent – no more,” Devon stood, and stepped over to Kamir, towering over him. “Especially not some ugly piece of walking rotten meat that looks like some dog dragged him through the streets as a child.” </p><p></p><p>Ratchis just watched the loud tall man with a stony glare of anger, but said nothing. </p><p></p><p>“You had better find this freak of a pus bag somewhere else to sleep. Try something with a trough, I’ve seen more human looking turds than this guy,” said Devon, speaking to Kamir, but returning Ratchis’ look. </p><p></p><p>Kamir turned to Ratchis, “I’m sorry. You probably don’t want to stay here. I’ll go see if I can find you another spot, maybe Doris’ old spot.” </p><p></p><p>Kamir ran off. </p><p></p><p>“You do that, you worthless bag of bird-droppings,” said Devon. Ratchis growled softly. </p><p></p><p>“You don’t even talk do you?” Devon said, looking back to the woodsman. “They expect me to share a tent with an animal, you probably will mark your scent in the corner of the tent, you friggin’ mottled son of beast.” </p><p></p><p>Devon sat back down and tossed a stick into the fire. </p><p></p><p>After a few moments Kamir returned. </p><p></p><p>“Okay, Ratchis, I found you another place to stay, in Doris’ old place with Finn and Gwar and Frank,” said the doughy boy. </p><p></p><p>“Thank Ra,” Devon said. “I can smell that maggot-infested chunk from here. He smells like something born from the bloody ass of a sailor’s dog.” </p><p></p><p>Devon laughed, but his short dark companion remained passive, just watching the action. The tall man stood and stepped over to Kamir. </p><p></p><p>“Get him out of here you worthless bloated sack of pig fat, and then come back and clean my boots,” Devon said to Kamir, and smacked the boy in the back of the head. </p><p></p><p>Without warning Ratchis threw his backpack with all his strength at Devon, who was able to cushion the blow with his arm and an “oof!” The bag fell at the tall man’s feet. </p><p></p><p>“What the hell you do that for you stupid ugly cow bladder?” Devon cried. “Oh, well. I guess it’s mine now. What do we have in here?” </p><p></p><p>Devon began to open the backpack and pull things out, when Ratchis charged him, but with a speed obviously borne of many a brawl, Devon was in a fighting stance and before the woodsman could get his hands on him, an uppercut landed on Ratchis’ jaw. </p><p></p><p>Ratchis ignored the pain of the blow, and grabbing Devon pulled him to the ground, but Devon twisted and grabbed an arm and the big man’s head into a lock, holding him in place.</p><p> </p><p>“Stop it now! I’ll pop your head off!” Devon said to Ratchis, sweat beading on his brow as he strained to hold the man in place. </p><p></p><p>Kamir began to yell, “Stop fighting! You’ll get in trouble. Stop fighting!” As the two brutish men did not stop, Kamir ran to get Kazrack. </p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, his upper body held motionless by Devon, Ratchis’ fighting instinct kicked in and he threw his feet out from under him, causing his opponent to fall forward with the sudden weight and loosen his grip a bit. Ratchis was able to break free and spin around grabbing the broad man from behind, squeezing his torso and arms in a tight pince, that made Devon roar. Ratchis squeezed and squeezed again, but finally Devon broke free with brute strength and pulled away, taking a swing that missed. Ratchis charged again and they both fell down, and switched places many times, pinning each others arms, locking each other heads, breaking free, squeezing and clawing at each other wildly in a wrestling frenzy. </p><p></p><p>Kamir returned with Kazrack. “Stop it!” Kazrack yelled. </p><p></p><p>The two did not stop. Devon broke free again and scored a punch against Ratchis, making his lip swell up. Ratchis grappled again. </p><p></p><p>Kamir grabbed a nearby bucket and filled it full of mud. When the grappling pair rolled over, Devon gaining dominance, Kazrack flung the mud at him, but the mud splattered on the two combatants. </p><p>‘Don’t do that,” Devon yelled, as Ratchis pulled away from him, receiving a hard yank on his head that sent jolts of pain down his neck. Devon followed this with his own tackle, which sent the two combatants tumbling one over the other. </p><p></p><p>Kazrack scooped up another bucket full of mud, fling it right on Devon’s chest as he tried to extricate himself from Ratchis once more, who twisted the tall man’s legs in a painful knot. Devon spun around and hammered his knotted fists into the woodsman’s back. Devon turned to avoid the blow of Ratchis’ head which he shoved forward toward the other man’s face. He looked up at Kazrack, who was readying another bucket of mud. </p><p></p><p>“Don’t you throw that,” Devon tried to say, but the moment he opened his mouth, Kazrack let loose a highly accurate blast of mud that hit him right in the face and went into his mouth. </p><p></p><p>Devon spat and coughed, and Ratchis took the opportunity to shove the man’s face into the ground and bang the back of his head with the butt of his calloused hand. Kazrack laughed and laughed. </p><p>“Kazrack, you have to stop them. They’ll get kicked out,” said Kamir anxiously. Kazarack did not answer. </p><p></p><p>With a burst of rage, Devon broke free of Ratchis grip and turning slammed the woodsman three times with the back of his hand and then roaring, grabbed the broader man around the torso and lifting squeezed with all his might. Ratchis let out a gasp, and pried loose of Devon’s grip. Grasping the belt of chain links around his waist, Ratchis placed his hand on his heart and began to say, </p><p></p><p>“Neph. . .” But a quick punch from Devon ended it and down tumbled Ratchis into unconsciousness. </p><p>Devon spit on him, his face was a raw dark red, and a small amount of blood dripped from the corner of his mouth – his face was covered in mud, and his clothes caked in dirt. </p><p></p><p>“Eh, take that ya smelly pork rind,” Devon said as he caught his breath, </p><p></p><p>“Looks like you had a little trouble there,” said Kazrack. </p><p></p><p>‘Shut up, Stumpy or I’ll do the same to you,” Devon, wiping the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. </p><p></p><p>“You ever toss mud at me again, you are gonna wish you were in the same shape as your friend here in comparison. I can make sure you see your friend Malcolm real soon.” </p><p>Kazrack stooped to scoop up more mud, and Devon stepped forward fists clenched. </p><p></p><p>“You had better stop,” he said. “Or you are gonna ruin our stay for everybody.” </p><p></p><p>At that moment, Markle walked over, having finished his conversation with Jana. </p><p></p><p>“Devon!” he said. “Stop right now! What the hell are you doing?” </p><p></p><p>“That big ugly guy attacked me,” said Devon, his attitude changing immediately as he pointed to Ratchis’ unconscious form. </p><p></p><p>“You know you can’t brawl! What had a told you? Do you want to ruin everything we have been working for?” </p><p></p><p>“That’s what I tried to tell him, but he just kept on fighting, Markle. I mean…” </p><p></p><p>“Get in the tent,” Markle said pointing to the shelter. “I want to talk to you in private.” </p><p>“But Markle…” </p><p></p><p>“In!” </p><p></p><p>Kazack laughed as Devon followed Markle in their tent with his bruised face scrunched up in an angry frown. </p><p></p><p>Jeremy came over. “What happened?” </p><p></p><p>“He fought with Devon and lost,” said Kazrack. “Help me bring him to his tent.” </p><p></p><p>“I’ll help,” said Kamir. “He’s staying the tent with Finn Fisher and Frank and Gwar - This way.” </p><p>They brought Ratchis to his tent, where Kamir remained behind to tend to his wounds. </p><p></p><p>As they walked back to their tents, Kazrack said to Jeremy, “We need to do something about Devon.” </p><p></p><p>“I think you are right,” the Neergaardian replied.</p><p></p><p><strong>End of Session #6</strong></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="el-remmen, post: 57688, member: 11"] [b]Session # 6 (part IV)[/b] [size=3][b]Anulem, 14th of Ese – 564 H.E.[/b][/size] Cold air pressed down on the hills as Kazrack, Jana, Jeremy, Chance and Beorth led Ratchis and the wainwright down to the Mountain Door road where the wagons had broken down. The air still had a dampness to it that made it easier for the cold to find its way down to the bone. Only Ratchis in his long coat of beaver fur, and Kazrack from pure dwarven stubbornness were not shivering. Even before they saw the saw the road they could smell the cooking fire, and came over the hill crest to see that the wagons had been dragged off the road to a grassy spot just south of it. The tents of Crumb’s boys were haphazardly scattered on the muddy field, and camp fires were burning here and there; the boys huddled over them wrapped in blankets to stay warm. Kamir came up the road lugging a bucket of water, a blanket tied around him as a makeshift toga, his brown hair plastered to his forehead by sweat, despite the cold, and the roundness of his face beginning to dwindle from the sparse meals. “Hey!” he cried. “You guys made it back! I’ll go tell Crumb!” He ran off, the bucket banging against his leg, spilling a trail of water behind him. The party met up with Crumb outside of his large tent. “I see you have succeeded. I was worried maybe you’d deserted,” Crumb laughed and elbowed Kazrack with forced playfulness. “We already had one person run off.” They introduced Warren to Crumb and the leader had Deet show the man the wagons and what needed to be done. “Well, how much did he need as a deposit?” Crumb asked Kazrack. “Is there any of my money left?” “Actually, the burgomeister paid for the wainwright in return for some help we gave their town with a wolf problem, so we did not have to use any of the money you gave us,” Kazrack replied. Jeremy sighed loudly and walked off. “Well, that’s great. Let’s have it,” Crumb said. Kazrack gave him the pouch of coins. “However, I was thinking that you might share some this saved money with us as we did do this favor for you and the caravan by retrieving the wainwright, and risking ourselves to help the town of Tallow’s Post in order to help you.” “Well, the contract does state that you must be willing to do anything within reasonable means to help the group arrive in Gothanius. You were only doing what you agree to do by signing the contract,” Crumb replied in his deep voice, combing his mustache with a finger. “Well, what we had to do was a little more than reasonable, I think,” Kazrack said with obvious frustration. “But you did do it, that is all that matters and you have not only my appreciation, but that of all these boys. They all look up to you and your companions. Money cannot buy that kind of reward,” Crumb said. “But if we had gone strictly by the contract and considered what we had to do unreasonable we would have just come back and then what? “ Kazrack’s voice grew louder. “Without incentive to do more than the bare minimum why should we do more?” Crumb’s voice grew even deeper, and an undertone of anger and exhaustion came into it. “Listen, Kazack, you do what you want to do. You want to do the bare minimum. You decide what you want to do and you live with the consequences. If you had just come back without the wainwright, we would have figured something out, probably marched hungry and without supplies to the next town or wherever we could purchase new wagons – but that’d be on your head.” “It would be on yours,” said the dwarf. “Would it?” Crumb said, paused, and then he lowered his voice back down. “I run my operation the way I see best. If you don’t like it… well, you signed the contract and that is that.” “So you are saying you’d rather I do the bare minimum,” Kazrack asked. “No, you are saying that,” the fat man paused. “Is there anything else?” “I guess not,” said the dwarf. “Then I will take what you said under advisement and that will be the end of this topic,” Crumb’s vision fell on Ratchis who was standing a bit behind the companions. “And who do we have here?” asked Crumb, putting his smile and good humor back on. Ratchis stepped forward. “I met up with Kazrack and the others near Tallow’s Post and I wanted to join your group that is going to Gothanius,” the tall woodsman said. Crumb looked him up and down, “Heh, well do you know what you’re getting into? You know what we’re supposed to be doing?” “Yes, helping Gothanus with a problem with a dragon or something,” said Ratchis. “That’s right,” he paused. “Well, we could always use another warm body. Deet! Bring us a contract!” Ratchis was handed a contract. He looked it over and then made a swiggle with the quill he was handed. “Please make an X,” said Deet. Ratchis complied. “Now remember, this thing says you won’t brawl with anyone, and will obey all the laws of the places we pass through or you will be left behind,” said Crumb. “Okay,” said Ratchis. “Kamir!” called Crumb, but it was as if the boy were already standing beside him waiting for orders. “Find uh…” “Ratchis,” rasped Ratchis. “Yes, Ratchis, a place in one of the tents and tell him about meals and such,” Crumb told Kamir, who nodded his head with great enthusiasm. Kamir led Ratchis towards the tents. “Let’s see who should I put you with?” said Kamir thinking aloud. “I guess I could put you with Markle and Devon and the other guy. There are only three totheir tent, and the tents can hold five in a pinch. Maybe you wouldn’t like them…” Kamir looked at Ratchis, “They aren’t very nice people, especially Devon. By the way, I’m Kamir. I help out around here, but I’m going to go fight the dragon too, and if you need anything at all don’t hesitate to ask.” They came to the tent where Devon and his short ugly companion sat on a log by their campfire. ---- Meanwhile the rest of the companions had returned to where they found Kamir had set up their tents in anticipation of their return. Kazrack removed his armor and began to inspect it for broken scales and other weak points, finding a few broken wolf teeth wedged between the scales. Chance crawled into the tent he shared with Kamir and Jeremy and went to sleep. As Jana was walking to her own tent she was approached by Markle, “Do you mind if we speak in private for a minute?” He gestured towards her tent. “Sure,” she said and let him go in first and followed. “Hey look,” said Jeremy to Beorth, seeing this happen. “I wonder what they are doing? Let’s go have a listen.” “It is none of our business,” said Beorth, walking off to go pray. “Of course it isn’t,” said the blonde Neergaardian, as he began to creep towards her tent. However, as he approached, he stepped on a stick which made a loud crack, and stumbling fell against the side of the tent with a yelp and the loud panting of someone who almost fell on their face. “Who is out there?” Markle said within the tent. “I think I know who it is,” said Jana. “Jeremy!” “Uh, nope, it’s uh, me Chance,” said Jeremy in a horrible imitation of the Wallbrookian’s accent. “I wus juss walkin’ by. I, uh, I’ll see ya later.” Jeremy ran back to his tent, leaving Markle and Jana to whatever secrets they might be discussing. --------- “What in the name of Set’s Realm is that ugly thing?” Devon declared looking up at Ratchis. “Uh, this is Ratchis. He’s new and is gonna be sharing your tent with you,” said Kamir nervously. “I have said it before, and I’ll say it again, only three people in this tent – no more,” Devon stood, and stepped over to Kamir, towering over him. “Especially not some ugly piece of walking rotten meat that looks like some dog dragged him through the streets as a child.” Ratchis just watched the loud tall man with a stony glare of anger, but said nothing. “You had better find this freak of a pus bag somewhere else to sleep. Try something with a trough, I’ve seen more human looking turds than this guy,” said Devon, speaking to Kamir, but returning Ratchis’ look. Kamir turned to Ratchis, “I’m sorry. You probably don’t want to stay here. I’ll go see if I can find you another spot, maybe Doris’ old spot.” Kamir ran off. “You do that, you worthless bag of bird-droppings,” said Devon. Ratchis growled softly. “You don’t even talk do you?” Devon said, looking back to the woodsman. “They expect me to share a tent with an animal, you probably will mark your scent in the corner of the tent, you friggin’ mottled son of beast.” Devon sat back down and tossed a stick into the fire. After a few moments Kamir returned. “Okay, Ratchis, I found you another place to stay, in Doris’ old place with Finn and Gwar and Frank,” said the doughy boy. “Thank Ra,” Devon said. “I can smell that maggot-infested chunk from here. He smells like something born from the bloody ass of a sailor’s dog.” Devon laughed, but his short dark companion remained passive, just watching the action. The tall man stood and stepped over to Kamir. “Get him out of here you worthless bloated sack of pig fat, and then come back and clean my boots,” Devon said to Kamir, and smacked the boy in the back of the head. Without warning Ratchis threw his backpack with all his strength at Devon, who was able to cushion the blow with his arm and an “oof!” The bag fell at the tall man’s feet. “What the hell you do that for you stupid ugly cow bladder?” Devon cried. “Oh, well. I guess it’s mine now. What do we have in here?” Devon began to open the backpack and pull things out, when Ratchis charged him, but with a speed obviously borne of many a brawl, Devon was in a fighting stance and before the woodsman could get his hands on him, an uppercut landed on Ratchis’ jaw. Ratchis ignored the pain of the blow, and grabbing Devon pulled him to the ground, but Devon twisted and grabbed an arm and the big man’s head into a lock, holding him in place. “Stop it now! I’ll pop your head off!” Devon said to Ratchis, sweat beading on his brow as he strained to hold the man in place. Kamir began to yell, “Stop fighting! You’ll get in trouble. Stop fighting!” As the two brutish men did not stop, Kamir ran to get Kazrack. Meanwhile, his upper body held motionless by Devon, Ratchis’ fighting instinct kicked in and he threw his feet out from under him, causing his opponent to fall forward with the sudden weight and loosen his grip a bit. Ratchis was able to break free and spin around grabbing the broad man from behind, squeezing his torso and arms in a tight pince, that made Devon roar. Ratchis squeezed and squeezed again, but finally Devon broke free with brute strength and pulled away, taking a swing that missed. Ratchis charged again and they both fell down, and switched places many times, pinning each others arms, locking each other heads, breaking free, squeezing and clawing at each other wildly in a wrestling frenzy. Kamir returned with Kazrack. “Stop it!” Kazrack yelled. The two did not stop. Devon broke free again and scored a punch against Ratchis, making his lip swell up. Ratchis grappled again. Kamir grabbed a nearby bucket and filled it full of mud. When the grappling pair rolled over, Devon gaining dominance, Kazrack flung the mud at him, but the mud splattered on the two combatants. ‘Don’t do that,” Devon yelled, as Ratchis pulled away from him, receiving a hard yank on his head that sent jolts of pain down his neck. Devon followed this with his own tackle, which sent the two combatants tumbling one over the other. Kazrack scooped up another bucket full of mud, fling it right on Devon’s chest as he tried to extricate himself from Ratchis once more, who twisted the tall man’s legs in a painful knot. Devon spun around and hammered his knotted fists into the woodsman’s back. Devon turned to avoid the blow of Ratchis’ head which he shoved forward toward the other man’s face. He looked up at Kazrack, who was readying another bucket of mud. “Don’t you throw that,” Devon tried to say, but the moment he opened his mouth, Kazrack let loose a highly accurate blast of mud that hit him right in the face and went into his mouth. Devon spat and coughed, and Ratchis took the opportunity to shove the man’s face into the ground and bang the back of his head with the butt of his calloused hand. Kazrack laughed and laughed. “Kazrack, you have to stop them. They’ll get kicked out,” said Kamir anxiously. Kazarack did not answer. With a burst of rage, Devon broke free of Ratchis grip and turning slammed the woodsman three times with the back of his hand and then roaring, grabbed the broader man around the torso and lifting squeezed with all his might. Ratchis let out a gasp, and pried loose of Devon’s grip. Grasping the belt of chain links around his waist, Ratchis placed his hand on his heart and began to say, “Neph. . .” But a quick punch from Devon ended it and down tumbled Ratchis into unconsciousness. Devon spit on him, his face was a raw dark red, and a small amount of blood dripped from the corner of his mouth – his face was covered in mud, and his clothes caked in dirt. “Eh, take that ya smelly pork rind,” Devon said as he caught his breath, “Looks like you had a little trouble there,” said Kazrack. ‘Shut up, Stumpy or I’ll do the same to you,” Devon, wiping the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. “You ever toss mud at me again, you are gonna wish you were in the same shape as your friend here in comparison. I can make sure you see your friend Malcolm real soon.” Kazrack stooped to scoop up more mud, and Devon stepped forward fists clenched. “You had better stop,” he said. “Or you are gonna ruin our stay for everybody.” At that moment, Markle walked over, having finished his conversation with Jana. “Devon!” he said. “Stop right now! What the hell are you doing?” “That big ugly guy attacked me,” said Devon, his attitude changing immediately as he pointed to Ratchis’ unconscious form. “You know you can’t brawl! What had a told you? Do you want to ruin everything we have been working for?” “That’s what I tried to tell him, but he just kept on fighting, Markle. I mean…” “Get in the tent,” Markle said pointing to the shelter. “I want to talk to you in private.” “But Markle…” “In!” Kazack laughed as Devon followed Markle in their tent with his bruised face scrunched up in an angry frown. Jeremy came over. “What happened?” “He fought with Devon and lost,” said Kazrack. “Help me bring him to his tent.” “I’ll help,” said Kamir. “He’s staying the tent with Finn Fisher and Frank and Gwar - This way.” They brought Ratchis to his tent, where Kamir remained behind to tend to his wounds. As they walked back to their tents, Kazrack said to Jeremy, “We need to do something about Devon.” “I think you are right,” the Neergaardian replied. [b]End of Session #6[/b] [/QUOTE]
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"Out of the Frying Pan" - Book I: Gathering Wood (reprise)
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