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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4770514" data-attributes="member: 3285">Secret of Semar: Part 3a – The Hunters ReturnBefore they could do much more than assess each other, a small man with a long wiry beard pushed his way through the crowd.  He was dark-skinned, like the others, and wore only a white linen skirt. He looked at Sebastian in surprise and spoke in a rapid-fire language they did not understand.After a moment the old man took out a small rattle and intoned in a guttural language.“He’s casting a spell.” Sebastian kept his arms crossed, although his wings flexed in agitation. Vlad’s hand went to his sword. “It’s fine,” said Sebastian.  “Everyone stay calm.”“My name is Atum,” said the old man, “and hopefully you can understand me now.”Sebastian nodded.  “I can.  I am called Sebastian Arnyal.  This is Vlad Martell, Beldin Soulforge, and Kham val’Abebi. Our unconscious friend is Ilmarė Galen.”Atum’s brow knitted with concern. “Did you come from the stone ring?” One long, crooked finger pointed at an arching stone structure where they had appeared.“Yes.  We are in pursuit of lizard people who came through here.”Atum nodded.  “Ah yes.  There was a snake man who was a powerful sorcerer.  He caused the huts to erupt into flames with just a wave of his hand.”“Ffashethh,” growled Kham.  “Damn it.”“Do you know where they went?” asked Vlad.“They went north, after they gutted poor Olabisi.”“And where are we?” asked Beldin.“We are the Hutili.  I saw the coming of the serpent men in a dream, and gathered the Hutili hunters as quickly as I could. In the dream, an orisha told me of the coming of an ancient evil and that a great danger would come to Nyambe-Tanda today at this place.”“Orisha?” asked Sebastian.Atum chuckled.  “An orisha does not know what orisha are?  They are powerful spirits that act as intermediaries with the Overpower.  There are many different kinds of Orishas. They can be helpful,” he looked at Beldin, “wicked,” he looked back at Sebastian, “or neither.”“The Overpower?” Beldin stroked his beard.  “That’s your name for Illiir?”“The Overpower is the creator of all.  He created us, the land, the sky…even you.” He pointed at Kham.“We need a means of tracking the serpent men,” said Sebastian. “We will avenge your people.”“We can only spare one of our number.” Atum called over his shoulder. “Mashudu!” A tall, lithely built young man came forward.  “Mashudu will lead you to vengeance.  In the mean time, we must attend to the safety of our families.  And yours.  We will take care of your friend.”Vlad looked dubiously at Atum.  “I don’t know about leaving her here with them.”“Well I can’t carry her all day.” Kham gently lowered Ilmarė to the ground.  “She’s getting heavy.”“Stay until morning,” said Atum. “The gift of tongues will soon vanish, and you will need a way to communicate with Mashudu.  I can help.”Sebastian stepped back to confer with his companions.  “I don’t see that we really have a choice.”“I’m going to have to change out of this armor.” Beldin was sweating profusely from his brush with the fire, but Nyambe-Tamba was infernally hot to begin with. “We’ll stay until morning.” Kham looked around.  “You got anything to drink around here?”</blockquote>

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