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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 7582559" data-attributes="member: 143">Chapter 272Dawn found the members of the expedition gathered on one of the lower platforms of the tabaxi village, a scant thirty feet above the forest floor below.  Each of them checked and rechecked their gear, including the leather packs provided by their hosts that contained food and gourds of water and strong tea.  Their armor and weapons were starting to show wear, but there was little they could do about that here, as the cat-men had almost no resources for metalworking.  Bredan had experimented with one of the tabaxi spear throwers but ultimately decided that it would take more time than they had to develop any kind of skill with it.  So they sharpened their blades and scrubbed the rust off their armor and made the best of what they had.They were almost ready to depart when three of the sailors descended to the platform.  Bredan recognized Kavek from the encounter with the crocodiles on the island, but he knew the other two only by name: Malik and Sandros.  The three hesitated for a moment, watching the preparations, before they walked over to Bredan.“We want to come with you,” Malik said.“This isn’t a casual walk through the woods that we’re taking,” Kosk said.  “We’ll be gone for weeks, most likely, into wild country.”“These cats are fine, but the dragon-men won’t give up so easily,” Malik persisted.  “The cats have been their neighbors for years and they weren’t able to deal with them.  Heck, the only reason they helped us is because the dragons had their princess or whatever.”“The tabaxi have been more than generous,” Quellan said.  “The matriarch promised that you could all stay here as long as you wish.”“They say that when you’re here,” Sandros interjected.  “Because you can fight them.  But when you’re gone, then we’re just mouths to feed.”“You’re not making a case for why we would want you with us then,” Kosk said.“We can fight,” Malik said.  “We can carry our own weight.”“Does Captain Sond know about this?” Glori asked.“With all due respect to the captain, she’s no longer in command of us,” Malik said.  “When the Gull ended, we stopped being part of her crew.”“Again, your flexible loyalties aren’t exactly making a strong argument,” Kosk noted.“I think we have the right to have a say in what happens to us,” Malik said, bristling at the dwarf.“Here, at least, you’re safe,” Glori said.“With all due respect, ma’am, it seems to us that nowhere in Weltarin is safe,” Malik said.  “I’d rather die out there with a weapon in my hand than just sit here eating fruit and waiting.”“Well said,” Kalasien said.Kosk turned to Kavek, who’d been hovering in the back of the group during the exchange.  “What about you?  I would have thought you’d have had enough of adventure after that beach back on the island.  Aren’t you worried you’re pushing your luck?”The sailor looked thoughtful for a moment then shook his head.  “After giant crocodiles, the dragon turtle, a shipwreck, and then the dragon-men, seems like luck is maybe not the right word to use.”Kosk snorted.  After a moment, the companions all looked to Bredan.  He no longer tried to avoid the responsibility that the others put on him, and did not shrink from their collective stairs.  He regarded the three men for a moment.  “You can come with us,” he said.  “But understand, this is another crew you’re joining.  You’ll follow our orders, and understand that out there, we might not be able to protect you.  You’ll take the same risks as the rest of us.”The three men swallowed, but Malik nodded and said, “We understand… captain.”“Captain,” the other two echoed.</blockquote>

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