Lotus and the Cobra [IC]

[Mirth]

"Snakemen...." Hisses Adus "I could have known..."

Zhangyong hears Adus' words as he returns from the village. Alighting on the ground, the brahmin looks at the dart with a low growl in his throat, "The betrayers..." Then he crouches next to the pachyderm sniffing at its dead carcass as well as handfuls of the dirt that surrounds it. Looking up, the vanara's brow is furrowed and his eyes belie a hatred unbound, "If the vile folk are about, we should regroup with Mira at the village and make a battle plan. Perhaps it would be best if you traveled with us, Sanjit, for your own safety."

 

[Tonguez]

Arjay and Mira

With Mira's help Arjay reachs the shore of the river. Arjay's rage leaves him and he feels drained. Looking over the bodies you can tell that the Jval is gravely hurt but he seems to be stable at the moment. The hermit looks to have been dead for a while. Far off in the distance you hear the cries of the baboons.

"In my youth I'd take such risks daily" the Steepeman replies looking up at the waterfall and remembering similar mountain streams "but my old body is not so ready for such things anymore...

But no time to waste we must get Jval to a healer, and honour the old man with proper disposal" he adds sadly

"so which way to the village?"

 

[Hob Marshmallowfoot]

Sanjit's eyes grow wide at the sight of the dart, " Yes...yes, Sanjit can be of no use hiding in his hut...alone...err... Sanjit will come, yes, and help the good Brahmin and his retinue with his powerful magic!"

 

[Byrons_Ghost]

Yudhistra looks grim. "I agree. We should return to the village and tell the rest of what we have found. People need to be warned."

"We also have a puzzle for the wise men- did the dart make the elephant decay quickly, or has it been dead all this time, and walked here in spite of death?"

 

[Yellow Sign]

Arjay and Mira

You try and get your bearing and you head off in the direction you think the villiage should be. The sun is hot and the wind has died down to a faint breeze. Jval moans but does not wake as you carry him. After about a hour or so you finally see the villiage ahead of you. You pace quickens and you finally reach it's outskirts. You see the others sitting outside a hut under a shade tree and they seem to be talking.

 

[Yellow Sign]

Zhangyong, Adus, Yudhistra, Sanjit, and Gutpa

Sanjit gathers a few things and you head back to the villiage. After a short walk you reach the villiage. You are met by Ranja and a few of his men. "Praised be the Spirits you have returned safely. I do not have the words to express our gratitude for your finding of the child." He bows low to you. His eyes begin to water. "Please come and have some refreshments" He motions to a large shade tree by his hut in which several chairs have been placed.

 

[Mirth]

Zhangyong, Adus, Yudhistra, Sanjit, and Gutpa

Sanjit gathers a few things and you head back to the villiage. After a short walk you reach the villiage. You are met by Ranja and a few of his men. "Praised be the Spirits you have returned safely. I do not have the words to express our gratitude for your finding of the child." He bows low to you. His eyes begin to water. "Please come and have some refreshments" He motions to a large shade tree by his hut in which several chairs have been placed.

Zhangyong bows in return, saying to Ranja, "The Great Bear's hug is infinitely warm and gracious. The boy will be safe."

Jumping up onto one of the low branches of the tree, the vanara continues, obviously agitated, "However, the rest of us may not be safe much longer, especially if the serpents are here. This is no time for refreshments, I'm afraid. We must find Mira and make contingencies. Have you seen her?"

 

[Tonguez]

"Remain calm friend" Arjay says to the moaning Jval as they make their way towards the village
"at least him moaning indicates that he is still beyond death" he says to Mira grimly

Then as the village comes into view his heart lifts

"A healer quickly" he cries out as he increases his pace "we have a man injured and another in need of last rites."

 

[Yellow Sign]

"Serpents? Yuan-ti here? Are you sure?" asks Ranja with a worried look on his face. "Your friends have not returned yet from the hermit's home. Could they be in danger?" Suddenly Adus cries out. "There they are!" The group under the tree turn to see Mira and Arjay, their clothes riped and covered with many blood stains, walking up the dirt road carrying two bodies.

 

[Robbert Raets]

Adus jumps up and runs towards Arjay and Mira. He yells: "Did the Snake-Men attack you?! Were it the accursed Yuan-Ti?!"