Lotus and the Cobra [IC]

[Tonguez]

"Ah good" Arjay smiles as the cobra leaves, but his smile is short lived as he looks at the wreckage of the hut and its torn down wall.

"Something big came through here" he muses "Master Yogi I think it would be best if we seek help in the village. We know there was at least one survivor of this tragedy but whomever it was they seem to have gone.

Perhaps in the village we will get our answers..."

He makes a final scan of the hut looking to spot anything interesting before stepping back and scanning the outside area too...

 

[Yellow Sign]

Jval, Arjay

As Arjay looks over the scattered ruins of the wooden hut, he finds nothing that catches his eye. You both continue down the dirt road and from a slight rise you can see a villiage ahead. The area around the villiage seems to be forested with patches of tall grass and farm plots. You enter the villiage and notice that it is quiet and that few people are about. The drone of insects is the only noise you hear. A few faces look from windows as you past but they quickly dart back into the shadows. Off to the side you see a group of people standing and talking around a small pond.

 

[Yellow Sign]

Mira, Zhangyong, Adus, Yudhistra

A stout man with a bushy white beard and eyebrows wearing white silk and a yellow turban turns to your greeting. " I am Ranja! You have been sent by the Raja? Praised be! It's terrible quite terrible! The horrors that have been inflicted upon this villiage." He looks down at the covered form on the ground. It looks to be that of a child. "It needs to be killed and quickly before more lives are lost."

OOC: Adus can make out some large animal tracks by the body and the pond. Though the addition of the foot prints from the men have destroyed any hope of telling what kind of creature.

 

[Tonguez]

"There" Arjay points ahead to the group gathered about the pond "that looks like the most likely place to introduce ourselves to the village and ask any questions"

He continues leading his horse and the Yogi towards the group stopping a few paces off and making a sign of peace and friendship

"Greetings friends I am Arjay Barandha on a mission to seek the Yogi Sukarman. This Holy man with me is named Jval - what is happening here?"

 

[Byrons_Ghost]

Yudhistra turns to face Ranja. He is making certain to stay well away from the body, talking at a distance if he must.

"What can you tell us about the beast?"

 

[National Acrobat]

Mira nods in agreement with Yudhistra's question, "yes, my master was most concerned with this news. It unnerved him greatly. Please, tell us all that you can."

 

[Robbert Raets]

While keeping an ear and eye out for Ranja's tale and the villagers, Adus investigates the body near the waterside, checking if the child's wounds were inflicted by a creature he knows of.

 

[Mirth]

"There" Arjay points ahead to the group gathered about the pond "that looks like the most likely place to introduce ourselves to the village and ask any questions"

He continues leading his horse and the Yogi towards the group stopping a few paces off and making a sign of peace and friendship

"Greetings friends I am Arjay Barandha on a mission to seek the Yogi Sukarman. This Holy man with me is named Jval - what is happening here?"

Zhangyong sees the two strangers approaching and bounds over on all fours to introduce himself. "Welcome, newcomers," the vanara says as he stands and bows, "I am Zhangyong, brahmin of the Temple of the Great Bear, and we are investigating a death, one of a rash of such that have recently occured. I would humbly request that you wait so that we may conclude our business for it is a most pressing matter. Unless, of course, you can shed some light on this situation?"

 

[Tonguez]

Arjay steps back suprised to see the monkey rise up before him

"Th- thank you Holy One" he bows as he composes himself - what with the Rishi and now the Vanara this has been a day of suprises for the Steepe rider.

"A death! - we also encountered death just outside the village - a destroyed hut, a rotting goat and two graves. We wondered if the people here knew anything of what happened there.

but it seems this village has more troubles than is fair"

 

[Yellow Sign]

"Please, please come with me. This no fit place to explain our troubles to you. My home is near. You must be tired from your trek. My wife will make some tea and a meal." Ranja leads you to a large brick house. His wife and children greets you at the door. "Come sit. Refresh yourselves and I will tell you of this towns troubles." About a dozen children ranging from 4 to 17 excitedly swarm around you asking questions. His wife and a older daughter bring tea and a plates heaping with food. Three men sit with Ranja.


Adus hangs back with a few of the other men at the pond. Pulling back the sheet you see a young girl about 8 years old. Her neck and back seem to be broken and blood is spattered on her dress and face. Flys swarm about her. You hold back the rising vommit in the back of your throat and one of the men begins to sob. "Sir we will take care of her. It is our duty." says a man in a dirty grey shirt. You can tell that he is a chandalas or untouchable who has been waiting patiently away from the rest of the men. From looking at the girl you see no claw marks or bite marks. It seems she was struck by a powerful blow or blows of some sort. After composing yourself you catch up with the others.