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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Whizbang Dustyboots" data-source="post: 3353575" data-attributes="member: 11760">"Hazel, wait," Bufer says, finally speaking up. He's been uncharacteristically quiet up until this point, painfully aware that one wrong word from him could have fatal results for his friends. But now he turns and, making sure to keep his hands where the kobolds can see them, addresses the kobold known as Pick."Priestess of Tiamat," he says, as formally and respectfully as he can manage under the circumstances, "I ask you, as one holy servant to another, to take me as your hostage in Hazel's place. Though both brave and wise beyond her years, she's still practically a child as her folk reckon things, and I have been charged with her safety. With all their safety."He spares a narrow glance at Renraw."Even his," he adds wryly.Before Pick can respond, Bufer holds up one hand to forestall her -- at which several crossbow strings creak eagerly -- and continues."I know our peoples don't have much reason to trust one another -- Garl knows if'n you were in my shoes, and me in yours, I don't know if I'd be able to trust you -- but I swear on everything I believe to be holy that as long as the big'uns aren't harmed, I won't be 'tricksy.' You have my word, such as it is."With that, Bufer reaches up for the rope dangling around his neck and -- with deliberate slowness -- pulls it up over his head, removing his holy symbol. Careful not to touch the gold nugget itself -- which could be interpreted as a hostile act -- he extends his arms and offers it to Pick, hoping that she understands it for the olive branch he intends it to be.It's fair to say that everyone, kobold, dwarf and human, all stare a moment at this, mouths open in unison."Bufer," Katadid says, before turning to the kobold priestess and raising a hand in apology. He continues on in Gnomish. "I think it would be a very bad idea if you are with them. The kobolds will keep their word, but I sincerely doubt you would come through this entirely intact. Their hatred toward your kind overwhelms any ethics they have. I can't stop you, but I would strongly urge you to reconsider. Hazel is the least offensive to their sensibilities. You are, perhaps, the most."Kat turns to the kobolds and returns to Draconic."My apologies. I wasn't plotting anything in secret. I was simply reminding the gnome of your two races' ... history. I leave the decision up to him, but it's acceptability to you.""I know the risks, Kat," Bufer says in Imperial, without taking his eyes off the kobold priestess. "What's more, she knows I know 'em. But I took responsibility for these idiots the second Fibber gave me that map, and I ain't backin' off from it now."It's a priest thing, Kat. You wouldn't understand." He takes a deep, trembling breath and returns his gaze to Pick. "But I'm hoping she does."Katadid all but vibrates in place."You. Will. Get. Hurt. This is a fact."Pick seems to be breathing shallowly, her head tilted back, hands twitching around her pick."Is he your ... volunteer?" she whispers. "For sure?""For sure," Bufer says firmly, before anyone else can speak up. "Right and true, so long as you promise the girl ... and these other sorry excuses for humans ... walk free."The other kobolds seem to sense what's going on and collectively appear to be holding their breath. A small shudder of some intense emotion ripples through Pick."While you under my wing," she says slowly, deliberately, "No harm will come to you."She suddenly reaches out, snatching the holy symbol from Bufer's outstretched fingers. She looks at it a moment and then stuffs it into a pouch around her waist."We take gnome," she says to Hazel, "Go do our task. You take Wormy, do your task. We home before nightfall, and let gnome go then. You let Wormy go."Any gnomey business ..." She looks at Bufer. All the kobolds grin widely. "Turn around, gnome. We tie you now."Kat's mouth opens and closes in frustration. His hands and fingers begin vibrating and he makes no effort to stop them from picking up wet leaves to tear apart. Despite himself, Bufer smiles kindly at the wizard's open frustration. He must remember -- if he survives this -- to buy the wizard a drink at The Cat & The Fiddle, sometime. Exchanging glances with Hazel, he nods at Pick and turns around."All right," he says, his voice trembling as he holds his hands behind his back. "But I'll have you know I usually make it a practice to have the lass buy me dinner before I let 'er tie me up."The kobold priestess ties Bufer's hands behind his back roughly, hands uncomfortably bunched at the small of his back."He is under my wing and will come to no harm while he is. I will not hurt a hair on his thieving, lying, murdering head," Pick reiterates to Katadid, then smiles sweetly and shoves Bufer forward, toward the black mouth of the cairn. The other kobolds, minus Wormy, fall in behind her, walking backwards, crossbows still in their hands, watching the party to make sure they have not changed their minds. They disappear into the dungeon, leaving the party alone in the snow with a whimpering kobold captive."So, hey," the party hears Bufer say faintly, just before he is dragged out of sight, "None of you happens to be named 'Tiberius', do ye?"</blockquote>

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