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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Whizbang Dustyboots" data-source="post: 3367355" data-attributes="member: 11760">Elsewhere in the woods, Bufer's group of kobolds mutters something, and then ducks under a knot of wood where multiple fallen trees have crashed together, forming a small shelter with an opening less than four feet high, but relatively deep. The kobolds do not seem happy to be in such a cold space, but as Bufer watches, they test its depth with their short spears, and seem satisfied anyone taller than themselves would have a great deal of trouble reaching them or their hostage.Several hundred yards away, Emmerson continues to race through the forest, his armor jingling, and his breath coming in labored gasps -- his armor was not made for prolonged running. Pick has to clear her throat twice before he hears her, and he has to look up to find her, standing on the thick branch of a denuded tree. She has some strange small items in her hands. Although the paladin doesn't recognize them, he knows what they are: components for some spell. She fingers the holy symbol around her neck with one mitten-covered hand."What you think you doing?"Emmerson carefully keeps his hands to his sides, palms open and facing upwards."I wanted to speak to you again." He works to control his voice and breathing "The gnome you hold as hostage saved my life in the cairn a few days ago. I am honor-bound to see that debt repaid. I've come here to offer myself as the hostage in his stead or, if that is not possible, to be held as he is, for until the time our debt is squared, his fate shall be my own."He unhooks his sword from his belt and offers it up to Pick."From one honorable person to another, I surrender my weapon to you."Pick gives a barking laugh."If I not back with my group in five minutes, they slit gnome's throat. We not make new deals now, alone in woods with no witnesses. You go back home to Apple Town and pray for forgiveness and mercy, boy knight. We don't need you making more noise and attracting your guards to us. You follow us again, and you will have broke deal we made with Hazel-like-tree and gnomey blood be on your hands. Now scat!"Emmerson hooks his sword back to his belt."I pray that honorable beings can understand each other," he says. "There is no profit in death, kobold, gnome or human. Perhaps if I offered a gift in gold, to pay you for being Bufer's keepers, say, 50 gold coins?"Pick snarls."You do not understand sticking to terms of deal, boy knight? You are KILLING the gnome!""I apologize. " Without another word, Emmerson turns on his heel and runs away.Cruel barking laughter follows him through the forest.* * *Hazel doesn't waste time watching the deputy and his group leave; she's already busy brushing out tracks for what feels like the fiftieth time today. The forest floor is practically clean enough to eat off of by now.Instead of entering the party's hiding spot again, she searches the perimeter of the clearing. Now that she's just hiding one person, she doesn't need such a large space. A trio of stunted evergreens provides just the room she needs.She pulls her waterskin from her pack before tucking the bag beneath the boughs at the base of one of the trees. Then she settles in a prone position, hands resting beneath her chin. Her right hand is lightly clasping her hand axe's haft, and her waterskin lies near her left elbow.All right, Tiberius. I know I'm at the right barrow. But where are you?* * *"It is curious you would ask a question to which you already know the answer, but I don't mind answering honestly regardless," Renraw says, waving a hand dismissively. "I hope you'll understand I require certain assurances before I do. If your tribe decides to act on any information I divulge, I need a guarantee that neither myself, nor my home, nor my possessions will come to any harm. Nor," he makes a face, "Nor any of my immediate family. In fact, not only do I want a guarantee that we won't be harmed, but in exchange for this vital defense intelligence, I would ask to fall under the aegis of your tribe's protection insofar as it is possible. If my person or my home were to be threatened by vengeful townspeople or by gnomes or anyone, I want to know that I could count on the aid of you and your tribe, again, insofar as is possible."The wizard stops dead for a moment, holding a finger under his nose. At first it appears he is deep in thought, but it soon becomes clear that he is only stifling a sneeze."I realize, Wormy, that you may not have the authority to make this decision on behalf of your tribe, that you and Pick may have to consult with your queen. But I think you know exactly how valuable what I'm about to tell you is to your people, and you at least have an idea of the likelihood that they'd accept. So what say you?"Wormy seems amused at something Renraw said towards the end of his offer."I cannot promise anything on behalf of ... the queen, especially since I do not know how we could identify you or your family. I was merely honoring the deal your fellow made and has backed out on. If you would like to make a new deal, I would first need the original one honored."A shiver goes through Katadid at Wormy's words and he lets out a low whimper. His eyes bug out wider than even Renraw's and he begins running his hands through his hair and tapping patterns of five on each tree he passes, slowing the party's progress considerably. As he walks, his upper torso rocks as he mutters to himself."It's not even ... not even ... not even ... not even ..."* * *Emmerson stops running as soon as Pick's laughter ends, turns around and gazes at the horizon.At a loss for what to do, he prays to Lothian.</blockquote>

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