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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Warbringer" data-source="post: 3583219" data-attributes="member: 14391">Act VI Remorse (Part II)Markhad approached the hut. He could not see inside, the weak morning light could not dispel the shadows inside. But Markhad could feel the presence of the lizardfolk inside, guarding the entrance down into their lair.He reached out to them, using both word and thought. 'We have come to make amends for actions towards you, and to ask forgiveness and permission to proceed with our quest.'No answer.'Please, I beg audience with your chieftain,' he continued.Though no reply came this time he could hear movement inside the hut, the gentle sound of footfalls moving away. He signaled to others that something was happening.Behind him, Tzzt tensed. Though he had left his chain behind, he was more than able to defend the group if needed. Beside him Kierrna readied and infusion that would make the warforged very touch deadly to the lizardfolk. Velatash remained calm, his mindlink with Markhad telling him not to worry, it seemed that they would get their audience.In the jungle, the there elves lay in hiding, their bows drawn and notched, ready to implement their attack should the parley go poorly.Within a few moments two lizardfolk stepped from the shadowy entrance of the hut, and spears lowered, signed for the party to proceed, their wary eyes remaining fixed upon the warforged.Markhad followed the earthen tunnel down beneath the ground, treading carefully in down the deep ascend. The damp earth quickly gave way to solid stone, clearly build by the same race of giants that had built the crumpling ruin in the jungle above.The jungle had as equally reclaimed the subterranean passage as it had the buildings above, as great vines grew along the passage walls and tunneled into the earth beyond.Markhad followed the unneeded gesture of the lizardfolk down the corridor, the only direction he could go, towards the faint glow of fire ahead.The tunnel ended in a large room that must have spanned ten thousand square feet, the only other exit leading to another room from which an cacophony of clicks and guttural cries emerged.A massive makeshift throne was built in the center of the room, upon which sat a lizardman of such proportions that it could only be the chieftain of this tribe. Clearly two heads bigger than any other lizardman he stood almost as tall as Tzzt and though not as large must have been close to three hundred pounds.Around the throne stood a meager entourage of less than two dozen lizardfolk, and only half of those were armed.Markhad respectfully approached the throne, moving slowly, is head bowed in supplication.Surprisingly, the lizardfolk spoken to Markhad is broken common trade tongue.'You kill my warriors. Why I not kill you,' the chieftain asked.Markhad had been prepared for the obvious question. 'We reacted in defense of ourselves. We had not realized that we trespassed until it was too late. We humbly beg your forgiveness and ask what were you would set upon us.'Though Markhad's words were hard for the chieftain to follow, be could feel the empathic wave that the psion broadcast with his speech. As if feeling he could suddenly unburden a heavy load he had carried alone the chieftain shared his innermost fears with Markhad.'Many warriors I have lost this twelve moon. Not many more can I lose. I have many-many hatchlings, but to little to protect. If I lose more warrior, tribe will die.'The chieftain looked about the room, to the party members behind Markhad, then back to the psion.'Twelve moon passed, many pink skin came to forest. Come too one like him,' he added pointing at Tzzt.' Death, we call him. He kill many. They leave and go to giant priest house on mountain. Take slaves to dig, leave me few warriors.At priest house is other tribe of folk, enemy of my tribe. Small tribe, strange tribe. Worship old god with blood of victims. Me think tribe stop metal man and pink skins. I wrong.My enemy come take more slaves for metal man, but these folk smell funny, smell like wet ground and bad meat. We fight, them not bleed. Loose many warriors as slaves,' the chieftain stopped talking and looked to Markhad.'You bring back tribe, bring back others as slaves for my tribe,' he stipulated. 'You bring back, or you die.'Markhad nodded, and turned to the party. 'We have our terms,' he said. 'I suggest we take it.'The others agreed, it seemed they had little choice, unless they fought they're way out.Markhad, turned back to the chieftain. 'Agreed.'The chieftain smiled. 'Good.'As Markhad turned to leave. Signaling the others to the do the same, when the massive lizardman spoke again.'No, you stay. Leave when others come back.'Velatash stepped forward to protest, but Markhad raised his right, signaling them to stop.'Agreed,' he said, turning to the others. 'He has no reason to trust us, it is a fair condition. I will be safe until your return.''I'm staying also brother,' Velatash replied, his arm folded, his gesture defiant.Markhad didn?t protest. Instead, he reached up to the warforged, laying his hand on his temple. 'This is where you are going. Lead the rest here, and keep them safe.'Tzzt, stared at the psions, not moving until the gnome grabbed his big three fingered hand.'Come on, Tzzt,' Kierrna said.' They'll be safe.' Kierrna had never lied to the warforged before and she didn?t like the way it made her feel.--Thianallis, signaled to the others that something was moving in the hut and pulled his bow string taught, as did Mithros and Kateria, though when Tzzt and the diminutive gnome appeared they relaxed. Nightshade, sensing something was not right kept his draw arm locked, ready to loose his arrow.Tzzt and Kierrna walked over to where the elves were hidden.Kateria was the first to speak, steeping out of the foliage 'Where are the psions? What happened?'Kierrna answered,' they are guests of the lizardfolk until we return with our were.'Noticing the elves confused look she continued, 'I'll explain on the way.'</blockquote>

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