Under Alune

Gobold-kin Diplomacy

The Gobold-kin, what orks and trolls remained upon the plateau, set about wrecking the ground and further despoiling the wellspring. The gobolds scrambled into the trees and broke from them long thin branches. For a time the gobold-kin worked at the wood, fashioning battering rams and javelins. Fallen weapons and discarded armor from the dead were reworked into batter caps and halberd heads. Then ranks of them fought over who would wield which weapons and which one was better or worse than another.

When they tired of brawling, they gorged themselves on the flesh of their cousins until there were few pieces left to be had. Fighting began anew. Then again eating. Then again reworking of weapons, until amidst the green horde a gobold voice rang out;

"Hey, ain't we got more stuffis what to kill?"

A troll took up the gobold in one hand and bit it in twain. The gobold screeched and screamed but was ultimately consumed. The troll wiped dribbling sap from its wide mouth and pointed a crude axe toward Wolfhelm.

"To fierce meat!"

The gobold-kin howled together and, using their rams as a bridge, stomped off through the ruined trees and up the road to Wolfhelm.

---

Aeisha was sitting beside the gates, facing toward the mountains and the forest. Her mind wandered over possibilities of what Keysean could be discussing with the druid princess; and she was sure her initial thoughts and grave feelings were shared by the elders. Druids were lofty and their daughters could be of wild spirits- carrying off children to be lost in the forests and dividing lovers apart to joy in their distraction.

Thinking these things, she was somehow reminded of the Nosferatu and their endless b****y games, and for a time her mind wandered free over odd and unrelated things. She couldn't see Theyeark from where she sat, and was turning around to see at least the tips of the distant spires when she saw something more curious.

Huntress and Efeala were coming down the main road at full run with a good portion of the town coming behind them just as fast. When the group reached the last cross-street before the gates, they each shifted into smaller animals then rushed past Aeisha. Huntress and Efeala, however, remained human and stopped at her side.

"What? What!" Aeisha immediately started for the gates as she sputtered.

"Somethin' happened," said Huntress. "My Hunter went to check things out and came back saying that somethin's happened."

"WHAT?"

"Rik and V were waiting, just in case. Then they-"

"Vosque and them went to help Key," said Efeala her hands fluttering before her. Aeisha took hold of them to stave her tremors. "That damn.. that unshaven, dirty.. that-"

"What? What? just calm-" Aeisha was interrupted by a coyote's howl close by. The animal-guised towns-folk were gathering round two forms further down the road. After a moment of gesturing from the men, the animals split off; Some going toward the Split-way some returning to town. The three wives rushed toward the distant men.

"Vosque!" Efeala cried, gaining a burst of speed. She halted herself seconds before tackling her husband, seeing his charge. "Oh no..."

"Hunter!" Huntress reached excitedly for her husband, and Vosque was more than happy to accommodate her.

"He's ok, just a few silver-"

"Silver!" she grimaced down at her husband."

"Well, yea, druids and silver go-" began Latyurik.

"Where is Keysean?" asked Aeisha. When the men exchanged glances she immediately began to fear the worst.

" 'S not as bad as you think."

"He's gonna be ok, probably."

"You think? Probably?" She gripped her fists tight by her side and let a calming mantra run through her mind.

"We had to-" said Latyurik.

"Had to what?"

"Let her take him."

"Let.. her..." Aeisha's voice was a growl. Her features were unraveling slowly, but she caught herself.

"We should talk to the elders," said Vosque, quickly.

"We had to, Aeisha," Latyurik said, staring at her, afraid of her anger. His voice faltered. "He was hurt and we were outnumbered."

Aeisha continued to stare toward the Splitway, frozen between horror and disbelief.

"The elders are in Hollow-tree hall, directing the warlords," said Efeala, pointing.

Vosque began to shift. "Huntress, gimmie a ride?"

Huntress handed her chick of a husband to Efalea. When Vosque had completely transformed into a ferret, Huntress became a hawk and took him carefully in her talons off toward Hollow-tree Hall. Efeala gave Aeisha a final look then started toward the infirmary with Hunter firm in hand.

Latyurik found himself alone with Aeisha. He fidgeted, trying to find the words to say or something to do with his hands.

"She took him," said Aeisha slowly.

"Saved our lives."

"She saved your lives and took him," she repeated. "Saved you from what, her own damned gobold-kin?"

"I'm sorry. there were so many," replied Latyurik, emphatically.

Aeisha snorted indignantly and stomped down the mountainside. Latyurik hastened to catch up.

"She said she wouldn't hurt him."

"She won't, She's got trolls to do it for her."

"She killed one, rooted him solid, to help."

"It shouldn't have attacked Keysean in the first place!" Aeisha stopped to glare at Latyurik. "Don't you understand the concept of 'trap'?"

Latyurik was about to respond when howls and war-cries sounded from where the road bent toward the Split-way. Gobold-kin were rushing up the High-hill, their voices loud and harsh even in the distance. Latyurik could see that they were soon met by the shifter forces, and battled fiercely between sparse trees. Latyurik started toward the skirmish, then noticed Aeisha was heading in another direction.

"Where you going?"

"To get my husband back."

"What about Wolfhelm?" Aeisha didn't stop. "And your kids, huh? Yea, Aeryka and Kyresh."

She stopped. "What about Keysean?"

"f**k him, " Latyurik kept his gaze on her, even when her face contracted into pure fury at his words. "What about the greater good?"

She began to tear. "I can't.. I-"

"You're needed here." Latyurik looked up at Anuxere. "Alune will be with him, only she and GOD can aid him now."

"He needs help."

Latyurik approached Aeisha and laid his hands on her shoulders. "I will save him, since I couldn't before."

"If you go, I go."

"You should remain safe."

"Damnit Rik!" Aeisha pushed him out of her way. She had shifted into fox form and was on her way when a death howl came for the sortie not far from them. She looked to Latyurik who was heading for the fray in war-form, and followed.