02-27-2018, 12:03 PM
Kelly's expression didn't change. Evaluating the truth of the situation based on simple conjectures and telepathic eavesdropping, the traveler absorbed the new information with equal parts irritation and unprejudiced interest.
"I don't expect it will come to that," he said. "And I feel obligated to point out that you're not being entirely forthcoming either: The closest settlement is probably Ambrosia. Also, if I know my shinobi tradecraft, that particular birdcall only signals that there's an orcish hunting party in the area. I'd guess you're estimating their proximity based on Chikanari's average rate of travel, and seeing as how you've only just arrived from the Nexus yourselves their destination is likely just informed conjecture on your part."
The psychic adjusted his grip on his quarterstaff, planting one end among the ferns and leaning against it. He didn't actually know jack shit about the signals the ninjas of Mokugare used, but the meaning of the shrill birdcall had been relatively easy to glean from the assassins train of thought, and dropping the hint of broader knowledge helped to foster an illusion of control.
Overall, he was quite pleased with the way things were going; Nobody was pointing weapons at each-other anymore. The situation was de-escalating rapidly.
The ninja narrowed his eyes. "Even if that is true, it does not make dawdling here any wiser. Orc war-bands rarely venture this close to the Nexus. they're likely to be -"
A shadow passed over the clearing, bringing with it the rush and thump of enormous wings beating the air. A spear decorated with feathers and bones pierced the peaceful strata of the ferns and stuck, juddering it dirt. It struck nobody, but brought the conversation to an abrupt halt. Everyone looked up.
A trio of great leathery shapes wheeled and spun overhead, higher than the canopy, dancing in the summmer sky. They were brightly colored in patches of yellow feathers and sky-blue scales. Each was several times larger than a full grown man, with canoe-sized wings, curved like blades, and beaks like spears: Pterodactyls.
There were squat, muscular bodies dressed in leather, skulls, feathers and beads mounted astride the flying dinosaurs' backs. Polished tusks and bronze bangles glittered in the sun.
"Oh for fuck's sake," Kelly said.
Several things happened at once. The ninja abandoned his grip on the male elf, retrieving something from his clothing and sweeping a hand skyward in one fluid motion as he broke for the trees. A volley of kunai with short paper tags affixed by red ribbons streaked into the air and exploded high above the clearing in a staccato triple-burst of fire and and dense black smoke. The dinosaurs heaved and scattered, uninjured, but startled by the noise; their orcish riders pulled at the reigns, vying for control.
At the same time, the freshly elf swept up his discarded bow and joined his sister as she began to fire arrow after arrow into the sky, one after another with near-mechanical consistency as they retreated towards the treeline.
The orcish riders regrouped, hooting wildly as their mounts dove through the smoke.
The traveler smashed a descending spear aside with a precise flick his staff and turned to face Eowyn. "You're going to need a weapon," he noted, and levitated his darkling battleaxe out of its hiding place among the ferns, sending it spiraling in a lazy underhand arc towards the daughter of Theodin. The two-sided blade made a low-pitched whom as it cut the air.
"Catch."
"I don't expect it will come to that," he said. "And I feel obligated to point out that you're not being entirely forthcoming either: The closest settlement is probably Ambrosia. Also, if I know my shinobi tradecraft, that particular birdcall only signals that there's an orcish hunting party in the area. I'd guess you're estimating their proximity based on Chikanari's average rate of travel, and seeing as how you've only just arrived from the Nexus yourselves their destination is likely just informed conjecture on your part."
The psychic adjusted his grip on his quarterstaff, planting one end among the ferns and leaning against it. He didn't actually know jack shit about the signals the ninjas of Mokugare used, but the meaning of the shrill birdcall had been relatively easy to glean from the assassins train of thought, and dropping the hint of broader knowledge helped to foster an illusion of control.
Overall, he was quite pleased with the way things were going; Nobody was pointing weapons at each-other anymore. The situation was de-escalating rapidly.
The ninja narrowed his eyes. "Even if that is true, it does not make dawdling here any wiser. Orc war-bands rarely venture this close to the Nexus. they're likely to be -"
A shadow passed over the clearing, bringing with it the rush and thump of enormous wings beating the air. A spear decorated with feathers and bones pierced the peaceful strata of the ferns and stuck, juddering it dirt. It struck nobody, but brought the conversation to an abrupt halt. Everyone looked up.
A trio of great leathery shapes wheeled and spun overhead, higher than the canopy, dancing in the summmer sky. They were brightly colored in patches of yellow feathers and sky-blue scales. Each was several times larger than a full grown man, with canoe-sized wings, curved like blades, and beaks like spears: Pterodactyls.
There were squat, muscular bodies dressed in leather, skulls, feathers and beads mounted astride the flying dinosaurs' backs. Polished tusks and bronze bangles glittered in the sun.
"Oh for fuck's sake," Kelly said.
Several things happened at once. The ninja abandoned his grip on the male elf, retrieving something from his clothing and sweeping a hand skyward in one fluid motion as he broke for the trees. A volley of kunai with short paper tags affixed by red ribbons streaked into the air and exploded high above the clearing in a staccato triple-burst of fire and and dense black smoke. The dinosaurs heaved and scattered, uninjured, but startled by the noise; their orcish riders pulled at the reigns, vying for control.
At the same time, the freshly elf swept up his discarded bow and joined his sister as she began to fire arrow after arrow into the sky, one after another with near-mechanical consistency as they retreated towards the treeline.
The orcish riders regrouped, hooting wildly as their mounts dove through the smoke.
The traveler smashed a descending spear aside with a precise flick his staff and turned to face Eowyn. "You're going to need a weapon," he noted, and levitated his darkling battleaxe out of its hiding place among the ferns, sending it spiraling in a lazy underhand arc towards the daughter of Theodin. The two-sided blade made a low-pitched whom as it cut the air.
"Catch."