Skit's Tale

This fight is over. Baladin is still chopping on one of these orcs. But Kha'juul is pretty certain he can't get any deader.

It was a hard fight. Very tough opponents. Everything a warrior seeks, isn't it? But she didn't enjoy it. Not like she used to. It's just all a senseless slaughter. This battle was just because both groups were at the same place, at the same time. Neither side had any objective other than survival.

It's all just such a waste!

She's known plenty of elves and dwarves that go out of their way, just to hunt orcs. But she personally doesn't have anything against them. She cannot recall ever having a pleasant conversation with one. But surely, they cannot all be bad... The ones she's fought, like today, proved to be very tough fighters. Maybe not the smartest, but they never go down easy. And, that's worth some respect.

Her guns are both loaded. But her pouch is empty of loaded cylinders. She fired 36 times?! Replaying the fight beginning to end, she makes account of each bullet she fired. She absentmindedly sticks her burned fingertips in her mouth. Tasting the acrid residue of powder. While she starts looking for the spent cylinders she dropped.

These things were worth a fortune, and would be very difficult to replace. When she has to reload in a hurry, she's not yet discovered a better option than to just drop the blazing things on the ground.

Now she has to go find them all... Maybe the kids could help? No. They don't need to see more of this mess than what they already have.

The Kids!? She needs to go check on them! They were safe under the wagon, just a moment ago...

As soon as that thought passes, she hears the terrified and pained scream of a young felpurr.

A popular dwarven expletive escapes her tongue before she can censor herself.

There's one orc still alive. By the looks of his size, scars, and equipment, he must have been their leader. If it's possible for an orc to lead from behind. Cowering behind a child!

He's got Aryll in a chokehold. His arm's bigger than she is. And her feet are dangling off the ground. She's struggling against his arm. Trying to draw a full breath.

The ugly ax being held to her throat is just for show. He'd strangle her. Or break her neck faster than cutting her with the back of his weapon.

Kha'juul could draw, and put all six shots through his big ugly head. She's no fear of missing. Nor hitting Aryll. But if he jerked? Or fell the wrong way? Aryll would still die. She's gotta get her free.

Then, she can kill him.

No idea how she's gonna do that. He hasn't killed Aryll yet. So he must want something. Guess she has to go talk to him.

Walking up to them slowly. Her hands empty and palms showing. Her eyes are burning. Her ears are flattened. Her teeth are barred. If her tail wasn't tucked away inside the armor, it would be very active right now. If he knows anything at all about cats, he should be very concerned right now.

"That's mine!" That sounds pretty dumb to her. But how else do you start a conversation like this? Being assertive seems best. She briefly makes eye contact with Aryll. She's near panicking. She needs to relax and stay calm. Aryll has no reason to trust her right now. If their positions were reversed, Kha'juul would be fighting for her life right now. How is she supposed to help Aryll?! Being responsible for others is hard.

"Who are you, little kitty?" He speaks clearly in the common tongue. Condescending, sure. But there's cunning and intelligence there too. "Where are you going? Why did you attack us? You travel with dwarves and humans." The last statement he issued with more of a growl. He doesn't ask yet. But he's eyeing her pistols with curiosity.

Alright. Let's try an almost civil conversation...

"I am a warrior. My name is Kha'juul, daughter of Shalla."

He hadn't asked, but she decided to add; "That's Aryll. She's my cook." Trying to emphasize, Aryll isn't a warrior. Isn't a threat. Has valuable skills.

Her curiosity gets the best of her. Now is certainly not the time to get distracted. But what were Aryll's parents' names?

Honestly answering his other questions; they're travelling to the Angaran village of Koolima. They didn't attack. They were defending themselves. Yes, there are dwarves, humans, a druid, a sorcerer - whatever people they come from, we also got a gnome and a monkey!

She's observed the norms of civilization. She's introduced herself. She answered his questions. It's apparently her turn. She doesn't want to know his name. Doesn't care. Whatever mission he was on, is no longer relevant. His warriors are dead. He's gonna be dead.

"Let Her Go! What do you want?" Okay, yes. It can now be said about her; that she has worse manners than an orc. Right now? She really doesn't care.

It's his turn to growl. He violently shakes Aryll. "You killed my boys! Only fair, I kill your girl."

Aryll's eyes go wide. She's scratching at his arm, with no helpful effect. Her legs are kicking wildly. She's gotta stop! Or he'll kill her just to make her.

"Aryll! Look at me. You need to relax. Try to stay calm. Play Dead!" Juli tries to instruct and reassure Aryll in their Purrian tongue. There's no way this orc will know what she said. Hopefully, he'll think she's already dead and drop her. At least, that's the best plan she's got right now.

"Your warriors attacked me. They died like warriors. They didn't try to hide behind a little girl! Only cowards take hostages!" Not Helping! She's lost her patience. About to lose her temper.

"You want to fight me, little warrior? Fine. I'll fight all of youse! But this one dies first!"

Before Kha'juul can even draw, Isaac is behind the orc. He expertly cuts the tendons on the arm holding Aryll. Then his second sword, pierces up through his ribs into the heart and lungs. She didn't know Isaac was there. Obviously, neither did the orc. He was probably dead before he hit the ground. More importantly, Aryll was released. Unharmed. No thanks to her. Again.

She's really not cut out for this leadership thing. That's twice now somebody else saved Aryll. While she stood by. Unhelpfully.

All she can do is lead Aryll away from the carnage. Back to the wagon where the boys are waiting. They saw the whole thing!

She tries to tend to her people while the others resume looting. She's got what she wants.