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"He's a local, born and raised," Mike replied. "He's probably never left this lake, and chances are most of the strangers he's met were less than friendly. His hard exterior's basically just a habit at this point."
“Yeah, I guess that’s true.” Tanrial replied, sighing slightly.
(Sorry, I’ve gotta go, seeya soon!)
(Okay, seeya ^^)
At that point Ozrig returned, making his way around the side of the house on a narrow wooden ledge. He went up to the door and let himself in, motioning for the others to follow. "Polla? Some travelers are here to talk to you."
There was a woman by the far wall, tending to a fire on a raised metal platform. She straightened when they entered and turned to face them, considering them all calculatingly. Her skin and slightly frizzy were both the color of water-soaked sand, and her hair was pulled back in a bun. Her eyes were pale green and sharp, and her mouth was tight, but not unkind. She wore the same thick furs as her husband, but on her they looked somehow more regal. She nodded at them. "What's the trouble?"
“Well, we’ve come to tell you about some trouble living round here, if you didn’t already know. They aren’t bandits but worse then that.” Tanrial explained, taking a step closer towards the women, “Do you know anything about a guy named Ryker?”
She narrowed her eyes. "No, I don't know him. What's he up to?"
(I won't have much time tonight, just so ya know. We might even miss each other entirely, sorry)
(Alright, it’s fine)
“Basically, Ryker wants to wipe out anyone that isn’t human and replace them with these… hybrids. Human but they have powers. He wants them to run the world for a ‘better world.’ He also wants to get rid of all natural magic users.”
Polla folded her arms and thought for a minute, then went back to cooking. "Sounds like a man who bit off a plan bigger than he can chew. Last I checked, the world was a pretty big place, and there wasn't anything one person could do to change it."
"Unfortunately it's not just him," Bernon put in. "He's got a small army of trained scientists and fighters on his side, not to mention some incredibly advanced technology. And he's not just planning to make hybrids–he's already made a bunch of them. They're just kids….and good kids, from what we saw…but Ryker's brainwashing them to believe and do whatever he says. They could cause a lot of damage if they thought it was the right thing."
Polla turned back around, frowning. "Children? What can they do, exactly?"
“One can blend into surrounds, a couple are nocturnal, one has gills and can breath in and out of water…” She ran a hand through her hair, “There are many others. Some are currently being… made.”
(shoot I missed you by a mile that time)
Both Polla and Ozrig looked somewhat disturbed. Polla put her hands on her hips. "That's not something I can support. It does sound like this Ryker fellow needs to be stopped. But why come yo us for help?"
"And what's your connection to this guy?" Ozrig added suspiciously. "How do we know you're not spies or something?"
“Mike was sent to retrieve something, something that would help him continue with his plans. When he found us, to be safe we made a fake, just in case something like this would happen. We gave Ryker the fake once we found out his plans and saw what he was doing.” Tanrial explained.
"And to be honest, we came here because we couldn't think of anyone else nearby who might help us fight him," Bernon said. "We understand if you guys can't spare the manpower, but if Ryker has his way, it'll affect everyone, including your people. We just came to ask for help, if you can give it."
Polla thought for a moment. "Where does Ryker live, exactly?"
“Uh, a large… mansion? Fort? It’s a very large building about two days walk north from here.” She said.
"A mansion?" Ozrig scoffed. "We would have noticed that."
"It's underground," Mike said. "And the entrance is hidden. The property is patrolled at all times by guards, but only a few. They mostly rely on keeping quiet to avoid trouble."
Polla rubbed her forehead. "I must…consider this. The elders and women will want to talk it over. You three will be welcomed as guests until we make a decision."
(gotta go to bed now, seeya later!)
Tanrial nodded, “We understand, thank you for willing to listen too us.” She said, giving Polla a greatful smile.
(Alright, seeya!)
"Of course. There's guest beds in the tavern, which will be free for one night as long as you behave yourselves. Orzrig will take you back there while I talk it over with the others. If we think we might help you, we'll come over tomorrow and ask you more questions."
Ozrig nodded and motioned to the door. "I'll meet you out front with the boat."
Tanrial nodded back, “Thank you.” She said again, before walking onto the platform outside the house.
(sorry for the wait again)
Mike and Bernon followed her, also thanking Polla for her time. After a moment Ozrig appeared with the boat and they climbed in, pushing off towards the distant shoreline.
As they went, Bernon spoke so only Tanrial could hear. "Well, that's a good start. Polla seems pretty smart and tough."
Tanrial nodded, “Hopefully she’ll agree to help us. We can’t defeat Ryker by ourselves.” She said back with equal quiet.
"And hopefully we can find more people than just the ones here to help us, considering we need to at least equal Ryker's forces. Maybe there's another nearby village we can contact after this one decides."
(gotta head off to bed now, seeya later)
Tanrial nodded, “I could also send a message back to the town I was living outside of? See if they want to help us as well.”
(Alright, seeya)
Mike leaned over to join their conversation. "That's an idea. Three things though–how would you send a message, how long would it take them to get here, and do you think they'd even be sympathetic to our situation, considering how aloof they are and how they feel about you specifically? Not trying to discourage you or anything, they'd be valuable fighters."
Tanrial shrugged, “It wouldn’t take that long for them to get here, four days at most. It’s a fifty fifty chance that they’ll help and the message itself…” She rubbed her forehead, “I’ll figure it out.”
Ozrig stirred on the far end of the boat. "We're here, the dock's behind you. Tell the bartender what's goin' on and he'll give you a free meal."