forum "Loud Thieves, Clumsy Princesses, Kleptomaniac Witches and Pyromaniacal Knights"

Started April 25, 2023 by @lord-of-the-carnival group

tune

"Tell me. What you talked about."
It felt like Naveil's gaze was pinning Salmook to the ground. Everything inside of him was a mess. He didn't want to tell the truth. What would Naveil do to the strangers if he knew? What would Naveil do to him?
But Salmook couldn't lie either. He couldn't think of a good lie. Not this fast. And even if he could, he had a gut feeling that Naveil would see through him like wet parchment. Naveil's voice was low, and it echoed in Salmook's skull for entirely too long.
"Don't lie to me. I'll know."

Harper had stopped approaching the group when Juni ran back to Resh. She’s still watching Naveil and Salmook, waiting for Naveil to make the wrong move. He doesn’t deserve to care for a child if he’s going to cause them harm. She glares at Naveil’s back from her spot among the forest, her usual calm demeanor replaced by anger—and concern for Salmook.

Resh stood up and stalked closer to Naveil, drawing his sword again. He watched Naveil and Salmook’s exchange, catching Salmook’s eye for a moment. He felt a pang of guilt as he remembered Salmook’s horrified face when he approached him at first. He looked a little pained, but only for a moment. He looked back at Naveil. I can see why Juni’s so worried…

Naveil had seen enough. He knew everything he needed to.
"Get up. We're leaving."
Salmook hesitated on the grass, an oddly thoughtful look in his eye. Like he was… considering something?
"That's an order. Or I'll drag you by the spine."
That did the trick. Salmook was on his feet in half a heartbeat.
Naveil stood up from the rock and led the way, keeping his eyes on the kid.
And he almost walked directly into the stranger he'd shoved aside earlier. Great.

Resh stared down at Naveil, tilting his head a little. He spoke in a low, threatening voice. “And where exactly are you going with this child?” His tone and demeanor were terrifyingly calm. He stabbed the tip of his sword into the ground and leaned against it, raising an eyebrow. “Well? Speak up.”

That’s it. Harper stalks towards Naveil, spear pointed towards him. Regardless of the tall stranger, Naveil had to be dealt with, even if it meant violence.

Naveil huffed. Of course just leaving would be too easy.
He should've known. The clearing had been way too quiet as of now. But he'd figured that some people would understand when to mind their business. Naveil shifted his weight, considering his options. Mauling was not out of the question, but there were two of them and Salmook couldn't fight to save his own life. Literally.
"Anywhere that isn't here would be a great start. You've got directions?"

Resh huffed. He seemed amused. “I don’t think so.” He glanced at Salmook, then looked at Naveil again. “Care to explain why you were threatening this child? You seem to be his supposed caretaker, and yet, I don’t think I’ve heard any good caretakers saying.. ah, what was it again? ‘I’ll drag you by the spine?’ Now, that’s no way to treat your own child, is it?”

Harper was near the three of them, now. She stays silent, letting Resh talk to Naveil. He seems trustworthy enough, sharing the interest of protecting the kid. She kept her spear ready. If Naveil tried anything, he might not last long. She glanced between Resh, Naveil, and Salmook, trying to get a better gauge on all of them.

Naveil wrinkled his nose at the admittedly very tall stranger.
His words came dry and matter-of-fact, like he was explaining to someone what color snow was.
"He's not mine. Dead family and all that. About as common as rocks where we're from."
Salmook appeared beside him, and the kid offered his hand. Naveil considered for a moment and then took it.
"As for the threats, it makes him listen to me."

Resh was silent for a few moments. He looked extremely unamused. “So you mean to tell me that you’re threatening a young child… to make him listen.” His last few words were spoken very slowly. He crouches down to Naveil’s level, narrowing his eyes and lowering his voice to a menacing whisper so only Naveil could hear him. “How about you listen to me for a second, smartass? My daughter had to be rescued from a parent like that years ago. Yeah, that’s right. Rescued. There are multiple ways to make a child listen, and you just happened to pick the worst possible method. How about being a decent fucking person? I’ll bet that works a hundred times better.” He was practically seething once he finished speaking, his grip on his sword so tight that his knuckles were white.
Resh was furious.

Asani was still bleeding, crying quietly on the floor. Aibhe had zoned out again. The grass, air, and anything else nearby Assni was… Changing. Making new sounds, looking different, growing vaguely humanoid, becoming sentient-ish. It was getting worse the more blood spilt out of her body. Might want to stop her bleeding….