Quest The Extermination Pt. 2A: The Hunt

[Kwantu]

He thought he'd finally hit something useful.. when he heard nearly identical calls from the opposite direction. And when he turned, Kol stood.. next to identical prints. Now they were stuck - with three different directions to go. There was no telling what they'd find no matter which way they went, truthfully. "SHURAK!" He practically spat into the ground as he moved closer to investigate the tracks that Kol had found. Knowing what to look for, it was pretty clear by now - exactly the same. Their chances of getting a significant advantage on this enemy was fading fast.

First, he listened to the female - everything she had to say. He wouldn't interrupt her or speak out until she was finished.. but once she'd had her say, he stalked to the middle of the three tracks they had to follow and sighed heavily. All or nothing. "I don't know what made the tracks. Neither do we know what our enemy is, so even if I knew all there was to know about tracking, I would not know what made these." Well, he was going to be honest with her, and Kol as well. "But I know that whatever it is that we're going to face tonight, I want the best possible advantage over them. If that means taking a different path to sneak up on them from behind then I think we should take it. We took a risk when we agreed to come here.. might as well take a few more while we're here, hmm?"

But.. time to throw in his two Bika. "We don't know what could be waiting down any three of these paths.. including that one." He jabbed his spear in the general direction of the path they'd been following up until that moment. "Because we never knew when we started. They could be anywhere. They could have moved out of the area we think they're operating in. They could be feral animals or they could be sentient and smart minds." He swallowed; this was one of the hardest decisions he'd ever made before. Because this was no longer something that could be properly planned. It wasn't something that could be prepared for, or planned. There were no underlying tactics.. there was no strategy. What they faced here was nothing more than blind luck and chance. "Shurak, shurak..." Why did he come here.

"If we believe that these tracks were indeed made by whatever it was that we are hunting.. then I think we should follow Kol's tracks. They might lead us back to wherever they came from. Give us some clues." He was all out of ideas, truthfully. He didn't even understand his own reasoning for choosin Kol's path, other than it would hopefully stop any argument and allow them to move along swiftly. This was no time to be stressful and argue with each-other in the middle of a jungle potentially filled with.. their enemy.

Myrian Tongue | Common Tongue | Tukant Tongue

[Zemeia]

Zemeia said her piece, and now she listened intently as Kwantu made his own argument. Zemeia very nearly smiled at his blunt honesty. At least, she thought, they weren't tiptoeing on egg shells around each other anymore. That was good. As she felt a bit of the tension dissipate with the honest airing of opinions, she relaxed a tiny bit and stretched the ache from her legs while the young man spoke. It wasn't so much that he was saying anything new, that they didn't already know, but he made a good balancing point to Zemeia's argument and fear-clouded judgment. Balance was a good thing. Unbalanced people made hasty, ill – informed decisions... like rushing headlong into a fight they weren't prepared for. So she listened, to everything he had to say, without interjection – even when he paused to spit and curse at the ground. Zemeia took those few seconds to steal a glance at Kol, trying to gauge from his stonewall expression what might be running through his head. Inevitably it was nearly impossible. And yet, still, Zemeia got the distinct feeling that there was some worry, some concern that he was not voicing to their group. Which meant one of two things. Either it simply did not matter to the group as a whole, or he was choosing to withhold valuable information, and she sincerely hoped it was the former. Zemeia's attention snapped back to the younger male as he began speaking again, seeming as though he'd put serious consideration into his next words. And Mei couldn't help but arch a brow as Kwantu opted to follow Kol's tracks. She was really no good at reading people if she was not looking at their aura, but somehow she thought that was interesting. She wasn't quite sure what it meant, what it said about the dynamics of their little group, but it was intriguing. Silently she noted the differences between the men... between “Whose should we follow” and “We should follow Kol's”... and filed them away in the far reaches of her mind for later dissection, if they survived this. Shaking her head, she layed it in her palm momentarily with a half heated chuckle. This really was a fool's errand; a pitiful and ridiculous predicament as a whole. But, she had her answer. And it's weight did not rest on her thin shoulders. She was supportive, and almost cheerful sounding when she spoke. “Well then, young one whose name I don't know, I am with you. We will follow,” Zemeia gave an almost non – existent pause as she chose her words carefully, making sure to give the tracks no possessor among their group, “the tracks that Kol found.” She looked to Kol and the black clad women who lead them, “Do you agree?” It was a oddly stated question, seeking consent and movement more than an actual opinion, but she waited none the less.

[Voodoo]

They had been at this for bells now, and there had not been a sign until now. The Mengintai warriors, while their champions discussed what to do, had fanned out to check the surrounding jungle. The tracks were old, but unusual, that was for sure. They appeared to be the same aside from the direction they went in. Had the group before them split up to investigate? Or was this the enemy preparing to lay waste to the small group in an ambush if they had kept moving forward. The future was unknown, but the present seemed to hold a decision. What would they do? Who's would they follow?

While they discussed, the three women stood on guard. This was not their business really. They would not make the decisions for the group. That was what these volunteers were here to do. They had to lead, they had to decide. Finally, as a decision seemed close enough, the lead woman stepped forward. She tucked the map she had been looking at and drawing on away. The other two fell in line behind her. "Kol's tracks. Let us move. We have wasted enough time."

Part of her wondered if one of them would step up and just start making decisions. The other part wondered if she was just going to have to start making the choices for them. As of yet, there was no outright leader. Just warriors on a mission. With a simple hand gesture, she had one of her underlings take point and the other slide into a position in the back. She would weave back and forth, checking the surrounding area for any other clues of their mysterious prey.

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Half a bell later and nothing had struck them as important, although the jungle had fallen silent. She noted that there were no animal tracks, and if their were, they were wide spread from running with fear. Something was out here. These tracks they had been following had led them farther into the jungle, closer to some of the red spots on her map. Now and then she would take out the parchment to makes notes of their expedition. It was during one of these times that something rocked her attention. The woman on point, whom had been running diligently since they had first found the tracks, screeched out in alarm as she disappeared into the earth. Stuffing the map away, she lunged forward to investigate what was going on.

When she looked down into this make-shift pit, her heart plummeted. Her companion had her back against the wall and was facing two gruesome, trapped creatures. They looked Myrian, in a way. They were bald with dark skin, if one could call it that, and no clothing. Their eyes were dark, almost as if they were unseeing. But it was their skin that disturbed her the most. It was cracked, roots and leaves weaving in and out as if they belonged there. Rocks jutted out of their shoulder, thigh, knees. Were these creatures that had suffered severe injury and still walked? Were they so strong that not even Caiyha could claim their bodies again?

"Well, somebody do something!" The warrior had unsheathed a dagger, lowering her center of gravity. She was not prepared for what came next. Both creatures, with a audible 'Yuk' sound, charged her. Strong hands gripped whatever they could find, teeth snapping. One creature found it's target on her shoulder, biting deep into the woman's chest. The other was violently kicked away from her, stumbling and tripping backwards. This was a cage fight, and the odds were not looking good for their trapped companion.

OOCEveryone may post once, then I will post again.

[Kol]

"Yukmen."

Kol had faced these creatures before, the scar on his shoulder a reminder of the scuffle. There had been more of them then, and he was sure there were probably more still. To his comrades, "We need to get her out." and then to the warrior trapped, "Keep them at a distance!" Remembering the girl from earlier, who had been mauled in the arms of her father... She had been half eaten. It all connected...

Usually quiet, usually stoic, Kol began taking charge. The Mengintai seeming as lost as the others. Was he the only one who had faced these monsters before? He pulled his dagger out, chopping free a tangled vine, entwined with the jungle floor, "They travel in packs, keep your eyes open!" The last thing they needed was an ambush catching them off guard.

He could hear the scuffle coming from within the pit, the sounds of pain resounding from the woman. It was likely they were too late, but Kol tugged at the vine to test its strength and its attachment to the foliage around them, gathering up what he could and prepared to throw it into the hole. The warrior seemed to be fighting them off the best she could, but her injuries were slowing her significantly. It wouldn't be long. By the time Kol climbed down, the Yukmen would spot him. He needed to act now, catch them by surprise.

He needed to do something dangerous.

Kol tossed the vine in, shooting a look at his companions. All or nothing. He shoved the handle of his dagger between his teeth and frantically gathered his whip in his hand. Pulling back, Kol ran and jumped, aiming his feet at one of the Yukmen closing in on the warrior woman. He fell only a short period of time, body smacking into the monster. They fell in a heavy collision, Kol grunting. It had been like tackling a boulder, the rocks and dirt that jutted from the Yukmen's body smacking into his own arms and legs. He only had a moment to act. Kol released his whip to take the dagger from his mouth and began stabbing furiously at the Yukmen beneath him.

It twisted and the angry 'yuking' sounds snarled from the monster's lips. He kept stabbing, the blade smacking into bone or rock - Kol wasn't sure - as he just continued driving his blade over and over, a messy and desperate attack. He had to kill quickly if he wanted to stop the other one, to save the woman. Pulling back, blood lust burned in his eyes, frantically stabbing at a throat, an eye, anything within his immediate vision. It felt like bells before the creatures stopped fighting back beneath him, clawing at his skin and snapping its mouth.

Tired from his aggressive kill, Kol turned his head to look at the other angry Yukmen and the bleeding Mengitai warrior. Some help above would have been appreciated. Very appreciated.

oocNot sure what the limits were on fighting, but I tried to keep the Mengitai warrior ambiguous on if she was going to survive or not, a Yukmen left, and some things to be done by everyone else. I can always rewrite if necessary. Whatever you want.


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Myrian
Common

[Zemeia]

Zemeia lurched forward as the scout on point screeched, seeming to disappear. Clearing a low hanging branch she skidded to a precarious halt where the scout had fallen. Peering down into the pit, her stomach dropped...Yukmen. An insidious dread coiled around her stomach, forcing it's way up into her throat accompanied by the burning prickle of bile. As the poor woman in the pit barked a demand for action Zemeia muttered a silent prayer to Myri and Dira. Vaguely she heard Kol begin assuming control somewhere in the background. Already he was moving, giving orders, recklessly swinging in to save the day like some heroic mix of Tarzan and Indiana Jones. And still Zemeia was frozen at the ledge. Her eyes flicked back and forth between her companions, from the blood seeping steadily from the females shoulder to the bloodlust in Kol's eyes... And then to the second Yukman still zerging the quickly tiring warrior. It wasn't enough. "It's not enough." She heard herself tell no one in particular. And then she was moving. Why was she moving? She wondered as she unsheathed her daggers. She was a healer, a medicine woman, not a fighter. What did she think she was doing? But perhaps that was just it. Maybe she wasn't. Instinct isn't always thoughtful. Tightening the strap of her pack so that it squeezed snugly at her shoulders she moved around the edge of the pit, stalking the thing below as Kol dealt wildly with the other. As the monster turned to charge the woman again, Zemeia saw her opening. There'd be no time for vine - swinging now. She had to take this chance while she had it. Taking a few steps back she dug into the soft jungle floor behind her, and with a running start launched herself into the pit below. By the grace of Myri she managed to hit her mark, colliding forcefully with the Yukman below. Her daggers sank deep into the creatures back as the full weight of her descent fell upon them. The collision was far more jarring than expected, and Mei barely managed to cling breathlessly to one of her blades. The Yukman gave a sharp wild jerk as her blades bit into it's flesh. And Zemeia was forced to play a twisted, dangling game of ring around the rosey as she struggled to free her weapon from the creatures shoulder. Zemeia yowled with at a sudden tearing pain as the Yukman grabbed a fistful of her hair,yanking and tugging her slowly over his shoulder. Latching on to the closest dagger with both hands and using it for leverage Zemeia struggled against the force slowly ripping at her hair. But with a sinking shock she felt the blade slowly rise and then pop loose. Suddenly there was nothing else to hold on to, and with both her hands occupied she slid easily over the creatures shoulder. With her single dagger she slashed wildly at the thing's face. And when it recoiled, she planted both feet firmly in its chest and jumped... Again. The Yukman stumbled back slightly, making that vile noise, and Zemeia launched forward, face first, into the dirt. A numb heat washed across her face as the familiar sticky warmth of blood crept it's way down to her lips. With a low grunt she recovered quickly. Wiping the blood and muck from her face she squared off with Yukman, her back to the wall of the pit and low to the ground. If she didn't get some help soon, a broken nose would be the least of her worries... OOCI don't have a lot of practice writing combat. So please forgive me if this is just horri-bad. I tried to get into the action (at a skill - appropriate level), but still leave plenty to do; and also leave the warrior / scout pretty ambiguous. I hope it's all (at least) acceptable.

[Kwantu]

At first, he'd thought it a brilliant idea. Half a bell later, he was seriously regretting choosing Kol's path. There seemed to be little sign that they were catching up on whatever it was that they were supposed to be hunting down. Perhaps they shouldn't have taken the path. Or perhaps they should have taken the path that he'd found. Oh, what an idiot he would look like, if it turned out that he was right the first time. But he'd gone along with Kol just for the sake of a lacking argument, and therefore sent them all into the mouth of the beast.

It certainly looked like the latter. Just when he thought things really couldn't get much worse than this - potentially already surrounded through the thin treeline - one of their scouts screamed as they were swallowed, whole, by the earth. Like both companions he rushed over to see what was going on.. and immediately recoiled at the sight of the two horrible creatures standing opposite her. Both of the other two champions seemed to know what they were.. but he didn't. They looked vile, disgusting.. "Yukman? You've seen these things before?" He looked from one to the other, but there was little time for that - they could share information once they'd killed.. whatever the heck these things were. One thing really hit home though.. and it wasn't the fact that the scout was in peril. It was the enclosure. How did two of these creatures end up at the bottom of such a pit as this? The closer he looked, the more sure he was of what he thought this was. "It's a trap."

That didn't stop Kol. The man swung down into the pit and straight onto the back of one of the monsters as though he was king of the jungle. Swiftly followed by Zemeia. Both of them unsheathing different daggers from their belts and holsters, before going for each of the creatures.. which just left Kwantu standing on the ledge and staring down at both of them, before turning and glancing about the trees. He didn't like this. A lot of the group was now stuck inside a pit, and that meant that he and the fellow Mengintai were the only ones left protecting the group against whatever came at them next. He held his spear tight, facing the trees.. but out of the corner of his eye, he could see the female struggling. Kol still slashed at the other... Yuk-thing with all the lust of a Myrian tiger. "Am I the only one that brought something OTHER than a dagger?! Shurek!"

He'd have to save her, now. And put his back to the jungle. "Keep yourselves ready, there could be more of them." He spoke quickly to the other Mengintai, before turning back and kneeling before the outer rim of the pit, with his spear lifted high in both hands and the point facing down. Myri, guide my spear into your enemies and stay the lives of your children. Give me strength and speed to act in your name. The spear had a good ten foot reach on it, so it'd be good enough.. he hoped. With his grip sliding as far towards the butt as he could manage, he slammed straight down towards the Yukman that had dislodged Zemeia.. and scraped along his shoulder. Close enough. He dug in with all of the strength he could muster, sending the spear all the way down through what should have been its ribcage, and twisting it in quick circles to open the wound. Blood trickled out and the thing cried out in pain as multiple stones embedded in its side came free and thumped to the ground. In its moment of distraction, he grit his teeth and held his ground as he yanked the spear out with an almighty shove, and slammed it back down again.

This time, it stabbed down through the skull and slid down to the neck before he bent the spear backwards and watched the tip poke through the throat, impaling it. The thing gurgled a little, and when he ripped the spear back up through its head, the lifeless lump toppled against the back of the pit and slid slowly down to the ground. "Get out of there, all three of you. Quickly!" Goodness knew what came next, but he wasn't exactly ready for it. Still on his knees, facing the pit.. he'd be completely reliant on the other Mengintai warriors to stop anything else from running up and butchering him while he helped his other two champions.. that seemed a little less logical than he was. "Since when is it a good idea to jump straight into a pit filled with monsters.. doesn't it strike you strange that there's a big, hidden pit right in the middle of the path? Huh?"

Myrian Tongue | Common Tongue | Tukant Tongue

[Voodoo]

Chaos. That is what quickly developed when the first woman went down. Before she had a chance to grab control and prevent any more injury, stupidity seemed to take over. Or maybe it was the will to make a difference and save a comrades life. Either way, Kol had already jumped into the pit to take on one of the creatures. What happened when Kol jumped on one of their opponents could not even be called art, let alone graceful in any way. It was brutal, as ichor flowed freely from the wounds his knife made. Soon, the humanoid face became a pincushion, white stuff flowing freely down its former face and into the earth as it crumpled. Yet, was it dead? Sorta of, but this Mengintai warrior knew better than that. She knew it was not over until the earth was returned to Caiyha. Turned to the very dirt it came from in the form of ash.

Yet again, before she could say anything, Zemeia was jumping into the fray. Far less coordinated, it was rather amusing to watch her try to slay the creature. If it had been a fight in the ring for the joy of her people to watch, Zemeia would have won. A true gladiator, one who could give a show. Of course, without a little blood - and there it was. The warrior narrowed her eyes as the stream of blood dribbled from Zemeia's nose. Attractive. Ready to jump into the pit like those before her, she was relieved to see a spear piercing down again and again to end the battle. Kwantu seemed to have a sound, intelligent head on his shoulders. That would surely come in handy. With a quick whistle, she and the other Mengintai warrior were on their bellies, reaching into the pit to pull their injured friend up. Dragging the woman back onto land, it was an exasperated sigh that led their informant to finally regain some composure.

She had done nothing, but her champions had proven to be useful. Cradling the woman's head in her lap, she looked at Kwantu and her other soldier. "Check the perimeter. We will rest here." The warm flow of blood drew her attention as her subordinate dashed off into the forest to ensure that they were not being surrounded. Hopefully Kwantu would do the same. "You, healer! Get out of that pit! We need you up here!" Having a healer suddenly didn't seem like a bad idea. The bite wound the warrior had sustained after falling into the pit was definitely worse than one though, a huge chunk of flesh missing and a rapid flow of blood seeping into the earth. It was north of the shoulder, much closer to the neck than she had originally thought.

Yet there was still business to attend. As soon as her warrior came back, she had her substitute her out. Blood covered, and suddenly very angry, the woman briskly walked directly up to Kol and sneered. White teeth looked vicious as she hissed at him. "You know what these things are? Spill. Now."

oocKwantu and Zemeia have received PMs of what they will encounter with their little side missions. One post each, and I would suggest Kol goes last in this little round. Then I will post again and continue you guys along.

[Kwantu]

At the order, once he was sure that everything was safe.. he didn't hesitate to follow the other warrior into the jungles, with the butt of his spear clapping the ground every few steps. It'd get him away from the two.. total nutcases that he'd been paired up with. Hopefully neither of them caught sight of the glares that he shot on his way out, either. The first sign of danger, and both of them leap into a pit filled with monsters. Why did I bother coming here. The other champions would leap into a fire if given the opportunity. In truth, it made sense. The reason they were the only three that offered to help. Because this was a complete nutcase of a mission they'd been sent on. The only people that were willing to risk their lives in such a thing, were lunatics with nothing better to do with their time.. and him. He thought he'd be doing something worthwhile.. he thought he'd be helping Myri on this journey. Shows what he knew. All he was doing is saving two people that weren't worth saving.

So lost in his brooding was Kwantu, he barely registered the low moan until it repeated itself. Like a pained animal, hideously gurgled... he tightened the grasp on his spear and lowered its tip defensively, in the hopes of preparing himself for.. whatever the heck that thing was. "Guys..." He hoped someone heard him through the dense jungle. The other warrior had moved off in a different direction to him, and since they were supposed to be checking the surroundings, he doubted they'd follow him. "I don't think we're alone." Not that they were surrounded, though. He'd know if they were - he'd hear the shouts coming from the centre. He'd hear the noise coming from more than one direction. It seemed to be coming off from the left.. not in the trees either. He wasn't taking any chances. The spear pushed through a particularly thick growth of young trees and bushes blocking his way.. and then the rest of his body followed.

He was ready for whatever creature, snapping jaws or crusted skin with rocks inside, could appear. What he wasn't ready for, was a soldier. Myrian. Staring him right in the face.

He looked dead. Eyes glazed and staring straight through him. Body caked with blood, mostly dried and attracting flies. Limp, lifeless, pressed against a tree. As Kwantu lifted his spear up again and stabbed the butt into the dirt, the man gasped and he caught sight of something - a sign tattooed into his right shoulder. Bahadur. A rider. "GUYS! GET OVER HERE! HEALER!" The spear was all but forgotten, nearly slipping through his fingers in his haste to push closer to the fallen warrior. He didn't look well.. not by any standard, that was for sure. But.. this was a chance. A chance to find out what they were up against. He had so many questions, but.. his health came first, he knew that. He deserved respect, until his end. Hopefully it would not come that day, though. One hand grazed the side of the warriors face as he pulled it gently up.

"Tell me.. what thing did this to you." The man looked.. as young as him. Maybe a few years, a few seasons older.

Myrian Tongue | Common Tongue | Tukant Tongue

[Zemeia]

Zemeia heard the woman above call out to her as she stooped to rip her dagger from the now still Yukman's shoulder. With a squelching, sucking noise, it slowly slid from the creatures flesh; a putrid splatter of ichor accompanying the release of the blade. Wrinkling her nose a bit, Zemeia moved to the edge of the pit where the woman was giving orders. Sinking her daggers into the dense jungle soil for leverage, she slowly heaved herself out of it's depths. The sight that greeted her made her dark, ebony skin go immediately pale. The Mengintai woman - whom she and Kol had both just risked their lives to save - lay upon the lap of another black clad warrior, her lifeblood unbelievably staining the thick fabric of their trappings an even darker hue. Zemeia moved quickly, removing her pack and kneeling next to the woman in one swift motion. The flesh between her neck and shoulder was agape, a deep crater of scarlet meat flooding with the woman's blood, gurgling from it's edges with every beat of her life-rhythm. Drawing a length of linen from her pack, she covered the wound as best she could and leaned into it, her palms sinking deeply into the warriors torn flesh as blood seeped up between her fingers and across the back of her hands. With resigned recognition, and acceptance, Mei did all that she could. She began to pray. "Goddess of Death, Queen of the Dead, We accept from Your hands whatever kind of death it may please You to send us today, with all its pains, penalties and sorrows, as reward for a fight well fought and a life well lived; for the continuation of the cycle; and in place of all those who will not die today as a result. Guide our souls to their rightful place beside the Goddess – Queen. Myri, Goddess – Queen, by whose victory we are forever united, look kindly on your warrior - child who gives her life in the service of your people. Grant that through the passion of her death she may share in the triumph and victory of your kingdom and do battle alongside your Shadow Guard until the sun falls from the sky and the orchids no longer glow in you honor. " Her prayers were shattered by a shout from the forest. Kwantu had found something, someone from the sound of things, and was calling for the healer. With pained eyes, Zemeia caught the stare of the scout who was still cradling the dying Mengintai. There were no words for what she had to tell her, but her eyes said it all. There would be no saving this woman. All that was left was to make her transition as easy as possible. Carefully she took the woman's hand with one of her own and laid it over the bandages on the warrior's shoulder, pressing down hard. With the other hand she placed one of her daggers across the dying woman's chest. The message was clear. Tenderly Zemeia bent down and whispered into the warrior's ear, "Our people will hear of your bravery. They will sing songs of your battles at your funeral." Zemeia looked across her body to the other scout who'd held her. There was a long moment of silence as Zemeia stared at her, waiting, before finally taking the dagger herself. It was not her place. This woman was not her fang mate. She had not spent the years of service by her side that would bind her to this obligation, but all the same it had to be done. Grabbing her dagger Zemeia moved to hug the quickly dying Mengintai, and with a sharp, upward thrust cradled her as the rhythm of her life sputtered to a halt. Somberly she lay the woman's body back on the ground and closed her gaping, empty eyes. Without another word she wiped and sheathed her dagger, shouldered her pack, and turned to follow Kwantu's calls into the jungle. There was still more work to be done. Pushing through the underbrush she let out a low whistle - a bird call - searching for her companions position. The reply came much sooner that she had expected. From off to her right she heard Kwantu's voice ask, "What thing did this to you?" There could not have been another attack, or they would have heard the commotion. So who was he speaking to? Mei turned cautiously and parted a particularly dense growth of brush and saplings, and was immediately met with her answer. Kwantu knelt at the base of a large tree in front of... a dead man? It certainly seemed that way. The man was covered in blood, his eyes and body completely motionless. But as she stooped to level herself with the man and her comrade, she faintly heard a weak, rasping breath escape the man's lips. "SkuRAK," she whispered under her breath as she tried to examine the man. In his current state she didn't even know where to start. There was no way to identify his injuries, if he did indeed have any; no telling how many days he'd been here like this. Careful not to choke the poor, pitiful soul, she placed a hand behind the man's head and carefully offered a drink from her waterskin. Once she was sure he'd taken what he could (which wasn't much as most of it was coughed back up) she pulled a small swatch of linen from her pack, dampening it sparingly, and began to try to wipe away some of the blood that caked the man's skin. If she could manage to clean enough of it away, perhaps she could find and mend it's source... if it was, in fact, even his...

[Kol]

After making sure both of his weapons were secure, Kol followed Zemeia from the hole, interpreting Kwantu's urging as pleading. Even the female warrior seemed upset. Retrieving on the vine he threw into the opening, Kol gripped it tightly in his hand, pulling upwards, and using the dirt wall for support as his feet walked up it. Arms flexing under the pressure of pulling himself higher, when he was able to, Kol grunted as he gripped the edge of the hole and pulled himself back to the surface.

Immediately, the Mengitai warrior was in his face, her anger coming off her in waves. Kol frowned, eyes casting to the side to look at the other comrade he had tried to save. After everything, it looked like it would be all in vain. But he had tried, and Dira would handle the rest. When he looked back to the snarling woman, Kol's voice was cold, "Yukmen, as I said earlier," he pulled back, turning his back deliberately to grab some large, waxy leaves from a nearby tree. He began to wipe away the sludge that had been those creature's lifeblood, "They're mimics," At least, Kol thought they were. In his experience at the basin, they had learned to tackle, and had repeated him. They were fast learners, and it made them dangerous, "They're physically stronger than us. Fighting them must be done quickly, or you will die painfully. They bite."

He showed off the scar on his shoulder only briefly, before shaking his head at the woman. How many years of service and she had not seen one? Were they rare? If these were the creatures that was harassing Taloba now, there must have been. They must have spawned... Straight from the ground itself. But why?

"A friend and I killed some.... awhile back." Kol tried to recall the exact date. Had it really been so long ago? Kol had not thought of the healer, not since the problems with Dahlia, and now a wistful pit in his stomach began to form. He quickly pushed it from his mind, returning to business. "They can be distracted by loud noises."

Finished with his debriefing, Kol nearly missed Kwantu's call for help. A quick glance cast to the woman, and soon he began to head towards the cry, not ready to stop fighting just yet.
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Myrian
Common