Now Pyot stood at three foot six, exactly as tall as the wooden swords. Magog stood at nine foot ten, he was considered big even among his people, the alpine giants. There was much tension in the air as this match-up neared, especially from old Seern the toadstool-witch, Pyot's grandmother. The general fear was that Pyot would get killed.

Magog was beta male by dint of sheer size. Only the mystique of the animals and the stone-smiths had kept him from challenging for leadership until now. He was already eyeing off Animagus for the final match. Meanwhile, Pyot spent the time talking seriously with Seern in their tribal sing-song language. If anyone had understood them they would have been more concerned for Magog...

"... left, right, twist, forward, strike..."
"... I know my footwork, Grama."
"Do you have all four torturous bull-ants woven into your wristband?"
"Yes, Grama."
"And the paralysis thorns on your thumbnails?"
"Yes, Grama."
"And your heel spurs, are they filled with venom?"
"Yes, Grama."
"Remember, you must use the paralysis toxin..."
"I know, Grama. In one of the seventy-two pressure points, I know."
"Don't you sass me, young-fellow-me-lad! This gorilla will finish you in one bite. I still say we should just forget this game and poison his food."
"No, Grama, this is men's business. Besides he's nothing like as nasty as that python I nabbed two summers ago. Remember that one? Or even a child's-play crocodile."
"Hrmph, well... have you had enough toxic mushrooms?"
"Yes, Grama."
"Are you in the battle-zone? Hungry for his heart's blood?"
"Yes, Grama."
"There's a good boy. Now, he's going to bulrush and strike down-forward left, so move to position five and left, right, twist, forward, strike..."

Et cetera.

And so it was that the second match of the semi finals went like this: Four seconds into round one, Pyot was holding both swords and began evading the furious Magog, whose right hand was now useless. Lendorn began counting for victory by disarming: One, two, three, four, five... Magog's balance wobbled as he tried to chase Pyot across the circle... eight, nine... Magog staggers to the ground and struggles to stand... Ten! Magog shakes his head and stands slowly, massaging his stinging hand and egregiously injured pride.

Pyot defeats Magog easily by disarming!

The fourth round was just as intensive as the other ones. Both warriors did not want to lose, but clearly respected each other. While Animagus wanted to impress his companion and his stepson, Rifa wanted to show what she is worth. Just as he wanted to disarm Rifa, Rifa hits him in the elbow: another 16 points.

Just as everyone thought that Animagus would lose, he came back with the same amount of points by hitting her in the elbow as well, as she tried to disarm him. Nice. Another tie. That means that the fight has to go on.

Then suddenly she began to feint, Animagus was a bit surprised, but saw this as a great opportunity to hit her with a killing blow. He did that, but he had the feeling that she let him win.

But, was that because everyone was cheering for him? If they are alone, he will ask her.

Now that the fight is over, he thanked Rifa for giving him a difficult and interesting fight. After that, they both went to watch the other fight between Pyot and Magog. Animagus has won the fight. That means he had to fight Magog or Pyot in the finals.

As the battle went on, Animagus had suddenly the feeling that something was not right, but he could not get the finger on it.

The thing that just bothered him is that Magog had some trouble with using his other hand, so he could only attack his opponent with his left hand.

Why was that? Perhaps he should ask Rifa and/or Otro about this.

After awhile, Magog began to loose his balance as he tried to chase Pyot across the circle. The outcome was a bit surprising: Pyot has just disarmed him.

_________________
Ash: [talking to mirror] I'm fine... I'm fine...
[Mirror Ash jumps out of the mirror and grabs Ash]
Mirror Ash: I don't think so. We just cut up our girlfriend with a chainsaw. Does that sound "fine"?

Rifa was right - she had a blast. Animagus had lived his entire life the way she only learned how to fight after eating some strange red and white mushroom caps on her first hunt near what is currently known as the Black Forest.

Otro was as surprised at Rifa's loss as he was that Animagus could keep up with her in the first place.

The tournament was broken down into matches and rest periods, and it had been decided at the conception of the tournament that the final resting period would be the longest. The two remaining fighters, Animagus and the deceptively diminutive Pyot, would have two hours, or two hands as measured in the water clock. This extra time was added for the anticipated difficulty of the final round, as well as for the fighters to reflect on their battles and use the experience gained to prepare for the last fight.

During the rest period, Otro and Rifa spoke with Animagus.

That fight was amazing! Hey, from what I've seen of Pyot, he won't win with skill alone.

I agree. But, did you notice how Pyot won his fights?

Disarmament. That's in the rules, though.

Of course it is. But I saw Senko react the same way after Pyot had disarmed him, as well. I had to see it happen again before I was sure of what I saw.

Magog didn't have this problem after his fight with Korduk, and I fear whatever tricks Pyot has used - he may try them on you, Animagus. If that is how he wins his fights, he cannot hold the Thunderbolt.

Damn right! If this tournament is won by a cheater, that'll take the fun out of it for me. And someone's got to pay for taking the joy out of hitting people with sticks.

I never thought a man could be that weak. Animagus...

Beat him!

_________________

The final round went between Animagus and Pyot. As the fight went on, all who were watching the finals could see that their fighting techniques were different as the day and night. One was trying to win by disarming and the other one went for the points.

Just as Pyot went for one of the hands of his opponent, Animagus dodged the blow by moving to the left and turned around to hit him hard in the left shoulder. 16 Points for the dogman.

Pyot tried to disarm him once more, but failed again, for Animagus anticipated the movement and hit him hard on his wrist.

_________________
Ash: [talking to mirror] I'm fine... I'm fine...
[Mirror Ash jumps out of the mirror and grabs Ash]
Mirror Ash: I don't think so. We just cut up our girlfriend with a chainsaw. Does that sound "fine"?

Pyot flicks his wristband around as he twirls and dodges and Animagus is stung on the foot by the tortuous bull-ants! It feels like ten wasp bites, one after the other. You are distracted. For the next fifteen seconds it will feel like a snake is hanging off your foot, biting you continuously.

*Crack! Crack!*

"... 10, 20 points for Pyot on the left ankle..." commentated Lendor.

*Crack! Crack!*

"... 10, 20 more points for Pyot also on the left ankle... that must be really annoying..."

The stinging of his left foot really distracted and annoyed Animagus. It really felt liked a snake was hanging on it. Knowing that it was up to him to claim the victory, he clenched his teeth and kept on blocking the pain.

Now that he was not THAT fast anymore, he used the swords to parry. He kept on doing this for fifteen seconds until he was feeling much better and lesser distracted.

Pyot tried once again to hit him, thinking that he was an easy target now, but Animagus blocked the attack with one of the swords and stabs the cheater hard in his chest. 20 points.

“Crack!” (On the other hand “Stab!”)

“…20 points for Animagus”

After circling (or hopping in Animagus’s case) around each other for some time, his opponent went for his left hand, but Animagus already had the feeling that this was coming. With clenched teeth he dodged the attack, (while hopping on his other foot) and hits Pyot’s right shoulder.

“Crack! “

“16 Points for Animagus. “

“That will teach him.” Animagus thought.

Pyot attacked again, aiming for his right hand but misses by inches. Wait. What was there on his underarm?

Curiously, he looking down (but still keeping his eyes on his opponent) and noticed some bull-ants sitting there. Angry, he quickly brushed them off before they could bit him. Luckily, it did not happen.

Only his skin was a bit red there and it irritates, but nothing was stinging. Ah! That explains everthing.

Irritated, he crushed them under his heel and knows now what is happing. The thing that he should do now is looking where they came from and then destroy it, before it was too late.

No. There was nothing suspious on his opponent body. The only thing that he has not inspected was the strange looking wristband.

Perhaps he should look closer at that wristband.

[OOC] How much points is hitting the left or right hand? [/OOC]

Edit: Fixed grammar, etc.

_________________
Ash: [talking to mirror] I'm fine... I'm fine...
[Mirror Ash jumps out of the mirror and grabs Ash]
Mirror Ash: I don't think so. We just cut up our girlfriend with a chainsaw. Does that sound "fine"?

Pyot manages to duck inside Animagus' guard and seize his right wrist. He does something complicated and Animagus' entire right hand becomes suddenly limp and useless.

Pyot finishes his maneuver by levering away his opponent's sword.

Quick as a striking snake, Animagus' left hand snatches back his weapon before the halfling can escape with it, and aims a flurry of blows which Pyot barely escapes.

Using his left hand, because his other hand was useless now, Animagus began to hit his opponent with flurry of blows. Pyot desperately tried to dodge the blows, but failed.

“Crack!” “Crack!” “Crack!”

“…8, 16 and 20 points for Animagus, by hitting the wrist, shoulder and the chest.”

Feeling convinced that there was evidence that the wristband had to do something with the stinging, (Pyot was holding his wrist in the way that the wristband was touching him.)

Animagus slide the tip of his sword under the wristband. As he was holding him there, he kept on eying the movements of his opponent. Dodging all the blows of Pyot who began to become desperate.

Then he pulled very hard at the wristband with his sword turning the cheater around and around him. * Faster and faster it went. Animagus had enough and removed his sword from the wristband. By doing that, it throws Pyot hard over the line.

*Like you are holding someone hand and turn him around, until you let him go. (well, you know what I mean.)

_________________
Ash: [talking to mirror] I'm fine... I'm fine...
[Mirror Ash jumps out of the mirror and grabs Ash]
Mirror Ash: I don't think so. We just cut up our girlfriend with a chainsaw. Does that sound "fine"?

Otro watched eagerly as Animagus used his instinct to overcome Pyot's trickery.

Animagus already had Pyot on points, but topped that off by throwing the mischievous malcontent from the ring. If Pyot was smart, he'd lose with dignity by not going back in. Animagus had already become aware of the bull ants, but suspected another trick based on Pyot's curious favoring of the arm with his wristband. That trick would be more serious, as Animagus hadn't yet suffered similar ill effects as both Senku and Magog before him.

If Pyot should enter the ring again and win in any way other than skill with the weapons given, Otro hesitated to elucidate a consequence.

_________________

To the horror of Pyot, the crowd began to cheer and laughed at the flight of the little cheater. He went headfirst into the sand (getting a handful of sand in his mouth) and feeling miserable.

Lendon started to count,

3...2

"Why do not you stop your LITTLE charade and give it up will ya? You will only disgrace yourself even more if you go on like THIS. “ Animagus said with contempt.

_________________
Ash: [talking to mirror] I'm fine... I'm fine...
[Mirror Ash jumps out of the mirror and grabs Ash]
Mirror Ash: I don't think so. We just cut up our girlfriend with a chainsaw. Does that sound "fine"?

Now, Gog had been warned about hitting the head, and Korduk had repeatedly forgotten that he had to stay in the circle. The idea of rules of combat had seemed like an oxymoron to most of the braves.

So, to be fair, Pyot was merely fighting to win and, as far as he knew, he hadn't broken any rules. Not to mention the fact that he was miniscule when compared to the others. He was using every advantage he could.

But he was bruised and battered and, despite being hyped up on magic mushrooms, he was unwilling to take any more. He strode to the circle and bowed theatrically to Animagus.

"You're a tough nut, dogman, that's for sure. I've never seen anyone stand up to my striking scorpion maneuver before. You're a great warrior. No hard feelings, then, big fella, let's be friends instead."

Animagus wins!

You're a tough nut, dogman, that's for sure. I've never seen anyone stand up to my striking scorpion maneuver before. You're a great warrior. No hard feelings, then, big fella, let's be friends instead.

Otro had been concerned, but apparently for little reason. He lived his life by a set of moral rules as dictated by his people, and he neglected to consider that other people from different tribes would have their own rules. And, while still having the perspective of a hunter, he lacked the perspective of a warrior for many years - so in his attempts to make the fights more fair, and in effect, safer, he lost the mind set of the people actually participating.

Night fell, a fire was made. A celebratory feast was held, and Otro painted a pyramid with the winners of each round shown bottom to top. Animagus was shown at the top with the Thunderbolt raised above him.

Animagus sat on his favorite spot by the fire, between Fang and Scar. Otro brought out the Thunderbolt wrapped in a piece of cured horse hide, as the hunting party had recently downed a large stallion. Some of the party wanted to try befriending it and even riding it - but Rifa and Animagus knew how tasty horse was, and ended up convincing the rest of the group to take it down. Besides,

Guys, sabretooth cats don't try riding the horses they want to eat.

Otro stood next to Animagus, and said,

Stand, Animagus. You have bested the warriors of our tribe and shown yourself capable of wielding the Thunderbolt. It will amplify your heart, make you stronger in your convictions and desires. Listen to this blade, and it will tell you who you are.

_________________

[OOC] I was not that content with the previous post, so I deleted it. Sorry about this. [/OOC]

Animagus stood up and listen to the speech that was given by the wise man Otro. It was honest and wise. Just as he finished his speech, they all began to cheer for Animagus.

Now that the speech was done, the Giving Ceremony began. Knowning that it was getting serious, the cheering died down very quickly. While Otro began to sing, the Thunderbolt sword was given to the worthy winner. Animagus. With care and respect he took it and spoke to Otro.

"Your words are wise and true. For I shall follow your wise advice as my guidence and take it as gospel* "

Then he turned around to adress everyone of each tribe.

Let it be known that at this day everyone shall live into the light. For I shall guide you all into prosper. So shall it be.

*Are these the corect words?

_________________
Ash: [talking to mirror] I'm fine... I'm fine...
[Mirror Ash jumps out of the mirror and grabs Ash]
Mirror Ash: I don't think so. We just cut up our girlfriend with a chainsaw. Does that sound "fine"?

[OOC]Eh...I think gospel is a bit strong. But I'm pretty sure I can roll with it, so long as it doesn't get up its own ass religious.[/OOC]

The cave was filled with cheer, and an impromptu tribal concert was held to celebrate the occasion. Bone flutes were played and coconut shells were struck together for percussion. The tribe began to sing,

It fell from the sky,
And is now in his hands -
The Thunderbolt Blade,
Guides our tribe through the land.

We now sing for the present
The future, and past
We were many people -
But now one that will last.


Otro, despite the occasion, was aware that there would indeed be challenges for the amalgamated people in this tribe. The superstitious southerners that held the festival would surely seek the Thunderbolt, and everyone was in such a hurry to leave the valley that no one minded to cover their tracks.

Otro spoke to Rifa in his people's language -

Rifa, there's a storm coming. You're very proficient with a blade in each hand. Two smaller blades are as deadly as one larger one, especially when the person wielding them is a Juho (ambidextrous person) like you. I have plenty of Thunderbolt Iron left to make you a set of blades, because we need our most skilled warriors carrying these weapons.

Rifa beamed.

That's awesome! What will they be called?

I'll decide after I've made them.

It took about a week to get enough coals from fires so there'd be enough fuel to use in the forge in combination with what was left over. The winds were more powerful this time of year, and the days were darker sooner. This meant the meteorite alloy would heat up faster and the working temperature could be more easily guessed by color - this all made the process that much faster, though care had to be taken so the Thunderbolt didn't start to melt.

Two months after Otro had gathered the coal, Litha and Rotra (left and right, respectively) were completed. Two blades, 16 inches long in total, with 6 inch handles (wrapped in hide, of course) and 10 inch curved blades. While the Thunderbolt had weight behind it to increase cutting power, Litha and Rotra cut by increased surface area on the edge.

Rifa, I would like you to meet your left and right hands - Litha and Rotra, tools befitting the one called Liroi-Jankinz. As the Thunderbolt guides Animagus, you too will be guided. Fight for our tribe, help our Chieftain.

_________________

Now everyone could feel that the days were lengthening, and the sun was returning. Among most of the peoples, there was always the concern that it would keep going forever, and there was a variety of ceremonies which tried to convince it to come back every midwinter.

Lendorn and Otro had confirmed the maths: Yes, the sun was returning. And everyone was most relieved.

Now that the sun has returned, everyone knew that things are going to be much better than the past few months. Full of joy they walked out of the cave, and felt that the sunrays were warm and welcoming on their skin.

The return of the light was welcoming for Animagus and his companions, but still he was somehow very concerned. He spoke to Otro, when he showed him what he has seen.

“Look. More men. “ as they watch another armed group walking towards the northeast of here. “It looks like that more people are going to search for that parts of the meteor.” No. I do not think that any good will come when they all searching for the same thing.

_________________
Ash: [talking to mirror] I'm fine... I'm fine...
[Mirror Ash jumps out of the mirror and grabs Ash]
Mirror Ash: I don't think so. We just cut up our girlfriend with a chainsaw. Does that sound "fine"?

We don't have much time before they track us back to this cave. I have enough of the Thunderbolt Iron left to make guards for Haethor's tusks, and what Pyot ended up calling a "grappling-hook" after he described its purpose to me...

Otro looked intrigued by the idea, and said,

...His people are proficient with such things when they're attached to a rope or vine, but they would normally make them from jaw bones. I would enjoy not fighting with these men...

Otro's expression became grim,

...but should things become violent, we can "give" them the Thunderbolt. Our survival depends on this gift - I do not trust these men will allow us our lives should we give it freely.

Furrowing his brow in determination,

We must keep quiet about the Thunderbolt tools, unless these men threaten our people. I've gathered plenty of coal to start - I suppose I'll take more from fires as I work to speed things up.

The tribe had been able to hunt what they called "Naked Gods" in this valley. Otro had gathered tusks from these shameless and intelligent creatures to make totems and tools upon Haethor's inspection. Otro ended up breaking off large pieces of some of these tusks and shaping them to match the dimensions of Haethor's, so he could fit the Thunderbolt while it was still hot and malleable. Not much of the thunderbolt was needed, just enough to essentially make a sheathe (about 1/8th inch thick) for the last 5 inches of each of the young earth god's tusks - so work on these tusk based upgrades only took about two weeks. Haethor seemed to know the tools were for him as they were being forged, and decided to help bring coals from the fire in an animal hide. Upon completion, his pupils dilated and he nearly seemed to smile as he inspected each sheathe with his trunk. The Thunderbolt-Tusks didn't just have a practical purpose; they looked very nice on the adolescent mammoth. Otro wanted to call them "God Pikes," but Haethor always seemed to respond more when something was called -

Banana.

Haethor let out a low trumpet blast, and from the context, Otro knew what the young god meant.

Pyot's grappling hook ended up needing about three quarters as much material as Haethor's tusk-pikes, but took nearly a week longer due to being so labor intensive. There was a hole needed in the base for a rope to tie to (made by tediously bending the hook around a small horse rib {crushing 4 in the process}), twisting the long piece of thunderbolt around itself by pressing the two ends under a flat piece of stone (with Haethor's bulk and a rib in the previously made hole for torsion), and then trying to figure out how to make the hook into a "hook" - luckily, Senku spotted a large, conveniently shaped black stone sticking out of the sand on the beach when he was spearing fish. This stone would eventually be called "basalt," and has a similar hardness to granite, but breaks more easily due to being porous and brittle - this one had been fired into the atmosphere by an active volcano several miles away, and its shape had been determined by the most aerodynamic shape for magma to take as it fell back to earth while cooling. The black stone was placed on top of the granite slab, and the hook was quickly bent with this paleolithic "jig," though the final blow that cemented the curve broke a large chunk from the basalt, ruining it for similar projects in the future. A sharpened barb was on the end of each hook, and what was created looked quite similar to a fishing hook made to catch sharks, but with a much less pronounced curve.

Otro handed Pyot his new grappling hook, and Pyot had gathered sinew and hide together to make his own rope.

Pyot, your extensive use of tools in combat humbles us, and I am proud to give you this Monkey Paw. Take it with pride, as the soul of the Thunderbolt has now been given to the four mightiest members of our tribe. Let this tool hone your spirit, large man with a small frame.

This...thank you, Otro. I'll use it well, and...can I fish with it?

Perhaps...but we're going to need a bigger boat.

_________________

END OF CHAPTER TWO. ((nicely done!))

Now the Lost Boys of the empire were not lost, except that they were looking for the way home, and they were not boys either, having been thrown out of the empire at puberty, except that they were desperate to prove themselves as real men.

They were, to a man, raised in the heart of the empire, princes of paradise, and then outcast overnight into the wilderness where they were absorbed into an ecology of savages which makes modern street gangs look like kindergarden for baby girls. In short, they were merciless, relentless and, above all, cunning warriors.

When the witchdoctor had returned to the Third Plateau with news of the holy sign, the council of matriarchs had wasted no time in sending out the word: many wives for the boy who returns from the valley with the thunderbolt, and one wife for each boy who returns with one thousand noses from the foreign-devils who infest the outer lands.

Homo sapiens sapiens had declared open season on neanderthal.

So, in the autumn, (which was spring down there but nevermind that) the lost boys had surrounded, burned, ambushed, raped and murdered a few dozen tribes of fisherfolk. This was step one in the mob mind's unspoken plan, to gain the mighty twenty-man canoes which would take an entire family group several years to complete.

Step two, also unspoken, was to paddle like demons to the northern bay and there, descend upon the infidels like the dragon hordes of heaven.

So, as the midwinter passed in the north, bands of twenty and forty and sixty veteran warriors at a time were trickling through the valley with murderous intent. Many passed by the cliffs without seeing the concealed cave entrance, and many more passed by out of sight, fanning through eurasia, slaughtering families and collecting noses.

From a distant scout's point of view, the snaking chains of hunters and their trails of flame and ash were indeed like avenging dragons.

As the ruthless and murdering warriors moved along the cliffs with murderous intent, everyone in cave held their breaths.

They moved over the next cliffs and out of sight. We are safe at the time being. Thanks to the one who concealed this cave with high skill.

_________________
Ash: [talking to mirror] I'm fine... I'm fine...
[Mirror Ash jumps out of the mirror and grabs Ash]
Mirror Ash: I don't think so. We just cut up our girlfriend with a chainsaw. Does that sound "fine"?

Rifa shadowed one of the raiding parties along with Pyot. The braves had developed a system of complex communication using clicks and whistles reminiscent of animals moving through the forest in this area, allowing the two paleolithic spies to speak without alerting their subjects;

Did you see the remains of the last tribe they destroyed?

We were both there...but I've never seen such utter disregard for life.

This is a new breed - these people are different from Otro, Animagus and me - you as well, Mud Monkey.

They've desecrated everything...is nothing sacred to these beasts?

Well, my people always say a rival tribe's god will keep coming back until you desecrate their shrine completely...so that makes sense to me.

Rifa stumbled and caught herself, but not before she had snapped a branch in her discombobulation.

The lost boys were on the alert. One of the lower ranked men spoke aloud;

What was that?!

Rifa and Pyot held still, both covered in mud and leaves to help disguise them against the forest background.

Go and check it out. It was probably nothing, but we can't be caught off guard.

The one who spoke first tentatively walked toward Rifa's position. There were only five of them in this semi-party (branched off from the larger group, presumably to gather up later). The two braves waited for the wildlife to perk up again, and spoke;

Should I, Mud Monkey...?

Hey, they started it. But if we strike at these men, their friends will look for them.

...Ah, you're right. We need to get back to the tribe and tell them what we've seen. Ok, let's move!

Pyot had learned the growl of the mighty, yet not as mighty as the saber tooth cat, scimitar tooth cat. The Lost Boys dropped to the ground, allowing Rifa and Pyot to escape at their leisure.

Getting back into the cave, the two braves noticed Animagus speaking to the tribe;

...Thanks to the one who concealed this cave with high skill.

We trailed a raiding party!

Rifa and I went out to hunt for anything dumb enough to stick around while these maniacs are out and about, ended up watching them from the forest as they were leaving a destroyed settlement.

Then it is almost time. They will find this cave, and our tribe...how many in a party?

There were five in the group we trailed...

...But they like travelling in groups of at least 20.

One of those parties was about the same size as the entire tribe.

*!*...We cannot fight on their terms. When they confront us, we must take them by surprise. We should begin working on a counter-attack as soon as possible.

_________________

Corncered about what he has heard, Animagus asked.

What do we know about them? Are they well organized? Weapons and defences? Well verses in survival and tracking?

Knowing that his people will be in danger against these barbaric heathens, they need to come with a plan that MUST work. Fast. Real fast. Or everything will be lost.

Animagus and Otro took council about the dire situation.

I have a couple of ideas, but I want to know what you think of them, Otro.

Animagus felt silent and then spoke again.

What about this. They are going to follow the old trail right? If my memory is correct, those heathens will come across the hills with one long road. What if we let them in there. Then dropping two boulders to block the both ways so they are trapped. Only does our spears work in this?

_________________
Ash: [talking to mirror] I'm fine... I'm fine...
[Mirror Ash jumps out of the mirror and grabs Ash]
Mirror Ash: I don't think so. We just cut up our girlfriend with a chainsaw. Does that sound "fine"?

Now Keelsol knew of the lost boys, having lived to the northeast of their homelands in what we today call Somalia. Therefore he had much to say about them around the campfire that night.

"They are very bad people, these people. They are skilled trackers, though *sniff* not quite as good as me, and deadly with the stone-tipped spear and launching-stick.

"They are not so strong as you, dog-man, but they can run fast all day and all night. Not as far or as fast as me of course, but nearly. Worst of all, they are cunning. Their true gift is to anticipate their prey's actions and they're uncannily canny about it.

Among my people, they say a single band destroyed an entire tribe by feint and misdirection and ambush. They are a very bad people, but very good at it."

Otro let Animagus and Keelsol finish their thoughts before he spoke;

From what Keelsol says of these cunning devils, your plan could serve us well, Animagus. If they're clever, we must be more so, and find a way to get them fighting on our terms. Rifa, Pyot, did either of you notice anything in the tribal settlement those warriors left?

Rifa paled slightly, and regained her composure;

...No noses, Otro. Everyone's nose was cut off.

The women were more messed up than I'd like to see, too.

Pyot's face had a disturbed expression while he relayed that information, and Rifa became indignant.

They did something terrible to those tribes for that to happen. The men killing all of these people aren't nearly strong enough to do that to one of us!

It's true that the most vile people will use your sentiments against you...but the noses...some sort of symbolic trade? What could be worth killing people for their noses? If parts of us are commodities, how do they treat their own people?

Keelsol spoke up briefly;

They take pieces of their enemies and use them to trade for wives.

For a few minutes, the tribe was silent. Otro spoke up to relieve the awkward tension;

Animagus, we can use your plan. We can use the terrain to our advantage as well - I would trust that living here for so long has given us more direct experience in the landscape. There are many deep holes in the ground, we should cover them with branches and leaves and lead these men into them. The fall will not kill them, but I don't see us having a problem doing that once they've gone in. What else can we do?

_________________

"Gran says she has an idea, boss." Said Pyot, translating. The ancient halfling witch usually preferred her own language, which was very different to the common speech.

"She says she can poison a piglet or a turtle - something very tasty - so that whoever eats it will go to sleep and wake up paralysed for life, but their flesh won't be poisoned in turn."

The mud monkey beamed around at everyone, who were absorbing this new fact about their head chef.

"Once we have them, we can... you know, take their powers." He had learned some tact when discussing his religion in the cosmopolitan little tribe. "Gran says she can learn a lot from their brains."