Roleplayer Guild - Forum Roleplaying Games - View Single Post

kio_fyre · #89 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008

Isej's gaze remained steady on Shandon as the leader made his announcement. It seemed deliberate as though the man had wanted Isej to heed every single word, which of course he had. His gaze was still triumphant, but it had a critical edge to it, curious as to what this leader had in store with appearing so unarmed to his people.

He grit his teeth suddenly when he was goaded into movement. He had barely been touched, but the jostle was enough to ignite pain within his ribcage once again. He made no other acknowledgment of the pain than a small wheeze and said nothing otherwise. He trudged down as best he could on his own, though had no choice but to take aid from who ever would be supporting him on some of the footing. It was humiliating, having to be babied so. But he supposed it was less humiliating then taking a second tumble because he was too prideful to take the help.

Through all of this though, he dreaded coming before his people in the hands of his captors. He dreaded to imagine the look his father would give him, and knew fully that he would not blame them if they simply refused to come out at all. It was taught to the people as a whole that no one person could come before the whole group. Even if the high chief was his father, he was no more important than the next. It was against their communal law for the high chief to put anyone member of their ethnic family above another. No matter the relation.

With that knowledge in mind, Isej couldn't wait to see the look on this current leader's face when he either met a swift death, or no one originated from the seemingly abandoned camp at all.

Of course, he was all too easy to read, and when three figures suddenly came out of hiding, he became quickly crestfallen. No... something like this wasn't supposed to happen...

-----------------------------------------------

Arlix stood in anticipation as he watched the group, his hand raised once four started making their way down. On cue, his eight archers raised their bows to remain at the ready. There were only four. Easily taken care of.

But one was dressed... in such a familiar way. Arlix's eyes hardened sudden and critical with a hawk's sight despite his age as he watched the four, trying to figure out why one of them looked so familiar...

"Put down the bows," he hissed suddenly. "Isej is with them!" Immediately, his archers did as bid, setting the bows down gingerly on the ground to crowd next to their high chief and look as well.

There was a delay while they watched the four travel down the the area of their village before Arlix finally turned to the archers. Two of you, leave your bows and come with me. We have not a prisoner, but let this be on equal ground," he said in a cool tone. "The rest of you stand and wait, should I signal you," he made a quick gesture to show what the signal would be, "fire with care. Aim only for the intruders. When I leave this cover, scatter. They will expect an attack from this location once I reveal it." he explained, then turned and was walking at a brisk pace towards the clearing, his two archers at his back, standing slightly out to the side to make a semi-arrow formation.

He strode out with confidence and it seemed to flow to his escort to make a grand, almost fearless image. He hated to appear so volatile. It was against his nature, but his people as a whole were much too wounded to take any risks. He had to be a protective leader. It was what his position demanded.

As for revealing himself for Isej's sake... he would have done the same for any other of his people. He stood out in the open, in well enough range for his archers to wait for Shandon to come to him. They were his lands after all.