Around a corner, a woman stood with a small box. Upon the lid, it said to be makeup, but her fingers slowly turned a small wheel on the underside. At the front of the box, a small slit began to fall. A small barrel began to creep from the hole created by the removal of the slit. With one click of the wheel, a small trigger dropped down.
Easing his finger on the trigger… A wet liquid trickled from her throat. Gasping, a hand firmly stuck over her mouth as a sheering pain cut through her back. Her eyes rolled back as the figure behind allowed her body to fall into their arms. Moving back, the figure held her as she lay the body in the shelter of the thick shadows.
Through blurry eyes, she stared at a woman. Long grey ears, soft brown eyes, and a bloody dagger in her hand. An elf? The woman tried to scream, yet the drops of life flowed as her eyes closed. Casually taking her dagger, she wiped it against her cloak. A large red owl, its eyes wide, and its face within a metal machine cog was on her back.
“Rest,” she muttered, her eyes staring towards the dead woman as the last of the breath left her cut lungs. Turning, the elf looked back out into the street. Charlie and an attentive Ourupadia carefully strolled, stopping as she saw something in a shop window which caught her interest.
“Are they alright?” A man said, dressed in the same cloak asked as another man and a woman dragged away the body.
“They look to be, tell Wrench he was correct. Mr Green Water has some eyes here,” the elf said to the man. Giving a nod, he disappeared back into the shadows.
“That...What?” Ourupadia said, holding Charlie a little further from her as she pointed into a shop window.
Turning his gaze to where she pointed, Charlie smiled. It was a well-made dress, from the looks of the capital. The hefty price tag also gave him that opinion. Placing her finger onto the glass, she began to make small markings with her nail. Seeing her sharp nails leaving marks on the glass, Charlie wrapped his right hand around her wrist. Looking down confused, she lilted her head to the side.
Looking from his worried face, then up to the glass, she jumped.
“S... Sorry,” she muttered, her ears drooping as she stared at the markings on the glass. Standing back, Ourupadia continued to stare at the dress. Reaching into a small leather pouch on her side, she brought out several coppers. Frowning, she looked to the price tag, then back to her measly three coins.
Turning, and holding him to her chest, she began to continue back down the road. Just as they left, he stared at the markings on the window. She had made small slashes and cuts. Interested, Charlie went to ask about what she had planned, but his interest was quitted by her drooping ears. Straining his neck up, he saw the small price tag on the dress. Five gold, expensive…
Continuing down the path, Charlie simply stared at Ourupadia. Her eyes were sunken, her ears seemingly even more down than before. Leaning back, he saw her tail. It was drooped. Usually, he would have told her off for allowing her tail and ears to be shown, but it was late at night and considering…
Charlie looked to the rooftops. A woman sat high upon the roof. She had a long, wolf-like tail and tall wolf-like ears. From appearance alone, she looked to be the same species as Ourupadia. Wolvanticai? That was the name, right? Well, either way, this lurking woman wore the same cloche as Wrench with the owl on it. Taking this into account, he assumed it was safe to think he had some protection under him.
Curling into her arms, he gently rubbed his head against her arm. For a moment her ears perked up as Charlie continued to beam a smile at her. Again, her ears moved up some more as she continued to walk. Turning a corner, Charlie saw they were reaching the team left at the gates. Tapping her arm, he gained her attention.
Pointing down he made it clear he wanted to be on his feet again. Staring at his cheeks, and seeing them to no longer bright red, Ourupadia allowed him back onto his feet. Standing back and allowing him to his feet, they together continued down the path. Reaching the group, they gave their quick salutations before Charlie moved outside to the Desert Claimer.
Ourupadia stood next to the other huntresses as they stared at Charlie. Several Vultures helped him get onto the Desert Claimer.
“Is he alright?” the familiar voice of Klipesia said, walking to the side of Ourupadia.
“Oh, I think so yes. What brings you to hear?” Ourupadia answered in their native tongue.
“Well… call it superstitious but the Chiefess was sleeping and,” Klipesia stayed quiet for a bit as if judging her thoughts and what words she was about to say.
“She felt uneasy, almost sick and a sudden sense of dread…along with a feeling of Charlie in pain,” Ourupadia said, her eyes fixing on Charlie. Eyes widening for a second as her shoulders moved back, Klipesia nodded.
“Um, yeah, how did you know?”
“I felt the same,” Ourupadia said, Klipesia’s shock showing as her lips parted slightly as if trying to speak but the words just not finding their way past her tongue.
“I did as well. From the looks of it, quite a few others have,” Klipesia spoke as she also turned her attention to Charlie as he now ruffled through a large box of gold coins.
He took out about twenty or so as a good prediction for compensation. Before turning to get back down he hesitated. Subtly, he glanced over his shoulder to Ourupadia. Did the Chiefess’s tribe have a tax? If so, he might be able to find a way to write this off as a tax expense, but… sighing, he took out five large gold coins and placed them into his pocket while placing the rest of the money into a small leather pouch.
Jumping from the Desert Claimer with the help of the Vultures, he began to walk back towards Ourupadia. Smiling, if not a slightly confused smile, at Klipesia he waved to her.
“Oh um, hello?” he said as he reached them.
“Hello,” Klipesia said, giving an odd grin to Charlie. Recoiling slightly, he stared accusingly at her. He knew that grin. One of his maids had a similar look when she had found porn images under his bed which she then proceeded to act as if she hadn’t seen. For certain, she was hiding something. Sighing, Charlie pushed his suspicions to the side. To say the least, he was tired. What felt like an eternity in that pit was starting to catch to him. His body ached and his mind had an even greater strain.
“What brings you here?” Charlie said, walking to the side of Ourupadia. Seeing how comfortable he was around her, Klipesia’s eyes relaxed.
“Oh, the Chiefess just says she wonders if we can move into the second part of your plan,” In silent judgment, Ourupadia stared at Klipesia as she spoke.
“Ah, perfect. Yes, just don’t start the third part until I am there,” Charlie said.
Despite the dark bags under his eyes, the seriousness and sternness of his tone shifted the mood. Yet as he discussed plans with Klipesia, Ourupadia saw the blank stare in her eyes. What was wrong? Her eyes wandered not to him, but rather to Ourupadia’s arm. As if daring her to move closer to him. Somewhat out of curiosity, Ourupadia shifted her arm a little closer to him.
Watching carefully as Klipesia’s eyes widened just slightly enough that unless you were paying attention you would not have noticed. Ourupadia had spent time with the Vultures. She had been taught in-depth how to read people well due to their personalities and how it could link to facial and body expressions.
Klipesia knew well and applying the formula from the Vultures, it was clear she was irritated. Moving a little further from Charlie, she watched her relax slightly. Best not to anger her unless it meant she didn’t take in all the information Charlie was saying. Once Charlie was finished with his instructions, he returned to the side of Ourupadia.
“Ok let us leave, I will come back soon then we can head back to the village. Well, I want to wrap some stuff up with Wrench first,” Charlie said with a smile as he began to walk back into the town. Both watched as he walked. Ourupadia turned to follow him before Klipesia spoke.
“You look close to him?” She began. Ourupadia gave a simple nod.
“He is my friend, I am also the only person here who truly has his best interest at heart,” Ourupadia said, narrowing her eyes slightly before continuing after Charlie.
“Miss Klipesia?” A huntress said, gripping her bow as she stared after Ourupadia. Placing a hand onto hers, Klipesia shook her head.
“Save your strength, once they have finished whatever they are doing we will return with him to the tribe,” Klipesia spoke as she turned and began to move back to the exhausted Desert Striders they had taken from when they raided the Region Lord’s outpost.
From the very second, the Chiefess sensed something was wrong, it was only Nolkonoe who was able to talk her out of sending the entire army to come and collect Charlie. It seemed that was a good thing, after all, if the Chiefess had seen Charlie and Ourupadia so close not even the negotiating skills of Nolkonoe could stop the blood bath.
Through the streets, Charlie and Ourupadia walked. Ourupadia’s eyes kept to the side as every few paces she saw shadows dart from rooftop to rooftop. From the unseen, there was a strange sense of calm. A scent she recognised, yet it seemed so foreign. Placing a gentle hand onto Charlie’s yeah, Ourupadia took in a deep breath.
“Larkant Froraka?” she muttered quietly.
One of the dashing shadows to their side stopped. Smiling, she saw the tall ears of a Wolvanticai. It seemed Charlie was right, they could trust this place. Larkant Froraka translated means ‘once a huntress, always a huntress’ or better put a regular figure of speech in their tribe. Despite her best efforts to distract Charlie, he had noticed this.
Did she know her? Or better put… he followed Ourupadia’s gaze. The Wolvanticai who sat upon the roof stared down at them, and both stared back. The longer he looked, Charlie saw this Wolvanticai male.
“Old Generations of the tribe more like amazon. Unlike Amazon, do not kill male child, only sell,” Ourupadia said, giving a small nod of respect to the figure before continuing to walk. Confused, but also not wanting to be left behind Charlie continued after her. But not before giving a nod to the man, which in turn got a small smile from him.
“You know her?” A cheeky voice of a woman whispered into the ear of the male Wolvanticai. Turning, he saw a fellow cloaked member who bared the same red owl upon her cloak.
“No, she…” he smiled, “I just think she might be a distant relative,” Both watched Charlie and Ourupadia for a while longer, before slipping back into the shadows to continue their overwatch of them.
Arriving back at the shop, they saw the rest of the mini raiding party waiting patiently under the shop window. Wrench by this point stood at an ally, chatting to the Night Elf girl… wait. Charlie looked back to the shop. The Night Elf girl was already in the shop? Twins? Glancing back to the one talking to Wrench, she exchanged words with him before glancing at Charlie and Ourupadia.
Subtly turning to look at them, he nodded and waved a hand to excuse her. Handing the bag of money to Ourupadia, he smiled at her as she quickly rushed to the others. Showing proudly the money, they all leapt up as they rushed inside the store. Stumbling back and shaking her hands, Charlie could hear the Night Elf asking for the girls to calm down as they quickly shoved the bag of coins against her chest and began to pick through the stands of food.
Smiling, Charlie watched as Ourupadia lifted a pastry to her nose. Sniffing it, her ears pricked up with excitement before she quickly shoved one in her mouth and began stuffing more into the leather bag on her side.
“They seem happy,” Wrench said as he moved to stand next to Charlie.
“Yeah… an um… about the deal,” Charlie tapped his foot, “I think it will work. Just promise you won’t try anything until we have gotten rid of Mr Green Water,”
Wrench nodded.
“Alright, and sorry for you know… trying to kill you. For a while, I just saw you're farther and well, I can’t help myself at times,” he turned and extended a hand to Charlie.
“My agents say Mr Green Water has had some eyes on you here. All of them have been dealt with. So, with this, how about we have a proper introduction?” Charlie smirked as he took his hand.
“Charlie, Husband of the Chiefess of the third Region. She is the strength, I am the smarts,”
“Wrench, owner of the factory district here in my town, and hopefully future Region Lord. A pleasure to meet you,” Wrench smirked under his mask as he noticed Charlie not using his last name.
Before they could continue talking, a loud crash of glass and the bang of a door sounded from behind them. Turning, they saw the natives scurrying from the shop, pastries, bread and all kinds of foods in their hands as they charged down the street. The Night Elf girl burst from the shop and she began to shake her fist at the group as they continued to sprint away.
“Well, it is best I got aft-” Charlie was cut off as Ourupadia quickly grabbed him and threw him over her shoulder as she then returned to the group, and they continued their tactical pastry retreat.
Around a corner, a woman stood with a small box. Upon the lid, it said to be makeup, but her fingers slowly turned a small wheel on the underside. At the front of the box, a small slit began to fall. A small barrel began to creep from the hole created by the removal of the slit. With one click of the wheel, a small trigger dropped down.
Easing his finger on the trigger… A wet liquid trickled from her throat. Gasping, a hand firmly stuck over her mouth as a sheering pain cut through her back. Her eyes rolled back as the figure behind allowed her body to fall into their arms. Moving back, the figure held her as she lay the body in the shelter of the thick shadows.
Through blurry eyes, she stared at a woman. Long grey ears, soft brown eyes, and a bloody dagger in her hand. An elf? The woman tried to scream, yet the drops of life flowed as her eyes closed. Casually taking her dagger, she wiped it against her cloak. A large red owl, its eyes wide, and its face within a metal machine cog was on her back.
“Rest,” she muttered, her eyes staring towards the dead woman as the last of the breath left her cut lungs. Turning, the elf looked back out into the street. Charlie and an attentive Ourupadia carefully strolled, stopping as she saw something in a shop window which caught her interest.
“Are they alright?” A man said, dressed in the same cloak asked as another man and a woman dragged away the body.
“They look to be, tell Wrench he was correct. Mr Green Water has some eyes here,” the elf said to the man. Giving a nod, he disappeared back into the shadows.
“That...What?” Ourupadia said, holding Charlie a little further from her as she pointed into a shop window.
Turning his gaze to where she pointed, Charlie smiled. It was a well-made dress, from the looks of the capital. The hefty price tag also gave him that opinion. Placing her finger onto the glass, she began to make small markings with her nail. Seeing her sharp nails leaving marks on the glass, Charlie wrapped his right hand around her wrist. Looking down confused, she lilted her head to the side.
Looking from his worried face, then up to the glass, she jumped.
“S... Sorry,” she muttered, her ears drooping as she stared at the markings on the glass. Standing back, Ourupadia continued to stare at the dress. Reaching into a small leather pouch on her side, she brought out several coppers. Frowning, she looked to the price tag, then back to her measly three coins.
Turning, and holding him to her chest, she began to continue back down the road. Just as they left, he stared at the markings on the window. She had made small slashes and cuts. Interested, Charlie went to ask about what she had planned, but his interest was quitted by her drooping ears. Straining his neck up, he saw the small price tag on the dress. Five gold, expensive…
Continuing down the path, Charlie simply stared at Ourupadia. Her eyes were sunken, her ears seemingly even more down than before. Leaning back, he saw her tail. It was drooped. Usually, he would have told her off for allowing her tail and ears to be shown, but it was late at night and considering…
Charlie looked to the rooftops. A woman sat high upon the roof. She had a long, wolf-like tail and tall wolf-like ears. From appearance alone, she looked to be the same species as Ourupadia. Wolvanticai? That was the name, right? Well, either way, this lurking woman wore the same cloche as Wrench with the owl on it. Taking this into account, he assumed it was safe to think he had some protection under him.
Curling into her arms, he gently rubbed his head against her arm. For a moment her ears perked up as Charlie continued to beam a smile at her. Again, her ears moved up some more as she continued to walk. Turning a corner, Charlie saw they were reaching the team left at the gates. Tapping her arm, he gained her attention.
Pointing down he made it clear he wanted to be on his feet again. Staring at his cheeks, and seeing them to no longer bright red, Ourupadia allowed him back onto his feet. Standing back and allowing him to his feet, they together continued down the path. Reaching the group, they gave their quick salutations before Charlie moved outside to the Desert Claimer.
Ourupadia stood next to the other huntresses as they stared at Charlie. Several Vultures helped him get onto the Desert Claimer.
“Is he alright?” the familiar voice of Klipesia said, walking to the side of Ourupadia.
“Oh, I think so yes. What brings you to hear?” Ourupadia answered in their native tongue.
“Well… call it superstitious but the Chiefess was sleeping and,” Klipesia stayed quiet for a bit as if judging her thoughts and what words she was about to say.
“She felt uneasy, almost sick and a sudden sense of dread…along with a feeling of Charlie in pain,” Ourupadia said, her eyes fixing on Charlie. Eyes widening for a second as her shoulders moved back, Klipesia nodded.
“Um, yeah, how did you know?”
“I felt the same,” Ourupadia said, Klipesia’s shock showing as her lips parted slightly as if trying to speak but the words just not finding their way past her tongue.
“I did as well. From the looks of it, quite a few others have,” Klipesia spoke as she also turned her attention to Charlie as he now ruffled through a large box of gold coins.
He took out about twenty or so as a good prediction for compensation. Before turning to get back down he hesitated. Subtly, he glanced over his shoulder to Ourupadia. Did the Chiefess’s tribe have a tax? If so, he might be able to find a way to write this off as a tax expense, but… sighing, he took out five large gold coins and placed them into his pocket while placing the rest of the money into a small leather pouch.
Jumping from the Desert Claimer with the help of the Vultures, he began to walk back towards Ourupadia. Smiling, if not a slightly confused smile, at Klipesia he waved to her.
“Oh um, hello?” he said as he reached them.
“Hello,” Klipesia said, giving an odd grin to Charlie. Recoiling slightly, he stared accusingly at her. He knew that grin. One of his maids had a similar look when she had found porn images under his bed which she then proceeded to act as if she hadn’t seen. For certain, she was hiding something. Sighing, Charlie pushed his suspicions to the side. To say the least, he was tired. What felt like an eternity in that pit was starting to catch to him. His body ached and his mind had an even greater strain.
“What brings you here?” Charlie said, walking to the side of Ourupadia. Seeing how comfortable he was around her, Klipesia’s eyes relaxed.
“Oh, the Chiefess just says she wonders if we can move into the second part of your plan,” In silent judgment, Ourupadia stared at Klipesia as she spoke.
“Ah, perfect. Yes, just don’t start the third part until I am there,” Charlie said.
Despite the dark bags under his eyes, the seriousness and sternness of his tone shifted the mood. Yet as he discussed plans with Klipesia, Ourupadia saw the blank stare in her eyes. What was wrong? Her eyes wandered not to him, but rather to Ourupadia’s arm. As if daring her to move closer to him. Somewhat out of curiosity, Ourupadia shifted her arm a little closer to him.
Watching carefully as Klipesia’s eyes widened just slightly enough that unless you were paying attention you would not have noticed. Ourupadia had spent time with the Vultures. She had been taught in-depth how to read people well due to their personalities and how it could link to facial and body expressions.
Klipesia knew well and applying the formula from the Vultures, it was clear she was irritated. Moving a little further from Charlie, she watched her relax slightly. Best not to anger her unless it meant she didn’t take in all the information Charlie was saying. Once Charlie was finished with his instructions, he returned to the side of Ourupadia.
“Ok let us leave, I will come back soon then we can head back to the village. Well, I want to wrap some stuff up with Wrench first,” Charlie said with a smile as he began to walk back into the town. Both watched as he walked. Ourupadia turned to follow him before Klipesia spoke.
“You look close to him?” She began. Ourupadia gave a simple nod.
“He is my friend, I am also the only person here who truly has his best interest at heart,” Ourupadia said, narrowing her eyes slightly before continuing after Charlie.
“Miss Klipesia?” A huntress said, gripping her bow as she stared after Ourupadia. Placing a hand onto hers, Klipesia shook her head.
“Save your strength, once they have finished whatever they are doing we will return with him to the tribe,” Klipesia spoke as she turned and began to move back to the exhausted Desert Striders they had taken from when they raided the Region Lord’s outpost.
From the very second, the Chiefess sensed something was wrong, it was only Nolkonoe who was able to talk her out of sending the entire army to come and collect Charlie. It seemed that was a good thing, after all, if the Chiefess had seen Charlie and Ourupadia so close not even the negotiating skills of Nolkonoe could stop the blood bath.
Through the streets, Charlie and Ourupadia walked. Ourupadia’s eyes kept to the side as every few paces she saw shadows dart from rooftop to rooftop. From the unseen, there was a strange sense of calm. A scent she recognised, yet it seemed so foreign. Placing a gentle hand onto Charlie’s yeah, Ourupadia took in a deep breath.
“Larkant Froraka?” she muttered quietly.
One of the dashing shadows to their side stopped. Smiling, she saw the tall ears of a Wolvanticai. It seemed Charlie was right, they could trust this place. Larkant Froraka translated means ‘once a huntress, always a huntress’ or better put a regular figure of speech in their tribe. Despite her best efforts to distract Charlie, he had noticed this.
Did she know her? Or better put… he followed Ourupadia’s gaze. The Wolvanticai who sat upon the roof stared down at them, and both stared back. The longer he looked, Charlie saw this Wolvanticai male.
“Old Generations of the tribe more like amazon. Unlike Amazon, do not kill male child, only sell,” Ourupadia said, giving a small nod of respect to the figure before continuing to walk. Confused, but also not wanting to be left behind Charlie continued after her. But not before giving a nod to the man, which in turn got a small smile from him.
“You know her?” A cheeky voice of a woman whispered into the ear of the male Wolvanticai. Turning, he saw a fellow cloaked member who bared the same red owl upon her cloak.
“No, she…” he smiled, “I just think she might be a distant relative,” Both watched Charlie and Ourupadia for a while longer, before slipping back into the shadows to continue their overwatch of them.
Arriving back at the shop, they saw the rest of the mini raiding party waiting patiently under the shop window. Wrench by this point stood at an ally, chatting to the Night Elf girl… wait. Charlie looked back to the shop. The Night Elf girl was already in the shop? Twins? Glancing back to the one talking to Wrench, she exchanged words with him before glancing at Charlie and Ourupadia.
Subtly turning to look at them, he nodded and waved a hand to excuse her. Handing the bag of money to Ourupadia, he smiled at her as she quickly rushed to the others. Showing proudly the money, they all leapt up as they rushed inside the store. Stumbling back and shaking her hands, Charlie could hear the Night Elf asking for the girls to calm down as they quickly shoved the bag of coins against her chest and began to pick through the stands of food.
Smiling, Charlie watched as Ourupadia lifted a pastry to her nose. Sniffing it, her ears pricked up with excitement before she quickly shoved one in her mouth and began stuffing more into the leather bag on her side.
“They seem happy,” Wrench said as he moved to stand next to Charlie.
“Yeah… an um… about the deal,” Charlie tapped his foot, “I think it will work. Just promise you won’t try anything until we have gotten rid of Mr Green Water,”
Wrench nodded.
“Alright, and sorry for you know… trying to kill you. For a while, I just saw you're farther and well, I can’t help myself at times,” he turned and extended a hand to Charlie.
“My agents say Mr Green Water has had some eyes on you here. All of them have been dealt with. So, with this, how about we have a proper introduction?” Charlie smirked as he took his hand.
“Charlie, Husband of the Chiefess of the third Region. She is the strength, I am the smarts,”
“Wrench, owner of the factory district here in my town, and hopefully future Region Lord. A pleasure to meet you,” Wrench smirked under his mask as he noticed Charlie not using his last name.
Before they could continue talking, a loud crash of glass and the bang of a door sounded from behind them. Turning, they saw the natives scurrying from the shop, pastries, bread and all kinds of foods in their hands as they charged down the street. The Night Elf girl burst from the shop and she began to shake her fist at the group as they continued to sprint away.
“Well, it is best I got aft-” Charlie was cut off as Ourupadia quickly grabbed him and threw him over her shoulder as she then returned to the group, and they continued their tactical pastry retreat.
