Said
the spider to the fly
23/14/10,121 - Badger Clan Set, Thailot foothills
Throwing their gear onto the back of the wagon, tending their scrapes & retrieving Gunther they find themselves escorted by the by the badger clan raiding party back towards the hills. As they travel Illyra cleans the flesh from the talon of one of the dead sky city eagles & places it within her pouch of summoning for future use.
Progress is slow & some two hours later as the sunsets camp is set for the night, the wagon & its occupants secure within the midst of the encircling badger warriors, whilst they are left to their own devises it is clear that they are watched at all times. As supper is prepared & wounds redressed Molin voices his concerns for their safety as they head into badger clan lands, however given the numbers surrounding them there is little they can do.
Following an early start the days end finds the party slowly nearing the badgers set nestled adjacent to a raging mountain torrent, which drops away to become the River Marchant. Their wagon, mounts & pack animals are picketed beyond the clearing & all weapons are confiscated before they are lead to a foul smelling skin covered gurt within the village. Frustrated they are kept under guard, however its is peppered with holes so at least they are able to watch the comings & goings of their captors, which they estimate number some 200 or more. As they keep watch Tharla looks on as the captured Sky City riders are lead up steep steps cut into the face of the cliff face which runs along the rear of the camp, there they pass out of view as they are dragged into caves high in the cliff face.
Following an uncomfortable night, 23/14/10,121, they are fed a bare passable meal &, whilst still frustrated they are at least some what rested after their recent excursions. Late in the morning the gurt is approached by several armed Badger clan whereupon they are informed that they are to be judged for their actions by the elders.
"So bear rutter, we see your mark, the badger clan will not end your quest in darkness, but honour is due & must be given, who amongst you will take up the challenge of the badger clan & face the power of our mighty shaman"
As the gathered clan look on Kilite rises & accepts the challenge, as he is stripped naked, the others watch a small & wizened figure descend the cliff face, also noted is the exchange of coin as bets are made in the watching crowd. The naked body of the wizend shaman is a multitude of ritual scaring, tattoo's & piercings. Unconsciously the crowd drawback as the shamans gaze sweeps across the clearing & settles, eye to eye with Kilite. Unsure what to expect or do Kilite stands cold & perplexed as the shaman continues to stare, slowly the shamans will starts to bare down upon him & Kilite realises that this is the test & he must not break eye contact. As Kilite's fingers move to cast a spell of countermagic, spears are thrust towards his face, he is warned by the elders that he must resist by will alone or face the consequences. Pitting will against will the sweat runs from every pore, muscles tense & shake under the strain & his mind begins to wander. Suddenly however to the shock of those watching the tribes man of magic stumbles & has to be supported by an assistant as he climbs to the caves above.
Kilite, his mind aflame with success, finds new strength & he feels his reserves of power swell within, however the battle has taken its toll & he is lead to the side where a few of the clan grin & raise newly acquired coin to their lips.
Next to contend is Molin, full of confidence after Kilite's success & knowing he is better suited to more simple arts he finds himself naked & armed with a short wooden baton in a pit sixteen paces square & six feet deep facing a similarly attired clan warrior. Combat is swift & short & Molin finds himself lying dazed & confused on the floor, his opponent deftly spinning his own baton around his body, clearly out matched by the skill of the tribal champion Molin acknowledges defeat graciously.
Tharla is given the option of the pit but shakes her head & points toward the twin poles, which have been hauled across the central fire pit. She is faced by a young girl, who smiles & then nimbly hops on to the pole & begins to cross the fire. Tharla rapidly races across her pole gaining & then drawing level with the girl, but alas, over confident at the last, she slips from the pole & despite a valiant leap is pulled from the fire with only minor burns.
Illyra considers the options & to the surprise of all opts for the pit, facing the same opponent as Molin & carrying a bandaged stump she has little chance, Illyra gives a fair account of herself but quickly meets the same fate as Molin.
The four are brought before the elders
"Honour is satisfied, the Badger clan have proved their superiority to the bear clan & the plain dwellers, tonight we will share meat & tomorrow you will leave us & again be are enemy"
That evening the four are escorted from their hut to the central clearing where the gathered clan had begun their celebrations. As they feast Kilite increasingly uneasy, casting his eyes around he eventually picks a figure silhouetted by fire light watching him intently from the caves above, despite the darkness Kilite can feel the Shaman's malicious gaze upon him & it is with some relief that the party retire for the evening to reflect their fortuitous fate at the hands of the badger clan.