MEETUP: Sith and Am'shere Gathering

Mictlan is usually pretty quiet and dark after dusk, particularly in summer when the sun goes down late. Tonight however there is a big bonfire just outside the circle of upthrust ribs and a mostly-naked Sith-makar, black in the firelight, tending it. The flames shoot sparks high into the air and there are a number of logs pulled into a rough circle around the blaze. Ssylrath finishes tossing some more wood into the inferno and stretches, then looks around pleased at the result of his work.

"It iss good. To share breath again." Svarshan drops to the ground nearby. He forms a similar tripod, with sloping legs and heavy tail. Along with him as his menagerie--swiftclaws, cihuaa, and the young hatchlings. They're bumbling now, scuttling over the ground on all fours. One of them charges straight for Ssylrath, and grabs for his leg.

In red and fire and fury born, Zarr hmself is content, and well-pleased. He missed the last Great Meeting-- forgesong is thunderous and loud, and he learned of the Silver's visitation only after it was said and done. Much gnashing of teeth,

,,, and a new forge well.

But now he has come, and brought with some few samples of his work. "Edged and spiked," he explains, rumbling as he displays a simple club of war, decorated with metal teeth. "With a bite wworthy of the things."

Belladona has heard about this meeting from those sith-makars she's befriend since meeting them in the druid's grove. She is curious as to what this entails, but she's left her companion back home. She takes a look around and smiles, "Hello."

Through the brush and things comes Dur'ankar. He trudges his way through the forest, carrying a rather MASSIVE offering for the meeting. Apparently, he found a wild bull out in the forest and managed to lop it's head off. Now, he carries the huge thing into the meeting place and kicks away some leaves before throwing the tied up beast to the ground, curlign his lips up in a bit of a predatory grin. "My bretheren......I bring food to share."

"Breath. And ffire. Your work iss as good asss ever. Ssylrath, thiss is Zarr, of the forgescaless. Zarr, thiss is Ssylrath, of the guides and warriorss. He is a..." After so many words, Svarshan stops, considering. A hatchling grabs at his tail. Two of them. "...of the Wards. And. Dur'ankar of the warriors. Belladona. ...the ssshamanss?" he asks, saying the words with careful slowness.

Nearby, his cihuaa, Vthria steps back to see to the swifts. The beasts toss their heads, one of them posing and eyeing the fire mournfully.

SO MISUNDERSTOOD, that says, though Srassha's eyes grow as wide as saucers when Dur'ankar brings the meat. MOST GENEROUS, MOST KIND PERSON...

Zarr hisses, that steamkettle sound of laughter. "It is good," he says smugly, basking in the approval of his kin despite himself. Though the raging bonfire *might* have something to do with that smug expression. "But," he adds, rumbling. "A gift for the Empress. Also."

Ssylrath welcomes each person as they come, saving a special scritch for the limpet attached to his leg. "Welcome all, thisss is a good night for talking. And for food it ssseems, shall we bury this offering under the coalsss? The hide should keep it from burning." He surveys the gathering and the fire with pride. "I am indeed Sssylrath of the Aseketus tribe, warden isss a good term I think." <draconic>

Zarr hisses, that steamkettle sound of laughter. "It is good," he says smugly, basking in the approval of his kin despite himself. Though the raging bonfire *might* have something to do with that smug expression. "But," he adds, rumbling. "A gift for the Empress. Also." The last with grave earnest, and a glance back to the mule behind, eyeing it for the hundredth time. A tempting morsel... but it has more than his own hunger to bear.

He turns away from it, rumbling approval as Mighty Hunter Dur'ankar emerges. With his own gift to share! "Greeting Warden," he rumbles, rising as he grins. "Greetings to all. And.... one supposes it sholuld be cooked. Some." Hssssk. For the sake of orc visitors

(Even if it *would* be better on the bone! Or wriggling. Yusssss...)

Belladona smiles brightly, "Peace be on all your nests. It's nice to meet you all I am Essence Belladona of the Earth Warders. That is quite a bonfire that you have there." She mms, "That looks great."

The hatchling attached to Ssylrath's leg makes that sound common to all of its size and kind. ...and then begins to chew. The small teeth aren't going to get anywhere--not on the ward's hard scales.

It just makes it try /harder/, though.

"I will. Help." Svarshan works to stand. The movement dislodges some of the hatchlings, who fall to earth peeping. A few of them roll about, staring at everyone there with wide eyes and flaring, tiny muzzles.

"It iss a cusstom. Thank you for coming here to sshare breath, and ssshare Fire." To Zarr, "I am sssure sshe will. Like it. Vthria thought I commented too much. On the color of her sscales." His muzzle rumples pleasantly, picking on his cihuaa, who thumps her tail in comment before giving a yank at the swifts' reins. Fiercely. Quickly.

Dur'ankar says, "There isssss plenty for all." he says before gesturing towards Svarshan and the young ones with him. "Including the hatchlings." He then lifts the carcass over tot he fire and makes ready to cook it, letting Zarr guide him as best as he can. "Dur'ankar of the warrior caste I am. A pleasure it is to see all of you with your fires burning bright."

Ssylrath assists getting the carcass placed where it'll cook. At least some. "I find that cooked meat sssmells better." He then returns to his place by the fire, gazing into the flames. "I wish to report on the attempt on the life of the Empressss. I do not know whether it hasss become widely known, but sssome troglodytes and a dragon tried to assassinate her on her return to Am'shere."

Steel rattles as Zarr reacts with a jerk of shock. "Unthinkable!" comes the growling rasp from scarlet's throat. "Did they challenge properly? Of Leastkin I assume no more than lowscum thinking, but for dragon...!" Bone crunches as he jerks the carcass viciously, shoving his part of the beast into the coals with a snarl. "Dare against the *silver*..." he hisses, red ire rising as is its wont.

Svarshan resettles, and scoops up some of the hatchlings. They peep and wriggle, some of them preferring to explore the grounds. Others, to poke at rocks or earth, and stare unabashedly at those here. He says nothing for the moment, though tension rides his shoulders.

Belladona frowns a little bit, "Really they tried to kill the Empress, who would be so bold to try to do that?" She asks curiously and she smiles at some of the hatchlings, "Hi there."

Dur'ankar lets out a low growl as Ssyl reports that. "Scum." it's also quite obvious he's keeping his own anger in check as his tail lashes from side to side. "Of course they didn't challenge properly. Assassination is trying to kill someone dishonorably." he then growls. "Is she all right?"

Ssylrath nods at Dur'ankar. "It was the day ssshe left, some sssix weeks ago. She was called away sssuddenly by reports of Troglodytes attacking a hatchery, Ulharilti Wiivai and I took sssome others to try to help. We arrived to... devastation. They were clearly targeting the eggsss, and many warriors fell on both sssides." He takes a breath, clearly reliving the scene. "As we caught up with the Empress and her guards, one of the Troglodytes revealed itssself to be a disguised green dragon, sssent to kill her after her magics were mostly ssspent. We assisted her in killing it, but it wasss... unnaturally tough, it took many mighty blows to lay it low. Ulharilti took its heart."

Zarr 's eyes burn. Reflections of firelight, red and hot-- smoldering as he tamps his anger down to a sullen, bitter glow. "She is well then," he rumbles, long tail lashing. A forgone conclusion, hot breath steaming in the air. "Hssk. Again, the Green. Poinsonfangs." Teeth grate together as he glares at the fire, crouching down with a brooding thought. "Ssssk." Wordless but for the black glare at the flames.

"Peep." No few of them wriggle about to stare at Belladona, with her lack of scales and greenish skin. "Peep, peep, p--"

Svarshan abruptly scoops the one up between his hands, and raises it to his muzzle, scenting for a moment. A deeper breath before letting go, a low growl in the back of his throat. "..." Then, "...I have. Fassed gods. And felt the. Warmth of the. Hunter. And the. Might of the Ssun. ...but it paless. Before what the Hearth hass given." He looks down at the hatchling. "Vthria tellsss me. The trogss. Desstroyed the. Grounds."

Dur'ankar snorts to Svarshan. "Then I shall not show them any mercccccccy if I ever face them." he says as he cuts a piece of meat off of the carcass and begins to cook it, then starts cutting more pieces off, mostly for the hatchlings.

Belladona listens to the tail that Ssylrath has to tell, "I am sorry to hear that your young were killed. I hope that that Feiu of the Tears will watch over them and may that Green dragon rot in the void."

Svarshan runs the pad of his thumb over the hatchling's small head. The kid is having none of that, though. It peeps, and makes to wriggle out of its parent's claws, moving small hands and wriggling small tail. Svar lets it go, and it drops...not really sure you know, what to do with this sudden freedom, now. He does look up at Dur'ankar then, and grins. The teeth just shows his agreement. "May the Dragon bless your clawss," he says to the warrior, then. "What did the. Empresss ssay of it?" he asks Ssylrath. "Wass it tied. To the sspies?"

Ssylrath Shakes his head at the memory. "Many hatchlings were massacred, and many eggtenders asss well. The Troglodytes had hoursss of hunting before the last of them were ssstopped. The Empress said that the dragon was sssent and... bolstered somehow, I sssuspect Heth. Who else controlsss dragonsss like that, and wants Am'shere dissstracted?" He glances at Belladona. "The Dragon wasss given a proper burial, it wasss still... of its people. The Troglodytes... thossse vile monsters have not paid for what they did. Yet."

Ssylrath shakes his head at Svarshan. "I do not know that, I merely ssstayed with her until she wasss safe."

At this, Zarr growls--then glances to the hatchlings, grimacing. "Dissstracted," he rumbles darkly, glancing at the younglings roaming nearby. He stirs a claw down in the earth, raking the ashes thoughtfully, cupping one of the coals with an idle glance. "I say we take their dissstraction and shove it bleeding down their throats!" A snarl, cut off; he chokes back his anger with a deliberate determination, simmering fury burning beneath his scales. "Bring the Tribes together. Bear the White Shield. Tell them of what this creature has done, and let the Deaddragonthing stand against all Am;shere, united!"

Belladona nods, "Yes that vile undead dragon has been a bane to many, I have heard that those in the city consider him the cause behind the Dran going to fight the wizards. If you need help hunting down those trog I'd be happy to help. To kill the young is monsterous."

"Svarshan gives himself a shake. "The Ko-Jodakh have losst their Blood. And their mindss," he adds sourly. He thumps his tail at Ssylrath's words, just as Vthria separates herself from the swifts. He watches her with rapt attention as she moves, before looking over to Zarr. His tail gives a solemn thump. "What. Do you know of. Heth?" he asks.

You say, "The Empress could not at the time confirm that it was Heth, it just ssseems likely. It was sscertainly Troglodytes, those... spawn need to be taught a lesson. I know sssome Trogs that... but that is my persssonal issue."

"Little," the Scarlet growls, twirling the smoldering ashes overclaw. Zarr stirs the coals with an expression of biting into something bitter. He's got to ask.... SVARSHAN... for knowledge. The gall! "That he is abomination," he says after a moment, tongue flicking out. "Beyond the Blood. Has given us up in exchange for something vile." He snorts, tossing the handful of ash back into the flames, shaking himself as he rises. "That he insults good steel by not dying properly when stabbed. Height of rudeness, hssk. At lest Troglodytes are reasonable enough to die. Sometimes, screaming."

Priorities.

Dur'ankar says, "Perhapssssss....the trogs should be hunted, like the animals that they are." He then lifts his meat from the fire and cuts a small piece off. he then wanders his way over towards Svarshan and the hatchlings, offering small piece to the little ones, and a larger piece to svarshan, and the rest to Vrithra. He also has another piece of meat now cooking upon the fire."

"Abomination. Ssa, you are right. But your blood. Getsss the besst of you, forge. It iss why--" Svarshan's muzzle snaps closed with a click. "If the tribess go to. War. ...we have them at our backss. We cannot march. Not like ssoftskins." The rebuke is quiet, but there. "We musst be clever, ass we are. In the jungles." He shifts then, to make room for Dur'ankar, though Vthria is giving Zarr a direct look.

Belladona smiles, "I love a good hunt, if you need another hunter, Samafa and I are great hunters." She offers her services. "I've hunted in the jungle before."

Ssylrath shakes his head sadly. "Indeed, we cannot ignore the Troglodytes to attack Heth, nor can we do the reverse entirely. The Empress asssked us to return to Alexandria to watch for more danger, I assume ssshe is dealing with the Am'shere end."

Dur'ankar smiles over towards Belladona......then takes the second piece of meat, setting a third at the fire, and gives that piece of meat to Belladona. It's a bit symbolic when he does, since he takes balladona's hand, places it on top of his before he lets the stick go, placing that hand on top of Belladona's. Bit of a dramatic way to say 'yes' and 'thank you'.

Zarr eyes Vthria, tailtip twitching. TWITCHING. And as smoothly, coming to pause. "One from each," he rumbles quietly. "From the... outcast. From the Hunters. From each tribe, those who burn to... do something other than wait." He leans back for a moment, eyes curved aside as he considers, almost lost in thought. "One of each tribe. Not to march, but to..." He pauses, eyes flicking back to the Herder. "...they will ride. With Silver's blessing. We will be few, but potent. Her Claws. Hsssk."

He stares back at the fire, thoughts racing swiftly. "I will ask the Silver. If she is willing, a small.. contingent will come. From all Am'shere. o tribes. No younglings." He glances back. "Hunters. With steel."

"With thankss," to Belladona. Svarshan looks to Ssylrath. He's quiet a while, just...words. Forming the words. Presently, he leans down and begins to draw in the dirt, to nod to Zarr. Words.

Belladona ohs as she gets given a piece of meat, "Thank you very much." She takes a bite out of a piece of meat. She mmms, "Very good thank you." She nods to Svarshan, "Any time."

Ssylrath spreads his claws and then goes to throw more wood on the fire, sending sparks flying into the dark sky. "I ssserve the Empress. Thaliss and I will do this thing if you asssk."

Zarr rumbles, shaking his head. "She has given you Words to follow. Commands. I have not had them. Only Blood guides me." He pauses, grinning-- teeth sharp in the firelight. "I will.... see if this is possible. Only the Silver will know. Yusss." He turns towards Ssylrath, rumbling as he dips his body. "Thank you for gathering us, Warden, Eggwatcher. I will return when I can."

"Our. Hissstory," Svarshan starts to say. He quiets as the other speak, because words. Words are so damnably -hard-. "Our hissstory," he says again and reaches down to draw a circle in the earth. With a warm smile, he sets one of the sleepy hatchlings at one of the corners. When Zarr gets up, he looks up and pauses though. Smiles. "And the Dragon'ss. Blessing to you asss well. Go in peasse and with the warmth of. Flame."

Zarr raises a claw, raking the air-- a single gesture. "Good hunting, Brightscale," he rumbles, eyes alight. And then turning, to slip away.

To the Portal.

To Am'shere.

Zarr has disconnected.

Ssylrath waves as the other Sith leaves and then turns back. "I have... friendsss among the Wards of the Invisible Path. If any of you wisssh easier access to Am'shere or goods from there I may be able to arrange sssomething." He smiles showing manyuneve teeth. "Does anyone have good newsss?"

A slow smile. Svarshan pauses in the midst of drawing the circle, before leaning back. "We have sspoken with the sshamans regarding the sswifts. Expect a litter next sspring, but no ssooner," wryly. Good news for the Wardens, at any rate.

Belladona hmms, "I don't have any really good news, all has been quiet at least where I have been traveling. So in turbulent times like this I guess that is good news."

Svarshan looks to Belladona. "Quiet iss good." He starts to say another thing, and then looks to the ward, and thumps his tail once. Then again. "With thanks. Travel iss not sso easy. These days," he says. His voice is wry, but not regretful.

Ssylrath smiles more widely at Svarshan. "That is good. Hatchlings and then more Swiftclaws? They will be ssstrong I have no doubt." He goes to throw more wood on the fire and finds that there is none left. "Oh. More wood, it burnsss quickly in this dry land." He starts to get to his feet.