The Cracking Ice - Chapter 1

Whispering again, " Ana no worry, secret safe with Tipolei. People scared of Tipolei also..."

Ben steps out from the shade and presents himself to the group. "Greetings!" he says friendly, but sharply. "I've overheard enough of your conversation to know for sure that we'll be travelling together. My name is Ben Volent, and I have been appointed to lead this group. However, I sense reservations that I'd like to clear up sooner, rather than later when our lives might be stake. I have survived the assault on Tolkeen, and have been protecting habitats like the one we're currently in for some time. This means ranging away from Castle Refuge from time to time. I didn't ask for this post, but as my duty to this, our, home against the hordes that thrive in the wastes beyond the horizons, I will do what is requested of me. Are any of you soldiers, or will this be your first mission?"

Startled by Ben's sudden appearance, Chay's hand reflexively moved towards his pistol, then dropped to his side on hearing his greeting. He took quick measure of the man and approved.

Hey. Welcome to our rag tag bunch. Nope, I am not a soldier in the traditional sense of the word, unless you call running black market goods to keep my people alive, soldiering.

Kyron stands and offers his hand to Ana and Tipolei to help them up.

"I am more a scholar of and practitioner of magic then a soldier, but my magics can be useful in a conflict I believe. I have been with Chay for a while and there has been some combat we have faced. Good to meet you Sir Volent."

A large shadow rapidly moves past the group before it circles back. A sudden explosion of ground rubbles as a cloud of debris is kicked up followed by a young boy walking out.

"Well I figure I got four hours before I need to take a nap so the great Kai will help you out." he states folding his arms across his. He suddenly laughs a fanged tooth jutting out and he smiles proudly. The other striking thing about the boy is there not being a stitch of clothing on him.

Tipolei accepts Kyron 's offer, more thankful for the gesture than anything else.
He then answers to the cyberknight, "Me soldier no more, me help friends now."

After the young boy's arrival, he goes towards him. He turns around him a few times, sniffing the air...

"You not smell like human, you smell mix. Mix magic and lizard... Me Tipolay, me happy to meet you."
Tipolei extends his hand to him, totally ignoring the fact that this person his nude.

Kyron stumbles back a bit as they are showered with debris. He casts a protection spell over himself and Ana.

A swirl of ectoplasm dream material and light forming armor over the two.

When things clear and the naked boy walks out Kyron looks at him Kyrons eyes glow slightly detecting the arcane on such a entrance by the young man.

Taking off his robes he heads over, "Uhm Kai, you might want to put this on. Your naked."

Kai grabs the extended hand, "Don't worry if anyone messes with you tell them you work for me and I'll sort them out."

"Me no work for you, that be lie. But maybe you be Tipolei's friend in future ?"

"Well, soldiers or not, if your willing to give your lives for our newfound haven, then you have my respect. If not, I understand, and we can commiserate, but I'll have to ask you to stay behind to help out the garrison's here," Ben said. Shaking Tipolei's hand he nods in curtly in approval, and greets them all individually. "Before we head out, does everyone have everything thing that they need? This may be the last chance to stock up for awhile. If not armor, perhaps something to keep the cold out?" Kai asks the last question while looking at his naked colleague. "Otherwise, we should convene back here bright and early. Its not necessarily far to our destination, but we still need on our way early. Feel free to ask me questions as needed, but I'd rather you make whatever preparations you need to for the journey, and for the possibility of losing your life."

"Chay, sounds like we should stock up on clean water, food and travel goods. Ana, I am not sure but we can look around in town, perhaps we might be able to put together something by way of armor for you. Kai, uhm do you want that robe, or maybe we can pick you up some clothing ?"

Yeah Kai, fighting in the buff could prove to be a little risky and...well... we don't want any...you know.... friction injuries from my hot-doggin' maneuvers in the ATV.

Chay has to admit to himself that he's seen a lot of strange things in life already but never a naked fighting soldier.

Oh and by the way...she has a name. Chay points to his ATV. Echo. Because if I am doing my job right, that's all an adversary ever knows of us...an echo in our wake. He punctuates that statement with a nod of his head.

Kai nods to Tipolei.

"I don't get cold easily and I probably won't need a ride in truth most of the time. Why do I got to wear clothes though? Gramps always seemed to complain about it too. He liked looking at naked ladies so it can't be all that bad right?" Kai states raising an eyebrow. Looking around he kicks the ground in a few places before stretching, his face elongates and his small frame bulges unnaturally in rapid succession. A large mass of dragon in the form of 18 feet moves curling up. "I guess I'll just wait here I don't really need anything." he states wiggling a bit and closing his eyes.

"Ha!Ha! Tipolei now know why Kai smell lizard, Kai be dragon. Me fight dragon at Tolkeen, very hard to kill, almost all me brothers die. Now me friend with dragon !!" Asking Kai, "Can me stay with you today, maybe train together? Nobody want to train with Tipolei at castle. They scared Tipolei hurt them..."

Kyron watches the transformation in awe and fascination.

Kyron looks to Tipolei also with a bit of awe after finding the dogboy fought dragons.

He puts his robes back on since Kai didn't want them. "It's a social convention and there is just a bit more to pretending to be humanoid then just wearing the shape. Clothes are part of it. Being nude makes you stand out and gets attention sometimes unwanted attention. Still you look damn impressive in this form and it has no clothes but then dragons are different from people."

Quietly though those with good ears like Tripolie might hear, "Damn talking to a dragon, can check that off my list."

Kyron looks to Ana trying to judge her strength and what kind of armor she might be able to handle without weighing her down too much. He knows super tech armor is out since that stuff is way to expensive but there are still other things.

"Mmm ok." Kai states to Tipolei, "Well I'll make myself dressed next time I guess if I need to." he adds to the other man before flicking his tail lazily.

"Alright, sounds good and pleasure to meet you Kai."
Well that turned out ok.

He looks to Chay and the others, "Tipolei, need us to pick up anything for you while we are in town ?"

Ana's eyes widen at the look of Ben, intimidated a little and then a lot more as the sound and looks of Kai's appearance. Then, she's completely flustered by the naked boy, hiding her face in Tipolei's fur.

Ben waits a bit until he gets the impression the others are off to manage their affairs for the time being. "I'll see you all back here at about 6-AM. Please be ready," he says to the group. With that he turns and heads off to ensure he has all the things ready he needs, maps, recon info, and that his weapons and armor are in the proper condition. Before leaving, he asks Chay, "Do you think you could manage a vehiclelarge enough for all of us?"