The Stolen Candle - Chapter 2

"I believe we all are, right?" asks Ben. "I won't make you come with, but if we can help this town, we should." As they head off to follow the trail, Ben notes to himself that Cartouche needs some kind of perimeter protection. "I'll need to chat with the Coffin Nails about this. I can't believe there's no sort of defenses for this town.

Kyron climbs in the Echo.

Tipolei waits to see if everybody is ready, We follow trail and take care of raider now ?

Yep, let's go!

Kai in dragon form heads out by way of flight.

You navigate your way through the bush, Echo using its radar to find a path that doesn't knock down to many trees, and Kai flying ahead. You get a couple miles this way when the tracks lead you to a small valley.

The valley is pockmarked with shallow caves. A number of oddly shaped people are gathered around small fires, but when the dragon flies overhead, they become a flurry of activity, grabbing weapons and shouting alarm.

Echo and the rest of you are still a few hundred yards back and hasn't been detected yet.

What's your plan?

Tipolei go around. Me stay hidden and give back-up when needed. Ben agree ?

Hmmm those are funny looking "people". I say we just drive right up into the middle of them. Echo will protect us. Tiploei could be right behind us and Kai can swoop down as we arrive with our guns pointed. Shock and awe should work. Whad'ya think guys?

"Sounds good, Tip," Ben whispers. Turning to Chay, "That might be a bit dramatic for now. We don't know what we're up against. People huddled around fires and sleeping in caves seems a bit off to me. Kai, what do you see from above? These people seem a bit skittish."

Kyron remains ready to help should he be needed.

Kai lands amidst the people, "Yall look funny are you not human or just ugly humans..." Kai comments trying to figure things out.

Okaaay, Chay says to Ben, a little disappointed that he can't make a dramatic entrance.

The creatures, who are about 3 feet tall and terribly ugly, like their parentage is part bestial, scatter at Kai's landing. Some run into their caves, and some try to climb the cliff. About half overcome their skittishness and clutch their weapons, not ready to provoke the dragon, but ready to fight back.

One steps forward (is pushed from behind by three others), and says, "We is sorry we is ugly," and he bows apologetically, as do the others, keeping an eye on you none the less.

"Well okay... you know anyone who lost a lot of blood that way..." Kai states after a bit with an odd shrug and holds his hands apart to show the bloodpool size, "they left like this much and didn't stick around."

The chant goes up, with sad shaking of heads: "Dav, Dav, Dav,". The speaker looks up at you, and explains. "Was Dav."

The D-Bees have a complete assortment, from rocks, to chains, sticks, and bows, some slugthrowers and possibly one energy weapon.

"Ah where's Dav?" Kai asks, "Oh one sec." he states moving to find the others.

"Hey I found out they're ugly humans from what they said and the floor pool of dried blood was from Dav, I'm going to go meet him." he lets them know before flying back Kai explains before flying back.

"So Dav?" Kai states landing again looking around at various people that might be Dav.

Hidden, Tipolei observes the exchange from the tree line, using his weapon's scope when needed. He scans the crowd, looking for anyone showing signs of aggressivity or preparing an attack out of Ben's view (always keeping his nose open to smell any traces of magic....