Chapter 3: Meeting The Natives

Elspa shrugs. "We was warned that these folk here will try to stop us, like they want all the dead to keep coming back. Something like their ancestors was responsible for this whole mess, and from what I seen up there they knows it. They knows it and they ain't done nothing about it.

"For what it is, we's all touched by this place. Just 'cause we can swim off don't mean we'll be free. Ain't any of you feel it? This place is just wrong, and it sticks to us like tar. I aim to leave here with my soul, and a strong pack like us might pull it off."

She turns to Jarveena. "I don't do well with maps. What's this say?" Elspa hands the sinew-wrapped scroll of skin over.

Ygne seems hesitant. Her mouth twists up into something of a frown as she scratches at her cheek. "But the trade boat we was on," she says, thumbing a line between her and Frick, "Had to have learned 'bout the Isle somehow, right? Had to have known what to sell to these people. Had to have known there was people." Ygne crosses her arms, "And the journal we got. Someone wrote it and got the journal back."

She sniffs loudly, "Point is, some people made it back, yeah? Lots, I'd imagine. They weren't trapped. Neither are we, I'd bet."

"I think you was bein' tricked, Elspa. What'd this god want for it? What's he getting out of it, huh? And, that," Ygne narrows her eyes at the map, "Is that fuckin' skin?!"

Rygnar growls at Ygne "Maybe if you spent less time coming up with false titles for yourself and more time paying attention, you wouldn't be so clueless; Elspa said we could leave, that don't mean we're free. You must of haven't killed enough to see but things don't stay dead here...that is what traps us."

He stands at his full height and stares down at Ygne "Elspa can't be tricked..." he rolls his neck and shoulders "insult her like that again and I will show you how trapped you are."

Ygne sighs and runs a hand through her hair, "I'd argue you're bein' just as insulting, not letting her speak for herself. Coddlin' her like she was a baby. Not lettin' her have an actual conversation cause you're too bent outta shape 'bout anyone looks at her sideways." She gestures to Elspa, "And I think she'd fuckin' agree with me. So, for fuck's sake, Muscles, calm down."

She turns back toward Elspa, looking as though she's going to continue her questioning.

"I do not talk in place of her, she's a grown woman, she can do as she likes; I talk to save her the headache of talking to someone that thinks of themselves too highly." Rygnar scoffs at Ygne "Because no one should look at her sideways. She isn't some runt who makes up their own titles, who only cares for herself, and concerned only about gold; she is a proven warrior that deserves to be shown the respect she has earned, I make sure people don't forget that. I will calm when you start showing respect."

Ygne puts her face in her palm as she's interrupted. When she looks back up, she looks at Rygnar with a dulled, bored expression and rolls her eyes again. "You do talk in her place, cause I wasn't fuckin' talkin' to you." She retorts with a point of her finger. "I was talkin' to Elspa, and if she can speak for herself, then let her."

"If I say she's tricked, that doesn't mean I don't give her respect. Respectable people can still be tricked. Proven warriors can still be tricked." She raises her voice somewhat, "Not sayin' to someone what you think of 'em, or their actions, is more disrespect than speakin' th' truth to their faces."

Ok you two, lets calm down. I probably missed a big chunk of your conversation, and you can fill me in later if you want, but I think we can agree that nobody wants to rise up again after dying. No matter want we have to do to get away from here, I'm sure we'll have an opportunity to get more info later. So the important question is where are we going next ?

"Actually, no, that's alright," Ygne says after Moss' attempt to settle things, "I've had enough of that." She gestures around her at the general "pack" of companions and adds, "I've had enough of this." She slips past a few of the others and begins trudging back toward the village without another word.

Jarveena ignores the bickering while she studies the map Elspa handed over.

Rygnar looks between Jarveena and Elspa, hesitating over something, before stalking after Ygne; he doesn't chase or draw weapons.

A bit away from the group, Ygne spots Rygnar over her shoulder and groans. She keeps her pace as she calls back, "I'm not gonna say nothin' 'bout it. Do as you like, I don't care."

Rygnar expels a burst of air from his nose "And my sword will stay sheathed as long as nothing is said." he keeps his pace but lessens his stalking posture to a more natural walk.

Ygne stops and turns. Narrowing her eyes again, she speaks with an irritated tone, "Even when I want nothing to do with you, you follow me about?"

"You keep following me, and I promise I'll get there first and tell everyone what your plan is." She sneers, "And that'll be your doing. You'll be the one to make that happen." She waves him away, "Or you leave, go back and get your treat from Elspa, and we never have to look at each other again."

Rygnar stops as well then scoffs "You act like I want to follow you; I do not trust you with the info you know, that is why I follow you. You don't know my plan..." Rygnar's eyes dart about the area, visibly thinking or retracing his memory before he looks back to where Jarveena and Elspa are. He turns back and faces Ygne, a look of discomfort colors his face. He takes in a large breath and takes a step, and only a step, forward, releasing the breath as he stops again. His voice starts out strong and with meaning "I want to never see you again..." before sinking into a more defeated tone "But Elspa needs you for the task. I don't follow you into village and you don't tell then you return." His fist are clenched and visibly shaking at the anger pushing, testing, his loyalty.

Not waiting for an answer, Rygnar storms off. He makes his way back to the group of bodies, where he begins to crush the skulls of the dead with his fists, strands of saliva fly out from his mouth as he lets out his anger.

Ygne's face is a mask of anger and pride, as she stands tall, waiting for that moment when she needs to turn and run. As the barbarian takes a step forward, Ygne immediately takes a hasty step back, predicting a chase that does not follow. She listens to Rygnar with as much of a cruel, uncaring gaze as she can muster. It is only after the barbarian turns and leaves that Ygne's demeanor shifts. Her scowl drops, and her lips part, and she even furrows her brow in mild concern.

She doesn't reply, but turns and begins marching back up the stairs, stretching her fingers to try and get her hands to stop shaking.

Elspa remains where she's always been, near Jarveena as the other looks over the map. However, it's apparent that her attention has always been on the exchange between Ygne and Rygnar; she has chosen to not interfere and let the two work it out. As she watches the two isolate themselves, she asks aloud of the group, "What's this about a journal?"

Frick watches Rygnar warily as he begins following Ygne, but doesn't follow, knowing that Ygne will keep well away from his large arm's reach. Frick pulls out the journal and map he has on him and confers with the group on it. "I'm fine with killing this 'god', but if we find a way outta here, I say we take it. If we are trapped here, then we'll find out quick enough and then we'll come back to kill the bastard."

If Ygne looks in his direction, Frick will shoot her an encouraging smile and a wink, just to let her know who's side he's on.

"Whaddye think? Cross to th' south'rn tip here an' go overland? Or sail aroun' to th' west to this river mouth here?"