Warning The Red Hand

JP with Omni and Lorem

The moon was almost full as evening changed to night. It washed the world below with a faint glow, making it easier to see without the need of fire. This made it a little bit more difficult for Gonyaul to find the star constellations that Tiponi had shown him, but he was able to distinguish the right direction based off of the star the night sky pivots around.

It wasn’t long before Gonyaul could make out the signs of the Odsier tribe having moved through the tall grasses. Eventually the flexible grass would correct itself and hide the way, but the cooler night air slowed that process.

While they rode, Gonyaul was silent. For the most part trying to focus on the techniques Tiponi taught him to be bareback on a horse. Yet he also was feeling more guilty the closer they were getting. He had went from a passionate romance that was like fireworks to another passionate romance that burned more like the deepest embers in a week’s time. Both didn’t workout as planned. Now he might be back to the first? What was he doing? Being inexperienced in relationships had him mixed up at the moment.

Gonyaul signaled Voah when the tail of the tribe became visible off in the distance. Fortunately Gonyaul would not have to suffer interacting with the tribe, though his heart right now wanted to. The Red Hand warriors guarding the rear had seen them approaching, and a party of riders was coming aggressively out to meet them.

They would have typically surrounded them; however, they recognized Gonyaul. Instead they lined up like a wall between them and the tribe. Dorgarag was also among them.

Gonyaul was the first to speak. It may have surprised Voah that a good portion of his greeting was actually spoken in Odsier. In addition, voah may have noticed that the warriors recognized Gonyaul and most had a slight sympathetic look on their face.

Voah had no idea how she was going to go about this without being killed on sight but was pleasantly surprised to hear Gonyaul greet them in their own tongue. ‘Thank the Pillars!’ It would certainly make this easier.

First, Voah took off her mask again and hailed the riders.

She gesticulated while trying to explain that she came from the southeast along the coast and that there is an army of her people coming to attack.

“Gonyaul… can you translate?“

She tried to signal that they could be here by the morning.

Dorgarag eyed Voah rudely and made some stern remarks and gestures to Gonyaul. The other men grew angrier at whatever was being said and some were even raising their weapons reflexively with their thoughts.

Gonyaul gestured back and occasionally was able to use an Odsier word in between a Vauxian word. He looked to Voah.

“You need lower body on horse to face is down in mane.” He had seen the Odsier riders do this while watching their horse riding games. It signaled no threat, low dominance. It was a gesture of good sportsmanship to offer the victor.

She looked to Gonyaul and nodded. It seemed like there was no time for these formalities but did as he said.

“Tell them the army comes for their bonecaster… but war is not kind. They should flee, send away the civilians… They will not hesitate to kill anyone to get what they want.”

Gonyaul did just that. He was actually pretty adept at gesticulation, coming from a culture that used sign language. But he was able to drive the point home after some back and forth with his Vauxian words, expressions, and choppy Odsier. Some of the warriors weren’t exactly sure what he meant other than ‘danger coming’.

Dorgarag knew though, he knew all too well. The bonecaster began speaking quickly and with urgency to the other warriors. The realization they were being hunted and in danger quickly washed over the rest of them. All but Dorgarag and one other man remained as the rest rode off at full gallop back to the moving tribe to warn them.

The Odsier Red Hand knew exactly what to do in case of a threat like this. Nomadic living with the constant threat from outside sources, including other traveling Odsier tribes, was nothing to new. Once the warriors neared their main line, shouting sounds and tweets could be heard. The moving line came alive with activity more than just marching. In addition, small groups of young and inexperienced warriors began branching off and making false trails in the tall grass.

Gonyaul sighed in relief and looked to Voah. “Any other thing say?”

It was awkward. She wanted to express her sympathy to the tribe, her remorse for being a part of something that sought to destroy themselves. But she still could not ask forgiveness easily.

She met eyes with the bonecaster, and it softly stoked the fires of her hatred for magik, but she was also thinking that if she was magik wielder and wanted her people to live, she would make these plains a rocky pit for the horses. However, Voah shook away that betraying thought. She would not condone such things.

“I will pray for their safety. I will pray for mercy of the Pillars.”