Between an ape and a dark place

JP between Lorem, Winteroak and Bandorchu

“Don’t think I have heard about a Naylmo or mountain-ape before. What is that?”

Probably less than harmless if Tar wanted their help. Alexis wasn’t happy to risk life and limb even before they could look in earnest for Voah and Tarmen, but there might be no way around it.

Gonyaul knew of apes from his time in the jungle. In his mind he was picturing the same thing, it just lived in a mountain. He had no idea how wrong he was about to be. He was surprised just one was the issue, normally they lived in large families.

He finally spoke more to Alexis than Tar, his voice breaking in and out as he talked. “one ape is less than we do already. And lucky we no need kill at all?” Apes back home would leave you alone if you weren’t threatening to them, for the most part.

He would defer to her good judgement.

"The  Naylmo, is the largest and fiercest of the mountain-apes." Tar explained. "Standing around fifteen feet tall with thick white coats. The largest of the males have horns, similar to those of a deer. They live in small groups and stalk the mountains during winter but retreat to the caves and tunnels of Fang during Spring and Summer. A sorts of hibernation. They are carnivore and extremely territorial." He concluded.

"One of the creatures has been making my exploration impossible. I dare not face it alone."

Gonyaul audibly gulped at the explanation. That was not what he was used to at all when it came to apes. He was now second guessing his previous comment. Perhaps they could figure it out without this man’s help?

He spoke up as best he could. “Can you no show us the way and leave it alone?” It was one thing to attack an animal that was a threat outside of where it should be and another thing to barge into its territory and demanding it vacate or perish.

"No. I need to get into the room its using as a lair." He said. "If you want my help that's my price. There is nothing free in these mountains. Everything comes with a price." He said bluntly.

A fifteen feet tall flesh eating horned ape. Arcadia struck again.

Fantastic. Alexis wasn’t surprised to hear Tar decline Gonyaul’s request. What on earth was the man looking for that he would battle with a beast like that? Three seasons he had haunted this cave. How much of that had been spent looking for a way around that ape?

In the end, it didn’t really matter. Their choice was between wandering blindly into the labyrinth, if they could even find the entrance,hoping on sheer luck to guide their step or facing off with that lethal beast in exchange for a guide that might be able to lead them to a likely place where their friends might be held. Stuck between a rock and a hard place. Quite literally.

She sighed.
“What’cha think? Best offer we can hope for, unfortunately.”

Gonyaul did not like this option one bit. He whispered to Alexis,

“No like it. But what are odds we find guide way out here? Opportunity seem made for us.”

He took a deep breath. “Need be very smart and safe.” He was willing to risk it.

“Counting on you.”
she whispered back.

The mercenary looked up at Tar.

“You got yourself a deal. Damn well better keep up your end of it.”

For Tarmen and Voah.

It was decided. They were monster hunting. Without hesitation, Gonyaul began taking off all his gear and then he began taking off all his clothes, revealing his lean toned body covered in beautiful markings.

He took his clothes and frowned as he began vigorously running them along the ground and any other dirty surface, always being mindful to check there weren’t those glowing spores present. He then began filling his hands with dirt and mud available and began using it like soap on his nude body. He seemed very focused at getting good coverage and wasn’t paying any mind to the others.

He had to use his water-skin at times to make the consistency of the dirt more paste, especially when covering his face and running it through his hair. He then proceeded to braid his hair up and tightly into a bun so it wasn’t whipping all over the place and prone for getting grabbed.

If he was going up against a creature he was going to smell like the cave, not a tasty Gonyaul.

Tar grunted. "You have a deal." He than stood open mouthed as the strange man started to take a mud bath.

Who were these people?!