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21 - Intimidation is the new Diplomacy
Next: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/18999311/
Previous: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/18998543/
All Episodes: http://scissorsrunner.deviantart.co.....ning-511011415
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"So, you're telling me that the father of a friend of yours gave a wanted poster with your faces on it to the Assassin Guild of Thoradin?" The draconic archer walked past the four adventurers, kneeling over the body of one of the dead dwarves. "Man, you surely should never have to do with such a friend in the future."
"No worries about it, she's deceased." Muttered Saphanael sharply, turning his head towards the Sivak. "But may we ask you, who you are?"
The draconian pulled out one of his arrows from the body of the dwarf he was kneeling over. He then stared intensely at the corpse and, in a few moments, was able to change his appearance to match the one of the dead body, even in stature. Only then he stood up to answer, looking at the other four adventurers who were eyeing the shapeshifting creature with astonishment.
"I'm First Scout Frey, form the Engineering Brigade, Architects Regiment, First Scout Company of Slith's army."
"Yeah, but WHAT are you precisely?" The minotaur insisted, not impressed by the shapeshifter's listing of ranks but acknowledging the presence of another military figure in front of him.
The now-dwarf grinned widely, crossing his arms over his chest.
"If that wasn't obvious by my previous appearance, I'm a Draconic. A Sivak, if you so wish to know. Although, now I may look more like a dwarf."
His words spoke the truth: not only he had the external aspect of a dwarf, he sounded like a dwarf too! The elf stared intensely at the creature and so did the mage. They seemed to be scanning him for a long time before exchanging a quick look between themselves.
"I can see the draconian figure behind the dwarven one." Said Aliranne.
"Yes, it's just an illusion." Saphanael agreed with her words. "Tell us Frey, is that something you only can do or has it got to do with your race?"
"It's First Scout Frey, you clods." Replied the Sivak.
The minotaur unsheathed his sword in a threatening manner.
"Watch your words, draconian. And answer us!" He demanded with his deep firm voice. "Nobody cares too much about your rank."
"I do for it is my full name." Replied the -dwarf- crossing his arms. "And I'd rather have myself called by my full name especially by someone who I have just met."
Kon es Kaz did not know what to answer. He just looked at the others, waiting for backup. At that same moment, Saphanael made a step forward, reaching the minotaur's back.
"It's true, draconian names generally use their military rank as a surname.." He whispered in the anthropomorphic cow's ears. "They're a young race, after all, they probably won't develop proper surnames for a long time."
The elf shifted back and returned to stare at the dwarf/draconian, regarding him with another question.
"Then, First Scout Frey, may we know why are you here and why you were helping us?"
"Oh, that's easy." He chuckled "I followed you after I heard you talking about Chaos on Krynn in the middle of the city."
"You were eavesdropping on us?!" Aliranne looked at him shocked. He replied with an eyebrow raised sarcastically.
"You weren't whispering nor anything. Anyone could have heard you if they wanted to. I didn't even have to hide myself that much to avoid your gaze. You sure do not know how to keep things secret, I was able to understand every single part of your plan. And I agree, going to Ambeon sounds like a suicide."
The mage hushed but Kon es Kaz went on with the interrogation.
"Still, that doesn't explain why you helped us!"
The draconian started walking around the room, keeping his eyes on the group in front of him.
"You see, I saw those four dwarves enter the tavern and I thought that they were only going to bring more trouble to the lot of you, so I decided to give you a hand and it looks like..." He glanced at the elf and then at the table he knocked down when he fell down the stairs. "... you needed it."
"Guys, maybe we're forgetting the most important question here," Aliranne went on meekly from her position. "what was HE doing here in Thoradin, a dwarven city?"
Kon es Kaz, Saphanael and Ruru all looked at her then back at the draconian.
"...riiiight, what were you doing here in the first place? And with the appearance of a child?" Asked the kender.
The dwarf shrugged.
"It's classified."
"Your mother is classified!" Bolted out Kon es Kaz, sword drawn. "Now, tell us what you were doing here before I slice you in half!"
"No need to be this violent. I was here under the instruction of my superiors, just a simple espionage mission over the dwarves." The Sivak muttered half annoyed. "I'm assuming that at least some of you know what obeying to orders of a superior means."
Kon es Kaz, calmed by the draconic words, sheathed his sword sharply.
"Then why did you help us, ruining your cover?" Aliranne insisted in a mellow tone. "Aren't you going against your superiors' orders by interrupting your mission?"
The face of the dwarf froze for a moment. It looked like the blood had been drained from his veins. Then, in the fraction of a second, as if nothing had happened, he recomposed himself, shaking his head.
"I am, but I have good reasons. And in name of those reasons, I ask you to let me come with you."
"Are those reasons classified too?" The elf mocked him.
"Saphanael, don't be so against him." The white robed mage interrupted the magus. "We all have personal reasons to be on this... adventure that maybe we would not like to share with others."
"Yes, but we cannot have somebody just come in and join us with unknown reasons!" Kon es Kaz angrily growled.
The draconian seemed unimpressed. He spread his arms, waiting for judgement.
"Come on, I cannot go back to the army... and my cover is ruined because of you lot! You owe me a hand!"
Aliranne tugged at the armors of both the elf and the minotaur, beckoning them nearer to her and the kender. They started whispering with animosity, occasionally glancing up at the dwarf/draconian (he did help us, guys! - what tells you that he won't betray us in the future? - do we have a choice? - we can't leave him here). A few moments later, the four returned to their previous position, looking over at the new party member.
"You can come with us." Finally uttered the Kothian warrior. "But you will have to prove to us to be trustworthy during our journey and not cause us any trouble. We already have enough distractions..." He eyed the Kender. "...also, another thing..." He came closer to the illusion of a short being. "... no mention about the Chaos to anyone."
The dwarf/sivak smiled.
"My lips are sealed."
The day after, they were back on track. They had left the city of Thoradin already the afternoon before, but not without watching Chrysantium and Narcsissus getting arrested by the city guards. After all, trying to assassinate someone is a serious crime, so they immediately had warned the head chief of the security of the city. The heart of Aliranne sank a little as she watched the white coated centaur being dragged by force by the guards as he kept screaming "it was not me, I did not do it!".
In addition to that, the kender disappeared once again just as they were going to leave the city. He promised to be back and that the spirit would have guided him and helped him through it all. The rest of the group did not question the disembodied voice that they heard, so they just decided to roll with it.
They had spent the rest of the day walking along the road to Ambeon, trying to come up with a decent plan to enter the city of Silvanost, had rested inside an alcove found in one of the hills of the Plain of Dust and then they were off again. The only annoyance they had found along the way was a checkpoint with a few ogres in it, but the only sight of Kon es Kaz in full armor on his horse was more than enough to scare those poor creatures away leaving the road free for the group to pass.
Frey, on his horse back into his draconian form, spread his wings lightly.
"Ahhh, it's amazing to be able to feel the wind through my membranes again.."
"On that note, I was wondering," Saphanael neared him with his horse. "How do you shapeshift? I mean, is it a spell, a scroll, something only you can do or is it a racial trait?"
"Oh, that's easy. I can transform into almost every humanoid being I kill." The draconian answered. "Every Sivak is able to do that."
"Wait a moment..." murmured Kon es Kaz "...the first time we met you, you had the appearance of a little boy... does that mean... THAT YOU MURDERED A CHILD!?"
The minotaur made his horse turn, facing directly the silver draconian who just shrugged at him.
"I was just following the orders of my superiors. I don't make the rules."
Kon was take aback by his words.
"The orders... of your superiors, yes... you're... you're justified." He turned the horse back again, returning to face the road up ahead.
The Sivak nodded satisfied. Then, he stopped abruptly, scanning the landscape.
"...I see another checkpoint."
"Oh, not again... how well is it furnished, this time?" The elf groaned. The draconian squinted his eyes.
"It's way more serious than the other one. This time they have proper weapons and horses... not to mention another infrastructure that looks like a small hut. It must be where they sleep."
"So this one will be a pain in the ass, won't it?"
"Looks like it." Frey answered the minotaur. "Why don't you guys have a bard to deal with these situations?"
"Well... she sort of died along the way." Murmured Aliranne.
"Let me guess: she was the daughter of that batshit crazy centaur?"
"Yes, but we do not need a bard," Kon es Kaz interjected "I too can handle being a diplomat!"
All the members of the party stared at him with a sarcastic look.
"A diplomat?" Asked Saphanael, patronizing. "Your skills in diplomacy are as high as a hole."
"Oh, my dear elf, haven't you heard?" the minotaur smiled mischievously. "Intimidation is the new diplomacy."
Kon es Kaz reached the checkpoint still on his horse while his party members kept their distances. He looked at the ogres, the ogres looked at him. They were a total of five, each and every one of them riding a strong built horse and sporting the normal clothing a community of ogres would possess. One of the trotted forward, followed by other two. They left their weapons at the wooden barricade, confident in their stride.
"What are your business here, minotaur?" asked what looked to be the leader. "The others of your species are down in the city of Silvanost. Don't tell me that you got lost!!"
At his last phrase, the ogre broke into a mocking laugh, followed by his two subordinates. Kon es Kaz gave no weight to the mockery and kept talking in a creepily weird calm.
"No, I am not lost. But I would very appreciate it if you could let me and my companions pass through here as we are, indeed, trying to reach the city of Sargasanti."
"Oh really?" The ogre opened his eyes widely before looking behind his interlocutor. "So, those are your friends there? Looks like you would have more problems getting in the city than passing this checkpoint!"
As the ogre started laughing again, the minotaur started losing his temper.
"I'm just asking you to let us pass..."
"Hmm? Seriously? I didn't notice it!! Ahahah!!" He dried his tears. "Why, what are you going to do? Scare us with your lil' minotaur ways?"
"I said..." Kon es Kaz stretched his legs putting his weight on the stirrups. His voice sounded cavernous and highly intimidating. With all of his might, he roared: ".. THAT YOU ARE GOING TO LET US PASS FOR I AM A MINOTAUR AND I DEMAND TO BE ABLE TO REACH SARGASANTI WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, IS THAT CLEAR!?!"
The horses of the ogres became frisky. They started running wildly as the ogres themselves tried to hold on, wanting to get away as quickly as possible from the infuriated minotaur. One of them even fell from his saddle as he fainted like a potato on the ground.
As soon as all of the ogres had disappeared from Kon's line of vision, he turned around, gesturing the others to meet with him.
"Woha, Kon," said Aliranne, "that was... impressive!"
"Told ya I was a good diplomat!" The warrior responded, grinning widely.
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Previous: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/18998543/
All Episodes: http://scissorsrunner.deviantart.co.....ning-511011415
━═☆═━━━━━━━━━━┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ┈┈ ┈
"So, you're telling me that the father of a friend of yours gave a wanted poster with your faces on it to the Assassin Guild of Thoradin?" The draconic archer walked past the four adventurers, kneeling over the body of one of the dead dwarves. "Man, you surely should never have to do with such a friend in the future."
"No worries about it, she's deceased." Muttered Saphanael sharply, turning his head towards the Sivak. "But may we ask you, who you are?"
The draconian pulled out one of his arrows from the body of the dwarf he was kneeling over. He then stared intensely at the corpse and, in a few moments, was able to change his appearance to match the one of the dead body, even in stature. Only then he stood up to answer, looking at the other four adventurers who were eyeing the shapeshifting creature with astonishment.
"I'm First Scout Frey, form the Engineering Brigade, Architects Regiment, First Scout Company of Slith's army."
"Yeah, but WHAT are you precisely?" The minotaur insisted, not impressed by the shapeshifter's listing of ranks but acknowledging the presence of another military figure in front of him.
The now-dwarf grinned widely, crossing his arms over his chest.
"If that wasn't obvious by my previous appearance, I'm a Draconic. A Sivak, if you so wish to know. Although, now I may look more like a dwarf."
His words spoke the truth: not only he had the external aspect of a dwarf, he sounded like a dwarf too! The elf stared intensely at the creature and so did the mage. They seemed to be scanning him for a long time before exchanging a quick look between themselves.
"I can see the draconian figure behind the dwarven one." Said Aliranne.
"Yes, it's just an illusion." Saphanael agreed with her words. "Tell us Frey, is that something you only can do or has it got to do with your race?"
"It's First Scout Frey, you clods." Replied the Sivak.
The minotaur unsheathed his sword in a threatening manner.
"Watch your words, draconian. And answer us!" He demanded with his deep firm voice. "Nobody cares too much about your rank."
"I do for it is my full name." Replied the -dwarf- crossing his arms. "And I'd rather have myself called by my full name especially by someone who I have just met."
Kon es Kaz did not know what to answer. He just looked at the others, waiting for backup. At that same moment, Saphanael made a step forward, reaching the minotaur's back.
"It's true, draconian names generally use their military rank as a surname.." He whispered in the anthropomorphic cow's ears. "They're a young race, after all, they probably won't develop proper surnames for a long time."
The elf shifted back and returned to stare at the dwarf/draconian, regarding him with another question.
"Then, First Scout Frey, may we know why are you here and why you were helping us?"
"Oh, that's easy." He chuckled "I followed you after I heard you talking about Chaos on Krynn in the middle of the city."
"You were eavesdropping on us?!" Aliranne looked at him shocked. He replied with an eyebrow raised sarcastically.
"You weren't whispering nor anything. Anyone could have heard you if they wanted to. I didn't even have to hide myself that much to avoid your gaze. You sure do not know how to keep things secret, I was able to understand every single part of your plan. And I agree, going to Ambeon sounds like a suicide."
The mage hushed but Kon es Kaz went on with the interrogation.
"Still, that doesn't explain why you helped us!"
The draconian started walking around the room, keeping his eyes on the group in front of him.
"You see, I saw those four dwarves enter the tavern and I thought that they were only going to bring more trouble to the lot of you, so I decided to give you a hand and it looks like..." He glanced at the elf and then at the table he knocked down when he fell down the stairs. "... you needed it."
"Guys, maybe we're forgetting the most important question here," Aliranne went on meekly from her position. "what was HE doing here in Thoradin, a dwarven city?"
Kon es Kaz, Saphanael and Ruru all looked at her then back at the draconian.
"...riiiight, what were you doing here in the first place? And with the appearance of a child?" Asked the kender.
The dwarf shrugged.
"It's classified."
"Your mother is classified!" Bolted out Kon es Kaz, sword drawn. "Now, tell us what you were doing here before I slice you in half!"
"No need to be this violent. I was here under the instruction of my superiors, just a simple espionage mission over the dwarves." The Sivak muttered half annoyed. "I'm assuming that at least some of you know what obeying to orders of a superior means."
Kon es Kaz, calmed by the draconic words, sheathed his sword sharply.
"Then why did you help us, ruining your cover?" Aliranne insisted in a mellow tone. "Aren't you going against your superiors' orders by interrupting your mission?"
The face of the dwarf froze for a moment. It looked like the blood had been drained from his veins. Then, in the fraction of a second, as if nothing had happened, he recomposed himself, shaking his head.
"I am, but I have good reasons. And in name of those reasons, I ask you to let me come with you."
"Are those reasons classified too?" The elf mocked him.
"Saphanael, don't be so against him." The white robed mage interrupted the magus. "We all have personal reasons to be on this... adventure that maybe we would not like to share with others."
"Yes, but we cannot have somebody just come in and join us with unknown reasons!" Kon es Kaz angrily growled.
The draconian seemed unimpressed. He spread his arms, waiting for judgement.
"Come on, I cannot go back to the army... and my cover is ruined because of you lot! You owe me a hand!"
Aliranne tugged at the armors of both the elf and the minotaur, beckoning them nearer to her and the kender. They started whispering with animosity, occasionally glancing up at the dwarf/draconian (he did help us, guys! - what tells you that he won't betray us in the future? - do we have a choice? - we can't leave him here). A few moments later, the four returned to their previous position, looking over at the new party member.
"You can come with us." Finally uttered the Kothian warrior. "But you will have to prove to us to be trustworthy during our journey and not cause us any trouble. We already have enough distractions..." He eyed the Kender. "...also, another thing..." He came closer to the illusion of a short being. "... no mention about the Chaos to anyone."
The dwarf/sivak smiled.
"My lips are sealed."
The day after, they were back on track. They had left the city of Thoradin already the afternoon before, but not without watching Chrysantium and Narcsissus getting arrested by the city guards. After all, trying to assassinate someone is a serious crime, so they immediately had warned the head chief of the security of the city. The heart of Aliranne sank a little as she watched the white coated centaur being dragged by force by the guards as he kept screaming "it was not me, I did not do it!".
In addition to that, the kender disappeared once again just as they were going to leave the city. He promised to be back and that the spirit would have guided him and helped him through it all. The rest of the group did not question the disembodied voice that they heard, so they just decided to roll with it.
They had spent the rest of the day walking along the road to Ambeon, trying to come up with a decent plan to enter the city of Silvanost, had rested inside an alcove found in one of the hills of the Plain of Dust and then they were off again. The only annoyance they had found along the way was a checkpoint with a few ogres in it, but the only sight of Kon es Kaz in full armor on his horse was more than enough to scare those poor creatures away leaving the road free for the group to pass.
Frey, on his horse back into his draconian form, spread his wings lightly.
"Ahhh, it's amazing to be able to feel the wind through my membranes again.."
"On that note, I was wondering," Saphanael neared him with his horse. "How do you shapeshift? I mean, is it a spell, a scroll, something only you can do or is it a racial trait?"
"Oh, that's easy. I can transform into almost every humanoid being I kill." The draconian answered. "Every Sivak is able to do that."
"Wait a moment..." murmured Kon es Kaz "...the first time we met you, you had the appearance of a little boy... does that mean... THAT YOU MURDERED A CHILD!?"
The minotaur made his horse turn, facing directly the silver draconian who just shrugged at him.
"I was just following the orders of my superiors. I don't make the rules."
Kon was take aback by his words.
"The orders... of your superiors, yes... you're... you're justified." He turned the horse back again, returning to face the road up ahead.
The Sivak nodded satisfied. Then, he stopped abruptly, scanning the landscape.
"...I see another checkpoint."
"Oh, not again... how well is it furnished, this time?" The elf groaned. The draconian squinted his eyes.
"It's way more serious than the other one. This time they have proper weapons and horses... not to mention another infrastructure that looks like a small hut. It must be where they sleep."
"So this one will be a pain in the ass, won't it?"
"Looks like it." Frey answered the minotaur. "Why don't you guys have a bard to deal with these situations?"
"Well... she sort of died along the way." Murmured Aliranne.
"Let me guess: she was the daughter of that batshit crazy centaur?"
"Yes, but we do not need a bard," Kon es Kaz interjected "I too can handle being a diplomat!"
All the members of the party stared at him with a sarcastic look.
"A diplomat?" Asked Saphanael, patronizing. "Your skills in diplomacy are as high as a hole."
"Oh, my dear elf, haven't you heard?" the minotaur smiled mischievously. "Intimidation is the new diplomacy."
Kon es Kaz reached the checkpoint still on his horse while his party members kept their distances. He looked at the ogres, the ogres looked at him. They were a total of five, each and every one of them riding a strong built horse and sporting the normal clothing a community of ogres would possess. One of the trotted forward, followed by other two. They left their weapons at the wooden barricade, confident in their stride.
"What are your business here, minotaur?" asked what looked to be the leader. "The others of your species are down in the city of Silvanost. Don't tell me that you got lost!!"
At his last phrase, the ogre broke into a mocking laugh, followed by his two subordinates. Kon es Kaz gave no weight to the mockery and kept talking in a creepily weird calm.
"No, I am not lost. But I would very appreciate it if you could let me and my companions pass through here as we are, indeed, trying to reach the city of Sargasanti."
"Oh really?" The ogre opened his eyes widely before looking behind his interlocutor. "So, those are your friends there? Looks like you would have more problems getting in the city than passing this checkpoint!"
As the ogre started laughing again, the minotaur started losing his temper.
"I'm just asking you to let us pass..."
"Hmm? Seriously? I didn't notice it!! Ahahah!!" He dried his tears. "Why, what are you going to do? Scare us with your lil' minotaur ways?"
"I said..." Kon es Kaz stretched his legs putting his weight on the stirrups. His voice sounded cavernous and highly intimidating. With all of his might, he roared: ".. THAT YOU ARE GOING TO LET US PASS FOR I AM A MINOTAUR AND I DEMAND TO BE ABLE TO REACH SARGASANTI WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, IS THAT CLEAR!?!"
The horses of the ogres became frisky. They started running wildly as the ogres themselves tried to hold on, wanting to get away as quickly as possible from the infuriated minotaur. One of them even fell from his saddle as he fainted like a potato on the ground.
As soon as all of the ogres had disappeared from Kon's line of vision, he turned around, gesturing the others to meet with him.
"Woha, Kon," said Aliranne, "that was... impressive!"
"Told ya I was a good diplomat!" The warrior responded, grinning widely.
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© ScissorsRunner
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Category Artwork (Digital) / Fantasy
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