After a very brief explanation to Fas about what had happened, SJ headed towards the Wandering Ogre, following the procession of Markisha and the chiefs. Several members of both clans were following behind at a distance, not wishing to get too close. Many were calling out, and SJ noticed another fight break out between the two factions before a draconian patrol, which had been waiting for Markisha, rushed back and separated them again.
Tempers were thin, and anything untoward could reignite the factions' hostilities.
"Fas. I think this is your best chance to infiltrate, with the disturbance ongoing," SJ said.
"Agreed," Fas replied. SJ had her transparent map overlay open and could see Fas as he moved through the streets towards the edge of town, where the Wandering Ogre was positioned. It had only very recently been agreed by Niweq, the owner of the inn, that it would fall under the town's expanded boundaries, and there were no other buildings in its vicinity, where it was positioned to the east of the town.
As the procession continued through the streets before leaving the town itself, the number of gathered beings had increased. Not just more gnolls, but draconians who were trying to discover what had happened. By the time they arrived, there must have been nearly two hundred of them.
Draconian guards had formed a perimeter around the inn, blocking the gnoll factions from getting any nearer. Three lizards and their riders were blocking their path. It reminded SJ of protests she had seen televised back on Earth. As a group of draconians moved in between the two factions, who were still hurling abuse at each other. No more fighting had erupted as yet, but it was definitely a powder keg situation.
"We need to make them fight again," SJ said as she landed on a high branch overlooking the area.
"I'll see what I can do," Fas replied. SJ noticed his dot on the map and looked down where she now saw a draconian walking casually towards the area. He looked like many of the draconians, wearing a kaftan with leather armour and carrying a long spear, he had presumably acquired from an unwary guard.
Fas joined the line of draconians who were between the two arguing factions. SJ noticed that other gnolls wore a slightly different style of clothing, also appearing. Many of them appeared to be moving towards the side that had the scorpoid followers. It seemed that of the three gnoll factions, two of them were much closer than the third.
SJ watched as the draconian chief Kalliqi walked from the Wandering Ogre as Markisha approached him. He was wearing his full garb as he had when SJ had first seen him at the wall when he slew the rogue lizard, which Kibble had influenced. His face was creased with a snarl as he listened to Markisha, before his voice boomed.
"Parkilian, Jafira," he bellowed.
The two faction chiefs walked forward from where they had been standing behind Markisha's mount.
"Tell me what I am hearing isn't true? Tell me that you are not infighting? I warned you all of the consequences if anything like this happened, didn't I?"
Neither of the gnolls now looked as confident as they had before.
"You did," Parkilian said, his voice calm, yet SJ could hear the fear underlying it.
"Yes, chief," Jafira replied.
"Then why am I being informed that your two factions are fighting and killing each other in the streets?"
Both the gnolls went to speak at once before the chief screamed, stepping forward. His scimitar flashed from his side and slashed the air in front of them both. Their faces paled, and their voices were silenced instantly.
"Jafira, you start," Kalliqi spat.
"Chief, Parkilian came to our area, accusing one of my clan of attacking and killing three of his members. I know none of mine would have gone against my rules, and it is the actions of a chief who knows his days in his position are numbered."
Parkilian went to reply, but the scimitar flicked, and he closed his mouth. SJ saw the gulp as he did.
"Continue."
Jafira spoke again. "Then, while we were talking about the incident, one of his clan attacked one of mine. That triggered the fight between us."
"Parkilian. What do you have to say about this?"
SJ could see that the gnoll wanted to speak, his previous confidence shown on the street having lessened.
"My men were eating breakfast in the inn when one of them entered and ordered drinks. When he was challenged as to why he was there, he attacked and killed three unarmed members of my clan. A coward's trick, and a declaration of war," Parkilian shouted. The comment of war caused the gnolls from his clan to jeer and holler in agreement.
Pushing and shoving started between the clans attempting to get at each other, and the draconians lashed out at several to keep them separated.
"SILENCE!" Kalliqi yelled.
The gnolls fell silent at the draconian's commanding voice.
"So, Jafira claims you attacked his men, while you, Parkilian, claim that one of Jafira's men killed your clan members first."
Both gnoll leaders nodded.
"And who can support this statement about what occurred in the inn? If it did originate there."
Parkilian stood silent for a moment before he replied. "The server, she witnessed the scene and would be a fair witness."
SJ's breath caught in her throat as dread swept over her. Holly was going to be dragged in front of this murderous being.
"I suggest we get her then," Kalliqi said. "Markisha, have her brought here."
SJ watched as the draconian chief's daughter, Markisha, nodded, then turned, climbing back onto her lizard mount, before swinging the lizard around and scattering the gnolls who were waiting to discover the outcome. They scuttled out of the lizard's path as she passed.
Kalliqi signalled to one of his guards, who walked over and whispered to him. The guard turned without speaking and headed inside the Wandering Ogre.
Murmuring had started between the factions, with the occasional bark of anger. Any attempt to do anything was immediately curbed by the draconian troops, who weren't afraid of harming their supposed companions. SJ watched as one gnoll was hit square in the face with a buckler, collapsing to the ground.
This caused raised cries of anger as the tension continued to increase. SJ noticed Parkilian say something to Jafira quietly. Jafira sneered, turning on him. He still carried his short staff and raised it threateningly.
There was a scream from the gnolls, and SJ turned to see that one of the gnolls had been skewered by a draconian spear. That was the match that lit the powder as carnage erupted. No longer were the gnolls just arguing with each other, but now a draconian had killed one of their kind, and with their tempers raised as high as they were, they exploded. Weapons appeared as mayhem ensued.
Kalliqi roared in anger at the chaos, his voice falling unheard amidst the chaos. Gnolls fought draconians; gnolls fought gnolls. Everywhere SJ looked across the area, scuffles had broken out. Several of the draconian families within the bounds of their area scrambled backwards, dragging their young with them as the mass brawl unfolded. SJ watched as Jafira cast a spell; a stream of purple erupted from his staff and smashed into the chest of Parkilian. The gnoll chief screamed in agony as purple flames erupted across his fur.
Kalliqi went into a rage, bringing his scimitar down on the raised arm of Jafira, the staff falling to the floor. Jafira now screamed in agony alongside his opposite.
SJ wondered where the third gnoll chief was, since several of his clan had joined with Jafira.
Fas had immediately extracted himself from the area as he shadow-stepped outside of the immediate riot.
That was when SJ noticed a bleary-eyed Bellakiy come stumbling out of the Wandering Ogre. His eyes didn't stay bleary for long as he realised the chaos he had just walked into. Bellakiy was no fighter, and as the violence spread, he backed away. Fear was evident on his face.
"I'm going for Bellakiy," SJ said as she launched off the branch.
Kalliqi appeared to have lost all sense of control as he stormed forward into the melee. His scimitar flashed left and right, viciously cleaving into his targets. He didn't care who they were by all accounts, as SJ saw another draconian fall from his blade. She then spotted what had to be two draconian shamans standing off and behind the chief, chanting. Their hands followed his path as he waded forward.
"Fas. There are two shamans at the inn. It looks like they are protecting the chief. Can you do anything while I deal with Bellakiy?"
"I'll see," was the only response as she watched his dot flicker and reappear much nearer their location.
Bellakiy had now backed up with the draconian families and was standing next to what had to be a mother with her young. They all looked fearful watching the display of violence. Bellakiy, in particular, wasn't a fighter, never had been, and sweat creased his brow. His obnoxious character was curbed by the unrolling violence so near to him.
SJ was just nearing the trees near to Bellakiy and the other draconians when she felt a vibration.
'Damn,' SJ thought as she redirected herself and landed, withdrawing the communication stone and answering it.
"SJ," Cristy said, her voice panicky as she heard the fighting.
SJ could hardly hear her, even lifting it to her ear, so she took off again and headed further away from the area.
"Sorry," SJ said. "The gnolls and draconians are fighting each other."
"What?" Cristy said.
"Yes. No time to explain now. Was it urgent?"
"Yes. A beetle has started through the forest towards the crags. The scouts reported its movement, and we don't know what it is coming here for. It doesn't make sense why they would send a beetle this way, since they should still believe they are holding the gate."
"I don't know, and I'm unlikely to find out anytime soon."
"And the reinforcements will be here very soon," Cristy sounded excited.
"You heard from Petunia?"
"Yes, just."
"That's great news. Now would be a perfect time to attack. I have something to do. I'll contact you in a bit," SJ said, cutting the call.
"Did you hear that?" SJ said to Fas over the clip.
"Yes," Fas said, replying as she noted he was slowly moving towards the two shamans.
SJ immediately moved back to discover that Bellakiy had disappeared. So had many of the draconian family members who had been by the forest edge, as she glimpsed their forms moving between the trees.
"Bellakiy has fled. I'm going after him," SJ said as she dived into the canopy.
The forest wasn't as thick here in this area as it was further southwest towards the mountains, and she easily flew through until she found his cowering form. He was huddled behind a thick tree; several of the draconian family members were also spread around the area, ensuring that they remained a safe distance from the fighting.
"Looks like a headshot," Dave said.
'Yeah. Straight down,' SJ said.
"Or you knock him out and capture him," Dave added.
'Why would I do that? He is the whole reason for what has happened to the town,' SJ said with incredulity.
"I agree, but wouldn't it be better to have someone who can stand trial after the event?"
'Not in his case.'
"I think you are letting your emotions take over."
'You think?' SJ added with snark.
"I mean, think about it carefully. Would you prefer to see him just dead, or have someone to make an example of when the town is freed?"
SJ stumbled with her response. She knew it was more than likely that he would receive the death penalty or similar, not that she had ever heard it being used in Killic, although she was aware that crimes in Asterfal did result in executions.
"Also," Dave added, "don't you think Wystria might wish to deal with him?"
That was something that SJ hadn't considered. Wystria was, after all, the high cleric of Asterfal, and Bellakiy was her brother. If anyone were to deal with him, she would be the optimal choice.
'I suppose it makes sense,' SJ thought as other thoughts flashed through her mind.
Where Bellakiy was hidden, there were no immediate draconians near him. He sat glancing back in the direction of the Wandering Ogre, his expression one of terror.
'Okay, I agree that I'll capture him,' SJ thought, as she flew down and landed behind a nearby tree. It would mean that she would have to incapacitate him; she had the skills to do so, but had never really focused on them as much as her fighting skills. She ran through the best spots on him to strike to bring him down quickly. Brother Wilbert, the monk who had taught her the basics of the skills, had been able to incapacitate opponents with a single finger. It had been an uncanny sight.
She had to grow; she couldn't do it in miniature form, and she crouched as she changed her dress colour to match the surrounding forest's colours and grew. Bellakiy's body was partially turned towards her, his upper torso twisted as he peered around the trunk.
'Here goes,' SJ said as she triggered her Shadow-Step.
Instantly, she appeared in front of him, and even as she did, her right hand swung down in a chop towards his neck. She just hoped that the draconian biology was similar enough to other humanoids to get the desired reaction.
Her strike hit true, Bellakiy not even realising she was present before her chopped hand hit the point just between his shoulder and neck. He yelped in surprise as his head snapped round.
"Oh, that didn't work," Dave said.
SJ grunted in response to Dave's whimsical comment as she did the one thing that always brought males of any species to their knees. She kicked out squarely into his groin.
Bellakiy had no time to defend himself where he was sitting, breathing heavily from fleeing the fighting and the probable adrenaline rush he was under. The squeak that left his lips was the most unnatural sound SJ had heard, and she couldn't help but smirk as his hands immediately clasped between his legs.
He curled forward, and SJ took the opportunity to hit him on the back of his neck. This strike had the required effect, and he slumped forward as her incapacitation skill triggered; her display flickered with success.
Congratulations! You have incapacitated your target.
"Unorthodox but effective," Dave mused.
SJ didn't reply as she grabbed hold of his arms and pulled them behind his back. She didn't have anything in her inventory to secure him, so instead ripped material from her dress, knowing that its self-repair function would sort it out soon enough.
Once his hands and ankles were bound, she stood back looking down at the pitiful being.
'Now what?' SJ thought.
"Can't you move him further into the forest?" Dave asked.
'I can try, but I can't do that at the same time as dealing with any other draconians that may still be in the area.'
"Umm. What about over there?" Dave said.
SJ rolled her eyes. 'Where?' she thought. Dave's directions were sometimes very poor as she scanned the surrounding area.
"Sorry," Dave giggled. "Behind you, there is a gully. Do you know how long he will be out for?"
'Not sure. It could be minutes, it could be seconds; it depends on his recovery rate. Not being a combatant, I hope it's a long time.'
"You'd better gag him as well."
'Good point,' SJ replied as she tore off another strip of cloth and wrapped it tightly around his draconian jaws, forcing them to remain closed. Then, with considerable effort, she dragged his unconscious form across to the gully before rolling it into it. Then, after again checking he was secure, she grabbed debris from the forest floor and covered him.
"I've captured Bellakiy," SJ said over the clip. She hadn't heard any sounds of a struggle from Fas, and she wondered if he had managed to do anything to the shamans. "Any luck on your end?"
"No. Too many around," Fas replied in a low voice.
SJ could still hear the sounds of fighting filtering through the trees, as well as the sounds of crying young, trying to be calmed down by their carers. There had to be several within the forest area, and SJ shrank again before taking off after marking the location of Bellakiy on her map. She would have to deal with him later.
By the time SJ got back to the Wandering Ogre, the absolute carnage of the fight was clear. Beings lay everywhere, some shouting, others silent, while it appeared even greater numbers had arrived to join the fight. SJ believed almost all the gnolls and draconians must now be in the area. She flicked her display over and checked the wards on the inn; they were still showing as they had after her visit, with a gap in the barrier. What prevented her from trying anything was the shamanic shackles that held Zigferd.
"We need to deal with the shamans," SJ said, spotting Fas off to one side of the brawl.
"Not sure how we can," Fas replied.
SJ looked where they were, and surrounding them were three other draconians. They weren't moving from their placements, and SJ recognised them as the main guards that she had seen around Kalliqi previously. Kalliqi was still fighting, his scimitar flashing in and out of sight as the beings fought.
Her stone vibrated again. Quickly, SJ made some distance before answering.
"Cristy?" SJ said.
Cristy's voice was one of awe. "The reinforcements are here, and you should see them."
