[b]The Night-Walkers, Population 40 (21 in Khlin, 14 in Imlona, 6 in Kaaba)

Age of the Awoken Darkness, Night of the Great Siege

Techs: Map-making (3/3) FINISHED
Trapping (1/3)

Kaaba[/b]

"Kiebal! You must understand, we cannot work during the time of flame. It is simply not safe! Predators could-"

Kiebal interrupted the disgruntled worker, "Are you a Night-Walker, or are you a small mouse?! We are safe working in the trees, even when the holy moon is consumed by fire. Few animals that could be considered a threat could get through the roots and branches guarding us here, and even those couldn't get up this far on the tree. Begone with you! Get back to work!"

The worker gave up and left, leaving Kiebal sitting on a branch that served as her overview of the construction. "Fire take them," she whispered to herself. The six workers Kiebal had gathered to work on this new village were very worried about staying past the rise of the flame. "I understand their concerns," she thought, "but we have a schedule to deal with. Its not like we can just stop whenever we like, there is work to be done, and I, for one, am not going to give in when the danger is minimal. What harm could it do to work a couple hours when the sky is lit by flame?"

Kiebal's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a male and a female that she assumed were mates. Kiebal wasn't sure, but it felt like she knew these two from somewhere. She stood up, annoyed at this intrusion, just as she was cooling down from her argument with the worker. She spoke after a sigh, "What is your purpose here, this is a construction area. We aren't a fire-damned spectacle, and I am rather tired of people coming around to watch. I'm short-handed as it is with these people resisting any work that has to do with standing in a perfectly safe place when the fire is in the sky, I don't have anyone to, with all respect, make sure that you don't break anything."

The two looked at each other and the male stepped forward, "Actually, we know that you didn't approach us, but it sounds like you need more workers. We want to help build a village worthy of being the capital of our people."

Kiebal was dumbfounded for a moment, these two actually want to work, and would be willing to work while the flame begins to rise. She stammered for a moment before asking, "I have talked to a number of people that either didn't want to leave their friends and family, or had problems with my management. Why do you want to join us, if you don't mind me asking? What's in it for you?"

They responded by having two small children, likely no more than a couple years old, walk out from behind them, both having distinct, black eyes. The male spoke again, "We work and leave our friends and family so that these two can see the future of our people grow and flourish. We will be the first true family of Kaaba."

She remembered now, they were the parents of the holy twins. The two, Estrella and Lunas, being born as twins is a miracle in itself, but, as they developed, people began to notice their eyes. An average Night-Walker has features that you can barely make out unless you look very closely and has skin black as night, but these two had eyes that seemed to radiate darkness and black. To many, they have been declared "Children of the Moon". This is in Imlona mostly, but some in Khlin have also taken up this belief. This could not only be a great thing, having two more workers, but also a draw for more. "Also," she thought with glee, "I'll be working with the moon-blessed parents of these exceptional children."

She spoke to the parents, "Your help would be much appreciated, and know that you and your children will always have a place in Kaaba."

[b]Khlin[/b]

Haixun was now finishing his training of the new scouts. He would lead them to the City at the End of the World to meet the mysterious creatures that live there ([@Shoggothought]). He could not wait, it was the beginning of plans set in motion by his father long ago, before even his challenge was given to Trixarch. "These few scouts are high of spirit", Haixun thought, "but it is yet to be seen if they can hold up under the pressure of understanding these new creatures."

Pushing these thoughts aside, he went to his scouts with the final training before they would depart. He had a thought earlier that day, they needed to figure out how to make something to describe places explored. Something called a "map". He figured that the same method used for communication could be somehow transferred to this, but the issue was that this map would need to be long-lasting, something that won't wash away in a week. He found that wood from the Klouskops, handled correctly, could last for a very long period of time. With the construction of the Kaaba going on, it was simple to get a few small squares of wood from Kiebal. Using their arrows as a writing device, they could carve a map of the region from what they already know and what they may find as they progress.

He spoke to his scouts about the maps, and how to use them. Using the Homelands as the reference for scale on their maps, as they all know their home territory like the back of their hand, they will draw landmarks they see along the trail, such as an abnormally large rock or tree, or a change in terrain. After they get back, they would compare maps to create the definitive map that would be used on all future expeditions.

The scouts were impressed by the idea of having a guide in the wood to help them in the future, and took to writing in the map rather quickly. "That is good, that means we might be able to tell where in the moon's name we are going in the future," he thought to himself with a chuckle. After their training ended, Haixun spoke, "You have all been hand-selected to explore outside the Homelands and meet new, intelligent species. You have all agreed to this, knowing that it could be dangerous, and you all have done well in training. I am very proud of you all. Now that this training is finished, it is finally time to go on this first journey. Let us now depart."

Excitedly whispering, the seven scouts joined Haixun and they made their way out of the Homelands, into the land beyond, striving to reach the City at the End of the World.

OOC: The next post of the Night-Walkers visiting the Settlement will be handled by Shoggothought