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[i]Squall Whisperers, Minstrels[/i][/center]

"This is grave news."

"A terrible omen."

"Are you sure, Pyouroff?"

Pyouroff stood before the five councillors of the Hyummin tribe, gathered in the dawn light. A few of Pyouroff's apprentices, including Yup, stood behind him, and the assistants of the councillors stood behind them.

"Yes. Delphina herself told me, and she was very clear. It is a deadly threat we face, but one which she says we can overcome."

"I have heard of such creatures." It was Joluri who spoke, matriarch of the Kilppundu family. "Distant stories of tribes up-beach and inland being attacked or even wiped out by murderous grey beasts or towering monsters of stone. It seems the stories were true."

"Perhaps the star-fall stirred them up," suggested Bonapyo, patriarch of Gorjapi.

Kirrethi patriarch of Korsachi crossed his arms and crinkled his brow. "Describe these creatures again."

Pyouroff closed his eyes as he recounted the scene. "They were tall beasts, about this high." Pyouroff gestured an arm's length above his head. "They had six limbs, all with terrible claws. They had sharp teeth and four eyes and a long tail and horns on their head. They ran fast and tore apart selka flesh with ease. They remind me of some of the creatures of Kirron. Then there was the big one, four times the height of a selka, which appeared to be made of chunks of stone covered in spikes. It lumbered around with a form similar to a selka. It swung its heavy limbs and flattened all in its path."

"And how many were there?" Kirrethi asked.

Pyouroff closed his eyes again and his finger moved as he counted in his head. "There was only one of the tall rock creatures. As for the others, it was hard to count them, but I saw one or two-score." Kirrethi grunted, then silently contemplated with a scowl on his face.

"What shall we do?" asked Hapena matriarch of Lornun.

"We will need to prepare our warriors, which is something I'm sure Kirrethi can handle," said Wakino patriarch of Punuphu.

"It would have been better if we had more warriors, but four days is not enough time to train a novice to be able to fight enemies such as these," Kirrethi said, "My greater worry is the stone monster. We have no weapon or defence against such an enemy."

Eyes turned expectantly towards Pyouroff. He looked at the councillors, then said, "I do not claim to be as cunning as Ippino the Wise, but I might be able to figure out something to tip the odds in our favour."

"What about your storm spirits?" Hapena asked.

"The squalls... I doubt even they will be effective against the stone creature, but they should work on the others. I will ensure my Stormbards help in whatever way they can."

"We should also send word to the K'nights. They will likely be able to help," Joluri said.

"If this horde is coming, it will likely pass through other tribes to get here. We should prepare to help those selka who are displaced," Bonapyo said.

"That's worth keeping in mind, but the first priority should be surviving these monsters," Wakino said.

"Councillors, I think we are all in agreement that we need to urgently act on this information which Pyouroff has given us," Joluri said. The other councillors gave their assent. "Good. Then let us plan so that we may prepare."

[hr]
The barks of selka accompanied the thuds of wood and stone against wicker and leather as the soldiers of the Grottu and Hyummin ran their drills. Kirrethi prowled along the lines of sparring soldiers, shouting orders and corrections.

Meanwhile, Pyouroff had gathered with his Stormbards a safe distance down-beach, away from the rest of the Hyummin. There was some apprehension in the group. Yup spoke up.

"You were opposed to us fighting in the past."

"I know," Pyouroff said.

"When Kirrethi sees what we are capable of, he'll try to get us to join the warriors."

"[i]I know[/i]," Pyouroff answered sharply. He took a deep breath in then continued, "But Delphina has given us this strength to be used, and now is our time. Does any of you wish for your kinsmen to be slaughtered?"

The Stormbards all shook their heads.

"Then we learn to fight. Call the squalls."

The Stormbards split off and played the song of calling, returning a short while later with a few squalls held in their thrall. Pyouroff paced before the musicians. "We already know how to use squalls offensively. That is what we do when hunting. But there are two more things we must learn. One is to use squalls defensively. It's one thing to slam a target with a mighty gale. It's another to not also knock over your friend who you are trying to protect. The other is to push the limits on controlling squalls. Normally when the squalls get too frisky we ease them off and come back later. If you do that in a battle, you leave people to die."

The Stormbards all watched Pyouroff, at least while they were not focusing on the squalls. Pyouroff stooped down, picked up his drumsticks, and walked over to a log drum. "I don't pretend to know the answers. I've never done this before either. But we'll learn together." He raised his sticks. "Ready?"

The Stormbards variously nodded or said 'yes'. "Good. Let's start with a barrier along there." Pyouroff gestured along an imaginary line down-beach of them. He struck his sticks together four times then brought them down to his drum. And together the Stormbards composed a new battle-song.

[hr]
Joluri was speaking with a muscled selka leaning on an engraved bone club. The K'night nodded gravely.

"Eaters. The K'nights up-beach have battled with those creatures before. A dangerous adversary," the K'night rumbled.

"What can be done about them? Would we be able to warn the other tribes and gather reinforcements?" Joluri asked.

The K'night stroked his whiskers with a frown. "Eaters are fast. It may be too late for some of the further tribes. But the nearer ones, yes. I can alert any K'nights I can find, but we are spread out. We would be lucky to find any more K'nights of Tyuppa than those already in Hyummin and Grottu."

"How about the big stone monster?"

The K'night was silent for a few moments, then answered, "I have not heard of any K'night defeating those creatures."

Joluri's face was grim for a moment, then turned into a sly smile. "Perhaps this is an opportunity, then, for you to be the first to get that mark on your club."

The K'night gave a brief chuckle. Then his gaze caught on something behind Joluri. Joluri looked behind her.

"Ah, Pyouroff." She then noticed a selka being carried in a stretcher by the other Stormbards. "What happened?"

Pyouroff looked at the injured selka then back to Joluri. "We were training with the squalls when one of them slipped out of our control. Poor Antoru here was thrown into a tree before we could calm the squall down."

Antoru held the side of her hip in pain as the Stormbards carried her towards the village. Pyouroff stayed standing near Joluri.

"You're training for battle?" Joluri asked, surprised.

"Yes."

The K'night grunted in approval. "I knew we could count on you when it mattered, Pyouroff."

Joluri glanced towards Antoru again. "I hope you won't have any more accidents."

"I hope so too. Such are the risks of bringing squalls into battle," Pyouroff said.

Joluri was contemplative as she watched Antoru be carried into the healer's hut. She had gone hunting with Stormbards a couple of times. She knew the terrifying strength the storm spirits had. It was a brutish form of hunting which left meat bruised, bones broken and hide damaged, but there was no doubt as to its lethality. And against a foe as deadly as these 'eaters', it was just the boon they needed.

"We are most grateful for the aid of you and your Stormbards, Pyouroff," Joluri said.

"Thank you Joluri. Now is the time for using Delphina's gift." Pyouroff turned to leave.

"One more thing," Joluri said, "Have you got any plans for the stone monster?"

Pyouroff paused and the K'night straightened up slightly from his position leaning on his club. "Not yet," Pyouroff answered.

"Shame," the K'night said. He picked up his club and slung it over his shoulder. "Keep thinking. Let me know when you figure something out. Meanwhile, I'll go send out some messengers." He nodded to Joluri and Pyouroff before walking away.

[hr]
"You call that a shield line? My grandmother could get past that line!" shouted Kirrethi.

"Hup!" The soldiers deepened their stance and braced their spears. Kirrethi walked up to one of the soldiers and shoved his shield as hard as he could. The soldier staggered slightly but stayed standing. Kirrethi nodded approvingly.

Pyouroff walked towards Kirrethi with his Stormbards behind him. One of them was playing a flute and a squall orbited around her as a cloud. Kirrethi looked towards Pyouroff. Then he turned back to his soldiers and barked, "Attention, soldiers! Pyouroff has something he wants to tell us." Kirrethi turned to Pyouroff with a smug grin on his face.

"You need our help to fight the eaters," Pyouroff said.

There was a twitch of displeasure on Kirrethi's face, but he pressed back. "So you, Pyouroff the pacifist, finally admit to the necessity of force."

"Kirrethi, your ears must have been clogged with sea-water during my songs. To defend one's home from attackers is a noble thing."

Kirrethi hesitated for a moment as he composed a riposte, then remembered the onlookers and thought better of it. "Indeed. Together we can defend Hyummin from outside threats today and into the future. If what I have heard of your abilities are true, then there will be none who can stop us."

"With the threat we face, let us hope that is true." Pyouroff looked at the Stormbards behind him then back to Kirrethi. "We are quite ignorant about the art of war, but you are ignorant about our magic. Yet if we want to survive this coming battle we need to cooperate. Squalls are fickle things; they can't simply be ordered about like soldiers. Yet they have ferocious strength if used properly."

"So in battle and training you and your musicians will take orders from me."

Kirrethi and Pyouroff stared each other down for a few seconds. Reluctantly, Pyouroff said, "We will defer to your combat expertise, yes."

A smirk formed on Kirrethi's face. "I thought so." He turned to his soldiers and barked, "Soldiers, watch the Stormbards closely. They are going to show us what they are capable of." Kirrethi turned on his heel to face Pyouroff and ordered, "Pyouroff, give us a demonstration of your magic."

Pyouroff winced at the order, although the Stormbards were already moving into position. Pyouroff strode in front of the assembled soldiers. "If you want to fight alongside us, we have one rule. Never interrupt a playing Stormbard. This is not a self-absorbed ego-boost," Pyouroff shot a glance towards Kirrethi. "We can only control the storm spirits while we play music. If we stop playing music, the storm spirit breaks free and will attack everyone, including us. Do you want to be thrown into the sky by a storm spirit, soldiers?"

There were some mumbles and shaking heads.

"I said, do you want to be thrown into the sky by a storm spirit?" Pyouroff barked.

"No, Pyouroff," the soldiers replied in unison.

"Good." Pyouroff turned to the Stormbards. "You may begin."

[hr]
"Pyouroff."

Pyouroff was staring off into the sky, his mind elsewhere.

"Pyouroff."

The voice dragged the old selka out of his thoughts. "What is it, Yup?"

"Are you alright? You've barely touched your fish."

Pyouroff looked down to his lap. He had picked some of the skin off his breakfast, but it was quite uneaten.

"I've never known you not to eat," Yup added.

"Hm, right," Pyouroff said distantly. He peeled off some of the fish's flesh and put it in his mouth. "I've been thinking all night about how to beat the rock monster."

"Ah," Yup said. Yup thought for a few moments, then suggested, "Could we blow it over?"

"Probably, but we wouldn't be able to lift or throw it with the squalls. We need an advantage slightly better than just knocking it over."

"Oh." Yup paused his eating to think a bit more deeply. "Could we rain on it?" he suggested tentatively.

"And what would that do? It's a rock."

"How about we blind it with a mist?"

"But then we wouldn't be able to see it either. Hmm, unless we keep the mist close to its head. That could help. Any more ideas?"

Yup ate the last bite of his fish as he thought. He eventually shook his head.

"Oh well. Tell me if you do come up with any. Get the others ready for training. I'll stay and think some more."

Yup got up and left, leaving Pyouroff to finish his breakfast. He picked up the fish bones and carried them down to the shore. He cast the bones into the water and prayed, "Delphina guide us."

He watched the bones bobbing on the water's surface. If the bones were a bit heavier they would have sunk. Like a stone.

He looked down at his feet in the soft, wet sand. Already his toes were buried in the sand just from his weight. He pushed down one leg and it sank to his ankle. He pulled it out of the water-logged sand with a plop.

Realisation dawned and he pulled out a pair of rattles. He ran down the beach looking for a squall, called one in and returned to Hyummin land with the squall in tow. He walked along the ground inland of the Hyummin, checking the soil. When he found a patch he was satisfied with he gave the rattles a shake and the squall released a brief deluge. He led the squall back to the beach and let it fatten itself on sea water. Then he took it back to the patch of soil and got it to rain on that spot again.

He repeated this process a few times before a selka who was out collecting hay, curious about what Pyouroff was doing, approached the Stormbard. "What're you doing, Pyouroff?"

"Ah, Wolla, good timing," Pyouroff said without ceasing his playing, "Come stand here and tell me how it feels."

Wolla looked at the puddle. "Why?"

"Because I'm busy playing music."

Reluctantly Wolla stepped into the puddle. "It's muddy and soft."

"If it were wetter and something really heavy stood on it, do you think it would sink?"

Wolla shifted his feet awkwardly. "I guess."

"Excellent! Thank you for your help." Pyouroff slowed the shaking of his rattles and hummed a soothing tune until the squall flew away.

Pyouroff hurried back to the village. He found Hapena first. "Hapena!"

"Pyouroff?"

"I've figured out a way to stop the rock monster. Gather the others. I'll get Kirrethi."

Pyouroff found the training soldiers and Stormbards and signalled to Kirrethi. However, Kirrethi ignored Pyouroff for a few minutes as they continued the current exercise. Only after the exercise finished did Kirrethi acknowledge Pyouroff. "What is it, Pyouroff?"

"I have a plan for the rock monster."

Kirrethi perked up. "That is good news."

"Come, the councillors are gathering."

Kirrethi turned to the soldiers. "Take a break." The soldiers relaxed and put down their weapons. The Stormbards dismissed their squalls.

Pyouroff beckoned to Yup. "Yup, come with me."

They walked towards the council meeting point, where the other councillors were also gathering. Once everyone had arrived Pyouroff was beckoned to speak.

"I have come up with an idea for dealing with the rock monster. It is heavy so it will sink in mud and water-logged sand. We can cause heavy, localised rain which can create patches of water-logged soil. If we lure the rock monster into such a patch it will become stuck and more vulnerable. We could also cover its face in clouds to blind it."

The councillors looked to each other.

"Is that it?" Bonyapo asked.

"Yes," Pyouroff said. Bonapyo seemed disappointed.

"It might not kill the beast, but it definitely helps. A trapped beast is often as good as dead," Joluri said.

Wakino raised his hand. "I have also been considering this problem. I've been designing a weapon which could effectively wound stone. A really heavy chisel, or something. The main thing I was worried about was that such a weapon would be quite heavy and slow. Being able to immobilise the monster would solve that problem."

The councillors looked to Wakino, then to each other. "We're in with a chance now," Bonapyo said.

"Wakino, get some of those weapons made," Kirrethi ordered.

"We'll also want as much rope as we can get. The mud will help, but combined with nets and snares we should really be able to stop it," Joluri added.

"I'll need to get some Stormbards to make the soil waterlogged," Pyouroff said.

"We'll need to pick the area carefully. I also want to prepare some areas to burn," Kirrethi said.

"This is very good," Jolrui said, "Let us continue preparing. We have less than three days to be ready for battle."

[hider=Summary]
Pyouroff tells the councillors of the Hyummin about the threat they face, of reaper spawn plus one ihokhur. They motion to make urgent preparations.

While Kirrethi patriarch of Korsachi drills the soldiers, Pyouroff gathers the Stormbards and they practice using their squall magic for more war-like purposes.

Joluri matriarch of Kilppundu talks with a K'night of Tyuppa. They'd heard of these threats before. The local K'nights send messengers and will help.

Pyouroff reluctantly agrees to have his Stormbards cooperate with Kirrethi's military. They undergo shared drills.

The next day, Pyouroff has an idea for how to stop the ihokhur. He'll make a bunch of mud and quicksand to trap it. Wakino patriarch of Punuphu is also designing a weapon which could be used to kill the ihokhur when they trap it. Preparations continue, and it looks like they'll be ready in time.
[/hider]

[hider=Prestige Summary]
[i]Start:[/i] 15 Prestige
[i]Earned:[/i] 3 Prestige (major role, quest)
[i]Spent:[/i] 2 Prestige on Title [i]Wind Blades[/i]
[i]End:[/i] 16 Prestige
[/hider]