Venom slowly made his way around the corner, making sure that they would not be attacked by anybody. He held the torch in front of him to light the way and get a better view.
Suddenly several murmurs and hushed whispers could be heard around the corner. A quick, sharp word silenced them all. As Venom rounded the corner a single goblin stepped forward and nervously said. "You stop! Do not come more." Then with a little more boldness--seeing as Venom stopped moving forward for the moment--he said, "Go back to the for-est."
In the low light Venom could see several other strong male goblins--about five of them including the one they had followed. Behind them was a plethora of goblin women, children and elderly goblins. The shaman from above was also in there.
Rue steturned the corner after Venom to get a better view of the group of goblins. Keeping her bow at her side so as to not provoke an attack from them, she looked around at the assembly of creatures before her.
"First tell us what your business in this, ah, for-est is," she demanded. "Before we go anywhere."
Venom waited for their response as well. His eyes centered on the shaman they had confronted on top, remembering well what he was capable. He hoped that they would not have to fight their with the women and elderly around.
The shaman stepped forward, apparently deciding that he would have to do the speaking himself. He spoke with bitter hatred and spite in his eyes--yet stayed very calm and controlled, "You think you're big and strong, don't you? Because you are taller and have better weapons you have the right to hunt but we who are small and istupid have to scavenge from the shadows." He spit out the word stupid with a scowl on his face. The other goblins around him were angrily agreeing with him.
"I don't think so. We are not dumb. We are not worthless. We have just as much right to hunt in the forest as you. Our women and children are just as valuable to us, as yours are to you!. He was yelling by the end and all the other goblin men yelled in hearty agreement! A couple babies started crying and one small boy picked up a rock to throw but was stopped by his mother.
"The men you killed out there were brothers, sons, and fathers--friends to each of us! Would you want u--" The shaman, overwhelmed by rage, didn't continue. He ground his teeth, furrowed his brow, and breathed heavily through his nostrils a few times. His brethren were beginning to get rowdy but yelled ferociously. All of the youngest were crying and several young boys joined in with the yelling.
One child threw an average-sized rock at Venom hitting him in the left shoulder. It didn't cause any damage but immediately several other goblins picked up stones to throw at the hunters. The shaman stretched out his arms and yelled, "STOP!" The others stood still as he finished, "Let them answer."
Venom continued to stare at the shaman. The hit from the rock had left a nasty pain, but his mind was more on the situation at hand, where more rocks may be thrown at him if they were not careful.
Look at your people, they are ready to attack again. I am a guard of Wistvale and my duty is to protect my people. Just because you see three humans before you, doesn't mean that they are all human. We are a diversity of races. There is an orc that is also a guard that I consider like a brother. We have cathians and so on. I have nothing against your race. It's the fact the your people are dangerous. I can't allow you to harm anybody from Wistvale while you try and take our woods.
The shaman shook with anger as he spoke, barely containing his rage, "You. Couldn't. Let. That. Happen. You couldn't let that happen! And why not!!! You don't own the forest! You it's not yours to controlled! Did we do anything to you or your familieses? Did we threaten you in any way!? 'Take over the forest.' What do you even think that would look like!? You think we would make big walls around the forest to keep you out? I spit at your stupidness."
The goblin spat on the ground in front of him. The other goblins were unsure of how to respond. Then one of them spat and soon all of them had spat on the ground--including several children who seemed to think once wasn't enough and had to be stopped by their mothers.
Venom had to take control of the discussion. The shaman ignored his words, and he wasn't going to let him forget what had happened earlier. Venom's voice was loud so that everyone there could hear him.
And neither do you! When we found you, your exact words were, "Today we will take dominion over this forest! We will prove that our tribe fears nothing and can take whatever we desire!"... Have you forgotten that? And you did threaten my friend here! Walls need not be made around this forest for they are for all to travel in, eat from, and enjoy, but they are to be taken care of as well not only for the woods but for the people that live next to them.
Venom took a deep breath and tried to calm down. His voice lowered so not to shout anymore.
Look, there's no need for us to spill more blood for these woods. We can share it, so long as we don't scare each other away. If this is your new home, so be it. We will not push you away. You need food? Take it. But respect my people as we should you. You can always make a living within Wistvale if you'd like. Your people could be protected there as well. Let there be peace between us.... I beg you.
Venom's hand, that had been resting on his blade, extended out to shake the shaman's. He could only hope that the encounter would end well.
Post by John Harding on Nov 17, 2011 5:35:23 GMT -5
Jonah was stunned by Venom's words. He hadn't expected that from this man, he had completely misread the red-headed guard. Wasn't it meant to be Jonah who spoke of peace and respect? Was he slowly forgetting everything he'd been taught? He lowered his head in shame. Was the change in him due to Wistvale?
Rue remained silent throughout the entire exchange between the Shaman and Venom until Venom extended his hand towards the goblin. Wanting this to be over so she could return to her day of hunting - she was getting hungry again - she stepped forward next to Venom, removing her loaded bow from her hands and swinging it around her back.
"We are not stupid. My friend here is right," she said, her words directed towards all of the goblins. "It is a forest to share, and yes we humans don't have the right to control it, but we do have the right to prevent other races from trying to control it, to maintain the balance in these shared woods. So we'll leave you and domination of the forest alone if you agree to do the same."
Without waiting for a response, she turned away from them and muttered under her breath, "Unless you spit at us again." With a final glare at the spitting children, she retreated to the wall of the cave where she leaned with her back against it, one hand casually placed next to her dagger should the goblins feel the need to attack.
The shaman was even more taken back than Jonah had been. He hadn't expected that at all. "You-- you would be willing to shh--share the forest? You can promise on behalf of all of your people that we will not be treated like animals?"
He was reluctant to shake Venom's hand until these questions were answered in a satisfactory manner.
Yes. We promise, so long as your people do the same, we'll all be able to live in peace. Your people can have a future to look forward to in Wistvale. You will all be under the protection of the Guard. What say you?
Venom continued extending his hand out to shake the goblins hand and make peace between them.