Grayell was nearly finished with hi fish, he didn't need much. He looked at the man over the fire, not without scepticism.
I tell you what. If they're criminals, then I'll deal with them. If they're decent folk; I'll talk with them. But I am not marching into that house on your say so.
I'll do the best to resolve the matter peacefully - the rest will be on them. And you.... are coming along.
She scrambled up at this point. Kiko had finished her fish while Grayell and Toro had been talking. There was little left of the meal, but what small bones remained she quickly buried a few yards away.
She returned quietly to the Wolf's side.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Grayell looked to the sun, it was barely creeping toward midday. He wiped off his mouth and his hands, kissed Kiko on the cheek with a smile that lasted... and then got to his feet.
No. We have the time, let's move now. I'd rather be resting tonight - after we've sorted out you dilemma.
She returned the smile with hesitation. Kiko straightened up, too. She stretched just enough to ignore the lethargic feelings a full belly created. She was glad now, she had thought to snatch up weapons. Not that she would have ever left them behind, but their exit from the treehouse had been spontaneous.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Follow me, then! He led them down the river and to the lake, walking around its edge away from Wistvale. He chatted incessantly and cheerfully, talking about his riches and asking Gray time and time again if he was sure about not taking them. Eventually they saw a large white house on a hill at the edge of the lake, standing tall amongst the trees. Toro looked around nervously.
I haven't been able to get closer than this before....they probably know we are here.
Kiko muttered something under her breath about, "no wonder, too, you chatter like a magpie." It wasn't loud enough for him to hear it, though. She was irritated, or maybe it was just the feeling she was getting between her shoulderblades. The one that told her someone or something was watching.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Before he got the the house, there was a crashing noise as a large object was thrown through the window beside the door. IT rolled once, and it wasn't until it stopped that they saw it was a man. He picked himself up and brushed himself off, shaking a fist and yelling into the house.
You win this round, but existentialism is the only sensible worldview, you objectivist bastard! He seemed to notice the others for the first time. He looked like a normal thug, but maybe a little more thin and a little more thoughtful.
Kiko, meanwhile, ran for the house. She took off as the glass shattered running at an angle for building. She paid no attention to what had hit the ground, she was more concerned about what else was behind the walls.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
I'm fine, just a gentleman's disagreement with my friend inside. He suddenly noticed Toro and looked to Grayell suspiciously.
You with him?
--- Meanwhile, Kiko made it to the house no problem. The people inside didn't really expect any intruders, so they weren't on the lookout for anyone. As she got close, she could hear them chatting in the kitchen area, and a continual clanking and scraping noise underneath it.
Kiko was rather surprised at the lack of guards at the door. Was everyone is this area more interested in hearing themselves talk? Her eyes narrowed with the chatter coming from farther in the house.
She slipped closer, feet making no sound beneath the clatter of voices.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
This man worked up a gambling debt, and we...collected. We figured out that the debt equals, well... He looked back at the building, then smiled cheerfully back at Grayell.
The worth of his house and everything in it. Big debt. Grayell could hear Toro growling a bit behind him.
-------------------------------------------
As she got closer, she could see them in the next room. There were four men, and they sat at a large table that was covered in jewelry and baubles of various sizes and apparent values. They were sorting them out, talking about how much they could get for it, until one of them mentioned how they'd faked the bill that "proved" Toro's debt. Easy, easy money....