Any which way the wind blew them
Summary - Set after season five. The remaining Mallrats reach new land and are instantly propelled into the midst of two fighting Tribes, the peaceful cave dwelling Tribe, The Speleos and the rogue warrior beach Tribe, The Gulls.
Spoilers - None, as yet for any of the seasons.
Rating - PG Pairings - None as yet
Chapter One
Stealth watched as they struggled to moor their boat, off the shoreline. Dusk was setting fast and she scoured the beaches for any signs of a more sinister presence, listening to the sounds carried on the high winds which were setting in from the west. Crouching, she raised a hand signalling to another of her tribe, the Speleos, just below her to keep watch, before climbing down from her vantage point, a rock jutting out from the cliff face. Making her way down the steep path she kept one eye on the newcomers and another on the open beach, aware that a pack of Gulls could arrive at any moment, ready to pounce on unaware individuals who dared cross their territory.
The cliffs were covered with thick, forestry, and a muddle of high and low rock. Cave mouths could be seen from certain vantage points from the white sandy beach, perfect lookouts for enemies, which scoured the shore for anything they could use to trade, including people. Stealth set herself on getting to the new found travellers before the Gulls arrived, and picked up speed as she reached the beach, hearing warning signals high above her. The Gulls were not far away, if they were to protect these new people, they had to act now. Her quick pace turned into a sprint over the sands, her eyes taking in the figures before her as they looked about with a quiet awe at their surroundings.
As she approached they turned their attention to her, as more sounds called down from the cliff edges to her. She came to an abrupt halt in front of them, and they looked at her questioningly, confusion and surprise on their faces. One, a tall female, with blonde twisted hair, carrying a child in on arm and a heavy bag slung over her shoulder, stepped forward to introduce herself. Stealth knew they had no time at the present for introductions, instead she gripped the hand extended towards her and started pulling the female in the direction she had just come from.
"Please, there is no time to explain, you must come with me"
The female struggled to release herself from the grip as the rest of her tribe started to wonder at the welcome they had been given.
"Hey, ow, let go," said the female, the child in her arms also starting to kick up a fuss at being shook around. "What's this all about?"
A male, tall with long dark hair and untrusting eye placed his hand on Stealth's arm warning her off the female. A whistle from the base of the cliffs took up Stealth's attention for a moment, watching as others of her tribe emerged, urging her to hurry. She turned back to the motley group, keeping her grip firmly on the female's arm, despite their best efforts to remove it.
"Please, believe me, you're in danger here, come with us, I can explain as soon as we have you safe"
By this time others of her tribe had raced over to join her, urgency in their voices.
"The Gull's, they're coming, from the east, we must go now" urged Moss
Stealth listened to them, but kept her eyes firmly on the female, shrugging off the firm grip of the male as he held her.
"Ok, ok we'll go with you" said the female, even as her tribes' meagre belongings were carried back to the cliffs by the lookouts.
"Hurry, come, now"
Stealth let go of the females arm and turned to race back to the cliff with the others, leading the way, even as a cry came down to them. Stealth halted instantly, as others of her tribe did, all turning to the east shore, to watch the distant runners of the Gull's heading towards them as they reached the foot of the steep path. Stealth knew urgency could turn to panic quickly. Beckoning to three of her own tribe members, she turned to the female and reached out for the young child in her arms.
"The path is steep, trust me, you'll want the child in safe arms"
The female paused for a moment and handed the child over, Stealth placed them gently into Sully's capable arms. Another female carrying a holding a child handed her young one to Fife. Stealth looked over the others standing before her, before nodding quickly toward Storm.
"Storm will lead the way, you must hurry"
Storm paused a moment to give her a warning look, silently telling her to be on her guard before he started swiftly up the cliff path, followed by the new tribe. Stealth pulled out her sling shot from is fastening at her waistband and turned to take a long narrow pole from Moss. She noticed the dark male standing watching as the rest of his tribe made their way following the others up the path. The cries of the Gulls could now be heard as they neared.
"You should go with your tribe" she told him, taking smooth stones handed to her by Moss and stuffing them into a pocket
"I can help fight" replied the male matter of factly.
Stealth knew from the tone, his attitude and stance that getting him to go with the others would be a futile venture and time was running out. Glancing behind her at the advancing enemy she threw the pole into the males hands.
"Stealth" she said, as cursory introduction, if they were going to fight alongside each other they could at least know each other's name.
"Lex" he replied "so what's the plan?"
Giving a slight nod in acknowledgement to his name, Stealth lead the way up the path the others had taken. Height was their greatest advantage against the strength of the Gulls, and they needed to make some ground before they arrived. Branching off from the chosen path of the others, Stealth led them a little farther, before turning back to get a vantage point of the oncoming tribe. Raising her hand to her mouth she made a sound, signalling the lookouts dotted around the cliff edges to be ready for attack, even as the Gulls reached the cliff base and made to follow the paths. Rocks rained down onto them, making them step back with angry cries as the barrage continued from the foliage high above. Stealth allowed herself a small smile of satisfaction as they backed down from the path. The smile disappeared as she took in the leader of the pack sent out to capture the new comers. Hawk's intense gaze bore into her as she looked down. Raising a hand, he pointed the weapon in it straight at her as warning. Stealth understood it loud and clear and sent a warning message of her own, expertly slinging a small rock down into his direction and gaining satisfaction from making him moan momentarily as it grazed his cheek and ear.
"Friend of yours?" asked Lex, beside her.
Stealth ignored the remark and turned her attention to the Gulls trying to climb the cliff face to where they were. She and two others of her tribe kicked at the rocks at the edge of the unsteady path, causing grit, rock and stone to fall onto the advancing Gulls, slowing them down.
"Behind you" yelled Moss from further ahead of the path, slingshot swinging in the air.
Stealth turned to see two of the Gulls advancing towards them, feeling the soft brush of air skim her cheek as the stone of Moss's sling sailed past her towards the Gull, watching as one doubled in pain a moment as the stone planted itself neatly into their chest. She readied another rock into her own sling as the other advanced.
"Moss, get to higher ground, we'll follow" she ordered behind her.
Lex stepped up, the narrow pole held in both hands defensively. Stealth watched as the Gull smiled maliciously, mockingly unafraid of his opponent. More rocks and stones rained down around them, and Stealth knew the others below were trying to climb the path once more. The Gulls raised his own weapon, a short thick club and swung it hard towards Lex, who raised the pole expertly stopping the attack. A loud crack ensued as wood met wood. Stealth stepped back checking no more advances were being made up the side of the cliff and readying her sling, watching for Gulls to come along the narrow path. Lex pushed the Gull away as he stepped heavily towards him from the swing of his club, and brought the pole round with a crack against the Gulls side, causing him to lose his footing momentarily on the gritty path below. His companion Gull had recovered from the stone to the chest and stood, in time for Stealth to release another, this time, skimming his head neatly, and she watched as he fell to the ground dazed.
Feeling slightly relieved as no other Gulls made their way along the narrow path she set another stone into place, hoping for an opportunity to take out the Gull as he and Lex continued to fight, wood cracking on wood as each parried and dug with their weapons. Lex was taking advantage, turning to make the Gull advance but take precarious steps towards the steep fall of the cliff edge. Stealth readied herself for a shot as the Gull edged closer, Lex pulled back on the pole, swinging it round to dig it hard into the Gulls gut, causing him to double over once more and staggering back. The Gull pulled sharply on the pole as he lost his footing at the edge of the path and started slipping down. Lex slipped forward with the unexpected jolt and lost his own footing, letting go of the pole moments too late to stop his dive forward. Stealth reacted instinctively, reaching out for his flailing arm and dropping to her knees as he fell over the edge. The fall pulled her further and the wind was knocked out of her as she landed heavily on the rocky ground, both hand wrapped round his wrist as his fingers gripped around her own.