Disclaimer: All characters copyright of Lego. At some point in future.
Chapter Two: Plans
"So," asked the chieftain, "what brings you so far out?"
They were all sitting at the communal table in the chieftain's hut, with platters from which to draw energy. Lariska and Chedrick were next to each other, with Conjurer informing them of his grand powers. Elurin was hanging off his every word. Across from them, on the right of the chieftain, the three who had tails were sitting, with the slinky one examining her in a way that made her uncomfortable. The Recorder stood off to one side, scribbling away. The rest of the villagers shot glances that varied from intrigued to disturbed, but remained caught up in their own conversations.
"Well," said the yellow one, who was closest to the chieftain, "We are starting a business, one that will span many lands, and we were wondering whether we could establish a base here."
"I see," said the chieftain after a moment. "What would this entail?"
"Some fortifications, a few warehouses, nothing much." The yellow one waved his hand dismissively. "I think if we demolish a few of the huts, we can make room. You wouldn't know we were here."
"I'd prefer too." The words were quiet as ice, and just as cold and sharp.
---Conjurer was in his element.
The villagers watched in astonishment as from nowhere he produced a knife with an ebony edge. "This knife," he decreed, "is a gift from the forces of Norram. This knife can cut through the hardest stone, and perform the most delicate of functions. This is truly a knife of Norram, and it takes a great amount of skill to wield properly."
Lariska, at the front of the crowd, had had enough. "And how do we know it can do all you say?"
"Sister!" snapped Elurin.
"No, fair lady," interrupted Conjurer, holding up a hand, "she is right. It is wise not to trust your eyes, for what you see…"
Here he threw the knife in the air and pointed his staff at it. As it flashed across the sun, it exploded in a cascade of golden dust.
"…Can disappear in an instant," he finished.
Clapping resounded as the he bowed low, but suddenly stopped when a voice called, "The charm! The charm of prosperity is missing!"
Panic flowed through the crowd. The charm had been stolen! For as long as could be recalled, it had lain in the chieftain's hut, granting the village an ability to live where others couldn't. How could this have happened? Lariska managed to make it to the messenger.
"The guards?"
"They just went numb and collapsed. No idea what happened!"
"Chedrik!" shouted Lariska over her shoulder.
The chieftain's son pushed through the crowd. "Any footprints?"
"None!"
"Descriptions?"
"The guards can't really speak. Something about a tail is all I got."
"Triglax!" spat Lariska. "I'm going to kill that-"
"Hold on," said Chedrik, restraining her. "It may be one of our guests but we don't know that for sure."
"I do."
"This is a job for the guard! I think-"
"Excuse me!" shouted a slinky voice over the cacophony. "I found this near the canyons. Could anybody tell me what it is?"
Triglax had somehow managed to get on one of the huts.
In his hand, he held the charm.
In his eyes, he held an innocent calculating look.
---"But we have to deal with them somehow!" Lariska cried.
The chieftain sighed. "I understand and share your concern. However, if this Triglax was indeed able to obtain the charm, we might be dealing with powerful beings."
"I don't care! They're a danger to us all! The village, Elurin, and-"
After a moment, the chieftain queried, "And…?"
Lariska blushed. "Never mind. They're just a danger, that's all."
The chieftain nodded. "I see. Like the Nivwak was?"
Lariska nodded mutely. The chieftain stared intently at her.
"Indeed," he finally said. "It will please you to know that I have their leader's guarantee they will leave before the week is out."
Lariska blinked. It took her a few moments to compute this. She turned and left the hut. Outside, Chedrik stopped her.
"I hope your visit was… productive."
She nodded. "It was."