Chapter 7
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The trogolodites welcomed Jihlem and Share into their camp, for the most part. Although they were a primitive people, it seemed that not all trogolodites were created equal. Some had better tents, more food and water, and the few creature comforts in the whole camp. That was all in a somewhat isolated area, which Jihlem initially assumed was where the chief and his best warriors lived. But when he asked to see the chief, to his surprise they were escorted to another tent, one much more primitive than that isolated area. They spoke to the chief, Pantoran.
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Pantoran: Welcome to our tribe. We don't have much, but what we have you are welcome to.
Jihlem: Thank you. I don't mean to seem rude, but if you're the leader of the tribe, how come you don't live as well as those others out there?
Pantoran: Because I value some things more than food or comfort. Honor. The terms of the truce treaty say the Harpers cannot come into our territory. But my people are not all above greed and temptation. Some kidnap refugees like yourselves, and sell them to the Harpers. Most of my people hate the Harpers and would rather help you to succeed just to spite them. Do you know why your people live so well, and my people scrape just to survive?
Share: We heard that you destroyed your land in the civil war over the gorgostone.
Pantoran: We brought much of this destruction on ourselves, no argument over that. But did you think all of that destruction just magickally stopped at the border. No, we had plenty of good and left, but then the Harpers came. They knew we were too defeated to defend our land, and they took advantage of it. Now, our best sport is to cheer on refugees as they escape to our land. But if Zeltron and his men kidnap you, I cannot offer much protection. They are the only local trogolodites with any kinds of weapons.
Jihlem: We just need to rest for a day or so and then we'll leave. I can only hope that that the further away we get the less people will want to return us to Faerun.
Pantoran: Good luck my friends.
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Zeltron was old and sick. As a young man he had sold out his tribe, betrayed his values for the comforts that the Harpers bribed them with. Now, as an old man, he relied on young people to protect him. Thus he corrupted other youth, promised them they would live large, maybe even get to live in Faerun. But even at his age Zeltron knew he would never be allowed to live in the beautiful land of Faerun. All he could do was keep his mini-village going. Not much of a legacy, but something. The arrival of these new refugees provided opportunities for his "People." Zeltron was too sick to meet with the Harper leader personally, so he sent Shakoan in his place. Shakoan was young and ambitious, hoping to someday suceed Zeltron, perhaps his one good quality was that he was genuinly loyal to his mentor Zeltron. He and the Harper leader met at the border, neither crossing the other side.
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Harper: Where is Zeltron?
Shakoan: He is sick, you will be negotiating with me.
Harper: Very well. Bring us the baby, and you will have your usual reward.
Shakoan: About that. I want an increase in food for my people. It's in your best interest for us to have more food.
Harper: How do you figure?
Shakoan: We're the outcasts, and the minority, we need to keep up our strength should they attack us.
Harper: Very well, a ten percent increase.
Shakoan: In addition to some honey. Sweets are a great way to bring in new recruits, to give children a taste of the good life.
Harper: Agreed.
Shakoan: And maybe a few toys, like I said it's a great way to tempt children. And some nice furniture so that my mentor can at least die in some comfort.
Harper: Complete your mission, and we can discuss what you've earned.
Shakoan: Fair enough, I should have to earn it. We'll get you the baby. And the parents.
Harper: I would prefer they be brought back alive, so that we can show all what happens to those who flee.
Shakoan: Things happen pretty quickly in this line of work, that might not be possible.
Harper: I understand that. The baby will grow up to serve the Order, and prevent Gorgos from once again ravishing the land. But if the parents were to lose their baby, yet live, they will come after you.
Shakoan: I understand.
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Shakoan and his five men prepared. It seemed unlikely that and of Pantoran's people would be stupid enough to try and stop this abduction, but why take stupid chances? They waited until Jihlem and Share left with little Tifre, and covertly followed them. They waited until they made camp and went to sleep for the night. When they did, the plan was to slit the parents' throats while they slept and take the baby back to the Harpers. That was the plan, but this whole experience had made Share and Jihlem more alert, as cautious and stealthy as Shakoan and the other five were, the parents heard them coming. They had no weapons, and Shakoan's men were better fed as of late. But Share and Jihlem were parents protecting their offspring. Jihlem just attacked Shakoan and in his fury was able to take his sword, killing him with it. Share tried to attack the others who came near her baby, she did well considering she had no weapons. She was able to quickly take one of their daggers and kill him with it. The other four decided they couldn't fight them, not now that they had weapons. While they were angry at the death of their friends, they valued their own lives more. They fled, and left their friends' bodies to be taken by the desert sands.