The massive wooden gate creaked and groaned as ropes moved to allow the door to open for the returning party. Half-Dragon Priestess and her comrades followed behind the lamia leader and the frightened girl as further behind them were the Yuan-Ti captives and other lamia warriors. As the doors closed, the trio of women could see the village was large in size, a stone wall surrounding it on all sides to protect the citizens within. Several guard towers line the inside of the stone wall as further around them the lamia carried on with their normal activities. There was a section of the land set aside for livestock such as chickens and cows while on the other side of the village a medium size shack could be seen used as a smithy to create new swords and arrows for the warriors to use.
"Very impressive." Wolf Brawler smiled as she saw the people of the village tending to their duties. "Your village seems quite self-sufficient."
"Indeed. Our Chieftain and her predecessors saw fit to restructure our village so that it could weather any challenge."
"I was surprised to find such a large village of lamia. I had heard tales that most of your people were located within the desert." Half-Dragon Priestess stood still as she looked around and saw the various lamia from young to old moving about the village.
"That may have been true many generations ago, but our people have since spread out across the continent, though the cold winters can be rather troublesome."
Harpy Scout too was amazed by the size of the village but then remembered the Yuan-Ti prisoners who were being escorted away from the rest of them.
"What about them?"
"Those treacherous creatures shall be held in the cages until we deal with them." The Lamia warrior had a cold look on her face as she eyed the prisoners then looked back toward the trio of adventurers. "You too shall meet with our chieftain, she will be eager to thank you for the rescue of her daughter."
"Daughter?" Half-Dragon Priestess was surprised by that remark and looked toward the young girl who looked away rather embarrassed by all the attention.
"Yes. My troublesome niece here was lured out by the treacherous serpents and nearly got herself killed, thankfully we managed to get there in time as well as by your intervention."
"That's not true Auntie! The Goddess told me to meet with…"
"Be silent! The Goddess would never lead us astray or tell us such lies!
The captive yuan-ti were led away to wooden cages normally used for holding dangerous beasts of the swamp which would be butchered for food to feed the village. As the girls continued to examine the village, their attention was then drawn to a loud gong that echoed through the village, the lamia all turned toward the center of the village, and area surrounded by large stone structures and immediately stopped their normal chores and moved toward it.
"Come. Our leader has summoned us."
The adventurers moved with the rest of the village toward the center, there they could see a large stone temple and before it was a statue depicting a large lamia with gentle eyes and arms outstretched, as if offering a warm embrace to all who gazed upon her. The lamia and adventurers waited patiently and after a few moments three figures moved toward the ledge of the temple to look down upon the rest of the village. On the right side was the lamia warrior who was in charge of the attack with purple scales along her body and blue hair held in place with silver pins. On the left side was the younger lamia who had been saved by the adventurers, with blue scales along her body and long green hair, though she did have an unsure expression on her face. There in the center was a figure in elegant clothing, purple scales along her body and her green hair tied back as a golden headdress sat atop her head.
"My sisters! Blessed be the great goddess who has kept us safe, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season." The Lamia Chiefess raised her arms and outstretched them like the statue below.
"Praise to the Goddess." The lamia all followed and raised their arms upward.
"Today. We were fortunate." The Lamia Chiefess had a stern expression as she looked over her people. "The foul Yuan-Ti have continued their relentless assault against us. Many of have lost family and friends to these endless attacks...today I too nearly lost another member of my family."
The young daughter of the Lamia Chiefess looked very concerned as her mother said this and quickly looked to the ground as she looked towards her.
"We were fortunate that such fine adventurers happened to be within reach of my daughter and ended the battle before any lives could be lost." Lamia Chiefess looked toward the group of adventurers and bowed her head. "For helping my people, you have my thanks."
The rest of the lamia followed her example and turned toward Half-Dragon Priestess and her comrades and bowed their heads in respect. Half-Dragon Priestess and the others were initially happy, but that sense of relief soon wore off as the Chiefess looked toward her people with an angry expression.
"This transgression against us has gone on for far too long! We must take the initiative and crush our enemies before they have the chance to do the same to us!" The Lamia Chiefess raised her left fist into the air, her face fixed a look of anger and disgust.
The lamia in the large village all cheered, many of them raising their weapons into the air to support their Chiefess.
"We shall not rest until the water of this swamp runs red with their blood!" The Lamia Chiefess's face began to soften a bit as she calmed herself. "We did not ask for this conflict, but if they cannot coexist with us peacefully…then war it is."
The lamia all cheered in response to the Chiefess' declaration of war against the Yuan-ti. Half-Dragon Priestess and her friends nervously looked around the village, the bloodlust of the people within continued to grow and seemed to have no end.
"We shall begin with the captives of today's earlier attack. Their blood shall spill because the goddess has willed it!"
The lamia continued to cheer, many of them now looking toward the captive Yuan-Ti in the holding cell, ready to kill them as soon as the door was opened. There was a look of fear and anger among the captives faces, some worried they'd be torn apart the moment they were dragged out while others were determined to fight to the end.
"STOP!"
The voice boom through the village, the lamia were all quick to stop and now their gaze fell upon the reptilian adventurer and her comrades. Half-Dragon Priestess held out her arms as she looked at the lamia, a sigh of relief escaping her mouth as they all stopped their chanting. Now though, the intense gaze of the lamia fell upon them, Harpy Scout and Wolf Brawler feeling uneasy with the look in the lamia's eyes.
"Okay, so you got their attention. I hope you have a plan to keep them from killing us." Harpy Scout moved toward her friend and whispered while keeping an eye on the lamia around them.
"Working on it." Half-Dragon Priestess did her best to reassure her comrades before readdressing the lamia. "I understand that I have no place in trying to stop you, but I would ask that you not give in to this madness. Surely there is a way to avoid unnecessary bloodshed."
The lamia were silent, many angrily glaring at the trio of adventurers while others looked toward their Chiefess to see how she would deal with this act of insubordination. The Chiefess had a stern look on her face as she gazed down on these figures but then looked over toward her daughter and sighed.
"Perhaps I am acting a bit too hasty in my judgement. Normally, such rudeness would not be tolerated but I do have you to thank for saving my family so I shall listen to your discussion." The Chiefess looked toward her people and raised her arms high. "My sisters! Ready yourselves for any attack that may come, but we shall not be the aggressors. The Goddess shall guide us as she has always done. Praise to the Goddess!"
"Praise to the Goddess!"
The lamia began to disperse, many returning to their assigned tasks while others followed her directions to gather weapons and supplies for a potential attack. Half-Dragon Priestess and her comrades were then ushered by Lamia Warrior and the young Lamia Daughter to meet with the Chiefess in the main hut at the top of the stairs. Inside the structure the Lamia Chiefess sat on her throne with her tail coiled around her acting like a cushion. On either side of her were guards armed with spears in case any would try to harm their leader. Lamia Warrior and Lamia Daughter moved toward the Chiefess while Half-Dragon Priestess and her comrades stood before the Chiefess, a scowl visible on her face.
"Your outburst today would normally have gotten you killed, but I shall continue to extend you the courtesy of the lamia seeing how you are our guests."
"I apologize for my outburst, but I felt that such…discussion would only add fuel to the fire as it were." Half-Dragon Priestess said as she bowed her head toward the Chiefess. "I do not know what has caused such problems between you and the Yuan-Ti, but I would think that…"
"Indeed you know nothing! You and your comrades are but outsiders who just happened to be passing by." Lamia Warrior had a visible scowl on her face as she looked upon the trio as if they were filth.
"Our passing by helped your young one here avoid any potential harm." Wolf Brawler was not about to let the lamia's comment slide as she motioned toward the Chiefess's daughter.
"That said, we were well within our rights to defend ourselves if any of your warriors had turned their weapons upon us." Harpy Scout looked around the room to see that many of the lamia gave her an angry glare as they tightened their hands on their spears.
"How dare you…" The Lamia Chiefess narrowed her gaze on the trio of adventurers.
"We are not here to start a fight but understand that we will defend ourselves if the need arises." Half-Dragon Priestess kept her left hand on the hilt of her blade but did not draw it. "Chiefess, we only wish to help avoid any further bloodshed. I would assume that you would also wish to seek a possible solution that might spare your people any suffering, am I correct in this assumption?"
"…indeed, if it were possible I would spare my sisters any further suffering, but there has been bad blood between our tribes for too long." Lamia Chiefess face began to soften as she recalled some past event. "We have all lost loved ones because of the Yuan-Ti. I have already lost two of my sisters…now I only have my one sister and my daughter."
"I am sorry for your loss. I am sure they were fine individuals."
"Yes. They would have made much better leaders than I…even my sister beside me should be in charge." Lamia Chiefess waved her hand over toward Lamia Warrior who stood beside her.
"Sister we have discussed this before. I am only good at combat. I lack the patience of you or our other sisters." Lamia Warrior smiled as she moved toward her younger sister and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I may be older, but I am wise enough to know you are a far better leader than I ever could be."
"I am truly thankful for your counsel sister." Lamia Chiefess then returned her gaze back to the trio of adventurers. "The last words of my second sister were to beware the eyes of the serpent. Her words were to caution us of the treachery of the Yuan-Ti. I do not see any possible solution that will not end in further loss of life."
"I only ask for an opportunity to try and solve the situation. If we could speak with the Yuan-Ti and they were open to discussing a potential peace, would you be open to speaking with them?"
"How can you even begin to understand what sorrow we have been through?"
"My mother and I were attacked by humans long ago. My mother beaten and left for dead while I was captured and subjected to verbal abuse as I was taken away for sale as a slave." Half-Dragon Priestess closed her eyes, her memories recalling all the hunters had done and said as she was separated from her mother. "My mother and I should have come to hate the humans were all they had done to us, but it was a group of adventurers who came to save us. There was no promise of payment or promotion for their aid. They simple did what was right. Now I have a large extended family including humans I would consider as older sisters and an older brother."
"You really think that you can solve a problem that has been going on for at least two generations?" Lamia Warrior looked at the trio of adventurers were a stern look on her face, doubtful these people could do anything to help in the conflict.
"I make no promise to completely resolve what has been happening between your people, I only ask for an opportunity to set up a potential negotiation."
The lamia in the temple were all silent, their eyes fell on Lamia Chiefess who sat on her throne with a neutral expression as she studied the adventurers.
"One day."
"Chiefess?" Lamia Warrior looked at her sister with wide eyes.
"I shall give you one day to attempt to set up negotiations with the Yuan-Ti."
The lamia in the temple were stunned by their leaders' statement.
"Thank you Chiefess." Half-Dragon Priestess smiled and bowed her head.
"I do not expect them to listen, but for saving, but for saving my daughter, I shall grant you this one request." Lamia Chiefess held up her hand, not wanting to be thanked.
"We shall do all in our power to help avoid any further conflict." Half-Dragon Priestess bowed her head once again then turned toward her comrades. "We need to head over to the other village and speak with their leaders as quickly as possible."
"What about Saber Rider and Padfoot Monk?" Harpy Scout was worried about their missing comrades.
"I have not forgotten them. If they were not with us or the captive Yuan-Ti, then I can guess they are in the Yuan-Ti camp. Let's hurry and see what we can do."
Wolf Brawler, Harpy Scout and Specter were quick to follow behind Half-Dragon Priestess as they exited the temple. Lamia Chiefess was calm as she watched them leave before turning her attention toward her sister, Lamia Warrior.
"Continue to have our warriors prepare for the coming battle."
The young Lamia Daughter looked at her mother with wide eyes, shocked that her mother would still want to continue the conflict.
"You mean to attack the Yuan-Ti even if they agree to a ceasefire?" Lamia Warrior kept a neutral expression as she spoke with her sister.
"We will not act in such a cowardly manner, but I highly doubt the adventurers will be able to come to a peaceful solution. If the Yuan-Ti do agree to talk with us, then we shall have our warriors on standby should they betray us."
"I understand Chiefess." Lamia Warrior gave a quick bow of her head before slithering away to rally her fellow warriors.
"Mother, we should at least give them the benefit of the…"
Lamia Chiefess struck her daughter with her left hand, the young lamia placed a hand on the side of her face, a red mark left behind from the blow. She looked at her mother is shock but noticed that her mother had tears running down her face before slowly moving to hug her daughter.
"Do you know how scared I was when they told me you had left the village? I was worried that I had truly lost you today!" Lamia Chiefess hugged her daughter tightly. "Why did you go? Was it that Yuan-Ti male?"
"He wanted to talk mother, there are those who would want to attempt peace."
"Peace? They have done nothing but cause problems! They have taken so much from us and even tricked you into being taken captive! You must rid yourself of this naïve thought that there can be some sort of peaceful resolution."
"Buth mother…"
"Enough." Lamia Chiefess shook her head as she pulled away from her daughter and moved back to her throne. "My daughter is to be confined to her quarters, do not let her out of your sight."
The Young Lamia tried to protest but two of the lamia warriors took hold of her arms and moved her out of the temple.
xxxx
Saber Rider and Padfoot Monk moved with the lamia prisoners, each of them bound with ropes tied tightly around their arms as the Yuan-Ti led them into their village setting. Surrounding the swamp and marshlands were several thick long all connected in a semi-circle that soon stopped by the edges of a large stone hill in which a deep cave had been carved. Within the semi-circle of logs were several large huts for the Yuan-Ti to live, at the center was a large stone temple with a statue of a giant serpent coiled and ready to strike. Near the stone hill was a collection of animals that would be used to feed the village such as cows and chickens, though the Yuan-Ti would also hunt alligators or fish to add to their diet. The prisoners were led to the center of village where the other Yuan-Ti began to gather; some of the soldiers used spears to poke at fang to keep him moving though Fang would turn and hiss at the Yuan-Ti.
"Hey! You no hurt Fang!" Saber Rider flexed at his bonds.
"Patience my friend. Let us first see how things go before we attempt to fight our way out." Padfoot Monk was calm, but actually cutting as the ropes behind his back with the claws on his fingertips.
The lead Yuan-Ti warrior orders the prisoners to stop and wait for their leader to address the crowd. From within the temple walked forward a muscular figure with green scales, beside him was a female Yuan-Ti adorned with a large golden necklace, and on either side of them were two guards who carefully examined the crowd.
"Hail our brave warriors who drove off the cursed lamia who worship the false god!" The Yuan-Ti Chieftain bellowed as he raised his arms high, the actions brought out a triumphant shout from the other Yuan-Ti. "It is only by the guidance of the Great Serpent that we have survived to this day!"
"Praise the Serpent!"
Padfoot Monk and Saber Rider continued to watch the Yuan-Ti continued their chanting, Padfoot Monk could feel a sense of dread wash over him as with the chanting arose a hidden bloodlust.
"LIARS!"
The Yuan-Ti stopped and looked toward one of the captured lamia, she glared at them defiantly as the tip of her tail shook with fury.
"It is you who worship a false god and have done such terrible things to our village!"
The other lamia joined in with their sister but this only drew the ire of the Yuan-Ti who readied their spears and swords to silence the women. Padfoot Monk carefully moved toward Saber Rider and slightly bumped into him.
"Be ready to retrieve your weapons, we may need to defend ourselves."
"Dogface cut ropes? Alright, you pass weapons."
"ENOUGH!" The Yuan-Ti Chieftain snapped and held out his left hand, the closest guard understood and gave him the spear. "You and your filthy serpentine sisters shall die for your transgression!"
Just as Yuan-Ti Chieftain threw the spear, Padfoot Monk broke free of his restraints, he slammed his shoulder into the nearest Yuan-Ti who held onto his staff. With his staff recovered he moved and with a single strike, hit the spear and knocked it away. The Yuan-Ti were shocked by this but failed to see fang move to bite the ropes that bound Saber Rider. Saber Rider gave a shout as he broke his bonds as well and followed Padfoot Monk, knocking down the closest Yuan-Ti and retrieving his axe and mace.
"Tell me! Does the leader of his people always kill those who disagree with him?" Padfoot Monk yelled as he moved toward the lamia with staff ready to defend. "I do not know of what bad blood is between your people but there should be no need to spill blood unnecessarily."
"You are intruders who have attacked our people, you too shall pay with your lives!"
"We are adventurers who were moving through the area who ended up being attacked in the crossfire. We had come across these lamia holding a young Yuan-Ti captive and put a stop to it, but not so you could execute them." Padfoot Monk was stern but moved his staff from a defensive stance to a more neutral stance. "We apologize from pushing your people down but it was to retrieve what was rightfully ours."
"A moment." The Female Yuan-Ti near the Chieftain raised a hand to have the others stop. "You say you rescued one of our people?"
"Th, that would be me."
A young male voice spoke up and out stepped the Yuan-Ti with dressing around the arrow wound he had received.
"My son…why were you out there? Was it these wretched lamias who hurt you?" The Female Chieftain's frown turned to a scowl as she looked toward the lamia.
"A moment please. We helped your son and were treated no different than bandits, that is hardly the behavior I would expect from a noble leader such as yourself." Padfoot Monk extended his hand toward the Male Yuan-Ti Chieftain. "I would hope that we might be able to speak in a more civilized manner."
The Chieftain and his wife were silent as they looked over Padfoot Monk and Saber Rider; the other villagers also examined them carefully adventurers, the air tense as neither knew what might happen.
"Very well." The Yuan-Ti Chieftain replied as he and his wife descended the stairs from the altar. "For saving my son I shall grant you an audience, but do not try my patience any further."
"That is all we ask." Padfoot Monk bowed his head to show respect toward the Chieftain.
The Yuan-Ti Chieftain paused as he stood before his son who was still standing beside the Yuan-Ti Warrior, his older brother.
"You were foolish and this is the result of your leaving the village without my permission." Yuan-Ti Chieftain snapped as she pointed at the injury on the boy male's leg.
"Father I had only gone to try and devise a plan that would not call for any bloodshed of our people." The Young Yuan-Ti male exclaimed.
"That was your mistake little brother, believing in these devious women. They cannot be trusted, a fact you have discovered the hard way." Yuan-Ti Warrior smirked as he talked about the injury his brother had received.
"But Brother…"
"Enough!" The Yuan-Ti Chieftain snapped as he raised both hands for his sons to cease this futile discussion but then looked at his youngest son. "You shall be punished for this foolish action, but that will come at a later time. For now, have him taken away."
The Young Yuan-Ti tried to protest but was led away by his older brother; now the Chieftain and his wife were able to turn their full attention to Padfoot Monk and Saber Rider.
"I give you this opportunity to speak directly with me, so do not waste my time."
"We did not mean to intrude in your affairs but upon seeing your quarrel with the lamia, surely there can be a better method of resolving this conflict without having to take more lives."
"You know nothing of our conflict with the lamia! The blood shed from their attacks, the loved ones who have fallen in defense of this village, how dare you lecture me!"
"You no yell at my friend snake man!" Saber Rider took a step forward with mace and axe in hand.
"Rider calm yourself." Padfoot Monk held out his staff to stop his friend from moving any further. "We are not here to start another fight."
"I not let snake man insult friend."
The Yuan-Ti Chieftain was about to order his people to kill the two, but stopped himself and motioned for his people to lower their weapons.
"I should have you killed, but it would displease our god to harm those who have helped our people." The Yuan-Ti Chieftain's face unreadable as he looked down upon the two adventurers. "You claim to be able to help us with our problems?"
"I will not make any grand promises that I will not be able to accomplish, I only offer an opportunity to perhaps negotiate with the lamia." Padfoot Monk gave a small bow of his head toward the Chieftain. "My comrade and I are a separate party, perhaps we can discuss ways of settling the conflict in a more peaceful manner. I would simply ask that you do not harm these captive lamia, hopefully we can retrieve your captured brethren."
The Yuan-Ti were all silent, their eyes looking to their Chieftain and his wife who looked down at the adventurers. The seconds seemed to last like minutes as the Chieftain contemplated their offer before he finally replied.
"Very well."
Padfoot Monk breathed a sigh of relief as he was grateful the Chieftain was willing to listen to their argument.
"However, I shall grant you one day to attempt any discussion with the lamia. Should you not return, we shall execute these vile serpents." The Chieftain replied as he pointed toward the captive lamia. "Of course, you are also free to leave if you so desire. For saving my son, we shall not pursue but we do urge you to leave this swamp as quickly as possible…before you wear out your welcome."
"We shall do no such cowardly act great Chieftain. We shall head over toward the lamia village and see what we can discuss with their leader." Padfoot Monk then looked toward the lamia and nodded. "Fear not, we shall do all we can to avoid any further bloodshed and try to secure your release."
With a final bow, Padfoot Monk and Saber Rider, along with Fang, turned and began to walk away from the congregation, wary that they might be shot in the back by an unseen arrow.
"We try and stop war?"
"I wasn't trying to do something so grand, I had just intended to stop the execution. For now this gives up a chance to try and find the others and explain what we have discovered."
"Right, need find Preety Bird and others. Hope they all safe."
"Quite correct. Let's hurry back to the spot where the battle began."
The Yuan-Ti watched as the adventurers left the village, once they were gone, the Yuan-Ti Chieftain summoned one of this warriors.
"Prepare to have the captives executed."
"You wish for it now?"
"No, I shall honor my agreement and give them one day but I highly doubt they will be successful in their quest. We must be ready for a future attack, the Great Serpent has commanded it."
xxxx
"So what's the plan here Priestess? Find the boys and stop a war?" Harpy Scout asked as she flew overhead.
"That's the plan…well at least what I've thought up on the fly so far." Half-Dragon Priestess said as she and Wolf Brawler rode atop Specter.
"You really think the Yuan-Ti will listen to us? I don't want to be pessimistic, but given how the Lamia were already set for this battle, I don't know what we can accomplish within one day." Wolf Brawler commented as she clung on to her comrade while they rode.
"I'm worried too, but I'd rather try to help minimize potential bloodshed than just turn a blind eye to the problem of these people." Specter came to a sudden halt which startled Half-Dragon Priestess and Wolf Brawler. "What's wrong boy?"
"Everything good? Or did he see something?" Harpy Scout landed near the others.
Specter continued to look ahead into the mist, his ears twitching as he continued to look forward but soon enough his tail began to wag. The girls looked through the mist and believed they could see figures moving just a few yards away.
"Hurry Fang! We need find Pretty Bird and others!"
"I know that stupid voice anywhere…HEY RIDER!" Harpy Scout happily shouted while waving her hands.
"That voice! Pretty Bird?"
"Over here Rider!"
The girls waited and thankfully saw Saber Rider and Padfoot Monk riding atop Fang with Talon flying overhead.
"Huntress! Priestess! Scout! It is good to see you all unharmed."
"You as well Monk." Wolf Brawler smiled as she gave her comrade a friendly slap on the shoulder. "So what happened to the two of you?"
"We ended up encountering the Yuan-Ti and were taken captive."
"Yuan-Ti? And you were taken captive?"
"Snake people take us as prisoners and we managed to get free."
"There's a few things to correct with Rider's statements, but that's the gist of it." Padfoot Monk smirked as he looked toward the girls. "For saving the Chieftain's son we were granted our freedom. Can I assume that you all were taken by the lamia?"
"That's correct, the lamia took us to there…wait, how do you know about the lamia tribe?" Half-Dragon Priestess was surprised that Padfoot Monk already knew about the other tribe in the swamp.
"Through our discussion, we found that the Yuan-Ti are ready to start an all-out war to crush the lamia tribe. It would appear that their god has demanded the blood of their enemy be spilled."
"The lamia were the same way. The leader of the tribe informed us that the Goddess has protected them and informed them that if they are to survive, the Yuan-Ti must die." Half-Dragon Priestess looked at Padfoot Monk with a worried look. "We managed to delay the execution of the captured Yuan-Ti warriors by offering to negotiate with the Yuan-Ti chieftain."
"I too made a similar offer to spare the lives of the captive Yuan-Ti."
"So we have two tribes ready to kill one another, and somehow we have volunteered to act as negotiators." Harpy Scout shook her head as she let out a heavy sigh. "I think this is a little out of our realm of expertise. I fail to see how we are going to stop a war from breaking out within a day."
"The problem itself lies with the belief that the gods demand the destruction of their enemy." Padfoot Monk pondered as she placed his left hand on the chin. "I have heard of blind devotion, but never have I heard of gods demanding complete and total destruction…save the god of evil and chaos. There must be some way of getting both sides to at least sit down and talk about their concerns."
"Wait…both tribes mention serpent like deities right? Then are those large monsters we had to worry about from last night connected?" Half-Dragon Priestess shuddered at the thought of being so scared that she could not move her body.
The adventurers were all silent as they tried to digest everything that happened in the span of a few short hours. Suddenly Specter's ears began to twitch, he turned to look towards the trees partially hidden within the mist and began to growl. Specter too was snarling, but he was focused on the area in the opposite direction from Specter.
"What's wrong boy?"
"Fang…something coming through fog!"
The five adventurers made a circle as they looked out into the mist, the slight sounds of something move through the water but still unseen.
"Something is coming…from both sides. Be ready." Wolf Brawler clenched her fists so tightly that he knuckles cracked.
"Talon…what do you see from up above?" Saber Rider listened carefully as he saw the hawk circle around them and screeched. "He say something small coming towards us, but…he also see something else coming after them."
"Something small and something else…that doesn't really help us Rider." Harpy Scout kept her arrows trained on the trees when she spotted a shape in the mist. "There! Identify yourself or I'll let this arrow loose!"
"Don't shoot please!"
The party did not lower their weapons when suddenly they saw her, a young lamia female slowly slither out of the mist with her hands raised to show she was not armed.
"What the…another snake girl?"
"Wait, you're the daughter of the Chiefess!" Half-Dragon priestess was shocked to discover the young lamia with them. "What are you doing here?"
"I followed with you after you left." The young lamia said with a smile as she moved towards the group of adventurers.
"Not just concerned with how you got here but why are you here?" Wolf Brawler firmly placed her hands on the young girl's shoulders. "Gods above, if your mother finds out she'll have us executed."
"You want to bring peace between our people, I want to help."
"That's a nice sentiment, but you really…"
"Behind us! I hear the other one…someone walking through the water." Padfoot Monk gave a shout as he raised his staff.
Saber Rider and Fang moved to stand beside Padfoot Monk while the girls and Specter formed a protective circle around the young lamia. From the mist they could see another figure slowly emerg, it was a young Yuan-Ti male, the son of the Chieftain.
"Huh? It snake boy from earlier?"
" 'Snake boy from earlier'…Rider, do you mean it is the Chieftain's son?" Padfoot Monk lowered his staff and called out to the approaching young Yuan-Ti. "Boy, what are you doing here?"
"I snuck out and followed with you, I figured it would be my best bet to…"
"DARLING!"
The young lamia quickly slithered away from the girls and heading straight for the Yuan-Ti male.
"Darling?" Half-Dragon Priestess was confused by the sudden declaration.
"My love!"
The Yuan-Ti rushed toward the lamia, both deeply embraced and kissed to the confusion of the group of adventurers.
"I…what the hell is going on? I thought the two tribes were trying to destroy one another." Harpy Scout lowered her bow and arrow as she looked at the couple with bewilderment.
"They are…"
The party and the two young lovers turned to see another lamia emerge from the mist, one clad in armor and with weapon attached to their back, the sister to the Chiefess, Lamia Warrior.
"Auntie…" the young lamia was surprised to see her relative there.
Then from the opposite side of the swamp emerged another figure, a Yuan-Ti male with armor and weapon at his side, the young Yuan-Ti's older brother, Yuan-Ti Warrior.
"Brother…"
The party and the lovers found themselves in a strange situation as the two veteran warriors stood on opposite side observing the spectacle in the middle.
"Aw hell…things could not be any more awkward." Wolf Brawler sighed as he ears drooped a bit.
*Author's Note: I am so sorry to those who have been following my story. I did not intend to drop off the face of the earth, I had just been going through some burnout. The story started to feel more like a homework assignment or chore and I was really putting it off. Thank you everyone for your patience and yes I will be continuing with the story, especially with leaving it of the Romeo/Juliet cliffhanger. Everyone have a wonderful day and I hope you and your loved ones are all doing well, see you for next time.