Several hours later Yaren woke up in the same cot he had found himself In earlier, this time, covered in many more injuries. His arms had several splits going down them and he had a couple of broken ribs. Gritting his teeth in pain he lifted his head to look at his surroundings. "Oh looks who's awake" a teasing voice sounded in his ears. Yaren looked over to see Redmill lounging in a comfortable enough looking chair with an amused expression. She glanced at him a few times before humming to herself and setting down a small book she held in her hands. She walked over to Yaren, her lithe form gliding with graceful strides. "Here, drink this, it will heal your wounds." She said as she produced a dark bottle. Yaren attempted to take the bottle from her hands yet couldn't find the strength to do so. With a giggle, Redmill popped the cork out and tilted the bottle towards Yarens mouth. "Thank you." Yaren said softly as he marvled at the seemingly miraculous healing effects of the potion.
In an adjacent room there sat a group of four people sat around a table. "Norn City has sent many more people than they had made it sound out to be." Chief Koly said with furrowed brows as he glanced at Skrid and the other two at the table. Yaren would recognize one as the stoic fellow who hadn't said a word the day he had first arrived in Yinnsk Village. The other was an older human lady, short with a severely hunched back. Her salt and pepper hair was tied into a neat bun that accentuated the womans elderly appearance. She wore a simple set of robes with a pair of out of place of pure white slippers. She sighed as she leaned back in her rocking chair as she fiddled with a engraved wooden cane with a peculiar figurehead. "While I understand your predicament, having me replace you as Chief will not lighten the burden on the Village. If anything, I fear it would only reinforce their bias towards the Gnolls." She said in a sullen voice. "I believe the best course of action is to bide our time. The Lord will send people to live in the village, Humans and Demis who follow underneath him will become residents. That will significantly ease the burden upon the Beasts of the village." After a moment of silence she warned with a serious tone, "The Beasts who lack intelligence will face the worst of it. I fear they will not even be given a chance. There are talks from some of those from the city of subjugation the town and colonizing it." The other man slowly opened his mouth. "The non intelligent ones will be slaughtered. Those with enough strength will be left alone.. for now. The state of the village will depend on the outcome of the movements of the forces of Norn City." He said in a deep voice. Suddenly, another form entered the room. "Yaren has awoken." Redmill said with a smile as looked towards Skrid and the Chief. The elderly woman wagged her eyebrows as she let out a small exclamation of interest while the other man was completely indifferent. Skrid hurriedly hopped to his feet as he glanced at the others before walking towards the door Redmill had appeared from. "Phew, I knew that Runt was a tough one. I'm going to go check on him. About the matter at hand.. there is nothing we can do at this current moment other than prepare ourselves and grow our strength." With a final glance at the Chief he turned and headed out the door.
"I'm surprised you came Fragnir." Redmill said as her eyes scrutinized the expressionless man. The man, Fragnir acted as if her words had never been spoken as he rapped his fingers along the fine wood of the table. "Also, it's always a pleasure to see you Matron Ginny." Redmill continued with small bow. "If only it were under better circumstances Little Red." The Elderly woman replied. "I think I will be staying here for the time being after giving it some thought." Matron Ginny said with a slight wave of her hand. "Go we will catch up later." She said as she waved off the young gnoll.
"I'm glad to see you're alright, I told you those potions would gave you right as rain." A voice greeted Yaren. "I'll admit, I underestimated you quite a bit there Runt. I almost paid a high price for being unprepared.." Yaren was stretching his body and ensuring everything was fine as he heard Skrids voice. Looking up, he saw Skrid walking towards him with Redmill trailing further behind. He flashed a bright smile. "To be honest I surprised myself.. and if I'm being truthful I'm not exactly sure what happened. I kinda got lost in the moment of battle." Yaren said slowly, his voice full of apprehension. "I feel as if I had lost control of myself." Yaren continued as he closed his eyes and attempted to recreate the moment in his head.
Skrid let out a chuckle before slapping Yarens back, "Jekekekeke! You were quite ferocious. Don't worry about it though, the Chief seemed to have an idea about it. By they way, you really seemed to impress him with your performance back there, and I can't help but agree." Yaren laughed as he flexed his hands. "It was a new experience for me, Although the pain isn't exactly enjoyable, I can't help but look forward to the next time." He was about to ask Redmill about her magic when he heard small noise.
*Ding*
*Notice* Bonus rewarded due to spectacular efforts!
Bonuses Rewards: 1 random Uncommon equipment(s)> "I should remember to open my rewards when I find some time to myself.." Yaren thought to himself jovially as he turned and gave Redmill a quizzical look. Redmill had yet to say anything as she continued to look at him with a lost gaze. Feeling somewhat awkward at the current situation he flashed a nervous smile and blinked his eyes a few times. Redmill, upon realizing she was just staring at Yaren suddenly yelped as she covered her face in embarrassment. "I-I'm sorry! I was just amazed at the potential you showed in your bout with Skrid.." She stammered, still flustered from being caught in a dazed. "It felt familiar to me is all.." She said softly as her eyes lowered to the floor. Skrid watched the two interact with an interested expression before he burst out in laughter. "I have never seen Redmill act so coy before. She acts like a real girl in front of you Yaren!" He said in a devilish tone as he threw a teasing glance at Redmill. Out of nowhere the temperature raised dramatically as Redmill tossed a threatening gaze towards Skrid, Her vehement glare full of eagerness to punish him for goading her in this position. "I will skin you alive, you rotten mutt. I would relish a chance to make you squeel for your insolence." She took a few steps towards Skrid, a wicked grin spreading on her lips as her claws lit ablaze. *CLAP* the sound reverberated throughout the room as Redmill paused and turned towards the source of interruption. Chief Koly stood there along with Matron Ginny and Fragnir wearing a half-hearted smile. A pronounced sigh escaped his lips as he cast a disapproving glance towards Redmill, causing her energy to vanish as she earnestly bowed her head in apology. Yaren looked at the three people standing in front of him with a surprised expression. Noticing how tense Skrid seemed to be Yaren greeted the Chief with a bow before nodding towards the two newcomers, taking note of the familiar man's lingering gaze on him. "Good." Said Chief Koly with a nod of his head as he turned towards Skird and Redmill. "You two, go with Matron Ginny. You two must prepare to take precautions for the events coming to the village." "Yes Chief." The two replied obediently, Causing Yaren to raise his eye brow at the sudden tameness of the two individuals. He watched their backs as the followed the elderly woman into the other room. Now alone with the Chief and the man he recognized from the previous night, Yaren felt slightly perturbed as he sensed things were going to be changing rapidly. "All of your movements, while great for your level of inexperience are shamefully clumsy". Yaren had spent the last hour or so taking advice from the Chief about his spar with Skrid. "You're abilities seem significantly higher than those commonly at your level, yet you fight like a mindless animal. There is no thought as to where you're going to strike next, and your lack of coordination leaves you with many openings." Yaren listened intently to the advice he recieved from Chief Koly. "After all, being able to make it to the Third Evolution must be an incredible thing." Yaren had mused to himself. After discussing how he can improve, Chief Kolys demeanor grew stern causing Yaren to straighten his back in preparation for something important. Chief Koly glanced at the man kicked back with his hands on the back of his head with eyes closed before turning back towards Yaren, "...the timing of your arrival here is unfortunate.." Chief Koly started slowly. Giving Yaren a deep look he continued, "The village is about to experience a very tumultuous time in the coming weeks.. and to be frank I don't have full confidence that I will be able to protect the Gnolls of Yinnsk. I have a strong feeling the forward base being set up is a distraction by the Norn City Officials." Yaren was unsure of what to make out of the information the Chief was giving him. Things seemed to be happening extremely fast since he had first awoken, causing him to grow uneasy. Looking for what to say Yarens mouth opened and closed a few times but he ended up staying quiet, waiting for the Chief to continue. "I will say this once. I believe you have incredible potential. Your aptitude for battle is something I've never seen before. However.. things are going to be very dangerous here. I will offer you the chance to stay and help me, in return I will prove you training to the best of my abilities. I believe we have much to teach you, and although we are not the largest, out roots are deeper than they seem." Chief waited a few moments to study Yarens face. Seeing him say nothing he added " If you don't wish to do so, I will arrange an escort for you to the closest place that is friendly towards monsters. You must be careful if you choose this path though." He warned. "Although at higher Evolutions us monsters aren't much different than the Humans and Demis, Beasts are seen as valuable resources, prime for the taking. I won't for-" Yaren suddenly waved his hand as he gave the Chief a toothy grin. "Listen Chief I have no idea what the fuck is going on here, but I don't have a thing to my name. The friendship and hospitality I have recieved here is the most valuable thing I could claim. Once you mentioned you would train me I had decided I would see this through for the time being. After all, Many exciting things have happened in the last two days." He said heartedly. After agreeing to stay in Yinnsk Village, Yaren and the Chief talked about the village for a bit before the Chief stood up and walked towards the wall. "I am glad you decided to join us, even if just for now. I'm rather eager to see your growth". The Chief waved as he whispered the chant Skrid has used earlier, causing a door leading to the outside to open. "I am heading back to the Village, those officials for the city are probably looking everywhere for me. Here take this." As he tossed a small bone key to Yaren. "This is too the hut next to Redmills. You maybe stay there for the time being." As the Chief was about to step foot out of the door Yaren suddenly called out, "Wait! What about my training?" Chief Koly paused and gave Yaren an empathetic small before leaving, the door sliding back making the wall return to its original appearance. Unsure of what to do next Yaren suddenly remembered that there was another man in the room with the Chief. Recalling that he hadn't left with Chief Koly, Yaren turned to look where the man had been sitting only to be astonished at the sight of the man's chair flying towards him. Caught off guard by the unexpected attack Yaren caught the full force of the chair causing it to explode into tiny wooden fragments as he crashed to the floor. Looking towards the man with wide eyes, Yaren felt his spine shiver as the man took steadied paces towards Yaren coming to stop directly in front of him. The mans face was full of contempt as he stared down at Yaren, paralyzing him with an intangible pressure. Yaren forced his eyes to meet with the mans as he gritted his teeth, fighting the oppressive aura of the man before him. Using all of his strength to fight back against the pressure Yaren summoned his breaking will, slowly climbing to his feet to meet the man's gaze. After what seemed like an eternity to Yaren, the man's face blossomed into a wistful smile as the pressure vanished. "You really an amusing First Stage." He said, his deep voice causing Yarens bones to feel like they were vibrating. "I'll be teaching you." Yaren felt as if he was toy given to a vicious pet to tear apart.