Run by Walker of Shadow (3 xp)

Fudou notices what looks like a game trail leading into the forest. On closer inspection, though, it wends its way through an area that just happens to leave room for someone twice your height to walk without fear of running into any branches.

Phil only notices the trail.

Fudou notes the game trail and studies it for a time before revealing its presence to Philokrates. "Here.." he rumbles while gesturing lazily with a tree trunk of an arm, "This way.." He steps in the direction of the trail and then pauses and turns near where it begins to truly enter into the forest as he warns Philokrates, "He may be a giant, indeed. Are you sure you're ready to proceed? You could be getting in over your head. I have it on good authority these 'goat men' are rarely alone.."

Philokrates shakes his head. "I am no shirking violet, and I do not come yet to bring war. I was a messenger before I was bestowed the privilige of the far-casting bow and arrow," he says, beginning to stride down the trail, staying attentive about his person. "What foe could out-stride I, far-stepping Philokrates?"

"Then let us proceed." says Fudou, looking quite bemused though curious as well as interested in the capabilities of this eager one. He gestures for him to move onto the trail and deeper into the forest. "Be cautious..and eventually I must leave you to your heroic task."

The pair wends their way through the forest, deep into the untouched trees. You go far past the area normally patrolled by hunters, and enter the virgin woods, seemingly never before touched by human hands, never before seen by human eyes.

Philokrates says, "I understand. Thank you for guiding me, wild man. As I said, I do not come with murder in my heart, no arrows, but rather the Sun's outstretched laurel branch - the prize for which all his many weapons contest."

Philokrates 's feet step lightly, leaving no trace and making almost no sound. He strides across the underbrush, wending through branches rather than roots.

Fudou scoffs mentally at being called a 'wild man', though he supposes with his over-worn pants, sandles, lack of shirt and dusty un-exalted looking long jacket..he is abit of a vagabond at the moment - but he lets Philokrates take the lead even as the forest becomes more and more primeval in its density. Eventually he seems to melt from view, somehow, shrouded by trees that dwarf even his impressive frame. He then suddenly falls to all fours, the form of a grey and silver furred wolf prowling into being and lurking into the depths of the wood to follow at a distance and by means known only to the animals.

As you continue through the forest, you see ahead of you that it seems to be getting lighter. Also, you hear what seems to be a large group of goats. You come to what looks like the edge of the woods, though a second glance shows it to be a clearing several hundred yards in diameter. There are crude huts spread out around the edges of the clearing, made from woven grass and branches. In the center of the clearing is a wide open space, and this is where your focus is drawn. About 20 goat-men are in rows, all facing the same direction. They seem to be practicing basic brawling techniques: Punching, chops, grabs, throws, kicks, etc. Each of them is a humanoid, about 6 feet tall, with a sparse coating of green fur, hooves instead of feet, and horns coming out of their heads. All of them look quite strong.

Facing them is a group of four goatmen that look similar, except that they only have one eye, and their fur looks much thicker.

 Between the two groups is the being who can only be Seven Skulls Crushed: he looks almost the same as the goatmen around him, but he towers more than three times their height, proportionately much more muscular, and his fur is also quite thick. His hooves are also much bigger than those of his smaller brethern, even taking into account his great size. He seems to be teaching the groups, leading them in their exercises.

 As you reach the edge, he glances at you, seemingly unsurprised at your presence, then goes back to his teaching.

Philokrates , messenger, settles himself on to his haunches, resting on a stump, and waits to be acknowledged. It would be rude to interrupt.

As time passes, a silver flecked hawk decides to land on Philokrates shoulder and, after giving him a moment to calm down and react to that arrival..the hawk deigns to speak to the young Solar, quietly, and into his ear. The voice should be familiar. It's the self-same giant that guided the man into the forest, "Do not be alarmed.." he says, "But you should know..that this Seven Skulls Crushed..may be a Half-Caste of Luna....and possibly the child of one with great power and clout. Tread carefully..."

Philokrates nods quietly. "A noble of his kind... a prince. Not one to be disrespected or scorned. I will be courteous and deferential as suits his station... and stature," he murmurs. He takes a moment to climb up a tree so he can look the mighty beastman in the eye when they do talk.

The lesson continues for nearly 20 minutes, with the only sounds being grunts of exertion as the creatures exercise. Then, at some unseen signal, the group breaks up, heading towards various huts and disappearing inside, leaving Seven Skulls Crushed and four of the bigger goatmen. He then turns and extends a hand towards you, palm up, and motions you forward with his whole hand. Seems like you climbed a tree for nothing...

The hawk waits and then whispers, warningly, "Even if he is not half-caste...guard your words carefully..but know that this ilk plans, ultimately, the end of human society. It may not be now, or even soon, but eventually.. It is for this cause, that they are bred...and that they train, even if they do not realize it. I suspect they do..." and then he is silent and 'just another hawk' as the gesture is made. Should Philokrats climb down, he climbs down alone. The bird takes flight and finds purchase upon one of the higher branches in the tree.

Philokrates leaps deftly to earth, striding fearlessly closer. "I am sent by the mighty Shield of a Different Day," he announces, "Of the walled city of Great Forks, mighty fortress where the farms grow rich harvests and the temples glitter brightly in the light of the Unconquered Sun. I have been sent to you, o Seven Skulls, to respectfully and proprietously make demands on behalf of the Three."

Seven Skulls Crushed blinks his one eye, looking down on you with some kind of unfathomable expression. "Arth varn e alla, mich hern sarmon toe taes milla mista Dayshield ta Great Forks. Arach Dewel Tante'd e. E garan atta?"

Philokrates repeats his entire spiel, in Forest-Tongue.

The hawk's eyes hood slightly as the issue of langauge comes up. It seems his laxness is working against him now. But there's little to be done but to listen and wait until something visibly happens or Philokrates can be approached again.

Seven Skulls Crushed says, "<I bid you welcome, scion of the great Dayshield of Great Forks. I am Seven Skulls Crushed. What do you want of me?>"

Philokrates declares, "<I have been called forth by the Dayshield to demand you turn your children and brothers away from the walls and reaches of Great Forks, for the citizens of our city are sore beset with dismay and woe that you have ground the skulls of the people of Great Forks between your mighty jaws. Mercy, oh grand warrior! Do not set your terrible powers and mighty peers to our lands! Let there be peace, and let us make trade and lawful conduct as civilized creatures under the Sun."

Seven Skulls Crushed chuckles. "<Demanding peace? That is hardly a very nice way to be doing business, you know. I am training us as a group to fend off your incursions into my forest, using human tactics, because those of the animals and the forest don't work. I am the smartest of my clan, so I am the leader. I have only been trying to survive. I mean your city no harm.>" As he speaks, his jaw opens much wider than it seems like it would be able to. This is probably where he got his name.

Philokrates bows low. "<I entreat you, swear that these things which you say are true, and I shall relay them to the mighty Dayshield as your own voice, for I am a true-hearted messenger who would never impeach his office by mis-representing or bearing false witness.>"

Seven Skulls Crushed smirks slightly, then speaks again. "<I can say these things as your own voice, messenger. I relay to his office, say I.>" His voice sounds /exactly/ the same as yours, though you notice that he only used words that you used, though they are reordered.

Philokrates 's brow furrows. "<Will you not testify that you swear the truth of your words? I cannot give my sincere testimony without an honest oath.>"

Philokrates says, "<A true oath would cost you but breath, and bring peace and prosperous trade between our peoples! Would you so unkindly deny your brothers and cousins the ripe fruits of the orchards of Great Forks, freely traded?>"

Seven Skulls Crushed shrugs. "<I swear that I will not trouble the city of Great Forks as long as the sanctity of my forest is mantained, and as long as we are allowed to gather our own food without being hampered. Is that enough?>"

Fudou just observes, still. Silent, though his mannerisms are akin to the form he has purchased via the sacred hunt. There's little he can contribute here.

Philokrates extends a hand. "<Shake on it.>"

Seven Skulls Crushed's brow furrows. "<Shake what on what? I know not your meaning,> man of the Three. Speak plainly." The sudden shift from foresttongue to riverspeak is quite natural, and almost unnoticable to someone fluent in both, but Fudou will notice the change.

Philokrates says, "It is customary for men of the cities to clasp hands together when an oath is sworn. This shows sincerity and trust, that a man would stand close enough to his fellow man to be struck, and reach an open hand forth with no weapon that he might be seen to be faithful to the pact.""

Seven Skulls Crushed thinks about this for a moment, then nods slowly. "Alright. That sounds reasonable. But, before we 'shake on it', do I have your word that my conditions will be upheld? My forest is not to be molested, and we may gather our food as we wish."

Fudou grimaces, inwardly.. He rustles as if debating on interfering .. but perhaps it's best he doesn't.

Philokrates shakes his head. "I cannot promise on behalf of my ruler - I cannot command the whims of the Three. But I can honestly promise to speak truly in support of a harmonious coexistence between our people, as you propose."

"Smarter then I thought." rumbles Fudou to himself, pleased that PHilokrates caught that much.

Philokrates says, "To gather food as you wish? From among the citizens of Great Forks?"

Seven Skulls Crushed widens his eye again, this time in surprise. "Did I not say that I would not trouble the city?"

Philokrates shrugs. "As you so say. Let the oath be sworn, then," he says, holding out his hand.

Seven Skulls Crushed nods, and holds out a hand that is nearly half the size of the man before him. He clasps not just his hand, but the entirety of Philokrates's arm, squeezing firmly. He doesn't shake, though, merely holds. He probably has the strength to crush trees into matchsticks, or rip your arm right out of its socket, so he has some concept of your frailty, apparently.

Philokrates 's anima flares, and the oath is sanctified as it is sent forth to heaven as sweet-scented smoke. "So sworn, thrice holy, sanctified, sanctified, sanctified," he recites, his burning chakra glaring as he pulls his hand free gently. "I will speak of this to my masters, the Three, and let them know that you are a good host who treats well with messengers, a princely figure worthy of respect."

Seven Skulls Crushed eye opens wide at the flare of gold, and he instinctively brings his arms up to shield his face. Unfortunately, Philokrates is still in his grip, so he goes with it. Unless he is as fast to dodge as he is to run.

Seven Skulls Crushed lets out a bellow of surprise at the light as well.

Philokrates springs backwards, leaping in to the trees. "I go now to tell my masters of your oath. From here we shall assume that your desires are honest and plain-spoken - for if you have lied to me today, Heaven itself shall bring judgement and vengeance upon you in terrible fortune!"

Seven Skulls Crushed shakes his head wildly to clear the blinding light from his eye. After a moment, he spots the man in the trees. Blinking a bit at how fast he got over there, the giant nods. "Very well. The forest shall know if you break your side. You are far more reasonable than most other humans would be in this situation. Truely, you only care for your job."

Philokrates says, "The world has enough truth-benders, lie-masters, cruel and deceitful wicked masks. I stand only for the sincere truth of the matter; no man or god has a higher calling than the truth of the world."

Philokrates sprints away, rushing like a spearcast.