The Javan Queen anchors just off the northern bank of the river. Chief Rahk and at least a dozen of his warriors await them. It can be seen that they have brought several of the canoes to shore, including a war canoe.

Before getting out of the Javan Queen, Ragnbjorn calls out to the chief in Draconic, “Chief Rhodophylax, I need to speak with you apart from your men. I will wade ashore over there.” Chief Rahk nods his head in agreement.

Ragnbjorn turns to the Fingol and the Marinus brothers who have gathered around him. He hands Fingol his bow, sword, and morningstar, keeping only the dagger at his side. Fingol takes them with obvious care. “I do not want Chief Rahk to feel threatened. He himself is unarmed, as are the others down there. Not a javelin among them. You keep your bows ready, just in case. I am going to ask him if any of his warriors may have gone renegade.” Ragnbjorn then climbs over the side into the shallow waters.

Rain, still with arrow nocked and bow held at her side with her left hand, watches Ragnbjorn wade to shore while keeping periodic watch on the other lizardmen and still checking up on Noch every now and then.

Gar stands next to Rain to watch Ragnbjorn. Noticing that Rain keeps watching Noch too, he whispers in her direction, “Is Noch one of your relatives too?” as he points with his chin in Noch’s direction.

Newt takes a look at Noch and tries to see any family resemblance. Maybe Gar had been referring to the tabards. She sees that Noch was back on the stern with the other guardsmen, and is the only one soaking wet. She wonders what Noch had been doing to get himself all wet like that, and spends some time watching that group of guardsmen, hoping to figure it out. Newt determines to learn more about all this later. She carefully keeps quiet, not wanting to draw attention to herself while the guardsmen are so intent on the lizardmen. Having heard that the lizardfolk are strong swimmers (scary tales were told to the fisher folks’ children about them), Newt checks the other side of the boat and the waters beyond from time to time, in case anything comes from that direction.

Caught completely off guard by Gar’s question, Rain snorts, attempts to stifle it and only manages to begin coughing on her own quickly inhaled saliva. After some seconds she is able to control herself and then quietly whispers to Gar, “No Gar, not every questionable soul is a relative… and where in the Nine Hells did you learn diplomacy?”

Still watching Ragnbjorn, Gar smiles and says, “I am a believer in the direct approach Lady Rain. I fear Noch is going to turn on us at some crucial juncture. I was hoping you could shed some light on his quirky character. He’s just not right…..” Gar trails off then shrugs his shoulder. “What do you think?”

Rain replies, “I agree… something is not right with him. Neither is his story about being attacked at the back of the boat. He talks a good story, and seems nice enough… but… but something is just not right.”

Gar grunts his agreement.

Meanwhile, Ragnbjorn makes it to the riverbank without mishap. In the light of the moons he confers quietly with Chief Rahk. After a few moments he calls up to the boat in Draconic, “Sir Lorindel, if you could please hurl that javelin over here, we would appreciate it.” Chief Rahk walks over to his warriors and says something to them, and then they all walk off into the trees save one.

Lorindel, as requested hurls the javelin ashore. Chief Rahk and Ragnbjorn both go over to look at it. Ragnbjorn calls back to the ship, “Fingol, please come ashore and bring my weapons with you. We are all friends here.” He waits a moment for Fingol to climb off the boat and wade ashore and then calls again, “Guardsmen Noch, could you please come down here? Chief Rahk is afraid there may be renegades about and he wishes to ask you what happened.”

At this from Ragnbjorn, Aramek raises his right eyebrow, indicating his curiosity at what may follow.

Out of curiosity and a sense of self preservation, Newt/Xalakae risks a scan of Chief Rahk’s thoughts, ready to break it off if he gives any indication of sensing the attempt. In particular, s/he looks for thoughts he may have of betraying them.

S/he finds Chief Rahk to be thinking, Could it have been one of G’ruk’s warriors who tried to kill Sir Ragnbjorn? If so, we must be wary. He may try again. Or he may come after me. Damn G’ruk! Damn the Amedi! Damn this Thanatos they worship! The others may not realize it, but Sir Ragnbjorn and his friends’ arrival is most timely. They may have means of saving us all.

Never looking away from the scene on the shore, Gar says, “I wonder what Chief Rahk is going to do with his one malcontent. Kill him?”

Rain replies, “not sure…” but no longer seems to be paying attention to Gar as she looks back at Noch and lets her mind wander while keeping her eyes on Noch as he crosses over to where Ragnbjorn and the lizardfolk chieftain stand. She is tensed and ready to raise and let fly an arrow immediately if needed.

Sir Ragnbjorn’s request has Xalakae wondering about Noch’s intentions. With Noch distracted (s/he hopes) by Ragnbjorn’s request and the lizardfolk, s/he risks a scan of Noch’s thoughts. If hiers rescuers didn’t fully trust him then s/he wanted to know if there was anything risky in his mind. Surely if there was something for him to hide, he’d be thinking of it and what he was going to tell Sir Ragnbjorn and the lizardman. Noch’s mind, however, shuts Xalakae out as soon as s/he reaches out to it. He was wary indeed. In fact, he even stops in the water on the way to the riverbank, having felt hiers probe but not knowing from where it had come. He pauses to look warily at Ragnbjorn, Chief Rahk, and the remaining lizardman, but then continues on without comment.

In a voice just loud enough for those around him to hear, but not addressing anyone in particular, Gar muses, “Are there any amongst us who trust Noch completely?”

After no voice of support for Noch from his comrades, Gar smirks while still watching the shore. “I think that if Sir Ragnbjorn offered Noch’s life as a peace token, we would all be better off.”

Aramek responds to Gar’s remark with, “That may be but he did acquit himself well in defense of the Prince against the assassins.”

Gar goes, “Hmm… did he now? I have another perspective to add if any care to hear.” Gar looks around him and sees there are more people around than he feels comfortable with, but shrugs it off with a look that says, ‘Ah, to hell with it all.’

Gar says in a small voice hoping only those closest to him could hear, “Did anyone else notice Noch after it was all over? After our formal interrogations, when we were with His Highness the paladins in the room were scanning us all for truthfulness and Noch did his utmost to avoid the gaze of any of them by moving around the back of the room. He is involved with the enemy, somehow, someway, mark my words. Don’t know which side yet though….”

Aramek gets a serious look on his face as he thinks back to the events in the Prince’s chamber, then says softly to Gar, “Father Gar, as I think back on it, I believe you are right. I guess I was still too riled up by the events to notice Noch’s behavior. I too will be curious to see how this plays out.”

Gar steps back for a moment, so as not to be seen from the shore. He takes his weapons off his back. He sets his crossbow down in a safe spot along with his morning star, and checks to make sure his dagger is still stuffed safely up his left sleeve. Noticing the odd looks from some of his friends, Gar shrugs and says, “I think I’ll be called over next. I’d rather not parley loaded with weapons, even if it is okay. Gods know I am more dangerous naked than armed anyway.” Laughing softly, amused with himself, Gar steps back up to the edge of the keel boat to see what may be seen.

Indranil stands alertly on the edge of the keelboat ready to assist as needed. He is careful not to bare his teeth in a human or half-elf type smile; showing of teeth is a threat gesture to the lizardfolk; instead he slightly lowers his head holding his mouth partially open while lightly licking his lips in the lizardfolk equivalent of a smile. He is also careful to move slowly and deliberately as not to agitate them.

Seeing everyone’s attention focused on things away from the boat, Newt creeps quietly onto the deck. She notes that the fresh air is only a slight improvement over the air below decks. Still checking the riverside of the boat occasionally, she makes her way towards the rail closest to shore, trying to keep the lizardfolk chieftain in view and moving to stand behind Father Gar.

Four lizardfolk bearing long poles with everburning torches return to the riverbank. They plant the poles at four corners of a 40’ by 40’ square and then proceed to draw a circle in the center of the square that is roughly 30’ in diameter. Ragnbjorn sticks the javelin into the center of the circle. Then Chief Rahk, the other lizardman who had remained at Chief Rahk’s side, Noch, and Fingol all enter the circle. They confer together for a time in low voices. At the end of it, they all bow to one another, and then Ragnbnorn, Fingol, and Noch return to the keelboat.

Ragnbjorn climbs up atop the deckhouse and says to all, “Within the circle of honor, Chief Rahk has listened to our account of how a lone lizardman warrior got aboard this ship, having pulled Noch into the water, and then made an attempt on my life with this javelin before diving back into the waters. They did not see this attempt, but he believes that we are being truthful. In return, Chief Rahk asks us to believe that neither he nor any of those under his command had anything to do with it. He believes that it was a lone renegade and they will search for him.

“In the meantime, he said that they do not believe there are anymore Amedi warriors in the area. Thanks to our inadvertently luring them all out into the middle of the river they were able to defeat these Amedi who they had been hunting for some time. Lord Heslex, the water naga that Father Gar befriended was instrumental in this, in that he came here ahead of us and found Chief Rahk and told him that we were looking for him in hopes of negotiating a settlement. When the Chief came to Cypress Hill to meet us they found both that it had been razed and that its attackers were still lying in wait for river traffic.

“He also told us that Adelina, or Newt as she pleases, is indeed one of the survivors of Cypress Hill and had no contact with the Amedi other than having to hide from them for some time. That should clear her of any suspicions any of us may have towards her in connection with the ambush.

“Finally, Chief Rahk has asked that we make camp here for the night. His warriors will join ours in making sure that no one comes upon us here during the night. In the morning, he wishes to continue talks with myself, Fingol, and Father Gar. I believe there may be more at stake here than just negotiating fishing rights and territorial limits.

“I also must commend you all for performing admirably during the Amedi ambush. Because of your professionalism and courage under fire we were able to weather the attack without a single casualty. I am honored to serve with warriors such as you. Unfortunately, you may be called upon to exhibit such courage and strength again before this is over. I am sure you will continue to do so with honor and in the highest traditions of the Kingdom of Keoland. Now for tonight, we will keep to the regular watch assignments. That is all.”

Hearing everything Ragnbjorn has to say, Aramek turns to Gar and says, “I don’t know. That renegade warrior seemed intent on specifically killing Sir Ragnbjorn. If all he wanted to do was kill humans, why didn’t he kill Noch, instead of just pulling him into the river? I’m not completely satisfied with the idea that this was just the act of a renegade. What say you, Father Gar?” 

Though directed at Gar, Rain responds, “I agree Aramek. There is still something more here we are not seeing.”

Gar grunts his agreement. “All proceeds exactly according to the dreams of the Great Druidess and my visions from Obad-Hai. There are factions amongst the lizardfolk, just like amongst us humans.”

Turning around with a smile, Gar greets Newt with a bow and then opens his arms wide, “Welcome young Lady Newt to the Javan Queen! What an adventurous day it has been. I fear I forgot to introduce myself properly when we met earlier. I am Father Gar of the Flan. Did you find some food yet? Supper will be soon.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, milord,” replies Newt with a curtsy, a bit uncomfortable to have so many eyes on her. She notices her still-grubby hands and remembers that she hadn’t cleaned up yet. I must look a mess! she thinks.

Pressing on, Newt comes out of the curtsy saying, “Adelina at your service, milord. But everyone just calls me Newt, if it pleases you. And yes, I found some food. Thank you for all your help.” Newt couldn’t help but like this man. ”I hope there is some way I can return the kindness you’ve shown me – all of you,” she adds, with as charming a smile as she can summon up, looking around at the others in turn.

Keen to learn how things work among these people, Newt notes that Sir Ragnbjorn, clearly their leader, valued Father Gar’s opinion and sought it out. She also notes that Lady Rain was one to speak out of turn.

Indranil whispers to Rain, “Perhaps you could show her a bucket and cloth and help her get cleaned up?”

Gar smiles in return. “What a charming young thing. Would you like to get cleaned up, Newt? I’m sure we can find you something clean to wear. I have an extra leather mail shirt with me too, if you would like to wear it for extra protection?”

Rain measures up Gar and Newt with her eyes, imagining poor Newt dragging around totally oversized leather armor. “Thanks Gar, but I think something more my size would be better.” Rain smiles and says to Newt, ”Come on, let’s go get you cleaned up a bit.” Rain leads her over to a secluded place with a stream where Newt can wash up. Rain then pulls out an extra shirt and pants from her pack for Newt to wear.

Once they are alone and she is cleaning up in the stream, Rain continues to keep a careful watch but asks without looking at her new companion, “So Newt, how old are you and what did you do before the attack?”

Newt doesn’t show it, but she is disappointed not to be getting some leather armor. Maybe Rain will loan me some, she thinks hopefully. Anyway, clean clothes of any kind would be nice, and Rain’s will certainly fit better.

To Rain’s question, Newt replies, “I’m fifteen years old. We fished for crabs and shrimp to earn money, but mother and father can do lots of things. Father can work metal, write, do numbers, and tell tales really well. I learned a lot of that stuff from him. Mother sometimes traded with the bargemen and taught me how to use plants for medicine and cooking. They are going to…” Newt pauses a bit, and then continues more quietly. “They were going to move us to a city soon, because they said I’m almost ready. They said it would be better if I finished growing up somewhere besides the bayous.”

Drying off and dressing, she changes the topic. “Thank you for the loan of the clothes. How did you come to be in Sir Ragnbjorn’s service? What did you do before that?” She listens with half her mind, the other half on recent events and her future.

Rain smiles and responds, “I am a member of the Westkeep Guard. Long before that came to be I grew up in a small village similar to you…” Rain’s smile fades immediately as she loses herself in thought. Why in the Nine Hells did I just say that? I have never told anybody about that. What the hells is wrong with you Rain?

After a few seconds she regains control and forces a small smile again to change the subject quickly, “Anyways, yah… I’m a member of the Guard reporting to Sgt. Apone.”

Newt asks, “Do you think I could stay with Sir Ragnbjorn’s men-at-arms for a while? At least until my parents and I find each other.” Her rescuers would be sure to think her parents dead Newt thinks, but she isn’t ready to admit that they would probably be right; but if anyone could have survived, it was her parents. ”I can stand watches to make myself useful, and I can learn just about anything,” she offers hopefully.

“I don’t see why not. Ask Ragnbjorn about that, I’m sure he can find a use for you to earn your keep. Have you been taught to fight?”

“Well, not with weapons, really. I’ve wrestled with the boys some. And I can spear a fish, and even shoot arrows at them – a little. But I haven’t had to learn to fight another person. Until a couple nights ago there had never been a need. Do you think I should learn to fight? Does everyone have to learn sometime?”

Rain smiles at Newt’s innocence and replies, “Yah Newt… I’m afraid that if you are going to be coming with us you might want to learn to fight.”

Newt ponders such a future. She doesn’t like the idea of having to fight a lot. It seems much better to let others do the fighting. Perhaps there are other means I can use to make my way in the world. Then again, maybe I’d better learn at least a little about how to fight. Ugh! It wasn’t supposed to be like this! It just isn’t fair!

Once Rain and Newt have gone off, Lorindel leans close to Ragnbjorn and whispers within earshot of Fingol and Indranil. “With all due respect, sir, this is no place for that young woman,” criticizes Lorindel. “Seems Rain and Father Gar have decided to watch over her, which is fine by me. Personally I think that she should be kept below deck at all times for her own good.”

Ragnbjorn replies, “I agree this is no place for a young woman. I want to send her back to Westkeep as soon as we can. However, it seems that Father Gar had another prophetic vision in which he learned that she may be needed. Fingol heard it also. He delivered it when we were conferring in the deckhouse before the lizardfolk appeared. He had a fainting spell and when he awoke he said that Obad-Hai told him that he had done well and that we would need the help of both the lizardfolk and this girl. Father Gar hasn’t steered us wrong yet, so let’s keep her safe but for the time being we may need to keep her with us.”

Fingol shakes his head, “Perhaps she seems young to you, being half-elven, but at 15 she is old enough to start her own way in this world. In another year she may well be wed. I am more concerned that she is untrained in any martial skills… so far as we know. If we go into danger, she’ll need to be watched. Still, she has survived an ordeal many of her older and apparently stronger relations did not.”

“Hmm,” muses Ragnbjorn, “maybe one of you should take one of the extra longspears and teach her how to defend herself. Get a sense of how capable or incapable she is. If nothing else, she can either join the Guard down the line, or perhaps Lady Sedara has need of another servant at the palace.”

“As you command,” obeys Lorindel.

That night a campfire is made and dinner is held on the riverbank. Newt makes it a point to help with supper, always listening attentively. She goes out of her way to make herself useful by serving the lords in order of rank (as best she can make it out). She even ventures some comments whenever she has something appropriate to add (but nothing that would expose who/what she is). She stays alert for any tidbits that might indicate something she could do beyond playing the part of a servant.

Master Ailil, and the three fishermen delegates come out of the hold for supper, but they all keep to themselves.

Newt is introduced to Captain Olnut, his First Mate Uglash, and the crew of eight Olman tribesmen. They seem friendly enough, or at least friendlier than the fishermen, but they don’t try to mix with the knights or soldiers, or even the fishermen.

At some point during the evening, Fingol sits next to Sgt Apone and says, “As strange a day as this has been, I prefer it to a day in the city. How about you? Are you happy to be free of the worries of patrolling the town and the keep?”

Sgt Apone laughs and says, “Sorry lad, I am a city rat, not a country mouse like you rangers. At least with city patrols I more or less know what to expect.”

“Hrmph, well, to each his own. I still love a night under the stars. How’s your leg, by the by? I know Father Gar healed you, but still… It was a fierce wound.”

“That it was. That it was. But it’s all good now thanks to Father Gar. He didn’t leave a scratch or even a bruise. I can’t say that I’d prefer Father Gar to a good and honest priest of Heironeous, my own patron you understand. Still, for a priest of Obad-Hai he seems like he means us all well. That was some good shooting you did back there. I think you got a couple of hits on those savages. Your father must be mighty proud of you.”

Fingol chuckles a bit, “Father Gar? Yeah, he’s a character. I’ve only been around him, well… less than a week, but it seems I’ve known him for months in a way. I suppose that’s how some people are. Thank for your compliments on my shooting. Well, I get lucky sometimes… The bow is not my preferred weapon, although most in my company seem to favor it.” 

Fingol looks into the fire for a time and then says, “I’m not so sure what my father is proud of. I think he’d prefer I were more diligent, like my brother. For my part, I am proud to be his son. He shows great mettle to open talks with the lizardfolk after that attack. More mettle, I think, than some here are ready to show themselves.”

Sgt. Apone mulls that over for while, and then he says, “He is a brave one, that’s for sure. I remember that he was the one who first negotiated with the lizardfolk so that our army could cross over the marshes without any trouble from them. Maybe one of their warriors just got overzealous. I trust Sir Ragnbjorn, but I’ll be sleeping with one eye open tonight all the same.”

“I’m sure my father is counting us to just that!”

After supper, Fingol walks along the riverbank during his watch, looking up at the stars. He’s actually glad to be out here again, despite the dangers. He glances over at Aramek and thinks on how he envies the elves and half-elves their vision more than their long lives. How many more stars they can see – than his human eyes can! 

He also thinks of Newt. Her presence disturbs him. Not in the way of having to look out for a non-combatant, but it makes him think of all the people he has met and left behind in his patrols and wanderings. Who is going to take responsibility for Newt if we do get her back safely to Westkeep? She is alone in the world. More should be done for her than just taking her to Westkeep, but what? Should she be left with the Heronians? Or made to serve in the keep? Would that be the life she wants? 

As for the lizardfolk, he is not so worried now about the negotiations. It seems we’ve stumbled into the middle of a war – not a trade dispute. War I know a little more about, or at least it is what I have been trained for as one of the King’s Rangers.