Ten- A Ship to Take

The air got much chillier at the top the Ad'dache temples stone staircase. Once the group was on the elevated sea level they could all feel the windchill. The drenziens shiverred but didn't dare complain, they wouldn't allow themselves to look weak in front of the others. Del knew that much about them already.

Nimlis knocked on the wooden double doors three times just as before and once again the doors swung open and the group entered the temple. Before them on the stone throne sat a Ta've that was not hulking or intimidating like Chieftan Rom had been, but slender and petite. The alternate coloring on her dark green skin was a bright white.

She too was surrounded by other natives tending to various tasks or simply lounging around the large temple chamber. The native woman saw the group enter the temple and promptly stood up and bowed in greeting to Nimlis, to which both Nimlis and Del returned in line. The drenziens folded their arms, remsing unamused.

"Greetings fellow Ta've, I see you have brought… company." The old Chieftan said wearily looking in the direction of the Drenziens.

"Greetings Chieftan Tamari. Yes the Drenziens in my company are survivors from the attack that this outsider insisted be put to work instead of to death."

"Chieftan Rom takes orders from outsiders now?" Tamiri asked with eyebrows raised, making Del slightly uncomfortable.

"He sees something in him." Nimlis shrugged.

"More urgently he has a message."

The small Chieftan regarded Del for a moment and then looked back to Nimlis.

"Speak his message then, but I don't want them here for long." The Chieftan sneered looking at the teo Drenziens.

"My apologies my Chieftan." Nimlis began. "Chieftan Rom would ask for your aid in negotiations."

"Negotiations?" Tamiri exclaimed, seeming actually surprised by the request.

"With them?!" She spat in the direction of the Drenziens.

"Bah!" The Chieftan threw her hands up and turned around. She actually appeared in disbelief of Nimlis' words.

"Chieftan Rom believes that.." Nimlis began but Tamiri quickly cut him off, waving a hand up.

"Chieftan Rom is too stuck in tradition to do what needs to be done." Tamiri stated.

"We are…" Nimlis began.

"A peaceful people I know." Tamiri finished for him. Arish and Dimmits eyes widened, apparently seeing where this was going.

"But when the time comes, when our very survival is at stake…" Tamiri began, glaring at the Drenzien's in her presence.

"We must be prepared to fight back. To fight for our very existence! Not only for us but for our home!" She exclaimed gesturing all around her. The other Ta've in the temple cheered along with her speech.

"There could surely be no greater honorable kill to make then one that defends our world." She concluded.

"I think that…" Dimmit began, catching everyone's attention eith his unexpected input.

"I said I wanted you out of here long ago." Tamiri said holding up a hand, dismissing the Drenziens.

"Fine." Dimmit huffed and stormed out of the temple, Arish followed behind him.

"Chieftan please." Nimlis pleaded but it was no use. She waved a hand dusmysding the other two and they were then following the Drenziens down the steps.

"Well that was no use." Nimlis muttered as he strode down the stairs.

"Outsider!" Tamiri's voice called from the top of the steps. Del whipped around and ascended there's stairs he'd climbed down.

"Upon second thought, I have a proposition." She said as Del finally met her level.

"Well that sounds interesting." Del stated.

"My husband died long ago to a Drenzuen hunter, sent here on one of many failed hints to exterminate our people." Tamiri began. Nimlis was now also with them, standing behind Del. The drenziens now waiting for bit of them at the bottom of the temple stairs.

"I'm, I'm sorry I.." Del began but Tamiri held up a hand. From this gesture, it was clear she wanted no pity. Only a favor.

"I would see his killers brought before me here." She finished. Del blinked for a moment, thinking over what she had said.

"Chieftan I apologize for the death of your husband, believe me I do, but the drenzien responsible must be…" Del started but Tamiri interrupted him.

"He lives! Here! I assure you." She exclaimed.

"I.. Del began but only sighed. The odds of that were unlikely.

"There lives a group of survivors in the nearby jungle." Tamiri stated. Del's eyes widened at that.

The survivor in the jungle!

"Ah, you have encountered them." She said with a smirk. Nimlis looked away, presumably in shame,Del thought anyway.

"My love… my former love, his killer lives among them as their leader. After his failed hunt he took up residence there, swearing vengeance on us one day." Tamiri explained.

"This sounds ridiculous." Nimlis muttered.

"You already know it to be true." Tamiri said back to him, her voice deep and heavy.

"Should that be true, it sounds dangerous anyway." Said Del.

"Bring him before me, and I will give to you my husbands ship." Tamiri stated.

"He built it when he too thought he could appeal to the Drenziens." She said glaring at Nimlis. Del froze at that.

Ship? A ship? I could leave here!

"Done." Del said without a second thought.

He was ready to take any opportunity out he could to have the freedom of a ship. The only one he'd had, the small supply freighter the Feim had been destroyed in the intitisl ambush when he had gotten here. Without this ship Del risked being stuck in this planet forever.

Tamiri smiled at that and bowed before retreating into the temple. Nimlis sighed. Del nudged him and the two of them continued down the stairs to meet the Drenziens with them at the bottom. Del now had much to consider. The message to deliver to Chieftan Rom, and the more pressing issue of the rogue Drenzien in the jungle that was his ticket out of here. Del questioned whether he should involve the drenziens with him, and what to do first, not deciding on either right away. Instead electing to think it over on the journey out of the Ad'dache city.