Tyrus looked up to see Noir standing nearby, the black-haired magician smiling as she assured him it was safe now. The archaeologist took her hand, his cheeks turning a rosy shade of pink as he did so. He followed her to the rest of the group and gave his friends a sheepish look. While Tyrus had hid the moment the spells started being flung around, the other archaeologists had stood in between the treasure hunters, mostly confident of their safety.
Meanwhile, the bow-wielding man noticed the shift in Ayero's posture and the firm grip she kept on the hilt of her blade. He slung his bow over his shoulder, with a bored expression on his face. Whether it was a sign that he did not fear her ability or a side-effect of living on the island, facing considerably larger dangers, would remain unanswered. Her response seemed to trouble him a bit. "That would explain the strength of the creatures..."
He arched a brow at Ayero's question and he let out a hollow laugh. "Something like that. We came to the island three...four years ago? It is hard to tell anymore, the days seem to blur. Anyway, about a hundred others and I were hired as a body guard for a rich merchant, seeking even greater wealth. We were told to expect some danger, but we didn't expect the hordes of creatures. No matter where we went, they seemed to know where we were. We lost our ships and quite a few men that first day. Trapped on the island, we lost even more the next couple of days."
He shook his head, "Just when we were about to give up hope, the attacks stopped. If we encroached on some of the beast's territory, they would still attack, but it wasn't the same as before. Thinking we were safe, we built some rafts to escape the island. Our attempts failed though, the rafts either crashed upon the spikes that hide within the fog or the rafts were turned around towards the island."
"We soon learned we weren't safe though. We learned to fear anytime someone managed to navigate the fog and approach the island. Anytime an 'invader' showed up, the island awoke and began its hunt again. That was also when Flea realized that the island was taking the corpses to make the beasts stronger. It doesn't make sense to me and I don't claim to understand how an island could do such a thing, but I know what I've seen. Flying creatures snatching the bodies of the dead or the earth swallowing corpses whole. Not only that, with each fallen comrade, stronger beasts would appear."
His hawkish gaze fell on the group once more, "Now, once again, there are invaders on the island and more of my people have died. There's only three of us left." Pain momentarily flickered through his features. "I lost some of the only friends I've had left because you came here. Is it horrible of me to wish I could slay you all where you stand, even though you were ignorant of the consequences of your actions? Or is it horrible that I don't dare because you death will only make the island stronger?"
Spitting on the ground, the man sighed. "I'm sorry if I was blunt. I suppose proper introductions are in order. My name is Kocoum." He placed a tight fist over his heart as a sign of greeting that was reminiscent of a few tribes in the Great Plains. "Since you indirectly got some of my people killed, perhaps you wouldn't mind doing me and my friends a favor? You're one of the first groups to survive the first night in a long time. Makes me think you have a chance of getting off the island. Come with me to my camp so I can gather the others and let us on board your ships to leave." Kocoum's gaze flicked from face to face, gauging their reaction to his story and favor. His expression was unreadable, except for his desire to escape the island.
OOC: Please post within 48 hours. No posting order.
Meanwhile, the bow-wielding man noticed the shift in Ayero's posture and the firm grip she kept on the hilt of her blade. He slung his bow over his shoulder, with a bored expression on his face. Whether it was a sign that he did not fear her ability or a side-effect of living on the island, facing considerably larger dangers, would remain unanswered. Her response seemed to trouble him a bit. "That would explain the strength of the creatures..."
He arched a brow at Ayero's question and he let out a hollow laugh. "Something like that. We came to the island three...four years ago? It is hard to tell anymore, the days seem to blur. Anyway, about a hundred others and I were hired as a body guard for a rich merchant, seeking even greater wealth. We were told to expect some danger, but we didn't expect the hordes of creatures. No matter where we went, they seemed to know where we were. We lost our ships and quite a few men that first day. Trapped on the island, we lost even more the next couple of days."
He shook his head, "Just when we were about to give up hope, the attacks stopped. If we encroached on some of the beast's territory, they would still attack, but it wasn't the same as before. Thinking we were safe, we built some rafts to escape the island. Our attempts failed though, the rafts either crashed upon the spikes that hide within the fog or the rafts were turned around towards the island."
"We soon learned we weren't safe though. We learned to fear anytime someone managed to navigate the fog and approach the island. Anytime an 'invader' showed up, the island awoke and began its hunt again. That was also when Flea realized that the island was taking the corpses to make the beasts stronger. It doesn't make sense to me and I don't claim to understand how an island could do such a thing, but I know what I've seen. Flying creatures snatching the bodies of the dead or the earth swallowing corpses whole. Not only that, with each fallen comrade, stronger beasts would appear."
His hawkish gaze fell on the group once more, "Now, once again, there are invaders on the island and more of my people have died. There's only three of us left." Pain momentarily flickered through his features. "I lost some of the only friends I've had left because you came here. Is it horrible of me to wish I could slay you all where you stand, even though you were ignorant of the consequences of your actions? Or is it horrible that I don't dare because you death will only make the island stronger?"
Spitting on the ground, the man sighed. "I'm sorry if I was blunt. I suppose proper introductions are in order. My name is Kocoum." He placed a tight fist over his heart as a sign of greeting that was reminiscent of a few tribes in the Great Plains. "Since you indirectly got some of my people killed, perhaps you wouldn't mind doing me and my friends a favor? You're one of the first groups to survive the first night in a long time. Makes me think you have a chance of getting off the island. Come with me to my camp so I can gather the others and let us on board your ships to leave." Kocoum's gaze flicked from face to face, gauging their reaction to his story and favor. His expression was unreadable, except for his desire to escape the island.
OOC: Please post within 48 hours. No posting order.