Spritelings Chapter 01

"Shrikes are bad news. They come from the north, the mountains. Not sure how you'd stop them. They are numerous and bloodthirsty. Wherever they live, they overhunt, stake their prey on branches and spines, and scatter their nettle-feathers. If you try fighting them in their territory, you will soon get too hurt to keep fighting. Also, they can fly."

"Of course they can't, they're not like us and toads and stags - not people. They don't have complex language, they do not use tools, they do not use complex tactics, they do not temper their hunts. Had they been an enemy people, they'd probably be even more fearsome though, even compared to their rampaging ways."

About four hours later, you see a clearing with neither hills nor shrubs. Within the clearing, a safe distance from the shore, and perhaps 3-4 thousand yards from you, there is perhaps two dozen tents made of hides, and some birds walking around there.

Cinder takes a deep breath and loudly whistles, "HELLO I'M BACK, AND WITH GUESTS NEVER SEEN BEFORE!"

Then, just as the other birds seem to notice the delegation and begin moving faster between the tents, turns to the Spritelings and says much more quietly, "There, now give me my spear back."

Bigs plops down so their riders can get off. They nudge Smaugalir with their shoulder to hand over the spear.

Smaugalir hands over the spear, after which Cinder continues to lead the Spritelings towards the campsite. As you approach, you can make out more details of it.

Many of the tents seem relatively low, hinting that they're entrances to dugouts rather than entirely overground structures. On the edges of the campsite there are a few artificial mounds, and more and more birds are gathering on them to get a better look around - some standing one one leg near vowen baskets, each holding a sling in the other leg.You can also spot a bird returning from the eastern direction, carrying two earthenware jugs slung over its shoulder using some sort of strap or rope.

As Cinder comes within a dozen steps, there is much greeting, cheering, and hugging (as much as the tiny wings allow calling that hugging), after which one of the other birds asks Cinder, "So what's the story?"

And to that Cinder responds with a summary of patrolling the southern direction and running into an unfamiliar camp, and how things went between it and the Spritelings. The other birds seem slightly concerned, but ultimately accepts its decision to bring everyone here. Eventually, the birds turn to the Spritelings.

"So what's the story?"
"Yeah, you mentioned being emisarries, so is there a reason you moved out to our hills?"
"Welcome to the beak home."

Bigs considers running away from the imminent threat: socializing. But there's over a mile of open land to cross, and running might only attract more attention. Instead, Bigs tries to physically hide behind Lily/Snakey.

This does not work.

The birds exchange glances, and one of them speaks. "I am Singing Wind, these are Thistle and Winter Sun.

Warned by whom, I wonder?"

Winter Sun chimes in: "Yeah, is this someone you're emissaries of?"

Singing Wind continues: "But yes, shrikes are a problem, and they do approach bit by bit, year by year. Though I suppose the hunting vulture is another, more distant yet bigger threat, in a way."

Thistle adds: "If you say from three directions, does that means the Toads and the Bugs also have these 'calamities'?"

Giving back spear is quite foolish, but also getting surrounded by birds: most foolish of all. The bird things wear human accessories and use human weapons and say human things like "welcome" and "whom". Strangest, they ask for things instead of taking them. This is why they are easy prey for shrikes.

The spider keeps some side-eyes on exits, but these things seem quite stupid. Like grubs. Still, they made a spear, and have clever woven baskets. Maybe they have traps for creatures who wander into their territory stupid plain.

Large beetle tries to hide. Large beetle continues to be smarter than the rest of them, if very bad at hiding.

AAAAAAAA QUESTIONS AAAAAAAAA

"Um, ah, um...uh...

Bigs isn't panicking. Bigs isn't pacing around like they're about to start throwing things. Nope. Nuh-uh.

"We, um...like birds.

...

...hi."

"Some generations ago, a vulture was spotted up north that was much bigger than other vultures. It also was unusual in that unlike normal vultures, it would not be content to feed on carrion, but rather would sometimes chase and slay healthy goats. Oddly, it would often leave carcasses not fully consumed after that.

Like that of the shrikes, the feathers it sheds are dangerous to the touch, itching for days if grabbed with naked claws. It is after the arrival of the hunting vulture that the shrikes began behaving oddly. They too began killing more than they can eat, and expanding further south.

We are considering moving our campsite in a few years if this continues, as the shrike lands are now only a couple of horizons away from it.

Tell us more about this 'leader' of yours, and where you hail from."

"Sure, we can lead you to the map tent later and show what is where.

But do tell us more about this 'leader' of yours, and where you hail from."