The Tribe.

[Moonlight_33]

Lilly watched as the three city dwelers walked away. There was something about these people that bothered Lilly, though she could not quite put her finger on it. Turning to Scott and Jake, she almost sighed, "I don't think we have seen the last of them. We better start making plans and speed up the search for a New Haven."

Scott frowned, "Perhaps we should have killed them, not let them return to the city. Dead people can't talk."

"Yes my friend, but for now, we have a little time while they think about this, if they were dead, others would come looking, and then they would want blood in return. Best we wait and see what cards are delt us next. In the mean time, check on the trucks, and start loading all non necessary stocks. We need to be ready to leave at an hours notice. Jake, assign some extra lookouts, chose ones who are less capable of loading the trucks, we don't need to waste manpower, and i doubt we'll see any trouble for a few days yet." With that said, they returned to the compound, and set about doing what needed to be done, but Lilly's mind was far from being at ease.

 

[Ravenloft]

Dystryn:

Standing in secluded shadows, well hidden from sight, a man of pale skin, a snaking scar trailing down his face watches the two tribe leaders part ways. With a grim smile, the man breaths. "Thank you my brother... You have served me well..." The hint of venom in his words, he motioned his hand, and a group of twenty armed men came forward. Pointing down, to indicate the one known as Lilly. "Kill all unworthies... But... Bring me the woman, the leader..." He growled. Instantly his men advanced, and in five minutes, they were upon Lilly's tribe, striking without warning...

 

[Moonlight_33]

OOC: Christ Ravenloft, throw me a chalange why don't ya!!


The five miles between the city and woods in which Lilly's tribe lived,serverd her well, for as the men attacked; Lilly, Scott, and Jake ran forward to meet them, cutting down many of the invading men before they came close to the compound grounds. Several others fell prey to the many booby traps and snairs that were hidden randomly about the grassy cleaing. Screams could be heard as men vanished beneath the grasses, and the trio smilled a little with satisfaction that their hard work and planning had not gone astray.

In the back ground, Lilly could hear the roar of the engines, the trucks were ready to move, with the tribe, and all they needed to survive elsewhere. They knew the orders. If anything like this ever happened, they were to save the people, and not wait for her. She was proud that they respected her enough to carry out her comands without question. If she lived, she would find them again. If not, they would elect a new leader, and life would go on.

Lilly heard a scream, and swung about to see Scott fall, a knife burried deep in hie chest. Jake move to place himself between Lilly and the oncoming men, but was quickly cut down where he stood, leaving Lilly alone to battle for her life. Her gun was out of amunition, and all that remained was the knife in her boot. pulling it free, she fought, wondering why these men had not taken her life when they easily out numbered her.

It was then she heard a shout from behind her, and a dull thump on the back of her head, from there, all that remained...... was darkness.

 

[bobo_daclown]

Roberto:

Searching through yet another set of drawers in the tribe leader's room, I hear the dull thud of footsteps coming down the corridor. Pushing the drawers closed, I creep down beyond the bed and hope that it's not the leader herself.

 

[Ravenloft]

OOC: You know I have ta challenge ya Moonlight! Thats what im here for!

Dystryn:

"Bring her..." Dystryn said calmly as he strode forward, to see the leader of the woodland tribe, fallen and unconcious. He grinned, a menacing thing on his thin lips, as he watched two of his men lift her. One of Dystryn's men came forward. "My lord, a good number of her people escaped, and I pray you, mercy, the majority of what we have in custody..." He could not finish as Dystryn turned his eyes upon the young man. "Are dead... I take it... Count what we do have still alive, designate them for their most benificial program, and for gods sake, clean the blood from your hands!" Dystryn pushed past the man with annoyance.

"I want their leader brought to my room, and revived within the half hour!" He spat as he went to his personal escort and was off.

*Half hour later.*

Pacing back and forth in front of Lilly's unconcious form as it was chained to the wall, Dystryn's eyes burned into whosoever caught his gaze. "Revive her!" He barked, and so, it was done. A smelling salt's packet was broken under her nose. His visage changed then, to that of a charming smile, and soft, understanding eyes, as he watched her awake.

 

[Kapagen]

.

 

[Moonlight_33]

The throbbing pain in the back of Lilly's skull was the first indication that she was still alive, the next was the feel of cold chains about her wrists. As light filtered through her slowly opening eyes, her vision cleared and she faced the man she knew at once, to be her worst nightmare. His smile was sweet and smooth, but there was something in his eyes that told Lilly of his true nature.

She lifted her head proudly and looked him in thte eyes, but said nothing.

 

[Ravenloft]

Dystryn:

"Hello dear Lilly, how do you fair?" Dystryn asked as he stepped forward, reaching a hand out to touch her brow lightly. "You took a nasty blow to the head, but my doctors tell me you are perfectly alright... I've had them treat you..." He said calmly, with a hint of pride in his voice.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Lilly raised her eyebrows at him, the turned her gaze to the chains that held her captive. "Treat me? Treat me like what? A dog?" Her mouth was turned up in a soft smile, but her eyes radiated pure hate.

 

[Ravenloft]

Allyn:

Back in Sidonie's hide out, Allyn paced back and forth, seemingly agitated, he looked up and caught Sidonie's eyes and suddenly turned to stride up to her. "Sidonie, I don't think we should have left the other tribe like that... I... I feel something's happened..." He blurted out as he came to stand, wild eyed before her. His gaze faltered for a moment, than lowered his head. "I... Forgive me, my lady..." He breathed, realizing how blatantly he'd spoken.

 

[Ravenloft]

Dystryn:

"What? Oh, the chains... Merely precaution, dear Lilly, I would not wish you to cause yourself harm, you see..." Dystryn's lips showed the smallest flicker of amusement. "Trust well, while you are here, you will be treated with the utmost extravagance... That is... If your actions please me..." Dystryn withdrew his hand from her brow, and looked into her eyes. "Tell me then, Lilly, will your actions please me?" Dystryn asked, but the way he said it, it felt more like a command.

 

[Moonlight_33]

The touch of his hand on her skin sent shivers through Lilly, but at the sound of his words, and their implications, she felt almost sick. Still, she would never let him have the advantage any more then he had already. She continued to smile,"But pleasure is a two way street, don't you think?"

She watched him closely. She had learned much from wathcing the subtle actions of animals, and this man was more like a reptile then a man.......... cold and hard.

 

[Ravenloft]

Dystryn:

A smile formed on Dystryn's lips, it seemed almost alien there. "Of course, you give me what I want, the location of where your tribe is heading, and I give you... Well, what would you most desire?" A smug look displaced his smile. "It is in my power to give you anything, after all."

 

[Moonlight_33]

"Oh i see. And tell me, just who gave you all of this power, that you can grant me anything i desire?"

her expression was that of a curious child, but it was his reaction to this question that interested her most.

 

[Ravenloft]

Dystryn:

"No one GAVE me this power dear Lilly, I took it, took it all for myself, but I am NOT a selfish man, there is much I can give you... You MUST understand this?" Dystryn said matter-of-factly.

 

[SpectralDragoon]

Rune sat in a chair, his feet propped upon the corner of a table. Muscles stood out on his forearms and biceps, his arms were crossed, his trench coat thrown over a neighboring chair. He wore a tight fitting black shirt with short sleaves, showing off odd tattoos of symbols in an odd language. Perhaps the language didn't exist, and they were simply lines. But they seemed to cover a large portion of his body, even the symbols themselves forming other patterns. He fixed his raptor gaze upon Sidonie's form.

"I feel he's right, we should have stayed and talked to them. Bad things are beginning to happen."

 

[Ravenloft]

Allyn:

Turning his head to look up at Rune, Allyn smiled appreciatively, that, now, he was not alone in his centiments.

 

[Moonlight_33]

OOC: This post brought to you by an IM chat session.


Lilly
Took it huh? You just woke up one day, and decided to be king of the world? It makes me feel so much better that you wish to share this, being so unselfish and all.

Dystryn:
"Oh, do not mistake my intentions, I took my place, as fate would have it... Do you think any other man could take up this sort of greatness? No, only I, for you see me before you... Ask yourself why that is dear Lilly... Why me, and no other?" A grim look came to his face then. "Or is that simply too philosophical for you?"

Lilly
"Ask yourself this....... By what right do you have to claim this greatness when you think nothing of drowning Mother Earth in the blood of the few people fate saw fit to spare from the virus? This world is all but dead, and yet you continue to kill what little is left, buy what right do you take life which is not yours to take, or is that a question you have never thought to ask yourself?" Lilly would not back down not to this man, or any other.


Dystryn
"You think I have no concern for this... Mother Earth you speak of? Oh, but I do, Lilly, and that is precisely why you are still alive, to give you the cold, hard truth of it... You are useful to me. Ah, and these people you say I kill? I say they foolishly consign themselves to their deaths... I ask YOU, by what right do they, or you, for that matter, fight against me?"

Lilly
Lilly smiled softly to herself. This man had constructed a rational explanation to all that he had done, and what was worse, he believed he was right. At first Lilly thought she was only facing a arrogant fool, but now she realized, she was facing a madman, who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted, but she had to wonder, did he even know what he truly wanted. She cocked her head sideways and considered him for a moment. "What use am I to you, when you know I will not aid you willingly?"

Dystryn:
"You wish to save this Mother Earth of yours, do you not? I will give you whatever you need to do so, is that not enough to, in return, aid us, willingly?" There was the briefest flash of uncertainty in Dystryn's eyes as he spoke, which was masked over by pompous certainty.

Lilly
Lilly kept her face unreadable. "What I need is the freedom to lead my tribe to a place where we can live in peace, and in harmony with the Earth. I fail to see how I can be of help to you. A man with as much power as you have, surely doesn't need the assistance of one as small as myself."

Dystryn
With a dark smile, like that of a cat that has just found the way to leap upon its prey, Dystryn drew close to Lilly. "Ah, but this freedom you so desire, is it not the most selfish of wants? You, my dear Lilly are, conceivably, the last one on this damned planet with any knowledge of agriculture. You must have known this? In your heart...
:
And you tell me that you only desire to take that which is yours, to be on your way? If THAT is so, than you, my dear, are the most arrogent creature I have ever met..."
With that, Dystryn pulled away a few steps. "I offer you the opportunity to make this planet green and lush again, and all you want is your own little garden patch? Fie! The arrogance of it!"

Lilly
Lilly considered this for a moment. In a way, he was right, and she felt somewhat shamed of herself. By keeping her skills to herself, helping her tribe to flourish while others starved, was she any better the he? Was she not, in a way, killing innocent people, just as he was? But then, she never desired power, or rule, just a life of simple pleasures, and peace.

Still, she was not ready to give in. "You wish me to feed your people, when they have made no efforts to feed themselves? Have you ever thought to use a book for more then to wipe your ass? You have wonderful libraries at your disposal, have you thought to use the knowledge and learn?"

Dystryn
"Y-you dare?! ...I have made efforts to these ends but a book can only teach one man at a time, you though, you could teach these things to hundreds at a time... Don't you see?" At first Dystryn clenched his fists in fury, but with a calming breath, he spoke as calmly as he was able.

Lilly
"Did it ever cross your mind to come and ask for assistance rather then wiping out half the people who could have helped you?"

Dystryn
With cold laughter, Dystryn shook his head. "And it would have been that simple? You would have let the 'Tyrannical Dystryn' set a single foot upon your land without hostilities? I find that impossible to believe...

Lilly
"I admit, I would not have helped you easily, but if you had met under peaceful terms, and negotiated with the tribe circle, we would not have refused you help, if you truly needed it" Lilly began to almost feel sorry for this man. He had taken more upon his shoulder then most men could carry, and was starting to stagger a little under the weight.

Dystryn
"I fear you do not understand the urgency with which I had to act..." Dystryn said as he turned his back, and paced a few steps. "Such urgency that it had forcluded frivolous negotiations."

Lilly
"Then explain it to me so that I do understand. And if you would be so kind as to remove these chains, I am sure I could understand things much better sitting in a chair."

Dystryn
Whirling about, Dystryn gave a nod to one of his men who promptly went to unchain Lilly. A second man shifted his firearm in his hands, so that its presence was well noted. Dystryn turned his eyes upon Lilly again. "There are millions of crops we have found, going to waste, no one to tend them... If we cannot establish people with them, to tend them, they will wither away...

And the speed with which we must have them tended leaves no room for procrastination of any sort... Do you understand?"

Lilly
"So better to murder a few dozen innocent people then waist a little time with peaceful negations..... Of cause, how silly of me." He might has his reasons for doing what he did, but he would never escape the fact that he was a cold blooded killer, and believe himself well justified. "If you have discovered crops, and no one tends them, how do you expect me to get people to tend them? My people might have helped, had you not killed them."

Dystryn
"Yes, it is so much easier for you to view it in that manner isn't it? I was not the only one to have shed blood, a full fifty of my men fell to yours, you know..." Dystryn countered calmly. "I have more than enough men to tend them, but they lack the knowledge you possess."

Lilly
"And if I was to agree to teach your people, what would I get in return?"

Dystryn
"Anything within my power, an expanse of land perhaps, with enough men to see it prosper?"

Lilly
Lilly shook her head, "Not good enough. I want freedom, and an assurance that me, and my people will never be bothered by you or yours ever again."

Dystryn
"Granted, as long as you swear as much also."

Lilly
Her face became hard, "I will give you three months in return, not a day more."

Dystryn
Dystryn smiled brightly as he extended a hand toward Lilly. "Done! Now, if you'll forgive me, I have much to do elsewhere." Turning to his men, he added, over his shoulder. "My men will see to your comfort upon your request..."

Lilly
As Lilly shook on the deal, she could not help but feel she has just walked into a trap from which there would be no escape. She tried to push the sensation aside as she watched him retreat from the room, but there was much more to this man then met the eye.......... much, much more

 

[Ravenloft]

Dystryn:

As he exited the room, Dystryn turned to the guards outside and spoke with a wicked grin. "Give the little Judas-bitch her thirty silver..."

 

[Moonlight_33]

A guard stepped forward and took Lilly by the arm, squeezing a little harder then was necessary. “Your rooms are this way.”

Pulling free of his grip, she gave him a hard look. “You will refer to me as Miss Miller, and at this point, I have no desire to be take to a room. He said you have millions of crops to be tended, and time was short to tend them, so I wish to see them at once. I need to know what I will be working with, and sitting in a room wont get that done. Do you have a problem with that?” Lilly knew she needed to gain these men’s respect from the very beginning, not only to aid her in getting things done, but for her own protection.

“UM, no. I don’t see a problem with that, Miss Miller. I’m Lieutenant Greg Peterson, and I will be your personal guard, for your own protection of cause.”

Lilly almost laughed. More like he was her guard to make sure she didn’t break her deal and run off to find what was left of her tribe. “Of cause Lieutenant, and I am sure I will needing a great deal of protecting.”

They set out on foot towards the edge of the city, and Lilly paid close attention to her surroundings. The few people she saw were of poor health, and even worse hygiene. The streets seem littered with carnage, and waist, and buildings looked ransacked, shattered and raped. It was as if a war had taken place here, a war with no victor in which the city was the biggest looser. As they walked further, Lilly looked up at Greg and asked him a question that seemed quite reasonable to her. “Why are we walking where there are so many vehicles in the city?”

He looked at her as if she were mad. “There is no fuel to spare for such things as transport, what little we find, is kept for the generators.”

“I see. You never thought to make your own fuel?”

At first he thought she was making fun of him, but the expression on her face showed him she was quite serious. “You can make fuel?”

Lilly sighed heavily, “This is going to take way more then three months…. Way more.”

When they reached the farms at the edge of the city, it was already starting to dull into late afternoon. Lilly bypassed the farmhouse and went directly to the cornfield. She took one look at the gain before her and felt all her hopes of ever being free again any time soon slipping away. “Greg, this crop is spoiled, it can’t he eaten by humans, and probably not by livestock either. We wont waist it though. We’ll harvest the grain and distill it to make methanol, the storks we can put through the shredder and use for compost, some of which we can store, and the rest to be plowed back into the fields. We will have to get a group of forages together to search the city for any packets of seed that might be left in supermarkets and stores, I’ll also need anyone with mechanical skills to service the harvesters and tractors. I don’t suppose you have any horses? No, I didn’t think so. OK, I will need another group of people to gather up livestock and repair fences. Getting this to work is going to take man power, and time.” With another heavy sigh, she looked back to the farmhouse. “I will stay here tonight, I’m too tired to make the walk back. If you have any objections, tell it to the corn, cause I don’t wish to hear it.” With that, she turned and walked to the farmhouse, hoping beyond hope that there was still running water here, because she was badly in need of a bath.

 

[Ravenloft]

New Nation

Lieutenant Greg Peterson:

With a nod, Peterson placed his hand over the com in his ear and spoke. He gave instructions to someone to send the appropriate man power to their location. In merely an hour, seventy men arived, mostly on foot, but there was an old beaten up truck with them as well, loaded with crates full of seed packets.

Dystryn:

sitting at an elegantly prepared table, Dystryn flipped through a stack of reports. He doctored them so as to hide from his closest officials how much fuel stock he had hidden away. Pleased with himself, Dystryn leaned back in his seat and took a sip of wine.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Lilly found the farm house pretty much undisturbed over the last four years, and was relieved to find the farmers had not been in the house when they were struck by the virus. The beds were even still made, and there was a pile of wood by the fireplace ready to be used. Wildlife had cleaned out most of the food in the kitchen, but on the whole, the place was quite clean. One of the things she was most impressed to find, was the combustion stove and hot water system, which meant that she could not one have a bath, she could have a hot bath.

By the time she had the fire going, and the kitchen cleaned up, she heard the truck, and the men arriving. From the front door, she gave Greg a rather stunned look. “You work fast don’t ya? Would it not have been more logical to wait until morning though? What are these men going to eat tonight, and just where do you intend to bed them? Oh never mind, they are here now so we might as well make the best of things.” Looking about the farm, she took note of the barns and other buildings, more then enough shelter for these men, the only problem now was food.

In one of the barns, she found some old boxes, and with several men, she set out to see what could be found that was still eatable. Behind the barn was the remainder of a vegetable patch that had self seeded over time. More then enough, when added to the supplies that had brought, to make a nice thick soup. Tomorrow she would have to think of something more substantial. Men worked much better on full stomachs. That taken care of, the soup on the boil, Lilly set about the hot bath her body was craving.

 

[Ravenloft]

New Nation

Greg:

Some hours into the prosess of having things re-established at the farm, Greg walked into the farm house, looking for Lilly, he simply wanted to show his appreciation for her help, but had as of yet been unable to find her, after five minutes into the project, they'd been separated. He sighed as he found she wasn't in the house either, and leaned against a wall. It gave a little as he leaned against it and he started. "What the?" He muttered in surprise as he turned to examine it.

20 minutes later:

"Lilly! Lilly! Lady Lilly!" Greg cried out as he spotted her in the field, not far from him. "Come quick! YOu have to see this!!!" He added as he came up to her, short of breath, taking her by the wrist, and tugging at her, so that she would follow.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Lilly was on her way back to the farm house when Greg came racing across teh fields yelling her name. He seemed quite excited, grabbing her wrist and almost dragging her back to the house.
"WOAH!! up there Greg, let me catch my breath will ya! Now, what's so urgent that you have to pull my arm out of it's socket?"

 

[Moonlight_33]

Max

Max had done as Lilly comanded, made sure the tribe escaped, and taken them to a safe location. Then he returned to the tribes grounds to secure any remaining stores and useable items. He counted the bodies and was able to account for all but six of the tribe members, including Lilly. He knew she would be furious if she knew he had gone looking for them, but his pride would not let him be, he had to know they were safe. All kinds of images had gone through his mind, thinking the worst that might have become of them, and he knew he could not rest untill he had everyone accounted for.
Already he had located the five missing men, finding them beaten and put to work cleaning streets, freeing them was not going to be overly dificult, but his priority was finding Lilly. Sinking back into the shadows, Max returned to the task of searching the city for his beloved Lilly, and the salvation of the forest tribe. If she was not located and reunited with the tribe within a full cycle of the moon, a new leader would be chosen, and even thought he had no dount the new leader would be himself, He knew he could never do for the tribe as Lilly could.