Clink

The metal lock fell to the floor no longer able to seal the cage shut.

“What in Jungle mother’s name? Have you ever seen an arrow with that much power? It completely severed that lock in half”, his astonished voice mirrored the feelings of those around.

“Who the hell cares we’re free aren’t we, let’s use this chance to get out here.” The youngest of three captives spoke simultaneously pushing the cage door open.

The three proceeded out of the cell grabbing anything useful laying about the sieged encampment. “There are at least five different tribes here, find some clothing during this chaos and try blend in or we’ll never make it out on our own. If the jungle doesn’t get us, their hunting party will and I for one am not going to let them capture me again.” The third and oldest amongst them cautiously entered an empty tent.

The barbarian tribes slaughtered the Spine-backs mercilessly. Barely twenty minutes had passed and over half the pack had been cut down. “Aroo Aroo”, the pack leader called as several smaller groups of Spine-backs charged two tribal barbarians responsible for a large number of their dead.

“Ara…”, its next command was cut short as sharp steel was pushed through the base of the creatures’ skull. Failing to notice the unusual shadows creeping towards them had cost the pack leader and its protectors dearly. The pack now leaderless, quickly crumbled under the might of the various different tribes.

“Icto ryv”, a tall thinner barbarian raised his blue glowing spear adorned with two Wolf Falcon feathers yelled.

“Icto ryv”, the tribes followed. The man thrust his spear forward towards the direction of the village, “Urnb Hemt Lla”

With a deafening roar several of the tribes broke into smaller groups and started to make their way towards the village. “Eh Nder esti mate su Hemt Nda All sc Oot Oons Orf Na Ttac ka. Heyt Rovo kep Su Orf A Easo nr.” Whaor spoke of caution to the fellow members of his tribe. He was thin tall thin man wearing a skull mask with the traditional markings of tribe Blood-Grass.

“Ew Aveh Onw Het Ight r Fo Het Eadd Hist At tleb”, another of tribe Blood-Grass spoke as he approached the group. Whaor acknowledged the big warrior with glowing red axe while removing a small tightly bound bottle from his belt.

Whaor slowly started making his way around the camp towards any of the dead or dying Spine-backs. As he approached the fallen would glow green and their bodies slowly turned into a misty powder flowing into the opened bottle.

Several of the younger warriors barley over the age of fifteen were caught up in the excitement of the hunt rushed towards the village. To their dismay, they quickly found themselves in need of rescue as they slowly collapsed to the ground after charging head first into an odd smoke that appeared between the camp and the village. A few of the more experienced warriors stopped to rescue the headstrong youths after splitting off from the group circumventing the smoke. The forced detour had cost the tribe an additional four hours before they finally arrived at the abandoned village.

“Rack t Hemt”, the man with the blue glowing spear from earlier commanded Whaor. The Witch-doctor from tribe Blood-Grass simply nodded at the hunt leader from tribe Blue-Sand and once again removed the tightly bound bottle from his belt. He opened the bottle pouring some of the contents out. A glowing green liquid flowed from its opening forming into six knee high creatures. “Eeks”, Whaor commanded as the six of the wolf like creatures split up into two groups and ran in opposite directions up and down the river.

“How did it go?” Padvor’s voice called to Shole and his group. They had almost gotten lost trying to catch up to the rest of the village. “It should have bought us more time, Kaden’s idea about the Spine-backs and using the Para flower smoke was cleaver.” Shole took a second before he broke the news, “Padvor they aren’t here to hunt, it’s a bloody raid group.” The news came as more than just a shock to Padvor. His now worried look was extremely visible, “Did you get away clean?”

“Yeah, we lit the boats on fire and sent them down stream with the rest of the ones you sent earlier. Hopefully that and the false trails Rakhail and the rest made should hopefully keep them busy for a while.” Sana’s voice broke in.

“Good work, let’s join the rest and move on quickly”, Padvor ending their conversation as he went over to inform the rest of the new development.

“Igh te Eadd Rack erst Nda Own Nlyo Od Ew Ustj Indf Heir t Ealr Rail t. Heyt Rea Leav erc Reyp”

It had taken the tribes a month and more than a few dead trackers before they were finally able to locate the villagers trail. Rakhail and the others had a done a thorough job with hiding their tracks while falsifying others. The tricks and traps he left behind for any would be tracker had cost the tribe in time and lives.

“Heyt Rea Rav eb, Heyt Eadh Owar dst Het Istm.” Whaor scratched his chin while addressing the rest of his tribe. “Heyt Rea Espe rat ed”, another member of the group challenged his opinion.

“Ew Halls Ees”