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Hyku ducked underneath the best he could under the spikes, crawling slowly towards the creature on his back

The large quills landed on the far side of Hyku, missing him by scant inches. The quill sticking through his arm was causing him a bit of trouble, however. The cat hunkered down in a pouncing position, growling menacingly.

Behind him, Hyku could hear a soft chanting. A young lokai girl sat a ways behind him, her eyes closed and her hand hovering above a lit candle.

~

Ko'tahl would not have long to wait. After he and Lianna had travelled for a while, the came across a figure standing by itself in an open field. Its back was turned to them and it appeared not to notice their approach.

Ko'tahl shot Liana a weird glance at her question of the spirit. How it would know a random figure was beyond him. However, he didn't think it a bad idea to get some more insight on the situation. After all they've seen the past few days, he wasn't ready to make any more enemies and this figure seemed somehow ominous.

What do you make of this, Power of the Depths?

"He's lokai for sure, so at least we have that going for us. Let's just hope that he isn't a bandit or something."

Ko'thal stiffened. "Hello, there!" He called out to the figure, deciding to at least try to be friendly.

((Someone thwap James. I think he done died.))

The figure muttered something, its voice muffled by the wrapping across its face. To Ko'tahl and Liana, it sounded unintellegable. It drew one of its daggers and pierced its hand, all the while still approaching the two lokai. Drops of blood splattered on the ground while the figure used the tip of his dagger to smear the blood on the palm of his hand. Pale red smoke began wafting from the smears, condensing above the figure, shaping forming out of the clouds.

The Lord of the Open Road spoke to Lianna and Ko'tahl. Watch out! He's a shaman, but like nothing I've seen before. He's something...new.

**Many apologies**

Hyku held his sword pointed upwards, wincing in pain from the quill in his arm
Who is that girl? What is she doing?

((Sorry for the delay in posting. I've been really lethargic this week due in part to my ear infection, which still hasn't gotten any better.))

The shrouded sham thrust his bleeding hands forward, sending the mass of writhing clouds hurling toward the duo. As it hit the ground, a mass of horrible, goblin-like creatures poured forth from the cloud. They had a dark, moldy-green skin, long, thin, hooked noses, and mismatched as. The creatures stared at each other in confusion for a moment then raised their crude weapons, snarling and hissing, and resumed the charge against Ko'tahl and Lianna. The two felt a warm sensation cover them, a feeling they had begun to realize as Road's version of a smile. Oh, look. Target practice.

~

As the girl finished her chant, a huge horse-like creature made out of pure lightning appeared in the sky, whinnying and bucking. Its hooves pounded the dirt on either side of Hyku, forming a protective stance around him. It lowered its head toward the quill-cat. Away, beast! You know my words, which echo around you in your most primal fears! Away! Each of the great spirits words were punctuated with a clap of thunder. The quill-cat began slowly backing away, then turned and fled, as if its tail was on fire.

Ko'thal loosened the chain around his shoulder and began swinging the hook around his head. He suddenly let loose on the end, and the end flew across the land to hook one of the goblins around the chest. Ko'tahl yanked on the chain, pulling the horrible creature off its feet and to the ground mid-way between where it stood and Ko'thal.