Qiang Shu had entered the chamber roughly around the same time his master, Forge, had. It had been quite the while since the recluse had been out of his work area. Lately Qiang had shut himself in there trying to prefect his craft. Though now was a rare moment as he had slipped out of that comfort zone of his and into the audience of Shen.
He listened as the other spoke, judging with silence. His face expressionless as he began to watch as those rose up against this Shen, and others began to follow him. Qiang had noticed that his master, Forge, had left just shortly after the challenges had been issued.
Qiang gave a slight raise of an eyebrow as he noticed a child among the adults. A child, who would dare bring a child to something like this. This was adults talk. And a child did not need to see what was about to go down in front of them. Yes, the thought of this child being scared for life scared him, and it showed on his face, if only for a moment but his concern was shown. Part of him wanted to go over and protect the small one, but he remained. Even after the cub's mother had abandoned him to voice her loyalties to the one on the dial.
After the confrontations between those opposing Shen and Shen and his other champion started the Tah remained frozen. Qiang was not a very confrontational Tah, but he could be when needed, still even at this time he preferred to be an observer of these events. He would not input himself, not here, not now, he was only an observer, a judge for if he was worthy of his craft.
The fights rang out with in the chamber, claw upon claw, horn upon horn. The pants of heavy breathing and grunts as bodies were thrown at another. Shen's fight seemed to end quickly and quite bloodily, the mixed smell of copper and sweat he knew too well. The black and white Tah nearly winced as Shen took the pale ones' eyes from him.
Qiang pitied both the pale Tah and the small cub who had to watch these events. It made the pit of his stomach sink, to think that a cub that small had witness such a horrible thing so young. He felt disgusted at the thought. Qiang shifted his weight from paw to paw, in his mind he knew the answer of what he sought by coming here. But yet he felt too horrified to move from the spot he was in.
Others went to the Tah's aid, mainly Nah sympathizers who could not bare to witness this anymore. He could not blame him, he felt the same. With the other battle done by a crack of a bone, Shen spoke again. This snapped the Tah out of his daze.
How long had he been just standing there in daze. He couldn't tell, but it seemed the small cub had left of its own accord. Good, it was something of a reassurance.
Turning on his hind paws he left to return to his work station in the same silent manner that he had entered the chamber. No he could not let his craft turn into this Shen's as a weapon of war. He'd have to destroy his life's work, but it would be worth it. He could take up his hard work else where, somewhere they could not be used for this kind of evil. Yes, evil was the word that came to his mind. It was balam like these that he refused to serve and give his craft to.
Weaver help them. If this was the direction that the Fire tribe would go under the Lead of this Shen then weaver help them all. After he would destroy his work station and take only what was needed Qiang would leave the Fire Tribe, in hopes that he could find someone to help. He wanted to be anywhere else but here, at this moment. Perhaps to find a familiar face, or someone who could listen to what had happened this day.
---
As those who remained Loyal stayed behind and those who were opposed Shen's words left, slowly he felt he could let up the guard he had been holding up. It was not that he had completely relaxed, but perhaps it was Shen's words that had reassured him to do so.
Still in a defensive position Smaug moved towards Xavier. "Come," He growled slight annoyance seemed to be with in the Tah's voice. "Get up"
He wondered why exactly it had to be him who brought this one away. Could it not have been one of the others who had spoke up just as soon as he? Like those Nah who seem quite eager to input themselves but did not want to do the 'dirty work'. Not one had offered to fight for him, only to follow. Pathetic and useless, if they could not fight what use were they to Shen?
These thoughts crossed his mind, but the Tah held his tongue. He was exhausted, and already had defied Shen once. No he could not do that again, even if he felt slightly opposed to it. Was this doubt, no he could not have that. He began to silently convince himself that Shen might actually have a use for these so called useless Nah. Being newly woven he could not know for sure, as so far the desire to fight and serve was stronger then anything else.
Smaug was still finding himself, but he could not doubt Shen that he knew for sure. He'd have to mold himself to be the perfect asset to this one. Yes, that was it. He needed no thought or opinion when it came to Shen, only to follow orders. Smaug would no longer let this doubt of his cloud his mind, there was no need for it, not when it came to Shen and his opinion. Now for others, that would be a different story.
[WCs to this Point:
Qiang Shu WC: 694
Smaug WC: 1680 ]
