(Playing off of Scar here, per her permission~ owo)

Rumors are filling the toxic island where the Alkidikes extremists were banished along with the Matron. Rumors of monsters clawing their way out of the earth with oil black skin and glowing evil eyes that are even weirder than the strange monsters that landed upon their shores just one year ago. The Yaeli say that their gaze can steal the soul of any person dumb enough to get too close and they're vicious beings trying to take their children.

These rumors have reached the main land as well, mostly through the few Yaeli that have decided they would rather face the scary but similar earthling races than to have to find out what the terrifying monsters want with them and their land.

Is there any truth to these rumors or are the Yaelians seeing things?

Callum had never been so happy to see Old Gris in his entire life. Nimueh couldn't have known that the tribe he had all but drug Callum toward was a familiar one to the Sauti native. Gris was as mean as he was ugly, but he was the welcoming sort. The introductions took longer than it did for the bowl of soup to appear in Callum's unknowing hands. It was unexpected, sure, but not unwelcomed.

Callum could almost feel like a child again. He sat close to Nimueh, leeching warmth from the larger hybrid despite the thick blanket wrapped about his shoulders. Of course, Gris had to notice and comment on Callum's lack of 'proper' attire. To which Callum responded, "Your wife likes it well enough", causing Gris to catch the leering way his woman had been looking at the young swordsman. Callum knew Gris enough to know he would laugh it off; no harm, no foul.

For a time Callum felt content. Nimueh had laid his head against his chest, and after a while he had begun to run his finger's through the younger hybrids dreads. It seemed peaceful enough - until the older members of the tribe began to speak. He made a noise of discontent when the tone of the conversation roused Nim from his rest, but ultimately gave into his own innate curiosity.

Your people? Seriously? What was that supposed to mean? Just because Nimueh had Alkidike blood didn't make him an Elder in their society. He no more spoke for them then Callum spoke for the shifters.

They were ignorant, so he couldn't blame them, but it irritated him all the same.

Even more so when Nimueh excused himself.

"You know-" Callum started, gathering the attention of the group. Not only had his friends sudden departure drawn their gaze, his words had clenched it. "-I've met a Yaeli."

"You're lying." Gris blurted, shooting the younger hybrid a cold look. "You've been roamin' around; where did you see one?"

"I left my friend there for a days time to scope out the area. Went into a little settlement where I saw a Yaeli." Of course, it was all lies. Callum was vindictive in the purest sense of the word, and when he was angry, his words could spin webs. He'd picked up just enough information from their gossiping to give his tale some weight. "He was missing his left arm, and do you know what he said? An Alkidike saved him from being taken by those things. Could have left him to die from his injuries, but she saved him. Fancy that."

A lower murmur fanned out around Callum, picking up fire as it went. They were right to question, and whose to say something like that couldn't be true. Stranger things had happened under pressure.

"It has to be true." Gris' wife piped up. She was holding onto her husband, and even with the fire separating them he could see her shaking. "Why else would they leave their home?"

"We fought over ours, so I don't see why they can't stand up for themselves. Monsters, bugs, what have you; if they won't fight they deserve to have it taken away."

If Callum had seen the speaker he would have punched him. Perhaps it was the fermented capramel milk driving his emotions, or maybe it was just anger in it's purest form. Regardless, Callum stood up and addressed the gathering, "We had help, but what do they have? How many others do you think they've seen in their entire lives? What would you do if you lived your whole life on an island and suddenly, tall, unknown women showed up. That alone would be enough to intimidate you, and then - monsters!" Callum hadn't realized just how loud his voice had gotten until that moment. His breathing was labored, slender hands gesticulating to punctuate his words. "These...these things are crawling out of the earth and supposedly, they can also steal souls."

"What if they're just seeing things? Word is they have bad eyes, and the glow is just decoration. Doesn't help them see any better."

"Are you kidding me?! Does it matter? Something is starting these rumors, something is forcing these people from their home, and something is trying to steal children." Callum ran a shaky hand through his hair, and turned his closed gaze to the sky. "Gods give me strength...I just...Man, woman, Alkidike, Yaeli; does it matter what you are when faced with something like this? Someone needs to find out if these rumors are true, and if they are, they need to be dealt with."

"Oh, and you're going to do it, big man?" Gris snorted.

"I might, which is more than I can say about you." Snatching up his wineskin, Callum walked away from the fire, intending to find Nimueh.

Or some place to throw up.

Whichever came first.

(WC: 953)