Post by Chibiabos on Oct 21, 2010 19:27:34 GMT -7
Raging River
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The river rages here over boulders in frothy rapids flowing from the west and rushing toward east. Its depth and powerful current make it dangerous for all but the largest beasts -- elephant, rhinoceros, water buffalo and guar -- even during the dry season. Regular monsoons cause it to swell regularly, leaving an exposed, vast bed of rock, boulder and sandbars during the dry season. The steep banks outside of this manage to contain most monsoons, held fast by tangly roots of teak, mango, tea, jambul and other trees and well-rooted brush. This east-west stretch of the river marks the northern edge of a rainforest which continues thickly south of here; not far from the river's edge into this forest lurks a massive Banyan tree, not tall but sprawling out over tens of meters. To the north, the trees are thinner and -- during an offshore breeze -- the stank of peat would indicate a marsh to the north. Downstream to the west, the river can be seen taking a bend southward (toward the southwest of here). A stream to the west and a near sub-horizon to the northwest would indicate a possible lake to the northwest.
Characters: Utkrosh (F. Golden Eagle), Turag (M. Clouded Leopard)
Utkrosh has undoubtedly been seen lately, circling overhead. She has spotted various leopards, and while she has never seen more than one or two at a time, her sharp vision has enabled her to distinguish several. They clearly have not seemed terribly keen on being visible, and were there not a new and growing need, Utkrosh would not ordinarily press for contact with those that seem to prefer avoiding it. The phantom spotted cats have been very elusive, and Utkrosh's time to chase for them has been very limited by her main duties of spying on Ran Garjana. She decides to be a bit less passive and a bit more forward for the moment, swooping down to perch on a tree on the opposite shore of the river from the Banyan tree, so that she can peer under its cover from the side.
Luck does not seem to be with Utkrosh today, but, given the mostly solitary, sprawling nature of the Lon Gi, this may not be surprising. Finding several leopards together is rare outside of their various rituals and ceremonies is unusual; at most, one might glimpse a pair and their offspring. This afternoon, not even one is present on or around the banyan. The enormous tree may be important to them, and a favored lookout, but it appears that they don't always occupy it.
Utkrosh carefully peers into the dark shadows under the banyan, along the rivershore, and as far into the forest as she can from her vantage point before deciding whether to risk flying to the Banyan tree itself, to see if she can spot any leopards, or perhaps that Buffy Fish-owl she has sometimes seen in the area -- but she has not seen that owl in some time, and as owls tend to be nocturnal anyway, is likely to be hiding in a hollow tree or other dark place for now even if she is in the area. After waiting patiently some time, the golden eagle unfolds her wings, dives and then flaps across the water to perch on one of the upper branches under most of the massive Banyan's canopy. She takes her time surveying around with her sharp eyes.
The forest is never exactly still--there are other animals about even if the leopards aren't, although with an eagle's arrival most of the smaller birds have either shut up or made themselves scarce. The insects haven't, however, and combined with the noise of the river most other sounds are muffled. Like that furtive scrape. What caused it? Something moving in the shadowed trees nearby? A brown blur sails past Utkrosh, presumably some small, arboreal animal leaping to the ground in haste.
Unfortunately, eagles lack the keen-ness of hearing that, say, canids possess, so while she hears things, she is unable to distinguish sounds as she can sights. Part of her tells her that this is futile and stupid, and she may wind up driving the leopards -- if there are any -- into a new hiding spot where, at best, she may never find them or, worse, somewhere the Ran Garjana will find them before her. She mulls over whether to speak to the shadows. If there is no one there, it is a wasted effort; if there is, will they listen? Or run and lead to one of those aforementioned bad scenarios? Passive observation, trying to meet with the phantom spotted cats when she can see them has proven fruitless ... and tragically, the need for allies has just taken a desperate, sharp rise. "I do not know if any of you are about," she finally summons the decisive courage to risk speaking. "If you are, I congratulate you on your elusiveness for evading my vision. I do understand, respect and ordinarily would more abide by a group's desire to live in peace, alone and undisturbed. Unfortunately, times are not ordinary, and the very shadows you may be hiding in may be stalking you. A deadly and evil new menace lurks throughout the jungle. Their aim is to inflict as much sorrow and terror as they can." She pauses for several moments, trying to collect her thoughts further. "If you have any ... friends you are missing ... then I regret to inform you of two facts: first, that they have fallen to this threat I mentioned; second, you would not be alone in having missing friends. This evil menace is attempting to keep itself concealed, but my eyes have revealed their existence, and my friends now know they are on the loose. We seek both help from, and to help others who are also threatened." She falls silent for several long minutes, peering and listening for any sign of a response.
The thing that has just leapt out of the trees certainly isn't listening; the squirrel stares up at Utkrosh with wide, bulging eyes, then tears off in search of a bolthole that's not so close to a predator. It obviously doesn't want to become involved in whatever it is she's talking about. Or maybe it's running from another. It seems, at first, that the eagle's words have reached no ears except for those of one frightened rodent, but after those moments have stretched by--after they've run together into a small, silent eternity--a blur of quicksilver explodes from the thick darkness beneath the canopy and lands on Utkrosh's perch. The branch shudders under its weight as it touches down, and quite suddenly there are a set of bared teeth only inches away from her. Is it foolhardy of this clouded leopard to engage an eagle? He must outweigh her, being fifty pounds or so, but her talons are certainly longer than his. But when he speaks his voice is a growl without fear. "This is not the first time that I have seen you, bird," he snaps out. His pelt is bristled, making him look quite a bit larger than he actually is. "You have been flying over the river for days, peeking through the trees in search of individuals who do not concern you. Now you have the temerity to intrude on my home, bringing with you such terrible words, and speak of /help/? How do I know that you aren't one of the animals who have been skulking around in the jungle, attempting to deceive me?" With each word he takes a step forward, his movements sure.
Of all cats, leopards are, perhaps, the greatest threat to eagles. Tigers and lions are much larger, but leopards are more agile, can leap both farther and higher, and -- worst of all -- can easily climb the very trees eagles rest in. A beak is no bird to trifle with, certainly -- their talons are more than half the length of tiger's claws and their beaks can snap through flesh, muscle and bone quite readily. Uncertain as she is already, despite attempting to prepare for anything -- including a possible attack upon her -- the eagle is, indeed, thrown into fear at the sudden, close arrival of the cat. She fights to regain her composure. Her wings slightly shift, preparing to unfold in an emergency if needbe, but with as close as the leopard is, if he struck, it seems unlikely she would be able to escape in time. And yet, she makes no motion, no shift in weight nor posture to indicate she is preparing to strike back -- certainly not to strike first. "I would differ, sir, on whether individuals I search for concern me. Acquainted or not, the jungle -- and even areas beyond the jungle -- concern me. Not merely as an eagle hunting for prey, not merely as one seeking to establish a home, but as a devoted warrior and defendant of the just. I regret the words I bring carry such a dire message, but their truth would still ring even if I no one ever spoke them to you." She trembles a bit, even after her calming from the cat's initial branch-pounce, as he steps closer. "I have been skulking in the jungle," she admits, "and I have been attempting to not be too visible while skulking ... but you are not the target of my skulk nor stealth." As the cat continues stepping forward, the eagle has to muster her discipline as a warrior to not step back nor dive off the branch. "I can offer little but words at this moment. I can name and describe what I observe and, through my friends, have come to know regarding the deadly threat hiding in the shadow of the jungle ... they call themselves Ran Garjana, a clan of tigers. I know only a few by name -- they are presently lead by a black tiger, noticeably larger than most tigers, named Dushta. There is a second in command competing with him to show who is the most bloodthirsty and psychotic ... we do not yet know this second-in-command's name, but I could carve his stripe pattern into the ground for you, if you like. Dushta is a straight-up killer ... he gets off in instilling fear and terror among survivors, but he's generally a brute who kills quickly compared with his second. He recently slaughtered three lions with no trouble, on the far side of the jungle where paths crisscross just above the gradual incline. His second devours his victims -- even other tigers. Such happened recently near the great lake north of the river ... he seriously attacked two young tigers, killing one and starting to eat her, but ... friends of mine drove him off before he was allowed to finish that task nor kill the other tiger, who is now being looked after by my friends in careful, guarded seclusion. I know and long-recognize two older tigers in Ran Garjana, one named Badajiva and one named Ananth. Badajiva has a daughter, Dalaja, who may also be with them. That makes five we know of ... but we are confident they have more, and do not believe they would restrict themselves to tigers for members. I have seen a honey badger roaming around areas I know Ran Garjana claim ... that is not direct evidence she is among them, but it is suspicious." The eagle pauses, not knowing whether the cat believes her. "My eyes can be your eyes. My friends can watch out for your friends. I can bring warning should we suspect they would cross the river to this corner of the jungle, as well as any other information I or my friends gather. We are disciplined warriors, we will not waste precious blood futilely attempting to match the Ran Garjana with direct confrontations in a frenzy attempt at vengeance for the blood Ran Garjana has spilt, but there are many different ways to win wars. We know, after his murder of those nomadic lions who seemed to fall for his trap late at night, for instance, that Dushta is injured. Unfortunately, he is also hiding in his clan's heartland, but ... there may be ways to isolate him. We cannot provide immediate revenge for any you may have lost, but ... the more eyes and ears, noses and claws we have unified, we can promise to ebb the flow of blood from their fangs and claws and, in time, bring their reign of terror to an end." The eagle summons another burst of courage to cast off her quivering in fear of the cat's attack.
He certainly looks set to attack; each sentence that passes out of her mouth, her body steeled and unmoving, only makes Turag more agitated. He's quite close now, his hot breath ruffling her feathers, and if only Utkrosh had a keen sense of smell she might be able to figure out why he's so angry to find her in the the Lon Gi's midst. He isn't simply being protective of his tribesmen, who are not typically preyed upon by eagles and who, for the most part, are capable of looking after themselves. This cold fury and mistrust stems at least in part from something more personal, something related to the scent of a much younger leopard that clings to his fur. If Utkrosh could smell that, everything would be clearer. Sabera is small and vulnerable compared to an adult, and to see a raptor so dangerously close to his home and family sets off every protective instinct in Turag's body. Yet, despite his aggressive body language, he doesn't move to close that final distance between them. For now. "Words mean nothing, and you have so many of them," he says flatly, his claws digging into the wood under his feet to anchor him in place. "Actions speak louder than words; yours are invasive as well as presumptuous. Excessive verbosity is the hallmark of a liar, in any case. Feed me information about this Ran Garjana and all the atrocities that they've committed, get me riled up, frightened, and then chase it down with promises of hope that have so obviously been calculated to make me want to trust you?" He barks a laugh, as short and deadly as the report of a gun. "I have no way of knowing that your agenda, or that of your anonymous friends, is what you say it is. I would not be surprised if there is a clan of tigers in the jungle, or if they are as dangerous and confrontational as you say, but nor would I be surprised if they were smart enough to figure out that they can't exterminate leopards with brute force. You say there is a badger who appears to be suspiciously close to them. Why not an eagle as well, one who will /trick/ the leopards into following her right to their slaughter?" Nothing is said about any losses that his people may have incurred. Instead it's one accusation after another, demanding some proof of the avian's credibility. )
Utkrosh has not a keen sense of smell (an eagle's sense of smell being about the same level as a human's), but her eyes can see the rising of hackles, the firming of muscle preparing to pounce. She cautiously shifts her weight and positions her talons so that she might simply quickly throw herself off the branch, and worry about catching herself with her wings if needbe after plunging off the branch. "I realize I am asking for a leap of faith with little more than words to offer. I am not certain what I could do to convince you, but I do ask that you consider a bit of logic, reasoning and judgment in considering an answer to the question of if I were in the service of evil, if I were here with the intention of causing you and your friends harm, why would I converse with you? I am going to make a bit of a leaping presumption based on your age and bold action, that you are in some authority. I will further presume that means you have some experience observing and studying both prey and threats alike, and that you are not ignorant of how my kind hunt and strike. My kind can, indeed, be quiet dangerous ... but we are large predators who strike from the sky, quick and swift ... hit and run. Feigns and slyness do not tend to be our ways. If I were in an alliance who sought to harm you, I would simply swoop down and strike on-the-run upon spotting you, or call my friends in, force your kind to take shelter in the trees where I could pick you off from the air. I ask you, even if you do not believe any of my claims, to at least consider that question for yourself using your experience. I do have friends, and I can help organize strikes, but I have not told my friends where you are, as my observations of your elusiveness tell me your group is xenophobic. I expose myself in a very dangerous position to you here, as I come alone despite surmising more and more detail about you from the growing signs I have noticed of your group's presence." The eagle shuts up for several long moments. "I would like to prove which side of the shadow my loyalties lie, show you the precious young ones my side has taken into its protection, but ... there are, I hope you understand, sensitivity issues with that. I only know your group is here. I have no way of knowing, if pressed to choose sides, that you would choose the side of justice over a side that would seem to have the muscle and many might conclude would win a war. I do not presume you would, but the sensitive protections we have for several cubs already left orphaned by Ran Garjana, I cannot risk exposing. I could offer to introduce one you choose to represent you to group leaders in our alliance, but ... that would take some time to arrange, as several are distant from the jungle. Could you tell me what I could arrange that might convince you that my side is the side of good?" she asks, leaving it to the cat to think on his concerns and sensibilities.
Although Turag's expression remains spectacularly unimpressed while she lays out her reasoning, the feline says nothing. Rather than hunting down the Lon Gi one by one, warying the survivors into ever-deeper hiding in the process, it would be more expedient to gather the whole tribe together and dispatch them in one fell blow. If the easiest way of doing that was to make them assemble under the guise of some alliance, why would these tigers choose a more difficult route? Surely Utkrosh can see his own reasoning. If he sent a delegate to meet with these supposed leaders, he or she might come back in one piece. It would not shock him. But he would remain suspicious of a ruse. Turag is no stranger to deception, or patience, and if he were the Ran Garjana, wanting to eradicate a tribe so difficult to even locate, this is the approach he'd take. "You've offered no credentials, only descriptions of orphaned cubs and allusions to justice. You expect me to blindly trust you, but you cannot even produce names!" Not that Turag has given his own name, or even the name of the Lon Gi, but as far as he's concerned he has nothing to prove. Utkrosh is the one who had approached him, so that burden, in his mind, is on her.
Utkrosh says, "I could speak names, but would you know them? My name is Utkrosh. I am allied with Bhaskar of the Do-Rakhanaa, Bhata the son of Sakht Nakh who rejected that evil clan and helped reign victory on that war years ago, Gyarahabala and Kirana of the Saahasi wolf pack also veterans of that old war, and our new friends Sri and Chiti of a fledgling dhole pack now within our protection." She looks to see if any of these names actually mean anything to the cat.
How many of those names does he know? It's hard to say; his glower is unwavering and he doesn't so much as twitch when they're listed off. He could recognize all of them, he could recognize some of them, he could recognize none. The leopard's mind is working, though, even if it's impossible to see that in his eyes. "I trust that you know," he says, "what the Do-Rakhanaa will to do to you if you're lying about your involvement with them." Is he convinced? No, not really. But he's familiar enough with the Two-People to guess that they wouldn't be amused at having their name tossed around to make a lie seem more believable. And, though he's never had any direct involvement with them, some of the priests have. They might even know Bhaskar. From what he understands, there are not many Do-Rakhanaa in the area.
Utkrosh says, "My life has already been in their paws, and the blood in my veins is at their service. If Bhaskar called for it, I would lay my life down for the Do-Rakhanaa to defeat Ran Garjana as I did for the previous generation of Bhaskar's varga against Vijayi. I was their eyes, I told them when and where Sakht Nakh's guards were, and when Vijayi was alone and the time was right to strike. If you wish to meet with the Do-Rakhanaa, you need only wait ... for Bhaskar will summon other varga at the next chamdra maua. As before, many -- formal Do-Rakhanaa, close Amgikrita and trusted ally alike -- will act as one, the strength of my eyes will join the strength of the wolves' ears and noses and the might of tigers' fangs and claws. I could arrange a meeting, in a neutral location if you like, with Bhaskar and his Kol-bahl, Lakshmi, whom I have an even more personal connection with, for my mother perished in a vain attempt to save her parents from Vijayi's wrath. She and I are nigh sisters, both orphaned by Sakht Nakh and now strong warriors dedicated to Ran Garjana's demise. Would meeting a Do-Rakhanaa tiger and his kol-bahl satisfy your uncertainty as to my -- and, more broadly, our -- loyalty to balance and justice?" she asks.
"You make a lot of very big claims, eagle," Turag grunts, not exactly answering the question. "Perhaps they'll hold water. Perhaps they won't. I suppose we'll see." He's reluctant to turn his back on the eagle--he doesn't expect that she'll attack him, even if she is lying, but he doesn't know where Sabera is and if he can't keep an eye on his daughter he wants Utkrosh in his sight. But he does anyway, reorienting himself on the branch with the sort of grace that only a cat, even an aging one, can manage. "Your story will be brought to those who need to hear it," he says, not looking back as he pads off towards the banyan's thick trunk. "Don't return to this tree. I won't be so accommodating if I see you here again." What a friendly male. His hostility may never be explained, either. He's not about to /tell/ her that the reason he wants her far, far away from here is because he has a young cub to worry about.
Utkrosh says, "As you wish, I vow to never again return to this tree unless, at some future point, you decide I can be trusted and grant permission. If you would like me to arrange a meeting with Bhaskar and his kol-bahl," she says, "show yourself -- or an agent you trust -- somewhere only I could see them. I rest, occasionally, by the lake along the stream north of the river," she says, "but the Ran Garjana have been getting bolder, reaching farther, and I cannot assure you that location will not fall into their domain. There are no static patches of ground, in fact, I can assure that -- even here. Ran Garjana may come to realize the potential strength of having their own allies in the sky, in fact, if they do not already possess some. I hope you can remember and distinguish myself from another eagle should you encounter one." She slowly unfolds her wings to offer the cat a look of her feather patterns. "If you like, I could try to arrange for Bhaskar or his kol-bahl to meet with a representative for you ... though they are both indisposed on an urgent mission, at present."
Turag 's ears have gone back when he pauses and looks over his shoulder. Is that a veiled threat or is she still attempting to persuade him? It doesn't matter. His upper lip twitches, revealing a glint of very long teeth, before he turns away again. "If that decision is made, I assure you that someone will come to you," he says, gathering himself for a jump. Then he springs away, landing on a higher branch, and before long he's gone into the shadows again. Even though he appears to have left, Utkrosh can be assured that he hasn't gone far--he's watching her, and quite ready to intervene if she either doesn't leave, or, worse, takes an interest in anything else around the tree.
Utkrosh sighs softly, and dives off, uncertain if she has had the slightest degree of success, or merely driven potentially very useful allies further into hiding. She does not allow herself to mull over the thought too long before taking her leave, turning herself around on the branch to face back out toward the river. She takes to the sky, knowing she has risked a lot of time on this diversion she needs to commit to the task of finding prey for the lion cubs. Regardless of her success or failure, and regardless of whether or not any are within earshot, she screes gives one final message: "Stay safe." She dives off the branch, and thrusts her wings to grab at the air, giving herself altitude to fly up and over the jungle on the far shore, heading northwest, past the lake to the plains beyond, in search of prey near where she hopes to find Bhaskar soon with lion cubs in tow.
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The river rages here over boulders in frothy rapids flowing from the west and rushing toward east. Its depth and powerful current make it dangerous for all but the largest beasts -- elephant, rhinoceros, water buffalo and guar -- even during the dry season. Regular monsoons cause it to swell regularly, leaving an exposed, vast bed of rock, boulder and sandbars during the dry season. The steep banks outside of this manage to contain most monsoons, held fast by tangly roots of teak, mango, tea, jambul and other trees and well-rooted brush. This east-west stretch of the river marks the northern edge of a rainforest which continues thickly south of here; not far from the river's edge into this forest lurks a massive Banyan tree, not tall but sprawling out over tens of meters. To the north, the trees are thinner and -- during an offshore breeze -- the stank of peat would indicate a marsh to the north. Downstream to the west, the river can be seen taking a bend southward (toward the southwest of here). A stream to the west and a near sub-horizon to the northwest would indicate a possible lake to the northwest.
Characters: Utkrosh (F. Golden Eagle), Turag (M. Clouded Leopard)
Utkrosh has undoubtedly been seen lately, circling overhead. She has spotted various leopards, and while she has never seen more than one or two at a time, her sharp vision has enabled her to distinguish several. They clearly have not seemed terribly keen on being visible, and were there not a new and growing need, Utkrosh would not ordinarily press for contact with those that seem to prefer avoiding it. The phantom spotted cats have been very elusive, and Utkrosh's time to chase for them has been very limited by her main duties of spying on Ran Garjana. She decides to be a bit less passive and a bit more forward for the moment, swooping down to perch on a tree on the opposite shore of the river from the Banyan tree, so that she can peer under its cover from the side.
Luck does not seem to be with Utkrosh today, but, given the mostly solitary, sprawling nature of the Lon Gi, this may not be surprising. Finding several leopards together is rare outside of their various rituals and ceremonies is unusual; at most, one might glimpse a pair and their offspring. This afternoon, not even one is present on or around the banyan. The enormous tree may be important to them, and a favored lookout, but it appears that they don't always occupy it.
Utkrosh carefully peers into the dark shadows under the banyan, along the rivershore, and as far into the forest as she can from her vantage point before deciding whether to risk flying to the Banyan tree itself, to see if she can spot any leopards, or perhaps that Buffy Fish-owl she has sometimes seen in the area -- but she has not seen that owl in some time, and as owls tend to be nocturnal anyway, is likely to be hiding in a hollow tree or other dark place for now even if she is in the area. After waiting patiently some time, the golden eagle unfolds her wings, dives and then flaps across the water to perch on one of the upper branches under most of the massive Banyan's canopy. She takes her time surveying around with her sharp eyes.
The forest is never exactly still--there are other animals about even if the leopards aren't, although with an eagle's arrival most of the smaller birds have either shut up or made themselves scarce. The insects haven't, however, and combined with the noise of the river most other sounds are muffled. Like that furtive scrape. What caused it? Something moving in the shadowed trees nearby? A brown blur sails past Utkrosh, presumably some small, arboreal animal leaping to the ground in haste.
Unfortunately, eagles lack the keen-ness of hearing that, say, canids possess, so while she hears things, she is unable to distinguish sounds as she can sights. Part of her tells her that this is futile and stupid, and she may wind up driving the leopards -- if there are any -- into a new hiding spot where, at best, she may never find them or, worse, somewhere the Ran Garjana will find them before her. She mulls over whether to speak to the shadows. If there is no one there, it is a wasted effort; if there is, will they listen? Or run and lead to one of those aforementioned bad scenarios? Passive observation, trying to meet with the phantom spotted cats when she can see them has proven fruitless ... and tragically, the need for allies has just taken a desperate, sharp rise. "I do not know if any of you are about," she finally summons the decisive courage to risk speaking. "If you are, I congratulate you on your elusiveness for evading my vision. I do understand, respect and ordinarily would more abide by a group's desire to live in peace, alone and undisturbed. Unfortunately, times are not ordinary, and the very shadows you may be hiding in may be stalking you. A deadly and evil new menace lurks throughout the jungle. Their aim is to inflict as much sorrow and terror as they can." She pauses for several moments, trying to collect her thoughts further. "If you have any ... friends you are missing ... then I regret to inform you of two facts: first, that they have fallen to this threat I mentioned; second, you would not be alone in having missing friends. This evil menace is attempting to keep itself concealed, but my eyes have revealed their existence, and my friends now know they are on the loose. We seek both help from, and to help others who are also threatened." She falls silent for several long minutes, peering and listening for any sign of a response.
The thing that has just leapt out of the trees certainly isn't listening; the squirrel stares up at Utkrosh with wide, bulging eyes, then tears off in search of a bolthole that's not so close to a predator. It obviously doesn't want to become involved in whatever it is she's talking about. Or maybe it's running from another. It seems, at first, that the eagle's words have reached no ears except for those of one frightened rodent, but after those moments have stretched by--after they've run together into a small, silent eternity--a blur of quicksilver explodes from the thick darkness beneath the canopy and lands on Utkrosh's perch. The branch shudders under its weight as it touches down, and quite suddenly there are a set of bared teeth only inches away from her. Is it foolhardy of this clouded leopard to engage an eagle? He must outweigh her, being fifty pounds or so, but her talons are certainly longer than his. But when he speaks his voice is a growl without fear. "This is not the first time that I have seen you, bird," he snaps out. His pelt is bristled, making him look quite a bit larger than he actually is. "You have been flying over the river for days, peeking through the trees in search of individuals who do not concern you. Now you have the temerity to intrude on my home, bringing with you such terrible words, and speak of /help/? How do I know that you aren't one of the animals who have been skulking around in the jungle, attempting to deceive me?" With each word he takes a step forward, his movements sure.
Of all cats, leopards are, perhaps, the greatest threat to eagles. Tigers and lions are much larger, but leopards are more agile, can leap both farther and higher, and -- worst of all -- can easily climb the very trees eagles rest in. A beak is no bird to trifle with, certainly -- their talons are more than half the length of tiger's claws and their beaks can snap through flesh, muscle and bone quite readily. Uncertain as she is already, despite attempting to prepare for anything -- including a possible attack upon her -- the eagle is, indeed, thrown into fear at the sudden, close arrival of the cat. She fights to regain her composure. Her wings slightly shift, preparing to unfold in an emergency if needbe, but with as close as the leopard is, if he struck, it seems unlikely she would be able to escape in time. And yet, she makes no motion, no shift in weight nor posture to indicate she is preparing to strike back -- certainly not to strike first. "I would differ, sir, on whether individuals I search for concern me. Acquainted or not, the jungle -- and even areas beyond the jungle -- concern me. Not merely as an eagle hunting for prey, not merely as one seeking to establish a home, but as a devoted warrior and defendant of the just. I regret the words I bring carry such a dire message, but their truth would still ring even if I no one ever spoke them to you." She trembles a bit, even after her calming from the cat's initial branch-pounce, as he steps closer. "I have been skulking in the jungle," she admits, "and I have been attempting to not be too visible while skulking ... but you are not the target of my skulk nor stealth." As the cat continues stepping forward, the eagle has to muster her discipline as a warrior to not step back nor dive off the branch. "I can offer little but words at this moment. I can name and describe what I observe and, through my friends, have come to know regarding the deadly threat hiding in the shadow of the jungle ... they call themselves Ran Garjana, a clan of tigers. I know only a few by name -- they are presently lead by a black tiger, noticeably larger than most tigers, named Dushta. There is a second in command competing with him to show who is the most bloodthirsty and psychotic ... we do not yet know this second-in-command's name, but I could carve his stripe pattern into the ground for you, if you like. Dushta is a straight-up killer ... he gets off in instilling fear and terror among survivors, but he's generally a brute who kills quickly compared with his second. He recently slaughtered three lions with no trouble, on the far side of the jungle where paths crisscross just above the gradual incline. His second devours his victims -- even other tigers. Such happened recently near the great lake north of the river ... he seriously attacked two young tigers, killing one and starting to eat her, but ... friends of mine drove him off before he was allowed to finish that task nor kill the other tiger, who is now being looked after by my friends in careful, guarded seclusion. I know and long-recognize two older tigers in Ran Garjana, one named Badajiva and one named Ananth. Badajiva has a daughter, Dalaja, who may also be with them. That makes five we know of ... but we are confident they have more, and do not believe they would restrict themselves to tigers for members. I have seen a honey badger roaming around areas I know Ran Garjana claim ... that is not direct evidence she is among them, but it is suspicious." The eagle pauses, not knowing whether the cat believes her. "My eyes can be your eyes. My friends can watch out for your friends. I can bring warning should we suspect they would cross the river to this corner of the jungle, as well as any other information I or my friends gather. We are disciplined warriors, we will not waste precious blood futilely attempting to match the Ran Garjana with direct confrontations in a frenzy attempt at vengeance for the blood Ran Garjana has spilt, but there are many different ways to win wars. We know, after his murder of those nomadic lions who seemed to fall for his trap late at night, for instance, that Dushta is injured. Unfortunately, he is also hiding in his clan's heartland, but ... there may be ways to isolate him. We cannot provide immediate revenge for any you may have lost, but ... the more eyes and ears, noses and claws we have unified, we can promise to ebb the flow of blood from their fangs and claws and, in time, bring their reign of terror to an end." The eagle summons another burst of courage to cast off her quivering in fear of the cat's attack.
He certainly looks set to attack; each sentence that passes out of her mouth, her body steeled and unmoving, only makes Turag more agitated. He's quite close now, his hot breath ruffling her feathers, and if only Utkrosh had a keen sense of smell she might be able to figure out why he's so angry to find her in the the Lon Gi's midst. He isn't simply being protective of his tribesmen, who are not typically preyed upon by eagles and who, for the most part, are capable of looking after themselves. This cold fury and mistrust stems at least in part from something more personal, something related to the scent of a much younger leopard that clings to his fur. If Utkrosh could smell that, everything would be clearer. Sabera is small and vulnerable compared to an adult, and to see a raptor so dangerously close to his home and family sets off every protective instinct in Turag's body. Yet, despite his aggressive body language, he doesn't move to close that final distance between them. For now. "Words mean nothing, and you have so many of them," he says flatly, his claws digging into the wood under his feet to anchor him in place. "Actions speak louder than words; yours are invasive as well as presumptuous. Excessive verbosity is the hallmark of a liar, in any case. Feed me information about this Ran Garjana and all the atrocities that they've committed, get me riled up, frightened, and then chase it down with promises of hope that have so obviously been calculated to make me want to trust you?" He barks a laugh, as short and deadly as the report of a gun. "I have no way of knowing that your agenda, or that of your anonymous friends, is what you say it is. I would not be surprised if there is a clan of tigers in the jungle, or if they are as dangerous and confrontational as you say, but nor would I be surprised if they were smart enough to figure out that they can't exterminate leopards with brute force. You say there is a badger who appears to be suspiciously close to them. Why not an eagle as well, one who will /trick/ the leopards into following her right to their slaughter?" Nothing is said about any losses that his people may have incurred. Instead it's one accusation after another, demanding some proof of the avian's credibility. )
Utkrosh has not a keen sense of smell (an eagle's sense of smell being about the same level as a human's), but her eyes can see the rising of hackles, the firming of muscle preparing to pounce. She cautiously shifts her weight and positions her talons so that she might simply quickly throw herself off the branch, and worry about catching herself with her wings if needbe after plunging off the branch. "I realize I am asking for a leap of faith with little more than words to offer. I am not certain what I could do to convince you, but I do ask that you consider a bit of logic, reasoning and judgment in considering an answer to the question of if I were in the service of evil, if I were here with the intention of causing you and your friends harm, why would I converse with you? I am going to make a bit of a leaping presumption based on your age and bold action, that you are in some authority. I will further presume that means you have some experience observing and studying both prey and threats alike, and that you are not ignorant of how my kind hunt and strike. My kind can, indeed, be quiet dangerous ... but we are large predators who strike from the sky, quick and swift ... hit and run. Feigns and slyness do not tend to be our ways. If I were in an alliance who sought to harm you, I would simply swoop down and strike on-the-run upon spotting you, or call my friends in, force your kind to take shelter in the trees where I could pick you off from the air. I ask you, even if you do not believe any of my claims, to at least consider that question for yourself using your experience. I do have friends, and I can help organize strikes, but I have not told my friends where you are, as my observations of your elusiveness tell me your group is xenophobic. I expose myself in a very dangerous position to you here, as I come alone despite surmising more and more detail about you from the growing signs I have noticed of your group's presence." The eagle shuts up for several long moments. "I would like to prove which side of the shadow my loyalties lie, show you the precious young ones my side has taken into its protection, but ... there are, I hope you understand, sensitivity issues with that. I only know your group is here. I have no way of knowing, if pressed to choose sides, that you would choose the side of justice over a side that would seem to have the muscle and many might conclude would win a war. I do not presume you would, but the sensitive protections we have for several cubs already left orphaned by Ran Garjana, I cannot risk exposing. I could offer to introduce one you choose to represent you to group leaders in our alliance, but ... that would take some time to arrange, as several are distant from the jungle. Could you tell me what I could arrange that might convince you that my side is the side of good?" she asks, leaving it to the cat to think on his concerns and sensibilities.
Although Turag's expression remains spectacularly unimpressed while she lays out her reasoning, the feline says nothing. Rather than hunting down the Lon Gi one by one, warying the survivors into ever-deeper hiding in the process, it would be more expedient to gather the whole tribe together and dispatch them in one fell blow. If the easiest way of doing that was to make them assemble under the guise of some alliance, why would these tigers choose a more difficult route? Surely Utkrosh can see his own reasoning. If he sent a delegate to meet with these supposed leaders, he or she might come back in one piece. It would not shock him. But he would remain suspicious of a ruse. Turag is no stranger to deception, or patience, and if he were the Ran Garjana, wanting to eradicate a tribe so difficult to even locate, this is the approach he'd take. "You've offered no credentials, only descriptions of orphaned cubs and allusions to justice. You expect me to blindly trust you, but you cannot even produce names!" Not that Turag has given his own name, or even the name of the Lon Gi, but as far as he's concerned he has nothing to prove. Utkrosh is the one who had approached him, so that burden, in his mind, is on her.
Utkrosh says, "I could speak names, but would you know them? My name is Utkrosh. I am allied with Bhaskar of the Do-Rakhanaa, Bhata the son of Sakht Nakh who rejected that evil clan and helped reign victory on that war years ago, Gyarahabala and Kirana of the Saahasi wolf pack also veterans of that old war, and our new friends Sri and Chiti of a fledgling dhole pack now within our protection." She looks to see if any of these names actually mean anything to the cat.
How many of those names does he know? It's hard to say; his glower is unwavering and he doesn't so much as twitch when they're listed off. He could recognize all of them, he could recognize some of them, he could recognize none. The leopard's mind is working, though, even if it's impossible to see that in his eyes. "I trust that you know," he says, "what the Do-Rakhanaa will to do to you if you're lying about your involvement with them." Is he convinced? No, not really. But he's familiar enough with the Two-People to guess that they wouldn't be amused at having their name tossed around to make a lie seem more believable. And, though he's never had any direct involvement with them, some of the priests have. They might even know Bhaskar. From what he understands, there are not many Do-Rakhanaa in the area.
Utkrosh says, "My life has already been in their paws, and the blood in my veins is at their service. If Bhaskar called for it, I would lay my life down for the Do-Rakhanaa to defeat Ran Garjana as I did for the previous generation of Bhaskar's varga against Vijayi. I was their eyes, I told them when and where Sakht Nakh's guards were, and when Vijayi was alone and the time was right to strike. If you wish to meet with the Do-Rakhanaa, you need only wait ... for Bhaskar will summon other varga at the next chamdra maua. As before, many -- formal Do-Rakhanaa, close Amgikrita and trusted ally alike -- will act as one, the strength of my eyes will join the strength of the wolves' ears and noses and the might of tigers' fangs and claws. I could arrange a meeting, in a neutral location if you like, with Bhaskar and his Kol-bahl, Lakshmi, whom I have an even more personal connection with, for my mother perished in a vain attempt to save her parents from Vijayi's wrath. She and I are nigh sisters, both orphaned by Sakht Nakh and now strong warriors dedicated to Ran Garjana's demise. Would meeting a Do-Rakhanaa tiger and his kol-bahl satisfy your uncertainty as to my -- and, more broadly, our -- loyalty to balance and justice?" she asks.
"You make a lot of very big claims, eagle," Turag grunts, not exactly answering the question. "Perhaps they'll hold water. Perhaps they won't. I suppose we'll see." He's reluctant to turn his back on the eagle--he doesn't expect that she'll attack him, even if she is lying, but he doesn't know where Sabera is and if he can't keep an eye on his daughter he wants Utkrosh in his sight. But he does anyway, reorienting himself on the branch with the sort of grace that only a cat, even an aging one, can manage. "Your story will be brought to those who need to hear it," he says, not looking back as he pads off towards the banyan's thick trunk. "Don't return to this tree. I won't be so accommodating if I see you here again." What a friendly male. His hostility may never be explained, either. He's not about to /tell/ her that the reason he wants her far, far away from here is because he has a young cub to worry about.
Utkrosh says, "As you wish, I vow to never again return to this tree unless, at some future point, you decide I can be trusted and grant permission. If you would like me to arrange a meeting with Bhaskar and his kol-bahl," she says, "show yourself -- or an agent you trust -- somewhere only I could see them. I rest, occasionally, by the lake along the stream north of the river," she says, "but the Ran Garjana have been getting bolder, reaching farther, and I cannot assure you that location will not fall into their domain. There are no static patches of ground, in fact, I can assure that -- even here. Ran Garjana may come to realize the potential strength of having their own allies in the sky, in fact, if they do not already possess some. I hope you can remember and distinguish myself from another eagle should you encounter one." She slowly unfolds her wings to offer the cat a look of her feather patterns. "If you like, I could try to arrange for Bhaskar or his kol-bahl to meet with a representative for you ... though they are both indisposed on an urgent mission, at present."
Turag 's ears have gone back when he pauses and looks over his shoulder. Is that a veiled threat or is she still attempting to persuade him? It doesn't matter. His upper lip twitches, revealing a glint of very long teeth, before he turns away again. "If that decision is made, I assure you that someone will come to you," he says, gathering himself for a jump. Then he springs away, landing on a higher branch, and before long he's gone into the shadows again. Even though he appears to have left, Utkrosh can be assured that he hasn't gone far--he's watching her, and quite ready to intervene if she either doesn't leave, or, worse, takes an interest in anything else around the tree.
Utkrosh sighs softly, and dives off, uncertain if she has had the slightest degree of success, or merely driven potentially very useful allies further into hiding. She does not allow herself to mull over the thought too long before taking her leave, turning herself around on the branch to face back out toward the river. She takes to the sky, knowing she has risked a lot of time on this diversion she needs to commit to the task of finding prey for the lion cubs. Regardless of her success or failure, and regardless of whether or not any are within earshot, she screes gives one final message: "Stay safe." She dives off the branch, and thrusts her wings to grab at the air, giving herself altitude to fly up and over the jungle on the far shore, heading northwest, past the lake to the plains beyond, in search of prey near where she hopes to find Bhaskar soon with lion cubs in tow.