Abigail, April Rosevolt & Miles Riverbend
"That's General to you people," Abigail corrected the therian with knowing smugness. She didn't wear her formal great coat and peak cap for nothing.
April studied the general intensely as the opposing parties stood some feat apart, a noticeable division. Of course it was impossible to expect full integration at first without some hitches, but given the danger they were all in, she'd expected at least a few more compromises, even understanding on their allies account. For April's part, the lines on which side she belonged to had lost their meaning the day Reginald betrayed them.
"Sharye! There's no rush!" April called out to the rapidly vanishing youth before shifting her gaze back to Miles and Abigail, "I'm sure our allies already had the area secure since we'd arrived."
"Well, that's a given," Miles was quick on the defensive, "But you're overestimating our man power Miss Rosevolt. I'm sure the help would be much appreciated."
Ignoring the pleasantries, Abigail angled her eyes up to the towering warrior then down to elderly sage at his side, their individual appearances quite the contrast to one another. The warrior was the perfect picture of raw ferocity, his body composed of hard lines that poked through the edges of his uniform. One eye was damaged, but she was certain the other was just as capable of functioning. His companion, the other man, was older and even more weather beaten. She noticed the palm of his hands were heavily calloused, likely from years of working with hard tools, and guessed that his occupation involved crafting of some form.
Bowing towards them as a formality, she looked to Touya to translate as she began to speak. "Its good to finally be able to meet you. We were anxious when you didn't arrive the first day and wondered if the hybrids had defeated you, but it seems you've arrived relatively unharmed."
"Onto the matter of business, we expect a report on your combat capabilities. Your numbers, your weapons, your powers. You can expect the same from us, but such information is essential for planning and appropriately deploying our forces. I don't think I have describe the futility of blindly rushing in," she continued.
Touya lifted an eyebrow at the woman's arrogance, but he didn't say anything. He knew how Grashath and Bordal would take it and he especially wasn't about to call this woman 'General' just because she demanded it. Even so, the Therian wasn't about to start a fight over it by denying her right off the bat.
Off in the distance, Sharye turned around and waved his hand in response to April's call to him. The boy understood perfectly. He had about five others follow him as they left the immediate area. It wouldn't take him long to find a better place for them to settle down before the attack.
Turning, Touya recited what the fiery red head had to say. Grashath shifted slightly, his head raising as he listened to the younger Therian. Bordal crossed his large arms over his chest, assuming a rather closed off stance. This, Touya was sure, didn't go unnoticed.
Grashath took a deep breath before answering in return, "Numbers, weapons, and power hu? Well I'm sure she can count for herself," the older Therian responded to which Bordal gave a huff, a partial laugh, "Our weapons and power. What an interesting concept. Swords and our own mechanics. Our power ranges from those who can use gravity, fire and water. There are a handful who can use pure energy. And only one who can heal."
Touya turned and eyed the red head and translated to her exactly what Grashath said. He too was a little put off on how she was taking this. Not entirely sure he could trust her, especially with the fact that she wanted to know just about everything about them. Didn't matter if they found out about the armies powers and skills.
Miles narrowed his eyes at the Touya
"Sounds like they still don't trust us," Miles observed with irritation. This wasn't the time or the place for distrust and the Beast Slayer was short tempered, especially in matters related to revenge and personal honor. Already his right foot was tapping the ground impatiently, trying to work of the slight chill in the air. Empires teeth did he miss the warm dining halls and endless banquets.
Abigail waved him off dismissively as she kept her undivided attention upon Touya. She would've guessed there to be about several hundred therians in the immediate vicinity, some sporting minor injuries. Each of them shared the distinct racial traits of a therian, being long limbed with fair complexions. Like Touya, many also possessed the uniquely shaped 'snap-weapons'. Many of her comrades had taken to calling it such because of the signature 'snapping' sound they made when unfolding.
"We'll need proper numbers, and though yes we can count for ourselves, we'd rather not waste anymore time than we already have," she stated, "It's fine for now, but I expect a full inventory later. We can't come up with a plan unless we know exactly what we're capable off. To get us started I'll have one of my assistants draw up reports from our end and hand them to you within the hour."
Her military training kicking in, April was hard pressed not to agree with the obnoxious red head. "It's common sense Touya, you're going to have to work with them on this one," the hybrid murmured, sensing his agitation.
"More importantly," Miles interjected, "We need to figure out a way to keep the therians hidden. We've risked enough as it is meeting out in the open, but with our limited means of communication it couldn't be helped."
Ever the pessimist, thought April. She barely suppressed the urge to roll her eyes then. "If you're suggesting that they morph to disguise themselves, you're going to have a very tired army by the time we commence the assault," the perceptive blonde huffed, anticipating his suggestion.
"Agreed, but the issue remains. Any ideas?" Abigail asked diplomatically as she regarded the others.
Touya again relayed what was said all around to Grashath and Bordal. The large Therian turned his good eye towards Touya, a frown still on his lips. Grashath watched the red haired woman intently. Possibly trying to pick up on her speech.
"Won't matter about the numbers," Bordal huffed lightly.
"Enough. We'll satisfy them. We gathered well over a thousand, but after the attack. I'm sure our numbers are far less. Perhaps in the low thousands, probably more around 900 or so," Grashath stated slowly as he hunched forward, "As for weapons. Most everyone carries a sword. If she's looking for archers we have none. Therian's fight close combat mostly."
"Unless you're counting my men," the voice belonged to Val. He'd made his way over and startled Touya who had not been keeping an eye on the man.
Grashath turned his gaze over to the Therian and sighed, "Even so, you only have a handful. Not enough to be useful in anyway."
"A handful? Make that about five of us."
Touya didn't say anything during that exchange, but watched instead. Even though Val was still his enemy, with all things considered, he did feel a bit of pity and guilt towards the fact that above all the other Therian tribes, Val had lost the most. Of course, his group had proved much more dangerous than any other, making him the perfect target for the hybrids to take out first.
"The rest remains the same. If the woman is worried about 'wasting time' then that should suffice. I don't like being out here any more than she does."
Touya nodded briskly and turned to the woman, "Our numbers are between 900 and a thousand. Our weapons are as we told you already. Swords and our hidden blades, close combat is our specialty, aside from Val and his men, but he's only got five now. The magic is the same too. There's really nothing else to tell you unless you want us to wander about and ask ever person what weapon and magic they use," his eyebrow lifted as he regarded her, "It may be easy for you to know what every man and woman does under your command because that is what you're army is bred for. But we are not an army. We are tribes, therefore we do not keep score on who does what.
"Now, if you'd like to take the time to do so, we will oblige, but seeing as you're keen on time, I suggest we start moving. We do not like meeting in the open either, but it was the only place convenient enough for all of us without getting separated or worse. Sharye should be back in a few moments with news on a better place to relocate to. As for your dilemma on hiding us Therian's... well, it's as April said. We cannot shift into something else for the duration of time it'll take for you to figure out a battle plan.
"If there is cover in trees then that will do just fine to hid us. Including your men. If we get lucky with foliage as cover, than a few of us can spare some of our energy to dull our presence via their magic. At least then not all of us will be weakened by having used up all our energy before the fight at hand. Does that suffice?"
Touya tilted his head off to the side slightly as he finished speaking.
Miles' eyebrows raised in an unspoken question of incredulity upon sighting the rebel leader, having last remembered the therian impaled upon his sword. Still, he smiled thinly in the man's direction, assuring him that no love had been lost between them. He'd finish the deed later.
After pondering Touya's brief overview of information Abigail nodded her head slightly in agreement, “Then I trust you to keep out of sight.”
Smirking as always, she glanced sideways towards Miles and an approaching Jaeger Guard Captain, Kim. “That should be enough to get us started for now. Let’s break away and form up a plan. Once you’re comfortable we’ll discuss the assault in more detail. Attend to your wounded, prepare your people and gather your supplies. Don’t get too comfortable though,” she warned with a lighthearted wink.
