Albert continued to push his way through the trees behind Slugger. Faintly he heard a howl that he didn't recognise. He told himself to ignore it, as he had bigger problems right now.
Albert: "Ok, Slug, stop here while I go forward and tell Cheddar about you. Niamae, could you make sure he doesn't try anything?"
Leaving them behind, Albert pushed forward through the trees until he came to the tiny clearing where he'd found the hollow the night before.
His first reaction was relief at seeing another mudokon with Cheddar. It was a warrior, a tomahawker that he couldn't quite remember the name of. Birdy? Birdo?
His second thought was surprise to find it was raining and he hadn't actually noticed.
Albert: "Cheddar! I found some people. There's a mudokon, Niamae, I couldn't remember who he was at first, he's a bit wierd..."
Cheddar smiled: "I remember who Niamae is, he's a loner who stays away from the tribe a lot of the time, he must have been drawn by the attack."
Albert: "Yeah, well, there's also this slig that had fallen in an animal trap. He said he'd turned against the industrialists... well I wasn't sure, but we helped him out and brought him nearby for you to judge... Has it been raining long?" He peered into the sky, surprised to see how heavy the clouds looked.
Cheddar: "It's just starting, but it'll be a big storm when it comes. WHere's this slig, I'll take a look at him for you. It'll be useful to have another slig with us, I've already seen Laskar, he's gone to the village to look for supplies and survivors. Where's this slig, I'll go and see him now?"
Albert: "Alone?"
Cheddar: "I trust it'll be safe if Niamae is there. You must stay here with Berdon and look out for others gathering here."
Berdon, that was it! "Uh, ok... They're just back there." He pointed.
Cheddar walked slowly through the trees, looking around with shimmering eyes. Up ahead he seemed to see Niamae and Slugger even when there was still a curtain of trees between them. He smiled to himself and stepped forward.
Cheddar: "Niamae, good to see you again. It's been a long time since you were last at the village. Have you heard of any more survivors nearby?"
He turned to Slugger. "Ah, you are Albert's hostage! Tell me your story and let me see what I think of it."
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