>>6318087“Pretty much <span class="mu-i">ALL</span> trade’s gotta pass through, yea? So if someone or something gums up the process, the other communities chip in ta’ help.” The Skog pauses. “Sounds funny, yea, but it’s worked for ages now–there’s an’ old Skog saying Ma used ta’ tell me: ‘<span class="mu-i">One soldier keeps another in his place.</span>’”
Deterrence, you mutter with a furrowed brow, got it…
“Oh! I always thought it meant we oughta’ all get along!” Blinks the girl in shock! “Errr, but anyways… If what you said is true, Rook, I wouldn’t count on that help if someone comes to invade…”
Does she know how the Skogs in the West operate at all? Will they bring any demands or anything? You feel Volka’s massive shoulders shrug beneath you.
“Wish I did, Rook… truth is, I know as much about Skogs as I do about…” She clicks her tongue in thought. “I dunno… Fancy clothes?”
What about the Lamplighters? What’s their, like, contingency plan?
“We’ve got a network of business owners and community leaders we can rush word out to, actually!” Volka answers with renewed pride in her voice! “And I figure someone’ll have ta’ break the news to the Guild… I usually leave that stuff ta’ Lila…”
Volka’s eyes bulge as a realization settles in! “Oh! I oughta’ ask Oti if he can send a message down that way! Should be simple, really!” Glancing over her shoulder mid bob, the girl gives you a nod and a grin! “Thanks fer’ the reminder, Rook! What an asset <span class="mu-i">you</span> turned out ta’ be! Guess I still got a good eye fer’ talent, huh?”
She sure does, you reply as you give her shaggy head a gentle pat, and you’re surprised she isn’t freaking out about all this!
“Oh don’t worry: I am!” Shudders the Skog with a sheepish snicker! “Never been in a siege before… and if it’s anything like the stuff we saw in that Museum, well…” Another shiver shakes her spine! “Count me out! Can’t even begin ta’ understand why people would wanna do that stuff for a living…”
You shrug. Maybe they have to do it to <span class="mu-i">keep</span> living.
“Oooh… Yea, you’re probably right…” Clearing her throat, the Skog continues to stretch beneath you! “Hells, Ant… if it was just <span class="mu-i">one</span> attack I’d be sittin’ pretty… but if what Trier told ya is right? A-and the Skogs, Fuuxi, <span class="mu-i">AND</span> Teksouls are plannin’ ta’ attack home?”
Volka shakes the spookies off of her skull. “Well, I guess we’re lucky ta’ be here, aren’t we?”
Now it’s <span class="mu-i">your</span> turn to blink! H-huh?
“Think about it:” The Skog explains, “If you hadn’t run into Trier, we never woulda’ known these attacks were in the works! And… <span class="mu-i">AND</span>... if we pull this crazy scheme off,” She adds as excitement builds in her voice, “We’ll have stopped one siege before it even happened! So when ya’ think about it, we’re right where we oughta’ be!”
>CONTD. 