a Straight Swap

It took an entire day to get close to their goal, walking the quiet and empty road and not seeing another soul - till they neared the first houses on the outskirts of Kibble.

The captured Beastfolk, surrounded by the Humans, for the whole journey, were watched very closely, even though they behaved themselves very well, not willing to cause a disturbance and break the fragile understanding they had - that if they did what was asked of them, they would continue to receive care and safety.

It hadn't been all that slow a trek either, as those that needed assistance were helped by the unscathed, while the worse off had stretchers made for them and were carried all the way to the beginnings of the spread out township, but only as close as to view Kibbles first lines of defence.

Not wanting the locals to act rashly and prevent access to the town, Amanda made sure everyone knew that they'd need to keep their distance, until access was allowed.

So a small team slowly made the remainder of the trek, to get near and negotiate, including Tracey, Amanda, Todd, Natalia, Beacher and Danny - the tanned brown Dog-man, who turned out to be the captain of the two squads worth of Beastman Army.

"Stay nice and calm now... not threatening at all okay..."

Amanda reminded everyone, again, even though they walked with their weapons clearly stowed, and particularly slowly.

Tracey was rather relaxed, considering there were a dozen archers trailing arrows directly at them from the small guard tower and already shut gates, just across the wooden bridge over the deep canal of now black water.

Suddenly one of those arrows shot into the ground, just before their feet.

"Come no closer, or you'll get more!"

A voice growled from the far and short guard tower.

The six complied and gave a moment for the nervous watchers to settle.

"We're here to speak with a senior official - to discuss... a settlement."

Amanda took charge, and the world went quiet, for a long pause.

"We want to exchange the many captured Beastfolk..."

Her loud words were heard, as there was some movement about, some unheard discussion, then some more, before a reply came back.

"Stay where you are... we will send out a representative..."

The sky grew darker, while several torches were lit.

"Do you think we'll settle this before night really sets in?"

Tracey asked Amanda, looking at the already dimming twilight.

"Hard to say... It depends on the official they send out..."

The far doors opposite the bridge opened with a creak, and three figures slowly made their way towards the waiting group.

They took their time, dawdling across the bridge in the cooling air, but as they got nearer, Tracey definitely recognised the centre one - it was the elderly bunny, flanked by two wary guards.

Tracey was relieved to see him, a little happy actually, as he'd helped them get out of jail, and seemed the most reasonable of the counsellors before that.

They stopped a few meters away, and didn't give away any sign of emotion.

"What are you demanding?"

He asked, fairly stoutly, tugging down his light-brown vest.

"No demands - we are after some sort of exchange, maybe..."

He listened on, giving Amanda all his attention.

"A large number of your people have surrendered to us... and some are wounded..."

"Is this true?"

He diligently asked the Dog-man, who'd been brought along to corroborate.

"It is Counsellor."

Danny obviously knew of the Rabbit-man's job and standing, being respectful once addressed, while his two woolly guards grew more sheepish.

"We're quite willing to hand over the injured among them..."

The senior long-eared man merely nodded along.

"However we'd like to exchange them, for medical supplies and food for our own people."

"And all the others?"

He asked, peering again at the wary Dog-man behind her.

Amanda half joked about the next proposal.

"We could perhaps hand back those who surrendered - in exchange for the town."

"That seems fair..."

There was some shock all around, as he'd capitulated very easily.

What... really...?

"...you've clearly outmatched our warriors, so you've won the day, and we simple folk stand no chance against such skill and determination - it would be folly to waste the lives you've spared, and try and to resist and endanger the townsfolk here..."

Perhaps he explained for this escort, who looked uncomfortable with that agreement, but they did eventually seem to agree with the wisdom in his decision.

"You may led the injured inside, we shall take them to our hospital."

He stepped aside slightly and offered his hand toward the wooden bridge.

"Allow them in and escort the hurt to the hospital."

He directed the guards, who snapped to and did as he asked.

Beacher waved for the further back group to proceed towards them.

"I trust a similar deal can be done - that was made in Yarn?"

He smiled slightly, getting closer to ask Tracey.

"We got word about everything you... accomplished in that town... and I would personally like a similar arrangement."

"I hope we can."

Tracey was slightly warmed with her happiness - that perhaps more hardship, exploitation and death could be avoided.

"So would I."

The larger group marched in and then past the first test, making it in over the smaller bridge, but everything went fairly smoothly from then on. 

The guards led the wounded, both Beastman and Human, to the large pink and sand colour building - the largest place Tracey had seen solely made for tending to the sick and injured, as there were no 'Hospitals' in the Empire, as far as she knew.

While the captured soldiers were 'released' to the local guards, many stayed on to assist their hurt companions, but the others merely got out of the way and remained obedient, as the rest of the Human force swept in - still on edge, but watchful.

Many locals watched on, from safely behind glass and shut doors, curious to see what was going on, but not enough to venture outside to do so, and the town went quiet.

Tracey still managed, as a leader should, making sure the flow of injured got into the large healing center as smoothly as possible, directing traffic just outside, as the worst were sent in to the waiting staff, who remained calm and processional under the sudden load and pressure.

In the dark, some slight movement caught the edge of Tracey's view, and as she turned her attention toward a thin gap between the near buildings, she caught sight of a dark figure. It was fairly small, mostly orange and had two pointy ears above its head, so Tracey relaxed slightly.

It's Shizuka... I wonder what she's been up to...?

Slightly disregarding the still shadowy presence, Tracey ushered some more carried wounded towards the entrance, when suddenly the figure burst out into the light beside her.

Yes, it had mostly orange fur, two pointed ears and blue-eyes, but this Fox had only one tail, shorter ears and a bigger, clearly male physic - and a readied black and slightly longer and curved dagger in hand too.

Tracey had assumed it was her tagging along watcher, but this unknown one had his intently focused eyes on only her, as he sprang her way.