Earthblood - Crossroads 9 (Patreon)

The Shorelanders hedge you in on either side, corralling you down the narrow cliffside path. You trip on some loose gravel, and fall to your knees. Kheen smiles, his teeth flashing in the morning sunlight. He holds out his hand, offering you help along. Nelo takes his hand and pushes his way between you two. You catch a twitch in Kheen's smile as he chuckles and turns, nearly dragging Nelo along after him. 

A low groan echoes above you, and the Reaper crunches along behind you, its heavy footfalls shaking the earth below. A stream of rocks spills away from the path with each step, making this path seem less and less safe but for your captors leading you down. Mehtet glances up at it occasionally, a look of (shame? pity?) on his face. You follow his gaze, and notice a strange new detail on the metal beast. Trails of ink. 

"You'll have to wait at the edge of the village, while I meet with the elders. I hope you understand. Please. This way." As the path evens out and you see the beach stretch out before you to the ocean, Kheen holds out his spear, pointing to a wooden cage. You notice a break in some of his men, and beyond them, a series of caves in the cliffside.

Kheen gives a short, comical bow and crosses his arm over his chest. "If you'd be so kind..."