Thane found his face in the dirt with a hand over his mouth. "Quiet Thane, Rand found a trail.." It was Bigby. Thane relaxed a bit before Bigby released his strong grip and allowed him off the ground. Rand said suddenly and quietly "There is an opening over there." As Rand, Bigby, and Thane start towards the opening of the trees a cave becomes visible in the grass. All three stopping at the mouth of the cave came a cold rush, almost like a breath, fell over them. They saw large eggs the size of a humans head, hundreds of them. Bigby drew his sword "Offspring.. Looks like the nesting place of a palakee." Before Rand or Thane could stop him, Bigby let out a war cry and jumped into the cave with his sword swinging. "Bigby- gosh.. Thane, stay on watch." Rand said in frustration, then he himself jumped into the cave after Bigby. The cries of both Rand and Bigby echoed in triumph as they kicked, smashed, and sliced the palakee eggs. The cracking echoing through the cave and out the entrance where Thane stood with his sword drawn at the ready, something was watching him and he could feel it. On the left a sudden rustle in the bushes, Thane turned to face it. Another rustle, this one was closer causing Thane to feel alittle uncomfortable. The rustling stopped abruptly directly in front of Thane.
The only thing that was heard, was the continuous slaughter from Rand and Bigby within the cave. Thane stood still for several moments observing his surroundings, ready for the bushes to move again. A large lizardlike creature emerges from the bushes on Thanes right side, a 7 foot long creature with scales hard enough to rival that of a dragons. The lizard-man slithered up to full height to size up the lonesome Thane, he stepped back in fear as the creature let out a shriek! It sent chills down Thanes body. [This was a mighty fine palakee indeed] Thane thought to himself. Thane readied himself as the large lizard-man prepared to strike. The palakee swung at Thanes left side which Thane was able to avoid as he rolled out of the creatures swing. Regaining his foot placement the enemy had swung its tail directly into where Thane was recovering. With heavy impact into his chest, Thane was tossed six feet outward, away from the cave entrance and landed hard on his side nocking the wind out of him. The palakee lost interest in Thane as it started to move towards the cave entrance. [It wants to check its nest, Bigby and Rand slaughtered its children] Thane thought to himself as he realized he couldn't allow this creature to trap his allies within its wrath.
As Thane struggled to stand he saw Bigby in the air, dagger in hand flying straight at the palakees face. "Begone from the noble territories foul creature!!!" Bigby roars as he plunges the knife deep into the creatures eye. Rand continued the assault with a blunt jab of his staff into the creatures diaphragm causing to to keel over in pain. There was a pause as both Rand and Bigby regrouped with Thane. "MUUUUUURDUREEEEEERSSS!!!" the palakee shrieked at the men. Rand froze, Bigby drew his sword and Thane was gasping for air, still recovering from the palakees previous blow. The men stood side by side as the creature shrieked again "MUUUUUURDUREEEEEERSS!!!!!" The creature spun in a quick move using its claw to bash Rand into the side of the cave entrance, and continuing with its momentum, its tail swept the feet of Bigby and Thane. All men hitting the ground as the creature started clawing at the dagger in its eye. Rand called aloud pointing into the cave "Into the cave, now!" Without hesitation both Rand and Thane scrambled to their feet and started to make their way into the cave.
The shrieks could still be heard from the echos of the walls as the creature continued to writhe in pain. "What're we doing?!" Thane called ahead to Rand "We are only trapping ourselves in!" Bigby added on. The three finally reached the end of the cave, it was cold as it was wet, the palakees screeches ceased and all was quiet. "Rand. Why didn't that thing follow us? We are cornered and in its home." Thane asked shakily. Rand turned to the two in a calm manner "Palakees can't stand the smell of blood, let alone their own" Bigby looked towards the cave entrance and said "Is that why the willow tree had no blood stains? They swallow the victim whole?" Rand nodded at Bigbys question. A few short moments passed when Rand finally said aloud "We need to go out there." Thane yelled in disagreement "What?! No way!" Rand quickly responded with "We can't stay here Thane." Bigby walks over to Thane and Rand as he says "I just want my knife back." Thane laughs at the comment, yet is afraid that Bigby would actually die for his weapons.. Even more so that Rand would let him.
A shriek is heard nearing the cave entrance as the Rotek members ready themselves physically as well as mentally. "It's been an hour, do you think it's been waiting for us?" Thane asked. "Well of course! It's ready for a second round" Bigby hollered. Rand walked over to Thane and placed his hand on Thanes shoulder. "Bigby will be far too distracted trying to pry his knife out of the palakees eye, and that should be enough of a distraction for the palakee.. We all know how persistent he can be." Rand said with a smile. "Right. You want me to kill the palakee for your weapon is blunt. And it's scales are hard." Thane observed. Rand smiled at him and said "I'll give you an opening to strike. Go for it's stomach or eyes." Thane gave a nervous laugh as Bigby called them up to the entrance. The coast was clear. As the three exited the mouth of the cave, all three on high alert as a hissing sound immediately surrounded them. The sound filling their ears as they all looked around for their enemy. Each warrior shifting in their cloaks, back to back to back. Waiting for the enemy to emerge. "GIMME MY KNIFE BACK YOU DIRTY SCALED, GOOD FOR NUTHIN-" Bigbys insults were cut off by the palakees screech as well as a large claw slamming the right side of Bigbys body, forcing him to skid across the grass and into a tree trunk. The palakees speed was noticed, for none of the Rotek saw the blown coming. Rand reacted first by quickly spinning to strike the palakee in to leg, which caused the creature to tumble and lose a little bit of balance. Getting seven hits off the palakees head in quick precision, the large lizard made a uncoordinated swing at Rands head. The large claw coming down only to meet Thanes blade, the impact creating a loud clang that made their ears ring. The lizard started to advance on Thane, hitting the steel blade repeatedly for Thanes defense was very refined and could not be penetrated. This frustrated the palakee as it shrieked "KILLLEEEERSSSS MUSST BE KILLED" and in an instant a maroon cloak was seen and two thick arms around the lizards neck. It was Bigby, "- and then I'm gonna COOK YA! And EAT YA! And put ya ON MY WALL-" the insults continuing as the lizard struggled to get Bigby off its back. Falling to all fours it reached up and around using one of its claws to grab Bigby and to throw him off. Rand moved quickly, taking out the creatures other front leg. The large palakee reared back on its legs for balance with Bigby still reaching for his knife Thane saw his opportunity. Running up and using both hands Thane screamed and plunged the sword upward into the foes stomach. As the creature let out a screech Bigby was able to pull his knife out of its eye and roll away safely before the creature fell. The over sized lizard landed directly on top of Thane with a loud 'thwump'. The air becomes still for the battle is over.
Thane crawls out from underneath the body and wipes his sword clean on his cloak before sheathing it. A long moment passes before Rand speaks "I think we've learned what happened to our missing merchant." Thane looks at his friends "So, do we go to inform the widow? This is devastating news." As Bigby nodded in agreement Rand pulled a piece of paper from out of his cloak. "We are not going to inform the widow.. We are going to Verunian." Rand said slowly. "Is that a map? (Thane looked closer at the parchment) of Starrok Palace..? Those are forbidden to leave the palace walls!" Thane exclaimed. "Only Rotek members are allowed to carry these. A member of the Rotek is giving away our secrets, and our merchant was something more than an accomplice." Rand said, then quickly added "The only reason I didn't tell you both sooner is because I knew Bigby would have killed him if he was found alive." Bigby snorted at the comment as he snatched the map away from Rand. Thane laughed as he took a step away from Bigby. Thane turned to Rand and asked "So we are heading to Verunian then?" Bigby handed Rand the map as Rand replied "Yes. There seems to be a traitor amung the Rotek, and I desire to know who they were giving our secrets to." Both Thane and Bigby nodded in agreement as they started along the path towards Verunian. As they started to walk away from the lifeless body of the palakee as Bigby said "At least I got my knife back." Nobody laughed. A traitor among the Rotek was unheard of until this point in history and it was up to them to save the future of what they fight for.
