Post by Kismet on May 4, 2010 0:16:17 GMT -5
The Edging Away
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Kismet said, staring contemplatively at Kaimu. He did indeed have the beginnings of a plan circulating in his mind, but it would be risky, and place an undue portion of the danger on Kaimu. He had considered simply taking Cliff’s advice, but the girl was right. These people had offered them kindness and food with no questions asked. And as apprehensive as he was of getting involved, he found that he couldn’t just turn his back and leave.
He turned to Cliff and the newcomer, Grossam, and said “If Kaimu here is indeed the only free child left in the village, then she is also the only person who can approach the bandits and reach the other children.” He paused, considering his words. He had been barely been able to utter them, nearly choking on the word “child.” Kaimu did indeed possess a young body, but something deep down told Kismet not to trust his senses with her. Her mannerisms and speech suggested someone in full possession of her mental faculties. Regardless of how old she actually was, Kismet was having an increasingly difficult time thinking of her as a mere child.
Not waiting for a response from the other adults, Kismet crossed the room and picked up the helm that had fallen off the table, eying it thoughtfully. “There are quite a few children here in the village, meaning that the bandits have probably just stuffed them into the warehouse without binding them. Unfortunately, they’re probably also under heavy guard.” He paused, staring off into space. Then, he turned back to the girl, still contemplating the helmet in his hands. “Kaimu,” he said slowly. “The bandits would never suspect you to be a warrior or a threat. We could almost certainly hide a small weapon on your person, and then allow you to be captured. After that, you’d be placed with the children.”
After a brief pause, he continued, thinking aloud. “We need to cause some sort of distraction to lure the majority of the guard away. We can’t make them feel threatened, or the children will be in danger. Something to play off of their greed and their cruelty. Once the guard has been lessened, Kaimu and some of the other warriors can free the children.”
He set the helm down on the table again, turning back to the adults. “Food for thought.” He said, shrugging. “You should also consider simply accepting their demands, as any sort of attempt to rescue the children places them in danger. Though I don’t think you should put too much stock in the trustworthiness of these brigands.”
There was something else that was bothering Kismet, but he was unsure of how to pass on his suspicions. The children had been ushered inside before Kismet and Kaimu entered the forge. How had the bandits captured them without notice? Why hadn’t they also taken their mothers hostage?
Kismet didn’t know. But he suspected there was more going on than Grossam was letting on.
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Kismet said, staring contemplatively at Kaimu. He did indeed have the beginnings of a plan circulating in his mind, but it would be risky, and place an undue portion of the danger on Kaimu. He had considered simply taking Cliff’s advice, but the girl was right. These people had offered them kindness and food with no questions asked. And as apprehensive as he was of getting involved, he found that he couldn’t just turn his back and leave.
He turned to Cliff and the newcomer, Grossam, and said “If Kaimu here is indeed the only free child left in the village, then she is also the only person who can approach the bandits and reach the other children.” He paused, considering his words. He had been barely been able to utter them, nearly choking on the word “child.” Kaimu did indeed possess a young body, but something deep down told Kismet not to trust his senses with her. Her mannerisms and speech suggested someone in full possession of her mental faculties. Regardless of how old she actually was, Kismet was having an increasingly difficult time thinking of her as a mere child.
Not waiting for a response from the other adults, Kismet crossed the room and picked up the helm that had fallen off the table, eying it thoughtfully. “There are quite a few children here in the village, meaning that the bandits have probably just stuffed them into the warehouse without binding them. Unfortunately, they’re probably also under heavy guard.” He paused, staring off into space. Then, he turned back to the girl, still contemplating the helmet in his hands. “Kaimu,” he said slowly. “The bandits would never suspect you to be a warrior or a threat. We could almost certainly hide a small weapon on your person, and then allow you to be captured. After that, you’d be placed with the children.”
After a brief pause, he continued, thinking aloud. “We need to cause some sort of distraction to lure the majority of the guard away. We can’t make them feel threatened, or the children will be in danger. Something to play off of their greed and their cruelty. Once the guard has been lessened, Kaimu and some of the other warriors can free the children.”
He set the helm down on the table again, turning back to the adults. “Food for thought.” He said, shrugging. “You should also consider simply accepting their demands, as any sort of attempt to rescue the children places them in danger. Though I don’t think you should put too much stock in the trustworthiness of these brigands.”
There was something else that was bothering Kismet, but he was unsure of how to pass on his suspicions. The children had been ushered inside before Kismet and Kaimu entered the forge. How had the bandits captured them without notice? Why hadn’t they also taken their mothers hostage?
Kismet didn’t know. But he suspected there was more going on than Grossam was letting on.
