The rhyflers were halted along a nameless stream, perched among the thick, twisting roots that reached down into the brown water. Some had fishing lines already cast, hoping to catch some fresh rations. Others got fires going for the mandatory brew up. Lukey and Syr'tte sat by their small tea fire built in the hollow between two large roots and watched the conference a short distance away, in the middle of the water. The Tracker Yawdryl was making a report in a thick, back country accent. The new Is-Caerten was standing in squeaky new hip waders. He had a puzzled look, and scratched at a bug bitten and sunburned neck while Yawdryl Laf'ynt stood between them translating.
Caerten Parfoyl ap Whyfflyn stood a little apart, listening, but letting his new Is-Caerten get the report, interested to see what the youngster would do. He puffed contentedly on his pipe, and wiggled his toes in the mud, letting the water from the stream wash over his feet.
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Scouts and Trackers |
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Two are carrying traps that can be prepositioned at the start of the game. The other two will control packs of tamed Sarf-Cyn. |
The Tracker Yawdryl, resplendent in the fragrant skin of a giant mud crawler, waved at the distance. "Tollyquar big termy dignest busho away away. Tre pan rhyfleys onna wing. Bashna inna port onya kay?"
The Is-Caerten turned the map, trying to orient himself. Yawdryl Laf'ynt pulled his pipe out of his mouth. "He sayin' a force of Greenies is dug in here, an' anudder, 'bout t'irty rhyfles, is comin' along dis here holler tryin' an flank us." Laf'ynt helpfully turned the map right way up and indicated the relevant positions with his pipe stem.
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Trio of Yawdryls |
Caerten Whyfflyn offered the Tracker his tobacco pouch. "Kopang, baratna mi. Inna Gloamyquar onna bowl, sassa-kay?" The Tracker Yawdryl helped himself to a generous pinch of tobacco leaf, packing it into his own pipe before raising his knuckles to his snout and shuffling off along the creek to gather his Scouting Detachment for a welcome rest and feed.
He looked at Yawdryl Laf'ynt. "Yawdryl, make sure Cook knows that he has some guests coming for bowls of his excellent snail and shrimp gumbo."
Yawdryl Laf'ynt gave a comparatively much sharper salute, although perhaps not up to Royal Guards standards. "Aye, Bossquar! Sure t'ing, eh."
Whyfflyn regarded his new Is-Caerten evenly. "You just arrived on the supply pirogue yesterday, didn't you?"
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Coftyran officer on attachment in his hip waders |
The Is-Caerten came to attention. "Yes sir!"
"What do you make of them?"
The Is-Caerten slapped at a blood midge. "Who sir? Midges?"
"The Trackers, bucko! The Trackers."
"Well, um... they're a bit... smelly, sir."
"That'd be the mud crawler skins they wear. Badges of honour. Only the best Gloamyquar can catch one. And they wear 'em to disguise themselves when wading in the waterways. Damn'd clever chaps."
"If you say so, sir."
"I do say so. Useful to have around. They'll save your snout if you treat 'em right." Whyfflyn looked him up and down. "Get yourself some sandals. First firefight and you'll have holes in your rubber pants and they'll fill with water." He puffed his pipe some more. "And until you learn the lingo, just let the Yawdryls give the orders." He started to climb out of the stream. "Now, d'ye like snail gumbo? I hope the Trackers haven't et it all! We can have a bowl and decide what to do about these Greenies trying to sneak around us."
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Gloam-Hyyn get a logistics element as well |
Lukey watched them go. He spat a stream of tobacco juice at a stick-bug, knocking it off a leaf. "Pashang! Izzy na Gloamyquar mi pensa. Him no bush long, sassa-kay?" Syr'tte shrugged noncommittally and checked if the tea was strong enough.
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A big batch of 16, plus the pack beast, this time. But I wanted to try some of the trackers with their unique headgear. This gives me another rhyfler squad plus some more Headquarters elements. It took me a while to get them done due to life getting in the way and not having the energy to work on them in the evenings. But this completes all of the regular rhyflers.
This brings them to four squads of 7, plus a headquarters group of Caerten, Is-Caerten, Master-Yawdryl, Medic, Cook, Messenger Squirrel Handler, Quarter-Master Yawdryl with pack beast, and an extra Cryfen LMG.
The Scout Detachment will consist of 8 Scouts and Trackers, plus twelve Sarf-Cyns when completed.