Caving in to each other PRIVATE

(No, it's fine. I actually meant that I thought my last post would be longer. I don't know why I was so tired. SOrry. I started before the attack so I could try to squish in some more exposition, but then I realized I didn't actually have as much to put down as I thought so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

With Tido at her heels, Tamrie entered the large cave, still in awe at some of the formations there. These mountains were one of the main reasons so many people had settled in the area, and this seemed to be a mine once you explored deeper into the cave systems. She had no idea what they'd mined here, though knowing humans it was probably something worth plenty of money. The younger race always seemed to be trying to find some way to make money and gain power, although there were plenty of nice, simple folks who simply wanted to enjoy life making an honest living. To Tamrie it had always seemed better to stick with those that dwelled in the countryside. No matter the race, once you got to the big cities it seemed corruption could be found in every corner of a place and no one could be trusted. Besides, many cities banned livestock from coming past certain limits. Their rules had never made any sense to her. Making her way through a small crowd, Tamrie managed to find her cousin towards the back of the cave, looking down one of the passageways that lead to the old mine.
"Any developments?" Tamrie asked, smirking. "Have there been any undead attacking?"
Veelin didn't flinch, or bother to turn around as he responded, "Not as far as we know. Trailmaster Rene has gone down there to investigate the mines. Took about half my guards, too."
"I thought security looked a bit thin. What does that fool expect to find?"
"You shouldn't talk about the Trailmaster that way."
"But it's the truth. Should I not speak the truth?"
"You should learn when it is best to keep the truth to yourself." Veelin scolded her, glancing around before adding. "You know how she is. But you have to admit, she's helped us with trading. We've had better profits under her leadership."
"Only because she... Well, I suppose I'll take your advice. But it doesn't matter anyway, it'll be over soon. Because you're going to be in charge." Tamrie said, her grin returning.
"What do you mean? What kind of trouble have you gotten into now?"
"Not trouble. An opportunity. I think you'd do a much better job in charge than that..." she trailed off as her cousin cleared his throat before continuing, "Rene. People like you, and you do a good job. You'd still be in charge of the guard, just not as hands-on. You have the brains to do all that trading and keeping track of funds and such, anyway."
"I suppose it is true that Rene hasn't been particularly well-liked, but as I said-"
"Just because she's a tricky ass doesn't mean she isn't an ass." Tamrie interrupted him. "Just bein' clever doesn't get you anywhere. She can go scam people on her own. I don't like having someone like that in charge. We've got families here, and it just isn't right. You're smart and decent, like I said. You were taught on the road, learning everything you need to know. You'd be the perfect Trailmaster."
"I don't know... Besides, how would we get the word out. Theoretically speaking, of course." Veelin said, glancing around again.
"Well, I've been talking to some of the others on the council..." Tamrie began, laying out her plan to her cousin.

The guards were armed with swords, spears, and even slings and bows depending on their proficiency. The group had disturbed about three guards who were watching over other citizens, and quickly called for help. Their cries echoed around the cave, quickly alerting nearby people. Some nearby citizens showed up moments later, armed with whatever was on hand (pitchforks, walking sticks, bags of vegetables, etc.) and attempted to aid the guards in the fight. The elf fighters were obviously outnumbered, and by the time whatever remaining guards had arrived, about half the fighters had been defeated. Things did not look good for the nomads, though the trained guards faired pretty well overall.
Those who weren't prepared to fight ran, and through the power of panic and a decently sized crowd, somehow most of them ended up trying to run down the mine shafts, someone at the head of the crowd shoving Tamrie and Veelin aside as part of the group rushed down the tunnel.
"What's going on?" Tamrie asked, barely catching a few mumblings of "Attack... Humans... Slaughter..." from those who passed her. She looked for her cousin, spotting him already running opposite the crowd, going to aid in the fight. Shaking her head, she followed after him, grabbing the closest thing to a weapon she had, which was her cattle whip. It was a shame the humans had attacked before there was a chance to make peace. But maybe this was just a small group of rogues? Maybe there was still some small chance? Tamrie noticed a few people hanging back, away from the main battle. One of them, especially caught her attention. A woman. The only woman with the humans, it seemed. She'd never really understood why it seemed like so few human women were allowed in their military and other more physically demanding jobs. "Maybe a captive would help end this?" she wandered aloud, trying to edge around to the girl as stealthily as someone with a limp could. Tamrie got within about five feet of her before she was distracted by shouts (that only later would she realize was probably some sort of incantation) and a series of explosions cracked through the cave. There was a rumbling sounds and more cracking, drawing her attention upwards. There was a rather large stalactite about to fall, which would probably crush the both of them.
"Watch out!" Tamrie called, diving at Amaya, her arms wide.

"WE'RE GONNA DIE IF WE STAY HERE, WE NEED TO GO!" Tamrie said, getting to her feet and dragging the human up after her. "We need to get out-" she stopped talking as she heard desperate squawking and honking. "Tido!" she exclaimed, spotting her goose, who had gotten trapped under some bigger rocks. By some miracle it didn't look like the bird had been harmed. She began pushing at the rock acting as a lid, grunting with the effort. It budged after a moment, and she picked up the goose. "Ummm... Now. This way." Tamrie said, not wanting to waste any more time and heading off in the direction of one of the mine shafts on impulse. She was limping along as fast as she could go, watching out for any more signs of a collapse. Her vision seemed to tunnel in on the corridor ahead, and she ignored the bodies of those who hadn't been lucky enough to escape the rubble. Only once she heard a groan of someone who was still alive did she stop. It was an old man, his arm pinned under a rock, just inches from his head and chest. "Help me get this off... You... Human... Woman." she said, awkwardly faltering when she realized she didn't know her name. "I'm Tamrie. You?"

"Just because we're different species doesn't mean you can't tell me your name? It's just the polite thing to do." she said, going quiet as she pushed against the largest rock, wincing as the man groaned beneath them. She continued moving rubble as she added "And I don't think you usually ask someone if they want to be saved. It's just kind of something you assume." They had finally cleared enough rubble that the man could pull himself free with his good arm. "Would you prefer that we didn't help you, old man?" Tamrie asked.

(You wanna be the old man or should I? I feel kind of bad if I just post a whole page of stuff and autodrag you, but then I feel bad if I only post a few sentences so I don't actually know what I'm doing. Sorry.)

(No, that's not an asshole move. I'm just warning you that I suck at writing old dudes.)

"I certainly 'preciate it, maidies." The old man said, now standing beside them. "But perhaps now isn't the best time to be squabblin..." he added.
"I suppose you're right." Tamrie said, leading the way once more towards the closest mine shaft. There were a few more people that joined them, stragglers from before, and as they joined the group Tamrie asked their names, just to make a point. She already knew them for the most part (although she may have forgotten their names, she remembered their occupation and faces), but wanted something to fill the silence. The old man they had saved was in fact Xephyros, the weather wizard. After him there was a mother (Anko) with two toddlers (Beru and Eals), a timid young guard (Vanti, who had actually been sleeping when the alarm was sounded), and a spice merchant (Junde) who had run out of spices some time ago.
The mine shaft seemed to be holding up pretty well thanks to the supports holding the walls and ceiling back far enough that the group could travel with about four people shoulder to shoulder, though the group was rather spread out. Tamrie had gone to the front of the group, and was holding one of the torches Vanti had showed them and Xephyros had lit. Occasionally she glanced to Amaya, but had said nothing since Xephyros told them off for the small squabble.

(That's okay. At least you aren't ridiculously late to reply like I am all the time.)

Tamrie worked up the courage to slow her pace and go back to try talking with Amaya after a few minutes. "So... It's not gonna be easy down here if you don't talk..." she started. Not that bad so far. "What should we call you? I don't think Human-that-was-almost-squashed-but-not-really-thanks-to-Tamrie isn't gonna cut it." And she'd immediately messed up. This is why animals are better company, she thought. "I mean... How could the spies from your leader report who betrayed them accurately if you don't tell us who you are?" she asked, trying to lighten the mood. Tamrie wasn't entirely sure if it had worked or just made it much worse. This woman was a bit hard to read. Then again, I've never been very good at reading people... Maybe it's just me.

"You would be alone in those plans, then, Amaya." Tamrie informed her. "We'll find something to eat..." she said, throwing a glance at Tido, who was still following behind her, as always. "Plenty of fungus down here, surely. And they can't have had just one entrance and exit to the mine, right?" she said, trying to remain positive.

(Sorry for the short post, supposed to be studying for a big test tomorrow and getting plenty of rest and all that. I'm screwed.)

(So by some miracle and the motivation of the Arthur theme song (which was stuck in my head all day) I actually got first place in the English test. And our team advanced to regionals. Wow. Don't know my score for Chemistry yet, though. :/)

"Well, whether you like it or not, sticking with us is probably your best chance for getting out of here. Unless you can-" Tamrie stopped talking as some shouts were heard up ahead. They had reached a large, open room that seemed to be some sort of junction between tunnels. There were more lights off in the distance, and it seemed like another group of people. Could it be more from the clan? Or humans that had followed them? The group readied themselves as best they could, those not ready to fight finding cover behind some old carts, and the three elves who were even somewhat capable. Tamrie still only had her whip and a knife, Xephyros had various elemental magics, but wasn't used to using them in combat and was down a casting arm, and Vanti, who was young but actually trained in combat and still armed with a sling and swords. Tamrie wondered if Amaya would help them fight if there were danger. Probably not, considering the danger would most likely be her comrades.
After a few minutes that dragged by in painful suspense, the group was near enough to identify as Trailmaster Rene and the 14 guards she had taken earlier. They also were escorting about seven human captives.

"That's our... Leader. She went down to explore the mines yesterday." Tamrie said quietly, subtly shifting so that she mostly obscured Amaya from view of Rene for now. "Not all of us are entirely pleased with her leadership."
The other members of the group had come out of hiding and were mingling with the rest of the group. The mother and her children had reunited with one of the guards and were hugging each other. The young guard, Vanti, had found his elder brothers among them. Xephyros was talking with Trailmaster Rene and holding her attention for now. Junde, the spice merchant had just interrupted the conversation between the wizard and Trailmaster, pointing out the presence of Amaya. The Trailmaster called two guards over and sent them towards the human.
Tamrie growled lowly, remaining in front of Amaya. The woman hadn't been very nice, but she had still helped the others somewhat. The question of whether it was out of instinct for survival popped into her head, but Tamrie ignored it. The guards reached them, beginning to step past her to detain Amaya, but Tamrie caught them by the arm. "Woah, there.."she said.
Tamrie didn't know what she had been thinking of doing, but one glance from Rene and the guards had her stepping out of the way. She wouldn't give up completely, however and said "This human, Amaya, helped me rescue Xephyros and the others. She has not harmed us since the initial attack. I believe she has at least some good. Whether or not she can be fully trusted has eluded me." She threw glance at the woman, trying to look sorry, but said nothing more as the guards closed in, ropes ready to bind her with.

(Aww, thanks. Mostly it's just been a bit weird since teachers have been calling me out all day. I appreciate it, but I'm not very good at taking compliments and being thrown into the spotlight.
Anyway, sorry I kind of wimped out on Tamrie standing up for Amaya. I figured that realistically they'd probably get their butts kicked if they fought back, but maybe they could run down one of the tunnels. But also in the end I feel like Tamrie would be more loyal to her people than someone she just met. She'd probably still help Amaya out a bit, though, since she has a feeling Amaya is a decent person.)

"Do not resist, or we will have to use force." one of the guards said.
"Amaya... It's probably best if you go along with it." Tamrie said, feeling as though she was betraying the human.

(Sorry for the short post. Wasn't much to put unless I force arrested Amaya, but I don't wanna power play.)