Bryghtwood {Medieval Fantasy} OPEN!!!!!

Alma smiled softly at the reassurance, already feeling better. The tunnel eventually got very dark, almost pitch black, but eventually there was more light ahead. Very dim at first, but it was there.

They slowly came up upon a rather beautiful setting. The tunnel opened up to a massive space, with tons of colorful crystals stretching up along the walls. There was plantlife as well, some of it even bioluminescent. Everything made it seem like some mystical oasis, but it was obvious there was more beyond the immediate setting, the cave stretching far back. The painted individual whistled for a moment before waiting.

Alma was looking around in awe. The Mchawi's dwelling was the most sacred ground to the people in Deadlock mountains, so the groups were very lucky at that moment. It took a few minutes, but something eventually appeared. Another biped, and they were probably the smallest one there out of all of the people. They had a mask of bones, probably well-crafted skull plates to fit the third eye that was on the forehead. They had the same sort of armor, but it looked much more lightweight and not as, well, armored. There were feathers rather than fur melded into the metal, as well as a shawl of feathers being worn.

The small figure walked up to the group. First, to their own people. As they did, each other would tilt their head downward slightly, and the Mchawi raised a hand to brush a few fingers from the forehead to trail off the nose of the masks. They repeated this movement with each of the armored group before approaching the other two groups. Stopping in front of Krisharya first, they just stared at her.

The Mchawi simply repeated the action they did with the others, doing so until they had gotten to everyone there. It was quiet, and simple. Despite having no magic or powers obviously, Alma still got intimidating vibes from the smaller individual. It was another moment before the Mchawi said "You seek peace." It was a statement rather than a question.

There was quiet for a long moment, the small individual just walking amongst the new people. Examining them, three eyes moving in sync. One of the other masked individuals spoke in their own language, telling the Mchawi something as they watched them move about. Alma listened in, broke furrowing as she tried to understand half the conversation.

It took some time before any of them spoke English. The Mchawi did, telling the groups "Most of them think it is silly to have you here. That this one-" They pointed a glove-covered finger to Hakan. "Should be food for the dogs." Another pause. "But, a few say that you all had brought offerings, which means you are either continuing with your tricks or you might actually be trying to have peace."

The Mchawi listened patiently, silver eyes studying them as they spoke. "I assume there is a large gap between your son's level of stupidity and his actual morals." Another pause. "If you wish to uphold some sort of link to our people, you should understand we are not as kind as Bryghtwood. A thief would not be completely worthless though. And a warrior thief at that. We always need bones for new armor. However, an entire war is of more importance than a man who sees fit in hopping around like he is above law. It is not entirely up to me though. The dogs may choose to tear your son to bits the moment you all go to see them, should this-" They poked Hakan's chest where his heart was location. "Be as rotten as what was apparently displayed in Bryghtwood."

"If you were able to kill them all, you likely could have spared them if you're that skilled. However, a bull does not know how to tread lightly. He will try, and then fail, and break everything." They studied him for a moment. "You are very lucky you are not able to take from me and my people. If you tried, I'd take the three most valuable things on your person in turn. You are apparently interested in trade after all, correct?" They turned away after this, looking to the others before saying "If those in Deadlock mountains are to even consider this, you are to promise that there will be no thievery or bloodshed. Amongst any of us three. You hold up your promise, and we will do the same."

The Mchawi tilted their head. "You made threats to Bryghtwood just by sending your arrogant spawn to their land. And it is Bryghtwood's fault for fueling his ego by letting him walk away without a scratch. If neither of these Sunfyres vouched for him, he would already be skinned and his bones being cleaned for armor. I'm glad it wouldn't be for mine though. I don't prefer the stink of cockiness." Another pause. "So, you getting to say "no threats" carries no weight upon my ears. However, the components of a connection do run on one of the groups not being dead."

The Mchawi just tilted their head. "You are hypocritical in a way. Expecting to recieve no response when you wrong other people, and then talking back when they take a swing at you. Technically, Bryghtwood should not be peaceful with you. They have no reason to. You were willing to steal from them for your own gain rather than just approach them outright. You apparently can handle yourselves, so why send a thief to their kingdom to gather information?" Another pause. "You say that you will not allow insults or threats to be made without retaliation, but you can't retaliate when you are dead. The people here could care less about your happiness or your pride or your survival right now. We don't know you, and your reputation isn't off to the best start with us. You are not equal to us, or at peace with us until the dogs pass judgement upon you. As I have stated, this will not be a problem if what you have said is true. It is nothing personal, just tradition."

The Mchawi was silent for a moment. "Actions say what words don't. And, we are not foolish and deceptive like you are, so this is no trick. There is no honor in trickery, just like there is none in thievery. Just remember that you are not the only might. Even if you don't forget it, it sure seems like you do." Turning around, they turned walk off, assuming the rest were to follow. "We don't want anything from you right now. One, because we don't know what you have. Two, because you just showed up. The third one will be solved very soon. Come."

"You misunderstand my words." They paused their walk, but didn't look back. instead they bent down to look at some of the bioluminescent plants. "We do not function like you do, opening up what we have over a simple meeting. You must "face death" as a part of our tradition before we even begin to discuss any sort of alliance or trade. We do not converse so easily with outsiders. That is what has kept us around for so long. As I have said before, it is nothing personal. Just tradition."

Alma looked around at everything as they followed. Magna had only spoken about this place, Alma having not been there before at all. It was much prettier than she'd thought. The groups were led down another tunnel, luckily not one that went farther down into the ground. It was lit by torches, and Alma looked around at the displays along the earthen walls. Each display consisted of a pair. One skeleton, and a set of armor to go by it. There was a rock at the foot of each pair with a name on it. Past chiefs, from what Alma could remember her mother saying. There was likely an area for Wachawi (plural for Mchawi) as well, considering their authority eclipsed that of the chief. The displays seemed to go on forever, but they eventually reached another room.