Alright, on three. One, two… three! Springing our of the water, she dug her claws into the platform to regain her balance for a few moments. The bandits, surprised that a ginormous creature had just sprung up out of the water, hesitated for a few moments, giving her enough time to start knocking them into the water.
(Alright)
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Bernon burst up next to her and roared loudly, making the bandits fall back even farther. I'll work my way around on this side, you head the other way, okay? Keep an eye out for anyone we know.
Yeah, got it. She nodded her head and started to make progress with knocking the bandits back. Most, once they were in the water, starting swimming back to shore. Some were lucky and made it, others not so much.
One of the bandits, a rangy one with a large sword, was not so easily intimidated. He kept his balance on his raft and swung at Tanrial, aiming for her legs.
(gotta go to sleep now, seeya later ^^)
Tanrial jumped backwards slightly to avoid the sword before swiping under the man legs with her own paw.
(Alright, seeya)
He leaped at the last second, landing on her back and twisting her fur around his fingers so he wouldn't fall off. "I'm not scared of you," he growled. "You're just a half-rate forest beast, and I know how to deal with those." So saying, he pulled out a small metal whistle and blew it as hard as he could. The noise would have been impossible to hear as a human, but anyone with more sensitive ears was pierced by the high-pitched, overwhelmingly loud sound. From the far side of the tavern, Bernon howled in pain and pawed at his ears, feeling like his head was going to explode.
(won't have much/any time tonight btw, sorry)
Tanrial groaned and stepped back, paws over her ears to try and get some release form the sound.
(Alright)
The man laughed. "See? Told ya." He was about to blow the whistle a second time when all at once There came a petulant shout from somewhere nearby.
"Get away from her, you big stupid!"
The bandit turned in confusion. Standing in the tavern's open window, wearing a night dress that was too big for her, was a young girl with tangled blonde hair and angry blue eyes. She glared at the bandit fiercely.
He laughed again. "Oooh, scary. And why should I listen to–"
The girl leaped down from the windowsill, dashed over, and grappled her way up onto the man's shoulders before he could finish his sentence. Taking a big gulp of air, she lunged forward and bit his exposed neck. He gave a strangled squawk of pain and surprise, falling away from Tanrial as he tried to dislodge the girl now four-limb-hugging his head. "Getoffgetoffgetoff!"
Another face appeared in the window: Mike's. "Tanrial! You okay? Get that little girl back in here!"
"Noooo!" The girl let go of the bandit and started chasing him around in circles. "I wanna fight tooo!"
Tanrial grabbed the girl and quickly bounded over to the tavern, placing the child inside before running back to join the fight once more.
From across the water came the sound of shouts and battle cries. The villagers had mobilized and were streaming towards the tavern in their long boats.
Bernon came galloping around the side of the house, almost slipping on the wet dock. We should probably change back now. We don't want them knowing about our magic yet, I don't think.
Tanrial nodded and shifted, swaying a little but regained her balance, “Who’s the kid?” She asked,
"The who?" Bernon frowned. "What kid?"
(brb, eating supper)
“The girl, who knocked the whistle out of the guys hand.” Tanrial replied
(Alright)
"A little girl did that? I didn't see, I was on the other side of the tavern. I thought it was you!"
A bandit ran by, quickly followed by a group of villagers. "Come on!" one villager called to them. "We need to chase them back to the woods!"
“Well, she’s in the tavern now, we’ll discuss it later, let’s go.” Tanrial said, following the villagers.
"Okay," Bernon agreed, running after her.
At this point the bandits had given up the fight and were rapidly retreating to the shore. Ozrig led the villagers in a charge to make sure they got the message across, while Polla and some others quickly put out any stray fires left behind with the dropped torches. Soon, the only sounds came from the villagers as they splashed their way back to the tavern.
Polla found Bernon and Tanrial and walked with them. "Are you two all right?"
Tanrial nodded, “We’re fine, I am anyway. What about you, Bernon?” She asked, turning to him.
Bernon shrugged. "A bit bruised, a little headache….nothing major. I'm just glad we were able to drive them off."
"You all three did well. They won't be returning for a good long while after a fight like that. Now before you go back to bed, please join us in the main bar for a village meeting."
Tanrial nodded, “Of course.” She then said to Bernon, “We need to talk with Mike about that girl…”
"Definitely. Let's go find him." Bernon lengthened his stride and got to the tavern a little ahead of the others, going inside. "Mike?"
"Here," Mike said, coming out of the kitchen. "Are they gone?"
“Yeah, they are. We need to meet with Ozrig and Polla but before we do… who the hell was that child?” She asked crossing her arms.
"Oh, right." Mike leaned back into the kitchen and beckoned. A second later the girl came into view, grinning from ear to ear. "This," Mike said, "is Snatch. Long story short, she figured out how to turn into a human."
(I have to go to bed now, seeya tomorrow!)
“Oh, nice one. Thanks for the save back there, Snatch.” Tanrial said, giving her a smile.
(Alright, seeya!)
Snatch cackled and bounced up and down. "I was snoopin' in the upstairs an' you guys all ran out and I called out the window but you didn't hear me and I couldn't get down the stairs so I got really scared, but then I sneezed and all of a sudden I was human and I ran downstairs and there was Mike and this other guy who gave me this dress 'cuz I didn't have one!" She pointed at the bartender who seemed very embarrassed and wouldn't look at Snatch. "Anyway then Mike tried to make me stay upstairs but I wanted to help so I opened th' window and there you were, Tanrial! I saved your butt and I mad that guy run for his mama, hah!" Finally, she paused for breath, still grinning delightedly.
Mike's looked slightly shell-shocked, like he'd just shared a house with a small tornado. He ran his hand through his hair distractedly. "Yeah, that's basically what happened. Snatch, I know you really like your human form, but can you change back for now? Before the villagers get here?"
"No! I don't wanna!"
"It's fine," the bartender said from the corner. "She's just a young-un, we won't hurt her."
Tanrial nodded, “Alright, and yes, thanks again, Snatch. But we need to get to that meeting with Ozrig and Polla.”
Snatch hummed happily and climbed into Tanrial's shoulder, which was more difficult for her now that she wasn't a cheetah cub. Mike led the way into the main room, where they joined Polla and the other villagers in a ring around the room.
Polla nodded at them. "First of all, I'd like to thank you three—that is, you four–for helping us tonight. Without your warning and swift action, things would have turned out much worse. So to you, we are grateful." The others agreed solemnly.
Tanrial half smiled, “Anyone would have done the same, it’s no problem.”