"[Language unknown: Ec alhipe lar ad ar, pori ee stree Butsetman-theatiwhi?  Me, telopl ntiresion n p cenewhou paut inhancie dayom.  M hasi iouil iolat ticyinhaswas ilpa taurmo llic.  Nt p hatateers onsstrhertin la prointore saloas, inepo ons ro ma n elndse stcom ulnase'pail ain ticund-hisnce ereic ine a ngchtiweai sta avencefor whi.  Erssetwer ro WIT weck os ti latonsencdin p il ivth ous, ma Th hillri at resie ter t alanmangch utsta n.]"  Lena offered.

Mattaki tried a few more times to convince the Allies to go to one of the regional military commands, but after some more deliberations, Captain Jackson insisted on going to Reinhardsdorf first. It had been scouted by the Soviets before, but who knew what might be found there?

The route there was uneventful. Mattaki was able to appreciate the discipline of these "Not-Deutsche" - most of them at least, marching in two columns, their eyes scanning the surroundings, all a few paces apart at a steady pace. As a mage, he had rarely been subjected to forced marches or the like, but he had spent enough time with the military to fall into a similar rhythm, his still maltreated body quietly protesting, but following in the routine.

There were a couple who were more struggling to keep the pace. As was Bhalla, but mostly due to her shorter legs.

---

Lena and Julius indeed did struggle to keep up with the brisk pace, and where quite thankful for when they took a short break enabling them to catch their breath and drink a few sips of water. None of the soldiers seemed to really need that break, but Captain Jackson made it a point to encourage everyone to "just relax for a little bit", before offering Julius and Lena half a chocolate bar each.
"I am really not much of a sweet tooth and it would be a damn shame if it went to waste." He also broke off a small piece and offered it to Bhalla, who hesitated for a moment, then took it.
The sensation hit her like a slap to the face, followed by something that felt like a warm hug. The taste... sweet, but not like honey, different, rounder, somehow, and it seemed to get softer and softer in her mouth, melting like snow on her tongue, but warm. It sent a tingle down her spine.

---

When they continued their march, it didn't take them much longer to arrive at the outskirts of Reinhardsdorf - or what remained of it, anyway. The left and right side of the village were dotted by burnt-out ruins of houses that could've fit quite well into the German countryside. They reminded Lena of Mecklenburg.
In the center of the village was a large structure that looked like an egg lying on the side, half buried in the dirt.
The ruins of the village lay quiet.

"Alright", Captain Jackson nodded at Zholdin, "Our men... and women should survey the place a bit more, wouldn't you agree, Lieutenant?"

[Language unknown: "Wa evepr lesundall, ticti? We din fori. Forconhat ave."] Bhalla did not like speaking Deutsch, but it was better than being ignored, and these people continued to treat her far better than the Deutsche had. This "chocolate" was a little miracle. She'd never had anything like it, and she clung to the memory of the taste against the hints of smoky smell in the ruined village.

She flexed her long fingers a few times, then moved silently out into the ruins, looking.

OOC: 16:29, Today: Sarwan Bhalla rolled 7,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,1.  Notice.

Lena said nothing.  This seemed... grim.  But there had to be something here, this was an act of brutality, not surgery.  She looked carefully for anything that might have been left behind.

17:32, Today: Lena Vogt rolled 8,5 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3.  Also Notice.

As they approached the ruins of Reinhardsdorf, Yelena continually scanned with her binoculars, mostly to make certain there wasn't any movement or other apparent danger. When satisfied that there wasn't anything of the sort, she nodded at Jackson's instructions.

The sniper carefully looked through things starting at the edge of the village, but her eventual goal was to see what that egg in the middle of the village was.

OOC: 5 Notice

04:35, Today: Yelena Malkin rolled 5,4 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2.  Notice.

The village wasn't very large and didn't take long for at least a cursery survey. All the houses were sitatued along the large egg in the center. Many of the houses - all of them in some state of ruin - looked German, but there were a few who seemed to be local remnants. Most of these were untouched by the fires that had destroyed the German houses.

https://kanka-user-assets.s3.e...6dvwCDXksZ1S0gN4.png

Bhalla noticed a small cart just sitting there next to one of the houses, several items carefully arranged, plates, pieces of cloth, cooking utensils. As if someone had gathered them and then walked away, called away to another task.

---

Lena entered one of the larger structures vis-a-vis the egg, one wall and the roof had collapsed in, but the rest seemed to hold up alright. The first room was an utter ruin and would require a longer and more detailed search to gather anything useful. At the back of the large room, something stuck up between the burnt debris. I might have been a charred hand, reaching out from under it, or just a blackened post. Lena pushed the thought away and climbed over the half-collapsed doorframe into another room behind. Rows of tables stood there, covered in soot. This must have been a school. On the floor she found a few books - math, German history, a few of the classics, Mein Kampf, obviously and a book called "Flora und Fauna des Neuen Reiches". She opened the book and flipped through the pages, stumbling across pictures of beings likes Mattaki and Bhalla, but others, too.
She turned around to leave and saw a large, singed flag on the wall:
https://kanka-user-assets.s3.e...WU82d1t1y4JD1PR9.png

Above and below, someone had etched the words directly into the wooden beams:
"Das Neue Deutsche Reich wird auferstehen"

---

Yelena zeroed in to the egg in the center of the village. On the other end, a few steps led down to a door that had been removed. The inside was shrouded in darkness. A damp smell wafted out of the building, making her hesitate.

It sank in, and Lena did not like what all of this implied.  At all.  There was no good interpretation of this.  It implied a lot, but didn't answer any strategic questions.

She decided to collect the artifacts, taking them carefully since they all seemed to be fire damaged, hoping they wouldn't just collapse when touched.

Bhalla took a step back from the cart and raised her voice, hoping that the ones who have pulled the cart here have not hidden too far away. [Language unknown: "Lopeic fi k lietlema oureng! Ureto urro hatear un kor Olnoropr ons eewh tieifopr omlemi. I evnemi waere fi paek ni ere. Ro ne la pl ateprelar e olurer. Iv se us weman, E p k wethpa!"] The gnim looked around one more time. There were not enough tracks for many of her people to have been here, but there might be a wandering band nearby.

OOC: Give me a Persuasion roll, Bhalla.

OOC: 12:23, Today: Sarwan Bhalla rolled 1,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4.  Persuasion.

[Language unknown: "N."] The darkness had indeed given Yelena pause. She turned and looked around for one of her comrades. [Language unknown: "Miicloinwi! Ni art ei illicaher? Di lock ng ureforare yinpe ofmere ca onrenc e rutli."]

Tsimmermann jogged over and nodded.

"I always love to watch your back, Comrade serzhant.". He flicked on the torch and shone the light down into the darkness.

---

Nobody responded to Bhalla's call, but she had the distinctive feeling of being watched. Nothing happened for a few moments, then a Gnim appeared on the partly-caved in roof of the house across the street.
Bhalla looked around and noticed that every one of the Non-Deutsche was currently out of sight. They had waited.
The Gnim was armed with a short spear, a sling at her belt. She looked around, then beckoned you over, to come closer.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:02, Mon 12 Sept 2022.

Yelena smiled thinly at the response. [Language unknown: "Prlat, wehi, was nangevprwh ismeos pr st tic u ce iou, in?" ]

He seemed to have understood that without saying, given the direction of the beam. As they were now able to light the darkness, Yelena slowly proceeded to look around the egg.

((Giving Bhalla and Mattaki some more time to respond))

The narrow entrance opened up into one large room. It was significantly warmer in here compared to outside. In the narrow cone of Tsimmermann's torch light, Yelena saw that there was a deeper recess in the center, almost like a small, oval pool without water, a narrow walkway running across the length through the center. Dark stains on the wall and ceiling looked like blood spatter and there were the telltale pockmarks of bullet holes and grenade fragments.

The floor around the pool was covered in tiles. Some of them cracked and broken, the ceramic crushing under Yelena's feet. She saw a few large holes on the sides of the walls, looking like artificial cave entrances.

It was dead-silent.

Bhalla padded over silently. When she drew close enough, she spoke, keeping her voice low. This might be a chance to escape, but if these other tribes of "Mensch" really could help defend against the Deutsch, it was too much an opportunity to pass up. [Language unknown: "Iv ti t a as san wilo ilushe!"] She dropped her hips and inclined her head before standing straight once again. [Language unknown: "Ac us Tioteddin o Adngin, set ndngta miio tano uscere ta ver Achoilet. Cksancil monihe, linsanhersta pemohi."]

((I just realized that I didn't add you to the Gnimian Language group! But you're added now))

The other woman looked beyond you then gave you a gentle push, directing you into a hidden corner behind the houses. Here, you would be save from prying eyes and ears.

Another careful look and listen. [Language unknown: "I fi Firoom t Venthuort."] She waved dismissively at the surroundings. [Language unknown: "E bletedthe tha hi ndort t ur."] She cocked her head.
[Language unknown: "Butil Meatatpo der ort sa... laain ove ore ican hatic terhatday Illderthesti si ca weev. Haest ersestouswhi, eraounsta, mi Llfionla ateectant'anteareau. Fione onres virherthi ss, Sonlatles m Thotineen. Ilion, u wirat set nossse st iveverles ca."]

She said it matter-of-factly, but with a weariness. Bhalla was suddenly distinctly aware that she had not put down her spear and that she had kept enough distance to be able to use it.

Bhalla slowly sat down and laid her hands palm up on her knees. She'd be a simple target, but the physicker had little desire to fight, and none to fight one of her own. [Language unknown: "He wa tica Tedhisder andni ateha his hawhol ichardter iepl som na teitna? P herss dinmi contraati omest houer ndpr ilofho el teustond olisbe?"] She drew and slowly released a breath. [Language unknown: "Po ouin ineintwit u hipr Ourlatherere iscon poreac. Ncestirea, conlesersrutnot. Oneoulrut ac taurchar. K ol oslo ic ee er rutconateard acmoni. Ck u erang u thooneout ck ad ec thaounest, tic ilai ndce et p, ect tic k rutlinred, ilous llwh mioslo sheredund omeectiveore omaiac be eiel Ainthithithu maand rom chrealio iv. Undingthi fonolodi ac preousect-ousect tiseal ev his lotaol inceevla el but Ecters'inteveers resiverut. Ie il o ss seers ouch Arecween. Ill itch o oer es ou ort.

"Ndeun ullipl Ticsomect?"]

Jangie's ears flicked back and forth, clearly listening for the surroundings, but her eyes stayed on Bhalla the whole time.
[Language unknown: "Trall enut cepr eau setoveder, the, o som m thomantio er ri lo artho pl om. Nt m has seas kor hasearicaone evchei hi Eimehowe ce ckcon ure nde con nti, fi oulectereter."
]
She sighed heavily. [Language unknown: "Omwer Ncekor'staect red il ard te n Eartheout, noasng tioorever. Il trouch Dereveoul, onth eksial m whe Aninmo. Urmoen voral ethelaho but ng Orementin meonadma meit elll rutnc."]
She nodded in the direction where they had seen the rather large nest, the half-buried egg.
[Language unknown: "Onean etdin Ivhialit icteni unsi wilherles undartour stilo trasonent atetioenc sesiac ivwiinos ienaof pron osad te. Ompodi etla ilwier der laroernti ilhese to der entsanint. Ofck, and k en."]

Absent-mindedly, she picked up a stone and let it run through her slim fingers.

[Language unknown: "Ter llvor Acnttolo ulmi se ouwh at eau Dinoneble meilss llare maneraeve ilreho pre. Poad ard allom onndic ngic, ovepa k o usosmaai mong vorverome. Bemo tiofni ro Sangbe."]

She dropped the stone again.
[Language unknown: "Ho ck arsamo are, hooswi ast iveweraintio t tin hand pa thul oneal Thiconwhi as adma o itriou Mendinwas ugh ta eind eenandwil Estvorwer.
Weee Ateconblevir redbutson ndest ckdi. Al plec thion whi, urieei Hearceos ome ma rea wheameomeeen. Ou ilndee tethic pl, lland isenur toei Diomul ta ho li san. K iouere-ichwil."]

[Language unknown: "Ss ri atthur lool tiure ivar iebeli, omeouseen.a Iees ou n is K ivtra nonato int n sheterave,t of com iceisi houartstr. Ekin outus esilfo ie. Prointome er. Wastinenc u beugh com u p ofisildi po. Wh ee iv ainectear."] Bhalla remained with her hands on her knees. There was more sorrow in her voice than heat. [Language unknown: "N k nefi vir ovein shemenonsred thosomlar ll ckil. Ll acas our acilis en erfo Elthsack. Hisho En losist. Ers hashouine ad, encwa intvenome alngtr ill eksi peic Uspl'omivat ratdayles. Wanc urai an nd niwhha. Se art conio paulmoan... A a our ain ruteaulin ta pre ecil, re mape ainentone stst it. Urer ich ainou, We eauterred, tollne virrathat unos her ain t io A ncio resch unha."]

Bhalla looked her fellow Gnim in the eyes. [Language unknown: "Miing fiati ss Tindnepr olenre tio it ma. N ant, K m trecma. Os ai es ear pome dayichnte wastiored allomewas tr virame-virpro p it lardercon."]

Jangie paused, seemingly thinking things over.
[Language unknown: "Ec onesi re u ou men n, Pl Trelre Loni Osst Verwe Us."] Bhalla felt a warm, comfortable feeling in her belly as the ancient proclamation was made. It was a promise of safe harbor, of shelter, food and comfort. It was sacred.

[Language unknown: "Siati Le pastsa ncugh ateck strterand nc Eipemaesna. Ssac Atesic Weunce Eveherameund ntereawhi oulepr wil. Paee U cack ul ntnt om anca ta thoareart Sheeauain'omerea a Nceest-blente pr nde."]

Bhalla was tempted--so very tempted--to simply slip away with Jangie. She'd been alone, or as good as alone, for such a long and horrible stretch. It would not be her band, but were not the Gnim one people? Descendants of the same Great Mother? She could nest again with her own people, free of bars and chains...

But she could not just go. Not yet. There were too many portents about these not-Deutsche, and too few signs that even the Axtzal could fight a winning war against the Deutsche.

[Language unknown: "Tharattra pe hisntilin ll ncewheing n el str a tho hand'ckck? Ounar andoutson ektano us san i iotidi ivmeca, ckure T rutomethi Di eeroul naliie in lo liicec t ntiotr, ivmapa ivehastha, u i strthiwer p Benthoad leswaswitset."]

Jangie nodded. [Language unknown: "Ss vor adic o t Hasatepro. Ioumi e setnc erthi olon onlame anusdith. Ntesen ck, illhatalltio, Nceousdin a Anlles."]

She slightly bowed her head, then turned swiftly around and walked away, disappearing into the underbrush between the ruins.

When Bhalla returned to the main street of the village - as much a main street as there could be, she saw Lena carefully exiting one of the other buildings, a bundle of something in her arms.

Yelena frowned as she looked around. She used a hand signal to Tsimmermann to have him slowly search the entire place with her.

OOC: Searching the interior (with Torchlight)?

09:20, Today: Yelena Malkin rolled 4,5 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3.  Notice.

The holes in the sidewalls led to smaller caves. There were some odd pieces of furniture there, a table, something that looked like a sink dug into a recess of a wall. There was a slight draft in the rooms and in the far back Yelena noticed a slim outline of light. Pushing against it, she was able to open a window to the outside and light and fresh air came back in, washing away some of the tense athmosphere.