A panther in cage is worth two in the den

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Nomos
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A panther in cage is worth two in the den

Post by Nomos »

In the early hours of the morning, the air still and sky a dull blue-grey, a battered ship docks at the harbour. Its sail is torn, ropes ripped and frayed and load strew about the deck. The cargo of wagons and mules are unloaded, those that are broken or lame are left to the ships Captain. Talk of a freak wave breaking over the ship and cost of wood for repairs starts to grow louder between the sailors and dock hand.

The mules now tethered to the wagons set off, leaving the salty air and Tanoras realm to those that know her best. Two of the four are left, Mayus and Asta having filled their bellies with brine water and dining with the fish. Onox, a large man, forearms like tree trunks and fingers as thick as roots, eye patch standing out against his bald head and shaven face. A hunter for prize and pride rides on the lead wagon as it trundles slowly along the road and through the small town of Bane. A few wagons behind and keeping the train in check sits Ballas. A small, stocky dwarf even by their standard. Gruff looking and leathered, a man of very few words.

Hardly a soul is seen as they clear the central town crossing the small east bridge and setting up camp for the coming hunt. ‘It is going to be hard capturing panthers without Asta and Mayus,’ Onox calls over as he piles up the rocks for the cage post. Ballas grunts in agreement. Onox speaks on. ‘Going to have to get us some of the town folk to help tether and cage the beasts, I hope they are not as backwards and thick as they say they are on the mainland.’ The Dwarf sets in a cage post as looks over. ‘I’ll put up ah poster in tha town walls when yer readeh Boss.’

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Copper Dragon
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Re: A panther in cage is worth two in the den

Post by Copper Dragon »

I presume the panthers will not be harmed and a proper location of freedom will be made available to the panthers? If I am in error please send me a dove. If proper care is to be given to the panthers and their numbers are not seriously depleted then I would like to offer my help.

shandra
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Nomos
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Re: A panther in cage is worth two in the den

Post by Nomos »

Hired hands wanted

Men, women, people of courage and daring your help is needed to secure three large panthers with ropes and hard work. These beasts are not to be harmed but taken as prizes for a king. You will be paid for your efforts. Expect the rest of the Panthers to not act so tamed towards their fellows capture.

Meet at my East Bane camp. Bring good clothes and rope if you have them.


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Rincewind
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Re: A panther in cage is worth two in the den

Post by Rincewind »

Painted in red on a hand full of the public announcements you are able to read following words.

Orcland will be your death. Leave!
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Nomos
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Re: A panther in cage is worth two in the den

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The panthers had been captured, three fine beasts of black and all in good health. The hire hands of the town had done well for unskilled hunters subduing the biggest, strongest cats and hauling them to the waiting wagons. Luck would have it that the orks were few in number and although hostile to the trespass of their claimed lands, a gift to the war chief and the very help of one of their own in the hunting party kept things orkishly civil.

Now Onox and Ballas wait for the boat they arrived on to complete repairs. The cats pace about in their cage in camp, growling and lashing out sharp nailed claws at the bars, the two men spending their time at the harbour arguing with the Captain or sleeping in camp at night.
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maryday
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Re: A panther in cage is worth two in the den

Post by maryday »

Talking to Jack about trades...

Some of the tanners had been willing to donate some waste to keep the kitties fed.
Over the years the ropes had become better.
Better and longer.
So long and so durable she had to carve jaws from wood, last winter, to keep the ropes from winding into themselves,
wile coiling the second time...

Or was it the winter before?

Receiving good fibres, better packs and the best ropes had a simple secret.
The plants had to be grown close to each other,
encouraging each other to grow long and slender.
One had to trim the leaves sometimes.
The male plants were better.
The female had other uses.

Those ropes were not as good as imported from the mainland.
Neither as long nor as durable.


A ship had caught her eye, weeks ago.
The first deal of second class ware had brought six coins.
Six heavy, shimmering coins for the work of about two days, and only a little pain in her fingers.
Maybe that shipwright had given from his share,
to make pressure on the price of the following, full load.


Those ropes would be good enough.
It would not matter.
She had put almost two months of work into improving her splicing beams, adjusting the coiling jaws
and finally setting up a regular production.
For the third, next years load she would need to employ workers.


Some of the simpler sailors had been easy to convince by a glass or two.
The following load would be ready soon.
She did not go to the shipwright.
She went to the sailors and cooks,
for some trade in basics, food and beverage, varying in quality.
Food and beverages against coin, old foreign furniture and informations.


It took not much persuasion, and comparably little more coin and favors to thin out the offer of ropes.
The second load for the shipwright would consist of seven parts from eight of imported ware.
Probably the wrights own wares.

The following load is ready.
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Nomos
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Re: A panther in cage is worth two in the den

Post by Nomos »

The ship was repaired, a new mast in place of the broken one and ready to sail the next day. Ballas the Dwarf had moved all but the last of the camp supplies to the harbour and was waiting there for Onox.
The panthers were caged still, two of the three hungry and restless as they paced the small enclosure watching, waiting. The third was huddled in the corner, it lay there curled up as it had done for the past day hardly moving.

A few people had gathered around the cage as Onox prepared to feed them, bags of meat at the ready. The Ork that had stopped on his passing by had brought fresh meat to and was keeping the two alert cats busy with it as the big man opened the cage door and stepped in. A sick or lame cat was worthless and if this beast would not stand or eat he would have to get another.

He crouched down, grabbing the panther by the scruff of the neck ad lifting its head. The cat simply exhaled a whine eyes dull and half closed. It was then the hunter flinched, the dark shadow of a panther catching the corner of his eye before it was upon him, its muscular weight pinning the big man to the cage wall. Claws had lashed his side and opened his flesh as the beasts teeth ripped into his arm. The ornate and powerful crossbow inches from his grasp and dropped to the floor.

He wailed in pain and shock as the beast took its vengeance upon him, the Ork doing his best to get to the man and free him was held in check by the other cat. It was then the panthers took their chance at freedom, the cage door open and nothing in their way. Not even the fire set by those that watched in horror gave them fear as their powerful legs propelled them up and over the flames, the black cats running free.

Three feral panther running free and having tasted the blood of man... running free to who knows where.
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