Caex

The tribe splits into two groups. The leader rejects the shaman, the shaman rejects the leader. Much fighting. Other tribes see the weakness of the tribe and move in for the kill. Soon only Caex is left, stealthy Caex, now thrikominaki, without tribe or clan. He is driven north, the hunter hunted to the edge of the swamp. He travels, mostly swimming, some walking, away from where he is no longer welcome. He carries his sword from which he was given his name, carved from the fang of a giant snake he had helped kill. The meat had lasted them a week.

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The coastline leads him to a large settlement. He hides at the docks, feeding on fish, on unguarded meat, once on a drunken human who fell laughing into the water, cloak and velvet clothes weighing him down, easy prey. Going through the man's belongings he finds a pouch containing yellow metal discs. They must be good luck, to carry so many. He keeps the bag.

He hears the name of the place, Deep Water, and from under the planks and piers he hears the name of another place - Kantas. A long way from here, a new place. That is what he needs.

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He listens, and hears of one of their ships which will be leaving for Kantas. It will be a long journey, many moons, too long to simply hide aboard. He must go among them.

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The moonlight reflects off his green and yellow scales as he approaches the guard, lounging next to the gangplank of the ship. On hearing the figure approach he glances up dully, then stumbles to his feet, fumbling for his spear in panic. "Ah!" he cries. "Tyr save me!" Caex reacts to the threat, hissing, his red frills quivering. "Go on, piss off!" the small human shouts. "What in the Hells is going on down there?" a voice booms from the ship deck. Looking over the edge a large man starts at the scene, but is more worldly than the young guard. Rather than drawing his sword, or calling for help, he shouts down "What do you want, my scaly friend?" Caex doesn't know the word friend, but responds to the question. "I will go to Kantas." "Will you indeed?" says the captain, for that is who speaks. He makes his way down the gangplank, hand on swordpommel. Caex nods, and says again "I will go to Kantas." The captain waves at the guard. "Put your spear down, you'll only hurt yourself. Kantas is it? That's a long way, pretty pricey. Do you have the gold?" Looking at the lizardman in front of him, clothed only in a few scraps of leather and a length of sharpened bone, he suspects not, and the creature seems to confirm his suspicions. "Gold?" it says, looking confused. "I do not know gold." The captain sighs, knowing he will now have to turn away, and possibly fight off this savage, before happening to spot a pouch tied to one of the leather straps. "What's that then? Looks like a money pouch to me." Caex takes the bag and, opening it, takes out a single piece. "Aha!" exclaims the captain. "Don't you try to get a free trip off me, you must have 200 gold in that bag!" Caex looks into the pouch, muttering to himself "This is gold..." before handing the bag to the captain. "The gold becomes yours. I will go to Kantas." Not expecting the entire bag, the captain is briefly stunned before continuing "Uh, yes, yes, fine. Welcome aboard. Um, what's your name?"

Halfway up the gangplank, Caex turns. "I am Caex." Then continues up onto the ship. The captain pauses, turns to the guard. "What kind of a name is 'Cakes'?"

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The journey is long. The ship is thankfully not too dry, but Caex stands on deck in the rain, or swims alongside the ship when the weather is hot. The crew and other passengers largely avoid him, though he does not notice. They are not lizardfolk, and he senses they would become a threat if he took one for meat, so he has no need of their company.

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Eventually they come in sight of land. Past a group of islands to a forested coastline, and finally a town, far smaller than the one they had left. As they dock, Caex can feel eyes on him. He turns to see the others on the ship watching to see what he will do. To celebrate the end of a successful voyage he says "The journey was long and dull. It was not enjoyable." And by way of thanks to them he says "You did not speak with me." Then, his goodbyes made, he dives off the ship's edge into the briny water of the bay. He feels the gentle push of a river mouth and swims towards it. The water becomes silty, and he can taste swamp. He does not smile, but feels content. Finally he is home.