Four armed and armored humans strode into the settlement of Oolutanga's Refuge. A pleasant breeze, redolent of the sea and tropical flowers, drifted through the village of trees and huts. Though the entire island of Aphus Lassel was a jungle paradise, teeming with life, the small village that served as the residence for the Tusker King Ooolutanga and his followers was nearly deserted.

At the dimly lit fringes of the settlement, solitary Tuskers moved back and forth, going quietly about their business. Universally, they moved with their heads down, refusing to even look at the visitors, though their tense body language and agitated snorts from a few of the males made it clear that their arrival had been noticed.

"What's wrong with everyone?" The first human to speak was a teenaged boy, just growing into his full adult size. He was dressed in gleaming black plate armor and walked with the upright, imperious bearing of those born to rule and trained to warfare. His name was Borelean Strathelar, and he was the crown prince of the realm of New Aluvia.

"Things are not well in King Oolutanga's domain, my son," said his mother. Cutting a strange figure for the ruler of the realm of humans, Queen Elysa was tall and leanly muscled, dressed in worn leather armor and carrying her famous longbow.

Their other companions were much less famous, but no less distinguished in their service to the realm. At the front of the group, dressed in a practical mixture of oiled black chainmail and leather, the scout and assassin Adso stood point watchfully and alertly, ready for any kind of trouble from the easily angered Tuskers. By the Queen's side, the sorceress Hoshino Kei stood, dressed in a set of Exarch mage robes, bristling with powerful enchantments. She was probably the most well-defended member of the group, and not just because the young and infatuated Prince had come to regard her with a sort of chivalric protectiveness.

Though Elysa had the keenest eyes and Adso was the best-trained scout of the group, it was Kei who spotted their contact on the island, a human woman named Jilna Fullgood. She huddled in the shadow of Oolutanga's personal home, gesturing to them while attempting to remain inconspicuous to the very tense Tuskers milling about not too far away.

"There," Kei said with a soft voice. She had the presence of mind not to point and draw attention to Jilna, but instead used her eyes and the set of her jaw to indicate Jilna's position. "There she is. As she promised. I only hope she has that potion she promised to brew for us."

Adso nodded and looked back over the group. "Let's go, then. No time to waste."

* * * * * * * *

King Oolutanga sat slumped on his throne, with the strange Tusker Mudmouth hunched at his side. Oolutanga's eyes were unfocused and dim, while Mudmouth scanned the room with angry and suspicious eyes. At four points around the throne room, four great, dark pillars stood, thrumming with energy.

Mudmouth was the first to notice the arrival of the royal party. He hissed in anger, black lips drawing back from his teeth in an expression that was both undeniably simian and yet disturbingly human.

"Unwelcome visitors, Great King Oolutanga," he whispered to the insensate King.

Oolutanga's head lolled limply on his great neck, and he managed to focus his gaze on the four human intruders. Before he could muster up the will to say anything, Queen Elysa spoke up.

"Your village is not as friendly as I remembered it, King Oolutanga," she said respectfully.

It seemed like it took a moment for Oolutanga to understand that he'd been addressed. He shook his head, scattering slobber from his jaws. "Why should this village be friendly to you, Queen Elysa of the hairless apes? You are not a friend to Great King Oolutanga."

At the king's side, Mudmouth nodded enthusiastically. "Well spoken, Great King. Little Elysa is nothing to our affairs."

"I wonder about the pillars that stand here, Great King Oolutanga," Kei said, strolling forward casually. "I had heard before of the wonders of your court, but I have never heard of these things, which are unique and beautiful..." She approached near one of the pillars and, under Mudmouth's suspicious gaze, ran one hand cautiously down its side. Prince Borelean moved quietly to stand behind her, one hand on his sword, looking warily between Kei and Mudmouth.

"Stand back from that pillar, little girl-child. Who are you to come in here to the Great King's throne room and fool with things that are beyond your understanding?" The menace in Mudmouth's growl set them all on edge.

Kei bowed. "I apologize for my imposition. It was not my intent to... meddle with the King's affairs." With that, she retreated from her forward position and came back to stand with Adso and Queen Elysa. Prince Borelean stayed in front, rippling with aggression and nervous energy. As Kei rejoined them, she looked into the Queen's eyes and nodded ever so slightly.

Adso detected the motion and stepped forward to stand next to Prince Borelean.

Mudmouth noticed the byplay between them all and waved his hand. From the edges of the room, Tuskers appeared. Great and powerful Tuskers, the strongest warriors loyal to Oolutanga and his advisor.

"Do not do this," Queen Elysa cautioned. "This can be resolved without bloodshed. I assure you, if you come at us, you will die." Calmly, she drew her bow and nocked an arrow. Adso and Prince Borelean drew blades, and Hoshino Kei produced a spellcasting orb from within the sleeves of her robe.

Mudmouth snarled at the humans. "Fools! We are allied with a greater power! A power that recognizes the true potential of the Tuskers!" As if on cue, at the back of the room, a cloaked Virindi drifted into view, enchanted sickles raised high in its ethereal hands.

Elysa looked into the eyes of Oolutanga himself and shouted, trying to break through the haze. "Great King Oolutanga! A false advisor leads you down dangerous roads! You can stop this now! We will help you!"

Oolutanga's eyes rolled upward, and Mudmouth cackled triumphantly. "Get them!" he screamed at the assembled guards.

As the guards surged forward to attack the four humans, Mudmouth drew a shining gem from a compartment behind the throne and broke it on the ground. He vanished in a flare of purple light, and then the wave of Tuskers broke over the Queen's little group.

* * * * * * * *

A few minutes later, amid the rubble of the ruined pillars, Queen Elysa Strathelar poured a potion into the slack mouth of the still-insensate Oolutanga. As Borelean and Adso kept watch, bloodied blades still drawn, the Tusker king's eyes fluttered open, truly awake for the first time in a long time. He recognized the woman who sat at the base of his throne.

"Mudmouth..." he wheezed. "Where?"

"He escaped," Elysa answered grimly. "But not for long." She glanced at Adso, and they nodded to each other in mutual respect.