11-06-2011, 11:00 PM
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[/html]Claudius' suspicions were confirmed once the woman spoke. Her voice carried that quiet accent of all natural Cherokee-speakers and once she mentioned Maska's name, Claudius understood what had happened. Maska had been sent first, and now this woman, too, to indenture them further. Claudius regarded her gravely -- so much so that he was horribly startled when he noticed another figure looming in the distance. Like the woman, this canine was mounted atop a horse. Claudius felt his heart begin to race as he considered how big these horses were and just what these canines could do to him atop such fearsome mounts. The woman finished speaking and the coyote dropped to the ground. Claudius fought the urge to step back, but he felt his body begin to shake. He tasted panic. Wait, no -- that was blood; he'd bitten his lip trying not to explode.[/html]
He exhaled loudly and then coughed in embarrassment. He cleared his throat and raised his arms to fold them in front of his body. He clutched his elbows with his opposing hands, hoping to hold himself together.
"Ma-a-a-aska ha-a-as bee-een impri-i-soned... for... w-uh-wuh-wuhr-war crimes," he replied with as much a cold tone as he could muster. "W-we-wuh-we ha-a-ave not yet... decided... o-ou-our p-u-u-unish-ment fo-or hi-im. Y-you ma-ay... yuh-you a-a-re we-e-elcome in... AniWaya... as a g-uest... but... we will no-o-t be gr-a-a-nting you... any... speci-a-a-al titles... like... Maska... demanded," he explained. Somehow, he managed to bite out the last few words with nary a stutter.[html]