Dal'tek trudged through the forest without delay, sure of the way to his destination. His two 'bodyguards' followed close behind. They walked for quite some time, not speaking, simply headed in the direction that the Shaman decided to go. This was the way, he knew, to he lake. He knew that he'd find them there, the outsiders, and perhaps then he might have another vision. Perhaps then he might glean some sort of explanation -why- he had seen them, and what he was supposed to do.<br/><br/>For their part, the two bodyguards remained silent as well. Dal'tek was grateful for this - he had no interest in explaining himself and giving long speeches about what he had seen, how he had seen it, or what it had meant. Sometimes, he just didn't -know-, and constantly repeating, 'The Mother speaks as she will", simply became repetitive.<br/><br/>What -was- he supposed to do, once he met the outsiders? He was so confident that they'd find the group he had seen in his vision, that he didn't even contemplate the possibility of -not- finding them. But once he did, what then? Was he supposed to talk to them? Help them somehow? Or perhaps they would help Dal'tek and his people in some way he did not yet understand? The shaman assumed the way forward would become clear once he met them and spoke to them. If it didn't, he would invite them to his village and offer them as much comfort as his people could offer. Dal'tek knew that his people would be very curious about them, as outsiders were incredibly rare. There was Kali of course, but she was definitely an exception. Some of the members of this group were races that his people had not seen in an age. He knew that the little ones, especially, would be eager and curious about them all.<br/><br/>And what if they did not want to come to his village with him? What would he have to offer them in order to convince them to follow? He could offer them food and drink. Shelter to rest. Perhaps knowledge of some kind, and even safe-passage through the forest. A guide, yes.... that might work. As Dal'tek had seen in his vision, the outsiders had seemed to anger the -pixxais- quite thoroughly, and Dal'tek knew that there were threats in the forest far more dire than the small-folk.<br/><br/>Soon enough, the trio noticed that the woods were thinning out. Dal'tek smiled and began to walk faster, knowing that the lake was near. Sure enough, within minutes they stood at the lake's edge. Dal'tek tilted his head back, facing skyward as the sun bathed the front of his body with its warmth.<br/><br/>"Revered one," one of the bodyguards said, "I see no one, in any direction." The eyes of an aviari were as keen as their sky-cousins, eagles and falcons both, and as soon as they had emerged from the forest, the two warriors had used their superior vision to look for anything - or anyone - out of the ordinary. Dal'tek nodded, glancing left and right himself. It was all familiar to him, as if he had been here minutes ago. Even the sun was right, the ripples on the water, the breeze... everything was as it should be.<br/><br/>"This way," the shaman said, turning to his left and stepping back into the nearest edge of he woods. The two bodyguards followed silently once more, and they traveled for some time before, again, the woods began to thin. Up ahead, before they could see anything, they could hear.... a voice. Singing. A song that none of the three had ever heard before, spoken in a language that none of them knew. The two bodyguards anxiously gripped their spears - the shaman simply smiled and quickened his step.<br/><br/>In time, the three came to the edge of the woods again, emerging onto a small beach. Dal'tek's eyes took in the sight before him, seeing the people from his vision. Three of them, females, were in the water. The others were in various positions, the one man taking harbor in the shade of a tree, though the shaman could not see the fox-man, and one of the robed men he had seen in his vision. Perhaps they were scattered about the area, foraging for food, or perhaps still dealing with the -pixxais-?<br/><br/>Dal'tek turned his head to face his two bodyguards - and held out a hand toward them for a moment - urging them to hold their positions. Each of them planted the butts of their spears into the ground, watching the shaman, and the outlanders, keenly.<br/><br/>Dal'tek took a few steps forward, curiosity burning in his amber gaze. He smiled as he came to a stop after a few steps. He did not yet know if some or any of them had taken notice of him and his two companions, but that didn't stop him. He held his staff in one hand, the end of it planted on the ground, while his other hand rose and laid flat on his chest for a moment before he slowly waved it away from his body, palm down, a gesture that symbolized peaceful greetings amongst his people.<br/><br/>"Greetings," he said aloud, loudly enough that any of them could hear him. "I am Dal'tek, and these two aviari behind me are Joo'tan and Pal'kar, my escorts. It is with great honor that I meet you, outlanders. But it appears some of you are missing? Please tell me - have you lost some of your companions?" he asked.<br/><br/>Dal'tek stands just over seven feet tall. He is humanoid with feathers covering his body. The feathers are small, tiny and soft-looking around his face, hands, and feet, and are much longer on his back, legs and shoulders, as well as along he backs of his arms. His plumage is a brilliant blue with dull-white edging, and his hands and feet in clawed digits, a 'thumb' and three 'fingers'. His face looks almost human, except for the tiny soft feathers there, and his amber eyes gaze at the group curiously. He wears a simple leather loincloth, from which hands various pouches and totems, but otherwise he wears no other clothes. A leather satchel rests at one hip, the leather straps crossing his body up and over the opposite shoulder. The only weapon he appears to be carrying is the ornate wooden staff that he holds in one hand, the end planted in the ground beside him. The wood is near-white and solid.<br/><br/>Behind him, two more of his kind stand. These two are much taller then the speaker, their height easily surpassing eight feet. They seem bulkier than Dal'tek, and are dressed similarly to him, minus the satchel and totems. They each bear similar colorings: black and gray feathers for the most part, with dark eyes. Each of them bears a stout looking spear, also planted in the ground beside each of them, not appearing threatening at the moment. Their eyes regard Dal'tek for a moment, but mostly settle on the rest of the group, looking for any possible threats.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>