![frank-zhang-bxpMpF0sINg-unsplash.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/internutter/23tm6tSKyVfR9FXsoMTRmz6Pf65jXmPiM8UzPRxidrWqPHUAGNWPG7QdMtNs9x9vt8Pwg.jpg)

> It was rare someone ever did, but these individuals got the drop on Amatu, Wraithvine, and friends. They bound the hands, they bound the feet, they bound the WINGS! But why - oh - why... does everyone forget about the prehensile tails?? Oh well, Amatu's tail, a knife, and some people learning the hard way, you DON'T mess with a person's family! -- Anon Guest

It seemed like a mandatory turn of events. Just when they had a plan, just when it looked like everything was going the way they wanted it to, the random band of _bringands_ turned up and set things into chaos once more.

They had Wraithvine in a special collar that would not allow hir to access magic of any kind. They had Pondermore in strength-sapping shackles. They had Vee, Rawr, and Amatu in regular, everyday rope, but they had been enthusiastic about binding every limb. Every limb but one.

All other things considered, they were suspiciously well-prepared brigands. They might even be minions of Malforence. Especially considering the way they talked about their 'boss'.

Amatu wasn't focusing on the conversation between the brigands. He was putting all his work into moving his tail in very specific ways. Those who are devilborn _can_ move their tails so that the extra limb can move or hold light objects. It takes an immense amount of concentration, normally, and some can use their tails after significant hours of special training.

Amatu didn't get much training, so he had to truly _focus_ and keep his emotions out of the equation. Eyes shut, teeth gritted, he looked like he was fuming in his bonds. His tail was very slow at what he wanted it to do - take his pen-knife out of his hip pocket.

So far, he had managed to worm his way _in_, and rummaging around was taking too much time. Therefore, he focussed on merely _emptying_ the pocket. Which also contained a pocket handkerchief, three wrapped throat lollies, and fifteen copper.

The brigands were so busy arguing about what to do with Wraithvine's hair that they didn't hear the telltale clinking.

_Vee_ heard it, looked, and stared as Amatu made his tail feel out and unsheath his little knife. She realised what she was doing could be bad and focussed intensely on watching Wraithvine getting a very rude haircut.

The tail could _lift_ a light object. It could not apply much in the way of pressure, so he passed the knife to his hands and set to even more work.

The most ridiculous thought in his head was that he would have to apologise to his mother for piercing his jacket cuffs when the knife slipped.

He was not much of a fighter, and didn't have abilities best suited for combat, but he knew two people who did. Pretending to be still bound, he shuffled over to Vee and Rawr, and sawed away at _their_ ropes.

The Uncle and Niece did what came naturally, and _almost_ destroyed the brigands. Setting Pondermore loose definitely helped.

Wraithvine, freed _after_ the fracas, merely clipped hir hair to match and left the coils where they lay. "I do advise that you use these funds _wisely_ to set yourselves up in a better life. You will have a longer one. Guaranteed."

[Image by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@terasproductions?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Frank Zhang</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/campfire-cave?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>]

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