As Femi and Vaga walked away from their private conversation, he thought about what they had discussed and what it might mean for him, his mind buzzed with possibilities. If I can learn how to use this juj.. I mean kuros ability… what does that mean for me? The thought sent a thrill through him, his imagination spiraling into visions of newfound power and purpose.
But another question nagged at him, what about the other krags? what would they do to him if they found out about it? Added with his unresolved conflict with that ugly Krag. He opened his mouth to ask Vaga about it, but before he could speak, she cut in smoothly.
"We'll talk about that later," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Right now, I need to speak with the boss."
Femi frowned. Probably about krag's negotiations… or his Kuros or something else entirely. His curiosity prickled, but he held his tongue. Before he could press further, movement ahead caught his eye.
They had reached the main camp, where a group of krags stood clustered together. One of them, younger, leaner than the others, though still thick with muscle, rose and strode toward them. His gaze was steady, his posture rigid with something Femi couldn't quite place. All he knew was he could sense the tension.
The krag stopped before them and thumped a fist against his chest in salute. "I am Tarlak," he said, his voice rough but earnest and filled with...respect. "I owe you thanks."
Femi blinked. "For what?" he was taken aback by the krag's words, he was honestly expecting another fight.
Tarlak's jaw tightened, his dark eyes flickering with something akin to shame. "For standing as a warrior, even when my kin shamed you." His gaze dropped to the faint marks still visible on Femi's wrists, the remnants of the ropes that had bound him, the skin there still raw and tender. "To treat a fighter like some thief… it was dishonorable. I saw you in battle with the Eri, you fought with courage. That deserves respect."
Femi was speechless. Beside him, Vaga smirked, arms crossed, clearly amused by his stunned silence.
Tarlak continued, his voice dropping lower, as if sharing a secret. "Such treatment to a warrior such as yourself should not have happened. I apologize for the actions of my fellow brethren. They did not know of what you did, but the survivors of that attack knows. A Honorable warrior is what you are, no matter what they say." His voice became low. "If you ever need aid, call for me. I will answer." With that, he gave a sharp nod and turned away, his heavy footsteps crunching against the snow as he rejoined his kin, leaving Femi standing there, grappling with the unexpected declaration.
"Well," Femi muttered, shooting Vaga a sidelong glance. "That was… something."
She chuckled. "Looks like you've got an admirer."
Before Femi could retort, his attention shifted to the center of the camp, where Arieus and the merchant, Victor were shaking hands. Their satisfied expressions suggested a deal had been struck, they had the camaraderie of men who had just profited greatly.
Good for them, Femi thought absently, though the sight of the merchant's too-perfect smile made his fur shoot out, "this man".
Then another concern surfaced.
"My victim, I haven't been able to feed him. Damnit." He hadn't seen the scruffy creature since that day they tied him to the pole. Hope he's alright. An image of the creature's having sunken eyes and ragged fur sent a pang of guilt through him. He made a mental note to find him later.
Looking up, Femi noticed that the twin suns had climbed higher in the sky, their golden light now casting sharper shadows across the camp, the warmth of their rays doing little to dispel the chill in the air. Femi blinked, realizing with mild surprise that hours must have passed, his conversation with Vaga and the strange encounter with Tarlak had eaten more time than he'd thought.
"Or I was just spent most of my time tied to a pole" Femi sighed at the whole thing.
His attention drifted back to the wagons, where Arius and the merchant, Victor, stood overseeing the final stages of their trade. Arius threw his head back and laughed at something Victor said, a deep, booming sound that seemed almost foreign coming from the usually stern war chief.
Femi frowned, a little surprised, he hadn't seen Arieus this happy before, even when he hunted that mutant. But with all honesty, he hasn't stayed with these people for long, that laugh may very well just be a false face. Then again, the Krags didn't seem like people who liked to pretend. Their emotions were as raw and unfiltered as their strength.
The band's members worked efficiently, hefting crates and stolen goods onto Victor's wagons with practiced ease, their muscles bulging beneath thick hides and layered furs. The Krags made it look effortless, their massive frames barely straining under the weight, their grunts and occasional laughter filling the air.
Femi's gaze lingered on the bound captives, humans, their faces streaked with filth and acceptance, some weeping silently, others cursing under their breath. A knot twisted in his stomach, the sight of their hollow eyes and trembling forms stirring something dark and uncomfortable within him.
This went on for a while as Victor's wagons got piled high with more and more cargo, the wooden frames groaning under the weight. Eventually, the last piece of stolen goods he purchased was loaded up and secured. Several crates and items, and the captured humans were bound to the cages that were then covered over by brown tarps, their muffled sobs the only sign of life beneath the heavy fabric.
Finally, the last crate was secured. Victor clapped his hands together, his grin sharp. "It was a pleasure doing business with you, Chief Areius."
"War Chief," Areius corrected, though his smirk took the edge off, his massive arms crossed over his chest. "And yes, I look forward to our next deal."
Victor chuckled, a sly glint in his eye, his fingers idly tracing the ornate rings on his left hand. "For now, at least." They clasped hands again, and the merchant signaled to his guards. A heavy chest was brought forward, its lock clicking open under Victor's ornate key. Gold Imperii glinted inside, the coins catching the light like tiny suns, and after a quick count, several bags were handed over. Arieus weighed them in his palm, satisfaction flashing across his face before he tucked them away.
"Safe travels, Victor," Areius said, though his tone carried more amusement than warmth.
Victor's grin widened, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Of course, Areius. Who else would brave the wilderness for you?" He laughed again, a sound too bright for the grim exchange that had just taken place. As he turned to leave, his polished boots crunched over the snow, his path taking him right past Femi and Varga.
The merchant paused, offering them a nod and a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Femi stiffened. Everything about this man set his instincts alight, he was very sure that this man was mentally unstable, the way even Varga's lips thinned in distaste beside him. Femi mirrored her frown, refusing to acknowledge the greeting.
Victor didn't seem bothered or disheartened about the frowns on our faces but with a final, almost theatrical bow, continued walking on, unaware that he was marked by Femi as a suspicious, crooked mentally unstable trader, his purple velvet billowing behind him like the wings of some great, predatory bird.
He strode back to his caravan, his guards falling into step behind him, their armor clinking softly with each movement. Femi watched until the last wagon disappeared down the road, half-expecting the mentally ill man to glance back with some parting taunt. But he never did.
Now that the merchant was gone, Varga walked over to Arieus, her boots kicking up small puffs of snow with each step. She gave him an irritated look as she approached, but he looked like he didn't care as he played with the large pile of gold in front of him.
"I don't trust that merchant. Why couldn't we deal with the other tribes?" Varga remarked coldly.
Arius didn't look up from the gold he was idly stacking, his fingers deft despite their size. "Because he's a human who doesn't mind trading with Krags. Because he pays better than the tribes. And because he's useful." His fingers paused, a coin balanced between them, the metal gleaming dully. "You know this."
Varga's jaw tightened, then she sighed. "If you think it's worth the risk."
Arius finally met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "What did you want to speak about, Varga? And I hope it's not just about your little ratling."
Femi bristled at that, but held his tongue.
Varga glanced at him, her expression unreadable, before turning back to Areius. "No, it's not just about that," she replied, her voice steady despite the tension in her shoulders.
Arius sighed and waved a hand dismissively, the gesture sending a few coins tumbling to the ground. "Then we'll talk later about your complaint." Before she could press further, he barked an order to Goruk. "Gather the remaining captives and pen them. And secure the gold."
"Yes, boss," Goruk grunted in acknowledgment, his massive form lumbering off to carry out the orders, his footsteps shaking the ground beneath him.
Areius turned to Varga, his eyes locked onto hers, the intensity in his gaze making even the air around them feel heavier. "We have much to discuss. During your little break, you missed our meeting, and now, from what I heard from our friend the merchant, there are new possibilities on our plan."
Varga's eyes narrowed slightly at Areius. "Possibilities," she repeated.
Areius's smile was enigmatic, the corners of his mouth curling just enough to reveal more of his tusks. "Indeed," he said, his voice low and mysterious, the promise of something unspoken lurking beneath the word.
Just then, another Krag approached, one Femi recognized from the day he'd been captured, the Krag with the spear. Tall, though not as imposing as Areius, with a wild ponytail and a nose surprisingly small for his broad face. His black eyes flicked between them, his grip tightening on the shaft of his weapon.
"What's the plan now, boss?" The lean Krag asked, his voice rough but expectant.
Arieus motioned toward the cabin. "Follow me. Both of you."
Varga hesitated, then glanced back at Femi, her emerald eyes softening just for a moment. Vaga gestured for him to wait, then followed Arieus into the cabin for a discussion, the door creaking shut behind them.
Femi exhaled in quiet relief at being free from Arieus' presence, his shoulders sagging slightly. He didn't really want to get close to him again after what he considered unfair treatment, the memory of the ropes biting into his wrists still fresh in his mind. As the three disappeared into the cabin, he turned away, the weight of the day pressing down on him like a physical force.
The camp felt quieter now, the usual clamor of Krags subdued, the only sounds was the occasional laughter and shouts and the distant calls of distant birds. Femi wandered back toward the lean-to he shared with Varga, the crunch of snow underfoot the only sound accompanying his thoughts. His mind still reeled from the events that had transpired, the encounters and revelations of the day swirling like leaves in a storm. He wasn't sure what to make of Vaga's intentions, but he knew he needed some time to process everything.
The cool evening air wrapped around him, carrying the faint scent of smoke from distant cooking fires, the aroma of charred meat and herbs making his stomach growl. Shadows stretched long and jagged across the snow, mirroring the unease in his mind.
He sank onto a worn-out crate, the wood groaning under his weight, and tilted his face toward the darkening sky. The twin suns had begun their descent, painting the horizon in hues of amber and violet, the colors bleeding into one another like watercolors on paper. For a moment, he let himself just breathe, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly, the cold air filling his lungs like a balm.
"I think I deserve a good rest after today," Femi muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyelids growing heavy as the exhaustion of the day finally caught up with him. Slowly, he drifted off to sleep, the world around him fading into darkness.