Ava climbed down from Kale to receive the materials, "Thanks, I will start the treatment right away, oh and you go, I want to ask, do you have anything I can use to grind herbs?"
Oma spoke up, "yes, we have a rock carved bowl, my father, the shaman uses it to grind herbs that he uses for treating beast people, but it's the only one he has, I don't know.. if he will spare it for you, he is always grinding something with it"
Amon suddenly suggested, "if you really need it I can try to carve one for you, am not all that good at carving but I can try"
"No need, I will carve whatever she wants, I happen to be good at carving" Kale hissed, Ava was his female, there's no way he would stand idly by, watching other males try to woo his female, secretly trying to impress Ava, this Amon was sly.
Ava's face brightened up, "you know how to carve rocks?"
"Hmm" Kale replied as he nodded his head.
Ava was excited, if Kale really could carve stones, that means he could also carve stone pots and other things needed.
She held Kale's hand and looked up at him "Talented snake, can you please help me to carve a stone mortar and pestle" Ava's eyes twinkled with expectations.
Kale's heart, thumped loudly, is this how it feels to have someone you care for to confidently rely on you.
Kale puffed out his chest with new found confidence "sure, anything you want, I will provide, but Ava, what's a mortar and pestle??"
Ava:.....
Ava let go of his hand and picked up a stick then she drew a medium sized mortar and pestle, "this is what it looks like, the pestle must have a smooth rounded end that can be used to pound or hit anything that's in the mortar, also it's better to use a rock that strong and durable"
"I have one such rock in my cave, but who will stay with you while I get it?" Kael looked concerned.
Oma rushed forward and held one of Ava's arm "Don't worry about us, I will stay with Ava, I even want to take her out for a walk and show her where I live, you don't have to worry about us, we will be well protected by my mates" Oma pointed at the Five males who were outside the George's Territory.
"Who said I was worried about you?" Kale thought inwardly. He looked at Ava, waiting for her approval.
Ava nodded "it's alright, I will go with Oma"
Kale transformed To his beast form and quickly slithered into the forest.
---------------------------------
On the road, Ava saw some not so good looking women surrounded by three or four beautiful men, with ripped abs, and toned muscles… Watching the beautiful
men flattering the ugly women, Ava was really shocked, were women really that scarce.
Delving into the previous owner's memories, Ava learned about the diverse animal orcs. Unlike real beasts, which are much weaker, orcs can become humanoid. Female orcs are born resembling human babies and inherit traits from their fathers, such as ears or tails. Females from ape or bird lineages appear entirely human, while those with snake fathers look fully human but have naturally cold bodies and some resistance to snake venom. Male orcs, in contrast, are born indistinguishable from beasts but can switch between beast and human forms upon reaching adulthood.
Typically, only one female baby is born at a time, whereas multiple male babies can be born simultaneously. Female births are very rare, and females have weak bodies which are more prone to injury and illness than males. Male cubs, once they become adults, are combative and aggressive, often fighting over their preferred females and food. Once a male identifies his preferred female, his preference generally remains fixed and unchanging, and he becomes very devoted to her, even if she refuses to be his mate. A female can have multiple partners, with the most beautiful females attracting the most mates. The more beautiful a female is, the more partners she is likely to have. This is likely due to the fact that beautiful females are more frequently attacked or kidnapped, thus requiring stronger mates for protection.
Oma explained to Ava as they toured around the village, the single beastmen, looking at her with interest but those who tried to approach were all chased off by Oma's mate: "There are 79 males in this tribe, but only 9 females, adding you it will be 10 females, since females are very fragile and also very few in numbers, we females are Precious to the tribe and are treated well by the shaman and tribe leader, all males also have to be nice and give priority to females, so that no females will leave the tribe to join another.
But there are too few females in this tribe, it's no wonder it's a small tribe, her former tribe had about 27 females excluding the young female cubs and older females who can no longer bear cubs. More females in a tribe means that more stronger males will be willing to join the clan, leading to the growth and prosperity of the clan.
The orcs here are all graded into five levels. The higher the level, the more powerful the beastman. There are three Bar lines on George's left chest, indicating that he has reached the third level, and is the most powerful in the tribe he is currently in, at least that was before Kael showed up, kael has Four bar lines on his chest, which means he is the most powerful beast man in the tribe now.
Soon they reached Oma's Tree home, Oma's gesturing for Ava to come and sit on a log of wood not too far from the tree house.
Ava sat down as she looked around the environment, it was not much different from George's Territory, only difference was that there was piece of wild beast skins spread out on top of shrubs to dry out, and a few bones here and there.
"I had thought that you would live with your father" Ava revealed
Oma laughing "I am mated to 5 males, how can we shamelessly live with my father, he would be the one to kick us out"
Ava smiled, already knowing that male orcs live on their own once they reach adulthood and that females move out of their parents house once they are mated. "What about your Mother, and are you and Amon the only children of the shaman"
Oma who was usually bright and cheerful, looked uncomfortable and appeared to be saddened. "Amon is the oldest, I heard that before my beast mother birthed 5 cubs, but the rest are all dead now, some got killed while out to hunt, the remaining died this last winter while protecting their mates from invaders, now only Amon is left alive, as for my mother, she died while giving birth to me, some people say that I am cursed that I am a evil child who killed my beast mother" Oma's voice trembled as a drops of tears trickled down her face, Oma's first Mate immediately rushed to her side to console her followed by the others,
Ava feeling awkward "am sorry for your loss Oma, giving birth to females is never easy, besides am sure your mother loved you alot and would want you to live a long and full life, as for the others who keep talking nonsense, what do they know.. they probably just have shit for brains"
Oma gave out a weak laugh, cleaning her tears with the back of her hands "you really think so?"
Ava stood up and patted Oma's Greasy hair "I know so"
Taking a step back, Ava saw that Oma's mood had brightened up a little. "Oma, I want to go back, can you escort me back to the tree house."
Oma nodded "Let's go"
Ava still looking at the red-eyed Oma, "One of these days you have to visit me, I will prepare something delicious for you to eat"
" Seriously, what is it? " Oma asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.
Ava smiled, " it's a secret, you will know when the day comes"
With that they headed back to George's Territory.
On reaching the tree house, what was waiting for Ava was a perfectly carved mortar and pestle. It was so well carved it looked like the ones a person could get at a store back on earth. Ava quickly grabbed the mortar and inspected it, the rock used to make the mortar seem like a type of granite or maybe even granite, it looked like granite so it must be one..
Out of Excitement Ava Jumped into Kaels arms and hugged him "Kael, your so skilled and talented, how did you do this on such a short notice, you've got to show me"
Kael who was shocked and yet pleased by Ava who took initiative to hug him first felt proud, his head growing even bigger "It's not something I can show you here, i will show it to you later at a better time"
Oma who is curious as usual was already touching the heavy mortar and pestle, delighting in it's smooth yet coarse surface, it had a slightly uneven and gritty feel especially when she ran her fingers across the surface, which had a granular appearance. Oma was envious "this would be such a good thing to have" she doubted that the mean snake would make her one if she asked.