Michael, Runhar, Oinna, Azhul, Nushii and Vodra were now making way for the Hay-yen camp by the river. Half way there already, Azhul decided it was as good of a time as any other to make small talk.

"So, we're just going there ta help 'em build what? A few dirt huts an' a wall around 'em and what was it... some pools of water?" She asked while resting her halberd on her shoulders, hands hanging by the wrists along the wooden shaft of the weapon.

"Basically. The ponds will be to take care of and breed fish when its the season. I gave them a few explanations, but I left it to them to observe the fish and figure out the details. If we give them the set up for it all, they'll keep themselves busy with figuring out the trade. This way they'll have something to do to keep them out of trouble." Michael said while patting the sides of his upper legs in a rhythm as he walked.

"You said there were wounded, right? I hope we're getting to them in time." Oinna added with a small worried squeal leaving her maws.

"I know there's the one that I... no nice way to say it... that I basically flayed the back of, but others might have injuries we were unaware of. Oh! And we'll need to find one of them who's been acting as an impromptu leader. Funnily enough she's Nushii's cousin." The human added most casually.

"Huh. I am hoping this won't influence your allegiance towards us." Runhar said as he gave a passing glance to the Hay-yen who's name was mentioned.

"Hm... nope. Retzen is my blood, but she is sometimes mean and other times nice... but I get along with Vodra better and I like where I sleep and how I love now too much to give it up." Nushii responded in an unapologetically honest manner.

"Speakin' o' that. Ya two really gots ta share a shack with Michael? We could make one fer ya two so ye'll have some privacy." Azhul added in a most apparrently disinterested tone.

Vodra's ear would twitch as she listened and she turned her head to look directly at the large Tuskir sow. "He's been givin' us plenty privacy, leaving whenever we'd need to change or wash. I believe constructing another place will take some time and the limited space won't leave much option for size nor comfort. He was the only one willing to share his space, so I can not complain, for I have nothing to complain about." Her answer was plain and direct, monotone, but this monotone voice did let out clear hints in her words meant to poke at Azhul.

"And we get to listen to music on his magic stone at night. I don't think he'd let us borrow it, so I'm not minding sleeping in his place neither. But... hm... Michael can I borrow..." Nushii would say without a hint of passive agressiveness to her tone, nor upset. As she changed her attention to the human with a question, she got quickly cut off.

"Nope. I already lent it a few times to Yenna and the whole time he had it I was anxious as all hell. Still, it wasn't for nothing. Made a good trade, but I don't wanna risk losing it. It is way more fragile than it seems." Michael responded quick to shut down the question, not in a malicious manner, but clearly he seemed protective of his phone.

Azhul maintained a silent eye contact with Vodra, something akin to a test of wills. As the two stared at one another it almost seemed like they were gauging one another. "It was just a thought. If ye're happy with the arrangement than I am guessin' it's all good."

"It is." Vodra replied back as the two then parted gazes focusing on the walk ahead.

Quickly the time passed as they have finished their traversal of the forest to the large clearing by the river's side. As uneventful as it was, the sight ahead of them was bound to garner to questionable looks and thoughts.

A band of Tuskir, nearly three dozens in number, had the Hay-yen tied up and bound as they were ransacking their humble camp.

"What the hell? A different tribe?" Michael asked in utter surprise as he looked at Runhar for a reply or answer.

"Aye... Rockback Tuskir. They're one of the clans that emerged from when The Great Herd broke apart. They took to the mountains. I recognize them by their colors. They paint their back fur and clothing with stripes of brown to represent the mountain range. This will be troublesome..." Runhar answered while his steps increased in hurry, without running.

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"Agh... fuck. Alright, you take the lead on this. I'd rather not make things worse by saying something stupid." The human added as he tried to make himself smaller in their group, making sure to not stand out as much as someone looking like him could.

Runhar's advance was met with caution and weapons in hand, yet not raised. A Tuskir man of an older age then let out a squeal. "HALT! WHO YE BE AND WHAT IS YER PURPOSE?!"

"Runhar, son of Elder Den Mother Urla. Our tribe is located not too far from here." Runhar announced loudly as he stopped his approach, the rest of the group being not too far behind him.

"Agh, yes. One of the few nameless tribes, too small to be deigned with a name. And I thought all of them were wiped out by now. I am Uzbek, advisor to the progeny of the Elder Den Father Torzen, Bruyza. Still, you have not answered my question, y'ung one. What is it you are here for?" The older Tuskir was someone clearly keen, his eyes staring down Runhar, as his graying fur was about as bristle looking as his personality.

Runhar hesitated for just a moment, trying to paint the situation in a way that couldn't be ridiculed by how unusual it sounded. He had to weigh his words closely now, for the situation could turn dire quickly. "The Hay-yen you have taken as hostage are what remains of a larger tribe we have defeated. They have surrendered themselves to us and are now working for us. I'll have ta kindly ask ya to release them and to respect the pact made between all the tribes of Tuskir made when The Great Split happened, for they are on our territory."

Uzbek seemed to contemplate an answer, but before an answer could be given, large and heavy thudding steps approached, accompanied by a metallic echoing voice. "YER HAY-YENS?! HAHA! Lesser tribes be takin' our ol' enemy as vassals now, ey? Well, tis to be expected from someone weaker."

The voice belonged to a behemoth of a Tuskir, clad in a large full body armor, weilding a massive metal hammer, that seemed more like a chunk of iron attached to a thick metal shaft. The figure was about a head taller than Azhul and wider than her too. If Azhul was lean and cut, this figure was the physical manifestation of bulk.

"Bruyza, I presume?" Runhar replied to the figure, his stance not faltering nor cowering before the giant of metal.

"Aye, that'd be me, tiny. What I say goes here fer this band and I'm sorry ta say, but I ain't too keen on dem furred hunch backs roaming about 'ere. I see you got two more in tow with ya an'... what the fuck is he supposed to be?" Bruyza asked as a large metal hand and finger pointed directly at Michael.

There was an awkward moment of silence as Runhar stared back towards Michael and gave him a nod of approval to do what he seemed fit. 'Brother, ye better have come up with yer best bardic theatric cause we's gonna need 'em.' He thought as he took a moment to calm his nerves.

"Ah! Hello my good fellow!" Michael reacted immediately after seeing Runhar's nod. He smiled with that sleazy grin he put up when first facing the Hay-yen remnants of their enemy. He walk with a casual swaggering jaunt, his body expressing nothing, but relaxation. "I am a Daeman that Runhar's mother summoned. I would say it was a pleasure to meet you, if you'd not have just threatened my two slaves and also beat up the vassals that I had single handedly subjugated by myself." The cadence of his voice was as casual as small talk over a coffee, saying what he did as if he had not a care to who he was adressing.

Bruyza, seemed to flinch for a moment, only to then grip the shaft of its hammer tighter. "A daeman?! Yer tellin' me those nobodies summoned you?"

As Bruyza finished that sentence, Michael was just about done muttering the incantantion for the speed spell that he knew and just a moment later he ended up right in front of Bruyza. "Yes and I don't mean to kiss my own ass, but what the fuck... I will anyways, I'm a pretty good one at that."

Expecting an agressive reaction, Michael was not surprised when Bruyza's band had axes and spears drawn, the only one not raising being their leader. "Tsk, you have some really jumpy piglets under your command." He said as he took around at the group as his eyes then looked up at Bruyza. "Can't a daeman greet someone without everyone else shitting themselves?" He said while doing a small bow with his shit eating grin even bigger than before.

Bruyza looked at Michael through some eyeholes in the helmet it wore. "Heh. You must be either a daeman or mad to dare to come up like that ta me an' not even bat an eye at how many people are ready ta take yer head. So. Daeman. Were you thinkin' of intimidatin' me in listenin' to yer demands? Cause I ain't really quiverin' here."

"Oh, Hells no. No. No. I am an individual that believes in cutting deals. My favorite past time besides casual flaying and sampling blood. And I believe we can come to some common accord and clear out this whole misunderstanding. Along with the one where you dared to call me and my employers weak. Hmm? What do you say? Open for talks?"

Hard to say what Bruyza was thinking or feeling. Intrigue? Morbid curiosity? Anger? Annoyance? Regardless of the reason the few moments of silence before the behemoth replied were rather deafening. "Aye. Let's see how dat noggin' o' yours ticks before I feel like I have a proper reason ta smash it open."